The South Londoner - December 2020

SOUTH LONDonER December 2020

Issue 3

Think big, shop small the festive season, unlocked

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SEE AHEAD WITH AN ADULT ACCREDITED COURSE at MORLEY COLLEGE LONDON

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APPLY NOW! 020 7450 1834

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contents

december 2020

About us We’ve been based in the old Biscuit Factory in Bermondsey since 1994.

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.

We created the Bermondsey Biscuit and Rotherhithe Docker in 2018 with support from sponsors including British Land, Sellar, Grosvenor, and many more local businesses.

Contents

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.

4-5 Peckham Picks SE15 gets festive

Editor

Laura Burgoine

Deputy Editor

Cara Cummings

Design

Lizzy Tweedale, Dan Martin, Aurelio Medina

Marketing

Tammy Jukes, Clarry Frewin, Lorraine Wood, Katie Boyd, Liz Gold

Media Partnerships

Anthony Phillips

Finance

Emrah Zeki

Managing Directors

Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn

13-14 Indie bookshops 15-26 Shop local for Christmas 30-34 Food and Drink 38 Love letter to south London

CONTACT us

GQ's style and grooming director

Email southlondonermag@gmail.com Phone

Teo van den Broeke pays homage to

020 7231 5258

his fave local hotspots

Twitter @southlondonmag Website www.thesouthlondoner.co.uk

Printed by Ilif fe Print Published by Southwark Newspaper Ltd

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Peckham picks

Next level gifts Peckham Levels has your Christmas shopping sorted with top picks from the small, local, independent enterprises that call the seven-storey building home

THE KILN ROOMS

BAGS FOR LIFE FROM SALKAN

You can expect a range of beautiful handmade work of varying prices, all crafted by local ceramicists at the Kiln Room.

Follow them on Instagram @thekilnrooms

These backpacks aren't just for Christmas! Salkan backpacks were inspired by outdoor gear from the ‘70s, and they're designed to stand the test of time. Gift a bag for life this Christmas, just in time for 2021, the year of travel!

Browse their website or follow them on Instagram @ discover.salkan www.discoversalkan.com

15% OFF JEWELLERY

BY JEWELFISH Handmade distinctive jewellery inspired by the exuberant colours of nature and the amazing yet inconspicuous forms of seeds. Jewelfish are offering 15% off all the jewellery in their online store, with free UK delivery! Use the discount code: LEVEL2.

Follow them on Instagram @jewelfishlondon www.jewelfish.london

XMAS SPARKLE FROM ECO GLITTER FUN Inject a little sparkle into your Christmas this year!

Eco Glitter Fun have put together a Christmas kit - the perfect stocking filler or gift to send to a loved one to brighten their festive period. All biodegradable and guilt free, with plastic-free packaging.

Shop via www.ecoglitterfun.com

A FESTIVE FEAST FROM BOXWALLAH Throughout the lead up to Christmas, Boxwallah are here to keep you well fed! They've put together a festive feast, including signature dishes like the Boxwallah chicken biryani and yellow dal tadka.

Veggie options also available.

Order via their website for delivery to local postcodes, or Deliveroo for collection. www.boxwallah.co.uk  Jewelfish

HANDMADE HOMEWARES FROM EVELYN PELAYO

GET CRAFTY WITH CREATIVE CRAFT BOUTIQUE

Artist Evelyn Pelayo be selling her handmade ceramic bowls, plates and other wares at Pexmas this year (planned for December 19), as well as on their online store which is now live.

Shop Evelyn's homewares range at: www.pexmas. com

Instead of waiting until Christmas Day, why not learn how to make your own gifts this year? Creative Craft Boutique are running online crafting workshops from soap making to crochet and even jewellery.

Sign up by WhatsApp or by calling 07511385423.

UNIQUE ART FROM INXSANIXTY

ART WITH HEART FROM INTOART Give a gift with real heart this Christmas. Shop online from Intoart's collection of unique prints, homewares and fashion accessories. Including their brand new collection of botanical candles (a collaboration with Otter Candle Co.) and some fantastic Gift Boxes.

Shop via www.intoart.org.uk

BROWSE THE RAILS AT WAVEY GARMS Here to restock your wardrobes or provide some good pre-loved gifting options, Wavey Garms have an epic Christmas pop up planned at a location in Soho from December 9-24 (lockdown permitting).

Follow them on Instagram @waveygarms to get the latest details.

If you're looking for a truly special present this year, why not invest in a piece of art created by Sani, otherwise known as Inxsanixty.

Browse his online store at www.inxsanixty.com for incredible charcoal drawings, digital paintings and oil paintings.

Treat someone to the gift of a hands-on workshop with ceramicist Stuff N Fings. Check out their workshops on the website, and then buy a Gift Voucher for that value and give as an IOU. After a locked down 2020, experiences like these are the perfect present this Christmas! www.stuffandfingsceramics.com

PATCHES & MORE FROM MESSE JESSE

HANDMADE JEWELLERY FROM CODIS MAYA

Perfect stocking fillers, Messe Jesse's patches are full of colour and character! Browse Jesse's online store or her Instagram (@messewarby) for more patches, fashion and tote bags to gift this Christmas. www.messe-jesse.com

Shoppers are completely spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful jewellery at Peckham Levels. Codis Maya's jewellery and accessory range are all handmade here in England, using traditional skills and processes.

Shop Codis Maya's collections online or browse their Instagram if you need a little inspiration. www.codismaya.com. Instagram @codismaya

JEWELS MADE BY ELLA BULL Bespoke orders are now closed for Christmas, but Ella Bull has a number of items available on her online store. Or, treat a loved one to a Gift Voucher and let them choose a piece to wear in 2021!

Head to Ella's Instagram for some serous jewellery inspiration: @ellabull www.ellabull.com

CHRISTMAS JUMPERS WITH 3RD RAIL PRINT SPACE Join the team at 3rd Rail Print Space for a long awaited Christmas Jumper workshop - a gift for yourself or make one to wrap up! The workshops plan to run on December 3,10, and 17 and there are just a few places left. Book your place via the 3rd Rail Print Space website. www.3rdrailprintspace.co.uk

PLAY WITH CLAY WITH STUFF N FINGS

 Inxsanixty

GIFT GOOD KARMA WITH ALL HANDS AND HEARTS How about an alternative gift this Christmas? Pledge your time or make a donation to All Hands And Hearts this year, a non-profit offering volunteering opportunities to support communities around the World impacted by natural disasters: www.allhandsandhearts.org  Stuf

 3rdRailPrintSpace

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NFings

december 2020

Peckham picks

It’s beginning to look a lot like Pexmas

P

eckham’s home grown festive market isn’t letting a little thing like a pandemic get in the way of celebrating local business, creativity and community spirit. This year, Pexmas is a 9-day shopping event. The ninth annual Pexmas market is taking over the elegant Copeland Gallery Space in Peckham’s cultural hotspot, Copeland Park for two weekends of classic Pexmas Festive Market, plus 3 midweek dates of bookable timed entry shopping at the Pexmas Emporium, and an on-site pop up shop representing small brands from across these events and down the years at Pexmas.

12, 13, 19, 20 December - Pexmas Weekend Markets At Pexmas this year you will find over 50 different independent boutique stalls a day including prints, plants, bath products, ceramics, clothes, accessories, jewellery, homewares, foodie gifts, craft beers and wines, textiles and a million things you never knew you wanted. There’s also a smidge of Streetfood and mulled drinks from Social, Copeland Park’s resident Bar. Open 11am-6pm.

16, 17, 18 December - Pexmas Emporium Book a timed entry ticket online to spend up to 3 hours browsing and buying with 25 brands at the Emporium, with bigger pop up boutique offerings from the brands and more space to move about comfortably. 2 hour timed tickets are available as

festive needs. Lookout for Pexmas Parcels, curated gift boxes to simplify your shopping! Currently open for preorders, you can collect your purchases at Pexmas or have them delivered from mid December. Organisers are also hosting a physical version of this online store as a pop up on-site throughout Pexmas, open 11am-8pm daily. Visit the store online throughout the year for new product drops, special occasion gift guides and more from all the local small brands you love at our markets.

entry only or with a Pexmas Loyalty card booking for discounts on the day and year round at the online shop.

