Dr Charmaine Brown

I had the pleasure of attending Dr. Brown’s walking tour in April. It was one of the
most interesting and enjoyable experiences I’ve had in a long time. I never realised just how much I didn’t know about the area I’ve lived in for over 40 years! It was a wonderful and healthy way to explore the neighbourhood while learning about its rich and vibrant history.

– Avril, Peckham resident

Dear Charmaine,

I’m writing a feature on the gentrification of Deptford and I came across your appearance on Radio4.

As an academic who’s focussed on Peckham I think an interview with you would really help ground my story and be a useful comparison point.

I have stories from locals, the view of an ex policy maker, and hope to get the current view of Lewisham Council – but an voice of authority on the subject like yours would be a huge aid.

If you have time this week I would really appreciate a phone call. Please let me know what you can do.

Best wishes,

Callum Cuddeford

Dear Charmaine,

I wanted to say thank you again for such an insightful lecture, it has been invaluable to my research and opened many avenues.

Kind regards,

Danny Atkinson

The Gentrification and African Presence in Peckham (GAPP) Walking Tour last Friday 24 April. It was beautiful weather and we had a really great set of conversations under the leadership of GAPP CEO and tour guide Charmaine!

– Dom, Academic, London

A walking tour with Charmaine Brown is a delightful and hugely informative
experience. Charmaine has a rich and deep knowledge of the history and
development of the black community in Peckham, with plenty of fascinating and
often humorous personal stories about the people, organisations and buildings that featured large in previous years. Charmaine’s tours are like taking part in a vibrant dinner party conversation in which everyone is encouraged to chip in with their own knowledge and experience, and you will come away with much more than new knowledge and information – you will have a valuable insight into a vibrant culture that defied the forces of oppression and discrimination and was instrumental in creating the diverse and thriving community that is Peckham today.

– Edward, Vicar (Copleston church)

My name is Emilian and I’m a producer for Peckham Platform, a creative and educational charity bringing local communities together in Peckham.

I have come across your fascinating work, particularly your paper ‘Gentrification of Peckham and Black Urban removal worldwide’. Your work really aligns with the some of the themes explored by Peckham Platform, particularly amongst our more recent programmes and I would love to invite you to be a guest speaker at our Place/Changemaking event on Friday 28th October from 6pm, Mountview Academy.This event will be a creative showcase highlighting Peckham Platforms’ past work with the local community with exhibitions, workshops, talks etc.

Your contribution to this event can be discussed, I am happy for it to take the form of a workshop, more interactive talk or as a part of a panel discussion. You will be paid for your participation and I am open to discussing your rates depending on the level of your contribution to the event.

Please let me know if you are interested, happy to arrange a time to talk further!

Best wishes,

Emilian

I really loved the interesting walk you did earlier this year. It was a real eye opener all the lovely sites and sounds around us, ‘Mr B’s, Jones and Higgins and all the famous stores like Marks & Spencer’s, C&A, the schools where our kid attended brought back memories of our Peckham, ‘Only Fools and Horses’ and the Walmer Castle pub. Even Bellenden Road gave us an insight into the former shoe shop which is now a pharmacy and where Channel4 ‘Desmond’s’ was filmed. At the end we concluded with the walk, the West Indian lunch at the Copleston centre and a debrief by Charmaine. It was a lovely day and I would be happy to repeat it. Thank you!

– Gloria, Peckham resident.

I came to live in Peckham with my family in 1964. The walk was captivating and well-structured. I found it extremely interesting, and I am now fully aware of the evolving history of Peckham.
The pace of the walk was comfortable and easy; Charmaine took people's needs into consideration. For me, it was evident that the fundamental changes of shops and night clubs, had become in line with changes within the community. In particular for me, Charmaine’s delivery of the history behind the Book Place 13 Peckham High Street a community bookshop – selling black literature and topical interests, offering resources to a variety of people in the community/schools. The nugget for me was mention of Robert Mugabe’s visit to Peckham I wasn’t aware of that until 15th April during the walk.
I would highly recommend individuals to join one of these walks if and when the
opportunity arises.

