Issue 19 / Autumn 2020

FOLLOW THE HERD BLACK HISTORY LOCKDOWN Rediscover your MONTH HEROES THIS favourite shopping Sokari Douglas Elephant Says Hi centre traders at Camp talks steel, celebrates the locals Castle Square and sculpture and who came to the rescue ISSUE Elephant Arcade Southwark during lockdown 2 The Elephant The Elephant 3

Published by Southwark Council

Editor Richard Wells

Additional copy THIS IS THE Nikki Spencer Noella Pio Kivlehan

Main Photography Hannah COVID-19 Maule-ffinch ELEPHANT Cover photo Sokari Douglas And this is the Elephant Magazine. Camp Designer CASES ARE Nathan Heins, Westco Creative he Elephant Magazine is the publication dedicated to all things Elephant and Castle. We want to celebrate all Printed by Tthat is fabulous about our neighbourhood and our Swiss Post community. We want to look back with fondness on the Enquiries area’s past and look forward with optimism to the future. INCREASING councilnews@ The Elephant is changing and the Elephant Magazine will southwark.gov.uk be following every step of the way. We welcome your ideas, comments IN SOUTHWARK and contributions, so please get in touch. We can beat it together, Photography from left to right: by staying apart. East Street sign; Trieve and Kayode from Enterprice; dinner at Paladar; Castle Centre sign; Elephant Says Hi; Elephant statue www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

Keep in touch Visit us at elephantandcastle.org.uk Email [email protected] to be added to our mailing list for digital updates: use the word KEEP UPDATES in the subject line, SOUTHWARK followed by your postcode. SAFE 4 The Elephant The Elephant 5

Two people, who went out of their way to help others during lockdown, have been named as Local Hero Award Winners.

chef who cooked thousands of and other local services to ensure that stop-off point for everyone from bus meals for those in need and a their meals went to where they were drivers, ambulance crews and police A kiosk owner who stayed open most needed. officers (Adramo gave them all a throughout the pandemic, dispensing “Looking back, I’m not sure how we hefty discount) to many other local coffee and kind words, have both been did it” says Rachel. residents who just needed a coffee given Local Hero Awards by Elephant “We went from providing about a and a chat. “It can really make a big WE CAN BE Says Hi (ESH); a community project hundred meals per week to around a difference to someone’s day to say WE CAN BE designed to make Elephant and Castle thousand” adding that it was very much ‘Hi, how are you?’ especially if you the most welcoming place in London. a team effort. “None of this would have live alone. I might be the only person Liza Makarov and Jenny Sawyer from been possible without those who helped the customer has spoken to all day” ESH asked for nominations from the in the kitchen and all the volunteers who says Adramo. local community at the beginning of June delivered the meals and coordinated “At that time, there were shortages in and the winners were announced in July. everything” she says. supermarkets. A few of my customers Not long after lockdown began, Rachel worked in the local Sainsbury’s, so when Rumbol started Neighbours in Need with I heard that they had a delivery of milk or Chris Greenwood, owner of Walworth whatever I would let people know.” cafe, Louie Louie. Over the next few It’s wonderful Adramo adds “I feel very much a part months, she and her helpers cooked of the local community now. I know more than 3,400 nutritious, free meals how people have many of my customers by name and for vulnerable people, including those although most shops and cafes have who were homeless, shielding, on free helped each other since reopened, they keep coming back school meals or waiting for access to here and supporting me as a way of food banks. during such a saying thank you, which is lovely.” HEROES They also teamed up with Meals for the “It’s wonderful how people have helped HEROES NHS to provide a further 7,400 meals to each other during such a difficult time difficult time NHS workers who were unable to access and it goes to show what a caring local shops or cafes during lockdown. community we have here in Elephant “Like everywhere else, Louie Louie had and Castle” says Liza Makarov. to close its doors and the kitchen was “Lots of people have told us that they She adds “Both the winners received lying unused, so it made sense to use don’t know how they would have coped certificates and an Elephant Says Hi both the space and my cookery skills without this help.” hoodie. Adramo also received a bottle to help others” explains Rachel. For more than a year, Adramo Tezgazzi of champagne and Rachel a “digital Once she got started, Rachel was soon has run The Kiosk in Elephant Park, hamper” which contained vouchers from working in the kitchen on a daily basis, a coffee stall offshoot of Mercato local businesses, including Diogenes cooking everything from chilli con Metropolitano (located nearby, in the Dog, Black Cowboy Coffee, Tasty carne to roast chicken and a range of Newington Causeway). Jerk, Art in the Park and Blue Elephant vegetarian meals. When lockdown began, Adramo shut Theatre. So my thanks also go to all Rachel and Chris got an £8,000 up shop for a few days before realising those who supplied prizes.” grant from Southwark Council and that he was allowed to stay open and crowdfunded a further £10,000 to pay that people would need a hot drink and for the project. They also worked closely a warm welcome now more than ever. www.elephantsays-hi.com with North Walworth Mutual Aid Group The Kiosk soon became a regular

