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BRIXTON BUGLE YOUR FREE POPULAR FOOD STALL IS ORDERED TO LEAVE BRIXTON VILLAGE SITE No 64 | JUNE 2018

Published monthly in and for Brixton

ISSN 2397-852X

COMMUNITY PAPER

SUMMER MUSIC Dave Randall’s picks

Carmelo and Glenda on Granville Court where Tiendieta Del Sabor operated for nearly two years.

Inset: Carmelo in happier days

Two Brixton Village traders who for two years have run a stall on Granville Court – the patio area on Coldharbour Lane – have been told to quit by the Village’s new owners.

Carmelo Diotaiuti and his partner Glenda were told on Friday 1 June that the following Sunday would be their last day in the Village.

They are left without work to support themselves because, earlier this year, they gave up fulltime work cooking and cleaning in a school in Brockley following a suggestion from Brixton Village that a permanent kiosk to help them prepare food might be erected.

They built up their Venez­ uelan street food business from one, and then two, temporary stalls.

Carmelo and Glenda say that they were told the new owners of the Village wanted to “start from zero”. They were entitled to neither notice nor compensation because they paid for the space they used on a daily basis, they were informed.

Carmelo said: “Throughout these two years, we have not received any complaints, and our customers have been happy with our services.

“We feel let down by Brixton Village administration for treating us like that after almost two years.

“Also, for asking us to leave our

only source of income without a considerable notice period.

“We have a customer base already, and they do not know where we are going to be as we have not had time to let our customers know about this situation.”

After he and Glenda appealed to Brixton Village management, they were told to wait “two or three weeks” when their status would be looked at again. But they were given no guarantees.

A spokesman for Hondo Enterprises, which says that it runs Brixton Market – meaning Market Row and Brixton Village – said at first that no traders had been given notice.

In a second response, the spokesman said that the food stall, which had been there for two years, was “temporary” and “therefore there was no formal agreement for the use of this space”.

He said that Tiendieta Del Sabor, and other food stalls on Granville Court, had been “operated without the owners’ knowledge, by the market managers on a first come, first served basis”.

The new owners had stopped all trading on Granville Court for the time being, the spokesman said, “whilst a proper plan is formed, and communicated, for the management of temporary market stalls. This is part of Hondo’s commitment to improving market management”.

ART WALK

Take the 7 Bridges trail

RABBIT RECORD

Music from Brixton Market

LIDO RELAYS

100 swimmers take part

7

6

10

24

2 NEWS brixtonblog.com 2018 JUNE

BRIXTON BUGLE brixtonblog.com Proudly edited in Brixton Both website and newspaper are published by a not-for-profit community organisation run by a committed team of people from Brixton @brixtonblog brixtonblog.com

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Jenny Shramenko 07811 878394 jenny@brixtonblog.com Circulation 12,000 copies Readership: circa 15,000 EDITOR Linda Quinn linda@brixtonblog.com MANAGING EDITOR Simon Still simon@brixtonblog.com NEWS EDITOR Anna McKie newsdesk@brixtonblog.com ARTS & FEATURES arts@brixtonblog.com MUSIC Dave Randall music@brixtonblog.com FOOD Nick Buglione food@brixtonblog.com SPORT Sandra Brobbey sport@brixtonblog.com ISSUE 64 Contributors Pam Douglas Rosa Herxheimer Leslie Manasseh Tevye Markson Emma Lange Leslie Manasseh Carina Murphy Jamila Omar Gemma Pasha James Perrett Dave Randall Sue Sheehan Grace Waters Mike Woof Sub-editor: Jamila Omar Production: Alan Slingsby Distribution: Philip King A massive thank you to everybody involved in making this issue, and the Blog & Bugle project, a success If you would like to be a Bugle stockist please email distribution@brixtonblog.com

Mayor chooses Brixton charity Mosaic Clubhouse on Effra Road is the official charity for the new mayor of Lambeth, Christopher Wellbelove, who was elected at the council’s annual meeting at the town hall in Brixton.

It will be the second one-year term as mayor for Wellbelove, who represents Clapham Town ward. He spoke of his own struggles with mental health and invited Paul Davies to speak to the council about how Mosaic Clubhouse had helped him.

Paul Davies said on first going to the Clubhouse, he was not sure for a minute that he could speak. But everyone was so welcoming and understanding that it was not long before he started to see potential and skills “that I did not know I had”.

His achievements, thanks to Clubhouse, include working on a transitional employment

placement, conducting tours of the Clubhouse for visitors, running debates for its members and external presentations on its behalf.

Paul Davies thanked the mayor for choosing it as his charity and urged anyone who wanted to know more about it to visit – “It’s only round the corner” or check its website.

His contribution was, in contrast to earlier proceedings, heard in silence and enthusiastically applauded by protesters in the public gallery from the Shirley Oaks Survivors Association.

The protesters, whose interruptions led to two suspensions of the meeting and its eventual removal from the council chamber to a private room, were also silent to hear mayor Wellbelove’s second guest, singer and drag artist Mrs Moore (inset), perform Just Can’t Take It Any More.

Labour dominates, Greens oppose A Brixton ward contributed one of the successful Green Party candidates who now make up an opposition group of five councillors on Lambeth council after the recent local election.

Labour went into the election with 59 seats and came out with only two fewer. The make-up if the new council will be Labour 57; Green 5; and Conservative 1.

Independent candidate, former Labour councillor Rachel Heywood, whose campaign in central Brixton’s Coldharbour ward included warnings about threats to the very nature of central Brixton, failed to make a major impact as all three Labour candidates for the ward won easily.

Green candidate Becca Thackray topped the poll in a very tight contest in Herne Hill ward. She might not have been the only successful Green candidate in the ward if the 705 votes for independent library campaign candidate Nick Edwards had gone to her

Brixton Soup Kitchen founder Dr Mahamed Hashi (left) celebrates at the count with fellow newly elected Stockwell Labour councillors Lucy Woodruff and Mohamed Jaser two party colleagues.

Other Green party successes were the election of all three of its candidates in Streatham’s St Leonard’s ward and of Pete Elliott, the co-convenor of Lambeth Green Party, in Gipsy Hill.

One of the three successful Green candidates in St Leonard’s ward, Jonathan Bartley, is running to retain his post as national co-leader of the party. He is also leader of the Lambeth Green councillors and so leader of the opposition.

Dr Mahamed Hashi, a well

known figure in Brixton for his work with the Brixton Soup Kitchen and the Dominoes Club on Coldharbour Lane, won a seat for Labour in the Stockwell ward.

Turnout in the election was 34% – meaning little more than a third of eligible voters bothered to express a preference – but was very slightly up on the 32% turnout in the last Lambeth council elections in 2014.

Labour’s share of the vote was 55%, the Greens’ 19%, The Conservatives’ 13% and the Liberal Democrats’ 12%.

Already Busy: The Barn stage during Daphni’s 4.15pm performance

Field Day headliner’s set delayed and shortened

By Tevye Markson Four Tet’s headline performance at the Field Day event in Brockwell Park was delayed for 50 minutes and then cut to around 30 minutes after ­dangerous overcrowding.

Large numbers were forced to leave The Barn stage to allow the show to continue, with access only available from one side of the large tent.

With no acts on the outdoor main stage after Thundercat finished at 9pm, the crowds split into The Barn and CRACK tents to see Four Tet and Fever Ray, performing at 9 and 9.30pm respectively.

The Hydra-run stage was congested from Nils Frahm’s 2.35pm performance onwards and grew more crowded as the acts got bigger, with one thin gap to leave.

Sheila Pinion said: “As much as I love Field Day, the organisers were lucky there were no major incidents due to overcrowding.

The move to Brockwell Park was such a bad one.”

While CRACK was crowded at times, exits all around the tent made it safer and more accessible.

A Field Day spokesman said: “There was a concern

about congestion at The Barn stage early on in Four Tet’s set and the show was paused.

“His set resumed as soon as this was resolved. We realise this delay was frustrating, but safety is always our number one priority.”

Cllr Sonia Winifred, Lambeth council cabinet member for equalities and culture, was pleased with the festival’s implementation, saying: “The event went smoothly, with a low number of complaints from residents.

“Council officers were on site throughout the weekend, working closely with the event organisers and health and safety partners and any incidents were dealt with quickly and appropriately.

While the congestion inside the festival was a disappointment for many, others revelled in the sunshine and an eclectic line-up.

Hugh Sawers, 23, who went to Field Day last in Victoria Park, said: “I’m enjoying it a bit more.

There’s a bit more space.

It’s a bit more relaxed.”

He picked out Nils Frahm and Panda Bear, who were on The Barn stage earlier in the day, as his highlights.

JUNE 2018 brixtonblog.com NEWS 3

Public pressure saves The Flower Lady shop

By Tevye Markson A cherished Railton Road business and its historic building have been saved after pressure from local people against proposals to turn it into an electricity substation.

Elaine Partleton, owner of The Flower Lady shop, said that Network Rail’s plans had been halted after a petition received more than 1,700 signatures in a few days.

The substation is needed to power refurbished arches on the other side of the station entrance after initial estimates of what would be required proved wrong.

The Flower Lady in “Station Square” faced a big rent increase and being forced to move from its vital spot next to Herne Hill Station.

Elaine said: “I’m just so happy to be here. I’ve had so much support. 1,700 petition signatures in one week – that sounds pretty good to me.

We’ve really put them under pressure.”

She said that Lambeth council is considering turning “Station Square” into a conservation area, meaning planning permission would be required to do anything to the building.

Additionally, Elaine believes that the Herne Hill Society will try to have the building listed.

“It would have been tragic if they pulled it down,” she said.

Network Rail had told her that it planned to move The Flower Lady from the former Victorian coalhouse it now occupies, demolish it and build a five-metre square sub-station – right next to one already on station premises.

Elaine Partleton said pressure from the community and Lambeth council’s support led to the breakthrough, singling out the Herne Hill Society and local Green councillor Becca Thackray for their help.

“I’m just hoping that Network Rail haven’t jeopardised somebody else’s business to build their substation,” she said.

With the shop busy and their stay secured, she has three plans: “I just want to stay here, be happy and continue what we’re doing”.

Network Rail had planned a straightforward refurbishment of the Victorian façade of the Herne Hill arches, including those at the rear of the station on Milkwood Road, although they were known to have structural defects.

The work took longer than expected because of the need for extensive additional structural repairs that Network Rail says were identified only after the building had been stripped out.

Although initial surveys were made to check the need for new power provision for the planned uses of the units, it was only at the final design stage that Network Rail and UK Power Networks (UKPN), the network operator for electricity in London, discovered that not enough power was available to enable occupation of all of the units.

UKPN told Network Rail that the power requirements for the final three units could only be satisfied by building a new sub-station.

Network Rail says it is currently investigating the suitability of various locations for the sub-station as well as costs and timescales.

IN BRIEF

JUBILEE MUSIC

Children, families and teachers at Jubilee Primary School were treated to a concert by a string quartet as the charity London Music Masters celebrated its tenth anniversary. The performance by the Ligeti Quartet was designed to introduce students to contemporary music in a light-hearted and accessible way. Every child in Year 1 and Year 2 at Jubilee learns the violin, receiving three lessons a week from London Music Masters at no cost to parents. “The sight and sound of 120 pupils playing the violin together is truly amazing and the children love making music together,” said headteacher Joanna Eade. When this two-year programme ends, 15 students are selected to continue with lessons. A group of Year 3 violinists from Jubilee recently performed at Queen Elizabeth Hall on the South Bank.

MAKE A MILLION IN BRIXTON

Brixton, according to the online house price website Rightmove, is now one of the top 10 fastest places to sell a property for £1 million or more. It said that, on average, in 2018 it has taken 65 days to sell a £1 million property here, compared to 89 days in 2017. Brixton comes in at number 10 on a list that contains traditional property hot-spots like Cambridge, Bristol and Woking and is also joined by Hackney at number 7.

Local MP Helen Hayes (Labour, Dulwich and West Norwood) is the sponsor of a House of Commons “early day motion” that recognises the contribution of the Windrush Generation to Britain. She and Brent Central MP Dawn Butler, shadow secretary of state for women and equalities, are organising a Speaker’s reception in the House of Commons to mark the anniversary.

REFUGEE WEEK EVENT

OPEN PROJECT AT POP

WINDRUSH TRIBUTE

LET’S DANCE!

Carnegie ‘on the national agenda’ A committee of MPs has replied to a report of the way that Lambeth council is handling the future of the Carnegie library in Herne Hill.

The parliamentary select committee for housing, communities and local government said that it did not deal with individual cases, but was considering whether to look at legislation governing the transfer of assets from local authorities to community groups.

The report was from Carol Boucher and Fred Taggart, who resigned as the chair and secretary of the Carnegie Community Trust in protest at the council’s decision to hand much of the Carnegie building to Greenwich Leisure for a ­private gym.

They expressed alarm to the

select committee that the council had subverted the intention of asset transfer legislation and Localism Act. Clive Betts MP, chair of the committee that monitors the work of government departments, and members including local MP Helen Hayes, noted the issues in the letter from Boucher and Taggart, including significant lost costs in terms of £100k of money and volunteer time by the Carnegie Community Trust.

It said it had previously looked at other aspects of the asset transfer process that hands council assets to community groups and made recommendations to government.

The issues evident at Carnegie had not been presented as a problem until now.

The select committee is to examine a government report on the Localism Act 2011, which seeks to empower community groups, and said it hoped that Boucher and Taggart would submit evidence on Lambeth council’s handling of the Carnegie asset transfer process.

Carol Boucher said: “It is an important step to get this on the national agenda and we are confident that our evidence of Lambeth’s deeply flawed decision to hand Carnegie to a private business instead of the community will demonstrate the need for government to amend the law to protect community groups and prevent councils like Lambeth moving the goal posts half-way through the transfer process.”

BARNARDO’S BRIXTON LAUNCH The children’s charity Barnardo’s was launching a new book in its Brixton shop as the Bugle went to press. It teamed up with London College of Fashion MA students to show the many unique looks that shoppers in its stores can create in its new One of a Kind summer trend book. Launched in Spring 2017 to highlight the potential of pre-loved items in Barnardo’s stores, the Summer 2018 edition now features both men and women in its drive to inspire fashion lovers to consider charity shops. Barnardo’s has also teamed up with global fashion movement Fashion Revolution to educate shoppers about the damaging effects textiles have on the environment and fashion industry. Copies of the book will be available from Saturday 9 June.

Camberwell’s Old Library will host a series of Refugee Week events in a Beyond Borders Festival from 16 to 23 June including workshops, performances, panel discussions and exhibitions, culminating in a closing party and night of music in partnership with Southwark Refugee Response.

AA bit.ly/RW-BBF Elaine Partleton and her shop

Pop Box. Venue accessible. Children must be supervised. For more information contact Jen & Vic at People First Lambeth: 07704 523172. peoplefirstmembers@googlemail.com.

Disability Advice Service Lambeth, part of the Independent Living and Carers’ Partnership, is organising its second free Let’s Dance event at Pop Brixton from 1.45 to 3pm on Monday 11 June. All are welcome. Just turn up to enjoy 75 minutes of freedom to dance in the

Every Monday night at Impact Hub in Pop Brixton the Open Project Night opens the doors to community groups, businesses and individuals to get their creative juices flowing over a free dinner and to join in thinking about how to create better streets, housing, food and clean air for us all. You can: get support for a new project in your community; find volunteers and explore ideas with like-minded people; access free space for your community event or meeting; meet new partners and become part of a peer network; collaborate with and learn from other groups and organisations in your neighbourhood. Join Open Project Night on Facebook and find out more at brixton.impacthub.net/open-project-night or contact stephanie.gamauf@impacthub.net

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4 NEWS brixtonblog.com 2018 JUNE

Council ‘faffing’ over noise threat to health say residents

By Alan Slingsby

Residents of Tunstall Road, whose pedestrianised eastern end is home to Brixton’s David Bowie mural, have renewed their calls for Lambeth council to act on night-time street noise and anti-social behaviour.

The people affected range from toddlers to pensioners and stress that it is not occasional irritation that motivates them but very real threats to their well-being from frequent noise and disturbing anti-social behaviour at all times of the day and night.

And they say that residents in nearby streets complain of the same issues.

The Tunstall Road residents’ complained earlier this year to the official Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) about the way the council has responded to their reports of anti-social behaviour.

Their complaint was upheld after the ombudsman discussed a draft report with both residents and the council.

They had complained that the council had failed to act about anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance from people using amplified equipment, drums and megaphones.

While the ombudsman upheld the complaint “as there was fault in the way the council responded to reports of anti-social behaviour,” it considers that “agreed action of

monitoring is enough to remedy the injustice”.

That ruling was delivered in March this year after the residents had complained in autumn 2017, having made repeated complaints and reports to the council since at least June 2016.

In most cases, says the ombudsman, the council “logged the report and advised … that there was no action the council could take, although it was considering the use of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)”.

Council officials said it was still considering whether a more detailed PSPO is required to regulate busking activity by stopping it after certain times; designating specific locations for busking activity; and regulating the use of amplified equipment.

But the officials could not confirm whether or not the council would consult on PSPO proposals, saying that was a decision for the political leadership of the council.

The council told the ombudsman it was not always possible to identify offenders, but the Tunstall Road residents, who are in regular contact with them say the council has, in many cases, been given all the information it needs “apart from their DNA and home address”.

As part of its decision on the complaint, the ombudsman said the council should arrange “suitable monitoring” within six weeks.

The decision is dated 6 March 2018, but the Tunstall Road residents say that, although they have been contacted by council officers about monitoring, they have not had an official response from a senior level in the council.

They say council officers have said they will “deal with” half a dozen serial and serious offenders who have been named by residents.

But, say the residents, “we have not had a proper, strategic, response from the council”.

“Three months down the line,” say the residents “they are faffing about around the edges”.

They ask, for instance, why Lambeth council does not sign up to the London-wide Busker’s Code, introduced by former London mayor Boris Johnson, as many councils have done, rather than discuss writing its own.

Cllr Mo Seedat, council cabinet member for the voluntary sector, partnerships and community safety, said: “We will continue to work with the police, local residents and businesses in getting the balance right between people enjoying themselves, ensuring safety and tackling illegal traders.

“We are taking the issues raised seriously, and I’m pleased that the monitoring action we proposed was agreed to by the ombudsman.”

Urban Art 2017

Urban Art back with its 17th open-air exhibition Urban Art 2018, London’s largest annual open-air contemporary arts fair, will be back in Brixton on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 July.

The free event will see artists exhibiting an amazing selection of work along the length of the pavements using the railings on both sides of Josephine Avenue, off Brixton Water Lane, as an openair gallery.

Visitors can talk to artists face to face and learn the creative processes that created them.

Now in its 17th year, Urban Art provides affordable and credible exhibition space for new and established artists.

It has also raised funds for the local community over these years. This year’s beneficiaries

will be Holy Trinity School, Jubilee Primary School, Southside Rehabilitation project and the Anchor Group. The show’s charity partners provide the marshals during the weekend and all will receive a percentage of sales made.

More than 1,000 works from over 100 artists will be on display.

Prices start at less than £10 and can reach over £1,000. More than 10,000 visitors are expected. Other attractions will include Mexican and Caribbean food stalls.

Urban Art was created in 2002

by Josephine Avenue resident and portrait artist Timothy Sutton.

Insurance experts Jardine Lloyd Thompson are again supporting the event that runs from 10am to 6pm on both days.

JUNE 2018 brixtonblog.com COMMUNITY BUSINESS NEWS 5

BRIXTON LEGAL Pam Douglas is a solicitor with local firm Wainwright & Cummins. Each month, she takes a common enquiry and asks colleagues to answer it for readers

Leases and legal action This has been a busy period for leasehold enquiries ranging from unfair service charges to threats of legal action for breach of lease

Your lease details the terms on which you occupy your home (usually a flat), including your rights and obligations and those of the freeholder/landlord, and any promises or “covenants” between you.

It is often a lengthy, off-putting document, loaded with legal jargon that most people do not even look at unless a problem arises.

I have simplified a couple of common situations to provide a general idea of your rights in each. However, this is a complex and highly specialised area of law, and you should obtain legal advice where necessary.

So, if you’re a leaseholder, here are a few basic tips to help ensure that you’re not being billed or penalised unlawfully:

Major works By law, you must receive an “section 20 notice” in relation to any work your freeholder proposes to carry out which will result in a cost to you of £250 or more.

The guidelines are in section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and landlords must follow the correct procedure as well as complying with the terms of your lease. You also have rights under s21 and s22 of the Act to request details of the free­­holder’s expenditure on the property including receipts.

Generally speaking, you will only be liable to pay for work where all of the s20 criteria have been met:

You have been consulted in accordance with the Act The demand for payment has been served within 18 months of costs being incurred (unless the landlord anticipates a delay and sends you a s20B Notice)

The charge is ‘reasonable’ If you consider that you have been over-charged, the limitation period for bringing a claim is generally six years (s5 Limitation Act 1980).

You should initially write to the landlord, pointing out the error and speak to a solicitor if you need further assistance.

Service charge disputes can be resolved by the First-Tier Tribunal. The application fee is currently £100 and the hearing fee is £200. Normally each side pays their own costs, but the tribunal has the power to award costs where either party has been “unreasonable”, so please beware.

Right to buy When you exercise a right to buy, you are given a s125 schedule which includes a five-year estimate of your liability for service charges and a list of anticipated major works.

This gives a new homeowner some protection and forewarning about their financial liability for a period of five years from completion of the purchase.

If you have purchased such a property on the open market within five years of the original Right to Buy, you will still have the benefit of the s125 Notice for the remaining time.

The council cannot charge any more than the stated amounts, apart from an allowance for inflation. Neither is it permitted to charge for any major works that are not mentioned in the schedule.

With the sheer number of housing repair and regeneration projects councils undertake, it is quite common, and perhaps understandable, for mistakes to be made resulting in homeowners receiving bills in respect of work that they are not liable to pay for.

A colleague recently advised a local homeowner facing a bill of £17,500 for renewal of a communal heating system.

The work was not mentioned in the s125 Notice when she purchased her home a couple of years previously, and she was therefore relieved to be told she was not liable to pay.

Breach of lease or restrictive covenant Legal action for breach of lease can only be taken in certain situations and within certain time limits.

If the remedy being sought is damages or compensation, the claim must generally be brought within 12 years of the breach.

If, on the other hand, your landlord is threatening an injunction (for instance to prevent a breach, such as an unauthorised alteration to your home, from continuing), this is a matter of “equity” and the 12-year rule will not apply.

Where an injunction is being sought, case law says that, if the alleged breach has been in plain sight and unchallenged for long enough (20+ years in one case), then the freeholder cannot enforce the restrictive covenant because they will be deemed to have acquiesced and therefore waived the right to rely on it.

This is a very technical area, and it is worth doing plenty of research as well as getting professional legal advice.

AA Free legal advice can be obtained from LEASE, a government funded service. While it does not take on individual cases, it is a fantastic source of information and guidance for anyone attempting to navigate this maze. I recommend you visit their website: www.lease-advice.org/ AA If Lambeth council is your freeholder and you pay service charges to them, you might find it useful to join Lambeth Homeowners Association where you can share your experiences and tips with others: https://lambethleaseholders. wordpress.com/

Learn how to turn passions and interests into income

By Emma Lange StartUp Brixton is back after a year’s break on 23 June.

The one-day event engages entrepreneurial young local residents in workshops, oneto-one business surgeries and pitching events.

In 2016 more than 158 entrepreneurs and independent businesses took part.

This year’s event is designed to show 18–30-year-olds what it takes to start a business and the tried and trusted techniques to make it sustainable.

It takes place at Pop Brixton, and is open to anyone with or without an established business idea.

“As long as you are proactive, energetic and ambitious, you have all the qualities of a go-getting entrepreneur,” says event organiser Laura Mahler.

“This event will show you some of the options to hone those qualities and build the skills and networks to turn

passions and interests into an income.”

Workshops will cover mapping a business plan; engaging content for social media; and communicating your vision effectively to become a leader among your network.

It will also focus on building confidence and resilience through the ups and downs of business life and connect likeminded people in Lambeth in a support network.

People taking part can find inspiration and encouragement by hearing from Lambeth-based entrepreneurs who started out like them and are now running successful businesses.

The event is organised by

Hatch Enterprise, a charity based in Loughborough Junction. Since 2013, Hatch has supported more than 500 entrepreneurs through its business support programmes, including Brixton businesses: Sensala creperie in Brixton Village, Make Do and Mend in Pop Brixton, Brixton Soup Kitchen, Snact, a social enterprise based in Brixton.

“It is a really exciting time for the start-up scene in South London,” says Lisa Wilson, Hatch’s young enterprise programme manager. “Lambeth is home to a wealth of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.

“Through our programmes, we have seen many innovative and exciting ideas that young people are bringing to life.”

AA Tickets are £15, with half priced bursaries available to anyone who can demonstrate financial need. Find out more and buy tickets at: hatchenterprise.co.uk/ startupbrixton.

Help for house renovators

New work space for Tulse Hill

Brixton entrepreneur Nick Morris, bored by browsing beautiful interiors on Pinterest with no way to locate for himself the items used, has launched an app that helps renovators to make their home improvement dreams a reality.

His app, Housetagz, now has over 65 affiliates, including John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and The White Company, and has been downloaded more than 5,000 times.

The app allows users to upload photos of their renovations and tag their updated homewares. Other users can then purchase the tagged products by clicking through to the websites.

Nick says: “I had a moment of panic after developing the app that no-one would be interested, but I shouldn’t have doubted.

“Several major chains came on board and the only store that did not has since gone into receivership.

“Affiliates pay a fee when an item reaches 100 clicks, or between 6 and 10% of the sale price if it leads to a click-through purchase.

“In future I want users to generate commissions from clicks or sales of their own ­product tags.”

A former electrician, Nick is no stranger to entrepreneurism. As an apprentice he came up with the idea for gloves with removable fingertips after he constantly dropped and misplaced screws. Seven years on, Easy Off Gloves has a range of over 17 gloves and is generating a turnover of £150,000.

As part of his Housetagz promotion drive, Nick entered the app in VOOM 2018 pitch competition. He was not successful this time.

AA https://housetagz.com

Tulse Hill estate has got a makeover with its former council housing office transformed into GLOWS (Greenleaf Open Work Space), an affordable co-working space where local people can develop and expand entrepreneurial ideas and existing businesses.

The new space at 1a Greenleaf Close has transformed the neighbourhood with its colourful designs. The interior space has been kitted out with huge purpose-built tables (below) for making, storage areas and office desk space to rent at affordable community rates.

GLOWS opens its doors to the public with an open day on Friday 22 June from 12.30 to 6pm.

Manager Claudette Douglas says: “We are a

very new enterprise who have absolute faith that Tulse Hill can offer something positive to the whole of Lambeth and we can be transformative space where individuals turn hopes, wishes and dreams into tangible reality that has a positive and cohesive impact on the local community and economy.”

GLOWS is a joint project started by Tulse Hill Estate Tenants & Residents Association and the Tulse Hill Forum, and is now managed by Tree Shepherd. Its aim is to help improve the lives and potential of people living and working in and around the estate and the broader com­ munity of Tulse Hill.

GLOWS has space for makers, tailors, curtain-makers, jewellers, artists, video-makers, entrepreneurs, crafters and small start-ups.

AA Open Thursdays and Fridays 10am to 6.00pm. To book studio space contact: claudette@glows.london. 07715 565268

6 CREATIVE BRIXTON brixtonblog.com

2018 JUNE

VISUAL ARTS Graffiti artist ATM paints a thrush in Loughborough Farm during last year’s Brixton Design Trail

Walk the 7 bridges of Loughborough Junction Artist, grower, community activist and film maker Walter Reed will lead a walking tour of new art works and growing spaces in Loughborough Junction on Saturday 16 June.

Part of the Camberwell Arts Festival, the free 7 Bridges Walking Tour starts from Loughborough Junction station on Coldharbour Lane at 1.30.

Loughborough Junction has

traditionally been a fragmented area because of the striking railway bridges that carve the area up.

Reed’s masterstroke has been to see the bridges as blank canvases for collaborative art projects, bringing the neighbourhood’s many artists together and linking them in international exchange schemes with other artists around the globe.

The latest bridge in the programme is Mama Africa, now the distinctive orange heart of the area with “secret” art works painted in ultra-violet that are only visible at night.

Its opening celebration with live music will complete the evening.

Reed is a long-time member of Loughborough Junction Action Group, and will be showing other

parts in the jigsaw of spaces for well-being, place-making and community-building, including giant endangered birds by graffiti artist ATM, a representational and real orchard of fruit trees inscribed with the history of the area, and artists’ open studios.

He first became involved when he was asked to make a film documentary, We are Loughborough Junction, a

photographic project featuring local people.

The idea for the 7 Bridges project came to him at this time.

“I wanted to do something to improve Loughborough Junction and the bridges are such an obvious feature of the area, it made sense to focus on these,” he says. I joined up with LJAG on the project. This has made it easier for us to secure funding.”

Major Brazilian artist on show in South London

Advertising and abuse West Norwood’s Portico Gallery is hosting Silence is Over, an exhibition by more than 20 South London women artists on the subject of coercive control and sexual abuse.

Canvases are assembled to look like advertising billboards – an industry that often objectifies women.

AAFrom Saturday 30 June to Tuesday 3 July in the Portico Gallery, 23A Knights Hill, SE27 0HS

Designer and artist Lamonte Johnson is demonstrating how to write and understand straight style, funky style and wild style GRAFFITI WRITING in Sunday workshops at Brixton Community Base on Talma Road. Suitable for 10–14-year-olds. 2-4pm from for 8 weeks from 20 May. £5 per session. All art materials included.

