HAND-POUNDING EVERY PASTE WITH THE FRIENDS WHO OPENED KRUK The daily grind
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
Editor Kevin Quinn
Writers Evie Flynn, Michael Holland, Katherine Johnston, Abigail Finney, Louisa Woolf, Tara Russell
Design Dan Martin, Ann Gravesen
Marketing Clarry Frewin, Katie Boyd
Media Partnerships Anthony Phillips
Finance Emrah Zeki
Managing Directors Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn
Contact us
Email hello@cm-media.co.uk
PhonE 020 7231 5258
TwiTTEr @insouthlndn
insTagram thesouthlondoner
wEbsiTE southlondon.co.uk
5 HOME SECRETARY - from murder mystery in a historic Gregorian setting to an Oompah band, Morris dancing and ale, we pick out some of the best upcoming events
7-16 WHAT'S ON - even though the summer holidays are over there are loads of festivals and events for the family - what's more plenty are free
18-22 COMMUNITY - Burgess Park is home to aspiring female fottballers, plus roller skating for all members of the family, including pregnant women
25 LOCAL FACES - we put in the frame a mother and daughter duo in Peckham making everything picture perfect
26-29 FOOD & DRINK - new openings across South London including a pair of local lads with a passion for Thai food and playful cocktails
32 SPOTLIGHT - inside a museum dedicated to fans, the only one outside of China
36 EDUCATION - from humble beginnings in Plumstead to the hallowed halls of Eton, we talk to Judah Cummings, who is making a name for himself at the prestigious school
Can't Tell
Things to do for adults this month
―
By Evie Flynn
MURDER MYSTERY EXPERIENCE:
Take part in an immersive murder mystery in the astounding Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College. Assemble your team of detectives, explore their historic buildings at nighttime, and interrogate suspects to piece together the scattered clues before the time is up!
Saturday 13 September
Sessions at 19:00 and 20 :30
Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, Greenwich, SE10 9NN
Urban Elephant Festival is returning to spotlight the area’s cultural diversity and creativity.
Castle Square, in the centre of the new Castle development, will play host to the summer edition of the Urban Elephant.
The festival is in its fourth year and will have a main stage on Castle Square (3pm - 9pm) with street-based pitches on Walworth Square (12pm - 6pm) and Sayer Street (12pm6pm).
Urban Elephant will highlight the importance of sustainable transport links like cycling and walking in support of the environment and fitness. It will showcase the variety within the community and the mix of entrepreneurs and local businesses in the Elephant & Castle and Walworth area.
Set inside HMP Drummond, as inmate Lenny physically deteriorates, young prison officer Mark looks out for him and what starts as just a job becomes an unexpected friendship. This darkly comedic but unflinching production asks big questions about crime, punishment, second chances and ageing.
HOP BURNS & BLACK AND VILLAGES BREWERY PRESENT DAS HARVEST FEST
Born in 2021 as a celebration of the close relationship between Deptford's own Villages Brewery and craft beer retailer Hop Burns & Black, Das Harvest Fest puts Deptford on the map as one of London’s top beer destinations.
Inspired by Oktoberfest and the pagan harvest festivals of old, Das Harvest Fest is a two-day lager party with music, dancing, street food and beer, with a live Oompah band, Morris dances, pagan pageantry, barrel rolling and a dressup harvest parade raising funds for Lewisham Foodbank. Villages and HB&B will be bringing in the harvest on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 September.
Tickets are £12 in advance, with walk-ins welcome. £12. Friday 12 September - 6-11.30pm, Saturday 13 September 3-11.30pm.
Join Kalianne Bradley in conversation with Shahed Ezaydi at LaLa Books, to discuss the success of her novel The Ministry of Time.
The Ministry of Time has been one of Lala Books' best sellers since it opened, described as a genre-blurring, time-travelling love story that explores what it means for Britain to reckon with its past.
Kaliane will be joined by Shahed Ezaydi - a writer and editor specialising in culture, social issues and feminism. Shahed is currently a full-time writer at Stylist Magazine and the editor of Peaks of Colour Nature Journal.
Thursday 11 September. 19:00 - 20:30 Lala Books, 4a Grove Lane London SE5 8SY £11.55 or free via pay-it-forward scheme at lalabooks.london
Peckham and Nunhead's Free Film Festival:
From 29 August to 7 September, the Peckham and Nunhead Free Film Festival is returning for its 16th year, bringing free entertainment to the SE15 community
By Evie Flynn
With 18 films over 10 days, the films are screened at numerous indoor and outdoor venues across the area. Completely volunteerled, all events are completely free to attend, championing the ethos that there should never be a barrier to discovering new films or revisiting old favourites.
Neal Browne, co-chair of the Festival, says: “We’ve got a packed schedule of films on offer - from Hollywood blockbusters to horror, from family friendly animation to compelling documentaries, and much more.”
The lineup is truly a diverse mix, with events, workshops and screenings. On 27 August, there is a pre-festival movie night quiz at the Ivy House in Nunhead, designed to test your cinematic knowledge.
Films include Phantom of the Open, the true story of Maurice Flitcroft, an optimist who gained entry to the British Open Golf Championship despite being a complete novice, screened at Aquarius Golf Club.
On 3 September at Peckhamplex Cinema, there will be a short film night, designed to showcase local and independent talent, with a diverse programme of themes. The 2023 adaptation of The Colour Purple, a love story of resilience based on the novel and Broadway musical and a tale of one woman’s journey to independence, shows on 5 September at the Copleston Centre.
If you are feeling brave, Nosferatu (2024), a dark reimagining of the original film is being screened outside at Nunhead Cemetery. This unusual outside venue is a fan-favourite amongst festival-goers, with this year's film chosen by the public back in May.
It’s not just screenings that are free, either. On 30 August, there is a One Minute Film Challenge workshop at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, open to all ages and experiences. Budding filmmakers can film a sequence based on a given theme, edit and narrate it for an audience.
“Not only are we returning to some of our favourite regular venues – such as Peckham Palms,
SET Social, the Feminist Library, Peckham Pelican, The Ivy House and the Clifton Estate,” Neal tells us, “We’re showing films for the first time at the Aquarius Golf Club, Peckham Arches and the Livesey Exchange, and introducing a new late-night cult movie event at Beer Rebellion.”
Due to the success of the Peckham and Nunhead Festival, the Free Film Festivals network was born.
The group helps to organise free film festivals in other areas, sharing tips, projection equipment and ideas.
Alongside the flagship event in Peckham, the festivals are now in Herne Hill, Catford, Camberwell, Streatham, Ealing, West Norwood and even as far away as Glasgow.
If you are interested in getting involved, email: pnfffvolunteers@freefilmfestivals.org or speak to a volunteer at one of the screenings.
“We’ve got a packed schedule of films on offerfrom Hollywood blockbusters to horror, from family friendly animation to compelling documentaries, and much more.”
Bermondsey Street Festival returns
―
Dog show, food vendors, Maypole dancing, live music, artisan crafts and much more
By Evie Flynn
Bermondsey Street Festival is back on 20 September 2025, where the street will transform into a bustling community fete, but what’s new this year?
The festival began as a small local event and has grown in size and scale over the years, stretching down Bermondsey Street, Tanner Street Park and the Leathermarket Gardens. This year, the team has over twenty volunteers dedicated to making the festival a special day.
The festival has become a cornerstone of local culture, bringing a mix of food vendors, artisan crafts, live music and community displays to the iconic Bermondsey Street. Nestled amongst the small businesses and cafes on the street, the village fete closes the summer season and opens autumn with engaging activities, including a Maypole and even a Dog Show.
Taking place across three different spaces- Bermondsey Street, Tanner Street Park and Leathermarket Gardens - each will have its own distinct character, with easy navigation between the spaces.
The offering in Tanner Street Park, surrounding the music stage, is being extended for the first time, with stalls flowing around the tennis court and more picnic and chill out areas for families to relax and enjoy the music. Piq-Nique, the homely French restaurant on the corner of Tanner Street and Bermondsey Street, will be opening their doors.
Celebrations this year will expand into Leathermarket Gardens, which will transform into a Family Fun Hub, designed specially with the little ones in mind. With food and drink to enjoy, the gardens will host karaoke for kids,
dancing and football.
The popular Holly & Lil Dog Show will return, alongside the Maypole queen and even more special guests in the Leathermarket Gardens and beyond.
Gena Johns, Festival Organiser, told us: “This year has been absolutely incredible in terms of community support and volunteer engagement. When we started planning back in early 2025, we hoped to build on last year's success, but the response has exceeded all our expectations.
“It just shows how much this festival means to our community. After months of planning with my colleague Leanne Durham, we can't wait to see everyone creating memories and enjoying everything our incredible local area has to offer.”
Alongside practical support on the day, volunteers have stepped up this year to join the behind-the-scenes planning team, displaying the grassroots support that makes the Bermondsey Street Festival the success that it is.
As a volunteer-run community event, the festival relies on the collaboration of local business sponsors and the dedication of the Bermondsey Street community. The team behind the festival are always looking for businesses who would like to support one of South London’s cherished traditions.
