Fragments of River Fleet
- Tomomi Tomlin
- Apr 21
- 5 min read
The River Fleet was the first hidden river I came across during my research on St Pancras Old Church for another project. I was intrigued by the fact that it continues to flow quietly underground as a sewer. Since then, I have always thought about the River Fleet when I walk by the church. So, I was very excited when the initial concept of the 'Fragments' art installation converged with the hidden rivers in London.
The River Fleet's sources are the Vale of Health and Highgate Pond in Hampstead Heath. Then the two streams meet in Camden and flow through the St Pancras Old Church, Kings Cross, Farringdon, Smithfield Market, Holborn Viaduct, and join the River Thames near Blackfriars Bridge. The history of the river and details of the watercourse are well documented in https://www.camden.gov.uk/documents/20142/1458280/River+Fleet.pdf and https://thesocietybuilding.org/blog/tbs-tours-lost-rivers-of-london/, respectively.
The following sections present the fragments of objects, conversations, and sounds gathered along the River Fleet.
The Origin
I walked up to the Hampstead Heath to begin the collection of 'Fragments' for the River Fleet. The Heath was quiet as it was a bit cloudy and a weekday. First, I went to the Vale of Health, then walked to Highgate Pond. The collections were made at two locations.
Date: 26 March 2025
Time: 11:42 - 14:03
Weather: 14°C - 16°C Partly cloudy
Conversations: The area was filled with birds chirping, dogs barking, and quiet talking among humans. Fragments of dog walkers', groups of families', and friends' conversations I caught are:
Go faster!
Good boy, Loui!
Get in there!
I'm not paying for that.
I have a friend...
We are very different.
We miss you.
Caspar, here, here,
Buzzzz (Bee's flying)
Does he go swimming?
Monty!
He is deaf to you.
I'm gonna keep him on a leash.
Hello, how can I get over there?
Sounds:
Objects found:
St Pancras Old Church
After visiting the River Fleet's source, I returned to St Pancras Old Church to collect 'Fragments'. I walked around the church, the garden and the streets just outside the church.
Date: 31 March 2025
Time: 10:15 - 11:19
Weather: 11°C Mostly sunny.
Conversations: Very few people were in the garden, and occasionally, people walked across for a shortcut or with their dogs. The fragments of conversations I gathered are:
Yeah, he's got up to 57kg.
You know they took it all.
I used to do dog training.
He's been always funny.
Make it up for the day.
You found it!
Kids actually didn't stay.
I might drop it off.
Sounds:
Objects found:
Farringdon, Smithfield Market, Holborn Viaduct
The next stops were Farringdon, Smithfield Market and Holborn Viaduct. Visiting this area always takes me back to the time I was working in the corporate world. Everyone looks rushed, continuously talking on the phone, and has a serious look on their face as they walk. I now walk the area in a casual pace, noticing the signs of spring.
Date: 3 April 2025
Time: 13:13 - 13:16
Weather: 17°C Sunny
Conversations: A lot of phone conversations by office workers mingled with traffic and construction noises. The market was closing for the day, and tourists were taking photos around the market building. Fragments of conversations I caught are:
We need you.
Oh, someday...
I don't know... they don't care. What can I do?
Things you need to write back.
That's what you do.
Hahaha (in a sarcastic way).
I know a lot of people.
It's a monopoly there.
I'm gonna have a one-on-one meeting.
Sounds:
Objects found:
Fleet Street & Blackfriars Bridge
After visiting Holborn Viaduct, I followed the watercourse, walking towards Fleet Street and Blackfriars Bridge, where the River Fleet joins the River Thames.
Date: 11 April 2025
Time: 13:19 - 13:56
Weather: 18°C Sunny
Conversations: The area was busy with tourists and office workers, and noisy with the construction work by the bridge and traffic. The conversations I heard were:
His money is that...
It's ornamental.
How are you? On the break?
That goes nicely.
All right.
Yes, nice one.
See you there.
I love it!
Stay on the left.
Cheers, thank you!
In the end, you have to...
I did it!
Sounds:
Objects found:
Reflections and Insights
For the River Fleet, I noticed significant drops in natural objects on the streets after leaving the source of the river. As you can see, the human artefacts of each location are very different, and they give you a clue of what's happening in the area.
For example, the objects collected around Smithfield market clearly show the sign of a meat market - pieces of plastic strings used for the meat packaging, broken wooden pallets, and tags used to attach to meat packages. Apparently, a market worker or butcher likes to play the lottery.
Collections of sound recordings clearly illustrate the atmosphere of locations - the peaceful Hampstead Heath to the monotonous rhythm set by the rumble of traffic around the Holborn Viaduct.
Even snippets of conversations reveal the kind of people present in the area. The tone of these conversations varies significantly depending on the location. For instance, discussions in the Farringdon area are orderly and serious. In contrast, those at Fleet Street and Blackfriars are more neutral and relaxed, although the found objects in this area give me a characterless feeling. I wonder if it is because of this area's mixture of tourists and office workers.
I felt that the structure, infrastructure, and people in an area create the mood of the place. But did the hidden River Fleet underneath influence anything in these areas? I'm not so sure. However, interestingly, I consistently found strings, including hair bands, to tie something, which could be the theme of the River Fleet? Maybe I need to go back to the history of the River Fleet.
On other note, after looking down the streets around London for many days, I became tired of seeing so many cigaretts butts and used e-cigaretts...
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