Brixton Bugle April 2019

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BRIXTON BUGLE YOUR FREE

No 71 | APRIL 2019

Published monthly in and for Brixton

ISSN 2397-852X

COMMUNITY PAPER

IMMORTALS CELEBRATE

Brixton’s most successful sports club, The Brixton Immortals, celebrated a season in which they won the national dominoes league for a second year – this time without dropping a point – at their annual awards ceremony. Pictured: (l-r) club chair Mark Douglas, team captain Nadine Lovelace and Donald Douglas. STORY: Back page

BRIXTON CAR CURB Atlantic Road in Brixton is to be “transformed” by a major new scheme designed to benefit people walking, cycling and using buses. The scheme will also create “low traffic” neighbourhoods in the Ferndale Road and Railton Road neighbourhoods and there will be a new, segregated cycle route linking Brixton to Loughborough Junction. Funding will come from Transport for London and the mayor of London. Pavements will be widened and pedestrian crossings added. “High-quality infrastructure” will be used for three cycle routes from Brixton to Clapham Common, Camberwell and Herne Hill.

Computer generated image of the planned new Atlantic Road

Atlantic Road will be ‘transformed’, Ferndale and Railton to be ‘low traffic’ Local freight access to Atlantic Road premises will be maintained using technology to better manage loading and servicing. Local London Assembly Member Florence Eshalomi, a Brixton resident, said that reducing car use in the community, wherever possible, “plays a significant role in tackling air pollution and encouraging local people to adopt healthier lifestyles. “As a lifelong Brixton resident, navigating the roads around Atlantic Road can be like an

assault course,” she said, “with pedestrians sometimes being forced to walk in the road and constant traffic jams due to cars not giving way for delivery vans and the buses.” Claire Holland, Lambeth council cabinet member for environment and clean air, said: “Improving neighbourhoods so that they are no longer dominated by car traffic and enabling people to travel more safely and actively, is at the heart of this project.”

Colin Penning of Lambeth Cyclists said the borough had long claimed to want to be the most cycle-friendly borough and that the plan would be a big step towards that. “This isn’t just for people on bikes,” he said. “Low-traffic neighbourhoods mean cleaner air and better conditions for walking.” He noted that previous schemes to limit cars on Lambeth roads had proved controversial, but said that ones in Loughborough Junction and New Park Road had not been area-wide schemes, had not “repurposed” road space and did not link shopping and social centres.

CLASS OF THEIR OWN Parents in school again

EVERY PICTURE … Tell your own story

NOT SO DUSTY

We talk to new BCA boss

23

19

11

Facelift planned for Rec and Brixton Station Road In another major scheme resulting from its designation as one of six London creative enterprise zones, Brixton is to get a £4 million facelift for the area around the Rec and Brixton Station Road. £2.1m from the mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund will be matched by Lambeth council funding.

The intention is to attract innovative businesses, improve public space, upgrade infrastructure for the street market, and develop skills and jobs for local people. The project will create a link between International House, now home to many creative businesses (and the Brixton

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Bugle), with Brixton Station Road. It will convert storage space in the basement of the Rec to a science, arts and technology enterprise project, opening onto Beehive Place and Brixton Station Road. The Rec’s walkways and balcony areas will be brought into full use.

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2  NEWS brixtonblog.com 2019 APRIL

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 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 71 Contributors

Housing list protest Lambeth council is considering a request to review its decision to close an application for permanent social housing by a former borough resident who now lives in Lewisham. Susana Romero’s case highlights the huge pressures on both individuals and organisations created by the housing crisis. She was backed by a demonstration at the town hall in Brixton organised by the campaigning group Housing Action Southwark and Lambeth (HASL). HASL says the council has a scheme to “kick families off the social housing waiting list” by encouraging them to accept private rented tenancies instead of continuing with applications for social housing because they are homeless. It is backing Romero in legal action against the council with the help of the Public Interest Law Centre based at Lambeth Law Centre on the Brixton Road. A council spokesperson said that the scheme is a voluntary one that residents are not obliged to take

up and that this is made clear in publicly available material about the scheme that has existed for several years. There are 29,000 people on the council’s housing waiting list and, it says, despite huge cuts to councils’ central government finding, it will spend £4 million on rough sleeping and homelessness work this year. “Our local connection rules exist to make sure that the limited council housing accommodation that is available is provided to local residents with a banding system which focuses on giving priority to those most in need,” the spokesperson said. Its homelessness prevention

service, Temp2Settled, has been “a key part” of its efforts since 2013. The voluntary scheme was designed not to remove people from the housing waiting list but to free up temporary accommodation for those in need of it, the council says. In the past year, the spokesperson said, it had helped 287 families move from temporary to private rented accommodation and, over the same period, 130 families had been successful in bidding for social housing as a result of the scheme. But people who have not lived in Lambeth for two years are removed from the housing waiting list. Romero said: “All I am asking is that they let me stay on the Lambeth waiting list until I get a home.” Elizabeth Wyatt of HASL said the council was exploiting vulnerable families’ desperation for secure council homes. “With this scheme Lambeth council have lower homeless statistics and families are forced out of borough, in two years’ time, they are off Lambeth’s waiting list completely.”

Campaigners meet

MP launches housing bill

Campaigners in Lambeth are planning regular meetings to monitor and oppose council plans to demolish and rebuild estates. The association representing residents of Meath House and Hurst Road in Herne Hill is joining with “Stand Up To Lambeth” campaigners to organise a first meeting at the Prince Regent pub opposite Brockwell Lido on 24 March at 3pm. The meeting is sponsored by Lambeth Liberal Democrats.

A House of Commons private members’ bill to change the law on “affordable” housing introduced by local MP Helen Hayes (Dulwich and West Norwood) is due to have a second reading on 22 March. Such bills almost never become law, but are designed to drew attention to an issue. The Planning (Affordable Housing and Land Compensation) Bill 2017-19 would define “affordable” housing not by market rents but by household income. It would also change the law and land valuation to limit developers’ profits.

Community Land Trust Appoints architects Architects have been chosen to design 27 genuinely affordable homes in Lambeth on former Transport for London land at Christchurch Road in Streatham. This will be the first development of Community Land Trust homes in the borough. Lianna Etkind, campaign manager of the trust said: “Local people should be able to participate in the changes happening in our neighbourhood, not just be ‘consulted’. Community land trusts make that possible.” Lambeth council’s enthusiasm for this scheme contrasts with its rejection of a plan by the Brixton Green for community-run redevelopment of Somerleyton Road in Brixton. It will, instead, be developed by the council’s wholly owned private company, Homes For Lambeth. This decision, as the Bugle reported in our previous issue, led Brixton Green to cease working with the council. Reacting to this decision, Matthew Bennett, council cabinet member for planning, investment said “the clear advice from our expert advisers” was that Brixton Green’s proposals “did not comply with regulations on state aid”. This is rejected by Brixton Green, “Nevertheless,” Bennett said, “we intend to guarantee genuine community involvement in the Somerleyton Road projects: through a community steering group, and then a community stewardship body.” He said the 300-plus homes, nursery and community and commercial space of the development would “deliver transformational change to this part of Brixton”.

Emma Bartley Janie Bickersteth Pam Douglas Jessica Dyer Tim Gopsill Rosa Herxheimer Leslie Manasseh Jamila Omar Gemma Pasha Steve Powdrill Dave Randall 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

LETTER

Why Photofusion is moving Dear Editor When the Brixton Bugle approached us about an article they were writing about Brixton Market, I thought I made it abundantly clear that our situation was complicated and unresolved, and for that reason, we couldn’t contribute to the story that your reporter was writing. Nevertheless, the February issue included an article entitled Organisation must leave the market after 28 years. We were disappointed to see this and now feel it necessary to clarify a few points. Rents are indeed one of the factors

in our decision to leave Brixton Market, however this was an issue that began with the previous landlord, Groupe Geraud, several years ago. There were other factors as well, including underinvestment that has lasted for decades in the market, which meant we were living with a legacy of years of water ingress. We were spending what little resources we had to patch and repair more or less constantly. Shortly after Hondo Enterprises purchased Brixton Market, Taylor McWilliams asked to meet with us. We had an open conversation about

our situation and our requirements, and we asked for their support as we worked through our options for a more suitable home. With the help of Hondo Enterprises, GN2 (our surveyor), and Lambeth council, we have managed to secure a place at International House. We are still in discussions with Hondo about retaining a presence in the market, and we look forward to working with them in the future. We are excited to be making this move, a move that we initiated. International House (managed by 3Space) is a community-centric

creative environment that perfectly suits us. Not only does Photofusion support early career artists, but we work with young people in Lambeth offering everything from free summer school programmes to one-to-one support and mentoring for young people looking to explore film and photography as a career. We believe that this move will reinvigorate the organisation and push us to do more. We look forward to welcoming our community into our new space in April. Kim Shaw Director, Photofusion

APRIL 2019 brixtonblog.com NEWS  3

Brixton joins in climate strike Brixton young people were planning to join the worldwide school strike planned for 15 March. Lambeth for a Cool Planet, a community network for action on climate change, was hosting a solidarity rally in Windrush Square from 3 to 4.30pm. It urged supporters to “Bring banners, drums, whistles, chalk and snacks”. It welcomed Lambeth council’s role as the first London borough to declare, on 25

January, a climate emergency and called on it to take “bold steps” to address climate change. Lambeth for a Cool Planet, backed by the Green Party and other local environmental groups, said it planned to assemble a large group of residents from Brixton, Herne Hill, Dulwich etc outside the Lambeth council’s offices from 3.30pm on the day to demand radical action on climate change.

Churches rally against violence Reverend Rosemarie Mallett, vicar at St John’s, Angell Town in Brixton is one of the organisers of “Standing Together” a rally against knife crime and youth violence in Trafalgar Square on 6 April. Churches, Christian charities and voluntary organisations are organising the event from 2 to 4pm. Rev Mallett said: “We are in the process of pulling together the programme for what promises to be an amazing day of witness to those affected by violent crime in this country.” The Ascension Trust, that launched Street Pastors in 2003 (see page 8), along with London City Mission, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and the Anglican Diocese of Southwark are the main organisers. Lambeth has received a £500,000 share of the government’s £9.5m fund to try turn young people away from gangs and crime. It will be channelled through the Troubled Families programme and will pay for a family worker in police stations to work with young people who are arrested, but against whom no further action is taken. Lambeth council leader Jack Hopkins welcomed the funding for this “important locally developed project”. He said it would boost existing schemes to support families and, if the initial work is successful, could be introduced across the borough.

Zelia Alves Figueira with daughter Nicole and husband Joao Jose

Café Max is set to return Café Max owner Zelia Alves Figueira will be among the first to return to its premises in Brixton Station Road arches. Zelia, with husband Joao Jose and daughter Nicole, said they were delighted to be back and looking forward to welcoming their loyal customers. Zela said: “Nicole has done a lot of

the thinking about the interior design. I don’t know what I’d do without her. It’s been a whole family activity.” After the refit, they are hoping to be open again for business by mid-April. Community engagement manager Binki Taylor said: “Each business will have its own relaunch with the Rec hosting a welcome back celebration at the end of May.”

Year 4 pupils from Loughborough primary school in Minet Road took to the streets of Brixton to talk to members of the public about the dangers of climate change and teach them about what actions they can take. Preparations included lunchtime workshops on “The World in 2050” that examined different scenarios if action is not taken now. This action was part of a broader outreach campaign run by local charity Climate Ed, which educates children about climate change and helps them to spread awareness about it in their local community.

‘School streets’ demand The Mums for Lungs organisation that hit the headlines when it blocked Brixton Road outside the Tube station has contacted 297 schools in London in areas with illegally polluted air. This includes all Lambeth schools. The group said: “The aim is to encourage teachers,

parents and children to push for the introduction of a new scheme which would see roads around schools being temporarily closed.” The “School Streets” scheme would close roads at pick-up and drop-off times to improve poor air quality around schools, especially from engines left idling.

Homophobic assault plea Network Homes has started to replace cladding on its Park Heights building (above) on the former Stockwell Park estate in Brixton. It failed flammability tests after the Grenfell disaster but did not need immediate replacement because of other safety features.

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Detectives investigating a homophobic assault in Brixton are appealing for two further victims to come forward. Police were called to McDonald;s on Brixton Road at 4am on Saturday 19 January after reports of an unknown substance, believed to be pepper spray, being sprayed in the face of two men. They were treated at the scene by paramedics and did not require

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hospital treatment. Police say two other men may have been the victims of a similar assault in KFC opposite about 20 minutes earlier. They are appealing for anyone with information to contact Lambeth CID by dialling 101 and quoting reference CAD 1206/19JAN19, Tweeting @MetCC, or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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4  SOCIETY brixtonblog.com 2019 APRIL

BRIXTON LEGAL Pam Douglas is a solicitor with local firm Wainwright and Cummins. Each month, her column takes a common legal issue and explains it for readers

Help for people who have dementia and their carers Dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease) has been called the “21st century’s silent epidemic”. It typically affects people aged over 65 and, as we live longer, more and more people experience symptoms. It is thought to affect around 850,000 in the UK currently, with that number set to rise to 1 million by 2025. Such long-term debilitating health conditions can often result in financial struggles, not just for the person who is unwell, but also for their support network. According to recent research, 600 people a day in the UK give up work to care for elderly or disabled loved ones. As council services continue to be slashed, this is likely to become even more commonplace. As someone who is caring for a parent with dementia, I thought I’d share some of what I have learned about the financial assistance that is available. I hope you find it helpful: AA Under the Local Government Finance Act 1992, if you live alone and suffer from dementia and currently pay council tax, you can apply for an exemption from the local authority, as it’s classed as a “severe mental impairment”. What’s more if you share your home with someone else who does not meet the criteria, you could still receive a 25% discount. Your claim for an exemption or discount can sometimes be back-dated, entitling you to a refund for past years, which can add up to a significant lump sum. AA Under the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992, if you have to leave your home empty (furnished or unfurnished) in order to care for a loved one elsewhere, you can apply for a discount on your council tax bill. This is referred to as a “class J exemption” which could entitle you to a discount of 50%. However, please note that, in Lambeth, if you leave your property empty for more than two years, you could be liable to pay a 100% premium, or double the normal rate, so do be careful.

AA If you are over 65, you might be eligible for Attendance Allowance if you need extra help around your home. Currently the allowance is £57.30 per week if you need assistance during the day and £85.60 per week if you need help both during the day and at night. It’s not means tested and will not affect any other benefits you might be receiving. The money can be used for anything that makes your day-to-day life easier, for example, help with gardening, travel to GP appointments or paying for a cleaner. AA If you receive the higher rate of Attendance Allowance, you could be also eligible for Transport for London’s Taxicard service, which offers significant savings on journeys for members, as well as driver assistance for those whose mobility is affected. AA If you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and earn a net weekly salary of no more than £120 per week, you could be entitled to Carer’s Allowance of up to £64.60 per week. The person you care for must be in receipt of one of six qualifying benefits, which includes Attendance Allowance. AA It might also be worth applying for Pension Credit as an award could automatically “passport” you to other benefits, grants and savings to help ease financial pressures, such as the low-cost telephone service offered by BT, called BT Basic. AA Homeowners could also qualify for a government-funded central heating boiler replacement grant. Apart from financial assistance, there are many other services available, including help with home adaptations, security, and safety equipment, according to individual needs. AA For further information about help that might be available, I recommend that you contact Age UK. I have found them to be invaluable in offering advice and support. In some cases, they can arrange for assessments and make applications on your behalf. You can call them on 020 7346 6800 or email them at sail@ageuklambeth.org

Book Stop Brixton on Somerleyton Road recently became the studio for street artist Neequaye Dsane, also known as Dreph. He worked over a weekend to create a portrait of author and ManBooker prize winner Marlon James for the launch of his book Black Leopard, Red Wolf, part of a new fantasy trilogy. When complete, the artwork was taken to Waterstones bookshop on Tottenham Court Road where it was exhibited for a few weeks (inset). Dreph also created the murals of Michelle Obama on Marks and Spencer and of Michaeal Johns on Pope’s Road in Brixton. Book Stop Brixton, which provides free reading

material to Brixton residents, is fundraising for repairs and maintenance work to make the Book Stop weatherproof and for a young part time worker. You can support the project at www.gofundme.com/book-stop-brixton Books are donated to the project and given away on the book stand which is next to the P5 bus stop on Somerleyton Road. AA More about Dreph at http://dreph.co.uk

Credit without profit Steve Powdrill meets the provider of a financial service with a difference Years ago, if someone mentioned “credit unions”, you might be forgiven for envisioning a man with a ledger, offering loans in a church hall. The goal of all credit unions is still to create a financial community whose members can pool savings and access affordable loans from the “kitty”. But the London Mutual Credit Union (LMCU) and its branch at 10 Acre Lane show how this self-help movement has become a lot slicker in recent times and offers practical solutions to money needs in Brixton and beyond. Today, 2 million people in the UK are members of a credit union –an increase of around 250% in the last decade, according to the BBC. And it’s not hard to see why. Unlike a high-street bank, third party share holders and owners will not have a say in how your hard-earned cash is used. The savings of members of a credit union are invested directly into the local community, through ethical and responsible loans to other members of the union. Members’ savings are covered by the official Financial Services Compensation Scheme, with investments of up to £85,000 protected. The LMCU also offers current accounts that can be accessed via Link ATMs and that allow pay, pensions or benefits to be paid directly into accounts that offer online, mobile and SMS banking. You can apply for a loan via its website. Despite the recent growth in credit unions nationally, Joan Driscoll, a senior account manager

at LMCU, feels there is still work to be done: “People don’t seem to know about credit unions, it’s difficult to get the message across,” she says, acknowledging the temptations of “pay weekly shops” that can coax anyone into taking out risky, high-interest loans – often leaving their finances worse off as a result. “We’re trying to get people to stop using the pay-weekly shops like BrightHouse. A washing machine can end up costing you thousands of pounds.” With critics suggesting that some

‘Credit unions are for everyone – not just if you are in financial need or on benefits’’ pay-weekly shops are targeting vulnerable customers with high-interest loans, the Financial Conduct Authority that regulates the finance industry recently announced that it will introduce measures such as a cap on the cost of credit, with the aim of preventing crippling debt. Close to 300,000 people are currently in debt to pay-weekly shops. Driscoll believes this number can be reduced – with education at the forefront of her mind. She believes firmly that the work should begin in schools. “We’re doing a lot of work with Lifesavers, an initiative set up by the Church of England, and we also do our own ‘school collection schemes’. Children can come in and learn how they can save with the credit union and take turns to act as tellers and they really learn what money’s all about.” While these programmes mostly focus on basic financial education

for primary pupils, Driscoll feels that this basic knowledge must be expanded as children approach secondary school and beyond. This would help to ward off the startling discoveries about the sometimes-unforgiving financial world that many of us encounter later in life. “Once you are older, it’s important to know about how to keep a good credit score and even why it is important,” she says. “We see people with silly things on their credit rating, like a £200 phone bill they’ve not paid.” She says LMCU would understand that – “But if they’re trying to get credit somewhere else, it likely won’t be the same.” With 3,400 junior members whose collected savings total over £800,000, LMCU is striving to nurture a new generation into responsible, educated saving habits. New “teen accounts” are also in a trial period at the union. Another potential benefit of signing up to a credit union like LMCU is that its non-profit status enables it to deliver surpluses back to their members through dividends. This ensures that, whether your savings are big or small, there is potential for members to spark economic growth – becoming better off together as a community. “Every single loan – whether you are on universal credit, or earning £100,000 a year – is looked at individually,” says Driscoll. “Credit unions are for everyone – not just if you are in financial need or on benefits.” AA If you live, work, study or volunteer in the boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark, Westminster or Camden, you are eligible to join LMCU as a member. You can drop by its office at 10 Acre Lane, SW2 5SG to speak with the team there. You can also visit its website at www.creditunion.co.uk.

APRIL 2019 brixtonblog.com NEWS  5

Nicola Benedetti with Jubilee school violinists

Squire win consent to build new restaurant and workspace Squire & Partners, owner of Brixton’s Department Store building, has been granted planning consent to create a four-storey building behind its existing premises, fronting Bellefields Road and the pedestrianised Stockwell Avenue. The development will include 13,000 square feet of workspace and 4,500 square feet of retail.

The new red brick building will replace derelict 1970s structures with four floors of workspace for small to medium creative businesses, along with a restaurant on the ground floor and external set back terraces on the fourth floor. Work is expected to start soon and to be completed in summer 2020.

A BARONESS IN STOCKWELL Baroness Garden of Frognal, Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, met Year 6 pupils at St Andrew’s CE primary school in Stockwell to talk about the work of the House of Lords. Year 6 teacher Sam Penberthy said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to

interact with someone who knows the parliamentary system inside out, as it can sometimes seem far removed from their daily lives.” The visit was arranged through the Lord Speaker’s “Peers in Schools” outreach programme. AA www.parliament.uk/lordspeaker

An incredible experience for all By Emma Bartley Classical music star Nicola Benedetti visited Brixton to inspire 140 young violinists at Jubilee primary school on Tulse Hill. The former BBC Young Musician of the Year ran a full day of workshops at the school, where every child in Years 1 and 2 learns the violin. “Playing to the children at Jubilee was the most incredible experience. Their engaged listening was the thing I enjoyed most,” she said. Benedetti, who is an ambassador for the charity

London Music Masters (LMM), which runs the violin programme at Jubilee, also listened to talented players who have continued their studies into Years 3 and 4. She worked with LMM teachers to focus on bowing skills and sound production. “I started the violin aged four because I wanted to do everything my older sister did, and it has been my life ever since,” she said. “I believe that everyone should have access to high quality music education, and I have always felt driven to share my experiences, knowledge and the incredible

teaching I have been so fortunate to have had access to.” Jubilee headteacher Thomas Prestwich said the visit had been an inspiration. “We are incredibly proud of our work with LMM and for a musician of Nicola Benedetti’s standing to come in and not only perform for us, but to play the violin with our children, was an experience that many of our pupils will cherish for a lifetime,” he said. “They were captivated by her performance and our older violinists in particular have taken so much from their workshop with her.”

6  CREATIVE BRIXTON brixtonblog.com

APRIL 2019

ARTS HARALD SOHLBERG THE MAN WHO LOVED TREES DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY

TONY’S LAST TAPE OMNIBUS THEATRE

There is no final victory, there is no final defeat. Just the same battles which have to be fought over and over and over again

Many trees and few people Over the course of his career, the Norwegian artist Harald Sohlberg used different media and techniques. But there is one constant theme: his fascination with trees. They appear throughout his work – as a frame, a forest or a dominant single figure in the landscape. Born in 1869, Sohlberg always denied the influence of other artists. And there is something unmistakably Nordic in his use of colour to reveal the character of the landscapes he so obviously loved. The exhibition of over 90 works is arranged chronologically to show how his interests and technique developed. Early works such as “Summer Night” and “Sungleam” reveal his passion for landscape, light and colour. In many paintings he manages to recreate the Norwegian dusk and capture the sense of a place which is beautiful but also unforgiving and inhospitable. There are few people in his paintings, but he is very interested in the impact of humans on the environment. The timeless scene in “The Country Road” for example, is almost rudely interrupted by a series of telegraph poles. Sohlberg spent time in the small mining town of Røros, high up in the mountain plains of central Norway. He produced a series of paintings – wonderfully rendered, but very bleak. This is a harsh place, not one that you are tempted to visit. His later works focus less on representational detail and more on mood and character. “Midsummer Night, Nordic Theme” is a restful but forbidding glimpse of the land and sea at dusk, and a personal favourite. The exhibition ends with a series entitled “Winter Night in the Mountains”, the largest of which is apparently Norway’s favourite painting. It looks rather too much like an illustration for a fairy tale for my taste, but it is a monumental piece. This is an interesting and enjoyable show and a chance to see the work of a celebrated but rarely seen artist AAUntil 2 June in the Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, SE21 7AD, Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 5pm. Call 020 8693 5254 or visit dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk.

It’s about passion Leslie Manasseh spoke to Giles Croft, director of the play based on the diaries of Tony Benn

Reggae in the Park, Paul Dash, 2018/19, Acrylic and oil on canvas

LIFELINE A RETROSPECTIVE OF WORKS BY PAUL DASH 198 CONTEMPORARY ARTS AND LEARNING

Windrush generation journey Leslie Manasseh on a Brixton exhibition that will make you think Born in Barbados and a member of the Windrush generation, Paul Dash has been painting since his teenage years in the 1960s. “Lifeline” is his first major solo exhibition and brings together works spanning more than 50 years. Drawing inspiration from his Caribbean heritage and today’s refugee crisis, he uses a a variety of techniques to create individual pieces. Twenty four of his paintings and drawings are hung in two spacious rooms and represent his artistic journey. And there are many changes along the way. His early figurative work is a little subdued and tentative, unlike his later works which are large, impressionistic canvases, full of colour and confidence. He is interested in crowds of people on the move – joyful celebrations, masquerades and dances, but also disturbing images of refugees

in overcrowded boats. His technique develops and changes – from figurative through impressionistic to abstract, and he seems equally at home with pen and ink as with oil and acrylic paint. “Whirling Dervish Parade” is a fine example of a tightly rendered drawing but full of movement and energy. By contrast, “Reggae in the Park” is a much looser, floating, abstract piece which, interestingly, he painted in oil and acrylic on the floor rather than an easel. Paul Dash’s personal journey from Barbados in the 1950s to present-day London was painful and difficult. Like all migrants from that time he suffered racism and rejection. His art provided both an escape and ultimately, a road to success – albeit a rocky one. The result is paintings and drawings which will make you look and make you think. AAUntil 29 March in 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning, 198 Railton Road, SE24 0JT. Open Monday - Friday 11am - 5pm. Call 020 7978 8309 or visit www.198.org.uk.

RICHARD II  SAM WANAMAKER PLAYHOUSE

A timeless tale of power and its abuse This production of Shakespeare’s Richard II in the compact, candle-lit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse starts with a bang. The cast arrives on stage singing a powerful African chant, echoes of which punctuate the rest of the performance. The costumes and props also reflect a cultural diversity which underlines and celebrates one of the unique features of this production. It is the first all women of colour production of a Shakespeare play in a major UK venue. As such it is a tribute to the talents and determination of Adjoa Andoh and Lynette Linton

who co-direct. But while these elements make it a radical and innovative production, it is also traditional in that it allows the rhythm, tempo and sheer descriptive genius of the language to be centre stage. This is a play about power – its misuse and abuse by a thoughtless king; the struggle for succession, and its ultimate loss. In so many ways the events of the play prefigure the situation we face in contemporary Britain. Penned over 400 years ago by our greatest playwright, how relevant are the words from John of Gaunt’s pivotal speech: “That England, that was wont

to conquer others, Hath made a shameful conquest of itself.”? The cast are fully up to the challenge. Adjoa Andoh, who plays Richard, produces a high-octane performance – reckless, tyrannical and whimsical in turns. Dona Croll plays John of Gaunt with a sureness of touch that enables her to deliver one of the greatest speeches in the English language with poise and dignity. Shobna Gulati, as the Duke of York gives a flawless rendition of Shakespeare’s lines, albeit rather ironically, in a Lancashire accent. Although it is the unique feature of this production, after

the first few minutes I simply did not notice that all the actors were women. But I was captivated throughout by their passion and energy. This is one of Shakespeare’s less well known plays. But, like so much of his work, it has a timeless relevance to the human condition. It also looks and sounds fabulous. Leslie Manasseh AAUntil 21 April in the Wanamaker Playhouse, Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, SE1 9DT. Tickets from £7 to £62. Call 020 7401 9919 or visit www.shakespearesglobe.com.

