Brixton Bugle July 2015

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All set for Summer of Love

BERES HAMMOND: We catch up with the ‘Otis Redding of Reggae’ ahead of his gig at Brixton Academy with Bunny Wailer. Page 21

THE REC’S HERO: Robyn Dasey was one of the first people to swim at Brixon Rec when it opened in 1984.

Read her story Page 15

BY ANNA MCKIE As Brixton gears up for its favourite event of the year, Lambeth Country Show have added two new acts to its 2015 lineup.

Atlantic Soul Orchestra and funk band PB Underground have been confirmed to play on the main stage on Saturday, July 18.

Peter Biggen from PB Underground said: “We feel very privileged to play at such a fantastic festival. We can’t wait to get on that stage and embrace you

with our funk soul classics!”

Now in its 41st year, more than 100,000 people are expected to descend on Brockwell Park for the unique event that features live reggae music alongside traditional countryside pursuits.

For 2015 it has been given new timings, now running from 12pm until 8pm, and named ‘The Festival of Love’ to tie-in with the Southbank’s own summer-long festival of the same name.

More than 300 attractions have been lined up across the weekend of

July 18 and 19, including: a fun fair, horse jousting, dog display teams, food and drink, flower displays and animals from Vauxhall City Farm.

New additions to the show include the Eco-zone – where there will be “energy-producing boutique toilets” and an onsite bee hive and the Festival of Rugby – where local club the Old Alleynians will be showcasing the sport.

Also performing are soul disco act Odyssey. On Sunday Kenyatta Hill from legendary band Culture will be leading the party, as well as reggae

www.brixtonblog.com

It’s all about Brixton

groups Misty in Roots and Rasites.

Cllr Jane Edbrooke, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “With only two weeks to go until the Country Show and final music acts being confirmed, excitement really is building. There is so much on offer, it’s free to come in and a great opportunity for the people of Lambeth to welcome everybody to Brockwell Park for what will be a brilliant weekend.

“The organisers – Event Lambeth – deserve huge credit for the work they put in.”

@brixtonblog

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URBAN ART: The cream of south London’s artists descend on Josephine Avenue this month, we’re giving you a sneak peek.

Page 20

DOG SHOW: Mark Rylance is the star judge of this year’s Brockwell Park Dog Show. Is your mutt up to the challenge?

Page 3

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.

www.brixtonblog.com

Mary Seacole honoured with plaque

BY ANNA MCKIE

A plaque honouring pioneering nurse Mary Seacole has been unveiled in Brixton.

It shows the limited edition stamp of Seacole, who cared for British soldiers during the Crimean War, that was released in 2006 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the National Portrait Gallery.

It is one of 50 plaques installed on postboxes across the UK to mark the 50th anniversary of Royal Mail’s special stamp programme.

Other stamps on postboxes include Winston Churchill, Robert Burns, the Giant’s Causeway, York Minster and Sherlock Holmes.

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: 15,000 copies Readership: circa 30,000 NEWS EDITOR Anna McKie Anna@brixtonblog.com DEPUTY EDITOR Lindsay Faller Lindsay@brixtonblog.com Sub-editor: Jamila Omar Designer: Agnes Graves ARTS & FEATURES Barney Evison Ruth Waters arts@brixtonblog.com FOOD Miss South food@brixtonblog.com SPORT Sandra Brobbey newsdesk@brixtonblog.com ISSUE 34 Writers: Bobbie Lakhera, Adam Marshall, Rebecca May Johnson, Frankie Holah, Jenn Woodcock, Nikki Griffiths Pictures: Antonio Sansica, Bobbie Lakhera Cartoons / Illustrations: Kaylene Alder, Pam Williams Crossword: Josie Gardiner A massive thank you to everybody involved in making this issue, and the Blog & Bugle project, a success.

Join the team! Email us on info@brixtonblog.om

July/August 2015

It features the only known painted portrait of Seacole who, in 1855, set up a ‘British Hotel’ behind the lines during the Crimean War, looking after servicemen wounded on the battlefield. In 2004, she was voted the “greatest black Briton”.

The plaque is on the postbox outside 10 Acre Lane, chosen because relatives of Mary Seacole lived in the area.

Unveiling the plaque last week, Mayor of Lambeth Cllr Donatus Anyanwu (left) said: “I am delighted that Royal Mail has chosen this unique way to recognise the incredible work of Mary Seacole.

“She was a pioneer in her field and this gives the community an opportunity to share in the tribute.”

Racist graffiti A CCTV image has been released by police investigating racist graffiti sprayed on the wall of a bar in Herne Hill.

On Monday May 25 staff at Dee Dee’s jazz bar discovered the N-word sprayed across the front wall.

Police say it was carried out at around 1am and have now released an image of a man they wish to speak to in connection with the crime.

Following the incident, a local teacher was accused on social media of spraying the graffiti.

However, police have established that Thomas Turnham was not in London at the time of the incident and have ruled him out as a suspect.

Turnham later told the Evening Standard that his life had been “ripped apart” by the false accusations.

Police have also said that they believe that the suspect is not, as previously thought, one of a group of tourists who were staying at a flat nearby.

Last week, the bar posted a message on its website thanking the local community for their support.

The Dee Dee’s team said: “We have received so much support from so many that we really and truly feel inspired and hopeful in a situation which frankly left us bewildered, violated and down-heartened.

“On the very day it happened, we had one very kind neighbour lend us some sheets to cover the obscene language, and since then a stream of well-wishers checking that we were OK. We have been inundated with encouraging messages to focus on

Antic, the south London pub group who own the Effra Social and Dogstar, are opening their new bar in Brixton in July.

Ekcovision, an “all day and all night venue”, is on 15 Atlantic Road, previously home to Atlantis and Brixton Bar & Grill.

Antic said: “The 11am to 6am licence means it will assume a multitude of different guises.

“It will be a place where one can

•

enjoy a coffee and bite to eat during the day, beer and cocktail of an evening, a late night solace when the rest of Brixton has closed its doors, where one can dance and drink into the wee small hours, and then do it all again the next day.”

15 Atlantic Road is part of the properties which Network Rail will be refurbishing next year.

The businesses between Brixton Station Road, Atlantic Road and Pope’s Road will be evicted while the work is carried out and are likely to face

Brixton nightclub Plan B has closed its doors for good.

The venue has been bought

by The Columbo Group, who own XOYO and The Old Queen’s Head, and who recently bought the Electric Social on Acre Lane.

The Electric Social will become the London-based bar and restaurant group’s third ‘Blues Kitchen’ but, aside from it remaining as a club, exactly what Plan B will become has not yet been revealed.

Speaking to the Brixton Bugle, XOYO owner Andy Peyton said the venue would reopen in September.

“We’re going to refurbish the venue, it’s going to have a different name, with a different layout,” Peyton said. “We’re really excited about it.”

“We’ve actually been going through a long process and have specific plans for what we want to do. Its very much going to be a club.”

night tube in brixton

CCTV image released by police the good that we are doing, rather than the negativity of the incident.”

Anyone with information about the incident, or who can identify the man shown in the CCTV image, should call the Southwark Community Safety Unit on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Antic opens new bar in Arches

BY ANNA MCKIE

plan b sold to xoyo owners

steep rent increases when they return, which few will be able to afford.

A spokesperson for Antic told the Brixton Bugle they, like the other businesses, have not heard much from Network Rail about its refurbishment plans.

“We are a little in the dark at the moment as to Network Rail’s movements,” the spokesperson said.

“So we are continuing with the project regardless and will act accordingly once we know more about its refurbishment plans.”

Brixton tube station will be open 24 hours every weekend from September 12.

TfL have announced that allnight trains will run Fridays and Saturdays every 10 minutes on the Victoria line and on sections of the Central, Jubilee, Piccadilly and lines and every 7.5 minutes on the Northern Line.

Trains will run the whole of the Victoria line.

licence for Pop

Lambeth council have granted Pop Brixton an alcohol and entertainment licence.

This means the “creative hub” can sell alcohol from 9am til midnight on Thursday to Saturday and 9am until 11pm on Sunday to Wednesday.

Previously the container park did not have its own alcohol licence, meaning traders in the container park had to have their own.

The licence will cover the main event space which is opening later this summer and will feature events such as a pop-up cinema in August.

Send us your BRIXTON news www.brixtonblog.com • @brixtonblog •

July/August 2015

LEander RD party

The fourth Leander Road street party will be held on Saturday (July 4) with a host of attractions for all ages.

The event is open to all – not just residents – and new this year will be animals from Deen City Farm of Wimbledon. Children will also enjoy the free bouncy castle and face-painting.

Five local bands have been booked for the stage including the Hobos, Fever Family and Brasstermind, a 10-piece NewOrleans-style outfit.

Adults can relax with a pint of real ale or a glass of wine from the full-serviced bar and there will also be a BBQ. Two mechanics will be on hand from Dr Bike to provide free fixes and tips.

Sudbourne fair

Sudbourne Primary School will be holding its annual summer fair on Saturday July 4.

There will be live music, games, a pamper station, a plant sale, food, Pimms and a tombola.

There will also be an auction, with prizes such as a £240 bike voucher, tickets to Florence and the Machine, a Brindisa hamper and much more!

The event starts at 11.30am and finishes at 2.30pm. The entrance is from Hayter Road and is 50p per adult, kids go free.

www.brixtonblog.com

NEWS 3

Fire brigade helps thirsty horses The London Fire Brigade had to come to the rescue of Brixton’s thirsty horses after a burst water main left large parts of the area without water.

On Monday June 29 a water main burst on Kennington Park Road, flooding the street and cutting off the water supply for many buildings across South London.

Ebony Horse Club, a community riding centre in Brixton, had eight “hot and thirsty” horses who they were unable to get water for.

Luckily the Fire Brigade were on hand and came down to fill up

huge troughs with water.

“We’re really grateful,” said a spokesperson from the riding club.

Although Ebony’s water returned, by Tuesday, a number of properties in Lambeth and Kennington still lacked a water supply on one of the hottest days of the year.

Kennington Park Road remained closed in both directions for most of Monday.

SW9, SW8, SE24, SE11, SE1 and SE5 were all affected by the incident.

New editor for Blog and Bugle The Brixton Blog and Bugle team has appointed a new overall editor for the community media project.

Linda Quinn, pictured left, will take over the reins of the newspaper and news website at the beginning of July.

The new editor has a strong background in local and national journalism as well as public relations. She was commuications director at The Big Lottery Fund for 15 years before leaving in October last year.

Quinn said: “I’m looking forward to joining the Bugle team and reporting on all the great things

Mark Rylance to judge Brockwell Dog Show The Brockwell Park Dog Show is officially going ahead in 2015 – and with actor Mark Rylance as a celebrity judge.

Earlier this year it was thought the familyfriendly day would not be on, as the Lambeth council officer who normally leads the community event was unable to do so.

However, MADD (the park’s events programme), Brockwell Community Partners and dog-loving volunteers have stepped up and the Dog Show will be going ahead on Sunday July 12.

All the old favourite categories will be there including: cutest puppy, prettiest bitch, handsomest dog and golden oldie.

There will also be the

regular Dogs Got Talent where owners can show off their mutt’s party trick.

The fancy dress this year is a tudor theme – ‘Woof Hall’, following the popular BBC series Wolf Hall.

Judges include Mark Rylance (star of Wolf Hall), actress Trudi Goodwin (DC June Ackland from The Bill), Elaine Partleton (who runs the popular Flower Lady in Herne Hill) and our very own Tim Dickens, co-Editor of the Brixton Bugle.

Registration is from 12pm, the event starts at 2pm and will finish at 4pm.

Everyone is welcome and if anyone would like to assist setting up on the day, all help is appreciated.

Brixton residents get up to.

“I’ve lived in and around Brixton since the late seventies and seen lots of changes. I started my career on local papers, so I’m looking forward to getting back to doing what I love.”

The Brixton Blog was founded by Zoe Jewell in 2010, the Wordpress blog was re-launched as a community news website with coeditor Tim Dickens in January 2012 and the pair launched the monthly free Brixton Bugle newspaper in July 2012.

The website now has enjoys about one million page views per year, and 10,000 copies of the Bugle are printed every month.

Both co-editors are stepping down to pursue other projects.

As well as taking over day-today editorial responsibility, Quinn will use her extensive experience to look at the long-term sustainablity of the Brixton Blog and the Bugle, through a mixture of advertising and partnerships, funding and sponsorship.

She will be working with a large team of volunteer editors and contributors built up over the last five years.

Want to join team Blog and Bugle?

Email Linda at info@brixtonblog. com.

4 NEWS

www.brixtonblog.com

July/August 2015

Future hope for Coldharbour residents’ battle Farmers’ Market

BY ANNA MCKIE

BY ANNA MCKIE Brixton’s Farmer’s Market appears to have been saved thanks to a group of stallholders who plan take over running it themselves.

Last month London Farmers’ Markets (LFM), who currently run the Sunday market, announced that it was no longer financially viable to keep it going and that the last one would be held at the end of July.

However, some of the stallholders, including the Old Post Office Bakery, have banded together and proposed that they take over running it as a community interest company (CIC).

Lambeth council have said they are supporting the traders and are happy for them to take it on a shortterm lease.

Richard Scroggs, owner of the Old Post Office Bakery, said it was very good news.

“Hopefully this way Brixton’s Farmer’s Market will be even better,” he said. “Keeping things local is always great and I think this way we can be more flexible.”