THETHE OTHER OTHER NOMINEES NOMINEES

Amy Gray, Beza, Irene Hayes, Hatch Enterprise, Richard Galpin, owner of Dragon the Ethiopian Superarts Academy, which helped from Pembroke Castle, who made restaurant which who provided online to support local House, who helped dozens of free cooked meals dance classes and businesses through to get food to masks for NHS for NHS staff and support for students the pandemic those most at risk cancer centres the homeless and families during and in need Rachel Rumbol Adramo Tezgazzi lockdown The Elephant The Elephant 7

Elizabeth Duque, Medellin Y Su Moda Find me in Women’s fashion Castle Square

“The inspiration behind my shop has Despite the centre closing, I’m confident always been about helping women to be of keeping my customers. Being in more confident, so they can feel beautiful Castle Square will mean my doors and love themselves. are open to all – to existing customers and new customers – as well as to Over the ten years that I operated in the new opportunities. centre, I acquired many loyal customers. For them, it’s not just about the clothes, Yes, it’s sad that the centre has closed it’s also about the body shapers and how but you also need to look at the positives my garments can help women of all and live your life in a positive manner. shapes; including those who want to The redevelopment of the centre will lose weight or change their lifestyles. help the area, hopefully. I get customers from different parts of Personally, I’m excited about the move. Follow the herd England and the whole world. One lady Once COVID is over, I’d like to expand and comes from Italy specifically to get my grow my business. I want to help women – The Elephant and Castle shopping centre, which is set to be redeveloped jeans because she loves them. not just around Elephant and Castle – but around London and the world.” as a new town centre for the neighbourhood, closed in September. It will be much missed by many local shoppers as well as by those for Faye Gomes, Kaieteur Kitchen Find me in whom it was simply a famous landmark. But the centre’s customers won’t Guyanese food stall Castle Square

have far to go to find their favourite stores. Most of the independent “I came here in 2003. I bought an existing I do outside catering and I had a lot of businesses that operated in the centre can now be found just a stone’s throw food stall that was originally located at the customers who wanted to eat at the front of the market (outside the shopping market, but because of the standard of the away. So come with us as we follow the herd. centre) before moving to the back, where shopping centre they didn’t come. Castle the food mall is. Square is much better, and I’m fortunate because now I’ve got a seating area, too. The centre changed a lot during that time. Back then, you had the bowling and I’ll keep the same dishes but I’ll also create Luz Villamizar-Lizcano, Lucy’s Hair Find me in the bingo and other nice places that different ones so there’s always something Hair salon & beautician Elephant Arcade people could come and enjoy. They are new and exciting to look forward to. all gone now. Going to Castle Square is a new chance “When I came to London in 1985, I hadn’t made up of all the customers and traders at But the closure of the centre is an and a new start. Moving will create a bigger mastered the language and I was still the shopping centre. opportunity to move on and to lift customer-base and new relationships with improving my skills as a beautician. But Like everything in life, business needs to standards (for me, personally, as well new people. I’m looking forward to that.” Elephant and Castle was just waiting for evolve and change to progress. We will not as for my food). me to open my salon! be the exception. For the last 28 years, I’ve lived countless As for my move to Elephant Arcade? I can moments of my life with my two families; Find me in only say thanks to God for all the moments Saif Mithu, Games & Gadgets the one made up of me and my son and the lived that will last in our hearts.” Video games and tech Castle Square other (the one that I carry in my heart) “My shop has always been a meeting place just across the road. We felt OK about it and it’s created good memories for local because the new shop is nearby and it’s Zahir Qaderi, Z watch & phone repair Find me in people. They could come here, play games, still the same business. try out the PlayStation etc. Watches and accessories Castle Square Demographically, this area has changed a Now their kids come too. We’ve seen the lot with the new developments bringing in “Back home, in Afghanistan, I worked in we’re stocking higher quality items to try generations come through. more people who can afford more things. the watch business. It was one of the and attract new customers. Hopefully it will be good for the store. One regular customer (who’s now in the reasons I took over the watch stall at the It’s going to be strange for a while, because police) used to work here when he was a We have had to squeeze things in a bit at shopping centre. not all of the new buildings are completely student. Other young people would come the new shop and get rid of some products, Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of changes open and some of the shops may take after school. They used to call it their like the DVDs – but then we don’t sell with all the new buildings going up. some time to get going because COVID is second home. many now, anyway. making it a tough period at the moment. We used to have a lot of local customers With the centre shutting, people kept We’re glad to still be in Elephant and Castle but our numbers dropped because of the However, we will try our best and I’m asking us if we were moving or closing. But and to be part of its future.” changing population. So, at our new place, hopeful for the future.” we reassured them that we were moving 8 The Elephant The Elephant 9

Dianne Augustin, JN Money Find me in John Otagburuagu, Black Cowboy Find me in Money transfer Walworth Road Coffee shop Elephant Arcade

“Elephant and Castle has a big Caribbean Our new branch is at the top of Walworth “I’ve lived around the world, including like ‘just watch me do it!’ Since starting, population and JN Money Services Road, in one of the new units built as part the US, where I worked for nine years as a five years ago, things have been up and has been helping the local Jamaican of the Elephant Park development. truck driver. down. But I knew what I wanted and community to support their families back I knew I would succeed. It’s just a stone’s throw from the shopping When I came back here, I felt a great home for over 20 years. centre, where we’d been based since the emotion and passion about returning to With my new premises in Elephant Arcade, Our remittance services, which allow 90s, so it’s very convenient for our existing the place that I belong. the promise is that it will be a communal customers to send money home in customers and I hope we’ll get some new place – somewhere that you can come The reason I started a coffee business was minutes, is invaluable to lots of people ones too. and feel at home. And, when I expand the because I drank gallons of it when I was on who live in Elephant and Castle. So when business further, all my branches will be Elephant and Castle has changed a lot over the road and far too much of it was really we heard that the shopping centre was due that way. Along with a cafe, I’d also like to the past decade but I’m glad that we’re still bad coffee, especially in the truck stops. to close we were keen to find somewhere have a shop here and then open in other going to be here for many years to come.” close by to relocate. I could have started the business in parts of London. Croydon or anywhere. But I was drawn to After that, I want to shoot up to Scotland. this area, my home, because Elephant and I like to dress up and I want to wear kilts Castle is in your heart. I said to myself, and do all the flamboyancy! Diana Sach, Coma Y Beba Find me in Ash Avenue ‘I’m going to make it happen here’. But my headquarters will always be in Colombian restaurant and cafe / Castle Square Other people told me I wouldn’t be able to Elephant and Castle, and I’ll fight tooth sell gourmet coffee in Elephant and Castle and nail to stay here.” “After 21 years, I’ve got a lot of mixed I believe in reaching new levels. We have because it’s not the right market, but I was emotions about the shopping centre. to make this area modern and bring it into the 21st century. We were there a long time and we were the Lenin Erazo, Miko’s Find me in place where many of the Latin American The old Elephant and Castle was nothing Ecuadorian cafe Sayer Street community liked to get together. like it is now. Today, when you walk through those passageways, the new park But our new, modern premises at Ash and past all the new businesses, you can “We opened in 2017 with one aim: to share become a home for Latin American people Avenue and Castle Square, provide a see that they’re building a much better our Ecuadorian culture with people here who would come here from around the challenge that I’ve been looking forward place – something totally different than in England. world to meet in the centre. to. It’s a good opportunity to find an it was before. alternative way of doing things. Our customers were mainly Ecuadorian, The new Miko’s, on Sayer Street, has 56 Our new restaurant is smaller than before with some other South Americans, and seats and we should be open by November. We’re in a new area – everything around is but I have the open area, where people can about ten per cent English – but the totally changed. So, while our businesses The area is different to before. It’s more take their drinks into the plaza. number was growing. at the shopping centre have closed, being expensive and less working class. But I somewhere else feels amazing. It’s not As for our food, we’ll do things While a new development on the site of hope to retain my old customers. They something that has made me feel ‘oh my differently – different as in better! the old centre is good for the area and will see the same menu as I served in the God, why?’ Rather, we will take the chance Today, food has become like art, so we London overall, I’m still sad to see the shopping centre but I’ll also try serving to improve ourselves. need to give something more to our shopping centre closed as we have lots of more salads and healthy options.” customers (both old and new) that will good memories. Elephant and Castle has Everyone should put something more really make a difference.” exciting into the idea of running a business. Elephant Arcade ST GEORGE’S ROAD Asim Shabbir, Maya Clothing Find me in Women’s fashion Castle Square NEW KENT ROAD Ash Avenue “We were based at the shopping centre for our business was affected. So we will have NEWINGTON BUTTS 22 years. We know our customers, and as to see how things go in the new space ASH AVENUE well as selling face-to-face, we also take that we’ve been given. If business is good, Castle Square requests and orders by text. They send I’ll continue to trade. Otherwise I might me messages – asking me to keep certain have to close. Where to ELEPHANT ROAD clothes or asking me about a particular Sayer Street Ultimately, you always need to try designer. I do my best to help. WALWORTH ROAD these things. Clearly, with all the new Over the last two years, especially with the developments nearby, we hope that Walworth Road find us NEWINGTON BUTTS closure of both Tesco and the bingo hall, customers will come. 10 The Elephant The Elephant 11

MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME IN Charlie Dark, Peter Milne & Anthony and Run Dem Radio Alejandro Beltran, Senam Badu, Flat 70 The Nunhead SAYER STREET Gardener The Living Room @ Sayer Street is a new, temporary project that has just popped-up at Elephant Park, providing a unique retail experience.

art of Lendlease’s Elephant verdant planting; outdoor work and the end of 2019. Ironically, it burst into Park development, Sayer Street dining spaces; colourful canopies and life in the spring – just as the country Pis home to more than ten new, lights. There are a number of green entered lockdown. Nonetheless, it will permanent retail spaces that have nooks for relaxing and three new have brought a smile to thousands of been taken on by local entrepreneurs. maker-spaces which house local, passers-by, throughout the summer. It has already started to earn itself creative businesses. The meadow will eventually make way a reputation as a great place to visit It’s been designed as though it were for the final phase of the Elephant Park for independently-run bars and cafes, an extension of your own home; a place development but – alongside Living including some amazing restaurants, where you can explore, pamper yourself, Room @ Sayer Street – it demonstrates serving Jamaican, Ethiopian and enjoy an alfresco meal or just watch the just how creative and engaging a “We’re a group of south London Japanese food and much more. world go by. Everyone is welcome. temporary space, built in the midst based community garden stores. “Flat 70 is a non-profit arts However, construction on part of The new, temporary maker-spaces are of transition, can be. “Run Dem Radio is a community We’re independently owned family based in Elephant and the eastern side of the street won’t home to some brilliant, local creatives; So if you haven’t been yet, take a internet radio station, podcast and run and we pride ourselves Castle. Our space has been complete until 2024. So instead of Run Dem Radio, The Nunhead moment to visit both, while they last. studio and record store. Our aim on being a highly knowledgeable reclaimed for artists, cultural leaving this section as an empty space, Gardener and Flat 70. is for RDR to be the people’s team of horticulturalists. workers and local communities hidden behind hoardings for the next Anyone who took a stroll up to radio, bringing unheard voices to We’re always on hand to offer of colour. We are a home for four years, Lendlease has conjured-up Elephant and Castle via Walworth the airwaves as well as being a expert and friendly advice artist development, artist care, something a little bit different. Road this summer, will have spotted elephantpark.co.uk/the-living-room- catalyst for creativity in Elephant about all indoor and outdoor cultural celebration and The Living Room @ Sayer Street is a another temporary Lendlease project; a at-sayer-street Park and the surrounding area.” gardening matters.” cultural exchange.” temporary installation which includes wildflower meadow that was planted at 12 The Elephant The Elephant 13

get lost. It was the end of the Bakerloo a cosmopolitan feel” she says. “The line and we didn’t really know where people around here are so exciting. But we were. But after a while, it became I’d like to see more, green community apparent that the end of the line was space so that local businesses and HOME IS WHERE actually the beginning of the line for us.” people can thrive. And that should Sokari’s own personal line begins in include more art, too.” Buguma, Rivers State, Nigeria. “Living and working in Elephant and Born the daughter of a chief, she was Castle, I love knowing that I’ve had THE ART IS brought up by an English anthropologist, work – inspired by this area – exhibited Robin Horton who had married her in some prestigious locations. I had a elder sister. show called The Pleasure of Seeing You. Celebrated artist, Sokari Douglas Camp has lived “It was tragedy that gave me the luck It was based on the local, West African and worked in Elephant and Castle for more than I had” says Sokari. Pentecostal churches and these ladies “My sister died in childbirth and they that I’d see on Walworth Road, stopping 30 years. Her work is inspired by people, culture lost their twins too. Robin was distraught traffic. I created 20 figures in total, each and the neighbourhood she’s chosen to call home. and so, to keep himself together, he with an elaborate headdress.” stayed with the family and asked that he Warming to her theme, and reflecting might bring me up because I was living on the slaver statue that was torn down with them at the time.” in Bristol, Sokari says “Statues are aking a turn off East Street to With protests against the That early, anthropological influence – powerful – they affect you. I should reach Sokari Douglas Camp’s live- memorialising of slave traders and a curiosity about how we look at people, know, I’ve had paint and stuff thrown Twork studios, you leave behind others, led by the Black Lives Matter society and culture – has become one of at my work. But I don’t think you one kind of street theatre, comprising movement, more people have begun the mainstays of Sokari’s work, alongside should hide statues. I’m in the game stallholders and shoppers, only to enter to ask questions about who gets of trying to have a conversation where another, this time made-up of large represented in British art and how I affect people.” metal figures; static and yet, somehow, and why. She adds “I don’t knowingly set out to every bit as animated. Indeed, the council’s Southwark rile people but, as an artist, you hope to Literally skipping out of her home- Stands Together initiative has already Statues are make some kind of statement because cum-workshop, Sokari is certainly undertaken an audit of civic art and you’ve been touched, and you want to animated herself. Warm and welcoming; local place names as part of a broader powerful – say ‘this is how I see things’.” her boundless enthusiasm and giddiness mission to tackle racism and inequality Sokari also has modest ambitions for belies her 62 years. in the borough. they affect you. transforming her own, little patch of Once inside the building (which was “The more BLM grows, the more Elephant and Castle. She wants to designed and built by her architect my statues are the kind of stuff I’d I should know create a community garden on a small husband, Alan Camp) you’re like to come across when I go for a piece of land near her home, where immediately struck by an array of walk in Elephant and Castle” says the poet and philanthropist Robert sights which represent different Sokari. “Maybe in one of the many new a desire to address injustice. Browning once had a hall. aspects of Sokari’s life. developments being built” she smiles. Her piece, Green Leaf Barrel (2014) was The pandemic put a halt to Sokari’s A spiral staircase, guarded by a life-size, “We’re at a crossroads in the national inspired by the struggles of people living schedule of exhibitions for 2020. steel palm tree, dominates the scene, conversation about our history and, in the Niger Delta, facing mounting She says “I’ve been totally freaked out – climbing three floors up to the broad rather than adding more blue plaques, unemployment as well as terrible caught like a rabbit in headlights. Every glass ceiling. Giant steel sculptures I’d rather see a huge, fat sculpture pollution. Another piece, a full-scale single show I was in, suddenly stopped; of various characters form a kind of that would stop you in your tracks.” replica of a bus – Ken Saro-Wiwa Living put to the side, not going to happen this reception committee, while a number of Sokari moved to Elephant and Castle Memorial Bus – honours the life of the year, maybe next year.” portraits, painted by her two daughters, in 1988 and, unlikely as it sounds, she famous writer and environmentalist The pause gave her some time for add an additional, family touch. came for the steel. who was executed by Nigeria’s military reassessment, ‘a reset button’ as she The metal figures – which sit at the Sokari had fallen in love with the government in 1995. calls it, nonetheless, progress on the heart of much of Sokari’s work – take material while studying at art college. Her collection of six sculptures, garden has been slow. However, she inspiration from her Nigerian roots, her She found the best place to buy it was entitled All the World is Now Richer, takes comfort in the fact that even Kalabari heritage and life in Britain and from Thomas Tingley, who had a factory addresses themes of slavery, evolution when the galleries and museums were Elephant and Castle. on Brandon Street, just around the and change, and is currently exhibited closed, her own work could still be seen Sokari’s work appears in the corner from where she lives now. in Parliament. locally; in Great Suffolk Street, Union permanent collection at the British “Back then, Alan and I were looking Sokari is alive to the change and Street and in Peckham. Museum, as well as in galleries in for a warehouse to share with friends evolution taking place in her own “I love it when people come across Washington, Tokyo and elsewhere. and this site, near Tingley’s, was empty” neighbourhood too. my stuff by chance. I love being seen. She has had several local, national and explains Sokari. She laments the loss of the Heygate That is the best part of me.” international exhibitions; was shortlisted “I had a relative, in Camberwell, who estate (“it had the best views in for Trafalgar Square’s fourth plinth in said Elephant and Castle has fantastic London”) and questions the need to sokari.co.uk 2003 and received a CBE in recognition connections. It’s central; you’re not build upwards (“what’s wrong with of her services to art in 2005. far from the river; Westminster is just horizontal?”) but, nonetheless, Sokari For more local arts and culture, visit: This summer, the role of sculpture and 15 minutes away and Burgess Park had says she’s been looking forward to southwark.gov.uk/events-culture- statues in public life came under really taken shape by then, too.” seeing the area develop. and-heritage intense scrutiny. “To begin with, we’d visit and we’d “I hope the area continues to have 14 The Elephant The Elephant 15

