Olive and Liz Obi were the first to squat 121 Railton Road, Brixton: launching the building’s 26 year radical history wp.me/p74yfw-NX

Today in London anarchist history, 1999: the 121 Centre evicted, Brixton

It was twenty years ago today… … the legendary 121 Centre was evicted in Brixton… Squat centre, bookshop, black radical space, anarchist space… Over 26 years of its life, the three-storey Edw…

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pasttensehistories.bsky.social@pasttensehistories.bsky.social · last mo.

#OnThisDay: Olive Morris, Brixton revolutionary activist, born, 1952. Member of the UK Black Panthers, and a founder of Brixton Black Women’s Group wp.me/p74yfw-11k

1/2 b1934 Jamaica, self taught artist Pearl Alcock arrived in UK 1950s. She opened a dress shop in Railton Road and, bisexual herself, beneath it she ran a shebeen, becoming the first gay bar in Brixton. Her art gained in reputation and included in a Tate Britain exhibition of ‘Outsider Art’ in 2005

A film first in Brixton. Uncovering the story of Eugène Lauste who made the first recording of sound on film in Brixton! Lauste’s incredible innovations in Brixton need more recognition so here is a start. #OnePlaceWednesday #filmhistory loughboroughroadsw9histories.wordpress.com/2026/06/16/a...

A film first in Brixton

French inventor and cinematographer Eugène Lauste (1857-1935), centre, filming with his sound on film camera in his garden in Brixton, south London. From “The Silver Jubilee Book – The …

loughboroughroadsw9histories.wordpress.com

A film first in Brixton. Uncovering the story of Eugène Lauste who made the first recording of sound on film in Brixton! Lauste’s incredible innovations in Brixton need more recognition so here is a start. #OnePlaceWednesday #filmhistory loughboroughroadsw9histories.wordpress.com/2026/06/16/a...

A film first in Brixton

French inventor and cinematographer Eugène Lauste (1857-1935), centre, filming with his sound on film camera in his garden in Brixton, south London. From “The Silver Jubilee Book – The …

loughboroughroadsw9histories.wordpress.com

Friend gave me privileged access to Pillout family archive thought they arrived from France via many European cities, settling in Soho then Camden. Knew they must have passed thro’ Brixton. Here’s Nelly Brixton Road and Emile Chantrey Road registering to employ performers. (See my #MHVD2026 posts)

Loughborough Road Histories@roadsw9.bsky.social · 3mo ago

#MusicHallVarietyDay seaside theme. Telling the story of acrobats Emile and Nellie Pillout. To start the Max Cawellys at the Casino de la Rue Bossu Cannes 1906. Postcard of troupe from same era. Little Emile holding sister Nellie’s hand. Cannes maybe not traditional seaside, but hey. #MHVD2026

Emile took over running the Hindustans and other troupes with Nellie after the early death of Nellie’s husband Harry in 1935, aged just 45. By late 1930s they were posh dinner entertainers. Royal Motor Yacht Club dinner 1938. Yachts, seaside? Menu, Tortue des Iles? #MusicHallVarietyDay #MHVD2026

Loughborough Road Histories@roadsw9.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Nellie Pillout, Emile’s sister married Harry Prescott of the Hindustan troupe which Nellie occasional joined. Together they managed several Hindustan troupes plus Thunderbolts and others. Seaside theme, on stage at Douglas Isle of Man, year and other acts tbc. #MHVD2026 #musichallvarietyday

More seaside music hall connections back to Lambeth for #MusicHallVarietyDay in @youngalison.bsky.social fascinating post and blog 👇

Alison Young@youngalison.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Where did theatrical families send their children? Often to coastal boarding schools. Here's my grandmother Norah & friends on the beach at Margate in their school gym slips - spot the boaters in the sand behind them. #MusicHallVarietyDay #MHVD2026 #Seaside Read more here: buff.ly/2TnbKmI

Did Charles Coburn write in his memoirs @legmania.bsky.social about being carried piggy back across the high wire by Ella Zuila? Here they are at Crystal Palace 1899. Like a day out by the sea for Londoners back in the day. Couldn’t resist chance to get Ella in for #MusicHallVarietyDay #MHVD2026

Legmania@legmania.bsky.social · 3mo ago

#MusicHallVarietyDay The Alhambra Sandgate, by the seaside near Folkestone, saw many of the popular artistes in the early days of their career including Charles Coburn ‘The Man who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo’ who wrote about it in his memoirs. #MHVD2026

