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CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SOCIETY N o.160 Spring 2009 £1 (FREE TO MEMBERS) www.camberwellsociety.org.uk

The Camber Well – p8

Transport – p4 Public Property – Public Waste – p6 Contents Gazette

From the Chairwoman ...... 3 Transport ...... 4 OPEN GARDENS DAY Public Property – Public Waste ...... 6 SUNDAY 14 JUNE 2009 Restaurant Review ...... 7 Society members open their gardens The Camber Well ...... 8 for the benefit of other members. Book Reviews ...... 10 Details of gardens will be available on Camberwell on Screen ...... 12 the day. All proceeds go to Camberwell News ...... 13 Arts, our Charity of the Year. Directory ...... 15

THE CAMBERWELL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS

Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, or is interested in Camberwell. The Executive Committee is elected annually at the Society’s AGM. Meetings of the Executive Committee are usually held on the first Thursday of the month – please contact the Secretary for dates. Members are welcome to attend as observers with prior notice to the Secretary, Ann Dannatt (see inside back cover). Sub-Committees on planning, parks and open spaces, traffic and transport, publications and local history form an important part of the Society’s work and all members are welcome to involve themselves in areas which interest them.

Forthcoming Events Thursday 21 May Annual General Meeting 7pm VENUE Institute of Psychiatry, 16 De Crespigny Park SE5 Sunday 14 June Open Gardens Day 2009 2pm-6pm TICKETS FROM 34 Grove Lane on the day

GAZETTE OF LOCAL SOCIETIES, VENUES AND EVENTS We recommend checking details

Brunswick Park Neighbourhood Tenants and Residents concessions £3. Cheap food and bar. Contact Les Alden Association Jason Mitchell 07985 548 544 020 8693 5207. See www.jazzlive.co.uk for latest listings [email protected] Lambethans’ Society See Society website , Friends of Monthly meeting. Membership is www.brixtonsociety.org.uk free. Contact Steve Hedger. Email [email protected] Minet Conservation Association 020 7737 8210 Camberwell Gardens Guild Membership enquiries to: www.minet.fsnet.co.uk Pat Farrugia, 17 Kirkwood Road, SE15 3XT Cemetery , Linden Grove, SE15. Friends of Nunhead Carnegie Library, Friends of See the Friends’ tray in the Cemetery (FONC) 020 8693 6191. www.fonc.org.uk Library or email: [email protected] Society Peter Frost 020 8693 4001. AGM 19 April at , Old Town Hall, 151 Walworth 3pm followed by ‘’s Modern Architecture in a Road, SE17 1RY. 020 7525 2332 Victorian Townscape’. Goose Green Centre, St John’s Church, www.southwark.gov.uk/DiscoverSouthwark/Museums East Road SE22 (Alan Camp) www.peckhamsociety.org.uk , College Road, SE21 7AD 020 8693 5254. www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk Ruskin Park, Friends of Mary Kidd 020 7274 4756 Friends of the Earth Southwark Tim Atkinson South Gallery , 65 Peckham Road SE5. Open: 020 7358 9905. E-mail: [email protected] Saturday 3-9pm, Sunday 4-9pm www.southlondongallery.org Society Jeffrey Doorn 020 7274 7008 Membership: Herne Hill Society, PO Box 27845, SE24 9XA www.hernehillsociety.org.uk The views expressed in the Camberwell Quarterly are not necessarily those of the Society unless clearly stated as such. Jazzlive Live jazz music every Friday night at St Giles’ Church The Camberwell Society is a registered charity (No. 264751). Crypt, Camberwell Church Street, SE5. Admission £6,

Cover: Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Minister for Sport, visits the Leisure Centre. Pictured with him are Baths supporters, children from Lyndhurst School, Councillor Lewis Robinson (on the Minister’s right) and Harriet Harman MP (far right) 160.2 From the Chairwoman Report from the chairwoman

fter the snows . . . spring, bright yellow buds and that Atoppling moment for the daffodils at the Green whose stalks can’t support the weight of their multi-layered petals when they open fully. Lots of fresh initiatives to report on, good news, and prospects which we hope won’t flop like our exuberant daffodils. I have received a letter from our MP Harriet Harman to say that the East London Line linking and Peckham to Junction will be going ahead in time for the 2012 Olympic games. Many congratulations to all those who campaigned so hard for this. The Cross River Tram is not going ahead. Given that the tram threatened to damage Burgess Park and that it was not in any event going to come to Camberwell, at least as part of the main line, this is perhaps not a great loss to our area. Nicholas Roskill and Campaspe Lloyd-Jacob are pictured in ‘the big freeze’ The Council’s funding Photo: Anna Hardinge applications for £1.5m of central government money and £0.5m of project our Charity of the Year as it on Peckham Road where the Heritage Lottery money for the seems to us that we should do Registry office is, what the current Camberwell Leisure Centre have whatever we can to increase plan is at the St George development now gone in, supported by a letter appreciation of our lovely listed pool of the old Mary Datchelor School from us and letters from Groundwork and help make sure it gets the funds site, what Kings is doing on London and Camberwell Arts. The it badly needs for refurbishment. , and what is Council has told us that it will match Many congratulations also to the happening at Denmark Hill station. the £1.5m if it gets it and it has Camberwell Baths Committee for its Do please come and ask questions particularly asked for help with the very effective presentation to Gerry and if you would like to nominate Heritage bid as it appears that it Sutcliffe MP, Minister for Sport, on anyone for any of the Society’s needs to demonstrate an educational his recent visit to the Baths (see officers’ posts or for the executive aspect to the refurbishment. cover picture). He seemed genuinely committee, please do so at least 14 To plug this gap in the impressed by the Baths, by what had days before. application, and because it is been achieved at the Tennis Club and Gardens Day will be on 14 June interesting, we, together with by the photogenic children of this year. Please get in touch with me Camberwell Arts, are trying to put Lyndhurst School who prepared a if you feel you can open your garden together a project at the Baths with CD for him and waved splendid and perhaps even send in a small an artist and a local historian to banners. photo of some interesting detail encourage local people to see the Our AGM will be at 7pm on 21 which visitors would have to find in building in a new way and to take an May in a snazzy new venue, The it. We might try to arrange some sort interest in its history. The idea is that Institute of Psychiatry, which should of treasure hunt . . . Also, nearer the there will be an installation at the be more accessible than Wilson’s time, we would love offers of cakes, disused second-class entrance to the Hall. The topic is Development in plants, helpers . . . pool and a talk. Do please get in Camberwell and we will have touch with me or Camberwell Arts if speakers who can tell us about what Campaspe Lloyd-Jacob you can help. We have made this will happen to the Georgian Terrace [email protected] R K NEWS 10 Camberwell Church Street, London SE5 8QU / Phone 020 7703 2784 Prop: Mr S. & Mrs J. Nathan NEWSAGENTS, NATIONAL LOTTERY, TRAVEL CARDS, GREETINGS CARDS, “MAGAZINE SPECIALIST ”, PAPER ROUND, HEALTH PRODUCTS.

