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THE MAGAZINE OF THE HERNE HILL SOCIETY❧ ISSUE 122❧ SPRING❧ 2013 ❧ £2

Kind permission of Stuart Brown

happy new year ❧ digital Brockwell’s history project ❧ Nor- refurbishedWalled wood cemetery:new guide ❧ Cllr Clive Ben- Garden nett❧ “loststories of ” ❧ span- ish spring at DPG❧ CPZ: Bessemer Squeezed M u d d l e ❧ - 200thCelebrations cycle polo❧ olympic memories❧ season- colinCrooks’ al readings❧ white Million jobs feather❧ More inside... the Herne hill society Registered Charity No:1094346❧£2❧Free to Members❧Issue No:122❧Spring 2013

Committee contents News: Happy New Year 3 2012—2013 Bessemer Bicentenary Celebrations 3-4 President Bill Kirby 020 7274 0532 Digital History Project 4 Chair Sheila Northover020 7274 2638 Norwood Cemetery’s New Guide 5 Email: [email protected] Brockwell Walled Garden 5 Vice Chair Laurence Marsh 020 7737 0658 Planning and Licensing 6 Email: [email protected] Transport News 6-7 Secretary Jeff Doorn 020 7274 7008 Christmas Fairs 7 Email: [email protected] Congratulations 7 Treasurer Rosalind Glover 020 8678 1757 “Lost Stories of Ruskin Park” 7-8 Email: [email protected] Ruskin Park News 8 Committee Colin Wight 020 7733 2573 CPZ: Squeezed Muddle 8 Email: [email protected] Membership Renewals 8 Cynthia Anderson 020 7274 3408 Email:[email protected] Adverts 9 John Brunton 020 8678 1757 Email: [email protected] Magazine Nick Baker 020 7274 1702 Articles: Email: [email protected] Cycle Polo in 10 Olympics Come to Herne Hill 11 Editorial Address and Membership Subscriptions: Spanish Spring at DPG 12 Herne Hill Society, PO Box 27845 “How to Make a Million Jobs” 13 SE24 9XA. Sparkling Wit and Wisdom 14 facebook.com/hernehillsociety White Feather 15 “A Career in Ruins” Part II 16

Adverts 17

Society events: Copy deadline for the Summer issue is 22 April 2013. Society Events 18 ❧ Other Societies’ Events 18-19 Opinions expressed in the Magazine are those of the Councillors’ Contacts 20 authors and not necessarily of the the Herne Hill Society Committee, which likewise does not approve or endorse the quality or suitability of any goods or Adverts 21-22 services advertised in the Magazine.

Herne Hill-Spring-2013 2 society news

Happy New Year Bessemer to our Bicentenary members Celebrations

In the last magazine you will have found a letter appealing for help with running the Society. I am very pleased to say that we have had an excellent response to the rather worrying letter we wrote. The best and most qualified person has come forward to stand as Chair when I retire at the AGM, and four members have indicated they are interested to join the com- mittee. This burst of enthusiasm is most timely and welcome and I am personally very pleased. After 11 years as Chair I want to be able to hand the Society to my successor in good shape and through the hard work and loyalty of the outgoing committee I am sure that is what I will be able to do. In Magazine 121 we announced plans to celebrate the bi- You will see in this edition of the magazine the activities we centenary of the birth of Sir Henry Bessemer on 19 January have taken part in and the positive news about the things 1813. We decided to approach Bessemer Grange Primary School to work with us, and applied to the Com- we care about in Herne Hill, our historical legacy, the trains, munity Council Community fund for a Grant. We were the Walled Garden in Brockwell Park—I could go on. More fortunate to be awarded a generous £1000 and began to draw news and views are appearing on the Herne Hill Society up plans with the school. Jeff Doorn and I met with one of website so, if you are able, please do check www.hernehillso- the class teachers who also has the title of Creativity Leader, ciety.org.uk . and we heard how she was planning for the whole school to have a day off-curriculum on 17 January and concentrate Finally, please take this as the invitation to come to the on a Bessemer Day. This was turning out as we hoped, an 31st Annual General Meeting of the Herne Hill Society on exciting project and a good exercise in collaboration within Wednesday 13 March at the Herne Hill United Church Hall, our community. top of Red Post Hill, at 7.30 for 7.45 pm. We will be electing a new Chair, the other Officers and the Committee. If you Laurence Marsh, with help from his teacher wife Sophia, would like to nominate someone (or yourself) to stand for put together a powerpoint presentation and teaching notes the committee, please contact Jeffrey Doorn our Secretary, on Bessemer’s life and work; there are some good archive photographs available of his grand house on contact details on page 2. I hope to see you there. ❧ together with views of the estate in which it stood. SN On Thursday 17 January the whole school from the recep- tion class to year 6 worked on projects with Henry Bessemer Continued

Herne Hill-Spring-2013 3 as the inspiration. They produced a display of their work on inventions and history and this was presented to us in book Digital form later. History In the afternoon Jeff and I gave an illustrated talk to three separate classes at the top of the school. The children were Project interested and enthusiastic, asking searching questions, most of which we could answer. We devised a quiz for the children Ever wondered how long Brockwell Lido has been around? to do and produced certificates for successfully completing Or how many different names Jazz on the Hill has had? What them. would it be like if you could hear the history of Herne Hill’s buildings through your mobile phone? After school that day there was a tea party for children, parents and visitors and the Society publications stall was set I’ve been a Herne Hill resident for over five years. My pas- up for parents and teachers to buy maps and books if they sion for SE24 and my work in digital marketing and social wished. media led me to approach the Herne Hill Society with an idea: one that could bring the history of Herne Hill’s build- ings to the fingertips of anyone with a smartphone.

It would work like this. Let’s say you’re having Sunday lunch in the Florence, and are interested in what the building was used for in the past. So you scan a small QR code (those little square barcodes that are popping up on everything from books and leaflets to posters and websites) on the window with your phone.

