22 minute read
Local heroes: The stories from the lockdown
～ SOUTHWARK ANGELS ～
LOCAL LOCKDOWN HEROES
Advertisement
BY Katherine Johnston & Josh Salis ur
The pandemic brought out community spirit in spades. Everyone’s doing their bit, south of the river
Rebecca Pritchard
Joint winner of the Elephant and Castle ‘local hero awards’, Kiosk MM factory, part of Mercato Metropolitano, remained open throughout the lockdown, with Abramo Tezgazzi praised by many nominees for knowing many customers by name, being happy to chat and lend a friendly ear. The kiosk was selected for its customer service, work ethic and sociable, welcoming staff. It has also been involved in collaborations with the Mayors Fund for London, Pembroke House, Age UK and Lendlease. One nomination said: "I have been at work for the NHS throughout the pandemic and lockdown, working long hours and craving normality, and this kiosk remained open, offering upbeat conversation and good coffee. “I am so thankful that I have been able to pick up my morning coffee on my walk to work. It has really helped start my day on a positive note, and he has even offered an NHS discount during uncertain economic times. Just really thankful for the Kiosk MM Factory!" Runners up include: BEZA, for its “genuine desire to support the community every day and during the crisis" by cooking meals for NHS, homeless and vulnerable people; Amy Gray the owner of Dragon Castle for her work making free masks for NHS cancer centres; Super Arts Academy’s founder Irene Hayes for online support during lockdown for those interested in performing arts, the charity Hatch Enterprise for its continuing business support, and Pembroke House’s Richard Galpin for his commitment to getting food to families in need. For more information visit www.elephantsays-hi.com A charity worker from Crystal Palace worked round the clock and against travel restrictions and closed borders to deliver life-saving stem cells to blood cancer patients. 32-year-old Rebecca Pritchard has worked for the charity Anthony Nolan since 2014, where she helps recruit donors to its register. During the lockdown she volunteered as a courier, traveling across the UK to collect cells and then transporting them to blood cancer and disorder patients awaiting their transplant. Normally the charity has around 50 volunteers, mostly retired who do this work; including overseas collection. During the pandemic the charity decided to find alternative arrangements to protect its volunteers - many of whom need to self-isolate - including training up office staff. Once a donor has given their cells, couriers have just 72 hours to get them to the patient for them to be transplanted effectively. An emergency ‘handover hub’ was set up at Heathrow for volunteers to pick up cells from international couriers who would normally go directly to hospitals. “I have always wanted to courier - although it’s a huge responsibility there’s something incredible about being that link between the donor and the patient and playing a small part in hopefully saving someone’s life,” said Becca. To donate visit www.anthonynolan.org/ coronavirusemergencyappeal
Helen McDonald
May and her Dad Ian
Afather and daughter duo who climbed the equivalent of Mount Everest on their home stairs for Nunhead Knocks raised more than £1,000. Seven-year-old May and her Dad Ian went up and down their stairs 200 times each day throughout the sixteen day challenge. In a blog post, Ian said: "The challenge has helped me and my partner, Ross, frame the wider impact of the Coronavirus pandemic to May and our son, Indy, giving them an understanding of life outside of our immediate family bubble. “They now know that if someone sponsors us £5, that can pay for a day’s groceries. “It helps them understand how we are helping the community – they attend Ivydale School in Nunhead which is a great local community school, so have lots of friends and school staff who are virtually supporting us and cheering us on.” To donate visit www.nunheadknocks.com
～ SOUTHWARK ANGELS ～
Rachel Rumbol S outhwark-based singer Helen McDonald is entertaining older people with jazz singalongs down the telephone. The leading vocalist with Hilife ensemble Yaaba Funk is performing jazz standards and classic torch songs to care home residents and OAPs at home. Renditions included Lady Day’s God Bless the Child and the vocal acrobatics of Ella Fitzgerald’s How High the Moon. She is also taking requests and singing along with participants. "This project is so important for our elders, who have had fewer opportunities to be with their loved ones during lockdown," Helen said. "The telephone jazz singalong offers a joyous and anxiety-releasing interlude from the daily void that lockdown and social distancing can bring." Her initiative is being promoted with senior citizen entertainers Duckie’s Posh Club - known for their raucous tea parties. It’s nearing the end of its run but you can join the jazz singalong by contacting Helen until September 11, 2020, on Mondays to Thursdays, between 2pm5pm, via 01473 561027.
