The Identity of Loughborough Junction

What do you identify with South London's, Loughborough Junction?

This is the blog for community arts project 'Beyond The Junction'

The project celebrates through Photography the unique identity of people living and working in Loughborough Junction and is a forum for discussion and a creative space to share and find information.

Nick Rutter

The Project

Beyond the Junction is a photography project that aims to engaging with people working and living in Loughborough junction, representing them through photographic portraiture in regular daily life situations in exploration of the entity that lies between people living together from different religions and diverse ethnic communities in hope of finding a greater shared local community.

Photos from the Exhibition

Your Comments From the Night

At the event i asked four questions to 'you' the public and this is what you said.....


WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OF IN LOUGHBOROUGH JUNCTION?
- More of this arty stuff
- More dealers
- Smiles and less agro
- Less signs asking me what i want
- Its perfect like this!
- Trains with those merck container thingies. clank clank. All should love
- I want to see people who want to do better in their neighborhood. plus poets , artists, thinkers. kisses to those who think
- Nature and Love!!
- Street Galleries
- Drive thru Nandos
- Lights for pedestrians to cross the road
- I agree
- A bakery
- More streetlights
- Amsterdam coffee shops
- Street parties
- Tesco Metro
- Garden center
- Ban Cars!
- Mizgi was here
- Drugs
- Flowers
- Bamboo trees
- ?Money?
- A bookshop!!!
- Community gardens/plots
-Evergreen trees
- Old pubs being used
- Waitrose
- More trees
- Cafes
- Local city farm
- Say thanks
- Free parking
- Fluffy People (heart picture)
- A clean better, brighter environment with a loughborough community heart
- Cinema, car park, more ginger fellas
- More affordable eateries and cultural enterprise
- More signs asking me what i want

WHAT WORDS DO YOU ASSOCIATE WITH LOUGHBOROUGH JUNCTION?
- Dump / nightmare druggies corner etc
- Plantain crisps
- The melting pot
- Community
- Giant rats
- No more attitude and more karma
- Mizgi
- Home!!!
- Bijou
- Cheap
- Culture
- Sirens
- Long way from school
- Billboards
- Will be hip in 20 years
- Dlish on Wellfit Street x
- Unloved
- Hidden Gems (like the Redgate Gallery)
- Characterful

WHERE WOULD YOU SAY THE COMMUNITY CENTER OF LOUGHBOROUGH JUNCTION IS?
- The Cambria
- The Sem cafe
- There isn't one! but there really should be because there's are a lot of nice people here
- Gone since the pubs closed down (there is hope though, a good start here)
- Trading post 200 Coldharbour Lane
- Nisa food and wine
- The cambria
- (picture of Marge Simpson)
- Well, Loughborough community center is on the loughborough estate but its not used - a long story!!

DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTION OR IDEAS OF HOW THIS PROJECT COULD CONTINUE OR BE EXPANDED?

- Loved it! Bigger & Better next time.
- (Smiley Face drawing)
- True People Speak for themselves
- Wiki, Fliker, exposition
- Gallery website blog
- Involve the Children, after all they are the future!! (smiley face drawing)
- I cultivate a white rose in Spring as Autumn to the friend who lends me his hand frankly and to the one who tears out my heart with witch i need to live. I cultivate a nettle or thorn but a white rose.
- Get local community involved see it through their eyes
-Photograph some women! and children. (if that's not illegal)
- (heart drawing) Architectural Exhibit of the area + inhabitants human or other. (heart drawing)
- Locals could bring their own photos + you exhibit them to a certain topic. (Great idea we'd take part)( Us too)
- Loughborough Junction the Musical! (smiley face drawing)
-MAKE A FILM
- Pictures of Buildings
- Fluximus was here and says more of this
- (Picture of homo Simpson)

MY AFTER THOUGHTS

If i could go back and do this project again I would try and include more of the conversations i had when out taking the pictures, incorporating them into the exhibition, magazine and blog. I originally wanted to include full interviews with each person i photographed, but practically it was difficult taking notes, plus doing photographs and i decided to concentrate on the photography. I found most people care greatly for the area they live or work in having many interesting stories about the area and its history. Doing this again i will take some kind of audio recorder to capture more of the great conversations and discussions i had when out taking picture. It would be a good idea to possibly collaborate with a sound recordists or filmmaker.

