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• PANORAMIC THAMES VIEWS
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• INTERACTIVE DESSERT STATION
• LIGHTSHOW, DANCE FLOOR AND DJ WED 17 DEC
Editor
About us
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.
We also publish the South London Weekly and Greenwich and Lewisham Weekender every week, as well as the quarterly Bermondsey Biscuit and Rotherhithe Docker
We use 100% recovered paper from the Ortviken papermill in Sweden, a green energy provider who use biofuel instead of oil and provide heat for 10,000 single family homes.
We're based in Bermondsey Square - we'd love to chat if you want to pop in for a cup of coffee and tell us about your business!
www.southlondon.co.uk
Kevin Quinn
Writers Evie Flynn, Michael Holland, Katherine Johnston, Rebecca Healy, Emily Driver, Modupe Omitola, Lilian Mulholand and Maxine Brigue
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Contents
5 HOME SECRETARY - harvest festival at Garden Museum, world music in Rotherhithe, Peckham poetry festival, Brixton art installation and a Southbank literature festival
7-14 WHAT'S ON - where to watch this year's fireworks displays, Diwali special events, Oktoberfest at Clapham Common, stars of stand-up at Peckham comedy festival, our pick of things to do with the family, and Halloween events
19 LOCAL FACES - James Massiah on his poetrycum-party phenomenon Adult Entertainment
20 COMMUNITY - The 126-year-old Bottle Factory revived on the Old Kent Road
23 WELLBEING - Oca yoga - a haven and home on Decima Street
25-28 FOOD & DRINK - Whole Beast in Brixton, Emerge Cookery School in SE5, Spice Bags in Peckham, the chef who went from prison to social media stardom on his new Herne Hill restaurant, and 20 years of Peckham Rye's Ganapati
33 HOME - D ulwich's Midcentury Modern must-haves
38 LOCAL FACES - Peckham Palms looks to empower underserved communities with its Afro-centric hair and beauty space
Illuminate. Dance. Celebrate.
Diwali
THE PENINSULA
Saturday 18 October
2pm - 7pm
Join us for Diwali at Greenwich Peninsula - an afternoon of colour, rhythm and community. From creative workshops and street food to a vibrant procession and a mass dance under the lights. Come in your brightest colours or traditional dress and be part of the celebration.
@greenwich.peninsula
The local line-up for your diary
HARVEST FESTIVAL AT THE GARDEN MUSEUM
A day filled with stalls, talks and workshops exploring the role that food and growing plays in the modern world.
A series of talks will explore themes from kitchen gardens, growing indoor microgreens and fruity walks around Lambeth, to showcase the urban fruit trees in the area.
There will also be film screenings, drop-in workshops and live music from the London Vegetable Orchestra - an ensemble whose instruments are handcrafted from vegetables. Courgette percussion, carrot recorders, and pumpkin basses sound as good as they look and you can even “Make your own veggie instrument” in their workshop.
Date: Sunday 19 October
Time: 11:00 - 16:00
Location: Garden Museum, 5 Lambeth Palace Rd, London SE1 7LB
Price: £5 entry
https://gardenmuseum.org.uk/events/gardenmuseum-harvest-festival-2025
BRIXTON VILLAGE ART INSTALLATION:
Brixton Village is celebrating Black History Month with a free art installation exploring African history, heritage and spirituality.
Named Dan Oracle, this immersive art installation curated by Afro-Brazilian artist and Brixton resident, Ana Beatriz Almeida, will transform Brixton Village’s vibrant Market Row into a site of ritual and reflection. Set against the background of Brixton Village’s rich heritage, Dan Oracle will take its audience on a journey of self-discovery through the artistic reconnection of indigenous African knowledge, fragmented by displacement and the slave trade.
Date: Monday 13th October until Friday 31st October
Location: Unit 38, Market Row, Brixton Village, Coldharbour Lane, London, SW9 8PS
Time: Opening Performance: Monday 13th October, 6pm - 8pm.
Opening Times: Thursdays — Sundays, 12pm onwards. Walk-in format.
Artists’ Talk: Tuesday 21st October, 6pm - 9pm.
LISTEN TO MUSIC FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD IN ROTHERHITHE:
TunedIn London presents live music concerts from all around the world at St. Mary’s Church in Rotherhithe.
JOSÉ ALMARCHA TRIO - Wednesday 15th October, 7:30pm: Award-winning flamenco guitarist José Almarcha is from The Castilla-La Mancha region in Spain and brings a thrilling performance of raw, powerful guitar with strong rhythmic percussion.
Price: £8 children, £16 standard, £11 student, £11 job seekers
FLAMENCO ORÍGENES - Wed 12th November, 8pm: A group of traditional flamenco artists will lead a journey from one continent to the next, delving into almost-forgotten knowledge and searching for the true origins of the art form that we have come to know as flamenco.
Price: £17.50 early bird, £23 standard
HOP SKOTSHNE - Thu 27th November, 7.30pm: A fun and dynamic klezmer ensemble, Hop Skotshne are something of a family collaboration whose passion is to add their unique and inventive interpretations to traditional Eastern European Jewish music.
Price: £8 children, £16 standard, £11 student, £11 job seekers
Location: St.Mary’s Church Rotherhithe, Saint Marychurch St, London SE16 4HZ
THE MIXTAPE POETRY FESTIVAL AT PECKHAM LEVELS:
A day filled with open mic poetry, headliners, bands, stalls, food, and workshops at the MixTape Poetry Festival 2025. Head to Levels 5 and 6 of Peckham Levels to watch the talent take the stage. Whether you are a poetry enthusiast or just looking for a fun day out, this event is perfect. At 6pm, you can perform at their Open Mic Poetry event. Enter by emailing info@carcazan.com OR send us a DM on Instagram @themiztapepoetryfestival.
Date: Saturday 11 October
Times: 12pm - 12am
Price: £15 general admission, £10 children. Book here: https://peckhamlevels.org/events/mixtape-poetryfestival-2025
Location: The Gig Space, Level 5, Peckham Levels, 95a Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST
LONDON LITERATURE FESTIVAL AT SOUTHBANK CENTRE
The longest-running celebration of the written and spoken word in the capital is returning to the south bank from 21 October - 2 November.
Expect talks, readings and discussions with prestigious authors, rising literary stars and cultural observers.
Highlights include Reese Witherspoon and Harlen Coben’s talk on their new thriller, activist Malala Yousafzai will present her new memoir, and bestselling author Sebastian Faulks will launch his latest book.
Dates: 21 October - 2 November
Price: Tickets vary based on the performance, but the festival includes multiple free events
Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/events/
q Harvest Festival. © Garden museum
Tribe at Brixton Market
Evie Flynn
If you’ve ever walked down Walworth Road, chances are you’ve noticed that the grand Walworth Town Hall has reopened. After standing empty for over a decade following a devastating fire in 2013, the landmark has been beautifully restored and is now operated by General People.
