Bermondsey Biscuit & Rotherhithe Docker - Autumn 2024

Autumn 2024

Discovering Bermondsey’s skate community Sat uNDER thE RaiLWay aRchES, hOP kiNGDOM iS hOME tO MORE thaN juSt a haLF-PiPE

Issue 21

Our look at SE1 & SE16 this autumn Review: Bedale Street’s agora tribute to Bermondsey’s Russell Dryden What’s on at Bermondsey Street Festival

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contents

autumn 2024

Editor

Eliza Frost

Writers

Michael Holland, Debra Gosling

Design

Lizzy Tweedale, Dan Martin, Ann Gravesen

Contents ―

We’ve been based in the old Biscuit Factory in Bermondsey since 1994.

Marketing

Clarry Frewin

5

Media Partnerships

Anthony Phillips

Our flagship publication, the Southwark News launched in 1987 and is now London’s only independent, paid for newspaper.

Subscriptions

Katie Boyd

WHAT’S ON Discover the history of anatomy, listen to jazz greats and enjoy a trip to the theatre, plus more…

Finance

Emrah Zeki

8-10

Managing Directors

Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn

FOOD & DRINK The Biscuit visits new Greek souvla bar AGORA for fluffy flatbreads, plus new openings in the area

About us ―

We created the Bermondsey Biscuit and Rotherhithe Docker in 2018 with support from sponsors including Sellar, Grosvenor, British Land, and many other local businesses.

We also publish the South Londoner each month, and the Greenwich and Lewisham Weekender every week.

Contact us ― Email

enquiry@bermondseybiscuit.co.uk

We are proud to be a London Living Wage employer.

Phone

020 7231 5258

FACEBOOK

BermondseyBiscuit

We use 100% recovered paper from the Ortviken paper mill in Sweden, a green energy provider who use biofuel instead of oil and provide heat for 10,000 single family homes.

Instagram

@bermondseybiscuit

Website www.southlondon.co.uk

14-21 PEOPLE Hop Kingdom talks skating and beer, hold a piece of the moon at London Fossils and Crystals, chatting chairs with Furniturama, plus a tribute to Russell Dryden 24-34 COMMUNITY Discover Dungeons and Dragons in SE1 and find out everything you need to know about this year’s Bermondsey Street Festival line-up, including wellness with Movement Collection and WatchHouse’s 10thanniversary celebrations 41-43 MEMORY LANE Joe Aspinall tells Michael Holland about how he went from running home from church for bread and jam to becoming a record breaker 45

Printed by Ilif fe Print Published by Community Matters Media Ltd

HISTORY Debra Gosling looks at Western and Wolland’s past making lemonade and ginger beer

a thank you to our sponsors We'd like to acknowledge all our sponsors and supporters for helping us bring the

Bermondsey Biscuit and

Rotherhithe Docker to life.

autumn 2024

events

What’s on in SE1 and SE16 this autumn?

Eliza Frost

thE hiStORy OF aNatOMy Running through to June next year, the Old Operating Theatre Museum is hosting a series of events focusing on the topic of anatomy and dissection.

The re-interpretation of the Anatomy and Dissection Bay will be the launch to open conversations around the history of anatomy, including topics such as: bodysnatching; the 1752 Murder Act and the 1832 Anatomy Act; the public display of pathology; body donation in the past and now; how anatomy and dissection are being performed today and what the future of this fascinating subject will look like.

With events including a guest lecture by Dr Monica Walker on ‘For the Good of the Living: Anatomy & Dissection at Old St Thomas’ Hospital’, plus Funny Bones and medieval dissection stories hosted during the museum lates, and special events for Anatomy Week (14-20 October).

Dates and prices vary St Thomas’ Church, 9a St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY oldoperatingtheatre.com

cuRL uP thiS autuMN

Located in a Bermondsey Street warehouse, Sixes London Bridge opened earlier this year offering an indoor cricketing experience for any Flintoff wannabees.

Book for two, or up to 30, and take a swing in the five cricket nets. While you’re not batting, take a seat at the bar, which you can also visit with or without cricket. Or order from their food menu of sharing plates and pizzas, or dessert if you have a sweet tooth (did someone warm cookie dough skillet?).

And there are kids’ party bookings available as well – but the spot is over 18s only from 6pm Thursdays to Saturdays.

Opening on 1 November in SE1’s Vinegar Yard is the Curling Club. As the weather gets chillier, take your equipment to the ice and see if it lands…

There are Curling Club packages available that get your food and drink alongside your extended curling game – perfect for a Christmas party or special occasion.

The new location also means you can enjoy the food and drink of Vinegar Yard, with a bar serving up beer from local breweries, plus your classic spirits, wine and cocktails, too. And food is available from Baba Gs, Nanny Bills, Nik’s Kitchen, Bad Boys Pizza Society, Japanese Chicken Shop and Untitled Sandwich Shop.

Grab your mates this party season for a hand at curling and, who knows, the 2026 Winter Olympics might call your name.

Ticket prices vary 50 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UD sixescricket.com/location/london-bridge

Tickets: £12 for 30 minutes, £24 for an hour 72-82 St Thomas Street, SE1 3QX thecurlingclub.com

Six! NO, it’S a FOuR

PRESENtiNG, thE jaZZ GREatS  ©Charlina Lucas

On the studio main stage at Sands Films, Simon Woolf presents compositions by the jazz greats, some of whom he has had the pleasure of accompanying.

Simon will be joined for these concerts by both established and rising stars from the UK’s jazz scene.

Each concert will present a repertoire of players of a specific instrument. Having focused on saxophonists and pianists so far in this second run, the next dates will hone in on double bassists and guitarists.

You can pay what you feel, from £0 to £50 (but £7.50 is recommended) and also watch the shows online via Sands Films’ website, too.

So, if you’ve got an ear for jazz or a thrum in your foot, enjoy the rhythms of Simon Woolf and jazz artists.

Dates: 13 September and 15 November 2024 Tickets: Pay what you can 82 Saint Marychurch Street, SE16 4HZ www.sandsfilms.co.uk

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thE SEx LivES OF PuPPEtS Following a sellout run in January, puppet masters Blind Summit Theatre return to Southwark Playhouse with The Sex Lives of Puppets, the show that pulls back the covers on puppet sex in contemporary Britain.

Beware, it can be filthy, funny, shocking – but sometimes tender. This collaboration between puppets and the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles creates a safe space to get down and dirty and talk about sex. Not so much the “birds and bees”, more the “nuts and bolts”.

Dates: Showing until 28 September 2024 Tickets: £25 77-85 Newington Causeway, SE1 6BD southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/the-sexlives-of-puppets

Introducing a charming new venue that specialises in homemade crêpe, galette, and gelato located on Bermondsey Street opposite Tanner Street Park.

Taking pride in sourcing high-quality ingredients, Crêpe is open daily for lunch and dinner, serving savory meals, sweet treats, coffee, and ciders.

Open Daily www.crepe-bermondsey.com

Serving up lip-smackingly good cocktails, wine, ale, and free-range rotisserie chicken.

Wednesday & Thursday 5-11 pm | Friday & Saturday 12-11 pm | Sunday 12-6 pm Now serving fabulous brunches from 12-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays For more details and events inquiries please contact us at info@poulet.biz or 07539142389 Poulet, 37 Maltby St, London, SE1 3PA

Fleurie is a warm and inviting French-style brasserie that offers seasonal small plates for sharing. Think steak tartare, chicken liver parfait, oysters and Champagne.

Explore the carefully curated wine and sparkling selection, complemented by delightful cocktails and great coffees.

The original Deli on Bermondsey Street opened since 2004

No 92 Bermondsey St

We are here for you and open daily!

À bientôt!

Monday to Saturday 8am - 11pm, Sundays 8am - 10.30pm

For reservations or information please email us at info@fleurie.co.uk

For information and catering please call 07769326455 www.bstreetdeli.co.uk / Instagram: bstreetdelildn

The B Street Deli

GET YOUR BEER ON Mash Paddle Brewery in Bermondsey is the ultimate destination for craft beer lovers.

With 12 rotating lines, craft cocktails and a range of table games, it’s a fantastic place to relax and meet friends. You can even try your hand at making your own beer!

SE16 & SE1 “Local’s Discount” every day.

Event and exhibition space available.

92 Enid Street, London, SE16 3RA www.mashpaddlebrewery.com

autumn 2024

food & drink

Bitesize Eliza Frost

Circe’s Rooftop Bar

NOKO

A night out with a witchy touch: in the house of Helios, God of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. Circe is a strange child who possesses the power of witchcraft, a vast knowledge of potions and herbs and the ability to change men into animals…

And that spirit has come to SE1 with Circe’s Rooftop Bar. With Olympian-themed cocktails – such as Perse’s Picante (£12.50), with Cazadores Blanco Tequila, chilli liqueur, Triple Sec, lime and fresh chilli, and Mr Blue Sky (£11.50), with Bacardi Carta Blanca Rum, blue Curaçao, coconut, citric, pineapple and soda – sure to keep you quenched while you take in the views and enjoy DJs, live bands and more events on the rooftop.

