Brixton Bugle December 2019/January 2020

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BRIXTON BUGLE YOUR FREE

No 79 | DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

Published monthly in and for Brixton

ISSN 2397-852X

BRIXTON’S SEASON OF GOODWILL Brixton’s people and businesses have, once again, come together to help those who are lonely and in need at the worst time of year to be so. From individual donations to gifts from large multinationals, Brixton is seeing the real spirit of the season at work. So many organisations – from the Brixton Soup Kitchen to the Norwood and Brixton

Above: Brixton Chamber Orchestra played at the ceremony to switch on the lights of the Christmas tree sponsored by Brixton Business Improvement District Right: Pupils from Lansdowne school worked with staff from Squire and Partners architects to create lights for the firm’s ‘Winter Windows’ on Ferndale Road

Individuals and businesses show they care

Food Bank – are now working to help people that it is unfair to single out any one of them. But the experience of a relative newcomer to the long list

of Brixton’s charities reveals just how special our community is. Compliments of the House (COTH) has a simple model: it collects surplus food from outlets prepared to help and distributes it to people in need with the minimum of fuss. As well as keeping perfectly good food out of landfill, COTH offers people it helps a back-towork scheme. Local traders and volunteers have been mucking in to make sure COTH new premises at 2a Market Row, courtesy of owners Hondo Enterprises, is spruced up for the festive season. Brewers decorators centre on Acre Lane supplied the materials and paint and volunteers provided the muscle. COTH distributes food to those in need for from 7 to 9pm on weekdays Founder Sinead Browne says: “We welcome anyone who is need of a meal or support. We are currently partnered with 30 local businesses and run a Back to Work scheme that supports our guests back into employment. “Once they’re ready to go back to work, we arrange 12-week, part-time placements for them with our food partners. “If it’s a good fit, it can turn ☛  continued page 2

COMMUNITY PAPER

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6

BANG UP TO THE ELEPHANT

2  NEWS brixtonblog.com DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

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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07973 214648 advertising@brixtonblog.com Circulation 12,500 copies Readership: circa 15,000 EDITOR Linda Quinn linda@brixtonblog.com NEWS EDITOR Anna McKie newsdesk@brixtonblog.com ARTS Leslie Manasseh arts@brixtonblog.com

Food bank gears up for busiest time of year By Jon Taylor of the Brixton and Norwood foodbank Food banks are facing the busiest December yet as new figures suggest record number of people in crisis will need support ahead of Christmas. The Norwood and Brixton Foodbank is concerned that new figures from December 2018, taken alongside the increase in food bank parcels needed so far this year, indicate more people than ever will need help from a food bank this Christmas. National data released by the Trussell Trust shows December 2018 was the busiest month for food banks. Some 186,185 three-day emergency food parcels were provided to people in crisis; 78,536 of these went to children. This is 44% higher than the monthly average for the 2018-19 financial year. Our own local figures tell a similar story and we too have seen a further increase in the numbers using our foodbank this year. It’s not all doom and gloom though. Each year on the last Saturday before Christmas (this year it will be on Saturday, 21 December) we give out our Christmas hampers to those in our community struggling for food to help them through the Christmas

A Visit our webpage to donate online via VIRGIN GIVING. A TEXT dinner 5 to 70085 to donate £5 A TEXT dinner 10 to 70085 to donate £10 This costs £5 or £10 plus a standard rate message A Set up a STANDING ORDER and if you are a UK tax-payer you can GIFT AID on any donation you make at: A norwoodbrixton.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/ donate-money

TO DONATE FOOD: A BANKUET is an easy way to donate food via an online shop. It reduces waste and ensures we get the items we need: bankuet.co.uk A FOODBANK APP – you can check while in store exactly what is needed and target current shortages and avoid waste: foodbankapp.co.uk A Check our website for latest shopping lists and requests

into a permanent job. We call this process a circle of efficiency.” Sinead’s charity has no grant funding unfunded as yet and she has been using her own resources to get it off the ground. Once people and businesses are involved, they decide to offer more than just waste food. Neighbouring businesses have been preparing food especially for the guests of COTH, for instance. Compliments of the House has plans to take the model outside Brixton and to create a loyalty card that will give the card owner discounts and the charity a percentage when used at participating outlets. Among the Brixton businesses large and small that make COTH possible are:

SPORT Sandra Brobbey sport@brixtonblog.com ISSUE 79 Contributors Jessica Dyer Jack Francklin Ruby Gregory Jamila Omar Steve Powdrill Dave Randall Simone Richardson Anetha Sivananthan Jon Taylor

Federation Coffee

Agile Rabbit

Sainsbury’s

Greggs

Marks & Spencer

Ms Cupcake

Philips fruit and yeg

L’Atelier

Santafereno

Honest Burger

El Rancho la Lalo

Costa Coffee

Jeff the Chef One Love Cafe

Champagne and Fromage

Franca Manca

Healthy Eaters

Mezze Me

Share a Slice

First Choice Bakery

And anyone can join in. “We always need volunteers who are willing to donate some of their time to help with office admin, fundraising or to help us by collecting, sorting and redistributing the food we supply to our guests,” says Sinead. “We also have befriending roles as many of our guests just need a chat.”

A To find out more about volunteering, email team@complimentsofthehouse.org A Donate on Justgiving: www.justgiving.com/complimentsofthehouse

Sub-editor: Jamila Omar Production: Alan Slingsby

If you would like to be a Bugle stockist please email distribution@brixtonblog.com

TO DONATE MONEY:

☛  from front page

FOOD Nick Buglione food@brixtonblog.com

A massive thank you to everybody involved in making this issue, and the Blog & Bugle project, a success

continuous support you provide and continue to be overwhelmed by your generosity. We wish you all a very joyful festive period and a wonderful new year.

Brixton’s season of goodwill

MUSIC Dave Randall music@brixtonblog.com

Distribution: Philip King

period. Thanks to generous donations, we can give out fresh vegetables, fruit, seasonal treats and chocolate in addition to our regular food parcels. For many of our guests these hampers make an incredible impact and ensure they will not be hungry on Christmas day. We are hopeful that with more generous donations this year we will continue to provide this essential seasonal service. Last year, one of our guests said: “The Christmas hampers we receive are like gold dust. My family would have a rubbish Christmas without the food we get. We would be hungry. I love getting fresh veg, I save it and we have a feast on Christmas day.” We currently have plenty of food donations so if you are thinking of donating, we would love for you to donate financially and help us cover the cost of providing vital support to people in our community instead. We have a number of new initiatives to suit your donating preferences, including our text to donate service – simply texting ‘dinner 5’ or ‘dinner 10’ to 70085 enables you to donate the corresponding amount through your phone. See all options available to you below. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported our foodbank this year, we are so grateful for the

Compliments of the House volunteers Radia and Tamsyn prepare to set off from the charity’s Market Row headquarters to collect outside the Tube

Brixton Soup Kitchen is organising an Xmas Party at the Prince of Wales to raise funds and awareness for the Soup Kitchen on Friday 13 December from 9pm to 3am. Tickets start from £5, and all proceeds will go to the Brixton Soup Kitchen.

DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 brixtonblog.com

NEWS  3

Duke of Edinburgh gets its licence after concessions In a decision seen by many as crucial for the future of Brixton’s important nighttime economy, and for its overall future development, Lambeth council’s licensing sub-committee in November agreed a new licence for the Duke of Edinburgh pub on Ferndale Road. The normally staid proceedings of the committee were interrupted by spontaneous applause on several occasions as both opponents and supporters made heartfelt presentations of their points of view. In a dispute that kicked off when England surprised everybody in last year’s men’s football world cup, a group of local residents, backed by police and council departments, were seeking restrictions on the pub’s operations that its owners said would make its business unviable and force it to close. More than 1,000 pages of evidence were before the three-person committee. Efforts on both sides to reach a compromise, helped by local councillor Joshua Lindsey (Labour, Ferndale), had seen the differences between the council’s licensing department and the pub’s owners, Solitaire Restaurants, boiled down to just one issue: how many customers could be accommodated in the pub’s huge garden? Along the way, these efforts created a list of more than 80 conditions that the pub agreed to and must meet to get and keep a new licence. This was, said leading licensing barrister Gary Grant, unprecedented in his experience. He was appearing for the pub along with a solicitor and pub manager Stevie Mulgrave – a measure of the importance of the licence to its owners.

‘Small but vocal’ The opponents of the licence application, described by Gary Grant as “a small but vocal group”, were represented by Ferndale Road resident Mark Buttery, who has lived there since 2010; Cllr Lindsey also explained their concerns. They said local people had problems with queues outside the pub and people leaving it, and that residents whose homes were next to the pub’s garden could not enjoy their own gardens and suffered disruption inside as well. Buttery said the noise from the pub was not permissible in a residential area. It went on from noon to 10pm and there could be as many as 1,000

people in the garden. “I’ve come to dread the first warm days of spring, as I know I can no longer enjoy my garden,” he said. He wanted a limit of 350 people allowed in the garden. Earlier Gary Grant had made the case for the pub, a listed building, pointing out that some of the complaints raised by residents were the direct result of orders issued to it by various departments of Lambeth council. He also questioned opposition to queues to get into the pub and its garden, pointing out that the alternative to orderly queues supervised by pub staff was large numbers of people milling about in the streets outside. Duke of Edinburgh manager Stevie Mulgrave assured the committee that the proposed compromise of a maximum number of people in the garden of 550 was the lowest the pub could go without being forced to close.

Brixton pub closures It was the supporters of the pub who drew applause. Michael Smith, director of the Brixton Business Improvement District, began by reading from a seemingly never-ending list of Brixton pubs that have closed in recent years. He stressed the importance of the night-time economy and the employment it provides for local people and the taxes it pays. Steve Byrne, whose catering business is based at the pub, said he and the six people he employs would lose their jobs if the pub was forced to close. Carlos Benavides of Los Siempre Secos sports and social club, representing the Latin American community, said the Duke of Edinburgh had hosted a group watching football every Saturday for the past 20 years. He said the pub was “our base and focal point”. Noah Halperin, who has lived in Brixton for 16 years, pointed out that the pub had had quiet and busy periods over the years. He also stressed its community value: “Kids, pets, sport, knitting clubs, runners. This is not somewhere people are just going to party”. After nearly three hours, the members of the committee, Fred Cowell and councillors Linda Bray and Rezina Chowdhury, retired to consider their decision. Supporters of the pub rejoiced when Cllr Cowell returned to announce that the limit for the garden would be set at 550. The decision is subject to appeal.

Corpus Christi choir sings at the Winter Windows ceremony. Below: one of the windows and the crowd of parents and others wait for them to be illuminated

Brixton’s Christmas got under way at the end of November with two recently instituted but already traditional events. This year’s Winter Windows at architect Squire & Partners’ Ferndale Road Department Store headquarters, an eight-window illuminated installation, was created by students from Brixton’s Lansdowne School working with architects and model makers from the practice.

Around the corner next to the Bowie mural opposite the Tube station, Philip Normal, deputy mayor of Lambeth, joined Morleys chief executive Nigel Blow to switch in the lights of the Brixton Business Improvement District (BID) Christmas tree. Passers-by stopped to listen to the Archbishop Sumner school steel band from Kennington and the Brixton Chamber Orchestra – who played

seasonal music as darkness fell. Nigel Blow said that the Morleys Store Group now has eight stores, but the whole group is still called Morleys and its first store, in Brixton, will next year get a multi-million pound refurbishment, confirming the company’s continuing faith in Brixton as a top place to shop. Also on hand were local councillors and BID representatives.

Deputy mayor Philip Normal (right) counts down to the tree lights switch-on, watched by councillor Donatus Anyanwu, Business Improvement District director Michael Smith and Morleys’ CEO Nigel Blow. Left: Archbishop Sumner steel band

Could

you

101377(12.19)

By Alan Slingsby

foster?

Pop in for a chat and join us for a coffee at Café Nero in Morleys The fostering team will be holding walk in information sessions every Wednesday from 10.00am to 12.00pm.

Call us: 020 7926 8710 or online: lambeth.gov.uk/fosteringandadoption Location: Café Nero, Morleys 472-488 Brixton Road, Brixton, SW9 8EH

4  NEWS brixtonblog.com DECEMBER 2019 DECEMBER/2020 2019/JANUARY JANUARY 2020

Windrush scandal compensation meeting Brixton’s Black Cultural Archives (BCA) is organising a public meeting in Lambeth town hall for anyone affected by the Windrush Scandal. On Saturday 18 January at 2pm, it will be followed by free legal surgeries every Wednesday and Saturday from January 22 until the end of February to help people access the Windrush Compensation Scheme. These are the second set of surgeries hosted by BCA to give advice to people who were wrongly detained, denied legal rights, threatened with deportation and, in at least 83 cases, wrongly deported from the UK by the Home Office. The appointments will be led by immigration specialist legal firm, McKenzie, Beute and Pope which has dealt with a number of such cases since the scandal was revealed. To book a free ticket for the public meeting visit BCA’s Eventbrite page. It is also possible to book free surgery slots on this page, or by calling the BCA on 020 3757 8500 or simply dropping in. The surgeries will start on Wednesday 22 January and run every Wednesday between 5 and 8pm and on Saturday mornings from 10am to noon until Saturday 29 February. This work is funded by the Windrush Justice Fund and The Funding Network.

Electric Avenue to become first patterned street Computer generated image of the proposed pavilion looking East towards the Bovril wall and African Caribbean War and Peace Memorial

Cherry Groce memorial plan Details of a memorial to Cherry Groce in Brixton’s Windrush Square designed by the firm of leading international architect Sir David Adjaye OBE have been released. Cherry Groce was shot by police while in bed at her home in Normandy Road in 1985, setting off serious rioting in Brixton during which a young photographer, David Hodge, received injuries from which he died. She was paralysed from the chest down as a result of the shooting and lived in pain until she passed away in 2011, during which time her family fought the police for justice.

The Metropolitan police, along with Lambeth council, will contribute to the cost of the memorial. The proposal is for a small pavilion. Under the Rush Common Act 1806, Lambeth council must agree any construction on the Rush Common area, which includes Windrush Square. It has agreed this formally. An application for full planning permission must now be considered by the council. Cherry Groce’s son, Lee Lawrence, approached Sir David Adjaye to discuss the possibility and purpose of a memorial. Adjaye Associates say “the

memorial will exist to create awareness and understanding of the life and experience of Cherry Groce and her family. “Our proposal aim is to create a permanent place of reflection and inspiration. A place for the public to connect with the full concept of justice and reconciliation. It is planned that the memorial will be in place by next summer. Adjaye Associates have also produced proposals for a new building on the Pope’s Road site of Sports Direct in Brixton which has been bought by the owners of Brixton Village and Market Row.

Electric Avenue could be Britain’s first patterned market street after Lambeth council and the Brixton Project – a successor to the Brixton Design trail – called on local artists to submit pattern-based design proposals for the shop shutters. Designs will be shortlisted by the businesses in the street and winning designs installed in April. The Electric Patterns Project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the five-year Brixton Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI). It has so far supported the extensive repair and restoration of the Victorian buildings on Electric Avenue, including reinstating traditional shopfronts, producing new paving, street lights and the electric Electric Avenue sign. This project is one of the final projects in the £2m initiative. The Brixton Project said: “Our ambition is for the designs to manifest the positive spirit of Brixton, its people, culture and heritage, now and with a nod to the future. “It should be an abstraction of Brixton’s essential spirit – a new style for Brixton that moves us on from the mural designs and street art in a way that is fresh, bold, modern, joyful and irreverent.” A To keep up to date with this and other creative projects happening in Brixton visit www.thebrixtonproject.com

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BLM046

DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 brixtonblog.com

COMMUNITY  XX  5

Local café wins award for healthy food choice Families in Lambeth now have a way to find healthy food when they are out and about, thanks to an award scheme that recognises food outlets providing healthy choices and a family environment. The first Lambeth Early Action Partnership (LEAP) Healthier Choices Award was

Hairdresser from Brixton is community hero winner Brixton hairdresser Carl Campbell (above), who runs his own salon at 399 Coldharbour Lane, has won the Outstanding Community Heroes and Inspirers Entrepreneur of the Year award. Run by the JAGS Foundation, the awards recognise the achievements of young people who have overcome difficult circumstances to achieve academic, entrepreneurial and community leadership success. Campbell said: “From nothing to something. This is hard work, not natural talent. My message to young people is – set yourselves goals, work hard and go for it. If you had told me 15 years ago: ‘Carl you’re going to be a dope hairdresser and have a salon’ – I would have laughed. “I’m not doing this solely for me but to change generational wealth amongst the young men and women coming up.” JAGS Foundation was founded by community leader and campaigner Tracy Ford following the death of her son James Andre Smartt-Ford who was shot in 2007 at a birthday party in Streatham ice rink by an unidentified attacker who has yet to be brought to trial. The foundation recognises youth excellence, supports those bereaved by youth violence and seeks to challenge youth violence at its root causes.

presented to the Home N Away café in Myatt’s Community Centre (below) in November. Local families joined the celebration and shared a healthy meal. The award recognises changes made by food outlets to provide a choice of healthier foods by using less dangerous

fats, cutting down on sugar and salt, and by promoting these healthier choices to customers. It also considers whether the establishment promotes family friendly facilities such as high chairs, a changing area and being breastfeeding friendly. LEAP’s diet and nutrition team worked with families and local food outlets before launching the scheme. They identified meaningful changes to food on offer that families would respond positively to, and which food outlets would be prepared to make. Businesses that make the necessary changes receive an award and display a window sticker – green when they have made initial changes to menus and environments, and gold when staff have received nutritional training.

A mural for that Instagram ‘Honest, heartbreaking and powerful’ moment in the Village A Brixton Village bookshop has produced a fascinating video advert to promote its wares for Christmas. Round Table Books starts with the premise that books should be inclusive and everyone should see themselves in what they read, but only 4% of

books feature children with a BAME background. “We had the honour of filming with a brilliant group of kids,” the bookshop said. “Every one of them was smart, funny and aware that books don’t feature kids that look like them.

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“Their reactions to reading books is honest, heartbreaking and powerful – we hope you will want to share it.” A See for yourself at: https:// youtu.be/EqQcZG_pR7Y A Round Table Books, 9 Brixton Village SW9 8PS http://knightsof.media

Brixton Village and its owner Hondo Enterprises have collaborated with Hill Mead School to create a one-of-a-kind “Instagram Mural” for the festive season that will be on display until 5 January. The idea was to create a picture-perfect moment that would bring a different festive feel to the Village at Christmas. Around 60 children worked on the project, which took four days to create. Fiona Reid, a former art teacher at Hill Mead, suggested a couple of different ideas, including having the children do their handprints in paint and cut them out to make a Christmas tree. The children also made baubles for the tree from cut-outs of the Brixton Village and Hill Mead logos. The background was painted as the night sky and stars, with some snow on the ground to give it a festive feel. They wanted to create something that would make people stop and look, and added a bench so that people could take a picture to remember the occasion. A See more in the Hill Mead Herald on page 27

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6  COMMUNITY brixtonblog.com DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

Brixton forum wants ideas Brixton Neighbourhood Forum (BNF) is developing its programme of meetings and events after receiving funding approval from the Lambeth Forum Network. If you want to present your group’s work to a forum meeting, or suggest speakers on a key topic let the forum know. BNF is also in the early stages of planning a showcase event for local groups for early summer. All enquiries/suggestions to Alan Piper at apiperbrix@aol.com.

Playground market Grove adventure playground is holding its first ever community market on Saturday 21 December 11am – 3pm. Last minute Christmas shoppers will be able to pick up crafts, flowers, bric a brac and many bargains. Entry is 50p for adults and free for children, with tables available to rent for £8–10. Call 07914-258491 information or table booking.

Mosaic classes Art4Space are re-starting their mosaic classes from the week beginning 6 January on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-30 to 9 pm at their Jeffreys Road studio, SW4 – enquiries to jewels@art4space.co.uk

Appeal for Xmas volunteers

Celebrating 100 years of free public libraries

By Simone Richardson Age UK Lambeth is appealing for community volunteers on Christmas Day to make lunch special for seniors at the Vida Walsh centre on Saltoun Road. Fundraiser Claire Nethersole said: “We open on Christmas Day and serve dinner to 40 people who would otherwise be on their own and deliver another 40 to those who can’t come out.” She gave the example of Jacquie who used to spend her Christmas Day on her own eating cheese on toast. Now she looks forward to Christmas with Age UK. Volunteers pick the clients up, cook and

serve the dinner and don Christmas hats to sing carols and play games. It costs £14 to provide each Christmas dinner and any support could make a difference to an older person in Lambeth this Christmas.

A Any potential volunteers should visit www.ageuk.org.uk. To donate either text ‘LAMBETHXMAS’ or go to www.justgiving.com/campaign/ LambethChristmas2019. Alternatively, call 020 7346 6800.

Charity funds appeal We Rise, a Brixton social enterprise, needs support to raise £12,000 over the next few days to run its 2020 Youth Connect Programme designed to up-skill hundreds of disadvantaged youngsters and connect them with local professionals. Founder Abigail Melville said: “Thanks to the generosity of our community we have 83% pledged towards

our £12,000 target. But we really need your help. If we don’t hit our target we get nothing. “Please help us raise the final £2,030. “Anything you can donate, large or small, will make a huge difference to young people in our community.” A You can show your support at http://bit.ly/werise-appeal

Throughout 2020 Lambeth libraries will be celebrating 100 years since parliament passed The Public Libraries Act 1919, paving the way for the public library service in Britain to become a truly national, free service for all. In 1994 the United Nations laid out 12 key mission statements which put information, literacy, education and culture at the core of public library services worldwide. Over the next year Lambeth libraries will be taking each of the 12 statements and highlighting the important (and fun) stuff that public libraries do. “We want more people to enjoy our libraries so why not join us in reaching out to those people who haven’t yet got the library bug?” the library service said.

Grants for help with walking and cycling Abibat Olulode from Brixton Library with ihateironing founder Matt Connelly

The library can help you get smart in more ways than one Lambeth council library services and local business ihateironing have launched a clothes borrowing service for job seekers. Ihateironing, an on-demand dry cleaning and laundry delivery service, has agreed to source outfits for the library to lend and will clean and return the clothes for free after each use. The library receives clothes that have either not been

collected by customers, or from customers who donate nearly new items. Cllr Sonia Winifred, council cabinet member for equalities and culture, said: “It’s as easy as borrowing a book. We can lend an interview outfit for up to four days. Brixton library already provides support to the community by offering workshops to help with skills ahead of job interviews – from writing CVs to interview tips.”

Transport for London has so far awarded £400,000 to groups encouraging more people to take up walking and cycling. It was shared between 60 of them over the past year – the first which included walking as well as cycling. Walking projects were the focus of 26 of the groups. For more information on the grants scheme and how to apply for one, visit www. walkingandcyclinggrants. london

Mental health first aid Art4Space is hosting another mental health first aid course at its Stockwell studio. It will be conducted by It’s A Playground on 3 and 4 February. Bookings/enquiries to jewels@art4space.co.uk

Give someone a Christmas gift they will remember !

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www.homestartlambeth.co.uk 020 7924 9292 Charity no. 1112014 Unit 2, Holles House, Overton Road, Lambeth, SW9 7AP

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DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 brixtonblog.com

CREATIVE BRIXTON  7

MUSIC

Love from the streets

Dave Randall talks to Alabama 3 frontman Rob Spragg/ Larry Love ahead of the band’s date at the Academy Brixton legends Alabama 3 will be performing their hugely successful debut album Exile On Coldharbour Lane in full on a UK tour ending at the Brixton Academy on Saturday 21 December. It’s been a difficult year for the band with the death of co-founder Jake Black (AKA The Very Reverend D.Wayne Love) back in May, but they remain steadfast in their mission to bring deliverance to mayhem makers, misfits and the mashed-up with their unique brand of country-acidhouse music. I’ve been invited to drop into rehearsals which are taking place at JAMM on the Brixton Road. Instruments, monitors and cables sprawl across the dance-floor as the band check the sound with a few bars of Mao Tse Tung Said. With levels sorted, frontman Rob Spragg (AKA Larry Love) leads me to the next room for a chat. For all the southern drawl, pedal steel and mythical Americana, Exile On Coldharbour Lane owes as much to Primal Scream or perhaps Happy Mondays as it does Hank Williams. Released in 1997, the album’s down-tempo electronic beats, gospel vocals and subversive samples bring to life tongue-in-cheek tales of lust, loneliness, spiritual fakery, addiction, revenge, redemption and three-day-benders. It offers up salvation with such intoxicated swagger you can almost taste the bourbon and spliff. The band’s big break came when the song Woke Up This Morning was chosen as the title music

A local launch for Brixton artist’s single

The Alabama 3 rehearse. Inset: Rob Spragg

for the hit American TV show The Sopranos. It was subsequently sampled by one of the greatest rappers of all time, Nas, for his tune Got Ur Self a Gun. I ask Rob why the band decided to pay tribute to Brixton in the album’s title. “It’s so much about Brixton culture at that time, which was very much dominated by all-night Irish bars and Jamaican domino sessions. “Bradys back then (now chain restaurant Wahaca) was great – you’d have all the old Jamaican fellows playing dominoes in the front room, in the back room you’d have all the Irish boys singing rebel songs and the bar would be open all night long. That melting pot … that cultural diversity … Brixton was a place where Alabama 3 could invent themselves.” Rob seems warm and relaxed and has rockstar charisma and a deeply resonant speaking voice – qualities he may well have inherited from his Mormon preacher father. By the age of 21 he’d been excommunicated by his family having exchanged a religious life in the valleys of South Wales for Brixton and rock & roll – or, as he puts it, “one church for another”. “I sold my soul at the crossroads at Loughborough Junction” he says with a wry smile. “Talking of Brixton, I’ll tell you what was really edifying … Recently I was walking around feeling sad missing Jake, and I walked down from

Stockwell and I come to the skate park – my boy goes in there sometimes – and I looked over and there’s a f**king mural to Jake Black in the skate park! And that for me is the love that Brixton shows. I dunno who did it – love from the streets – that’s the best accolade we could have. As for the Academy gig, all our fans are going to cry and laugh. I want us all to cry together and to laugh together as a community, as a church. I can’t think of a better way of honouring our brother Jake.” I ask him whether he would still be happy to be exiled on Coldharbour Lane given how much has changed since the album’s release. “Unfortunately Brixton has gone the way of many successful ghettos, but gentrification is going to happen. There’s no point beating ourselves up saying that we’re losing culture – culture is always about fighting back – there’s always resistance.” His thoughts seem to turn to the state of the world as a whole as he continues, “I wish we were living in a socialist utopia, but given the fact we’re not, I think as writers, artists, painters, poets, actors, musicians, it’s a wonderful time to be alive, because what the world needs now is good f**king art and culture. It’s one thing demagogues and dictators can’t cripple – they can’t stop us dancing.” Amen to that. Dave Randall is a musician and author of Sound System: The Political Power of Music.

...where we hi-five local musical movers and shakers. We ask five questions to get to know the people who play regularly or contribute in other ways to Brixton’s live music scene. This month it’s the turn of Paul Brett What do you do and where do you do it?

BRIXTON

HI-FIVE

I am a musician, songwriter and occasional DJ. I am a founder member of the band Yaaba Funk in which I play bass synthesizer. I also have my band Little Number in which I write all the songs, sing and play rhythm guitar. I also teach drum kit to kids at various schools in South London and to adults with mental health issues at Core Arts in Homerton.

Local music artist and band Alex and the Wonderland celebrated the launch of a new song release Love’s Louder. The single is the artist’s first and is available from 13 December for digital download and streaming. To celebrate the release, Alex and his band (featuring Pablo on drums, Maria on violin, Singe on bass, and various special guests) threw a launch party at the Ritzy together with the premier screening of the video, a live performance, with support from world music duo Mazaika, and live VJ’d visuals created in front of your very eyes, by Nikolai Kozin. Produced and mixed by Brixton-based frontman Alex Wonderland Love’s Louder and its video, is an optimistic song, which encapsulates Alex and his pals’ passion for leisurely hobbies.

Favourite memories of playing in Brixton? So many good memories of playing in Brixton. Yaaba Funk’s first gig was at the Grosvenor pub (OK it’s in Stockwell but I reckon that counts, no?). Yaaba Funk also had many good nights playing at Mango Landin’. Sadly both these great pub venues are no longer with us.

What are you listening to at the moment? Currently I am listening to Aldous Harding’s album Designer. Also enjoying Greentea Peng and Khruangbin who I saw recently at Brixton Academy. Great show!

Favourite album of all time and why? Favourite all time album is a hard one. When I was a kid my mum had John Martyn albums and Bless the Weather was always a favourite. Exquisite sadness. The amazing voice, songwriting and guitar playing of John Martyn. But … I’ll go with ‘Talking Book’ by Stevie Wonder. Does that need to be explained? It’s a work of genius!

Where can we hear you next? Little Number have their debut vinyl 10” EP coming out soon, which we are crowdfunding for. 100 copies only. The link is: https://qrates.com/projects/17781-ep1

8  CREATIVE BRIXTON brixtonblog.com DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

ARTS

Black Men’s Minds – a moving testament Jessica Dyer talked with Brixtonbased artist, filmmaker and psychotherapist Stephen Rudder at the end of his exhibition, Black Men’s Minds, at Brixton’s Black Cultural Archives A disproportion number of Black men are sectioned under the mental health act. This disturbing fact was the starting point for Stephen Rudder’s project. He ran workshops at 198 Contemporary Arts on Railton Road, where he invited Black men with experience of the mental health system to share their stories and create collages, poems and artworks. Rudder then went on to interview the men and it is these interviews that are the foundation of the audio-visual installation. The other part of the soundscape is the elemental sound of psychotropic medication, “Atoms in certain elements can create a tone,” explains Rudder. He worked with a chemist and a musician to first isolate these tones and then create a soundtrack. The visuals also blend the human and the medical, powerful symbolic images morph

into street scenes, with areas of the original film damaged by the application of chemical components from psychotropic drugs. The response to film has been overwhelming. “One man said to me that you can feel the weight in the room, there is so much that has to be said and spoken about.” The show has started many conversations and brought these experiences out into the public realm. “It is not just about Black men with diagnosed mental health challenges, it is the daily experiences of other people’s fear you have to live with. We might laugh about it among ourselves but those experiences on a regular basis has an impact on how you feel. You have done nothing and yet people fear you.” Rudder continues: “To see and experience violence has a lasting effect on you. How many of these young men are being treated for post traumatic stress disorder? Society demonises them for going through traumatic events.” The immersive installation film is a collaboration between Rudder and the men who had the courage to share their stories. Black Men’s Minds is a moving testament to the minds and souls, not only of the men featured in the film, but to all those who are not.

MI Skills Development Centre ...Transforming Lives

SHORT COURSES starting January 2020. New year. New skills. Together we transform lives

Female comedy duo, Ladylikes, launch their comedy night Sketchy Ladies at the Ritzy, Brixton in January. Phoebe Batteson-Brown and Miztli Rose, met in 2017 on the world’s longest running live comedy show NewsRevue. The pair wanted to create an event that catered to female comedians in the male dominated comedy world. Sketchy Ladies is a supportive space for female-identifying comedians to perform, “It is a lovely, encouraging and supportive space to be in.” Ladylikes rehearse in Brixton at Miztli’s home and are currently working on their debut show Top Secret House Party. “We wanted to explore female relationships and the baggage that comes with parties” explains Miztli. Phoebe continues, “We are in an era of milestone culture and many of us are not hitting those milestones anymore. We want to show that it is ok to miss them or not want those things.” It can be hard to navigate the end of your twenties and beginning of you thirties if you find yourself far away from where you expected to be and your social media is full of engagement rings and new houses, “It can feel like you are being battered by other people’s lives” say Phoebe. Top Secret House Party also feature three comedy songs, one that focuses on the vulnerability for women travelling home alone late at night, “Women have to think about getting home from a party, which I am not sure many men realise.” Whether it is dinner ladies hosting an Ann Summers party or a guest only there for the perfect photo, Ladylikes are dissecting modern anxieties, celebrating womanhood and writing exciting female comedy characters.

Ladylikes – they’re dissecting modern anxieties in Brixton By Jessica Dyer Female comedy duo Ladylikes launch their comedy night Sketchy Ladies at the Ritzy in January. Phoebe Batteson-Brown and Miztli Rose, met in 2017 on the world’s longest running live comedy show NewsRevue. The pair wanted to create an event that catered to female comedians in the male-dominated comedy world. Sketchy Ladies is a supportive space for female-identifying comedians to perform, “It is a lovely, encouraging and supportive space to be in.”

Ladylikes rehearse in Brixton at Miztli’s home and are currently working on their debut show Top Secret House Party. “We wanted to explore female relationships and the baggage that comes with parties,” says Miztli. Phoebe continues: “We are in an era of milestone culture and many of us are not hitting those milestones anymore. We want to show that it is OK to miss them or not want those things.” It can be hard to navigate the end of your twenties and beginning of you thirties if you find yourself far away from where you expected to be and your social media is full of engagement rings and new

houses, “It can feel like you are being battered by other people’s lives,” says Phoebe. Top Secret House Party also features three comedy songs, one that focuses on the vulnerability for women travelling home alone late at night – “Women have to think about getting home from a party, which I am not sure many men realise.” Whether it is dinner ladies hosting an Ann Summers party or a guest only there for the perfect photo, Ladylikes are dissecting modern anxieties, celebrating womanhood and writing exciting female comedy characters.

ESOL – Language Skills (Pre-entry Level – Level 3) Functional Skills – English (Entry Level – Level 2) Functional Skills – Maths (Entry Level – Level 2) Functional Skills – Maths (Entry Level – Level 2) Digital Skills (Beginners IT) (Entry Level) Business & Employability Skills (E3 – L1) Early Years Development (Entry Level – Level 3) IT Engineering (Level 1 – Level 3) Teaching Assistant (Level 2 – Level 3) Working in Adult Care (Level 1 – Level 3) Employment Support – Job Club Beauty (Nails and Make-Up) Level 3 Classes Day 9.30am–3.00pm | Evening 6pm–8:30pm | Saturday 9:30–12:30pm These courses are accredited and FREE* for learners who are either unemployed or earning less than or equal to £20,572.50 per annum and resident in Greater London. All Level 3 is subject to Student Loan Eligibility. For conditions and further details email info@micomputsolutions.co.uk or call 020 7501 6450 Courses take place at

MI Computsolutions Skills Development Centre, Brixton Centre The Queen, 47A Bellefields Road, Brixton, London SW9 9UH and 410 High Road, London SW16 6ET

Brixton library continued its role as a major literary centre when Bernardine Evaristio, this year’s joint Booker prize winner with Margaret Atwood, took part in a Black History Month discussion about winning prizes at the library in November discussion in front of 200 people. She met staff members Tim O’Dell, Caroline Graham and Rosella Black, before joining the discussion with Diana Evans, author of Ordinary People which was shortlisted for the 2019 Women’s Prize for Fiction. In our picture (l-r) Diana Evans, Bernadine Evaristo and Tim O’Dell

DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 brixtonblog.com

CREATIVE BRIXTON  9

ARTS

Collagistes get serious

Something for the kids Clapham Omnibus theatre is the setting for the latest version of The Little Prince – the fantasy morality tale penned by a French aristocrat in 1943 and now celebrated the world over, writes Leslie Manasseh. Directed by Marie McCarthy and gamely performed by Comfort Fabian, Vera Chok and Royce Cronin, this magical tale zips along. You can meet the various (updated) characters and their stories – the rose, the fox, the king, the pilot, the birds and the little prince himself – in a seasonal production full of charming silliness. I went to see it with a crowd of primary school kids. It went down a storm with them and I left with a big smile on my face. The Little Prince runs until 30 December at the Omnibus Theatre, 1 Clapham Common North Side, SW4 0QW, at 10.30am and 1.30pm on weekdays and 11am and 2pm on weekends. Tickets £10/£8. For further information call 020 7498 4699 or visit www.ominbus-clapham.org

Brixton’s Tate Library will host an exhibition of collages in January. Leslie Manasseh met the curator Sam Dodson to talk about the medium and show. Sam Dodson is very keen to highlight the unique elements of collage as distinct from painting. He believes that collage offers a very different medium and, far from being a poor relation artistically, enables the artist to create works which could only be produced by this technique. He draws a parallel with sampling bits of music to create something new, and argues that using images which already exist gives his imagination more freedom and space to build complex forms using “impossible juxtaposition”. The exhibition will include different examples

of this technique as a way of giving an overview of various collage styles. Eight artists will be exhibiting in the show. They all belong to the Collagistes Collective – an organisation set up to celebrate and promote collage as a serious art form. There will also be some workshops during the show. Like many people, I suspect, I have never been fully convinced of collage as a genuine art form. But I think this show may change my mind. Definitely worth a visit. The exhibition runs throughout January at Brixton library. Call 020 7926 1058 for opening times.

Family Portrait (2018) by Eleonora Agostini, one of the artists selected for the 2019 Bloomberg New Contemporaries exhibition

A taste of what’s going on in the world of art By Leslie Manasseh Once again, what is perhaps the UK’s most prestigious exhibition of work by emerging artists is open in the South London Gallery. Bloomberg New Contemporaries features the work of 45 artists from institutions and programmes across the country – chosen from over 1,500 entries by a panel of internationally recognised artists. It gives a unique insight into the nature of artistic endeavour from a new generation of artists and is an unrivalled opportunity to sample new talent and techniques. The themes for this year are Global and Personal Politics, Class

and Community and Gender and Sexuality. Some of the work tackles some of the key global issues of our time – such as the conflict in the middle east and our own Brexit travails. Other works explore issues such as gender identity and sexuality. Inevitably there is a range of techniques and media on show. Traditional painting sits alongside video, animation, sculpture and installation. But there is no better way to get a taste of what’s happening in the art world. The free exhibition and runs until 23 February. Opening times Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 6pm. For further information call 020 7703 6120 or visit www.southlondongallery.org

Corrected Man on Chair with Leg by K Young

In and out of body Block 336 is currently hosting two exhibitions – Pup and Blubber by Hazel Drill, and Nervous Systems by Teresita Dennis. Nervous Systems is a series of paintings which look under the surface of the human body into the systems which underpin it. They have an almost biological formality – rather like cross sections. But they touch on and echo all sorts of other visual sources.

Pup and Blubber is very different – a large scale installation of video and sculpture exploring ways in which the mind can travel outside the body. This is a complex but interesting show which makes demands on the viewer but is provocative and reflective at the same time. The show is free and runs until 18 January in Block 336, 336 Brixton Road, SW9 7AA. Opening hours Thursday to Saturday 12 – 6. See www.block336.com

Merry ChristMas and seasons GreetinGs to all

Brixton Business Improvement District (BID) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening Brixton’s diverse business culture. We represent more than 500 levy‑paying businesses and work to develop new and exciting opportunities for Brixton.

Electric Brixton at Christmas Michael Smith, Director of the Brixton Business Improvement District So, the Christmas Tree is up, and the Festive Lights are on. There is even an electric van charging at its station. Does that make Brixton ‘electric’ when market traders on Electric Avenue are still trading in stalls without electricity, years after the completion of a refurbishing project that was meant, amongst other things, to provide electricity for them? This lack of electricity is on a market street as famous worldwide for the first electric lights, to support shopping and trading, as it is for AfroCaribbean fresh food and vegetable stalls. Compare the creative use of electricity in the ‘Winter Windows’ display on the Squire & Partners Department Store building on Ferndale Road to the lack of sufficient street lighting for the public and passengers traversing Atlantic Road, shopping for Christmas or simply trying to make their way out of Brixton – some via the South Eastern Brixton Station. And there is still no end in sight for the completion of the works there, leading to a lack of sufficient lighting in this area. All that remains is the hindrance of lonely, ugly scaffolding. Electric lighting is a heart-warming and confidenceboosting asset. Can you imagine a department store with less than adequate lighting? Sales would plummet immediately. Potential customers would avoid the store, paving the way for a plague of shoplifters. Indoors or outdoors, people’s reaction to a poorly lit environment is the same: people avoid poorly lit spaces as they would poorly lit shops. These areas suffer poor sales and poor footfall, in addition to increased anti-social behaviour. There are too many inadequately lit public areas in Brixton, reversing some of the trading gains initially made in the 1880s with the first electrically lit market street. Christmas is about good cheer and it would be remiss of me not to thank and raise a good cheer to those businesses who made a particular contribution to our annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony; Beauhurst, Brixton Blend, Morley’s Department Store, Satay Bar, South London Procurement Network, and the Ritzy Cinema. Brixton BID levy payers also finance Festive Lights on lampposts across Brixton adding to that festive feeling throughout the town. Poor planning would, however, suggest that light pollution abounds across Brixton. Imagine the positive impact on our cognitive and biological health if a Lighting Master Plan aimed at providing and promoting responsible night-time

At the Christmas tree switch-on (l-r) Brixton BID director Michael Smith, BID chair Laverne Walker of Sackville Travel, local councillor Donatus Anyanwu, deputy mayor Philip Normal, local councillor Irfan Mohammed and Morleys chief executive Nigel Blow illumination were in effect all year round. Christmas is also, naturally, a time to look back at the year we are about to leave behind, measuring our performances against organisational goals. Our commitment at the Brixton BID to contribute to making Brixton, Brighter, Cleaner, Safer continues. ● We are reducing shoplifting by 33% annually and have now introduced a daytime Shop Watch for retail. ● We continue to add over 80 additional public realm cleaning days annually to improve the Town Centre. ● We have provided certified training for over 330 staff from businesses across Brixton in 2019. ● We remain actively engaged with businesses, helping to reduce business costs where possible through reduced business rates and other schemes. 2019 has been a particularly challenging year for retailers in Brixton and beyond in the UK. Brexit uncertainties and the rise in online sales severely impacted on High Street retail profitability. Brixton is ending the year with a noticeable number of vacant stores on the high street. Our evening and nighttime economy has not escape the 2019 challenges. We are ending the year with a trail of closed establishments behind us. SW9 Bar is the latest in this line of closures that includes the iconic Club 414 and (even) Starbucks. The planned investment from Morley’s Department Store for 2020 is promising for the area. The completion of the Ovalhouse Project and the Brixton Rec Quarter could be game-changing. And then there is Network Rail and Transport for London. What are their plans for development in Brixton? To help to stop uncertainty in 2020 Lambeth council and its planning and licensing departments must have a strategic plan to support local growth and development instead of archaic licensing and planning schemes that end up pitting business needs against the desires of local residents. These archaic systems could easily have led to the demise of another historic and traditional pub in 2019

(the Duke of Edinburgh). They also may not support and encourage the kind of local investment and development the area needs. The shroud of gentrification still hangs over Brixton. Lambeth council as landlord, and in its role as a local authority, must take some responsibility to stimulate rather than ‘bullying’ local independent businesses for unsubstantiated increased rental values. The Brixton BID will enter 2020 with a local economy buoyed by a number of local authority projects and plans pending and poised to impact on local development plans (Good Growth Fund and Liveable Neighbourhood Plans). There must be vigilance from all to avoid the near fiasco of some years ago with funding released for the Electric Avenue refurbishment. The current experience of the continuously extended refurbishments on Brixton Station Road should focus stakeholders and project implementers on the importance of meeting project deadlines. Over-extended project deadlines can have such an adverse impact on very local economies. The BID will launch into January 2020 with a very significant Coffee Cup Recycling project focussing on independent coffee shops. The project will last for the duration of 2020 and will aim to remove at least 10% of all coffee cups used in Brixton via the recycling route. Brixton will be one important destination in a national coffee cup recycling scheme. 2020 will also be about improving on safety for local businesses, customers and visitors to Brixton. We will continue to campaign on behalf of businesses, helping to reduce business cost and helping businesses to improve their carbon footprint through greener, cleaner initiatives. We will be tireless in our Go Before You Go campaign and our desire to see the provision of more public amenities in the Town Centre. Before we get to 2020, we would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year. Thanks for all your support throughout 2019. Together for Brixton

Electrifying Brixton

BOILER SCRAPPAGE SCHEME Cleaner Heat Cashback is the Mayor of London’s boiler scrappage scheme for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). It offers SMEs in London a 30% - 40% cashback on the cost of a new, more efficient and cleaner boiler helping to cut bills by up to 25% and reduce environmental impact. The scheme is open for applications until the 31 March 2020.

SHOP WATCH Safer Lambeth would like to remind members that they can attend the monthly Business Watch meetings which take place on the last Wednesday of each month. The next meeting will be held on 29 January 2020 at 2pm in Brixton M&S. The aim is to provide day-time businesses with information that will assist in the detection and prevention of crime and disorder, and provide a platform for businesses to share information on offenders / crime affecting their premises. If you or a member of your team would like to attend email: Sina. Moini@saferbusiness.org.uk

Brixton businesses can now access a fully electric shared van, free for the first year. Brixton BID, in collaboration with Cross River Partnership, Zipcar and Lambeth council, has launched an electric van exclusively for businesses in Brixton. Brixton has notoriously high air pollution from road traffic, congestion, and old diesel vehicles. Our aim in introducing the electric van to Brixton businesses

is to reduce emissions and improve air quality in Brixton. BID members will be able to access a Zipcar-operated Renault Kangoo ZE electric van for their operational needs. Use of the van will be free for the first year and it is very simple to get started: 1. Contact Kate at Cross River Partnership to register for the scheme via email on katefenton@ crossriverpartnership.org or by phone on 020 7641 4448.

2. Sign up with Zipcar (free

membership for a year for new users): www.zipcar.com/en-gb/ business/electricbrixton 3. Book your free time slot and pick up the vehicle at its dedicated parking bay on Pulross Road. Remember to plug the van in when you return it so it can recharge for the next journey. Be one of the first to use Brixton’s new fully electric shared van for businesses and reduce your emissions today.

DOES YOUR BUSINESS PAY THE LONDON LIVING WAGE? Lambeth council is operating a business rates rebate scheme for businesses who register as Living Wage employers. Once accredited by the Living Wage Foundation, businesses can apply for a Living Wage employer Business Rebate online. Brixton BID is a Living Wage Employer. See www.livingwage.org.uk

GRAFFITI REMOVAL We are pleased to announce that we now offer graffiti and fly post removal to all BID members. To report graffiti on your business premises email graffiti@lambeth.gov.uk or call 020 7926 9000.

BRIXTON FOOTFALL

Coffee Cup Recycling comes to Brixton Brixton BID will launch the first coffee cup recycling scheme in Lambeth, funded by Hubbub, providing local independent coffee shops with advice and facilities to encourage consumers, residents and visitors to dispose of cups in an environmently friendly way. 8 million coffee cups are thrown away in the U.K every day! Our aim in Brixton is to recycle at least 10% of all coffee cups used. Only 4% of paper cups in the UK are currently recycled. Brixton BID will be introducing in-house coffee cup bins to stem the amount of paper cups being

sent to landfill every day. Paper cups currently can’t be recycled in mixed recycling bins as they’re made from paper with plastic linings to make the cups waterproof. This is why we are introducing specialist recycling bins for coffee cups only. From January 2020 orange bins will be installed in independent Brixton coffee shops for the disposal and recycling of coffee cup. These cups will be collected and made into exciting recycled products. #InTheLoop

Footfall for Brixton town centre over the last 52 weeks is 9.2% up on the previous year and the number of visitors counted for week commencing 25 November 2019 was 249,975.

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12  BRIXTON HISTORY brixtonblog.com DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

Then and now: the Brixon prison treadmill and a prisoner learning scaffolding skills on a Bounce Back scheme in 2017

Brixton would be the worse without it As Brixton prison marks its 200th anniversary, Steve Powdrill considers the changes it has seen

At 5:30 each morning, men, women and boys held at Brixton Prison would be marched over to what they called the “shin-scraper” – a tread-wheel powered by humans. The contraption, which ground flour for the prison bakery, was commissioned by local magistrates as a managerial tool. They claimed the punishment would make time spent behind bars more productive and prevent “idle loitering around”. The reality for those powering the dreaded treadmill – the first in the world, but adopted across it – was a lot bleaker. People were thrown off the gigantic machine, bones were broken and many deaths were caused unnecessarily. Despite the barbarity, prison governors at the time might have argued this exercise gave prisoners “purpose’. Of course, this was in the Victorian era and prisons have changed dramatically, as detailed in Chris Impey’s fantastic new book, The House on the Hill – London’s Oldest Prison. It follows HMP Brixton through an eventful, and at times tumultuous 200 years of history and reiterates the question he says those in charge of prisons tried to answer for centuries: “What to do with people once they are behind bars … are they to be punished beyond their loss of liberty? Or should they be offered opportunity to change?’ Today, purposeful activities on offer within prisons could not

be more far removed than the terrible tread-wheel. The Prison Reform Trust says activities for prison residents become “purposeful” when they encourage ‘constructive interaction which promotes citizenship; develops learning and employability skills; builds life skills, resilience and addresses wellbeing”. Further, in Justice Secretary David Gauke’s first major speech on prison reform, he stressed the need for “rewards and incentives” for those in prison, to spark motivation for change and to prepare individuals for life after release. This would reduce crime levels, by lowering the chance of re-offending. After reading his book, I spoke to Chris Impey, who feels charities that work with prisoners on employability skills have a big part to play in changing lives in prison and after release. “It’s the charities that go into the prisons that really offer a boost to the men and women inside. Often, they are ordinary people who have made a mistake and are disadvantaged – but they’re ordinary people. We have to think about how we want them to be when they come out of prison.” Impey worked for PRA (Prison Radio Association) while writing his book and the charity focuses on vocational training and support in the art of radio programming. Their station, National Prison Radio, is co-produced by prisoners and is listened to by 76% of those behind bars. It provides an invaluable source of company and contact with the outside world for many, with the average listener tuning in for over 10 hours a day. PRA was established as a charity in 2006 and one of their first radio channels was Electric Brixton Radio, now re-named ‘Brixton Calling’.

Their CEO, Phil Maguire OBE, says prison radio has “revolutionised communication within prisons”. “Before prison radio existed, the main way the prison service got messages out was through posters and leaflets … an awful lot of residents struggle with reading and writing, so sending leaflets wasn’t efficient for getting sensitive information out there.” Despite stellar efforts from charities like PRA, there is no doubt prison can affect lives long after a custodial sentence. Finding secure employment remains a struggle for many, with statistics showing 75% of employers discriminate against those with a criminal record. Seeking to bring this number down is Bounce Back, a charity working alongside HMP Brixton and other prisons nationwide. Their work involves training prison residents in construction industry skills for employment after they’re released. Whilst educating inmates remains their central goal, CEO Francesca Findlater says much of their work actually involves educating companies on the benefits of employing ex-offenders. “There is a level of ignorance and

naivety, but also company policy. Companies often ask for DBS checks or say ‘We can’t take people with a criminal record’. We work with other organisations and spend a lot of time speaking to employers, to try and change hearts and minds in terms of policy and what is possible.” As well as PRA and Bounce Back, HMP Brixton also supports culinary talent, with many residents in the prison getting involved with either Bad Boys Bakery – which made headlines in 2012 after featuring on Gordon Ramsey’s show Gordon Behind Bars – and The Clink. Situated right on Jebb Avenue and open for bookings. The Clink operates as part of the Clink charity, which runs ­prisoner-staffed restaurants across the country. Staff are trained in all aspects of the hospitality industry to ensure they have the skills needed to find employment after release. The Brixton Clink has been particularly successful, sitting with the Top Ten London restaurants on TripAdvisor, and serving up classics like chicken supreme, carpaccio of venison and tarte tatin. HMP Brixton also runs a social

Brixton prisoners training to be painters and decorators

media project called Penned by a Prisoner (@HMP_Brixton). Run via Twitter, it gives men living in HMP Brixton “the opportunity to share their views with the community outside”. Whether it’s a poem, fiction or a short thought piece, Twitter followers can leave comments which will be shared with the writers. In this way, the work serves as a vital source of communication between prison residents and the local community. After many decades of uncertainty, the HMP Brixton now is a category C/D prison, focusing on training and resettlement and sitting on the lower end of security measures. Chris Impey writes in his book: “It has found its niche as a local prison … it is as much a part of the community as a hospital or school. The town of Brixton would be the worse without it.” He is right. There is no doubt HMP Brixton on Jebb Avenue, and its associated charities, play an important role in our community. Through the services the prison residents provide – cookery, entertainment, painting, decorating and more – locals in Brixton will have interacted with prison residents without knowing it. Yet the training and education they receive would not be possible without the dedication of charity staff and donations from the public. Please get involved if you would like to donate to one of the mentioned charities in time for Christmas, or send an encouraging message via the Penned by a Prisoner Twitter page. I’m told by organisers that little gestures like this can mean the world to the men living in Brixton Prison. A prison.radio/donate/ A Twitter: @HMP_Brixton

OPINION  13

DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 brixtonblog.com

Our sister publication, the Brixton Blog is 10 years old in January. For newcomers to Brixton and for anyone else with an appetite for nostalgia, we present just a few of the stories it has covered to date – there’s no room for the stabbings, shootings, pubs, clubs, recipes, police misbehaviour, missing moggies, road traffic collisions, fires and floods, broken lifts at the Tube, reviews, cuts, Pedro the Shetland pony and his periscope, Brixton Cycles’ fight for premises, royal visits and many, many more. But they are all still available online via the Blog itself …

I started the Blog from my bedroom in Brixton in the house I’d grown up in, motivated by a desire to know more about the place I called home. It was 2010 and Brixton was going through a period of rapid gentrification. Local news could be the tool for our community to find out about the changes happening in front of them and unite to defend their home. The greatest highlight for me was discovering that if we work together, Brixtonites have enormous power. We got the council to reverse their decisions through campaigns to ‘Save the Lambeth Country Show’ and protect the Rec from possible demolition. These were great moments of hope, where others, such as the fight to save the Brixton Arches, sadly did not succeed. The Blog could not have lasted this long without the passion for local news shown by its current and past editors and journalists, mostly working for free and juggling other jobs. One more highlight – I got to meet a brilliant co-editor, Tim Dickens, in 2012, still one of my best friends who gave his all to the Blog and established it as a sustainable business that could keep going beyond our tenure as editors.

2010

2016

BRIXTON BUGLE

COMMENT

What we would like for Christmas and the new year …

This issue of the Bugle went to press several hours before the polls closed in the general election. So, rather than speculate, we will do what many do at this time of year: ask for three presents for Brixton and make three wishes for its future. Our first present would be sufficient funds for our beleaguered public services and, in particular, education, health and services for young people. Our second would be for a new approach to housing, one that is based not on profit but on need, and one that would enable us to build the millions of new homes that are needed – and to an acceptable standard. Our third would be for government and the whole of society to get behind the “mental health” approach to youth violence. Our first wish would be for the people who have the power to do something about it to wake up to climate change and what is causing it. Our second would be for a change to the laws that enable employers to force zero-hour contracts on people and to pay them a pittance. Our third would be for national and local media that are owned not by tax-exile millionaires, but by the people they are meant to serve with accurate and unbiased information. Unfortunately, we have run out of presents and wishes before we could get round to Brexit. We have plenty of other ideas for presents and wishes and we are sure our readers do too. In the meantime, season’s greeting to all of you. 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 first Brixton Blog post appeared on 24 January 2010. Gordon Brown was prime minister of a Labour government, and the news in Brixton was about plans for pop-up shops in Brixton Village. Blog founder Zoe Jewell wrote about four women performing absurdist dance in one of the many empty shops in the “troubled” Granville Arcade, as the Village was known. The Spacemakers Agency had agreed with Lambeth council and the owners, London and Associated Properties, to allow a month of rent-free occupancy of 20 shops to people with creative and community credentials. “A fun diversion is all very well,” wrote Zoe. “But will Spacemakers’ project actually bring long-term positive change to Brixton Village? The pop-up shops are imaginative, but we should also be worrying that this ‘regeneration’ and those who espouse the virtues of ‘community initiatives’ come from, and draw to them, the young middle classes, not the whole community.”

2011

In 2011 the Blog was already recording the problems for Lambeth council created by the austerity policies of the new ConservativeLibDem government. In February, it also recorded the massive opposition to moving Streatham ice rink to the site of the Pope’s Road car park (now Pop Brixton) for three years and to planned cuts in library services. In May the Blog asked Brixton people about the best way to tackle gang crime. In August it recorded the clean-up in Brixton after the riots of that year. In September, Brixton Village rents featured again.

2012

The Blog recorded complaints about police stop and search. The name Tim Dickens – who co-founded the Brixton Bugle with Zoe – also appeared as a Blog byline, followed by a big upsurge in the number of posts. In March the Brixton Food Bank launched. In May, the Blog’s acclaimed food editor, Miss South, began her long run of recipes, reviews and news. Squatters in Rushcroft Road got notice to quit. In October the Blog reported on opposition to plans to demolish Cressingham Gardens. In December new council leader, Lib Peck, ruled out suggestions that the Rec could be demolished.

2013

February saw details of plans to bring Ovalhouse theatre to Somerleyton Road. In

Ten years of change April the Blog recorded the founding of the Brixton Soup Kitchen by Solomon Smith; in May, it announced the arrival in Brixton Village of the bistro Champagne and Fromage. The planned arrival of the Black Cultural Archives to Raleigh House on Windrush Square was announced. In June the Blog reported the creation of a David Bowie mural on the side of Morleys. Brixton Brewery featured in September. December saw the first plans for the African Caribbean War and Peace Memorial on Windrush Square; an interview with Block Workout founder Terroll Lewis whose project developed into the Brixton Street Gym; and the closure of Mango Landin’.

2104

January saw the start of the campaign by Ritzy cinema workers for the London Living Wage. Cinema bosses banned the April Bugle from the Ritzy because of its front-page story about the campaign. In September the coming of the weekend 24-hour Tube journeys that have transformed much of Brixton was an important story. In October, the Blog announced “the end of an era” as the last residents of Carlton Mansions were evicted.

2015

In January the Blog highlighted pollution on Brixton Road and stories by crowdfunded news editor Anna McKie began to appear. In February two reports presaged what was to be a lot of coverage of long-running disputes: on council plans for the libraries; and the eviction of traders from the Network Rail arches. In April, the windows of estate agent Foxtons on Brixton Road were smashed during a mostly peaceful Reclaim Brixton protest. In May MasterChef winner Tim Anderson’s Nanban restaurant was news, but in June local institution, the Kaff Bar, was forced to close as rents rocketed. In July new editor Linda Quinn took over. In August the first doubts about the viability of the Splash festival were raised. In September yet another challenge for the 414 Club was plans to turn it into flats. Sports editor Sandra Brobbey told the moving story of Dwaynamics and its founder pastor Lorraine Jones.

Zoe Jewell

Brixton’s David Bowie mural was where people gathered to mark his passing as the Blog’s early pictures of flowers in front of it showed. February brought news of the cancellation of Brixton Splash for 2016 as a result of police and council demands. In July the first stirrings of concern over the use of Brockwell Park for major commercial music events featured on the Blog.

2017

In January the Blog reported Brixton Road had set a “world record” for diesel pollution. In April it recorded tributes to Brixton resident and campaigner for Black people’s rights Darcus Howe. In August a Pope’s Road site was purchased by Sports Direct. In September the council granted planning permission for a budget hotel next to Marks & Spencer that recently resulted in the closure of one of Brixton’s oldest bars – SW9. In October the Blog reported the launch of Sleepless Brixton, as buskers disturbed the sleep of residents; and Mums for Lungs who blocked Brixton Road. November saw the first signs of one of the biggest Brixton stories – the sale of Brixton Village and Market Row.

2018

In March the Blog reported the announcement that Brixton Village and Market Row had been bought by Hondo Enterprises, owned solely by Texan DJ Taylor McWilliams. In April it covered the angry demonstration in Windrush Square over the treatment of the Windrush Generation and its children. In May it revealed that the owner of Brixton Village and Market Row recorded at the official UK registry was the New York based financial giant Angelo Gordon.

2019

In March the Blog reported council plans for the “transformation” of Atlantic Road – before the discovery that, above the arches formerly owned by Network Rail, the station platform above must be supported by a forest of scaffolding for an unknown period. In October the Blog detailed a bid by some local residents to place limits on the operation of the Duke of Edinburgh pub on Ferndale Road – seen by many as a threat to the important local night-time economy and a conflict typical of a changing Brixton. Also in October, the union representing staff at the Ritzy cinema employed by Picturehouse, ends its appeal for a boycott, while pledging to continue to fight for fair pay.

Christmas Emergency Food + Support in Lambeth Welcome to our latest page in the Brixton Bugle. We hope you find it useful. Visit our website for more information about where to find help and support in Lambeth. Virginia Nimarkoh, Lambeth Larder Community Food Resource

If you do not have food over Christmas, here are some places in Lambeth that will help.

T 07722 121108 E norwoodfoodbank@btinternet.com W norwoodbrixton.foodbank.org.uk

Waterloo Food Bank St John’s Waterloo 73 Waterloo Road London SE1 8TY

CONTACT US E info@lambethlarder.org W lambethlarder.org

Food Banks

Norwood & Brixton Food Bank (Streatham Centre)

For most food banks, you need a voucher before you can receive emergency food.

St. Margaret’s Church Barcombe Avenue London SW2 3BH T 07722 121108

THANK YOU!

This is how they work:

E norwoodfoodbank@btinternet.com W norwoodbrixton.foodbank.org.uk

A massive thanks to all the local people, organizations, community groups and businesses that contribute to Lambeth Larder resources.

• To use a food bank, a doctor, health visitor, social worker, advice worker, police, etc. must refer you. • The person referring you will give you a food bank voucher. • Take the completed voucher to the food bank to receive food. • Contact your nearest food bank for where to get a voucher. • Make sure to get your voucher before the Christmas break.

You need a food bank voucher to receive emergency food at these centres: Clapham Park Food Bank The Bonneville Centre 12 Poynders Road London SW4 8NY

Norwood & Brixton Food Bank (Brixton Centre) Will be closed over the Christmas period.

Vauxhall Food Bank 105 Tyers Street London SE11 5HS T 07398 860 992 E foodbank@christchurchlondon.org

Waterloo Food Bank Oasis Centre 1 Kennington Road London SE1 7QP T 020 7921 4205 E foodbank@oasiswaterloo.org

T 020 8675 7661 E info@claphampark.foodbank.org.uk W claphampark.foodbank.org.uk

W waterloo.foodbank.org.uk

Waterloo Food Bank

Norwood & Brixton Food Bank (Norwood Centre)

St George the Martyr Church Borough High Street London SE1 1JA

St Luke’s Church Knights Hill London SE27 0HS

T 020 7921 4205 E foodbank@oasiswaterloo.org W waterloo.foodbank.org.uk

T 020 7921 4205 E foodbank@oasiswaterloo.org W waterloo.foodbank.org.uk

Other Emergency Food You do not need a food bank voucher to receive help at these centres: Brixton Soup Kitchen & Support Centre Brixton Dominoes Community Centre 297-299 Coldharbour Lane London SW9 8RP E brixtonsoupkitchen@gmail.com W brixtonsoupkitchen.org

NTCG Brixton Food Bank NTCG Brixton Community Church Lambert Road, Brixton Hill London SW2 5BB T 0207 737 0963 E events@ntcgbrixton.com W ntcgbrixtonevents.com

Refugee Community Kitchen Windrush Square (Near Ritzy Cinema) London SW2 1JG E RCKoutreach@gmail.com W refugeecommunitykitchen.com

Are you an EU citizen living in the UK? If you’re an EU citizen, you and your family can now apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living, working and studying in the UK after any Brexit transition period.

For more information and how to apply visit: gov.uk/eusettledstatus

S @LambethLarder

COMING SOON Look out for our free booklet, The Directory. Available in January from libraries, food banks, GP surgeries, advice centres, etc.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Sunday

18th Dec

19th Dec

20th Dec

21st Dec

22nd Dec

Brixton Soup Kitchen, 10am-2pm

Brixton Soup Kitchen, 10am-2pm

Brixton Soup Kitchen, 10am-2pm

Refugee Community Kitchen, 5.30pm-7.30pm

Norwood & Brixton Food Bank (Streatham Centre) 7pm-8.30pm

NTCG Brixton Food Bank, 7pm-8.30pm

Clapham Park Food Bank, 11am-2pm

Norwood & Brixton Food Bank (Norwood Centre - Christmas food parcels) 10am-2pm

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

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

26th Dec

27th Dec

28th Dec

29th Dec

Norwood & Brixton Food Bank (Streatham Centre) 10am-12pm

Vauxhall Food Bank, 11.30am-1.30pm

Refugee Community Kitchen, 5.30pm-7.30pm

Vauxhall Food Bank, 11.30am-1.30pm Waterloo Food Bank (St. John’s) 3pm-5pm

23rd Dec

24th Dec

25th Dec

Brixton Soup Kitchen, 10am-2pm

Brixton Soup Kitchen (Outreach: Christmas food parcels) 10am-2pm

Brixton Soup Kitchen (Christmas Dinner) 12pm-7pm

Waterloo Food Bank (St. George the Martyr) 9am-11am

Saturday

Vauxhall Food Bank, 11.30am-1.30pm Waterloo Food Bank (Oasis Centre) 10am-1pm

Clapham Park Food Bank, 11am-2pm Norwood & Brixton Food Bank (Streatham Centre) 10am-12pm

30th Dec

31st Dec

1st Jan

2nd Jan

3rd Jan

4th Jan

Waterloo Food Bank (St. George the Martyr) 9am-11am

Clapham Park Food Bank, 11am-2pm

Brixton Soup Kitchen, 10am-2pm

Brixton Soup Kitchen, 10am-2pm

Brixton Soup Kitchen, 10am-2pm

Vauxhall Food Bank, 11.30am-1.30pm

NTCG Brixton Food Bank, 7pm-8.30pm

Clapham Park Food Bank, 11am-2pm

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

Norwood & Brixton Food Bank (Norwood Centre) 10am-12pm

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

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

Free, independent advice from Repowering London 1. Free energy saving items for your home

2. Switch and Save

3. Warm Homes Discount

Repowering London can visit your home and install radiator reflection panels, LED light bulbs, window and door insulation, etc.

Repowering London can help you switch to a cheaper energy supplier. They can help you change from a pre-payment meter and save money.

You could get £140 off your electricity bill for winter 2019 to 2020 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

To book an appointment, email support@repowering.org.uk or call 020 3674 7519

16  SHOPPING brixtonblog.com DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

Good food this Christmas brought to you by Incredible Edible Lambeth How can we all source good nutritious food this Christmas to feed our families? Finding fresh fruit and veg at affordable prices that has not flown half way across the world, can be a challenge, but here are some suggestions as to where you might go: Try the farmers’ markets like Brixton’s (see below) – they source locally and seasonally. If you get there towards the end of the day, there are always bargains to be found. Here’s a list: A  Balham Farmers Market, Henry Cavendish Primary school) – every Saturday, 9.30-1pm A  Brixton Station Road – every Sunday, 9.30-2pm A  Lower Marsh Market – every day 10-5pm except Sunday A  Myatt’s Field Park – every Sunday, 10-3pm A  Oval Market, St Mark’s Kennington – every Saturday, 10-3pm A  Rookery Farmers Market – Rookery Gardens, 3rd Saturday of the month, 9.30-2.30pm A  Venn Street, Clapham – Saturday 10-4pm A  Westminster Bridge Market – St Thomas’ Hospital – Thursday 10-3pm If you’re looking for healthy hot meals, discounted fresh food or emergency food, try one of these places: A  Ace of Clubs – St Alphonsus Road, Clapham, open to people sleeping rough, open 12-3pm weekdays A  Brixton Seventh Day Adventist Church – Santley St, Thurs 6-8pm A  Brixton Food Bank – St Paul’s Church, Ferndale Rd, Tues and Sat 10-1pm A  Brixton Soup Kitchen – 297 Coldharbour Lane, open 10-3pm weekdays A  Clapham Park Food Bank – Bonneville Centre, Poynders Rd, Tues and Fri 11-2pm A  Compliments of the House – Brixton Market Row, open 7-9pm weekdays A  The People’s Fridge – in Pop Brixton – food donated to fridge, anyone welcome to take what they need

A  The Platform (aka Loughborough Farm Community Cafe) – Loughborough Junction, Wed-Fri 12.30-3.30pm A  Refugee Community Kitchen, SW2 1JG, –free food for anyone in need Sundays 6.30-8.30pm A  Ruach City Church – Vida Walsh Centre, Saltoun Rd, Tues 7-8pm A  Stockwell Park Community Centre – Aytoun Place, free community meal, Friday 7-8pm A  Norwood Food Bank – Barcombe Ave, Wed 7-8.30pm A  Teen Challenge – near Black Cultural Archive, Brixton Wed 9-11pm A  Vauxhall Food Bank, –Tyers St, Wed and Sat 11.30-1.30pm A  Waterloo Food Bank – Oasis Centre, Kennington Rd, Tues 1-2.30pm, Fri, Sat 10-12pm A  Waterloo Food Bank – St John’s Waterloo, Wed 3-5pm A  Webber Street Day Centre – Webber St, Waterloo, every day except Fri and Sun 9-12pm A  West Norwood Community Shop – Vale St, Mon-Fri 10-5pm. Become a member and access low cost, high quality surplus food For more information on sourcing emergency food, Lambeth Larder Community Food Resource http://www.lambethlarder.org And, finally, why not make 2020 your Growing Year? Find a community garden near you by visiting our map at www.incredibleediblelambeth.org/map and get stuck in! There are so many benefits to growing your own food – from higher nutrition, to lower food miles (reduce your carbon) to better physical and mental health – it’s a win win for all of us. Have you thought about joining Incredible Edible Lambeth? It’s easy and it’s free – tap in to the many opportunities and events we organise. Go to www.incredibleediblelambeth. org to find out more. Happy New (Growing) Year!

BRIXTON STATION ROAD MARKETS

As you plan your seasonal shopping, be sure to remember that Brixton Station Road is home to a variety of excellent outlets … Makers’ Market

look you’re after. The vintage sweet stall will take you back to your childhood. Usually the third Saturday of every month.

14 December @ 10am – 5pm 11 January @10am – 5pm Check out the handmade and bespoke arts, crafts and fashion. You’ll find the street full of handmade crafty bits, contemporary art and new fashion from independent designers and makers. And, if you stick around for lunch, the street food stalls are running.

and free-range meat and poultry, artisan bread, cakes, and jams.

Farmers’ Market

Retro & Vintage Market

15 December @ 9:30am – 2:30 pm Weekly every Sunday. Grab a homemade snack as you look at fresh fruit and veg straight from the soil, as well as cheeses, flowers, organic

21 December @ 10am – 5pm Also 5 January Visit Brixton market to find your vintage wardrobe. Have a rummage through all the vintage clothes, jewellery, shoes and furniture to get the

Bakers & Flea Market 4 January 2020 @ 10am – 5pm On the first Saturday of the month, bread and fleas get together – but not the nasty type of flea. Pick up second-hand stuff on all the flea market stalls. You’ll find antiques, furniture, art, jewellery, books, ceramics, collectables… Freshly baked cakes and breads from local bakers who know cake mix and dough like the back of their hand.

More information about Brixton markets at brixtonmarket.net

‘ I’m a Brixton girl’ – new manager of the Village is thrilled to be back Jessica Dyer takes a tour of Brixton’s covered markets with general manager Diana Nabagereka It’s been six months since Diana Nabagereka took on the role of general manager of Brixton Village and Market Row. Before that she was general operations manager for Camden Market. Operationally, it has been a busy time behind the scenes. Two new substations have been built to provide better electricity to the tenants. This new supply will also allow for new lighting along the walkways, updated CCTV and the installation of heating to create a warmer, brighter, safer environment for traders and shoppers alike. The roof has been re-felted to stop the inside rain showers regulars will have become accustomed to and next year will see a restoration of the iconic Georgian glass panels. Diana has also overseen work on sewer systems, with night works taking place to replace ancient pipes. The newly free toilets are being expanded and renovated to a higher spec (28 toilets on the ground floor and public access to first-floor tenant toilets). There are also many spaces in the market that Diana and the team have earmarked for community use including a new recording studio, which is still under construction. As well as hosting a commercial studio it will also be open for young local creatives to use. “Art, music and culture are things the market has always been known for and is one of the key things we want to reintroduce,” says Diana. Next door is a vast new contemporary arts space with windows that look out onto Coldharbour Lane. “This is a 360 space that people can use to express their creativity. For Black History Month we had a really great exhibition with a young designer called Bianca Saunders she also introduced a Black ballet group who rehearsed in this space.” Diana also has plans for the roof of Market Row, she is in discussions with an urban gardener about introducing bees, “Not every rooftop area needs to be a bar, as cool as they are,” she says. Lost in Brixton, the new mezzanine bar over the goods yard is free during the day and run by Brixton Village as a community space so far hosting a BAME doula, yoga classes, soft play groups and meetings, “I want more people to use these spaces,” Diana emphasises. As we walk around there are lots of hellos to be said as Diana is stopped by different traders, “I’ve come from 500 traders in

Camden to 140 here, which means I have really been able to get to know everyone – who they are and what makes them tick.” There is a balance to be kept between the old tenants and new, the historical buildings and necessary modernisation, she says, “It was in my interview that I found out that the market is listed. One of the things that really captivated me in the role was knowing that it was purchased 18 months ago, with the knowledge that it was Grade II listed. For me I stand by loyalty and integrity, knowing someone purchased it knowing that he had to preserve that but still had great ideas to redefine the space excited me.” “What I have seen since I joined has maintained my belief. Brixton will always need a Latin American butcher, and it will always need a Caribbean greengrocer, a lot of those traders sit in key sightlines, and leases have been renewed and rents protected.” “I’m a Brixton girl. I knew Brixton as a child, we used to travel up here with the nanny trolley and my mum would pack it up with fruit, veg, meat, those are my original memories of the village. Having the opportunity now to be general manager gives me tingles.” As we walk back through the market one of the highly successful night markets Diana has introduced is setting up. Our final stop is Compliments of the House, the Brixton-based charity run by Sinéad Browne who has just moved into a new unit in Market Row and is preparing to open for the evening. “We had so much turmoil before we were able to come under Brixton Village,” says Sinéad. “Diana has pushed for us to have our first sign which is due to be installed next week. Hondo Enterprises and Brixton Village have given us a home in Brixton.” Diana is employed by Munroe K Asset Management Limited which provides a property management service for the Village and Market Row which are owned in a joint venture between Hondo Enterprises and Angelo Gordon, a large privately owned US-based investment company. They have already invested £1m in renovations, most of which visitors would not noticed but which have had a fundamental impact on the experience for visitors and tenants alike. Diana and the Brixton Village team have many new plans for the future.

SHOPPING  17

DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 brixtonblog.com

Reliance Arcade set to lose scaffolding Scaffolding on Brixton’s Grade II listed Reliance Arcade will be down in time for Christmas as a £1.4million National Lottery backed restoration nears completion. The arcade, which runs between Brixton Road and Electric Lane, was built into an existing Georgian house between 1923 and 1925 in the Art Deco style which was the fashion of the day. The Electric Lane frontage is a rare surviving example in London of Egyptian-inspired terracotta architecture which was in vogue following the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. The arcade, which houses 27 small businesses across 40 units, is on Historic England’s heritage at risk register, but can be taken off once restoration is complete. The renovation started in April and is due to be completed early in the new year. The arcade has remained open for business. A Lambeth council spokesperson said: “This important

shopping arcade is home to a wide variety of small traders operating from a fantastically characterful building. “We would encourage everyone to include a visit when out Christmas shopping this year so they can experience the atmosphere, see the progress made and support our small traders.” The council has secured a guarantee that no rents will rise as a result of the work for at least five years. Markie from Universal Roots Records who has been based in Reliance Arcade for four years said that the building really needed the renovations, and that he expects the end result will be great. He said: “We get a lot of tourism with visitors to Brixton. The area has a long history of music and people want to come here and get an experience of that musical culture. The music shop is a place to browse and hangout, talk, it’s a real experience.”

Markie at Universal Roots Records who runs the Reliance Arcade shop and a record label

BRIXTON CHRISTMAS

A personal selection by Ruby Gregory, sponsored by Brixton Business Improvement District, of a few of the many Brixton establishments where you can find unique gifts for loved ones DIVERSE

PUT YOUR RECORDS ON

Established in 1999, Diverse is a design-led giftshop, specialising in contemporary and Afro-centric gifts, cards and jewellery. Owner Anita Thorpe says “female empowerment is very much one of our values‚” which is evident in the selection of gifts in Diverse including the Women of the World 2020 Calendar. There is also an emphasis on supporting local artists, who contribute to half or more of the products Anita stocks. She works with Tree Shepard, a social enterprise that supports start-ups and communities going through regeneration. There is a large selection of gifts for under £5, perfect for that last-minute secret Santa panic! You can give a little bit of Brixton this Christmas by shopping at Diverse. Diverse is open seven days a week, and will be open until 5pm on Christmas Eve. 390 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LF diverse-gifts.myshopify.com

Brixton has many independent record shops. Whether you are looking for reggae, jazz, funk, soul,or hip hop – old or new – check our vinyl specialists: Container Records Pop Brixton, SW9 8PQ Pure Vinyl 246 Ferndale Road, SW9 8FR Lion Vibes Granville Arcade, SW9 8PS Supertone Records 110 Acre Lane, SW2 5RA Universal Roots Records 33-35 Reliance Arcade, SW9 8JZ

FULL MOON DESIGNS Full Moon Designs is an independent jewellery shop in Brixton Village. Carole Mourier, who runs it, has been a passionate jeweller for many years. She has a large range of pendants, necklaces, earrings and rings all handmade by Carole using natural crystals. Her favourite is labradorite, which can be found in abundance on the shelves in her shop. If you are looking for a personalised present for a loved one, she can make bespoke pieces for you. Full Moon stocks an assortment of accessories including organic vegan candles, room diffusers and fair-trade scarves and shawls. Open every day in the lead up to Christmas Unit 8, 1st Avenue, Brixton Village, SW9 8PS fullmoondesigns.co.uk

MAKE DO AND MEND

Customers making those important greeting card choices

A customer getting a Saturday morning trim in Reliance Arcade

GIFT GUIDE

Make Do and Mend can be found in one corner of Pop Brixton. It sells vintage clothes, jewellery, sunglasses and socks with comical prints. Jess, the manager of the shop, believes “there is so much toxic fashion consumerism at the moment” and urges everyone to buy second-hand or deadstock clothing. Shopping here this Christmas would support sustainable fashion and ensure you find a one-off piece that no one else will have. Oversized winter jumpers start at £15. Make Do and Mend is also responsible for the popular Vintage Kilo Sales in Pop Box. For Christmas, Make Do and Mend will be creating special gift bags, packed full of jewellery and accessories at reasonable prices. Open seven days a week and until 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays during the Christmas season Unit S13, Pop Brixton, SW9 8PQ mdam.co.uk

GUZZL Visiting Guzzl in Brixton Village is a must for any foodie. From deli counter to speciality teas, Downton Abbey gin to chocolate pizzas, Guzzl has you covered for foodie presents. You can find Canopy Beers from Herne Hill, honey from Brixton Bees and owner Andrew Murray-Watson’s favourite limoncello-infused panettone. “We only sell products from small independent producers – nothing you can find in a supermarket‚” says Andrew. The broad choice of items here can be made into a hamper – let Guzzl choose a mix of delicious treats for you, or build your own box. Hampers are available instore or online. Guzzl is open seven days a week and will be open later in the two weeks before Christmas Unit 9, Granville Arcade, SW9 8PR guzzl.co.uk

CIRCUS Circus in Brixton Village showcases local designers. A colourful arrangement of artwork, homeware, fragrances and jewellery fills the shelves. Vintage furniture is also sold here. Owner Tabitha Rout loves to feature “local, up and coming designers” such as Stock Studios, a hand screen printing duo whose Christmas cards can be found here. Stocking fillers range from undiluted orange blossom oil, to gift sets containing all you need to build your own candle holders. Buying gifts at Circus this Christmas will also help support local charity Arthouse Unlimited, a collective of artists living with complex epilepsy and learning disabilities all of whom require varying levels of support. Circus is open seven days a week, with later evenings on Thursdays and Fridays throughout December 79 Brixton Village, SW9 8PS circusbrixton.com

HOUSE OF HYGGE House of Hygge café on Acre Lane has a simple goal: to sell delicious coffee and cakes for a great cause. All profits go to The Chartwell Cancer Trust, a charity for children. And it is a great place to relax after the shopping. This Christmas House of Hygge has a range of delicious hot drinks – try a peppermint hot chocolate, gingerbread latte, Irish coffee or Bailey’s hot chocolate. Hygge is also running events including yoga, games nights and a paint and wine evening. Open Mondays to Fridays 8am-5.30pm 41 Acre Lane, SW2 5TN hohlondon.com

18  SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW brixtonblog.com

Shamanie

Ben

Ben

DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

Alaia

Adderly

Great atmosphere and a great mix of people Simone Richardson visits the Hootananny as it gears up for a busy holiday period Brixton’s Hootananny venue began life in the nineteenth century as the George Canning. It was briefly the Hobgoblin from 2003 before becoming the Hootananny in 2007. It had been known as a music venue before Sophia Yates and her brother Kit Fraser – who runs the Hootannny in Inverness – took it over about 12 years ago and rebranded it as Hootananny Brixton. “It’s been quite a journey,” she says. “It’s always throwing up surprises, but that’s why we love doing it!” Today, punters can still play pool or dance as they listen to live music with a drink from the wall-to-wall bar. Ben Bascombe, originally from South West England and now living in Streatham, has enjoyed managing the Hootananny for the past five years. His role involves “a bit of everything – I communicate with bands and promoters – do all the stock and ordering, liaise with the suppliers, lots of office admin, hire staff and do the rota, and, of course, I’m there most weekends managing the nights.” Ben’s favourite role as a manager is “working with all sorts of people whether it be bar staff, security, bands or promoters.” One of the many bar staff is Shamanie

– proud to call herself a Brixtonian, and enjoying working behind the bar – “I love the energy at the Hootananny and no two days that I’m there over the weekends are the same. There are many great moments with my colleagues and everyone who sets foot in the Hootananny – that I will always cherish.” Colleague Adderly Gonzalez is from the other side of the world – the Dominican Republic – but similarly happy in his works. “What I enjoy the most is the variety of high quality bands and working in a place that is a community and also a place to meet new people,” he says. His ambition is to perform at the

Hootananny with his band – Adder and Los Hojos – “with a full house that enjoyed us!” Regular Calvin Lindsay has that experience. He played drums with his brother Jimmy who sang a number one hit reggae version of The Commodores’ Easy Like Sunday Morning written by Lionel Ritchie. Calvin is still playing drums in a band – The Realmers – and looks forward to playing the Hootananny again. Hancle Graham, one of the many regular players on the Hootananny’s three pool tables arrived in Brixton 20 years ago from Jamaica. “Pool is the best therapy to me as I have learnt pool here over the past three years,” he says.

“It helps me relax with a great mix of people and a really good atmosphere.’ Taking care of tickets on the door is Alaia Rodriguez – originally from the Basque Country – who has been at the Hootananny for five years. “Before I worked there I enjoyed loads of nights out Now I enjoy the atmosphere, the friendly welcoming staff and the live music,” she says. “Work can be hectic and a little bit difficult at the box office, but it’s nice and fun most of the time. I enjoy the Hootananny as it enables me to meet and interact with people of different ages. I also enjoy welcoming customers and ensuring they are having a good time and experience. Working with my team makes me smile.” If you have family or friends who want to visit you in Brixton – upstairs at the Hootananny is the hostel run by Steve Light, the building and hostel manager, who has worked there for eight years. “Making sure the old building keeps ticking along with such a lively purpose going on inside it, I’ve never had such a varied work day as I do here. “I very seldom finish a day of work without wishing there were a few extra hours to squeeze out a few more odd jobs. I love having such a busy role in a place that’s so important to so many people,” he says. You can book family or friends into the Hootananny via hostel-world.com – £16 weekdays and £22 at weekends.

South London pair put loyalty online An app launched in Brixton is designed to support local coffee businesses and to help consumers to discover a quality product. Anetha Sivananthan finds out more Old school friends Miles Bailey from Acre Lane and Tim Silbermann from Battersea made their app RWRD live this autumn. The first establishment to feature is on Acre Lane and now the app includes coffee outlets across South London from Wandsworth to Streatham to Dulwich. Before establishing RWRD, Miles set up a pop-up coffee shop in Nine Elms, Battersea, where there were few opportunities for independent cafes to be discovered. Tim’s interest in the coffee scene was developed during his six years in the British army,

where he relied on caffeine to get him through difficult days and, later on, in Edinburgh – home to a wide selection of small independent cafes. “Miles and I laid on the table how many loyalty cards we had for independent venues between us. We had a huge stack of cards, and that was where the idea was really born,” says Tim. “We could create one app that is a library of all these independent cards and helps people to discover the smaller venues, supporting local businesses in the areas where we live.” RWRD replaces conventional consumer loyalty schemes. Whenever a user opens the app, they see a newsfeed directing them to offers, the cafes closest to them and eco-friendly initiatives and products from different venues. To help consumers to get their daily caffeine at a local coffee house, the app incor­porates a digital loyalty stamp which

is collected simply by using a smartphone camera to scan the venue’s QR code when making a purchase. It also allows users to pinpoint nearby venues on a map. Miles says the project is creating a library of quality coffee houses deserving a wider

clientele, placing them on a single platform to create a large audience, and giving them a chance to share their initiatives and offers. The app itself is still developing. “One of the changes that we’re going to make is to offer a comment box so customers have the chance to leave each venue written feedback,” Miles says. The focus on quality coffee and sustaining independent local coffee venues goes hand in hand with ethical initiatives. One venue the creators of RWRD are looking to work with supports independent Colombian coffee farmers. By digitising the card and stamp loyalty scheme concept, RWRD is helping smaller independent companies compete in a crowded and competitive market. A For more information and to download RWRD visit www.rwrd.co.uk or follow Miles and Tim on Instagram and Facebook: @rwrdapp

FOOD & DRINK  19

DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 brixtonblog.com

FOOD & DRINK REVIEW: THE LAUNDRY

Washing up Nick Buglione has gone to The Laundry Categories, we like categories. What occupies the space between fine dining and beyond bistro? Modern restaurateurs appear to be aiming for it. Embracing all-day millennial culture and the laptop generation en route? Welcome to The Laundry. Formerly a Laundry. See what they did there? Buried in Edwardian heritage since 1904, Walton Lodge was a commercial steam press laundry, washing sheets from everywhere from The Savoy to The Ritz. Much of the building is on the way to being, presumably pricey, office and studio space. The front slice, the art deco frontage and the forecourt go to The Laundry. It’s a dramatic entrance. Front of house, owner and curator of “the cellar” Melanie Brown of New Zealand Wines, kitchen Dylan Cashman. Spread across an initially surprisingly petite space, considering. Split level bar and eating upstairs, more formal dining room downstairs. Nods to the previous 100-odd years dotted in and around. Plus a front terrace that may be the Coldharbour “Croisette” come the summer. Where we may sip cocktails. We had a Brixton 75, twist on the classic French 75 and a Market Spritz, Earl Grey gin, peach juice and soda, sprig of rosemary. The menu is interesting. Complex processes, modern innovation and combinations without being overwrought or intensely showy. With a dash of flash. What’s wrong with oysters freshly shucked with chorizo and lardo [a type of salumi]? Not much. Non-carnivore as company means we can attack from two fronts. In reverse order. Roasted pork belly, brussel sprouts all smashed, flamed and jazzed up with a yoghurt dressing and pickled chilli, opposite “All of the pumpkin” with coriander seeds and fresh horseradish. The non-meat-eater is well

catered for here, and heirloom carrots with ricotta, toasted dukkah (nuts, seeds and spices) and coriander was a colourful palette of carrot varieties and flavours. Steak Tartare. One of my favourite dishes. Not usually to be messed with. Serve classic with a Gauloise and gallic Belmondo shrug. Cashman’s tartare is the highlight of the menu for me. Finely chopped Hereford beef with fermented chilli, prawn oil, deeply yellow raw egg yolk and scattered bonito (dehydrated tuna) flakes. This is quite a creation. Lovely flavour through the raw steak and egg yolk, nice “surfy” touches with the prawn oil and bonito. Definitely well catered for, those that like their wines. Melanie’s background in antipodean winery means we are in good hands. We let her be sommelier with old world, new world and New Zealand vintages. We liked the NZ Sauvignon blanc and a sweet, sticky moscato dessert wine with our choc brownie pud (I don’t do desserts, it’s my USP but fellow diner has a sweet tooth.

Prices aren’t too steep, small to medium sized plates ranging from early to later teens so has a hint of bistro pricing, with the food a cut above that. They know they are also chasing the all-day crowd as well as cocktailers and evening diners, so there is a welcoming breakfast and brunch menu with

mueslis, smashy avo stuff, sweet potato waffles and croque madames to accompany coffees and interesting juices. And come the summer we can take things outside to that forecourt terrace. Not quite the Cannes promenade vista but we like our Brixton a little rough around the edges.

374 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8PL | 020 8103 9384 | thelaundrybrixton.com

Directly from block to plate. Family run, local butcher – Established in 1962, three generations of Jones family have been working in the business. Focus on quality – We supply quality meat and poultry with first-class service. Visit our online shop jonesthebutcher.me.uk

Meat, the way it’s meant to be.

20  FOOD & DRINK brixtonblog.com DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 REVIEW: BLACK BEAR BURGER

Bear necessities? Nick Buglione checks out Black Bear Burger Climate change, cows and methane aside, Brixton’s love affair with burgers has a new suitor in town. Beating the well-worn path from start-up food trucking semi-professionals to “sit-down” diner, Liz and Stew of Black Bear Burger are the latest burger-making Village people. Soft-launching at 50% off the night we pitched up, there was already a queue of instagrammy 20-somethings waiting to get into a somewhat ramshackle somewhat over populated wood shack and kitchen. Don’t come here for the wide-open spaces, come here to bump shoulders and bums with the staff and fellow diners. It’s all part of the fun, right? You can’t just make a burger any more. The burger has gone artisan (sorry Jay Rayner) a while back. Black Bear’s take is all about the flavour and the provenance, apparently. The beef is aged on the bone and all the rubs and condiments and little picked things are made in-house. After the standard lecture on Greta Thumberg and cows “farting” from my occasionally evangelical

teenager, we got down to business. How’s their burgers? Black Bear, possibly as much to do with kitchen logistics as a desire for simplicity, have a stripped-down menu of burgers, wings and sides. Not a lot else. Black Bear’s extra topping to the menu is a series of ad-hoc smoking specials as they will be getting the smoker going. Smoke infused slowcooked beef always sounds good. Nearest we got tonight was my brisket burger, aged beef patty, cheese, beer braised brisket, garlic mayo and pink pickled onions. Mini-Greta somehow managed to shelve her climate concerns (she was hungry) for the signature Black Bear, cheese and bacon, garlic mayo and onion jam. Accompanied of course by fries and Camden Hells (for me). The burgers were excellent. Oozingly moist, big patty (you can go double if you are in the mood), pleasingly smokey brisket, nice vinegar-piquant onions. They aren’t messing around with brioche baps and fiddly bits. Man and daughter versus food. With wings. Another area where Brixton has a bit of a track record. Next table had ordered brisket spring rolls and chick nuggets, note for next time. Our wings came with blue cheese

dip although there is a scotch bonnet hot sauce version which our waitress confirmed was possibly neo-nuclear fission. Buglione junior doesn’t do heat (yet). I hope the “insta-influencers” on the other table liked theirs cold? Their extended table top iPhone photo shoot suggests how things look is more important than how they taste? I am old school. Food

comes, eat it. So, if you want to look at it that way, it’s your standard burger joint output (with a plant-based alternative to beef and chicken), in a more or less “expected” stripped down shack, all wooden tables and school chairs. The wings are good, the hand cut fries are OK but the burgers stand out from the everyday. Both burgers

came in under £10. I imagine Black Bear really gets the wind in its sails when they start smoking away and the (superfriendly, super enthusiastic) service settles down. Until then, if you like a burger, you are probably already on the way. Does Brixton give good burger? Is the Pope religious, does a (black) bear poop in the woods?

11-13 Market Row, SW9 8LD | blackbearburger.com | @BlackBearBurger

REVIEW: OTHER SIDE FRIED

Ain’t Nobody Here but us Chickens Nick Buglione takes the kids to Other Side Fried

GET A TASTE OF BRIXTON IN OUR NEW TAP ROOM! Super fresh beer right where it’s made. 10 taps, other drinks, merch & more! DRINK IN / TAKE OUT

OPENING HOURS

WED & THURS 5-10PM FRI 5-11PM SAT 12-11PM SUN 2-6PM

ARCH 548, BRIXTON STN RD, SW8 9PF TWITTER @BRIXTONBREWERY INSTAGRAM @BRIXTONBREWERYTAPROOM

You have to have a decent dose of chutzpah to open a bricks and mortar chicken shop dead centre of Brixton. But Other Side Fried have. After due diligence as roaming street traders (frying out of a converted ambulance) and a couple of seasons in a downstairs stall at Pop, OSF are one of the first new tenants in the (controversially) revamped railway arches on Atlantic Road. I’ll let the Bugle’s other pages worry about that. I’m talking food. It’s a semi-fast food chicken joint with the chicken elevated. We are not in Morleys. We are in a small, surgically white arch scattered with neon signs and hint of Haring kitsch orange graffiti. Chicken joint meets Korova Milk Bar. And a dozen bar stools. That’s it. It’s a funky spot for watching Brixton wander by with wall to floor glass frontage. Or if you were doing an extended survey on phone shops. Good people watching. Three carnivores, one vegetarian. Minimal menu. Choice is often overrated. We chose a Classic, deep fried buttermilk chicken, mayo and lettuce along with a Bacon Cheese, the Classic with parmesan, their secret OSF sauce, bacon and pickles and for my fledgling little vegetarian, the Vegan Buffalo, soya based

‘Chick’n’ patty with all the trimmings. Sides? Fries and dirty fries. They do a signature Honey Butter version as well with smoked honey butter thrown into the mix. We clearly couldn’t eat here every day. I would be making appointments with a cardiac specialist? But for a quick stop refuelling, Other Side Fried does an upscale take on chicken burgers. Big moist chicken, crunchy batter, nice toppings and good sauces. The hot sauce definitely brings some heat to a winter’s day. And the vegan patty? Surprisingly decent faux-chicken flavour and texture, I’m almost fooled. And the kids loved dirty fries, fries loaded with bacon, parmesan, ranch sauce and heat. Get bibs people! Utterly indulgent, naughty but nice. Tangy, cheesy drapery over crisp, paprika tinged fries. A moment on the lips… They have found a great location, hoovering up chicken lovers en route to and from the Tube to the Academy and while the prices go beyond the cheap cheerful greasy wings emporia dotted around SW9, there’s a reason for that. Less a dirty option stumbling home from the pub, more a dedicated, logical choice. And every time we pass by on the way to the Rec or Pop they are going to be asking me for those dirty fries. Give me 20 lengths and you’re in!

Unit 14, Atlantic Road, SW9, 8HX | othersidefried.com | @othersidefried

DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 brixtonblog.com

WHAT’S ON  21

WHAT’S ON Santa to visit the Windmill

Santa will be visiting Brixton Windmill on Sunday 15 December, where he will find free craft workshops, face painting and carol singing. 2 – 5pm Free family/child oriented craft workshops, face painting and Christmas refreshments 2.30 – 4pm Children can visit Santa in his magical grotto inside the windmill. All children receive a present. 4 – 4.30pm Carol singing with the Brixton Windmill Singers 4.15 – 4.45 pm Judging of the Brixton Windmill Festive Bake contest. Suggested donation for visiting Santa £4 per child – other activities are free.

Get crafty at the library

Saturday 21 December is Christmas Community Day at Brixton Library, organised by Friends of Tate Library, Friends of Windrush Square, and the Brixton Society, and supported by local groups including Kids Kreate. From 11am to 3pm there will be plenty to entertain. Craft workshops will include making badges, cushions, and table mats, and T-shirt printing. There will be a bric-a-brac stall, an art sale, and an all-day library book sale. The Certitude Choir directed by Edward Henderson will sing carols. The craft workshop led by Martyn Hines, which will showcase their work, welcomes new participants every Wednesday from 1.30 to 3.30pm at the library. On offer are sewing, embroidery, beading, macramé and more. Materials are provided and there is a volunteer tutor to help. At present, the sessions are free, and light refreshments are provided. A Enquiries to foftlbrixton@gmail.com.

Club 414 – a state of mind, not a building Louise Barron and Tony Pommell – the Club 414 team – will be helping party-lovers celebrate New Year for 34th straight year in a row. “Back in May we sadly left our spiritual home on Coldharbour Lane,” the say, “but we told you then and we will repeat it now: Club 414 is not a building, it is not bricks and mortar, it is a state of mind, a movement, a body of people, a family which carries that unbreakable underground dance spirit, that is the 414.” Louise and Tony wondered for a while if it was going to be possible to find a venue that could maintain their tradition of so many years. But they have. “Undoubtedly we’re still blessed,” they say. The event will be at a secret but legal South London location. Partygoers will get the address – to be announced via email and text – in good time for to arrive for a 10pm start and be greeted by familiar faces at the door. Limited early tickets are £15, standard ones, £20. A Tickets from: http://club414.org/event/ cohesion-new-years-eve

22  WHAT’S ON brixtonblog.com DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

‘Don’t forget about us – and don’t forget about books’ Simone Richardson talks to Liyah Leoni about her creation The Wave, and why she launched it in Brixton library The Wave is a showcase for LGBTQ+ writers and artists brought together by author Liyah Leoni, who promoted its launch in Brixton library in November. “One of the reasons it was so important to host The Wave launch in Brixton is because South London has always had a sense of community,” said the author of Sincerely Yours. “There is so much stigma in certain areas of London and that to me comes from lack of knowledge. So to hold a LGBTQ+ event in the library shows that Brixton itself is a ‘safe place’ and the sense of community stretches to our community – love, good vibes and energy always win.” The evening in Brixton Library hosted by Liyah saw writers reading and talking about their creations, causing listeners both to laugh and to think deeply about what was written, read out loud and why it had happened in their lives. Ellis Eyo-Thompson was up first, talking about his book called One in a Million. A Million in One. It was so inspiring that it is definitely worth going to Brixton Library to find. He said: “My book is basically a spiritual journey of my life that I have broken down in a psychological way, as I did a psychology degree and it is spiritual to everything I have been through, struggled with and that has helped me. “It’s my way of sharing it with the world,

Sir Simon Callow launched a campaign and crowdfunding drive to bring back to life one of South London’s most impressive theatres. The Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre (FOSHT) used its 90th anniversary to launch the campaign, aided by Sir Simon and Holby City star Catherine Russell (right) – both with strong Streatham connections. The campaign is to bring the theatre back to life as an arts, entertainment and community hub for South London. Celebrating its birthday on 20 November, the two actors cut a birthday cake for campaigners in the foyer.

The 2,800 capacity former theatre has been described by the Theatres Trust as one of London’s most lavish “sleeping beauties” and “one of the best-equipped in London outside of the West End”. It suffered extensive damage from a German V1 flying bomb in July 1944, but reopened in 1950. It closed in June 1962, reopening as a bingo hall. That closed in 2017 leaving most of the building disused apart from a 24/7 slot machine lounge. The stage and auditorium remain preserved, waiting for a new generation of arts and culture lovers to take it forward

to its centenary and beyond, say the campaigners. In June 2019 Lambeth council consulted on plans to explore the feasibility of refurbishing and rejuvenating the theatre as a multi-use venue. To help FOSHT develop its own proposals for future use of the building, it has formed a panel of professional advisors, including architects and consultants, who are providing free help and advice. The fundraising campaign is for a viability study to determine how best to proceed. A Visit www.streathamhilltheatre.org for details and to contribute.

PAUL H LUNNON

Stars launch fundraising campaign to reawaken Streatham’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’

saying maybe you can learn something through me. The whole writing process was a journey of self love. We are all writers because we are scribes of our own lives and we are all on our own journey.’’ The woman who helped lead the journey of The Wave was Sabrina Jonson, who works for Lambeth libraries and archives. She explained how it all came together when she met Liyah. ‘’She was doing signings of her book – Sincerely Yours – when I approached her and had a conversation about how to get her book into libraries and archives, because I noticed that our LGBTQ section is not reflective enough of the Black Asian minority LGBTQ community and I wanted to change that.’’ So Liyah and Sabrina met up and had a very productive conversation Sabrina explained how Liyah hd expressed her vision for The Wave, saying: “Liyah told me to feature The Wave at Brixton library as it was paving a way for upcoming talented individual creatives and showcasing their excellence. We co-organised it from there.” Liyah went further into what inspired her to launch The Wave at Brixton library: “Literaturebased creatives are always forgotten about. “We are in a digital age in which people much prefer to listen to audio books rather than hold a physical book in their hand. “So to bring this event into the library was a statement in itself to not forget about us and do not forget about books.’ The next Wave event will be in February in Clapham library as it tours Lambeth libraries. The Wave will also return to its home in Brixton library in many forms – including poetry events, workshops, group building events and showcases like the amazing that took place in November.

WHAT’S ON  23

DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 brixtonblog.com

Blue Story will change the way we view crime drama Ruby Gregory watches Blue Story, the new film that got publicity for the wrong reason From YouTube to Paramount Pictures, Rapman (Andrew Onwubolu) has been on quite the creative journey. Blue Story is Rapman’s first Blue

directorial debut on a feature film, after previously receiving online praise for his three-part YouTube series Shiro’s Story. A Deptford boy at heart, Rapman pays homage to his own South London upbringing through Blue Story’s prime settings, Deptford and Peckham. The narrative follows the violence that escalates between two rival

gangs because of their conflicting postcodes, SE13 and SE15. Rapman’s lyrical intervals offer a unique way of storytelling and he pieces scenes together beautifully, at the same time as authentically portraying growing up in urban areas of London. The film has Romeo and Juliet qualities, but the emphasis less on a romantic plot, and more on

tragedy and the consequences of forbidden territory. Blue Story was under the microscope after an altercation at a Vue cinema in Birmingham led the film to being axed, briefly, from all Vue cinemas. Leaving aside the disputed facts about what happened in Birmingham, it seems peculiar that the film was under such scrutiny.

Blue Story does not glamorise gang culture. Instead, it documents the vicious cycle of tit-for-tat violence that happens amongst gangs. It will be interesting to see what Rapman will pursue next. One thing is for sure, the film and he are only just at the beginning of their successes, and are changing the way we view the crime drama genre.

SEASON’S GREETINGS

From Electric Avenue’s favourite Caribbean restaurant and takeaway. We serve freshly cooked, great tasting, great value, authentic Caribbean food with speedy and friendly efficiency. Stop by for a takeaway or eat in and sit awhile. We have a downstairs eating area and we are open from early lunchtime throughout the afternoon.

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Healthy Eaters supports the London Living Wage Proud caretakers of the Brixton African Caribbean War and Peace Memorial HealthyEaters_DEC19_half.indd 1

10/12/2019 22:02

24  WHAT’S ON brixtonblog.com DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

Jamila Omar’s selection of gigs and more in Brixton and nearby FRI 13 @ HOOTANANNY

SUN 12 @ WINDMILL

ASBO Disco presents a LIVE DRUM AND BASS SPECIAL, Bristol to Brixton Winter Link-Up, with KCDC, Collette the Dots and Septabeat. 9pm-3am. Free before 10, £3 – £5 after.

All musicians and all styles are welcome to The No Frills FOLK Club. Expect Irish, Welsh, English and Scottish, American old time, bluegrass and western swing, French, Yiddish, East European, Scandinavian, Greek, Turkish, Balkan and more. Swap styles, share tunes and learn stuff. 7pm. Free.

SAT 14 @ O2 BRIXTON ACADEMY

York five-piece Shed Seven rose to fame in the 90s as one of the leading lights of BRITPOP and now they’re gearing up for their biggest UK headline tour to date. Marking 25 years since the release of their first album, fans will get to hear a mix of Shed Seven classics, as well as choice cuts from their first album in 16 years, Instant Pleasures. 7pm. £28.75

SUN 15 @ EFFRA SOCIAL

PopUp Painting invites you to unleash your creativity at PAINT CHRISTMAS STREET ART – wine glass in one hand, paint brush in the other, themed around Annie Dalton‘s Banksy-inspired Christmas Flying Balloon Girl painting, with help from an experienced artist. Includes paint, brushes, canvas and apron. 3-5pm. £29.99.

MON 16 @ ELM PARK TAVERN

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

TUE 17 @ WINDMILL

See You Mate Magazine are excited to present the debut headline show of London POSTPUNK outliers Legss, and the launch of their second release ‘Good News Horse’. With support from Automotion, 8pm. £4.

WED 18 @ THE JUNCTION

Junction manager Luke Hand picks some of the best musicians in London for an explosive night of hard bop and tricky time signatures at this regular JAZZ night. 7-11pm. Free.

THUR 19 @ SUPERCUTE

Come for a dance at Latino Thursday each week in Brixton Village market, where LATIN MUSIC and good vibes take centre stage. Sup on award-winning cocktails while being entertained by great Latin DJs, percussionists, dancers and a wide variety of Latino music genres. 7.30 – 11pm. Free.

FRI 20 @ HABESHA

Eat, drink, dance and listen to a live session of JAZZ, BLUES & SOUL CLASSICS from local favourite Helen McDonald mixed with originals at Jazz’N’Jollof . She will be fronting the Jessua Ladybyrds, consisting of guitarist Eddie Abdullah, bassist Leslee Booth and drummer Paul Zimmerman. DJs: Darkwood and Claudia from Pure Vinyl. Doors 7pm. Dinner £24.84. Non-diners £12 on the door.

SAT 21 @ O2 BRIXTON ACADEMY

More than two decades on since the release of their monumental debut album, Exile On Coldharbour Lane and ALABAMA 3 are heading back to their roots to perform it in its entirety, alongside a hit-filled set. With support from Ruts DC and The Woodentops. 7pm. £35.

SUN 22 @ QUEENS HEAD

A regular long afternoon and evening of BOARD/CARD GAMES Geekstraveganza is held at this vegan-friendly Stockwell Road pub. Bring your favourite games or just your inner geek. Arrive whenever you like, stay as long as you want: new games will be starting as people come in, with often one or two that can be joined at any given time. 1pm – 10pm. Free.

MON 13 @ HIDEAWAY

MON 23 @ OLD DISPENSARY

Hunker down at Hank Dog’s wonderful Monday night ACOUSTIC JAM session which takes place in the Old Dispensary in Camberwell, a traditional, old school Irish pub with affordable booze prices. 8.30pm. Free.

TUE 24. CHRISTMAS EVE! WED 25. CHRISTMAS DAY! THUR 26 @ HOOTANANNY

Celebrate Boxing Day in true Brixton style as Cecil Reuben presents Artist called Ashkar as part of the regular REGGAE Thursdays at this popular live music pub. Support from Tasha Love, Mr Clint Walker and Borderline Band. 9pm2am. £3.

FRI 27 @ POP BRIXTON

Dance off all those festive calories at BASHMENT Chrimbo, a dancehall, bashment and reggae special. 7pmmidnight. Free.

SAT 28 @ BRIXTON JAMM

DANCEHALL and bashment dons House Of Flying Daggers return to Jamm for their famous Christmas party. Featuring The Heatwave, Prestige Pak, Jetss, Lozzy C and Romping Shop. 10pm-4am. 10pm-4am. From £8.

SUN 29 @ RAILWAY TAVERN

Every Sunday sees OPEN MIC night at this Tulse Hill venue. Sign up from 8pm, everyone welcome, free drink for all performers. Book a slot by emailing jackfromsouf@gmail.com or just turn up on the night. 8-11.30pm. Free.

MON 30 @ POP BRIXTON

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

TUE 31 @ ELECTRIC BRIXTON

Expect podium dancers, lasers, CO2 jets, special effects and a hefty sound system thumping out the famous REGGAETON all night long. 10pm-6am. From £18.

WED 1 NEW YEARS DAY! THUR 2 @BRIXTON ORCHARD

Blow away the cobwebs with a volunteer GARDENING session in our very own orchard. 1 – 2.30pm. Tools and gloves supplied if necessary. Register at urbangrowth.london/get-involved/

FRI 3 @ MARKET HOUSE

Every first Friday and third Saturday of the month sees THROWDOWN at this superfriendly Coldharbour Lane venue, where you can expect some serious crate digging with a bit of scratching and the occasional funk/ disco/ boogie edit from DJs Matt Klemara and Mr Corsini. 9pm – 3am. Free before 10pm, £5 after.

SAT 4 @ BRIXTON JAMM

Jamm are making sure that auld acquaintances are not forgotten with a Abba versus Fleetwood Mac DISCO PARTY. 10pm – 4am. Prices TBA.

SUN 5 @ BLUES KITCHEN

Come nurse your souls with the Sunday ritual of BBQ and booze. wind down the weekend as James Riley provides the soundtrack with a mixture of soothing BLUES AND COUNTRY. 8pm – midnight. Free.

MON 6 @ POP BRIXTON

Join Impact Brixton on Monday nights to access free space for your COMMUNITY EVENTS AND MEETINGS, trade and learn new skills for your project or business and become part of a local peer network. 6.309pm. Free.

TUE 7 @ EFFRA SOCIAL

Tuesdays mean nothing other than PUB QUIZ. Tommy McTrivia hosts one of the busiest quizzes in Brixton, with a generous cash prize for first place and boobie prizes for second and second to last place. To book your team in advance email effrasocial@anticlondon. com. Starts at 8pm, £5 per team.

WED 8 @ WINDMILL

Starting and ending K Town Music NighT is DJ Seoul Train, who will be spinning some of the dopest K-HIP HOP and R&B tracks. Also playing is PianWooo, Santo and Sunghwan Choi – who are all on the up-and-up in the K-Music scene. 8pm. £5 adv / £10 door.

THUR 9 @ HIDEAWAY

Each Monday visit this Streatham venue learn and develop your skills in the art of DANCING CUBAN SALSA with some of London’s most experienced, supportive and entertaining teachers. There are five dedicated class levels a night, followed by a chance to show off those new moves to the beautiful Cuban dance floor mix of DJ Rich (one of the UK’s leading Cuban specialist DJs). Classes 7.30pm, club 9.45pm. £5 club only. £7 with class.

TUE 14 @ WINDMILL BRIXTON

A mixed but, as always, excellent line-up with deathcrash, four-piece INDIE-ROCKERS Stepbrother, and psychedelic folk from Rosie Alena. 8pm. £3.

WED 15 @LOST IN BRIXTON

If you’re still sticking to ALCOHOL-FREE January, the Caleño Joyful January alcoholfree fiesta is for you. Caleño is a Colombian non-alcoholic spirit (don’t ask us) infused with juniper and Inca berry. There will be music from DJs, dancing and Caleño-based alcohol-free cocktails as well as food inspired by Colombian cuisine. 6 – 11.30pm. £10.

THUR 16 @ EFFRA HALL TAVERN

This long-running JAZZ JAM session is still going strong at this much-loved Brixton boozer after many years. Come down early to get a seat as it gets super busy and feel free to get up and dance if the mood takes you. 9pm – midnight. Free.

FRI 17 @ HOOTANANNY

Movimientos return for a night of big brassy rhythms to banish those January blues! Grupo Lokito are back with their BIG BAND outfit including horn section, who alongside Voodoo Brass Band and Colombian DJ Zooverano are sure to get the dancefloor moving. 9pm-3am. Free before 10, £3-£5 after.

SAT 18 @ HABESHA

SOCA Mawwddd celebrates its first anniversary at Habesha with six DJ teams, rum, ping pong and food from Triniflava. 9pm – 3am. Earlybird £8.14. More OTD.

SUN 19 @ BRIXTON STATION ROAD

Stock up at Brixton’s weekly FARMERS’ MARKET. Fruit, veg, flowers and organic and free range eggs and meat, plus jam, cakes and more.

Head to Streatham’s jazz Mecca when the FLOACIST of Floetry, Natalie Stewart, presents her brand new group i’N’i with Maddix, The Black Rose (formerly of the Stone Roses) with their live band. This husband and wife duo will introduce their new vibes for new times.

MON 20 @ POP BRIXTON

FRI 10 @ BROCKWELL GREENHOUSES

Jelly’s Jams present a JAZZY PARTY with jazz punk boys Kiki and the Tiger and a secret headliner. 8pm. £6.

Each week Better Fridays run therapeutic GARDENING afternoons, where you can enjoy a spot of gentle gardening with support from qualified psychotherapist Cathy. Bring your own lunch. Tea and biscuits provided. 1pm – 4pm. Free.

SAT 11 @ DOGSTAR

Spread over three floors of this long-running Brixton stalwart, you can expect a FUN AND FRIENDLY vibe at Dogstar Saturdays. 10pm – 4am. Free before 10, £5 after.

Join the regular Monday Kundalini YOGA and gong bath evening class with Hayley Shoesmith. All classes open to all levels. 7 – 8.30pm. Free, book with Eventbrite.

TUE 21 @ WINDMILL BRIXTON

WED 22 @ PRINCE OF WALES

After three successful BBC series as Lee Nelson, multiple sell-out tours and various court appearances following headlinegrabbing stunts on Theresa May, Sepp Blatter, Donald Trump and more, the awardwinning comedian Simon Brodkin unleashes his funniest creation yet … himself with his debut STAND-UP show 100% Simon Brodkin. 7.30pm. From £10.

DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 brixtonblog.com

WHAT’S ON  25

Jamila Omar’s selection of gigs and THU 23 @ RITZY UPSTAIRS

Just Another Panel Show kicks off its second series with a Star Wars special – expect sketches, trivia, and games as two teams of COMEDIANS compete for the Just Panel Audio Trophy. Hosted by Pete Wells and featuring comedians you won’t want to miss. 8 – 10.30pm.

FRI 24 @ HOOTANANNY

Fiesta Bombarda brings some of UK’s best REGGAE party-starters to join the allencompassing label, events and sound system team Reggae Roast. With Jeramiah Ferrari and the psych-dub scouse quintet Rubber Dub. Plus longstanding resident Buddha. 9pm – 3am. £3/4 advance. £5 on the door.

