Two locations in Edmonton have been selected by the Greater London Authority as exemplary projects in London for this year’s Open House Festival.
The first is Angel Edmonton, where a wide range of works over the last three years have transformed the area including the refurbishment of the library, a new cleaner air route, the conversion of 35 derelict garages into modern workspaces for young business people, and public art in and around Fore Street, all supported by Enfield Council and the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund.
The second is Bloqs, a professional makerspace that has become the hallmark of excellence in Europe. Their open-access workshops sit beside Meridian Water, one of London’s largest regeneration projects which is also an Enfield Council development.
Running UK-wide to 17 September, Open House Festival provides the opportunity to visit locations and buildings that are often closed to public view, encouraging audiences to explore new neighbourhoods and architecture. Enfield’s participation in the Open House Festival is kindly supported by The Enfield Society.
Joining the illustrious list of Enfield locations are:
- All Saints Church, Edmonton, N9
- Christ Church Southgate and Minchenden Oak Garden, N14
- Forty Hall Cellars, EN2 - the first time the cellars have been open to the public
- Friends Meeting House and Burial Ground, Winchmore Hill, N21
- King George V Pumping Station, EN3
- Lavender Hill Chapel, EN2
- Royal Small Arms Factory, EN3
- St Mary Magdalene Church, EN2
The locations are joined by the theme of Enfield’s industrial past, present and future. This theme is being explored over the next nine months in the Festival of Industry with a series of performances, workshops and exhibitions. Enfield has a very close connection with industry which has informed its architecture, infrastructure and communities over hundreds of years.
As part of the Open House celebrations, Angel Yard will mark its official completion with a ceremony on 16 September from 4pm. Jan Kattein Architects will also host guided tours of the Angel Edmonton area which have benefitted from the £1.1 million Good Growth funding, match funded by Enfield Council.
Elsewhere, Bloqs, will host a weekend of activity with workshop tours and an exhibition of their members' work. Inclusive theatre company Chickenshed will debut their new musical theatre piece, ‘Wooly Mammoths of Enfield’. Fore Street Library will explore the theme Faith in Industry.
There are many more activities across all the sites. Visitors are encouraged to visit the Open House Festival website for more information. Go to the Openhouse Calendar and select ‘Enfield’.
Enfield’s Festival of Industry will continue to be celebrated beyond the Open House Festival, all the way to March 2024. Keep up to date with what’s on at Dugdale Arts Centre’s website. The Festival of Industry is funded by the Arts Council’s Place Partnership initiative.