“Nothing against LFM but they had quite firm guidelines about what was allowed, as they are running more than one market; this way we can be more flexible. We can react to what our customers want and then hopefully we will be able to extend the lease.”

Cllr Jack Hopkins, cabinet member for Jobs & Growth, said: “We have been working with stallholders to try and ensure that the market continues and are fully supportive of plans to form a CIC. “Brixton Farmers’ Market is an important and popular part of the area’s character and I’m hopeful that it will continue to thrive for many years to come.”

Residents will get their last chance to try to block a controversial bid to build a new restaurant in their block of flats.

Earlier this year developer Julian Pycroft submitted a planning application for a change of licence at 400-402 Coldharbour Lane so he could lease the building to Rosa’s Thai Cafe. The site, at the bottom of Connaught Mansions, had previously been used by the minicab firm Granada Cars.

Residents from Connaught Mansions object to the proposal because they say that a restaurant would produce smells and noise, particularly affecting their communal roof terrace.

And their complaint is backed by councillor Matthew Parr who says a change of use to a restaurant at Connaught Mansions would cause “unacceptable” inconvenience for residents and would unbalance Coldharbour Lane in terms of numbers of restaurants (of which there are many) when compared with

numbers of retail outlets.

At a planning committee hearing in March council officers recommended approval of the proposal to change the premises’ licence from a minicab office to a restaurant/cafe. However the committee decided not to give the plan the go-ahead and chose to defer its decision after members complained that the planning officers had not adequately answered their questions.

The next planning committee hearing will be held on July 7.

In a document submitted to the planning council, residents say that the restaurant’s proposed use of ventilation system, known as Halton’s Pollustop system, would not be “sufficiently capable of dealing with odour in residential

areas. As such its implementation would breach Policy 7’s stated goal of protecting residential amenity.”

The document also points out that, based on DEFRA guidelines, other councils, including Westminster and neighbouring Croydon, have “examined extensively and rejected the Halton Pollustop system” because it releases ozone.

Planning officer Jeffrey Holt said: “Officers recommended approval previously and stand by that recommendation; however, it is ultimately up to the planning committee to decide and as is always the case, including at the earlier hearing, they will have regard to the objections when they make their decision.”

Award for man who inspired Pride film Jonathan Blake, an original member of the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners group, has been awarded an Attitude Pride Award.

The annual event, hosted by Attitude magazine, celebrates 12 people who have made an outstanding difference to the lives of those in the LGBT community.

This year’s ceremony on Friday June 26 was presented by actor Alan Cumming at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

Blake, 66, lives in Brixton and his story was told in the 2014 film Pride, in which he is played by Dominic West.

He told the Brixton Bugle: “I felt very, very humbled on Friday.

“I felt that I was amongst truly extraordinary and inspirational people and I felt so honoured to be chosen by Attitude magazine amongst all the other recipients.”

Read our Brixton People interview with Jonathan Blake at www. brixtonblog.com Jonathan Blake receives his Attitude Pride Award in June.

Building Brixton

One ticket at a time

A monthly community prize draw from The Brixton Pound with two winners. You, and Brixton.

Win BÂŁ1000 for yourself whilst helping fund local projects. To find out more or to enter visit brixtonpound.org/brixton-bonus

6 NEWS

MURDER CHARGE Shaden Cadette, 23, from Brixton has appeared in court charged with the murder of 24-year-old Ogarra Dixon (below).

Cadette, from Marcella Road, appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court on June 29.

Police launched a murder investigation after Dixon was brought into King’s College Hospital suffering from a gunshot wound from which he later died.

Following Dixon’s death, rappper Sneakbo tweeted: “Everybody dies but not everybody lives. I’m happy you got to live it up with me every single day My G!” Dixon was taken to the hospital in Denmark Hill on June 17 at 00.48 am by three men who have since spoken to investigators.

A 27-year-old man who was arrested on Monday June 22 has been bailed to a date in late July pending further enquiries.

www.brixtonblog.com

July/August 2015

Advertising covering Bowie mural removed after outcry

Left: the ProperCorn advertising covering the David Bowie mural (Credit: Matt Collins). Right: Bowie is uncovered after Twitter backlash

BY ANNA MCKIE The Brixton community were shocked when the David Bowie mural on the side of Morley’s was covered up with advertising.

However, after an outcry on Twitter, ProperCorn removed the section covering the artwork by street artist Jimmy C hours later.

The popcorn company said they had permission from the artist and that they are also paying for its restoration.

ProperCorn later tweeted the move “was a bad call” and that they “have learnt a lot”.

On Twitter Alan Trotter said “always best not to wallpaper over public art with advertising I think” and in another tweet Vanessa Furey pointed out that part of the reason for the anger in the community was that “we keep losing bits of Brixton to clean shiny new developments”.

A Propercorn spokesperson said: “Before the installation was erected in Brixton we worked closely with Jimmy C, the mural artist, and

Lambeth council.

“The David Bowie mural has needed restoration work and we wanted to pay for this once our installation was taken down at the end of July, to help to improve this much-loved street art.

“Our popcorn street art installation has always been intended for the community and they have spoken loudly that they don’t want the Bowie mural covered, so we have listened. We will still be funding the restoration, as planned.”

Five years for More street art up hill man travelling in cab with revolver

A man has been jailed for five years after he was discovered travelling with a gun in the back of a mini-cab.

Joshua Amon (above), 20, from Tierney Close, SW2, ordered a taxi on Friday May 22 to collect him from Hotspur Street, Kennington, to take him to Papworth Way, Herne Hill.

During the journey he redirected

the cab telling the driver he would pay him extra.

However, at around 8.40 pm police stopped the taxi in Chale Road, SW2.

Amon then jumped out of the cab and tried to escape but armed officers were able to stop him.

In his waistband they found a Webley Royal Irish constabulary gate-loading revolver 442 calibre, in full working order During his police interview Amon refused say how he had got the gun and was charged with possession of a firearm.

He pleaded guilty and on June 9 was sentenced to five years at Inner London Crown Court.

Detective Sergeant Philip Holt, from Trident Gang Command, said: “Amon was in possession of a lethal weapon and we are pleased police were able to intercept before he had the opportunity to use or pass it on to someone else to cause serious harm.”

Artists Jimmy C and Aero work on thei murals. Credit: Urban Art Street artists have been working on new murals on Brixton Hill.

Jimmy C, who painted the Bowie mural, and Aero have been busy on

the side wall of Costcutters.

The work has been commissioned as part of the annual Urban Art event (see page 24) that takes place on Josephine

Avenue on July 11 and 12.

Keep an eye out for special murals

by Tizer One and Mr Cenz who are also taking part in the project.

July/August 2015

www.brixtonblog.com

NEWS 7

Another Brixton bar bites the dust:

tripled rent forces Kaff to close

BY ANNA MCKIE One of Brixton’s best-loved bars, Kaff, will soon be closing.

Since the news broke, there has been an outpouring of grief for the popular Brixton bar. And a lot of anger.

Many see Kaff’s situation as emblematic of the gentrification of Brixton: landlords hiking up rents now that the area has become trendier, forcing out small businesses and bringing in big chains.

In the case of Kaff, it has shut because it faced a tripling of its rent.

As Twitter user Nadine put it: “And yet another #Brixton favourite bites the dust. Sooooo gutted”, while user James added: ”I’m devastated at the awful news that @KaffBar is closing due to greedy rent increase.

It is a truly magical place.”

Similarly, the Brixton restaurant French & Grace tweeted: “Don’t you dare close @KaffBar when will this stop? When all of Brixton’s independents & community hangouts are gone, @lambeth_ council?”

Kaff opened in 2010, serving wine, beer, cocktails and great food

Goodbye to Kaff: landlords have tripled the rent which the bar cannot afford at very reasonable prices, as well as putting on live music nights.

Speaking to Brixton Bugle , managing director Steven Ross said he was “gutted” about the situation but was also “overwhelmed by the support from the community.”

“I’ve been through every emotion from anger to frustration – and there’s been a lot of that,” he said.

“But mostly I’m just genuinely upset about what’s happened. For the past four years I’ve been here everyday.

It’s not just my livelihood, its my life.”

But Ross insisted that there was nothing could now be done to save the Kaff: “I’ve been fighting this for a year and it’s impossible. They weren’t willing to negotiate and we

cannot afford tripled rents. I always live in hope of a change of heart but I am under no false pretences they will lower the rents.

“All I can say is we have to start to fight so that this doesn’t happen to others: small businesses are being priced out of the area, just like in the housing market.”

Ross said the Kaff closure date

had been set for July 25 although it was likely that they would close their doors a week earlier in order to repaint the premises.

“Its hard to look to the future as there’s nothing round here that is affordable. But people’s response has been so endearing, and that’s so important to me. That’s what I can take away.”

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July/August 2015

Interview with Helen Hayes MP In the first of our series of interviews with Brixton’s freshly elected MPs, our News Editor Anna McKie talks to Helen Hayes.

particularly when there’s new developments, in the way that there is provision for affordable housing as part of the planning process. I think the same should apply, especially in London, Entering the House of Commons as an officially to affordable business space. elected MP was a surreal experience for Helen “Its important that while there is investment Hayes. “It was like when I visited New York and new jobs coming to Brixton – which is for the first time in my twenties: it all looked a good thing – we keep a really close eye on so familiar but I didn’t actually know it at all. the balance and the mix and the character of And I kept getting lost.”

Brixton. We don’t want to end up with a place The newly elected Dulwich and West that we don’t recognise.”

Norwood MP is sitting in Westminster, wearing Earlier this year Network Rail announced a smart grey suit, to talk to the Brixton Bugle plans to refurbish the Arches between Brixton about her plans for the borough and explain Station Road and Atlantic and Pope’s Road. why there is no conflict of interest between While the work is going on, all the businesses her support for Save Brixton operating there will be Arches and her previous evicted, for a year, and “Housing is the biggest work for Allies & Morrison, tenants have been told the architectural firm which when they return they issue across the has controversial links to the can expect to pay tripled development there. rents. Hayes has spoken constituency, not just Hayes, 40, was selected to on a number of occasions take over from Tessa Jowell at against Network Rail. in Brixton” this year’s General Election and “The situation for the retained the seat for Labour in traders in the Arches is May with 54.1% of the vote, crucial,” she says. “As I’ve increasing the party’s share by 7.5%. said before: there is no excuse for a publicly Helen Hayes, Labour MP for Dulwich and West Norwood.

Speaking to Hayes on election night at funded body like Network Rail to be proposing Brixton Recreation Centre, where the vote was such dramatic increases in rent.” document does not talk about evicting the walks of life living and working alongside each counted for the three Lambeth constituencies However, in April there was controversy businesses, does not talk about trebling their other. When I moved to Brixton in 1996 it felt Dulwich and West Norwood, Vauxhall and when it emerged that Hayes had once been a rent and does not talk about getting in new like the centre of the world; it still feels like Streatham, she seemed a little overwhelmed, partner at Allies and Morrison, an architectural businesses. I don’t feel there is any personal that in many ways – we have to hang on to the unlike Kate Hoey and Chuka Umunna, who firm that was employed by Lambeth council conflict or conflict in terms of the content of character of Brixton, we have to keep it special.” are already seasoned Labour MPs. in 2012/13 to write a supplementary planning the document.”

It will be interesting to see how well she However, several weeks later Hayes is document for Brixton. This document said: “In However, redevelopments are not the only succeeds. already revealing a steely determination and conjunction with Network problems that lie quickly dives into the serious problems in the Rail, more railway arches ahead for Brixton.

We don’t want to area: “Housing is the biggest issue across the should be brought into active “I think local constituency,” she says. “Not just in Brixton. use and the appearance of health services end up with a place “The problem is affordable housing because existing commercial arches are experiencing at the moment we have a definition that improved.” some really big that we don’t recognise. belies the term. 80% of market rent is not “There is no conflict of challenges at the affordable for the vast majority of people. interest there,” Hayes says. moment: King’s Had we got a Labour government we would “The company that I used College Hospital have changed that definition. We need to to work for wrote a document for Lambeth has a £47 million deficit on its keep up pressure on the mayor and the Tory providing a planning policy for Brixton but I budget. If that isn’t sorted we’ll have government. We need to resist things like the had no personal involvement with it at all. I some real problems.” government’s proposal to extend the right to was a councillor in Southwark at the time and She remains buoyant about the buy to housing associations because that will took a decision that Brixton was close enough prospects for Brixton nevertheless. “I lead to a reduction in the amount of affordable that I shouldn’t be involved in that work.” think it is an incredibly special place. housing that’s available.

“Also, the document talks about improving Its got such a rich history, one that has “In Brixton,” she says, “there are a lot of issues the appearance of the arches,” she adds. “I been quite tough in lots of respects. in the town centre that we need to work on. think everybody agrees, including the vast Out of that has come a very strong “I want to see changes in policy to make it majority of the businesses that I’ve spoken community and a very strong mix of easier for councils to protect rents for businesses, to, that they are in need of an upgrade. The businesses and people from different

Streatham Green Party’s Jonathan Bartley announces mayoral bid

Jonathan Bartley has launched his bid to become the next mayor of London.

Bartley, who was the Green candidate for Streatham at this year’s General Election, announced he will be running to be the party’s London Mayoral candidate.

He joins Sian Berry, who stood as the 2008 candidate, Tom Chance and Caroline Russell.

The election showed that the Greens have become a much stronger force in Lambeth.

In Streatham, Bartley increased their share of the vote from 861 votes (1.8%) at the last election to 4,421 (8.9%).

He said: “I have lived in London all my life, and have a passion for it. I am standing because I see so many things that we have to put right.