This plays a short audio clip of someone telling you that it was Ganley’s Irish Bar pre-2007, Brockwell Park Tavern in the 1970s, and was first opened as a pub in 1892, at the same time as Brockwell Park itself. You could just listen to the clip and continue eating your roast potatoes, or move on to other nearby shops and buildings to do the same.

I’d like to see it encourage trade. It will be definitely be a lot of fun for all participants, and show us to be a forward-look- ing South London village.

So that’s what we’re going to do. John Brunton from the Herne Hill Society has generously allowed us to use the upcoming new edition of the Herne Hill Heritage Trail as the basis for the audio content. A group of talented volunteers from the area will be working to summarise the content, create plans, approach celebrities to read the clips, and bring the whole project to life.

So look out for the little square barcodes in pubs, shops and sites around Herne Hill in the coming months. And if you’re On Saturday 19 January there was a Sir Henry Bessemer keen to be involved, we’d love to have you on board - just 200th birthday party in the Carnegie Library. We commis- drop me a line at [email protected]. sioned a beautiful cake from Pam Mico and enjoyed the afternoon. The cake was cut by a year 2 pupil, helped by We’re looking forward to seeing Herne Hill’s history in the me, and Jeff explained our project and the importance of Sir digital realm. ❧ Henry Bessemer to Herne Hill . ❧ Matt Collins SN

Herne Hill-Spring-2013 4 New Guide Brockwell to West Park Walled Norwood Garden Cemetery

Cllr Bennett at the gates to the Walled Garden Saturday 23 December, the rain steadily fell. But a small crowd gathered to watch ’s Mayor, Councillor Clive Bennett, open Brockwell Park’s refurbished Walled Garden. After a short speech, we had a tour of the garden. It has been If you end up in cemetery you will find beautifully restored to its original Victorian state. A particu- yourself in some of the most illustrious company imagina- lar feature is the water fountain, renovated to its original ble. Here are buried such famous luminaries as news agency condition and now, after many years in a semi-derelict state, founder Baron Paul Julius de Reuter; ceramics manufacturer working again! A new feature of the garden is the limestone Sir Henry Doulton; sugar tycoon Sir Henry Tate; and Herne plinth on which stood the bust of Thomas Lynn Bristowe Hill’s own famous inventor, Sir Henry Bessemer. that now rests proudly in the entrance to Brockwell Hall. ❧ In keeping with their wealth and status, many of these high As an added bonus, part of the model village has been achievers are interred in magnificent tombs and mausoleums restored and returned to its site at the garden entrance. The and are well worth a visit. To enhance the visitor experi- original village was made in 1943 by Edgar Wilson, a retired ence, the Friends of West Norwood Cemetery has recently engineer and Norwood Resident. He gave it to the Park published a very useful and informative leaflet West Norwood in 1947. In the 1950s, half of the village was transferred to Cemetery’s Monumental Architecture. This is a guide to 50 of Park. The remaining houses sat outside the Walled the 69 listed monuments and structures in the cemetery’s Garden, in an increasingly dilapidated condition. Two of Anglican and unconsecrated sections. Also included are a these have now been excellently restored and are back in further 30 graves that, although perhaps not topped by quite place along with two small new boat-houses. such magnificent edifices, are occupied by people of note. ❧ JB This leaflet is an essential accompaniment to anyone visiting the cemetery.

Monumental Architecture by Colin Fenn and James Slattery Kavanagh is available from the Friends of West Norwood cemetery (www.fownc.org) price £2.00 plus postage. It is a companion piece to West Norwood Cemetery’s Greek Necropolis, Ελληνορθόδοξο νεκροταφείο by the same authors, also price £2.00. ❧

The restored ‘village’ JB

Herne Hill-Spring-2013 5 80 Half Moon Lane PLANNING AND The Society supported a scheme to build, a contemporary style house on this site close to North Dulwich station, LICENSING adjacent to the railway. We felt it was a high-quality applica- tion and the house was proposed to be very energy efficient. Former petrol filling station Herne Hill Council refused the application on the grounds Work has started on the foundations for this development of that part of the site was borough open land and would student flats with retail space on the ground floor. Although prevent public access, but that part was always Network Rail the planning issues have been dealt with, the Society is still land and the green corridor along the railway embankment involved in helping to coordinate the response of local com- would have been kept. The applicant has appealed against the munity groups to consultation about the “planning benefits” refusal. arising from the scheme. The developer has paid a sum of over £125,000 to the Council to help finance a number of Site adjacent to 2 Frankfurt Road schemes in the area, the details of which have not yet been The Society objected to an application to build a house on discussed but which will be the subject of consultation with this site, behind the shops on Herne Hill and occupied by local groups. Keep an eye on the Society’s website for up- garages on the basis that it would result in an unattractive en- dates on this. There has been a lot of online discussion about vironment and was a poor design. The applicant (Peterman’s the merits or otherwise of having a Tesco store so close to Estate Agents) has appealed against the refusal. the existing Sainsbury’s. The planning issue is clear: the pre- vious developer obtained permission for a specific amount 54–56 Herne Hill of either retail or office space. Tesco appear to have come The Society has asked Lambeth enforcement section to in- to an agreement with that developer about taking the space vestigate an apparent breach of planning regulations in what and we understand are likely to move in when the scheme were once the front gardens of these properties, namely used is completed later in the year. Competition is not a planning for commercial car sales. ❧ issue but many have expressed the view that they don’t want another supermarket because of the threat this might bring DT to local traders. Street market Transport A high degree of consternation was caused early in the New Year by the proposal to operate a 7-day-a-week market with three late nights in the area currently occupied by the News successful Sunday market. The application was put in by the Council following discussions with the Herne Hill Forum Any rail franchise news? but we understand the wording was a mistake and there is In short: none. The whole process of re-franchising the no intention to operate the market every day. The market two rail operators through Herne Hill was suspended after operator would like the flexibility of organising occasional serious flaws were found in the Department for Transport’s evening events, and there is also the need to obtain per- evaluation of bids for the West Coast Mainline services. Sev- mission for the present market. It is not clear at the time of eral reports later – the latest being the Baker Report into the writing how the confusion happened but several local traders performance of the rail franchising process, published on 10 and residents were not happy about receiving a letter which January – and there is still no sign of the process restarting, has caused them unnecessary concern. The Society will or even confirming that the existing operators will continue object to the application as it stands and has asked for it to for the time being. be withdrawn and replaced by a correct application, which it will support. Why can’t I get a train to Waterloo? There is still no news as to what is happening to the rail route 77 Herne Hill and platforms used by Eurostar until 2007, when the high There is still no decision about the application for change speed route to St Pancras International was opened. Work at of use to allow music in these premises. The applicant has Waterloo has been completed to use one platform next to the been asked by the Council to submit an application for noise main station for trains from Reading, but five years on there suppression measures but we understand that there is no are no firm plans to use the link from to Waterloo, or objection from the planners to the actual use. the other four platforms comprising the mothballed Interna- tional Station. Brockwell Passage The Society objected to a proposal to build a block of flats When could I get a direct service to Manor House? with car parking on the former car park at the back of the The tram route 33 ran from West Norwood, along Dulwich Commercial public house. It seemed to us to be an over Road, through Brixton, across including the development of this small site and the application has since Kingsway Tunnel, and carried on to Manor House – now on been withdrawn. the Underground Piccadilly Line … but it was withdrawn in 1952.

