The South Londoner - December 2021

SOUTH LONDonER December 2021

Issue 9

pARK'S LIFE HERNE HILL's park's edge CHEF ALEX FOFANA ON HOW FINE DINING HAS SHAPED HIS WORLD

contents

december 2021

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.

Contents ―

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

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.

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Home secretary

London Bridge’s Christmas by the River, Brixton’s Black Culture Market and Christmas karaoke on the Old Kent Road.

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Local faces

Crystal Palace ceramic artist Aliya Rashid on how pottery changed her life.

12 Family

Editor

Laura Burgoine

Deputy Editor

Cara Cummings

Design

Lizzy Tweedale, Dan Martin, Aurelio Medina

Marketing

Tammy Jukes, Clarry Frewin, Sophie Ali, Katie Boyd

Media Partnerships

Anthony Phillips

Finance

Emrah Zeki

Managing Directors

Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn

Pantos, floating films, the Fir Tree at the Globe & more!

16-24 Food and drink

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All the latest café, bar and restaurant bitesize news, and a kitchen confidential with the head chef of Herne Hill’s Park's Edge Bar.

24-33 Best in show

Pantos, plays and must-see productions this festive season.

46 Christmas all wrapped up

Contact us ―

A Crystal Palace makers' market and a splashy new cabaret for Woolwich.

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Locally sourced

Email southlondonermag@gmail.com

Hand-made beauties from a local artist. Her muse? The Crystal Palace dinosaurs!

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A love letter to south London

Power player and Forbes and Lomax founder Serena Herbert loves walking the dogs round Wandsworth Common, Skylark Café, shopping trips on Northcote Road and the views from the Garden Museum’s roof terrace.

Phone

020 7231 5258

Twitter @southlondonmag Instagram thesouthlondoner Website thesouthlondoner.co.uk

Printed by Ilif fe Print Published by Southwark Newspaper Ltd

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claykilncraft Pottery Teaching School + Open Access Membership + Commissions

Pottery classes, courses & open access studio

1-22 December

theatrepeckham.co.uk 020 7708 5401

We are a small independent pottery teaching school offering one-off classes, longer courses and open access membership studio for beginners, enthusiasts, amateurs and semi-professionals in a friendly and relaxed environment.

Check out our website or email for details of all the fab classes & courses we have coming up in 2022

facebook: Clay Kiln Craft at Do and Play twitter: @ClayKilnCraft instagram: @claykilncraft phone: 07976 290735 web: claykilncraft.com email: claykilncraftpottery@gmail.com 20 Church Road, Crystal Palace, London SE19 2ET

december 2021

HOME SECRETARY

The local line-up for your diary ― Cara Cummings

LIVE BAND KARAOKE: 2021 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Reckon you've got the swagger of Jagger? Grab your chance to reach musical nirvana at Live Band Karaoke’s whopping Christmas special. Belt out bangers from Dolly Parton to Metallica, live on stage, backed by a sensational 5 piece band - and in front of a supportive crowd. At this jingle-belling festive special, expect seasonal classics from the likes of the Pogues, Mariah Carey and Wham, plus mulled wine aplenty ... the perfect start to the party season.

Friday 17 December, 7pm. AMP Studios, 897a Old Kent Road, SE15 1NL. £7 advance tickets, £10 on the door. www.livebandkaraoke.london p Live band karaoke

CHRISTMAS BY THE RIVER London Bridge’s charming Christmas market opens along the Thames again this month. Stretching from London Bridge City Pier to The Scoop at More London, the free festivities include food stalls serving everything from Punjabi to Greek, Mexican and Brazilian bites; shopping options from homeware to Viking-inspired grooming products; and pop-up winter bars The Riverside Lodge and Festive Spirit, where you’ll find seasonal cocktails to fuel your good cheer.

16 November - 2 January. Free. www.londonbridgecity.co.uk

BLACK CULTURE MARKET AT THE DEPARTMENT STORE

DULWICH COMEDY EXPERIENCE

On Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 December, Black Culture Market will be taking over Brixton’s The Department Store with a special Christmas shopping experience supporting emerging entrepreneurs and new black businesses. You’ll find a unique selection of brands and products ranging from clothing to food, stationary, prints, books, skincare, ceramics, jewellery and more, with different traders on each day.

Award-winning comedy company Plosive returns to Dulwich with a sensational lineup of comedians this month. Taskmaster champion, Off Menu podcast co-host and star of Live at the Apollo Ed Gamble headlines, with support from Taskmaster’s Desiree Burch, Mock the Week star Catherine Bohart and Rob Delaney’s Stand Up Central star Rob Auton. Not to be missed - and unsurprisingly, only for those aged 18+.

4 and 5 December, 11am-5pm. 248 Ferndale Road, SW9 8FR. www.blackculturemarket.co.uk

Friday 10 December, 8-10.30pm. The MCT Theatre, Alleyn’s School, Townley Road, SE22 8SU. £18.70, book via www.plosive.co.uk

THE HUNT FOR THE SMOKING CATERPILLAR - NINTH LIFE, CATFORD

AGE UK’S 12-HOUR DANCEATHON Boogie for a good cause at Brixton Brewery’s tap room on Tuesday 7 December, at Age UK Lambeth’s 2021 Christmas Campaign fundraiser - an epic 10am-10pm Danceathon! Whether you’re a street dancer, ballet bod, swing jazz sensation or just love a good shimmy, the event promises top DJs, drinks, snacks and front row supporters to cheer you on.

Every penny raised will support those in need in our local area. Email zoe@ageuklambeth.org to book your time slot, and may the rhythm truly move you!

Drink, play and be merry in this brilliantly bonkers mash up of immersive theatre, escape rooms and murder mystery, staged across several floors at one of south London’s most innovative venues. Players guide their own story on this fantastical wonderland adventure, where you'll receive missions, interrogate actors and and encounter characters like Beadle Dum, whose marbles were lost at a particularly mad Mad Hatter's party; Poppy Stamp, the bashful beauty with no tongue, and Tumeric Gin, the alchemist who lost her beloved dodo… Easily the most original Christmas party idea in London this year - with a drink included.

Tuesday 7 December, 10am-10pm, Arch 548 Brixton Station Rd, SW9 8PF. Free

20 November, then 2 and 4 December, 7-10pm.

167 Rushey Green, SE6 4BD. £32, book via www.ninthlife.pub

 The Hunt for the Smoking Caterpillar, Ninthlife, Catford

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DON’T MISS THIS CHRISTMAS CRACKER OF A FAMILY SHOW

1 4 NOV – 31 DEC Written and adapted for the stage by Julian Clary Songs by Julian Clary and Simon Wallace Arrangements and incidental music by Simon Wallace

A Unicorn Theatre Production | The Bolds is generously supported by Charles Holloway

Directed by Lee Lyford

local faces

december 2021

Breaking the mould ― As told to Cara Cummings

Ceramic artist Aliya Rashid is the founder and owner of Clay Kiln Craft, a training and membership pottery studio in Crystal Palace.

She shares the incredible story of how pottery changed her life - and how she built one of south London’s most thriving creative communities, single handed...

I

first did pottery at college in Middlesbrough, which is where I grew up. I absolutely fell in love with it, and thought: this is what I want to do. But my father, like any good Asian father, was having none of it. “No child of mine is going to make pots for a living!” So I ended up doing a graphic design degree. I did the things you’re ‘supposed’ to do - got a job, got married, bought a house – and pushed pottery to the back of my mind, because I knew that if I went back to it, I couldn’t not do it.

