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.

- Happy New Yea...2nd Jan 2014
- It's Christma...24th Dec 2013
- On Christmas ...23rd Dec 2013
- I blame EastE...22nd Dec 2013
- We were forbi...21st Dec 2013
- I bet I get b...19th Dec 2013
- I love "The C...19th Dec 2013
- It's no good ...17th Dec 2013
- It's the one ...16th Dec 2013
- Last night, I...15th Dec 2013
- Father Domini...15th Dec 2013
- My friend Tom...14th Dec 2013
- A merry "litt...13th Dec 2013
- Is it because...12th Dec 2013
- Oh no! It's t...11th Dec 2013 prev next