Tony Benn was an extraordinary politician, parliamentarian and thinker who aroused deep but conflicting emotions. Unashamedly left wing, he was respected and reviled, loved and hated, celebrated and ignored and over his life moved from being “the most dangerous man in Britain” to something of a national treasure. He recorded his thoughts and the day’s events every night for over 50 years. These recordings were the basis of his diaries and Tony’s Last Tape is a recreation of the evening of his very last recording. Since its first performance in 2016, it has toured the country to much acclaim, and is coming to Clapham’s Omnibus Theatre in April. It tells the story of Tony Benn’s life through his reflections. But it’s also a living story – not just an old man talking sentimentally about his life and work, but an exploration of passion and politics. He speaks across generations and the play resonates with young audiences, many of whom are engaging with progressive, left wing politics in ways which have not been seen since the 1960s. But it’s not just about politics. Tony Benn was a warm and generous person whose friendships crossed the political divide. He had a sharp sense of humour and a humanity which transcended tribal party allegiances. It promises to be a human story as much as a political tour de force. When I asked Giles Croft why people should come to see this play he replied: “Because it’s about passion; it will engage you and challenge you to think about the world you live in. It’s funny and entertaining with a great performance at its heart.” Good enough reasons for me. AAWritten by Andy Barrett, directed by Giles Croft and starring Philip Bretherton, “Tony’s Last Tape” runs from 2 - 20 April (excluding Mondays) in the Omnibus Theatre, 1 Clapham Common Northside, SW4 0LH. Tickets £16, £13 Concessions. For further information call 020 7498 0544 or visit omnibus-clapham.org/tonys-last-tape.

EXHIBITION – POWER: MISSILES, MINERS & MONARCHY Tony Benn’s unique voice portraits (sonograms) by artist and activist Tracey Moberly will also be on display at Omnibus Theatre – the first time these large voice portraits celebrating his life’s work have been on public view since 2005. Sonograms have been used by scientists involved in audio analysis, in areas such as voice recognition and bird song. Tracey worked closely with Tony Benn and used the same technique to capture her favourite key moments from his words and rendered them as sonic visual artworks on canvas.

APRIL 2019 brixtonblog.com CREATIVE BRIXTON  7

MUSIC …where we hi-five local musical movers and shakers. We ask five questions to get to know the people who play regularly or BRIXTON contribute in other HI-FIVE ways to Brixton’s live music scene. This month it’s the turn of Cal Jader What do you do and where do you do it? I run Movimientos, an organisation dedicated to promoting Latin American music and cultural events in venues all around London including a monthly night at Hootananny and regular line ups at Pop Brixton. I’m also a DJ playing Latin, tropical and global beats all over the shop.

Favourite memories of playing in Brixton?

The Last Poets

This is still a man’s world Men, mavericks and legends – Dave Randall on music industry issues and two stand-out Brixton gigs In March we celebrated International Women’s Day. Let’s take that as an opportunity to repeat the call for greater gender parity in our music scene. According to the PRS Foundation, the UK music industry as a whole is around 70% male, with that number rising in more senior industry roles, and in music production and engineering. Indeed, a report commissioned by the Keynote initiative found that in a survey of 600 popular songs, a mere 2 per cent of them were produced by women. Figures for crew, technicians and sound engineers are slightly better, but there is still a very long way to go until

Son of Dave

anything approaching parity is achieved. Since we last discussed this issue in the pages of the Bugle, the mainstream music industry has started to respond. Industry magazine Music Week dedicated an issue to the topic last year, eliciting assurances from industry big-hitters such as Glastonbury Festival’s Emily Eavis that the problem is being taken seriously and progress is being made. Despite the best efforts of some excellent local venues, promoters, artists, individuals and collectives, Brixton seems for the most part to reflect the broader trend and women remain under-represented onstage, as technicians and elsewhere in the local scene. Clearly there is work to be done to support and encourage women in the industry and women and girls in music education. Sadly, my two top picks for the month do not buck the gender disparity trend.

The first even suggests that fact in its title. But they are still well worth a look … The One Man Band Festival, which takes place across the Blues Kitchen chain, looks like it’ll be a blast. According to the advertising blurb the event “celebrates the supreme talents of those individual musicians that singlehandedly deliver the full sounds of a multi-piece band”. The Brixton leg takes place on Thursday 21 March when we’ll be treated to Son of Dave, a maverick bluesman providing a one-man harmonica and beat-box experience. This won’t be your average blues show – expect a brilliantly bizarre one-man-musical-mash-up. Support comes from local lad Adam J. Harmer of the Fat White Family, AKA One Man Destruction Show, who promises to single handedly take us on an epic rockabilly and garage’n’blues journey. On Friday 29 March the Hootananny hosts a rare performance from Harlem’s political poetry and hip-hop legends The Last Poets. The group was born in the wake of the civil rights movement at an event commemorating Malcolm X’s birthday in 1968. Their 1970 self-titled album established them as one of the most important influences in early hip hop, and they are often cited alongside Gil Scott Heron as seminal hip-hop progenitors, poets and commentators. Last year, on the 50th anniversary of the band’s inception, they delivered their first album in over 20 years: Understand What Black Is. They’ll be joined by Nostalgia 77, Zena Edwards, Moody Boyz and D. WattsRiot. Dave Randall is a musician and author of Sound System: The Political Power of Music.

Our first ever Movimientos night was at the Brixtonian in 2005 – a wicked little bar that was hidden away on Beehive Place. Then our first ever big live event was a two-room Fania Records special at The Telegraph (now defunct) up on Brixton Hill. Speaking of defunct venues I always enjoyed playing down at Mango Landin’ on the Globoloco nights. Last year’s Cinco De Mayo (Mexican celebration) event at Pop Brixton was pretty epic, and we’ll be back for another one this year too.

What are you listening to at the moment? I’m constantly listening to new Latin music for a monthly podcast on SOAS Radio. Currently

on heavy rotation are new albums from FrancoTropical group The Bongo Hop and Brazilian legends Baiana System also a forthcoming album from a local Colombian artist called Esteban Card.

Favourite album of all time and why? I’m sorry!!! I never believe in saying one album because it’s always dependent on my mood … Alice Coltrane’s Journey Into Satchidananda to take me into another dimension Tribe Called Quest’s Beats, Rhymes and Life for hip hop and jazz sampling perfection Pavement’s Wowee Zowee for perfect indie rock euphoria and nostalgia Joe Arroyo’s Fuego En Mi Mente because it’s so representative of the incredible recordings coming out of Colombia’s Discos Fuentes label in the 80s

Where can we hear you next? I’ll be DJing at Pop Brixton on 6 April, and the next Movimientos night at Hootananny is on the 26 April.

8  BRIXTON LIFE brixtonblog.com

APRIL 2019

Plenty of talking in this library Brixton Library is a great deal more than just a place to borrow books or use a computer. Gargie Ahmed was at two recent events out of the many that the library hosts February was LGBT+ History Month and Lambeth libraries joined groups around the country celebrating with events covering history, art, literature, and film. Two ground-breaking writers, the well known US author James Baldwin, and the lesser known Polish novelist Narcyza Żmichowska were among those featured. A meeting of the Radical Readers group discussed Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room on a Friday night. Set in Paris in the 1950s, it follows the short but significant affair between David, the American protagonist, and Giovanni, an Italian bartender, as they live together in the city. Published in 1956, the book caused great controversy, not only for the main theme of homosexuality and bisexuality, but moreover for featuring only white characters, when Baldwin had previously been celebrated as a Black author lauded for bringing Black people’s stories to greater attention. The discussion explored the novel’s themes of sexuality, gender, sexism, race, discrimination, denial, love, relationships, and loss. It also reflected on the context of 1950s USA, the relevance of the story in today’s social and political climate, and beyond. Radical Readers meet on every second Friday of the month at Brixton Library at 7pm. Session begin with a presentation by a volunteer on the selected book. All are welcome to join, and everyone is welcome to bring snacks and drinks. Books for sessions are available from Brixton library – join the mailing list to find out more. One of Lambeth libraries’ LGBT History Month events featured the 200th anniversary of Polish writer

Narcyza Żmichowska, who published her first novel, Poganka (The Heathen) in 1846. It is a story with themes of emotional intensity, gender ambiguity, and a doomed romance between an older woman and younger man. Not only was the relationship at the heart of Poganka considered transgressive in society at the time – flouting norms of age and class – the relationship in the novel is also now understood by some critics to represent same-sex attraction felt by the author in real life. Poganka was translated into English in 2012 by Ursula Phillips, who started off the discussion on Żmichowska and her association with a group called The Enthusiasts, a group of radical women in 1840s Poland carving out creatively inspired and economically independent lives. Maria Jastrzębska and Anna Błasiak, continued the conversation, drawing on their insights as respectively a poet-translator and and editor. An exhibition of photographs by Lisa Kalloo accompanied the discussion, giving the audience a glimpse of the visual aspect of upcoming work by Anna Błasiak. Photographer Urszula Sołtys, whose work was exhibited as part of the Lambeth Readers and Writers Festival last year, photographed the event. You can learn more about her work, read an interview with Ursula Phillips, and discover more about the events and people celebrating Polish culture in South London in +48, a Polish community magazine published by Poles Connect and the Stockwell Partnership. You can, of course, find copies in Lambeth libraries.

Ursula Phillips (left), Anna Błasiak (right) and Maria Jastrzębska. Image by Urszula Sołtys

Brixton: 2am on a Saturday morning

Care and kindness for the Brixton community Jessica Dyer spends a Friday night with Brixton’s Street Pastors

If you are out on a Friday night in Brixton you may well encounter the Street Pastors, a church-based group, who have been patrolling in the area for the last 15 years providing advice, kind words, help and comfort to those out on the town. The Bugle was fortunate enough to attend a patrol this month, which, by all accounts, was a surprisingly “quiet night”. Patrols take place from 10pm to 4am, allowing the pastors to visit all the venues at the beginning of the evening, talk to the bouncers and members of the public in the queue before helping those vulnerable people who have lost friends, are having trouble getting home or need a little comforting following a drink-fuelled disagreement with friends at the end of the night. “It puts the bouncers at ease to see us,” Cherie Thomas, Lambeth Street Pastors coordinator, tells me, “We go around and see them at the beginning of the night so they know we are out, and they can call us if they need to.” When out, the pastors are on the radio network used by all the door staff so they are aware of any incidents, can ask for assistance themselves or can be called to a specific venue. “Sometimes door staff will call us on the radio because they have a vulnerable girl, who has had too much to drink and is trying to go home with a guy she has just met. We will speak to her, let her know that if at any point she changes her mind No always means No.” A minimum of three pastors are on patrol in Brixton and Clapham on the same Fridays. The pastors also patrol in Streatham and Vauxhall once a month. They check in with homeless people in the area, offering them water, blankets, scarves, hats and time. During the patrol most of the homeless people we spoke to were hoping for

change, but the pastors do not give out food or money as they cannot afford to set up dependency. What they offer is company and a listening ear, “Last month we had a quiet night, so we could spend an hour with a homeless woman and give her more attention,” Cherie tells me. When on patrol in Brixton the Pastors do not have a hub, so once they leave their base in Angell Town they are out all night. Luckily McDonald’s have reopened their seating area and toilet, so those out for the night shift can get a hot drink and refuel. When I catch up with those “out”, they are filling in their hot drink sticker cards – “We like being able to give them to a homeless person to get a warm drink.” Recent Brixton BID (Business Improvement District) funding has allowed for first aid training for Street Pastors, which they appreciate very much. “Incidents of crime and antisocial behaviour go down when the Street Pastors are out,” Cherie says. “Members of the public say ‘I’m glad you are here because it means I can have a drink and if I have a problem I know you will help me get home!’” While we are out the radio comes through with a message about a disturbance at the Dogstar, so the Pastors divert from their route to check on the incident. When they arrive, they discover the problem has been dealt with, but the bouncers are very happy to see the Pastors and grateful that they came over to help. While out the Pastors also collect glass bottles that have been dumped along the streets, in plant pots or on the top of bins and put them in the recycling bins. By the end of the night most of the orange bins on the main road are full and they struggle to find space. “We have been asking for bigger recycling bins for a long time,” they tell me. During the patrol they collected 45 glass bottles.

Lambeth Street Pastors became a registered charity in March this year. Cherie is hoping to use this opportunity to offer more daytime activities for the local community alongside their existing provision. Currently Pastors serve as both School Pastors (currently working with St Martin’s Academy) and/or Street Pastors on alternate weeks. Cherie intends to work with more community groups: “It’s about finding out what needs are out there and looking at what we can do to help.” The Street Pastors participate in Faith Together in Lambeth, an independent, borough-wide, multi-faith group who meet to discuss concerns in the local community including mental health, violent crime and policing. “We are asking what we, as a community of faith groups, can do to help with community issues.” It is from these discussions as well as a close relationship with Brixton BID and the local community that the reach of the Street Pastors can grow. While the work they do is difficult and challenging in many different ways, the Street Pastors remain joyful and upbeat. “I’m known as the dancing pastor!” Cherie says, “If a good song comes on, I get us to pause and have a little dance.” During the patrol a young man stops the pastors to hug them and thank them for their work. He is not alone, most of the door staff have a similar reaction. The greatest gift the Street Pastors give to the community is their time: they can spare more than a brief smile for a homeless person, they can bring joy to the night staff who have a long shift ahead of them and they help make sure those who have overindulged can get home safely. Helping others without any immediate reward or gratification often seems forgotten in our fast-paced society, the Street Pastors are providing care and kindness to the Brixton community. AALambeth Street Pastors are always looking for new pastors and partners to assist them in their mission of “caring, listening and helping”, see streetpastors.org/locations/lambeth.