And if you’re peckish, there’s small plates and sharers – for you to “graze like a god” – plus a selection of burgers, which smash burger would Zeus have ordered?

The Asian street food restaurant and bar has opened a second spot in SE17, a sister spot to NOKO in south London’s Camberwell.

Bringing more of the good stuff to the new Elephant and Castle location, the menu sees snacks, bites and larger dishes – and always a bang of flavour.

Known for its fried chicken, you can choose from a selection of sauces – how spicy do you like it? There’s Gochujang K-Pop with Korean Gochujang sauce, Soy Capital with Szechuan salty and sweet and Devil Spicy with homemade Piri-Piri sauce.

You’ll also find veggies tossed in tahini, noodles to slurp up and perfect mouthfuls of dumplings – and there’s NOKO’s secret beef, smacked cucumber and salt and pepper prawns.

Wash it all down with a lychee tang cocktail, or maybe a jasmine negroni and Asian passion.

117 Waterloo Road, SE1 8UL www.circesrooftop.co.uk

11 Sayer Street, SE17 1FY www.nokoasian.uk

Lolo Previous The Biscuit cover star José Pizarro has opened his third spot on Bermondsey Street, Lolo. The name is a nod to José’s middle name, Manuel, and it marks his first location for all-day dining The restaurant will offer an all-day menu of personal favourites and new recipes created with José’s friends and suppliers across the UK and Spain, reflecting his love for both countries.

At Lolo, it is all about communal dining, aiming to provide that all-day destination for Bermondsey Street. You can have brekkie, enjoy a long lunch or go for evening nibbles and cocktails. A one-stop shop, and if it’s like any of the other José locations, it is sure to be packed out.

Yard Sale Pizza Big news – one of the best in the pizza biz is coming to Bermondsey. Yard Sale Pizza is opening its “lucky” 13th shop, serving up its delish dough.

Delivering to Bermondsey, Elephant and Castle, Walworth, Borough, London Bridge as well parts of Kennington and Southwark, and – at the time of writing – the location is undergoing a makeover before opening later this year.

But Yard Sale are sure to be bringing its big hitters, like the TSB (tender stem broccoli, parmesan, pine nuts, garlic and olive oil), the Holy Pepperoni (regular pepperoni, smokey gyula pepperoni and nduja sausage), and the Unholy Pepperoni (double pepperoni, double stacked with hot honey and parmesan).

We’ll have the 18-inch New Porker, please.

Eat Momo

102 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UB josepizarro.com/lolo-bermondsey-street

Location incoming yardsalepizza.com

Arch 229, Borough Yards, SE1 9FJ www.eatmomo.uk

Momos are little Nepalese dumplings, often stuffed with fillings such as pork and cabbage, prawn and vegetables, chicken with spring onion – and other tasty combinations.

And now, Eat Momo has brought a bright, “no frills” little Canteen in Borough Yards. Sisters Dipa and Trishna serve specialist Nepali-style dumplings from the SE1 spot, as well as snacks such as kimchi from London Fermentary, ice cream from Happy Endings and cocktails from MOTH: to enjoy on the riverside terrace. Pull up a chair.

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food & drink

autumn 2024

review: aGORa Eliza Frost

thE SE1 GREEk SOuvLa BaR SERvES uP DELEctaBLE MEaty SkEWERS aND thE FLuFFiESt FLatBREaDS that’LL kEEP yOu cOMiNG Back FOR MORE

T

he souvla bar in Borough was the place to be on this Tuesday evening. We ended up in SE1 on one of the hottest days we had at the end of July, the type of lush weather that calls for something cold to drink, and something fun to dip and snack on. Lucky for us, AGORA had both.

The frozen margarita (£9) – with tequila, orange liquor and lime – was calling our name, and we gladly answered. An icy slush and perfectly balanced flavours.

Now, you’re likely to experience a queue for this walk-in-only spot, but it’s worth it – I promise. You’re also able to have a tipple as you queue on the street, and as you look into the open kitchen and dream about what you’re about to order.

When you do get seated, the menu is split into spreads, skewers, saláta, braises, and then wood oven flatbreads and rotisserie.

To start, it had to be hummus. AGORA serves it with masabacha and hot crisps crumbled on top (£5) – and we went with even more hot potato crisps (£3.50) to use as our dipping utensil. Slightly spiced crunchy crisps dunked into the smooth hummus were otherworldly. A hummus where whole chickpeas are left in, too – enhancing taste and texture.

Dishes and drinks continued on this theme, each with an interesting flavour or addition to make your tastebuds think.

The first sip of basil daiquiri (£9) – rum, dry mastiha, basil syrup and lemon – hit various parts of the mouth, and in different ways. Sour, sweet and punchy, the perfect short cocktail.

The next plates to the table were a smorgasbord of delight. The heritage tomato, watermelon, feta and mint saláta (£9) was crisp and juicy, a summer salad that was made for a scorching day like this.

There was also a lamb kebab with sumac (£4 each), a whole sardine with za’atar (£4.50 each) and slowcooked chickpeas topped with green zhoug (£9), which is a spicy coriander sauce. This trio brought freshness and flavour – and a new-found love of soupy chickpeas.

With more dishes came more cocktails, the kiwi sour (£9.50) – gin, kiwi, lemongrass and white vermouth – and the green chilli Tommy’s (£9) – tequila, green chilli, agave, orange liquor, lime – put yet more spins on loved drinks.

But it was the flatbreads that were the star of the menu on this occasion. AGORA serves up the

fluffiest flatbreads cooked in the wood oven, giving them a fiery char.

We tried the spanakopita, graviera and crispy potato (£8.50), a spicy pork sausage, spit roast pineapple and hot honey (£9) and the confit lamb, spiced tomato and garlic yoghurt (£9.50).

The first brought a memorable contrasting crunch with the addition of matchstick chips atop the flatbread, the second with a sweet and savoury combo to make you melt, and the third felt classic to souvla flavours, but elevated as – it seems – is the AGORA way.

To finish, it was shots to end the meal. The Greek saláta (£6) – the restaurant’s version of a pickleback – was a shot of Jameson whiskey followed by a tomato and cucumber chaser. The shot won’t send a shiver down your spine, but dining at AGORA will still make you feel a certain rush.

2-4 Bedale Street, SE1 9AL www.agora.london

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 ©Giles Draps

ALL-DAY BREAKFAST, LUNCH OR EVENING BITES. New opening by José Pizarro 102 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3UB www.josepizarro.com

Love North Southwark meet local need With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to put households under pressure, Community Interest Company Love North Southwark are finding ways to make sure local people needn’t go without.

Founder Kathleen Heather started the organisation during the Covid lockdown, taking food that would have gone to waste and distributing it as meals for elderly and vulnerable people. The offer evolved into a ‘food pantry’, where people buy food items at low cost. “Not the normal price, but they pay you something, and they don’t feel like they’re taking all the time,” says Kathleen. “That’s better for them, and better on waste too.”

Around 60 people use the food pantry on a weekly basis.

British Land have helped Love North Southwark with donations of both funds and items collected in their offices. “They’ve been very, very supportive,” says Kathleen. “Kita from Canada Water Connect will ring up and ask what’s going on here, then she’ll come down with a bag of nappies, baby cream, food for the shop. She’s so thoughtful.”

Kathleen (right) outside the organisation’s headquarters

Keeping the baby goods in motion The pantry is a free service open to people from Rotherhithe and Bermondsey. But the other strand of Love North Southwark’s efforts is Southwark-wide and open to anyone: Betty’s Baby Bank takes donations of baby and toddler essentials to provide for those need. It’s about to open on Wednesdays as well as Mondays in response to demand. Love North Southwark’s toy drive, supported by British Land, helped over 200 families this year by collecting and distributing new toys.

Little growers Now Canada Water Connect, the service that connects people to the opportunities being created by the Canada Water development, is helping Love North Southwark with a new project – sending volunteers from British Land’s supply chains to develop an allotment where local children can learn to grow vegetables. “The carrots and the spring onions have come up, it’s lovely to see it coming alive.” says Kathleen.

“One elderly lady said to me, it’s so nice to look out of my window and see the kids running around. There’s lots of families with children living in high-rises here, so the plan was to get them out and doing a bit of gardening, especially in the six-week holiday.”

“It’s unbelievable what the community have done,” says Kathleen. “They give us so much, it’s lovely. Families who’ve received reusable stuff (cots, baby clothes) give it back once they’re finished, so it’s like a circle. I feel so proud, there’s so many nice people out there.”

Love North Southwark are showing how much can be achieved when people are encouraged to share. “I just can’t thank the people of Bermondsey and Rotherhithe enough,” says Kathleen. “When people are down, they’re there to help them. You couldn’t ask for a better community.”

Interested in making a difference. whether by donating or offering your support? Or seeking assistance yourself?

