Bermondsey Biscuit & Rotherhithe Docker - Spring 2024

Spring 2024

Issue 19

bearing fruit inside bermondsey street’s giddy grocer

Review: pillows of pasta at Legare Rummage around Vinegar Yard’s flea market Growing up in 1950s Bermondsey

Home buying incentives centred around

Like … * Your legal fees & stamp duty paid * A furniture package with BoConcept * A 5% deposit top up * Your annual travelcard taken care of

#HOMES COMFORTS 4084 Higgins Wrap South Londoner_Bermondsey Biscuit 250x300mm_V3.indd 1

See inside for our new homes in South London at ÉCOLE SE16 and THE GARRATT COLLECTION SW18 31/01/2024 15:37

Sustainable living at Ecole SE16 Award winning new development comprising private studio, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and 2 and 3 bedroom duplexes in Bermondsey, part of an area that epitomises London’s modern, urban lifestyle.

OPEN HOUSE EVENT ON THE 17TH & 18TH OF FEBRUARY

Apartments feel light, bright and airy with high-quality fixtures and fittings that you can expect from all Higgins Homes developments, making them ideal for residents with busy lives. The development features extensive secure cycle storage spaces and a central communal amenity space. There is also a green roof and communal roof terrace. Many of the apartments offer dual or triple aspects capitalising on the open views and light.

Bermondsey tube on the Jubilee line is a 10-minute walk away from Ecole and has direct links to Bond Street, Waterloo, and London Bridge. The area is also very well served by buses, night buses and several Santander Cycle stations in the local streets for commuters who prefer two wheels.

READY TO MOVE IN FROM MARCH 2024 Book to view today Alexis Street, Bermondsey, London SE16 3XF

PRICES Studio apartment at

£450,000 One bedroom apartments from

£485,000 Two bedroom apartments from

£675,000

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT:

higginshomes.co.uk/ecole

0203 8836 369

Computer generated image. Travel times taken from Google Maps. Information correct at time of print January 2024.

4084 Higgins Wrap South Londoner_Bermondsey Biscuit 250x300mm_V3.indd 2

31/01/2024 15:38

ConTEnTs

spring 2024

About us ―

W

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

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

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 and South London Weekly every week.

We are proud to be a London Living Wage employer. 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.

Please continue to support our independent journalism. www.southlondon.co.uk

editor

Eliza Frost

Writers

Michael Holland, Debra Gosling

design

Lizzy Tweedale, Dan Martin, Ann Gravesen

Contents ―

marketing

Clarry Frewin, Katie Boyd,

5-14

media partnerships

Anthony Phillips

finance

Emrah Zeki

managing directors

Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn

FOOD & DRINK The Biscuit hears from Comptoir Gourmand on their SE1 history, plus new openings in the area, drink and party brand Gimlet talk to us about spring flavours and we take a trip to Legare

17

SPRING We get giddy over grocery store Giddy Grocer

21-24

HEALTH The Biscuit hears from gym Milo and the Bull, SE1 Medical Aesthetics and SE1 Osteo and Rehab Clinic about keeping in tip top shape

26

TIE THE KNOT The team behind Ropewalk wedding venue, The Old Timber Store, offer 5 tips for planning your big day

29

COMMUNITY The Biscuit visits Canada Water Market to hear from organiser Will Cutteridge and his wonderful traders about the market community

30-31

PEOPLE ‘No One Likes Us’: photographer Jérôme Favre shares photos from his series on Millwall supporters and their history

38

HISTORY Debra Gosling discusses Bermondsey’s brushmakers

Contact us ― EmaIl

hello@cm-media.co.uk

phonE

020 7231 5258

facEbook

BermondseyBiscuit

InstagRam

@BermondseyBiscuit

WEbsItE

www.southlondon.co.uk

Printed by Ilif fe Print Published by Community Matters Media Ltd

Cover photo: @bermondseyse1

3

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.

spring 2024

food & drink

bitesize  @bermondseyse1

Eliza Frost

Bancone To celebrate its 5th birthday last year, Bancone celebrated by opening a third site at Borough Yards.

Executive chef Ben Waugh was at the helm, with pasta, cocktail and wine list favourites, plus some new surprises. Bancone’s menu “staples” of the Silk Handkerchiefs with walnut butter and confit egg yolk; Mafalde with spicy pork and nduja ragù and their cacio e pepe still very much remain, but Ben worked on some incredible new dishes, too. Our mouths are watering at the thought…

koLAE

A Bermondsey Street staple and self-proclaimed “best tuna melt around” is Fel Fel, the tea house and falafel spot.

You can head on in for a selection of homemade juices, the famous tuna melt, plus wraps filled with your heart’s desire – falafel, halloumi, chicken, all of the sauces, and more.

They also have a lunchtime deal that locals are sure to love.

The pair behind Fel Fel Cafe also run Bermondsey’s Chapter 72 coffee at the opposite end of Bermondsey Street. One great coffee, two great locations.

The grange

The ship and Whale

The Grange is Bermondsey’s “independent local” pub.

Beloved by The Biscuit team, they’ve been in business for over nine years serving up gastro-style pub grub – and with spring springing, their beer garden will be our first stop at the slightest glint of sunshine.

Using seasonal produce, their menu changes – but there is always the garden’s pizza oven sizzling up crusts to perfection by wood fire. Plus, they’ve got five Bermondsey Beer Mile beers on tap. Being located about a 10-minute walk from the Mile, you can’t get a pint fresher than that!

Cosy pubs are made by a family atmosphere, hearty menus, and where dogs are welcome – and that’s what Rotherhithe’s The Ship and Whale provides.

Not only do they have mid-week food deals, pub quizzes and classic Sunday roasts, but there is more than meets the eye at this SE16 boozer. The building is said to have been built in 1880, a history they want to celebrate.

While sipping on a wine or having a bite to eat, you might notice old photographs documenting the area’s past, including a photo of the June 1911 Coronation Parties held for George V on Rotherhithe Street.

New to Borough Market is KOLAE, the new outpost from som saa co-founders Mark Dobbie and Andy Oliver.

The restaurant, which opened last winter, draws its name from Kolae (also known as Golae, Galae and Gaw Lae), a cooking style from Southern Thailand where ingredients are generously bathed in a curry-like coconut marinade and grilled over open flames – inspiration you can see reflected in the menu.

Signature dishes are prepared in the Kolae style, using a coconut curry marinade to coat a variety of proteins or vegetables, before being finished over smouldering coconut to create a rich and aromatic smokiness. Menu highlights include: fried prawn heads; rice crackers with grilled pork jowl; KOLAE chicken bamboo skewer; sour mango salad with roasted coconut and dry fish; and more.

Drinks include a considered selection of crisp draft beers from Lost and Grounded that compliment KOLAE’s hot and aromatic flavours, with Thai beers available by the bottle, as well as cocktails and mocktails that have been crafted using techniques and ingredients from the kitchen – including a Pickled Mango Dirty Martini.

@felfelcafe on Instagram 135 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3GS

grangepub.co.uk 103-104 Grange Road, Bermondsey, SE1 3BW

www.shipandwhale.co.uk 2 Gulliver Street, Rotherhithe, SE16 7LT

kolae.com 6 Park Street, London, SE1 9AB

www.bancone.co.uk Arch 213, 18 Stoney Street, SE1 9AD

fel fel Cafe

5

Adult Dance Classes Discounts available for Southwark residents 4 minute walk from Southwark tube station Executive Director: Mark Osterfield Artistic Director: Kate Coyne Central School of Ballet is a Registered Charity No. 285398 and Company Registered in England and Wales with Company No. 1657717.

CSB Southwark Discount Ad.indd 1

Evening and weekend dropin classes for all ages and abilities. Enjoy the benefits of dance, improve your fitness and learn a new skill. Ballet, Contemporary, Contemporary African and Jazz classes available.

