Wharf Life Oct 27-Nov 10

+ Martin Gettings on the vital role played by green outdoor space in Canary Wharf Page 14

Oct 27-Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

inside issue 50

UFO Drive - Youmanity - Wapping Sourdough Natasha Maddison - Greggs - Waitrose Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair - Yuhoki After The End - Excel - Rotherhithe Playhouse 8 Harbord Square - Galliard Homes Endeavour Square - Crossword Sudoku - Creative Space Wharf Life Hacks Listings

cruise pure pleasure

why Skuna Boats hot tubs are ideal for a toasty trip round West India Docks, even when the weather’s getting cooler Page 12

celebrating the best of Canary Wharf, Docklands and the new east London people - events - treasure - property - foolishness

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feast your eyes on these

four focus

support your local institutions Where?

Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Canary Wharf

GIG | Chesney Hawkes The One And Only singer is set to perform his hits alongside some of his more recent piano-driven material. Expect more complexity and depth.

Nov 24, 9pm, from £29.50, boisdale.co.uk

Welcome to the latest issue of Wharf Life. Our 50th issue is all about direction – specifically the way you’ll choose to go in charge of an electric car with UFO Drive from the Canada Square car park, one of Skuna Boats’ hot tubs in the dock or even mentally on a mindful DLR. The choice is yours

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takeaway

Hacks to help – a page of tips to make your life better

Vegan Sausage Roll, £1.20 Greggs, Cabot Place

Where?

Museum Of London Docklands WIQ

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WALK | Discover The Docklands Join Blue Badge guide Julia Chandler as she takes a walk of historical discovery from South Quay all the way to West India Quay. Strikes, sugar and life.

Nov 21, 11am, £20, museumoflondon.org.uk

How Canary Wharf can be the start of a ride in a Tesla with UFO Drive

Where?

Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Canary Wharf

GIG | Loose Ends Enjoy 1980s chart hits such as Hanging On A String, Magic Touch and Slow Down as founding member Carl McIntosh tours with a fresh line up.

Nov 19, 9.30pm, from £29, boisdale.co.uk

flash back

Find out why senior lead trainer at Third Space Danny Cunningham believes consistency is the key to establishing a healthy exercise habit and how the brand’s Canary Wharf club has all the kit necessary to make that happen thirdspace.london Scan this code to to read our interview with Danny and discover membership incentives want more? @wharflifelive

O

h frabjous day, the glassy portal of Greggs has opened on the lower level of Cabot Place and Wharfers can finally gain access to the reasonably priced baked goods within.

Smart, as ever, with its marketing, the 82-year-old brand as wily as it is welcome – one of its screens flashes up with “High Sausage Roller” as I stroll towards the shop’s doors.

I don’t know whether it’s a personal comment, some sort of facial judgement algorithm perhaps, primed to spot gullible, easily flattered fools in need of a snack and to tempt them in.

Whatever, it works. The allure of the pastry is too much. Forget that

my vegan sausage roll is red on three out of four crucial health indicators.

I don’t care, I must have one. My body is a temple and sometimes that religion requires the sacrifice of dubious, filled parcels of hot, indeterminate matter.

Too long have Wharfers had to go without guilty pleasures such as this.

Truly, callooh, callay.

Go to greggs.co.uk Jon Massey Scan this code for more information about Greggs or to place an order online

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Why you can get 50% off if you book a hot tub boat in November

the joy of six Every issue Wharf Life covers six areas surrounding Canary Wharf to bring you the best of what’s going on beyond the estate From Page 36

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Editorial email info@wharf-life.com call 07765 076 300 Advertising email jess.maddison@wharf-life.com call 07944 000 144

Our editorial team works hard to ensure all information printed in Wharf Life is truthful and accurate. Should you spot any errors that slip through the net or wish to raise any issues about the content of the publication, please get in touch and we will investigate

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Canary Wharf

on the radar

doing the deals

get more for less in and around the Wharf

need to know

241

Coming soon – on November 25, to be specific – hotly anticipated opening Hawksmoor has revealed its floating restaurant at Wood Wharf will be the largest in its stable. We can’t wait for the 120-seater Lowback bar either... thehawksmoor.com

42 Lewis Hamilton may be in trouble in the latest F1 competition, but the vegan fast food restaurant he backs, Neat Burger, is still set to open in Canary Wharf’s Cabot Place this month. Just try those tater tots for a burst of veggie goodness neat-burger.com

Discover The Breakfast Pub at Crossrail Place’s The Breakfast Club. Go 5pm-7pm, Monday to Friday and get two for one on beer, wine and cocktails. thebreakfastclubcafes.com

36

Curatorial talk as print fair returns to Woolwich with fresh new show

We chat to the couple behind Wapping Sourdough and its van

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£5 44

Excel’s CEO on why the impact of exhibitions is vital for London’s prosperity and the importance of extending the venue to attract fresh shows to the Royal Docks

On selected spritz and wines at Scarpetta on the corner of Canada Square plus free savoury taralli bites from Puglia – 5pm-7pm Monday to Friday scarpettapasta.com

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write me

words you don’t know you need

slaycay

noun, fake, from Anglo Saxon subscribe to our newsletter and get Wharf Life content in your inbox each week for free

The barely containable rage engendered by the misuse of the word ‘staycation’ to refer to a holiday in the UK, made worse when it’s shortened to ‘staycay’. A staycation is time off in your own home, not some fancy hotel

style it

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●

psithurism noun, real, from Greek

Appropriately autumnal, this is the sound of the wind rustling the trees. As we’re well into the Fall, as our American cousins would have it, this is often accompanied at the moment by a flurry of leaves

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray costs £12 for 30ml and £26 for 118ml in Boots’ Canary Wharf stores

Help your loved ones to help you kiddrapinet.co.uk/understandinganlpa

You can’t control what the future holds, but you can control who makes decisions on your behalf.

Download our FREE guide to MAKING A LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY (LPA) Book a consultation with Tatiana Zenia today on 020 7925 0303 or email tzenia@kiddrapinet.co.uk

D

oes anyone remember the cult beauty classic, Lipcote, the lipstick sealer? Launched in the 1950s, it was cited as helping to “avoid all ugly smears on cigarettes, cups, etc. - it also enables you to save on your lipstick budget”.

Well, times have moved on and these days setting spray is where it’s at. These products claim to help both your entire face of makeup including your lipstick. Setting spray is a liquid mist, typically made from water and alcohol, and is intended to increase the lifespan of your makeup, avoiding fading and smudging.

Since weddings are generally day-long celebrations, and have been rife of late, this was the obvious choice of event for me to test-drive a setting spray. What’s more, I chose my sister’s wedding, making the risk of tears even greater, increasing the potential threat to my eye makeup.

That put a lot of pressure on Urban Decay’s All Nighter Setting Spray. I selected this specific product, as the firm’s website says it is the UK’s best, with claims it can keep makeup looking fresh for up to 16 hours with no touchups required.

It’s a vegan formula and uses a patented technology to lower the temperature of the wearer’s makeup, which elongates it’s effect, apparently. The brand’s website lists more than 2,000 five-star reviews for this product, and I must share with you my favourite: “Ok, so I used this before a night out, I got dumped on this night out and even after half an hour of crying on the pub bathroom floor and eight shots of tequila, my makeup still stayed flawless, thank you Urban Decay” nicoled339 Impressive indeed. I finished applying my makeup on the morning of the wedding and misted my face afterwards, as directed, allowing the spray to dry, which took about 30 seconds.

I made it through an hour-long emotional church ceremony, a not-very-well-ventilated room for the speeches and wedding breakfast, followed by a spin around the dance floor to Let’s Get Ready To Rhumble, Saturday Night, and the Little Mix back catalogue, all while chasing my two-year old around.

I’m happy to report that after about 10 hours after putting on my makeup, we decided to get a taxi home. I can honestly say that although tired and several glasses of wine down, all my makeup stayed firmly in place. It was refreshing not to have to worry about repeat applications throughout the day and to just enjoy the event.

The product is available from Boots branches in Canada Place and Jubilee Place in Canary Wharf, priced at £12 for the 30ml travel size, or £26 for the 118ml full-size spray. Oh, and for the nostalgic, Boots still stocks Lipcote too. It’s £4 for 7ml.

Natasha Maddison @pazzanatasha on Insta

Wharf Life Oct 27-Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

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Canary Wharf

art

Wave your phone camera over the code and all we’ll need is an email address

Don’t Cry Over Spilt Milk Canada Place, until Nov 13

Balloon Dog Decoration, £5 Waitrose, Canada Square Is it time to start thinking about Christmas already?

Canary Wharf’s branch of Waitrose certainly thinks so and there are plenty of shiny and bright decorations available one floor up from the food to get your festive juices flowing. We especially like this little chap – perfect for lovers of Jeff Koons who want a bit of tree bling.

If you like your art Instagram ready with meme-worthy text picked out in bright neon, then Eve De Haan’s Don’t Cry Over Spilt Milk is for you.

Free to attend, this group of installations in a space once occupied by Topshop is billed as a “place of pure unadulterated happiness – a wonder ground”.

To be fair there is a see-saw you can play on, which adds considerable giddiness when considering messages such as No Rain No Flowers, Don’t (where the ‘n’t’ flashes on and off ) and You Look Good in a box of mirrors, all ready for a selfie.

Whether these pieces are profound or social media made flesh is up to the viewer – an intriguing use of a vacant plot.

Jon Massey

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Portal to wonder ground: The entrance to the exhibition

FILM | Spencer For those unsated with royal drama

by The Crown comes Pablo Larrain’s film in which Kristen Stewart takes on the role of Diana, Princess Of Wales as she visits Sandringham for Xmas in 1991 and decides to end her marriage to Prince Charles. See it at West India Quay’s Cineworld.

From Nov 5, various times, cineworld.co.uk

Scan this code to find out about this free art exhibition

read on

Reclaim It Crossrail Place Nov 4-Dec 2, 7pm Curated by The Fandangoe Kid this series of happenings includes screenings of All The People I Hurt With My Wedding

by Lara Haworth (Nov 4) and Pompeii by Jacek Zmarz and Louis Harris-White (Nov 17).

Each is followed by a Q&A session. Tickets must be booked online with donations going to the Trussell Trust. canarywharf.com for listings

Get out of office and explore all these places from Page 36

>> diary dates and ideas to make your life in Canary Wharf just that little bit sweeter Ladies Navy And Orange Paisley Print Satin Blouse £65 - £40 multibuy Hawes & Curtis Canada Place

find these styles and lots more with this QR code

paisley patches Adopt a memorable, vibrant style for autumn drawn from Hawes & Curtis’ latest collections New styles from office apparel royalty go well beyond the staid, block colour and simple patterns of old.

Now is the time to opt for something vibrant, be a peacock among your peers, turn heads as you enter the

Limehouse + Wapping Isle Of Dogs + Poplar Rotherhithe + Deptford Greenwich + Woolwich Royal Docks + Canning Town Stratford + Bow

Men’s Curtis Green And Red Rustic Patchwork Slim Fit, High Collar Shirt £59 - £40 for two Hawes & Curtis Canada Place

meeting room. Think stripes and bold prints in clashing colours.

This shirt and blouse are a great place to start. Red, blue, green and orange should always be seen, together, with panache. hawesandcurtis.co.uk

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Wharf Life Oct 27-Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

Canary Wharf

by Jon Massey

T

power Jonathan Shine has been working in the electric vehicle sector for 20 years and is heading up UFO Drive’s expansion into the UK, which includes Tesla Model 3s for hire in Canary Wharf

comes as standard

how UFO Drive is revolutionising the car rental market with a fleet of electric vehicles, charged and ready to go

Vehicles in UFO Drive’s bays at Brussels Airport

here’s no doubt whatsoever that electricity is the future mainstream source of energy for cars. Petrol prices have reached record highs, London’s ultra low emissions zone (ULEZ) recently expanded to cover Tower Hamlets and Newham and world leaders are grappling ahead of COP26 to battle climate change.

Meanwhile the technology for low carbon personal transportation is already here, quietly accelerating past fossil fuel-powered vehicles as they belch out particulates into the lungs of the population and CO2 into the atmosphere.

Car designers have done a good job over the years of hiding the fumes away – directing the exhaust well away from the rarefied, filtered air breathed by those in the vehicles they sell. But, when placed beside the comparative cleanliness of a near-silent electric machine, the mask quickly slips.

Apposite, then, that UFO Drive recently parked up its Tesla Model 3s in Canary Wharf. The company offers electric vehicle hire in cities across seven European countries, and expanded to the UK, launching in London in January 2020.

Almost entirely app-based, customers book vehicles for a minimum of a day’s hire. These can either be picked up from one of UFO’s locations at any time or delivered to the client for a fee.

Jonathan Shine is the man in charge of the firm’s operations in the UK as it continues to grow with more cars already planned for Canary Wharf and further locations in the pipeline.

“I’ve been working in the electric vehicle industry for 20 years now,” he said. “I was working as a computer programmer and somehow learned that on in September 2001, Hertz was launching its new electric car, so I went out and rented one for a week – it was £70.

“It was a little car by Ford, a really cool vehicle, like a Smart car, really chic, with a range of about 50 miles, unless you put the Continued on Page 8

Image by Patrick Straub – find more of her work at patrickstraubphotography.com or via @patrickstraub on Insta

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UFO Drive vehicles will eventually be based in bays at Canary Wharf

Wharf Life Oct 27-Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

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has expanded.

Do you need to pay?

The Ultra Low Emission Zone now covers all areas within the North and South Circular Roads, to help clean up London’s air.

The North and South Circular Roads are not in the zone.

If you drive a petrol vehicle over 15 years old, or diesel vehicle over 6 years old that doesn’t meet the emissions standards, you could have to pay a daily charge of £12.50.

You can pay online, or sign up to Auto Pay for a £10 annual registration fee per vehicle, so you never forget to pay.

This is part of the commitment by the Mayor of London and TfL to help Londoners breathe cleaner air.

Search ULEZ 2021, and check your vehicle now.

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Wharf Life Oct 27-Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

1

Day is the minimum rental period for one of UFO Drive’s cars

from Page 6 heating on. It was gorgeous. I got in and thought: ‘This is happening, it’s really possible to have a really nice electric car’.

“I love vehicles, but I hate the way they pollute and I thought this was the way forward. So I looked at opportunities to get involved.

“At one point I had the chance to be the importer for what became the G-Wiz, but I spurned it because the cars were just horrible. I got into one and thought: ‘This is bad for the EV world, sub-standard, uncomfortable and not particularly safe’. It wasn’t the future.”

It’s fair to say things have come on a bit. Having worked in many electric vehicle related roles over the years, Jonathan has also gone from owning the original Nissan Leaf with a 90-mile range to the Hyundai Kona, which can travel 300 miles on a single charge and cost £30,000.

Some people are, of course, still nervous about the practicalities of owning and that’s – in part, at least – where UFO Drive comes in.

“I came across the company towards the end of 2019, contacted the CEO and said I liked the concept,” said Jonathan. “He was just about to launch in London, so it was right time, right place.

“Aidan (McClean) is amazing.

He’s an Irish man living in Luxembourg and is a little bit mad in a good way. You know he’s going to succeed because he’s so determined and energised – he brings everyone along with him.

“He’s travelled a lot, and wondered why, in this day and age, you still have to join a queue to rent a car, get a contract, get a key and sign hundreds of bits of paper. He created UFO Drive to revolutionise car rental and make

Aimed squarely at Londoners going on holiday or longer trips, UFO Drive operates a fleet of Tesla Model 3s from four locations in London including Canary Wharf

All hire is app-based

UFO Drive’s bays in Canary Wharf

Wharf Life Oct 27-Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

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Canary Wharf

“

We take really good care of our customers – that’s our focus and it’s at the heart of everything we do Jonathan Shine, UFO Drive

it really smooth and sleek – so people can go from plane to car in five min tes e realised, however, that if yo ’re going to start a new car rental company, it’s going to have to be electric and there wo ld need to be a symbiosis between digital, rental and electric hat premise has res lted in rive, which now operates locations in eight co ntries incl ding ford treet, ar ane, estfield ondon in hepherd’s sh and anary harf Rental fees are dependent on d ration b t can be as little as £70 per day for longer trips and incl de charging ypically c stomers can e pect to pay abo t for a day

P

retty m ch all aspects of the rental are handled digitally via the smartphone app incl ding loc ing and nloc ing the vehicle, which can be pic ed p and dropped off at any time at ’s bays very car is cleaned and charged professionally after every single rental and that’s important, said onathan hen yo rent one, yo now the car will be prepared and ready to drive it will be loo ing good and we’ll have chec ed it for any damage so yo now yo won’t be st ng for that beca se it will have been recorded hen people rent with s, they see the convenience, they love driving the cars, even if they rent for the weekend, which is more e pensive beca se of the demand eople really en oy the e ibility of it, the e perience of it and the ease of it e also give loyalty disco nts and it’s great to see people come bac again and again e have one c stomer who has completed rentals with s and that’s the record at the moment e also do deliveries and, once we e pand here, we’re going to offer those across a wider area stomers love that it costs a bit more, b t yo can start yo r o rney from o tside yo r ho se and yo don’t have to be there to receive the ey it’s all electronic, all done via the app o don’t have to sign any paperwor yo st start it

