HERNE HILL SOCIETY EVENTS At Herne Hill United Church Hall, at 7:30 for 7:45pm, unless otherwise stated. Wednesday 11 February: "Recasting Crystal Palace" by John Greatrex, former Chair of Crystal Palace Foundation. Journey of a corner of Paxton's structure to a HERNE HILL JUNCTION northern foundry and back to the park. Work starts on first phase Wednesday 11 March: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Work has begun on the first phase of this project to upgrade and improve the Junction, Followed by “Educating Ethel”, the story of a project that will lead to the long-overdue education for girls by Anne Ward, Lambeth Archives. regeneration of the centre of Herne Hill and of the main entrance to Brockwell Park. Wednesday 8 April: Transport for London (TfL), the main funder, “Pomp and Ceremony in the Square Mile” gave the go-ahead and the contractors moved A romp through the City’s civic year in on Monday 19th January. by Billy Dove, elected member of City of This first phase covers London Corporation, with service on some the planned works for continued on Page 3 thirty committees. Wednesday 13 May: “Helping Combat Climate Change” by Rob Basto. He obtained a PhD for research into the Earth’s atmosphere, now runs a software production company and is actively involved with environmental groups. We need dramatically to reduce our use of fossil fuels. The problem is serious, but the solution is simple. The talk gives a global perspective of the situation and how we can tap into the abundant clean renewable energy available. Wednesday 10 June: “Cantors and Canticles: Jewish and Christian Music Antiquity to Present Day” by Alexander Knapp, pianist, composer and lecturer. Dr Knapp has held positions at SOAS, RCM , Cambridge, Goldsmith’s and City University. The relationship between the two musical traditions, with many recorded examples. 1

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Wednesday 11th March 2009 The Herne Hill Society’s Annual General Meeting will be held Wednesday 11th March, 7:30 for 7:45 at the United Church Hall at the top of Red Post Hill. This year we are proposing to elect a President. Then the current committee will stand down and a new committee will be elected. There is an outstanding vacancy for someone to contribute to our work and take minutes of meetings. We meet eleven times a year, generally the first Tuesday of the month, conducting the Society’s business with lively, friendly discussions. Nominations should be sent to the Secretary before the AGM. If you wish to nominate a Society member for the committee, please be sure he or she is willing to stand! After the tea break there will be an illustrated talk on the history of education for girls by Anne Ward of Lambeth Archives. The AGM gives us a chance to review the past year, socialize and look to the future. Be there and make it happen. JD TRANSPORT NEWS board voice says “Sunset Road”. The gem of course “The world’s our oyster”….. (but not on is at the junction of Norwood Road and Rosendale overground rail…..) Road where the announcement is “Ross-en-dale Road” instead of “Row-sen-dayle”. Of course we are and “Cry Freedom!!” asking “Ross-en?” “Why”? We are advised that these 1. RAIL UPDATE errors will be rectified – enjoy them while you can! Oystercard b) Hybrid buses The Oystercard currently cannot be used at a number 1,200 are being introduced, although none in the of overground rail stations and news reaches us that immediate Southwark / Lambeth area. there are plans to widen its use. Southern, South- c) Bendy-buses Eastern and First Capital Connect are working The first three routes where they will be phased out towards accepting the Oystercard across their are the 38, 507 and 521. Other routes will follow and networks, with a target trial run by latest September the Mayor hopes to have the new Routemaster bus in 2009. We must appreciate that this is a difficult thing service by 2011. to achieve as many stations are served by more than one rail company. d) “Cry Freedom” – Mayor honours “Freedom Pass” 24 hour usage North Dulwich station From 2nd January the Mayor of London fulfilled his The December timetable heralded a cutback in election pledge by making the “Freedom Pass” usable service of two of the six trains an hour (the East on TfL (Transport for London) buses, trams and tubes Croydon ones). Lobbying is going on to try to at any time. This is a huge concession to the many reverse these cuts but no progress has been made in “Senior Citizens” whose “Freedom Passes” have restoring services to date. transformed their lives. 2. UNDERGROUND RAIL UPDATE However, one does need always to check that certain The Northern Line upgrade is planned to be finished bus, tube and tram services and routes are not by December 2011 prior to the Olympics. Bank will excluded from the scheme for some reason, and be a key interchange station. A year ago the Northern please DO note that this concession DOES NOT Line broke all records by carrying 4 million EXTEND TO RAIL SERVICES, where travel is passengers in a day!! generally not permitted before 0930. 3. LONDON BUSES UPDATE In order to reassure yourselves about the latest a) Ross-en? Why? situation BEFORE use your Pass please do check at On a cold or rainy day what better than to take a 68 or www.freedompass.org or enquire in person or by 468 from the “Fox-on-the-Hill” on Denmark Hill to phone to any TfL travel centre Tulse Hill to listen to the automated bus-stop 4. MOTORCYCLES destination announcements? At the two stops almost Motorcycles can now travel in bus lanes BUT ONLY opposite each other further along Denmark Hill on red routes: an 18 month trial started on 5th January. between Sunray Avenue and Deepdene Road the on- David Cianfarani 2

From Front Page been received comparing the relative safety of the agreed scheme and an alternative Rymer Street and Hurst Street. It involves submitted by the Friends of Brockwell Park regenerating the footways and carriageways (FoBP) Committee. This report concludes and constructing speed tables at each end of that, on safety grounds, the agreed scheme is Hurst Street and a speed table at the Dulwich the preferred option. Members of the FoBP Road end of Rymer Street. TfL has also Committee presented their ‘alternative’ approved the start of some other peripheral scheme at a meeting in January with senior work in Milkwood Road (a raised zebra Officers from Lambeth Council. However, crossing outside the tunnel entrance to the Council Officers remained concerned about station) and in Railton Road. In addition, as the safety implications of the ‘alternative’ part of a local safety scheme, two new zebra proposals. pedestrian crossings will be constructed in Architects have now been appointed to Dulwich Road: one on the south-east side of produce designs for upgrading and Shakespeare Road and the second on the improving Brockwell Passage. This will north-west side of Hurst Street. make pedestrian access to and from the Transport for London Directorate of Traffic station and Dulwich Road very much more Operations has now produced a report on the pleasant. Junction proposals. This report recommends We hope that, as set out in the latest that the scheme should proceed, subject to timetable, preliminary work will begin implementation of SCOOT, a computerised during February on the slip road for west traffic control system that responds bound vehicles going between Norwood and automatically to fluctuations in traffic flow Dulwich Roads. through the use of on-street detectors. It also proposes that the slip road zebra crossing be Further updates on the project will be converted to signal control, should available on the Herne Hill Society’s experience show this to be appropriate. website: www.hernehillsociety.org.uk. JB An independent consultant’s report has also

