Brixton Bugle October 2017

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BRIXTON BUGLE YOUR FREE

No 57 | OCTOBER 2017

Published monthly in and for Brixton

ISSN 2397-852X

GO-AHEAD FOR BRIXTON HOTEL NO-ONE WANTS Michaeal Johns, who already has the keys to Brixton, and is known to anyone who has used the Popes Road public conveniences, has been honoured again in a giant mural opposite his place of work. The new work appeared at the end of the Brixton Design Trail week. Michaeal, who runs the market toilets, was presented with the keys to Brixton by council leader Lib Peck at the reopening of Electric Avenue by Eddy Grant last October. The mural artist is Dreph, known for his murals that are tributes to unsung heroes and heroines.

Developers have got the go-ahead for a budget hotel in the centre of Brixton that only they and Lambeth council planners are keen on. Councillors on a divided and unenthusiastic council planning committee voted by four to two to back an application to demolish the building that houses the Superdrug store opposite the Tube station and to build a six-storey budget hotel on the site. Superdrug will return to the site, but councillors on the committee accepted the advice of officers that they had no legal ability to stop developers replacing the SW9 bar at the back of the site that has been a vital part of the Brixton scene for more than 20 years. Lambeth council has turned down an application by its proprietor Alan Culverhouse to lease a replacement council property in nearby Landor Road. After the vote, residents living near the proposed hotel – who will be affected in the short term by massive building work in a confined and busy area – repeated their charge that they had not been properly consulted on the plans, if at all. Objectors told the committee: “We, local residents on Nursery and Tunstall Roads, Bernays and Shannon Groves, Pullross and Bellefields Roads, Stockwell Avenue and Ferndale Road, have NOT been properly consulted.” Now, as one councillor pointed

out, guests of a 96-room budget hotel without its own bar and some of its basement rooms without windows, will be turning out of gigs at the Academy and elsewhere with little incentive to go quietly to bed. Committee chair Claire Wilcox, who proposed acceptance of the application, expressed its mood by saying: “I’m aware that if we had been in the position of choosing applications, this might not be the application we would have chosen. However, we are here this evening thinking about the application that is in front of us, rather than one we might have dreamed up ourselves.” Another committee member who had observed that “Brixton deserves better” was one of four members of the committee who supported plans for the hotel. The one item that the committee did agree to was to “encourage” the developers to consult ward councillors on traffic management. One of the three Ferndale ward councillors, Paul McGlone, a deputy leader of the council, had earlier told the committee that consultation on the scheme had been “just not good enough.” The development is being undertaken by Miraj Investments, a property company based in small offices in Colliers Wood. The owners of the freehold of the SW9 part of the site are an offshore company based in the Isle of Man.

COMMUNITY PAPER

HIGH FLYER

Civil servant to rave runner

14

BRIXTON’S BLACK OPERA

Ready for Black History Month 15

POETRY FOR HEALTH

Catch the documentary

FRIENDS, NEIGHBOURS But Nathalie needs more

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BRIXTON BUGLE brixtonblog.com Proudly edited in Brixton Both website and newspaper are published by a not-for-profit community organisation run by a committed team of people from Brixton @brixtonblog brixtonblog.com

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Jenny Shramenko 07811 878394 jenny@brixtonblog.com Circulation 12,000 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 arts@brixtonblog.com FOOD Nick Buglione food@brixtonblog.com SPORT Sandra Brobbey sport@brixtonblog.com ISSUE 57 Contributors:

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Half a million to turn park depot into community hub

New home for borough archives

A project to create new community meeting, cooking and education spaces in a former park depot in Myatt’s Fields has won a grant of half a million from Lambeth council. The Myatt’s Fields Park Project (MFPP) will invested money raised from hiring out the facilities in the park. As well as the development, a new contract with the council will provide the park with an enhanced level of maintenance until 2019. An entrance to the park from Cormont Road is planned to make the building – known as the Depot – more welcoming and accessible. It will have a foyer with a café-kiosk, a meeting and eating room, including a kitchen, along with new offices for MFPP. It is hoped that work will begin early next year. Cllr Sonia Winifred, council cabinet member for equalities and culture, said the investment would boost opportunities to learn and develop new skills. Marjorie Landels, chair of MFPP said: “A whole load of fantastic things happen in the Depot with dozens of groups cooking, growing

A Lambeth council cabinet report has recommended that the borough archives move from their present home in the Minet library in Myatt’s Fields to Kennington Lane in Vauxhall. A new single-site facility would be built to make the archives more accessible. Bill Linskey, chair of the Lambeth Local History Forum, said he was pleased the cabinet had addressed the forum’s main concerns that the archive be hosted on the one site in a permanent location. “We hope that this will now progress as quickly as possible to keep the memory of the borough safe and accessible for future generations.” Feasibility work is due to start soon on a new facility which could be either for mixed use or a dedicated archives building. The current archive will remain at Minet, alongside the re-opened but reduced, library service until a final decision on relocation is made. The Minet was closed as a full library last year. Lambeth council says a local steering group will be established to look at the long term future of the Minet site.

food, growing businesses and running sporting activities. They’ve managed to develop these despite the limitations of the current buildings which are a really poor use of space. “The rooms are small and cramped and we can only work with a few people at a time. “This redevelopment will give everyone the chance to spread their wings and really fly. “The building will allow the community to extend their food and growing activities while minimising disruption to neighbours. “A community business is accountable to local people, to make sure it offers products and services local people actually want. “We will set up a management committee for the building, including representatives from our immediate neighbours to ensure all views are heard.” ■■ Park users and local business are invited to find out more about the park, its future and how they can get involved at a Community Business Weekend, taking place on Friday 6 to Sunday 8 October. A full programme is on the Myatt’s Fields Park website.

Brixton Design Trail Olivia Cheves Pam Douglas Frankie Holah Emma Lange Jamila Omar Gemma Pasha Eleanor Sharples Sue Sheehan Emma-Louise Stewart Simon Still Annabel Twose Sub-editor: Jamila Omar Distribution: Philip King 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

Nothing goes to waste … Plastic straps used to wrap copies of the Brixton Bugle into bundles for delivery have gone to a good home. Our Bugle distribution manager, after a conversation with Remakery in Lilford Rd, discovered a use for them at the Work and Play Scrap Store in Streatham. Rather than going to landfill, the straps eventually made their way to the Wandsworth Arts Festival as decorations. And here’s a picture of some of them. ■■ www.workandplayscrapstore.org.uk.

Lambeth council and trust are still discussing future of Carnegie library

Production: Alan Slingsby Crossword: Josie Gardiner

2017 OCTOBER

Members of Defend the Ten, who oppose the plans of the council and the Carnegie Community Trust for the library and are demanding that it be reopened as a library, mounted a candlelight vigil of the library to highlight their demands

Agreement on the future of Herne Hill’s Carnegie library seems no closer as Lambeth council and the community trust it selected to takeover its assets have still to reach agreement. Carol Boucher, chair of the Carnegie Community Trust, said representatives had met the council and explained why its proposed alterations to the building and its garden “would severely damage the character, setting and use of this wonderful listed building”

and compromise the ability of the trust to deliver the vision set out in its successful bid to the council. She said the trust’s specialist conservation architects had drawn up an approach that would allow some work to proceed on excavating the basement to house a gym run by the council’s leisure provider GLL. The approach would also create time for “a holistic review of the existing project to allow for new proposals to

be made by suitably qualified conservation professionals and contractors”. Boucher said the trust had offered to work with the council to get the library re-opened as soon as possible. It remains opposed in principle to a gym but accepts that, on the right terms, it could financially guarantee the success of the library and the wider community project in the rest of the building. “So, we await Lambeth’s response,” she said.

OCTOBER 2017

CELEBRATING AGE IN LAMBETH

Age UK Lambeth’s Celebrating Age festival starts on Sunday 1 October and runs for a month. The programme includes film screenings, concerts, dances, trips and exhibitions. The festival launches on UN International Day of Older Persons at The Hideaway in Streatham. Details of events are available at libraries and at the festival’s website. mysocial.london/ celebrating-age/#!calendar. Or ring 020 7346 6800 for further information.

PA IMAGES/TALIA SHADWELL

IN BRIEF …

NEWS  3

brixtonblog.com Fellow campaigners from the East Dulwich Picturehouse marched to Brixton to join up with the Ritzy cinema strikers – headed by an appropriately precarious vehicle

OPEN AFTERNOON AT THE HARBOUR

The Harbour, a recovery and aftercare drug and alcohol support service in Coldharbour Lane visited in July this year by Home Secreary Amber Rudd, is hosting an open afternoon from 1 to 4pm on Tuesday 3 October. Based at 245 Coldharbour Lane, the Harbour is part of the Lambeth drug and alcohol treatment consortium. Stalls and refreshments. All welcome.

LOCAL DESIGNER IN LINE FOR TOP AWARD

Ritzy strikers clock up a year Brixton Ritzy living wage campaigners strike again Brixton’s Ritzy workers were back on strike last month (right) as they clocked up a year of campaigning for the London living wage. They and their union BECTU are also demanding that three union representatives sacked by Ritzy owners Picturehouse are reinstated.

Denise McGuire, president of the trade union Prospect, of which BECTU is a section, was one of the strikers and supporters outside the cinema. Earlier this month she raised the campaign at the Trades Union Congress in Brighton, urging delegates to support the boycott of Picturehouse cinemas and to support the strikes.

Hangars get a makeover

Brixton resident and jewellery designer Lenique Louis is a finalist in the Black British Business Awards. As well as running her own jewellery company, she also runs an academy where she trains local people in jewellery skills and helps them with their wellbeing. The awards celebrate the drive and success of members of the Black British business community. Winners will be announced on 19 October.

Two Brixton Bikehangars got a Design Trail makeover from local designers Eley Kishimoto. Cyclehoop, the company that makes them, worked with the designers and Lambeth council to deter graffiti by decorating the hangars. The council commissioned Eley Kishimoto to cover two hangars in Railton Road with their iconic Connect Brixton pattern. Cyclehoop managing director Anthony Lau joined councillors and residents to unveil them. Lambeth council was the first to order Cyclehoop Bikehangars – 12 were installed in February 2013. There are now 215 Bikehangars across the borough providing 1,290 spaces.

AWARD FOR BRIXTON ENTERPISE INCUBATOR

Brixton-based Hatch Enterprise Incubator has won a Building Enterprise Skills Award in recognition of its support for young adults and entrepreneurs. The awards celebrate the work of organisations that support and encourage entrepreneurialism across the UK. CEO Dirk Bischof said: “The hard work and dedication of our staff, trustees, advisers and partners play to our strengths to build enterprise programmes that are inclusive and focus on each individual entrepreneur, whilst growing a big entrepreneurial community here in South London. Our mission is to help 1000 businesses by 2020 and we feel like we are right in the middle of this amazing journey.”

ANGELL TOWN JOBS FAIR

A jobs fair aimed at 14-to-25-year-olds takes place at St Johns School, 85 Angell Road S9 7HH on Tuesday 24 October from noon to 5pm. Organisers are looking for organisations and businesses to showcase what they do and encourage young people to think about career options. Contact Big Local North Brixton on 07932918026.

FirstExChange Travel Money

A Great to buy Buyyour Your Holiday Money A greatPlace place to holiday money No commission Great rates Another famous Brixton canine has left us. Rosa, the Bookmongers dog, was put to sleep following a relapse in a longstanding illness. A notice in the shop’s Coldharbour Lane window paid tribute. Roofdog, the Windmill venue’s much-mourned guard dog who died in 2015, gave his name to a beer and more besides.

020 7326 3919

2nd floor

morleys

BRIXTON

SW9 8EH

firstexchangeuk.com

BRIXTO

4  NEWS

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2017 OCTOBER

A week of fun, reflection and lots and lots of love Binki Taylor, organiser of this year’s Brixton Design, Trail looks back at some of the highlights The shining beacon on Windrush Square – Hubb – was the signal that Brixton Design Trail 2017 had arrived with a powerful message of Love is Power. The three-metre steel installation by local design collective AWMA, brought hundreds of visitors every day to Brixton throughout the London Design Festival and invited them to look up and reflect on words of congregation, community and peace. Promising “Something for everyone’, Brixton Design Trail this year included more than 40 different ways to bump into design on the streets of Brixton. From exploring inventive play at Brixton Playingfields/St Matthews, to a circus-inspired crafts market at the Department Store building, and a living green installation of the plants from Loughborough Farm, Brixton’s creatives encouraged us to look at design from every angle and in every corner of the town. Young creatives at 198 Gallery mapped the history of the Frontline; Friends of Tate Library

and the brilliant installation at Brixton Community base, brought us the voices and stories of our local heroes. Meanwhile, the worn seating on Windrush Square got facelift with a temporary razzle-dazzle pattern, promoting the value of creating inviting spaces for everyone to share. The previous Brixton food court on Atlantic Road was temporarily

transformed into a tranquil gallery for the Silent Arch and a graphic installation inspiring a revolution of kindness. Freshly deep-cleaned and painted by Network Rail, the station passageway provided temporary space for designers with obsessive

interests in ceramics, print, illustration and embroidery; encouraging a new generation of artists with graphic workshops with Liisa Chisolm at Blast Skates. Up on the Rec centre forecourt the young people at Livity brought Friday night alive with the Love Fashion Power Show complete with red carpet, and all week the Love Carnival Trail by Kofi Arts showcased the heritage of’ carnival arts with talks, workshops and exhibitions. And its not over yet… Here to stay are the beautiful flags hanging from the rafters of Brixton Village and Market Row by artists Sam Furness and Toni Hollis. Silent Arch has a new home in the Courtyard of Southbank UTC – inspiring creativity for young engineers; and at Popes Road, the new portrait by artist Neequaye Dreph Dsane of Micheael, manager of the Popes Road loos, will remain a testament to the commitment one man has made to this community. It has been a fantastic to see the trail go from strength to strength again this year involving more young people, businesses and organisations. It’s been a week full of fun, reflection and lots and lots of love.

