Issue #3 I'm on a Quest for Bronze Tanning

ISSUE #3 I’M ON A QUEST FOR BRONZE TANNING

THE QUEST FOR BRONZE TANNING This is the final edition of three fanzines made by artist Verity - Jane Keefe for the people of Wood Street, Walthamstow: the people that live here, work here, travel through here, go to school here or simply just like it here. They are the research accompaniment to her new moving image work “The Quest for Bronze Tanning” “The Quest for Bronze Tanning” is a portrait of place, looking very closely at the physical fabric of the area as it is now, whilst acknowledging what used to be here. Bronze Tanning Studio, 38 Wood Street now houses a pound shop, nestled inside the bright orange shell of the former tanning salon. This mysterious permutation provides the starting point for Verity’s journey to uncover the hidden stories of the shopkeepers, the businesses and the premises that they occupy.

This issue features a new Retail Trade Survey for Wood Street, as interpreted by Verity. This takes the format of an existing 1963 survey found in the local archives and reworks it, updating categories for a 2013 Wood Street, absorbing new contemporary additions to the local shopping hub: Pound shops, Fast Food outlets and Internet Cafes and mapping them alongside longterm residents of the street such as Colvins, Dennis Lock Services and Peter’s Clothing.

The information presented here is not conclusive, it is very much a work in progress and an artist’s interpretation of Wood Street as found today and as told by its shopkeepers.

If you like what you see and have any comments, or simply want to find out more, please visit: www.verityjanekeefe.tumblr.co.uk or email at hello@verityjanekeefe.co.uk

More than a sign manufacturer. A neon wonderland.

97 Vallentin Road Electro Signs + Gods Own Junkyard, 2013 Electro Signs, 1963

I HAVE TRAVELLED ALONG WOOD STREET FOR SOME TIME NOW. UP AND DOWN AND UP AND DOWN, STOPPING AND STARTING AND CARRYING ON.

Hand screenprinted clothing right in the heart of Wood Street

163 Wood Street O.G Clothing, 2013 J Pegrum Bakers, 1963

THAT SHOP IS QUITE MESMERISING. YOU WALK AND SEE A BRONZE TANNING STUDIO BUT INSIDE YOU SEE A POUND SHOP.

Enter the market to the sounds of Tony Tunes playing one of his 25,000 78’s. A treasure trove for lovers of the shellac record.

Unit 2-3, 98 Wood Street Wood Street Indoor Market, 2013 Empty, 1963

IT WAS A FAIRLY BUSTLING PLACE, FULL OF THRIVING INDIGENOUS SMALL BUSINESSES

The sideways glance of the white elephant of Wood Street.

51 Wood Street Express General Store, 2013 Empty shop, 1963

CONSUMER GOODS Grocers & Supermarkets Butchers B a k e r s & C a k e S u ppl i e s News & Off Licence F as t F o o d/ T ak e aw ay Cafe & Restaurants Public Houses Chemists Books & Stationery DURABLE GOODS Clothing & Shoes Furnishings General Hardware/Electricals Specialist Provisions Charity Shops Miscellaneous & Collectibles Art & Creative Services General Stores & Pound Shops Trade & Construction RETAIL SERVICE Hairdressing & Beauty Betting Shops Computers & Internet Dry Cleaning & Laundry Vehicles General Public Services Community Services Vacant Shops

S u r v e y o f R e t a i l Tr a d e

WOOD STREET

Th r e e or mo r e Sho ps

T wo Sh ops

One S ho p

D E NSI T Y

A lover and supporter of all things Wood Street, David’s enthusiasm is infectious Unit 35-36, 98 Wood Street Wood Street Indoor Market, 2013 Empty, 1963

WOW, 2063.

I WOULD HOPE THAT IT WOULD BE A MODEL COMMUNITY, A CREATIVE COMMUNITY.

A community gem with the best parquet floor on Wood Street.

205a Wood Street and rear 14th Walthamstow Scouts, 2013 Arcadia Cafe & 14th Walthamstow Scouts at rear, 1963

THE LITTLE NICK NACK TYPE SHOPS, THEY’RE THE ONES THAT HAVE A LOT OF FUTURE ON WOOD STREET.

The perfect balance of jokes and practical help at this family run Wood Street favourite.

72 - 74 Wood Street T & T Timber Merchants, 2013 J Henderson, Builders Merchant, 1963

Fish. Swimming side by side with hamsters and guinea pigs.

130 Wood Street Pets Corner, 2013 A. Younger, Sweets & Tobacco, 1963

Bread and meat on Wood Street. Excellent vinyl wrap treatment.

15-19 Wood Street Metro Food Centre, 2013 No record found, 1963

I’M ON A QUEST FOR BRONZE TANNING. AN ACCIDENTAL QUEST BUT ONE THAT HAS GOT ME LOOKING AT THE PAST AS A WAY TO IMAGINE THE FUTURE AND UNDERSTAND TODAY.

WOOD STREET INSIDE OUT is a programme of public projects seeking to enhance the character of Wood Street, delivered by a creative team led by East architecture, landscape, urban design. This programme is restoring heritage buildings and providing new signage, planting, playareas, street furniture and high street frontages.

WOOD STREET INSIDE OUT offers a range of opportunities for local people to collaborate with artists, designers and makers exploring themes of identity, association and change, and, in doing so, bring new life to Wood Street. This project is supported by the London Borough of Waltham Forest and Mayor’s Outer London Fund, which is helping increase the vibrancy and growth of high street places across London.

With special thanks to Wood Street Indoor Market, 14th Walthamstow Scouts and the shopkeepers and residents of Wood Street.

A FANZINE FOR WOOD STREET