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We’ve been producing independent, balanced and community-focused journalism in south London since 1987. We are proud to be a London Living Wage employer.
Our flagship publication, the Southwark News launched in 1987 and is now London’s only independent, paid for newspaper.
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Contents
5 HOME SECRETARY Brixton Disco Festival, Leonardo Drew at South London Gallery and the Crystal Palace Beer Festival
7-9 FAMILY Arts Sundays at Dulwich Picture Gallery, Puss in Boots, at Blackheath Halls, spring at Vauxhall City Farm and Cycling Music Teachers from Rotherhithe
11-15 DULWICH FESTIVAL Comedy, cabaret, music, arts, literature and more from May 9-18
18-20 LOCAL FACES City Splash founder Ben Ryan and Peckham acupuncturist Sophie Moyse
23-24 WHAT'S ON Ten of the best south London music festivals this summer, plus Community Sauna opens new site in Camberwell
25-26 FOOD & DRINK Some top picks for eating in Dulwich, and Sophie Wyburd on her new cookery book, Tucking In
28 A LOVE LETTER TO SOUTH LONDON Dulwich Hamlet FC Chairman Ben Clasper on why he's a Lordship Lane loyalist
33 LOCALLY SOURCED Nail art masterpieces with Nikki's Nails in south London
HOME SECRETARY:
Local line-up for your diary
By Eliza Frost
COOK WITH THE SEASONS AT THE GARDEN MUSEUM
The Garden Museum’s Food Educator, Ceri, is back for a monthly series of cookery classes for adults, exploring what it means to cook with the seasons; planning your meals around what fresh produce is in abundance from your veg box, market or even grown yourself in your garden, balcony or allotment.
Each hands-on class includes a vegetarian main dish, a side and a dessert, putting seasonal produce front and centre. Through cooking these dishes, you will gain valuable vegetable-specific knife skills, learn how to season to taste, what “goes” together, and how to beautifully present your food.
The class will end by sitting down to lunch together, to enjoy everything that has been prepared, plus everyone will receive a recipe pack to take home.
For May, the provisional menu will see you cooking asparagus mimosa (asparagus and egg salad with vinaigrette), watercress and potato soup with spring onion and cheese soda bread, and a rhubarb fool with pistachio chocolate biscotti.
Dates: Wednesday 14 and Thursday 22 May 2025, 11am. Tickets: £50
Garden Museum, 5 Lambeth Palace Road, SE1 7LB gardenmuseum.org.uk/events/cook-with-theseasons-may-2
WIMBLEDON ART FAIR
Time to meet the people behind the art at Wimbledon Art Fair, an award-winning art show hosted twice a year within the community of Wimbledon Art Studios. During the four days of this free-entry event, join in exploring over 180 art studios from London’s most talented artists, designers and makers.
You’ll find everything from painters to ceramicists,
printmakers to sculptors, jewellers to mixed media, photographers to textile artists, and everything in between.
Buy and take home your own affordable art without breaking the bank, as the Wimbledon Art Fair aims to be accessible for first-time art buyers to start their own collection.
Dates: Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 May 2025, times vary Tickets: Free Wimbledon Art Studios, 10 Riverside Yard, SW17 0BB www.wimbledonartfair.com
BRIXTON DISCO FESTIVAL
Groove to the sound of the seventh annual multi-venue disco extravaganza in the heart of Brixton. The Brixton Disco Festival returns with acts such as Barbara Tucker, Dimitri from Paris, Crazy P DJ set, Norman J, Omar, Ruby Savage, plus lots more, taking to loved venues Electric Brixton, Brixton Jamm, Phonox and Brixton Village. Plus, the line-up sees a screening of Luther: Never Too Much on Saturday 3 May at Brixton's Ritzy Cinema. From award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter, the documentary film chronicles the story of a vocal virtuoso, Luther Vandross.
Date: Saturday 3 May 2025
Tickets: From £25 Multiple venues in Brixton brixtondiscofestival.com
LEONARDO DREW TAKES OVER SOUTH LONDON GALLERY
This summer, American artist Leonardo Drew takes over the SLG’s main gallery with a new immersive sculptural installation. Known for his explosive sculptural works, this is Leonardo Drew’s first solo exhibition in a London institution. He creates
reflective abstract pieces that play on the tension between order and chaos. Transforming and eroding materials by hand in the studio, he explores the cyclical nature of life and decay. Drew’s process is meditative and involves repetitive labour to create sculptures and large-scale installations. He says: “My work and my life are not separate. They are the same thing. I don’t work with found objects because there is already a history embedded in that material. For me, I need to go through the rigours
of touching it, living it... become the weather.” At the SLG, a new site-specific work will cover the walls and floor of the main gallery space. Fragments of wood are distressed, as though they have been through extreme weather events, natural disasters or, in Drew’s words, “acts of God”.
Drew refrains from attaching specific meaning to each work, preferring to title pieces numerically so the viewer can engage directly with the installation and discover a multitude of experiences within it.
Dates: Friday 30 May to Sunday 7 September 2025
Tickets: Free
South London Gallery, 65 Peckham Road, SE5 8UH www.southlondongallery.org/exhibitions/leonardodrew
CRYSTAL PALACE BEER FESTIVAL
It’s back, bigger and better than ever: this year’s Crystal Palace Beer Festival is coming to Selhurst Park this May.
The 13th annual beer festival will be held in SE25 on the day before Crystal Palace F.C.’s final fixture of the season. Enjoy a festive summer day filled with hundreds of beers and ciders from breweries both local and beyond.
A wide selection of food and refreshments will also be available, complemented by a diverse range of entertainment throughout the afternoon.
Date: Saturday 24 May 2025, 12:30pm
Tickets: Prices vary Selhurst Park, SE25 6PU www.cpfc.co.uk
Family events ―
By Eliza Frost
WORDPLAY: SOUNDS AND SCRIBBLES
Visit the Southbank Centre this May for live music designed to set free even the littlest ones’ inner artist as you respond to music through drawing, scribbling and colourful play. Join other families to enjoy music, stories and play designed to encourage creativity, communication and connection for under-fives and their grown-ups. There are two time slots for different age groups: 10:15am for 6 months to 2 years, 11:30am for 3 to 5 years. If you have children across both age groups, they recommend the 11.30am session. WordPlay is a new programme at the Southbank Centre, as part of the Open Doors series of free events for all. WordPlay continues to develop with children and their grown-ups over the summer, before launching fully in September 2025.