160.3 Transport Camberwell is choking with buses and fumes

In November Tim Gaymer wrote on doubledeck gridlock, and that is Walworth Bus Station Garage is behalf of the Society to Mayor Boris Walworth Bus Garage. I believe this further away than the previous Johnson about the transport is within your remit, as some years proposed site (where the previous situation in Camberwell and its ago the mothballed Walworth station had been 90 years ago), and effects on the community. Below is Garage was requisitioned by Ken as a bonus is closer to the deprived an edited version of Tim’s letter. Livingston to again house buses. Its Wyndham Road area, where location, however, has never been improved transport links are vital. he centre of Camberwell, essential to the bus services With the redevelopment of bereft of tube, can often provided in Camberwell, for Blackfriars Station underway, which Tappear awash with buses. although it is only 100m from will deliver an increased number of Served by 15 high-frequency routes, Camberwell Bus Garage, it has train paths by 2012, and greater it generally is. always housed services which start operational flexibility as a result of a The retail and commercial and finish elsewhere and do not turnback facility recently installed at experience has declined greatly over serve Camberwell, thereby Herne Hill, a new Camberwell the last 10 years, and this seems generating additional traffic to and Station could provide huge benefit directly proportional to the increase from the depot. through tapping into the upgraded in traffic which chokes the centre The key to unlocking the infrastructure. and led to Denmark Hill – the main gridlock is therefore a combination The proposed Cross River Tram shopping street – to be declared the of fewer buses on the road as a was conceived to aid the recognised most polluted area in London result of closing the Walworth Bus congestion and lack of rail/tube during a scientific study in 2005. Garage, and a bus and rail station facilities to inner South London. Of course there are other interchange on the site of the Now that the Cross River Tram will factors: the pollution is exacerbated Walworth Bus Garage, further not be built, the proposal to by the South London hills behind, reducing bus dependence. supplement the existing public the shopping decline by the loss of Walworth Bus Garage is transport with further buses will a major anchor store when Safeway adjacent to the four-track only exacerbate the congestion in was taken over, and commercial Thameslink line which currently Camberwell, which lies between the loss when traders move to new sees, off peak, only six trains an two tram routes to Brixton and purpose-built facilities outside hour each way, hardly an intensive Peckham. Camberwell. Nevertheless, the poor timetable. A railway station in this To the wider community beyond quality of the public realm and location would provide considerable Camberwell, it is easy to see that a congestion to the roads, and to the benefit in reducing bus travel on stopping service between pavements (with pedestrians and Walworth Road – one of the most Loughborough Junction and the those waiting for a bus) are also of heavily trafficked bus routes in , with a stop also great significance. Local police London (11 high-frequency daytime reinstated halfway along Walworth safety officers say 36,000 set foot in routes) and horrendous for cyclists Road, could support further custom Camberwell every 24 hours like me! The proposed railway for the East London Line Phase 2 (primarily to change buses) but with station would also provide a fast via Denmark Hill, and a potential very little benefit to retail, leisure or route into London for those who are interchange at Loughborough commerce. Safety fears from the not in walking distance of other Junction. A stop halfway along congested roads means pedestrians stations (all 15 to 20 minutes walk Walworth Road would also further are often landlocked and cannot from the Bus Garage. Network reduce the congestion on the walk freely through the centre of Rail’s argument in its South London Walworth Road Camberwell to use facilities. Route Utilisation Strategy against a The statistics point out the One further factor which seems rail station in Camberwell because it validity of a proper segregated bus to just add to this congestion could is too near Loughborough Junction, interchange in Camberwell. There also be the key to unlocking this red is consequently diluted, as the are more routes running to a greater frequency than neighbouring areas where new bus interchanges have been judged both viable and a necessity. I believe the time to plan for this change is now. The decline to the centre of Camberwell is at variance with the level of development of new residential accommodation, the expansion of the trio of medical centres of excellence in the form of Kings College Hospital, the

