Brixton news, rumours and general chat

[ska invita]

This exhibition and events at Black Cultural Archives sounds interesting for anyone with kids.

I had no idea that an African-American made Edison's lightbulb's workable and then came to London for a while to work for Hiram Maxim.
And it seems he may have been responsible for the installation of electric lighting in what became Electric Avenue!

A Lightbulb Idea: Lewis Latimer’s Scientific Breakthroughs

Join us for a workshop & performance, and an exhibition of archival material on Lewis Latimer.

Workshop and Performance Dates & Times:
Saturday 12th and Saturday 19th November, 2022

11–12: Performance and science experiment
12.00–12.45: Poetry masterclass with RagzCV of Poetic Unity
1.00–2.00: Performance and science experiment
2.00–2.45: Poetry masterclass with RagzCV of Poetic Unity

(Exhibition runs 10th – 19th November, 2022)

[I caught news about this event on Radio 3 "Free Thinking" feature tonight (on the wider Being Human festival) completely serendipitously.
Haven't seen any local publicity ]

Know him from a krs lyiric...

Cause you don't know that you ain't just a janitor
No one told you about Benjamin Banneker
A brilliant Black man that invented the almanac
Can't you see where KRS is coming at
With Elie Whitney, Holly Selosy, Grand Bill Woods
made the walky-talky
Lewis Latterman improved on Edison
Charles Drew did a lot for medicine
Garrett Morgan made the traffic lights
Harriet Tubman freed the slaves at night
Madame CJ Walker made a straightin' comb
But you won't know this is you weren't shown
The point I'm gettin' at it it might be harsh
'Cause we're just walkin' around brainwashed



Names misspelt in that c&p

 

[lang rabbie]

So it seems there is a Lewis Latimer historic house museum in Flushing, NYC - where the 7 train goes to die.
Another place to add to the list for the return to New York I had been putting off for a decade even before Covid!

 

[CH1]

So it seems there is a Lewis Latimer historic house museum in Flushing, NYC - where the 7 train goes to die.
Another place to add to the list for the return to New York I had been putting off for a decade even before Covid!

As regards ethnic electrical and electronic engineering and asking the question as an indirect beneficiary of the generosity of Sebastian Z Ferranti (via UMIST/Manchester University) how come there is this Italian connection in the UK? Not only Ferranti - who seems to have invented the electricity meter and had a power station in Deptford, but Marconi, who pioneered wireless telegraphy and whose radio station 2LO was the predecessor of the BBC.

As might be exoected in this country of shysters hostile to honest engineering the Marconi company AND Ferranti were both destroyed by inadvisable mergers and acquisitions promoted by "the city".

British Firm Claims It Was Conned in U.S. : Ferranti Faces Insolvency After Purchase of Pa. Munitions Firm

Ferranti International Signal PLC, Britain's third-largest defense contractor, has been conned out of millions of dollars in false or inflated contracts since it purchased a Pennsylvania-based arms manufacturer two years ago, a company spokesman said today.

www.latimes.com

The destruction of Marconi | London Business School

Major shifts in strategic directions can work for some companies.

www.london.edu

 

[editor]

RIP Frank who used to run the BEM music store on Coldharbour Lane.

BEM Music, Coldharbour Lane closes – a sad day for Brixton musicians

We were really saddened to hear about the demise of BEM Music, a long serving music shop on Coldharbour Lane, Brixton.

www.brixtonbuzz.com

 

[editor]

There's a mini schoolgirl riot taking place in McDonalds. Apparently. I counted 8 police vehicles.

 

[editor]

Pics






Police called to large disturbance in Brixton McDonalds

 

[twistedAM]

RIP Frank who used to run the BEM music store on Coldharbour Lane.

BEM Music, Coldharbour Lane closes – a sad day for Brixton musicians

We were really saddened to hear about the demise of BEM Music, a long serving music shop on Coldharbour Lane, Brixton.

www.brixtonbuzz.com

Aww no. Always got a good deal and advice from Frank. It must have been about 15 years ago but he called me up first thing on a Saturday morning saying he was knocking a couple of hundred quid of a set of monitors and to get down quick because he had a huge delivery and needed to get rid of them asap to make some space. Still working to this day after having done about 5000 gigs.

 

[cuppa tee]

missing cat
cressingham gardens/tulse hill

 

[David Clapson]

missing cat
cressingham gardens/tulse hill

IME it's not unusual for a cat to leave the house for a while when its owner dies. But they come back after a week or so.