Date: Friday 23 May 2025
Tickets: Free, no ticket required Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/wordplaysounds-and-scribbles
ART SUNDAYS AT DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY
Get inspired to make art together as a family in these free monthly creative activities in the Art Studio at Dulwich Picture Gallery. You’ll experiment with colour and make artworks inspired by paintings in the gallery’s collection or “Tirzah Garwood: Beyond Ravilious”.
Art Sunday activities are aimed at 7- to 12-year-olds and their families, siblings of all ages are welcome. No experience is needed, just come along and join in. When selecting your tickets, there are three sessions at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm that last for 45 minutes. A maximum of 5 tickets per family per timeslot is allowed. Drop-in spaces on the day are subject to availability.
Dates: Sunday 27 April and Sunday 1 June 2025, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
Tickets: Free but booking required Dulwich Picture Gallery, College Road, SE21 7AD www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/whats-on/
FLY-KID FAMILY RAVE
Have you had children, but really miss going out and hearing the music you love? The founders of Fly-Kid did, and so was born the daytime party from Supa Dupa Fly, which you can bring your kids to and introduce them to the tunes you grew up on.
Expect all the music you and they will love, from Beyoncé to Bruno Mars, Missy Elliot to Madonna, Drake to Dua Lipa and loads more to boogie on down to. The little ones will be entertained with the flyest face painting, street dance lessons, hip-hop props and dressup, games and more.
There will be competitions for the best dancers in various age categories, too, so get practising those moves.
Date: Sunday 8 June 2025, 11am
Tickets: From £6
Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ flykidparties.com
PUSS IN BOOTS AT BLACKHEATH HALLS
Based on the original version by Charles Perrault, the Let’s All Dance Ballet Company brings a new version of Puss in Boots to Blackheath Halls, following the friendship between a magical cat and a young man with a talent for music.
With Puss’s help, the man finds the confidence to use his talent and to be himself, winning the heart of the Princess, her mother the Queen, and the rather snooty Marquis de Carabas.
An evening for the whole family as you enjoy the magic of live, professional dance. Fire up little ones’ imaginations with this new show suitable for all ages, especially 2-14-year-olds, including those with special needs. The running time is 60 minutes and includes a photo opportunity.
Date: Sunday 18 May 2025, 3pm
Tickets: £17, £15 for under 16s Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, SE3 9RQ www.blackheathhalls.com/whats-on/puss-in-boots
VAUXHALL CITY FARM’S SPRING FAIR JOIN VAUXHALL CITY
Farm as its fluffy friends bid farewell to their winter woollies in preparation for the sunny days ahead. Experience the magic as the farm’s skilled shearer gives them a fresh summer look, right before your eyes. But that’s not all…
The Vauxhall City Farm Spring Fair promises a day packed with delightful activities for all ages to enjoy amid the scenic surroundings of The Farm. Activities include sheep shearing, wool spinning and wool felting, kids' film club, and a tombola with some farm-theme prizes. Plus, arts and crafts, including “Help make Woolly”, a springtime educational workshop and the chance to meet the Vauxhall City Farm animals in the VIP cuddle corner.
Date: Saturday 31 May 2025, 10:30am
Tickets: Free, with a suggested donation to the farm Vauxhall City Farm, 165 Tyers Street, SE11 5HS www.vauxhallcityfarm.org/events/spring-fair-atvauxhall-city-farm
Walk Into Something Wonderful This May: Join the 5K ZOOM Walk on Clapham
Common
Spring is the perfect time for a reset. Longer days, fresh air, and a renewed sense of energy. So why not take that energy and turn it into something powerful?
This May, Walk the Walk, a leading UK breast cancer charity, invites you to take part in the 5K ZOOM Walk on Saturday 17th May 2025, a vibrant, communityfocused walking event taking place on the iconic Clapham Common.
Whether you’re walking solo, with family, or alongside friends and colleagues, this short but spirited 5K walk is designed for all ages and abilities, offering an inclusive and uplifting experience that goes far beyond a stroll in the park.
Expect music, lively encouragement from volunteers, and a celebratory finish where every participant is greeted with a hot drink, a muffin, and a unique collectible medal to mark their achievement.
THE LANGHAM LONDON JOINS THE WALK FOR WELLNESS
We’re delighted to be partnering with The Langham London for this very special event. As part of its 160th anniversary celebrations, the hotel is generously sponsoring the 5K ZOOM Walk and helping us reach even more people with our mission to support those living with and beyond cancer.
And there's more... everyone who signs up for the 5K ZOOM Walk will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win a luxurious overnight stay for two in a Superior Room at The Langham London, including a gourmet breakfast. It’s our way of saying thank you, and a reminder that a small step can take you somewhere truly amazing. Why not gather your team at work, your book club, or your walking group and join together for an energising morning out with a purpose?
WALKING FOR WELLNESS AND A GREATER CAUSE
The 5K ZOOM isn’t just about physical fitness. It’s about prioritising your wellbeing, connecting with
others, and taking part in something meaningful. Research shows that even a short walk can have a profound impact on mental and emotional health, and by joining this walk, you’re not only helping yourself, but helping others too.
All funds raised from the 5K ZOOM Walk go towards supporting people living with breast and other cancers. Walk the Walk has already raised over £143 million since its launch in 1996, funding everything from groundbreaking research to integrative care that improves the quality of life for those undergoing treatment.
Your steps, no matter how big or small, make a genuine difference.
THE MOONWALK LONDON RETURNS THAT EVENING
And for those who want to take on a bigger challenge, don’t miss The MoonWalk London, taking place later that night! This iconic overnight walk sees thousands of people, many wearing beautifully decorated bras, walking a half or full marathon through the capital to raise funds and awareness for cancer support and research.
Starting and ending at the same MoonWalk Arena on Clapham Common, the evening promises an electric atmosphere, live entertainment, and a chance to be part of something truly extraordinary.
So, whether you join us for the morning 5K or go all in with the MoonWalk, you’ll be part of a community
walking with purpose, strength, and heart.
DON’T MISS OUT –SIGN UP TODAY
Ready to make your Saturday matter? Sign up now for the 5K ZOOM Walk or The MoonWalk London 2025 and be part of a powerful movement that brings people together, celebrates community, and puts health and hope at the forefront.
Visit walkthewalk.org to register now.
Perfect harmony: Meet the Cycling Music Teachers
By
“For today's children growing up in an everincreasingly fast-paced world, learning to play music is more important than ever, because it's something that can't be rushed,” explains Talia Girton, headteacher and creative director of the Cycling Music Teachers (CMT).
CMT is a music school and music therapy service provider based in Rotherhithe.
