126-YEAR-OLD INDUSTRIAL SPACE REVIVED ON THE OLD KENT ROAD
Lahpet brings Burmese flavours to Bermondsey
Community hub Rotherhithe Shed needs your help
The Victorian splendour of the old Bermondsey Town
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Proudly independent journalismget in touch to support what we do and promote your local business
We created the Bermondsey Biscuit and Rotherhithe Docker in 2018 with support from sponsors including Sellar, Grosvenor, British Land, and many other local businesses.
Our flagship weekly newspaper, the Southwark News launched in 1987 and is now London’s only independent, paid for newspaper.
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.
Editor Kevin Quinn
Writers
Design Dan Martin, Ann Gravesen, Tora Kelly
Marketing Clarry Frewin, Katie Boyd
Media Partnerships Anthony Phillips
Finance Emrah Zeki
Managing Directors Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn
& DRINK new openings, Oktoberfest, pastry workshops, Bermondsey’s very own Guinness and an expanding taproom on the beer mile; plus review of Burmese restaurant Lahpet
WELLNESS Oca Yoga is like no other studio we have ever experienced
COMMUNITY the Rotherhithe Shed is in need of your help – come with us and see what they do
40-41 MEMORY LANE Ann Smith’s family have lived in the area for 400 years – she tells us of times past 43-44 HISTORY Bermondsey Town Hall - from Victorian splendour to a bomb site and now a Sainsbury’s Local
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.
What’s on in SE1 and SE16?
OPEN MIC NIGHT AT MOROCCO BOUND (29 SEPTEMBER):
Morocco Bound, the independent bookshop and event venue on Morocco Street, just off Bermondsey Street, is hosting a Open Mic Night in collaboration with Thread Snake Records.
The monthly acoustic open mic is described by the team as “the most gentle open mic in town.”
Grab your instruments, warm up your vocals or just sip a beer and listen in.
Date: Monday 29 September
Time: 7pm
Location: 1a Morocco Street, SE1 3HB
Tickets: £4.12 for performance or audience member. Book tickets on Dice, link on: https://www.moroccobound.co.uk/calendar
HOT MESS, A NEW MUSICAL (16 OCTOBER - 8 NOVEMBER):
A brand new musical, written by Jack Godfrey and Ellie Coote, is coming to Southwark Playhouse this autumn.
“After a billion years of bad dates, Earth has finally found the one… Humanity. Sparks fly. Technology flourishes. Wheat is harvested. But what begins as a passionate love affair between the universe’s most iconic couple quickly descends into a hot mess.”
It features Danielle Steers, who played Catherine Parr in SIX the Musical, and Tobias Turley, who played Sky in the West End production of Mamma Mia!
Dates: 16 October - 8 November
Time: Monday - Saturday 7pm, Thursday and Saturday 2:30pm.
Location: Southwark Playhouse, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD
CABARET CLUB FOR OVER-50S (EVERY MONDAY):
Are you over 50 and looking for a social, communitybased event? Organised by Elephant and Castle resident, Diane Horan Hill, the Monday Cabaret Club is a chance to dress up, celebrate and have fun.
With a background in singing and entertaining, evening will feature entertainment and singers in an easily accessible venue in Elephant and Castle.
She created the event for over 50s who are “active, vibrant, and want to enjoy life,” but “there’s nowhere for them to go to feel safe, have fun, and meet people.”
THE WOOLMEN SHEEP DRIVE AND LIVERY FAIR (28TH SEPTEMBER):
This unique charity event, hosted by The Worshipful Company of Woolmen, celebrates a Freeman’s ancient “right” to bring sheep to market over the Thames, toll free.
The day raises funds for the Woolmen Charity and The Lord Mayor’s Appeal. There will be a fair on Queen Street and Queen Street Place, EC4R, after the bridge march.
Date: Sunday 28 September
Time: 10am - 12:30pm
Location: Southwark Bridge, Southwark Bridge Rd, London EC4R 3TE
Tickets: No ticket, free to watch
SOUTH LONDON VOICES (EVERY TUESDAY):
Can you hold a tune and love to sing? South London Voices is a vibrant and fun women’s choir based in Bermondsey and is run by singer and singing teacher Kristina Nilsson.
The choir has performed at The Lord Mayor’s Show, The Young Vic, St John’s Waterloo, Bermondsey Carnival Bermondsey Folk Music Festival, Bermondsey Street Festival and the Southbank Centre.
Dabble in an eclectic repertoire, from rock, pop, and blues to opera, folk and classical music.
They have been invited to be one of four choirs at the Herne Hill Music Festival on 11 October.
You can book your free taster rehearsal with choir leader Kristina on 07932664832 or visit the choir’s instagram account, @south.london.voices.
Date: Rehearsals are every Tuesday
Time: 7pm
Location: St. James Church, Thurland Rd, London SE16 4AA
HAKATA Ramen+Bar brings everything that ramen-ya in Japan are famous for – quality ‘comfort food’, served in a vibrant atmosphere with friendly & efficient service.
Hakata Ramen+Bar, 177 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UW // No reservations // Open 7-days // hakata.co.uk ** Special Autumn Offer **
HAKATA X Orbit Pale Ale only £5.00 per bottle (330ml) while stocks last!
Bermondsey Street Festival
Bermondsey Street Festival is back on 20 September 2025, where the street will transform into a bustling community fete, but what’s new this year?
The festival began as a small local event and has grown in size and scale over the years, stretching down Bermondsey Street, Tanner Street Park and the Leathermarket Gardens. This year, the team has over twenty volunteers dedicated to making the festival a special day.
The festival has become a cornerstone of local culture, bringing a mix of food vendors, artisan crafts, live music and community displays to the iconic Bermondsey Street. Nestled amongst the small businesses and cafes on the street, the village fete closes the summer season and opens autumn
with engaging activities, including a Maypole and even a Dog Show.
Taking place across three different spacesBermondsey Street, Tanner Street Park and Leathermarket Gardens - each will have its own distinct character, with easy navigation between the spaces.
The offering in Tanner Street Park, surrounding the music stage, is being extended for the first time, with stalls flowing around the tennis court and more picnic and chill out areas for families to relax and enjoy the music. Piq-Nique, the homely French restaurant on the corner of Tanner Street and Bermondsey Street, will be opening their doors.
Celebrations this year will expand into Leathermarket Gardens, which will transform into
a Family Fun Hub, designed specially with the little ones in mind. With food and drink to enjoy, the gardens will host karaoke for kids, dancing and football.
The popular Holly & Lil Dog Show will return, alongside the Maypole queen and even more special guests in the Leathermarket Gardens and beyond.
Gena Johns, Festival Organiser, told us: “This year has been absolutely incredible in terms of community support and volunteer engagement. When we started planning back in early 2025, we hoped to build on last year's success, but the response has exceeded all our expectations.
“It just shows how much this festival means to our community. After months of planning with my colleague Leanne Durham, we can't wait to see everyone creating memories and enjoying everything our incredible local area has to offer.”
Alongside practical support on the day, volunteers have stepped up this year to join the behind-the-scenes planning team, displaying the grassroots support that makes the Bermondsey Street Festival the success that it is.