The restoration, led by architects Feix & Merlin, has preserved the history and character of this Grade II–listed landmark while breathing new life into it. Once on the Historic England’s ‘Heritage at Risk’ register, the building has been carefully revived - original features reinstated and bright, modern spaces introduced throughout. Today, Walworth Town Hall has been reimagined as one of London’s newest workspaces, offering 50,000 sq ft of flexible offices and coworking areas. It is now home to a diverse mix of businesses - from local start-ups and independent creatives to established companies seeking their next head office - making it a place where heritage and business thrive side by side.
But what makes us happiest is that Walworth Town Hall is for everyone, not just the people working in it. The WTH Community Space, which is part of the Walworth Town Hall, is open to all, offering a welcoming environment for the whole community. Each week, local instructors lead a variety of free classes and activities, from yoga and pilates to dance and wellness workshops. In addition to these free offerings, the space also hosts private events and paid classes, helping to support a diverse and vibrant programme for everyone.
We’ve seen first-hand how quickly the space has become a new hotspot in Elephant & Castle: parents dropping into fitness sessions, residents joining dance classes, and young entrepreneurs coming together for networking events. And with the addition of our on-site café, Jusu Brothers, Walworth Town Hall is quickly becoming a
A New Chapter for Walworth Town Hall
welcoming hub where the neighbourhood can come together to work, connect and experience something new.
Jūsu Brothers is a key part of Walworth Town Hall. Originally based in Notting Hill, this is their latest branch, bringing the neighbourhood favourite relaxed vibes and delicious, health-conscious menu to Walworth.
Located within the beautifully restored Grade II–listed Walworth Town Hall building, Jūsu Brothers adds another layer to what there is to offer. Whether you’re working in the flexible offices, attending a free yoga or dance class at the WTH Community Space, or simply exploring the area, this café is open to the public Monday - Saturday, offering a place to relax, recharge, focus and connect.
W: www.generalpeople.com
T: 020 3874 4444
E: walworth@generalpeople.com
Where to watch the fireworks this year
Evie Flynn
BLACKHEATH:
Back for the first time in six years, the Blackheath firework display is a fun-filled evening for the whole family.
There will be award-winning entertainment, fairground rides and food and drink as around 30,000 people are expected to flock to the common.
Date: Saturday 1 November
Time: Gates open and entertainment from 17:00. The fireworks start at 20:00 and the event closes at 10:30.
Price: £16 adults, £11 youths (11-15), £5.50 children (0-10). Family tickets are available for £13.20 for two adults and two children,
Location: Blackheath, London SE3 0TY
DULWICH SPORTS CLUB:
The family-oriented firework display at Dulwich Sports Club regularly sells out each year and is a key part of the community club's fundraising activities.
There will be live music from 17:30 until 19:00, headlined by Matthew Lynch. You are unable to buy tickets on the night, so make sure you have your ticket pre-purchased.
Date: Saturday 8 November
Time: Gates open at 5pm
Price: £13 adults, £8 youth (12-18), £1 children (under 12s)
Location: Dulwich Sports Club, Giant Arches Road, London, SE24 9HP
BROMLEY:
Bromley’s firework display, funfair and food stalls are back for another year at Bromley High School.
Date: Saturday 8 November
Time: 17:45 - 22:00. Fireworks start at 19:30 Price: £13 admission
Location: Bromley High School, Blackbrook Lane, Bromley, BR1 2TW
BATTERSEA PARK:
An explosive celebration is returning to Battersea Park with live performances, food stalls and dance tents. The weekend event means there is something for everyone - whether you are looking for a sparkling Saturday night or a family-friendly Sunday activity.
Date: Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November
Time: 18:00 - 00:00. Fireworks start at 20:30
Price: £14.20 adult, £9.50 youths (5-15), free for children (under 5)
MORDEN PARK AND WIMBLEDON PARK:
Fireworks in the Park 2025 is back and better than ever with their display in Morden Park and Wimbledon Park.
Choose two different timings: early evening at 18:45 or later at 20:30 to suit your family.
In both parks, there will be a funfair, street food, bar and entertainment.
WIMBLEDON:
Date: Wednesday 5 November
Time: Either 18:45 or 20:30
Price: £12 adult, £9 children (5-15), £35 family (two adults and two children)
Location: Wimbledon Park, Home Park Rd, London SW19 8AU
MORDEN:
Date: Saturday 8 November
Time: Either 18:45 or 20:30
Price: £12 adult, £9 children (5-15), £35 family (two adults and two children)
Location: Morden Park, Morden, London, SM4 5JD
BECKENHAM:
Beckenham Charity Fireworks is a family-friendly fireworks display with fairground and stalls supporting local charities since 1946.
Date: Saturday 8 November
Time: Gates open at 16:30. Fireworks display at 19:15
Price: £18 adults, £6.36 children (5-13), free for under 5s
Location: Croydon Road Recreation Ground, 319 Croydon Rd, Beckenham, BR3 3FD
DIWALI DINNER AND DANCE
Purpose-built arts and community venue Blackheath Halls is hosting a dance for Diwali. The event’s organisers promise colour, rhythm and flavour with live Indian music, dance performances and exquisite food.
The dinner will be provided by Everest Inn, famous for its Indian and Nepalese food. Performers include Debipiriya Sircar, a sitar player and vocalist, Harkiet Singh Bara, playing the tabla and dynamic dance courtesy of Aparajita Burjwal.
Date: Saturday 11 October
Time: 6pm
Location: Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, Blackheart, SE3 9RQ
Tickets: £30-65 blackheathhalls.com
Diwali special events
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AT GREENWICH PENINSULA
On Saturday October 18th between 2pm and 7pm Diwali festivities will be returning to Greenwich Peninsula with high-energy group dancing, a programme of creative workshops and delicious south Asian cuisine. Peninsula Square, the Design District and Barton Yard will host to drop-in workshops to decorate your own Dandiya sticks, join dance rehearsals for Dandiya Raas and Garba, and create Diwali lanterns to light up the evening.
As night falls, a vibrant procession led by an illuminated rickshaw, four Dhol drummers and ten Garba dancers in traditional costume will wind through the Design District, drawing everyone into Barton Yard for a joyful group dance under a canopy of lights – the heart of the celebration.
A curated street food market will showcase authentic South Asian cuisine, with independent vendors serving regional dishes, sweets and drinks.
Canteen Food Hall & Bar will stay open into the evening, with DJs playing Bollywood beats and South Asian sounds to keep the energy high.
Date: October 18
Time: 2-7pm.
Location: Peninsula Square, Design District and Barton Yard at Greenwich Peninsula.
Tickets: Free.
greenwichpeninsula.co.uk / @greenwich.peninsula on Instagram.
Evie Flynn
7 DAYS A WEEK
PROGRAMMING
CANADA WATER, LONDON, SE16 7LL We
a clinic in London
and offer single moles checks,
body skin checks and mole mapping. Our specialist nurses will carry out an examination to identify any visually atypical mole or moles.
