Quite interesting ride on my Orange Titanium Brompton - Part 3

Hello there! I finally managed to write the final part of this ride that took place a few weeks ago. At the end I will provide links for parts 1 and 2 if you have not seen them. 

11, Bonnington Square, Vauxhall.

A quaint slice of London with a history as colourful as the flowerbeds tended by its residents. Built back in the 1870s to house railway workers, this little enclave quickly found its feet - or should I say, its roots?

Fast forward to the late 1970s when the Greater London Council (GLC) had grand plans to raze this nostalgic patch for a shiny new school. But wait! Enter our unlikely hero—a shopkeeper who, in a courtroom drama worthy of Shakespeare, thwarted the demolition plans just as tenants were packing up to leave. Cue the squatters, who moved in faster than you can say “property market”. By the 1980s, Bonnington Square was bustling with self-declared residents zipping about as if they owned the place—because, well, they sort of did!

These enterprising souls rolled up their sleeves to create a vegetarian café, a community garden planted on WWII ruins, a bar, and even a nightclub (because why not?). They didn’t stop there, forming a housing cooperative that negotiated its way to success, managing to snag the lease for the buildings. 

And in 1990, with a nod to nostalgia, they reinvented the garden into the whimsically named “Pleasure Garden”. By 1998, the buildings were firmly in the hands of the cooperative, sealing Bonnington Square’s fate as a vibrant hub. So, if you past, don’t be surprised if you feel like you've entered an exotic paradise complete with the charm of a very unusual community!

12 Lambeth Walk.

A delightful jaunt through history and musical mayhem. Picture this: a lively song floats through the air, and suddenly, you're summoned to join in on the antics of a merry band of characters, all inspired by the classic musical "Me and My Girl." It's almost as if the very cobblestones beneath your feet are dancing!

The history of this street is a tale of transformation. In 1938, it was a thriving hub with 159 shops catering to every need, including 11 butchers, a bird dealer and two eel and pie shops (one featuring a tank of live eels)! The vibrant market, particularly busy on Saturdays, stretched along the road, offering an array of fruits, vegetables, and second-hand clothes. However, during World War II, the street's unfortunate location, quite close to the centre of government, led to damage from bombs. This marked the beginning of a slow decline for the street as a commercial and social centre. Today, only a few Victorian shop buildings remain, while the famous Lambeth Walk Street Market has all but vanished. As I cycled past, I could not get the first few lines of the song out of my head. If you should cycled or walk down it, as soon as you see the road sign, the same fate may befall you! 

13, 57, Roupell Street.

Almost hiding away behind the bustling Waterloo Station, you'll uncover Roupell Street, a delightful time capsule of late Georgian worker's cottages that has managed to dodge the jaws of urban development, The Blitz, and the whims of city planners. 

As you saunter down the quaint street, be prepared to feel as though you've been transported back in time. The traditional lamps almost flicker softly, and you might even spot an occasional vintage car that looks like it’s auditioning for a role in a period drama. (Many have been filmed here).

It was laid out in 1824 by John Roupell, a metal merchant with an apparent penchant for self-promotion, as he whimsically named the surrounding streets after his family—including John Street and Catherine Street. They were later renamed, thankfully, as perhaps the locals thought ‘Roupell Town’ was a tad excessive!

Imagine the hustle and bustle of yesteryears, with up to 20 people crammed into modest four-room homes. Builders, bakers, and the occasional teacher would brush shoulders in this tight-knit community.

After the Great Fire of 1666, fire insurance tycoons sprouted, making clients display plaques on their homes. Should a fire occur, their ‘private fire-fighting team’ would spring into action. If you didn't have one like the Atlas plaque on number 57, they would not. There was however some instances where they would sell you insurance on the spot, while the fire was raging! 

 

14, Ayres Street,

Alice Ayres, born in 1865, was a notable figure in the Victorian era, primarily recognised for her selfless act of bravery in saving the lives of three children during a fire in 1885. This incident occurred in a house in the suburb of Lambeth, London, where Ayres was employed as a governess. On the night of the tragedy, a fire broke out, threatening the lives of the children under her care.

Despite the dense smoke and flames engulfing the building, Ayres exhibited remarkable courage. She successfully evacuated the children one by one, ensuring their safety. Tragically, in her final attempt to rescue a child, she was overcome by smoke inhalation and lost her life. Her heroic actions were widely reported in the press at the time, leading to public admiration.

Following the incident, Alice Ayres was posthumously honoured with various tributes, including  Ayres Street being named after her and a memorial tile placed in Postman's Park 

As always, a very special thanks to Ross for his excellent route and for always finding something that I have never heard of. (He really could do this for a living). 

Hopefully, he will have lots of ideas for 2026 (I think he has) and in the meantime I will have to get out as as usual explore some interesting locations myself. 

Please click the following two links if you want to read the first two parts of this series:

Part 1 CLICK HERE

Part 2 CLICK HERE

Until next time, stay safe out there people!