Remembering the Battle of Lewisham weekend

I went along last week to the launch of  What Are You Taking Pictures For? an exhibition of photographs documenting the events of 13 August 1977,  a day of riotous demonstrations against the far right National Front often referred to as the 'Battle of Lewisham'. There are some great images and archive material, so do get along and take a look. The exhibition is open from 9 am to 9 pm for all of August in Goldsmiths Kingsway Corridor in the main old building on Lewisham Way.



This weekend sees a whole series of events to mark the 40th anniversary, organised by Goldsmiths in partnership with Lewisham Council, the Albany and Lover Music Hate Racism. All events free unless otherwise stated, full details here: http://www.gold.ac.uk/events/battle-of-lewisham/full-events-programme/

Friday, 11 August 2017

Spirit of '77: protest poetry and song
A night of protest music and poetry featuring Attila the Stockbroker, Robb Johnson, Mark ‘Mr T’ Thompson, and more.
6:45 - 11pm | The Stretch, Goldsmiths SU | £5 in advance, £7 on the door

Saturday, 12 August 2017

Walking the Battle of Lewisham
Historian Dr John Price leads a history walk taking in key locations from the Battle of Lewisham.
11am - 1pm & 2 - 4pm,  Goldsmiths.

Spirit of ’77: Protest films
Screening of newly rediscovered documentary, AUG 13, produced by the Albany Video Project chronicling the events of the Battle of Lewisham. Followed by 'The Depiction of Blackness', a new film by Nacheal Catnott. Screening followed by a Q&A with the film-makers and DJ set from Lezlee Lyrix. 7 - 11pm, The Stretch, Goldsmiths.


Sunday, 13 August 2017


Battle of Lewisham plaque unveiling
Lewisham maroon plaque unveiled on Clifton Rise in New Cross (by New Cross Inn), gathering point for anti-fascists on the day. 12pm |Further information
 
Battle of Lewisham 40^th Anniversary Community Festival,
from 1 pm to 6 pm at the Albany, Deptford, including:
DJ sets
Featuring Rock Against Racism co-founder, Roger Huddle, and the Deptford Dub Club’s Soft Wax joined live by Tim from Top Cats (South London's favourite Ska band ) and Setondji Spirit.
1pm – 6pm | FREE
Exhibits
Goldsmiths presents a history of the Battle of Lewisham, including rarely seen photographs, first-hand accounts, and community led designs for a new public mural
1pm – 6pm | FREE
Marketplace
Food, drink and local organisations presenting their work. Including Indian street food from Hulabaloo, Love Music Hate Racism, The Word Bookshop, Bookmarks, Lewisham Anti-Racist Action Group, Lewisham Local History Society and Lewisham Pensioners Forum.
1pm – 6pm 


Remembering the ‘Battle of Lewisham’ panel discussion
Hear first-hand accounts and explore the contemporary relevance of the Battle with Dr John Price, John Rees and John Lockwood.
2 pm, the Albany
 
The legacy of Rock Against Racism panel discussion
Featuring:
Roger Huddle, Co-founder of Rock Against Racism
Rhoda Dakar, lead singer of The Bodysnatchers (performed at RAR/ANL carnival in Leeds with The Specials)
Saskilla, Grime artist (performed at Love Music Hate Racism events)
Zak Cochrane, Love Music Hate Racism
4pm , the Albany 
 
Battle of Lewisham 40th Anniversary Gig
Love Music Hate Racism presents a night of rebel music to mark the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Lewisham. With live music from Afro B (Hit track ‘Juice & Power’), IQ (Afro Beats), YGTV & Guests (Hosted by Saskilla), & Smokey Joe (Beat London Radio).
7 – 10pm, £10




John Price launches the photography exhibition at Goldsmiths



Lewisham '77 photos by Chris Schwarz

I have mentioned the Deptford photographs of Chris Schwarz  (1948-2007) here before. The Albany has now created a digital archive of his work, Every Picture tells a Story. Lots of great images from the 1970s and 1980s, including some from the 'Battle of Lewisham'  in August 1977, when anti-fascists mobilised against a National Front march from New Cross to Lewisham (see detailed account here)

The first image shows the anti-NF crowd in New Cross Road. The speaker is standing near the Clifton Rise corner, the buildings opposite are on New Cross Road, including corner of Laurie Grove:

This shot shows New Cross Road looking up to bottom of Lewisham Way - building on left is Marquis of Granby pub:

Police in Lewisham town centre, where clashes continued at the end of the march. This was the first time police had used riot shields in Britain.

Crosswires Festival: Kit & Cutter at the Albany

A sunny Saturday of music at the Albany on the May Day bank holiday weekend (3rd May), with Kit & Cutter returning to Deptford to put on an afternoon and evening of folk-tinged sound as part of the Crosswires Festival.

London Sacred Harp singers made a Joyful Noise Unto The Creator with heavenly harmonies that made the hairs stand up on my neck. Is beautiful music evidence of a benificent God, or is our attribution of it to the angels an example of humans projecting the best of our achievements on to the Divine? You decide!

Nick Hart and Tom Oscar-Moore were among the musicians in a traditional music session in the cafe at the Albany.

A couple of member of Pigeon Heroes sang outside in the garden. There was more later, but unfortunately I had to leave.

I've never seen the garden at the Albany looking so lovely or well-used. It's a bit of a shame that, as Deptford Dame reported a while ago, the Albany is planning to sell the land to developers to build on (assume this is going ahead). I do understand the pressure on cash strapped voluntary organisations to sell off their assets to make ends meet, but it will be a long term loss.

Chinese New Year in Deptford + Deptford High Street Song

 Chinese New Year was marked in Deptford in Saturday with a lion dance procession from the Deptford Lounge to the Albany, where the Yam, Yam! East and South East Asian Arts and Food Festival is now on until March 15th.

There was a classic Deptford Market moment where the lion got in a face off with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier which took offence to the lion being up in his grill.

Reverend Casy - Deptford High Street

Meanwhile Reverend Casy have written a song celebrating Deptford High Street, with a film to match. There's an interview with Chris Boddington from the band at Deptford High Street. Chris is helping put on a gig this Friday 7th February at his own Cafe Crema (306 New Cross Road). It's a Syria benefit for MSF/Doctors without Borders, with Americana & Bluegrass from Union Electric + The Union Canal String Band. 8pm. £5