160.4 Transport

20,300 at Loughborough Junction. The similar size of the catchment areas shows that stops at Camberwell would have no significant advantage over stops at Loughborough Junction. From an engineering point of view, platforms would be required on all four lines so that trains routed via both Loughborough Junction and Denmark Hill could call. This would More than 200 buses an hour, off peak, pass through or stop in Camberwell require significant widening of the viaduct on which the station would Maudsley Hospital, and the Institute Junction/Denmark Hill, tight timings be located to provide space for the of Psychiatry, and increasing student on the Thameslink Wimbledon Loop platforms to meet current standards. numbers at the Camberwell College service, caused principally by The track would also need to be of the Arts. pathing through the flat junctions at slewed either side of the station. It One of the main bus services to Herne Hill and , make it is also possible that widening of the use the Walworth Garage is the ELS difficult to accommodate an extra viaduct could infringe on Service (the replacement for the stop at this location. Stops could not neighbouring properties, therefore East London Line while it is closed be accommodated at a new station construction of a new station at this for rebuilding and expansion). This without trains non-stopping at location is likely to be very service, and therefore need, will another station. The only other expensive. finish when the line opens in three station where stops could be omitted Following anaysis in 2007 TfL years’ time. The bus garage would is Loughborough Junction, and there did not recommend opening of a then be at approximately half is no evidence that stops in the new station at Camberwell. This is capacity. There is spare capacity at Camberwell area would have greater due to the operational difficulties of other nearby bus garages. benefits for Londoners overall than opening a new station on the line stops at Loughborough Junction. without closing Loughborough Transport for London (TfL) Accommodating an additional stop Junction and the difficulties of responded at length on the the at Camberwell in services that constructing a station at this location Mayor’s behalf. An edited version of operate through Denmark Hill is that did not impinge on the the main points is given below. likely to be more feasible, although operational efficiency of the railway. this would provide a relatively low TfL does not agree that the alworth Garage is an frequency service at a new station. ending of the ELS contract will indispensable part of the TfL also carried out analysis of make the garage half empty. Also, Wnetwork, and the fact that the likely demand at a new station this garage houses the Head Office it operates bus routes which do not based on the population within the of Travel London, which would need serve Camberwell is not sufficient catchment area of the station. This to be relocated. reason to consider its removal. was compared to the catchment of Walworth Garage is currently near Loughborough Junction Station. It capacity, and it would be extremely showed that approximately 5,000 G We would like to hear your difficult to find alternative people live within 400m of a new views on this subject. Please write location(s) to replace it. station at Camberwell compared to to the Editor, There are six daytime bus routes 5,300 at Loughborough Junction. 4 Datchelor Place SE5 7AP serving that are Some 21,900 people live within or email not operated by either Walworth or 800m of a new station compared to [email protected] Camberwell Bus Garages, partly because they are not operated by one of the two companies owning bus K.A. Jeffries & Company garages in Camberwell. The actual Chartered Accountants routes operated by a bus garage Registered to carry out audit work and regulated for a range of depend on which routes the bus investment activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants company has successfully tendered in & Wales. Dealing with general finance and for, and this changes management problems of family businesses. over time. All aspects of income tax and inheritance tax planning. In regard to a new station at 18 Melbourne Grove Camberwell, between Elephant and , London SE22 8RA Castle and Loughborough Tel: 020 8693 4145

160.5 Public Property – Public Waste 4A, 6 and 6A Grove Lane: is this the end of the saga?

Nicholas Roskill has been writing in the process of taking legal action about 4A, 6 and 6A, Grove Lane in to forfeit the lease when the the Quarterly for more than 21 years, property was put on the market. most recently in March 2006. Second, Mr McLister’s estate did not have the necessary legal rights he three properties (painted to develop in accordance with the dark green by considerate planning permission which had been Tneighbours) at the north end obtained. Consequently no buyer of of Grove Lane have been derelict the lease could redevelop either. So since 1977 after being used for some it seems as though Mr McLister’s years by Elders, a local greengrocers. victory in the planning appeal was a I have been campaigning for false dawn: he was applying for their restoration since 1988 and According to Southwark Council, permission to undertake a wonder if it is something of a record the ‘existing buildings on the site redevelopment which he never had that these properties should now have are considered to make a positive any right to complete. It is not clear been derelict for 31 years and have contribution to the character and to me whether the planning been the responsibility of Southwark appearance of Camberwell Green inspector handling the appeal was Council for most of this time. The Conservation Area’ made aware of the deficiencies in cumulative notional cost of keeping the lease. these properties empty for so long, in Mr McLister had meanwhile died in Unsurprisingly in these terms of lost rent and rates, is on my a yachting accident and the decision circumstances the McLister estate calculations now approaching £2m, on the Appeal was delayed. could not find a buyer for the lease an astonishingly high sum which of Apparently the result could not, which it held. So ultimately, in course largely falls on the ratepayers under the relevant rules, be published mid-2008, the estate entered into a of Southwark. until probate on Mr McLister’s estate deal with the Council which When I last wrote, there had had been granted, although quite involved the surrender of the lease been an Appeal against the rejection obviously the value of the estate with the Council becoming the by Southwark Council of a planning itself depended on the value of the unfettered freeholder. The property application for the site, submitted in property subject to the Appeal! I was then sold by the Council in an December 2003. The application had wrote several times to the Planning auction held by Andrews and been made by Mr J McLister who, Inspectorate to query this Robertson in December 2008 to a after many years of litigation with extraordinary ‘chase your tail’ local firm of developers, Sutherland the Council, had been confirmed as situation: in the end, having taken Partners. They tell me that their plan the long leaseholder of the site. The legal advice, they agreed to publish is to develop a high-quality scheme, application was for the building of a in May 2007 the results of the in a traditional architectural style, two-storey office/workshop on the Appeal under which, as might be which they claim will outshine St Grove Lane frontage and for a expected, the planning application George’s well-designed two-bedroom flat at the corner was upheld. development across the road. I have adjoining Jephson Street. The Having obtained planning seen a preliminary sketch and it proposals were generally welcomed, permission, the McLister estate put looks charming. and were supported by the Grove the lease on the market in April 2008 Obviously the new proposals Lane Residents Association (GLRA) through the estate agents, Kinleigh, will require further planning and the Camberwell Society which Folkard and Hayward. However, this approvals and I hope they will described the scheme as ‘well revealed some surprising facts about receive general local support. I designed and one which suited the Mr McLister’s lease of which I (and gather that the time-scale is likely to site and scale and proposed use’. perhaps others) was unaware at the be two to three years so patience is Needless to say there were no time of the planning application. still required before we see a objections. It was thus all the more First, when the lease was examined, satisfactory conclusion to this surprising that the planning it turned out that it required Mr long-running sore in a potentially application was rejected on the McLister to refurbish the existing lovely corner of Camberwell. I hope grounds that the ‘existing buildings property promptly (that is in 2001) that this is the end of the saga. on the site are considered to make a and second, it did not permit him to positive contribution to the character carry out any kind of redevelopment The support and professional advice and appearance of Camberwell of the property. from Elizabeth Borowiecka, who Green Conservation Area’. You Two things followed from this. attended the Planning Appeal, is might think that this was a rather First, by 2008, Mr McLister, or by much appreciated. poor joke but I am quoting verbatim! this time his estate, were in serious An Appeal against the rejection breach of the obligation to refurbish, Sutherland Partners can be was held in October 2005 but sadly and indeed the Council was already contacted at [email protected]