Rachel Rumbol and Kiosk MM Factory were crowned the joint winners of Elephant and Castle’s ‘local hero awards’, set up by community project Elephant Says Hi. Nearly 150 people cast their votes for those who were an essential part of the COVID-19 community response. Having set up Neighbours in Need, Rachel made over 1700 hot meals for local residents and is still going. The project was crowdfunded to deliver hot meals to those in need together with local café Louie Louie. She has also supported Meals for the NHS, providing over 4,000 meals for NHS workers unable to access shops and cafes during lockdown. One nomination received by the organisers explained: "She has shown incredible leadership during this time, offering her skills as a chef to help support the whole community, from the elderly and homeless to school children and NHS workers. A proper hero."
Ever wanted to chat to the brains behind the brews? The Pigeon is hosting its first post lockdown event where you can meet the brewer and go on a guided tasting at the Camberwell craft beer bar and bottle-shop.
Guests will receive a complimentary beer on arrival and a flight of four 1/3rd measures of Anspach and Hobday beer. The tasting will be guided by Anspach and Hobday brewer Benjamin Lake and will include a brief history of beer, a talk through each beer being tasted and a Q+A at the end. The tasting will be seated with each party at their own table to ensure safe social distancing.
The Pigeon opened on Camberwell Church Street in October 2018 and has since become a neighbourhood purveyor of craft-beer, wine and cocktails. The bar has ten lines of draught beer, an extensive range of bottles and cans, fine wine and takeaway cocktails and is open Tuesday through to Saturday.
Anspach & Hobday are known for their diverse range of beers, inspired by traditional styles remade for the 21st century beer drinker, brewing everything from historic ales and porters to experimental sours and IPAs. Founded in 2013 by childhood friends Paul Anspach and Jack Hobday, A&H is undergoing rapid growth following a successful round of crowdfunding earlier this year.
Meet The Brewer is at The Pigeon, 41 Camberwell Church St, SE5 8TR, on Wednesday 9 September from 6pm - 7:30pm. Tickets: £16.50 each and can be purchased through the Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ anspach-hobday-meet-the-brewerevent-at-the-pigeon-in-camberwelltickets-117401802953
www.anspachandhobday.com
～ FOOD & DRINK ～ Meet the craft brewer in Camberwell
GET YOUR TICKET HERE
Gelato aficionado Taseer Ahmad of Fabulous Ice Fires has been busy in his laboratory during lockdown, which you’d expect, given he’s south London’s Willy Wonka. Not only has he launched an entirely allergen-free range of ‘supergelato’ at his gelateria and gallery on East Dulwich Road, Taseer has created flavours in response to pandemic poverty, riffed on climate change and COVID in new gelatos made from fruit pollinated by bats, and experimented with insect proteins as a non-dairy sustainable food source. He also somehow found time to enter the world’s most prestigious iced treat competition, the Sherbeth Festival, as the top ranking British entrant. Fabulous Ice Fires officially reopens in September: head down to taste the new flavours of the month. 54 East Dulwich Road, SE22 9AL
God bless Little Nan’s for launching the cocktail delivery service we all need in these bizarre times. Order a DIY Party Box from Deptford’s favourite bonkers boozer and enjoy their signature mixes - including the Queen Pat Butcher, Sir Lionel Ritchie and That Damn Carole Baskin - on your own sofa, with decorations, ‘mystery gifts’ and surprises thrown in. And if that doesn’t quite scratch your kitsch itch, al fresco service is on offer at both the original bar and a new Stockwell sister venue. Why Nan, you’re really spoiling us! Party boxes from £48. www.littlenans.co.uk
Party Store Pizza has launched at Market House on Coldharbour Lane, bringing Detroit-style deep pan pizza to the people that need it most: us. Baked so the dough has a focaccia-like chew but a crispy crust, one of these bad boys will change the way you think about pizza forever. Try the Dirty South: pulled rib meat, pickled chilies, buffalo sauce, crispy onions and fresh spring onions. God bless America. 443 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8LN. Also via Deliveroo.