Works in Hurst and Rymer Streets

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PEABODY ESTATE Planned Improvements The Peabody Estate in Rosendale Road is one of a number of London housing projects built by the Peabody Trust, the charity founded by the American philanthropist George Peabody (1795-1869) to provide decent housing for the working poor. This estate was built between 1901 and 1908 in the ‘Arts and Crafts’ style. It comprises 142 two-storey cottages and 170 flats in five blocks. Despite the attractiveness of the buildings, the overall environment is of poor quality. The wide roads are in a poor state of repair and the narrow pavements give little attention to the needs of pedestrians. There are no proper ‘communal’ areas, few trees and very little other planting. Proposed design for Rosendale Road entrance Following consultations with residents, the priorities, as indicated by residents, are to improve Trust has submitted proposals to Lambeth Planning roads and pavements using more attractive materials, for a scheme to improve the whole estate. The key improve lighting and more greenery. Other concerns that will be addressed include the lack of play facilities and communal areas. The proposed design will allow for tree planting and to reduce the current visual dominance of rows of parked cars. An informal community space will be developed between two of the apartment blocks, where vehicle access will be limited and the main entrance will be improved and widened with brick columns to be more in keeping with the design of the rest of the estate. Subject to planning approval and barring any major changes to the plans, work should start on site by the late summer. This will result in very welcome improvements to one of Herne Hill’s attractive Conservation Areas. Proposed communal area JB

ANTIQUES ROAD SHOW FROM THE ARCHIVES Last summer an edition of the popular BBC1 Peabody Buildings programme, The Antiques Roadshow, was filmed at Rosendale Road Dulwich Picture Gallery. Herne Hill, SE It attracted large numbers of local people and our own (Close to Brockwell Park) Robert Holden was filmed talking about his collection ——— of artefacts that belonged to his grandmother, who REDUCED RENTS was a London midwife in the thirties and forties. He THREE ROOMS, 6s 6d } has not heard whether his piece will be used in the TWO ROOMS, .. 4s 9d } PER WEEK programme, but is hopeful. ONE ROOM, .. .. 2s 9d } Other HHS members were there too and so it will ——— certainly be worth looking out for familiar faces. The Apply to the SUPERINTENDENT, on the Premises programme will be screened in two parts – on 8th and

15th February, at 7.00pm. th SN South London Press Advertisement, 4 April 1903

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MILKWOOD ROAD MEMBERSHIP SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS Welcome to new members Iris Jones and Ian McInnes who joined in December 2008. Speeding motorists have for too long been a problem in Milkwood Road. Chicanes at the Herne Hill end Subscriptions for the New Year continue to pour in. have helped things there. However, many people I am grateful to all those who heeded my plea to remain seriously concerned about vehicle speeds renew on time and save us sending out reminder further north. And these concerns are confirmed by letters in the spring. observations of traffic speeds and by the numbers of CK reported vehicle crashes and collisions. 98% of local residents responding to Lambeth’s GREEN RECYCLING IN consultation exercise in June/July 2008 supported LAMBETH AND SOUTHWARK introducing further safety measures into Milkwood Road. Lambeth has now published firm proposals for The Society Committee discussed the green garden traffic calming measures along nearly all of waste recycling scheme in Lambeth a few months Milkwood Road, from Herne Hill to the junction with ago, and I wrote to ask Lambeth to consider Poplar Road. The work is expected to start in March reinstating regular collections, rather than the or April. collection on request system as at present. I have had a reply stating that, in April, they will be piloting The proposals will involve removing two of the scheduled garden waste collections in parts of existing chicanes – one between Shardcroft and Streatham and Norwood. Depending on the results of Gubyon Avenues and the second to the north of the pilot they intend to extend the service to the rest Gubyon Avenue. These will be replaced with of the Borough, although there is no timetable for this pedestrian refuge islands. Ten sets of speed cushions yet. This is good news for Lambeth residents. To will be installed at regular intervals, starting to the arrange a collection or order more biodegradable south of Shardcroft Avenue. In addition, a speed garden waste bags, call 0207 926 9000 or email activated sign for south-bound traffic will be located [email protected]. between Heron Road and Poplar Road, flashing a Meanwhile in Southwark the collections take place warning when the speed limit is being exceeded. regularly once a fortnight on the same day as The project is funded by Transport for London. household rubbish collection. Bags and brown bins JB can be obtained on 0207 525 2000 or by using the online form on the Southwark website www.southwark.gov.uk, following the links to environment, recycling then garden waste recycling. SN

MILKWOOD ROAD BINS In 2007 we raised with Lambeth the issue of three large wheeled refuse bins that were located on the pavement in Milkwood Road near to the junction with Herne Hill. As well as being unsightly in what is now a Conservation Area, the bins virtually blocked the pavement. This was illegal and made it difficult for people to pass, particularly in wheel chairs or with prams or push-chairs. Unfortunately Lambeth Officers declined to take action, appearing to think that the problem was just too difficult to resolve. In December 2008 we had another site meeting with a different Council Officer and Councillor Kirsty McHugh from Herne Hill Ward. This time the result was different. Two of the large bins have since been removed and replaced, on an experimental basis, by standard sized bins to take rubbish from the block of flats. The third large bin remains in place. This is slightly better than before; but the situation is still unacceptable. The large bin still makes it difficult for some people to pass. Rubbish bins should not be permanently located on a pavement such as this and we will continue to press the issue. JB 5

WANTED: HHS REPRESENTATIVE THREE HILLS FOR LAMBETH COMMUNITY COMMUNITY FORUM POLICE CONSULTATIVE GROUP The Three Hills Community Forum is a local group For many years the Herne Hill Society has been representing people living in and around Red Post sending a representative to this important Hill, Denmark Hill and Herne Hill. I have organisation, which was set up following the Brixton represented the Herne Hill Society on the Forum riots in 1981. It is a community led forum for committee for several years, and we have participated Lambeth residents and businesses to engage with the in the three Fairs organised by the Forum. police and other agencies, working together to make The Forum’s 5th A.G.M. took place last November. Lambeth a safer and fairer place. Anyone working, The acting Chair, the Revd. Hugh Dawes, reported studying or living in Lambeth can join. that there has been concern over the future of the There is now a vacancy as our nominated shops on Crossthwaite Avenue, particularly the Post representative has recently decided to step down to Office and Pharmacy. However, active follow other interests. He assures me that he has communication with the local community has proved found the experience most worthwhile and would be to be difficult for some time, partly through lack of very happy to talk to anyone interested in finding out personnel and financial resources. more. The matter of better advertising the presence of the Is there any member who would be interested in shops and disabled access is currently being pursued. taking over this role for the Society? The LCPCG Funding is available through the Camberwell meets monthly at 6pm on the first Tuesday of the Community Council, and Hugh Dawes is trying to month (the same evening as our committee, so current ensure that this is used to promote the Crossthwaite committee members are not available) usually at shops. Brixton Town Hall. Agendas, minutes and reports are Despite the lack of activity, the Forum has continued sent out by email prior to the meeting. to meet on a two-monthly basis. But for some time it If you are interested in finding out more, please look has been considering voluntary de-registration from at www.lambethcpcg.org.uk, or contact Sheila the Charity Commission. At the A.G.M it was Northover (contact details the back page) for further unanimously agreed that the Forum should deregister. information. If in the future resources become available, SN deregistration can be reversed. Honorary Officers were elected: Chair - Hugh Dawes; RUSKIN PARK NEWS Secretary -Joan Petch; Treasurer - Paula Webb. They The Friends of Ruskin Park continue to lobby for will consult with each other three times a year. improvements to this popular park, and now have an Should the Forum become active again, the necessary active Newsletter Editor and Membership Secretary organisational structures will again be put in place. who are keen to promote their activities and involve Brenda Jones more people. There are several ongoing projects that need encouragement and support, including the YELLOW LINES completion of the transformation of the old bowling green into an attractive garden, the conversion of the IN CROXTED ROAD stable block for community use, and the upgrade of The borough boundary between Lambeth and the children’s playground. Southwark runs down Croxted Road, but Lambeth Another item discussed at the last Friends’ meeting has responsibility for the road. Regular users will was the proposal to site a helipad for Kings College know that there is a difficult corner close to the bridge Hospital in the park, instead of the present rather at the northern end close to where Croxted Road joins casual arrangements we are familiar with. Norwood Road. This bend is made much worse by The Friends have an active volunteer group, who parking on both sides of the road, and if two buses or meet by the stable block on the first Saturday of every lorries meet on the bend there is a considerable hold month at 10am for two hours. up while they get past each other. If you enjoy Ruskin Park and would like to get Robert Holden has contacted Lambeth on behalf of involved, contact Doug Gillies on 020 7733 5018, the society to ask for a re-instatement of the yellow email [email protected] for a lines on the Lambeth side of the road, which were membership form or turn up to a meeting. removed when the road was resurfaced. At the same Membership is £5 a year (£3 concessions) and time, Southwark Council has been asked to regularise includes a free newsletter. The Friends meet regularly the parking situation on the Southwark side of at St Saviours Church Hall, Finsen Road, SE5 at Croxted Road, where vehicles parked right on the 7.30pm; the next meeting will be 26th March, so put bend make the situation that much more dangerous. the date in your diary and just come along. See you He is following this up and hopes for a result very there. soon. SN SN 6