MONDAY - CURATE
Panels, workshops & inspiring conversations
TUESDAY- STRIDE
Weekly run club from 6.30PM
WEDNESDAY - ON AIR
Brixton Radio Live Residency from 6PM
THURSDAY - PLAYBACK
DJ rewinds & remixes
FRIDAY - OFF RECORD
Big beats. Secret sets
SATURDAY - MAIN STAGE
Headline sounds & unmissable live music
SUNDAY - UNWIND
Take it easy with great flavours & chilled soundtrack
Prost!
Oktoberfest on the Common returns to South London
Katherine Johnston
The biggest Oktoberfest in London returns to Clapham Common this month, from October 10-25, with 22,000 people expected to join the celebrations.
Oktoberfest on the Common will bring beer, food, music and Bavarian culture over three weekends in South London in an exclusive partnership with Munich’s iconic Paulaner brewery.
Organisers promise endless bratwurst, pretzels and over 50,000 steins, along with oompah bands, DJs, crowd games, axe throwing, fairground rides and ‘the most electric Oktoberfest dancefloor in the city’.
This year’s event includes an expanded Bavarian Village serving up food including vegan and gluten free options and, on top of Paulaner Biergarten’s offerings, there will be fruity craft lagers like Jubel
and South London’s Sambrook’s Brewery, plus wines, cocktails, spirits and soft drinks.
“Oktoberfest on the Common is more than just a festival - it’s a chance to come together with friends old and new, raise a stein, and experience a slice of Bavarian culture right here in London,” Nick Jackson, Oktoberfest on the Common’s event director, said. “From the live music to the games and the dancefloor, it’s an atmosphere you simply can’t find anywhere else in the city.”
Oktoberfest on the Common, Friday 10thSaturday 25th October 2025 at Clapham Common, SE4 9AN.
General admission tickets start from £31.50 for the ‘Super Early Bird’ ticket and VIP tables of 6 start from just £37.50 per person, including reserved seating near the stage, table service and fast-track entry.
www.oktoberfestonthecommon.com
Stars of stand-up come to Peckham
Playground Comedy Festival
Katherine Johnston
Comedy festival ‘Peckham Playground’ returns this October after a hugely successful first ever run in 2023.
Featuring an all-star line-up with some of the biggest names and rising stars of stand up, the festival will see seven shows across five days from October 8-12, plus cocktail bars and street food, all at Copeland Park.
Created by award winning production company Show and Tell, Peckham Playground’s stellar line-up includes James Acaster, Nish Kumar, Nina Conti, Sam Campbell, Phil Wang, Tim Key, Aurie Styla, Bridget Christie, Sindhu Vee, Rhys James, Catherine Bohart, Lucy Beaumont and many more.
Wed Oct 8 / Doors 6pm / Show 7.45pm / £20-30
Tim Key, Bridget Christie, Lou Sanders, Esther Manito, Thor Stenhaug
Thu Oct 9 / Doors 6pm / Show 7.45pm / £20-30
Nish Kumar, Rhys James, Janine Harouni, Michael Odewale, Chloe Petts
Fri Oct 10 / Doors 6pm / Show 7.45pm /£18-27
Aurie Styla, Kane Brown, Laura Smyth, Kyrah Gray
Sat Oct 11 / Doors 4pm / Show 5pm / £20-30
James Acaster: Work in progress
Sat Oct 11 / Doors 6.45pm / Show 7.45pm / £20-30
Nina Conti, Catherine Bohart, Spencer Jones, Sharon Wanjohi
Sun Oct 12 / Doors 3pm / Show 4pm / £20-30
Phil Wang, Sindhu Vee, Gbemi Oladipo, Chloe Petts
Sun Oct 12 / Doors 6.45pm / Show 7.45pm / £20-30
Sam Campbell, Lucy Beaumont, Dan Tiernan, Alexandra Haddow, Tadiwa Mahlunge
Tickets are on sale now at www.peckhamplayground.com
LONDON’S BIGGEST OKTOBERFEST
22,000 guests. 50,000 steins. Three unforgettable weekends.
London’s biggest Oktoberfest takes over Clapham Common from 10th - 25th October, with 22,000 guests expected across three epic weekends
Featuring a UK-exclusive partnership with Munich’s iconic Paulaner brewery, endless bratwurst and pretzels, and serving over 50,000 steins
Jam-packed entertainment with oompah bands, DJs, crowd games, fairground rides, and the most electric Oktoberfest dancefloor in the city
Friday 10th - Saturday 25th October 2025 Clapham Common, London SW4 9AN
(What3Words: pint.dimes.hits)
Top things to do with the family ―
By Evie Flynn
TELLING TALES AT SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE
A selection of bestselling children's authors will be coming to the Sam Wanamaker indoor theatre at Shakespeare’s Globe as part of Telling Tales.
Michael Rosen will travel through history, geography and beyond. There will be a spooky session from award-winning author Piers Torday and Children's Laureate 2022-2024 Joseph Coelho.
There’s even a chance to try your hand at creative writing with author Shelina Janmohamed who will guide you through a fascinating story of your own. Each session can be booked individually.
Date: Saturday 25 October - Thursday 30 October Time: Various times depending on event
Price: £12 per event
Location: 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT
PADDINGTON BEAR EXPERIENCE ON THE SOUTH BANK
This October half-term, step into a world of marmalade magic and spooky surprises as The Paddington Bear Experience transforms for Halloween!
From Saturday 18 October to Sunday 2 November, families are invited to enjoy a limitedtime Trick-or-Treat adventure at London’s awardwinning immersive attraction, located at the iconic County Hall on the South Bank.
This Halloween, Paddington’s home on Windsor Gardens has a seasonal makeover, glowing in autumnal colours and filled with festive fun. From 3pm daily, guests can upgrade their visit with a special Trick-or-Treat package (£10 per child), which includes:
● A souvenir pumpkin sweet bucket
● A selection of sweet treats throughout the experience
● A pair of exclusive Paddington Bear ears
● Children will meet beloved characters from the Paddington stories who will be handing out treats along the way, ending in a safe and joyful Halloween celebration in Windsor Gardens.
Price: £24 children (2-15), £34 adults (16+)
THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD LIVE ON STAGE AT BLACKHEATH HALLS:
Follow the Gruffalo's Child on her adventurous mission in Tall Stories' enchanting adaptation of the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
One wild and windy night the Gruffalo's Child ignores her father's warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and tiptoes out into the deep dark wood. She follows snowy tracks and encounters mysterious creatures - but the Big Bad Mouse doesn't really exist… does he?
Let your imagination run wild with songs, laughs and scary fun for everyone aged 3 to 103.
Dates: Saturday 18th - Sunday 19th October
Time: Various afternoon performances
Price: £17 adults, £15 children (1-16). Book here: https://www.blackheathhalls.com/whats-on/thegruffalos-child/
Location: 23 Lee Rd, Blackheath, London SE3 9RQ
A
PACKED HALF-TERM SCHEDULE OF FREE ACTIVITIES AT THE NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM:
Journey to Greenwich to take part in a wide range of myth and legend themed activities at the National Maritime Museum during half term.
There is a new activity every day, including making your own sea monster masks, making a concertina dragon book and listening to storyteller talks by celebrated authors.
