










Welcome to the October issue of SE22. After a wonderful summer it is feeling very autumnal as I type. But as the sun is still out, I am not complaining about the drop in temperature!
As usual I have rounded up all the great events taking place in and around Dulwich. The events pages start on page 6. October is another busy month for events, so we have a super seven pages of online and in person events happening in and around Dulwich.
Remember to check out www.arounddulwich.co.uk for a full list of events, as there are too many to put in the magazine this monthl. Also events get added after I have gone to print.
If you are running a local event you can add it, for free, to our online calendar on Around Dulwic. A selection of these are then printed in the physical magazine. www.arounddulwich.co.uk.
We have regular updates on our social channels, so please do follow up, all the details are under my picture on the right!
The Last Word goes to Eleanor Street who is a local artist who is exhibiting at Jeannie Avent this month. See page 36.
Remember the magazine depends on all the wondeful local advertisers, so please do let them know if you saw them in this magazine!
Until next time.
Angela
Angela Burgess Head of All Things Community SE Magazines/Around Dulwich
Call 020 8693 9040 angela@semagazines.co.uk www.semagazines.co.uk
@semags_arounddulwich
@SEMagazines
@SEMags_ADulwich
If you would like to advertise in our next issue, you can download our rates from our website any time. Or if you prefer, give me a call!
November Deadline - 15 October (please allow an extra two days if design is required)
To advertise in SE22 please contact Angela Burgess on 020 8693 9040 or e-mail: angela@semagazines.co.uk for further information. You can download our rates from our website: www.semagazines.co.uk.
Honor Oak WI Monthly meeting p9.
An Evening with Mary Berry see p9.
Goose Green Coffee Mornings, p6.
Author Event with Lea Ypi, see p6.
Weekly
Eating Together by Dr Clare Bailey Mosley, p6.
Goose Green Coffee Mornings, p6.
EDWI
Goose Green Lunch Club, see p6.
parkruns, see p8.
Convergent see page 24.
FOLD Art Collective Works on Paper see page 24.
Goose Green Lunch Club, see p6.
The
An Evening with Gyles Brandreth, see p22.
Intangible Landscapes - Nicholas Ashton see p22.
FOLD Art Collective Works on Paper see page 24.
Goose Green Coffee Mornings, p6.
Gong
Goose Green Lunch Club, see p6.
Weekly Wine Sessions, see p6.
Dulwich Park Runners see p9.
Goose Green Coffee Mornings, p6.
Weekly Wine Sessions, see p6.
Goose Green Lunch Club, see p6.
South
The Weekly Horniman Market p8.
Further details where available can be found in the News and Events pages 6, 8, 9, 22, 24, 26 & 30. Please read as not all the events can fit on the calendar!
Wednesday 1 October: Author Event with Lea Ypi 7pm-8pm
Join bestselling author Lea Ypi as she talks about her new book, Indignity : A Life Reimagined. When a photograph of her grandmother resurfaces online, Lea Ypi sets out to uncover the truth behind Leman’s life – a quest to fill in the blanks of a fractured past and restore a dignity the many folds of history nearly buried. In a journey that takes her from Salonica to the Albanian Secret Police Archives via Italy, Lea ultimately finds refuge in the power of storytelling, piecing together snippets of her grandmother’s life in a Europe in the midst of great political upheaval.
Dulwich Books, 6 Croxted Road, SE21 8SW. BOOK VIA: www.eventbrite.co.uk.
Wednesday 1 October:
Eating Together by Dr Clare Bailey Mosley and Professor Stephen Scott 7.30pm-8.30pm
Struggling to build healthy family eating habits?
Join Dr Clare Bailey Mosley and child psychiatrist Professor Stephen Scott as they share simple, proven ways to transform family mealtimes. Discover quick, healthy recipes, clear boundaries and how shared meals can strengthen bonds with your children, improve behaviour, and bring real connection to even the busiest of households. Because it’s not just what we eat, but how we eat, that matters. The book is grounded in science, offering parents practical advice on building better family habits. Stephen is a local author and we’re delighted to be supporting the publication of his new book.
A Village Books event in association with James Allen's Girls' School. The Holst Hall, 144 East Dulwich Grove, East Dulwich, SE22 8TE. Tickets via: https://www.trybooking.com
Wednesdays 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29
October: Goose Green Coffee Morning 11am-12.30pm
Do drop into Goose Green Coffee Morning for a warm welcome, coffee, tea and cake! We are open every Wednesday, it's a great place to get to know others from the local community. All welcome! Free! St John The Evangelist, East Dulwich, 62A East Dulwich Road, East Dulwich, SE22 9AT. All are welcome!
Wednesdays 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 October: Weekly Wine
Session 7.30pm-9.30pm
The Dulwich Wine Society started in 1991 meets most Wednesdays and provides a way for novices and seasoned wine lovers to explore the world of grapes and wine regions. Taste, learn and discover new favourites. We take a break mid-way through the meeting which provides a chance to get to know others socially, and you can bring your own cheese and biscuits.
The Rosendale, 65 Rosendale Road, SE21 8EZ. https://www.dulwich-wine-society.co.uk.
Thursdays 2, 9, 16 & 23
October: Goose Green Lunch Club 12.30pm-2pm
The lunch club is a friendly and informal club for people over 55. We meet every Thursday during term time and enjoy a delicious main course and dessert with tea and coffee for £5. If you’re interested in joining us for lunch or if you would like to volunteer with us, call Martin on 07939 288885 or Barbara on 0208 693 2090.
Goose Green Centre, St John’s Church, 62A East Dulwich Road, East Dulwich SE22 9AT.
Recent work by Nicholas Ashton
Private view Saturday 11th October 6-9pm
Exhibition runs from 9th-19th October
Open Thursday to Sunday 12pm -6pm or by appointment
Anna Lovely Gallery 140 Sydenham Rd London SE26 5JZ
Fridays 3, 10 & 17 October: Gong Bath on Sydenham
Hill - a cosy evening Sound Journey
8pm-9pm
Step into the magical realm of my Secret Soul Sanctuary by the woods! It is a safe haven in the heart of South London, where I invite you to join me for an evening Gong Meditation / Sound Journey. Secret Soul Sanctuary, Sydenham Hill, SE23 3PH. Bookings via Eventbrite and|: www.thesoulnurturer.co.uk.
Saturday 4 and Sunday
5 October: Crystal Palace Artists' Open House 10am-5pm
This year’s Open House features 70+ creatives opening their doors to the public, offering the rare chance to explore, commission, and purchase unique pieces directly from the people who made them. Coopers Yard, The Paxton Centre, Gallery56 and Gipsy Hill Studios, Crystal Palace, London SE19 2TF. www.crystalpalaceartistopenhouse.co.uk.
Saturday 4 October: Men
Walk Talk - Honor Oak
10am-11am. A monthly walk for men, taking in the green spaces of SE23 and surrounding area. Traditionally, men often avoid seeking mental health support, but we provide a community of support for guys to know they are not alone, and they can speak up. Join Richard for a walk and a talk on the first Saturday of every month.
For more information: menwalktalk.co.uk 76-78 Honor Oak Park, SE23 1DY.
Saturdays 4, 11, 18 & 25
October: Parkrun 9am – 10am Dulwich Parkrun
Free, weekly timed 5k run, jog, or walk in Dulwich Park starting from Queen Mary’s Gate. Register once and bring your printed barcode (can be used at any parkrun across the world). Firsttimers briefing at 08.50. Also in Peckham Rye, Brockwell and Crystal Palace parks. https://www.parkrun.org.uk/dulwich/
Peckham Rye Park Run
A 3-lap anti clockwise course, entirely on tarmac and is mainly flat and therefore a potential PB course The start & finish are located close to the Colyton Road entrance of the park.
Peckham Rye Park, Colyton Road SE15 4JR. https://www.parkrun.org.uk/peckhamrye/
Sundays 5, 12, 19 & 26
October: Horniman Market
10am – 3pm. Located on the Bandstand Terrace, you will find stalls selling seasonal fruit and vegetables, artisan bread and cheese, organic meat, and delicious street food. If that’s not enough to have you feeling like our overstuffed walrus, we also have regular guest traders specialising in treats such as luxury chocolates, delightful drinks, irresistible cakes, and tasty pickle and preserves.
100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk/
You can submit your events for free via our website: www.arounddulwich.co.uk
Sundays 5, 12, 19 & 26
October: Peckham Rye Junior Park Run 9am – 9:30am
Tuesdays 7, 14, 21 & 28
October: DPR Social Runs
A free, weekly, timed run for 4–14-year-olds, to get fit, stay healthy and have fun! We run 2km every Sunday morning at 9am, through rain and shine. The course is visible, well-marshalled, and all held on the paths around the sports pitches. Peckham Rye Park, Colyton Road, SE22 0NE.
Tuesday 7 October: An Evening with Mary Berry
7.30pm-8.30pm. Join Britain’s best-loved cook, Mary Berry, as she celebrates her 90th birthday with a career-spanning collection of iconic, fussfree recipes for every occasion.
In this beautifully illustrated cookbook, Mary shares 90 of her very best recipes—each one perfected over a lifetime of cooking. From sumptuous dishes like Mary’s best ever Lasagne Bolognese, a foolproof Pepper Pot Chicken and a freezer-friendly Mac and Cheese, to irresistible desserts like Raspberry Soufflé and of course classic bakes, including Mary’s Best Brownies and Lemon Drizzle Traybake, this collection features a mix of brand-new recipes and beloved classics for every home cook.
A Village Books event in association with James Allen's Girls' School. The Vaughan Williams Auditorium, 144 East Dulwich Grove, East Dulwich, SE22 8TE. Tickets via https://www. trybooking.com.
7:30pm – 8:30pm. Fantastic local running club. Social runs every Tuesday 7.30pm at Trevor Bailey Sports Ground on the south circular. Plus runs every Sunday morning; coached sessions on Thursdays; cross country races; competitions; weekends away; frequent social activities. Come along on a Tuesday to try us out!
www.dulwichparkrunners.co.uk enquiries@dulwichparkrunners.com
Trevor Bailey Club House Dulwich Common SE21 7HA
7.30pm-9.30pm. Join Women of London’s Becky Laxton-Bass at our October meeting. Explore the lives of Lewisham's extraordinary female icons who have left lasting legacies in Lewisham. From medical pioneers to social reformers and politicians. The Honor Oak WI is a friendly and supportive group of women of all ages, backgrounds and interests. We meet Monthly on the first Tuesday of the month. We also have book, craft clubs, gallery & museum visits groups. NON-MEMBERS ARE VERY WELCOMEWE’D LOVE TO SEE YOU! honoroakwi@gmail.com
Instagram: honoroak_wi. www.facebook.com/groups/honoroakwi. Stanstead Lodge Café, Northwood Road, SE23 1DD.
Looking to start a new hobby, enhance your health and wellbeing or want to meet new people who share similar interests? With a wide variety of courses on offer learning a new skill doesn’t need to be a big commitment.
Over the past year, the adult education centre on Brockley Rise has undergone significant building improvements, including the addition of a brand-new teaching kitchen. This exciting upgrade has allowed Adult Learning Lewisham (ALL) to expand their course offer to include cooking and baking courses.
Saturday’s baking workshops feature some family favourites, including baking a KitKat cake, fruit cake, and traditional breads like stollen and Cozonac, perfect for the holiday season. These hands-on sessions are a delicious way to build your baking skills and get into the festive spirit.
Alongside baking workshops new cooking classes are also running where you can explore seasonal favourites perfect for winter, as well as join the flavours journey masterclass - an exciting culinary adventure that invites you to discover and experiment with flavours and cooking styles from around
the world. Courses are designed to broaden your cooking skills and inspire your creativity in the kitchen while sharing the joy of cooking with others in a relaxed and friendly space. And there’s more to come with additional courses scheduled soon so keep an eye on what’s coming up!
Cake decorating, cooking and baking classes also take place at the Granville Park Centre in central Lewisham - you can explore the full range of courses online.
There are also new jewellery making courses taking place at the centre including resin jewellery, as well as pendants, links and chains for beginners. You can meet the tutor and make a simple resin pendant on a free taster course this month. Book now as spaces are limited.
ALL offers a wide range of classes designed to inspire and empower. Whether you want to spark your creativity through drawing, painting, printmaking, illustration, or glasswork; learn a new language; boost your wellbeing with yoga, Pilates, or Tai Chi; or develop practical skills such as clothes making, crochet, floral design, photography, handknitting, or upholstery - there’s something for you. You might also choose to explore the performing arts with courses in guitar, singing, keyboard, or acting. A new programme of acting and performance courses will be coming soon so keep an eye on the website for more details.
Classes take place during the day, evenings and on Saturdays at the Brockley Rise Centre. Saturday sessions are the perfect way to step away from the week and do something just for you.
Whether you’d love to get creative on a super art Saturday workshop, learn to sew and make cushions, master baking, floristry, photography, (including dark room photography), and pottery - or perhaps try something fun with your children on a family learning Capoeira course. Find out more about the wide range of courses on offer at: www.lewisham.gov.uk/adultlearning
Online: You can enrol online for most courses at: www.lewisham.gov.uk/adultlearning
By phone: by calling 020 8314 3300, Monday-Friday 10am-3pm
In person: at one of the adult learning centres. See website for opening times.
Garden Talk with Janine Winlaw | Instagram @janinewinlaw
As we move into autumn, the structural planting in our gardens comes to the fore. Hedges are particularly useful not just for creating wildlife friendly boundaries, but also for adding yearround architectural form in outdoor spaces. And now is a good time to plant them.
Hedges help divide a garden into inviting private ‘rooms’ for seating or dining areas, or to partition off a functional area. Even in the smallest garden, tucking a bench behind a small hedge will create a fun, private space to hide away for a quiet moment.
Dividing a garden adds a sense of depth to a garden, creating a sense of mystery as to what is beyond. Using hedges as partitions, offset either side of a garden, creates informal divisions, breaking up a long thin garden for example. And hedges are also useful for neatly screening compost bins or sheds.
The crisp clean lines of a well pruned-hedge is also a perfect backdrop to softer, herbaceous
planting. There is a wide range of plants that work as hedges. Here are a few to consider:
Evergreen Options: Yew creates a fabulous dark green hedge that can be tightly clipped. Portuguese laurel, griselinia and pittosporum varieties also work well.
Deciduous Hedging: Native hornbeam and beech (copper beach is also lovely) are great if you want something that changes with the seasons from fresh spring leaves to autumn colour and finally brown foliage that’s often retained through winter
Flowering Shrubs: Escallonia, choisya, camellia, rosemary, roses such as Gallicas or even hydrangeas can be used as a hedging. Native hedging made of plants such as hawthorn and dog rose are full of colour and great for biodiversity.
Ornamental Grasses: Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’, miscanthus and pennisetum, make lovely hedges with movement and texture. These can be layered in front of an evergreen hedge to seasonal interest.
dulwichhamletfc.co.uk | dhst.org.uk
October’s here, and with Halloween round the corner the frightening thing is just how good we are. Particularly our men’s side, who’ve had a flying start to their first campaign under manager Mark Dacey. By mid-September our men had won five of their first six league ties, conceding only twice and bagging twelve - the swaggering football of old marred only by a disappointing exit from the FA Cup at the first hurdle. Despite our women’s first team’s patchier start to their second term in the National League, under new manager Maria Tavares, this season is looking like one to savour and, dare I say it, one that might just end at a roundabout! *
So you’d be a fool to fail to get to a game this month and see for yourself what crackling sports on offer. Your first chance is on Sunday 12th as our women take on London Bees at Champion Hill. Just two days later sees an autumn evening fixture under the lights as our men host Cray Wanderers on Tuesday 14th. And after a bumper packed home schedule last month, October sees just two more chances of action at Champion Hill. So don’t miss out when Cray Valley Paper Mills visit our men on Saturday 25th October followed by Aveley on Tuesday 28th.
On the road, our men travel to Chatham Town on Saturday 11th, then head to the seaside to take on Folkestone Invicta the following week, Saturday 18th; while our women also travel to
Chatham Town on the evening of Wednesday 29th and here’s hoping for double the points. We all love a midweek encounter under the lights, particularly as the nights draw in, and so to keep you cosy and well identified, don’t forget to visit the Mega Container on Champion Hill match days. Lovingly designed and run by our Supporters’ Trust, Dulwich Hamlet merchandise is always the talk of the town, and this month we’ve got plenty of new pink ’n’ blue gems for you, alongside all the old favourites; as well as this season’s replica kits, which are re-stocked in all sizes but sure to sell out soon.
What’s more, new in store we’ve got not one, but three new mug designs: we’ve the Upland Pleasures mug (think Joy Division meets south-east London hills); the Delicious Football mug (think Tuscany, ice-cream and, well, delicious football); and the Greetings from Dulwich Hamlet mug. Inspired by the Bruce Springsteen album Greetings From Asbury Park, and featuring fan stickers galore, this design can also be found on new t-shirts and sweatshirts in both black and white. It’s a must-have for your autumn wardrobe. So get down The Hill this October, fill your boots and watch Dulwich Boss it. Up the Hamlet!
* For those not well versed in the ways of The Hamlet (what are you waiting for?) we celebrate silverware on ‘Promotion Roundabout’ at Goose Green.
Fitness tips with Leanne Spencer | www.bodyshotperformance.com
When we talk about fitness, most people immediately think of strength, stamina, or perhaps flexibility. Rarely do we hear much about balance, and yet it’s one of the most fundamental components of physical fitness. Balance is just as important for a teenager on the football pitch as it is for someone in their seventies climbing the stairs.
Good balance is what allows us to move confidently and safely through life. For athletes, it translates into quicker reactions, better coordination, and more efficient movement. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury in later life, and poor balance is often the culprit. By training balance, you’re improving your functional fitness and safeguarding long-term independence.
Balance is a cognitive skill as well as physical skill. Every time you challenge your balance, you’re firing up the parts of the brain responsible for focus, coordination, and spatial awareness. That’s why balance exercises are recognised not just for their physical benefits, but for their role in maintaining brain health too. In other words, improving your balance may help you stay sharp as well as steady.
You might not think of balance as part of daily life, but it shows up everywhere: reaching for something on a high shelf, carrying heavy shopping, stepping onto a train, or walking the dog across a muddy park. Autumn is a particularly good time to start paying attention, with slippery pavements, damp leaves, and darker mornings potentially increasing the risk of trips and falls.
The good news is that balance training doesn’t have to mean complicated equipment or long sessions. It can be as simple as:
• Single leg stands: Try standing on one leg while brushing your teeth. When that feels easy, close your eyes.
• Heel-to-toe walk: Walk in a straight line, placing the heel of one foot directly in front of the toes of the other.
• Everyday challenges: Next time you’re waiting for the kettle, stand on one leg or rise onto your toes and hold.
• Add balance to workouts: Turn a regular lunge into a balance drill by adding a torso rotation, or try yoga poses like tree pose or warrior III. Doing these consistently can make a measurable difference.
And that is my final column. A big thank you to Angela for giving me the space to share my thoughts with you. If you’d like to keep in touch, you follow me @leannespencerkeynote LinkedIn or Instagram, but now I am delighted to hand over to my partner Antonia Bannasch, a Personal Trainer of over 11 years who is going to bring a fresh voice to the column and I think you’ll love her perspective. Find out more about her by reading The Last Word in the next edition of the magazine.
All the best! Leanne
Choosing a school is never simple. Every parent wants their child to feel safe, supported, and inspired, and that’s exactly what we work hard to provide at Fidelis College.
We’re a South London school rooted in community, where teachers know each child by name and take time to understand what makes them tick. Yes, we aim high academically, but we also care about character, confidence, and kindness.
Parents tell us what matters most is that their children are happy here, and when children are happy, they thrive.
If you’d like to see what that feels like, we’d be delighted to welcome you.
With David Frederick FCCA | Marcus Bishop Associates | marcus-bishop.com
Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. This statement, by Warren Buffett, is most relevant today in financial planning especially in terms of legacy planning. However, as Aesop stated, “when all is said and done, more is said than done.”
Grandparents are playing a major role in refuting Aesop whilst planting that tree and providing tomorrow’s shade for their grandchildren. Several alternative options being used by today’s grandparents are explored herein.
A junior SIPP (Self Invested Personal Pension) or stakeholder pension can be opened for a grandchild to lock-away funds until their retirement. The attractiveness of pensions continues to be the 20% tax relief. For example, a pension contribution of £100pm effectively becomes a gross contribution of £125pm. Consequently, the maximum gross contribution into a junior SIPP or stakeholder pension in a fiscal year is £3,600. Whereas the actual investment from a grandparent would be £2800. The pension fund grows tax free. A grandparent investing £80pm into their grandchild’s pension fund from six months old until their eighteenth birthday would have invested a total of £16,800. Whereas the actual gross pension fund would have received £21.000.
Access to the pension fund would be possible at the prevailing pension age in the future, but the grandchild would be able to continue making their own contribution to the fund.
A junior ISA can commence with a lump sum or a monthly contribution circa £20 or £25pm. However, the maximum contribution per fiscal year is £9,000. All income growth and withdrawals are tax free. Investments can be in funds, shares or simply cash. However, they do not enjoy the government
top-up of pensions. Perhaps the tax-free growth and withdrawals are the trade-offs. Grandchildren will gain full access at 18, to the funds. The fund balance for a grandchild at 18 years old from their grandparent saving £80pm for 17.5 years would be £16,800. To attain the same parity with a pension fund of £21,000, the grand parent would have had to invest £100pm.
An ordinary savings account has no cap on the savings per fiscal year and can be opened for a minimum of £1 or £5 for a grandchild. There are no income tax implications for either the grandchild or grandparent. Similar to a junior ISA the funds are accessible by the grandchild at either 16 or 18, subject to the financial institution. These accounts exhibit low interest rates and as such funds struggle to retain pace with inflation in the long run.
These three tree planting options today, provide the beginning of grandparents’ shade provision for their grandchildren tomorrow. However, as with all saving and investment decisions, professional advice should be sort. This is especially important for grandparents, as your seed planting activities will have implications for your estate planning and inheritance tax today and tomorrow. Especially, given the changing economic and tax landscape. In providing a shade for your grandchildren’s future be mindful about exposing yourself to financial risk today and tomorrow.
Year 6 Open Day Events 2025 for Year 7 Entry September 2026
• Wednesday 1st October 9.30am8pm
• Saturday 4th October 10am6pm
• Wednesday 8th October 9.30am8pm
• Saturday 11th October 10am6pm
Year 11 Open Day Events 2025 for Year 12 Entry September 2026
• Wednesday 15th October 1.306.30pm
• Wednesday 5th November 4.307pm
• Wednesday 26th November 4.307pm
Tuesdays 7 & 14 October: Gong Bath on
Hill - a cosy evening Sound Journey
8pm-9pm
Step into the magical realm of my Secret Soul Sanctuary by the woods! It is a safe haven in the heart of South London, where I invite you to join me for an evening Gong Meditation / Sound Journey. Secret Soul Sanctuary, Sydenham Hill, SE23 3PH. Bookings via Eventbrite and: www.thesoulnurturer.co.uk.
Wednesday 8 October:
EDWI - Bystanders Can be Lifesavers - First Aid Evening
7.30pm-9.30pm. Join us at our October event, where we learn more about 'First Aid' and how Bystanders can be Lifesavers.. During the evening we learn what do in such cases, to assist the person in medical need and how to deal with the emergency services. Guests are very welcome, first-time guests attend for free, returning guests pay £5 (cash only please). We welcome new members, the subscription for the 25/26 year is £24.50 when joining in October 2025. We are a group of local women of all ages and backgrounds, with a monthly book club and craft evenings several times a year. For further information, please email: join@eastdulwichwi.co.uk
The Castle Pub, Upstairs Function room, 280 Crystal Palace Road, East Dulwich, SE22 9JJ
Thursday 9 – Sunday 19
October: Intangible Landscapes, recent paintings by Nicholas Ashton
12pm-6pm. The Anna Lovely Gallery is pleased to be showing recent works by Nicholas Ashton, offering a subjective and personal interpretation of place that moves beyond scientific or purely visual documentation. Private view Saturday 11th October 2025 from 6-9pm. Gallery open Thursday to Sunday 12pm-6pm or by appointment. Anna Lovely Gallery, 140 Sydenham Road, SE26 5JZ.
Thursday 9 October: An Evening
7.30pm-8.30pm. Somewhere, a Boy and a Bear. The extraordinary story of A A Milne, Christopher Robin and Winnie-the-Pooh. 2026 marks the centenary of the publication of Winnie-thePooh, one of the best-selling children’s books of all time. Best-selling biographer Gyles Brandreth knew the real Christopher Robin, and Somewhere, a Boy and a Bear is an intimate and revealing biography of A A Milne.
When Winnie-the-Pooh first appeared in print on Christmas Eve 1925, his creator had no idea that this bear, and the fellow inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood, would go on to capture the imaginations of people of all ages all over the world for the next hundred years.
In his new biography Somewhere, a Bear and a Boy, Gyles Brandreth tells the remarkable story of A A Milne, and of the ‘bear of very little brain’ who went on to become a global phenomenon. This is the story of a man, a boy and a bear – but it is also a gripping family drama, and a fascinating exploration of the complicated nature of growing up, and the impossible longing for a return to the enchanted places of childhood.
A Village Books and Alleyn's Schools Enterprises event. The MCT at Alleyn's, Townley Road, East Dulwich, SE22 8SU.
Tickets via https://www.alleyns.org.uk.
You can submit your events for free via our website: www.arounddulwich.co.uk
Thursday 9 – Sunday 12
Gina Beaton, Sharon Blair, Sera Furneaux, Caroline Ingham, Kate Jacob, Octavia Milner and Erika Winstone, converge at Safehouse 1 to share their examination of memory, loss, hope and desire. Playing on the unique nature of the venue the house itself becomes a collaborator underlining the themes of the work presented in video, photography, paint, drawing, collage and sculpture in this short run show that is not to be missed .PV 9th October 5-8.pm. Closing event 12th October 4-5.30pm. Safehouse 1, 139 Copeland Road, SE15 3SN. @convergent_safehouse.
9 October:
8pm-9pm. Harry Venning has been a professional cartoonist for thirty years, providing cartoons for high-profile UK publications (e.g. The Guardian, Radio Times) as well as for countless more obscure titles (e.g. British Journal of Wound Care). He was awarded UK Strip Cartoonist of the Year for his Guardian strip Clare In The Community, which he adapted into a Radio 4 sitcom. In this lecture Harry will trace the history of his profession from Cruickshank and Hogarth to more recent artists like Giles and Schulz, bringing events up to date with cartoons produced fresh on the page that very day.
The Arts Society Dulwich membership fee is £60 single, £110 double, £12 for students for ten lectures October to July. Lectures also live on Zoom but not recorded. Guests welcome at £10 per lecture at the door, cash, or card, or for the Zoom link: info@theartssocietydulwich.org.uk
James Allen's Girls' School (JAGS) Sixth Form Centre, Green Dale, East Dulwich, SE22 8TQ. www.theartssocietydulwich.org.uk/programme/lectures.
Friday 10 – Sunday 19
October:
Prints, drawings, paintings, collage, and more, are on show at FOLD Art Collective’s Works on Paper exhibition at the Jeannie Avent Gallery. FOLD is a female art collective formed in South East London, to champion the work of mid-life women artists. Works are for sale at affordable prices. FOLD Art Collective are: Abigail Elverd, Bernadette Enright, Carmen Van Huisstede, Cass Breen, Clare Nicholson, Eleanor Street, Francesca Giuliano, Jane Hughes, Jess Blandford, Katherine Rose, Marina Beard & Nell Martin. www.foldartcollective.com
@foldartcollective. Jeannie Avent Gallery, 14 North Cross Road, East Dulwich, SE22 9EU.
11 October:
6pm-7.30pm. Put your name down in history as a Founder Member of South Dulwich Chorus and become part of an inspiring musical association that will include world-class soloists and instrumentalists. Our Musical Director, Oliver Lallemant, Director of Music at St Stephen’s, is looking forward to working with keen singers from all walks of life. No audition necessary. Rehearsal beforehand from 2pm to 4pm. Register your interest in singing at: https://forms.gle/QLxiWxkTLJDRHrQBA
Enquiries / Tickets: music@ststephensdulwich.org. St Stephen's South Dulwich, College Road SE21 7HW.
Sundays 12 & 26 October: Heritage Orchard Volunteer Gardening 1pm-3.30pm
Come and join our team of friendly volunteers who meet from 2-3.30pm on 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month to tend and garden our beautiful heritage orchard. St Clement with St Peter Church, 140 Friern Road, East Dulwich, SE22 0AY. Contact vicar@sclementwspeter.co.uk if you would like more information!
Mondays at Christ Church, 263 Barry Road, East Dulwich, SE22 0JT. Mondays 10am Happy House, 11.15am Baby Beeps & 12.30pm Baby Bells.. http://hartbeeps.com
Free, creative workshops that take place on the last Saturday of the month at the South London Gallery, 6567 Peckham Road. For children aged 5-12 years old with their parents and carers. Drop-in, no need to book. www.southlondongallery.org
Practice your Superhero moves! Discover Superhero fun facts! Any Little Heroes, Boys and Girls aged 2 - 5, Come along for a FREE taster session. Mondays & Fridays (term time only) St Barnabas Parish Hall, 23 Dulwich Village, SE21 7BT. Contact Lucy 07813 791757 | lucy@littleherocompany.com www.littleherocompany.com
Winning the gold medal for children’s sports classes! Start your child’s fantastic journey in athletic development, designed for toddlers up to children of 7 years old. All through a fun play-based format. To try us out, contact Sam: 07811787153 | smcdermott@miniathletics.com www.miniathletics.com
Eco-friendly crafting for little creatives! Join our awardwinning classes & events, where your child can get creative, connect with nature, and have fun in a safe, welcoming environment!
Contact: marie@nature-makers.co.uk or visit: www.nature-makers.co.uk
Learn young, have fun. Rally around for a smashing time. Serving ages 3-11. Rackets supplied; fun guaranteed. Gordon 07877 391005 | www.tennis-4-kids.com | gordonwood@hotmail.co.uk
Fun and interactive Spanish language play classes, for children aged 0-5, and their parents and carers. Thursdays mornings (term-time only) in East Dulwich. Suitable for all levels of Spanish! Contact Hazel on 07852 553 239 or hazelcarr@ hotmail.com.
If you would like to advertise your children’s class here, please e-mail angela@semagazines.co.uk for details.
Sundays 12 & 26 October:
12th: 6.30pm-7.30pm 26th:5.30pm-6.30pm.
Cosmic Soul, I am thrilled to extend a heartfelt invitation to you for an enchanting gong bath session at the serene and welcoming "andosteo" studio, nestled in the heart of Brockley. &osteo studio, 179 Brockley Road, SE4 2RS. Online Event Location: &osteo studio Tickets via www.eventbrite.co.uk.
Sunday 12 October:
Our Singarounds are informal and participative. We take it in turns to sing a song - any language, any genre, accompanied or unaccompanied, anything goes! We don't use mics. Singers, listeners and complete beginners welcome! £5 on the door, cash or BACS. For information: www.thegooseisout.com. The Castle Pub, 280 Crystal Palace Road SE22 9JJ.
Tuesday 14 October:
7pm-8.30pm. Join me for a powerful breathwork session designed to help you unlock deeper layers of your mind and body. Through the profound practice of conscious connected breathing, you’ll create space to connect, feel, and release in ways you may not have thought possible. Kinwellbeing, 79 Church Road, Crystal Palace, SE19 2TA. Tickets via: https://www.tickettailor.com.
Friday 17 October: Link Aid 3
7.30pm-8.30pm. Join Village Books and Alleyn’s Schools Enterprises with Sabrina Ghayour. Persiana Easy is a brand-new collection of inspiring recipes from the bestselling Middle Eastern chef – each carefully designed to be as easy as possible. Every recipe in Persiana Easy balances irresistible Middle Eastern flavours with accessible cooking. From midweek meals and traybakes to pastries and sweet treats, this collection features easy recipes to delight your family and friends, time and again.
The MCT, Townley Road, East Dulwich, SE22 8SU. Tickets via https://www.alleyns.org.uk.
7pm-10pm. Link Age Southwark and The Ivy House are hosting a ceilidh to raise funds for projects promoting social inclusion and wellbeing for older people in Southwark. Join us for a night to remember, with live music and caller from South East London Folk Orchestra (SELfolk). Tickets just £10 in advance. The Ivy House, 40 Stuart Road, Nunhead, SE15 3BE. Tickets via https://www.linkagesouthwark.org/ Event/linkaid3.
Saturday 18 – Sunday 19
October: So Last Century's Weekend Vintage Fair –Catford 11am-4pm
You can expect to find stunning displays of affordable mid-20th century furniture, homeware, lighting, ceramics, glass, decorative objects, textiles and furnishings, original 1960s and 70s posters and framed art, prints and charts, books, records, salvaged items, French brocante, vintage clothing and lots more. Outside on both days there’ll be a barista coffee van and chocolate brownie stall to keep you energised over the weekend. Most traders take card payments, and many offer a delivery service if you want to buy something big, like a dining table! Entry £3. Advance tickets available now with a 2-for-1 offer for a limited period. Accompanied Under 16s free.
