Brixton news, rumours and general chat: Summer - Autumn 2018

[madolesance]

Still seems strange that they're allowed to have this green monstrosity near-permanently up every day.

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I guess it’s there because they pay to be there. Just like the previous night markets have probably paid to be there.
I’d much rather have what looks like some independent traders in the space than some folks punting ice cold nasty larger to idiots paying to access some shitty ice bar.

 

[editor]

I guess it’s there because they pay to be there. Just like the previous night markets have probably paid to be there.
I’d much rather have what looks like some independent traders in the space than some folks punting ice cold nasty larger to idiots paying to access some shitty ice bar.

I would have liked an affordable cafe/snack bar run by locals - in fact I'm pretty sure something that was in the original plans - and something that has decent veggie/vegan choices too. The Brixton Pound cafe would be a good choice, given their credentials on stopping food going to waste.

*Yes, I know. Never going to happen.

 

[madolesance]

I would have liked an affordable cafe/snack bar run by locals - in fact I'm pretty sure something that was in the original plans - and something that has decent veggie/vegan choices too. The Brixton Pound cafe would be a good choice, given their credentials on stopping food going to waste.

*Yes, I know. Never going to happen.

Market forces will always dictate. These folks look independent and may possibly be local. Has anyone enquired?

Bet they could offer up some veg/ vegan options if asked.

They always look busy most of the time so most be doing something right. Better than some overly branded chain using the space. You know the ones that can completely alienate the local community.

 

[friendofdorothy]

I came to Brixton in the mid '80's knowing a few people in the squats and having a great time where it felt that it didn't matter where you came from but what type of person you were - non-racist and non-homophobic where important to me having seen too much of it elsewhere. The Albert was the first pub in Brixton I frequented and felt so at home there (the fact I probably spent more time there than at home might have something to do with it), I loved the music scene and the art scene, but the thing that most attracted me was the feeling that everyone was an outsider and this was our place and no twat was going to take that from us - how wrong I was.

The Albert was very inclusive back in the 80s. I thought Pat hated us all. But hated us all equally. She treated us all fairly - she was very even handed and tolerant anyone who behaved ok in her pub.

 

[Gramsci]

Of course. But it's impossible to ignore the fact that there has been an immense demographic shift in the past 10-15 years that has fundamentally changed the character of the place, and made it less inclusive on account of soaring rents and rates.

As attitudes to change keep coming up on threads here, withth the position that London has always been like this, so shut up complaining I've started to read more.

The demographic shift has been ignored. Unless its to say that one is partly responsible for it by living in Brixton when it wasn't popular.

I've been reading Unequal City about London.

Its an even handed account of the demographic change. With references to other views. Such as Marxist geography.

One thing the book points out is that these changes to London weren't inevitable. Market forces aren't just the way things are. Its political decisions plus changes to how global capitalism works.

These have affected all towns and cities in this country. Take my town Plymouth. After Thatcher and loss of jobs in industry/ dockyard child poverty is now 40% of children in part of Plymouth I grew up in.

Coldharbour ward is an area of high deprivation.

Central London had a large working class population. With changes in technology ( docklands) and movement of industry to cheaper workforce abroad this working class population are now what academic geographers call "surplus population".

With Thatcher London became a financial centre for the world.

Decaying industrial areas, inner city of London became inviting prospect for developers.

A case is the Docklands. With the demise of the docks local community groups developed plans to regenerate the area with industry and social/ private housing. When Tories replaced Labour this was set aside and they set up unelected quango to redevelop the area. The result we can see now.

This "gentrification" wasn't inevitable. It was government decisions plus private enterprise that rebuilt the Docklands in one particular way.

London isn't just about a wishy washy diversity that one should just accept.

 

[editor]

The Albert was very inclusive back in the 80s. I thought Pat hated us all. But hated us all equally. She treated us all fairly - she was very even handed and tolerant anyone who behaved ok in her pub.

She was a unique character. I remember once where she came over with a bottle of champagne for me after I'd be on TV with some campaign stuff. Did you go to her funeral? There was a huge turnout with an incredibly diverse mix of people.

 

[editor]

Tonight: News Club discusses the increase in homelessness, Brixton Library tonight, 6pm, Tues 9th Oct

 

[Angellic]

State Visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands
24th October, 2018
The King and Queen will then travel to a London community project Pop Brixton. Housed in shipping containers, Pop Brixton has converted disused land in the area into a creative space for local, independent businesses and social enterprises.