Pexmas Online Pexmas is also launching its first permanent online shop! Stocking items from Pexmas traders past and present, it’s a micro market in your pocket for all your

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Copeland Gallery, Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Rd, Peckham, London SE15 3SN pexmas.com pexmas Pexmas pexmas

advertoriaL

in ASSOCiATiOn WiTh TEAM LOnDOn BRiDGE

december 2020

london BRidGe coMMunitY

Visit atlondonbridge.com to see who’s open and what’s happening in London Bridge.

Mark titchner and team london Bridge celebrate community spirit in a bold series of artworks on display in london Bridge and across the capital The way we experience and think about our neighbourhoods has changed dramatically over the past few months as we explore them anew.

Civic pride and shared responsibility to look after each other and our beloved spaces have contributed to a sense of community strength and solidarity, celebrated in a new series of artworks by artist Mark Titchner commissioned by Team London Bridge now on display around London Bridge and across the capital. This collaboration evolves Mark’s relationship with the area and brings focus to the dynamic cultural identity of London Bridge. A temporary pop-up poster campaign in collaboration with Jack Arts will showcase the 4 new artworks.

On view from the end of November for a number of weeks, the posters will feature in locations across London Bridge and Southwark, including at the entrance to London Bridge Bus Station on Borough High Street; opposite Southwark Cathedral; and at Vinegar Yard on St. Thomas Street. A selection of all 4 artworks will also be seen across London including prominent sites in the boroughs of Brent, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Islington, Kensington

& Chelsea and Lewisham.

Further artworks have been installed in London Bridge. HOPE REVEALS THE WORLD can be found in Newcomen Street by a busy gateway on the Quietway 1 cycle route leading off Borough High Street and opposite the Crol and Co café, while THE SUN RISES BRIGHT and HOPE REVEALS THE WORLD are located by the Low Line, in a railway arch between Pizza Pilgrims and Honest Burgers on Bermondsey Street, facing the busy Tooley Street and adjacent to one of the entrances to London Bridge mainline station.

Mark Titchner said ‘The original concept for this series of artworks was based on the idea of offering a nurturing, reassuring presence as we ease back into our un/familiar streets. However, as I developed the texts for the works, I also felt a sense that this moment – despite all the difficulty – presents an immense opportunity; the opportunity to build a better version of what we had before. As such the aesthetic style of the works shifted away from something soothing towards something bold and celebratory. Reflecting a hope that despite all the challenges so far and those yet to come, we will be

together again in the streets we know and love.’

Turner Prize nominee Mark Titchner lives and works in London. In 2018 Mark launched his permanent work Me. Here. Now. in the Stainer Street walkway at London Bridge Station in collaboration with Team London Bridge. The work comprises of three huge polished stainlesssteel domes suspended from an arched ceiling that reflects the brickwork above and the movement of everyday life below.

Earlier this year, Jack Arts spotlighted Mark Titchner’s artwork PLEASE BELIEVE THESE DAYS WILL PASS in a series of bright outdoor posters which offered a rallying cry for hope and endurance across 10 UK cities during the early days of the pandemic.

The two installed artworks by Bermondsey Street are part of the Low Line, a new walking destination along the length of the Victorian railway viaducts spanning Bankside, London Bridge and Bermondsey. Walking along the Low Line allows visitors to discover the heritage of the railway arches which have been a part of the area for over 150 years, shaping places of interest along the way.

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 There

will be a way

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local faces

2020 Heroes Cara Cummings

brigade bar & kitchen

Well, that was quite the year. As 2020 draws to a close, we celebrate the south London heroes who’ve gone above and beyond during an extraordinary twelve months.

This London Bridge restaurant was already unique before the pandemic hit - but its response has made it even more special. Set up to provide a platform into work for those impacted by homelessness, Brigade could have been hit particularly hard this year; but the team devised a raft of initiatives to support others hard hit by Covid, with truly inspiring results. Not only did the restaurant’s kitchen send out 500 meals a day for vulnerable people during lockdown - Brigade’s furloughed staff set up and manned a community helpline, all as volunteers, supporting more than 80 people a week. And they didn’t stop there: rallying the support of 140 chefs, including Michelin-star names like Michel Roux Jnr, Rick Stein and Tom Kerridge, Brigade published a cookbook of donated recipes, raising funds for a new programme to support struggling hospitality workers revive their careers. Feast With Purpose is available as a £25 digital download, or a £65 limited edition hardback, at beyondfood.org.uk.

lewisham mutual aid

On the subject of the ‘sham - guess where the UK’s now thousands-strong network of mutual aid groups first began? That’s right: Lewisham.

As Covid came careering towards Britain and the elderly and vulnerable were asked to isolate, a group of young friends in the borough distributed leaflets offering to pick up shopping and medication for those staying indoors. Within a week of starting their informal volunteering system, 4,000 people had joined the Lewisham Mutual Aid Facebook page to offer support for neighbours. Within a fortnight, hundreds of parallel groups had been established across the country, mobilising a grassroots, hyper-local army of tens of thousands of volunteers to help those in need. The Mutual Aid movement has been credited with directly supporting millions of people throughout the pandemic; there are now nearly 5,000 groups nationwide, with an umbrella organisation Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK - still run by Lewisham’s original founders.

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december 2020

local faces

Page 23

Issue 1473

Established: 1987

50p

April 2 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk

Exclusive: Camberwell Bishop MILLWALL selling ‘plague protection kit’ page 7 EXCLUSIVE: Jed hopes fans see end to season

PULLING TOGETHER We look neighbourhood by neighbourhood at what the community is doing

Sex predator jailed Page 4

CORONAVIRUS NEWS 





Youngest victim dies at King’s Two council workers pass away with the virus How are the police coping?

Pages 10-11 Latest news and live blog southwarknews.co.uk

Lavinya Stennett Founder and CEO of The Black Curriculum

At just 23, south Londoner Lavinya Stennett is already changing the world. Having grown up experiencing first hand the alienating effect of a lack of Black British history in the UK curriculum, Lavinya - a historian, writer and First Class graduate from SOAS - decided to step in. She founded social enterprise The Black Curriculum in 2019 to deliver arts-focused Black history programmes in schools throughout the year, alongside a #TBH365 (Teach Black History or To Be Honest, all year round) campaign to make Black history lessons mandatory in every British school and all whilst finishing her degree.

2020 has been a big year for The Black Curriculum. As the world shuddered at the death of George Floyd and Black Lives Matter became a national movement, Lavinya launched a 22-daylong campaign targeted at Education Secretary Gavin Williamson. He denied her request for a meeting; but the swell of public support means The Black Curriculum is firmly on the agenda. Expect to see a lot more from Lavinya as she pushes for tangible steps to have Black history embedded in British education to create, in her words, “a society that doesn’t breed racism.”

Dawn Atkinson, Natasha Ricketts & Christine Norman aka the Lewisham Mayoresses

As the furore over free school meals raged in October, three Lewisham volunteers rolled up their sleeves. Dawn Atkinson, Natasha Ricketts and Christine Norman run the Evelyn Community Store, a membership-based food scheme for low income households in Lewisham, and had already spent 2020 making sure hundreds of local families had food during lockdown; in fact, so impressive were their efforts that Mayor of Lewisham Damien Egan made the formidable trio Mayoresses in July in recognition of their work. Having witnessed a rise in food poverty across the borough - more than 13,000 extra families have applied for free school meals since the pandemic began - and a lack of commitment from central government to extending support during school holidays, the Mayoresses stepped up. Launching their Packed Lunch appeal, Dawn, Natasha and Christine asked the public for £10,000 to keep every child in Lewisham fed.

To date, they’ve raised nearly £35,000. All hail the Evelyn angels.