APRIL 2019 brixtonblog.com OPINION  9

BRIXTON BUGLE

COMMENT

Let’s keep the pedals turning

Plans to put the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users before those of car drivers in Brixton may arouse mixed feelings. For the young people and their supporters taking part in the worldwide strike to demand action on climate change and for people desperately worried about the effects of internal combustion engines on health, they will be welcome and probably overdue. But others may be concerned about the effect on Brixton as a whole. Many people believe that the demolition of the Pope’s Road car park in 2011 began the process in which Brixton’s markets are morphing from a source of food and household goods for a diverse and largely local population into a pleasure palace for foodies from all over London and even further afield. You can put your vegan cheese in a bike pannier, but you need something bigger for a sack of yams. But, as we have said many times before, Brixton always is and always has been changing. If, by some miracle, petrol and diesel engines had only just been invented and their dire effects on health were known, there might be one or two in a museum. Not the estimated 1 billion plus that now infest the world. Many Lambeth residents, perhaps somebody reading this today, will have their lives shortened by the deadly emissions from motor vehicles. They will have to go and soon. No answer to the future of Brixton can be in the past and it cannot involve technology that kills. Lambeth council has, in the past, sometimes seemed to have backed away from the radical and potentially unpopular measures needed to curb the deadly effects of internal combustion engines. Now that it has put its foot on the pedal of progress, let’s hope it keeps on turning. If you have a complaint about the Brixton Bugle, see bit.ly/BBB_complaints for how to pursue 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

More than worthwhile Kalysha Stapleton, 19, took part in a 12-week Prince’s Trust programme delivered by Lambeth College. Her team chose to renovate the playground areas of the Effra Early Years Centre as their community project. These are extracts from her blog, which was part of the project We are the Prince’s Trust Lambeth College TEAM! (Brixton). We are 13 students aged 16-20 who are out of training, employment or education. TEAM is a 12-week course aimed at getting young individuals like us back into some form of routine, ready for career progressions after the course. As part of the course we had to complete a community project. This is a chance for the TEAM to give something back to an organisation or local community that could be limited in some

way, shape or form, for example; getting on board to help renovate a school or re-decorate a church. We decided to help a nursery in Brixton, the Effra Early Years centre, and bring back some of the life we and the head felt was missing, by doing small tasks (mainly in the outside areas of the nursery). There was plenty for us to get on with for the two weeks: varnishing the old wood, planting new flowers as well as laying new bark on the ground. As a collective we needed to raise money to fund the task. We

came up with various ideas but in the short space of time we had, we decided to go ahead with bag packing in ASDA in Clapham Junction for two days where we raised over £1,300. There was a lot of relief that we did it, and the odd moan about our backs and legs as it was a hard two days standing for seven hours. We were over the moon and so proud that we collectively, with everyone’s determination and dedication, could and did raise the money. This went toward resources like varnish, plant pots, shears, paints, spray paints and a load of other tools and resources. I think that the project taught us as young people that if you put your mind to something you can achieve it. We had set targets to meet, not only for the head of school Jan,

but most importantly for the little ones and knowing that our hard work had paid off in recreating a fresh new outdoor space for learning and growth was a feeling I don’t think any one of us was truly prepared for. It taught me personally that I still have that burning desire to give back to my local community, as essentially every little change matters and starting small benefits those in the long run. We are the young leaders of the future and coming together through courses like The Prince’s Trust TEAM, helps us realise just how much of an importance we have and our actions have to those who need our help. It’s just great that we got to help a local organisation that we can see now benefiting from our work. It was more than worthwhile!

Kalysha Stapleton (third from left, front row): every little change matters

Fact or fake? Help your child with news literacy Sarah Horrocks, director of the London Connected Learning Centre in Clapham, offers advice to parents who want to help their children understand the difference between fact and fake. What is fake news? More than ever before we are all exposed to a vast array of digital content, ranging from news reports from respected national or local organisations through to Facebook posts and tweets. The digital world is increasingly complex with a growing number of channels and ever more sophisticated technology that can make it harder to distinguish between fact and opinion – or even outright fake. We are also more likely to come across “fake news” – and spread it – with research showing that fake news reaches users up to 20 times faster than factual content. It can be hard enough for adults to get to grips with, so it’s no wonder that children are struggling. Key findings from the recent National Literacy Trust Fake News Commission are worrying: ●● Only 2% of children have the critical literacy skills they need to tell if a news story is real or fake. ●● Half of children are worried about not

being able to spot fake news. ●● Two-thirds of children now trust the news less as a result of fake news. ●● Two-thirds of teachers believe fake news is harming children’s well-being and increasing their anxiety levels. ●● Half of teachers believe that the national curriculum does not equip children with the literacy skills they need to identify fake news. Having the skills to be critical about information online has never been more important. How can parents help? At the London Connected Learning Centre we work with primary school children, teachers and families from Lambeth and beyond, supporting them to develop good strategies for assessing the information they come across online. Here’s how we think parents can help. First, as with so many situations relating to children and the internet, talking about the issue is always the best starting point. Have a conversation about the news with your child while you’re both watching the TV or looking at news stories online. Help them to question it – what do they think the journalist or the person posting the story wants them to feel or believe after reading or watching it? Why? Who is quoted in the story? Is there another side to the story? It is only through questioning that children can start to unpick the layers of truth and reliability they come across online. Second, take a step back and talk about

how the stories that appear online get there, identifying that people are behind news, websites and media, that choices are made by people, and those people may have a range of different motives. Third, take an approach of fun, not fear. We focus on children being creators, not passive consumers of online content. A key feature of our workshops is enabling children to create their own spoof news stories using HTML, demonstrating just how easy it is to publish something that can look convincing. This applies to photos, too. If you understand how easy it is to alter an image using simple tools then it’s a step on the way to looking at every online image with a more critical eye. We point out some of the tell-tale signs to look out for, such as odd website addresses. Finally, take a look at the very helpful Newswise Navigator, a checklist to help children work out if they can trust what they are reading. It’s a simple Stop / Question / Check / Decide chart that suggests some questions children could be asking themselves about the stories they read: http://bit.ly/news-navigate. AA The award-winning London Connected Learning Centre supports schools and other settings in using digital technologies creatively and critically. It provides curriculum support, technical services and professional development. Find out more about fake news and critical literacy its website: https://londonclc.org.uk

10  COMMUNITY brixtonblog.com

2019 APRIL

BRIXTON BUSINESS

Doing what comes naturally Brixton Village based Suneeta Cosmetics heartwarming to see our products, with celebrated its first anniversary there by giving their roots in my old family recipes, so customers 15% off its skin care products. celebrated amongst our customer base all over Owner Suneeta Dinraz, said: “Brixton the world.” has a thriving community of Suneeta began her business on a independent businesses. We market stall on Portobello Road always strive to be ethical in selling a cream she had made what we do: our products are for her son’s eczema, which is all vegan and cruelty free, now her best-selling product. but we also call ourselves “I was given countless a “zero bots” company. We creams from the doctor, don’t use any automation none of which seemed and everything is done by to help, and all of which hand, including potting and came with lengthy, scary labelling each product. warnings and side effects,” Suneeta with her daughter “The demand for our she says. Shanti in Brixton products since arriving a year “I did what came naturally Village ago shows there is a gap in the at the time, which was to make market for ethical, zero-waste and my own cream to soothe his skin, high-quality skincare.” tweaking recipes that I’d learnt as a child “We are the first skincare shop to offer zero and eventually creating what is now our waste, plastic-free options in London”, she signature Golden Turmeric Skin Cream. says. “I am lucky enough to be able to use my “As a busy mum of four, I had been feeling business as a way of celebrating my culture like I had to do something for myself, that and heritage, and as a way of connecting to could fit around my family but that would my history. also work for me. Making the cream for “Everything I make, we use in our my son was the catalyst to me setting up own home, and have for years, so it’s my business.”

Local firm invited to top design show

Village food shop on awards shortlist

On a residential street behind Rush Common and Brixton Hill is a workshop where West & Reid, designers and cabinet makers produce some of the UK’s finest bespoke kitchens. The firm is one of only a few cabinet makers invited to exhibit in the British Collection at Clerkenwell Design Week in May. Now in its tenth year, the week is the UK’s leading independent design festival. West & Reid founders Malcolm Weir and Tom Jarvis have more than 25 years combined experience as designers and craftsmen and share a passion for innovative design and meticulous workmanship, as well as a commitment to sustainable production. West & Reid’s Rose Tero said: “We’re proud of our Brixton roots and frequently network with local businesses, especially those who value British produce and craftmanship. “We’ve only been established since 2016, but in that short time have built a name for ourselves as builders of thoroughly modern kitchens. Vogue’s Secret Address Book said that our “innovative veneered ply designs” were “elegantly understated with a playful hint of mid-century modern”.

Guzzl, the Brixton Village food shop, owned and run by long-time Brixton resident Andrew Murray-Watson, has been shortlisted in the Best Deli and Best Newcomer categories in the 2019 Farm Shop & Deli Awards – to be held in Birmingham on 8 April. Guzzl was chosen from hundreds of entries after members of the judging panel made “secret shopper” visits to the store to check out its wide range of products from local suppliers. Andrew Murray-Watson said: “Since we opened the doors of the shop in November 2017, we have done our best to champion local producers and as a Brixton resident I am thrilled that this local independent business has been recognised at a national level.” This year there are 50 businesses shortlisted as category finalists, which include nine that are also potential ‘Newcomer of the Year’ winners. Regional winners will be selected from the category finalists and also announced live at the awards ceremony.

CENTRE APPEALS FOR SUMMER FOOD AND PLAY FUNDS

Loughborough Community Centre is appealing for funds for its Summer of Play activities based in Max Roach Park. The programme of activities for children from 0 to 13 provides free play with lunch for all children so they can have a memorable summer. Trustee Mala Naicker said: “We fed 800 children over the half term period last year and we need more funds and donations to plan and prepare for this year as the need for food is escalating. “Please complete the pledge and donate so that we can continue good works in the community and keep children and families safe together.” AA Donate at http://bit.ly/Max-Roach-BigGive

Top tech award for Evelyn Grace Academy Pupils and their computer science teacher from Brixton’s Ark Evelyn Grace Academy received Teen Tech’s “best innovative product” and “teacher of the year” awards at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Pupils Bruno Rocha Cunha E Silva, Charles Clayton and Leynner Caicedo Arrieche (known as The Alpha Apps) received their awards in the music, media and entertainment category for The Augmented Reality Comic Book – a physical comic book with an app that

generates a videogame. Sumair Mohammed, Evelyn Grace’s computer science teacher and STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) co-ordinator, said: “I am incredibly proud of what The AlphaApps have achieved. They weren’t successful in their first year at the TeenTech Awards, but were determined to win in their second year with an entirely new idea. “Not only did they win, but they’ve now got a real business out of their project.”

Volunteer groups from Booking.com, QBE insurance and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs joined local residents at a recent volunteer day at Slade Gardens. Top: filling raised beds with soil dug from new ponds (below)

Be a green volunteer Volunteers are already at work in Brixton’s Slade Gardens after it became one of a handful of local city greening projects to get significant funding from the London mayor’s Greener City Fund. The Slade Gardens rejuvenation project will develop the popular adventure playground site at Slade, off Robsart Road and just behind the Brixton Road, with an “edible playground” and wildlife ponds to host workshops for local children and the community.

The project is still looking for volunteers for building and planting days. By working with the community to grow food and flowers, Urban Growth, based in Impact Hub, Brixton, and The Slade Gardens Community Play Association intend to improve wellbeing and to increase biodiversity at the site, as well as up-skilling and supporting residents into training and paid employment. AA Contact info@urbangrowth.london for details on volunteering.

Funding will help park secure its future

New opportunity for greenhouses

The 14-acre, Grade II listed Myatt’s Fields Park has received £77,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and £20,000 from Lambeth council to secure its future. The money will help the charity that runs the park to develop long-term income. After a £3 million renovation by HLF and the council in 2009, local people developed a café, food-growing in a greenhouse, cooking and community events. Recent budget cuts have seen local people work with the council to manage the park and raise income from weddings and sports bookings. Myatt’s Fields Park Project chair Marjorie Landels said: “When I first got involved 20 years ago, we were a group of local people who just wanted to improve the playground. Now we’re working in partnership with Lambeth to manage the park.” Jim Dickson, council cabinet member for the voluntary sector, partnerships and community safety said the council values community organisations that have stepped up to manage assets in a time of austerity. “We believe it is vital that a diverse range of people can have a say in how these community assets are run, and we support MFPP in developing new ways to empower a wide range of people to play a part in the management of our borough.”

Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses (BPCG) has appointed architects Feilden Fowles to develop an extension to its greenhouses to be a learning and community space – The Barn. It will enable more children’s activities, adult workshops and community events. BPCG has raised £165k towards the cost, but more will be needed for the whole project. A community consultation about the proposals will take place in May. Kate Sebag, director of BPCG, said The Barn would enable it to provide creative and therapeutic learning and play opportunities throughout the year. “Feilden Fowles will help us to create better indoor spaces so that even more people can benefit from our charity’s activities.”