Other things I would have liked to do better, I could have encouraged more interaction between people by doing something as simple as handing out name tags or go further and challenge people to find out a new fact about the local area from somebody they don’t already know. This could of been really fun and we could have established some new local relationships and had some new information for the blog. I must say i was really pleased that all the comment sheets were filled up. Thank you to everyone who took part. I hope you found them useful.

I was really inspired by your feedback, especially the idea of a project where local people could bring their own photographs that they have taken of the local area. These could be pinned onto a large board over a month period, building up a huge visual map of the area. This idea could also be combined with some kind of storytelling.

Doing this project I have felt a greater value of the area, I feel more part of Loughborough Junction. I hope others have had a similar experience.Thank you all who came to the exhibition and got involved in supporting this project. Please do contact me with any questions or community ideas.

I must also say one last big thank you to Red Gate Gallery who helped promote the event and gave me invaluable advise in framing and exhibiting the photographs. It was so important having the right space for this project. Thank you.


Nick Ray Rutter

The Exhibition shots

Loughborough Road Estate (above)

Loughborough Road Estate (above)

Coldharbour Lane on Sunday at midnight (above)

Panoramic from Loughborough Road Estate (above)

Miguel's Boxing Gym - Hardess Street (above)

The Exhibition Shots

Tasleem Elahi
Trading Post
Coldharbour Lane
Shop Owner
“Recently it’s got better around here. There used to be terrible drugs and prostitution problems but its cleaned up, although its still here. In the summer Loughborough Junction has lots of character but in the winter things are dead. I suppose it’s got everything for you here really. I’ve been here since the sixties and it was better then, not like now. People were easy going. I like the Polish people now, they’re easy going compared to other Londoners. Nobody really mixes in London. I think things will get even worse.”

Fluximus and Veereal
Music and Vision
Arch 264 Coldharbour Lane
Music & Vision are a non-profit organisation within the Lambeth community. There aim is to provide educational training of the arts, media and music to improve the lives of people within the local community. “It’s been a struggle to keep our heads above water lately, but we’ll keep working hard and keep looking for new financial support.”


The Platform at Loughborough Junctions Train Station (above)

Police on Loughborough Estate (above)

Agron Alia
Hinton Hand Car Wash
39, Albanian Science teacher
“I’ve had this business for two years, it’s a good business as there’s lots of Caribbean’s in the area who not only love their cars but they love having them clean, especially their alloys. They boys and me don’t mind the area, we have had trouble a couple of times from people not wanting to pay for their cars cleaned. Also the children in the area should have more respect for adults, they need discipline from their families and community I don’t mean beat them up, but teach them respect. There could be more choice for food around here too, I go to the café for lunch, but too many chicken and chips for my staff”

Ian Payne and Barney
Ron Dowding and Taz
Mayflower MG & VW Services
Hinton Road
“I wouldn’t say it’s a ‘nice’ area but it’s better than it was”



Agron Alia and his boys at the carwash (above)


Loughborough Road, Mobile Home Caravan left for dead. (above)

Stephen Rudder
Community Filmmaker
Arch Studio
Coldharbour Lane
"The area is great. Its a central creative spot and if other people think its not it only means we can get good office space at competitive ratea! so.. shh don't tell everyone"

Bilen Tesfazg
Seagull Launderette
Coldharbour Lane
“I’m only working here because its my parents business. If you’re not from the area I don’t really think you would stop here for anything, except maybe for a Chinese take away. I only use the train station and the Chinese around here”