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Oliver Bailey Harvest for Heroes

Chris Mullany & Kevin Quinn Southwark News

King’s College Hospital holds a special place in Dulwich dad Oliver Bailey’s heart. When his son Henry was born in 2018 with spina bifida, the unwavering care of staff at King’s means the little boy can walk today. When Covid-19 first struck, Oliver offered to send coffee and donuts to the hospital’s frontline medics; but realised that what staff really needed was access to fresh, healthy food of the kind that panic buying had stripped supermarket shelves bare of. Oliver set up Harvest for Heroes to deliver boxes of fruit, vegetables, milk and eggs to NHS teams across London, funded by a donations campaign that raised more than £29,000. By sourcing products from New Covent Garden market, Oliver also gave struggling wholesalers a much needed boost. At the height of lockdown, Harvest for Heroes delivered 1200 boxes to hospitals across London, Surrey and Kent in just 13 days. Oliver’s campaign was backed by celebrities including Jonathan Ross and Rocketman star Taron Egerton, and comedian Johnny Vegas even helped him deliver supplies to hospitals as far away as Liverpool, Rotherham and Doncaster.

Call us biased, but the immediate response of our parent paper’s owners to the coronavirus crisis was nothing short of humbling. Rather than focus on their own challenge of keeping a small business afloat, Chris and Kevin chose instead to offer free digital advertising to independent or family-run local businesses across their digital platforms, giving away more than £14,000 worth of space.

Our inhouse designers even created adverts for anyone who needed materials to run. As lockdown wiped out trade for many local outlets overnight, Chris and Kevin’s lifeline helped businesses from furniture retailers, to Japanese restaurants, to online counsellors benefit from 75,000 page views a month - all 100% free of charge. Community spirit at its absolute best.

146mm high x 120mm wide

SMITHFIELD MEAT MARKET Europe’s largest meat market right on your doorstep

top quality meat at unbelievable prices turkey • poultry • game • pork • lamb • beef offal • sausages • bacon • halal • provisions open to the trade and the public all year round 2am to 8am Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays)

CHRISTMAS TRADING HOURS

Monday 14th to Friday 18th December – 1am to 9am Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th December – 1am to 8am Monday 21st to Thursday 24th December – 1am to 9am Nearest Underground stations — Farringdon or Barbican.

Free car parking for customers in the West Smithfield car park, EC1A 9DS 10 to 24 December between 9pm and 10am the following day

SMTA, 225 Central Markets, EC1A 9LH tel: 020 7248 3151 email: info@smithfieldmarket.com

www.smithfieldmarket.com

GREENWICH THEATRE PRESENTS

FRI 18 DEC 2020 SUN 10 JAN 2021 greenwichtheatre.org.uk

6+

GIVE THE GIFT OF THE WORLD’S MOST AWARDED GIN FOR CHRISTMAS Beefeater Gin in Kennington has launched an online shop for all your gin gifting needs – or just your weekend gin needs, your shout.

www.beefeaterdistillery.com/shop or scan QR code.

Purchase exclusive distillery editions and other gift ideas.

For Friday delivery order by 6pm on Wednesday.

LESS 2020, MORE 1820 THIS JANUARY VISIT THE BEEFEATER DISTILLERY HERE ON YOUR SOUTH LONDON DOORSTEP. With our distilling heritage dating back to 1820 – every single drop of Beefeater is made right here at our distillery on Montford Place in Kennington. Come and experience the history and skill that has gone in to creating the world’s most awarded gin – and of course taste it!

Book a tour for January to save 25% off – See bottom-right for details.

Find us at: Beefeater Distillery 20 Montford Place, Kennington SE11 5DE London Nearest tube stations: Vauxhall, Oval & Kennington If you need to get in touch – email us at info@beefeaterdistillery.com

Book your tickets at www.beefeatergindistillery.com Special offers for our London family. 25% off all tour tickets in January when using the code: ‘BOOK1820’ at the checkout 25% off all our gift certificates purchased in January when using the code: ‘GIFT1820’ at the checkout

ADVERTORIAL december 2020

Boutique show homes to view at The Boulevard, Blackfriars

Visit theboulevard-southwark.co.uk/ apartments to enjoy the impressive virtual walk-through.

homes are the perfect way to enjoy the cultured and evolving lifestyle of this vibrant location within easy

reach of Borough Market, the West End and all that is fun in between.

The development offers

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apartments that reflect the airy and spacious nature of the borough in their design, with light, clean and

spacious rooms.

Latimer aims to help tackle the housing crisis by increasing its pipeline of new build developments, with profits reinvested into building more affordable homes and supporting communities.

Those wishing to become part of The Boulevard’s community can get more information by calling sales agent CBRE on (0)20 7118 0488 or visiting boulevard-southwark.co.uk.

Enjoy the virtual walk-through on the Apartments page ahead of booking a show home viewing.

In line with government guidelines all in-person viewings at The Boulevard are strictly by appointment only. Rules and measures are in place to ensure everyone’s safety. All visitors will be fully informed of arrangements when making their appointment.

CGI images - indicative only.

THE stunning new show homes at hotly anticipated development, The Boulevard, are open to view.

With a two bedroom apartment decorated by expert interior designers from Suna, these show homes are not to be missed. This is the chance to get a sneak peek into what life could look like in these newly built luxurious and comfortable apartments.

Latimer, part of Clarion Housing Group, are implementing appointment-only socially distanced tours of the boutique styled show homes giving prospective buyers the chance to explore the surroundings and see all the luxury that the development has to offer.

With the market showing first time buyers being overtaken by current homeowners, this development comes at the perfect time for those looking to upgrade their home life.

In particular, all apartments have a balcony or roof terrace, with some benefitting from multiple terraces – a desirable feature for buyers since lockdown. The residents landscaped roof terrace also allows for panoramic views of the city surrounding.

Following the boutique vibrancy of the development, each apartment has customised kitchen units in Cashmere and Lava colours as well as bespoke work surfaces in Sanded Birch with glass splash backs. As well as this, the bathrooms are fully tiled to add to the sophistication of your London living.

Krete Luca, London Sales Director at Latimer, comments: “This unrivalled location is perfect for those wanting to be close to the city centre, while also being complemented by the leafy boulevard – one of the only true boulevards remaining in London.

“We’ve carefully designed these apartments to reflect the luxury lifestyle of London, while maintaining home comforts that we have been desiring in lockdown. A highlight for me are the Cardamono Grande Oak timber floorings in the living areas, complementing the luxury feel of the apartments while keeping them cool and comfortable.”

As the Southwark area continues to grow and develop, now is the time to come for a viewing and see whether the up and coming borough is your next new home.

The Boulevard, located on the South Bank of the Blackfriars Bridge, offers one, two and three bed apartments for those who want to be part of this cosmopolitan area. Starting at £685,000, these

december 2020

shop local for christmas

Fantastic booksellers and where to find them 10 top indie bookshops in your neighbourhood

VILLAGE STORIES

Laura Burgoine

READERS GREAT AND SMALL

Dulwich Books owner Cathy Slater worked as rights director for Murdoch Books before starting this new chapter in her life.

The bookshop, which has been serving the local community for over 30 years, is still taking orders and delivering books to customers. When we spoke to Cathy during the second lockdown, she recommended these titles for Christmas gifts:

A home of captivating storytelling, big and bold illustrations and awe-inspiring pop-ups, Small Print Books, specialises in books that both children and adults can enjoy. Their subscriptions help parents find age-appropriate books for their children with divided book packages for as young as 1-3 years, as well as non-fiction books and story books.

The Stubborn Light of Things

37 Davids Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3EP https://smallprint-online.com

by Melissa Harrison

“A novelist and nature writer who contributes a monthly Nature Notebook column for The Times, Melissa Harrison is much loved at Dulwich Books.

After moving from urban South London to rural Suffolk she realised she had become detached from nature and the changing seasons. Her latest book is in the form of a nature diary in which she rejoices in the wonder and quiet richness of the natural world. The benefits to our mental health of connecting with nature are well known.”

SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT The Bookseller Crow on the Hill is keeping people reading through the lockdowns with online orders via email, book recommendations on social media, and Zoom book club meetings.