Nellie Pillout, Emile’s sister married Harry Prescott of the Hindustan troupe which Nellie occasional joined. Together they managed several Hindustan troupes plus Thunderbolts and others. Seaside theme, on stage at Douglas Isle of Man, year and other acts tbc. #MHVD2026 #musichallvarietyday

Loughborough Road Histories@roadsw9.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Continuing the story of Emile Pillout for #MusicHallVarietyDay. Emile headed up the Odelly acrobatic tennis trio. Looks like a seaside performance but actually Leicester 1932. The troupe named after Emile’s mum Nellie Odell. #MHVD2026

We have an ONLINE talk today at 3pm by Caroline Hall about the introduction of RAGTIME to the UK and the role of Bert Feldman. It’s not too late to book - booking closes at 2pm #MusicHallVarietyDay #MHVD2026 BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE: www.ticketsource.com/britishmusic...

Continuing the story of Emile Pillout for #MusicHallVarietyDay. Emile headed up the Odelly acrobatic tennis trio. Looks like a seaside performance but actually Leicester 1932. The troupe named after Emile’s mum Nellie Odell. #MHVD2026

From seaside to Brixton via Daisy Dormer and #MHVD2026. Daisy a one time resident of Loughborough Road and several other Brixton locations.

Alison Young@youngalison.bsky.social · 3mo ago

"I Wouldn't Leave My Little Wooden Hut For You" was a hit for my great-aunt Daisy Dormer way back in 1905 - and it was still doing the rounds as a postcard catchphrase in 1931! Here's a little about the song & the seaside humour it inspired... #MusicHallVarietyDay #MHVD2026 #Seaside buff.ly/VuAZF4b

#MusicHallVarietyDay seaside theme. Telling the story of acrobats Emile and Nellie Pillout. To start the Max Cawellys at the Casino de la Rue Bossu Cannes 1906. Postcard of troupe from same era. Little Emile holding sister Nellie’s hand. Cannes maybe not traditional seaside, but hey. #MHVD2026

Music Hall and Variety Day is just one day away! We can't wait to join you all at the seaside. Don't forget to share your own Music Hall and Variety themed seaside memories and memorabilia. #MHVD2026 #musichallvarietyday

Women of Lambeth Cemetery. Sunday 29 March, 11am. Just a couple of place left on my guided walk to hear of some incredible worm in this lesser known south London cemetery. From artists and activists to women of war, fraudsters and entertainers. womenoflambethcemetery.eventbrite.co.uk

Women of Lambeth Cemetery

A guided walk of this lesser known south London Victorian cemetery exploring fascinating stories of incredible women

womenoflambethcemetery.eventbrite.co.uk

Women of Lambeth Cemetery Sunday 29 March Join me on a walk to hear about some fascinating women. From artists and entertainers to women of war, fraudsters and campaigners. The blossom is lovely at this time of year too. womenoflambethcemetery.eventbrite.co.uk

Women of Lambeth Cemetery

A guided walk of this lesser known south London Victorian cemetery exploring fascinating stories of incredible women

womenoflambethcemetery.eventbrite.co.uk

3rd British Music Hall Society Conference - November 2026 https://britishmusichallsociety.com/event/3rd-british-music-hall-society-conference-november-2026

An invite to heckle, is that just me or anyone @oneeyegrey.bsky.social ?

Chris Roberts@oneeyegrey.bsky.social · 5mo ago

attn @roadsw9.bsky.social talk? Carnegie? free? April 14th. You could heckle. www.eventbrite.com/e/1984794703...

🙏 Jingle Bell Heist, good film to London location spot, Loughboro’ Hotel Sterlings Dept. Store. Pointed @adrianpgibson.bsky.social in direction of filming, friends since then 😁. People round world now reading Loughboro’ Hotel history blog loughboroughroadsw9histories.wordpress.com/2020/05/16/l...

Loughborough Hotel and Tavern

Loughborough Hotel December 2019. Flats, San Mei Gallery and Annapurna Cafe. This majestic building, the Loughborough Hotel at the junction of Loughborough Road and Evandale Road SW9, has a 120 yea…

loughboroughroadsw9histories.wordpress.com

Adrian Gibson@adrianpgibson.bsky.social · 7mo ago

A seasonal feel good movie Jingle Bell Heist is silly and fun and the crazy thing is the fictional Department Store it’s set in is actually just round the corner on Loughborough Road and I popped down to see the location when they filming back in January 2024. It’s certainly not high brow 1/2

👏👏👏 @musichallsociety.bsky.social 👇 incredible collection.