Classes are £13. Southwark residents can access a 10% discount* on all regular drop-in classes with code Southwark10 centralschoolofballet.co.uk/ adult-dance-classes/ *Proof of address required

17/01/2024 13:16:08

Architecture. Management. Sustainability

Image: Peckham Plant House Planning consent granted November 2023

Contact Andy to arrange a consultation WhatsApp or call: 07977 203 741 email: hello@andymatthews.studio

food & drink

spring 2024

Give me some Gimlet Eliza Frost

N

With a flavour-first approach to drinks, the SE16 brand explains how their small-scale production line works – and where they find lemons the size of footballs

ot many businesses start “rather accidentally”, but Bermondsey drinks brand Gimlet was born when they joked about making some “fun drinks” for a private showing of their friend’s art, explains co-founder Harry Darby.

Alongside business partner Charles Gouldsbrough, they made “something out of the usual, which was more conceptual than flavour driven”.

One thing led to another, and Gimlet was born.

Harry says: “It was always designed to revolve around our creative practices, both Charles and I are artists, illustrators, general creative practitioners – this is another arm of our creative work.”

Gimlet Bar is the events leg of the company, which finds them doing collaborations with galleries, “but also for 10 people in their front room who want to have some nice drinks”, Harry explains. They have a light, moveable bar, which can be put up in situ in a “matter of moments”.

Then came the production and supply of cordials, vinegar and cider, and “other fun fermented things”, all made in their unit in SE16.

“The cordials came naturally out of the bar operation.

We were designing our own drinks that you couldn’t have on the high street and which no other portable bar was doing. We were making really interesting syrups for non-alcoholic drinks,” he explains.

They utilise “either interesting suppliers or grow things ourselves to make flavours that taste really intense and complex”. They get their citrus fruits, which they can’t grow themselves, from a family business based in Sicily – it’s “unsprayed, unwaxed, organic citrus fruit”.

Of the process, Harry explains: “The fruit will arrive – it’s peeled, normally, by hand. One part of the process that isn’t recognised. It could be a few days’ work. Then we have a water power press, which presses all of the juice, we don’t buy anything from concentrate, it’s all fabricated onsite.”

Harry used to work at 40 Maltby Street when it first opened, and also as a cheesemonger at Neal’s Yard Dairy before that. He became aware of a growing community of food producers under the umbrella of Spa Terminus, which is an area for food production and distribution where businesses can grow and develop with the security of long-term tenure.

He says that “it’s allowed us – and other businesses – to flourish in the area. And being able to open on Saturdays has given us that face-to-face interaction with locals and customers who buy our products, and we can hear the reviews directly from them”.

In the spring, their annual batch of spiced lemon

8

is made with beautiful Amalfi lemons: “We take all of their second-class fruit, which is all the fruit that doesn’t meet the expectations of the people in a shop.

Sometimes I’ll be peeling a lemon the size of a small football, you wouldn’t believe it. It’s very romantic, you get very caught up in what fruit actually looks like when it’s on the tree. We receive lemons that are misshapen and quite wonderful looking.”

Another interesting part of Gimlet is the vinegar production. “A lot of people buy it every other week to try seasonal flavours, orange or ginger or quince, you can make a very delicious drink with just a small amount and then dilute it with sparkling water. The dilution reduces the intense acidity and frees up the flavour contained within the vinegar. That to me is a simple but very satisfying and delicious drink,” says Harry.

Taking it a step further, Gimlet offers recipes to build the vinegar into cocktails, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, to “build layers of complexity”.

“Particularly if you’re not drinking. It crucially adds acidity,” Harry explains. “But it’s another way to be playful with your ingredients. I’d often pair a vinegar with a cordial we have – perhaps, for example, a bitter orange and then throw in some ginger vinegar. I might add half a glass of tonic, maybe a squeeze of lime, and top it up with soda and a good strong, aromatic garnish. Then you’re able to make a really special drink.

The thing you’re missing when you don’t drink is that fermented flavour, and that’s what the vinegar does, it gives you the sensation of fermentation.”

When it comes to making the Gimlet cider, it’s Harry’s personal project – he picks apples by hand from an orchard. He makes just under 3,000 bottles of completely natural cider, 100% apple, no additives, “it’s the cider that I want to drink”.

The small-scale operation of Gimlet is what makes it special. “The moment you change the scale, it becomes hard to get the ingredients and you have to buy from multiple different sources. And you might sacrifice the manual process, and that has a lot to do with how the drinks taste,” he says.

And it’s “always been about the manual process and being interested with having your hands in the mess” for him – “the moment you become just an administrator, you start to lose some of that magic”.

And you wouldn’t want to lose the magic and wonder that Gimlet has created through their tasty tipples over the years. gimlet-bar.com 2 Spa Arch Lane, SE16 3AG

The People’s Theatre Company

There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly Education Pack

There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a fly

DctbTshnm OTbi

Box office 020 8463 0100 • blackheathhalls.com • The People’s Theatre Company

What's On 2024

www.ptc.org.uk

Sat 20 & Sun 21 Apr

Sat 9 Mar 2.30pm

1

The Rheingans Sisters

Sat 27 Apr, 7.30pm

Fri 5 Apr 8pm

Jumpstart your local business with Trampoline We are a social enterprise and community business that supports emerging entrepreneurs.

We offer expert business coaching and mentorship, access to B2B networking, and business training, alongside coursework in the following areas: • • • • •

Ethics and Compliance Marketing Skills Business Planning Finance and Fundraising And More!

Plus, the possibility to feature your products in our market stalls and Start-up Directory!

Join our business coaches and like-minded entrepreneurs on an empowering journey toward success and community regrowth.

Contact details: info@trampolinecic.org 07856 877152

Food & drink

spring 2024

French Fancy Eliza Frost

The director of Comptoir Gourmand, Quentin Wind, tells The Biscuit about the bakery’s SE1 history and how to make the perfect pastry

The Biscuit: Tell us about Comptoir’s SE1 history…

Quentin Wind: It all started at Borough Market 24 years ago, when you could count the number of traders on two hands. Having grown in SE1, more specifically in Bermondsey, I saw huge changes: the Shard being built, Borough Market expanding and changes to Bermondsey Street and Maltby Market. Comptoir Gourmand has been there from the start, and many of our recipes haven't changed since!

At the age of eight, at the end of the day at Borough Market, I used to love selling unsold pastries to the market traders – it was an easy sell with just a smile, and it used to pay for sweets.

How does the area influence Comptoir now?

Although a lot has changed since we started as a trader in Borough Market in 1999, pastry lovers and our loyal locals are still on the hunt for authentic brands that offer quality and convenience.

Since people spend more time working from home, we’ve noticed a demand for our cafes to offer space to sit in – we now have our newly renovated Maltby location offering exactly that.

There are two other factors to make the perfect pastry - the flour and the technique. The flour is very important and it’s hard to find the right balance. The technique is nearly an ancient secret in France, passed on from generation to generation. It’s a bit like the Italians with their pasta recipes, the best ones are written in their grandma’s recipe books – and I’m lucky to have a grandma who has passed her secrets down to the next generation.

We’re also very lucky to have such a loyal, dedicated team of pastry chefs, who often work through the night to have freshly baked pastries on display by 8am. Without them, there would be no such thing as the perfect pastry!

You work with Monmouth Coffee, a local to SE16 – why are local partnerships important?

Monmouth is a good old friend of ours, we have been with them for the past 12 years. Supporting local businesses is key for us, especially having made it through challenging times together over the last few years.

Finally, what’s next for Comptoir?

How do you think the perfect pastry is made?

There’s always a lot going on behind the scenes. In November 2023, we renovated our original Maltby location, which is now an open, welcoming space for people to catch up with friends, ‘work from home’, host team meetings, or use as a private event space – all while getting to see behind the scenes in our kitchen. It’s great to see our Maltby cafe become such a ‘hub’ of the business.

Our current, very exciting project is the launch of our Cookery School, which is a huge step and something we’ve been eager to share.

Unlike many bakeries who buy their products frozen, we make all of ours from scratch with 100% butter, which makes the difference.

www.comptoirgourmand.co.uk 96 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UB Ropewalk, Maltby Street, SE1 3PB

What are your bestsellers?

