When I was growing up, London had four main Afro-Caribbean areas: Brixton in the south, Tottenham in the North, Dalston to the East and Harlesden/Ladbroke Grove to the West. Tottenham is now the only one yet to feel the fashionable force of gentrification. I was down there today because Cobblers Lodge on West Green Road is the best place in London to get shoes re-soled or rucksacks repaired. The area is remarkably unchanged, retaining a colourful, urban vibrancy totally devoid of artisan coffee shops or organic delis. In truth, it’s a bit of a dump. Tatty old shops and streets of shabby terraced houses with satellite dishes rather than Farrow & Ball’d front doors. There’s clearly a lot of poverty around Tottenham but there was also something about its 1980s Jamaican vibe that made me feel very at home. Especially when I heard this blasting out of an old BMW.
It’s the only one left.

- She's a night...4th Nov 2016
- Birmingham.3rd Nov 2016
- There goes th...2nd Nov 2016
- If only.1st Nov 2016
- Halloween.31st Oct 2016
- Make plans to...30th Oct 2016
- Upsetting the...29th Oct 2016
- Bye-de-bye.28th Oct 2016
- Goodbye, Sips...26th Oct 2016
- The one Tom C...23rd Oct 2016
- RIP Dave Cash.22nd Oct 2016
- Reginald.21st Oct 2016
- Beyond parody.19th Oct 2016
- Kim and Melan...16th Oct 2016
- Peanuts.15th Oct 2016 prev next