 

[cuppa tee]

IME it's not unusual for a cat to leave the house for a while when its owner dies. But they come back after a week or so.

yeh i know, but the person who posted it on facebook seems to be under it so no harm in sharing here, others in the group told them the same thing.

 

[David Clapson]

More detail of the Railton Road shooting. No arrests. Man was shot eight times in Brixton amid gang violence - inquest

 

[cuppa tee]

new art gallery opening at oval end of brixton road




a bit weird when local shops are telling me theyre struggling under pressure of high rents, inflation and power bills.

 

[CH1]

new art gallery opening at oval end of brixton road

View attachment 351779


a bit weird when local shops are telling me theyre struggling under pressure of high rents, inflation and power bills.

I'd rather have a posh art gallery than a betting shop!

 

[DietCokeGirl]

How on earth do you get from Brixton to Luton airport early morning (like 6am check in time early?)

And what kind of idiot books a morning flight from fucking Luton anyway.....

 

[Puddy_Tat]

How on earth do you get from Brixton to Luton airport early morning (like 6am check in time early?)

And what kind of idiot books a morning flight from fucking Luton anyway.....

Three options -

Thameslink trains run all night (hourly service through the night, half hourly from about 0400) to Luton Airport Parkway Station, and there's a shuttle bus from there to the airport (stops more or less outside the main entrance at Luton Airport Parkway Station, and bus station at the airport is just outside the airport building.)

Bus timetable on GTR website is a bit out of date but also includes an all night service. I think you can book a train ticket that includes the bus shuttle, a train ticket just to Luton Airport Parkway Station does not include the shuttle bus. And Luton is off the end of Oyster Card / TFL contactless land.

Thameslink night service stops at East Croydon, Blackfriars, St Pancakes, so it's up to you which of those is easiest to get a night bus or minicab to.

(ETA - alternatively if you can face it, get a late victoria line to st pancakes - from memory one or two of the coffee shops on the station stay open all night (but that memory is from getting on for 10 years ago when i used to run rail replacement bus services at all sorts of weird hours and sometimes did thameslink, so may not no longer be the case.)

Obviously, check for engineering work, strikes and so on.

Alternatively, Green Line coach 757 has a night service between Victoria and Luton. This goes from one of the bus stops on Buckingham Palace Road, sort of between the railway station and the 'proper' coach station. (Easybus and Megabus both advertise a service to Luton Airport from London which is seats on the 757.) 757 is the sort of coach service where you can just turn up and pay the driver.

Alternatively again, National Express A1 says first departure from VIctoria (this would be the proper coach station) is at 3.30 am. Think you do have to pre-book on Nat Ex these days.

Brixton - Victoria is do-able on night bus N2, although both of these would mean a short walk from Grosvenor Gardens bus stop (the one after Victoria Station) down Buckingham Palace Road. Don't know if you would want to do that in the middle of the night.

Further alternative is there's loads of hotels round Luton Airport who are probably used to people getting up at weird hours to go and catch flights. Some are in walking distance, Arriva bus A has a night service between Dunstable - Luton town centre - Luton Airport.

 

[cuppa tee]

I'd rather have a posh art gallery than a betting shop!

the bookies closed years back and its still empty.
....word is that gordon ramsey was among guests at the private view last night.

 

[friendofdorothy]

Lambeth town plan again 'consultation':

Lambeth 2030 workshops for residents and local organisations​

The council is holding 3 events to help design a shared vision for the Borough, getting different perspectives and exploring ideas such as making Lambeth:

• a more equitable borough
• safer for all residents
• a green, clean and healthy borough
• a place we can all call home

Date	Time	Venue
Wednesday 30 November	6:00-8:00pm (Neighbourhood Forum Workshop)	Location: Brixton Windmill, Windmill Gardens, Blenheim Gardens, Brixton, SW2 5DA Register for the event here
Saturday 3 December	2:00-4:00pm	Streatham library, 63 Streatham High Rd, SW16 1PN Register for the event here
Wednesday 7 December	6.30-8.30pm	Location: The Foundry,Office Space and Conference Centre, 17 Oval Way, SE11 5RR Register for event here

We want to ensure that we co-design the future of the borough with residents having a real opportunity to impact change in their neighbourhood and influence the borough.

By taking part, your input and feedback can help us to shape and deliver great services to the people who live and work in Lambeth.