Fabulous Ice Fires
～ FOOD & DRINK ～ Bitesize
BY Cara Cummings
The Tapas Room
Little Nan’s
The Tapas Room has opened in Brixton Village, meaning there’s yet another reason to head there immediately. The Spanish and Basque specialists do tapas and tipples - including sensational sherry, cava and vermouth - and they do them very, very well. Go for the wine list, stay for pan con tomate and rosemary manchego. Unit 52-53 Brixton Village, Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8PS
Missing foodie stall-hopping? Head to the Horniman Market for a weekly fix of fresh produce, cheese, bread and meats from independent and local producers. Expect bountiful goodies from Pick’s Organic Farm, Aston Bakery, The Wine Scouts and fresh pasta aficionados Seriously Italian - all at a safe social distance. Perfect for a picnic in the museum gardens afterwards. Sundays, 10am-5pm. Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, SE23 3PW If you’ve yet to sample the delights of Maremma, one of south London’s loveliest Italian eateries, good news: their Brixton Water Lane restaurant is open again. But if you’d rather stay in, GREAT news - Maremma are launching a three-course meal delivery service this month, featuring big hitters from their celebrated menu so you can enjoy a Tuscan feast at home. They’ll even recommend matching wines for each meal. Date night just got a whole lot more delicious. £45 per person, including delivery. maremmarestaurant.com
The Pigeon in Camberwell is livening up lockdown with pre-mixed take-away cocktails. If ever a tipple was made for lockdown measures, it’s the Pigeontails: each bottle contains three cocktails’ worth. The best thing about happy hour at home? No Uber at the end of the night. Currently on the menu are Negronis (£18.50) and El Presidente (£21.50) with Espresso Martinis coming soon. At times like these, it’s vital to stay alert! The Pigeon is open from Tuesday-Thursday 3-10pm, Friday 1-10pm, Saturday 12-10pm and Sunday 12-5pm.
What do you get when you mix a Michelin-starred restaurant, a beloved Borough Market wine bar and the power of Deliveroo? One helluva new pizza delivery option. ASA P Pizza is the lovechild of Shoreditch super-eatery Lyle’s and Flor, their sister restaurant in Southwark - and the menu will knock your socks off. Signatures include tomato & 'nduja with caciocavallo, honey, Sicilian oregano, and a ‘Borough Blue’ featuring stilton, speck, sour cream, walnut. Starting at £13, ASAP ain’t cheap, but it sure is worth splashing out for. Order via Slerp, Deliveroo, or collect in person at 1 Bedale Street, SE1 9AL
THEPIGEON 41 Camberwell Church Street SE5 8TR
Happy Hour Tuesday-Saturday 5:30-6:30PM!
Half Price Anspach & Hobday Pints £1 Off House Wine And Negronis
YOUR VILLAGE BUTCHER We would like to thank everyone for their support during these unprecedented times as we continue to operate both shops. We are your fully free range butchery stocking meat and poultry from sustainable farms across the country along with some fantastic cheeses, fresh bread, a range of condiments and kitchen cupboard essentials. We use whole carcass animals and are committed to the highest quality. All of our award winning sausages are handmade and gluten free and we aim to keep all of our products as natural as possible.
You can find us at 86 Dulwich Village and 1 Ewhurst Road, Crofton Park. Keep up to date via our website: proudsow.co.uk @proudsow
We look forward to serving you! Oliver ~ Butcher and Owner
WELCOME TO CASTLE SQUARE
Discover 25 local traders with warm and welcoming smiles and years of experience providing a wide range of products and services.
Castle Square sits at the heart of a wider retail and leisure offer and includes Ash Avenue and Elephant Park. It’s home to fashion, textiles, electrical products and services and some of the most delicious cafés and restaurants available 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. Be sure to pop by and find out what our local traders with bags of spirit have in store.
