Urban Village Fete - Crossword Sophie Goddard - The Piecrust Café Tower Bridge - Hawksmoor
Westferry Printworks - Sudoku
how Sauna Boat has sailed into West India
Quay to o er hot and cold contrast therapy while oating on the dock Pages 6-9
Image by Skuna Boats
GIG | Callum Au’s Trombaphonics
Where?
Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Place
See the powerhouse jazz ensemble for less with Boisdale’s spring o er, which includes a pizza or a burger, plus a glass of wine or zz and the gig for £25. May 14, 8.30pm, from £25, boisdale.co.uk
Where?
Everyman
Canary Wharf Crossrail Place
FILM | Pulp Fiction
The Tarantino hit will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger as Samuel, John and Uma arrive for a throwback screening. May 18, 8pm, everymancinema.com
TASTE | Veuve Clicquot vs Boisdale
Where?
Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Place
This Champagne tasting pits the yellow label against the ox blood red of the restaurant’s selfproduced zzy drinks. Rosé and classic styles. May 21, 5.30pm, £20, boisdale.co.uk
On The Wharf is
place in
Street on Wood Wharf, an installation by
Bruce, as we’re calling him, is a mammal with a series of messages on the plastic disaster and sustainability canarywharf.com Scan
piece on the sculpture and nd out more about the innovation behind it
Welcome to issue 136 of Wharf Life. We’re looking very much to the water in this issue, whether it’s indulging in a session aboard Sauna Boat, crossing the Thames via Tower Bridge or tunnelling under it at The Brunel Museum. Oh and there’s summer socials at Hawksmoor and BBQ Boats to look forward to
We catch up with The
a 200th anniversary
Brunel Museum over
Urban Village Fete is returning to Greenwich Peninsula this month
How Tower Bridge is reaching out to residents in Tower Hamlets, Southwark and the City Of London to encourage them to discover the attraction and its stories
on the radar
Restaurant group Big Mama is set to open Barbarella at YY London in Reuters Plaza in June. Expect high camp inspired by the 1968 sci- ick with a mirrored bar, a lengthy cocktail menu, Italian cuisine from Marco Rastelli and jungle plants bigmammagroup.com
We’ve heard a whisper that Eden Dock is set for a summer of watersports with the return of paddleboarding and kayaks plus the introduction of row boats. Stay tuned for more details when they emerge from the depths of the dock canarywharf.com need to know
Get big portions and a friendly welcome at Lebanese Street Food
NASSA’s Next Generation network + fundraising dinner tickets are now on sale to mark the charity’s 20th anniversary. Join in the celebrations and support this local organisation
TRIED + TESTED Americana
Americana pizza costs £13.50, fries included
The founding legend of Pizza Pilgrims is the six-week pilgrimage undertaken by brothers James and Thom Elliot, driving through Italy in a little three-wheeled truck to discover the secrets of the Neapolitan dish.
Having brought that knowledge back with them, they set about creating a successful chain of restaurants that rode the soft-dough boom of the early 2010s. That includes a branch on West India Quay, where Rishi and Boris served up pizza to launch Eat Out To Help Out.
It’s odd that a chain founded on the principles of traditional process now serves the Americana, an o ering topped with hot dog sausages and chips, but given their success the brothers know their market and aren’t afraid to jump on a bandwagon even if it is with Dishi. The result, which would prompt violence in a Naples kitchen, turns out to be a symphony of junk food. It’s like someone in a MAGA hat dumped a US takeaway stand on some dough and screeched: “Have a nice day” in your face. Even stranger, it tastes pretty good.
Jon Massey
doing the deals
get more for less on and around the Wharf
Get 25% o food, drinks and shu eboard at Electric Shu e on weekdays from noon-6pm. Guests must show Canary Wharf app to get this o er canarywharf.com
Let’s hear it for the terri c Thai food of The Piecrust Café in Stratford
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Celebrating Whale On The Wharf, Feels Like June is serving butter y pea latte, Ocean Brew, in plantbased Vegware, £4, and butter y pea cocktail, Blue Whale, for £12. feelslikejune.com
write me
words you don’t know you need
subscribe to our FREE Wharf Whispers newsletter and get our content in your inbox fortnightly
verb, fake, from Latin
That act of returning somewhere you probably never should have left and the feeling of nostalgia that washes over you when you do a deal with, say, an old trading partner to boost collaboration and ties. May enrage some
noun, real, from Greek
Someone who loves to travel or go on journeys. This is generally made easier when countries enjoy good relations with each other, especially neighbouring territories. Are you already planning your next trip?
Immigration Solicitors
Musicians from Docklands Sinfonia will perform a series of small ensemble concerts this summer as free Wednesday lunchtime gigs return. These will take place on June 4 and 18, July 2, 16 and 30 and August 13 and 27. Timings will be 12.30pm- 2pm. The full programme and location details have yet to be announced, but Wharfers can expect jazz and classical turns.
Ladies and gentlemen, start your virtual engines, more details of Canary Wharf’s Mario Kart contest have emerged. Heats will take place on June 12, July 17, 31, and August 7 before a grand nal on August 14 – all from noon-2pm on each day. There will be prizes for the fastest player in each heat and an invitation to race in the grand nal. Registrations are set to open soon online. Entry is free.
this
The leafy environs of Eden Dock are set to be transformed into a space lled with drama, with the raked wooden seating area providing a new theatre for performance on the Wharf. First up, bike-powered thesps The Handlebards promise a riotous, farcical take on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing on July 6 from 4pm. Expect mischief, mistaken identities and merry mayhem for audiences 6+.
On July 21 at 6.30pm, performer Stephen Smith will present One Man Poe, a solo piece using the great master of Gothic horror’s original text to delivers shivers and thrills to audiences 12+.
Finally this summer, 440 Theatre will o er up lovers classic, Romeo And Juliet as “an outrageous, fall-on-the- oor comedy. Audiences aged 7+ can expect anarchy and silliness from 6.30pm on August 11.All shows are free to attend.
Dock will host
year’s outdoor theatre shows with work by Shakespeare and Edgar Allen Poe featured
Starting price for an hour-long shared session at Sauna Boat on West India Quay
and chill
Canary Wharf - West India Quay
how Sauna Boat brings Swedish-built hot and cold therapy to Wharfers on West India Quay
by Jon Massey
There’s quite possibly a dash of Viking DNA in Stuart “Tommo” Thomson. Where others see stretches of underused water, he sees opportunity, just as Scandinavian raiders once did. He’s also a fan of flames afloat.
First there came Barge East, a culinary powerhouse of a restaurant opposite Hackney Wick on the western edge of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and a flotilla of wood-fired hot tub boats with electric cruising engines.
Having conquered Canary Wharf, Skuna shored up its presence with a fleet of gently bobbing BBQ craft, popular in the summer months. Last year these were retrofitted with igloo-style roofs for winter to allow cold weather fondue sailings.
But it’s the latest arrival that speaks to the raw fire and ice existence of the northern tribes.
Sauna Boat is now open for business. Built (appropriately) in Sweden, and believed to be the only self-propelled vehicle offering hot and cold therapy in the country, she’s currently moored for static service at West India Quay.
The proposition is simple. Her lower deck boasts changing facilities and a smart, wood-fired sauna allowing guests to get suitably toasty while gazing out of a large plate glass window overlooking the waters of North Dock. There’s even a see-through hatch in the floor for views down towards the deep.
Once hot enough, a walkway round the structure and a wooden staircase take guests up to the roof where two icy plunge baths sit, complete with a high-tech cooling and water purification unit.
After the shock of a refreshing dip, the liquid chilled to a brisk 7ºC (or cooler, if desired), guests can then relax on comfy sofas with Canary Wharf’s towers to the south and the listed historic sugar
warehouses of West India Quay to the north. The temptation, of course, is to then do it all again to maximise that endophin high.
“As a company, we’re interested in anything unusual you can put on a boat,” said Tommo. “We want to provide all sorts of different experiences for people and we feel Sauna Boat is a natural progression from our hot tub boats. Saunas are booming across the country at the moment and there’s a wealth of health benefits to hot and cold contrast therapy – a boost for physical and mental health and it improves sleep dramatically.
“Since it arrived I’ve been in it every day and I’ve never slept better. The concept of taking a sauna has been around for thousands of years but it wasn’t really a popular thing to do in the UK until five or 10 years ago.
“Now it’s attracting people who are looking for something different, to relax and catch up with friends, or meet new people. continued on Page 9
Images by Skuna Boats
Sauna Boat makes its way through the docks to West India Quay
Sauna Boat’s twin plunge pools are located on its roof with water chilled to a refreshing 7ºC or even colder for the truly brave
SUNDAY 18 MAY
virtual viewpoint
by Chris Ezekiel
Tari s will no doubt be the de ning word of this Trump presidency. There’s been much talk of the pros and cons of this approach – but from my perspective as a business owner who employs many people across many countries, I see two major aws.
Firstly, in a world that is in the middle of a technological revolution, in which US companies have been dominating much of the innovation, building a protective economic fence around the US workforce will have a dramatic, negative impact on productivity and innovation.
These rms rely heavily on a global talent pool and a global large-scale highly skilled manufacturing capability. For any single product, these capabilities often span multiple borders with individual parts and labour coming from many di erent territories.
Creating an isolated US economy will lead to companies in more open countries becoming more competitive. It’s ironic and rather incredible that people are starting to think about China as a more favourable place for striking trade deals than the USA.
At Creative Virtual, with our multi-country, multicultural workforce, we of course consider cost when it comes to some of our hiring decisions, but more often than not it’s about nding the right people with the right skillset and experience for a particular role.
Secondly, running a business that operates through a global partner network, I nd it completely staggering how the current US administration is going about doing so-called “great deals” on behalf of the American people.
Temperature of the sauna on-board, which can go all the way up to 90ºC for those who like it hot 70ºC
When people are not encouraged to express their di ering views, organisations miss out
Chris Ezekiel, Creative Virtual
Of course, when negotiating there’s more often than not a di erence of opinions and tough discussions to be had. But these interactions should be carried out in private, not in the glare of the global media.
It makes no business sense as the result is never favourable – just look at the boycotting of American goods in Canada. The ‘attack’ on the US’ closest neighbour has stirred feelings of intense animosity in the Canadian psyche in such a short time, that I fear these will take a generation or more to heal.
It’s no way to treat a close ally and partner. You would have thought that hearing the American national anthem being booed would have rung an alarm bell somewhere – but clearly not.
I know the importance of surrounding oneself with people that will constructively push back and argue for an alternative path. When people are not encouraged to express their di ering views, organisations miss out. The US cabinet is made up of a group of sycophants – debate, discussion and diversity appears absent. When such a cadre is deciding the policies and direction of the most powerful nation in the world, it is a concern for all of us, no matter where we are.
Scan this code for more information about Creative Virtual or follow @creativevirtual and @chrisezekiel on X
need to know
>> Sauna Boat shared sessions last an hour. You’ll need to bring two towels (one to sit on and one to dry o after a cold plunge) as well as a pair of ip ops
>> Towels can be bought from Skuna for £7.50. Refreshments are also available from the team including alcoholic beverages during certain hours
>> At present Sauna Boat is a static oating experience, although Skuna’s aim is to run sauna cruises in the future
>> There are no showers on site, but plenty of cold water to rinse o in
Chris Ezekiel is founder and CEO of customer engagement solutions specialist Creative Virtual based at Canary Wharf’s Cabot Square
Sauna Boat users can enjoy views of Canary Wharf and listed dock warehouses during their session
The sauna is wood- red and is taking bookings from May 1
Sauna Boat will always be a place to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy time spent with others
from Page 6
“That’s what Sauna Boat is all about. People come in, get changed – some may stay in the heat for 10 minutes, others for longer. Then it feels fantastic to step outside onto the deck and get some air on your body.
“Then they can enjoy the plunge pools, enjoy some time on the roof and go back inside for some more warmth and another cycle.”
Tommo and the team first came across the Swedish craft in 2018 in Oslo while searching for floating experiences to bring to the UK.
Initially Sauna Boat will be a static experience at West India Quay, but the plan is eventually to cruise the craft in the dock in similar fashion to the way they operate in Sweden. Two further craft are expected to join the flagship in due course.
“It’s taken us a little while to get the first one over here, but we knew we loved the Scandinavian tradition of sauna,” he said.
“They are places of wellness and relaxation, but also somewhere to socialise with friends.
“We have music on-board and Friday evenings might be more upbeat, but Sauna Boat will always be a place to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy time spent with others.
“Floating on the water is an amazing place to have a sauna experience. Through the glass wall you can see other boats, ducks and geese going past.
“It’s all about tranquillity and the design means you can be snug in the sauna while looking out on Canary Wharf’s skyscrapers or relax on the top deck.
“Since we launched the hot tub boats here in 2018, West India Quay has changed so much – there’s an incredible array of bars and restaurants here and in Canary Wharf so this is the perfect place for our latest boat. It feels fantastic to have brought this here.”
key details
Sauna Boat is located in West India North Dock with access from West India Quay where Skuna’s hot tub and BBQ boats are also based. It’s officially open from May 1. Shared sessions start at £15 on Thursdays and Fridays and cost £20 at weekends. These last 60 minutes, including changing time.
Sauna Boat accommodates up to 15 people, with exclusive private hire also available.
