Brixton Bugle December 2018/January 2019

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BRIXTON BUGLE YOUR FREE

No 69 | DECEMEBER 2018/JANUARY 2019

Published monthly in and for Brixton

ISSN 2397-852X

THE BEST OF BRIXTON

Brixton showed its best side as the holidays approached with a host of organisations and individuals aiming to make sure it really is a season of pace and goodwill locally. Lambeth mayor Christopher Wellbelove led the way at the Christmas tree lights ceremony outside Morleys. “Look after your neighbours,” was his message. And pupils from two Brixton schools joined in. Corpus Christi’s choir belted out traditional carols at the switching on of Brixton’s Christmas lights while Hill Mead children had the own switch-on as their creations shone out from the windows of The Department Store Music editor Dave Randall says it is striking just how many seasonal hits describe the loneliness that lurks just beyond the sleigh bells and mistletoe. And urges us all to look out for those who aren’t at the party – people in our neighbourhoods who, for whatever reasons, are less able get out ☛☛ continued page 2

At The Department Store switch-on

COMMUNITY PAPER

REGGAE REGGAE

Roots goes back to school

MAYOR’S APPEAL

Look out for neighbours

RITZY CAMPAIGN

Take staff back, cinema told

MUSIC FOR ESTATES

Orchestra seeks funding

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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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No pay rise for 10 years, so Brixton lecturers take action

Lecturers at Lambeth College went on strike for two days in December to demand higher pay and more government spending on further education. And there could be more action if things don’t improve. Members of the University and College Union (UCU) picketed the Brixton Hill campus – formerly Brixton College – as part of their campaign to reverse the cuts forced on the sector by a decade of austerity. Lecturers have had no substantial pay rise for ten years. In real terms their salaries have fallen by 25 per cent and are much lower than schoolteachers’. Brixton striker Tracey Young said: “We have had no proper pay rise for ten

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Tracey Young (second from left) picketing with colleagues outside Brixton Hill campus years. In real terms our salaries have fallen by 25 per cent and are much lower than schoolteachers’. “Members are so fed up that when we voted on the strike members voted by more than 60 per cent to take action.” Lambeth is one of six FE colleges around the country to take strike action, but many more are now balloting themselves and there could be

stronger action next year. In the New Year Lambeth College is to be taken over by South Bank University, based around the Elephant and Castle, but the teachers will not be paid university salaries. The UCU says: “While the government must take the blame for their failure to invest in further education, colleges can and must do more to support their staff.”

and who may be isolated. This is a time when Brixtonites show what’s possible when we come together. Local charities are busy fundraising in all sorts of weird ways from icy dips In the Lido to sleeping rough for the homeless. Get Rid Of and Donate have set up a collection point for unwanted stuff that will support the homeless. Mayor Chris Wellbelove has voiced over on a charity song to raise awareness of mental health and fundraising for local charity Mosaic. It’s the busiest time of the year for our foodbanks. There’s a full list of opening times on page 10. It’s a good time to support artists and local makers – plenty of local outlets to choose from throughout central Brixton and Brixton Village. Buy books this season from local authors – see page 4.

The UCU said: “Colleges have failed to deal with the pay issue. While workloads have risen, pay packets have shrunk. Members have been left with no choice but to take this action. “We hope the strikes this week will focus the colleges’ minds and they will come back to us and get the dispute sorted. Otherwise we are likely to see further disruption.”

Metropolitan tenants protest over eviction fears by Tim Gopsill Tenants facing eviction from the Clapham Park estate in the new year mounted a noisy protest outside the office of the Metropolitan housing association. Metropolitan, which manages the 1,400-flat estate near the top of Brixton Hill, is set on clearing out its short-term tenants as part of a massive regeneration scheme that it says will create up to 3,000 new homes. The flats with the “assured shorthold” tenancies are in buildings scheduled for demolition or rebuilding under the

scheme. Of the 60 families to be affected, nearly half have left already, leaving 32 families to have a miserable Christmas with the prospect of having to find homes in the private sector at extortionate rents. Together with around 50 local supporters, they demonstrated outside Metropolitan’s admin office in Atkins Road, opposite the estate, chanting “Metropolitan made us homeless” and “Metropolitan keep your promises!” All have had “possession orders” granted against them by the courts, which Metropolitan has said it will enforce at the end of January.

“We are just waiting for the bailiffs”, said Florentina Narcso, who has lived at Clapham Park for seven years. “We have kept the flat in good condition and put in a new floor but they still got an eviction order against us.” Her fellow campaigner Ramona Cirstea said she had been working hard to find a secondary school for her 10-year-old son Alex for next year but now, she said, “we won’t be here. They want us out. They haven’t offered anywhere to live – just a payment of £6,300. That might pay the deposit for a private rental but we wouldn’t be able to afford

the rent. Letting agencies won’t even let you register if you don’t earn £45,000 a year.” The £6,300 is the legal minimum the housing association is obliged to pay, and tenants claim that some who have already gone were paid much less. The protesters demanded of Metropolitan, that it: ●● withdraws all the legal actions to evict them ●● issues proper secure tenancies as for other tenants at Clapham Park, and ●● re-houses the families in the new development. The housing association, recently rebranded as

Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) after a merger, said the non-secure tenancies had been granted to stop flats standing empty, and residents were told they would not be permanent. “We understand that this is a difficult time for them and are working to rehouse them wherever possible. “Properties that become available in Lambeth will be offered but are limited in number, so we are also providing support in the form of £6,300 per household. “Eviction is the absolute last resort and we are taking all possible steps to avoid it.”

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Ritzy ordered to give sacked union activists their jobs back by Tim Gopsill TWO staff members at the Ritzy cinema who were sacked for organising the campaign of strikes for a living wage have won their jobs back. The two activists in the broadcast and theatre union BECTU won a tribunal case in July that they had been unfairly dismissed, and on 5 December the tribunal followed up with an order that they must be reinstated onto the staff in January. It is a major victory for BECTU and the Ritzy workers in their long fight to be paid the London Living Wage. It is very rare for sacked workers to get their jobs back; as a rule tribunals award them compensation, since employers don’t want to take them. The Ritzy is part of the Picturehouse group, itself owned by the US-based Cineworld corporation. In the first six months of this year Cineworld made profits before tax of

$160 million (£125 million) – a 164 per cent rise on the previous half-year. But it won’t pay the Ritzy staff the current rate of £10.55 an hour. The 90-odd workers have held dozens of days of strikes since 2014 to attain this sum. They held a series of lively days of action, sometimes with the support of colleagues from other Picturehouse sites, and they won an agreement from Picturehouse management to negotiate it by June 2016, but the company back-tracked. In July the Employment Tribunal in Croydon ruled that the way Picturehouse had sacked the union reps was unfair. It said the company had shown “a lack of neutrality and an assumption of guilt on the part of the claimants …. putting the onus on them to prove in effect their innocence … There was a failure for the respondent to properly engage with the nature of the claimants defence.

Sacked union reps (l-r)Tom McKain, Marc Cowan and Natalie Parsons outside the Ritzy in Brixton The judgment went on: “All members of the tribunal agree that the background union activities of the claimants played a part in the decision-making of the respondent. “ On their reinstatement it said the workers were “capable of working in a professional and mature manner” if they went back. The Ritzy sacked four union reps in July 2017; one did not proceed with

a case and a fourth lacked the two years’ service in the job required for a tribunal case. Head of BECTU Philippa Childs said: “This is an extremely rare ruling and once again highlights the unreasonable behaviour of Picturehouse towards BECTU’s representatives.” “These individuals have been leading BECTU activists and their reinstatement will bolster the campaign

for Picturehouse staff to be paid the Living Wage. “BECTU urges Picturehouse to look closely at these rulings and start to engage with us and the Living Wage campaign and for the union to be fully recognised.” There have been no strikes at the Ritzy since September but many Brixtonians have been boycotting the cinema in support of the staff.

St Andrews celebrates 200 years with Levi Roots and Joanna Lumley St Andrew’s C of E primary school in Stockwell celebrates its 200th anniversary today – St Andrew’s Day. The highlight of weeklong celebrations at the schoolcame yesterday with visits from local residents Levi Roots, who led assembly, and Joanna Lumley, who helped to bury a time capsule.

But the school’s pupils were the real stars. They performed a special anniversary song at the assembly, where they also met Lambeth mayor Christopher Wellbelove. Later they sang their own rewritten interpretation of Wheels on Fire, the theme song of Absolutely Fabulous, for Joanna Lumley, who starred as

Patsy in the sitcom. At the assembly Levi Roots wowed pupils, parents, teachers and guests with his Reggae Reggae Sauce song. “I still live in Brixton,” he told the assembly. “I remember when I was your age and growing up around here, trying to be inspired. It was the music played in Brixton that inspired me.”

He accompanied himself with the same guitar he bought in Brixton all those years ago. Mayor Wellbelove thanked Levi Roots for being “such a big inspiration for all the young people of the borough”. He told his young audience: “I hope that here today there is more than one of you who will become mayor of Lambeth.” Throughout this week, the St Andrew’s pupils have been writing letters and

researching what happened in every year the school has been open for the time capsule that was buried in the school grounds. St Andrew’s first opened on the same site between Brixton and Stockwell in 1818 and is now in its 200th year. “Knowing that the school has been here for so long means such a lot to us and the community and we are so proud to be celebrating this monumental occasion,” said executive head teacher Jayne Mitchell.

“It is such an exciting time for our friendly and happy school and its community.” The school will also parade to nearby St. Michael’s church for a service of thanksgiving with the Archdeacon of Lambeth, The Venerable Simon Gates. Levi Roots took a cooking class for some lucky pupils in the newly refurbished kitchen area of the school that was recently donated by The Worshipful Company of Weavers.

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4  CHRISTMAS brixtonblog.com 2018 DECEMBER/2019 JANUARY Still looking for gifts? Check local shop Diverse and three books with strong local connections – you could not pick better presents for a Brixtonite

Diverse showcases local makers and artists At the switch on (above) were: Cllr Marcia Cameron, Cllr Sonia Winifred, Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, mayor Christopher Wellbelove, Mosaic’s Beverley Randall, Mosaic poet Angela, Cllr Jacqui Dyer, Brixton Business Improvement District director Michael Smith

Mayor: Look after your neighbours “Look after your neighbours,” was the seasonal message from Lambeth mayor Christopher Wellbelove as he joined the ceremony to switch on the lights of the Christmas tree provided by Brixton Busines Improvement District. The Corpus Christi school choir (below) entertained parents and passers-by. The mayor was joined by speakers from Brixton’s Mosaic centre – his chosen charity for his mayorality – programme director Beverley Randall and Angela, a Mosaic member, who read her own moving poem about being both an insider

and an outsider. Between holding down his social media day job as a senior digital brand manager at BT’s OpenReach – his Twitter followers include Barak Obama and Stephen Fry – and switching on Xmas lights – eight so far this year – mayor Wellbelove finds time to raise awareness of the importance of HIV testing. He’s also a man who walks 10,000 steps a day, but admits that not all are in pursuit of his duties as mayo. When he’s not wearing his chain of office, he’s a Pokéman Go fanatic in around the Clapham Town ward where he lives.

Wellbelove, who suffers from depression himself, recently came up with the idea of a charity song to raise awareness of mental health issues in the borough. Hear My Song is written and composed by Tony Power and performed by Two’s Company: Phil Lee Thomas and Laura Hunt. Wellbelove does the voiceover on the second track and tells in his own words how depression affects himself. The song is available from all major download sites. AA You can donate to the Mayor’s chosen charity at tinyurl.com/ donatemayor

Diverse gift shop on Coldharbour Lane is once again partnering Makerhood for the festive gift season. Its showcase of local makers launched on 1 December and runs until the end of the month. Lambeth-based designer-makers will be showing a mix of handmade jewellery, art, homeware, accessories and childrenswear. The showcase, now in its sixth year, is a collaboration between Diverse and Makerhood, a local organisation which connects, develops and promotes the work of, local artists and makers. Diverse is at 380 Coldharbour Lane SW9 8LF. Makerhood was set up in 2010 by two Brixton-based friends who were looking for locally-made Christmas gifts. Makerhood provides a platform for more than 100 local artists and designers. Makers taking part this year include: AAMachine knitter and felt maker Prilly Lewis with beautiful clothing,

homeware and accessories. AAGabriela Szulman who creates pictures, greeting cards, jewellery and decorative objects with images inspired by, nostalgia. AACecilia Washburn a textile designer and illustrator who specialises in printed textiles. AASnezana Nikolic of Y Kairos who tailors beautiful clothes for childrenn. AAAnnie Crimp who makes mosaics for the home and garden using materials including car windscreen glass to broken china. AAMiri Shalom who came across druzy crystals in 2015 and was enamoured by their beauty and the fact that each is unique in shape and size. Her collections feature crystals, hand-crochet, tassles and intricate bead work. AAAmy Rose Tucker, of A.R.T. Designs, who makes personalised and bespoke frames. AAKim Winter of Flextiles who upcycles items from charity shops by dyeing with indigo.

Windrush: Portrait of a Generation

Freezing and roasting to aid homless

Brixton Chamber Orchestra (BCO) is fundraising to bring a series of music recitals to tenants’ halls across Lambeth over the holidays, with the orchestra performing for communities in Loughborough, Angel Town, Moorlands, Tulse Hill and Cressingham Gardens estates. The BCO played at Cressingham’s rotunda building (above) in summer. By pledging, says the BCO, you will help to bring engaging and entertaining performances to thousands of people, as the orchestra seeks to bring large communities together in celebration of music. Contributions will go towards

the necessary expenses of this ambitious project. BCO is a versatile group of classically trained musicians, with young professionals and talented amateurs playing side by side. It specialises in classical music, but plays music of all types, including pop, gospel and grime. “We work with music charities and schools in Lambeth, as we want to help bring new audiences to classical music and encourage more people to take up an instrument,” they say. AA Contribute via Kickstarter at https://kck.st/2rm221o

At least two local institutions are working with Crisis, the homeless charity. Brockwell Lido will host its Icebreaker fundraiser on Saturday 15 December (details p 19) and Brixton coffee roaster Volcano is working ton a special blend for the Café from Crisis initiative. 15% of sales of the blend by Volcano Coffee Works in the Department Store building will go to the charity. As well as being available Café from Crisis sites in London, Oxford and Newcastle, it will be available online from the Volcano website (volcanocoffeeworks.com). The sustainable blend will be sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo and a Brazilian female-only enterprise, AMECAFE.