ARCH COMMENT …

Silent Arch reflects on recent developments in the area

NEW TAKE ON TAPESTRY …

Zuzana Lalikova creates a paper tapestry on her seven-metre long table

PURE VINYL …

The after party got going at Pure Vinyl Records in its new home on Ferndale Road

• FAMILY • DIVORCE • NOTARY PUBLIC • PROPERTY • WILLS & PROBATE • CIVIL LITIGATION • MEDIATION 57-61 Atlantic Road, Brixton SW9 8PU Telephone 020 7095 5700 • HOUSING • IMMIGRATION & ASYLUM • EMPLOYMENT • PRISON LAW • CRIME 6A Acre Lane, Brixton SW2 5SG Telephone 020 7737 9330 info@wainwrightcummins.co.uk

FLYING THE DESIGN FLAG … BRIXTON CALLING …

Not sheltering from the drizzle but looking into Hubb (the Arabic word for love) – Brixton’s take on a minaret

Sam Furness and Toni Hollis hung the rafters of the market with banners representing different languages spoken by the traders

MORE PICTURES … Back page

OCTOBER 2017

NEWS  5

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BRIXTON LEGAL Pam Douglas is a solicitor with local firm Wainwright & Cummins. Each month, she takes a common enquiry and asks colleagues to answer it for readers

Lasting Power of Attorney They say no man is an island. And in this increasingly hectic world, we’re faced with so many decisions to make every day. For many of us, there will come a time when we need somebody to lean on. We’re living longer, we’re busier than ever and according to recent local statistics, around 35% of us live alone. This often means that we can’t assume that things will be taken care of when we’re not able to do them ourselves, whether this is as a result of temporary absence, injury or ill-health As a follow-up to her earlier advice, my colleague, Aneesha Bhunjun, has taken another look at the benefits of having a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA): I have met many families who, as well as to dealing with life-changing health events, have the added stress of trying to obtain the legal authority required to take over their loved one’s responsibilities or to make decisions on their behalf. The most serious of such cases can end up in the High Court. At the other end of the spectrum, what happens if you’re overseas for work or study and something is happening here at home that requires your legal input, such as the sale of your property? Or what would happen if you were taken ill overseas? Who would be legally recognised as your “next of kin”? With a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), you can nominate people you trust to step in and make decisions and sign documents on your behalf in the event that you can’t do so yourself. I have long been of the opinion that everyone should put this in place. After all, none of us knows what’s around the corner. A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you, the donor, to choose one or more “attorneys” to make decisions on your behalf during those times. There are two kinds of LPA: one that deals with property and financial matters and the other that is concerned with health and welfare. You can choose to have one or both and you can choose different people in relation to each. Both can be “notarised” to give them international validity. What kind of decisions would your LPA be able to help you with? In terms of financial matters, whoever you appoint will be able to assist you in the payment of bills, managing bank accounts, personal finances, or even business affairs. When it comes to health, decisions may involve the giving or refusing of consent to health care, staying in your home and getting medical help, moving into a care home, or even day-to-day concerns such as diet. It is important to remember, however, that this power over your affairs can easily be abused by the unscrupulous and it is therefore extremely important to choose your attorneys very carefully. In some circumstances, it is best to appoint more than one attorney and only allow them to make decisions together. It may also be advisable to have a solicitor as one of your attorneys, because they will be focused on your best interests and not those of your family or friends. It is also important to remember that, once you give someone this power over your affairs, it can also easily be revoked if circumstances change or you simply change your mind. ■■ Please feel free to contact us in relation to this or any other legal issue that we might be able to help with: info@wainwrightcummins.co.uk.

Join the Brixton Midnight Run to discover local Black history Brixton will be home to some of the dozens of Black History Month events in Lambeth this autumn. One of the most striking will be the Brixton Midnight Run, a night-time cultural journey organised by the Black Cultural Archives (BCA) – already in Brixton – and Ovalhouse Theatre, due to arrive in a redeveloped Somerleyton Road in 2019. The run starts at the BCA at 6pm on Saturday 7 October 6pm and goes on until midnight. It commemorates 30 years

of Black History Month and brings together local artists and visitors to look at the changing face of Brixton and its history. Kelly Foster a qualified London tour guide and Brixton historian will explore the area from the Windrush generation to uprising and riots. Along the route, Inua Ellams, also a Brixton resident and founder of the Midnight Run will help participants capture the experience in verse. Tickets are £10. A limited number at £5 are available for under 25s. Book on Eventbrite.

Other highlights will include a discussion – Is Black History Month still important for young people today? – introduced by local MP Chuka Umunna and Shakira Martin, president of the National Union of Students, at 11am on Friday 13 October at Streatham Library. Booking essential. The arts feature heavily in the programme and musical events include Vinyl Memories in Tate South Lambeth Library at 2pm on Tuesday 24 October when Kwaku from the Black Music Congress invites elders to bring along their favourite

Black music vinyl from the 50s to the 70s. Send the details of your top three tracks for the afternoon in advance to todell@lambeth.gov.uk. On Saturday 28 October from 1 to 2pm at the BCA you can Uncover the Roots of British Black Gospel with Steve Alexander Smith, who will discuss his book British Black Gospel. AA For a full programme of activities for Black History Month in Lambeth libraries visit lambeth.gov.uk/bhm. AA BCA website: bcaheritage. org.uk.

SOLAR PANELS FOR BRIXTON SCHOOLS OFFER Repowering London and Brixton Energy are looking for Brixton schools keen to put solar panels on their roofs. The project is not-for-profit and the schemes would be c ­ omm­unity-owned and controlled. Benefits would include cheap electricity, an educational tool for the future and a community project with the school as its focus. Students, parents, teachers, heads, bursars or even neighbours of a local school interested in renewable energy​should contact Afsheen.Rashid@repowering. org.uk or call 07834 686264 to register an interest. An event at one of the regular Monday open project nights at Impact Hub Brixton on 9 October will explain the project and start to organise it. Food from 6.30pm, meeting starts at 7pm.​ Repowering London is also conducting house-to-house energy surveys every Thursday evening to get a better idea of how it can best support people most likely to be affected by fuel poverty. If you would be interested in joining the surveys contact the email above. No special skill needed.

Competition for new bridge sign Lambeth council and Brixton’s Business Improvement District launched a competition as part of the Brixton Design Trail to create and install a new design for the northern Brixton Road railway bridge. The bridge’s existing mural “B OUR GUEST” is not looking very inviting. According to the brief, “The bridge design should become an impactful landmark, signalling arrival into the area, creating a sense of event.” This is the third project supported by the London Mayor’s High Street Fund, the others were the neon Electric Avenue sign and the Pope’s Road bridge sign. The competition is open to artists

How The Bugle revealed the plan in May this year and designers with a track record of delivering artwork of comparable scale in the public realm. ■■ Interested parties need to register interest at hello@brixtondesigntrail. com. The closing date is Friday 17 November. Further details at brixtondesigntrail.com/open_projects.

THANK YOU BRIXTON!

What’s On Mondays 6:30 pm Life drawing from 9 October

Tuesdays

4:30 pm The Platform 3: theatre and music class for kids 7-8pm Vinyasa flow yoga: community class, recommended donation £5

Wednesdays

6:00-8pm Mosaics with Kes 6:30-7.30pm Yoga with Lottie

Thursdays

7:00-8pm Yoga with Lydiana 8:00-9pm Yoga with Lydiana

COMING UP 6 October

6pm Tim Sutton Exhibition – Private View

7 October

10:30am Yoga with Tory 7:30pm Let’s Laugh BYOB comedy night

14 October

2pm Still on the Fence? Refugee Crisis Talk with Right to Remain

21 October

7:30pm Let’s Laugh BYOB comedy night

SPACE HIRE

Our cafe and basement studio are affordable spaces in the heart of Brixton available for meetings, workshops, celebrations – priority for community groups. Contact spacehire@ brixtonpound.org to enquire.

VOLUNTEERS

B£ runs on coffee and the goodwill of our lovely volunteers. If you’re interested in being part of our social mission, whether working in our cafe or as an ambassador carrying our message out into the world, contact lucy@brixtonpound.org.

The Brixton Pound Cafe successfully reached its crowdfunding goal at the beginning of September – a huge thank you to everyone who contributed! Together, we raised £12,373 of our £12,326 goal, and it will be going towards all kinds of improvements to

the cafe and our services in the community. We’ll be making improvements to our kitchen so we can make a variety of new meals using more surplus food, and refurbishing our space so that we can put on more community and local events.

Close knit A recipient of a Brixton Fund grant, The SpaceCraft, held their first crafting session at Pop Brixton on 19 September as part of The Shed with Age UK. The SpaceCraft supports older people at risk of social isolation by bringing them together to make baby booties and other knitted crafts. People of all knitting abilities were there on Tuesday – from absolute beginners to seasoned super-knitters. Everyone learned a few new tricks and made a few new friends! Sessions will take place every Tuesday from 2-4

Five reasons to use the Brixton Pound

1 pm in the Pop Brixton Greenhouse. The Shed will be holding more events at Pop Brixton on 24 October, 21 November and 19 December. They are free and teas and coffees are provided. AACheck out the Events page on the Pop Brixton website, or contact lucy@brixtonpound.org if you’d like to attend or bring a group of people along.

Be still my beeting heart Check out our instagram @brixtonpound to see our daily specials in the cafe. Our use of surplus food means that no two days are ever the same. The UN estimates that each year 1.3bn tonnes of food, about a third of the total produced, is wasted, including about 45% of all fruit and vegetables. Each meal served in our cafe helps combat food waste as our staff work tirelessly to turn donations

If you’re a keen DIYer and could lend a hand with our renovations, get in touch! We’ll definitely be able to use your help in the coming months. Otherwise, watch this space for updates – some exciting changes are coming to the cafe.

of surplus food into exciting lunches every day. We’ve saved over a tonne of food from going to waste so far – every meal you buy helps (and all our profits go towards the Brixton Fund, supporting local projects and allowing us to keep doing what we’re doing!) AA The B£ Cafe supported the Brixton Design Trail with Love is Power-themed items including our oh-so#gramworthy honey beet latte (above).

It fixes the leak in our local economy. Money spent in chain stores leaves the local area immediately – while money spent locally circulates up to three times longer in the local economy.

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It supports diversity on the high street. We want to protect our local independent businesses who compete on a playing field heavily weighted towards larger chain stores. They are the heart of what makes Brixton vibrant and unique.

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It starts conversations. We believe financial transactions can also be social transactions – and that the world is better for it.

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It’s a community builder. The B£ connect locals and visitors alike with the small business community, community groups, and each other. We believe in the importance of knowing your neighbours in an uncertain world.

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It is more than just money. Through our surplus food cafe we embody values of sustainability, reducing consumption, social justice and the importance of community. AAPick up Brixton Pounds in the cash machine in Market Row, next to Franco Manca; in Morleys on Brixton High Street, or at the Brixton Pound Cafe. AAFor a list of businesses that accept Brixton Pounds, check out our website at www.brixtonpound.org.

7 7 At l a n t i c Ro a d | b r i x t o n p o u n d .o r g | @ b r i x t o n p o u n d | i n fo @ b r i x t o n p o u n d .o r g

SEPTEMBER 2017

COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE  7

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Trump that – Brixton has got its own Nuclear Dawn beer

New entrepreneur seeks older clients

Brixton’s famous Nuclear Dawn mural is celebrated by a new Brixton Brewery beer. Completed in 1981 by artist Brian Barnes, it was inspired by the tensions and anxieties of the Cold War. But with North Korea’s nuclear threats in the news, it feels uncomfortably relevant once again. The beer, Nuclear Dawn Botanical Sour, is a special collaboration with Duration Brewing, a new farmhouse brewery in Norfolk being launched by lifetime Brixton resident Miranda and her partner Bates. Jez Galaun of Brixton Brewery says: “We are always looking to include a bit of Brixton in our beers, so we were incredibly honoured that Brian was happy for us to use details of his powerful artwork on the label of our beer, and of course the name”. The beer takes more than its name from Brixton. Botanicals – including fennel seed and coriander from Nour

David Cuswick started Fitter Ever After as a business for the over 40s. “Our bodies might have done more miles but it doesn’t mean we are anywhere near finished,” he says. He wanted to create enjoyable fitness classes and with that in mind, set up a free Saturday morning class in Brockwell Park, which is still going strong three years later. As a newbie to the entre­preneur world, David didn’t have enough experience or knowledge to work out how to develop his business. He contacted Brixtonbased startup incubator Hatch to see what opportunities it could offer. Shortly after, he enrolled in, Hatch’s Launchpad Programme. It was, he says, a “significant time” when he was able to realise who his potential clients were and how he could reach them. Throughout his entrepreneurial experience, David has encountered several “light bulb” moments. He says that one of the most important was that “some things

By Simon Still

Cash & Carry – add spice, while fruit flavours come from fresh mango and papaya sourced in the markets. Kettle sour beers use bacteria to give the beer a sharp lemony tartness that the fruit flavours complement. Nuclear Dawn will be on the taps at Craft Beer Co and in bottles at other Brixton venues in the next few weeks ahead of the official launch party midday on Saturday 28 October at the brewery on Brixton Station Road. Sadly the mural on the side of Carlton Mansions on Coldharbour Lane is badly faded, obscured by trees, and vandalised with graffiti and faces an uncertain future as Somerleyton Road is redeveloped. The adjacent site will be the new home of Ovalhouse Theatre. Attempts by the London Mural Preservation Society to have it listed have so far come to nothing. Early sketches for the site show the mural in place, but final plans are yet to be published.

