INSIDE:
Where to watch the World Cup in SE1 & SE16
the REIGN of SPAIN
JOSE PIZARRO CELEBRATES 15 YEARS ON BERMONDSEY STREET
Behind the scenes at Rotherhithe’s Sands Films
Rebeka Clark on 38 years of Stave Hill conservation
Mornings!
We are delighted to welcome you and your family to visit Harris Academy Bermondsey in the summer term to experience our classrooms in action.
We invite you to explore our facilities, meet our dedicated staff, and learn more about how we nurture individual talents and prepare students for a successful future.
About us
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 Evie Flynn, Michael Holland, Debra Gosling, Flora Bigham, Francesca Papp, Myfanwy Fleming-Jones Maya Sgaravato-Grant, Leah Renz
Design Dan Martin, Ann Gravesen, Marketing Clarry Frewin, Katie Boyd
Media Partnerships Anthony Phillips
Finance Emrah Zeki
Managing Directors Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn
5-8 WHAT’S ON Jazz salsa day, Waterloo pub walk, Georg Baselitz Exhibition, pride & paws at Barkmondsey Square
10-14 COMMUNITY Puppets & storytelling in The Blue, & behind the scenes at Rotherhithe’s Sands Films
16-17 FOOD & DRINK Turkish breakfast at Lokma, Village Tree at Canada Water, Bermondsey brewery tour, aged steak club & cellar club.
21-22 WORLD CUP Our pick of where to watch the World Cup in SE1 and SE16
25 FOOD & DRINK Jose Pizarro on fifteen years in Bermondsey Street
28-29 COMMUNITY Final summer for Mercato Metropolitano outlets, the world’s longest tiramisu & Southwark Pride’s fourth year
34-35 MEMORY LANE Stave Hill Ecological Park’s Rebeka Clark
37-38 HISTORY Raising a few bob for Boer War casualties
A
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We'd like to acknowledge all our sponsors and supporters for helping us bring the Bermondsey Biscuit and Rotherhithe Docker to life.
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By Flora Bigham and Francesca Papp
BERMONDSEY JAZZ SALSA DAY
Grassroots music company Unity Music Arts announced they won’t be hosting their usual monthly series of jazz days this summer. Instead, they’re offering one day of live music-making and salsa dancing.
Date: July 19
Time: 1:00-6:00pm Price: Free Location: Bermondsey Square, SE1 3UN
GEORG BASELITZ EXHIBITION
White Cube Bermondsey presents a major exhibition of new large-scale paintings and works on paper by German artist Georg Baselitz.
Known for his raw, expressive style and upside-down compositions, Baselitz challenges artistic conventions with provocative, fractured figures. Visitors can expect human and animal forms on luminous gold backgrounds and a new series of paintings depicting Indian deities.
Dates: June 10 – August 1
Price: Free
Location: 144-152 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 whitecube.com
TIME TRAIN – PEOPLE’S COMPANY
Inclusive community theatre group People’s Company presents their new musical Time Train at Southwark Playhouse. The piece recounts the history of Bermondsey and Rotherhithe from the Roman era into the future through song and storytelling. Featuring 25 actors from the borough.
Dates: Wednesday 27- Friday 29 May
Price: TBC boxoffice@southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
Location: Southwark Playhouse, 1 Dante Place, SE11 southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
RALLY FESTIVAL
RALLY returns to Southwark Park on Saturday, 29 August 2026 for its fourth annual celebration of independent culture. Headlined by Blood Orange, the one-day festival celebrates London’s music and arts communities. This year’s edition features Daniel Avery (live), Optimo (Espacio), James K, Nabihah Iqbal, Smerz, Roman Flügel and many more.
Dates: Saturday 29 August - Sunday 30 August
Price: £71.00 - £76.50
Location: Southwark Park rallyrallyrally.co.uk
WATERLOO PUB WALK
Join WeAreWaterloo and BID member Tally Ho on a free post-work pub crawl. Guided by a charismatic local storyteller, participants will wander the winding lanes and lively streets of Waterloo and Lower Marsh. From medieval manors and marshland to Victorian industry and wartime resilience. Starting with The King’s Arms tucked away on Roupell Street, then onto The Duke of Sussex on Baylis Road, and The Pineapple on Hercules Road.
Date: June 25
Time: 5 - 7pm
https://wearewaterloo.co.uk/events
Calling all 365 party girls -- Queer Cinema Arzner celebrates ‘brat summer’, hosting a movie marathon which promises to rack up 540 minutes. The event features music video, prizes and goodies. Dress in lime green.
Date: July 18
Time: 6:00pm
Price: Adult £30.00; Concession Member, £26.50 thearzner.com
LATE NIGHT DISCO DAY PARTY
DJ pair James and Jonny, aka Late-Night Disco Party celebrate 11 years on the dancefloor, curating an afternoon of disco at Bermondsey Bar and Kitchen. Expect sun-soaked grooves, the pair’s signature blend of disco and house. Feel-good energy from start to finish.
Date: August 23
Time: 2:00-8:00pm
Price: Free
Location: 40 Bermondsey Street, SE1 4UD de.ra.co/events/2229431
CHARLI XCX MARATHON
Barkmondsey Square brings new ‘Pride and Paws’ show for dogs and their families
By Flora Bingham
‘ALL KINDS, ALL BREEDS, ALL WELCOME’
‘Barkmondsey Square’ will celebrate its inaugural ‘Pride and Paws’ event on Saturday, June 13, from 11am to 4pm at Bermondsey Square.
Run by Lisa Gold, known as “Lisa the Pet Sitter”, alongside The Arzner Cinema and Bermondsey Square, the day aims to “to bring the community together”.
“We’ve been supported massively by local vendors and a lot of the pride communities within the area,” Gold said.
Prizes are on offer for winners in the “Pride & Paws Pup Show”, alongside a goody bag for every entrant. Categories include “the ‘sashay away’ spirit”, “the junior ‘puppy power’ pride play OTT” and the “LGBTQ ‘lookalike gorgeous besties twinning queenly’”.
Visitors can enjoy pop-up market stalls offering a range of local products and delicious food. Food stands will boast everything from cakes to cocktails to pet-friendly food. Local cult favourite Yard Sale Pizza will also be making an appearance. Vegetarian, vegan and plant-based options will be available.
A “Don’t Hide the Pride” community raffle offers winnings donated by local businesses including doggy gift hampers, tea for two and massages. The proceeds from the raffle will go to two charities: one as yet unannounced of the Arzner Cinema’s choice and Broken Biscuits, Gold’s choice. Broken Biscuits assists disabled dogs. “They’re such a great small charity to get behind who need as much support as possible”, Gold said.
There will also be talks led by vets, groomers and trainers. Intended to empower pet owners, they will offer the latest advice on pet health and training.
“It is important to build a community of pet parents, especially dog parents” Gold explained. “I still have a lot of dogs which were purchased during lockdown and are not as socialised as they should be”.
On the day music will be provided by Hoxton Radio DJs, or visitors can escape into the ‘zen den’ for some calm.
The event welcomes those of all ages, with a colouring-in corner and face-painting for children.
“We’re all about inclusion” Gold added. “All kinds, all breeds, all welcome”.