“I've always loved to sing and play piano, and growing up, my father was the programme director of a local R&B and classic soul station, so I've always been surrounded by music,” she explains.
When she moved to London in 2017, Talia began teaching piano and offering music therapy sessions privately. Within a few months, there was a waiting list, and CMT has continued to expand ever since.
CMT has grown to six teachers (Hyunjung, Arnaldo, Ions, Saurabh, Niamh and deputy head Alex) and an administrative director (Lizzie).
And now, in addition to piano and music therapy services, CMT offers guitar lessons, singing lessons and group piano classes.
When you take music lessons, Talia explains how “you're developing a skill that will benefit you throughout your life”.
She adds: “You learn to express yourself through sound. You can play with other people. You can take simple pleasure in creating beautiful music with your voice or your fingertips.
“Building up the skills required to play well takes time and practice. Learning music teaches patience,
perseverance and tenacity, and the hard work brings about a tangible result: the ability to play (or create!) much-loved music, and to share it with friends and family.”
CMT also offers adapted lessons, which are taught by teachers who have specific experience in working with neurodiversity, learning disabilities and other differences.
“The goal of these lessons is to help students of all abilities learn music by adapting to their unique needs,” says Talia.
Music therapy, on the other hand, uses music as a
tool to work on other therapeutic aims.
“For example,” says Talia, “I may use specific singing exercises to help someone with Parkinson's maintain the quality of their voice for as long as possible, or I may use back-and-forth instrument-play exercises to facilitate social interaction with someone who is nonverbal.”
She adds: “The scope of how music therapy can help and heal is wide; I could write a whole series of articles just on that! For both adapted lessons and music therapy, music facilitates creativity, fosters emotional expression and brings about a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment.”
Of teaching in Rotherhithe and Canada Water, she says how it is such a friendly and family-orientated place.
“Every day, I walk past and greet students and families I work with while walking my dog or cycling to the CMT studio. I take such delight in these random encounters, especially when so much of our lives are carefully planned and scheduled,” she says.
CMT also hosts concerts several times a year, and “one of the best things is seeing the smile on a student's face after they perform”, says Talia.
“They've been working towards this moment for several months, and watching all that hard work culminate in a single moment of pride and accomplishment is such a delight.”
Upcoming performances: 17 May Hithe Garden Party and the annual summer concert on 28 June at The Finnish Church.
For those interested in group or private music lessons, or music therapy and integrative arts psychotherapy services, get in touch via the website: www.thecyclingmusicteachers.com
Eliza Frost
Talia Girton
Dulwich Festival: a neighbourhood celebration
This year’s festival – from 9 to 18 May –sees a jam-packed lineup of everything from music and theatre to literature and talks
By Eliza Frost
Dulwich Festival, from 9 to 18 May, promises a full and enriching arts programme for 2025, with opportunities for you to spectate and participate in visual art, comedy, cabaret, music, theatre, literature, walks and talks.
Sarah Taylor, director of Dulwich Festival, said: “Dulwich Festival is a neighbourhood celebration; an opportunity to show who we are as a community and what is important to us. “We have a huge diversity of creative talent, dynamic spaces and enthusiastic audiences on our doorstep, and we present a festival programme for all.
“Our Artists’ Open House cover artist, Marie Lenclos, presents everyday views of our neighbourhood, which we may never have appreciated before. And this year, we gladly say the same of our events programme.
“Alongside all the festival classics, we are delighted to be introducing some new perspectives, exploring fresh genres such as wellbeing, showcasing performers from different genres, and visiting beloved venues for an entirely different experience.”
Comedy and cabaret return with a bang as Figs in Wigs presents astrology bingo at Dulwich Hamlet Football Club, featuring bespoke astrology charts and cabaret performances. Two nights of comedy at The Crown and The Greyhound, with award-winning comedians and Edinburgh Fringe favourites Lucy Pearman and Katie Norris, guarantee the ultimate endorphin hit.
Audiences can further boost the feel-good factor at a two-hour singing workshop with Genevieve from the South-East London Queer Choir and lunchtime Cha Cha Cha and salsa workshops at Grafton Dance Centre. Wellbeing advocates Oru will be making space for creative thinking with grounding workshops, a sensory supper club and a sober social, complete with mocktail tasting menu.
Literature lovers should look out for award-winning broadcaster Emma Barnett discussing her new book Maternity Service and food writer, chef and supper club host Rosie Kellett as she reveals refreshingly low-effort, high-reward recipes. For a more intimate affair, author Diana Evans will be in conversation at the Kitchen Salon.
For writers wishing to share and celebrate their work,
the inaugural open mic night, Write Club, will provide an important platform, complete with supportive audience, at The Clockhouse.
Laura Jurd, an improvised trumpet player, and The Gold Coasters, a 10-piece Ghanaian Highlife dance band, are evidence of another incredible jazz line-up at East Dulwich Tavern, while classical music enthusiasts can enjoy listening to Beethoven and Romantic Trios at The Lighthouse Trio, Boyce’s 4th Symphony at the Southwark Sinfonietta and an organ recital at Christ’s Chapel in Dulwich Village. Families will delight in the expansion of children-focused fun and creativity, with a family silent disco setting the bar on the first night of the festival in the grounds of Dulwich Picture Gallery.
Mr Sleepybum offers younger kids their own slice of comedy at St Barnabas Parish Hall, while Ned Bennett’s Powerhouse Quintette, with quick draw cartoonist Lance Bell, will lead children on a jazz journey through the imaginative world of Raymond Scott. Book lovers should book up for Donut Squad taking over the world, while parents and toddlers are invited to revel in the great outdoors at The Centre for Wildlife Gardening. Houses and venues will transform into galleries over the two festival weekends at Artists’ Open House. An artist takeover of 50 artists at the former home of Lord Bovril, Kingswood Arts, will be a notable highlight, while live poetry by Janet the Poet will offer a unique window into word and image collage. Community-focused participants include DC Art Project, examining the years of campaigning to protect Dorchester Court and its residents, and The Stitch School, which will be welcoming audiences to take a seat at their embroidery table in the wonderful surroundings of West Norwood Library.
www.dulwichfestival.co.uk
Rochford
Mr Sleepybum - © Jody Kamali
DIANA EVANS
KITCHEN SALON, 15 MAY, 7:45PM, £10
Author Diana Evans will take part in a Kitchen Salon event and discuss her new book, I Want to Talk to You: And Other Conversations, which is a collection of journalism and essays she has produced alongside writing fiction.
The book features interviews with writers and artists as well as literary reflections, social commentary and memoir, “ultimately exploring the relationship between fiction and nonfiction along one writer's journey”, she explains.