All activities, from craft workshops to storytelling sessions, are free of charge and operate on a drop-in basis so there’s no need to book in advance.
Dates: Sunday 26th October - Sunday 2 November
Time: Various times: https://www.rmg.co.uk/ whats-on/national-maritime-museum/octoberhalf-term
Price: Free, no need to book tickets
Location: National Maritime Museum, Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF
MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO EXPERIENCE AT WOOLWICH WORKS:
Woolwich Works are putting on an interactive take on the classic Studio Ghibli film My Neighbour Totoro, where viewers can become part of a pop-up orchestra to create a magical soundtrack.
It is not a full screening of the film, but an interactive showing of five much-loved scenes.
The event is ideal for children aged 4+ and their grown-ups, who team up to become the magical orchestra.
It will follow two sisters who move to a house in the country with a mysterious giant tree, and their adventures with “Totoro” creatures.
Date: Saturday 25th October
Time: 11:30am or 2pm
Price: £11 per ticket
Location: The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 St, Royal Arsenal, London SE18 6HD
Halloween events
DAY OF THE DEAD FLOWER CROWN WORKSHOP
Peckham’s Crisis charity shop is hosting a flower crown workshop with florists ‘Where have all the flowers gone?’ for the Mexican day of the dead celebration this Halloween.
Fresh flower blossoms are integral to the festival’s celebrations. Traditionally marigolds are believed to guide the spirits of the deceased home.
Inspired by Frida Kahlo’s flower crown self-portrait, you can create your very own crown at this event using wire, tape and dried or faux vintage blooms. There is no experience required.
Crisis provides practical support for homeless people. The charity shop in Peckham is a locals’ favourite, selling vintage clothes and a warming cup of coffee.
Date: Friday 31st October
Time: 6-8:30pm
Location: Crisis Peckham, 160 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4NB. Tickets: £30, visit @shopfromcrisispeckham for more information
PARK IT IN THE MARKET: HALLOWEEN SPECIAL
The famous 1950s ballroom in Brockley is often used as a filming location, in music videos and for gigs - but for this Halloween it will show a spooky selection of horror films, including more family friendly titles.
Kicking off proceedings will be a screening of ‘Psycho’ on Monday 27th October at 7:30pm. Following this will be ‘Carrie’, ‘The Crow’, ‘Lost Boys’, ‘Hocus Pocus’ and ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’.
Date: Monday 27th October 7:30 pm ‘Psycho’
Tuesday 28th October 7:30pm ‘Carrie’
Wednesday 29th October 7:30 ‘The Crow’
Thursday 30th October 7:30pm ‘The Lost Boys’
Friday 31st October 5pm ‘Hocus Pocus’ and 8 pm ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’
Tickets: From £10 to £16.50, rivoliballroom.com
Greenwich Market’s special celebration of vintage cars, bikes and rock’n’roll called ‘Park it in the Market’ will return for a Halloween special.
Seasonal décor, including jack-o’lanterns will accompany the usual selection of motors at the historic market, said to date back to the 14th Century. Vendors will be transformed into vampires, werewolves and other spooky characters. There will be music, vintage stalls and plenty of street food options. Fancy dress encouraged.
Thursday 30th October. Time: 7:30-10pm Greenwich Market, SE10 9HZ Free greenwichmarket.london
ORGANOKE AT ST GILES CHURCH
Organoke is a unique event that fuses the traditional organ, a live band and karaoke. It was set up in 2016 when an idea was shared between friends wanting to raise funds for the restoration of the 1844 organ at St Giles’ church in Camberwell.
The event is in two halves, with the first half featuring communal organ singing to all the classic spooky hits you’ve never heard an organ play. After, attendees join on stage and sing karaoke, all with dressing up and trick or treating.
Date: Saturday 1 November
Time: Doors at 7pm and show at 8pm St Giles Church, Camberwell, SE5 8RB Tickets: £31 at organoke.com
THE SOUTH LONDON SOUL TRAIN HALLOWEEN SPECIAL WITH BRASS RASCALS
If live music is more your thing, then you should surely get down to the CLF art lounge to see Brass Rascals this Halloween.
The live brass band includes some of London’s most talented session musicians who have played with the likes of Loyle Carner and Tom Misch, and recently supported Rex Orange County on tour.
DJs including Jazzheadchronic will be joined by other guests in playing funk, soul and hip-hop, providing an all-night disco until 4AM. The band will hit the stage at the late time of midnight, ensuring a party atmosphere.
Date: Friday 31st October. Time: 10pm-4am CLF Art Lounge, Rooftop, 120 Peckham Hill St, SE15 5JT Tickets: £5-13. clfartlounge.com
FRIGHT NIGHTS AT RIVOLI BALLROOM
Rebecca Healy
Tickets from £8.50 (Booking fees apply)
Early bird rates still available on certain performances
We are an independent pottery teaching school offering one-off classes & longer courses for beginners through to intermediates. On site is also an Open Access Membership scheme on our premises provided via ClayCreatives for enthusiasts, amateurs & semi-professionals. Come & see what we’re all about during our CHRISTMAS OPEN STUDIO on Sunday 23rd November 11am-4pm. There will be loads of beautiful work for sale made by the ClayCreatives members. Great for Christmas gifts, stocking fillers or maybe just treat yourself! There will be info about future classes & courses as well as drinks & nibbles!
Check out our website for full details: claykilncraft.com
facebook: Clay Kiln Craft instagram: @claykilncraft phone: 07976 290735 web: claykilncraft.com
email: claykilncraftpottery@gmail.com membership: info@claycreatives.co.uk 20 Church Road, Crystal Palace, London SE19 2ET
James Massiah wants to ‘blow your head off’
Emily
In the cellar of Southwark Tavern, James Massiah is talking to me about equations. Not the kind he once ignored at his many schools in South London (apologies Beecholme Park, Gorringe Park and Mitcham Vale), but the ones he now learns as a poet and the creator of poetry-cum-party phenomenon Adult Entertainment.
“In maths you have a right answer and a wrong answer, and that’s what I want to get to the bottom of,” he tells me. “What’s a right answer for a poem? When is a poem good or bad, true or false, if you will?”
It’s typical contemplation for 35-year-old Massiah – part philosopher, part provocateur, with his fingertips spread far and wide across London’s creative scene.
A poet, a musician, artist, and a DJ ( “depends what day of the week it is,” he shrugs), Massiah has collaborated with the likes of Massive Attack and Joy Orbison, read at the Tate and and performed everywhere from the House of Commons to Camberwell. In the last month alone he’s performed in Milan, Amsterdam, Paris, and Rotterdam.
Born and raised in Mitcham, where he still lives with his parents (“It’s a really, really good deal that I’ve got at the moment,” he jokes) a love of reading
took him to Brunel University to study English, but Massiah admits it wasn’t until post-university life that he was inspired to write and wrestle with life’s big questions - and it all happened in the back rooms of pubs in Peckham with friends. “Someone would say, have you read Wittgenstein? Have you read Nietzsche? Those conversations led me to different schools of thought about ethics, reality, everything else.”
