Issue 13 / Summer 2018

MAMA THAI THAT’S MY MANOR BLUE ELEPHANT Ten years in the Boxers, bathers Celebrating 20 years THIS Elephant and locals and Buddhists: the of community theatre still can’t get enough fascinating history ISSUE of Mama’s cooking of Manor Place

THE ELEPHANT 1 Cover photo: Chalor Santhaveesuk, Mama Thai,Hannah Maule-ffinch THIS IS THE ELEPHANT This is the Elephant. And this is the Elephant Magazine.

he Elephant Magazine is the publication dedicated to all things . We want to celebrate all that is fabulous Tabout our neighbourhood and our community. We want to look back with fondness on the area’s past and look forward with optimism to the future. The Elephant is changing and the Elephant Magazine will be following every step of the way.

The Elephant Magazine is published by Council. We welcome your ideas, comments and contributions, so please get in touch. Editor: Richard Wells / Additional copy: Nikki Spencer / Main photography: Hannah Maule-ffinch / Designer: Nathan Heins, Westco Design and printed by Swiss Post / Enquiries: [email protected]

2 THE ELEPHANT Photography from left to right: Irene Hayes, choreographer; Frank Bowling, artist; Castle sign; young dancers, Superarts; East Street sign; paintbrushes, LCC; Siobhan Davies Dance; new homes, Wansey Street; breakfast at Louie Louie; poster, the Cinema Museum; netball at the Castle Centre; street food; George Dyer, tailor; Lou, former Heygate estate resident; Hotel Elephant; elephant statue; ; Stanley Kubrick Archive; Council stables; local university buildings; Baldwins Apothecary

THE ELEPHANT 3 Every summer, bursts into life with loads to do. And in Elephant and Castle you don’t have to go far to enjoy all that the city has to offer, with a fantastic summer of fun waiting for you right here on your doorstep.

MERCATO METROPOLITANO

Located on the site of a disused paper factory, Mercato is the open air destination for Elephant and Castle’s foodies. Summer is the perfect time to visit. And if craft beer and street food - from Argentine steaks to Vietnamese curries - doesn’t float your boat then they’ve also got a cinema; cookery school and an authentic Italian deli. www.mercatometropolitano.co.uk

ART EXHIBITIONS

The Art Academy on Road and Drawing Room Catch the final summer season at on Rodney Place are the go-to destinations for the visual arts Southwark Playhouse’s current in Elephant and Castle. Both feature regular, free exhibitions site before it relocates to a brand alongside talks, workshops and, at the Art Academy, art new purpose-built theatre in classes too. Coupled with the free exhibitions regularly St Mary’s Churchyard, next year. staged by London College of Communication and Morley Shows include Goodnight Mister College, there’s bound to be something to pique the interest Tom (25 July – 25 Aug) and Bring it of every art lover in the neighbourhood this summer. On, a musical written by Tony Award winner, Jeff Whitty of Avenue Q fame www.artacademy.org.uk/newington (2 Aug – 1 Sept). www.drawingroom.org.uk | www.morleycollege.ac.uk www.arts.ac.uk/lcc/events www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

THE CINEMA MUSEUM

Earlier this year, the Cinema Museum, one of the Elephant’s “hidden gems”, scooped Time Out’s Love London award as the Capital’s favourite culture spot. If you’ve never been, pay a visit this summer. As well as the standing exhibition – a wonderful homage to the golden age of the Picture Palaces – the museum’s got an incredible line up of screenings, talks and events scheduled between now and October.

www.cinemamuseum.org.uk

ARTWORKS

With two bars, six restaurants and two cafés, the courtyard at Artworks is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Elephant and Castle. Check out Marcel and Sons for Mauritian comfort food, the Athenian for perfect souvlaki and the Six Yard Box for World Cup football right through to the final.

www.theartworks.london

4 THE ELEPHANT CASTLE CENTRE

Southwark’s newest council leisure centre has rightly earned its reputation as one of the best in the borough. With a six-lane, 25m swimming pool, a four-court sports hall and a 140-station gym, it’s the perfect place to tone-up before the holidays. And best of all, there’s free swim and gym for all Southwark residents on Fridays plus weekend afternoons from 2pm onwards.

