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Edition 27 | November 2014 | FREE
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>> YOUR PHOTOS, PAGE 8 >> COMMENT, PAGE 9 >> What’s on, page 18 >> COLUMNS, PAGE 26 >> SPORT, PAGE 28 >>
OXJAM: Five venues around Brixton played host to one of London’s coolest charity fundraisers. News, p6
Ritzy revenge:
many staff will lose jobs
Ritzy workers earlier in the year campaign for the London Living Wage
by zoe jewell Staff at the Ritzy have been told that as many as 34 jobs will be axed and around 50 people will have to reapply for their jobs in a terrible blow to our
much-loved local cinema. In an extraordinary move, just a few weeks after a campaign to get the Living Wage was finally resolved,
the Picturehouse company, bought by Cineworld in 2012, proposed getting rid of the positions of two managers, all eight supervisors, three technical staff, and numerous front-of-house and bar staff. All front-of-house and bar employees will be re-interviewed for their existing jobs. The union BECTU has now released a ballot for strike action and if voted through then strikes could take place as early as November 20. Some have read the move as punishment for the Ritzy campaign for the London Living Wage earlier this year. Nia Hughes, staff representative, said: “I feel like it’s a really brutal attack on a workforce. No other site is having redundancies, so it can be perceived that it is direct victimization. We will stand up to this and we will fight against any single person being made redundant.” There is no evidence of financial problems at the Ritzy and it regularly pulls in the largest monthly profits. In a document handed out to staff at the meeting, the company justified the redundancies by saying “the Ritzy currently has the lowest customer satisfaction of all the Picturehouse
cinemas”. This ‘customer satisfaction’ was measured through reports from ‘mystery shoppers’ in the period between May and September, also the period when staff were striking and campaigning for a London Living Wage. The document states: “we can deliver much better customer service if we create a multi-skilled team of people all of whom can provide whatever a customer needs”. Nia told The Bugle: “It’s incredibly confusing because we mostly have really great rapport with customers and many customers we have known for years.” Picturehouse Cinemas said: “The staff at The Ritzy recently agreed a pay package with Picturehouse Cinemas… During the negotiation process it was discussed that the amount of income available to distribute to staff would not be increasing, and that the consequence of such levels of increase to pay rates would be fewer people with more highly paid jobs. No decisions have been made.” Luminaries from Will Self to Tessa Jowell have expressed their support for the Ritzy staff.
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Brixton Booze: We take a look at the stories behind some of our area’s very own brews. Features, p10
THALI TALES: Find out what our reviewer thought of one of the Village’s bestloved eateries. Food, p23
PHOTO EXHIBITION: Great pictures spanning three decades of Afro-Caribbean funerals. Arts & Culture, p17
2 NEWS The Brixton Bugle & BrixtonBlog.com are edited in Brixton by Zoe Jewell and Tim Dickens. Both the website and newspaper are published by a not-for-profit community organisation. It’s run by a committed team of people from Brixton. Brixton Blog and Bugle The Piano Club 9 Brighton Terrace SW9 8DJ » Tel 020 3730 1312 » @brixtonblog » @brixton_bugle » www.brixtonblog.com ADVERTISING Jenny Shramenko 07811 878394 jenny@brixtonblog.com Circulation: 10,000 copies Readership: circa 15,000 DEPUTY EDITORS Keith Lewis Lindsay Faller
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where’s our crossing?
BY ZOE JEWELL
A new pedestrian crossing promised to locals last year outside a Sainsbury’s store is still no closer to being built after TfL rejected the initial proposals, The Bugle can reveal. When the supermarket chain opened their new store at the junction on Tulse Hill and Brixton Water Lane, many local residents feared that, with the increased traffic brought by visitors to the supermarket, the crossroads would become more dangerous. The road is a route for many families and children from Brixton Hill to Brockwell Park. In May 2013, Sainsbury’s agreed to fund the crossing, with an expected 14-month timescale. It would provide a safe route for pupils walking from the
St Matthew’s area to Jubilee Primary School. But 17 months later and, despite heavy traffic at the junction, the crossing has been delayed as Sainsburys and TfL negotiate the proposal. New research into traffic at the junction has now been carried out and the findings were resubmitted to TfL in October. Jenny Braithwaite, cabinet member for environment and sustainability at Lambeth council, said: “We are strongly in support of a new crossing at this location. . “Lambeth council will continue working to ensure the final scheme comes at no cost to the borough’s rate payers.”
A Brixton-based charity that helps disabled and able-bodied people keep fit has helped to launch a national campaign that aims to get people moving. Wheels for Wellbeing is part of the Everybody Active, Every Day campaign, organised by Public Health England, which launched at the Oval cricket ground last month. Isabelle Clement, Director of Wheels for Wellbeing, said: “Public Health England’s framework is all the more relevant for disabled people who are some of the people least likely to exercise. At Wheels for Wellbeing, whatever age you are and regardless of impairment, everyone can cycle. The right equipment, support and full accessibility are key to achieving this. Dementia, diabetes and cancer risks can all be lowered by inclusive cycling.” PHE claim that physical inactivity is responsible for one in six deaths in the UK.
NEWS newsdesk@brixtonblog.com FEATURES Katrin Magnussen features@brixtonblog.com ARTS Barney Evison Ruth Waters arts@brixtonblog.com MUSIC & LISTINGS Phoebe Robertson Phoebe@Brixtonblog.com FOOD Miss South food@brixtonblog.com SPORT Laura Dickinson newsdesk@brixtonblog.com
Cartoons / Illustrations: Kaylene Alder, Tim Bird Jon Daniels, Mike Rourke Crossword: Josie Gardiner Columnists: Alison Alexander, Frankie Holah, Duncan Law A massive thank you to everybody involved in making this issue, and the Blog & Bugle project, a success.
Resident Richard Quinlan said: “This crossroads at Tulse Hill and Brixton Water Lane has only pedestrian controlled crossings on two of its four roads. At no time is all traffic halted to allow pedestrians to cross safely and in time. These crossings are used by pedestrians to enter Brockwell Park, by passengers using the many bus stops nearby, by pupils who attend Jubilee Primary School and shoppers at the Sainsbury’s store. “There was a petition signing recently outside Sainsbury’s supported by Tulse Hill Councillors to get this crossing made safer. It is only by sheer luck that pedestrians avoid being hit by a vehicle at this crossroads but luck does not last indefinitely.”
Fitness drive
Sub-editor: Jamila Omar Designer: Agnes Graves
ISSUE 27 Writers: Nick Christian, Bobbie Lakhera, Kathryn Aedy, Sophie Bush Pictures: Owen Llewellyn, Jamie Rogers, Alexandra Waespi
November 2014
LAUNCH: Isabelle Clement with Professor Kevin Fenton - from PHE
ARCADE AT RISK
One of Brixton’s iconic covered markets has been identified as ‘at risk’ by English Heritage. Reliance Arcade, which runs between Brixton Road and Electric Lane, appears on the 2014 register published last week. It joins other south London landmarks, the former Peckham Fire Station and Bromley’s Scadbury Manor. The listing states that the smallest of Brixton’s three covered arcade markets, built, built in 1923-5, has roof and windows in a ‘poor condition’.
The market is expected to benefit from a £2.6m restoration thanks to funds from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Lambeth Council. English Heritage said: “The Grade II-listed Reliance Arcade has been added to the Register this year because of concerns about its condition. The Art Deco Egyptian façade, fronting onto Electric Lane and the multitude of small retail units are an important element of the character of this unique part of south London.”
CYCLE IMPACT Creative Lambeth residents wiill
come together on November 29 to help create a new website and identity for Lambeth Sustainable Transport Team. The event, organised by Made in Lambeth, will see skilled designers and others give their time in return for lunch, drinks and an enormous sense of wellbeing. It takes place at the Impact Hub. Lambeth Town Hall. madeinlambeth.co.uk/
THIEF JAILED A man has been jailed for
two and a half years after admitting burglaries in Brixton and Streatham. DNA from the window of a house in Blenheim Gardens linked him to the scene of a break-in in May this year. Martin Burger, 31, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court. The Met Police called him a “prolific burglar”.
Cafe fire Firefighters tackled a major fire
at a cafe in Stockwell Road, Brixton. Six people left the cafe before the brigade arrived but there were no reports of any injuries. A fire brigade spokesman said the blaze affected the basement and the ground floor of the building. Six fire engines from Brixton, West Norwood, Clapham, Lambeth and Deptford fire stations attended the scene on October 20.
BOUTIQUe hotel It was only a matter of time
before the Brixton area got its smattering of boutique hotels and, indeed, one is about to open just up the road in Tulse Hill. The Tulse Hill Hotel will open in a former public house next to the station next month with nine bedrooms, a gastro pub open to the public and private dining room. The owners kept much of the original signage and features of the old pub in doing it up. There’ll be all the pre-requisites of a trendy refurbishment – wooden panelling, a reclaimed 1920s bar and wooden parquet flooring.
Send us your BRIXTON news
• www.brixtonblog.com • @brixtonblog •
November 2014
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‘mcstuffed’
A Lambeth council licensing committee has rejected a bid by McDonald’s to open an existing drive-through restaurant for 24 hours per day. The multinational burger pedlars had applied to extend the opening hours of their store in Streatham Place, off Brixton Hill, but were met with scores of letters of opposition from local residents and councillors. Neighbours objected on the grounds of increased noise from cars and deliveries, as well as added rubbish from customers of the outlet. They said there is already an enormous problem with McDonald’s packaging being discarded at the top of Brixton Hill. The applications committee considered the bid last month at Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton. Twitter user, @1isthinking, said: “McStuffed! The residents won!! Licence application turned down!!”.
NEWS 3
Teenager pleads guilty to murdering schoolboy Uddin BY TIM DICKENS The father of a Brixton Hill teenager stabbed to death has spoken of his family’s pain after his son’s killer pleaded guilty to murder. Alim Uddin, 17, was lured to the top floor of Tilson House, Holmewood Gardens, Brixton in May to get back £90 he had paid to another teenager for a bicycle which he was never given. He was stabbed at least six times and was pronounced dead later that day at Kings College Hospital. The 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, changed his plea to guilty during a trial at the Old Bailey on October 21. He will be sentenced on Friday November 21. Alim’s father, Hakim Uddin, who runs Bombay Inn restaurant on Brixton Hill, said he still believes there were more teenagers involved in his son’s murder, and has offered a £10,000 reward for information that could help bring them to justice. Uddin told The Bugle last week: “We
still feel the same as the day Alim died. We can’t bring our son back, but we have other children and now we have to look forward.” “My wife is still broken down, but we are happy that the boy has admitted it because of the lies he told about my son. We just wish that no other families have to go through this.” Alim lived at home in Brixton Hill with his parents and sister and brothers, aged four to 15 years. His father said he felt the police were doing their best to combat youth knife crime in London, but that they needed more money from the Government. Detective Inspector Reid, said: “There is no indication Alim knew how dangerous and fatal the meeting would be. I believe he went with the honest intention of retrieving the money he had paid for a bike he never received. “I can only hope this conviction goes some small way to bringing justice to Alim’s family.”
LIFE CUT SHORT: Alim Uddin (above right) was stabbed in Tilson House (right)
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ES As the Olym NBA mega pic Games opens star, and in Lond Brixton on, we profil boy, Luol Deng. Sport e 2 FREE , p12.
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We bring launch you the action Brixton of a pioneering from the project short films , with a Becoming series of 1980s riots and a website in Brixton about . Page 13 the
Ritzy film
We’ve just launched a crowdfunding campaign - it’s our way of asking for the community’s help. Basically, we want to raise £15,000 to pay a new, experienced part-time journalist to help us take our coverage to the next level. We started the Brixton Blog and Bugle because of a passion for Brixton. There’s always been a lot going on and we wanted to make sure you knew about it all. (The good and the bad!) We’ve come a long way. In July 2012 we launched a printed newspaper and now print 10,000 copies a month - The Bugle has become a much-loved local news source. We’ve been influential in supporting Brixton locals, whether through campaigns or their small businesses and organisations. We helped save the Lambeth Country Show
from cancellation. We’ve given voice to protests and issues like the proliferation of the big supermarket chains, or the Ritzy Living Wage campaign, even improving the Brixton Rec. Brixton is changing, so it’s all the more important we keep those who make the decisions about our local area – from the council to housing developers – to account. News is our bread and butter, but it’s not the only thing we do. We cover the arts, culture, sports, provide insightful features, check out the good and not so good restau-
rants for you, and have even written a number of profiles on YOU – the amazing people who make Brixton what it is. And now we are asking for your help to continue our work, while giving you even more. Above and below are some of the exciting perks you could enjoy in return for your generosity. Thank you!