By Emma Lange

Bates (from) with Miranda and Jez and Xochitl from Brixton Brewery

FREE DRAMA WORKSHOPS

BRIXTON YOUTH THEATRE

If you are 13-21 and want to take part in performances, attend masterclasses led by directors, actors and experienced theatre professionals, then join us Every Friday 6-8pm To join email: info@brixtonyouththeatre.com For more information check out our website www.brixtonyouththeatre.com

Brixton Community Base Talma Road SW2 1AS 020 7274 1190

won’t work. So it’s important to accept it, analyse why it didn’t work, and learn from that.” Positive feedback has also helped. “When people tell me how much I have helped them on their fitness journey, it reinforces that what I am doing is great.” With the encouragement of his mentors, fellow entrepreneurs and with the business skills he has acquired, David has set up an online training programme which goes live on the first week of October. “The 10-week course, which costs £140, the equivalent of £2 per day, is for people who want to look good and feel great for Christmas,” he says. He is now looking to the future and is in negotiations with a Devon-based company to hold fun fitness retreats, while continuing to provide one-to-one coaching and small group sessions. AA Interested in getting active? RSVP to a free class at meetup.com/ FitterEverAfter or contact dave@ fittereverafter.com. AA Have an idea you’d like to turn into a business? Contact info@hatchenterprise.org.

8  OPINION

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One woman’s housing crisis. Does anyone know – or care?

Nathalie Francis (left) with her neighbour Tracey Johnson

Nathalie Francis has a roof over her head and is not in dire housing need, according to official standards. So why did she contact Brixton Bugle about the conditions she and her children live in? She spoke to Alan Slingsby Nathalie Francis lives in a cramped in Brixton. one-bedroom flat at the top of a She was told that, when her baby large house in Tulse Hill. She has was born, she would be eligible for two children and a third is about a two-bedroom flat. But once she to appear. had accepted a flat from Notting In the street where she lives Hill Housing – via the council – detached houses sell for more than that council option disappeared. 2 million and two-bedroom flats for “Lambeth completely take you off £500,000. their books,” says Nathalie. Foxtons are advertising one She took the housing association two-bedroom flat at £375,000 – it flat because she was told by the would make “a superb buy-to-let council that it was going to stop investment”, says the blurb. her bidding for council accommoNathalie’s circumstances and dation for six months as she story put an unhappy human had turned down one property face on the grim statistics of the for being unsuitable – making housing crisis. herself “homeless”. More than 23,000 people would “There was nothing to do but like council accommodation from take it,” says Nathalie, who was Lambeth council. In the most recent not warned of the consequences of year for which figures are available, turning down an offer of accommothe council rented to dation by the 1,200 new tenants. council. She was In November 2015, Nathalie’s roots are told she should the kitchen ceiling in Brixton but, like have looked at the so many, she cannot council’s website. of her flat collapsed be choosy about But Lambeth with a crash at 4am where she lives. council’s housing She contacted website states Brixton Bugle when, not for the first clearly that: “There is no penalty time, her flat had been without hot for turning down a property after water – this time for two weeks. viewing it”. Her problem – the fourth In November 2015, the kitchen breakdown in the heating and hot ceiling of her flat collapsed with a water system since she moved in – crash at 4am. “The light, everything was rated a “priority” because she is was on the floor”. She had warned pregnant and has two children, but Notting Hill Housing two months still took a fortnight to fix. before this that there was an She moved in in April 2015 when obvious problem –white dust had she was seven months pregnant with been falling from the ceiling every her first child. She had been seeking time the door closed. housing from Lambeth council since Nathalie’s neighbour Tracey Job Display Adv.pdf 1 Johnson 26/09/2017 2013 whileWindmill living with her mother came 11:55 to the rescue – as she

FRIENDS OF WINDMILL GARDENS

2017 OCTOBER

would do several times more. The ceiling was repaired in February 2016. Nathalie believes that the repair – two months after the collapse – had more to do with her seeking the help of her MP Chuka Umunna and the Housing Ombudsman Service than her own phone calls. A £100 compensation payment was put against Nathalie’s rent of £194 a week and not given directly to her. When Nathalie’s second child arrived, she was told she could only bid for a two-bedroom flat but that, at the same time, her existing flat was not over-crowded because it had two rooms in total. That meant she was “not a priority”. After the kitchen ceiling was repaired, Nathalie noticed very high levels of damp and has finally taken her landlord to court, with the help of the ombudsman, to try to get it sorted out. Neither emergency nor hotel accommodation is available, Nathalie has been informed. Part of the reason was the Grenfell Tower disaster, she was told. Was that an attempt to make her feel guilty, Nathalie wonders. But she is increasing and visibly stressed as she explains her predicament, trapped in a damp and crowded flat. Her doctor agrees. And the week before we spoke to Nathalie she had been hospitalised and feared she

CONSULTANCY

Heritage Education Fee: £4,500 incl.

Friends of Windmill Gardens (FoWG) seek a museum/heritage education specialist to update our programme of education at Brixton Windmill. primary school workshops and write two new secondary level workshops. T must include a robust workshop evaluation procedure. The consultant will be required to work with FoWG volunteers who currently manage education and access to the Grade II* Brixton Windmill. For Invitation to Tender document email info@brixtonwindmill.org.uk

CLOSING DATE 16 OCTOBER, INTERVIEWS ON 24 OCTOBER

She has had to deal with the distress that water leaks from her flat have caused both her downstairs neighbour and herself. She wonders if anyone knows or cares – especially anyone who can do anything practical to solve her problems. Her neighbour Tracey Johnson, who lives on the ground floor of the house containing Nathalie’s flat, certainly knows and cares. She helped out with daily showers for Nathalie and her children when there was no hot water. A pity that she, and people like her, are neither rich nor powerful. The Bugle asked Lambeth council and Notting Hill Housing Trust to comment. Cllr Jennifer Brathwaite, Lambeth council cabinet member for housing and environment, said: “London’s might lose her baby. A psychologist housing crisis stems from policies told her the cause was anxiety. “It’s such at the right to buy, which because I don’t know what’s going has eroded the amount of social on,” she says. housing available to those who Her main concern is the health of are most in need; the failure of her children and herself, forced to successive Governments to build live for more than a year in a damp the new homes we need; and the flat. The ceiling of the attic room in government’s borrowing cap on the flat was replaced last year after local authorities which makes it a surveyor suspected the presence difficult for councils to take the of asbestos. initiative when it comes to building The work took two days and new homes. the contractors said it was not “We are keenly aware that there something that should be done with are a large number of residents who children and a pregnant woman are overcrowded, but the shortage still in the house. But Nathalie had of family-sized housing means nowhere to go – so they stayed. they face a long waiting time when She is also seeking to move. reluctant to put effort Someone living in A psychologist said and money into a one-bedroom flat the cause was anxiety with two children the flat for things like carpets, when, does has a degree of – ‘It’s because I don’t despite being there know what’s going on’ priority for social for two years, “I housing, but the am supposed to be shortage of available moving to a two-bedroom flat”. housing is having a serious impact. But only 5% of the housing associ“To try and tackle the situation ation’s properties are in or near Lambeth has launched the biggest Brixton. The others are as far afield house building programme for a as Walthamstow and Ilford. But in generation, including an extensive all Nathalie’s 33 years she has only estate regeneration programme, to lived in the area – and her mother make best use of the space that we is still in Brixton. If she moved, “I’d have available to us. At the same have no support system – nothing”. time, we are campaigning against The housing association tells aspects of central government her that it does have properties in housing policy that make it harder Lambeth, but cannot allocate one to to increase the amount of affordable her and that she must bid with the housing available.” thousands of other people desperate A Notting Hill Housing for somewhere to live. spokesperson said: “We’re sorry But she says there is little to hear about the difficulties point as she is not “in dire need” Nathalie has had with our repairs “overcrowded” or an “emergency”. service. Our housing officers can While other housing association generally resolve such issues within tenants in the converted house have reasonable timescales, depending on been there for many years, Nathalie their severity. Where this doesn’t is aware that the flat she lives in happen, residents can escalate has had many different tenants in concerns to our complaints team. recent years. “Our records suggest that all of Despite her distressing living Nathalie’s formal complaints have conditions, Nathalie has continued been responded to in line with our to try to get something done about complaints procedure. it. She tried to launch a petition “On the wider issue of needing using Facebook, but says the page a larger home, we have every was closed down for encouraging sympathy with Nathalie’s situation. riotous behaviour – it had suggested “Her case highlights the acute people in housing need could visit shortage of decent homes for the House of Commons to tell MPs low-income families in London, of their plight. Facebook closed the and is something that Notting Hill page after it was “reported” to them. Housing is committed to addressing, As she speaks about her both through building new predicament, she explains how it homes and identifying innovative is wearing her down physically solutions to house people in and emotionally. existing properties.”

OCTOBER 2017

OPINION  9

brixtonblog.com

BRIXTON BUGLE

COMMENT

Winter is coming

The summer’s over and looking back we’ve had a “razzle dazzle” of a time. The Brixton Design Trail showed what the community can do when it rises to the occassion. And much of it is here to stay. New public art has popped up in unlikely places – honouring unsung heroes that keep the place going – like the new mural of Michaeal Johns in Popes Road by Dreph. It’s also good to know that the Silent Arch by Bharat&Jean has found a new home at South Bank UTC up Brixton Hill. And long may the Hubb “minaret” in Windrush Square continue to intrique and inspire. Brixton is the newest of the Design Districts and part of the London Design Festival. It’s a pity that the wider festival didn’t take a leaf out of Brixton’s book. Brixton may not have had the money ploughed in elsewhere during the festival by giant corporates, but made up for it with style, creativity and community engagement. A shining example of what can be done was the Livity fashion show, designed by young people, and run by young people who worked together to create a memorable event. “Love is Power” as a slogan was great as an artistic inspiration, but out of festive mode what does it mean? The summer’s over and if we’re not careful it will be back to normal. Brixton is the most deprived town centre in Lambeth and has the highest unemployment rates and more people leave Brixton to work than work here. It will take more than a festival or two to sort these problems out. There are ambitious plans afoot. The regeneration and redevelopment of chunks of Brixton, which according to the council’s stragic plan will bring work, studio space and additional housing to Brixton, are moving apace. But that pace needs to be supported by those who live and work here. The hotel that nobody wants (p1) would not happen if there was a full consultation on its impact on residents. It’s time to listen. Regulated by IMPRESS: The independent monitor for the press 16–18 New Bridge Street EC4V 6AG 020 3325 4288 complaints@impress.press www.impress.press

Sorry … But we had to act over the deadly pollution in Brixton Local resident Jemima Hartshorn, founder of Mums for Lungs, explains why she joined others to block Brixton Road last month First of all, I would like to say sorry to anyone who was trying to get home on Brixton Road at 6pm on Thursday, 14 September. As part of a group who closed the road for a few minutes to raise awareness of air pollution, we knew that we would not endear ourselves to all commuters. Still, I was shaken when a woman came up to shout at us that we were stopping her from getting home to her children. Maybe it was the wrong thing to do. But many of us also use the Brixton Road regularly – taking our children to school or childcare – and we are desperate to do something about it. That’s what motivated me to set up the campaign group Mums for Lungs, and why we joined with Stop Killing Londoners to hold a Road Block Disco outside Brixton Underground Station. If you walk or cycle down Brixton Road, you will know that the pollution is noticeable. One parent at the event told me that she could smell it when she opened the windows at home. This is not just one of the most polluted roads in London, it’s one of the most polluted

roads in Europe, having reached the legal annual limit of toxic nitrogen dioxide within the first five days of 2017. And that pollution is deadly: 9,500 Londoners die prematurely each year because of it. It is affecting children and their growing lungs the most, with children growing up in polluted areas like Brixton developing asthma and stunted cognitive development. Studies show that their lungs are 10 per cent smaller than those of children who grow up in areas with cleaner air. Yet the government is doing nothing. Environment secretary Michael Gove recently unveiled a plan to tackle the issue, after the

Conservatives were ordered by a court to improve their weak initial proposals. But while some of this sounded radical – banning diesel and petrol cars by 2040, for example – it will do nothing to help Londoners for 23 years. There was no offer to pay drivers to replace the diesel cars that they were encouraged to buy for environmental reasons

(we now know that diesel creates the most harmful NOx, especially in traffic). And there was no legislation for clean air zones. At a local level the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s target is to ensure safe pollution levels by 2030. That is far too late for our babies, who may suffer reduced lung capacity for life. His plan also extends well beyond his own term, with no guarantee that future mayors will implement it. If this was the responsibility of a private company, it would have been shut down. Governments have known for years that traffic pollution is killing people and groups like Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Client Earth have been campaigning to get them to do more about it. Yet still they have not taken action. As citizens, we can write letters (and at Mums for Lungs we urge everyone who cares about this issue to email mayor@london.gov.uk to register their concerns). We can vote for parties that take a stronger line. But, in the short term, none of these “obedient” methods will stop congestion on Brixton Road at peak times. Would we block the road again? It’s a valid point that stopping traffic increases pollution, and perhaps we didn’t win over many commuters on that September day. For these reasons, we will not be holding regular road block discos in Brixton. To those who were inconvenienced, I can only say sorry again – and hope that you understand this was an action to raise awareness among all road users that driving in London kills Londoners. AA To get involved with Mums for Lungs, visit www.facebook.com/MumsforLungs.

Poetic Unity – catch it this month Poetic Unity, a charity that highlights the struggles of young people with mental illness, has a new short documentary In Other Words which aired recently on BBC Four and can be seen on iPlayer. Founder Ragz-CV, a Brixton poet, started the charity two years ago as an alternative way of learning and to create a friendly environment for young people to express themselves through the spoken word. Ryan J. Matthews-Robinson

(right), aka Ragz-CV, says since Poetic Unity was founded it has helped to develop and educate thousands of young people in London. “We have continued to run our weekly poetry event ‘The Poets Corner’ every Wednesday at the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton,” he says. “As well as workshops, events and mentoring schemes, we have now created a film focusing on mental illness among young people.”

In Other Words, written and produced by Ragz-CV, premiered at the British Film Institute in London on 19 September and aired on BBC Four on 24 September. It is available on BBC iPlayer for the next month. In it, three young London poets, Lucrecia Seline Augustin, Tevin Vassell and Jamal Khan reveal their personal struggles with mental illness through poetic performances that, at the same time, paint a portrait of modern-day London.