For sponsorship opportunities or to volunteer, contact: hello@bermondseystreetfestival.com
Date: 20th September 2025
Time: Stalls 11 am – 5.30 pm. Music 11 am – 7 pm
Tickets: Free to attend, no ticket required
Gena Johns, Festival Organiser
BLOW AND BLAST
BOLLYWOOD BRASS BAND
BRASSIC PARP
CRYSTAL PALACE BRASS
FEATURED ARTISTS: SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER
LONDON AFROBEAT COLLECTIVE
www.woolwich.works @woolwichworks
The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 Street, Royal Arsenal, London SE18 6HD FROM THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF GREENWICH, FOR EVERYONE.
DON’T MISS THIS YEAR’S EXCITING LINE UP, BRINGING YOU 18 FREE FILM EVENTS OVER 10 DAYS.
Grab a copy of our programme, check our website for full details and follow our socials for the latest news.
The festival brings local communities together for unique indoor and outdoor screening events across SE15. But it only happens thanks to the hard-working volunteers who plan and run it.
We’re looking for new volunteers to join the friendly team, please get in touch to find out more and get involved.
Over 80 performances to run at Lambeth Fringe arts festival
By Abigail Finney
Lambeth Fringe, a performing arts festival created by
The Bread and Roses Theatre, returns for 2025 this autumn.
Running since 2015 courtesy of co-directors, Velenzia and Rebecca, this year’s festival is set to have over 80 performances of theatre, dance, music and more at over 20 venues across south London from September 25 to October 25.
“We’ve got pub venues, we’ve got theatres, black box spaces, cafe bars and more experimental spaces as well,” Velenzia said.
The Lambeth Fringe prioritises relationships within art, often featuring local and less-known artists.
“It’s very community oriented, so there’s sort of a creative hub. We have a little family,” she added.
With so many performances to choose from, there is something special for everyone. Velenzia is looking forward to Traumedy: A Guide to Being a Fabulous Homeless Addict, telling us: “It will make you laugh and cry all at the same time. It’s brilliant.”
Iain Anderson’s debut solo show, set for 4 and 6 October, is a tragic yet hilarious true story about overcoming demons and finding the real meaning of what it takes to be happy.
There is also plenty of comedy and a family show at Vauxhall City Farms.
For more information, full listings and tickets visit lambethfringe.com.
Connect and create alongside artist Tasmin Mahdy in an inspiring session for little artists. On a monthly basis, you can enjoy a piece of art and make something new alongside the artists.
Children will have an opportunity to create alongside other children and their families, all for free!
In September, Tasmin Madhy will help everyone get creative on a large scale with a workshop focused on collaborative mural-making, using techniques of collage, cut-outs and movement.
Suitable for children aged 5-11.
Saturday 13 September
13:30 - 2:45 (approx)
The Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
Tickets: Free, no ticket required
PECKHAM RYE FETE AND DOG SHOW
Peckham Rye’s community fete is back with a day filled with family fun, activities and the fan-favourite dog show. There are sack races, a coconut shy, Punch and Judy, food and drink stalls, books and plants for sale and local business showcases.
The Dog Show has categories like cutest puppy, coolest rescue, most fetching fella, prettiest queen and best sausage catch. Registration on the day opens at midday and closes at 13:45pm
The dog show profits will be given to charity. All other profits are invested back into the park- with last year’s funds spent clearing the central rose beds in the Sexby Garden.
Saturday 6 September, 14:00 - 16:00
Peckham Rye Park, London, SE15 3UA
PLAY SESSIONS AT STATION HALL, HERNE HILL:
Let’s Play together is a free weekly group session for children aged 4-11 and their grown-ups. It offers a chance for creative play, games, crafts, stories and STEM fun. There will also be healthy snacks and refreshments. Located in Station Hall, it is right above Herne Hill station. You can drop in weekly, make friends and enjoy quality time together to foster imagination and connection.
Every Thursday during term time, 15:30 - 17:30 Station Hall, Railton Rd, London SE24 0JW, UK Free, no ticket required
A VICTORIAN DAY OUT BY THE RIVER
A Victorian family day out in Abbey Wood with live performances from Belvedere Concert Band, a classic Punch & Judy show by Professor James, craft ales from Bexley Brewery, traditional games, an ice-cream stall and much more.
You will be able to tour the Beam Engine House with its ironwork and engines and learn more about London’s sewage network in the Great Stink Exhibition.
There will be “River Oracle” workshops using mudlarked objects from the Thames. A heritage routemaster shuttle bus will be running from Abbey Wood Station and the site railway.
Sunday 7 September, 10:00 - 18:00
Crossness Pumping Station, Thames Water STW, Bazalgette Way, Abbey Wood, London, SE2 9AQ £22.50 adult, £8 children, £29.99 family
ARTPLAY FESTIVAL
AT DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY:
To celebrate the launch of Dulwich Picture Gallery’s new ArtPlay Pavillion and Sculpture Garden, they are hosting a free familyfriendly festival.
There will be creative events for the whole family, including facepainting, live music, artmaking and more. Their Collection is also free the whole weekend and entry to their exhibition is discounted and free for under 18s.
Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September, 9:00 - 17:00
Dulwich Picture Gallery, College Road, London SE21 7AD Free, book here: https://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/whats-on/artplayfestival/
‘It Takes a Village’: Why Local Support is Vital in the First Five Years
Raising a young child in London can be joyful, but it can also be exhausting, isolating, and expensive. For many families, especially those without relatives nearby or navigating life in a new country, the early years can feel overwhelming. As the African proverb tells us, ‘It takes a village to raise a child', meaning that raising a child should be a collective effort more than the responsibility of just one or two people.
they have, being curious and active in learning, their emotional health, their physical health, and their own unique way of growing and learning. Activities like playing, spending time outdoors, reading and writing, staying active, eating well, and helping kids with communication can all give young families a strong start. It’s also important for parents and carers to look after their own wellbeing. Joining parent support groups or taking part in adult education classes and workshops can help.
Families can also benefit from friendly advice, wellbeing support, and adult learning opportunities, all in a welcoming and supportive space. Whether you're looking to connect with others, learn something new, or simply enjoy quality time with your little one, the Coin Street Family and Children’s Centre is here for you.
parent. “My child has made friends, and I’ve met people from all walks of life. It’s a relief to feel supported, not judged.” Coin Street’s message is simple: every family deserves support, and every child deserves the best possible start.
Interested?
“We’re here to help families feel confident, connected and cared for,” says Jane Christofi, Strategic Head of the Centre. “Our sessions are relaxed, inclusive, and designed with wellbeing in mind for both children and their grown-ups.”
The evidence is clear; a child’s first five years are crucial for brain development, emotional wellbeing, and long-term learning. It’s a window of opportunity, but one that’s hard to grasp without the right support. Research carried out by the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood found that 'our relationships, surroundings and experiences during our first five years shape the adults we become and the society we create.'
A study by Early Education for the Early Years Coalition found seven main things that help a child grow and develop well. These are: how they interact with others, their culture and community, the experiences
At Coin Street’s Family and Children’s Centre, families can find the support they need to give their children the very best start in life. Our passionate team is dedicated to helping every child thrive - and every parent feel confident and empowered. From playful sensory sessions and storytelling adventures to music, cooking, and outdoor fun, our Centre offers a wide range of free or affordable activities that nurture children’s growth and development.
There are dedicated groups for dads, for families with children with special educational needs and disabilities, and one-to-one support for those facing challenges. Whether you’re looking for a friendly place to meet other parents, or advice on routines, sleep, feeding or behaviour, there’s a door open at Coin Street.
“It feels like home,” says one
Visit https://coinstreet. org/latest/our-family-andchildrens-centre or drop into our Family and Children’s Centre, 108 Stamford Street, SE1 9NH we’d love to meet you.
Totally Thames Festival celebrates the river's hidden histories
By Evie Flynn
Totally Thames Festival is back for the whole of September and have announced their full line-up with tours, concerts, exhibitions and mudlarking events.
Returning for another year, Totally Thames festival celebrates the stories of the River Thames. They have been running the festival since 2014 and this year has a special focus on the rivers hidden histories, its ecological future and the communities that shape its narrative.
RIVER RECITAL ON THE ARTS ARK, TOWER BRIDGE
The River Recital summer concert is an event celebrating the river’s natural and cultural diversity. Set against the stunning backdrop of Tower Bridge, the concert will feature performances from some of London’s most exciting contemporary classical musicians.
Sunday 7 September, 3pm-9pm Tower Bridge Moorings
Donations to The Museum of Homelessness, suggested £5-15
HISTORY OF SOUTHWARK THEATRICAL
WALKING TOUR:
Meet the women who built Southwark in this interactive feminist tour by Herstorical Tours. Hear the stories of the women who helped build the communities ‘South of the River’.
Your Roman guide will show you Southwark’s HERstory and bring to life its colourful past in a 2 hour walk with comedy, history and a tipple at a pub at the end.
Sunday 14th September (3pm-5pm), Thursday 25th September (5.-7pm)
Start point: London Bridge Road, next to the Barrow Boy and Banker Pub and Green Dragon Court steps. End Point: Red Cross Way, Southwark. Price: £20, book here: https://thamesfestivaltrust.org/ whats-on/sinners-saints-and-saviours-theatricalwalking-tour-23762/#last-block
CHORAL PERFORMANCE AT MORE LONDON
A choral performance by Tower Bridge will see singers from all over the country come together to sing and help raise money for WaterAid.