InspirationalBased at St Peter’s Church on Liverpool Grove, InSpire has provided a range of services and support to the local community for more than fifteen years. Now, it’s needed more than ever, says CEO, Nigel Scott-Dickeson.

“ ntil March, this building was for older people) and a main hall that of our operational costs.” sessions. They also host regular youth the epicentre of everything we can accommodate up to 100 people Nigel says that they received a major club nights with pool, table tennis Udo” says Nigel Scott-Dickeson, for conferences, training days and boost in the summer, when news and computer access. as he gives a tour of his beautiful, brick- family celebrations. came through that InSpire was one For many years, 2InSpire was based vaulted community centre, tucked of five local community organisations nearby on the Aylesbury estate but away in the crypt beneath St Peter’s whose application for funding from their activities moved back to the church in Walworth. the Elephant and Castle Community crypt, last year. “We have wonderful facilities here and, Fund had been successful. Nigel says it’s been very hard being in the past, we’d often have three or four Each of the five organisations, unable to work with young people, events going on at once in the different including InSpire, received £10k face-to-face, lately, although they did spaces. Of course, since COVID, all that from the annual £50k fund for manage to adapt their services quickly. has changed.” neighbourhood projects, which was “Within days, Zara Lloyd, our Since it began in 2012, Along with many public spaces, first established by Lendlease and Young People’s Programme Manager, the Elephant and Castle InSpire had to close its doors during Southwark Council in 2012. was offering online activities and Community Fund has lockdown and it only partially reopened The charity also received a further competitions alongside projects supported dozens of in September (in accordance with £10k grant from the council’s COVID that could be done during isolation” organisations and helped Government guidelines). Nonetheless, fund for businesses, as well as an £11k says Nigel. thousands of local people. the charity has continued to offer emergency grant from the London “Steven Davis, our Into Work essential services both online and This year, as well as InSpire, Community Response Fund; both of Programme Coordinator and Sarah over the phone. the Blue Elephant Theatre; which were designed to help cover Parry, who runs our parenting “Fortunately, we had all our IT updated Disability Sports Coach; loss of income. project, were also able to continue to Grow gardening project, which at the end of 2019. This meant we had Blackfriars Settlement; and “This funding will allow us to keep to provide help and support to those takes place on the allotments at all the software in place to run our main Ripe Enterprises all received doing what we do and it will really make who needed it, over the phone and Burgess Park, was able to restart services off-site. So that was definitely £10k each, to help with their a difference to the communities we via WhatsApp” he adds. with limited numbers over the summer. money well spent” says Nigel. work in the community. support” says Nigel. “It’s not ideal. When you see young “It’s a challenging time but we’re InSpire first opened in 2003. It was A lot of InSpire’s work is with young people in person, you can get a much Find out more at: always here to help” says Nigel. the brainchild of St Peter’s then Rector, people. Nigel estimates that they better idea of what help they need. But elephantandcastle.org.uk/ “For 17 years, InSpire has been at the Giles Goddard. He came up with the help more than a hundred every year. we’re doing the best we can to be there communityfund heart of the community and our aim is idea of turning the crypt of this huge, This includes a youth employment for them in challenging circumstances.” to ensure that this continues.” Grade 1 listed, early 19th century church programme, which helps 16-25 year As lockdown eased over the summer, (once used as a WWII bomb shelter) There used to be a cafe, too. It olds to access jobs and training, as Zara arranged some outdoor sports into a non-religious, community facility closed in June 2019 but there are well as parenting support aimed at the activities for small groups as well as InSpire for local residents. plans to reopen it as a community under-21s. a photography competition on the The Crypt at St Peter’s The space now houses a whole range enterprise facility. Fifteen years ago, the charity launched Aylesbury estate, which was sponsored Liverpool Grove of modern facilities, including an IT “Making ends meet, without any the 2InSpire Youth Centre, which by Creation Trust. SE17 2HH suite where people can learn computer income from room hire, has been a provides activities and support sessions Many of InSpire’s activities for older 020 7740 6868 skills; meeting rooms that are used for major challenge” says Nigel. “20 per for 11-18 year olds. It covers everything people, including their IT sessions a wide variety of activities and services cent of InSpire’s income comes from from arts and media workshops and art activities, are still on hold www.in-spire.org.uk (such as Art in the Community sessions renting rooms and that subsidises all through to football, dance and cookery but Nigel is pleased that the InSpire 16 The Elephant The Elephant 17

