We Are the Lambeth Boys

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You could probably spend a day few days, or in our case years, exploring the BFI Film Archive of old films about London. We recently discovered this treasure called ‘We Are the Lambeth Boys’ and it gives a fascinating insight into Kennington circa 1959.

The film depicts the lives of the girls and boys of Alford House youth club, which still flourishes in Aveline Street, pictured below. To 2019 eyes the 49 minute film appears slightly condescending, but it was in fact intended to dispel conceptions of ‘Teddy Boys’ (hence the conversation about apparel early in the film) and the culture of youth clubs in general.

Examining the (nerd alert!) outside shots of the estates, we think they were filmed around Newburn Street. If you are a fellow fan of ‘ohh, I know where that is’ viewing, scroll to (nerd alert 2!) 33:30 for a distinct view of 50’s Kennington Cross (shown below). If you’re still on board scroll back to (nerd alert 3!) to 26:10 for a glimpse of Cleaver Street toward Cleaver Sq. If you have any further nerd revelations please drop them in the comments box….

I need some nicer clothes…..

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Gasworks

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Gasworks

Moving on briskly to something overlooking the gasholders that’s a tad less controversial, Gasworks is a petite, pint size powerhouse of a gallery in Vauxhall St. dedicated to visual arts. It prides itself on being cutting edge and gives artists a chance to test new (and sometimes challenging)  ideas . Process and development are keywords, and there are an impressive stable of artists who’ve displayed there over the past 25 years.

We just checked out the latest exhibition and it’s called ‘It Bites Back’ and it’s about….               …..wait for it…..…..mosquitos. More specifically it’s a video installation from a Brazilian artist who draws parallels between the Zika virus and the rise of authoritarian politics, while drawing in notions of love and intimacy. Not the most ‘feel good’ show we’ve seen there, but intriguing nonetheless.

Gasworks in open Wed to Sat from 12-6 and is located at 155 Vauxhall St. The exhibits change every three months or so and are a great way to build a few cultural brain cells.

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Ta Ta Tesco

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For those of you new to the area, or those who are of a forgetful disposition as we are, you might not be aware that Tesco Kennington Lane will be closing forever in June. It will be replaced by a Tesco (probably the Metro variety) in the soon to vanish car park.

How can this be happening, you ask? Well several years ago Berkeley Homes purchased the Tesco site and the redundant gas holders behind it. After several years planning permission was granted for the construction of 728  new homes ranging from 4 to 17 stories, and 23, 000 sq. feet of commercial space. And taking a page out the King’s Cross book, one of the gas holders will have flats in it. The Lambeth planning application  (great for insomniacs) indicates that this will take 30 months (a gentle way of saying 2.5 years) but the Berkeley homes website indicates ‘Phase 1’ will take 40 months.

Not to worry, dear reader, when all is said and done there will be a new all singing and dancing Tesco, and a pic of it is below. The footprint is slightly smaller than the old store, but according to a consultation I went to last year it will be better laid out. Precisely how Berkeley Homes know how Tesco will lay out its store I’m not exactly sure.

If you want to make yourself feel all warm inside about our neighbourhood, have a gander at the slightly fictionalised description of Kennington/Oval on the Berkeley Homes website . Oval Village beckons!

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The Mighty Hercules (Pub)

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Up we go to the very northern fringe of Kennington, (formerly known as LAMBETH NORTH). Across from the tube there’s a new pub (OK it’s been there 5 weeks, but we’re busy) in a building that used to house the most depressing Chinese restaurant on earth. It’s called ‘The Hercules’ and KR gave it a visit on Sunday for some daytime boozing and roasting.

The Hercules features 24 cask beers (each described on a handy LED screen) and an impressive array of wines and spirits. For roasts, one of us had beef and the other pork belly. The portions were generous and the meat well cooked. The roast potatoes were also browned and just the right side of charred. The cauliflower cheese was commendable and the Yorkshire pud was huge and crispy. The butternut squash, however, was liquefied and didn’t work. As for the crowd, it’s a mix of youngish locals and tourists trying to figure out the contents of sticky toffee pudding while also figuring out how they ended up in Lambeth North when their hotel is advertised as ‘Waterloo’. The atmosphere is the upmarket ‘old school meets new school’ of the White Bear. Overall, great atmosphere and drinks, but there are better roasts in SE11 and environs. But try it out if you tire of your favourite roast.

Finally, *expects hate mail from millenials*  kale is lovely but it has no place in a Sunday roast. Bring us savoy cabbage!

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Ground Control to Major Plane Trees

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Next time you’re walking up the west side of Kennington Road take a look up at the plane trees just beyond Tesco Metro and up to the IWM. If you look closely you’ll notice the names of all 12 Apollo astronauts who walked on the moon on metal plaques (Buzz Aldrin is hangin’ on for dear life in front of Texaco) plus 3 other Apollo astronauts. No one appears to know how the plaques turned up there, but the very handy Londonist website speculated in 2017, and the dearly departed Smoke magazine had a go a few years prior. If you dig deeper into the web you’ll also find some pretty cray cray theories, including one claiming that seeds for the (100+ year old) trees were actually on the Apollo missions. Hey ho..