Over 40 choirs and over 500 voices will come together to perform a range of rythm and blues classics. Choirs learn the repertoire over six months and hold local performances as well as singing together on the banks of the Thames, while raising money for WaterAid’s fresh water and sanitation projects in Rwanda.
Sunday 14 September, 2:15pm – 3pm The Scoop at More, London SE1 2AA
LOST & FOUND: UNTOLD STORIES OF GREENWICH AND DEPTFORD
Thames Festival Trust has been working with ten young people on a heritage project, Lost & Found, revealing the untold histories of Deptford and Greenwich through objects found on the foreshore by mudlark Nicola White.
Heritage trainee Nadia Hirsi, the descendant of a Somali seafarer from Limehouse, is one of four expert panellists exploring the secret lives of the river at London Museum Docklands on 2nd September.
Nicola herself will share some of her own extraordinary stories (and finds) at Enderby House, Greenwich on 10 September and at Woolwich Works on 21st September.
THAMES LENS STREET
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP, GREENWICH
Join street photographer Kevin Mullins for a unique street photography walk from Greenwich to the Greenwich Peninsular to capture the Thames, its people and surrounding architecture.
Thames Festival Trust’s annual Thames Lens photography competition provides an amazing opportunity for photographers to interpret the vibrant and multifaceted character of the River Thames in London. Submit your images to be in with a chance to win.
GUIDED WALK OF THE THAMES ESTUARY, GREENWICH
Learn about the lesser-known environmental past and present of the Thames with a free guided walk along the Thames Estuary from Olympian way to Point Wharf with some stops in between.
14 September, 10am -12pm
Start at History in Motion Olympian Way, finish at Point Wharf
BE STILL IN FLOW: ARTIST RESIDENCY AT BANKSIDE HOTEL
An immersive open studio at Bankside Hotel’s artist studio, where Lyra Morgan explores the timeless flow of the Thames through colour and paint.
Mon 1st – Tue 30th Sep 2025, 11am – 5pm
Art Yard Makers Studio, Bankside Hotel
HANDS ON HISTORY: MUDLARKING WEEKEND, 27-28 SEPTEMBER
This will take place at the London Museum Docklands, as part of their ‘Secrets of the Thames’ exhibition. Running from 27th to 28th September, this offers a chance to discover thousands of historic artefacts uncovered from the muddy riverbed of the Thames.
Visitors will be able to chat with the mudlarks themselves and explore the stories behind the objects. Amongst many others, the finds of Helen and Christopher Marsland are on display.
Helen Marsland says: “Mudlarking is a way for us to connect with the ordinary people who lived through some of history’s biggest events, each item we find represents a life once lived. We take great pleasure in sharing what we learn about the everyday lives of people not so frequently spoken about in history books.”
HANDS ON HISTORY: EXHIBITION AT CUTLERS’ HALL, 13-14 SEPTEMBER
This exhibition features an extraordinary collection of over 1,000 bladed artefacts pulled from the Thames by mudlarks.
Set within the surroundings of the Worshipful Company of Cutlers, visitors can discover collections of historic swords, knives and axes, including finds from celebrated mudlark Graham du Heaume and others.
4 Warwick Ln, London EC4M 7BR
HANDS ON HISTORY: EXHIBITION AT LONDON’S ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE, 6-7 SEPTEMBER
The exhibition will showcase a mudlarked collections of Roman artefacts recovered from the Thames. Set within this ancient archaeological site, each object offers a glimpse into the unique stories of life in Londinium.
Guildhall Yard, London EC2V 5AE
CLEAN THAMES CHALLENGE
Throughout the duration of September, there will be a Clean Thames Challenge hosted by the Port of London Authority, where individuals are groups are invited to help tackle litter along the river.
The challenge offers Clean Thames kits, including litter pickers and high vis vests to anyone taking part, as a practical way to protect the river’s health and support biodiversity.
There’s no one event, though they suggest, if it’s your first time, you join organised litter picks that you can find on the Cleaning the Thames site.
The full line-up can be found on their website, here: https://thamesfestivaltrust.org/
From 15 to over 115 players in only two years, the Burgess-Park based Southwark Jaguars football team is giving girls the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the Lionesses, with the club seeing a "massive surge" in popularity.
Southwark Jaguars, a grassroots football organisation, have just finished their second season and membership and commitment to the sport has soared, with eight teams training at Burgess Park twice per week, on Mondays and Thursdays.
The team, chaired by Wilson Frimpong, was born out of The PE & School Sports Network, a Southwarkbased initiative designed to give children access to sports in primary and secondary schools across the borough.
Many of the girls face financial or social barriers to traditional sports club. Wilson describes Southwark Jaguars as providing a space "to grow confidence, play away from the boys and to show that the girls are not invisible, they are free to make mistakes and learn new things without being judged."
Of the 115 players, 70 percent come from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Wilson said: "Demographically, a high percentage of the girls are black and brown girls, unlike a lot of the players in the league we are in. When the girls come along and see other people who look like them, it empowers them to want to do it more."
Alongside training, they also run a free Monday evening girls' football programme in Burgess Park for all abilities. "We wanted something where girls felt free to come along, regardless of if they want to play for a team or not," Wilson told us. "It started four years ago, and there were only 14 girls on the register." Today, they have between 120 and 150 girls attending the Monday session.
Millie, 12, said she started going to football after trying other sports, like gymnastics. She said: "I saw my brothers playing and realised that girls can be just as good as boys," she said. "I think I'm better than my brother now, I'm not even joking!"
After the initial Lioness victory in 2022 and their recent triumph on 27 July, Wilson said the team saw a "massive surge" in popularity. Many of the Jaguars now dream of a professional career and Amira, 10, said:
Southwark JaguarS football
By Evie Flynn
"Watching the Lionesses, I feel like there's a real future there for me."
"I've started to get my head down as when I'm older I really want to be a footballer," said Inayah, aged 10. "Girls can sometimes be stronger than boys and should be able to play football too."
The team is coached by Joe Howard, who also runs the PE & School Sports Network's girls programme, meaning he often works with the girls directly at their school during PE lessons. "I'd struggle to find a Southwark school one of the girls doesn't go to," he tells us.
Registration for the season is £200, with the option to pay over three instalments. The fee includes all Sunday training sessions, kit and match subs. Wilson explained that some clubs in south London charge over £600 for fees, not taking into account kit cost.
But, there is another reason for keeping the costs low: "If you have a boy and a girl, you might be more inclined to pay money towards the boy playing football and see it leading somewhere in the future," Wilson explained. "If it's your daughter and she's not played it before, you are maybe more reluctant to pay."
Phoebe, 10, began playing with boys at the team her dad coached, explaining that "he took me to training one day and I fell in love with the sport." However, before this, she always saw football as her dad and brother's 'thing', thinking there was "only men's football and no ladies."
Due to her ability, she is now part of Brighton and Hove Albion's Emerging Talent Centre, after the Jaguars played at the Albion and five girls were selected for programme.
"Southwark Jaguars is a big and important part of my life," said Chelsea, 13. "My brother plays football but he's a lot older than me, so it's sometimes hard to keep up with him.
"I now have girls in my age group who are at my level. Here I get proper training, advice and feedback from the coaches."
If you are on a team, you have the opportunity to play football with the Jaguars three times a week, on Monday, Thursday and a match on Sunday. Unlike some Sunday-
league clubs, there are no trials to get onto a team, with Wilson explaining that they "want to be the space for girls to play, regardless of how good they are."
Ava, 12, said one of her favourite things about the club had been getting to know everyone outside of her year group at school. "Men's matches are often more aggressive with more injuries - us girls are more patient, we want to get to know everyone."
This camaraderie has also extended beyond the pitch, which Wilson describes as "a massive sense of community growing". Parents have planned meet ups and a number of the girls went to the Lioness parade at Buckingham Palace together with their families.
"Every Monday and Thursday I'm so excited to come to training because Joe is one of the best coaches you can get," Millie tells us. "He's kind, caring and we all know you can't get a better coach than Joe."
"I think football is just my sport now, I love it, it makes me happy."
The girls were asked who their idols are, with Millie immediately saying Chloe Kelly. "She's my inspiration because she plays in the same position as me. I really look up to her," she explained. "I think I do have a chance with women's football when I'm older... girls should push and get a chance to play for a professional club like boys."
The next step for Southwark Jaguars is finding more female coaches to work with the girls. Currently 50% of their coaches are female, but they hope to increase this to 70% by the end of next season. Wilson also has big
plans for the Jaguars' future. He said: "We don't see the Jaguars as a short-term thing, we want to leave a long-lasting legacy across the borough."
They are looking for local business sponsorship for the under 13 team - please email Joe if you are interested: joe@lpessn.org.uk
The players on a free weeklong training week during the summer holidays
The girls in action at their summer holiday camp
Chelsea, 13 (left) and Phoebe, 10 (right)
Millie, 12 Ava, 12
Inayah, 10 (left) and Amira, 10 (right)
Wilson Frimpong, Chair of Southwark Jaguars
Peckham Festival
―
Celebration of all things SE15 takes places over two days
By Evie Flynn
Peckham Festival is returning to Copeland Park on Sunday 20 - 21 September, featuring art, music, film screening, markets and family activities.