“Tens of thousands use foodbanks, housing isn’t remotely affordable for those who just want to have a decent place to live, over 4,000 die each year because of poor air quality and our transport system is too expensive and hardly fit for purpose.

“These things are fixable. London is the fifth wealthiest city in the world. It’s just that austerity, inequality and a lack of political will are holding back the city’s aspiration.”

July/August 2015

www.brixtonblog.com

NEWS 9

Net busting for the homeless

BY SANDRA BROBBEY

It may not generate the level of press attention afforded to football, rugby or cricket, but netball has certainly come along way since it was invented in London by a Swedish-born women’s suffrage campaigner.

More than 100,000 people play the sport at least once a week in different parts of the country. An Active People survey published

by Sport England this month revealed that the number of over-16s who play netball every week has grown from 122,000 to 151,000. One group doing its bit to encourage more Brixton residents to take up the game is a SouthLondon-based collective known as Netbusters.

This year the group, who run netball clinics

and 15 netball leagues across the capital, recently hosted a fundraising tournament for Brixton Soup Kitchen. Amy McClusky, Netbusters league manager, developed a passion for the game during her university years.

“It doesn’t get as much coverage as other sports, but I do think netball’s popularity is on the increase”, says Amy. “Sky Sports are covering it a lot more and now they broadcast Monday night games.

“Earlier this year I went to the Superleague final between Surrey Storm and Hertfordshire Mavericks. It was a great game to watch. The level of athleticism was amazing and it was a sell-out crowd. It was a real testament to how the sport is growing here. Part of my role at Netbusters is to manage our netball leagues and get more people to take up the game.

“One of our first

leagues was set up in Brixton and the one we run here (at Ferndale Community Centre) is our most popular.

“So when we set up this tournament on behalf of Brixton Soup Kitchen, we had a lot of local support including backing from local companies such as Brixton Brewery and Renaissance Pubs”.

Solomon Smith, Brixton Soup Kitchen’s genial founder, welcomed Netbusters backing. Since 2013 the organisation has served meals to more than 10,000 of Brixton’s most deprived residents.

“The social media for this event went absolutely crazy but it’s great because it’s all been in support of a good cause”, said Solomon.

“Aside from Netbusters, we’ve been working with 5aside and Brixton Recreation Centre. It’s been quite good for us as we’ve been able to use our participations to help the people we reach to keep fit.”

Left and far right: Netbusters in action at the charity tournament.

Above: Brixton Soup Kitchen Founder Solomon Smith with his colleagues.

Ovalhouse festival comes to Brixton

Between July 13 and 18 the Ovalhouse Theatre will decamp up the hill to Brixton, bringing us ‘I am Your Neighbour’ – a festival celebrating neighbourly friendliness as well as their upcoming company move to the heart of Brixton. The festival is produced

by Truth about Youth and combines performance, spoken word, theatre, music and workshops in venues across Brixton including The Black Cultural Archives and Pop Brixton.

Highlights of the festival include ‘I am a Promise’, a theatrical performance devised by 13-18 year olds and performed in the courtyard of the BCA in response to their powerful ‘Staying Power’ exhibition, and ‘Come Dine with Us’, a lunch with delicious food, readings and surprising conversations guaranteed.

Speaking about ‘I am Your Neighbour’, Deborah Bestwick, the Ovalhouse Director, said: “This festival is a taste of what we will bring to Brixton in our new theatre in 2017 – now is the time to get involved, see the work, enjoy what the young people of South London have to say – and support Ovalhouse. We look forward to meeting you.”

Find times, dates and more information at www.ovalhouse.com

Could you be a foster carer in Brixton?

Could you make that difference to a child’s life?

Some families have periods of instability due to life issues. Perhaps it is related to health; family breakdown; substance dependency or they are simply losing the struggle to cope.

Support organisations do all they can to keep families together but there can come a point where children are at risk of being harmed and of having their most basic needs neglected.

At Children First we are looking for foster carers who can offer a home and encouragement to children who have not had a good start in life. We are a well established, independent fostering agency - inspected by Ofsted and a gold standard Investor in People.

Children First works in close consultation with our foster carers, local authorities, our social workers, and most importantly, the children and young people we look after.

As one of our foster carers you will receive expert training and have the benefit of support groups in your area. A member of our team will always be on hand with help and advice, and that includes out of hours assistance.

If you have ever thought about becoming a foster carer in Brixton, or would like to find out more, please take a look at our website www.cffa.co.uk or call Kim free on 0808 178 1144

10 your brixton your TWEETS

Some of your #Brixton tweets:

www.brixtonblog.com

Brixton illustrated Ruskin Park - by kaylene alder

July/August 2015

This month’s Brixton Illustrated suggestion comes from Ruskin Park itself via Twitter. It tweets “Pick us! Pick us!” and how could this lovely space be refused? It was opened in 1907 and named after John Ruskin; artist, writer and social campaigner.

Tweet or email your suggestions for Brixton’s best green spaces to @kpictures or info@kaylenealder.com and win a free print.

My Brixton >>>>>>>>>>>>>>TOP FIVE

Michelle Barwood @VeryBerryCherry Made it! Morning swim! Ice cold pool.

Morning sunshine. Happy bodies #brixton #EnjoyTheSunshine

Written by local Funny Women finalist and BBC Radio 4 regular Rosie Wilby. Rosie is performing at Upstairs at the Ritzy on Tuesday 7 July at 7pm.

1/ Brockwell Lido ladies’ changing rooms

SG Sports Coaching @SGSportCoaching To hot? Not for Loughorough children @myattsfields @MumsnetLambeth #brixton #Sportsday

It goes without saying that the Lido is a brilliant place to go swimming. But, for a comedian, it’s important to loiter in the places where the gossip is going on. In the ladies changing rooms, there are endless eavesdropping possibilities. There’s a great sense of cooperation and searches for lost hats and goggles.

I’d love to spy on the men’s changing rooms too – but am worried I may get banned. I will have to send a male comedian in for me.

Join the conversation in #Brixton by Tweeting us @BrixtonBlog or @Brixton_Bugle

End of the road for Kaff Bar...

2/ Brixton Specsavers

Join the coversation on Facebook: search ‘Brixton Blog’

Sarah Correia it’s not loss to gentrification.

Kaff was already a product of gentrification. Gentrification is being unfairly demonized, mostly by the early gentrifiers. It’s a loss to greed and wild west capitalism, but to be in business is to take risks.

I’m sorry about Kaff, the owner and the staff, but most of kaff’s clients were gentrifiers themselves.

Dominic Chapman so when a trendy bar opened, called Kaff, it wasnt gentrification??? or we all liked a little trendy as long as it doesnt get too trendy?? it doesnt work like that. it’ll be starbucks soon. b*stards Jon Biles It’s always the same with gentrification; people always seem to think the amount of gentrification which brought them to an area is fine but any more is wrong

@brixtonblog

Steve Clarke Make it known that there will be a boycott of whatever replaces it...

Should bring the prospective rent down.

Ian Brown Thats a disgrace!!! it will probably just lay empty for ages & they will loose on the rent anyway!!! Kaff should put their prices up, people won’t mind paying a bit extra for such a great, local venue

info@brixtonblog.com

The

I recently had my eye test here and, whilst the staff were very friendly, they do seem to make an art of being slow. An older gentleman assisted me and reminded me of Julie Walters’ ancient doddery waitress in the famous ‘two soups’ Victoria Wood sketch.

3/ The 37 bus

t: 020 3730 1312

by numbers

1 £10,000 26 4 £5,000 10 new editor of brixton blog and bugle from july

residents have been served by brixton soup kitchen

raised by the urban art fair last year for charity

years since brixton splash first took place

albums released so far by beres hammond, soon to play at the academy

spot-kick penalties scored by hill mead school in football tournament

Talking of slow, the 37 can be a somewhat erratic bus which turns up when it feels like it, often defying the countdown system and sometimes turning into a ‘ghost bus’ that disappears altogether. Stand at the stop to observe anger and frustration management techniques.

4/ Brixton post office

The queue here always tells a million stories. There’s always a kid getting slapped or somebody tutting.

5/ Brockwell park

The walled garden can be a bit of a psychedelic experience in the summer when they put on kids’ shows. A man in bear costume could appear from behind a rose bush at any moment. I also recently spotted a man with a metal detector enthusiastically singing my friend Lorraine Bowen’s Crumble song after her appearance on Britain’s Got Talent.

July/August 2015

BRIXTONBugle

COMMENT It’s approaching our favourite time of the year in the Brixton calendar. Over the next few months we’ll be celebrating the Lambeth Country Show, Brixton Pound’s new note, Brixton Splash, general Lido fun and Brixton’s enviable array of roses in front gardens.

At the Brixton Blog & Bugle, there is a big change happening as co-editors Tim and Zoe are stepping down to pursue new projects and Linda Quinn, resident of Brixton since the 1970s, will be taking over as editor. The past six months have seen the Blog grow thanks to the new womanpower (in the shape of news editor Anna McKie) afforded by our crowdfunding last year and we are so excited about where Linda will take the BB next. It’s a real wrench for Tim and Zoe to leave, but made all the easier by passing it onto a safe pair of hands.

Zoe founded the Blog five years ago and Tim joined over three years ago.

It was his brilliant idea to launch the Bugle newspaper, now in its 34th issue (how time flies). What we hope we have done in that time is to celebrate Brixtonites like Michael Dombey (page 14) and Robyn Dasey (page 15), as well as defend them against the wave of gentrification that we’ve seen in the past five years and hold the council to account as they plan for the future of Brixton.

Over the years, our hearts have been broken many times by the actions of the council, developers and greedy landlords – the loss of the Carlton Mansions Housing Co-operative, a block of flats in place of our beloved Mango Landin’, Network Rail’s attempts to evict the Brixton arches, and most recently the news that Kaff will have to close after untenable rent rises have all cut deep and changed the Brixton we knew almost beyond recognition.

On that note, we’d like to thank Steve at Kaff for all the support he’s given us over the years, letting us host our meetings and events in the bar.

But the message here isn’t to give up; it’s that the power of local media, like the Brixton Blog & Bugle and our colleagues over at the Brixton Buzz, is to defend our community, to spread the word about wrongdoings and to support campaigns like Save Brixton Arches. This all has real, positive impact against the wave of gentrification.

The success of the fights to save the Lambeth Country Show, ensure the future of the Rec, save Nour Cash & Carry from a huge rent hike, get better pay for the Ritzy staff among others should not be underestimated.

We can’t tell you how incredible it’s been to be involved in Brixton life on such a level – if like us you celebrate the stories and people of this area, get involved in it by volunteering or campaigning. If you’d like to join the team at the Brixton Blog & Bugle, email info@brixtonblog.com. Now, back to enjoying the Brixton summer.

www.brixtonblog.com

editorial 11

Who are they feeding?

Food markets are not the saviour of London’s poor

BY REBECCA MAY JOHNSON

London accent into a microphone. It made me cringe.

Henry Dimbleby and Jonathan Downey’s new mega gastroenterprise London Union Middle class twentypositions food markets as somethings I knew (my the saviour of “derelict” peers, let’s be honest) neighbourhoods with the alleged were bought flats in the aim of bringing “communities area by wealthy parents, together” and “breathing new now that Clapham had life into dark spaces.” It plans become unaffordable to open 20 new markets with and “boring”. I each one “designed to reflect overheard conversations the community it serves.” on the Victoria line, London Union appropriates where Brixton converts the language of workers’ e n t h u s i a s t i c a l l y struggles and uses the hashtag informed hesitant #jointheunion online. friends that the area A quick glance at the last five was “OK now”, before years in neighbourhoods targeted listing the market’s best by street food entrepreneurs, restaurants and naming however, proves that existing other (white, wealthy) communities in real need are the friends who had recently last people to benefit from street moved there, as proof. food markets (read: not at all). In Meanwhile, Brixton fact, the arrival of a hot new food was becoming a lot less market has so far been a guarantee hospitable for other of social cleansing, council tenant people, namely, many evictions and a feast for property of its existing residents. speculators.

The cultural capital Brixton is a textbook example and hard cash brought in and I was part of it. Back in 2009, by the fashionable food businesses living for ‘mate’s rates’ at my friend’s made the area attractive to property house in Brixton, we rejoiced at the speculators and caused market new, cheap restaurants that opened landlords seek to raise rents. Nour in Granville Arcade, Cash and Carry recently rebranded was dealt a 22% as ‘Brixton Village’.