Jim Grover’s widely acclaimed exhibition Windrush: Portrait of a Generation is now available in book form. The photographer’s book reproduces the portraits from the exhibition and,through the accompanying stories, portrays the lives and traditions of the first generation of Caribbean migrants who settled in Brixton and Clapham. The author spent 10 months visiting the homes, clubs, churches of the Windrush generation, now in their late 60s to 90s, who still live in Brixton

and Clapham. Eleven members of the community shared their personal stories in conversations recorded between January and May 2018. The result is a vivid picture of a way of life and traditions that will sadly pass with that generation. The book is a must-have for this year’s Christmas list and is available from the author (£34.64 inc p&p) or from Amazon (£35). To buy a signed copy direct from Jim, visit bit.ly/Grover-POaG.

Sanctum Ephemeral Mark Aitken’s Sanctum Ephemeral photo installation on Cressingham Gardens Estate is now available as a limited edition book. with a introduction by Mark. Thirty-four portraits of residents of demolition-threatened homes will feature in a hand-bound limited edition pressing, along with an even more

exclusive collector’s boxed set with a signed print. Published by The Deep River, the book will be available from Bookmongers on Coldharbour Lane or you can visit www.thedeepriver.org. The installation of eight portraits on estate walls is still in place and not to be missed.

Hedgehogs Don’t Live in the City! Local author Lucy Reynolds and illustrator Jenna Herman have launched a new children’s picture book Hedgehogs Don’t Live in the City! created with input from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. It is as a sequel to the Brockwell Park inspired Parrots Don’t Live in the City! and features rhyming verse and beautiful hand-drawn illustrations.

The author hopes to inspire in young readers (aged 2-6) and their parents a love of the natural world. Hedgehogs Don’t Live in the City! is published by Doodles & Scribbles. Parrots Don’t Live in the City! and Hedgehogs Don’t Live in the City! can be bought together for £13.99 from www.doodlesandscribbles.co.uk.

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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

Miss the train today or miss a good job forever? One of the issues that increasingly concerns me is the future of our young people. I worry that they will struggle to find fulfilling work and secure homes. Or that they’ll be sucked into the vortex of social media that encourages them to measure their self-worth by what they own, how they look and how much money they make, which can exacerbate the pressure they feel and lead to some very poor decision-making. Public transport fare evasion is a very common example. Frequently, it’s the result of a foolish, snap decision to use somebody else’s pass in an “emergency” or jump onto a train without a valid ticket rather than wait 20 minutes for the next one. But such a simple error of judgement can result in a criminal record that could blight anyone’s future prospects. For young people with ambitions of entering professions like law, accountancy, banking, teaching and medicine, there can be life-changing consequences. Fare evasion is categorised as an offence of dishonesty. In my experience, most employers would look sympathetically at a conviction for one-off fare evasion, but the very idea of having to undergo a DBS (criminal record) check or make a declaration might be enough to put some worthy candidates off so that they do not even bother applying. A criminal conviction can also cause problems with obtaining travel visas to some countries. So how can all this be avoided? Obviously, the first thing is to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to get to your destination. Public transport operators now expect you to buy tickets online, where necessary, so there is little excuse for boarding a train without one. Also ensure that you keep your Oyster card or other travel pass secure and topped up and touch in and out, as required. If you are a student or apprentice on a tight budget, check if you are eligible for free or discounted fares. Finally, take extra money with you, in case of unforeseen circumstances that might force you to take a different, more expensive route. If it all goes wrong here are some information you might find useful: If you are charged with evading a TfL fare, it is a “strict liability” offence. That means that it makes no difference if you say you made a mistake and that you intended to pay. If you plead guilty

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or are found guilty it will result in a criminal record. TfL charges offenders under railway bye-laws made pursuant to the Transport Act 2000. Convictions under bye-laws are not recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC) and so will not normally show up on a standard DBS disclosure. However, they may still show on an enhanced disclosure. Don’t take a chance. If you were traveling on a non-TfL rail service, you are likely to be prosecuted under the Regulation of Railways Act 1889, as amended by the Transport Act of 1962 and the British Railways Act 1970. To successfully prosecute you, the rail company will need to prove that you intended to avoid paying the fare. So, if you have a ticket for at least part of your journey or offered to pay the fare when you were stopped, it would help your case. But, some rail companies also prosecute under railway bye-laws, so it’s important to read the summons carefully. A conviction, warning or caution under the Regulation of Railways Act is a recordable criminal offence and will therefore show up on any DBS disclosure, which many employers and professional bodies insist on. It will remain on your record for at least six years if you’re over 18 and at least two years if you are not, after which it is considered “spent”. In either case, if you plead guilty, the matter can be dealt with by filling in the summons form and paying the fine. If you plead “not guilty” you’ll have to go to court. You won’t be eligible for legal aid, but you can take someone with you for support or ask a lawyer to speak on your behalf. You are legally obliged to declare any criminal convictions if explicitly requested to do so on a job application form. If you do not, you could lose your job and/or face prosecution if you are later found out.

Something you don’t want? Donate it to a rough sleeper Get Rid of and Donate, a local community interest company, is launching an appeal for donated items to support rough sleepers this winter. It has been collecting items through the NextDoor app for the last year that have helped people in crisis and asylum seekers. Get Rid Of and Donate’s Andrea Brown said: “We recycle unwanted items in the community giving back to the vulnerable, and supporting people in difficult times. Our aim is to reduce waste to landfill and supporting the council with reduction of waste on our streets.

“We will be launching Get Rid of Donate & Exchange – a free library for unwanted items. “For December we would like to support rough sleepers in London with a winter essential pack of donated items from the community.” You can donate warm clothing, sleeping bags, shoes, coats, basic personal care, sanitary and food items at a collection point at Impact Hub in Pop Brixton. Get Rid of and Donate is planning additional drop off points. AA Facebook: GROandDonate

FREE SPACE FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISES The Tripod workspace in Lambeth town hall in Brixton is offering free and subsidised office space for social enterprises for a year. The deadline to apply is 21 January 2019. It is also offering hot desking in its co-working space at £135 a month to local people growing a business. AAtripodbrixton.co.uk or email info@meanwhilespace.com

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The good news In many cases, defendants have managed to successfully negotiate an out of court settlement that allows them to pay a fine and avoid a criminal record. It is therefore vital to act quickly and not to ignore legal proceedings and hope they will go away. They won’t. If you’re being prosecuted for fare evasion and don’t feel able to handle it yourself, consider instructing an experienced criminal lawyer.

Liam Crorken (above in green shirt) was shortlisted in the “Young community leader of the year” category in the community awards of the national charity Groundwork. He did not win but the list of what he does speaks for itself. Liam, who is registered blind, is chair of the Blenheim Gardens Resident Management Organisation’s local youth forum. It meets each month to direct services for young people living on and around the estate near Brixton windmill.

He introduced a traditional games night to create a social event for young people and is part of the estate football team. He is frequently seen knocking on door to let people know what is going on. Liam's sister is also disabled. Recognising there was a gap in the estate for children aged five to 10, he helped to introduce a Saturday play scheme that attracts 15-20 children each week. He also helps collect shopping for people with mobility problems.

Young carers get a boost from charity arts project Young carers in Lambeth enjoyed taking part in an arts project, run by the charity Create. The connect:create programme gave young people from 11 to 18 who attend Lambeth Young Carers, which is based at We Are 336 on Brixton Road, the opportunity to work with professional artists throughout the year. During the autumn half term, the young carers took part in dance workshops with

choreographer Nikki Watson. Earlier in the year they explored drama with Tim Cowbury, and visual art and sculpture with artists Sheridan Quigley and Sam Haynes. The charity says the range of activities encourages young carers to develop a variety of artistic and technical skills, boosting their self-esteem. The programme is supported by volunteers from Deutsche Bank (below with a young carer at a dance class).

NEW TEXTILES WORKSPACE Assemble, a collective that works across architecture, design and art, is looking for people to occupy The Fabric Floor – new studios that it will run in Brixton. They are in International House, a project managed by 3Space in collaboration with Lambeth council, which formerly used it as office space. Assemble is looking for individuals and organisations who work with a focus on textiles to occupy the open-plan studios from early 2019. The Fabric Floor is designed to support practitioners working with textiles from different backgrounds and at different stages in their development. Applications that demonstrate a commitment to providing opportunities for local residents and businesses have priority. AA More at bit.ly/Assemble-TFF

GIRLS UNITED FA COMES TO LONDON Brixton-based charity Girls United FA provides the opportunity to take part In football sessions to girls from six to17 in low income areas. The charity has its roots in Bacalar, a town in south east Mexico. Its vision is for girls around the world to have equal access to sport. Its Saturday sessions in Peckham Rye park are designed to suit the needs of the young girls who participate, challenging them to become role models and responsible citizens of their communities. AA To find out more visit www.girlsunitedfa.org

6  CREATIVE BRIXTON brixtonblog.com 2018 DECEMBER/2019 JANUARY

ARTS

A political statement and a first for the UK by Leslie Manasseh Recurring images, complex patterns, bold colours and campaigning messages figure in the work of Jamaican-born and New York-raised artist, Jackson Shuri, on show for the first time in the UK in the Mary Seacole Centre in Clapham. 16:32 is the exhibition’s title, and refers to her journey from adolescence to adulthood. But its sub-title “Evoke Empower Educate” leaves us in no doubt of her intentions. Clearly her art is a political statement. Issues around gender, race, power and identity are the threads which bring together her paintings in terms of narrative and messages. Jackson Shuri’s use of colour and mosaic structures to create arresting images bring them together visually. It’s a great show and makes an interesting addition to the already interesting Mary Seacole Centre – the home of the Clapham library. Indeed, her decision to display her work in a space freely accessible to the public is itself a statement about the place and role of art. AAThe show runs until the end of January in the Mary Seacole Centre, 91 Clapham High Street, SW4 7DB. Open every day except bank holidays. Check website for times.

Whimsy in the sky over Battersea

Ribera, Studies of the Nose and Mouth

The art of violence Seven years in the making, an exhibition of the work of Jusepe de Ribera – the first in the UK – at the Dulwich Picture Gallery is a fascinating insight into the minds and lives of 17th century Neapolitans and an introduction to the work of a great painter. Violence by the state was an everyday event. Religion

was behind much of it. The interplay between the two is the subject of most of Ribera’s work. The result is both aesthetic and forensic – beautiful pictures, showing in gruesome detail, acts of horror and human suffering. The exhibition tells the story over five rooms; each focussing on a specific

VISUAL ARTS ROUND-UP

Today Battersea power station is buried in a depressing morass of anonymous, homogenised apartment blocks. Some 40 years ago, in more whimsical and anarchic times, it was the scene of an amusing drama. The Pink Floyd had organised a photo shoot for their “Animals” album cover based on a giant blow-up pig floating above the power station. Unfortunately the pig slipped its moorings and provided Londoners with a unique sight of a large pig which flew all the way to Kent.

PHOTOFUSION

Fortunately the whole episode was captured by photographer, Carinthia West. The result is a vastly entertaining series of “flying pig” images currently on show in the Knight Webb Gallery, 58 Battersea Bridge Road, SW11 3AG. Do go.

This year’s members’ show in Photofusion’s central Brixton home received a record 160-plus entries. With no categories or themes, the aim is simply to showcase individual images that are powerful enough to stand alone in representation of a captivating story or concept. The exhibition runs from 7 December to 12 January, Monday to Saturday, 10.30am – 5.30pm, at Photofusion, 17A Electric Lane, SW9 8LA.

PAPA ROCKO

Interested in the tribal, mystical and ancestral artwork and imagery? Go down to Brixton Hill to

see the work of Papa Rocko in an exhibition which runs until 13 December at Katakata, 132 Brixton Hill, SW2 1RS.

NEW CONTEMPORARIES

Bloomberg New Contemporaries is well-established as one of the foremost showcases for contemporary art from new and emerging artists. Expect to see exciting and innovative work which crosses several media platforms. The show runs until 24 February in South London Gallery’s main building and Fire Station, 65-67 Peckham Road and 82 Peckham Road SE5 8UH.

PERFORMANCE

Robin Hood in Peckham Leslie Manasseh meets director Suzann McLean and Malachi Green, who plays Robin Hood in a new interpretation of the classic story Theatre Peckham this Christmas unveils a re-imagined adaptation of the popular classic Robin Hood: The Arrow Of Destiny. Written by award-winning playwright Richard Hurford, the play uses the traditional story to illuminate contemporary issues and offers new takes on well-known characters.

area of interest. It’s quite gruelling and you’ll need to pause for breath after some of the exhibits. But persevere. Because it is extraordinary. AA The exhibition rums until 27 January 2019 in Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, SE21 7AD, open Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 5pm. 020 8693 5254

It also promises to be fun with lots of music – rap, salsa and reggae – dance, and comedy. Using a cast of professional actors alongside a host of young local people, the production is firmly anchored in the community and reflects its diversity. It is also relevant to today’s issues and concerns. According to Malachi Green: “What makes this play different is that it has a current spin … addressing social problems and gender stereotypes.” He sees parallels with his own youth. “Robin Hood is a boy in a man’s body”.

This is a tension which faces the boys and young men he grew up with in Peckham, who often face responsibilities beyond their years. “What am I meant to do and what am I meant to be?” are difficult questions in today’s inner city. Suzann McLean believes the production will appeal equally to children and to adults with themes that will resonate across the ages. It is as much about “what it means to be a woman in today’s society” as it is “a playground drama about friendship and what it means to be a boy and a girl … above all Robin Hood represents

hope and how we can all make things change”. I asked Suzann why people should get on the bus (345 from Gresham Road) and travel to Peckham to see the play. She answered: “It’s fun, it’s relevant, it’s uplifting and it’s great Christmas spirit”. Good reasons to go. AARobin Hood: The Arrow of Destiny is on until 22 December in Theatre Peckham, 221 Havil Street, SE5 7SD. Matinee and evening performances on most days. For tickets and more information go to theatrepeckham.co.uk or call 020 7708 5401.

DECEMBER 2018/JANUARY 2019 brixtonblog.com

CREATIVE BRIXTON  7

MUSIC

Let’s look out for those who aren’t at the party Behind many a seasonal hit can be sadness, says Dave Randall Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, it’s hard to escape its soundtrack. A poetic cliché would have Christmas songs arriving like a reassuring blanket of powdery snow just in time to herald the festivities. In reality. their presence can feel more like an unwelcome pea-souper, blown into shops on warm winds weeks before even a mention of mince pies has passed anyone’s lips. There’s no doubt that festive music is one means by which retailers seek to elongate this season of spending. It reminds us just how important the holiday is to commerce. But what other insights do our favourite seasonal songs offer? Well, for one thing, they suggest that Christmas is largely a secular affair. Only a small minority of holiday hits make any reference to religion and fair few of the most popular were penned by secular

Christmas can be a trying time

Jewish songwriters. Many focus on romantic love. Mariah Carey claims not to care about pressies; all she wants for Christmas is You. From the first plinky synths and drum machine beats of Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’, listeners of a certain age are transported back to school discos and the pain of unrequited love. One or two hits such as Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree and Slade’s irritatingly ubiquitous Merry Christmas Everybody try

Let’s make time to offer a cuppa and chat. Perhaps even a sing-song. That really would be a meaningful use of music at this time of the year to persuade us that everyone is having fun. But others point to a more complex reality. The Pogues Fairytale of New York centres on the bickering of a booze and drug addled couple, while Jona Lewie’s Stop The Cavalry describes the privations and pointlessness of war from the perspective of a

soldier who wishes he was at home for Christmas. In truth Christmas can be a trying time. Turkey and tinsel perhaps, but trials and tribulations too. For starters there’s the cost of it. The pressure to spend-spend-spend can seem crushing for many of us – particularly those who have borne the brunt of a decade of austerity with pay-freezes and cuts in state help. Many songs remind us that as well as raising financial anxieties, the season can also accentuate feelings of loneliness. An example is the highest earning Christmas song of all time, White Christmas, made famous by Bing Crosby. It is a song steeped in nostalgia, regret and a yearning for times past. For its writer Irving Berlin, the heartache was personal – his first child died a cot death on Christmas day. However, the feeling of loss resonated with millions who also felt that something essential is missing in the modern world. Indeed, it is striking just how many seasonal hits describe the loneliness that lurks just beyond the sleigh bells and mistletoe. This time last year I used this column to encourage party people to look out for each other during this period of drunken debauchery. Of course we should do that again now and always. But let’s also look out for those who aren’t at the party – people in our neighbourhoods who, for whatever reasons, are less able to get out and who may be isolated. Let’s make time to offer them a cuppa and chat. Perhaps even a sing-song. That really would be a meaningful use of music at this time of the year. Dave Randall is a musician and author of Sound System: The Political Power of Music

BRIXTON

Each month we ask a Brixton community member to choose five records and tell us why … Diab White moved to Brixton in 1994. He works as a plumber and plays guitar in the band Message From The Mothership. He occasionally chants at the Brixton Buddhist Centre and frequently drinks at the Effra Hall Tavern

HI-FIVE

1. AUGUST 10 by KHRUANGBIN These guys are my favourite band right now and best served on a live stage. They’re a three piece from Texas mixing African, Asian, Funk, Psychedelia, Surf & much more besides. They leave so much space in their music and the melodies and rhythms are so beautifully intertwined.

2. GENUINE by SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS Arguably the greatest funk band of this century. Taking their influences from the golden age of funk; the late 60s/early 70s and giving it their own Brooklyn twist. Sharon Jones’s voice & stage presence is incredible.

3. MEMPHIS by DELVON LAMARR ORGAN TRIO This Seattle band is pretty new, these guys are like family to each other and it shows in their music. The song reminds me of falling in love with Brixton in the 90s when I discovered seedy little bars open to the wee hours mixing Blue Note jazz played live with rappers on the mic.

4. BLACK VENOM by THE BUDOS BAND I really connect with the attitude of people from Brooklyn [like the Budos Band]. I think they’re similar to a lot of Brixtonians in many ways. These guys play a heady mix of hypnotic, psychedelic, Ethiopian jazz, funk and 60s garage.

5. WHYDYAHAFTA by MESSAGE FROM THE MOTHERSHIP OK, here’s a shameless plug for a fairly new band I’m working on. With Mickey on Bass, myself on guitar and Keija on vocals, we all live in Brixton, with the exception of drummer Dave who’s living on the outskirts of Brixton … Surrey Quays! :)

Make Do a nd Mend @makedoandmenduk

Vintage & Retro www.mdam.co.uk Boutique! Open 7 Day s a week 11 - 7pm Pop Brixton Join us for late night Xmas Shopping Thurs 6 -10pm + 20% off!

8  COMMUNITY brixtonblog.com 2018 DECEMBER/2019 JANUARY

Transport in Brixton: will we go far enough?

Be overwhelmed by the satisfaction of creating your design with your own hands by Lisa Wilson

Lambeth council is asking for comments on its draft plan for transport in the borough over the next three years. Simon Still looks at the issues and talks to interested local groups Transport is a big issue for Brixton. A Lambeth council consultation on the issue runs until 17 December, giving local people the opportunity to communicate their views. The area can feel dominated by motor traffic, although most journeys are made by public transport and most households do not own a car. With average nitrogen dioxide on Brixton Road at 250% of the legal limit, pollution levels are not only illegal, they also lead to more cases of asthma and, across London, cause thousands of premature deaths each year. Pedestrians complain of long waits at crossings and cycling is unpleasant. Heavy traffic and lots of buses mean Brixton Road is regularly named as having the most toxic air in the city. The London mayor published a new transport strategy in March which set out plans “to transform London’s streets” with more people walking, cycling and using public transport. Lambeth council has a “local implementation plan” (LIP) which describes how the council would deliver the mayor’s objectives over the next three years. Transport for London (TfL) provides most of the funding for borough transport projects and the LIP includes the council’s delivery plan and big strategic projects that will need funding from TFL. The Lambeth plan has some bold sounding principles and long-term objectives – “pedestrians to have genuine priority on streets” and for “traffic levels to fall significantly”. “Healthy Routes” connecting town centres are also promised. Some proposals could have a big impact on Brixton.

An application for funding to create a “Liveable Neighbourhood” in central Brixton with “a public realm much better suited to walking and cycling is included in the plan. Improvements for cycling from Streatham through to Oval could come as early as 2022 if “Cycle Future Route 15” proceeds. This looks an optimistic timeframe given the slow progress on back street “Quietway” cycling routes in the borough. There is talk of “feasibility work” for an Overground railway interchange at Loughborough Junction. The Green Party, the official opposition in Lambeth since the May local elections, and local campaign groups seem to be in agreement that the plans do not go far enough: Green Party councillor Nicole Griffiths, who represents St Leonard’s in Streatham, says that the council plan “does not present

‘Lambeth council needs to strongly disincentive drivers from getting in the car or driving through the borough. We will continue campaigning for school streets, closing rat runs, and an effective crackdown on idling’

the radical, innovative vision that is needed to make Lambeth a healthier, cleaner and greener place to live and work.” She says Green Party councillors share the council’s aspirations for “a big change” in the way we use transport, and is putting forward “ambitious and concrete proposals to start to make this happen as a matter of urgency”. Mums for Lungs, the locally based air quality campaign group, believes “there are lots of fine words but little real action” in the plan. “Air pollution in Lambeth is a public health crisis and needs to be addressed as a priority,” says the group. “More than half of it is caused by road transport, yet the ‘priority actions’ will have very little impact on changing congestion and traffic and reducing air pollution. “Lambeth council needs to strongly disincentive drivers from getting in the car or driving through the borough. We will continue campaigning for school streets, closing rat runs, and an effective crackdown on idling.” The Lambeth Cyclists organisation says: “We agree with the objectives – low-traffic neighbourhoods and protected space on main roads have led to immediate increases in cycling elsewhere in London.” But it goes on to say that the council’s plans show little funding for these projects, with most money continuing to go on measures like training and traffic calming that have failed to increase cycling levels in the past. “We want to see a much greater focus on removing rat-running traffic from our neighbourhoods.” Cllr Claire Holland, the council’s cabinet member for environment and clean air said the council is “very clear” in its transport strategy, and that “our focus is around improving the accessibility of Lambeth’s transport network so everybody has the same access and opportunities, improving air quality and making the borough safer and more attractive to encourage walking and cycling”. She said that road safety is a top priority and that the council is “firmly committed” to Vision Zero– an international road safety project to achieve a transport system with no deaths or major injuries involving road traffic – for London. “Walking, cycling and clean public transport lie at the heart of our strategy, working to make our roads safer for all road users and finding a system that keeps people moving. “By working with residents, local groups, the Mayor of London and TfL, we are making big improvements throughout Lambeth so that our residents can lead healthier and more active lives.” AA You can complete a survey at bit.ly/Lambeth-DTS or submit comments to transportstrategy@lambeth.gov.uk

The Colour Press is a Brixton-based company that is making positive social change through artisan stationery for South London. Founded by Emma Powell, a landscape architect, The Colour Press operates from a railway arch in Loughborough Junction where Emma creates handmade and bespoke stationery, special occasion cards and invitations from sustainable materials using a vintage letterpress machine to emboss her artwork and designs into paper. After running “crafternoons” with friends, Emma realised the power of individuals and groups coming together to connect, share and learn artisan skills. She now runs workshops in her studio for people from all backgrounds where they learn how to design and produce their own custom-made pieces. “Workshops are an absolute hoot and are one of my favourite things to do,” she says.

“Meeting and teaching new people about letterpressing makes me happy. “It is a great way to get creative, build on ideas, get lost in a sea of letters and think about what it is you want to say to the world.” Emma is now joining a life coach Just Jaz (www.justjaz.co) to create a programme of craft sessions for wellbeing and positive mental health. “You will be overwhelmed with the sense of satisfaction that is achieved by creating your design with your own hands,” Emma says. “Every day in my studio I experiment with how my cards can capture and explore these feelings in paper form. I love the power that colour has to impact how we feel” The Colour Press was part of the Brixton Design Trail and Camberwell Open Arts Studio this year. You can join the Mind and Print Workshop, a day of life coaching, positivity and letterpress manifestos here or put in Christmas card orders at AA www.thecolourpress.co.uk. AA Twitter: @thecolourpress1 AA Insta: @thecolourpress1 The Colour Press is supported by Hatch Enterprise which offers business skills training for social enterprises and mission-driven businesses, BAME female founders, and young adults. Training includes: business modelling, sales and finance, marketing, impact measurement, branding, pitching, investment readiness, storytelling, goal setting. AA hatchenterprise.org AA Post-programme support with our South London startup community: bit.ly/SOTRE

OPINION  9

DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2018 brixtonblog.com

They told us a community COMMENT fridge would Community not work in and charity Brixton … BRIXTON BUGLE

The need to belong and to share an identity is hard-wired into every human, no doubt from a time in pre-history when being an outcast was a serious health risk – as it can still be in some parts of the world today. That sense of a common identity does not automatically operate in a good way. The rise of xenophobia in this country and around the world is proof of that. But, as we said at the time of the Brexit vote when Brixton and Lambeth were more pro-remain than any other part of the country, the experience of living in an ever-changing multicultural community, whatever its complexities and problems, makes people prefer it to an inwardlooking, isolated and paranoid one. But, as the old saying goes: when poverty comes knocking at the door, love flies out the window. In hard times people can be less welcoming and generous. As usual, Brixton as a community is leading the way in thinking about and practising ways to overcome such problems – from the Brixton Pound Café’s pay what you can pricing to the People’s Fridge featured on this page. Careful readers will note that our policy of backing the boycott of Picturehouse cinemas like the Ritzy called for by workers who are refused the official living wage does not extend to its charitable activities. But we also report in this issue that an employment tribunal has taken the extremely rare step of ordering Picturehouse to re-employ two Ritzy staff active in the living wage campaign whom it had sacked. This emphasises once again just how out of step the company is with sentiment in Brixton and the rest of London. Charitable gestures will never be a substitute for paying employees a living wage – even if its current level of £10.55 an hour would not let anyone live in Brixton at current rents and prices. Charity, after all, should begin at home.

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

The People’s Fridge in Brixton was formally launched nearly two years ago on 8 February 2017. Here’s an update on what we have been up to

It was a difficult start: Lambeth council planning officers told us they would reject an application to house the fridge on Pope’s Road. Our team had looked across central Brixton for a suitable site that had public access, but without success. Pop Brixton offered us site and electricity, strictly on a temporary basis. We are still where we launched that day, open seven days a week. The People’s Fridge is a judgment free zone – anyone can use it, no questions asked. We really mean that. If you want to bring food or take food, just come on down. All we ask is that you read the rules about what you can/cannot put in, respect that others also use the fridge and sign our blue log book.

The highs:

We have helped re-home several tonnes of food that might otherwise have gone to the bin. In May 2017 we supported Franco Manca in National Vegetarian Week and found homes for two rooms’ worth of food – several tonnes in just one day. We’ve had Christmas puddings in June, bottles of ketchup, lots of bread, boxes of vegetables, chocolate, milk, fruit, doughnuts and more. The fridge is unattended, so we don’t meet everyone who uses it. But the stories we do get are heart-warming: thanks from people who genuinely use the fridge to help ends meet, the families who come down to share their surplus with others. The joy that people get from the fridge just being there encouraging us to share. We are the inspiration for other fridges: we have been in contact with people all over the

In May 2017 we supported Franco Manca in National Vegetarian Week and found homes for two rooms’ worth of food – several tonnes in just one day

UK and in more than 15 countries, all keen to learn about food surplus. Because Brixton is Brixton, there has been significant interest in what our community is doing. Our team made a decision to leave our own patch and to talk to people about cutting food surplus and waste. We’ve been at Brixton Farmers Market, Myatt’s Fields Fair and Lambeth Country Show and met hundreds of people who want to end food surplus – or sometimes just design their own fridge magnet to remind them to not waste food. We have been out picking fruit off trees in local gardens (with permission): bags of apples and pears that otherwise would have blown off the tree and probably rotted where they fell. Support from some local businesses has been fantastic. We make regular visits to our local Sainsbury’s, Pret and Co-op to pick up surplus food, including a late shift every Saturday night. The team at the Ritzy bring us surplus cake. The Old Post Office Bakery gives us bread when they make their delivery rounds. We’ve had lots of support from veg delivery company Oddbox, Brixton Blend, House of Hygge and many others without whom the fridge just could not work. We get so much cake. That’s a beautiful thing. Nobody is paid to work on the People’s Fridge. It receives no money from Lambeth council. Our volunteer group of local residents and some traders in Pop Brixton make sure the fridge is open every day, kept safe and clean and in good order. There is no glamour and we have been lucky to have built such a hardworking group.

Nikki Mills of Veolia Left) with competition winner- Ollie Dodd and Jo Elliott

The lows:

There aren’t many lows, to be honest. Especially at the beginning we went out to hundreds of local businesses, often unsuccessfully, to find who had surplus and wanted to do something about it. Residents and businesses alike in Brixton still waste a lot of food. Because many people use the community fridge, food that gets put in there is taken within a few hours, which means the fridge is often half full or even empty and looks a bit sad. We have had a few instances of people coming along with bin liners and taking every single item in the fridge. That’s not great. It happens to every unmanned community fridge at some point. When we know it is happening we try and speak to the people involved, a tiny minority of what are otherwise careful, considerate users. We were warned that a community fridge would not work in Brixton, that someone would come along and break it or ruin it. But it has worked brilliantly, even if we wish we could get more surplus food in it. Before we go: at the 2018 Lambeth Country Show we ran a competition with Veolia for local kids to draw a design on the theme of food heroes. We are pleased to announce a winner: Ollie Dodd, from Clapham, designed the winning entry. Veolia have kindly paid for Ollie’s winning design to be printed onto canvas tote bags for people to use to cut down on plastic bag use, or even to bring their surplus to the People’s Fridge. Ollie also won four free tickets to the cinema, courtesy of the Ritzy. We give out the bags at local events and through some of our local partners. Keep your eyes peeled for a yellow lemon with a cape.

