Colette Wilson jailed for South Lambeth Road road deaths

The BBC reports that Colette Wilson, the driver responsible for the deaths of two pedestrians on South Lambeth Road in August 2008, has been jailed for five years. She fell asleep while driving back from the Notting Hill Carnival. Her large minibus mounted the pavement on South Lambeth Road, killing Azra Podrug, 35, and Zorana Stanic, 22. She was banned for driving for six years and will have to retake her driving test.

Vauxhall book - event at Tate Library, South Lambeth Road

Ross Davies will be signing copies at the launch event for his new history of Vauxhall at the Tate Library, South Lambeth Road, on 2 December 2009 at 7pm.

Ross says: “What do most of who live, work or play in Vauxhall have in common? That we don’t know all that much about the place. I'd long wanted a breezy book about its history for myself, for the children, or as a present-cum-souvenir for friends, family, visitors – but one never appeared. So I wrote it myself!”

On 2 December, he will say more about the history of the book and how it came to be written.

Ross Davies: Vauxhall: A Little History
2 December, 7pm
Tate Library
180 South Lambeth Road
London SW8 1QP
Tel: 020 7926 0705

You can get copies from bookstores and newsstands including
Book Warehouse, 158 Waterloo Road (next to Waterloo Station)
The Kennington Bookshop, 306 Kennington Road
Quids In, 80 Brixton Road (next to the Post Office)
Vauxhall Station Newsstand
Tony's Deli at the corner of Fentiman Road and South Lambeth Road
You can also get copies from the publisher at nineelmspress(at)aol(dot)com

Vauxhall: A Little History
The Nine Elms Press
ISBN 978-0-9561993-0-0
£8.99

Tom Hollander to star in Kennington parish comedy

According to The Times, BBC will show a new series in early 2010 set in an inner-city parish not a million miles from here.

Tom Hollander, star of In the Loop and Desperate Romantics, helped to create the series and plays Mr Smallbone, newly promoted from a sleepy rural parish to the “socially divided” St Botolph’s in Kennington, South London... He must tend to urban sophisticates, the chronically lonely, the homeless, drug addicts, the lost, the poor and, occasionally, the insane.

All Gas and Gaiters, it ain't.

Luis Fernandes Sabogal charged with Daniel Duke murder

The BBC reports that 19-year-old Luis Fernandes Sabogal from Walworth has been charged with the murder of Daniel Duke (aka Mimer) in Kennington on Monday evening.

Remembrance Sunday at Stockwell War Memorial

This morning's ceremony at 11am at Stockwell War Memorial was well attended by the Services, families of current service personnel, relatives of some of those named on the memorial, officials, MP Kate Hoey and dignitaries. A moving occasion had added poignancy - one of the wreaths was laid by the nephew of a Serviceman recently killed in action overseas.
Click on first picture and then use Next image arrow.

19-year-old arrested for Daniel Duke murder

The BBC has a story on the arrest of a 19-year-old for the murder of Daniel Duke aka Mimer in Kennington on Monday.

Tuesday's library protest

South London Press also carries a story (page 18) on the protest at the Tate Library, South Lambeth Road. A bout of staff sickness forced it to close early and without notice recently. It's sad that, judging from the picture, only six people showed up for the protest, at least three of them councillors.

South London Press: Daniel Duke story

Yesterday's South London Press has a story on page 2 about the murder on Monday of Daniel Duke ("Mimer") in Kennington. Floral tributes have been laid at the scene.

Bake in business: Di Lieto's new bakery opens on Monday

Yes, it's true - they're back with us! The esteemed Di Lieto family will be opening their brand new bakery shop on Monday 9 November 2009. It's on the corner of Brixton Road and South Island Place, just behind the kitchen shop.

Hours are 7am to 7pm (approx - and not Sundays), says head baker Giovanni Di Lieto - so you can pick up your goodies either on the way to work or on the way back. Your choice.


Expect the usual high standards.

Tonight, the Di Lietos celebrated their return with a party for grateful customers - we had a chance to sample - and remember - excellent bread, pizza, cooked meat and cheese.

BTW: Giovanni told Stockwell News that the premises (which the family has owned since 1982) was formerly a bakery - Willsons. More on this in a later post.

Kennington murder victim named as Daniel Duke, 22

The BBC has a short piece (including picture) on this murder. Daniel Duke was shot in Alberta Street, London SE17 on Monday evening and staggered into Ambergate Street. He later died in hospital.