For those who want to leave the selection process to the experts, they have a Flight Club monthly subscription service where the expert staff handpick their favourite books to send straight to your door.

Mr Wilder and Me

by Jonathan Coe

“The dazzling new novel from the prize-winning bestselling author of Middle England. Set on a Greek island in the summer of 1977, a young woman finds herself working for the famed director Billy Wilder. Poignant, charming and uplifting, Coe explores themes of coming of age, fame, memory and film. Perfect escapism for the cold winter evenings.”

50 Westow Street Crystal Palace, SE19 3AF Email: info@booksellercrow.co.uk

A SEAT AT THE TABLE Round Table Books in Brixton Village started life as a pop-up to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Knights Of (publishers of diverse children’s fiction through the UK, Ireland and Europe).

The overwhelming response – and a successful crowdfunding campaign – meant the team could open a permanent store. The shop is designed by Marssaié and Trifle Creative and the company had significant early support from publishers big (Penguin Random House, Harpercollins) and small (AlannaMax, Lantana, Tiny Owl), not to mention endless help from Tales on Moon Lane.

Shuggie Bain

by Douglas Stuart

“The 2020 Booker prize winner, this is a heartbreaking, beautiful and utterly unforgettable book. But in the end it is all about love, hope and resilience, and it’s funny too. The characters of Agnes and her very special son are so lovingly drawn, we share their lives, their daily struggles and hopes.”

Dulwich Books, 6 Croxted Road, West Dulwich, SE21 8SW Phone: 020 8670 1920 or 07960 425396

97 Granville Arcade, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8PS. www.roundtablebooks.co.uk

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shop local for christmas

paper moon Tales on Moon Lane children’s bookshop in Herne Hill has branched out to include Moon Lane Ink CIC, a not-for-profit community interest company (based in Catford) dedicated to raising equality in children’s books. Founded by Tamara Macfarlane in 2003, who joined forces with business partner Paul Chin in 2017, the team stock a range of books reflecting London’s diverse population in terms of gender, ethnicity, class, disability, socio-economic status and culture.

They also offer work experience placements to their partner school, Harris Girls' Academy in East Dulwich, as a way of opening up opportunities within the publishing industry.

During the pandemic, they’ve held Zoom workshops and book readings on their YouTube channel Moon Lane TV. Manager at Moon Lane Ink CIC, Meera Ghanshamdas shares her two top ‘books of the year:’

CATCH YA IN THE RYE

FOR THE RECORD

A local favourite since 2011, Rye Books is keeping their literary hub alive online with virtual author events, guest bloggers and community book club meetings on Zoom. For children’s gifts, look for the book bundles, including the activity bundle, the non-fiction science bundle and the activity art bundle –bound to keep the little ones occupied when you’re stuck indoors. Free delivery is available for: SE22, SE21, SE23, SE4, SE5, SE14, and SE15.

The Book and Record Bar is taking orders for books via email where you can also purchase records and CDs. Throughout 2020, the staff have been pumping quality tunes through their live radio sessions and on their Instagram page.

47 North Cross Rd, East Dulwich, SE22 9ET Phone: 020 3581 1850 | https://ryebooks.co.uk

Sulwe

by Lupita Nyong'o and Vashti Harrison

LANE READS

“This book is so important to all children, a beautiful reminder about loving the skin we are in no matter the shade.”

Miranda Peake, the owner of East Dulwich gem Chener Books, is tackling the pandemic by doing home delivery, hosting online poetry readings and staying active on social media to keep customers updated and informed.

Burnt Sugar

by Avni Doshi

“Sharp and powerful, the book delves into a complicated relationship between mother and daughter, and explores what happens when a mother loses her memory, and how the loss of memory affects how we see ourselves.”

For Christmas gift ideas Miranda recommends:

Moon Lane Ink, 300 Stanstead Road, SE23 1DE Phone: 0207 274 5759 Email: info@talesonmoonlane.co.uk

“There is a lovely new edition of this collection.

In these strange times, when going to the garden centre feels like a holiday, this is the perfect antidote to how stuck we all feel.”

The Virago Book of Women Travellers:

The Sunken Land Begins to Rise Again

SW4 READS

HERNE HILL TO HOME

Clapham Books is adjusting to pandemic conditions with an email-to-order service where you can buy from a hand-picked selection of fiction, non-fiction, children’s and art books.

Known as the sister bookshop to Clapham Books, Herne Hill Books is also doing home delivery orders for next day delivery. They source rare books and offer a wide selection of new releases.

26 The Pavement, Clapham Common, SW4 0JA Email shop@claphambooks.com

by M. John Harrison

“A book potentially more mystifying than our current circumstances. A writer often classed as science fiction, but this book is very much set in our world, albeit with many mysteries lurking.

Baffling and brilliant.”

One Tin Bakes

289 Railton Road, Brixton, SE24 0LY Phone: 020 7998 1673 or DM on Twitter to request order for delivery www.hernehill.org.uk

by Edd Kimber

“Even I, who had never baked a cake until this year, can manage this book. Simple and satisfying.”

14 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, SE22 8HN. Email chenerbookshop@gmail.com

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20 Norwood High Street, Norwood, SE27 9NR Email: thebookandrecordbar@gmail.com

december 2020

shoP LocaL For christmas

se1’s designer district

fRonte eaMes dRess 100% cotton and made in London, £169 Kimi culottes, £159

If you’re looking for one of a kind gifts and unique finds, set your sights on Coin Street’s Oxo Tower Wharf and Gabriel’s Wharf, home to a diverse range of independent designers, makers and shops selling fashion, jewellery, homeware, art, textiles, gifts and more.

locoMocean love Wins acRYlic BoX neon liGht £94.95

Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, South Bank, SE1 9PH. www.oxotower.co.uk

studio half chRistMas nativitY (containing 12 hand painted figures) £65

noRdic nic nac stRaWBeRRY hat £25

WaGuMi WBsJ WellinGton Boots £86 (10-15& will go to Wild Bird Society of Japan to protect wild birds)

LOVENESS LEE REBUTIA sMall eaRRinGs from the Recycled Silver Collection, £165

MR Jones Watches A perfectly useless afternoon

by Kristof Devos £175

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SKYLARK GALLERIES ARTIST CAROLINE nuttall sMith's little BiRds are each unique, hand built from black stoneware clay with incised clay slip pattern From £45

shoP LocaL For christmas

december 2020

little nan's Tristan Scutt opened his bar Little Nan’s in 2013, using all his Nan’s old furniture and treasured ornaments and creating shrines to Pat Butcher while serving Costa del Deptford cocktails in teapots. During lockdown he began doing takeaway cocktails (or “locktails” as he calls them) and has now branched out into DIY party boxes, bringing all the kitsch fun from his front room to yours.

th u so don n lo rder la

kinG del BoY (chRistMas sPecial) diY PaRtY set Makes 18 vodka cocktails | £62

kanPai Kanpai is the UK's first sake brewery - born and bred in Peckham. They craft a range of sakes in a modern style using traditional Japanese techniques.

For Christmas they've launched a range of gift sets to suit everyone - from a 'Festive Fizz' set for something a little different to toast with, to a 'Christmas Cocktail' set to mix up something unique and a sweet-sake edition too. All products available through online shop for delivery or clickand-collect: https://kanpai.london/shop

chRistMas cocktail Gift set £50

BeRMondseY stReet Bees union collection daRk esseX RaW honeY (330G) £12

aniMal sPiRits Microbiology PhD Dr Lukas Radosa and immersive theatre producer Eva Liparova have combined their talents to create Rabbit gin, the first tipple to be produced by their Animal Spirits brand, based in south Bermondsey. It’s made with organically sourced juniper from a primeval forest and distilled with corn spirit, cardamom, Sichuan green pepper, mint, orange peel, magnolia berries, angelica, Kazbek hops, and two secret botanicals, resulting in a full bodied dry London gin. £37.50 at animal-spirits.com

enGland PReseRves BeRMondseY BRaMBle £4.75

Gin01 the RaBBit £37.50 BeRMondseY's keRnel BReWeRY, london BRick, Red RYe ale, 6.8% (330Ml) £3

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december 2020

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shoP LocaL For christmas

december 2020

lucocoa London’s first craft chocolatier Amarachi Uzowuru is raising the bar with her company Lucocoa, which advocates no child labour and fair prices for farmers. Based in Bermondsey’s Spa Terminus, Amarachi makes the chocolate by hand over a period of three days using only rare Criollo and Trinitario cocoa beans from Haiti, Belize, Guatamala, and the Dominican Republic, which she sweetens with unrefined coconut sugar and the Peruvian lucuma fruit. Bars start from £2.50.

