Brixton Society Newsletters

Our Newsletters are published quarterly and the most recent was distributed to members by a dedicated team of volunteers in Brixton or by post to members further afield. We also distribute our newsletter electronically by email. Electronic distribution saves us printing (and, in some cases, postage) costs. It also means that members can receive a […]

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering is a great way to make new friends, learn new skills, and give something back to the community. Two local groups are currently looking for new volunteers and both will provide the necessary training. The Friends of Windmill Gardens is looking for volunteers for a variety of rôles and the number of opportunities will […]

Somerleyton Road update

Archaeological work by Historic England is about to start in Somerleyton Road prior to building works. A copy of the “Written Scheme of Investigation” may be downloaded from here. This gives interesting background information and an outline of the digs that will be undertaken.

Stan & Ollie

The film Stan & Ollie, now on general release, is set in Laurel & Hardy’s tour of Britain in 1953-54. At the beginning, they were not to know that this was to be their final tour anywhere. One of their engagements was at the Empress Theatre, Brixton, for  the week beginning Monday, 16th November 1953. […]

Quin & Axtens

Our photograph shows the Quin & Axtens building before its 1926/7 rebuild. The “new” building was largely destroyed by wartime bombing in 1941. It was rebuilt from the remaining shell after the war with offices above shops – the building we see today. Now known more prosaically as 414-426 Brixton Road, it is facing another […]

plaque for Archbishop Romero

Archbishop Óscar Romero canonised

Archbishop Óscar Romero of El Salvador is remembered locally in the name of Romero Close, off Stockwell Road, and in the plaque to his memory installed there. He was murdered while celebrating Mass in 1980 and has now been declared a saint by Pope Francis. The plaque is listed with others in our local history […]

Local History Talk

Our next event in the Lambeth Heritage Festival programme ( ) is a talk about “Windrush Square” by our Secretary, Alan Piper. It is tomorrow, Thursday 13th September at  7:00 pm in the Vida Walsh Centre, 2b Saltoun Road (opposite the Town Hall).

New Local History Book

Our latest local history publication is The Tate Library, Brixton. It tells the story of how the library came to be built and the benefactor, Henry Tate, who caused it to happen. For more details, please go to our Publications page.

Lambeth Local History Fair

We will have a stall at this year’s Lambeth Local History Fair on Saturday 1st September. It is being held in the Omnibus Theatre, 1 Clapham Common Northside, SW4 0QW from 10:15 to 4:15. Do come and see us there. There will also be many other stalls; refreshments available; and the Clapham Old Town Fair […]

Cinema Museum Campaign

As part of the ongoing campaign to save the Cinema Museum, they are holding a public meeting to update everyone on developments. It is on the evening of the 3rd September; details here: