Brixton Bugle June 2016

INSIDE

STAY UP TO DATE with brixtonblog.com and @brixtonblog

BRIXTON BUGLE YOUR FREE

No 44 | JUNE 2016

Published monthly in and for Brixton

ISSN 2397-852X

COMMUNITY PAPER

MP’s message to government

ACT NOW ON YOUTH VIOLENCE

Brixton Windmill, celebrating 200 years and National Mills Weekend, got new sailcloths for a day last month. They were designed and printed by local design company Eley Kishimoto. Millwright Paul Selwood (below) took to a cherry-picker to fix the cloths.

Violent crime among young people in and around Brixton is rising alarmingly, local MP Chuka Umunna has warned.

He told the Bugle that in the four weeks to mid-May there had been 11 stabbings in Lambeth. “Since the beginning of the year,” he said, “we have had 114 incidents of serious youth violence in Lambeth – that’s someone being stabbed and potentially losing their life. “Across London there have been over 2,300 such incidents since the beginning of the year.

“This is in line with what was happening last year. There has been no improvement at all.”

Violence returned to Angell Town in Brixton last month when two people were shot.

One comment on the Brixton Blog’s story about that shooting summed up many of the problems and issues: “When they talk about regenerating Brixton they mean they are segregating low-income families, cutting out youth activities and moving families that have been in the Brixton area for generations for the sake of property prices.

“These kids are out there shooting up the place because they have no support, no confidence or pride within their community.

Youth clubs have been cut, playgrounds

have been concreted over to make way for posh housing. To survive is a daily struggle these days.

“I beg [prime minister, David] Cameron to come and walk a day in our lives and realise that if you leave these kids with nothing to do, no job and no confidence or motivation to do better, you’re going to get frustrated little heroes trying make it work the best way they know, because they don’t know any other way!”

Chuka Chuka Umunna, the MP Umunna: for Streatham, said the area tragedy, was witnessing “a huge wasted amount of tragedy, wasted lives and lives and some young people young living in a parallel universe people from everybody else”. living in He called on central a parallel government, which has cut back its initiatives on youth universe violence to “a couple of civil servants and an email in-box” to act before the situation gets out of hand.

He said: “If we were talking about middle class kids who were all attending very smart, nice schools, this would be on the front page of every national paper for a number of weeks.

“Because these are young people from deprived neighbourhoods, people just think ‘Oh well. That’s what you’d expect’.

“I think that’s disgusting.”

■■ Read the full interview: Page 9

BOXING CLEVER

Miguel’s Gym with a mission 15

BRIXTON OR CORNWALL?

In praise of Archbishop’s Place 14

414 BEATS COUNCIL

Planning defeat in High Court

GOING TO THE DOGS? Brockwell Park show is back

3

4

2 NEWS

BRIXTON BUGLE brixtonblog.com Proudly edited in Brixton

Both website and newspaper are published by a not-for-profit community organisation run by a committed team of people from Brixton » 020 3730 1312 » @brixtonblog » @brixton_bugle » brixtonblog.com ADVERTISING Simon Still 07970 204486 simon@brixtonblog.com Circulation 10,000 copies Readership: circa 15,000 EDITOR Linda Quinn linda@brixtonblog.com MANAGING EDITOR Simon Still simon@brixtonblog.com NEWS EDITOR Anna McKie newsdesk@brixtonblog.com ARTS & FEATURES Barney Evison, Ruth Waters arts@brixtonblog.com FOOD Miss South food@brixtonblog.com SPORT Sandra Brobbey sport@brixtonblog.com David Gibson ISSUE 44 Writers:

Emma Bartley Kate Corry Nikki Griffiths David Moftakhar Annabel Sampson Susan Sheehan Ruth Smith Harry Yeates Sub-editor: Jamila Omar Production: Alan Slingsby Crossword: Josie Gardiner A massive thank you to everybody involved in making this issue, and the Blog & Bugle project, a success If you would like to be a Bugle stockist please email distribution@brixtonblog.com

brixtonblog.com

2016 JUNE

‘We don’t enjoy this’

Brixton’s Eshalomi voices Garden Bridge concerns

Recently arrived in Brixton and keen to help with the Bugle and Blog, we asked Harry Yeates to cover his first full meeting of Lambeth council. This is his report.

Lambeth council convened at Elm Green School in West Norwood on 18 May. A lot was said but very little was constructive.

“No ifs, no buts, no Lambeth library cuts” rang out on loop, as did “Lambeth Council hear us say, our libraries here to stay.”

Mayor Saleha Jaffer, struggling to make herself heard above the din, said: “This is for the community. We have to take some real decisions here. Can you please be quiet. It’s not helping you; it’s not helping you.”

And it didn’t help. A council spokesman said the mayor was forced to abandon the meeting, “despite repeated appeals for cooperation, following persistent disruption from around 20 people in the public gallery”.

The drama began when mayor Jaffe said: “There are no deputations on tonight’s agenda.” Enter the chair of Friends of Lambeth Libraries, Laura Swaffield. “I’m afraid that’s not quite right,” she said, before attempting to address councillors.

But her protestations were in vain as, the truth was, there were no deputations on the agenda and the council would sooner adjourn than grant Swaffield an audience.

Why there were no deputations is more contentious. A leaked email from Alison McKane, head of council legal services, reveals that a deputation request was submitted by the Friends of Lambeth Libraries (albeit late).

But the official reason for not allowing it was that circumstances were deemed not to have changed sufficiently since the last deputation on the subject was heard in November.

When the council returned for the scheduled cabinet statement by council leader Lib Peck, the familiar chorus sounded: “Lambeth council hear us say, our libraries here to stay.”

Again the council adjourned, only this time when it reconvened it was to vote hastily on a Gambling Act report and the corporate committee annual report. All other business was deferred to the next meeting.

During the second adjournment, Swaffield said: “We don’t enjoy this kind of hoo-ha. Up till now we have used the council’s democratic processes to the letter and we’ve offered full accurate facts and reasoned arguments.”

And now? “They’ve taken notice that we’re a damn nuisance and that we make trouble and that’s all they see us as.”

Sadly, Swaffield’s analysis may be right.

After the meeting, Adrian Gardner, Labour councillor for Brixton Hill, was seen remonstrating with the public gallery.

“Mainly I was saying ‘shame’ to them,” he said.

“They have prevented a full debate on several subjects for the benefit of the people of Lambeth. We couldn’t have the debate because they prevented free speech. That’s why I said shame.”

Lib Peck speaking to library protesters at a council meeting last year

Council leader Peck hits back at library claims Lambeth council leader Lib Peck has hit back at library campaigners who accused the council of wasting thousands of pounds on security for the closed Carnegie (Herne Hill) and Minet (Myatt’s Fields) libraries.

Laura Swaffield of Friends of Lambeth Libraries had emailed Lambeth councillors urging them to call a halt to the council’s plans for its libraries.

These include re-opening the Carnegie and Minet as “healthy living centres” run by council leisure provider GLL with gyms and books, but no full-time librarians.

Peck accused protesters forced the abandonment a full council meeting last month (see left) of having no intention of allowing it to go ahead.

Peck said she had met Swaffield and other protesters on several occasions and that it was

“unfortunate therefore that you continue to feel the need to disrupt the democratic process while claiming we have not listened to you”.

Peck laid out again the reasoning behind the council’s library plans and accused the campaigners of making claims that are “simply not correct”.

In particular, Peck said, the campaigners had made errors in their calculations – claiming in the letter to councillors that 369,000 minus 89,000 was 189,000, when it is actually 280,000.

She went on: “You continue to use that miscalculated figure throughout – I think that says a lot about the accuracy of your claims and your willingness to throw around any figure, no matter how true, to make your case.”

■■ You can read Peck’s letter and the campaigners’ email on the Brixton Blog: http://bit.ly/lam-libs.

Brixton Hill councillor Florence Eshalomi, now also elected representative for Lambeth and Southwark on the London Assembly, has called on mayor of London Sadiq Khan to provide guarantees on the financing of the Garden Bridge and to commit to listen to concerns raised by Lambeth residents.

She is concerned that Transport for London will be liable to pick up any unfunded construction costs or the £3.5m a year maintenance costs.

Mrs Eshalomi also raised concerns that, while the mayor has called for the bridge to be used for fewer private functions and for the bridge to re-open to the public quicker than planned, the Garden Bridge Trust has yet to agree to those demands.

Stem cell donor appeal at the Rec Brixton Rec will host the African Caribbean Leuk­ aemia Trust charity’s 20th anniversary celebrations on Sunday 5 June.

It is organising a donor registration drive at the annual basketball Hoopsfix All-Star Classic event.

The donor drive will also run as a patient appeal for the #Match4Tommy campaign to find a matched stem cell donor for four-year-old Tommy Simpson suffering from acute myeloid leukaemia.

JUNE 2016

NEWS 3

brixtonblog.com

Unpublished report showed dangerous levels of pollution at Brixton’s primary schools

By Anna McKie An air quality report that was not published by Boris Johnson while he was mayor of London shows that many Brixton primary schools are in heavily polluted areas.

The report, Analysing Air Pollution Exposure in London, found that 31 primary schools in Lambeth are in areas that have average nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration levels above 40 micrograms per cubic meter of air – the EU limit – in 2010.

St Helen’s Catholic School and Corpus Christi primary school in Brixton had average NO2 levels of 48.11 and 44.23 respectively.

Levels at Sudbourne Primary were 43.05, St Jude’s Church of England Primary School’s were 42.53 and Hill Mead Primary had levels 41.7. Levels at Loughborough Primary School were 40.83.

High levels of NO2 can stimulate the development of lung and heart diseases and puts people with existing conditions, such as asthma, at risk of serious ill-health.

Of the 1,777 primary schools in the capital, 433 were in areas that breached the EU limits.

Of those, 83 per cent were considered deprived schools, with more than 40 per cent of pupils on free school meals.

The Guardian newspaper

discovered that the research was commissioned by the Greater London Authority in early 2013 and completed in September the same year, but was never actually published.

Caroline Russell, Green Party London Assembly Member, said: “Knowing children risk reduced lung capacities and asthma from exposure to vehicular pollution, it’s staggering that for two and a half years Boris Johnson sat on a study showing almost a quarter of London’s primary schools are in areas exposed to illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide.”

The report found the number of affected schools would reduce by 2020. But in 2016, Brixton is still facing extremely high levels of pollution.

Brixton Road breached the recommended EU limit less than two weeks into this year, making it one of the most polluted roads in the UK. In April, in a letter addressed to the potential mayoral candidates, Lambeth for a Cool Planet called for “urgent action” to address the pollution problem.

New London mayor Sadiq Khan last month announced plans to increase the size of the ultra low emissions zone – London’s clean air charging zone, as well as implementing the plan in 2019, instead of 2020.

COUNCIL AND POLICE ISSUE DOMESTIC ABUSE WARNING

Lambeth council and the Metropolitan police have teamed up to warn of the possible increase in domestic abuse during the Euro 2016 football tournament.

In a joint message, council leader Lib Peck and chief inspector Nick Collins said: “Major sporting events like Euro 2016 aren’t responsible for domestic abuse – people are. We will not tolerate domestic abuse – it’s a serious crime. Our message is that if you, or someone you know, are experiencing domestic abuse, tell someone, preferably the police but please tell someone so we can help you.”

Lambeth is one of the first councils to have developed and deliver a service, the Gaia Centre, designed to prevent violence by changing attitudes, making sure perpetrators are brought to justice and providing support for victims.

The centre provides one-to-one confidential and bespoke support services for women over 14 and men over 16 who live in Lambeth and who have experienced or who may be at risk of gender-based violence, including: domestic, sexual, financial and emotional abuse, stalking, prostitution, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, “honour”-based violence and trafficking.

The service is free and staffed by female staff only. Children are welcome. Contact the centre on 020 7733 8724.

Club 414’s Louise Barron and Anthony Pommell with their legal team outside the High Court

Council suffers new planning defeat The High Court last month ordered Lambeth council to reconsider its decision to grant planning permission to redevelop Brixton’s legendary Club 414 for shops and flats.

The permission, controversially granted by Lambeth council planning officers, and not councillors, under delegated powers, would have led to the loss of the club together with a flat which is the home of its owner, Louise Barron. Her action was described as “bold” by her legal team, but she succeeded and won all her legal costs from the council.

Both the council and the developer conceded the claim,

but the council would not agree to a statement of reasons that included unlawful delegation as a reason for quashing the planning permission.

Nor did the council accept that the court could make an order requiring the planning application to be re-determined by its planning committee.

The council did accept that it had failed to consider the (then emerging) Lambeth Local Plan, which was adopted just one week after the grant of permission.

The plan recognises the importance of protecting Brixton’s night-time economy and supports leisure uses where they contribute

to its vitality and viability.

Mr Justice Gilbart accepted the agreed order and quashed the planning permission. The application for planning permission now returns to the council to take the decision again.

The council recently defended another controversial decision to delegate planning decisions to its full-time officers – this time in connection with the Garden Bridge.

Aspects of its consultation on the proposed, and now agreed, decision to demolish and redevelop the Cressingham Gardens estate were found to be unlawful by a judicial review.

Rec users urge backers to get behind listing bid An architectural organisation has applied to Historic England for the Brixton Recreation Centre to become a listed building.

DOCOMOMO, a non-profit organisation devoted to the documentation and conservation of buildings, sites and neighbourhoods of architecture’s modern movement, has applied for Brixton Rec to be listed in recognition of its architectural, social and community significance.

Brixton Recreation Users Group committee says it supports the application and believes the listing will protect the Rec’s unique architectural features – such as the pool, the atrium and sports hall – as well as the huge range of recreational

facilities for the future.

The group also said the listing would “celebrate and recognise the vital role the centre has played in the cultural and social life of Brixton residents, through a history of turbulent change”.

Listing would also ensure that any major changes proposed by Lambeth council or any other organisation would have to be explained and justified publicly.

BRUG is asking supporters to tell Historic England why the Rec is important to them.