While the company is primarily foc sed on eslas at present it will be e panding its offering of other electric vehicles as charging networ s improve something onathan e pects to happen rapidly in the near f t re t will also be boosting its anary harf bays from fo r to eight in order to eep pace with demand omething else that’s really important is that we’re a small company so yo get a good, personal service, said onathan “The idea is that it feels like a family b siness we’ll sort it o t if yo have a problem e ta e really good care of o r c stomers that’s o r foc s and it’s at the heart of everything we do

W

hile holidays and longer trips are ’s niche, there is another reason people hire its cars and, despite a forthcoming pop p in lasgow for , that’s not st to show off their eco credentials “We are all electric and one of the pleasantly s rprising aspects of the b siness is the demand for that, said onathan iring electric vehicles is already something people st oogle for environmental reasons t it’s also a way to try them o t before yo commit to b ying one yo rself ith petrol prices at record highs everything points to hiring an EV where charging is incl ded t present it’s a niche part of the mar et b t that ma es s really stand o t and we’re the only ones doing it really well beca se of the digital operation we have here are other companies p and down the co ntry b t they’re comparatively e pensive ith s, yo are driving a premi m vehicle, we can deliver it to yo , there’s e ibility and we’re affordable f yo add all those things together, it makes sense e thin anary harf is very promising for s and co ld be one of o r best locations any of the people who wor here or live locally have no par ing and don’t have a car beca se they don’t need one for what they do every day t when they need to go away for a co ple of days they now have the option of renting an electric vehicle and everything that means as well as the sheer f n of it rive’s eet of esla odel s is located on ar ing evel in anada are car par in anary harf Go to ufodrive.com for more

Scan this code to find out more about UFO Drive or to book

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Wharf Life Oct 27-Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

Canary Wharf

6

Months – the expected duration of the DLR’s mindfulness installations

moments The DLR has introduced 12 dedicated mindfulness carriages onto its network alongside meditation corners on station platforms

the message

what KeliosAmey Docklands had to say

T

his is part of our Back On Track scheme, which has been running for five years,” said KAD head of customer experience, William Layton, at the launch of the Inner journey initiative earlier this month.

“This is aimed at helping people with mental health issues take their first journeys back into independent travel and it’s operated by our DLR ambassadors in conjunction with the NHS. “Youmanity approached us with a lovely idea to showcase mental health issues on the railway and it fits in with what we have been trying to do with Back On Track.

William Layton, head of customer experience for DLR operator KeliosAmey Docklands

“We wanted to welcome our passengers back after Covid restrictions eased but we knew that first trip caused anxiety.

“The Inner Journey initiative seemed like a great way to engage with people – to put some nature-inspired scenes on trains and some of our platforms, to do something a little bit fun and hear a hint of birdsong.

“We’re also giving people the chance to download the Brain Recharge app and take a moment to think about their mental health and their wellbeing.

“The installations will be in place for at least six months and we’ll constantly be looking at how we engage with people and keep it fresh.

“The Inner Journey initiative is a great way of reminding Londoners that even a small pause, some breathing space, can start the journey to feeling calmer and more resilient.”

Go to keolisameydocklands.info for more, well, info

how a series of installations across the DLR are aimed at taking commuters on an inner journey What’s all this?

DLR operator KeliosAmey Docklands has teamed up with the NHS, equality and social inclusion charity Youmanity and guided meditation app Brain Recharge to create mindfulness trains and station corners to support commuter wellbeing for its Inner Journey initiative.

Why? The scheme, which comprises 12 train carriages and installations at Canary Wharf, Tower Gateway and Woolwich Arsenal stations, is intended to lessen anxiety for those returning to public transport following the pandemic.

What’s the app?

Brain Recharge is a free resource that offers meditation tracks to users to promote calm during travel.

think deep

a word from Youmanity

T

his project is all about getting people to take a break and reflect on their lives,” said Youmanity chair Angelo Iudice. “As someone who suffers from anxiety myself, it was natural to devise a project that helps those similarly affected.

“Inner Journey is a project that encourages commuters to chill out in a series of designated spaces. You have the sounds and sights of nature so people will be aware they’ve entered a special place. Then you can continue your journey onto a mindfulness train.”

Go to youmanity.today

Angelo Iudice of Youmanity

Images by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta

investing in those

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HALLOWEEN SPECIAL - DOCK X OCT 28-30

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12

Wharf Life Oct 27-Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

how Skuna Boats delivers some of the most singular on-dock experiences in Canary Wharf

50%

Off selected bookings for both BBQ boats and hot tub boats in October and November – Boat Out To Help Out

by Jon Massey

F

or the past three years – lockdowns excepted – West India Docks has been home to knots of folk in swimsuits gently slipping through the water in curious bright red craft. Some sport captains’ hats and sip beverages, most wave to passers-by as they inevitably become the subject of social media updates or enthusiastic messages to friends.

They are customers of Skuna Boats, a company based at West India Quay and founded by CEO Stuart ‘Tommo’ Thomson.

Despite enforced closures due to the pandemic, his business has had its b siest s mmer since the first of pillar box red vessels silently sailed away from its moorings and, with a new boat in the pipeline and plans to expand operations to more sites in the UK, the future looks bright.

“I originally saw the hot tub boats in Holland – they’re made by a guy in Rotterdam and I spotted them when I was on holiday and thought it looked a lot of fun,” said Tommo. “I had a go in one and thought it was brilliant and that it was definitely something that should be in the UK. “We started in the Regent’s Canal near Old Street for a year and then moved to Canary Wharf.

“The docks here are a lot more expansive – the boats can travel further and it’s a more interesting journey. The Regent’s Canal has locks so you could only go about 500m. Here the boats can explore a lot more of the dock system so it’s a much better place to go out on one.”

The hot tub boats normally cost from £225 and have a maximum capacity of seven people equating to less than £33 on wee days hey are filled with fresh, pre-heated water for each party which is kept at around 38ºC by an on-board stove that is stoked with enough eco briquettes to last for the duration of the 90-minute experience. Refreshments, including limited alcohol can be purchased direct from Skuna.

come on in

lovely the water’s

Above, a Skuna Boats hot tub boat and left, one of the company’s BBQ boats in action

Wharf Life Oct 27-Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

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Canary Wharf

a personal journey

Skuna Boats Hot Tub Boat, £225 (without discount) >> I have to admit to a certain scepticism about taking a ride on a hot tub boat. I thought the novelty would quickly wear off, that a quick 20-minute spin would be enough to get the gist and then it would be back onto dry land.

Then something remarkable happened. I’m not sure whether it was the deep warmth of the water, the process of learning to sail the jolly little craft or the dreamlike progress we made through the water, but time seemed to stand still.

The boat was extremely easy to manoeuvre, its tiny engine providing just enough thrust to make it feel like we were getting somewhere without ever careering out of control, even at full throttle.

“

The best time of year to take a trip on a hot tub boat is in the winter when its freezing cold outside and 38ºC in the boat Tommo, Skuna Boats

“Whatever the weather – sun, rain, snow – the water will stay at 38ºC,” said Tommo. “We’re much busier in summer but the best time of year to take a trip on one is in the winter when it’s freezing cold outside.

“We haven’t had snow in Canary Wharf since we opened, but we’re hoping for some because it will be a great experience to sail the boats in those conditions.

“The trip lasts an hour and a half – we have a recommended route, which takes up the duration of the hire time. There are a few limits on where the boats can go but otherwise customers are free to explore the dock system. They travel at a couple of miles an hour for a relaxing, serene experience.”

Skuna also operates BBQ Boats for up to nine people who can cook on a grill at the centre of the doughnut-shaped craft.

Restricted to North Dock by the pedestrian bridge from Crossrail Place to West India Quay, sailors are nevertheless free to bob around the str ts of the oating bridge while making their food. Hire

The juxtaposition of one’s body, essentially in a hot bath, floating on deep cool water with Canary Wharf’s towers rearing up all around is peculiar. It’s a rare expedition of near total decadence in a world of purpose and direction – a chance to escape for 90 minutes into an experience that’s pure fun and pleasure.

Everyone waves. People shout that they wish it was them. The tiny electric motor is silent, the stove doesn’t even crackle. You’re a swan gliding effortlessly over the darkness of the dock, between the shadows of the buildings into the sunshine. Then all too soon it’s over and, mentally, you start planning your next trip before you’re even changed.

Stirring stuff. JM

Tommo pictured with Skuna’s prototype River, named after his daughter as they were both

starts at £150 and drinks must be purchased from Skuna.

“You can enjoy a trip while cooking your own food with Canary Wharf in the background,” said Tommo. “It’s amazing to see all the wonderful things people prepare. We do packs of food too that people can purchase or they can order from Pizza Pilgrims.”

Expansion beckons, with a pop-up already in place at Lakeside shopping centre. But of greater excitement to Wharfers is the company’s new prototype, currently tied up at West India Quay as it undergoes testing.