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VALEN Brixton’s TINE’S SPE finest flow CIAL ers p14
By Tim Dicken A pioneer s tion could ing youth be moving arts organis atre in the heart to a new aThe of Brixton theing its Ovalhouse theatre . 50th anniver , celebra with Lambet tsary, will h on the velop a work venue onpurpose built plans to deperform The Somerleyton ance that it council has also Road. Brixton will be workin announced sation Green group, g with the sharehowith more than an organilders, that 1,000 local a rundow hopes west side n stretch of to develop Ovalhoof the street. land on the Bestwic use directo r Debora looking k said the theatre has beenh numbe for a Brixton excited r of years and base for ” about a the plans.she is “very “Many work with of the young we have come from people we Brixton outgrow buildin and g in Kenninn our new, larger current with more building gton. With a we can people. She added: work ” extra benefit “If we can create synergy it’s because an there’s people of community in Brixton and creativea CREAT much work . IVE: Dancer equipp We can do ple and ing young so and a s from toward supporting Oval House them to peo- streetliffoyer space that Theatre ploymes further educati e nt.” at an event on and look creativity of Brixton in “brings the The plan emin Windr Bestwicof the theatre and lets the as next year. include theatre ush Square out.” k said The new then open s two spaces, closely flexible plannin last summe venue could seven studio with theshe wants to “We arein 2016. r commu work spaces is g contrib securedthe centre, and nity in thing live and uting to work could if funding yond the vital someexciting that can go start as bethings early pen at Ovalho use Theatre that hapContinu .” Debora ed on Page Bestwi h 5 delightck is ed
crowdfunding campaign launched
Please help us at http://bit.ly/helpbrixtonblog
guide
From Denzel film buff to Die Hard, residen the best, Ashley Clark t and worst, looks Ritzy cinema on offer at this month. at the Page 12
>> £250 Write your own blog post >> £500 Personalised newspaper feature >> £1,000 Guest-edit the Brixton Bugle >> £1,500 Your own column for 6 months >> Brixton Comm refer Lambet unity h councilTrust is to Govern sale of ment Ombus to the Local a much-l man over The group, oved the get funding which hadBrixton pub. to restore planned to Brady’s , in
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4 NEWS
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November 2014
More loos please
Angry residents are calling on Lambeth council to provide more public toilets in the town centre, to stop people from urinating outside their homes. Protestors handed a petition with 380 signatures to cllr Sally Prentice last month, demanding the cash is made available for conveniences.
They say the lack of loos means people living in central Brixton streets often open their front doors to find people peeing against them, and businesses say they regularly have to hose down their front windows and shutters. Rob Goacher, 50, who helped organise the campaign, told The Bugle: “We’re all just fed up with it.”
The campaign comes amidst rumours that the council is to close the only public toilets in the Brixton area to save £60,000. The toilets, in Popes Road, are well used by traders and market customers, and many fear closing them will make the problem of street urination even worse.
Police get social media savvy Senior police and officers of all ranks spent a day taking awkward selfies of themselves and the community in front of some well-known Brixton landmarks. As part of the London-wide initiative, called Community Action Day, on October 22, Met chiefs joined their colleagues, parking wardens and volunteers to share their pictures on social media in the city’s “gloriously diverse population.” Lambeth police visited schools, youth groups and local skate parks and organised football matches in an attempt to show they were down with the kids or – as one spokesman said, “to strengthen our relationship with young people and direct them from less productive activities.”
The somewhat softer approach follows the disastrous Brixton Unite operation in March which saw a huge police presence around Brixton with arrests and raids, coupled with a community engagement event and free food in Windrush Square. Last month’s event proved far more social media-friendly. According to @LambethMPS on Twitter, the PEE’D OFF: Rob Goacher and Miriam Kelly take their petition for more public operation uncovered a kitchen knife toilets to Lambeth Town Hall hidden in Angell Town, a gun and a taser. Several arrests were made for a range of offences from robbery to communities, which means that we constantly changing. Our challenge public disorder. must engage with the people who is to keep up with the changes and Commander Mak Chishty, who live, work, travel or visit London in to police in a way that gives our leads on community engagement ways that best suit their needs and communities every confidence in for the Met, said: “We are committed lifestyles. the service that we provide. to strengthening relationships and “London is a capital city with a boosting confidence with our gloriously diverse population that is
WPC commended for long service
The first female police officer to patrol the Lambeth beat, Annabel Horne, will retire on Sunday, after 46 years with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). Ms Horne joined the MPS on October 21 1968 and was initially posted to Brixton, where she worked as a Police Officer until 1996, when she became a member of staff at the MPS. She has, this week, been congratulated on her remarkable record by Lambeth Borough Commander Richard Wood: “Annabel has served almost 50 years in the MPS, more than most officers have been alive. “Her dedication, professionalism and positive attitude throughout her career is a testament to her exemplary service. “It has been a true privilege to work with Annabel and I would like to thank her for all she has done and wish her the best of luck for all her future endeavours.” Ms Horne spent 18 years working at Brixton and Gypsy Hill police stations and in 1978 became the first female officer to be posted to a Home Beat on Lambeth Borough. At the time a local paper published an article labelling her ‘Bird on the beat’.
UN-PC: A newspaper article from 1978, right, and, left, Annabel gets award from Richard Wood
During her career Ms Horne was posted at Brixton during the riots, and was involved in the notorious ‘Luncheon Voucher party’ raid on Cynthia Payne’s house in Streatham in 1978. When Ms Horne began serving, she was one of only 621 female officers in the MPS, and as a member of the “Women’s Police Department” she received 90% of a male officer’s pay – equal pay did not come about until 1974.
Ms Horne received two Area Commendations during her service and was introduced to HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who was a guest of honour at a reception dinner to celebrate the 60th year of the founding of the Women Police, in 1979. Ms Horne retired as a Police Officer on 10 June 1996, and became a member of police staff where she worked in the Duties Office and Prosecution teams.
November 2014
rec Cafe Closed The cafe at the Brixton Rec was
given a month’s notice to quit in October and has now been closed as refurbishment work starts on the leisure centre. Jean Koney, who took over the running of the cafe in the summer, has asked management if he can operate in another space within the Rec. He has been supported with a paper and online petition against the permanent closure of the cafe. The Brixton Rec Users Group pointed out that the quality of food and service has improved considerably with Jean’s management of the cafe. Management GLL have said they will install vending machines and put in comfortable seating.
NEWS 5
Multifaith shelter
MUGGED Police are hunting three men
who followed a man home before attacking him and stealing his £1,400 Tag Heuer watch. The victim walked from Effra Road to Leander Road while being followed by his attackers on September 13. The attackers were all men between 18 and 25. The police have asked anyone with information to contact DC Kamran Yaqub at Lambeth Police’s CID via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
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Lambeth faith leaders joined together to call upon the council to offer resettlement to vulnerable refugees living in UN camps near war zones such as Syria and Iraq. In marking the Jewish festival of Sukkot, the faith leaders took part in the traditional practice of building a temporary shelter, remembering the refugee experience of their ancestors and inviting others to share in the sanctuary of the shelter. It was built in Windrush Square, overlooking
Lambeth Town Hall, last month. The local faith leaders are working with Lambeth Citizens, part of national community organising charity, Citizens UK, to encourage local authorities to help double the number of refugees that the UK currently admits. “It’s fantastic to see Lambeth civil society and faith leaders speaking with one voice on such an important issue” said Nick Jones from South London Liberal Synagogue.
Council promises bright future for the Rec New opportunities could be opened up for local footballers, boxers, sports lovers and even local artists in the multi-million pound refurbishment of Brixton Recreation Centre. The structure of the building will not change, but the council plans major works inside to improve the interior. Extraordinarily, they have found that around 25 per cent of the 13,975m2 space in the Rec is currently unused, with much of that locked away behind closed doors. The council has now completed early research into the structure of the building, demographics of users, and a user survey. In a consultation starting in December, local residents will be asked want they want to see in the Recreation Centre, with the emphasis on it being about ‘recreation’ rather than pure sports. At a public meeting of the Brixton Rec Users Group in October, locals insisted that they want to keep the Rec as an incredible resource for all members of the community. Some
people who have used the Rec since the 1980s remembered that it once housed a bar, a nightclub, batique classes and drumming, alongside a plethora of other activities. It still acts as a mosque, a church and an examination hall. Steadman Scott, who runs Afewee Football and Boxing clubs, said: “with any fancy stuff you put in there, please make sure you put in space for our youngsters, stuff to uplift them, to give them dreams. Make this building be what it is supposed to be.” Many people at the meeting were worried about the possibility that the council will team up with a developer to pay for some of the works, which would likely dilute community demands in favour of financial ones. One person praised the relationship that has developed between the Brixton Rec Users Group and Lambeth council, saying: “our hearts drop when we think of a third party coming in and upsetting that.” The other option, that the council run the whole refurbishment itself, is also being considered.
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November 2014
Pictures by Pearlie Frisch
Oxjam stages noisy takeover
by Sophie Bush
£8 wristbands got gig-goers into Kaff Bar, the Market House, POW, Upstairs at the Ritzy and The Windmill for Brixton’s branch of the nationwide Oxjam fundraisers. “Brixton has a massive music scene already,” said Harriet, one of the event’s organisers, “and I think we have an easy job here getting bands.” The Kaff Bar’s low-key air looked like home to Declan McKenna, a snappy young guitarist with a
quirky voice who played in front of his parents and an impressed afternoon crowd. Nomad Folk got everyone bobbing and singing along to some natty keyboard and witty pop covers in the Market House. Folk-rock group HNTR felt like the headliner - “they’re really good”, a girl nudged her friend. “I fancy them all!”, she nudged back. Punters had a pint-sloshing mosh to rock and indie bands at The Windmill,
including rollicking sets from The Connectors and post-punk group Edna Average, and later from XFM regulars, shoegaze band Dressmaker, that a volunteer recommended “if you like your bands LOUD”. From the rocking pub to Upstairs at the Ritzy and a seriously soulful vibe akin to a top-notch house-party. “We had to stop letting people in earlier”, said an organiser.” Camberwell singer-songwriter Ray Jones and her band made their set both intimate and exciting, eliciting stellar dance-
moves from the enthusiastic crowd. The Bugle queued for POW – and a good job, too, or we’d have missed outstanding female voices from performers Georgia Buchanan, and Elle and the Pocket Belles. Buchanan is a cool young talent, while jazzy Elle and her Belles channelled an infectious retro influence. A spell back in the Kaff around 10.30pm was like a hipster hoedown as wicked-fast guitarist and singer Will Wood worked a mightily enthusiastic crowd. “We came from
Islington”, said a Kaff drinker, “because the Brixton takeover is the coolest one”. Cool cat Frank Tope proved his credentials at POW and had every limb in the room bending to his masterly house-mix. Harriet and the Oxjam crew were cheerfully still distributing lollies (delicious, strawberry; thanks) in the late hours, buoyed perhaps by the capacity crowds and the knowledge that Brixton’s Oxjam is another wellloud, absolutely jammin’ success – and the coolest of the lot, natch.
November 2014
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the faces of
BRIXTON PART IV: edward, brixton harmonies BY KATHRYN AEDY PICTURES BY ALEXANDRA WAESPI Every Monday Edward leads the Brixton Harmonies from behind a low-volume keyboard, moving from one song to the next without hesitation; the singers seamlessly following along. The choir sings classics such as California Dreaming and Will You Love Me Tomorrow, as well as the works of artists such as Bob Marley and Nina Simone, all without a single sheet of music. Edward studied classical music before completing an MA in Musical Composition. Having also been a support worker at Certitude, creating the Brixton Harmonies seemed like a logical combination of two things he’s both familiar with and inspired by. Although slow to take off just over a year ago, the choir’s current enthusiastic attendance and growing public exposure indicates that perhaps this is something Brixton has been missing. Certitude is about inclusiveness and building common links between people, particularly but not exclusively people with learning disabilities. For the Brixton Harmonies, inclusion extends to everyone, and the choir is always welcoming new singers. Some members come in from as far as Clapham and range from social care residents and their caregivers to civil servants and designers. Edward’s best advice for getting involved is to just “turn up.” The rehearsals, Edward explains, are “more about doing than about results.” He appreciates the choir’s openness to trying new things,
instead of worrying so much about getting a particular song right. This could mean creating new compositions around one person’s unique vocal expression, or learning longer and more complex compilations in order to improve everyone’s concentration skills. “Music is a leveller,” says Edward. “Everyone treating one another the same way.” The choir has also indirectly revealed people’s hidden talents. Some singers have memorised all of the words to an enormous repertoire, while others are confident and natural performers despite being shy in social situations. Edward recalls one performance where one member sang Love Me Tender to an audience that ended with everybody in tears. Whether performing on stage at Hootananny or gathered around the piano at Herne Hill overground station, audiences are often surprised by Brixton Harmonies’ sophistication and cohesion. But, to Edward and everyone else in the choir, they don’t feel that they’re doing anything out of the ordinary. Edward gets a “massive kick” out of working with such a nice group of people and admits, “It’s an obscene amount of fun considering that it’s work!” The Brixton Harmonies rehearse Mondays 6pm - 8pm at 107 Railton Road. Everybody is welcome to join. For more information please call Certitude on 020 8772 6222.