As a volunteer-run community event, the festival relies on the collaboration of local business sponsors and the dedication of the Bermondsey Street community. The team behind the festival are always looking for businesses who would like to support one of South London’s cherished traditions.
For sponsorship opportunities or to volunteer, contact: hello@bermondseystreetfestival.com
Date: 20th September 2025
Time: Stalls 11 am – 5.30 pm. Music 11 am – 7 pm
Tickets: Free to attend, no ticket required
Gena Johns, Festival Organiser
CRAFTS AND MUCH MORE
Evie Flynn
Huge new Leisure Centre opens in Canada Water
Abrand new leisure complex has been built in the heart of Canada Water to replace the 60-year old Seven Islands Leisure Centre located over the road.
The new centre contains a 25-metre swimming pool with eight lanes – shorter, but wider, than the 33-metre pool at Seven Islands.
There is also a second, smaller pool in a separate room designed for learners with a movable floor.
The new gym is on the ground floor and has plenty of natural light, with more than 150 pieces of gym equipment, many of which have adaptations designed to make them more accessible for disabled people.
The most eye-catching addition is the brand new four-court sports hall with space for football, badminton and more – a huge upgrade from Seven Islands, which never had one.
There are three group studios, including a spinning studio decked out with a sound system and pulsing lights, and a studio exclusively for yoga and pilates.
Fifty-nine classes will be on offer at the new centre. These include: Les Mills BODYBALANCE, Meditation, Silver Aqua Aerobics, Strength & Conditioning, Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, Sound Bath, Les Mills BODYPUMP, Les Mills Pilates, Cycl’H2O (Aqua Cycling), Dance Fitness, Boxercise. A standard membership includes access to exercise classes, the spinning studio, the gym and the pool and costs £43.99.
Those willing to pay out a bit extra can buy a premium membership which costs £57.99 a month and includes 14-day priority booking for classes (compared to a 7-day
booking window for those on the standard membership).
Both memberships are also valid at any of Southwark Council’s other gyms.
If you are a Southwark resident, you will also be eligible to use the gym for free at certain times of the day as part of the council’s free gym and swim programme, which you can find out about at www.southwarkleisure.co.uk
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 6:30am to 10pm, Saturday: 7am to 6pm, Sunday: 7am to 10pm
7 Deal Porters Way, London SE16 2AJ
Issy Clarke
067_BB_Big Draw-Festival 2025_0925.indd
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Bitesize
By Emily Driver and Evie Flynn
OKTOBER FEST AT BIERKELLER:
The Bermondsey Bierkeller is bringing the spirit of Germany to the heart of Bermondsey with the return of Oktoberfest celebrations this autumn. Long tables, steins of authentic German beer, and traditional German food promise to capture the essence of the world’s most iconic beer hall festival.
The festival fun starts with the grand opening party on the 20th September, and continues every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday until the 31st October. Dress up in your best traditional Bavarian garms and prepare to be taken to cloud-stein by fire breathers, live oompah bands, stilt walkers and DJ nights. The Bierkeller promises an experience to remember (beers consumed dependent).
“Oktoberfest is all about bringing people together, and we want our guests to feel like they’re part of something bigger than just a night out. Whether you’re joining us for the beer, the Schnitzels, or the Bavarian bands, we want to give Bermondsey the most authentic Oktoberfest experience in London,” organisers say.
There are a range of packages to choose from, or you can pay £5.50 for general entry. The bronze package is £27.50 which includes one drink per person and a guaranteed seat. The silver package is £56.70, including two drinks. For the whole experience, you can pay £95.40 for the ‘Oktober-Feast Package’ for a range of drinks and German inspired food.
Get your hands floury in Comptoir’s pastry-making workshops, teaching you how to bake a croissant, pain au chocolat, and pain aux raisin.
Gains the skills and flair of French baking, perfecting the buttery classics in a three hour tailored workshop.
Prices start at £87.50pp and include a sweet treat and Comptoir apron to take home.
Maltby St, London SE1 3PB
SMOK’D AT BRITTANIA PUB:
The spirit of American pit masters has come to SE1 but with a distinct British touch. Picture flame-grilled BBQ ribs paired with the traditional trimmings of an English roast dinner.
Alongside their BBQ, they offer burgers and their Burger of the Month (BOTM) for £17, which explores new flavours and combinations each month. For September, it’s ‘The Heart and Seoul’: Beef patty, bulgogi beef, shichimi, cheese, pea shoot salad, red cabbage soy mayo on a brioche bun. Vegan options are available too.
Prices for mains range from £13 to £23.
44 Kipling St, London SE1 3RU
SUSHI CO:
The Sushi Co has come to Tower Bridge Road, featuring a ‘live sushi kitchen’, where sushi is made fresh to order in front of customers. The new shop offers both eat-ins and takeaways, an ideal option for a quick lunch or sit-down dinner. They currently have a 30% off opening offer with sushi. You can expect to pay around £10 for a poke bowl, £5 for eight pieces of hosomaki (thin rolls), £11 for uramaki (inside out sushi) and £7.50 for four pieces of nigiri.
112 Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 3NG
A Tower Bridge Road opening specialising in ‘smashed burgers’, which are a thinner, crispier well-seared patty as opposed to the thicker regular burger.
There’s also vegetarian options, with haloumi wraps, or a ‘green burger’ if you don’t want to miss out on their burger specialty. The ‘classic smash’ is £8.95 or opt for a more decadent burger in the £14.95 ‘tower burger’, a mash beef pattie with crispy fillet melted cheese, caramelised onions, and special theory sauce.
114 Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 3NG
THE SMASH THEORY:
Wellnest: calm amidst the chaos of London
WellNest, a new wellness hub under the London Bridge arches, brings together a spa, café, and studio space for a holistic escape in the heart of the city.
Open since July this year, Wellnest was built to create calm amidst the chaos of central London. Under the guidance of two co-founders, Wissem and Hubert, the space is becoming a home away from home for busy workers and residents.
The space occupies one of the arches a few minutes from London Bridge and is a large purpose-built space to provide the ultimate wellness experience.
Spread over two floors, the spa, studio and cafe are open to members on a monthly payment basis, or to non-members who want to book drop-in spa or studio sessions.
Memberships start at £119 for a studio or spa-only membership and £159 per month for a premium membership, which includes access to both spaces.
Their Nordic-style spa, with a total capacity of 60 people, features saunas that accommodate either 18 or 30 guests, and two-person ice baths, all designed to alternate easily between hot and cold temperatures.
In the studio, twelve expert practitioners teach yoga, reformer pilates, mat pilates, breath work and dance. Their cafe serves shakes, fresh juice, coffee, matcha
and a selection of healthy light meal options, like avocado brunch and paninis.
The venture was founded by Wissem Souadi and Hubert Schwandt, and there’s a team of ten people working across front of house and the cafe. Hubert also co-founded GymNation on Druid Street in 2023.
“Everyone who has membership is saying it was what was missing from the area,” Farrah, the general manager tells us. “They described it like a second home to switch off from the world and the stress of being in central London.”
Farrah says that many of WellNest’s members are people who are sat at their desks all day and they are in the process of creating a co-working space, designed for
members to have a break from working at home.
