As part of the next phase of the Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood project, I joined The Place Bureau, working on behalf of Camden Council, at the Holborn library on Theobalds Road. We spoke about what makes Holborn great, what we love about it and what we would change. We walked around Theobalds Road, discussing traffic, road safety, accessibility and the buildings surrounding us and what gives the street its identity.
I was then asked to write a love letter to Holborn as part of the project, this is my love letter to Holborn:
Dear Holborn,
How are you? I hope you’re faring well. You’ve stood strong for so many years, I hope you stay
strong for many more years. All of my childhood memories include your streets, your buildings
and your parks. I remember going with my mother and sister to the Queens’ Square park and
posing with the flowers for pictures. You witnessed the fairs that happened in the square and the
music and laughter of the people, dances, vendors and residents alike. I remember staying in
Russell Mansions and the restaurant next door where my dad used to work. The workers gave
me chocolate mints every time I went inside. You watched me as I went through one primary
school (Christopher Hatten) and then moving to another. I remember the Holborn Library and
how often my friends and I would meet there when the children’s section was downstairs. We
would have so much fun laughing and reading books and sometimes not reading at all. The
roads were wider, the buildings familiar. Corams’ Fields is another childhood favourite. My
friends and I would go there often and play for hours. We’d walk through Millman Street to
Guildford Street, Grays inn Road and back again. I remember taking the buses to Oxford Street
and doing long shopping trips with my family. Walking through the busy bustling streets.You saw
me through all moods, happy, crying, angry and laughing. I remember the corner shops where I
would often go and buy sweets. Things were cheaper back then. I remember going to the St
George the Martyr Church with School and now I walk past it. Now I’ve grown older, years have
passed and I have children of my own. I love taking them out. They go to the same school I
went to and the same church I visited. You have changed throughout the years and changed
buildings, narrowed your road, welcomed new people and said goodbye to many. I hope you
don’t change much more. You are so rich in history and culture and I love that about you. Rich in
my memories and I hope you’re there to watch my children grow as you watched me.
Love, Shanaz
If you would like to write a love letter to Holborn we want to hear from you!
Send yours in here: shanaz@holborncommunity.co.uk
