On the corner of Langley Lane and South Lambeth Road we find Langley Mansions . It was here at flatnumber 12 that Duse Mohamed Ali, the publisher of theAfrican Times & Orient Review and associate and mentorof the Black nationalist philosopher Marcus Garvey, wasliving in 1915. He had previously lived at number 55Victoria Mansions further down South Lambeth Roadtowards Stockwell. The African Times & Orient Reviewwas published from Fleet Street offices between 1912-1920.

Turning right at South LambethRoad, a short walk takes us toSpring Gardens onKennington Lane. From 1661 to1859 the area of Spring Gardensand Tyers Street was the locationof the popular Vauxhall PleasureGardens. In August 1848 theAfrican-American dancer MasterJuba appeared here together withthe Ethiopian Serenaders in frontof mesmerised audiences beforeperforming for Queen Victoria atBuckingham Palace. Amongother Black performers appearingat Vauxhall Pleasure Gardenswere the Siamese twins Millie andChristine Thompson (the ‘African

2

1

From the roots of carnival in Britainto the riots of 1981,Lambeth has

always been at the forefront of

London’s Black cultural life. As the site of Europe’s largest African-Caribbean street markets and cultural centres, it is still a magnet for new immigrants and visitors alike. But the influence of African-Caribbean culture in the borough is not amodern development. People of African origin have been connected to Lambeth since the late 17th century.

Lambeth’s Black History Walk traces the footsteps ofsome famous and not so famous Black Londoners. The walk should take just under two hours and issuitable for all ages as well as for those with disabilities.

Kenning

ton

Ova

l

1

2

3

5 7

6

4

10

11

9

12

13KENNINGTONPARK

KENNINGTONPARK

SPRINGGDNS

Kennington Park Road

Cam

berw

ell N

ew R

oad

Brixton Road

Clapham Road

Vassall Ro

ad

Clapham Road

PlaceSt. Agnes

Kennington Road

Har

leyf

ord

Roa

d

Kenning

ton Lane

South Lambeth Road

South Lambeth Road

Bondway

Par

ry S

tL

ang

ley

Lan

e

Meadow

Cla

ylan

ds R

oad

Fent

iman

Roa

d

Road

Vaux

hall

Brid

ge

Brixton Road

Coldharbour

Lane

Atlant

ic R

d

Railton Rd

Stockwell

Sto

ck. Pk W

k

Road

Minet Road

Knatchbull Road

Lo

ug

hb

oro

ug

hR

oad

Lilf

ord

R

oad

Loughborough Rd

Akerman Rd

Brixton RailwayStation

Brixton Tube StationOvalTubeStation

The OvalCricketGround

VauxhallCross TransportInterchangeRIVER

THAMES

StockwellTube Station

Stoc

kwel

l Par

k

Sidney Road

Ro

bsart S

t

Lan

sdo

wn

e W

ay

Road

BRIXTON

VAUXHALL

KENNINGTON

STOCKWELL

8

Twins’) in 1854 and the ridingmaster James Emidy (whosefather was the composer JosephEmidy) in 1858.

Cross Kennington Lane, turn left into Harleyford Road and continue until you arrive at TheOval Cricket Ground onyour left. In 1928 the West Indiesplayed their first test match atthis venue. During their victorious1976 tour, 291 of Viv Richards’829 runs were scored here andMichael Holding took 6 wicketsfor 57 runs. The Oval was alsothe scene of the Scottish footballteam’s historic 6-1 victory overEngland in March 1881.Captaining Scotland that daywas Andrew Watson, widely

believed to be Britain’s first black professional footballer.

Cut through the path runningalongside Stoddart House directly across the road. This will bring you out on to MeadowRoad. 6 Meadow Roadwas the home of the writer, editor and political activistClaudia Jones from 1958 to1960. Jones published The West Indian Gazette andAfro-Asian News – Britain’s firstpost-war Black newspaper. Shealso organised the yearly Caribbean celebrations inLondon that would evolve into the Notting Hill Carnival.

Backtrack down Meadow Road, turn right into ClaylandsRoad and then left in the direction of Kennington Park

. Formerly known as Kennington Common, thisstretch of green was the site of a number of Chartist gatherings throughout the spring of 1848.

5

4

3

African boy serves drinks. Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens mid 18th century.