10  INCREDIBLE EDIBLE

brixtonblog.com

2017 OCTOBER

Harvest celebrations are under way in community gardens on estates all over the borough thanks to support from Urban Growth, a community enterprise that supports thriving green communities in London by transforming neglected urban spaces into thriving community oases. Sue Sheehan reports

Productive beds and happy people on Caldwell Gardens estate in Stockwell and exotic harvest from the community shop garden in West Norwood

Time to bring in the harvest from our community gardens The social enterprise Urban Growth supports 12 community gardens on Lambeth housing estates to grow food. The gardens celebrated their harvest at the end of September, with a spectacular bring and share meal that showcased vegetables grown in Lambeth. The menu took in lasagne, spicy curry, vegetable fritters and rhubarb and pear cakes. Urban Growth’s Edible Living programme was started by the late and very much missed Ivor Picardo, who was an employee of Lambeth housing. The department now works with Urban Growth, which is funded by Trust for London. It hosts a team of gardeners who help to set up new gardens and visit and support the gardens

POTS OF LOVE DOWN THE FARM Ophélia Gisquet, head of interior design at UpCircle design studio, with the Roots Grow Love installation at Loughborough Farm, where she volunteers. Made from reclaimed wood – that will be re-used – and designed by UpCircle in collaboration with the farm, it was put together by volunteers from the community and various organisations. It celebrates the joy of growing plants and the love this has produced in the community. The install­ ation was part of the Brixton Design Trail.

on a weekly or fortnightly basis throughout the year. One of the biggest successes this year has been the garden at Caldwell Gardens in Stockwell. Resident Georgina Schueller started gardening there many years ago, and was a pioneer of urban food growing in Lambeth, but life got in the way for a few years and meant the garden became less loved. Urban Growth gardener Taye came in and designed and installed a series of new beds, to enable more vegetable growing. This gave the garden a big

boost and there are now around 15 regular dedicated gardeners who tend the vegetables. Georgina is one of those key committed individuals who are essential in making a community garden successful. In my experience it is always good to try to get a few key people together before starting a garden, ideally around five people, but it often does come down to one person. This is part of the reason it is so important to have support from an organisation like Urban Growth, or some funding

to, at least, pay a gardener to attend regularly and bring in some expertise. Successful growing is a great way to involve people. Poppy George, one of the Edible Living gardeners says: “I always feel I have been most successful when lots of people get involved.” Poppy noted that the date of the event, 22 September, was significant, as it was the day of the autumn equinox – the day when the nights become longer than the days, signalling the end of the growing season. AA The Trust for London funding that Urban Growth receives can support anyone who wants to start a food growing project. Contact grow@urbangrowth.london.

A selection of seeds saved by London Freedom Seed Bank

Why not save and share your seeds? One of the costs that community gardens have to bear is buying seed. One way to reduce this cost is to save seed. Leave seed heads to dry out on plants if possible, or cut and place the heads in a paper bag to dry out. I buy small “dinner money” envelopes online and pack them up when they are dried out for later use. The London Freedom Seed Bank took part in the Edible Living celebration to inspire gardeners to save seed. “When you buy seed it is often hybridised so the seeds will never produce true plants, so we only save open pollinated seeds,” explains volunteer Andy Crabb. “From one plant you will get an abundance of seed so we encourage people to share.” AA London Freedom Seed Bank will be running courses next year to help train people in seed saving. More information can be found on its website: londonfreedomseedbank.wordpress.com.

COME TO OUR AGM Please join Incredible Edible Lambeth for our annual general meeting and be inspired by the winners of our Blooming Lambeth awards. The event is at the newly opened Garden Museum on Thursday 12 October, 7-9pm. The museum is next door to Lambeth Palace, on the bank of the Thames opposite the Houses of Parliament and a 10-minute walk from Vauxhall, Waterloo and Victoria stations. Just come along or – to help us manage numbers for catering – RSVP to bloom@lambeth.gov.uk. IEL is currently recruiting new directors to help guide its work this year. For more information please contact Sue on suesheehangcc@gmail.com.

Message from the Principal

WELCOME BACK! Staff line up for a start-of-year photograph

We celebrate the first year of our partnership with Goldman Sachs

Liz Wilcockson, Executive Director, Operations, at Goldman Sachs International with her “Friends of EGA” badge which is given to people who have made outstanding contributions to our Academy

September this year marked the first anniversary of the agreement for our three-year partnership with Goldman Sachs, the leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm. that was facilitated through the Prince’s Trust Business in the Community initiative. We organised a celebration assembly to recap and reflect on this and our school’s other collaborations with leading companies. The Goldman Sachs collaboration was launched last November with a speed networking event involving 100 students and over more than 20 Goldman Sachs employees. It was a great success. Students had the opportunity to receive great career advice and meet employees and hear their inspiring stories. Lisa Donnelly, Europe, Middle East and Africa head of operations at Goldman Sachs said: “We are delighted to partner with Ark Evelyn Grace

More sporting success for EGA

achievements: the Boys’ Year 9 football team (left) won three out of four competitions and reached the final in the other. The U16 boys’ basketball team won the London Youth Games, narrowly missing out at The National Championships in Manchester in the final. The Year 7 boys’ and girls’ basketball teams also reached the national semi-final in Leicester. Our fantastic Flow Dance Group achieved a great many things in a number of competitions and entertained crowds spectacularly at the Lambeth Country Show in July! Simon Wingate

2016/17 was a year of significant sporting success for our academy. We hope that even more students will take advantage of the extensive range of activities on offer in the coming year. To name but a few, the offer includes the Deng Basketball Academy for boys and girls of all age groups; boys’ and girls’ football; netball; American football; athletics; dance and as fitness But first a quick recap of last year’s

Exciting music opportunity is entering another year We are excited to continue our two-year partnership with the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in the new school year. As before, funding from the national charity Youth Music will provide a range of fantastic musical experiences and learning opportunities for EGA musicians. In our “sharing session”, students

from years 8 to 11 performed pieces on a range of instruments and voice, confidently demonstrating the skills that they have developed working alongside undergraduate students of Trinity Laban. The undergraduates were very impressed by our students’ confidence in getting up and performing in front of their peers.

Academy to help inspire its students in their career paths. We aim to support the school and provide the necessary tools and resources they need to ensure their young people succeed.” More volunteers then helped with our careers fair, assemblies, a building and architectural insights programme and the Big Data Project. Another 20 or so GS employees also attended our work related learning project. We are delighted to say that GS has interacted and engaged with every single year group in EGA. We plan a re-run of our most successful projects, along with an amazing two-day drop down programme facilitated by GS employees for every single Year 8. Francesca Hall Careers and Work Related Learning Co-ordinator

We welcomed new and old staff back after the summer holiday with four days of training that began on 1st September. This gave me an opportunity to share my mission that all students leave their journey at Evelyn Grace having become both cleverer and kinder people, well placed to become the solutions to any problems found in the community and wider society. Morale was very high and the end of the week was marked with a short celebration and a photo session to capture the new team’s sense of optimism about the year ahead. This upbeat mood was later evidenced by 100% of all staff judging that the training they had received to be either good or outstanding. Tim Dainty

EGA students dress for business at Lambeth College, as part of the work related learning programme

Another successful year of our university and careers programme Our projects this year included the fifth year of a Year 10 Mentoring Programme and a new STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) challenge programme with the giant financial institution JP Morgan. We also had a fifth year of the award-winning “Entrepreneurs in Action” programme and our Year 10 work related learning project at Lambeth College. IntoUniversity ran a programme from Year 7 to 13 and there were many career-themed assemblies, notably Myth Busting, Careers in Construction and Engineering with Durkan and Skanska.

Sixth Form Open Evening

Students hone their performance skills

Thursday 9 November 5.00 pm – 7.30 pm

Evelyn Grace Academy, 255 Shakespeare Road, SE24 0QN | Tel: 020 7737 9520 | Email: info@evelyngraceacademy.org | Website: evelyngraceacademy.org | Twitter: @ARKEvelynGrace

SLEEPY, VIBRAN THE POTENTIAL BID Director Michael Smith

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.

Meet the BID police officers PC Richard Weaver (right) and PC Jonathan Luckett are the police officers who work with local businesses and provide an increased police presence around Brixton. They are Metropolitan Police Officers who are funded by Brixton BID and work with local businesses to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. Issues they tackle include shoplifting and anti-social behaviour including aggressive begging and public urination. The extra police presence is funded

by the Mayor of London Met Patrol Plus scheme that allows local authorities to purchase additional constables. Businesses contact the officers direct rather than having to make an emergency call. The officers work shifts that enable them to cover the night-time economy as well as day-time business. BID members can contact them by phone on 07801 984841 (Jonathan) or 07801 984812 (Richard) or email sect92police@brixtonbid.co.uk.

Brixton developed from a backwater village to a desirable middle-class suburb way back in the 19th century after the opening of the Vauxhall Bridge. People living on and visiting Electric Avenue will know that Electric Ave became the first street in London to be given electric street lights, allowing visitors and residents alike to enjoy the area after dark. The arrival of the Victoria Line in the 70s all but put an end to any concept of Brixton as a “sleepy backwater”. Evidence suggests that The Underground Brixton as a town centre is registered more than 20 underperforming in terms million annual Brixton entries of enterprise. and exits in 2009. That figure It is lagging behind both reached 30 million in 2014 and Streatham and Peckham has been steadily increasing (Lambeth) and even further ever since – 33.46 million in behind Croydon town centre. 2016, according to Transport Amid all of this, business for London. opportunities in Brixton But, today, Brixton is the are still being described as most deprived town centre in “distinctive” and “unique”. Lambeth. It is also the most Lambeth council’s plans to densely populated town centre promote high-value economic (followed by Stockwell). activities in the Brixton town And as if that were not centre area through the enough, Coldharbour ward, growth of information and which takes in most of central communications technology Brixton is, by (ICT) and digital some way, the industries is Evidence most deprived as suggests that commendable, of Lambeth’s 21 is the aim to be a Brixton as a wards. It has: London borough ●●the highest town centre is of culture, but number of will need underperforming both long term time to develop. in terms unemployed or The plan for people who have the creation of of enterprise never worked; up to 750 more ●●the highest number homes (including affordable of households with housing) and some 40,000 dependent children; square feet of commercial/ ●●the highest population of employment space in the young people under 17, and town centre area is also very ●●the highest proportion commendable and necessary. of Black British and Black Brixton is a net provider of African/Caribbean residents. labour with more residents

NT OR EDGY – WE NEED TO FULFIL OF OUR NIGHT-TIME ECONOMY

Event at the Courtesan, Atlantic Road

leaving for jobs elsewhere than people coming into Brixton for jobs. The Brixton economy is currently contributing slightly less than 10% to Lambeth’s economic action plan. This is not good enough for one of the borough’s top two town centres. Again, this is understandable as employment in Brixton

is still low value in terms of value added to the Lambeth economy. Employment is usually in retail, leisure, food and drink and in public sector activities. More employment in Brixton in high-value-added professional industries such as ICT and Digital cannot come soon enough. While we wait on these new plans to

Waterloo/South Bank. Brixton’s night time fare is not alcohol-led and, when I last checked, had very few ‘take aways’. We probably still have the best reputation for live music outside of central London and could still be South London’s major evening and night time destination with our rich mix of restaurants. Some say our night time economy is currently responsible for 12% of all Brixton town centre jobs and that 9% of all town centre business is attributable to the night time economy. Errol Linton A recent check with Band in Effra Lambeth council revealed Hall Tavern. that there are currently 279 See p15 licensed premises in the night time economy (2017). develop, we cannot overlook We need to build a night the potential for employment, time economy dedicated to growth and development creating more and better already recognised in some local jobs. earlier Lambeth council Whatever the figure, it planning documents. is time to realise the full Lambeth After Dark: Getting potential of this industry. Serious about the Night Time We cannot, however, lose Economy (2013) springs to the edge and vibrancy that is mind. It identified the current Brixton both day and night, worth to Lambeth of the night and we must create a plan time economy then as £505 with a focus on residents as million in annual sales. It said well as businesses. it had the potential to create All businesses coming 8,000 jobs, half of which would into Brixton should be as be for residents of Lambeth. committed to making a It was suggested then that positive difference to our Lambeth should be setting as residents as they are to a target annual making profit. receipts of some Whatever We need to £750m by 2025 the industry, build a night from night time Brixton residents time economy economies with should benefit at least a 4% from increased dedicated to increase on local creating more employment, job targets. training and and better How would this development. assist Brixton? Should low local jobs Brixton was value employment reported then (2013) as having continue apace and be 177 night time economy combined with current high firms, more than in any levels of unemployment in other Lambeth town centres, our town centre, Brixton’s including Waterloo. average resident would not Of these 126 were identified be able to eat or go out locally as food establishments, a until maybe 2025 … be Brixton number similar to that of sleepy, edgy or vibrant.

ELECTRIC AVENUE SPACE WILL GENERATE INCOME The BID recently launched a partnership with marketing consultancy PinPointer to use Electric Circle (outside Healthy Eaters where Electric Avenue meets Electric Lane) as a promotional and income-generating space. PinPointer helps major brands to talk directly to thousands of customers and to use local data and insights gained from a presence in town centres. The partnership with the BID continues to generate income for Brixton that is reinvested in public realm improvement initiatives and public events to increase town centre footfall. We are working with Brixton Recreation Centre to raise awareness around some of the healthy living and wellbeing services it offers. Brixton BID is happy to offer the space on a voluntary basis to organisations like Lambeth and Southwark Mind who want to engage with the local community.