Gold also runs dog-friendly cinema screenings throughout the year. Recent screenings included The Devil Wears Prada 2 and The Bride! The next screening will be Pride-themed, showing the film Madfabulous from 1pm to 3pm on June 7.
“It’s ridiculous how well the screenings have been received, we had one at the weekend and it sold out immediately”. Every screening welcomes dogs, with offers of treats, care and even a red carpet. There is also the option to request a seat for your pooch.
For more information about Barkmondsey Square, visit barkmondseysquare.com
Bermondsey, this is your season
Our windows are open, the terrace is out and we’re ready for summer. This is the time of year when Bermondsey really comes to life.
Drop by for a quick lunch, stay for dinner, bring friends, bring neighbours or simply escape your desk for an hour. We won’t ask questions if that hour becomes two.
Seasonal Italian dishes, fresh pasta and a new spritz menu for catching up, switching off and those “we should do this more often” evenings.
Come and join us at Cafe Murano Bermondsey. Dogs welcome. Good company comes in all forms.
184 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3TQ
Puppets in the Blue:
By Evie Flynn
BERMONDSEY IS SET TO COME ALIVE THIS SUMMER WITH A SERIES OF FREE STORYTELLING EVENTS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Bermondsey Puppet and Storytelling Festival will be running across schools, community venues and public spaces every week from 16 May - and it will be led by a group of renowned artists, puppeteers and storytellers.
Designed to transcend ‘cultural and generational boundaries’, the workshops will give people of all ages and abilities a chance to make puppets and listen to stories from a range of storytellers.
Alongside drop-in workshops and performances at The Blue Market, the festival will also feature Let’s Make Music & Dance (30 May), Bermondsey & Beyond Literary Festival (19 - 28 June) and Okinawa Days (20 June).
The summer will culminate in a final show in Bermondsey Spa Gardens on Sunday 12 July, where local and international artists will gather with residents to share stories inspired by Bermondsey and South London.
Connection With Wonder, Collaborative Arts CIC and Southwark Cultural Celebration Fund
All events are free and you can reserve a spot on the Bermondsey London Eventbrite page.
THE FULL PROGRAMME:
Storyteller Rez Kabir & Marionnette Workshop
When: Saturday 16 May: 12 - 3pm
Where: The Blue Market, South Bermondsey SE16 3UQ ‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘When: Saturday 23 May
2026: stories at 12 - 3pm
Where: The Blue Market, South Bermondsey SE16 3UQ
Jumping Jack workshop & Let’s Make Music & Dance
When: 12 - 3pm Saturday 30 May 2026
The festival will kick-off on 16 May with Bangladeshi-born storyteller, Raz Kabir performing in the Blue Marketplace - sharing a story blending myth and legend. Then, Sarah Sparkes will be sharing how to make tree spirit marionette puppets.
On 23 May storyteller and poet Baden Prince Jnr will bring his live literature to the Blue with “traditional” tales from the Caribbean and all over the world. Families will then be able to make their own Big Cat hand puppet with Frog Morris to bring along to the finale date on 12 July.
Sarah Sparkes will be returning to the Blue Market on 30 May to teach the crowds how to make a ‘jumping jack’ puppet – which you can craft whilst listening to live music in the square by Unity Music Arts Trust.
Also heading to the Blue is animation expert Phyllida Hickish on 6 June who will guide participants through a winged bird puppet workshop, with a live performance by Brazilian storyteller Marianna Portella.
On 13 June, there will be a forest-themed workshop with Crooked Timber Theatre, where children and their adults can make puppets using recycled materials.
For older children, aged 11 and above, head to an afterdark workshop in the Bermondsey BID’s brand new railway arch workspace at the Biscuit Factory (18 June).
The theme will centre around shadow puppets, ending in a show and tell where you can present your new creation – or, bring your own optical tricks and illustrations.
On 20 June, the Blue will come alive for Okinawa Day, a traditional celebration of the unique culture from Okinawa, the southernmost islands of Japan. You can make Dugongs puppets with artist Miyuki Kasanara whilst enjoying live music, performances and food.
Head to the Rouel Road Community Orchard
For the Bermondsey Literary Festival on 4 July, where local storyteller Bernadette Russell will join Rouel Road Gardeners in their allotment. The special outdoor storytelling session is a collaboration with Bermondsey Literary Festival and will end with an Armed Forces Day in the Blue Market afterwards.
The final preparations for the grand finale will take place at the Blue Market on 11 July, with a puppet theatre workshop. Make last minute props and puppets before loading up the van for the big show the next day.
The festival will end with a large celebration taking over Bermondsey Spa Gardens on 12 July. Described as a ‘day of storytelling and performances’, there will be headline
The festival is brought to SE16 by London Dreamtime Storytelling and Illuminate Bermondsey & Rotherhithe, and supported by Blue Bermondsey Bid,
Where: The Blue Market, South Bermondsey SE16 3UQ
Bird Puppet Workshop with Phyllida Hickish When: 12 - 3pm Saturday 13 June 2026
Where: The Blue Market, South Bermondsey SE16 3UQ
Animal Puppet Workshop with Gemma Khawaja
When: 12 - 3pm Thursday 18 June 2026
Where: The Blue Market, South Bermondsey SE16 3UQ
Shadow Puppet Show & Tell Ages 11+ / Adults
When: Saturday 20th June 2026
Where: The Blue Market, South Bermondsey SE16 3UQ
Laura Sampson - Bermondsey Literary Festival
When: 11am - 3pm Saturday 20th June 2026
Where: London Bubble Theatre, 5 Elephant Ln, London SE16 4JD
Tickets available soon
Okinawa Day
When: 12am - 3pm Saturday 27th June 2026
Where: The Blue Market, South Bermondsey SE16 3UQ
Bernadette Russell - Bermondsey Literary Festival
When: 12am - 3pm Saturday 27th June 2026
Where: Rouel Road Community Orchard, Lynton Rd, London SE1 5RF
Fairy Puppet Workshop with Kaeridwyn Eftelya
When: 12 - 3pm Saturday 4 July 2026
Where: The Blue Market, South Bermondsey SE16 3UQ
Puppet Theatre Workshop
When: 12pm - 3pm Saturday 11th July 2026
Where: The Blue Market, South Bermondsey SE16 3UQ
Bermondsey Puppet and Story Festival
When: 12pm - 5pm Saturday 12th July 2026
Where: Bermondsey Spa Gardens Spa Rd, SE1 3EU
21 MAY – 7 JUN
ADAPTED BY ASIF KHAN DIRECTED BY SAMEENA HUSSAIN
For ages 7+
A production by Leeds Playhouse, in association with the Unicorn Theatre and Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Japanese Ramen | Fukusai | Craft Beer | Cocktails
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.
** SUMMER SPECIALS MENU NOW AVAILABLE! **
** HAKATA Happy Hour! ** 5:00pm – 7:00pm // Monday – Friday
Hakata Ramen+Bar, 177 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UW
No reservations // Open 7-days // hakata.co.uk
Lights Camera Action! Behind the scenes at Sands Films –Rotherhithe’s cinematic icon
By Maya Sgaravato-Grant
A LITTLE WAY DOWN AN UNASSUMING COBBLED STREET, IN WHAT WAS ONCE A DERELICT GEORGIAN WAREHOUSE, STANDS A LOCAL CINEMATIC LEGEND.