Have your say by completing our online survey which closes 11 December:

Borough Plan Survey[

 

[Gramsci]

Three options -

Thameslink trains run all night (hourly service through the night, half hourly from about 0400) to Luton Airport Parkway Station, and there's a shuttle bus from there to the airport (stops more or less outside the main entrance at Luton Airport Parkway Station, and bus station at the airport is just outside the airport building.)

Bus timetable on GTR website is a bit out of date but also includes an all night service. I think you can book a train ticket that includes the bus shuttle, a train ticket just to Luton Airport Parkway Station does not include the shuttle bus. And Luton is off the end of Oyster Card / TFL contactless land.

Thameslink night service stops at East Croydon, Blackfriars, St Pancakes, so it's up to you which of those is easiest to get a night bus or minicab to.

(ETA - alternatively if you can face it, get a late victoria line to st pancakes - from memory one or two of the coffee shops on the station stay open all night (but that memory is from getting on for 10 years ago when i used to run rail replacement bus services at all sorts of weird hours and sometimes did thameslink, so may not no longer be the case.)

Obviously, check for engineering work, strikes and so on.

Alternatively, Green Line coach 757 has a night service between Victoria and Luton. This goes from one of the bus stops on Buckingham Palace Road, sort of between the railway station and the 'proper' coach station. (Easybus and Megabus both advertise a service to Luton Airport from London which is seats on the 757.) 757 is the sort of coach service where you can just turn up and pay the driver.

Alternatively again, National Express A1 says first departure from VIctoria (this would be the proper coach station) is at 3.30 am. Think you do have to pre-book on Nat Ex these days.

Brixton - Victoria is do-able on night bus N2, although both of these would mean a short walk from Grosvenor Gardens bus stop (the one after Victoria Station) down Buckingham Palace Road. Don't know if you would want to do that in the middle of the night.

Further alternative is there's loads of hotels round Luton Airport who are probably used to people getting up at weird hours to go and catch flights. Some are in walking distance, Arriva bus A has a night service between Dunstable - Luton town centre - Luton Airport.

If your in Brixton you can also get train to Luton by going up the road to Loughborough junction station

 

[Puddy_Tat]

If your in Brixton you can also get train to Luton by going up the road to Loughborough junction station

yes, but that route doesn't have an all-night service like the croydon line does.

national rail enquiries says last from loughborough junction to luton would be just before midnight, first one in the morning is 0615.

hanging around luton airport from about 0130 might just be less crap than some of the other alternatives - i don't know how much of the terminal is open overnight. (it must be getting on for 30 years since i travelled anywhere by air)

 

[DietCokeGirl]

Three options -

Thameslink trains run all night (hourly service through the night, half hourly from about 0400) to Luton Airport Parkway Station, and there's a shuttle bus from there to the airport (stops more or less outside the main entrance at Luton Airport Parkway Station, and bus station at the airport is just outside the airport building.)

Bus timetable on GTR website is a bit out of date but also includes an all night service. I think you can book a train ticket that includes the bus shuttle, a train ticket just to Luton Airport Parkway Station does not include the shuttle bus. And Luton is off the end of Oyster Card / TFL contactless land.

Thameslink night service stops at East Croydon, Blackfriars, St Pancakes, so it's up to you which of those is easiest to get a night bus or minicab to.

(ETA - alternatively if you can face it, get a late victoria line to st pancakes - from memory one or two of the coffee shops on the station stay open all night (but that memory is from getting on for 10 years ago when i used to run rail replacement bus services at all sorts of weird hours and sometimes did thameslink, so may not no longer be the case.)

Obviously, check for engineering work, strikes and so on.

Alternatively, Green Line coach 757 has a night service between Victoria and Luton. This goes from one of the bus stops on Buckingham Palace Road, sort of between the railway station and the 'proper' coach station. (Easybus and Megabus both advertise a service to Luton Airport from London which is seats on the 757.) 757 is the sort of coach service where you can just turn up and pay the driver.

Alternatively again, National Express A1 says first departure from VIctoria (this would be the proper coach station) is at 3.30 am. Think you do have to pre-book on Nat Ex these days.

Brixton - Victoria is do-able on night bus N2, although both of these would mean a short walk from Grosvenor Gardens bus stop (the one after Victoria Station) down Buckingham Palace Road. Don't know if you would want to do that in the middle of the night.

Further alternative is there's loads of hotels round Luton Airport who are probably used to people getting up at weird hours to go and catch flights. Some are in walking distance, Arriva bus A has a night service between Dunstable - Luton town centre - Luton Airport.

Hero. Pls claime your reward pint at any time for this most detailed and useful guidance.