Then life happened; divorce, moving... I got offered a very good job as deputy art director on a national newspaper. That’s when I stopped and thought: I can’t do this. I immediately signed up to a pottery evening class in Norwood. I can still remember that class - I walked in, said hello, and just started making. I was like a woman possessed!

I’m actually a very ‘graphic design’ person everything is rigid and lines up, all in its proper place. Normally my herbs and spices are in alphabetical order. Suddenly touching this material which couldn’t be precise was so liberating. I could zone out, and be out of my head just creating something. That’s what I love about pottery. It’s used in therapy for a reason - it allows you to express yourself without thinking you’re going deep, whilst you actually are.

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december 2021

I signed up for a five-day course at Camberwell College because I knew I couldn’t stop - and then I applied for a full degree, just thinking: “What’s the worst that can happen?” I took every portfolio I had with me to the interview. The poor tutor didn’t know what had hit him! I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. I came out with first class honours.

But there was an almighty crash afterwards.

I lay on the sofa thinking: what am I going to do with my life? I eventually managed to get myself a studio space in Gipsy Hill where I could keep making pottery. Another woman in the studio, who was moving to the US, did some teaching for adults with special needs in Wimbledon. She recommended that I take her place. I did a six-week course with these lovely students, all of mixed abilities.

It was a baptism of fire in terms of teaching, dealing with people who are physically, emotionally and mentally challenged. I had no experience whatsoever which was probably the best way to do it! One student, who couldn’t communicate verbally, didn’t want to participate. I realised that he didn’t like having dirty hands, so we gave him gloves - and he just thrived.

When he hugged me at the end of the course, it made the whole thing worth it. I knew I wanted to carry on teaching.

My mother helped me buy my first three wheels. I started teaching on Saturday afternoons in Crystal Palace, and moved to our current studio space in early 2015. I can remember standing outside in the rain, handing out leaflets I’d printed at home.

Every spare second was spent trying to let people know I was here. Up until fairly recently, I was doing the cleaning, emptying the bins and teaching - all alongside a full time job. I’m still not sure how I did it without the help I have now from my lovely team. It was incredibly hard work, but it was mine. That’s what you do when it’s your business: you sacrifice, because it’s yours.

Also - if you live in an area that you love, there’s nothing better than being able to work in that area too. Crystal Palace is very unique in that most of the shops are independent. There’s a huge amount of creativity in the air. I like that I know the name of every single one of our members - I know their style, I know their strengths and weaknesses. I could move to a bigger premises, but I don’t want to lose that personal touch.

The studio offers an open access model - it’s like a gym membership, so people pay a monthly fee to use the facilities. We provide tools, equipment and technical advice, especially if they’re fairly new.

You can spot people who are really going to fly because they’ve got so much grit and determination.

local faces

There’s one member who was able to give up her full-time job in just two years. She’s in every day, working hard and improving her technique, and she’s become very successful. She's really inspiring.

It’s bittersweet though, because when someone becomes professional they leave to set up their own studio. But then someone else comes in, and the whole cycle starts again.

I think one of the special things is when you make a friend for life. The studio is its own ecosystem, a whole little community. It’s very supportive. I feel so fortunate that members get along so well - it’s lovely to think I’ve helped that by creating this space for people to meet each other, when they might not otherwise have crossed paths.

It’s all the lovely touches around pottery that really make it special.

At one point in a hand building course I had three bereaved mothers, who had all told me privately about their loss. It took 5-6 weeks to tell each other. They sat and discussed the experience as they were making work. It was a moment of catharsis for them.

At the other end of the spectrum - one woman who had just been dumped by her long term boyfriend started making loads of vaginas… That was odd, opening the kiln and finding all these vaginas looking at me. I think she was just nursing a broken heart!

I’m really positive about the future. If you can survive a pandemic, you can survive most things. I feel very fortunate to have something that makes me this happy, but I want to be doing it a bit more full-time and have time to do my own work as well.

That’s what’s missing at the moment. I’m getting itchy fingers.

Clay Kiln Craft, 20 Church Rd, London SE19 2ET http://claykilncraft.com/ p Inside the studio

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Green Living with Style

New plant stock arriving daily.

House Plants ∙ Balcony & Garden Plants ∙ Terrariums ∙ Bulbs ∙ Pots & Planters ∙ Plant Care Products ∙ Gardening Accessories ∙ Books ∙ Greeting Cards ∙ Vases & Home Decoration ∙ Candles ∙ Gifts ∙ Gift-cards

Large selection of pots and planters, including designs by Serax, Gisella Graham and Sass & Bell.

Beautifully fragranced, eco-friendly candles from natural soy wax.

Distinctive and unique vases and home accessories.

We are happy to offer any help or advice you need

Books to browse at your leisure.

We are your local, friendly, independent plant shop. We offer high quality plants at competitive prices and will always strive to offer our customers new and rare species, as well as reintroducing some old favourites. Relax, walk around, and enjoy your visit.

232 Walworth Road SE17 1JE ∙ Tel: 0207 703 4141 ∙ Email: plantsocietree@gmail.com

www.plantsocietree.com

Opening Hours - Monday to Saturday 10:00 – 18:30 Sunday 11:00 – 17:00

family

december 2021

A magical family Christmas ― Cara Cummings

p Bach to baby ©Jack Woodhouse

DICK WHITTINGTON AT STANLEY ARTS

BACH TO BABY FESTIVE FAMILY CONCERTS

Pantomime specialists Petite Pantos have created a brand new show specially for Norwood community arts centre, Stanley Arts. A young boy is on his way to London to seek his fortune. All he has in the world is his faithful best friend, a cat, and his heart full of dreams. Are the streets of South London paved with gold or will Dick find other riches?

Book your tickets to find out…

Critically acclaimed classical music company Bach To Baby stage concerts for all the family. Their festive programme includes a ‘Christmas at the Ballet’ event in East Dulwich this December. Enjoy highlights from Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty, played live by professional musicians. Kids can roam free and dance to their heart’s content. Fancy dress encouraged!

18-28 December, 7-9pm. 12 South Norwood Hill, SE25 6AB. Tickets from £10. www.stanleyarts.org

14 December, 10.30am. St. John the Evangelist, 62A East Dulwich Road, SE22 9AT. £15 for adults, kids go free. www.bachtobaby.com

CHRISTMAS FLOATING FILM FESTIVAL London’s cosiest floating cinema pops up once more in St. Katharine Docks this December, with a full lineup of stellar Christmas classics. Afternoon matinees of Arthur Christmas and The Muppet Christmas Carol are perfect for all the family, whilst 7pm screenings of Elf and Love Actually are the ideal excuse to let bigger kids stay up late…

THE FIR TREE AT THE GLOBE South Bank’s iconic wooden ‘O’ returns to its roots with a beautiful reimagining of the Hans Christian Anderson fairytale The Fir Tree, which tells the story of Christmas from the point of view of a tree. This gorgeous production combines song and candlelight under starry winter skies. Truly magical.

p Shakespeare's Globe ©Pete Le May

20-30 December, 3pm and 6.30pm. 21 New Globe Walk, SE1 9DT. Standing tickets £5, seated from £15; half price seated tickets for under-16s. www.shakespearesglobe.com

Various dates from 29 November. Tickets from £15. www.skdocks.co.uk

THE WONDERFUL, THEATRE PECKHAM

CIRCUS 1903

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz gets a very special south London twist this Christmas, in Theatre Peckham’s delightful seasonal show. When Efe and her dog TikTok are swept off Peckham Road by a spectacular storm, they find themselves in the magical African land of Ozanda, where a Mannequin scarecrow, a Cyborg tin man and the Man Man - aka The Lion join them on a fantastical adventure… Unmissable.

Inspired by classic circuses of the turn-of-thecentury era, Circus 1903 is well worth a family trip this Christmas. Expect acrobats, contortionists, trapeze artists, a death-defying high-wire act and sensational life-sized elephants created by the puppeteers behind War Horse, in this wonderful homage to the golden age of big top. Suitable for ages 3+.

1-22 December, various times. 221 Havil Street, SE5 7SB. Tickets from £10. www.theatrepeckham.co.uk

16 December - 2 January, various times. Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. Tickets from £25. www.southbankcentre.co.uk

p Floating Film Festival

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Where: Castle Square, Elephant and Castle, SE17 1EU When: Saturday 27th November from 2pm - 6pm The Christmas Grottos will also be open 4th, 11th, 18th December 12-4pm

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There will also be food, Christmas carols, and performances by the local community.

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@castlesquarelondon

castlesquarelondon

y r r e M mas t s i r Ch from Shop unique, handmade Christmas gift ideas!

Lush Designs

Mama Little’s Rum Cake

Suzie Lee Knitwear

ARTS CRAFTS VINTAGE STREET FOOD Nearest Station DLR Cutty Sark

#greenwichmarket

www.greenwichmarket.london

Naturally colourful organic baby & toddler clothing

www.lucyandsam.com Find us on instagram @lucyandsamlondon

MILLWALL

CHRISTMAS PARTY

LET’S CELEBRATE TOGETHER BUFFET DJ

Friday 10th December | 7pm - Midnight Executive Lounge at The Den £20 per person

(Over 18s only)

Join us for a ready-made Christmas party night at The Den, ideal for smaller groups of colleagues, friends or family looking for a merry night out.

This is the perfect way to kick-start your festive celebrations!

Tickets can be purchased online at millwalltickets.com

food & drink

december 2021

ALL-VEGGIE MALLOW OPENS IN LONDON BRIDGE

Bitesize ― Cara Cummings

p Nordic winter brunch at Vauxhall food and beer garden

FESTIVE MENUS AND A NEW EXHIBITION AT PALADAR Gluten-free Latin American restaurant Paladar has launched its festive menus and a fantastic exhibition of Ecuadorian artist Ulises Valarezo’s brightly coloured oil paintings in one delicious drop. Seasonal feasting highlights include seared coconut-chilli prawns on blue corn tortilla with mango salsa, ‘Carne en Posta’ - braised black beef, palm sugar and tamarind reduction with Colombian sour cream and hibiscus-infused plantain - and banana and chocolate bread pudding, with smoked cinnamon ice cream.

All to be enjoyed alongside Valarezo’s stunning, allnew paintings - which are available to purchase, too.

Make haste to this sparkling hub of Latin American hospitality before they’re all snapped up...

NORDIC WINTER BRUNCH AT VAUXHALL FOOD AND BEER GARDEN

WINTER GARDEN AT FLAT IRON SQUARE London Bridge’s archway food-n’-booze extravaganza Flat Iron Square - the best of its kind in the capital, as you’re asking - also leaps upon the Christmas wonderland wagon this month. Stable-style party booths, a giant ski lodge dishing out salted caramel espresso martinis, gingerbread old fashioneds and seasonal St. James’, and 80 - yes 80 - pine trees await.

Grab your Christmas jumpers and get booking, stat.

Vauxhall’s urban oasis is transforming into a Scandinavian wonderland for the festive season, with four very special Nordic brunches planned for merrymakers. Expect snow-capped pine trees, an open fire pit for marshmallow roasting and bottomless Christmas cocktails or frosted steins. It’s a proper winter getaway - handily on the Victoria line.

27 November, then 4, 11 and 18 December; 12pm-5pm or 5.30pm-10pm. 6a South Lambeth Place, SW8 1SP. From £15pp. www.vauxhallfoodbeergarden.com

16 November - 23 December. Flat Iron Square, SE1 1TD. www.flatironsquare.co.uk

The team behind iconic vegetarian restaurant Mildred’s have opened a brand new, fully plantbased eatery in Borough Market. And boy, does it sound delicious. Main menu dishes include porcini truffle croquettes with leeks and aioli, a plum plant ‘chicken’ burger and kumquat lemon meringue pie. Weekend brunches promise apple cinnamon pancakes and a Market Brunch stuffed full of goodies from traders on Mallow’s doorstep. And with a limited waste policy and sustainable sourcing structure, eating at Mallow has a minimal impact on the environment, too.

1 Cathedral Street, SE1 9DE. www.mallowlondon.com

ALPINE AFTERNOON TEA AT SHANGRI-LA Fancy a taste of Austria this Christmas? Head up to Level 35 at The Shard, where TING restaurant are laying on an Alpine afternoon tea featuring freshly made savoury treats, baked scones and delicate Austrian inspired pastries, including sachertorte and Black Forest gâteaux; all served with panoramic views of the city. Well worth splashing out.

31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9QU. From £62. www.ting-shangri-la.com

4-5 London Road, SE1 6JZ. www.paladarlondon.com

‘PRO-PLANET’ PUB OPENS IN CLAPHAM

LITTLE LOUIE OPENS IN ELEPHANT PARK South London cafe royalty Louie Louie - when you know, you know - have opened a new venue, a hop, skip and caffeinated jump away from their Walworth Road HQ. You’ll find Little Louie at Elephant Stores, a new independent gift emporium and bike repair shop in Elephant Park. The cafe bar features daily fresh bites, hifi sounds and vintage furniture for sale, as well as natural wines and local beers to go.

Just in case you need an extra excuse to hit the pub, The Pig’s Head has opened in Clapham - with a serious sustainability mission. With its own composter, 100% sustainable electricity and a commitment to upcycle or reuse everything in the pub that they can, a pint at The Pig’s Head packs an eco-friendly punch. Their daily changing menu, featuring meat products butchered on-site and produce from farmers using regenerative methods, is well worth a look whilst you’re at it…

Elephant Stores, 14 Ash Avenue, SE17 1GQ. www.elephantpark.co.uk

87 Rectory Grove, SW4 0DR. www.thepigshead.com p Little Louie at Elephant Park

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Finest drop of gin I've tasted, ever!

The best gin I've ever had, and I've tried a few!

Absolutely outstanding. By far the most amazing gin I've ever tasted!

Being a Bombay/Tanqueray man, all I can say is, your gin surpasses both!

food & drink

december 2021

“When I’m in the kitchen, service is my number one priority” ―

By Cara Cummings

Alex Fofana is Head Chef at Herne Hill’s cosiest neighbourhood eatery, Park’s Edge Bar & Kitchen. The affable, focused foodie shares how fine dining has shaped his life - and gives a sneak peek of his incredible 2021 festive menu…

Tell us about your background as a chef.

Let’s start at the beginning! I studied at college in France in 1992. In 1998, I moved to London. My first restaurant was Le Caprice - I started there as an apprentice, then moved up to chef de partie. From Le Caprice, I went to the National Gallery. The head chef there sent me around fine dining restaurants, including Le Manoir with Raymond Blanc where I spent six months. I went to Paternoster Chophouse, and the Taj Hotel in Victoria; I got my two first rosettes there. I worked with Alain Ducasse in Paris, and spent five years in Teddington as head chef at Dunbar Restaurant in the Lensbury Hotel. From there I said: ‘Ok, too far from home!’ I started to look somewhere closer to Kennington, where I live.

That’s how I joined Park's Edge.

What’s the inspiration behind your menus at Park’s Edge Bar & Kitchen?

The restaurant has been open for four years. I started in May this year, just after the last lockdown.

All the menus you’ll see now are my creation.

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food & drink

We are situated between Brixton and Herne Hill.

It’s a really multicultural area - British, European, Caribbean, African… That’s a great challenge, to serve such a mixed crowd. My menu is modern British infused with West Indian recipes and ingredients. That was exciting to put together.

African and Caribbean vegetables and species are very important to me. When I was younger I used to cook a lot with my grandmother. She was a lovely lady, and she taught me a lot about African sauces, and especially ackee. That’s one of our national dishes in the Ivory Coast. I still think about my grandmother, and my mum when I cook. They were the most important influences in my life. I miss them a lot.

december 2021

Whether you’re cooking beef loin or rib eye or chicken, that slow cook makes a big difference

What’s the reception been like?

Good! It’s been a challenge I’m happy to take on. Since we started, all the comments from customers on Open Table have been five stars.

Customers come and talk to me and say how happy they are, how satisfied they are by what we’re doing. We get good feedback from customers and we take it very seriously. When I’m in the kitchen, my service is my number one priority. That’s reflected in how the restaurant as a whole has been set up - its ambience. Our decor inside isn’t cluttered, it’s calm and sleek. It’s very cosy; the sort of place people want to relax in.

What’s your favourite Park's Edge Bar & Kitchen dish to cook - and eat?

My favourite dish to cook is the vegan breakfast menu we’ve created. We call it Calypso. It's one hundred percent vegan and vegetarian, and I’ve had a lot of good feedback for it. It has things like crushed avocado with ginger, coriander and shallots; we’ve got creamy spinach; we’ve got ackee; we’ve got sweet potato rosti. We make our own vegan hollandaise sauce from cashew nuts, turmeric, virgin olive oil, lemon juice and salt and pepper.

To eat, I love the lamb dish

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inspired by southern France. The chickpeas pannis is made with chickpea flour, butter, onion powder and fresh parsley - we mix it together and make a bechamel sauce. We braise red cabbage and slice the side of lamb, with skin that we crisp. We add a herb crust too. It’s absolutely delicious.

We also do a Sunday roast - we change it week by week. It might be chicken one weekend, then beef the next. All our Sunday roasts are slow-roasted for 14 hours. It makes a big difference - it keeps the meat moist, and when you take it out of the oven in the morning you still get nice red meat. Whether you’re cooking beef loin, or rib eye, or chicken, that slow cook makes a big difference.

What can customers expect from a visit to Park's Edge Bar & Kitchen?

December is all about our festive Christmas menu - it’s a signature blend of British, African and Caribbean flavours, like a curried jackfruit and chickpea pakora amongst the starters, and saffron poached monkfish in the mains. We’ve got turkey and all the trimmings, too - our turkey is slow-roasted for 14 hours, so it’s really special. The festive menu runs until the first week of January, and starts on the 24th November.

Alongside that menu, we’re going to have a set menu that will change every two weeks. Come back regularly to see what’s new!

Park's Edge Bar & Kitchen, 49 – 51 Norwood Road Herne Hill, SE24 9AA https://parksedgebarandkitchen.com/

South Londoner/Bermondsey Biscuit – 24&19 November – quarter page – 146mm by 120mm

SMITHFIELD MEAT MARKET top quality meat at unbelievable prices

turkey • poultry • game • pork • lamb • beef offal • sausages • bacon • halal • provisions

Order with Passage To India 20% off any order over £20 only through our official website or phone

CHRISTMAS TRADING HOURS Open midnight to 7am, Monday 13th to Friday 24th December, including Saturday & Sunday, then 29th to 31st December.

Nearest Underground stations — Farringdon or Barbican.

Free car parking for customers in the West Smithfield car park, EC1A 9DS 12th to 24th December between 9pm and 10am the following day.

The Market is closed 25th to 28th December and 1st to 3rd January.

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

www.smithfieldmarket.com

FREE HOME DELIVERY TEL: 020 8670 7602 232 Gipsy Road, Norwood, London, SE27 9RB www.passagetoindianorwood.co.uk

‘We’d like to thank you for your continued and valued custom.

May we take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2022.’

CHRISTMAS OPENING 2021 OPEN Christmas Eve Friday, December 24th until 4 pm CLOSED Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Monday, December 27th & Tuesday, December 28th.

OPEN Wednesday, December 29th, Thursday, December 30th, and New Year’s Eve Friday, December 31st until 4 pm.

RE-OPEN as usual on Tuesday, January 4th, 2022.

Last delivery date for online orders before Christmas: Thursday, December 23rd, 2021 Last delivery date for online orders before New Year: Thursday, December 30th, 2021 7-9 Westmoreland Road, Walworth, SE17 2AX Tel: 020 7703 4974 www.armentspieandmash.com

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Christmas theatre

december 2021

Roll Up! Roll Up! The ring master is coming to town David Williamson is a giant in all that he does. He waves away the numerous awards received for his magic skills with a dismissive “if you hang around long enough they feel they have to give you something.”

Circus 1903 has now toured all the continents and will be back for Christmas in London at the Southbank Centre.

The Ring Master tells of how the show has recreated what circus was like in the early part of the 20th century, and of “hardcore, sixth generation circus acts who, with each generation, take the act further artistically and physically and now do it at a much higher level.”

Circus 1903 looks like it will be quite a show again this year. Along with the world’s greatest puppet elephants, Queen and Peanut, will be the acrobats, The Russian Bar; The Daring Desafios; The Cycling Cyclone; The Elastic Dislocationist; The Flying Fredonis; Les Incredibles; The Great Gaston; The Sensational Sozonov; The Remarkable

Risleys and hula hoopist Mademoiselle Natalia. A gathering of greats that will amaze, captivate and transport audiences back to a Golden Age of circus.

David says: “Our show is a theatrical circus and families may not be prepared for the emotional experience of it all because we tell the whole story of a circus coming to town… The first half you see us getting the big top ready and rehearsing and caring for the elephants, with little vignettes that give backstories to the performers, and you add this to the music and lights and it is a real theatrical experience, so people really get caught up in it.

“In the second half, we do the circus with sideshow segments… It is thrilling, exciting, hilarious, a little scary, sweet, it’s touching, heartwarming and people leave the theatre buoyant.”

Circus 1903 is at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX from 16 December- 2 January.

Admission: £25- £85.Phone: 020 3879 9555. www.circus1903.com

Tony and Clive and Jack and the Beanstalk For the first time, Olivier-Award winner Clive Rowe and Hackney panto veteran Tony Whittle will co-direct and star in Hackney Empire’s 2021 pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk. Both making their 14th pantomime appearance, Grande Dame Clive Rowe will star as Dame Daisy Trott while Tony Whittle will play Councillor Higginbottom.

When happy-go-lucky Jack is tempted into selling his family’s beloved cow for a fistful of magic beans, he finds himself tangled in an adventure of epic proportions! Join Jack on his journey up an enchanted beanstalk as he tries to outwit a rampaging giant, all with the help of his largerthan-life mum.

This tall-tale is packed full of slapstick comedy, laugh-out-loud gags, stunning costumes, dazzling song and dance numbers and plenty of chances to cheer, boo and hiss.

Jack and the Beanstalk is at Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ from 20 November-2 January. Admission: £10-£42. Phone: 020 8985 2424. www.hackneyempire.co.uk  Circus

1903 ©Manuel Harlan

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theatre december 2021

Christmas theatre

A Grungy Christmas Carol Combining grungy cabaret with anarchic opera, the Olivier Award-winning post-punk pioneers, The Tiger Lillies, return to the Southbank Centre this Christmas with the UK premiere of a brand new concert inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Giving the novel a dark musical twist, the band dissect and reassemble the story that everyone knows to shine a light on the poverty and depravity laid bare on the cold London streets.

Founder of the band, Martyn Jacques, says “A Christmas Carol is another sad tale about poverty.

There was such an inequality of wealth at the time, death, depravity and addiction on the streets was commonplace. So for writers like Anderson and Dickens to underline and remind people of this inequality was a duty. Eventually welfare states were set up to help children and the vulnerable. Long may they continue!”

The Tiger Lillies’ Christmas Carol is at the Southbank Centre’s Purcell Room, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX from 14-30 December.

Admission: £18-£25. Phone: 0203 879 9555. www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Laughing hyenas at the Unicorn

 The

Tiger Lillies ©Daniela Matejschek

 Sleeping

Beauty ©Kate Darkins

Sleeping Beauty comes to Bromley Join West End star Lee Mead as The Prince, Bonnie Langford as The Good Fairy and Claudillea Holloway as Sleeping Beauty in this year’s Churchill Theatre panto, which also star Myra Dubois as Carabosse and Lloyd Hollett as Muddles.

Lee Mead shot to prominence after winning the BBC series Any Dream Will Do to take the role of Joseph in the West End in 2007. Lee returned to the West End in 2010 to take on the role of Fiyero in the musical Wicked to critical acclaim.

Sleeping Beauty is at Churchill Theatre, High Street, Bromley, BR1 1HA from 4 December- 2 January. Admission: £20-£44.

Phone: 0343 310 0020. www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

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Lee Lyford directs the world premiere of Julian Clary’s adaptation of his best-selling book The Bolds this Christmas.

The Bolds are just like you and me. They live in an ordinary house on an ordinary street, and they love to laugh. But there’s one slight difference. They are actually hyenas! But how long can they keep their beastly secret under their hats? Join Mr and Mrs Bold and their twins Betty and Bobby as they navigate work, school and friends whilst trying to hide their hairy tails and keep up their disguise living as humans in the quiet suburban town of Teddington. Whatever will the neighbours think?

Combining live music and songs, The Bolds will have you laughing like a bunch of, well, hyenas, in a show which revels in the joy of being anything but ordinary.

The Bolds is a family show for everyone aged 6+.

The running time is approximately 2 hours including an interval.

The Bolds is at the Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, SE1 2HZ from 14 November-31 December.

Admission: £12-£22. Phone: 020 7645 0560. www.unicorntheatre.com

december 2021

Christmas theatre

Twin doctors operate on squeamish kids Following three sell-out Australian tours, and a smash hit season in London’s West End, Dr Chris and Dr Xand are back with a brand new show Operation Ouch! Live on Stage - Not for the Squeamish!

The show is packed with all-new crazy experiments and amazing facts. The doctors explore the fascinating world of biology and show you the incredible things your body can do. Plus the doctors will also share their favourite bits from the award-winning TV show, including special video guest Dr Ronx.

Dr Chris and Dr Xand van Tulleken are identical twins who grew up in London and trained in medicine at Oxford University. They both still work in medicine: Dr Chris is based at University College London Hospital and Dr Xand is the Helen Hamlyn Senior Fellow at Fordham University’s Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs.

Operation Ouch! Live on Stage is at the Lyric Theatre, 29 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7ES from 4 December-16 January. Admission: £15-£39.50.

Phone: 0330 333 4812. operationouchlive.com

A panto for the grownups at Vauxhall’s LGBT+ theatre

A royal visit for Greenwich This year Greenwich Theatre’s legendary panto is back, bigger and more magnificent than ever with The Queen of Hearts.

Meet the Knave of Hearts, a bit of a joker who’s in love with the Princess of Diamonds. The only problem is, she’s already got a boyfriend – the Prince of Spades. Maybe the Queen’s secret jam recipe will win her over? But then there’s the King of Clubs who’s also desperate to get his hands on the secret recipe…

Following the Offie award-winning pantomime

After years of sell-out smashes Above the Stag’s acclaimed pantomime team are back with their rude, riotous and unashamedly romantic take on the ultimate London legend: Dick Whittington: A new Dick in town.

Like many a gay country lad, Dick comes to the big city in search of men and money. But just as Londoners are getting back on their feet, dastardly mayoral candidate Queen Rat and her minions rise up to bite them in the ankles! When she frames

Sleeping Beauty, The Queen Of Hearts is guaranteed to crack even the strongest of poker faces. This year’s production will see the return of writer, director and extraordinary Dame Andrew Pollard, London’s favourite villain Anthony Spargo, musical director (Uncle) Steve Markwick and brilliant designer Cleo Pettitt.

The Queen of Hearts is at Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, SE10 8ES from 19 November- 2 January. Admission: £16.50- £32. Phone: 020 8858 7755. www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk

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Dick for a terrible crime, Dick stiffens himself for a great adventure. Can he clear his name, win back his boy and defeat Queen Rat before she brings London to its knees - and not in a good way?

Packed with all the popular panto traditions, original songs and a cornucopia of dick jokes. Dick Whittington: A New Dick In Town is a fabulously filthy and hilariously happy winter treat.

Dick Whittington: A New Dick in Town runs from November 2-January 16 at Above the Stag Theatre and Bar, 72 Albert Embankment, SE1 7TP. Admission: November early bird: £24. All other £28. https://abovethestag.org.uk

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LUISA OMIELAN: SONG FEST CHRISTMAS WEEKENDER 10-11 December, 7.30pm

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Join your original hostess with the most-ess Luisa Omielan as she celebrates Christmas with two comedy shows with all the trimmings!

Expect stand-up, drag, singalongs, and a few surprises. Get ready to PARTY!

THE LITTLE PRINCE Saturday 4 December, 11am and 3pm This live, spoken and sung stage show by Luca Silvestrini’s Protein of the much-loved children’s story won a Best Family Event Award last year.

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BABY BROADWAY CHRISTMAS Sunday 11 December, 9.45am and 11.30am

WOW – IT’S AN OPERATIC CHRISTMAS Sunday 5 December, 2.15pm

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas at our festive family concert! Everyone’s welcome to sing and dance along to seasonal showtunes from hit musicals and Christmas films, all performed by West End singers.

Join live opera singers as they perform classics like Nessun Dorma and O mio babbino caro alongside Christmas favourites like O Holy Night.

SHOTGUN CAROUSEL PRESENTS THE GROTTEAUX 16 December - 8 January (incl. a New Year’s Eve Spectacular on Friday 31 Dec.), 8pm If you’re looking for the most glamorous way to celebrate this year’s festive season, look no further! Join London’s famed immersive-party makers Shotgun Carousel as they take to the stage with an array of star-studded variety performances set in their very own swanky, seasonal speakeasy. ********************************************** Check out our full line-up of shows at: www.woolwich.works The Fireworks Factory, 11 No. 1 Street, London SE18 6HD • 020 8035 8835

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december 2021

Christmas theatre

 Stephen

 The

Welcoming back the Ghosts of Christmas past

already, they don’t see it as a takeover; everyone gives their own take,” he says.

“We just did a little run though of act three and Stephen Mangan [who plays Ebenezer Scrooge] really stepped it up a notch so we’ve all got to up our game now!” Jack says. “Stephen’s got so many lines as Scrooge. When you’re rehearsing, it’s sort of like you have to nail a section, then it’s in your brain.

Watching Stephen is pretty special. He’s such a funny guy that when he goes darker, it’s very moving, very impressive.

“I always liked Dickens’ stuff, being a Londoner, and I often get cast in period pieces. I did a Dickensian TV show in the past,” Jack says. “I love the story. And I have seen this production of A Christmas Carol a couple of times, and worked at the Old Vic a couple of times too.”

This production of A Christmas Carol, adapted

by Jack Thorne, also happens to be a family affair.

“My sister Rose plays Little Fan so we get to work together, which is great. Our parents are really chuffed. It’s been a tough few years -I haven’t been on stage for four years- so this is really exciting,” Jack says.

Four children share the role of Tiny Tim -when we spoke, the rest of the adult cast was practising without the children who join later. “I’m looking forward to working with the kids. It really lifts the show up; it’s a really lovely element and one of the things that makes this show a real experience,” Jack says.

Having shared the stage with children previously in the West End production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which Jack did for a year, he knows what he’s in for. “The kids end up schooling you!” he says.

“I’m really loving playing Bob Cratchit,” Jack continues. “I love this idea that despite Scrooge being

Laura Burgoine 

Karen Fishwick ©Manuel Harlann

L

 Bridgette

Amofah

©Manuel Harlan

cast on stage ©Manuel Harlan

ast year might have felt a bit like the festive season was sponsored by Scrooge, but this year, as the Old Vic’s beloved production of A Christmas Carol returns with a live audience, the joy of the Cratchit Christmas is back!

The South Londoner sat down with actor Jack Shalloo, who plays Bob Cratchit in this year’s Matthew Warchus production.

The Old Vic production is a well oiled machine at this point, now in its sixth iteration. “The choreography is a lot,” Jack says. “It’s funny, playing Bob seems almost the easy part but you’ve got the singing, hand bells, and all the choreography. The hand bells are really hard to learn because you have your two notes and you’re just counting the rhythm, and you have to hear out bits of melody. I’m just on chords.”

Each year’s production takes on a life of its own, Jack says. “There’s still some room to play. The team are really great, although it’s a show that exists

33

 Jack

Mangan ©Manuel Harlan

Shalloo

quite mean, Bob’s got this unbreakable spirit. Yes he needs the job, he’s got to feed his family but it doesn’t break him. There’s a lovely scene at the Cratchit’s Christmas, where we see a slice of their life, and Tiny Tim and the kids are hiding, and we’re all playing and even though our food is meagre, we’re so grateful and there’s so much love in that scene.”

It’s a show that continues to gather steam.

In 2020, composer and arranger Christopher Nightingale won a Tony Award for Best Original Score for his incidental music for A Christmas Carol.

“The music is so clever,” Jack says. “I worked with Chris on Groundhog Day -I played one of the drunks in the bar- which was brilliant. It’s so great to be working with him again.”

Jack was fortunate to keep working throughout the pandemic. “I got a role in a Netflix film called Stay Close, which we filmed in Manchester. My partner and I did an advertisement for RightMove. I got really lucky,” he says.

This year’s production will still involve the much loved traditions of past shows, like Dickensian characters giving out minced pies to the audience -the pies will just be wrapped securely in line with Covid regulations.

“We know A Christmas Carol is selling well but there’s always that fear that people are still scared to go out after Covid. The Old Vic are very smart; we’re all feeling very safe and everything feels Covidsecure,” Jack says. “A Christmas Carol is a great show to come back to with the singing, dancing, music and timeless story. It’s a wonderful Christmas production to get families back into theatres.”

A Christmas Carol runs from November 13-January 8 at the Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 8NB. Phone: 0344 871 7628. Tickets: £20-£67.50. www.oldvictheatre.com

advertorial

december 2021

Something very exciting and magical is making its way to Streatham this Christmas

By InStreatham BID

T

he festive season is upon us, and here at InStreatham BID, we’re looking forward to the simple things – the comfort foods, time-honoured traditions, heartwarming gifts and cosy homes. Christmas in Streatham kicks off on Small Business Saturday - December 4th, when we host the annual Lights On Streatham event, and Father Christmas will turn on the Christmas lights at Babington Plaza; there will be festive stalls, mulled wine, carol singing and more!

In addition, we’re adding some more cheer to the streets to enhance your shopping experience, with an illuminated gift display outside the Odeon by Pendennis Road. The spectacular light display and enchanting Christmas trees make for a wonderful backdrop for your Christmas photos. You can capture it in all its glittering glory all through December, while shopping the high street or taking part in our family Festive Trail - a great way to get the kids out of the house over the holiday for some active fun.

After spending last Christmas under strict social restrictions, we hope you’re excited to get back on Streatham High Road to pick up some great finds from fresh produce at the local butchers and greengrocers, to buying gifts for friends and family.

If you’re stuck on where to start, pick up your copy of the Streatham Book of Christmas - your one stop shop for all your seasonal inspiration - from Streatham cafes and salons. With 12 pages packed full of marvellous ideas, gift guides for all the family, delectable festive treats and family time to entertain, there’s plenty to keep your Christmas days filled with brilliant activities and goings on in Streatham, from the ice rink to markets.

Here are a few ideas to help impress your friends and

family and stay loyal to locals this festive season.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without delicious food. A big fat turkey fresh out of the oven, with mountains of seasonal veg and lashings of gravy to indulgent handmade chocolates or a cheese board selection! Streatham is rich with such amazing flavours and this Christmas is no exception. ∙

∙

∙

Head to Hood for relaxed, informal festive dining at its best. From 1st – 23rd December their Christmas set menu is available for lunch and dinner, prepared with some of the UK’s finest produce including House cured Scottish salmon, Creedy Carver duck and a classic steamed figgy pudding. £40 for four courses. Group bookings are welcome, plus there's an extra- special New Year's Eve menu at £65, to see in 2022 in style.

67 Streatham Hill, SW2 4TX, hoodrestaurants.com Is there anything more festive than a hot mince pie?

Fragrant, succulent and delicious. Batch & Co is offering a rich and creamy christmas hot chocolate & mince pie for £5 and for kids, hot chocolate & christmas cupcake for £5 - this December only.

54 Streatham Hill, SW2 4RD, batchandco.com Make your celebration a party with a quiz, boozy bingo or Christmas games. Whether you’re planning a Christmas dinner with the family, a festive feast with friends, or their Blitz’n bottomless brunch, The Mere Scribbler has it all wrapped up.

Add 90 minutes of free-flowing fizz and fun for £25 per person – when you book one of their Christmas menus. (pre-order only). Or book your Christmas lunch or dinner Monday to Wednesday and receive

Hood restaurant p

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advertorial

Yogarise cork mat £59.99, Yogarise p p White or Copper Table Robin £16.99, The Indigo Tree

∙

three courses for the price of two.

426 Streatham High Rd, SW16 3PX, themerescribbler.co.uk An Italian Christmas in SW16 Bar & Kitchen awaits! Join them over the festive season, to make the most of the occasion by booking your bespoke dinner party. They have created a three-course menu as well as a canape and bowl food menu for the festive season ahead as well as a spectacular New Year Menu.

5 Streatham High Rd, SW16 1EF, sw16barandkitchen.com

For the after-work gift hunt, for the hard-to-buy-fors and last-minute list ticking... let us inspire you with some exclusive gifts from around Streatham. Remember, gift vouchers are a real treat to receive anytime of the year, so whether it's health and beauty, dining and drinks, fashion, or fitness you are thinking of, Streatham has it all!

 Rosewood knitted Reindeer dog toy £9, Dr Doolittles

p Bauli Colomba Tiramisù, £13.99, Thompson Deli

Mere Scribbler p

35

MAYOR OF SOUTHWARK’S COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION CONNECTED AT CHRISTMAS

The Worshipful the Mayor of Southwark, Councillor Barrie Hargrove Invites you to join him online at a Community Christmas Celebration at Southwark Cathedral via https://youtu.be/jO-mIhH5DjE Tuesday 14 December 2021. 7:00pm

OPEN EVENT 2 December|5-7.30pm on campus: clapham centre, sw4 9bl

F.A.A.

F A ALBIN & SONS Family Run Funeral Directors

020 7237 3637 ROTHERHITHE 52 Culling Road, London, SE16 2TN OUR OTHER BRANCH ADDRESSES ARE:

We would like to wish our customers a

Merry Christmas and a

Happy New Year

Serving the people of Bermondsey & Rotherhithe for over 200 years

WELLING 4 Welling Way, Welling, KENT, DA16 2RJ T: 020 8856 7514

DEPTFORD 164 Deptford High Street, LONDON, SE8 3DP T: 020 8694 1384

SIDCUP 163 Station Road, Sidcup, KENT, DA15 7AA T: 020 8308 0015

EAST LONDON 378 Barking Road, Plaistow LONDON, E13 8HL T: 020 7476 1861

MOTTINGHAM 54-56 Mottingham Road, London, SE9 4QZ T: 020 8857 0330 CRAYFORD 30-32 Crayford High Street, Crayford, KENT, DA1 4HG T: 01322 533012

WALWORTH 88 Brandon Street, LONDON, SE17 1ND T: 020 7313 6990

www.albins.co.uk

WHAT'S ON

Box office 020 8463 0100 • blackheathhalls.com •

THE NUTCRACKER SAT 11 DEC 1.30pm & 4pm SUN 12 DEC 11am & 1.30pm

DANNY BAKER

SAT 8 JAN 7.30pm SOLD OUT! SUN 9 JAN 7.30pm

KATHRYN ROBERTS & THE SMARTEST SEAN LAKEMAN GIANT IN TOWN SAT 20 MAR 8pm

SAT 19 MAR 1.30pm & 4pm SUN 20 MAR 2pm

BYE BYE BLUES BAND AN EVENING WITH The Farewell Tour JOHN ILLSLEY SAT 5 FEB 8pm SAT 30 APR 8pm

who said winter is dull?

Sign up today to Local Greens for your seasonal, local, organic veg & fruit bag localgreens.org.uk

BROOD RESTAURANT & BAR Mark Stembridge established Brood Restaurant in 1999.

Brood is now an institution in The London Borough of Southwark.

Mark was born into a family of restaurateurs, cooks and food lovers.

He has travelled extensively around the world working in various types of catering outlets and finally running his own very successful delicatessen in the UK. Along with his experiences he brings his mum’s extensive cooking knowledge and fabulous food she used to make.

Mark brought all of these qualities into the menu at Brood for you to enjoy.

Many of Brood’s team have also contributed towards the menu, drawing on their homeland cuisine, and we are very proud to include these in the menu.

Brood is located next to Southwark Cathedral, at the bottom of the steps leading into Borough Market from London Bridge.

We offer the best all year round outside eating experience, where you can break bread with friends in the heart of London.

Our cooking all happens outside in front of you on real flame charcoal grills, creating a theatre of cooking for our customers.

Being fully licensed, we serve a wide range of fine wines, beers and cocktails.

www.albins.co.uk BROOD WELCOMES EVERYONE

1-6 Green Dragon Court, Borough Market, SE1 9AW 020 7403 7500 • www.broodrestaurant.com

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PRAYER CHANGES SITUATIONS AND GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS

Prayer & Praise LUNCH HOUR

Everybody is welcome to pray for 5, 10, 20 minutes or more.

Light refreshment provided

GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS

Have you been affected by COVID-19 or anything else, physically, emotionally, or financially?

God grants our heart’s desires in answers to prayers. Some of His promises are: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.” 1 John 5:14-15

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:13-14 Effective prayer doesn’t need to be long or eloquent, just sincere, and asking for what God has already promised us in Jesus’ name.

New Covenant Church is facilitating prayers for anyone to ask for God’s help in whatever you are going through personally, and intervention in the problems of our cities and nation.

VENUE: NEW COVENANT CHURCH

EVERY WEDNESDAY

TIME: 12NOON - 1PM The church has the following facilities: • • • • • •

Healing rooms for prayers & counselling Food Bank, Tea and Coffee, Clothing Bookshop Youth & Children facilities Sunday English Service at 10am French & Spanish Services at 1pm

506 - 510 Old Kent Road, London SE1 5BA (Next to ASDA) Tel: 020 7231 9817 Em: bermondsey@newcovenant.org.uk @NCCBermondsey Website: nccbermondsey.org.uk 506-510 Old Kent Road, SE1 5BA (Next to Asda) Tel: 020 7231 9817 E: bermondsey@newconvent.org.uk W: nccbermondsey.org.uk @NCCBermondsey

december 2021

- LANTERN PROCESSION - FREE PROMENADE PANTO - CHRISTMAS MARKET - PRESENTS FOR CHILDREN - MEET SANTA IN HIS GREEN GROTTO AT WALWORTH GARDEN - CHRISTMAS REFRESHMENTS - LIGHTING UP OF THE PARK -

SATURDAY 11 DEC 4-8PM PASLEY PARK & WALWORTH GARDEN

43

B ST YOUR IMMUNITY THIS WINTER

WITH THE FLU VACCINE COVID-19 BOOSTER Flu and COVID-19 can both be life-threatening and spread more easily in winter. If you’re over 50 or in an at risk group, you are eligible for a free flu vaccine and a COVID-19 booster.

Get vaccinated. Get boosted. Get protected. nhs.uk/wintervaccinations

Christmas all wrapped up

december 2021

A crafty Crystal Palace Christmas The Handmade Palace Christmas Craft Market returns, this year hosted by the Paxton Centre Arts Space

O

n Sunday 5th December the market is joining in the commemoration events to mark 85 years since the famous Crystal Palace burnt down.

The Markets continue on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th December where people can shop for handmade gifts direct from the designers. The Markets will run from 10am to 5pm both days.

There’s 13 stallholders each day and different makers at each market, selling a wide range of beautiful handmade goods, including ceramics, jewellery, books, candles, homeware, soaps, glassware, millenary, illustrations, prints and so much more.

Crystal Palace Train Station is opposite while several bus routes stop outside. Parking can be found in the surrounding roads.

The licenced café will be open serving hot and cold drinks as well as hot food and seasonal favourites like fruit cake, mince pies, mulled wine and boozy hot chocolate. Customers will be offered a small complimentary mulled wine on arrival.

The Paxton Centre is a Covid-secure environment with a spacious interior, fresh air ventilation and hand sanitizing stations throughout.

Markets run on Sunday 5 December, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 December from 10am-5pm.

The Paxton Centre Arts Space, 52 Anerley Hill, SE19. www.thepaxtoncentre.co.uk

Life is a cabaret at Woolwich’s Grotteaux

S

hotgun Carousel’s Christmas extravaganza is all set to light up Woolwich Works this festive season. Hosted by burlesque star Lilly Snatchdragon and brought to you by the creative team behind the sell-outs Divine Proportions and Red Palace, expect a festive show for everyone with glitz, camp showbiz glamour, drag, cabaret, circus, magic, variety and comedy.

Dust off your baubles, dig out your sequins and step inside The Grotteaux for an outrageous cabaret-filled Christmas soirée and show like no other. To provide that classic cabaret feel, live music and original tunes will come from The Carousel’s House Band, with every night featuring a variety of special VIP guests.

The Grotteaux fuses an old school variety format with fresh exciting performance, putting

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a contemporary twist on some classic Christmas tropes. High-brow meets low-brow, opulent West End meets East London dive bar; The Grotteaux is a place where all walks of life can come, be entertained, eat, drink (with or without alcohol!) and be merry and enjoy a little seasonal magic.

This Christmas-shaped show reflects the experiences of Christmas and the festive season for people of many different backgrounds, genders, sexualities, races and religions (or lack thereof!). The House Cast and Band bring together a mixture of artists from a variety of backgrounds, heritages and identities – working class, middle class, East End, Essex, Yorkshire, Laos/Thai, white British, Black British Caribbean, dual heritage, Arab, trans, non-binary and more. Christmas can be a tricky time for everyone for a multitude of different reasons and The Grotteaux creates a world that audiences can step into and feel welcome. Surrounded by new family and friends, let’s shed the idea of a ‘perfect John Lewis’ Christmas and find new connections and common ground – what Christmas is all about, they argue.

Writer and director Molly Beth Morossa says “Everyone has a different experience

of Christmas and the festive season. The Grotteaux speaks to these different experiences, and validates all of them. I’m so proud to be collaborating with such talented and diverse artists to create an inclusive, welcoming festive show that will have something for everyone, including those who don’t necessarily fit the Perfect, White Christmas, John Lewis Ad, everyone singing together round the piano, Nuclear Family category. The LGBTQ+ community are well versed with the notion of chosen family, the cast of our show are chosen family, and we can’t wait to fling open the doors and welcome everybody in, regardless of sexuality, race, gender identity, religion, class or anything else! A show to bring some sparkle, joy and togetherness when we need it the most.”

The Grotteaux runs from Thursday 16 December – Saturday 8 January 2022 at 8pm, at Woolwich Works, The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 Street, Royal Arsenal, SE18 6HD. Tickets: from £15.50. Phone: 020 8035 8835. https://www.woolwich. works/events/the- grotteaux#dates-andtimes

advertorial

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Secure your 21/22 half-season ticket online at millwalltickets.com

ADULTS FROM £225

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18-21s FROM £150

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UNDER 16s FROM £70

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LIVE WITH US Meet new friends. Make new memories.

All in a place you can truly feel at home.

Get in touch to arrange a tea or coffee and a look around Tonic@Bankhouse, located in the heart of Vauxhall.

• fully accessible, street to front door • optional on-site care and support • beautiful community spaces, including our rooftop garden

Prices of our older persons shared ownership homes start from £133,750 for 25% of a one-bedroom apartment, up to £592,500 for 75% of a two-bedroom apartment.

Live with us in the UK’s first LGBT+ affirming retirement community.

For more information or to arrange a viewing: www.tonicatbankhouse.org Or call 0207 971 1091

THIS IS HOW WE LIVE OUR LIVES OUT

december 2021

Shopping

LOCALLY SOURCED Emma Wilkinson cards

Linocut prints from £10 p

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Hand illustrated decorations: £7

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or unique Christmas gifts and cards with a distinctive south of the river flavour, look no further than Crystal Palace and Penge local Emma Wilkinson (@bymorethanldn) whose bright, bold collection of illustrated gifts and linocut print artwork is inspired by her favourite things, namely the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs!

10 percent of all Emma’s dinosaur item sales go to Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs to help support the dinosaur statues in the park. Read more here: https://cpdinosaurs.org/donate/ The artist also organised a local Art and Found Day earlier this year, featuring many local makers, around Crystal Palace, Penge and Norwood, which she hopes to do again in 2022.

Illustrated and printed plant pots from £10 p

Buy Emma’s art from Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ bymorethanldn?ele=shop_open or direct from Instagram @ bymorethanldn

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Boosting your child’s homework confidence We’ve all been there..... it’s evening time and you find that your child is resisting doing their homework. So now, in addition to being a parent, provider, chef, taxi driver, etc, you get to be the homework enforcer. (P.S. it’s a thankless job) David Carnochan Centre Manager of Mathnasium in Dulwich, who specialise in teaching mathematics, speaks with parents regularly and they tell him what works. Here are his top 5 tips.

1/ Environment Create a homework friendly area with keys materials like pencils, paper, textbooks etc at hand.

Try to ensure this is well lit and away from distractions like TV & Video games 2/ Establish a schedule Get them into a good habit. Form a routine and agree guidelines such as assignments must be completed before play time or TV. 3/ Be a mentor & a motivator While its important children take ownership of their homework it really helps to show interest.

Ask about assignments and quizzes. Get them to show you their work and solicit feedback.

Help them make a plan if they have a lot of work.

4/ Praise their work Acknowledge their efforts, recognise improvements in concentration, handwriting or recent marks. Maybe agree a treat if work is completed on time.

5/ Don’t be scared to ask for help.

Many schools have a homework portal on their website. Ask about availability of extra study sessions / clubs. If regular challenges persist talk with your child’s teacher.

David explains that Mathnasium, (The Maths Learning Centre) help students catch up and get ahead in maths by making it fun. Their highly trained tutors also set aside time at the conclusion of lessons to provide support with school homework, so the student feels better prepared, transforming homework frustration into a welcome challenge. dulwich@mathnasium.co.uk ∙ www.mathnasium.co.uk/dulwich ∙ 0208 299 1171

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december 2021

love letter

A love letter to south London ―

By Cara Cummings

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erena Herbert started pioneering invisible light switch company Forbes and Lomax in south London during the 1980s. More than thirty years later, the business continues to thrive – and remains a south London design institution. Serena shares her top tips for restaurants, shopping and riverside views on the best side of the river…

How long have you been creating beautiful light switches and electrical accessories in south London?

Forbes and Lomax started in the garden shed of my house in Wandsworth in 1987. As the business grew, we moved into offices on St John’s Hill in Clapham, where we still are today. I enjoy escaping to the green spaces of Wandsworth Common or Wimbledon Common to take the dog for a walk and picnics.

What are your favourite south London eateries?

Taverna Trastevere in St. John’s Hill, the East Hill Pub in Wandsworth Town and Skylark café in Wandsworth Common.

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

The Northcote Road is great for shopping, especially at weekends when independent market stalls sell everything from jewellery to clothes, arts, crafts and antiques. Visitors are also spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants and boutique shops.

How has the area shaped your life and outlook?

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We love the area – particularly, the community spirit. A big pull for us is being surrounded by like minded independent retailers. Plus, we’ve met a lot of charming electricians!

How has south London changed since you started your business here?

It is now a very vibrant place – I rarely go over the river. The location is very convenient for customers and tradespeople who are working on residential projects, most of which are in south London.

How would you describe south London in a nutshell?

A mixture of leafy boroughs with urban hotspots.

Finally: what’s the one place or activity on our side of the river that everyone should try?

The roof terrace at the top of the Garden Museum next to Lambeth Bridge. It has brilliant views of The Thames.

205 St John's Hill, London SW11 1TH https://forbesandlomax.com/uk/

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