Memories

F W Evans, the cycle shop, began in Lambeth and then thrived as a single shop in Kennington, from 1921. The chain now has 50 stores from Plymouth to Glasgow, selling and repairing bikes and acting as a hub for the cycling community. Here TOBY PORTER looks at its history, including an interesting correspondence founder Frederick had with one of his regular clients.

Peter Tatchell is a gay, human rights activist whose name was vilified by the right-wing press during the Bermondsey by-election in 1983. The Liberal candidate Simon Hughes’ canvassers wore badges saying “Which Queen are you voting for?” As a new documentary, Hating Peter Tatchell, comes out on Netflix, XINDI WEI looks at the life of the man who organised London’s first gay pride march in 1972.

Postcards penned by a renowned war poet were found stuffed inside books donated to a charity shop.

Sunday, June 6 marks the 100th anniversary of Southwark Bridge – which will be lit up for the occasion. It has survived a bombing during the Blitz, witnessed tragedy on the Thames and appeared in a Harry Potter film. TOBY PORTER tells its story.

The Mitford sisters have been a source of constant drama, wit and political intrigue since their youth in the early 1900s, most recently shown in the BBC adaptation of Nancy Mitford’s The Pursuit of Love, which draws heavily on their family life.

Steven Harris felt like he had hit the jackpot when he got a job tuning and fixing pianos in Harrods department store after spending most of his life in care and coming out with no qualifications.

David Jones, a poet and painter who was acknowledged as an influence by such English titans as T S Eliot and Graham Greene, was inspired by his Brockley home and by his religion.

10 years ago
Streets will come to a standstill to mark the passing of a woman whose mistaken shooting sparked a riot. Cherry Groce’s last journey through Brixton takes place this morning.

From Brockley to Arsenal: Ian Wright recalls his childhood in South London for the BBC documentary, writes Francesca Casonato

Invading Russia is never a good idea, as Napoleon, whose 200th anniversary was on May 5, discovered.
But his nephew, Napoleon III, who ruled France from 1848 to 1870, tried just as foolish a feat, invading Bismark’s Prussia. GWEN LARDNER tells the story.

Campaigners held a rally outside a Government office before marching to Downing Street in a last-ditch plea to save their libraries.