Extract from “LONDON The Biography”, by Peter Ackroyd. Published by Vintage, 2001.

Amazon eBay: London has a great history as host to people’s demands for change. The annual Archives for London conference, on 3 October 2009, brings together specialist speakers on revolutionary movements from 15th to 20th centuries concerning calls for economic, political and cultural change. Our speakers, drawn from archive users and practitioners, will explore the lasting impact of these movements for social change on London and the world beyond our capital city, from Jack Cade’s rebellion of 1450 to the Notting Hill riots of the 1950s. “At first sight, Jack Cade’s Rebellion of 1450 was an inferior imitation of the Peasant’s Revolt of 1381”, comments Michael Hicks, Professor of Medieval History and AfL conference speaker, “but actually, it was one ingredient in a massive national crisis and a phase in the drive for political reform that contributed to the Wars of the Roses and the change of dynasty of 1461.” Other speakers include researcher, David Sutton, on the Spa Fields Riot (1816); social action historian, Sean Creighton, investigating the London riots and Bloody Sunday (1886-7); archive manager at The Women’s Library, Teresa Doherty, examining Women’s suffrage (1914); educationalist and writer, David Rosenberg, on the battle of Cable Street (1936); and historian, Dave Welsh, on Notting Hill. Archives for London is the independent voice for archives in the Capital. It brings together people who are interested in London’s history with the people who look after and preserve the documents, photographs and films that record London’s fascinating history. “If you are interested in London’s history, you should be at this year’s AfL conference” says David Mander, chair of Archives for London, “The conference is a wonderful opportunity for existing and potential archives users to come together with the practitioners who care for the collections and we anticipate the focus on revolutionary movements will proof a fascinating day and provoke lively discussions.” Revolting London takes place at London Metropolitan Archives. Booking details and further information is available at www.archivesforlondon.org/conference 2009. Notes to editors. Archives for London was formed in 2005 and is the only organisation that brings together archive users and practitioners, to celebrate the documents, photographs and film in and about London. Archives for London is a membership organisation and provides a successful events programme including a monthly seminar series, exclusive behind the scenes visits as well as the annual conference and topical meetings. Sadlers Wells, the Old Vic, Chelsea Physic Garden, Hampstead Heath, Whitechapel Art Gallery… these are all symbols of London, its heritage and culture. And all have direct connections with City Parochial Foundation. CPF has been operating in the capital for 112 years and during that time it has been associated with many innovative projects and institutions, not all of which were popular at the time, but which have since become firmly established and significant features of the London scene. Back in the early days, education for ‘the working man’ was an important priority. It was the time when polytechnics had just arrived, and CPF took an active part in providing funds for their expansion. Linked to this were a number of ‘kindred’ institutions which also attracted the support of Trustees – including Chelsea Physic Garden, Whitechapel Art Gallery and the Old Vic. The latter was supported on a number of occasions over the years. And CPF was also instrumental in backing the establishment of Sadlers Wells, an Old Vic offshoot, in the 1930s. Another early priority was maintenance of open space in the capital. Among the best known areas that Trustees supported were the expansion of Hampstead Heath, Hackney Marshes and Coram Fields. By the 1930s, this enthusiasm had developed into the provision of leisure facilities, some of these linked to large London County Council estates such as Dagenham and Becontree, and the development of Grange Farm holiday centre in Chigwell, which continues to thrive. Bellingham Recreation Project in Lewisham was another – it is still supported by CPF. In their time such projects were not considered appropriate for public funding but, as a result of their success and changes in attitudes, they have come to be regarded as important facilities that should be supported by central and local government. In the second half of the twentieth century Trustees began to d i rect funding increasingly towards organisations pro v i d i n g services to groups concerned with a wide range of social issues, many of them also unpopular at the time. This was a period of large scale immigration and racism began to be a serious issue. The need to do something led Trustees to provide support to organisations set up to tackle the problem. Poor housing was another serious concern after the second world war. After initially providing funds for direct provision, CPF later made funds available to organisations such as Shelter to provide advice to homeless people, and Housing Societies Charitable Trust (now HACT) which supported the establishment of housing associations – some of which have now grown to become multi million pound social businesses housing many thousands of Londoners. Greater London Association for the Disabled received backing, and support for GLAD and similar organisations continues today. Many other groups dealing with social problems such as child poverty, unemployment, drug and alcohol dependency and abuse, youth disadvantage and women’s welfare have been seen as priority groups by the Trustees. More recently, issues such as prison reform, and the needs of refugee and migrant communities have featured prominently, alongside support for very small voluntary groups that provide vital services for their often isolated and disadvantaged clients. This type of support has been a major feature of the approach adopted by Trust for London which was set up in 1986 to replace funding of voluntary bodies which had previously been supported by the defunct Greater London Council. If past experience is anything to go by, today’s funding by CPF and TfL will see benefits for many Londoners extending for years to come, through institutions that become established and vital contributors to London’s evolving heritage. Living London history