SAT 25 @ BRIXTON JAMM

Veteran ELECTRONIC band Crazy P come to Jamm on one leg of a three-date tour bringing in-vogue-once-again house and disco to Brixton. 10pm. £8.80 – £16.50.

SUN 26 @ BROCKWELL PARK

If you have kept all your resolutions this January, you could be ready for the RUNTHROUGH Brixton 10K. Includes a secure area for bags, new themed medal, water, fruit and flapjacks, with each kilometre accurately marked and helpers to keep you on track. 11am. £22, book in advance.

MON 27 @ BEEHIVE

I Do Like Mondays! Is a free NETWORKING event in the Beehive on Brixton Road. Meet at the right-hand side of the main bar between 7pm and 7.30pm. Wear something red and when you see someone else in red say “Hello!” Reserve a free ticket on Eventbrite. More at everymonday.org.

TUE 28 @ TRINITY ARMS

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

WED 29 @ ELECTRIC BRIXTON

US RAPPER Comethazine plays Brixton. Details TBA.

THU 30 @ ACADEMY

French ELECTRONIC music band Caravan Palace their influences from Django Reinhardt to Daft Punk to Brixton. 7pm. £33.60

FRI 31 @ PHONOX

The last Lenzman North Quarter Residency at Phonox will see the Dutch DJ/producer round off a month of music with all-night-long, label staples/newcomers and DEEP SOUL music of the highest pedigree. 9.30pm – 4am. £5 advance, more OTD.

SAT 1 FEB @ HOOTANANNY

There’s a big list of special guests, including OMAR, appearing live at the Brixton launch of Gardna’s Good Time (Not A Long Time) LP. 9pm – 3m. Free before 10pm £5/8 after.

SUN 2 @ O2 ACADEMY

Peckham-based Nigeria-born AFROBASHMENT pioneer Naira Marley continues his rise to the top with an Academy gig. 7pm. Tickets very expensive and will be sold out.

THU 6 @ PRINCE OF WALES

Gospeloke returns to Brixton for five Thursdays. It’s your chance to sing live on stage with an audience in front of you and a GOSPEL CHOIR behind. Sing funk, soul, hip hop, R&B. 7 –11pm. £13.

Genius at work: Smokey Robinson (left) and Berry Gordy in Hitsville

What’s on at Whirled … In Fabric Sunday 15 December | 6pm A lonely divorcee visits a bewitching London department store and finds a dress to transform her life – an artery-red gown. But In Fabric is a creepy, weird, horror comedy with an outstanding cast. The style and slightly kooky visuals of the film provide a devilish fun often missing from other modern offerings of the genre. Photograph Monday 16 – Wednesday 18 December | 8pm Pressured by his grandmother to get married, a struggling street photographer convinces a shy stranger to pose as his fiancée in Ritesh Batra’s film. What follows is a sweet, if familiar, voyage of discovery for the likeable leads. Even though Photograph appears on the surface to be a typical boy meets girl story, the different setting and breathtaking cinematography combine to set this curious tale above normal romantic drama territory.

Xmas break from Sunday 22 December reopening on 6 January Hitsville: The Making of Motown Thursday 9 January | 8pm Focussing on the period from the birth of the company in Detroit in 1958 until its relocation to Los Angeles in the early 1970s, Hitsville examines the unique system that Tamla Motown’s visionary founder, Berry Gordy, assembled that enabled the label to become the most successful record label of all time. With never before seen footage, exclusive interviews and featuring music by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Martha Reeves, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Four Tops and The Jackson 5, relive the music and the moment when a music phenomenon that would change the world was born.

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

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26  WHAT’S ON brixtonblog.com 2020 DECEMBER JANUARY/ 2019/JANUARY 2019 DECEMBER 2020

Composting, kitchen gardening and kids’ stories, not to mention a rousing wassail to kick off the new year – they are all happening at Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses in the coming weeks … Maintaining a kitchen garden Sunday 12 January 10am to 1pm This free workshop takes place on Sundays once per month until August 2020. Plan and maintain the Greenhouses’ Kitchen Garden around the seating circle as well as the perennial kitchen garden. Learn how to grow salads, vegetables, fruit and edible flowers in your own garden, balcony or allotment mostly grown from seed. The focus is on intensive growing for small spaces and on “no-dig” gardening.

Design and maintain borders in a garden Sunday 12 January 10am to 1pm Free course of workshops designed to build confidence in a range of gardening jobs and to think about how to make your garden look different. The course takes place one Sunday morning per month from 10am until 1pm every month until July.

KEN MACKENZIE

Dig this

Wassail at the greenhouses in January 2018

Learn all about composting Sunday 15 Dec, Sunday 19 Jan 11am to 1pm Free Sunday workshop – get to know all aspects of composting, theory and practice, and help your local community garden over a composting season. This is a practical course with some quite physical work – shredding and turning the heaps, barrowing manure, and mulching beds. You will learn to operate a petrol shredder, make first rate composts at home as well as brewing compost teas from Nettle and from Comfrey.

A Jolly Wassail Saturday 18 January 2pm to 4.30pm Make noisy shakers and wonderful wassail crowns, ready for the Jolly Wassail. When everyone is crowned and happy with their home-made instruments, participants will learn songs from wassailing musicians the

Norfolk Broads. Sing to the fruit trees and make as much noise as possible, to wake up the sleeping trees and scare away any bad spirits. There will be plenty of tea, mulled cider and apple juice to warm us all up and healthy snacks to keep us going. This is for all ages and under-twos go free.

The Productive Garden

Sunday 26 January 10am to 1pm Learn about all the edibles in the greenhouse garden. The emphasis will be on essential things to do in the month to keep your garden productive

Story Stompers

Tuesday 14 January A weekly pre-school story-telling in the garden starts its new term on Tuesday 14 January 9.15am to 10.30am. Join up for storytelling, exploring the gardens and enjoying natural

play and craft with Helen – whatever the weather The greenhouses are always looking out for people to help out and volunteer on their four drop-in volunteering days Thursday to Sunday 10am to 4pm. See www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk/999000-2 Visitors coming and seeing what they are up are also very welcome. Organic plants and produce are available for sale all year round. Drop in visiting times and gardening hours are Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm (4pm Winter). Planned schools and holiday sessions with kids happen Monday to Thursday and on some Saturdays. The greenhouses are signposted in Brockwell Park – between the tennis courts and the Walled Garden.

DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

Hill Mead HERALD Our ideas for Brixton’s new theatre Lucien (Year 6) and Yasmin (Year 5) Let’s Build is a project started by Matt and Fiona and the Ovalhouse Theatre. Matthew Springett and Fiona MacDonald work with young people showing them how design and architecture work, helping them to get involved and to think of a career in these fields. Our project is about the theatre’s move from Kennington to a new building in Brixton – just round the corner from Hill Mead. This is great for us because we just love the theatre! Four local schools are taking part in this project. We are designing and building a temporary space for performance, while the new Ovalhouse Theatre is being built. We are working with Matt, Fiona and Lucy and other architects from different companies to help build the temporary space. Rob, who is a civil engineer, is also helping us. What we like about Matt, Fiona and Lucy is that they are really interested in our ideas and want the design to come from children’s imaginations. At first we visited places where people used robots in a university, places where people dance and we visited a theatre. This was to get

inspired by the place we saw. The dance studio was good, it was plain so that you add anything into it and it was a building in a building. There was a fantastic prop – a real-looking wolf. Our HQ is at the Ovalhouse construction site offices. We have made designs on paper, collage ideas and small models using sticks, tracing paper and a glue gun with a partner. My design (Yasmin) had a balcony where VIPs could watch a show. My design (Lucien) had a 360-degree view and a play area for little children. We started making half-scale structures in the temporary spaces using thick cardboard sticks, drills, plugs, masking tape, cable ties, cutting tools, rope and gallon-sized water bottles. We had to wear safety equipment like gloves, safety glasses and high visibility jackets. We met the famous George Clarke and his film crew and, guess what? The project will be on the Channel 4’s TV programme George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. When George was talking to us at the end the film crew forgot to record what he was saying! We had to “take 2”. We are so excited about the real build at Easter.

Zeinab, Year 6 Our teacher told us that we were going to watch an anti-bullying play by Box Clever Theatre – they perform in schools and lead workshops to discuss how to stop bullying and not get yourself involved – but we did not know what to expect. When I walked in the hall, I saw three characters with white dungarees wearing different coloured socks – yellow, blue and red. They started to perform. I thought the play would have speech, but the

characters only made strange sounds “hop, hop, hop” and there were special effects from a computer – when the actors clicked their fingers there was bouncing sound. I knew that the characters were friends because they were playing together. One said “hop, hop” another would jump over them. Another game was when they clicked their fingers and pretended that there was an imaginary ball and they threw it to each other. As I watched, it reminded me of how I play with my friends. But, towards the end of the play, two

of the friends – Yellow and Blue – started picking on Red. Red thought that they were still playing the “hop, hop” game, Yellow called out and Red couched down. But no-one jumped over. Instead, Yellow painted Red’s head, red. I felt that something was not right. Some of the audience were laughing, I thought it was wrong. Then Yellow and Blue left. Red was crouched down and crying. Yellow and Blue said to the audience “Bullying is wrong and when you see someone crying you know what they want”. So I got up and went towards Red and played the clicking game.

LIDIA CRISAFULLI

When you see someone crying …

A festive frieze created by Year 4 and 5 pupils with Ms (Fiona) Reid, who taught for a long time at Hill Mead, for Brixton Village, in collaboration with the Brixton Project

Make the message clear – Say NO to bullying Onyinyechi, Year 6 and Hadnan, Year 5 A couple of weeks after the performance, we went with Mrs Lawrence and a few other pupils to the town hall in Brixton for a workshop with the company and four other local schools. We started with games in groups to warm up. One of the games helped us to talk to other

schools. We were given a name label and had to find who it belonged to which helped us to meet other children in fun way. Another game improved our listening skills, it was a number game, counting from 1, but you had to listen and notice who would say the next number. If two people say the same number you have to start again. It is definitely harder than you think!

I (Onyinyechi) really enjoyed the conversation that I had with the Blue character and the schools. It encouraged us to speak up and tell each other our ideas about bullying and what we can do. Particularly, what different ways we can help when someone is hurt and lots of people are laughing or just watching the bullying. The workshop gave me more

confidence to stand up for myself and others. If someone is hurt we should find out what’s wrong and help them, even if they are not a close friend. We should let them know that what is being said is not true. As long as they know they are beautiful, that’s what matters. Mrs Lawrence told me (Hadnan) that I was both brave and brilliant in the workshop.

We were talking about the play. I volunteered to be Red’s inner thoughts when he was crouching down in the play. I said “What is going on, what’s wrong with me, why are they bullying me. I am so sad. I feel so emotional.” The workshop inspired me to help people who are being bullied. But it makes me feel sad for people who are bullied.

BRIXTON Afewee boxer

Bugle SPORT BRIXTON BALLERS OFF TO A GREAT START

Brixton Ballers, the wheelchair basketball team based at the Rec, got off to a great start in the current season. They were second in the National League Division 3 South East with four wins out of four, and only one point with a game in hand behind the Hoxton-based London Sparrows team as the Bugle went to press. Coach Percy Hutchful said: “This has been our best start to date and we as a coaching team are really pleased with the approach of the players. “David Batista is also the leading scorer in the division, which we are proud of,” he added. David Batista’s special wheelchair was stolen from the Rec earlier this year, but recovered after a public appeal.

David Batista with Brixton Ballers coach Austin Kentebe

Vivien Parsons wins third title Boxer Vivien Parsons from Brixton’s Afewee club became a three-weight champion when she triumphed in the Junior A 63 kilo category at the prestigious Female Box Cup in December. The teenager beat opponents from Ireland and the Netherlands to secure gold during the two-day female-only event in Guilford’s Spectrum leisure centre. The week before she had won the longstanding National Association of Girls and Boys Clubs’ title at 60 kilos, beating a strong English

opponent. Her latest victory gave her titles in three different weight classes after just 11 contests and confirms her as one of the best girls in her weight across the country. Afewee boxing head coach Bobby Miltiadous said: “Vivien is a clear example of what hard work and commitment can bring. “She trains five to six days a week, regardless of her schedule, and always makes time for what needs to be done. Above all else, her mental attitude is what separates her, as she is very focused

Vivien Parsons (left) in the ring with Rebecca Hennessy of the Togher boxing club in Cork, Ireland on boxing and getting better every week, we are all very proud.” In April, she became the second Afewee boxer to be invited to take part in the England talent programme.

A Afewee recently launched female-only sessions for 11–16-yearolds in the GB non-contact boxing awards programme – every Saturday from 9 to 10am at the club’s gym in Brixton Rec.

Footballing refugees who found a home and welcome in Brixton Jack Francklin meets a Brixtonbased football club that more than matches our local diversity

For nearly 20 years, the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Brixton has provided a welcome home to a South American football team steeped in history. Los Siempre Secos football club was founded principally by Chilean refugees who arrived in London in the mid 70s, fleeing the brutal military dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet who overthrew the elected socialist government of Salvador Allende in a coup in 1973. Pedro Alejandro, one of the organisers of the Brixton-based team which was formed after a group of players branched off from the Latin American League in Clapham, arrived as one of these refugees in 1976. As with many of his compatriots, he found solace in South London and, more specifically, in football. He says: “It was something very important, it got us together and it was good for the mind and body. We also used to play with other people from other backgrounds which helped us to integrate.” The football club started off as a kick-about with friends followed by some beers, which they refer to as the “El tercer tiempo” or the “third half” and since evolved into a competitive London side. After going to several pubs in the area, they settled in the Duke of Edinburgh pub just after the turn of the century which has subsequently provided more than post-match refreshments. Pedro explains: “The Duke of Edinburgh has throughout the years supported us by giving us a space and sponsorship. “This pub has been through its ups and downs and we’ve been through it all. We gravitate here because we feel so welcome.” Indeed, the pub has hosted the club in the past for Chile’s National Day on 18 September that celebrates independence from Spain in 1810. Pedro says: “They let us have a large section of the pub for the day. Many English guys came here with ponchos, it was fantastic.” Pedro, who was born in Concepción, Chile, recalls that it was during one of the “el tercer tiempos” in 1998 that their eldest member, Carlos Benavides, christened the group Los Siempre Secos, ironically meaning “the teetotallers”. The club’s members pride themselves on their diversity, which is expressed in their current shirt. “When we started it was a Chilean group, and then the Peruvians starting coming and we made it into a Peruvian/Chilean team. The shirt

has reflected that for a long time as we have the two flags together. “Relations between the countries have never been very good and they have always been very dismissive of each other, but we make sure that doesn’t happen. We are all integrated and everyone has a voice.” Pedro says uncertainty about politics and society in Chile and Peru have affected members to differing degrees: “We are an eclectic group of people so it hasn’t affected all of us. But in terms of all the Chileans, we are very worried about what is going on and what it will mean to our family and our country. “The Peruvians are particularly supportive because they have gone through similar things in their country too.” The side, which plays either five or seven a side, also has Colombian, English, Jamaican, and Polish representation. Their most talented player is from Algeria and used to play for the Charlton

Athletic academy side, whilst Paolo, who is from Peru, is currently captain. “He has put together a really good team this year,” says Pedro. Los Siempre Secos have won the last three tournaments they have competed in, including the mixed tournaments where each team fields at least three female players at any one time. The Clapham Latin American League was founded by Chilean Gastón Ávalos in 1980 and was helped by Lambeth council. That league is still going strong, says Pedro, albeit with very few Chileans these days. “This reflects London’s diversity and the arrival of more numerous Latin American communities than ours and the inclusion of many British and African footballing friends further added to this,” he says. Each year, the organisers of the club set up football tournaments which are normally held for a specific reason, such as raising funds for a cause, paying homage to lost loved ones or natural disasters that have affected their native countries. “There is always a reason,” says Carlos Benavides, who was 20 years old when he arrived in London. Pedro, who identifies as Mapuche, an indigenous people predominantly living in Chile and Argentina, is also a passionate Chelsea fan. He is also a supporter of the east London club Clapton FC, proudly wearing their colourful away shirt which pays homage to the second republic in Spain – another socialist government overthrown by a military coup, this time the dictator was general Francisco Franco. Pedro sums up not just the cultural enrichment the members of the team provide to the pub but to the whole local area in a simple yet accurate way: “We bring diversity and we are historical.”