OPENING SATURDAY 26 TH SEPTEMBER
castlesquarelondon.com
1Elephant Arcade London Road St George’s Road 6 M I N U T E W A L K Newington Causeway
1Elephant Arcade London Road St George’s Road St Mary’s Churchyard 6 M I N U T E W A L K Newington Causeway 3 M I N U T E W A L K 2 Elephant & Castle Elephant Road Newington Butts Former Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre 4 3 5 Elephant Park Elephant Castle Square Ash Avenue Castle Square Restaurants Elephant Central 7 6 Elephant Park Neighbourhood New Kent Road Park Neighbourhood St Mary’s Churchyard Newington Butts 3 M I N U T E W A L K 2 Elephant & Castle Elephant Road Former Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre 4 7 3 5 6 Elephant Park Elephant Park Neighbourhood Castle Square New Kent Road Ash Avenue Castle Square Restaurants Elephant Central 3 M I N U T E W A L K 6 M I N U T E W A L K 6 6 Elephant Park Neighbourhood Heygate Street Walworth Road
KEY
Underground Station Rail Station Bus Stop Cycle Hire
Elephant Park Neighbourhood W A L K 6 Walworth Road 3 M I N U T E 6 M I N U T E W A L K 6 Elephant Park Neighbourhood Heygate Street 9 M I N U T E W A L K 68 East Street Market Elephant Arcade
Elephant Road
Ash Avenue
Castle Square
Castle Square Restaurants
1 2 M I N U T E W A L K Elephant Park Neighbourhood Elephant Park
～ FOOD & DRINK ～
BY Cara Cummings
“How does saying it’s 21 years since the restaurant opened make me feel? Old. You have to remember, I was only fourteen when we started.” If Tim Sheehan wasn’t a legendary chef and restaurateur, he’d be a brilliant comedian. We’re discussing the toughest year of his career - “COVID has without doubt been the worst experience of my time” - but the gags come thick and fast. It’s not hard to see how this infectiously upbeat foodie has built one of south London’s most beloved restaurants. He’s the sort of chef you want to cook your dinner, then join you for the meal.
Tim opened Franklins on Lordship Lane in 1999 with business partner Rod Franklin, after working with iconic chefs Fergus and Margot Henderson of St. John fame. Tim and Rod’s vision of a neighbourhood restaurant serving the best regional produce - “like a local bistro in France or a restaurant in Barcelona that’s been there for years” - has won the pair awards, five star reviews and legions of devoted fans. Not that Tim will take any of the credit.
“It’s not anything to do with Rod or I,” he insists. “It’s been more luck than judgement, to be honest. We’ve stuck to our plan of friendly service, trying to get the best local ingredients and cooking them the best we can. It’s taken on its own life.
“The best bit has been being part of people’s lives. Kids that came in as newborns now come in with their boyfriends! It’s been the customers and the community feel that’s been great. It’s a steadying ship; a nice anchor, especially now.” 2020 should have been a triumphant year for Franklins. After a rip-roaring 20th birthday party last year, Tim and team were set for a sunny new decade - until the unthinkable happened.
“Covid has been the single biggest challenge we’ve ever faced,” he admits. “We’ve had floods in the past, ceilings falling down, pigeons flapping around inside the restaurant but it doesn’t get worse than being told by a government that you’ve got to shut down. On a personal level, there’s such an emotional attachment after going for 20 years. You’re there every day apart from when you’re on holiday. It felt like my life had ended.”
Not for long. Spurred on by wanting to “do something useful”, Tim installed a two-metre counter outside Franklins Farm Shop and started serving customers their groceries himself. “I was everyone’s personal shopper, running up and down filling bags,” he laughs. “From my point of view, it was great because Continues overleaf Marie, Tim Sheehan, Rod Franklin, and Stiofan outside Franklins
Co-founder of East Dulwich institution Franklins Tim Sheehan talks cooking, COVID and surviving a crisis
Frankins’ opening night in 1999
I wasn’t stuck in the house! We were delivering to people who were isolating, too, so it was worth staying open just for that. It was a fairly surreal experience, of course - like a weird ghost town.”
How did the Sheehan household spend lockdown? “Finishing Netflix and completing the internet,” Tim chuckles. “There was also lots of talking about food. Literally going from finishing one meal to thinking, what shall we have next? I was cooking nonstop, doing things I haven’t done for years and poring through cookbooks…
“There were notable successes and failures,” he adds. “Cake making was the most disastrous. It was like a mad episode of Bake Off. I didn’t bother with bread; I’ve already killed plenty of sourdough starters in my time!”
Franklins finally reopened on July 4th with stringent safety measures in place: half the tables, half the menu, half the staff. “We want everybody to feel comfortable, but as un-medical as possible,” Tim explains. “Considering we’re just shopkeepers and landlords, I think we’ve done a good job. People still want to come in and eat - it’s such a joy to see regulars. The building feels alive again.”
Reflecting on what this year - and the past two decades - has taught him about facing adversity, Tim is typically sanguine. “You’ve got to take every day as it comes,” he says simply. “One of the hardest things about restaurants is that you’re only as good as the day before - as soon as you open up tomorrow, you’ve got to do it all over again. You just keep going.