Go to skunaboats.com for more
Scan this code to nd out more about Sauna Boat
Images by Skuna Boats
Tommo, Skuna
Skuna founder, Stuart ‘Tommo’ Thomson says it feels fantastic to have brought Sauna Boat to West India Quay
Sauna Boat sails though Blackwall Basin on its way to its mooring
why Hawksmoor Wood Wharf is the ideal venue for a get-together as the weather warms up at long last...
by Jon Massey
The early season sunshine has already started making an appearance across Canary Wharf, with pleasant evenings tempting workers, residents and visitors to the area outside.
The time of summer socials is almost upon us, with the smart and the organised already beginning to consult diaries, form plans and make bookings.
With whole businesses, teams and small groups of colleagues all looking to capitalise on the clement weather ahead, it’s best to secure key dates early, especially at the estate’s top spots.
Having arrived in the vanguard of the area’s regeneration Hawksmoor Wood Wharf quickly established itself in the upper echelons of the estate’s hospitality scene.
The venue boasts an extensive restaurant on the top deck of its oating pavilion and a spacious 120-seat bar on its lower level. Both have terraces for guests to enjoy dining or refreshment in the open air.
Wood Wharf is the brand’s largest venue and, moored at the head of Water Street, acts as a gateway to a part of the estate that’s become well known for drinking and dining in recent years.
Hawksmoor says: “Our Wood Wharf venue isn’t about reinventing the wheel. It’s about doing things properly: sustainable food, an award-winning cocktail menu and genuine service – all delivered in a space that feels considered, open, and just a little unexpected.”
Those planning seasonal events can look forward to a solid o ering menu-wise.
Hawksmoor has long specialised in “dictionary-thick steaks”, chicken dishes and seafood such as lobster, monk sh, hake and Dover sole.
The cooking is big, bold and honed by the team over many years to re ect the quality of the sustainably sourced ingredients.
Crowd-pleasing sides such as Tunworth mash, macaroni cheese and beef dripping fries sit happily on a menu next to
exclusive spot private dining room
>> Hawksmoor Wood Wharf boasts a 20-seat dining room for guests or businesses hosting private gatherings. Named for Isle Of Dogs publican, singer and actress, Queenie Watts, the space features a large gold and wood table that can easily be lled with the restaurant’s classic dishes, sharing-style.
starters such as potted beef and bacon, smoked salmon with Guinness bread, roasted scallops and oysters.
The bar lends itself especially well to events, with a capacity of 250 indoors or 330 when combined with its terrace. It’s fully equipped for presentations and groups of 34+ can take a semi-private space with a dedicated waiting team and sommelier to ensure guests are e ectively refreshed.
To make planning easy, Hawksmoor o ers both a canapé menu, with bites inspired by the avours on its main menu as well as bowl food options for those seeking something more substantial. Bite-size desserts can also be arranged to send guests away with a sweet taste in their mouths.
key details
Hawksmoor Wood Wharf is located on a oating pontoon beside Water Street and is open from 11.45am-11pm, MondayThursday, 11.45am-11.30pm Friday and Saturday and 11.30am-8.30pm on Sundays. At weekends, the venue o ers extensive traditional roast options.
Event enquiries can be made online for all of the venue’s spaces or via email to woodwharf@thehawksmoor.com. Go to thehawksmoor.com for more information
Scan this code to nd out more about events at Hawksmoor
Capacity of Hawksmoor Wood Wharf’s bar for a standing reception in summer, including the venue’s heated waterside terrace
“100% recommend. Booked for my friendʻs birthday. I would definitely do this again”
BBQ Boat Hire Cruise for 100mins sailing from West India Quay
“The BBQ Boat experience was amazing. The whole Skuna team was super helpful”
“The BBQ Boat is such a fun activity – perfet for a group :-)” Matilda
Sedra
“The grill worked so well to cook our food” Joana
Skuna BBQ Boats can be booked for 2, or up
Images by Hawksmoor
Left, oysters at Hawksmoor are an ideal dish to share
Right, the main restaurant terrace o ers views over Canary Wharf
Minutes on the water with a Skuna BBQ Boat cruise. The whole experience lasts two hours including a brie ng on how to sail the craft
be captain
Skuna’s eet of BBQ Boats operate from West India Quay alongside its Hot Tub Boats and recently arrived Sauna Boat
by Jon Massey
Making memories are what summer socials are all about.
As the mercury climbs, the great outdoors provides an ideal change of scene from the o ce or the home – a backdrop to shared experiences.
For those seeking something just that little bit di erent, Skuna’s BBQ Boats are all set for the summer months. Based at West India Quay, these self-drive electric craft come with built-in BBQs o ering Wharfers “an unforgettable way to eat, drink and spend time with others”.
The experience begins with a quick brie ng before guests take the helm for 100 minutes of cooking and relaxing on the tranquil waters of North Dock. Each boat holds up to 10 people, who can either bring their own
Our BBQ Boats o er the perfect dining on the water experience for summer. They are great for team bonding as you cook and sail on the dock
Tommo, Skuna
food to grill or pre-order from Skuna’s freshly prepared food packages.
Drinks can be purchased from the on-site bar, which also sells captains hats for those who want to take a turn at the tiller.
“Our BBQ Boats o er the perfect dining on the water experience for summer,” said Stuart ‘Tommo’ Thomson, founder of Skuna.
“They are great for team bonding experience as you cook
special o er Skuna’s BBQ Boats
>> Summer dates are already lling up fast, so now’s the time to organise your crew to ensure a smooth cruise. Book during National BBQ Week (May 26-June 1) and guests will be automatically entered into Skuna’s annual competition to win a BBQ equipment package worth more than £500
>> Bookings are now open from May to September
how Skuna BBQ Boats are waiting to take your Canary Wharf summer to the next level
and sail yourself around the beautiful docks of Canary Wharf.
“This is a world away from the ordinary BBQ in the park or back garden – it’s summer dining, but not as you know it – and a bucket list activity to enjoy with friends and colleagues alike.”
key details
Skuna’s BBQ Boats are available during the summer months from their home on West India Quay. Prices and details of the various food packages available can all be found on Skuna’s website, as well as booking links for its Sauna Boat and Hot Tub Boat expereinces –also based in Canary Wharf. Go to skunaboats.com for more information
Scan this code to nd out more about Skuna’s BBQ Boats
getting greener by
Sophie Goddard
At Canary Wharf we recognise the power of art – its ability to transcend boundaries and inspire change. This is why we were excited to unveil Whale On The Wharf (Skyscraper) in April. The sculpture – striking in its presence as it leaps from Wood Wharf’s waters – acts as a reminder to the impact of human activity on the environment.
Made from reclaimed plastic, the sculpture highlights the sad reality that there is more of this human-made material in our oceans than there are whales – an estimated 150million tonnes of the stu , with an additional 8million added every year. This sculpture underlines the urgent need to address plastic pollution and protect marine environments.
Through the installation we also grasped the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and to nd opportunities for innovation. Working with our in-house waste and expert structures teams, we decided to reuse some co ee grounds from restaurants and cafés in Canary Wharf in the base of the sculpture.
That means the grounds are no longer waste, but a valuable material used to make biochar – included in the mix for the foundations of the installation, reducing the amount of aggregate needed.
The outcome of using the waste co ee is to reduce the need for raw materials, meaning the artwork’s base is crafted from a rst-of-its-kind lower carbon concrete. Behind the installation lies months and years of collaboration, innovation and expertise.
We also thought about how we could use Whale On The Wharf (Skyscraper) as an opportunity to bring people together, supporting the neighbourhood we have here. That’s why we decided to add the work to our outdoor public art collection, which features more than 100 pieces and is London’s largest.
Whether you come to the Wharf speci cally to see the sculpture, or it catches your eye while passing through, we hope it provides a moment of re ection to think about our impact on nature and our connection with it.
Sophie Goddard is director of environment, social and governance at Canary Wharf Group – emails to sustainability@canarywharf.com
Go to canarywharf.com for more information
Scan this code to nd our
Tonnes of plastic oating in the world’s oceans – more than the weight of all the whales on the planet 150m
a reminder to
The plastic used in the sculpture was reclaimed from the world’s oceans
more about Whale On The Wharf (Skyscraper) at Wood Wharf
Image by Jon Massey
Image by PA
Whale On The Wharf (Skyscraper) is located beside Water Street in Wood Wharf
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
GIG | Martial Arts
Where?
The George Tavern Whitechapel
With a name that’s perhaps the de nition of combat rock, the band sound like the heavier elements of Britpop. Support from Porchlight and other guests. May 22, 7pm, £9, thegeorgetavern.london
Where?
Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping
STAGE | Tricity Vogue’s All Girl Swing Band Enjoy the scintillating syncopation of this jazz combo, promising to transport audiences back 100 years, albeit with a set of more modern covers. May 21-22, 7.30pm, from £12.50, wiltons.org.uk
GIG | Dinosaur Jr
Where? Troxy Limehouse
J Mascis and co head to east London in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Without A Sound. Old ears “will smile” while new ones will bleed apparently. May 22, 7pm, from £44.01, troxy.co.uk
catch it
Head to St Anne’s Limehouse to see Stitches In Time: Millennium Tapestries. The exhibition showcases textile works created in the run-up to the 2000 celebrations, which will be on display until September careforstannes.org
Scan this code to nd out more about the exhibition, open Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-4pm
Entry fee to Tower Bridge for Tower Hamlets, Southwark or City Of London residents
how Tower Bridge is encouraging its neighbours to come through its doors and discover all it has to offer
by Jon Massey
In a vaulted brick chamber on the banks of the Thames, the lime green wheel of a massive steam engine is gently, powerfully revolving. Picked out in vibrant red, yellow and black stripes, this stately machine is no longer powered by boiling water, but a marvellous industrial relic, ani at t n fit isit s to Tower Bridge.
Originally there would have been eight such engines – four on each side of the river – used to pump water into massive hydraulic accumulators that were used to store energy to raise the crossing’s two huge bascules. These would swing up and down, on average, 60 times a day to allow tall ships to sail up and down the river unimpeded.
The Victorian technology is, however, just one of myriad surprises awaiting those on a trip into this major landmark.
Perhaps one of the most startling is its age. At 131 it’s considerably older than many of the buildings that surround it, but less than a seventh of the age of the neighbouring Tower Of London, which celebrates its 950th birthday this year and inspired the aesthetic design of the crossing.
“Tower Bridge is London’s fining an a c ing visitors from all over the world,” said Amy O’Rourke, marketing manager for Tower Bridge at City Bridge Foundation.
“We want to make it accessible to everyone, but particularly to people living locally so that they can feel it’s their local landmark.”
Amy, who joined the team at the att acti n fi an a a a s ago – after travelling down the Thames from Royal Museums Greenwich – is leading the charge to encourage more of its neighbours to visit.
To that end, Tower Bridge is seeking to highlight the fact that residents of the boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Southwark – or those living in the City Of London – can get tickets to explore Tower Bridge for £1 per person.
“We want everyone to feel welcome at the bridge,” said Amy.
“The story that we tell about its history is focused on the people –those who built it and those who have worked here.
“We have these lovely connec-
We want everyone to feel welcome at the bridge. We want to make it accessible for everyone but particularly to people living locally
Amy O’Rourke, Tower Bridge
tions to the local community, the docks and the work that went on in this part of London, so we want people who are here now to know about them.”
Visitors with pre-booked tickets queue to gain access to the experience on the bridge itself then, following a quick security check, climb 200 steps or take the lift in the north tower to the crossing’s twin elevated walkways some 42 metres above the Thames. There’s n a g ass s can look down on the bridge below.
The walkways were originally intended to allow pedestrians to traverse the river unimpeded given the bridge’s frequent openings, although in practice its operation was so slick most Londoners simply waited at ground level.
On the way up and in the walkways, you’ll learn about the history, why it was built – because of the need for a river crossing with the increase in t a c sai a s fin t a t t a t nati designs for the crossing that were put forward, and how we got t t fina sign t bascule bridge we have today. t t ti it as finis in 1894, it was a marvel of engin ing isit s finis t t by descending in the south tower and making their way to the engine rooms, which are really the beating heart of the bridge.
“It’s my favourite place because you can really feel the hard work that would have been done there – blood, sweat and tears. It’s very special.
“When it was running on steam, about 80 people were needed to manage and maintain the crossing in working order.
“Throughout the visit we talk about their stories, including the likes of cook Hannah Griggs,
Image by Suzi Corker
The bridge attracts visitors all year round
The walkways feature a glass oor for thrill seekers
Tower Bridge welcomes dogs and their owners
locals welcoming
who was born in Bermondsey an sta 1911-1915. These are the people we want local residents to know about.”
There’s another aspect to Tower Bridge. While the capital’s most easterly physical river crossing is rich in heritage, it plays many other roles too.
“Once the doors close at 6pm, things start to happen behind the scenes,” said Amy. “We work with a partner called Social Pantry and a a n s ac s a ai a nts a in s
“For example, there’s a room in the north tower that can hold a t a ing small dinners.
“The walkways can also be s t g a in s receptions and dining. We are it i n at can accommodate – recently we’ve had jazz bands playing, gymnasts ing an ac ats s ing t i s can a s inn an drinks in the engine rooms, which are a more intimate space and g at ngin ing nt siasts
“We can change the lighting to match corporate branding, or events can be timed to coincide with sunset.
“It’s really special to be over the Thames, especially at night with the whole city lit up. We can also a ang s cia t s g sts s they get an enhanced experience.”
While Tower Bridge can be isit ai it s ts 9.30am-4.30pm, it’s worth trying t catc a i g ning st the sheer spectacle.