Arch 3 Spa Terminus business park, SE16 4EJ.

lucoca chocolate BaRs From £2.50

© Sara Platt

sPecialist cellaRs Specialist Cellars in Brixton is putting New World wines on the map, led by Melanie Brown, founder and CEO of Heist Group, which incorporates Specialist Cellars, the Pop Brixton store and The Laundry at Walton Lodge, an all-day neighbourhood bistro and wine shop.

dulWich's fattY's oRGanic WinteR sPiced oRanGe Gin £45

A chef from New Zealand, Melanie is also a wine maven and entrepreneur who has worked with the likes of Raymond Blanc, Peter Gordon, Jamie Oliver and the wine-lovers at Vinoteca. Brixton has been her home for the last eight years, where she uses her experience in restaurants and wine retail to bring the best of NZ and the New World wines to the UK. 49 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ. https://specialistcellars.co.uk

all You need is sav Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc duo £34

PlouGh WaY cafÉ

BeRMondseY BeeR Mile's cloudWateR Pale ale £3.75

Looking for a gift for the foodie in your life?

Local gem, the Plough Way Café has gift vouchers of any value that can be used towards a meal.

Give them a call on 020 7237 1327 or e-mail reservations@ploughwaycafe.com or pop in to see the team at Seafarer Way, Deptford, SE16 7UD. www.ploughwaycafe.com

PeckhaM's old sPike RoasteRY Benedict blend (Brazil and Nicaragua) £7.50

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christmas ShOppinG

RiGBY and Mac Rigby and Mac has three award-winning lifestyle stores: the Dulwich trader in West Dulwich, Tomlinsons in Dulwich Village and ed in East Dulwich. Each shop has a different style and products but the key values remain the same – excellent and personal service and a unique, eclectic edit of beautiful homeware, fashion and gifts.

the love local list

41 Northcross Road, SE22 9ET The Dulwich Trader is at 9-11 Croxted Road, SE21 8SZ sMall BunnY niGhtliGht £4.95

Tomlinsons, 89 Dulwich Village, SE21 7BJ www.rigbyandmac.com

ansPach and hoBdaY Kindergarten pals Jack Hobday and Paul Anspach started their craft beer brand Anspach and Hobday in 2013, and were the joint-fourth brewers to move onto the Bermondsey Beer Mile. The pair, who also run the Pigeon bar on Camberwell Church Street, have begun canning their beers to reduce their carbon footprint. You can buy beer and merchandise from their online store. Check out their website for updates on takeaway/collection/ delivery and updates on their taproom during These Strange Times.

tote BaG £4.50

Anspach and Hobday is at 118 Druid St, SE1 2HH | Phone: 020 8617 9510.

aleX MonRoe Alex Monroe’s jewellery has adorned many a leading lady, including BBC’s Doctor Foster and the first female Doctor Who Jodie Whittaker. The Camberwell local’s global brand is now stocked in 160 stores in the UK including Liberty and John Lewis. Alex opened his flagship store in Snowfields nine years ago, after outgrowing his studio in Kennington’s Iliffe Yard.

37 Snowsfields, SE1 3SU www.alexmonroe.com RaYs of hoPe necklace £135

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december 2020

christmas ShOppinG

seRRan london South of the river native, fashion designer Randell Sergeant founded premium outerwear company Serran London in 2013. His team produces handcrafted, sustainable textiles from Bermondsey’s old biscuit factory.

Almond Studios, Biscuit Factory, 100 Drummond Road, SE16 4DG https://serran.com

houndstooth candY Pink and PeaRl GReY cushion £54.99

southBank centRe Every purchase you make from the Southbank Centre store helps support the world-famous multi-venue arts centre, a place where people experience world-class art and culture, that stimulates, inspires, educates and amazes. https://shop.southbankcentre.co.uk

south-east london tea set £25

stainless clad PettY Peckham's Blenheim Forge from £200

festive cotton face Mask Brixton Brewery | £10

classic leatheR aPRon Brixton-based Stalwart Crafts £139.99

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elePhant and castle PRint £55

catfoRd cookBook www.houseofcatford.com £20

noteBook (tan) Bermondsey based Bespoke and Bound | £145

december 2020

advertorial

On Tailored Living Solutions’ Two Three Seven Brixton Hill Art Installation

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ell-known Graffiti artist, Jimmy C, famed for his David Bowie memorial in Brixton, has created two spectacular features on the walls at the newly launched Two Three Seven Brixton Hill, by Tailored Living Solutions. One piece of artwork can be found in the residents’ secret garden at the rear of the development and the other on a side wall alongside the lobby area. Jimmy C discusses his inspiration behind the artwork, the effect he hopes it will have on residents and his plans for the future.

What was the inspiration behind the artwork at the Brixton Hill development?

“Working at Brixton Hill was great as I was given creative control, meaning I could focus on creating something truly inspirational. For the larger installation in the secret garden, I really wanted to transport residents to another place; a vast and tranquil landscape they could get lost in. Everyone has had a pretty difficult year, and at times we’ve wanted to transport ourselves to another world, so this was the inspiration behind the feature.

landscape piece in the residents’ secret garden I would love people to have a positive, light feeling.

I want to give them a beautiful place they can escape to for a while and through the use of colour, give them a calming experience away from the troubles of the outside world.”

“To evoke the feeling of looking out towards a relaxing landscape into another world, I was inspired by brick formations that were already on the canvass wall to create a trompe l’oeil effect. I painted the illusion of a two-pillar archway, using the brick formations as the head of the pillars, much like as if residents were sat looking out of a classical garden. The inspiration was to transport residents away from their surroundings, whilst also using the present – the brick formations – to create this feeling.”

Is this the first residential development you’ve worked on before?

“I have worked on one residential development before in Shoreditch where I was commissioned to paint a stairwell. Brixton Hill is the largest installation at a residential development I’ve worked on though, and despite the classic British winter rain when painting, it was great to work on such a large feature.”

What was the reaction like to your Bowie design in Brixton?

Is there a hidden message behind the artwork at Two Three Seven Brixton Hill?

“The second piece of artwork created at the development, a female portrait holding onto a beautiful lotus flower, has a hidden message of renewal and beauty. There are more lotus flowers depicted along the wall, trailing behind the flower the female portrait is holding, representing the ability of the flower to grow up out of the mud much like the Chinese proverb says about the lotus flower.

“I felt that this message of renewal and growth would represent the Two Three Seven Brixton Hill

“The reaction was absolutely crazy! I painted the piece for the people of Brixton in 2013 as a gift to the community, three years before Bowie’s death. The day after he died someone laid a flower below the artwork which was then picked up by the national and international press.

building growing up out of the ground, creating new homes for residents. I also wanted to inspire residents to feel renewed by these beautiful flowers and that it is always possible to rise up.”

What would you like people to get from the artwork at the Brixton Hill development when they see it?

“I was in Australia at the time and I remember waking up to thousands of messages and social media posts of people wanting to talk to me about the artwork and what it meant to the community. It was a completely surreal experience which I’m very grateful for.”

“I love to use strong colours in my designs and Brixton Hill is no different. With the use of sunlight yellows and calming greens in the larger

25

How would you describe your artistry style?

“I would call my style aerosol pointillism, a less technical term would perhaps be drip and dot work.

Pointillism is famed by the likes of van Gogh; by using aerosol paint I find that gives an extra texture and contemporary uplift to the style. It allows me to layer lots of colour, which I love, and add a certain depth to the pieces I create.