She adds: “We are creating a community of likeminded people who are really interested in wellnessit’s not just about exercise, everything is tailored to your wellbeing as a whole.”
Within the next few months, WellNest are transforming their spa to include treatment rooms, providing longevity treatments, massages and facials. They are also passionate about building connections with other businesses in London Bridge and have collaborated with a local tea and skincare company to build their offering.
Alongside rolling memberships and drop-in sessions, they also offer corporate memberships designed for
offices and rent out their space for events on the weekends.
Their summer half-price code for memberships will be running until the end of September and early weeks of October: SUMMER50.
To learn more, visit: https://www.wellnest.london/ 7-9 Crucifix Lane, London SE1 3JW
Evie Flynn
Anspach & Hobday, a Bermondsey-based independent craft brewer, has had its London Black voted the No. 1 British Beer of 2025 in the Top 50 UK Beer Awards.
Last year, Anspach & Hobday’s ‘London Black’ was fifth place, but the pour described as “a creamy, smooth, and sessionable nitro porter” climbed to the top of the ranks.
Some punters have previously dubbed it Bermondsey’s answer to Guinness, as Anspach & Hobday are based on the Bermondsey Beer Mile.
“The whole team is incredibly proud and grateful for this award,” Paul Anspach, co-founder of Anspach & Hobday brewery said. “London Black is the lifeblood of Anspach & Hobday, and is a distillation of who we are as a brewery and a business.
“As our contribution to London’s rich and diverse
‘Bermondsey’s Guinness’ -
Abigail Finney
THE BEER MILE NITRO PORTER THAT’S THE BEST BEER IN THE UK
brewing scene, we are proud to be reaffirming Porter as the original beer of London.”
Now in its second year, The Top 50 UK Beer Awards, celebrates the best-selling, best made and most influential beers currently available in the UK, organised and curated by beer experts We Are Beer, who also run the annual London Craft Beer Festival.
Reflecting recent trends and the changing habits of what Brits like to drink at the pub, there has been a continued old school cask resurgence, with high quality cask beer at the forefront – three of which made the top 10 – Landlord (No. 2), Five Points Best (No. 5) and St Austell Proper Job (No. 7).
Fruit beers are also proving to be popular amongst beer drinkers, especially young drinkers. Blurring the lines between beers and other drinks, the likes of Jubel Peach (No. 15) and Vault City Triple Fruited Mango (No. 10) appear high in the Top 50.
WHY IS THERE A LARGE STEEL BOX ON THE ELEPHANT AND CASTLE ROUNDABOUT?
The large steel box on the Elephant and Castle roundabout is a Cold War-era memorial to scientific pioneer Michael Faraday and was once designed to shine with violet light.
The Michael Faraday memorial and substation is a grade II listed sculpture to commemorate the chemist and physicist Faraday (1791-1867), who lived locally for the first five years of his life.
It serves an important function and houses a London Underground electrical substation, which is needed to power the Northern and Bakerloo lines at the neighbouring Tube station.
The memorial was designed by architect Rodney Gordon and built in 1961 to celebrate Michael Faraday’s ground breaking work in electricity and magnetism. Gordon had just graduated from the Architectural Association School.
But, the final steel design came after a number of intriguing but ultimately abandoned proposals.
Gordon originally designed an inverted glass pyramid which would allow drivers and pedestrians to see the inner workings of the substation.
The glass exterior would have allowed a flashing violet light, created from mercury rectifiers.
However, worried about vandalism and distracting passing motorists on the busy gyratory, the design was scrapped. The chosen design, a stainless steel box, was even originally planned to float over a moat.
Faraday’s local connections are remembered on a plaque embedded on the floor, which reads: “This stainless steel sculpture commemorates Michael Faraday (1791-1867) English chemist and physicist know for his research into electricity and magnetism who lived locally.”
Faraday’s parents moved to Elephant and Castle from Westmoreland in the North West of England in 1786. They lived in Newington Butts, an area that included what is now Elephant and Castle, until 1796, when Faraday was five.
Faraday invented the electric motor, transformer
and generator. The applications of his discoveries were immense, from trains and computers, to satellites and mobile phones. Anything electrical uses the principles that Faraday discovered.
The memorial was given Grade II listed status in June 1996, but plans in the early 2000s to redevelop the Elephant and Castle roundabout meant it was at risk of being moved.
The structure was also inaccessible to the public for many years, who couldn’t get to it safely in the middle of the roundabout.
Rodney Gordon returned his attention to the structure he created fifty years later. In a YouTube video, published in 2007, Rodney said: “My first job was to work on a new project for the Elephant and Castle - I designed it in 1958 to 1959 and now I’ve come back to dealing with it at the end of my career.
“It is very fashionable to kick your architects who designed in the ‘60s and say ‘look at the terrible things they built’ but things move so fast these days, you’re out of fashion within a couple of years.
“English Heritage have decided it was an iconic building of sorts, but the trouble is people didn’t know what it was and they need the site for the new development and they have to bring it down.”
Rodney Gordon was also responsible for the now demolished Tricorn Centre in Portsmouth and the Trinity Centre, Gateshead, also demolished.
Instead of being moved to a new site near Walworth Road, the memorial stayed put after the development project changed their plans to keep the roundabout.
Last year, campaigners from the C20 Society, a group protecting modern architecture, urged that the memorial was “looking in need of some care and conservation.”
“We’d urge TfL to consult with specialists to ensure the correct approaches are taken to ongoing conservation and maintenance.”
A C20 spokesperson said that there have been no updates yet.
Evie Flynn
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 ”
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
ingredients creates the genuine and authentic Italian ‘Mamma style’ food.
Bianca Road Brew Co’s taproom expansion and the Bermondsey Beer Mile community
Bianca Road Brew Co, an independent brewery on Bermondsey’s much-loved Beer Mile, got new owners and an expanded taproom this summer, thanks to the donations of punters.
The brewery, a recognisable name on one of Bermondsey’s most iconic streets, migrated from Bianca Road in Peckham in 2019, before finding their home on Enid Street.
After a rewards-based crowdfunding initiative under new ownership, the space transformed this summer, with a new taproom space and comfortable outdoor seating.
The venture is now run by five friends and long-term colleagues, who took over the brewery in May this year after its founder, Reece Wood, decided to move on to pastures new.
Three of the owners, Matt Simpson, Terry Staples and Jordan Fancy, were original Bianca Road workers with significant experience in the brewing industry, who decided to take the reins from Reece.
Matt runs all things operations, Terry heads up sales and Jordan takes care of the beer as head brewer. The three friends brought in reinforcements, with Denis Ratliff and Andrew Fleming also co-owners in advisory roles.
Terry said: “We have all worked in beer for a long time, so when we got the opportunity to take it on, we wanted to make it our own, but also keep all the good things it already stands for.”
The Bianca Road team wanted to mark the new era with something big. Experiencing rapid expansion and community support, they were readily outgrowing their arches, and a new taproom space was needed.
In July this year, the team took to social media
to announce their crowdfunding initiative, a donation-based scheme to raise both funds and awareness for their new taproom space.