LAMBETH PEST CONTROL with one team dealing with responses to public calls and one acting on a proactive basis. They make sure I used to be a rat catcher, but that where infestation is found, the premises are now…… revisited to make sure it does not reoccur. Several other London boroughs have since introduced There can be few more enthusiastic and engaging Lambeth’s approach. Council officials than Paul Cooper, who is Manager of Lambeth’s Public Health and Pest Control Foxes are not a pest, although some might think they Department, which is based on the edge of Herne Hill are, scrabbling around in dustbins and making horrific in Wanless Road. And this is in spite of the fact he is noises. But many people are apparently very attached responsible for dealing with some unsavoury aspects to our local wild mammals. of life from rats to drug needles and disposing of bodies. Paul started his career working for Rentokil but moved to Lambeth 20 years as a ‘rat catcher’. The department he is now responsible for has 27 employees and they operate as an in house contractor to the Council. They are all Council employees but need to cover their costs, and this is done by charging for the majority of their services.

Brown Rat (rattus norvegicus) But the work is not all about rat catching. Paul’s other area of responsibility covers many aspects of public health, including animal welfare, mainly collecting stray dogs but also licensing pet shops, disposing of noxious materials and foodstuffs, and for what are called statutory funerals, where there is no one to make private funeral arrangements or the occasions where bodies are found. One slightly bizarre aspect of this service is that the ashes from cremations are stored in a cupboard along with personal possessions, a rather melancholy aspect to Paul’s staffs’ work. They also collect sex and drug related items: there is a strong risk to the public of picking up used needles and a free rapid response service deals with these. The main risk is not, as many would think, HIV infection but hepatitis. Apparently dogs are more at risk than small children as they roam round in bushes. And finally they are responsible for dealing with nuisance caused by pigeon roosting and for pigeon netting, but not under railway bridges, which has been a cause of concern in the past in Herne Hill. These Female Bed Bug (cimex lectularius) are dealt with by Network Rail. The Lambeth website has some additional The pest control side of the service deals with information and contact details. The phone number infestations by rats, mice, cockroaches and ants and to report infestation is 020 7926 8860 and the drugs also infestations which are not regarded as affecting items hotline is 020 7926 8888. public health, such as fleas, wasps and bedbugs. If there are rats in a residential property, these will be Clearly providing an essential but not widely known dealt with free of charge; but all other infestations are service, Paul and his team operate in some unpleasant charged for. Paul is rightly proud of the fact that he areas but are at the forefront of work to protect us all and his staff have reduced the level of pest and from members of the animal kingdom most of us vermin infestation in the Borough down to 3% of all would rather not know about. properties when the national average is 5% and the David Taylor figure in inner cities is generally much higher. They have done this by introducing a targeted approach, 7

OBITUARY amicably any grievance before it got too far. KENNY FROST, MBBA OBE Nine years ago he was diagnosed with Multiple (8th February 1945 - 22nd November 2008) Sclerosis. As the disease began to take over he was unable to play a full part in the workplace but As a teenager I used to pop into the newspaper shop continued as best he could, dictating letters and in the arch under the bridge at Herne Hill, on my way handling phone calls from his Peckham home. When back from watching the latest exploits of Millwall F. cancer was diagnosed he reluctantly gave up his bed C., to buy the ‘pink’ sporting paper that came out at home and went into Kings Hospital where he died every Saturday evening with match reports and on St. Cecilia’s Day. hastily revised League positions. The ‘shop’ was actually only a newsstand but the owners, Kenny and I would visit Kenny once or twice a week, usually at Susan Frost had built a wooden kiosk, in front of 6am when he was at his most productive. He would which was displayed all the newspapers and a host of always ask me what was happening in Herne Hill and magazines. Behind it, in the cavernous depths of a we would reminisce about ‘Lofty’ the toilet attendant, former cooper’s yard, beavered away some thirty ‘Jerry-under-the-arch’, and Don Louis’ cycle shop! youngsters getting ready the Sunday morning Jim Davidson deliveries to over a thousand local homes. SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP Kenny’s business acumen was SUBSCRIPTIONS UNCHANGED inherited from Your Committee has decided to leave Society his maternal membership subscriptions unchanged for a further grandfather year. We are having to bear significant cost increases Jimmy Costello, for items such as printing, postage, Lambeth Country who, along with Show charges (doubled in 2008), hall hire etc. Bill Kingston, is However, we have managed to maintain a small credited with surplus of income over expenditure and we still have starting Brixton a healthy reserve. Market, selling JB firewood from a Note from the Treasurer: barrow. Kenny I am pleased to report that the Society’s provisional would open the accounts for 2008 show our income as £4,749 against doors at 2am expenditure of £4,423 i.e. a surplus of £326. daily without fail However this is a reduction on our £1,200 surplus in (his motto was 2007. ‘lateness is a discourtesy’) Our main sources of income (subscriptions/donations, and, together the sale of publications and Newsletter advertising) with Susan, built a business that won awards from the were down; but so too was our overall expenditure. wholesale newspaper industry. At its peak he was The full, examined, accounts will be available at the turning over £250k annually. How bad? AGM on Wednesday 11th March and on request to Kenny, who attended a school in Brixton where the the Society after that date. Headmaster was credited with the phrase “Education RG to you boys is not so much ‘pearls before swine’, as ‘imitation pearls’ before REAL swine”, was not a RUSKIN READERS success academically. In fact he struggled with ‘word AT CARNEGIE LIBRARY blindness’ which is even more testimony to his drive and determination to succeed financially. And how Could you spare a couple of hours a week to help an ironic that he should do so selling newspapers? adult learn basic literacy skills? When Kenny sold up the business he found it difficult We provide support and training at our friendly clubs to re-adjust and he and Sue split up. He went to work giving one-to-one help with reading and writing. We at Lambeth Council in the Cleansing and Streetcare meet on Monday evenings and Wednesday afternoons department where he could maintain his early during term-time. morning working pattern. He soon built up a rapport If this voluntary work might suit you please telephone with his fellow workers and rose to the position of Caroline Knapp on 020 7274 2443 or email Senior Branch Secretary of the Transport and General [email protected]. Workers Union (now Unite). What Kenny lacked in formal education he made up for in eloquence and Do you know of someone who might need help with persuasive charm which endeared him to worker and reading and writing? There is a chance to socialise management alike. He was able to see the argument and we go on outings from time to time. from both sides and usually able to diffuse or settle CK 8