“Having mainly used this style for cityscapes and portraits, it was really insightful working on landscape piece at Two Three Seven Brixton Hill.”

Have there been any particular people or artists that you’ve been inspired by in your career?

“I’ve always been inspired by people and artists who have the courage to reinvent themselves. That’s why Bowie is such a big inspiration to me, as well as Kate Bush and Alexander McQueen. They took risks by always reinventing themselves and never becoming stale in what they do, something truly inspirational to me.

“With that in mind and the fact that social media has almost forced us to have one brand style and stick to it, I feel like it might be time to reinvent myself somewhat. What the year of 2020 has taught us all, why not!”

Prices at Two Three Seven Brixton Hill start from: £450,000. For more information visit: www.tailoredlivingsolutions.com

christmas ShOppinG

december 2020 SMOULDERING: South Londoner newshound Baxter

Bark the herald angels sing Cara Cummings

WondeRinG What to Get the doG - oR doG loveR in YouR life this chRistMas? set tails WaGGinG With these toP Gift tiPs fRoM south london’s Best Pet shoPs

dR. doolittle’s Pet shoP This Streatham stalwart has been serving south London’s pet lovers for over thirty years. Manager Stefano Salles took over six years ago and won the 2018 Small Independent Shop at the Streatham Awards. Step inside for some seriously fun Christmas treats.

57-59 Streatham Hill, SW2 4TX drdoolittlespetshop.co.uk 020 8671 6760

the hound hut

the doG house

hollY&lil

Local stores don’t get much friendlier than this doggy paradise a stone’s throw from Oval station, set up by raw food expert - and owner of three schnauzers - Anthony Smallman. Inside, you’ll find the very best natural food ranges, a deli-style treat counter that will quickly become your dog’s favourite place, and top-quality accessories from jumpers to bedding, all reasonably priced. The Hut also offers grooming, teeth cleaning services and even doggy daycare.

The Dog House ‘canine lifestyle’ bazaar opened in Balham in 2018, offering a small but perfectly formed selection of everyday essentials like food and treats including a raw range - as well as doggy gifts, toys and cosy homeware. Pop in for instant pet inspiration.

If dogs had a Harrods, it would look a lot like Holly&Lil. Specialising in handmade, highly decorative collars and leather accessories, this emporium of embellishment was set up by friends Elaine Jones and Sarah Wyndham Lewis in 2002 and named after their dogs, who ‘introduced’ the duo by playing together in Primrose Hill.

72 Emmanuel Rd, SW12 0HR thedoghousebalham.co.uk 020 8675 7711

90 Tower Bridge Road, London, London, SE1 4TP hollyandlil.co.uk 0207 237 7226

doG MuM / dad sWeatshiRt BY Winston the doG

hollY & the ivY

20 Clapham Rd, Oval, London SW9 0JG thehoundhut.dog | 0800 193 3364

Posh Pooch ‘Wine’ foR doGs

choose-YouR-oWn chRistMas BaG

Who says festive tipples should be just for humans? Raise a glass with your happy hound as they enjoy a non-carbonated, nonalcoholic herbal infusion packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. £6.50.

The ultimate bespoke gift: choose from the Hound Hut’s all-natural ‘haberdashery’ counter, featuring everything from rabbit ears to dried tripe, beef tendons and even buffalo horns. Treats start at just 25p.

RoseWood RudolPh ReindeeR

‘doGue’ JuMPeRs

A super-soft, ultra plush and undeniably cute squeaky seasonal friend for your dog to fall in love with. £7.

Ideal for the crazy dog lady or man in your life, these soft jersey jumpers come in multiple colour combinations - and you can have a dog’s name added to the sleeve, too... nina ottosson doG activitY PYRaMid

Make sure your four-legged friend turns heads this Christmas in a cosy cable knit sweater (£26) as modelled by The South Londoner’s very own news hound, Baxter. Move over Moss.

A great enrichment toy to keep your dog occupied whilst you open presents.Touch the pyramid with a nose or paw and it starts to wobble, with tasty treats unexpectedly falling out.

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New for 2020, this handsewn dog collar is decked in Swarovski crystals for maximum glitter and joy, with beading work designed to resemble Elizabethan bodices.

Prices vary depending on size; available both in store and online.

Gift voucheRs Spoilt for choice? Get your four-legged friend a gift voucher to use with Holly&Lil’s awardwinning groomers, Christmas tennis balls or a snuggly new toy.

Call or order online.

CELEBRATING THE FESTIVE SEASON Come along to Castle Square to join the festivities, with our fabulous tree and ‘herd’ of special visitors!

Meet Santa !

Free opportunities to meet Santa, with social distancing measures in place, on the following dates: 5th and 6th December 12th and 13th December 19th and 20th December With 26 local traders, Castle Square is perfect for grabbing that extra Christmas present, party outfit, festive beauty treatment or new hair style.

And, while you are with us, grab a bite to eat at one of the delicious cafés and restaurants serving international food locally.

Easily accessible, Castle Square is located just 5 minutes walk from Elephant and Castle tube station and directly opposite Elephant and Castle train station. castlesquarelondon.com

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Herne Hill • Brixton • Peckham • Dulwich • Loughborough Junction • Camberwell • Denmark Hill • Stockwell • Waterloo

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food & drink

december 2020

Christmas dinner… delivered?

Cara Cummings

a Self-confessed crap chef tries south London’s top ‘easy Christmas’ offerings

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ccording to festive wisdom of the kind deployed in Dad’s direction by my mother every year, there are two types of people in the world: those who have cooked a Christmas dinner, and those who have not.

I occupy a third category - those who’d love to try, but who are so terrible at cooking that it’s a medical necessity they don’t.

The kitchen and I have always had beef, mostly raw, inedible and served with a side of silent rage. If you want a burnt boiled egg, I’m your gal. When I threatened to do Christmas dinner as a joke last year, the family Whatsapp group fell silent, before one brother hurriedly announced that he’d actually be with his in-laws and the other hinted at an emergency conversion to Islam.

Since then, 2020 has happened. After a tough nine months, should anyone have to make The Dinner from scratch? Whether you’ll be isolating this Christmas, fancy treating yourself after one helluva year or, like me, don’t know your allspice from your elbow, behold: everything you should order in for the big day instead.

The mega meat feast Traditional Christmas Dinner from The Pickled Fork This Streatham-based catering company promises turkey and all the trimmings prepared by owner Alex Motture and his team of professional chefs.

Arriving in ovenproof, biodegradable packaging, you don’t even have to decant the contents. An eye must still be kept on the clock, mind; as my partner delicately points out: “You find timings bizarrely stressful so you’re probably the right person to be trying this.” Never a truer word spoken. Normally preheating the oven has me so tense I can barely speak; tonight, I’m savouring a gin and tonic and having an actual conversation. In the first cartons go. This Christmas dinner malarky is a breeze! Let’s have another gin.

Ten minutes from serving up, things start to slip.

Maybe it’s the drinks. Maybe it’s the ghost of kitchen disasters past. Maybe I literally cannot cook more than two things at once. Either way, warming up stuffing, sprouts, red cabbage and yorkshire puddings at the same time has me on the brink. But as we plate up, something magical happens: it looks like a Christmas dinner. Created in under an hour, by me. Kind of, and with extensive professional assistance, but still - LOOK AT MY ROAST.

The veggie showstopper - Christmas at Home Vegetarian Option by Social Pantry This exquisitely presented ‘festive dinner kit’ from Social Pantry is a present in itself - and one you can feel extra good about, given the company’s sustainability focus (all food waste produced from making your meal will be composted or pickled) and commitment to employing ex-offenders.

This feast requires a touch more input than Pickled Fork’s, (see above), like pouring things into pans, judging when something is ‘golden brown’ and a single bit of sprout sauteing; enough to bring me out in a cold sweat. But Social Pantry’s instructions are so easy to follow that another Christmas miracle occurs - I create a three course dinner in sixty minutes flat. And deck the halls with my clearly WRONG home economics report cards: it’s an absolute triumph.

