The South Londoner - December 2022

SOUTH LONDonER December 2022

Issue 18

TOAD FILLS THE HOLE the camberwell bakery with a cult following

Shop local this Christmas with our gift guide R&R at Dulwich Therapy Rooms 12 of the best south London pantos and Christmas shows

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home secretary

DECEMBER 2022

The local line-up for your diary ―

Independent and proud We’ve been based in the old Biscuit Factory in Bermondsey since 1994 - championing independent journalism and supporting local businesses.

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 Greenwich and Lewisham Weekender every week, and 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.

You can see all of our content here: www.southwarknews.co.uk

Editor Holly O'Mahony Design Lizzy Tweedale, Dan Martin, Ann Gravesen, Hakob Muradyan Marketing

Clarry Frewin,

Katie Boyd, Sophie Ali

Shop till you hop Gipsy Hill Brewery is hosting a one-day-only mini festival, featuring live carollers, boozy hot chocolates, local brews and a chance to do some Christmas shopping courtesy of a spread of stalls from independent traders. Eat, drink and be merry – they’re promising Mariah Carey on repeat after all. The market and taproom are both indoors, so no need to worry about the weather.

Take the plunge for charity Crisis, the charity tackling homelessness, is hosting a series of icebreaker challenges in outdoor swimming pools across London this winter, and the next one is coming to a pool near you. Head to Brockwell Lido on December 3 and take part in a cold water swim to raise money for the charity. Register in advance (and we’d recommend easing yourself in with a few cold dips in training), then on the day, all you need to do is swim a width of the pool. Oh, and fancy dress is very much encouraged.

Gipsy Hill Brewery, Unit 5, 160 Hamilton Road , SE27 9SF. December 11, 12pm - 5pm. Admission: FREE. www.gipsyhillbrew.com/bar/thetaproom

Makers’ market

Glide across south London’s new ice rink

Shop local in the run up to Christmas, as Crystal Palace hosts a South London Makers' Market on Thursday December 15. Browse the wares of over 20 small brands and traders, who between them are selling everything from homeware to jewellery, skincare and baked goods. There’s a mulled wine and hot chocolate station to keep you fuelled, but book a table in the Weston House pub below if you fancy something more substantial.

While central London is mourning the loss of the Natural History Museum’s ice rink this winter, its loss is south London’s gain, as the team behind it – who are also in charge of the rink at Winter Wonderland – have opened a seasonal ice rink outside the newly opened Battersea Park Power Station. Practise your spins, glides and twirls across three interconnecting ice rinks watched over by twinkling fairy lights and a giant, glowing Christmas tree.

Battersea Park Power Station, Circus Road West, Nine Elms, London SW8 5BN. Until January 8; Monday - Thursday, 10am - 6pm, Friday 10am 10pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am - 6pm. Admission: £12/£8 children.

Weston House, 79 Westow Hill, Norwood, London SE19 1TY. December 15, 4pm - 9pm.

Admission: FREE. www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/a-south-london-makersmarket-26883026071

www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk/events/glide/

Brockwell Park, Dulwich Road, London SE24 0PA. December 3, 11am - 12:30pm.

Admission: £15 / sponsorship target £150. www.crisis.org.uk/get-involved/fundraise/events/ swim/icebreaker-brockwell/

Bermondsey Street after dark Wrap up warm and feel fully festive on Bermondsey Street on December 8, when its chocolate box windows will be glowing after dark and the doors of its independent businesses will stay open to offer a spot of late-night shopping. Pick up something for your festive spread from the Giddy Grocer and B Street Deli, gifts for him from Seaward & Stern, or for her from Kat Maconie, and a bouquet for your home from Igloo Flowers. You’ll be plied with mulled wine and festive treats while you browse.

80 - 167 Bermondsey Street, SE1.

December 8, 6pm - 10pm.

Media Partnerships Anthony Phillips Social Media Eliza Frost Finance Emrah Zeki Managing Directors Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn

Contact us ―

Email southlondonermag@gmail.com Phone 020 7231 5258 Twitter @southlondonmag Instagram thesouthlondoner

Published by Southwark Newspaper Ltd

OUR NEXT ISSUE PUBLISHES ON JANUARY 26TH 2023 CONTACT US TO GET INVOLVED

A panto just for grown ups Who said panto was strictly family entertainment?

Certainly not the brilliant double act behind Sh!t Theatre who, as the name suggests, are not peddling their wares for the kiddos. Their show Sing-A-Long Muppet Christmas Carol is showing at Battersea Arts Centre in the run up to Christmas. It’s not new exactly: theatremakers Louise Mothersole and Becca Biscuit started performing it in their bedroom 10 years ago, but it’s become something of a cult favourite – and not just because they give out goody bags and free whisky. It’s not too late to hop on board the hype, though: as they say themselves, Muppet virgins are welcome.

Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TN. December 8 - 19, 8pm.

Admission: £14/£10 concessions. www.bac.org.uk/whats-on/sing-a-long-muppetchristmas-carol/

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local faces

DECEMBER 2022

Toad fills the bakery hole ―

By Holly O'Mahony

I

t’s been open for under a year, and yet it’s weathered an identity crisis (being forced to change its name from Frog to Toad) and built a cult following, with Londoners flocking from across the city to get their hands on its baked goods. Toad Bakery owners Oliver Costello and Rebecca Spaven tell The South Londoner about their journey to success and the one item on the menu everyone must try…

Holly O’Mahony: How did you meet and when did you discover your shared love of baking?

Rebecca Spaven: We met through a mutual friend and former colleague, Sophie. Oliver was working at Ottolenghi and I was at Fortitude Bakehouse at the time. We were both independently thinking about setting up our own places, and discovered we had a lot of shared values and ideas.

HOM: Before you opened Toad Bakery in Camberwell earlier this year, you test-ran your baked goods at a series of pop-ups. What did you learn during that time?

RS: We ran a series of pop-ups at the brilliant Platform Cafe in Loughborough Junction last summer. It was the first time we'd actually worked together so it was a very useful dry run! We learnt a tonne about biting off more than you can chew, but also came up with some products and flavour combinations that have made their way onto our current menu.

HOM: What made you choose to set up shop on Peckham Road? Are you local?

RS: We have both lived in south-east London for many years and we very much consider it home. It made sense to open somewhere we both have deep roots, and where we feel we understand what people want and need.

HOM: The bakery’s success has been pretty meteoric,

Images © Caitlin Isola

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with people coming from all over London to queue to get their hands on Toad’s loaves, pastries and cakes.

What's your secret?

Oliver Costello: We honestly think people come for the pumping techno.

HOM: You’re being modest, okay, but you've got some hero items on your menu – what usually sells out?

OC: People love our Yuzu Jaffa Cake, a take on the classic McVitie sweet treat, which almost everyone is familiar with.

HOM: Can we talk briefly about Frog gate? For readers who missed the saga, you originally named your bakery Frog, but the team behind central London’s Michelin-starred restaurant that’s also called Frog kicked up a fuss and asked you to change the name of the bakery. Why was Toad the next best choice?

RS: Toad was a pretty natural choice for us. We were able to keep our logo and all our silly amphibian knickknacks. We're actually really happy with it now!

HOM: In the spirit of sharing some south London love, what are some of your favourite local businesses that our readers should know about?

RS: Our next-door neighbours are both amazing: Cafe Culture for the best shawarma around, and Kalon for excellent massages and beauty treatments. We're also obsessed with Veraison for wine and love our pals from sandwich pop-up Mondo Sando at the Grove House Tavern.

Toad Bakery, 44 Peckham Road, London SE5 8PX. Tuesday - Friday, 8am - 4pm; Saturday, 8:30am - 3pm. www.toadbakery.com/

THE INVISIBLE LIGHTSWITCH® www.forbesandlomax.com London I New York I LA

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online purchases available for collection in Peckham for last minute gifts or come see us at PEXMAS on 3rd December

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Discover Alice like you’ve never seen her before adventuring through Brixton in this family Christmas show. #AliceinBrixton

020 7582 7680

brixtonhouse.co.uk

Maths Skills for life Multiply is a new government-funded programme to help adults across the UK improve their numeracy skills.

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advertorial

DECEMBER 2022

Get your festive preparations off to a cracking start in Streatham

By InStreatham BID

T

winkling lights, mulled wine, a festive atmosphere, fabulous gifts and if you’re lucky, a chance to meet the big boss himself.

Start planning your ultimate winter staycation with our guide whether for families, friends or a romantic night out.

We’ve taken care of the magic, so come on over to see what Streatham has to offer this Christmas, and support locals this holiday season. Festive lights line the streets, Christmas trees are sprouting from the pavements and the return of our lights display in the central shopping district (you won’t miss it, it’s huge!) to add a touch of magic to the atmosphere.