“We want to expand the hot tub and BBQ Boats to other locations in the UK,” said Tommo. “The ones we currently use are made in Holland so we’ve developed a prototype that’s partly made of recycled plastic bottle tops, designed and built over here.

“It’s a multifunctional vessel that will be able to transform from a hot tub boat to a BBQ boat to give s greater e ibilty t’s not ready for customers yet, but it certainly should be at the start of 2022.” ● In October and November, na oats is c rrently offering off ot b oats boo ed Monday-Wednesday. All BBQ Boat bookings are half price. Use code BOATOUT for the former and AUTUMN50 for the latter.

Scan this code for more info on Skuna Boats or to make a booking

born in 2021 Image by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta

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Canary Wharf

2

Large green spaces already open to discover at Wood Wharf – Harbord Square and Harbour Quay Gardens

getting greener

by Martin Gettings

E

arlier this month we recognised Mental Health Awareness Week, which encouraged a time of reflection around the importance of nature to our mental and emotional wellbeing.

Living in the heart of a city means that we can sometimes lose touch with nature within our day to day lives, but at Canary Wharf we understand that access to the natural world is something that should be available to everyone.

Spending time in green spaces can make a huge difference to our overall happiness and works to reduce anxiety and improve productivity.

Meanwhile, taking time out to appreciate the natural world around us helps us each to realise our role in protecting our planet and ensuring that access to this natural resource remains accessible to all.

At Canary Wharf, we have 20 acres of parks, squares and gardens across the estate to offer workers, residents and visitors a place to experience exactly that.

Crossrail Place Roof Garden brings together exotic plants inspired by the western and eastern hemispheres in one of London’s largest roof gardens.

It’s very calming and a beautiful space. I urge you to visit for a moment of tranquillity. The roof garden has been created as a quiet space to connect with nature and take time out for our mental health within the bustling estate.

Furthermore, green space is the

Wharfers participate in a Yoga session in Jubilee Park, part of a network of open spaces across the estate that extends to some 20 acres

nature connecting to

across the Wharf

“

The prioritisation of health and wellbeing will be fundamental in the years to come, as we prioritise interaction with nature alongside sustainable development and growth Martin Gettings, Canary Wharf Group

main driving force on our new neighbourhood Wood Wharf, which celebrates the natural world through the use of ecological design and more efficient and sustainable construction. There’s also a tranquil waterside boardwalk to enjoy.

The prioritisation of health and wellbeing will be fundamental in the years to come, as we prioritise interaction with nature alongside sustainable development and growth.

If you would like to find out more about Crossrail Place Roof Garden and if you have any queries or suggestions, please email us at sustainability@canarywharf.com

Martin Gettings is group head of sustainability at Canary Wharf Group Go to canarywharf.com or breakingtheplastichabit.co.uk Scan this code for more information on sustainability in Canary Wharf

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flavour real, local

they started Wapping Sourdough by accident, but couple Robin Weekes and Clare Kelly say growing the business has balanced perfectly with raising their six children

by Laura Enfield

P

arents of six, Robin Weekes and Clare Kelly, say their youngest and most temperamental seventh “child” has been the hardest to raise.

The husband and wife team have spent the last decade wrangling baking business Wapping Sourdough through its startling birth, challenging toddlerhood and now maturing childhood.

They went from launching at the ondon ames and finding success selling their products at markets to striking out on their own at Thomas Moore Square in Wapping.

Now they have entered a new phase of the business with a food van at London Dock, selling their sourdough loaves, filled bag ettes and ca es There are also plans to expand into coffee and toasties Robin said through the whole journey, one thing had remained the same – their doughy child – a year old mi t re of water, o r and salt that needs constant attention.

“Sourdough is the best bread in the world and it’s made from only three ingredients,” said the 58-year-old.

“But you have to look after your starter every day or it dies. I have taken it through customs, on aeroplanes and on holiday. he o r ferments and has a bacterial culture in it and a wild yeast culture that makes the bread rise. It’s massively temperamental and takes so long to get it so you can make real sourdough and not use commercial yeast.”

Clare added: “It can’t be neglected.

I think a lot of people in lockdown started making it, but the fact you are then committed p t a lot of people off “It’s amazing when you see it bubbling and growing. When Robin started it was like a science experiment and he had pots and jars of starter around the kitchen that would hiss and sometimes explode.

Everyone who came round the house had it shoved in their face to smell.”

Robin rises at 5am every morning to tend to his creation, heading to the bakery expansion on their home in Vaughan Road, which they built after landing £20,000 contracts for the London 2012 Games.

“I was a social worker in child protection for 20 years and bread making was an obsessive hobby,” he said. “I was so into sourdough from when it first became pop lar b ilt a

Robin and Clare are now running their business from a food van in London Dock, which allows them to expand into coffees and toasties Images by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta

brick oven in the garden and started making it with the kids.

“I made it for charity and people started wanting to buy it. Then I saw an advert in East End Life for the Olympics, looking for local producers.

I made an application, very naively as we weren’t a business – we were just doing market stalls on a Saturday.

“We won two contracts for the corporate events for three weeks of work, despite competition from Angela Hartnett, so I gave up social work and set up a bakery.”

From there the couple were invited to sell at St Katharine Docks market with Clare stepping naturally into the business side of the partnership and fitting r nning the stall aro nd looking after their children.

The 55-year-old said: “We had just had our sixth child when we launched the business and I think we were quite lucky in our relationship that I was able to stay at home and Robin was the breadwinner.

“It all happened accidentally really, our youngest was two when we got

The olive and sundried tomato focaccia, which Wapping Sourdough sells by the slice

Wharf Life Oct 27- Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

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Wapping - Limehouse - Shadwell

the opportunity to do the market at St Katharine Docks and these were always in school hours so I could drop the ids off and then pac p in time to pick them up.

“The people who used to run the market owned Partridges food store on the King’s Road invited us to do their Saturday market, which we did for seven years and really gave us a boost. e did different breads then and that was a lot harder for Robin because we would start on the Saturday evening, mixing the doughs and going right through to Saturday morning baking.”

So, the obvious question is, which is harder – making sourdough or raising six kids?

“Well I wouldn’t have got up that early for the kids and Robin never had to,” said Clare. “I used to breastfeed and they were all in bed with us when they were little so he never had to wake up at all. But now he has to get up at 4am so I would say the six kids are easier.

“One changes your life completely and two seems like hard work because you can’t split yourself. After three it doesn’t ma e any difference Robin stayed diplomatically silent but said making sourdough was much less demanding than his previous career.

“It’s so ancient and there is so much respect for bread,” he said. “What I can’t get over is the amount of respect people have.

“I was a senior manager in social work and I think I get more kudos now for making the bread than I ever did as a social worker.

“It’s really important to people and our culture. I’ve had kids round from the local school, teaching them about bread and how to make it.”

He is keeping the secret of his sourdough to himself but said: “I can only make the bread I do now because I have been doing it for 20 years. It takes that long. he consistency is really di c lt to achieve. You can look at a YouTube video and you might get lucky and ma e a great loaf the first time b t I doubt you’d make a great loaf 10 times on the trot.

“It’s something you have to judge all the time because we don’t have temperature controls and proving machines like in a professional bakery so you have to change what you are doing throughout the year.

“Now winter is coming the bread tastes different and every loaf has a varied avo r, which is what love about it. You are not just churning out the same thing every day.”

Robin said his bread didn’t taste like any other in the world because people were imbibing the very essence of Wapping itself.

“When you start learning about yeast you realise that it’s everywhere – pretty much on everything, on us and st ying aro nd “That’s where the name Wapping o rdo gh comes from the avo r

20

Years Robin has been feeding his treasured sourdough starter

Phil A selection of the products on offer

The bakery’s cakes and muffins are all vegan

The biggest loaf of sourdough is 800g

The filled baguettes are all vegan and vegetarian Scan this code for more on Wapping Sourdough

of the bread is unique to wherever it’s created. You can’t recreate San Francisco sourdough here because the yeast is latent in the air. Hence why we’re Wapping Sourdough.”

Robin bakes about 25 loaves (£3.50 for 800g) a day, 50 vegetarian and vegan bag ettes with fillings that include handmade hummus and pesto, focaccia with olive and sundried tomatoes (£3 a slice), 30 ca es and ap ac s The couple, whose other hobby is performing in panto for their local church St Patrick’s, had a crisis last year when o r s pplies dried p during lockdown.

Clare said: “Everyone was going crazy buying supplies and we thought we would be stopped in our tracks.

We just couldn’t get any.”

Luckily they managed to get a direct supply from Wright’s Flour and carried on. But Robin said the pandemic saw sales plummet from 150 baguettes a day to nine.

They survived by launching a home delivery and a pizza service but have now stopped those to focus on trading with the van.