Love North Southwark are based at 4-5 Gataker St, Slippers Place, SE16 2EN. They welcome visitors during their opening hours: Bermondsey Food Pantry By appointment, Monday to Friday 10am - 3pm Betty’s Baby Bank By appointment; Wednesday 10am - 1pm Donations accepted all week; Monday to Friday 10am - 1pm For more information visit lovenorthsouthwark.co.uk Betty’s Baby Bank helps makes sure toys can be enjoyed again and again

Contact us:

BISCUIT AUG 24.indd 1

canadawater.co.uk

team@canadawater.co.uk

0800 470 4593 (freephone)

@CWmasterplan

Canada Water Masterplan

30/08/2024 15:34

SHOWS TO SEE THIS AUTUMN AT THE UNICORN THEATRE Take an insider’s look at two very different shows exploring extraordinary worlds

Toto Kerblammo! from director Tim Crouch will use headphones with binaural sound technology to immerse the audience in a story about listening, friendship and finding hope in the darkest of places.

“The story is a beautiful way to see a world through the eyes of a child.”

Anna Hibiscus’ Song is a stage adaptation of Atinuke’s beloved book and celebrates the culture and music of Africa in a joyous interactive show.

Anna Hibiscus’ Song production is an African theatrical style showcasing theatre at its best. Like most of Africa’s performance forms, it combines story, dance, song, music, and use of traditional musical instruments. There is a strong element of co-performance.

The audiences participate in certain moments by clapping hands, joining the singing, shouting directions to the performer, laughing, and talking with the performers.

“I’m kind of more interested in what happens inside people’s heads than what happens outside people’s heads.”

We spoke to Tim Crouch about his new play, Toto Kerblammo! and how sound will shape the show.

Tim Crouch’s immersive new play follows Effy as she navigates her teenage years with the help of her beloved dog Toto Kerblammo. The dog is Effy’s greatest friend and counsellor and helps her to see the brightness in her life as well as the darkness, ultimately guiding her on a journey of discovery.

Using binaural audio technology, the audience will wear headphones that make ‘the voice inside your head’ seem to whisper directly in your ear or move all around the auditorium.

The entire show is a mediated soundscape, seamlessly transitioning between pre-recorded scenes and live performances by the actors.

It is also a positive way of framing Africa and just felt to me right to bring it to life on stage.

Director Mojisola Kareem-Elufowoju talks about creating the joyful world of Anna Hibiscus’ Song.

It is not often that you read a children’s storybook with a little girl at the centre of it. Reading the story book to my grandson, it struck me as a beautiful celebration of the culture and heritage of a modern African family.

9 – 13 Oct For ages 3-7 Tickets from £14.50

COMING SOON AT THE UNICORN THEATRE...

19 NOV – 31 DEC

22 NOV – 31 DEC

26 JAN – 22 FEB

‘One of the most important writers and theatre makers in the UK’ (The Stage), Tim Crouch brings his signature blend of thought-provoking and experimental theatre to the Unicorn.

6 Oct – 3 Nov For ages 9+ Tickets from £12.50

For ages 7+

For ages 2 – 5

For ages 9 – 13

people

autumn 2024

Take a seat at Furniturama Eliza Frost

Owners of the Bermondsey furniture shop talk vintage IKEA, sourcing rugs and how they’ve been welcomed by locals

S

at in the yard outside SE16’s Furniturama with one half of the team behind it, Thomas Keeling tells The Biscuit how he and Hugo Clarke started working at flea markets around London at a similar time, leading them to start working together.

With a love for period pieces, they joined forces selling furniture, rugs and home accessories under the train arches of Bermondsey.

After doing flea markets alongside a full-time job, Thomas soon decided to go all in. It was at his first market a couple of years ago where he met Hugo, actually.

The two started sharing a space last May, trading independently of each other, and in November realised they might as well partner up – they were doing similar work and helped each other all the time.

Then came Raymouth Road and its freshly refurbished railway arches, Thomas says: “We put in a pretty cheeky offer, and it was accepted.

 ©Joseph Burrows

“This area is good because it’s sandwiched between three stations, the Jubilee Line (Bermondsey), overground (Rotherhithe) and national rail (South Bermondsey), so it’s easy to get to from all of London, and by driving, too.”

The arch of Furniturama is waiting for neighbours to take the spots under the train tracks in the lots on either side of the shop. Thomas says that “it would be nice to see some complementary businesses” set up home.

The spaces aren’t dissimilar to a Tardis and are “a lot of bang for your buck”, as Thomas adds. Furniturama is decorated and stacked high with goods to look over, and they always encourage a visit to the physical store.

The time period of furniture and items vary from true vintage and mid-century to contemporary pieces, and even some noughties IKEA in the midst – “but that goes quite quickly”, says Thomas.

Prices vary, too, with the duo really wanting to cater for everyone. There are pieces ranging from £20 to £2,000. “We try and not just fall into that mid-century bracket, if it’s well made and looks nice, then we’re going to sell it,” he says.

At the shop, there are chairs piled on top of one another, wardrobes wide open welcoming you to another world, there are soft furnishings, dining tables and eclectic bits and bobs, you name it, you’ll probably find it at Furniturama.

The huge variety of pieces is reflected in the name,

Furniturama, with the meaning relating to a wide offering – and also a play on Futurama, of course.

Thomas actually “didn’t even plan on selling furniture”, he was collecting items and then began branching out selling them online.

Hugo is the rug guy, says Thomas.

Owing to the many lots of textiles throughout the shop – blankets, rugs, wall hangings – they have a trusted rug supplier who is based in Afghanistan, and they receive hundreds of rugs every few months.

Combining Hugo’s love of textiles and his expertise in quality, Furniturama offers “well-priced” rugs compared with anywhere in London, says Thomas.

And what about Thomas’s specific interests?

“Designer chairs and lamps are my thing, really. I go to Denmark every year and I buy a shitload of lamps and rewire them. I like a lot of Scandinavian stuff as well, with its simple, clean lines.”

When looking for your own pieces for a home makeover, Thomas suggests always looking at the materials: “If you don’t have experience looking at furniture, you can touch it and feel it, and you can tell if it’s well made. Ask is it solid, or is the material nice?

Is there true craftsmanship in this, or is it just thrown together or mass produced? It is difficult.”

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And that’s why a trip to Furniturama is key when choosing furniture for your home – whether it’s a complete furnishing of a new spot, or you want to update your dining table with some cool chairs.

Thomas lived in the area when he first moved to London, and he’s definitely seen Bermondsey change over time.

“But the reception we’ve had from OG locals has been good, it’s been a warm welcome. We sell reasonably priced items to anyone. We are quite firm on the idea that our shop is open to everyone,” he says.

You can visit the shop on Raymouth Road, send the team a message on Instagram, order online from the store – they offer lots of shipping options – or find Furniturama at a flea market near you soon.

Unit 6, Raymouth Road, SE16 2DB furniturama.co.uk

advertorial

Commitment to Community: The Bermondsey Carnival, Community Grant and Development Workshops

Celebrating Community and Honouring Local Legend Russell Dryden Over the summer, we have been extremely busy making significant strides in construction.

Despite our hectic schedule on site, we remain committed to supporting our local community and were proud to sponsor The Bermondsey Carnival.

The Bermondsey Carnival took place on Bank Holiday Monday, 26th August at Southwark Park. This event held special significance for us as it honoured the late Carnival founder and beloved Bermondsey legend, Russell Dryden.

Russell’s contributions to our community were immense, and it was a pleasure to be part of an event that celebrated his remarkable legacy.

It was heartwarming to see the community come together to pay tribute to Russell. The carnival offered a wide array of entertainment that catered to all generations, from grandchildren to grandparents. There was something for everyone, and truly reflected the spirit of Bermondsey.

We are grateful for the opportunity to support such a meaningful event and look forward to continuing our engagement with the community.

Exciting News: Community Grant Fund Opening in October We are delighted to announce that our community grant fund will open for applications in October. At The Bermondsey Project, we are committed to supporting the growth and success of both established and new local communityled initiatives over the long term.

As outlined in the Local Legacy Strategy 2024, the fund will cover four key categories: 1. Community Wellbeing 2. Education 3. Skills Development and Employment 4. Supporting Local Business We are excited to work together to create a positive impact within our community. The first recipient of

Photos: Wendy Nowak

Greystar is thrilled to share an update on the significant progress being made on site at The Bermondsey Project. The construction of the new buildings is now well underway, marking an important milestone in the delivery of the new homes, jobs and public spaces.

this grant is Charter School Bermondsey. The funds will support their new musical programme, set to begin in the new school year this September.

Sign up for our mailing list to receive updates.

Since receiving planning permission from Southwark Council in March, The Bermondsey Project has made significant strides on site. We are pleased to report that the construction of the new buildings is now well underway. This marks a crucial milestone in our journey to revitalize and enhance our community.

We are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. As the project progresses, we will continue to provide regular updates on our advancements and milestones.

We are on track to welcome residents to the first new homes in September 2025, and we are excited about the future this project holds for our community.

Join Us: Community Workshops on Public Art and Street Naming We are excited to announce that we are seeking enthusiastic members of the local community to participate in upcoming workshops. These workshops will focus on discussing public art installations and the naming of new streets and public spaces within our area.