■■ Email applicationssouth@ historicengland.org.uk, with the reference 1434761 (copy to recusergroup@btinternet.com).

HISTORIAN SEEKS INFORMATION ON BRIXTON COUPLE IN ICONIC 50s IMAGES

Historian Jesse Olszynko-Gryn is seeking help with his research into a family from Brixton whose photographs appeared in the mass-circulation Picture Post magazine in 1954 and became iconic images.

The photographs were republished many times over the decades in different contexts – as above.

They show a couple named as Babs Sango, who is white, and Johnnie Sango, who is from the West Indies. Their two children – one is in the picture above – might be in their sixties today, Jesse says.

“I would like to locate them if they are still around or any relatives and friends and, if they agree, then to meet informally and talk with them about what it was like to be photographed back then and what the photos meant to them.”

“Through their photographs I hope to tell the story of a family and a generation of mixed-race couples that transformed Brixton and, indeed, England.”

■■ You can contact Jesse at jo312@cam.ac.uk.

4 NEWS

brixtonblog.com

2016 JUNE

Summer opportunities for young people in Lambeth Young people in Lambeth are in for an exciting summer of outdoor adventures, bike-building, costume creation and much more, thanks to £95,000 of funding.

Young Lambeth Coop (YLC), a charity, has just completed selecting projects to fund.

Bidders presented to a panel of 20 trained young commissioners at a public event in Lambeth last month.

There are three streams to the programme chosen by young people from across the borough and activities focus on improving young people’s aspirations, self-esteem, social capabilities and employability.

The Making Summer Memorable stream will be decided by public vote. Young people can vote on the video

It’s show time in Brockwell Park More than 100,000 people are expected at this year’s Lambeth Country Show over the weekend of 16–17 July in Brockwell Park.

There’s a great line-up of live music and stalls with cuisines from all over the world. (See What’s On, p20-21 for music line-up).

And it’s time to get out your vegetable peeler. Brixton’s favourite competitions are back and it’s not too late to enter your scarecrows, recycled gardens, and vegetable animal carvings.

The deadlines for entries to the Recycled Garden and Scarecrow competitions is 1 July. To enter go to lambethcountryshow.co.uk/ getinvolved.

For inspiration check out last year’s Scarecrow winner Heidi Wunsche’s “Titanic Love” (above).

There’s an Olympic theme for the Scarecrow competition this

year: “Rio Gold All Stars”. Depict your favourite sports stars as scarecrows for the chance to win £100. Entry is free.

First prize for Recycled Gardens last year went to Paul Johnson with “ San Pelligreenery” (right).

You can use any type of recycled container for your garden; an old wheelbarrow, shopping crate, washing up bowl or even an old tyre.

You can plant anything from a mini-vegetable plot to a flower bed. All successful entries will be displayed over the two days of the show and judged by the public.

■■ Entry deadline for the annual favourite – vegetable animal carving, run by the Lambeth Horticultural Society – is 14 July.

The winner is judged by the public.

New film records the AfricanCaribbean experience in Britain Brixton community activist Devon Thomas (inset) is among the cast of a documentary that explores race relations and immigration through the chronicles of the AfricanCaribbean community in the UK. Keep Calm is a revealing story about a dramatic multi-generational mobilisation to change and shape modern Britain. It covers ground from the colonisation of Jamaica up to the issues that the African-Caribbean community is confronted with in the present day.

Also in the cast are poet, writer and DJ Dr Lez Henry, Artist George

“Fowokan” Kelly, academic Dr Les Black and others. The film has a parallel emphasis on personal experience through the stories of four members of three generations of the Baileys – Gloria, Charles, Grace and Bianca.

A crowdfunding campaign is under way to help finalise the production to an international standard.

Any funds exceeding the target will go to the Black Cultural Archives and Mind. You can view a trailer at https://youtu.be/ juuxV4fh5ng ■■ For more information: www.keepcalm.film.

PLANNING BEGINS FOR WINDRUSH ANNIVERSARY 22 June 2018 will mark the 70 years since the arrival of the Empire Windrush bearing people from the Caribbean emigrating to Britain. Brixton’s Black Cultural Archives are hosting a meeting on 22 June this year that will begin planning how to mark this anniversary.

One idea that has been promoted (including a guest post on the Brixton Blog) is a public holiday to celebrate the Windrush generation and the contribution of immigration and migration to Britain since WW2.

■■ More details from Kumar Rajagopalan siva_kumar.t21@btinternet.com or Patrick Vernon patrickvernon@btconnect.com.

applications on the YLC website.

Summer Link Up: A minimum of 350 children and young people will attend adventure activities to improve social and emotional capabilities.

Learning New Skills: At least 50 young people have the opportunity to participate in accredited courses, building digital and creative skills.

Making Summer Memorable: Over 400 young people will benefit from amazing days out and short programmes of activity aimed at building confidence.

■■ Anyone aged over 11 who lives, studies or works in Lambeth can become a YLC member and have their say about youth services in the borough, by registering and voting at www.younglambethcoop.co.uk.

Event will honour the Diamond Dog

By Anna McKie Dog-lovers rejoice: the Brockwell Park Dog Show is back on 10 July. But the community-run event needs some local love to keep it going.

After 10 years, the iconic white picket fence is starting to rot and the volunteers who run the show are asking for donations to replace the affected pieces.

They are hoping to raise £500 to fix the fence, but would love to raise enough to invest in a vinyl one that won’t rot and can also be loaned out by Brockwell Park Community Partners – who support the show – for other events.

The dog show – dubbed more “Scruffs” than “Crufts” – was almost cancelled last year, but volunteers rallied to put on a great show.

The Tudor-themed event in 2015 was judged by Oscar-winner Mark Rylance as well as actress Trudi Goodwin, Elaine Partleton who runs Flower Lady in Herne Hill and Brixton Bugle co-founder Tim Dickens. The show runs from 2 to 4pm and is free to watch – with registration from 12pm to 1pm.

There are limited places, so it’s first come first served. Entry is £2 per category which range from handsomest dog, prettiest bitch, cutest puppy, golden oldie to best fancy dress.

This year’s judges are yet to be announced but the show’s theme this year will honour the late legendary local and diamond dog

lover, David Bowie.

To donate, visit gofundme. com/brockwelldogshow. Rewards include dog show posters, sponsorship, and even awarding a rosette.

If you would like to volunteer on the day, get in contact via facebook (search for “Brockwell Park Dog show 2016”) or through the Twitter handle @bpdogshow2015.

JUNE 2016

NEWS 5

brixtonblog.com

KEEPING TRACK OF BRIXTON’S MAKERS AND SHAKERS

The magnificent 17 set up shop on Coldharbour Lane

Voucher scheme fans enjoy yam soup and the market The fruit and veg voucher scheme charity Alexander Rose invited participating families to join in Brixton’s Love Your Local Market celebrations last month.

On the menu was a thick yam soup made with veg­et­ ables from participating stalls. The team also gave out goodie bags containing the recipe and ingredients.

Charity chief Jonathan Pauling said: “We had a fun afternoon eating lots of good food and meeting with Rose Voucher families. But it’s not just about healthy eating,

there’s a social, cultural and economic value to a market too.”

Around 115 families are participating in the scheme at six children’s centres, including Maytree (pictured), trading £2,500worth of vouchers at Brixton Market stalls each month.

Victoria Williams, Director of Food Matters, said workshops run at the centres had increased the consumption of fresh food prepared at home and there was evidence of improved children’s health.

Diverse Gifts on Coldharbour Lane is hosting 17 new traders from the Lambeth Forest Network until the end of July.

All the makers were trained in how to start a business by social enterprise Tree Shepherd. Most of them had only ever sold at street markets and small events before.

The traders were chosen at a pitch night earlier in the year at the Tulse Hill Hub after a presentation to Diverse shop owner Anita Thorpe. For most of the newcomers it is their first experience in a proper retail environment.

Anita, a lead Tree Shepherd tutor and mentor to the Forest Network, said the 17 had an opportunity for feedback on products and pricing.

She sees her donation of shop space as an act of social responsibility which also enables customers to learn the story behind the local makers.

Children’s clothes by Y Kairos, one of the 17 traders

“Partnering with local people helps to integrate Diverse Gifts in the community and it helps keep money in the local community, Brixton in particular.

“The selection and retail contract process helps Forest members get a first taste of shop retail, preparing them for taking their products to other buyers in the future.

If some of the traders do well at Diverse Gifts, who knows, they might secure a more permanent spot there.”

Lydia Gardner from Tree Shepherd added: “It’s a great example of how a local business and a social enterprise like Tree Shepherd are supporting low income local start-ups to go into retail.”

The Forest Fayre at Diverse Gifts continues till 28 July.

The Tree Shepherd work, supporting the Lambeth Forest Network traders to get into Diverse Gifts, is funded by Lambeth council’s New Homes Bonus, a fund that aids the incubation of start-up businesses.

Tree Shepherd’s Lydia Gardner admires the new offerings in Diverse

SEOUL TRADERS WILL LEARN FROM BRIXTON A delegation from South Korea led by Joeong Won Oh, secretary general of the Association of Elected Mayors in Seoul, visited Brixton Market Traders Federation last month to see if they could learn from the way the traders run the market.

Welcoming the delegation, market traders’ chief Stuart Horwood told the delegation that the secret of its success was its diversity and its roots in the local community.

“There are traders from all over the planet working in this street,” he told them.

The Smarter Choice When Letting Your Property MEET OUR BRANCH MANAGERS

If you’re thinking of letting your home or property, our award winning team can help you find high calibre tenants and achieve the very best price in the shortest possible time.

Plus...

Misty Dowson Brixton

Ryan Enright Brixton

Pete Ranki Camberwell

Jerome Jackson Streatham

FREE Property Management for new Landlord Clients*

Joe Laurence Area Manager

CALL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE VALUATION Brixton

020 7326 7450

Camberwell

020 7358 7979

Streatham

020 8696 7900

info@beresfordresidential.com

West Norwood

COMING SOON *Terms & Conditions apply. Contact us for full details.

B£ Shop – can you help us find a new space?

Since opening our shop in October last year, we have tried to make it into as useful a community resource as possible. We’ve tried to fill the gaps that increasingly exist in our town centre – we’ve sheltered people from the rain, called cabs, stored luggage, looked after bikes, charged phones, and given away over 250 custard tarts, donated by members of the public!

We have also hosted a huge variety of events and activities. We’ve had Advocacy Academy and MyBnK youth education workshops, local group meetings like Fuel Poverty Action or Brixton Bugle

contributors, showcases of local makers and bakers, an exhibition from Skills Network on the phenomenon of in-work poverty among women in South London, a skillshare for fixing household appliances from The Restart Project, a music performance by Fingersnap… you name it! And then our regulars, the No Kidding parent and baby group, Heart in Art Mosaics classes, Kids Create workshops, and Chocolate Poetry Club open mics.

All in all not your average high street shop!

Unfortunately as Brixton Arches get redeveloped in a few months we will have to vacate this space.

Do you know of any available space where we could move and make sure all of the above is not lost, or do you have ideas about how we could get one? If yes, please do let us know!

And while the shop is still in its current location, do come visit us – and if you’ve got any ideas for using the space, there’s still a bit of time left!

Brixton Fund and the future of community activities in Brixton – have your say!

The Brixton Fund is the Brixton Pound’s local grants scheme, introduced last year to increase the resources available for community and socially-minded activities in the area.

We want to bring people together to help us decide how the current round of grants should be distributed – join us on Tuesday 7 June at 6.00pm (6.30pm start) at the beautiful Brixton East.

We will also be hosting a panel discussion that addresses the question: how can community activities exist, let alone thrive, at a time when London’s development creates increasingly difficult conditions for it?

Come and hear from people working to create better conditions and join the debate.

Among music, nibbles and drinks (Brixton Fund sponsor Three

Eight Four will be joining us for the evening) we’ll also be running a raffle where someone will be going home with a highly-coveted limited edition David Bowie Brixton Pound print.

The first one went for over £1,000, so this is a seriously hot piece of property!

■■ For more information and free tickets go to brixtonfund.eventbrite.com

Brixton Bonus The Brixton Bonus is a local lottery with tickets costing just £1 a pop, and a B£1,000 jackpot every month!

out for a meal. I’m also going to donate some of my winnings to the Ebony Horse Club in Loughborough Junction.

And while you get a chance to become a Brixton Thousandaire, additional revenue from the Bonus goes into the Brixton Fund, from which we give grants to local organisations of community benefit.

So you can support your area and win money to spend locally in the process – a winwin situation.

“I think opportunities for people to have a go at things they normally wouldn’t get the chance to do are great!”

More details on brixtonpound.org/ brixton-bonus – good luck!

The April draw was won by Urszula, who’s lived in Brixton for 30

years: “I have never won anything before! I would like to take my family

Next draw: Friday 1st July – get your tickets now!

3 Atlantic Rd | brixtonpound.org | @brixtonpound | info@brixtonpound.org

JUNE 2016

COMMUNITY 7

brixtonblog.com

Caring in the community Ever thought ‘nobody asked me’ as Brixton changes around you? You’re not the only one. As the Brixton Pound prepares a new discussion on community activism, Jamila Omar asked three community stalwarts for their views …

Most Brixton residents don’t need to be told that “the times they are a’ changin”.

Every day it seems a pub or small business becomes a supermarket or is demolished and replaced with flats.

There needs to be balance.

Valuable assets like community organisations must not be left behind, otherwise we’re in danger of becoming a soulless collection of residential streets with no personality or heart.

We asked a few community stalwarts for their thoughts.

Binki Taylor (above) is a founder member of Brixton Pound

which, she says, is a powerful community tool, allowing people to engage collectively, as well as helping others to understand our distinct culture.

Jane Duncan Ribeiro (top) toils tirelessly for Brixton Community Base (BCB) on Talma Road, which allows locals access to arts and cultural opportunities, sports and wellbeing activities, as well as “fun stuff”.

Lamonte Johnson (right) set up BlingYaBike, a charity teaching young people how to repair bikes, create original art or spray paint designs, become teachers or bike mechanics and train as entrepreneurs.