Our customers absolutely love our classic range – our almond croissant is a favourite that people return for time and time again.

Recently, we’ve introduced more patisserie on the weekends, including three flavours of macarons and tarts, as well as vegan cakes, which often sell out.

10

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

Advertorial

IN ASSOCIATION WITH TEAM LONDON BRIDGE

LONDON BRIDGE COMMUNITY



Coal Shed

Get that Friday Feeling again in London Bridge 





I

Electric Shuffle

s it the start of the weekend or the end of the week? Or can it be a bit of both again, just like those halcyon pre-pandemic times when Friday was THE day we all looked forward to?

The Mayor of London will be trialling ‘Off-peak Fridays’ for three months, starting in March, with the intention of getting more people on the tubes and buses and into the workplace on the last day of the traditional working week. Businesses such as pubs, restaurants, gyms and cafes have missed their regular customers on Fridays and the hope is that off-peak journeys on Fridays will give them a timely boost.

But on its own, is that enough to get people away from their home comforts and onto the Jubilee Line at 7.30am? The jury is still out, but what is for sure is that Friday is a fantastic day to be in London Bridge.

Nadia Broccardo, Chief Executive at Team London Bridge, regularly goes to the office on a Friday and is a firm believer of the benefits. She told us, ‘It’s the best day of the week for me. The train is quieter, I don’t queue for my lunchtime sandwich, and I seem to have more time to concentrate on things in the office. The atmosphere is slightly different too, more relaxed, so I’m much more likely to try and catch up with friends after work and enjoy the end of the week’.

Relaxed and quieter maybe, but that’s not for everyone. What about those who want some

View from The Shard

Bridge Theatre

12

excitement as the weekend begins? You’ll find plenty of that on offer.

We checked for the all-important Immersive Standing Area tickets for Guys and Dolls at Bridge Theatre on Fridays over the coming weeks and there was good availability. Likewise at local restaurants serving pre-theatre menus such as Gunpowder, Coal Shed, Cote and Gaucho. For those who might fancy themselves at electric shuffleboard (be warned, an addictive pursuit), Electric Shuffle on Bermondsey Street – usually packed mid-week - was available for groups to book across Friday evenings in February and March*.

Far above at The View from The Shard, you can buy tickets to see London’s skyline lit-up until 10pm on Fridays in February, whereas closing time is 7pm during the week. While you’re up there you could pop into Oblix East on the way down where they have live music and DJs every Friday night. If that gets you in the mood, Amazing Grace on St Thomas Street has their Out of Office nights of musicians from across the UK until 2am. And if you stay out until then, you really will be living the off-peak lifestyle!

Have a look at atlondonbridge.com for more ideas for things to do in the area and get that Friday feeling back. (*at the time of going to print).

advertorial

spring 2024

Little gem in Bermondsey From day one, the emphasis has been on quality and freshness and the restaurant uses only high quality fresh products sourced locally – fish and meat is delivered daily from local London markets and bread and cakes are baked in the restaurant.

“We use only high

quality fresh products sourced locally”

Leonardo Mastrofilippo (owner Head Chef) and Messinas Francesco (owner Restaurant manager)

All dishes are freshly prepared and cooked to order and served by friendly staff who will work hard to make your dining experience as enjoyable and memorable as possible. On a sunny day guests of Amisha can enjoy their food and drinks in the new outside terrace opened in 2023.

With its simple and inspired cooking and exceptional customer service Amisha offers unique dining experience in Bermondsey area and with the highest quality fresh ingredients creates the genuine and authentic Italian ‘Mamma style’ food.

Amisha Court, 161 Grange Rd, London SE1 3GH 020 7231 7151

13

Food & drink

spring 2024

REVIEW: Legare Eliza Frost

our Biscuit editor heads to Bermondsey Italian restaurant Legare for pillows of pasta and a menu full of surprises

S

at on a quiet road behind the hustle and bustle of the city’s Thames riverfront is Legare. The dimly lit cobbled streets of Bermondsey’s Shad Thames set the scene for this intimate restaurant.

Greeted warmly under ambient lights, owner Jay Patel sits my dining partner and I in the centre of the restaurant, which equally feels like a cosy nook to dine in, and Alice Inez, restaurant manager, offers us a still or sparkling – sparkling please.

Every seat is filled for the evening. It’s a place perfect for pairs; couples on date nights, families celebrating birthdays, work colleagues looking for a bite to eat after work – Legare feels like a place people return to. And once our spuntini arrived, I already knew I couldn’t wait to do the same.

I believe you could judge a spot based solely on their bread, and Legare’s roasted garlic and oregano focaccia, with olive oil for dipping, was bouncy and fresh, and almost cake like. With some extra large, juicy olives on the side, and a bottle of red to sip on, we relaxed into our seats knowing, “this is going to be good”.

The select menu by head chef Matt Beardmore is a pretty exquisite affair, with a focus on Italian cuisine and British produce. The menu changes with the seasons, and we found it to be full of surprises.

For antipasti, we went for beef tartare with egg yolk and "tartufo povero" and, having asked for a recommendation from Jay, we had his favourite dish of smoked eel with seared gem lettuce and caesar dressing, which was our first pleasant surprise of the evening. The smokiness of the eel with the fresh salad crunch of leaves created a heavenly mouthful.

But primi is truly where I reached cloud nine.

Splitting two pasta dishes, we had Legare’s fettuccelle with short-rib Genovese ragu and delica pumpkin agnolotti with sage butter and chestnuts. The pasta, al dente, had the perfect texture to wrap up in the flavours of the sauces – one rich with meat and wine, the other in silky butter with almost meaty chestnuts resting on top, sweet and savoury.

To finish, it was a cannolo with chocolate and hazelnuts – a rich and scrumptious praline flavour, oozing with filling and a good snap from the pastry – plus our second delightful surprise of the evening, another recommendation by Jay, we had their pear, almond and polenta cake with caramel sauce. It was soft and light, with a touching of fruit and a dollop of sticky sauce to elevate the natural sweetness even further. It was a divine way to end a top-notch evening at Legare. legarelondon.com 31G Shad Thames, SE1 2YR

14

spring 2024

southbank advertorial

Easter holiday and May half-term

Spring Family Fun at the Southbank Centre This spring we invite families to dive into a world of wonder and excitement with the Southbank Centre’s Spring Family Fun programme. Running throughout the Easter holiday and May half-term, this cross-artform celebration promises a tapestry of entertainment for all ages, including plenty of free events.

Go on a fantastical adventure with Dragons and Mythical Beasts, an award-winning show direct from the West End featuring spectacular puppets that bring myths and legends to life. Discover the colossal Stone Troll, the mysterious Indrik, the supernatural Baku, the Tooth Fairy (not as sweet as you’d think), an adorable Unicorn and majestic Griffin. Take your place among legendary heroes, just don’t wake the Dragon…

This is a must-see for brave heroes of all sizes!

 Dragons and Mythical Beasts Photo: Robert Day

SPRING FAMILY FUN Easter holiday & May half-term

 Plastic Drastic Fantastic Photo: Brian Hartley

Feel the rhythm at our free Good Friday family special of Simmer Down, a reggae and revival extravaganza for all ages. Explore the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden in In the Spring Garden, a delightful fusion of outdoor activities and artistic performances welcoming the arrival of spring.

Our Spring Family Fun programme continues again during May half-term. Whatever you’re in the mood for, we have plenty of unforgettable performances and experiences to keep everyone entertained in the holidays. A world of creativity, imagination and discovery awaits!

Find out more.

16



Explore the wonders and woes of plastics with thought-provoking dance show Plastic Drastic Fantastic.

Drawing on South Asian dance, this contemporary dance theatre work for families explores our complex relationship with plastics.

 Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden Photo: Cesare De Giglio

spring 2024

seasonal

Giddy up, grocer Eliza Frost

The owner of Bermondsey’s local grocery store tells The Biscuit about seasonal fruits and veggies, and why they wouldn’t set up shop anywhere else

L

ocated on our beloved Bermondsey Street is grocery store Giddy Grocer. Owner Chris Hall set up shop over six years ago and “has always been obsessed with food and sustainability and British produce”.