Tupi offers a taste of Brazil with a European twist.

ate on a sunny, autumn afternoon, options. There’s a range of freshly made a couple are laughing and chatting fruit juices, smoothies and cocktails too Las they enjoy coffee and homemade and they make their own granola for cake at Tupi. their all-day brunch. Sitting at a table on the restaurant’s The freedom to Their most popular dishes include terrace, overlooking Castle Square, bavette, a seasoned steak with the pair finish their drinks while other cook what you chimichurri (a herb sauce that’s a customers tuck into a late lunch or speciality in Argentina and Uruguay) make use of the large, airy space to want to cook and sweet potato rosti, served with work on their laptops. avocado and poached egg topped “Tupi feels very South American” says is wonderful with hollandaise. owner and chef, Gleydson De Paula. “The rosti was actually one of the first “People come here to eat and drink, dishes I created for Tupi and it’s still one to chill and relax, or as a break from of the most popular” says Gleydson. working from home or the office. There’s Reflecting on the spring lockdown, always a bit of a buzz, especially in Gelydson says it was very tough but they the evenings, when we have a happy managed to keep going by supplying hour, and at weekends when we do our takeaways via an online delivery service. bottomless brunch.” “That helped us to keep afloat and Gleydson opened the first branch it also introduced our food to a wider of Tupi in Peckham in 2017. His audience. What’s lovely is that we now “South American food with a European get customers coming into the restaurant twist” was an immediate hit – so much who first discovered us online.” so that it was often hard to get a table The restaurant reopened in July and at weekends. took part in the Government’s Eat Out to When asked if he wanted to open a Help Out scheme in August. second branch in Elephant and Castle, “We were really busy so, afterwards, we Gleydson jumped at the chance. decided to offer a 30 per cent discount “Only six months after I opened in every Monday-Wednesday from 5pm” Peckham, an agent got in touch and says Gleydson. ‘OK I’ll take it!’ The space is much bigger said that Lendlease were looking for Tupi also has a new branch at Boxpark than Peckham and we really are at the Southwark-based businesses to take in Croydon and a delivery-only kitchen heart of Elephant and Castle.” spaces in Elephant Park. They asked me in Bethnal Green. “Tupi is really popular with students to come and take a look” he explains. “It’s wonderful that more people and people often come in for a drink or “I wasn’t planning to open another are getting to sample our food. I think something to eat after going to Gymbox, restaurant so soon, but the moment I everyone loves eating at Tupi because next-door. With the new pop-up retail saw the place and the location I said it’s something different; tastes good and space opposite and more people moving looks so good too.” in, I think it will get even busier in the Even though he’s busy running the future” he adds. business, Gleysdon still likes to cook Gleydson came to London from Brazil whenever he can. when he was 18 and spent more than 15 “I’ll never stop cooking. It’s part of who years working in restaurants across the I am. I even dream about cooking! When capital. These included Michelin-starred we first opened in Peckham, I was in the Italian, Stefano Cavallini and Buonasera kitchen. I was cooking at Elephant and in Clapham Junction, but like many chefs Castle for the first few months, too. But I he always dreamt of opening his own wasn’t needed for long as we soon found place and creating his own dishes. a great chef!” “To have the freedom to cook what you want to cook is wonderful” he says. “Over the years, I’ve worked in several European and South American Tupi restaurants and all those influences have 2 Castle Square, Elephant Road, SE17 1EN rubbed off on me.” 020 7703 7701 Tupi’s menu features an array of colourful meat, fish and vegetarian www.tupilondon.com dishes, as well as dairy and gluten-free 18 The Elephant The Elephant 19