You will find a great range of gift ideas from accessories to toys, beauty, fashion and homeware - all with the local touch that makes shopping in Streatham so much fun.

You can even pick up a delicious treat at one of our cafes or restaurants before heading home with your new gifts.

With the whirlwind of a year coming to an end, start 2023 off right and treat yourself to some special ‘me time’ in the comfort of your own home. Creative Soul has a gorgeous selection of PJ’s and gowns to help you get comfortable and relax in your own space. Each FairTrade piece is hand made in Jaipur of 100% cotton. All hand printed designs are unique and the PJ’s come in a

Christmas Lights display outside Streatham Odeon p

matching fabric pouch making them the perfect Christmas present.

A firm favourite on the Streatham events calendar, the popular Lights On Market returns to Babington plaza, Streatham Green. On Small Business Saturday December 3rd, from 11 to 5pm, come and fill your stocking with gifts from our festive market. With a selection of unique retailers and delicious food, it’s the perfect experience for finding the presents you’re looking for.

Our Magical Elf Car is also here to help get Streatham into the Christmas spirit!

Sent from the North Pole on a special mission, allows children to video call Santa and post letters to Lapland via the magical postbox.

The Elf team will also take and print your picture out, for you to keep, whilst the DJ Elf will keep you entertained with lots of festive songs. Catch the Elf Car on Saturday December 3rd going from Streatham Hill down to the Common.

Then visit Streatham’s very own winter wonderland this Christmas and book an ice-skating session at Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre. This facility hosts the only Olympic-sized ice-skating rink in London!

This is just a handful of options of things to do in Streatham and once you get out and about, you won’t be able to stop yourself from seeing all the wonderful opportunities on offer this Christmas.

Gifts from Creative Soul, 227 Streatham High Rd, SW16 6EN p

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DECEMBER 2022

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DECEMBER 2022

locally sourced

LOCALLY SOURCED Local businesses share their best sellers for Christmas

Brixton Gin Single 70cl bottle, £36.95 They say: “Brixton Gin is a small-batch craft gin produced with botanicals grown in disused urban spaces within Brixton. It has a fusion of modern, novel flavours balanced against more traditional notes. The end result is a quirky and distinctive gin with delicate floral notes and a refreshing zesty kick. Gifting it? Get your bottle personalised with a message engraved on the glass.”

Unit 9, Brixton Village, Guzzl, Coldharbour Ln, London SW9 8PR www.brixtongin.co.uk

Form SE15 Wedgie Planet Dave, £20.00 They say: “Made as part of a fair trade initiative, Wedgie’s doorstops are the perfect gift for that person who has everything – and they don’t cost the earth! New in this season comes their new David Attenborough design, painted in pet and childfriendly paint.”

186 Bellenden Road, London SE15 4BW www.formse15.com/

Little Mouse Cheese Christmas Cheese Selection, £35 They say: “Little Mouse specialises in British artisan and farmhouse cheese, and low intervention wines.”

212A Selhurst Road, South Norwood, SE25 6XU www.littlemousecheese.com/product/christmascheese-selection/

Best of Both Boutique ‘Kaleesha’ Shirt Dress, £35

Weigh and Pay Recycled Wine Bottle Candle, £24

They say: “Stand out in this bold printed shirt dress, ideal for the coming party season!”

They say: “A locally-made, vegan candle housed in an upcycled wine bottle, with an incredible 70-90 hours burn time.”

Unit 1 Market Place, Peckham SE15 5EW www.bestofbothboutique.co.uk/

Unit 33, Brixton Village, Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8PS www.weighandpay.uk/

Guzzl Eco-friendly Christmas Hampers, £50 - £200 They say: “A sustainable food hamper from Brixton's answer to Fortnum & Mason – packed full of yummy treats from south London’s independent producers. Choose your own contents or let the team at Guzzl pick for you.”

Unit 9, Granville Arcade, Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8PR www.guzzl.co.uk/

People's Republic of London People’s Republic of South London Unisex T-Shirt, £25

Dolly Did It Upcycled Monopoly Board Game Clock, £30

MacFarlane’s Deli Prestat: A Dozen Classic Mini Mince Pies, £11.95

They say: “A pure organic cotton and FairWear certified tribute to the glorious south.”

They say: “It’s Monopoly time! These quirky clocks are one way to have a Monopoly board in the house without causing an argument.”

They say: “A mouthwatering combination of sweet pastry and mincemeat.”

Online business www.peoplesrepublicof.london/

Online business | www.dollydidit.co.uk/

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48 Abbeville Road, London SW4 9NF www.macfarlanesdeli.co.uk/

Continues on page 18

the Harlem-based Living Redemption Youth Opportunity Hub, and half by children aged 9–10 from Jubilee Primary School in Brixton.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND 1 – 31 December 2022 Brixton House opens its first Christmas show this December. The multi-award-winning company Poltergeist weave rap music together with the sights and sounds of Brixton into a hundred-mile-an-hour Christmas adventure.

After an explosive argument with Mum on a Victoria line station, eleven-year-old Alice leaps onto the tube seconds before the doors hiss shut.

Trapped on a train speeding into Nonsense, surrounded by weird and wonderful passengers,

Discover Winter Wonders in Brixton Dreamland

and at the mercy of a Queen who won’t relinquish the controls, can Alice turn this train around?

Multi-award-winning company Poltergeist weaves rap music together with the sights and sounds of Brixton into a hundred-mile-an-hour Christmas adventure. This alternative family Christmas show is created by Poltergeist.

BRIXTON VILLAGE SUNDAY MARKET Every Sunday 27 November – 18 December

BRIXTON BID

2022, 12pm – 7pm Every Sunday Brixton Village, in partnership

E

xplore Brixton this Winter for markets,

music and adventures.

BRIXTON MUSIC TRAIL Saturday 3 December 2022 To celebrating our independent businesses on Small Business Saturday, Brixton BID invites you to join us on a music trail around Brixton. We will be placing musicians from Brixton Chamber Orchestra in ten independent businesses from 1pm -3pm, can you find them all?

LOGHTING UP BRIXTON Saturday 3 December 2022 Join us between 4.15pm - 5.45pm for a Brixton switch on celebration at our Christmas Tree on Tunstall square. Live music from Brixton’s London All Star’s Steel Pan band who will be bring an island twist to Christmas classics.

WINTER WEDNESDAY WONDERS November 2022 – January 2023 Wednesdays are the new Fridays! Kicking

off on Wednesday 30 to celebrate the Small Business Tour landing in Brixton, Brixton BID are working with local music collective Handson Family and independent businesses to bring you free music to warm your evenings. Wednesday Wonders will see a talented roster of live musicians and DJs alike performing – watch out for the incoming hump day magic featuring the likes of internationally acclaimed jazz artist Heidi Vogel performing live!

VISIT THE WINTER WINDOWS Have you seen the wonderful Winter Windows at Squire & Partners? Now in its sixth year, Squire & Partners’ award-winning Winter Windows is a collaboration between a group of local school-aged children and architects and model makers from the practice to design neon winter lights, displayed in the windows of The Department Store.

For 2022, in celebration of the twinning partnership between the Brixton and Harlem Business Improvement Districts, half of the window display will be designed by children from

with Black Eats LDN – a platform showcasing Black owned restaurants in the media, will host a Christmas Market in Market Row, which will showcase Black-owned businesses and small artisan producers. The Christmas Market will allow passers by to wander through the covered market space, adorned in festive decorations, to covet goods such as handmade gifts, textiles and skincare. Live DJs will be spinning tunes and Andrew Ashong’s record fair will be open for vinyl lovers too. There will also be festive treats such as mulled wine and mince pies alongside rum punch, craft beers and much more.

BLACK CULTURE MARKET PRESENTS THEIR CHRISTMAS MARKET AT THE DEPARTMENT STORE Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 December 2022

truly embodies the community’s spirit as well as supporting Black businesses, so do come down.

BRIXTON WINDMILL’S WINTER MARKET AND SANTA’S GROTTO Sunday 11 December 2022, 12 noon to 3.30pm An opportunity for families and our local community to buy gifts from local makers, visit Father Christmas and enjoy a festive atmosphere with Christmas choirs, music, mulled wine and hot food. The Windmill shop will be open for purchase of iconic gifts – something unique for family and friends!

There will be free arts and crafts activities for children throughout the afternoon as well as a Christmas wreath making workshop for adults.

Join a one-hour Christmas wreath workshops where you will learn how to make a festive wreath to take home. Booked a slot in advance via the Windmill website.

Visit their Santa’s Grotto which is returning to the Windmill this year from 1-3pm to greet children with a small gift and allow families to capture a festive photo. We suggest a donation of £4 per child.