The current economic climate has affected each one’s work. Binki says the Brixton Pound has had to “become more commercially aware, which in many ways has made us more creatively ambitious. It’s more challenging, more rigorous, but there is a freedom in it.”

Jane holds strong views on the subject, saying “the arts/culture sector has been diminished by

the current administration. It has never been harder to secure funding for groups that seek to support children/ young people, families and senior members of the community.”

Future funding is also a concern but elicits mixed feelings.

Binki feels that, even though it’s a constant challenge, “it’s no different for the independent-thinking businesses we work with. It’s important that we share the same environment.”

Lamonte champions the entrepreneurial spirit, believing it’s the key to helping charities becoming more financially independent: “We have a fundraising stall at West Norwood Feast, and we had four pop-up shops at the South Bank.”

Jane expresses an element of frustration, saying that “to prove that you are re-inventing yourself constantly is almost impossible.

This is what is required to secure funding from traditional sources.

Surely a sustained approach, one that allows your organisation time to grow, is best.”

When asked if the Brixton demographic shift has changed

the way they work, Binki recognises that “we need to understand and reflect what is going around us. Our response to gentrification is to provide enough accessible anchors for us all to be able to find some autonomy in the current system.”

Jane, on the other hand, feels “Brixton is now a place to drink, have fun and stay for a few years. BCB is impacted by the huge house prices in the area and those who choose to buy in. We need families and people who would like to access the arts, have fun away from “town” (central London) to come and keep the place alive.

“I have lived here for 23 years and don’t recognise my local environment. The work delivered by BCB and many local organisations is trying to keep some semblance of a community. However, I think the tsunami wave of regeneration has wiped many people out. We weren’t asked if we wanted loads

of bistros, eateries and trendy drinking places.

“We want places for children to grow up in safety, libraries and, yes, decent pubs so we can chat, laugh and enjoy our lives together.”

Despite the changes, it’s not all doom and gloom. Lamonte says that BlingYaBike “looks forward to working with some of the new residents of Brixton, perhaps as volunteers or mentoring young people”.

As Binki emphasises, even though Brixton’s sense of place may be changing, “social cohesion is up to all of us – it’s a shared responsibility.”

■■ Brixton Pound is hosting a discussion event on the future of community activities at Brixton East on 7 June. Further details at http://bit.ly/FCAB-HYS ■■ BlingYaBike runs Brixton Bike Studio at Brixton Community Base, Talma Road, SW2 1AS, each Sunday from 1 to 5pm. Members of the public can have their bikes repaired, redesigned and sprayed, and learn bike mechanics: http:// bit.ly/BCB-BYB.

GET A COMPLIMENTARY SECOND PAIR OF CRIZAL UV LENSES Terms and conditions apply Also available with

BANKS OPTOMETRISTS 8 Acre Lane, Brixton SW2 5SG www.banksoptometrists.co.uk

CALL US ON 020 7274 4414 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

8 COMMUNITY

brixtonblog.com

2016 JUNE

Bumps, babies and walks in the park Brixton’s National Childbirth Trust proves a long-term lifeline for mothers – Emma Bartly explains When I left King’s College Hospital after local parks, cafés or volunteers’ homes. giving birth to a beautiful baby girl in Having moved to Brixton only a few February, I had a game plan for the months before my daughter’s birth, I newborn phase. I’d stocked up on so many was keen to meet people in the area. So I snacks that Sainsbury’s staff thought I grabbed the 27 things I now need to take was bulimic. I’d found the largest can every time I go out (muslin, nappies, Sophie of dry shampoo Batiste would produce.

La Girafe, etc.) and knocked on the door of Most importantly, I’d joined the National Sarah Hooper, the branch treasurer who Childbirth Trust (NCT). was hosting a “bumps and babes” group.

“I actually heard about the NCT from Sarah introduced me to the four other friends in Australia,” says Melanie new mums sitting around her living room Howlett-Khera, the co-ordinator for the and, before long, we were all sharing highly relatively new Brixton branch of the graphic details of what it feels like to get National Childbirth Trust. intimate with a venteuse.

“Being Australian I didn’t have any “The first few months of parenthood can family around me when my daughter Alice be lonely, and coming to a postnatal tea or was born in 2011 and the mums I met at my bumps and babes can help,” says Sarah, NCT class were an amazing support. who is mum to Dylan, four, and Max, 18 “Learning to be a parent can be hard and months. “It’s good to get out of the house it seemed like nearly every time we met for and you make great friends – my aunt coffee, someone would burst into tears. But still meets up with her NCT group 30-odd it was great to be around people who were years on.” going through the exact same thing at the Countless friendships have been made exact same time.” in the home of While the charity Miriam Wickham, ‘Learning to be a parent can is best known for its another Brixton be hard and it seemed like antenatal classes – volunteer who hosts which coach more monthly postnatal nearly every time we met for than 100,000 parentsteas for mums and coffee, someone would burst to-be through birthing babies under three into tears. But it was great to pools and pethidine months, usually on a each year – it believes be around people who were Monday afternoon. that parents need A teacher at going through the exact same support long after Rosendale Primary thing at the exact same time’ childbirth.

School, she loves being This is where around tiny babies, local volunteers like Melanie come in, especially now that her daughters Leia, organising baby first aid courses, breastnine and Rosa, six, are getting bigger. feeding counselling and nearly new sales “I have had anything from one mum (and where new mothers can buy clothes and sometimes dad) and baby to 15 turning up,” equipment at bargain prices. she says. “The youngest baby I ever had Perhaps most helpfully, they also bring was four days old and it was his first ever new parents together with free events in trip out of the house.”

Like bumps and babes, NCT postnatal teas are welcoming and very informal.

“In summer we sit in my garden with the babies on a rug and in winter we sit inside,” says Miriam. “I provide lots of teas and biscuits and sometimes cakes my kids have made.

“I cuddle the babies and tell the parents about local activities such as the Big Scream at the Ritzy and baby groups at the Treehouse at Holmewood Nursery.

“They like to share their labour stories and talk about breastfeeding, sleep (or lack of) and generally getting used to the shock of looking after a new little person.”

The Brixton team are now trying to build up their branch, which recently split from a larger one that also covered Dulwich and Streatham.

The idea is to gain more of a community feel and they are looking for volunteers to help with events, social media, marketing and PR.

The first Brixton nearly new sale is happening on 18 June (Bolney Gardens Community Centre, Stockwell, 1–3pm) and help will be needed to bake cakes, set up tables and welcome people.

For those who are having a clear-out of clothes and kit, tables are £20, and there will be a children’s party afterwards (3–4pm) run by Monkey Music.

Meanwhile, volunteers are starting to host bumps and babes groups in some of Brixton’s brilliant cafes. And, as the weather warms up, there will be walks around Brockwell Park (meeting outside the one o’clock club, Wednesdays at 10.30am). While having a baby is never a walk in the park, sometimes a walk in the park can make it a little bit easier.

■■ You don’t have to be an NCT member to join an event. Find details at www.nct.org.uk/branches/brixton or email coordinator.brixton@nct.org.uk to register for the branch’s monthly newsletter.

Free space in Brixton for community projects to network Impact Hub Brixton is offering free space for anyone who wants to create a better Lambeth to host events, work and network Want to do something for the community, but haven’t got the space to get it off the ground?

Impact Hub Brixton and Transition Town Brixton can help. They have got together to create an open project night at Impact Hub in Pop Brixton every Monday night.

Spaces will be available for hosting events, working and

networking. For those less sure of how they want to join in, facilitators and connectors will be on hand to introduce people and projects.

Duncan Law of Transition Town said: “There are so many people active in their communities, whether they are starting sports clubs for young people, redistributing surplus food, creating futures for our libraries … but from what we hear, there are limited spaces for these groups to meet, work and be creative.”

Hub team member Rebecca Trevalyan said: “We’re excited by what open project night means for civic activism in the area, and

we hope to see lots of new faces at the Hub. You can find volunteers for your project; brainstorm with others how your local street, library or housing system might be different; ask for feedback on your early-stage social business; or host meetings and events for your friends of parks group or music initiative.”

■■ Sign up for free at http:// openprojectnight.eventbrite. co.uk. The two spaces for larger events or meetings must be applied for in advance via the eventbrite page. One space fits 25 people, the other eight. The project nights run from 6.30 to 10.30pm.

JUNE 2016

OPINION 9

brixtonblog.com

BRIXTON BUGLE

COMMENT Government must act on youth violence Streatham MP Chuka Umunna’s latest plea for the world, and especially government down the road in Westminster, to sit up and take notice of the toll that violence is taking of young people in South London comes as a sombre contrast to much that is going on in Brixton.

The Urban 75 forum recently highlighted a four-page feature on Brixton in the in-flight magazine of the Australian airline Qantas.

“In the past six years, the fortunes of this urban neighbourhood have taken a dramatic turn for the better, due largely to the success of food hubs,” it said.

You can even “make your own artisanal French cheese board”.

All great news if, as the neighbourhood goes up in the world, all its inhabitants go with it.

But this is not the case. The intensely worrying upswing in violent crime among young people in the borough is something that has to be addressed and not, as Chuka Umunna says, by members of local tenants and residents’ associations in what little spare time they may have.

In this issue we highlight how Lambeth Council, Lambeth College, Miguel’s Gym, Hill Mead School and many others, all in their own ways, are working hard to create opportunities and role models for young people who face a mountain of disadvantage.

But the lead, and the money, has to come from the top.

Central government must act now before violent crime among young people takes more of their lives.

A knife taken from a 12-year-old in Brixton town centre in May – Tweeted by Lambeth police chief inspector Roy Smith

We have a very serious problem with extreme youth violence. It is getting worse and we have failed to get to grips with it Local MP Chuka Umunna talked to the Bugle about growing concern over knife crime among young people in the area and the need for new approaches and urgency in preventing it It is ten years since Chuka Umunna, then a young lawyer, became a trustee of a Brixton youth charity, the 409 Project.

“What shocked me was the level of detail that some young people in Lambeth were able to give me about a gun – they could tell me how many bullets a MAC-10 could spray in a second or in a minute,” he recalls.

Even more shocking was the ever-growing list of young people in and around Brixton who died, and continue to die, from knife and gun crime.

In 2008 29 young people in London alone lost their lives as a result of knife crime.

This statistic fell from that point until 2012, when it began to rise again.

According to Citizens Report, a not-forprofit organisation that collects data on the issue, 17 London teenagers lost their lives to this violence in 2015 – up from 11 in 2014.

The number of offences the Metropolitan police tags as “gang violence” has gone up by more than 25 per cent since 2012.

Many incidents go unreported and are known, if at all, by a victim visiting A&E, not in an ambulance but in a private car, and remaining silent about what caused their injuries.

Chuka Umanna is explicit: “We have a very serious problem with extreme youth violence,” he says. It is “quite different” from the problems he knew about when growing up in the area. “It is currently getting worse and, frankly, we have failed to get to grips with the problem.

Parallel universe

“We see a huge amount of tragedy, wasted lives and some young people living in a parallel universe from everybody else.”

The MP was prompted to approach the Bugle in his continuous campaign to keep the issue in the public eye by the latest figures: “In Lambeth in the last four weeks there have been 11 stabbing incidents. The overwhelming majority of those have been multiple stabbing incidents – one person being stabbed more than once.

“Since the beginning of the year, we have had 114 incidents of serious youth violence

in Lambeth – that’s someone being stabbed and potentially losing their life.

“Across London there have been over 2,300 such incidents since the beginning of the year. This is in line with what was happening last year. There has been no improvement at all.”

Don’t say gang

Chuka Umunna is concerned that public attitudes to and reporting of such incidents – when they are reported – is being affected by a simple four-letter word: Gang. “It has become a serious problem for two reasons.

“First, it enables agencies and government to put this problem in a pigeonhole.” That enables them to think when an incident occurs: “Oh well, that’s how it is with those young people”.

Second, “It reinforces gang culture.

It encourages young people who are not gangsters to come to view themselves in that way and play up to a certain stereotype.

“We need to stop using that term.

“The difference between now and the last peak of youth violence locally in 2008-9 is that the groupings tend to be smaller and

Chuka Umunna: Because these are young people from deprived neighbourhoods, people just think ‘Oh well. That’s what you’d expect’. I think that’s disgusting much more fluid.”

While the issue is one for criminal justice and enforcement, it is also a mental health issue, says Chuka Umunna.

“A lot of young people are pretty traumatised and are under-developed because of their age and are not being given any support for what they are going through. In Lambeth we have one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the country. We have some of the highest rates of substance misuse. All of these things impact on the home environment of the young people we are talking about.”

Then there is the fact that “there are just not enough things for our young people to do outside of school and, therefore, no channel for their energy”.

In cuts to local government funding by central government since 2010, youth provision has often been the first to suffer, because many of those services are not

statutory, says Chuka Umunna.

Yet, he says, some young people will spend more time with a youth worker than with their teachers. But “we don’t put youth work on the same level and give it the same standing as teaching – and we should”. Youth work needed to be recognised as a proper profession and paid as such. But members of tenants and residents association were being expected to “do it on the side”.

Another key component of the problem was change in the labour market. The stereotype of a single parent struggling to bring up teenagers did not necessarily apply. In today’s world, a couple could each have multiple jobs taking up all their time and energy as they struggle to make ends meet. People in the UK work the longest hours in western Europe.

While there was a problem with the bling-bling consumer culture, sometimes young people became involved in criminal activity because it was the only way they could see to help Mum to pay the bills.

Zero tolerance

One way of approaching the problem was to take a targeted and zero-tolerance approach to individuals identified as having leading positions in the loose organisations involved in youth violence.“Often, when they are dealt with and sanctioned, activity reduces in a particular area.”

Chuka Umunna is also concerned that central government has closed the Ending Gang and Youth Violence programme and replaced it by “a couple of civil servants and an email in-box”.

It was “a huge retrograde step”, apparently to save money. But, he says: “I don’t think you can put a price on the lives of our young people.”

Chuka Umunna is furious that the issue of youth violence was not mentioned in the recent Queen’s Speech setting out the government’s planned activity over the next year.

“I promised that when I was elected I would never let up on this issue and I’m not going to,” he says.

After the loss of life, one of the things Chuka Umunna finds most disturbing about the issue of youth violence is that “If we were talking about middle class kids who were all attending very smart, nice schools, this would be on the front page of every national paper for a number of weeks.

“Because these are young people from deprived neighbourhoods, people just think ‘Oh well. That’s what you’d expect’. I think that’s disgusting.”

10 INCREDIBLE EDIBLE

brixtonblog.com

2016 JUNE

FOOD WASTE SURVEY

Public green spaces that really deserve investment Susan Sheehan talks to a green pioneer who asks why we need a Garden Bridge when we already have – and need more – edible bus stops, edible avenues and pocket parks which have a greater impact on air quality

As a director of Incredible Edible Lambeth (IEL) and founding director of Brixton based The Edible Bus Stop® (EBS), Mak Gilchrist has a passion for encouraging the growing of edibles in the urban environment and breaking down of neighbourhood barriers by generating conversations and creating landmarks of pride for communities.

A resident of Brixton for more than 30 years, she, along with the team at EBS and fellow directors of Incredible Edible Lambeth (IEL), are firm believers in the importance of keeping public land public and, crucially, accessible.

A recurring thread of EBS projects is the importance of keeping public space as a public asset. This also forms an integral part of IEL’s philosophy. Selling or leasing public land provides only a short-term solution to the holes in borough council’s budgets. Particularly when it forms such a vital asset to urban life, especially in the crowded and polluted London environment.

The original Edible Bus Stop on Landor Road SW9 was born out of a feeling of

Unlike traditional community gardens, edible avenues are open 24 hours a day unease at the prospect of the neighbourhood’s one green space being sold off to private developers.

What started as an ad hoc guerilla garden led to public opposition seeing off an outline planning proposal. Thanks to the support of IEL in the early days, within two years, the newly landscaped garden, now known as the Kerb Garden, became the first of the Mayor of London’s Pocket Park schemes to be realised.

The EBS continues to grow its Edible Bus RouteTM, which consists of three growing spaces and a fourth in the germinating tray. Following the 322 bus route which travels from Crystal Palace to Clapham Old Town, it makes use of existing transport infrastructure to connect communities.

The Hoopla Garden in West Norwood grows native and wild plants. The Edible Bus Garage in Crystal Palace sells its herbs

at the local farmers market.

Each garden is individual, with the neighbourhood it sits within tending to its needs. All improve an area’s look and feel, offer wellbeing benefits, enhance biodiversity and aid in the reduction of air pollution. However, the prevailing theme is their edibles. WE ALL EAT. EBS started in Brixton but now works across London. Next month sees an “Edible Avenue” installation in Thessaly Road SW8. It creates links between New Covent Garden Market and local residents by creating an animated and playful public growing space. This will be a platform of communication that forms a narrative as the area changes.

“Unlike traditional community gardens, our spaces are open and inclusive 24 hours a day, and balance form with function, with a strong emphasis on design. They are the essence of a shared public space and asset,” says Mak. “With ever-shrinking local council budgets to maintain green spaces, the community taking responsibility and coming together is something that is not only a necessity, but an ideal way for locals to meet and work for a greater good.”

IEL believes that these gardens are a perfect example of community empowerment in action, but despite there being a consensus that growing spaces are a quick and easy way to enhance the wellbeing of an area, it is difficult to attract private finance.

So why is it so hard to attract private investment into green spaces within the urban public realm?

“Consider the controversial Garden Bridge,” said Mak. “Its costs are huge at an estimated £175m, and its accessibility is already being called into question. Yet public and private money has been found.

“Doing sums on the back of an envelope, its current budget roughly equates to 33 new pocket parks per borough. There are 33 boroughs … those pocket parks could make a massive difference to how London looks and feels, not to mention having a far greater impact on London’s air quality than a bridge with planting.

“Growing spaces must be valued and kept safe guarded. Without them, city life would be far less bearable.”

Incredible Edible Lambeth is working with Lambeth Food Partnership to research food waste in Lambeth.

During June we will be investigating what happens to food waste and surplus food from Brixton food businesses.

We already know that market stalls and shops generate very little waste, and any meat or fish is separated and recycled into pet food, candles or used to produce energy.

But what about restaurants? We know that many give surplus food away to organisations like Brixton Soup Kitchen, but what about food that is not edible such as plate scrapings or cooked food that cannot be reheated?

If it goes into the “bin” along with packaging waste then it contaminates waste such as cardboard so that it cannot be recycled. So most likely businesses that do not recycle their waste at all do not recycle (or compost) their food waste.

But we want to find out if this is fact. If businesses don’t recycle/separate their food waste is it because it is too expensive?

Perhaps those that do recycle can recommend their waste companies.

■■ To find out more or take part in the survey please contact Sue Sheehan on suesheehangcc@gmail.com

Top interior air purifiers We have been researching how we can use plants to reduce air pollution. This is not just a problem on our streets.

In many cases, our homes are polluted by all gasses emitted as synthetic materials or chemicals naturally degrade from your furniture, flooring or paint, releasing harmful particles into the air.

Luckily, there are houseplants to help purify your home’s air. The top air purifying plant as identified by NASA, is the very common, easily purchased, Spathiphyllum or Peace Lily (above).

Sansevieria (Mother-in-Law’s Tongue) is also said to remove at least 107 known air pollutants. Both plants produce oxygen throughout the night, so all round a win-win!

Do some research and you’ll find many options out there to help you breathe easy!

Brixton BID is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening Brixton’s diverse business culture. We represent over 650 levy‑paying businesses in the local area and work to develop new and exciting opportunities for Brixton.

Lambeth Street Pastors Lambeth Street Pastors started on the streets of Brixton in 2013. They are here to listen, care and help, handing out bottles of water, collecting broken glass from pavements and helping people get home safely after a night out.

Lambeth Street Pastors cover Brixton, Clapham and Streatham area.

Brixton BID is setting up a crowd funding campaign to raise enough money for 15 additional Street Pastors to be trained to join the dedicated Brixton team of volunteers. At a recent Night Time Economy Forum, many of Brixton’s licensed premises agreed they would pledge to support the work of the Street Pastors.

If you would like to support the work of the Street Pastors in Brixton, a link to the crowdfunding campaign can be found at brixtonbid.co.uk.

Sylvia Emodi and her African print furniture were just one of 17 new traders and products from the Lambeth Forest Network whose work you can view and buy at Diverse on Coldharbour Lane until the end of July

Brixton BID Business Club Brixton BID Business Club is our new voluntary membership option.

Membership is £75 per year including VAT. Business Club members can benefit from cost saving, training, seminars and marketing plus access to regular BID meetings and events. You can download an application form at brixtonbid.co.uk.

Save £££ through joint procurement Brixton BID member businesses can save money through the joint procurement programme which is now live. Our partners Meercat Associates have already identified thousands of pounds worth of savings on business costs such as merchant fees, insurances and telecoms.

To start saving call: 014 4441 6529.

Love Your Local Market We were pleased to support Brixton’s indoor markets with a programme of events in celebration of Love Your Local Market day recently.

The businesses of Brixton Village and Market Row hosted customers for breakfast followed by a full day of entertainment. One of them was Carioca (right) where Maurilio Goncalves served (from left) Devon Thomas, chair of the Brixton Business Forum, Lambeth councillor Donatus Anyanwu, lead member for community relations, and Brixton Green director Brad Carroll.

Children’s entertainer Captain Cutlass (left) did just that for children from Rosendale Primary School on their visit to the market.

Love Your Local Market is a nationwide annual event and a perfect way for Brixton to showcase and celebrate our creative, unique and friendly business community.

The event was organised by Groupe Geraud and their tenants in partnership with Lambeth Council and Brixton BID, with funding support from the London Enterprise Panel’s New Homes Bonus programme,

which is helping to drive local economic growth by re-vitalising and diversifying London’s high streets.

Support Brixton’s business community – shop local!

Brixton Design Trail: Calling local creatives!

Brixton Design Trail wants to hear from local creatives interested in being part of the September design festival. The team are looking for large and small scale installations, exhibitions, talks and workshops which showcase design and creativity in Brixton. Applications need to be in by the end of May, ahead of finalising key events in June. More info at brixtondesigntrail.com

020 3417 7373 admin@brixtonbid.co.uk

@BrixtonBID brixtonbid.co.uk

12 APPRENTICESHIPS

brixtonblog.com

2016 JUNE

MP Chuka Umunna talks to participants

Hype Coiffure owner Calvin Rattray

YOU’RE

Lunchtime: Spiral apprentice Kashima Low (right)

Hype Coiffure’s award-winng apprentice Chanel Anderson (left)

Pop Brixton workshop on apprentic A workshop hosted at Pop Brixton by Brixton BID (Business Improvement District) heard first hand from apprentices, business owners and trainers about the benefits of hiring apprentices.

Brixton BID is one of the first business districts to hire an apprentice – Reece Simwogerere (right), and Reece was on hand to welcome the guests. “We set the tone because we’ve taken on an excellent apprentice,” said Michael Smith (BID director).

Local MP Chuka Umunna, a big fan of the apprenticeship route into work, made a guest appearance. He said it was a no-brainer from the employer’s point of view. “You help to shape the young person. What better way to arm kids with the life skills they need?

“Too much emphasis is placed on the university route. We’ve got to completely demolish the idea that apprenticeships are worth less than a degree,” he said.

The MP pointed out that some apprenticeships are now the equivalent of a degree, but without the tuition fees, and debts. Apprentices were also confident they would get a job at the end of it. “The challenge is to make sure more

people know about it.”

Andrew MacPhee, Lambeth council’s working apprenticeship manager, explained the process of hiring a local apprentice through a certified training provider. “Apprenticeship is a job that combines learning with actual work.

You practise on the job what you’ve learned.”

Calvin Rattray, who owns Hype Coiffure with salons in Battersea and Brixton, described his experience of hiring an apprentice. “Producing apprentices is the backbone of commerce and industry and is invaluable for the future operation of business,” he said, “The best part

JUNE 2016

APPRENTICESHIPS LABEL 13

brixtonblog.com

How to get a degree level qualification without the debt burden Education consultant Ruth Smith explains Lambeth council and college plans to increase opportunities for the borough’s school leavers Traditionally apprenticeships were seen by many as an alternative route for “non-achievers” but now, after a radical overhaul, they have become a viable and alternative post-16 career route, from beginner level (GCSE equivalent) to degree apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship reforms have put employers “in the driving seat” with the implementation of new employer-­designed standards. The intention is to make apprenticeships an attractive choice on a par with traditional academic routes and underpins

a government ambition to have 3 million apprenticeship starts by 2020.

Lambeth council, in partnership with Lambeth College, is working with employers to give young borough residents increased opportunities from the age of 16 to gain work experience and earn while learning.

Learners will have the opportunity to progress or join at degree level entry (18+) without the burden of student loans.

All apprenticeship training is free and is government funded.

Our aim is for employers and providers to support our young people to successfully achieve their apprenticeship qualifications and progress to either a higher level apprenticeship or to full-time employment.

■■ rsmith7@lambeth.gov.uk

Brixton Pound apprentice Dominic Owumi

E HIRED

ceships – the smart way into work is nurturing their skills and helping them to do it.” Hype has already trained more than 15 apprentices.

One of them, Chanel Anderson, said: “Completing my apprenticeship is the most rewarding thing I have ever faced. I learnt so much about hair and styling. I have grown so much and would encourage others to learn through working. “I feel really special that they’ve taken me on. I meet different clientele and now have the confidence to take on clients.

I value my job even more seeing the time people put in. I’ve seen my progression and people helped me get there.”

Chanel was named Newcomer of the Year in last year’s Black Beauty magazine hair awards.

Joel Balkwill, from Spiral, which organises career training, has taken on Kashima Low. He said: “Kash has brought a whole set of ideas, enthusiasm and energy. It’s great to get the chance to work with them from the beginning.”

Kash said: “I already worked with kids but I wanted a qualification behind what I’d done. I knew learning on the job would be for me.”

Raphael Smith who is doing an apprenticeship in clinical health care at Kings College

Hospital agreed: “It has helped me as a person.”

Dominic Owumi, the Brixton Pound apprentice, said: “It gave me freedom to develop confidence to speak to people. I can help run events and open and close the shop now.”

Dave Byford, director of business and commercial development at Lambeth College, started his career as an apprentice to the late, great, chef Keith Floyd before starting up his own business. He changed careers 10 years ago and now helps train young people at the college which hopes to have turned out more than 1,000 apprentices by the end of July.

Zebina Campbell runs Elm House Training next to Jubilee Primary School on Tulse Hill.

She specialises childcare and sport. “We have 30 to 40 apprentices in placements who are doing really well,” she said.

Sinead Daly, of Hawk Training, specialises in NHS placements. She said there are 350 learners in the NHS and that the retention rate for apprentices is 95 per cent.

■■ You can find out more about apprenticeships, meet the trainers, apprentice ambassadors and college lecturers at the Big Apprentice Day – see right.

Apprenticeships on offer and how they relate to academic and other qualifications

BIG APPRENTICESHIP CONFERENCE Saturday 25 June 10.30 – 11.30am Lambeth College 45 Clapham Common South Side, London, SW4 9BL

Lambeth council and Lambeth College are inviting young people and their parents/ carers to an apprentice-led conference at Lambeth College.

You can hear directly from apprentices about their experience of earning while learning and experts will be on hand to give advice on the latest apprenticeship development and how to apply and receive support for local and London-wide vacancies.

A panel of parents of apprentice ambassadors will answer any questions.

To attend the morning conference visit eventbrite.co.uk and search for “The Big Apprenticeship Day”.

A live recruitment event will take place from

10am and 2pm (no booking required) where there will be advice and guidance on applying for live apprenticeships vacancies. You can network with employers who have taken on apprentices and hear first hand from college teachers what courses are available and get advice on how to apply.

All young people, parents, carers and advisors are welcome to attend the live recruitment event.

■■ If you are an employer/provider and would like the opportunity to promote apprenticeship vacancies from your organisation, for a free promotional stall or further details contact Andrena Law: alaw@lambethcollege.ac.uk.

14

brixtonblog.com

2016 JUNE

Elderberries anyone?

The charm of Brixton’s hidden lane of cottages Resident Annabel Sampson sings the praises of Archbishop’s Place, a world and 20 minutes away from frenetic central Brixton Thoughts of Brixton conjure were originally created as homes up technicolour market stalls, for the staff of “The Elms” of jerk chicken from makeshift Elm Park – a grand old house, barbecues, bellowing, once home to society’s carriagepavement-obstructing preachers owning elite. and a bustle that doesn’t simmer Today, the cottages still stand, a down come nighttime. London’s symmetrical avenue of two-storey answer to Morocco’s Djemmaa semi-detached properties formed el Fnaa square perhaps, a of a distinctive red brick, unique cultural melting pot with an to this Brixton oasis. obstacle course of The cottages are happenings vying for tucked back from your attention? the road with The adjectives perfectly formed leafy, tranquil front lawns and rural framed by don’t quite mismatched make the picket fences, cut – but a nod to that’s where the larger Archbishop’s garden at the Place rear. comes in.

Brixton Archbishop’s was once a Annabel Sampson: Place is a street classic Victorian Close-knit I have rented on suburb, community now for approaching transformed from two years. Steeped in open fields only in the history and just a five-minute 1860s, therefore, its urbanisation, bus or 20 minute trundle up from is in greater historical terms, a Brixton Hill, this charming, leafy fairly recent thing. cul-de-sac that is more Cornish “Sought after residential road” country lane than boom-town and “Brixton’s most idyllic Brixton. Built in 1850s Victorian quarter,” claim estate agents England, the artisan cottages worth their salt. Its distinctive

character has now been formally (and duly) recognised with a listed preservation order following an appraisal by Lambeth Environmental Services, an official testament to the street’s historic and aesthetic merits.

Abounding with plant life, Archbishop’s is an honest reflection of the seasons; cherries, mint, bluebells or jasmine? What were once uniform front lawns are now a landlord’s rural playground and backyard mercado. A garden shed – an astrologer’s den or vibrant aperitif haunt? Palm trees, ponds, a park bench – no two gardens quite the same. The cats of Archbishop’s roam free, a VIP

tenant at each of the cottages.

Notably, the street is home to a close-knit community with correspondence made simple via the “Archbishops Google Group”. A communication thread where local and village issues are discussed, surplus, unwanted furniture offered up and invitations to local goings on proposed.

The inaugural email I received was entitled “elderberries anyone?”

All comes to a head each

summer in August, with the Archbishop’s Street Party and its climactic tug-o-war. This kind of activity defies reserved, aloof London.

As brilliantly summarised in Urban 75’s Unseen Brixton. “Cool Brixton this is not” . But the post goes on to explain that: “The friendly, community spirit, and quietly eccentric atmosphere make it one of the most distinctive and much-loved streets in the area.”

Hear, hear.

Poets’ Corner pupils do the right thing for their friends in Nairobi Brixton primary school St. Jude’s organised a fundraising barbecue for international development charity Farm Africa St Jude’s C of E Primary School in Brixton’s Poet’s Corner is a small school with around 210 pupils, most of whom come from Brixton and Herne Hill.

Its year 3 students and their teacher Daisy Ross decided to act after a letter exchange with children at a school in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi which is supported by the charity Farm Africa.

Farm Africa says that many primary school children in Nairobi get their main daily meal at school but that it often lacks nutritional balance.

Poor diet leaves children vulnerable to malnourishment, which can cause irreversible health problems like stunted growth and impaired cognitive development.

Farm Africa helps primary schools in Nairobi to create urban vegetable gardens so that students, teachers and parents can come together to grow fresh vegetables that children can eat for lunch, improving their diet and enabling them to learn and grow better.

The letters swapped between St. Jude’s and pupils at Mutuini Primary School shared moving details about their lives.

Daisy Ross said: “The children decided to do a sausage sizzle as they thought it would be an exciting way to raise money for the charity. They

are excited about enabling people in less fortunate areas of the world to lead healthier lives and it’s a very empowering feeling for them to be doing something to make a difference.”

Keeping it local, the sausages for the barbecue were donated by Jones the Butcher on nearby Dulwich Road.

Django, aged 7 said: “I think it’s sad that some children don’t get enough to eat and it makes me feel angry because they should have the same rights as we do. If I was hungry I would be happy if I knew that children in another country were doing things to help me.

“It would be fascinating to visit a school in Kenya. I would like to know what their school dinners are like and we could play games like ‘Stuck in the Mud’ and ‘It’.”

Mack, aged 8, said: “I would like to go to Kenya to meet children because I like exploring new places and it would be fun to play football with them because they like some of the same teams as us.”

Deputy headteacher David Winn said: “These kinds of charity focused events are what we are all about as a school. We want to teach our pupils about doing the right thing and we think it’s important that global issues are brought to their attention so they can develop an understanding of what life is like for children in other countries.”

St. Jude’s has also done a fundraising welly walk on behalf of the charity.

Meal time at Mutuini primary school in Nairobi

St Jude’s fundraising welly walk

JUNE 2016

brixtonblog.com

CHANGING LIVES 15

Miguel’s Gym has hosted boxing champion Dillian Whyte and rap superstar Dr Dre, but day in, day out it offers local people the opportunity to change their lives.

David Moftakhar paid a vist Tucked away among the spray shops and MOT garages of Loughborough Junction’s railway arches, Miguel’s Gym looks like your archetypal south London boxing club.

While a number of local professionals, including Dillian Whyte, train there, the gym is also involved in a range of community projects and well-being ­initiatives – it has even hosted Eminem and Dr Dre. “We’ve always produced champions, but we’ve kind of switched it,” says owner Steve Miguel who opened the gym in 1998.

“We’re trying to give our knowledge to the public. That’s how Miguel’s name has been built because we’re giving you authentic boxing training.”

During the day the professionals pound the heavy bags under the guidance of their trainers, but evenings and weekends are reserved for a range of different classes for all ages.

Women outnumbered men five to one at Monday night’s mixed beginners boxing class.

“Zumba wasn’t for me,” said 37-year-old Charlotte, attending her third session.

“It’s a great workout here and the trainers are really impressive.

March and was embarking on a training There’s been a lot of girls here the last programme ahead of his next fight in July. couple of times.”

“The eight-week countdown starts from Miguel’s runs £1 classes for unemployed today. It’s all high intensity – boxing, people, an obesity programme including sparring, running, cycling, swimming, training and diet plans, and classes for conditioning, weights. By week six I over-60s. The trainers also go to local should be there and then I’ll taper. I’ll be schools to teach the sport’s principles of discussing tactics with Don and John from discipline and respect alongside twice an early stage.” weekly after-school kids’ classes at the gym.

Don Davis and John Simms are Boxing is one sport that can claim a Rakeem’s trainers. genuine legacy in terms of grassroots You would be hard pressed to meet participation and continuing success at elite someone who lives and breathes boxing level following the London 2012 Olympics. more than Davis – a former professional This sport’s growing popularity is reflected who competed at super welterweight in in the gym’s plans for expansion. the 1960s.

“We’ve got so busy that we’ve taken Forced to retire early due a serious eye on another arch,” says Miguel who injury, from his lowest ebb on a hospital intends to install another bed in what was the Royal 50 heavy bags upstairs Eye Hospital in Elephant ‘Zumba wasn’t for where the ring sits under and Castle, he gave up his exposed brickwork and dream of becoming world me. There’s been a corrugated iron shaken by champion and decided lot of girls here the passing trains. to dedicate himself to last couple of times’ It is a ring that has training others. seen Eminem and Dr Dre Davis was Britain’s first step between the ropes black trainer when he got to perform a battle rap for the UK press his licence in the 1960s and went on to launch of the Slim Shady LP. Mike Tyson become the first black man in Britain to and Floyd Mayweather have also passed train a world champion when he guided through while in the UK. Dennis “The Hackney Rock” Andries to the The current stable of professional boxers light heavyweight title in 1986. fighting out of Miguel’s includes Dillian Davis is a man with a passion for the Whyte, Ian Lewison, Isaac Chamberlain, science of the sport and he learnt from and Dominic Akinlade. Also among the the very best including Muhammad current crop is Rakeem Ashaye Noble, a Ali’s trainer Angelo Dundee as well as 26-year-old law graduate from Croydon who world champions Ingemar Johansson, turned pro in 2012.

Sonny Liston and Marvin Hagler. He has Rakeem knocked out the undefeated seen first-hand what boxing can do for Sohail Ahmed to win the southern area young people. super lightweight championship in “It can keep you from trouble. You’ve got

Miguel’s Gym: providing priceless opportunities in Loughborough Junction to sleep at the right time, you’ve got to get up at the right time, you’ve got to leave the street life.

“I’ve helped a lot of fighters, people on the street, bad boys. I take them from the street and say come here. Some of them do alright, some of them don’t have the ability.”

Sammy McKay is an example of someone who has turned their life around at Miguel’s. A product of the Lambeth Boxing Initiative – a London Fire Brigade venture based at Miguel’s to help young people in training for two weeks but the trainers south London break away from gangs – he already had high hopes. is now club captain.

“He’s got a boxing brain,” said John “Boxing teaches you healthy eating, all Simms as Malachi towered above Don the stuff you need to do to keep you fit, Davis in the ring receiving detailed like cutting out late nights; all the things instruction on his footwork and the correct that help your body hand position for a to recover quicker. It left-right combination.

‘You’ve got to sleep at the teaches you a lot of “Give him six months discipline,” says McKay. right time, you’ve got to get – if he sticks with it he “The people are really will be competing.” up at the right time, you’ve friendly here. There’s Miguel himself is got to leave the street life. a lot to learn from clear on what he thinks everyone and everyone will help address respects each other. the problems young When you’re speaking to someone like John people, particularly young men, face in the Simms, Don Davis or Richard Williams area today. (former world light-middleweight champion “I’ve seen it so many times: ‘We’re going and another of the gym’s trainers) they all to change this and that by investing £10k talk to you with respect.” in this project’. It doesn’t change anything The next step for McKay, who hopes to for these guys. What changes it is role turn professional next year, is the Haringey models. They come in here and they see Box Cup, Europe’s largest amateur boxing role models, they see old guys training event. He will be competing alongside people. We look after them and give them six other fighters from Brixton at the the opportunity to change their life and that Alexandra Palace in June. doesn’t cost anything.”

McKay recently introduced his friend Miguel’s Boxing Gym has been changing Malachi to the gym, a 21 year-old with lives for the best part of two decades and a hulking 6’5 frame. He had only been that is priceless.

16 ARTS & CULTURE

brixtonblog.com

2016 JUNE

When 500 people joined in a Grease sing-along in Brockwell Park Herne Hill Free Film Festival, now drawing to a close, entertained the screen-hungry masses of the Hill, Brixton and anyone else finding themselves in this leafy corner of south London. Kate Corry reports.

Conscious uncoupling Brixton writer and comedian Rosie Wilby is back this summer with a show that challenges the modern romantic breakup.

Ruth Waters found out about her outspoken stance on the new breakup ideal – conscious uncoupling – which has inspired her show.

Have you ever consciously uncoupled?

Yes. I’m in a platonic partnership with someone who originally wanted to have a romantic relationship with me. Because we’ve taken the time to do this respectfully, this central deep friendship will survive us both having new romantic partners. It has to. She’s a reliable, intelligent, funny, cool person. I can’t afford to lose her just because that’s supposedly a part of “moving on”.

Do you think we’re evolved enough to do it?

It takes work, thought and communication but, yes, I think we can do it.

It depends how motivated you are to save the good parts of the connection.

What drew you to this subject for your latest show?

My own personal experience made it a matter of urgency for me. I had heard the phrase back when Gwyneth and Chris had used it but felt, like most people, I had no idea what they were talking about. But when I dug a little deeper, I realised that the concept behind it chimes with a lot of the ideas I’ve had about relationships – I don’t believe that we can replace one person with another. We are all unique and not just disposable, throwaway vessels.

So, in my mind, conscious uncoupling is a little bit like polyamory. You accept that your relationship with your ex is still alive in some way, even if the romance and sex are long gone, and that it can co-exist alongside new connections.

I see my ex-partners as “family” because we have shared history and they’re a part of me.

What’s the matter with the regular breakup pattern of panic, desperation, self-loathing and denial?

Well, you’ve clearly answered your own question there! Breaking up, as we know it, is just awful.

The main issue with regular breakup is that is generally one-sided and there’s usually one party who is left in shock and grief. The aftermath can be similar to post traumatic stress disorder and can cause real lasting brain damage. There’s not enough scientific research done yet but it does seem that there are different types of people with brains that can either get over something quickly or possibly never recover. So, we need to take break-up seriously and not just inflict this on a fellow human flippantly.

Unless your partner turns out to be a psychopathic murderer and you are worried about your physical safety, or your kids’ safety, then why would you do it to someone you once cared for?

If you can discuss, negotiate and alter the relationship collaboratively, then it feels like both parties have some input and control.

A friend texted me hours after the London premiere and said she and her mates were still discussing it and recounting all their own stories over dinner.

For many people their musical taste reaches a new low post-breakup.

Why did you decide to include music in your show?

I have a musician friend who did a dissertation all about how people use music after a breakup. It’s fascinating.

It really does seem to help us in some way. Even the songs that trigger a memory and make us feel temporarily worse are part of a process.

I include some Richard Hawley music in the show because he was an artist that my ex and I loved and who I had struggled to listen to again. It’s been nice to reconnect with his work.

Naturally, there is a bit of Coldplay too. That is used in a slightly more tongue-in-cheek way though! Chris Martin’s creative output hasn’t helped me much at all.

Assuming your show isn’t actually self help, what’s the journey you take the audience on?

I interweave a romantic narrative about two people meeting with their eventual breakup emails and the visits of three ghosts who bring some insights into the nature of love and nostalgia. It is based on an old breakup which happened to me five years ago. Because we didn’t have the language or tools back then to “consciously uncouple”, it did end up spiky and difficult.

Any favourite breakup or conscious uncoupling songs to Share with us from your past, your show or both?

Fleetwood Mac’s Go Your Own Way is our pre-show music. I know all their splits were very dramatic but they managed to keep the band together and channel the pain constructively into great songs.

How would you feel if watching your show inspired a conscious uncoupling?

I would love that! I worry though that one person would want it and their (ex) partner wouldn’t and would then be cross with me for planting these hippy-dippy bohemian ideas in their heads. I can see how it all seems a bit pretentious. But it’s better than being horrible and hurting one another.

Have you had many people crying with tears of recognition in the audience? Or nervous laughter?

Laughter of recognition definitely!

■■ Rosie’s show, The Conscious Uncoupling, is at The Dogstar on 14 July. Find out more at www.rosiewilby.com.

Films screened include children’s – and indeed many adults’ – favourite, Paddington, shown at Herne Hill School; classic The Breakfast Club, shown at Rosendale School; 24 Hour Party People at the Off the Cuff Bar in Herne Hill and 1970s cult cycling classic Breaking Away shown at the Herne Hill Velodrome as part of its 125th anniversary.

Bums on seats and blankets varied according to the size of each venue and (if outside) the weather. The neighbourhood played host to more than 500 people, with collections for charities totalling more than £200.

April’s plummeting temperatures meant it was a nerve wracking build-up to the launch, as sleet and even snow fell in the days leading up to the end of the month.

The first screening – a Laurel and Hardy double bill with live piano accompaniment by Neil Brand in Herne Hill’s Station Square – drew a bravely wrapped-up crowd, cosying up under blankets and jackets (below).

The festival was shown at venues across Herne Hill, and drew the community together through its use of schools, the Lido, Brockwell Park, the Velodrome, pubs and even the local Thai restaurant playing host to an award-winning Thai film.

Volunteer Charlotte Ashworth said: “The weather has not been kind – freezing or threatening rain for outdoor screenings, baking hot for indoor ones – though we have kind of grown to expect that.

“But we just had our best night ever in Brockwell Park

showing a Grease sing-along, with 500 people all singing and dancing in the park. It was awesome and totally why we all do it.”

The festival is also about encouraging budding film makers and introducing anyone interested in film to the process of producing one.

The 48 Hour Film Challenge gave people the opportunity to go up against others in the area, as they were given a prop, a line of dialogue, a location and 48 hours to make a three-minute film. This year’s entrants were strong, with the winners announced at an awards ceremony hosted by comedian Michael Smiley and Oscar-winning producer David Parfitt.

One of the challenge judges, Tom Worth, said: “The entries were especially good, as some of the teams have made a film every year and you can really see how they have improved with their plots and special effects.

“We even had a 50-foot monster guinea pig in Brockwell Park, courtesy of a green sheet from Ikea and a green screen app!”

The festival ends with Whiplash on 28 May at the Lido and Just to See: A Mystery – A portrait of photographer Philip Perkis at the Prince Regent on the 29th.

JUNE 2016

brixtonblog.com

Music: Mix, master and manage Pink Lizard is a music development company based in Brixton and run by artist and musician Tris Taylor. It supports unique and independent musical talent – Barney Evison caught up with Tris to find out more.

“I want to make Pink Lizard a safe place,” says Tris Taylor, founder of Pink Lizard Records, “where people can trust that their creative vision will remain untouched.”

Pink Lizard is a local music company that puts the artist first, with an emphasis on supporting musicians to have more control over their music.

Set up two years ago, Pink Lizard has released records by NeoTropic, the Fatty Acids and Benbo, Tris’ own musical project.

The company provides label services, publishing, mixing and mastering, with supportive A&R to ensure all the artists are completely happy with their final product.

Back in 2014, wanting to push himself musically, Tris set himself a mission to record 52 collaborations during a year.

It was a natural progression from his previous challenge in 2012 to complete one drawing a day. He started making music with friends, then friends of friends, and ended up working with artists in Dubai, the United States and across the world.

Tris ended up making 35 collaborations in the year, falling 17 tracks short of his target, but in the process developed a huge network of passionate artists seeking support and advice on how to bring their music to a wider audience. Thus Pink Lizard was born, named after a discarded children’s toy found by Tris on the streets of Brixton.

“The myth of the democratisation of music is half true,” says Tris, noting that easier access to music technology has spawned a generation of bedroom musicians. “But on the other hand, people can’t finish their music.” What he means is that while artists are finding it easier

to write and record songs quickly, it’s a struggle to mix, master and manage the rights for their work.

Tris has also had enough of the capriciousness of major labels and mercenary nature of the music industry.

“We decided that we needed an alternative industry infrastructure .” The ethos of Pink Lizard Records is like that of Brixton – an inclusive, safe place nurturing creativity and unique talent.

It’s not easy learning the ropes as a new artist and Tris has plenty of advice for up-and-comers: “Decide whether you want to control your own material (ie. not just pursue major label signings).” If so, collaborate with others. Don’t trust anyone other than fellow artists and make music the way that makes you happy. “It’s impossible to work too hard,” adds Tris.

“Every piece of music has a home,” he insists, “whether that’s an in-flight soundtrack or a pop record.” That’s Pink Lizard’s mission, to find and nurture independent new music, across genres and find an audience for it: “I grew up listening to John Peel … we’re genre-agnostic.” It could be 90s trip-hop reissues, John Cage-esque minimalism or Backstreet Boys pop mashups.

Tris is always up for people getting in touch with new music, although warns that his schedule of releases is chock-a-block for 2016. “I just love to hear bonkers things,” he says. There are also live events, the Pink Lizard Parties, which have mainly been held in Shoreditch so far, but Tris is keen to put something on closer to home in future.

Watch out Brixton, Pink Lizard is coming!

‘I just love to hear bonkers things’

ARTS & CULTURE 17

18 FOOD & DRINK

brixtonblog.com RECIPE •STICKY SARSPARILLA TURKEY WINGS

All the barbecue fun with none of the hassle Miss South shows there’s more than one way to get the BBQ taste As soon as the evenings get longer and there’s that promise of summer in the air, I always intend to get the barbecue out and make the most of it. But the last twice I tried, it rained after I’d lit it and I still stress that I’m either going to accidentally poison everyone with undercooked meat or bore them with veggie sausages.

So instead I wanted a recipe that summed up the best of the barbecue feel with the minimum of effort or charcoal and wasn’t dependent on the weather but could be eaten outdoors if you’re hardy.

Chicken wings are like a religion in south London, but I wanted to give some praise to the lesser known but even better value turkey wings you see in butchers round here. I get mine at Dombey’s in Market Row or Brixton Foods on Electric Avenue and ask them to cut each wing into four pieces for ease of cooking because a whole turkey wing is huge. Enough to feed four people cost me about £3.

And speaking of easy, they then get their sticky barbecue inspiration from being cooked in sarsaparilla cordial and

Here at Healthy Eaters we provide great tasting food combined with quick and friendly customer service and the uniqueness of trying to keep every meal as healthy as can be. We use low fat cooking techniques while maintaining succulent taste. Drop in for take-away or eat in.

17 Electric Avenue, Brixton SW9 8JP Tel. 020 7274 4521

www.healthyeaters.co.uk

seasonings in the oven before being perfect eaten with your fingers in front of Saturday night telly or even a Sunday picnic. You won’t be waiting til Christmas to eat turkey again after these!

Start by preheating your oven to 180C and preparing your dish for roasting the wings.

If you’re using a metal roasting tin for the wings, line with greaseproof paper to make it easier to clean afterwards. If you’re using Pyrex or a ceramic dish, lightly oil it instead.

Season the wings well with salt and pepper and then fry them four at a time in a hot dry frying pan for 2 minutes each side.

This makes the skin crispier and allows the flavourings you are adding to stick to it all better rather than slide off to the bottom of the dish.

Put the first batch of wings in the dish you’ve prepared and repeat with the second.

Make a rough paste with the chopped spring onions mixed with the ginger, lemon juice, paprika and five spice powder and spread it over the wings as best you can.

Season again with salt and pepper and pour the sarsaparilla cordial and cold water gently over it all, making sure you don’t wash the paste off again. You could use a 330ml can of root beer, Dr Pepper or cola instead. But don’t use diet here. You need the sugar to get the right finish.

Pop the dish in the oven for an hour.

Check them after 30 minutes, adding a small amount more water if it’s starting to catch round the edges or burn and turn the wings once before cooking another 30 minutes. Allow the wings to cool for five minutes and serve.

We ate them sprinkled with a little hot sauce with rice and a crunchy slaw of grated sweet potato, red cabbage and radishes dressed in a little yoghurt on the side. They would be excellent with some oven roasted corn on the cob too when it’s in season. All the barbecue fun without any of the hassle.

STICKY SARSAPARILLA TURKEY WINGS (SERVES 4) 2 turkey wings, cut into quarters to make 8 pieces ¡¡ 3 spring onions, roughly chopped ¡¡ 2 inch piece fresh ginger or 1 tablespoon ginger puree ¡¡ 1 lemon, juiced ¡¡ 1 heaped teaspoon Chinese five spice powder ¡¡ 1 heaped teaspoon sweet paprika ¡¡ 75ml sarsaparilla cordial ¡¡ 250ml cold water ¡¡ salt and pepper

2016 JUNE

FOOD NEWS

As expected, there is always food news in Brixton these days

NNThe burger obsession shows

no sign of abating with the arrival of Dirty Burger on Coldharbour Lane.

Already popular in Vauxhall, it joins a pretty burger-heavy scene in SW9.

NNBranching out from their daytime

fame for burgers though is The Lido Cafe who are now open on selected evenings featuring pop-up supper clubs from people such as Bao London and Papi’s Pickles amongst others. Keep checking to see who’s in residence as it’s constantly changing.

NNNot the usual pop-up restaurant,

but pop rounds at Market House instead, with Nanban bringing you Japanese soul food from across the road as you eat. I’d be defeated by the ramen and the sofas if I’m honest, but the chicken karaage would work very well!

NNBack to burgers, work is well

under way on Dip n’Flip Burgers who are taking over the old Kaff Bar site on Atlantic Road.

NNAlso having facelifts recently

are Ichiban Sushi also on Atlantic Road and the Phoenix Cafe on Coldharbour Lane. We’ll be keeping an eye to see if anything else has changed except the décor.

NNAnd if you like a bit of sport with your socialising, Brixton Cycles have opened a cafe in conjunction with Look Mum No Hands in their new premises at the junction of

Brixton Road and Loughborough Road. Along with the wi-fi and cake, they are showing cycle races and events throughout the summer during the day. Find your favourite spot there before the Rio Olympics!

JUNE 2016

FOOD & DRINK 19

brixtonblog.com

REVIEW • OKAN

From Osaka with love

By Nikki Griffiths

the window to comfort those scrunched-up faces peering in, unsure if they’ve got the Okan, a restaurant inspired by the street right place. food of Osaka in Japan, has opened its There are Japanese beers Asahi and second Brixton venture on Coldharbour Sapporo by the bottle and Kirin on draft.

Lane. The original nestles inside Brixton Plus a couple of Japanese craft beers, but at Village and focuses on popular Japanese £7.50 each we wimped out. The menu also street food dish okonomiyaki – a savoury lists a wine of each colour. cabbage-based pancake which comes with a I was delighted to see fried chicken on the huge variety of ingredients and toppings. nibbles menu and of course went straight in Owner Moto describes Osaka as “an with an order of that to tame my mid-week, industrial, chaotic and colourful city filled post-work hunger. A generous portion with amazing food and tiny shops” and arrived on top of a simple bed of cabbage she is clearly passionate about bringing a and drizzled with a soy-vinegar dressing. feeling of authenticity and humbleness from This was – and I’m not exaggerating – her hometown to Brixton. Rather cutely, bloody marvellous! The meat itself was her restaurants are named after the slang so juicy and pulled apart with ease, while word for mother. the batter was dreamily crispy with lots Moto’s second restaurant, Okan Ramen, of chunky nodules to crunch your molars focuses on a different Japanese favourite – down on. the warming, comforting noodle soup we’ve We also tried some of the pork gyoza grown to love in the UK. Both shops have a which unfortunately didn’t quite live up back-street vibe to them with lots of paper to the chicken, or rival competitor Mama lanterns, nicknacks and Lan’s offering, but rough-finishes, which were still pretty good. I only add to their charm. The meat was juicy and also think they got lost pulled apart with ease, while on the order as they The vibe is superrelaxed and comfortable the batter was crispy with lots arrived very late on. and I can imagine it The main menu is of chunky nodules to crunch split into two sections being a great place for a solo-lunch, duo-dinner– ramen and soba. Of date or group-hang-out. course, we had to try one from each and so From the outside, you’d be forgiven for went for the prawn and vegetable tempura missing Okan. In substitute of a name, soba and the spicy tonkotsu ramen. just its three-dot-logo protrudes above the The soba dish comprised of well-made doorway accompanied by an A4 sign in buckwheat (and therefore gluten-free, if

GORGEOUS RAMEN: Complete with nitamago egg you’re that way inclined) noodles in a dark and fishy broth. Unlike most ramen I’ve had recently, this one was quite light and didn’t have that same level of depth and density I’ve become used to. Though it was really tasty, it seemed more like a lunchtime ramen to me.

Unfortunately it was let down by the totally submerged prawn and vegetable tempura which had taken on too much water, and lost all crispiness. But the additions of minced ginger, and what I think were sweet potato batons, were a great idea and raised the bar on this homely soup.

As is traditional, the tonkotsu pork bone broth was silkier and creamier than other ramens and packed full of delicious melted pork fat. The noodles were plentiful and soaked up some of the intense, rich flavour and the sliced pork itself was tender and soft to eat. The multiple garnishes included seaweed, spring onion, kikurage (wood ear) mushrooms and chilli threads. And to top it

off was a perfectly soft boiled nitamago egg (meaning it has been marinated for a day in a concentrated broth). This gorgeous ramen was by far my favourite and the only thing that was missing was the spice. The small spoon of chilli oil soon disappeared once stirred into the broth – just a little more of that next time, please!

