Your only
FR
commuEnEit newspap y er
Little brother to Brixtonblog.com
BRIXTONBugle
INSIDE...
THE
Edition 28 | December 2014 | FREE
www.brixtonblog.com | @brixtonblog
>> YOUR PHOTOS, PAGE 8 >> COMMENT, PAGE 9 >> WHAT’S ON, PAGE 18 >> COLUMNS, PAGE 26 >> SPORT, PAGE 28 >>
Giving your time this Christmas BY ZOE JEWELL Christmas cake, custard, shower gel, tinned fruit – these are some of the very basic goods on the Foodbank’s suggested shopping list this month. The shopping list can be found online at brixtonblog.com, but it’s not just the Foodbank that needs help this Christmas. If you believe the politicians and the headlines, Britain’s economy in 2014 is buoyant with more people in work and more money to spend, but the reality in Brixton is a rather different story. Figures released in November show that the numbers of people using foodbanks in the first half of this financial year are – staggeringly - 38 per cent higher than during the same period last year. In Lambeth, foodbanks feed almost double the number of people than in any other
borough in London. Jon Taylor, manager of the Brixton foodbank, says: “The reason people visit the Norwood and Brixton foodbank is often due to benefit delays, but low income is becoming an increasing problem. We have been concentrating on providing benefit, housing and debt advice, as well as plugging the gap by providing emergency goods. “As Lambeth undergoes transformation, it is important to remember there are still large pockets struggling to survive.” In that spirit, we thought we’d dedicate our first few pages in this December issue to looking at just a few of the ways we can help our fellow Brixtonites at Christmas and beyond (because charity’s not just for Christmas…) Starting with the Foodbank,
XMAS GIFT GUIDE: Don’t leave it to the last minute and be a mug when it comes to Christmas shopping, go buy one instead. Features, p10
TOTALLY NAILED: We chat to Huong, the owner and creative genius behind Coldharbour Lane’s much loved Nail Spa. Features, p6
MOROCCAN ROLL: We enjoy the warm, hearty lentil soup, as well as a few meaty pleasures, at the Moroccan Cafe Food, p19
volunteers are needed to sort, weigh and date stock at the warehouse in Streatham on an adhoc basis; a driver is needed to take donations from Tesco Acre Lane to Brixton foodbank on Saturday mornings; and anyone who could offer skills such as fundraising and marketing would be welcomed with open arms
too. For volunteering enquiries, visit norwoodbrixton.foodbank.org.uk Over on Coldharbour Lane, the Lambeth branch of Chance UK was recommended to us last month by a reader who volunteers there as a mentor. The scheme pairs mentors with 40 Lambeth children to build (continued on page four)
>>>>>>> BUGLE NEARS CROWDFUNDING TARGET ON PAGE 3 >>>>>>
MAKE A FESTIVE WREATH: Get some top tips from Brockwell Community Greenhouses Columns, p26
POP UP BAR & KITCHEN People of Brixton! Join us from 7PM-1AM Friday and Saturday* to sample incredible British produce in our signature cocktails and five course tasting menus Find us in the market at 11A Beehive Place www.beehiveplace.com *Open Friday and Saturdays until Dec 20th, then again from Jan 30th. Booking essential for dining, bar open to everyone
2
NEWS THE BRIXTON BUGLE & BRIXTONBLOG.COM are edited in Brixton by Zoe Jewell and Tim Dickens. Both the website and newspaper are published by a not-for-profit community organisation. It’s run by a committed team of people from Brixton. Brixton Blog and Bugle The Piano Club 9 Brighton Terrace SW9 8DJ » Tel 020 3730 1312 » @brixtonblog » @brixton_bugle » www.brixtonblog.com ADVERTISING Jenny Shramenko 07811 878394 jenny@brixtonblog.com Circulation: 10,000 copies Readership: circa 15,000 DEPUTY EDITORS Keith Lewis Lindsay Faller Sub-editor: Jamila Omar Designer: Agnes Graves NEWS newsdesk@brixtonblog.com FEATURES Katrin Magnussen features@brixtonblog.com ARTS Barney Evison Ruth Waters arts@brixtonblog.com MUSIC & LISTINGS Phoebe Robertson Phoebe@Brixtonblog.com FOOD Miss South food@brixtonblog.com SPORT Laura Dickinson newsdesk@brixtonblog.com ISSUE 27 Writers: Nick Christian, Bobbie Lakhera, Kathryn Aedy, Sophie Bush Pictures: Owen Llewellyn, Jamie Rogers, Alexandra Waespi Cartoons / Illustrations: Kaylene Alder, Tim Bird Jon Daniels, Mike Rourke Crossword: Josie Gardiner Columnists: Alison Alexander, Frankie Holah, Duncan Law A massive thank you to everybody involved in making this issue, and the Blog & Bugle project, a success.
www.brixtonblog.com
December 2014
Housing protest BY SOPHIE BUSH At least 40 people protested at Lambeth Town Hall last month in a bid to ‘save’ their homes from demolition and halt evictions. Save Cressingham Gardens campaigners demonstrated with other local housing groups – from the Guinness Trust, Leigham Court, and others – supported by local residents and business owners. “It’s a corporate council, not a cooperative council,” said local business owner and campaigner, Rashid Nix. Nix and other protestors led the crowd in chants of ‘Social housing, not social cleansing’, while banners and placards bore the slogans ‘One whole community sold out by Labour’,
train, after it apparently caught fire shortly after leaving Brixton Station. Passengers escaped from the train at Denmark Hill as emergency crews closed the station at about 6pm on December 3. No-one was hurt in the incident, which damaged eight carriages and an electrical box.
HOUSING QUESTION and ‘Southwark says: Hands off our homes’. The protest took place as a full council meeting went ahead inside the Town Hall, where a petition was
handed over to councillors. The council has yet to make a decision on the redevelopment of Cressingham Gardens.
Second major strike to hit college lectures Lambeth College is to be hit by a wave of strikes this month as union members prepare to walk out in protest over new contracts. The University and College Union announced six strike days across December, which started on December 4, followed by an indefinite strike from January 19 if the dispute is not resolved by then. The union is refusing to accept new contracts introduced by the college and is particularly opposed to the fact that management wants different contracts for new and existing staff. Una O’Brien, UCU regional official, said: “The situation at Lambeth College is now very clear and the management cannot be in any doubt at how angry staff are about the new
BURNING TRAIN Commuters fled from a burning
contracts. “We hope that strike action, which will certainly mean major disruption again at Lambeth, won’t be necessary. The college needs to sit down with us to talk through changes to staff contracts and work towards finding a solution staff are happy with,” On December 3 college governers wrote to all staff saying they were ‘dismayed’ by the strike action. The statement said: “We as community governors are very disappointed that UCU has decided to continue with their strike action. We regret this action voted for by a small minority of staff, 66 out of 250 college teaching staff. This strike could damage the education of our students.” Lambeth College argue that the
new contract for new staff is part of a ‘financial recovery plan’. Mark Silverman, principal, said: “I’m disappointed that UCU are calling members out on strike when their own representatives are, in negotiations with the College, increasingly accepting of the current situation where we have two contracts co-existing. “Our focus now is to manage the strike effectively and ensure that our learners are not disrupted. We plan to keep the College open and functioning throughout further industrial action.” A total of 83 per cent of UCU members who were balloted backed the call for strikes in a turnout of 58 per cent.
Christmas comes early for market On Small Business Saturday – happening this December 6 – new and long-standing traders will bring fresh products to the market, on what will be the first major trading Saturday in the run-up to Christmas. Small Business Saturday is a nationwide initiative that aims to support fledgling small businesses, helping them establish themselves and promote to local shoppers. This year’s edition in Brixton will see local social entrepreneurs Tree Shepherd supporting 20 businesses with stalls in Brixton Station Road market.
Disgruntled Brixton residents will get their chance to vent their anger at a housing crisis question time this month. A panel of politicians and academics will be chaired by Guardian newspaper London blogger Dave Hill on December 11 at Holy Trinity and St Mathias church, Trinity Rise, at 7.15pm.
SCHOOL FAIR A primary school Christmas Fair
will help raise vital funds for the school’s minibus. Sudbourne primary school will hold their event on December 6. There will be craft and gift stalls, homemade food (especially cakes of course), a helium balloon race, a raffle, games, Christmas trees and wreaths for sale. This year the school is also introducing a ‘mini fair’ with affordable presents for children to buy and wrap.
CHOIR
Sainsbury’s Brixton Water Lane is encouraging local residents, including professional choirs, singing families and regional groups including schools, charities and community clubs to sign up and spread festive cheer at their local Sainsbury’s. The event, on Saturday December 13 and Sunday December 14, is part of a bigger national singing extravaganza. . By taking part, the carol singers will have the option to raise funds for the stores local charity partner, Kids City- or funds for themselves if they’re a registered charity.
Send us your BRIXTON news
• www.brixtonblog.com • @brixtonblog •
December 2014
NEWS 3
www.brixtonblog.com
THE BRIXTON BLOG & BUGLE CHRISTMAS BASH The team behind the Brixton Blog and Bugle has organised a Christmas drinks bash at the Effra Social to mark a massive year for the community newsaper. The event, in the front room of the venue in Effra Road, takes place on December 16 from 7pm. Everyone is welcome to the drinks, which will also see us celebrating the end of a hughly succesful crowdfundung campaign (see below). There will also be an exciting announcement abour developments for the New Year. So join us at the Effra Social, from 7pm on December 16. Christmas jumpers optional. Search Brixton Blog on Facebook.
Down The Tubes - major queues until summer 2015 BY TIM DICKENS Tedious rush hour queues to get into Brixton station could continue until at least July next year, Transport for London admitted last month. Brixton commuters have had two weeks of ‘complete chaos’ since TfL began work on one of the three escalators at the Tube station in November. Although all three escalators are currently back in action, work is scheduled to start again at the beginning of this month. The overall work will not be completed until next summer, offering a winter of big rush-hour queues to get down to the platforms. Passengers were urged to use Stockwell or Oval stations instead, and special buses have been provided to shuttle people from Brixton to Stockwell. On November 18 Jamie Coleman tweeted: “Do not go to Brixton station. There is only one down escalator, so obviously the fabric of reality is
collapsing.” Lambeth councillor Jennifer Braithwaite tweeted: “Writing letter to @TfLOfficial about the dangerous crowding outside Brixton Tube. Escalator works 2 late Nov. Will TfL put on extra buses? Faryal Velmi, from the group Transport for All, said: “The big issue is communication... TfL need to make announcements about these things.” Peter McNaught, operations director at TfL, said: “We have just commenced works to refurbish two of the three escalators at Brixton station. “The escalators are over 40 years old and now need to be refurbished to ensure the continued safe operation of the station for the future. To keep the station open the escalators are being refurbished one at a time, however we appreciate that it is taking longer for customers to enter and exit the station during the morning and evening rush hour.
£10 Name in print >> £15 Tote bag >> £25 Twitter shoutout >> £50 Business logo printed in Bugle >> £50 6 month Bugle delivery to home >> £200 Limited edition Brixton print HIGH HOP
ES As the Olym NBA mega pic Games opens star, and in Lond Brixton on, we profil boy, Luol Deng. Sport e 2 FREE , p12.
Edition
TIME A (MUSI T THE C) BAR
INSIDE..
.
CRICKE We catch up with TING LEG the man teaching who has in Lamb END eth for 35 been yrs. Brixto playing and n People, p10. Friday, July 27
MUSIC
2012
Brixton perature baked as the tempassed 30 celcius this degrees up at Brockwweek. Queues One clamoured ell Lido as built ed musicof Brixton’s oldest people to make the the belated Express venue, may close pubs, and celebra the most to become tFor more summer sun. of Residen “We had a Tesco pics turn George ts living near to p2. A bar many amazin IV receive to supermarket d a note the Music Bar names as manager at the g times there.” last week giant saying an Expres closing, CJ, said: “I don’tpub, who gave from the s all I know know when his The letter,Store at the it intended to open and getting is that we’re said: “The posted by site. packingwe’re The store out.” a user on up as a convensite already has Urban deliveries will have betwee permission 75, applicationsience store, n three create up per day, and for use but and five Tesco claims to The pub to the council we need to submit Chairm 20 jobs. it will for minor venue for is known to Piper, said: an of the Brixton works.” served as live music andmany as being Society, along the “This trend a launch club nights, the Alan has length of chart-topping ing pad we deplore the A23 been happening for teen and and it someth One half groups. and establis, especially for bands and of the Jaxx, Felix ing hed as this somewhere “The George Buxton dance music duo as old place. ting on music which IV is still Baseme nights at , has fond memor nt active the George He told ies of putwith Piper said has been going Youngs IV. Jaxx partiesthe Bugle: “I the pub, for years.”live 1895, probab than 100 ters celebrated for a few did a lot of ly got although built earlier, Baseme years at history years of enterta more of our genesis and around the beginn nt passed when King its name from with live inment our sound there formances much George music perwe ing by develop “I rememand style. at the The Pavillion. on his way to IV would have ed a lot Time Machin ber stay at the of Brixton perform The local Hall. Read e, Lambe ance a friend of mine Brighton doing our feature th Town stage for half art and slow walking have a tough historian added cultural an hour, friends on the project on time getting that Tesco sion. across whilst p3. may plannin MC waswere playing percuss some Brazillithe He said: g permis an night. on the mic. That ion and a to restrict “Lambeth council was a typical ragga has a policy if enough the change of Jaxx what mightpeople kick upuse of old pubs. a stink who So happen. Welcom ” knows your newe to the second HISTO endary Brixton edition free, ton HillRIC: The George of It doesn’t truly local Catto from cricket newspa the Brixton Bugle, seem like but we’d Picture and, right, as IV on Brixper. a month tender goat North Southcoach Brian Moody like to thank about what London courtesy of Cityit used to be. Food everyb since the first Metrop This time,and lemon tagine. gives us here and Nicky of Londo of Edition they saw. 5,000 ody who edition olitan archive n, we recipe printed sent have 1 people from the us for a gone from Library s Tube station picked up feedback newspa 7,000 copies. It and busines eight There or from a copy ses across while weper is still growinhas been hard pages to 12, and the latest is a lot to discove the town. the Ritzy, have any get to grips withg, so continu work, and the Follow Brixton and politici e comme to riots, we r in edition 2. our bear us brixtonblog.co nts please publish with ans how asked commu One year get in touching skills. If us after they feel. @brixton on Twitter m. So what We have nity leaders with us you blog delve into are you waiting a profile at info@ @brixton of legyour very for? own BrixtonSit back in the _bugle sun and Zoe and Bugle… Tim
THE BU
GLE IS
TO STOP
AS PUB
S TESC
O EXPR
ESS
BACK...
ly Your on
S I ROOT ING LEV sting p14 Roa
GRILL
Reggae
St ati ve O ur Edition
r wspape
Like us on “Brixton Facebook Blog”
unity ne
free comm
MMER FOR SU p20 GET FITess sessions Win fitn
Sa
BECOME
11 FREE
JUNE 2013
on !
...
INSIDE
tar Mor the andTeam explore Brix Bugle Arts Brixton’s unique
The te the 2013 behind stories rks to celebra cture. landma Festival of Archite, p12-13 Feature London
Alt-J at
the acad
emy
du jour y, the band Academ there as We wereto a sell-out O2the Brixton played look around their deplus wewhere they madealbum. ing p14 studio y-winn Culture but Mercur ined to this “I am determ e againstliving a said: e Umunn hard as possibl aurge everyon fight as by a to the consult I would the Liberal were joined play- cut. to respond vatives,Johnson, so ings. locally strators engine, plans fire Cash tion, the Conser Demon course , under and Boris Johnny is London Boris John- decommissioned Fire by before union Democrats, them to change across Station Ring of nity we can force s, others ed by the mayor m Fire p2 speaker commu - ing union that Clapha Cont. on throughntatives and crowd. so ters, council ans and stepped approv d from represe son. Bugle ed the of firefigh ts, politici have address The Brixton Chuka saved.” Dozensunionists marche Residenrs in Brixton Clapham Fire in to a packed leaders am MP membe battle to save increased re- lors and Station Acre Lane, Writing Fire this week, Streath Hall, up the , claiming that lives across Brixton Fire Town the London cost h Station times will Lambet first of ation meet(LFB) the consult sponse h. Brigade close for ’s public Lambet London Fire Brigade als to The ing on propos well as 11 , as Station is consult m Fire Clapha with cala projls, able. to carry out cooks squid al cocktai able to wanted ism sustain Miss Southsips botanicto Courtesan from “We’ll bewe have long the journal inpeople and heads laloo and young which will nce in ect which g skills dim sum experie while Lindsay ism learnin and sto- do – training site chicken d tal y, while ethics h in journaltives to the new to try jerk Food , p17 galore. and Lambet been awarde i- industr media law, s with parcels Brix- bring new perspec Blog has g a compet the cludinging. aged 18-25 our trainee or of the part in team Brixton d If you are s. ry-writ Jewell, co-edit Bugle said: and provide after winnin ed in takingemail the nities.” Trust reveale Zoe funding local news projectTrust an.com and Brixton hear about opportuCarnegie UK s of its £50,000e, interest ent, please tion for Carnegie UKBrixton Blog ton Blog so pleased to Carnegie The placem g@brixtonblog initiativ g project duThe in May that from therapidly over five winnin “We are d News’ ive ways at trainin over the d s funding grown per ourhoo trainee nouncereceive £10,000 innovat have a newspa a ‘Neighbto develop me the would of a year to accept Trust. Weyear and forthis will be set up ent program ing news. ers, ration placem the past to making of produc truly e young run by volunte on a work. on the road help welcom Brixton for in will in Brixton Blog massive Brixtonplacements hyperlocal news The project to the people structured work gaining vihighly- will see them which
r Blog g win fo Fundin
s Foo Gloriou
d
WIN RIT
ZY
CIN Full round -up of screen EMA TIC cinema, KETS ings and the chance to at south Londo n’s favou go for free. Edition rite Film, p10 3 FREE
INSIDE..
.
ALL AB COUN OARD FOR TRY SH OW Two deck
taster here EARPIECE HEADER here here here here Two deck Two deck taster here taster here here here
September 2012
Is this domino Lambeth’s biggest es fan? We with Brixton catch hero Georgeup ters on a Windru sunny afternoon Walthe only sh Square to talk in sport that about matters. Brixton People, p8
Hundred
s of thousa nds exp
ected at Bro
ckwell Par k
It’s been ton, with a big summe and one Jamaica 50, ther for Brixof the most embarassing Olympi parties ever. succesful cs U-Turn Splash the show after and But the paign highlig a Brixton reinstate to come, biggest bash of Blog camas the town all Cllr Prentichted public outrage the Lambet readies is still . takes over h Country Show, itself for has learnt frome added: “The council the Countr the experie weekend Brockwell Park which popular y Show is incredince and on Cllr Sally September 15 for a the sun . It will be interest bly and 16. ber for culturePrentice, cabinet shines for ing us in Septemto see if Music, mem, said this will offer year’s show ber.” the order food and culture “top quality” and headlin will be entertainment Lambet of the day. In e acts. h’s the marque “The proudly greatest growers Lambethshow really demon displaying will be e while children strates their produc showcase at its best and News, p4 and creativifor the borougis the perfect enter their ownwill get the chancee, the contest vegetable great about ty, reflecting h’s vibrancy animal into all that’s living in The final. south London this part line-up for stage of has the mainIn Februar .” features now been announ THE SHOW y, Brixton by news Holly Cook, ced, was stunned that the Pistols drumm WILL GO daughte and mally takes show, ON: Lambe r of Sex er Paul as Saturda place in which norscrappe th countr y headlin Cook. As well July, The Brixton ers Dreadz y show Pic pics andd for 2012 due to had been one. Blog policing also be in by Jason difficul the OlymThankf Cobb attendanceand Bugle will with a stall. bosses wereully, however, ties. For a forced to council perform try Show full page of Lambet an and artistcoverage, includin h CounThanks Twitter: profile, turn g map September for picking up to p7. this edition ton Bugle. @brixtonb of your As a result BrixIt’s been Four years we have into a new just moved @brixton_ log after his Blog and a big month in a Brixton brilliant office in the death portant Brix, a bugle this is the Bugle HQ. Forfor us at commu family of police cell, to in St Matthe nity you. the starters first Sean a letters We’ve introdu Bugle produc with the Rigg finally answers , in the ws churchspace found support heart ced make it and comments ed ism Founda they wantfrom an inquest have of easy for also looking of town. We, right page to Facebook to take those . Now tion. the Journalsay, please you are sible to court. The charity advertising for an experie do write to have your responIndependent , headed This to nced salespe “Brixton us. month make the by former rson we’ve been ing over editor Simon ner, has Blog” able and project fully to help News, p5 salivatKelBrixton Miss South’s unique Bugle as recognised the -centric the both guarantee the sustaina vital source Blog and ly bled eggs. take on roots news site. If youthis paper and future of scramfunding and release of grassour webAs always think it takes questions if you have we’d love you’ve got what potential.to help us reachd some you to In the our full drop us or comments, any this copy meantime we’veapply. please tonblog an email at info@b .com, news and of the Bugle withpacked 020 rixinformation 7737 5417.or call the office all on most im-the Zoe and Tim
event
Young borough people across the had a mix tions when of emothey opened A-Level and GCSE their shared the results. Lambeth highs and the We lows at College.
www.brix tonblog.c om
THE NE
XT STE
ly Your on
ITY NE
WS...
per newspa munity free com
sician ell, Mu Be Atw the Best p8 Five of Edition
P IN CO MMUN
Heroes p5 rs Marathon London beth’s Runne April 2014 Meet Lam
: t Inside age figh
w a living
20 FREE
Cinem
Food Editor g LIDO: by the calmin , p19 AT THE lunch Review LUNCHy Faller takes Lido. Lindsa of Brockwell waters
I A DAMJ BY NISH acclaimed English has
ly Loach, Critical r, Ken Ritzy who at at film directo bosses d staff defendea dispute with are in houses over pay.are being rs Picture membe action after a Union over strike s refused ballotedhouse Cinemastaff in line Picture Wage e for all pay increasLondon Living per hour. with thecurrently £8.80 are paid sors (LLW), of house staff Front hour with supervi nal 50p. ’s £7.24 per cinema an additio getting letter to the“Everyone In a said: wage. , Loach owners right to a living g that paying highest in the has the sad and shockinhas an of the and “It is Cinema, which are one Brixton and proto se- employers in y.” the Ritzy being radical do this”. m industr that everyis looking iimage of, should fail to , the cinema important The union as the minimu but industr gressive rs of BECTUinment “It is the cineLLW their say, speed up the Membe and enterta in long cure the all workers at not house Cine- one has pay for for UK’s media have been employ- rate and for Picturecontinue pay- al action will s better toward their could well t to ma, trade union, process e – in fact it . to commi g talks with this.” runnin the pay rise. ed ac- mas it going forward“That ensures everyon aims forcloses on liv- ing in the hinder our added: ers over LLW is calculat cost of faballot Hughes work here ble 31 and The The in who a reasona to the basic readers y March cordingLondon and thosesay that people will all earn g urged Monda Wage - future d sup- campaigners by followinby ing in the Living s, the individ wage.” have also receives from to support themage or vour of busines activist t Staff LivingW cebook.com/ y it benefits @Ritzy secretar from local st and Socialis society. www.fa ual andHughes, branch works at port Unioni ). visitingvingWage Trade also Nia the , who n (TUSC for Picture RitzyLi have erson r Ken Loach for BECTU, said: go on Coalitio A spokesp s said: “We : Directo want to be havthe cinema Cinema fair employ we RIGHT “We don’t want to are house tried to be a rates, and we don’t gs but we strike, pays fair meetin the com- always er that ing these no choice as left with not budge”. pany will
Your on ly
youngBrixton bring us to HERALD: own pagels, p15 HILL MEAD edit their Schoo sters guest their news.
DO YOU HOW RS? D YOU
in REA Bugle of your win us pics a chance to Tweet s for bag odd place on Blog a Brixt tonblog @brix
free comm
unity ne
THE RE Leisure C IN FOCU S centre saved p4Edition 7 FREE 5
Green theatr light for yo u e and centre housin th is part of ‘key vision’ g for tow n cen
wspape r
VALEN Brixton’s TINE’S SPE finest flow CIAL ers p14 February
Drama
By Tim Dicken A pioneer s tion could ing youth be moving arts organis atre in the heart to a new aThe of Brixton theing its Ovalhouse theatre . 50th anniver , celebra with Lambet tsary, will h on the velop a work venue onpurpose built plans to deperform The Somerleyton ance that it council has also Road. Brixton will be workin announced sation Green group, g with the sharehowith more than an organilders, that 1,000 local a rundow hopes west side n stretch of to develop Ovalhoof the street. land on the Bestwic use directo r Debora looking k said the theatre has beenh numbe for a Brixton excited r of years and base for ” about a the plans.she is “very “Many work with of the young we have come from people we Brixton outgrow buildin and g in Kenninn our new, larger current with more building gton. With a we can people. She added: work ” extra benefit “If we can create synergy it’s because an there’s people of community in Brixton and creativea CREAT much work . IVE: Dancer equipp We can do ple and ing young so and a s from toward supporting Oval House them to peo- streetliffoyer space that Theatre ploymes further educati e nt.” at an event on and look creativity of Brixton in “brings the The plan emin Windr Bestwicof the theatre and lets the as next year. include theatre ush Square out.” k said The new then open s two spaces, closely flexible plannin last summe venue could seven studio with theshe wants to “We arein 2016. r commu work spaces is g contrib securedthe centre, and nity in thing live and uting to work could if funding yond the vital someexciting that can go start as bethings early pen at Ovalho use Theatre that hapContinu .” Debora ed on Page Bestwi h 5 delightck is ed
2013
INSIDE
...
tre
Latest in Bra
Brixton Comm refer Lambet unity h councilTrust is to Govern sale of ment Ombus to the Local a much-l man over The group, oved the get funding which hadBrixton pub. to restore planned to Brady’s , in
dy’s pu b sag
a
Atlanti venue, c Road, as a commu nity veloperis unhappy that s could private of lottery use decash to up to £700,00 into private turn the 0 flats. buildin g Full story, Page 3.
Riots on record
We bring launch you the action Brixton of a pioneering from the project short films , with a Becoming series of 1980s riots and a website in Brixton about . Page 13 the
Ritzy film
guide
From Denzel film buff to Die Hard, residen the best, Ashley Clark t and worst, looks Ritzy cinema on offer at this month. at the Page 12
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT Last month we launched an ambitious crowdfunding campaign to ask for help for the community to fund a part-time journalist at the Blog and Bugle - to keep us doing what we do best. We have been utterly overwhelmed by the response. As we went to press this month we had raised nearly £10,000 in support from 300 generous Brixtonites. We salute all of you! Some of the names of those who pledged are below, but check the next Brixton Bugle for a full list of backers! David Chambers Melanie Frean Leo Sloley Catherine and Gary Waters Nick Rampley Holly Benwell Rohan Maini Katrin Magnussen Michele Teodori Bryn Davies Jonny Hough Jim Dickson dfarey_jones
Em Gunning Tony Austin Matthew Smitheman Timothy Trillo Daisy Yates Tim, Open Arts Project Mark Proud Christopher Stead Jamie Elliot Buchanan J M T Jones Luke Waterfield Laura Dickinson Sinead, Crafty Fox Market
Adam and Laura Bond Patrick Ewe Will Thompson Katayun Sethna Dominic Sandbrook Chris Lovejoy Max MacBride Clare Rebecca Parsons Tom Dunmore Richard Nutton Ian Anthony Lewis Dave Harte Ruth Yarnit
olian_80 Lesley Durnford Rachel Lob-Levyt William Perrin Beth Davison Mary Beatrice Clare Brixton Flower Club Sarah Skenazy Rahima Fitzwilliam-Hall Thank you!
We hope you can join us to celebrate on December 16 at Effra Social from 7pm!
Thames link win
Comm cross-L uters rejoice after saved. ondon train service s are UmunnStreatham Hill a, though MP Chuka ment must , says more carriaggo further the governes. Page and provide 4
>> £250 Write your own blog post >> £500 Personalised newspaper feature >> £1,000 Guest-edit the Brixton Bugle >> £1,500 Your own column for 6 months >>
4
NEWS
www.brixtonblog.com
December 2014
Lotto win for charity Do your bit A Stockwell charity was awarded £46,602 of funds from the National Lottery last week following a national telephone vote. Young People Matter - which started as a summer play scheme in 2007 - were finalists in The People’s Millions scheme, a partnership between ITV and the Big Lottery. The fund allows the public to vote via telephone for which shortlisted charities and community projects are allocated up to £50,000 of Lottery funding. Young People Matter, based in The
Old Laundry in Stockwell, offers a variety of support and services to young people mostly from low-income families, including mentoring, sports clubs (with seven FA-trained football coaches), summer camp, half-term play schemes, and after-school clubs. The charity’s work has previously been recogised - they won the 2009 SLP Our Heroes Community Project Award, were shortlisted again in 2010, and were ‘highly commended’ in the 2012 Race For OpportunityYouth Partnership Award.
“I am delighted that the public voted for the win,” said Senior Project Coordinator Marcus ‘Paradise’ Dawes. “This funding will go towards combating social exclusion & deprivation and building and delivering an assortment of community cohesion and engagement projects for youth, seniors, children, women in isolation and the diverse local community. “It was a micro to macro triple win,” Dawes added. “A win for Stockwell, a win for Lambeth and an ultimate win for South London.”
for Brixton (cont. from page 1) their self esteem and find positive alternatives to challenging behaviour that might otherwise take them down difficult paths. One volunteer said of the experience: “I know the focus is on the positives for the child and he has come on leaps and bounds which is fantastic, but I cannot exaggerate how beneficial it has been for me. It’s given me the confidence to regularly challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone.” Find out how to become a mentor at www.chanceuk. com. You can also donate by texting 70070 with the message CHUK01 and the amount you wish to give. Also in the field of education and mentoring, the Baytree Centre on Brixton Road offers workshops and support for girls and women in south London. Volunteers can help by offering classroom support, extra learning opportunities or even running after-school activities such as cookery, science, maths and arts clubs. www.baytreecentre.org If you don’t already know of the inimitable Solomon Smith and his work at the Brixton Soup Kitchen, then get to know! Based at the Dominoes Community Centre on Coldharbour Lane, the Brixton Soup Kitchen helps homeless people in south London. More
than just serving food, they offer CV workshops and advice on housing and benefits. They have had so many volunteers for Christmas that they aren’t accepting any more, but of course they rely on volunteers and donations to continue the incredible work throughout the year, so email info@brixtonsoupkitchen.com if you’re interested in helping out in 2015. In Brixton, we can be especially proud of some incredible sports clubs run by leaders such as Jimmy at Brixton Topcats, Steadman at Afewee FC and Lee at St Matthews Project who give young people in the area untold confidence and support through sporting achievement. The St Matthews Project offers free football sessions in Brixton to young people aged 6-21 years old. It’s run by the brilliant Lee Dema and gives a lot of support to young people on and off the pitch. You can donate via Local Giving on their homepage www.thesmp.net. If you’re into basketball, you can now buy a membership to the Brixton Topcats at www.brixtontopcats.org. It’s a great Christmas gift and helps out another fantastic sports initiative in Brixton too. As part of the scheme, you’ll get a T-shirt and money off home games and community sessions.
Improve your child’s study skills Kumon’s maths and English study programmes work to improve your child’s skills, develop their confidence and inspire a passion for learning. To unlock your child’s potential, contact your local Instructor and quote ‘BUGLE’ for a free assessment. Brixton Study Centre Yasmin Fitzpatrick 020 7737 1697 kumon.co.uk
MP visits Hatch Brixton MP Dame Tessa Jowell visited Lambeth’s enterprise incubator, Hatch, at one of the UK’s 35 Microsoft-supported Youth Hubs last month. Lambeth’s young are amongst 5,500 to receive direct access to IT resources and training through Microsoft’s collaboration with local businesses. And as one of around 35 new hubs created this year, Hatch are equipping young people with key skills to help them find employment, or even start out alone. So Hatch staff have been trained by both Microsoft and UK Youth to become IT Champions, to enable the company to train young people themselves (many of which have limited access to technology). During her visit, Dame Tessa was shown around the centre and learned all about the
new technology and training being offered as part of the partnership. Her visit highlights the importance such initiatives have in ensuring Lambeth’s young get the support they need. Dirk Bischof, CEO of Hatch, said “We are absolutely delighted that Tessa Jowell MP has been to see how Hatch is working with Microsoft and UK Youth to offer IT support to local young people. It is so important that we find new ways to support our community and providing vital computer skills, and instilling a new sense of confidence in their new found abilities, is part of this.” In addition to this initiative, Hatch are also currently taking on a new group of entrepreneurs for their incubator programme. The deadline is January. 25.
December 2014
MISSING TEEN
Police are growing increasingly worried about a teenage girl missing from her home in Stockwell. Raihana Chowdhury, 18, was reported missing on November 26 and was last seen in Stockwell (SW9) on November. 24 She is of Asian appearance with dark brown, long hair. She is slim and approximately 5ft 2ins tall. Police say she has a nose piercing on her left nostril, where she usually wears a hoop. She was last seen wearing a black jumper, black jeans, a black and white textured biker jacket, black biker boots and a black hijab. Her disappearance is out of character and her family are very concerned about her. Anyone who may have seen her is asked to call police on 101 reference 14MIS042731.
NEWS 5
www.brixtonblog.com
Bright future for market veteran BY SOPHIE BUSH A market stall-holder has redesigned his kiosk with local artist Mari Reijnders to celebrate 30 years of trading in Brixton. “We were here before Wahaca!” said Stuart Horwood, stalwart of Brixton Market, watch-man, and CEO of the Brixton Market Traders’ Federation. Horwood is referring to the striking paintwork of his stall, designed before Brixton’s latest chain-restaurant branch opened only a few metres away – to celebrate his 30th year of trading in Brixton, he decided to redesign his kiosk and invited locals to contribute. The stall – on the corner of Pope’s Road and Brixton Station Road – was “a blank canvas for so long”, Horwood said, adding: “To have Reijnders come along and do this – it’s just the best thing as far as the new stall’s concerned, and I just love it”. Reijnders – whose wife introduced him to Horwood – thoroughly enjoyed creating the ‘fold-up painting’, rendering its wooden surface with dynamically colourful shapes, without compromising the kiosk’s functionality. Unsurprisingly, the ongoing artwork garnered a bit of attention from passers-by – people commented “all the time”, said Reijnders, who lives in Electric Lane.
Horwood’s regulars have had plenty of opinions on changes to the stall. “Ooooh yes everybody loves it!”, he said, “which is fantastic. I mean it’s definitely raised a few eyebrows – it is kind of a standout thing – and yeh I’m just absolutely thrilled with it.”
“Oh, and the disco ball will be returning!” Horwood chimes. Er, a market stall known for its disco ball in residence? “Ooooh yes! But getting it up isn’t as straightforward as people might think…” Horwood will be officially unveiling
his revamped stall on Saturday December 13 from 4pm. You can even take home an original piece of Electric Avenue art from the event – on sale will be a special series of 45 paintings by artist Mari Reijnders.