OTHER SOCIETIES’ EVENTS Monday 16 March at 8:00pm Monday 16 February at 8:00pm Streatham Society: Streatham Society: “The Primary Care Trust Lambeth” by Gill Baker “Age Concern Lambeth and its work” by Julia Shelley at “Woodlands”, 16 Leigham Court Road SW16. at “Woodlands”, 16 Leigham Court Road SW16 Thursday 19 March at 6:30 for 7:00pm Sunday 22 February at 3:00pm Friends of Carnegie Library: Peckham Society: Annual General Meeting. Join or renew your “Recent Archaeology in Southwark” by Dr Christopher membership and help celebrate the Friends’ 10th Constable at Goose Green Centre, St John’s Church, anniversary. East Dulwich Road SE22. New committee members welcome to contribute to Streatham Society: future events and developments in our library. “The History of Scotland Yard and the Metropolitan Refreshments available. Police” by Maggie Bird at the Gallery, Carnegie Library, 188 Herne Hill Road. at “Woodlands”, 16 Leigham Court Road SW16. Saturday 28 March at 7:30pm Wednesday 4 March at 11:00am/2:30pm Dulwich Helpline: British Association for Local History (BALH): Fundraising concert with “The New Foxtrot Serenaders” Visit to Apothecaries Hall and the Royal Pharmaceutical dance band; special guest Jo Brand Society. As HHS is an affiliate of BALH, our members at Michael Croft Theatre, Alleyn’s School, Townley Road may join this and other visits at member rates. SE22. £15, £12 cons. 0208 299 2623 See www.balh.co.uk for details. Thursday – Saturday, 2-4 April at 8:00pm Tuesday 10 March at 7:30pm Dulwich Players: Southwark and Lambeth Archaeological Society: “The Rivals” by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. “Recent Local Archaeological and Historical Work” by Classic comedy of manners featuring the hilarious Mrs various speakers Malaprop at Co-op Hall, 106 The Cut, Waterloo SE1. at Edward Alleyn Theatre, Dulwich College SE21. Refreshments 7:00. £1.00 donation. £8 from the Art Stationers or on the door. Tuesday 14 April at 7:00pm Southwark and Lambeth Archaeological Society: “Excavations at a Greenwich Tide Mill” by Simon Davis/Andy Daykin, Archaeologists, Museum of London — Venue as 10 March Sunday 19 April at 3:00pm Peckham Society: AGM, followed at 3:30 by “Southwark’s Modern Architecture in a Victorian Townscape” by Alan Camp, Architect at Goose Green Centre, St John’s Church, East Dulwich Road SE22. Saturday 25 April at 7:30pm Dulwich Helpline: Fundraising concert including Tchaikovsky’s Fifth at Holst Hall, James Alleyn's Girls' School, East Dulwich Grove SE22. £7 (Cons £5) on the door. Tuesday 12 May at 7:30pm Southwark and Lambeth Archaeological Society: “The Elephant Entertains” by Richard Norman, Historian Venue as 10 March

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PLANNING AND LICENSING to refurbish it as a family house. However the details had not been agreed with the Dulwich Estate and 28 Acland Crescent work was halted for some months in 2008 while this In commenting on an application to build a single was sorted out. Recently, a high close boarded fence storey rear extension, we urged Lambeth thoroughly appeared which needed permission. A quick call to to investigate the possible impact of the proposed Southwark’s enforcement officers resulted in a more extension on neighbours before reaching a decision attractive and lower picket fence. Investigation by a on this application. member of the Committee revealed that one of the Lambeth has granted permission for the development, historic boundary posts on Ruskin walk that had but imposed conditions designed to safeguard the disappeared had been removed for safe keeping and amenities of neighbouring properties. not lost. The sign, listed in the Society’s Herne Hill 181 Denmark Hill Heritage Trail, is now safely back in place alongside The society objected in October 2008 to the proposal the fence of number 119. to convert the main building on the Denmark Hill into Plot opposite 251-275 Milkwood Road four houses and to demolish the coach house to We objected to an application for a three/four storey provide access to four new houses in the rear garden. building comprising 48 flats on this long-vacant site. We were concerned about the development of the rear Lambeth subsequently refused the application; but the garden, the proximity of the new houses to developers have appealed this decision. We have neighbours and the overall impact of the development written to the Planning Inspectorate repeating the in an unspoilt wooded area. The scheme was reasons for our objection: in particular that the subsequently revised to have fewer houses and, proposed development would be significantly out of although we welcomed the changes we still had some scale with its surroundings and unacceptably concerns. A number of local residents also objected and dominate the local street scene and that current so did Lambeth Council for reasons of a possible traffic problems of parking stress in the area would hazard, as the proposed access road is close to the traffic unacceptably increase. lights at the Herne Hill/ Herne Hill Road junction. 2A Milton Road In January 2009 Southwark granted full planning An application to build a single storey house proposes permission. a rather high dominant and featureless wall fronting 4 Dorchester Drive onto Milton Road along the length of the site. We Last year we objected to proposals for a roof have urged Lambeth’s Planning Committee to extension, including a rear dormer and a one/two propose design modifications to ensure that the wall storey side extension. Lambeth refused the has a positive impact on the local visual environment. application, but the applicant has now appealed this Lambeth has approved the application; but subject to decision. a number of conditions including some relating to We have written to the Planning Inspectorate landscaping and materials to be used for elevations. confirming our reasons for objecting to the proposals. Sebastian’s, 49-51 Norwood Road These include that the design and size of the proposed We drew the attention of Village Ward Councillors to rear dormer window is unsympathetic to the scale and the piles of rubbish that had accumulated at the appearance of the rear elevation of the existing entrance to the arches at the back of the Norwood property and markedly ill-proportioned in relation to Road shopping parade. The rubbish has gone. the other windows. However, Southwark Licensing have written to 77 Herne Hill Sebastian’s informing them that they would breach In autumn 2008, we pointed out to Southwark Condition 762 of their Premises Licence by dumping enforcement officers that a high wall was being built rubbish, which is an offence under the Environmental around the forecourt of these premises, the former Protection Act 1990. Hart to Hart restaurant. After Council intervention, 276 Rosendale Road the wall has been reduced in height, although we have There has been an application for change of use of the since pointed out to the Council that the use of the existing ground floor restaurant to retail use; and to forecourt for presumably outdoor eating and the new extend and convert the property to provide 2 x 1 shop front also needs planning permission. bedroom and 1 x 2 bedroom flats. Responding to A further response from the Council is awaited. neighbours’ concerns about possible loss of privacy, we suggested to Lambeth that a condition be attached 119 Herne Hill to any approval that would prohibit the roof of a There have been many applications for this prominent proposed single storey rear extension being used as a and attractive house on the corner of Ruskin Walk sitting out area. over the last few years. The Society objected to several applications which involved converting it to a Lambeth has refused the application on grounds that number of flats and building a house in the back include the detrimental effect of the proposals on the garden. It did finally receive permission for local streetscape and the impact on neighbours’ conversion into three flats; but the developer decided amenity.