Parker. J
Control Tower
Specialists in Caribbean cuisine and different Juices
Coldharbour Lane
“I’ve lived in Loughborough Junction for over 25 years and seen it change in many different ways. Religiously it’s a better place now but socially its not. There’s no place for everyone to socialize or get a drink together, especially after they closed all the pubs down. There is no street life at the moment and street life’s so important to an area”

Sculptor
Whirled Arts Studios
Artists Studios and Cinema Hardess Street
"I've been here when these studios set up six years ago, i'm the longest remaining artists here in the studios. Over the last few years Whirled Arts have renovated the building making room for over 20 artists, a cinema and photography studio. Its a lovely environment here"


New Community Center and Muslim Church on Coldharbour Lane (above)

Collin Mabbs and Freddy Mabbs
The Hero Of Switzerland
Pub Owners
“I was born across the road 43 years ago. Lovely people live in this area and many different cultures get along living side by side. Anyone can come in here and we welcome them. Its true some of the white people that have always lived here complain about the young black people in gangs, but whenever you talk to them on their own they’re usually polite and nice. I know their parents and grandparents and theirs no way they would have brought their children up to be impolite. I suppose its just when people are in large groups. Kids are kids.”

Mariah Wilhelm,
New Local resident recently from Germany
20 years old
"I'm over here Volunteering from Berlin, I really like it here, its cool year"


Antonio Redondo
Resident of Loughborough Estate
"Lots of people here in the Estate don't have any respect for their own homes let alone the greater community"

Jim Everett,
City Autos Owner
Hinton Road
“I moved the business here about six or seven years ago. What I really can’t understand is why suddenly the council has decided to bring in heavy parking regulations. It has massively effected our business and pleaded to the council but they wont give us any slack. I can only guess they want to get rid of small business like us around here.”

Stephen Bellas
Resident of Loughborough Estate
University Worker
“I’ve lived in the area for nearly twenty years now, there is defiantly bad stigma attached to the estates. It would all change if you could look out from my balcony at the whole of London when the sun is rising. The flats here have loads of great space, but yes some of the residents don’t respect their homes. If you live in the estate you can apply for a allotment after the council reclaimed some unused land. The allotments are a great thing and the committee plan to use them as an education space for the local schools and business.”

Mohammed Bashir
UK Sunfresh
Halal butchers and groceries
“I travel from Hendon in North London every day. I’ve been here for about six years, I used to close the shop before it got dark so I could walk to Brixton tube, but I can stay open much later now as the area feels a lot safer now. There are lots of really good friendly people around here”

Kerry Ann Hurd
Jerk Island Caribbean Cuisine
Coldharbour Lane
"Were newly opened and hope to do well in the area because people love Caribbean food here"

Greg Jankowski
Trading Post
Coldharbour Lane
Polish Employee
“Some Polish people come over just to work and make money to take back to Poland, but I’ve been here over five years and I’m here to live here because I like it. Some people complain it’s dangerous, but I just can’t see it. Why would anything bad happen to me here?”

D. Safi
London Fast Food
Coldharbour Lane
“I wouldn’t want to even pass through here if I didn’t own this shop, but right now business is good for me here. I’m concerned of what might happen if the pubs re-open and things get rough again”

Please visit my website at www.nickrayrutter.com

The Exhibition shots

Loughborough Junction Estate internal CTV (above)


Unknown woman on Coldharbour lane (above)

Wellfit Street (above)


Scrap Yard behind the old Junction Pub, Coldharbour lane (above)


Mohamed Ibrahim
Angle Town Resident
Football Trainer
“I’ve been living here for nine months, its affordable, safe and very quite. It’s a shame the community center is closed up for some reason. How are people supposed to get to know each other? I’m involved in other community centers teaching football and sports, I’d like to get more involved within the community here.”

Thank You - Usefull Info

Thank you for joining in last night and making the event a success. I will be uploading all the comment sheets and photographs from the exhibition really soon.