She tells The Biscuit: “From a young age, I always cooked. My mum was a good home cook and my dad’s parents had a grocery store in the New Forest in the 1950s. Food was always important in our household.”

Her previous career saw her working in documentaries and television, with one of her last projects before opening Giddy Grocer producing and directing Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares for Channel 4. “And from then on, I became even more obsessed with good food.”

Chris has lived in Bermondsey for nearly 20 years, and has seen the area go through “expediential changes”. She remembers José Pizarro was a sandwich bar, and another opposite where Casse-Croûte is now.

“There were a couple of restaurants, it didn’t have a

foodie history, though,” she explained. When opening Giddy Grocer, “the idea was to serve the community of Bermondsey with some really carefully sourced, wonderfully sustainable, seasonal produce. And this property came up and it was an ideal size and location”.

Over the years, Chris has seen Bermondsey “become a wonderful, vibrant community and I’d like to think we have added to that”. With regular customers popping in for essentials and extras, Giddy Grocer is a place where they come to chat with friends – “it becomes a nice energy in here and I love that. I love walking down the street and bumping into customers who say, ‘I had one of your sausage rolls yesterday – delicious’. I like to think we influence people’s understanding of what is seasonal and what is local”.

Customers know “when they buy from Giddy Grocer, it’s the best we can get and the most local we can get”, says Chris, whose focus on sustainability is always at the forefront. “People are more aware of food miles. We still have food from around the world, it just doesn’t come from the other side of it, it's made by people who live here.”

Off-site is the Giddy Kitchen, which utilises food produce near the end of its shelf life to make dishes and lunches for the Giddy Grocer counter. “If there is a bruised squash, we make soup or when we have an excess of apples, we make pie. I feel very proud that we can hand on heart say that food waste is virtually zero,” she says.

Spring is a “bizarre” time for seasonal fruit and veg, we have what is known as the “hungry gap”, she says. Winter vegetables like cabbage and caulis grow right through until March, and then we wait for April and May to be over so we can “get excited” for spring greens, salad leaves and tomatoes, asparagus, and more.

Bermondsey Street is a “very unique area”, says Chris, “not just the street but around it, too. I love the fact that we are a very mixed community. When I take my dog to Tanner Street Park, I regularly walk with a woman who grew up a proper “Bermondsey girl”, and it's important that we remember and respect those who lived here before gentrification. But I also love that we attract people from far and wide who come to visit the White Cube Gallery, Eames Fine Art Gallery, and London Glassblowing.”

Chris is often asked why she doesn't open a shop in another part of London and her reply is always the same: “There just isn’t anywhere else quite like Bermondsey.” www.giddygrocer.co.uk 80 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UD

Photography @bermondseyse1

17

The Pacific Tavern brings a taste of the tropics to SE16

Toby Kidman sees the Pacific-style barbecue as a place for the community to come together

It might not be feeling too summery outside at the moment, but a warm welcome and a holiday vibe await you at The Pacific Tavern.

Canada Water’s new neighbourhood pub has opened its doors at 100 Redriff Road, a building with a history as a 1980s dockers’ watering hole. It takes its inspiration from the cultures of oceanic nations such as New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and South America, with a food, drink and music offer built on the theme of “Land, Sea, Fire”.

“We wanted to bring Pacific barbecue to the everyday,” operator Toby Kidman says. “It’s built into the culture that you eat outside, you barbecue, you gather round and you bring all these ingredients from the land and sea together.

There’s an emotional connection that comes with the flames – eating, drinking and sharing with those BB around you.”

Q

se a

ea br mw

c Tav but ith Pa ter

The pub is the latest launch from Toby Kidman, formerly the Operator of Caravan restaurants, the renowned all-day dining brand that’s opened several restaurants across the capital over the past 14 years.

The Pacific Tavern follows the ethos of creating spaces that offer a little escapism from the hustle and bustle of London, where people can come to relax, hang out with friends and feel proud of the environment they live in.

Food is cooked over the fire, using natural ingredients sourced from local suppliers.

Menu development will continue to bring fresh ingredients, currently including whole BBQ seabream with Pac Tav butter, grilled Pacific cut pork chop, and grilled sweet potato with chilli beans, coconut and coriander. The Sunday Pacific BBQ roast is also a must-try.

Contact us:

canadawater.co.uk

BERMONDSEY BISCUIT_JAN_2024_V4.indd 1

team@canadawater.co.uk

The drinks menu features cocktails including a hibiscus margarita, tamarind fizz and mocktails with ingredients including lemongrass, bergamot and juniper. Beers include Stone & Wood Pacific Ale and Deya Steady Rolling Man, and there’s a wide range of juices and soft drinks on offer.

It’s not just the ingredients that are locally sourced either. The door handles are inherited from the old bingo hall, the bar has been almost entirely built from reclaimed discarded wood from the local area, and the seating has been made by local creative Yes Make, using the trees that were felled at the Printworks site.

“British Land and AustralianSuper are creating something different [at Canada Water],” says Kidman. “It’s really grounded us in the idea that if you want to create something exceptional, break the rules. Nobody here stays in a box, and people are so generous with their time and materials.”

Canada Water’s maritime heritage makes a perfect match with the pub’s Pacific inspiration, he adds. The heritage of the dock workers, and the families, artists and students who inhabit the area provide an energy and soul that can bring the venue to life.

“We want to provide a local vessel for the community to come together over Pacific BBQ, beverages with the relaxed Pacific ethos, all welcome,” he says. “It’s about bringing the spirit of the Pacific islands – places where you sit down with your family or your community to eat and drink – and making that make sense with the history of the area.”

To browse the menus, sign up to the Pacific Tavern’s mailing list or book a table, visit www.pacifictavern.co.uk or Instagram @thepacifictavern

0800 470 4593 (freephone)

@CWmasterplan

Canada Water Masterplan

01/02/2024 16:48:00

spring 2024

IN ASSOCIATION WITH TEAM LONDON BRIDGE

team london bridge

LONDON BRIDGE COMMUNITY

Rummage around SE1’s Flea Eliza Frost

Tucked away in Vinegar Yard, by London Bridge Station, you’ll find the feel of a European flea market right in the city

K

atie Smith, who manages Flea on a day-to-day basis, talks us through what customers can find at the flea market, as well as sustainable shopping and where to get a bite to eat once you’re done mooching the stalls.

The Biscuit: What is the story of Flea so far?

What can customers find at Flea?

Why should people visit?

Katie Smith: Owner Christian Scrimgeour had been living in Spain and, on her return to London, was inspired to set up a vintage market based on the markets she enjoyed while there. There were not many markets of this style at that time.

We opened our first market in 2016. It was an outdoor market at Flat Iron Square, which was partly a car park at the time. Traders would drive in with their vans and we had a great selection of stalls selling furniture and weird and wonderful objects they found mainly on their travels to Europe.

The market moved to Vinegar Yard in 2019 and started to include more artisan makers. The market has a vibrant community feel, and being a small market means that visitors can shop in a relaxed environment.

Customers will find a fantastic selection of jewellery, vintage clothing, ceramics, handmade accessories, art, upcycled goods and vinyl.

All of our traders are independent small businesses, and many are regulars who have been market traders for many years.

To name a few, there is Gloria, who sells a fabulous range of vintage costume jewellery to suit all budgets, jeweller Sharla who makes gorgeous one-of-a-kind pieces in her studio in Hastings, Jacqui who sells a cornucopia of vintage clothing and treasures from around the world.

All of our traders have a tale to tell, and customers will love hearing their stories as much as the products they’re selling.

You should visit because it’s a great community of traders, and you’ll be supporting small businesses by buying directly. At Flea, you can find one-off treasures that you won’t find on the increasingly homogenous high street. Being quite small makes shopping a more leisurely and enjoyable experience with less pressure.

