Traders and supporters of Brixton Market gathered last night to celebrate the refurbishment of four of the market’s remaining traditional barrows.
Only about half a dozen of what was once a fleet of 80 barrows remain, but they are being treated like the honoured veterans they are.
Cutting the ribbon were Heritage of London Trust chair Dudley Fishburn and director Nicola Stacey.
The completion of work on the barrows coincides with improvements to the Electric Avenue section of the market.
Next in line for restoration are some of the market’s traditional flat barrows.
School heritage project on display
Lucy Lavers, Judy Ovens and Suzanna Prizeman (above) of Our Hut architecture education organised creative heritage workshops in two local schools – Hill Mead primary and Evelyn Grace Academy.
Instead of fruit and veg, some of the results from Hill Mead were on show on one of the restored barrows.
The workshops were part of the Brixton Townscape Heritage Initiative, a Heritage Lottery funded project to preserve and enhance the unique architecture and historic character of Electric Avenue and to stimulate economic regeneration while raising knowledge and awareness of local heritage.
The first phase of workshops took place last term, before the regeneration, and there will be a second phase in summer 2018 after regeneration.
Phase 1 focused on helping the children to learn about and connect with their local area, particularly the market and heritage of Electric Avenue.
Workshops included a visit to the market, learning about Brixton’s past and thinking about improvements that could be made. Students produced creative responses to the architecture, history and daily life of the heart of Brixton.
Children in Year 5 at Hill Mead Primary created information boxes on a wide variety of themes, and Year 7 at Evelyn Grace Academy produced a “street” of themed boards.
A schools resource will be available for other local schools to use.
