Two summers ago, I went to the newly opened Beckenham Place Park. This former public golf course is now the largest open space in Lewisham. Benefiting from a Heritage Lottery Grant, the park certainly has the ‘wow’ factor. There are three features of the park that are a ‘must’; the Mansion House with 2 cafes and fantastic record shop, the picturesque flower garden, and most excitingly the lake which is perfect for wild swimming.
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| A guide to making good tea from David Greig, Beckenham 1880 in The John Johnson Collection of Printed Ephemera |
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| Entry for Beckenham from A Dictionary Of London Place Names in Oxford Reference Online |
I’d often come with my partner after work. She would go for a swim and I’d sit by the side of the lake with my head buried in a book. (Sadly the lake is currently closed due to Covid restrictions, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed that it reopens soon).
I associate Beckenham Place Park with the music drifting out of the Mansion House of an evening. It’s a great place to sit down with a book and a glass of wine.
On that note, I want to tell you about one of my favourites ‘Mister Good Times’ by Norman Jay, MBE. Throughout the 2000’s I was a regular attendee of the Big Chill Festival. Norman held a yearly 1-3pm slot on a Sunday afternoon, playing classic Soul, R’n’B, Ska, House and would be a highlight of the festival for many as he helped shake off the hangovers and get the crowds ready for another day of music. So, I was thrilled to happen across his book amongst a delivery of biographies at Lewisham Library.
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| Library Copy of Good Times |
It’s packed full of interesting stories about growing up in Notting Hill and demonstrates Norman’s desire to make a name for himself through single-mindedness, force of personality and a passion for is craft. Jay is the Co-founder of the legendary ‘Good Times Sound System’ and London dance music station KISS FM, and a regular DJ on the festival circuit.
He fostered the 'Rare Groove' scene, pushing the boundaries of the UK's emerging club culture, and came to prominence at the Notting Hill Carnival.
The book encompasses his passions of football, fashion and music, through a series of anecdotes about his (mis)adventures.
I strongly urge you to pop to your local park, get the picnic blanket out, put some tunes on and give the book a go!
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