The King, the Mayor and the Community Artist

Martin Goodrich, co-founder of the Free Form Community Arts Trust, speaks here of his understanding of socialism and art; and of his grandfather – Henry Edwin Goodrich – the first Labour councillor and the first Labour MP of Hackney. It so happened that we discovered in the Hackney Archives this digitised silent 16mm footage showing the opening of Nisbet House, in which Henry Goodrich, then Mayor of Hackney, accompanies King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in their tour of the estate (1939). Nisbet House still stands on Homerton High Street across Brooksby’s Walk, a stone’s throw away from Chats Palace.

Part 1: Martin Goodrich speaks of his grandfather, socialism and art

Disclaimer. All reasonable efforts have been made to ascertain the copyright situation with this film but please contact Hackney Archives with any queries or further information.

Part 2: Martin Goodrich on memory and community