APRIL 2019 brixtonblog.com COMMUNITY  11 Arike Oke, head of the Black Cultural Archives on Windrush Square talks to Leslie Manasseh about her new job

Fight the veg power! Brixton is braced for a vegetable invasion of Windrush Square and the market on 6 April. A family fun day running from 11am to 4pm will encourage kids to “Eat Them To Defeat Them”. It’s part of the ITV-backed Veg Power campaign that uses a new approach to promote vegetables. Incredible Edible Lambeth is working alongside Veg Power to encourage children to eat more veg. VegPower’s lively website has games and top tips for schools, families and communities. We have lots of vegetable recipes on our website at http://bit.ly/IEL-veg and would love to add your recipes. If you can make a healthy meal for four for under £5, send us the recipe and a photograph. Incredible Edible LEAP – a partnership between IEL and Lambeth Early Action Partnership – has been working since last September with surplus food distributors City Harvest to give young families in four wards in

Lambeth a free bag of fruit and vegetables each week and demonstrating how to eat cheaply and healthily. Supply varies from week to week. One week, the only vegetable that arrived was mooli. The team had to quickly look up mooli recipes to include in the bags and conversations created a buzz. As the programme went on, people appreciated the vegetables more and more. One person estimated that after six weeks she was saving £10 a week. We also encourage people to grow food wherever they can – on a windowsill or balcony, or with neighbours in a community space. If you have a space where you would like to grow food, email us at incrediblelambeth@gmail.com and we can put you in touch with members who might be your neighbours. Let’s make 2019 The Year of the Vegetable!

The Black Cultural Archives is a unique, national institution that collects, preserves and celebrates the lives and history of Black people in Britain. Arike Oke is its new managing director. She had been in post for just 26 hours when I met her to talk about what she hopes to achieve. She can bring archives to life. In place of dry, dusty images of files locked in a basement, she talks with passion and enthusiasm about archives as living histories and testimonies to the past. “The power of archives (relates to) our identity and community, and how we understand our place in the world. They are stories of activism, struggles and success.” She worked in heritage for 15 years, after growing up in Hull in Yorkshire and Bauchi in Nigeria. It was while she was working as a registrar of births that she discovered her love of peoples’ stories. Working for BCA is obviously a high point in a career dedicated to connecting people with their history. Arike describes the BCA as “the home for Black British history which goes beyond documentary heritage. We also have photos, objects, videos and oral histories … and the power of archives is that you can choose your own path through them” The archives are a world to explore, not simply a record of the past. Why did she want the job and what is she planning to do? “I completely believe

Arike Oke: The power of archives relates to our identity and community, and how we understand our place in the world. They are stories of activism, struggles and success

Stories of success in the vision, and I want to realise BCA’s full potential. “The key to this is collaboration. I want to bring people together to talk about what BCA can do for Brixton and the community. “How we can build on our achievements, and how we can best articulate our vision, and focus on what makes BCA unique”. Arike is very much in listening mode. She obviously has ideas, but wants to take them forward collectively. It’s clear that she is also very ambitious for BCA. She believes it should be part of the national conversation. “We have something meaningful to say which can make a difference to society”. She plans to capitalise on BCA’s

national profile in the wake of the Windrush scandal and the government’s positive attitude to it. She also plans to build partnerships with cities across the country, strengthening BCA’s reach and influence. She relishes the challenges ahead because “that’s what makes the job interesting”. One of them will be making the BCA a sustainable organisation. “We’re a mission-based organisation, not a fundraising one, but we have to think about finances quite carefully.” All in all, Arike has a very full in tray. Her message to Bugle readers? “Thanks so much for your support and please keep coming to us with your ideas, your creativity, your opinions, and even your criticism.”

BRIXT Brixton BID is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening Brixton’s diverse business culture. We represent more than 650 levy‑paying businesses in the local area and work to develop new and exciting opportunities for Brixton. Local business voted in November 2018 for the BID to continue its work for another five years.

Sophia Yates – Hootananny Hootananny owner Sophia Yates opened the Brixton music venue/pub 11 years ago and failed for the first four months to get anyone to go! From a terrible start, she and her brother Kit built up an award-winning music venue in the heart of Brixton which welcomes 3,000 music-lovers through its doors each week to watch the cream of international and local bands and DJs. The challenges of working in Brixton are the same as any business faces across the UK – managing spiralling costs and changing times, but Sophia enjoys the communities of Hootananny and the wider Brixton, whether she is cleaning a toilet, managing any of the 120 people that work weekly for Hootananny, or griping with the other venue owners at Brixton BID meetings. Luckily, as she celebrated International Woman’s Day, Sophia had found that her gender has not held her back during the last 30 years of business life. ■■95 Effra Road | SW2 1D | 020 7737 7273 | hootanannybrixton.co.uk

BUSIN

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International Women’s ideal opportunity for us many business women successes and why Bri

Michael Smith, Director, Brix

April Jackson – Three Little Birds I opened the first Three Little Birds, a Jamaican-inspired cafe, restaurant and rum bar on Coldharbour Lane in 2015. We reinterpret Jamaican classics, serving up small sharing plates alongside artisanal rum cocktails. The hospitality industry is known for its male dominance and people are always surprised to learn that my business is female-owned. I am proud to be one of the few independent female restaurateurs in the heart of Brixton, especially as

running a business continues to be more challenging in the current economic climate. My dad has operated his shipping company from Brixton for almost 30 years and therefore I have grown up with a strong connection to this part of London and I can only hope that my business continues to positively contribute to a bustling Brixton. ■■412 Coldharbour Lane | SW9 8LF | 020 3910 1870 | threelittlebirdsja.com

Laverne Walker – Sackville Travel In addition to my role as director of Sackville Travel – where I hire, fire, manage staff, set budgets, liaise with airlines, tourist boards and hotels, manage marketing, and sign off the financial – I also sit on two boards as a co-chair, treasurer and trustee and support a number of charities. I’m a single mother with friends and family and an elderly mother who is very reliant on me. Being a woman in business is not

easy. All the stereotypical views of a black woman just make me more determined to prove myself and be a role model for other women. I stand on the shoulders of my mother and recently departed grandmother who have taught me to be confident , ambitious, honest, driven, humble, independent and determined. Without these amazing women in my life I would not be where I am today and for this I am forever grateful.

Both worked hard in very disadvantaged conditions especially my grandmother who, as a single mother of five children and as an amputee, did an incredible job to fight against adversity to ensure her children were educated, God-fearing, respectful, strong individuals. My motto is to be myself, work hard and play harder. I need to have that balance to keep peace of mind, enjoy what I do and be taken seriously. I applaud all female trailblazers – there are too many to mention – who

Melissa Morgan –

have set the path to ensure that we are recognised and treated as “almost equal”. ■■203 Stockwell Road | SW9 9SL | 020 7274 2242 | sackvilletravel.com

When I opened Ms. Cupcake on Coldharbour Lane back in 2011, the question I kept getting asked was – Why Brixton? It seemed an odd choice to many but made perfect sense to me as Brixton has always embraced the creative, the daring, and the new. It seemed fitting that the UK’s first entirely vegan bakery should open in Brixton and having lived in the area for a decade before we opened our

TON’S

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xton Business Improvement District

Saja Shaheen of Nour Cash and Carry

Anita Thorpe – Diverse I opened Diverse in 1999. It was Brixton’s first design-led giftshop and locals predicted we’d be lucky to last a year. We celebrate our 20th anniversary this year. Brixton was a very different place back then – no one wanted to do business in Brixton. It had a reputation for drugs, crime and violence. Vacant shop properties were plentiful, and rents were cheap, so I was able to start up quite easily. In fact, my first landlord was the singer, Billy Ocean, who owned 54 Atlantic Road where I started. I knew nothing about running a retail business; I just knew I wanted to sell jewellery and beautiful handmade things. I also knew I wanted people to come into my shop and see the whole of the community represented in greeting cards and other gift products. The name of the shop came from that idea. Initially, it was hard to get some design-led companies to supply us. I never knew if this was because we were in Brixton

or because the business was owned by a black woman (things were still very racist and sexist in the business world back then). Now I get free samples from companies eager to have their products in Brixton! The gentrification of Brixton has finally started to work for us as a business. There are a lot more visitors to the area and the newer residents seem to like what we do. Whether we’ll be able to stay in Brixton as commercial rents rise remains to be seen but we plan to be around for as long we can. As a black woman in business, I have had to work hard and assert myself to be respected and taken seriously. I think the way I have been raised has given me resilience and other skills that have helped me to understand and survive what can be a very tricky market. The gift sector is still quite traditional in many ways but it’s increasingly being led by independent designer-makers, many of whom are female and/or from BAME backgrounds. They tend to be more inclusive and flexible in the way they do business. Things are changing but even today some people are surprised when they learn I’m the owner of the shop. I hope my staying power and professionalism proves to them and others that ‘people like me’ can be successful business people too. ■■390 Coldharbour Lane | SW9 8LF | 020 7733 1488 | diverse-gifts.myshopify.com

Fifi Anderson – Queen Esther Spa

– Ms Cupcake doors. I knew a women-led, ethical enterprise would have the support and space to grow here. Eight years on, the landscape of business in Brixton has certainly changed, but what remains the same is the backing we continue to have from the local community who to this day still champion independent, inventive businesses. ■■408 Coldharbour Lane | SW9 8LF 020 3086 8933 | mscupcake.co.uk

I love working in Brixton. It’s opened up doors and brought me opportunities I might not have received if I had been elsewhere. Clients always comment on Brixton’s vibrance and how it feels like home for them. It’s an honour to be part of the community. I embrace every opportunity to empower any woman that steps through our doors. Brixton was the best choice to start business for me and I’m grateful for everyone I’ve encountered and absolutely excited for its future! ■■80 Atlantic Rd | SW9 8PX | 020 7642 0249 | queenestherspa.co.uk CONNECT WITH US

BRIXTON BID Room 3C, Floor 3 International House Canterbury Crescent London SW9 7QD

020 3417 7373 BrixtonBID BrixtonBID brixtonbid.co.uk

APRIL 2019 brixtonblog.com FOOD & DRINK  15

FOOD & DRINK TRUFFLE @ KING & CO

Funghis to be with Nick Buglione dines out at King & Co’s latest kitchen pop-up, Truffle

Last Christmas, Santa popped Italian truffles into my stocking, the foodie/aspiring foodie’s favourite fungus after the morel. As yet, sitting clueless in my pantry with an undetermined future. So, I am interested in local indy pub King & Co’s latest kitchen takeover by streetfood funghimeisters Truffle, departing from their kerbsides and foodie markets to come indoors. From trademark burgers to classic street snackery and big meats, the musky, perfumed, heavily umami flavour is sprinkled semi-luxuriously in and out of Tom “Truffle” Bickers’ menu. Street food staples meet the caviar of funghi. In a pub. I declare my hand here, I am

not your classic “pub man” and a relative novice when it comes to the ways of “carefully curated, daily changing, craft beer tap lists”. But, in an increasingly consolidated world of homogenised unimaginative pub chains and “hipster” chains (owned by the big brewers of course) pretending not to be chains, a proper indy local is increasingly rare. Not in a knowingly tongue-incheek KP naked lady peanuts and Mr Porky’s on the menu kind of way but local, independent and in the case of King & Co, interesting cheffy pop-ups. King & Co is a proper local happy to let you sample their beers until you find your chosen pint. Alongside a dark robust Hungarian Kekfrankos Koch red, my Truffle Scotch egg does what it says on the tin. Not dramatically refined and not the runniest yolk ever encountered but a good egg, with recognisable truffle flavour meandering throughout. Ditto the classic (hint of Abigail’s Party), Baked Camembert – upgraded with truffle honey and sourdough toasts. Naughty but nice. Like a boxer after

the weigh-in, my buddy Michael has just run a marathon so is happily rewarding himself for his recent 26 miles, excavating the last remnants of the bowl with gusto. Turn off the

Fitbit and go for it. I am not such a novice when it comes to the world of burgers (is anyone?). Truffle’s signature rendition is a big bad bouncing boy,

100 Clapham Park Road, Clapham, London SW4 7BZ | 020 7498 1971 | thekingandco.uk | @TheKingandCo

beef and smoked bacon, fig jam, raclette (Alpine drippy cheese) and truffle mayo. Turn off the Fitbit and go for it. Ex-dairy dry-aged beef patty, its meaty juices mingling with jammy, cheesy bedfellows and yes, you can taste the truffle adding an extra rich infusion. Michael, having recovered remarkably quickly from Camembert indulgence, sets off on quite the Sunday lunch (sort of). Whole roast chicken (think poussin dimension) with a rich foie gras and brioche stuffing, roasted veg and … enter the truffle in an agreeably creamy mash. Well cooked, nicely assembled and just that little bit different – I am stealing the stuffing for next Christmas. While themed thus, the menu doesn’t overdo the truffle and there is stuff to come back for – I am thinking about the mackerel tartare or the potentially showstopping rib of beef with boulangère potatoes and confit garlic. Truffle are around in Clapham Park Road until the end of March, but the King & Co isn’t going anywhere and the kitchen is worth keeping a regular eye on.

