Southwark Life - Autumn 2015

Life Southwark

Autumn 2015

Black history month All the events you don’t want to miss

Applying for a school place?

See inside for details

Get your art fix Old favourites and quirky surprises on your doorstep Your magazine from Southwark Council

Fireworks How to get your free tickets inside

www.southwark.gov.uk

schools Slife half page ad_Layout 1 21/09/2015 18:28 Page 1

Is your child starting primary or secondary school in September 2016?

Apply for a school place online before the deadline.

It’s quick, easy to do and available 24 hours a day.

Primary school applications close 15 January 2016

Secondary school applications close 31 October 2015

For more information and to apply for your child’s school place visit www.southwark.gov.uk/schooladmissions or call 020 7525 5337. www.southwark.gov.uk/schooladmissions

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Intro

Contents Focus

Autumn 2015

www.southwark.gov.uk

welcome...

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Need to know Round up of news from around the borough

...to the autumn edition of Southwark Life.

I hope you enjoy it.

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School days All the info on

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Seeking Comfort Dr Comfort

As usual, it’s full of helpful information and interesting stories from around the borough.

One article that I think is particularly important is Fiona’s, on page 20, where she writes about the financial situation local councils are facing. It is a difficult but really crucial read. Southwark, like many councils across London, is facing the challenge of continuing to deliver council services and investing in our borough, while at the same time having to make huge savings to our budget. To date we have lost £91.2 million in spending power since 2010/11 and we’re facing another third of our budget being lost over the next three years.

choosing your child’s new school Momoh tells us about her fight against female genital mutilation

Life 10 Space to thrive What it’s like to offer a troubled teen a home

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Black history month An eight page event guide, plus exclusive interview with CBBC presenter Ayshah Tull

20 Feeling the pinch Cllr Fiona Colley talks about the financial challenges local government is facing

22 Events calendar What’s going on this autumn

24 Nice to meet you Tips to get to know the neighbours

Info 26 Southwark life Cool bars and cheap eats

28 History of health How two

Southwark residents shaped modern views on healthcare

30 Art in the borough Discover the art on your doorstep

32 Competition Win a family ticket to the latest exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery

This is a huge challenge, but for me there has never been a better or more important time to be a local councillor. Our job as a council is to make the best of this situation; to find new ways to deliver excellent services and to expand opportunities for our local communities who we are elected to serve. Despite these reductions in funding we will continue to deliver on the promises we made to residents, including 11,000 new council homes, more jobs and apprenticeships and free swim and gym for all residents. We will also continue to invest in the things our communities value, like the exciting Black History Month programme, which you can read about from page 11.

Our budget may be shrinking but we refuse to scale back our ambition. We will work hard to protect frontline services, to invest in our communities and continue delivering a fairer future for all in Southwark.

Best wishes

Peter John Leader of Southwark Council

Contact us Do you have something to say about Southwark Life?

Write to: Your letters, Southwark Life, Second Floor, Hub 5, Southwark Council, 160 Tooley Street, SE1 2QH or email southwark.life@southwark.gov.uk On our cover are members of young people’s music group Kinetika Bloco at The Elephant and the Nun. Photographer: Ivan Gonzalez.

The Southwark Life team Editor Miriam McGrath Assistant editor Laura Fitzsimmons Contributors Asha Budhu, Wendy Foreman, Florence Igbokwe, Subira Massell, Monique McKenzie, Fariah Nanhoo, Louise Neilan, Rada Ouchakova, Maria Valdivia Photography Hannah Maule-Ffinch Design Whatever Design Ltd Print Headley Brothers Printed on 100% recycled paper

Keep in touch Southwark Life is a quarterly magazine and the next issue is due out in Winter 2015. You can contact the magazine at southwark.life@southwark.gov.uk but for more regular updates on council news and events, follow us on social media at facebook.com/southwarkcouncil @lb_southwark

Distribution London Letterbox

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Need to know...

Find out what people are talking about in Southwark this autumn For news and events follow us on Facebook and Twitter or find out more at www.southwark.gov.uk/enews

www.facebook.com/southwarkcouncil

Follow us on

Twitter

@lb_southwark

Fireworks

Don’t lose your vote Who should be the new Mayor of London?

Europe – in or out? Over the next few years, there will be some really important elections coming up. If you want to have your say in them, you need to be registered to vote. Plus, being registered to vote is good for your credit score and could help you get a mortgage.

The easiest way to register is by going online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote You can also fill out a form to register.

To be sent a form contact the Southwark Electoral Services team by email at electoralenquiries@southwark.gov.uk or call 020 7525 7373.

A cycling vision Southwark’s ambitious cycling strategy has been recognised at the first Cycling Planning Awards, winning the prize for best cycling network strategy. Winners were announced at an event organised by the Active Travel Network and Local Transport Today to acknowledge and reward those that have excelled in design and delivery. The Cycling Planning Awards showcase the best practice examples from local authorities, and innovation in products and infrastructure design.

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Southwark’s cycling strategy maps out a five year delivery plan, with a commitment to invest over £30 million in cycling.

The overall aim is to improve cycling experiences and increase the number of people choosing to cycle in the borough. For more information please visit www.southwark.gov.uk/cycling

Southwark’s annual Fireworks Night will take place on Thursday 5 November at Southwark Park.

