Alright...In SEVEN days I'll be moving...
Here's some info on the neighbourhood...
A Brief History of Old South London
Old South advanced as a suburb of London during the second half of the nineteenth century, integrating with the city in 1870. In spite of the rapid growth the city has experienced in recent decades, the area which spans from Wellington Road to Wharncliffe Road and from Commissioners Road to the Thames River is recognized as Old South; the section of Wortley Road near the corners of Craig and Bruce Streets as Wortley Village.
Prior to the residential settlement of the area, the land was covered with towering oak, birch, pine and maple trees, an immense natural forest teeming with wildlife. Old South was surveyed as early as 1810 : the first settlers beginning to inhabit the region the following year. At first the land was used for the cultivation of corn, wheat, potatoes, oats and peas; bees were raised, grapevines were cultivated, and fruit orchards were planted in the rich soil close to the river. However, with the increasing renown this modern community provided, soon the land was converted from agricultural use for the preparation of a residential village.
Early Development
Much of the early development of the area revolved around the Establishment, by many Londoners, of considerable estates and mansion along Wortley Road, Ridout Street, and later Grand and Elmwood Avenues. In the 1870's, the suburban neighbourhood along Wortley Road had formed a sufficiently sizeable and distinctive identity that it deserved its own post office, providing the community with a distinct identity. The postal district was labeled "Askin", however contemporary documents also refer to the area as "New Brighton" or "South London Village".
Wortley Village
Wortley Village has always been the traditional focal point of the Old South community. The unique village ambiance associated with Wortley Road is the result of a century of change and adaptation. Low building heights and the diversity in building styles have resulted in an attractive commercial setting, which has developed into a unique and specialized shopping area for antiques, collectibles and all other amenities. For those visiting the area for the first time, be sure to take some time to embark on a historical walk of this beautiful community.
Located in Wortley Village is the spacious Thames Park, a popular summertime hot spot which provides recreational activities including tennis, swimming, baseball, bird watching, playground equipment, picnic areas, and access to London's riverside bike paths, perfect for biking, inline skating and hiking. As the conventional heart of the Old South community, Wortley Village, truly a village within a city, offers any shopper, naturalist, historian or collector plenty of fun and interesting experience.
With buildings over 100 years old, over 80 small businesses and establishments, and with an abundance of inviting parks, Old South is the only region in London which offers an enticing blend of history, shopping and nature in a few square kilometers.