THE CREATE CHRISTMAS FAIR 11 December 2022, 12pm – 6pm Join Pop Brixton at The Create Christmas Fair where you’ll be able to find unique gifts and support incredible young creators and makers at the same time. Tunes will be provided by our DJ and mulled wine will be close at hand. Expect to see visual artists, fashion designers, jewellers and to discover a community of creatives you’ll wish you knew about before.

If you’re stuck for inspiration or looking for a purchase with purpose, we’ve got you covered.

Our Christmas fair is one day only so getting there early and buy well!

ELECTRIC ADVENTURES Created by Brixton-based animation studio Jellyfish Pictures, three foxes go on an adventure through Brixton Dreamland, finding toys, clouds made of flowers and apples that have grown as big as cars. Join Brixi, Bowie and Pumpkin online to explore Brixton.

This Christmas edition of Black Culture Market, will take place over two days in the heart of Brixton, offering a diverse, quality shopping and cultural experience. Where you can meet a hand-picked selection of traders who will be different each day. This Christmas market

Whatever you are looking for, Brixton is waiting for you. Stay up to date with events this season by following @brixtonbid.

locally sourced

DECEMBER 2022

Stems Wilder Wreath Making Kit, £45 They say: “Each wreath making kit includes everything you need to make your own Christmas wreath. Choose from four different decorative styles.”

Debbie Randall Ceramics Handmade Porcelain Xmas Decorations, £3.50

Unit 80, 1 Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8PR www.stemswilder.com/

The Arches Blenheim Court, Peckham SE15 4QL www.DebbieRandallCeramics.com

Form SE15 Miss Pompom Botanical Green Scarf, £95.00 They say: “Brixton brand Miss Pompom always comes up trumps with the best accessories and this season is a belter! Their Botanical Scarf is oversized, super soft and made from recycled wool. Cosy points guaranteed!”

186 Bellenden Road, London SE15 4BW www.formse15.com/

Meet Bernard Rototo Comfy Room Socks, £38 They say: “The most comfortable and well functioning things you’ll ever put on your feet.”

Louise Jordan Art ‘Here come the girls’ print, £35 They say: “A limited edition A4 print from original hand cut and hand embroidered paper collage.” www.louisejordanart.com/

Ghost Whale Ghost Whale Selection Box – Mixed Styles, £30 They say: “A selection of Ghost Whale’s finest craft beers across all styles, sure to get you set for the festive period.”

70 Atlantic Road, London SW9 8PX www.shop.ghostwhalelondon.com/

Style@Maison Mustard Leopard Print Glitter Socks, £6.99

Arts By Kola Sketch book, £20

They say: “A stylish stocking filler.”

They say: “Splash: classic hardcover plain A5 sketchbook.”

33A Market Peckham, London SE15 4BQ www.instagram.com/ style_at_maison/

37 N Cross Road, London SE22 9ET / 42 Lordship Lane, London SE22 8HJ www.meetbernard.com/

133a Rye Lane, London SE15 4BQ www.bukoladagiloke. com/

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family

Family events —

By Holly O'Mahony

Glowing bright

Imaginations at the ready…

Got a 2-5 year old with a gaggle of invisible friends or their own world hidden away inside their imagination? Or maybe your tot needs a little help creating their own adventure? Regardless, they could probably do with some time sans screens. Imagine & Play is a series of interactive, multi-sensory drop-in sessions that use drama, music, movement, storytelling and art to unlock the endless potential for play. Led by theatre practitioner Amari Harris, sessions are held at Theatre Peckham and suitable for all children of all abilities.

Theatre Peckham, 221 Havil Street, London SE5 7SB. Thursdays, 11:45am - 12:30pm.

Admission: £5. www.theatrepeckham.co.uk/show/imagine-play/

Bare humbug!

Frozen sing-a-long

Theatre Peckham is putting a contemporary spin on Charles Dickens’ timeless Christmas tale.

Scroogelicious is more ‘bare humbug’ than ‘bah humbug’, if you please. Expect plenty of rhythm and rhyme from Geoffrey Aymer and Jordan Xavier’s feel-good take on the story, about a wealthy Scrooge set on gentrifying Peckham. Hopefully some ghosts pay him a visit to convince him otherwise.

Wrap up warm for a trip to Stanley Arts, where you’ll be whisked away to Elsa’s icy palace for a sing-a-long screening of Disney’s Frozen. Making it a full afternoon affair, Stanley Hall is hosting crafts and games before the movie itself. Help your little one get into the spirit by having their face painted before the show, then join your fellow cinema goers in belting out the lyrics to ‘Let It Go’. Adults, meanwhile, might want to head to the venue a little earlier in the day for the chance to take part in an Edwardian Christmas decoration-making workshop.

Theatre Peckham, 221 Havil Street, London SE5 7SB. December 1 - 23, 7pm with additional morning shows and matinees. Admission: £15/ concessions available.

A snaking dragon, fantastical flowers and a magical forest with glittering trees are some of the many charms that await visitors at Lightopia Festival in Crystal Palace this winter. Fend off dark and dreary winter nights by interacting with its glowing, wibbly wobbly light installations, as you follow a trail designed to delight visitors of all ages. Whisper through the Land of the Fairies and watch the Night Bees from afar. The mesmeric Water Show and dancing Light Show are also not to be missed.

Crystal Palace Park, London SE19 2BA. November 17 - January 2, admission: £19.50 £24.50 / concessions available. www.london.lightopiafestival.com/explore-trail

Stanley Arts, 12 South Norwood Hill, London SE25 6AB. December 11, Edwardian Christmas Craft Workshop from 11am - 2pm. Admission: FREE. Frozen screening from 2:30m - 5pm.

Admission: £6/ FREE under 2s.

www.theatrepeckham.co.uk/show/ scroogelicious/

www.stanleyarts.org/

When Little Red Riding Hood met Robin Hood Why settle for one classic story when you can enjoy two? Battersea Arts Centre’s family Christmas show fuses the tales of Little Red Riding Hood and Robin Hood into a new thrilling adventure aimed at kids aged 3+. Blowing away outdated gender norms, the story sees the infamous outlaw Robin locked away by the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham, leaving it up to our young heroine in a red hood to defeat the Sheriff, find her Grandma and fulfil her true potential. An uplifting show for all the family.

Fa la la la la for families Introduce your littlest family members to the age-old tradition of gathering to sing Christmas carols, as Streatham Choral hosts a special children's matinée carol concert. Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium is the headline piece, but expect plenty of familiar songs too, plus mince pies to make it merry.

Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TN. December 6 - January 8, performance times vary. Admission: £19.50/£9.75 for under 18s.

St Leonard's Church, Streatham High Road, London SW16 1HS. December 17, 3pm - 5pm.

Admission: £10/£8.50 concessions/ under 12s free. www.streathamchoral.com/comingup/2022/12/17/christmas-concert-2022-matinee

www.bac.org.uk/whats-on/little-red-robin-hood/

22

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entertainment

DECEMBER 2022

London New Year’s Eve Ball Now for something a little fancier: Evolution club in Battersea Park is bringing guests a snapshot of New York glamour this NYE. You’ll be greeted with fizz and canapés on arrival, before sitting down for a four-course banquet, while watching live dancers, acrobats and a six-piece band. Once wined and dined, head onto the dance floor to boogie to DJ sets, and don’t forget to have a go on the dodgems. You’ll want to dig out your glitziest outfit for this one.

Evolution London, Queenstown Road, Chelsea Bridge, London SW11 4NJ. December 31, 7pm 3am. Admission: £199. www.londonnewyearseveball.co.uk/

DnB Allstars Presents New Year's Eve Drum and bass collective DnB Allstars are presenting their biggest London show to date at the O2 Academy in Brixton. Buckle up: there’s over 30 artists performing and nine hours of music to carry you into 2023.

O2 Academy Brixton, 211 Stockwell Road, London SW9 9SL. December 31, 9pm - 5am.

Admission: £52.60. www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybrixton/ events/1391758/new-years-eve-tickets

South London Soul Train – NYE Party The South London Soul Train is taking over Peckham Levels this New Year’s Eve, spreading the party-loving vibes across two floors and three themed rooms. There’s all-out dance in one, funkedup boogie in another and a third room dedicated entirely to Northern Soul – with live DJs in each. Let the mood carry you between them, but don’t forget to head to the main auditorium for the countdown, where there’s views of the NYE fireworks.

Peckham Levels, Centre Carpark, F1-F6, 95A Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST. December 31, 10pm 5am. Admission £10. www.peckhamlevels.org/event/south-londonsoul-train-nye-party/

Three… two… one…

2023!

The Big Disco New Year’s Eve

The best New Year’s Eve events south of the river ―

Release NYE at Studio 338 Hardcore ravers this way: Studio 338 is hosting a marathon 13 hour party in honour of ringing in the new year. Among those with sets on the decks are wAFF, Richy Ahmed, Seb Zito and Matthias Tanzmann. And for those who just can’t leave the dancefloor, there’s the Sankys New Year’s Day rave carrying revellers through from 4pm ‘till 6am the following morning.