AAFor more information contact Jane on 07941 624247 or brixtoncommunitybase@gmail.org.

Luiz Zerbini, a celebrated contemporary Braziian artist, has his first major solo exhibition in the South London Gallery. He works across a range of media so the exhibition will feature both abstract and figurative paintings, sculpture, and film and slide works. Known for his bold, colourful canvases, Zerbini draws upon a number of sources for inspiration.

Modernist architecture,

Serrote, 2013, acrylic on canvas contemporary culture, cityscapes and the natural environment all find a place in his work. He mixes these elements to create an optical journey from one world to another. For example, “Concrete Jungle”and “Erosao” depict organic and

manufactured forms in a juxtaposition of colour, shape and texture in his unique take on urban life.

AAThe free show runs from 8 June to 19 August, in South London Gallery, 65-67 Peckham Road, SE5 8UH. Tuesday to Sunday 11 – 6pm.

PERFORMANCE

Theatre company makes an anniversary return to its roots in Brockwell Park Grace Waters on an old favourite making an anniversary return to Brockwell Park At a pilot arts season in Brockwell Park back in 2008, Brixton-based professional theatre company, Sixteenfeet Productions was formed.

A company dedicated to exploring and supporting new writing throughout Lambeth, Sixteenfeet

Productions is marking is 10th anniversary with a new run of an old classic.

Wind in the Willows is coming to the Walled Garden in Brockwell Park from the 25 to 31 July.

With a cast of seven retelling the Kenneth Grahame favourite, the promenade style of theatre brings together art and nature, allowing the audience to explore the beautifully kept Walled Gardens.

Brixton-based writer Andrew Walsh is behind the adaptation, which has been specially commissioned for this space, with the original music coming from another Lambeth local and Sixteenfeet Associate, Guy Holden.

Throughout its 10 years, Sixteenfeet, a charity that receives no core funding, has been combining theatre and nature in a huge variety of performances in

local parks across South London, including Peckham Rye, Morden Hall and Streatham Rookery. The company tells classic stories in new and inventive ways, making them relevant for a young, urban population.

Caroline Funnell, artistic director of Sixteenfeet, said: “To mark our 10th anniversary, we thought it would be fantastic to bring back an old favourite with our upcoming

production of Wind in the Willows.

“We’re so excited to perform at Brockwell Park especially as it was where it all started 10 years ago – it’s our home!

“It is amazing to be able to do theatre in our local park and we can’t wait to welcome the audience into the magical location of the Walled Garden.”

AATickets, £12.50 and £8.50 for children: bit.ly/16feet-BP-WiTW

JUNE 2018 brixtonblog.com CREATIVE BRIXTON 7

MUSIC SILVIA CRUZ DEL ALAMO

BRIXTON

HI-FIVE

Top pick: Wara

Dave Randall picks some summer sizzlers for you The summer festival season is upon us and the sounds of some of the world’s finest musicians have already echoed across Brockwell Park.

It was pleasing that Field Day’s impressive international line-up included rising London stars such as the The Comet Is Coming, Sons Of Kemet, Ezra Collective, Zara Mcfarlane, Tomorrow’s Warriors Female Frontline and Brixton’s own Wu-Lu. If you missed these musical treats, be assured that there are many more festivals to look forward to in the city this summer, including our much loved Lambeth Country Show which takes place next month.

There are also plenty of summer sizzlers on offer at Brixton’s regular venues.

On Saturday 9 June Pop Brixton celebrates three years with “The Big 3” birthday bash. Performers include Dat Brass, The Odd Beats, OMG Collective and, my top pick, Wara.

The female-fronted musical maestros blend the finest Afro-Cuban and pan-Latin flavours

with dembow, hiphop and jazz.

The band is led by keyboard player Eliane Correa with vocal duties shared by Congolese-Argentinean singer Juanita Euka (niece of legendary Congolese musician Franco) and the multi-lingual, politically astute and hugely talented Chilean-German MC Fedzilla.

On Sunday 10th head to JAMM for the Rototom Sunsplash launch party. Selectors including the Sisters of Reggae nice up the party through the afternoon ahead of headline sets by Congo Natty and dancehall legend Sister Nancy. Best known for singing the classic Bam Bam, (sampled by Jay-Z, Kanye West and countless others) Sister Nancy was also one of the first ever female reggae DJs. Another female trailblazer takes the stage at the Hootananny on Friday 15th – Argentinian reggaeton artist Romina Bernardo, AKA Chocolate Remix. In an explicit rejection of the machismo and homophobia sometimes associated with the genre, Choco has championed an overtly lesbian reggaeton, proudly promoting a LGBTQ+ perspective on club culture, sex and censorship.

Support comes from Malphino and Brixton Cumbia Association.

Lovers of electric blues and low down dirty grooves should grab a rare chance to see pedal-steel sensation Roosevelt Collier at The Blues Kitchen on Thursday 28. Known as ‘The Dr.’, the South Florida raised slide slinger has recently teamed up with Snarky Puppy’s Michael League to record a new album entitled Exit 16. Check out the tune ‘Spike’ and you’ll hear a groove with a deeper pocket than the US Treasury. Excellent stuff.

Finally, mention of a gig outside the Brixton borders … Why?! I hear you gasp … Because Brixton Afrobeat and reggae legends The Soothsayers are launching their superb seventh album Tradition.

In addition to their signature sublime horn arrangements and infectious rhythms, the album also delivers politically charged lyrics; boldly and successfully reinvents Bob Marley’s Natural Mystic and includes a beautifully wistful tribute to the late, great Jamaican trombonist Rico Rodriguez.

Catch the stunning full live band, with support from South London cosmic jazzers Where Pathways Meet, at the Total Refreshment Centre in Hackney on Thursday 21.

AADave Randall is a musician and author of Sound System: The Political Power of Music.

JOKO FAJARA

A summer of great music – even outside Brixton!

Each month we ask a Brixton community member to choose five records and tell us why … Errol Linton is a blues harmonica player and singer who has lived in Brixton his whole life. His new album Packing My Bags is out now. He performs at The Effra Hall Tavern most Wednesdays. Check errollinton.com for details.

1. SATURDAY NIGHT FISH FRY by LOUIS JORDAN I remember my dad had a Louis Jordan tape. Us children would be singing and dancing along to this back in the early 1970s.

2. SEX MACHINE by JAMES BROWN

This was an anthem in my late teens. It was at parties, bars and nightclubs across London.

3. YOU GOT TO STEP BACK by SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON 1st When I first started listening and learning to play the blues, I loved this song.

4. GOLDEN HEN by TENOR SAW

Had to have a reggae tune in the list! This still sounds fresh when you play it today.

5. PORTRAIT OF MAHALIA JACKSON by DUKE ELLINGTON From the album New Orleans Suite. I play it when I’m chilled at home. All the songs on the album are great.

Local launch sees new music duo VTR make their mark Jamila Omar was at the Brixton launch of a new EP from a duo that met in a local studio They say opposites attract, and that is certainly the case when it comes to the music of South London duo VTR. Tracks on their first EP Soul to Skin veer seamlessly from melodic to abstract, from digital distortion to real-life vocals.

It is an entrancing and intoxicating blend of electronic

effects and haunting vocals which draws the listener in and grabs their imagination.

Clash Music were quick to premiere Soul to Skin, describing VTR’s sound as an “entrancing mixture – reminiscent of early James Blake EPs, or even the hushed intensity of Portishead”.

VTR is singer-songwriter Kristy Clark and producer Olsi Rama, who merged their skills after several chance musical encounters in their shared Brixton Artspace studio.

Clark’s sensual lyricism occupies a distinct space amid Rama’s spectral sound design, striking a balance between haunting depth and inviting warmth.

Although not a literal acronym, the name VTR pays tribute to the invention of the video tape recorder, the first technology to offer simultaneous recording of audio and video.

This retro-futuristic quality has captured the imagination of tastemakers like Gilles Peterson,

who opened his BBC Radio 6 show with the EP’s title track.

At a launch party at Dream Diary’s studio in Brixton, the invited audience was treated to the first-live performance by VTR. It had each and every person spellbound from beginning to end, the experience enhanced by a mesmerising laser show and specially commissioned arthousestyle video.

Soul to Skin was co-produced by recent R&S Records signee Afriqua, whose SLAP EP and

Chronic Cool 12” on Dream Diary brought considerable attention to the label.

For the past couple of years, Dream Diary’s limited vinyl editions have earned a reputation for both musical quality and club-readiness.

Soul to Skin marks two of the label’s firsts in a new chapter: the EP is Dream Diary’s first digital/ physical release, as well as the first to feature prominent vocals and songwriting.

AAwww.vtr-music.com

THE BRIXTON POUND IS:

The original urban LOCAL CURRENCY with the world’s best-looking money!

A pay-what-you-can COMMUNITY CAFÉ using surplus vegetarian and vegan ingredients.

The amazing BRIXTON FUND supporting grassroots projects and charities.

Be an urban food hero

Sean and Lauren recently headed to the Urban Food Awards to represent the café, spreading the message of using surplus food for good and rubbing shoulders with the folks at City Hall. They workshopped ideas for the London Food Strategy, and came back with this rather splendid certificate!

In the last 12 months we’ve saved 3.4 tonnes of food from landfill—join us for delicious pay-what-you-can vegetarian and vegan food, and help save even more!

This month

Café

What’s On in June June 18—24 Art Exhibition: Life Drawing

Saturdays 10:30 Kids Kreate! Art Group

Mondays 19:00 Life Drawing

Saturday June 16 19:00 Let’s Laugh Comedy

Tuesdays 08:30 Pay-what-you-can osteopathy 19:30 Introduction to Buddhism

Saturday June 23 14:00 Conversation Café

Wednesdays 09:30 Mindful Hatha Flow Yoga 16:00 Kids’ Yoga with YogaFam 18:30 Kundalini Yoga Fridays Last Friday in the month: Film Night!

Sundays First Sunday of the month: 11:00 DIY Sunday

Check the website for the latest listings

The Brixton Buddhist Centre are hosting another ‘search for satisfaction’ lunch and guided meditation, followed by a friendly open discussion. This month’s theme: Success. The Life Drawing class are preparing for their exhibition starting on the 18th June. There’s still time to get involved, so drop in on Monday evenings, 7:30 pm start. And say hello to pay-what-you-can osteopathy! If you’re on benefits, unemployed or a refugee, call Ines on 07591 941 821 to book an appointment, or ask in the café.

Can you help us?

Sales of our amazing David Bowie-approved limited edition A3 prints go directly to support our community work. Ask in the café or go to the shop on our website.

Our basement space is FREE weekday mornings for community activities.

Café available for hire evenings and Sundays at very reasonable rates.

Open for radical thinking, delicious food and excellent coffee from 08:30 Monday – Friday 09:00 Saturday 11:00 1st Sunday of the month

Brixton Pound Café 77 Atlantic Road SW9 8PU 020 3581 2850 brixtonpound.org

JUNE 2018 OPINION 9

As a provider of domestic abuse refuge services, we are mindful that cuts in local authority funding and the proposed ‘short-term supported housing’ reforms, set to be implemented from 2020, would end the last secure form of income for refuges and devolve all funding for refuges to local authorities to administer

BRIXTON BUGLE

COMMENT

Politics, mostly, as usual

They say that a prophet is without honour in his own country, and so it is in Lambeth.

Jonathan Bartley may be running for the joint national leadership of the Green Party as an incumbent, but in his local borough he must be content, at the moment, to lead the opposition.

Although only one eligible elector in three – give or a take a percentage point – bothered to vote, the bitter critics of the current Labour administration will have to concede that their message was either not heard or ignored.

They could have won two more seats in the ward that is home to the Carnegie library and created some real pressure against its slow and clumsy transformation to the gym with books that they so hate.

But political organisation appeared to be lacking, and it will be hard for the critics who could not score in front of an open goal to argue that they know best about anything that might involve a degree of organisation and negotiating skills.

The message: “We must hang together or, most assuredly, we will be hanged separately” is rarely wrong in politics.

But while the actual politics of Lambeth may not inspire, its politicians sometimes do us proud.

New mayor Christopher Wellbelove celebrated his second term by inviting a drag artist to perform in the newly refurbished council chamber – silencing for a while protesters in the public gallery.

Two years ago, the then new mayor Saleha Jaffer invited her grandson to read from the Koran.

If there is a better illustration of our diversity and open-mindedness, we would like to hear about it.

Regulated by IMPRESS: The independent monitor for the press 16–18 New Bridge Street EC4V 6AG 020 3325 4288 complaints@impress.press www.impress.press

Need for quality, affordable housing for women is now greater than ever Zaiba Qureshi, chief executive of the Brixton-based Housing for Women charity that provides social housing and gender sensitive support services to women, calls for more genuinely affordable housing for them and warns that proposed legislation threatens the funding of refuges for women

It is widely reported that the housing crisis is affecting different groups in different ways – from millennials striving to get on the housing ladder, to young families struggling to keep up with rising rents.

The UK housing crisis has affected millions of people across the country of all ages and circumstances.

Women are disproportionate sufferers of the housing shortage in London. The gender pay gap means that women continue to, on average, earn less than men, and pay more of their income proportionally in rent.

As their wages are lower on average it makes it more difficult for them to afford market rents.

Challenge inequality

Our mission at Housing for Women is to empower women and challenge inequalities they face.

We do this by providing quality, genuinely affordable homes for women and their families in London who need it most, helping those who would otherwise be priced out of the London market.

We own and manage around 920 homes and, additionally, through our supported housing services, we also help women rebuild their lives after they have been trafficked, seek safety and support from domestic abuse and re-establish their families and relationships with children on leaving prison.

Women in London face many significant

challenges to accessing housing on a daily basis, and knowing this motivates us to do more.

According to a recent Woman’s Hour report, London local authorities rank the lowest in terms of housing affordability in Britain.

Although more women than ever before are in work – around seven in 10, which is a record high, women are still much more likely to be low paid.

Some 25% of working women are low paid (3.5 million), compared to 16% of men (2.2 million) and, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, women are more at risk of poverty.

Single women are proportionately more likely to be claiming housing benefit than single men and are therefore more affected by welfare and benefit changes such as the benefit cap.

In terms of wider housing policy, we would welcome an increase in the supply of more affordable homes nationally, and a redefinition

Housing for Women is organising a 10-kilometre run in London’s Hyde Park Run on 5 August this year to raise funds that will all go directly to supporting disadvantaged women and their children AA bit.ly/HfW-10K

of affordable homes linked to local incomes rather than market prices.

We believe that tenants should have choice, and right to buy offers this.

However, to prevent the further loss of much needed social rented homes, it is important that options for like for like replacement of properties that are sold are standard if right to buy is extended to housing association properties.

As a provider of domestic abuse refuge services, we are mindful that cuts in local authority funding and the proposed “short-term supported housing” reforms, set to be implemented from 2020, would end the last secure form of income for refuges and devolve all funding for refuges to local authorities to administer.