The celebration of Peckham is taking place over two days, with Saturday 20 September presenting 'Calabash', a series of film screenings, art, music and knowledge exchange.
On Sunday 21, Peckham Festival will collaborate with Red Eye screening company and Jumbi bar and restaurant, to present 'ONE Roof: a day of culture, community and celebration'.
CALABASH- Saturday 20 September:
Red Eye Film Screenings:
Displaying stories that reclaim cultural agency, reframe histories and challenge stereotypes.
There will be a special event centring on One Hand Don't Clap (1988), a documentary directed by Kaveri Kaul that traces the legacy of calypso music through the lives of Trinidadian icons Lord Kitchener and Claypso Rose. There will also be a series of CALABASH workshops alongside the film screening, with a sip and paint session led by Cam Portland. www.redeyescreening.uk
Art and Music:
A conversation led by Alvero Barrington and Jawara Alleyne who will discuss their collaboration at Tate Britain. There will be live music from Kinetika Bloco, Brixton Community Gospel Choir and Florence Adooni.
The Library and Job Fair:
The Library is a series of workshops to help create entry points for people traditionally excluded from the film industry. There will be reading groups, discussions, and an archive of films, critical texts and histories from non-Western perspectives.
The line-up is available at https://www.redeyescreening.uk
ONE Roof- Sunday 21 September:
Hosted by Kelechi Okafor:
Writer, actor and podcaster, Kelechi Okafor, will be leading a series of events including a book signing of her children's book Strong Like Me, rooted in the local spirit and community in Peckham.
This will be followed by a children's workshop with a reading and activity session based on Strong Like Me.
Kelechi will also lead 'SYM Forum' (Say Your Mind): an open conversation with the local community on regeneration, identity and the future of Peckham.
Workshops:
All workshops are led and sponsored by @thepalaceofthedogs, which offers residency and seed funding for emerging artists in the area.
Valeria Salinas Tori will lead a mural workshop where she will begin the piece and the community will help to complete it.
Audrey Damier is one of Peckham Festival's artists in residence and she will present her Peckham Portrait Series and host a photo collage workshop using images taken by attendees.
Tallawah from Woven Radical, another artist in residence,
will be leading a hands-on workshop exploring storytelling, cultural memory and community through collage and weaving.
"From the warmth of Caribbean living rooms to the comforting aroma of Jollof rice kitchens, from pulsing sound systems on stairwells to the vibrant stories in artist studios and care boot sales- ONE Roof is a living homage to Peckham's past, present and future."
Black Book Swap:
In collaboration with Dope Readers Club there is an open invitation to swap, share and celebrate black literature.
Peckham car boot:
Peckham car boot will return as a space for locals to sell, swap and connect. From vintage fashion and handmade crafts
to records, books and homeware, all residents are invited to take part.
The car boot honours the informal economies that have long thrived in South London, offering a platform for sharing stories, supporting one another and redistributing goods sustainably.
Music line-up:
11:00–12:00 - DJ Workshop with Limi 12:00–1:30 - Passa b2b Limi
1:45–2:45 - Donut Jam (Live Music Collective)
2:45–4:00 - Hard Food (DJ Set)
4:00–6:00 - Orii Community (Live Music Collective)
6:00–7:00 - Sippin T (DJ Set)
7:00–8:00 - Born N Bread (DJ Set)
Food:
Peckham Festival wouldn't be complete without honouring its food culture. There will be a wide range of vendors serving dishes inspired by the flavours of Peckham High Street.
From Afro-Caribbean to South Asian staples, contemporary fusion to traditional home-style cooking.
Peckham Soup Kitchen will be joining the vendors, who will be onsite offering meals to unhoused individuals in the morning and raising awareness about the vital work they do to support vulnerable members of the community.
Rye Lane Fruit Palace (20 - 28 September):
Brand new this year, from 20-28 September, discover the Rye Lane Fruit Palace. It is a pop-up playground in front of Peckhamplex.
The playscape has been inspired by the fruits of Rye Lane markets, and co-designed by local children from Angel Oak Primary, together with two local artists Maia Magoga and Mallika Joy. It is presented and produced by Brainchild Arts CIC, Peckham Festival CIC and Peckham Levels.
Date: Sunday 21 September
Time: 11am - 8pm
Location: Copeland Park,133 Copeland Rd, London SE15 3SN
Tickets: No ticket required, free entry
Book your place dulwich.org.uk/admissions/ducks
Entry into Reception (4+) 2026
Deferred places to Dulwich College Junior School are available at 4+
Roll 'n Stroll
Skating, nature and family fun in Burgess Park
By Evie Flynn
Roll 'n Stroll is a Burgess Park based community of roller skaters, raising awareness of air pollution in South London. They are inclusive of all ages, abilities, families, buggies and even pregnant and postpartum women.
Everyone is welcome in the club, from toddlers to teenagers, and it's described by attendees as a "welcoming and inclusive space, encouraging connections with nature and the outdoors." It's not specifically a 'mums' group', but a welcoming space for all the family.
The founder, CeCe is a mum of two children, aged 2 and 19. She began rollerskating as a lockdown hobby aged 40 and her love for it bloomed from there. When she fell pregnant at the age of 42, she skated throughout her whole pregnancy.
"Pregnancy and motherhood shouldn’t have to stop you from enjoying what you love," CeCe explains. She found skating a healing way to restore her core during postpartum recovery and improve her mental and physical health.
When her daughter Eden was born in 2023, CeCe found that there were no skating communities in South London accepting mums and children under 5. She had seen the benefits of skating pregnant and with children in the USA, both for mental health and exercise, but it was yet to shift to London.
In 2020, her passion drove her to help build the Burgess Park skate community, she began making social media content and the inspiration grew from there.
CeCe coaches beginner skaters of all ages, she said. "I’m passionate about how rollerskating connects communities with greener spaces and promotes better mental health and wellbeing." She's currently studying to become a horticulturist, so blending outdoor spaces, greener routes, and skating is a "dream combination".
She explains the health benefits behind skating, including: muscle toning and strength, low impact exercise, stress relief, mental clarity, mood boosting, reducing anxiety and depression and social connection.
In 2024, the group held a "peaceful skate protest" to Parliament to raise awareness for air pollution, particularly around the South Circular. It was held in honour of Ella Kissi-Debrah, a fellow roller skater and nine-year-old from Lewisham, who tragically died in 2013 from asthma, with air pollution officially recognised as a contributing cause. Cece said: "Her story is at the heart of why we roll for cleaner air."
They also partner with Live + Breathe, a communityled arts campaign raising awareness for air pollution in South London, particularly in Lambeth and Southwark.
CeCe emphasises that Roll 'n Stroll is for everyone, but they do have a particular focus on families with young children (especially those under 5), people recovering from injury and pregnant or postpartum skaters.
Burgess Park is described by CeCe as "ideal for rollerskating families". It has smooth, friendly surfaces and plenty of green space. It's also centrally located for a lot of South Londoners to access.
If you want to try out skating, CeCe's advice is simply to "have fun!". She said: "Try to connect with your inner child and don't take things too seriously. There's no age to roller skate, just skate if you want to!
"Enjoy the escapism of skating, embrace the learning process, and see falling as part of building skills and confidence. Always wear protective gear, and skate with others - you’ll learn faster and pick up skills from the community."
The events CeCe organises are for everyone, not just those who skate. There are arts and craft mornings, breastfeeding workshops and people bring their whole families along.
CeCe's highlights include the Peckham Green Route Skate Trial, a community skate over South London green spaces, connecting Burgess Park to the Dene Community Centre. They ended the day with yoga and refreshments.
If you want to get involved, their membership is open and flexible. Currently, they have 49 members organising skates via a community WhatsApp group, but their events are open to anyone. They move at a "family paceif it’s raining, we stroll; if it’s dry, we roll."
To hear about getting involved, check out their Instagram @rollnstrolllondon https://www.instagram.com
Tate Modern extends weekend hours
By Tara Russell
Tate modern has announced it will stay open until 9pm every Friday and Saturday from September 26, expanding access to the world's most-visited modern art museum and adding new energy to the capital's nighttime culture.
The move, giving young Londoners and visitors free evening access to the world’s most popular modern art museum, follows records turnout of young visitors to Tate Modern’s 25th birthday weekend.
Held in partnership with UNIQLO, over 76,000 people visited the gallery in three days — 70% of whom were under 35. It builds on the momentum on the Tate Modern Lates, the popular end-of-month events that have attracted over 750,000 people to the gallery since launching in 2016.
Director of the gallery, Karin Hindsbo said: “Over the last decade, Tate Modern Lates have become a cornerstone of London’s nightlife… I’m delighted that Tate Modern will soon be open late every Friday and Saturday evening, making it even more accessible."
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has also welcomed the news, recognising the
transformation Tate Modern has given London’s cultural landscape: "From museums and music venues to late-night galleries and grassroots spaces, there's no better places to enjoy a great night out."
Alongside the extension of weekend hours, Tate Modern Lates will continue on the last Friday of each month, offering a special programme of artist talks, creative workshops, film screenings, live music and DJ sets.
Future Lates will explore the inaugural Infinities Commission (28 August), Korean artist Do Jo Suh's large-scale installations (26 September), and a celebration of Nigerian modern art (31 October).