The prices at Okan, though higher I’m sure than the streets of Japan, are fair and at around £10 for a noodle soup, are comparable to most others in London.

The really great news is that Moto isn’t ready to stop at just two Brixton outlets. It’s her plan to continue bringing us delicious specialities from her home country of Japan, of which there are so many to choose from.

It’s a nation of top-notch food, from which it would be hard to pick a favourite.

Although if I really had to, I’d love to see a robata barbecue open up nearby. ¢¢ Okan Ramen is at 338 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8QH. Check for opening hours.

20 WHAT’S ON

brixtonblog.com

2016 JUNE music and a live outdoor screen for an amazing summer of sport. Thursdays and Fridays 6pm to 11pm, Saturdays 1pm to midnight throughout the summer. £5.

SAT 28–30 MAY @ RUSH COMMON

Diversity on the Green, celebrating our local Lambeth heroes, is an alternative festival event opposite Olive Morris House with a farmers’ market, multicultural food court, arts and crafts workshops, acoustic sounds, live performances, kids activities, African drummers and dancers and more.

Free. Midday to 7pm each day.

THURS 9 @ BLACK CULTURAL ARCHIVES Slavery in Small Things at the Black Cultural Archives: Have you thought about the origins of sugar production or the history of Britain’s stately homes? Professor James Walvin from the University of York talks about the connections between everyday objects and the TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE. He will re-examine present day objects through an alternative historical lens. £3.

1pm to 2pm.

TUES 31 MAY @ PRINCE REGENT

The Prince Regent Pub Quiz. Big cash prizes, free drinks questions and a rollover jackpot question that grows each week.

Free. 8pm.

WED 1 @ WHIRLED CINEMA

Featuring a career-best performance from Michael Caine, Youth is a warm, witty and deeply poignant portrait of love and loss. 8.30pm.

THURS 2 @ CLAPHAM PICTUREHOUSE

Clapham Picturehouse’s monthly LGBT film club, Out at Clapham, has announced a preview screening of acclaimed Australian drama Holding The Man. Based on Timothy Conigrave’s bestselling memoir – a love letter to his long-time partner – the film is the heart-rending tale of Timothy and John, who fell in love at college and began a relationship that lasted nearly two decades. £9 to £12. 3pm.

FRI 3 @ POP BRIXTON

Pop is celebrating one year of being open with four days of events starting Thursday 2 June with a POP FEAST BIRTHDAY Special. On Friday Day 2 of the birthday celebrations transports you to the 1920s with its Prohibition Ball, in collaboration with Swing Patrol London, The Shirt Tail Stompers, Sacha Dieu and Pop’s resident food and drink specialists. The spectacular electro swing group Swingrowers headline.

Dressing up is highly encouraged: think feathers and fringing, trilbies and waistcoats. Free entry all evening.

From 6pm.

FRI 3 @ JAMM

After a string of sellout shows up and down the country, GOOD LIFE comes to the newly refurbished Brixton Jamm. Joining them will be two of the biggest names in dance music, Felix from Basement Jaxx and Maxi Jazz from Faithless. £16.80.

From 8pm.

SAT 4 @ WINDRUSH SQUARE

Orchestrated Acts of Kindness are organising a KINDNESS FLASHMOB in Windrush Square. The group have teamed up with local busker Macka and will give away hundreds of free cakes. OAKS are receiving donations of cakes from local bakeries and cake enthusiasts. They will be baking a large batch of vegan oreo cakes themselves but are still looking for volunteer bakers and people to help hand them out. Check out Orchestrated Acts of Kindness’s Facebook page for more info.

Free. 3pm to 4pm.

SAT 4 @ BRIXTON WINDMILL

Brixton Windmill will be holding its first ever OPEN AIR FILM SHOW in Windmill Gardens. In collaboration with Herne Hill Free Film Festival, Moulin Rouge, directed

by Baz Luhrmann, will be showing, preceded by the premiere of a short film about Brixton Windmill at 200 years old.

There will be prizes for the best costumes inspired by 1900s bohemian Paris, presented by Wakako Kishimoto of Eley Kishimoto. Bring a picnic and something

MUSIC NEWS

Co Arts Editor Barney Evison rounds up the latest music news from our corner of south London

SURPRISE FAT WHITE WINDMILL FAMILY GIG

Local rock band Fat White Family played a surprise gig at Windmill Brixton on 16 May to raise funds for the funeral of their friend Mark Carnell. You can catch them again in Brixton at the Academy on 17 September.

414 WINS REVIEW OF REDEVELOPMENT

Good news for independent music venues: the owner of legendary 414 dance club on Coldharbour Lane has challenged Lambeth council in court and won.

The High Court ordered Lambeth to reconsider its decision to grant planning permission to redevelop the premises 414 for shops and flats. More on page 3.

LEVELLERS ANNIVERSARY AT ACADEMY?

Brighton folk punk band the Levellers will play their classic ’91 album Levelling the Land in full plus other hits on a major UK tour supported by Ferocious Dog to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the release of that same album.

There’s a stop off at Brixton Academy pencilled in for 3 December.

CHILDHOOD FINISH SECOND ALBUM

Childhood, the surf rock band from Brixton, have finished recording their second album. The psych rock foursome have spent the last few weeks in America putting the final touches to their much anticipated follow-up to 2014’s Lacuna.

waterproof to sit on and enjoy a show under the stars. Free. 8pm.

SUN 5 @ THE WINDMILL

Sunday BBQs are back at The Windmill.

As usual there will be live bands, a free BBQ between 5pm and 7pm. Hosted by The No Frills Band who play folk music. £5.

From 5pm.

MON 6 @ HOOTANANNY

Brixton BookJam will be celebrating its 4th birthday with readings from Stella Duffy, James Flint, Alex Marshall, Jim Gleeson, Seraphina Madsen, Zelda Rhiando, Anna Mazzola, Lloyd Shepherd, Daniel Ruiz Tizon, Steve Mullins, Dennis Monaghan, Daniel Ruiz Tizon and Dorcas Pelling.

Free. 7.30pm to midnight.

TUES 7 @ BRIXTON EAST

Brixton Pound are convening a panel discussion on the future of community activities in Brixton and beyond. You can also participate in the final stages

PARTY IN BROCKWELL PARK THIS SUMMER

Brockwell Park is set to be buzzing this summer with three music festivals across – not forgetting the wonderful Lambeth Country Show on 16–17 July (see RIGHT/LEFT).

GALA is the first up on the second May bank holiday (29th), promising food, games and music with headline sets from Nightmares on Wax and Norman Jay. Next up is FOUND FESTIVAL, a dance show taking place 11 June with sets from Deep House Don, Kerri Chandler and Derrick May. Finally on 9-10 July there’s SUNFALL, a new electronic music festival with some big names headlining including Jamie XX (above), Joy Orbison and Goldie.

FRI 10 @ JAMM

Mirroring Queen Bey’s all conquering spirit – Gold Teeth are throwing BEYONCÉ’S LEMONADE TERRACE PARTY. Expect: Lemonade cocktails, Lemon-braids (Get your weave done Lemonade-Style), Jay Z Pinatas (Complete with Beyoncé Bats) and Blue Ivy HulaHoop World Championship. Music from Sweet Bill B2B DJ Rah Kelly’s Beyonce Special + Special Guest DJ’s. £6 to £20. 7pm to 4am.

SAT 11 @ CAMBERWELL ARTS

The annual Camberwell ARTS FESTIVAL works in partnership with local residents and artists studios, galleries and arts organisations to programme a nine-day festival of exhibitions, events, open studios, walks, talks and workshops. Until 19 June. camberwellarts.org.uk for more info.

SAT 11 @ BROCKWELL PARK

of awarding grants from the Brixton Fund. 6pm, Brixton East, Barrington Road SW9. You can reserve your place on eventbrite.com.

Found Festival returns to Brixton for its fourth and biggest edition of six stages of house, techno, disco and more electronic music. From £35. 11am to 9pm. Afterwards head to Electric Brixton for the official after party. 9pm to 6am. £7.50 to £12.50.

WED 8 @ MARKET HOUSE

TUE 14 @ UPSTAIRS AT THE RITZY

House of Idiot OPEN MIC COMEDY night.

Weekly Wednesday performance party with alternative comedy, sketches and cabaret. Free. 8pm.

A varied and welcoming open mic night, hosted by local singer/songwriter and Ritzy staff member Gabby Colledge.

Running alongside her popular weekly night at The Railway in Tulse Hill, she will be welcoming all acts ranging from musicians, comedians and spoken word artists to the Ritzy stage. Free. 7pm to 11pm.

WED 15 @ EFFRA SOCIAL THURS 9 @ VALENTIA PLACE

The team behind South Pole Saloon are back: this time bringing Miami beach in the form of BRIXTON BEACH BOULEVARD to Valentia Place for a series of day and night parties with food, drinks,

Brixton Knitting Group “Stitch and Bitch”.

Bring your own needles and wool, have a beer and enjoy a good old natter. Beginners welcome. Free. 7pm.

THUR 16 @ BRIXTON MARKET, UNIT 16

World Music Night fundraiser hosted by ICYE UK. Bring your own VINYL. £6. 7pm.

JUNE 2016

brixtonblog.com

WHAT’S ON 21

LAMBETH COUNTRY SHOW LINE-UP

TROPICAL PARADISE: Jungle Fever kicks off in Brockwell Community Greenhouses on 18 June Family ticket, 2 adults & 2 children, £60.

From 12pm.

FRI 17 @ WATERLOO BRIDGE

Ride with Pride: Unite for an epic group cycle throughout London. The theme for this year’s London Pride is #PRIDEHEROES, riders are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite hero who has made a difference to the LGBT community. Don’t worry if you can’t decide who to dress as, come as your own hero!

6.30pm, meet underneath Waterloo Bridge.

MON 20 @ PRINCE OF WALES

Zumba class in this soundproofed club, with awesome sound, two industrial fans and air-conditioning. £8. 7.30pm – 8.30pm.

TUES 21 @ ELECTRIC BRIXTON

Eat Your Own Ears & Live Nation present Santigold, plus special guests. From £20.

Doors 7pm.

SAT 18 @ KELLETT RD

All Effra area residents are invited to the Kellett Road “Warm Up Rio” STREET PARTY. Free. 2pm onwards.

SAT 18 @ BROCKWELL GREENHOUSES

Jungle Fever family workshop invites all mancubs and jungle VIPs to celebrate the launch of Brockwell Community Greenhouses’ very own TROPICAL PARADISE, with tantalising tastes and scintillating sounds to experience. £5 per child / £2.50 low-income. Ages 5+. This workshop must be booked in advance using the online ticketing system (brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk). 10.30am to 12.30pm.

SAT 18 @ THE WINDMILL

Return of the ever popular THE CYPHER LOUNGE ALL-DAYER. A new addition at the last event, King of the Ronalds, will be

WORLD NAKED BIKE RIDE World Naked Bike Ride is an international organisation campaigning about greenhouse gases emitted by motor vehicles.

A feeder ride for this year’s London event on Saturday 11 June leaves from West Norwood at 2.30pm and is due to pass through Brixton heading for Westminster Bridge where six other groups will merge before heading for a circular ride around the sights of London finishing at the Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner.

■■ More at http://bit.ly/WNBR-London16.

TUES 21 @ THE RITZY ORIGINAL WOMAN ARTIST Dulwich Picture Gallery this month opens the first major retrospective of work by Winifred Knights (1899–1947), an awardwinning Slade School artist and the first British woman to win the Prix de Rome.

Organisers say the exhibition will establish her as one of the most original women artists of the first half of the 20th century and bring together her most ambitious works and preparatory studies for the first time since they were created, including The Deluge, 1920, (above) which attracted critical acclaim as “the work of a genius”.

■■ 8 June to 18 September. 10am–5pm, Tuesday–Sunday.

■■ Adult £12.50, concessions £7.

teaming up again on the event with four rap battles starting from late afternoon.

BBQ kicks off from 3pm with beatboxers and music outside until the live acts and open mic cyphers in the evening. £5 to £8.

From 3pm.

SUN 19 @ DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY Father’s Day Meet, Meat & Meantime: a BBQ feast will take place in the Gallery’s garden, paired with beer from the Meantime Brewing Company in Greenwich. Meantime’s BEER guru will be on hand to explain why each beer has been chosen. £22 per adult, £10 per child.

Monthly Scratch That Brixton offers a platform to musicians, spoken word artists, playwrights, performers, filmmakers, comedians and more. The night consists of seven or eight acts trying out NEW WORK in development to an open and friendly audience who can offer anonymous written feedback. Want to get involved? Email scratchthathackney@gmail.com. Free.

7.30pm to 11pm.

THURS 23 @ BLUES KITCHEN

Join Blues Kitchen’s resident band every Wednesday for a set of classic SOUL tunes from the Motown, Stax and Atlantic vaults.

Free. From 10pm.

FRI 24 @ PHONOX

Perlon label favourite Margaret Dygas arrives at Phonox for a special all-night session with her penchant for long, sweeping productions that cherrypick elements from techno to melodic dub. Free entry before 9pm, £5 advance tickets, £10 on the door. 6pm to 4am.

Music at this year’s Lambeth Country Show (16-17 July) will include jazz/funk/ soul band Incognito, hip-hop band The Mouse Outfit, and electric swing duo The Correspondents on the Saturday, followed

by Little Roy, Johnny Clarke, Matic Horns, Chainska Brassika and Stylo G on Sunday.

More artists are due to be announced soon.

The Village Green stage will present Oxjam Music Festival – with music from Brixton on the Saturday and Clapham on the Sunday.

As usual, the event will have plenty to watch, including – horse jousting, a wild west show, Moto Stunt International as well as sheepdogs, owls and falconry.