However, their approach was unique. Punters could pledge their support, but unlike traditional fundraising, the money would then be doubled to be spent in beer when the new space opened.
Aiming for £20,000 to redesign the empty railway arch, credit could be spent either in the taproom or in their online shop. For example, if you gave £20, you would get £40 back to spend.
Terry said: “The crowdfunding really helped, it was a great way to engage with people and bring attention to the new taproom and whatever we could raise was so helpful.”
The new taproom had a quick turnaround and was open for a soft launch by the end of August.
“The old taproom had served its purpose,” said Terry. “We’ve reorganised the bar, the furniture is so much nicer, with no more picnic benches.”
There’s a few finishing touches left for Terry and the team, but the brewery now occupies three arches and the outdoor space has also doubled.
So far, they have received great feedback on the transformed space, particularly the new
comfortable space inside, ready for winter evenings.
Bianca Road have found what Terry described as their “forever home” in Bermondsey, nestled on Enid Street.
The beer mile is now home to a range of
businesses, not just breweries. Terry says: “I have been on the beer mile scene for a long time, when it started just three or four of us popped up and there was a lot of sharing ingredients.”
He says that collaborative spirit has remained, even as the businesses and beer mile itself continues to expand. “Everyone helps each other,” he said. “It’s not just beer, there’s Borough cheese, bakeries and wine bars. We feel a bit like it’s us against the world.”
We asked Terry what the future holds for Bianca Road. He said: “We want to expand the options for people and let them know it’s not just a brewery.
“You don’t have to like beer to come, we want it to be a space for everyone whatever you enjoy.”
Longterm, they want to grow the brand to get in more pubs and bars and explore new retail spaces.
Location: 82 Enid Street, London, SE16
Opening times:
Wednesday - Thursday: 16:00 - 22:00
Friday: 16:00 - 23:00
Saturday: 13:00 - 23:00
Sunday: 13:00 - 18:00
q The Bianca Road team
Evie Flynn
Sammy’s at The Yellow House: a fresh chapter for a beloved Surrey Quays favourite
When The Yellow House restaurant closed its doors in January after 21 years in Surrey Quays, it felt like the end of an era. But just a few weeks later, a familiar team returned to the same spot with Sammy’s at The Yellow House, a new venture that feels more like a gentle evolution than a radical rebrand.
“We met up a couple of times during January to discuss the closure and the future, and that was when Samuel proposed a ‘pop-up’ Valentine’s Day menu,” says co-founder Jaime.
“The weekend was a success and we received terrific feedback, which encouraged us to open Sammy’s during the weekends at first, and then five days each week from the end of March 2025.”
For over two decades, The Yellow House was a much-loved fixture in the neighbourhood, known for its wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas and warm, understated charm. And while the name on the sign has changed, the spirit inside remains intact. Chefs Samuel, (who worked at the Yellow House for 17 years) and Jaime (one of its cofounders), are now leading the charge at Sammy’s, serving up thoughtful, seasonal cooking that blends French bistro staples with the odd fiery, fusion surprise.
They’ve kept a lot of the old favourite dishes, including their steak specials, they explain. “Over the years we realised that our customers also enjoy the choice of a few spicier dishes, such as the crispy chilli prawns with red onion & saffron khichdi, so we include a few of these from time to time to keep the menu interesting for our regulars.”
The menu shifts weekly, but recent standouts
include grilled English lamb with Mediterranean vegetables and olive tapenade, a dish that’s fast becoming a signature. Steaks are a house specialty, with Samuel’s classical French cooking background coming through with each plate. And the woodfired oven is still serving up pizzas, like they used to at the Yellow House.
The team are planning a gentle refurbishment later this year, with the aim of transforming the bar and lounge into a cosy, candlelit space. They say they are “excited and optimistic about plans to transform the bar area later this year into a cosy French-style Sammy’s bistro & wine bar.”
Given its spot on a busy junction (and the disruption of Canada Water’s ongoing redevelopment), Sammy’s could easily feel like an overlooked corner of south London, but not once you step inside.
There’s a terrace for summer evenings, a logburning stove for winter dinners, and a welcome that feels personal and familiar.
For Surrey Quay locals, and anyone craving classic comfort food with a dash of flair, Sammy’s is worth the trip.
Sammy’s offers steak night specials on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, including a choice steak frites or grilled spicy chicken & fries (and a couple of other options) for £15 each.
The kitchen is open from 5:30pm on Wednesdays to Saturdays, and from 2pm until 7:30pm on Sundays. Sammy’s Bistro, 126 Lower Road, SE16 2UE sammysbistro.co.uk
Chef Jaime Sammy's Steak Frites
Chef Samuel Barman James
Louisa Woolf
Canada Water comes alive
Canada Water has a brand-new reason to get excited – the Canada Water Leisure Centre is now open. Alongside welcoming public spaces, and an ever-growing choice of shops, restaurants and leisure spots, it’s helping to create a lively, fun place for everyone to enjoy. Here’s a look at some of the highlights and why now’s the perfect time to come and explore.
Getting sporty
The Canada Water Leisure Centre replaces the old Seven Islands centre with a state-of-the-art facility. With twice as many fitness classes compared with its predecessor, it’s easier than ever to find a session that fits your schedule, whether you’re looking for something to get your heart pumping in your lunch break or a way to get active at the weekend.
Facilities include an eight-lane swimming pool, a learner pool, a world-class gym with cutting-edge equipment, studios for yoga and indoor cycling, and a sports hall perfect for basketball, badminton and more. The centre is designed with inclusivity at its heart, featuring pool hoists, adjustable-height gym equipment and spacious lifts that accommodate wheelchair users, ensuring accessibility for all.
More ways to move
The new leisure centre adds to a sports scene that has been expanding rapidly over the past few years. For bouldering head to The Arch in Surrey Quays Shopping Centre. You’ll find routes catering to everyone from complete beginners and children, to experienced climbers, and the only equipment you need is climbing shoes, which can be hired on site.
The summer months are also a great time to check out Surrey Docks Fitness and Watersports Centre. This is the place to try activities including wild swimming, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, rowing and paddleboarding – on Greenland Dock, a historic remnant once plied by 18th-century whaling ships.
Canada Water is home to over 130 acres of green and blue spaces, which you can explore while keeping fit with our 5k running or walking route. It crosses only one major road, and you can find a map at: canadawater.co.uk/news/5kcw
New padel courts
Adding to the list of reasons to visit, a set of brand-new padel courts now overlook the dock, offering the world’s fastest growing racket sport for all ages to enjoy.
A taste of things to come
Canada Water is fast becoming a food and drink destination with a refreshing line-up of independents and well-loved names opening this autumn.
The Village Tree is the third eatery from the husband and wife team behind locally-renowned Pear Tree Cafe and The Barn at Surrey Docks Farm. It will offer all-day refreshment featuring signature coffee from Caravan alongside small bites and wine in the evening, making it an ideal day-to-night spot.
Overlooking Dock Office Gardens and adjacent to the entrance of the leisure centre, Sushi Revolution is building on the success of its popular Brixton and Shoreditch locations, bringing a taste of Japan to SE16.