Jessie, former Peckham resident

On Saturday 17th September 2022, it was my honour and pleasure to join the audience at the Copleston Centre as a recipient of this informative and well-structured lecture of Peckham and areas where I was schooled, worshipped, shopped and socialised during the 1960’s through to the 1970’s.

Charmaine’s recollection of 43 Peckham High Street during 1960 – 2000 was spot on with what I had experienced throughout my teens enjoying the live performances of many popular singers. It was a wonder stepping back in time. I also learned how the Walmer Castle used to be a venue for Jazz Lovers.

Charmaine gave a summing up to illustrate how gentrification brings opportunities in a sense of wellbeing, as streets seem safer and public spaces used more. The standard of living has excelled by the rebounding of gentrification. On the not so positive aspects many local people felt that they had been precluded and priced out of the market to purchase properties. For me the talk was very worthwhile and beneficial, honest, concise and informative. 

Jessie Thompson

Good afternoon Charmaine,

A great walk today – Sorry I couldn’t stay to the end. I loved it but a bit far for me. I thought your information was really interesting and I learned a lot!

– Jude, UA3, London

I’ve lived in the area for 30 years and have seen the changes – some for better and some worse! Charmaine’s walk provided a great testament of the African and Caribbean presence in the area – from pioneers to present. Personally, I loved being reminded of the two Caribbean women who ran the fabric shop that used to be on the parade of shops that now includes a burger chain, and a natural wine bar.

– Jules, Peckham resident

At Copleston we are always delighted to partner with GAPP. With a long-standing
presence in the local community, their work compliments our vision to create
inclusive communities which embrace too often overlooked histories and voices of the area. We are pleased to have collaborated with GAPP on walks curated with Dr. Brown’s knowledge and insights as both an academic and long-standing Peckham resident. Her walks address the effects of regeneration and gentrification on the area, getting into the nooks and crannies of its rich African and Caribbean history, the invaluable contributions of these communities, their staying power and displacement. These walks are participatory and informative and make a vital contribution to ensuring this part of the neighbourhood’s history is not lost.

– Julia, Director, Copleston centre

I really enjoyed the walk and found it very informative. There are parts of Peckham that I had become used to just walking past. Finding out some of the history about the buildings we passed and the events that happened in them showed how resourceful people of color could be. It was wonderful to be reminded of the community that supported one another and provided places of refuge for our young people.

– Marjorie, Southwark resident

Thank you so much for such an eye-opening Caribbean heritage walk around Peckham! The tour gave me a completely fresh perspective on the area. Learning about the neighborhood’s history—from the local music clubs and the traditional herb shop in the market, to unexpected local stories like President Mugabe’s visit—really brought the streets to life. Having that background context makes the area make so much more sense now, and I find myself looking at Peckham with entirely different eyes. Your point about how much of South London’s Caribbean diaspora history has never been formally archived or recorded in the mainstream press was especially resonant. Because so much of this local
history relies on oral accounts and community memory, preserving the stories of the community, local clubs, and institutions is invaluable. I’m so glad to hear you are working on a book to document it all.
Thank you also for all the fantastic local restaurant recommendations! It was wonderful sharing your knowledge, passion, and dedication with us. It was a fantastic experience!

– Miriam – Open House Festival participant, London

I’ve been attending Dr Brown’s  ‘gentrification’ lectures with its various accents from 2013/14 to date.

The lecturers have been informative, thought provoking, detailed and enlightening.

I have learnt something new at each occassion and always look forward to participating at the next gentrification lecture.

S

What I loved most was how the walk truly opened my eyes to details, is usually walk straight past. It forces you to look notice the architecture and understand the stories behind the local landmarks and businesses. Whether you are lifelong Londoners or a first-time visitor, this tour is an absolute must, it is far more than a history lesson. Hopefully there will be more walk like this.

– Yvonne, Southwark resident