St Dunstan's College, Stanstead Road, Catford, SE6 4TY. https://www.solastcenturyfair.co.uk.
St Christopher’s The Hall celebrates the opening of inspiring new outdoor play area
Last month, St Christopher’s The Hall, Beckenham, officially opened its brandnew outdoor play area, marking an exciting milestone for the school community.
The opening ceremony took place on Wednesday 3 September 2025 in a wonderful event attended by pupils, parents and staff. The playground was officially opened by special guest Tim Allardyce, an alumnus of St Christopher’s and a successful entrepreneur who runs physiotherapy centres across southeast London. Tim has kindly supported the playground project, helping to make the exciting vision a reality.
The new outdoor space has been designed to inspire creativity, encourage teamwork, and promote physical wellbeing among children. It features a range of play equipment and trim trails to challenge pupils physically, helping them build strength, balance, and coordination through active play. Alongside these, a dedicated sensory area provides opportunities for exploration and calm reflection, while creative surface markings encourage imaginative games and playful learning. A small amphitheatre and sheltered canopy mean the space can be enjoyed all year round, whether for quiet moments or group activities.
Speaking at the opening, Head Tom Carter said: ‘Outdoor play is such a vital part of a child’s development, it builds confidence, resilience, andsocialskills.Itwaswonderfultoseeourpupils enjoyingthenewspacestraightaway.Iwouldlike
to thank Tim Allardyce for his generous support and for being part of such a special day for our schoolcommunity.Thisplayareawillenrichpupils’ daily lives, giving them even more opportunities to learn through play, develop friendships, and embracetheoutdoorsineveryseason.’
Nick Hewlett, CEO of St Dunstan’s Education Group, added: ‘We are delighted with this outstanding new outdoor space at St Christopher’s. It builds upon the school’s already excellent facilities and further enhances the learningexperiencesavailabletoallchildren.This
investment reflects our commitment to ensuring every pupil thrives both inside and outside the classroom.’
The opening follows a year of success for the prep school, often referred to as Beckenham’s best-kept secret. In its most recent ISI inspection, conducted in March 2025 under the new and more rigorous framework, St Christopher’s was recognised for its exceptional leadership, inspiring curriculum, and outstanding pupil development. Most notably, the school was awarded the ISI’s highest possible commendation: a ‘significant
strength’ for its leadership of teaching and learning and continuous improvement in the quality of education, a rare honour within the prep school sector.
St Christopher’s The Hall joined the awardwinning St Dunstan’s Education Group in early 2025 and continues to grow as a thriving community rooted in excellence and innovation.
7.30pm-9.30pm. Launched in 2018, the Dulwich WI is a supportive and stimulating group for women of all ages and backgrounds. We meet once a month at No 57, 57 North Cross Road, SE22 9ET. We would love to meet you and look forward to welcoming you to our group. https://dulwichwi.com.
Monday 20 – Friday 31
10am-3pm Join Us for the Spookiest Tennis Camp This October! Our October camp is packed with: Tons of tennis. Spooky games & activities. Delicious treats and enchanting surprises around every corner. Tennis players from 3 to 16 yearsold all levels are welcome! Dulwich Lawn Tennis Club, Giant Arches Road, Burbage Road, Herne Hill, SE24 9HP. Book via https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ SebastienBlanchonCoaching/Coaching/Camps.
21 October:
8pm-10.30pm. Come and connect in at this month’s sharing circle gathering, where you will be surrounded by sisterhood as you step into the magical realm of my Secret Soul Sanctuary by the woods. It is a safe haven in the heart of London, where I invite you to join me for a sister 'talking stick' /'Red Tent' style sharing circle over a herbal tea. Secret Soul Sanctuary, Sydenham Hill, London SE23 3PH. Bookings via Eventbrite and www.thesoulnurturer.co.uk.
Wednesday 29 October –Saturday 1 November: The Dulwich Players present Blue Stockings, by Jessica Swale
7.30pm-9.45pm (Saturday matinee at 3pm).
It is 1896, and the women at Girton College, Cambridge study ferociously, matching their male peer’s grade for grade. However, while the men graduate the women leave with nothing but the stigma of being a ‘blue stocking’ - an unnatural, educated woman.
In “Blue Stockings” we follow the course of four first-year female students as they fight for the right to graduate. Join them as they navigate the hurdles in their way: the distractions of love, the cruelty of the class divide and the strength of the opposition, who will do anything to stop them. Will they succeed in changing the future of education? Come along and find out.
Tickets £14 (Under 18's: £10).
This Amateur production of Blue Stockings is presented by arrangement with Nick Hern Books.
St Dunstan's College Performing Arts Centre, Stanstead Road SE6 4TY. Book tickets via: www.ticketsource.co.uk/dulwichplayers/e-agpxlq
Friday 31 October:
Alasdair Roberts & Donald WG Lindsday, Erin Mansfield, Phil Stevens 7pm-11pm
Alasdair Roberts creates both his own idiosyncratic compositions and fresh interpretations of traditional songs, drawing on the traditional song and music culture of Scotland. Donald WG Lindsay's beautiful piping adds another dimension to the music. Erin Mansfield is a trailblazer of contemporary tin whistle and stamps her passion and originality on everything she does. Phil Stevens sings and plays the ukulele in his own inimitable style. £16 advance, £18 on the door (cash or BACS).
