1901 Arts Club and Roupell Street, Waterloo

The 1901 Arts Club is found on Exton Street, a stones throw from Waterloo Station and exists thanks to conductor and violinist Joji Hattori.  Whilst living in London, he experienced the shortage of centrally located rehearsal and performance spaces for chamber music and decided to establish a space that would provide an intimate venue for recitals and chamber concerts in a European salon style. 

It opened its doors in 2007 to the public having previously been a schoolmasters house (the old school next door is now a graphic design studio) and even a base for the rail company whilst the Jubilee Line was being built. 

It was built in 1901 and still has its late Victorian exterior with a downstairs performance area and licensed bar. There is a meeting room and terrace and the building can be hired for functions. 

The club encourages people to enjoy performances in an intimate surrounding whilst socialising with other guests in the bar. With seating for less than fifty people (on my visit) you are guaranteed to experience a performance with a very personal feel to it. 

My visit was to see “The French Connection” with Andhika Patrick on piano. 

Erik Satie - Gnossiene No.1

Chopin - Etude Op.25 No.1, Etude Op.10 No.11, Berceuse Op.57, Nocturne Op.9 No.12 (Encore)

Debussy - L’Isle joyeuse, Claire De Lune

Ravel - La Valse

Saint Saëns - Le Cygne

Schumann - Carnaval Op.9 No.12 ‘Chopin’

1901 Arts Club Website.

Andhika Patrick Instagram

Roupell Street

Outside the club you are a stumble from Roupell Street - named after John & Catherine who rest at nearby St. John’s Church (Waterloo Road). Roupell Street is a conservation area which doubles as a popular film and TV filming location. The street  was built in the mid 1820s by John Palmer Roupell - the streets to the side of Roupell Street were originally called Catherine Street (named after his wife,  now Whittlesey Street East), John Street (now named Theed Street) and Richard Street (named after their son and now called Whittlesey Street West.)The street has survived development and the Blitz and still has its own pub - The Kings Arms.

St. Peter & St. Paul, Leybourne, Kent.

Leybourne originally had its name from the “Little stream” or Lillieburn as it was known in 941AD. The Saxon church was standing when the neighbouring castle was built by Sir Phillip de Lelebourne in 1166. It is believed that the Leybourne family name was so similar to Lilleburm that they merged over time.

From that family, the presence of Roger de Leybourne is evident when you walk into the church. He was the great grandson of Phillip and earned the trust of Edward I with the defence of of land in Gascony in France - the town of Libourme near Boudreaux is named after him. In 1270 Roger was sent to The Holy Land but it’s suggested due to ill health he didn’t make it and on his way back died in France. His heart was returned home and placed in the left casket of this shrine - the right casket was never used. The shrine was lost under rubble until Rector Charles Hawley discovered it between 1877-1914. Also in the church is a memorial to William, Roger’s son, who was the first Englishman to hold the title Admiral. 

Leybourne Castle 2023

Only one bell remains in the tower. Originally there were three then after the tower collapsed only two and in 1966 the tower suffered further damage from a thunder storm and only one bell was replaced. The church has historically been linked with the Hawley family and still holds patronage of the living members. 

Brick Lane and Allen Gardens

I’ve visited Brick Lane and Allen Gardens a few times over the past few years but I’ve never been there at 08:30 when it’s been this quiet.