We begin with spiced pumpkin, sage oil and mapleroasted seed soup. It’s sensational, tastes like a long

walk on a golden Sunday and could be Santa’s aftershave - toasty, sugary and jolly all at once.

And what a roast this is. The Pickled Fork’s turkey is moist, tender and comes with generous dark meat nestled under thick crown slices. The veg rosemary and garlic potatoes, glazed carrots and honey and thyme roasted parsnips - is harvest fresh, packed with robust earthy flavours of the kind so often obliterated by ‘just cover it in fat, Graham, and get out’ Christmas strain. Stuffing balls are meaty, rather than mealy; pigs in blankets are full chipolatas dressed up in whole bacon rashers. I wasn’t convinced a Yorkshire pudding would travel well but by ‘eck, these crispy, [gravy-dippy] batter blooms have. And whilst the sprouts are as meh as ever - traditional, so not a problem - creamy leeks prove an unexpected hit. This is superb, sturdy food cooked with real flair. Don’t tell my Mum, but it’s one of the best Christmas dinners I’ve ever had.

From £75pp for three courses. pickledfork.com

On to Persian squash roast with all the trimmings.

The quinoa, pistachio and squash centrepiece is perfectly spiced, fragrant and mighty all at once and complimented by a cracking cranberry and orange sauce; imagine marmalade going to a rave.

Vegetable sides - crispy roasties, heritage carrots and shredded sprouts with walnuts - are a chorus of delicate brilliance, and a cheerily colorful mix to boot. Everything on our plates looks and tastes impeccable, both supremely elegant and deeply satisfying. It’s Helen Mirren as a meal.

And as for Social Pantry’s duo of desserts - tell granny to brace herself for post-fondant bowl licking and a fight over the last minute pie, if the end of our evening is anything to go by.

From £70. social-pantry.square.site

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The mix-free cocktail Christmas in a Bottle by Bottle Bar and Shop There’s no denying how easy this 8-week-infused tipple from Catford’s craft mixologists could make serving festive drinks. Pouring 100ml over ice and an orange slice seems feasible even several rounds in. I’m not usually a fan of vodka, after one too many teenage parties spent frantically downing own-brand varieties only for them to frantically race back up again, but I can confirm the above guesstimate to be true. Lighter, smoother and more refreshing than typical hedgerow-heavy Christmas flavours, this naughty elf could lead you, as it did me, very much astray. Finally, I understand why Boxing Day exists.

From £17. bottlebarandshop.com

The fuss-free pudding festive doughnuts and ice cream by Crosstown Crosstown made their name with sourdough doughnuts and small batch ice cream. Their 2020 Christmas treats come loaded with single malt whiskey, brandy soaked festive fruits and even Japanese barrel spirits; and whoever came up with adding hooch to the mix deserves a knighthood, stat. A boozy bread ball might seem a stretch after a full Christmas dinner, but trust me: these are worth the elasticated waistband. Plus, all you have to do to ‘make’ them is open a box. That’s my kind of baking. We devoured both the cranberry and apple vegan offering - miles nicer than it sounds - and the undeniably moo-ey Magnum Whisky Cream without a whiff of a sugar rush afterwards, either.

Doughnuts from £4.50. crosstowndoughnuts.com

Peckham’s Festive Market 2 weekends, 50+ traders a day 12&13, 19&20 December, 11am-6pm

Pexmas Emporium// 25+ Boutiques a day 16,17&18 December, book a time slot online, exciting ticket options!

A children’s bookshop with a carefully

are inclusive and representative of

curated selection of adult general

the society we live in.

fiction and non-fiction.

We will be operating normal opening

Online Store // permanent virtual shop launching soon

Since opening in 2018, Moon Lane

hours from the 2nd of December. If

Join mailing list for exclusive offers and updates.

Raising equality in children’s books.

you cannot find what you are looking

From picture books to general fiction,

for in-store, we are always happy to

we endeavour to support books that

order both adult and children’s books.

Pop Up Shop// featuring bestsellers from all our traders Open on site 12-20 December 11am-8pm.

Copeland Gallery, Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Road, Peckham SE15 3SN Find out more at www.pexmas.com and on

@pexmas

Or shop online here

www.moonlaneink.co.uk/onlineshop Moon Lane Books, 300 Stanstead Road, London, SE23 3UR. 02034897030

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Making it easier

CM

MY

CY

to live well

CMY

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Healthy recipes, free fruit and veg, and fun activities for the whole family HealthyLivingPlatform.org/WinterWithUs Giving thousands of children aged 0-3 a better start

food & drink

december 2020

Bite size Cara Cummings

GUILT-FREE THAI FROM KIN + DEUM YARD SALE SHACKS UP SOUTH

LONG DE-LIVE-R LEVAN

NINE LIVES - IN YOUR LIVING ROOM

Pizza lovers of south London, prepare to freak out: Yard Sale have at last opened an outlet on our side of the river. Having spoilt north and east London for years with their three-day fermented dough, slow-cooked-as-standard tomato sauce and liberal use of parmesan crumb, we can finally enjoy several slices of YS signatures like Mush Be Love (roasted chestnut ‘shrooms, truffle oil) and The New Porker (fresh Sicilian sausage, guindilla chillies, garlic) closer to home. Or even AT home, thanks to delivery across the area. Pass the porker.

Oh, how we love Levan, Blenheim Grove’s cosiest, most consistently knock-your-socks-off-delicious neighbourhood restaurant. So don’t even try to be still, beating hearts, at the following news: Levan.

Now. DELIVER. Not only that - sharing menus for two, available with either beef bourguignon or mushroom, potato and Vacherin pie mains, come with a selection of starters, matched sides and a tart tatin so perfect you may well weep. No? Just me then.

The vibe-minded folks at Bermondsey Street neighbourhood bar Nine Lives have taken boozeby-post a step further. Order a signature ‘Curfew Kit’ and you can recreate the Nine Lives experience at home - right down to how the bar smells, sounds and tastes, thanks to Nag Champa incense a special ‘Hotel Lobby’ playlist, gourmet truffle popcorn and of course, the bar’s best-known tipples: the Moby Dick (whiskey, coconut, salted caramel), Paloma (tequila, pink grapefruit,) or The Ballers, a 12-case mix of four top sellers from their sustainable canned collection .

www.yardsalepizza.com 9 Lordship Lane, SE22 8EW

From £59 | www.levanlondon.co.uk 12-16 Blenheim Grove, SE15 4QL

£70 | www.ninelivesbar.com/shop 8 Holyrood St, London SE1 2EL

JULIET’S: YOUR NEW MOST DIALLED NUMBER Juliet’s Quality Foods is one of those south London spots that’s so good, you stop yourself from telling people about it just in case you can’t get a table next time. Love brunch, cakes and really, really good iterations of both? Then Juliet’s your kinda gal.

Praise be for her new delivery service, via which you can load up on smoked potato omelettes with whipped chèvre & leek ash, poached eggswith espresso and fermented chilli hollandaise, and that pistachio yuzu slice. There’s even a sloe gin and avocado pip slushie on the menu. Here’s to never going out again.

London Bridge-based Kin + Deum have won legions of fans with their clean Thai cuisine.

Everything on the menu is refined sugar, gluten, dairy and MSG-free - but don’t let that put you off, because it’s delicious. Honest. Enjoy the best of the restaurant at home, with a freshly cooked three-course meal box for two that comes with complimentary plant tonics and dishes that actually detoxify as you eat them. Basically meditation via your mouth.