Many thanks Nick

If you didn’t know, now you do.

Here is some useful facts and information.

-The name Coldharbour is an Old English place name that refers to a sheltered place on the outskirts of a main parish.

-There is a Novel about Loughborough Junction – “The room of lost things” by Stella Duffy

-Whirled Arts has a cinema that’s free every weekend.

-There are over 18 different churches within a half-mile radius of Loughborough Junction.

-Basement Jaxx’s is based in Loughborough Junction.

-There is a Horse club in Loughborough Junction and a new riding school is soon to be built.

-Barney’s café has a garden, a snooker table and has an alcohol license.

-It’s not an illegal offense to photograph a police officer.

-There are rumors that the Green Man pub is going to become a job centre.

-Three times a year the emergency services have to get Lorries un-stuck from under the low bridge on Hinton road.

-There is a road called ‘Wellfit Street’ in Loughborough Junction.

-Firezza – delivery pizza service is based at the end of Hardness Street.

Some Contact Details...

Ebony Horse Club
Ebony Horse Club, The Loughborough Community Centre 105 Angell Road Brixton London SW9 7PD Tel: 020 7738 3478 Email: info@ebonyhorseclub.org.uk Company No. 5706817. Reg charity no. 1116027 Patron: Valerie Shawcross C.B.E.
http://www.ebonyhorseclub.org.uk/

Home-Start Lambeth
Brixton
London
SW9 7JN
Telephone: (020) 7924 9292
kbeatham@homestartlambeth.co.uk

Aardvark Recycling
www.aardvarkrecycling.org.uk
Aardvark Recycling delivers a variety of fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables to the doorstep of residents in Lambeth. We are committed to supporting the supply of sustainable, traceable food into London as well supporting local community growing projects.

Whirled Arts
www.whirledart.co.uk
If you are looking For an Artists Studio or want to watch great Cinema check out Loughborough Junctions Whirled website and keep updated on any upcoming events by subscribing to their Cinema and Open Studios mailing lists.

Photofusion
If you’re interested in photography Photofusion in Brixton run many photography courses and give opportunities for the local community with outreach projects as well as having great affordable facilities offering support and training for members.
www.photofusion.org
Telephone: 020 7738 5774

Lambeth Archives
Lambeth Archives is the borough's record office and local history library. It is open to the public, free of charge.
Lambeth Archives
Minet Library
52 Knatchbull Road
London SE5 9QY
Phone: 020 7926 6076
Email: archives@lambeth.gov.uk

Urban 75
A great resource for local communities and photography enthusiasts plus a great nightlife guide.
www.urban75.com

A web blog that share local information
http://loughboroughjunction.wordpress.com/

Tonight is the event & exhibition! A sneek Preview here....

Tasleem Elahi
Trading Post
Coldharbour Lane
Shop Owner

“Recently it’s got better around here. There used to be terrible drugs and prostitution problems but its cleaned up, although its still here. In the summer Loughborough Junction has lots of character but in the winter things are dead. I suppose it’s got everything for you here really. I’ve been here since the sixties and it was better then, not like now. People were easy going. I like the Polish people now, they’re easy going compared to other Londoners. Nobody really mixes in London. I think things will get even worse.”

Local information

lots of great information about the local area at - http://loughboroughjunction.wordpress.com/

Community Photography Exhibition 'Beyond The Crossroads'

You are invited to Red Gate galleries Courtyard (209a Coldharbour lane) for a local photography exhibition looking at local people and business.



Tuesday the 14th July 2009

7pm - 10pm (free drinks)

Street Photography Tips

-Be clear on why your taking the photographs.
- Have a solid outline and pitch to help sell your idea.
-Know where the picture will end up. (Get a relevant charity, gallery or publisher behind your project.)
- Use some business cards or flyer for your project. (You can show this to people you want to photograph.)
- In detail research the area you want to work in. (Look at the local industry, current politics and history. Even print some stuff of to help engage people in discussions.
- Don’t always rush, spend the time talking with people.
-Don’t let someone put you off when they say NO. Keep going as 9 out of 10 times the next person will say yes.

