All about Lambeth

Spent a brilliant day today at the Lambeth Archives Open Day at the Minet Library.

Saw the most amazing print in their art exhibition: "The HOPPING MATCH. on Clapham Common. JACKSON, the Runner exhibiting his Agility." (right) which raises far more questions than answers about the history of Lambeth.

But "Tracing your Lambeth House History" by Len Reilly, Lambeth Archives was really useful and once I find myself with some time to spare I'll pop down to the Minet and follow it all up.

There was an intriguing film "The Ladies Bridge" which explored the story of the women who (according to the lore of the Thames tourist boatmen) re-built Waterloo Bridge during WWII. Urban myth or systematic of women's history by the patriarchy? Let's just say the jury in the audience was still out. More about the film here.

"Going to the pictures: A local history of the cinema" did what it said on the tin and was rather depressing as it ran through the gorgeous picture palaces of Lambeth which have been demolished over the year.

Lovely to see Ms Stockwell News, Naomi Klein, presenting "Stories from the Stockwell war memorial" which was fascinating and rather moving. Buy her book "These Were Our Sons" here.