FEATURES 7
8 your brixton
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November 2014
TWEETS
My Brixton >>>>>>>>>>>>>>TOP FIVE
Some of your #Brixton tweets:
@Lambeth_ MPS: #CommunityActionDay Senior leaders out on patrol in #Brixton speaking to the public. Grass roots engagement
Lee Dema runs the brilliant St Matthews Project, which gives free football training to young people from six to 21 years old.
@LayleiKakes: Late lunch / early dinner at @BamboulaKitchen Stew chicken / rice ‘n’ peas / plantain and salad #Brixton #Caribbean
1/ Brockwell Park
Join the conversation in #Brixton by Tweeting us @BrixtonBlog or @Brixton_Bugle
YOUR PICTURES: We loved this picture of three boxes under an inspiring slogan. Very Brixton. Uploaded to the Brixton Blog Flickr group by Silverfox09. Keep them coming to our group www.flickr.com/groups/brixtonblog Thanks to our readers who sent these pictures of local street art and the Brixton Windmill to our Flickr Group!
Although it’s not really Brixton my favourite thing would be watching one of our teams play on the big pitch at Brockwell Park. I played on the same pitch as a kid. You also get one of the best views of the city from east to west.
2/ San Marino Cafe
The Brixton I grew up in has practically vanished so it’s hard to think of any old favourites. The San Marino cafe, though, on the corner of Brixton Road and Station Road is a great little place, run by three generations of an Italian family.
3/ Morleys
I’d have to mention Morleys, still going strong after all these years. Can’t remember the last time I bought anything in there but it always reminds me of my mum, she loved the place (and the old Bon Marche). We have meetings in Cafe Nero on the second floor sometimes, which gives you a great vantage point for the hustle and bustle and ‘goings on’ of Brixton Road.
HOW DO YOU READ YOURS? Tweet us pics of your Bugle in odd places for a chance to win a Brixton Blog bag
4/ Poundland
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The
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venues that took part in this year’s brixton oxjam staff are set to lose their jobs at the ritzy
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t: 020 3730 1312
by numbers
£60,000 70 4.5 % 12 saving to be made by LAMBETH council to close pope’s road public toilets tasty pumpkin chipotle muffins in MISS SOUTH’S recipE
protestors from cressingham gardens marched to lambeth town hall
the strength of the windmill’s exclUSive roofdog beer
Might sound funny, but Poundland. There’s Poundland and then there’s Brixton Poundland. It’s the only one I know where you’ll see a shoplifter get past a security guard only to be stopped by a plain clothes security guard, who then retrieves a packet of Werther’s Originals from down the front of the shoplifter’s trousers. Reminds me of old Brixton and, that for all the Brixton Village turnout, there’s still terrible poverty around the area.
5/ Granville Arcade the way it used to be
What I used to love was the market, in the days when it was still buzzing, the Granville Arcade; the pool halls, drinking dens, cafes and chicken shacks of my youth. It was a bad education but without it there wouldn’t be a St. Matthew’s Project today. God and Brixton - move in mysterious ways.
November 2014
BRIXTONBugle
COMMENT T
he paper you are reading today has been produced by two editors, one working almost full-time for free and the other fitting Brixton news reporting around a tough, full-time job. It’s also been produced by a very brilliant subeditor, an excellent designer, two arts editors, a sports editor, a food editor, and news reporters who all gave up their time – often full days, certainly weekends – because they believe strongly in the importance of local news. With revenue from advertising in The Bugle, raised by our paid sales guru Jenny, we have recently managed to cobble together just enough to give some money to a few people, who do a day or so a week on some of the work it takes to run a newspaper. Even these guys, juggling young families and stressful lives, put in hours and hours extra. Our dream is to be able to give back to all these people even a fraction of what they are worth and in doing so to ace the biggest challenge of all: how do you make a local newspaper, one which aims to be fair, fun and true to the area, a sustainable project? We believe it’s an important thing for Brixton to have because it keeps everyone informed of what’s happening around them, from the awful Ritzy redundancies to the chance for you all to have a say in what the Brixton Rec will be like. In doing so, it unites a lot of different people who live and work here, who all get impassioned when it comes to their hometown. And it provides a forum for promoting brilliant local organisations like the St Matthews Project, the football club for youngsters whose coach Lee shares his five favourite things about Brixton on these pages. The answer is, we need your help along the way. We’ve just launched a crowdfunding campaign, asking for the community’s help to raise £15,000 to pay a new, experienced part-time news editor. That news editor will be able to focus on expanding our coverage of Brixton stories, from keeping the council and dodgy developers to account to bigging up local organisations like the Foodbank. To contribute, simply go to indiegogo. com and enter the search term ‘Brixton Blog’. There are some rewards to thank you – but the biggest one comes from us. THANK YOU!
I
n the spirit of supporting each other, can we all just have a hip hooray for the amazing staff at the Ritzy? We thought it was a cruel joke when we heard the news that the Picturehouse plan to sack around 34 staff following their campaign for a London Living Wage, but nope, it’s true. Apparently it’s based on low customer satisfaction, but we can’t say we have ever experienced a bad vibe from Ritzy staff. We’ll do all we can to help them fight the redundancies and if you feel as outraged as we do, then do shout your support from the rooftops. Seems like it’s November, then, not December that’s all about giving.
editorial 9
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Brixton illustrated LA SCALA, BRIXTON HILL By KAYLENE ALDEr
This month’s Brixton building illustration was suggested by Manda Glanfield who tweeted “The old Scala cinema, 101 Brixton Hill”. It’s shown here as it might have been in the 1930s, when it was known as the New Royalty, one of its many aliases. Manda will receive a free print of the artwork. Tweet your clever clogs suggestions for next month’s beautiful Brixton building to @kpictures.
CRESSINGHAM: A resident’s view In a few months, Lambeth council is due to make a decision on the future of Cressingham Gardens, a popular lowrise estate of some 300 homes, bordering Brockwell Park. In Part Three of a series, join resident Jo Parkes on a journey through regeneration, for an insight into a contentious trend which, for better or worse, is changing the lives of thousands of Londoners. I wrote in Part One of this series, about how I became politicised by Lambeth council’s demolition threat: How my instinct to protect our sacred tribe from their planned pillaging, was lit up way back in September 2012. Since then, it’s felt like falling in love. I’ve wanted to be with the campaign all the time. And last Saturday’s ‘@savecressingham’ demonstration was the wedding. Now, the campaign’s in a reflective honeymoon phase and excited about married life. We’re poring over the photos and videos, which help us grasp that it really did happen. We came together as agreed, and somewhat noisily, tied the knot. The parallels are almost endless: The street procession from home, down the aisle of Tulse Hill, to the steps of Lambeth Town
@brixtonblog
Hall. Instead of prayers, we chanted to the borough’s God, Lambeth council: ‘Repairs, not demolition!’ We’re remembering the excited emotion of the congregation and their palpable hope for our future. Then there’s the confetti of supportive signatures on our petition. One less typical feature of these nuptials was the visit by three young Brixton police constables, who were checking we had permission to be there. Even more of a surreal departure from the norm, was our memorable day making the lead story on the ITV London news that evening. The growing media attention, and the boost we’ve had from the Lambeth Green Party, will hopefully get the council thinking twice. In case you weren’t in Brixton that day, around 70 of us protesters - aged from eight months to 80 years - assembled mid-morning on the lawn in front of the Rotunda - our community hall on the estate. We marched off into the road waving banners, sounding vuvuzelas, whistles and drums, before arriving at the town hall at around midday. The councillors we were aiming our protest
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at weren’t around, but they will have got the message. Since then, the regeneration team has extended our consultation period from December this year to February 2015. They at least want to seem like they’re giving us time to find the best solution. By coincidence, we chose the same day to march as the Britain Needs a Pay Rise demo in central London, but rather than being an unfortunate clash, the zeitgeist was wellcaptured. People all over the country are sick of being squashed by their elected politicians and some are desperately trying to let their oppressors know. Fortunately, Brixton Police facilitated our action, which they are legally obliged to do - with the appropriate amount of notice. Not so for Tuesday’s Occupy London protest in Parliament Square, where peaceful protesters got arrested. A fence was then being erected to prevent them returning to ‘spoil the grass’. Many a time has Cressingham’s voice felt similarly trivialised. It’s the kind of attitude that causes marriages to break down. For more on the ongoing campaign, catch up with the remainder of the series in the Brixton Blog.
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10 FEATURES
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November 2014
YOUR LOCAL pint: there’s hop for us all
BY KEITH LEWIS
Left, right and centre. That’s where you’ll find craft and micro-breweries these days. And that’s not a complaint. After all, decent beer is not just all the rage – it’s decent beer. But when there’s a Brixton angle to your pint, then that’s even better, right? So, just in case you haven’t already come across them, we thought we’d take a look at the stories behind some of the area’s very own brews, as well as meet some of the hop wizards behind them.
THE BRIXTON BUZZ’S ‘BRIXTON BUZZ’
A brew with a benevolent tilt. Sounds great. Well knocking back a bottle of this IPA means your boozing will actually be giving something back to the community. The guys down at Brixton Buzz have collaborated with London Beer Lab to produce a range of beers where the profits are donated directly to the Brixton Soup Kitchen. And the range’s creation was pretty democratic too. The Brixton Buzz asked their readership to suggest what a Brixton beer might look like. So, as one of a range of three, what makes Brixton Buzz unique is that it comes infused with guarana (a coffee bean-sized stimulant native to the Amazon). It’s a pale ale and weighs in at 4.4%. The bottle looks pretty cool too – the funky labels are designed by esteemed artist Mark Stafford and demonstrate his flare as a quirky comic illustrator. So, it’s not only a beer with a kick. It’s a drink that makes you feel pretty good about yourself in more than one way. At the time of going to press, stocks of the whole Brixton Buzz range have been depleted due to high demand. So watch out for the relaunch in the New Year.
Above: Jez, one of Brixton Brewery’s founders, in the archway brewery on Station Road
BRIXTON BREWERY’S ‘EFFRA ALE’
According to Jez, one of Brixton Brewery’s founders, they started out life as home brewers. “Home brew – is that dads in slippers tending to plastic bins full of froth at the back of the airing cupboard?” I asked him. “No, not really,” was his response. He was sat on the middle rung of a stepladder in their archway brewery on Station Road, and he pointed out the label of a bottle of the brewery’s very own Effra Ale. “In the design there’s the Brixton Windmill. And the River Effra. It was inspired by a fresco that used to be down on Effra Parade which had this amazing image of the old, more bucolic Brixton. So I guess this beer represents Brixton’s constant change in a way.” The Effra beer itself is pretty mellow. And as an amber ale it’s more of a session number. It’s balanced – and less pronounced – than Brixton Brewery’s other craft beers, such as the fruity Atlantic IPA (a new favourite of mine). You’ll detect a bit of pine and a bit of grass in the hops, continuing along that bucolic theme. And while most of the hops are British, one variety comes from Slovenia. (Yep, Slovenia.) All in all, Effra Ale is an easy, quaffable ale, perfect for an afternoon under a tree in Brockwell Park.
THE CROWN AND ANCHOR’S ‘CRANKER’
The Crown and Anchor’s Cranker is an all-round nod to the pub’s regulars. Firstly, its name comes from the moniker they give to this Brixton Road boozer. Secondly, as one regular pointed out – the pub has so much choice and a constantly changing range of brews, it can be hard work choosing if you’re drinking there a lot. (Now and then even a proper beer drinker likes a bit of familiarity). So, The Crown and Anchor took the bull by the Horn’s Brewery, and whipped up their very own cask staple. Touted as a session ale, it has a citrusy punch to it and uses two US hops and one from Australia. They were looking for a light ale. What’s interesting is that the first batch was too light by management tastes, so they’ve since tweaked it a little to up the hoppyness, and give it a more floral nose (as the saying goes). So, as this goes to print, Cranker 2.0 should already be flowing from the pumps.
THE WINDMILL’S ‘ROOF DOG’
I know. We don’t usually associate the 1980s with the word organic. But that’s when the Pitfield’s Artisan Organic brewery began, in ’82. They have put together a special ale, not for a pub as such, but on behalf of a dog of the same name. If you haven’t heard of Roof Dog, then the indie music scene might not be your thing. This wellknown canine is the mascot of The Windmill, Brixton’s reputable music venue-come-pub. And that’s the only place you can get hold if it. This 4.5% gig beer is as pale as some of the punters that come rolling out in the early hours, and comes on draft and in bottles. And, as some fun advertising points out, it uses pale malted barley and added German hops (for that extra bite!). Why Pitfield Brewery? Well, it was a Windmill regular that suggested it – he works at the brewery and came up with the idea (perhaps spurred on by the slightly uninspiring Pedigree Ale (and nope, not another dog joke) that preceded it.