This would put at risk the current provision of accommodation services (refuge spaces) as many refuge providers would be forced to close reducing further this critical life-saving resource.

We would like to see the Government’s prioritise a sustainable, long-term funding future for specialist services.

Suffragettes

Housing for Women’s roots go back to the suffragette movement.

One of the earliest properties gifted to us was used as a safe house for suffragettes whilst fighting for votes for women.

Although there are different challenges to face today, our values and the core of our work remain the same: to provide homes and support services for women in London in greatest need.

There are always new challenges and opportunities that arise from changing demand and government policy; this is especially true in the current economic climate.

It is also the case that the need for affordable, high-quality housing, and effective gender-sensitive services, is greater than ever.

10 BRIXTON SCENE & GREEN brixtonblog.com

2018 JUNE

Summer gigs in the greenhouses Brockwell Park’s Community Greenhouses will be doing more than grow things as, we hope, the sun shines. They will host gigs and a special food event in the coming weeks …

Playing outside Agile Rabbit

Market’s Agile Rabbit music breeds success

Abstract improvised music in a corridor of a market? Will it catch on? Yes it did.

Agile Experiments, who have been performing outside Brixton Village’s Agile Rabbit pizzeria for some time now, have sold out and now re-released a vinyl LP of original music from the project.

Since its launch on the group’s Bandcamp account, the music conceived in Brixton is now in the hands of experimental music lovers in New Zealand, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Russia, the Netherlands, Canada, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Cyprus, Hong Kong, the USA and all over the UK. Musician Dave De Rose says: “Our record Agile Experiments Vol.1, which was released in April, sold out of first press limited edition vinyl in the first week of pre-order.

“We have now re-pressed and the second press is doing well.

“The music is being distributed in a true grass roots manner – no Spotify, no iTunes, no Amazon or the likes – just our Bandcamp and record shops which include Brixton’s own Soul Proprietors.”

You can stream the music at bit.ly/Agile-1 Agile Experiments Vol.2 releases 10 September.

You can also watch most of Agile Experiments’ performances in Brixton Village on YouTube.

Members Ruth Goller, Josh Arcoleo and George Crowley explain on video that it’s about “getting together with good people, just making music for a few hours”.

Around 14 musicians with impressive industry credentials have been involved in the project.

Dave De Rose

On SUNDAY 17 JUNE Ewan McLennan, troubadour, balladeer and a major figure on the folk scene will be supported by feminist young vocal quartet Norfolk Broads. A botanical bar will serve cocktails, soft drinks and snacks. Bring a warm jumper.

6 to 9.30pm. £10 adult (£7 concessions) £5 Child (£3 concessions).

SUNDAY 1 JULY Iyatra, an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist quartet with violin, cello, bass clarinet and percussion, will play new material from their soon-to-be-released second album.

6 to 9pm. Book online. £10 adult (£7 concessions) £5 Child (£3 concessions).

SUNDAY 8 JULY Jimmy Aldridge and Sid Goldsmith are one of the finest duos to emerge on the folk and acoustic scene in recent years. According to The Observer, “Making common cause between antique songs and present circumstances is one of the grails of modern folk, one this young duo pull off impressively”.

6 to 9pm. Book online. £10 adult (£7 concessions) £5 Child (£3 concessions).

And there's Pizza Sunday on 24 JUNE when you can enjoy a £3 pizza baked in the greenhouse's own cob oven (inset).

1-2.30pm.

The greenhouses are also running gardening and plant workshops, including growing in a shady garden, how to take plant cuttings and learn to make plant dyes.

AABook online at wwwbrockwellgreenhouses.org.uk.

The deadline for applications for this year’s Blooming Lambeth awards is soon. Sue Sheehan explains how to be a winner …

Dig this We are looking for projects that showcase all the work that has gone into greening up our borough, bringing people together, improving our well-being and inspiring others to get involved and become food activists.

Winning gardens will each receive £100 and you can enter more than one of the 10 categories.

You will need a good photograph to illustrate your entry; we plan to visit some gardens, but will be relying on the photos and the descriptions entrants offer for the shortlist.

The deadline for applications is 22 June. We will shortlist applications the following week and judging and photographing will take place during the first two weeks of July.

If you have any questions, email bloom@lambeth.gov.uk or call 020 7926 3401. Once you have submitted your application, send up to five photographs to incrediblelambeth@gmail.com.

The ten categories are: 1.Best community garden in a school, nursery or educational establishment A garden that is used widely by the whole school for education, play and practical things like digging, cooking, and selling food.

2. Best community garden on a housing estate A garden that brings people together and looks beautiful, for the enjoyment of all.

Folk duo Jimmy Aldridge and Sid Goldsmith Image: Emily Fairweather

Let’s get seriously awkward Brixton’s Dogstar on Coldharbour Lane will host a fun event for a serious cause on 27 June.

The Children’s Society national charity is putting on an open-mic night with Spark London – Britain’s first true storytelling club – as part of its Seriously Awkward campaign to improve support for vulnerable 16–17-year-olds.

Adults taking part will be invited to turn back the clock and share a five-minute story in a friendly and relaxed environment of their own experience of this often difficult time.

Did you feel like an adult or a child? Could you stand on your own two feet or were you nervous about facing the adult world? Did you keep a teenage diary?

What did you enjoy? What did you regret? Did you find yourself in harm’s way?

Matthew Reed, chief executive of The Children’s Society, says: “This event promises sad stories, silly stories and everything in between and is sure to be an emotional rollercoaster.

“Teenage years can be an awkward time for many, but this time can be even more difficult for the vulnerable young people supported by The Children’s Society.

“This evening aims to shine a light on a really important issue in a way we can all relate to while raising funds for our charity’s vital work.”

Banke Adeyamo, of Spark London which will produce the event and record a podcast, said: “It’s fantastic to be working with The Children’s Society and using the power of storytelling to raise awareness of this important issue.

“People don’t need to be trained in performance – all they need is their own honest story.

“It’s amazing how often people find their voice and discover they have experiences in common with not only friends and family which they were unaware of, but also complete strangers.

“This promises to be a memorable evening and members of the audience can expect to be surprised and moved, whether they are contributing a story or just listening.”

Tickets for the event, which is for over-18s only, are £10. All proceeds will help to fund The Children’s Society’s work.

AAwww.childrenssociety. org.uk/stories AAWednesday 27 June, 7.30 – 10pm, Dogstar, 389 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8LQ.

3. The Ivor Picardo Award for best community garden on a housing estate growing vegetables This award will be won by a garden that is growing a serious amount of food and encouraging people to eat it.

4. Best community garden in a park We would like to see a lot of involvement and something that inspires conversation about food and growing.

5. Best community garden anywhere else (eg faith site, a hospital, or business) These gardens can be places of refuge and healing.

6. Against the odds A garden that is in an unusual place such as in a very public, or small space, or it might be run by people who have fought hardship of some kind 7. Best community gardener We think there are many unsung heroes leading community gardens. What do you think makes a great community gardener?

8. Small is beautiful: best balcony windowbox or tiny garden space, even a doorstep or windowsill. Urban gardening is often about using the tiniest spaces to grow some herbs or flowers.

9. Innovation We would like this prize to be a demonstration of embracing innovation such as using technology, introducing aquaponics, tending something that is difficult to grow, or bringing a new product to market.

10. Garden in bloom We want to recognise private gardens and we are particularly interested in front or openly visible gardens that cheer up the neighbourhood. A chance to nominate yourself or a neighbour.

INSIDE: EDUCATION BUSINESSES IN BRIXTON

IT ALL ADDS UP … 305,027

4,800 HOURS

People go through Brixton Road per week

of additional S-92 policing funded by the BID annually

26

3 annual events for

CHRISTMAS 348 LIGHTS

Friday Night Security Briefings in 2017

BID members trained

4 5

Air Quality initiatives promoted Click & Collect, Low Emission Logistics, Parcelly & Zipcar

Flash Crossings installed

Brixton BID Unit S32, Pop Brixton 49 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ 020 3417 7373 admin@brixtonbid.co.uk www.brixtonbid.co.uk @BrixtonBID

53

105

Brixton Design Trail headline projects, exhibitions & events

Businesses are partners of the Safer Lambeth Business Crime Reduction Partnership

S E Y E T O V 8 1 0 2 R E B O T OC #FOR BRIXTON

Brixton – more in common BID Managing Director Michael Smith Members of the Boston More in Common (BMiC) group from Lincolnshire were in town recently, returning an earlier visit made by Brixton residents and businesses to Boston.

We in Brixton really have more in common with Boston than you would think. Diverse nationalities and cultures abound in both areas.

FIELD DAY AND FOOTFALL The Field Day and Mighty Hoopla music events were also in town recently, bringing much needed footfall and additional business to our town centre.

Footfall in the town centre rose 12% (Friday 1 June to Sunday 3 June) compared to the same weekend period in 2017.

We now need to see the boost to the local economy achieved from this increased footfall. Egress and access arrangements looked good. Impressive banks of public toilets opened 24/7 on Windrush Square and along the way to Brockwell Park.

We would all love to know if the disruption created was matched by a worthy income from this activty.

The road closures were obvious, the fancy dress added to the atmosphere on the streets. Maybe the organisers of other events in Brixton could learn a thing or two from the exercise. Brixton was left clean after the Field Day and Mighty Hoopla festivities.

A DIVERSE ECONOMY Bill Grimsey has also been in town, and his advice on the high street was stark. The former boss of Wickes and Iceland and author of Sold Out and The Grimsey Review on the state of Britain’s high streets, says: “Don’t focus the high street on retail only. A diverse economy is more than just retail”.

The Grimsey Review was short, emphatic and informative. We are expecting to hear more from Bill Grimsey after a first foray into Brixton.

The idea of Business Improvement Districts being Community Interest Districts is interesting, but would require some legislative change. In the meantime, the Brixton BID will continue to work to make Brixton Brighter, Cleaner, Safer for businesses, visitors and residents …

WE HAVE ACHIEVED:

■■ 4,800 hours of additional policing funded by the Brixton BID ■■ 80 additional days of cleaning delivered each year ■■ 26 Friday night security briefings annually ■■ 23 Street Pastor weekend patrols in 2017 ■■ 3 Annual Christmas lighting events

BRIXTON VILLAGE AND MARKET ROW Businesses are anxiously waiting to see the impact that the new owners of Brixton Village and Market Row will have on local trade.

So far, opening at no extra cost to businesses on the recent Bank Holidays have been good for the Village and

Market Row traders.

The placing of traders on temporary “tenancies at will” is, however, not so good.

The prospect of introducing free destination toilets to customers of the indoor market is good and will significantly assist our anti-street urination campaigns and the urination problem throughout our town centre.

NIGHT-TIME ECONOMY REVIEW We are also waiting with bated breath on the planned review of the night-time economy in Brixton.

The potential of planned good growth in the evening and night-time economy is there for all to see.

Growth in the sector must not adversely affect the fabric of the offer. Get this wrong and we could be facing a new round of conversations about “gentrification” in Brixton.

Evening and night-time economy businesses are working tirelessly with residents on night noise and other issues.

We are totally committed to making Brixton safe, both day and night, with our Section 92 police officers.

The local authority must provide licensing clarity and common agreement around such issues as “pre-loading drinking”, “vertical drinking” and “safe drinking”.

MEET THE BID MEMBERS …

EXPLORE LEARNING

DEVELOPING FEARLESS LEARNERS Bill Mills launched Explore Learning in 2001. It now supports 35,000 children across Britain.

It aims at being the best complement to a child’s education, encouraging children to take on challenges in different ways and to help them develop into fearless learners.

The Explore Learning centre in Brixton opened in 2014 and has since supported more than 1,000 children.

Assistant director James Gill says: “I chose to work in Brixton as it is a huge cultural hub and I feel diversity is something that makes the world a better place.

Working with children from a wide variety of backgrounds and supporting them to achieve their best is something that I am extremely passionate about.”

Explore Learning offers children from four to 14 the opportunity to attend the centre up to twice a week for one and a half hours.

WINDRUSH 70 AND CLEAN AIR WEEK Before we know it, the Windrush 70 celebrations will be with us on Friday 22 June at Windrush Square.

Lambeth Clean Air Week also begins on Monday 18 June. Activists will undertake anti-idling action on our high street on Clean Air Day itself – Thursday 21 June.

Brixton BID will organise clean air activities over three days in the new town hall, Brixton Recreation Centre and in the Brixton Station Road Market: Tuesday 19 June, Local Sustainability Conference at the town hall, 12,30 to 4.30pm Wednesday 20 June and Thursday 21 June, Clean Air exhibitions at Brixton Recreation Centre and Brixton Station Road Market.

Our clean air exhibits will be aimed at businesses, schools and local residents.

BRIXTON STATION ROAD The plight of businesses on Brixton Station Road continues to be of concern.

A recent mass mailing to owners asking about their willingness to sell their businesses has not helped. Many existing businesses experienced damage to property and stock because of the recent heavy rain. The impact of conditions on these businesses is mounting. Low footfall and an inconsistent market is not helping.

As the date for those businesses returning after the refurbishment of the Network Rail arches draws nearer, another issue is looming with which existing businesses on Brixton Station Road must contend.

The development role of the local authority will be key on Brixton Station Road if its economy is to improve, survive and work for all.

Each session is designed to develop children’s skills and confidence in maths and English by providing tailored and targeted work.

The centre is staffed by a wide tutor base – some of whom have lived in Brixton and the surrounding area for their entire lives and some of whom have lived further afield and moved to Brixton more recently.

One parent at the Brixton centre said: “My son has ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ) and the centre has been excellent with him. Very friendly staff are so patient with the kids. My son has received the best support here and has developed really well academically. It’s the fun learning I have been looking for.”

Explore Learning is OFSTED registered as a childcare provider. It is open every day of the week and supports children after school, at weekends and in the school holidays.

Explore Learning Brixton 370 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8PL 020 3713 9722 brixton@explorelearning.co.uk 2,000,000

DIVERSIFICATION A diverse economy is what will take Brixton forward. Retail and hospitality together – and not only one or the other.

The growing number of companies offering private tuition in Brixton town centre is an encouraging diversification trend. To date, we have at least six of these businesses in our town centre forming a growing economy.

Like London, Brixton must be more united than ever to survive.

BRIXTON TOWN CENTRE FOOTFALL 2018APR MAY

1,500,000

1,000,000

500,000

0

JAN

MAR FEB

… THIS MONTH’S THEME IS EDUCATION PRIME TUITION

GROOVESCHOOL

A REMARKABLE RECORD OF EXCELLENT RESULTS Zahoor Ahmed established Prime Tuition in Brixton in 2011. “I met people in local churches, community centres, mosques and in schools to gather information and bring parents to one platform to discuss the educational needs of our children,” he says. “Our main aim is to help children to become a part of growing society and to find a place in reputed universities.”

Some 173 Prime Tuition students have won 100% scholarships from top private schools including James Allen’s Girls’ School, Alleyn’s School, Dulwich College and others. Each year 60 to 70 of Prime students get places in grammar schools.