We’ve got one of the best free fireworks displays in London and to keep everyone safe and make sure that as many people as possible can enjoy the show, you will need a ticket to get into the event. But don’t worry, the tickets are free and Southwark residents will be able to get them before anyone else. For more updates and information keep checking www.southwark.gov.uk/fireworks

Focus

Win an iPad If you are a Southwark Council tenant or homeowner, you could be in with a chance to win one of six iPad minis in the next few months. How? Simply by logging in to your MySouthwark account and accessing housing services such as your repairs history, rent or service charge accounts and much more. MySouthwark is an online account system that allows residents to access a whole range of council services, anywhere, anytime just by logging in to www.southwark.gov.uk/mysouthwark

Thinking of Xmas presents already? Or in need of a new appliance?

Sarah* needed a new washing machine, but the only credit she could get at a high street store meant that the washing machine would cost her £1,400 due to paying high interest rates. Instead she contacted the London Mutual Credit Union and was given a loan for £300 for a new washing machine and installation. That’s over £1,000 that has stayed in her pocket – money she can spend on her children, or save for emergencies. Get in touch with the London Mutual Credit Union for all your financial needs, no matter what your credit rating is. See www.creditunion.co.uk for more info. *

Sarah is not her real name, but these are real figures.

Autumn 2015

www.southwark.gov.uk

Fighting hate crime

Hate Crime Awareness Week is a national event run every year. This year, it launches on Saturday 10 October 2015 at St. Paul’s Cathedral and ends the following week. Southwark will be putting together events and initiatives during the week with the aim of making residents more aware of hate crime, and more aware of the services and support that are available for victims.

If you’d like to know more about the week, or would like to know how to report hate crime and what support is available, for more details go to www.southwark.gov.uk/hatecrime for more details.

Is your dog micro-chipped?

From next April micro-chipping dogs will be a legal requirement. Get ahead of the game and book your dog’s micro-chipping today. The procedure is quick and painless, and organisations such as The Dogs Trust and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home may provide this service for free. For more information on micro-chipping, please visit www.southwark.gov.uk/pets

Southwark at 50

Don’t miss out

Join us for a not-to-be-missed celebration of Southwark Council’s 50th Anniversary, complete with stunning music from the combined military band forces of the Military Wives Choir, the Army Medical Services and the 150 Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps. Hosted by The Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Dora Dixon-Fyle MBE, the event will also see the borough’s new Honorary Aldermen and Honorary Alderwomen installed.

Hundreds of Southwark students have claimed their £10 voucher and three lucky winners have won an iPad mini. If your child is a resident in Southwark and started in year 7 or 8 this September, you can claim a £10 voucher to deposit into a new or existing London Mutual Credit Union junior saver account. Visit www.southwark.gov.uk/smartsavers for more info.

The celebration will take place at Southwark Cathedral, Montague Close, London SE1, on Saturday 24 October 2015 at 11.30am. All are welcome, please arrive to take your seat by 11.15am.

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e n i r u h t starftor yo d e l i lif h c All the information you need about applying for a school place for your child

W

hether your child is taking their first steps into education or making the leap into secondary school, choosing the right school is a huge milestone.

You can be assured that whichever school you choose, your child will receive a good education in Southwark, where we’ve seen a year on year improvement in results across all our schools. But we know that there are many other

Key DATES

Apply online

Get your application in on time

If your child is due to start primary or secondary school in September 2016, it is vital you start thinking about your child’s application now. Southwark residents need to apply to Southwark Council, even if their preferred schools are outside the borough, by 31 October 2015 (secondary schools) or 15 January 2016 (primary schools).

Apply online at www.southwark.gov.uk/schooladmissions

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important factors involved when finding a school that is right for your child, such as the size, ethos and atmosphere of the school. Most schools have open days or offer parents the chance to visit, so please do take advantage of that opportunity before the deadline for applications (see box below).

More and more people are recognising that Southwark is a great place to raise their families, and this means we will need many more school places in the years to come. That’s why we are investing £110 million into the expansion of 11 primary schools including a new special school across the borough, as well as supporting the creation of two new primary schools: Belham in Peckham and Galleywall in Bermondsey. We have also supported plans to bring a brand new secondary school to the Dulwich Hospital site, and we look forward to that opening next year.

Applying for a school place is easy, but it is essential that you apply by the deadline to ensure that you have the best chance of being offered a school of your preference. Once you’ve done that, you can focus on the more fun elements of getting your child ready for school, like shopping for stationery or sewing in their name tags.

Focus

School memories We asked parents what they will always remember about their child starting school...

“I was desperate to hear about my twins’ first day but all I got was, ‘Yeah. Fine. Cool.’ It took half an hour of solid digging to get more details – though I did eventually manage to get out of them that they loved the new school. That was the moment I realised that pretty soon I’d have two teenagers on my hands…”

Kevin “When we try to get my niece to take her uniform off at the end of the day, she won’t let us, she insists on wearing it everywhere. She wakes up on Saturday mornings and hopefully says, ‘School, mum?’ and we tell her, ‘No, Rosie, no school.’ And then she looks all disappointed!”

