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322 Brixton Road: Edwardian talking machines, Liberals and Ethiopian Minstrel Troupes

editor

editor

hiraethified
332-brixton-road-london-10.jpg


I've just posted up a piece about what was once the Brixton Liberal Association, at 322 Brixton Road, SW9, "where Edwardian visitors could enjoy open air fetes, political meetings, Royal illusionists and a performance from the intriguing sounding "South London Ethiopian Minstrel Troupe."

The building's been sort of restored, but I haven't managed to track down any photos from before 2000 or worked out what other uses it had.

There's no photos on Lambeth Landmark or the usual sources either, so does anyone know anything about it?

http://www.urban75.org/blog/the-pol...l-talking-machine-at-322-brixton-road-london/
 
editor said:
332-brixton-road-london-10.jpg


I've just posted up a piece about what was once the Brixton Liberal Association, at 322 Brixton Road, SW9, "where Edwardian visitors could enjoy open air fetes, political meetings, Royal illusionists and a performance from the intriguing sounding "South London Ethiopian Minstrel Troupe."

The building's been sort of restored, but I haven't managed to track down any photos from before 2000 or worked out what other uses it had.

There's no photos on Lambeth Landmark or the usual sources either, so does anyone know anything about it?

http://www.urban75.org/blog/the-pol...l-talking-machine-at-322-brixton-road-london/
Click to expand...


There used to be a baptist church on Wynne Road but I haven't discovered exactly where yet

Bit stuck on this to be honest
 
It made me wonder if the house numbers were changed at some stage what with buildings on the other side of the road being knocked down?
 
Have been doing a bit of digging - Brixton Liberal Association and Brixton Liberal Club had a lot of crossover. The Association seems to have had more of a political slant, the Club more social. Any ideas as to where the primary sources (minutes of meetings etc) might now reside? My great granfer was v closely associated with the Liberal party at around this time, so have a personal interest.
 
Moonchild said:
Have been doing a bit of digging - Brixton Liberal Association and Brixton Liberal Club had a lot of crossover. The Association seems to have had more of a political slant, the Club more social. Any ideas as to where the primary sources (minutes of meetings etc) might now reside? My great granfer was v closely associated with the Liberal party at around this time, so have a personal interest.
Click to expand...

I think the Liberal Club was in Effra Road?
 
Brian Morris said:
My dad used to rent 322 Brixton Road as a photographic studio and lab from the 1960's to the mid 1970's. I have vague memories of the building and somewhere there is a photo which I'll scan and upload when I find it.
Click to expand...

Oh lovely. Were there lots of other units in there, and if so, who or what also occupied the premises. Was it flats or businesses upstairs?
 
Brian Morris said:
My dad used to rent 322 Brixton Road as a photographic studio and lab from the 1960's to the mid 1970's. I have vague memories of the building and somewhere there is a photo which I'll scan and upload when I find it.
Click to expand...

Brian, I've just been looking through some of your father's photographs - I was doing a web-search on his name and came up with this thread. My dad used to commission your dad to take pictures of ships and possibly of other stuff as well. Like you, I have vague memories of the building. As we lived in Surrey, it was a bit of an adventure to go up to Brixton! I seem to remember my father wondering why all his suppliers (photographers, printers, packagers etc) were based in what he felt were rather dodgy areas of London! Anyway, I'm delighted to know the place still exists, albeit in a rather knocked-about state.
 
Socaman said:
Brian, I've just been looking through some of your father's photographs - I was doing a web-search on his name and came up with this thread. My dad used to commission your dad to take pictures of ships and possibly of other stuff as well. Like you, I have vague memories of the building. As we lived in Surrey, it was a bit of an adventure to go up to Brixton! I seem to remember my father wondering why all his suppliers (photographers, printers, packagers etc) were based in what he felt were rather dodgy areas of London! Anyway, I'm delighted to know the place still exists, albeit in a rather knocked-about state.
Click to expand...
It's been smartened up a bit, but the ground floor remains empty.
 
Looks like this building is about to enjoy a new lease of life as it is now behind hoardings and work seems to be underway.
 
Hello,
I am researching the history of Streatham and Brixton Chess Club. I have found a reference in an old chess magazine to the Brixton Chess Club moving to new premises at 322 Brixton Road in January 1888. I am planning a series of blogs about this and would like to use some of your photos, please - espescially the poster from the Liberal Party.
Editor, please could we discuss.
Thanks,
Martin Smith.
 
The latest refurb seems close to completion now now and it seems the Austin Osman Spare quote
spray painted on the end wall is there to stay. The glasswork feature on the ground floor has been
restored and it looks like it will be used for something at last, not what just yet but the planning notice specified
retail or office..............
 
cuppa tee said:
The latest refurb seems close to completion now now and it seems the Austin Osman Spare quote
spray painted on the end wall is there to stay. The glasswork feature on the ground floor has been
restored and it looks like it will be used for something at last, not what just yet but the planning notice specified
retail or office..............
Click to expand...

I noticed the glass work the other night walking past, and I have to say it looks really nice :) That quote is really irritating though :oops: :D
 
colacubes said:
I noticed the glass work the other night walking past, and I have to say it looks really nice :) That quote is really irritating though :oops: :D
Click to expand...

I liked the quote when I first saw it but it's charm has worn off, I doubt AOS thought it would be used as an upbeat slogan for what is most likely going to be yuppie flats................
 
leanderman said:
Spotted the cheesy quote today. Building does look good though
Click to expand...
It would have been more Brixton to have got a muralist to do some AOS artwork - but that would have been expensive compared to stencilled letters (assuming that is what they are).

The new roof at 322 could be why Mr Antic got his mansard roof extension at 304 Brixton Road BTW, notwithstanding nicking the weather vane and datestone from the parapet.
 
It's looking very smart now. Shame the door detail has vanished though.

I'm guessing it's been converted into upmarket flats?

brix.jpg
 
Looks like there was planning application in 2011 for 9 flats.

There's 5 listed on property sites so far that I've found, but I can't see any pictures, but I'm not looking that hard

(They could be old details though)
 
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