This awakening saw him become a ‘staunch atheist’ after a church-going childhood, now following what he describes as an ‘amoral egoism’ – the belief that there is no absolute morality, only self-interest; a creed he finds particularly liberating.
“I’m big on taking agency of your own life,” he says. “When I believed in God, it robbed me of agency. I’m living more of an aesthetic life than an ethical one. It’s about pleasure, enjoyment, the senses.” These themes are the hallmark of his work - exploring hedonism, sexuality, mortality, and life in London.
Adult Entertainment’s unabashed intellectualism mixed with full-on party vibes has proved a smash hit. What started as improvised salons in South London bars turned into a roaringly successful movement now drawing crowds of young creatives to venues in Soho, Peckham and – this August –Southwark Park, where hundreds came for a DJ event called Rally. Hot on the heels of this success, Massiah plans to host the event again next year.
Massiah, with nearly 30,000 Instagram followers, is the big draw. But now Adult Entertainment is run by a whole ecology of friends, photographers, directors and performers. The nights are democratic by design. Well-known poets share the stage with students. A verse by Whitman is followed by an
original. Then music swells and the room becomes a party.
So, back to the question playing on his mind. What makes a truly good poem? The answer he keeps returning to is Emily Dickinson’s assertion that true poetry is like having “the top of my head taken off”. Or, in his own words, he wants a poem that “blows your head off”.
Has he achieved it? He thinks so. “There are performances where you can collectively feel everyone’s head being sliced off at once,” he says, delighted.
His cheat sheet: keep them short, lean towards humour – whether laugh-out-loud or wry and knowing. Hook the audience fast. Reference what feels alive. Above all: “put yourself in a room, in a party. And if the poem you’re about to read is going to kill the vibe of the party, smell the room.”
But there is still room for magic in poetry, he concedes. “It’s titillation. The magic of childhood, captivated by what you don’t understand, mystery, that’s what I’m trying to build in Adult Entertainment.”
Is your head still on?
Follow @adultsentertained and @jamesmassiahon on Instagram
Driver
The Bottle Factory:
A 126-YEAR-OLD INDUSTRIAL SPACE REVIVED ON THE OLD KENT ROAD
“Traditional galleries are having a really hard time,” Henry explained. “Our new approach means we can’t go bankrupt.”
The event space at the factory was described by Henry as an ideal local and “exciting place to make art” due to its industrial, earthy feel. They have hosted six exhibitions in the space so far and have a new show opening in Deptford soon, where they will invite South London-based artists to apply.
Originally a loading bay for the Bottle Factory, the original flooring, brickwork and pillars have been uncovered, which Henry said is something different from the “white cube” environment of modern galleries.
Their PEDIGREE exhibition is currently on display until the 12 September in the event space, open to the public Thursday to Saturday, 12-5pm.
Featuring work from eighteen artists in their twenties to their sixties, the exhibition explores how the domesticated dog reflects the instincts, structures and contradictions of human behaviour.
Recently joining the Bottle Factory with their new London studio and workshop is Atelier Ellis, an independent paint manufacturer.
From London’s oldest family-run gin distillery to its only fully sustainable coffee roastery, the Bottle Factory near the Old Kent Road is a creative workspace with a fascinating history.
The 126-year-old Victorian building, a stone's throw from Burgess Park and the Old Kent Road, was once home to the famous bottling brand, J Mills & Sons.
The factory, which once bottled mineral water, lemonade and ginger beer, has undergone a transformative restoration project. However, its industrial charm remains, with exposed brick, original flooring and heaps of natural light.
The space has been transformed into a creative workspace, hosting numerous businesses, including a temporary art gallery with a twist and a sustainable paint company.
We spoke to four of the standout businesses, who all have sustainability and community at their core.
Thames Distillery is an independent gin rectifier, processor and bottler, who relocated to the Bottle House in the factory courtyard in August last year. However, their familial presence in the London gin scene has been around far longer.
Owner Charles Maxwell’s family lineage can be traced back to 1740, when Joseph Bishop founded the Finsbury Distillery, which Charles then joined in 1976, becoming the tenth continuous generation in the business.
The business began its life in Clapham in 1996, with Charles looking to preserve his family’s rich tradition, but still keep an eye on the future of distilling.
They have now moved to the Bottle Factory and their premises is equipped with the distillery itself, tasting rooms, offices, and a cocktail bar for hosting clients and private events.
Ockju Lee is a distiller at the site, whose family had a long tradition of gin distilling. Originally from Korea, she studied the craft in Scotland,
gaining a Masters in Brewing and Distilling from Heriot-Watt University, before bringing her unique skills to London.
The team have created over 300 different gins, vodkas and other spirits. Ockju explains one of her favourite creations: a Korean-inspired gin using botanicals like porella leaves, black sesame leaves, and omija five-flavour berries.
Ockju oversees all on-site distillation projects, with three or four distillations per week. Each distillation produces around 14,000 bottles of gin.
The distillery itself features two 500-litre pot stills, which they have been affectionately named Tom Thumb and Thumbelina and are the last ever stills built by John Dore in 1984.
Recently joining the mix of businesses is The London Coffee Factory, who have installed a new zero-emissions roastery in their new space.
The London Coffee Factory own and supply beans to Hej Coffee and Social Impact Coffee, two purpose-driven coffee brands.
Hej Coffee is their original cafe, located on Rodney Road in Elephant and Castle. The Swedish word ‘hej’ means hello and the team took inspiration from the simplicity of Scandi coffee.
Social Impact Coffee is their new communityfocused CIC, where 65 per cent of their profits are put into local charities and community initiatives.
Within the Bottle Factory, the team’s pièce de résistance is London’s first clean-air roastery, which is set for a full scale launch this month, and will produce coffee beans for delivery all over the capital.
The innovative roastery produces no pollutants or emissions and runs entirely on renewable electricity, rather than gas. The fumes produced then go through a filter, pushing out only clean air.
But their eco-conscious efforts don’t stop there. All their coffee is delivered using reusable containers on electric vehicles or bikes, with empties collected, like a traditional milk round.
The London Coffee Factory’s space is also decked out with panels made from recycled coffee cups and the surfaces are made of reclaimed oak from the Royal Docks. They say this expansion is helping them serve the many businesses in London who have a growing interest in sustainable, ethical coffee.
Working with large corporations as well as small businesses, the new eco-roastery highlights a cleaner future for coffee production.
John Whelan, community manager at the Bottle Factory, highlights this as a key goal, commenting: “Sustainability runs through everything we do within the building including the reusing and repurposing of various building materials which have been used within the space.”
OHSH Projects, founded by Henry Hussey and Sophia Olver, also has a prime spot in the factory, using the currently unused event space.
The project began during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Henry noticed the stark increase in empty buildings and reached out to landlords to see if he could put these spaces to good use.
From there, OHSH Projects was born, hosting short term exhibitions in otherwise unused spaces, free of charge. Henry described how he loves transforming “ugly spaces”, giving them a new life and even providing a practical benefit for landlords by deterring squatters.
