We ♥ Mayall Road

An article by Phil Angold, one of the workers at the support home in our street, and Dr Matthieu Crews, Specialist Registrar Psychiatrist with South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, a sometime neighbour in Mayall Road. It first appeared in 2011 in an edited form in SLaM News, the in-house magazine of the Trust.

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The network of rehabilitation support homes run by SLaM in Lambeth includes a number of properties which have some interesting histories and locations. One example is a particularly fine, large, detached house in leafy Woodbourne Avenue, Streatham: once visited by a BBC Panorama film crew and the journalist and presenter, Polly Toynbee, no less. To the delight of support staff, in her subsequently televised piece, Ms Toynbee described the house as, “A model of community care”. In the early autumn of 1990 it was one of the first homes to be opened for former, long-term in-patients of that grim, now long- demolished, Edwardian establishment, Tooting Bec Hospital. A place now, mercifully, one trusts, only a fading memory for those remaining residents in supported housing who were among the first to make those early, important steps which finally took them out of institutional care.

Another is a house in Mayall Road, Brixton, which is, more accurately, two substantial terraced houses converted into one very spacious, nine bedroom home: an architectural feature also seen elsewhere within the supported housing network. The house, despite being a conversion, blends in well with its neighbours. It has been something of a guiding principle for those involved in supported housing that properties which have been acquired for use as support homes should not stand out as being obviously different from neighbouring houses. The use of signage is, therefore, scrupulously avoided.

Mayall Road, my workplace for some years, has the distinction of neighbouring the once notorious Brixton “Frontline”, Railton Road. The ground floor rear verandah of the house, in fact, overlooks part of that internationally infamous drag which was the subject of Eddy Grant’s much-loved lyrics, sensational press coverage, and even part of the report of a ground-breaking Public Inquiry (Scarman, 1981) in its day.

The Brixton Riots of April ’81, whose causes Lord Justice Scarman was tasked with investigating, were, arguably, among the worst scenes of violent public disorder in South London in living memory. Railton Road, a major flashpoint, became the site of a pitched battle between rioters and police which raged, as night fell, by the light of burning buildings. Arson, vandalism and widespread

looting all took their toll on an already blighted area, much of which was subsequently demolished and redeveloped. New social housing replaced homes and commercial premises which, in some cases, had been entirely gutted by fire. (http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/riot1.html)

The house has also seen its share of lively action, albeit of a different order, since its inaugural opening in the summer of 1993: an event which I was lucky enough to attend. I recall beautiful floral arrangements; a sumptuous buffet; lashings of ginger beer and cola; and a formal blessing by the then Trust Chaplain. Residents and support team members alike were dressed in their finest. An especially elegant, shimmering kingfisher blue lounge suit, still looms large in the memory ….

Concerns, however, were raised from early on that, given the close proximity of the drug dealing scene in the centre of Brixton, and the relatively high incidence of mugging and street prostitution nearby, vulnerable residents might find themselves targeted and preyed upon, once their presence in the area became known.

Some of these fears proved to be well-founded. Unsolicited visitors who, to the alarm of some staff, “befriended” certain residents, became a problem for a time: but, whether due to the residents’ maturing street wisdom, better policing of the area, or the tact and vigilance of support staff, these difficulties have now receded into the past.

Life at Mayall Road has also become significantly quieter in another important respect. Since the closure of the Waterloo International Eurostar Terminus, the air is no longer rent at regular intervals by the unmistakable, fearful rumble of Chunnel-bound behemoths making the first stage of their continental journeys. The closure was a cause for general rejoicing; particularly, for those neighbours whose homes back onto the nearby track.

Mayall Road has long been known for its annual summer street parties which are now regularly held on the Sunday of the August Bank Holiday weekend. Residents and team members have together become enthusiastic participants over the years. I recently learned that, some years ago, these neighbourhood events unexpectedly came to the attention of Specialist Registrar at SLaM,

Dr Matthieu Crews  …..

“ In 2003, during my first job as a qualified doctor, I moved into a flat on Mayall Road, almost directly opposite the SLaM house described – one of those properties where the Eurostar would pass perilously close to the windows, shaking my room from 5am until late, as trains crawled through the backyards of South East London.