www.everyoneactive.com/centre/ the-castle-centre

LOST RIVERS: GAMEBOXX

Lost Rivers Elephant goes from strength to strength. Gameboxx is the new Blue Elephant kicks-off the summer gaming experience just launched in their shipping container ‘arena’. on 12 July with a one-man show, Gameboxx features old-school arcade classics (Virtua Striker anyone?) The Dame, starring former Blue Peter alongside traditional bar games such as pool and table football. But it’s presenter Peter Duncan. Also coming the Virtual Reality contests that are pulling the pioneering punters in. up is contemporary dance from Teams of 2 to 4 people work together or against one another to compete Kamienski and a full programme in a range of next generation VR adventures. of youth workshops throughout the school holidays. www.lostriverselephant.com www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk

ELEFEST ST MARY’S CHURCHYARD

The Elephant’s annual festival of film, Enjoy the fountains at St Mary’s food and music is set to round-off Churchyard. This Newington the summer when it returns later this Butts park has undergone a £1m year. Slated for 22 September, this refurbishment, completed last year. will be the 16th year of this ever- Alongside the landscaped lawns, popular celebration of the past, ponds and plaza, you’ll find an present and future of SE17, brought array of interactive water jets. to you by the team behind the What better place for the kids to Shortwave Cafe. Details are still cool off after an energetic session being confirmed but keep an eye on the trampoline or zip-wire in the on @ElefestLondon on Twitter for children’s playground? announcements. www.southwark.gov.uk/parks www.facebook.com/Elefest

ELEPHANT PARK

Summer is the perfect time to get to know Elephant and Castle’s newest park. Half of what’s set to be the biggest new park in central London for 70 years, is already open to the public. It’s a beautiful place to while away a sunny afternoon and this summer there’s a full programme of events to take part in too, from sassy storytelling for kids through to Shakespeare in the Park for the grown- ups. Highlights include the South Social Cinema South American film festival, Wimbledon tennis coverage and plenty of live music.

www.elephantpark.place/events

Find out more about events in Elephant and Castle this summer and throughout the year at www.elephantandcastle.org.uk/events

THE ELEPHANT 5 IT STILL FEELS LIKE A BIT OF A DREAM

BLUE ELEPHANT Hidden away off Road, Blue Elephant is a small theatre that offers innovative dance and drama alongside free theatre workshops for young people. here aren’t many theatres put on some of our own shows and helps young people gain confidence where the Co-Artistic Director we’re already planning a Christmas and learn to work as part of a team.” answers calls to the box office show for children.” T Blue Elephant also offer Free to Act but then, as Niamh de Valera explains, Blue Elephant tends to Plays at Blue Elephant this summer dance and drama classes for do things differently. include Boxman, by Flugelman children aged six and over, at the Productions (4 – 6 July) about a child nearby Bethwin Road Adventure “We’re a very small team. You’re soldier who lives in a cardboard Playground and run a Creative quite likely to find me helping the box in an inner city park; The Dame Minds project working with pupils duty manager behind the bar before (12 July) a one-man show about a at local primary schools. a performance and we’ll all be pantomime dame with actor and mucking in, painting a wall next former Blue Peter presenter “We’re very much part of the local week. That’s how it’s always been. Peter Duncan and An Evening, community. Jo’s been delivering Our chair of trustees, Chris Lawrence, A Beginning (19 – 21 July), two Creative Minds workshops for so still remembers painting the toilets as new works by contemporary dance long that she can’t step out of Blue they raced to get the theatre ready to company Kamienski. Elephant without meeting young open nearly 20 years ago! There’s people she’s taught. That’s always no time for airs or graces and there It’s wise to book early to ensure your her excuse if she’s running late, are certainly no egos here.” place at this compact 50-seat theatre. anyway” laughs Niamh. Southwark residents get a discount Blue Elephant Theatre was and there are a limited number of The theatre clearly holds a very established in 1999 by writer and free tickets for people who live in special place in people’s hearts. director Antonio Ribeiro. It was SE5 and SE17. Shelves in the upstairs café bar are set up as a place where emerging decorated with blue elephants of artists could put on new work; The theatre also runs a monthly every shape and size, from soft a tradition it continues to this day. writers group where people can toys to ornaments, which have been Each season, Niamh and her co- bring along new work to share and, given as gifts. director, Jo Sadler-Lovett, programme on 1 August, they’re putting on free interactive storytelling sessions for “It’s become a bit of a thing. People an eclectic programme that includes bring us all sorts of blue elephant dance shows, new writing and pre-school children and their families in Elephant Park. stuff and you’d be surprised at what reworked classics. they find” says Niamh. “I even saw a “We don’t charge hire fees. We For the last ten years, Blue Elephant dress decorated with blue elephants simply split the box office takings with has run free Young People’s Theatre a while ago. I just had to buy it!” the companies that perform here and workshops every Saturday for local 7 – 18 year olds, funded by Children Next year is the theatre’s 20th support them as much as we can by anniversary and they’re very much providing rehearsal space, technical in Need. In 2014, eleven children from the classes joined celebrities looking forward to the future. support and help with press and PR” “We’re already planning a special explains Niamh. at Abbey Road studios to record a single for the charity. programme of events so watch this The theatre company received a space” says Niamh. welcome boost last year, when it As well as taking part in workshops was one of only five theatre and a show each term, the young organisations in London to be added people get the opportunity to to the Arts Council’s portfolio of perform at other venues and see regularly funded organisations. West End performances. The theatre also runs two hugely popular free “It still feels like a bit of a dream” summer schools over the holidays recalls Niamh. (one for primary aged children and one for secondary). “I was actually on my way back from Glastonbury and I started getting Past Young People’s Theatre students these texts on my phone. I hadn’t include Daniella Connor, who now thought we stood any chance of assists on the project and Amari getting it so I hadn’t checked for Harris, who’s now an actor, storyteller, the official notification. It came into prolific drama facilitator and Blue effect in April this year and it’s going Elephant’s young person’s mentor. to make a huge difference. We get Blue Elephant Theatre, some core funding from Southwark “It’s a great training ground for all 59A, Bethwin Road, SE5 0XT Council but this Arts Council money areas of life” explains Niamh, who volunteered at the workshops, herself, 020 7701 0100 (which lasts for four years) has given www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk us more stability. It will enable us to for many years. “You can see how it