Founded by designer Cassandra Ellis, the highquality, breathable bio-based paints use no plastics and have virtually no smell.
Cassandra’s work focuses on creating emotionally resonant spaces through colour. The company combines traditional, water-based manufacturing processes with locally sourced, natural materials.
As Debbie, director of impact at Fabrix, the company who runs the factory, says: “The Bottle Factory is special on so many levels. A beautiful set of former industrial buildings, tucked away in an area of London undergoing a huge amount of change, that we have had the privilege of bringing back into modern, sustainable use.”
The eclectic mix of businesses has transformed this corner of Old Kent Road into an entrepreneurial hub, keeping sustainability and heritage at the forefront of their vision.
www.thebottlefactory.london 12 Ossery Road, SE1 5AN
Bottle Factory bottles ©Agnese Sanvito
Evie Flynn
Oca yoga - a haven and home on Decima Street
Taking my first class at new yoga studio Oca, I realise I’ve never been to one quite like it in London.
Everyone is friendly, hugging each other and catching up before and after, and the vibe is more like a tight knit group of friends, or family.
Oca opened in Decima Street earlier this year on the site of a former metal printworks. Set up by founder and yoga teacher Gabi Ribeiro, the practice is inspired not just by the culture and history of yoga, but also her family’s roots in the indigenous communities of the Brazilian Amazon.
“The passion behind Oca was for it to be a home, a home for those ancient practices, and our modern practices for our day to day lives,” she tells us.
“Oca means home in the Tupi-Guarani language and, for these indigenous people, it would be a circular building and centre of their community.
Alongside offering every type of yoga imaginable for every ability, there are sound baths, cacao ceremonies and meditation classes and Brazilian dance classes, with support from a team of teachers. And, the building itself also reflects the concept of Oca, with all natural equipment, cork mats and sustainable wood cladding.
Gabi grew up in Rio de Janeiro and moved to London aged 18. Since then, she has always lived in South London, and made Bermondsey her home five
years ago.
She began teaching yoga in 2013 and this is her first studio where, as director, she oversees a team of instructors, and hopes the studio will become part of the wider community and give people the chance to find their community while taking care of mind and body.
Gabi’s community yoga class is open to all, including absolute beginners, for a discounted price of £10. Regular weekly or monthly packages are also available. Use the code SOUTHWARK50 for 50% off all classes.
www.ocalondon.com 17-19 Decima Street, SE1 4QR
Eliza Frost
Evie Flynn
Affordable solid wood frames, fitted to your artwork ( which last longer than a couple of summers )
Bitesize
WHOLE BEAST HAS FOUND A NEW HOME IN BRIXTON
Evie Flynn
After numerous pop-ups and residencies, Whole Beast has found a new site on Coldharbour Lane and is crowdfunding to help with cash-flow.
Whole Beast specialises in nose-to-tail and live fire cooking to utilise every part of an animal. They offer award-winning burgers, smoked dishes and larger meat platters.
Without external investment, the team are looking to raise £10,000 to help get the restaurant up and running.
Whole Beast's opening menu has not been released, so exact pricing is unsure. However, based on previous residencies, you can expect to pay around £10 for a burger and £20 for a meat platter.
The opening date is not set, but they aim to be open in late October or early November.
SUPPORT THE SE LONDON BOOKFEST WITH TONKOTSU’S SET MENU IN PECKHAM
Tonkotsu in Peckham are offering a special offer in collaboration with The SE London BookFest, a series of events to support local food banks.
For £15.95 enjoy a ramen and side, exclusively for those with a ticket to a SEL BookFest event taking place on that day.
The festival has 36 public events including author talks and workshops. Tickets for the book fest start at £4 and include a donation to a local food bank.
EMERGE COOKERY SCHOOL COMES TO CAMBERWELL
Emerge Cookery School has opened a base in Camberwell, offering public and private classes making dishes from around the world.
Founders Shannon McAuliffe and Ruby Hazel first set up Emerge on Hackney Road in 2024 with a desire to make global cuisines more accessible, and now create events for corporate team-building classes, private parties, and bespoke private dining experiences.
Hazel says her love for food began through her grandmother teaching her “traditional Indian techniques as well as spice profiling”. She, along with McAuliffe, set up Emerge as a way to “pass on this love and these skills”.
McAuliffe says their new school in Camberwell is “the perfect space for people to learn how to cook new dishes, meet new people and have fun with their friends or work colleagues.”
The school provides all the equipment and ingredients necessary for their classes.
Railway Arch, 258 Grosvenor Terrace, SE5 0NP. Classes start at £99 – visit emergecookeryschool.co.uk for more information.
SPICE BAGS AT PECKHAM'S RED BULL
Scaldy has been described as ‘London’s first spice bag specialists’ and they have a new residency in The Red Bull pub in Peckham this autumn.
Spice bags have become very popular in Ireland and mix chips with fried chicken, shredded vegetables and a Chinese spice mix. Scaldy offers either chicken, beef or tofu. They also offer spring rolls, chicken balls and gyoza.
Following the success of their previous residency at Feeney’s in the City, they are bringing their IrishChinese flavours south of the river.
You can expect to pay £10.95 for a standard chicken or tofu spice bag and £12.50 for beef.
Malaysian family-style dining is coming to Nunhead with Duda Diner, opening on 10 October for dinner services from Thursday to Saturday, 6-10pm.
Founded by husband-and-wife team Hakeem and Zura, Duda Diner celebrates the spirit of ‘makan’ (eat) together; shared plates, lively tables and recipes inspired by mother’s kitchen, roadside stalls back home and the couple’s own playful twists.
Duda Diner grew from pop-ups and supper clubs and is now taking on its first permanent dining space.
44 Nunhead Green, SE15 3QF
Tonkotsu, Peckham, 133 Rye Lane, SE15 4S
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ thesoutheastlondonbookfest
The Red Bull, 116 Peckham High St, SE15 5ED
Whole Beast, 336 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8QH
DUDA DINER OPENING IN NUNHEAD:
Scaldy
Peckham chef who went from drug-dealing and prison to social media stardom is now opening his first restaurant in Herne Hill
APeckham chef who went from drug-dealing and prison to finding fame on social media for his culinary talents is now about to open his own restaurant in Herne Hill.
2210 by Nathaniel Mortley is opening on Norwood Road on 22 October and will specialise in Caribbean fine dining, following on from his hugely successful run as the head chef at the Greyhound pub in Peckham last year.
Nathaniel - known as Natty Can Cook on social media - was locked up in HMP Brixton in 2019 where he was serving time for drug offences. Whilst inside, he quickly got a job at the prisoner-run restaurant The Clink after they saw what he could do.
Since his release four years ago, Nathaniel, who was Michelin-trained before going to prison and had worked in some of London's top restaurants, has found viral fame on social media with an Instagram following of more than 53,000.
For seven months he ran the kitchen of the Greyhound pub in Peckham, which led to him being tipped as "One to Watch" in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2025 UK Top New Restaurant Awards.
At the Greyhound Nathaniel specialised in Caribbean fine-dining which will also be the focus of 2210, serving pan-Caribbean food drawing on Bajan, Jamaican, and Guyanese traditions and inspired by French techniques.