Time to be a credit to yourself and the community Jane Wenlock of the Vauxhall Time Bank says timebanking will benefit both individuals and the community Time banks connect people through the use of time as currency. You earn time credits for helping each other. People help others and it helps to bring the community together. There is no limit to what skills and abilities you can bring to a time bank. Social tasks, experience and support are as valuable as physical tasks in the house or garden. United Nations research estimates that adults in

western nations average four to six hours a day – including weekends and holidays – of “free time”. Most is spent on video games, television, or other indoor activity. Four UK people in 10 (according to a Sky poll) feel financially worse off than 10 years ago. This combination makes time banking a valuable proposition. Skills to share can include practical help – gardening, cooking, decorating – but there is no limit to who can be helpful as part of a time bank. Social tasks as simple as visiting somebody who is lonely or finds it difficult to leave the house, or helping

somebody quit smoking, start a new hobby or fitness routine, or who needs counselling through a difficult time, are as valuable as any physical task. Time banks allow people to share skills and can help a community become better connected, and self-supporting. While thanks is enough for many, the credit you earn can be put towards help that you might need, or be donated to friends and family – say in exchange for a tyre change, or for somebody to come over for a cup of tea when they’re feeling lonely. Somebody will be the better for it, and you will, too.

In South London there are time banks in Peckham, Catford (Rushey Green), Gipsy Hill (Paxton Green), and Morley College in Waterloo. The Paxton Green Time Bank has activities throughout Lambeth and Southwark that time bankers can attend free. In Brixton, for instance, “Spacecraft” knitting and crochet to make baby gifts takes place on Tuesdays from 1 to 3pm at Brixton Library. Everyone is welcome even if they have no experience, just want a chat, or have a baby with them. AA Find out more at timebanking.org.

Hello Welcome to our first Christmas emergency food timetable with the Brixton Bugle. We hope you find it useful. At Lambeth Larder, we share information so local people can find emergency food and support. Get in touch if you’d like to find out more about our work. Virginia, Lambeth Larder, Community Food Resource.

are you struggling to pay for food over Christmas? there are places across Lambeth that will help.

• Brixton Food Bank St. Paul's Church Ferndale Road, London SW9 8AH T 07722 121 108 E norwoodfoodbank@btinternet.com W norwoodbrixton.foodbank.org.uk

• Waterloo Food Bank St George the Martyr Church Borough High Street, London SE1 1JA T 020 7921 4205 E foodbank@oasiswaterloo.org W waterloo.foodbank.org.uk

• Clapham Park Food Bank Reopens after Christmas on 4th January 2019. The Bonneville Centre 12 Poynders Road, London SW4 8NY T 020 8675 7661 E info@claphampark.foodbank.org.uk W claphampark.foodbank.org.uk

• Waterloo Food Bank St John's Waterloo 73 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY T 020 7921 4205 E foodbank@oasiswaterloo.org W waterloo.foodbank.org.uk

1. FOOD BANKS For most food banks, you need a voucher before you can get emergency food. This is how they work: 1. To use a food bank, a doctor, health visitor, social worker, advice worker, police, etc. must refer you. 2. The person referring you will give you a food bank voucher. 3. You take the completed voucher to the food bank to receive food. 4. Contact your nearest food bank for where to get a voucher. You need a voucher for most of the food banks listed here. Make sure you get your voucher before the Christmas break.

You do not need a voucher to receive emergency help at these centres. • Brixton Soup Kitchen & Support Centre Contact directly for Christmas opening times. Brixton Dominoes Community Centre 297-299 Coldharbour Lane SW9 8RP T 07538 419 514 E brixtonsoupkitchen@gmail.com W brixtonsoupkitchen.org

• Streatham Food Bank St. Margaret's Church Barcombe Avenue, London SW2 3BH T 07722 121108 E norwoodfoodbank@btinternet.com W norwoodbrixton.foodbank.org.uk

• Naybur's Pantry Last session for 2018 on 18th December. Reopens 8th January 2019. Myatt's Field Park Depot Cormont Road, London SE5 9RA T 07990 318 396 E info@naybur.org.uk

• Vauxhall Food Bank 105 Tyers Street, London SE11 5HS T 07398 860 992 E foodbank@christchurchlondon.org W vauxhall.foodbank.org.uk • Waterloo Food Bank Oasis Centre 1 Kennington Road, London SE1 7QP T 020 7921 4205 E foodbank@oasiswaterloo.org W waterloo.foodbank.org.uk

info@lambethlarder.org

Did You Know?

2. Other Emergency Food

• Norwood Food Bank St Luke's Church Knights Hill, London SE27 0HS T 07722 121108 E norwoodfoodbank@btinternet.com W norwoodbrixton.foodbank.org.uk

Contact us

• NTCG Brixton Food Bank NTCG Brixton Community Church, Lambert Road, Brixton Hill SW2 5BB T 02077370963 E events@ntcgbrixton.com W ntcgbrixtonevents.com

Lambeth Larder website has an Emergency & Support Food finder. Use it to search for your nearest emergency food centre or advice centre. You can also download an emergency food list from the site. lambethlarder.org

Thank you! A massive thanks to The Brixton Bugle, all the Lambeth food banks, Brixton Advice Centre and Fan Sissoko. Information correct at time of printing. Please check before visiting.

Mon

Tues

Wed

Thur

Fri

Sat

Sun

17 Dec

18 Dec

19 Dec

20 Dec

21 Dec

22 Dec

23 Dec

• Waterloo Food Bank (St. George the Martyr) 9.30am - 11am

• Brixton Food Bank 10am - 1pm

• Streatham Food Bank 7pm - 8.30pm

• Clapham Park Food Bank 11am - 2pm

• Vauxhall Food Bank 11am - 1.30pm

• Naybur’s Pantry 11am - 3pm

• Waterloo Food Bank (St. John’s) 3pm - 5pm

• Waterloo Food Bank (St. George the Martyr) 2.30pm - 4pm • NTCG Brixton Food Bank 7pm - 8.30pm

• Clapham Park Food Bank 11am - 2pm

• Norwood Food Bank 10am - 2pm

• Waterloo Food Bank (Oasis Centre) 10am - 12pm

• Vauxhall Food Bank 11.30am - 1.30pm

• Norwood Food Bank 10am - 1pm

• Waterloo Food Bank (Oasis Centre) 10am - 12pm

• Waterloo Food Bank (Oasis Centre) 1pm - 2.30pm

24 Dec

25 Dec

26 Dec

Christmas eve

Christmas day

boxing day

27 Dec • Waterloo Food Bank (St. George the Martyr) 2.30pm - 4pm

28 Dec • Norwood Food Bank 11am - 1pm

• NTCG Brixton Food Bank will distribute food parcels. 8pm - 9.30pm

31 Dec

1 Jan

New Year’s eve New Year’s day • NTCG Brixton Food Bank will distribute food parcels. 8pm - 9.30pm

2 Jan • Norwood Food Bank 10am -12pm • Streatham Food Bank 7pm - 8.30pm • Waterloo Food Bank (St. John's) 3pm - 5pm

BRIXTON Blog+BUGLE

29 Dec • Vauxhall Food Bank 11.30am - 1.30pm

Note

22 Dec Norwood Food Ba nk will distribute Ch ristmas food parcels with extras including fresh fru it and veg. Vouche r needed as usua l.

30 Dec

COMMUNITY  11

DECEMBER 2018/JANUARY 2019 brixtonblog.com

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lapham Leaf Club is an innovative project designed to enable pupils of local primary schools (Allen Edwards, Clapham Manor, Heathbrook, Larkhall and Macaulay) to learn all aspects of growing their own food. Pupils prepare the soil using organic matter, sow seeds and tend their crops which are harvested and sold fresh or cooked in Clapham’s Venn Street Market each July.

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esidents of the Rosendale Gardens estate in Herne Hill, with the help of Lambeth council, planted a community orchard nearly three years ago. It is now well established and, aided by Edible Living and Urban Growth, they have created a vegetable garden of raised beds in old tyres on a highly visible plot in front of the orchard. The aim is to attract children and young families to the project.

Papa’s Park open again

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by Jessica Dyer After two months of extensive refurbishment Papa’s Park is re-open and filled with brand new equipment, soft surfaces and additional food growing spaces. The under-fives area has been extended to include a larger climbing frame, rockers and activity panels. The main playground now features a seesaw, basketball shooting hoop (outside of the basketball/five-a-side pitch) and larger swings. The multi-play unit is higher and more challenging. Through the renovation, the Papa’s Park committee has been able to increase the number of individual pieces

of equipment to add more variety and enhance the experience for families using the playground. This project has been made possible by the support of Suez Communities Trust, Veolia Environmental Trust and Lambeth council as well as individual donations from the community. Chairs Mark and Jacquie say: “This is the culmination

of six years of hard work by our dedicated committee. We have been fortunate to receive great support from Lambeth council, Suez, Veolia and community members like Stephen Rushton who completed his first ever triathlon in Brighton in September to raise funds for us.” Papa’s is continuing to fundraise for the next phases of the renovation project which include updating the multi-purpose football and basketball court as well as a new purpose-built building. This will give the community a larger café, meeting rooms and hall space, the revenue from which will support the running of the park. Papa’s Park is a community playground run by local residents and volunteers and receives no public funding. AATo support Papa’s and keep this community playground and garden space open for generations to come. become a member for £15 a year online at www.papaspark.co.uk or in person at the café.

itherfield School in Streatham, with the help of Trees for Cities, created an edible playground in 2014. Its espalier (grown along a fence to save space) fruit trees and raised beds are now well loved by the children. More than 150 of the children take part in gardening activities each week and, over a year, every child will have a term’s access to outdoor lessons in the garden.

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ome of the winners of the 2018 Blooming Lambeth awards were featured in the last Bugle. Here is the full list of winners and runners-up: BEST GARDEN IN A SCHOOL OR EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT Joint Winners: Heathbrook Primary School and Hitherfield Primary School Highly Commended: Reay Primary School

LEAP project supports families Incredible Edible is working to provide healthy vegetable bags to local families as part of its LEAP (Lambeth Early Action Partnership) project. This has reminded us of th high levels of food poverty in the borough and the amazing work of food banks around Lambeth – both for those who need some help, and for those who have food to donate. See a full list on the opposite page.

BEST COMMUNITY GARDEN ON AN ESTATE Joint Winners: Blenheim Estate and Rosendale Community Gardens. THE IVOR PICARDO AWARD FOR BEST VEGETABLE GARDEN Winner: Lairdale Estate Highly Commended: Woodvale Estate and Myatts Field South Estate BEST COMMUNITY GARDEN IN A PARK Joint winners: Streatham Community Garden and Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses

Don’t forget the People’s Fridge in Pop Brixton – food that would otherwise go to waste is donated here for people in need to collect. Open Monday to Thursday 9am-7pm, Friday to Sunday 9am-5pm. AAAll these places rely on volunteers and donations – it’s a good time to get involved! Visit www.incredibleediblelambeth.org for more information and links.

BEST COMMUNITY GARDEN ANYWHERE ELSE Joint Winners: Amputee Rehabilitation Garden, Community Shop, and Brixton Fire Station Highly Commended: Triangle Playground AGAINST THE ODDS Winner: Mawbey Farm Highly Commended: Crowhurst Estate and The Kerb Garden BEST COMMUNITY GARDENERS Winner: Fabrice from Myatts Field Park Highly Commended: Cat from Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL Winner: Brixton Underground Station Highly Commended: Mrs Hewson’s Balcony INNOVATION Joint Winners: Friends of Ruskin Park, Wolfe’s Drinks, and the Clapham Leaf Project BEST GARDEN IN BLOOM Joint Winners: Coade House and Colwyn House Highly Commended: Fen’s Garden and Poet’s Paradise AA For profiles of all these gardens, visit bit.ly/IEL-win18

Brixton resident Matilda Lansdown trekked 34 miles through northern Italy with her dad Adam to raise awareness and money for the charity Smile Train. It helps medical professionals across the world provide free cleft palate surgery to children. Make-up artist Matilda was born with a cleft lip and palate herself. AA You can contribute at bit.ly/ST-Matilda

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Merry Christmas and Seasons Greetings to all

MERRY CHRISTMAS, H YEAR AND A VERY BIG

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 for the BID to continue its work for another five years.

Business Improvement District Director Michael Smith Another Brixton Christmas tree is up, and our beautiful Christmas lights are on. Let’s all bear in mind the message from the Mayor of Lambeth, Christopher Wellbelove, and Beverley Randall, programme director of Mosaic Clubhouse, who, as they switched on the lights, reminded us to consider those at this time of the year whose personal mental health may be more fragile than some of our own.

Challenge

BID staff and committee members at the announcement of the result in Lambeth town hall

Emphatic ‘Yes’ vote for a second term Brixton BID members voted emphatically in favour of a second term. The yes vote means that local businesses have chosen to work together for Brixton and to invest a minimum of £1.75m in projects to improve Brixton until 2023. The London Borough of Lambeth declared the successful result on Thursday 1 November 2018. With a turnout of 58.87%, 80.28% of votes were in favour of the continuation of the Brixton BID and 83.76% in favour by rateable value. Elly Foster and Laverne Walker, Co-Chairs of the Brixton BID, said: “We are extremely happy to have successfully secured a second term. “We believe that this will result in many more improvements for Brixton businesses and will mean that the BID can continue to provide a strong

voice, particularly for our small and medium-sized businesses, as we all adjust to a post-Brexit economy.” Michael Smith, Director of Brixton BID, said “Our mission to create additional opportunities for everyone carries on. We are extremely pleased with the results; the businesses have given us such a large mandate to celebrate our thriving Brixton’’. Cllr Matthew Bennett, Lambeth Council Cabinet Member for Planning, Investment and New Homes, said: “Brixton BID have made a fantastic contribution to local business and work closely with Lambeth Council to keep Brixton a dynamic and diverse town centre. I’m delighted to see them win their renewal ballot with such strong support and I look forward to continuing our strong partnership for Brixton.”

2018 has been just as challenging a year for the Brixton BID and Brixton businesses as was 2017. Wellbeing has been a personal challenge for many. Brixton businesses have also continued to suffer the challenges of increased business rates, rising rents, declining footfall, and falling sales. The Brixton BID continued its strategy of actively supporting the reduction of costs to business and engaging with our 513 members to achieve real business savings for many of them.