November 2014
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FEATURES 11
A HEAD IN A HAT’S ‘TOMMY’
Tommy is an Indian Pale Ale (IPA). And the story goes that most IPAs used to be well strong. And well hoppy. That’s because transporting beer from the UK to India back in the day posed issues around keep. Despite being based on a recipe over 100 years old, though, Tommy comes in at just 4.2%, and challenges this perception of history. According to Peter, the owner/brewer at local A Head in a Hat Brewery, IPAs were hoppy because hops have an antibacterial and preserving quality. As for the strength – well that was a bit of a myth. He says there is a popular misconception about all IPAs of the time all being strong. I believe him – after all, Peter has published a book called An Inebriated History of Britain. So he knows his stuff. Peter runs his brewery from The Florence pub on Dulwich Road, and provides beers to quite a few local pubs, as well as shops. All his concoctions are named after hats. And all of them hark back to old recipes because he wanted to give Londoners a taste of their heritage. Tommy (named after the Tommy Atkins helmet) uses a First World War recipe. It’s a big beer with heaps of flavour and character and relies on Kentish hops. As for the name of his brewery: “Well, in the ‘50s, people stopped wearing hats and there was this slogan: ‘Get ahead. Get a hat’. I wear a hat. And I liked the slogan.”
Left: Peter hard at work at the A Head in a Hat brewery
BRIXTON BEER
Big up to Brixton Beer, which is still going strong after it was started three years ago by Helen Steer and Ann Bodkin from Incredible Edible Lambeth. Dozens of Brixton residents have grown their own hop plants (see above), which all goes into a special brew at The Florence pub microbrewery. A good time was had by all as they celebrated their new ale recently.
Lambeth College The Careers College
opeN eVeNiNg
Come along for information, advice, and to apply for your courses
Thursday, 13th November 5.00pm to 8.00pm
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FInD ouT MoRe aBouT ouR CouRSeS anD PICK uP YouR FRee CaReeRS guIDe FoR 2015/2016.
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Be part of Brixton’s future The public ownership of land and buildings in the town centre means we’ve all got a greater say in how Brixton changes. This isn’t a quick fix, but it is a chance to create opportunities for local people whilst treasuring Brixton’s unique character. There are concerns about the impact of development, but there is the potential to build over 800 desperately needed new homes in the most heavily populated area of the borough. Estimates that these new developments will also be home to 850 new jobs will be good news too. It’s also about supporting local businesses and an increased spend of over £2 million every
year in the local economy is anticipated. Building space to encourage enterprise is important and this is being tested through the Impact Hub in the town hall. If you’re a Lambeth-based business, market trader or self-employed resident your experiences and concerns are vital to make Brixton a great place to do business.
Brixton Central Masterplan – next steps
What can I do?
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Find out more – visit futurebrixton. org to find out about the projects Keep yourself and others up to date – sign up to the email list on the website, follow us @futurebrixton and tell your friends Share your thoughts – come to an Open Day, market stall or workshop, take part in a consultation or leave a comment on the website
Dates for your diary Future Brixton market stalls Our market stall events aim to entice you away from shopping for a few minutes to make sure you know about the projects and the open days. You can find us: • Saturday 15 November, 11am to 3pm on Brixton Station Road • Tuesday 18 November, 11am to 3pm on Electric Avenue.
Future Brixton open days Latest sketch showing aerial view of Brixton Central
Hundreds of people have fed back ideas on proposals for developing the Brixton Central area, which includes the station, Brixton Station Road, Atlantic Road and the land between the viaducts. This has helped to clarify the key priorities for any development and whether people like the idea of extending the markets or concentrating more on providing work space for new enterprise.
masterplan proposals. During November there will open days, market stalls, an exhibition and workshop for people to discuss the masterplan. You’ll also be able to read all about it and send us your comments online at futurebrixton.org/brixton-central.
Please check all event details on the website
• Saturday 22 November, 11am to 4pm at the Impact Hub in the basement of Lambeth Town Hall • Monday 24 November, 2 to 8pm in the Assembly Hall at Lambeth Town Hall
Workshops with the Community Reference Group, market stalls and Challenge events with local young people have all led to lively discussions and we want to keep people talking. The council and Network Rail, the two major landowners in the area, now want to know what you think about the draft
People on the project teams for Somerleyton Road, the Brixton Central Masterplan and Your New Town Hall will all be on hand to talk you through the proposals so far, how we’ve got here and what’s happening next. They’ll want to know what you think and how you want to continue to be involved.
Brixton Central workshop A community reference group workshop about the masterplan proposals. Open to all.
Market stall event in July 2014
• Tuesday 2 December, 6.30 to 9pm at the Impact Hub
Come to an Open Day this month
Somerleyton – a road for all ages
Your New Town Hall
Brixton Green, Ovalhouse and Lambeth Council are working with local people to create a road for all ages that will be run by the people who use it. We want to see fair rents for homes and workspaces, jobs and training opportunities, as well as a new theatre. Rather than partner with a private developer, the council has chosen to act as its own developer to make sure the council and the community have more control over what is built. This means the Somerleyton Road project stays focused on building new affordable homes and a thriving local community rather than making a profit. Igloo has been appointed as the development management team and delivery partner for the project. They are working to a project brief that has come out of hundreds of conversations with local people and you can read this on the website at www.futurebrixton/somerleyton-road. Non-residential uses for the road include the theatre, a chef school, street gym, children’s centre or nursery and a dementia centre. Some of these ideas are already starting to happen at Number Six, which is a disused former kitchen building now run by Brixton Green. Sixty of the 300 new homes are earmarked as extra care homes for older people, some of which will re-house residents from Fitch Court. Mr Guy MBE told us how the residents want to participate in the process
Mr Guy from Fitch Court
even though it is particularly difficult for older people to think about moving home. “I’m a very optimistic person. What the council has got to prove to us is that they will involve us in the regeneration and listen to us – that we matter as residents and as a community of people and that it’s not just about a building.” The final development will be owned and managed by a new community body in which the residents, community and business occupiers and the wider community have a say. The homes will all be for rent and will be set up as a new housing cooperative to make sure tenancies and rents are fair. We want to hear from you if you’re interested in any of the non-residential uses, the new community body or housing elements of the development. There will also be an event to discuss the work of the masterplanners who are looking at the initial design of the street.
Brixton is the civic centre of Lambeth and the town hall its focal point. The project works hand in hand with the cooperative council vision to open up local decision making. Creating a new centre around the town hall will save at least £4.5 million a year, improve customer experiences and provide better spaces for community and business use. During the summer Muse and Lambeth Council held a number of Community Design events to improve the design of the Your New Town Hall project through local involvement. The workshops, meetings and exhibitions led to comments on a wide range of topics, including parking, building heights, affordable housing and the design of civic spaces. The design team have used these to develop and improve the proposals which Muse will be consulting on this month. The team will want to know what you think and will be meeting residents living close to the site and local community groups as well as holding public exhibitions open to all and running an online consultation at www.yournewtownhall.org.
Young performers from Ovalhouse help attract visitors to a Somerleyton Road consultation event
visit futurebrixton.org • follow @futurebrixton
The Brixton BID was voted in by local businesses, for local business, and its work is funded by your BID levy bills. This is why it is important for you to get involved and have your say, to help shape the future of your local economy. We warmly invite you to our upcoming meetings in October. For more details see below. These meetings are not a place for simply talking – we have a budget and plans to make Brixton an even better place to do business, and we want you to help. To register your attendance or find out how you can get involved contact us: info@thebrixtonbid.co.uk
Businesses will very soon be able to use Brixton Pound income to pay the BID levy!
Please contact us if you want more information at: Brixton BID 30a Acre Lane, London, SW2 5QS Office: 0203 417 7373 E-mail: admin@brixtonbid.co.uk Website: www.brixtonbid.co.uk
FREE SUPPORT FOR BRIXTON BUSINESSES Whether you are starting a business, looking to take your business to the next level, or ready to give back to your local community, here are two great business support organisations that continue to make big impact for Brixton’s small businesses. Find out how you can get involved and help make Brixton an even better place to work!
NEED HR ADVICE,
BUT DON’T KNOW WHERE TO TURN OR WHO TO ASK? Look no further! Danielle McDonald helps to give small business owners like you peace of mind by ensuring you are compliant with employment legislation and take the fuss out of HR. Danielle is offering 30 minute FREE HR Advice Skype Calls to Brixton Business Owners. All you need to do is send Danielle an email with the following title to arrange or give her a call. Subject: Brixton Bugle Email Address: hello@bumblebeehr.co.uk Phone: 07931 730 403
FREE STRATEGIC BRANDING MASTERCLASSES TO AMPLIFY BRIXTON AREA BUSINESSES
Are you an established business looking for a proven way to invest in the success of Brixton entrepreneurs and boost performance in the local economy? Or are you a business owner or jobseeker looking for solid brand strategy advice and workshops to boost your branding and digital skills? Brand Amplifier, the Brixton-based pro-bono business bootcamp run by seasoned business strategy experts, wants to hear from YOU! With five years of supporting the success of local area entrepreneurs, the award-winning*, high-energy brand strategy training and networking programme is rolling out half-day condensed Masterclasses to support the retailers, makers, artisans, business owners and night-time traders in our vibrant tborough. We’d love to support business CSR programmes and local traders especially in the crucial pre-Christmas trading period, so we need your input on how we can help boost Brixton as a holiday shopping destination. Please contact info@brandamplifier.co.uk if you’d like to be part of Brixton’s next successful initiative to boost our local economy, by participating in or sponsoring a Masterclass. * Winner, Lambeth Community Awards 2014: Helping People into Jobs and Training, Highly Commended, Lambeth Business Awards 2014: Business Gives Back, Finalist, Shine 2014 Awards: Mentor of the Year
What Training are Brixton BID and Lambeth College Providing? Lambeth College offers fully-funded training to Employers in London designed to improve your staff’s skills in a variety of sectors. Brixton BID and Lambeth College are partnering to put on training sessions for local employers in First Aid, Health & Safety, Food Hygiene and Customer Service. How can this benefit my business? • When investing in your staff, their commitment increases and they are more motivated to do a good job. • Employees get an increased sense of self-confidence through achievement. • The CIEH qualification in Emergency First Aid at work is a three-year qualification. • The training courses in health & safety cover a number of important issues which support safe working practices and may contribute to a reduction in workplace related accidents, injury and illness. On completion of this course, learners will have a sound understanding of the principles of health and safety and their role in keeping the workplace safe in the areas covered in the programme. Employers will benefit from their employees recognising the importance of health and safety in the work environment. • Customer Service courses will provide the basis for optimized communication and service with an employer’s customers and client base • Better productivity overall means reduced costs and efficient operations for higher profits. Email admin@Brixtonbid.co.uk to enquire.
Brixton-based jewellery maker, Segen Ghebrekidan – Tree Shepherd mentee
Mentee Carlian is seen here trialling samples of her insect snack business Gourmet Grubs at the Country Show. Carlian receives mentoring from Jonny at Brixton’s Bar Seven.
Tree Shepherd is looking for Brixton people who want to mentor a local enterprise Tree Shepherd knows that for anybody who is starting out in business, enterprise mentoring works. It may take meeting one or two mentors before you ‘click’, but once you settle into a mentoring relationship, the sessions can prove invaluable. They have a large number of people on their books who are looking for the right enterprise mentor. It may be a case of like-for-like e.g. an aspiring home baker looking for somebody with an established cake business. It might also be someone who is looking for a particular skill they lack, such as a local artist looking for somebody to mentor them who is good with figures. Tree Shepherd is looking to the Brixton community for volunteer mentors. They welcome people coming forward from established Brixton-based busi-
nesses who want to share some of their knowledge. It will also be great for local residents with useful skills to volunteer. All that’s required is meeting with a local entrepreneur once a month for a period of six months. They will come with their basic business plan and a particular set of issues or questions. You may not have all the answers, but it will definitely help them just to have somebody to sound their ideas out. Often your mentee will find the answers themselves - it just helps to have that friendly ear. If you have never mentored before, don’t worry, every new mentor is given a Tree Shepherd induction. This is a unique opportunity to meet with the chief executive, Colin Crooks, who is widely respected in the Lambeth community as a champion for local enterprise.
Brixton Flavours sells over 500 tickets! Brixton has clearly cemented itself as a destination for London food-lovers, with its huge range of delicious venues. A weekend of foodie festivities took place on the weekend of 25-26 October; an international food event SW9 held on Saturday in Brixton Outdoor
Market, and new foodie festival Brixton Flavours which took place on Sunday 26 October, celebrating the culinary diversity and exquisite tastes in and around Brixton Village, Market Row, Station Road, Atlantic Road and Coldharbour Lane. 22 local restaurants.