By Holly O'Mahony

Southbank Centre’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular

New Year’s Eve at The Blues Kitchen

Now in its 10th year, the New Year’s Eve bash at Southbank Centre is once again transforming the Royal Festival Hall into a party palace, with festivities spreading across five floors, multiple themed rooms and six bars. Watch live bands, dance to orchestras and enjoy a front-row seat for the fireworks exploding across the river. Come as your favourite decade and dress to impress.

Dance ‘til dawn at The Blues Kitchen in Brixton, where DJs are spinning fresh and classic takes on soul and motown favourites, and a live band promises to have revellers ‘jumpin, jivin, singin and shakin’.

Hits from Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin and Nina Simone are all promised. Book for dinner first – The Blues Kitchen serves some of the best smoky barbecued dishes in London, sure to fuel some late night dancing.

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. December 31, 7pm - late. Admission: £130 - £345. www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/gigs/newyears-eve-spectacular?eventId=924680

Studio 338, 338 Boord Street, London SE10 0PF. December 31, 10pm - 6am. Admission: £25. www.ra.co/events/1593163

Midnight Island at Bar Elba Lending chilly London some tropical vibes this New Year’s Eve is Waterloo rooftop Bar Elba, where ticket prices are steep, but include unlimited drinks all night as well as canapés, live entertainment, DJ sets and a prime spot for watching the midnight fireworks.

The Blues Kitchen, 40 Acre Lane, London SW2 5SP. December 31, 8pm. Admission: £22+.

Bar Elba, Rooftop at Mercury House, 109-117 Waterloo Road, SE1 8UL. December 31, 7pm 2am. Admission: £150.

www.dice.fm/event/9gea7-new-years-eve-31stdec-the-blues-kitchen-brixton-london-tickets

www.designmynight.com/london/bars/waterloo/ bar-elba/midnight-island

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Did someone say disco? That’s what the folks at Brixton Jamm heard anyway. Their New Year’s Eve special is dedicated to disco, boogie, house and everything in between. Grove under glitter balls, cheer on drag performers and do your best to stay on the dance floor until the lights come up at 5am.

Brixton Jamm, 261 Brixton Road, London SW9 6LH. December 31, 9pm - 5am. Admission: £20+. www.brixtonjamm.org/event/the-big-disco-newyears-eve-2/

WHERE RUSTIC DINING MEETS THE BOTANICAL

Enjoy a festive seasonal menu at In Horto throughout December. Everything from mouthwatering smoked duck breast to beetroot-cured salmon and turkey with all the trimmings, plus an endless list of beautiful cocktails and an impressive wine list.

London bridge | SE1 1RU

Reserve a table – inhorto.co.uk

21 NOV - 18 DEC Large Indoor & Outdoor Screens Tickets, Tables & Packages: flatironsquare.co.uk

DECEMBER 2022

A love letter to south London ― As told to Holly O'Mahony

N

icola Brierley is the owner of Peckhambased vintage shop Little Sister and a proud Peckhamite herself, having lived locally for over 20 years. She shares her favourite places to eat out, her top tips for finding bargains and the organisation that helped her turn her passion for second-hand clothes into a professional enterprise.

How long has the Little Sister shop been open in Peckham? What made you decide to set it up?

I first set up the Little Sister vintage shop almost eight years ago at Holdrons Arcade on Rye Lane and then 18 months ago I was offered an opportunity to set up shop at Market Peckham, two doors away! There I have been able to create amazing window displays and showcase my passion for all things vintage in a more curated way. Before having a shop I did vintage fairs all over south london but having a bricks and mortar shop allows me to be part of the community on Peckham Rye Lane, a place I have always loved and layed down some roots.

What are your top tips for readers who want to get into vintage shopping?

food shopping, which I do opposite Peckham Rye Station for Caribbean food and Khan's Bargain department store for spices and just about anything you can think of !

I think when you buy vintage clothing, it’s always worth trying it on to get a clear idea of how it hangs on your body. Vintage shops tend to only have one item, so if you love it and it’s evoking those strong feelings, I say grab it. I have seen too many customers leave something that was perfect for them and they come back a few days later and it’s gone! As to bargains? If it’s well made and you wear it week in week out, then you have value for money. To know if it’s good quality, check the stitching, the construction and the zips, turn the piece inside out, and always count the buttons.

What are your favourite south London eateries?

What does your typical week in south London involve?

Where do you shop for clothes and homeware in south London?

Every day I walk to work through Peckham Rye Park. When I’m not helping customers at Little Sister, I can usually be found having a great lunch and chat at Deserted Cactus in Holdrons Arcade; going for drinks at Zapoi on Rye Lane; salsa dancing on Fridays at Tola’s in London Bridge, or

For me it’s always vintage and secondhand apart from my shoes! My local branch of charity shop Traid is a go-to. ChiChiRaRa in East Dulwich was the first place I bought vintage when I first moved to Peckham, but now most of my clothes I just buy for myself during my many trips around the

country and abroad looking for vintage stock.

And your favourite south London landmark?

Borough Market because of the food and the history. I just love it!

Have any fellow local businesses been a help or inspiration to your vision for Little Sister?

My favourite places to eat are Deserted Cactus in Holdrons Arcade – for the community and the chat as much as the food – and Forza Wine in Market Peckham, where there are amazing views from the roof and the staff are all amazing. Beyond them, Slow Richie’s does the best burgers in London, and I’m also a regular at Eastern Bloc Shawarma Bar. For drinks, my favourites are Zapoi, which I’ve mentioned, and Funkidory, which is so friendly and warm.

I think Tree Shepherd [a charity that helps local people start their own business with a view of giving back to their community] has been a big help in creating networks with other local Peckham businesses. They also offer mentoring to local business owners and this I have found to be of the most value.

What’s the one place, thing or activity south of the river that everyone should try at least once?

Forzawine. The food, the wine, the staff and that 360-degree view of London make it great.

Little Sister, Market Peckham, 133a Rye Lane, London SE15 4BQ. Tuesday - Saturday, 11am 6pm; Sunday 11am - 5pm. www.instagram.com/littlesister.rocks/

33

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DECEMBER 2022

food & drink

Three Uncles, Brixton

Bitesize ―

Directly opposite the aforementioned Beetle Juice bar is the latest branch of casual Cantonese restaurant Three Uncles, which also has sites in Camden and Liverpool Street. Run by Hong Kong-born childhood friends Pui Sing, Cheong Yew and Mo Kwok – aka the three uncles – it specialises in siu mei: roast meats that you’ll spot strung up and glistening in the window before they make it to your plate. We recommend the ‘Three Treasures Platter for 2’ for a chance to try the three specials of duck, char siu and crispy pork, but the dim sum is also not to be missed. Wontons in chilli oil will send some fire directly to your belly, while pork & prawn siu mai are moreish parcels of heaven. With its tiled interiors and harsh neon lights, Three Uncles isn’t a place you’ll want to linger – and a good thing too: this tiny spot often gets busy, but service is speedy and you’ll soon be squeezed in (then shoved back out). Get in line, it’s worth the queue.

By Holly O'Mahony

Supa Ya Ramen, Peckham Listen up, noodle lovers: the original Supa Ya Ramen bar in Dalston saw queues winding down the street when it opened last year. Now, a second branch has opened in Peckham – and it’s good news for the organised, because they’re now taking bookings. This hip, no-frills restaurant from chef Luke Findlay serves ‘proudly inauthentic’ ramen dishes – like autumn’s bowl of maple-glazed pumpkin and chilli crunch ramen – but the quality of the noodles and intensity of the flavours is what makes it such a winner. Small plates and sides are not to be missed (we’re looking at you, fried chicken with apricot, and you, kohlrabi and radish salad) and nor is the soul dessert of noodle ice cream with miso caramel. Drinks wise, try their punchy cocktails.

Supa Ya Ramen, 191 Rye Lane, London SE15 4TP. Tuesday - Friday, 6pm - 10pm; Saturday 12pm - 3pm & 6pm - 10pm; Sunday 12pm - 3pm & 6pm - 9pm. www.instagram.com/supa_ya_ramen/

Beetle Juice, Brixton Saunter through Brixton Village Market and you’ll hear it before you see it: Beetle Juice, a thin slip of a cocktail bar, housing a decent set of decks that sends music pumping out into the market. This is the first bricksand-mortar home for the Beetle Juice bar concept, which began life in a converted VW camper van back in 2012. Gradually, more vans were acquired, and the team has spent the last decade driving the length and breadth of the country to serve their cocktails at festivals and events. Keeping with the brand image, a 70s bay window van has been parked in the Brixton bar, from which the cocktails are served. It’s a funky, energising spot, ideal for a pit-stop before a messy night out elsewhere. It would work for a celebratory after-work drink too, or for a date – most tables are outside the bar itself, offering some privacy. Mercifully, all cocktails here are £10. If you’re raising your eyebrows thinking this sounds pricey, well, you haven’t been or for cocktails recently. The signature is the self-titled Beetle Juice: a muddle of gin and lychee. Three punchy margaritas make the list too, sweetened up with mango or orange juice. There’s no food for now, save for a complimentary serve of popcorn (think the Beetlejuice movie, think the cinema), so line your stomach elsewhere.

Brixton Village Market, Unit 19 & 20, Brixton Village, London SW9 8PR. Tuesday - Friday, 12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 10pm; Saturday, 12pm 10:30pm; Sunday, 12pm - 9:30pm. www.threeuncles.co.uk/

Oisoi, Elephant and Castle

Dr Sting’s Hot Honey

Elephant and Castle welcomes a branch of chic, modern Asian restaurant Oiso. Sat on wicker furniture amongst muted wall hangings, tuck into dishes spanning Japanese, Chinese, Szechuanese and Korean culinary influences, as well as cocktails with an oriental twist. Heading up the Elephant Park outpost is executive chef Mr. Felix Yu and award-winning mixologist Mr. Timothy C.

If you’re one of those types who always carries a little bottle of hot sauce in your bag, then add a bit of heat to your breakfast with Dr. Sting’s Hot Honey. The south-east London brand is a trailblazer in the sweet ‘n’ spice arena, and as their hip Instagram page will confirm, you can drizzle it on all sorts to make a dull dish more exciting.

Squirt it on your pizza, drizzle it in your cocktails, smother it on your sandwich – you name it. Dr. Sting’s is hands-down one of the most exciting condiments to come out of 2022.

56 - 58 New Kent Road, Elephant Park, London SE1 6FU. Monday - Thursday, 12pm - 3pm & 5pm - 10pm; Friday & Saturday, 12pm - 3pm & 5pm - 11pm; Sunday, 12pm - 3pm & 5pm - 9pm.

Delivering nationwide, you can shop the range online. www.drstings.com/

www.oisoielephantpark.co.uk/

From the Ashes BBQ at Gypsy Hill Brewery Two words: pork doughnuts. Think it, dream it, then go experience it at Gipsy Hill Brewery in Crystal Palace, where kings of the coals Curtis Bell, Martin Anderson and Kaneda Pen – aka From the Ashes BBQ – are hosting a three-month pop-up. As well as the Del Piero Doughnut (smoked pork, nduja, chilli jam and crackling, served up in a brioche doughnut bun), diners can tuck into the likes of smoked beef buns, smoked pork belly ribs and a veggie alternative of BBQ cauli florets. To wash it all down, it’s your choice of Gipsy Hill brews, like the popular Hepcat IPA and its gluten-free alternative, the Bandit pale ale.

Brixton Village Market, 24-25, Granville Arcade, London SW9 8PR. Tuesday - Friday, 5pm - 11:30pm; Saturday, 3pm - 11:30pm.

Gipsy Hill Taproom, Unit 5 / 160 Hamilton Road, Crystal Palace, London SE27 9SF. Running until January 2023. Wednesday Friday, 5:30pm - 9:30pm; Saturday 12pm - 9:30pm; Sunday 12pm - 6pm.

www.beetle-juice.co.uk/

www.instagram.com/fromtheashesbbq/

35

food & drink

DECEMBER 2022

Review: TwoRuba bar: cocktails with a side of local history ―

By Holly O'Mahony

I

t was on the bleakest of bleak, damp Thursdays that we found ourselves pushing through the revolving doors and into TwoRuba, a lively bar inside the Hilton hotel at Tower Bridge. News had broken that the UK was officially in recession and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt had just released his purse-tightening autumn statement. Moods were low, the atmosphere tense in the outside world, but one swing round the revolving doors and it was quite a different story. Inside the dimly-lit bar, clusters of merrymakers sat on sofa-like chairs, sipping on cocktails served in novelty glassware and raising their voices to be heard over the thrumming beats. An excitable, noticeably positive energy hung in the air, and in the tone of the waiting staff keen to talk through the bar’s new cocktail menu.

The gimmick here is that the drinks, each priced £15, pay homage to local landmarks and their history. “We bow to the past and look to the future,” the menu proudly crows. Bermondsey Street, Traitors’ Gate and the smuggle-savvy passageways of the Pool of London are among the sites lending their names to TwoRuba’s drinks. Each comes with a short blurb – a bite-sized history lesson, if you like – followed by the ingredients and finally the taste profile. And with so many unusual blends

Continues on page 38

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Southwark Quarter’s

WINTER WARMER AT CARRUBO & ARCH 33

01 DEC - 31 JAN

Featuring HIDDEN HAIG AT LAMBERT HOUSE CHASE WINTER BARN BAR BAILEYS TREAT BAR

food & drink of ingredients on the menu, it’s helpful to know, for instance, that a muddle of banana rum, banana liquor, brown sugar syrup and chocolate bitters tastes “spirit forward and semi-sweet with notes of chocolate”.

Always drawn to tequila-based tipples, I opt for the HMS Belfast, named after one of three remaining vessels that supported the Normandy landings of 1944. It’s a sweet and smoky muddle of Olmeca Blanco + Reposado with Chambord (raspberry liqueur), sugar syrup, lime juice and whiskey mist. It comes in a novelty hip flask, with the instruction to pour it over ice. It’s light and almost dangerously drinkable.

My companion’s 1861 Tooley Street Fire is even better: a seriously smoky, lightly spiced fusion of Laphroaig 10-year whiskey with jalapeno, acid solution and agave syrup.

Curious to discover what further tricks are hidden up TwoRuba’s sleeve, we order again, this time hitting peak novelty with the Tanner Street cocktail: a Mezcal-based concoction named after

DECEMBER 2022 the area’s famous leather trade, but served, for some reason, in a model tin of Big Ben. My companion’s Traitors’ Gate arrived blue, frothy, minty and controversial – but there’s always one rogue in the group who likes a blue drink, right?

TwoRuba is a hotel bar boasting a seriously convenient address – it’s just a stone’s throw from London Bridge station, and right by a picturesque stretch of the Thames. Its landmark-tooting cocktail list will no doubt make it popular with tourists, but for us Londoners, it offers a playful, high-spirited escape from our current reality. At times like these, when the road ahead looks foggy, we could all do with a space to raise a glass and remind ourselves, fondly, of what we love about this great city.

TwoRuba, 5 More London Place, Tooley Street, London SE1 2BY. Monday - Wednesday, 8am 12am; Thursday - Saturday, 8am - 1am; Sunday 10am - 12am. www.tworuba.com/tower-bridge/

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DECEMBER 2022

the dish

the dish

T

he Camberwell Arms is one of the best pubs in London for a decent Sunday roast, but as those who have turned up on a whim will know, fortune favours the organised here, meaning you’ll want to book your table weeks in advance.

Those lucky enough to make it through the door will find themselves in a bustling, pared-down dining room, where a menu of gourmet small plates and

‘Beef shin osso bucco’ – a Sunday lunch classic at the Camberwell Arms

hearty mains awaits.

There’s whole-roast chickens and bubbling, crusty pies large enough to feed a family, but it’s the beef shin osso bucco, a long-standing favourite from the Sunday lunch menu, that chef-director Mike Davies is here to talk us through…

“The beef shin is cross cut exposing a piece of the marrow, then slowly roasted with a gently cooked sofrito of vegetables and beautiful stock.”

“We finish it with a crispy sage and orange gremolata, and serve it with roast potatoes and cavolo nero dressed with creme fraiche.”

“The dish comes on and off our menu throughout the year, but can often be found on Sundays.”

The Camberwell Arms, 65 Camberwell Church Street, London SE5 8TR. Sunday lunch served between 1pm and 5pm. www.thecamberwellarms.co.uk/

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DECEMBER 2022

Pantos and Christmas shows

The 12 best pantos and Christmas shows in south London

By Kevin Quinn

The South Londoner has a look around at panto and other Christmas shows near you

1. For those adults looking for a panto with difference then head on down to Kennington for Pride & Prejudice - The Gay Panto The panto returns to the White Bear Theatre this Christmas, promising to be bigger, funnier and even more outrageous!

Following a sold-out run in 2019, experience the scandalous, bawdy, high camp world of Jane Austen’s Bennet family as you’ve never seen them before with classic gay anthems thrown in.

After all, it is a truth universally acknowledged that a great novel can only be enhanced by a bit of filth, slapstick and cock fighting, plus cross-dressing sisters and a hunk-in-trunks!

Running from December 8th to December 23rd.

Tickets: £18 / £15 concessions (discount on food and drink in the pub below the theatre).

