Brixton Beach – A Celebration

by Nigel and Gabriel Lesmoir-Gordon

My son Gabriel Lesmoir-Gordon and I are film-makers and we have long been drawn to the Stockwell Skate-Park, commonly known as Brixton Beach. What struck us both as significant was that the facility is always open – 24/7 – and that it is always free to use.

We have also been struck by the fact that there are very few sporting facilities of this quality in the UK – even in the world. Facilities, which are free and open to all ages and at all times. We discovered that the park users also maintain and police the facility themselves and that the park is much, much more than a simple sports facility. It’s a cultural centre too and a haven of refuge for many locals and visitors to the area from all around the world.

We decided that the park was worthy of a short film and one that would spread the word of its existence right around the globe through screening at film festivals and clubs.

We wanted to look at why people come to the park, what they get out of it, how long they have been coming and what it means to them to have this facility and why skaters and BMXers travel from far and wide to enjoy its rolling lines.

We set out to showcase some of the great skill, expertise and passion, which many of the skaters and bikers have and to interview key members of Lambeth Council and to find out why both local residents and the council consider the park to be such a good resource.

We wanted to find out how the park improves the lives of the skaters and local residents and whether the park is a deterrent to bad behaviour and how it helps to develop the skills and expertise of those who use it.

Interestingly during all the days that we were out there in force on the park with no shelter or safety-area cover for our high-tech equipment we were never once threatened or hussled or were ever ‘relieved’ of any of our equipment! It was most encouraging and raised our group faith in human nature and in man’s natural good will. It was a heartening and inspiring experience for us all – crew, bikers, skaters, residents and council spokespeople alike.

Above all we wanted to celebrate the park and the people who use it and this is just what our film BRIXTON BEACH achieves.

Brixton Beach will be screened at the LATE NIGHT opening at the Dulwich Picture Gallery next week, Thursday 15th May, 6.30pm – 10.00pm.