Are you interested in being a Brixton Enterprise Mentor? Please contact Lydia Gardner on 020 3697 1540 or email lydia@treeshepherd.org.uk @TreeShepherdUK www.treeshepherd.org.uk The Tree Shepherd mentoring programme is delivered in partnership with Brixton BID, Vauxhall One, Waterloo Quarter, Lambeth, Lambeth Food Partnership, Makerhood and Morley College. Supported by BIS (Department of Business, Innovation & Skills).
brixton business dates for your diary Brixton BID Marketing & Partnerships meeting 11:30am Thu 20 Nov 30a Acre Lane, Brixton Brixton BID Environment theme group meeting 11:30am Thu 27 Nov 30a Acre Lane, Brixton Disco Soup event 18 Nov TBC
16 arts & culture
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Front row seat to the trenches
Feel every bomb blast and smell the rations cooking in an immersive new First World War play by local theatre troupe Grindstone. Arts Co-Editor Barney Evison met up with producer Sonnie Beckett to find out more about The Glasshouse. On the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, there’s plenty of commemorative arts events on offer for a discerning London culture vulture. Creatives across the capital have seized on this historical milestone as a hook for exploring established themes in new and exciting ways - only recently we covered the innovative Loughborough Junction World War One augmented reality app. If you’re hungry for more, don’t miss The Glasshouse, a new play by Brixton-based playwright Max Saunders-Smith staged at the Tristan Bates Theatre this month by Max’s company Grindstone, which he founded with fellow Italia Conti alumna Sonnie in 2013. Their first show RIP, a musical about Jack the Ripper written by Sonnie, received critical acclaim and is transferring to the West End in 2015. The Glasshouse focuses on the experiences of two British soldiers thrown together in a makeshift prison (a ‘glasshouse’ in WWI-speak) on the back line of the Somme. One is a victim of shellshock, the other is a conscientious objector, and both face court martial and possible execution for cowardice. A friendship develops between the two
the richness in poverty A new exhibition at Railton Road’s 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning is challenging the stereotypes of people in poverty. Arts Co-Editor Ruth Waters was at the launch evening.
The Roles We Play: Recognising the Contribution of People in Poverty is a series of striking photographic portraits of people living in poverty by artist and photographer Eva Sajovic, made in collaboration with antipoverty organisation, ATD Fourth World. The portraits are exhibited alongside a short testimony from the person about their lives. A book of the portraits with the full text is available to read through at the gallery or to take away for a small donation. Challenging the prevailing message of the middle class-driven media, that a person’s worth is directly equal to their earned wage, The Roles We Play shows that people in poverty have a lot to offer our society: “We may be poor, but we are rich in other ways” says Seamus, one of the participants in the project (pictured right).
November 2014
Tammy, a proud mother, participant in the project and ambassador for ATD Fourth World speaks of the pride she takes in the exhibition and accompanying book: “The thing I got out of The Roles We Play was being able to talk to other people and not be ashamed that we live in poverty. It may still be a struggle but I am getting there. I also feel that I am doing something worthwhile and even if it changes only a handful of people’s minds about poverty and how we do contribute to our communities then it is worthwhile.” The Roles We Play is at 198 until November 14. Entry is free and everyone is welcome. You can find out more about the project and the work of ATD Fourth World online at www.therolesweplay.co.uk and via social media @ATDFourthWorld #RolesWePlay. Copies of The Roles We Play can also be obtained at www.globalgiving.co.uk/ projects/the-roles-we-play/.
men and their tragic story is played out against the violent backdrop of trench warfare. The First World War may have been 100 years ago, but it’s still an emotive subject. Sonnie assures me that Grindstone worked hard to ensure they’re not pulled up for historical inaccuracies. “Max had to do so much research - if you get it wrong you’re going to offend a lot of people,” she says. I wonder what the team think of Blackadder’s comic take on life in the trenches, recently criticised by the Chancellor George Osborne. “I love it!” says Sonnie. “Everything in it is actually so true, like the court case, they were shambolic. The judge was usually a junior officer with little experience. In our play, the conscientious objector is told ten minutes before his trial that he doesn’t have a prisoner’s friend [legal representation] which was also quite common.” Astoundingly, the men sentenced to death in this way were only officially pardoned in 2006. It’s clear that society is still grappling with the issues that the play explores. “I don’t think we’ve learnt that much,” says Sonnie, “soldiers are still suffering from shell-shock and mental illness is still such a taboo. There’s still that misconception about masculinity, about hiding feelings and reactions.” Grindstone intend to throw their audience straight into the war itself, and they’re promising a ‘claustrophobic, immersive’ production. “It’s going to be loud and
inescapable,” says Sonnie, “there’ll be a subwoofer under each seat so whenever a shell goes off, you’ll feel it in your stomach.” The theatre will be filled with the smells of the trenches, gunpowder and food, which the cast will be cooking on stage. The whole cast has struggled, emotionally and physically, during the rehearsals they’ve been holding at local space Arch 468. “Each actor has come up to me individually and said it’s the hardest thing they’ve ever done,” says Sonnie. To get into the psyche of someone facing life or death for each performance has evidently been a huge challenge. The Glasshouse promises to be an engaging and provocative show. This is no sentimental drama celebrating the camaraderie and heroism of First World War. “It looks at the darker underbelly of the war, the stories that get brushed under the carpet, and the unsung heroes,” says Sonnie. “Our piece commemorates, but it doesn’t celebrate. It raises a lot of poignant questions which may cause argument, but that’s what we think theatre’s all about.” The Glasshouse runs until November 22 at the Tristan Bates Theatre in the West End.
Bugle readers get £10 tickets - just enter the code ‘Olive’ when you book online at tristanbatestheatre.co.uk.
November 2014
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arts & culture 17
how great thou art: exhibition
Charlie Phillips has been capturing black London on camera for 50 years and this month he presents a unique collection of his work at Brixton’s Photofusion gallery, focusing on Afro-Caribbean funerals. Arts Co-Editor Ruth Waters finds out more.
Charlie came to be the proud owner of a camera when an American GI pawned one to his father to earn his fare back to the base. His father passed it on to him and so began his journey documenting the life of his neighbourhood, then Notting Hill. He made his name as a photographer in Italy, travelling with the Merchant Navy, documenting counter-culture and social uprisings, photographing student protests in Paris and Rome, and working as a paparazzo, capturing the likes of Pavarotti. “There was never the platform for my work in this country. The art world was and is too elitist” he tells me. Charlie’s iconic images of the people of Notting Hill in the 60s and 70s have more recently gained at least something towards the status they deserve and Charlie was part of a three-man exhibition at the Museum of London eight years ago. As an experienced documenter of largescale social movements, I wonder why Charlie’s upcoming exhibition focuses solely on Afro-Caribbean funerals. “The first funeral I photographed was my Aunt Susie’s in 1962. Our community in north-west London was close and whenever someone died we would all go along and I would take pictures. I only realised I had such a big collection when Lizzy [King, Community Programme Manager at
Photofusion] came over and rummaged in my loft. “What I realised was that my photos taken in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s showed the changes in fashion and music for Afro-Caribbean funerals, - from traditional to bright colours; the music choices from hymn How Great Thou Art to I Did It My Way by Frank Sinatra or Simply the Best… The question I began asking myself was, are we losing part of our culture, should we stick to tradition?” It’s clear that, starting from when he was a young man, Charlie sought to document the world he knew, and still has a fiery passion for ‘grassroots art’ and representing the working class in the art world. But, as well as this, there’s a sense of joy and celebration which his photos capture: “Afro-Caribbean funerals are not about dying only, it’s a celebration of that person’s life.” Aged 70, Charlie’s stamina for exhibiting and sharing his work is remarkable. “I should be resting in my retirement,” he half jokes, “I just wanted time to read War and Peace, tend to my tomatoes and grow some roses.” But the thing which spurs him back to work is a dedication to preserving an era of London, recording his community from the inside. “Kids come up to me now, the fifth generation [of British Afro-Caribbeans] and want to know if I have a photo of their grandfather, their great grandfather... they want to know more about their past, and what should I tell them? To go away? I don’t think so.” How Great Thou Art opens on November 7 and runs until December 5. Entry is free and everyone is welcome.
© Charlie Phillips. Charlie photographed on the job
© Charlie Phillips. Parachute and Esther at Gallarue’s funeral, Nunhead
Festival of Lights Late Music | Dance | Art | Circus acts | Science | Film Thurs 6 Nov, 6.30–9.30pm | Tickets: £5 | Book now at horniman.ac.uk 100 London Road, SE23 3PQ Forest Hill P4
©Fulcrum Circus Ltd
© Charlie Phillips. Clinton at Cassidy’s funeral, Kensal Rise, 1972. Cassidy was a mechanic and he loved Land Rover cars. His dying wish was that he go to his funeral in a Land Rover
18 what’s on
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Editor’s Pick:
DAY OF THE DEAD Saturday 1 - Sunday 2
November 2014 SAT 1 @ ELECTRIC BRIXTON
It’s time to celebrate, in truly horrific style, the decade that brought you the first slashers and chainsaw wielders, possessed little children, ballet dancer-killing witches, flesheating zombies and mountain people, blood-ridden proms… and of course Goblin and The Cramps. 8pm - 2am. £6 adv / £8 on the door.
MON 3 @ MINET LIBRARY
WEDS 5 @ LAMBETH TOWN HALL
MON 3 @ UPSTAIRS AT THE RITZY Saturday 1, 10.30 am – 12.30pm Number 6 Brixton, 6 Somerleyton Road Free children’s futuristic costume-making and Day of the Dead face-painting workshop. Ages 8+. Please note: Tickets for the workshop are FREE to The Flying Saucers screening cinema (ticket holders only). Once you have your ticket please email info@ movimientos.org.uk with your booking reference to reserve your place.
Film Screening: THE FLYING SAUCERS
Saturday 1, 1pm, Ritzy Cinema (Los platillos voladores), Dir Julián Soler, Mexico, 1956, 95 min.
Saturday 1, 11pm, Ritzy Cinema (La nave de los monstruos), Dir Rogelio A. González, Mexico, 1960, 81 min.
Day of the Dead Futuro Party
Saturday 1, 7pm – 2am Number 6 Brixton, 6 Somerleyton Road Supported by Wahaca Brixton. Live Acts:Voodoo Love Orchestra, Malphino. DJs: Cal Jader (Movimientos), Oscar Arroyo (DJ Chilango). Tickets: £7 adv, £10 on the door. Tickets inc. free tacos from Wahaca’s Street Kitchen.
Film Screening: SANTO VS THE MARTIAN INVASION
Sunday 2, 6pm, Ritzy Cinema (Santo el enmascarado de plata contra la invasion de los marcianos), Dir Alfredo B. Crevenna, Mexico, 1967, 92 min.
Win a creative course for 2015 Worth £180!* To enter, simply go to: www.theturpentine.com and join our newsletter by the 30 Nov 14.
*Life Drawing or Beginners and Improvers Jewellery Making Course starting in Jan 2015. Your email will not be shared with third parties. For full T&C’s please email the Turpentine.
WEDS 5 @ UPSTAIRS AT THE RITZY
Fresh Xplorations of Pan African dance, including live drumming. Influences are from Sabar and other West African dance forms. Improve mobility, strength, coordination and sense of rhythm. Beginners welcome. £9. Story and rhyme time for the underfives. The chance to have fun in an interactive story session. 10.30am - 11.30am, FREE.
Film Screening: THE SHIP OF THE MONSTERS
Fireworks, funfair, foodstalls, bars, a giant firebird, disco turtle and huge lighthouse bonfire. From 5pm, fireworks at 8pm. £6 for residents, £7 for non-residents. Under 16s free. An opening set of North African, Middle Eastern Balkan Gypsy grooves, passionate and fiery Arabian and Asian melodies with daring improvisations from Melange Collective. The group comprises some of London’s top musicians, featuring Arabian oud, guitar, accordion, saxophone and world percussion. The jam session is open to jazz and world musicians, with guest slots for new acts. 8pm, FREE.
SUN 2 @ STUDIO B, BRIXTON HILL
Day of the Dead Futuro Children’s Workshop
WEDS 5 @ BROCKWELL PARK
The Rest Is Noise is a monthly series that aims to share mind-expanding music, ideas and discussion. After some time away, they return with a look at the politics of contemporary dance, plus a discussion about the origins of dance music and the rise of rave. 8pm, FREE.
TUES 4 @ DEE DEE’S AND THE FUNK
Take The Challenge is a brand new game show every Tuesday at this Herne Hill jazz bar, with a £500 cash prize for those lucky contestants who are willing to take the challenge. 7pm, FREE.