British Music Hall Society@musichallsociety.bsky.social · 8mo ago

We've made incredible progress with our Archive this year. Since uploading our first collection in April 2025, we now have over 2,000 catalogue records on Archives Hub (link below). Check out our entries to explore the collection. #MusicHall #archive #history archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/locat...

‘Tis the season so pulled out a 1909 Christmas card and did a bit of research. Card was sent to brother and sister Gladys and George Boswell. #househistory, #familyhistory, beautiful memorial, teenage bravery and more loughboroughroadsw9histories.wordpress.com/2025/12/17/1...

1909 Xmas card – exploring the Boswell family history

This card has been in my collection for some time. As the festive season approached, I pulled it out and decided to see whether I could uncover more about its recipients, Miss and Master Boswell. W…

loughboroughroadsw9histories.wordpress.com

1/2 Dr Elizabeth Pace, advocate for women’s health & rights, b1866 Brixton, family later moved to Stockwell Park Road, then to The Chase Clapham. Attended Clapham High School then trained to be a doctor at London School of Medicine for Women.

Not posted here for a while but as it’s #OnePlaceWednesday and I’ve written a blog, first in a while. Thought I’d share the love for the #postbox. We have a few rarities too. loughboroughroadsw9histories.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/a...

A wander round post box history – Loughborough Road and beyond

The post box, so familiar people hardly notice them. Even less noticed now so few people send letters and cards. But I love a bit street furniture, so thought I’d take you on tour of Loughbor…

loughboroughroadsw9histories.wordpress.com

I had a great day @thelondonarchives.bsky.social yesterday talking unrideable mules🐴 (yes! really!) at the Clapham Grand, and listening to some excellent talks from @roadsw9.bsky.social @naomipaxton.bsky.social Tony Fletcher, Jane Pritchard, Wanda Robins, Mark Fox, Alison Boulton and Meera Flynn.

🙏 @brixtonbuzz.bsky.social for the mention of talk coming up on Tuesday www.brixtonbuzz.com/2025/09/expl...

Talk: exploring changing pub culture – The White Horse and other Brixton pubs, Tues 23rd Sept 2025

Hosted by the  Loughborough Road History project, this talk looks at the fascinating history of Brixton pubs, focusing on the iconic White Horse, Loughborough Hotel and others.

brixtonbuzz.com

Exploring Changing Pub Culture, fascinating history of north Brixton pubs Talk part of @vangoghhouse.co.uk #FestivalofEncounters 📅 23 Sept. ⏰ 7-9pm 📍Brixton Jamm, 261 Brixton Road, SW9 6LH Free, please book here pubhistorytalk.eventbrite.co.uk

Exploring changing pub culture: The White Horse and other Brixton pubs

The fascinating history of Brixton pubs, focusing on the iconic White Horse, Loughborough Hotel and others

pubhistorytalk.eventbrite.co.uk

The new free exhibition at Lambeth Archives looks at the ambitious world of Ted Hollamby's Department of Architecture and Planning, 1965-1980. Modernism, the future and architectural merit, open until the 26th.

Another great review of Re:trace my project with Basil McDonald and Longfield Hall. Basil has done a fantastic job reshooting Brian Bloice’s 1967 original photos. Glad you enjoyed it @jasoncobb.bsky.social 🙏 for the post.

Jason Cobb@jasoncobb.bsky.social · 11mo ago

To Longfield Hall! Basil McDonald has an ACE photography exhibition, documenting SE5 and surrounds, before and after 📷 aye aye @oneeyegrey.bsky.social

RE:TRACE exhibition, a Loughborough Road History project with photographer Basil MCDonald and Longfield Hall featured in @brixtonbuzz.bsky.social 🙏 www.brixtonbuzz.com/2025/09/retr...

RE:TRACE – photographic exhibition revisits a walk from Hubert Grove in Brixton to the Minet Library, 1967 to 2025

A photographic  exhibition at the Longfield Hall in Camberwell retraces a walk from Hubert Grove in Brixton to the Minet Library. The first set of images were taken by local historian Brian Bloice …

brixtonbuzz.com

St Matthew’s Brixton, one of Lambeth’s “Waterloo” churches which are just over 200 years’ old. Hear their story from architect Nicholas Weedon in a Brixton Society talk on Thursday 11 September at 6.15pm. FREE but booking essential: bit.ly/StMatthewsTalk

200 years of the Waterloo Commissioner's Classics

The flurry of church building in the 1820’s left Lambeth with the four "Waterloo Churches". Nicholas Weedon looks at how they are faring.

bit.ly