We offered free training sessions to more than 350 staff from businesses across the BID area. Our commitment to making Brixton Brighter, Cleaner, Safer saw us adding an extra 8,320 hours of policing for our businesses. This has reduced shoplifting by a third since deployment in 2016. There were 80 additional public realm cleaning days, a bigger Brixton Design Trail, and Street Pastor services for our late-night weekend revellers. This performance formed the basis of our successful renewal ballot on 31 October 2018. Some 59% of our 513 members actively participated in our renewal ballot exercise. We achieved a rateable value majority of 84% and a numerical value majority of 80%. The 18 spoilt votes received could have made our performance even more formidable. Brixton is now an above-average BID – both in London and among the 311 BIDS in the UK. We say a big thank you to our members for this endorsement.

Clarity

It’s traditional to wish everyone a Happy New Year as soon as Christmas is under way. I would like to wish all businesses in Brixton a Happy New Year. Businesses in 2019 will continue to face many of the challenges of the last two years, and new ones are looming.

WELCOME BACK PARTY

BAUBLES TO

Brixton Overground station passageway between Atlantic and Brixton Station roads will host a “Welcome Back” celebration on Saturday 15 December for traders who will be returning to the arches in 2019.

Shops on Brixton Station Road, Brixton Rec and Pop Brixton are collaborating with Brixton Design Trail (BDT) to collect wish baubles to add to the Forest of Wishes that will decorate the windows and hoardings on the road for the festive season. The BDT is asking as many people as possible to create a bauble. All you have to do is

There will be food tastings, Christmas stalls, a choir, Kids Kreate art workshops and storytelling plus other surprises. Specialist multicultural publishers Book Love will be offering a large selection of books, dolls, greeting cards, world flags and fashion that celebrate the diverse and wonderful communities that make up Brixton.

AT YOUR SERVICE …

HAPPY NEW G THANK YOU Clarity is needed on the impact of the Brexit negotiations and on when and how the UK would leave the EU. A further reduction in the Metropolitan Police Service’s provision will not be good for business. It could jeopardise the local gains already made by our Section 92 police officers around shoplifting and aggressive begging. In 2018 40,000 retail jobs were lost nationally. It is possible that this decline in the retail industry could continue into 2019 before any recovery is in sight.

Our tasks

Our tasks at the Brixton BID over the next five years are clear – even clearer than the tasks of the past five years that have now come to an end: We will continue to support local business to achieve business rate relief while calling for a reduction and an overhaul of the business rate system. We will continue to actively promote Brixton as a distinctive London destination making Brixton safe and welcoming to all. Brixton is culturally important and a vibrant venue both day and night. We will continue to promote services to keep businesses and customers in Brixton safe, day and night. We will continue to attempt to link and support our business communities across Brixton.

We will support local enterprise, jobs and skills development, increased footfall, and the customer experience – making Brixton a great and varied shopping experience for all. We take air quality and greening seriously and will commit to more green projects, recycling initiatives and renewable energy projects

Switch-on

We would like to thank specifically thank those businesses that helped to make this year’s Christmas lights switch-on ceremony a success: Morley’s department store for their annual support for the event; Nanban and the South London Procurement Network came in with tremendous support. Christmas is about children and the children from the Corpus Christi School were in good voice. We must thank Lambeth Council who, as always, were there to smooth out any rough edges, and the Mayor of Lambeth Cllr Christopher Wellbelove and, of course, Beverley Randall and the Mosaic Clubhouse. The Brixton BID will work even harder over the next five years to promote Brixton as the place to visit, do business and live. We aim to reach and support even more businesses, making Brixton Brighter, Cleaner, Safer, for all. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All.

O BRIGHTEN BRIXTON STATION ROAD create your bauble and make a wish.

INSTRUCTIONS …

Baubles can range in size between 10 centimetres across to maximum of 20 and need to be made of paper, sugar paper or thin card, be two-dimensional, circular and as flat as possible.

Don’t forget to include your wish. Make as many as you like The baubles will be fixed to hoardings and windows with wallpaper paste and then sprayed with waterproof varnish to ensure they stay in place into the new year.

Drop your baubles off at: ●● Brixton Pound Cafe, 77 Atlantic Road, Brixton SW9 8PU ●● Bambinos on Station Road sells all the materials you need to make baubles on the spot ●● BDT, International House, Canterbury Crescent, SW9 7QD ●● Lambeth Town Hall Reception.

The festive season can bring with it a host of ills and chills – whether self inflicted or simple bad luck. Here are details of Brixton pharmacies who are ready and able to help

BOOTS

449 Brixton Road, SW9 8HH Compact and popular local Boots dispensing chemist on the corner of Electric Avenue and Brixton Road. Much improved by a recent change in layout. Good supplies of cold remedies, multivitamins, family medicines and toiletries. Open Mon-Sat 7.30am- 8pm Sun/BoxingDay/New Year’s Day 10am-6pm closed Christmas Day 020 7274 4281

SUPERDRUG

452/456 Brixton Road, SW9 8EA A monster superstore on the high street in the chain that had its origins in South London in 1966. Vast range of cosmetics and toiletries with pharmacy at the back. Surprisingly efficient and friendly queuing system given the through-put of customers Store open Mon - Sat 8:00am-9:00pm Sun 12:00-6:00pm Store phone 020 773 8369 Pharmacy open Mon,Tue,Wed, Fri 8:30am - 7pm Thu 8:30am-6:00pm Fri 8:30am-7:00pm Sat 9:00am-5:30pm Sun closed Pharmacy phone 020 7274 1086

DAY LEWIS PHARMACY

KINGSHIELD PHARMACY

387 Brixton Road, SW9 7DE The name tells only half the story of this Brixton gem that has been trading for 35 years. On the ground floor is a friendly and independent NHS dispensing chemist also offering alternative remedies, essential oils, beauty products etc. Upstairs a vast range of professional art supplies and stationery. Amazing! Open Mon-Friday: 9:00am–6:30pm Sat: 9:00 am-5.30pm Sun: closed 020 7274 2424

PAVILION MEDICAL CENTRE

9 Brighton Terrace, SW9 8DJ Tucked into the ground floor of Piano House. Part of the Pavillion medical centre which includes dentist’s and doctor’s surgeries, a quiet pharmacy with little or no queueing. It has a consultation room where you can talk to the pharmacist in private. Also handles electronic prescriptions, emergency contraception and flu jabs. Mon-Friday 9:00am1:00pm. 2:00pm-6:00pm. Sat-Sun: closed 020 7787 7040

BABA CHEMIST

108A Brixton Hill, SW2 1AH Located in the clutch of cafes and shops towards the bottom of Brixton Hill. One of 300+ pharmacies in the independent family-owned group. NHS dispensing chemist. Friendly helpful service and advice Open Mon-Friday: 9:00am–6:30pm Sat: 9:00am-1:00pm Sun: closed 020 8674 3575

7 Tulse Hill, SW2 2TH Another dependable Brixton favourite of many years. Situated at the bottom of Tulse Hill opposite Sainsbury’s at the intersection with Brixton Water Lane. Offering a variety of services including Patient Group Directions and a travel clinic. If they don’t have something in stock they will offer to order it for you. Open Monday-Friday 09:00-7:00 Sat; 09:00am-1:00pm Sun: Closed

CONNECT WITH US

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

020 3417 7373 BrixtonBID BrixtonBID brixtonbid.co.uk

THE BRIXTON POUND IS:

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

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

The amazing BRIXTON FUND supporting grassroots projects and charities.

Stuck for ideas?

Festive fayre for £1! A pay-what-you-can festive evening meal! Join us for an evening of festive veggie and vegan goodness and cheer as we celebrate our one year anniversary of being totally pay-what-you-can. On Thursday 13 December between 19:00 and 22:30, we invite you to our final community pay-what-you-can meal of the year. Eat delicious and healthy food for £1. As you’d expect from the Brixton Pound, it will be far from traditional and the menu will be dictated

by the surplus food we receive. Ironically, we’re short on crockery so bring your own plate! Gather with staff, patrons and neighbours old and new, and let’s start the festive season the Brixton Pound way! Booking is essential. Email Madeleine to secure your place: madeleine@brixtonpound.org

What’s On in December Pay-what-you-can reiki Mondays 10 – 13:00 (book in advance)

Pay-what-you-can massage Thursdays at 12 – 14:00

Knit and natter Mondays at 14:00 Life drawing Mondays at 19:00

Brixton Pound Community Festive Meal Thursday 13 December 19 – 22:30

Pay-what-you-can community yoga Tuesdays at 11:00

Sound at the Pound Thursday 20 December 20:00

Guitar lesson drop-in with Dave Wednesdays at 19:00

Makerhood Christmas event Friday 7 December 18:30 – 23:00

Kraut pickling workshop Wednesday 5 December at 19:00

Future Sellouts Comedy Night Friday 14 December 19:30

Sodas workshop Wednesday 19 December at 19:00

Kids Kreate Saturdays at 10:30

If you’d like to give a unique slice of Brixton life for a present this Christmas, you may like to consider one of our Bowie prints. Each A3 print features the award-winning Brixton Pound David Bowie note. Both sides of the note are displayed, featuring Duffy’s iconic photograph of David Bowie in his Ziggy Stardust guise from the cover of Aladdin Sane, as well as a detail from the Nuclear Dawn mural on Brixton’s Coldharbour Lane. The print comes with a certificate of authenticity from the Brixton Pound. Proceeds support the Brixton Fund, a grant scheme managed by the Brixton Pound to grow community initiatives in the area. You can buy them unframed or beautifully hand-framed. Email thomas@brixtonpound.org if you’d like one.

Café and basement space available for hire day and evening at very reasonable rates. Open for radical thinking, delicious food and excellent coffee from 08:30 Monday – Friday 09:00 Saturday Closed 22 Dec – 7 Jan

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

DECEMBER 2018/JANUARY 2019 brixtonblog.com

FOOD & DRINK  15

FOOD & DRINK REVIEW: ROE

DIY COCKTAIL: THE NEW ZEALAND WINE CELLAR’S MULLED WINE

Always look on the Whiteside of fish Nick Buglione finds something impressive going on at Roe It’s entirely appropriate that I am “sardine-d” into a sea container. For I am at Roe, latest arrival to the upper echelons of Pop, and to the upper echelons of creative oceanographic cookery. Along with Pop predecessors Will Bowlby at Kricket, Zoe Adjonah and the guys at Smoke & Salt, I’m adding Simon Whiteside to the list of excellent, “proper” restaurant chefs coming out of a restrictive tin can. With stripped back interiors, reclaimed wooden tables and stools and vintage lighting. What’s way more interesting are the interesting things Whiteside is doing with fish and seafood. Born and raised in the coastal town of Dun Laoghaire near Dublin, Whiteside grew up with fish, honed his skills in the kitchens of Raymond Blanc (and his three stars), Don Alfonzo in Naples (cue mafia joke) and Robin Gill, before launching Camden pop-up Hook. Roe’s menu is, on the face of it, simple as … but the detail is in the backstage preparation (as well as a practical response to a kitchen that makes a phone box spacious). Precise simplicity isn’t simple. It is not often one can have a borderline faultless supper without demolishing next month’s mortgage payment or being bombarded by a thesaurus-full of on-trend foodie explanation/gibberish (delete as appropriate). We started with dark, robust Ink and

Guinness soda bread with seaweed butter and whipped smoked Cod’s roe. The Nori butter, so simple (you could do it) is a little revelation. Even more simple, fresh oysters with classic shallot red wine vinegar. Shucks. A small wine list has a lovely fish-friendly Riesling among others. The stripped down Roe menu fuses starter and main size mixing plates (roughly £8 and £15 respectively). Grey mullet poitin ceviche is sparklingly fresh mullet “cooked” in sharp citrus with cucumber, lime and herbs. Hugely refreshing. Our favourite was the Monkfish carpaccio. Almost translucent slices of fish dotted with a creamy roast cauliflower puree, scatterings of pickled shitake mushroom to give it a sharp bite and soda bread crisps. Impressive stuff. Mr Whiteside himself is in the teensy kitchen (as well as cheerfully serving tables) and such are sea container dimensions, it’s like chef’s table at somewhere swankier. So we see our ray wing coming together. Our only “main course” tonight (although I like the sound of confit trout in oyster emulsion), ray wing is a new one on me. Lovely flaky fish falling off the bone with Jerusalem artichoke and wild mushrooms. Once the dreaded inevitable Instagram buzz dies down, and the 20-somethings with permanent phone addictions find something new to get overexcited about, what will be left? The answer is a genuinely enthused chef delivering interesting, stimulating seafood without bells and whistles. Forget the glitzy overpriced, snapped by the paparazzi, fifty shades of Sexy Fish, this is sexy fish and I imagine as the seas and seasons fluctuate, more can be expected from Simon Whiteside. To ever so slightly misquote Renee Zellweger in Jerry Maguire: “You had me at Nori butter”.

Pop Brixton, SW9 8PQ | roebrixton.com | @roebrixton

T & A Q U A L I T Y B U TC H E R S LT D P R E S E N T T H E I R F I R S T E V E R

OFF d

spen 1e0n% you ore

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20 Brixton Village SW9 8PR

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OPEN 9AM-5PM SEVEN DAYS A WEEK You can find us opposite ‘Agile Rabbit’ in Brixton Village

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MUTTON, GOAT, OXTAIL, RIBS & PIGS TROTTERS, BOTH SALTED & FRESH

T-BONE, FILLET, & SIRLOIN STEAK, HAMBURGER MINCE & SAUSAGES

Pop Brixton isn’t just dirty burgers and beers. The New Zealand Wine Cellar does what it says on the tin and Christmas isn’t Christmas without mulled wine so we popped down to get their recipe. Apparently, in between conquering the world (but not Asterix), the Romans invented mulled wine in the second century as a way of fighting off the cold. The Germans call it Glühwein and often spike it with rum, while our Nordic cousins have Glögg which is served with raisins, dried cloves, blanched almonds and ginger biscuits. The Cellar say: To make great mulled wine, you’ll need to start with the best ingredients and this includes the most important one – red wine! “Use a red that is young, fruity and ideally with soft tannins. The most important characteristic is it should be a wine that you enjoy. We love to use a fruit driven Pinot Noir such as Kumeu Village from Auckland.” Grab a glass for £6.50.