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THE BRIXTON SYNAGOGUE WATERWORDS Few people know that, next door to Halfords, the On two weekends in summer 2007, one wet and handsome white painted building at number 49 Effra miserable, one hot and sunny, visitors to Brockwell Road, with its columned porch and flanked by Lido were invited to write poetry to help celebrate the pedimented pavilions, was once the Brixton Synagogue. pool’s 70th birthday. Over 170 people took part, and A building in the grounds of Rutland Lodge had been the result is this charming book. The 128 poems used as a synagogue since 1913. However, this embrace not only the writers’ experiences or proved inadequate to meet the needs of a large influx memories of the Lido, but swimming in general and of Jews into the area. So a new synagogue was built water in its many manifestations. From tactile on the site, with seating for 429 men and 191 women. sensations to inner feelings and associations to flights It was completed and consecrated in September 1921. of fancy and imagination, a picture is built of what At its peak in 1960, the synagogue had 614 male the pool means to people.

members. However, demographic changes led to the congregation’s decline. The building finally closed in 1981. Services continued to be held in a nearby building until 1986, when the remaining small congregation was amalgamated with the Streatham Synagogue. The building was eventually sold to a property developer who retained the front façade whilst Though certain themes recur: the initial chill, sound demolishing the rear part to build units housing small sensations, first visits and learning to swim, each businesses. It was opened as the “Eurolink Business poem is a unique expression; and there are often Centre” in 1992. surprising images and impressions. We are carried from our local park to exotic places around the world, The Brixton Society has recently published a well via rivers, waterfalls, harbour, sea and ocean, where illustrated booklet “The Brixton Synagogue” (16pp.) we meet donkeys, dolphins and mermaids. telling its story. Copies, £2.49p plus 40p post and packing, can be obtained from the Brixton Society’s The writers are of all ages, from children so young Membership Secretary, Diana Linsky, email one marvels that they knew the words; and the editors [email protected], tel. 020 7274 3835. have wisely chosen not to “correct” or smooth over JB any irregularities, mistakes or rough edges. These are after all heartfelt, spontaneous expressions, brought out through coaxing, gentle guidance and perhaps CARNEGIE WINTER FAIR 2008 occasional help with shaping. The Friends of Carnegie Library held their winter fair It is a very well-produced book, made even more on 6th December, and alongside bric-a-brac, tombola, attractive by the inclusion of 22 colourful drawings. craft and cake stalls, as usual the Society sold All titles are in blue, and six of the poems are publications. The event was successful and fairly well reproduced as wavy blue lines flowing over page attended; but it was felt there was a lot of competition bottoms. Four colour photographs illustrating the from other events nearby. poetry sessions give a flavour of the fun. BLU and editors Melanie Mauthner and Hylda Sims are to be All credit goes to the FoCL committee who this year congratulated for a joyous publication. dressed themselves up as Christmas decorations and brightened up the proceedings by their presence. Waterwords is available from local bookshops Tales Father Christmas was also there and was kept busy on Moon Lane and Dulwich Books and via the BLU with a steady stream of children. website www.brockwelllido.com price £6.95. SN JD 11

BRIAN BEHAN IN HERNE HILL obituary in the Guardian as “Courageous, contentious and exhilarating”. When compiling Herne Hill Personalities, we heard JD that Irish playwright Brendan Behan had once lived here. As no evidence turned up, however, we could Copies of our publication Herne Hill Personalities not include him. It now transpires the former resident are still available from the Society, price £5 plus was not Brendan, but his younger brother Brian. £0.50p postage. Born in Dublin 10th November 1926, Brian was as HERNE HILL’S OWN RAILWAY much of a tearaway as Brendan; he was sent to a harsh Christian Brothers school after a petty theft Did you have a model railway as a child? Have you aged eleven. In 1950, with 3/4d (17p) in his pocket, ever dreamed of being an engine driver, conductor or he emigrated to guard? Now you could have your chance, right here London and in Herne Hill. No, this isn’t a recruitment initiative by found work on Network Rail at the four mainline stations which the Festival of serve our area, or one of the various rail companies Britain whose trains carry commuters, shoppers, day-trippers construction and other travellers to, from and through Herne Hill. site as a There is another railway which is our very own. bricklayer. He One of the most delightful attractions of Brockwell joined the Park is the Miniature Railway, which runs from the Communist Herne Hill gate to the Lido. A class 08 diesel shunter Party, became with two carriages runs along a 220 metre track. The an active trade style of the train is Stanier, named after Sir William unionist and Stanier (1876-1965), who designed and built many wound up in locomotives for the London, Midland and Scottish Brixton Prison Railway. in 1951 for leading a go slow. The same year he married Celia The train was formerly owned and run by Ronald Johnson, with whom he had three daughters. Baker; readers will remember the opening ceremony with then Lambeth Mayor, Cllr Tim Sargeant on 1 Brian rose to the CPGB’s EC, toured the communist June 2003. John Roberts and Julian Hulland took over block and met Stalin and Mao. However, he left in the running two years later. The railway is open for 1956 after the Soviet invasion of Hungary. He joined trips every Saturday and Sunday from Easter to the the Socialist Labour League as Secretary, but was end of October, weather permitting. As John says, the later expelled for “deviation-ism”. In 1958 he was miniature train commands great respect and fond sent to Wandsworth Prison following a dispute at the memories for many residents who see their children Shell Centre site. Brendan had joined him on the and grandchildren taking the rides they enjoyed in picket line. their youth. After a work injury, he left bricklaying and entered Sadly, the railway has suffered low-level vandalism Sussex University as a mature student in 1969. over the years, e.g. stones on the line. More seriously, Having written his autobiography, With Breast the ticket office was burned down some years ago Expanded, in 1964, he embarked on a successful (you can still see the stone where it was). However, career as playwright and novelist, and also lectured at work is underway to improve the service. Another the London College of Printing from 1973 to 1990. beautiful train is being created with engine and two He died 2nd November 2002. carriages. A low short fence has been made and put It’s not clear when he moved to Herne Hill, but he up. was certainly here in the mid-late 60s. A former The next step is track laying to create capacity for two assistant at Carnegie Library in 1967 remembers the trains. Volunteers are needed to help dig and lay track normal calm and quiet disrupted by Behan’s between now and Easter. Also needed are volunteer occasional visits, when he would “lean his beefy crew members to stand in for odd shifts or provide forearm on the counter”, towering over the librarian lunchtime driving relief. Crew members would be as she stamped his books with the date punch. taught how to drive, guard and general maintenance. “Admit it, darlin’,” he boomed, “working that little Long term ambitions include rebuilding the station at machine gives you a powerful sexual thrill!” the Lido entrance and possibly extending track The family moved onto a houseboat in Shoreham in around or through the woodlands to the rear of the 1969. In 1975 Behan’s marriage ended; he remarried current track. There could even be a link to a boating in 1988. In 1990 he retired to Brighton, where in lake, exposing a narrow strip of River Effra. Anyone addition to producing plays he took up nudism, often interested in getting involved in any capacity is urged shocking local ladies by swimming naked in the sea. to contact John Roberts on [email protected]. Ever the self-publicist, he was summed up in his JD