Prime Tuition teaches science, maths, English, economics, business and languages as well as preparation for 11-plus and 13-plus exams. It also teaches tests for applicants to university medical and dentistry courses.

About 2,000 students are enrolled at the Brixton centre. Aged from five to 18, most are from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Prime students won gold and silver awards in United Kingdom Mathematics Trust tests. Others have taken early GCSE exams in English, maths and science,

scoring top grades.

“We provide extra free lessons to all of our SATS students each year,” says Mr Ahmed. “We help parents with free lessons for five to 16-year-old students as almost 90% of our families can’t afford to pay for more time for their children. We organise summer school in core subjects for all ages at less than half-price tuition fees.”

Prime Tuition is the largest organisation of its kind in South London and has a remarkable record of excellent results. It operates seven days a week throughout the year and has created more than 120 jobs.

Offers for the community include: March to May – Free SATS lessons for Year 2 and Year 6 students; May to July – Extra free lessons from Year 1 to Year 10 students. During the summer holidays lessons are less than half price for all students; free English and maths books for all enrolled students; and free counselling (scholarships, university applications etc.).

Prime Tuition, 10-16 Acre House, Acre Lane, SW2 5SG 020 3302 1524 | 020 3422 2555 info@primetuition.co.uk | info@prime-education.org.uk

MINERVA TUTORS

FUN, INSPIRING LOW-COST LEARNING AT POP BRIXTON Minerva Tutors, London’s fastest growing private tutoring company, is launching Treehouse, Kids Club – a permanent low-cost group learning space for primary age children – at POP Brixton in July.

After a year of providing free weekly homework classes at POP and free maths tuition at Sudbourne primary, Treehouse wants to provide more educational services to the children and parents of Brixton – with 20% of all classes being free.

It will focus on highly effective courses, with fun and inspiring tutors, at affordable prices in an interactive, engaging environment that aims to revolutionise how after-school tuition is delivered.

Treehouse learning space in Pop Brixton has been designed to create the perfect learning environment, with carefully selected colours, lighting, and furniture.

Tutors complete a rigorous application process and must

undertake Minerva Tutors’ development programme in which they are trained to deliver lessons that motivate, boost confidence and

encourage an enjoyment of learning.

Members of Treehouse can sign up their children to a range of weekly classes.

Primary maths and coding pupils use state-of-the-art iPad courses with detailed progress tracking designed to boost understanding and enjoyment of each subject.

Creative writing, art and cooking classes will all be available during the summer.

Sessions run Monday to Friday 10am to 12pm through the summer and 4 to 7pm in term time.

■■ For more information email treehouse@minervatutors.com ■■ www.minervatutors.co.uk/ treehouse

CLASS MEMBERS TEACH EACH OTHER DJ SKILLS A DJ taster session for teenage boys at a friend’s school gave local DJ Richie Littler, founder of Pop Brixton based Grooveschool, the idea of DJing as an alternative “instrument” in the GCSE music syllabus.

The notion that children would “get” music by listening to, then deconstructing, a track and learn to use the technology that laid down and mixed the sounds – adding more modern and traditional instruments along the way.

“In short, reverse engineer the approach to a standard music education. Instead of being given a musical instrument like a recorder and trying to make a nice sound out of it, bringing the instruments bang up to date and having fun with it straight away ” he says.

He began to develop the concept and in 2011 was introduced to the charity Music4Children. As part of the free education programme they offered Richie built Grooveschool.

“We teach you an introduction of how to DJ,” says Richie – “How to make some beats or a track, so that you can then incorporate them into your live set. Our peer-led learning methods work in such a way that each class member teaches one other, so that all the students have a teaching role during sessions.

“Everybody has the opportunity to take part in performances and this is where we learn how far individuals have progressed.

“Some have been coming for five or six years, so the idea of the project becoming sustainable and being able to expand is a possibility.” Grooveschool projects at the moment include female-only groups, its core weekday evening community project groups, and workshops for people with special educational needs. The latest addition being Eat Beats lunchtime sessions for local professionals.

“We’re about to become a charity in our own right and have some very exciting collaborations with other youth groups and education services to look forward to,” says Richie. “We do need funding some spaces we try to offer for free, the ethos being whoever wants to do it we will try our best to accommodate.”

Grooveschool has a showcase at Pop Brixton on Wednesday 13 June and their own marquee at Lambeth Country Show 21st and 22nd July.

“Please come down, check us out and support what we’re doing,” says Richie.

“If there is someone you feel would be interested, we’ll be starting new cohorts in July and will also run summer courses.” says Richie.

“Please get in touch. Hopefully, we can help the DJs of the future, now!”

OCTOPUS ENERGY IS HELPING OUT WITH CLEAN AIR WEEK Customer-led British brand Octopus Energy that champions fair pricing, digitally led customer service and renewably sourced energy is working with the BID on the forthcoming Lambeth Clean Air Week.

Launched to the public in April 2016, Octopus Energy is run by a team of technology and energy entrepreneurs and is backed by

Octopus Capital that has invested £2billion in UK renewable generation.

Octopus specialises in using data science to shed light on the complex energy market and to offer an alwaysavailable comprehensive view for consumer, media and policy makers.

Octopus has an astonishing 9.7 out of 10 rating on the independent review site Trustpilot from more than

2,000 customer ratings, and is the only energy supplier recommended by Which? for 2018.

Zoisa Walton, director of business solutions at Octopus Energy, says: “We are proud to be working with Brixton BID in support of Clean Air Week.

“Brixton’s businesses have a significant leadership role to play on sustainability within the local

community by switching to 100% renewable electricity.

“While, on its own, this may seem like a small action, the collective effect will be significant – and by inspiring their neighbours, customers, and even other BIDs across the UK, Brixton’s businesses can help to turbocharge the transition to a clean air future.”

35 fruit trees planted on the

1

Brixton Urban Spaces Manual delivered

2

Anti-street urination campaigns launched Go Before You Go & Splash Back Paint

BRIXTON ORCHARD £84K+ 23

33M

Street Pastor weekend patrols in 2017

People use Brixton Station per year

Primary Supporters of the

65

Cultural Events

80

Additional cleaning days delivered per year

BRIXTON DESIGN TRAIL since 2016

£1.75 MILLION+

Invested in the town centre

FOR SIMPLE AND SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS, USE THE BID’S COST REDUCTION SERVICE One of the key achievements of the first five-year term of the Brixton BID has been the cost reduction service in partnership with Meercat Associates. This BID-funded service is available FREE to all BID members.

WHAT IS IT? The cost reduction service is effectively an independent and confidential audit of how efficiently you are running your business, with special attention to where you can make savings.

The service is designed to take the stress out of finding ways of reducing operating costs, including energy, telecoms, water, merchant fees, insurance, printing and stationery, health and safety compliance, pest control, maintenance, and waste and recycling. Here’s how it works: The business owner or manager contacts the BID, or Meercat Associates directly ●● A meeting is arranged with a Meercat Associates representative ●● Bills are reviewed, copies taken away to prepare quotes.

For handyman, testing or pest control services a booking is made to visit the business at a convenient time ●● Quotes are returned with identified savings clearly shown ●● Quotes are reviewed and a decision made by the business.

Key points here are: ●● The information can be used to negotiate with the

Worth of savings identified for business utilities

current supplier to secure a better rate ●● The business can switch to a new supplier, and industry experts are available to answer all questions on the quote ●● Meercat Associates manage the new contract, all elements of switching provider (if this option is chosen) and subsequent renewals.

CASE HISTORIES In the first five years the scheme has achieved some notable savings for Brixton BID members.

■■ £8,500 saving for a Brixton office on energy ■■ £6,800 saving for a Brixton restaurant on merchant fees ■■ £3,600 saving for a Brixton retailer on merchant fees ■■ £2,000 saving for a Brixton restaurant on energy ■■ £1,300 saving for a Brixton events company on mobile phones ■■ £950 saving for a Brixton office on stationery ■■ £660 saving for a Brixton community centre on landlines ■■ £300 saving for a Brixton office on handyman charges ■■ £300 saving for a Brixton eatery on insurance ■■ £120 saving for a Brixton Restaurant on pest control.

TRAINING DATES Customer care Hair Advanced colouring Food hygiene Day one* Food hygiene Day two* First aid Day one* First aid Day two* Make-up masterclass Health & safety Food safety (Level 2) Emergency first aid (Level 2) Personal licence Food hygiene Day one* Food hygiene Day two*

18 Jun 18 Jun

First aid Day one* First aid Day two*

22 Oct 29 Oct

25 Jun 2 Jul 16 Jul 23 Jul 10 Sep 10 Sep 17 Sep 24 Sep 1 Oct 8 Oct 15 Oct

All training takes place at Lambeth College, Clapham Centre (45 Clapham Common South Side, London, SW4 9BL) and start at 10am with a 5pm finish.

These training sessions are fully-accredited courses, free of charge to BID levy payers and are available strictly on a first-come, first served basis.

Email admin@brixtonbid.co.uk to reserve your space.

15 brixtonblog.com 2018 JUNE

FOOD & DRINK REVIEW: KRICKET

Second innings Nick Buglione gets a little gushy at Kricket Brixton

Kricket, part-deux, has taken over Brindisa’s double-fronted space in the Atlantic Road arches. Under a corrugated curved roof in what Farrow & Ball would probably call deep turmeric, dashes of patterned deco on the walls, flickering candles, nuanced “sea container” homages to Kricket’s birthplace and graffiti homage shutter frontage. Restrained, elegant industrial?

Floor to ceiling front windows look out onto the joys of Atlantic Road in all its fishmongery, greengrocery, hustling, bustling glory. The new embedded in the old. Very Brixton.

Post super-soft, soft openings and a book launch of chef Will Bowlby’s cookbook, Kricket is busy (but, hurrah, they take bookings). Unsurprisingly – unless you have been holed up in solitary confinement you cannot have missed the evangelical plaudits Kricket first time round generated. Think Roux JNR, a certain Mr Koffman and almost everyone else. Will Bowlby and Rik Campbell are back and “all grows up”.

Turn right for the restaurant, through the cocktail bar with its loungy banquettes and bespoke Indian bar snackery including their “classic” samphire pakoras or bhel puri, to the main culinary action.

Bowlby has made his name with groundbreaking combos of authentic Indian cuisines and great British ingredients and the relentlessly changing menu relentlessly changes with what’s around, what’s seasonal, what pops into his relentlessly cheffing head.

They are definitely being more experimental here than in Soho – apparently Brixton can take it – and tonight’s menu has some Kricket “classics” plus intriguing new creations. Pig head vindaloo or langoustine meen moilee anyone?

My occasionally mentioned old friend and long adopted Franco-Brixtonian Connie (forcibly extracted from a hectic world of GCSEs) came with for a long awaited catch-up (tempted mostly I suspect by the suggested place of dining).

So it’s small plates time, after one of their “takes” on classic cocktails, in my case Lucky Neem, spiced gin, curry leaf, cucumber and lime. Very decent house white and red by the glass accompanied us for the rest of our evening.

Possibly due to post-GCSEs stress disorder, Connie has been dabbling with “vegetarian”, but it’s a free country and Kricket serves many masters.

Smoked eel, beetroot kichadi, mustard oil & pickled onion takes one of my favourite things to a new place along with uber-seasonal asparagus with king oyster mushroom, fresh peas and malai sauce. Simply presented, precisely rendered, there is a lot of complexity going on “under the bonnet” to create such simplicities.

Heirloom tomatoes, a variety with spring onion, ginger, sesame and jaggery (cane sugar)

is delightful – all about the palate cleansing zing, especially alongside Keralan fried chicken, pickled mouli and curry leaf mayo, which is borderline irresistible. If anything the lamb breast feuille de brick (think crispy spring roll style) with sesame and dried mint raita suffered in comparison.

Utterly redeemed and then some by my two favourites. I am a huge tartare fan, so pretty much revelled in the ostensibly simple raw bavette, green mango, red onion, curry leaf and lotus root (with nice crispy latticed crackers) while, of course, we had the pig head vindaloo. Presumably slow cooked for an eternity, relatively lightly heated and, cliché alert … melt in the mouth. A langoustine meen moilee, samphire thoran and peanuts came as a solo shellfish that may or may not be here next time. It would be nice to have two but, hey, langoustine isn’t cheap. Á la Jay Rayner, to not suck the head out would be criminal.

I am in the process of entirely removing myself from “social” (cyberspace is presumably in mourning) but for you Instagrammers, it all looks pretty as a picture.

In case you hadn’t noticed, I am not really a “proper” professional restaurant reviewer, more your enthusiastic amateur. But a long

time ago someone sage told me: “Never gush, only mention the service if it’s bad and never talk about the toilets”.

Well, tonight the service was excellent (and it’s surprising how often that can be arrogantly neglected), the dishes meander between very good, excellent and outstanding (without breaking the bank, BTW) and I didn’t go to the loo. See what I did there?

41-43 Atlantic Road, SW9 8JL | kricket.co.uk/brixton | reservations@kricket.co.uk | @kricketlondon

SMALL PLATES DUCK DUCK GOOSE

MYATT’S FIELDS

TAKE THE PLEDGE

Oli Brown’s DDG, inspired by Hong Kong’s old school cafés, has a new spring/summer seasonal menu. Pop to Pop for duck and foie gras spring rolls, beef short rib and other new dishes alongside his trademark roast meats and mega prawn toasts.

Myatt’s Fields plays host to a fledgling new Sunday market (below) with local traders and producers, crafts, live music, crafty activities and, obvs, lots of nice things to eat. Make for the bandstand. Every Sunday 10am-2pm.

Brixton’s Café Van Gogh – a 100% vegan social enterprise – is offering a special discount to people taking the Summer Vegan Pledge organised by Animal Aid during June.

AA bit.ly/AA_SVP AA cafevangogh.co.uk

AA duckduckgooselondon.com

AA myattsfieldspark.info

Those clever fellas at Pop’s Smoke & Salt have a unique take on brunch. It’s not your normal “fry-up”. Choose from dry-cured trout to Brixton baked eggs with black eyed peas, harissa and peppers.

AA smokeandsalt.com

SMOKE & SALT

LIDO LATES Beat daytime Brockwell Lido mayhem at Lido Lates, night time 18+ events with moonlit swims, aromatherapy saunas, cocktails, music and a special street food menu. From £20.

Various dates till September.

AA bit.ly/BL-lates

TAP ROOM & SHOP

SUMMER OPENING HOURS! FRIDAYS 6pm - 10pm SATURDAYS 12pm - 6pm

FREE TOURS SATURDAYS AT 12.15 DRINK IN OR GRAB BEERS & MERCH TO GO!

ARCH 547, BRIXTON STATION ROAD

FOLLOW US @BRIXTONBREWERY WWW.BRIXTONBREWERY.COM

16 FOOD & DRINK brixtonblog.com

2018 JUNE

OTHER SIDE FRIED

REVIEW: ALPES

Fowl play

Cheesy riders

Carina Murphy gets proper dirty at Other Side Fried All this talk of a third birthday party – can Pop Brixton really still be only a toddler? In its short time it has shot the likes of Kricket, Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen and Donostia Social Club to bigger (and better?) things and established a waiting list for the next stars off the sea container block.

