Poetry inspired by items in our archives

In 2010 Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre ran a competition for poems inspired by items in our collections.

On this page you can listen to the first and second prize winners.

The Waitress: 27th July 1917, by Pauline Sewards

Pauline's poem won first prize. It was inspired by the Holborn Restaurant menu card of 1917 pictured above.

Dating from 1874, the restaurant stood at the junction of High Holborn and Kingsway. As well as the Grand Salon complete with band and cabaret, there were the King’s Hall with space for 600 diners, the Queen’s Salon, decorated with portraits of female monarchs, the Empire Room, the Throne Room, the Grand Grill and the Snack Bar, for those of more modest means. It was used for a variety of functions including banquets, Masonic meetings, balls, concerts, wedding breakfasts, bazaars and public meetings. The building was sadly demolished in 1955.

Listen to Pauline Sewards's poem on SoundCloud (2mins, 47 seconds)

Regent’s Canal: 04.55 Friday 2nd October, a poem by Anna Cookson

Anna’s poem won second prize. It was inspired by a newspaper report about a tragic incident that took place in the early hours of the 2nd of October 1874.

A cargo of gunpowder on a boat travelling along the stretch of the Regent’s Canal in Regent’s Park ignited causing a massive explosion which killed three of the crew and wrecked the Macclesfield Bridge. 2020 was the 200th anniversary of the opening of the canal.

Listen to Anna Cookson's poem on YouTube (3 minutes, 12 seconds)