This is a fantastic opportunity to have your voice heard and contribute to shaping the aesthetic and cultural identity of our community. More information will be shared soon, so we encourage you to join our mailing list to stay updated. If you are particularly keen to be involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly.

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Get in touch!

Find out more, share your ideas or get in touch by visiting The Bermondsey Project website. https://www.greystar-bermondseyproject.com/ info@greystar-bermondseyproject.com

Blueprint for All is asking you to make a difference with movement this September.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional, or this is your first foray into the world of sports, join Deptford based Blueprint for All 21st September for the Vitality Westminster Mile to walk, jog, or skip in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Tickets include free entry to the fantastic Vitality Wellness Festival in Green Park for a fun filled afternoon, where you can mix and mingle, try your hand at the world-famous giant treadmill, or simply enjoy a smoothie or two.

You can participate solo or with a team, and every participant receives a medal. Head on over to the website to join the Blueprint for All team this September.

Adults £10 entry fee & under 18s free entry with our exclusive Blueprint for All link …

Link https://bit.ly/3VambXd For more information, email hello@blueprintforall.org

What's On 2024

Box office 020 8463 0100 • blackheathhalls.com • Lady Nade sings Nina Simone Sat 19 Oct 7.30pm

Kathryn Tickell &

Ivo Graham Grand Designs

The Darkening Sat 5 Oct 7.30pm

Andy Parsons

Bafflingly Optimistic Sat 19 Oct 8pm

Fri 1 Nov 8pm

Shaparak Khorsandi Scatterbrain

Sun 27 Oct 8pm

Sat 9 & Sun 10 Nov various times

autumn 2024

people

All hail Hop Kingdom Eliza Frost

Discover the indoor skate park and beer spot ‘safe haven’ under the railway arches of Bermondsey

“

We opened with the aim of making skateboarding more accessible. The community is in dire need of support and somewhere to go, a place to feel safe and accepted and loved,” says the founder of Hop Kingdom Ben Hopkinson.

Ben calls Hop Kingdom a passion project, he doesn’t pay himself, and his focus is on building a “beautiful community for beautiful people”.

It is a bar, skate park and bike shop, which opened nearly six years ago as Ben saw very few indoor facilities for skateboarding in England at the time, and it’s not really a sport you can take part in in the rain – “which it does quite a lot of in London”.

He explains: “There’s a lot of people that skateboard or would like to skateboard every day, and it’s important for their mental health. But there are very few places they can go. It isn’t massive here, but it’s a little safe haven.”

But the main reason Ben opened Hop Kingdom was to open up the sport to a wider community and make it more accessible.

“I was 25 at the time. I used to skate when I was younger, and I loved skateboarding. But then, as a 25-year-old guy, I was never going to go to a skate park and drop in, because that’s intimidating,” says Ben. “Whereas here, we do beginners’ nights, you can come in, you have a beer, and we’re all going to be rubbish, and we’re all going to try together. Kick out all the cool kids and show people they can do something they didn’t think they would be able to,

or make it a little bit more welcoming so they can face their fears.”

Some skaters come to Hop Kingdom now who couldn’t skate three years ago. They came to beginners’ night and now they do it every day because they’ve found a community, friends, passion and excitement, says Ben. Hop Kingdom was born of a crowdfunding project, “it was all very fortunate” because as Ben was looking at premises – all over from Hackney to Peckham – the space on Druid Street came up. “It was perfect,” he says, “it’s on the Bermondsey beer mile and White Grounds Skatepark is right next door.”

Of the area, Ben says that “Bermondsey is actually quite small in the grand scheme of things, but it’s a very unique place in London that it is close to the centre but has a sense of community, too”.

It was either a skate park or brewery that Ben wanted to open; he was brewing what would turn into Hop King beers at the time and managing Beer Rebellion in Peckham. Starting on home brews, he wanted to make craft beer a more accessible drink: “I hated that people assumed you know what an IPA tastes like.”

Craft beer can be a bit pretentious, he says, a bit like skating. It was that urge to level the playing field in beer and skating that saw the two marry in Hop Kingdom.

When you visit, skating is always a fiver with a drink included, soft drinks or a beer. And the happy hour is £3.33 for a pint, every day from 5pm to 7pm.

Accessibility through cost is also something Ben is passionate about.

You can also opt for a private lesson if the Monday beginners’ night is still a little daunting. Hop Kingdom has a team of experts on hand to teach you the basics, including a Team GB skater.

“I realised that UK skating is quite under-supported and undervalued sometimes. But by creating this hub and bringing skaters together, I’ve managed to create an amazing team of people that are basically friends and family now, and also amazing skaters,” says Ben. And the team tries to have as much fun as possible with skating – and they create YouTube content, which sees people from all around the world discover the skate park.

Having fun while skating is one of the most important things, says Ben, who adds that he’s learned

17

it’s vital in order to enjoy it.

Ben adds: “With skateboarding, you can very quickly get in your head and start thinking, ‘I’m rubbish. I can’t do it.’ You’ve got to enjoy the process.

You’re going to fall over, it’s going to hurt, and you’ve got to be happy with that. You’re also more likely to land your trick in a positive state of mind.”

When it comes to building that skate community, one that supports other skaters, it is the best thing about Hop Kingdom, he adds.

“Skateboarding can be cliquey and intimidating, I’ve experienced that in the skateboarding world and the real world, but preaching peace and love is the best thing about bringing people together,” says Ben. 16 Druid Street, SE1 2EY hopking.org

autumn 2024

people

London Fossils and Crystals Eliza Frost

Step into history and explore gems produced by the earth at this SE1 shop

I

t’s not every day that you get to hold a piece of the moon in your hand. But at London Fossils and Crystals, there was a piece of the solar system resting in my palm.

The piece of lunar meteorite is rare, you can only be in possession of moonrocks when they get caught up in the earth’s gravitational pull and finally come down to land. And, once it does fall, it has to go through a rigorous classification process.

Standing in the SE1 shop, it is bursting with stones harbouring various powers and ancient pieces of the past etched into stones that are billions of years old.

Owner Sheila Wood started with a small collection of items in 1999 and just happened to come across a supplier of fossils, who she still works with now.

She worked as a picture framer at the family shop with her husband Kevin Phillips, who now works at the shop with Sheila as well as their son Richie.

Soon, Sheila’s collection was outgrowing the framing shop and she looked for her own premises in 2013 and set up a home for London Fossils and Crystals.

“The shop caters for collectors and also crystal healers, but they are totally different audiences,” says Sheila.

Kevin explains that the shop offers something for pretty much everyone, “ranging from someone looking for a cool gift, geological collectors and children with an encyclopaedic knowledge of geology to people who collect beautiful crystals or use them for wellbeing purposes”.

But Kevin’s favourite shoppers are those sourcing items for TV and film. London Fossils and Crystals buys have featured in Luther, Taboo, and a top-secret project coming out soon that they couldn’t say…

When it comes to personal collections, Sheila collects trilobites and Kevin meteorites.

She explains: “My trilobite collection started right from the beginning of business in 1999. I was looking for a logo, and I took a picture of this trilobite, and when I looked at the photo, he had a little smiley face and eyes. That was it. I was hooked.

“Every trilobite is a little character and individual, which was going about their life and then frozen in time.”

Kevin points to a trilobite placed on one of the many shelves in the shop and says it is 380 million years old. Some of his meteorites are between 4.3 and 4.6 billion years old, some even older than the planet, too.

But what’s the oldest item in the shop? That will be stromatolites, a fossilised algae aged 3.5 billion years.

Everything at London Fossils and Crystals has a

story, and some come with myths and folklore attached to them, too.

Sheila says: “The folklore is very important. I say that to customers all around the world; keep your traditions, because otherwise, they’re going to die out, and that would be a shame.”

She gives the example of ammonites, which are known as snakestone. When they were found on the beaches, people said they were fossils of the snakes that St Hilda had rid from the Holy Island by turning them to stone.

There are other stories, too. Kevin explains how amethyst, the purple crystal, gets its name from when Bacchus sentenced a young girl to the tigers, but wanting to save her, goddess Diana turned her into pure Quartz.

Recognising his errors, remorseful Bacchus put his best wine into the crystal, which turned it purple. It is now largely believed that Amethyst prevents intoxication.

And people often come to the shop looking for crystals with certain powers. Sheila says they have seen crystals change people’s lives.

She adds: “Respect is the key. I always say that to people. You can’t ask what a crystal is going to do for you, there is no respect then for what nature has created.”

Nature produces crystals that are perfect cubes, or rhomboids, or quartz crystals that all have six sides.

Kevin adds: “These are all produced by the earth, there’s no interference in any way from man in making it do that. It fascinates us. We’re always learning.”

Learning is key when working with fossils and crystals, as well as qualifying sources. Sheila only works with trusted suppliers and goes to great lengths to ensure everything in the shop is top quality.

And you have to trust who you’re sourcing from.

When it comes to meteorites, Kevin says you have to be careful “because there are too many meteorwrongs”.

