Join us and discover the radical history of Clerkenwell Green through monthly sessions. Come and explore local stories, groundbreaking ideas and people who made history.
After some very successful previous events, Reds on the Green is back for Autumn 2025. Join us and discover the radical history of Clerkenwell Green through monthly sessions. Come and explore local stories, groundbreaking ideas and people who made history.
All events are free and open to everyone. Here’s what’s coming up:
A RADICAL WALKING TOUR OF CLERKENWELL
Thursday 25 September, 5.30-8pm, Islington Museum, below-ground entrance, 245 St John St, EC1V 4NB
Clerkenwell is rich in radical history. Learn about the people and movements that have been part of it, on a 90 minute walk led by David Rosenberg, author of Rebel Footprints (limited places – please book in advance at [email protected]). Doors open at 5.30pm for an archive display; walk leaves promptly at 6.30pm.
WILLIAM MORRIS: POLITICS & ART
Thursday 23 October, 6-8pm, Marx Memorial Library, 37a Clerkenwell Green, EC1R 0DU
Artist and socialist William Morris (1834–1896), famed for leading the Arts and Crafts movement, was active in Clerkenwell’s Social Democratic Federation at 37a Clerkenwell Green, now the Marx Memorial Library. He marched from the Green to join 1887’s “Bloody Sunday” protest. Ruth Kinna explores his activism and belief in art’s social purpose. No need to book – just drop in!
CLERKENWELL & CHARTISM
Thursday 20 November, 6-8pm, Marx Memorial Library, 37a Clerkenwell Green, EC1R 0DU
In May 1842, a petition with over 3 million signatures was carried through London to Parliament, demanding sweeping reforms: votes for all men over 21, no property qualification for MPs, secret ballots, MP salaries, equal constituencies, and annual parliaments. The Northern Star, voice of the Chartist movement, reported on its journey and the wave of strikes, uprisings, and repression that followed. In this talk, Dr Vic Clarke explores how campaigners combined peaceful and physical strategies for change—from Parliament to Clerkenwell Green. No need to book – just drop in!
CLERKENWELL’S RADICAL INNS & COFFEE HOUSES
Thursday 11 December, 6-8pm, Islington Museum, below-ground entrance, 245 St John St, EC1V 4NB
Cultural historian Antony Clayton explores the history of the London coffee house, highlighting its role in spreading information and new ideas through the rapidly developing ‘public sphere’, with reference to Clerkenwell’s inns and coffee houses. In the words of an eighteenth century pamphlet: ‘Coffee politicians does create’. No need to book – just drop in!
Reds on the Green events are jointly run by Islington Heritage and the Marx Memorial Library. For more information contact:
[email protected] / 020 7253 1485