Adapted by Kevin Quinn, directed by Scott Wright and brought to life by Waste Not Theatre, Pride & Prejudice – The Gay Panto runs from 8 to 23 December 2022. www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk

1

2. Looking for traditional panto at its best - then we'd suggest going to Greenwich Theatre Recognised annually as one of the best in the country and following their Best Pantomime Offie Award win in 2019 and nomination in 2021, Greenwich Theatre was unable to stage their usual seasonal show in 2020 and having to cut their run short in 2021 due to Covid-19, they are thrilled to be making their festive comeback with Robin Hood.

Running from Thursday 24th November 2022 – Sunday 8th January 2023.

Tickets: £32, £25, Children £16.50 www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk

4

will have a unique staging immersing the audience in this uplifting story. On now until January 7.

This year, The Old Vic will raise money in aid of City Harvest during the run of A Christmas Carol, via bucket collections, text to donate and online donations at the end of every performance throughout the show’s run.

Tickets: £40 - £67.50 www.oldvictheatre.com

singer, actress and television personality Brenda Edwards, musical theatre star Lee Mead,comedy television presenters Dick & Dom, Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist John Archer and TikTok sensation Hannah Lowther.

The show runs from December 3 until New Year's Eve. Tickets: Prices vary between £13 and £54.50 www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre/

4. For a big show then head to the South Bank and Hex returning at the National Theatre for Christmas Rufus Norris directs this vividly original retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. When a lonely fairy is summoned to the palace to help the princess sleep, her dream turns into a nightmare and her blessing becomes a curse.

Running from November 26 until January 14.

Tickets Prices vary between £20 and £89 www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

2 3. If you have not been before then go to the Old Vic for their annual offering of A Christmas Carol in Waterloo This year Matthew Warchus' smash hit production of the classic Christmas tale returns to London's Old Vic for a limited festive run.

The Old Vic’s fills the auditorium to the brim with mince pies, music and merriment. Once again it

5. If you want to see a classic '80s celebrity in a dress then Wimbledon is the place for you Legendary panto Dame and TV presenter Matthew Kelly will be bringing stars to your eyes - he is part of the line up at the New Wimbledon Theatre for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Other stars include West End Legend and multiaward-winning actor Ruthie Henshall, X Factor

5 6. Another adult offering with Karaoke thrown in is on in Clapham Sing-derella: The Karaoke-Panto is running at Omnibus Theatre on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 1st December to 17th December.

Every night a guest performer walks on to the stage, with no rehearsal, and has to try and perform an entire panto from a karaoke machine. Filled with songs and

6

3

42

Pantos and Christmas shows

7 dance mat challenges, this is a tribute to '00s nostalgia.

Tickets £15 www.omnibus-clapham.org 7. And if singing is your thing that there is nothing better than Dolly Parton Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol is on Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Southbank Centre from 8th December to the 8th of January.

It is the classic Dickens tale with a Tennessee twist in a brand new musical featuring an original soundtrack written by the Queen of Country herself.

Tickets: Prices vary between £18.50 and £120 www.southbankcentre.co.uk 8. For the kids with puppetry thrown in is Hey Duggee: The Live Theatre Show At Southbank's Royal Festival Hall from 14th December 2022 to 8th January Hey Dugee: The Live Theatre Show is a great one for fans of the programme.

You can be part of the hit CBeebies show and join Duggee and the Squirrels in this vibrant interactive production bursting with music, puppets and barrels of laughs.

Tickets: Prices vary between £18.50 and £28.50 www.southbankcentre.co.uk 9. Take the kids to Shakespeare's Globe but without the Shakespeare The Fir Tree is a magical re-imagining and rewilding of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale The Fir Tree - the story of Christmas told from the perspective of the tree.

Running at Shakespeare's Globe from 15th December until New Year's Eve

a world of gingerbread villages and snow-capped mountains in this captivating adventure of friendship and family as Pinocchio overcomes temptation and finds courage and love in the face of fear and danger.

Tickets; £11.50 – £21 under 18s / £14 – £29.50 adults www.unicorntheatre.com

Tickets: Seating from £15 to £45 and standing for £5 www.shakespearesglobe.com 10. Go deep south to see traditional show with child stars Sleeping Beauty is being performed at Stanley Hall in South Norwood from 17th December til 27th December.

This arts venue that promotes arts in the community has a professional cast and an ensemble but also features the talented kids from Cherry Stars Performing Arts. They promise an epic adventure!

Tickets: £10 / £15 www.stanleyarts.org

12. Cost of Living being brought into sharp focus in Peckham with some hip hop, funk and rap Scroogelicious, Peckham’s take on Charles Dickens’ immortal classic A Christmas Carol takes centre stage at Theatre Peckham.

This impressive festive family show blends storytelling, dance and song with an original music score by Jordan Xavier featuring rap, RnB, hip hop and funk.

As is Theatre Peckham’s tradition, the annual Christmas show, directed by Suzann McLean, will be performed by an inspiring mix of professional actors and young people from their Academy, which nurtures the next generation of young performers.

KM Drew Boateng, fresh from the national tour of The Colour Purple, is cast in the lead role as Ebony Scrooge, while Tomi Egbowon-Ogunjobi, whose screen credits include Netflix’s hit show Sex Education and ITV’s hotly anticipated drama Riches by Abby Ajayi, plays Scrooge’s business partner Marlene Jacobs.

The professional cast also includes Ellie Clayton in the role of Chris Prezzie, Ellie can most recently be seen in CBBC’s So Awkward; Siphiwo Mahlentle as the Original Gangsta Duppy, Siphiwo graduated from drama school, Art’s Educational, in July 2022, and former Theatre Peckham member and Academy

11. Head to the UK's leading theatre for kids near Tower Bridge and catch Pinocchio Unicorn’s Artistic Director Justin Audibert directs Eve Leigh’s dazzling new adaptation of this much-loved family favourite, Pinocchio.

This classic story of Geppetto, a lonely carpenter who wishes that the wooden puppet he has carved and named Pinocchio, becomes a real boy.

With a touch of magic from the blue fairy, enter

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11 tutor Gustavo Silva playing a bunch of comedy roles.

In Aymer’s modern-day adaptation, this Scrooge has transformed from an elderly miser and money lender to a young go-getting, property developer and landlord. Themes of gentrification and the growing inequalities in society foreshadow our current cost of living crisis. The iconic role of Tiny Tim is reinvented as Tyrese Crichlow, a part which will be played by Young Company members Ezekiel Ashitey (8-yearsold) and Jadon Henry (11-years-old).

Running from December 1st til 23rd Tickets £5 - £15 www.theatrepeckham.co.uk

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DECEMBER 2022

Un-bearlievable Value: Howletts Wild Animal Park and Port Lympne Reserve’s New Annual Pass Costs 17p Per Day!

N

ew Annual Pass offers access to two parks which are home to 1,200 beautiful animals for the equivalent of 17p per person, per day*!

Two of Kent’s biggest and best-loved animal parks have launched a fantastic new Annual Pass offering incredible value to wildlife fans.

Howletts Wild Animal Park and Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve’s brand-new Annual Pass allows unlimited entry to both parks throughout the year, offering access to over 1,200 animals across 91 species. The Annual Pass also includes access to Port Lympne’s iconic safari tours and a terrific 20% discount on food and drink across both parks’ many cafes and Howletts’ Pavilion restaurant.

The new Annual Passes cost the equivalent of pennies per day, with single, couple and a range of family passes available to buy now.

Purchasing an annual pass is a fantastic way to beat the cost-of-living crisis, securing unlimited fun family days out at Howletts and Port Lympne for the entirety of 2023 for less than the cost of a Netflix subscription! Annual Passes make fantastic gifts for animal-loving friends and family who want to enjoy days out in the Kent countryside which support real conservation projects around the world.

There has never been a better time to visit the two stunning parks in Kent, with a recent flurry of delightful baby animals, Howletts’ tiger couple Tipah and Achilles getting on famously (fingers crossed for cubs!) and Port Lympne’s new Indian rhino, Orys, and baby brown bear, Boki, captivating visitors. Port Lympne also offers the UK's most authentic safari experience, journeying by truck through the park’s vast 100-acre Kentish savannah, seeing such iconic animals as giraffe, black rhino, wildebeest and zebra. The parks’ Dinosaur Forest and Animals

Prices for an Annual Pass are as follows: of the Ice Age exhibits also provide an adventure with bite for dino-loving kids!

With the option to upgrade your wild adventure with thrilling animal encounters with species such as western lowland gorillas, ring-tailed lemurs, Sumatran tigers and white rhinos, both Port Lympne and Howletts promise memories to treasure forever.

Replacing the parks’ previous season pass and memberships products, the Howletts & Port Lympne’s Annual Pass is now the best value multi-site annual pass for any animal park in the UK. The new pass is more than £50 per adult cheaper than the equivalent multi-site product

at London Zoo and no other animal park in the South East offers such a generous Annual Pass product.