“When it happens London just st s a i sai t s a s cia stan ing t and witnessing it.
“Everyone’s normally rushing everywhere and I thought it must a s g s being to just take a moment.”
Forthcoming openings are listed on Tower Bridge’s website and will take place most days in May. key details
Those living in Tower Hamlets, t a t it n n can get tickets to visit Tower i g s n These should be booked in advance and visitors will need to ing a ss it t on the day.
Standard tickets to Tower i g c st a ts an c i n a i tic t ti ns are also available.
Go to towerbridge.org.uk for more information
Scan this code to nd out more about Tower Bridge
Images by Tower Bridge / Jon Massey
Tower Bridge is 131 years old and was at the cutting edge of engineering when it was built. Its central bascules regularly rise to let ships though
Tower Bridge’s Amy O’Rourke
The crossing’s engine rooms house original Victorian machinery
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
MUSIC | Donna Leake
Where?
Corner Corner Canada Water
Playing Thursdays until July, the DJ’s residency at the venue continues. Expect eclectic tunes including Japanese Psych, early reggae and ska in the mix. May 1, 8, 15..., 7pm-11pm, free, cornercorner.com
Where?
The Albany Deptford
STAGE | Bad Girls The Musical Trinity Laban presents this “uplifting, raucous” show set in a women’s prison and based on the popular television drama. Expect rebellious spirit. May 27-31, times vary, from £8, thealbany.org.uk
COMEDY | Sharon Wanjohi
Where?
The Pen Theatre South Bermondsey
The queer British Kenyan comedian presents a work in progress probably featuring too much material on cartoons that inspired sexual awakenings. May 17, 7.30pm, £7.21, thepentheatre.com
ash back
Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue is open at Corner Corner in Surrey Quays Shopping Centre until June 25. It’s great for kids, although somewhat lacking in the construction department. Tickets from £27 minecraftexperience.com
Scan this code to read our review of the experience and nd out why it’s a bit of a missed opportunity
how The Brunel Museum is celebrating the 200th anniversary of a tunnelling revolution
by Jon Massey
There’s always been a bit of pluck about The Brunel Museum in Rotherhithe – a trait that would doubtless have won it the approval of its main subject. It might have been his grandson, Henry Marc, who worked up the detailed designs for Tower Bridge (see previous page), it may have been his son, Isambard Kingdom, who achieved true engineering fame for his remarkable creations.
But it was Sir Marc Isambard Brunel – something of a gifted but fortunate chancer – who, along with Thomas Cochrane, came up with an iron tunnelling shield to protect workers from cave-ins while they hand-dug the world’s fi st s t an an in beneath a navigable river.
s it s a s an conditions, two centuries after construction began, the Thames Tunnel is still in use, carrying Windrush Line trains between Wapping and Rotherhithe. Above it, telling its tales, lies The Brunel Museum.
Comprising the Brunel Engine House, what remains of the Thames Tunnel shaft and the garden on its roof, this selfn instit ti n s isit s insights and info on the big name engineers, but increasingly goes beyond that remit to reveal the lives of the extraordinary folk whose sweat and toil actually built the link.
Katherine McAlpine has been director of The Brunel Museum since 2021, having previously worked at the Natural History Museum, Royal Museums Greenwich and the Imperial War Museum.
“I really liked the idea of working somewhere I could combine my interest in the history of science with STEM learning – hosting activities with schools and families – so it was a really exciting opportunity,” she said.
“The Brunel Museum celebrates the achievements of Marc and Isambard Brunel, but I also wanted the chance to tell the broader stories of the people who actually dug the Thames Tunnel.
“The miners were working
Years since construction work began on the Thames Tunnel, which now carries the Windrush Line operated by London Overground under the river
a milestone
The entrance to the Thames Tunnel Shaft at The Brunel Museum
Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey
Images by Jon Massey
ig t s n ig t s t n t tt ti t t nn s i t stan ing in at t a s c t t an it is t a it as cti an n s as n n a ats st c na t n ts s at s a i n is s a c int at t s an c at a s c ca nn s a s t at c nt asts t i i nt it t n c nst cti n
With plans to refurbish the s ai at sting its accessibility still in the pipeline, t s i ain n t is year as it continues to celebrate the t c nt i st n at in sai n t t ings n is t a nc staina i it ai ing at t a s nn as a ig c c ing ct ca s it as igina c nc i as a t ca g t t a n t i ains sti in t i in anc at t ti it as i t s t a s s s t t an s t ac s in t construction of the tunnel – it was s s t ta t a s t n ta ing s s an ca ts a n ig a s t t ti it ca t i t t n a n t an t n c ssa an a n s nst a t a s nn ca a st ian t an as t n in nt as a s ing a ca n t i it ca a t t n n n g n n t s ac as c nstant c c c ing an i nt t ings in c nt ast t at it as igina i t n isit s i a s a t ig int a a tic a as ct a c n s i as as the story of his wife, Sophia ing n a it it s in the collection are his shoe buckles, s t ing t ng a t t were fashionable, but he absolutely t sai at in g ing t a t s t ing ing a t t nc ti n an ing at t act s t at g t a c t ng an in t fi st ac a s a is a an an nts s as n a ngsi t at in t a t n a c as n in n in n t n anc an i s ing in t nc na t ia a ng ng is an as t g n ss t c i n s is i n s i a g st i s a an ti n t t a a t
I also wanted the chance to tell the broader stories of the people who actually dug the Thames Tunnel
Katherine
McAlpine, The Brunel Museum
He was a royalist – hence the shoe c s s t ica after the French Revolution before c ing t ng an an i ia sn t a s c a g ti it s i is n in a nc convent as a spy but is eventually as an nit s it a c in ng an t g t a i t ts t an a t c i n inc ing sa a ing n t s a ta t at a s in s a ssian sa t s is n a ai t a ing sin ss t Napoleonic wars, a new way to a c s t ig s i s an a ai s s ti n a t g n t n c ssa i in t at at a s c s n t a s is t s t n s ngin ing t i i t ings a n a it n t nn ing ss ntia s s t sa st at g i n n t a s c nstant a a t n ngin s c at t s g t an a is it s t sa inci t at s s t a sai at in it s n s n an a g ing ac in t n it as n in t n ts ing t igging t t c ss is t sa s t s i s a t t nn is i t in it
key details n s is n a s a t a an i a n an a s s nt g i t s t sit isit s n t s c n n t nt tan a nt c sts a ts i c i n c st i t s c st a ts n ing n in n t a tai s t c ing nts an acti iti s a a a ai a n t s s sit n a ing asis n a ai a Go to thebrunelmuseum.com for more information
Scan this code to nd out more about the museum
Museum director
Katherine McAlpine
The engine house at the Rotherhithe museum
take a breath
by David Lefebvre Sell
David says it’s important to consider privilege when it comes to physical and mental health
Everyone you meet is ghting a hard battle, but su ering is relative. It’s important to consider our own potential privilege before giving advice or judging others. This is certainly true in mental health. The lowest point in your life might be someone else’s best day and the answers you nd helpful might not work for someone else.