Croydon Avengers, Maya Productions. Photo: Barnaby Aldrick Croydon Avengers, THE ELEPHANT 7 SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES FROM LONDON UNIVERSITY

8 THE ELEPHANT Language expert, Martina Eco is just one of 60 local entrepreneurs who’ve received help from LSBU’s Business Solutions Centre.

ased in the University’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation refurbished Clarence Centre at Institute’s annual Make It B St George’s Circus, the Business Happen competition. Solutions Centre is a one stop shop for local businesses seeking advice “I’d heard about it, but didn’t think and support on a range of issues from I had enough time to put together marketing to finance. a strong application” Martina explains, “but the fact that their The Centre focuses on developing staff took an interest in me and students’ skills in enterprise and suggested I try was enough to give entrepreneurial management, so that me the push I needed.” they can provide tailored help to local businesses. In the two years since “The main benefit isn’t the prize itself it opened, the Centre’s 26 student but the experience that comes from advisors have already provided pitching as part of the competition” free guidance and support to 60 says Martina. “It’s something I’d entrepreneurs in Elephant and Castle. MARKETING never done before, so it made me understand how I could improve in It’s a two-way process; the businesses HAS BEEN future. The coaching I received about benefit from the support provided how to pitch really helped me to and the student advisors benefit from CRUCIAL TO understand my business better and the consultancy experience. All of the possibilities that lie ahead.” the advisors have been specially MY BUSINESS trained and receive support from staff Martina’s advice to those students at LSBU’s School of Business and the DEVELOPMENT hoping to follow in her footsteps, department of Research, Enterprise is to make the most of LSBU’s focus and Innovation. on enterprise skills and the services offered by the Entrepreneurship and Martina Eco runs her translation LSBU is proud of the collaborative Innovation Institute. “I wish I’d had business from the Centre. An LSBU model it has developed with business; all the help LSBU has given me lately Marketing graduate herself, Martina something that other universities when I was just starting out” says says “Marketing has been absolutely want to emulate. Last year, the 72 Martina. “In my home country, Italy, crucial to my business development. businesses housed at the Clarence universities aren’t employment-focused While some students come to Centre, alone, generated a combined like LSBU. So all the things I had to university because they want to start turnover of £82 million and employed learn about the ‘non-translation’ side of a business, I came to LSBU because 100 people on-site. The relationship my business, I had to learn by myself.” I already had a business.” also helps to generate funding support for PhD students, curriculum Martina plans to continue to make Martina found herself drawn development and opportunities for use of the support on offer from LSBU. to the workshops put on by the guest lectures; all of which enhance “I’ll keep attending workshops and Entrepreneurship and Innovation the education and experience of making the most of the University’s Institute at the Clarence Centre. LSBU’s students. network,” she says. “I might even rent “I attended three Start and Evolve a nice office at the Clarence Centre talks about PR, freelancing and While working at the Clarence to hold my own workshops and talks networking and I’ve been checking Centre, Martina came runner-up in for freelancers!” their activities ever since.” the Freelance category of LSBU’s