Sheila and Kevin also understand the power of crystals through what they see and hear from the community and customers, “word of mouth is a tradition”, says Kevin, who often has conversations with people who come to the shop about the stories behind purchases.

The pair add to the folklore of the items for sale by sharing these tales. Whatever you may be seeking, London Fossils and Crystals could be the answer.

217 Waterloo Road, SE1 8XH www.london-fossils-crystals.co.uk

19

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autumn 2024

people

A blue day for Bermondsey Kevin Quinn

O

ver four hundred people flocked to St James’ Church in July as crowds poured onto Southwark Park Road in Bermondsey to say a final farewell to the area’s most beloved fishmonger.

Russell Dryden’s sudden death shocked locals, who had come to see him as the face of the Blue Market after running his stall there for 36 years.

Aged just 64, this larger-than-life character died from a heart attack in June at his home in Rotherhithe.

It is a double tragedy for the close-knit Dryden family after Russell’s wife and childhood sweetheart Janice passed away just six months ago, and they leave behind sons Ben and Alfie, daughter Carly, and grandchildren Kittie and Isla.

Known to many as the Blue fishmonger, Russell Dryden’s connection with the area went far deeper than that. His family ran Crazy Prices, the shop was a landmark on Southwark Park Road for many years.

He also championed local bands as part of Bermondsey Beat, showcasing them and eventually running the annual Bermondsey Carnival in Southwark Park.

A vocal champion for businesses, he founded the Blue Business Improvement District (Blue Bermondsey BID) in the hope of transforming the ailing fortunes of the traditional Bermondsey centre.

Born in Rotherhithe’s Park Buildings in 1959, formerly down the road from the Angel pub, the three flat blocks were where many young couples began their married lives, the Drydens included, Russell was the third out of four children. His mum Betty and dad Alfie later moved to Balman House on the Silwood Estate in Rotherhithe.

The family then lived in Cherry Garden Street, and Russell first went to St Joseph’s R.C School in Paradise Street, but that didn’t go well. When he was interviewed by us in 2018*, he said: “I got lobbed out of there because I wouldn’t take that Communion stuff. Even though I was only little I knew there was something dodgy about it; I thought it was gonna brainwash me. I wouldn’t do the confession either.

I rebelled so I had to move to St James’s School, a Church of England gaff.”

Life must have got easier on the religion front for Russell because he survived St James’s and went on to Scott Lidgett School in Drummond Road. After finishing compulsory education, the young Dryden said he was “drifting about like a leaf in a stream”.

He told us he remembers working in a wine warehouse in West Lane before driving for local seafood entrepreneur Greg Essex – uncle of TOWIE’s Joey Essex – who had a wet fish shop, two stalls and a delivery round supplying restaurants. “I was the delivery driver,” he said.

When there was a cash-flow problem, the

Another ‘legend lost’ in the passing of Russell Dryden, but ‘heaven and the Bermondsey night sky has gained a shining star’

21

businesses were left to flounder and quick-thinking Russell decided to reopen the stall in The Blue, Southwark Park Road. “I thought I’d get the stall out and see how it goes,” he recalled. “I just thought I’d have a go to see what happens. I didn’t know nuffink,” he admitted freely. “I just knew about delivering.

Everything else I learned meself.”

The adventure began, he said, around 1988, so for the many thousands over the 36 years who saw Russell filleting sole and cleaning octopus and squid, you now know that those skills were picked up on the job, but the patter and salesmanship, however, was natural.

But fish was not the only aspect of Russell Dryden. “I’ve always loved music and being around bands,” he explained, “so one day I started playing with Eddie Webber, who I could always hear practising guitar in his bedroom round the flats. I only went along to watch his band rehearse in an old railway arch, but when I got there, he said their singer Philip Burkett hadn’t turned up, so I said, ‘I’ll have a go’ and ended up as the singer.

“We never did any gigs and when it all fell apart, I vowed never to be in another band.”

But those early connections led to Russell and Eddie getting gigs for a small stable of local bands that had emerged in the area and were getting some recognition. Russell recalled: “Southwark News had dubbed this local mini-revolution in music the Bermondsey Beat, so we kept that as our name when the gigs got bigger and better.”

After a while, Mr Webber left to concentrate on other things and Phil Burkett, whose band had been performing as part of the local music phenomenon, stepped in. Between them, the Bermondsey Beat has been organising the music for the annual Bermondsey Carnival and most musical events in the Blue for over 20 years.

At this year’s carnival on August Bank Holiday Monday, they dedicated a whole stage to Russell, playing some of his own songs.

Phil Burkett said he met Russell just two weeks before he passed, he told us: “I was telling him that I had taken redundancy and his actual words to me were ‘Phil! That is great news! Get your bit o‘dough and enjoy it. Life’s too short, mate’. He was so right, and I don’t think anyone realised what was around the corner.

“Russell is now reunited with his soulmate and the love of his life of 50 years, Janice. God bless Ben, Carly and Alfie.

“Another Bermondsey legend lost, but heaven and the Bermondsey night sky has gained a shining star.

Until we meet again.” * The original interview with Russell Dryden was written by Michael Holland in 2018

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autumn 2024

Inside the only Dungeons and Dragonsthemed-pub in south London Isabel Ramírez

The special-themed pub is proving a hit in SE1 after five friends pulled together to save their hobby

I

f you’ve heard of Dungeons and Dragons but never played, you might be picturing a dingy basement full of people who perhaps haven’t seen daylight for years.

But this spot on Harper Road in SE1 throws any hint of that stereotype out the window. And it’s the only one of its kind in London.

Set in a converted pub, RPG Taverns offers Londoners a safe place to relax and play D&D with six elaborately themed rooms ranging from an enchanted forest with giant mushroom seats to a ghostly graveyard.

The fantasy roleplaying game is a worldwide phenomenon, which sees around seven players tell a collective story – with outcomes decided by rolling dice.

Each person has a character, which can be anything you want.

It was played here in Elephant and Castle before the previous business closed down. Not wanting the magic to end, five players decided to pool their money to save the space.

Sam Lawes, who lives in Bermondsey, says: “It was the only way to save our hobby. It’s nerdy but it’s fun. Think of it as a guided improvisation.”

Now hundreds of people come to play there every week, with a mix of experts and complete beginners.

 (Left) Kenny Ho, Shaan Jivan and second from right-Sam Lawes

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Although there are similar venues, RPG Taverns has a creative team that designs all the games and the world – so people who have never played before can simply buy a ticket and get stuck in.

Along with Sam, it is run by Shaan Jivan, Kenny Ho, Josh Saco and Lila Boyce.

Shaan explains: “We provide somewhere you can meet new people and bond over a game. All of us founders came here by ourselves and made friends for life.”

He adds that they have players who come from outside of London on the weekends and will play for the whole day: “They’ll come at 10am and play all the way through until 10pm.”

Another founder, Kenny, says some people come and enjoy it “so much” that they are already buying a ticket for next week during the game.

Tickets are £15 and include everything you need for a game that lasts around three hours. RPG Taverns provides it all, from the Game Masters, dice and models to the stories themselves.

Morgan Hunt, who lives in Borough, has been playing since the place opened in April. Originally from the US, she says: “I wanted to meet people and have an activity to do to feel part of the community.”

After having a hip replacement, she struggled to find ways of making friends, adding that “if you’re not physically active, there aren’t a lot of options. So this place is perfect for that”.

Alex Elliott also visits the tavern; he says that the game gives him a lot more confidence to speak up. “It’s very liberating – you can be whoever you want to be.”

He adds: “Sometimes it’s a nice way to play out something that’s going on in your life. It’s therapeutic.

There’s a real atmosphere with the music, lighting and how the rooms are done.”

As there isn’t anywhere else like this in London, people make the journey. Elly Williams comes at least once a week despite living in northwest London.

Asked why she comes back: “If you imagine what a D&D pub would be like – you know, a lot more guys, probably of an older age – this is not that.

“It’s a much more diverse and inclusive community than you would expect. And I know they’re making a real effort to make everyone feel safe at the tables.”

Colab Tavern, 16 Harper Road, SE1 6AD www.rpgtaverns.com

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autumn 2024

What’s on at Bermondsey Street Festival?

Eliza Frost

ON SatuRDay 21 SEPtEMBER, FROM 11aM tO 7PM, takE tO thE StREEt aND ENjOy aNOthER yEaR OF OuR viLLaGE FEtE iN thE city

E

ach year, businesses and locals flock to the streets of SE1 to enjoy Bermondsey Street Festival, a celebration of community and culture, as well as cuisine, craft stalls, music and more.

2024 will be no different due to the dedication of local businesses, especially London Glassblowing gallery director Gena Johns, who has taken on the organisation of the festival. With additional support from Daniel Cobb Estate Agents and other committed volunteers on the street, the festival has come back to life.

Gena says: “Saving the festival has brought the street even closer together. It has really highlighted how incredible Bermondsey Street is. It has an extraordinary collection of businesses, from charming boutiques, art galleries and restaurants to cosy cafes and bars, each adding to its unique

WHAT’S ON? BERMONDSEy StREEt Our beloved street will turn into a bustling marketplace, where artisans and businesses from the area will showcase the best of Bermondsey’s creativity. With a colourful offering, you can expect stalls, live music and interesting events to pique your interest.