6
NEWS
www.brixtonblog.com
the faces of
BRIXTON PART V: HUONG, NAIL SPA BY KATHRYN AEDY PICTURES BY ALEXANDRA WAESPI Nail Spa on Coldharbour Lane is one of the few businesses to be found in Brixton that is both owned and run by a woman, and it’s also an unassuming neighbourhood staple. Huong’s salon has some customers coming in twice a week for touch-ups or colour-change. One regular visitor and lifelong Brixton resident, Theresa, says: “Brixton is changing, but for the better, and this [Nail Spa] is the best place.” She credits the nice atmosphere that keeps people returning, while so many other businesses “come and go.” Having shopped around, Theresa has yet to find better quality for money – “Only £10 for a proper manicure!” Seven years after moving from Vietnam to London, having learned English by working as an aesthetician as well as managing a busy coffee shop, Huong bought a hair salon from a friend and opened Nail Spa. Since then, it has been open every single day besides Christmas and New Years Day. Each evening after leaving the salon, Huong checks in on her other business, Viet Rest restaurant on Deptford High Street,
before enjoying quality time with her husband and daughter. Regardless of how many people are waiting their turn for a treatment, everyone and even prams manage to find room in the small, glowing, varnish-infused shop. As Theresa puts it, “they take their time but people wait, because it’s worth the wait.” Huong and her co-worker and friend Lisa, reflect on how the neighbourhood they work in has become much friendlier and busier over the past five years. Huong says she is as grateful for the diversity of new tourists and residents as she is for people who have lived in the area for a long time, and is always happy to welcome walk-ins. Even as new high street shops begin to pop up all over Brixton, Huong is certain that Nail Spa will continue to stay open and provide a reliable service to its customers. Nail Spa is at 417 Coldharbour Lane. Open Mon-Sat, 10am-7pm and Sunday, 11am5pm, 0207 274 2288
December 2014
December 2014
www.brixtonblog.com
FEATURES 7
Andrea’s Fashion Week triumph BYKATRIN MAGNUSSEN
When Brixton teenager Andrea Loaiza Girado was crowned winner at the 2014 Fashion Futures Final at London Fashion Week in September she was stunned. “It was a big shock when I heard my name,” says Andrea as we meet in one of Brixton’s many coffee bars. “I didn’t think I’d win, I thought maybe I’d be one of the runners-up.” But win she did, and her cobalt-blue coat with quilted PVC sleeves and oversized hood was praised by the judges for its ‘beautiful manufacture and commercial appeal.’ “I had never made a coat before so I thought I would challenge myself, and that I would definitely learn a lot from it. I don’t regret my decision at all,” Andrea beams. The inspiration behind the striking garment was a design seen on a tomb stone in the Victoria & Albert Museum. “It is something that I would wear myself, but not on an everyday basis,” she explains, “I would wear it on days when I want to be different and stand out.” Organised by the charity Fashion Awareness Direct, the 2014 Fashion Futures Final featured clothing designs by 23 teenagers from London and Manchester. Andrea, a sixth-form student who splits her schooling between La Retraite Sixth Form and Bishop Thomas Grant School, was introduced to the competition by her Textiles teacher. Initially she thought it was only a fashion course, and realised it was actually a competition only when she submitted her research and learnt that she was one of the finalists.
“Before this competition I knew that I wanted to go into fashion but now, after I actually won it, I know 100 per cent that this is what I want to do!” exclaims Andrea. “I have never done anything like this before where you get to do everything yourself.” But with a father who worked as a pattern setter and cutter in a clothing factory in his native Colombia and several aunts who make their own clothes, it would seem fashion was always an inevitable career path for Andrea, 18. “My family is really excited and can’t believe that I won“, she laughs, scarcely believing it herself. “When I got back to school the other students said “wow you’re famous now” but it hasn’t really changed anything. I am still the same person,” she says with a slight shake of her long dark hair. And with exams and crucial university decisions looming on the not too distant horizon, there is no time for any fashion diva notions. “The start of the year was so crazy with London Fashion Week, but I now have to keep the balance with my other subjects”, explains the young designer.” I am doing four subjects so I can’t just focus on design; Business and French at Bishop Thomas Grant and Spanish and Textiles at La Retraite. The school gets me a minicab to go between the two venues, which good otherwise I’d be late for class all the time!” Proving wise beyond her years, Andrea is very single-minded about her priorities: running her own design business creating
unique, one-off garments, after finishing university. “Hopefully in the future you will see my name and I will be inviting you to my shows,” she smiles. In order to get there, she is keen not to get sidetracked by any extra-curricular activities that may hamper her chances. Such as going out clubbing. “I haven’t actually been out to any clubs yet. I don’t want to burn myself out. I want to focus on my studies so I can have good grades, otherwise what am I going to be doing in the future?”, she says, shrugging her shoulders. “Later, when I have that degree, I can really go out and enjoy myself. Once I have my career on track, then I will be able to relax!” Andrea admits that she is often seen as the sensible one by her friends. “My teachers and my friends tell me that I act like such an old lady sometimes because I talk to my friends like I’m their mother!” she laughs. As a single child very close to her own Colombian-born parents, she explains her maturity on the absence of someone to act her own age with at home. “I speak Spanish with my parents, and even though I was born in London, I sound like I just arrived from Colombia; I speak Spanish with a Colombian accent,” she says with a broad smile. Before she leaves for her weekly Zumba class at the Brixton Rec, Andrea divulges a Colombian style secret. “You can tell Latin Americans by the way they dress, they prefer very tight and low-cut tops.” There’s another laugh. She continues, “But I’m not your typical
Latino because I prefer clothes a bit looser. However I do love to wear Colombian jeans; they are stretchy, fit all sizes and the pattern they use makes sure there is ample space for your behind and believe me – those jeans do wonders for your behind!”
FREE ACCREDITED
Learn to listen, connect & inspire your community to act SKILLS together for change. TRAINING Find out more & sign up now:
WWW.PEOPLEPOWER.ORG.UK/VTP
8
YOUR BRIXTON
www.brixtonblog.com
December 2014
TWEETS
MY BRIXTON >>>>>>>>>>>>>>TOP FIVE
Some of your #Brixton tweets:
MINDA MAREIRA. MINDA WORKS AT THE RITZY CINEMA
1/ BROCKWELL PARK
I live in Brixton and work for Oxfam, so thought I’d bring a Brixton Bugle along on my trip to Papua New Guinea. Patrick came along to cover our visit to Nuku, so I asked him as a journo what he thought of the Bugle - here’s what he said: ‘I was fascinated to read this paper. Do the people of Brixton not
like sport? In Papua New Guinea we would have two or three pages on rugby league or soccer – here you have only one. The readers obviously love arts and culture.’ Dr. Duncan Green, Senior Strategic Adviser, Oxfam
2. THE LIDO CAFÉ
To celebrate the much anticipated SFMFBTF PG UIF GFBUVSF mMN BCPVU her nephew Paddington, Great Aunt Lucy (right) sent us this picture of her and her beloved Bugle from somewhere in deepest darkest Peru...
A great space in Herne Hill. Love the food, the relaxed atmosphere and the great view of the muchloved Brockwell Lido.
3. THE CHOCOLATE MUSEUM
I found this place very recently and I love it! If you like chocolate, then well, this is just all about chocolate and you can really taste it. It offers a friendly atmosphere, plenty of workshops for all, and yummy hot chocolates. Particularly great in winter!
HOW DO YOU READ YOURS? TWEET US PICS OF YOUR BUGLE IN ODD PLACES FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A BRIXTON BLOG BAG
4. THE EFFRA HALL TAVERN
@brixtonblog
@brixtonblog
THE
2 17
GOALS SCORED BY DULWICH HAMLET FOOTBALL TEAM IN THEIR VICTORY OVER KINGSTONIAN YEARS AUTHOR BRENDAN MCNAMEE HAS LIVED AROUND BRIXTON
I love it every single day and all seasons, but in spring and autumn there is almost a magical touch to it. The park is an open space where all cultures and age groups mix and I really enjoy this relaxed diversity. In springtime I often get my seedlings from the Brockwell Park Community Grenhouses and always receive very useful grown-your-own tips from the knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff.
info@brixtonblog.com
t: 020 3730 1312
BY NUMBERS
£99.99 10 £10 200
POUNDS FOR A MANICURE IN COLDHARBOUR LANE’S EVER POPULAR NAIL SPA
FOR BLINGY MODA IN PELLE SHOES FROM MORLEY’S
STARTING PRICE FOR ENTRY TO THE NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AT THE JAMM
GRAMMES OF DATES IN ROSIE’S EASY-TOMAKE YUMMY CAKE RECIPE
A great old pub and I really love the local feel to the place and friendly Brixton crowd. You will always find very interesting characters in there and the mix and diversity is also something that I particularly enjoy in this buzzing space. The lovely little beer garden and the packed live jazz nights are definitely among my highlights.
5. HERNE HILL BOOKS
This tiny independent bookshop on Railton Road is the best gem you can find around here. Don’t let yourself be misled by the size of the space: this is the place to discover new books as their overpacked shelves are often full of great surprises. And even if you can’t find what you are looking for they will order it for you very quickly, which is great! The staff are super-helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. A pleasure to enter sometimes just for a quick chat with Oli.
December 2014
BRIXTONBugle
COMMENT It’s the season of goodwill, and nothing demonstrates this more than the massive support readers have given the Brixton Blog and Bugle crowdfunding campaign. As we went to press more than 300 had taken the time to donate some money, from £1 to £1,000, and we had raised just short of £10,000. We’ve been completely and utterly bowled over by your kindness and generosity. The money you’ve given will support a new news editor for the Blog and Bugle, starting in January, who will be able to stay across much more of the news and general happenings in Brixton. From council budgets to Brockwell Park, and housing issues to regeneration plans, we’ll be there to report it all and hold the authorities to account. Given the theme of giving at Christmas, we’ve devoted our front page to things that you can do to volunteer in Brixton this festive season. We’ve written about a fraction of the things that you can get involved with, each of them hugely deserving and worthy of your time. Trust us it’s much better to give than receive As The Bugle went to press we got wind of some dramatic changes at the site of the former Popes Road car park and, latterly, ice rink. It seems all is not well with the consortium of groups who had clubbed together to run the temporary space before it is likely turned into yet more luxury flats. We’ll keep you posted as soon as we hear of any new developments. So as the year draws to a close all that’s left for us to do is to wish you an extremely merry Christmas and a wonderfully peaceful New Year.
www.brixtonblog.com
EDITORIAL 9
A season of Brixton illustrated LA SCALA, BRIXTON HILL giving BY KAYLENE ALDER By Jon Taylor, Brixton Foodbank Manager 2014 has been a busy year for all those involved with Foodbank in Brixton and Norwood. We have run two impactful community sign-posting days, made an appearance on Channel 5 news, helped distribute children’s books with Book Trust, and started serving hot meals thanks to the wonderful people from “We Love”. Added to this we have run supermarket collections and been astounded by the customers’ generosity. We have had continued assistance from the incredible Centre 70 and Brixton Advice Centre, providing much needed guidance around the cloudy issues of benefits, debt and housing. Disturbing figures released by Trussell Trust this year revealed that almost a million people are fed nationally and more in Lambeth than any other borough. Most recently we have got a warehouse in Streatham which is now filling up fast. We are consistently amazed and overwhelmed by the kindness shown by the people of Lambeth, schools and religious communities – thank you! More than anything this year, we have been touched by the stories of the clients themselves, and the desperate situations they face when coming to Foodbank. Here is what one of our clients had to say. “I have been helped by the Norwood Foodbank for the past one year and they have been so helpful and have treated me with respect and dignity. A few months ago I walked into the Foodbank and met Lionne from Igneus. I had been looking for assistance on compiling my CV because I had been applying for work with no luck. I was very tearful and she immediately offered her help and an appointment at her office the following week. In a nutshell, her assistance and strategy paid off because I found a fantastic job with a corporate company. This is my first step to happiness and without the Foodbank and Igneus it wouldn’t be possible. I am now able to pay a flight for my Mom and son to be with me for Christmas and this will be the happiest Christmas ever.” Stories like this show the difference your donations can make. Your recent generosity in providing advent calendars has put a smile on many children’s faces this Christmas, and your continued giving in 2015 will be life-changing for many. On behalf of all our volunteers and clients I would like to wish you a very happy Christmas and a wonderful new year!
This month’s Brixton building illustration was suggested by Manda Glanfield who tweeted “The old Scala cinema, 101 Brixton Hill”. It’s shown here as it might have been in the 1930s, when it was known as the New Royalty, one of its many aliases. Manda will receive a free print of the artwork. Tweet your clever clogs suggestions for next month’s beautiful Brixton building to @kpictures.
Why should we should all shop in Brixton this Christmas BY MARTA OWCZAREK, Brixton Pound There’s a picture going around on the internet showing Santa Claus in full regalia, pushing his sleigh filled with presents into a landfill, and the workers looking on comment: “He’s cutting out the middle man.” A bit harsh? Christmas is without a doubt the most wasteful time of the year, in terms of time and money, but also actual physical waste. The pressure to buy is enormous, to the extent that it’s near impossible to avoid. Try suggesting to your family that instead of gifts you’d like to receive donations to a charity of your choice this year, and they will probably be somewhere between bewildered and offended. It doesn’t have to be this way. We shape the customs we follow, and more and more people every year are opposing the mindless
@brixtonblog
consumerism promoted by the media from the start of October. On the one hand, Black Friday’s shopping craze seems to affect the UK more and more each year, but on the other there are campaigns like Amazon Anonymous, asking people to not use Amazon until they pay their workers a fair wage, which already attracted so many sign ups that an estimate of the money NOT spent on Amazon this Christmas is currently £2,592,570. There’s other ways than boycott: in Brixton, every year people are pledging to shop locally, supporting independent businesses and reducing their carbon footprint. According to research, money spent locally will circulate in the local economy up to three times longer than money spent in big chains. And if products are sourced and made locally, the environmental
info@brixtonblog.com
impact is significantly lessened. If that sounds a bit academic, there are many other reasons why Brixtonites have chosen to make their Christmases Brixton-focused. Shopping locally gives residents an opportunity to find food and gifts that are unique to their area - it’s an opportunity to discover the wealth and quality of what we have on our doorstep, and what we may miss in busy everyday lives. People are consciously making the decision to think about where their money is going, and to support their local community - to take from it but also give something back. Shopping in smaller shops is also a more personal experience. Overall, it seems like a great way to do some good deeds, enrich our lives as well as those of others - in a time when that message is often obscured by corporate interests.
t: 020 3730 1312
10 FEATURES
www.brixtonblog.com
December 2014
BRIXTON GIFT GUIDE 12 reasons to use the B£ CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
1. You get cheap and delicious locally sourced ingredients for cooking. 2. If you can’t be bothered to cook much, you get cheap and delicious locally sourced and made products. 3. Chances are you won’t have to queue like in a big supermarket, and that you’ll buy exactly what you want - no extra items to weigh you and your spirits down. 4. Maybe you’ll even have a little chat with the friendly shop owner. 5. The gifts you buy will be unique! The offerings in Brixton shops, delis, and boutiques are pretty special, and you probably can’t find them anywhere else. There’s also loads of them. 6. They, too, will likely be locally sourced and/or made. 7. The planet will thank you - you’ll lower your carbon footprint. Christmas has never been greener! 8. You will support an independent business and the local economy - no more mindless, corporate consumerism. 9. You will likely pay less - some shops offer 10% discount when paying in B£s. 10. There will be no late or undelivered packages. 11. Rather than stressed, broke, and guilty, you can feel really good about yourself. 12. And you can easily do all that in one afternoon.
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WITH THE BRIXTON POUND By Manda Glanfield I can’t remember why I started using the B£. I think it was because there was a lot of stuff on Twitter about ‘shopping local’ - and that gave me an idea for a ‘theme’ for my Christmas present-buying. These days, Christmas seems more and more absurd in our family – call me churlish, but every year we spend money we haven’t really got on things that people don’t really want and it seems like a terrible waste of love, money and time. Not to mention the carbon footprint, and lining the pockets of corporate greed. So what better than to give presents bought locally and, in doing so, support local independent retailers! Then at least somebody benefits! To my delight, I also discovered that B£ notes are really cool. Especially the £10 David Bowie ones. To get my Brixton £££s I had to go to Morley’s menswear department (yes, this is where Google directed me) where I changed about £100 at
the till. Armed with my colourful notes I set off for Brixton Village. My house got decorated with pom-poms from Circus, my nieces were given enamelled beakers from Cornercopia, my nephew got a moleskin notebook from Malika and my sister some 70s’ vinyl from United 80. (My dad was a bit more tricky so I got him a book from W H Smith – well, it is in Brixton…) I also used the text method to pay for gifts from my B£ account – many Brixton shops now allow this. I did it at 20 Storey in Brixton Village where I got some funky gifts for friends. I also got lucky with a B£ Twitter campaign: every day in December a B£ note was hidden in a different shop in Brixton Village. I happened to find a tenner in Rose & Thorn while I was trying on a dress – hey, this B£ thing is fun! Since then I have set up a direct debit so every month £5 is credited to my B£ account. Watch out family, Brixton presents will be coming your way again this Christmas!