Both parks are within easy reach of London, with Port Lympne a mere 15-minute drive from Ashford International Station, connecting you to the capital (40 minutes), and Howletts just a 15-minute drive from Canterbury West (51 minutes from St Pancras International).

For more information, or to order your Annual Pass today, visit www.aspinallfoundation.org/portlympne/annual-pass/

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Adult £70 Child £60 Couple £135 Family (1 adult + 2 children) £185 Family (2 adults + 1 child) £195 Family (2 adults + 2 children) £250 Family (2 adults + 3 children) £300 *17p per person, per day price is based on a Family Annual Pass (2 adults + 3 children) priced at £300 with 364-day access to Howletts Wild Animal Park and Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve.

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TOGETHER WE FLOURISH

Pantos and Christmas shows

DECEMBER 2022

Down the rabbit hole and onto the tube: Alice in Wonderland arrives at Brixton House ―

By Holly O'Mahony

M

ove over, panto season: the mad and magical world of Alice in Wonderland has been given a contemporary makeover by boundary-pushing theatre company Poltergeist. Their retelling of the tale marks the first Christmas show to run at new-for-2022 theatre Brixton House. A mash-up of Lewis Carroll’s two Alice books: Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass, the production hauls the classic stories into 2022 with free-flowing rap music and a peppering of references to Brixton.

The South Londoner speaks to Artistic Director of Poltergeist Theatre and the lead writer of the show, Jack Bradfield, about resetting the story on a Victoria Line tube carriage where nonsense reigns supreme…

Holly O’Mahony: What made you choose to adapt Alice in Wonderland for your next production?

Jack Bradfield: Alice in Wonderland felt so contemporary. It’s the story of a young girl wrestling with a world that doesn’t make sense.

In lockdown, we all were staring down similar rabbit holes.

HOM: The story was first published over 150 years ago. Why does it continue to appeal to readers young and old today?

JB: Lewis Carroll’s classic has endured, I believe, largely because of its unique visual life. John Tenniel’s classic illustrations of the Mad Hatter, White Rabbit and the Tea Party all have real estate in our minds. It felt like the perfect jumping-off point to create our own visual world. Young people are much savvier than previous generations when it comes to design and visual story-telling. We’re collaborating with the illustrator Israel Kujore to make a Wonderland for 2022, borrowing from comic books and anime to forge a completely new version of the story.

HOM: It’s certainly a step away from your typical Christmas panto! What can audiences expect from the show?

JB: Expect to see the Brixton House stage transformed into a Victoria Line tube carriage complete with all those recognisable elements: seat patterns, flooring, tannoy chatter and screeching tracks. You’ll be watching the action from either side of the tube, which enables us to get audiences up close to the actors, and we’ve hidden some secret tricks throughout the train. You’ll have to come along to see what we’ve got up our sleeves.

Trainspotters and their parents are especially welcome.

JB: Our Alice is from Brixton: for her, it means school, family and friends. We’ve made her school uniform a mashup of all the school uniforms in the area. Her mum writes radio jingles for local businesses. But we’re also interested in what happens when the inhabitants of Wonderland get a look-in. To them, Brixton is a magical place: the market is brimming with possibility, Brockwell Lido must be an ocean, the Ritzy is surely a glamorous hotel, and Electric Avenue sounds — well — electric! The story is grounded in everyday Brixton, but we’ve turned Brixton into a Wonderland of its own.

HOM: Why was it important to you to reset the story in contemporary Brixton? And how did you go about weaving in references, like the tube, that will be familiar to the audience?

HOM: I hear there’s a bossy queen on board the tube.

Does Alice come face-to-face with any other familiar characters from the story along the way?

JB: Brixton was at the very heart of our idea. This is the first Christmas show to run at the newly opened Brixton House theatre, and I believe it’s the first homegrown Christmas show to be staged in Brixton for over 40 years, so it felt absolutely right to set it bang in the centre, in Brixton underground station.

JB: We’ve taken the classic characters from the book and given them a London Underground twist. Our Rabbit is a caffeinated commuter on his way to the office, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee are footy fans going to the big game, instead of a Cheshire Cat we have a Chesham Cat, and the Caterpillar, well, you’ll have to wait and see about him.

HOM: How does the story’s young heroine like her new surroundings?

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HOM: Part of the magic of Alice in Wonderland is the sense that there’s a hidden meaning hovering just out of reach. Is there a moral or message hidden within the nonsense of your version?

JB: Wonderland resists morals and lessons. It’s a world that doesn’t make sense. Perhaps this show is about finding a way to negotiate the fabulous, baffling and bumpy journey that is growing up.

HOM: Is there a life for the show after its run at Brixton House?

JB: It’s a thrill ride of a show with brilliant songs and vivid characters, so it absolutely could have a future life!

And how exciting it is to premiere this story right here in my childhood home of south London.

Alice in Wonderland is showing at Brixton House, 385 Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8GL. December 1 - 31, times vary. Admission: £12.50 - £32. www.brixtonhouse.co.uk/shows/alice-inwonderland/

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wellness

DECEMBER 2022

T

he world of wellness is a saturated marketplace.

In the age of instant gratification, where many of us prioritise getting a quick fix, fully qualified practitioners have to battle against untrained woowoos to impart their knowledge and persuade us to adopt a slower, steadier and often more expensive approach to our health. It’s a reassurance as much as a pleasure, then, to step inside Dulwich Therapy Rooms, an authentically calming space with fully qualified practitioners offering a whole range of holistic therapies.

Hidden above a family-run health food shop, Healthmatters, in East Dulwich, the clinic is spread over a mass of higgledy-piggledy rooms in what was once, presumably, a townhouse.

“We opened in 2000 and ran a casual, ad-hoc room rental service for a handful of local therapists,” recalls Dan Bevan, co-director of the clinic and a senior acupuncturist. He tells me about his gradual takeover of the building, transforming a “tatty, damp” room with “aged polystyrene ceiling tiles” first, then converting the garden into further treatment rooms, and eventually acquiring the flat above and renovating that, too.

“The idea was to run it as a low-rent, practitionerled, co-operative type space,” Dan explains. The business model proved popular with freelance therapists and practitioners, who liked the independence it offered, coupled with the community spirit Dan and his co-director Anna Oehrling were fostering. Fast forward 20 years and the practice is made up of 25 practitioners who between them offer acupuncture, physiotherapy, homoeopathy, mental health therapies, specialist massages, nutrition, osteopathy and more. Several of the therapists, like Dan, have been with Dulwich Therapy Rooms since the beginning.

“We are not spa-like in as much as it's not luxurious, we are not hipster in as much as we have a wider demographic and aren’t trying to show any certain style to be cool,” muses Dan about the clinic’s aesthetic and clientele.

There’s nothing pretentious about the space, but wafts of essential oils calm your senses on entry.

Move further through the clinic and its muted, mintcoloured walls, Chinese prints and decorative plants help the mind adopt the gentler pace needed to get in touch with inner energies.

R&R at Dulwich Therapy Rooms ―

By Holly O'Mahony

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wellness Unlike the one-size-fits-all approach of western medicine, nothing is standard in holistic therapies.

Instead, there’s a focus on treating the individual.

I’m here to try acupuncture, a practice rooted in Chinese medicine that involves having thin needles inserted into the body to correct internal imbalances.

Instead of focusing solely on the symptoms a patient presents with, it questions other factors like lifestyle, diet and predispositions to examine – and subsequently tackle – what could be the root cause.

To those unfamiliar with eastern medicine like myself, the yo-yoing between questions you’d expect to be asked in a doctor’s surgery and those more typically reserved for the therapist’s chair might come as a surprise. However, I soon find myself wondering why I’ve never explored this kind of treatment before.

“Often people come in with a headache, lower back pain, fertility issues or they’re not sleeping well. Those are the most common issues I see,” says Dan, who then tries to “peel back the layers” to determine the cause, which can vary wildly between individuals.

After examining my tongue to check whether I have a yin deficiency – a yin-yang imbalance being the cause of many internal problems – Dan explains where he’ll be inserting the needles and why. Once all six are in, they can be left for anywhere between 10 – 40 minutes to work their magic – and many people fall asleep.

I don’t. Nor do I leave feeling high or sleepy, as I was told I might, but I do feel a sense of inner calm and like I’ve been, well, heard and seen. This was

enough for my first visit. Acupuncture is not just needles, though: Dan reminds me of the benefits of eating warm foods to ward off inner damp, and to avoid “drowning the stomach” by drinking too much water at mealtimes. I also leave with a little understanding of the different pulses, broken down into heart, liver and kidney on the left wrist, and lung, stomach and spleen on the right.