14  CREATIVE BRIXTON

brixtonblog.com

2017 OCTOBER

ARTS ROUND-UP LAMBETH ARTISTS OPEN FOR VIEWING

Home Office’s loss is baby clubbers’ gain

Artists and makers across Lambeth open their studios, workspaces and homes on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 October. First staged in 2009, Lambeth Open showcases a range of arts and crafts including painting, sculpture, photography, textile design, jewellery, ceramics and print making. You can meet artists face-to-face and learn more about the techniques and technical processes they use. Work will be for sale, so it’s a great opportunity to buy direct and support your local artists and makers.

and everything from glitter cannons and glow-sticks to craft corners and baby chill out spaces. Music is at the heart of BFLF. Renowned DJs like Aphrodite, Two Bad Mice and Chad Jackson play club classics. Adults relive their youth, throwing shapes on the dancefloor to songs of their past with their children, who rejoice at the sight of seeing their parents dance. The enjoyment and vigour seen on this dancefloor would rival any top nightclub across the country. The finale, a rather “hectic” parachute dance. Since the opening event at Effra Social in Brixton in July 2013, the demand for “family rave” entertainment has seen the company grow. Its popularity is unquestionable. A well established network of regulars and tribe of super fans enjoy BFLF raves in all four corners of London, other UK cities and even Australia. BFLF organises raves at festivals including Glastonbury and Camp Bestival and hosts events at top venues including Museum of London Docklands, The National Gallery and, most recently, Alexandra Palace in July 2017 which saw a record 2,000 people taking part. BFLF, now in its fourth year, has won the nationwide Family Arts Festival Award for best family event every year.… as well as best welcome, best venue and best event. It’s simple really, says Hannah: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work another day in your life.” – Confucius. AA BFLF is hosting a drum and bass, animal fantastical, family rave with DJ Aphrodite on 14 October from 2-4.30pm at Fire, Vauxhall. Tickets at bit.ly/BFLF-Fire.

Mercury Prize nominated and Brixton raised hip hop musician Ty Chijioke will be joining a brainstorming session for 15-25-yearolds in the basement of Squires architects’ new Department Store on Ferndale Road in Brixton at 6pm on Monday 2 October. Organised by Ovalhouse Theatre which is due to move to Brixton in 2019, the workshop will look at creating Lambeth’s bid to be London Borough of Culture.

hall, ballads and calypso. Off The Cuff has a Balkan dance party featuring flamboyant crowd-pleasers The Trans-Siberian March Band with the 20 strong London Gypsy Orchestra on Thursday 12 and “master bassist and funk supremo” Rick Leon James on Saturday 14.

Eleanor Sharples meets local resident Hannah Saunders whose family raves began in Brixton and now attract thousands around the world Brixton resident Hannah Saunders waved goodbye to a high-flying career in the Home Office to run DJ and glow-stick raves with a difference. Her Big Fish Little Fish (BFLF) company puts on raves for the whole family – from age 0 on up. The first was at Effra Social in July 2013. Hannah spent 20 years fulfilling her desire to serve society by working as a civil servant, rising to deputy director of policing at the Home Office. Why the sudden change? Having had two children in quick succession, Winter, now 7 and Atticus, 6, meant more time away from the office and an unexpected change in role upon returning to work caused her to “run for the hills”. Plan B? There wasn’t one. Unsure of her next move, Hannah found a mentor, who helped to build her confidence as she toyed with the idea of creating a “family rave” to combine her love of music and a lifetime of clubbing with her babies’ enjoyment of festivals. “The concept of a family rave is doing exactly what it says on the tin. It is a rave for families, by families who enjoy club music and spending time together,” she says. “I thought that I would make this thing that I want to go to, which I cannot find anywhere else … and we’ll just see what happens.” Hannah is supported by her husband David and a few families who help her to organise London events. Raves usually take place on weekend afternoons and are for adults with children aged 0-8. Each party is unique, with a quirky venue, a creative theme for fancy dress

BRAINSTORM BOROUGH OF CULTURE BID

Says organiser and artist Tim Sutton (the man behind the Brixton Urban Art Fair, that’s his work above): “Lambeth Open provides an affordable opportunity for artists and makers to showcase work in their local area. We are so lucky have all this talent on our doorstep and something worth showing off to the rest of London.” AAFree entrance. 10–6 both days (except private views). Map and full details at www.lambethopen.com.

HAPPENING IN HERNE HILL

Herne Hill’s multi-genre music festival, from 6 to 15 October, has 19 events across various venues in SE24. Ticket prices are low – starting at £5 for some events – and there are some free performances. On Saturday afternoon (7 October), five choirs from Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham perform “Herne Hill Sings On” at St Faith’s Church, featuring material covering pop, jazz, folk and rock classics as well as show tunes and opera. The Half Moon provides a new venue with an evening dinner and cabaret – “Catch Me a Song” – on Friday 6 and a celebration of songs about London on Friday 13 covering styles including music

Multi-instrumentalists Iyatra quartet (above), described as one of the most exciting new music groups around, perform in The Half Moon at 8pm on Saturday 7. With traditional and alt-classical, blues at Canopy Beer and swing in Brockwell Park there should be something to meet most tastes. AADetails at hernehillfestival. org. Tickets through the web site, or from wegottickets.com/ hernehillfestival, or on the door unless sold out.

MAGIC ON HALF MOON LANE

South London’s dedicated magic theatre, the small but perfectly formed Illusioneer on Half Moon Lane in Herne Hill, has a new programme for fans of the art of illusion. The Illusioneer Barrie Westwell says resident illusioneers for the season will be prize winners, Magic Circle members and performance professionals. The evenings will highlight five magicians over five months, beginning on 25 October.

George Lewkowicz (aka Super­bard) – no stranger to our pages with stories about his Edinburgh Fringe shows – has made it to home turf with a podcast novel, The White Beyond the Wall, set in Brixton. It is a post-apocalypse fantasy about teenage twins Aron and Jacob, who can turn into an owl and a dolphin respectively.

So far, so standard fantasy fare. But George is just as concerned with them being real teenage boys, including awkward encounters with girls and unwanted erections. And they learn quickly that it’s not that helpful to be able to turn into animals. George records each 15-minute episode with an immersive

soundscapes and music. It’s now up to episode 14 of 32 and Aron has arrived at a university/ commune in a future Ritzy cinema. Brixton feels different yet familiar. It’s a place of pilgrimage. The market’s still there, but it sells mainly religious icons and it spills onto Windrush Square. Lewkowicz (right) has lived

in Brixton for seven years, and wrote the novel in F. Mondays on Brixton Hill. He’s set stories in Brixton before, including his show and iBook, The Flood, about a Brixton under the sea. AAThe White Beyond the Wall is available free from all good podcast providers.

RICHARD JEPHCOTE.

PODCAST NOVEL SEES BRIXTON BECOME A PLACE OF PILGRIMAGE

The first will feature Alec Schulz (above) – The Vegan Magician – in a night of sleight of hand, wit and wonder. All magic is certified organic, free-range, gluten-free and vegan. Events include the monthly Midweek Magic Mix show and Bunco Booth (an event for companies held at a location of their choice). AAFacebook.com/ TheIllusioneer.

LEARN HOW TO REALISE YOUR SILLY IDEAS Brixton Design Trail may be closed for this year, but the Bureau of Silly Ideas in Valentia Place is keeping the spirit alive with creative workshops throughout October.

On Thursday 12 October it hosts an alternative drawing workshop with artist Rhian Sutcliffe who will lead you through an assault course of alternative drawing techniques, using body parts, team work, and imagination to build up striking group compositions. Young people 5 to 6pm; adults from 7 to 9pm. There’s a graffiti workshop on Saturday 21 October and a unique spoken word and yoga workshop for women on Thursday 26. AAFor more information email Abigail at bosiabigail@ bureauofsillyideas.com or visit bureauofsillyideas.com/ club-silly.

HAITI FUNDRAISER AT POP BRIXTON

Impact Hub Brixton in Pop is showing a powerful film at a fundraiser for Haiti at 6pm on 17 October. Set in the wake of the devastating 2010 earthquake, Kenbe Fem (To Hold Firm) follows a son’s search for his mother after the disaster. Love and strength transform a tragedy into a call for action. Small bites and refreshments, community building, and inspiration promised.

OCTOBER 2017

brixtonblog.com

CREATIVE BRIXTON  15

Committed to live music – not money Brixton has more than one famous Windmill – and they are near neighbours – Olivia Cheves tells the story of the music venue Newer additions to Brixton’s music scene may sometimes get more publicity, but there’s one local venue that sets the benchmark for live performance – and has done for many years A 10-minute stroll from the bright lights and cocktail bars of Coldharbour Lane, the façade of The Windmill, down a side road off Brixton Hill, has barely changed since the 1970s when it was built as a local boozer for the Blenheim Gardens estate. In the 15-odd years that band booker Tim Perry has worked there its stage has been trodden by the likes of The Vaccines, The War on Drugs, The Wombats and countless others. Friendly, informal and independent, the 150-capacity venue has long been known for its dedication to off-beat programming and breaking some of the best new acts coming out of South London. Time Out named it one of the best music venues in the city – not that the Windmill is fazed by this accolade. “People have always travelled to this venue to see the bands they like and the people they know, it’s never been people just randomly coming in,” explains Tim. “Because of the programming that we do, it’s a lot of new bands, and it’s quite niche, so we’ve not really gone down the populist route.” Tim himself started off as a travel and music journalist in the nineties, when new consumer websites looking for content made it a lucrative business. “I probably had too much money, got too drunk and ended up here,” he admits. At the time, Tim was running a night at the much-missed Brady’s (The Railway Hotel) on Atlantic Road – now Wahaca. It was a niche night out, an event that fused country music and hip-hop in a mix of live acts and DJ sets, but fans of both genres came from all over London. When Brady’s closed at the turn of the millennium, Tim took the night to the Windmill, making a success of the difficult Sunday evening slot. Then, when the former booker vacated his post, Tim stepped up to the plate. “I tried to carry on doing writing as well, but it got a bit all-consuming, and this was more fun than sitting at home writing all day.” Since then, Tim has helped shape The Windmill into what it is now, a place known

Pegasus Opera production of Koanga by Frederick Delius, directed by Helen Kaut-Howson. Koanga is thought to be the first opera in the European tradition to be based on African American music

Black History Month event will honour Brixton opera founder Brixton-based Pegasus Opera is honouring the life of its founder Lloyd Newton as part of Black History Month with a concert celebrating Black composers and performing some of their works for the first time. Black British singers taking part in the historic event include soprano Alison Buchanan, mezzo Denise Hector, tenor Ronald Samm, bass-baritone Keel Watson with Allyson Devenish on piano. Performances will include pieces from Queen Nanny of the Maroons in

Jamaica, African American poet Paul Lawrence Dunbar and the woman who inspired Toni Morrison’s Beloved, Margaret Garner. You can also hear pieces based in colonial India and in Nigeria by Wole Soyinka. Celebrate Pegasus! is on Thursday 5 October at the Actors Church (St Paul’s) Covent Garden, Bedford Street, WC2E 9ED, beginning at 7.30 with a free reception following the concert. Tickets are £20 from Eventbrite or call 020 7501 9501. Since Lloyd Newton passed away in January this year, Alison Buchanan

has taken on the role of artistic director of Pegasus. She said Newton had fearlessly led the company for 25 years, presenting ground-breaking opera by black artists and that the company has exciting events coming up, locally, nationally and internationally. On Saturday 7 October there will be a family event at the Black Cultural Archive from 12 to 1pm – including thirty minutes of opera and thirty minutes of singing activity, followed by a full evening Celebrate Pegasus! concert at Brixton Library from 7-9pm.

Errol (second from right) and the band

Local musician Errol Linton has been performing at the Effra Hall Tavern for just over a year now. If you haven’t caught him yet, then you’ve a real treat in store. The harmonica wizard is also a singer and songwriter who has been busking on the Underground for 20 years. His third album, Mama Said, was released in 2011 to critical acclaim and his songs can be heard on national and regional BBC radio and Jazz FM. He funded his latest

album from money raised by busking. He now plays bigger gigs and band members have supported, among others, Dr John and the late Screamin‘ Jay Hawkins. His style is both original and familiar, blending blues with a hint of reggae, reflecting his London and Jamaican roots. He performs with Adam Blake on guitar, Lance Rose (double bass) and Petar Zivkovic (piano/keys) and Gary Williams on drums. Each has an impressive CV. Check them out

at www.errollinton.com. Three times winner of the British Best Harmonica Player of the Year, Linton says: “A good friend sold me a harmonica one day, started blowing on it, never stopped, the harp led me to the blues, not the other way round.” You can catch the band at Effra Hall, 38 Kellett Rd SW2 1EB, on Wednesdays 11, 18 and 25 October and 1, 8, 22, 29 November. And, just for now, unlike some of the Effra’s other nights, you may be able to get a seat.