We are also dog-friendly!

Why is shopping more sustainably so important these days?

Customers should shop at Flea because they care about reducing waste, the environment and preserving the planet for future generations. We also believe it is vital to support independent traders and for people to be able to

19

start up new businesses within an inclusive platform. It is cheaper to buy directly from the maker as well as being a more interesting experience for the buyer to meet the designer.

Do you have any recommendations for postwandering around Flea?

While at Flea, customers can enjoy a delicious lunch from one of Vinegar Yard’s many street food traders, and a drink or two from the bar. You should also take some time to take in the extraordinary sculptures from Joe Rush inside the building, as well as the iconic mechanical ants on the train, which sits above the entrance. www.flealondon.com 72-82 St Thomas Street, SE1 3QX

spring 2024

fiTnEss

five new exercises to try at milo and the bull Eliza Frost

heaLth experts at the gym on bermondsey street set out five neW exercises to try on the next steps in your fitness Journey

1

3

Strength training is a brilliant way to build muscle, improve heart health and help improve mental health.

Sessions on strength at Milo and the Bull are designed for all abilities and incorporate compound lifts, with mobility and accessory work. The perfect way to level up your routine.

roWing

4

Milo and the Bull gyms are famous for their rowing classes. On Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at Milo, we row!

The humble rowing machine can be a misunderstood beast. Some claim they don’t know how to use it as they have never been in a boat. But, here at Milo and the Bull, we will show you why rowing is the most effective machine on the gym floor. You’ll get a lung-busting workout and, with us, you’ll learn to take advantage of rowing’s other benefits, too.

Not to mention how inclusive it is. Whether you are old or young, exercise twice a day or twice a year, our rowing classes really do cater for everyone. It’s easy on the joints and the intensity can easily be adjusted to suit any fitness level.

2

strength training

yoga and mobiLity cLasses

Yoga and mobility sessions are great ways to exercise and move the body while aiding recovery, too. Moving the body in this way helps to improve flexibility and also gradually helps to build strength, balance and stamina.

Balancing high-intensity workouts like circuits, running or cycling with yoga and mobility classes is a great way to stay supple and – hopefully – injury-free.

5

personaL training

If you’re an individual who’s looking to refine their goals at the gym, Milo and the Bull is the perfect place to try personal training.

PT sessions are a great way to set yourself up for success when it comes to achieving fitness and wellness goals. We recommend trying one of our 30-minute trials to get a taste of what a PT session on a weekly basis would look like.

circuits

Circuit classes at Milo and the Bull are high energy, high intensity and fun. They’ll have you working on your cardiovascular fitness, aerobic and anaerobic capacity as well as testing your endurance.

If you come to a Milo circuit class, expect variations of movements, a fun energetic session and sometimes teamwork, too.

www.miloandthebull.com 168-170 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3TQ

21

advertorial

spring 2024

A new year, a new home and a new name for the Charter School Bermondsey!

Bermondsey students and staff returned to the classroom with a newfound energy for learning, when they moved into their brand-new, state-of-theart school building in January.

“Education has a long history in Bermondsey, dating back to the monks of Bermondsey Abbey in the Middle Ages.

We’re proud to be celebrating and continuing to uphold this legacy as we start on this exciting new chapter at the Charter School Bermondsey.” –

G

reystar is pleased to announce that the Department for Education has officially opened the doors to the new 600-student secondary school building for Charter School Bermondsey, formerly known as Compass School Southwark. The opening of the school marks a significant milestone, as the first phase of The Bermondsey Project to be complete.

The secondary school has recently joined the multi-academy Charter Schools Education Trust, which will help students to connect with pupils from other Southwark Schools and improve professional development opportunities for staff.

The long-awaited new school boasts modern

classrooms, science labs, music rooms, specialist performing arts areas, and fantastic sports facilities including an outdoor multi-use games area with magnificent views across London!

The opportunities created by The Bermondsey Project will be wide-reaching and long-term.

Through construction and following delivery, hundreds of training, employment and work experience opportunities will be created for local people; new connections will be established

Principal Marcus Huntley

through the area; and retail, shops and public spaces will work together to revitalise the neighbourhood.

We’re looking forward to getting students from the Charter School Bermondsey and other local schools on site and involved in The Bermondsey Project over the coming years, as we deliver a new neighbourhood for the future generations of Bermondsey.

Greystar is committed to investing in the long-term growth and success of the Bermondsey community. The school’s old home will be redeveloped as part of plans to deliver over 1,500 new rental homes to Bermondsey.

Stay up-to-date Visit our website to read more about the Bermondsey Project. https://www.greystar-bermondseyproject.com/

22

health

spring 2024

SE1 Osteo and Rehab Clinic

O

steopath Kelly James runs SE1 Osteo and Rehab Clinic. She tells The Biscuit about running the centre and the benefits of custommade recovery plans.

The Biscuit: Tell us how you came to run the clinic?

Kelly James: I started in the wellness industry after working in a civil service department office for seven years. After losing weight and getting fit, I started attending a friend’s exercise class, and I loved how it made me feel.

I slept better, had more energy and it improved my mood. I wanted to educate other people and for them to feel how I did. I completed various courses to teach exercise classes when I became interested in the rehab side of training and completed a rehab trainer course.

After seeing an osteopath following a knee injury, they asked me questions not only about my knee but also about my previous injuries, medical history, lifestyle, occupation and how this impacted my injury and recovery. With a couple of treatments and advice from the osteopath to reduce the reoccurrence of the injury, I soon recovered. The experience ignited my interest in the profession, so I completed my (very long!) osteopathic studies. Since completing my studies, I have set up clinics in gyms and a health and beauty clinic, and then, in April 2023, I opened the SE1 Osteo and Rehab Clinic.

SE1 Medical Aesthetics

E

mma Costello is the joint owner of SE1 Medical Aesthetics with her husband, consultant surgeon, Lorenzo Garagnani.

She tells The Biscuit about treatments available and why being surgeon-led is vital The Biscuit: Do you have a treatment that proves the most popular – and why?

Emma Costello: Our most popular treatment is the DermaFrac® micro-needling facial. It is an incredible skincare treatment that complements all the nonsurgical medical aesthetic procedures that our doctors provide. It is great as a standalone treatment, being it a bespoke, four-part treatment that promotes collagen production creating an incredible hydrated glow.

The session starts with microdermabrasion, which is mechanical exfoliation to remove dead skin cells, and then we move on to micro-needling and serum induction therapy. The serum choice is bespoke to each individual's skincare goals and is set via a thorough pre-treatment questionnaire. The session concludes with LED therapy, which again encourages collagen production, with heavenly results.

How do patients feel following aesthetic work with you? And how does that make you feel?

Our patients are extremely happy with the results we provide as our ethos is about enhancing natural beauty and supporting the current “pro-age revolution”. This

Why do individuals come to you? And what can they

means leaving our clinic looking like the most refreshed, rejuvenated and hydrated version of you. We do not promote trying to make 50-year-olds look like 30-yearolds, as there is nothing wrong with ageing.

We are extremely experienced in the services that we provide and are incredibly proud of the results we achieve.

Aesthetic injections are certainly not for everyone.

Bespoke skincare can lead to remarkable outcomes after following our product regime advice. A glowing, healthy skin definitely results in increased confidence.

You are surgeon-led and research-focused, why is this so important?

The fundamental principle of our work is the focus on safety and excellent standards of care. We follow a scientific approach and only perform treatments that are proven to be effective – and where our team has maximum confidence and experience in, adopting the highest medical standards of hygiene and top-of-therange products and tools.

We also work on projects for the improvement of education and safety in the field of medical aesthetics.

Our medical director, Lorenzo Garagnani, carries out research in the field of hand rejuvenation injections and has published and presented internationally. And we run regular masterclasses entirely dedicated to Lorenzo's hand rejuvenation injection techniques. www.se1medicalaesthetics.com 139-143 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UW

24

expect from the treatments you offer?

Patients come to us with musculoskeletal injuries; it could be back pain, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, tendinopathies, arthritic conditions, and every muscle and joint in between – we treat the whole body.

