• Ride 1. Dulwich to Beckenham Place Park
• Ride 2. Charlie Chaplin Rides Again

Ride 1 Dulwich to Beckenham Place Park

Ride Report from leader Jean S.

 We met dressed for the weather which was grey and drizzly but with hope for an improvement later in the morning. Only a few (7) trusty regulars showed up – the others clearly thinking it was not worth the effort. But a small group meant we made rapid progress – passing through Brockwell Park, Clapham Common and Wandsworth Common on the way. Lots of kids playing football in the mud ….. We got to Wimbledon park within the hour and were happy to get warm inside and enjoy some homemade cake (see photo).

We shed one or two on the journey home -who  decided to make their way directly, but again made good time getting back to Dulwich Park Cafe just after 12.30. More than one remarked that they were glad of the reason to go out and get some fresh air & exercise – which is surely what Southwark Healthy Rides is all about ! Thanks to John for doing the back-marking.

Ride 2 Charlie Chaplin Rides Again

Nine dedicated riders turned up in he cold and rain, including one first timer. Straight off from Burgess Park down Portland St (Cycleway 17). Crossed East St where at an unknown location Charlie was born in 1889. Short distance further found us on Larcom St, lookng at St Johns Church where Charlie’s parents were married in 1885. Next stop was West Square where at one time Charlie lived at number 39. Very smart Georgian square where Charlie recalls living at age 3. At this time both his parents were still working. Very short distance further and we were next to the Imperial War Museum. This imposing buildng started life in 1815 as a new site for Bethlem Hospital for the Insane. And it was here that Charlie’s mother ended up. Exiting the park we stopped opposite the 3 Stags pub. This was a popular pub in the 19th century and looks as though it still is. Charlie’s father drunk himself to death partly in this pub. From here a short ride along Kennngton Rd then a complex back street route via the Cotton Gardens Estate to Dugard Way where the Lambeth Workhouse is mostly still there. But not a workhouse now, it is cuttently the Cinema Museum. Charlie ended up in the workhouse 2 times when his mother was unwell and not working. Next a run further down Kennington Rd to number 287 where there is a memorial plaque. Charlie lived here with his brother Sidney when he was about 12 and already preforming professionally. Turned off at the Kennington Rd/Kennington Lane junction to stop at 39 Methley St, yet anther of Charlie’s childhood homes. Next stop The Queenas Head Pub where Charlie would entertain the drinkers by idoing imitations. This pub was run by Charlie’s uncle. It is now a bistro/cafe and we headed inside the get hot drinks. A busy establishment serving full English breakfasts to a local clientele.

A bit warmed up we had a longish ride via Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens and Vauxhall Park to Glenshaw Mansions on Brixton Rd. Charlie at one time lived at number 15 and there is another memorial plaque. This completed our tribute ride so from there we headed back to Burgess Park. You do get the strong impression that Charlie’s parents were completely broke a lot of the time and regularly failing to pay the rent.

Charlie’s was the ulimate “rags to riches” life. Age 9 he was in the workhouse. Age 14 his father was dead and his mother in Bethlem. For a short preiond he was homeless, He had already, since age 10, been getting performing work and by age 14 was doing juvenile roles in successful West End productions. He joined the Fred Carno company aged 17. A few years later he did a second tour in the USA with Fred Karno. He left the tour and signed with Keystone Studios in California. By 2014, now 25, he was not just acting but directing films. They were massively succesful. Film was an inernational medium and by 1915 he was the first truly international superstar – and by now seriously rich. The rest of his life was pretty intersting too, but sadly not lived in SE London.

This is always a fascinating ride. First led by Harry Clark (now leading with Lets Go Cycling in Bexley} and his summary of the sites and a bit about Chalrie is here: https://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Charlie-Chaplin-PDF.pdf . Ride route is at https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1Zt8dURoPS_wjIgwrMJGTHVYftoauXG4&usp=sharing. Thanks to Mike T for back marking.

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