December 2014
high street. Bookmongers: 439 Coldharbour Lane
KATRIN MAGNUSSON, FEATURES EDITOR
MISS SOUTH, FOOD EDITOR
Table linens from Brixi: these beautiful embroidered linens will dress any Christmas dinner table perfectly and even add some glamour to the Boxing Day turkey curry. So Brixton they originate from the Barrier Block and are created by Norman Jay’s wife. Brixi: Unit 7, 1st Avenue, Brixton Village Vintage glasswear and Pen & Gray plates from Circus: seeing as most of us like a little tipple at Christmas, it’s always rather nice to match the beverage with the right glass. Tabitha at Circus has a lovely selection of flutes, highballs and coupettes. Don’t miss the bold colours and patterns of Pen & Gray’s pottery either. The red and white ones are delightfully festive but look good all year round. Circus: 5th Avenue, Brixton Village Food and drink hampers from Cornercopia: Anne and Iain have been creating new versions of the hampers that launched their business when they took over the unit in the old Granville Arcade. There are chutneys, preserves, pies and other British delicacies that you can mix and match or buy in sets. I’m hoping for one with Boxer gin... Cornercopia: Unit 65 Brixton Village A new do at Tidy Hair: voted one of London’s best haircuts in Time Out, the business is back booming after owner Sean O’Sullivan’s accident
FEATURES 11
www.brixtonblog.com
earlier this year. Perfect for peoplewatching and some retro pampering, book in for a cut or colour now or in the New Year. Tidy Hair: 70 Atlantic Road 020 7274 3310
ZOE JEWELL, EDITOR
For the best books on black British history and beautifully designed tea towels, prints and mugs pop into the Black Cultural Archives shop. The mugs pictured here show Windrush Square and cost £8. Black Cultural Archives: 1 Windrush Square, Brixton If you’re in need of kids’ toys, trendy T-shirts and cookbooks by locals including Miss South and Ms Cupcake, then 20 Storey is the place for you. I once did the shopping for my entire family in here, from a printed hoodie for my brother to a set of dominoes to go in a stocking. You can even get ‘I heart Brixton’ mugs. 20 Storey: 2a Market Row Rosie’s Deli has a nice selection of food goods to give as little presents, but best of all are the themed tea towels for £12 with fun graphics explaining the art of coffee-making or cocktail-shaking. Rosie’s Deli: 14e Market Row For the book-lovers in your life, there’s no better place than Brixton Bookmongers and, for those doing the shopping, it’s a welcome break from the hurly burly of the Christmas
Your best female friend is feeling a little down in the dumps and not looking forward to the festive season? Fear not! Emergency bling is the thing! Everyone feels a little bit more festive with some glitter and sparkle in their lives. So to cheer up your friend with a pick-me-up pressie, head down to Morley’s pronto for this glittery clutch bag and so-blingyit-hurts stilettos. How could she not enjoy Christmas with these little beauties adorning her feet? Moda in Pelle shoes cost £99.99 and the clutch bag is £69.99 Morleys: 472 Brixton Road So, four-year old Freya has been asking for Lelli-Kelli shoes ever since she unfortunately caught sight of one of their insanely catchy ads on TV as a shoe-obsessed one-year old. Now a schoolgirl allowed nothing but boring black, sensible shoes, it would only be fair to finally give in to the incessant cries of ‘Lelli Kelli’. But as a compromise, instead of the unseasonal sparkly summer shoes she
sorely wants, there might be some sparkly leopard print boots in her stocking this year. Lelli Kelli shoes are £54.99 from Jojo Shoes. Jojo Shoes: 377 Brixton Road Baby, it’s cold outside. Or at least, it’s fast getting that way. Hubby needs a new coat, he says. He already knows which one, he says. He has been
browsing the shops, he says. There is one particular coat in question and the coat is this one. Get me the coat for Christmas, he says. Please, he adds, I am cold. The man has spoken. Will he get his chosen Superdry coat at £125? Oh that would be telling… Morleys: 472 Brixton Rd
12 FEATURES
www.brixtonblog.com
December 2014
Friends in high places BY KATRIN MAGNUSSEN The day the world and the internet went mental for local tour company The Flash 1BDL BOE JUT +FTVT TFMmF “We didn’t sleep for about four days - our phone wouldn’t stop ringing!â€? laughs Radha Vyvas. Lee Thompson echoes;â€?Richard Branson was tweeting us, Ricky Gervais was talking about us in America‌ it went mad!â€? What Lee and Radha, co-founders of The Flash Pack, are talking about is this: Lee’s infamous selfie photograph taken at the very top of Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. Former charity consultant Radha and photographer Lee are still incredulous at the sheer impact this photo and accompanying video had on the internet. “I did the selfie in Mayâ€?, explains Lee, “and released it just before the start of the World Cup in Brazil.â€? Radha says “We knew the video had potential
but we had looked at it so many times that in the end we were going ‘will anybody share it?’ ‘What do you think?’ and ‘It might not even go viral’‌â€? They published the video onto Facebook, Twitter and emailed it to Mashable.com three times without any response. Ten minutes went by without anyone even ‘liking’ it on Facebook‌ then whoosh! A news agency got in touch and the rest is history. “Not bragging, but I think it’s up there with the most viral pictures ever,â€? says Lee. Radha adds, “I calculate that probably more than one hundred million people worldwide have seen it, on TV, CNN, in newspapers‌ You can’t calculate the advertising gained from that! It would have taken us years to achieve this kind of marketing! Richard Branson said he was jealous, yayy! The travel industry is a very congested market and we managed to stand to stand out.â€? “It’s priceless!â€? agrees Lee. In fact, the footage won the UK Social Media
Communications Awards 2014 for Best Viral Campaign for their pretty inspirational ‘First Selfie with Jesus’.’ For a couple who decided to set up a travel company for professional singles on their first ever date (“In Brixton’s Market House pub two years ago�) and whose first holiday together was in Sierra Leone, ‘expect the unexpected’ sounds like it should be their slogan. Their tour company The Flash Pack specialises in taking groups of eight to 10 travellers on a two-week holiday which aims to pack in so many unique experiences that it should feel like having been away for a lot longer. “Our ethos is that you should feel like you have had a two-month experience,� explains Radha passionately, “so not coming back feeling totally knackered but having gotten under the skin of that country so much so it feels like you have had a two-month holiday.� She continues, “Our tourists don’t want regurgitated Burmese history, they are more interested in ‘what’s life like for a Burmese woman now?’ ‘What’s the price of a flat now compared to years ago under the military rule?’ ‘How much is it to go out and eat a meal?’ ‘What’s the average salary?’ Our tourists want to really get under the skin of the country they visit.� Lee and Radha aim to unearth experiences and locations that are not found in the usual tourist guides and think nothing of veering away from the beaten track. They take their research seriously: “In Myanmar for instance� says Lee, “there is a really good Sauvignon Blanc wine, so we will teach people about that and then go winetasting there.�
Lee and Radha are adamant that tourists have a certain social responsibility when they travel and are keen to expose their travellers to the less than glamorous sides of a country in a bid to spread the money around to local businesses. “Our India tour is more to do with getting an authentic experience, so we will be going to shanty towns“, says Lee. “These are amazing areas and we want people to get in a little bit of charity work as well. Like our Brazil trip, where we go into the favelas. If you do it properly it is not voyeuristic; there’s a great sushi place there for instance!â€? Radha adds, “We use local businesses in the favelas and stay at local guest houses. The favelas are pacified now and there are businesses popping up all the time. We are providing employment, we make sure we spread money out, eat at a local restaurant, go to a local cafÊ‌ we can stay at the Hilton but then the local communities won’t see that money. We are really keen to show that as a tourist you can choose where to spend your money and that you can make a significant difference making sure the money gets to the local communities. We tend to leave it up to the group whether to stay in the favelas. It’s really good fun but noisy, not much sleep!â€? She laughs. But now of course, the pair needs to build on the momentum their celebrated selfie brought their company. As a result, an even more aspirational selfie is currently being planned. Lee admits he is putting a list of potential locations together in an attempt to improve on his last selfie but refuses to be drawn on any details in case someone beats him to it. “I think I can better it (the Jesus selfie),
Above: Lee Thompson’s famous ‘Selfire with Jesus’. Below: Lee with partner and Flash Pack co-founder Radha Vyas
The Brixton BID was voted in by local businesses, for local business, and its work is funded by your BID levy bills. This is why it is important for you to get involved and have your say, to help shape the future of your local economy. We warmly invite you to our upcoming meetings in October. For more details see below. These meetings are not a place for simply talking – we have a budget and plans to make Brixton an even better place to do business, and we want you to help. ©Ä Ǻ¼¾ÈÉºÇ ÎÄÊÇ ¶Éɺù¶Ã¸º ÄÇ IJù out how you can get involved contact us: info@thebrixtonbid.co.uk
WHAT TRAINING ARE BRIXTON BID AND LAMBETH COLLEGE PROVIDING? In partnership with Lambeth College, Brixton BID continue to offer FREE training for your employees in First Aid, Health and Safety, Customer Service and Food hygiene. Courses will be starting again in the new year and full details are available through the BID. Lambeth college also now offer English and Maths training for employees, with courses funded by the European Social Fund (ESF). There is no company size limit for this project but if employers qualify as an SME ºÃɾÉÎ }ÁºÈÈ É½¶Ã Èɶ»»~ ɽºÃ ɽºÇº ¶Çº IJöø¾¶Á ¾Ã¸ºÃÉ¾ËºÈ ¶Ë¶¾Á¶·Áº If your company is an SME you may be able to claim £800 per person for up to 3 employees. Employees must be 19+, work for 8 hours or more (volunteers are eligible) and work in London. Email admin@Brixtonbid.co.uk to enquire.
FREE SUPPORT FOR BRIXTON BUSINESSES Whether you are starting a business, looking to take your business to the next level, or ready to give back to your local community, here are two great business support organisations that continue to make big impact for Brixton’s small businesses. Find out how you can get involved and help make Brixton an even better place to work!
BRIXTON BID THEME GROUPS ENVIRONMENT, The BID continue to run monthly theme groups for all
business owners and managers to share their views, have input to the ÅÇÄ¿º¸ÉÈ ¶Ã¹ ¸ÄÃú¸É ̾ɽ »ºÁÁÄÌ Áĸ¶Á ·ÊȾúÈÈºÈ ¶Ã¹ ¸ÄÊø¾Á Ä»IJcers. Together with Lambeth Council we are applying for government funding to be spent in Brixton, so there’s an opportunity to really make a difference in 2015. Our meetings are six-weekly and cover the following themes: Environment, Marketing & Partnerships, Brixton Night Time Economy Forum for local venues. For details on attending the meetings or to ask questions, please conɶ¸É ɽº Ä»IJ¸º Äà ÄÇ ¶¹Â¾Ã ·Ç¾ÍÉÄ÷¾¹ ¸Ä ÊÀ We wish all Brixton Businesses a successful festive season.
Looking for an original, locally-made gift this Christmas? Look no further than Coldharbour Lane gift shop Diverse, whose annual showcase of Makerhood artists and designers is under way. Makerhood is a network of artisans in Lambeth that started in Brixton in 2010. Each year it partners with Diverse during the festive season to promote the work of its members. The event is in its third year and contains the work of 20 designers offering jewellery, art, cards and accessories. Diverse owner Anita Thorpe, said “We love working with Makerhood. It has an incredible wealth of talent among its members. Businesses working ¾Ã ŶÇÉúÇȽ¾Å Á¾Àº ɽ¾È ¸¶Ã ·º ·ºÃºIJ¸¾¶Á »ÄÇ ¶ÁÁ ɽÄȺ ¾ÃËÄÁ˺¹ ¬º ½ºÁÅ ·Ç¾Ã¼ micro-businesses to a wider market; they help us to offer something fresh and different to our customers. It’s a win-win situation.” The Showcase runs until 4 January 2015. Diverse is open 7 days a week from 11am. Diverse 390 Coldharbour Lane SW9 8LF 020 7733 1488 www.diversegifts.co.uk. www.makerhood.com Photos by www.runnycustard.co.uk
SPOTLIGHT ON...
BANKS OPTOMETRIST BUSINESSES WILL VERY SOON BE ABLE TO USE BRIXTON POUND INCOME TO PAY THE BID LEVY!
Please contact us if you want more information at: Brixton BID 30a Acre Lane, London, SW2 5QS ¤»IJ¸º E-mail: admin@brixtonbid.co.uk Website: www.brixtonbid.co.uk
NEED A BUSINESS PREMESIS? Two vacant units appear on Acre Lane
©½º ½¶È Ǻ¸ºÃÉÁÎ ¾¹ºÃɾIJº¹ ÉÌÄ Ë¶¸¶ÃÉ ÇºÉ¶¾Á ÅÇºÂ¾ÈºÈ Äà ¸Çº ¡¶Ãº If you are a small business looking for a premises, or a landlord looking to ·º ¾ÃÉÇĹʸº¹ ÉÄ ÅÄɺÃɾ¶Á ɺöÃÉÈ ÅÁº¶Èº ¼ºÉ ¾Ã ÉÄʸ½ ̾ɽ ÊÈ ¶¹Â¾Ã brixtonbid.co.uk Lets help keep all areas of Brixton thriving!
Tell us about your business mosphere. All our staff have over 10 My name is Uma Patel and I am the Op- years of training and experience in the tometrist Owner of Banks Optometrist. ÄÅɾ¸¶Á IJºÁ¹ ¢Î ¿ÄÊÇúΠÈɶÇɺ¹ ¶É ¢ÄÄÇIJºÁ¹È κ We pride ourselves on our services to Hospital where I worked for nearly best understand the customer needs. 10yrs. Our aftercare is EXCEPTIONAL TO NONE. I have been working here at Banks We offer a wide range of DESIGNER for the past 16 years. Hilary Barrett and Non Designer brand name frames. and Luba Chmil are Optometrists who And our prices are competitive. practice here We are currently and make up running a SALE on our expert cliniDesigner Frames cal team. and prescription Banks OptomCrizal coated lens“Brixton is continually etrists is one of es and Sunglasses. the oldest busiOur services inchanging and we are nesses in Brixclude extensive adapting and changing ton, we have half an hour eye been operating examinations, retwith it, because we just Ⱦøº ɽº È inal photography love Brixton.” and we are proud and complicated to be able to ofMultifocal contact fer a sense of ÁºÃÈ IJÉɾü nostalgia to the We also act as a Brixton community. triage for the A&E services in the MIDuring this time I have built up an NOR EYE CONDITIONS SCHEME (MECS). exceptional customer base, through We see patients referred by their GP, offering a high quality service to the we participate in the extended service local community and the indigenous schemes such as Glaucoma Referral population of Brixton. ǺIJúºÃÉ ¶Ã¹ ¶É¶Ç¶¸É §º»ºÇǶÁ Our customers love the fact that we Brixton is continually changing and have a personal and attentive approach we are adapting and changing with it, towards their individual needs and by because we just love Brixton. doing so we have managed to keep LOYAL CUSTOMERS and continue to Banks Optometrist build new relationships within the Brix- 8 Acre Lane, Brixton ton community. SW2 5SG On entering our practice there is always a friendly and welcoming at-
Turpentine, in Coldharbour Lane , Brixton Inset: Name?