160.6 Restaurant Review The Cambria – more than just a pub

Address: 40 Kemerton Road SE5 9AR Tel: 020 7737 3676

e hadn’t booked – after all it was just a local pub Wwith good food, on a ‘tucked away’ corner in a residential neighbourhood between Loughborough Junction Station and Ruskin Park, or so we thought! Our hearts sank on arrival as the Cambria appeared full; all tables occupied and many customers eating, rather than just enjoying the ambience with a drink, as you can. and was priced accordingly. For with very good food. Its very The atmosphere was very mains the cubed Cuban pork with success may ultimately be its failure welcoming, soft yet sparkling with black beans was hearty, no more when everything is running to the lighting just sufficient to read the noodles with the teriyake salmon, but max, but the proactive approach of menu, and subtly enhanced for the garlic mash. The meze eaten by my the owners, who have achieved so Christmas season. Despite being wife was a good selection of well- much in less than six months, hungry we resolved to stay for at sourced ingredients. The sausage suggests this will not be so. Already least one drink and enjoy the buzz. (wild boar) and mash was a good there are events most nights with a The very positive and helpful staple. The provenance of all the desire to capture as wide an staff managed to arrange a table for ingredients is known – with meat audience as possible and in the four of us and took our drinks and vegetables sourced daily from particular those who wish to eat out. order while we studied the food the key London markets. The care in Curry night, for example, is a menu (six bar snacks, seven starters, sourcing is evident in the cooking Bollywood themed evening. eight mains). There were a number process as well. The tiny kitchen We hope the success of the of beers on draught including two must be well run to achieve this. No Cambria will encourage the opening bitters on hand pump. I settled for a time for pud or cheese – our friends of similar establishments offering pint of Black Sheep bitter while the had to return to West London which good value with an emphasis on others shared a bottle of Piedmont they describe as pretentious and well-sourced high-quality food, Cortese from the comprehensive and boring in the gastropub stakes (a drink and entertainment. Let us hope interesting wine list, advised by one generalisation, I’m sure). this is a recession-proof formula. of the knowledgeable owners. After To conclude the review, we perusal, food was ordered, we had returned three days later for a glass Additional information : quite a wait (there were about 60 of chilled pudding wine and to share G Credit cards are accepted covers before us) but in fairness, the homemade cinnamon and pistachio G Small step at entrance, all other staff kept us informed, and upon ice creams – served in a gorgeous areas accessible, including WC bringing our starters, announced tall glass. Again the Cambria was G Open daily for lunch and dinner. they would be complimentary. This full – it was the Monday jazz night G Starters £4-6, mains £8-12, was a nice touch. (Reviews for the and the quartet and scat vocalist desserts £4. CQ are undertaken anonymously – were swinging. G Optional 10% service included in case you were wondering . . .) The Cambria is a rare success in G External tables for warmer times The choice of food was eclectic, these strapped times, combining including dishes that were local neighbourhood public house Tim Gaymer multi-cultural, multi-national, hearty and light – multi ambitious? – read on. To start we had a bistro classic – H2EAU snails in garlic butter which we were Plumbing & Interiors told had been brought personally Dripping Taps • Radiators back from France that day (looking Bathrooms • Tiling Service at our garden later, I thought coals to Newcastle). A friend who eats 187 Sumner Road snails as often as she can said they Peckham SE15 5GW were a triumph. The final starter of Tel: 020 7701 9833 chorizo was pronounced small but it Mobile: 07960 214409 was a bar snack chosen as a starter www.h2eau-interiors.co.uk