Continued

Herne Hill-Spring-2013 6 Stop Press! Embrace’s “Lost

Blackfriars through trains saved! After years of uncertainty, the Rail Minister Simon Burns Stories...” announced on 21 January that the Thameslink through trains calling at Herne Hill will continue to run through north of Project Blackfriars after the completion of the major Thameslink Programme in 2018. This long awaited change of heart by Embrace Cooperation’s Lost Stories of Ruskin Park project is Network Rail (the organisation managing the rails and now coming to an end. On this year-long project, Embrace signals) has been argued for by many organisations, includ- aimed to increase awareness of the historic and natural ing the Herne Hill Society and politicians of all colours. The heritage of Ruskin Park. Among the achievements of the overdue process of re-franchising the train operation is still project are a short film focusing on local people’s memories on hold, so it will be some time before a new commercial of the park, a booklet about the park’s heritage and a new operator (who will undertake to run the trains, and expect park sign about (due to be installed in the park to make a profit) is in place. It is, however, likely that the by Lambeth Council). bidders in the franchising process, when it happens, will be happy to include the busy/crowded Herne Hill Thameslink through services in their plans. ❧

Bil Harrison

And our special thanks to Bil Harrison, who was responsible for preparing the detailed and powerful submission made on this issue by the Society. We have learned from Southwark’s Village Ward councillors that it influenced Southwark’s approach to the new franchise consultation. ❧ SN Christmas

Fairs During the early stages of the project, historic heritage research techniques were taught to volunteers. Jon Newman, We sold books, maps and recruited new members at two Lambeth Archives Operations Manager and archivist Zoe events in December: the Friends of Carnegie Library Fair on Darani gave training on how to research material in Lambeth 1 December and the Herne Hill Christmas Fair in Railton Archives. Rib Davis from the British Library and the Oral Road on 15 December. At the Carnegie we enjoyed the com- History Society ran training on how to conduct oral history pany of Father Christmas in his grotto and members of FoCL interviews. Additionally sound recording/editing training was run for volunteers helping on the project. Throughout dressed as Victorian characters, as well as meeting many the project, Embrace ran various activities; these included members of our community. It was warm in the Library, but 10 free public events looking at different aspects of wildlife certainly not on Railton Road two weeks later, although it and history in Ruskin Park. A total of 163 people attended was dry after some very wet days in the preceding week. We these events and roughly 40 species of plant were recorded. did well, particularly at the second event, and only closed up This data was then submitted to Lambeth Council for their at 4 pm because the light was fading fast. Thank you as ever records. to the members who helped on the stall. ❧ SN Embrace also ran three free photography walks in Ruskin Park; these walks were well attended with over 30 people taking part, a lot of photos were taken of the park and Em- Congratulations brace received good feedback from the participants. Some photos taken by participants were uploaded to the project Congratulations to Lambeth Thurlow Park Ward Councillor blog websites and others displayed at the exhibition. Clare Whelan, who was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours for her services to Local Government in London. Embrace ran eighty free tailor-made photography and/or Clare has been a member of this Society for many years. nature activities for local schools with a total of 249 students taking part. Embrace also took a group of 20 students from Congratulations also to the Lido Café who were given the Lilian Baylis Technology School to a Tate Britain exhibition Best for Service award in the 2012 Living South Restaurant on the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (John Ruskin was very Awards. See January 2013 Living South magazine. influential within this art movement). Approximately 50 people attended the final Exhibition at SN 198 Trust Gallery in Herne Hill on 4 December 2012. The Continued