Signature dishes include Ackee & Saltfish Spring Rolls, Jerk Chicken Supreme, and Wiri Wiri Lamb Rump, with prices varying from around £11 for most starters to between £22-34 for a main course.
“I want to create a space that’s welcoming to
all, and that also celebrates Caribbean food on the same level as the best fine-dining cuisines in the world,” said Mortley.
He described feeling "really excited" to be opening his first restaurant so close to where he grew up in Peckham.
“It represents coming full circle for me. I’m thrilled to have a permanent home to share my vision of Caribbean gastronomy, and to challenge people’s perceptions and stereotypes of Caribbean cuisine, while also honouring my grandmother who was so important in my journey to being a chef."
The 30-year-old was imprisoned back in 2019 for drug offences and served two and a half years inside. “I was dealing drugs – party drugs, on the side whilst I was working in hospitality,” he told our sister publication Southwark News in a 2024 interview, claiming that it was due to discrimination at one of the restaurants he worked at that he lost his passion for cooking and fell into crime.
Nathaniel trained at Lewisham College and his first job at 18 was cheffing at Oblix at The Shard. He had been encouraged to go into hospitality by his mum after he was stabbed at the age of just 16. She was worried about his future and wanted him to pursue cooking to keep him out of trouble.
He explained to us at the time that many people mistakenly believed he learned how to cook in prison - an incorrect assumption, as he had already been Michelin trained and worked for some of London's top restaurants.
Beyond the food, 2210 will continue Mortley’s commitment to social impact through his work
with The Clink helping ex-offenders gain careers in hospitality.
He claims prison "saved his life" by reminding him of his talents, and is committed to helping other young men coming out of prison to get on the right path.
75 Norwood Road,
- 11:00pm / Sun: 12pm - 9:00pm 2210bynattycancook.com
Issy Clarke
q The Lobster Rasta Pasta (£32)
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Ganapati celebrates 20 years of bringing south Indian food to Peckham Rye
―
By Modupe Omitola
Opened by Claire Fisher in the week before Christmas 2004, Ganapati has become the homestyle institution nestled next to its residential neighbours of Holly Grove. Among the first restaurants opened in Peckham, Claire had no experience in the food business before she set out on fulfilling her next dream after a backpacking trip to India in 1991.
What began as a trip to India and a love for being hands-on grew into the desire to learn to cook the food and bring her experiences back into her everyday life. “I was trying to recreate something of that," said Claire. “But I didn’t think I was going to be opening a restaurant. So I worked for other people and did a pop-up. Then gradually it’s like this is the next thing to do.
“In the beginning we were learning new things everyday, what worked, what didn’t work. We were trying to create a homestyle environment that wasn’t too fussy,” she explained. “So we gave everything we had. And it was hard work, but we got the rewards from the people who gave us great feedback and enjoyed it.”
The lack of a food scene in Peckham at the time created an advantage. “It enabled us to become a bigger, deeper part of the community faster, because when there's not that many of you, people get to know each other. So that's been really great that we've built up those community ties,” said Claire.
The general manager, Ady Woods, and Claire often waved at neighbours during our conversation, testament to their integration into the community. "We have a lot of regulars," said Ady. "And they bring their friends. Then we have people coming from quite far afield who particularly want south Indian food, because it's still not that easy to find."
The homeliness comes not just from the regulars but from the employees, who often retire before they leave. “When I say it’s a family, we spend a lot of time here together,” said Claire. “People care about what they’re doing here and that’s why they’ll contribute."
The head chefs, Aboo Koya and Albert Chaliyil, have been there since 2005 and Ady has been there for 15 years. “We’ve had several generations of customers come through. One of our waiters came here as a toddler with his family,” said Claire.
Their heritage reflects the “passion and determination” of the team. The creative output is a collaborative effort, such as the seasonal menu which changes to keep the small selection of dishes fresh and modern and represent homegrown produce.
“I’m proud of our menus and the dishes we come up
with because it’s a creative push for us. The chefs take inspiration from something they may have tried when they went home or something that someone in their family makes,” said Claire. “That’s also the creativity which you can only get from having different people with slightly different experiences and also valuing all of them when you’re coming up with things like this.”
Reflecting on their achievements, Claire said it was "hard to see it from the outside" but added that it was "surviving" a couple of recessions and the pandemic as an independent business. She particularly appreciates bringing a "taste of home" to Indian customers.
They have since “outgrown” their location in terms of staff and customers but have just signed another ten-year lease to stay. To commemorate their 20th anniversary, they have released a book - which includes 21 recipes - a tote bag and a tea towel designed by Pam Williams.
Ganapati is at 38 Holly Grove, Peckham, SE15 5DF. Mon - closed. Tues-Fri - 12-2.45pm / 5.30-10.30pm. Sat - 12-10.30pm Sun - 12-10pm
For more information, and to buy their book, tote or tea towel, visit ganapatirestaurant.com
Ganapati's chefs
Ganapati's terrace seating
Every year thousands of children need hospital care because of flu
years old can now have a free NHS flu vaccination.
Book an appointment at your GP surgery or local pharmacy or
Book your place dulwich.org.uk/admissions/ducks
Entry into Reception (4+) 2026
Deferred places to Dulwich College Junior School are available at 4+
Post 16 Tuesday 23rd September 2025
Key Stage 4 Wednesday 15th October 2025
Dulwich’s Midcentury Modern must-haves
Midcentury Modern homeware and design fair returns to Dulwich College’s Christison Hall Cloisters this November.
The fair will bring together 85 stands showcasing highly coveted homeware and designs within the brutalist Christison Hall and Victorian red brick cloisters.
Internationally renowned fashion designer Orla Kierly has previously called the Dulwich events “a design heaven”.
Beginning with a small group of dealers and enthusiasts, the event is now in its 21st year of “embracing the past whilst shaping a sustainable future”.
The stands are made up of 60 top midcentury dealers and 25 modern designers, with item prices ranging from £10 to £10,000.
Visitors to the fair can unite in their love of beautiful furniture, lighting, art, ceramics, glass, and fabrics with the array of vintage and contemporary pieces on offer and chat to dealers and designers along the way.
Midcentury Modern invites visitors to “join in this celebration of design at the fair that has become a beacon for all those who appreciate the beauty of clear lines, functional elegance, and the enduring spirit of the 20th Century.”
Beyond the material, the fair fosters a sense of community among attendees who share a passion for both mid-century and the contemporary.
Midcentury Modern prides itself on providing a space for sharing ideas and forming connections that extend beyond the event itself, as families connect across
generations as they walk through the halls and cloisters.
The fair stands testament to the allure of mid-century design and those who first championed the aesthetic, including Eames, Hans Wegner, and Arne Jacobsen.
Head of contemporary at the events, Tanya Pateman, has been keen to introduce some small-batch local fashion and jewellery labels as balance to the fair.
Refreshments are available onsite with fresh coffee provided by The Mobile Coffee Bean and Van Dough serving up wood-fired sourdough pizza.