160.7 Camber Well Lost and found: the original well of Camberwell

hole in Noreen (Hanora) was intrigued when a neighbour told had covered over the well in 1895 Morrin’s garden at 56A her that it was believed to be in her with three layers of bricks. The big AGrove Park marks the spot garden. Nothing much happened yellow stone was not mentioned but of an ancient historic well – the until she met John Chaple, a local Noreen thinks Mr Howes put it there original Camber Well, no less. How artist, who had done a vast amount deliberately, perhaps to mark the amazing to have this piece of of research into the well. He asked spot. This type of stone, incidentally, ancient history in one’s garden! Noreen if he could dig up her garden is not indigenous to the area. Noreen thinks so too and would like to try and find exactly where it was. The well’s water was said to it to be acknowledged or She agreed, and work began at the have healing properties. Mary Boast, commemorated in some way. The end of 2007. in her book The Story of Council did suggest a plaque, but First of all he tried dowsing the Camberwell, writes: ‘There were she would like something more area hoping it would point to water. many wells in old Camberwell. One substantial. This was not hugely successful, but on the site of 56 Grove Park, was Generally, her efforts to interest by using this method and old believed by some to have been the Council officialdom met with a Ordnance Survey maps, the well’s special “Camber Well”. It was in use lukewarm reception. However, it location was more or less pinpointed until about 150 years ago with a was thanks to Stan Dubeck of and John started digging. This was donkey going round drawing up the Camberwell Neighbourhood laborious work, sometimes using a water. Several ideas have been put Renewal that a visit from the hand trowel. As he dug down John forward about the first part of the Borough Archaeologist was realised something significant: they name Camberwell. Some old books arranged. He confirmed the were digging through topsoil – there say that “camber” meant crooked existence of the well but concluded was no subsoil. This spurred him on and that the water from that the site was potentially and eventually, between three and Camberwell’s well could cure dangerous and that proper four feet down, he uncovered a large crippled or crooked people.’ excavation would be difficult and yellow stone, under which were There is also an association with expensive. bricks. St Giles to whom the church is End of story? We hope not. Noreen says she didn’t do any dedicated. Some say that this was Noreen says she has always felt digging. ‘I encouraged John, or because of the Camber Well and its drawn to the site. Years ago, during perhaps may have delayed him by association with disabled and sick her time as a nurse and midwife at my chatter,’ she says. ‘Suffice to say people (St Giles is their patron the old St Francis Hospital (now I supplied encouragement and saint). Sainsbury’s) she used to walk past plastic bags to hold the soil.’ How old is the well? From Grove Park and think how she The discovery of the bricks tied John Chaple’s research it is clearly would like to live there. in with information they already an ancient structure. Roman coins When she moved into No 56 she knew: a builder, a Mr A Howes of are said to have been found at the had no idea it included the well and 13 Oglander Road, East Dulwich, bottom of the well, which, if true, means it is at least 2,000 years old. Some opinion puts it as old as 4,000 years. Later history brings us to Doctor Lettsom – now hardly known, although he was rich and famous in his day. His estate, which he bought in 1776, included the well. Perhaps, as a doctor, its healing properties attracted him to the area. He made many improvements to his estate and to the well, which according to one account is lined with red brick. Research shows that the well was surrounded by a wall and an iron gate to keep out children. There was a horse track around the well, indicating that a horse or donkey had been fastened to the windlass on the well. It is thought quite likely that this was installed by Lettsom. Many years later, in 1937, a Look into the hole and you can see the old brickwork belonging to the well letter appeared in the Daily

160.8 Camber Well

Telegraph and Morning Post from ‘Old Camberweller’ who said his grandfather had built a house in Grove Park in the 1850s. ‘At that time,’ wrote Old Camberweller, ‘it was a private park with only four or five houses and a lodge at the Grove entrance and another at the Peckham end, where the lodgekeeper, old Scriven, was a terror to all who tried to get in without a proper “passport”. I visited there constantly and later lived in that house until 193l. In the early days there was an enclosure in the park, of which the few inhabitants had keys, and in the enclosure was the well, which I always understood was the Camber Well. I have somewhere a photograph which must have been taken in1872-75 of old Scriven and The old well and pump on Doctor Lettsom’s estate (circa 1892). It is thought the little donkey which trotted round that the man in the picture could be ‘old Scriven, the terror to all’ and drew up the water. I might add that the very fine old red-brick wall which ran one side of our kitchen garden was part of the original boundary of the famous Dr Lettsom’s property.’ What now? Noreen says she would dearly like further excavations to establish the age of the well, to find water and then, most importantly, to analyse that water’s mineral content to discover if, in fact, it does have healing properties.

Margaret Powley-Baker

Our thanks to John Chaple for allowing us to quote from his website www.johnchaple.co.uk/camberwell and to Mary Boast and Southwark Council for the quote from The Story An old Ordnance Survey map showing the site of the well. The original map of Camberwell. is much clearer and you can see that the lettering in the centre reads ‘pump’

Dulwich Pot & Plant Garden POTS • PLANTS • GIFTS Free Delivery Free parking in front of North Dulwich Station 12b Red Post Hill SE21 7BX Tel: 020 7733 3697 www.dulwichpots.co.uk

