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Children on a mattress, Balham, SW London
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Children on a mattress, Balham, SW London
Children sitting on a mattress on top of a pile of rubbish in a Balham street, SW London. Date: circa 1961
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14188319
© The Paul Kaye Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
Balham Childhood Junk Lying Material Mattress Pile Rubbish Spring Terrace Terraced Urchin Urchins Waste Wire
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the moment of innocent joy and make-shift fun in the heart of Balham, South West London during the 1960s. The image shows a group of children, both boys and girls, sitting on a worn-out mattress atop a towering pile of rubbish and junk in the middle of the street. The children, dressed in clothes typical of the era, appear to be in high spirits as they play and bounce on the springy mattress, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding chaos of discarded metal, wire, and material. The scene is set against a backdrop of terraced houses and a narrow, cobblestone street, with the houses' brick facades and chimneys adding to the historical context of the image. The ground beneath the mattress is littered with waste, remnants of a time when the disposal of rubbish was not as regulated as it is today. This photograph offers a glimpse into a bygone era, a time when children found joy in the simplest of things and made the most of their environment. The image is a poignant reminder of the resilience and creativity of children, even in the most unexpected of circumstances. The photograph also highlights the stark contrast between the children's carefree existence and the harsh realities of urban living during the 1960s. The photograph is a valuable historical document, capturing a moment in time that has long since passed, and serves as a reminder of the importance of cherishing the simple joys of childhood and making the most of the resources at hand.
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