Frankie “Olly ran off and didn’t look back. It was quite damaging to my self esteem.”

Stuart “I had to wear sunglasses I cried so much but Sabrina barely gave me a hug goodbye she was so busy running for the climbing frame.”

Ann

Autumn 2015

www.southwark.gov.uk

Is your child leaving school next year?

From A Levels to apprenticeships, there are many opportunities available for your child to continue with their education after GCSEs. New changes in the law mean that young people must remain in learning until they reach 18 and there are many different options open to them, including combining learning with volunteering or working. Our Southwark school sixth form brochure has more information on the different post 16 options and the sixth forms in Southwark. Take a look at www.southwark.gov.uk/post16

NEED TO KNOW For more info and to apply online visit www.southwark.gov.uk/schooladmissions, call 020 7525 5337 or email schools.admissions@southwark.gov.uk Contact the special educational needs and disabilities team on 020 7525 4278 or email sen@southwark.gov.uk if your child has an education, health and care plan or a statement of special educational needs. You can also find further information on Southwark’s local offer at www.localoffer.southwark.gov.uk

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Seeking Comfort

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We meet midwife Dr Comfort Momoh, MBE, dedicated to caring for women affected by FGM and raising awareness of the issues for girls and women at risk

Life Focus How did you get involved in working against female genital mutilation (FGM) and for women’s rights?

I’m originally from Nigeria and it was back when I was doing my nursing training there. Lots of friends talked about FGM and how their sisters, cousins or friends had died from haemorrhage as a result. One day I asked my grandmother about FGM – I thought she was a wise woman, she had an answer for everything, but she wasn’t from a practising community and didn’t have a clue. So I started researching it myself; I wanted to understand what drives a community or a family to do this. When I came to the UK in the 80s I worked with a wonderful Sudanese doctor who came from a practising community and from him I learnt how to help women who had undergone FGM. What is FGM? FGM means procedures that alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non medical reasons. It has been illegal in the UK since 2003 and it is also illegal to take a child abroad for FGM. Since this summer, if someone is aware that a girl or a young woman is at risk of being taken abroad to undergo FGM, it is possible to get a court protection order to prevent this.

There are 23,000 girls under 15 who could be at risk of FGM in England and Wales and nearly 60,000 women could be living with the consequences of FGM. Tell us about your work I started my clinic at Guy’s and St Thomas’ in 1997. It was one of the first FGM clinics to be set up in the whole of the UK and since then I have helped set up about 16 clinics across the UK. There are many physical, psychological and emotional problems related to FGM and we offer reassurance and care for women through counselling, support and reversal advice.

Often women don’t talk about FGM as they don’t make the link between the health problems or psychological issues they are experiencing, which can last a lifetime, and what was done to them, either as a baby or for some women as a young teenager, as a rite of passage – imagine the impact of that. They see it as part of their culture.

I spend a lot of time in schools raising awareness among young people and

Summer Autumn 2015 Winter 2014/15

teachers as well as helping social workers, midwives and GPs to recognise the tell-tale signs so that they can offer important medical and emotional support. For example, if you are a GP and I come to you with recurring urinary tract infections, you might give me antibiotics but if you knew that it was a potential sign of FGM, you might recognise the true cause and be able to offer support.

How can we stop it?

We all need to say, enough is enough.

It’s vital that there is recognition that it is everyone’s responsibility to look out for girls and young women who might be at risk. I always say, if the man is seen as head of the family – which they are in some communities – then if men make a stand against FGM, it will have an impact. Men need to say, ‘I don’t want my daughter to have it.’ Until more men support the campaign then change won’t be quick enough.

Since you started your work, have you seen a change in attitude?

When we first started it was very hushhush and no one wanted to talk about it. It’s taken us about 30 years to get to where we are now in the UK. We provide a welcoming environment and we reach out sensitively to practising communities. Yes, it is about protecting young girls and women but it is also about changing attitudes.

www.southwark.gov.uk

And what does the future hold?

I want to encourage our young people.

Now, my focus is on young people, both girls and boys, the husbands and wives of tomorrow. I want to empower them through education to make sure that issues like FGM and other inequalities are tackled. My hope is that FGM will cease in one generation.

Comfort’s favourite places in Southwark Peckham is where I buy my oxtail, hot peppers and shitto (spicy pepper, chilli and crayfish) plantain and yams.

I love Burgess Park and its festivals.

I loved the music at last year’s The Elephant and the Nun. I wasn’t able to go this year but heard the Eid festival there was wonderful with so many people taking part.

There is still a long way to go but with the support we have today, we now have clear policies and guidelines and we are getting there. Education is the key and we need to continue to reach out in the community.

What have you learnt over the years?

My maternal grandmother died a few days before I was born and my mother was very upset, but she called me her comfort. I try to live up to my name. I was brought up by my paternal grandmother who made me what I am.

She was a strong woman, friendly and hardworking. She died aged 90. My life is about reaching out to people – I really enjoy helping people, really enjoy embracing community. I am available for my family, friends, and clients any time.

And I love listening and learning from people. For me we learn every day.

Worried about FGM? Call the NSPCC FGM helpline if you’re worried a child is at risk of, or has had, FGM. It’s free, anonymous and available 24/7.

