Queenie sings and tells us how Caledonian Rd will always be home.

Queenie, Caledonian Rd

David Sexton talks about being deported from Ireland and ending up on the streets of King's Cross.

David Sexton

Sue Smallwood talks about the history of Scala theatre in King's Cross.

Sue Smallwood, Scala

A podcast opening the door to the Bell, an iconic lesbian and gay pub of the 80s and 90s.

Kings Cross. A run down part of London, haunted by addicts, homeless people, sex workers – and queers, drawn there by the music and energy of one pub. 

The Bell.

Situated on Pentonville Road, this shabby Victorian pub was a sanctuary to lesbians and gay men from 1982 to 1995, a time when the AIDS epidemic provided a convenient excuse for unprecedented attacks on their lives and liberties from the media, police and the government. 

The Bell was somewhere to escape to. Somewhere to drink and dance, laugh and love. 

The music was key – eclectic, alternative, underground. The look was unmistakeable – flat tops in 501 jeans, made-up Goths in swathes of black, plumed dykes in leather and studs. 

And, running through the veins of every tribe, a spirit of protest, resistance and justice. 

This mix of counter cultural music, looks, love and liberation is given voice in this podcast featuring the memories of those who were there and called the place home, who share tales of toilets, tantrums and learning to waltz. Of the losing battle against gentrification in the area. And why, thirty years on, they’re still dancing to the beat of the Bell.

On the playlist were:
Richard Branskill
Chrissie Joyce
Trill Moss
Jarlath O’Connell
Rob Pateman
Seamus Rae
Debbie Smith
Denise Spence
Huw Williams

Written by Rob Pateman
Produced by Polly Rodgers and Michael Hall
Narrated by Rose Collis
Music by Joe Button
With story support from Carlotta Manzi Davies

King's Cross Story Palace is funded by a grant from The Heritage Lottery Fund, www.hlf.org.uk

The Bell: Ghosts on the Dance Floor

An Earth Shattering Experience

On the 26th April 2018, Lucia Scazzocchio, Social Broadcaster and Sound Artist was at King's Cross Station recording the voices of the people passing through. This short teaser gives a taste of some of the connections she made on that day. 

Look out for the full version, coming soon.

This project is part of The King's Cross Story Palace project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
http://storypalace.org/

Kings Cross Connections - Teaser

Historypin is a way for millions of people to come together, from across different generations, cultures and places, to share small glimpses of the past and to build up the huge story of human history.