Find out more about the Business Solutions Centre at www.lsbu.ac.uk/business-solutions-centre

THE ELEPHANT

ESCAPE PLAN: YOUR FINEST HOUR Hidden behind a red door in Iliffe Yard, Escape Plan is a live gaming experience for wannabe code crackers set against the backdrop of

World War II. ” hen we saw Iliffe Yard for The game was inspired by a visit to teenagers where they come with their the first time, we knew The Battle of Britain Operations Room parents. Seasoned gamers love it but W it would be the perfect at RAF Uxbridge but the husband and it also appeals to the first timers. location for what we wanted to do” wife team have also drawn on their explains Brendan Mills who launched own family experiences too. Visitors love coming to Iliffe Yard, part Escape Plan at the historic Pullens of the Pullens Yards complex of artist estate in the summer of 2015 with his “My grandfather was a mechanic in studios and workshops, and Brendan wife Kerry. the RAF and my grandmother was in and Kerry clearly love working there. the WAAF, working in the operations “We wanted somewhere central in room, while Kerry’s grandfather was “There’s a great sense of community Zone One that was easy for everyone a navigator in a Lancaster bomber. here, especially with the twice-yearly to get to. We’d almost given up We use photos of them in the Pullens Yard Open Studios. It’s a real on ever finding somewhere when experience along with authentic creative hub” says Brendan. “There’s we saw an ad on Gumtree for a props such as original typewriters, always something going on and photographer’s studio above the old oak barrels and Morse Code the yard’s often used for filming - Electric Elephant Café, Elephant tappers. We wanted it to be as everything from car commercials to and Castle.” historically accurate as possible.” pop videos. The King’s Speech was filmed here and Sam Smith did a “Before we came to view it, we didn’t To add to the atmosphere, Escape video a while back.” know anything about the cobbled Plan also uses soundscapes played streets around here, let alone all the through an old 40s radio. The Most thrilling of all for Brendan wonderful historic buildings at Pullens eerie sound effects were created was when Brad Pitt arrived to film Yards. It was a very welcome surprise. by Oli Harrison who’s also produced his 2016 Second World War spy It’s brilliant that they all survived the audio for the Elephant’s other wartime thriller, Allied, surely the perfect film for Blitz and didn’t get pulled down in the attraction, the Imperial War Museum. any 1940s enthusiast. “I tried to be 50s or 60s either.” cool about it all but I was star-struck” The Battle for Britain has been so confesses Brendan. The game that Brendan and Kerry successful that Escape Plan has now created at Iliffe Yard (aimed at 2 – 7 added a second game at Rich Mix in players, aged 11 and upwards) Shoreditch. It’s called The Adventure is called The Battle for Britain. It’s Begins, but this time it’s set in a set on an RAF base on 18 August Prisoner of War camp. 1940, following heavy bombing by the German Luftwaffe. The players “Both games appeal to all ages and are the only survivors and have just they’re a great outing; for a family, 60 minutes to access the strategic a group of friends or a team of operations room and mobilise the workmates” explains Brendan. RAF before a second attack. Escape Plan, 13a Iliffe Yard, “It’s a shared experience and inter- London SE17 3QA generational. We’ve had 70th “We started out just for three months Open Wednesday–Sunday birthday parties where people have as a pop-up but it’s been so popular 12–10pm (booking essential) come with their kids and grandkids. that we’ve been here for three years www.escapeplanltd.com now” Brendan explains. We’ve also hosted parties for

THE ELEPHANT 11 RETAIL AT ELEPHANT PARK

WE’RE PROPER COFFEE GEEKS

12 THE ELEPHANT Hej Coffee is the first business to move into one of the new affordable retail units being built by Lendlease at Elephant Park.

ej (pronounced ‘Hey’) is You can roast your own blend in the intends to ensure the local community bringing its special blend day or come for an evening and has sustainable, innovative and H of friendly, community vibe, enjoy locally sourced craft beer, fun places to visit at Elephant Park. Scandi-inspired food and own-roast wine, cocktails and delicious Hejballs coffee to Elephant and Castle. (you’ll have to visit to know more). Lendlease is currently on the lookout for more businesses to take on Located in the award-winning Trafalgar Given a helping hand by affordable affordable units, especially those Place development, if you’re into rent, Hej is the first retailer to get that have a positive social and your coffee, Hej is for you. started in Elephant Park. By providing environmental impact. affordable retail on site, Lendlease

JEREMY KNIGHT, CO-FOUNDER OF HEJ, REVEALS ALL:

WHY ELEPHANT AND CASTLE? WHAT MAKES HEJ DIFFERENT HOW ABOUT THE FOOD? AND SPECIAL? It’s an upcoming neighbourhood It’s a seasonal smorgasbord with a really cool vibe; a hugely Simply, we’re proper coffee geeks. (Swedish again!) of fresh, exciting area right in the heart We make coffee with love and care, healthy food and drink. of London. We’re ready to roasting small batches of beans on embrace it and immerse ourselves site so we can experiment. That does Overnight oats for breakfast, in the community. mean first-come-first-served though; and open sandwiches, salads if it’s gone, it’s gone. and baguettes for lunch. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT At night, it’s meatballs, craft beer FROM HEJ? We’re also a training academy, and sharing plates. where people can learn barista skills, You can hang out anytime. Use the grinding, roasting and brewing. Not forgetting our favourite meal – space for gatherings and chill out We’re looking to recruit locally as long weekend brunches with a with coffee and food, day or night. much as possible, so if you’re a coffee glass of Mimosa and blockbusting flat white. We hope people will come by lover living in the area and want to after dropping the kids at school, come and work at Hej Elephant then WHAT ELSE IS IN STORE? or bring their laptops and get some please get in touch. work done. Our ‘Sunday roast courses’ (not just WE HEAR YOU’RE DOING YOUR on a Sunday). Book in choose your We’ve also got a community space BIT FOR A GREENER PLANET? coffee flavours, and roast that’s free to book. So whether you All our takeaway cups are your own blend to take home. run a book club or a residents’ compostable – though we’d love association, we’d love to host you. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE it if you brought your own. We’re HEJ IN THREE WORDS? A laid-back, community vibe is reducing the amount of plastic and what we’re about. foil packaging we use, too. Inclusive, friendly and part of the neighbourhood – that’s more than WHY THE NAME HEJ? WHAT’S YOUR PERSONAL three, isn’t it?! It’s ‘hello’ in Swedish. Hej was FAVOURITE COFFEE? Hej is now open at Trafalgar ‘conceived in Sweden, born in That would be a flat white, though Bermondsey’, where we opened Place on the corner of Rodney my waistline is expanding a bit at Road and Balfour Street our first roastery and coffee house. the moment, so I’ve been moving We love the fact we’ve been able to macchiatos… www.hejcoffee.co.uk to grow our business locally.

Find out more about Elephant Park and the affordable retail space on offer at www.elephantpark.co.uk/retail

THE ELEPHANT 13 KRAFT WORK Three friends have opened an eco-friendly German microbrewery in Elephant and Castle.

isitors to Mercato Metropolitano, “We’d decided from the outset that market was still open we often had to the popular community we wanted to brew our beer in a way work at night so it wasn’t an easy task” V food market on Newington that was good for the environment” recalls Felix. Causeway, certainly won’t have explains Felix. missed the brand new German Kraft After putting in new flooring, micro-brewery on site. “My parents had started a charity foundations and piping, they installed that allows you to desalinate water the huge vats, which came from Giant, shiny vats glint in the summer for drinking, using very little energy, Hungary. “We were told we’d need a sunshine as customers in the garden so we’ve used the technology here. seven-ton forklift to remove them from tuck into food from the market’s 40 the lorry but we still couldn’t move them plus stalls; many of them enjoying a over the gravel grounds. In the end we cold German beer, freshly brewed enlisted the help of about 20 men from right next to where they’re sitting. a construction company and pushed them in by hand.” “Beer is best when it’s brewed and served fresh” explains 23-year-old They served their first beer in March London College of Communication and it’s been going down nicely, ever graduate, and self-confessed beer- since. “The response from customers obsessive, Felix Bollen, who opened has been amazing. I love working German Kraft in the spring with his old behind the bar and seeing people school friends Anton Borkmann and enjoy their first taste” says Felix. Michele Tieghi. German Kraft offers a core range of “Beer is my passion. Back in 2016, I three beers: a lager; a wheat beer was sitting in a brewery in Franconia and a German pale ale, along with (where my grandparents come from) a monthly seasonal beer. talking to my dad about opening a brewery to make German beer in YOU CAN “People can’t seem to get enough London, as no one else was doing it. of our signature Heidi Blonde lager, It was a bit of a pipe dream at first but REALLY in particular” say Felix. “As well as we’ve actually made it happen.” the water, what makes our beer TASTE THE special is that it’s served straight from Felix enlisted the help of fellow LCC the tank or keg. It’s never bottled or graduate, Anton, who studied spatial DIFFERENCE. canned - which means there’s no design, and Michele, a school friend need to use additives. You can really who studied Business Management, taste the difference.” with his dad acting as mentor. In September, they’re planning to After working on a business plan London tap water is fine but to brew a special beer using hops and securing an investor, they started make really great beer you need grown by their Mercato Metropolitano looking for premises in south London. great water. So we use the waste neighbours, Rootlabs. It was Michele’s sister who suggested heat from the fermentation process Hugo Horlick and Sam Cox run the they visit Mercato Metropolitano. to distil the tap water and Rootlabs urban food project in a remineralise it. Mercato now reuse “We simply walked into the office and double decker London bus and have the waste water from our process explained what we wanted to do. partnered with German Kraft to create for cleaning the site.” We were delighted when they told us a hydroponic hop growing system that the one thing they still needed at It took the young entrepreneurs using recycled beer barrels. the market was a microbrewery! It just six months to install their state-of- fitted perfectly” says Felix. the-art brewery. “Everyone at Mercato works together and helps each other out. There’s a real Mercato Metropolitano’s eco-friendly “We designed it ourselves and did sense of community” says Felix.“We ethos was a perfect match too. most of the building work too. As the couldn’t imagine a better location.”