Vauxhall City Farm will have donkeys, alpacas, goats in the farm zone. There will also be sheep-shearing, Cattle milking demonstrations and Lambeth Best in Show 2016 contests over the whole weekend.

The Royal Society of Biology and the Royal Society of Chemistry will be on hand to help visitors learn about how brains work, modern medicines, allergies and nutrition.

It’s Your Local Market will run a farmers’ market.

SAT 25 @ PRINCE OF WALES

Neneh Cherry (DJ set) and Jazzie B are up on the roof at the Prince of Wales. £15. 4pm to 4am.

SUN 26 @ HOOTANANNY

Koroleko, formed by Moussa Dembele, rom Burkina Faso, now based in London.

Dembele is craftsman of traditional West African instruments and has been performing internationally for over 15 years. Koroleko’s six musicians play kora, flute, ngoni, balafon, djembe and vocals – bringing AUTHENTIC AFRICAN SOUNDS to Brixton, with material strongly inspired by traditional West African music. Free. 8pm to midnight.

TUES 28 @ EFFRA SOCIAL

Every Tuesday Tommy McTrivia hosts one of Brixton’s most loved QUIZ nights.

Winner takes all with booby prizes too. £5 per team. From 8pm.

WEDS 29 @ O2 ACADEMY

After transforming audiences around the world and acquiring fans like Barack Obama, Keith Richards, Alicia Keys and Beyoncé, Gary Clark Jr. supports his latest album, The Story of Sonny Boy Slim, with a new UK tour. The Austinborn VIRTUOSO guitarist, vocalist and songwriter continues to spread his musical wings and spectrum hues wider.

From £29. 7pm.

THURS 30 @ PRINCE OF WALES

Fox’s Late Night Hang at The Prince of Wales is a great place for live jazz and night owls. Free. 11pm to 3am.

DOCUMENTARY AND DISCUSSION ON CHILD REFUGEES The Ritzy will host the award-winning documentary This is Exile: Diaries of Child Refugees on Saturday 18 June. The film will be followed by a discussion with Ahmad al-

Rashid, a Syrian refugee who fled war in Aleppo, and Ellie Scofield, a campaigner from Save the Children who lives in Brixton. The film paints an intimate portrait of child refugees forced to flee Syria’s civil war now learning to live in Lebanon. It was filmed over a year by Emmywinning director Mani Benchelah. From 12:30 to 3pm. Free.

22 COLUMNS

brixtonblog.com FRANKIE HOLAH

Don’t rest on your laurels

Get off the scales

No doubt the garden has burst into life.

In many ways this is the most important time to keep on top of growth.

With plenty of rain and lashings of sunshine you probably feel like the garden is literally growing in front of your very eyes. The spring bulbs are now all but spent; the plants and shrubs are budding and bursting into life.

All this means that your beds and borders can begin to look full, and a little untidy.

So here are a few tips from me to help you make the most of your spring garden …

Tulips, daffodils and spring bulbs need to be cut back … but don’t dig them out.

Just cut them back to about six inches above the ground (below). The bulbs are still growing and absorbing light through the leaves so you need to leave some foliage for at least six weeks.

Perhaps you noticed a field of bluebells or wild garlic … both spread prolifically so now is a good time to dig some of this up and at least thin it out. They will both eventually take over.

Don’t forget deadheading … we want our plants and shrubs to be providing us with flowers and

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 – everything basically!

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.

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

colour for as long as possible so don’t be scared to cut off the dead heads once they have flowered.

This is a time many of us can be caught out … we are still in spring and some late flowering plants may still be dormant from the winter. Be prudent and don’t take anything out at this time of year ... you’ll be surprised how things burst back into life.

And finally … keep a close eye as your plants grow and make sure one isn’t dominating the other. It can often be the case that a plant is dominant and will overpower and sometimes strangle another plant depriving it of light and nutrients. Keep everything where it should be.

Enjoy your garden … it truly is the most exciting time of year.

66 For any gardening enquiries please feel free to call me on 07826 551 353 or thegardeninggirlat82 @gmail.com.

LICENSING ACT 2003 APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PREMISES LICENCE OYSTER CAFÉ LTD has applied to the London Borough of Lambeth to vary a Premises Licence, in respect of the following premises:

NANBAN 426 COLDHARBOUR LANE, LONDON, SW9 8LF The nature of the variation is as follows: To vary the Premises Licence to include late night refreshment on Monday to Thursday from 11pm to midnight and Friday and Saturday from 11pm until 1am; to provide for an extension of the sale of alcohol from midnight to 1am on Friday and Saturday; to provide for the off supplies of alcohol every day but exclusively as part of a home delivery service with hot food; to provide for an extension of the provision of recorded music from midnight to 1am on Friday and Saturday; to provide for a change of name on the license to Nanban.

Also included is a revised and improved plan of the premises (no structural changes have been made).

The record of this application may be inspected during normal office hours by an appointment at the Licensing Section, London Borough of Lambeth, 6th Floor, International House, Canterbury Crescent, London, SW9 7QE , 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

23rd JUNE 2016 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).

Quick Crossword

GEMMA SINCLAIR

2016 JUNE

seeing results.

There have been many occasions a client does not believe the amazing progress they have made until you 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 30-minute 5k, you are the one extra rep you didn’t think you could do. And guess what … none of the happiness or pride you feel can be measured on weighing scales.

And, to be honest, until they say: ‘Well done Frankie – that was a bad ass workout and you look super strong and healthy”, I ain’t buyin’ a set!

Be more than a number!

ACROSS 1. Helmets (4,4) 5. Second hand (4) 9. Famed (5) 10. Melancholy (7) 11. A place to listen to your top 8 records (6,6) 13. Exile (6) 14. Lumpy (6) 1 7. Surprise visitor; smutty geyser (anag) (6,6) 20. Jasmine’s man (7) 21. Otherwise (3,2) 22. Whirlpool (4) 24. Captain Kirk’s show (7)

DOWN 1. Beep (4) 2. Back off (7) 3. Secret purpose (6,6) 4. Love apple (6) 6. Dance; sauce (5) 7. Chime (4,4) 8. Piece of lab equipment (6,6) 12. Cohabiter (8) 15. Guest (7) 16. Baby swan (6) 18. Bear (5) 19. Cranny (4)

JUNE 2016

Hill Mead HERALD 6 Red meet two talented authors

By T’anna and Rashiloh

After a lovely lunch at the wonderful Dulwich Park, 6 Red (our class) along with Year 1 headed off to The Tales On Moon Lane Festival at Dulwich Picture Gallery.

We were off to see amazing authors of children’s fantasy and adventure books. Year 1 listened to Elys Dolan, award-winning author and

illustrator of Steven Seagull: Action Hero.

We took our seats and suddenly jumped when the energetic Marcus Alexander (below) took to the stage. He began to tell us about his Keeper of the Realm books and the main character Charlie Keeper.

He told us that he was getting paid for using his imagination in his books, and he said that we should

try using it more often.

He showed us pictures of his adventures around the world and how they inspired his writing, even some of the weird and wonderful food he has tried.

Marcus said that his voice started to change while he was on his adventure around the world and learnt how to speak different languages such as Indian, Brazilian and French.

He inspired some of us to write ourselves!

We really enjoyed his workshop; it was so entertaining, especially when he picked up Rashiloh from the audience and threatened to ship him off to China. It was hilarious!

Afterwards we asked questions and he gave us some interesting posters about his books. As we went back outside into the sunshine he signed our posters and several of his books, which we now can’t wait to read!

THE WONDERFUL WETLANDS CENTRE

By Hafsa and David

Year 3 went on a trip to the London Wetlands Centre in Barnes to learn about plants. We attended a workshop to explore all the different parts of a plant.

We had to put the plants into groups of ones with poisonous leaves and ones you can eat. Later we were challenged to search for different types of plants, just like green-fingered detectives.

Back in time at The Ragged School

By Chineme and Ise Year 5 swapped Hill Mead for The Ragged School. It wasn’t an ordinary school day because we went back in time to the Victorian era.

When our time machine arrived at our destination we played a game of rounders with two teams and we lost by half a point.

I felt dreadful but my partner felt joyful

because she had fun.

When we entered The Ragged School, the teacher was scary, because she threatened us with a cane.

Everybody had to say good afternoon to Miss Perkins and tell her their name. The teacher was so harsh because if you fiddle you would be put in finger stocks. It may not hurt but it’s frustrating. We had to write with curls and all kinds of stuff I didn’t understand, but she checked if your nails were clean. Also we had to write on a chalk board.

Before we left, we found out what a Victorian kitchen was like. The shape of all the kitchen stuff was weird and old-fashioned – especially a Victorian hot water bottle because it was made out of china. I noticed that there was sockets hidden on the floor.

Some of the kitchen equipment had writing on it.

We left the building and we were sad to leave because we found the trip fun.

YEAR 1’S EXCITING TRIP TO THE NATIONAL THEATRE

By Amarnie and Marvin

One morning in May two Year 5s were surprised to learn they were going on a trip to the National Theatre with Year 1 to be reporters.

We had a long journey to the theatre because we had to spend one whole hour on the bus to get

there. When we arrived we had to stand outside and watch Year 1 practise their play and while they were practising we made a video of them.

We could see they were feeling anxious because they were practising so hard that we felt like the audience will really love

their performance.

Before we went on stage with Year 1, Amarnie and Marvin ­interviewed some parents, including Miss Nickel’s mum.

After me and Marvin interviewed some parents we went inside the theatre.

When we went on stage we

The hardest plant to find was the dandelion, because there were hundreds of leaves that had the same shape. When we found all the plants we took part in a quiz.

We became twitchers for the day when we went inside a hide and using binoculars we looked at all the different birds. We saw geese and swans and baby ducks.

The Wetlands Centre is an amazing place.

Our day out at Kew Gardens

By Shadae We were lucky enough to go on a trip to Kew Gardens in May. On arrival I saw the biggest pond I had ever seen with grey statues dotted around.

We had a guided tour of part of the gardens before starting our workshop about nature. The lady who led the workshop gave two children in my group compasses to help tell us where were going.

We picked leaves in a shaded area, estimated and ordered them using rulers. We had to measure around a tree using a tape measure because the rulers were useless!

Did you know that the circumference of a tree helps tell us how old the tree is and how much water it needs?

listened to some men singing, then it was time for Year 1 to perform.

Year 1 Blue had a jellyfish with a glow stick inside it and the other class had a glow wrist band and a shell clam (right).

At the end all the hard work really paid off.

Bugle SPORT

INSIDE MIGUEL’S GYM Changing lives for the better for 18 years

SANDRA BROBBEY/BRIXTON BUGLE

BRIXTON

Page 15 PHOTOS WBBL

Dulwich Hamlet players celebrating a goal with fans at Champion Hill

Fan power boost for Dulwich Hamlet’s new stadium plans

TOPCATS FOCUS ON THE FUTURE

membership and currently have no participation for under-14 and under-16 boys and girls, which has to change,” says Rogers.

“I can only reiterate that this difficult decision has been reached with the longterm aims and interests of the club at heart. I feel extremely confident that this direction will best serve our membership requirements.”

The Topcats hope to establish boys’ and girls’ teams in d ­ ifferent age groups, with ­designated ­practice sessions and coaches for each side, with the aim of boosting competition at junior level.

Next season will see the club focus on ­establishing under-12s and under-14s teams for boys and girls and under-16 and under-18s sides for boys.

Although its focus will be on honing the skills of a new ­generation of players, the club claims that it has not closed its doors to senior ­basketball returning in the near future.

for the Aspire Academy, founded by manager Gavin Rose.

Plans to increase stadium capacity, led by the club’s owners, the Hadley Property Group, received overwhelming backing from the club’s Supporters’ Trust, which welcomed proposals to incorporate fan ownership.

A poll of trust members showed that 94 per cent backed the plans, which they see as a necessary step to secure the club’s long-term sustainability.

“We have an agreement in principle with the owners of Champion Hill for the club to be put into fan ownership,” said Duncan Hart, chairman of the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters’ Trust.

“This would put an end

to the constant speculation around the club’s existence.”

While the club has stepped up its efforts to encourage fans and the public to share their views on new stadium proposals, redevelopment plans have been met with some local opposition.

Councillor Peter John, leader of Southwark council, has publicly opposed plans for the redevelopment via Twitter posts.

Dulwich Hamlet hope to garner widespread backing for the redevelopment bid and have called for a public show of strength for their plans.

The club’s fans and local residents are being encouraged to have their say by contacting Southwark council’s Planning Department.

HADLEY PROPERTY GROUP

Brixton Topcats have announced plans to nurture a new generation of aspiring ­basketball players following a huge surge in new members aged from four to 16.

A focus on reinforcing its youth set-up has coincided with the club’s unexpected decision to withdraw from the Women’s Basketball League (WBBL) and Division Two of the Men’s English Basketball League (EBL) next season.

The Topcats, who are highly regarded in the local community, have been competing in the WBBL since its inception in 2014 and in the EBL since it was constructed from the National Basketball League in 2003.

Last season the ladies team, whose players include London 2012 Olympian Jenaya Wade-Fray (right) and England Under-18 international Kyla Nelson (above), claimed a place in the WBBL playoffs before losing 91-43 to Nott­ ing­ham Wildcats.

Jimmy Rogers, the founder and owner of the south London club, whose alumni includes NBA star Luol Deng and Ronnie Baker (England’s most capped international player) has described its decision not to compete in either leagues as a “difficult” but necessary one.

“We have a significant increase in our younger

Dulwich Hamlet fans have thrown their weight behind plans for the development of a new stadium at Champion Hill.

Record turnouts of spectators last season were a regular feature for Dulwich, who had more than 2,400 fans at their final home match.

The south London team, who endured heartbreak in the Ryman Premier promotion play-offs after a disappointing 3-1 loss to East Thurrock, hope to build a 4,000-capacity stadium.

The proposal includes the building of 155 new homes and a community gym.

As part of the proposed revamp, club officials also hope to create a centre of excellence dedicated to football and education

Artist’s impression of planned Dulwich Hamlet redevelopment