Walkmap

500m

The Oval Cricket Ground

3

Shop on Atlantic Road

Kennington Park

5

12Did you know ?Cetawayo (the king of the Zulus) visitedthe ‘Free Library’,Kennington Lane, inAugust 1882 to view a painting of thedefence of Rorke’sDrift made famous in the film Zulu.

Did you know ?The Black actor IraAldridge (below) made his first stageappearance playingthe lead role in TheRevolt of Surinam atthe Royal CoburgTheatre (now the OldVic) in 1825.

Claudia Joneswriter, publisherand politicalactivist.

Three ChristianRevivalists livingin Lambeth in the 60s.

The JubileeSingers played at the VauxhallPleasureGardens.

Lambeth BlackHistory Walk

African-American dancer,Master Juba.

© J

ohn

Hoy

land

Black_Hist_Walk_Map_DL 11/8/06 14:33 Page 1

On the corner of Langley Lane and South Lambeth Road we find Langley Mansions . It was here at flatnumber 12 that Duse Mohamed Ali, the publisher of theAfrican Times & Orient Review and associate and mentorof the Black nationalist philosopher Marcus Garvey, wasliving in 1915. He had previously lived at number 55Victoria Mansions further down South Lambeth Roadtowards Stockwell. The African Times & Orient Reviewwas published from Fleet Street offices between 1912-1920.

Turning right at South LambethRoad, a short walk takes us toSpring Gardens onKennington Lane. From 1661 to1859 the area of Spring Gardensand Tyers Street was the locationof the popular Vauxhall PleasureGardens. In August 1848 theAfrican-American dancer MasterJuba appeared here together withthe Ethiopian Serenaders in frontof mesmerised audiences beforeperforming for Queen Victoria atBuckingham Palace. Amongother Black performers appearingat Vauxhall Pleasure Gardenswere the Siamese twins Millie andChristine Thompson (the ‘African

2

1

From the roots of carnival in Britainto the riots of 1981,Lambeth has

always been at the forefront of

London’s Black cultural life. As the site of Europe’s largest African-Caribbean street markets and cultural centres, it is still a magnet for new immigrants and visitors alike. But the influence of African-Caribbean culture in the borough is not amodern development. People of African origin have been connected to Lambeth since the late 17th century.

Lambeth’s Black History Walk traces the footsteps ofsome famous and not so famous Black Londoners. The walk should take just under two hours and issuitable for all ages as well as for those with disabilities.

Kenning

ton

Ova

l

1

2

3

5 7

6

4

10

11

9

12

13KENNINGTONPARK

KENNINGTONPARK

SPRINGGDNS

Kennington Park Road

Cam

berw

ell N

ew R

oad

Brixton Road

Clapham Road

Vassall Ro

ad

Clapham Road

PlaceSt. Agnes

Kennington Road

Har

leyf

ord

Roa

d

Kenning

ton Lane

South Lambeth Road

South Lambeth Road

Bondway

Par

ry S

tL

ang

ley

Lan

e

Meadow

Cla

ylan

ds R

oad

Fent

iman

Roa

d

Road

Vaux

hall

Brid

ge

Brixton Road

Coldharbour

Lane

Atlant

ic R

d

Railton Rd

Stockwell

Sto

ck. Pk W

k

Road

Minet Road

Knatchbull Road

Lo

ug

hb

oro

ug

hR

oad

Lilf

ord

R

oad

Loughborough Rd

Akerman Rd

Brixton RailwayStation

Brixton Tube StationOvalTubeStation

The OvalCricketGround

VauxhallCross TransportInterchangeRIVER

THAMES

StockwellTube Station

Stoc

kwel

l Par

k

Sidney Road

Ro

bsart S

t

Lan

sdo

wn

e W

ay

Road

BRIXTON

VAUXHALL

KENNINGTON

STOCKWELL

8

Twins’) in 1854 and the ridingmaster James Emidy (whosefather was the composer JosephEmidy) in 1858.

Cross Kennington Lane, turn left into Harleyford Road and continue until you arrive at TheOval Cricket Ground onyour left. In 1928 the West Indiesplayed their first test match atthis venue. During their victorious1976 tour, 291 of Viv Richards’829 runs were scored here andMichael Holding took 6 wicketsfor 57 runs. The Oval was alsothe scene of the Scottish footballteam’s historic 6-1 victory overEngland in March 1881.Captaining Scotland that daywas Andrew Watson, widely

believed to be Britain’s first black professional footballer.