Sands Films – a small independent film studio in Rotherhithe’s St Marychurch Street – has been operating since 1975, and in that time has produced numerous films. And, furthermore, gained a reputation as a renowned costumier.
Showing me around the premises, Olivier Stockman, longtime co-owner and director of Sands Films, points out a sketch of a costume for the upcoming Batman movie, before taking me into a large stock room packed with period clothing. I ask him what films the company has provided costumes for.
“All of them,” he said.
He added: “I’m not showing off, but almost every film - every period drama - has had costumes from us.”
These films include such recent hits as Hamnet (2025), timeless productions like Les Misérables (2012), and the Leonardo Di Caprio and Daniel Day Lewis classic Gangs of New York (2002).
The studio was also responsible for producing the BAFTA and Oscar-nominated Little Dorrit (1987), featuring Miriam Margoyles, whose voice appears in the studio’s latest film; The Man With The Plan.
Aside from its costume workshop and storage room, Sands Films boasts a studio-stage, where performances, book talks, and the like can be recorded and livestreamed; a non-profit picture research library, containing meticulously curated images of historical fashion from a number of regions; a cinema, and a music room.
As Olivier told us that Sands Films was set up to be somewhere that has everything you need to make film or TV, all in one place.
“The film industry is full of specialists and specialism - people are developing their career within very niche things - and although they may all wish to make films or TV series or whatever, at the end of the day, they’re so specialised that none
of them on their own can make a film,” he explained.
“The point about Sands Films as a small, very independent film studio was that it was possible to make a film here without reaching out to outside, in a completely self-supporting, self-funded way, which is how all those films have been made here.
“And that makes the popularity of Sands Films, so it has attracted a number of people, in a very organic way, to work here and to settle here like myself - I came in as a young man and I never left.”
Despite Sands Films’ success, however, its building retains a cosy and friendly character, not having changed significantly since its inception in 1975. Yet one would be mistaken to think that it existed merely to provide entertainment - as Olivier explained, filmmaking is about much more.
“In our society now, there is a sort of implication that art and culture is apolitical. That is not true,” he elaborated.
“Art and culture has always been a political act, because anything in a society between people has a political dimension.
“Every artist, one way or another, exists within a social and therefore political structure, and so …ultimately has to have a political position.”
An awareness of what Olivier deems the political nature of art is evident in Sands Film’s newest film, ‘The Man With The Plan’, which is inspired by the message behind the 1942 Beveridge Report, which set the foundations of the welfare state.
This film is now being screened at its cinema club throughout May and early June, for times and more information visit sandsfilms.eventive.org
SATURDAY SEAFOOD ROAST
Bitesize
By Flora Bigham and Evie Flynn
TURKISH BREAKFASTS HAVE ARRIVED IN LOKMA GRILL
Lokma Grill on Bermondsey Square has just launched a new morning ritual with breakfast dishes designed to be shared. From ricotta hotcakes to shakshuka passed across the table, smashed avocado on toast on the side, with traditional Turkish tea or fresh juice to wash it all down. Built around Turkish rituals, they encourage slow, full-table, ‘one-more-dish’ style dining.
11 Bermondsey Square, London, SE1 3UN
SEAFOOD WITH SKYLINE VIEWS
Perched on the top floor of the mid-century chic Hoxton hotel with panoramic views over the capital, the Seabird bar serves Mediterranean inspired coastal cuisine. From tapas classics to quintessentially British plates. Don’t miss their oyster happy hours when oysters are plated up for just £3 with £7 palomas.
Seabird, The Rooftop, The Hoxton 40 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8NY
THE VILLAGE TREE – THE PEAR TREE COMES TO CANADA WATER
Beloved local café The Pear Tree is set to open a third venue, The Village Tree, at the base of The Founding, British Land’s flagship residential tower at Canada Water. From the independent team behind the Pear Tree on Yeoman Street and The Barn at Surrey Docks Farm. Very much one to watch for summer coffee and cake.
Porter’s Way, Canada Water, SE16, 2AJ
OUDH 1722
Chef Aktar Islam is opening his first London restaurant, Oudh 1722, in Borough. From the team behind Birmingham’s two-Michelin-starred Opheem, the restaurant is named after the Awadhi region and will celebrate traditional slow-cooked Awadhi cuisine. The menu features dishes such as venison Nargisi Kofta, Kakori lamb kebabs, smoked lamb shoulder, slowcooked turbot, tandoori poussin and roasted cauliflower korma.
66 Union St, London SE1 1TD
BERMONDSEY BREWERY TOUR
Tour Bermondsey-based Anspach and Hobday Brewery this June. Led by resident beer sommelière Helen, you will learn about the ingredients and techniques behind the brewery’s unique beers before enjoying a private tasting in their newly refurbished taproom. Tickets for June 6 are now live and cost £30.
118 Druid St, London SE1 2HH
LAST CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THE ELEPHANT & CASTLE COMMUNITY FOOD MARKET
Experience Mercato Metropolitano for the final time before it moves at the end of autumn due to a major redevelopment. Soak up the sun in its large outdoor piazza while enjoying food and drink from more than 40 independent food traders, including everything from margarita towers to smash burgers to mexican tacos.
42 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DR
SOURDOUGH SOPHIA
Sourdough Sophia’s new kitchen in Bermondsey’s Spa Terminus is set to open at the end of May. The bakery began as a lockdown hobby before growing into a North London staple with multiple locations. They are best known for their clean-ingredient sourdough loaves - made with just flour, water and salt – and favourites like Cinnamon Cruffins (a muffin meets croissant hybrid).
Voyager Estate, Dockley Rd, London SE16 4RP
CARCASS CLUB
Flat Iron’s London Bridge branch will be hosting Carcass Club on Tuesday 12th May, introducing its first-ever 41-day dry-aged Wagyu. The cattle are reared on green Yorkshire pasture before being broken down in Flat Iron Covent Garden’s inhouse butchery. The Wagyu has been aged on the bone for 41 days cultivating deep flavours and a nutty sweetness. Try the delicious Wagyu steak, beef dripping chips and sauce Chornon for £20, before indulging in the restaurant’s signature popcorn and Tahitian vanilla soft serve. Walk-ins from 5pm.
112-116 Tooley St, London SE1 2TH
THE CELLAR CLUB
An adventurous cocktail bar is coming to Bermondsey Street. Underneath acclaimed Italian restaurant Flour & Grape, The Cellar Club offers a moody, intimate space to hear great music and taste adventurous cocktails. Its £10 signature cocktail menu features tipples from the citrusy Figaro made with Plymouth gin, fig leaf liquor, triple sec, lime and prosecco to the smooth Pajarito with pisco, elderflower, strawberry and lime to the tropical Dona Maria which combines rum, banana, pineapple shrub and lime. Guests can also experience low and no-alcohol options, classic cocktails on request, playful chaser cocktails and bar snacks including cheese toasties and salted Marcona almonds.
Below Flour & Grape, 214 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3TQ
Little gem in Bermondsey
Behind every Guinness World Record there is not only a final result, but months of passion, sacrifice, teamwork and belief.
When the world saw the Longest Tiramisù in the World, many people saw the celebration, the smiles and the incredible final achievement. But behind the scenes there was an extraordinary team working tirelessly to make the impossible become reality.
The visionary behind the entire event was Mirko Ricci, the person who imagined, organised and coordinated every aspect of this incredible challenge. From logistics and planning to bringing together chefs, supporters and partners, Mirko was the driving force that transformed an ambitious idea into a world-class event.
Standing beside him was Leonardo from Cafe Amisha in Bermondsey, whose experience, leadership, skills and deep knowledge of hospitality played a fundamental role throughout the entire project. Leonardo became the right-hand man behind the scenes, helping guide and support the whole team with professionalism, calmness and determination under immense pressure.
With his passion for authentic Italian cuisine and years of experience in
the restaurant industry, Leonardo made sure every team member stayed focused on the final goal: successfully creating the Longest Tiramisù in the World. From organisation and preparation to quality control and teamwork, his contribution was essential in making this dream become reality.
We are proud to have someone like Leonardo representing Bermondsey and the local Italian community. At
Cafe Amisha, great food is never only about what reaches the table — it is about the passion, dedication and hard work happening behind the scenes every single day.
What many people do not see is the enormous amount of work involved: sleepless nights, recipe testing, logistics, hygiene control, timing, teamwork and the pressure of delivering perfection in front of the world.
This Guinness World Record was not achieved by one person alone — it was the result of unity, friendship, passion and the determination of a team that believed in something extraordinary.
For all of us, this achievement represents much more than a dessert. It is a celebration of Italian culture, hospitality, community spirit and the power of teamwork. Amisha Court, 161 Grange Rd, London SE1 3GH 020 7231 7151
From left: Rosaria Spina (Leonardo’ s Wife & head pastry chef at EatItaly Liverpool Street) Mirko Ricci (event director who organised everything) Leonardo Mastrofilippo (Cafe Amisha owner & head chef)
Things to do in Canada Water
Canada Water is fast becoming a place to enjoy your downtime to the max, with the growing leisure offering bringing places to eat, drink, get active and wind down. We take a look at some of the ways you can enjoy yourself in this growing neighbourhood.
Raise a glass (or two) at Vagabond
Open on the ground floor of Dock Shed, Vagabond Canada Water is home to the UK’s largest urban winery. Visitors can enjoy more than 100 different wines by the glass from the brand’s signature tap-and-pour machines, offering the chance to see, smell, taste and enjoy wine at every stage of its journey. Explore the 6,000 sq ft space and 100-tonne winery run by head winemaker José Quintana, wander past the fermenters and explore bottles you can’t find anywhere else. Spaces are also available to hire for private fondue feasts, wine tastings and parties.
Treat your taste buds and your ears at Corner Corner
Combining a selection of London’s most exciting street food vendors curated by KERB, a programme of live music and DJs from Printworks London operator Broadwick, and a vertical farm supplying fresh herbs and leafy greens to the food hall, Corner Corner has something for everyone. There’s also free WiFi and plenty of café-style seating, making it an ideal spot to meet friends, work remotely or just relax.
Relax by the dockside
Canada Dock is a link to the area’s heritage as the port that connected London to the world, unloading timber and foodstuffs from across the Atlantic. The revitalisation project restored this stretch of water as a focal point for the neighbourhood. A mosaic of wetland habitats was created to encourage plants, invertebrates and birds to flourish – this spring has seen the resident Mute Swans welcome a clutch of cygnets.
The wild areas are traversed by the striking red Rafter Walk, designed by award-winning architect Asif Khan and cleverly considered to enable people to get close to nature without disturbing the creatures. Steps down to the water’s edge and waterfront seating make this a perfect place to unwind in warm weather, and to feel the historical roots than run deep in Canada Water. Rafter Walk passes by the Deal Porters sculpture, recently restored to celebrate another group of dock workers who shaped the area until the first half of the 20th century.
Practise your swing at PodGolf
Whether you’re an experienced golfer or a complete beginner, PodGolf Canada Water’s private golf pods offer the chance to play world-famous courses in Surrey Quays Shopping Centre. Each pod can accommodate up to four players, with comfortable seating provided and on-screen performance data to help you improve your game. Bring your own clubs, or feel free to use the high-quality Callaways provided.
Get active at Canada Water Leisure Centre
With an eight-lane main swimming pool, learner pool with moveable floor, world-class gym, large wooden-floored sports hall with markings for 10 sports, cycling studio and group exercise studios hosting a wide range of classes, Canada Water Leisure centre offers all kinds of ways to keep fit. Opened last year, it has replaced the Seven Islands Leisure Centre with a modern facility filled with state-of-the-art equipment. Southwark’s Free Swim & Gym initiative means residents of the borough can use the pool and gym free of charge at certain times – visit southwarkleisure.co.uk for details.
Enjoying a glass among the fermenters at Vagabond
Relaxing by the waterside at Canada Dock
KRAFT BREWERY (SE1):
By Evie Fynn
FROM 11 JUNE – 19 JULY, SPORTS FANS WILL DESCEND ON THE BOOZERS OF SE1 AND SE16 FOR COVERAGE OF THIS YEAR’S WORLD CUP – ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH A BEER GARDEN AND MULTIPLE SCREENS SHOWING THE GAMES. HERE’S WHERE TO WATCH THE GAMES…
THE LORD CLYDE, BOROUGH, SE1:
For a more traditional pub setting, Lord Clyde near Southwark Bridge will be showing every game across multiple screens. The Edwardian, family-run pub will also be serving pub staples like fish and chips.
Address: 27 Clennam Street, SE1 1ER
FLAT IRON SQUARE, LONDON BRIDGE (SE1):
Flat Iron Square describe their World Cup coverage as ‘London’s liveliest fan hub’, with 19 screens, DJs and live entertainment.
They will also be holding pre and post match celebrations, encouraging people to arrive early and grab a bite before the game.
You can buy a ticket for just £2 to reserve entry.
Address: 45 Southwark St, London SE1 9HP
BETWEEN THE BRIDGES, SOUTH BANK (SE1):
Between The Bridges will be showing every World Cup game – but be quick because they sell out every year. The
space, nestled on the Southbank has three giant video walls, multiple bars, and seven street food traders on site,
Address: Between the Bridges, The Queens Walk, Southbank, London, SE1
THE BLUE ANCHOR, BERMONSEY (SE16):
The Blue Anchor traditional sports bar is down the Blue in Bermondsey and will be showing every World Cup game this summer.
To combat the crowds, they will be providing extra outdoor seating for socialising when the matches are not on.
Address: 2551 Southwark Park Road, SE16 3TS
MARQUIS
OF WELLINGTON, BERMONDSEY (SE1):
Located right in the heart of the Bermondsey beer mile, the Marquis of Wellington will be combining every match with their freshly-made pizza offering. They are also offering bottomless brunch to start the match day, which includes two hours of cocktails, prosecco or pints.
At the end of their 10-year stint in Mercato Metropolitano, German Kraft Brewery are setting up huge screens around their beer garden for every World Cup game this summer. They have a 20sqm screen with capacity for up to 700 guests on a free entry, first-come, first-served basis. The best part – you can grab food from any of the 40 food vendors surrounding the brewery.
Address: 42 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DR
Address: 21 Druid St, London SE1 2HH
GERMAN
REDWOOD, LONDON BRIDGE (SE1):
The London Bridge sports bar will have multiple TV screens over two floors, including a 145-inch LED screen. They have an outdoor terrace and the kitchen will be serving traditional pub grub and Korean food.
Address: Redwood, Bridge Station, SE1 9SP
THE SALT QUAY, ROTHERHITHE (SE16):
The Salt Quay sits is a historic old warehouse-style pub sitting on the edge of the Thames. They will be showing every game this summer with a large terrace, selection of traditional pub food and drinks – plus they are dog friendly.
Address: 163 Rotherhithe St, SE16 5QU
BERMONDSEY BIERKELLER (SE1):
The 300-seat venue is London’s biggest German beer Hall – nestled beneath London Bridge. With a wide range of beers on offer, alongside games like axe throwing, table football and pool, there are ‘televisions everywhere you look’.
Address: 2 – 4 Tooley St, London SE1 2SY
THE LAST TALISMAN (SE1):
The Last Talisman, a pub and bar on Bermondsey Street, are offering a world cup deal – with a burger, chips and a pint for £20. They will be screening every single game, with pre-booked tables throughout the whole tournament.
Address: 171-173 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3UW Recommended to pre-book online.
THE GEORGE, SOUTHWARK
(SE1):
The historic George Inn on Borough High Street is the only remaining galleried coaching inn in London, dating back to at least the 16th century. They will be showing every game in the courtyard, with additional screens inside. Pub grub will be on offer too.
Address: 75-77 Borough High St, Southwark, London, SE1 1NH
THE BRUNEL (SE16):
The Brunel in Rotherhithe, just East of Southwark Park, offers wall-to-wall coverage of live sports – and there’s no need to book. There’s a beer garden, and pub snacks on offer whilst the games happen.
Address: 47 Swan Road, SE16 4JN
OTHER PLACES TO WATCH THE ACTION:
The Moby Dick, Greenland Dock, 6 Russell Pl, SE16 7PL (No need to book)
St Christophers Inn, 161-165 Borough High Street, SE1 1HR
The Charlotte, 204 Union Street, SE1 0LX
The Ship, 68 Borough Road, SE1 1DX Duke of York , 47 Borough Road, SE1 1DR
Address: 72-82 St Thomas St, London SE1 3QU
VINEGAR YARD, LONDON BRIDGE (SE1): Vinegar Yard, the pop-up events space right next to London Bridge, will be screening all the games this summer. The outdoor garden has street food and bars, alongside multiple screens capture the action.
The Brunel, 47 Swan Road, SE16 4JN (No need to book)
Local Businesses Invited to Compete for a Cause at The Bankside Games 2026
Businesses across London are being invited to swap the office for the sports pitch this summer as Bankside Open Spaces Trust delivers The Bankside Games 2026 - a charity sports tournament raising funds for free youth sport provision in the local community.
Taking place on Thursday 16 July 2026 at Marlborough Sports Garden, the event will bring together local businesses for an afternoon of friendly competition, networking, and fundraising in the heart of London.
Teams will compete across three sports:
• Five-a-side Football
• Netball
• Beach Volleyball
With space for 18 teams, businesses can enter one, two, or all three sports, with squads of up to 12 players.
Organised by Bankside Open Spaces Trust, the event directly supports free and affordable after-school sports programmes for local children and young people. Funds raised help provide activities including beach tennis, roller skating, cricket, street dance, and football, delivered by specialist coaches in an inclusive community setting.
Jack Harrison, Head of Sport and Development at Bankside Open Spaces Trust, said: “The Bankside
Games is about bringing businesses together through sport while making a meaningful difference for local young people. Every team entry helps us provide free opportunities for children to stay active, build confidence, and access high-quality sport in central London.”
Previous participants have praised the event for its atmosphere and community impact. Amy from News UK, who took part in the 2025 Games, said: “The Bankside Games is a brilliant event that brings teams together beyond the workplace. It’s a great opportunity to connect, stay active, and support vital community sports programmes!”
– Amy, 2025 participant, News UK
The event comes at a time when access to safe outdoor play and affordable physical activity remains a growing challenge for many families in inner London communities. Marlborough Sports Garden plays a vital role in tackling inactivity and supporting young people’s wellbeing through year-round programming.
Each team entry costs £900 and includes:
• A minimum of five 15-minute games per player
• Qualified referees
• Drinks and refreshments
• Medals for all participants
• Trophies for winning teams
• Professional event photography shared afterwards
Multi-team discounts are also available for businesses entering more than one team.
The event is supported by official sportswear partner Joma Sport, alongside Premier Sport, providing participating teams with access to premium event apparel.
Event: The Bankside Games 2026
Date: Thursday July 16 2026
Time: 2pm–7pm
Location: Marlborough Sports Garden, SE1 1SD (10 mins walk from London Bridge Station)
To register interest or find out more, contact: jack@bost.org.uk www.bost.org.uk
José Pizarro celebrates 15 years on Bermondsey Street
By Myfanwy Fleming-Jones
Fifteen years after opening his first Bermondsey Street restaurants, celebrated Spanish chef José Pizarro is marking the milestone with multiple celebrations running between their opening dates - 15 May to 15 December.
After moving to the UK 27 years ago, the chef has gone on to open six restaurants across the country, three of which are a hub for food lovers on Bermondsey Street.
“London has truly become my home, and I feel incredibly proud and grateful for everything this city has given me, the chance to grow, to build something of my own, and to share the food and culture I love,” says Jose.
He is now marking the 15 year anniversary of his two oldest restaurants, José Tapas Bar and Pizarro, both known for their lively atmospheres, traditional Spanish cooking and warm hospitality.
How to celebrate
Diners can join the celebrations by feasting from the classics menu, striding through the Tapas Mile across Bermondsey Street, or by enjoying 15% off at José’s Pantry.
The Tapas Mile will take diners through three kitchens on Bermondsey Street, reviving classic dishes from the past 15 years alongside some new additions inspired by today.
“One street, three kitchens, and a journey through the dishes that have been with us since the beginning,” Jose said.
“Enjoy a caña and a tapa in each spot as you move along, discovering signature dishes, classic favourites, and special moments along the way. It’s a celebration of sharing, of Bermondsey Street, and of everything we’ve built here together over the past 15 years.”
At the centre of the celebrations is the return of the Bermondsey Bomba, one of the chef’s most iconic dishes, served at its original 2011 price. Jose described the dish as “crispy, rich, and iconic”, adding: “It is a dish that has always meant a lot to me.”
The birth of the restaurants
“When I opened José, it was very simple. A small bar, a few dishes, and a lot of heart. Then came Pizarro, and step by step things started to grow, becoming what it is today, something far beyond what I ever imagined, built with time, care, and so many people along the way.