Meanwhile, Tate's late Night Bar Corner and Starr Cinema will be hosting events, including food and drink workshops exploring kombucha (26 August) and kimchi (16 September). A discussion with acclaimed artist Yinka Shonibare is also scheduled for 9 October.
With weekend evening access now becoming the norm, Tate Modern affirms its centrality not only as a gallery, but as a vital organ of London's nightlife.
A night out in the boozer and at the theatre - rolled into one
By Michael Holland
Greenwich Theatre’s bar is being transformed in a 1980s boozer for three weeks where audiences can watch a show unfold around them while buying a pint and playing classic pub games.
First performed in 1989, Jim Cartwright’s play Two invites’ audiences into an evening at a classic British boozer, The Clock and Compass, where two actors take on the roles of both landlord and landlady — and a whole cast of regulars, visitors, and late-night dreamers.
From the old woman whose only respite from caring for her bed-bound husband is a nightly drink at the pub, to Maudie and her philandering boyfriend Moth who can’t resist chatting up everyone else in sight.
James Haddrell, Artistic Director, said:
“Two is a moving, comic picture of a classic British pub and those who pass through it, and the prospect of staging it in a new space specially created at the heart of our historic theatre is an exciting one for us.”
There will be a Gin Tasting Masterclass in partnership with Greenwich Gin on selected dates during the run.
Two at The Café-Bar, Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, Greenwich, SE10 8ES from 21st August - 12th September. Tues-Thurs: 7pm Fri-Sat: 8:30pm Sunday: 5pm.
Admission: £22.50 (includes a drink voucher) Booking and full details: greenwichtheatre.org.uk
Are you tired of searching for top-quality meat that satisfies your taste buds? Look no further than the Proud Sow! With years of expertise and a passion for perfection, we believe in the art of butchery.
What sets us apart is our commitment to locally sourced products. We work directly with trusted farmers who share our dedication to ethical farming practices and superior animal welfare.
We take pride in creating a personal and welcoming experience for all our customers.
When it comes to your meat, settle for nothing but the best. Trust the Proud Sow to bring you the ultimate culinary adventure. Visit us today!
Picture this:
Mother and daughter behind Brown and Co launch new Peckham store WTFrame
By Evie Flynn
After the soaring success of their first framing venture, Brown & Co in East Dulwich, mother and daughter duo Pauline and Zoe have opened a second trial store, WTFrame on Rye Lane, to make bespoke framing simpler and cheaper.
Brown & Co Framing is a family-run business on East Dulwich Road, which has been providing framing services to South East London since 1985.
The success of Brown & Co, which Pauline ran single-handedly for 40 years before enlisting the help of Zoe, spurred the duo to think of bigger plans. They drew up a business plan, taking into consideration their framing expertise gained through years of helping customers at Brown & Co- it was there that WTFrame was born.
Pauline and Zoe's new shop, located just up the road on Rye Lane, is like Brown & Co's fun younger sister, with louder and brighter signage and a trendy, but still approachable vibe.
But what makes WTFrame different?
First, Zoe explained that they wanted to create a more affordable system of framing. They noticed that people were ordering the same kind of frame in similar styles. "We're sort of applied a sizing structure," Zoe, said. "We tried to distill the bespoke business right down to its like bare bones and start from scratch."
WTFrame now base every frame around 10 standard stock paper sizes, making the process quicker and easier for customer, and the pricing is cheaper, due to less waste, and easier to understand too.
They charge 50p per cm, so for example, an A4 frame uses roughly a metre of wood to cover all four sides, which equates to around £50 using WTFrame's formula. In other shops, Zoe said you might be charged around £120 for bespoke framing of an A4 piece.
For a postcard size, it's £26. The most you can spend in the shop is £300, which is the largest size for specialised glass and decorative elements.
There's a choice of 15 colours to choose from and options to add mounting, cushioning or a box frame, which adds depth to the photo or piece of artwork. When you walk into WTFrame there's a simple list of set sizes, wood types and colours, so it will take no time before your perfect frame is being assembled.
Zoe explained that they initially opened WTFrame in Peckham on a trial basis, to see if it would work and "it's still there - we've been going six months now and it's been really successful. We are really proud of it, we have been doing this a long time and recently a lot of people are coming in because bespoke places are overwhelming, expensive and long."
It's a perfect solution for someone who wants to elevate a piece of art and is looking for a middle ground between a factory made frame and a bespoke shop.
The process can take up to two weeks but still takes half the time and price of going to Brown & Co, solidifying WTFrame as your go to option for quick and affordable framing needs.
www.instagram.com/wtframe.london/
Bitesize
By Evie Flynn
THE SALAD PROJECT:
Opening on 22 August, the Salad Project have introduced their first eatery south of the river. The founder-led business specialising in fresh, healthy salad bowls. The Southwark site will be the second location of their ‘Spaces’ concept, which caters food for fast-paced lives. Salad bowls can be pre-ordered via their app and picked up from cubby-holes, meaning no queue and no fuss- perfect for a quick office lunch spot.
110 Southwark St, London SE1 0SU
OUTSIDE BY TRINITY:
You may have heard of Trinity, Clapham’s Michelin star restaurant. Their outdoor terrace, previously used purely for al fresco dining, has been transformed- into a sandwich truck. The truck sells fresh ciabatta sandwiches, chips and soft serve ice cream, perfect for a summer's day on the common. Despite it being a takeaway truck, guests are welcome to sit on the terrace and enjoy a Trinity beer, wine or cocktail. Plus, sandwiches start at £9.95, not bad for Michelin star!
4, The Polygon, London, SW4 0JG
For fans of fresh, hand-pulled noodles, Mulan in Brixton has just opened. Specialising in noodles from the Xi’an region of China, the restaurant offers both wide and flat biang biang noodles and thicker, chewier la tia zi noodles. They are made in-house every day and come bathed in sesame, vinegar and chilli oil plus toppings like minced beef, tomato and egg, braised beef, mixed veggies, seasonal greens, and soy eggs. Every Monday and Wednesday, it's 'Dumpling Day', where you can try your hand at dumpling making and enjoy the finished product with your meal.
192 Acre Lane, London, SW2 5UL
Patio Pizza, the Kingston-based independent pizza shop, is taking up a summer residency at The Greyhound Pub in Peckham. Known for a mash up of New York style and Neapolitan pizza, their signature dough balances crispiness and chew, alongside a range of sides and homemade dips. Originally opening on his patio during university, founder Alim Nayil, learnt the art of pizza making from his dad’s pizzeria. You can expect toppings like whipped ricotta and chilli honey and pistachio pesto bases. Open Wednesday to Sunday.
109 Peckham High St, London SE15 5SE
The newest addition to Denmark Hill is a familyrun authentic South Asian restaurant, Shurzo’s. Offering an extensive menu of flavours from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, there’s seafood, meat and vegetarian dishes to appease all tastes. You can sit in or takeaway and it’s open every day from 12pm to 10:30pm.
39 Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8RS
MULAN NOODLES:
PATIO PIZZA:
SHURZO’S:
Outside by Trinity
Patio Pizza
Mulan noodles
Kkruk
Childhood friends open Thai restaurant and bar in Peckham
By Evie Flynn
ruk is the latest opening in Peckham’s vibrant food scene- a Thai restaurant with handpounded dishes, playful cocktails and big flavours.
Kruk, Peckham’s newest Thai restaurant and bar, is located just a stone’s throw away from Peckham Rye Station and goes back to Thai roots with a twist.
Founders Rob and Josh are childhood friends, growing up in East Dulwich and Peckham. Their story is a true South London one. Before starting their joint venture, the pair had worked in many of London’s top restaurants, beginning at The Palmerston, a much-loved gastropub in East Dulwich.
Despite their culinary background, Kruk is their first time being restaurant owners after working at outstanding Thai restaurants such as Som Saa, The Begging Bowl, Plaza Khao Gaeng & Farang. It reflects not only their deep respect for Thai cuisine but also their desire to bring something new and playful to the table.
When Rob and Josh began dreaming Kruk up, they knew they wanted to bring their own unique twist to the already busy Thai scene by taking an innovative approach - hand pounded curry pastes done the proper way.
“Kruk might not be the textbook Thai spelling but it feels right,” the guys told us. ‘Kruk’ echoes 'Klook', similar to stir/mix food, and Krok, which means mortar, which are both central to Thai cooking.
“We wanted something that sounded real, raw and punchy. Kruk also plays on the English word ‘crook’, a nod to London's gritty charm, its edge. No actual crooks allowed though, just good people and big flavours by hook or kruk.”
At Kruk, nearly everything begins with the pestle and mortar. Their diverse menu features hand-pounded curry pastes and dressings, all the way to the spicy green Som Tam salad. Many of the ingredients are house-fermented, from lotus root to mustard greens and their homemade yellow sriracha.
If you’re vegan, you won’t miss out on any of the care or flavour. They’ve ensured the omnivore and herbivore menus mirror each other, with the same amount of choice and zero substitutions for plant-based diners. They promise house-made meat alternatives and the same level of care and depth, no matter your diet.
Rob and Josh share their overall vision for
Kruk: “We want Kruk to be less stuffy and formal, somewhere you can come for a good time as well as a great meal, with a real push towards being sustainable.”