Its containers are closer to conventional dining, while the small units downstairs are brilliant for smaller dudie-foodie concessions with menus as tiny as their galley kitchens … places where you can rock up, order your heart’s desire and be scoffing it ten minutes later at a communal table, still clutching change from a tenner.

Other Side Fried is one such gig. With the tagline “Dirty Done Proper”, don’t come here if you don’t like poultry. The stripped down menu is essentially chicken three ways, but not in the “fine dining” sense. No sirree.

In your bun, you can have Honey Butter – smoked butter with your fried chicken, bacon and lettuce; Buffalo with hot sauce, ranch sauce and pickles; or the signature OSF with brown butter, parmesan and garlic. The chips are also good for the indecisive – Cajun with rosemary salt or dirty fries with bacon, parmesan and ranch sauce. Less is more when an upper-level container is considered an expansive space and kitchen. Small kitchen, big food.

Nick Buglione slopes off to Pop Brixton’s Alpes

Dirty chicken is a pretty common entity in these parts, so if you don’t do it well, as any Masterchef judge will bellow, there’s truly nowhere to hide.

Luckily, Other Side Fried knows its stuff and it’s pretty impressive. The chicken is cooked in buttermilk to a closely guarded recipe (of course). It’s tender and juicy and the buns are soft and not too sweet or squidgy.

The OSF is our favourite – with a good salty kick from the Parmesan. The Cajun fries are a bit soggy and we’re mildly temporarily outraged they’re all out of beer on a hot Friday lunchtime. But hey, we’re embracing the laidback vibe and the very good Brixton Port Authority with its craft ales and small batch spirits is mere steps away.

OSF was set up by two local lads, Tommy

and Matt, who cheffed together at Lamberts in Balham many moons ago and took it upon themselves to eat their way round all future competitors, cooking their own variations of dirty fried chicken as they went until they hit upon their own recipe.

In 2016 they started selling it out of the back of an ambulance at the Kerb street food festivals before opening their first site in Pop Brixton, wing to jowl with the likes of Koi Ramen and Made of Dough.

Space may preclude this. but we’re wondering if they will add stuff like strips, fried celeriac, buffalo wings and tings (sorry) that you can find at their other outposts. But assuming you’re of a carnivorous bent, the original’s a pretty fine relative old-timer in Pop’s downstairs dirty eating scene.

Pop Brixton, SW9 8PQ (lower level) | othersidefried.com |@othersidefried

You can tell the sun’s out. Pop is nice in winter, great in summer. So, it’s beautifully ironic that one of our latest arrivals has spiritually slalomed down from Meribel or Val d’Isere.

Bonjour Alpes, new pied-à-terre for the Raclette brothers.

Their take on sea container chic is a stripped down, wood-lined ski shack, but it’s a warm summer night so of course we hit the (apres-ski) terrace.

Raclette, for first timers, is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese formed into a “wheel”, usually weighing in at around six kilos. Swiss and French alpine goat herders used to heat it on their mountain campfires, scraping the melted cheese onto bread or potatoes. Surely an upgrade on the ploughman’s lunch.

Having herded our “kids” into their night time pens, “Magic” Malcolm of yonder Brockley and yours truly have escaped for school-night Alpine bistro dining. Starring a huge cheese.

The Alpes menu is centred, of course, around Savoyard specialities but has more to offer than just extreme cheesiness.

LUNCH - DINNER - APERITIVO - TAKEAWAY - CATERING

Stefania and Pietro invite you enjoy their summer menu

including fresh octopus and home made Sicilian granita, Or when the sun is out why not enjoy a Brioscia – our Sicilian ice cream burger!

the tavern

Say hello to Brixton’s newest local We may be just up the hill but we promise the walk is worth the effort!

Classic pub grub Great beers & wines Friendly service Live sports Weekly quiz

elmparktavern.co.uk TRATTORIA FRANZINA, POP BRIXTON,49 BRIXTON STATION ROAD SW9 8PQ.PHONE 07802 473 444 @POP BRIXTON INFO@FRANZINATRATTORIA.CO.UK.

WWW.FRANZINATRATTORIA.COM

The Elm Park Tavern, 76 Elm Park, SW2 2UB hello@elmparktavern.co.uk | 020 8671 9823

FOOD & DRINK 17

JUNE 2018 brixtonblog.com

They do a fondue savoyarde (minimum for two), a fusion meltdown of gruyere, ogleshield and raclette to dip unlimited baguette and pickles in till the goats come home, but we went for the classic raclette jurassienne, melted raclette theatrically scraped in front of us onto potatoes, pickles and crispy pancetta (optional).

What’s not to like? Indulgent and extremely more-ish.

I am not an éminence grise on the cuisines of the French/Swiss mountains, so someone else can establish alpine authenticities, but we also enjoyed some very deft small plate offerings away from raclette.

Arguably, and we did, highlights were the two veggie dishes – asparagus, wild garlic, butterbean hummus, hazelnut pesto followed by cauliflower, romesco, pearl barley.

Precise cooking, heavy on flavour and texture, particularly the (right on seasonal trend) asparagus.

Carnivores can relax with a nicely subsiding slow cooked beef cheek, pancetta, shallots, pickled mushrooms or long braised pork belly, apple puree, purple broccoli. And they have a seriously good alpine wine list to frolic through, with lots by the glass.

I don’t normally do desserts, but we shared Alpes’ solitary offering, a nice rhubarb and almond mille-feuille.

Once again, Pop has come up with a new tenant doing interesting off-piste dishes and really the only thing missing at Alpes (thankfully) is endless shots of schnapps (the crack of alcohol) and a pre-Meghan Prince Harry in his less responsible party days.

We may have to go back for the fondue.

Pop Brixton, SW9 8PQ (upper level) | alpes.london bookings@alpes.london | @alpeslondon

DIY KITCHEN: PANZANELLA

A taste of summer

Not only is this Tuscan dish a refreshing and healthy summer salad, it’s also a great way to use up stale bread. I make it on holiday in France to use up semi-antiquated baguette. And like the best recipes, you can play with what’s in it. Pretty perfect for a BBQ and totally easy to make.

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

¡¡ 200g stale bread (ideally ciabatta or French stick) ¡¡ 500g ripe tomatoes (mixed varieties if you can), roughly chopped ¡¡ 250g peppers (variety of colours), roughly chopped ¡¡ 1 red onion, finely sliced ¡¡ 8-10 anchovy fillets (tinned in olive oil), chopped/sliced ¡¡ Handful of fresh basil, chopped ¡¡ Red wine vinegar ¡¡ Olive oil ¡¡ Sea salt & black pepper (freshly ground to taste)

¢¢ Tear your bread into 2-3cm chunks (stale is fine, it’ll soak up the juices) ¢¢ Place tomatoes, onion, peppers, bread and anchovies in a bowl ¢¢ Add red wine vinegar and olive oil – up to you for amount but a 1-3 ratio of vinegar to oil ¢¢ Toss vigorously ¢¢ Sprinkle with the torn basil leaves ¢¢ Season to taste (remember you will get a salt hit from the anchovies) and serve

Pimp it?

Augment with anything from tuna to mozzarella (above) to boiled eggs.

Come on down to Electric Avenue’s favourite Caribbean restaurant and takeaway. Here at Healthy Eaters we serve freshly cooked, great value, great tasting authentic Caribbean food over the counter with speedy and friendly efficiency.

So stop by for a take-away or sit a while and eat in.

We have a downstairs eating area and we are open early lunchtime right through the afternoon.

17 Electric Avenue

Brixton SW9 8JP

Stafford and the team, proud caretakers of the Brixton War Memorial

www.healthyeaters.co.uk

020 7274 4521

G NIN JOI NO FEE

SUMMER SALE NOW ON BRIXTON RECREATION CENTRE

Here at Better we’re giving you a cool offer for the hotter days ahead. Join your local Better leisure centre before 30th June 2018 and enjoy no joining fee. You’ll have a better summer, no matter what the weather.

Join today at better.org.uk/brixton

Terms and conditions apply, visit www.better.org.uk/offerterms for details. Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no: XR43398

422226_GLLGlobals_2018_June_Additional_MollyM_Brixton_SouthwarkNews_FV.indd 1

18/05/2018 13:02

JUNE 2018 brixtonblog.com

19

WHAT’S ON

Brixton events will be central to Windrush commemoration Brixton will be at the centre of events to mark the 70th anniversary of the arrival in London of the Empire Windrush and its passengers from the Caribbean.

There had been a significant presence in Britain of people of African descent for centuries, but the arrival of the Windrush has come to represent the start of the huge contribution to and influence on British society that relatively recent immigrants from the Caribbean have made.

The Windrush docked at Tilbury in Essex on 22 June 1948 carrying Caribbean servicemen returning from leave and young men who wanted to visit, and maybe find work in, the “mother country”.

More than 300 of them found their way to Lambeth, staying at first in a deep air-raid shelter on Clapham Common and later in Brixton, especially in the Somerleyton Road area.

Lambeth Town Hall is already hosting an exhibition of images of the Windrush Generation by local photographer Harry Jacobs.

Jacobs, from an East London Jewish family, gave up his jewellery stall in Brixton Market and bought a camera to start a new business. He knocked on doors in Brixton and, in the days before digital cameras, smartphones and selfies, offered to take portrait photographs.

The exhibition of his work, in

Committee Room TH G01 on the ground floor of the Town Hall, is on until 6 July.

There are free talks about the exhibition by curators Jon Newman and Kelly Foster on Tuesday 12 June and Friday 22 June at 6.30pm and on Tuesday 26 June at 1.15pm. Make sure of a place at bit.ly/LTH-ASoB. Other planned events include: AA Wednesday 13 June, the Black Cultural Archives on Brixton’s Windrush Square wil1 host Mothers and Daughters of the Windrush from 7 to 9pm, celebrating the legacies of great-grandmothers, grandmothers and mothers with an interactive workshop conducted by anthropologist Dr Audrey Allwood and textile design lecturer Rose Sinclair from Goldsmiths, University of London. £7 via Eventbrite – bit.ly/ BCA-MaDotW. AA Saturday 16 June, the Barbadian historian, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, the vice-chancellor of the University of the West Indies and an expert on the economic and social consequences of colonialism, will give a talk at Brixton Library: The Windrush Legacy: Rights and Reparations.

AA Monday 18 June, an installation by local artist Kofi, sponsored by Sackville Travel of 203 Stockwell Road, marking the anniversary is due to be unveiled in the courtyard of the Black Cultural Archives.

Other installations are due to

appear around town. Images will be projected onto the BCA building.

AA Friday 22 June, 3pm, the Windrush Foundation presents Remembering Sam King MBE, a memorial lecture, in St Margaret’s Church, next to Westminster Abbey. King volunteered for the RAF in the Second World War and later returned to Britain on the Windrush. He kept the names and addresses of his fellow passengers and sent them cards each Christmas until 1996 when he and Arthur Torrington – who will give the lecture – founded the Windrush Foundation. Free tickets from Eventbrite: bit.ly/WF-SamKing.

AA 22 June, tea party (invitation only) for older residents in Lambeth Town Hall with a commemorative cake supplied by Brixton’s Healthy Eaters.

AA Saturday 23 June, Windrush Square event with music, food and performances in the square plus a mega dominoes tournament, Caribbean food and children’s activities at the BCA. AA London Blue Badge guide Kelly Foster, a cultural researcher and part of the team that established the BCA, has been unearthing untold stories of the Windrush Generation. She will be giving guided walks around Brixton.

AA 22-24 June, A London Transport Museum exhibition at the Clapham South underground shelters where some of the Windrush passengers were accommodated.

Stafford Geoghagen (left) and his wife Rose with Brixton BID director Michael Smith (right) and Nubian Jak

At last year’s show: Samba from União da Mocidade (Union of the Youth) – a music and dance project for 12-19 year olds

Searches and fence for this year’s country show Lambeth Country Show will open its 44th year on Saturday 21 July, continuing into Sunday 21.

But it will be a different experience from the easy-going shows of the past, and there will be no funfair this year, although the children’s funfair and bouncy castles will be there.

After an assessment by Lambeth council, this year’s show will see major changes to layout and security, including a perimeter fence enclosing a bigger “footprint” than before, mandatory searches and a ban on bringing in alcohol.

The council says the searches will take time and that visitors should be prepared to queue, allow extra time to get in, and avoid peak entry times of 3 to 5pm.

Last admission will be at 6.30pm.

The show will operate from noon until 8pm on both days.

Also banned are flags, tents, stereo systems and audio recording equipment along with a range of items from “legal highs” to air horns, fireworks, drones and unsealed bottles of liquid. Security staff will have discretion to refuse entry to anything they consider may be “a danger to the public or cause nuisance”.

Now one of the biggest free family festivals in the UK, the show entertained about 150,000 people over two days last year.

The council says that it has reconfigured a much larger show layout in the park for “a better visitor experience” this year, increasing the size of popular areas

like the main arena and the new “Brockwell Farm”.

Other changes include a “Demonstration village” with a “cooking theatre” offering tips from top chefs, including Tim Anderson, BBC One Masterchef winner and owner of Brixton’s Nanban restaurant.

Other demonstrations will include woodworking and blacksmithing.

Vauxhall City Farm will have an expanded area. Vegetable and flower competitions, and craft and food stalls will still be there.

The Cavalry of Heroes will be back with a six-horse performance on both days marking the First World War centenary. CJ’s Birds of Prey will also be there.

Cymande will headline the Saturday music show with the British-based funk music pioneers back after a 20-year gap.

Sunday will be Roots Day to the main stage with all-star UK reggae group Three The Hard Way, featuring Brinsley Forde MBE of Aswad, David Hinds of Grammy award-winning Steel Pulse and Dennis Bovell from Matumbi.

Cllr Sonia Winifred, Lambeth council cabinet member for culture and equalities, said she was “delighted that we are still able to put this huge event on for free”.

A show map will be available on the Lambeth council website nearer the time and free A-Z Show Guide app will be available on the App Store and from Google Play.

Print copies of the show guide and map will cost £1.

Zumba Zumbawith withSuzie Suzie Licensed Zumba Instructor Licensed Zumba Instructor

As Brixton geared up for the Windrush anniversary, the African Caribbean war memorial in Windrush Square got a new caretaker.

Stafford Geoghagen owner of Caribbean food outlet Healthy Eaters on Electric Avenue, and one of the trustees of the neighbouring Black Cultural Archives, will donate £4,000 a year for two years to the Nubian Jak Community Trust that created the memorial.

Stafford and his wife Rose met Jak for the first time at the memoriaI. Stafford and his team will be looking after general maintenance and ensure that the monument remains clean and litter free.

“It is not just about corporate social

responsibility. It is my way of paying tribute to the fallen who have made this country free,” Stafford said.