16  FOOD & DRINK brixtonblog.com

2019 APRIL

INTERVIEW: TRATTORIA FRANZINA

Palermo faith Brixton’s home to Sicilian dining, Franzina Trattoria, has left its cosy sea container in Pop Brixton after four years to move to a bigger “proper” restaurant just around the corner. Run by Stefania Taormina and head chef Pietro Franz, Franzina, as any discerning local will tell you, serves up wholesome, authentic Sicilian dishes to go with a glass of wine and a chat. While Brixton welcomes Cattivo, and soon to arrive Maremma, Stefania and Pietro have brought their classic Sicilian dining, with quirky touches, to Coldharbour Lane. We popped in. How did Franzina start out at Pop? Four years ago, it was a case of being brave, getting the chance and having good luck. Pietro was already a chef, I was working

as a pharmacist in food nutrition and alternative medicine. Friends would encourage us to develop our own concept and so I took a year off to see what we could do. London seemed open to something like us and then we found out about Pop Brixton. I quit my job for good, we met our sea container, and our journey began. Did you grow up around cooking? Pietro and I both grew up in families with a great passion for food. My grandfather was a chef, my mother is a chef. Food and the celebration of it was part of every day. Everyone gets involved. I think it is part of the DNA. We try to bring some of the great traditions of the friendly family trattoria to Franzina. Why the change of premises? Pop Brixton was where we were born and, despite the obvious challenges, we loved the sea container. I cried when we closed the door for the last time as it was like “my first child”. It was really difficult as we make all our own pasta and bread, sauces and desserts and you need room. And not everything you would like to cook is practical in that space. We only had 16 seats. Now we can operate on a bigger, better scale with the bigger kitchen and can welcome roughly three times more people. In the end we all have to grow up. What defines Sicilian regional cuisine? I always have this discussion with our customers. If you drive from the north to the south of Italy, you pass through so many

different regional cuisines, in both food and wine, culture, language and cooking methods. In Sicily, it is heavily Mediterranean and, as it is close to North Africa, we have Lebanese and North African influences blended with our traditions of handmade pasta. There is a great tradition for vegetables in Sicily while in northern Italy, the diet is more meaty. And fish is central, especially along the coast. Octopus, for example, you will find everywhere in Sicily as a street food – we

have kept ours just as simple, chargrilled with lemon, oil and sea salt as a big dish to share. It is a very healthy diet. How would you describe the menu? The menu is faithful to when we were at Pop as we want to show the methods and the traditions of Sicily and we enjoy bringing our traditions to people who may not know Sicilian food. Aubergine, pesto, octopus and the chickpea fritters are all big favourites but

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APRIL 2019 brixtonblog.com FOOD & DRINK  17 REVIEW2: THUNDERBIRD

Gives you wings Nick Buglione goes finger lickin’ Chicken at Thunderbird.

we also grew up with the tradition of whatever was that day’s catch or what was in season in the market, so there are daily specials that change all the time depending on what we can find. Do you use Brixton Market? Of course, absolutely, but the market is also important to me as a connection to my home city Palermo. Pietro and I are there every day, especially for vegetables and seeing what the market has to offer. Meats, herbs, spices, whatever we can find. And we love it as it is similar to our Mercato della Vucciria in the historic centre of Palermo, where everyone knows you – everyone says “Ciao”. You mention you like to work with ‘poor meats’, what does that mean? We use high-quality meats across the menu, but Sicily was traditionally a poor country, which is why there is a lot of fish and vegetables in Sicilian food. People couldn’t afford the elite cuts of, for example, beef. So we take a pleasure in using the “cheaper” cuts and slow cooking techniques. Pietro also likes to add creative, sometimes quirky, touches to our dishes. These are often dishes from our grandmothers which didn’t always look “pretty’ so Pietro likes to be creative with the presentation while keeping the true simple essence of the dish. 395 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 7LQ | 07802 473444 | franzinatrattoria.com | @ franzinatrattoria | @Franzpietro1

To misquote Watford striker Troy Deeney, you have to have a decent portion of “cojones” to open a chicken shop in downtown Brixton when the likes of Fancy Funkin’ Chicken, Chicken Liquor and fellow dirty street food travellers have come and gone. London’s spiritual home of fried chicken hosts everyone from Jeff the Chef’s legendary little van (worth a visit BTW) right through to KFC. And there’s Nando’s chipping in, so it’s a competitive world. But not always a perfect one. What the new-wave buttermilk brigade brought was, in most cases, a new improved take on the old classic fried bird. Better chicken, better cooking, a wealth of new flavours from kimchi to habanero to chipotle, serious spice, big heat. Taking chicken away from 3am-soakup-the booze-only-place-open-on-thewobble-home guilty secret and into more discerning territory. Enter Thunderbird. Latest arrival in Market Row. Via the now well-trod route of street food van start-up (Dinerama and Giant Robot) upgrades to perma-site. Where the shortlived Pieminster used to live we have a small, order-at-the-counter joint decked out in dark blue with trademark “lightning bolt” lighting, minimalist deco, stools and tables downstairs, bit boothier upstairs. Simples. Thunderbird apparently came about after Matt Harris found himself stateside after an unsuccessful attempt to become a Nascar driver. Finding himself at a loose end, he discovered the fried chicken and BBQ of the Deep South. Developed his own recipes. Bought a van. Got cooking. So the Thunderbird menu is pretty simple – WingFest award-winning wings, buns, boxes and buckets, sides, shakes and beers. This is never the kind of food I cook at home so a bit of a sneaky treat, to which I have brought daughter#1 along. 10 Market Row, SW9 8LB | thunderbirdckn.co.uk | @ThunderbirdCKN

DIY COCKTAIL/RECIPE: LYCHEE SAKETINI Among the bewildering world of varieties of martini, from James Bond classic to dirty to pornstar, arguably our favourite at the Bugle Towers cocktail bar is the refreshing lychee saketini, fusing classic martini vodka jolt with soothing notes of cucumber and perfumed lychee. Sake isn’t hard to find online, specialised shops or major supermarkets.

INGREDIENTS

¡¡ 2 fl oz vodka (or gin) ¡¡ 4 fl oz unfiltered sake ¡¡ 4 fl oz lychee juice (from tin) ¡¡ Lychee (from tin)

¡¡ Maraschino cherry (optional)

METHOD 22 Fill a cocktail shaker two thirds full with ice 22 Add vodka, unfiltered sake, and lychee juice 22 Shake vigorously 22 Serve in a chilled martini glass

First stop – wings. We tried all sorts, mid-table heat Chipuffalo (buffalo, chipotle, coriander with blue cheese), a fairly nuclear spicy Habanero (roasted red pepper cream, habanero, tamarind), BBQ and a Thunderbird signature, Salted caramel. Little B’s faves were the salted caramel with a funky sweet and sour salty thing going on. Me? Probably the fiery lip-tingling Habanero. While Miss B enthusiastically dives into a cookies & cream shake, buns arrive. Her, Thunderbun, fried chicken, “secret” Awesome sauce, iceberg and pickles. Me? With eyes

bigger than any reasonable capacity I went for the big kahuna Meltdown, molten jalapeno and miso cheese, charred pepper aioli, iceberg and pickles. Plus, similarly styled Cajun Meltdown fries. I am perhaps inadvertently in a rogue episode of Man V Food somewhere in Tennessee? Clearly this is all a cut above run of the mill “new-chicken”. Matt and co have come up with some interesting combos, and not a little backstage technique, which all works. The chicken is moist with super crispy cladding, my jalapeno-miso cheese is great and once again, Thunderbird bring the heat (they happily down grade the spice for junior B so if you want it calmed down, just ask). You can also have combo boxes and group buckets and get messy. What’s not to like? Thunderbird is not revolutionary, it’s evolutionary, with innovative detours from the usual. A chicken shop is in the end, a chicken shop and Thunderbird is an interesting new arrival on the starting grid. Chicken tonight? Thunderbird will give you (spicy) wings.

the tavern

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22 Garnish with lychee and maraschino cherry

Pimp it? “Blush” it with an extra dash of fruit puree, mango works really well for a tropical twist

The Elm Park Tavern, 76 Elm Park, SW2 2UB

18  WHAT’S ON brixtonblog.com

2019 APRIL

WHAT’S ON Rap over Beethoven Brixton Chamber Orchestra (BCO) will team up with some of South London’s best MCs to deliver a grimeclassical fusion show at Brixton’s Prince of Wales on 22 March. BCO is a group of young professional instrumentalists from Brixton – but they are not your standard classical orchestra. Since they launched last summer, they have been dedicated to engaging with the different musical cultures of Brixton: they played calypso in the summer, disco at Electric Brixton in October, and teamed up with Brixton Seventh Day Adventist Gospel Choir in November. Now, they are experimenting with grime, one of the most popular music genres in South London. BCO will perform with popular grime artists including Yizzy, Terra, young Brixton-based collective Team Money and leading grime producer and DJ Treble Cleff at Brixton’s Prince of Wales. Terra said: “I’m excited to perform with a live orchestra, it’s something I’ve never done – and in my hometown of Brixton it’s definitely going to be a lively night!” Gen, whose new single Nottingham Trent has gained much critical acclaim, said he is looking forward to

rapping over powerful samples from classical music. “Classical and grime performance are both driven, forceful, inventive and display a virtuosic level of skill. Orchestral instruments feature in loads of well-known grime beats but are rarely performed live, so we think this is a natural collaboration,” says BCO’s music director Matthew O’Keeffe. BCO will lend a 30-piece ensemble to the artists’ songs and play orchestrated covers of classic grime beats, as well as sampling music from Stravinsky and Shostakovich to Bartok and Beethoven, producing new sounds for this exciting collaboration. The orchestra aims to champion classical music to new audiences in unexpected places. As well as being musically innovative, it sees performances such as this as a way to pull listeners toward the orchestral repertoire. AA Doors 8pm, Live performances 9-12, DJs till 3am playing the best of UK Rap MCs: Gen, Terra, Taliifah, Squintz, and special guest Yizzy Brixton Chamber Orchestra, directed by Matthew O’Keeffe DJs: Roof Access from Balamii Radio, Benteki from Reprezent Radio, and Ben Harris – DJ Nips.

Getting together at Brixton Rec (l-r) Beka Reid, Matthew O’Keeffe, Alex Shad, James Howell, Michael Ruddlesden, Joshua Brook and Yizzy

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APRIL 2019 brixtonblog.com WHAT’S ON  19

WHAT’S ON Windmill programme for the year

Gigs at the Greenhouses back by popular demand Enjoy some seriously good sounds with delicious food and drinks at the Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses – the community garden with an acre of grow space and 400 square metres under glass.

Sunday 7 April, 4.30-7pm FAITH I BRANKO kick off the season. The Serbian-UK ensemble were described by The Guardian as “musically a delight” and by BBC Radio 3 as “moving, breathtaking and virtuostic”.

Sunday 28 April, 5-7.30pm DOOLALLY TAP perform a hot jazz mix of rags, swinging blues and melodies from the 1920s, Led by trombonist David Lalljee and early jazz expert/sousaphone player Tom Briers, their performances recreate the energy of the prohibition era in true New Orleans style.

Book tickets for both events at brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk

Volunteer The greenhouses are looking for people to help out with gardening, activities for children, cooking, carpentry, fundraising, selling plants and produce, and helping at events. To become a BPCG volunteer sign up at brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk. The website also has details of workshops, kids’ term-time and holiday activities or contact Helen at education@brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk

Bees at Brockwell There are three new hives full of bees. To get involved in bee-keeping at BPCG, go along on a Sunday after 1.30pm when you will find Petros and/or David working in the apiary.

NEVER AGAIN

Wednesday 27 March, 7pm, Brixton Library In 1976, the extreme right National Front was the fourth largest party in Britain. In a context of national decline, racism and fears that the country was collapsing into social unrest, it won 19 per cent of the vote in elections in Leicester and 100,000 votes in London. In response, an anti-fascist campaign was born. It combined mass action with

a mass cultural movement. Rock Against Racism brought punk and reggae bands together as a weapon against the right. Through the Anti-Nazi League hundreds of thousands of people painted out racist graffiti, distributed leaflets and persuaded those around them to vote

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against the right. This combined movement was one of the biggest mass campaigns that Britain has ever seen. David Renton’s book Never Again tells the story of the National Front and the campaign that stopped it. Join him in conversation at Brixton Library.

Brixton Windmill’s programme for the year includes highlights like its Beer and Bread Festival, Art in the Park Harvest Festival and the fourth annual Windmill Lecture. The season opens on 13 and 14 April with an open weekend offering guided tours of the windmill. The popular heritage walks in the area around the windmill led by London blue badge tourist guides start on Sunday 14 April. Just turn up at 1pm and pay on the day. Walks cost £6, concessions £4, children free, with proceeds going towards the refurbishment work on Brixton Windmill. The windmill’s new education centre is due to be completed this summer and will provide improved facilities for visitors and allow the Friends of Windmill Gardens to expand their education programme. AA Full programme at www. brixtonwindmill.org.uk.

Tell your story The Clapham Park Creative Co-op is a collaborative storytelling project where artists and residents work together to tell the story of the neighbourhood using art, photography and film, oral history and performance. The Co-op will be holding free Saturday afternoon creative residencies at the Clapham Park Community Resource Centre (Headlam Road, SW4 8HP) until 4 May. You can join Marcia Chandra and Justin O’Shaughnessy to explore history using photography and storytelling, and

learn new skills in creative producing. 16 March Cyanotypes workshop 2.30 to 5pm 23 March Learn Photography Storytelling 2.30 to 5pm 30 March Living history, tea and music afternoon 2.30 to 5pm 6 April Learn Photography Storytelling 2.30 to 5pm 20 April Learn Photography Storytelling 2.30 to 5pm AA Register by email at claphamparkcreative@ gmail.com, or just come along on the day. Details at claphamparkcreative.org.

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20  WHAT’S ON brixtonblog.com

2019 APRIL

Jamila Omar rounds up a selection of gigs and more in Brixton and nearby FRI 15 @ BLUES KITCHEN

DJ royalty NORMAN JAY brings his legendary turntable skills to the Acre Lane venue with a set of toe-tapping funk and soul from midnight onwards, with house band the Atlantic Soul Orchestra playing party anthems and dance classics galore. 10.30pm – 2.30am. £11.50.