Champagne and rent rise that would Encouraged by have forced them Space Makers, Fromage unwittingly to close, had not an agency who fierce campaigning were paid to became the poster put a stop to it. Long help develop the standing favourite market, landlords boy for Brixton’s Kaff bar is the latest allowed temporary victim of hiked free tenancies gentrification. up rents, and will for restaurants. serve its last drink Unsurprisingly, next month. Other just after the financial crash, favourites to close include the bar applications for spaces flooded and restaurant Mango Landin’ in. It was the eve of the tidal wave which will soon be turned into flats. of specialist coffee / burger / posh As a direct result of the roaring chicken restaurants. We drank success of the market, Lambeth cheap wine and hung out in the council, impoverished by cuts from semi-open space of the covered central government saw the size of market. It felt like the Berlin I had their property assets in the centre of known in my year abroad in 2006 Brixton skyrocket. The council has and not like the corporate London evicted hundreds of long-standing of endless Starbucks and Zizzi residents from council residences chains. We invited friends from and short-life housing, before other parts of town to come and selling them off to developers or partake of the new fun in Brixton. dubious private finance initiatives The initial buzz gained that never replace as many council momentum, aided by mouth- homes as they demolish. watering Instagram images – Network Rail is cashing in too, including those posted by me. More with forced evictions of longplaces popped up, queues formed, standing shopkeepers, many of the BYOB policies ended, TimeOut whom have had their businesses made a video tour of the market, and there for 30 years or more. Under ‘Champagne and Fromage’ moved the claim of “urgent maintenance” in – a restaurant that unwittingly for the arches (which has seemingly became the poster boy for Brixton’s become urgent because they didn’t gentrification. There was a “turning bother with it when it was mainly point”, when I recognised some poor, black people living and boys from the private school next to shopping in Brixton) Network Rail my comprehensive in rural Suffolk are forcing traders out. Rents will in the market one night, drunk on be tripled after the work is finished, Red Stripe and loudly singing a effectively wiping out existing grime song in a badly copied south businesses, making way for the

proves that it is nothing less than a theme park of fashionable food, from pinxos to ramen noodles, with zero visible benefit to Brixton residents – other than a few new flavours for those who can afford it.

Very few of the small food businesses themselves will make the kind of money that Honest Burgers are seeing and their staff work for low wages often on zero hour contracts.

The issue is at the level of council planners and property developers – who, Dimbleby declared in an interview in the Evening Standard, should seek to work with London Union to liven up spaces where major development will take place.

Locations targeted by food markets almost likes of Wahaca who, ominously, always coincide with have opened their first site opposite major development that eventually the condemned arches. evicts poorer residents and ushers So, who do street markets feed, in the wealthy. The shipping other than food entrepreneurs, container market on the site of who aspire to build chains from the recently demolished Heygate their start-ups, and sell them off to Estate in Elephant & Castle is an venture capitalists and, of course, unconvincing attempt to create the ‘foodie’ middle classes? buzz around the new identikit flats Honest Burgers has sprouted and to distract from the forced exile into a ubiquitous chain since it of thousands of council tenants. opened in Brixton Village in 2011, Streetfeast in Dalston, Kerb in and raised £7 million earlier this King’s Cross and Riverside Feast year. Franco Manca, founded in at Battersea Powerstation all sprung 2008 now has 10 venues all over up where councils have sold off town and sold for £27.5 million tranches of land to speculators. this March. Fair enough – both of All the “home-made” aesthetic of these places serve the food markets excellent food – has done is to veil but it is hard to see How about some food crass, big bucks how they function development for social good planning that does some while i t ’s where Brixton underway, or to needs it most. genuine social good? increase the value In what seems of land. like a gross T h e misjudgement on proliferation the part of Lambeth council, POP of food markets and of gastroBrixton, consisting of a ‘village’ entrepreneurship in London has of brightly painted shipping taken place alongside the rise of containers, was given the use of food banks and the numbers of the council land for free until 2017 those going hungry. More food when the site will be redeveloped markets does clearly not equal — on the promise that it would fewer people going hungry. provide benefits for the community.

How about some food planning Originally POP was going to be in Brixton that does some genuine run by Edible Bus Stop, but after social good, like community relationships broke down with EBS kitchens that work alongside unhappy with the way things were foodbanks to provide free or going, the council forged ahead cheap hot food for those who need and brought in creepy sounding it as well as much-needed social company ‘The Collective’ (again, interaction? appropriating socialist rhetoric) I love a juicy chuck-steak burger to co-run the project. “Tenants in a steamed demi-brioche bun have been selected based not as much as the next red-blooded only on the quality of their offer, woman, but let’s not mistake eating but also to maximise benefit to one for an authentic commitment the local community” – says the to social change. press release. Seriously? A visit rebeccamayjohnson.wordpress.com

Start your career at Lambeth College – The Careers College Apply now and secure your place for September 2015 At Lambeth College – The Careers College, we have a wide range of high quality courses that will open the door to future opportunities in hospitality, accounting, media, hair and beauty, construction, engineering and more.

If you are looking to take your next step this summer, visit lambethcollege.ac.uk to explore our courses and start thinking about your future career.

Apply now

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Apply online or visit us to pick up an application form 020 7501 5000 lambethcollege.ac.uk

July/August 2015

www.brixtonblog.com

NEWS 13

Splash Back!

10 years of the hottest street party in London

BY ARTS TEAM Brixton’s yearly carnival of fun, food and funky music is back! Brixton Splash is gearing up for a tenth anniversary special on August 2.

Brixton Splash has become an iconic community event since its inception 10 years ago. It was set up to combat Brixton’s then growing negative reputation and bring local people together to foster community cohesion.

This year, on its tenth anniversary, Splash still has that famous community spirit, and aims to celebrate Brixton’s continued diversity as well as welcome those feeling marginalised by soaring rents back into the fold.

To celebrate the anniversary, the organisers are asking Brixtoners to help them design a new logo! They’re running a competition to find the best idea and you can send your entries to logo@brixtonsplash.org.

To spread some love for Splash on its tenth birthday, we asked musicians who have played there before to share memories from years past.

Stevie Hyper, who ran the sound system Hyper ESQ on Atlantic

Evening Standard

‘Incredible, intimate photography’

“Brixton Splash is South London’s very own Notting Hill Carnival without the trouble, even though it seems to grow in numbers each year. We’ve been a part of Splash since its birth and it is always a pleasure to play on our home turf.”

The Afro-Caribbean roots of the festival are highlighted by each year’s theme, and this year it is ‘Hidden Heroes & Histories’. Organisers are working with the Black Dance Archives to provide an interactive treasure hunt ahead of the big day, so watch out for panels from the archives that will start appearing in local shops – locate them all to win a prize!

With support from the Arts Council, the team behind Splash are also

‘The very ordinariness of the images – their humour and easy self-confidence – that makes this exhibition special.’

Observer

Time Out

From documentary to portraiture, Staying Power documents experiences of Black Britain from post-World War II to the 1990s.

Road last year, loves the inclusive feel: “the vibe is good, it brings the community together – it’s everybody.”

Another DJ, Chico, remembers a set on Pope’s Road as “easily one of of best experiences ever, playing in the open air in the town that I was born in, great weather, vibes and people.

It’s really hard to describe in words how special this was to me.”

Local funk rock band The Thirst are also massive supporters:

1 Windrush Sqaure, Brixton, SW2 1EF

bcaheritage.org.uk 020 3757 8500

Tues – Sat, 10am – 6pm

@bcaheritage #inspringpower

The Staying Power project is a partnership with the V&A and is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund:

providing portraiture, poetry and drama workshops to local primary schools to teach children about the hidden heroes of World War I such as Private John Williams (the first black person to receive the Victoria Cross) and the Harlem Hellfighters.

Did you know: Lambeth council does not financially support Brixton Splash. The event is run by a not-for-profit organisation who have to cover all costs, from road closures to rubbish collections.

Last year the waste management bill came to just under £10,000. If you’re interested in volunteering at Brixton Splash, email volunteer@ brixtonsplash.org.

14 FEATURES

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O E P domb

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mbey,et row o d l e k micha , 19 mar y meats

as told to Bobby Lakhera Michael Dombey opened his butchers in Market Row in 1983 and has diligently served the local community ever since.

Voted one of London’s top ten butchers by the Evening Standard, Dombey Meats has an unrivalled reputation in Brixton.

I left school at 16 and did an apprenticeship at Dewhurst. After that I worked in Peckham.

I did well there and enjoyed the market trade.

When I was 23, I wanted to get my own shop.

I borrowed money from the bank, which you could do in those days a lot easier than now, and I’ve been here ever since.

I had to get credit from my suppliers to start trading and then put everything I had learnt into practice. The shop was a victim of its own success! In the late ’80s we had 10 staff on Saturdays and queues from eight in the morning going on all day. It’s not as busy now but we tick over.

I’ve been here so long I really enjoy seeing the families of the people I originally served. The women who are grandmothers now, they were my first customers.

That’s the joy of my job, people stopping to say “hello”. A lot of our customers come in three times a week, so we see them on a regular basis. You’re like part of the family.

I’ve always had quite a close affinity to the local community and likewise people have taken to me too. West Indian and African customers are very loyal when they find somewhere they like. I think we all get a bit like that – don’t like to change routine.

Because people like the quality of our meat and I strive to get the best, they come back and they tell their friends, and consequently we are lucky to still be quite busy.

We cater for everybody’s requirements,

doing oxtail, stewing lamb, braising meats – things that aren’t in other shops. Summer – it’s lots of barbecue food; we make our own lamb and cajun pork sausages and sometimes beef burgers which sell out quick. As it gets colder, people go for steaks and the stewing meats.

We do more pork now. You can tell what’s becoming trendy: people ask for pulled pork.

Even through the recession we got along okay. Back then, I wouldn’t have expected to be here this long and about five years ago I was thinking maybe the time was right to leave. I have got through that now and I want to stay until I retire. So, hopefully another ten years!

A lot of people say the changes to the market are all negative. I think it definitely needed some change, but I believe it’s gone too far now. I think the smaller shops, the traditional shops, are being squeezed out by the restaurants and the coffee bars, people here to earn a quick buck and then probably leave. The African wares shop opposite, they probably struggle to make a living now, but you want shops like that because it’s part of the culture and the diversity that Brixton brings. As are the fishmongers, greengrocers, stallholders outside, they are all part of the colourful life of Brixton.

The market did require updating, it needed

July/August 2015

investment which it has now had. But it has certainly gone too far. Rents are going up and leases are astronomical. I’m not sure if my future here is secure, it depends on my rent review. I’ve fought it every time. Up until now, to be fair, it’s been quite reasonable. But, if they wanted to double or treble it, if they squeeze me too tight… I negotiated my last rent four years ago and it’s coming again this year. It was slightly easier then but with all the changes, we’ll just have to wait and see.

I’ve been very lucky and very happy here.

A lot of people don’t always see the real community. They see the negatives, a murder, a stabbing. They don’t see how it’s 99 per cent law-abiding, people going to church, they bring up their kids the best then can.

I do see myself here until I retire. I just feel that I want to see it out and my customers tell me, “Michael, don’t leave!”. I feel obliged to stay as long as I can. We don’t open Mondays.

For my 40th birthday I thought, “what would I like to do?” I thought “not get up on Mondays!”

It seemed like a good present to give to myself.

Dombey Meats, 19 Market Row, open Tuesday to Saturday, 7am - 6pm, 020 7274 1035.

Pics by Bobby Lakhera

July/August 2015

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where everyone could get involved in ‘leisure’ – through sport, of course, but also dancing at the Abu Shanti every Saturday night and socialising in the bar and café that overlooked the pool. “We used to go up to the bar after having a swim and you’d meet people. Everyone says that about the Recreation Centre – you meet so many people. That’s one of the bad things now there is no café there, so there is nowhere to socialise.”

Robyn is Australian and she came to Brixton via Portsmouth in 1978.

“We were moving to London for work and we didn’t really have any money.

There was a housing boom going on and we didn’t qualify – or think we should – for council housing. Inner-east london or Brixton were the only places we could afford. Brixton was greener and I was determined to live in a multicultural place. In Bethnal Green and places at that time, there was a lot of racist graffiti around, anti-immigration campaigns and the National Front. If there was any graffiti in Brixton, people actively went to paint it out and rip down the posters. We thought, ‘this is the place to live, not a place where racist stuff is allowed to stay.’”

Even so, Brixton in the 1970s did not escape the racism and divisions that pervaded the rest of Britain. “Until about 1980, black people weren’t really served in pubs. So the black community made its own entertainment. There were all these house parties in Railton Road. They were very, very crowded. We went to them. There were enormous soundsystems. In the early 1980s, the George Canning started being more mixed and they played a wonderful mix of music. It wasn’t the black people keeping the white people out, it was the other way around. There was no problem with me being in the club.”

It was the era of police racism too – stop and search of young black men had intensified.

“You couldn’t walk down the street without it happening. A crowd would gather around and try to stop the police. You could cut the air with a knife. The riots were an enormous cleansing.”

Robyn lived near Railton Road, at the heart of where the riots in 1981 and 1984 took place.

“It wasn’t an upsetting thing at all, actually; it was almost like a relief. Even when the police stormed through my neighbour’s back garden, all he was worried about was that the police were going to damage his house! Also, I don’t know, it was like people were doing something

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er

BY ZOE JEWELL Robyn Dasey first swam at the Brixton Recreation Centre on the very first morning it opened, the surface of the pool yet to be broken by the strokes of Brixton’s swimmers. The ceilings were high, marked out by their elegant timber, and light streamed in through the huge windows at one end. “We couldn’t believe it. Afterwards we went into the health suite and it had a steam room, spa, sun beds and you got white fluffy towelling robes provided in the cost of entry.

We felt it was the ultimate luxury, and there wasn’t much luxury in Brixton around then.”

It’s the light that Robyn loved most that day in 1984 and it has kept her coming back ever since. “Some days it’s so tranquil. I always swim with my head in the water and I feel like I am gliding along. Swimming is good for the psyche.”

If you swim at the Rec, lift weights in its gym, play squash, stretch out at yoga, or take your kids to football and basketball there, you owe some of that sporting pleasure to Robyn Dasey and her colleagues at the Brixton Rec User Group (BRUG). She is a quiet hero of Brixton’s past, present and future, one of the most inspiring, gogetting, fair and funny women I have ever met.