Fiction and nonfiction “feed off each other”, says Diana. “The nonfiction provides a necessary distraction from the fiction, but the fiction is what I love most.”
Looking forward to Dulwich Festival, she explains how she “always loves doing events in my own neck of the woods and talking to local readers”.
She adds: “It reminds me that I'm part of London's – especially south London's – rich artistic community and reinforces my love of writing the city.”
And south London can be a character in itself. Diana says the area is “part of my literary DNA. I am forever finding fascinating snippets of history and ideas for characters and stories, just by walking around and bathing in the atmosphere.
“The history of the Crystal Palace was a huge inspiration when writing my third novel, Ordinary People.” And finally, what is the biggest lesson Diana has learned from over 25 years of writing? “That writing is a messy, imperfect process, and largely dependent on rewriting,” she says. “I've learned that it's necessary to let go of the pursuit of perfection in order to produce anything at all. It's a very humbling thing.”
MARIE LENCLOS
ARTISTS’ OPEN HOUSE COVER ARTIST
This year’s Artists’ Open House cover artist is Marie Lenclos. Born in Paris, as a child she was mostly interested in reading books, but thanks to her dad, who was a holiday painter, she was introduced to oil painting at a young age.
After regularly painting and going on to study art, Marie then didn’t touch a brush for almost 20 years while bringing up her children and working as a freelance video maker.
“There was no time, or space, for painting,” she says. “And then, one summer in Brittany, I picked up painting where I’d left it years ago, and my
practice grew and grew, becoming more essential each year.”
Marie’s work spotlights urban landscapes. She says how there is a “brilliant mixture” of architecture in south London with its visible industrial past: two-ups-two-downs, terrace houses, grand 1930s houses, some great pubs, classic social housing, railway bridges and railway arches.
She adds: “I am often surprised by the beauty I notice in unexpected places. The way the light falls off a bridge or the rich colour of bricks are enough to inspire a painting.”
And how does she feel to be chosen as the cover artist for the Artists’ Open House Catalogue 2025? “Being on the cover of the catalogue this year makes me very proud and happy,” she says.
“The Dulwich Open House is an event I have been aware of for over 20 years. I used to visit artists’ houses on this very weekend for years, marvelling at the art they made and the creative life they led.
“I was not painting then, and I didn’t know I would myself be one of those artists one day. When I picked up painting again, my friend Karen Lansdown, who runs Travel on Paper, offered me the opportunity to exhibit for the Open House at her house. That was 2017. I have done the Open House each year since.”
Marie says she loves the community feeling the Open House gives her. Adding: “I personally know many of the other artists who are taking part and it feels great that we’re all sharing in this weekend of discovery, enjoyment and celebration of art.
“To be part of such a great community makes me feel connected. The team behind the Open House work incredibly hard to organise this event, produce a brilliant catalogue and champion all the artists. The result is a joyful weekend where the community shares in the appreciation of art.”
Continues on page 14
Dinner with Rosie
Marie © Shona Bland
NED BENNETT AND HORACE CARDEW JAZZ AT THE EDT
Since 1994, Ned Bennett has lived in London, playing jazz, writing music books, composing and teaching music at Alleyn’s School.
He works and performs with Horace Cardew, running club night Jazz at the EDT. Horace’s dad was the avant-garde composer Cornelius Cardew, and his uncle was a clarinetist who gave him his first lessons.
The monthly club Jazz at the EDT is now in its fourth year and has become a successful venue for top-class musicians to play in southeast London, says Horace.
But what do they love about jazz as a genre? “The rhythm is so infectious,” says Ned. “Jazz is also such a broad church. There is a massive difference between the eerie sounds of Duke Ellington from the 1920s, Charlie Parker’s bebop revolution in the late '40s, Brazilian-influenced Jazz, funk-inspired jazz and so on. But it’s all jazz.”
“Where do I start?” asks Horace. But, for him, it would be the improvisation. He says: “I love the freedom and emotional communication of improvisation.”
For the Dulwich Festival event, Ned explains how they have invited “some of the country’s top artists in a variety of genres, covering straight ahead jazz (Themen/Mullen), modern (slightly experimental) improvisation (Jurd/Preston), fun African dance music (Goldcoasters), and the one I’m perhaps most looking forward to, the family gig, featuring the music of Raymond Scott”.
Horace adds: “We are also pleased to have David Preston, a young guitarist at the forefront of the new London Jazz scene. The closing party will include Ned and me performing with the Goldcoasters Highlife band.
“We love that Dulwich Festival is such a local community-focused event and getting to know local music fans who have become regular club goers following previous festivals.
“There’s also a lovely range of people who come along; all ages, including many young musicians from local schools, local professional musicians who drop in for a hang and to hear the music, and many people who come regularly for the vibe.”
Ned says that, at Dulwich Festival, a large number of festival goers – young and old – hear what they have to offer.
He explains: “We put on music that hopefully will be accessible to people who have not experienced much jazz, so nothing too alienating. So far, nobody has asked for their money back.
“Although not all the musicians for the jazz nights are local, they feel very much part of the community spirit that Dulwich Festival evokes. Dulwich feels so vibrant during these two weeks each year, and we feel so privileged to be part of it.”
JANE LILLEY, THE CENTRE FOR WILDLIFE GARDENING
The London Wildlife Trust has a learning team that works across six of its staffed nature reserves and worked with more than 18,000 children last year, and it will be running gardening workshops, bat walks and an open day at the Centre for Wildlife Gardening during Dulwich Festival.
Jane Lilley, acting head of learning, is a trained teacher and moved into nature education six years ago. Coming from rural Scotland, “the nature I started teaching about is very different to the nature in London,” she says. “But I love working in London and showing off the capital’s hidden wildlife.”
London Wildlife Trust is working on a local project to connect and enhance vital green spaces of Sydenham Hill and Dulwich Woods in partnership with Dulwich Estate and Southwark Council.
And why is urban wildlife so important? Jane explains: “It is no longer enough to simply slow the loss of nature or preserve what remains. Since the early 1970s, over 41% of wildlife species have declined, and 15% – including skylarks and linnets – are at risk of disappearing from much of London.
“We cannot accept this as the new normal; we must take action to bring nature back.
“For us, nature recovery means creating and maintaining a connected network of nature-rich spaces where both people and wildlife can thrive. To do this, we need ecological corridors – wildlife stepping stones across parks, gardens, rooftops, rivers and canals – to weave nature back into every neighbourhood.