Robin said: “Now we’re in the right place at the right time and it’s a really good deal for us. We want to take it forward and try to add to our repertoire. t’s got a coffee machine and electricity which opens up a world of opportunity for us. We’ll be starting to do agabond offee, so rdo gh melts and who knows what else?

“I still love that it seems like a really honest transaction. We make something, people give us money for it and we can make a living from that.

It is stressful in terms of it being hard, physical work but there isn’t that mental stress behind it.

“We had the philosophy right from the start that we would only buy equipment once we had earned the money for it rather than paying it back later.”

Clare was previously out in Thomas Moore Square with a gazebo or umbrella and constantly watching the weather forecast. She said London Dock bosses invited them to take on the van and have made it an easy transition for them. a e ff fan lare hopes it is a step towards an easier life as she dreams of one day owning a shop. o far the b siness has really fitted in with our lifestyle, we could take time off for trips and assemblies, but now the kids are getting older, I would like to have a shop so we get other people who can do our jobs if needed.”

Robin, who reckons he could get a handshake from Paul Hollywood, but prefers Masterchef, said: “I’m quite happy.

“Even though it’s been a long time I still feel very lucky to be able to do it.

We still have two kids at home and I work from home and still get to spend a lot of time with them.”

Go to wappingsourdough.com for more information

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support your local institutions Where?

Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping

WHAT | Camille O’Sullivan The singer gives her first live performance since Lockdown, with a stripped-back evening of song, piano and long-time friend Feargal Murray.

Nov 16-24, 7.45pm, £18.50-25, wiltons.org.uk Where?

Troxy Limehouse

SHOW | The Return Of The Jinxk And Dela BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon have risen from the rubble for this post-apocalypse-mas extravaganza unearthing favourite holiday traditions.

Nov 19, 6.30pm, £34.20, troxy.co.uk Where?

Tobacco Dock Wapping

EVENT | Taste: The Festive Edition A foodie wonderland featuring the hottest London restaurants, future food heroes, chefs about to launch their next big thing and daily dishes.

Nov 18-21, various times, £17, tobaccodocklondon.com

tuft creation

Discover the art of Katya Rogers as the artist and rug maker exhibits her work at Three Colt Gallery in Limehouse. On show until November 15, the recent Camberwell College Of Art graduate’s pieces are Isle Of Dogs inspired threecoltgallery.co.uk Scan this code to find out more about Katya’s debut solo show and gallery opening times want more? @wharflifelive

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Wharf Life Oct 27-Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

Creative Space

doodle whatever you like

the possibilities of a blank sheet of paper are mind-boggling – we'd love to see what you use it for. Tag us via @wharflifelive on Insta

Wharf Life Oct 27-Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

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Isle Of Dogs - Poplar - Blackwall

£36.90

The cost of Sushi Set 3 at Yuhoki comprising 51 pieces, of which 38 are shown

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support your local institutions Where?

Poplar Union Poplar

STAGE | NoMad Formerly homeless actor, writer and theatre maker Nell Hardy presents her debut solo show based on her mental health struggles and hospitalisation.

Nov 16, 7.30pm, pay what you feel, poplarunion.com Where?

The Space Isle Of Dogs

how Japanese restaurant Yuhoki quietly delivers exacting food in its warm and cosy surroundings

morsels perfect

by Jon Massey

T

here’s something of a dreamlike quality to Yuhoki. Tucked away in a corner of Meridian Place in the shadow of the Madison building, this small Japanese restaurant is all cosy wooden furniture and tiny geisha dolls.

More serviceable canteen than date night hotspot, it’s almost full when we visit on a Saturday night and an almost constant stream of Deliveroo riders arrive and depart.

The atmosphere, however, is completely relaxed.

The staff calmly deliver dishes to tables, as they’re generated in the kitchen. An impossibly slow, trippy cover of Don’t You Want Me Baby by the Human League plays on the sound system.

Top, salmon sashimi, £4 Left, grilled scallop with creamy sauce and tobiko, £5.50 (minimum of two) Scan this code to find out more about Yuhoki

As the woman croons her way painstakingly through the 1980s classic, we order a vast 51-piece sushi platter with a little extra salmon sashimi and, on a whim, some grilled scallops.

The tastes are delicate – soft rice with just a hint of vinegar. Good quality ingredients, skilfully prepared and presented.

Washed down with green tea and tiny ceramic vessels of Ozeki Hana Fuga sparkling sake – £13 for a bottle of this dry, peach flavoured liquid – the whole experience is deeply satisfying.

There’s too much food, of course, but that just means some sushi to take home for the following day and renders the already reasonable prices even better value.

Fold in the pleasant, creamy surprise of the scallops, that come on the half shell, sprinkled with spring onion and decorated with roe and it’s a proposition that’s difficult to beat on the Island.

Simple, uncomplicated and enjoyable.

STAGE | Tartarus And Other Stories Three men with very different stories but all in search of hope. A cowboy leaves London, another escapes to live on Uranus and one is covered in scars.

Nov 16-20, 7.30pm, £15, space.org.uk Where?

The Space Isle Of Dogs

STAGE | Enter Mr Citrus Man This is a fun, imaginative story about feelings and what drives humans into situations they didn’t intend.

Expect a botanic bathroom and a big city life guru.

Nov 23-27, 7.30pm, £15, space.org.uk

compensation claim

Having recently secured a £1.25million settlement on behalf of a client, personal injury lawyer Vashti Prescott of Kidd Rapinet Solicitors is on a mission to raise awareness of how the law can protect accident victims kiddrapinet.co.uk Scan this code to find out more about the process of making a personal injury claim with the firm want more? @wharflifelive

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Wharf Life Oct 27- Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

born in lockdown Rotherhithe Playhouse is bringing light to local lives

by Laura Enfield

W

creation

hen life fell apart, Phil Willmott found himself broke and bored. The Rotherhithe resident went from being one of the most commissioned theatre writers in the UK as well as a director, artistic director, composer, librettist, teacher, arts journalist and actor to, well, a man sat in a room. As he has done since childhood, the 55-year-old turned to theatre, launching Rotherhithe Playhouse st after the first loc down It started with Hamlet on the riverside and progressed to A Christmas Carol, the Rotherhithe Gospels and Great Expectations, each performed in a different open air location with sets built from recycled and found materials. Current production Macbeth runs until November 6 in the courtyard of The Ship in Rotherhithe with three shows planned for the Christmas period e sat down to find o t more about the man behind the company.

How did Rotherhithe Playhouse start?

As a kid, theatre was really important to me. I didn’t go to a particularly good school so wo ld ta e myself off on Saturday afternoons to see plays and musicals at Bristol Old Vic. It was how I learnt about the world.

When Covid closed all the theatres, I realised there was a real danger of a whole generation of kids never being taken to the theatre, who will have never seen the plays they are studying.

I felt the longer the pandemic went on, the more people would get out of the habit of going to the theatre, so an entire art form could die away.

There is a beautiful riverfront outside my window so I thought I would get some actors together and we would go and do Hamlet down there. It was very simply staged and the audience was really transported by it. I just thought we had to keep it going.

What makes it different from a conventional theatre? ach prod ction is in a different ven e in Rotherhithe to help bring them to a wider public. I don’t think I would be interested in the nuts and bolts of running a permanent venue but each month we build a new theatre from scratch – it’s very exciting and you can adapt the performance to the site you are in and make it very special.

Tickets are free if you access food banks or subsidised school meals and for everyone else we run the Pay What You Can scheme. That way I hope it will

multiple acts of

always be affordable for people to ta e their ids to see a magnificent piece of literature, which is really life enhancing.

The other innovative thing we do is with the creatives. Because of the pandemic, lots of them took proper fulltime obs and now they find it impossible to give them up for short-term theatre commitments. So we only work outside of o ce ho rs so they can participate

What sparked your interest in theatre?

Pantomime. I was taken as an annual treat and I used to sit there intently watching it so that for months, as I fell asleep, I could run it in my mind.

I came from quite a working class background in Bristol so there was no-one to explain theatre to me. I assumed it was just the actors. It didn’t occur to me that someone wrote and directed and designed it. I thought I wanted to be an actor and trained for three years and was relatively successful playing, ironically, upper class twits in light entertainment and ended up in a Science Fiction soap opera Jupiter Moon that they used to launch Sky. It was a fantastic cast with people like Anna Chancellor and Jamie Glover. I have never laughed so much and made lifelong friends. But after that, I realised acting wasn’t for me. I started writing plays and sent one in a brown envelope literally addressed to The BBC, London and a fantastic producer picked it up and they did it on Radio 4. One day I wanted someone to direct a version of it and I decided to have a go myself. Ever since I have had this three-pronged career.

I prefer theatre, as being on TV is more like being in a factory. Theatre is a knife edge and I still feel that now times ten beca se every day is fighting fires st wish I could make a living at it on its own.

