SE6 Bellingham, Catford, Hither Green
SE6 – Out with the Old and In with New Yuppies?by G P Solomos |
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When I moved to Catford (SE6) just under twenty years ago (1988) it reminded me of Camden Town in the early 1960s. Camden Town was as working class as you could get and it had the Round House for musical and other events. Catford is also working class and lively with a new generation of creative people (e.g. The Mutoid Waste Company) scattered around because of the inexpensive accommodations available. And Catford has a full-fledged theatre (The Broadway) in the centre – fit for the grandest of concerts and plays and celebrity appearances (such as Alice Walker who drew in women from all over London and the UK). The Lewisham Town Hall was attached to the back of the Broadway theatre – making it convenient for locals to make social services contacts and pay their bills. Across the road from this complex was a large and thoroughly stocked library. And small (abstract and human-size) statues everywhere. But you wouldn’t notice them unless you live here. Plus loads of public transportation and TWO train-stations nearby. Who could ask for anything more? |
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However, my Chinese acupuncturist friend located in the Catford mews tells me there is ‘talk’ about dumbing-down Catford. They already tore down the huge cinema opposite the theatre years ago. And now they want to demolish the large handy Tescos store in front of the parking garage behind the mews. The Town Hall is slowly being diminished of much of its staff. What, you might ask, is happening? |
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Another source tells me they are doing all of this downgrade in order to re-build the entire area into some sort of GENTRIFICATION for the hoy-paloy who have crowded out such places in Camden Town and Islington in the north of London. Oh? And all the multi-raced workers now living here will be scattered as far away as possible - to make room for classy shops and expensive housing complexes in place of the garage behind Tescos? Heaven forbid. |
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But that seems the way of all good districts that have come and gone in London since WW2. Tear down the old – where most people can afford to work and live with good facilities and creative souls can flourish – to make room and space for the coming ambitious new Yuppie brigades! Ugh. |
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By G P Solomos (age 81) (publisher) 7th Jan. 2007 |
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