Windrush Square, Brixton - news and discussion

[simonSW2]

@Pat_b - ah, I'm really pleased you've read the book - shame the author only gave you such a vague quote though!!

also: I don't recall Windrush Square being used by skaters, not in the period just before the redevelopment anyway, maybe earlier on.. probably not that attractive when Stockwell Skate Park is so near.

 

[Mrs Magpie]

Can anyone tell me whether people used to skate at the square before it was redeveloped? I know the use of the space after the redevelopment for skateboarding has been covered earlier in the thread but wasn't sure if it used to be used in this way? Based on my very limited memories of it/photos it seems it wouldn't have really worked as there was too much grass/brick but I could be wrong.

When I first moved to Brixton in early 81 a lot of young people skated everywhere but that area wasn't particularly used more than anywhere else I don't think. Gramsci has lived in Brixton longer than me, and can be relied upon for good info about that sort of thing.

 

[Thimble Queen]

The irony is that the younger, richer replaments often cause far more of a nuisance too, as a stroll down Coldharbour Lane at kicking out time will testify.

They're proper noisy... braying, pissed up twats *mad*

 

[Dexter Deadwood]

Thought the water feature had a built in motion detection system. Rode bike through it last week and water switched off as i entered the circle. Tried it again just now and got soaked.

 

[editor]

Here's a 1908 view of the area. I know which I prefer the look of.

 

[TruXta]

Just how old are you?

 

[editor]

Just how old are you?

Obvs, I wud have preferred it with sum graff over the library innit.

 

[Rushy]

I have a few different postcards of the old town centre which I'll try to scan in at some point. The thing which really stands out on all of them (including yours above) is just how little those Victorian senders had to say to each other.

 

[newbie]

isn't that because they sent them two or three times a day? 3 daily deliveries back then, and (just imagine it) no phones. So p/cs were the common way to communicate quickly.

 

[editor]

I have a few different postcards of the old town centre which I'll try to scan in at some point. The thing which really stands out on all of them (including yours above) is just how little those Victorian senders had to say to each other.

Don't forget that some folks would knock out a vast amount of letters every day, and with up to ten deliveries per day, some fired off postcards like we use text messaging.

 

[Rushy]

ten deliveries per day,

I'm still impressed we manage one.

 

[Manter]

Don't forget that some folks would knock out a vast amount of letters every day, and with up to ten deliveries per day, some fired off postcards like we use text messaging.

I didn't know that. That's pretty impressive logistics

 

[Rushy]

I didn't know that. That's pretty impressive logistics

I bet they were like buses. You wait all day and then ten come along at once.

 

[leanderman]

I bet they were like buses. You wait all day and then ten come along at once.

My father told me post was delivered on Christmas Day when he was child in the 30s.

 

[Rushy]

My father told me post was delivered on Christmas Day when he was child in the 30s.

Still does as far as I know. From a sled and wearing a big red onesie.

 

[fortyplus]

Here's a 1908 view of the area. I know which I prefer the look of.

View attachment 42253

So it was gated then. Who got to go in?

 

[editor]

So it was gated then. Who got to go in?

The public. It was a public park. Parks have gates.

 

[happyshopper]

The public. It was a public park. Parks have gates.

I bet they kept the street drinkers out.

 

[simonSW2]

Here's a 1908 view of the area. I know which I prefer the look of.

View attachment 42253

Is that the Henry Tate head statue in the middle of the park? I always thought that might have come much later..

 

[editor]

I bet they kept the street drinkers out.

I'll see if I can fire up time machine and check for you.

 

[editor]

Is that the Henry Tate head statue in the middle of the park? I always thought that might have come much later..

Looks like it. That's been moved around all over the shop. He did pay for the library, mind.

 

[editor]

Here's an interesting shot of how the square looked in 1960. I'm liking the grass, trees and gardens.

http://www.ideal-homes.org.uk/lambeth/lambeth-assets/galleries/brixton/tate-library-1960

 

[Crispy]

It's pretty, but it's atrocious urban design. Pedestrians coralled with fences and major desire lines blocked off.

 

[Rushy]

So much better now that The Oval and Rushcroft Road have been closed to traffic and you can walk straight through the square from the CHL crossing. The large pedestrian area around the tree is totally closed off from three sides.

 

[teuchter]

I'd forgotten how definitive the results of the poll were.

 

[teuchter]

From the same site, here it is in 1892

Those were the days

 

[Rushy]

View attachment 47208

I'd forgotten how definitive the results of the poll were.

Is there a technical difference between "No real improvement" and "Not really any better or worse"?

 

[editor]

Is there a technical difference between "No real improvement" and "Not really any better or worse"?

The real question should have been:
"Do you think the new square represents value for money given the £x millions spent on it?"
or...
"Do you think a better job could have been done for the £x million investment"?

 

[Belushi]

Here's an interesting shot of how the square looked in 1960. I'm liking the grass, trees and gardens.

http://www.ideal-homes.org.uk/lambeth/lambeth-assets/galleries/brixton/tate-library-1960

That Tree is bloody enormous!

 

[teuchter]

The real question should have been:
"Do you think the new square represents value for money given the £x millions spent on it?"
or...
"Do you think a better job could have been done for the £x million investment"?

I'm surpised you've forgotten the giant thread on which exactly that question was examined.