You’ll find José’s Tapas Spectacular – unwind in the Estrella chillout area and witness the jamon carving in a masterclass by José Pizarro himself.

Enjoy DJ sets at many Bermondsey Street spots, including Chapter 72, The Last Talisman, Morocco Bound and Bermondsey Corner – plus melodies at Crol & Co during and after the festival.

WatchHouse coffee shop – which was historically a shelter for men guarding the graveyard of St Mary Magdalen’s Church – is celebrating its 10th anniversary with an extravaganza at the festival. (More about this on the next page).

Plus, you can strike a pose at Daniel Cobb Estate Agents’ photobooth and create a wearable memory with t-shirt drawing.

Enjoy first-hand the mesmerising glassblowing in the studio of London Glassblowing, as well as their vibrant gallery and eclectic yard sale of discounted work in their car park on Carmarthen Place, next to Chapter 72.

 ©Red Agency

character and vibrant atmosphere.

“What’s truly remarkable is that every business has its own individual and unique story. It’s been such a pleasure to work as a collective and bring it all together.”

So, with thanks to those who have worked on Bermondsey Street for years, the festival is back on Saturday 21 September, from 11am to 7pm.

Immerse yourself in the heart of Bermondsey Street as the historic street is transformed into a bustling festival of flavours, sounds and local artistry.

From craft stalls and culinary delights to live music and family fun, Bermondsey Street Festival offers a day of discovery and delight for all ages.

Join in with the celebration of Bermondsey spirit, where every corner tells a story.

taNNER StREEt PaRk Once you’ve explored Bermondsey Street’s offerings, keep the energy high by heading to Tanner Street Park.

This green space transforms into a lively festival hub where you will find a mix of cuisines serving up tasty dishes and refreshing local drinks – all while enjoying some live music curated by the festival.

The music stage will play host to six sets of talent such as south London’s Jessica Wilde, fresh from her Glastonbury appearance this year, and local 6-piece instrumental band, Hoos Collective – plus a host of other special acts and DJ sets throughout the day.

bermondseystreetfestival.com

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havE a tiPPLE Bermondsey Street bars and beer mile breweries are on hand to keep you feeling refreshed on the day.

There’s Bermondsey Corner Bar, where you can sip on Jensen’s G&Ts and Hiver Beer, paired with artisanal cheese and charcuterie.

The Comptoir Gourmand Bar is serving up spritzes from These Days and other beer mile offerings, complemented by gourmet nibbles, of course.

Not forgetting Simon Lyons’ bar from Poulet on Maltby Street Market, Southwark Brewing and Gosnells of London, which are coming straight from the beer mile, too. And B-Street fave pub The Woolpack is offering their extended bar in the park for you to enjoy.

a BitE tO Eat For food, there are some great options for snacking from Bermondsey Street eateries, celebrating global flavours with a local heart.

You’ll find Anna Mae’s Mac n Cheese, Moroccan food by Harissa & Lemon, burgers and more by Park Farm, Baccalà’s oyster cart, plus Pigling Street, Satay Street, Tower Tandoori, Franco Manca, Fusion Flavours by Tee, and more culinary surprises to be announced.

LEathERMaRkEt GaRDENS Bermondsey Street Festival also has its traditions, and it wouldn’t be the festival without them. Back again with family fun is the Maypole celebrations and loved Holly&Lil Dog Show.

And you’ll find other frolics for the family at Leathermarket Gardens: Musical Mayhem with kids’ karaoke – plus wellness wonders by the Movement Collective…

communitY

Movement collective hosts festival wellness corner Eliza Frost

S

E1 Movement Collective (Mo.Co) is a space for Pilates, stretch and breath work.

With education at its heart, Mo.Co’s method is to give you the skills to take what you learn into day-to-day life.

Directors Meredith Anderson (Pilates) and Amy Laithwaite (stretch therapy) have a combined 40 years of experience in teaching injury rehab and prevention, plus mobility, strength and flexibility.

The studio space has Pilates reformers, chairs and barrels, a side for mat work, offering group sessions and one-on-one lessons. There is also a team of manual therapists for massage and stretch therapy, too.

And Mo.Co is bringing all this to Bermondsey Street Festival in Leathermarket Gardens.

They say: “Bermondsey Street Festival is absolutely teeming with energy and good times. Our idea with the Wellness Corner is to offer a little oasis of breathing and stretching to revive yourself before getting back out to the street with more bounce in your step.

“We feel that a moment of presence, getting in touch with your body and mind, helps to build community. If we’re comfortable in ourselves, we’re often more comfortable with each other… and the

 ©Red Agency

31

festival is all about community. Our goal is to facilitate and deepen that connection in a fun and approachable way.”

The full schedule of classes can be found on the Bermondsey Street Festival website: bermondseystreetfestival.com Each session at the festival will last 25 minutes, there is no need to sign up and all levels are welcome as classes will be made accessible to everyone on the day – you just need to bring your own mat.

Pilates classes will focus on core engagement and suppleness of the spine and stretch classes will focus on releasing tension and mobilising the joints.

All classes will have an element of breath and meditation, but the 1pm class on the day will be all about finding your calm in the heart of the fete.

Meredith and Amy add: “Our neighbourhood is so vibrant and, at the same time, so chilled. Bermondsey Street says, ‘Come as you are, and have a great time!’ We’re working to create the same feeling at Mo.Co., no judgment, no pressure, just come, move and be happy” 3 Copper Row, SE1 2LH themoco.uk

Pop in to our gallery to view exceptional glass art and watch our talented artists at work

62-66 Bermondsey Street London SE1 3UD +44 (0) 207 403 2800

www.londonglassblowing.co.uk @londonglassblowing

Echoes of Light Pair by Tim Rawlinson Table by Graeme J Reeves

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1

23/08/2024

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BRASSWORKS FESTIVAL • Carnival procession through Woolwich • FREE family day in the Woolwich Works Courtyard • Finale show in the Fireworks Factory featuring Steam Down & Theon Cross

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community

autumn 2024

10 years of WatchHouse Eliza Frost

the coffee shop started on Bermondsey Street and is celebrating a decade of roasting beans at this year’s festival

R

oland Horne, Founder and CEO of Bermondsey Street’s WatchHouse, tells The Biscuit about plans for celebrating 10 years of the coffee shop, plus how they source quality coffee and why SE1 feels like home.

The Biscuit: How does it feel to celebrate a decade of WatchHouse Bermondsey?

Roland Horne: Reaching the 10-year mark feels like an incredible milestone for us. From one House in Bermondsey in 2014 to nearly 20 in London, Bath and New York, it’s been an amazing journey. It's a moment of pride and reflection, celebrating a decade of serving each of our communities with dedication, passion and excellent coffee.

This milestone isn't just about the years we've been open, but about the relationships we've built and the community we've become a part of, too.

How does the area feel like home after all these years?

Bermondsey Street has been our home from the beginning and is an integral part of WatchHouse. It’s a place where we know our regulars by name, both human and canine.

We’ve had the pleasure of watching the street evolve while retaining its unique charm. Bermondsey’s diverse and dynamic character has been a source of inspiration, helping us grow and evolve alongside it.

How has WatchHouse and the area evolved?

When we first opened, Bermondsey was already on the move. The area's development has brought a rich tapestry of culinary experiences, art and design into the neighbourhood, which has complemented our own evolution. At WatchHouse, we've expanded our offerings and our footprint, refined our craft and stayed true to our mission of Modern Coffee.

And how have you kept Modern Coffee at the forefront of your offerings?

We constantly seek out the best beans, building strong relationships with our suppliers to ensure traceability and ethical practices. Our Coffee Team is passionate about what they do, and we invest in their training and development to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to deliver the best possible coffee experience to our guests. Innovation is key; whether it's through new brewing techniques or exploring rare beans from around the world, we're always pushing the boundaries of what Modern Coffee can be.

What are you doing to mark Bermondsey Street Festival?

For Bermondsey Street Festival, we’re getting right into it, with rare coffees, birthday cakes and celebrating our 10th birthday in the community that made it happen for us. It’s a great opportunity for us to engage with our regulars and celebrate the creative spirit that defines Bermondsey.

Beyond coffee, we see the festival as a chance to give back to the community that has supported us for the past decade. We're looking forward to not just celebrating our anniversary, but also the shared journey we've had with the community.

It’s been a privilege to be a part of this neighbourhood, and we're excited for what the future holds.

199 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UW watchhouse.com

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OPEN DAY 2024

JUNIOR AND SENIOR SCHOOLS SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 9.00am - 3.00pm Book now at www.stdunstans.org.uk or scan the QR code Stanstead Road, London, SE6 4TY 020 8516 7200

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Bacon’s College The best in everyone™ Part of United Learning

OPEN EVENING Thursday 12th September

5:00pm — 7:30pm

OPEN MORNINGS Saturday 14th September 10:00am — 12:00pm

Wednesday 18th & Thursday 19th September 9:00am — 10:30am

Wednesday 4th & Thursday 5th October 9:00am — 10:30am

Proud to be rated a GOOD school by Ofsted in 2022.