 

[cuppa tee]

Borough Plan Survey[

....i got stuck on the first question.

 

[editor]

....i got stuck on the first question.

They don't actually want your opinions. They just want to make it look like they're 'consulting.'

 

[editor]

DIY custom paint job

 

[friendofdorothy]

....i got stuck on the first question.

yes - describe Lambeth in 3 words .... wtf?

They don't actually want your opinions. They just want to make it look like they're 'consulting.'

yes its why we should turn up and really tell them what we think of how they are running our borough. Wearing our Save Cressingham tshirts.

 

[lang rabbie]

Lambeth town plan again 'consultation':

Lambeth 2030 workshops for residents and local organisations​

The council is holding 3 events to help design a shared vision for the Borough, getting different perspectives and exploring ideas such as making Lambeth:

• a more equitable borough
• safer for all residents
• a green, clean and healthy borough
• a place we can all call home

Date	Time	Venue
Wednesday 30 November	6:00-8:00pm (Neighbourhood Forum Workshop)	Location: Brixton Windmill, Windmill Gardens, Blenheim Gardens, Brixton, SW2 5DA Register for the event here
Saturday 3 December	2:00-4:00pm	Streatham library, 63 Streatham High Rd, SW16 1PN Register for the event here
Wednesday 7 December	6.30-8.30pm	Location: The Foundry,Office Space and Conference Centre, 17 Oval Way, SE11 5RR Register for event here

We want to ensure that we co-design the future of the borough with residents having a real opportunity to impact change in their neighbourhood and influence the borough.

By taking part, your input and feedback can help us to shape and deliver great services to the people who live and work in Lambeth.

Have your say by completing our online survey which closes 11 December:

Borough Plan Survey[

FWIW that s is meant to be a consultation on the Council's strategic plans for all its activities not "town planning" as such.

 

[Gramsci]

Lambeth town plan again 'consultation':

Lambeth 2030 workshops for residents and local organisations​

The council is holding 3 events to help design a shared vision for the Borough, getting different perspectives and exploring ideas such as making Lambeth:

• a more equitable borough
• safer for all residents
• a green, clean and healthy borough
• a place we can all call home

Date	Time	Venue
Wednesday 30 November	6:00-8:00pm (Neighbourhood Forum Workshop)	Location: Brixton Windmill, Windmill Gardens, Blenheim Gardens, Brixton, SW2 5DA Register for the event here
Saturday 3 December	2:00-4:00pm	Streatham library, 63 Streatham High Rd, SW16 1PN Register for the event here
Wednesday 7 December	6.30-8.30pm	Location: The Foundry,Office Space and Conference Centre, 17 Oval Way, SE11 5RR Register for event here

We want to ensure that we co-design the future of the borough with residents having a real opportunity to impact change in their neighbourhood and influence the borough.

By taking part, your input and feedback can help us to shape and deliver great services to the people who live and work in Lambeth.

Have your say by completing our online survey which closes 11 December:

Borough Plan Survey[

Thanks for this.

There is a good article in this months Brixton Bugle ( which I cant find online). page 11 of November Brixton Bugle.

People complaining of lack of advertising of this. They didn't know about it.

It came up at last LJ Neighbourhood Forum. Asked why Forums weren't being consulted. Told that Council didn't really want long submissions from community groups.

Get impression they don't want the "usual suspects" going on about stuff.

The article in Bugle makes good point that these plans need to have oversight. That the aims of the plan need to be evaluated. I've had a quick look at the old plan and its the Council who are saying if the aims of the old plan have been met. Which surprise surprise they are.

There is lot in old plan about being a Cooperative Council. Which given the way Council estates up for "regeneration" have been treated shows they haven't lived up to that.

I may try to go to the one on the 3rd.

The thing I've found with Council is that they like to "consult" as long as you are agreeing with them. If you don't its another matter. And the Council have form in disallowing/ ignoring input into consultations they don't like.

The article in Bugle makes point that different Council departments have different aims which are at cross purposes. This is correct.

The article encourages people to attend or put their views in as this document will be important to use to get good development of borough. To oppose gentrification. Now the Council get very very touchy if one mentions gentrification. What some Cllrs see as getting "inward investment" into the borough some residents might regard as gentrification.

 

[Gramsci]

The old Borough plan.

Says there is a "Delivery plan" associated with it.

This doc outlines the principles of the Borough plan. As lang rabbie says its not about planning. Its about the whole general development of the borough including jobs, social inclusion etc.