BRAND AMPLIFIER: TURPENTINE SCOOPS AWARD Hot on the heels of its Autumn edition graduation ceremony, Brixton-based Â—Ă‡ÂśĂƒÂš –ÂÅà žIJºÇ ÂśĂ…Ă…Ă ÂśĂŠÂšĂˆ ɽº ĂˆĂŠÂ¸Â¸ÂşĂˆĂˆ Ă„Âť ÂśĂ Ă ÂžĂ‰Ăˆ ÂźĂ‡ÂśÂšĂŠÂśĂ‰ÂşĂˆ ɽœÉ ¸ÄÂÅà ºÉºš ÂśĂƒÂš competed on the business growth scholarship programme. Twenty-six businesses from across London were shortlisted to receive thousands of pounds’ worth of FREE brand strategy, marketing and community engagement training, and ĂŒÂşĂ‡Âş ÂžĂƒ ɽº Ă‡ĂŠĂƒĂƒÂžĂƒÂź ÉÄ ĂŒÂžĂƒ ĂˆÂşÂşÂš ÂťĂŠĂƒÂšÂžĂƒÂź ÉÄ ¡º Ă‡ÂşÂžĂƒĂ‹ÂşĂˆĂ‰ÂşÂš ÂžĂƒ ɽº ÂśĂ‚Ă…Ă ÂžÄ˛Â¸ÂśĂ‰ÂžĂ„Ăƒ and growth of its brand. The Turpentine, Brixton’s freshest face on the block, took home the top Platinum award for Best Business Vision, and ÂŁ2,500 to support its business growth spurt at a crucial launch phase. As its name suggests, the Turpentine is an Ăźber creative hub that opened its doors last summer on Coldharbour Lane, just as applications opened for the 6th edition of Brand Â–Ă‚Ă…Ă ÂžÄ˛ÂşĂ‡Âƒ ¤ ɽº ÂťĂ„ĂŠĂƒÂšÂžĂƒÂź ÉǞĠ–à ž¸º Waters attended the 4-week business growth scholarship programme, which came at the perfect point for the business that was looking to settle in to the area, connect with its community and start planning what was next. Alice shared each week’s inspiring talks, intensive workshops and ‘aha’ moments with her co-founders Amber and Jude, which sharpened their brand vision, communications strategy and social media marketing to amplify their business and hone their brand. –à ž¸º ĂˆÂśÂžÂšÂ ÄŚÂŹÂ˝ÂşĂƒ ž Ä˛Ă‡ĂˆĂ‰ ½ºœÇš œ¡ÄÊÉ Â—Ă‡ÂśĂƒÂš –ÂÅà žIJºÇ ž Â¸Ă„ĂŠĂ ÂšĂƒÄŠĂ‰ ¡ºà žºËº ĂˆĂŠÂ¸Â˝ an amazing opportunity for free strate-
gic training was right on my doorstep. The mentors were incredible, and their insights steered us clear of more than a few hurdles we might not have anticipated. Winning seed funding was a massive bonus, but most importantly, the fact that someone else believes in our business as much as we do has been ÂśĂƒ ÂžĂƒĂ‹ÂśĂ ĂŠÂśÂˇĂ Âş ĂŒÂśĂŽ ÄÇ ĂŠĂˆ ÉÄ Â¸Ă„ĂƒÄ˛ÂšÂşĂƒĂ‰Ă ĂŽ market and plan for our business.â€? Â—Ă‡ÂśĂƒÂš –ÂÅà žIJºÇ ÂžĂˆ ĂƒĂ„Ă‰ ÎÄÊÇ œËºÇœŸº business seminar or support network. Its energising format, 21st Century branding curriculum and ruthless focus on helping brands succeed have galvanised and propelled forward more than 125 businesses to date. The Brixton BID has partnered with Â—Ă‡ÂśĂƒÂš –ÂÅà žIJºÇ ÉÄ ¸ÇºœÉº Âś Ă„ĂƒÂşÂ‚ÂšÂśĂŽ business Masterclass on Monday, 19 January, especially designed for Brixton’s retailers and market stall holders add some edge to their brand marketing. The Turpentine team will also guest host a hands-on, creative workshop showcasing some of the secrets of their retail success. If you’re a Brixton retailer, you can’t afford to miss it! Book your spot today and be Brixton’s next retail success feature story! Through the BID email info@brixtonbid.co.uk or online: http://www. eventbrite.co.uk/e/brixton-bid-presÂşĂƒĂ‰ĂˆÂ‚ÂˇĂ‡ÂśĂƒÂšÂ‚ÂśĂ‚Ă…Ă ÂžÄ˛ÂşĂ‡ĂˆÂ‚Ă‡ÂşĂ‰ÂśÂžĂ ÂžĂƒÂźÂ‚Ă‚ÂśĂˆĂ‰ÂşĂ‡class-tickets-14418647563
Work for the BRIXTON BID
Permanent manager and handyman needed The means are now recruiting a permanent BID manager for the Brixton BID and also a handyman to serve the needs of local businesses. ›ÄÇ ÂÄǺ ÂšÂşĂ‰ÂśÂžĂ Ăˆ ÂśĂƒÂš Âś ¿Ä¡ ÂšÂşĂˆÂ¸Ă‡ÂžĂ…Ă‰ÂžĂ„Ăƒ Ă…Ă ÂşÂśĂˆÂş Â¸Ă„ĂƒĂ‰ÂśÂ¸Ă‰ ÂśĂ ÂžĂˆĂ„ĂƒÂƒÂ¸Ă„Ă Ă ÂśĂ‡ÂšÂ• themeans.co.uk
JANET EDWARDS
+"/&5 &%8"3%4 '-03*45 #FTQPLF 'MPXFST (JGUT 'MPXFST GPS BMM PDDBTJPOT #JSUIEBZT 8FEEJOHT .PUIFShT %BZ 'VOFSBMT BOE $PSQPSBUF &WFOUT
EJTDPVOU PO BMM PSEFST PWFS b +BOFU &EXBSET 'MPSJTU "SMJOHUPO 1MBDF #SJYUPO )JMM -POEPO 48 3) 5FMFQIPOF XXX KBOFUFEXBSETGMPSJTU DPN !+&'MPSJTUZ
XXX GBDFCPPL DPN +&'MPSJTUZ GSFG UT
JANET IS NOW TAKING ORDERS FOR CHRISTMAS TREES, DOOR WREATHS, FESTIVE TABLE ARRANGEMENTS, PLUS A SELECTION OF GIFTS IN STORE WITH A SPEICAL 10% DISCOUNT ON CHRISTMAS ORDERS OVER ÂŁ50
YOUR BUSINESS HERE Contact the BID team for details about free advertising in the BID pages in the Brixton Bugle.
16 ARTS & CULTURE
www.brixtonblog.com
December 2014
Writer’s block in Barcelona Our Arts Co-Editor Barney Evison met up with Brendan McNamee, a writer who lives in Herne Hill and has just self-published his mSTU CPPL B OPWFMMB DBMMFE .65
The first thing I wanted to know when I met Brendan was why his debut novel MUT had such a cryptic name. “It’s Catalan for ‘mute’,� Brendan explained. This fits - the novella is set in Barcelona and follows a mute narrator suffering from an emotional trauma in his recent past. The natural English pronunciation of the words hints at the important role that dogs play in the story, as the man’s only friends. Brendan’s been writing for 20 years and has lived around Brixton for 17 of them. Canadian by birth, he often spends his winters in the cold and snow near Montreal, an environment he finds particularly conducive to writing. He insists on the importance of “just getting on with it�; the rigour of sitting down at a desk every day and hitting your word count. MUT is an intense and surprising read, with an opaque narrative that flits between past and present. It’s not immediately clear that the narrator’s only conversations are with dogs, who take on vivid anthropomorphic personas. I ask Brendan if he has a dog. “I don’t actually,� he says, although he grew up with them. “I’ve always found them very personable. Sometimes I’ll be walking down a street and a dog will just stare at me - it’s like we’ve got this thing going on. Of course it’s ridiculous but it does feel like a connection.� The book had its genesis in a three-month trip that Brendan took to Barcelona. He found himself writing freehand in parks and cafes in the city, where he couldn’t communicate properly with anyone. “I don’t speak any Spanish so I spent a lot of my days very quiet... I noticed there would always be dogs out on the street. They’re like another class of citizen.� From this came the idea of a mute loner - the eponymous Mut - who only speaks to canines: “There’s a universal language between man and dog.� I’ve been wondering how much of MUT
Prizewinning tips for writers Local literary agency Tibor Jones is offering £1,000 and representation to budding novelists. We caught up with Sophie Hignett pictured right), one of the judges of this year’s Pageturner Prize, to get some tips for any local writers wanting to enter. How many entries did you have for your previous competitions? We were absolutely thrilled with the number of entries for both the inaugural prize in 2011 and the last edition in 2013; both editions had over 500 entrants. Anna Freeman won in 2013. What was the panel’s lasting impression of her novel? The judges were unanimous in their decision that Anna Freeman’s novel The Fair Fight stood out on account of its vigorous storytelling; the dexterity of its language and the author’s ability to create characters that live and breathe. A superb act of imaginative ventriloquism.
What are your tips for entering the competition? Follow the rules – it makes the judges’ lives easier! If you have more than one book ready to submit, please choose your strongest and remember to spellcheck – it might seem like simple advice but you’d be surprised how few people do read through their submissions. Ultimately we are looking for stand-out new voices, writing that is distinctive, absorbing and above all, page-turning.
Most writers have a day job. What’s your best advice for managing your time? Don’t quit the day job! The best advice I have heard from writers is to either get up an hour earlier or stay up an hour later in order to free up some time in your day - whichever it is, writing must become part of your daily routine. Another recommendation is to set a daily word limit. Although don’t be disheartened if you can’t stick to it – all authors get ‘writer’s block’ to some extent.
For wannabe novelists, what’s your best advice for getting published? First of all you need a really good idea and then don’t give up on that idea or your writing. Get as many people to read your work as possible; impartial feedback is vital. Try to find an agent first – the best way to look for an agent is to look at other writers who you respect and find out who their agents are. If you have a great novel and the money, is it worth self-publishing? Self-publishing has lost its stigma and there’s nothing wrong with that because, at the end of the day, it’s all about telling stories, and if you have an opportunity for people to read your stories in whichever form or genre you’re telling them in that’s great. It’s about having your work digested, read and commented on. As an author right now, you need to find a way of creating an audience for yourself and self-publishing is a great way to do this.
is based on Brendan’s own life. In the book, the main character is recovering from a neardeath drowning experience which led to the breakdown in the relationship with his girlfriend. He roams the streets of Barcelona, befriending dogs and torturing himself with painful memories and feelings of guilt. “The lynchpin of the plot in the ocean did actually happen to me,� says Brendan, who says it’s only now he’s able to be emotionally honest in his work. “I smuggled tobacco for a year because I wanted to write about it, but I didn’t have the balls to do it properly.� MUT is the first time he’s brought powerful true emotions to print. “Now I can take something that really did happen to me and change it, but the central emotions are the same.� If MUT began in the cafes of Barcelona, it was finished in Brixton Library, where Brendan spent two weeks writing it up and “cutting out all the fluff�. The book was initially written in the third-person but he made the major shift to the first-person after taking advice from a literary agent. MUT’s prose is bare and direct. Brendan tells me that he was inspired by 20th-century American writers such as Saul Bellow, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Charles Bukowski and particularly Cormac McCarthy: “he just throws Spanish in there and you just have to deal with it.� Brendan is dyslexic and he found these writers’ stripped-back style an inspiration. Brendan is working on another book, this one on a much larger scale than MUT. “It’s four times the length,� he says. Set in a parallel world, his next work will move into sci-fi although understandably he’s reluctant to give it a specific genre. When I ask him which genre he thinks MUT most neatly fits into, suggesting magical realism, he shrugs: “I don’t really know - Waterstones put in their Romantic Fiction section which I thought was... interesting!� Brendan debuted MUT to a local audience at the Brixton BookJam in October. It’s available at local bookshops and online as an ebook.
Do people actually read eBooks? Yes, people do actually read eBooks, due to increased e-reader and tablet ownership, competitive pricing, and instantaneous purchasing opportunities. They’re giving print books a run for their money! You can apply for the Tibor Jones Pageturner Prize by emailing your submission to pageturner@tiborjones.com by January 26 2015. Rules available at tiborjones.com. The Tibor Jones Guide to Writing will be available on Amazon Kindle Direct in 2015.
December 2014
www.brixtonblog.com
The BCA goes with the Flo Baroness Floella Benjamin OBE leads the Black Cultural Archive’s inaugural Len Garrison Memorial Lecture
Thursday November 20 saw the BCA host its first Len Garrison Memorial Lecture. The annual lecture series is dedicated to the BCA cofounder Len Garrison who was, amongst many other things, an educationalist and an advocate for the importance of children’s education. Baroness Benjamin is a fervent campaigner for the importance of education and care for children and was a fitting choice of first speaker. Her involvement with children’s education began when she became a presenter of the BBC’s Play School in 1976. Her impassioned lecture drew largely on her own experiences as a child, as well as lessons learned since, as she has worked to ensure the representation of black people across all visual media, from TV to special edition stamps. “Childhood lasts a lifetime,” Baroness Benjamin told the BCA’s audience. She spoke about how children’s experiences, including those of TV programmes, shape their futures. If their experience never shows them cultural and racial diversity, their adult selves will struggle to behave morally towards others different from themselves. “I was lucky to be born in Trinidad”, she told us, “because I wasn’t a colour, I was a person.” When she started at Play School, having in her own words “blagged her way into television”, black people at the BBC, presenters
ARTS & CULTURE 17
as well as children, were so under-represented that the make-up lady wasn’t even sure where to buy black make-up. Baroness Benjamin had to take her to Brixton market herself. Her role as a Play School presenter afforded Baroness Benjamin a strange privilege: she was often the first black face which children saw on TV. “Asian, black and white adults have written to me over the years to thank me for being that first black face to them… one family wrote to me and said ‘we saw you and we knew our children has a future.’” Baroness Benjamin is a huge believer in teaching children the right values to help our society move forward. The three things she hopes that all children learn are what she terms her ‘three Cs’ - “ consideration, contentment and confidence”. With her boundless energy and ability to single out any one of the audience and speak right to them, Baroness Benjamin is certainly a powerful embodiment of her own principles, and her lecture certainly made a fitting and inspiring first Len Garrison Memorial Lecture. Her talk was followed by a reading from Tunde Garrison, Len Garrison’s son, and a spoken word performer, from Brixton talent Nat Nye. In keeping with the spirit of the lecture, the BCA were keen to promote their Youth Forum, for ages 16-25, for which Tunde Garrison is a leading light. Photographs by Daniel Oduntan
Floella in the house
To advertise here email ads@brixtonblog.com
Or call us on 0203 730 1312
18 FOOD AND DRINK
www.brixtonblog.com
December 2014
ROSIE LOVELL
RECIPE MAKE A DATE WITH ROSIE’S SCRUMMY CAKE 200g stoned halved dates 400g softened butter 400g runny honey 6 large eggs
250g rice flour 230g ground almonds 2 tsp baking powder 40g flaked almonds
" UPVDI .JEEMF &BTUFSO JO nBWPVST UIJT large, round cake happens to be wheatand sugar-free. Usually I’m not a massive advocate of abstinence in baking but in this instance you will miss nothing and there are no foolish substitutes either. It’s soft and light, golden from the honey and, with moist crumbs from the ground almonds, an absolute treat, perfect for the month of December. Bake one of these, eat the lot and you won’t even need to feel bad about the coming gluttony (not that you remotely should)...
can seep a little butter when baking. Warm the dates in a small pan with 50ml of water for a few minutes. Set aside so that they absorb the liquid. Beat together the butter and honey in a large metal bowl. We use an electric handheld mixer. Add the eggs one at a time, again using the electric mixer. Fold in the dates and any liquid, using a slotted spoon. Finally, fold in the ground almonds, rice flour and baking powder. Spoon the mixture out into the cake tin and scatter with almonds. Place in the oven for 25 minutes and then swiftly place some foil over the cake so that it doesn’t catch or burn. Continue to bake for a further 50 minutes. Turn off the oven and leave the cake for a further 10 minutes to cool slowly. Dish up with some natural yogurt.
All the ingredients are easily bought at Nour Cash and Carry. Ask Mr Shaheen which are the juiciest dates in stock. And best of all, the cake will only demand one bowl, which means less washing-up. Preheat the oven to 180C and line a 23cm spring-form cake tin. Place a large baking sheet in the bottom of the oven as the cake
Rosie Lovell runs Rosie’s Deli Cafe, 14 Market Row and has written two cookbooks. Visit www.rosiesdelicafe.com.
Foodie news c Unit 79 Brixton Village on Coldharbour Lane SW9 8PS
W is h c u sto m i n g o u r t h i n g s e rs a l l g o o d at C h r ist the be st n ew m a s & ye a r y et ur h o y l Fi l gs wit ki n ary sto c le g e n d z y u o u r n ny S c e’ ! ‘G ra e r S a u p Pep
‘By far the best jerk chicken I have ever had’ —
Brixton Blog
As we all know, Brixton is ever-changing but each month we bring you a round-up of what’s happening to keep you in the loop: Several Brixton restaurants including Rosie’s Deli and Fish, Wings n Tings are now delivering to the home – for a Rosie’s Reuben on Rye or some of Brian’s infamous codfish fritters, check out deliveroo.co.uk and search with a Brixton postcode. Can’t be bothered to make a Christmas cake this year? The folks at Salon Brixton have teamed up with Brixton Brewery to make their cakes, each containing a bottle of Effra Ale. You can order yours for £35 with a personalized decoration on it too. Hot tip for you: there is a new cafÊ/ bar called Parissi on Atlantic Road and they do the best baba ghanoush we have ever tasted, plus a whole bunch of other great mezze. The St Matthews’ Tenants and Residents Association want to set up a new community cafÊ in the Tenant’s Hall – could you be the one to help? Tweet or Facebook the St Matthews TRA group if you’re keen to help get the ball rolling. Coldharbour Lane has had a new hairdresser, new cocktail bars, and a juice bar in the last few months and now the chain Rum Kitchen have submitted a licensing application to open up next to the Bookmongers. It’ll be a Wahaca in central Brixton next. Oh wait, that already happened‌ Talking of winter months, as the chill
sets in, please don’t forget to donate to the Foodbank and help support the Brixton Soup Kitchen too. And what better present than a copy of Miss South’s brand new book? It’s packed with over 200 delicious recipes, is dedicated to the joys of slow cooking and it’s available now!
December 2014
FOOD AND DRINK 19
www.brixtonblog.com
REVIEW THIS MOROCCAN ROLL MUST BE HERE TO STAY BY LINDSAY FALLER
On the eating spectrum, there are the foods that are seasonal, organic, wholesome, sustainable and healthy – the don’t-I-feel-so-smug-for-eatingthis fare. On the other there are the obvious filthy foods – the mac n’ cheese, burgers, fried chicken, kebabs – that are unabashedly dirty. They make no excuses for the fact that they are hugely calorific, high in fat and perhaps questionable in the meat sourcing department; in fact, they embrace their role as the foods we love to eat but know we shouldn’t. We treat the former as something holy, the latter to sate our darker selves. And rather pleasingly, there is a place in Brixton that embraces both. The Moroccan Café resides on a spot that each one of us has walked passed several times and, in all likelihood, rarely noticed. The unassuming facades of the shops and cafés lining Brixton Station Road are full of treats, but before I discovered the beautiful pastries from Café Max, the tasty coffee at Shawl Café, and the little internet café next door that does printing, I had never ventured into
many of them. Yet the quiet nature of the Moroccan Café was on my radar for several months, with murmurings that the food there needed to be tried. Lunchtimes are busy – the few tables within the small interior under the arch are full; a street food van parked on the pavement outside grills their meat and vegetables. Different languages are spoken, mostly Arabic and Spanish, with English dotted around. The server at the counter is clearly proud of his offerings – he suggests a skewered lamb in a baguette and we also order a lemon chicken wrap and some lentil soup. The soup is served straight away with bread. Hearty lentils are perfectly cooked in stock and cumin, with carrot and onion and some refreshing parsley - a simple but staple dish that provides comfort at such a basic level. Wholesome, nourishing, healthy, I congratulate myself internally on such a good choice. Next, the sandwich and wrap arrives and the meal takes a decidedly dirtier turn. In the sandwich, the tender lamb tastes marvellously of the grill. The baguette was fresh and
crunchy and comes with creamy herby garlic and spicy harissa sauces. These elements on their own would be enough, but the Moroccan Café takes it a step further and adds fries. I have seen this before with merguez sausages, but not skewered lamb. This ribald combination of the succulent lamb, the crunchy bread, the savoury sauces and the salty fries make me want to eat continually, all the while knowing I should probably stop. Immediately. Lunchtime on a Tuesday does not justify such racy eating. The lemon chicken sounded more virtuous, and we dive into the flatbread wrap. Chicken is cooked with lemons, rind and all, and the resulting flavour is somewhat brash, but still tasty. Even with the saintly addition of salad, it is still enough to render me feeling a touch naughty, knowing that it would be even better under more imbibed circumstances. Dipping into irreverence is what makes eating so much fun. I like to think that I’m in the first camp that prefers organic and free-range food that has been handpicked by virgins
and while the Moroccan Café can do healthy, let’s face it, we all need a bit of dirty fare in our lives. Now you know where to get it.