Robyn is the secretary of BRUG, set up in 2007 when rumours spread that the council was going to close the centre. It turned out they were renovating which would last six months, and they had not told the community that the whole place would be shut to do the works. Robyn chaired some of the chaotic public meetings at that time and ever since she has been involved in the business of defending the Rec against the dual threats of demolition and unsympathetic regeneration.

“The Rec seemed the first positive thing that came after the riots,” she says. It was a place

for themselves, you know? The young people were saying ‘this is us, we want to be considered as well’, and there was a lot of pride involved.

The mob of young chaps on my street were all black and white, it didn’t make any difference.”

Robyn’s family came from a small town in New South Wales famed for being ‘the Little Rock of Australia’, a town in which Aboriginals were segregated from whites. She had grown up amongst prejudice and she wanted to get the hell away from it. That need to kick back against inequality has defined her ever since. When she arrived in Britain, she started working in the trade unions, became part of the women’s lib movement and specialised in campaigning for gender and racial equalities in the workplace.

She has even advised the FA on how to make Sunday Leagues more diverse.

Nelson Mandela’s visit to Brixton and the Rec in 1996 was a big moment for her. “I was stunned by the public turnout on the streets, the joyousness. As I understand it, he specifically wanted to thank the people of Brixton who had so strongly supported the anti-apartheid campaign – Darcus Howe was a leading light in that. I will never forget that day of joy and excitement in the packed streets, hanging out of windows on Brixton Road, children on shoulders. BRUG has an aim to hold an exhibition of Mandela’s visit to Brixton. We need someone with time and expertise to search Lambeth Archives.”

Now, with BRUG, Robyn works tirelessly to persuade the council and GLL, the Rec management, to make the place a better allembracing community centre.

In 2012, a proposal to sell the Rec to a developer was quietly included in the council’s Masterplan for the area. BRUG organised a campaign against this until at an incredible public meeting Cllr Lib Peck – faced with a seething audience – promised the Rec would remain. Robyn is keen to point out that although the council had argued at the time that the Rec requires huge maintenance and subsidy, the centre actually makes money, which is split three ways between the management, a development fund and into general council income.

Every time I meet Robyn, I am reminded of just how lucky we are to have her in Brixton, cutting through the council’s obfuscation and fighting our corner. It’s been over 30 years now since the Rec opened and she still swims there five times a week.

Pics by Antonio Sansica: www.antoniosansica.com

FEATURES 15

16 FEATURES

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July/August 2015

Taking Pride: 25 years of tackling homophobia on the pitch

Public notice LICENSING ACT 2003 APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF PREMISES LICENSE WVE LTD trading under BRIXTON BLOC has applied to the London Borough of Lambeth for the grant of a Premises Licence, in respect of the following premises: BRIXTON BLOC @ Thrayle House courtyard area (behind 143 Stockwell Road) SW9 9TP which would authorise the following licensable activities: Supply of alcohol PLAYS, FILMS, LIVE MUSIC, Recorded music Performances of dance Provision of facilities for dancing Monday 10.00am - 10.00pm Tuesday 10.00am - 10.00pm Wednesday 10.00am - 12.00am Thursday 10.00am - 12.00am Friday 10.00am - 1.00am Saturday 10.00am - 1.00am Sunday 10.00am - 10.00pm The record of this application may be inspected during normal office hours at the Licensing Section, London Borough of Lambeth, 5th Floor, Blue Star House, 234244 Stockwell Road, London, SW9 9SP, or via the licensing authority's website, at www. lambeth.gov.uk/licensing A responsible authority or any other person may make representation to the licensing authority in respect of this application.

Representations must be made in writing, either by post to the above address, or by email to licensing@lambeth.gov.uk and must be received no later than 21.07.15.

It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with a licensing application, and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for that offence shall not exceed level 5 on the standard scale (£5,000).

BY SANDRA BROBBEY Thousands of people took to the streets of London last month to celebrate Pride in London 2015, the biggest one-day gathering and celebration of the capital’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. ‘Pride Heroes’ was chosen as a theme of this year’s event.

One South London-born sportsman regarded as a hero by many football fans within the gay community is Aslie Pitter MBE, one of the founding members of Stonewall Football Club.

It’s been 24 years since Britain’s first openly gay men’s football team was established. Since then Stonewall FC has been as hailed as a trailblazing side and enjoyed success as winners of the 2014 Gay Games World Cup. Brixton Bugle met Aslie Pitter earlier on this year when his club took on Dulwich Hamlet. The Ryman Premier team became the first non-league side to back Rainbow Laces, a high profile campaign against homophobia in

football. Here Pitter (pictured below thing. The thought of gay men playing right with Stonewall chairman Liam football just blew people’s minds.

Jarnecki) shares his reflections on They couldn’t actually comprehend Stonewall FC’s early days and the these supposedly effeminate blokes battle against bigotry in football. playing the game. I’m happy to “We were a group of gay and say things have changed. It hasn’t bisexual blokes who decided we changed as much as I’d like it to, but wanted to play football so we decided it has changed a great deal. to get together, have a kick-about “We have had high-profile antiand play in the park. We have been homophobia campaigns such as going for about 25 years now and I Rainbow Laces which have helped was one of the founder members. to make a difference. The FA have Because we were the only gay club being doing quite a lot with their in the country at the time we could ‘Opening Doors and Joining In’ only join a straight league. campaign. Arsenal, Man City and “Things have improved a great deal all the big clubs are leading the way, since those early days. Years ago we’d lending their support and getting play against teams and experience involved, so we are going in the right physical attacks on the pitch from direction. However, it doesn’t mean elbows to two-footed challenges. that we can ease off on this. I think It was commonplace and it was that would be a big mistake. accepted. Being black, “If you look at the gay and a footballer professional football was a combination in game here, there is not itself. I would get a lot one current Premier The thought of gay men League player who abuse on the pitch.

“We once came up has actually come playing football just blew out as gay before against a team where half the players were retirement. I think people’s minds. black and the other until a player in the half white. The abuse United Kingdom we got was bad. comes out as being Some of the players gay at the beginning were even coming to the dressing of their career, we can’t really gauge room door, kicking the door in and how far we have progressed. chanting lyrics from Buju Banton’s “We can’t sit back and think we’ve ‘Boom bye-bye’ track. They were solved the problem with homophobia chanting that into our dressing room! and racism because racism will “On the pitch it was non-stop and always be there, and homophobia that made me think, is this what I will always be too. To sit back and want to do for fun? Getting out of think we don’t need to do anymore, my bed on a cold Sunday morning, that’s when it creeps back in. There putting my kit on and getting that has been progress with events like kind of abuse. I used to question why our game against Dulwich Hamlet.

I was doing this. Luckily I saw sense Twenty years ago, even 10 years ago and thought I have got to continue this wouldn’t have happened. because, if I didn’t, then nothing “I’d like us to keep going until would change. being gay on the football pitch or “Gay men playing football was in any sport doesn’t matter. You’re unheard of. You would get all these there because you’re a sportsman stereotypes and misconceptions. or sportswoman, whether you are People thinking gay men don’t playing football, badminton or play football. They did swimming, rugby, you’re there because you are dancing, badminton and that sort of sportsperson not because you’re gay.”

July/August 2015

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Brixton Bonus is go!

A monthly community prize draw with two winners: you, and Brixton

On 16th June we launched a little special something - the Brixton Bonus. Brought to you by the Brixton Pound, Brixton’s local currency since 2009, the Bonus is the first regular prize draw in a local currency, ever, in the whole world! It’s open to everyone, right now, for B£1 (or £1, if you must!) - and you stand to win B£1000 (that’s a ‘Brixton Grand’) to spend in the hundreds of local businesses in Brixton that accept the country’s first urban local currency. So whether it’s a new bike you’re after, some massage

therapy or a year’s worth of yams - you won’t be left wanting.

The Brixton Bonus isn’t just a bit of fun though! Revenue from the Bonus will be used to support the newly created Brixton Fund, a new local micro-grants scheme with a mandate to provide financial support to grassroots projects and businesses in Brixton looking to get off the ground. It will also provide some regular income for the Brixton Pound itself, contributing to a more sustainable financial model and allowing us to continue our work supporting local independent businesses, strengthening community and challenging the financial status quo.

To enter, please visit brixtonpound. org/brixton-bonus. And of course we heartily encourage you to set yourself up with a regular monthly entry to keep your chances of winning up all year round – that can be done by buying Bonus tickets from within your online B£ account. If you don’t have one yet, use the stunningly simple form on brixtonpound.org/brixton-bonus to buy your first Bonus tickets and become a B£ member – all at once!

The first draw will take place on Sunday 19th July at the Lambeth Country Show - we hope to see you there! (But don’t worry, you don’t have to be there to find out if you’ve won).

If you have any queries regarding the Brixton Bonus of Brixton Fund please email bonus@brixtonpound.org

The inaugural Brixton Bonus draw also includes 12 excellent runners-up prizes to increase your chances of winning: Massage, shiatsu and osteopathy sessions from Brixton Therapy Centre. • A £50 voucher to spend at Seven @ Brixton. • A full day’s venue hire at Tulse Hill Estate worth £200. • A £50 voucher to spend at Lowie. • A £50 gift bag from 20 Storey.

• 5 X B£20 cash prizes to spend in Brixton’s famous independents.

The Brixton Bonus

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Win B£1000 for yourself whilst helping fund local projects. To find out more or to enter visit brixtonpound.org/brixton-bonus

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• Brixtonites and Brixton regulars of all stripes can enter the monthly Brixton Bonus prize draw. At just £1 a pop it’s accessible to the vast majority.

• With a top prize of B£1000 up for grabs it’s a happy Friday when you find out you’ve won.

• Being a local currency cash prize, Brixton is now your oyster - and there’s an extra B£1000 in the pockets of local independents once you’ve finished your spending.

• After winnings are deducted, 50% of Bonus revenue heads straight into the

coffers of the Brixton Fund - our new micro-grants scheme with a mandate to offer financial support to grassroots groups in Brixton for whom traditional funding applications don’t fit.

• The final chunk is used to help fund the Brixton Pound itself - a non-profit organisation with a specific mission to support local enterprise and strengthen communities.

With a stake in the Bonus everybody has a greater stake in Brixton and the grassroots projects and businesses they’re helping to support. And that’s the way we want it to stay.

To enter, head to brixtonpound.org/brixton-bonus

A very special new B£ note is on its way!

The Brixton Pound is five years old, and we are celebrating by creating a new special edition B£5 note!

However you spend your B£1000 prize Brixton wins too A monthly community prize draw from The Brixton Pound with two winners. You, and Brixton.

The Brixton Bonus and Brixton Fund will, in more ways than one, benefit locals, local businesses and local grassroots projects all at once. It works like this:

FEATURES 17

What would you spend your B£1000 if you were the lucky winner of the Brixton Bonus? Let us know on social media with the hashtag #BrixtonBonus!

Twitter: @brixtonpound • Facebook: The Brixton Pound • Instagram: brixtonpound

B£ is a world-renowned symbol of iconic local currency design, previously featuring people relevant to the history and demographic of the area: Vincent van Gogh and Luol Deng; David Bowie and Olive Morris. And this note is going to go even further: it is guaranteed to blow everyone’s minds. Charlie Waterhouse of local design agency This Ain’t Rock’n’Roll, who designed the

existing Brixton Pounds, said: “This is the most amazing currency note ever produced. No exaggeration.”

The note will be a valid form of payment in the 250+ B£ businesses, but it will also be nothing short of a piece of art! (And each will have a unique serial number from its limited print run - get it before it flies out the door!)

Come celebrate with us!

The big reveal of the note will take place at the launch event on Windrush Square on Wednesday 8 July 2015, from 5pm-10pm. You are all invited! You’ll be able to get the special edition B£5 note, and have lots of fun. Bring your friends, bring some food, and also - bring any items you’d like to donate to the special free Give and Take Market we’ll host on the day!

In the spirit of free exchange, we’re encouraging Brixtonites to donate items they don’t want or need awwnymore, and creating an opportunity for others to take them - for free! Clothes, books, toys, household items, decorations, all kinds of miscellanea - if you have any knocking around you’d like to donate, please get in touch. We’ll be collecting from early morning on the day, so you can just drop them on your way to work.

And then in the evening, come see if you can find any treasures others have donated!

It will be a big celebration, and also a chance to: • Be the first to get your hands on the special new B£5 note! It will be so worth it.

• Get rid of your surplus stuff! Have something gathering dust at home, or don’t use an item anymore? Pass it on!

• Get free stuff! One person’s unused item is another’s treasure - and all donated items will be available at the market FOR FREE. • And of course, have some fun!

For more details search for The Brixton Pound on Facebook or Eventbrite, or go to brixtonpound.org

See you on Windrush Square on 8 July, Brixton!

We are a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening Brixton’s diverse business culture. We represent 656 levy-paying businesses in the local area and work to develop new and exciting opportunities for Brixton.

unemployed people to start up their own businesses. He introduced the opportunity for businesses to mentor a start-up, and encouraged Brixton businesses to support each other in helping to build a thriving economy with lots of independent businesses.

Traders from the Tree Shepherd Forest Network displayed their businesses and were delighted at the opportunity to network with many of Brixton’s established businesses.

As the event coincided with Tree Shepherd’s

The event was kindly hosted by the Black Cultural Archives in the courtyard of their beautiful building on Windrush Square. Paul Reid, Founder and Director at BCA opened the event with some inspiring words before handing over to the Chair of Brixton BID, local business owner Elly Foster.

Elly thanked the Brixton BID board of voluntary directors and welcomed Michael Smith, new BID Director, to the team. Michael spoke about the current services on offer and plans for future work such as the imminent deep cleaning of Brixton’s pavements.