How did lockdown affect you?

It was truly shocking and even now I’m struggling to acclimatise. I hadn’t been unemployed for 30 years. Suddenly it all stopped and, from an incredibly busy, stressful life there was just me, sat in a room. I was forced to say: “I’m not my career. Who am I? What do I believe in?

What do I want to happen?”.

I discovered I had to make theatre because it was in my blood but I had to find a new way of doing it for life, d ring and after this wretched pandemic.

Before, I was glued to my diary and didn’t know who I was. Now, ironically, because of this project, I’m still a person rushing around putting on plays but I know why. It was a chance to throw it all up in the air and decide what I wanted to take from my old life into my new life. lso, for the first time in my life, became penniless. I wasn’t wealthy before

but never in my life, even as a student, had had to stop and thin an afford a coffee hat was very sobering and fuelled me to think about how I could help other people in this situation. There are many wonderful people running food banks but I think as humans we have to be a bit more than that.

Why did you choose to perform classics?

I always assume people will be sick of things like Macbeth or Great Expectations and know them inside and backwards.

But people come who have no idea of the story and who have never heard them and it’s so exciting to give people their first e perience of these incredible pieces of work. Shakespeare is this miraculous, ridiculous phenomenon because there are

Previous productions include an adaptation of Great Expectations these words and every time you go back to them they mean something different It’s endlessly rich and rewarding.

Have you discovered any parallels between your latest production and your present situation?

Completely. Macbeth starts off with a very certain trajectory and then everything falls apart and it comes from an unexpected quarter, his encounter with the three witches, which feels a bit like our encounter with this strange disease which came out of nowhere.

He’s ruthless and violent and I’m not those things but we were all brought up to think about career and how we advance and get a better job. Then, suddenly that rug is pulled away and we are in the situation that Macbeth is in. What does he pursue and what feels wrong? Of course he makes all the wrong choices, but watching him do that tells us a lot about our lives and our choices.

Are you happy with your choices?

I’m making the best choices I can and struggling every day to do it better. When we started, nobody showed up and now it has a little fanbase, so I’m sure there is a

need for it. But it is endlessly exhausting not having any money. Everything has to be found on the street or bought in the pound shop. There’s no way it can make money, unless it’s very heavily subsidised, because the pop-up theatres we make seat a maximum of 60 people.

I haven’t taken another job so far, but will have to change that because it’s impossible to keep living on £20 a week. I just know we have to always be there for our community. So, no matter what, they can go to the theatre and see something fantastic.

How has the community responded? t’s very di c lt to get places to perform I’m quite cross with some people who won’t let me put our theatre up in their forecourt. It’s troubling and has been a bit of an eye-opener. Organisations that you think would go out of their way to help yo find all sorts of by laws and nonsense in order to justify saying no. But we are winning people over. We need about 5m by 9m for our marquee and, if you give us that, we will create something magical for your part of the community. We don’t even need your electricity supply as we run everything on batteries.

What other help do you need?

We had a fantastic general manager, who has now moved on, so I’m looking. I feel there might be recent retirees out there who’d like to learn to project manage one show a year. My absolute dream would be just to worry about what happened on stage. Also, if anyone has any money and would like to sponsor us, they would be contributing to something wonderful.

Will you perform any new plays?

I only want people who come to see masterpieces – nothing second rate because a bad theatre experience can mean you don’t go for the next 10 years.

I might write something about Doctor Salter and his wife who have statues on the riverbank because not many people now abo t them hey really s ffered for what they believed but stayed and improved the area for everyone.

I discovered I had to make theatre because it was in my blood, but I had to find a new way of doing it for life during and after this wretched pandemic Phil Willmott, Rotherhithe Playhouse

Wharf Life Oct 27- Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

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Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey

Phil Willmott has lived in Rotherhithe for 25 years with his husband and says the area has a magical quality and

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support your local institutions

is now in his blood

Where?

The Albany Deptford

SHOW | Duckie Is Twenty-Sicks The “post-gay independent arts outfit” celebrate with tribute acts from Ursula Martinez, Oozing Gloop, Harold Offeh and Ebony Rose Dark.

Nov 12, 9pm, £16, thealbany.org.uk Where?

Canada Water Theatre Rotherhithe

COMEDY | Arabs Are Not Funny After almost two years in hibernation Maria Shehata (pictured), Fatiha El-Ghorri, Mo Magaleo and Farah Sharp are back and looking for laughs.

Nov 12, 7.30pm, £price, canadawatertheatre.org Where?

Printworks Surrey Quays

MUSIC| Aurora Orchestra Famed for performing from memory, it will offer a fresh take on Beethoven using dramatic lighting and a 3D “acoustic shell” to immerse the audience.

Nov 11, 6pm, £15, printworkslondon.co.uk

mud lark

Scan this code for more information on Rotherhithe Playhouse Images by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta

Discover Rotherhithe-based author Tom Chivers’ first non-fiction book London Clay with this extract as well as his thoughts on capturing the capital from its very foundations upwards thisisyogic.com Scan this code to find read Tom’s extract from London Clay online at wharf-life.com want more? @wharflifelive

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Wharf Life Oct 27- Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

how Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair is evolving and encouraging new art collectors to pay the show a visit

by Laura Enfield

S

hiny golden phalluses are not a conventional start to a business.

But why be dull? The glimmering appendages provided the catalyst for the birth of Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, which is set to return from November 11-18. It brings 700 original artworks to the area featuring famous names, hot new artists and images of everything from folk tale-inspired etchings, to the naked human form and abstract pieces created using control and chance.

“We were invited to bring a cultural activity to oolwich as a one off, said Lizzie Glendinning who founded the Fair in 2016 with artist husband Jack Bullen.

“We installed this quite controversial Italian sculpture by Samuele Sinibaldi in the former Canon Carriage Factory. It got people talking as it featured golden phalluses on a tree. People either loved or hated it, but we were invited back nonetheless The couple already ran Brocket Gallery together and had gained attention for their New Collector Evenings, which used original print to encourage people to talk about and buy art. Inspired by that ethos they ran a Kickstarter fundraising campaign, contacted printmakers they admired and set-up the inaugural fair, with no budget, in two months.

“Filling a huge abandoned former factory was a huge undertaking and we thought original print would be the way because there wasn’t anyone doing that specifically with contemporary wor , said Lizzie.

“The redevelopment of the buildings was something we really wanted to mirror in the history of printmaking, the industrial nature of it and the process.

“Jack and I are big fans of the Venice iennale hey have sed fine art to regenerate old factories. We thought: ‘How come no-one has done this in London because the buildings are just incredible?’.

“One of the reasons we decided to invest in the area was because of Crossrail – my background was working in Mayfair galleries and we wanted to bring the best of that genre here The fair has now usurped their gallery business and takes 12 months to plan.

Scan this code for more on Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair

Lizzie will be breaking boundaries again by curating the entire event from more than 300 miles away in Northumberland.

The couple moved there just before the first loc down and i ie is now pregnant with their second child so unable to make the long trip to the capital.

But in a fortuitous twist, the cancellation of last year’s event means they already have the technology in place.

“It was a last-minute decision in eptember to cancel, said i ie “Our whole year had gone towards building it and there were lots of people involved and some wanted us to keep going. But it would have completely ruined us because we went into lockdown. So we’re really lucky we decided to go online.

“We worked with a company called nstmatri and were one of the first Fairs to do an interactive walk through design. We had a lot of other big fairs calling us to ask about it and people recognised we had done something quite ni e Lizzie will use the technology to curate the artworks online and then her team will install them over two days at Woolwich Works. The physical fair is returning with a o rish, ta ing over the newly restored former Fireworks Factory at Royal Arsenal Riverside.

“Woolwich has really evolved in the time we have been there, said i ie “We are going into our third building in six years because the other ones have all been redeveloped – this one is stunning.

“The abandoned building we were in before was very cool because it had that gritty aesthetic, but when the artworks are of such great quality, it really elevates them to be in this gorgeous building. It’s a fresh start and feels like we have stepped p to a new level

H

alf the fair will be booths curated by specialist galleries and the other half filled with works chosen from an international open call. As a result, the fair represents around 350 artists directly and takes commission from their sales.

“It’s unique in terms of art fairs, which generally rent booths to galleries so they only give access to artists who are already represented, said i ie “We had about 4,000 applications for the open call and a panel of industry experts, including Gus Casely-Hayford from V&A East and artist Andrew Martin, chose the work. It makes it a completely democratic process and a big surprise for us, while eeping it fresh and fair All the artists who applied are eligible for a new Art In Business scheme, which offers online wor shops in mar eting as an independent artist, wrapping and packing work, biographies and personal statements.