Lunch for two including service, no drinks, £11.50 Lindsay blogs at blondevsbland.com
20 FOOD AND DRINK
www.brixtonblog.com
December 2014
BY MISS SOUTH
RECIPE LEBKUCHEN WITH LOVE 250g plain flour 85g ground almonds 2 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground cloves, black pepper, nutmeg, mace, allspice (use all or just which ones you have) 1 tsp baking powder
Lebkuchen were originally created by German monks 900 years ago. Follow this age-old Christmas tradition and impress your friends... Preheat your oven to 200C and melt the butter, honey and sugar together on the stove. Measure your dry ingredients into a large bowl and then add the liquid when completely melted. Combine together well until a slightly fudgy dough. This should take about 5 minutes. Pinch off walnut-sized pieces of the dough, roll into a ball and then flatten out on a lined baking tray, leaving enough room to spread out slightly. The dough should yield about 30 cookies so you’ll probably only be able to bake half at one time. Cover the dough to stop it drying out in this case. You can also freeze the cookies and simply cook for a minute or two longer when needed. Just put some
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda 200ml clear honey or 100ml honey and 100g dark brown sugar 85g butter 1 lemon, finely grated zest FOR THE ICING 100g icing sugar 1 egg white, beaten greaseproof paper between them when freezing. You want to cook the biscuits until golden and still slightly soft so check after 10 minutes but don’t be surprised if they need up to 15 minutes. Leave them on the tray for about 2 minutes to firm slightly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool for about 15 minutes so you can ice them. The icing is firmer with the egg white and less likely to drip, but if it’s a waste of an egg for you, just mix the icing sugar into a stiffish paste with some water and use that instead with the back of a teaspoon or a pastry brush. Allow to dry for a moment or two and then get stuck in! These are equally good with a cup of tea as with some mulled wine. They are soft and chewy, thanks to the almonds, with a warming tingle of spice than knocks the shop-bought
ones into a cocked hat. Simple enough to make with the kids, they’ll impress everyone this Christmas and
keep well in a tin if you happen to have any left over - this is rather unlikely though!
Adapted from BBC Good Food, this recipe originally appeared on Brixton Blog in December 2011.
Brixton Bugle AD_AW.pdf 1 19/11/2014 10:42:01
C
M
Y
SPOIL YOURSELF AND THOSE AROUND YOU THIS SEASON WITH OUR MOREISH TRADITIONAL SPANISH NOUGAT, BOMBONES GOATS’ CHEESE, AND OUR RANGE OF INCREDIBLE HAMS.
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
For those eating in our cafe bar this month, enjoy a Spanish twist on scotch eggs and a spirit raising glass of aromatic mulled wine.
For information about our ham schools email brixtonshop@brindisa.com For the cafe/bar email brixtoncafe@brindisa.com CAFE, BAR AND SHOP 41-43 ATLANTIC ROAD, BRIXTON SW98JL
To advertise here email ads@brixtonblog.com Or call us on 0203 730 1312
December 2014
www.brixtonblog.com
ARTS & CULTURE 21
CHRISTMAS MEAT & VEGGIES I never tire of the choice of fruit and vegetables in Brixton and curse when I have to go to the supermarket instead, but it can be overwhelming to know where to go with so many options around. Here’s a useful guide on where is good for what, especially at Christmas: Nour Cash and Carry, Market Row: if the Nour doesn’t stock it I’d be surprised. They keep everything and the choice and turnover change daily to serve a huge clientele. Look out for winter staples such Brussel sprouts, kale and shallots. You’ll also find well priced bunches of fresh herbs and a good selection of pumpkin. A&C Deli, 3 Atlantic Road: the place in Brixton for persimmons, fresh chestnuts and quinces. They also stock Jerusalem artichokes, small crunchy cucumbers and giant Portobello mushrooms. Don’t miss the dried fruits as well. Terry’s, Electric Avenue: this stall is found
on the Market Row corner of Electric Lane and Electric Avenue. A real South London Cockney, Terry buys daily from New Covent Garden and will order items for you if you smile sweetly. Perfect for parsnips and swedes. Phil’s Fruit + Veg, 1st Avenue, Brixton Village: the best place around from freshly cut yams and a selection of sweet potatoes. Also good for green banana and plantain. Phil supplies many of the restaurants in the Village. Fruit and veg stall, under bridge at Pope’s Road and Atlantic Road: this stall is excellent for fruit all year round at great prices. Lovely apples, pears, plums and a variety of oranges for your stocking at this time of year. Brindisa, 41-43 Atlantic Road: a stunning variety of peppers, chillis, salad leaves, heritage root vegetables and fresh nuts this is just the place to treat yourself at Christmas.
For many people, the centrepiece of the Christmas meal involves meat and throughout the year, the most common question people ask me about food in Brixton is what butcher I use. I’ve combined the two things into a festive guide. I use a mix and match approach to meat shopping in the area and use 3 or 4 butchers depending what I’m after. See my tips below: Dombey’s, Market Row sell beautiful smoked hams big enough to feed the hungriest of families over the festive period. You’ll see them hanging up from the middle of December with their dark smoky coating in the Caribbean style (as seen in the photo). You can also get your turkey from here, but order both soon as the queues are huge close to the big day. They are now stocking duck as well. The staff are friendly and give excellent advice on weights and techniques. They open on Mondays in December.
PJ Horwoods, 1st Avenue Brixton Village (Pope’s Rd exit) are excellent for sausages for your stuffing and cuts such as ribs and brisket for slow cooked meals coming up to Christmas and New Year. They can order things for you and will cut and trim to your standards. Make sure you allow plenty of time to stand behind the very exacting old ladies who shop here. Closed Mondays. Las Americas, 1st Avenue Brixton Village (by Honest Burger) known as the Colombian butcher to everyone, this is a must shop for me. I buy their picanha steak and ask them to slice into thick steaks for me. Spiral cut for great flavour and texture, it’s a cut above fillet for me at only £15 a kilo. I also get salted pork here to for New Year dishes with black eyed peas and tripe to make mondongo which is Colombia’s hangover cure. Don’t miss the chorizo Colombiano for a Boxing Day fry up.
22 WHAT’S ON
www.brixtonblog.com
December 2014
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTIES DONNA WILSON PICKS HER BRIXTON TOP FIVE SAT 6 @ BRIXTON STATION RD
Christmas comes early to Brixton Market’s Small Business Saturday. Tree Shepherd supports 20 businesses a great way to get all your present shopping done at once.
SAT 6 @ UPSTAIRS AT RITZY
Live red hot Afro-Latin sounds with Grupo Lokito (live) with the quickswitch, super eclectic ‘Sounds of the World’ DJ Relay. Free.
SUN 7 @ BROCKWELL HALL We’ve all stood outside in the miserable rain, wrestling the majority of London to get anywhere near the Thames, in order UP TFF #PSJT T OPX UJDLFUFE mSFXPSLT PS TFUUJOH #VDLJOHIBN 1BMBDF PO mSF PS XIBUFWFS IBJS CSBJOFE TDIFNF JU JT UIJT ZFBS PS stood with a warm glass of cava watching a miscellaneous family GSJFOE TFU PGG B b HMPSJmFE QBSUZ QPQQFS XIJMF FYQFDUJOH ZPV to look impressed... Thanks to Gold Teeth DJs for painting that frankly depressing picture of what we could expect this NYE. Or you could take your pick from what’s on offer closer to home...
Friends of Brockwell Park Winter Fair. Get in the mood for Yule at this popular festive event. with cards, plants, art and clothes. All will be cheerfully helped along by Father and Mother Christmas.
HOOTANANNY Mr Benn featuring Lazarus, The Busy Twist, The Drop and Brassroots
that opens today until 20 December. ‘Emancipation was the beginning of a long and laborious road towards freedom. This exhibition celebrates the acts of courage and resistance which laid the freedom many of us enjoy today.’
East Londoners Brassroots are a nine-piece brass band fusing an eclectic collection of musical genres that will certainly have you up and dancing. The Drop, also a nine-piece, offer a unique approach to reggae, marrying jump-up grooves, down-and-dirty bass and clever lyrics. London-based duo The Busy Twist create African-inpsired bass music, mixing South African house, Kuduro and UK funk. Finally, Mr Benn featuring Eva Lazarus offers up an unmistakable blend of skankin’ reggae grooves and the chunkiest of hip hop beats for dancehall, dance floor chaos. £12/15/20, 9pm-5am, entry only with valid ID.
working in collaboration with Raw Material to deliver a free music and drama project for 11-17s in Brixton. Come to this taster workshop at 2 Robsart Street between 4.30pm and 6.30pm to apply for a place on the project, which is in February 2015.
THURS 11 @ DOGSTAR
have been sending fans wild with tenacious new tracks along with classic ammunition. Doors at 7pm, ÂŁ21 plus booking fee.
SUN 14 @ UPSTAIRS AT RITZY.
Launch of Meloncholy’s Miserable Winter Art Exhibition.
Dogstar Comedy. Join London’s funniest acts in the comfort of the ballroom. A perfect way to spend a Thursday night and it’s only a fiver. Doors at 8pm.
WED 17 @ O2 ACADEMY BRIXTON
FRI 12 @ BRIXTON MARKET
THURS 18 @ HOOTANANNY
Trader Stuart Horwood unveils his redesigned market stall at an event with local artist Mari Reijnders, sponsored by Brixton Brewery.
MON 9 @ THE BLACK CULTURAL ARCHIVES
XFM Winter Wonderland with Frank Turner, Billy Bragg, The Horrors, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Billy the Kid and To Kill a King. Doors 5.30pm. Cecil Reuben presents a Roots Rock Reggae special with Sister Sunrize and Fatsey Dee, backed by the Borderline Band and residents JahRevelationMuzik. 9pm- 2am, ÂŁ3.
SAT 13 @ BROCKWELL COMMUNITY GREENHOUSES SAT 20 @ DULWICH HAMLET Making Freedom is a free exhibition Christmas Craft Workshop. Get ready FOOTBALL CLUB
TUES 9 @ RAW MATERIAL
English National Opera (ENO) is
to decorate your house using natural ingredients at this family workshop. ÂŁ5 per child, booking essential.
Come and support your local team play against Witham Town. Kick-off is at 3pm.
SAT 13 @ ELECTRIC BRIXTON
SAT 20 @ ELECTRIC BRIXTON
Local stalwarts Alabama 3. Get back to church, the twisted circus is back in town. This is the band’s homecoming gig after a 19-date tour around the country, where they
XOYO Winter Series, including Fake Blood, Alex Metric, Aeroplane, H Jonas Rathman, Jax Jones, Kiwi and Very Special Guest to be announced. 10pm-6am, ÂŁ13.50 plus booking fee.
ELECTRIC BRIXTON Black Butter Records
Black Butter Records, home to chart-toppers Rudimental, Jess Glynne, Gorgon City and many more, celebrate another remarkable year by throwing their biggest London party of the year on New Year’s Eve. Black Butter family royalty Kidnap Kid, My Nu Leng, Woz and Wayward will all be bringing their unique and differing sounds to the table, alongside an extremely special final appearance from arguably one of the most celebrated pioneers of UK dance music, Zed Bias. 9pm-6am.
O2 ACADEMY, UKF and electronic music superstars
With an established track record of sold-out events, UKF gathers on stage both renowned DJs and tomorrow’s megastars. UKF is now clearly more than ‘just’ a groundbreaking innovative label. Thousands of Londoners will flock to enjoy this all-night party where the biggest names in electronic music will take centre stage. Headlining is true global superstar Sub Focus who has cemented himself at the top of the electronic music world. Supporting will be top dance act Sigma; Belgian duo Camo & Krooked; drum and bass from Calyx and Toynbee, plus many more. 9pm-6am.
THE POW Gilles Peterson, Simbad, Eskimo Twins
After the sell-out success of the last three years with Derrick Carter, Todd Terje and Greg Wilson, POW welcomes back legendary crate digger and BBC 6 Music favourite Gilles Peterson to headline their NYE party, alongside regular cohort Simbad, whilst the Eskimo Twins head up affairs in the boudoir. Starting off life as a club DJ, Gilles continues to spin passionately around the world. From Kazakhstan to Hackney, Istanbul, New York, Beijing and beyond‌ he has always seen himself as selector of discs for the dance! From £15, 9pm-6am.
THE JAMM Added Gin, Gold Teeth DJs, Sonic, Future Funk Airlines
Expect mental New Year’s Eve stuff at this great party (think confetti cannons, coconut shies, bucking broncos, vodka luge... ) and music that includes 90s Hip Hop,Garage, House, RnB, Funk, Soul, Rock, 60’s. You name it, they’ll play it. In the Rave Dungeon will be Added Gin and Gold Teeth DJs, while in the Ballroom Bar there’s Sonic and Future Funk Airlines. 9pm-6am, £10-£22.50. Over 18’s Only I.D required.
On the evening of Thursday December 11, Impact Hub Brixton is hosting a lively Christmas party in partnership
with Lambeth Council and the Brixton Pound. The Hub will be transformed into a festive market, where local traders from the Hub, council and Lambeth at large will be selling their creations. Vats of steaming mulled wine and trays of mince pies will be on offer, and local school children will provide the music. It’s free to attend but tickets are limited. Go to brixton.impacthub.net
WHAT’S ON 23
www.brixtonblog.com
December 2014
Your only free community newspaper
Your only free community newspaper
Your only free community newspaper
Your only free community newspaper
What’s On is edited by Soup kitchen at Christmas How YOU can help p9
Shop local this festive season Illustrated guide, p12-13
Edition 17 FREE
Christmas 2013
No need for new ‘Brixton Yard’ market say traders BY TIM DICKENS
Market traders have spoken out against plans for a new market made up of disused shipping containers in central Brixton. Developers want to turn a small patch of land behind the former Brady’s Pub in Atlantic Road, Brixton into a retail space with 13 containers. Guarav Mohindra, from Iridium Assets Ltd, has applied to Lambeth to build the site, which would be known as “Brixton Yard”. The developers claim the market would include goods like fashion and jewellery, but not food. It will include 30 units based in metal shipping containers, varying between 8ft and 40ft in length. But current market traders have disputed the need for more market space. CEO of Brixton Market Trader’s Federation, Stuart Horwood, told The Brixton Bugle: “This is simply something that Brixton doesn’t need and I’d urge Lambeth not to grant change of use.” He added: “The covered market may be full but the demand there is for restaurants and food. These guys want to have a trinkets and
jewellery market – and the fact is there is already the outdoor market around the corner which is running at only 80% capacity. So there just isn’t the demand for this new market.” The scheme echoes a retail development called Boxpark in Shoreditch, east London. It has an entrance gate next to the railway bridge on Atlantic Road, and another on Electric Lane. In a supporting statement to Lambeth council, a spokesman for Iridium Assets Ltd wrote: “The site is currently derelict. The immediately surrounding areas offer a
STALLS: Sign in Atlantic Rd
diverse selection of shops and market stalls, which give this particular part of Brixton its unique and colourful character.” They added: “The Yard would provide much needed extra space to the neighbouring Brixton Market, which is currently running to its full capacity.” The land was formerly owned by Transport for London, as it includes an air vent for the Tube station below, but The Bugle understands it has since been bought by Iridium Assets Ltd. The historic Brady’s pub is currently being developed into flats on the upper floors and the restaurant chain Wahaca is set to open on the ground floor. The development of the pub, once called the Railway Hotel, came despite a long-running campaign by locals who wanted to take ownership from Lambeth council and run it as a community space. Residents have until December 3 to give their comments on the scheme, and Lambeth council are set to make a decision over the change of land use to retail by January 7. For more detail and reaction visit www.brixtonblog.com
Stars are born
FACES OF CRESSINGHAM Eritrea, fashion & Italy p11
Edition 21 FREE
May 2014
Rec boxing club gets go-ahead
Inside:
A new boxing club has been launched at the Brixton Recreation Centre following a highly successful community campaign. The club was given the go-ahead by Lambeth council and the Rec’s operators, Greenwich Leisure, after a petition to support it gathered nearly 1,000 signatures. The campaign was spearheaded by Brixton-based football training club Afewee and it has been a long struggle to get the agreement of both the council and the Rec. Steadman Scott, founder of Afewee, said: “Brixton has always celebrated boxing stars when they visit and now we can find and support the next generation of local grown talent.” Afewee is already an established name through its football coaching, which has earned a reputation for pro-
BAKING NEW GROUND: Gordon Ramsay’s Bad Boys’ Bakery at Brixton Prison goes from strength to strength. News, p7
ducing talented young players, many of whom can now be found in the academies of London’s top-flight teams. AJ Carter, Afewee’s unbeaten professional heavyweight boxer, demonstrated his technique and sparred with youngsters at the club’s launch event on April 27. He said: “Afewee helped me to put my life back on track and I’m now well on the way to achieving my boxing dream. “This is a great opportunity for local youngsters to find out what boxing’s about and how that focus and discipline can change your life.” A screening of Uncle Steadman, which depicts Steadman Scott’s inspirational life story, spurred the campaign for the club. Scott called the launch a “real milestone.” He also thanked Greenwich Leisure and Lambeth council for their support.