Come and see for yourself! To find out more, visit baconscollege.co.uk

advertoriaL Scott Lidgett Secondary School alumni took a trip down memory lane recently, visiting the site of their old school which is now the new Charter School Bermondsey.

The original Scott Lidgett opened in 1971, named after a Methodist leader who made a positive impact on the Bermondsey area. Though the school closed in 1991, the alumni network has remained remarkably active for over 35 years.

The visit wasn't just a nostalgic walk through the past. The Scott Lidgett alumni were treated to a barbeque with current staff of the Charter School Bermondsey, where stories �lowed freely about curriculum changes, discipline methods of yesteryear, and of course, the inevitable tales of student and teacher antics.

scott Lidgett alums return to former stomping grounds, now the thriving charter school

"What struck me about yesterday and talking to your staff is that as much as times, attitudes, and approaches have changed since Scott Lidgett’s time, many of the challenges you face now are the same as those in the 1970s and 1980s. What I see in them is the same dedication and determination to bene�it Bermondsey children and allow them to aspire and achieve. We couldn’t ask for a better legacy than that."

This reunion wasn't just a look back, but a bridge between the past and the future, ensuring that the spirit of Scott Lidgett continues to inspire students in Bermondsey.

Marcus Huntley, Principal

Principal Marcus Huntley led the alumni on a tour of the impressive new building. They peeked into classrooms, reminisced in the hallways, and even enjoyed a friendly kickaround on the rooftop Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA).

The visit served to solidify the bond between the Scott Lidgett legacy and the new Charter School Bermondsey. David Shand, head of the Scott Lidgett Alumni Association, pledged to maintain the connection. In a particularly touching gesture, the alumni association has agreed to sponsor a prize at the school in the name of the late John Pritchard, the

former principal of Scott Lidgett. John's son, Sion Pritchard was present for the visit, making it a truly special occasion.

David Shand said:

The Charter School Bermondsey (Formerly Compass School Southwark) London|SE16 4EE Tel: 0203 542 6506 Twitter: @CharterSe16 www.charterbermondsey.org.uk

A school where futures are made Join us at one of our open events and discover a school that radiates an inspiring culture of ambition, exploration and connection that nurtures young minds.

UPCOMING OPEN EVENING

UPCOMING OPEN MORNINGS Thursday 12th September 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.

Monday 16th September 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.

Wednesday 25th September 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.

Tuesday 1st October 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.

Monday 7th October 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.

Monday 23rd September 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

autumn 2024

IN ASSOCIATION WITH TEAM LONDON BRIDGE

LONDON BRIDGE COMMUNITY

Ross Watch Repairs Eliza Frost

Founder Alec Ross talks about repairing valuables and why he wants to create his own line of watches

“

Ever since I was younger, I’ve always been interested in taking things apart and seeing how they go back together, since I could hold a screwdriver, basically.

I used to break items apart and put them back together or upgrade my PCs,” says Alec Ross, founder of Ross Watch Repairs.

The business specialises in quality watch repairs and has two shops in central London. The team of professionals have decades of experience repairing, maintaining and restoring all types of watches.

Alec explains how his first job was in a jewellers doing watch repairs, where he learned his trade and how to fix specialist pieces.

“From there, in about 2014, I decided to start my own business. I didn’t really have any funds or capital to start. I literally just purchased a web domain, and I’ve built a company from there,” he explains.

His first branch opened in 2017 in Tunbridge Wells, along with one in Uxbridge. He says it was a lot of trial and error throughout, and they closed when Covid-19 hit.

But following the pandemic, he has opened two shops: The Shard in 2022 and another in Canary Wharf in 2023.

Both locations have been welcoming of the business, especially during the week.

He explains how The Shard has a good footfall of customers and he has learned how the business adjusts to the area: “I was always used to weekends being busy in shopping centres, but now our busiest days are Tuesday to Thursday.”

Ross Watch Repairs offers many services, including postal watch repair, battery reseal (standard and premium), full services and overhauls, pressure testing, parts repairs, watch bracelet strap repairs, and

other services to keep your watch ticking away.

Alec says: “The most popular repair that we probably do on a daily basis would either be battery replacements for watches, along with full watch polishing, which is when watch owners come in and get an entire refurb, we remove all the scratches and get their watches looking like new again.”

The team also work on every type of watch, and any brand, from your Rolex and TAG Heuer to your

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everyday watches, too.

And it is done with an expert touch: “We provide all the training our employees may need, but about half of my team had existing experience.

If someone is good with their hands, you can be trained to repair watches as long as you have good attention to detail.

“Before touching anyone’s expensive watches, like Cartier, we’ve got practice watches and a lot of training to do before anyone can work on anything very high value.”

Alec also has a personal interest in watches, “I’ve got a very nice collection that I’ve collected over the years”. His favourite watch that he owns is a Montblanc.

But what is next for this watch repair business?

Much more of the same, plus hopes to expand. Alec is also looking to launch his own watch brand as well.

Tick, tock, watch this space!

310 The Shard Retail Arcade, SE1 9BZ rosswatchrepairs.com

memory lane

autumn 2024

Running for freedom Michael Holland

Joe Aspinall recounts how he went from running home from church for bread and jam to becoming a record breaker

J

oe Aspinall started his nomadic life in 1938 just outside of London in Ashford, Middlesex, but spent his early years in a Catholic convent in Aldershot: “My mother was all religion, religion, religion,” he says, still hurting from the memory.

He knew nothing of his father but discovered through research that he was a “skilled fitter”, and adds: “I reckon he was definitely called up for the war… I’ve had little contact with any relatives, so I’ve always been on my own and pretty much become dysfunctional.”

At school, Joe enjoyed geography and history and was a good cricket player. He remembers that every Sunday the children were allowed to make their own way back from mass in a church two miles away: “I was always the first one back for bread and jam and a cup of tea, so I became a decent runner, too.”

Adoption never worked out for Joe so his whole childhood and education was at the convent, and when he reached 15, he had to leave. With no family to take him in and nowhere to go, the social services placed the teenager in a Working Men’s Hostel until he was 18.

His first job was as a page boy in the Mayfair Hotel in Piccadilly and recalls the American guests being good tippers, but with few skills, Joe was soon going from job to job: “I wanted some action. So, rather than wait for National Service to call me up, I went and signed on for nine years with the RAF… I chose nine years because the wages were better and, after basic training, I did a full tour of Cyprus where I was on duty when an aircraft hangar was blown up – I’ve got a medal for that tour.”

After a few years in the Mediterranean, Joe spent time back in English barracks until there was an emergency in Malaya and the RAF wanted to send him there. “I’m very thrifty and it’s easy to save in the services so I had quite a bit of money saved up; I didn’t fancy two years ‘jungle bashing’ so I bought myself out for two hundred quid.” He pauses and lets his mind journey back. “If I’d been given a clerical job I would have stayed,” he adds.

Senior Aircraftsman Aspinall has a little chuckle at this before continuing. 

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Principal: Ms Corcoran Type: Academy in the St Benedict Catholic Academy Trust

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Please note there is no parking on site or in the near vicinity. Therefore, public transport is recommended.

memory lane

autumn 2024

“Having no family, I walked out of those gates for the last time and immediately felt lost. I got a train to London to see my mother but soon realised there was nothing between us. I’d been institutionalised from the age of five to 22, with three meals a day provided, so I wasn’t really suited for civilian life. I didn’t know anybody, I didn’t have any real skills, so I got work as a cellarman in Oxford Street,” says Joe. Leaving the RAF with a couple of grand – a lot of money in the early 1960s – led Joe into gambling.

“When I was winning I loved it, at the dog tracks meeting all the characters there but eventually it led to health problems… From about that time, I was going from job to job to job.”

While drifting about in his orphan-like world, Joe knew he had more to offer so, in his 40s, he enrolled on a modular degree course at the City of London Polytechnic. It did not lead on to the work in the Probation Service that he had hoped but he wanted to prove something to himself. “I passed with a 2:2,” he announces proudly.

Later in life, aches and pains made Joe think about doing something else with his time, so entered a running race with the Veterans Athletic Club (VAC), a decision that has turned into a lifelong passion, earning him many awards for his endeavours.

At 85, Joe is now the oldest member of VAC: “I’m breaking records for club races and park runs,” declares this veteran athlete.

“I hold lots of age-related records going back years that have still not been broken,” he says before reeling off a list of running records that he broke aged 55, 65, 75…

He stops for a breath. “10k is my max these days.”

He recalls a running club that formed in the Blacksmith’s Arms where they would do a circular run from the pub that included running across Tower Bridge.

Joe is a collector and has records of races he has run going back decades, army memorabilia from the 1950s, still in pristine condition, as is a school report from even earlier.