Call 0800 028 3550 or email fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk Or talk to your local GP Or call Dr Momoh at Guy’s and St Thomas’ on 020 7188 6872 or 07956 542 576

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Space to thrive We all remember navigating the tricky years of being a teenager – wanting to be independent but still needing guidance and support. And when you’re a teenager in care, that’s no different. We talk to Esme* and her foster carer about how a bit of understanding gave her the space she needed to thrive.

Jane Jane* has been a foster carer for Southwark for 28 years and here she tells us about fostering teenagers.

I started fostering once my children were grown up and had left home. Having children around makes it more homely; the chatting, the school run and the routine just makes it lively again.

Esme Esme*, 18 years old, has been in care for five years and for the last year she’s been living with Jane*.

She tells us what it’s like to be a teenager in care…

At 13 years old it was really tough moving away from the family and friends I’d always known. I was scared and angry with the situation at first but living with Jane was a really lovely experience. She was kind, friendly, understanding and gave me the space I needed which made me feel at home. It was also nice having other foster teenagers around the house. You’re kind of in it together and can help each other out rather than feeling alone.

I think teenagers can sometimes get a bad reputation but people should remember we are all different and have come from different places.

Looking back I think moving to Jane’s was so worthwhile – it was the best foster placement I had. Jane not only supported me but taught me how to be independent and think about planning for the future. Being in the middle of A levels, it was a really important time for me, and now with my results I’m all set to start my psychology degree at university. I’m hoping to be a psychologist and work in either a hospital or somewhere I can make a difference.

*to protect the anonymity of our real-life case studies, fictional names have been used in this article.

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I do find it difficult when a child leaves my care, but I try to remember that they are moving on with their lives, and I need to as well. But it’s lovely to hear about how the kids get on. One of my first foster placements was only a baby when she came to me, and now she’s 14 years old, so it’s nice to hear that she’s doing well.

I’ve cared for children of all ages, but sometimes teenagers are easier. Little ones need a lot of help but teenagers can manage a lot of things themselves – you don’t have to worry about getting them to and from school! It can be hard at the beginning and all teenagers test the rules, but I am glad I persevered, and gave the teens who came to me a chance and time to adjust. I think they respected it.

People can be scared by the word ‘teen’ but I think it’s important to remember that people are all different. There are good experiences and yes, bad ones too, but for example seeing Esme get her A level results is a great moment. When you take a young person into your home, they’re likely to be as nervous as you. If you can stick with it, then you’ll be fine. It really is rewarding in the end.

Southwark needs you to foster Southwark has 380 children and young people who need foster care. We desperately need people who can offer them a home to grow and develop, people who want to make a big difference to a young person’s life.

We offer our foster carers ongoing training and support from a specialist social worker and an allowance for each child in your care.

If you live in Southwark, are approved as a Southwark foster carer and care for a Southwark child you will also be exempt from council tax.

If you think you have what it takes to become a foster carer and would like to find out more, please visit www.southwark.gov.uk/fostering

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Feeling the pinch

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Cllr Fiona Colley, cabinet member for finance, modernisation and performance, talks about how shrinking council budgets may affect you

Life

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magine if you knew you were likely to lose a third of your household budget over the next three years.

You would need to make some big changes to the way you organise your life, and most likely stop doing some of the things that are

Autumn 2015

important to you. You might have to move to a smaller home, give up your car, work longer hours, and you would certainly watch every penny.

You probably wouldn’t enjoy it, and on some days you would be tearing your hair out, trying to choose between two things that are really important to you.

That, in a nutshell, is what Southwark Council is having to do, in the face of unprecedented reductions in funding. Having already lost £91.2 million in spending power since 2010/11, the council is facing a further budget gap of £96 million between now and 2018/19. These are huge numbers, and although we’ve done what residents have asked us to do in consultations, by reducing back office functions and senior management, and modernising the way we do things to make savings, these kinds of measures barely make a dent in what we need to achieve.

Delivering the excellent services that you deserve is getting harder.

We have considerably less money to spend on the services that local people hold dear, and in many areas demand is increasing. The media has been talking about these cuts for years, but for many of you, the consequences have yet to filter through to your everyday lives. In Southwark, we’ve done all we can to absorb the impact behind the scenes, and prioritise frontline services, like care for the elderly and child protection, above all else. But some of our services will change as a result of our reduced budgets.

So what sort of changes will you see? Well, we are already having to stop providing some things that have previously been given out free, such as food waste bags.

This brings us in line with most other London boroughs but we know that any change of this sort will not be popular. We have also

www.southwark.gov.uk

recently closed our cash payments offices and are encouraging everyone who can to interact with the council online. We know that this isn’t everyone’s favourite way to make payments or report an issue, but it is much cheaper than face to face or telephone contact, and therefore frees up funding for essential frontline services. Although some changes are positive and allow us to keep up with people’s changing relationship with technology, there are other necessary decisions to reduce or adapt services that we would much rather avoid.

What we won’t do, however, is fail to deliver on the fairer future promises we made to our residents after the 2014 elections. As a council we are in a strong position to help tackle some of the problems we face locally, such as poor health in parts of the borough, insufficient housing for people of all walks of life, or the need for greater opportunities for young people when they leave school. Despite the financial challenges, we want to protect the things that make Southwark such a strong community, and that’s why you won’t see us closing libraries or backing down on our pledge to build 11,000 council homes.