Tree Shepherd’s founder Colin Crooks spoke about the organisation’s work in helping

latest BID news and sign up for services and events, as well as finding meeting dates. BID member businesses can also sign into the site using their unique BID reference number (found on the annual levy invoice) to vote on issues that matter to business owners. The website features photography by Luke Forsythe, assisted by Isha Blake.

The event was closed with an encouraging short speech from Cllr Jack Hopkins.

These business networking events will be a regular item in the Brixton BID diary. If you are interested in hosting an event or getting involved, please contact events@brixtonbid.co.uk second anniversary, local business Ms Cupcake, created a beautiful cake with both the Tree Shepherd Forest Network and the Brixton BID logo.

Contributors to the Event

Lambeth College provided the catering for the event, which included delicious canapĂŠs with a Caribbean theme, and attendees enjoyed beer from Brixton Brewery.

Brixton BID was proud to launch their new website, designed by local organisation, The Champion Agency who are also responsible for creating the new Brixton BID brand. The website will be a powerful means of communication for Brixton businesses, allowing them to view the

020 3417 7373 admin@brixtonbid.co.uk

Black Cultural Archives

http://bcaheritage.org.uk/

Champion Agency

http://thechampionagency.com

Lambeth College - training for employees is delivered in partnership with the BID for important skills such as First Aid, Health & Safety, and Customer Service http://www.lambethcollege.ac.uk Ms Cupcake Tree Shepherd and the Forest Network Brixton Brewery

@BrixtonBID brixtonbid.co.uk

http://www.mscupcake.co.uk/ http://treeshepherd.org.uk http://www.brixtonbrewery.com/

20 ARTs

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July/August 2015

books

Local author is full of big ideas

Arts co-editor Ruth Waters met local first-time novelist Alex Christofi, author of Glass.

By writing an account of a fictional celebrity window cleaner, local author Alex Chrisofi has steered clear of debut novelist cliche by a country mile. Glass, his debut novel published earlier this year, offers the reader a fast-paced plot with plenty of big ideas, following an unlikely hero, Gunter Glass, from farcical mayhem to finding a life-proof philosophy.

Glass has earned Alex the respect of readers and critics alike and was long-listed for the prestigious Desmond Elliott prize.

“First and foremost I wanted to write a story which people would want to read - if I managed to add in layers of ideas that’s a bonus.” Alex is too modest: Glass is full of references to big ideas, and each page is adorned with footnotes and asides. But that’s not to say it lacks feeling - Alex tells me about his important preservation of a very human “heart” to his novel.

On the book’s bizarre central motif, window cleaning, the author was far from the expert as he drafted the novel. “I hadn’t even cleaned a

single window when I was writing the book… It might have seemed more obvious to write about a university professor who talks explicitly about ideas, but I wanted to find a sideways way of looking at the where idealism meets reality,” and that’s where glass and window cleaning came in.

Glass is full of London and it’s changing people and landscape, nothing more firmly centre stage than the Shard,which adorns the front cover and plays a central part in the plot.“The Shard was being built at the time I was writing and I wanted to join this emblem of the a shard trying to escape the rest of the city and contrast that with someone very earthly and human, who is also looking to escape.”

As we chat, it’s clear that Alex has taken a lot of inspiration from London life - “London is a strange, brilliant and sometimes depressing place. It can be very cold to outsiders, yet everywhere you turn there’s some kind of opportunity. I wanted to capture some of the possibility and

madness of this city” No stranger to compromise and contrast in his own life, Alex’s first job after graduation in the midst of the financial crisis in 2008 was helping to run a blog about the recession. A job writing about not having a job, whilst he looked for a real job. “ I felt that there was this this generation going through a quarter life crisis… who were grown up but still kind of a baby and I felt that no one was writing about that.”

As far as life as a writer in Brixton, Alex makes it sound the dream. His favorite writing spots include the BCA cafe and Upstairs at the Ritzy. “If I need to write and I’m hungry then I’m off to the Phoenix Cafe where he knows my order before I’ve even said anything.” Despite first moving to a sprawling house on Brixton Hill with a terrifying landlord, Alex continues to be amazed by “how many different and interesting people [live and work in Brixton]. It’s tolerant to the point of complete indifference to eccentricity.”

Currently working on the ‘difficult second novel’ Alex is optimistic. “It’s going to be quite different to Glass. It’s set in Paris in the late 50s.” Another unlikely hero I wonder? “Ummm he’s a bit more normal actually.” Gunter, like the novel as a whole, is one of a kind.

ART

All the fun of the Urban Art fair

Support local art by heading to Urban Art 2015, an annual art fair taking place in the sunshine along the railings of Josephine Avenue on July 11 - 12.

With over 2,000 works of art on sale, Urban Art is London’s largest open-air art fair and is expected to attract around 10,000 people. It offers art-lovers the chance to buy direct from south London artists, including painters, printmakers, street artists and photographers.

For Tim Sutton, local portrait artist and founder of Urban Art, the event is an important and affordable way for professional artists to exhibit their work. Being an artist in London is hard - and if local authorities continue to sell off studio space to residential developers at their current rate, it’s set to become even harder.

“There is still a lack of exhibition opportunities for local artists,” says Tim, “but more worrying is the decreasing amount of affordable studio space... if local authorities want a thriving arts community in their borough they need to ensure there are affordable work spaces.”

Urban Art has expanded over the years to include different forms of art and this year’s event features a celebration of street art, with some of the UK’s leading street artists - Gent 48, LovePusher and Mr Cenz (who painted the giant grannies mural on Brixton Hill) - painting a 40-foot shipping container at the Brixton Hill end of Josephine Avenue.

For Tim the inclusion of street art alongside more traditional works is a natural evolution from a fair which began with only paintings, to one which now includes photography and prints. “Street artists are just the next lot to start joining in our celebration

of creativity,” says Tim, “one day we hope to include sculptors as well, wait and see!”

Printmaker Staffan Gnosspelius has been exhibiting at the fair since its creation, and loves the chance to speak to the public about his work.

“The atmosphere is always great,” he said, “it’s one of my highlights of the year and one of the reasons I love living in Brixton”.

The event caters for wallets of all sizes with prices ranging from ten pounds to over a thousand.

A percentage of all sales will go to charity partners, which are Holy Trinity School, Jubilee Primary School, Southside Rehabilitation project and the Anchor Group. Last year’s event raised them almost £5,000.

Urban Art takes place July 11 to 12 at Josephine Avenue - head to www. urbanart.co.uk to find out more.

July/August 2015

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MUSIC

Reggae legend Beres Hammond talks peace and lovers rock Two Jamaican reggae legends will grace the stage at Brixton Academy in July: Beres Hammond and Bunny Wailer. We spoke to Beres, the ‘Otis Redding of Reggae’, as he rested at his hotel after a long flight in from Jamaica.

At 59, Beres Hammond is still going strong, following up on the success of Grammy-nominated One Love, One Life (2012) with another album, as

yet nameless, due out later this year.

His plans to release it in summer were delayed by the tour with Bunny.

Famed for his distinctive lovers rock sound, Beres claims he is a “person of the heart” and says that through his new record he will continue his mission to empower people and bring them together through music. “There is no different direction for me,” he says when I ask what the new album has in store, “it’s just one love I try to preach all the time.”

Looking back at his last album, One Love, One Life, it’s that classic Beres feel - the warm vocals of Can’t Waste No Time and romantic lovers rock lyrics of Keep Me Warm - that earned the singer his second Grammy nomination of his four-decade-long career in 2014. With 26 albums under his belt, what is it that inspires him to keep creating music?

“People,” he responds simply, “it’s about trying to teach a new generation the right thing - as far you know what that is. I keep singing because I want people to get

close together.” Beres’ music often features social commentary, and he sings about the importance of community, family solidarity, and better black rights. He laughs as we speak, adding “you could say I’m an all-purpose singer!”

He’ll be joined at Brixton Academy by another huge reggae name; Bunny Wailer, who founded

the Wailers along with Bob Marley back in the early ‘60s. Playing with Bunny is “beautiful” says Beres, and importantly: “it’s the only way to judge myself”.

Beres has played in Brixton before, and he loves to perform to the enthusiastic audiences here. He wishes he could spend more time in our town, but if he could only say one

thing to young people in SW9, it’s that violence gets you nowhere: “You only have your youth for a moment,” he says poignantly.

When I ask him what Brixton fans can expect at his Academy gig he doesn’t want to give too much away: “If I told you that people wouldn’t need to come! One thing is for sure, it’s gonna be a good time.”

TALK

Celebrating the Windrush Generation

Patrick Vernon OBE, political activist and founder of Every Generation Media, writes about the need for a Windrush Day to recognise the migrant contribution to UK society.

In 2008, after making my documentary A Charmed Life, which explores the legacy of the Windrush Generation, I started to campaign for Windrush Day to be a public holiday, celebrating not only the African and Caribbean but also the wider migrant contribution and benefits of immigration to Britain since World War II. It is very difficult to quantify the enormous legacy of the Windrush Generation. The contribution covers the spectrum of public life, from politics, faith, public services (especially the NHS) to business, music, food, fashion, sports and the arts. It has shaped the nature of multicultural Britain.

The work of heritage organisations like the Windrush Foundation and the Black Cultural Archives - through exhibitions such as Staying Power along with local museums, archives, writers, and community historians, have played an important role in

promoting and sharing this history.

There is a growing interest from faith leaders, politicians, community activists and many other people in public life who see the importance of a Windrush Day on June 22, when the ship the MV Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury. In June Simon Stevens, the chief executive of the NHS, hosted a Windrush Day event at St Thomas’s Hospital.

That is why the recognition of Windrush needs to be cemented and mainstreamed in the national curriculum, media and public discourse, so that we are seen as part of the history of this country and our contribution recognised and rooted for future generations - not just relegated to Black History Month.

We need a massive education programme in schools, funding earmarked from the Heritage Lottery Fund and support for community organisations and elders groups from the Arts Council to share this history.

More importantly, however, we need a national oral history programme to capture all black and minority ethnic elders’ experiences that migrated here between 1948 to the 1960s so we can learn about their lives as part of a permanent archive

for future prosperity otherwise we will regret this as a nation and a community.

To mark Windrush Day, war veterans and Windrush pioneers Sam King and Alan Wilmot were at the Karibu Education Centre in Brixton where they shared their

early experiences of living in south London during the 1940s and ‘50s and why Brixton became the spiritual home for black people in Britain.

With the increased gentrification of Brixton and the new period of austerity, what are the lessons that we can learn from this disappearing

generation of elders?

Patrick Vernon will deliver a lunchtime lecture at the Black Cultural Archives on July 9 called From Oppression to Expression: The Rise in Black British Print Culture.

22 WHAT’S ON

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July/August 2015

BRIXTON MUSIC NEWS Arts Co-Editor Barney Evison rounds up the latest music news from our corner of south London.

Unsigned Brixton rapper 2Nice getting noticed by hiphop royalty Local rapper 2Nice has started making a name for himself, working with the likes of Tinie Tempah, Congo Natty, Wiley and Luciano. His new single ‘Sunlight’ fuses pop, rap, reggae and EDM. Interested? Search ‘2nice sunlight’ on YouTube to check it out.

Brixton Fightback gig was a stonker, raises £1.5k Our reviewer Petra discovered the “friendliest mosh pit” she’d ever experienced at the Brixton Fightback fundraiser in June, which raised £1.5k for the Save Cressingham Gardens campaign.

Alabama 3 and Fat White Family were among the performers at the gig at Electric Brixton.

Brixton Plan B acquired by owners of XOYO The Colombo Group has bought the Plan B nightclub on Brixton Road, closing its doors for good. According to the owners of XOYO the venue will be refurbished and reopened under a new name. More about this on page 2.

SAT 4 @ SUDBOURNE SCHOOL

The Sudbourne School Summer Fair is today from 11.30am-2.30pm with live music, games, strawberries & cream, hot dogs, Pimms and, of course, the legendary tombola. Entrance on Hayter Rd, 50p, kids free.

SUN 5 @ BROCKWELL HALL

At 2pm today, there will be a free West African drumming and dance workshop in the performance space

by Brockwell Hall (at the top of Brockwell Park), led by Uncle Aug. It’s free, but do bring some cash for the fundraising collection for future arts events in Brockwell Park.

Shabaka launches Artist in the Archive at the BCA Composer and saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings was joined

by Congo Natty and others for the launch of Artist in the Archive at the Black Cultural Archives on June 19. Before the event, Shabaka immersed himself in BCA’s historic records and emerged to ‘musically interpret’ what he’d discovered.

Sound problems at Brixton Wu-Tang gig Wu-Tang Clan’s much-anticipated 20th anniversary tour stop-off at Brixton Academy was marred by sound problems, leaving fans unable to properly hear the first hour of their gig. “Sound was worst i have ever experienced, feel totally fleeced, want refund” complained one Twitter user.

WEDS 8 @ WINDRUSH SQUARE

A special edition Brixton Pound five-pound note will be launched at a community picnic today from 5-10pm. It’s going to be a ‘striking and magical’ new illustration – but who or what will it be? We can’t wait to find out. In the spirit of free exchange, the B£ will also be hosting a special free Give and Take Market, so get in touch with B£ to drop them off with them on your way to work in the morning.

TUES 7 @ BROCKWELL LIDO

Ever fancied trying out water polo?