LOU SMITH

Don’t miss Errol at the Effra

for its eclectic mix of upcoming new acts, local favourites and cult figures. The pub’s profile has continued to rise steadily, attracting a new group of regulars to the venue. “There’s been an outbreak of really good bands from South London, who are between 17 and 21. It’s become a younger crowd because the bands are getting younger.” Postpunk experimentalists like HMLTD, along with Windmill mainstays Shame and Goat Girl, are some of the big names in what is being touted as the new “South London scene”. Tim is quick to recommend others causing a stir. His personal tips are Croydon 17-yearolds, Black MIDI, and Peckham sisters Waterbaby, both of whom have played the majority of what few shows they’ve done on the Windmill stage. “We kept telling them to come back,” says Tim, “and now everyone wants to book them. A lot of venues forget that you need to curate or incubate bands, and I think it’s important to have a stamp and go, ‘you’re identifying with this venue’.” Nevertheless, Tim isn’t one to take the “new is always better” tack. “It’s also important to have a bit of variety,” he says, “I think if you keep going for the scuzzy, new, 21-year-old post-punk bands, that’s going to dry up in a year.” In June, the Windmill hosted a month-long residency from cult country musician Ben Wallers, aka The Rebel, which featured support from Goat Girl and Fat White Family’s Saul Adamczewski, among others. The success of the shows led Tim and the rest of the Windmill crew to announce a second Rebel Residency scheduled for June 2018. The venue has been an essential stepping stone for many other local acts – bands like Meatraffle and Phobophobes still play regularly, and Saul Adamczewski premiered his new outfit Insecure Men there back in January, along with an assortment of band members including Sean Lennon and Childhood’s Ben Romans-Hopcraft. “Venues should get recognised for what they can do for people’s career, and for the community,” says Tim, “so there’s always somewhere for people to go, and somewhere that is committed to live music, rather than just putting on what they think will make money.” Childhood play The Windmill

56 Brixton Hill

(entrance on Horsford Road)

Brixton SW2 1QS

We think differently – visit us and see how We live in a rapidly changing world. Many of the jobs being advertised now did not exist until very recently – who had heard of Big Data Architects or Smart Product Designers a few years ago? The future of the economy and labour market are extremely uncertain, with artificial intelligence and robotics set to radically change the way we live and work. Research tells us that 30% of London’s jobs are at high risk of automation in the next 20 years – so what are we advising our children? How are we preparing our young people to succeed in this uncertain future? We all understand that education is one of the major keys to success yet, in many schools and colleges, the focus is almost exclusively on examination outcomes. At South Bank Engineering UTC, we think differently. Our students are taught well and will

get good grades. They also benefit from what we call “School Plus”, incorporating our wider vision to develop our students’ employability, work experience, technical skills and character strengths which will help them adapt and thrive in this uncertain future. We have recently moved into brand new, state of the art buildings on Brixton Hill. With outstanding new engineering workshops, 3D printing, robotics, virtual reality, advanced computing and science laboratories, we are equipped for success. Our students join us in Year 10 or Year 12 from all across London, focused on an innovative education where high academic standards are supplemented with the chance to work hands-on to gain technical skills. These skills are developed through projects led by our university and industry sponsors and partners, all of which lead authentic projects – for

example to use 3D software to design the hospital ward of the future, with designs pitched to real engineers, giving students powerful insights into the world of work. Many of our students are determined to work in engineering, a sector with a real skills and diversity gap, where well rewarded careers are on offer. Many more are engaged more widely in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and value the innovative and powerful experience they receive with us at South Bank Engineering UTC. We are very proud to be part of the Brixton community and are working to engage closely with local schools, businesses, charities and community groups. We have many opportunities for you to find out more and would very much like to welcome you for a visit. Dan Cundy, Principal

OPEN EVENTS Open mornings: (9.30–11.00 am): Thursdays 5, 12, 19 October Open Evening: Thursday 2 November 5.00–7.00pm

BTEC results – 741% above national average! Year 11 students were rewarded for their hard work in BTEC Engineering with results that surpassed the national averages in all of the top tier grades. Following … ●● 336 hours of learning … ●● 8 BTEC assignments … ●● 4 employer projects … ●● Construction of 6 bamboo bikes … ●● and 12 robotic arms … … students were thrilled to receive their certificates in a celebration assembly where: ●● 21.88% received Distinction* (741% above the national average) – equivalent to A* ●● 28.12% received Distinction (285% above the national average) ●● 21.88% received Merit BTEC standards verifier, Mr Groves, told us: “The centre needs to be commended for the quality of learner work, which was good, being clear and concise”. BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) offers professional qualifications for anyone taking their first steps into the world of work or planning to enter university.

Private screening cements our special relationship with the US embassy

WHAT’S YOUR BIKE MADE FROM? BAMBOO? ARE YOU SERIOUS?

UTC hosted Lew Lukens, the deputy chief of mission of the United States embassy in London, earlier in the year and we were delighted to continue our special relationship with the embassy by attending an invitation-only screening of the inspirational movie Hidden Figures. It tells the story of a team of black female mathematicians who served vital roles at NASA during the early years of the US Space programme. A delegation of sixth form

students and staff had a fantastic time at the event, hobnobbing with embassy staff, including the Ambassador himself, watching the movie which received a standing ovation at the end, and then participating in a Q&A session with an esteemed panel, featuring astrophysicist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock. We are looking forward to continuing to work with the embassy in the lead up to its move to a new home in South London.

If you’re a student at South Bank UTC, that’s the truthful answer. Students in Years 10 and 12 had the opportunity to work with the Bamboo Bicycle Club as part of their product investigation unit in the Engineering BTEC. The first ever fleet of South Bank UTC bamboo bicycles, whose frames are made only from bamboo, hemp and resin, took to the paths of Brockwell Park (above) for preliminary testing. Students put the bikes through their paces, testing each in line with BS14781, the British Standard for racing bikes. The lack of any failure is testament to the quality of the students work … but some redesigns could be on the cards.

South Bank Engineering University Technical College is a 14-19 school, sponsored by leading employers in the field of engineering, as well as London South Bank University. Alongside core GCSEs and A Levels in subjects such as English, maths and science, students can study Level 2 and Level 3 technical qualifications in engineering for the building and health sectors.

020 7738 6115 | info@southbank-utc.co.uk | www.southbank-utc.co.uk @SouthBankUTC

Southbankutc

Southbank_utc

OCTOBER 2017

FOOD & DRINK  17

brixtonblog.com REVIEW: KING & CO

Pop goes the King Simon Still gets his teeth into his tasty local

REVIEW: ZOE’S GHANA KITCHEN

Out of Africa Nick Buglione hits Pop for jollof therapy

“Keep away from your father, he’s doing jollof.” As I imagine many families grew up, while Mum was the day-to-day family caterer, come weekend dinner party time, Dad (who, along with my Mum, taught in Nigeria), would rather ostentatiously dust off his apron and, amidst a fug of Dunhill International and whisky, cook jollof chicken. This would invariably be traumatic, tense and a health and safety issue all in one. Years of therapy later, I am at Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen, perched on the upper Pop alfresco terraces, for a calmer rendition of West African dining.

In the endless weekly quest for new food revolutions, its time one of the less discovered regional cuisines got a look in. And Zoe Adjonyoh has become the go-to evangelist with many recipes straight from her grandmother’s recipe books or the sprawling Kaneshi street market in Accra. Think snacky, streety starters and tasting plate size mains, from a microscopic (even for a sea container) kitchenette. We kick off with sobolo coolers, an interesting fusion of gin, fresh ginger, cinnamon, star anise & light brown sugar while snacking on Okra fries, marinated in garlic, ginger and chilli and tempura battered. If your jury is out on “ladies’ fingers”, these will pleasantly surprise you. My personal jury has never got to grips with

plantain, in the end it’s too “dessert” for this disciple of savoury. But Mrs B liked its sweet stickiness and smothering of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. The main events were Zoe’s jollof spiced fried chicken, breast strips marinated in a nine-spice jollof mix, buttermilk and deep-fried, with a funky smoky crayfish mayo for dipping. Alongside grilled lamb cutlets with spiced peanut sauce, cayenne pepper and ginger. Topped with toasted peanuts (err … may contain nuts). The chicken was excellent, with a super crispy batter, although I didn’t pick up as much spice as I expected. The cutlets had that winning formula of charred exterior, pink interior, had good old-fashioned spice kick and the Afro-satay was a chummy elevation. I left content rather than rhapsodic. I love the ramshackle Pop homeliness and acknowledge the restrictions of the micro-kitchen. I, perhaps mistakenly, thought the flavours, would be more dramatically distinctive? Having said that you can go a long way with a smile, homely vibes and that chicken and one suspects we will hear a lot more from Zoe Adjonyoh. I am just relieved to discover one can “go jollof” without recourse to family counselling.

Pop Brixton, SW9 8PQ | zoesghanakitchen.co.uk | 07494 746907 | @ghanakitchen | @zoeadjonyoh

I declare an interest. The King & Co, celebrating its third birthday, is my local. I like to lose myself here amidst the eclectic junk shop décor, roaring fire, relaxing vibe and good company. The beer selection is excellent – five ales, a dozen keg beers, regular brewery “tap takeovers” and, recently, King & Co’s “home” brews. There’s a good bottled beer menu, a decent wine list and pre-made cocktails. But that’s not the full story. My local has become home to an ever-changing series of pop-up kitchen takeovers. Current occupants Tem Ban Thai are in the kitchen Wednesday to Sunday until the end of October, while Taco Rebels cater for Monday night’s quiz, and ale club on Tuesdays (cask ales at £3.20). Tem Ban head chef Craig Broadhurst has just returned with a suitcase full of spices after a month in the kitchens

of Bo-Lan – one of Bangkok’s finest restaurants. The experience has served him well with a modern take on Thai food, and sometimes unconventional ingredients. We started with miang, tasty pintxo-like mouthfuls of smoked mackerel, lemongrass, peanut and chilli served on a betel leaf. Our guinea fowl arrived wrapped in a banana leaf on a plate decorated with fresh herbs and a roll of crackling. This was gloves-off Thai – full of hot chilli and the funky flavour of fermented fish sauce. The soft-boiled egg and radishes were perfect antidote to the heat. Red duck curry had minced duck topped with pink slices of quality duck breast in a

sauce both rich and fresh. A simple plate of grilled corn was lifted by a salted coconut cream topping that also made it’s way into the mango sticky rice dessert. Thai sweets can be hit and miss but this was a perfectly judged combination of sweet, sharp and salty complete with sprinkling of crispy shallot. Trust me – it works. There’s a premium to pay – keg beer in particular is noticeably dearer than elsewhere and you can run up a hefty food bill if you hit the small plates hard. Many pubs do something like this these days, but King & Co does it particularly well and the revolving door in the kitchen keeps things new and fresh.

100 Clapham Park Rd, SW4 7BZ | thekingandco.uk | 020 7498 1971 | @TheKingand Co

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

18  FOOD & DRINK

brixtonblog.com

2017 OCTOBER BOOK REVIEW: BELLY FULL

Butchers, bakers, curry goat makers One of our favourite summer reads has been Riaz Phillips’ Belly Full, a colourful, stylish exploration of UK Caribbean food culture and the people behind our most popular Caribbean eateries. – including, of course, a number of Brixton’s shacks, cafés and restaurants. Funded by a Kickstarter campaign and published by independent publisher Tezeta Press, Phillips has toured the UK meeting chefs, butchers, grocers and bakers to bring you their stories. The book comes with lovely photography and some classic recipes via the accompanying “Likkle Cookbook” supplement. A tasty read.

MADE IN BRIXTON: HALLOUMI ROOM

Brixton wrappers Friends Stu, Emma, Jess and James set up Halloumi Room in 2015, selling healthy, affordable veggie wraps at festivals and street parties How did Halloumi Room come about? We had seen what was on offer and thought we could do better. We wanted to give people an alternative to the predictable meat options. So our ethos is vegetarian, with halloumi the star ingredient. We bought a gazebo and gear to do street parties and found we were mobbed. How do you do the halloumi? We source the halloumi from a Cypriot wholesaler, who gets us the best stuff. It pairs brilliantly with our main fillings: our own recipe Mexican refried beans and slaw. The wraps are filled with avocado, tomato and herbs.

You had a busy South London summer? We have now grown to be able to trade at full-scale festivals and took our stall to the ON music festival at Blackheath last month. We also had an amazing time at Lambeth Country Show in July and have done some great street festivals. We hope to be at either Brockwell or Blackheath fireworks. What have been the main challenges? All sorts of things! Speeding up our service to keep the queues down and finding people to work flat out without getting flustered were just two. Overall, the toughest thing has been to balance our work lives – we all have full-time jobs. How do you promote yourselves? Word of mouth, Twitter and Facebook. When writer Michael Rosen tweeted about our wraps it was a real coup.

tezetapress.com/shop and from Fish, Wings & Tings in Brixton Village

halloumiroom.com | @halloumiroom

DIY KITCHEN: TREATS & TING’S ACKEE & SALTFISH PASTIES

autumn menu

As the nights draw in, Pietro & Stefania invite you into their cosy kitchen for some authentic Sicillian home cooking, and perhaps a glass of warmng Sicillian red to banish the chill?

Pasties of the Caribbean Fresh and juicy tomato salad with Sicilian origano & capers

Homemade baked bread with chargrilled tiger prowns

Treats & Ting’s Emma-Louise Stewart shares her favourite recipes When the nights are darker and there’s an autumnal chill, I feel like nice comfort food. Here’s a spin on a Caribbean pasty (not patty), a traditional Cornish pasty with a Jamaican filling of ackee and saltfish. You can buy pastry ready to go, but I like to make my own.

Ciambelle e bomboloni. Not your average donut!