I was unaware at the time that the building across the road formed part of a network of properties run by SLaM. It resembled any other house on the street; I did not know what SLaM was and, at that stage in my career, I had never done a day’s work in psychiatry. Little idea did I have that, by strange coincidence, I would find myself working in the building opposite as a psychiatrist, several years later.

The summer I moved to Mayall Road, colourful flags in the form of traditional street bunting crossed the road, from side to side and along its entire length. Curious to know why, I later discovered that since the 1977 Royal Jubilee, the residents of Mayall Road had put on their famous street party for many of the next twenty five years, providing residents with a wonderful opportunity to feel both proud of their street and part of their heritage.

Much to my disappointment during the year I lived there, there was no party; nor would there be for some years. A lack of interest in things royal, perhaps, or maybe, reflecting a wider loss of community pride? Six years later, however, in 2009, whilst working within the Lambeth rehabilitation service as a psychiatrist providing input to SLaM residential houses, I learned from staff that the annual Mayall Road party had returned and that the residents of the supported home were once more able to share in the sense of community belonging and friendliness that Mayall Road so easily provides.

If ever passing through the area, a walk there is recommended. Given its truncated form, the street leads nowhere. It is largely deserted other than by the odd car parking and children playing freely in the road; something that adds to the unique feel of the place. A feeling for me that was apparent the very first day I walked along the street and still exists each time I return. A true sense of community, perhaps; so lacking in much of modern day London “.

Hi everyone

Thank you so much for the words of encouragement that have been sent through and I’m so glad to be back working together and I’m very excited about we can achieve in 10 or so days.

Things to do so far:

Insurance is a bit cheaper this year £127
Barriers need to be picked up from Wandsworth: £250 deposit (refunded on safe return of barriers)
Stage needs to be picked up from Camberwell
Street Party posters to be delivered to each household and for people to display outside their windows.
Flyers to put on cars to warn people to move cars.

I will pay for the insurance and get reimbursed from Rob (247) (hopefully).

The other things I will need help with, so if you have any free time to deliver some flyers and posters please let me know. A van will be needed to pick stage up.

Donations so far:

Someone has agreed to pay for a bouncy castle and agreed to do the printing so far.
If you can help with printing of A3 and A4 plus laminating please let me know.

Activities:

Alex (267) has emailed the fire station to see if they can turn up again this year, also I spoke to a fire officer on duty in Brixton today who said they would pass on the message.

Security:

I’ve contacted Brixton Police and community policing to ask advice about security and just to let them know we are staging this event.

Rubbish:

Contacted Lambeth about putting extra bins out and for the street to be swept on the morning of the party and the day after.

Stage:

If you know anyone who is in a band or wants to play acoustic guitar and sing or any instrument please let me know. It would be good to get a steady flow of music during day. And of course Mayall Road’s Got Talent will showcase the talents of the kids on the street and anyone for that matter. So please start practicing!!

Paul Parsons (ex 181 Mayall Rd resident) will not be around this year to MC the stage so if anyone wants to take on that role please let me know.

Already, the day is starting to take some sort of shape. I hope the above information will help us focus our mind on the jobs at hand so when we meet up tomorrow we can really focus on what needs to be done. The meeting will only take 1 hour. I’ve started posting on the Mayall Road Website just in case some are looking at it: http://mayallroad.co.uk/

Thank you.

Paul

07812 157 555

233 Mayall Road

Hello neighbours

Well after all the unrest of the last few days I think it is important to stand together and unite and ensure our community is strong and that we can move forward from this stronger. To help this process, I think more than ever we should hold the annual street party.

The date for the road closure is Sunday August 28th. That leaves us less than 2 weeks to organise something. Sorry about the late notice but my wife has just given birth. I wanted to make sure that both of them and us as a family will have the energy to make this event happen.

This year’s party will be very low key. I have organised for the street to be closed and Startx has agreed to provide the sound system and I’m working on getting a stage. That may be all we’ve got, anything more would be a bonus.