After it was unveiled a year ago, the monument’s stonework suffered minor damage, it is believed from skateboards.

Boarders in the square assured Jak that they would never do such a thing.

It has now been repaired and temporary railings are in place. There are plans to install planters on each side of the memorial that would allow people to lay wreaths and get closer to read the inscriptions – but also offer a measure of protection.

Class: Saturdays* Class: Saturdays 11am-12 noon 11am-12 noon Corpus Christi Church Hall, Corpus Christi Church Hall, 11 Trent Road, 11 Trent Road, London SW2 5BJ

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20 WHAT’S ON brixtonblog.com

2018 JUNE

Rapport Festival to bring talk, dance, drama and photography to Brixton Based in Pop Brixton and backed by the Brixton Business Improvement District (BID), Arts Council England and the Black Thrive campaign, the Rapport Festival is back in town for a second year from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 June.

In locations around Brixton, it will present visual art, theatre, dance, music, cinema and talks and debates focussed on stories and experiences from across the African diaspora.

Theatre will include Two Gents productions In Search of The Man Who Changed the World, and Stories from the Streets –pop-up performances on the streets of Brixton in which budding performers will put their talent on show – directed by Tony Cealy, actor, and theatre practitioner and a founder member of Noh Budget Films.

Dance will see Akwaaba by Spoken Movement. The company has performed nationally and internationally, including at Zinnema Theatre in Brussels, and London’s Sadler’s Wells and The Place.

In visual arts, Eddie Otchere will help participants to create The Soul of Brixton – a photographic exhibition at the Bureau of Silly Ideas in Valentia Place – through two days of photography

workshops and a pop-up dark room. The exhibition is free, workshops £5.

Eddie Otchere is best known for his photographs of rappers and DJs of the mid 1990s and early noughties, including portraits of Biggie Smalls, Blackstar So Solid Crew, Est’elle, and Goldie.

For the Rapport Festival he will invite participants to use disposable cameras to capture their own Brixton on film as he gives them a guided tour based on the uprisings, the community, the market and the monuments.

Screenings at Whirled Cinema in Loughborough Junction, will include Random Shorts on Friday 15 at 8pm (doors 7.30); Reel Black Lives Matter at 12.30 pm on Saturday 16; Water in a Broken Glass on Saturday at 4.30pm; and Young Blood, films for 14-year-olds, at 2pm on Sunday 17. Tickets £5-8, plus fee.

Water in a Broken Glass, a new film, is a story of self-discovery that illustrates the complexity of art, love, and sexuality based around the character of Tonya Mimms, a successful artist.

At Impact Hub in Pop Brixton on Saturday 16 June, The Fempire Collective will discuss Black British identity, the natural hair movement and

To celebrate Open Garden Squares Weekend, Alan Piper of the Brixton Society will lead a WINDRUSH SQUARE TO SOMERLEYTON ROAD walk on Sunday 10 June, leaving Brixton Library at 2:30pm. On the same day, Friends of Tate Library Brixton and Friends of Windrush Square, in collaboration with the library, present the BRIXTON SUMMER BAZAAR with a children’s book fair, Grow your own planting workshop, and stalls – 12 to 4pm, by the library in Windrush Square.

how the Africa diaspora is represented in the media. Doors open at noon; first come, first served. Details at bit.ly/ RF18-Fempire.

Fempire is a collective of women working towards a better, more inclusive, future – from film and media, to fitness and food, they want to see industries increase and embrace female leadership.

As well as the panel discussions there will be an all-day Girl Boss Mini Market with female-led businesses, an opportunity to discover some of the best female-owned brands – from Africaninspired yoga attire to framed prints.

From 1.35 to 2.20pm Fempire Collective founder GeGe will host a social media workshop for brands.

The Rapport Festival was founded by theatre practitioner Lara Samuels who was frustrated with the lack of diversity and opportunities for African Diaspora artists and practitioners. Its aim is to redefine the artistic and cultural landscape of the UK. It is about “creating an African diaspora arts movement, is a call to action, and an invitation to ‘take a seat at the table’.”

AA rapportfestival.com.

Unique Period D1 Property large rear yard

Whirled hosts showings for the Rapport Festival (left) this month, but also, unusually, a mainstream offering in the shape of the historical blockbuster Darkest Hour starring Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill (above) as Britain “stood alone” in 1940.

It has caused controversy by bending historical fact to portray King George VI as Churchill’s main ally against Conservative members of his

Streatham Drop-in Centre is hosting its fourth annual WORLD CUISINE EVENT to raise money for local refugees and asylum seekers on Friday 22 June. Part of the Streatham Food Festival, Eritrean, Ethiopian and world cuisine will be on offer. The event starts at 7pm: Streatham Drop-in Centre, 2 Mitcham Lane SW16 6LG (next door to English Martyrs Church).

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What’s on at Whirled

Darkest Hour Monday 11 June – Wednesday 13 June | 8pm Sunday 17 June | 6pm Whirled Cinema | 259 Hardess Street, Loughborough Junction SE24 0HN | 020 7737 6153

MYATT’S FIELDS PARK FAIR on Saturday 16 June will be a free, fun-filled, familyfriendly celebration of food, arts, nature and community. There will be stalls, food, live music on the bandstand, a children’s fairground, Vinyl Memories in the roundhouse, a dog show and much more.

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JUNE 2018

WHAT’S ON 21

Jamila Omar rounds up an eclectic June selection of gigs and more in Brixton and nearby FRI 8 @ HOOTANANNY

SUN 17 @ JAMM BRIXTON

Submit present their latest Sublive session, bringing a night of SOUL, HIP HOP, JAZZ and beyond. Featuring Retrospective For Love from Sicily, secretive UK hip hop outfit Third Estate and Lili Casely. 9am-3am. Free before 10, £5 after.

Jamm presents So Fresh So Clean – a day of HIP HOP kicking off at 2pm and finishing at midnight. Expect classic 90s and 00s Hip-Hop and RnB tracks alongside dancers and hiphop production. £6 advance.

SAT 9 @ PRINCE OF WALES Combining an exciting line-up of some of London’s finest house and disco selectors with some of the creative team responsible for decor and installations at The Secret Garden Party, Glastonbury Festival and Wilderness Festival this ALL-DAY PARTY promises to be a mind-blowing event. 2pm-10pm. £5 – £12.50.

SUN 10 @ BRIXTON LIBRARY Routes and Lines brings together a collection of Tom Pearce’s drawing and writing based on SKETCHBOOKS kept while travelling around the city. There are also some new pieces of work inspired by walks and views which were of particular interest. All day. Free.

MON 11@ THE COMMERCIAL Herne Hill’s Commercial Pub hosts a weekly PUB QUIZ every Monday with cash prizes and wine up for grabs. 8-11pm. £2.

TUE 12 @ DOGSTAR MUSICAL BINGO is like regular bingo but, instead of shouting numbers, DJs play songs. Each round has a different theme.

DJs Rapture and Jonny Unknown spin tunes while players mark their bingo cards. Prizes for one, two and three lines, and finally a grand prize for full house. Along the way there are “multi-choice mystery boxes” and the chance to gamble your grand prize winnings on a Killer Question What will you decide to do? 7pm (show starts 7.30) 11pm. £10 – £12.

WED 13@ HOOTANANNY Wordsmiths SINGER-SONGWRITERS welcome Xylaroo – sisters, Coco and Holly Chant, who have deep roots in their mother’s homeland, Papua New Guinea, Plus, Eli. singer, songwriter and musician from Bromley, and multi-instrumentalist Cameron Sanderson with electric ukulele, guitar and voice. 9pm – midnight. Free.

THUR 14@ HERNE HILL VELODROME Billed as the greatest celebration of the bicycle the world has ever seen, the WORLD CYCLING REVIVAL is a heritage sporting, music and lifestyle festival celebrating the two-wheeler’s 200th anniversary. Set in the days of the Herne Hill Velodrome when it hosted the London 1948 Olympics, patrons are invited to wear vintage-themed clothing. Until 16 June. 11.30-8pm. From £39.

FRI 15 @ WHISTLE PUNKS My Friend Charlie hosts another sell-out singles date night at Arch 25, Vauxhall, followed by drinks at The Fentiman Arms.

Dangerous Date Night is an evening of axe throwing where you can unleash your inner lumberjack. 6.15-10.30pm. £40.

SAT 16 @ CRYSTAL PALACE PARK The Crystal Palace Festival ends with this FREE MUSIC EVENT in the park, with Stereo MCs, Strong Asian Mothers, Rodney P & Skitz, Fowokan, Polarbear, Croydon SDA Gospel Choir and more. Plus village green with bandstand, dog show, charity and community stalls, farmers’ market, craft beer bar and dance tent. It’s sure to be busy so arrive early. All day. Free.

WED 27 @ IMPACT HUB POP BRIXTON

Each Monday, Daddy, Mummy and Me TODDLER YOGA focuses on the children with the encouragement of parents, guiding their child to learn and grow. It includes breathing games, yoga postures, singing, stories, yoga games and music. 11-11.45am. Free.

Friends of the Earth present BRIXTON UNWRAPPED: LIFE WITHOUT PLASTIC? Blue Planet II opened our eyes to the global plastic crisis. But what can we do about it in Brixton? Hear from people living plasticfree lives, get practical tips on how to reduce your plastic use, and meet likeminded people passionate about making Brixton plastic-free. Doors open at 6:30pm. Snacks and drinks provided. Free; register for your ticket on Eventbrite.

TUE 19 @ TRINITY ARMS

THUR 28 @ DOGSTAR

MON 18@ POP BRIXTON

Test your knowledge to win a £25 bar tab at this weekly PUB QUIZ, held every Tuesday.

8-10pm. Free.

WED 20 @ CLUB 414 With even more to smile about after this longstanding and much-loved local club received a reprieve from closure, weekly event WICKED WEDNESDAY JAM invites local musicians to come on down and join in to play funk, jazz, reggae, soul and more. 10pm-3am. Free.

THUR 21 @ PRINCE OF WALES Having, they say, taken North London by storm, Grandma Flash and the BLINGO CREW will now be spittin’ numbers and droppin’ beats on a regular basis in Brixton. Expect a comedy, bingo game-show of prizes, danceoffs and lip sync battles. Booking essential.

Tickets are limited and include reserved seating. 6.30-11pm. £8-£12.

A night of RnB, early 00s pop and DANCEHALL BANGERS Dogstar Thursdays features the likes of Kevin Lyttle, Sean Paul, Akon and Destinys Child. 9am-2am. Free before 10pm, £5 after.

FRI 29 @ GREMIO DE BRIXTON

In the majestic crypt of St. Matthews Church, this authentic SPANISH TAPAS restaurant/ bar oozes style and seduction. DJs play commercial house on rotation from 10pm at weekends, with a live saxophonist from 11pm.

Open until 3am. Free.

SAT 30 @ PORTICO GALLERY

Over 20 FEMALE ARTISTS have their say on blank canvas on the subject of coercive control and sexual abuse in this exhibition entitled Silence Is Over. The canvases are assembled into billboards to create a Wall of Unity. Private view. 6-10pm. Free.

SUN 1 JULY @ CLUB 414

Grassroots Live Music. A weekly Sunday night that looks set to encourage and inspire local GRASSROOTS TALENT. UB40 trumpeter Patrick Anthony leads the experienced house band, with resident DJs and Caribbean food available too. 10pm-3am. Free.

MON 2 @ BLUES KITCHEN

Sexy BLUES TUNES paired with a side of succulent and saucy ribs. Each and every Monday night. 8pm-midnight. Free.

TUE 3 @ PRINCE REGENT

The Prince Regent PUB QUIZ is held every Tuesday. Big cash prizes, free drinks questions and a rollover jackpot question that grows each week. Come down early because it’s first come first served. 8pm.

WED 4 @ BRIXTON POUND CAFE

A creative YOGA CLASS for children aged 3 to 7. Parents are welcome though not obliged to join in. Expect movement, music, storytelling and breathing exercises. 4.15pm. Suggested donation £5/child, £2.50 adults and siblings.

THUR 5 @ EFFRA HALL TAVERN

A great weekly LIVE JAZZ session at this much-loved classic Brixton boozer every Thursday night. From 9pm. Free.

FRI 6 @ PRINCE OF WALES

Rum and REGGAE summer rooftop party with live and DJ talent playing reggae, dub, dancehall, soca, Afrobeat, hip hop, garage and grime. Two outdoor roof terraces, and two indoor rooms. BBQ. £8-£15

FRI 22 @ CAMBERWELL This year’s CAMBERWELL ARTS FESTIVAL will explore the theme of All’s Well – the motto adopted by the Metropolitan Borough of Camberwell when it was granted the right to a coat of arms in 1901. Part science lab, part art studio All’s Well will offer a varied programme of exhibitions, events, talks, walks, workshops and open studios. Free.

SAT 23 @ HOOTANANNY Fruit Palace presents Retrofuturist R&B, ELECTRONICA and hip hop artist Joel Culpepper backed by his full live band.

Contraband Breaks Ensemble performs alongside, laying down a high-octane rollercoaster ride through old school hip hop and beyond. 9pm-3am. Free before 10pm. £7 after.

A5 Flyer Portrait

210mm x 14 8m m Remember to delete or hid this laye r.

T: 01702 460047

10pm – 3am

SUN 24@ WINDMILL Small Fry DIY presents the second in the Windmill’s summer series of PUNK ROCK BBQs. Eight bands, 20-minute sets, usually finishes up early around 9pm for those who have to work. Including Northumbria’s All Out Attack; Sarcastic London punks The Dissociates; Brassicks from Brum; Cross Wires – said to sound like a mix of The Jam and early Elvis Costello; oldies Hacksaw; From France, La Mise en Tropique; and pop rock from Shush … running order to be announced. Doors 4pm. £6 (e-ticket).

MON 25@ BRIXTON CUSTOM Located at Archway 173 Ferndale Road, Brixton Custom is a new MOTORCYCLE CUSTOM GARAGE. Come and have a look at their motorcycles, craftwork, brand collection, gift kit and gadgets at their opening launch. All day. Free.

TUE 26 @ BLUES KITCHEN Too Much Talking play their regular Tuesday session of upbeat BLUES AND BLUEGRASS. Until 12am. Music starts 9.25pm. Free entry.

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414 - 416 Coldharbour Lane - Brixton - London - SW9 8LF

22 COLUMNS brixtonblog.com GEMMA PASHA

If you have spent any time digging dead roots out of flowerbeds or trying to rid your lawn of pesky weeds, you will know that gardening can sometimes be tough … which makes it all the more rewarding when you can sit back and enjoy all your hard work in the summer months.

POSY BERNSTEIN’S DATING DIARY

your best garden features.

Make the most of solar lights by installing them in open spaces where the sun can easily reach them.

Some solar lights have adjustable solar panels, so take the time to find the best position for them.

Your garden after dark …

Don’t read this My friend said that the nineties and noughties are still on trend … and dating columns are so nineties/noughties that I thought having one could really improve my brand.