Unfortunately, not every decision we make will be popular, but we will ask for your input into certain changes that may affect you or your family. We will still collect your bins, and help your children find a school place. We will still look after our parks, care for our old people and protect the vulnerable. And we won’t lose our ambition and the vision we have to transform parts of the borough that were neglected for so long, like the Elephant and Castle.

Until the chancellor announces his Autumn Statement in November we won’t know exactly what we are facing financially, but please be assured that we are working very hard behind the scenes to try to protect services for our residents as much as we possibly can.

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Events calendar Black History Month Screenings Weekly screenings throughout October Evenings

www.peckhamplex.com We will be screening different films each week to honour the culture of black people and celebrate Southwark’s Black History Month events.

Tuesdays from 22 September 5pm to 7pm (age 14 to 16) 7.30pm to 9.30pm (age 17+) Free. Contribution of £1 (14 to 16) or £3 (17+) Wells Way Pop Up The Old Library, 39 Wells Way, London, SE5 0PX www.wellswaypopup.co.uk Wells Way Pop Up is an arts space housed in the Old Library on Wells Way. We’re starting two new groups for people who want to give their imagination a work out. No experience needed, drop in, surprise yourself.

Thea Djordjadze 2 October to 22 November Monday to Sunday 11am to 6pm South London Gallery 65-67 Peckham Road, London, SE5 8UH www.southlondongallery.org Thea Djordjadze, recipient of the second Outset Residency at the South London Gallery, shows her first solo exhibition featuring new works produced for the show during her summer residency at the gallery.

Until Saturday 10 October Various times

Admission: £4.99 Peckhamplex, 95A Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST

Wells Way Pop Up – Theatre Gym

Martyr

Dulwich Park Fun Run 2 October 9:30am to 1:00pm Dulwich Park, College Road, SE21 For participants: 5k and 10k adults races £10 in advance, £15 on the day.

Kids and buggy races £5. www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/dulwich This is the 10th annual fundraiser event organised by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust with the support of the CFTwo Fundraising Group, and once again promises to be a great day.

Unicorn Fun Palaces Sunday 4 October 10am to 6pm Unicorn Theatre www.unicorntheatre.com/ whatson/124/unicorn-fun-palace

£8 to £18 Unicorn Theatre Ages 15+ www.unicorntheatre.com/ whatson/101/martyr Fundamentalism and tolerance clash in this funny, provocative play by leading German playwright, Marius von Mayenburg. Martyr considers how far we should go in accommodating another’s faith, and when we should take a stand for our own opposing beliefs.

James Capper 14 October to 6 December Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm CGP London Cafe Gallery, by the Pool, 1 Park Approach, Southwark Park, London SE16 2UA and CGP London Dilston Grove, southwest corner of Southwark Park, London SE16 2DD www.cgplondon.org Exhibition of sculpture by local artist James Capper across the two sites in Southwark Park.

Be a scientist for the day or create an artistic masterpiece – everything is possible. All ages.

Lee Miller: A Woman’s War

Herne Hill Music Festival 9 to 18 October

IWM London Adult £10 Child £5 Concessions £7 Art Fund £5 Members Free

Check website for details

www.iwm.org.uk

Various venues around Herne Hill www.hernehillfestival.org 2015 Festival highlights include The Peasants’ Opera, performed by Charter School, Harmony Sinfonia playing Dvorak’s New World Symphony, a concert by school bands, jazz star Renato D’Aiello, and Gorgeous Guitars.

15 October to 24 April open daily 10am to 6pm

Exploring the impact of the Second World War on women’s lives through the photography of Lee Miller, one of the most important female war photographers of the twentieth century.

Melendi Live in Concert 16 October 7.30pm £22 in advance Coronet Theatre www.coronetlondon.co.uk Spanish sensation Melendi graces the stage of the Coronet this October, don’t miss out.

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Life

Autumn 2015

Winter Autumn 2014/15 2015

BP Family Festival 31 October and 1 November 11am to 4pm Tate Britain www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tatebritain/eventseries/bp-family-festival

Fireworks 5 November Check the website

This free festival of performances, happenings, workshops and activities, invites families to discover, explore and create throughout the galleries at Tate Britain.

for times and updates Free but you need to have a ticket Southwark Park For more updates and information keep checking www.southwark.gov.uk/fireworks Southwark’s annual Fireworks Night will take place on Thursday 5 November at Southwark Park. We’ve got one of the best free fireworks displays in London and to keep everyone safe and make sure that as many people as possible can enjoy the show, you will need a ticket to get into the event.

Remembrance Sunday Sunday 8 November 10.45am The War Memorial, Borough High Street London SE1 Join us as the nation and the world pay solemn tribute to all who served and died for world peace.

Until 18 October 12pm to 12am Various locations in Bankside, SE1 www.mergefestival.co.uk MERGE Bankside is an arts festival where artists make use of the rich heritage and contemporary culture of the area to create engaging and interactive art installations.

Jerwood Drawing Prize Until 25 October Monday to Friday,10am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday,10am to 3pm

Project Space: Luke McCreadie, Be in the air, but not be air, be in the no air Until 12 December Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm Saturday, 10am to 2pm Café 171, Jerwood Space, 171 Union Street, London SE1 0LN www.jerwoodvisualarts.org A new commission by Newcastle upon Tyne based artist Luke McCreadie, comprising sculpture, film and multidisciplinary work.

Clown 1 to 19 December Friday 4 December, 7.30pm Saturdays 5, 12 and 19 December

Remembrance Day Concert Wednesday 11 November 7pm Tickets £12 to £30 Southwark Cathedral

MERGE Bankside

www.southwark.gov.uk

www.remembrancedayconcert. eventbrite.co.uk Music by Stainer, Holst, Walford Davies, Mendelssohn, Schubert, Brahms and Faure to honour all those affected by war and conflict. Malcolm Sargent Festival Choir conducted by Simon Over.

11am and 2pm £9 adults / £7 children (under 16s). £28 family tickets. Gala night on 4 December: £10 each.

Canada Water Culture Space www.canadawaterculturespace.org.uk In this fast paced original music show, based on Quentin Blake’s classic picture book, Theatre Peckham’s children alongside adult actors perform a wonderful show for children and their grownups, aged 3+.

SOUTH OF NO NORTH: Approaches to art and performance Until 29 November Monday to Thursday: 10am to 8pm Friday to Saturday: 10am to 5pm Sunday:10am to 8pm

Jerwood Visual Arts, Jerwood Space, 171 Union Street, London SE1 0LN

Siobhan Davies Studios, 85 St. George’s Road, Elephant & Castle SE1 6ER

www.jerwoodvisualarts.org

www.siobhandavies.com

The Jerwood Drawing Prize is the largest and longest running annual open exhibition for drawing in the UK.

SOUTH OF NO NORTH is an exhibition of new and existing works which reflect varying approaches to art as performance, or performance as art.

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Your neighbourhood needs you With our busy lifestyles, it’s easy to come and go from your home, just keeping your head down.

Amazingly, 53 per cent of us have even admitted to delaying leaving the house so that we don’t have to talk to our neighbours*. That’s quite a lot of effort just to avoid a ‘Hello’. *according to research by Neighbourhood Watch and Compare the Market, 2014

But it’s worth making some effort to get to know your neighbours around you. Getting to know your neighbours doesn’t mean knowing all their business from behind your net curtains. It’s about community spirit and from a safety point of view it’s important to recognise who lives around you, so you can look out for each other.

Here are a few tips to get started: DO SOMETHING LOCALLY – You can easily volunteer locally with Volunteer Centre Southwark. They work with over 700 local groups and can find you the perfect one off or regular volunteering opportunity.

Visit www.volunteercentres.org.uk to get started.

Have you thought of starting or joining a local Neighbourhood Watch? There are already 220 in Southwark with more being started each month. NHW is a community led network involving neighbours looking after each other, and working with police and local partners to build safe and friendly communities. If you’re interested in joining or setting up a watch, email Marcus Suitor, Secretary, Southwark Neighbourhood Watch Association at snhwa@mail.com or phone 0843 289 6529.

JOIN A TRA – A Tenant and Resident Association (TRA) involves people from the same area working together to look after their interests. They hold regular meetings and represent their members’ interests to the council and other organisations. They also hold social events which can be good opportunities to get to know your neighbours.

LOOK OUT FOR ELDERLY RESIDENTS – It’s especially important to look out for those who live alone.

Getting older for some may mean that they have trouble carrying out simple jobs that you could manage with little effort. Your neighbours may feel uncomfortable asking for help but a friendly offer could have a big impact.

GET TOGETHER – Try bringing your neighbourhood together. Play Streets is a great way to get the ball rolling: residents can apply to shut off their roads from traffic giving children an opportunity to play for three hours a month. Check with your neighbours that they are on board with the idea then visit www.southwark.gov.uk/playstreets to find out more and apply.

LEND A HAND – Once the ice is broken, you can build trust by offering to do those little things that make life easier; whether it’s offering to feed a cat when the neighbours go away, receiving a parcel or lending a hand. Just making the offer might be appreciated.

SAY HELLO – It may sound ridiculously simple, but that tiny first step to break the ice can make a big difference. Even for the shyest amongst us, just give it a go for a week and see what a change it can make.

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25

Southwark life Whether you’re new to the borough (hello especially to the freshers coming for uni) or a Southwarker born and bred, here’s our tips on where to drink, eat or go out when money’s tight

Peckham Pe

lican

For anyone looking fo r a no frills and cheerf , cheap ul mix of a rt and food Pelican, on , Peckham Peckham R oad is a gre to escape to at place . From bag els and bre evening eve ws to nts helping to promote writers and aspiring musicians, with a serv make-youring of own pizzas, this place is for a crowd perfect that’s in th e mood fo vibe. r a chilled 92 Peckham Rd, London SE15 5PY

Blackbird Bakery

in Peckham is a The Blackbird Bakery Blackbird Lates menu little bit special. The pizza menu and craft includes a sourdough ries, while they bake beer from local brewe other treats. And the their own bread and pting. Visit their prices are especially tem ormation; there is website for more inf in Dulwich. also a second branch on, SE15 2ND 134 Queens Rd, Lond SE22 8DY 52 Grove Vale, London ondon.co.uk www.blackbirdbakeryl