160.9 Book Reviews An illustrated guide to a church’s past and present

Guide Book of St Giles’ Church seems tepid and lacking the Published by Friends of St Giles’ decorative enrichment of later Scott Church – or for that matter the almost Price: £4 contemporary All Saints Margaret Available from St Giles’ Centre, Street (1851) by Butterfield, a very 81 Camberwell Church Street, personal interpretation of Gothic, London SE5 8RB overpowering in visual incense – or at the end of the Gothic Revival, a hurch guides might be a late flowering St Cyprians, Clarence suitable subject for Gate (1903) by Ninian Comper CBetjemanesque humour – a (1864-1960) who interestingly favourite opening seems to recur ‘of restored St Giles after 1945. Behind the presence of a Saxon church on a humble exterior lies the most the site there can be no doubt, note breathtaking light capturing and the roughly hewn stone block transforming truly Gothic interior incorporated on the SE corner of the imaginable. Both buildings have to chancel . . . etc etc,’ be visited! And they demonstrate that This is not the case with the St good buildings have content that Giles guide, cliché is avoided and a roof seems light and airy, at one with transcends style. nicely produced booklet tells all you the structure and space below, In complete contrast I feel I want to know and more. All aspects whereas today the roof timber is dark must mention my recent discovery of are very well covered, of the past and seems oppressive in comparison. St John Peckham (1966 architect and of today. The drawing also shows the galleries David Bush born 1925) – well worth The material is well organised (which it is stated were added) but a visit. An angular if slightly and includes the Parish , the Old were removed around 1945. industrial exterior relates to an Church – seemingly a building The restoration and present unexpected fine brick interior, dark conglomeration of various dates condition are a tribute to those who on entering but with rear lighting burnt down in 1841 – The Present care for old buildings, to clergy, such that there is a gradual revelation Church – which includes an account parishioners, and the funding by of enclosure with a rising but serene of its various building vicissitudes English Heritage and the National space, which as it were embraces and from the deterioration of the original Lottery as well as privately. evokes the numinous. Caen stone facings (replaced by The main text gives full account To return to St Giles, the Portland at the architect’s expense – of the The Building and its features unacknowledged author of the guide was he insured?) the serious WW2 and comparatively few furnishings is Victoria Arthur. damage and recently major work to and memorials, together with the the spire (2000) and more recently, stained glass credited to Ruskin and Trevor Dannatt dry rot. Gilbert Scott (1811-1878) is also by Comper. Pictures of this are suitably acknowledged as an included in the 17 colour illustrations architect converted to Gothic (after I throughout the text but the best is the Camberwell Through Time , believe an earlier career devoted to cover photograph showing the which will include 90 old penitentiaries) by the passionate tower/spire in all its glory, surely the photographs, is being written writings of AWN Pugin. The church most powerful element, well by John D Beasley who is keen now is probably in as good a composed at the crossing of choir, to borrow any old photographs condition as it ever was and it is nave and transepts; the embodiment of Camberwell. Please contact interesting to compare the Illustrated of a thrusting architectural density John at 6 Everthorpe Road, London News illustration of the that is truly magnificent. SE5 4DA. Tel: 020 8693 4912. consecration (1844) where the timber In contrast for me the interior

223 Camberwell Road Tel: 020 7703 3676

160.10 Book Reviews A social history of South London

Charlie Chaplin’s South London points. However, the two different Published by QBS subjects are not combined very well, Price: £15 (plus £2 p&p) and there are sudden uneasy jolts Available from Dr Alan Parkinson, into the 21st century educational University, London project. I would have appreciated a SE1 OAA section with a fuller report on the results of the project, perhaps with his book presents a social insights from the children history of South London at themselves, and analysis of how Tthe time of Charlie Chaplin’s similar and different they see their birth and early years, and tells lives today. Instead, there are a few something of the story of his examples confined to appendices. It childhood and influences in the would have been interesting also to area. The book itself arose from a know which schools Charlie might schools project initiated in 2008 by have, however briefly, attended and the London South Bank University when, and have these marked on the PGCE department. This involved otherwise useful map at the back. 250 pupils in five primary schools, An irony of the book, not together with four groups of trainee his early years, growing up with mentioned at all, is its inception in a teachers and the Chaplin parents who themselves, despite schools project and the lengthy Association, Paris . their music-hall careers, were exposition on late Victorian school The book sets out to paint a struggling with alcoholism and life, while on the other hand, we picture of life in and mental breakdown. Parkinson hear that school was the one place Southwark at the turn of the 20th vividly portrays how difficult life which had very little influence on century – the time of Chaplin’s could be, in sections outlining the young truanting Charlie! childhood and entrance into show Victorian South London at school, Also a disappointment are the business. After a brief biography of prayer, and work and play. The illustrations. The reproduction of the Chaplin, born near East Street in author has spent time researching at black and white archive photographs 1889, the bulk of the book is taken Southwark and Lambeth Local is poor, and the lack of captions is up with a detailed picture of the Studies Libraries and has done a really inconvenient. The very basic social conditions of the area and the particularly thorough job with list of illustrations at the front of the sort of influence these clearly had on school records. book has to suffice in what is the future star. From his films and Although the book deals mainly otherwise a useful introduction to his own writings, detailed here, we with a social history of Chaplin’s the origins of Charlie Chaplin. learn how Chaplin was affected by period, there is also mention of the the poverty and hardship endured in 2008 schools project at various Andrew Pearson

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160.11 Camberwell on screen Lights, camera, action! Camberwell on the big screen

