Like so many parts of London, one can amble along a leafy, quiet avenue, cruising past expensive cars and nice houses. Large plants and six-by-four-foot red paintings in the window, happy families dining together. School satchels and obedient dogs resting in the hallway.
Only to then turn a corner into desolate, depressing, under-developed and perhaps drink- and drug-riddled areas within seconds. The lazy tagging supporting a bus stop or tower block stairway and lift. The empty local chicken boxes and beer cans furnish the gutter. The smell of Skunkweed protruding from a dark alley. In sotto voce the blatant advertising of various supplies and wares of dealers.
The polarisation of one street to the next can be incredible. Within seconds a mood and political view can change. Some people protest, some fight, some kick back and watch, and some are oblivious.
It’s tough identifying which Brixton street falls into which of these sense of belongings.
The estates, the buildings, the streets, the parks, the schools, the libraries and the people all make a community and, in Brixton’s case, a very colourful and multicultural one.
It’s difficult working out who’s actually looking out for whom. Ulterior motives are ripe round here.
Having lived in South London for almost fifteen years. I've seen it change, some areas more dramatically than others.
Railton Road is a good place to start. Linking Herne Hill to Brixton in one road, it has through the years seen much of what has made Brixton the place it is today.
From squatters to riots, political unease to the Black Panther movement, gay activism to race identity problems, radical bookshops to Pentecostal churches. All of which are not necessarily connected, but as a whole are the binding of our community. The joining and creation of a diverse community; history made.
It's dark and bright. It's soul destroying and refreshing. It's home, and abroad. It's black, and white. It's mine, it’s yours!
Brixton Windmill was built in 1816, and worked by mill until 1817. Leased by John Ashby in 1863, he and his family operated the mill producing stone-ground wholemeal flour until 1902, when the lease on the mill expired. A steam engine had been fitted to power it, which was to be later replaced with a modern gas engine.
Originally painted with tar to give protection against the weather, hence the black colour of the brickwork, the mill ceased operating and finally closed in 1934.
In 1951, it was listed as a Grade II building, and remains on English Heritage's 'Buildings at Risk' register.
The Windmill was handed over to the care of Lambeth Council in 1971. Currently there is no access into the Windmill itself but the surrounding area has grass open space and trees, as well as a children's playground and a One O'Clock Club.
In April 2003 "friends of Windmill gardens" was formed with the aim to restore the mill and surrounding area as a public amenity. September the following year saw an archaeological dig organised with the Museum of London and a generous grant donated from Lambeth Council. An application for a grant from the Heritage Lottery fund as also been submitted.
Friends of Brixton Gardens
Originally called the Railway Hotel (it's opposite the station) it became Bradys in 1991. Famous for being a spit and sawdust late night music and drinking venue, seeing bands and DJ's alike doing their stuff until the early hours mainly at weekends, but not unheard of to give it a twist on a school night too.
It's rumoured that Jimi Hendrix used to jam here after playing Gigs in town, even I'm too young to confirm this, but I certainly used to see Brixton band the Alabama3 play here regularly in the early 90's.
As with many places with character in Brixton it closed down, got squatted, had a short lived revival before sadly being closed down again. It sits on the corner of Electric lane and Atlantic Road looking rather dishevelled and sad, but by many, never forgotten for the great place it once was.
Electric Avenue is probably the most famous part of Brixton Market to those that aren't local. Linking Brixton Road (High Street) and Atlantic Road it mainly consists of Fruit and Veg stalls and a mixture of Caribbean and Asian food and fabric shops.
Running off Electric Avenue is a series of covered arcades selling bargains ranging from clothes, fish, meat, restaurants, watches, phones, music, cameras, recently a popcorn and candy floss stall and even a tattooist.
A rather less vibrant side to the market lies in Brixton station Road where you'll find second hand clothes and electical goods, "ask no questions, get told no lies" is the general attitude to adopt here!
All togther a fantastic market with a wonderful atmosphere and never short of music and smiles where ever you wander.
Brixton Market Guide