German Kraft, Mercato Metropolitano, Newington Causeway, SE1 6DR Open Monday 5pm–11pm, Tuesday–Sunday 11am–11pm | www.germankraftbeer.com

THE ELEPHANT 15 THE BEST OF THE ELEPHANT MAMA THAI

THERE IS NO SINCERER LOVE THAN THE LOVE OF FOOD

16 THE ELEPHANT Mama Thai, the much-loved Walworth restaurant is celebrating its tenth birthday this year.

f it’s home-cooked Thai food you’re Green Curry and Pud Thai are the most “The building was in really bad after, there’s one place that’s on popular dishes on the extensive menu, shape” he recalls. “The upper floors I everyone’s lips in Elephant and which includes everything from soups were unusable so that was quite Castle – Mama Thai. and salads to stir-fries, rice and noodle a challenge.” The pair refurbished bowls. The restaurant isn’t licensed but the place and opted for traditional “We offer something that people customers can bring their own alcohol paintings and furnishings, which they can’t get elsewhere” explains Ameer for a small corkage fee. They also brought from Thailand. “Some people Khasru, who opened his homely, 35 have freshly made fruit juices and non- said we should have gone for a more seat restaurant with Thai chef Chalor alcoholic cocktails. modern style but I’m glad we didn’t. Santhaveesuk in 2008. Everywhere else looks the same but our Ameer and Chalor, who’ve worked restaurant stands out.” “All of our food is freshly prepared together for more than 30 years, using ingredients that I buy, personally, have an impressive track record Many former customers followed them from London’s markets. It’s a great when it comes to serving great Thai to the new premises in Walworth but collaboration. I source the ingredients food. In the 80s, Ameer opened they’ve also built up a large, local and Chalor does the cooking. People the Thai Pavilion in , having clientele and provide catering for seem to appreciate the time and fallen in love with Thai food when various community events, including trouble we go to. So many places, working as an accountant in Bangkok. Southwark Carers Christmas party today, don’t cook their food from fresh, The restaurant proved popular and and functions at the nearby Walworth they just heat things up.” in 1988 he moved to a 100 seat Garden Farm. restaurant next to the Trocadero in Every Thursday, Ameer gets up at 3am “We have lots of loyal customers” says to go to Smithfield, Billingsgate and Piccadilly with Chalor as head chef and a team of cooks from Thailand. Ameer. “Mama Thai is very popular New . He also buys with the South East Asian students produce locally, from “Thai Pavilion was one of the most who live nearby and they bring their and Longdan Vietnamese Supermarket. successful Thai restaurants in London. friends too. We also get quite a few He says “Not many restaurateurs buy We won numerous awards and newcomers who’ve just moved into the from the markets anymore, but I do people came from all over to eat neighbourhood, as it’s one of the fastest and many of the traders have become there” recalls Ameer, who went on to growing areas in London.” friends. I like shopping locally. We’ve add a second branch, Thai Pavilion even grown our own Thai Sweet Basil East, near his home in Kennington. Ameer has no intention of slowing at Walworth Garden Farm.” down, either. He’s looking forward When he reached his 60s, Ameer to the tenth birthday celebrations in sold both businesses so that he could October, when they’ll host a traditional take things a little easier but a chance Thai feast and he’s also planning some walk along the Walworth Road one wine pairing events so that people can day, changed his plans. learn what wines go best with their Thai food. “I noticed that the Wimpy was closing down so I got chatting to the guys in “I should have retired by now but I the building and found out that it was think it’s good to keep working, both for sale. I was planning to retire but physically and mentally,” he smiles. Chalor didn’t want to. She persuaded “After all, as George Bernard Shaw me that we should open a small said, ‘there is no sincerer love than the restaurant on the site and call it Mama love of food.” Thai. Chalor’s the Mama!” he explains.

