The Marquis of Camberwell Green

Posted on August 8, 2026 by John

The Marquis of Camberwell Green was a music hall song performed by TW (Thomas William) Barrett with the words written by Harry Boden and music by ER Shrosberry. It was published by Francis Bros and Day of Oxford St, London. The sheet music sold for 3p.

TW Barrett was born in 1851 according to Wikipedia the son of a shoemaker who ran away from home to join the Harry Clifford concert party. He made his 1st appearance at Harwood’s Varieties in Hoxton in 1878.

His Style was to perform in a deadpan manner and he was billed as a Nobleman’s Son, one of his popular songs. The Billing reads I am a Nobleman’s son, who only sings for a hobby and to see a little life.

The Marquis of Camberwell Green is 1st mentioned in adverts placed by TW Barrett and his agent A Maynard in the London and Provincial Entr’acte in 1884, a trade newspaper for the Music hall industry.

Click to enlarge

Tripe dresser – someone who cleans, boils and prepares animal stomachs for cooking.

Masher – a flamboyant well dressed young an who fancied himself a ladies man, agressively flirting in theatres. Sporting dapper fashions including Top Hat and Stiff collars and holding a walking stick

Downiest Dude – sharp-witted, knowing , alert , street smart fellow.

Gusher/Rusher – gusher is someone who talks a lot and a rusher hurries, act’s quickly, always in a hurry.

TW Barrett was a favourite of Walter Sickert who sketched him a number times, the following from the Walker Art Gallery, WAG 5146

His career somewhat faded in the early 20th century, though returned as part of the Veterans of Variety tour in the 1930s.

He died in 1935 and is buried at the Anfield Cemetary.

Posted in Camberwell, Camberwell Green, Music, Music Hall | Leave a comment

Loughborough-Junction.org stats update

Posted on July 31, 2026 by John

Since I started this blog in April 2015, we have had 25,100 visitors reading just under 50,000 posts. A big thank you to all my visitors.

John

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Loughborough Park Congregational Church – part 5

Posted on April 30, 2026 by John

Just want to add two new images that I have come across. The first is an postcard photo of the front of Loughborough Park Congregational Church facing Loughborough Junction Railway Station on Coldharbour Lane. It is from the Linksey collection.

Rev David Abraham Herschell was minister at Loughborough Park Congregational church from it’s inception in 1860. He lived at No 4 Overton Road from 1865 through to 1904, where he passed on 9th June, aged 81 years..

This image is a street scene showing the east side of Overton Road on which someone had marked in red ink No 4. Unfortunately it was only an image and not the actual postcard so I wasn’t able to see the reverse side.

Overton Road ran parallel to Brixton Road off Loughborough Road and is now part of the Angell town Estate.

You can check out all my Loughborough Park Congregational Church posts by clicking on categories.

Posted in Churches, Coldharbour Lane, Loughborough Junction, Loughborough Park Congregational Church, Old Photos, Streets & Roads | Leave a comment

Ruskin Park: Birds and Birdsong

Posted on March 31, 2026 by John

Since I added the Merlin Bird ID app to my phone on January 19th 2026, I have once a week being recording Birdsong for 5 Minutes at both the Pond and the Wild Garden. To date I have recorded 27 different birds. As from 24th April 2026 the total is now 29 species. The Most often recorded were

Less often recorded

White Wagtail

And for one day only on February 24th 2026, arrived on it’s own and left later that day.

Two more to add to the list this week, people had told me about the Woodpecker for a while but I had never heard it until this week, week beginning 20th April 2026.

The Merlin Bird ID app developed by Cornel Lab https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

The Bird images are from the RSPB https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/a-z

Posted in Camberwell, Denmark Hill, Nature, Ruskin Park | Leave a comment

Interesting Loughborough Junction Postcard … Reed & Son, 221 Coldharbour Lane

Posted on March 12, 2026 by John

The first occupant of 221 CL, at that time known as 2 Lothian Terrace & renumbered 221 Coldharbour Lane in the general street renumbering on 7th August 1874. In 1856 Lothian Terrace was finished and Ashley Cooper Key, who was a chemist, moved in, he was there for 35 years. This of course follows the completion of Loughborough Junction Train Station in October 1864, and the beginnings of massive development in Loughborough Junction. He was followed by Charles Boatwright who was a florist for 8 years until 1903.

The butchers opened as Reed Bros in 1904 though the fascia in the photo says Reed & Son. They lasted until 1936 when the butchers was aquired by Alfred William Brooker for three years until 1938 and then for one year by Henry William Lohr.

Here is another street view postcard franked in November 1906

Here is an advertisment for Reed & Son placed in the Empire Picture Theatre programme March 1916. The Empire was the renamed Theatre Metropole on the corner of Coldharbour Lane and Denmark Hill where Nandos is now. It tells us the Reed & Son had a second business in Waterloo Road, Camberwell.

Business on this terrace located at 219, 221 & 223 Coldharbour Lane were severely damaged by WW11 bomb attack in 1942, the damage classed as damaged beyond repair. The first two buildings 215 & 217 CL just after the Railway arches survived, now used as private residences.

A low rise building was erected and in the 1970s this building was used by Nelson’s Homeopathic Pharmacy as their manufacturing plant before moving on to Wimbledon in 1986. The plant went all the way back up Hinton Road. They have their own Pharmacy in Duke Street London W1 and also supply own label to Boots and Tesco & Duchy Originals. Before them it was home to Balfour & Darwins Ltd, alloy manufacturers

The current Occupant of 219 & 221 & 223 is Floor Fashion & before them at least since 2008 Furnitiure Warehouse.