This is an obvious point to any mental health professional, but it’s still common to see the judgment of mentally ill people as being weak or awed in some way.
This privilege can extend to physical health too. Obviously, some people are born with or develop conditions that a ect their health, but it’s also detrimental if we grow up without good models for our bodies. My parents were a study in opposites.
My mum never exercised a day in her life, my dad ran marathons. And no, they weren’t married long.
I remember waiting at the nishing line once as a kid, and seeing a man stumble through with his nipples having left twin trails of blood down his shirt. Horri c.
Making a positive change in our lives requires us
to believe that change is possible and that’s
the biggest privilege
David Lefebvre Sell
Despite the trauma of that event, my dad was a good model for the discipline of tness as a lifestyle. If he hadn’t been in my life, who knows where I would have got that.
Talking about privilege can be annoying, because it might seem to minimise the e ort and sacri ce we make in pursuit of our goals. But the focus should be on gratitude and non-judgement because, even with disposable income, free time, and good role models, getting t is bloody hard. It’s a great deal more di cult if you have none of those things.
Making a positive change in our lives requires us to believe that change is possible, and that’s the biggest privilege – the belief that things can be better.
is
Follow @davetheyogi on X and Instagram and @DavidLefebvreSellYogaAndPsychotherapy on FB
Scan this code for information about David’s work as a transpersonal counsellor and psychotherapist
how Urban Village Fete is gearing up for a bumper year as it celebrates its 10th anniversary on the Peninsula
by Jon Massey
It’s nearly been a decade since developer Knight Dragon teamed up with designer Wayne Hemingway to bring a free festival of music, crafts, arts, food and drink to Greenwich Peninsula.
Urban Village Fete is set to return to SE10 on May 18 with what can only be described as a wealth of activities and performances for visitors to sample. Taking over Peninsula Square, Central Park and Design District, it’s continued to build and develop the vision outlined in 2015 as a creative form of placemaking, as the residential towers have risen around it.
“The transformation of Greenwich Peninsula since 2015 is extraordinary, and the evolution of the Urban Village Fete is just one example of how much the place has changed in a decade,” said Laura Flanagan, director of Greenwich Peninsula.
“What started as an eclectic community get-together in a brand-new piece of town, has grown into one of London’s mostloved festivals. From inspiring talks hosted in the heart of Design District, to games, music and independent shopping in Central Park, there is so much to explore.
“Celebrating 10 years of the Urban Village Fete is a significant milestone for Greenwich Peninsula, giving us the opportunity to bring to life all the very best things about living, working and visiting here in one amazing day.”
The line-up has been designed to attract as wide an audience as possible with highlights including the following:
family
fun
Beats And Braids will be providing feather hair extensions and braids from stylist and Design District tenant Stanley Watts, the Incredibly Clever Canine Circus is back, showcasing tricks for dogs and owners to learn and Jon Hicks’ Allympics will host competitive events such as show jumping, a spoon race and a birthday cake hurling contest to mark the 10th edition of the festival.
music + performances
Returning once again, headliner Gilles Peterson will be spinning sounds, while London Soul Choir, the Charity Shop DJ People’s Party and Design District’s Loose.fm are also on the bill. Another one
to look out for is London-based cultural hub and music movement Touching Bass
>> “I played at the rst ever Urban Village Fete back in 2015 and it has been incredible to watch the event grow and come together over the past 10 years,” said Gilles, DJ and top of the bill for 2025.
“It is a neighbourhood that gives back to the community and that’s a special thing indeed.
“You don’t come across many other events that represent a true democratisation of art – something we need now more than ever. Here’s to 10 more years.”
sports + wellness
Recently opened Greenwich Peninsula gym Gather will be hosting group workouts, Yoga and family sessions. There will also be the chance to learn to skateboard with the Keep Rolling Project and Skateboard GB coach Rachael Sherlock as well as an opportunity to have a go at Wheelchair Basketball with Brixton Ballers in Design District’s rooftop court.
arts, crafts and creativity
Urban Village Fete has a programme of more than 40 workshops for visitors to take part in. Make pinch pots and paint ceramics with Pottery Studio LDN, weave baskets with Yi Crafts, blend teas with Hackney Herbal, try Polish paper cutting with Well Crafted or take a one-hour nail art workshop with expert Sophie Harris-Greenslade. Explore full listings on Greenwich Peninsula’s website.
creative conversations
Friend of the fete and BBC Radio London presenter Robert Elms will set up shop at Design District for a series of interviews on topics as diverse as education, collaboration and the evolution of street fashion.
>> “Ten years ago, this part of London was little more than the O2,” said Robert. “But since then, the Urban Village Fete has helped to promote a genuine creative quarter where people can have a great day out while enjoying art, architecture and design.
“I shall be talking to some of those creatives, designers and makers again this year. Coming together to discuss thought provoking topics amid a fun festival is one of the things which makes the event unique.”
Hands-on workshops will be hosted as part of London’s largest free festival
Urban Village Fete is set to return on May 18 from 11am-7pm
There will be a host of free performances
David Lefebvre Sell
a Greenwich-based psychotherapist and Yoga instructor who teaches at Third Space in Canary Wharf
back with a
shop The Urban Village Fete Makers Market will see more than 34 independent stalls open for the event.
Prioritising sustainable goods, these include Aah Kid’s upcycled kids clothing, Elan Skincare’s vegan products, lighbulb terrariums from WildBulb and CharitySuper.Mkt t s fi st multi-charity shop.
Every purchase will see money go to the British Heart Foundation, Traid, Emmaus Greenwich and War Child.
“HemingwayDesign takes huge pride in being able to curate and contribute to such a successful free event across the last 10 years. Urban Village Fete gives back so much – you don’t have to spend a penny and yet you can experience something truly special,” said festival curator Wayne Hemingway.
“By being generous and providing the community with culture of this quality and diversity and of this scale, Knight Dragon is simply doing the right thing.
“It is uplifting to see the vital support that the fete gives creatives, designers, artists and small businesses.
Dogs can learn new tricks
Visitors can expect multiple bars and 30+ food traders
“It brings our team incredible satisfaction in creating something meaningful for the community, bringing people together for one unforgettable day in the heart of the city.
“We get so much joy from observing tens of thousands of diverse Londoners have such a great time.”
To help boost the vibe, Urban Village Fete i st fi a s and more than 30 food and drink producers including the likes of Smashing Plates, Annie Mae’s Mac And Cheese, En Root and Jerk And Grind.