Herne Hill-Spring-2013 7 exhibition aimed to bring all the different aspects of the s project together to end with a bang! The exhibition included CPZ —SQUEEZED the first opportunity to see the project’s 11-minute film. His- torical and contemporary images of the park and the project MUDDLE? were also on display. Live music was performed by local band the Corsairs. In the project’s last activity Embrace will There have always been strongly held views about the pros be placing a time capsule in Ruskin Park, the date of which is and cons of Controlled Parking Zones, and, if we are to have being arranged with Lambeth Council. them, how the local authority should seek our views and The project booklet has been printed and free copies of exactly what should be done once we have expressed them. the booklet have been given to the Herne Hill Society for We have seen their growth particularly in the northern part members (additional printed copies can be purchased from of Herne Hill, both on the Southwark and Lambeth sides, in Embrace for £2). A copy of the project DVD film/podcast recent years. Following consultations of Lambeth residents interview recordings has also been given to the Society. The held in 2011–12, more streets in this part voted by a majority film & booklet are also available to watch / download on the to be included in a CPZ, while others voted to stay out. project website: ruskinparkproject.wordpress.com Lambeth will shortly put into practical effect the results on a street by street basis. There is criticism of this way of manag- Embrace is now looking for ideas for their next local heritage ing the issue and of the Council’s motives. A lively debate can project and would welcome any ideas from members of the Society. Contact: Embrace Cooperation Ltd, email: John.c@ be found on the blog at http://fawnbrake.wordpress.com/ . myembrace.org or call on: 020 72749450. ❧ Lambeth defend their actions as democracy in action. CPZs will now be introduced in Kestrel, Rollscourt, Cosbycote and Shardcroft Avenues and in Poplar Walk. There will also Ruskin be extended double yellow lines at street corners. Neigh- bouring streets that are as yet uncontrolled, in particular Park News Fawnbrake and Gubyon Avenues, or only controlled in part, thus Milkwood and Lowden Roads, will feel the squeeze. There is a lot of good work going on in Ruskin Park at the Some residents seem to regard the prospect with equanimity, present time with the Friends working hard to co-ordinate the various groups mentioned below. The fair last summer others in more apocalyptic terms. The answer probably lies raised useful funds for the Friends’ work; the Society was somewhere in the middle – though muddle might be more pleased to be there with our publications stall. appropriate. Whether Lambeth will be prepared to revisit the issue again in the near future remains to be seen. Watch Trees for Cities (formerly in Park) are now this space (if you can find one!) Meanwhile, those of us who based in the old One O’clock Club and as well as working care about keeping front gardens as gardens rather than car elsewhere in London are active in the park. With the Friends they have planted a maze and fruit trees in the wildlife area parks will watch with apprehension, because there can be near the railway, and are working on the planting of the old little doubt that parking stress makes gardens much more bowling-green. vulnerable. ❧ LM Nearby the Community Garden has been up and running since May 2010 and with a band of enthusiastic volunteers is producing mainly vegetables. They are there on Sunday afternoons if you want to go and see what they are doing. Membership The Old Stable Block project is getting off the ground at last; a working group has been set up and plans are being drawn Renewals up. We look forward to some public consultation before decisions are made but it all looks promising. February 2013 Talking about getting off the ground, the regular helicopter landings and takings off may cease in the foreseeable future, Many thanks for keeping up the steady flow of membership as King’s College Hospital have announced plans to build a renewals. We hope that all of our existing members will be helipad on top of the Ruskin Wing, when they can raise the rejoining. Reminders are enclosed for those who have not funds. Good news for park users and residents but not in the yet responded to the renewal notices sent out in the Winter short term. issue. ❧ The Refreshment Kiosk in the playground has been success- ful over its first summer and is coping with the winter—do CA visit them if passing. ❧

SN

Herne Hill-Spring-2013 8 BOKI’S HAIR

Open Monday to Saturday: 9 AM–8PM. Late nights available

TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT CALL: 020 8678 6646 EMAIL: [email protected] 61 NORWOOD ROAD HERNE HILL, LONDON, SE24 9AA

Herne Hill-Spring-2013 9 In recent years the sport has experienced a further revival. Cycle Polo This started in Seattle and spread to London in around 2006. There is now a London Hard-court Bike Polo Association (LHBPA), formed in 2009. For the past two years the association has held international tournaments. South-East Brockwell London has two ‘local’ teams. One meets on Tuesday nights on level 5 at Multiplex Car Park; and the other at Quorn Road Court in , also on Tuesdays Park – both welcome beginners. To find out more, please visit: www.lhbpa.org John Brunton digs up the sport’s grass roots in Herne Hill

This photograph, taken looking towards Herne Hill station, shows a cycle polo match in Brockwell Park. It was taken around 1951. Except for swopping bicycles for horses, the game follows similar rules to more conventional polo. The cycle version was developed in 1891 in County Wicklow, Ireland, by retired cyclist Richard J Mecredy. The sport be- Peckham Multiplex meet, photo James White came very popular, reaching its peak in the 1930s. Following Archive photo courtesy of Lambeth Archive a period of decline, in recent years there has been something of a revival and it is now played in many countries. Between 1933 and 1938, our local Norwood Paragon Cycle Club won the English championships five years running.

Herne Hill-Spring-2013 10 everyone spoke to each other on the tube. Wearing the uni- form meant anyone felt able to ask you any question about Olympics anything and the random conversations with complete strangers were one of the highlights. Beth had a more tiring but in some ways more Come to rewarding task, having to look after dignitaries at her venue; one of the jobs the team had to do was to “referee” tricky sit- uations, such as when a certain European royal family tried to break the rules about where they could go and whom Herne Hill they could meet. It seems the more important the dignitar- ies thought they were, the worse they behaved. Beth really David and Beth Taylor recall their enjoyed working with a varied group of individuals and she took full advantage of being in the right place, managing to Summer Olympic adventure get up the Orbit more than once and see a number of big events. It was a real family affair as younger daughter Jo – a Herne Hill resident for the first 25 years of her life – worked for the legacy team and was on duty in the Great British Garden most days. The photo shows us all in uniform in the park on her 30th birthday. As volunteers we were able to attend the rehearsals of the Opening Ceremony which was spectacular and awe-inspiring and we were also on the Mall for the victory parade. A couple of personal thoughts: the IOC needs sort- ing out so it’s not just a gravy train for the so-called dignitaries and, although we were not volunteers for the Paralympics, This is not about the 1948 the memory of seeing 80,000 people cheering on those cycling but a personal memory or two about the experiences extraordinary athletes doing unbelievable things still brings a of a couple of Herne Hillians during those glorious 16 days lump to my throat. in July, 2012. David Taylor, a long standing member of the Society and his wife Beth both volunteered as games makers and were allocated to the protocol team. Beth was based at the water polo centre in the Olympic Park and David had what sounded like an interesting role as a dignitary assistant, looking after a sports minister and his entourage. But after Photo: David Taylor waiting two hours at what should have been the first meeting (the minister had gone shopping without leaving contact details) and then trying to persuade him that walking 200m from his government flat to the official IOC hotel was not beneath his dignity, the task became on occasions quite a challenge. But it was more than made up for by being driven in air-conditioned comfort between Woolwich, Wembley and all points in between. And being part of what seemed a giant party when all of London wanted to have fun and