Wine aficionados and casual sippers alike are also anticipating the arrival of Vagabond Wines. Bringing the brand’s signature self-pour machines with over 100 different wines to sample by the glass, it will also be home to the UK’s largest urban winery, meaning visitors can see, smell, taste, and enjoy wine at every stage of its journey.
Kick back and relax
Canada Water is certainly buzzing, but anyone looking for a bit of downtime will find plenty of places to chill. The open-plan seating and free Wi-Fi at Corner Corner – which also features live music and food hall supplied by the on-site vertical farm – make it a great spot to meet friends or just get a change of scenery. Outdoor spots to escape the hustle and bustle include the green escape of Dock Office Gardens and the steps down to the water’s edge at the revitalised Canada Dock
There’s still time to catch the musical and highly Instagrammable art installation Trumpet Flowers, on display until September 22 and you can also watch the Women’s Rugby World Cup on the outdoor Canada Water Screen until September 27.
Whether you’re itching for action or looking to take it easy, Canada Water really does have reasons for everyone to get out and about.
Canada Water Leisure Centre is the place to come for swimming, yoga, ball sports and more
Just minutes from London Bridge station, restaurant Lahpet Larder serves up Burmese culinary delights from a small but vibrant restaurant at the northern end of Bermondsey Street.
Lahpet Larder is the third branch of the small chain, which was founded by Dan Anton and Zaw Mahesh, both of whom have Burmese heritage and wanted to introduce Londoners to the delights of Myanmar’s food (which Lahpet refers to as Burma).
The restaurant started out as a food truck in Maltby Street Market in 2016 before opening in its first bricks-and-mortar premises in Shoreditch in 2018, followed by Covent Garden in 2022, and Bermondsey Street last July.
Burmese food includes elements of Thai, Indian and Chinese food, but also has its own distinctive character. For example, Lahpet gets its name from the Burmese word for pickled tea leaves which are a regional speciality (on the menu you can try a pickled tea leaf salad). Other Burmese traditional dishes on Lahpet’s menu include the pickled ginger and dried bean salad and the pork curry with bean paste.
The Bermondsey Street location is small, seating about 90 people, and has a vibrant, modern feel. We went on a Thursday evening and it was fully booked (if you can, I’d recommend trying to bag a window table looking out onto Bermondsey Street, which offers unrivalled people-watching opportunities).
As we sipped on cocktails - a sweet Lychee Plum Spritz for me (£12.50) and a Margarita (£13, which had an unusual, although not unpleasant, smoky taste) for my sister - we ordered a variety of small and large dishes from the menu to share. The menu is split into meat, fish, salad and veg, with prices ranging from around £5-8 for a small plate to up to £25 for a meat-based main. We started with the salmon ceviche salad tossed with papaya and bean sprouts (£14) - crunchy, light and refreshing, although definitely on the spicier side. We also had a fried chicken roll (£8.50), which was delicious. My standout dish of the evening was the sweetcorn fritters (£6.50). Doughy, crispy and sweet, accompanied by a punchy tamarind dip - these were absolutely sensational. For our mains, we ordered the chicken coconut noodles (£14.50) and the braised aubergine (£13). Both were rich and flavourful, although a little more chicken would have made the noodles perfect. The aubergine was cooked in a masala sauce which reminded me of an Indian vegetarian curry - both dishes were good, but neither quite rivalled the excellence of the sweetcorn fritter.
We couldn’t leave without trying a pudding. There were only two options on the menu, and we went for the coconut, pandan and sago pudding (£9) which was spongy, refreshing and delicious. Overall, the bill arrived at £102 for two people, with 12.5 per cent service included - not out of keeping with many of the other restaurants on Bermondsey Street. I couldn’t fault the servicethe team were lovely and made us feel incredibly welcome. However the portions are on the smaller side, so you definitely need to order several menu items when there for dinner.
Lahpet Review
Issy Clarke
BRINGING BURMESE FLAVOURS TO BERMONDSEY STREET
Lahpet founder Dan Anton
q Salmon ceviche
q Main courses
FThe Bottle Factory:
A 126-YEAR-OLD INDUSTRIAL SPACE REVIVED ON THE OLD KENT ROAD
rom London’s oldest family-run gin distillery to its only fully sustainable coffee roastery, the Bottle Factory near the Old Kent Road is a creative workspace with a fascinating history.
The 126-year-old Victorian building, a stones throw from Burgess Park and the Old Kent Road, was once home to the famous bottling brand, J Mills & Sons.
The factory, which once bottled mineral water, lemonade and ginger beer, has undergone a transformative restoration project. However, its industrial charm remains, with exposed brick, original flooring and heaps of natural light.
The space has been transformed into a creative workspace, hosting numerous businesses, including a temporary art gallery with a twist and a sustainable paint company.
We spoke to four of the standout businesses, who all have sustainability and community at their core.
Thames Distillery is an independent gin rectifier, processor and bottler, who relocated to the Bottle House in the factory courtyard in August last year. However, their familial presence in the London gin scene has been around far longer.
Owner Charles Maxwell’s family lineage can be traced back to 1740, when Joseph Bishop founded the Finsbury Distillery, which Charles then joined in 1976, becoming the tenth continuous generation in the business.
The business began its life in Clapham in 1996, with Charles looking to preserve his family’s rich tradition, but still keep an eye on the future of distilling.
They have now moved to the Bottle Factory and their premises is equipped with the distillery itself, tasting rooms, offices, and a cocktail bar for hosting clients and
Evie Flynn
private events.
Ockju Lee is a distiller at the site, whose family had a long tradition of gin distilling. Originally from Korea, she studied the craft in Scotland, gaining a Masters in Brewing and Distilling from Heriot-Watt University, before bringing her unique skills to London.
The team have created over 300 different gins, vodkas and other spirits. Ockju explains one of her favourite creations: a Korean-inspired gin using botanicals like porella leaves, black sesame leaves, and omija five-flavour berries. Ockju oversees all on-site distillation projects, with three or four distillations per week. Each distillation produces around 14,000 bottles of gin.
The distillery itself features two 500-litre pot stills, which they have been affectionately named Tom Thumb and Thumbelina and are the last ever stills built by John Dore in 1984.
Recently joining the mix of businesses is The London Coffee Factory, who have installed a new zero-emissions roastery in their new space. The London Coffee Factory own and supply beans to Hej Coffee and Social Impact Coffee, two purpose-driven coffee brands.
Hej Coffee is their original cafe, located on Rodney Road in Elephant and Castle. The Swedish word ‘hej’ means hello and the team took inspiration from the simplicity of Scandi coffee.
Social Impact Coffee is their new community-focused CIC, where 65 per cent of their profits are put into local charities and community initiatives.
Within the Bottle Factory, the team’s pièce de résistance is London’s first clean-air roastery, which is set for a full scale launch this month, and will produce coffee beans for delivery all over the capital. The innovative
Charles Maxwell, founder Thames Distillery
roastery produces no pollutants or emissions and runs entirely on renewable electricity, rather than gas. The fumes produced then go through a filter, pushing out only clean air. But their eco-conscious efforts don’t stop there. All their coffee is delivered using reusable containers on electric vehicles or bikes, with empties collected, like a traditional milk round.