All events and activities are located a short walk from North Greenwich station, the Thames Cable Car and Greenwich Pier for river bus services.
key details
Urban Village Fete is set to take place on Greenwich Peninsula on May 18 from 11am-7pm. Entry is free. Visitors can register their attendance online to get festival updates and receive a free spin on the tombola stand.
Some workshops are ticketed and can be booked in advance online.
Go to greenwichpeninsula.co.uk for more information
Scan this code to nd out more about the festival and register
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
GIG | Tyler The Creator
The rapper, singer, songwriter and producer brings his alt hip-hop o ering to London, showcasing work from 2024’s Chromakopia including Noid. May 11, 6pm, from £89, theo2.co.uk
STAGE | Overshare
This comic one-woman show promises DM sliding, TikTok dancing, social stalking and endless oversharing with real-time audience interaction. May 6-25, times vary, from £14, greenwichtheatre.org.uk
and skill in equal
May 16, 5.30pm, £11, woolwich.works
The London Craft Beer Festival is coming to Magazine London for the rst time with more than 100 breweries showcasing 800+ creations. Tickets start at £64.50 and include all beer and cider. Hospitality options too... londoncraftbeerfestival.co.uk
Scan this code to nd out more about the event, which runs for four sessions over July 18-19 on the Peninsula
GIG | Chineke! Chamber Series: Rebekah Reid The contemporary violinist, composer and loop pedal artist is set to ood the venue’s Knight Gallery with sound
abundance.
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
Where?
Cody Dock Canning Town
EVENT | Dock Aquatic Invertebrate Survey
Enthusiasts of all ages are invited to the ecological regeneration project to nd out exactly what tiny creatures are living in its waters. No experience necessary. May 13, 3pm, free, codydock.org.uk
Where?
Excel London
Royal Victoria Dock
EVENT | London Lab Live
Focused on the future of experimentation and scienti c research, this event invites all those using controlled environments down to Royal Docks. May 14-15, 9am, from free, excel.london
CLUB | Bloom LDN
Where? Fold Canning Town
Wall-to-wall techno is expected from the likes of Kaiser, Sandrien and Burden as the trio take over Fold for a second time. Expect furious beats. May 24, 11pm-8am, from £15, fold.london
looks the part, complete with sakura projections and minimal decor. The food is tasty, but the experience is let down by the meagre portions as featured in our last issue mymasushi.co.uk
Scan this code to nd out more about the restaurant, which is located in Caxton Street, Canning Town
be a part of NASSA’s Networking + Fundraising Dinner to support its vital contribution to the community
by Jon Massey
tell me
Newham All Star Sports Academy is s t t st its fi st Networking And Fundraising Dinner – NASSA’s Next Generation – at Brick Lane Music Hall in Royal Docks this summer.
what is NASSA?
For 20 years the charity has been an engine of social mobility for young people in east London. Engaging them through basketball, it supports their education and training, instilling discipline and ambition in some of the most i a as in t ca ita Its Carry A Basketball Not A Blade campaign has reached more than 100,000 young people, teaching them about the dangers of knife crime and working in partnership with the Metropolitan Police to tackle gang culture.
n s t sa s ng s i s an n ic s t
why this event?
To continue in its work and expand its operations, NASSA needs to raise funds and is always looking for new organisations and in i i a s t a tn it
In celebration of its 20th anni sa it as c at an nt ai at inging its supporters together with those i t g t in t network, to introduce the charity’s ongoing work to them and mark its ac i nts
what will happen?
NASSA’s Next Generation is set to take place at Brick Lane Music Hall in Royal Docks on June 18, from 6pm-midnight. The ning i sta t it a in s reception with plenty of time for networking.
This will be followed by a threecourse dinner and a music hall show, with further opportunity to socialise after the curtain falls.
who will be there? ning i st
NASSA with support from the charity’s patron, Sir Stephen Timms MP, minister for social s c it an isa i it nt will also be attended by senior management from long-time NASSA supporters Excel London, Tate&Lyle Sugars, London City i t an t as as the Royal Docks Team and local businesses.
how can I get involved?
ic ts t t nt a n n public sale, priced at £220pp with all proceeds going to NASSA. A small number of full tables (12 seats) and half tables, priced at a a ai a t
In addition to the show, a a i n t ning c si i s t likes of Kricket, iFLY London, Arc Community Sauna, Emilia’s Crafted Pasta and Skuna Boats.
those interested in attending Can email info@wharf-life.com or go to nassasports.org.uk for details.
Scan this code to nd out more about the event and book a ticket
Years NASSA has been operating across east London from its home in the Royal Docks
The event will take place at Brick Lane Music Hall on June 18 in Royal Docks
>> Natasha Hart MBE, NASSA CEO and founder started the charity in 2005 after taking her two sons to a Newham park to teach them basketball. Soon she was surrounded by young people keen to try the sport, which inspired the charity’s creation.
Natasha said: “Once you become part of the NASSA family, that’s for life. What started in 2005 as a way for young people to get outside and keep t has grown into a bigger mission, working with the community to tackle violence and gang culture through sport and education. It’s incredibly moving to hear about the di erence we’ve made in people’s lives. Now we want to reach even further.
“It’s amazing that we’re able to host this networking and fundraising dinner in our 20th year to help us continue that work. We’re so grateful for the support we’ve had over the years and would love you to join us on June 18.”
>> Excel London has long been a supporter of NASSA and its work. CEO Jeremy Rees has brought local organisations together in an advisory capacity to help guide the charity as it continues to grow and develop, tackling some of the toughest issues in society.
Jeremy said: “What Natasha and the team have done over the course of two decades is incredible and deserves our attention and backing. This is an organisation that started with just £20 in its bank account and has now reached more than 100,000 young people.
“The NASSA’s Next Generation networking and fundraising dinner is all about how we can work together as businesses, organisations and individuals to help it continue these vital e orts and reach the next 100,000. The event will be a real celebration of NASSA – but we can’t do this alone. Support us on June 18 and we can do even more.”
Images by Illyas Ayub / Jon Massey / Matt Grayson / James Grimshaw / Brick Lane Music Hall / NASSA
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
GIG | Flamenco Live Show
Where?
Poplar Union Poplar
Promising the vibrant sounds of Sevillanas, Rumbas, Fandangos and Tangos, artists Maria de Huelva and Yumi La Blanca will perform. Dance oor after... May 5, 7pm, free, poplarunion.com
Where?
The Space Isle Of Dogs
STAGE | The Wonderful Wizzy Of Oz
A London girl meets a straw-stu ed activist, a datadriven tin man and a lion with a preference for the meow in this modern adaptation of Baum’s classic. May 22-24, times vary, £16, space.org.uk
GIG | Brown Wimpenny
Where?