Herne Hill-Spring-2013 11 focus on the seventeenth-century Spanish Baroque paint- er’s relationship with his friend and patron, Don Justino de Spanish Neve, a canon of Seville Cathedral, bringing together over 30 paintings commissioned by Neve, from large altarpieces to works for his private collection. Also on display will be the Spring newly discovered Penitent Saint Peter, never before been seen in public, as well as The Baptism of Christ, taken down from its high position in Seville Cathedral for the first time since it comes to was installed in 1667.

To coincide with this exhibition, Murillo at Dulwich Picture DPG Gallery will highlight the Gallery’s permanent collection of Murillo paintings. At the heart of this will be the famous Jeffrey Doorn goes beggar boy paintings, Invitation to a Game of Argolla and Three Boys. Both have undergone extensive restoration as forth to greet it part of the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Art Conservation Project. John Ruskin, who often walked to Dulwich from his home in Herne Hill, may have been repelled by the depiction of poor boys with dirty feet, but we can form our own view. It will also be exciting to compare pictures we know and love with works rarely if ever seen.

For those who can’t get enough, the exhibition will run concurrently with Murillo at the Wallace Collection, 6 February—12 May 2013.

As we go to press, is being trans- formed to evoke a 17th-century Sevillian church for its new exhibition Murillo & Justino de Neve: The Art of Friendship, Open Tuesday–Friday 10am-5pm; weekends and Bank from 6 February to 19 May. Part of the permanent collection Holiday Mondays 11am–5pm. Gallery and Murillo is being removed and the space converted to allow Murillo’s exhibition £11 (£13 with audiovisual guide), seniors £9, works to be hung as they were originally intended to be seen; cons £6; Friends and children free. three large-scale lunettes will be at height and inserted into fictive niches. The Immaculate Conception of the Venerables Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, The Virgin and Child distributing Sacerdotes, reunited with its ornate baroque altar-frame for Bread to Priests, 1679, Oil on canvas, 219 x 182 cm, the first time, will form the ‘high altar’. The exhibition will Szépmuvészeti Museum, Budapest

Herne Hill-Spring-2013 12 By this time, we understood that Colin was passionate about the problem of unemployment, as it affects his business, un- how to employed people and their families, crime—the whole of so- ciety in fact. We were not surprised to learn that he had gone on to research the data regarding unemployment, unskilled make a workers and their qualifications. He provided us with defi- nitions, facts and figures, all fascinating stuff. For example, million 9.8 million people of working age have no qualification of any kind; 19 million people have full-time jobs (or read this as only half the population of working age having full-time jobs jobs); 6.5 million people would like to work; there are half a million vacancies; 38% of people in the Coldharbour Estate have full-time jobs. If we needed persuading, he emphasised Cynthia Anderson the deleterious effects of unemployment: far from enjoying a lie-in every day as “strivers” set off for work in the early listens to Colin Crooks’ solution morning, the unemployed person suffers from a variety of problems chiefly derived from a loss of self-respect, including The title of the first Herne Hill Society talk of 2013 attracted loss of self-confidence, depression, obesity and apathy. my attention immediately as a not-to-miss talk, and indeed so it proved. And finally, he offered some ideas to solve this problem. The Colin Crooks, a local resident, Government has focused on former Lambeth Councillor creating jobs, but has not been and business man, spoke able to provide enough jobs without pictures or powerpoint that are attractive to unem- and without notes, and held ployed people. Instead, job-cre- the attention of the audience ation thinking should concen- throughout. He began by intro- trate on what motivates people; ducing himself and his career to match jobs to people, rather prior to starting his own busi- than people to jobs. Motivated ness. His business had begun people are enthusiastic, crea- as a part time venture, a small tive, eager to learn, and keen office and an old Ford Transit on training. Colin provided a camper van, collecting used couple of examples of stroppy paper from banks and similar teenagers who had blossomed organisations and taking it to once given work and responsi- a paper merchant in Coldhar- bility that they relished. bour Lane. The business grew, to such an extent that he was After the tea and coffee break able to give up his regular job the format of the talk changed and work full-time on this pro- and Colin asked for questions ject that really interested him. from the audience. Many inter- esting questions gave Colin a The next part of the talk was chance to expand on his ideas. about his experiences with People who want to know recruiting and training his more should read his recently staff. By and large, he needed published book How to Make unskilled workers, for example, a Million Jobs: A Charter for people to sort and weigh paper Social Enterprise. and cans for recycling, and van drivers. He soon found that there were many unemployed people desperate to get a job, and whenever he advertised, there would be many appli- cants. Unfortunately for all concerned, many people were unqualified to take on even unskilled jobs, being “function- ally illiterate”. He told us of one driver who punched him twice in the cab of the van, out of frustration for having to reveal that he was unable to read an A-Z. Having learnt from this experience Colin always now checks in the course of an interview for drivers that the applicant can read a map.

Herne Hill-Spring-2013 13 A second set of readings focused our attention more on dia- monds. We started and ended with extracts from Gentlemen SPARKLING Prefer Blondes and took in The Diamond as Big as the Ritz on the way. Five Mae West quips went with baton changes and Annie Gelly finally led the company in a rendition of WIT & Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.