Illustration workshops to inspire your practice. Book individual sessions or a four-session pack with discount. Through fun exercises, discussions and tutorials you’ll increase your creativity, and become confident using a varied number of art techniques. Both observational and drawing from imagination will be taught. 6:30-8pm, £24 for four sessions.
THURS 6 @ MARKET HOUSE
Pure Vinyl presents Open Dec night. Bring a maximum of four vinyl records, put your name down and get on the decks! 8pm til late, FREE.
THURS 6 @ ELECTRIC BRIXTON
Hardware label’s highlight event not only signs out of 2014 with a bang but also launches the highly anticipated debut album: ThreePointZero from Maztek. Joining the team to celebrate the release will be a host of the label’s heaviest hitters, new recruits and some killer special guests. 10pm7am, £15.
Based in the heart of Brixton we offer a hand picked mix of indie craft, art prints and giftware as well as hosting a wide range of evening and weekend art workshops and courses. From Jewellery Making to Life Drawing, Christmas Wreath Making to Drink and Draw, there’s loads for you to try your hand at and get creating too!
www.theturpentine.com
Turpentine, 433 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LN, Tel: 0203 302 7860, info@theturpentine.com
November 2014
what’s on 19
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FRI 7 @ CANTERBURY ARMS
Always Different, Always The Same – A John Peel Disco. To mark ten years since John Peel’s untimely passing, this is an evening dedicated to his fearless, adventurous spirit. The playlist for the night will consist exclusively of songs that featured in one of the Festive Fifty end of year charts. Expect anything and everything, played in any order, and at whatever speed feels appropriate at the time. 8pm1:30am, £6
SAT 8 @ THE CAMBRIA
WEDS 12 @ UPSTAIRS AT THE RITZY
Dub Me Always is a night of deep roots reggae, old and new, featuring Jamtone Hi-Fi, with guest selector, Darren Jamtone, alongside the night’s regular host, DJ David Katz. Darren’s sensitive productions have featured veteran artists such as The Viceroys, Ranking Joe, Bob Skeng, Cornell Campbell and Wire Lindo of the Wailers band. 8pm, FREE.
THURS 13 @ HOOTANANNY
Drop by for an afternoon beer and listen to a mixture of contemporary classical, jazz and pop music played by the Capricorn Saxophone Quartet.
Cecil Reuben presents a Roots Rock Reggae Special with Vincent Nap live from Jamaica, backed by the artist band plus residents JahRevelationMuzik. 9pm-2am, £3.
SUN 9 @ UPSTAIRS AT THE RITZY
SAT 15 @ POW
C.R.A.T.E.S is a night dedicated to the past and present of vinyl culture, paying homage to the inspiring sounds of jazz, soul, hip-hop, rare groove and reggae. Kick back to the crackling sound of needle to groove, or bring your own to play. Pop-up shop and open decks (bring your own vinyl) 5.30pm and DJs from 7pm. FREE.
The Cuban Brothers: “Born of the loins of ‘70s Havana, nurtured on a diet of soulful, sexy tunes and inspired by Cuban historical fact and mythology, their fresh approach to live entertainment whips up a frenzy at every gig. Their legendary performance combines music, riotous comedy, and sensational dancing.” 9pm-3am, £12.
MON 10 @ 02 ACADEMY BRIXTON SUN 16 @ UPSTAIRS AT THE RITZY After 15 years, and six incendiary albums, Rise Against have become one of the most successful, challenging and revered punk rock bands on the planet. Having sold four million albums globally, they are touring their latest, The Black Market. £25.87, 7pm.
Cool Struttin’ will help you relax and enjoy your Sunday afternoon with Blue Note, bebop and hard-swinging jazz from some of South London’s best young and old musicians. Hosted by Christian Miller with special guests and musicians’ jam session. 3pm, FREE.
TUES 11 @ ELECTRIC BRIXTON
MON 17 @ MINET LIBRARY
Kilimanjaro Live Presents – SLOW CLUB + special guests. A special show following their hugely successful run in the UK last spring, following the release of their new album Complete Surrender. 9pm-11pm, £12.50.
Book Club. Each month the library provides you with a book from the list, at the next meeting you can share your views. Meet fellow book lovers, discuss a good book and join the fun. 6:30pm - 8:30pm, FREE.
TUES 18 @ RITZY
Delve into the darkness and join Short Sighted Cinema for a night of stunning films that explore the shades and shadows of the human condition. Followed by drinks and an interrogation of the filmmakers. 7:30pm, films start 8pm. £3 adv / £4 on the door.
TUES 18 @ ELECTRIC BRIXTON
Kiesza brings her eclectic pop style to Brixton and will showcase her new album. As a teenager, Kiesza travelled the world with the Navy and trained as a sniper for the Army, before becoming one of today’s most sought-after songwriters, having written for Rihanna and Icona Pop, as well as collaborating with Skrillex and Diplo. 7pm-11pm, £13.
WEDS 19 @ HOOTANANNY
Universal Zulu Nation host a live cosmic jam session open to all musicians and vocalists. Exploring innovations in funky diaspora. Open floor for dancers. Hip-Hop social. Hosted by the vocal pugilist David J alongside DJ Snuff (End Of The Weak) and the house band. Sign up to jam on the night. 9pm-12am, FREE.
FRI 21 @ BRIXTON JAMM
New York rapper Pharoahe Monch is a legendary lyricist famed for his complex delivery and multi-syllabic rhyme schemes. In layman’s terms he’s good, and quick. Ranked as the 26th best MC of all time, he’s made tunes with Macy Gray, Immortal Technique, Busta Rhymes, Mos Def, Nate Dog and Mark Ronson, to name but a few. 7pm-11pm, £15.
Editor’s Pick:
Brown bag bingo Friday 14
Brown Bag Bingo present a whole new kinda bingo, where you can win art from prominent contemporary artists. The way it works is: 1. Buy a ticket (the entirety of which goes to a very, very good cause!) 2. Play some raucous bingo over drinks and cookies, in a room full of awesome art lovers
3. Every round some lucky bingo wizard wins a chance to select a brown bag wrapped surprise piece of amazing artwork, worth a hell of a lot more than the price of your ticket! Artists up for grabs include Nick Hornby (pictured above left) and Jeremy Deller and so many more.
Block 336, 336 Brixton Road, London SW9 7AA. 5pm-9pm, £37.50
SAT 22 @ PLAN B
Simply Salatious are now in their tenth year of putting on some of London’s most talked-about parties. Following on from their amazing tenth birthday where they celebrated in style, they return once again to Plan B and have invited a true house music legend, Tony Humphries, to play a four-hour set. 10pm-6am, £15/£20.
What’s On is edited by Phoebe Robertson. If you’d like to join the What’s On team, either to review,
SUN 23 @ RITZY
Preview screening of Concerning Violence, followed by Q&A with director Göran Olsson (The Black Power Mixtape). Narrated by Ms Lauryn Hill, this is both an archivedriven documentary covering the most daring moments in the struggle for liberation in the Third World, as well as an exploration into the mechanisms of decolonization through text from Frantz Fanon’s The Wretched of the Earth. 1pm, £13.50.
TUES 25 @ RITZY
An exclusive gala screening of the highly anticipated new feature Hockney, followed by an in-depth conversation with David Hockney from his Los Angeles studio. Acclaimed filmmaker Randall Wright offers a unique view of this unconventional artist who is now reaching new peaks of popularity worldwide and, at 77, still working in the studio seven days a week. 7pm, £13.50.
THURS 27 @ ELECTRIC SOCIAL
ADN Spotlight presents its first live music event, The Spotlight. Featuring the likes of jazz/soul band Seeds of Soul, metal band Near Ruin, hip-hop artist DC Scribbla, soul singer Miss Sha, R&B/soul singer Ebonie G, & pop singer Rajiv, this houses some of the best unsigned artists the UK has to offer. 6:30pm-10pm, FREE.
preview or interview, please contact Phoebe@brixtonblog.com
THURS 27 @ 02 ACADEMY BRIXTON
Swedish electro group Little Dragon continue their UK tour. 7pm-11pm, £26.43.
FRI 28 @ HOOTANANNY
Hoots Comedy Club will be serving up its Friday Celebration of Laughs, featuring Paul McCaffrey, winner of The London Paper and the Latitude Festival, new act competitions and, from Edinburgh Fringe and Mock the Week, Holly Walsh. 8:30pm10pm, FREE.
SAT 29 @ UPSTAIRS AT THE RITZY
Brixton’s finest 90’s hip-hop, R&B and garage party returns for its only event of 2014. As ever, the place will packed to the rafters with the entire area and her mum trying to get in so arrive early to avoid disappointment. 9pm, £6.
Editor’s Pick:
NUH POP NO STYLE every wednesday 9-3am
Brixton is a celebrated hub for dub, reggae, dancehall and experimental music of Jamaican origin in south London, in the UK and worldwide. The Queen’s Head, with its great live system and DJ setup, is a great place to maintain a synergy between Brixton’s vivacious community and the evolution of Jamaican music culture, particularly now the area seems to be sadly moving away from its roots due to gentrification. This new night’s aim is to combine the roots of dance music with the forward progression that it has enabled, combining DJs, live music and a vibrant party atmosphere, bringing together a new crowd and regulars with a view to building a sound that many will regularly enjoy as a weekly chance to unwind. Come down and join them for an entertaining drink and unique cultural evening of music, where you can forget your troubles and dance... Queen’s Head, 144 Stockwell Road £4 Door @nuhpopnostyle
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November 2014
Solsine signs in
by Barney Evison
Solsine are an upcoming local group whose musical style ranges from garage and drum & bass to EDM and deep house. They’ve been likened to Chase & Status and their various members have worked with Laura Mvula, Rudimental and Ella Eyre. Producers Ben Johnson and Raphael Zak are the duo behind Solsine (pronounced sol-sign), and they perform with three female vocalists and a male vocalist. Ben and Raphael have played together for years, but only three months ago decided to rebrand themselves as Solsine. In their previous incarnation they achieved success with a Florence and the Machine remix which soared to number one on Hype Machine. Now they’re keen to put some distance between Solsine and their earlier work, and they refuse to tell me what they used to be called. “It’s a secret,” laughs Ben, “although it’s not hard to find.” Solsine is an amalgamation of their previous work, and they now feel confident as a pair. “We’ve flirted with different genres and our sound was a bit too diffuse,” says Raphael, “we wanted to take all the elements and put them into a more defined sound and we both feel like we’ve got that down now.” So how would they describe their music in just a few words? “Euphoric, uplifting, experimental,” says Ben, “does that sound a bit naff?” Raph pipes up: “We’re really accessible I think, we’re treading the line between radio-
friendly music and credible dancefloor music.” This seems pretty accurate. Their music could be the perfect soundtrack to carefree house parties and heady summer festivals but I can also imagine it fuelling a mad final blast of early-morning club grooving. They take inspiration from many different places, and particularly admire bands that people struggle to pigeonhole, such as the
Prodigy. “Now there’s an acceptance of taking things from different genres, not like before”, says Raphael, “people are looking for stuff which blurs the boundaries.” I ask him why that is. “I think it came with the dawn of the iPod,” he answers, “people haven’t had to buy music as a CD, like a badge of who they support. They can fit thousands of different tracks on their iPod and there’s more openness about liking
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different genres.” The pair are currently working on their live shows, and have gigged a lot in Brixton. They’re hoping to develop a local fan base. “We’ve seen from social media that it’s quite easy to attract fans from all over the world,” You can catch Solsine at Light Up My Life at Brixton East on November 14.