“All Londoners can be part of this movement, whether by letting their garden grow a little wilder,
'Together, we can bring wildlife back into our lives... and help it flourish'
planting a window box for pollinators, campaigning for local wildlife, volunteering in green spaces or supporting charities like ours.
“Together, we can bring wildlife back into our lives, redefine our relationship with nature and help it flourish in our city.”
When it comes to exploring wildlife in south London, Jane says we are lucky to have so much green space. London Wildlife Trust manages both
Sydenham Hill Woods and the Centre for Wildlife Gardening, and “both are brilliant places for exploring nature in quite different settings”, she says.
Jane’s favourite spot, though, is the Centre for Wildlife Gardening because “that’s where I spotted my first ever stag beetle”.
“I love seeing the Centre when it’s full of people, all talking about the exciting things they have found, so I’m very much looking forward to the Open Day at Dulwich Festival”, says Jane.
“It’s a glorious space for the community to come together and explore and experience nature.”
She adds that the festival encourages people to go to places they wouldn’t normally go and meet their neighbours at the same time.
“It’s always important to help people connect with nature but there is something really special about the idea of a community getting together and sharing wisdom,” she says.
Donut Neill Cameron
Ned Bennett (Art Themen Trio)
Sinfonietta
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@hotpodyogadulwich @hotpodyoga_brixton
You may have heard the term Forest School and wondered what it’s all about. At 1st Place nurseries, it’s quickly become a favourite part of the week for many of our children.
Forest School is an outdoor learning approach that takes children out of the classroom and into nature. Sessions are held in natural spaces like gardens or woodlands, where children are encouraged to explore the world around them through activities such as building dens, hunting for bugs, making mud pies, and sharing stories around a log circle.
Forest School continues throughout all seasons, in the colder months we explored fire-based activities, toasting marshmallows, using a Kelly Kettle, and making veggie soup in a Dutch oven.
But it’s about much more than just muddy boots and fresh air. Forest School supports children’s development by promoting confidence, resilience, and independence. It’s a child-led process, meaning each child is supported to learn and engage at their own pace, in a way that suits them best. Whether they’re climbing, digging, observing, or just enjoying quiet time under a tree, every experience is valuable.
Benefits include:
• Boost in self-esteem and confidence
• Better social skills through interacting with peers
• Improved communication
Muddy Boots and Curious Minds
• Increased motivation
• Better understanding of the natural world
• Improved physical skills and motor skills
Our Forest School programme helps children navigate real-world challenges physical, social, or emotional by encouraging exploration, creativity, and supported risk-taking. The focus isn’t just on what children learn, but how and why they learn it. Over time, this builds a strong sense of achievement, belonging, and connection to the natural world.
Most importantly, regular time spent in nature helps children develop a lifelong respect and love for the environment - something we believe is more important now than ever.
Learning continues indoors, where we reflect on our Forest School experiences, bridging outdoor and indoor learning through our daily activities and in our creative studio.
Forest School isn’t just a weekly activity – it’s a meaningful part of how we nurture curious, confident, and capable learners, one muddy adventure at a time.
For more information visit our website www.1stplace.uk.com
Ben
Ryan: ‘I knew that's how we party’ ―
The City Splash founder talks about creating an authentic, safe and open space for Black communities
By Eliza Frost
“The highlight for me is looking out into the sea of people and knowing that we've brought them together, and they’re having a sick time,” says the founder of City Splash festival, Ben Ryan.
City Splash comes to Brockwell Park this year on Bank Holiday Monday 26 August.
For 2025, expect names such as Popcaan, Tarrus Riley and Spice take to the stage, plus a lineup of workshops, panel talks and more.
The idea for City Splash came to Ben over a decade ago; he really wanted to creat a reggae festival for London.
Having worked in the music industry in various roles since he left college, from working in a record shop to recording studios and then into major labels, Ben became a full-time promoter around 12 years ago.
He has since worked with various genres, but always Black music.
Having thought of what City Splash would become years prior, it wasn’t until 2021 that it was launched.
The first year sold out 10,000 tickets at Beckenham Place Park before moving site to Brockwell Park, where it now regularly sells out three times that number.
But why was a festival like this missing from London’s music scene, and how did it feel to bring it to fruition?
Ben explains: “I think it's a combination of things. The genres that we showcase at City Splash – which is everything from roots, reggae, dub and dancehall to jungle, garage, afrobeats and amapiano – a lot of them have ties to reggae. “Something like Notting Hill Carnival is a great blueprint for how a mix of genres fit together naturally in a very authentic presentation for the Black community. So, I knew that that would work. I knew that that's how we party.”
And the people are at the heart of City Splash and all of Ben’s work.
His intention was always to create a large-scale Black music festival that Black communities felt was for them.
“If you look at other Black music festivals in London or in surrounding counties, they are not built for the Black community, and that's because they're not owned by members of the community,” he explains.
“And so me having the opportunity to produce a festival like this, I just knew that the elements of it – the music, the food, the workshops, the panel talks, the
way that we present it, the imagery, the marketing, the staffing, the whole ethos from top to bottom – is all geared towards making sure that City Splash is an authentic, safe and open space for Black communities.”
Working for the community is very important for Ben. He explains how, each year, there is a stage organised by local Brixton promoter Cecil Reuben, who’s been promoting reggae music for more than 20 years.
“We give him a stage to programme local artists, predominantly south London artists, and that's a real key feature of how we ensure that the local community feels like this festival is for them and there is a space for them at the festival,” explains Ben.
Another community element is the Rise Up programme, which champions six emerging artists from the Caribbean.
“We bring them over to the UK for a one-week residency, where they benefit from taking part in a songwriter camp, a media promotional run and performing at some industry parties, and then at City Splash,” explains Ben.
“They're early career artists, but we recognise that there needs to be more investment into the infrastructure and the pathways for Caribbean artists in international space.
“That hasn't really been happening, and so we've taken upon ourselves to reinvest profits into supporting the next generation of artists.”
Also on the lineup this year, Ben explains how they
have some “really interesting” R&B female vocalists, which is “not necessarily something we’ve had before but I’m a big fan of their music”. Be sure to catch Qing Madi, Nia Smith, Sasha Keable, Jaz Elise and Savannah Dumetz.
When the day comes, another of Ben’s highlights includes the Rastafari Reasoning Corner, which he says helps to keep the festival “very rooted and balanced”.
Food at the festival is curated by Black Eats LDN. Ben says it was a “natural fit” to work together and says how Black Eats is “very sensitive to ensuring the right food offering is at the festival”.
He adds: “Food for Black communities has always been a key part of music events and celebrations, and so having a big offering and making sure it's appropriate is a core part of the festival, and Black Eats does an amazing job in ensuring that it’s as good as it can be.”