Cut through the path runningalongside Stoddart House directly across the road. This will bring you out on to MeadowRoad. 6 Meadow Roadwas the home of the writer, editor and political activistClaudia Jones from 1958 to1960. Jones published The West Indian Gazette andAfro-Asian News – Britain’s firstpost-war Black newspaper. Shealso organised the yearly Caribbean celebrations inLondon that would evolve into the Notting Hill Carnival.

Backtrack down Meadow Road, turn right into ClaylandsRoad and then left in the direction of Kennington Park

. Formerly known as Kennington Common, thisstretch of green was the site of a number of Chartist gatherings throughout the spring of 1848.

5

4

3

African boy serves drinks. Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens mid 18th century.

Walkmap

500m

The Oval Cricket Ground

3

Shop on Atlantic Road

Kennington Park

5

12Did you know ?Cetawayo (the king of the Zulus) visitedthe ‘Free Library’,Kennington Lane, inAugust 1882 to view a painting of thedefence of Rorke’sDrift made famous in the film Zulu.

Did you know ?The Black actor IraAldridge (below) made his first stageappearance playingthe lead role in TheRevolt of Surinam atthe Royal CoburgTheatre (now the OldVic) in 1825.

Claudia Joneswriter, publisherand politicalactivist.

Three ChristianRevivalists livingin Lambeth in the 60s.

The JubileeSingers played at the VauxhallPleasureGardens.

Lambeth BlackHistory Walk

African-American dancer,Master Juba.

© J

ohn

Hoy

land

Black_Hist_Walk_Map_DL 11/8/06 14:33 Page 1

Retrace your steps back to Brixton Road and continuetowards the town centre.

As you approach the Stockwell Road, on your right you will see the Blue Star House office block . This building currently houses the Voice newspaper.First published in 1982, this is Britain’s longest-runningand most widely sold black periodical.

Turn right at the junction with Atlantic Road . On 13 April 1981, following aweek-long police operationwhich resulted in almost 1,000 mostly black young menbeing stopped and searched,Atlantic Road and RailtonRoad became the centre of

12

11

Leave the park via the Brixton Road exit. In theearly 18th century Brixton Road was a track connectingKennington Common to Rush Common and the pastures of Streatham Common and was known asBrixton Causeway. Between November 1722 andFebruary 1723, an individual described only as ‘theBlack woman at Brixton Causeway’ appeared to havereceived money from the parish of St. Mary’s Lambethfor herself and her ‘bastard child’. Two other blackpeople, John Duke and Henry Mundox are also mentioned during the same period. These are amongstthe earliest records of black people living in Lambeth.

250 Brixton RoadAn inconspicuous and unnumbered door currentlymarks the spot from whichthe West Indian Gazette waspublished until 1964. Duringthe late 1960s and 1970s this property also housed theoffices of the West IndianObserver as well asCampbell’s Record Shop,one of the first distributors ofAfrican-Caribbean music in South London.

Turn left here into Loughborough Road and continuestraight ahead until you reach the junction of LilfordRoad and Knatchbull Road. A left turn here will soonbring you alongside Lambeth Archives at the Minet library . Take the opportunity to examinethe archives’ Black history resources that include registers of baptisms, marriages and deaths, as wellas newspapers and literature relating to local, nationaland global Black histories. Facing the archive building is Longfield Hall .This was the home of the Darkand Light Theatre, the first government-funded Blacktheatre company in Britain to have its own building.Created by Frank Cousins in 1971, Dark and Lightperformed plays by writers from all over the Africandiaspora until he stepped down as artistic director in 1977.

10

9

8

7

Did you know ?In 1865 a crowd ofover 1,000 peoplemet at Lambeth Baths on WestminsterBridge Road todemand an inquiryinto the Morant Baymassacres inJamaica.

Did you know ?The first mention of a black person inLambeth is the baptism of John the‘sonne of AbimelechPotter’ a blackamorein 1699.

The Chartist Movementsought voting rights for alladult men, a secret ballotand payment for MPsamong other demands. The best-known rally washeld on 10 April when over 250,000 peopleassembled. The event was organised by WilliamCuffay, the black elected

leader of London’s Chartists. Seeking to ridicule themovement, the Times referred to them as ‘the blackman and his party’. A smaller Chartist demonstrationheld on 13 March broke up into rioting. Two blackmen, Benjamin Prophett and David Duffy, were identified as ringleaders.

