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Hidden Gem: The Victorian bollard dubbed ‘the silent sentinel’ By Herbie Russell
Southwark News, Thursday February 23 2023
‘All in a day’s work’: exhibition ‘with a twist’ to mark anniversary of war in Ukraine
herbie@southwarknews.co.uk A little-known Victorian bollard has been silently protecting Walworth pedestrians from horses, carts and automobiles for roughly 100 years.
© Southwark Notes
Dubbed the ‘silent sentinel’ by social media users, the zebra-striped iron protrusion sits at the east end of Iliffe Street near the Pullens Estate. Its exact birthday is unknown but its ornate features and hallmark suggest Queen Victoria reigned when it was constructed. While the untrained eye might pass over this discreet symbol of a by-gone age, it has gained a reputation among bollard enthusiasts. Bollard blogger ‘Bollards of London’ wrote: “Nice rounded top, wonderful small balls surrounding two edges and then the bollard tapers. “The column which is an octagon which has a base that flairs outwards giving the bollard a much stronger wider base… a gem of a bollard.” The hallmark at the base reads ‘The Thames Bank Iron Company London’ an ironmongers responsible for many of London’s lamps, fences and posts. The bollard’s home, the Pullens Estate, is also an area of historical interest. It was built by James Pullen, a local builder, who purchased the land and developed it from 1806 to 1901. In 2012 the area, gained conversation status and the exceptional little bollard got several mentions in council documents. Rumour has it that, in 2009, the bollard got a makeover when the Pullens Estate provided the backdrop to scenes in Colin Firth’s blockbuster ‘The King’s Speech’. The estate was used to depict the 1930s home of speech therapist Lionel Logue and was covered in vintage posters advertising products like Bovril. Rumour has it that the bollard got its distinctive black-and-white paint job during the 2009 filming. However, a look through old images of the street show the bollard had its unique paint-job at least as early as 2008, suggesting it got a makeover sometime before filming took place
By Isabel Ramirez isabel@southwarknews.co.uk Ten photographers are putting on an exhibition ‘with a twist’ at a Borough-based pub where they have to shoot, edit, print and exhibit all the photos in one day.
It is all in aid of raising funds for Ukraine humanitarian effort. On February 24, the ten London-based photographers will shoot, edit, print and exhibit photos capturing the essence of London in one day - exactly one year on from the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The exhibition, entitled All in a Day’s
Work, will take place at the Two Bridges pub in Borough. Leading the project is Steve Mussell, a photographer and owner of NiceSmile Ltd. He is deeply invested in supporting the Ukraine humanitarian effort, as his wife, Asya Mussell is Ukrainian and has helped countless Ukrainian refugees since the war started. In the past year, the couple has offered translation support, advice and guidance as they navigate the complexities of settling and building their lives again in a new country. He said: “Being married to a Ukranian woman has drawn us both into the lives of many refugees fleeing
their war-torn homeland. My wife has pretty much quit her job to deal with the paperwork involved in their settlement. “It’s crazy to think I was (in Ukraine) last January. Such a lot has changed in one year,” he added. The tickets are free but can be booked by scaning the bar code (right). Visitors can also bid on the photos at the exhibition or via the Bidbeacon site and people can donate directly to the cause via the organiser’s GoFundMe page. Steve Mussell hand-picked the ten photographers taking part, saying: “I have managed to bring together what I consider to be the crème de la crème of
London photographers right now. I’m not saying there aren’t equally good people out there, but I haven’t come across them yet.” The exhibition will take place at the Two Bridges pub on 186 Tooley St, SE1 2TZ from 7 pm - 10 pm.
Aylesbury Estate tenant who refuses to leave to hold anti-gentrification exhibition in her flat By Herbie Russell
Aysan Dennis in her Aylesbury Estate flat
herbie@southwarknews.co.uk A council tenant who has refused to leave the Aylesbury Estate thirteen years after its demolition began is holding an anti-gentrification exhibition in her flat.
Aysan Dennis, 64, is surrounded by boarded up apartments and deserted walkways, but still loves her Wendover block apartment. The exhibition will feature photos, collages, mementos and audio-recordings documenting her long struggle against redevelopment. Aysan, who moved into her flat in May 1993 with her late-sister, said: “This time is the right time to have an exhibition… one of the biggest issues we are facing in the housing crisis… “The Aylesbury is mostly empty and boarded off… these beautiful flats have been empty for many years - and it’s been empty while people are desperate [for homes],” she added. The 2,758-flat Aylesbury Estate was completed in 1977 as part of a huge slum clearance but less than thirty years later, in 2005, Southwark Council decided to demolish it. The council argued redevelopment was the only viable option and that refurbishment would be too expensive. This was despite a ballot that saw 70 per cent of residents voting against the estate’s demolition in 2001. Reflecting on the council’s failure to heed the ballot, Aysan said: “It raises questions about our democracy.”
Now retired, Aysen, who used to work at a women’s refuge, has spent over a decade campaigning against redevelopment. Aysan led demonstrations, organised protests, created campaign material, all of which will be documented in the exhibition. She has been particularly perturbed by the lack of social housing provided by the new development. While 4,200 new homes are being built on site, just 1,600 will be social rent
compared to the 2,402 social rent homes that existed on-site in 2008. But despite her efforts, the scheme is well underway. Only last month, Southwark Council got permission to bulldoze 373 flats as part of the redevelopment of Phase 2B. Unlike hundreds of ex-Aylesbury residents who have been displaced, Aysan will move into one of the new flats once it’s completed at the end of the year. But she’s still holding on to the hope that
she can save the flat she moved into forty years ago. “Give us a chance to show them that whatever is left - we have to keep it and refurbish it and let people move in,” she said. The exhibition is scheduled for an unannounced date in April. Campaign group Fight4Aylesbury is fundraising for the exhibition which you can donate to at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ fight4aylesbury?utm_term=gKQQQzp8q