Kruk takes on a playful approach to Thai dining, with fun cocktails and Singha beer towers ready to be served alongside the hand-pounded dishes. Their grand opening weekend was August 9th. Kruk is open Wednesday and Thursday evenings, all day Friday and Saturday and 12-6pm on Sundays. They are closed Monday and Tuesday because there’s a lot of pounding to be done!
Only 8 South London Bars are in Time Out’s Best 50 - with 4 in SE15
By Tara Russell
Time Out just dropped its list of top 50 bars in London for 2025 and Peckham appears to be the place to drink south of the river.
While Soho and Shoreditch always turn up, this year its Peckham stealing the show. Four out of the eight South London entries come from this buzzing neighbourhood, officially making it South London’s coolest postcode for a pint, negroni or natural wine.
PECKHAM BARS ON THE LIST
Jumbi, Copeland Park
Third on Time Out’s list, Jumbi is a vinyl-led rum bar that mixes Caribbean vibes with serious hi-fi sound. It’s got rhythm, community spirit and some of the best cocktails south of the river.
Address: Unit 4.1, Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Road, Peckham, SE15 3SN. Opening times: Tue-Thu 12pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 12pm-2am, Sun 12-11pm.
Forza Wine, Rye Lane
Coming in at number 7, Forza Wine is a chic rooftop gem above Peckham Levels that delivers natural wine, impeccable cocktails and skyline views. Ideal for sunsets and people-watching.
At number 12, Funkidory is a super-friendly, tiny cocktail bar run by a local couple and full of personality. With imaginative cocktails and an excellent soundtrack, Funkidory is stylish without trying too hard.
Whilst Peckham firmly is claiming its place as one of London’s most exciting drinking districts. Camberwell, Deptford and London Bridge also holding their own. Whether you are seeking rooftop views or a deep basement bar, here’s to more cheers south of the river.
Lyaness, South Bank
Sitting 31st on the list, South Bank finally makes an appearance. Lyaness is a cosy Thamesfacing bar that experiments beyond your wildest dreams with extraordinary cocktails concocted from a seriously intriguing ingredients list.
Address: 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, SE1 9PD.
Opening times: Mon-Wed 5pm-12am, Thu 4pm-12am, Fri 4pm-1am, Sat 1pm-1am, Sun 1-11pm.
Veraison Wines, Camberwell
In 33rd place, Veraison Wines is a newcomer that focuses on wine without the snobbery. With the vibe of a chic Parisian bistro, this Camberwell contender is intimate and relaxed. Natural wine is the go-to, and there is always a trust-worthy £5 glass picked by the staff.
Address: 78 Camberwell Church Street, Camberwell, SE5 8QZ.
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 5-10.30pm, FriSat 12-10.30pm, Sun 12-7.30pm.
Jazu, Deptford
At number 39, Jazu is a sultry little jazz bar that has only been open a year but has already claimed its spot here, providing classic cocktails and smooth sounds.
Address: 2 Deptford High Street, Deptford, SE8 4AF.
Opening hours: Wed 5pm-midnight, Thu 5pm-am, Fri-Sat 5pm-3am, Sun 4-11pm.
Nine Lives, London Bridge
Topping off the list in the 50th spot is Nine Lives. Tucked down a quiet Bermondsey alleyway, this is a must-hit spot for a weekend brunch of tacos and tequila.
Address: 8 Holyrood Street, London Bridge, SE1 2EL.
Opening times: Tue-Wed 5-11pm, Thu-Fri 5pm-midnight, Sat 2pm-midnight.
Creating your dream home
Some architecture companies have a signature style, but DH Architects, based in East Dulwich, believes in curating an entirely unique home for every client.
―
By Abigail Finney
Daniel Harris, the owner of DH Architects, has his favourite elements of every project, of course. Right now, he has a thing for bricks. However, he keeps that to himself, allowing clients to take the reins, building their dream homes.
“I don’t like to prescribe or have any style,” Harris said. “I think some people may like that, but then you’re missing a whole lot.”
Having set materials or ideas, while straightforward, can set you back from exploring more or adding new details to a project.
“I just think it’s too rigid,” Harris said. “We don’t push specific architecture, so it’s not generic.”
With decades of experience, Harris and his team work on mainly residential projects, working with private clients. With every project comes a new set of obstacles and goals.
Consulting, planning and working within a budget all comes into play. On the other hand, sometimes more personal issues emerge.
Renovating a home can be stressful on couples – and that can come with bickering. Acting as though Harris isn’t sitting right across the desk, couples argue back and forth, at odds with each other.
“I actually offer architectural marriage guidance now," Harris said with a laugh.
Apart from solving lovers' spats, he loves the social side of working with clients. For those considering a revamp on your home, DH Architects offers free consultations.
“Sometimes it’s actually quite rewarding,” Harris said. “I was actually chatting with a client yesterday and it just had a really nice feel to it.”
In all of the consultations and projects, he’s still hunting for his dream project. Harris did a feasibility project on a new home on the Thames River around Reading. The contemporary, 5,000
square foot home really caught Harris’ attention. He even loved the town that the house was located in.
“It was a bit of an eye opener,” he said. “It’s quite a fun place to be.”
Unfortunately, the project didn’t move forward, leaving him to continue the hunt for his perfect home.
For now, he keeps small details of builds to keep him happy. Always finding an element in a project to love gives him a connection to every home or building he works on. While he doesn't have a favourite project in his heart, those small details mean the world to him.
So, the work continues, building connections with clients and their homes.
Daniel Harris Architects are based at Unit 5, 53-55 North Cross Road, SE22 9ET Tel: 020 8425 1893
Website:www.dh-architects.com
Courtesy of Daniel Harris Architecture
Talfourd
Dresden Road, courtesy of Daniel Harris Architecture
Over 7,000 fanrelated items on show in Georgian townhouse
By Evie Flynn
Greenwich is home to a museum dedicated to showcasing over 7,000 fan-related items from across different decades and cultures.
Situated inside a pair of beautifully restored Grade II Listed early Georgian townhouses, and with Her Majesty the Queen Camilla as the patron, The Fan Museum is a Greenwich hidden gem. Since 1991, the Fan Museum has been striving to be ‘a museum unlike any other’, with a vast collection of fans that expand over 1000 years of history and culture.
It’s been open to the public since 1991, founded by Hélène Alexander MBE (a world authority on fans) and her late husband, ‘Dickie’ A.V Alexander OBE. It was based on Hélène’s extensive fan collection upon which the The Fan Museum was founded.
“The Museum is just about niche enough to be considered quirky,” Sophie, the General Manager, tells us. “I think it’s great fun that when you move around the Museum you are essentially moving around what were at one point two separate houses.
“The Fan Museum proves itself to be a gem in South London, and South London is really the
place to be, but maybe I’m biased, as a life-long and very grateful South East London resident!”
We asked Sophie what her favourite fan in the collection is: “I love the Brisé fan, Brisé meaning a fan without a leaf, made entirely of Mother of Pearl,” she explains. “It’s so beautiful, it stops you in your tracks.”
Collection highlights include works from artists like Paul Gauguin, fans from Japanese courts and a rare Elizabethan fan. The collection is enriched by a wide range of period costume, fan making tools, equipment and rare books.
Greenwich is the perfect location for the museum, immersed in a deep history and rich culture of arts and heritage. “There is also something
to be said for the feeling of stepping back in time when one comes to Greenwich,” Sophie says.
“You’re surrounded by a great range of architectural styles including Georgian, like that of the buildings in which the Museum is housed.”
The diversity of visitors to South East London bring perspectives from all across the world- which Sophie says is knowledge to be gained from a place like The Fan Museum. The only other dedicated Fan Museum is in China.
The team holds monthly Fan Making Workshops, designed to give you a taste of the ancient craft. Limited to groups of six people, the workshops are a three-hour, guided, deep dive on the first Saturday of each month. Each attendee will
create two common types of fan and costs £40 per person.
Over the past 30 years the Museum and its small team have put on over eighty fan-themed exhibitions and welcomed over 300,000 visitors. Their current exhibition is Birds of a Feather, running until 13 September, which explores the fascination for birds as a source of decoration and embellishment on fans across multiple decades and cultures.
If you’d like to view the collection, you can book a guided tour for £10 per person, where the curatorial team explain the origins of the fans. Or, to browse the museum at your own pace, normal tickets are priced at just £5 for adults and £3 for children.
The Museum is a registered charity, with accessible ticket pricing and a small gift shop. They always welcome volunteers from the local community who would like to help run the Front of house, shop or exhibition space.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 11am - 5pm.
12 Crooms Hill, Greenwich, London, SE10 8ER thefanmuseum.org.uk
Brockwell Hall is now open again thanks to a transformative £7.7 million investment from Lambeth Council, including £3.9 million funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and support of the Brockwell Park Community Partners. Be among the first to experience the timeless charm of this historic venue, which is beautifully restored to blend heritage with modern elegance. Whether you're planning a private celebration, a corporate or community event or simply want to explore, Brockwell Hall offers the perfect setting for any occasion. Book your event today and become part of the next chapter in Brockwell Hall’s rich history.
Established in 1813, Brockwell Hall is a stunning Grade II* listed Georgian Mansion House set centrally within the grounds of the historic Brockwell Park, surrounded by over 125 acres of abundant nature, with panoramic views of the City. Offering a variety of multipurpose spaces, Brockwell Hall is the ideal location for celebrations, conferences, and community events, with the capacity to accommodate up to 200 guests.
