One of my favourite TV programmes on air at the moment is Secret History of Our Streets , a six part series showing on BBC 2 on Wednesday evening. Participants in the Secret Streets of London In 1886 Charles Booth, businessman, social researcher and philanthropist began work on a survey of London’s life and labour, a project that would occupy him for the next eighteen years. As part of his research he produced coloured coded street maps indicating the status of London residents. Streets were classified from black – lowest, semi criminal; through the blues – poor; to yellow – upper classes, wealthy. These maps have provided the starting point for The Secret Streets of London. Charles Booth and the programme makers more than a hundred years later observed the changing fortunes of London streets such as those in Camberwell Grove. Built for prosperous merchants in the 18 th century, these Georgian villas became multi occupancy properties in l...