The fair is also running the Young London Print Prize for the second year, bringing printmaking workshops to 1,000 children in London primary schools including Greenwich, Thamesmead and Hackney. A panel of sixth form curators will choose a shortlist to showcase at the event, with an awards ceremony on November 11. Lizzie’s own love of print

700

original prints will make up the Curated Hang section of the Fair

The Caramel Contessa by Toby Holmes taking inspiration from Tunnocks

The spirit of the three-piece pine by Evgeniya Dudnikova

started as a schoolgirl thanks to her art collector father and she wants to share that passion with everyone.

“The risk with the term ‘print’ is people think its just digital and printed off a comp ter, she said t there are mediums like etching or lithograph, monotype, so many different styles and textures and technical application of ink or paint. You need to see it in real life to appreciate the layers and paper. If it’s on a screen it’s at and yo don’t see the intricacies or subtleties.

“The tactile nature is something we have tried to reinforce through the mantra of the fair, which is about the evolution of technical process and pushing the boundaries and reinterpreting these traditional processes. A lot of people will come thinking it is like posters and then they will see artists at work and appreciate the technicalities a bit more The fair is laid out with stories and themes for people to follow to help make the event more friendly and engaging. first did that in when had st had a baby, said i ie was really into illustrative art and things that were beautiful for children because I just wanted Daphne to be surrounded by beauty.

“This year Jack has done a couple based

on literature and books and fantasy. I think that’s because he reads all these books to her.

“What we don’t want is to make it too academic. We don’t want to frighten people with terminology that might be inaccessible. We want people to recognise a narrative running through or maybe ma e one p for themselves i ie advised edgling collectors to grab a drink, talk to the artists and pick a theme to follow rather than trying to view everything.

They are giving visitors a helping hand with an art and interiors section, a talk on women in print, curator tours, family printing workshops and artist demonstrations.

A New Collectors’ Evening on November 12 will include advice from industry leaders, a DJ set and complimentary cocktails. Online they will be using findartthatfits so people can snap a pic of their space and receive suggestions of wor s that might fit into it There will also be edits of prints under £100, £300 and £500 and the Fair has partnered with OwnArt so buyers can pay for a print for as little as £10 a month.

“The nature of print is that you can get an original artwork at a lower price or enhance a collection by bringing in a really well nown name, said i ie “It is a less intimidating step into contemporary art and you can’t buy bad at the fair because it has all been curated or chosen by these industry experts. We really want to become the place to go for contemporary print

The Arc Of Knowledge by Samuele Sinibaldi

The abandoned building we were in before was very cool but this feels like a fresh start and like we have stepped up a level Lizzie Glendinning, WCPF

Wharf Life Oct 27- Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

43

Greenwich - Peninsula - Woolwich

New artists are discovered through an open call with co-founder Lizzie Glendinning curating their work online using technology developed during lockdown

hot spots

Lizzie’s artists to watch ● Tanaka Mazivanhanga (Untitled Pastels below) “East London-based, of Zimbabwean heritage, she won a commission for a large scale installation at the 2019 fair that led to her receiving prize ad membership to East London Printmakers.”

four focus

support your local institutions Where?

The O2 Arena Peninsula

GIG | McFly The pop band return for one night only, performing hits from their 20-year career including latest album Young Dumb Thrills released last year Nov 21, 6pm, from £47, theo2.co.uk Where?

National Maritime Museum Greenwich

fair the fun of the

● Eleanor May Watson “Exceptional skill. Celebrated for her watercolour monotypes and large scale installations - I have her recent frieze at home and we commissioned it into limited edition wallpaper. I represent her and have a huge waiting list.” ● Liorah Tchiprout (Love of Seven Dolls Princess, below) “Discovered at the Fair in 2018 while at Camberwell College of Art. Have supported her ever since and her work is being acquired by significant collections.”

EVENT | Disability History Month Royal Museums Greenwich celebrate the lives of deaf and disabled people now and in the past with on-site events and accessible digital content.

November, free, rmg.co.uk Where?

Design District Peninsula

ART| Flux Exhibition A showcase of 50 contemporary artists including painters, sculptors, and performance artists, selected and curated by Flux founder Lisa Gray.

Nov 5-27, 11am-5pm, free, fluxexhibition.com

visit Boaty

● Johanna Muriel “I love her painterly abstracts and hand-finished stitching.

Always sells out.” ● Maite Cascón “Won the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair Prize last year and will have a dedicated space this year. Very Goya-esque.”

Boaty McBoatface onboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough will be in Greenwich from Oct 27-31, so be quick – the Ice Worlds festival, spread across Royal Museums Greenwich is the best way to get involved rmg.co.uk Scan this code to find out more about the festival and all the things that are taking place beside the ship want more? @wharflifelive

44

Wharf Life Oct 27-Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

why Phase Three of Excel’s growth is set to give London a fit-forpurpose venue plus a lot more

21

Years since Excel opened its doors – it was first expanded in 2010

by Jon Massey

J

eremy Rees is in a buoyant mood. The bustle of the main boulevard is a welcome sight for the CEO of the Excel centre beside Royal Victoria Dock as crowds of delegates attending events arrive and depart.

But the fact that the venue is set to host 60 exhibitions this autumn – a 50% increase on a typical year – isn’t the reason for his upbeat demeanour. It’s the future.

Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), which owns Excel, recently won planning approval from Newham Council for its expansion plan. ts proposal will see oorspace at the venue increase by 25% including 25,000sq m of event space, a high end convention space, meeting rooms and catering facilities.

The plans, which will now be referred to the Mayor Of London for consideration, also include a substantial investment in greenery along the dock edge and a new park to the east of the site.

Jeremy said: “It’s extremely exciting and it’s been a long time in the planning. The idea is to extend Excel to the east, across the car park that’s there at the moment, so there’ll be a continuous, long, straight space.

“It will be double-decked – downstairs will be a at oor events space and upstairs will be a proper modern convention space.

“The world has moved on in the last five years and c stomers’ expectations have shifted.

“What they want are extraordinarily good, modern facilities that are intimate, but can open up to really large spaces for 2,000 to 3,000 people for a banquet or a presentation.

“There are a good number of European events that can’t be hosted in the capital at the moment but, if we build it, they will come.

“London is an incredibly strong proposition for events and it always has been. As we come out of the pandemic, I think the same sorts of in ences we have seen in previous recessions will mean people will focus their spend on top cities and events, where they know they can get a fantastic

Excel CEO Jeremy Rees believes boosting the venue’s capacity will attract new shows, delegates and ultimately business to London

crucial

Image by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta

An artist’s impression of how the expansion will look when complete

exploring a

expansion

Wharf Life Oct 27-Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

45

Royal Docks - Canning Town

“

It’s extremely exciting and it’s been a long time in the planning.

The idea is to extend Excel to the east, across the car park that’s there at the moment, so there will be a continuous long, straight, space Jeremy Rees, Excel

return on their investment. London is super-accessible, it’s worth coming, we’ve got an amazing cultural proposition and we’re trading now.

“European and American tech companies, for example, want to be back and operating but their expectations have shifted a bit.

At Excel the boulevard is shared space with halls either side. The advantage of the expansion is that exhibitors can own it completely, while everything else continues to operate.

“That means that, if you’re very particular about your branding – a big IT company, for instance – you can have a bright, modern space where you can control the entire environment.

“When you look at demand analysis across London and the , we don’t have s cient congress space, and Phase Three will provide that in spades.

“It will bring brand new events, delegates and exhibitors to London and that’s part of a virtuous circle for the city. If you are hosting world class events you will have senior management teams from world class companies coming over for them.

“They will see London is fantastic and start to have conversations with promotional agencies, asking how they can get their roots and foundations into the city.

“So this project isn’t just about events, it’s about their far wider economic impact, about driving London forward and having a fit for p rpose convention and exhibition centre here.”

Excel also hopes the expansion, which could be open by 2024 if work is allowed to start next year, will have a similarly positive effect on its immediate surroundings.

“The Royal Docks is an enter-

The new building will target a BREEAM rating of excellent prise zone and a big regeneration area and we all feel collectively that, if you can be a good neighbour and you can create value, then everyone wins,” said Jeremy.

“We have been talking with Newham Council and the GLA about how we can invest more in the local infrastructure, what we can do to improve the dock edge and the walkways and to make sure the landscaping is welcoming and engaging. In times past I’m

not sure Excel has always been that welcoming to the community – it’s just been about exhibitions. There’s a chance for us to build more spaces that are generally increasingly used.

“We have 700m of south-facing dock edge and one of the commitments I’ve made is to have, over the next couple of years, a series of exciting events and attractions that feed in more strongly to Excel as a destination where you can come as a family, a local resident or a delegate who’s own in for a pharmacy congress and wants to have a nice evening.

“We want to be both inward and outward facing and we’ll be announcing some really brilliant developments over the next 12 months.