Mama Thai, 235 Walworth Road, SE17 1RL Open daily 12–3.30pm and 5–11pm | www.mamathaihomecooking.co.uk

THE ELEPHANT 17 MANOR PLACE: BATHS, BOXERS AND BUDDHISTS

Manor Place and its baths have played an important role in the history of Walworth. Local historian, Dr Patricia Dark uncovers the past of this intriguing location.

anor Place is named after of legal authority, for example by fining population. Over time, Walworth the Manor of Walworth local brewers for short measures. was transformed, first from farming (specifically the manor village to prosperous Georgian M The manor house once stood at the house). The Domesday Book (1086) neighbourhood and then later, into describes the manor as “five hides” intersection of what’s now Manor a crowded urban slum. in area; enough land to support five Place and Penton Place. Records families or to produce £5 in taxes. show that in the 18th century it By the time that Charles Dickens was had three main rooms: a hall for hitting his stride, conditions were pretty In the 11th century, the manor was a dining cum living space, a kitchen bleak. His 1836 collection of essays, gifted to the monks of Christ Church, and an upper room where the lord Sketches by Boz, would shine a light Canterbury, who leased it out for a and his family slept. There was also on the problem; particularly the lack of yearly rent. For centuries, the Lord a barn, a stable and a dovecote to sanitation in overcrowded housing. of the Manor of Walworth paid the house pigeons. monks and their successors for the For the most part, Walworth’s housing right to farm the land and, for many Until 1750, was the lacked dedicated bathrooms and hot years, each Walworth resident had city’s sole bridge across the Thames. running water until well into the 20th the right to graze two cows and a This inhibited the development of century. For most people, taking a horse on what’s now the site of the outlying areas such as Walworth. bath involved heating a large amount . The lord was an However, the opening of Westminster of water on the stove and pouring it influential figure and the manor itself Bridge, shortly followed by Blackfriars into a tin bath that several members of was covered by “rights of justice”, Bridge, brought about big changes the family might share. Otherwise, you which meant he could exert a degree and a new, burgeoning might have a “wash-down” – standing

18 THE ELEPHANT in a smaller container and pouring space could be used for other pursuits; had structural issues and a new leisure water over your head – or simply a including boxing. centre nearby offered better facilities wipe down with a wet flannel. for swimming. So, after one final Boxing has long been important to the Mayor’s Boxing Show in April 1978, There were similar problems with area, with world-famous venues for the Baths were closed. doing laundry. As clothes and linen training and competition located close had to be scrubbed by hand with by; including the Ring on Blackfriars The building fell into disuse for soap, laundry day and bath day were Road and the Thomas a Becket pub. many years, until English Heritage often one and the same! Manor Place saw its first bout in awarded it Grade II listed status and 1908 and went on to host a roll-call added it to the Register of Buildings The lack of basic sanitation facilities of the famous and infamous, including at Risk in 1996. had knock-on effects for public health. the Kray twins. It became so well In an effort to improve conditions for known that when the BBC began to In more recent times, it received the local population, the vestry of broadcast boxing, they chose Manor something of a reprieve. The Buddhist Newington built the Public Baths and Place as their first venue. group Kagyu Samye Dzong Wash Houses in Manor Place. renovated the building in the early 2000s and leased it as a meditation Work began in 1895 with a and complementary health centre grand opening in March 1898. until 2010. In 2013, Notting Hill The complex contained three Housing bought the Baths (along swimming pools; originally a first with the recycling depot, next door) and second class pool for men and and the building is now being one for women (mixed bathing was converted to housing. introduced in 1904). It also had 72 individual bath cubicles - the majority However, in a tribute to its glorious of which were originally for men - past, one final boxing reunion was showers and a public laundry. held at the Baths earlier this year. The event was arranged by the Essex At the time, Manor Place Baths were Ex-Boxers’ Association as a fundraiser amongst the biggest and best in for the families of light-heavyweight London; so big, in fact, that the rector Scott Westgarth and former of Newington reflected that some middleweight Herol Graham. observers might think they were too big. The Baths provided a valuable The event commemorated the legacy service. Not only were they a means of everyone who’d fought at Manor to keep clean, but they offered people Place and provided a fitting send- The Baths’ most treasured boxing some much-valued privacy (generally off to an iconic venue that will now tradition began in 1936 when missing from their day-to-day lives). continue to serve the local community a group of locals, including pub They were an affordable luxury that for generations to come by providing landlord Jack Burnett, tailor Dave could make a hard week at work a much-needed housing, including new Lyons, and local shop-keeper Joe little easier or provide a first pleasure affordable homes, on site. Collier, decided to raise money to to mark the weekend. send local kids on a seaside holiday. The laundry had an impact beyond They held a charity boxing match at its primary purpose, too, helping to the Baths, which would go on to be strengthen a sense of community as an annual event. For more than 40 neighbourhood women swapped years, The Metropolitan Borough of children’s clothes and traded advice Southwark’s Charity Boxing Committee while they finished the weekly wash. organised the bouts, which saw the cream of the boxing world come to The Baths also provided an Walworth, giving locals the chance to For more local history visit the opportunity for exercise, and it wasn’t see top-flight, professional boxing on Southwark Archives at just swimming; as Manor Place was their own doorstep. 211 Borough High Street. soon to earn its place in the hallowed www.southwark.gov.uk/libraries By 1975 the council had begun to history of British boxing. You can also visit rethink its role in providing subsidised www.heritage.southwark.gov.uk The first class baths were designed to laundry and bathing to an ever- to see the council’s collections be covered over with wooden flooring decreasing number of people, online, including those of the in the winter; presumably to save especially when every home in the and money on heating or because of a borough was expected to have a Southwark Archives. lack of demand. This meant that the bathroom by 1980. Manor Place