INGREDIENTS

¡¡ 2 clementines ¡¡ 1 lemon ¡¡ 200g caster sugar ¡¡ 6 whole cloves ¡¡ 1 cinnamon stick ¡¡ 1 whole nutmeg (grated) ¡¡ 1 vanilla bean stalk ¡¡ 2 star anise ¡¡ 2 bottles of Kumeu Village Pinot Noir (or other red wine) ¡¡ Bay leaves

METHOD

åå Peel large sections of zest from the clementines & lemon. åå Add sugar, zest & squeezed clementine juice into a pan. åå Add the cloves, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, nutmeg & vanilla. åå Add 2/3 of the wine. åå Simmer until sugar has dissolved åå Bring to the boil for 4-5 minutes before turning the heat down. åå Add star anise and remaining wine åå Heat gently for a further 5 mins and serve

Pop Brixton, SW9 8PQ | 020 3633 3986 | thenewzealandcellar.co.uk | @NZCellar

16  FOOD & DRINK brixtonblog.com 2018 DECEMBER/2019 JANUARY SMALL PLATES

REVIEW: ROSA’S THAI CAFE

Beach blanket Brixton Richard Allen warms up at Rosa’s Thai Cafe Intrepid backpackers who discovered the beaches of south-east Asia years ago came back with more than just tales of sun, sea and sand. They told of fabulous food: light, fragrant and, in those days, mysterious. Now our love affair with Thai cuisine has reached its cosy “I’ve heard that joke before, Darling” stage. Every high street boasts its own version of the beach-side restaurant: high-end, middlebrow, or takeaway. Rosa’s Thai Café hinted at something a little different as we were shown to our side table with banquettes: hip décor, buzzing atmosphere (no need for muzak here) and a menu with more than a few items from the tourist trail. The new winter menu was on board as the temperatures descend outside. I decided to ease into the evening with a ginger and lemongrass fizz while my

companion wanted to keep

her critical faculties sharp with a lemony lemonade. Both, in their different ways, packed, a real tangy punch − mine in particular as all the alcohol and ginger had settled at the bottom. It seems Thai spies like their cocktails neither shaken nor stirred. Meanwhile we nibbled on huge prawn crackers that had more substance than the usual fluff served up in so many Asian-style eateries. My dining companion is Italian, so someone fanatical about freshness, flavour and cooking times. She is also a big fan of Thai food and

decided to go for a couple of

classics, to see whether they were out of the ordinary. I wanted to try some house specialities and something that just leapt out at me from the list. The informative menu suggested that we order everything together – Thai style – and then share the smörgåsbord (as it were). So, the vegetable spring rolls with a sweet chilli sauce were a definite cut above the usual offerings – no grease and with extra zing. The pad thai had unusually deep flavours – apart from the gigantic prawns which had no

flavour at all. Next time I’ll pick the chicken version. The stir fried aubergine was a riot of feisty spices, and the Thai calamari managed to avoid the common pitfalls of rubberiness and minimal taste. For me, the star attraction was the massaman curry – chicken in a smooth sauce packed with galangal and lemongrass, chilli spice, potatoes and cashew nuts gently soaking into a bed of egg fried rice. Simply − to use a technical term − scrummy. To finish, I, for one, could manage no more than a double espresso (yes, they nailed this too) but my companion could not resist mango and sticky rice. I tried a spoonful and agreed that it was a very long way from rice pudding and jam. For a Wednesday night the place was full: hip 20-somethings, middle-aged couples, families, you name it. So what happens on Friday and Saturday, I asked. They queue down the street, came the answer. That figures.

36 Atlantic Road, SW9 8JW | 020 3393 8562 | rosasthaicafe.com | @ROSASTHAICAFE

WWW.FRANZINATRATTORIA.COM

INFO@FRANZINATRATTORIA.COM

WE A RE OPENING IN JANUARY

in our new premises in the heart of BRIXTON on Coldharbour Lane KEEP IN TOUCH

via our social media and we’ll see you in the new year. love Stefania and Pietro x

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FRANZINATRATTORIA @FRANZINATRATTORIA

Olley’s in last 10 for top UK chip shop award Olley’s Fish Experience, the upmarket fish and chippy opposite Brockwell Park, is one of 10 finalists shortlisted by the Seafish Authority as the UK’s top independent takeaway chip shop for 2019. It was rated as No. 1 in London and the Home Counties. The winner of the fish and chip shop of the year award will be announced at the 31st National Fish and Chip Awards ceremony in London on 24 January. As well as its fish and chips, each shop is also assessed on sustainable sourcing,

menu innovation, marketing, staff training and customer service. Owner Harry Niazi said: “We are hugely proud to be shortlisted. The team continuously strive to ensure that our longstanding tradition of high quality food and customer service is maintained.” Olley’s, an eat-in as well as a takeaway, has been in Herne Hill since 1987. 65-69 Norwood Road, SE24 9AA olleys.info | 020 8671 8259

brixtonblog.com FOOD & DRINK  17

DECEMBER 2018 REVIEW: PARK’S EDGE

Parklife Nick Buglione says hello to Herne Hill’s Parks Edge It’s at least a tad interesting that, while Brockwell Park and everything around it has gentrified, the parade at the foot of south London’s favourite grassy knoll has resolutely not. Steve’s “greasy spoon”, The Number 2 Chinese, and the weird bed shop I can’t imagine anyone buying a bed in. For the last year, however, they have been joined by Park’s Edge, an all-day bar and kitchen attempting an ambitious fusion of mid-market brasserie with fine dining aspirations. Modern British overlaid with Caribbean influences. Housed in a slightly curious hybrid of “smart place” with offbeat memorabilia trimmings, semi-flock wallpaper, library shelves, vintage sewing machines and semi-grand chandeliers. The winter menu is in full effect and it’s obvious the kitchen is thinking beyond standard brasserie dishes. My dentist would have issues with the cocktails. My absinthe cocktail was mysteriously lacking in aniseed and was almost insanely sweet. Possibly sponsored by Tate & Lyle or an unscrupulous dentist. Alongside Caribbean jerk hummus, calypso peppered prawns and Pumpkin soup with dumpling, we chose crab salad with crème fraîche, damson puree, sea herbs and homemade soda bread. Really

nice flaked white crab, although I can take or leave the sweet plum sauce. Mrs B had an excellent oxtail ravioli with carrot puree and butter beans. Long cooked, warming rich oxtail in a lovely, thin homemade pasta. If this was lunch, we could have stopped there. These are not micro portions. My main course, slow cooked pork shoulder in a stout and pecan sauce with grilled leeks (and chips) had a good deep flavour although after having been baked after the slow cook, had a slightly croquettish exterior. I am clearly not a sweet tooth as I found the sauce fairly intimidating. It was also a pretty whopping size, generous to the point of over generous. Mrs B’s Dorset lamb rump, paprika infused mojo sauce, callaloo and sweet potato was an excellently pink, tender lamb. A wintery warmer for the walk home across the park. As we know, I don’t do desserts although the Caribbean twists run into

puddings – banana and rum cake sounds good in a “remember your Mum baking” kind of a way. To lay that on top of the starter and main would have been borderline heroic. If I am honest, Park’s Edge is, for me, slightly confusing. It has a friendly face with people popping in to the bar alongside the diners and is clearly bringing something new to the Herne Hill table in terms of quality dining. But I am not sure whether it’s a great place for brunch, a few drinks, a burger or a neo-fine dining evening. Park’s Edge is possibly caught between the two but, hey, maybe its most things to most people? They do events such as rum tastings and meet the artist evenings, so there is lots going on, lots of enthusiasm, and perhaps is truly itself in the summer. I’d dial down the sweetness and portion sizes (and occasionally the fine dining aspirations), sort out the cocktails and they are onto something.

49 Norwood Road, SE24 9AA | 020 8671 0306 | parksedgebarandkitchen.com | @parksedgebarandkitchen

18  WHAT’S ON brixtonblog.com 2018 DECEMBER/2019 JANUARY

WHAT’S ON Politics no laughing matter – or is it?

A place for jazz

As politicians strut, squirm and suffer, it is surely time for some light relief. South Londoners can get just that with A Modest Little Man, a comedy about Labour’s post-war prime minister Clement Attlee – the man who created the welfare state and is probably the most under-rated British politician of the 20th century. Said to have been described as “a modest little man with plenty to be modest about”, Attlee says almost nothing. He sits in his grey suit and puffs his pipe. One wit remarks: “An empty taxi drew up and Clement Attlee got out.” For ten nights in January, Bread & Roses theatre in Clapham is staging A

by Alan Slingsby

Readers of the Brixton Bugle and Brixton Blog can get a 10% reduction in ticket prices by quoting the code “BRIXTON” in “promo code & discounts” at checkout Modest Little Man by Francis Beckett, the author of an acclaimed biography of Attlee, as well as of Jeremy Corbyn and the Strange Rebirth of Labour England, published in 2018. The play opens on 15 January and is staged on Tuesdays through Saturdays until its last performance on 26 January. All shows are at 7.30 pm. Tickets from bit.ly/BR-AMLM and 020 8050 3025. £12, concessions, £10.

Bread & Roses, 68 Clapham Manor Street, SW4 6DZ breadandrosestheatre.co.uk

—est—

If you had searched, as I did, for “Brixton” in the 68-page programme for last month’s London Jazz Festival, you would have drawn a total blank. Where were the Effra, 414, Market House, Hootananny, Off the Cuff, The Junction … and more besides? Whinge over – on Brixton’s borders stand three excellent jazz venues that did feature in the London Jazz Festival – Streatham’s Hideaway, Camberwell’s The Crypt, and The Toulouse Lautrec in Kennington. Toulouse Lautrec celebrated its tenth anniversary last month, which was also the second anniversary of the closure after 25 years of the Lobster Pot restaurant, whose space it has expanded into. Toulouse Lautrec still offers a “bespoke” menu from its head chef in a private dining room, but the emphasis at its birthday celebration was on music and a buffet-style jazz club menu. The menu was a hit. As you

Pete and Emrys jam with a friend – inset Hervé Regent, founder of the Lobster Pot and proud father of three sons now running Toulouse Lautrec would expect from a descendant of the Lobster Pot (Toulouse Lautrec is run by three bothers whose parents ran the Lobster Pot) it is authentic and high quality. Its duck rillettes, for instance, were just that, not the gooey paste that is sometimes offered under that name. Upstairs in the second-floor jazz club, celebrants enjoyed London-based Italian singer Francesca Confortini and band. But, for a Brixtonite, the star of the night had to be pianist and singer Pete Saunders in the piano bar and restaurant. A one-time dweller in the Tulse Hill estate, his

New-Orleans-to-standards range of styles and virtuosity was a joy. He began his career playing Hammond organ for Dexys Midnight Runners and played on the first album by Carmel. Pete was joined to jam by Emrys Baird – who ten years earlier had played at the opening of the Toulouse Lautrec. The guitarist now plays with the long-running band Soul Immigrants, whose many celebrated former members include Nitin Sawhney. Their playing – sometimes accompanied by passers-by – was a delight; just the sort of thing you can hear nightly in Brixton’s plentiful jazz venues.

S A N M A R I N O —1993—

Now that winter has kicked in, Brixton’s favourite coffee house is undergoing a facelift. Our hardier customers can sip coffee on the terrace under our smar t new awning but others can come inside to warm up with one of our selection of exotic hot drinks. We have foaming mugs of spiced chai latte, ginger bread latte and turmeric latte. There are chai teas, mugs of delicious hot chocolate topped with marshmallows - and of course our signature Arabica coffee created with Italian exper tise and served any way you like it. We are here on the corner of Brixton Road and Brixton Station Road. A warm holiday welcome awaits you! LUNCH ? Our menu has something for everyone — ravioli with spinach & ricotta or Nduja spicy Italian salami & tagliatelle, each in a cream and garlic tomato sauce. There are lighter salads with grilled or spicy coriander chicken, with choices of coleslaw, potato salad and rice. We have falafels & hummus with salad, panninis and juicy burgers in brioche buns — and of course we offer a hear ty spaghetti Bolognese.

photos SpotOn Social Media

HUNGOVER ? FANCY A CAFE CLASSIC ? We are ready for you with sausages, mash and gravy, or a Full English (halal, veg or vegan). And mountains of home made pasta to warm your insides.

25 years : Three generations of Family Schifano serving great food to Brixton

4 1 3 BRI XTO N R D , LO N D O N SW9 7DG | 020 7978 8417 | SANMAR INOBR IXTON@YAH OO. COM

WHAT’S ON  19

DECEMBER/2018 JANUARY 2019 brixtonblog.com

WHAT’S ON

’tis the season … SANTA AT THE WINDMILL

Brixton-based singalong tribute to the music hall legend Mrs Mills, queen of the honky-tonk piano. Two local shows are coming up – at the Brixton Buzz club night in the Effra Social on Friday 14 December and at the Railway Tavern in Tulse Hill on Saturday 22 December – both events are free. Expect to be handed a party hat and lyric sheet and be ready to make it a proper old South London knees-up. Band on stage around 11pm.

Santa, his elves and reindeer will be at Brixton Windmill on Sunday 16 December. Also on offer will be Christmas decoration workshops from KidsKreate and classes on colourful Christmas wreaths from recycled materials. Resident face-painter Snezana will be working her magic and there will be festive refreshments, carol singing and music during the afternoon. Friends of Windmill Gardens will host their first bake-off competition – winners can walk home with a hamper of seasonal goodies from local businesses. To enter, make a festive dish (sweet or savoury) using Brixton Windmill flour; bring your bake, and the recipe, to the event for judging. There are two age categories for the bake-off: 14+ and up to 14. Share your creations on social media with the hashtag #FOWGfestivebake. Suggested donation for visiting Santa £3 per child – other activities free.

LOVE A DUCK

TAKE A WINTER DIP

Crisis, the national charity for homeless people, is calling for brave swimmers to take on its Icebreaker challenge and take a winter dip in Brockwell Lido to raise money for its work. The annual swim is on Saturday 15 December at 12.30pm. Registration costs £28.18. Visit bit.ly/CRISIS-Brockwell.

RETURN OF THE FOX

Crafty Fox Market returns to Brixton at its new location – The Department Store – on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 December. The Fox will be offering a mix of more than 80 UK-based designer/makers along with workshops, music, food and drink. There will be a different line-up each day and you can enjoy a drink from the bar, tunes from the Crafty Fox DJs and take part in a drop-in workshop. Treasures on offer include handmade ceramics by Hilda Carr, wooden flowers and wreaths by Anna Wiscombe, illustrated cards, prints and calendars

from Alice Tams and graphic Scandinavian homeware from Jonna Saarinen.

FacePlant Theatre’s family show One Duck Down is playing at the Streatham Space Project (Sternhold Avenue, SW2 4PA) every weekend in December: 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th – 1pm; 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th – 11am & 1pm. One Duck Down is an adventure for all the family about a boy who sets off to retrieve the thousands of rubber ducks floating across the ocean in order to win the heart of a beautiful but spoilt brat. With music, clowning and storytelling, the play teaches audiences of all ages the importance of looking after our oceans. Props, set and costumes are all designed with recycled materials. The aim is to teach a young audience about the environmental impact of plastic pollution.