In the run-up to the festival, you can also get involved in City Splash Week for the second year.
For international customers and those coming from further afield, the festival has created a portfolio of activities for people to take part in or attend in the days leading up to the main event.
Keep an eye out on the City Splash website for more information and the full schedule.
Date: Bank Holiday Monday 26 August 2025
Tickets: From £64.50, general admission Brockwell Park, SE24 0NG www.city-splash.com
Ben Ryan - © Ola Fisayo and CGuk
City Splash 2024 - © Luke Dyson
CS Group - © @nanaking
The ancient healing art of acupuncture in Peckham
―
By Eliza Frost
Acupuncture was first recorded in China about 3,000 years ago and is used to help treat pain or ailments.
Acupuncturist Sophie Moyse studied at The City College of Acupuncture and has gone on to open Needleworks in Peckham.
Originally from Jersey, she moved to south London 12 years ago while “searching for a more fulfilled life”.
What first interested her in acupuncture was a time when she was going about her day, loading the dishwasher, and her back went.
Crawling to the phone, her partner then helped her to the only place open – an acupuncturist.
“From there, I was able to weave this beautiful medicine with my love of skin care and self-care, and the idea of Needleworks was born,” Sophie says.
She explains more about the art of acupuncture…
The South Londoner: What do you enjoy about the ancient healing art?
Sophie Moyse: Honestly, it’s just beautiful. Acupuncture theory is rooted in ancient Chinese medicine, and it looks at the body as a whole. It seems so simple, but I feel that is something Western Medicine has lost.
Our health is often only considered when we are sick. But actually, there should be more focus on illness prevention. This is where acupuncture can help; it’s a wonderful way to maintain balance. It improves the immune system, balances hormones and helps regulate any issues before they go too far.
What do you offer at Needleworks?
Needleworks' focus is all things skin and beauty but mostly it’s just about feeling your best. Lots of facial needling to encourage collagen production
and cell turnover to get that glow, facial massage to sculpt and lift, head rubs and a little hair pulling – it’s all about getting that blood flowing but in the most relaxing and fabulous way.
I get lots of gym people with all their aches and pains. That’s when I get out the cups and my gua sha scraping tool.
I also do a lot of weekly sessions with patients who need specific support, such as fertility support, IVF support, anxiety and migraines.
How has acupuncture benefited you?
I have already touched on my back pain, but in my day-to-day, I attribute my skin to acupuncture. I am 37 and my skin glows. I have never used Botox, and I fully put that down to my cosmetic acupuncture, facial massage and gua sha. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to step up their self-care.
Gua sha is such a buzzword in the beauty business right now but I must always bring it back to where
this technique originated. This technique can be used all over the body to reduce pain, move blood, lymph circulation and was used in ancient China by the peasantry to improve health.
How do you think our approaches to health and wellness will change in the future?
I hope that we can have more focus on the prevention of ill health, and that more people come for acupuncture and enjoy this medicine as part of their self-care routine.
I have a physical disability affecting my hands, and it makes me feel different and imperfect every day, but what I take from this is that it’s ok. It’s ok to not be perfect.
It’s ok to be different. We need to find peace and self-love, and that’s what I hope I can help people find through acupuncture.
What do you enjoy about working in Peckham and with the south London community?
It’s my home. My partner was born here, his family are here, his friends who he grew up with are here. To me, south London is community. And I’m so proud to now be a part of that community and offer service to that community.
Unit 19, Holdron's Arcade, Peckham, SE15 4ST theneedleworks.co.uk
Ten of the best south London music festivals
With summer around the corner, it’s time to put these festivals in your diary
GALA, Peckham Rye Park
An independent and community-based festival, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. It is all about bringing soulful sounds to the community.
Tickets start at £43.50
Date: 23 to 25 May
Peckham Rye Park, SE15 3UA thisisgala.co.uk
Wide Awake, Brockwell Park
From the people behind MOTH club and the Shacklewell Arms, Wide Awake is an independent festival for underground music fans.
Headliners Kneecap, CMAT and English Teacher are joined by other cutting-edge, leftfield artists, such as feminist artist Peaches.
Tickets start at £54.50
Date: 23 May
Brockwell Park, SE24 9BJ wideawakelondon.co.uk
Field Day, Brockwell Park
Field Day has been celebrating underground music and diverse audiences for the past 15 years. Field Day continues to shape the future of electronic music and returns this year with internationally celebrated DJ Peggy Gou taking the headline spot.
Tickets start at £64.50
Date: 24 May
Brockwell Park, SE24 9BJ www.fielddayfestivals.com
Cross the Tracks, Brockwell Park
A jazz, soul and funk festival headlined by Michael Kiwanuka and jazz quartet Ezra Collective. The lineup is set to include a mixture of heritage legends and up-and-coming artists.
Tickets start from £59.50
Date: 25 May
Brockwell Park, SE24 9BJ www.xthetracks.com
City Splash, Brockwell Park
City Splash is a May Bank Holiday celebration of Caribbean and African culture with reggae, dancehall, dub and amapiano music. It advocates for Black music, culture and food and is the world’s biggest independent one-day celebration of Caribbean and African culture.
Festival founder Ben Ryan tells The South Londoner more about how it all began and what to expect from this year’s festival on page 19.
Tickets start at £39.50
Date: 26 May
Brockwell Park, SE24 9BJ www.city-splash.com
Project 6, Brockwell Park
A festival dedicated to bass-heavy sounds, including garage, grime, house and jungle. Project 6 comes to Brockwell Park this May with dates and tickets to be announced soon.
Tickets: TBC
Date: May (exact date to be announced) Brockwell Park, SE24 9BJ www.project6festival.com
Uptown Festival, Blackheath Common
A family-friendly festival with something for everyone to enjoy. This year it's headlined by Boy George and Culture Club, so get ready to sing and dance along to the legendary acts.
Tickets start at £52.50
Date: 27 July
Blackheath Common, Shooters Hill Road, SE3 7AS london.uptownfestival.co.uk
Big Smoke Festival, Crystal Palace Bowl
The only place to see Skepta perform live in 2025, the Big Smoke festival returns in August, with special guests still to be announced.
Tickets start at £64.40
Date: 9 to 10 August
Crystal Palace Bowl, SE19 2BA www.bigsmokefest.london
RALLY, Southwark Park
Curated by GALA and Bird On The Wire, RALLY is a one-day music and arts festival inspired by DIY culture and celebrating the importance of community. The festival is usually followed by the annual free
Bermondsey Carnival.