Croydon and Guildford Water Polo

critics choice:

brixton splash Sun 2 august

We’re writing this eight weeks in advance and we can already barely contain our excitement for Brixton Splash. Soundsystems, live music, jerk chicken, dancing, kids activities and much more will fill the streets of Brixton today.

before from the photographers’ own private collections. It’s all part of the Staying Power exhibition, which has now been extended over the summer.

Tickets are £25 and can be booked at bcaheritage.org.uk. The event runs from 7-10pm.

FRI 17 @ PHOTOFUSION

Photofusion partnered with Space, Four Corners and Cockpit Arts to create a three year professional development programme for photographers and this exhibition, entitled ‘NCM Exposed’, is the culmination of that programme, featuring over 100 photographers who participated in the programme.

The exhibition opens today and runs until August 28.

SAT 18 @ LAMBETH COUNTRY SHOW Boy Names release new cover of Liars’ Can’t Hear Well We’ve been following local dreampoppers Boy Names with interest for a while - now they’ve released another single, this time a cover of Liars’ Can’t Hear Well. Singer Patrick’s vocals are the highlight, giving off a spooky vibe that’s quite different to their earlier pop disco sound.

Music for good Local songwriter Marcus Reeves is working on ‘Three Little Words’, a selection of songs taken from his 15-year career as a choral singer. He’s crowdfunding for the EP which will raise funds for male mental health charity The Campaign Against Living Miserably, who work with young men at risk of suicide. Head to www. reevescorner.co.uk to find out more.

clubs are lending the Brockwell Swimmers hats, goals and balls and leading a session on the basics of water polo for anyone keen to have a try. Any abilities welcome.

Contact the Brockwell Swimmers on brockwellswimmers.com.

SAT 11 @ JAMM

Jamm will be kicking of its season of summer terrace parties tonight with The House of Disco and Harry Wolfman from 1pm to 8pm.

According to the website, it will be a ‘daytime fiesta of epic proportions’. £5-£15 advance tickets.

SAT 11 @ LITTLE CAT CAFÉ, MYATTS FIELDS

On the second Saturday of every month, the Little Cat Café host an Italian aperitivo evening from 5pm to 9pm.

SUN 12 @ BROCKWELL PARK DOG SHOW

The much-loved Brockwell Park dog show was almost cancelled this year, but it was rescued in the end by local community volunteers who will now be running it instead of the council.

Categories include handsomest dog, cutest puppy, and best dog/owner fancy dress. It never fails to please, whether you’re competing or just spectating.

MON 13 @ ST MATTHEWS ESTATE TENANTS HALL

A usefully-timed evening yoga class that won’t leave you rushing like crazy to get back in time from work, this hour-long session starts

at 8.45pm and combines standing postures, balancing, hip openers and backbends. If you’re a resident of the estate, it’s cheaper too.

THURS 16 @ BLACK CULTURAL ARCHIVES

Listen as British-based photographers of the African Diaspora share and discuss their knowledge of photography techniques in this evening talk, entitled ‘Staying Power Unseen: African Photographer’s Narratives Shared’. You’ll be able to see photos never on public display

Today on the main stage, you can dance to soul disco act Odyssey, who brought us hits such as ‘Native New Yorker’ and ‘Use it Up and Wear It Out’. Funk band The PB Underground, soul act The Atlantic Soul Orchestra and African drummer Nii Okai Tagoe will all be playing too.

Over at the Farm Zone, the sheep will be on show and as usual the wonderful veg sculptures will be delighting everyone in the Flower Zone.

SUN 19 @ LAMBETH COUNTRY SHOW

The main stage is defined by some ace reggae acts today – Kenyatta ‘Culture’ Hill, Misty in Roots and the Rasites.

Local groups will also be playing on the Village green, including the Crown Lane Primary School Choir, Brasstermind and The Thirst.

THURS 23 @ BLACK CULTURAL ARCHIVES

The BCA runs talks at lunchtimes for those who want a bit more from their office break than an M&S sandwich.

Today’s talk is about the ‘Golden Stool’, the royal and divine throne traditionally associated with the Asante/Ashanti peoples from Ghana, and will be led by BCA volunteer Willie Williams.

BUGLE READERS’ OFFER Bloomsbury are offering Brixton Bugle readers a special 20 per cent off the biography of Darcus Howe, one of the most significant black rights activists in Britain, to celebrate its release in paperback.

To claim money off Darcus Howe: A Political Biography go to www. bloomsbury.com, add the book to your online basket, and then enter the discount code DARCUS20 at the checkout. This will also entitle you to free postage and packaging!

July/August 2015

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THURS 23 @ UPSTAIRS AT THE RITZY

Relive the house parties you went to back in the day at this ‘House Party at the Ritzy’ night, which promises the likes of Notorious B.I.G, Busta Rhymes, Aaliyah, Missy Elliot and Salt ‘n’ Pepper. 8pm-midnight, free entry.

SAT 25 @ JAMM

Jamm is hosting a Brixton Summer Garden Festival with Channel One today, to celebrate Meltout’s first birthday. This festival of reggae, dub, danchall and steppa will run all afternoon from 2pm and well into the early hours, until 4am. Go to brixtonjamm.org to buy tickets.

TUES 28 @ WHIRLED CINEMA

The second screening of the Brixton Tapes takes place tonight after the first in early July sold out well before the date. This documentary was filmed in the immediate aftermath of the Brixton uprising in 1981, with footage from the riot as well as interviews with local residents and participants. Alex Wild from radical history project Past Tense will be introducing the film and taking part in a Q&A afterwards. Starts at 8.30pm. Tickets at whirledcinema. com.

SAT 1 @ ELECTRIC BRIXTON

Start Splash weekend at the Electric Brixton with a great line up at Dub4Life, featuring the legendary Channel One, Young Warrior, Digital Niyabinghi and World Sound Power.

Tickets at electricbrixtonuk.com

SAT 8 @ WINDMILL BRIXTON

The Windmill Brixton is hosting a ‘Summer Weird Sin’ all dayer and BBQ from 3.30pm. Advance tickets are £6 and for that you’ll get music from Lucy and the Rates, Scraps, Hotgothic, Eight Rounds Rapid, kayvs, the Flying Rats, Kings of Comedy, Top Buzzer, and Maid of Ace.

TUES 11 @ FOODBANK

WHAT’S on 23

RITZY ROUND-UP Film contributor Adam Marshall guides us through another momentous month at the Ritzy cinema.

cinema with good vibrations…or something.

Amy Winehouse gawd bless her. Whether you were more fascinated by her magnetic and prodigious talent or the lurid red top headlines of destructive debauchery, a new critically lauded documentary AMY (from July 3) is one not to be missed. As with director Asif Kapadia’s previous doc, Senna, the visuals consist solely of archive footage (press and personal) of the remarkable soul-starlet, scored by a soundtrack of interviews with friends and family.

I have a frank and brutal admission to make…I liked Ted. There, I said it. Don’t judge me. I guess comedies from the Family Guy guy about sentient CGI bears with potty mouths just happen to be my bag - and I’ve completely reconciled myself with that. So imagine the sheer glee that courses through my veins to discover that the little hairy scamp is back in the very cleverly named TED 2 (from July 10).

Expect jokes about flatulence… and lots of them.

It’s a bounteous month for legends of the music industry on the big screen, and there are none more suited to a summer release than the brilliant Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.

LOVE & MERCY (from July 10) is the biopic of the troubled and enigmatic hit merchant.

The splendid Paul Dano plays ‘60s Brian at the height of his powers, while reliable old John Cusack plays him in the ‘80s, broken and fallow.

You’ll be sure to have fun, fun, fun and leave the

If the only c-word that you desire from your animations is ‘cute’, then Pixar’s latest - INSIDE OUT (from July 24) - may be a better option. Since Toy Story 3 in 2010, it’s been a foul five years for the Disney owned outfit - polluting our screens with the likes of Cars 2, Brave and Monsters University.

Inside Out is a rollicking return to

Pop to St Paul’s Church to donate food such as tinned meat, instant coffee, tinned veg and tinned rice pudding, to the Brixton Foodbank.

It’s open every Tuesday from 10am to 1pm and you can also drop off food at Brixton Tesco.

sessions every Wednesday from 7-8.30pm, with boxing training, circuits, cardio and more. It’s knackering, very fun and the coaches are lovely. £5 per session, first session free.

SAT 15 @ ANGELL TOWN

Every Thursday at 10am there is a 90 minute yoga class upstairs at the Ritzy. It’s only £7 and it’s ‘Ra’ yoga, which uses ‘movement and breath to feel lightweight in your body and bright in your mind’. For a midmorning refresh, you couldn’t do

The Angell Town estate resident management organisation will be holding a community trade fair, a one-day market, in Angell Town.

WEDS 19 @ BRIXTON REC

For getting fit, you can’t do much better than the Afewee boxing

THURS 20 @ UPSTAIRS AT RITZY

form of Up-like proportions. Primarily taking place inside an 11-year-old girl’s head, it focuses on how five anthropomorphised emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness - try to help her handle a life-changing relocation.

Ask any Tom, Dick or Harry on the streets of Brixton and the answer will always be the same - at one time or another don’t we all just want to see the gyrations of a well oiled six-pack? It’s a resounding ‘yes!’ of course. So expect baying queues for the Channing Tatum-led stripper sequel MAGIC MIKE XXL (from July 3), in which he and his crew get together for one last blow-out performance. If, like me, you genuinely can’t imagine quite what that means, then I guess you’ll simply have to go and see it.

much better. Bring your own mat and beginners are welcome.

SAT 22 @ BLACK CULTURAL ARCHIVES

Meet in the BCA courtyard for a walking tour in the footsteps of Claudia Jones, founder of Britain’s first black newspaper The West Indian Gazette. The walk runs from 4.305.30pm and includes a reception for singer Paul Robeson, two homes where Claudia lived, and the site of the West Indian Gazette. Book at bcaheritage.org.uk.

And if none of those is enough to make you take shelter from the Windrush Square sun (pleeeeease let there be Windrush Square sun), then there’s also a life and times documentary of cinematic master Orson Welles in MAGICIAN: THE ASTONISHING LIFE AND WORK OF ORSON WELLES (from July 3), Oscar nominated family animation SONG OF THE SEA (from July 10) or hijinks from James Franco and Jonah Hill in TRUE STORY (July 17).

SUN 30 @ MYATTS FIELDS

Spend a summer’s afternoon at the Myatt’s Fields bandstand with Zoe Konez providing acoustic sounds until 5pm.

SUN 30 @ PRINCE OF WALES

Gilles Peterson is playing Up on the Roof at the POW tonight for bank holiday weekend. Entry is from £12.50 and Justin Robertson will also be DJing. Party hard, but save some energy for Notting Hill Carnival tomorrow (or end a day of Carnival

critics choice:

STREET PARTY

SAT 4 july @LEANDER ROAD The fourth Leander Road street party and it’s going to be a big one.

Open to all the community, there will be animals from Deen City Farm of Wimbledon, a free bouncy castle, face painting and music from five local bands. Hobos, Fever Family and a 10-piece New Orleans-style group called Brasstermind will all be playing. There’ll be real ale and a BBQ with halloumi and that 2015 fave, pulled pork. If you’ve got a broken bike, then bring that along too, and get a fix from Dr Bike.

Massive respect to the residents of this street for joining up to organise this always excellent event.

OMNIS IS A LIFESTYLE STORE BASED IN BRIXTON SELLING A RANGE OF HANDMADE DESIGN LED PIECES AND A SELECTION OF VINTAGE CLOTHING 431 COLDHARBOUR LANE, LONDON SW9 8LN WWW.OMNISSTORE.COM INSTAGRAM & TWITTER @OMNISBRIXTON

24 FOOD

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July/August 2015

Miss South

RECIPE Jackfruit Larb Salad INGREDIENTS (serves 4)

50g roasted Thai fragrant rice (see below for instructions) 1 x 480g tin green jackfruit in water, drained 1 banana shallot, diced 2 tablespoons Thai fish sauce 3 limes, juiced 1 teaspoon red chilli flakes 1 teaspoon brown sugar or palm sugar 3 spring onions, chopped 25g fresh coriander, chopped 25g fresh mint, chopped leaves of baby gem or Cos lettuce to serve sticky rice to serve One of the best known Thai dishes is larb which is usually made with minced pork, toasted rice and fresh herbs and served with sticky rice and papaya salad. However for a multitude of reasons, many people don’t eat pork and I’m always looking for ways to adapt recipes that use it which is how I found jackfruit.

Commonly eaten in India, south east Asia and the Carribean, the jackfruit is a huge green orb with a spiky looking shell that doesn’t look terribly inspiring, but comes into its own when cooked. Its flesh was the original meat substitute long before Linda McCartney or Quorn hit the scene, cooking down to a meaty pulled texture that soaks up flavour beautifully and pleases everyone.

Don’t bother with the fresh version unless you are feeding forty people, but look in the Nour for tinned green jackfruit in water or the Wing Tai for frozen green jackfruit. The ripe version usually comes in syrup and is more dessert like. You can make this dish

completely vegan by switching the fish sauce for a mix of miso, mushroom ketchup and some sea salt.

Begin by preparing the toasted rice.

Using Thai fragrant or jasmine rice, put the dry rice in a dry frying pan over a medium heat and toast it until golden and delicious smelling. It will take about 10 minutes. Try not to stir it too much but move it around if it seems it will burn. Allow to cool slightly and then in a food processor or pestle and mortar, grind to a coarse powder.