The London Coffee Factory’s space is also decked out with panels made from recycled coffee cups and the surfaces are made of reclaimed oak from the Royal Docks. They say this expansion is helping them serve the many businesses in London who have a growing interest in sustainable, ethical coffee.
Working with large corporations as well as small businesses, the new eco-roastery highlights a cleaner future for coffee production. John Whelan, community manager at the Bottle Factory, highlights this as a key goal, commenting: “Sustainability runs through everything we do within the building including the reusing and repurposing of various building materials which have been used within the space.”
OHSH Projects, founded by Henry Hussey and Sophia Olver, also has a prime spot in the factory, using the currently unused event space. The project began during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Henry noticed the stark increase in empty buildings and reached out to landlords to see if he could put these spaces to good use.
From there, OHSH Projects was born, hosting short term exhibitions in otherwise unused spaces, free of charge. Henry described how he loves transforming “ugly spaces”, giving them a new life and even providing a practical benefit for landlords by deterring squatters. “Traditional galleries are having a really hard time,” Henry explained. “Our new approach means we can’t go bankrupt.”
The event space at the factory was described by Henry as an ideal local and “exciting place to make art” due to its
industrial, earthy feel. They have hosted six exhibitions in the space so far and have a new show opening in Deptford soon, where they will invite South London-based artists to apply. Originally a loading bay for the Bottle Factory, the original flooring, brickwork and pillars have been uncovered, which Henry said is something different from the “white cube” environment of modern galleries.
Their PEDIGREE exhibition is currently on display until the 12 September in the event space, open to the public Thursday to Saturday, 12-5pm.
Featuring work from eighteen artists in their twenties to their sixties, the exhibition explores how the domesticated dog reflects the instincts, structures and contradictions of human behaviour.
Recently joining the Bottle Factory with their new London studio and workshop is Atelier Ellis, an independent paint manufacturer. Founded by designer Cassandra Ellis, the high-quality, breathable bio-based paints use no plastics and have virtually no smell.
Cassandra’s work focuses on creating emotionally resonant spaces through colour. The company combines traditional, water-based manufacturing processes with locally sourced, natural materials.
As Debbie, director of impact at Fabrix, the company who runs the factory, says: “The Bottle Factory is special on so many levels. A beautiful set of former industrial buildings, tucked away in an area of London undergoing a huge amount of change, that we have had the privilege of bringing back into modern, sustainable use.”
The eclectic mix of businesses has transformed this corner of Old Kent Road into an entrepreneurial hub, keeping sustainability and heritage at the forefront of their vision.
In just three years since Greystar took on the former Peek Freans biscuit factory site, Pearl Yard Bermondsey is almost ready to open its doors. Early 2026 will mark a milestone for Bermondsey as the first residents move into a development that combines new homes, shared spaces and community spirit in one of London’s most characterful neighbourhoods.
Homes Designed for Modern Living
The apartments at Pearl Yard Bermondsey have been created with city life in mind. From lightfilled studios to generous three-bedroom homes, each one balances style with practicality, offering contemporary finishes, private balconies and layouts that make the most of every square foot. Built for renters, every detail has been considered to make life simpler and more enjoyable, whether that’s clever storage, flexible spaces for home working, or kitchens designed for both everyday cooking and entertaining.
Amenities That Bring People Together
Pearl Yard Bermondsey is about more than the apartments themselves. Residents will benefit from a range of shared amenities that make daily life easier and create opportunities to connect. An inviting entrance lobby sets the tone, while
Living the Pearl Yard Bermondsey Story
lounges, co-working areas and games rooms pro-vide spaces to relax or spend time with neighbours. Wellness has also been prioritised, with a fully equipped gym and yoga studio just steps from home. A dedicated on-site team will be on hand around the clock, providing support with everything from parcel collection to maintenance, so residents can focus on enjoying their homes.
Inspired by Bermondsey’s Heritage
The design of the development has been shaped by its setting on the historic grounds of the Peek Freans factory, birthplace of the famous Pearl Biscuit. References to Bermondsey’s industrial past are reflected in materials and detailing, while landscaped outdoor spaces bring light and greenery to the site. This blending of old and new ensures Pearl Yard Bermondsey feels rooted in local heritage while creating something fresh for the community today.
Part of the Neighbourhood Story
At its heart, Pearl Yard Bermondsey is intended
to feel part of the wider neighbourhood, not apart from it. Bermondsey has long been known for its creativity, culture and strong sense of identity, and this development builds on those foundations. The ambition is to create a place that residents are proud to call home and that the local community recognises as part of Bermondsey’s evolving story.
Delivered by Rental Housing Experts
Behind the project is Greystar, a global rental housing specialist with almost 30 years of experience investing in, operating and managing homes. In the UK, Greystar provides professionally managed rental apartments and student accommodation designed to make life simpler, with great amenities, flexible leases and on-site teams that put residents first. That expertise ensures Pearl Yard Bermondsey will be more than just a new development - it will be a well-run, well-connected community for the long term.
Book a Tour Today
Tours are now open for those who want to be among the first to see inside. Pearl Yard Bermondsey is set to become a new landmark in SE16 - a place where history and modern living meet.
Get in touch!
Find out more, share your ideas or book a tour by visiting:
W: www.pearlyardbermondsey.com
P: 020 3987 5558
E: hello@pearlyardbermondsey.com
Greystar is a real estate agent and developer with nearly 30 years’ experience investing, delivering, and managing rental housing. We are responsible for delivering over 4000 residential units across the UK and have a strong track record of investing in the community and delivering long-term value for residents.
Oca yoga - a haven and home on
Decima Street
Taking my first class at new yoga studio Oca, I realise I’ve never been to one quite like it in London.
Everyone is friendly, hugging each other and catching up before and after, and the vibe is more like a tight knit group of friends, or family.
Oca opened in Decima Street earlier this year on the site of a former metal printworks. Set up by founder and yoga teacher Gabi Ribeiro, the practice is inspired not just by the culture and history of yoga, but also her family’s roots in the indigenous communities of the Brazilian Amazon.
“The passion behind Oca was for it to be a home, a home for those ancient practices, and our modern practices for our day to day lives,” she tells us.
“Oca means home in the Tupi-Guarani language and, for these indigenous people, it would be a circular building and centre of their community.
Alongside offering every type of yoga imaginable for every ability, there are sound baths, cacao ceremonies and meditation classes and Brazilian dance classes, with support from a team of teachers. And, the building itself also reflects the concept of Oca, with all natural equipment, cork mats and sustainable wood cladding.
Gabi grew up in Rio de Janeiro and moved to
She began teaching yoga in 2013 and this is her first studio where, as director, she oversees a team of instructors, and hopes the studio will become part of the wider community and give people the chance to find their community while taking care of mind and body.
Gabi’s community yoga class is welcome to all, including absolute beginners, for a discounted price of £10. Regular weekly or monthly packages are also available. Use the code SOUTHWARK50 for 50% off all classes.
www.ocalondon.com 17-19 Decima Street, SE1 4QR
London aged 18. Since then, she has always lived in South London, and made Bermondsey her home five years ago.
