On 23rd May 2015, we followed up last year’s Bombs to BMX talk on the history of the the area by bringing the account of the making of the park almost up to date. Once again, we were privileged to have an auspicious line-up of guests, and the panel included some of the key players from the park’s growing years:

David Sadler MBE (former Burgess Park Manager) Joyce Bellamy OBE (GLC Parks Department) and Robert Hadfield (former vice-chair of Groundwork Southwark), chaired admirably by Barbara Pattinson (Chair of SE5 Forum)

David Sadler kicked things off in a relaxed style with his own memories of the challenges of running the park day to day. Metaphorically and literally down to earth stuff. He’d been Deputy Park Manager (working for the London County Council) for a few years in the 1960s and recalled helping plant some of the very first trees of what was then known as the “North Camberwell Open Space”. It would eventually be renamed Burgess Park – even though, as he later recounted, if the local schools had had their way, it would universally have been named Georgie Best Park.

Schools involvement was later a big part of his work – the nature area on Cobourg road for instance, where school groups were invited along to study wildlife reclaiming a bomb-site.

Having moved on to work in West Kensington, no less, it was a call from out of the blue that queued up a mystery promotion opportunity. It proved, of course, to be Burgess Park. Despite some friendly dismay (“why do you want to go there? it’s not even a park!?”), David returned to Camberwell, and the streets he’d known as a boy, now as Parks Manager. He would stay throughout the 70s, until the abolition of the GLC in 1986, when “we all found ourselves very suddenly out of a job”. But before then there were colourful stories of run-ins with the Richardsons on Neate Street, Cypriot festivals, discoveries of warehouses full of contraband whisky and even a proud turning point visit from the Duke of Edinburgh himself in 1985 – rudely derailed by the Brixton Riots.

Joyce Bellamy followed – always engaging, and once again on fine form. Joyce gave a very clear account of the painstaking piecemeal acquisition of land that went to build up the green space – over literally decades. She recalled the sheer scale of endeavour involved in decontaminating every inch of acquired ground – like the creosote contaminated ex-timber-yard plots. Over in Addington Square there’d been a scientific instrument makers, painting dials with glow-in the-dark paint, where “the soil in that area ticked when it was tested” [for radioactivity, with a Geiger counter]. The square, she noted as an aside, lacks tall trees in the centre to this day, because of the air raid shelter beneath it.

As ever Joyce displayed her usual knack for marrying big ideas to on-the-ground details, such as the local impact of the Civic Amenities Act, and recalling a later period “when the police had seemingly decided that all trees harbour muggers”. But her overarching tone was clear – one of quiet pleasure in seeing the park today blooming, and especially looking so well used.

Robert Hadfield’s take reflected a later age, where grand visions were viewed a little more warily. Southwark Council had acquired the park rather suddenly in the mid 80s, and it seems initially nobody was quite sure what to do with it. Robert recalled with horror some of the dubious past plans (all thankfully fought off) to sell off plots of park land, noting in hindsight how they’d always occurred in June, July, & August when there were no Council meetings and the officers ran riot… There was almost a touch of W1A farce in some of the stories, including one of a war memorial being nicked, then spotted on the back of a lorry in east London and chased into the suburbs, later to be returned to its spot in front of St George’s church. On the surreal landscape of residual derelict buildings awaiting outright demolition, was the observation that they provided both hazard and resource alike – to  eagle-eyed Robert on the lookout for a bit of skirting board or spare parts from the car-breakers’ yards.

But Robert’s overall theme was a cheerful reminder – that despite the highs and lows, and even the odd collective ghastly moment, the park always has been used and enjoyed by thousands, day-in day-out.

After a brief interval with refreshments and exhibition, the second half was given over to a lively audience question session. It was great to see a few familiar faces in the audience, such as Tim Charlesworth (author of “THE STORY OF BURGESS PARK – FROM AN INTRIGUING PAST TO A BRIGHT FUTURE”, and a memorable guest speaker last year), and the good folk of the Walworth Society.

We hope the supporting exhibition went down well – our thanks to Southwark Local History Library & Archive for permission to reproduce some of the images.

Finally a word of thanks to the Wells Way Pop-Up, who hosted us beautifully, providing seating and café.

Listen to Part 1 – presentations from the three speakers, following introductions from Susan Crisp – Friends of Burgess Park and Chair Barbara Pattinson – chair of SE5 Forum:

Listen to Part 2 – Questions from the floor:

2-4pm, 23^rd May 2015

Wells Way Pop Up, The Old Library, 39 Wells Way, London SE5 OPX

The story of the post-war creation of Burgess Park, told by some of the prime instigators. A free Friends of Burges Park Heritage Event, as part of the Chelsea Fringe (donations gratefully received).

Come and join in the conversation with Joyce Bellamy, OBE, former head of parks for GLC, Dave Sadler, former park manager, Robert Hadfield, formerly with Groundwork.

 

The chat will be illustrated with images, maps, brochures and newsletters showing the development of the park from its WWII bomb site beginnings through the multi-million pound 2010 make-over to the present day.

There’ll be light refreshments available from the on-site cafe. This is a free Friends of Burgess Park Heritage Event, as part of the Chelsea Fringe festival (donations gratefully received).

Buses 343 and 136 (Elephant and Castle/Peckham/Lewisham) go almost to the door. Wells Way Pop Up is not fully accessible to wheelchair users: The access to the building is up 7 stone stairs and there are no level access toilet facilities in the building. If you can manage the entry steps and the steps to/from the basement level, we can assist with your access requirements.

Please help us plan for the day by registering on Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-making-of-a-modern-park-tickets-16526271523

For more information, contact: friendsofburgesspark@gmail.com

The Bridge to Nowhere heritage project continued apace in February, with a packed gathering, organised by the Friends of Burgess Park of locals, enthusiasts, and experts, all celebrating the park’s rich history together.

With fascinating talks delivered by our three leading published local historians – Stephen Humphrey, John Beasley and Tim Charlesworth – and a healthy hubbub of shared memories and stories, there was much to enjoy – not to mention photos, maps and refreshments.

The Friends are currently developing a heritage trail to be launched later this year, and would love to hear from you if you’re interested in getting involved.

Please contact: friendsofburgesspark@gmail.com

I moustache you a question.
Why all the moustaches?

To tell people the story about Burgess Park’s development from a built-up area that over 60 years has been transformed into the park. And the moustaches are for the heavily moustachioed and bearded characters from the past. And FUN for people when trying out our historical cutout characters. The moustaches and the characters first appeared at the May Fair where our project was launched.

The Chumleigh Gardens Open Squares weekend 8/9 June 2013, saw the return of our temporary heritage trail, also excellent music from choirs to jazz, gardening in the heart garden, guided tours with the head gardener Mark Cox and a silkscreen bag printing workshop with Art in the Park. On Sunday Peckham Theatre came to visit Burgess Park for a fundraising walk.