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LAMBETH MEDIATION SERVICE has a clearer view of the problem. a talk by Sonia Reid Mediators do not judge or blame, just enable communication between the contestants, which may At least one member preparing to listen to Sonia's talk help them to reach an agreement they can live with. had only the woolliest idea of what a mediation service is and how it works. Sonia spoke eloquently Sonia was warmly thanked for her well presented and of the need for mediation, especially in an area of illuminating talk. high density living, where conflicts of many sorts can DC arise. Common causes of disputes are noise, children causing a nuisance, car parking, animals, rubbish, boundaries, damage to properties, the list is long. Concert at All Saints Conflicts can escalate from disputes between individuals to estrangements between families, Lovelace Road, SE21 neighbours and even whole streets. 7.00pm Saturday 7 March 2009 Mediation is born out of conflict, where there are disagreements, annoyances, competition or Haydn, Nelson Mass inequalities, and when safety, loved ones, status or English songs: finances are threatened. When communication James Bowman counter-tenor between angry people has broken down, the Mediation Service may be called in to help. This Tickets : £20 (£15 concessions) at the door. service is a registered charity, manned by trained £15 (£12 concessions) in advance from: volunteers. Mediators always work in pairs for safety. Each contesting party is seen separately, and Brockwell Art Services, 232-234 Railton Rd, allowed to express their feelings. They are asked to SE24 0JT; phone 020 7274 7046. treat each other with respect - and here Sonia gave some vivid examples of disrespect - and to listen Following the concert there will be a without interrupting while the other person is supper and auction; speaking, not always an easy thing to accomplish. tickets (pre-booking essential) £25, with a Next the opposing parties are brought together in a glass of Bucks Fizz. safe neutral place, and each is allowed to express their views. Any agreement reached belongs to the This concert is in aid of combatants, not to the mediators, and a copy of it is made and given to both parties. Even if no agreement a new organ for All Saints is reached, the situation may be defused as each party

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THE FUTURE OF THE to a Health and Community Care Centre providing a walk-in service, minor injuries clinic and pre-booked DULWICH HOSPITAL SITE GP appointments. Hospitals can then concentrate on The National Health Service in Southwark has the more urgent and complex cases. published a consultative document setting out its NHS Southwark would like the views of the Primary Health and Community Care strategy for the community on these proposals. The consultation runs next five to ten years. from 19th January to 17th April 2009. You can Primary Care covers a range of services: general respond by logging on to the web site practitioners, pharmacists, dentists and opticians. www.southwarkpct.nhs.uk and completing the on-line Community Care services include Health Visitors, response form. Or you can contact Rosemary Watts, District Nurses, foot health, sexual and reproductive Head of Patient Experience, health, community rehabilitation and small specialist [email protected] (tel. 020-3299- services such as the diabetes nursing team. To meet 6444) and request a copy of the consultation the new and different challenges to the NHS, the plan document "Transforming Southwark NHS" which is to develop a network of core services based on four includes a response form. Health and Social Care Centres, one of which will be Telephone surveys, discussion groups and feedback on the Dulwich Hospital site. The core services will events are also being conducted. If you would like to include GPs, management of long-term conditions take part please call 0845-230-0139 (calls charged at e.g. diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, maternity, local rate) blood testing, X-ray, heart and lung conditions, some mental health services and renal dialysis. Extracted from "Transforming Southwark NHS", published by NHS Southwark and Southwark Council. The aim of the proposals is to develop more services Brenda Jones nearer to people’s homes by moving services from hospitals to the community and bringing together in ARCHIVES OPEN DAY 2008 one place a range of health care professionals to provide a wider range of joined up services. The The popular Lambeth Archives Open Day took place Centre will provide primary care services from in November this year instead of September and, 8.00am to 8.00pm, seven days a week. thanks to a team of volunteers, the Society publications stall was there. In the long term, some patients now using hospital Accident and Emergency services will be re-directed The theme for the day this year was ‘Celebrate our Century’, and this was interpreted in several ways. The main talks took place across the road in the DULWICH POT & PLANT Michael Church and were ‘Celebrating Our Century’, with Len Reilly, one of the Archivists; ‘Cinema GARDEN Lambeth’, with various speakers on themes from the 12B Red Post Hill, SE21 7BX. 020 7733 3697 1940s to the 1980s; ‘Lambeth Town Hall and local landmark architecture’ by Edmund Bird, who is now POTS Heritage Advisor to the Mayor of London (and is a Herne Hill Society member); ‘The voyage of the Traditional and Contemporary Windrush, 60 years on’ by Steve Martin, local author Exterior and Interior and, finally, a panel of speakers from local societies Terracotta, Glazed, Polystone, Metal, Ceramic, who argued the merits of their own corner of Terrazzo, Fibreglass Lambeth under the title of ‘The best of Lambeth’. PLANTS Many thanks to Jeff Doorn who contributed to our coming a very respectable third out of six societies by Trees, Specimen Shrubs, Grasses, putting together an illustrated talk on people who Herbaceous, Perennials, Annuals lived in Herne Hill in the twentieth century. COMPOSTS Elsewhere in the main Minet Library building other activities took place. Story telling, nursery rhymes Multipurpose, John Innes, Ericaceous, Organic, and Punch and Judy appealed to the very young, Pebbles, Slate, Gravel, Grit, while others took part in workshops in the archives search room, learning about researching family GIFTS history, preserving family records, an introduction to Vases, Interior pots, Tool sets, Lights, Hats, house and local history and a session on Caribbean Children's Tools and many other Gardening family history. Goodies! Although it was a wet day there was sufficient interest in Free local delivery our stall for £134 to be raised in sales and new memberships, and new friends and links were made. Free parking outside North Dulwich Station SN 14