“Posy, you don’t have a brand – no one knows who you are. In fact, you’re probably an invention by a group of middle-class white girls starved of attention, who think they have something important to say!”

Go zonal

But how much time do you spend in the garden after dark?

It might seem like a bit of an odd question, but there is no reason you should not be making the most of your garden when the sun drops.

With that in mind, here are four easy ways you can use outdoor lighting to make your garden look better than ever.

Use reliable, energyefficient solar lighting Many of the garden lights on the market today are solar powered, thanks mainly to the recent development of LED lighting that needs little power to operate compared to traditional lights. There are a huge variety of solar lights available these days, from easy-to-install spike lights to high-powered spotlights that will show off

Try breaking your garden up into “zones”, and use a different kind of lighting or colour temperature for each zone. Light pathways with soft lanterns or spike lights.

Shining spotlights against walls or tree trunks can create striking shadows and bring darker areas of the garden back into the light.

If you are a keen BBQ-er, make the area around it a focal point. It’s likely that your friends will hang around there for the burgers, so make them feel at home. Warm white or colour-changing RGB lights will create a cosy atmosphere, reminiscent of relaxing evenings on holiday. You can now even get outdoor lights with integrated Bluetooth speakers, making it easy to manage your playlist while you have got your hands full with your guests or your food.

S T I L L POI N T YOGA

BRIXTON Stillpoint Yoga Brixton is a yoga, mindfulness and community event space in the heart of south London supporting The Chartwell Cancer Trust Situated upstairs from the House of Hygge on Acre Lane

and less than a 10 minute walk from Brixton underground station, the centre offers yoga and mindfulness for all levels as well as a variety of workshops.

For class information and rental opportunities you can find us at www.stillpointyogalondon.com/stillpoint-yoga-brixton Or email us at stillpointyogabrixton@gmail.com stillpointyogabrixton

sylbrixton

2018 JUNE

Ha ha, OK, but actually I’m only one middle-class white girl and, also, I went to state school – all the way through. Not showing off. Just a fact.

“Posy, why are you still caught up about what school you went to? We’re in our twenties.”

Look, OK I’m just trying to talk about the huge concentration of privilege in journalism and like – God – privilege is quite a hard word to spell isn’t it ? … I always thought there was a “d” in “ledge”.

“Would we call this journalism, Pose? I mean, if this is journalism, aren’t we all journalists?”

No. Yes. You’re right. Sorry This is just, like, a pathetic little diary. Don’t read it.

Saturday 12 May Watch your step(s) You might have a perfectly striped lawn and flowerbeds in full bloom, but if there are steps between your house and your garden, you may want to make sure they are lit properly, to avoid nasty accidents. This is a little trickier as you can’t simply stick a spike light into your decking or patio. Fortunately, there are solar lights made specifically for this task, such as the Duracell LED stair lights (pictured) that are designed to attach to your stairs and walkways.

Again, as they are solar lights they are easy to install and give you peace of mind that you will be able to see where you are going once darkness falls.

Sparkling water features A little light around your garden pond will really make it stand out. A solar spike light placed nearby will pick out the ripples of water nicely and any garden features bordering a pond can be highlighted with a carefully directed spotlight. Obviously, be careful when working with electrical equipment and water. Outdoor lights of any quality should carry an IP rating (more on that below) but you don’t want to go dropping them into your water features. That said, if you are feeling really creative, why not invest in some pond lights that can be used underwater? Paired with some lights above the surface, these could make your water feature the star attraction of your garden.

66 If your garden isn’t quite up to scratch yet and you need some help, then please call me The Gardening Girl on 07826 551353,

Let’s call him Will, because that was his name.

Lucy analysed his profile: “OK so I think he’s attractive and the conversation seems … nice.

But there is one red flag, and it is a-BIG-RED-FLAG. In the first picture he is doing the Star Trek ‘live long and prosper’ sign’, if you’re putting that as the leading photo on thisapp, that’s a red flag to me.”

Obviously, I have no idea what the hell Star Trek is. I have refused to engage in Star Trek-Wars.

(This is a special request to be mansplained the innumerable differences between these two comics (?)).

Lucy said that she “finds there to be a large crossover between Star Trek fans and serial killers”. I thought this was bizarre and slightly extreme and, because of my badass rebellious nature, I defied her advice and arranged drinks with Red-Flag-Will.

Date was awful I’m not sure we can call it a date, really. Red-Flag-Will was on a pub crawl passing through where I live and asked if I wanted to meet up with him and his mate (scarlet-crimson-ruby-flag).

First, people who go on pub crawls post-university should, perhaps, be banned.

Second, bringing a friend??

You’d think this abundance of red flags would lead me to do something sensible like catch up on Question Time. But, instead, solution to abundance of red flags (mem. look up synonym for red-flag) was three for £2 G&T cans from Tesco (drunk en route to one-stop pub crawl).

Dragging my

definitely-not-single flatmate, Ellie, to entertain date’s friend, (I figured that even if the date was terrible, the silver lining would be creating some drama between Ellie and boyfriend).

Ells and I looked great.

We also looked cool – and popular, because we were, coincidentally, at the pub where she used to work.

Red-flag-Will was immediately dull. His friend was fit and northern and worked in TV. But Will was a nasal-voiced junior banker who looked like he was trying to be the next Dr. Who. He also had the condescending tone of a man who might tweet about how terrible it is that the new Dr. Who is a woman. He was from Ipswich so I tried to make small talk about Suffolk (I got an A* in GCSE geography).

He said the fact that I’d been on holiday in Suffolk meant I was “extremely posh”, I laughed charmingly (pretending to be more posh than I am). They went for another drink, We agreed his friend was fit and Will was nauseating. They came back, (drinkless) and said they “had to run”. They ran.

“What the heck!”

“We are hot and charming and they just spoke about themselves boringly”.

“I mean – his friend was fit and had a nice voice, but those were redeeming features more than anything!”

We screamed “WHAAAAAT?!” all the way home and, as fate would have it, when I stumbled back into the land of WiFi – I had a message … I’ll tell you about it next time.

I mean I won’t, because no one’s reading this.

Love, Posy

JUNE 2018

Hill Mead HERALD We imagine living in apartheid South Africa

By Tae’Jah and Loulee Year 5 Have you ever thought what it was like living under the apartheid law in South Africa?

We have been studying a book called Journey to Jo’Burg by Beverley Naidoo.

The plot of this story is about two fearless kids, Naledi and Tiro, who went on a 300-kilometre trip to Johannesburg to fetch their mother because their little sister was dying.

When they reached Johannesburg, Naledi and Tiro stood at the “Whites Only” bus stop and people in the bus shouted at them.

We started to find out about how black people were treated in South Africa at that time. We looked at different signs and posters.

Black people were treated very badly. For example we saw a poster in a laundry room that said: “We wash for white people only”.

We re-enacted a demonstration against racism and marched around the playground with placards we made to protest against racism. We acted some parts of the story for our assembly.

We also learned about Nelson Mandela. He inspired us to do the protest because he protested in the past so black people can live their lives.

Nelson Mandela was in jail for 27 years, but he did not stop thinking about his country and when he came out he became president of South Africa (he was the first black president).

After our demonstration, we pretended to be members of

the ANC and wrote a letter to complain. This is an extract from David’s letter: Dear Sir or Madam I am writing to express my concern regarding segregation on the buses.

We black people always have to squeeze into buses whilst the white people’s buses are half full. Is this really fair?

I strongly suggest the law changes.

It is obvious segregation on buses is no longer necessary in this country, so it is better that you reconsider making it legal for black and white people to enter the same buses.

We urge you to change your decision in the future.

Yours faithfully The ANC

Can you read a map?

By Kaddie and Jeremy Year 3

Crabs and shrimps, but no lions or crocodiles

We have been learning about Orienteering so that if we get lost we can use our Orienteering skills to find our way home.

No one wants to be lost and all alone.

We learnt to use a compass to go North, South, East and West. We used little robots called Bee-Bots to draw maps with our own instructions.

We found out how to map read and how to read coordinates.

At Brockwell Park we used all of our new skills on a treasure hunt to find hidden animals.

By Tyreece and Onyinyechi year 4 Year 4 went to the Museum of London Docklands to explore the river Thames.

We found out that the river is clean, even though some people think that it isn’t.

It looks dirty, but it is just the sand at the bottom of the river.

We learnt that the river Thames is not polluted by testing it with litmus paper.

The paper turned green so there was no acid or alkaline pollution.

When we explored the beach, we found metal, crabs, shells, bricks and shrimps.

Interestingly, we found out that, twice a day, the river Thames changes direction.

Also, when there is a high tide, it covers the beach that we were on.

We went by river from the London Eye to

Greenwich Pier.

In class we have been learning about a book called A River by Marc Martin.

It’s about a girl who goes on an adventure.

She goes through the jungle and the ocean. When she goes through the jungle she feels afraid because she hears lions scratching their claws on the rocks.

When she arrived at the sea she felt better but was not keen on the crocodiles up ahead.

On our river journey, we had a tour around London.

We saw the Shard, the London Eye, the Cheese Grater and Walkie-Talkie. Our guide told us about the buildings and about the famous writer Charles Dickens.

But we didn’t see any lions or crocodiles!!

FAMILIES AND FRACTIONS At Hill Mead we are always trying to find new ways of involving our parents in the children’s learning.

Last term, the school dedicated a whole week to exploring fractions – from cutting up food to calculating with “mixed” and “improper”

fractions. We wanted our parents to find out how we teach fractions.

So each year group invited their parents along for a morning or an afternoon.

It was great to see them learning with their children.

BRIXTON

Bugle SPORT

LIDO HOSTS FIRST SPRING RELAY EVENT Swimming club teams from across London met for the first Brockwell Spring relays.

Seven teams totalling about 100 swimmers included the home side and Spencer Swimming Team captained by Brockwell Swimmers’ coach Stephen Baker who had jumped ship for the evening. The local

Windrush triathlon club also put forward two teams.

Third place went to Spencer Team B, Second to Windrush Team B and the winning glass trophy went to Spencer Team A, collected by coach Stephen Baker.

“It was marvellous to see club races returning to Brockwell Lido, one of the original reasons it was built. Let’s hope we are allowed to do this all again next year,” said Brockwell Swimmers chair Tim Sutton.

■■ www.brockwellswimmers.com

Chris Tidmarsh, Paul Sanchez Lethem and Dmitry Leus at Brixton Rec

Brixton Rec to be home for new kids’ fencing project Imperium Investments and the Brixton Fencing Club have joined forces in a campaign to allow children across Lambeth to experience fencing.

The initiative, called the Imperium Academy, is designed to make the sport more accessible to local youngsters.

The academy will contact children via schools and offer free and subsidised training. It will also donate new equipment to the Brixton Fencing Club to enhance the experience of children having their first taste of the sport at Brixton Rec. Imperium Investment’s managing director and founder, Dmitry Leus, is a patron of the sport and was once a European champion. “Fencing is a fantastic sport, one that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy,” he said.

The Rec was a perfect partner for the academy, given its history of

hosting the Brixton Fencing Club, one of the most successful clubs in the country, he said.

Chris Tidmarsh, chairman of the club’s committee, said it was delighted to play a role at the new academy.

“It is so important that this great sport be open and accessible to all,” he said. “Yes, we’d love to be giving some future champions their first start, but we are also passionate about exposing as many kids as possible to the life skills and commitment that come from getting involved in fencing. We are sometimes unfairly viewed as an elitist sport and we want to be sure our doors are open.”

Paul Sanchez, the UK’s top ranked male fencer, trains at the Rec and is fully behind the project.

“This is a great initiative to get kids of all backgrounds trying out the sport,” he said. “Maybe one of them could soon be after my ranking!”

Brixton BMX racers out in force for youth games Young BMX riders from boroughs all over London headed to the Hayes Hawks’ track at in West London for the London Youth Games, writes Mike Woof.

Lambeth won third place, with Southwark in second and the local Hillingdon team in first having had distinct advantages, both knowing the track and being present in large numbers.

South London’s healthy BMX scene with clubs from Brixton, Greenwich, Merton and Peckham, meant that the boroughs of Bromley, Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark all fielded teams.

The temperatures were baking hot and the lack of wind meant that everyone present had to make sure to stay rehydrated. However despite the heat, the young BMX riders were keen to compete across an array of age classes.

Lambeth’s BMX youth riders, along with coaches Adrian, Martin, Nathaniel Martin, Felipe Giraldo and club secretary Ken Floyde The Lambeth team fielded 28 riders, the highest number the borough has had competing in the London Youth Games. Most of them came from Brixton BMX Club, with a few from Peckham Challengers also.

The Brixton club also provided riders for the Bromley, Croydon and Lewisham teams.

With so many riders competing for Lambeth, it would be hard to

list all the names. But one rider, Elijah Watson, competing in the Wings category deserves a special mention for his seventh place in his A final, having never competed in a BMX event before and having only begun riding a BMX bike a few weeks earlier.

Earlier, Round 3 of the 250 London 2018 Series races at Peckham’s Burgess Park track drew a strong attendance. There was a wide array of race categories and riders ranged in age from four to 56.

Brixton BMX Club fielded a large team of 33 at its neighbouring track, second only to the home club, Peckham Challengers, with around 70 riders in all.

Hayes Hawks and Hackney BMX clubs also put in a strong attendance, though there were riders from many other London clubs and further afield also, including

Hammersmith, Greenwich, TNT and Runnymede Rockets.

As ever, racing was very competitive through the age ranges with Brixton’s riders fighting hard for top placings. A number of riders distingu­ ished themselves.

For novice girls 8-10, Isla Radcliffe came fourth, while in novice males 8-9, Harvey Tomlinson, came first in the A final and Frankie McFadden came fourth in the B final.

For males 10-11 novices, Billy Mackie came fourth in the A final while Riley Samett came third in the B final. For males 12-13 novices, Ezra Thompson came fourth in the A final, with Conor Carter in sixth. For males 14-15 novices, Kian Whiteman-Cole came in third, with Jaden Wiggins in seventh, while in novice male 17+, Stephan Koehler came first.

For male 7 and under experts, Ignacy Lurek came seventh in the A

final, while Rian Koehler and George Cavanagh Clarke came first and third respectively in the B final.

In the expert male 10-11 category Brixton’s Lukah McKenzie came in fourth and Leon Bickelmann came across the line in sixth place, meanwhile for female 14-16 experts, Iyarna Nembard came in fourth.

For male 12-13 expert, Alex Taylor achieved first place in his B final with Johnny Jenner achieving third in the male 17-29 expert B final.

In the 17+ cruiser category, riders from Brixton BMX Club won convincingly with Mario Berno in first, Tom Schwimmbeck in second, John Peck in third, Philip Weltzein in fourth and Mike Woof in seventh place. Tom Schwimmbeck was riding up an age class as he is aged just 15.

Last but certainly not least, Brixton head coach Adrian Martin came first in the expert male 30+ category.