Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Steam power wall plaque at Harringay Green Lanes
If anyone in the Harringay hive mind can tell me more about the wonderful plaque at Harringay Green Lanes (almost hidden by the MaccyD's drive-through) I would be very grateful. I'm keen for it to feature on the Speaking Stones audio trail I've been banging on about on my page (and on Twitter @StonesSpeaking). Thank you!
Tags for Forum Posts: Harringay Green Lanes station, Speaking Stones, artwork, steam power
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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Got me stumped. I'm ashamed to admit that I've never noticed it.
From your photo, it looks like it might be surrounded by new bricks. Is that the case? Prior to McD's, the only occupants of the site have been the railway, the Arena & Stadium and the old potteries. I can't see it relating the the latter two. It's possible it could have been put in place by the Tottenham and Hampstead Junction Railway when they built the station (opened in 1880). If that was the case, you'd expect to see more on other stations they built. I can't find any evidence of that being the case.
So, my assumption is, if as it seems from the photo, that the plaque is set in new brickwork, that it erected by McDonalds. But even then, there's nothing to say that it's not an original plaque that was re-sited by McD's during construction.
It's clear that the scene the plaque depicts has a local context. The building in the rear looks like the second Ally Pally building. (But more like images I've seen done prior to construction rather than photos/representations after it was completed). The second Ally Pally was completed in 1875 (just five years prior to the station opening).
The Motto, "Progress with Humanity" is the motto used on the London Borough of Haringey's Coat of Arms. These were only granted in 1965. Although, neither of the predecessor boroughs of Tottenham, or Hornsey used this motto on their heraldry prior to that date, I suspect that its origins do date from the Nineteenth Century.
The scene does look rather like a show of late Victorian civic pride - steam trains, Alexandra Palace - look how advanced yet civilised we are!
So, in summary, I really don't know! But a nice mystery, Thanks. Do let us know if you find something out. (Would McDonalds have any records?)
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Permalink Reply by Martin Malcolm on
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Thank you, Hugh. Lots of leads there. The plaque looks quite new to the non-expert eye: there's no weathering or cracks. And it is in new brickwork (see the picture here), mounted on the embankment of Harringay Green Lanes Station where it borders onto the McDonalds drive through. To me, it has the look of a relatively recent commission, perhaps to celebrate an anniversary or mark the opening of the Overground? But, squirrelled away where it is, you are right, it is sadly overlooked, I hadn't noticed it either, until I started looking for stuff for the Speaking Stones project. But I am sure that some keen-eyed Harringay Online member will know more about it. And I will definitely keep you posted if i find out more!
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Permalink Reply by Lesley Ramm on
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Never seen or heard about this. I wonder if anyone at Hornsey Historical Society is aware. Perhaps John Hinshelwood or Janet Owen (former and current archivist)?
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Funny isn't it, that it seems to have been hiding there in plain sight? I'm looking forward to finding out more about it and somebody is going to pop up on Harringay Online at any moment with all the background. The next time (whenever that may be!) that you're passing Harringay Green Lanes Station look out for it, it is a delightful artwork, full of incident and life. My favourites are the dogs and they are going to feature firmly in the audio track my Speaking Stones team is preparing for it.
So plaque experts, get in touch soon, so we can include your insights. We are recording the clip on Sunday!
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Have sent to HHS Archive team for their view. Will let you know what I hear
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Brilliant, thank you Lesley. Anything exciting you find out we'll work into our script (I'm drafting it tomorrow). I'm new to Harringay Online, but I love the way it brings people together.
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Here's a picture of the wall's predecessor.
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Permalink Reply by Inkjetpack on
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There maybe some information available in the Historic England Archive, unfortunately a number of the files aren’t fully catalogued: https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/photos/results/?searchT...
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Thank you, I will have a search!
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I believe McDonald's commissioned and paid for it as part of the drive through development.
If the above I is correct you'll need to contact McDonald's head office.
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I will do that Andy, thanks for the thought.
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Permalink Reply by Richard Woods on
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Just a point but it is very close to the Harringay Station and to the left of Ally Pally is a very interesting church and another to the right. Do they maybe indicate other ends of the now conjoined line? Is that what it is celebrating? And I am with the saved by McD and re-erected theory; maybe their PR know the story?
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