SAT 16 @ BRIXTON VILLAGE

One of the original “Funki Dreds” and longstanding member of the world-renowned musical collective SOUL II SOUL, Aitch B brings some rock-solid dance moves to the Village – a taste of things to come as the Village moves forward to making its mark as a music hub. 7pm-10.30pm. Free.

SUN 17@ THE WINDMILL

Expect 50 shades of green and Guinness galore at this ST PATRICKS NIGHT extravaganza, with a freeform Irish dancing competition, a talent show covering Irish acts and all manner of booze-based antics. It’s always a sell-out, so book early to avoid disappointment! From 6pm. £5.

MON 18 @ CHIP SHOP BRIXTON

DJs select a mix of classic funk, disco and soul, epic hip-hop cuts and rare picks all on VINYL, mostly 45s. Hosting the night is Misbehaviour, who after cutting her teeth on the London scene moved to Brooklyn, so is influenced by life on both sides of the pond. Each week there’ll be a top special guest, so come along, join the community and celebrate the art of the DJ. 7pm-midnight. Free.

TUE 19 @ THE JUNCTION

With an accomplished house band featuring bar manager Luke Fowler getting dextrous on the DOUBLE BASS, expect some top-notch musicianship at this affordable, independent boozer. 7.30-11pm. Free.

WED 20 @ HOOTANANNY

Monthly event Floor Rippers Element Jam gives a glimpse into HIP HOP culture with music, dance and wordplay. The host of the evening brings together the multi-faceted layers into one seamless ensemble with musicians, dancers, MCs and fans getting together in a melting pot of talent and culture. 9pm-midnight. Free.

THUR 21 @ BREAD & ROSES

London-based Uncle Monty mash up HARDHITTING FOLK and alternative indy pop in Clapham at the UK’s only trade-union owned boozer. Expect a great selection of craft beers and spirits too. 9pm-11pm. Free.

FRI 22 @ EFFRA SOCIAL

FRI 29 @ HOOTANANNY

A spontaneous, fast-moving, genre-leaping mix of fun, dancefloor-filling POP THUMPERS and anthems from the likes of Dolly Parton, Eminem, The Cure, Kelis, Sean Paul, Nirvana, David Bowie and more, hosted by Brixton Buzz. 9pm-1am. Free.

If you’ve ever had the chance to see CRYSTAL FIGHTERS at a festival, you’ll know that their live shows are a life-affirming experience. Witness a joyous explosion of beats, electronics and bass, delivered dazzlingly onstage by one of the most creative and colourful bands on the planet. 7pm. £23.75.

See some of the greatest living legends in ROOTS & DUB right here in Brixton, including Grammy-winning and delightfully eccentric Lee Scratch Perry, Mad Professor, Trojan Records vs Tru Thoughts and Steel Pulse. 10pm-4am. £20.

FRI 5 @ PRINCE OF WALES

SUN 24 @ PHONOX Pantha Du Prince (aka German producer/ artist Henrik Weber) showcases his unique combo of twisted minimal TECHNO, electronica and ambient soundscapes with Yu Su supporting. 4pm-10pm. £22.40.

Each Monday, Neville from Wu Style TAI CHI CHUAN holds a free community class in Brixton. This traditional Chinese martial art has many potential health benefits including improved posture and balance, circulation, flexibility, core strength, joint mobility, focus and concentration. Open to all and suitable for all ages and abilities. 12.30-1.30pm. Free.

TUE 26 @ TRINITY ARMS Test your knowledge to win a £25 bar tab at this weekly PUB QUIZ, held every Tuesday. 8-10pm. Free.

WED 27 @ CLUB 414 A weekly JAM SESSION that provides some of Brixton’s best established and upcoming artists and musicians with the chance to play in front of a live audience to gain that vital experience needed before moving on to bigger and better things. Rev. Be. Atwell and Rev D Wayne Love (both of Alabama 3) take care of the night’s proceedings. 10pm-3am. Free with flyer or £3 b412, £5 after.

THUR 28 @ PRINCE OF WALES Thursday nights at the POW are dedicated to LIVE JAZZ. Jazz nights have been running weekly here for four years now, making this a south London institution for late night live music. The Banger Factory House Band are often joined by industry professionals. 11pm3am. Free.

Herne Hill’s Off The Cuff Bar presents a night of LIVE MUSIC from local singers and songwriters each and every Wednesday. Well worth a look. 8pm. Free.

THUR 4 @ 02 BRIXTON ACADEMY

SAT 23@ ELECTRIC BRIXTON

MON 25 @ POP BRIXTON

WED 3 @ OFF THE CUFF

Last year, on the 50th anniversary of the band’s inception, Harlem legends THE LAST POETS delivered their first album in over 20 years. Now they’re bringing this revolutionary masterpiece live to the heart of Brixton with this extremely special show. Performing alongside Nostalgia 77, Zena Edwards, Moody Boyz and D Wattsriot, this is a rare opportunity to catch one of the most influential groups of the last century. 9pm-3am. £5-£10.

SAT 30 @ PHONOX

Saturday night resident Esa ushers in a new era as he makes the Brixton club his home. Originally from Cape Town, his DJ sets are a fusion of sound that marries his South African heritage with high-energy house, disco and world music, ready-made for the dance floor. 9pm-4am.

SUN 31 @ BOOK & RECORD EXCHANGE

Pop up to West Norwood and this wonderfully quirky bar for a two-hour LIVE MUSIC RADIO SHOW from Zoe Baxter. Midday-2pm. Free.

MON 1 @ @ EFFRA SOCIAL

Comedy improvisation show Duck Duck Goose host their IMPROV JAM plus guests in the Effra Social’s Churchill Lounge every Monday. You can watch or join in! 7.30pm. Free.

TUE 2 @ BRIXTON POUND CAFE

Come along to this friendly and welcoming local hub for this hour-long YOGA CLASS. 11am – 12.30pm. Free or pay what you can.

A flamboyant extravaganza of aural delights, A DISCO ODYSSEY is a monthly event where the cream of Europe’s disco hedonists get Lost in Music, taking you on a crate-digging journey from the Studio 54 heyday to today’s club-ready edits, all overseen by producer, musician and DJ Philipp Lauer. 9pm-4am. From £5.

SAT 6 @ DOGSTAR

Two rooms play the best in all your FAVOURITE MUSIC across the board. Private bookings and booths available for big groups, with pool and table football until 1am. 9pm4am.

SUN 7 @ CLUB 414

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. 10pm3am. Free.

MON 8 @ THE ELM PARK TAVERN

Hosted by everyone’s favourite bartender Josh, this PUB QUIZ gives you a chance to use your brain and all of its randomly stored snippets of info to win loads of great prizes such as a bottle of wine, free rounds and, of course, the mega cash pot. Book a table through hello@elmparktavern.co.uk. 8pm start, £2 per person.

TUE 9 @ PRINCE OF WALES

Come and join the relaxed, entertaining and bang up to date BIG FAT QUIZ every Tuesday, where the main ingredient is fun. Each quizmaster is a successful performer in their own right. From trained actors to professional stand-up comedians – the stuff in between is every bit as good as the questions. £2 per person. 8-11pm.

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APRIL 2019 brixtonblog.com WHAT’S ON  21

X WED 10 @ QUEEN’S HEAD

Musicians from all over London play a mixture of genres at WICKED WEDNESDAY JAM. This weekly event calls all musicians, singers, MCs, the local musical community and beyond. 10pm-3am. £3.

THUR 11 @ EFFRA HALL TAVERN

This long-running JAZZ JAM SESSION is still going strong at this much-loved Brixton boozer after many years. 9pm-midnight. Free.

FRI 12 @ BLUES KITCEN

Never mind the date, the Brixton Mardi Gras channels the spirit of New Orleans with party-starting brass bands and dazzling DJs. Bands transform funk, soul and pop classics into brassy bangers. This time – NO LIMIT STREET BAND. Residents Atlantic Soul Orchestra play the late set from 12:45am. Lightsup at 2:30am. £5.72.

SAT 13 @ ELECTRIC BRIXTON

Nepali Music Festival UK Live 2019 celebrates the Nepali New Year (it’s 2076, BTW) with some of the finest artists of Nepal live in the UK. Hosted by Nia Dewan and Lex Limbu with Laure, Sabin Rai and The Pharoah, and Trishna Gurung. 9.45pm. £33.

SUN 14 @ HOOTANANNY

Born in Salvador, the cultural centre of African descent and diaspora in BRAZIL, Silas Giron sings in six languages and associates his work with the percussive culture of Bahia, defined by an intense relationship with Orkestra Rumpilezz, a wind and percussion outfit that fuses ancestral Afro-Bahian music with contemporary jazz.

MON 15 @ BRIXTON REC

NETBALL: great for fitness and friends. All welcome at the regular Monday sessions – from those who have never played to people who hung up their trainers only a couple of years ago via those who played school. No need to book. 5.30pm – 6.30pm. £3.50.

What’s on at Whirled The House That Jack Built Sun 17 March | starts 6pm Lars von Trier directs his most provocative work to date. The topic of The House That Jack Built is violence as art. Matt Dillon plays serial killer Jack, who leads us through the thought processes behind his increasingly depraved murders. He retells his crimes to Verge (Bruno Ganz) as if they were works of art. The audience is invited to question the nature of art and where its limits lie – with dark humour and cinematic vision. Disobedience Mon 18 to Wed 20 March | starts 8pm Sun 24 March | starts 6pm Following his Oscar-winning A Fantastic Woman, Sebastián Lelio returns with another drama with a strong female voice at its centre. Ronit Krushka (Rachel Weisz) returns to her orthodox Jewish home following the death of her rabbi father, from whom she was estranged due to an attraction to a female childhood friend (Rachel McAdams). Once back, their passions reignite as they explore the boundaries of faith and sexuality. The Lego Movie Sun 30 March | starts 11am, doors 10.30 With beautiful animation, a charming voice cast, laugh-a-minute gags, and a surprisingly thoughtful story, The Lego Movie is colourful fun for all ages. An Impossible Love Mon 1 to Wed 3 April | starts 8pm Sun 27 April starts 6pm A semi-autobiographical novel is the basis of Leaving and Summertime director Catherine Corsini’s drama An Impossible Love. Virginie Efira is superb as Rachel, a young woman whose 1950s

DISCO FESTIVAL

TUES 16 @ POP BRIXTON

WED 17 @ BROCKWELL PARK

BAREFOOT BOOGIE

It’s the Brixton stage of the 10K and 5K CHASE THE SUN series. Run around the paths of the park and battle to finish before the sun sets. Medal at the end. Starts 8.30pm. £21. Book at findarace.com.

THUR 18 @ POW

The Prince of Wales kicks off its ROOFTOP SEASON with a Strictly 80s event, including karaoke and free inflatables. 8p – 3am. £10.

FRI 19 @ WINDMILL

It’s the BAD FRIDAY FESTIVAL at The Windmill with eight bands including Indian Queens, Fake Empire, Frost, Peach Club, Polygraph and Videocean, plus booze and BBQ. Starts 3pm. £9 advance.

The Great Game Thurs 4 April | starts 8pm Jon Beardmore, 38 and frustrated with his 9-5 career, makes a decision that will change his life. Inspired by a game of cricket in the Afghanistan capital Kabul, he sets out on a nine-month solo journey across central Asia in a 20-year-old Landcruiser. His documentary – named for what British imperialists called the nineteenth century struggle between Britain and Russia to control Afghanistan – asks if central Asia is as dangerous as we are led to believe. R.O.C album launch and video playback Thurs 11 April | starts 8.30pm, doors 8pm R.O.C launch their fourth album Bile & Celestial Beauty with an exclusive screening of the album’s seven hyper-colour videos and a rare live performance. Ukrainian video director Oleg Rooz’s credits include Enter Shikari, Dillinger Escape Plan and Gogol Bordello. His R.O.C videos will be looped on screen and R.O.C will perform a live set with full band. R.O.C albums range from pure pop to pure noise. The late John Peel said of them: “You never know what you’re gonna get next from this lot – I’m all in favour of that”. Tickets, £11.25, from http://bit.ly/ROC-Whirled More at rocmusic.com AA Doors open one hour before start time unless otherwise stated

Whirled Cinema | 259 Hardess Street, SE24 0HN | 020 7737 6153 | www.whirledcinema.com

Brixton Disco Festival returns on Saturday 27 April. Taking place across Electric Brixton, Prince of Wales, The Ritzy, and The Black Cultural Archives. The festival will see the likes of Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King, Greg Wilson, Francois K & Cosmo, Low Life with Bill Brewster, Frank Broughton, and Brixton Disco Festival Orchestra join in the celebration.

First session of a new drop-in LIFE DRAWING session with illustrator and tutor Rana Fadavi. Materials available to buy or bring your own. Small easels and drawing boards provided. Email interest to info@londondrawing.com. 7-9pm. £10.

affair with a callous young man (Niels Schneider) results in the birth of a daughter and a relationship that continues across decades. Based on Christine Angot’s (co-writer of Let the Sunshine In) controversial novel, Corsini’s impeccably directed and moving drama is beautifully made and stunning to look at.

Barefoot Boogie on 29 March at Studio B,130 Brixton Hill, SW2 1RS, was founded by DJ Francisco to provide a friendly, local and accessible sober dance session – a place to come together, get down, connect and celebrate life. With a funky, two-hour musical journey each week to lift your mood, warming up from chilled grooves to full on raving vibes. Francisco spent ten years promoting Throb at The Telegraph (now sadly defunct) just up the hill from Studio B.