DOROTHY DENE became his favourite model, and was frequently seen The Story of a Working Class Girl Who Moved leaving his house in Holland Park by the back entrance. from Clapham to Seek a Better Life A talk by David Perkins Described as being of above average height, with abundant golden-chestnut hair, and eyes either brown, Dorothy Dene was born Ada Alice Pullen, the or large and violet, she possessed a flawless daughter of an engineer, Abraham Pullen and his wife complexion and "long lithe arms". Her classical face Sarah. In 1861 they were living in Clapham, having and figure found favour with the Pre-Raphaelites, and moved down the painter G. F. Watts admired her greatly. She was from Durham Leighton's ideal woman, and she appeared in his with their two "Cymon and Iphigenia", "Greek Girls Playing Ball" eldest and "Summer Moon". It was rumoured that Leighton children, Tom was in love with Dorothy, but there was a difference and Ada. Eight of forty years in their ages. Dorothy became engaged more children to be married to Anthony Crane, son of Sir WaIter followed, Crane, but Lady Crane objected and the engagement though the was broken off, in spite of Leighton paying for last, named elocution lessons for Dorothy. At about this time Dorothy, died Leighton, now Sir Frederick, collaborated with young. At the Burne-Jones in an exhibition of "Pure Nudes," 1881 census, including a statue of Pygmalion. George Bernard Abraham had Shaw was a friend of both artists, and it seems disappeared possible that these events inspired his own work of and Sarah is the same name. recorded as being Dorothy still hankered after a stage career, and paralysed. appeared in several productions, earning generally Sketch of Dorothy by Lord Leighton unkind reviews. Paralysed with fright on one occasion, she mostly overacted to an irritating degree. It behoved the daughters to find employment. Ada cherished hopes of becoming an actress, but her first Sir Frederick became Lord Leighton in the New recorded occupation is as an art student in the studio Year's Honours List of 1896, but sadly died the day of the artist Louisa Starr Canziani. Some small parts after receiving the honour, the shortest barony ever. came her way on the stage, and she came to the notice Dorothy was now without her devoted patron, but she of the artist and sculptor Frederick Leighton. She and her sisters had been left well provided for. She and her sister Hetty, made a home for the younger girls at 10 Edenmore Mansions in Kensington. Dorothy spasmodically continued her career. She even went to America, but found little success there and the tour was abandoned. David also entertained us with stories of other contemporary painters and their models. It is said that Andrew Lloyd Webber discovered G. F. Watts' "Flaming June" while still a schoolboy, but lacked the funds to buy it. He has since made up for this youthful disappointment. This well- known painting has been described by the critic Tom Lubbock as "very orange," and by Brian Sewell as "try this for thighs." So with laughter and a little gentle nostalgia, we learned that Dorothy sadly died early at the age of forty - Clapham's own Eliza Doolittle. DC

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THE HERNE HILL brothers, the Otways, Charles and Harry, and the Davalls, Arthur and Ernie, were founder members, as HARRIERS, 1889-2008 were Harry Death, Harry Simpson, Fred Woodham, A talk by Kevin Kelly, author of George Jeffries, George Grieve and Will Suffield. "Herne Hill Harriers into the Millennium: The Milkwood Tavern became an early club a history of the Herne Hill Harriers" headquarters, though the Lilford, the Fox-under-the In 1889 a number of young local lads would spend Hill, and the Half Moon pubs were later used. the winter evenings playing dominoes and cards in The cycle track in Burbage Road opened in 1891. the parlour of a sweet shop owned by Mr. and Mrs. Inside was a 4-lane cinder running track, the oldest in Pickford at 99 Milkwood Road, which was next to the London. The Harriers used this until 1938, when a Nevill's Bakery entrance. Having organised much larger track was built at Tooting Bec. The club successful paper-chases in 1888, they decided to went from strength to strength and, by the 1930s, had establish the Herne Hill Harriers. Two sets of 300 members. The famous red and black hoops with black shorts appeared in track, long distance and cross country events. Photographs from as early as 1904, names and achievements flowed past us. There was the great Jack Butler who won the London to Brighton race in 1903; and then walked home again. Fred Fulford and Joe Deakin, always rivals, ran for England in 1905. The club had ten members in the British team at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, coming home with a collection of medals. Trophies were stored in the cellar of the Half Moon pub, surviving being flooded out. Successes continued through the 1930s. In all, 97 members gained international selection, with Dennis Pell competing against the great Sydney Wooderson. WW2 brought disruption to athletics, though Kevin described a contest in front of St. Paul's Cathedral, with a bomb site being used as the long jump pit. After the war the club continued to thrive, with more familiar names emerging - George Broad, (pole vaulting and long jump), Mike Maynard, and Ian 99 Milkwood Road – arrowed 16

Boyd, an Olympic competitor. Ron Clark won the MUSIC HALLS OF LONDON Polytechnic marathon and was shown clasping surely the December talk by Chris Sumner the biggest trophy ever. 1969 saw the club’s 80th anniversary and Joe Deakin, now aged 90, ran two The scuffling sound of extra chairs hastily being laps of the track, to show he could. organised indicated a keen interest in this popular speaker's subject. Music Hall in London had its In 1976, women were admitted and are having great origins in the entertainment provided in the saloon success. The latest shining light is Jade Johnson, with bars of public houses, which had themselves many promising young athletes coming up. developed from the Pleasure Gardens such as Membership now stands at about 500 and the club is Vauxhall and Cremorne. Buildings were small and flourishing. Kevin was too modest to mention his intimate, musicals were "song and supper" events, own sporting achievements, the fact that he is a Life with local entertainers. The most famous was the Member, or that his family have followed in his Grecian Saloon, started in 1825 at the Eagle, off the footsteps. He is also the author of a massive tome, City Road, of "Pop goes the weasel" fame. It was the result of many years of devoted research, without here that the great Marie Lloyd made her debut at the which the records of this famous club might have age of 14 in 1884. been irretrievably lost. We were able to look at a small selection of Kevin's The first true Music Hall was the Canterbury in vast collection of memorabilia. These included some Westminster Bridge Road, followed by the Middlesex early medals discovered in Australia, early fixture in Drury Lane and then the rush was on. By 1865 cards from 1892 onwards, journals, address lists, there were 32, seating between 500 and 5,000 people. medals and, poignantly, examples of the Wolsey By 1878 there were 78 large Music Halls and 300 brand of singlet worn in those first years (shoulders smaller venues. The last vestiges of the public house had to be covered). image were swept away, and splendid "theatres of variety" appeared of marble and freestone, lavishly Kevin's talk was greatly appreciated and warmly appointed and brilliantly lit with electric lights. applauded. Chris had recordings of many of the old songs, DC collected by Roy Hudd, some recorded in the 1940's "Herne Hill Harriers into the Millennium", 638 pages. by the last of the original performers. Music Hall A history of the Herne Hill Harriers compiled by songs could be romantic, patriotic, humorous or Kevin Kelly is available from the author at: Herne sentimental as the occasion demanded. Each singer Hill Harriers, 71, Penwortham Road, Streatham, had songs written specifically for them, and here we London SW16 6RH. Price: £33.00, postage: £6.95 Continued on Page 19