Local film buff Stephen Bourne looks include Royal Procession Through at ways in which Camberwell has Camberwell (1911) with George V, found its way onto our cinema Queen Mary and the Prince of Wales screens during the last hundred driving in an open carriage; years Recruiting at Camberwell (1914), with shots of men handing in their n the recently published London forms and papers at recruiting tables; Film Location Guide (Batsford, and Camberwell Artillery Division’s I£14.99), author Simon James Farewell Parade , which was filmed offers a comprehensive guide to the before the Division went to the Front many films which have used the on 5 July, 1915. capital city for locations. James A young audience is enthralled at The internet now provides us claims that the IMDb (Internet the cinema. The small boy in the with free access to some memorable Movie Database www.imdb.com ) sailor suit is author Stephen Bourne scenes from Camberwell’s past. For website lists well over 1,000 films example, if you go to the MovieTone made in London, which has proved Denmark Hill and Orpheus Street website ( www.movietone.com ) and to be one of the most vibrant and near Camberwell Green. register (free), by typing Camberwell versatile film locations in the world. I was nicknamed ‘MGM Steve’ in the search box you can view a James includes several films by friends because of my number of newsreels such as ‘The made on location in Camberwell, encyclopaedic knowledge of cinema King and Queen Drive Through some of which provided a few (I am always in demand for pub Southern Boroughs’ (1935), which surprises. I wasn’t aware when I quizzes when film questions are shows King George V and Queen went to see Mona Lisa at the cinema asked, but left out in the cold when it Mary alighting at Camberwell in 1986 that Bob Hoskins was comes to sport). MGM Steve proved Green, and ‘Hussein Welcomed’ picking up his daughter from my old to be an apt title when, to my joy, I (1962), in which King Hussein of school, Archbishop Michael Ramsey, discovered that Camberwell is Jordan lays a foundation stone for St on Farmers Road, just off mentioned in the spectacular MGM Giles Youth Club. St Giles’ Church is Camberwell New Road. However, I musical Ziegfeld Follies (1945). In also featured. have always known that Earl the opening of the Limehouse Blues British Pathe is fun Cameron was filmed on location here segment, starring Fred Astaire, a (www.britishpathe.com ). You don’t for Pool of London (1950) with the troupe of pearly kings and queens have to register and when you type Camberwell Palace of Varieties in sing the music hall favourite Camberwell in the search box it the background. This was the famous Knocked ‘em in the Old Kent Road brings up some fascinating items variety theatre on the corner of which includes a line about ‘rich such as ‘Poor Old Joey!’(1927), in Uncle Tom of Camberwell’. I also which an escaped monkey is spotted the following address on a recaptured in Camberwell; ‘Black letterhead in Alfred Hitchcock’s Couple Wedding’ (1963), in which thriller Sabotage (1936): Plouthorp an African couple marry at St Giles’ Road SE5. This was the address of Church and their guests include the fictitious Bijou Cinema where the Kenya’s Minister of Justice; and, action of the film takes place. best of all, ‘Queen Mother at the St Newsreels are always worth Giles Care Centre’ (1967), which investigating. When I worked as a includes shots of St Giles’ Church researcher at the British Film and the Queen Mother having tea Institute I discovered that its archive and biscuits in the crypt with holds prints of several silent news Reverend John Nicholls and some films featuring Camberwell. These of his patients.

160.12 News Blue plaque for Honour for Camberwell campaigner

Una Marson ur congratulations to Ann Kenrick (Warby) who was he Jamaican poet and wartime Oawarded an OBE in this TBBC producer, Una Marson year’s New Year Honours for her (1905-1965), was honoured with a services to promoting Anglo-French Blue Plaque on International relations. Women’s Day (Sunday 8 March). Ann is Secretary-General of the Una’s plaque was unveiled on her Franco-British Council (FBC), an former home in Brunswick Square, organisation which aims to promote Camberwell, where she lived from better understanding between the 1935 to 1939. two countries through topical Una was well known as a debates on subjects as different as feminist activist who campaigned Truancy in Schools, Challenges of on black women’s issues, such as Diversity and Deforestation. discrimination in the nursing She is a noted Camberwell profession. campaigner. In May last year she During WW2, as the presenter received a Southwark Civic Award of BBC radio’s Calling the West for environmental awareness and Indies, she helped many service men was commended for her activities as Ann Kenrick (Warby) Photo: Ben Rice and women from the Caribbean stay chair of the Safer Routes to School in touch with their families. campaign which she set up and ran Residents Association. She is a until 2006. She is now writing a trustee of the London Cycling book LET ME OUT! Your guide to Campaign and will be cycling from green school run solutions to London to Paris in September with encourage parents and teachers to her son, husband and other locals to get children walking and cycling to raise funds for the Royal British school. The book will be published Legion. She says she would be very this year. grateful for any donations, which Ann stepped down recently after can be made via five years as chair of the Grove Lane www.justgiving.com/annkenrick

Local parks receive grants for improvement

urgess Park has been chosen as nine months of building works. Bthe Mayor of London’s Premier These include refurbishment of the Park, and will receive a £2m grant. bandstand, which now has Added to this will be the £4 of permanent lighting so that it can Una Marson match-funding secured from the now be used at night; a freshly partnership between the Council and painted summerhouse which can be the New Deal for Communities, to heated in winter; a new meeting Latest news on Baths make the total value of room; and a refreshment kiosk. improvements to the park £6m. A massive £121,000 has been decision on the Leisure Centre Sadly, Camberwell Green spent on new trees, shrubs and Ais expected in April this year missed out in another competition plants, the bindweed has been following the Council’s submission for a £400,000 improvement grant. cleared and the wildlife area has of its proposals for a grant of Myatt’s Park is open again after new paths and a pond. £1.45m from the government’s Free Swimming Capital Modernisation Fund, which together with the £1.5m earmarked by the Council, would go towards covering the shortfall needed for renovation. The total needed is around £4.5m and the Council believes it can get an additional £0.5m from English Heritage and £0.5m of youth capital. The remainder will be met through S106 funds and smaller grants.