For more images from the launch and details of open training visit www. brixtonblog.com. Above: AJ Carter. spars with a new reruit. Right: Steadman Scott (Kneeling) with club members and coaches
DAILY BREAD: The Village’s Foccaccia offers quality ingredients and fresh flavours prepared in simple fashion. Review, p19
Your only free community newspaper
WIN: SIGNED COOKBOOK CRESSINGHAM GARDENS Brixton Village Recipes p22 All smiles for Charles p17 Edition 23 FREE
Celebration time
July 2014
Inside:
Country Show is set to mark 40 years of summer fun in spectacular style South London is gearing up for its biggest event of the year, as the Lambeth Country Show celebrates its 40th anniversary this month. More than 150,000 revellers of all ages are expected to descend on Brockwell Park for the bash on July 19 and 20. The two-day festival, open from 11am until 7pm on Saturday and Sunday, will see the usual mix of animals, rural pursuits, reggae and legendary cider. Lambeth council leader Lib Peck said: “The Country Show really is the highlight of the year. “It attracts a huge variety of people to Lambeth from all over London and is a great way to celebrate the diversity and welcoming nature of our wonderful borough.” Music-wise, this year they’ve pulled out all the stops with the live line-up. Saturday sees Afro-beat funksters Yaaba Funk; premier live drum and bass act NZ Shapeshifter, followed by USA R & B dance diva Jocelyn Brown.
Roots Day on Sunday kicks off with powerful, potent Black Roots from Bristol. Ex-Specials member and Brixton resident Jerry Dammers selects his favourite tunes from the last 40 years and plays a special Nelson Mandela tribute. To round things off, the icing on the 40th birthday cake will be Aswad - representing 40 years of British reggae music and playing all their favourite hits. Visitors can also take in a spot of horse jousting or camel-racing, as well as the ever-popular vegetable sculpture competition, horticulture displays and some of South London’s finest street food. The council has asked for donations to support the event. For a full line-up and interviews and more details visit www.brixtonblog.com.
ART OUTSIDE: From Tube train graffiti to Water Lane watercolours, your guide to this year’s fabulous Urban Art fair. What’s on, p24
40 years of the Lambeth Country Show in posters, p11. Right: A performer thanks the crowds at last year’s show
www.brixtonblog.com
February 2014
Council cuts police fund BY KAYE WIGGINS
Lambeth council has unveiled plans to cut half a million pounds in funding for police community support officers (PCSOs) as part of a tough plan to slash its budget by £25m in the next year. Under the proposals, which are set out in the council’s draft budget, council tax will remain frozen for a sixth year but services including debt advice, arts funding and rubbish collection will be cut back. The council will end a £530,000 contract which pays the salaries of 23 PCSOs, mainly based in Brixton.
Cllr Jack Hopkins, cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, told the Bugle: “There could be a reduction in PCSO presence in Brixton. Every cut is a worry and we know that seeing uniformed officers on the street is really important, but why should we be subsidising police cuts?” However, Lambeth borough commander Matt Bell said although the council is cutting funding the officers would not leave the Lambeth area: “The PCSOs in question will remain in the borough targeting anti-social behaviour, preventing crime and making our streets safer.”
WORRY: Cllr Jack Hopkins said the council should be subsidising the police
COME TOGETHER Spring Sessions pictures p10
@brixtonblog
WE MEAN BUSINESS: A four-page pull-out and keep section from the Brixton BID, shining the light on some ace local traders... p13-16
Which popular cafe has relocated? News p 7
Edition 18 FREE
These angelic youngsters, from Corpus Christi school, Trent Road, are among the Brixton schoolchildren getting ready for the Christmas play season. Read more inside our bumper festive edition!
Your only free community newspaper
BY OWEN PINNELL
Mamma Mia! Meet the Italians of Brixton p 9
How the flood boosted Herne Hill community
‘PCSOs will stay in Lambeth’ Matt Bell
Lee Jasper, from the Community Police Consultative Group, told The Bugle it would be ‘crazy’ to cut PCSOs in Brixton. He added: “In these tough economic circumstances there’s an increase in acquisitive crime so it’s a false economy to be cutting police presence. “It’ll cost the council more to tackle the crime than it would to pay for the PCSOs.” Other cuts proposed in the council’s draft budget include reviewing the posts of all staff working with vulnerable children, in a bid to save £1.2m. The council will also reduce its advice and debt support services. Its draft budget says there will be “greater focus on preventing problems and intervening early before debt and arrears become unmanageable.” It will cut £110,000 from arts groups and aim to save just under £4m by reducing its own layers of management and its workforce costs. The council’s proposals will be voted on at a meeting at Lambeth Town Hall on February 26.
Six months after a burst water main left parts of Herne Hill under a metre of water, we meet the traders forced to rebuild their business from scratch. Focus: p11-14
INSIDE...
in conjunction with the Herne Hill Forum
Tweet us @brixtonblog Facebook ‘Brixton Blog’
Rhubarb recipe
Nicholas Balfe cooks, p18 Edition 19
FREE
Be Atwell, Musician Five of the Best p8
March 2014
‘Catastrophic’ budget to hit vulnerable hard Millions of pounds will be cut from support for elderly and disabled people and vulnerable children, under what Lambeth council describes as “one of the most challenging budgets in its history”. In a move criticised by campaigners as “bad for older people and bad for younger people” the council has drawn up plans to cut more than £4m, or four per cent, from its budgets for helping older, disabled and vulnerable adults over the next year. Councillors were expected to pass the plans on Wednesday (February 26), as The Brixton Bugle went to press. Almost £1m of these savings come from cutting the use of residential care, which the council hopes to achieve by encouraging residents to stay at home and live independently for longer. Chris Blake, from the campaign group Lambeth Save Our Services, said: “This budget is bad for older people who need residential care. It’s bad for younger people who depend on children’s services.
bad situation much worse.” A further £3.9m, or 6%, will be cut from services for children and young people. It is not clear how many jobs will be axed. This includes a review of all staff working with vulnerable children, which aims to save £1.2m. The measures are part of a
package that aims to cut £25m from the budget in 2014/15. Cllr Lib Peck, Lambeth council leader, said: “The scale of the Government cuts is so great that it is inevitable that every area of the council will be affected. But we are determined to protect Continued on page 5...
If you’d like to join
BY NISHA DAMJI
A volunteer takes us behind the scenes at the inspirational Baytree Centre. Features, p10
ANGRY: Pensioners demonstrate against earlier cuts in Windrush Square, Brixton
April 2014
Cinema living wage fight Inside:
Inside:
We have sushi at an old skool Brixton classic, Fujiyama, and find it is still as good as ever. Review, p19
“But where it is truly catastrophic is housing. Brixton currently has a desperate shortage of housing that people on ordinary incomes can afford. The council is currently selling social housing owned by the short-life housing co-ops and cutting the social housing budget. This will make a
London Marathon Heroes
Meet Lambeth’s Runners p5 Phoebe Robertson.
Edition 20 FREE
BY ZOE JEWELL AND KAYE WIGGINS
HOW DO YOU READ YOURS? Tweet us pics of your Bugle in odd places for a chance to win a Brixton Blog bag @brixtonblog
Critically acclaimed English film director, Ken Loach, has defended staff at Ritzy who are in a dispute with bosses at Picturehouses over pay. Union members are being balloted over strike action after Picturehouse Cinemas refused a pay increase for all staff in line with the London Living Wage (LLW), currently £8.80 per hour. Front of house staff are paid £7.24 per hour with supervisors getting an additional 50p. In a letter to the cinema’s owners, Loach said: “Everyone has the right to a living wage. “It is sad and shocking that the Ritzy Cinema, which has an image of being radical and progressive, should fail to do this”. Members of BECTU, the UK’s media and entertainment trade union, have been in long running talks with their employers over the pay rise. The LLW is calculated according to the basic cost of living in London and those in favour of the Living Wage say that it benefits business, the individual and society. Nia Hughes, branch secretary for BECTU, who also works at the cinema, said: “We don’t want to go on strike, we don’t want to be having these meetings but we are left with no choice as the company will not budge”.
the What’s On team,
LUNCH AT THE LIDO: Food Editor Lindsay Faller takes lunch by the calming waters of Brockwell Lido. Review, p19
either to review, The union is looking to secure the LLW as the minimum rate for all workers at the cinema, and for Picturehouse Cinemas to commit to continue paying it going forward. Hughes added: “That ensures people who work here in the future will all earn a reasonable wage.” Staff have also received support from local activists from the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC). A spokesperson for Picturehouse Cinemas said: “We have always tried to be a fair employer that pays fair rates, and we
are one of the highest paying employers in Brixton and in the cinema industry.” “It is important that everyone has their say, but industrial action will not speed up the process towards better pay for everyone – in fact it could well hinder our aims for this.” The ballot closes on Monday March 31 and campaigners urged readers to support them by following @RitzyLivingWage or by visiting www.facebook.com/ RitzyLivingWage
preview or interview,
HILL MEAD HERALD: Brixton youngsters guest edit their own page to bring us their news. Schools, p15
HOW DO YOU READ YOURS?
please contact
Tweet us pics of your Bugle in odd places for a chance to win a Brixton Blog bag @brixtonblog
RIGHT: Director Ken Loach
Phoebe@brixtonblog.com
Year in review Another year is coming to an end all to soon and as usual our lively corner of London has been been action-packed. After months of strikes, stand-offs and stalemates the staff at the Ritzy finally won their battle to get the Living Wage. Elsewhere it’s been Regeneration Regeneration Regeneration, with Future Brixton plans and the Town Hall looking set to be transformed. Inside the Town Hall itself it’s also been all change, as the May local elections saw the LIb Dems becoming an endangered species ion the council. On a lighter note Brixton Village has continued to go from strength to strength with people flocking from all over London to sample its tasty treats and cool cocktails. And it was a summer to remember in more ways than one as rain stopped play at the Lambeth Country Show and Splash made another joyful impact on our community’s party-loving spirit. We can’t believe we’re nary hallway through the second decade of the 21st century. But whatever’s in store for us Brixtonites next year you can be sure your trusty Blog and Bugle will be there to cover it.
Your only free community newspaper
Soup Kitchen gig Music interview, p16
Your only free community newspaper
WIN: SIGNED COOKBOOK URBAN ROOTS @ CLUB 414 Brixton Village Recipes p18 Your ultimate listings p20 Edition 21 FREE
May 2014
Lib Dems wiped Inside: off Lambeth map The Liberal Democrats have been wiped off the political map in Lambeth, failing to gain a single seat in the borough’s local elections. The party lost 14 of its 15 seats to Labour in the poll on May 22, while the Conservatives fell to just three councillors, all in Clapham Common ward. The Green party took the 15th Lib Dem seat, as Scott Ainslie bagged 11 per cent of the votes in St Leonard, Streatham. Speaking to the Brixton Bugle after the results, a stoical Liberal Democrats leader Alex Davies thanked his “hard-working” colleagues for their time on the council. He said: “In the last four years is has been the Liberal Democrats as the opposition that has held the Labour council to account, for everything from the budget to planning applications and housing issues. “The council is going to make some big decisions, but it’s going to be very difficult indeed for the it to be held to account now.”
The election, which had a turnout of just 32 per cent in the borough, left a surging Labour party with 59 of the 63 seats up for grabs. Cllr Lib Peck, Lambeth council leader, said she was delighted with the result: “It’s a ringing endorsement of the last administration’s sound financial management, successful lobbying and push to Continued on p2
SUMMER IN THE CITY p12-13 Your double page guide to enjoying the sunshine in and around Brixton
Totally Tedx Talks
TedX Brixton, an event for local people to give inspiring talks to their community, is gearing up for its main summer event by holding a Kick Off day in Lambeth Town Hall on June 7. All are welcome to the warm up gig. Turn to page 5 for more info. DELIGHT: Labour leader Lib Peck
www.brixtonblog.com @brixtonblog
MAXI JAZZ INTERVIEW p17 New music editor Phoebe Robertson catches up with Faithless legend Maxi Jazz ahead of his Electric fundraiser
Your only free community newspaper
Your only free community newspaper
Your only
FR
EE commun newspaperity
INSIDE...
Little brother to Brixtonblog.com
BRIXTONBugle THE
Edition 27 | November 2014 | FREE
WHEELIE GOOD SOUP KITCHEN Cycle stars at velodrome p27 Party at brand new centre p4 Edition 24 FREE
Splash is back
August 2014
Inside...
only £540 out of the £20,000 goal had been raised, which means they will not receive any of the money donated according to the rules of the crowdfunding site. But despite the financial challenges Splash organisers have succeeded in getting together a stellar line up for the day. Musicians playing on the main stage include Endurance Steel Band, Hya P, Queen Addi and Shumba Youth. Soundsystems on Coldharbour Lane and Atlantic Road will host RnB, reggae, house and world music DJs. In St Matthews Peace Garden, a craft market and ‘family village’ will be set up with arts activities for kids and adults alike. If your feet aren’t too weary after all that partying and eating, then get along to the official after party at Prince of Wales Brixton, which includes a three-hour set by Norman Jay and DJing from Don Letts, Wrongtom and Count Skylarkin. www.brixtonsplash.org
www.brixtonblog.com
BCA LAUNCH: Brixton hits Windrush Square for the longawaited launch of the £7million Black Cultural Archives. News, p5
@brixtonblog
Edition 25 FREE
September 2014
Tower block fears
Inside...
for Brixton Hill
Thousands set to descend on south London street festival The Ting bottles are at the ready, food stalls are being prepped, the music tunes lined up: Brixton’s favourite street festival hits the town centre this Sunday, August 3, with a packed line-up of events, soundsystems and family activities. The free festival, now in its eighth year, was launched to showcase Brixton’s diversity and attracts thousands of visitors every year to dance, eat and sing in the Brixton sun. Jo Birch-Phaure, from Brixton Splash, told the Bugle: “The festival is the epitome of cool and is well-loved by the Caribbean diaspora that call Brixton or south London home, as well as hipsters and music fans. It is one day in the summer where all of London’s communities can come together in peace over good music and great food!” Splash experienced major funding cuts this year and organisers launched a crowdfunding initiative in May to encourage the public to donate to the event. At the time of going to press
CALLING MS CUPCAKE! PRIDE OF SOUTH LONDON BID means business p13 Film inspired by local p12
SUNSHINE AND SHOWERS: Some 100,000 of us revelled in the July heat of Lambeth Country Show - until that summer storm. We’ve got two pages crammed with your pictures. In Pictures, p6-7
A 22-storey tower block could soon loom high over central Brixton, under draft plans revealed by Lambeth council. The building would replace the current Hambrook House as part of the Your New Town Hall development, which will see council office space and hundreds of flats created on the site of four council-owned buildings. Lambeth boasts the development of the new town hall campus will preserve the historic town hall while creating a new council office, community space and hundreds of building jobs for local people. They also say they “aim” for 40 per cent of the 272 new homes to be “affordable”, but have failed to provide any guarantees. The proposals are currently under consultation by residents, with a planning application expected early next year. Writing in The Brixton Bugle this month, Bill Linskey said:
“Why does there have to be so much redevelopment in the centre disrupting parts that should be left to develop organically? “Why such overdevelopment at the Town Hall site that we are to have a 22-storey block of flats looming over St. Matthew’s Church and the Town Hall?” The mystery tower block, spotted by the Inside Lambeth blog last month, appeared on the latest plans published by developers Muse, and can be seen on their website at yournewtownhall.org. In the initial plan, illustrations showed a less imposing ninestorey housing block. Under current proposals Town Hall Parade, Olive Morris House and Hambrook House will all be demolished to make way for housing or offices. Ivor House, in Acre Lane, will be “refurbished” for new homes and the Wanless Road site in Loughborough Junction will be developed as flats.
ST MATTHEWS PROJECT AT 10: We’re there as the inspirational football project celebrates its first decade supporting local young people. Sports, p24
Cllr Paul McGlone, deputy leader of Lambeth council (Finance & Investment), said: “The image shows just one of several options for the Your New Town Hall project, which we are still consulting on with residents. There
www.brixtonblog.com
is currently a public exhibition on display in Lambeth Town Hall and I’d encourage everyone to come and have their say.” COMMENT: Future Brixton, the bigger picture, p9. HERE’S TO THE FUTURE: There are
@brixtonblog
some major improvements destined for Brixton Recreation Centre in the next few years. Max MacBride heads down there to find out more. News Feature, p7
BLACK HISTORY MONTH- GET FIT WITH FRANKIE Win an exclusive print p10 New street fit column p26 Edition 26 FREE
£2.6m lotto jackpot for Electric Avenue
Electric Avenue, the Brixton street immortalised in song by Eddie Grant, has received a massive boost thanks to lottery funding. The Victorian road, the first shopping area in London to enjoy electric lighting, has been awarded nearly £2million by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and Lambeth council will add an extra £650,000 to the restoration pot. Lambeth says the cash will be spent on restoring the terraced buildings “to their former glory” and to support community heritage projects. Cllr Jack Hopkins, Cabinet member for Jobs & Growth, said: “I’m delighted that we have been successful in our bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £1.95million. “It would not have been possible without the support of the community, Brixton businesses and the hard work of the Brixton Heritage Regeneration Partnership. “The backing of the Heritage Lottery Fund, combined with a
council cash commitment, will boost businesses, improve the look of the area and have knockon social benefits.” Sue Bowers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund London, said: “This project makes possible the restoration of a number of buildings in the heart of Brixton town centre. “This not only strengthens and enhances the historic character of the area but it also helps to reinvigorate the local economy by bringing buildings back into productive use.” Victorian properties in the street will be restored and empty upper floor space will be brought back into use as new homes. Grants of up to 85 per cent will be available to property and business owners in the area for relevant building work. The scheme will also see £105,000 put towards community and training activities to broaden engagement with Brixton’s heritage
Ritzy workers earlier in the year campaign for the London Living Wage
BY ZOE JEWELL
TIRED: Iconic Electric Avenue to get a facelift including children and young heritage walks. COCKTAIL CRAZY: Our food team people’s workshops, a temporary For more on the plans go to heads to new small plates bar Three Brixton Museum and guided futurebrixton.org Eight Four for dinner on a bus seat.