Pietro’s home made pasta, freshly made each morning. And the choices are always new and exciting

TRATTORIA FRANZINA, POP BRIXTON, 49 BRIXTON STATION ROAD SW9 8PQ. PHONE 07802 473 444 @POP BRIXTON INFO@FRANZINATRATTORIA.CO.UK

LUNCH - DINNER - APERITIVO - TAKEAWAY - CATERING

INGREDIENTS ¡¡ 225g plain flour ¡¡ 250g salted butter ¡¡ 150g ice-cold water ¡¡ 1/2 tsp salt ¡¡ 1 tsp all purpose seasoning ¡¡ 1 large egg beaten ¡¡ 340g tin of ackee, drained ¡¡ 500g skinless and boneless salt fish ¡¡ 6 medium tomatoes ¡¡ 1 large onion ¡¡ 2 peppers (red, yellow or green) ¡¡ 1 tbsp dried thyme, 1 tbsp mixed herbs, 1 tbsp black pepper

METHOD Pastry 22 Combine flour and all purpose seasoning 22 Cut the butter into small cubes and mix into the dough until all cubes are fully coated 22 Pour ice-cold water in and mix, then knead into a rough dough 22 Roll into a sausage shape, cut into four equal portions and place in fridge

Filling 22 Pre-heat oven to 200° C 22 Soak the salt fish fillets in boiling water for 10 mins, rinse and repeat twice 22 Chop the peppers, tomatoes and onion 22 Fry onions until golden, add peppers and cook for 3 mins 22 Add the tomatoes and season with the pepper, thyme, mixed herbs and all purpose seasoning 22 Simmer for 10 mins and stir in the ackee 22 Add the flaked fish, simmer and stir for 5 mins then remove from heat and rest 22 Roll the pastry out into the size of a small plate (at least 2mm thick) 22 Spoon 3 tbsps of filling into the centre, shape and pinch edges to form the crust 22 Glaze the pasty lightly with egg 22 Grease a baking tray and cook until golden brown (20-25mins)

Treats & Ting, Emma-Louise’s diner and tea room, pop up corner and events space reopens in November | treatsandting.com

OCTOBER 2017

FOOD & DRINK  19

brixtonblog.com

REVIEW: CAFÉ VAN GOGH

Their only way is ethics Annabel Twose goes meat-free at Café Van Gogh A few years ago, overcome with guilt from the film Cowspiracy, I dipped my toes in vegan. But, after two mostly uninspiring months of tofu and beans (whilst battling intense cheese related dreams), I caved, ordered a large pizza with extra everything and never looked back. Vegans must love the fact that times are changing with a number of dedicatedly vegan restaurants launching, each offering an upgrade on the traditional, rather challengingly dour. Apparently there has been a 360%

increase in veganism, partly on the back of more interesting vegan cuisine. Ethics are fine, if they taste good. Café Van Gogh is part of this new wave, their menu has recently become 100% vegan. It is also non-profit, with money reinvested into programmes for marginalised members of the local community, like work experience for teenagers with learning difficulties. Intrigued, and accompanied by a vegan friend, I set off to discover whether I would be willing to give the vegan dream a second chance. Up a winding staircase and under a delightful Van Gogh-inspired starry night ceiling, we ordered our food and a bottle of a very enjoyable pinot noir. I

chose the seitan sticky ribs, with potato and pickled onion salad, grilled corn and “bacon” butter. Seitan is the newest trend in modern meat substitutes, a gluten-based alternative which has been taking Instagram foodies’ feeds by storm. But could vegan ribs actually work? Pretty much – sticky barbecue flavours and a surprisingly meaty texture – although a little chewy. While it may not have fooled a meat eater, I don’t think that matters as, both failed vegan and proper vegan thought it was tasty and satisfying in its own right. The Sri Lankan jackfruit and aubergine-stuffed chapatti with dhal was also a treat, with the slightly sweet pineapple chutney balancing nicely with the spices. We finished off with the sticky toffee pudding, which, according to my expert, tasted “too good to be vegan”. With ginger notes and a delicious buttery caramel sauce, it was definitely the highlight and, as a long-time devotee of sticky toffee, one of the best I’ve had. The menu may be short but, whether you’re a meat-eater, veggie or staunch vegan, you’ll be able to find something hearty, healthy and tasty at Café Van Gogh. With the café’s ethically made food and its reinvestment in the community, it is certainly an enjoyable and guilt-free eating out option. While I may not return to veganism just yet, if every meat and dairy free meal tasted this good, I could be persuaded.

88 Brixton Road, SW9 6BE | cafevangogh.co.uk | 07546 966554 | @cafevangoghCIC

DIY COCKTAILS: MEZCAL MARGARITA

Mariachi band optional Inspired by Pre Copa de El Grito Brixton at Pop’s Mexican street eatery Maria Sabina, the ingredients are a little tricky to find … but you’re worth it. Sombreros, mariachi band and decorative flower optional.

Ingredients NN 40ml QuiQuiRiQui Matatlan mezcal NN 20ml fresh lime NN 10ml agave syrup

Method

22 Shake the QQRQ Matatlan

with the fresh lime juice 22 Stir in the agave syrup 22 Serve over ice in a rocks glass (tumbler) 22 Top with a traditional Mexican edible flower (optional) AA El Grito (Cry of Dolores), celebrated on the night of 15 September, is the most important Mexican holiday. Its name comes from the priest Miguel Hidalgo’s revolutionary call to arms in the town of Dolores in the state of Guanajuato that triggered the Mexican War of Independence (1810 – 1821).

mariasabina.co.uk | quiquiriquimezcal.com

Celebrating Black History Month

Thank you to all our customers for making us a Brixton success story, with love from Stafford & the team at

Here at Healthy Eaters in the heart of Brixton on the corner of Electric Avenue and Electric Lane, we serve freshly cooked, authentic, great value, great tasting Caribbean food over the counter with speedy and friendly efficiency.

17 Electric Avenue Brixton SW9 8JP

020 7274 4521

So drop in for take-away or sit a while and eat in. We are open early lunchtime right through the afternoon.

www.healthyeaters.co.uk

20  WHAT’S ON

brixtonblog.com

What’s on at Whirled The Picturehouse chain, owner of Brixton’s Ritzy, is still refusing to pay its workers the London living wage and to reinstate three sacked union reps – so here’s what’s on at Loughborough Junction’s Whirled Cinema …

Berlin Syndrome

Director Cate Shortland Sunday 1 October, 6pm Monday 2 – Wednesday 4, 8pm Running time: 116 minutes Psychological thriller featuring a raw and compelling performance by Teresa Palmer. Travelling alone in Berlin, photographer Clare meets Andi, a charismatic local English teacher with

whom she shares an instant physical attraction. After spending the night together, Clare wakes up alone in Andi’s apartment to discover the door locked and the windows secured, with no other means of escape. The film explores the dynamics of power and control, and the psychological complexities between captor and captive.

Jamila Omar rounds up a October selection of what’s on in Brixton and nearby FRI 29 @ PRINCE OF WALES

TUE 10 @ EFFRA SOCIAL

Back by popular demand, Concrete Music’s infamous 90s party is back for the last of the SUMMER TERRACE PARTIES. 90s jamz all night on the rooftop, in the club room and in the secret karaoke room. 8pm – 4am. £8 – £10.

Tuesdays mean nothing other than PUB QUIZ. Tommy McArdle hosts one of the busiest quizzes in Brixton, with a cash prize for first place and booby prizes for second and second to last place. Starts at 8pm, £2 per person.

SAT 30 @ BRIXTON JAMM

WED 11 @ POP BRIXTON

Say a fond farewell to summer on the Jamm’s funky outdoor terrace with Heatwave Brixton. The final DAY & NIGHT TERRACE PARTY of 2017 hosts a house and disco special, with some hand-picked talent to keep you grooving all day and all night. Joining the party will be Moda Black star Ben Pearce, alongside favourite residents to fuel the antics. Expect glam, BBQ & cocktails, dancing and good vibes. £5 – 15 (more on door). 4pm – 4am.

SUN 1 @ ST MATTHEW’S PEACE GARDEN The Brixton Come Together crew continue their good work with WORKSHOPS, inspirational spaces and activities for all ages in their Village of the Future. Midday – 6pm. Free.

MON 2 @ HOOTANANNY

Behemoth

Thursday 5 October Director Zhao Liang Running time: 95 minutes Both visually arresting and meditative, Behemoth takes the viewer to the heart of the mining industry in inner Mongolia, highlighting its toxic impact. The film draws inspiration from Dante’s

Inferno. Paradise becomes an industrial wasteland surrounded by ghost towns of brand-new, deserted apartment blocks. In the Old Testament, the mountains are the domain of a monster named Behemoth; in modern times the vast mining industry has taken its place. Dreamlike and nearly silent.

The BRIXTON BOOKJAM is back, with a great lineup of emerging and established authors. This will feature short readings from Nick Harkaway, Miranda Gold, Alex Cristofi, Barry Stewart Hunter, Alyssa Warren, Dave McGowan, Rosie Wilby, Bonnie MacBird, Hamja Ahsan, Erinna Metler, Jack Blackburn and Josh Winning. Afterwards you’ll have the chance to buy signed copies of their books. 8pm. Free.

TUE 3 @ BRIXTON POUND CAFE Come and stretch the day away with Vinyasa flow YOGA, all levels welcome. They have a few spare mats but if you have one, please bring it along. 7 – 8pm. £5.

WED 4 @ ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH Pop down to this Stockwell Park Road church for St Michael’s Arts Festival 2017 ART EXHIBITION, featuring 200 artworks, many by local artists. Until 15 October. Opening times vary (see stmaf.org). Free.

THUR 5 @ POW Thursday nights at the Prince of Wales is dedicated to LIVE JAZZ. The Late Night Hang has been running weekly for three years and is a stalwart favourite. Expect to see special guest musicians/ vocalists dropping by for a Jam with the house band. 11pm – 3am. Free.

Dark Night

Director: Tim Sutton Sunday 8 October, 6pm Monday 9 – Wednesday 11, 8pm Running time: 85 minutes An indie film based on real events, Dark Night is a story of violence in

The Shepherd

Director: Jonathan Cenzual Burley Sunday 15 October, 6pm Monday 16 – Wednesday 18, 8pm Running time: 120 minutes Anselmo, a middle age shepherd, is poor but happy with only his dog and sheep for company in rural Spain. He ignores

Una

Director: Benedict Andrews Sunday 22 October, 6pm Monday 23 – Wednesday 25, 8pm Running time: 94 minutes Based on David Harrower’s Olivier award-winning play Blackbird, Benedict Andrews’ Una stars the Oscar-nominated Rooney Mara (Carol,

FRI 6 @ HERNE HILL SCHOOL contemporary America. A suburban landscape plays witness to events that culminate in a cineplex massacre. Over the course of one day, six strangers – the shooter among them – share in the new American nightmare.

offers he receives from a construction company that wants his land for a new residential complex. But Julian and Paco, the owners of neighbouring land, answer only to their own greedy interests. There are violent consequences in this modern-day western.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) and Emmy-nominated Ben Mendelsohn (Animal Kingdom, Starred Up, Star Wars: Rogue One), following a young woman’s journey to reclaim her past after she ran away with an older man, Ray (Mendelsohn), a crime for which he was arrested and imprisoned.

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

2017 OCTOBER

The Oak Building plays host to a HARP RECITAL by Alexander Thomas, principal harpist of the Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra, resident harpist at the Sherborne Summer School of Music, and a regular performer at the Renaissance St. Pancras and other top London hotels. His programme will include music by Debussy and Herbert Howells. 7.30pm. £10/£7.

SAT 7 @ POP BRIXTON The Brixton VINTAGE KILO SALE returns for a back to university special, bringing old school classics and new term threads to freshen up your wardrobe, with thousands of items direct from the wholesaler! £15 per kilo. Free.

SUN 8 @ CAFE CAIRO

Every Wednesday during term time, GROOVESCHOOL explores musical forms and instruments old and new, embracing vintage and the most cutting-edge technologies, be that sounds, loops or completed tracks. Ages 5 – 12 (under 8s accompanied by an adult) 4.30 – 5.30pm, ages 13 – 19 5.30 – 7.30pm, Ableton Push / NI Maschine User Groups 7.30 – 9.30pm. Free.

THUR 12 @ THE CAMBRIA David hosts the Cambria PUB QUIZ. Teams of six or less battle it out for a cash prize, which is doubled if the winning team gambles and answers the Killer Question correctly. Second place wins a bottle of wine! Each player will receive a raffle ticket for a meal for two voucher. 8pm, £2 per player

FRI 13 @ DOGSTAR The Magic Robot is a destination for PARTY ANIMALS, with party-centric hip hop, funk, soul, disco, new hits, old favourites and all your terrible requests. 10pm – 4am. Free before 10pm, £5 after.

SAT 14 @ FIRE / LIGHTBOX A drum n bass RAVE FOR ALL THE FAMILY with DJ Aphrodite. LED light-up ceiling. Bubbles, glitter cannons, giant balloons and parachute dance. Animal Fantastical fancy dress and kids’ craft activities. Bar for the grown ups. Baby chill out area. Pop-up tents and tunnels. Facepainting and home-made cake stalls. Aimed at families with children aged 0 – 8 years. Sound levels monitored to be safe for everyone. Buggy parking and baby changing. £9/£6. 2 – 4.30pm. 39 Parry Street, Vauxhall SW8 1RT.

SUN 15 @ BRIXTON JAMM Sunday Jamm hosts its regular REGGAE SOUNDSYSTEM. This is the ultimate Brixton “Sunday Funday” spot for those who want to chill out with pals or shake off any remaining weekend energy. Great pizzas, jerk chicken, with special meal and drinks deals. 2pm to midnight. Free before 5pm, £5 – £7 after.

MON 16 @ OFF THE CUFF Heads up is a weekly Monday JAZZ JAM session. Come down and bring your instrument! The house band (Heads Up) will play the first set from 8.30ish then open up for a jam session at 9.30ish. Free.

TUE 17 @ EUROLINK BUSINESS CENTRE Join Louise and the Sincerely Louise team at a LEARN TO KNIT WORKSHOP. This snug studio is full of faux taxidermy, wool and friendly faces, with the experts on hand to teach you how to knit, help with any projects you’re working on or just have a natter about craft over a mug of tea or glass of wine. Experienced knitters welcome too. 7 – 10pm. £10.

WED 18 @ MARKET HOUSE

Every Sunday evening you can catch a FREE MOVIE at the fantastic Cafe Cairo. Check their Facebook page for which films they have in store each week. 7.30 to 11pm. Free.

House of Idiot is an ALTERNATIVE COMEDY show upstairs at Market House every Wednesday. Take a walk on the weird and wonderful side, with sketch, character, musical comedy, clown, cabaret and more. 8pm. Free.

MON 9 @ BLUES KITCHEN

THUR 19 @ EFFRA HALL

South Londoner Davey James takes to the stage with his blend of BLUES INFUSED FOLK for the Kitchen’s Live Blues and Rib Night. Music starts 9.15pm. Free entry.

Thursday night is JAMAICA JAZZ night at the Effra. The outstanding resident band plays jazz, ska and reggae fusion with occasional vocals. Get there early for a seat. 9.30 – 11.15pm. Free.

OCTOBER 2017

WHAT’S ON  21

brixtonblog.com

COME TOGETHER, PARTY AND DREAM OF THE FUTURE FRI 20 @ HOOTANANNY

Big brassy Afro-Latin funk & hip hop, ANIMANZ bring a show that is a safari through the dense urban jungle into a world of groove, energy and exhilaration. Tropical flame Juanita Euka will be holding the stage as mistress of ceremonies while Animanz take you through Afro-Latin swamps and ancient funk ruins. Big band madness. Not one to miss. 9pm – 3am. Free before 9pm, £5 after.