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November 2014
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arts & culture 21
Approved by RoyAls: Lowie
by Katrin Magnussen
“I absolutely adore our building!” Brixton local and founder of ethical fashion brand Lowie Bronwyn Lowenthal enthuses with an infectious smile. “We love it here - it really suits our brand.” Vintage-inspired fashion brand Lowie has been located in Brixton since its inception 12 years ago. For the last few years its HQ has been located on the fifth floor of the Piano House, which, pending planning permission, may be converted into flats. Another concession to Brixton’s continuing gentrification. “I am probably to blame for Brixton’s gentrification by opening our nice shop in Herne Hill 18 months ago, which is a bit more expensive...” Bronwyn tails off, continuing with a smile: “But, I am very happy about the gentrification – it helps my shop and we would never leave Brixton.” Lowie HQ is a haven for anyone interested in fashion. Everywhere you look there are pictures, sketches and actual vintage clothing used for design inspiration. Under a desk sleeps a small, fluffy snowball - Bronwyn’s dog, Milo. Beautiful Lowie clothing fills rails in the centre, colourful knitted garments peak out of large cardboard boxes stacked around the room, This colourful knit work was the inspiration behind Lowie, tells Bronwyn: “I just love the colours, the concept and the chunkiness of Turkish hand-knitting. I brought some socks from Turkey for some of my friends and one of
them didn’t take them off for 10 days!” Beautiful Turkish hand-knitted socks in strong colours still form part of Lowie’s winter collection, along with “lots and lots of bobble hats and Nordic-inspired jumpers.” But, it was never possible for Lowie be based solely on knitwear due to its obvious seasonal limitations. She nods. “The problem with knitwear is that you don’t have much to sell in the summer, apart from light-weight cashmere cardigans, Pashminas and knitted dresses. We needed something else and I had always loved vintage dresses so decided to do something based on that.” Most of Lowie’s clothing is based on 1940s and ’50s fashion, Bronwyn’s favourite fashion era. “We take inspiration from vintage clothing, such as a little pocket here or sleeves there; we don’t copy the style completely. Everything was so beautifully made in the ’40s, with feminine shapes”, she says dreamily. Lowie is very clear about its appeal. “We don’t try to be everything to everyone so we try to stick to our vintage heritage. We are not 100 per cent ethical because that is difficult, the designs come first.” The actual garment manufacturing takes place in “a little seaside village in China because nobody really manufactures clothing in the UK anymore.” As a testament to the widespread appeal of vintage-inspired fashion, Lowie has a number of high profile fans. “We’ve had Royals such
as Zara Phillips and Beatrice wearing our stuff, Fearne Cotton, Pixie Lott, models Erin O’Connor and Lily Cole, and chef Rachel Khoo,” Bronwyn proudly lists. “We sent Fearne and Pixie some stuff to wear, but all the others bought it straight from stockists who then called you saying things like ‘Lily Cole just bought your hat.’ ” The brand has even made its Hollywood debut; one of its dresses featured in the zombie TV-series The Walking Dead. Lowie, unusually for today’s penchant for fast fashion, offers free repairs of its clothing at its Brixton office. “We are an ethical brand so we want people to wear their clothes for a long time. Clothes can last a lifetime if you
look after them”, Bronwyn explains. One of Lowie’s main challenges is “trying to get people to understand why our clothes are priced the way they are” explains Bronwyn. “We are ethical and we never make more than 20 items of anything. Sometimes we might just make 12 pieces because we want to keep the exclusivity. It’s like a piece of art.” Bronwyn is planning a second stand-alone store as well as collaborations with other brands. But whatever happens, she won’t leave Brixton: “Every time I go anywhere else in London, it’s just so lovely to come back to here; all its different communities, the vibe… It’s just such a great space!”
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November 2014
By Miss South
RECIPE pumpkin chipotle muffins makes 12 • 450g pumpkin (raw weight, seeds reserved) • salt and pepper • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 250g self raising flour • 3 chipotle chillies, finely chopped
Brixton knows about pumpkins. Not just a seasonal novelty here around Halloween to be turned into grinning faces, you can buy chunks of pumpkin all year round in Brixton market. I’m particularly fond of the green-skinned calabaza version you can buy in wedges at any good greengrocers, but this recipe was inspired by the huge orange-skinned ones at the A&C deli as the days grow shorter and the air colder. I’ve warmed things up with some tinned chipotle chillies from Casa Morita to add a smokiness that reminds me of Bonfire Night. These muffins are incredibly easy to make, taking under 30 minutes from start to finish. They are very moist due to the pumpkin so stick to the paper wrappers a little bit. You can make them in a well-greased nonstick muffin tin instead if you prefer. Adapt them to use any other leftover roast vegetables you have. Start by preparing your pumpkin. Remove the peel and the seeds and cut it into 1.5 inch chunks. Toss with the olive oil and salt and pepper and roast on a baking tray in an oven at 200º for 40 minutes. Once softened and slightly sticky round the edges, mash it into a puree with a fork and put in a sieve. Put a bowl on top of it to weight it down and drain it well.
• 1 heaped teaspoon smoked paprika • 1 teaspoon mustard powder • pinch cayenne powder • 250ml milk (non-dairy versions will work) • 1 egg
Wash the orange pith off the seeds and dry them lightly in a clean tea towel. Spread them out on a baking tray and season well. Roast in the oven for 10 minutes until starting to go golden. These pumpkin seeds are white in colour and plump in stature compared to the small green ones sold in shops. Set aside until later. Put the self-raising flour in a large bowl. Chop your chipotles well so they aren’t big chunks, draining any liquid they are in and add to the flour. Combine well with the paprika and mustard powder. Season again well. Add the drained mashed pumpkin to it all and add the milk and egg. Mix the batter until just combined. Muffin batter is fine to be lumpy so don’t overmix it or the muffins will be rubbery. Measure the batter out into a 12-hole muffin tray. I usually use an ice cream scoop to make sure each muffin is the same size. Scatter the roasted pumpkin seeds evenly over the top of each muffin. Bake in the oven at 180º for 12 minutes and then cool for 5 minutes in the tray. Remove to a rack to cool until later or eat immediately. The pumpkin will cause some moisture to gather on the bottom of the paper if using, but don’t be alarmed. They will keep for 36 hours in a container if you don’t find yourself eating them all while warm!
Foodie news As we all know, Brixton is ever-changing but each month we bring you a round-up of what’s happening to keep you in the loop: Brindisa Food Rooms on Atlantic Road is holding a ham-carving workshop on November 25. Bit pricey at £75 for two hours but for that you get a tasting session, a carving lesson, a wine-tasting session and a hammy goody bag. To book email mattb@brindisa.com. Christmas excitement is already brewing so here’s a shout-out for the Loughbourough Junction Christmas Market on Sunday December 6. Festive foodie stallholders should book quick sharp if they want a space, so contact ray@sunshineiarts.co.uk if you’re keen. And if you want to book a Christmas meal for your office, family or even book group, then both the Lido Cafe and Salon Brixton are now taking bookings. Keep it local this year! Product of the month in BB towers has been coconut oil from Nour Cash & Carry,
which the lovely Saja - whose family own Nour - recommends for cooking with, chucking in a smoothie and even slathering on your skin or hair to keep looking healthy during these winter months Talking of winter months, as the chill sets in, please don’t forget to donate to the Foodbank and help support the Brixton Soup Kitchen too. And what better present than a copy of Miss South’s brand new book? It’s packed with over 200 delicious recipes, is dedicated to the joys of slow cooking and it’s available now!
November 2014
Food and drink 23
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REVIEW watch out for the elephant stampede By Lindsay Faller
Friday night in all its glory renders Brixton Village virtually unrecognisable these days. Queues run alongside daytime-only wig shops and grocery stores, music beats heavily, and giddy laughter echoes everywhere; it is quite a phenomenon. I am introducing it to my friend’s chilli-intolerant City-boy friend. He’s never been to Brixton in general, and I needed dining partners, so the two kindly trundle south to meet me after work, under the promise I’ve made that where we’re going will be rather delicious, his inability to eat spicy food decidedly ignored. I had not been to Elephant before, shocking as that may be to you, dear readers. The general response from Brixtonites when I tell them this is “ohmygodhowhaveyounotbeenyet?” said with the faintest hint of wistfulness. The answer is I just haven’t had the chance. There are a lot of eating options around town these days, and I cook a huge amount, so visiting one of the main fixtures of the new faces of Brixton just hasn’t been a priority. But it really should have been. The restaurant has a simple frontage, a tiny kitchen and fantastic wallpaper, with tables that flank two sides of 3rd Avenue; the menu is a simple offering of Pakistani street food: samosas, pakoras, curries and thalis. We were warmly welcomed, nabbed a table and prepared ourselves to start eating (and in City-boy’s case, sweating). We order vegetarian and lamb samosas to start, and one of each of the thalis for mains: chicken, keema lamb and vegetarian. There’s no liquor licence, so along with it came some marvellously spicy masala chai and a perfect mango lassi (it is also BYOB).
A thali, for those of you who do not know, is essentially a meal made up of a few dishes. Elephant’s come with a curry of your choice, fabulously garlicky daal, expertly cooked basmati rice, wedges of naan, any heat balanced out with cool raita, and fresh cucumber, onion and tomato salad. It is fully fledged, stuff-your-face eating, in the most welcome of senses. A departure from their crispy filo dough counterparts, Elephant’s pillowy samosas were lightly crunchy on the outside and full of flavour inside. Finely minced lamb had the slightest tickling of heat, was meaty and moreish. The vegetarian was a little less exciting with its filling of potato and sweet corn, though the accompanying raita and cucumber, red onion and tomato salads were easy bedfellows for both. This was boding well for what was to come. Each of the thalis was tasty in its own way: in one, the chicken breast, cooked in a deeply spiced curry sauce, happily relented under the weight of our forks. Another offered richly seasoned and saucefree minced lamb with peas, the taste hugely satisfying. The vegetarian cauliflower and onion thali was perfectly cooked. Both vegetables retained the best parts of their flavour and combined together brilliantly; it was the best of the three. The food arrived quickly as Brixton Village continued to fill up with people. The queues outside the wig shop migrated to outside of Elephant and even though we’d just paid our bill, we were asked to leave so they could seat other diners. A partly reasonable request considering how busy it was, but part of me also thinks that this nighttime version of the Village is becoming more conducive to a conveyor belt style form of feeding people. Regardless,
Brixton Bugle AD_AW.pdf 1 23/10/2014 09:14:31
it is finally clear to me why people speak of it with such longing in their eyes. Go eat at Elephant if you’ve not been before. You won’t regret it, just don’t expect to linger. Dinner for three including service £50
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For information about our ham schools email brixtonshop@brindisa.com For the cafe/bar email brixtoncafe@brindisa.com CAFE, BAR AND SHOP 41-43 ATLANTIC ROAD, BRIXTON SW98JL
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24 arts & culture
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November 2014
“One hundred million thousand teeth” and some great books at first Brixton Kidsjam
By Sophie Bush Dozens of rapt families filled Number Six Somerleyton Road on October 18 at the inaugural Kidsjam. It’s the younger sibling of the well-established Bookjam (held at Hootananny) and was organised by Brixton residents Emma Pickard, Zelda Rhiando and Stuart Taylor. Pickard and Rhiando met aged 11, on the first day of secondary school. Years later, Rhiando and Taylor’s kids are the ones to thank for the Kidsjam event, having demanded one of their own. The teeth in question were those of a T-rex and featured in Tamara Macfarlane’s Dylan’s Amazing Dinosaurs. Macfarlane also owns Tales on Moon Lane bookshop and had a very successful stall at Kidsjam selling books read from on the day. There were high levels of audience participation: the kids recognising where they live (the Thames and the Gherkin, anyway) and yelled out as Gabby Dawney read from her and Alex Barrows’ London Calling. There was a mad run on the bookstall when award-winner Andrew Weale had finished reading from Nora. “I think you’re a bit strange”, he told the children, “but it takes one to know one”. Freya (who guessed the millions of T-rex teeth) was infatuated. Top-hats and tails were unexpected but present, worn by Tim and Simon of Smart Stories. These two Birmingham primary school teachers have a penchant for dressing up and a latent talent
for engaging kids with innovative storytelling. Their public speaking almost matched that of Rhiando and Taylors’ kids, whose daughter Matilda, 7, acted as compere assisted by pal Oisin Austin-Walker. Rhiando’s mum manned a free snack table, bringing lollies and cherry tomatoes; she even baked brownies for the event. There were free books for kids to exchange with their own in the centre’s House of Knowledge - it proved a little too popular with some avid readers trying to make off with an armful. Prize-winning Piers Torday had fans in the audience, as did Emer Stamp, who read emphatically from The Super Amazing Adventures of Me Pig. Margaret Bateson-Hill, a regular of junior literary events, opened the last set of the afternoon. Torday, Stamp, and ‘murder-mystery for kids’ author Sam Hepburn held popular workshops, while Jan Devenish read from his unpublished, enigmatically titled The Great Pie Rivalry. The Bookjam team is “experimenting”, said Rhiando, with more “child-led” literary events: next up the Lime Project will collaborate with writer and bookshop owner Macfarlane. “It was the best day ever” said one young reader. For more information on Bookjam, Kidsjam and the Lime Project visit brixtonbookjam.com.
