It’s Bank Holiday Monday and the Notting Hill Carnival will be rattling the windows. I’m not there this year to shake my ass or to kick ass. But in the spirit of the occasion, here is a snap taken in Nunhead, a little-known corner of south London that boasts a village green, a butcher’s, a baker’s… and occasionally, people attired in silver, who parade on stilts. It’s all a lot quieter than Notting Hill but splendid, in its way.
If you scroll down, you’ll see snaps of denizens of The Hope, a pub on Rye Lane. At least it was a pub. About a week ago, I visited because I’d promised to give the landlady copies of the photos I’d taken. But, instead of a pub I found a building site. The entire innards of the pub -- bar one light fixture -- gone. The walls plastered an eviscerated grey colour. The building’s new incarnation will be as a Paddy Power betting shop. Never again will people romp in there dressed in sailor suits and French maid’s outfits, and it’s a sorrier day for that.
Some of us are tempted to give the finger to the Big Society. I mean, what is it? As interpreted by some weasel-boys from the privileged environs of public schools (ooh, matron) it does not bode well. The noises from off-stage are ominous (milk snatching… snitching on benefits’ claimants, etc) but we must wait and see. Meanwhile, here’s an illustration of the dangers inherent when you give something the finger.
When you look at a photo taken in Peckham, you might think where in the world is that? Surely it’s not inner London… not Zone 2? Liberia, Lagos or the Lebanon perhaps…?
A street photographer need not stick to the street. It’s veracity we’re after. So, when I spotted a party on a recent Sunday afternoon at The Hope on Rye Lane, I ventured in. I’d read about this pub and how it was fighting closure and the fate of the building being turned into a Bet Fred. The party was to mobilise the regulars. I hope they succeed in their quest. The world doesn’t need another betting shop with its shady anonymity. Long live the bonhomie of the public house.
Here’s a photo I love and is featured in 20x20 Magazine (see below). My photography is in glaring colour: I think street photography works with colour, and particularly in a place like Peckham which is so vibrant. However the magazine chose to publish them in black/white, and I’m pleasantly surprised by the effect. Actually, I think b/w is the Prince Charming of photography and colour the Buttons. I’m sticking with Buttons.