THE ELEPHANT 19 Anne James Locals tell us What’s great about I used to go to evening Elephant and Castle is classes at London College what they that it’s quite quirky but of Communication in the love about not full of tourists like some parts of 90s and the area is completely different central London. It’s definitely got better, now. Back then, Elephant and Castle the Elephant too. I like the new developments and was all clogged up with traffic and the the fact there are lots of parks and main thing that anyone noticed was nice pubs in the area. I’ve brought my the huge pink shopping centre. There’s friend from Denmark to see Mercato still traffic but it seems more contained. Metropolitano today, as I knew she’d I like the new road layout as it’s much love it. It’s great for lunch and a glass of better for cyclists. My only worry about wine. The Vietnamese wraps and the all this development is that it’s making Argentine food are especially good. the area unaffordable for some people.

Ade Sherry I grew up around here so I’ve lived in the Elephant for I’ve seen a lot of changes, six years now and there’s especially over the last ten lots more going on. I like years. It’s great that you don’t have to the mix of different cultures and there leave the area to “go out” now. I like are loads of places to get really good Louie Louie on the Walworth Road, food. The food at Artworks is amazing, they’ve got good food and good music there’s Mauritian food and Caribbean and there are interesting pubs nearby, food and a gluten free café, too. like The Tommyfield and The Old Red Another good thing about living here Lion. There’s certainly more of a buzz is that it’s so central. It’s so easy to get now. People say gentrification’s a bad everywhere and there’s something in thing, but it does mean there’s more to every direction. do; with new gyms opening and new places to go etc. Hugo There’s always something Nikki going on around here, I’ve got a young son and whatever time of day it is. it’s a good area for kids Corsica Studios has good club nights as there’s lots going on. and gigs and I used to enjoy going to I like going to the soft play at the The Coronet. I like the South American

AND CASTLE Castle Centre. It’s right by our house places underneath the arches for a and I’ve taken my son swimming there coffee and you can buy good Spanish too. We often go to Kennington Park produce there too. The tunnels under as well as Little Dorrit Park in Borough, the roundabout were awful so I think

M Y ELEPHANT where there’s a nice play area and it’s great they’ve removed them and tables where you can have a picnic. pedestrianised the area more.

Kundan The area’s changing a lot. Overall, the change is good, so long as it still reflects the local community. I’ll miss the shopping centre if it goes. The building is dire but the people in the shops and cafés are lovely and they have a good rapport with customers. One of my favourite places is Nova as the coffee is so good and it’s reasonably priced too. July 2018 The Elephant Magazine is produced by Southwark Council. Read more about the We would love to hear your regeneration programme at feedback and welcome suggestions www.elephantandcastle.org.uk for future features. Drop us a line at [email protected]