Reading it and it come across as what the Council always say. They want to attract "inward investment". The doc mentions that some residents see they are not gaining from this investment. That it is pushing gentrification ( increased house prices/ rent/ feeling pushed out of neighbourhoods).

Council say to combat this will improve peoples ability to earn more.

As far as I can see from the doc Council support inward investment/ gentrification more than they do combatting some of the negative effects of this investment.

Case in point is the Hondo Tower.

Another issue from the doc is that the Council are still going on about a Coop Council.

Frankly as someone whose had to argue with Council about adventure playground/ LJ
masterplan I do think the Council could look back over the last Borough plan and see where they could do better. Consulting and listening too residents would be a start. And not tarring them with being unrepresentative if they do speak up. Or object.

On the one hand the Council say they want to support residents taking an interest in their neighbourhoods. On the other objections are met with this is Council policy so in reality you have no say. Council need to make their minds up about what is meaningful consultation and what they are going to do anyway. It would be better to not consult people if they don't really have a say in the outcome. Or make clear what is being consulted about.

I don't see the "Culture" of the Council has changed much.

I quote:

believed that working more closely with our
communities would enable us to improve services
and decision-making. This continues to be true: for
us, being cooperative is about how we work with our
residents, businesses and other partners, involving
people in the decisions that affect them and supporting
them in improving their communities.
We have achieved a lot since 2010. We have
supported communities who want to take action in
their area, we have involved people in designing and
commissioning the services that they use, and we have
worked with local people who are willing to share their
time and skills with others who can benefit from them.
Some of our flagship projects, from the Lambeth Living
Well Collaborative to the Young Lambeth Coop, are
recognised nationally for their innovation and impact.
More significantly, we have changed the culture and
outlook of the Council. We are more outward looking,
collaborative, and focused on the skills and strengths
of our communities, not just need.
Over the next five years we will continue this work,
making sure that as a partnership we are open,
transparent, and accessible – and empowering.
We will actively involve residents in decision-making,
and work together with voluntary and community
organisations, residents and businesses to develop
shared solutions to the challenges facing our borough.
Our communities help make the borough what it is and
we want to strengthen and build on this in the way we
work both as an organisation, and as individuals

 

[Gramsci]

So I agree with the writer in the Brixton Bugle. A Borough plan needs to be an ongoing process. With its delivery being monitored. Preferably independently and not by the Council.

Ongoing process means to that periodically people should be asked how its aims are going and what could be improved.

 

[teuchter]

yes, but that route doesn't have an all-night service like the croydon line does.

national rail enquiries says last from loughborough junction to luton would be just before midnight, first one in the morning is 0615.

hanging around luton airport from about 0130 might just be less crap than some of the other alternatives - i don't know how much of the terminal is open overnight. (it must be getting on for 30 years since i travelled anywhere by air)

As you say the service through LJ starts annoyingly late in the morning (first train of the day is southbound and has to go all round the Wimbledon loop before becoming the first northbound).
However, useful for those in the area to bear in mind Denmark Hill as a potential alternative as the first Luton bound Thameslink from there leaves at 0507. Elephant another alternative place to pick it up.

 

[editor]

Thanks for this.

There is a good article in this months Brixton Bugle ( which I cant find online). page 11 of November Brixton Bugle.

People complaining of lack of advertising of this. They didn't know about it.

It came up at last LJ Neighbourhood Forum. Asked why Forums weren't being consulted. Told that Council didn't really want long submissions from community groups.

Get impression they don't want the "usual suspects" going on about stuff.

The article in Bugle makes good point that these plans need to have oversight. That the aims of the plan need to be evaluated. I've had a quick look at the old plan and its the Council who are saying if the aims of the old plan have been met. Which surprise surprise they are.

There is lot in old plan about being a Cooperative Council. Which given the way Council estates up for "regeneration" have been treated shows they haven't lived up to that.

I may try to go to the one on the 3rd.

The thing I've found with Council is that they like to "consult" as long as you are agreeing with them. If you don't its another matter. And the Council have form in disallowing/ ignoring input into consultations they don't like.

The article in Bugle makes point that different Council departments have different aims which are at cross purposes. This is correct.

The article encourages people to attend or put their views in as this document will be important to use to get good development of borough. To oppose gentrification. Now the Council get very very touchy if one mentions gentrification. What some Cllrs see as getting "inward investment" into the borough some residents might regard as gentrification.

Brixton Buzz wasn't sent anything about it. Maybe that's because they knew we'd criticise it!