Crystal Hale (1915-1999)

London Remembers

Crystal Hale lived in Islington for almost 50 years. Her house overlooked the City Road Basin, and when moves were made to fill the basin in and build on it, Hale led the campaign to save it. Hale had a dream to transform a part of the Regent’s Canal into an adventure paradise for children, which she did by founding the Islington Boat Club in 1970, and the annual Angel Canal Festival in 1975.

Remembered as the ‘Saviour of the City Road Basin’, Hale’s legacy lives on through children learning how to use the canal safely and having plenty of fun while doing it. The Guardian writes:

“Hale was once described by her brother as having all the qualities of Queen Bodicea - excluding the bloodthirsty ones. Others drew parellels with Lady Bracknell, Florence Nightingale and Barbara Castle.”

A formidable woman with a big dream, Hale is an inspiration to those who want to create safe and fun spaces in Islington. We are glad that she is remembered every year by the Islington Boat Club, and that she created this water haven for us.