Be aware when making artwork based from real peoples lives and ideas. Be responsible and loyal to the truth you see and experience. Explain clearly how you’re going to be representing the people your portraying. Inaccurately or irresponsibly publishing people’s information can endanger people’s lives.

Don’t be a bad Journalist, be a good Community Artist. Be responsible when representing somebody else.

Do newcomers get involved enough in local community issues?

See what the Independent newspaper has to say about gentrification from middle class settlers in Loughborough Junction .

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/middleclass-settlers-fail-to-join-community-spirit-747685.html#

What does the internet think of Loughborough Junction?

Check out what wikipedia has to say about Loughborough Junction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loughborough_Junction

HISTORY from urban75.org - Then and Now

1905 Coldharbour Lane, looking west past the junction with Loughborough Road. To the right you can see Brown and Son, hosiers at No.228, offering 'Special Value in White Shirts', witch are Knocking out at 3/6 each or 10 bob (50p) for three.












March 2006 Sad to say, but Loughborough Junction remains a miserable, run down area in 2006. The Warrior (aka The Junction) closed in 2003 with much of the building being converted to - you've guessed it - flats (see: lost pubs of Brixton at www.Urban75.org)












1905 Loughborough Road, looking north, beyon the corner of Barrington Road. Just visible to the left can be seen the 'Hero of Switzerland' public house sign. (I'm not quite sure what connection William Tell has with Brixton)












April 2003 A century later and the scene has changed out of all recognition. The entire area was demolished and rebuilt as the loughbrough Estate, designed by London County Council in the 1950's. The pub also rebuild, but the sign remains!

urban75.org - Then and Now

1921 This view was taken looking past the Green man public house, on the corner of Coldharbour lane and Hinton Road. At this time, Loughborough Junction was a bustling shopping area, with shops surrounding all sides of the crossroads. Note Bryant booksellers to the right of the pub, with rees The Chemists (opposite) trying to entice photographers with their large draped banner, 'rees for Kodaks'.











July 2003 A truly desolate scene greets the viewer eighty years on. The Green Man pub has been boarded up, retail buildings demolished and most of the shops are closed.












1930 Another view of loughborough Junction, with Loughborough Road intersecting Coldharbour Lane to the left. Note the sempahore railway signal on the overhead railway bridge and sidecar motorcyclist. The white-painted buildings to the right of the railway is a branch of Midland Bank.












July 2003 A huge chunk of the corner buildings has vanished leaving the old bank building isolated. The postbox (to the left) is one of the few constant remaining in this scene.

urban75.org - Then and Now

1936 The white capped motorman of the service 34 tram in the foreground waits for the service 48 tram to turn off Coldharbour Lane and climb up Herne Hill Road. Note the line of shops further down the street.












April 2003 Nearly 70 years on and the scene looks much the same, albeit now cursed with an endless rumble of traffic and the usual crap graffiti.

urban75.org - Then and Now

1900 A trafic-free scene from the turn of the century. Above the building to the right can be seen the name, 'David Greig', a local lad who opened his first shop in Atlantic Road in 1888 (when he was just 23). he went on to create one of the biggest grocery chains in the country.











1950 A number 34 tram trundles along Coldharbour Lane towards Loughborough Junction, ominously followed by a RT bus, which would replace the tram service later that year.












April 2003 Inner city problems like drugs dealing and street violence have contributed to the area's dramatic decline in recent years. By 2003, both pubs in the area (the 'Green Man' and the 'Junction', pictures here) had been closed down and several shops boarded up.

Photography Exhibition
Tuesday the 14th July 2009 from 1-pm -9pm

Do you know something interesting about Loughborough Junction?
Please get involved and share with us your story.