From supporting mothers and babies, keeping older adults active and mobile, aiding recovery from muscle and joint injuries, or contributing to managing chronic long-term conditions to patients visiting for reflexology or a massage appointment to destress. Our patients come in all shapes and sizes.

Our SE1 Osteo and Rehab Clinic aims to keep patients healthy and pain-free, using expert hands-on treatment, exercise, and health advice.

What are the benefits of custom-made recovery?

Patients can manage their health and any symptoms they have following the advice and exercise and stretching prescriptions they receive. We understand that no two people or injuries are the same, so we create a custom-made recovery and rehabilitation plan for each patient.

Combined with a maintenance approach to treatment, it keeps them injury and pain-free for longer as it will prevent any joint and muscle dysfunction from occurring before it becomes too debilitating; prevention is better than cure! www.se1osteo.com Unit 1, 217 Long Lane, SE1 4PA

DO YOU HAVE ACHES AND PAINS? WE CAN HELP! • • •

Do you have any aches or pains? niggles that will not go away? Neck, back, shoulder, ankle, Headaches?

Jaw Pain? Any part of your body?

Is it interfering in your day-to-day life? Stopping you from doing the things that you Love? Walking running, gym, hobbies, playing with your children or grandchildren?

Do you worry that this is it now? You have to just put up with the pain!

Nobody should have to live with pain, and at SE1 Osteopath and Rehab clinic, we work with you to investigate, diagnose and treat. We get to the root cause, and get you back to doing the things you love pain-free!

We have a team of experts (Osteopaths, Physiotherapists, Reflexologist) who have extensive training and experience in their field. SE1 Osteo and Rehab clinic can help guide you back to living a healthly and happy life.

Unit 1, 217 Long Lane SE1 4PR 0207 0184 016 l info@se1osteo.com www.se1osteo.com

Before

After

Start your pro-ageing journey with one of our Medical Aesthetic Doctors!

• Wrinkle Treatments • Ultrasound Guide Dermal Fillers • Polynucleotides

• • • •

Skin Boosters Microneedling Bespoke Facials Skin Analysis Software

139- 143 Bermondsey Street 07922 087919 World Leading Expert in Hand Rejuvenation, Dr Lorenzo Garagnani Southwark Business Award Finalist 2024 ‘Independent Business of the Year’ ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’

community

spring 2024

5 tips for planning a wedding in 2024 The team behind Ropewalk wedding venue, The Old Timber Store, are here to get you ready for your big day with their top organising tips…

Y

ou’re engaged = check. Now it’s time to turn your wedding vision into a reality and, naturally, a mix of emotions may be flooding in: stress; excitement; overwhelm; anxiety; confusion.

So, take (most of ) the stress out of the big day with these five simple tips:

1

Set a budget

This can seem like such a limiting task, but to manage your expectations and keep yourself on track, it’s essential.

Often, though, people are opting for more intimate weddings, which is definitely in favour of that old wedding cheque. But it’s important to have a clear understanding of what you as a couple want – but also what is realistically possible.

You can save yourself some dosh by being open to weekday weddings or opting for an off-season celebration. Once you have broken down the costs, you can then set yourself a target date, which leads nicely onto the next few steps…

2

Find your venue

If budgeting makes your eyes roll, choosing a venue will do the opposite.

Although you can feel spoil for choice (with so many wonderful spaces), it really is one of the most exciting parts of your engagement journey.

Choosing a venue is when whole process comes to life as you imagine yourself tying the knot. If you don’t know where to begin, you should look at directories where you can filter by type of place and based on location, style, number of guests, and more.

These days, there are a lot more non-traditional options available than there used to be, so you can really dive into that venue rabbit hole (with joy!).

But always, always organise a site visit before booking a venue, as this really gives you the full vibe.

3 26

Pick a date

This one is super simple, once you have broken down the costs, you can plan how

long you need to save. Then, soon, one day will be the day.

A top tip, though, is try and be flexible with your date… there’s nothing more disappointing than being fixed on one date to find out your dream venue is not available. This is also why it can be useful to choose a venue first – so you can be flexible with when they are available, too.

4

Choose a theme

One of the most thrilling parts of organising a wedding is the Pinterest board of inspiration, filled with your wildest dreams for the big day.

Pinterest as a platform for wedding inspo is a must, from bouquet colours to photography poses and tablescapes, it’s somewhere you can have endless creative fun.

The beauty of your own wedding is that the style is totally your call. From gothic to boho, no aesthetic or palette is off the cards. Choose a theme that resonates with you, and one that you will be proud of when you adore over the wedding snaps for years to come.

5

The devil is in the details

As a wise person once said: “Little things make big things happen.” And the same applies for weddings!

Name placeholders, how your hair sits, the background to your photos, cake colours and flavours, and the vibe of the lighting, all count. Take the time to really envisage what you want here, or over there, or in this spot, and go through it one by one to minimise overwhelm in the run-up to the big day.

The little things really are the big things, make time for them.

And finally, remember the big day is all about you and your partner. Remind yourself of this when you get wrapped up in the nitty gritty. You can’t please everyone, so do what makes you happy. @theoldtimberstore_se1 on Instagram Ropewalk, Maltby Street, SE1 3PA

Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.

SEAFOOD + WINE

~ William Morris

Experience memorable wine and culinary adventures with Fabio and Moreno at Baccalà!

Engage Katherine Blackler to help you to consciously create a calm, welcoming and organised space to live or work in 3 key steps Declutter your physical space We’ll tackle the jobs you’ve been hiding from; whether it’s organising one cupboard, one room or the entire house.

Organise & store your belongings We’ll create systems and processes that work for you and your family. We’ll optimise your space by devising space-saving storage products or display solutions.

Redesign your head space By focussing mindfully on redesigning your environment, you can gain clarity on what’s important in your life and what you can let go of.

experiences

194-204 Bermondsey Street | 02074075514 baccalalondon.co.uk | @baccalalondon

Get in touch today: katherine@sortmyspace.co.uk 07914 612531 | sortmyspace.co.uk @sortmyspaceuk Quote BISCUIT for 20% off your consultation

Come and enjoy traditional Finnish Easter treats and delicious food and pastries from our Cafe and Shop. Outside BBQ area offers a wide selection of drinks and food, inside we also have a wide range of Finnish gift items for yourself or a loved one.

Fri 22th March, 12:00 - 20:00 Sat 23th March, 12:00 - 18:00 Sun 24th March, 12:00 - 17:00

spring 2024

community

Meet Canada Water Market Eliza Frost

We go behind the scenes of the SE16 market to find out more about what’s on offer – and why the buzz continues to grow

“

I missed my stop going to [Rotherhithe’s] The Mayflower pub when I got out at Canada Water station and saw a spot perfect for a market”: Will Cutteridge, founder of The Market Network, tells The Biscuit how he stumbled upon the ideal square to launch Canada Water Market.

Having worked in markets for 10 years, since he was 17 and working as a cheesemonger at farmer’s markets, Will saw the opportunity for a market operator that “invested more in traders, put seating out, and really invested in the community”.

What’s kept Will in the industry for so long? “The people”, he says. “We’ve unearthed so many really interesting small businesses and people that have big dreams, and it’s such a privilege for us to be able to provide them with a local opportunity where they can take a product from idea to market. That’s what keeps me in the industry.”

Will runs Canada Water Market on Sundays and Wapping Docklands Market on Saturdays, but he “owes the projects to the incredible team” behind him.

Fabi da Cunha is the markets’ operations manager and the only full-time employee, “she works harder than anyone I’ve ever met”, says Will.

What sets the markets aside from others? “The traders put a lot of effort into their products,” he tells us. “They bring an incredible amount of passion and effort and dedication to serve amazing food to their customers, and they are really what makes the market. For example, Mr Porchetta, their work starts on the Monday after the Sunday market, it takes a whole day to make an entire porchetta and it’s a piece of art.”