26

City Hunt: 29

to 31 October 2

015

The City trea sure hunt re turns to Sou with a specia thwark, and l focus on El this time ephant and local social en Castle. Prod terprise, Ugly uced by Duck, and su council, this pported by th interactive g ame allows e yourself in th you to fully e neighbourh immerse ood’s rich his Once registe tory and curi red online, yo osities. u will take to your smartp the streets w hone to solv e a series of ith version of th clues. A pap e game will er based also be availa rewarded by ble. High sco a range of p rers will be rizes includin Find out mo g a trip to Th re and regis e Shard. ter to play at www.cityhu nt.co.uk

Info

Autumn 2015

www.southwark.gov.uk

Parkrun UK If you’re looking forward to enjoying free swim and gym, set to be rolled out completely next summer, then this year’s free Parkrun could give you your fitness fix in the meantime. It’s a great way to meet new people and takes place in many of the borough’s flagship parks, including Burgess Park, Southwark Park and Peckham Rye Park.

Visit www.parkrun.org.uk for more information.

The Chocolate Poetry club

Corsica Studios

nd the corner Situated arou d y of Sound an from Ministr io ud st l al sm this The Coronet, overlooked, club is easily looking for but if you’re id little more la something a ot sp t ec rf e pe back this is th Southwark. ce en ri pe ex to studios.com www.corsica Road, 4/5 Elephant 1LB London SE17

The Chocolate Poetry club takes over The Communion Bar in Camberwell for a couple of Sundays this autumn, offering lovely cocktails and chocolate to all guests, while you enjoy a chilled evening of spoken word and live music. The shows will be on 4 October and 1 November, from 7pm ‘til late.

29-33 Camberwell Church Street, London SE5 8TR

Southwark markets Trying to eat clean? Step up your health game with a visit to one of our local farmers’ markets. While they’re popping up all over the city, Southwark is ahead of the curve with markets full of wholesome goodies at affordable prices. We have many markets in the borough, including Bermondsey, Camberwell and Peckham, and all are open every Saturday from 10am to 2pm. Check their websites for more information on locations and suppliers.

Bermondsey Farmers’ Market: www.bermondseysquare.net/ bermondsey-farmers-market/ For both Camberwell and Peckham’s Farmers’ markets: www.urbanfarmersmarket.co.uk

Are you a student looking for accommodation for next year? Thinking about moving house?

Renting in London can be tricky and with properties going off the market on the day they are advertised, speed is of the essence… but you need to be careful not to end up with an illegal contract.

Some people illegally sublet their council home. Southwark council homes vary from purpose built flats to Victorian houses and much more, making it difficult to tell what is a council home. Use our new web based service ILATCH to make sure the property you are interested in is not a council property.

NEED TO KNOW ILATCH is free and easy to use, even on your smartphone. Visit www.ilatch.co.uk and with the postcode and door number you can confirm whether the property you’re interested in is good to go.

Free Proof of Age London card for under 25s Lucky enough to look young for your age? You may benefit from carrying a proof of age card to avoid getting left out of the crowd.

If you are aged between 16 to 25 and living or studying in Southwark you are entitled to a free Proof of Age London card (PAL). The card makes it much easier to prove your age and for retailers to be confident about the age of those they serve.

Card holders can also benefit from local discounts on things like driving lessons, bicycles, clothing, books and leisure activities. The card can be used nationwide as a proof of age card and can also be used as a Southwark library card. Visit www.southwark.gov.uk/pal for more info.

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‘Here comes good health’

Cinemotor van showing public health films – taken in Bermondsey in 1937

We look at the pioneers who changed how we see health forever 28

I

n 2015 it’s the norm for us to think about protecting our health. From TV shows about dieting to fitness tracking apps, we’re surrounded by information and tools to make us more aware of healthy choices.

And for when we aren’t well, we take it for granted that our national health service will step in to help get us back on our feet.

But it wasn’t always like this, and Southwark played a big role in changing how our country thinks and acts about health forever.

At the turn of the twentieth century, London County Council divided the city up into 28 boroughs. For the first time London’s 4.5 million inhabitants had local bodies organising core services.

Info Amongst the new politicians were Southwark residents Dr Alfred and Ada Salter, who were painfully aware of local poverty and how it was stopping people looking after their health. They made it their life’s ambition to get people investing in public health. Choosing to live amongst the poorest in Bermondsey, Alfred Salter set about creating ground-breaking local schemes, including the first health insurance scheme, adult health classes and free services to those in most need – showing what a difference early investment can make to preventing long-term damage, the corner stone of how we think about public health today.

By 1903 Dr Salter was elected to Bermondsey Borough Council, while his wife Ada went on to make political gains of her own, by becoming the borough’s first female councillor in 1910. By 1922, Ada was the first female mayor while her husband was voted in as Bermondsey’s MP. Their political rise would be the boost needed to get public health on the capital’s post-war agenda.

The Salters were particularly determined to raise awareness of hygiene and how it could prevent common illnesses, including diphtheria. In 1927 the Palace of Baths was built in Walworth Road.

