The Herne Hill Society blog

Never such innocence again

Half Moon Lane is a chilly place at this time of the year but I am basking in the warm glow of a job well done. It's nearly a week since a very successful event at Herne Hill Station and I am still asking myself how we did it. In less than six months we planned and delivered something that even a year ago would have seemed highly unlikely: a hand-carved memorial slate in prime position in central Herne Hill’s most important building. But there it now is, fixed to the wall.

A new 1914-18 war memorial for Herne Hill was on the agenda two and a half years ago when we were sketching out our research project with the Charter School but… where would we put it, what would it say, who would design it, what would it cost? With no clear answers and so much else to do, we put the idea to one side.

A year ago we published the memorial website and our little book to schedule, then held Herne Hill’s first ever two-minute silence on Armistice Day: an event that left many close to tears. A perfect way to celebrate the completion of the project. Except that it wasn’t complete; there were literally hundreds of casualties left to investigate. One fine June morning Dave Statham, Managing Director of Southeastern and a great supporter of community projects in Herne Hill, said to me “How about a permanent memorial in the station? You commission it and we’ll pay for it”. No committee, no fiddling about with our proposed text (though we did check that we had got the name of the railway company right!). We were trusted to get on with it.

Through the Lettering Arts Trust the name “Mark Brooks” was suggested. When we met him at the station, Laurence and I were sure we had found our man. Southeastern liked his work as much as we did and I wrote a letter of appointment.

So here we are. Websites and books come and go but a big lump of Welsh slate is as permanent as it gets. It will outlive us all.

Herne Hill in 2013

2013 has been an interesting year...

Commiserations to those badly affected by this summer's awful flood, especially the traders who have still been unable to open.

In other respects, Herne Hill has gone from strength to strength. The year began with the welcome announcement that Thameslink trains calling at Herne Hill will continue to run north of Blackfriars post-2018. Our Sunday market is now well established, while several new businesses (and a primary school) have opened. The Velodrome benefited from major infrastructure improvements.

The Lambeth Country Show was held in fine weather and attracted a huge crowd. Brockwell Park has been beautifully renovated, with the Bristowe bust installed in the Hall. The Clock Tower Appeal reached its target quite quickly, owing to the vitality and generosity of local people.

It has also been a successful year for the Society. Our website won the Walter Bor Media Award from the London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies, while the Henry Bessemer book was commended and is selling well. We welcomed a considerable number of new members.

Always a highlight - with animals, food, entertainment and lovely Herne Hill folk to meet (including our committee) - the annual Christmas Fair on Sat 14 December was very well attended. Here's a taste; watch for a famous gourmet passing by.

Now to 2014: for those interested in the history and built heritage of the area, January's event will preview the completely revised edition of the Herne Hill Heritage Trail.

First produced in 2003 as an 88-page guide to sites of interest in the area, our new Trail will feature 157 entries on 160 pages, with 97 illustrations, 28 of them in colour.

Wed 8 January 2014, 7:45pm
“Herne Hill Heritage Trail Preview”
Herne Hill United Church
London
SE24 9PW

Admission free. We hope to see you there.

Herne Hill Market

It came as a shock to some Herne Hill residents, particularly those living near the end of Railton Road where a Sunday market has been running since July 2012, to learn that there is a current planning application (12/04783/RG3) by Lambeth Council for permission to run a 7-day-a-week market with the additional option to run a late market from 4 to 10.30 pm three days a week.

Those most directly affected were also informed of this application by letter. However, there has never been an intention to run a market 7 days a week and the application is a mistake, as confirmed by the Herne Hill Forum on their website on 9 January 2013. The Herne Hill Forum (as appears from the Licence Agreement dated 1 July 2012 annexed to the planning application) is licensed to operate the market.

It is understood that the true intention behind the application was to obtain a permanent permission for the status quo, a weekly market, and the ability to extend the hours for one-off events. In these circumstances, the application should be amended or withdrawn, and it is surprising that it is still there on the Lambeth planning website.

More about Planning and licensing applications on the Herne Hill Society website

Herne Hill, just like being on holiday

What a superb weekend!

First came a free showing of Buster Keaton's magnificent film The General, which gathered a large crowd in our 'village square' on Saturday night. The evening was dry - and warm.

Of course we all know that the silent films were never really silent. To prove it, we were fortunate to have the superb piano playing of Neil Brand, who improvised so brilliantly.

So why The General? Well it's about a train of course, and was inspired by the Great Locomotive Chase, which happened in 1862 (the year the station opened).

All credit to Charlotte, to Giles and others at the Forum for arranging such a splendid event: another celebration of our station's 150th anniversary.

Sunday was such a beautiful day. The summer we hardly had. It was like being on holiday in Portugal. A swim at Brockwell Lido, then a visit to the local market (officially opened a little later).

When I consider the changes that have taken place in Herne Hill over the last few years - what a transformation! The Florence, Number 22, the resurrection of the Lido (with its excellent Cafe), Blackbird Bakery, Herne Hill Books, Sesami, the Sunday Market, the market in Rosendale Road - to name but a few, and not forgetting old stagers like Mimosa, Pullens and the Half Moon.

The catalyst for all of this has been the Junction Scheme, with the associated reduction in Railton Road's traffic, and improvements to the Park. Herne Hill has become a sought-after place to live and visit, not just a cheaper option than Dulwich. We never had it so good.

All this and the (rescheduled) Lambeth Country Show to come this weekend in Brockwell Park. Our annual opportunity to drink too much Chucklehead cider while watching the jousting and falconry. Although summer now seems to be over, surely the weather can't be any worse than last year's wash-out. See you on our stand ZW5.

Herne Hill Market: a great start!

Sunday 1 July... we should all have been out in shorts and T-shirts.

On the day most people felt they needed a few more clothes than that. But if we can manage a turn-out like that on a damp and breezy day then our Sunday Market has a bright future!

The stall-holders and permanent traders alike seemed to be happy and doing very well. Local food critic Jay Rayner was there to give his support in person (and via Twitter).

The cider/apple juice press was one of the stalls doing great business.

Many visitors sought sanctuary from the rain showers in one or other of our hostelries.

The Dave Gelly Trio added to the festival atmosphere, playing a set in the 'Jazz on the Hill' wine bar, where free hot tapas were on offer.

So the day was a 'palpable hit'. Huge credit must go to Living Streets, together with the Herne Hill Forum, for making it happen.

Lots of photos and reactions on the Herne Hill Market Facebook page

On the same day the 'Shop Local Herne Hill' loyalty card scheme has just been launched. To join, sign up online at  http://www.shoplocalhernehill.co.uk

Interested traders should email [email protected]