Contact us: venues@lambeth.gov.uk
@venuelambeth
Mush Love: meet the fungi fanatics of South London
―
By Louisa Woolf
Every month a group of mushroom obsessives gather in Brixton to share their love of all things mycology: the study of mushrooms. They say the humble mushroom is far more than a culinary delight. Instead, a true ‘sustainability superhero’ that could be key to achieving net zero.
South London Mushroom Club was set up two years ago in Brixton by Adi Staempfli, who, aged 14, fell “madly and passionately” for mushrooms after being invited on a foraging walk with a neighbour and his father He created South London Mushroom Club to build a community of like-minded people and share his personal philosophy: ‘Mush Love’.
“It’s really varied but it's so nice because the common thing is fungi,” Adi told us. "We can have different opinions on things but it brings us together and that's a really wonderful thing.”
There’s the artist who uses mushrooms to make dyes and tinctures, there’s the woman who makes jewellery inspired by the distinctive form of mushrooms. For some, mushroom club is a place for exchanging growing tips for their own kitchen gardens. Others are interested in learning to identify the mushrooms that grow in their local areas, and go on foraging walks to connect with nature and practise mindfulness.
Once a month, the group gathers at the Remakery workshop in Brixton for a ‘weird and wacky’ schedule of mushroom-related activities. From using mushrooms to make lino printed Christmas cards, to identification classes where people bring their freshly foraged fungi for the class to identify the mushroom type.
Over a cup of Lion’s Mane tea and a homemade mushroom and amaretto truffle, the group enjoys “a comfortable space for mushroom fanatics just to be themselves," explained Henry Setter, 28, who’s been attending mushroom club for a year.
He described the club as “a special place where you can meet people who have an interest in mushrooms, but in ways you didn’t realise existed... it’s quite a special thing to find.”
“A good mycologist is someone who doesn't believe they’re an expert,” he continued. “It’s a field of science we actually don’t know loads about, it’s really emerging. We come to this space to learn from each other, to share and build up our community knowledge.”
Adi, the founder, is a true mushroom fanatic. He has over 45 years' foraging experience, sells tinctures and jerky from his homegrown
mushrooms at Herne Hill market, and he has his favourite mushroom - the porcino ceptattooed large and in colour on his left bicep.
Yet for Adi, this is more than just a social club. “What truly captivates me about fungi is their incredible potential to combat climate change,” he said.
“From locally produced food and eco-friendly packaging to revolutionary medicinal applications, mushrooms are true sustainability superheroes.”
Fungi are a major carbon sink. Globally they store one third of carbon emitted from fossil fuels and could be essential to reaching net zero. Ganoderma, one type of fungus that commonly grows on tree trunks, has been used to make biobricks, a biodegradable alternative to traditionally polluting construction materials.
Elsewhere, mushrooms have been used to develop packaging that can be composted in your food waste bin. Last month, we reported on the world’s first coffin made from mushrooms, a sustainable alternative that actually enriches the soil.
For Adi, the driving force behind the mushroom club is to combine all his different passions for environmental justice, for social justice, and for community building.
Laura Sedgwick, 31, a mushroom club member for over two years, agreed and said the club for her was about “using mushrooms as a way to draw these different connections together, on topics like history or politics or climate change or or all sorts of things that might seem unconnected.”
The South London Mushroom club is always keen to hear from potential new members, or anyone who wants to learn about mushrooms.
Find out more on Instagram by following @adisurbanmushrooms or their website https://www.urbanmushrooms.co.uk/
A South London Mushroom Club event (c) Adi Staempfli
South London Mushroom Club foraging (c) Adi Staempfli
Canada Water comes alive
Canada Water has a brand-new reason to get excited – the Canada Water Leisure Centre is now open. Alongside welcoming public spaces, and an ever-growing choice of shops, restaurants and leisure spots, it’s helping to create a lively, fun place for everyone to enjoy. Here’s a look at some of the highlights and why now’s the perfect time to come and explore.
Getting sporty
The Canada Water Leisure Centre replaces the old Seven Islands centre with a state-of-the-art facility. With twice as many fitness classes compared with its predecessor, it’s easier than ever to find a session that fits your schedule, whether you’re looking for something to get your heart pumping in your lunch break or a way to get active at the weekend.
Facilities include an eight-lane swimming pool, a learner pool, a worldclass gym with cutting-edge equipment, studios for yoga and indoor cycling, and a sports hall perfect for basketball, badminton and more. The centre is designed with inclusivity at its heart, featuring pool hoists, adjustable-height gym equipment and spacious lifts that accommodate wheelchair users, ensuring accessibility for all.
More ways to move
The new leisure centre adds to a sports scene that has been expanding rapidly over the past few years. For bouldering head to The Arch in Surrey Quays Shopping Centre. You’ll find routes catering to everyone from complete beginners and children, to experienced climbers, and the only equipment you need is climbing shoes, which can be hired on site.
The summer months are also a great time to check out Surrey Docks Fitness and Watersports Centre. This is the place to try activities including wild swimming, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, rowing and paddleboarding – on Greenland Dock, a historic remnant once plied by 18th-century whaling ships.
Canada Water is home to over 130 acres of green and blue spaces, which you can explore while keeping fit with our 5k running or walking route. It crosses only one major road, and you can find a map at: canadawater.co.uk/news/5kcw
New padel courts
Adding to the list of reasons to visit, a set of brand-new padel courts now overlook the dock, offering the world’s fastest growing racket sport for all ages to enjoy.
A taste of things to come
Canada Water is fast becoming a food and drink destination with a refreshing line-up of independents and well-loved names opening this autumn.
The Village Tree is the third eatery from the husband and wife team behind locally-renowned Pear Tree Cafe and The Barn at Surrey Docks Farm. It will offer all-day refreshment featuring signature coffee from Caravan alongside small bites and wine in the evening, making it an ideal day-to-night spot.
Overlooking Dock Office Gardens and adjacent to the entrance of the leisure centre, Sushi Revolution is building on the success of its popular Brixton and Shoreditch locations, bringing a taste of Japan to SE16.
Wine aficionados and casual sippers alike are also anticipating the arrival of Vagabond Wines. Bringing the brand’s signature self-pour machines with over 100 different wines to sample by the glass, it will also be home to the UK’s largest urban winery, meaning visitors can see, smell, taste, and enjoy wine at every stage of its journey.
Kick back and relax
Canada Water is certainly buzzing, but anyone looking for a bit of downtime will find plenty of places to chill. The open-plan seating and free Wi-Fi at Corner Corner – which also features live music and food hall supplied by the on-site vertical farm – make it a great spot to meet friends or just get a change of scenery. Outdoor spots to escape the hustle and bustle include the green escape of Dock Office Gardens and the steps down to the water’s edge at the revitalised Canada Dock
There’s still time to catch the musical and highly Instagrammable art installation Trumpet Flowers, on display until September 22 and you can also watch the Women’s Rugby World Cup on the outdoor Canada Water Screen until September 27.
Whether you’re itching for action or looking to take it easy, Canada Water really does have reasons for everyone to get out and about.
Canada Water Leisure Centre is the place to come for swimming, yoga, ball sports and more
Plumstonian to Etonian
From Woolwich Polytechnic to the halls of Eton, gifted student Judah Cummings has a funded place at the prestigious Sixth Form fit for princes, inspiring boys from South East London to follow in his footsteps.
FBy Evie Flynn
rom Woolwich Polytechnic to the halls of Eton, gifted student Judah Cummings has a funded place at the prestigious Sixth Form fit for princes, inspiring boys from South East London to follow in his footsteps.
Judah, 17, from Plumstead in Greenwich, attended Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys, but his life changed course when he achieved the Orwell Award: a Sixth Form scholarship at Eton for boys whose opportunities have been limited by circumstance.
Woolwich Poly, like many South East London schools, faces the challenges common to areas with high economic deprivation. But Judah’s journey, from Plumstonian to Etonian, can serve as an inspiration to other South East London boys striving for more.
The 17-year-old joined the historic Eton College last September, an institution that has educated 20 British Prime Ministers and members of the royal family, including Prince William and Harry.
He has just completed Year 12, studying Physics, Economics and Further Maths. Due to his academic ability and exceptional GCSE performance at Woolwich Poly, Judah took A Level Maths two years early in Year 11 and achieved an A*.
During term time, Judah boards alongside 50 other boys and during the holidays, he comes back to London where his mother (a primary school teacher) and his father (an electrician) live with Judah’s older sister and two younger brothers.
Despite coming from a working class background, Judah had no problem fitting in with the other boys at the £63,000 per year school, describing the other boys as “very welcoming and very warm.”
Life at Eton has broadened Judah’s horizons in ways he hadn’t anticipated. “The way I talk and present myself has got better since joining Eton,” he explains. “There are amazing speakers who come in to give talks, and loads of societies to join.”
Judah has made the most of all Eton has to offer, becoming part of the economics, politics and sport societies. He’s learnt how to play the piano and was
even selected to be part of the prestigious Eton Society: a body of 20 prefects selected by students and teachers.
“I feel like my election to the Eton Society was really significant,” Judah says. “I’d only been at the school for under a year at that point.”