Dulwich Therapy Rooms prides itself on being part of the East Dulwich community. It’s been there as long as other stalwarts, including gift shop Ed and The Cheese Block, and is a place where clients become friends after chatting in the waiting room between appointments What has made it such a success and allowed it to weather the last 20 years, besides from the fact people will always need remedies for their ailments? “We just have a rather unique mix of professional-yet-relaxed, no-nonsense provision of good quality, integrated healthcare,” says Dan. I, for one, am sold, and will be returning to explore more holistic therapies soon.

Dulwich Therapy Rooms, 47 Lordship Lane, London SE22 8EP. Monday - Friday, 10am - 8pm; Saturday, 9:30am - 4:30pm; Sunday open by appointment. Costs vary depending on treatment.

Acupuncture costs £70 for an initial hour-long appointment, then £60 per 45-minute follow up session. www.dulwichtherapyrooms.co.uk/

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THE MOON RISES IN GREENWICH Two breathtaking works of art come together 13 DEC 2022 — 5 FEB 2023

Don’t miss Luke Jerram’s incredible illuminated installation, Museum of the Moon, in the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College.

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Join us for festive family fun on London’s Bankside in our reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s festive fairy tale.

GLOBE THEATRE 15 – 31 December

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food & drink

Bermondsey Wine Mile

quality wines from Portugal to the UK, while still making them competitively priced for shoppers”.

They say fantastic wines are in Portugal’s history.

The country has over 300 native grape varieties, “but beyond that, wine has been produced in Portugal for thousands of years. It's something that is woven into our culture, and we have worked hard to hold onto our traditions. For example, we stock a particular kind of wine which is called talha wine, made using an ancient method where the wine is fermented in a large clay amphora cured with resin and beeswax. It is a technique that was handed down from generation to generation, safeguarded by the people. It's fascinating to think

Eliza Frost

‘Tis the season where red wine becomes the tipple of choice – mulled, extra large glass, by a fire – but did you know Bermondsey is not only home to great beer, but great wine, too?

about.”

Walking into OPS Wine, customers should “feel at home”, with a relaxing vibe. They say that “we all live such busy lives, everyone should have somewhere where they can set aside whatever is going on and just enjoy good food and wine with good company”. And that is what OPS Wine is.

W

e’ve all heard of – and love – the Bermondsey Beer Mile, and craft beer is a staple in our community here. But for wine lovers, there are several spots for you, too. From organic to orange, you’ll find every taste and colour of wine at these spots.

‘A natural and cleaner product’

‘Do good for people and the planet’ First up is Bermondsey Corner, born during lockdown in October 2020, they have “an obvious passion for good food and wine”, taking the time to source artisan products from small, natural, and organic producers.

Since opening, “we’ve widened our vision with a clear idea in mind”, they tell The South Londoner. “We wanted to respond to our people’s demands: we started offering coffee, extended our selection of products, created hampers, and even started to have people seated inside for wine, cheese, and charcuterie”.

In the summertime, thanks to the White Cube Gallery, they have a beautiful outdoor terrace using the gallery’s courtyard. And now, after a refurb, they’ve opened seating inside. “You’ll now be able to continue journeying through different countries while sipping our wines, without shivering outside under a blanket!”

By the glass or bottle, Bermondsey Corner offers sparkling, white, red, organic, natural or even biodynamic. “It is important for us to give back and nurture the earth from which we take and do good for people and the planet at the same time.”

‘Quality and drinkability’ Wine and cheese fit together like Bermondsey and Biscuit, and something that Lechevalier offers, too.

Lechevalier is a vibrant independent neighbourhood wine bar and shop, serving great wines and fine cheeses, bread and charcuterie to eat in or take home.

The man behind the venture is 30 years of industry veteran Christophe Lechevalier. Christophe perfected his love and passion for wine at Borough Market for more than 15 years. His concept was and remains simple, “a welcoming environment, great wine, great food, and, most importantly, attentive service from a

Pitcher & Craft is an organic wine specialist in SE16, choosing organic wine “because the grapes are not sprayed with harmful chemical pesticides, fertilisers and herbicides. As a result, the wine is a natural and cleaner product to consume”.

They tell The South Londoner: “A great seller for us at the moment is Pet Nat Rosé. It’s made from organic Zweigelt and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, with nothing added to it and nothing taken away, creating organic mouth-filling bubbles. It’s a personal favourite and one that our customers enjoy”.

Setting up shop in Bermondsey, Pitcher & Craft chose it because the area is forever evolving, which they have seen personally. They wanted to “create something completely new and fresh”, and so was Pitcher & Craft born.

team that works tirelessly to perfect their intimate knowledge of the product range available,” he says.

They have a consistently evolving wine list that is primarily made up of organic, biodynamic and natural wines, from small producers and lesser-known regions, “always with quality and drinkability in mind”.

Christophe’s business partner, Klaus Kuhnke of Artisan Foods, provides sourdough bread baked daily in East London. Charcuterie and cheeses are sourced directly from European producers and the best London suppliers. “A simple story,” says Christophe, “but one worth telling”.

Whether it’s green wine you want to try, or you’re looking for something organic, why not take a break at one of these wine pit stops on your next trip around Bermondsey?

Bermondsey Corner, 142 Bermondsey St, SE1 3TX. www.bermondseycorner.co.uk/ Lechevalier, 85 Tower Bridge Rd, SE1 4TW. https://lechevalier.co.uk/

‘Enjoy good food and wine with good company’

OPS Wine, 128 Druid St, SE1 2HH. www.opswines.co.uk/

All of these places offer a lot of what we know and love – which is why we love going back to them. But have you ever heard of vinho verde?

Green wine? It’s a Portuguese classic, and one that OPS Wine specialises in. They soon realised, “there was an opportunity to bring much better

Pitcher & Craft, 262 Southwark Park Road, SE16 3RN. www.pitcherandcraft.com/

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DECEMBER 2022

St Dunstan's CCF take part in three major events on consecutive days ― Last month, St Dunstan’s College’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) took part in three major events across consecutive days.

The 150-strong cadet force led the College’s Remembrance Service, took part in the Lord Mayor’s Show and marched in Lewisham’s Remembrance Sunday Parade.

On Friday 11 November, the school community came together for the annual Remembrance Service. The CCF’s Corps of Drums led the service procession outside onto the crescent where the remaining cadets had lined up on the green.

Members of the CCF were part of the wreath laying party and sixth former Nona, who is part of the Corps of Drums, played the Last Post.

A day later, the cadets were delighted to take part in one of London’s most spectacular events, the Lord Mayor’s Show. The annual parade celebrates the incoming mayor’s inauguration and dates back to the 13th century. St Dunstan’s CCF were invited by the College’s affiliated Livery Company the Worshipful Company of Marketors to take part in the show as part of their entry.

The entry consisted of the Corps of Drums and a marching contingent of Royal Navy and Army cadets. This was the first public performance by the Corps of Drums for over two years and the cadets were understandably a little nervous.

Major Richard Davies explained: ‘Both the marching contingent and Corps of Drums were excellent throughout the entire day and represented both the CCF and the College to the highest of

standards. Special mention goes to Drum Major Sales for her excellent leadership on the day, Lead Side Drummer Dixon for keeping us all in time when marching and Bass Drummer Foster who had the hardest job of the day, both playing and carrying a huge bass drum for the entire parade. A huge thank you to all the cadets and staff that helped make it such a fantastic day.’

St Dunstan’s Head, Nick Hewlett, also said: ‘Well done to all our cadets on superb form marching as part of the Lord Mayor’s Show. I’m particularly proud that the Lord Mayor, Nicholas Lyons, is also one of our governors.’

Following Saturday’s march through the City of London, there was no time to rest for the cadets.

More than 50 cadets joined the community in Lewisham’s annual Remembrance Sunday Parade,

which was followed by laying wreaths alongside the Mayor of Lewisham, Damien Egan.

Speaking about the CCF’s success, Major Richard Davies paid tribute to the cadets’ enthusiasm: ‘I’m very proud of the commitment and dedication from the cadets and our staff. The balance we strike within our cadet experience of the cadets being challenged, developing new skills and having fun is what we believe makes us so successful. We expect high standards from our cadets, and we are fortunate to have the wealth of experience from our staff body. Six of the staff have been awarded the cadet forces’ long service medal and we have five staff with previous military experience.’

Earlier this year, St Dunstan’s College was named Independent Senior School of the Year at the Tes Awards, which are known as the Oscars of education.

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Judge David James has worked in independent schools for over 20 years and is an experienced inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate, praised the College’s direction, explaining: ‘There’s a very clear and coherent vision of what they want to do, both with the curriculum and the local community.

‘The head is asking interesting questions of the sector, including areas like privilege and responsibility, which go beyond the usual platitudes.

It’s a really interesting school in a tough market, trying to not just survive but actually make something different for the children and families they’re working with.’

Find out more about St Dunstan’s College at www.stdunstans.org.uk

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