Sign up for the ticket pre-sale online
Date: 23 August
Southwark Park, SE16 2KX rallyrallyrally.co.uk
Battersea Park in Concert, Battersea Park
Open concerts paired with picnics on the August Bank Holiday Weekend, celebrating classical, disco, jazz and blues sounds. Special appearances from the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
Tickets start at £43.10
Date: 23 to 25 August
Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ www.batterseaparkinconcert.com
Field Day © Danny North
By Evie Flynn
Wide Awake © Luke Dyson X of the Tracks © Summer Copeland
Community Sauna opens new spot in Camberwell
By Eliza Frost
community Sauna Baths, London's original not-for-profit and fastest-growing sauna provider, has opened a new location in Camberwell.
The site, situated in Ruskin Park's former depot area, features three saunas, including a fully accessible sauna, alongside multiple plunge pools, treatment space, accessible toilets and hot showers.
Community Sauna Baths CIC launched in 2021 and operates locations across London, including Hackney Wick, Stratford, Bermondsey and Peckham. The organisation maintains its commitment to accessibility with standard pricing from £9.50 off-peak to £16.50 peak, alongside concessionary rates.
The Camberwell site, developed in partnership with Lambeth Council, transforms a long-vacant space into a community wellness hub, with access via the park's south side. It continues the organisation's tradition of offering traditional sauna experiences alongside events and specialised community sessions.
The site will also host their award-winning social prescribing programme, enabling GPs and charities to refer patients for free sauna sessions to support physical and mental health.
Joe Beek, head builder of the Camberwell Community Sauna, said: “We’re thrilled to be creating a new sauna site that promotes health and wellbeing right in the heart of nature. It’s been a pleasure working alongside the Parks Team and the Friends of Ruskin Park to bring this vision to life. We hope this beautiful sauna site will provide significant benefits to the community and beyond.”
Polly Joy Wilson, social prescribing and outreach manager, said: We prioritise partnering with local charities to support individuals and groups who might otherwise be unable to use our saunas or are facing significant life challenges with free, regularly occurring saunas.
“Through this work, we’ve seen firsthand how sauna bathing can reduce stress, improve physical health, and foster meaningful connections.
“Our commitment is to break down barriers so that more people can experience the profound benefits of sauna bathing.
“By operating as a not-for-profit organisation, we’re demonstrating that it’s possible to create real and lasting change in community wellbeing while maintaining a sustainable model.”
www.community-sauna.co.uk
Bitesize:
The best places to eat and drink in Dulwich
By Eliza Frost
EAST DULWICH TAVERN
East Dulwich Tavern, or EDT as it’s known to locals, sits on the corner of Lordship Lane and is a popular pre-match drink location before home games at Dulwich Hamlet, where you can’t see for pink and blue. Having just had an interiors makeover, EDT is looking as good as ever. It’s your classic pub and offers everything you could want. From your pub quiz and live jazz through to pub grub and a Sunday roast. Dulwich wouldn’t be Dulwich without EDT, and this list wouldn’t be complete without it, too. Long live the local.
1 Lordship Lane, SE22 8EW eastdulwichtavern.com
FRANKLINS
Another Dulwich institution, Franklins restaurant has been serving seasonal British food since 1999, and the
menu changes every single day.
Led by head chef Ralf Wittig and sous chef Sango Sakuma, you can download the menu each day to discover the delectable dishes. Expect plates such as pickled pigeon and remoulade, black leg chicken, red cabbage and quince, and hazelnut praline ice cream for pud.
You can find Franklins’ lunchtime tasting menu on weekdays between 12pm and 5pm; enjoy two courses for £21.95, or three for £24.95.
It also hosts regular wine tasting and pairing nights, which is the perfect date night activity.
157 Lordship Lane, SE22 8HX www.franklinsrestaurant.com
THE PALMERSTON
The Palmerston has been part of the community since 1860. It’s steeped in Dulwich history and sits on the corner of Lordship Lane and North Cross Road. The Palmerston’s main aim is for customers
to leave wanting to come back again soon.
The food menu changes every few weeks and follows the seasons, meaning each visit will give you a taste of something new.
But it’s the Sunday roasts that are extra special. Ingredients shine with grass-fed, 28-day aged beef rump, corn fed chicken, slow roast Essex pork belly and vegan nut roasts stuffed with all the good stuff. Each roast plate comes with all the trimmings. Make a special trip here to mark the end of roast dinner season, until September, that is. 91 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, SE22 8EP thepalmerstondulwich.co.uk
EVI’S
A delicious spot for lunch or dinner on North Cross Road, Evi’s serves Greek plates that leave an impression.
Evi’s is a place to share. Grab your family, grab your friends, and tuck into the feast before you. And, to start, it has to be the grilled pita bread with every dip on offer: tzatziki, tyrokafteri, melitzanosalata and the taramasalata.
Working with producers in the UK and Greece for the tastiest ingredients, Evi’s menu is then split into
dishes from the grill, with sides and salads to finish. Enjoy mosharisia rizola (Yorkshire lamb chops) and kotopoulo psito (slow-grilled chicken thighs, mustard mayo sauce) with the best Greek salad you’ll ever taste. Now that’s a perfect menu.
18 North Cross Road, East Dulwich, SE22 9EU www.evisrestaurant.com
SPINACH
Dulwich’s Spinach, sister to the Crystal Palace restaurant, has sat on Lordship Lane since 2013, when founder Melissa wanted to bring happiness and interesting flavours to locals.
Spinach has a big focus on sustainability. Menus are carefully curated to reduce waste, focusing on efficient ingredient use, responsible sourcing, and portion control. And they ensure supplies are on board with British or local products, top-notch animal welfare and ethical trade.
Enjoy brunch or lunch during the day, and seasonal small plates come evening. Truly something for everyone.
161 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, SE22 8HX www.spinach.london
Sophie Wyburd:
‘We're spoilt for food in south London’
The cook discusses her book Tucking In and shares her best spots to chow down this side of the river
“There are so many incredible local food spots in south London, where they blow up locally, but they can still feel undisturbed and undiscovered,” says cook, writer and supper club host Sophie Wyburd.
Sophie has lived within a two-mile radius of south London for her whole life, bar a year in east Londonshe says this is where she is rooted. And not just because of the amazing food scene.
“I love it so much; the sense of community is so much greater than anywhere else, and it’s greener,” she says.
Coming from a big family with four sisters, her mum would make a big dinner every day after school, and it was obligatory to be there.
“You could bring friends, but you had to be there,” she says. “And it's really formed the principle in my head that having big meals with people is the best way of getting together, catching up and understanding what's going on in someone's life.”