Photo from 2020, unknown. If this is your photo please get in touch and I will credit.

In 2020 GLPC, Gabriella Property Consultants, proposed a development of this site which included a new building on the corner and new retail units going back up Hinton Road. In the end only the Hinton Road retail units were built and the Apartment block with 8 apartments on 4 stories was not. Here is the GLPC development visualisation.

Posted in Coldharbour Lane, Loughborough Junction, Shops | Tagged , | Leave a comment

What’s with all the coffee shops in Loughborough Junction in 2026

Posted on January 15, 2026 by John

For almost all my near 50 years living in Loughborough Junction, we had to survive without coffee shops. You could have takeaway coffee if you used Johnnies, Sem Cafe or Joel’s Barney Cafe but they were mostly for all day eating. Johnnies & Sem still survive but Barney’s has long gone.

Tawakal Internet cafe, at 204 Coldharbour Lane was our 1st arrival, between Flaxman Road and the Train station, probably around 2007, my memory might be faulty on this and closed in 2023. I never used it so have little detail. Older folks might remember it as the location for Standivan Radio & TV shop, later called Milkwood Radio & TV.

In 2013, Blue Turtle cafe arrived at 210 Coldharbour Lane, Google AI calls it a quirky, well-loved independent, photo by Kake, Sept 2017. It is now home to Visualise it First, Art cafe and events and studio space.

Four Boroughs opened their second cafe in Coldharbour Works, corner of Coldharbour Lane and Shakespeare Road in February 2021. Photo by John, January 2026.

Next to arrive in 2023 is The Travel Caffe at 228 Coldharbour Lane, next to the Loughborough Road railway bridge, previous home to Fikal Fabrics and Superdry Cleaners. Photo taken from their instagram page.

In April, 2024, saw the arrival of Viv’s Coffee at 198 Coldharbour Lane. My regular coffee visit with great coffee and great people. Photo, unknown.

Also in 2024, Frsssh juice bar opened up also serving coffee and cake in the corner of 184 Coldharbour Lane, next to Pomfret Road. Photo by John.

Two new arrivals in 2026.

Firstly in one of the new units on Hinton Road opposite the Green Man, Stoop Coffee, opened in January2026. Serving coffee and sandwichs. they are part of the Arcade Coffee group which has other shops in Herne Hill Station and Brockley Station. Photo by John.

And currently under fitting out is LJ Grind at 204 Coldharbour Lane taking on a space which has long been empty. Photo by John.

You can also grab a coffee at Perks and White on the platform at Loughborough Junction Station, it’s not always open. They also have outlets at Herne Hill Station both in the Station and on the platform and in Tulse Hill. Photo by John, apologies for the closed photo. March 2026, a notice appeared on the shutter announcing the permanent closure of this branch.

Two other places to mention are the brand new Carnegie Cafe and Community Lounge in the Carnegie Library on Herne Hill Road and The Platform Cafe on Loughborough Road, a community kitchen and event space. Part of the Loughborough Junction Action Group. Lovely vegetarian food and I am a regular visitor.

Finally to mention Old Spike Roastery in LJ Works, on Loughborough Road, a social enterprise, they roast coffee here to supply their seven cafes across London.

Also NISA have a coffee machine in their store for those that want.

I forgot to include Bad Brew Inc at 86 Coldharbour Lane. Photo from their instagram.

And last but by no means least, The Ruskin Park Cafe which opened in 2012, which is located between the children’s paddling pool and the play area at the Northway Road entrance to the park.. It’s mostly opened through the warmer months and during the winter at weekends. Photo from the Friends of Ruskin Park website.

Posted in Cafes, Coldharbour Lane, Loughborough Junction, Shops | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Alley Cat by Alan Harris

Posted on December 31, 2024 by John

Two paintings by Alan Harris, both have the same subject. The first is called The Cat Alley, and features the walkway between Barrington Road and Ridgeway Road. Sometimes known as Orphan Alley, as it was next to The Brixton Orphanage for Fatherless Girls which closed in 1936.

The second , I think is titled Alley Cat

You can check out Alan’s work on his website

https://alansartgallery.co.uk/

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Keith Coventry, Thorland Estate, 1992

Posted on November 19, 2024 by John

Keith Coventry is a well established artist , who graduated from the Chelsea School of Art in 1982. Amongst his many works, is this painting of the Thorland Estate sign, part of a series of Southwark based Estate signs. Later repeated in 1996 with an East London series.

The Thorland Estate runs down one side of Denmark Road, along Carew Street and part of Lilford Road, south of the railway line.

http://keithcoventry.com/

Posted in Paintings & Drawings, Streets & Roads | 1 Comment

Denmark Place Baptist Church by Margaret J Cheffins

Posted on August 29, 2023 by John

This Oil Painting by Margaret J Cheffins (signed M Cheffins) is undated, but probably circa 1960s/1970s is a new addition to my local art collection.

Posted in Camberwell, Churches, Coldharbour Lane, Denmark Hill, Paintings & Drawings | 1 Comment

More Street Poetry on Loughborough Road

Posted on May 31, 2023 by John

Two more photos featuring street poetry outside Loughborough Farm on Loughborough Road. Also featured a fantastic Bug Hotel.

Posted in Loughborough Road, Poetry, Streets & Roads, The Written Word | Tagged | Leave a comment