The plaques appear to have been there for at least 25 years, so their creator might have moved on or indeed joined the heavens. If you have any theories please leave a comment. Best of luck looking, and may god’s love be with you………..

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The Elephant in the Room

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And over to East Kennington (the area formerly known as WALWORTH) we go for a visit to our favourite SE17 cafe, The Electric Elephant in Crampton St. It’s located in one of three Victorian mews yards  in the area which will be flinging open their artistic doors at the beginning of June. But I digress.

OK back to the cafe……..It is owned and operated by Louisa (who makes and sells a mean marmalade) and for lunch features a selection of salads, omelettes and sandwiches all made to order. Breakfast offers a very hearty fry up or croissants. Homemade cakes are also on offer. All very reasonable, and a mug of tea will set you back just £1.50 (what’s that sound…Vanilla Black gasping?). And they have WiFi.

The decor has a kind of ‘charity shop being squatted in by hippies’ vibe to it which is very relaxing and a perfect place for a quick lunch or a jaded Saturday morning. Image.png-4 Image-1.png Image-2.png

Come on Kennington!

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Denizens of North Kennington, are you aware that the video for a certain iconic*     pop song was filmed on your very doorstep? Yep, the fascinating video for ‘Come on Eileen’ by Dexy’s Midnight Runners was filmed in front of the unassuming corner shop below, at the corner Brook Drive and Hayles Street in 1982. The video also has larger shots of a rather grim looking SE11. The rubble across the street would later give rise to the homes built in the mid 80’s.  If you’re of an impatient disposition, the SE11 funness kicks off about 1:15 into the video.

*if you are over 45

Click here for the video.

If you want to ‘steal the look’ just borrow some old dungarees and don’t wash for a week. Feel free to post pics of your look in the comments section.Image.png-4

Hello beloved Kennington – and an article about toilets

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Hello Kennington, I am _______ and have just taken over the reigns of KR. The new KR towers are about 500 feet (kid you not) from the old KR towers, so expect your usual helping of restaurant fails and loves, vintage photos, secret discoveries, and hopefully contributions from readers in suburban Kennington. We’ve lived here for 13 years, just long enough to remember La Finca (say what?), now the Tommyfield.

Right, habitués of Central Kennington might be familiar with the former public toilet in the middle, which then became the former ArtsLav and now is the current home of weeds. My predecessor wrote about it in October, 2014. Well it apparently is now destined to be a bar, and the planning application can be found  here .  One thing is sure, people can’t say ‘where’s the loo’.

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who’s next?

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Would you like to run Kennington by taking over this blog, plus its Instagram and Twitter feeds? We’re open to offers of cash and/or diligence in service of the area. Contact kenningtonrunoff@gmail.com

We’re also selling our secretive HQ at the true beating heart of Kennington, which doubles up as one of the most spacious and unique houses in the area. WITH A STEAM ROOM (and you thought you had to go to The Locker Room for one of those). Check it out here from KFH or here from Winkworth (naturally we wanted to try as many local estate agents as possible – maybe we’ll write a comparative review once we’ve sold the house).

Kennington Lane hall

Some readers have asked who we are, and we promise to reveal all… to whoever takes over the blog and indeed the house. A bit like when Carly Simon told the winner of a charity auction who You’re So Vain was about, but without the charity, or the auction.

farewell beloved Kennington, and thank-you

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We have moved away from Kennington – very reluctantly as we will love it 4eva.

Before bowing out we wanted to shout out some of our favourite Kennington people and places, including some we’ve neglected to mention previously. These people not only provided a great service but made us feel at home.

Belle from Yogabelle, who is everything a yogi should be, and teaches at the very special Siobhan Davies Centre.

Abraham from Bouquets & Beans or Bouquets & Babyccinos as it will always be to us.

John the Kennington Baker – thanks for all the home deliveries and the exquisite bread and buns.

Everyone at the Kennington Coffee Shop, 3 Wincott St – truly the friendliest, most community-minded establishment we’ve been to in London.

William at Oxymoron at the Royal Oak – shine on you crazy beachcomber.

Sally, Mark and everyone at Sally White for the best brownies in the world, and for making Kennington even nicer.

Everyone at Vanilla Black and also Veronique for the awesome French singing classes (now at the Duchy Arms).

Andrew at Millars General Store – thanks for all the granola, Kernel and information.

Awesome hairdresser Fabian at Haus of Hair – one of the establishments we may have to travel back to Kennington to frequent.

Everyone at the Hub Coffee House, our favourite friendly place to work from, even though we are atheists.

Vivien and all the team at Toad Hall Montessori Nursery School – a home from home that we’d recommend to any parent (Florence Welch is an alumna).

All our lovely neighbours on Kennington Lane including everyone at Express Superstore, the family shop.

Thanks to Lady C from the Earl of Bedlam – our no. 1 source of local intel – and to everyone else who wrote us an email or tweet or Insta comment. We wouldn’t have done it without you.

Thanks to the surrounding areas for agreeing to being co-opted into Kennington, except Walworth who were weirdly humourless about it. And finally, thanks to Kennington for being an awesome place to live.

map of Kennington