“Bermondsey Street has always been at the centre of it all. It has changed so much over the years, and I feel very lucky to have grown with it. What we have built here has always been about people, our teams, our guests, our producers, and the neighbourhood around us. Without them, none of this would exist.”
Despite the success, Jose says the journey has not always been easy.
“Behind all this, there is something else that is not always seen. This journey has never been easy. There have been moments of doubt, difficult days, long nights, and times when things did not go as planned. But those moments make the good ones even more special.”
José Pizarro
Alongside his restaurants, Jose has published several Spanish cookbooks, become a familiar face on television, and expanded internationally with the opening of a restaurant in Abu Dhabi in 2023. In 2024, he opened Lolo on Bermondsey Street, named after his childhood nickname.
“For me, this is a moment to look back, but also to look forward,” he said. “I feel as excited now as I did at the beginning, maybe even more.”
José Pizarro has three locations across South London, with opening hours varying for each location, but typically falling between 12:00pm - 10:15pm Monday to Saturday and 12:00pm - 9:00pm on Sundays.
While José Tapas Bar operates on a walk-in basis and does not take reservations, booking ahead is recommended for the other restaurants and group bookings.
Menu prices typically range from £5 to £38, with dishes changing regularly to reflect the best seasonal ingredients available.
LOCATIONS:
• José Tapas Bar, 104 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3UB
• Pizarro Restaurant, 194 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3TQ
• Lolo by José Pizarro, 102 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UB
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Summer Time at the Southbank Centre
Until Sunday 31 August
Dive in for art, performance, music, free events and delicious bites, and find a warm welcome at the Southbank Centre this summer
We’re the largest arts centre in the UK and we’re celebrating our 75th anniversary this year! Join us this summer with plenty of outdoor fun and free events for all ages across our 11-acre site on the River Thames. Come to splash in the Appearing Rooms fountain, relax in our beloved Roof Garden and soak up sun, shows and art. We’re just a short bus or train ride away!
Our summer programme includes; Harry Style’s Meltdown (Thursday 11 – Sunday 21
June), Refugee Week (Thursday 25 – Sunday 28 June), South Asian Sounds (Wednesday 1 – Sunday 5 July), Poetry International Festival (Friday 10 – Sunday 12 July), Rough Trade 50 (Friday 17 – Sunday 19 July) and Steel Scenes (Fri 24 – Sunday 26 July). Plus, enjoy the sunshine and free events on the Riverside Terrace throughout the summer.
Head to the Hayward Gallery for one of this summer’s must-see exhibitions. Anish Kapoor, the artist behind London’s Olympic Park sculpture, ArcelorMittal Orbit, and Chicago’s Cloud Gate (‘The Bean’) is back. Kapoor’s exhibition fills the entire gallery building with a series of works which press against the gallery walls and floors or descend from the ceiling to create an uncanny sensation of awe
Dive
and wonder. We’ve made it easy to bring the whole family too. Under-12s go free, and if you’re aged 18 to 30, you can grab half-price tickets by joining our Under-30s Scheme.
If all that fun makes you feel hungry, we’ve got foodie destinations to complete the perfect day out. Head down to the Queen’s Walk for a vibrant selection of food and drink pop-ups for the summer season. Indulge in delicious bites from Truffle Burger and enjoy returning crowd
favourites like The Thirsty Farrier’s seasonal cocktails and sizzling rotisserie chicken from Rotate. For those with a sweet tooth, visit Stacked Dutch Pancakes for a pile of pillowy pancakes with all the toppings, or cool down with refreshing Mexican ice lollies at Paletas. For dreamy rooftop sunsets, choose between the luscious Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden where you can relax with a cocktail surrounded by flowers, or the Seventy5th Balcony Bar for epic views above the bustle of the city.
Visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk/summer to find out more about what’s on this summer at the Southbank Centre
in
Image credit: Cesare de Giglio
Image credit: Cesare de Giglio
Image credit: Cesare de Giglio
Image credit: Anish Kapoor, Tsunami, 2018 © Anish Kapoor.
All rights reserved, DACS, 2026. Photo: Dave Morgan
The last summer:
By Evie Flynn
GERMAN KRAFT BREWERY AND OTHER OUTLETS AT MERCATO METROPOLITANO PREPARE FOR ITS CLOSURE
Mercato Metropolitano, the food court that opened on the site of a disused paper factory, will be closing its doors in autumn this year after ten years in Elephant & Castle.
The food and drinks market, located on Newington Causeway, spans 55,000 square feet, has space for 3,500 customers and is currently home to over 40 independent traders.
It was always meant to be a temporary space and summer 2026 marks its final one. It is set to be demolished to make way for the new Borough Triangle development – which will build 900 new homes on the site and the surrounding area.
We spoke to Felix Bollen co-founder of German Kraft Brewery, a microbrewery and taproom that has
called Mercato Metropolitano home since it first opened back in 2016.
Best friends, Felix and Anton, built the entire brewery and beer system themselves to make it the space they would see themselves drinking beer in.
Within the first year, they had increased the capacity by 50 per cent. Today, the average customer spends four and a half hours in the brewery.
Ahead of the closure at the end of summer, the GKB team have promised a full summer of events, a rolling programme of live DJs and screenings of the upcoming World Cup matches (11 June – 19 July).
Felix, who is from Hamburg in Germany but moved to London as a boy, studied graphic design at London College of Communications in Elephant and Castle back in 2014.
He said: “I’ve seen the changes in the area, from the demolition of the Heygate Estate to the popularity of Corsica Studios.
“Elephant and Castle has been such a great springboard for our business.”
German Kraft Brewery has a core brand and only sells authentically German beer fresh from the tank.
Before starting his own brewery, Felix said that he worked in “every German pub and restaurant in London”, but felt like no venue captured the German beer he knew and loved.
The Purity Law in Germany dates back to 1516 Bavaria and is the oldest food law still alive in the world. The law states that in order for a beer to be sold as a ‘Bier’ in Germany, it can only water, barley and hops and yeast.
This is the approach taken by Felix and his team. He said: “In Germany, beer is seen as more of a staple food than an alcoholic drink.”
German Kraft Brewery are true to their name and brew all of their beer onsite, which Felix says saves 75 per cent CO2 footprint than any other brewery.
The space soared in popularity over the ten years, with the surrounding food stalls allowing customers to choose from one of forty vendors, before bringing their food to sit in the brewery’s beer garden. Alongside the brewery, there are a wide range of cuisines on offer, including Sri Lankan, Nigerian, Latin American, Indian, Caribbean, Mexican, Italian, Mauritian, Turkish, and Korean options.
“It’s of course going to be sad to leave,” Felix said. “We are all a community here in Mercato and we still work alongside some of the faces that were there when we opened back in 2016.”
Whilst plans for the German Kraft Brewery’s future are yet to be announced, Felix has hinted at the next step for the brand. He said the team have “big plans in
London with a similar venue and vibe” – plus, he said it will be south of the river.
The rest of Mercato Metropolitano’s 40 traders will have to find somewhere else to operate until a new site is built, with Berkeley providing a £200,000 business relocation fund to support some of the 423 workers affected by the scheme.
This summer, they plan to go out with a bang, with music in the garden on Friday, Saturday and Sundays, plus massive screens for the World Cup – all on a firstcome-first-served basis.
