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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => London and Middlesex => England => London & Middlesex Lookup Requests => Topic started by: Tigsy on Monday 31 March 14 11:39 BST (UK)

Title: Prize fighting and the London Gymnastic Society - Percy Circus, Clerkenwell
Post by: Tigsy on Monday 31 March 14 11:39 BST (UK)

I wonder if any one can help me - I am training to be a London Guide and have to prepare a couple of talks on Percy Circus and Lloyd Square.

I have read in part of my research about a brutal prize fight that took place close to Percy Circus in Jan 1819 and can not find any details about it, despite contacting the Islington History Society and googling different items.  I understand also from part of my research that the London Gymnastic Society was also established in the area around 1826.  Again I can not find any information about it.

Another place I am looking for information about is Lloyds Square in the same area. 

If anyone can help with either of these or knows of any 'quirky' information about Percy Circus or Lloyds Square then I would be very grateful

Title: Re: Prize fighting and the London Gymnastic Society - Percy Circus, Clerkenwell
Post by: miriamkinga on Monday 31 March 14 11:51 BST (UK)

Not sure if you've seen this article: -

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=119444

it mentions the gymnastic society :)

Title: Re: Prize fighting and the London Gymnastic Society - Percy Circus, Clerkenwell
Post by: dawnsh on Monday 31 March 14 12:01 BST (UK)

I'm surprised you have to prepare a talk on an event where so little is known and information difficult to find.

Title: Re: Prize fighting and the London Gymnastic Society - Percy Circus, Clerkenwell
Post by: dawnsh on Monday 31 March 14 12:09 BST (UK)

If you have a sub to FindMyPast or credits for the British Newspaper Archive and search for the London Gymnastic Society 1820-1830, there are several references to its establishment from March 1826.

Title: Re: Prize fighting and the London Gymnastic Society - Percy Circus, Clerkenwell
Post by: dawnsh on Monday 31 March 14 12:20 BST (UK)

'googling' percy circus lloyd square found this

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=119444#s3

Title: Re: Prize fighting and the London Gymnastic Society - Percy Circus, Clerkenwell
Post by: Tigsy on Monday 31 March 14 13:00 BST (UK)

Thanks, I am training to be an Islington and Clerkenwell Guide.  We have been given our exam walk around Pentonville and have to talk for 3-4 mins on about 16 stops, one of which is Percy Circus and Lloyds Square.  I just really like to find 'quirky' information about each stop.  I know that Lenin once lived in Percy Circus as did Tony Hadley, but apart from that I am really struggling to find sufficient information to talk for 4 mins on the circus. 

When I saw the article on British History online I thought perhaps I could talk about prize fighting and that kind of thing.  It would be good to know about that particular fight - to make my talk interesting.

Lloyds Square is another that I am really struggling with - the rest of the stops I am fairly OK with in terms of information.