“With Crossrail services coming, when the Elizabeth line starts running to Custom House, there will be an increasing opportunity for people to pop in. It will transform the way people use London and that connectivity means Canary Wharf, for example, will be three minutes away, so companies there will be able to use Excel as their convention centre.

“It goes both ways – the interdependence of the two will be quite powerful. Events that historically required a commitment of time to come here will now need only minutes.

“It will also open up people’s living and working arrangements locally.

“Having the Mayor Of London based at The Crystal in Royal Victoria Dock will also shine a light on the area.

“There’ll be a lot of investment partners, cultural partners and many others who wouldn’t have thought about living here, who will see it, view it, and actually be quite surprised about the opportunities the area presents and how they might fit into it t’s a real vote of confidence in oyal oc s that that’s happening.

“Before 2000 Excel didn’t exist.

Since then there have probably been between 45million and 50million people who have visited the place, it was a venue for the London 2012 Olympic Games and more recently served as a Nightingale Hospital and a vaccination centre.

“The events we host have an enormo s economic benefit for London and we are increasingly thinking in a developmental way – that we’re more than a venue. If we can take that strategic leap we can have an even greater positive impact in the future.”

Scan this code for more about Excel’s plans to expand

four focus

support your local institutions Where?

Excel Royal Victoria Dock

VISIT | Destination Star Trek Pay anything up to £3,000 for access to stars of the shows, more cosplay than is strictly reasonable and a chance to meet George Takei on the bridge.

Nov 12-14, times vary, from £29, excel.london Where?

Pontoon Dock DLR station Silvertown

WALK | Between Walking And Making Collaborative artists Abigail Hunt and Kieran Reed will lead this interactive walk for young people aged 16-24 in response to artwork Making Space.

Nov 13, 2pm, free (ticketed), royaldocks.london Where?

Excel Royal Victoria Dock

VISIT | Discover Dogs Spread over two days, this event offers visitors the chance to encounter more than 150 breeds of canine and an exceptional range of products.

Nov 20-21, from 10am, from £18, excel.london

last chance

There are still a few events live for the Royal Docks Originals festival, which runs until October 31 with attractions including immersive art exhibiton The Factory Project and a flavoured rainbow by Bompas & Parr royaldocks.london Scan this code to find out more about the festival and to snag the last few tickets for the last few shows want more? @wharflifelive

46

Wharf Life Oct 27-Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

Advertising Directory - Classified

PUBLIC NOTICES LONDON BOROUGH OF TOWER HAMLETS NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL TREATMENT LICENCE

find our advertisers’ messages here Selco Builders Warehouse print Page 1 online selcobw.com

Alex Neil print Page 26 online alexneil.com

Kidd Rapinet Solicitors print Pages 4, 15, 32 online kiddrapinet.co.uk

Notting Hill Genesis print Page 27 online nhgsales.com

Transport For London print Page 7 online tfl.gov.uk

Hamptons print Pages 28-29 online hamptons.co.uk

London Oktoberfest print Page 11 online london-oktoberfest.co.uk

My London Home print Pages 30-31 online mylondonhome.com

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Knight Dragon print Page 23 online knightdragon.com

Simon Bradford print Page 46 online handyman-services-london.co.uk

Weston Homes print Page 24 online weston-homes.com

Dermot Cox Counselling print Page 46 online dermotcox.com

Notice is given that: Thuy Thu Nguyen.

Has applied to the London Borough of Tower Hamlet for: Manicure/Pedicure Licence(s) for the Premises: Oki-Doki London Thuy Nguyen 37th Floor, One Canada Square London, E14 5AA Anyone wishing to oppose the application must give notice in writing to David Tolley, Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards, Place Directorate, 2nd Floor, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London E14 2BG WITHIN THREE WEEKS specifying the grounds of opposition. Persons objecting to the grant of a licence must be prepared to attend in person at a hearing before a Committee of the Council.

Legal & General print Page 25 online landgah.com/sqp

be part of the Canary Wharf conversation

IMPROVE YOUR HOME

To advertise in Wharf Life call 07944 000 144 or email jess.maddison@wharf-life.com

THERAPY

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Wharf Life is published by Massey Maddison Limited and printed by Iliffe Print Cambridge. Copyright Massey Maddison Limited 2021 In regard to advertising material submitted by third parties and printed in Wharf Life, each individual advertiser is solely responsible for the content of such material Massey Maddison Limited accepts no responsibility for the content of advertising material, including, without limitation, any error, omission or inaccuracy therein

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47

Stratford - Bow - Hackney Wick

2

Weeks of food and water left for the characters in the play to survive on

After The End is set in a fallout shelter in a city that has just suffered a nuclear blast

four focus

support your local institutions Where?

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stratford

RUN | Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 10k Complete three laps of this route, taking in some of the iconic structures left over from the London 2012 Games. Expect tarmac and hard gravel paths.

Nov 13, 9.30am, £24, letsdothis.com Where?

Stratford Picturehouse Stratford

FILM | The Flavour Of Green Tea Over Rice This delicate domestic tale from Yasujiro Ozu offers wry, tender humour as a childless husband and wife welcome their niece into their home.

Nov 14, 6pm, £7.50, picturehouses.com

shelter

Where?

The Nunnery Gallery Bow

gimme

dates set for post apocalyptic chiller After The End as Theatre Royal Stratford East stages long-awaited play

by Jon Massey

I

ronically postponed due to a global disaster, Theatre Royal Stratford East has just unveiled performance dates for Dennis Kelly’s chilling dark comedy After The End. The play, which is set to come to the east London venue from February 25-March 26 next year is set in a city that has just suffered a nuclear blast.

As the dust settles, Louise wakes to find herself in a fallout shelter with Mark – a work colleague who has saved her life. There’s enough water and food to last two weeks, provided the pair can put up with each other.

Directed by Lyndsey Turner, whose previous work includes Noye’s Fludde at Stratford East

as well as multiple productions at the National Theatre and the Donmar, the play has been designed by Peter McKintosh.

Theatre Royal Stratford East artistic director Nadia Fall said: “We are incredibly excited to welcome Lyndsey Turner back to our theatre on this work by the prolific Dennis Kelly – a dynamite pairing for this nail-biting and dystopian tale.”

Tickets are on sale now with prices starting at £10. Performance times vary Scan this code for more information about After The End or to book tickets for a performance next year

ART | Bow Open 2021 See work selected by artist and gal-dem founder Leyla Reynolds including this piece – Home by Rachel Mercer. There’s a cafe and a shop too.

Until Dec 19, 10am-4pm, free, bowarts.org

hot spot

Find out what D&D chairman and CEO Des Gunewardena had to tell us about his company’s latest restaurant launch – Haugen in Stratford’s Endeavour Square at the gateway to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park haugen-restaurant.com Scan this code to read our interview with Des who talks cheese, wood and staff shortages want more? @wharflifelive

48

Wharf Life Oct 27-Nov 10, 2021 wharf-life.com

SUDOKU

Crossword - Sudoku

Tough

edium

2 5 6 9 1 7 3 8 4 Sudoku 3 a1break 7 from 8 2 that 4 phone 5 9 6 Take 8 9 4 3 6 5 2 1 7 How 7 to8 play 2 6 4 9 1 5 3 To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 9 such 5 8 6 row, 7 2column and 3x3 box one1 to4nine that3each contains every number uniquely.

5 6 3 1 7 2 9 4 8 2 find 8 strategies, 4 3 1 hints 7 and 6 5tips online You9can at sudokuwiki.org 4 7 5 2 9 6 8 3 1 6 to 3 play 1 7 5 8 4 2 9 More

SUDOKU

You can find more Sudoku puzzles and a wide selection ofTo others available in apps and books at str8ts.com. This complete Sudoku, fill the board Sudoku is supplied by Syndicated Puzzles. by entering numbers 1 to 9 such

No. 1391 that each row, column and 3x3 box

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Very Hard

8 9 2

Notes

8 3 4 6 2 7 5 1 9

7 5 9 8 3 1 2 4 6

6 4 1 7 5 8 9 2 3

3 7 2 4 1 9 6 5 8

9 8 5 2 6 3 4 7 1

Down

© 2020 Syndicated Puzzles

Quick Across 1.

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Set by Everden

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1 2 6 5 9 4 3 8 7

Cryptic Solution

1.

5 1 3 9 8 2 7 6 4

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Across

2 9 7 1 4 6 8 3 5

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The solutions will be published here in the next issue.

Cryptic

4 6 8 3 7 5 1 9 2

5

crossword The solutions will be published here in the next issue.

last issue’s solution

Previous solution - Tough Sept Oct 13-27

contains every number uniquely.

Notes © 2020 Syndicated Puzzles

6 3 1 2 3 5 4 8 3 6 2 4 8 5 1 5 7 9 4 6 8 1 4 2 5 4

Previous solution -

Quick Solution

No. 139