Valeria founded Mr Porchetta with her boyfriend in January 2023, and they were selling out early for the day as we spoke at the market. They wanted to bring a lesser-known side of Italian food to more people, serving porchetta – which is a seasoned roasted pork that takes five hours to slow cook – in a sourdough roll with a selection of toppings.

She says: “The market is well organised with lots of seating, and all food vendors are different to each other – there is a lot of variety for people to choose.”

For example, Take, owner of Samurai Curry Rice, cooks traditional Japanese curry rice, which began as he was “fascinated by the history”. He learned the recipes from his mother and now cooks it how he likes to eat it.

At Canada Water Market, Take says there is a “sense of community” and he feels a “local vibe” thanks to his repeat customers, who “keep coming back”. He says, often, they’ve been to Japan and “know the real deal”, which is what they call Samurai Curry Rice, too.

Mustapha, another trader at Canada Water Market, is co-owner of Jou Jou's Bites with his wife and, what started as a hobby, has now expanded into new ventures.

“We bring some of the Taiwanese flavours that my wife grew up with to London, recipes that her granny had taught her,” he tells us. Their most popular dish is the slowcooked pork belly, which is done in shaoshing wine and served with rice and homemade pickles and chilli oil.

It’s not only food and drink on offer, too. Jerrinice Itela, owner and creator of Paquita Ruby Jewellery, makes hand-crafted jewellery. “I love to make affordable jewellery that lasts longer than your usual high street jewellery,” she tells us.

And, at the market, despite wondering if she would be deterred from the cold of working outside all day, she loves it: “I love the traders and the vibe, it gives me a real sense of community and support. The locals are so supportive, too, and it's so nice to have my regular customers.”

Looking ahead at the market, Will explains how they’ve expanded the seating to include 40 more seats, “which will be great for our traders’ covers throughout the day”, and he promises a more “jampacked entertainment schedule” for 2024, too.

So, whatever the weather, Canada Water Market will welcome you rain or shine. themarketnetwork.co.uk Canada Water Market, Deal Porter Square, Surrey Quays Rd, SE16 7AR Open Sundays from 10am to 4pm

29

pEopLE

spring 2024

‘no one Likes us’

by JÉrÔme favre

F

rench portrait and documentary photographer Jérôme Favre lives in New Cross. His latest project No One Likes Us is an immersive photodocumentary inside the world of Millwall FC. Jérôme explains: “Football clubs and communities have always gone hand in hand. In fact, football clubs in this country were usually set up by factories or churches to encourage a sense of community, or belonging.

“Millwall was founded by the workers of JT Morton’s canning and preserve factory, in the Isle of Dogs. My hometown club RC Lens was set up by a mining company and, for decades, both players and fans were coal miners.

“Football has been gentrifying at an increasingly rapid pace, and I’ve progressively turned my gaze towards more grassroots events or clubs, where football still feels cultural rather than transactional.”

The photos in this project were taken at The Den and surrounding bars and cafes between 2018 and 2022. www.jeromefavrephotography.com/noone-likes-us

30

people

31

16 FEB - 16 MAR BOOK TICKETS AT

SOUTHWARKPLAYHOUSE.CO.UK Is your loved one coping at home?

Camberwell Lodge Care & Nursing Home Luxury residential | Dementia | Nursing | Respite Care Our care is the kind we’d all want our loved ones to receive. Camberwell Lodge Care Home provides the highest standards of family-led residential and dementia care. Our state-of-the-art home is luxurious and beautifully furnished, whilst retaining a warm family atmosphere that makes Camberwell Lodge feel extra special.

• 98 Spacious en-suite bedrooms • Bistro café and themed pub • Sociable lounge and dining areas • Daily fine dining and hospitality suite

• Roof terrace and landscaped gardens • Hair and pamper salon • Tailored meaningful activities

To find out more about life at Camberwell Lodge Care & Nursing Home contact Senior Customer Relations Manager Jessica O’Connell at jessica.oconnell@countrycourtcare.com or call 07939 296 992.

020 4579 2199

Picton Street, Camberwell, London, SE5 7QH www.countrycourtcare.com

F.A.A.

F A ALBIN & SONS Family Run Funeral Directors

Serving the local community for over 200 years

WELLING 4 Welling Way, Welling, KENT, DA16 2RJ T: 020 8856 7514

020 7237 3637 ROTHERHITHE 52 Culling Road, London, SE16 2TN OUR OTHER BRANCH ADDRESSES ARE: SIDCUP 163 Station Road, Sidcup, KENT, DA15 7AA T: 020 8308 0015

EAST LONDON 378 Barking Road, Plaistow LONDON, E13 8HL T: 020 7476 1861

MOTTINGHAM 54-56 Mottingham Road, LONDON, SE9 4QR T: 020 8857 0330

DEPTFORD 164 Deptford High Street, LONDON, SE8 3DP T: 020 8694 1384

WALWORTH 88 Brandon Street, LONDON, SE17 1ND T: 020 7313 6990

CRAYFORD 30-32 Crayford High Street, Crayford, KENT, DA1 4HG T: 01322 533012

www.albins.co.uk

spring 2024

memory lane

Freddie Alliston’s playground Michael Holland

‘We used to come out of there making out we were Hopalong Cassidy riding his horse’: local boy Fred talks about growing up in the area

C  Fred today



ornbury Road was a street of mice-ridden houses scarred by Luftwaffe bombing when Freddie Alliston was born there in 1950, but those bomb sites (dumps) that surrounded his house were Fred’s playground – and all part of an enjoyable childhood.

Fred was born into a typical Bermondsey household; his dad was a dockworker all his life and his mum worked in local factories. Like many people of that era, their jobs were within walking distance of the family home. “Mum was a nurse in the war,” Fred emphasised, “and Dad started off as a docker then trained to be a stevedore… he wouldn’t let any of us boys go in the dock, though,” he adds.

Fred remembers with joy the times spent playing on the dumps but when he was six, Bermondsey Borough Council decided the houses had to go and a new estate be built – Silwood.

The redevelopment of the local streets of terraced houses opened up new avenues of fun for Freddie and his mates: “We’d get the nightwatchman to chase us and then run upstairs in the new buildings and jump off the first floor into the pile of builders’ sand to escape.” He laughs at the memory.

The Allistons were the very first family to move on to the new Silwood Estate and that upgrade meant a flushing inside toilet, a garden and no mice.

Their new home was 1 Sketchley Gardens, and living amid a huge building site gave ample opportunity for some light-fingered skulduggery.

Freddie and his friends took all the doors out of the hundreds of old houses awaiting demolition and built a three-storey camp on the dump where his neighbours once lived.

Dad, however, had more lucrative plans. Mr Alliston purloined new paving stones from the numerous stacks of them in the redevelopment and paved over his garden, which was basically a rectangle of earth awaiting new, green-fingered tenants to turn into their own little paradise.

Alas, the councilman, noticing the reduction in his stock, looked over the garden wall and saw half the new builds with paved-over backyards.

They had to be returned.

Between raiding council stocks, the family

Fred Alliston (far right)Big brother Robert, dad Bob, Tara

35

 Fred at Credon Road School

looked forward to a trip to Kent every year to pick the hops. They last went in 1968 when Paddock Wood was flooded, and they had to be rescued from the farm by a big tractor.

Pretty much everyone on the new estate went to Rotherhithe New Road School, just a few minutes walk away, but Freddie didn’t care for it much, nor his second school, Credon Road Boys’ School – “I didn’t like being told what to do so bunked off a lot and went around Southwark Park”.

Fred cared more for playing out with mates: “We used to like Knock Down Ginger, Tin Tan Tommy, or kicking a ball up the wall until my dad told us to eff off, but most of the time we built camps.”

One of young Freddie’s favourite pastimes was Saturday Morning Pictures at the Regal on the Old Kent Road: “We used to come out of there making out we were Hopalong Cassidy riding his horse.”