A walk through the park will take you to St. AgnesPlace . The Rastafarian Community Centre atnumber 93 was visited throughout 1977 by the legendary reggae artist Bob Marley while he wasrecording the Exodus album.

6

Did you know ?Francis Barber, Dr Johnson’s blackmanservant wouldhave been a frequentvisitor to Lambethduring the writer’svisits to the Thralefamily in Streatham.

Unknown Lambeth family photographed at the Henry JacobsStudios in the late 60s.

three days of rioting which left 65 civilians and 300policemen injured. The‘Brixton Riots’ led to theScarman Report and theestablishment of the PoliceComplaints Authority.

Continue along Railton Roaduntil you come to number

165. Look up at the firststorey of this corner building and you will see a blueplaque to C.L.R. James. The political activist, novelist,playwright, historian and renowned cricket writer livedin the upper rooms of thisaddress from 1981 until hisdeath on 31 May 1989. One of the foremost politicaltheorists of his generation, he is best known for his work The Black Jacobins.This building also formerlyhoused the offices of Race Today.

13

Audience at the Old Vic Theatre in 1859.

Did you know ?Between 1799 and1805 a number ofyoung people fromSierra Leone wereeducated at the‘African Academy’ in Clapham.

Did you know ?The King of AshantiQuamina Kumasi was baptised on 28October 1856 at Holy Trinity ChurchClapham.

Spanish Si desea información en otro idioma, rogamos nos llame al 020 7926 9000.

PortugueseSe desejar esta informaçâo noutro idioma, favor telefonar para 020 7926 9000.

French Si vous souhaitez ces informations dans une autre langue, veuillez nous contacter au 020 7926 9000.

Bengali

Twi Se wope saa nkaeboy yi wo kasa foforo mua fre 020 7926 9000.

YorubaTí e. ba fe. ìmoràn yìí, ní èdè Òmíràn, e. jõ., e. kàn wà l’ágogo 020 7926 9000.

If you would like this information in large print, Braille, audio tape or another language please contact us on 020 7926 9000.

020 7926 9000.

Yours to exploreEnvironment and CultureLondon Borough of Lambeth2nd Floor, Blue Star House 234-244 Stockwell RoadLondon SW9 9SP

www.lambeth.gov.uk/explore

LambethBlack HistoryWalk

EVENTSPARKSSPORTARTSLIBRARIESYours to explore!

References: Lambeth Archives, Minet Library52 Knatchbull Road, London SE5 9QYBlack Cultural Archives, 1 Othello CloseKennington, London SE11 4RE

Images are reproduced by permission of Lambeth Archives. Images can also be viewed at www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/LeisureCulture/Libraries/Archives.htm

Des

ign

and

prin

t by

Lim

ehou

se

ww

w.li

meh

ouse

.co.

uk

Prin

ted

on r

ecyc

led

pape

r

Blue Plaque for C.L.R James

Black_Hist_Walk_Map_DL 11/8/06 14:33 Page 2

Retrace your steps back to Brixton Road and continuetowards the town centre.

As you approach the Stockwell Road, on your right you will see the Blue Star House office block . This building currently houses the Voice newspaper.First published in 1982, this is Britain’s longest-runningand most widely sold black periodical.

Turn right at the junction with Atlantic Road . On 13 April 1981, following aweek-long police operationwhich resulted in almost 1,000 mostly black young menbeing stopped and searched,Atlantic Road and RailtonRoad became the centre of

12

11

Leave the park via the Brixton Road exit. In theearly 18th century Brixton Road was a track connectingKennington Common to Rush Common and the pastures of Streatham Common and was known asBrixton Causeway. Between November 1722 andFebruary 1723, an individual described only as ‘theBlack woman at Brixton Causeway’ appeared to havereceived money from the parish of St. Mary’s Lambethfor herself and her ‘bastard child’. Two other blackpeople, John Duke and Henry Mundox are also mentioned during the same period. These are amongstthe earliest records of black people living in Lambeth.

250 Brixton RoadAn inconspicuous and unnumbered door currentlymarks the spot from whichthe West Indian Gazette waspublished until 1964. Duringthe late 1960s and 1970s this property also housed theoffices of the West IndianObserver as well asCampbell’s Record Shop,one of the first distributors ofAfrican-Caribbean music in South London.

