The week after the August Bank Holiday, always feels like the start of a new term, even 21 years after leaving full time education, I still get that slightly anxious feeling. So for those of you dreading the return to work after the summer, and wondering how you're going to put up with all those daily commutes between now and Christmas, I thought it might be a good time to feature Brown & Green at Gipsy Hill Station. I know this isn't exactly in the Triangle, but the station could be said to be one of the Triangle's gateways. And besides, the cafe and its proprietors are lovely, bringing a ray of sunshine to the morning commute, and well worth featuring.
Following the station's interminable recent refurbishment, twin sisters, Laura and Jess Tilli won the pitch to open a new cafe next to the ticket barriers. Many will know Laura and Jess from their TV success on The Restaurant, in which they were runners up in the competition to run their own restaurant. Coming second was the best possible result according to Jess. It gave them a huge boost without having the pressure of suddenly becoming full-time restaurateurs, and it enabled them to continue with their varied food related projects, such as Gobble Gobble, their childrens' party catering business, and Florentine & Pig, a website which aims to get children interested in cooking. The opening of the cafe, followed a brief period of doing the food at the Gipsy Hill Tavern. Now, commuters and passers-by alike, seem to be relishing their home-made and wholesome offerings, and the station has almost become a destination in its own right.
Jess & Laura
In your rush through the station to catch a train, you might want to stop and check not only the departure boards, but also, Brown & Green's blackboard. As well as listing all their tempting treats, if your name is up there, you'll be entitled to a free cuppa!
The Triangle is a photo journal about a little corner of South London. I am a Photographer specialising in Interiors and Architecture, & I moved to Upper Norwood/Crystal Palace/Gipsy Hill/SE19 (you choose) back in 2006, and saw immediately what a strong community exists here. One of the things that makes the area different, is that unlike most of the towns and villages that make up London, it is not arranged along an endless high street on the way to somewhere else, but instead is centred on the 3 streets which gives the area its "Triangle" soubriquet. As well as its community spirit, the area also possesses a strongly independent streak, which is reflected in its diverse local shops and restaurants, many of which are locally owned and run businesses. Unusually for London, apart from the usual banks and estate agents, you don't find many national chains here. So the aim of this blog is to photograph as many of these businesses on the Triangle, both the premises and the owners or those who run them, to celebrate this rich community.
I love Brown & Green! I too had that back to school feeling this week!
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