Theatreship South Quay
The south Manchester-based 11-piece folk band follow appearances at various festivals with performances a oat. Formal recordings will follow, apparently... May 16-17, 7pm, £13.75, theatreship.co.uk
This is Alan Hardie, the man in charge of the University Of Sunderland In London, which recently opened a new £10million campus on the Isle Of Dogs, building on 13 years of success and growth in east London london.sunderland.ac.uk
Scan this code to read our interview with Alan and nd out more about the institution’s o ering
Cost of a regular meal at Lebanese Street Food
on the
how Lebanese Street Food serves up plentiful boxes of spicy, flavourful food for a decent price on the Island
by Jon Massey
Skylines Village is rapidly turning into a bit of a street food hotspot. There’s Ukranian bakery
B.Bakery, smash burger specialist In A Pikel an si n s t a i a plus, of course, the potent Chinese Gourmet shed. Into that mix, add shiny trailer Lebanese Street Food. While the business appears to have no online presence, what counts in terms of dishes is its actual existence in the world and Wharf Life is happy to c nfi it s in ist
The large size version of chicken rice box at Lebanese Street Food costs £9
Regular meals cost £7, while bigger servings are priced at a very reasonable £9. For that you get an exceptionally friendly welcome sta an a g aning ca board punnet.
My chicken rice box came with
a steaming mound of long white g ains t it s a soned chicken and a mixed, crunchy salad.
nc i a s in fi chilli sauce and a luxuriant garlic dressing it’s a feed worth seeking out in an increasingly crowded market.
Sure, for the price, we’re not
ta ing ic in sta c isin but this is honest food that’s bright and colourful with a side of cheekiness.
Now, I’ve long had an addiction to pickled peppers on a kebab, so was delighted to get an extra one for no more cash.
Unfortunately this bonus came with a sting in the tail as both examples arrive soused in a bitter brine that nearly ruined the whole thing. Fortunately I was able to compartmentalise my purchase and avoid polluting the otherwise tasty melange, thus saving the day. in a a c nt t t s n fi ing n i a bour, just give the pickled treats a miss and go for extra chilli sauce instead. For those seeking a more formal Lebanese experience, consider a trip to the excellent Byblos Harbour just over the dock.
Lebanese Street Food is now serving on Limeharbour
by Jon Massey
It’s plain we’re late to the party on The Piecrust Cafe. Unassuming from the outside, through the doorway is the kind of culinary experience I love. Step inside what looks i a g stan a ca n an ning an fin a a t ai n at an outstandingly reasonable price. Inside the interior is eccentric, a blend of harsh strip lighting, formica tables, tongue-and-groove cladding and green paint as a backdrop to photos of Thailand a s g fing t i s an g an aintings s i n fig s in gold playing around with tropical birds.
t s nti is a i of carpet, lino and tiles and the counter holds everything from s s t a s ac t a s of mugs standing ready for the cuppas to be cranked out. But this cacophony feels like home. The lady and gentleman who usher us to one of the few ta s n c n t a n warmer in their welcome. Amid the interior cacophony, they are the dispensers of calm.
Elderly menus in plastic wallets arrive and we deliberate, in the end opting for a mixed starter it t sta a t s a dishes to taste. At just under £10 a head it’s a relative extravagance compared to most of the entrées – typically about £7 – but gives a t tast t ing
Everything is made on the premises, irregularly sized and, frankly, delightful. Satay Neua, beef skewers, come with a powerful peanut and cucumber sauce to dip. Prawns and vegetables are wrapped in golden rice pastry to create Goong Sarong and Poh Pia (spring rolls) respectively – a feast when dipped in sweet chilli sauce.
Khanom Bhung Na Gai –seasame prawn and chicken toast – is a riot of salty, plump s an fis c ss int little triangles while Khanom Jeeb, steamed prawn dumplings with inc n t ings in fin st
And all this before we’ve even arrived at the main course. There are multiple reasons this place has been trading steadily since 1984 and two of them are the Gang Kiew Wan (Thai green curry) and the Guya Tiew Laad Nah - a dish of stir-fried thick rice noodles in black bean sauce with beef.
in ne
on things to do, places to go, people to see
| World Press Photo Exhibition Showcasing images from photojournalists and documentary photographers, this touring display promises breathtaking imagery. May 23-Aug 25, times vary, £13.50, theexhibitionists.co.uk
Joseph returns as Charles Ignatius Sancho, born on a slave ship but later a writer, composer, shopkeeper and man of letters. May 14, 7.30pm, from £10, stratfordeast.com DANCE | Traplord Ivan Michael Blackstock uses dance, theatre and spoken word to explore mental health and masculinity in this challenge to stereotyping. May 28-31, times vary, from £15, sadlerswells.com
| Sancho And Me
it + correction
Both £10 or less – a complete steal – and come powerfully a
The curry is a little less sweet n t finis t an an ac tured versions with an earthiness to the coconut that sits behind the plump tail-on prawns.
n s c as a at at with the meat and sauce studded with plentiful vegetables. It’s a slick concoction with a savoury taste that gets increasingly moreish as a greater quantity is consumed.
Everything is excellent and served with a pleasant, wry
humour. The lady congratulates us on completing our starters by simply saying: “Very good”. The whole experience could be summed up in the same two words.
★★★★★
key details
The Piecrust Cafe is located at 273 Stratford High Street, a 10-minute walk from Pudding Mill Lane and Stratford stations. It is currently open from Tuesday-Saturday. Go to tripadvisor for more information of Google it
of Mexico (a country in North America – rather than central America, which we mistakenly said last issue) will do well to visit
Vivo Fest at Hackney Bridge on May 4-5. Expect music, food and dancing... hackneybridge.org Scan this code to nd out more about the event and the afterparty on May 4 via the venue’s website
The mixed starter at The Piecrust Cafe
Sudoku
How to play
To complete Sudoku, ll the board by entering numbers one to nine such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.
More to play
You can nd more Sudoku puzzles and a wide selection of other brainteasers available to download for free at puzzles.ca
Notes
crossword
Cryptic
Take a break from that phone Across 4. To be worn above a military vehicle? (4-3) 8. Hateful poem? (6) 9. Stuart’s demise? It’s researched (7) 10. Ordinary parkland? (6)
11. Bid goodnight to this city (6)
12. Australian location for madness? (8) a fina s ac ing st ngt a
20. Confused comedians are out of this world (6)
21. Electronic control is far away (6)
22. Border habits? (7)
23. His last one was unsolved! (6)
24. Make an impression t g a ica a st
Down
as n t ing t with it! (7)
2. The least light is the most stupid (7)
3. Confused golden roar at dawn (6) ca at a it work! (8)
6. Sounds like a child’s leg joint’s at stake! (6) n t fi t a eleven of his (6)
13. Recent arrival uses st a hear (8)
14. Students organised like t is t s g s t c i s i t is a fi t n is subversive (6)
17. This one should finit a
19. One who will stick around (6)
beating the whether you’re cryptic sleuth or synonym solver in it for quick wins, this should satisfy