160.13 News East London Line David Cameron visits Camberwell Extension is given go-ahead

The East London Line Extension (ELL) is going ahead and should be completed by 2012. The Society has campaigned over the last 18 months and has been in regular contact with the Mayor’s Office, Transport for London, the Department of Transport and local MP Harriet Harman to express support for the proposed westward extension of the ELL and to urge an agreement to be reached over What was David Cameron doing in Windsor Walk? Picture taken from television funding the project. The new extension will create a avid Cameron was shown on possibly for students. So at least new line to link from Denmark Hill BBC Television News in there is a plan to do something with Station to the following stations, DFebruary talking about these properties and there could have with four trains an hour in both homelessness and empty properties been more telling examples. directions: against the background of the The Society continues to press G Eastbound: , boarded up terraces in Windsor for the regeneration of Windsor Walk Queen’s Road Peckham and Walk. While it is in everyone’s to be undertaken as soon as possible, Surrey Quays interests (except perhaps the owners’) as Camberwell residents have waited G Westbound: Clapham High Street, that empty properties should be long enough. One promising sign is Road and Clapham identified in the hope that they will that there is now scaffolding up on Junction. quickly be brought back into use, was numbers 16 to 20. At Clapham Junction trains will this the best example to choose? Part The BBC should also get its be able to run on to the London of the boarded-up terraces, numbers facts right. It reported that Cameron Overground services via Shepherds 16 to 20, has been bought by the was in Lambeth while showing him Bush to and , Harris Birth Right Trust and will in Southwark. Despite the credit completing a circuit of Central become a research institute for foetal crunch, let’s hope the attention London around zones 2 and 3. At medicine. The other we understand is Cameron has brought to Windsor Surrey Quays passengers will be designated for rehabilitation as flats, Walk produces some action soon. able to take the ELL across the river to stations on the east of the City or change onto the at to access Docklands CONTRIBUTE TO THE QUARTERLY! or the West End. Although this does not offer a Articles, letters, photographs and other contributions always welcome solution to the proposed loss of the Contact the Editor, Margaret Powley-Baker link from Denmark Hill to London on 020 7701 4417 or via email to Bridge, the new service will bring [email protected] more transport opportunities to Camberwell.

Alex Blacknell Garden Design, Construction and Maintenance www.greentide.co.uk visit the website to see completed projects and services offered we also design and build garden rooms Contact David on tel: 07803 896 245 or email: [email protected]

CAMBERWELL COLLEGE OF ARTS The Camberwell Shop Artists Materials, including prints, postcards and works of The Camberwell Press for further information about the Shop, Short Courses, Part Time Study and The Camberwell Conference Centre Phone 020 7514 6300 Peckham Road, London SE5 8UF

160.14 Directory

Art Shop and Short Courses Local Information Camberwell College of Arts p14 7514 6300 South London Guide. Website on all aspects of South London, including shops, services Chartered Accountants CAMBERWELL SOCIETY and property. www.southlondonguide.co.uk K A Jeffries & Company p5 8693 4145 OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE Cycles Locksmith Edwardes p10 7703 3676 Callow Master Locksmiths p11 8299 4737 OFFICERS Fish Restaurant Newsagent The Flying Fish p9 7701 7032 R K News p3 77032784 President: Jeremy Bennett 30 Grove Lane, SE5 8ST 7703 9971 Florist Osteopathy Pesh p12 7703 9124 Camberwell Osteopathy p4 07747 440456 Chairwoman: Campaspe Lloyd-Jacob Food Packaging Materials 34 Grove Lane, SE5 8ST 7701 1678 The Olive Shop p14 7703 0156 J Hunnex & Sons Ltd p7 7703 3439 Vice-Chairman: Nick Holt Gardening 204 Camberwell Grove, SE5 8RJ 7501 9941 Dulwich Pot & Plant Garden p9 7733 3697 Plumbing H2EAU p7 7701 9833 Interiors and Furniture Restoration Secretary: Ann Dannatt Francis Jevons p12 8761 6612 Stained Glass 92 Talfourd Road, SE15 5NZ 7703 6572 Stained Glass Windows p12 07791 620011 Landscaping Assistant Secretary: Sara Hargreaves Greentide p14 07803 896 245 Upholstery 50 Champion Hill, SE5 8BS 7924 9379 Terra Firma Landscapes p13 8769 7321 A V Fowlds p12 7703 2686 Treasurer: Bill Knights 7 De Crespigny Park, SE5 8AB 7701 7016

COMMITTEE

Alex Blacknell 7277 4041 Traffic & Transport

Tim Gaymer 7737 1059

Barbara Pattinson 7274 8045 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 21 MAY 2009 SE5 Forum & Community Liaison

Margaret Powley-Baker 7701 4417 The Annual General Meeting of the Camberwell Society will be Editor - Camberwell Quarterly held at 7pm on Thursday 21 May 2009 at the Institute of Psychiatry, 16 De Crespigny Park, SE5. Nicholas Roskill 7703 4736 Licensing

Agenda Jean Sackur 7708 4496 Parks & Open Spaces 1. Apologies for absence 2. Previous minutes and matters OTHER CONTACTS arising 3. Chairwoman’s Report for the year LOCAL HISTORY: 2008-2009 email: [email protected] 4. Treasurer’s Report 5. Election of Officers and Committee MEMBERSHIP: Annual membership costs £15 (household) All officers of the Society and members of the Executive Committee £8 (individual) or £3 (concessionary) retire annually in accordance with the Constitution of the Society and Membership form available online: are eligible for re-election. Nominations are required for the Officers www.camberwellsociety.org.uk and Committee. Any paid-up member may, together with a seconder PLANNING: (also a paid-up member), make nominations. These must be sent to email: [email protected] the Secretary, Ann Dannatt, 92 Talfourd Road, London, SE15 5NZ, to arrive at least 14 days before the Annual General Meeting. The Camberwell Society is the recognised 6. Any other business amenity society for those living, working or interested in Camberwell. Ann Dannatt, Secretary

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