 

[editor]

State Visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands
24th October, 2018
The King and Queen will then travel to a London community project Pop Brixton. Housed in shipping containers, Pop Brixton has converted disused land in the area into a creative space for local, independent businesses and social enterprises.

Right here, with all the brown-nosed press quotes

Another Royal visit for the loss making Pop Brixton as King and Queen of the Netherlands set to visit shipping containers

 

[editor]

I'm starting a new free live music night at the Effra Social this Friday. The band are great - all are invited!

Brilliant hip hop with The Scribes at the Effra Social, Fri 12th October – free entry

 

[friendofdorothy]

She was a unique character. I remember once where she came over with a bottle of champagne for me after I'd be on TV with some campaign stuff. Did you go to her funeral? There was a huge turnout with an incredibly diverse mix of people.

Surprised she stocked champagne. She was well respected and I remember her tough rule at the Albert very fondly. She was very hard but fair. No I didn't go to her funeral - I didn't know her personally.

30+ years ago, or even 20 years ago, I remember the Albert as the only straight pub in south london where I felt vaguely safe meeting a girlfriend, or going meeting mates before a queer night out at a club. I wouldn't say we were welcomed, but we were tolerated along with all the other odds and sods. I don't remember feeling ok in any other Brixton Pubs.

 

[editor]

Surprised she stocked champagne. She was well respected and I remember her tough rule at the Albert very fondly. She was very hard but fair. No I didn't go to her funeral - I didn't know her personally.

30+ years ago, or even 20 years ago, I remember the Albert as the only straight pub in south london where I felt vaguely safe meeting a girlfriend, or going meeting mates before a queer night out at a club. I wouldn't say we were welcomed, but we were tolerated along with all the other odds and sods. I don't remember feeling ok in any other Brixton Pubs.

The Albert was a big part of why I wanted to live in Brixton. I visited twice before I moved in and loved the wild and accepting mix of punks, activists, artists, musicians, old school Irish, displaced types and folks of all sexualities that made me feel instantly at home.

Pat's firm but fair running of the pub was the stuff of legend. She was a like a Mum to some of the pub's more lost characters.

 

[shakespearegirl]

I remember Pat being a fierce but fair landlady. It was certainly her domain and if you fucked her off you were out. Fair enough. She must have seen some sights in her time.
There was definitely a very caring side to her. One of my friends went through a harrowing divorce and fell into a pretty bad state for a while. She took him aside one night and gave him a supportive but get your shite together lecture, no excuses, stop feeling sorry for yourself. Made a big difference and got through to him when non of us could.

 

[editor]

I remember Pat being a fierce but fair landlady. It was certainly her domain and if you fucked her off you were out. Fair enough. She must have seen some sights in her time.
There was definitely a very caring side to her. One of my friends went through a harrowing divorce and fell into a pretty bad state for a while. She took him aside one night and gave him a supportive but get your shite together lecture, no excuses, stop feeling sorry for yourself. Made a big difference and got through to him when non of us could.

I liked her instant bans. Caught doing drugs in the toilet? That's a five week ban! She'd always remember when they ran out too, so if the perp tried to sneak in before the ban was up, they'd be booted straight back out again.

 

[Gramsci]

The Albert was my regular for many years. When I first went there it was almost empty. The bar was in the centre. Pat had a hard life. When I first used it her husband ran it. He was alcoholic. I don't know what happened to him. She gradually took over.

Then somehow the Albert got really full. It was all the squatters and short life. Plus the local Bikers/ Hell's Angels. A very mixed crowd. I never knew what she thought of this. She was a women of few words. I got the feeling she liked it. She was old school Irish landlady. The pub was her life.

Unlike some establishments Albert was no nonsense boozer. I always liked Pat. I was one of the regulars who got invited for the lock ins.

And barring people. She never forgot a face. Come back a year later. I'm not serving you. I actually saw this happen. Everyone respected her. And unlike some places regulars would back her up if necessary. A well run pub. And unlike now no security people. She did it on respect for her. Sadly missing these days. Where hiring security replaces this.

I went to her funeral up on Brixton hill in the Catholic church. It was packed. All of us atheists/ agnostiics.

And she ran this pub when Brixton wasn't an easy area.

 

[Gramsci]

Back then there was those who were regulars at the Railway and those ( me ) who used the Albert. Distinct groups.

