A bit off-topic, but I was so enchanted by this poster that I bought it on ebay. I can't find any reference to Brixton Skating Rink except here. Curious.
a hyperlocal blog
A bit off-topic, but I was so enchanted by this poster that I bought it on ebay. I can't find any reference to Brixton Skating Rink except here. Curious.
Andrew
ReplyDeleteI have just been to Lambeth Archives. The Brixton Skating Rink opened in about 1910 and closed in 1965. The site is now occupied by a carpet warehouse.
Andrew
ReplyDeleteMy interest in the Skating Rink is that I had relations by the name of Charles and Letty Howard.Up until 1929 they lived at 9 Brailsford Road, Brixton. They had a son, George Howard, and two daughters. It is possible that some of them worked at the Brixton Skating Rink, which was very close to their house. Does anyone on this website remember such a family?
Stewart
Thanks for the updates. Strange that it seems to have largely disappeared from consciousness given that it didn't close until 1965. Interesting stuff. I guess it was on the corner of Effra Road where Allied Carpets now is?
ReplyDeleteAndrew
ReplyDeleteThat's right. The Archive people had a map showing the Rink in that location. Also a newspaper cutting from 1965 when it closed. The site was bought by a developer, and local people were complaining at the loss of the Rink, apparently without warning.
Stewart
I used to go to the rink from the early 60's until it shut very suddenly and without warning. There used to be a roller speed club called the South London Roller Skating Club that carried on for a couple of years training in Brockwell Park and Waterloo but eventually packed up. I also used to live at 9 Brailsford Road between 1949 and 1972 when I moved after marrying one of the club members! My great grandfather owned the house.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother went to the rink between 1910 and 1920 and told me of the bands that used to play. Her brothers took her into the centre of the floor and left her there to crawl back to the edge - she didn't try again!
There is a page on the friends reunited site under clubs for the skating club.
i set up the page on friends reunited afew years ago.there is only three racing club members on it.myself and two others.when the rink closed we went to brockwell pk bandstand to train. then waterloo underpass till the club packed up.we had a fairwell party at the prince rengent pub in brockwell park rd
ReplyDeleteI was a founder member of the Falcons Speed Skating Club in1948-49,untill about 56. we raced against clubs from Ally Pally,forest gate,cricklewood,
ReplyDeleterochester,even Bradford,Birmingham, Herne bay,and others, all home and away.we had about 50 members, men and women.I still have photos of members and races.
Hi Ron. I would love to see any pictures you have of the rink and the people there. Could you email me on AndrewOrange [at] gmail.com ?
ReplyDelete