Tag Archives: Coronation

Coronation Fun in Greater Kennington

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If you look around Greater Kennington some might say that there’s a palpable and languid disinterest in the upcoming coronation of the King who is already a King. But at the end of the day we’re getting a day to bunk off for what is in essence a church service followed by a pop concert, so don’t we owe it to the King to celebrate in a tried and true manner?

Celebration in Aukland Street, Vauxhall, 1937. The street no longer exists and is now Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.

Because we care about our readers, we’ve unearthed a selection of street parties and other activities to occupy your time after watching a man of a certain age walking slowly down the nave of a church. Some of these events appear to be aimed at people living in adjoining streets, but as they are on public property they are technically open to us all. And as they are selling things on site as opposed to giving away freebies we’re sure they would invite our custom and it adds to community cohesion.

The Kennington Residents Association is having a knees up on Sunday, 7 May from 6 to 8:30pm. There will be a cake stall, slow roast pork, a cash bar (!), and a raffle. This will take place at the corner of Methley and Radcott Streets. The flyer mentions bringing a chair, but just wandering around will probably not be discouraged. There is also a prize for the best costume, which sounds more than exciting. 

Cleaver Square is having more of a ‘DIY’ lunch, on 7 May from 2:30 to 4:30pm. They always push the boat out in Cleaver Square (let’s be honest, they have to spend it on something) so expect loads of bunting and pretty looking things. Drinks can be purchased at the Prince of Wales pub. Or in our case, the corner shop. 

We also have intel about a coronation craft animation activity for kids on Saturday, 13 May from 12-4pm at Durning Library. We’re a bit puzzled as this is being put on a week after the event but there you go. 

If you are seeking some visual aids to get you on the mood, Tesco are offering a selection of patriotic yet strangely depressing flags, hats and napkins. And if you manage to make it home with them following a day of posh debauchery in Cleaver Square, you can repurpose your Union Jacks for Eurovision the following week. As always, we’re here to help. 

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Lambeth Palace Library

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Located at the very pinnacle of the Runoff catchment area, you might not know about Lambeth Palace Library. You’re probably thinking ‘say WHAT, there’s a nine storey library in Greater Kennington’ and you can be forgiven for the oversight. The massive structure has been carved out of just 3% of the archbishop’s garden and lies next to Archbishop’s Park, although it’s easy to miss. The structure is a victory of understatement with ponds and tweedy looking brick crosses. This belies the gravity of a building created as a protector of manuscripts and designed as a fortress against the pesky factors that threaten them such as light, water, and Greater Kennoingtonians. However, it is also a museum with rotating exhibits and the current offering is the fascinating and free ‘From Popish Plot to Civil Rights: Themes in Religious Archives’.

The current pop up exhibition highlights a range of subjects covered by the Library’s diverse collections of religious archives. To mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee, items on display relate to her coronation in 1953. Other material relates to the Church and other denominations and faiths, with exhibits illustrating relations with Roman Catholicism, such as the anti-Catholic agitator Titus Oates. Items on Jewish history include Hebrew manuscripts. A further theme covers the Church and race, including material relating to the civil rights movement, and to the first British Black Bishop, Wilfred Wood.

The areas open to the public are very small, and in fact the current exhibit only extends to four glass cases on the first floor. But fear not, as there are fun interactive boards on the ground floor. Also,  with a bit of planning you can nab tickets on a free tour. Failing that, the reading room is available if you obtain a free pass in advance. And failing that, the Lambeth Palace website is a handy and interesting resource. We were particularly interested in learning more about the ‘London Apocalypse’ but saddened to learn that it does not, in fact, relate to Vauxhall at 6am of a Sunday when the nightclubs have just closed.