He still has a 1956 Manchester United programme, which was his hero Bobby Charlton’s first game, and he saw the England legend’s last game there in 1973. When he died in 2023, Joe was invited to LBC to talk about Sir Bobby.

As well as becoming a record-breaking runner, Joe also took up long-distance walking, mainly in Scotland. “I like the outdoors and loved the wildness of the Highlands…

Being happy in my own company is probably the reason I never married,” reveals Joe. “I wanna be free.”

These days, Joe’s freedom comes from walks and runs in Southwark Park as he keeps fit for his weekly park runs around London’s green spaces.

Now, after living in Bermondsey for many years – Neptune Street, Marden Square – he has settled happily in “a nice place near The Blue” where he can often be seen warming up for his next record-breaking run.

As we said our goodbyes, Joe Aspinall did a few leg stretches, rolled his shoulders, tightened his backpack that carried the mementoes he had brought to the meeting and said: “I think I’ll run home while the weather’s nice.”

And with that, he was gone. And probably at another record-breaking pace.

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autumn 2024

HistorY

Western and Wolland Debra Gosling

I

n 1865, the quiet inhabitants of Grange Walk must have been mildly alarmed at the new ginger beer factory in their midst. Behind the walls of the building, all they could see were fluffy clouds of steam – and all they could hear was the whoosh and the whirr of machinery.

Where once had stood ramshackle cottages was now a large factory, complete with chimneys, stables and workers scuttling around in white aprons. It was a hive of industry, with the clunk of stoneware bottles being filled and loaded into wooden crates, ready for dispatch to corner shops and ale houses. The chimney churned out warm aromas of yeast, ginger and lemon that drifted across the district, mingling nicely with the vinegar, tan and cow dung!

Western and Wolland (W&W) is a company long forgotten and largely overlooked until now. It is hard to believe a firm that had successfully traded for 40 years has just disappeared without a trace, save for the odd excavated bottle.

The story begins in Cullompton, a tiny village in Devon, where the Westerns and the Wollands originated. Both families were in trades connected with yeast; Thomas Campion Wolland was a licensed victualler, running a pub called The Dolphin.

His son John was a master miller, and the rest of the family were bakers. William and Eli Western’s folks were maltsters and corn chandlers, supplying all bakery needs.

Both families upped sticks and moved to Bermondsey in the late 1850s. Why? Surely rural Devon, with its green fields and relaxed ways, was preferable to smoky, dirty, smelly Bermondsey? That was not quite how it was.

Cullompton had earlier suffered a huge fire, wiping out many homes and businesses, which were followed by riots

The inspiration for the logo came from William Western, another family member, who brought his saddlery from Cullompton to Duke Street in the West End. The trouble with stoneware bottles is that they are porous, which meant the bubbles escaped and the ginger beer would be flat upon opening.

How could the fizz, like a genie in a bottle, be captured?

In 1875 Hiram Codd, a cork salesman, had the answer.

He invented a glass design featuring an inbuilt marble with a rubber ring to keep it airtight. It worked by filling the bottle upside down, whereupon the bubbles would force the marble to the top of the bottle and ring, thus making an airtight seal. It could only be “opened” by pushing the marble down into a chamber within the bottleneck.

Dirty hands and filthy fingernails made bottle opening a bacterial nightmare, so a wooden cap that flipped to reveal a bottle opener was sold.

Sadly, very few of these caps have survived but the term “soda pop” derives from the noise the bottle made upon opening. They were popular with kids, who liked to break them to get the glass marbles out to play with, forcing Codd to use oval-shaped marbles that did not roll. The design inspired the term “Coddswallop” a derogatory term used by hardened beer drinkers to refer to the soft drinks in the “Codd” bottles.

Deposits for returnable bottles were only introduced quite late in the ginger beer industry. Before the idea was enforced, W&W had to rely on its customers to return bottles but of course many did not bother, or they were smashed, which lost the business money. Again, Codd

over speculative corn prices. On top of all that, incidents of disease and epidemic were on the up in this small village. Its tanning industry did plenty of business with the London leather trade, so already there was a connection.

The mid-Victorian era was a time of great change, as the Industrial Revolution had produced the railway, time-saving machines and a sense of enterprise. It was the Great Exhibition of 1851 that inspired many entrepreneurs to try a different career. There was a revival of drinking mineral water and the new machines could make it fizzy, add flavours, refresh and revive. The young men of Cullompton wanted a piece of the action.

In 1855, W&W started their ginger beer and lemonade enterprise in Shoreditch, working from old, tired premises while negotiations were underway to buy land in Grange Walk. It was a good site for the industry, as the ginger root needed for the drink was easily at hand with the spice trade so close at Shad Thames.

By 1865 the factory was up and running in the new building, with houses attached to accommodate the Cullompton families. The younger members of the Wollands became travelling salesmen, extolling the virtues of their ginger beer, lime seltzer water and lemonade.

Ten years after moving to Grange Walk, the firm expanded by renting premises at 211 Grange Road, where they had offices and a corn chandlery, selling sacks of grain and flour to the general public. Two decades later the chandlery would become Samson’s Castle pub, so still, it had a link to yeast and beer!

In the earliest years, the ginger beer was bottled in stoneware containers, with the W&W logo (horse’s heads enclosed in a horseshoe) impressed on the side.

45

came to the rescue with his idea of a bottle exchange. For a small fee, bottles were collected from around London and deposited in a bank, where they could be collected, washed and reused.

Such a bank existed in St Thomas Street, beneath the arches. A quick means of identifying the bottles was needed. W&W had their name engraved, but for the bottle collector, a quick identification was needed. In 1891 they began to sell their wares with colourcoded lips, with each mineral water maker in the area having their own colour. W&W chose a lovely cobalt blue and as they are very rare, they now sell for a king’s ransom.

Making lemonade and ginger beer was a pleasant enough job but it was still a dangerous occupation. The fizz in the bottles sometimes escaped by exploding, especially in the summer. All that gas and the heat of the glass combined was a risk. It was not unusual for a worker to sustain injuries from shattered glass or go home with an eye missing.

The fizz finally ran out of business in 1896, by which time Eli Western had retired to Gloucestershire and the younger members of his family had jobs on the railway.

The Wollands continued to live at Grange Walk but they too had joined the railway; given that they knew much about steam engines it was the obvious choice.

The premises of Western and Wolland remained in the family’s estate until 1930 when Bermondsey Borough Council purchased the ground, demolished the old and fire-damaged factory and built the Aylwin Estate in its place.

Kingsdale Foundation School First Class and Top of the Class

‘Pupils achieve exceptionally well in a wide range of subjects and attain highly at GCSE and A level.’ Ofsted 2023 Applications for Sixth Form courses are now being accepted

The amazing achievement of attaining 10A*s & 4A Grades between them at A level have enabled Eve, Ben, Rosa & Freya to study Classics, Philosophy, English at Cambridge University and Economics at Oxford respectively!

Take advantage of the chance to visit Kingsdale Foundation School and see for yourself how we bring the best out of our students. A tour of Kingsdale Foundation School enables you to realise why we receive such glowing reports. In the Autumn term 2024 you will have just that opportunity as we will be holding Sixth Form Open Evenings for September 2025 entry.

Harnessing talent!

Kingsdale is a dynamic, exceptionally popular and progressive school that has invested £30m to develop an award-winning educational learning environment. In our specialist academic Sixth Form Campus, students study a combination of respected traditional, performing arts and creative A Levels in addition to alternative high value Level 3 courses. Our average class sizes are approximately ten in the Sixth Form. We also pride ourselves on our excellent links to the best higher education institutions in the world. A residential trip to Harvard and Yale in the USA is organised annually.

Scholarships in Mathematics and the Creative & Expressive Arts are on offer for gifted and talented candidates who meet our entry requirements.

Scholars receive free individual or small group tuition provided by expert professionals to the value of ~£1,000 per annum.

Prospective students are invited to come along to our Open Evenings to explore the fantastic opportunities and inspiring state-of-the-art facilities in our dedicated Sixth Form Centre. As our most recent Ofsted Report states : ‘ ‘Pupils are rightly very proud of their school. They really enjoy their learning and talk with enthusiasm about the school’s culture of mutual respect and inclusivity.’ Ofsted 2023

Our Year 12 Open Day dates for 2025 entry are as follows: 4.30-7.30pm Wednesday 25th September 2024 1.30-6.30pm Wednesday 16th October 2024 4.00-6.30pm Wednesday 6th November 2024 4.00-6.30pm Wednesday 27th November 2024

Visit www.kingsdalefoundationschool.org.uk, call 020 8655 9723 or email sixthform@kingsdale.southwark.sch.uk for a Prospectus

OOPEN PEN DAYS DAYS IN IN SEPTEMBER! SEPTEMBER!

MULTI MUL MU ULTI T AWARD AWA WAR WA ARD RD WINNING WIN WI INN NNI NIN ING NG Thursday 19th September - 9.15am Open Morning Thursday 26th September - 9.15am Open Morning Friday 27th September -9.15am Open Morning Tuesday 8th October - 5pm Open Evening

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0207 450 9570 admissions@walworth academy.org

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