#somerstown

Posts at St. Nicholas Flats

The St Pancras House Improvement Society was instrumental in the redevelopment of the slums of Somerstown, the area behind Euston Station. The Society sought to provide good-quality housing with all mod-cons at affordable pricing for the residents, even the very poorest former slum-dweller. The result of this vision was the Sidney Estate, a group of six blocks of housing surrounding a large central courtyard. Each house was named after a saint: St. Nicholas, St. George, St. Francis, St. Anthony, St. Michael and St. Christopher.

The smaller courtyard to the front of St. Nicholas block contains a collection of posts, each surmounted by a sculpted ship – a reference to the fact that St. Nicholas is (as well as being Santa Claus) the patron saint of sailors. The sculptures were included from the wishes of the society to make the housing look attractive as well as being affordable. As to what purpose the posts served, my guidebook tells me they are lampposts – which seems rather odd, considering there are no lamps on them. I have found another more believable source though, which tells me that they are actually washing line posts. Perhaps as a strong wind propels a ship, it was hoped St. Nicholas could provide a stiff breeze to help in drying the laundry?