 

[colacubes]

I liked her instant bans. Caught doing drugs in the toilet? That's a five week ban! She'd always remember when they ran out too, so if the perp tried to sneak in before the ban was up, they'd be booted straight back out again.

This is true. I know someone who told me that he was banned for a fortnight for pinching a girls bum who was pissed off with it (frankly refreshing in these days ). He lost track of the days and went back in a day early and Pat kicked him out However he was welcomed back the following day.

 

[editor]

And she ran this pub when Brixton wasn't an easy area.

When the Atlantic got closed down and some of their dodgier patrons tried to move into the Albert, she'd be at the door keeping the wrong 'uns at bay and she would never back down, even when up against massive geezers.

 

[peterkro]

Back then there was those who were regulars at the Railway and those ( me ) who used the Albert. Distinct groups.

I wasn't a regular at the Albert but went often enough to get a battering from Pat's umbrella for smuggling cans of Pils in, she threw me out but didn't hold it against me when I returned.I used the Coach and Horses and the Railway often but my regular was the New Queens Head .

 

[Nanker Phelge]

I liked her instant bans. Caught doing drugs in the toilet? That's a five week ban! She'd always remember when they ran out too, so if the perp tried to sneak in before the ban was up, they'd be booted straight back out again.

she booted me out about ten times....once because I got into quite a brawl...mostly for drugs....but she did always let me back

 

[Nanker Phelge]

Back then there was those who were regulars at the Railway and those ( me ) who used the Albert. Distinct groups.

I drank in both

 

[editor]

I drank in both

Me too, although I went to the Queens more than Railway.

 

[editor]

Caption competition?

 

[editor]

Have to say I fucking hate this bullshit on the bridge.

 

[T & P]

Back then there was those who were regulars at the Railway and those ( me ) who used the Albert. Distinct groups.

I only started going regularly to The Railway about 6-8 years ago, but before then I would still pop in occasionally. IME I don’t think the clientele has changed too much, though the demographic is undoubtedly a bit different nowadays.

Perhaps on Sundays it’s probably the most different since the previously bare outdoor bit was transformed into the (really nice IMO) garden we have today. A lot of young families/ groups of 30-somethings who would have probably not been regulars before the refurb.

A friend used to go about twenty years ago and says the place could be rather rough then!

How long have you been going? Have you seen a pronounced change yourself?

 

[editor]

I only started going regularly to The Railway about 6-8 years ago, but before then I would still pop in occasionally. IME I don’t think the clientele has changed too much, though the demographic is undoubtedly a bit different nowadays.

We're talking about Brady's which closed a long time ago, not the Railway in Tulse Hill!

It's where Wahaca is now

Thurs Jan 24th 10am – come and show your support for keeping Brixton Bradys pub as a community resource
History of Bradys Bar/ Railway Hotel, Atlantic Road, Brixton, London SW9

 

[T & P]

We're talking about Brady's which closed a long time ago, not the Railway in Tulse Hill!

It's where Wahaca is now

Thurs Jan 24th 10am – come and show your support for keeping Brixton Bradys pub as a community resource
History of Bradys Bar/ Railway Hotel, Atlantic Road, Brixton, London SW9

ah of course- my bad.

By the time I moved to the area I believe it was closed or aborto. Never got to experience it but but judging by the many, many posters who have lamented its demise and talked fondly of it in here over the years, it certainly sounds legendary.

 

[editor]

ah of course- my bad.

By the time I moved to the area I believe it was closed or aborto. Never got to experience it but but judging by the many, many posters who have lamented its demise and talked fondly of it in here over the years, it certainly sounds legendary.

They used to have a really good backroom which put on bands like Alabama 3. The front bars were chaotic! It was squatted for a while after it was closed, and operated as a social centre/bar, with film shows and performance. It was a real community asset and very nearly reopened as one until Lambeth flogged it off to offshore property developers for a few extra quid.

 

[Smick]

I’ve read on Facebook that Andy from the barber at the bottom of Tulse Hill / Water Lane has died at the age of 74. RIP.

It was almost like a comedy getting your hair cut by him. He reminded me of the barber in the Armando Ianucci shows. Very happy man, but some wild opinions.

 

[brixtonblade]

I’ve read on Facebook that Andy from the barber at the bottom of Tulse Hill / Water Lane has died at the age of 74. RIP.

It was almost like a comedy getting your hair cut by him. He reminded me of the barber in the Armando Ianucci shows. Very happy man, but some wild opinions.

Oh that's sad