Prices: During the World Cup season, they will be offering £10 steins of tank-fresh beer, which is the equivalent to a litre of beer.
Address: Mercato Metropolitano, 42 Newington Causeway, London, SE1 6DR
Pride in Southwark
By Evie Flynn
SOUTHWARK’S PRIDE CELEBRATION IS SET TO RETURN FOR ITS FOURTH YEAR ON SATURDAY 27 JUNE WITH A MARCH FROM SOUTH BANK TO MINT STREET PARK FOR A FREE FESTIVAL
The volunteer-led event will begin at 12pm the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre on South Bank before marching through the heart of the borough to Elephant and Castle.
From 1pm – 6pm, there will be a free festival in Mint Street Park with live music, drag shows, community stalls and street food.
The stage will be lead by RuPaul Drag Race’s Kate Butch, Southwark Drag royalty Son of a Tutu, Ada Campe, and others. The day will be hosted by fierce London drag queen, Anna Toni.
After the festival, the celebrations of Southwark’s LGBTQ+ community will continue at an afterparty from 6pm at queer-led The Rising SE1 in Elephant and Castle.
The event will combine colour, protest and pride in a powerful day of celebration for Southwark’s local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities and organisers have said that they expect this years Pride to be the biggest.
Victor Chamberlain, Chair of Pride in Southwark, said: “Pride in Southwark started four years ago with a simple idea: to create a Pride rooted in our community, reflecting the incredible diversity, creativity and resilience of LGBTQ+ people in Southwark. Since then it has grown into something really special which is joyful, grassroots and proudly local.
“Southwark is home to the third largest LGBTQ+ population in the UK, and Pride in Southwark is about celebrating that community in all its diversity. Everyone is welcome to join us, whether you are LGBTQ+ yourself, an ally, a local resident, or simply want to be part of a positive community celebration.
“At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are being challenged around the world, Pride remains both a celebration and a protest. Pride in Southwark is about visibility, solidarity and creating spaces where everyone can feel welcome, safe and proud of who they are.
“This year will be our biggest Pride yet and I cannot wait to see hundreds of people marching through the borough before coming together for an amazing day of music, drag, activism and community celebration.”
Date: Saturday 27 June
12pm: March from the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre, SE1 9JH
1-6pm: Festival at Mint Street Park, SE1 1QX
6pm-2am: After-party at The Rising SE1 6AQ
Free tickets and full programme: www. prideinsouthwark.org
Bermondsey chef breaks world record for longest tiramisu
By Leah Renz
LEONARDO MASTROFILIPPO OF CAFE AMISHA HEADED THE TEAM OF OVER 100 ITALIAN CHEFS
Achef and restaurant owner from Bermondsey led the team which broke the record for the world’s longest tiramisu.
Leonardo Mastrofilippo of Cafe Amisha said he joined the project as a joke, before taking over as head chef of the operation and creating the world’s longest tiramisu at 440.52 metres.
The team of over 100 Italian chefs smashed the previous 2019 record of 273 metres.
“We were thinking to do 300 [metres] but I said to myself, we can do more, I’m sure we can”, said Leonardo.
The team used 800 litres of coffee, 19,000 eggs, 1,500 kilograms of mascarpone and 150,000 sponge fingers.
He organised the entire team - with chefs from London, Manchester, Birmingham and 20 direct from Italy - to each complete their task and create the world’s longest tiramisu.
The mega dessert snaked across the room in a giant square and was topped with golden letters spelling out “Grazie Your Majesty”.
Upon completing the tiramisu and breaking the record, Leonardo cried tears of happiness.
But whisking up the world’s longest tiramisu did not come without risk.
“During the day, of course everything happens
against us. The machine broke. Actually, we started with seven machines and three of them broke!
“The people making the cream got stressed and shout: ‘we cannot make any more cream!’ but I say, ’no you have to!’ And they put all the experience they had and the knowledge to do the same job with three machines fewer… so it was amazing. I can say one of them was my wife as well.”
The massive Italian dessert was sold to raise money for the anti-poverty charity Esharelife Foundation.
“Nobody makes a profit”, explained Leonardo, “that’s why it was amazing”.
The team started at 5am and completed the world record dessert at midnight, working for 14 hours non stop.
And finally, we asked Leonardo: What’s the secret to making a good tiramisu?
His answer: “Really good coffee - we use Ile coffee from Italy which we found is the best coffee in the world - good quality cream and good quality mascarpone, and finally good quality of people with the passion!”
Go to the Cafe Amisha website to book a table and try their world-breaking tiramisu
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‘This job is my childhood brought back to life!’
By Michael Holland
Rebeka Clark’s father, Rick, was a seaman on HMS Belfast, so she began life in Southsea by the naval port of Portsmouth but grew up in Findon, a small Sussex village on the North Downs. Her playground was the countryside where a normal day was ‘Get up, pack a bag with provisions and go off for the day, only coming back when it was dark - It was an absolutely beautiful place to grow up’.
Dad, who was born and bred in West Ham, became a roofer after the Navy. Mum Sonia was a gardener, something Rebeka ‘hated as a kid’ who much preferred being out on the land instead of working it.
She did, though, enjoy primary school because in clement weather the class would have nature walks and some classes in the middle of a field. ‘It was idyllic for kids’ she remembers. ‘I really enjoyed reading and writing’ and these days she still does.
Secondary school saw Rebeka’s tastes turn to languages. She was, however, caught in that transitional period of teaching when the old school teachers wanted corporal punishment and the next generation wanted to be called by their first names while they discussed ‘the inner meaning of Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds’. Girls, nevertheless, still had to do Sewing and Cooking, but Rebeka didn’t want to learn how to make ‘cheese on toast’ and her grandmother had taught her to sew when she was five. At an early age she and her siblings had been taught how to cook a roast, launder, and clean the house; so doing these things in school was not on her agenda. What Rebeka wanted to do was Technical Drawing, Metalwork and Woodwork. After meetings were had between Rebeka’s parents and the school, she became the first girl to take those classes. Young Ms Baker was a pioneer for more girls taking those subjects the following year, and within two years the school officially made them an option for all pupils. School exchange trips also widened her outlook
on the world and gave her a love of travel.
It is no surprise that Rebeka passed all her ‘O’ Levels (French, German, Latin, English Lit., English Lang., Maths, Biology, Art, Economics) but had to resit her ‘A’ Levels because they collided with the personal trauma of her father dying. His untimely death and the resits also impacted on Rebeka’s plans for higher education. She deferred a university place and decided instead to practise her ‘conversational French in France’, then her German in Germany, and then to Spain to ‘get a good grounding in Spanish’ before taking up her university place to study Languages.