GOSPEL FUNDRAISER

Some of Britain’s best-known Gospel artists will sing for “peace on earth” and support Christian Aid’s Christmas fundraising appeal with A Gospel Christmas on Saturday 15 December at 7pm at the Brixton Community Church, Lambert Road, SW2 5BB. BBC Gospel Choir of the Year Finalists IDMC Gospel Soul Choir and Shalom Choral will be among the performers. Doors open at 6:15pm. For tickets and information visit agc18.eventbrite.co.uk.

THE MAGIC OF MRS MILLS The Mrs Mills Experience is a rowdy

A5 Flyer Portrait

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

Step into Octagon London recording studio at the bottom of Brixton Hill, and you seem a world away from the mayhem. Having been making records under the radar for the past few years, it’s just undergone a classy refurb and is opening up to a wider array of artists. Its cocoon-like eight-sided main studio oozes a home-from-home feel, with first-time visitors having been heard to say: “I just want to move in”. It looks set to make its mark as a one-of-a-kind

music hub. Octagon London is a collective of producers, engineers and musicians and offers a one-stop shop aimed at putting out wonderful records and developing and encouraging local talent. In-house label Dream Diary enables people to write, record, cut to vinyl and market their music from start to finish, with distribution and publishing all being managed from the same facility. People use the studio for anything from full-scale recording projects to voiceovers and remixes. Everything has been hand wired and well thought out to provide an impressive array of recording and routing options.

The equipment has been carefully selected to provide a wide range of sonic possibilities and ranges from vintage pieces dating back to the 40s and 50s up to state-of-the-art technology – so artists can produce some unique sounds. The studio often has beta products to test and review from reputable hardware and software companies. Brian Parker, from Brooklyn NYC, consulted on the design and stayed until completion. Brian, who runs Octagon London’s sister studio in New York, is a renowned artist in his own right, with releases coming out on Dream Diary. AA To arrange a visit call 020 8133 1447. For more information see octagonlondon.com.

e

T: 01702 460047

Music on Brixton Hill A refurbished recording studio is a tranquil oasis in buzzing Brixton. Jamila Omar explains

Under the name of The Department of Serious Fun, local resident Juliette Sanders will host 90 minutes of “pure, unadulterated joy” – or a Silly Saturday – on 15 December. The first event will be at the Sunshine International Arts Cafe, on Coldharbour Lane next to Loughborough Junction station, from 10:30am. On top of a full laughter yoga session, guests can expect mood-lifting singing, dancing and fancy dress. Places are limited,and are free to register with a suggested £10 donation on the day. To reserve, visit bit.ly/DoSF-151218

10pm – 3am

Entry £3 Bleed Area remember to extend any colouring or images into this 3mm bleed area to avoid white lines appearing during th print finishing stages.

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

20  WHAT’S ON brixtonblog.com 2018 DECEMBER/2019 JANUARY

Jamila Omar rounds up a seasonal selection of gigs and more in Brixton and nearby FRI 7 DEC @ ELECTRIC BRIXTON

SAT 29 @ POP BRIXTON

Following February’s sell-out show, ANJUNABEATS rounds off the year featuring a stacked line up. Anjunabeats is the label owned by Above & Beyond – Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness and Paavo Siljamäki. It now encompasses an ever-growing family of global talent. 9pm-4am. £20.

Culture Cuts presents Louie Snacks, aka LouieG, who began his experiments on the wheels of steel inspired by the masters of FREESTYLE FLAVOUR selections, taking his roots in ska, punk and hip hop, and starting to blend an incredible range from Afrobeat, jungle, disco, Bali funk and Footwork to name but a few. 7pm-midnight. Free.

SAT 8 DEC @ PHONOX

SUN 30 @ OVALHOUSE

Phonox gives a warm welcome to its new Saturday night RESIDENT ESA. The South African DJ ushers in a new era as he makes the Brixton club his home. Originally from Cape Town, Esa’s DJ sets marry his South African heritage with high energy house, disco and world music, ready made for the dance floor. 9pm-4am.

SUN 9 DEC @ BLUES KITCHEN Come down and nurse your soul with a Sunday ritual of BBQ and booze, winding down the weekend as James Riley provides the soundtrack with a soothing mix of BLUES AND COUNTRY. 8pm-midnight. Free.

MON 10 DEC @ 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. £2 entry per person gets you the chance to win a bottle of wine, free drinks rounds and of course the mega cash pot. Book a table through hello@elmparktavern.co.uk. 8pm start.

TUE 11 DEC @ CLUB 414 A jazz session hosted by the Bukky Leo Quartet, an ORGAN-LED TRIO with Bukky on tenor. A jam session follows, welcoming solely competent instrumentalists and vocalists to join them on stage to play some great tunes of their choice in an orderly fashion so every artist gets a chance to bare their soul. 9pm2am £5 before 11pm, more after.

WED 12 DEC @ HOOTANANNY Wordsmiths features two amazing SINGER SONGWRITERS and a brilliant heartstopping belly-rumbling band. Alex Bayly is an alternative-folk artist whose angular, reverberant guitars and effortless vocals float between a low, earthy richness to a beautifully brittle falsetto. Adannay is back for an electrifying solo performance, while Highwire features singer/songwriter Johanna Lee and a collective of folk, jazz, blues, country musicians. 9pm-midnight. Free.

Valentia Studios

CHRISTMAS FAYRE Saturday 8th & 15th December 10.00am - 6.00pm

Phonox resident DJ Esa

MON 31 @ O2 ACADEMY BRIXTON THUR 13 DEC @ THE RAILWAY

Pop up to this Tulse Hill venue to catch the first CREATIVE COLLECTIVE showcase – a networking event celebrating the work of south London’s young creatives, from all things fashion and art through to music. There will be DJ sets and live performances, a catwalk, potential stalls and talks from artist/designers showcasing their work. They are looking to feature stylists, makeup artists, fashion designers, photographers and bloggers. 6.30pm-midnight.

FRI 14 DEC @ POP BRIXTON

Born in Brazil and passionate about all types of music since early childhood, DJ LIMAO – aka Fabio Terranova – has been based in London since 2005 and is a regular fixture on both Brazilian and British circuits. Expect MULTI-GENRE MUSIC at all times, going from samba to house with a little bit of funky stuff in between. 7pm-midnight. Free.

SAT 15 DEC @ BRIXTON ACADEMY

BRAINFEEDER X. With support from Flying Lotus (3D), Thundercat, Gilles Peterson, Ross From Friends, Lapalux, Iglooghost and Dorian Concept. 7pm-2am. £45.70.

SUN 16 DEC @ HOOTANANNY

Latinos in London is a reunion of artists from different parts of Latin America playing a fusion of Andean instruments and Latin percussion, an AFRO LATIN tropical night to warm up the winter with wonderful vibes bringing a new wave of Latin music from modern rhythms, rock and hip-hop mixed with classic Andean folk, tropical and African-Latin music. 9pm-midnight. Free.

MON 17 DEC @ POP BRIXTON

Gurpreet from Brixton YOGA teaches Vinyasa Flow, a shared, fun, community experience set to an eclectic and modern soundtrack. With a strong focus on the flow of breath, Gurpreet’s classes work you hard in the early stages, slowing down into a gorgeous movement meditation to close. 6.20-7.40pm. £7.

TUE 18 DEC @ TRINITY ARMS

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

WED 19 DEC @ POP BRIXTON

Railway Arches 17 & 21 Valentia Place SW9 8PJ

Your last chance (opens Wednesday 12 December) to see SNOW WHITE and the Happy Ever After Beauty Salon – an irreverent adaptation of the classic story for audiences young and old. Sundays 11:30am and 4:30pm. Full £12, under-16 £8. Two adults and two children: £35.

Adults only daily lunchtime sessions in the week, these DJ and MUSIC TECHNOLOGY SESSIONS breaking up the professional day. Come and work on a track, maybe put a playlist together and practise spinning some tunes. They can help set you up on a learning programme specific to your needs. Midday1pm. £12.

THUR 20 DEC @ PRINCE ALBERT Donald’s Fun Promotion Groove On Up OPEN VINYL NIGHT. Expect crowd-pleasing old skool, classics, legends and anthems music from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s with slices of classic soul,and roots. Feel free to bring along your own vinyl discs. 8pm-midnight. Free.

FRI 21 DEC @ ELECTRIC BRIXTON Curiosity presents The official Luck and Neat CHRISTMAS PARTY. Featuring DJ Luck & MC Neat, Artful Dodger, Romeo, Dan Da Man and more. 10pm-6am. £5-£20.

SAT 22 DEC @ BRIXTON JAMM Brown Sugah Music bring the funk for one final dance before the New Year, with ITALIAN DISCO HOUSE phenomenon Babert. Recently topping the Beatport charts with releases on Nervous Records, expect an unmissable funkadelic set from the pioneer himself. He is joined by a selection of first-class funk and soul DJs from across the capital, who’ll be digging deep into the history of house, disco, soul, old school, UKG and more. 10pm-6am. £5-£10.

SUN 23 DEC @ BRIXTON JAMM Get ready to take it back to FLEETWOD MAC, one of the most iconic bands in history. Expect all the hits plus music from the likes of Michael Jackson, Fleetwood Mac, Bee Gees, Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer and lots more! Listen to the wind blow, watch the sun rise – and dance. 10pm-4am. From £6.

MON 24 DEC @ ELECTRIC BRIXTON

SW4 presents a NEW YEARS EVE extravaganza, with Noisia, My Nu Leng b2b Redlight, Dimension, 20 years of So Solid Crew, Annix, Bushbaby b2b Freddie Martin, Matt Jam Lamont, Rusko, Sir Spyro b2b Joker, Taiki Nu Light and more. 9pm-5am. £45.70.

TUE 1 @ 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. Just £2 per person, everyone is welcome, feel free to rock up on the night or make a booking over the bar. 8-11pm.

WED 2 @ OFF THE CUFF 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 3 @ 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 jazz. The Banger Factory House Band are often joined by industry professionals. 11pm3am. Free.

FRI 4 @ GREMIO DE BRIXTON

DISCOVN presents massive CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY NOEL24 Remake History. The line up includes, Tommy, Binz, Jessica, MC Tungh Anh, Thang Hoang, Pharreal Phuong and Mykal. £45. 9.30-3am.

In the majestic crypt of St. Matthews Church, this Spanish TAPAS restaurant/bar sees DJs play commercial house on rotation from 10pm at weekends, with a live saxophonist from 11pm. Open until 3am. Free.

TUE 25 DEC CHRIMBO DAY!!!

SAT 5 @ POP BRIXTON

WED 26 DEC BOXING DAY!!! THUR 27 @ 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.

Kickstart your New Year with a BLAST and take part in the Fitness Blastoff Dance Cardio Blast, a two-hour POP-UP FITNESS PARTY. You will enjoy a fierce dance cardio workout, dance fitness session and bodyweight strength and stretch training section to upbeat tracks. Includes a free glass of bubbly. 1-3pm. £15.

FRI 28 @ HOOTANANNY

SUN 6 @ CLUB 414

Brixton Precision presents Zaya Hastara with a full live band. Described by Vogue as “sure fire gem of the future”, this acclaimed contemporary artist presents her unique BLEND OF HOUSE AND FOLK with the natural jazz-tinged sound of South London. 9pm-3am. Free before 10pm, £5 after.

Grassroots Live Music. A weekly Sunday night that looks set to encourage and inspire LOCAL GRASSROOTS TALENT. UB40 trumpeter Patrick Anthony leads the experienced house band, with resident DJs and Caribbean food available. 10pm3am. Free.

WHAT’S ON  21

DECEMBER 2018/JANUARY 2019 brixtonblog.com

Get intimate with Film and Chill Following its success at the Brixton Design Trail, Film and Chill launches on Saturday 8 December at Renaissance’s space in Tunstall Studios. Bridging the gap between independent films and mainstream classics, Film and Chill hopes to introduce audiences to new film makers at its monthly events. Audiences used to unique cinema experiences hosted by Secret Cinema, Backyard Cinema and Rooftop Film Club will see the progression that Film and Chill represents for the film community: instead of trailers. the founders Kelechi Ehenulo, Charlene Campbell and Marcus ‘Paradise’ Dawes place independent short films at the beginning of each screening. Inside Tunstall Studios one of the spaces has been transformed into an intimate screening experience with the capacity for 20 guests per show. This month will see Phil Dunn’s award-winning short film Box Office Smash paired with Christmas classic Home Alone, which will be celebrating its

28th anniversary. With Christmas in mind there will be festive fun in the Winter Garden, filled with food, drink, art, design and live DJ performances. Focused on engaging and working with the local community, Film and Chill are looking to create links with local businesses to expand the events. The venue opens an hour and a half before the film for guests to walk the red carpet, pose for the paparazzi, relax on the rooftop, enjoy live music and chill. For those who really want to chill out, massages, provided by local therapists, can be booked in advance at a subsidised price. People attending the later screening can party with a DJ before moving on to Honest Burger in Brixton Village where a Film and Chill ticket gives 20% off a meal. Tickets at bit.ly/BFC-HA. AA Keep up to date with Film and Chill screenings on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @FilmandChillLDN.

Renaissance Studios 10 & 11 | 34-44 Tunstall Road | SW9 8DA

HISTORY LESSONS

Brixton’s Barrio is swapping the cold streets of London for a sunny Hawaiian-inspired paradise with hip hop, RnB, Latino, party mashup, funk and soul for its New Year party from 6pm to 4 am. Tickets from bit.ly/DMN-Barrio-NY. Limited availability on the door. Welcome drink before 10pm.

Lambeth Democracy Forum is organising a discussion meeting – Chartism in London in 1848 and lessons for today – with Marietta Crichton on Wednesday 12 December at Effra Space, 21 Effra Parade, SW2 1PX. 7.30-9pm. Free.

American Animals

What’s on at Whirled Lucky Monday 10 – Wednesday 12 December | 8pm Sunday 16 December | 6pm More than 30 years after Paris, Texas, John Carroll Lynch’s Lucky sees Harry Dean Stanton on another journey, this time as a cantankerous, self-reliant 90-year-old atheist. Having out-lived all of his Arizona contemporaries, Lucky finds himself thrust into a journey towards enlightenment. Mandy Monday 17 – Wednesday 19 December | 8pm Sun 23 December | 6pm In Panos Cosmatos’ Mandy, outsiders Red and Mandy lead a peaceful existence. When their haven is destroyed by a cult, Red is catapulted into a journey of bloody vengeance.