The centre, which pre-dated any NHS public health centre by more than 20 years, contained baths, swimming pools, a public laundry and a solarium to help cure the effects of tuberculosis, or TB. Through ‘cinemotors’ – vans with projector screens in the back – the Salters found inventive ways to publicise health messages to crowds of sometimes more than 1000 people.

Alongside publicity in health centres, posters, house calls and public demonstrations, the council even provided free garden TB shelters allowing sufferers to sleep in the fresh air, a forward-thinking move that saw the TB death rate fall. Public health had become a council priority.

The ambitious plans in Bermondsey, driven by the Salters’ determination

Autumn 2015

www.southwark.gov.uk

Public health float in Southwark May day parade in 1938.

to move the borough away from its post-WW1 poverty, was guided by the vision of a ‘Garden City’, where people could enjoy green, open spaces despite living in the midst of industrial London. From children’s playgrounds to parks, many of their schemes are still being carried out today; and this year Southwark was named number two nationally for the most Green Flag Awards.

In 1929 the Local Government Act turned remaining poor law services over to local councils and Bermondsey became an example to other London boroughs, which soon began to replicate its methods, recognised to have been years ahead of their time.

Today the original Walworth clinic that put Southwark on the map in 1927 is still standing, with the original plaque The Health of the People is the Highest Law proudly displayed above its doors.

Cllr Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, reflected; “The foundations laid by the Salters can still be seen at the heart of our council today, from programmes like free healthy school meals, free swim and gym and health checks, to working with GP surgeries and hospitals to encourage people to make their own health a priority. We are proud to be paying tribute to the vision of Alfred and Ada Salter some 100 years ago.”

Medical centre Walworth Road in 2015 To find out more about Southwark’s projects to improve public health and see whether you’re eligible for a health check, visit www.southwark. gov.uk/publichealth

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Art in the borough Discover art on your doorstep.

A

s one of London’s best known cultural destinations, there’s definitely no shortage of creative energy in Southwark. From lovingly collected Old Masters to edgy spaces with exciting installations, artists and curators in the borough are making their mark on UK’s art scene. We profile some of the best spots around town to see works of incredible talent up close.

Bartolom

é Estéba n Murillo Girl, Du , The Flo lwich Pic wer ture Gall er y

Get involved All these venues plus many more organisations in the borough offer great workshops and activities for all ages to learn about art or even discover their hidden artist.

Visit www.southwark.gov.uk/southwarkarts to find out more.

White Cube Bermondsey Photo: Andy Stagg

This elegant art space was founded to “bring art to the people of south London”. There are works by Modern British artists, a collection of more than 500 20th century prints and contemporary works relating to south London. Its café, No 67, is equally impressive, serving freshly made food in the SLG’s beautifully refurbished Victorian terraced house. Check the listings on page 22 to 23 for details of their current exhibition. www.southlondongallery.org

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Photo: Robert Irwin, Gothic

South London Gallery

This gallery is the largest of all the White Cube sites. Since opening in 2011, the building has hosted a variety of important exhibitions such as the first UK showing of work

by American artist Theaster Gates, a comprehensive retrospective of prints by Chuck Close and a large presentation of Anselm Kiefer works.

An education programme and an ongoing series of artist’s films, feature films and lectures takes place in the purpose-built 60 seat auditorium to accompany these exhibitions.

Info

Autumn 2015

www.southwark.gov.uk

Tate Modern

Bermondsey

This iconic museum’s collection is worldfamous, and rightly so, boasting works by the greatest artists of the modern age, from Dali to Monet to Picasso. Based in the former Bankside Power Station, see the very best exhibitions, collection displays, film screenings, conferences and talks whether you venture there with family or friends or on a solo trip. Entry to the permanent collections is free. Southwark Council, the first funder of the project, is very proud to have pledged the final £1million needed to secure the extension of the Tate Modern as part of its wider regeneration of the borough. www.tate.org.uk

Photo: Kiln Rooms

Peckham

Camberwell

Nunhead Mark Titchner, The World Isn’t Working (2014). Photograph by Miyako Narita.

Café Gallery Projects (CGP) London East Dulwich

Get your hands dirty and master an ancient craft at The Kiln Rooms. Renowned ceramist Stuart Carey, nominated for an Elle decoration award, teaches at this open access ceramics studio in Peckham Rye. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a trained practitioner, get in touch with the studio to try out a class by emailing info@kilnrooms.com or visit www.thekilnrooms.com

Dulwich

Dulwich Picture Gallery Photo: Dulwich Picture Gallery

An artist led initiative, CGP displays exhibitions of contemporary art at two venues in Southwark Park – Cafe Gallery and Dilston Grove. Through artist residencies, one off artist workshops, gallery talks, exhibition tours, performances and externally curated exhibitions, CGP London provides a raft of high quality learning experiences through developing sustainable relationships with community groups and working with partner organisations. For more information, please visit www.cgplondon.org

The Kiln Rooms

This is one of England’s oldest galleries founded back in 1626. It’s a vibrant cultural hub with one of the finest collections of Old Master paintings in the world ,especially rich in French, Italian and Spanish Baroque paintings and in British portraits from Tudor times to the 19th century. It was the first purpose-built public art gallery to open to the public and remains one of Britain’s most valued artistic and architectural treasures. www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk

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Halloween

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