PoP-Up Exploratory 

Prime Bang Up at Hackney Relaunched

The Project is the research, record, community engagement, celebration and

associated events of the balloon flights in 1811 from the Mermaid Tavern Pleasure Gardens on the Narrow Way Central Hackney.

In the 17th 18th and 19th century the Mermaid Tavern and Pleasure Gardens were a

notorious centre for debate, assembly, revelry and fun. They were located close to the crossing of Mare Street, the Hackney Brook in Central Hackney and next to the still standing St Augustines Tower. In association with the pedestrianisation of the Narrow Way summer 2013, we propose to put on a series of events that will

celebrate the balloon flights and the spirit of enquiry and celebration that led to an

explosion of scientific discovery political and social change that has led to where we are today.