There will be a meeting on Thursday 18th August at 8pm-9pm at my house 233 Mayall Road. I guess we will find out then whether there is an appetite for a street party this year or not. I will try and knock on some doors in the next few days to alert people of what is happening. I know we are all busy but if we all pitch in whatever we can, I’m sure we can put together something for everyone in the street to enjoy.

There is around £300 left over from last year (I will confirm with Rob (Treasurer) what the exact amount is). It would be good to discuss on Thursday how to spend the money. Costs that will have to be sorted out are Insurance for the party, printing costs to send fliers and posters around to everyone on the street. Which in the end leave us with not much left. If you can’t make this but have any suggestions or ideas to add please email me back or ring.

I know not everyone on the street will access to the internet and won’t get this email but could you please pass it on to anyone whom you know would like to volunteer or come to the meeting, please do so.

There has been a lot of movement of residents moving out and moving in. Staging these events allows us to know our neighbours so we feel safe but more importantly we feel that we belong to a fantastic community made up of many different cultures and beliefs that makes London so unique.

Thank you and hope to see you Thursday.

Paul

07812 157 555

Please visit:- http://emmatunbridgephotography.viewbook.com/streetparty

Many thanks Emma!

Continue reading The photos from the street party are now up!

Street Party Meeting

23^rd August 2010 8pm

Paul

Startx

Brett

Lesley

Jane

Rob

Helen

Sue-Anne

Susie

Fundraising

£800 – £900 raised so far

Raffle Prizes to add to what is already available

Book from Herne Hill Books – East of Acre Lane by Alex Wheatle

Hampers:

Seasami

Butchers

Meal for 2:

SW9

Victoria Restaurant

£5 book voucher from Tales on Half Moon Lane

I need to go back to the following to see what they can do

Hardware store, Electric shop opp Sainsbury, Bakery next to Butchers, Barnet Ware and Graves estate agent and the sports shop. Brockwell Lido, Lido Café, Kaya, Myla and Davies, Blackbird Bakery, Pullens, Sesami, Commercial, Florence, Prince Regent, Upstairs on Acre Lane. There are some positive signs there and hopefully something will come of it.

Latest on Mayall Road Company

Bank account won’t be available before Street Party

Barriers

£250 cash deposit

Bands

Brett – Thirst to come and play

Ask Bands to bring Cables for instruments to plug into system

And also to bring Bass Amp too and Guitar Amps, will sound better than main system

Main Stage

MC Paul Parsons:

And Paul is trying sort out DJs to play when stage is free

Open Mic: 1pm-3pm

Mayall Rd’s got talent 3pm-5pm

Fancy Dress Parade 5pm

Raffle to be drawn 5pm

Bands 5pm – 9pm

Food Stuff

Startx

Shopping for veggie stuff

50 portions of falafel

Helen

Tesco delivery on Saturday

Veggies and fruits from Brixton Market

Volunteers needed come and take veggies away on Saturday and chop and cut to be ready

Elaine – Flower lady

Fruits

Charcoal

Donations welcome but need a few

Events side

Startx and co

Leila and Frank doing a radio show – may be live

Someone doing big bubbles

Jane to do chemistry show

Dirg to use ladder for bunting

Bunting

Will go up late on Friday – Will need some help putting up please start 5pm

Publicity

Fliers

Posters for Poets corner and area

Volunteers for stewards

Need to keep the barriers

Still need more volunteers please

Street Party

Start 12pm – Finish

Marn to video the whole of the main stage events

Cakes for the street party

Lesley  to run cake stall – Selling to raise money for next year

Misc

Stewards to hold buckets for donations

Popcorn – same as last year will run it again.

Cycle fixing guys

Bouncy Castle to go near the stage

-       talk to Bart about funding

-       Check with Kathy who we used last year

Table and chairs

-       Paul to talk to Steve about table and chairs

Cheers Paul



Hi Everyone

There will be a meeting tonight 8pm at my house 233 Mayall Road at 8pm. I will probably be the last one before the party so if you are free please come along.

Everything seems to falling into place but a lot of work still needs to be done.

Cheers

Paul

07812 157 555

paul.koloi@mac.com

One more week before the big event!

Help support the street party with these beautifully made postcards from the talented children of Mayall Road.  50p each, 10 for £5 + get one free.  They will be making the rounds over the coming weeks.