More than 50 years ago, political campaigner and future deputy mayor of London Nicky Gavron chased a group of children into a disused church in Highgate and wondered whether it might be used by the community.
In 1975, she and four other campaigners – Jackie Reason, Paul and Jan Brooker, and Melian Mansfield – helped to transform the Archway Road church into a creative hub – hosting everything from youth clubs to pensioner groups.
As a Haringey councillor Jeremy Corbyn supported Jacksons Lane, as did former Hornsey MP Barbara Roche. (Image: Courtesy of Jacksons Lane)
Now Jacksons Lane arts centre is celebrating its birthday with exhibitions, special performances, school workshops, and according to artistic director Adrian Berry “a huge party open to all”.
As well as celebrations taking place across the weekend of June 28 and 29, they are collecting oral histories of those involved with the building over the decades, and creating a publicly accessible archive at Bruce Castle Museum.
It will be made up of old programmes, posters, photographs and press clippings, some of which will go into an exhibition touring Haringey libraries.
Heritage engagement manager Holly Wallis told a birthday year launch event last week that the public memory project asking for souvenirs and memories aimed to “remember, preserve and explore Jacksons Lane’s heritage and how it connects to the present”.
“Over 50 years ago, one of Jacksons Lane’s founders Nicky Gavron chased a group of kids with no place to go into an abandoned church and so started a noble experiment where committed community members worked to secure a space in the community for people who really needed it,” she said.
“For all that has changed, the spirit of that noble experiment – and most of what it was set up to deliver – remains the same. Working with older adults and young people, a breeding ground for progressive ideas expressed through the arts, and a space for artists to flourish.”
Berry says while the venue that was created for the community, by the community, has retained its “core values”, it has also moved with the times.
“Jacksons Lane was founded on socialist-based arts and community values which have been carried forward by every generation,” he said.
“The 50th anniversary will both consolidate and celebrate this ethos.”
He paid tribute to: “Strong leadership and the guiding voices of our founders and Nicky Gavron’s founding principles, which every leader and team has tried to honour.”
Alongside adult education courses, a youth circus programme, and the annual Christmas Day dinner for 150 older people, Jacksons Lane is a thriving hub for contemporary circus and emerging artists.
They offer free space to emerging artists as well as renting out rehearsal space – including for Strictly Come Dancing contestants.
Opening the 50th birthday season is an array of short dates ranging from a queer cabaret to burlesque, children’s puppet shows to a Nordic comedy about alcohol and depression – and a tribute to Kate Bush.
“I’m looking forward to the breadth of the heritage programme combined with welcoming back both new and established artists,” added Berry.
“There’ll be a few surprises of big names who began their careers here. Can’t say who just yet but some real thrills on the way.
“And our huge party in June will be open to all with promenade theatre and circus, a chance to join in with classes and courses with ‘taster’ workshops, as well as a 50th evening Cabaret on the 28th.”
Young people will contribute to the celebrations by producing three cultural events telling the story of Jacksons Lane.
Chief executive Warrick Griggs told the launch event: “This is the beginning of a fantastic year for Jacksons Lane, an organisation that supports its community and a testament to the ethos that is still a core part of who we are today.”
Anyone who wants to share a memory, clipping, photo or poem for the anniversary scrapbook can get in touch at memories@jacksonslane.org.uk or drop them off at the centre’s reception desk.
