‘Self-praising’ signs earn brickbats from Times Literary Supplement writer Hugo Williams
Published: 18th March, 2011
by PETER GRUNER
WRITER and poet Hugo Williams spoke out this week against “irritating” street signs placed by organisations and utility firms that seek to congratulate themselves for the work they do.
Mr Williams, 69, who lives off St Peter’s Street at Angel, writes a regular column about life in Islington for The Times Literary Supplement.
In his latest article for the journal he describes how Islington Council, among other organisations, “enjoys speaking well of itself”, and lists examples of signs that he’s noticed including: “Islington Council protecting your services”, “following your suggestions”, and “guarding your interests”.
Referring to a sign by a developer on a building site across the road from his home which read “Improving the image of construction”, Mr Williams added: “although not the sound of a vehicle’s reversing alarm driving us mad.”
Mr Williams told the Tribune: “There’s an enormous great sign on Islington Green saying, ‘Islington in bloom’. Are we supposed to thank the council for blooming Islington? Hitler would have had ‘Cleansing the world for you’.”
Mr Williams has been crafting his witty vignettes for the TLS about life in Islington under the title Freelance for 20 years.
As well as poking fun at authority, he also celebrates the borough’s characters and colour.
The writer – whose brother is actor Simon Williams – doesn’t use a computer or a mobile phone. He prefers to write with his trusty 40-year-old typewriter and has lived in the same house since 1966.
“I write about people who have lived locally for a long time and have background in the area,” he said. “I like to talk to people whose memories of the place go back as far as mine do. I remember the days when Islington was not so fashionable; before yuppies and gentrification took over.
“I still love Camden Passage but I’m sad about the loss of the antique businesses. I get very annoyed with cyclists who insist on charging along the Camden Passage’s pedestrianised street. And I’m very sad about the loss of small shops.
“I still go to the Rheidol Rooms café in St Peter’s Street which does the best baked tomatoes and fried bread in the world.
“And I adore wandering down Essex Road to chat to many of the shop and stall holders.”
Mr Williams is married with a daughter. He has written 12 books, mostly poetry. His latest collection, West End Final, published by Faber, was shortlisted for the TS Elliot Poetry Prize.
He speaks regularly and reads his verse at local schools, chooses poetry for The Spectator magazine, and his advice to any aspiring young poet is: “Explore poetry for yourself rather than accept what is given to you by your teacher.”
• Hugo Williams will read his poetry at North Nineteen pub, 194-196 Sussex Way, N19, on Monday, March 28. The event is curated by Ruthie Culver. For details, contact her at atruthie@therowanartsproject.com