@brixtonblog
But is the latest trendy offering just too cool for school? Review, p21
0207 274 3111 edenharper.com
Sales | Lettings | Property Management
OXJAM: Five venues around Brixton played host to one of London’s coolest charity fundraisers. News, p6
RITZY REVENGE:
MANY STAFF WILL LOSE JOBS
STREET ART: Brixton is a hub for street artists, both local and international. Features, p22
www.brixtonblog.com
It’s all about Brixton.
October 2014
Inside...
www.brixtonblog.com « @brixtonblog
>> YOUR PHOTOS, PAGE 8 >> COMMENT, PAGE 9 >> WHAT’S ON, PAGE 18 >> COLUMNS, PAGE 26 >> SPORT, PAGE 28 >>
Staff at the Ritzy have been told that as many as 34 jobs will be axed and around 50 people will have to reapply for their jobs in a terrible blow to our
much-loved local cinema. In an extraordinary move, just a few weeks after a campaign to get the Living Wage was finally resolved,
the Picturehouse company, bought by Cineworld in 2012, proposed getting rid of the positions of two managers, all eight supervisors, three technical staff, and numerous front-of-house and bar staff. All front-of-house and bar employees will be re-interviewed for their existing jobs. The union BECTU has now released a ballot for strike action and if voted through then strikes could take place as early as November 20. Some have read the move as punishment for the Ritzy campaign for the London Living Wage earlier this year. Nia Hughes, staff representative, said: “I feel like it’s a really brutal attack on a workforce. No other site is having redundancies, so it can be perceived that it is direct victimization. We will stand up to this and we will fight against any single person being made redundant.” There is no evidence of financial problems at the Ritzy and it regularly pulls in the largest monthly profits. In a document handed out to staff at the meeting, the company justified the redundancies by saying “the Ritzy currently has the lowest customer satisfaction of all the Picturehouse
cinemas”. This ‘customer satisfaction’ was measured through reports from ‘mystery shoppers’ in the period between May and September, also the period when staff were striking and campaigning for a London Living Wage. The document states: “we can deliver much better customer service if we create a multi-skilled team of people all of whom can provide whatever a customer needs”. Nia told The Bugle: “It’s incredibly confusing because we mostly have really great rapport with customers and many customers we have known for years.” Picturehouse Cinemas said: “The staff at The Ritzy recently agreed a pay package with Picturehouse Cinemas… During the negotiation process it was discussed that the amount of income available to distribute to staff would not be increasing, and that the consequence of such levels of increase to pay rates would be fewer people with more highly paid jobs. No decisions have been made.” Luminaries from Will Self to Tessa Jowell have expressed their support for the Ritzy staff.
>>>> BUGLE LAUNCHES CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN ON PAGE 3 >>>>
It’s all about Brixton.
0207 274 3111 edenharper.com
Sales | Lettings | Property Management
BRIXTON BOOZE: We take a look at the stories behind some of our area’s very own brews. Features, p10
THALI TALES: Find out what our reviewer thought of one of the Village’s best- loved eateries. Food, p23
PHOTO EXHIBITION: Great pictures spanning three decades of Afro-Caribbean funerals. Arts & Culture, p17
Lambeth College The Careers College
2015 THE YEAR TO
FRXUVHV
IEE Wiring Regulations
Flower Arranging
&DUHHU 'HYHORSPHQW Digital Camera Photography
Made to 6XSSRUWLQJ 7HDFKLQJ Measure /HDUQLQJ LQ 6FKRROV Tailoring
Barista Skills
Community Learning
Journalism
Functional Skills Career Change
Teaching ESOL
$GXOW
Special Interest
Electrical Testing
(62/
Accounting PC maintenance
Social Care Food Safety
AutoCad
Start Your Own Business
Life Drawing
Counselling Skills
BE WHAT YOU WANT TO BE
Adel Kelifa Dental Technology - BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma
Elizabeth Foss Newspaper Journalism, NCTJ Level 3 Diploma
Ben Searle Therapeutic Counselling: CPCAB Advanced Diploma
Beverly Williams
“I decided to give it a go and applied for the 24+ loan. The course made me discover many hidden skills that I did not realise I have.”
“I couldn’t have hoped for a better course to come along when it did. It got me started in my professional career. I know that without the many new skills I’ve been taught at Lambeth College I wouldn’t have had a look-in for the opportunities I have had.”
“I am proud to be a student at Lambeth College because it has motivated me, kept me focused on my goal and encouraged me to have faith in myself. Now I believe I can achieve my dream.”
“All the students get on well and support each other. There are some great characters and it’s like one big happy family. The teachers have been great right from the start and are really inspiring.”
BE WHAT YOU WANT TO BE AT THE CAREERS COLLEGE
t:
Hairdressing, Level 3 Diploma
020 7501 5000
w: www.lambethcollege.ac.uk
Lambeth College – The Careers College has a wide range of courses and qualifications designed to help you be what you want to be. Our courses start throughout January and February, across our three centres, Brixton, Clapham and Vauxhall. Apply and enrol from 5th January to secure a place and transform your future prospects. The vast majority of our learners enrol in early January, as places do fill up very quickly. This will be your year to achieve your career goals, ambitions, share your hobbies and special interests with like-minded people, improve your language and basic skills, or simply explore new learning opportunities.
COURSES FOR YOUR CAREER PC Maintenance IEE Wiring Regulations Accounting Accoutning – AAT Therapeutic Counselling Newspaper Journalism Magazine Journalism Adult Social Care English Language Teaching to Adults (ESOL) Supporting Teaching and Learning In Schools Autocad Creative Hair and Beauty Nail Technology Cutting Men’s Hair and Barbering Fashion and Photographic Makeup Barista Skills Food Safety In Catering Site Supervisory Studies Computerised Accounts Intial Verification and Testing For Electricians Site Management Periodic Inspection Counselling Studies Counselling Skills Creative Life Drawing
Did you know? The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) reported that 146,200 job vacancies last year were unfilled because of inadequate skills. The London jobs market is “booming”, with almost 10 times more jobs being created in the capital than the next best area. Centre for Cities think tank
COURSES TO IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS IT Skills For Beginners English – Functional English Maths – Functional Maths ESOL – Day (Adults) ESOL – Evening (Adults) Employability Skills For The Retail and Service Sector
Did you know? Skill-shortage vacancies have primarily resulted due to the lack of skills in oral communication, literacy and numeracy. UKCES 2014
ADULT, COMMUNITY LEARNING AND SPECIAL INTEREST COURSES Painting and Drawing Introduction To Starting Your Own Business Understanding Business Cake Making and Baking Cake Decoration Wine Appreciation World Cookery Digital Photography Digital Story Telling Fashion and Clothes Making Flower Arranging Creative Floral Art Keep Fit For Older Persons (50+) Pilates Zumba Yoga For All Soft Furnishings Introduction To Childcare and Creche Work Maths – Functional Maths Employability Skills
Did you know?
24+ Advanced Learning Loans If you’re 24 or older, you could get government money to fund a Level 3 or Level 4 course. The loan covers your tuition fees and you only pay it back when you’re earning over £21k. You’ll receive a minimum of £300 towards your fees. If you study an Access course and go straight on to complete a higher education course your 24+ loan is wiped off automatically. Not means tested! You don’t have to be in work to get the loan!
Over half the respondents had already engaged in further learning since their course and 70% of those said community learning had encouraged them. Community learning learner survey report Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) 89% of respondents said their community learning course helped ‘keep mind and body active’, rising to 94% of those with a long standing health condition. Community learning learner survey report Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) These courses are run in conjunction with Lambeth Adult Services
26 COLUMNS
www.brixtonblog.com
December 2014
GREEN
FINGERS BY ALISON ALEXANDER, BROCKWELL COMMUNITY GREENHOUSES
As the days shorten and the fiery glow of autumn turns to minimalist Scandinavian grey, many people think the gardener’s work is done until the spring. Far from it. Winter is the time to get the backbone of the garden into shape for the year ahead – getting paths laid or repaired, building raised beds and planters, sharpening tools, organising the shed and writing plant labels. If you’re lucky enough to have a greenhouse, now is the time to scrub it thoroughly to keep on top of the pests that otherwise have a cosy hiding place away from the cold. Depending on how cold the greenhouse gets, pots with ailing plants may maintain populations of greenfly, leafhoppers and whitefly ready to multiply when the weather warms up. Better to be brutal and compost plants you can easily propagate – or at least give them a severe prune - than breed trouble for next year. The same goes for the pot store. Dirty pots are home to snails and slug eggs so keep the store clean and scrub the pots. Dilute washing up liquid does the job adequately. At Brockwell Greenhouses we’ll use the winter months to teach our volunteers about garden design, tool maintenance, woodwork and botany. If you’re a community gardener yourself, keep your eyes peeled for January’s Bugle
column: in it will be details of a big gettogether at the Greenhouses with free workshops on gardening and fundraising. All of our volunteers have the chance to join in with choosing what we’ll grow for displays next year: vegetables, ornamentals, herbs and woodland plants. Usually we split afternoon sessions – we start off with practical work outside in the chill followed by a lot of hot tea inside with the seed catalogues. As well as all this tidying and what is really DIY, there are horticultural jobs to do in winter too. Before Christmas, grapevines have this year’s extension growth pruned back heavily and sideshoots trimmed. There’s plenty of pruning to do generally: mulberries in early winter, roses and fruit trees and bushes between now and February. Come late January/early February the growing session starts again as we sow seeds of long season crops like squashes, pumpkins and chillies. In amongst all this hard winter work, we’ll also take a good deal of time out for some creativity. The first creative fun will be preparing Christmas decorations to sell. We’ll be selling Christmas wreaths at Brockwell Park’s Winter Fair on Sunday %FDFNCFS o EP DPNF BMPOH UP mMM ZPVS stockings with handmade craftwork and support your local charities!
MAKE YOUR OWN FESTIVE WREATH Some tips from volunteer Kate Sebag (below) following a workshop by florist Jane Booth:
1. Gather any foliage and materials you fancy. 2. Take a wire wreath ring as your base and attach a hook to the wire with firm wire so you can hang your wreath. 3. Stuff well-moistened moss (available at garden centres) onto the ring, securing the moss by wrapping firm dark wire around it. 4. Begin to add your decorative foliage on top of your moss, again securing with dark wire. Aim to create whirls with your foliage. 5. Attach contrasting berries and other foliage again using wire. For varied textures, you can also add pine cones, dried oranges or cinnamon sticks. 6. To ensure your wreath lasts as long as possible, give it a light spray from time to time spraying both the decorative materials and the moss in your wreath too.
>>>>winter warm-up BY FRANKIE HOLAH, PERSONAL TRAINER Ahh Christmas, a time for being merry, wearing dodgy jumpers and maybe over-indulging slightly… OK, a lot. It is indeed the season of excess but I am not here to be a scrooge and tell you to avoid all the delicious things. I will most definitely be enjoying my mum’s incredible Christmas dinner and eating the chocolate money that Santa leaves me – well I wouldn’t want him to think I’m ungrateful! Instead, I thought I’d give you some ideas for staying fit and healthy during the festive season in five simple steps… 1. Avoid those festive lattes – This is the only thing I’m going to be scrooge about…sorry, not sorry! That double gingerbread latte with added whipped cream and probably a side of reindeer, sold to you in a red cup with your name spelt wrong, contains a hell of a lot of sugar – roughly 10-16 per cent of your daily allowance if you’re female. Save yourself from the unnecessary increased sugar intake and stick to a more modest Americano, cappucino or macchiato…and if you’re in Brixton make sure it’s from somewhere decent… My faves are Rosie’s and Federation Coffee… Deliciousness guaranteed, and I’m sure if you ask nicely they’ll stick your name on the cup. 2. Online Challenges – Subscribe to my YouTube channel Frankie Holah for some fun festive challenges which will help you to balance out those Christmas treats… 3. Keep it Simple – Christmas is a busy time for everyone, with family to visit, presents to
buy and I’m sure just a few parties to attend. If you think your normal training regime could take a bit of a hit, make sure that you have a simple alternative just in case this happens. Skipping all training is just silly and doing something is always better than doing nothing. If all else fails my fave moves are squats and burpees – they’re simple, effective and require minimal space… If you’re in a rush do 100… 10 squats, 10 burpees, 10 squats etc… Beginners can halve that and for advanced, add jumps to each exercise… Nice little blast for you! 4. Walk - With your shopping bags… yes, it counts as cardio and apart from the money you spend on presents, it’s FREE! Whether it’s with family, friends or getting off the bus earlier than normal, walking is a great way to add activity to your day and can make a real difference to your waistline and cardio fitness. Brockwell Park at this time of year is rather delightful and has some great hills to try if you’re after a scenic walk with an added challenge! 5. Join Team Frankie – Last but not least, get in touch about kicking off some training sessions with me… Everyone who signs up during December receives 20 per cent off when they book a 10-session block. You can end 2014 on a fabulously fit note and start 2015 with a bang and maybe a burpee or two!! Actually…l ast but not least HAVE FUN… Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas full of health and happiness! See you in 2015!! Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la… Happy training readers... go get ‘em x
December 2014
www.brixtonblog.com
COMICS 27
28 SPORT
www.brixtonblog.com
December 2014
Dulwich Hamlet boss hails tough win by club Caption garamond semibold 10pt white
BY SANDRA BROBBEY Super sub Harry Ottaway inspired a second-half fight back in Dulwich Hamlet’s 2-1 victory over Kingstonian on November 29. It was a scrappy win for Gavin Rose’s side, who fought back from 1-0 down to overcome their tough tackling opponents at Champion Hill. It was also the home debut of former Lewes midfielder Jack Dixon who signed for Hamlet in November. Tempers flared in the first half as both sides battled for midfield control and an early goal. A reckless studs-up challenge on Hamlet’s stand-in captain Michael Kamara saw Kingstonian midfielder Pelayo Pico Gomez get a yellow card in the 13th minute. The incident was followed by a furious spat between Hamlet striker Kevin James and Kingstonian’s Josh Casey. Alan Innes gave the away side the lead following a corner kick in the 33rd minute. But Hamlet hit back with a second-half equaliser from substitute Harry Ottaway in the 60th minute. Nyren Clunis helped the home side secure the three points with an 86th
minute low drive past opposition goalie Rob Tolfrey. The win saw the Pink and Blues move from fifth to fourth spot in the Ryman Premier League table. “I am pleased with how this turned out in the end”, said Hamlet boss Gavin Rose. “We did alright from the start of the game and had opportunities to score. But we didn’t take our chances, which has been the tale of our performances of late. “Going a goal down was disappointing. We had to think of something and come up with another way to hurt Kingstonian. They were quite comfortable until about 60 minutes in. “We made a few changes to the shape of the team and I thought we looked good in the last half an hour. We had a great performance from Harry Ottaway who has just come back from an injury.”
Above left: Ethan Pinnock and Phil Wilson intervene in spat between Hamlet’s Kevin James and Kingstonian’s Josh Casey. Above: Hamlet’s Jordan Hibbert and Kingstonian’s Josh Casey vying for a throw-in
Brixton Bugle Star Man: Harry Ottaway
The energetic super sub helped to revitalise the home side’s attacking display and was a handful up front.
AURAN EST T R
MANAGER GAVIN ROSE’S POST-MATCH REFLECTIONS On Hamlet’s squad and form so far
“We’ve got a good dressing room, good players
and we want to get the absolute best out of them. We want to try and work towards getting this level of performance out of the players week-in and week-out. “We know the players have the ability, so we need to work hard to make sure we can get them playing at that level. If they play at that level then we have got no doubt that we can try and win the league.”
On players who joined in November
“Some of them I know. We have got Albert Jarrett (a former Brighton player and member of Sierra Leone’s international team) who has come in. Albert came through our academy when he was 17 and had a professional career. So he is not the unknown quantity to us and some of our supporters. We had a good performance from him. Jack Dixon has just come in from Lewes FC. He did well for us today. There were good performances from everyone.”
LUNCH & DINNER T U E S D AY - S U N D AY T H R O U G H O U T D E C E M B E R EXCITING SEASONAL FEASTS, BANQUETS & SET MENUS
DINING ROOM
STORE ROOM
KEEP IT IN THE 'HOOD THIS CHRISTMAS BOOK YOUR PART Y AT SALON N
o
18 MARKET ROW,BRIXTON SW9 8LD
GET TOGETHERS, KNEES UPS PARTIES & PRIVATE DINING PACKAGES FROM £19 PER HEAD. NO TURKEY GUARANTEED R E S E R VAT I O N S @ S A L O N B R I X T O N.C O.U K 0207 501 9152