The bonding and togetherness from eating together have been her guiding force ever since, and working with food is all Sophie has ever wanted to do.
She took this view through university, where she always cooked meals for housemates and hosted friends in their large, shared house.
Sophie went on to work in food PR, as well as internships at magazines like Good Food and delicious., when she soon realised it was recipe development that sparked her interest. She trained at Leiths food school, as it was seen as necessary at the time, and played a big role in the team at online food portal Mob developing dishes.
But Sophie notes how the food landscape has changed so much since she began: “Food social media wasn't so much a thing. It's beautiful because the space is so democratised now, you don't need to pay expensive tuition fees to get those skills, to get your foot in the door, you can self-train and put your work out there on social media, which I think is great. It’s a really positive change.”
This idea of food for all and non-fussy cooking is at the heart of what Sophie does. She believes there is too much snobbery around food, and there is a shame around cooking food that isn’t super artisan.
“We need to remove that; whatever you want to eat is a good thing to eat. Most things I cook are not beautiful, but the dishes make me feel great, and it's what will nourish my body or soul, or both, in that moment,” she explains.
Sophie says the best part of every day is making and eating dinner. “It’s by far my favourite meal of the day,” she says. “Some days when I’m not in the mood to cook, I always know what I want to eat.”
This could be a supermarket tortellini, but with added extras of braised leafy greens and a generous helping of cheddar cheese. “I’m in a real cheddar on pasta phase at the moment,” she admits.
Sophie spent years creating recipes that are comforting for her book, Tucking In, which is made for having people over to eat in a casual way.
“All of the recipes are fairly intuitive and seasonally focused,” she says.
The book features different menus to perfect your dinner parties. But Sophie’s top tip for hosting? Always have snacks.
“People turn up hungry, you need to give them crisps at the start of the meal,” she explains.
There are some recipes in the book that Sophie is really proud of, including a few delicious-sounding sausage dishes.
She says: “One is a Cheat's Sausage and Walnut Lasagne, a creamy walnut sauce folded through with lasagna sheets, crispy sausage meat, loads of sage. That is heaven.
“Heading into summer, a dish I love is the Spicy Lemongrass Sausage Smashburgers. There's also a recipe called Life Saving Garlic Chicken, which is a really great roast chicken recipe. There is something like 50 cloves of garlic in that recipe, which feels insane, but it really mellows as they cook and gets all caramelised. It's really special.
“For dessert, my favourite pudding in there is a Hazelnut Tiramisu. It tastes like a Kinder Bueno and a tiramisu had a baby.”
To finish, a quick fire of Sophie’s favourite south London locations to chow down…
“Every time I go to Guacamoles in Peckham, I’m doing the happy food dance that feels pretend, but it’s not, and the prawn tacos are incredible,” she says. “And Yemanes in Peckham, the North African wrap truck.”
Sophie adds: “Mr Kebabish in Sydenham is my new favourite place. We’re also getting spoilt for pizza in south London, too, with Dinner for One Hundred and Dough Hands in Nunhead, both great pizzas and great vibes, and run by great south London people.
“Franklins in East Dulwich has been consistently churning out good food for over 20 years, and The Camberwell Arms is my favourite restaurant in the universe. I went there on my legal wedding day, and I do supper clubs there, [owner] Mike Davies and the team are such brilliant people turning out phenomenally done food.”
“We're just so spoilt down in south London,” she says. “I feel really lucky that I grew up here and that I'm still able to live here. It's not always easy living in London, and it's getting increasingly expensive to live here, but I wouldn't change it for anything.”
www.instagram.com/sophiewyburd
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A love letter to south London
As told to Eliza Frost
The chairman of Dulwich Hamlet, Ben Clasper, writes a love letter to south London on his favourite things about Dulwich – from being a Lordship Lane loyalist to the one thing south of the river that everyone should try at least once...
The South Londoner: What do you love most about being a part of Dulwich Hamlet?
Ben Clasper: That it's more than a football club, you are part of the biggest family in south London, one that looks out for each other, would do anything for you and is a place for people to come to find support when they are in need.
What does a typical week in south London involve for you?
Weekends are matchdays, the men on a Saturday, the women on a Sunday, so we book-end the working week at the club with a debrief on Monday and a prematch planning/end of week wrap-up on the Friday. I get to the gym twice a week and the rest is mainly spent on getting our new stadium underway. If I'm lucky, a visit to East Dulwich Picturehouse might be squeezed in.
What is your favourite thing about game days in Dulwich?
Definitely walking the length of Lordship Lane and then Grove Vale to the ground. Seeing the families in pink and blue before the game, the fans streaming off the trains and buses, and the pubs packed with people meeting up before wandering up the hill is such a special experience that I will never take for granted.
What are your favourite south London eateries?
I'm a Lordship Lane loyalist and have an addiction to
Franklins, who switch up their fantastic daily lunch set menu so often that I am not ashamed to say it can be more than a weekly event.
Memsaab is our “go to” for a curry, while MEATliquor has still never been equalled for matching what I used to love about working in the US. The new Chi is a great addition to 148 and then Yama Momo is terrific for a treat. Johnnies Kitchen is my favourite cafe for breakfast, sitting in or picking something up.
I am looking forward to my first visit to Kix Bar + Kitchen in its new home after loving it on North Cross Road. And if I haven't mentioned one you love, it's because I am still working my way through them all.
Where do you shop for clothes and homeware in south London?
I'm going to keep that SE22 vibe going here, clothing, Mac & Miller on North Cross Road is great for a chat even if you aren't buying, and the new expanded men's range means I can shop as much for me as I used to for others.
Homeware, I am more likely to be found in St Christopher's Hospice or one of the other charity shops as I love looking for glasses and other gems people have decided they don't have room for. For something new, the close-knit quartet of Mrs Robinson, Roullier White, Karavan Eco and Jumping Bean have a great mix of the practical and the beautiful.
Finally, what’s the one place, thing or activity south of the river that everyone should try at least once?
Other than visiting Champion Hill Stadium to watch Dulwich Hamlet? I'd say the Thames Path, however much of it you can manage on foot or by bike. Everyone knows the South Bank to Tower Bridge, but I love picking it up from Surrey Quays and heading east.
Every stretch has something special and while most people have been to Greenwich, get yourself out to Woolwich, Abbey Wood, Thamesmead and even the pier at Erith if I'm allowed to recommend one with a foot over the other side of the Kent post code border.
dulwichhamletfc.co.uk
Ben Clasper, above, in blue shirt.
Photos: Rob Avis
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