After the break the readings celebrated the 2012 Olympics. PEARLS OF Carol Ann Duffy again doing her Poet Laureate bit. More cryptic references came from “Banjo” Paterson, famous for “Once there was a Swagman camped by a billabong”. His WISDOM account of Ozzie horse jumping would undoubtedly have won gold, as would Tennyson’s Merman and Mermaid in Rob Anderson reviews The the swimming. Reference was also discernible to cycling, rowing, tennis. The inclusion of the non-Olympic sport of Society’s seasonal readings baseball in “Casey at the Bat”, Jeff explained later, qualified since baseball is played on a “diamond”! At the final Society gathering of the year on 12 December Jeff Doorn co-ordinated a set of readings themed around the Finally we came to readings relating to celebrations in Society’s Pearl Jubilee (30 years) and the Queen’s Diamond general and in particular Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.Annie’s Jubilee (60 years)—with passing reference also to Victoria’s reading of TheJubilee Sov’reign swallowed by Albert Rams- Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Olympics. In bottom stole the advance it seemed likely to prove a marathon show but perhaps with 48 readings and a couple of songs; it If you’re Feeling most interesting turned out however to be a well-rehearsed was an abridged relay race with neat, quick change-overs from If you’re feeling effervescent reading—still too one reader to the next. long by half— Like an awkward adolescent from Victoria’s The 12 readers, Herne Hill Society stalwarts, And your eyes are opalescent Poet Laureate, brought considerable talent to the occasion. Alfred Austin. Ceres kicked off withThose are pearls that were Night and noon, Will Carol Ann his eyes. Cynthia took the baton and gave us Duffy sound so a Beatrice Lillie Anecdote. Dave Gelly raised You’re in love, and that is pleasant, odd a hundred the tone with George Gascoigne’s sonnet, years from now? Pearl, and Annie Gelly brought us back to the Though it can be evanescent real world with What Pearls, What Rubies by As the shining silver crescent George Withers. Stephen’s reading seemed to go off-piste relating toTwelfth Night and beans Of the moon. but was entitled Mademoiselle Pearl. Sheila got us back on track with our current Poet Laure- Lovers come in many guises ate’s poem, Warming Her Pearls. And the heart often revises For me, however, the evening’s pièce de Its affections as disguises resistance was our very own Jeff Doorn’s short, gritty poemsIf You’re Feeling and Like a Mol- Do unfurl lusc. A drawback to such readings is not having the text to refer to at the time or afterwards. But the wiser head surmises Obviously not a logistic possibility, but it does seem desirable to present the full text of one Life repays our enterprises; of Jeff’s poems here. Lasting love a precious prize is—

Next Diana gave us instruction on How to Knit Like a pearl. a Hot Air Balloon. Would a younger audience recognise one end of a knitting needle from the other? Nick read an extract from Hindoo Holiday and Caroline added a wealth of jewels in addition to diamonds and pearls with her piece by Cavafy. Laurence’s Biblical reading presented a more metaphorical approach with a “pearl of great price” and Jill took us back again to the abundance of jewels in Aladdin’s cave.

Herne Hill-Spring-2013 14 White Feather Becca Thackray talks to Sheena Crilly about shops, frocks and balancing family with business

“I had no background in fashion or in running a business when I opened,” says Sheena Crilly. But this was a perfect op- portunity to combine both. White Feather opened in 2011, named after John Lennon’s peace symbol. July was a hard time in the fashion season to open. Summerwear starts being sold from Christmas and she was competing with summer sales. The boutique is in Milkwoood Road in an archway owned by Network Rail, where Dust used to be.

Sheena looks for items not found on the high street: good “I’ve got to know so many people really well here. I’ve made quality brands at a good price. She shows me items by some good friends amongst my customers.” Getting to know Pyrus—a brand made by London designers for “fashion them means she can offer a personal service. “I can buy with aware women who are not led by fashion fads”. Sheena points customers in mind and ring them when something comes out the leather details on seams and pockets of a woollen in.” jacket and a Little Black Dress in not-so-little sizes where the cut would make it flow flatteringly over the most ample of She thinks Herne Hill has great charm. “Everyone wants to curves. live in a village in London, don’t they?” She shows me a catalogue of Baum und Pferdgarten from Copenhagen known for “not compromising on quality or aesthetics—sleek but sensual silhouettes, quirky prints, understated details and soft colours”.

Herne Hill men are not left out. Sheena is focusing on them this season with a collection for men aged 25 to 55 compris- ing jeans, chinos, shirts and jumpers.

“I used to be a PA for a Management Consultancy before I had children. Then a friend opened a boutique and that inspired me. I live in Beckenham but Herne Hill seemed like the ideal spot because of its village-in-London feel.” WHITE FEATHER There’s assistance from Kirsty, a fashion student and Ellie who attends dance classes opposite at South London Dance 10% DISCOUNT Studios. It meant that Sheena was able to take a holiday with her family and new addition Rocky the dog,who seems to TO MEMBERS OF enjoy the shop too.

Sheena has three children and concentrated on them in their THE HERNE HILL early years. She is able to leave the shop at 3pm to collect them from school and recommends running your own SOCIETY business for being able to dictate your own hours around the needs of your family.