SAT 21 @ POW

Scottish comedian Chris Henry brings his hit kids show, BALLONATICS, to Brixton. He guarantees a chaos-filled, fun-packed hour of inflatable buffoonery, with never a dull moment for parent and child alike. Everyone is invited to join in and become a part of the Balloonatics Army. 1 – 4pm. £10.

SUN 22 @ BAR 414

Grassroots Live Music. A weekly Sunday night that looks set to encourage and inspire LOCAL GRASSROOTS talent. UB40 trumpeter Patrick Anthony leads the experienced house band with resident DJs and Caribbean food available too. 10pm – 3am. Free.

MON 23 @ EFFRA SPACE

HoopTone Fitness, a HULA HOOP WORKOUT, taught by world record holder Obie Pearle, strengthens your core, improves your balance and coordination, and helps you release everyday stress whilst having lots of fun. Hoops provided. 6 – 7pm. £10.

TUE 24 @ BRIXTON LIBRARY

AFRICAN DANCE for children aged over 5 and their parents/carers. From Angola in south-east Africa, Kuduro is a blend of traditional, semba, and Afrohouse dance. Book direct with Brixton Library. 2.30 – 3.30pm. Free.

WED 25 @ POW

Digital Love will be playing a very special live A/V DAFT PUNK TRIBUTE performance with a bespoke pyramid, visuals and lighting on the POW’s brand new video wall. In conjunction with Fade In Fade Out. Come see the robots up close, and pay homage to the French maestros. 10pm – 5am. £10.

THUR 26 @ CAFE VAN GOGH

The Social Club is a monthly meet-up of South London ENTREPRENEURS. Hosted by Hatch, these monthly events provide high value talks, workshops and networking opportunities. This month’s social will focus on branding. 6.30 – 9pm. Free (but book in advance).

FRI 27 @ O2 BRIXTON ACADEMY

Having recently dropped the huge new single Nights With You to global acclaim, Denmark’s MØ will embark on her biggest headline tour to date. 7pm. £23.75.

SAT 28 @ ELECTRIC BRIXTON

Artwork invites you to ART’S HAUNTED HOUSE for a Halloween special. Following five unforgettable Art’s House day-into-night parties at XOYO this summer and a huge sold out Christmas event, Art returns to his old haunt for one hell of a freaky party, with the whole place decked out to the rafters. 10pm – 5am, £5 – £10.

SUN 29 @ HOOTANANNY

King Nommo is a collective of Brighton-based musicians that maintain the raw energy and power of early, authentic instrumental AFROBEAT. It’s a powerful 10-piece, heavy Afro-groove-based band playing unusual, enchanting and vibrant music, laced with haunting Senegalese vocals and a heavyweight horn section. 9pm – midnight. Free.

Saying one final Adios to summer and a cheery Hola to autumn, free community festival Brixton Come Together (now in its sixth year) takes over Windrush Square and St Matthew’s Peace Garden in central Brixton for a three-day stint from Friday 29 September to Sunday 1 October. This year’s theme is an Afro - Latin Celebration, with various other international flavours thrown in for good measure. Expect live music, DJs, carnival parades, film screenings, tasty food and wicked cocktail stalls. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes, because when, as in previous years, the drinks flow and the beats get livelier, the whole crowd is in jump-up mood and party vibe. Live music performances will come from Harare, Let Drum Beat (above) and Conjunto Sabroso and many others. DJs include Prince Fatty, Racubah Sound System, Brixton Buzz DJs and

Blondezilla. See details and trailers at bit.ly/BB-CT17. This year sees an all-new area in St Matthew’s Peace Garden – The Village of the Future. A space for young, old and all those curious minds in-between. It will feature music, dance, craft and creative workshops for all ages. Festival organiser Maria Santos says she hopes this will help us to “inspire ourselves, expand our minds and dream of the future we want to create”.

Friday 3 – 11pm | Saturday midday – 9pm | Sunday midday 6pm

Cocktails for a cause Brixton People’s Kitchen and Be Enriched run up to four community canteens each week that can feed around 100 people using food that would otherwise be thrown away from local shops, markets and businesses. To keep their community meals and the practical training that goes with them free and open to all, they are hosting a fundraising dinner on Thursday 19 October at Pop Brixton. After a cocktail reception, chef

Devante Malone (of pop-up Waxy Lemons) will cook up a three-course vegan Caribbean feast. here will be music throughout headlined act by a 10-piece Afro-Cuban band. Tickets are £50 and include the three course meal, cocktail and live entertainment – all profits from the night will go directly to supporting Be Enriched’s work. Kick off 6.30pm, finish 11pm. AA Book at be-enriched.org.uk/Events.

Black Sound: Exhibition On display now BCA Loves Afrobeats with P Montana Friday 6 October New talent P Montana curates an exclusive mix of underground afrobeat artists. UK Afrobeats: The Pioneers, the Movement and their Legacy Saturday 14 October Live discussion with Afrikan Boy, Timbo, Mr Silva, and P Montana 30th Anniversary of Black History Month Sunday 29 October 2017 marks the 30th anniversary of BHM, come and enjoy Sunday dinner in the archive.

BRIXTON | BCAHERITAGE.ORG.UK

22  COLUMNS

brixtonblog.com

2017 OCTOBER

GEMMA PASHA

FRANKIE HOLAH

Time to be ruthless

Press-ups for breakfast

Autumn always seems to come round very quickly. It is a sensational time of year for the stunning colours of nature, but it also marks the end of summer and the start of winter. It’s getting cooler and darker, and we are definitely not spending as much time in the garden. But there are some key things to do before we begin our hibernation, and it is called “putting the garden to bed”. Our autumns can be very pleasant, so there is no need to rush out until the weather really turns. But it never hurts to plan and prepare. First, there is the dead-heading and pruning of deciduous shrubs. This is an opportunity to cut back any shrubs that have got too big and overpowering. Plants like hydrangeas, fuchsias and hibiscus can be cut back quite harshly, roses also. It’s also a good time to try all hedgerows and hedges as the growing season is very much over so it will probably be the last time they need trimming before Spring. All annuals (mainly bedding plants) can be cut down to the base and tidied up. It’s a good time to decide whether there are any plants that would benefit from being “split”. This generally happens when a clump of plants gets too big and they can be split to make more than one plant. It’s a

Now how’s that for a healthy start to the day, eh! I have been asked a lot over the years “How come you can do (so many) press ups?” Or “How can I do more press-ups?” The answer is practice … sorry to be the bearer of slightly underwhelming, possibly boring, news. But in order to get better at anything, you need to practice. I coach a lot of people to press up … male and female! Some come to me and can’t do a single rep, some can do a few and some can rep but need their form tweaked in order to progress. So here is a hack technique for bossing your press-ups … something I tell my clients to practise, especially if they are trying to get those precious first reps under their belt. Grease the Groove: The little and often technique … the “It seems too obvious to work” technique. This is the exact opposite of “go hard or go home” and involves training often, while remaining fresh. There’s no face pulling, screaming through that last rep or holding your breath here. To put it into the context of practising your press-ups – you may work on them six to 10 times in one day, but only at 50-80% of your maximum number of good form (this is KEY) reps.

great way to fill some gaps. And it also helps keep the plant healthy. It’s a good idea to dig over the bed, and give it a good weed. Get out all weeds, and their roots. Bindweed and brambles are especially difficult to get rid of, so will need persistent attention. Remove any plants that you no longer want or that have become unruly or unattractive. This will give you a good idea of what space you have for planting up next year. Be ruthless. Some plants have a shelf life and begin to lose their appeal after a few years. It’s best not to be sentimental – unless they are, of course, of sentimental value. And, finally, it’s the perfect time to get in some spring bulbs. It is such a lovely thing to do, knowing that in a few months they will be popping up as the first splashes of colour in your garden. Enjoy. 66 If you need any help then please contact me on 07826 551353 or thegardeninggirlat82@gmail.com

If you are working on your first press-up, you may only do one rep at a time and that is totally fine – the key here is to perform the best rep you can do every time. Think about points in your day that you can drop and do say five or six press-up reps (less or more depending on your level) – maybe when you make a cup of tea, during your lunch break, before you get in the shower, before you go to bed. That’s four sets already … not so hard right?! But it equals plenty of practice! This technique can be added to your routine around any other commitments and training you’re doing and will help to increase your press-up strength and endurance. Specificity + Frequent Practice = Success. No fads here I’m afraid! Who’s down for giving it a go? 66 Frankie@frankieholah.com for training enquiries

A grand and imposing property. Luxuriously carpeted throughout.

Matching people and property in London for over 160 years.

400-402 Coldharbour Lane, London, SW9 8LF www.marshandparsons.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2017

Hill Mead HERALD Picking a colour with personality Wiktor and Kevielle Year 6 We have been learning about colours and poems. We’re using the poetry book Cosmic Disco by Grace Nichols to study one if its poems – “When The Colour Spoke”. It’s about a man who could not decide which colour he wants to use. So the colours start speaking to him. They say “choose me” and give all the reasons why he should choose them. For instance, purple said: “Use me. I used to be a royal colour, but now you can afford me any time, so use me. Show you care.” But the man did not want the colours to compete or to choose one over the other. So, in the end, he chose to do a sculpture instead. The teacher told us to choose a colour and give it a personality. We were learning about personification and we had to pick a colour and describe it.

We went on an exciting trip to the National Portrait Gallery because it’s a special place. We went by bus. We went to see olden day pictures and paintings. We got there in the morning and looked at diversity in portraits. We were looking especially for people who were Black Londoners. We saw Steve McQueen whose eyes were shut because he was grinning so much. We saw a

ballerina and afterwards we drew her, she was on her tiptoes. We saw lots of different pictures and then we had lunch. In Trafalgar Square we took some portraits of ordinary people. We said: “Please can we take your picture?” They asked why, and we said: “Because you’re beautiful and we want to have lots of pictures of people all around the world from all sorts of different countries”. I dressed up as a man in olden days. Ryan dressed up as a painter

David Beckham, the Queen, Kate Moss and Michael Rosen Bianca Year 3 I went to the National Portrait Gallery and saw a lot of pictures. I saw one picture of William Shakespeare. It was the first picture to be hung in the gallery. I like that he was smiling and looked very clever. He was born a long time ago. He was writing books and he was acting. We also saw lots of photos.

One was of a family of 13 people with a dog and a cat. I saw one of David Beckham sleeping. I saw the Queen and one of Kate Moss. I saw a Michael Rosen painting. I liked that he included some other things that told me more about him. He had puppets and colourful things around him that made him seen fun and playful because the things he has around him are colourful.

Kevielle Use me, said black I am skin, I am night and I am blindness. I am the dirt under the soles of your shoes. Sleep in my arm, I will hold you through the night and keep you safe until the morning light.

Wiktor Use me, said orange Without me the burning beaming sun wouldn’t have colour. Without me, dangerous lions and beautiful tigers wouldn’t have colour. When your first pumpkin has been carved, it’s a sign that autumn has begun.

A big debate about patois

An exciting trip to a special place Jasmin and Zeah Year 2 Blue

This is what we wrote:

Fathia and David Year 5

like in the portraits. When we came back to school today we did painting of fruits. Pineapples, mangoes, lemons, limes. Some of the pictures we saw are from the Horrible Histories series of books. We saw Queen Elizabeth 1. She had a crown and a yellow dress. At the end we got little picture books and got to draw people’s faces. We drew a ballerina and people with jewellery. Then Zeah’s tooth fell out and we went back.

At the start of the term we found we would be learning about Dancing in the Rain a book of poems by John Lyons. He is a poet who was born in Trinidad in the Caribbean and now lives in England. We focused on one poem in the book. We looked at the poem and tried to see what information we could find in the poem. Then we started performing the poem in different ways. David’s group sang the poem. Fathia’s took turns to read it and do actions for lines of the poem that they thought were important. For example, they did the line when the sky set up the clouds nearly charcoal black. We decided Liala and Rafaella would be the nice blue sky and Fathia would be a dark looking cloud around them. The poem has a lot of patois and we tried to figure out what it meant.

We all had different ideas and had a big debate. We tried to find words that were in the dictionary that were similar. Then we compared them.

I like to learn new words Kadi Year 3 We were reading a poem called “Who Dat Girl” by Valerie Bloom. She is a famous poet from Jamaica. The poem is about a girl who wears her mum’s clothes. And she keeps looking at the mirror pretending she’s a grown up. I like the poem because there are

words in it that I don’t know what they mean. I like reading words I don’t know because I find out what they mean. I like to learn new words. The book has lots of words Jamaican people use when they talk in “patois”. I like the poem’s words because some of them rhyme, like “me” and “ebony”.

Brixton was full of events, installations, art and design for the Design Trail week … see more on page 4

QUICK CROSSWORD

FASHIONING LOVE …

ANYONE THERE …

Youth agency Livity puts on a show. Directed by Rasheeda Lavish, young people design and model for the catwalk

SOMETHING FISHY …

A fabric fishmongers stall created by fashion designers Guças Morgan as part of the creative takeover of the station passageway

The Lovers’ Telephone in Brixton Community Base told the stories of local people

ACROSS 1. The blower (9) 8. Perch; deep singer (4) 9. Oratory (8) 10. Fertilised egg (6) 11. Performs (6) 13. Cupboard (6) 15. Discover (6) 16. Oar blade (anag) (8) 18. Coil (4) 19. Sore pooch (anag) (9)

DOWN 1. Stressed (anag) (8) 2. Oddball (6) 3. Sentimentality (6) 4. Open (4) 6. Paddington’s preserve (9) 7. Noughts and crosses (3,3,3) 12. e.g. Impala, gnu and eland (8) 14. As well (2,4) 15. Douse (6) 17. Chess piece (4)

AND THE LAST WORD …

Dalton and Maag, a Brixton company with a worldwide clientele talk about how they designed the BBC’s new typeface

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