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ITALIAN FEAST AT success and fame and influenced the next generation of British artists. This is the first ever exhibition DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY devoted to Sickert’s Venice paintings; the luscious Three overlapping exhibitions at Dulwich Picture display will satisfy any palate. Gallery comprise a banquet of art with the rich flavour of Italy. ‘Neapolitan Paintings’ presents two recently-conserved pictures, The Locksmith and The Return of the Prodigal Son. Who painted them is uncertain. The Locksmith appears heavily influenced by Caravaggio; indeed it was once attributed to him. However, it is now thought to be by a follower of Jusepe de Ribera. The Prodigal Son first came to the gallery as a Ribera but is now believed to come from the circle of another master painter. Whoever made them, these powerful images are splendid examples of the sumptuous production of 17th century Naples. Shown in their newly restored state for the first time, the display continues to 14th June. The Return of the Prodigal Son Sickert, The Rialto courtesy H H-H ©Trustees of the Dulwich Picture Gallery Next on the menu is ‘Paolo Veronese: the Petrobelli Dulwich Picture Gallery is open Tuesday – Friday Altarpiece’. Subtitled ‘Reconstructing a Renaissance 10:00-5:00; weekends & Bank Holiday Mondays Masterpiece’, it brings together four parts of one of 11:00-5:00. Late opening 6:30-10:00 the third the largest altarpieces produced in 16th century Italy. Thursday of the month. Gallery and Exhibition £9; Painted by Veronese c1565, the work was brutally cut Seniors £8; Conc. £5; Friends and children free. up and sold in pieces when the church and convent JD which displayed it was closed and destroyed c1785. The four known surviving fragments come from Dulwich, Scotland, Canada and Texas; the latter piece, until recently believed lost, was discovered by Dulwich’s curator. Reassembled for the first time in some 225 years, the display of this important work is a rare opportunity not to be missed. The exhibition runs from 10th February to 3rd May, after which it travels to Ottawa. The final course offers a taste of Italy through British eyes: ‘Sickert in Venice’, from 4th March to 31st May. German born Walter Sickert (1860-1942) is known as the father of modern British art. The actor turned artist studied with Whistler and Degas, whose techniques he adopted and adapted. He first visited Venice in 1895 in a failed attempt to save his marriage. If Venice can’t rekindle romance, nothing can! He did, however, find his identity as an artist and made many further visits to the city that inspired some of his finest, most ravishing work. In true Impressionist fashion he painted architectural landmarks under different lighting conditions, later concentrating on figures in interiors. His pictures are intriguing and thoroughly absorbing. The exhibition is divided into themes demonstrating his wide range: Views and Vistas, Nocturnes, Figures and Groups, Painting the Nude. Venice was where Sickert matured as an artist, developing the style that brought him

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Music Halls from Page 17 had Harry Champion's puppets, the list seems endless. "Any Old Iron" and "Boiled Beef and Carrots", the World War One was probably the high point of the audience joining in rather shyly at first and then with Music Hall. Marie Lloyd died in 1922, and though its increasing gusto. Chris had with great forethought, popularity continued, the cinema was invading the printed out a selection of songs. We had Marie land, and radio broadcasting was advancing rapidly. Lloyd's "A Bit of a Ruin that Cromwell Knocked By the middle of the 20th century, only a few About a Bit", and "The Boy in the Gallery" and Vesta working Music Halls remained, and now are just a Victoria's "Waiting at the Church" and "Daddy nostalgic memory. A few buildings survive, mostly Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow-Wow", all sung with great with a different use, and Wilton's Music Hall in feeling. Well into our stride now, we roared into "I Stepney has an active supporters group working do like to be beside the Seaside", "I'm 'Enery the towards restoration. Eight'th, I am, I am", "If it wasn't for the Houses in A last song or two, and Chris was warmly thanked for between", and similar gems. Many of the great a splendid evening's entertainment. names of Music Hall appeared - Florrie Ford, Ella DC Shields, Albert Chevalier, Vesta Tilley, all celebrated in their day. Supporting artists were less fortunate and worked long hours for pathetically low wages. In January 1907, a long-brewing dispute came to a head between artists, stage hands and theatre managers at the Holborn Empire. The strike lasted two weeks, enthusiastically supported by the music hall stars such as Marie Lloyd and Gus Elen, and resulted in the establishment of a minimum wage and a maximum working week, and also to the application of copyright law to musical compositions. Music Hall was noted for its variety. There were male and female impersonators, including the great Vesta Tilley. There was stand up comedy, double acts, with one performer as stooge for the other, and many speciality acts such as magic and escapology, ventriloquists, cycling tricks, knife-throwing, dancing, juggling, fire eaters, animal acts, shadow

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Copy deadline for the Summer ENVIRONMENTAL issue is Friday 17th April 2009. PHONE NOS. Opinions expressed in this Newsletter Lambeth Streetscene (cleansing, rubbish are those of the authors, and not removal, pot holes, abandoned vehicles, graffiti removal etc.) necessarily those of the Editors or the Herne Hill Society Committee. Phone number: 020 7926 9000

Southwark Streetscene (equivalent): Advertising space is available in this Newsletter for local businesses at the Phone number: 020 7525 2000 following rates: Full page £40.00 Half page £25.00 YOUR COUNCILLORS Quarter page £12.50 Herne Hill Ward, Lambeth: Eighth page £ 7.50 Jim Dickson (Lab.) [email protected] (07932 792 435) Classified (business card) £ 5.00 Kirsty McHugh (Lab.) [email protected] (4 insertions for the price of 3) (020 7924 9038) Full page is standard A4 (297 x 210mm). Becca Thackray (Green) Either you can provide your own artwork [email protected] (07946 219394) or we can help with typesetting, free of c/o Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton Hill, SW2 1RW. charge, and include your logo. Thurlow Park Ward, Lambeth: Please contact: Brenda Jones Irene Kimm (Con.) [email protected] (020 7926 2149) 020 7771- 1409 Clare Whelan (Con.) [email protected] (020 7926 2149) THE HERNE HILL SOCIETY Committee 2008 - 2009 John Whelan (Con.) [email protected] (020 7926 2149) Chair Sheila Northover 020 7274 2638 Email: [email protected] c/o Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton Hill, SW2 1RW. Vice Chair John Brunton 020 8678 1757 Email: [email protected] Village Ward, Southwark: Robin Crookshank Hilton (Con.) Secretary Jeff Doorn 020 7274 7008 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Treasurer Rosalind Glover 020 8678 1757 (020 8613 6046) Email: [email protected] Toby Eckersley (Con.) Committee Diana Chadney 020 7274 7210 [email protected] Email: [email protected] (020 7701 3112) Robert Holden 020 8674 5101 Nick Vineall (Con.) [email protected] Email: [email protected] Brenda Jones 020 7771 1409 (020 7358 3524) Bill Kirby 020 7274 0532 c/o Town Hall, Peckham Road, London SE5 8UB Membership Secretary Caroline Knapp 020 7274 2443 Email: [email protected] Your GLA Member Laurence Marsh 020 7737 0568 Valerie Shawcross AM (Lab.) Email: [email protected] David Taylor 020 7733 5031 [email protected] Email: [email protected] (020 7983 4407) Colin Wight 020 7733 2573 GLA, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Email: [email protected] (co-opted) John Smallwood 020 7401 3561 Your MP Mobile: 07956 468 466 Tessa Jowell MP (Lab.) [email protected] (020 Email:[email protected] 8333 1372) Editorial Address and Membership subscriptions: Herne Hill Society, PO Box 27845, LONDON SE24 9XA House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA Website address: www.hernehillsociety.org.uk

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