“In terms of how the industry evolves from COVID, it’s really hard to call. My crystal ball isn’t as effective as it once was - I might as well ask the dog! Restaurateurs and chefs are adaptable, and that’s going to help. But I’ve got no way of telling you what will happen in the next few months.
“We’re heading into a period of unknown. I’m worried on a larger scale than just us as a restaurant. I don’t want the area to become wholly depressed. I don’t want people’s lives affected. I’ve already started having people come in who’ve lost their jobs. It’s awful.”
Tim’s determined that Franklins will do its bit to help south London weather the storm. Along with donations to food banks - “We’re horrified they exist. There shouldn’t be food poverty in our bit of London” - and recruiting staff from the area, the team will continue to source ingredients as locally as possible.
“We want to support businesses, be part of the community and try and do our bit,” says Tim. “It’s really spurred us on to see this through. We’ll be here through thick and thin, serving food in some way. Even if it’s sandwiches and soup two days a week - we might have to adapt, but we will.
“There won’t be a new ‘normal’ after this collective experience. But everybody still wants to be social, see their friends, have a chat over something to eat. We’ve been breaking bread since the beginning of time. It’s how we’ve become civilised. I think it’s all we’ve got as humans, really: cooking and kindness.”
Franklins is at 157 Lordship Lane, SE22 8HX. Phone: 020 8299 9598. Franklinsrestaurant.com
Shop Safe Streatham
Forget all the uncertainty of going abroad this year and plan a staycation in sunny Streatham. There's something for everyone, so come on down and make the most of your local High Road!
Streatham is set to be taken over by a cultural explosion of events from September to December, bringing our communities together again after five months of isolation. Hosted in local venues around Streatham, our businesses have worked so hard to create a safe environment for you and are delighted to welcome you back!
At InStreatham, we have supported your local businesses from lockdown through to reopening and we are here to support them in this new phase of their business journey. We’ve taken great care to prepare the High Road for reopening - with posters, stenciled floor signs and vinyls clearly displayed to help shoppers stay safe and maintain social distancing - and a full Back to Work PPE Kit for businesses, including sneeze screens, masks, gloves and hand sanitizers.
One of our main priorities as the Streatham Business
Improvement District is to ensure that people feel confident about returning to Streatham High Road and Hill to work, shop, eat, study and visit. That’s why we’re launching our Shop Safe Streatham campaign to encourage people back to the high street!
Festivals reimagined!
This month, the Streatham Food Festival returns and the Free Film festival will deliver two weekends of film screenings utilising the beautiful outdoor spaces and beer gardens in Streatham. The Little Big Peace event will focus on mental health activities to support the community post COVID.
Eating Streets, Foodie Fortnights and Cocktail Masterclasses.
Take a Streatham Taste Staycation this year - taking place from 1st - 30th September, showcasing the incredible range of global food on offer in Streatham to eat in or take away. Each participating restaurant, cafe or bar will showcase their signature dish with a special offer valid for the length of the festival, giving people plenty of time to taste their way around Streatham and avoiding crowds. Most restaurants and cafes now feature expanded outdoor seating. Boutique cafe Boyce da Roca, Italian restaurant La Fresca, vegan cafe Tribe, gastropub The Manor Arms and Caribbean cookery kings The Real Jerk are just some of the venues taking part.
You can also learn to make some of the area’s most popular signature dishes yourself, at weekly online cooking demonstrations. A map detailing participating restaurants and their offer will be available via www.streathamfoodfestival.com and www.instreatham.com
Making a safe and playful Streatham, while supporting the NHS
The Monster Hero Safari digital trail is part of a national campaign to raise funds for NHS Charities Together. Families will be able to spot the colourful and unique characters in shop windows along the High Road and enjoy the interactive elements by simply scanning the character, with a smartphone. It is FREE for the first 50 families and then a nominal platform cost of £2 per family thereafter, all of which is donated to the charity. After finding all 10 “MonsterHeroes”, you will be rewarded with a free ebook about the monster's first adventure!
In October, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Streatham Festival, the popular arts event will turn the High Rd into a gallery, with music, literary and photography elements to look forward to. You can still expect the usual cheerful vibe in Streatham as we approach the festive months with theatre productions at the Streatham Space Project and our events finale with the Christmas Lights Switch-On on December 5th!
To find out more about these events, please visit instreatham.com or find us on social media @instreatham.
Eat, Drink, Shop.
Live, Work, Play. Shop safe, Shop Streatham.