From £42 | www.kindeum.com 2 Crucifix Lane, SE1 3J

YOU’VE GOT NEGRONI-MAIL This has been the kind of year in which it’s helped to always have a stiff drink within easy reach; better still, a litre. So three cheers for Asterley Brothers, a south London-based distillery run by siblings Rob and Jim that specialises in hand-crafted vermouth, amaro and fernet aperitifs - now delivering 10-serving pouches of pink or rhubarb negronis to see you through whatever the rest of 2020 has in store. Bottoms up to the apocalypse. £44.95 | www.asterleybros.com

KRICKET (KEEPS) COMING HOME Breaking news: legendary Brixton-born Indian eatery Kricket will be continuing their at-home delivery service throughout December. This is very, very good news - we could all use Welsh lamb leg korma, Keralan fried chicken and smokey, soulful aubergine bharta to help see off the chilly winter nights ahead.

www.juliets.london 110 Mitcham Road, Tooting Broadway, SW17 9NG

www.kricket.co.uk 41-43 Atlantic Road, SW9 8JL

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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from all of us at

F.A. Albin & Sons 52 Culling Road, Rotherhithe, SE16 2TN

020 7237-3637 / 2600 / 6366 www.albins.co.uk

CHRISTMAS Shopping

december 2020

You've got mail Borough Market launches ‘Borough

by Post’ and national delivery

Produce on offer includes: ‘VIP Michelin starred’ fruit and veg boxes from Turnips Free range chicken, steak and vegan pies from Pieminister

L

ondon’s iconic Borough Market has launched a carbon neutral postal delivery service for food lovers across the UK. As an addition to the Borough Market Online local delivery service for London-based customers, Borough by Post means that high quality food and drink from some of the Market’s best loved traders is now available nationwide for a single delivery fee.

Borough Market stayed open throughout the second lockdown so shoppers could safely buy food to cook and eat at home, while traders, restaurants and cafes served hot food for takeaway.

Ordering online via Borough Market’s website, customers can choose from a delicious range of cheese, cured meats, fresh fruit and vegetables, pies, bread, drinks and store cupboard ingredients, as well as four specially curated festive hampers.

The hampers, packaged in reusable hessian Borough Market bags, include a mulled wine set,

Fine wines from Cartwright Brothers

sweet treats and a luxury Christmas selection.

In response to the pandemic, Borough Market has extended its online delivery zone to ten miles, with goods delivered by zero-emission electric bike and hybrid vehicles. The new Borough by Post service enables shoppers around the country to order their favourite treats from up to 20 of the Market’s expert traders with a single consolidated delivery charge.

Click and collect is also available from the market up until 9pm each day for customers who cannot shop during the usual hours.

Managing director at Borough Market Darren Henaghan said: “As London’s oldest food market, we’re committed to providing an essential service for customers living and working nearby…This new and expanded service means that people can still get their favourite comfort foods and special treats– and those who’ve read about us but never

Mushroom pate from Pate Moi Prosciutto di parma from The Parma Ham & Mozarella Stand Gluten free salami from Bianca Mora First flush Darjeeling from Tea2You London Raclette from Kappacasein Sourdough starter kits from Bread Ahead Handmade organic spelt pasta from Pastificio Carleschi Roasted cobnuts from Food & Forest

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had the chance to pop in can now try some of our wonderful food without having to leave their homes.”

Borough Market is open for business from Monday to Saturday with social distancing measures in place. The produce Market now extends into the ‘Green Market’ area with take away hot food available from the Borough Market Kitchen traders.

To order online visit www.goodsixty.co.uk/borough-market #YourBoroughMarket @boroughmarket http://boroughmarket.org.uk

The Mathnasium Method™

“Children don’t hate maths. They do hate being confused and intimidated by maths. With understanding comes passion and with passion comes growth – a treasure is unlocked.” ―Larry Martinek―

For more than a decade, the Mathnasium Method™ has transformed the way children understand and appreciate maths. Larry Martinek, creator of the Mathnasium Method, has spent 40+ years designing, developing and refining this approach based on his extensive experience teaching maths to children. In your local Mathnasium centre located on the Lordship Lane, we build maths knowledge upon what they already know - this helps them learn quickly and boosts their confidence right away.

How It Works

Our proprietary method consists of three key components which are closely monitored and adjusted to address each child’s learning goals: Assessments: Students start by taking a customised assessment which pinpoints their needs, allowing us to meet them where they are and take them where they need to go. These assessments continue throughout their Mathnasium instruction to ensure progress and skill retention.

• The Mathnasium Method™ is based on 40+ years of research and testing.

• Comprehensive assessments pinpoint strengths and weaknesses.

• Helps children catch up or get ahead.

• Boosts marks and test scores.

• Compatible with, and complementary to, school education.

• Homework help available each session.

We never set homework.

• Independent studies prove our results.

Mathnasium of Dulwich 020 8299 1171 • mathnasium.co.uk/dulwich 354 - 356 Lordship Lane. London, SE22 8LZ dulwich@mathnasium.co.uk

Customised Learning Plans: We then design a customised learning plan for teaching the concepts the student needs to master and use a combination of proprietary materials and instruction techniques to ensure your child masters these concepts.

Specially Trained, Caring Instructors Who Teach: Mathnasium’s specially trained instructors implement the learning plan and work with each student to ensure they master the material. All teaching takes place during the Mathnasium session and we don’t assign homework.

the last word

december 2020

A love letter to south London Cara Cummings

G

Q’s style and grooming director Teo van den Broeke is one of the chicest men to call south London home. The affable writer - twice winner of The Fashion Monitor's Long Lead Journalist of the Year award - shares his favourite spots on our side of the river, from Brunswick House in Vauxhall to M&S on the Walworth Road...

 Interviewing

fashion designer Paul Smith for British GQ Favourite south London pub?

The Sun in Camberwell holds a very special place in my heart because I used to live directly behind it and spent a good few nights of every week in their excellent beer garden getting merry and eating salt and vinegar crisps with my best mates.

Where do you shop in south London yourself?

Sadly the shop I spend the most time in is probably Marks & Spencer on Walworth Road, but I also love the art shop - Cowling & Wilcox - in Camberwell. I love all the antique shops in Crystal Palace. I’ve spent many a happy Saturday afternoon rummaging around in that neck of the woods. I also love the Nunhead Gardener garden centre. Plants always make good gifts.

How has south London changed since you’ve lived here?

Immeasurably, but it’s also barely at all. The Walworth Road is as down and dirty as it’s ever been, and Dulwich is as brilliantly hoity toity as ever, too. Camberwell feels like it’s got more to offer in the way of food which I love, but it’s not lost any of its soul.

I love how Burgess Park has changed during the years that I’ve lived in Camberwell. It’s the place where I run and where I go to sunbathe in the summer. It’s not perfect but it’s my park. I also really love Myatt’s Fields - but mainly for snooping at the mansions which surround it.

I could be sat at my desk, on deadline, trying to write a review of a fashion show. It’s very varied. My offices have always been in Soho or Mayfair, so crossing the river southwards feels like an escape.

How long have you lived in south London?

I’ve lived in South London ever since I moved here from Surrey, where I grew up (ignoring a brief spell house sitting in Camden). I chose Camberwell because it felt a bit edgier than Clapham but still close enough to my family that it was easy for them to visit. I love my little corner of South London because it’s unpretentious, perpetually surprising and coincidentally many of my closest friends have ended up here too.

Top south London restaurants?

My favourite restaurant when I want a special dinner or need somewhere to celebrate my birthday is Brunswick House in Vauxhall. The chef and proprietor Jackson Boxer is a friend and he always makes me and the people I love feel incredibly welcome. For a more grassroots experience you can’t beat Hot Stuff, also in Vauxhall. Their curries are the stuff of legend. For pizza, Theo’s in Camberwell is excellent. Fowld’s Cafe just off Addington Square, behind Burgess Park, is situated in an old upholsterer’s and the coffee is really excellent.

What made you want to move here?

I feel like South London is my home - my safe space - while north of the river is where work happens.

Typical weekdays don’t really exist in my line of work, which means that in non-pandemic periods I could be travelling in Europe or the States, or indeed

 With

David Beckham at the launch of his Peaky Blinders/ Kent and Curwen collaboration collection

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How would you describe south London in a nutshell?

Easy going, happy with itself, a breeding ground for diamonds in the rough.

Finally: what’s the thing on our side of the river that everyone should try at least once?

The chilli paneer from Hot Stuff.

 At

the Fashion Awards at Vogue House with Andrew Scott

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