LONGFIELD HALL Longfield Hall invites you to an evening celebrating the artists who performed there at 7.30pm on Friday 29 March. There will be music, dance, comedy and theatre – enjoy performances from a diverse range of artists, have a drink at a new pop-up bar. Tickets are free, but please reserve to avoid disappointment: http://bit.ly/ Longfield-celebration

FOR THE RECORDS

You still have time to catch local artist Martin Grover’s exhibition of paintings of the sleeves of vinyl records that take those old enough back to the 1960s and 70s and those great days of 45s, record shops and Tamla Motown. Each beautifully rendered piece celebrates an age of vinyl, clunky technology and iconic designs while paying homage to the classic songs and artists of that era. Definitely worth a visit, the show runs until 24 March in the Graham Hunter Gallery, 81 Baker Street, W1U 8QR. AA Open Monday – Friday 9.30 – 6.00, Saturday 10.00 – 5.00, Sunday 11.00 – 4.00 . Call 020 7935 7794. AA For further information on Martin Grover’s work go to www.martingrover.com.

22  brixtonblog.com 2019 APRIL GARDENING GEMMA PASHA

POSY BERNSTEIN’S DATING DIARY

Get out and get happy

Love and forgiveness, as always

Many years ago, well nearly five years to be exact, I felt like I needed to make some serious life changes. My personal and work life weren’t what I had hoped for, and losing my Mum suddenly turned my world upside down. I needed to make some changes to my life, which is when I turned to gardening. I have always loved the outdoors and exercise but I have also suffered from anxiety and low mood at times. So when, Gardening Girl came to be I would never have dreamt of the profound effect it would have on my whole life. It’s no secret that gardening is a form of exercise, or that fresh air is a great tonic for a low mood, but the benefits of gardening for our mental health goes far beyond that. There is a sense of nurture in nature, and growing and tending and caring for plants gives us a sense of responsibility and purpose. If we don’t look after them, prune them, water them or otherwise care for them, then they will die. This responsibility really helps people with mental health issues. Gardening connects us with nature and in a busy, urban, concrete jungle, where we are all plugged into either a phone, tablet or TV, this is vital to keep us destressed and relaxed. Just being in a green space can help calm and ease the mind. It also helps people feel at one with the world, which helps to overcome feelings

PPE boy and I arranged to go to the BFI for our second date. He asked if I wanted to see that Toni Collette horror film, which I did want to see – but I insisted we see a Jane Fonda-Robert Redford RomCom instead. It’s not that I’m a sap who can only watch RomComs and can’t handle a thriller, I just am an incredibly anxious and annoying horror film watcher – I can’t relax and jump/shriek every three minutes. Considering the fact that on second dates one is still meant to be displaying a sane version of self, I felt that watching a horror film may not be the best idea. I didn’t think much about this decision and loved watching young ginger Fonda decorate a tiny 1960s New York apartment opposite uptight Redford. However, a few months later I learned that this decision may have been what caused PPE boy to rather cruelly ghost me. He seemingly enjoyed the Fonda-Redford film, and we went on another date after that, then slept together, and then he disappeared. Last week, I came across his profile on a different dating app, with the bio: “The hallmark of a great relationship is a mutual commitment to eating food that is too spicy and films that are too scary”. It felt, very much, like a personal attack. I almost wanted to message and say: “I CAN WATCH SCARY FILMS. I CAN!” Or: “What about ghost movies? I don’t really like ghost movies but here we are.” Instead, I glowed in the smugness that his sentence structure was so poor that it sounded like he wanted to eat scary movies. Posy xoxo

of self-absorption. In addition to this, plants won’t judge you. If you struggle with social interactions then you have nothing to fear from spending time outside. Caring and watching something you have nurtured grow is amazing for self confidence and self esteem. As I mentioned before, gardening is great exercise and if you put in a decent session not only can you burn off some unwanted calories but you will release endorphins which can help you feel relaxed and satisfied. Regular exercise can help you sleep better, or promote weight loss. And, believe it or not, concentrating on a specific task can give our brain a break from all the day-to-day worries and stresses of life. And, finally, it can be a great way to vent some anger. Hacking away at an overgrown shrub, digging over a whole bed of unwanted weeds or just take it out on the bramble bush you have always hated. So, with a thriving business and a team of fantastic mothers working alongside me I am happier and healthier than I could ever have imagined possible. And I put it all down to the benefits of being able to work outside, amongst nature doing something I love. 66 If you would like to learn more about gardening or would like to learn alongside me while we sort your garden out then give me a call on 07826 551353.

APRIL 2019

Hill Mead HERALD

Getting Lao Lao out of the tower

Reading The Gruffalo with biscuits

This month’s page is a celebration of our parents’ involvement in the children’s learning. Building on our very

successful parent and child theatre trips and workshops, we have organised more in-school opportunities for our parents to join in – sharing

Defeating dragons with maths skills To celebrate Chinese New Year on 5 February, we invited our parents in to help us with our maths challenges. There were lots of different maths problems related to the story Lao Lao of Dragon Mountain by Margaret Bateson Hill, which we have been reading. We used our maths skills to get Lao Lao out of the tower and collect as many papercuts as she could on the way out. We also worked out how many fortune cookies we would need to share at

our table to celebrate Chinese New Year. All the challenges involved maths skills we have been learning over the year which we could show off to our parents. It was a great opportunity for parents and carers to work alongside their child and others to see exactly what they have been learning. Abigale Kanini – Year 1 parent – I think they’re brilliant, it’s so good to get to come and work with your child. It’s so interactive and helps you

understand where they are with their learning. Anthony Cooper Edwards– Year 1 parent – Excellent. Brings parents and kids together and creates opportunities to do things

stories, creating artwork or working on tricky maths problems! And read about our home learning projects building Tudor houses and Iron with your children. Katy Neave – Year 1 parent– Really good, love how fun and interactive they are and get to see how far they’ve come with their learning. Natalie Merrifield – Year 1 parent– So much fun and a great way to see your child working first hand. Sarah Jones – Year 1 parent– It’s really good for the children and they’re so proud of their work and it’s a good incentive for them to work hard. Nejat Jaffer – Year 1 parent– Great opportunity for us as parents to know what our children are doing and a great way of spending time with them.

Our favourite books

Nursery parents spent the end of the school day reading with their children and talking about favourite books What stories do you like to read at home with your child? Edmond Kyle’s mum: “Dinosaur stories and anything with trucks and cars. He loves interactive books he can read along with, like The Gruffalo. What book will you bring in for World Book Day? Edmond Kyle: Diggersaurs. What was your favourite story growing up? Edmond Kyle’s mum: The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Even little sister helped to build our Tudor house

It was tricky! How we made an Iron Man

In Year 2 we have been learning about The Great Fire of London. To help build greater links between home and inside the classroom, instead of homework we set up a project to be carried out throughout the term. The children had a range of options including making Tudor houses, which was very popular, creating collages of the fire, making fact files and even writing a news report of the event itself. Both the parents and the children immersed themselves fully with the project. We had some wonderful creations brought to us on a weekly basis, which the children, and parents, presented with enormous levels of pride. May Lin and her older sister came

By Kacper (3 Blue) with Mr Szczepaniak and David (3 Red) with Mr Rodrigues

to talk to us about the process they went through of making their Tudor House and how much they enjoyed it. May Lin’s sister explained: “We spent a long time researching what a Tudor home looked like before we started. Once we had seen a couple of examples we got started. Making the windows was the hardest part, but adding the fire was so much fun. “We dedicated a whole day to it, but it was so much better than homework I used to do when I was younger, which just seemed like another day at school”. May Lin added: “My favourite part of the project was making the river Thames as all my family got involved to help, even my little sister who is in nursery!”

In Year 3, we have been reading The Iron Man by Ted Hughes. Over the half term holidays, we built Iron Men. We used different recycled materials, including boxes, cups, bottles, lids, toilet roll tubes, and even lights. Some children painted their Iron Men. We mixed black and white to create a shade of grey that we wanted. It was difficult having to paint each piece of the Iron Man separately and we worked together with our families to put the pieces of the Iron Man together as this was tricky! I really enjoyed what I had made at the end.

Man models. We believe that learning is much richer when it is a shared experience both at school and at home.

What are your favourite stories? Maida: The Princess and the Frog. I will bring it for World Book Day. Maher: Spiderman stories. What do you think of the biscuits the children made? Maida and Maher’s mum: Very yummy! What was your favourite story growing up? Angel’s mum: Jaqueline Wilson books – Tracey Beaker was my favourite.

We asked our families some questions about the project: Who in the family helped to make the Iron Man? David’s Dad: David and me Kacper’s Dad: Kacper’s brother, mum and I all helped. Did you enjoy being involved in the project and why? David’s Dad: Yes because it was very interesting and he likes to work with me as much as I like working with him! Kacper’s Dad: Yes, I did. It was a funny time with lots of laughing. It was a very creative few hours and we will definitely make some more projects together in the future.

Kacper with the Iron Man

What did you like best about the project? David’s Dad: The excitement of my children painting and I enjoyed the challenge. Kacper’s Dad: The happiness and concentration on the project and sharing ideas with moving parts of the Iron Man.

BRIXTON Immortals

Bugle SPORT FENCERS WELCOME EQUIPMENT GIFT

Imperium Investments has donated equipment to Brixton Fencing Club for senior fencers including one electric wireless set for recording hits while fencing and four ordinary spool systems. The donation is part of Imperium Invest­ ments’ sustained initiative to assist the club to allow children from across Lambeth to experience fencing through lessons and access to the club’s facilities. The company’s managing director Dmitry Leus, a former European fencing champion, said: “Sport can play a transformative role in a person’s life. It is not only about excelling at the sport itself. “There are also tremendous life skills to be gained from dedicated training and the experience of competition. “We are delighted to play a role in bringing the sport of fencing to local children and to work in close cooperation with the Brixton Fencing Club.” Chris Tidmarsh QC, chairman of the club’s committee. welcomed the donation, saying: “Brixton Fencing Club was founded in 2004 and has always aimed to make the sport of fencing more accessible to local children. The equipment will help us enormously with that aim for many years to come.”

COMMUNITY AWARD FOR SWIM TEACHER

honour the past and look to the future Brixton Immortals celebrated their triumphant season last year in the Anglo Caribbean Dominoes League (ACDL) and looked forward to new highpoints this year at an awards ceremony and dinner at the club’s Coldharbour Road headquarters at the weekend. Not only home to Brixton’s most successful sporting venture, the club is also a centre for the local community and its building hosts the Brixton Soup Kitchen and Lawyers in the Soup Kitchen. The Immortals topped the ACDL last year – winning every match they played. They celebrated much more than this at their event. Founder members of the club were honoured and one of them, Lloyd Leon MBE, Lambeth’s first Black mayor, recalled the efforts to establish the club in the aftermath of the 1981 riots in Brixton. As the Immortals name signifies, the club has a long history and is planning for an even longer future. Born out of the 1981 riots and the Scarman report into them, the club is now planning to help to turn the negative of youth violence and the issues associated with it into positive involvement. Immortals vice-chair Mervin Stewart, who is also vice-chair of the UK national dominoes league, said the club was looking at after-school programmes and outings. The club is determined that the skill and joy of playing dominoes is brought to a new generation.

Top: Nathaniel Wood trains with Angel Fernandez

BRIXTON START FOR COBBLE BIKE RIDE Brixton Cycles’ shop at 296 Brixton Road will be the starting point for an annual ride in London that takes place on the same day as the one-day Paris-Roubaix race, notorious for its route over pavé (cobbled) roads. This year it’s on 14 April. Its UK equivalent is way gentler and an 8am start means it can end opposite Brixton Cycles at Brixton Jamm in time to watch the real thing on a big screen with a drink. AA More info at http://cobblemonster.com

The Brixton Immortals will host a UK vs USA match and welcome party to launch an international domino series in May. The USA team will be at the club’s venue on Coldharbour lane, SW9 8RP on 23 May.

Top fighters at Brixton Street Gym

Lambeth swimming teacher Rhys Smith has won the Nick Francis Community Award for his work leading supported swimming sessions at Clapham Leisure Centre for disabled people with long-term health conditions. The two-hour sessions were developed in partnership with South East London Vision (SELVIS) and Disability Advice Service Lambeth (DASL). The project’s aim is to provide an opportunity for people with a disability to take part in sport and physical activity at the same time as getting specialised swimming instruction. It was set up in partnership with GLL Better. More than 600 people have attended since the project started.

Rhys and some of his pupils

Lloyd Leon, MBE, a founder of the Brixton dominoes club and the first Black mayor of Lambeth tells the story of its foundation in the aftermath of the 1981 Brixton riots

Right: At the Brixton Street Gym (l-r) Isaac Chamberlain, Brad Picket, Terroll Lewis, Nathaniel Wood and Angel Fernandez Below: Isaac Chamberlain makes a new friend

Two of Britain’s leading prospects for future honours in fighting sports visited Brixton Street Gym. Boxer Isaac Chamberlain – subject of the Sky TV documentary Straight Outta Brixton – watched as Nathaniel ’The Prospect’ Wood worked out with his mentor Brad ‘One Punch’ Picket and trainer Angel Fernandez. After nine knockout wins, Wood is on track to follow in the footsteps of pro fighters like former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor. A former Cage Warriors bantamweight world champion, Carshalton-born Wood joined UFC last June and has won both of his two fights to date. On 16 March, he was due to face his biggest challenge when he takes on Jose Quinonez at the O2 Arena. Wood and Picket are supported by the menswear brand Arcminute, whose Arcminute Foundation aims to bring lasting change to the communities it works in. £1 from every item sold on its website will be donated to projects it funds in Ghana. All three fighters were welcomed to the Street Gym on Somerleyton Road by its founder Terroll Lewis. The first street gym in the UK, it is a community focused project run by former gang members to help local young people and get them involved in sport. It also specialises in the emerging inner city gym trend of calisthenics.