Celebrities previously spotted at the fair include Olivia Coleman, Jason Statham and Andrew Garfield.
Furniture designer Matthew Hilton said: “The show is stuffed with all of the recognisable classics of Scandinavian, American, and British heroes of 20th Century design.
“It’s like visiting a design museum where you can sit in on the classics, talk to knowledgeable people, and then take the exhibits home with you.
“I enjoy every show immensely and would recommend this show to any lover of design.”
Co-founders Lucy Ryder Richardson and Petra Curtis also stage houses for developers and estate agents The Modern House and Inigo.
Ryder Richardson has been a regular on BBC One’s The Bidding Room and French Vintage Farmhouse and also authored her book 100 Midcentury Chairs for Pavillion.
The celebrated events developed as an extension of Showhome, a one-off open house event that launched from Ryder Richardson’s '60s house in South East London in 2002.
Curtis and Ryder Richardson sold 90% of the original collection they had created in just a day, spurring them on to produce a larger event where midcentury dealers and modern designers could gather to sell their work.
Earlier shows were previously held at the Lords and Haggerston School in East London and The Hepworth in Wakefield.
Midcentury Modern has amassed almost 59,000 followers on Instagram, where they showcase a number of the designs available at the fairs.
The fair opens on 16 November at 10am, with the last entry to the site at 3.30pm.
Barnby Design - Lucas coffee table in walnut and Carrara marble
Lilian Mulholland
Kingsdale Foundation School
First Class and Top of the Class
‘Pupils achieve exceptionally well in a wide range of subjects and attain highly at GCSE and A level.’ Ofsted 2023
Applications for Sixth Form courses are now being accepted
Take advantage of the chance to visit Kingsdale Foundation School and see for yourself how we bring the best out of our students. A tour of Kingsdale Foundation School enables you to realise why we receive such glowing reports. In the Autumn term 2025 you will have just that opportunity as we will be holding Sixth Form Open Evenings for September 2026 entry.
Harnessing talent!
Kingsdale is a dynamic, exceptionally popular and progressive school that has invested £30m to develop an award-winning educational learning environment. In our specialist academic Sixth Form Campus, students study a combination of respected traditional, performing arts and creative A Levels in addition to alternative high value Level 3 courses. Our average class sizes are approximately ten in the Sixth Form. We also pride ourselves on our excellent links to the best higher education institutions in the world. A residential trip to Harvard and Yale in the USA is organised annually.
Scholarships in Mathematics and the Creative & Expressive Arts are on offer for gifted and talented candidates who meet our entry requirements. Scholars receive free individual or small group tuition provided by expert professionals to the value of ~£1,000 per annum. Prospective students are invited to come along to our Open Evenings to explore the fantastic opportunities and inspiring state-of-the-art facilities in our dedicated Sixth Form Centre. As our most recent Ofsted Report states : ‘ ‘Pupils are rightly very proud of their school. They really enjoy their learning and talk with enthusiasm about the school’s culture of mutual respect and inclusivity.’
Ofsted 2023
Sixth Form/Year 12 Open Day Dates
Wednesday 15th October 2025 1.30-6.30pm Wednesday 5th November 2025 4.30-7pm / Wednesday 26th November 2025 4.30-7pm
The amazing achievement of attaining 10A*s & 4A Grades between them at A level have enabled Eve, Ben, Rosa & Freya to study Classics, Philosophy, English at Cambridge University and Economics at Oxford respectively!
Open Sessions Entry 2026
UNIFORM VOUCHER
£65 Uniform Voucher
LAPTOP
All students get a laptop for studies at home
Y6 OPEN DATES TIMES
If yo y u have v mis issed our Y6 open sess s io i ns, s please email i admissions@walwo w rth academy my.org and we w wi will l squeeze you in i ! dnesday 17th September 9.15-10.30am ' ay t eptem er 9.15-10.30am rsday 25th September 9.15-10.30a ay 7t cto er 5.30-7pm
FREE BREAKFAST
We Thursd 18 h S b Thu Tuesd h O b
Principal s Talk at 10.30am
Principal's Talk at 10.30am m
Principal's Talk at 10.30am
Principal's Talk at 7pm SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING
Free breakfast for all, every morning Thursday 16 October 5.30 - 7pm th
Peckham Palms
The UK’s first centre for black hair stylists and a unique Afro-centric studio space
Peckham Palms launched in 2019 as the UK's first dedicated hair and beauty space purposely designed for Afro hair. Six years later, it’s thriving - and so are black businesses, its directors and entrepreneurs tell us.
Initially conceived by Southwark Council as a place for hair stylists who would be displaced by the redevelopment of Peckham Rye Station, executive directors – Paul Smyth and Cyndi Anafo – told us their aim was to “empower the most underserved communities” in the area.
”We know that the black hair industry generates billions, but very little of it goes to black women, so we wanted to redistribute that black pound and ensure that the existing communities would benefit from their own products,” Anafo explained.
The Palms’ directors pride themselves on being socially responsible landlords and offering subsidised rent, vital for stylists who previously operated in Blenheim Grove. For many of their stylists, having space in The Palms and business development support has given them their first opportunity to go from renting salon chairs to having a full salon unit of their own.
Ariyike Animashaun is a hair stylist who worked in The Palms when it first opened in 2019. After shutting shop during the pandemic, she then returned to the space three years ago.
Animashaun, who goes by the business name Boddays, described The Palms as “clean, organised, beautiful and calm,” adding: “There’s no noise so clients love it when they come here for the first time.“
Augsta Sesay, another hair stylist who has been in the space since its opening, said The Palms helped her establish her business: "We don’t have to go outside the station looking for customers. Customers walk in or do online bookings, so that’s really helpful.”
Since lockdown, The Palms has expanded to house a range of start-ups, including a restaurant, a fashion label, an author’s studio, and a coffee shop - Jet Black, run by Sammy Mows. All are led by women of black or mixed heritage.
Its directors say their focus has always been on providing support to Black African and Caribbean entrepreneurs.
“Our aim is to empower the most underserved communities”
"Black and minority ethnic is a very ambiguous term that umbrellas the global majority,” Anafo told us. “So it was far-fetched to use BAME women as a joining criteria when we know that the core demographic of Peckham tends to be from the black African and Caribbean communities.”
Pokuaa Ansere, the designer behind the fashion brand Kwaku Joseph, has been at The Palms for two years and has found the space warm and vibrant:
“Peckham is ever-changing and ever-growing. Cyndi has seen that there needs to be a space carved out
for black women to have our own hubs within the community which has been super helpful”.
Many of the 15 tenants, like Ansere, praise this open support for black women and prioritising this demographic’s needs.
“The Palms is run by black women for black women and we really do care about one another", Ansere added.
Peckham Palms is at Peckham Palms Arcade, 1-14 Bournemouth Cl, London SE15 4PB, peckhampalms.com
Maxine Brigue
q Sammy Mows, from Jet Black Coffee in Peckham Palms
Hair stylist Ariyike Animashaun from Boddays Hair and Beauty