But all that needed funding, so a job was
First school photo
Rebeka on the walk to Machu Picchu in Peru
required to save up money to travel. A move to London, with her sister Sara, that had Rebeka dishwashing in a wine bar was a job she didn’t like: ‘All these City types flashing their money about… They were all mouth!’ They then took off to Munich to be chambermaids and immerse themselves in the culture. ‘I found I was allergic to beer,’ she laughs. ‘I’m never going to the Oktoberfest again!’ Along with travel, another great passion is
go off travelling... 38 years later I’m the Park Warden in charge of the Conservation
manage the woodland and wetland over the 5.5 acres. Plus, they have space for growing their own vegetables and keeping bees (‘The honey is gorgeous’). Rebeka’s early hatred of gardening
Rebeka met her partner, John, in The Plug in Stockwell (‘It’s really The Plough, but half the letters were missing…’). While showing Rebeka how to use her new phone, New Zealander John surreptitiously entered his own number, and from that piece of romantic skulduggery, the pair have
There was a down-on-one-knee proposal three years ago in Liverpool, and a wedding is in the planning stages, but Rebeka has stipulated ‘No
The family have been camping in France every year, where Rebeka uses her ‘conversational skills’,
Community Service for 14 years. ‘That was a brilliant job because there were only two women doing it back then, and everyone else was white, male, and ex-services, but that has now changed.’ Rebeka reveals the time they put all the clocks forward in the community hall they were working in to fool Rebeka into signing them off early.
But Rebeka never gave up her early dreams of travelling when she overstayed the original 18 months at Stave Hill, and has been to ‘amazing places’. One that sticks in her mind was ‘walking to Machu Picchu’. She describes getting a bus down to Peru from Bolivia as being ‘such an adventure’. She told of drinking a horrible black tea to help them acclimatise for an eight-day mountain trek to the iconic site, painting pictures with words of walking through forests, of hummingbirds, and chewing on leaves that the guides suggested.
Another great passion is dancing. Last year at Bristol Amphitheatre, she ‘danced for over nine miles to Sasha & Digweed’. She knows because John had his step-counter on. Now she has plans to teach John how to Jive.
When Rebeka is not working or making things, her favourite place in Bermondsey is to be by the Thames. ‘I could sit there all day, watching the way it keeps changing, listening to its noises… I just love it.’
Rebeka taking the kids to a music festival
Rebeka camping with John
A Bob’s worth of carnival
By Debra Gosling
Well, the good weather is here - time for picnics and barbecues and celebrating the sun. And festivals and carnivals! There’s plenty to choose from - but the best carnival in Bermondsey was in 1900!
You wouldn’t have seen anything like it before, when 215 floats, wagons and groups of pedestrians wound their way around the tiny streets of Bermondsey, with music playing, songs and singing. What was it all for?
Nothing good can come of war. The great trauma, loss of life and tales of heroism cannot be measured. Now almost forgotten, The Boer War saw many casualties and loss of life.
It is long ago now: its soldiers who lost their lives now only names carved on a stone tablet, their heroic tales confined to the pages of a dusty book. Far from being shot or stabbed, a good percentage of the troops that lost their lives in Africa actually died of disease: dysentery and cholera were rife.
The Boer war had an effect on Bermondsey: its local regiments were out in South Africa and a good few Bermondsey sons had been lost. Those that were left behind, the widows and orphans, had to find a way of coping, not just with grief but with poverty. In all, 1500 widows and 1800 orphans were affected across the country. A fund was started to help them; it was aimed to give financial relief to every soldier and sailor’s widow and, as is tradition, the Bermondsey spirit kicked in to help them. Trust accounts were set up for the kids’ upbringing until they reached wageearning age. It also aided the return of disabled soldiers from the front.
A great two-day carnival was planned that would wind its way around the Bermondsey streets, passing many homes of those affected. A contribution of a ‘bob’ (slang for shilling) to the war fund was suggested; this was a simple, effective and affordable way of raising cash. Those on the Carnival committee were all well-known Bermondsey faces; Colonel Bevington took the lead with his son Robert being the Chief Marshall of the procession. The Colonel was still suffering from a injury after being thrown from his horse three years earlier so could not physically take part, much to his
“The Boer war had an effect on Bermondsey: its local regiments were out in South Africa and a good few Bermondsey sons had been lost.”
chagrin. Chairman of the carnival committee was George Peeke, a leather manager and dresser from Fendall Street (not to be confused with the biscuit man, who didn’t have an ‘e’ at the end of his name!) Affluent local businessmen, religious leaders and various freemason groups all got involved; it would be a real community event. The preparation was phenomenal; there would be thousands of people to arrange on the floats, plus all the spectators and visitors. Local bakers saw to it that there would be enough bread, buns and cakes to literally feed an army. The numerous Draper’s shops rolled out copious bales of cloth to decorate windows. Programmes were printed, boxes were made to hold all of the donations and people would dig deep to put in their shilling.
Colonel Sam Bevington
Bobs
There were floats to be decorated; costumes to be made; music rehearsals; battalion drills; shoes to be shined, buttons to be polished and bunting to put up. It was to be the biggest event in Bermondsey for a very long time after, if ever.
So it was that on a warm Wednesday in July 1900 the first Bermondsey Carnival partied around Bermondsey in a colourful, noisy and spectacular procession. It kicked off at 7pm, ensuring all those in the factories and tanneries could be in attendance (and therefore ensuring more ‘bob’s in the kitty!)
It was a fantastic sight to behold. There were mounted police, local regiments, Masonic lodges, boys’ brigades, Post Office messengers: in fact anyone who had a uniform turned up and medals sparkled in the evening sunshine. Bugles were blown, drums were banged, horses whinnied and the kids just cheered. It was one mass of colour and one mass of union jacks.
All the shops down The Blue decorated their facades with flags, bunting and pictures of war officials. The bigger businesses contributed much more than a shilling: the likes of Pomeroy, Hobbs, Lipton’s and the Southern Railway dug deep into their pockets. Just about everyone in the area
“The preparation was phenomenal; there would be thousands of people to arrange on the floats, plus all the spectators and visitors.”
contributed in some way, from famous Mr John Hart of the Star Music Hall, little girls in costumes rattling money buckets, to small dogs dressed in Pierrot costumes.
Clowns tumbled and somersaulted down the street, fairies leapt into the air, cyclists rang their bells and numerous ‘Brittannias’ floated by. There was a whole float with a model of Tower Bridge, proving that even after its opening a few years before it was already a source of pride. Other floats re-enacted Boer battles while Dockers dressed up as women, tanners dressed up as ‘the enemy’ and
more than a handful put in an appearance as good old John Bull. Naturally, all of the publicans were involved, and there were stacks of pubs back then -but star of the show was Spot the dog who lived in The Feathers at Dockhead - he collected a huge amount of cash from punters!
A huge amount of cash was raised and there was even a commemorative photo album produced by a printer in Dockhead. It was Sidney Angle who took all of the photos; his daughter Daisy actually travelled on one of the floats, as did many other businessmen’s children. Portraying India on a float of commonwealth countries was a pretty young embroidress by the name of Madge Toogood. Her brother, Henry later worked for the Bermondsey Borough Council and it was he that signed William Weller’s market licence twenty-four years later.
So after two days of fun and frolics the carnival left town, leaving a scattering of sequins blowing in the dust and just the echo of a bugle, not to mention piles of manure for the back gardens!
In later years the carnival appeared sporadically and it is now incorporated into The Event, but it is a far smaller affair than that first spectacular one in 1900.
Robert Bevington
George Peeke
Pomeroys
Mr Brown the baker of George Row