Polite reminder: Comments are welcome, but please don't make allegations. Even if you sincerely believe them to be true. They may well be absolutely on the nail - but how can I possibly know? I cannot publish libel. Equally, abuse is not welcome as it is not constructive. This is the reason I have held certain comments back. If you know the identity of the perpetrator of any crime or have useful evidence and feel unable to speak to the police I recommend you call Crimestoppers. Sorry to sound bossy but you know how it is...

Stockwell: 2 community meetings on 26 November 2009

6.00-8.00pm
“Community Assets in Stockwell”
Presentations and discussion on Lambeth Council and National Programmes’ possible impacts on Stockwell

8.00-9.30pm

Stockwell Forum

26 November 2009
TDA building
211 Clapham Road
(opposite Stockwell tube station)

Murder in Alberta Street, Kennington

Press Association has reported that a 22-year-old man has been shot in Alberta Street, Kennington SE17 yesterday, Monday 2 November, at about 7pm. He was found in Ambergate Street and taken to hospital where he died at around 1am.

William Dobbins - a story from St Mark's War Memorial

In 1916 on the Western Front, Rifleman William Dobbins was tried and found guilty by an Army court of striking his superior officer and using improper language to him. He was sentenced to five years penal servitude, but he was forgiven and his name appears in the National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918.

Read more about this local bad boy, whose name appears on the war memorial at St Mark's Church, Kennington Oval, and his family at www.stockwellwarmemorial.co.uk.

Your local Women's Institute

Contrary to newspaper reports earlier this week, the new, cool Women's Institute is not arriving in Stockwell, or Brixton at the moment.

However, the Clapham meets on the first Tuesday of the month (today!) at 7:30pm at St Paul's Church Hall, Rectory Grove, London SW4 0DX.

Contact Denize on 020 7771 7130 for more details.

Vauxhall: A Little History - available to buy

You can now get copies of Ross Davies' new history of Vauxhall from bookstores and newsstands including

Book Warehouse, 158 Waterloo Road (next to Waterloo Station)
The Kennington Bookshop, 306 Kennington Road
Quids In, 80 Brixton Road (next to the Post Office)
Vauxhall Station Newsstand

Vauxhall: A Little History
The Nine Elms Press
ISBN 978-0-9561993-0-0
£8.99
You can also get copies from the publisher at nineelmspress (at) aol (dot) com

De Menezes drama opens at Battersea Arts Centre on Tuesday 3 November

Paul Unwin and Sarah Beck's drama This Much Is True, which draws on new testimony from Jean Charles de Menezes' family and friends as well as from senior officers, Justice4Jean campaigners, lawyers and eyewitnesses, opens tomorrow (Tuesday 3 November 2009) at Theatre503, Battersea.

This Much Is True
27 October 2009- 21 November 2009
Theatre503
Latchmere Pub
503 Battersea Park Road
London SW11 3BW
020 7978 7040

Protest at the Tate Library, South Lambeth Road, Tuesday 3 November

Councillor Andrew Sawdon has organised a demo outside the Tate Library on Tuesday 3 November at 11.30am to protest against the lack of staff. The library was closed last Saturday and part of Monday because Lambeth was unable to provide enough staff to cover for those off sick with flu.

Tony Ogazi - the impact of his murder

The Mirror has published a piece looking at the effect of courtroom impact statements on the relatives of victims.

Rosie Ogazi, who lost her brother Tony, is quoted. Stockwell music student Tony Ogazi was murdered in Walworth in May 2008.

Stockwell Women's Institute - yes, really!

A recent revival in interest in the Women's Institute means that there could soon be a branch of the WI in Stockwell, and for that matter in Brixton, says the Evening Standard.

There's already a branch in Clapham, meeting at St Paul's Church.

Just put your assumptions and prejudices to one side for a moment, and remember that the WI's aim is to "play a unique role in providing women with educational opportunities and the chance to build new skills, to take part in a wide variety of activities and to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities." Could be a great opportunity for thousands of women in Stockwell...

Naturally, any branch in south London would probably be more inner-city stylee than jam-making, but I could be wrong.

I have asked the WI for details of the branches and will update you when I get them.

More retro pictures of Stockwell from Bob Smith

Click on the images for slide show. Click on background to return to main page.
Photos © Bob Smith - All rights reserved.

Man wanted for Ryan Bennett shooting arrested

The BBC reports that a 27-year-old man wanted in connection with the shooting of 15-year-old Ryan Bennett has given himself up by walking in to a south London police station yesterday evening. Ryan was shot on 9 October and remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.