Turn left here into Loughborough Road and continuestraight ahead until you reach the junction of LilfordRoad and Knatchbull Road. A left turn here will soonbring you alongside Lambeth Archives at the Minet library . Take the opportunity to examinethe archives’ Black history resources that include registers of baptisms, marriages and deaths, as wellas newspapers and literature relating to local, nationaland global Black histories. Facing the archive building is Longfield Hall .This was the home of the Darkand Light Theatre, the first government-funded Blacktheatre company in Britain to have its own building.Created by Frank Cousins in 1971, Dark and Lightperformed plays by writers from all over the Africandiaspora until he stepped down as artistic director in 1977.

10

9

8

7

Did you know ?In 1865 a crowd ofover 1,000 peoplemet at Lambeth Baths on WestminsterBridge Road todemand an inquiryinto the Morant Baymassacres inJamaica.

Did you know ?The first mention of a black person inLambeth is the baptism of John the‘sonne of AbimelechPotter’ a blackamorein 1699.

The Chartist Movementsought voting rights for alladult men, a secret ballotand payment for MPsamong other demands. The best-known rally washeld on 10 April when over 250,000 peopleassembled. The event was organised by WilliamCuffay, the black elected

leader of London’s Chartists. Seeking to ridicule themovement, the Times referred to them as ‘the blackman and his party’. A smaller Chartist demonstrationheld on 13 March broke up into rioting. Two blackmen, Benjamin Prophett and David Duffy, were identified as ringleaders.

A walk through the park will take you to St. AgnesPlace . The Rastafarian Community Centre atnumber 93 was visited throughout 1977 by the legendary reggae artist Bob Marley while he wasrecording the Exodus album.

6

Did you know ?Francis Barber, Dr Johnson’s blackmanservant wouldhave been a frequentvisitor to Lambethduring the writer’svisits to the Thralefamily in Streatham.

Unknown Lambeth family photographed at the Henry JacobsStudios in the late 60s.

three days of rioting which left 65 civilians and 300policemen injured. The‘Brixton Riots’ led to theScarman Report and theestablishment of the PoliceComplaints Authority.

Continue along Railton Roaduntil you come to number

165. Look up at the firststorey of this corner building and you will see a blueplaque to C.L.R. James. The political activist, novelist,playwright, historian and renowned cricket writer livedin the upper rooms of thisaddress from 1981 until hisdeath on 31 May 1989. One of the foremost politicaltheorists of his generation, he is best known for his work The Black Jacobins.This building also formerlyhoused the offices of Race Today.

13

Audience at the Old Vic Theatre in 1859.

Did you know ?Between 1799 and1805 a number ofyoung people fromSierra Leone wereeducated at the‘African Academy’ in Clapham.

Did you know ?The King of AshantiQuamina Kumasi was baptised on 28October 1856 at Holy Trinity ChurchClapham.

Spanish Si desea información en otro idioma, rogamos nos llame al 020 7926 9000.

PortugueseSe desejar esta informaçâo noutro idioma, favor telefonar para 020 7926 9000.

French Si vous souhaitez ces informations dans une autre langue, veuillez nous contacter au 020 7926 9000.

Bengali

Twi Se wope saa nkaeboy yi wo kasa foforo mua fre 020 7926 9000.

YorubaTí e. ba fe. ìmoràn yìí, ní èdè Òmíràn, e. jõ., e. kàn wà l’ágogo 020 7926 9000.

If you would like this information in large print, Braille, audio tape or another language please contact us on 020 7926 9000.

020 7926 9000.

Yours to exploreEnvironment and CultureLondon Borough of Lambeth2nd Floor, Blue Star House 234-244 Stockwell RoadLondon SW9 9SP

www.lambeth.gov.uk/explore

LambethBlack HistoryWalk

EVENTSPARKSSPORTARTSLIBRARIESYours to explore!

References: Lambeth Archives, Minet Library52 Knatchbull Road, London SE5 9QYBlack Cultural Archives, 1 Othello CloseKennington, London SE11 4RE

Images are reproduced by permission of Lambeth Archives. Images can also be viewed at www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/LeisureCulture/Libraries/Archives.htm

Des

ign

and

prin

t by

Lim

ehou

se

ww

w.li

meh

ouse

.co.

uk

Prin

ted

on r

ecyc

led

pape

r

Blue Plaque for C.L.R James

Black_Hist_Walk_Map_DL 11/8/06 14:33 Page 2