Not just academically gifted, Judah is also a keen sportsman and was selected to play for Eton’s First XI football team. “Football was a big part of my life prior to joining Eton and it helped me a lot with settling in,” Judah tells us. “I had to go to Eton a week early for pre-season, so by the time term started I had met lots of the boys.
“There was so much other stuff going on, including football training three times a week and other things to do that I found it easy to settle into the boarding aspect.”
He’s also noticed other odd quirks about attending a boarding school versus Woolwich Polytechnic. During the winter months, lessons stop from 1pm-4pm, allowing the boys to use the daylight hours for extra-curricular activities, before resuming in the late afternoon.
Judah first learned about the Orwell Award through his aunt, a former head of Sixth Form, who encouraged him to apply after one of her former students had successfully received the award.
The application process was long and challenging at times, but worth it, according to Judah: “You have to apply quite early, write a personal statement, share your reasons behind the subjects chosen and then thirty boys are shortlisted for interviews and tests at Eton,” he explains.
“You then have to go to Eton for a couple days and we were interviewed by the head of each subject we chose and then I found out about my place in mid-December.” Twelve boys receive the award each year, and means they don’t have to pay a penny towards tuition fees.
The next step in Judah’s already flourishing academic career is University and he has got big
plans to eventually work in the finance sector. “I plan to apply to Cambridge to study economics,” he says “I might also apply to America as well, I’m still on the fence.”
These big dreams for his future are made possible through Eton, where he can receive tailored support previously unavailable: “Anything you want to do there will be someone who can help or someone’s that done it before who can offer you some insight.”
“I think it’s been a really successful year, I’ve settled in really nicely and managed to make the most out of all the opportunities provided for me there.”
Judah manages to come back to Woolwich often enough, given the opportunity most weekends, and school holidays, which are longer than typical state schools. He has even been invited back to Woolwich Poly, which itself is rated outstanding by Ofsted, and has been asked to help the next cohort of boys who want to apply for the Orwell Award, following in Judah’s footsteps.
We asked Judah if he had any advice for South
who are academically gifted, but see barriers to University within their own life. “You just have to go for it,” Judah urges. “If you work hard, you’re motivated and disciplined, you can achieve whatever you want.”
To be eligible for the Orwell Award, boys in the UK need to meet the following criteria:
Attending a UK state school whose lack of achievement may have been held back due to personal circumstance
Based on academic potential and against specific criteria e.g refugee status, Looked After Child, first generation of his family to go to university, if he is in receipt of the Pupil Premium or if he currently attends a school Ofsted has identified as ‘requiring improvement’ or in ‘special measures’
Applications for September 2026 entry are now open. The deadline for applications is 21 September 2025. Students need to be entering Year 11 to apply. To apply, visit: https://www.etoncollege.com/ admissions/scholarships-and-awards/orwell-award/
East London boys
Harris
the master key to their future
Harris Boys’ Academy is an exceptional school where students achieve outstanding academic progress while growing into remarkable young men.
Through our Active Citizens traits: Confidence, Curiosity, Resilience, Respect, and Ambition; we nurture every individual to ensure they leave us equipped with the Master Key to their future. We believe that education is the key to social mobility, and we are passionately committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has access to the same life-changing opportunities.
In 2023–24, our academic outcomes placed us in the top 2% of schools nationally. This remarkable achievement is the result of the collaborative efforts of our dedicated teachers, hardworking students, and supportive parents. At Harris Boys’ Academy, no student is ever left behind. Our expertise in educating boys is a cornerstone of our success. As a small school, every student is known, valued, and supported as an individual. Each young man receives the same high level of challenge, care, and encouragement from our community.
At Harris Boys’ Academy, students benefit from a vibrant and enriching Personal Development Programme that helps shape their character and broaden their horizons.
With over 50 free weekly extra-curricular clubs; there’s something for everyone. Our thriving Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme with nearly 200 students participating each year. Students also enjoy a wide range of awe-inspiring trips, including: International sports trips to Holland, a history visit to Berlin, and a Geography expedition to Iceland. Local experiences like London Zoo, Sky Studios, the Houses of Parliament, Barclays Bank, the Globe Theatre, and the Science Museum. These opportunities are complemented by a thought-provoking and contextualised PSHE and RSE curriculum, delivered by highly trained staff, ensuring every student receives a well-rounded and meaningful education.
Please visit our website for more information or come to one of our open events. https://www.harrisdulwichboys.org.uk/
Photo taken by Cleverbox
Dunraven is a high-performing, all-through school, educating children from the age of 4 to 18. We foster an ethos of respect, tolerance and pride in personal appearance. Students are encouraged to be courteous, optimistic and resilient. As our students progress through the school, we are committed to ensuring that they develop the confidence, skills and self-starting attitude that will help them succeed in the modern world.
These are exciting times for Dunraven School, which continues to embody our all-through school objective of ‘Excellence for All’. We offer the very best in teaching, a broad and exciting curriculum which embraces the academic and creative and a strong sense of community, where staff and students work together with the understanding and support of families. Our state-of-the-art facilities add to an exceptional learning experience as we work towards achieving excellence for all our young people.
Open Sessions for 2026 Year 7 & Sixth Form Entry
We will be holding a number of Open Sessions for families interested in visiting the school on the following dates in the Autumn term:
Tuesday 16 September 5.15pm – 7.45pm
Year 7
Sixth Form
Thursday 25 September 9.15am – 10.30am
Thursday 18 September 9.15am – 10.30am
Tuesday 30 September 9.15am – 10.30am
No booking is required for the Year 7 Open Sessions. Please arrive at the entrance of the school at your preferred session, and you will be met by a guide.
Our prospectus and full details of our admissions arrangements and criteria are available by visiting www.dunraven.org.uk
Significant improvement again as A-Level results for Westminster City School’s Sixth Form hit new heights
Congratulations to Westminster City School’s Sixth Form, class of 2025, on their exceptional and richly deserved A-Level results. The outcomes for this year group are some of the best in the school’s history with the proportion of A* and A grades rising by 5% to 30%.
The proportion of students securing top grades (A* to B) also rose by 5% to 63%. This is the fourth year in a row where outcomes have improved justifying the school’s reputation as a 6th Form providing transformational education in the heart of London. Given their starting points at GCSE, these outcomes place Westminster City School in some of the highest achieving 6th Forms in London based on progress made.
Over a 60% of students have secured places at Russell Group or top 25 ranked UK Universities, and they will complete their studies in subjects ranging from Medicine to Mechanical Engineering, and from Computer Science to Law. Nine students have secured places at Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College, London and University College London which all rank in the world’s top 10 universities. Other students hold places on competitive and prestigious degree apprenticeships.
Kieron, the first in his family to go to university achieved two A*s and two A’s. He will be studying Computer Science and Maths at the University of Bath. He expressed how important hard work is, saying:
“The past two years at Westminster City School have been incredibly self-developing, giving me the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. The support I have received from teachers and students at this school has helped me to thrive in both my academic studies and my own personal growth.
To anyone considering joining the sixth form, I would say that if you are looking for an environment that truly pushes you to do your best, this is the place for you. The teachers at Westminster City School’s Sixth Form are supportive both inside and outside the classroom, and the students also encourage each other to excel in every aspect.”
Andrea-Nora, who achieved one A* and two A’s will be studying Economics, Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick. She said:
“My two years at Westminster City School’s
Sixth Form have been a truly transformative experience, where I was guided and helped to grow as a person while making many amazing friends along the way. Balancing four subjects alongside commitments outside of school was one of my biggest challenges, but the unwavering support of the sixth form staff helped me to keep going and achieved these incredible grades. ”
Barney, who received two A’s and one B will be studying PPE at the University of Oxford. He shared his joy, saying:
“I’m thankful to have secured an offer to study PPE at the University of Oxford. As a PCAS Bursary winner, thanks to Polar Capital and Westminster City School, I will receive essential financial and professional support throughout my entire Oxford journey, which is a bonus. I have always felt encouraged to challenge myself, explore new opportunities, and develop as a person, and these experiences at Westminster City School have shaped me into the young adult I am today. I’m deeply grateful to the school and everyone who has supported me along the way.”
Commenting on this year’s A Level results success, Headteacher, Mr Peter Broughton said:
“I am very happy indeed with the outcomes for this year’s Year 13 and delighted for all the students. The class of 2025 are the school’s largest cohort ever and I have been very privileged to have witnessed many of them complete a significant and lifechanging seven year journey with us. The sustained improvement in results over the last four years underpins our belief that Westminster City School is one of the best places to complete A Levels in the capital. With the range and variety of exceptional destinations we hold true to our mission to provide transformational education in the heart of London. I wish every student well for the future and trust that through the school’s alumni association, they will stay in touch with the school.”
Ms Katie Dennis, Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for 14 to 19 Progression, said:
“I am so proud of the achievements of these excellent students, who are such a lovely group of young people. They have achieved a set of fantastic results with some particularly impressive individual achievements. They have been studious, passionate, and a real pleasure to work with. ”
Mr Omar Taufik, Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for the 6th Form, said:
“I’m so impressed and proud of our students for all they’ve achieved this year. We’ve seen continued improvement year after year, and this summer marks our best-ever results. These outstanding outcomes are the result of our students’ hard work, resilience, and ambition, supported by the excellent teaching and strong academic culture we’ve built here. ”