Eliza Frost
Evie Flynn
The Rotherhithe Shed
REPAIRS, UP-CYCLING AND BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS
The Rotherhithe Shed has for the past eleven years helped isolated people come together to make props, repair and upcycle items, but is in desperate need of funding.
It has been open two afternoons a week, but the Shed is now operating just one afternoon due to financial constraints.
This much-loved community project is appealing to the public for just £6,000 to run for a term and is looking for potential funders for support to bring back a second weekly session that was recently cut due to funding shortfalls.
It gives older people the tools, access and space to work on do-it-yourself projects and provides a vital space for people to build friendships, all for free.
The Shed is a collaborative initiative between local charities London Bubble Theatre and Time & Talents and has welcomed over 200 people through its doors. It’s open to both men and women aged 55 and over, catering to all abilities, with full disability access.
Alan Clarke-Wilson, a regular and one of the driving forces behind the current fundraising effort, said: “We recognise what an important part of people’s life it is, more than what you could ever think.”
“People here have had such a wide range of life experiences. We’ve got lorry drivers, window cleaners, teachers, engineers. That’s what gives it its strength.”
“It’s not what we make or build or fix,” another
member reflected. “It’s the value of people having somewhere to come, where they can feel comfortable, share space with others, and just be part of something. This place is diverse and relaxed.”
As well as personal projects, group workshops range from theatrical set building for the London Bubble Theatre. They recently enhanced a mobility scooter into a Christmas sleigh to deliver gifts to sheltered housing.
The attendees become experts in various upcycling structures, such as a yellow submarine and currently a Stephenson’s Rocket” also built from a mobility scooter. Some items are even sourced sustainably, fully repaired and donated to charity shops in the area to be sold.
Originally it was part of the Men’s Shed movement, a concept imported from Australia. However, the Rotherhithe Shed has embraced inclusivity from the outset. Today, around 30% of attendees are women.
Ray, a regular member, described how the Rotherhithe Shed has transformed his weekly schedule: “I only have limited mobility in one arm, so when you make something, or design something, you get a sense that you’ve achieved something. You feel part of a team and a community.”
The sessions are facilitated by paid staff members from both organisations, who are vital
Evie Flynn
Alan Clarke Wilson
to keep the workspace safe and provide technical support and guidance.
For safety, sessions are restricted to fifteen attendees, but with opening hours half what they used to be, sessions are oversubscribed, and a booking system has had to be put in place to help manage reduced capacity fairly. This has upset some members who miss the workshop’s open access setup.
“People have such diverse talents,” Helen Archer said. “But when you can only have fifteen people, it waters those talents down.”
Lucy Bradshaw, London Bubble Theatre’s Co-CEO, confirmed the challenge about space limitations: “We have more people wanting to come on a Thursday than we can accommodate. It wouldn’t be safe, as there are only so many people who can safely work in that size of space.”
The impact of The Rotherhithe Shed stretches far and wide in the south east London community. Lucy’s co-CEO at the London Bubble Theatre, Marie Vickers, explained: “This is the only free Shed in the area, and we therefore attract members from Southwark and beyond. All our projects are free to take part in, meaning that we reach people who wouldn’t normally be able to access creative activities.”
The Rotherhithe Shed has featured in short documentaries, showcased work at Southwark Park Galleries and celebrated ‘10 Years of Men’s Sheds’ at Parliament in 2024.
London Bubble Theatre on Elephant Lane, where the shed is based, is a small charity which promotes equal access to arts and culture, catering to the wellbeing needs of children, young people and older adults.
Marie added: “We are working really hard to fundraise and keep our community projects running, because we know how much of a lifeline they are to our members.
“We know that some people only leave their houses to come to The Rotherhithe Shed each week. Sadly, the funding situation means that we have had to reduce our services according to what we can afford and the people who feel that most are the more vulnerable members of the community.”
Both London Bubble and nearby Time & Talents rely on grants and funding to run.
However, arts and culture is experiencing reduced government funding, so they are forced to make cuts just to stay open, but not at their desired capability.
“It’s really frustrating being in the charity sector at the moment,’ said Lucy. “There is money out there, but how do you tap into it?
“There are so many really great organisations trying to access what is a diminishing pot of grant funding. Individual giving can make a huge difference to charities like ours, supporting us to keep spaces like the Rotherhithe Shed open.”
Ray added: “It helps people who are maybe just sitting at home doing nothing. So that’s why it’s good to have a place like this, it deserves the funding that it needs.”
Their £6,000 target means they can reinstate Monday sessions for a term while the charities continue to seek more funding from larger governing bodies and philanthropists.
To make a donation, please visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk click on the explore tab and search for Rotherhithe Shed.
q Raymond Kelly
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
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 2025 you will have just that opportunity as we will be holding Sixth Form Open Evenings for September 2026 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
Sixth Form/Year 12 Open Day Dates
Wednesday 24th September 2025 4.30-7.30pm / Wednesday 15th October 2025 1.30-6.30pm Wednesday 5th November 2025 4.30-7pm / Wednesday 26th November 2025 4.30-7pm
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!
Ann Smith: A life lived in SE16
Michael Holland
Because the Hatch family lived in just 3 rooms with no bathroom in Camilla Road, Mary Hatch demanded her baby was born in a hospital. With no room in Guy’s, Ann was born in St Giles’ Hospital in Camberwell, not what this family with roots in Bermondsey going back to the 17th century wanted. Nevertheless, all went well and Ann grew up in the house off The Blue until she was 13.
Ann’s parents worked locally; dad worked a few years at a shoemaker’s in Rotherhithe Street where the kindly man there taught him how to read and write properly after his education had been disrupted by the war. At 21 he became a docker. Mum worked in a Jewish dressmaker’s over the East End before getting into the office work that she always desired and retired after many years in the Borough Treasurer’s office in Spa Road.
In 1974 the family moved to the brand new Lucey Way flats, where all the kids would play ‘Tin Tan Tommy, Runouts, and Two Balls Up The Wall...’ Ann swore that she could still do it now, and even remembered some of the songs and moves that accompanied the balls bouncing off the wall. Skipping also got a mention and her love for playing football: ‘If I was young now I’d be a Lioness,’ she claims with confidence.
Family holidays would be spent at ‘quirky places that Mum found, which was great because we went all over the place and somewhere different every year,’ Ann ran off a list that included, Kingsdown, Isle of Wight, Hastings, Scotland and Germany. ‘Me and my brother Michael had a nice childhood, we done lots of things as a family.’
Ann’s education began in Kintore Way nursery and then Alma School where she left with very
Ann Aged 5
Ann
fond memories of teachers, all of whom she name-checks and even recalls some of the lessons.
Ann was a big fan of history and all the sports on offer, and these loves continued at secondary school, Aylwin: ‘I captained the hockey team,’ she says proudly, and tells of a Miss Killick who instilled in Ann a love of science and biology, both of which eventually featured greatly in her life despite the Careers Officer laughing at her when she said she wanted to work in those areas. ‘Bermondsey girls were expected to go into typing or hairdressing,’ she remembers. ‘That was our career options because we were from Bermondsey.’