Drain the jackfruit and add to a wide pan with a lid. Season with a bit of salt and pepper, add the diced shallot and add about 500ml of cold water and cook it with the lid on for about 25 minutes on a medium heat, making it sure it doesn’t boil dry. Add more water as needed. You want the chunks of flesh to break down into strands so for 5 minutes more cook it all without the lid on and give it all a little mash with the back of a spoon or a potato masher.

Stir in the powdered toasted rice.

Add the chilli flakes. This dish is unusual in Thai cooking that it doesn’t use fresh chilli tradtionally. Stir in the sugar and fish sauce and squeeze in the juice of two limes. Allow to cook for 2 minutes and taste. You want the dish to be slightly sweet, but sour and salty at the same time. Add more of each seasoning if not to your taste.

Remove from the heat and add the chopped spring onion and fresh coriander and mint and allow it to sit with the lid on for 5 minutes so the flavours combine. I served mine heaped up on lettuce leaves with more sticky rice on the side and the juice of the last lime over the top and it was a great summer dinner.

Chippy off the old block Lewisham fish-and-chip shop, Brockley’s Rock, will be opening a new branch in Brixton.

The restaurant and take-away will be opening “Brixton’s Rock” at 118 Acre Lane, previously home to Clifton Hok Wok. Brockley’s Rock say they support sustainable fishing so their main fish is line caught and has won “Best Chippy Chips in London” for two years in a row at the Choice Chip Awards.

Rico, manager of the shop, said they would hopefully be open by the end of July.

“We love the community feel in Brixton,” he said, “and we think there is space for a delicious fish and chip shop in the area. I hope we’ll be well received.”

July/August 2015

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FOOD 25

REVIEW ZOE’s ghana kitchen

Having originally started out as a pop-up at the Hackney WickED Arts Festival in 2011, Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen has rocketed in popularity and is slowly but surely getting Londoners hooked on Ghanaian grub.

Recently back from an 18 month stint in Berlin, Zoe has set up her first permanent residency in a shipping container inside Pop Brixton. With just three small tables and line of sight right to the back of the tiny kitchen, this place is as cosy as it gets. But the atmosphere is warm and inviting and it’s exactly the kind of place you’d want to hang out with friends on a summer evening.

To whet your appetite, Zoe stocks imported Ghanaian beer such as STAR and Guinness

Foreign Extra Stout, along with palm wine and Alomo Bitters. And if you want to start out with a nibble, I’d recommend getting the okra with shito, a fish based hot pepper sauce. The okra batter is deliciously crisp, full of garlicky flavour and I guarantee you’ll be fighting over the last ones.

We couldn’t help but order the kelewele, mainly ’cause of the cute word. But for us the love affair stopped there as we each found the spiced and fried plantain a little too sweet. Next time we’ll just get extra yummy okra!

Presentation, from on-the-plate to inside the shipping crate, was calmingly humble. Each order was served in red terracotta dishes atop wooden tables. And the view out of the glass

doors was onto happy, sociable people on a sparkling backdrop of fairy lights. Throughout our time at ZGK, what was really impressive was the serenity they’ve achieved in this tiny space. Any noise or heat from the kitchen was unnoticed.

For mains I ordered the mackerel marinated in chilli, garlic, thyme and lemon juice. My mackerel was entirely perfect; juicy, with spunky hits of chilli and contrasting crispy kale for the perfect texture.

My friends were much more meat-centric, with one choosing the spicy suya griddled rump kebabs. Suya is a popular spicy skewered beef dish found in different styles around Africa.

Zoe’s kebabs had been griddled and then put in the oven to finish off so they had a sturdy texture. They tasted exactly as I’d hope they would if I were to have bought them in a local Ghanaian market after having just watched them being cooked over a flame.

Because it’s not proper dinner without carbs, we all shared a side dish of jollof rice. It’s a simple West African classic and consists of rice

with a spiced tomato sauce. In hindsight we would have been fine without it and it didn’t melt our hearts as much as the rest of the food on the table. The scotch bonnet heritage tomato salsa was a nice add-on and didn’t let down in the spice department.

The final main was, hands down, the best dish of the night. The superb griddled lamb cutlets served with Zoe’s spiced peanut sauce were a dream. Lamb cooked on the griddle is always a winner in my eyes, but teamed with the spiced peanut sauce, I was in love.

Everyone on the table agreed that the perfect blend of sweet and savoury made this the star of the show.

Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen really manages to encapsulate a feeling of homeliness. It’s clear that her heritage has been kept true to itself and that the menu is a true reflection of Ghanaian home-cooked food. The whole experience at ZGK is laid back, comfortingly atmospheric and tasty as hell.

Dinner for two including drinks: £45

26 COLUMN

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Flower of the month

Astrantia This month I have chosen to focus on one of my favourite perennial flowers, astrantia. I was thrilled to see some flowering in a Brixton Water Lane garden recently. Despite being easy to grow, and undeniably pretty, it has fallen a little out of favour with gardeners in recent years.

These delicate little flowers can be found growing wild in the UK but are more commonly seen growing uncultivated in alpine meadow settings elsewhere in Europe. In the UK they are most likely to be found growing wild in a woodland setting.

One of the problems that a lot of urban gardeners share is that gardens and balconies sit amongst tall buildings and so can be very shady. Astrantia is a wonderful plant to grow in this sort

of space because it is one of few plants that will reliably flower in a partial shade environment. If you remove finished flower heads regularly you can, if you are lucky, have flowers right through from May until October. Astrantia is also just a very beautiful plant to look at as it has such tiny detail and subtle varieties in colour. When you look closely you realise that what appears to be one flower head is actually lots of tiny flowerheads grouped together on small stalks. What initially look like petals are actually a rim of bracts which protect the flowerhead and seeds.

To grow your own astrantia buy a plant now or start seeds off in the autumn. While astrantia does grow happily in dappled shade it can also flourish in sunshine.

The most important thing for astrantia is to have consistently damp and nutritious soil and so it does need watering regularly in more dry periods. Once established astrantia does not like being uprooted and so make sure you choose somewhere that you are happy for it to stay long-term.

Astrantia goes by many names including masterwort, ‘Hattie’s pincushion’ and, rather curiously, the ‘melancholy gentleman’. The name ‘Astrantia’ is thought to come from ‘Aster’ which is the Greek word for star. It comes in white, plum and all shades of pink in-between. The leaves look similar to carrot leaves and the plants are in the same broad family. It has long stems and so works brilliantly as a cut flower. Although I haven’t experimented myself it can also be dried - hang a bunch upside down somewhere cool, airy and dark. Look out for this little flower on your wanders as it really is worthy of a closer inspection!

Jenn Woodcock is a local florist who holds regular floristry workshops. Head over to www.brixtonflowerclub.com

>>>>>>Get off the scales I don’t own a set of scales! You can’t weigh happiness with scales, you can’t weigh confidence with scales and you can’t weigh bad ass skills with scales...

When I get asked how much I weigh I usually reply ‘The most I’ve ever weighed’. So what does a number on the scales mean? Well, it’s Frankie + Gravity... Bones, water, fat, muscle, peanut butter. If I didn’t know anything about my body I might panic and think that I must instantly lose weight, as I’m heavier than I used to be. But here’s the thing. Increased or maintained weight doesn’t always mean something terrible, as we are often made to think. In fact my jeans fit better than before... Want to know why? Muscle weighs more than fat and takes up less room on your body.

When you train, your body fat should

decrease and your lean muscle mass should increase. So the little number blinking up at you on those darn scales can often be misleading.

If tracking progress through measurements is your thing, then I’d advise sticking to a good old tape measure and taking progress pictures.

Even if they make you cringe at first, you will thank yourself when you start seeing results. There have been many occasions a client doesn’t believe the amazing progress they’ve made until they place pictures side by side and notice all of those significant changes...achieved through their own hard work!

So, if you are tempted to step on a set of scales, remember this before you do... and then walk away from them. You are more than a number on a screen... You

are the sweaty morning workouts that you always feel better after finishing, you are the hard earned sub thirty minute 5k, you are the one extra rep you didn’t think you could do. None of the happiness or pride you feel can be measured on weighing scales. And to be honest, until the scales say ‘Well done Frankie - that was a bad ass workout and your legs look super strong’ I ain’t buying a set!

Be more than a number!

Ladies, catch me over the summer at my Brixton Bootcamp every Wednesday, 6:30-7:30am, Brockwell Park. All fitness levels welcome!

For more info contactfrankie@ frankieholah.com or follow me online @frankieholah

July/August 2015

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hill mead herald 27

THE

Hill Mead Herald Leading the way

BY MADISON

Let’s get digital

BY DU’RONE AND MARIHAM Everyone at Hill Mead was excited to hear about Miss Hak’s digital homework club.

The club is for children of all ages and Du’rone’s sister, who is in Reception, comes along every week. We play things like Sumdog and Mangahigh, which are really great for maths. We do lots of independent activities, which help you to control your own learning.

Recently we have also opened a new club

I am a digital leader in Year 5 at Hill Mead Primary School.

This means I am responsible for testing applications on iPads and teaching members of staff and other pupils how to use them. I also look after the ICT suite and help teachers with their iPad problems. We gather once a week and study apps which we then use in presentations to educate the members of staff.

When we have learnt enough we create our own lesson plans which we then use to teach small groups of children.

I enjoy being a digital leader because every week I learn something new. I take great pleasure in teaching the staff and students because it helps them and it makes me feel happy. Being a digital leader has boosted my confidence. I now feel more able to present things in front of adults.

before school for children and parents. It is Miss Blair’s Breakfast Blogging club.

It happens every Friday morning before school and encourages children to demonstrate to their parents how to post comments on our blogs.

Miss Blair gives parents help and advice, and even food and drink! We love this club because it gives parents a good opportunity to come to school early without rushing, to learn and blog about their children’s work.

Top dogs in Maths

BY MANAAR

Hill Mead Primary School has won a highlyprized Lambeth maths competition.

Year 5 blue were first and in second was another class from Hill Mead. Not only were half of the classes in the top ten from Hill Mead, but half of the top ten students too.

We entered the interactive Sumdog competition which took place between from June 5 to 11. There were 1000 questions for each student. My teacher told us, “it’s not about speed it’s about accuracy.”

All of our teachers really took in mind the fact that the Sumdog competition was important to the school. They even allowed the students to come and play the interactive game in their breaks. We were all working together as a team.

Girl power

BY FELA AND LABIBA The Hill Mead Girls football team were runners up in a Lambeth tournament at Ferndale Sports Centre.

On Wednesday June 10 our first game was against Wyvil, a rival that we have known for a long time. Unfortunately we lost 2-1.

Before lunch we had to play one more game, this was against Vauxhall. We beat them 3-0.

We were in perfect form.

We had to wait for who was going to play us in the semi-final. It was St. Stevens and the result was 0-0, so it was decided by penalties and we won! This meant we came second in the overall tournament. It was an inspiring day for us.

Every week on Wednesdays we go and play a league match. The league is going well and we have only lost two games. We hope to win like we did last year.

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July/August 2015

Schools footie fest is a winner

By Sandra Brobbey

Hundreds of south London pupils had the chance to show off their footie skills at an annual sports fest involving Lambeth and Southwark schools. Dulwich Sports Ground played host to Lambeth and Southwark Primary Schools Football tournament, which is now in its nineteenth year. More than 200 boys and girls took part in the seven-a-side competition for three trophies.

Brixton’s Hill Mead School enjoyed success with a thrilling derby victory over local rivals Sudbourne Primary.

They defeated Sudbourne on penalties after their match finished 1-1 after extra time. The Brixton Hill-based school took an early lead through Ryan Daley before Hill Mead pegged them back late in the game, with a goal from Israel Kabengle.

In an enthralling penalty shootout Hill Mead scored all four of their

goals from the spot, while Sudbourne scored two. Hill Mead were rewarded with The Newcomen and Collett Shield, their first trophy win since entering the A Division and sevena-side tournament four seasons ago.

“Our team have had a great season”, said Hill Mead coach Ishola Elusade.

“We finished as runners up in the ‘B’ Division of the League and now we have taken the seven-a-side shield from Sudbourne who were the holders from last season.”

Top prize for the tournament’s most successful team was The Walcot Foundation’s Walcot Cup, an honour that went to Peckham Park School.

They overcame Rosendale Primary pupils with goals from Yacou Traore and Millwall junior player Tyrese Bailey. A solitary goal from Dexter Lembikisa helped Rosendale Primary get onto the score sheet. However, the West Dulwich-based school side were unable to increase their tally and

were beaten 2-1 by their Peckhambased rivals.

Prior to the tournament, Peckham Park were unbeaten in the seasonlong primary schools’ football league.

They finished second to Rosendale in the recently completed A Division Championship. Peckham Park coach Daniel Hamilton praised his players’ efforts. “My team overcame a very strong Rosendale side”, said Hamilton. “I’m also extremely proud the team won the League Fair Play award for the A Division, averaging 9.6 out of 10 over the season from marks awarded after every game by their referees.”

The St Olave’s and St Saviour’s Plate went to Clapham-based primary school St Mary’s, who beat a spirited Immanuel & St Andrew team 4-0 in their clash. St Mary’s goals included a brace from Niccolo Robertson and goals from Michael Curtis and Pepe Manez.

Top: Hill Mead pupils with The Walcot Cup. Above: Coach Ishola Elusade (pictured to the left) with victorious Hill Mead pupils at Lambeth and Southwark Primary. Below left: Children in action at Lambeth and Southwark Primary Schools Football tournament. Pictures by Lambeth and Southwark Primary Schools Football.