The Workshop Monday 7 – Wednesday 9 January | 8pm Sun 13 January | 6pm The Workshop is a riveting contemporary drama by Laurent Cantet, writer-director of Palme d’Or-winner The Class, that blends social commentary with a study of the modern world and political radicalism. American Animals Monday 14 – Wednesday 16 January | 8pm Sun 20 January | 6pm American Animals is the true story of four young men who attempt to execute one of the most audacious art heists in US history and takes the heist movie into bold new territory. In Bart Layton’s film they plan the theft of valuable books from the special collections room of a college, taking their cues from heist movies.

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

Soul Stripped Rooftop Sessions Vol. 21

Thursday 20th december 7.30 doors

Davina Oriakhi Stephanie Sounds Bee Bakare MAVICA 4 headliners. Carefully selected, each artist individual in unique soulful style and stage persona, have made a name for themselves as experts within the spectrum of soulful music. A unique live music experience featuring the finest soulful female singer-songwriters. ............................................ FOR

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22  COLUMNS brixtonblog.com 2018 DECEMBER/2019 JANUARY GARDENING GEMMA PASHA

POSY BERNSTEIN’S DATING DIARY

Raking bad? Try these ideas

At least his bed was cosy

Leaves on your lawn can block sunlight and create a boggy environment that attracts disease. That’s why most of us break out the rake come autumn. But fallen leaves need not be a thankless chore. Here are five ways to convert them to useful resources.

1. COMPOST Leaves decompose relatively quickly into a fertile mulch that can be added back to your garden or landscape. If you’ve been thinking about starting a compost bin, now is the time to start.

the sun, leaves can be beneficial for your grass. Break them down into parts small enough not to block the sun by setting your mower to its greatest height and mowing repeatedly until they are broken down into bits too small to rake. They will make their way into the soil below, where they will break, adding nutrients to your lawn.

4. SOIL AMENDMENT Fallen leaves can benefit flower beds. Apply a layer about six inches deep, then work them directly into the soil. Decomposition will enrich your beds, and the addition of “green matter” can help improve soil conditions. To increase the rate of decomposition, add a little fertiliser.

2. LEAF MOULD Similar to compost, leaf mould is useful as mulch. It is made by a cold process involving fungi, rather than the warm one involving bacteria that creates compost. Shred the leaves, either with a leaf shredder or by mowing over them, then bag them for a year or so after moistening them a bit and poking a few holes in the bag to provide air flow. When the contents are soft and crumbly, they are ready to use and can be used in a layer up to 3 inches thick around perennials, vegetables and shrubs. Leaf mould is very effective at retaining moisture and so is helpful in keeping ground cool. But crowd mould too close to the base of plants may invite disease.

3. LAWN SUPPLEMENT Provided they do not hide your lawn from

5. DECORATION AND EDUCATION Next time you rake, look for the best-shaped and most strikingly coloured leaves. Use them in wreaths or table settings. Children are often amazed at the change leaves go through, making them perfect for creative activities. 66 I raked my fair share of leaves in the autumn, but if you still need a hand getting your garden leaf clear, or with any other maintenance please contact me on 07826 551353

face and kissed me. “Sorry” he said, “you were taking too long to reply, I couldn’t help it”, and then he kissed me again. I messaged Rose telling her that I missed her madly and that I kept falling asleep on On Thursday at about 4pm, I cancelled my my date and it was reminding me of her. date with Devon Dylan. It was chilly and I I was so sleepy. I reasserted this to Dylan was cosied up in leggings. About two hours on his return and he asked if I wanted to later, I changed my mind and de-cancelled – I stay at his (“you don’t have to”). figured I was cosy in leggings, but I would be “I will but I’m going to fall asleep straight even cosier in a boy’s bed. away”. “That’s fine”. We drank and kissed I arranged to meet him in Clapham (oww) for a bit longer, and took a short cut through the park, but The streets were empty and it felt a bit the gate by the bus stop was locked. like we were in a very middle-class South Twenty minutes late would be glamorous. London rom-com. I was texting Ruby while on the bus, and We went to bed and it was quite nice. Dylan, obviously. He said he’d meet Not amazing. me at the pub and asked me what As we were falling asleep I I wanted to drink. Ruby said asked him if he voted for Brexit: she was jealous, and that being “I was really on the fence. late for a date because of So on the fence that I had being locked in the park was splinters,” he said. “very Lana” – “if it wasn’t “Right so you voted in Clapham”. Leave?” I replied. When I got to the pub, “I voted purely based A small ‘c’ conservative Dylan, ten times better-looking on how good I thought the like Mark Darcy? than I had remembered, was campaigns were … so yeah.” outside with my whisky ginger. He said. I was tired as hell. When Dylan “Are you a massive Tory?” I asked asked me what I’d like as a second drink I “Not a massive one,” he said. I sighed. took about five years to respond. “What are you?” he asked, “a Lib Dem?” I think this gave me some sort of Damsel “No” in Distress vibe, (he was able to save me “Green?” with his big strong decision-making). “No, Labour.” When he went to get the second round, I fell asleep wondering if it was possible a group of people pounced on our table, so that Dylan could be some kind of small ‘c’ once back, the only space for him to sit was conservative like Mark Darcy. I decided he next to me. couldn’t be: Mark Darcy was a human rights I spent a lot of time trying to squeeze a lawyer – Dylan worked for a company who lime into my drink, Dylan asked me when I do PR for Facebook. was going away. “Um I think …” I licked my Oh well. At least his bed was cosy. fingers free of lime juice, Dylan grabbed my Love, Posy xoxo

All the brands, all the choice

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Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 6.00am to 5.00pm Saturday 8.00am to 5.00pm

DECEMBER 2018/JANUARY 2019

Hill Mead HERALD OUR OWN WINDRUSH JOURNEY Hill Mead immersed itself in the story of the Empire Windrush to celebrate the 70th anniversary of its arrival. Each year group found out about the Windrush Story and then researched a specific aspect. This is the final Hill Mead Herald with articles about our journey of learning about this significant event. Year 1 explored Jamaican heritage around Brixton; Year 2 explored the journey; Years 3 and 4 found out about the cultural impact of the Windrush Generation; Year 5 researched its economic contribution and Year 6 focused on the scandal over the UK residency status of children of members of the first Windrush generation TO BRIXTON BUGLE AND ITS READERS … Thank you for encouraging us to share our experiences, making them newsworthy and challenging the assumption that ‘No news is good news’. Happy Christmas from Hill Mead.

Our windows light up the Department Store There was a buzz of excitement as children and parents from Hill Mead gathered outside Brixton’s Department Store on Ferndale Road to see their handiwork illuminated in an eight-window light show. The Winter Windows switch on took place on Friday 30 November. Now in its second year, this year’s Winter Windows is a series of eight illuminations

created by Hill Mead pupils in collaboration with model makers and architects from Squire and Partners. The lights were switched on in front of children, staff and families. The school’s young artists proudly posed for the cameras in front of their illumination. In two workshops run by the architecture practice, pupils were challenged to create expressive winter

shapes using a continuous line of light. The first workshop, at Hill Mead, introduced the children to the idea of designing abstract winter shapes based around emotions or senses like excitement, light or cold. They explored these alongside traditional winter symbols such as snowflakes, sweets and gingerbread people, drawing with pencils on paper and testing out the

More poems and pictures from our Empire Windrush studies

The secret of poetry – just keep it thin!

ideas with a “line of light”. A second workshop in Squire and Partners focussed on testing ideas and working up a final design. Armed with paper, pens, string and pipe cleaners, the children progressed initial ideas, which were then tested in rope or the “line of light” on a large floor area. Each pupil presented their final idea with either pipe cleaners or string on a sheet

Windrush Tears

England

Tears flooded my face

I miss my home

I saw a slogan

I miss the kindness

Keep Britain White

A terrible mistake

It was horrible

For what?

Ashamed

Not even to fill my belly

Was this my Mother country?

No Blacks

It was a long journey On the Empire Windrush I was worried Some people might bully me I am shy to talk to people But I wanted to make friends In England I had nowhere to live I was nervous and disappointed The Government gave me somewhere to stay A cold underground shelter It was never like this In the hot Caribbean

To travel all this way For nothing Tears What if it were them? Slapping my head in anger

By Marius, Year 6

No Irish No Dogs Allowed Or welcome Tears fill my mind Always

Sami and Daniesha, Year 5

John Lyons, the poet and artist, returned to Hill Mead to run a two-day poetry workshop with children from Years 4, 5 and 6. He shared his secrets for writing poetry and poetical features. He asked us to show our ideas – not tell them. At first, we just wrote words that would inspire us to write poems about The Windrush. I wrote “disorientating, controversy and spewing”. Then he told us just to write and keep the pen on the paper. Next, he told us to cut out the words we didn’t need. Making our poems thin. I found out that poetry can’t be wrong – just keep it thin!

The Earth’s only natural satellite is the Moon and some of it came to Hill Mead in a loan from NASA – the United States National

Moses, Year 3

Journey on the Empire Windrush The morning breeze chilled my neck I brushed my teeth and went up to the deck The was not as interesting but it was something we had to get used to I spun around I saw a dull, miserable city Was this England? We had to wait to figure that out I woke up it was the big day As usual Omar and Jen started

their fiasco While Dardie and a man had a controversy about music We all got ready Went up to the deck We saw a dull, unwelcoming city was this the Motherland? Was this the land paved with gold? Omar and Jen burst into tears Dardie shouted Marmie was crying in his arms Marius and Oshane, Year 6

The Moon comes to Hill Mead By Monica, Year 5

of A4. A panel of judges from Squire and Partners selected eight designs varying from ice skaters to steaming mugs of hot chocolate. Occupying an entire glazing panel, each light is made using a sheet of Perspex with a coloured LED light in it. Winter Windows will be part of Brixton’s Christmas light display throughout December and January.

Aeronautics and Space Administration. We used microscopes and magnifying glasses to see the Moon close up and it helped us to draw what it actually looked like. I was surprised

that, at first, the rock looked smooth, but when I used a microscope it was full of cracks. There were lots of different kinds of rocks and one was actually clear, I didn’t know they

could be! And they have such complicated names! I found out that the Moon has lots of holes made by meteorites hitting and bouncing off. Every class got to see the Moon up close.

I was frightened Embarrassed by the staring faces in the buildings Pointing with shocked angry faces A man walked passed Spewing racist words Which mum said we had to get used to We saw something Dardie called graffiti With a sign saying KBW This is for you to figure out

BRIXTON

Bugle SPORT

Britain’s top sabre fencer James Honeybone visited London’s newest fencing club – Brixton Sabre – in November. Ranked 30th in the world, 27-year-old Honeybone is gearing up for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He took a break from training to make a special appearance at the club in Brixton Rec where he offered coaching tips and answered questions. “Having James Honeybone visit our new club is a huge coup for us,”

in second place and Brockwell Lido’s Blue team third. Individual races following the team events included 50m head-up breaststroke, novelty hat and, the most popular race of all, a 400m endurance event with more than 100 swimmers in water of 11.2 degrees. All participants were awarded a unique engraved medal. Organisers said the day was made possible by an army of volunteers including MC Cat

Some of the 100-plus swimmers who braved the lido in November

Rowlands and cake and barbecue makers. They thanked Fusion for providing two hot tubs and local businesses that contributed raffle prizes, the lido café for hot drinks, and lifeguards and other staff who stayed on in extra time. All proceeds raised on the day will be shared equally between local charities – Mosaic Clubhouse and Wheels for Wellbeing.

MARK ROE

Brixton Immortals domino team have won the Anglo Caribbean Domino League again – this time without conceding a point. In the new year they will have the chance to make their Immortals name a reality as they take on a “rest of the league” team in a “Champion of Champions” match in Brixton on Saturday 19 January. With a maximum possible 30 points from 10 games in 2018, Immortals were well clear of Clapham Eagles and Cosmopolitan, both on 24 points. Anglo Caribbean Domino League is the UK’s Premier open-code domino league and represents the UK in international competitions.

Brockwell Lido hosted the 2018 Brockwell Lido Community Cold Water Gala on a sunny November day. Organised by Brockwell Lido Users and Lido manager Fusion, clubs had been invited to race against two Brockwell teams made up of swimmers from Brockwell Icicles, Streamline Swims, Windrush, Brockwell Swimmers and other lido users. A cold water gala was first requested by the Brockwell Swimmers club in 2015. Teams came from far and wide including GROSAX, Parliament Hill Lido, South London Swimming Club and Teddington Masters. Many of the races were close, but the super-strong Parliament Hill Lido team secured the magnificent Brockwell Lido cup by just two points with GROSAX

MICHAEL WHARLEY

BRIXTON'S IMMORTALS TO PLAY THE BEST OF THE REST

TOP SABRE FENCER VISITS BRIXTON

MORE THAN 100 ENDURE LIDO’S COLD (11.2º) WATER

BROCKWELL END THE YEAR ON A HIGH NOTE Brockwell Swimmers water polo squad ended the year on a high with another victory at the beginning of December. The team took on its first (and final) non-London opponents of 2018 when the Addenbrooke’s Hospital team from Cambridge visited the Brockwell Swimmers winter training venue of St Joseph’s College, Beaulah Hill, Norwood. The hospital team scored within minutes of the whistle, but Brockwell Swimmers were quick to respond and scored just a few minutes later. An end-to-end game full of movement followed as Brockwell seized the advantage with a well-placed centre forward left pretty much undefended. The lone wolf repeated the same move in another counter attack just moments later. By then Brockwell Swimmers were fully in their stride, or rather stroke, with a series of smoothly executed goals – all in the first half.

Addenbrooke’s were not about to make it that easy, with a couple of their own strategic scores. Even with the addition of not one, but two, converted penalties in the final minutes, the match ended 9-6 to Brockwell. In November they took on – for the third time in 2018 – a team from Parliament Hill, also at St Joseph’s. The visitors turned up with only eight players to Brockwell’s 20, but got a share of the Brockwell team for the evening to allow for both sides to have much welcomed substitutions. Brockwell coach Steve Baker was on referee duty. Despite an early own goal, they ended 13:9 winners. The club’s polo sessions are open to all levels of players over 18, from complete beginners to seasoned shooters. All are coached by professional and national-league players. AA More details at bit.ly/BSWIM-polo

said Marc Lepere, founder of Brixton Sabre. “We set up the club because South London desperately needs a dedicated place where sabreurs can go to train, fence each other and have lessons from a specialist sabre coach. “Italian U23 sabreur Paolo Gattavari has agreed to be our coach, giving group sessions, individual lessons and beginners’ courses.” Brixton Sabre captain Ceri Thomas won bronze and selection for Wales at the Welsh veterans championships earlier this year. The club meets every Tuesday night at the Rec. Experienced fencers are welcome and the club also runs beginner courses. Brixton Sabre supplies weapons and protective gear and beginners just need to bring the energy and enthusiasm. AA For membership details, prices and dates for beginners’ courses (the next ones start on 15 January), visit www.brixtonsabre.com.