While at Alma School, Ann was introduced to the Girl Guides: ‘The 3rd North Bermondsey Group - Forget-Me-Not Patrol,’ she recalls with her chin up and shoulders back. ‘I loved being a Guide,’ adds the woman who, many years later when her own daughter Katherine joined, marched right back into that world by helping out at camp before then becoming a Guide Leader, and the District Commissioner... Ann would still be there if it wasn’t for her mother’s current health problems.
Ann left Sixth Form with CSEs and ‘O’ Levels and joined the world of work. After a summer in a Bermondsey Street chemist’s she applied for an apprenticeship with the ILEA as a Science Technician, which involved three days at college and two days working in a school.
This was the beginning of lifelong learning for Ann in her chosen career that took in many exams, many schools across London(including several in Southwark), a degree, and finds her now as Senior Science Technician at Bishop Thomas Grant School in Streatham, where she has been for 25 years. She says of her work: ‘The best thing is the fulfilment you get from seeing the kids reach their potential - whatever level that isthere’s no other job like it... The rewards from it are astronomical.’
When school gave way to going out as grownups, Ann could be found in the Tiger Tavern on Tower Hill, The Fellmongers or The Victoria drinking ‘Cinzano and lemonade’ she laughs. ‘In the late 70s we would go to “The Best Disco in
Town” in the Lyceum.” And, of course, there were several Old Kent Road pubs that Ann and her friends would also frequent in its heyday.
Ann Hatch met Colin Smith at the squash club in the Elephant & Castle Leisure Centre when she went with a friend and Colin went with his. They became closer and, miraculously, the two teams married each other! In due course, Colin, a true gentleman, got down on one knee in Davy’s Wine Bar, Greenwich, and proposed. ‘He did it all proper, he asked my mum and dad for my hand in marriage first.’ They had their wedding in St James’s Church, where Ann’s parents wed, and their reception on a barge on the Thames.
Their first home was in Blick House, Neptune Street, before moving to their current home on the Rotherhithe Peninsular where Surrey Docks once serviced the ships that brought and departed with cargo.
The wanderlust her mum instilled into her, Ann has passed on to her own children, Katherine and James. She likes to travel this country and abroad, and has a long list of places still to tick off.
For Ann the greatest thing about Bermondsey is the people: ‘You get what you get with them, you may not like it but they’ll tell you straight... Plus, the sense of community here.’
And community is something that Ann strongly admires; she is chair of the Southwark Park Association and also gives guided history tours of her beloved Bermondsey around the docks and where some of the area’s famous factories once stood when this area was mainly industrial: ‘Miss Pearson and Miss Gibbons were the teachers that reinforced my love of history so I try to keep the Bermondsey spirit alive and our history alive because we’ve got more history than you can shake a stick at,’ she concludes nobly.
Ann has researched her heritage and found records showing that her mother’s side of the family have worked on, or close by, the Thames for 400 years: ‘They were watermen back then - the taxi drivers of their day.’
I think that explains why Ann Smith has always lived close to the docks or the river - A life lived in SE16.
Ann & Colin marry in St James’s
Ann with her dad
Ann with her Mum q Ann science experiment
The Pride Of Bermondsey
Ishould think that most customers shopping at Sainsbury’s in Spa Road pass by those crumbling old gates outside without a thought to what they were. They’ve always been gates - but they once had a flight of steps leading up from them, which were attached to a magnificent building. The top of the gate posts held large and beautiful brass lamps in a graceful curlicue design. These gates were opened to royal visits, to celebrations and to local dignitaries. They also saw bombs hurtling towards them in the Second World War. These gates were the entrance to Bermondsey Town Hall, which held more civic pride than you could shake a stick at.
No doubt the residents in Spa Road’s terraced houses welcomed the new town hall - it was built over the site of a smelly old tannery! It was long before Bermondsey Borough Council was formed; the Vestry of St Mary Magdalen were in charge
back then. There were already baths and wash houses next to the site, so it made sense to locate this most municipal of structures next door.
The town hall opened in 1882 to much fanfare and celebration - it was informally christened ‘The Pride Of Bermondsey’. The building was Renaissance in style and faced with Portland Stone. The sides were yellow brick, banded with white stone. Inside was a stone staircase and the walls were clad with those colourful encaustic tiles.
The architect was George Elkington (b.1824) who was Bermondsey born and bred. His other great work was the London Leather Hide and Wool Exchange which opened in 1879, three years before the town hall was completed. He also designed the water fountain attached to the old watchouse at St Mary Magdalen and the old Rotherhithe Baths. When he wasn’t designing buildings he was sitting on the committee that planned out Southwark Park.
On the day of opening, bands played and crowds cheered as members of the vestry walked in procession along the bunting-lined Spa Road to the gates where Mr Elkington was waiting for them. He presented churchwarden Robert Bonny with a golden key to open the doors. An ebony handled trowel and ceremonial mallet were presented to
churchwarden John Porter - but after the ceremony they were never seen again - perhaps the local pawnbrokers took possession!
In the evening a grand ball was held. Evening dress was essential, along with medals and sparkling jewellery. Guests entered the building, via those gates, and were rewarded with the sight of polished brass and chandeliers. A number of ladies were admitted to the gallery of the hall but only men were invited to sit at the trough! Perhaps the ladies received the leftovers in a sandwich afterwards... Keeping it local, the caterer was Philcox & son of Bermondsey Street. The huge menu included oysters, salmon, whitebait and lobster. Turkey, sausages and York ham were plated up, along with beef sirloin and duck. If there was room after that lot, diners were treated to blancmanges, pastries - and a slice of Bermondsey Pudding. Sadly what the pudding contained was not recorded but I have this vision of a fight
breaking out after the party “you just got a slice of Bermondsey Pudding, mate” Purely conjection on my part...
In the years that followed, the large hall held dances and variety shows for the community at a modest price. The entertainment was kept light and polite - anyone wanting a more robust type of amusement went off to The Star Music Hall around the corner in Abbey Street.
In 1900 the district was placed into the safe hands of the newly-formed Bermondsey Borough Council. They added to the splendour by kitting out the Town Hall Keepers (latter day security men) with livery that had the Bermondsey coat of arms on the collar, to be worn when attending to the mayor at public functions.
All these pleasantries came to a tragic end when World War Two broke out in 1939. The spring of 1941 was not a pleasant one. Bermondsey had been bombed to bits by then, but still the Luftwaffe
continued to rain explosives down on the people.
On Sunday May 11th another heavy raid brought chaos and much loss of life. Sadly the Mayor, Albert Henley, was one of the victims. Albert was the sort of man who rolled his sleeves up and got the job done. It was while he was putting out a fire in the town hall’s electrical station that a bomb exploded close by. He was rescued and taken to St Olave’s Hospital but nothing could be done for him. Albert was indeed the Pride of Bermondsey and received a posthumous commendation from HM The King for brave conduct in Civil Defence. Post- war Spa Road was a scarred and wrecked place - the town hall was just a shell with only part of the gallery still standing. In 1963 the ruins caught fire and the whole structure was demolished. All that remains are those two stone pillars and some ironwork from the gates. So when you leave Sainsbury’s with your ready meal stop awhile and remember the Pride of Bermondsey.