Fred finished school at 15 and first worked at Garners in Grange Road: “I worked on a machine spraying all the leather,” he recalls, “but after a couple of years it shut down and I got a job at Rocola.” 

spring 2024

MEMory LAnE

Rocola was a shirt-making factory on Bolina Road that employed many locals, but this was not a happy place for young Freddie. He says: “I got the sack after a week for knocking someone out!”

Being a band-knife cutter meant a lot of concentration as the sharp blade whizzed around cutting out collars, so when someone tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention, Fred ignored it. A more forceful tap became too much for this teenager, who forgot the health and safety advice from the boss and one-punched the offender behind him. The foreman.

“i had a great childhood growing up on the silwood, but the greatest thing about bermondsey is the people; everyone stood together” A job in the woodyard in Raymouth Road was short-lived (“too cold”) and like most young men from that area of SE16, he spent some of his working life in the boneyard in Jarrow Road, a workplace whose aroma of dead animals wafted right through Silwood Estate in the summer months. He also worked as a dustman on the council.

Another job ended abruptly when someone took umbrage to Fred’s broom sweeping around their feet, so he hit them with it… However, he was happy and trouble-free working as security at BT because it was good money for easy work.

Eventually, Fred settled down into lorry driving.

Having settled employment was crucial because by now Freddie had met Linda, the girl of his dreams, at a party. After initial problems, he managed to convince her father that he was an honourable man and in 1968 the lovely couple were wed, with their reception in the estate tenants’ hall.

The new Mr and Mrs Alliston would drink in the local pubs, but not too much as they started their family early. Holiday camps and camping holidays were a big favourite and ideal for what eventually became a family of six (two boys and two girls).

These days they live in Blackfen, and I did not have to ask if they were happy because I could see that they still laugh a lot after 55 years together.

I asked Freddie for any final thoughts: “I had a great childhood growing up on the Silwood, but the greatest thing about Bermondsey is the people; everyone stood together.”

 Fred and Linda on their wedding day

37



Fred, bottom right

 Family holiday at Lands End

history

spring 2024

Room on the broom

By Debra Gosling

I

n this space age, the importance of a good brush or broom has diminished. There was an art to making a broom but, even so, the wages and living conditions of the people who made them were pretty dire.

If someone wanted a good quality broom, they made their way to Kent Street, off Long Lane, which was home to the brushmakers. With the many tanneries, Bermondsey was awash with animal by-products so broom-making was a natural industry for the area.

Brooms were once called besoms and full of superstitions. For example, you should never buy a brush in May or you’ll brush one of the family away – that’s something worth remembering when Granny’s giving you the hump. A new broom should also first be used to sweep into the house, otherwise the luck of the household would go out with the dust. Brushes should never be used after dark or ever be borrowed, lent or burned, and fastening a broomstick to the mast of a ship

 Tabard Street

The toothbrush handles came from cattle shinbones, which may explain the large amount found on an archaeological dig a few years ago

signified it was up for sale.

Kent Street was a backwater full of little houses, shops and cottage industries that nestled amid smoky, crowded industrial spaces. The snobbish Victorians employed maids for all of their grotty tasks, which always required a decent brush of some kind. There were street sweepers, chimney sweeps and factory sweepers all wanting specific types of brushes, too.

Despite demand, the brushmakers always found it hard to scrape a decent wage together; they lived in overcrowded, poorly ventilated rooms where the whole family would join in making a few brushes for a crust.

You could tell which houses contained brush families by the huge brooms they’d hang outside to signify their trade. The windows of the houses were stained with a bronze patina, which resulted from the steam of pitch pots that bubbled inside. What a dangerous place to bring up a child!

There was a guild of brushmakers but those who dwelled in Kent Street were not members of this elite group. They could not call themselves master craftsmen as they were seen as outsiders trying to make a living and hadn’t done the five-year apprenticeship.

People looking to buy a decent new broom visited Kent Street – the workspace was called a pan shop and those who worked there were panhandlers. Those who shaped a brush, inserting bristles into a peg frame, were known as “brush finishers”.

When a good brushmaker had finished a broom, the pile of the bristles would have the feel of velvet. All this work was known as “hand drawing” and to hand-draw a good hairbrush would take a day’s work. The sign of a top-quality brush is still the four small brass screws to be found in its back.

38

In 1780 the brushmakers were given a new challenge when a chap named William Addis invented the toothbrush. In those early days, the handles of the toothbrushes were made of bone to ensure they didn’t damage the teeth and gums – after all, who wants a mouthful of splinters?

The handles came from cattle shinbones, which may explain the large amount found on an archaeological dig a few years ago. (The diggers also found a floor made entirely of animal knucklebones!)

You’d get about four toothbrush handles per leg bone, apparently, and material would have been abundant around the tanneries.

As toothbrushes had to be hand drawn in the same way as other small brushes, most of the work for this was done by women – it was a very fiddly business and they had the necessary small fingers to carry it out.

As the Victorian age gave way to the Edwardian, the brushmaker’s industry began to wane. Many of the kids who had helped Mum and Dad make the brushes were now clothed, shod and learning new skills at the board schools.

Ways were being found to make everyone’s jobs a bit easier and, by the First World War, all those tasks done by servants were abandoned as men went off to war and women took over their roles. Little chores such as brushing up the crumbs or doing a bit of hairdressing had to be done by the lady of the house herself and, before long, the cocktail age was upon us – and the vacuum arrived.

At the same time, a big effort was put into clearing the slums of the district – with the brushmaker’s little hovels being top of the list. So they really were swept away...

spring 2024

Computer generated image

The Apartments at The Garratt Collection A selection of one, two and three bedroom apartments benefitting from Higgins Homes signature design ethos, including spacious layouts, with light filled rooms, integrated Bosch kitchen appliances, Karndean flooring the living areas and soft, easyclean Cormar carpet in the bedrooms, offering contemporary, modern living to the discerning homebuyer.

This part of London is popular with buyers looking to enjoy the convenience of city living with its excellent transport links, extensive areas of green open space, all available within an established community. Earlsfield just a 11 minute walk, offering regular services by South Western Railway to Waterloo, in 13 minutes.

The nearest underground station, around 20 minutes’ walk is Southfields, on the District Line giving access to Victoria Station in as little as 30 minutes.

APARTMENT VIEWING WEEKEND 10TH & 11TH FEBRUARY 2024 Book your appointment today Atheldene Road, Earlsfield, London SW18 3BZ

Two bedroom apartments from

£675,000 Anticipated occupations from April 2024

Best Residential Interior Show Home

Best Off Plan Development

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT:

higginshomes.co.uk/the-garratt-collection

0203 9660 753

Travel times taken from Google Maps. Information correct at time of print January 2024.

4084 Higgins Wrap South Londoner_Bermondsey Biscuit 250x300mm_V3.indd 3

39 31/01/2024 15:38

Computer generated images

SHOW HOUSE LAUNCH WEEKEND 2ND & 3RD MARCH 2024 Book your appointment today

Townhouses at The Garratt Collection Beautiful four bedroom townhouses, all with a garden, cycle store and parking space with Podpoint electric vehicle charging point (EVC).

Designed and finished to the highest specification, including spacious, light filled rooms, integrated Bosch kitchen appliances, Karndean flooring to the living areas and soft, easyclean Cormar carpet to bedrooms, staircase to second floor and second floor landing, offering contemporary, modern living to the discerning homebuyer.

Sensitively imagined and nestling beautifully into a street scene steeped in history, the development is surrounded by Victorian terraces and post-war builds. Just across the road is the newly built Floreat Wandsworth Primary School, with two other primary schools and three secondary schools all within catchment – all rated Good or Excellent by Ofsted.

Atheldene Road, Earlsfield, London SW18 3BZ

Four bedroom townhouses at

£1,350,000 Anticipated occupations from April 2024

Best Residential Interior Show Home

Best Off Plan Development

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT:

higginshomes.co.uk/the-garratt-collection

0203 9660 753

Computer generated images. Travel times taken from Google Maps. Information correct at time of print January 2024.

4084 Higgins Wrap South Londoner_Bermondsey Biscuit 250x300mm_V3.indd 4

31/01/2024 15:38