Herne Hill-Spring-2013 15 hear that, finally, the Temple remains are to return to their original home and shown afresh in the sort of conditions A Career they deserve. They had been taken apart after their discovery and reconstructed in a different position and suffered the indignity of crazy paving being used as a floor. in Ruins: John explained how there can be a 6 metre (20 feet) differ- ence in level between the ground level of Roman London and modern London, a difference made up from the accre- Part II tions over centuries of one building replacing another. The largely timber-built houses of pre-industrial London were Laurence Marsh reports on generally replaced every 20 to 30 years It was not practicable to remove large amounts of unwanted building material from more moments in a site, so such material was simply added, making a sort of John Maloney’s Ruinous Career platform. We heard about how the Rose Theatre, the first Elizabethan theatre to be built on , was discovered in 1989. As with the Temple of Mithras, there was huge public in- terest, an interest that has remained and had, just two weeks before John spoke to us, been rewarded with the award of a Heritage Lottery Fund award to help develop and preserve this unique part of London’s history. We also learned how John was only a few building away from the Baltic Exchange in April 1992 when an IRA bomb destroyed this historic buildings. John Maloney entertained us a year ago Clearance allowed with episodes from his ‘Career in Ruins’. an excavation to In November he was back with more reveal underlying Notes from Underground – but no Dos- Roman remains, toyevskyan anguish here, rather an informa- before the site was tive and good-natured account of some of the covered by the major archaeological excavations in the City of Gherkin. London. John discovered his passion for archaeol- ogy while studying history at Birmingham Universi- Asked which archae- ty. He joined the Department of Urban Archaeology ological discovery at the Museum of London in 1975. A period of rapid had been for him the development in the City was beginning at this time and most memorable, John picked the base of many developers were not sympathetic to the prospect of a tower in the Roman city wall at Duke’s archaeologists holding up let alone requiring alterations to Place, Aldgate. Used in the fill for the base their plans. The Rescue movement in archaeology had been was part of a tombstone to one Marciana, effectively lobbying for a recognition of the importance of a girl aged 10. The stone’s inscription con- recording, preserving and understanding London’s past be- tained not merely customary reference to the ancient gods fore the evidence was destroyed. John carried this vital work but also a Christian reference. Here was something that in its forward at the Museum of London and was able to persuade simple humanity transcended the passage of 2000 years. many developers of its importance, to get them interested in the history of what lay beneath their feet and also to finance Illustration: Marciana’s Tombstone. The tomstone has an in- the work. scription beneath Marciana’s bust and a D M on the border of the stone. The original inscription reads: [..]EMORIAE | [..] His first major dig was at Baynard’s Castle, near today’s TVITATI | [..] MARCIANAE | [..]IT ANN X | [..] AVREL | . The dig revealed part of the Roman [..]EC C | [..] | [..]RTI | [..]VS F C. and can be translated as: riverside wall, including re-used stonework with monumen- “To the spirits of the departed (and to) the everlasting memory tal sculptures from the 2nd to 3rd centuries. Recycling has of ... Marciana who lived 10 years ... months and ... days, Aure- a long history. We also heard about the famous Temple of lius ... had this set up”. Mithras, discovered in 1954 after clearance of the wide- Date: 43 AD - 410 AD Courtesy of Museum of London spread destruction of the City in the war. It was good to

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Herne Hill-Spring-2013 17 society events

At Herne Hill United Church Hall, at 7:30 for 7:45pm, unless otherwise stated. OThER Wednesday 13 February: “Local Scenes in Old Postcards” by Ian McInnes Following on from his earlier trip from to Herne SOCIETIES’ Hill Station, Ian’s next old postcard tour will take an extend- ed walk along Half Moon Lane, East Dulwich Grove, Lord- EVENTS ship Lane and Dulwich Common back to . Tuesday 12 February at 7:30pm Wednesday 13 March: Southwark & Lambeth Archaeological Society: Annual General Meeting, followed by “The Guys Hospital Roman Boat – to lift or not to lift” by Jane Sidell, English Heritage “Lambeth Architecture 1914–1939” by Edmund Bird, Herit- at Housing Co-op Hall, 106 The Cut SE1. age Advisor to the Authority and Transport Refreshments 7:00. £1.00 donation. for London. An illustrated talk based on the book published by LB Lambeth and Lambeth Local History Forum. Thursday 14 February at 7:30 for 8:00pm Dulwich Decorative & Fine Arts Society: Wednesday 10 April: “From Posset Pots to Pew Groups ” “Sir Henry Bessemer, Engineer and Inventor” by Dr at James Allen’s Girls’ School, East Dulwich Grove SE22 Susan Mossman, Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining £7, students £1. Coffee & biscuits from 7:30 and Curator, Science Museum. Bessemer was a founding member and second President of the Iron and Steel Institute, Sunday 17 February at 7:30pm Peckham Society: predecessor of IOM3. The talk celebrates the life and career “Recent Archaeological Discoveries in Southwark” of the former Denmark Hill resident in his bicentenary year. by Dr Christopher Constable, Archaeological Officer, Southwark Council Wednesday 8 May: at Goose Green Centre, St John’s Church, “Protection of Ancient Buildings” by Elaine Byrne. The East Dulwich Road SE22 Education & Training Manager, Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings outlines the history of SPAB, its philoso- Monday 18 February at 8:00pm phy and current work, with some local examples. Society: “London’s Inland Waterways” by Roger Squires The Wednesday meetings start promptly at 7:45pm – at “Woodlawns”, 16 Leigham Court Road SW16 doors open from 7:30pm. Please try to arrive before the Thursday 21 February at 8:00pm speaker is introduced, to avoid disturbance to others. Norwood Society:

Herne Hill-Spring-2013 18 “Crystal Cleo - a New Musical Look” by Adrian Falks Wednesday 17 April at 7:30 for 8:00pm at Phoenix Centre, Westow Street SE19 Society: “Local Issues” Speakers from Lambeth Council will address issues Wednesday – Saturday 21 – 24 February at 8:00pm raised by the audience The Dulwich Players: at Clapham Manor School, Belmont Road SW4 Ladies Day by Amanda Whittington at Edward Alleyn Theatre, Dulwich College. Monday 6 May at 8:00pm Tickets from The Art Stationers, Dulwich Village SE21 Streatham Society: “The Cinema Museum” by Martin Humphries Monday 4 March at 8:00pm at “Woodlawns”, 16 Leigham Court Road SW16 Streatham Society: “The Brixton Windmill - a Dream Come True” Friday 10 May – Sunday 19 May by Richard Santhiri Dulwich Festival: at “Woodlawns”, 16 Leigham Court Road SW16 Music, exhibitions, artists’ open houses, drama, walks, talks, fair and much more Tuesday 12 March at 7:30pm at various venues. See brochure or website for details and ticket Southwark & Lambeth Archaeological Society: information. “Recent Archaeological and Historical Work” Symposium various speakers Tuesday 14 May at 7:30pm at Housing Co-op Hall, 106 The Cut SE1. Refreshments 7:00. Southwark & Lambeth Archaeological Society: £1.00 donation. “Excavations at the Royal Mint 1983–88” by Ian Grainger, Muse- um of London Thursday 14 March at 7:30 for 8:00pm at Housing Co-op Hall, 106 The Cut SE1. Refreshments 7:00. Dulwich Decorative & Fine Arts Society: £1.00 donation. “The Phillips Collection – The First Modern Art Collection in America” Wednesday 15 May at 7:30 for 8:00pm at James Allen’s Girls’ School, East Dulwich Grove SE22 Clapham Society: £7, students £1. Coffee & biscuits from 7:30 “Trees for Life and beyond” A Trees for Cities speaker describes achievements on Clapham Monday 18 March at 8:00pm Common and future plans Streatham Society: at Clapham Manor School, Belmont Road SW4 “The Work of The Streatham Youth & Community Trust” by Clive Winters Saturday 18 May at 11:00 – 5:00pm at “Woodlawns”, 16 Leigham Court Road SW16 Friends of Cemetery: Open Day. Demonstrations, stalls, entertainment, refreshments, site Wednesday 20 March at 7:30 for 8:00pm tours including chapel and crypt. Clapham Society: Linden Grove SE15 “The New US Embassy – Nine Elms” An Embassy representative explains why it will move from Dulwich helpline Grosvenor Square to a new building planned spring events for 2017 completion at Clapham Manor School, Belmont Road SW4 Friday 15 March 2013 7.30 - 9.30 p.m. In the Holst Hall at JAGS, East Dulwich Grove. Thursday 21 March at 6:30 for 7:00pm All That Jazz Friends of Carnegie Library: An Informal evening of sing and swing, blues and brass, big band, ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. Join or renew your member- bebop and barbershop jazz by the talented pupils of ship and help determine the future of your local library and its Alleyn’s, Dulwich College, Charter School, expansion and development for greater community use. Dulwich Prep, JAGS and Kingsdale. Carnegie Library, 188 Herne Hill Road SE24 Tickets £10 including glass of wine. Children under 16 £5 including soft drink. Wine, soft drinks and Thursday 21 March at 8:00pm snacks for sale. Tickets in advance from DH&SCC: Norwood Society: 020 8299 2623 or www.dulwich-helpline.org.uk or s.a.e. DH&SCC, “Crystal Palace and the Olympics” by John Greatrex Dulwich Community Hospital, East Dulwich Grove, SE22 8PT at Phoenix Centre, Westow Street SE19 Saturday 20 April 2013 10 a.m.—2 p.m. Antiques Discovery Day Monday 1 April at 8:00pm In association with Rosebery’s Auctioneers Streatham Society: at Herne Hill Baptist Church, Half Moon Lane. Experts will identi- “Stenton Covington, the Rookery & Norwood Grove” by Daph- fy and value pictures, ornaments, jewellery, small items of furniture ne Marchant and other antiques. Stalls selling cakes, books, bric-a-brac and hand- at “Woodlawns”, 16 Leigham Court Road SW16 crafts. Refreshments. Tickets available on the day.

Tuesday 9 April at 7:30pm Sunday 19 May 2013 2 p.m—6 p.m. Garden Safari Southwark & Lambeth Archaeological Society: Explore four lovely private gardens plus the famous Lettsom Gar- “The Roman & Medieval Landscape dens near Camberwell Grove (by kind permission of the Lettsom at Square” Gardens Association, an active community group) at Housing Co-op Hall, 106 The Cut SE1. Refreshments 7:00. Plant stall, tea and homemade cakes. £1.00 donation. Programmes/maps available on the day from 189 Camberwell Grove SE5 8JU Monday 15 April at 8:00pm Adults £5 children under 16 FREE Streatham Society: “Schools in the 21st Century” by Jillian Smith at “Woodlawns”, 16 Leigham Court Road SW16

Herne Hill-Spring-2013 19 Our COUNCILLORS A winter’s tale Herne Hill Ward Lambeth Laurence Marsh was out and about with his camera during Carol Boucher (Lab.) [email protected] the recent cold snap and captured Herne Hill at play in the 07814 567 914 snow. All we can say is: look out, Henri Cartier Bresson. Jim Dickson (Lab.) [email protected] 020 3149 6657 Leanne Targett-Parker (Lab.) [email protected] 07805 942 796 Thurlow Park Ward Lambeth Ann Kingsbury (Lab.) [email protected] 07814 567 594 Clare Whelan (Con.) [email protected] 07946 218 525 John Whelan (Con.) [email protected] 07802 412 761 Village Ward Southwark Robin Crookshank Hilton (Lib-Dem) [email protected] 020 8613 6046 Toby Eckersley (Con.) [email protected] 020 7701 3112 Michael Mitchell (Con.) [email protected] 07535 932 326 Your MP Tessa Jowell MP (Lab.) [email protected] House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. 020 8333 1372 GLA Member Valerie Shawcross AM (Lab.) [email protected] 020 7983 4407 GLA, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA. Environmental Contacts Lambeth Streetscene: cleansing, rubbish removal, pot holes, abandoned vehicles, graffiti removal etc: 020 7926 9000 Southwark Streetscene (as above): 020 7525 2000

Advertising space is available in this Magazine for local businesses at the following rates: Full page £60 Half page £30 Quarter page £15 Eighth page £9 Classified £6 Full page advertisements are available at a cost of £60, limit- ed to two per issue, with a premium of £80 for an advertise- ment on the back cover. Four insertions for the price of three. Full page is standard A4 (297 x 210mm). Either provide your own artwork, or we can help with type- setting, artwork and logo, all free of charge. Copy deadline for the Spring issue is 22 April 2013. Contact Cynthia Anderson on 020 7274 3408 or e-mail: [email protected]

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