Tickets & information: www.thegooseisout.com. The Ivy House, 40 Stuart Road Nunhead, SE15 3BE
| rightathome.co.uk/mitcham
Getting older definitely has its challenges, but one of the brighter sides is the number of money-saving benefits that open up once you hit 60 and beyond. Some kick in automatically, others you’ll need to apply for – but together they can add up to well over £8000 a year. In today’s cost-of-living squeeze, that’s not to be sniffed at.
Let’s start with health. Once you’re past 60, eye tests are free on the NHS – a simple but important saving. Prescriptions also won’t cost you a penny in England, and if you need NHS dental care, that’s free too. Not glamorous, but hugely helpful if you’re juggling regular check-ups and medication.
Travel gets easier on the pocket as well. Over60s can claim discounted or free travel, depending on where you live. The England National Bus Pass, for example, gives you free off-peak bus travel, while in London you can nab a 60+ Oyster card. Trains often offer senior railcards too, cutting a third off most journeys.
Keeping warm in winter is a major worry, but help is available. Many people qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment, worth up to £600 depending
on your circumstances, and the Warm Home Discount can knock another £150 off your energy bills. Some local councils also offer heating grants – worth asking about.
Entertainment and communication come with their own perks. Once you turn 75, your TV licence is free if you’re receiving Pension Credit. Discounted broadband and phone packages are also available, especially from providers like BT and Virgin. For days out, over-60s get reduced entry to places like National Trust sites, English Heritage properties and even some cinemas.
Then there are the household bills. Many water companies run social tariffs offering cheaper bills if you’re on a low income. Council tax reductions are another big one – sometimes automatic, sometimes you’ll need to claim. And don’t forget the humble Blue Badge, which makes parking easier and often cheaper if you have mobility issues.
For those on a low income, Pension Credit is one of the most valuable extras. It not only tops up your weekly income, but also opens the door to other perks, like free TV licences and help with housing costs.
Add it all together – the travel, the health care, the heating help, the discounts – and you could easily be saving hundreds every year. The trick is knowing what’s out there and making sure you claim it. After all, you’ve spent years contributing – now it’s time to make the system work for you.
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Councillor James.McAsh | James.McAsh@southwark.gov.uk | @mcash
Autumn is here! The memories of summer have faded, children are firmly back at school, and the leaves are beginning to fall off the trees. Meanwhile, your Goose Green councillors have been busy making improvements to the local area.
This year we have been having conversations with our residents, schools and young people about upgrading our local playground. We are delighted to announce that we are investing £120,000 to provide two new pieces of modern, safe and fun equipment for local children and young people which will be delivered this December! Swimming Pool
We have upgraded our pool filter system to reduce our energy consumption in this service. This has caused disruptions over summer, but we have been pushing the council to get this resolved quickly, as a result the pool will now be fully open from 22nd September.
Residents have raised the increased heat the centres studios and we are working with the
council to ensure this problem is resolved. Full replacement of the air handling system forms part of a broader infrastructure project tied to our decarbonisation strategy. This is a significant investment to future-proof all our centres in a sustainable way. While this work is currently scheduled for 2027, we are pushing for the council to review the timeline for Dulwich Leisure Centre, given the growing urgency.
The works on Grove Vale, Melbourne Grove and surrounding streets are now complete – including a new pedestrian crossing. The new street design looks beautiful – please do take a look when you get a chance.
We will now be holding our monthly surgeries at Dulwich Leisure Centre on the first Thursday of every month from 6pm-7pm.Please do come along to have a conversation about issues that matter to you. Please use the entrance on Crystal Palace Road.
If you ever have any issues or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch. James McAsh James.McAsh@southwark.gov.uk
Eleanor Street is a local artist and printmaker who is showing with FOLD Art Collective at the Jeannie Avent Gallery, North Cross Road, from the 10th to 19th October.
How long have you lived in the area? We moved to the area in 2017, from Camberwell.
What do you most value about the area?
I love the support for the arts and creativity in the area: the turnout for Dulwich Artists’ Open House each year is great; there’s the new Oliver Projects gallery, to add to 155a and Jeannie Avent; art clubs for kids, like And Art London; and obviously the fabulous Dulwich Picture Gallery is so close.
Do you know your neighbours?
Yes. There’s a real sense of community in Ondine Road: neighbours support each other and there’s a friendly atmosphere – and the street WhatsApp is very entertaining!
Do you belong to any groups?
I belong to two art collectives: FOLD Art Collective and Critical Edge Collective. FOLD is a group of women artists that gets together each month for mutual support and discussions about our work. We’re delighted to be showing Works on Paper at the Jeannie Avent Gallery later this month.
Your favourite place for a night out?
I struggle a bit with how noisy restaurants are nowadays, so my favourite thing is a more intimate evening with friends at someone’s house.
Where are you to be found on Saturday?
In the studio, which is over on the old Aylesbury Estate and which I share with four other artists.
Where’s your favourite place to walk?
Peckham Rye where we walk our whippet, Bramble. But I’m a big fan of Sydenham Woods too; and the wilderness of Greendale a bit closer to home.
When I want to relax...
I make some art – I get so absorbed and completely switch off from the day-to-day worries: it’s like magic.
What is your favourite shop?
The food shops in East Dulwich are brilliant – loads of variety and excellent quality. A lot of these shops have opened since we moved here but my favourite is the one that was here before us: the Cheese Block. They have a brilliant range and some cheeses which are hard to find elsewhere.
The book I’m reading at the moment..
I’ve just finished one by local author Susan Allott – it’s her second book, The House on Rye Lane, an unsettling, tense story of 3 different families that have lived in one of the big Georgian houses overlooking Peckham Rye. It’s a great read, underpinned by some of the fascinating history of the area.
www.eleanorstreet.net / @eleanor__street www.foldartcollective.com
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