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November 2014
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hill mead herald 25
THE
Hill Mead Herald
A visit from Beverley Naidoo
By Brandon, Year 6
A view from above
On October 15, Hill Mead received a visit from award-winning children’s author, Beverley Naidoo. Year 6 have been reading her book The Other Side of Truth. Earlier in the day, Beverley held a session with Year 4 and 5, where she read extracts from S is for South Africa and talked about
Year 4 were incredibly excited to be travelling to North Greenwich to ride across the Thames on cable cars. We had a long journey there, but when we finally arrived we were greeted by a familiar sight. A white domed building with yellow poles stood in front of us. It looked like a giant bouncy castle, but we recognised that it was the O2 Arena, built in 2000 to celebrate the new millennium. To one side of the 02 were the cable cars. We could see them coming out from the station on a thin wire. Some of us were a little scared as the cable
seemed too thin to hold the carriages in the air over the river. The cars had glass windows on four sides so we could see out the window. As we went higher and higher we could see lots of landmarks including the River Thames, City of London and City Airport. It felt like we were flying because we were so high. Then we visited the Sustainability Centre. We looked at how people can take care of the Earth and watched some videos on how to manage and not waste water. After this we boarded the cable cars back over the Thames and set off home. This was a fantastic trip and I’d love to go again.
she quickly moved on to the Q&A session. We found out that it takes her almost two years to complete a book. We also learnt she had to do lots of redrafting and editing like we do. She gave us tips on how to become successful writers; “Read, Read and Read!” she said. She encouraged us to always talk about what we read, as friends might pick up what we don’t. Finally, we should be curious about human beings and their stories. Something she said that will stay with me, was that “everything around us is a story – we just have to open our eyes and imagine.” She explained that it was her curiosity that led her to write about an outspoken journalist and a bullying Nigerian dictator in The Other Side of Truth. To finish off the incredible day, we had a book-signing session. We were amazed at the turn-out of parents and children who came to get their personalized copies of Beverley’s books. I also joined in. Beverley took her time to tell us how pleased and proud she was by our questions, writing and that we are reading The Other Side of Truth. For us, her visit created a face to the book and she certainly made the characters and events come alive through her reading. Beverley’s visit will remain one of my highlights at Hill Mead.
Masterclass at the National Gallery By Madison, Year 5
Year 5 were lucky enough to visit the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. We went to see our first painting a portrait of a beautiful young lady dressed in gold and other types of finery. She was the wife of Rembrandt. But before that she was a nurse who cared for Rembrandt and his son. Our next painting was a self-portrait of Rembrandt in his early ‘20s, with lots of curly hair that came down to
by Amisha, Year 4
her classic Journey to Jo’burg. The eagerly anticipated session with Year 6 began with a talk about her background, growing up in South Africa during apartheid and her life as a writer. According to Beverley, she had two mums growing up, Ma Sebate and her biological mother, Mary, whom she got to call by name even though children were never allowed to call adults by name in those days. Everyone was either called Auntie or Uncle. She told us about how her first novel, Journey to Jo’burg, was banned in South Africa. “The first two copies I sent to South Africa were banned due to a secret message written to my second mum at the end of the book. Instead of the book, all she got was a letter telling her that the books had been seized and banned”, explained Beverley. For her, that incident spurred her to write even more! After that, she went on to write other books like The Other Side of Truth, which won the prestigious Carnegie Medal Award. According to Beverley, winning the award was mind-blowing because it was the first time in 64 years that a book with African characters had taken the prize! From our class blog, Beverley knew we had lots of questions to ask, so
Jumping for joy with the Royal Ballet By Sahayla, Year 3
his shoulders and a beret. We then moved on to a painting of a very old lady who wore dark coloured clothes and a ruff. Afterwards, we moved on to see a portrait of King Charles I, on a horse with a very long mane. We then saw a lovely painting called The Graham Children, by William Hogarth. It featured a cheeky cat who looked like he wanted to do something very bad to a bird that was singing in a cage. The children were all wearing what looked like their best clothes.
Our next painting was really sad because the women had a cat on her lap and they both looked like they were about to burst into tears. Our last painting was called Van Gogh’s Chair. We were really confused as the picture was a chair with a pipe on it. We were told that some people believed that it was meant to be a self-portrait but I didn’t see how a chair was a selfportrait of a person. Our tour of the National Gallery finished there, but our love for painting had just started..
One day we left school bright and early and went to Clapham Manor Primary School. There were children from three other schools also there. A man called David from the Royal Ballet Company was there to teach us about the famous ballet, Swan Lake. He and other dancers showed us their moves, including sauté, which is how a dancer bends, then jumps with a very straight posture. Some pupils went to the front to demonstrate and have a sauté battle to see who could jump the highest. David also told us about the characters from Swan Lake, like Prince Siegfried, Odette
and the evil Rothbart and we got to see some of the dancers’ equipment and costumes. We even got to touch some of the different ballet shoes! Now David and his pianist come to visit us at Hill Mead every Tuesday. So far we’ve learned how to make some of the ballet shapes and moves, including port de bras with our arms and a plié which is a way of bending our legs. We have used these moves to start to perform scenes from the ballet. My favourite was the scene with Rothbart and Prince Siegfried when we had to think of the best shapes to make with our bodies for the evil and good characters. We are really enjoying our ballet lessons and are very excited that one child from Year 3 is going to be chosen to go to the Royal Ballet School for lessons!
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November 2014
GREEN FINGERS BY ALISON ALEXANDER, BROCKWELL COMMUNITY GREENHOUSES
Latin – it’s all Greek to me. This month’s column explains the mystery of plant names. Everybody knows what a rose is, right? We see them spilling over front garden walls all around Brixton. What about a guelder rose, a rock rose, a rose of sharon, a Lenten rose or a Christmas rose? You’ve no doubt guessed there’s not a single rose among them. Many gardeners would claim that they know these plants and how to grow them so they don’t need to know their scientific names. But I’d argue you’re missing out. The joy of understanding the scientific name is that it can tell you a lot about the plant: its relationship to other plants, even where to plant it and when to prune it. Closely related plants often have similiar chemistry so they will be attacked by the same pests and diseases. And if you know the scientific name you’ll be able to garden with people across cultures. An endless source of puzzlement for me since I started gardening in Brixton has been
what our various visitors mean when they ask if we’re growing callaloo. Callaloo is the national dish of Trinidad and Tobago. The leaves used are from a plant related to the arum lily – elsewhere called taro or dasheen (Colocasia esculenta). It’s a tropical plant that needs the warmth of a heated greenhouse. Yet just across the water in Jamaica, when people say callaloo they mean an amaranth, usually but not always, Amaranthus viridis. You can grow it outside from seed in a British summer. For UK gardeners, the amaranth they know best is love lies bleeding. We’ve grown at least three amaranths at Brockwell Greenhouses and different visitors have looked at each and exclaimed with sentimental delight ‘Ah! Callaloo!’ But if you know what Solanum melongena is you don’t also need to know it’s aubergine, eggplant, brinjal, berenjena, qie zi or melanzane to exchange growing tips with Americans, Indians, Spaniards, Chinese and Italians.
>>>>winter warm-up By Frankie Holah, Personal Trainer As you’re reading this you’re probably on the tube (is the person next to you reading over your shoulder?), sat in a cafe (maybe Rosie’s?) drinking a coffee, or curled up at home on the sofa...And it’s probably pretty nippy and/ or dark outside... am I about right? As the winter months close in and the days get shorter, darker and colder, it is very easy to get de-motivated when it comes to training, especially if you’re outside. In the morning that snooze button gets pushed and after a long day at work that session you planned in the park is looking less likely... Even as a PT, leaving my cocoon of goose feather warmth at 6am can be as much of a struggle for me , and training is my love and my job... Because of said chosen job I am outdoors most of the day in all weathers training myself and clients (the wind and rain across Brockwell Park is no joke) and this has made me think carefully about how I can encourage you lovely readers to keep up the training even if the time of year and weather is against you... So here are my ideas for staying motivated during the winter months and hopefully help you avoid that pesky January 1 panic... 1. Get the right kit - It makes all the difference, really! I recently purchased a coat which will probably be what keeps me alive this winter If you’re cold or wet you’re not going to enjoy what you’re doing. Invest in a good base layer and build from there. It doesn’t need to cost you the earth and it’s a great opportunity to bag
yourself some new kit. 2. Join a club, group or get a PT - Whether you’re new to training or a fitness bunny, this is a great way to get into it alongside other people who are also out training hard in the winter. Whether it’s running club (Brixton Blog *cough cough*), boot-camp, or private sessions, you benefit from encouragement and company - great incentives to keep going back regularly. It is also a nice safety blanket when it’s dark. 3. Play - Yes, play... We don’t do enough of it and forget to have fun with fitness. It’s not all reps and sets you know! This winter, find time to try something new which challenges you, scares you or is simply something you’ve always wanted to try...Out of your month take a week to experiment. Parkour, calisthenics, gymnastics, aerial yoga or something as simple as a game of football with friends... whatever it is just go and move and enjoy. Don’t think about anything but what you’re doing right then and there... Be imaginative! 4. Post workout treats: Not that you shouldn’t do this in the summer too, but in the winter, that bubble bath, that massage, that delicious dinner after training just feels and tastes so much better when you’ve come back in from in the cold. Skin and joints get hit hard in the cold too, so don’t forget to soak, rub and eat... On the winter training note, I’m off to the park... if you spot me in a seriously snuggly coat and trademark bright leggings give me a wave. I’d love to see your training snaps - Tag me @frankieholah and #frankieswinterwarriors If you have any questions please contact me at frankie@frankieholah.com
TRANSITION TOWN BRIXTON UPDATE by duncan law TTB is embarking on a project to encourage and incubate Transition enterprises in Lambeth that meet the needs of the community, deliver social benefits and support the environment. TTB has a rich history of people investing volunteer time, money and skills in its projects. This culture of investing in the change you want to see in the world can also be applied to developing a future-appropriate, interconnected, resilient local economy. Over the course of the next six
months TTB will design and develop the Local Entrepreneurs Forum – (LEF) using the Transition Network’s REconomy blueprint to ‘rethink the future of the local economy’. The LEF will be a one-day event in May 2015 at which businesses, entrepreneurs and local people will come together to build a new culture of Community Supported Local Enterprise in which the community thinks of itself as an investor in (not just a customer of) local businesses. Businesses will pitch for support
from the ‘community of dragons’ – ie. everyone – who will have the opportunity to invest their money, skills and other support such as promotion and marketing, or personal mentoring. The LEF is the catalyst for an ongoing programme of business support for 10 ‘Transition enterprises’. These enterprises will be able to access the rich ecology of support already supplied by our local partners, which include Tree Shepherd Business Support, the
Lambeth Food Partnership, Create Lambeth, Makerhood, Repowering London, One Planet Ventures, the Remakery, the Well-Being Alliance and the Brixton Pound. If they cannot supply a specific need TTB will find someone who can. There will be an ‘LEF Warm-up Event’ at the Impact Hub Brixton, (beneath the Town Hall) on Tuesday November 25 from 6.30-9.30pm. Here we will be building the network of ‘community business support’ and ‘beneficial connections’
Visit http://www.transitiontownbrixton.org/2014/10/diy-local-reconomy/
between enterprises and people, which so often bring new possibilities. Do you want be one of the 10 enterprises that will be part of the LEF scheme and feel that your business meets the needs of the community, delivers social benefits and supports the environment? Or do you want to be an ‘investor’ in a new culture of Community Supported Local Economy? Then get in touch at dl@ duncanlaw.co.uk
November 2014
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comics 27
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www.brixtonblog.com
November 2014
Unlucky Dulwich held
to a goalless draw
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Above: Dulwich captain Terrell Forbes Right: Jordan Hibbert, Ashley Carew and Kershaney Samuels in action against Hendon
By Sandra Brobbey Dulwich Hamlet were held to a 0-0 draw during an eventful derby game against Hendon on October 25. The Pink and Blues were unlucky not to come away with a home win after seeing a goal ruled offside and a late penalty call declined. Dulwich took charge of the midfield and forced Hendon to defend for long spells. But their smart approach play was undone by a solid goalkeeping performance by Greens keeper Ben McNamara. Gavin Rose’s side had the best scoring opportunities and could have gone ahead early in the game. Striker Shawn McCoulsky tested McNamara in the first minute with a powerful shot. Seconds later, teammate Nyren Clunis followed up with a header that
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glanced over the bar. McNamara was forced to make a fine save after Xavier Vidal hit a fierce shot towards the top corner of the opposition’s goal. Hendon’s forwards had little joy up front thanks to staunch defending by Jordan Hibbert, Ashley Carew and Dulwich captain Terrell Forbes who was an assured presence at the back. The game ended goalless in the 94th minute. Dulwich Manager Gavin Rose was satisfied with his team display but hoped for more of a “cutting-edge” in future games. “I felt we did okay today but probably lacked a cutting edge at the top end of the team. But overall, I think it was a pretty even affair.”
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Gavin Rose’s thoughts on Dulwich Hamlet’s season so far On team performances and progress “We’re doing okay. We’ve got a new squad and we are fourth in the (Ryman Premier) table today. There are better things to come from us as a squad and more fluidity to come from the squad. We expect an improvement as well and the players are working hard. So far I would say it’s a good showing.”
On upcoming FA trophy match against Chalfont St Peter “It’s a big game for the club, an FA trophy game. It gives you an opportunity to pit your wits against anyone in non-league football. It’s good for supporters and lets people dream of going to places that we might not ever go to in our league.”
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