Elephant and Castle has a long history as a major retail destination. It even boasted its own Harrods for a time. Having said farewell to the shopping Retail, the centre, we dig a little deeper into the area’s retail past. he Elephant and Castle shopping a petition raised by associates who were centre, which closed in September, willing to vouch for his good character, Trepresented a 1960s vision of including Charles Walker, a tea trader retail. A Modernist mall, in the American based in London Road, Elephant and Elephant and style, it eschewed the British notion Castle. A few year’s later, Harrod would of high street shopping in favour of an open his grocery store in Knightsbridge. everything-under-one-roof approach. Without Mr Walker and the others’ Bring your car, park on site and you’ll intervention, who knows, maybe the never have to set foot outside. world’s most famous department store Today, as we tackle the twin terrors of might never have existed? the Harrods air pollution and climate change (not Harrod was Charles wasn’t the only member of to mention the need to get a bit more the Harrod clan who was trading in fresh air and exercise) the idea of a town found guilty of Southwark, either. He had a brother who centre built for motorists has had its day. ran a jewellery store, around the same The shopping centre itself, replaced receiving 112lb of time, on Tooley Street ( just a short an old horse market that had traded on walk from the original draper’s store) connection the site until the 1950s. And, when it’s stolen currants and his sons inherited good heads for redeveloped, there will still be plenty business too. of opportunity to shop. However, this Around 1909, one of his sons, Henry time around, the new stores, as well as shop located at No. 7 Newington Butts. Digby Harrod established HD Harrod, the new homes to be built on the site, It was run by Henry Digby Harrod, son the confectioner’s in Elephant and will all be based around a street pattern of Charles who had established the first Castle (alongside several other stores - designed to put pedestrians first. Harrod store, nearby in Borough. including one nearby in Peckham). From horses to motor vehicles and Charles Henry Harrod was a young Meanwhile, Charles’ other son, Charles back to pedestrians: in a way, the current man of just 25 when he opened his first Digby Harrod, would go on to turn the redevelopment marks something of a draper’s shop in 1824 at 228 Borough Knightsbridge store into the Harrods return to the past. High Street. He ran the business, here empire we know today. Elephant and Castle was once in Southwark, with his wife, Elizabeth renowned throughout London as a for a number of years before moving fashionable place to shop for clothes, across the river in 1832. First he moved to Thanks go to Robin Harrod and his book hats, shoes or even a new set of Clerkenwell, where he branched out into The Jewel of Knightsbridge For more local history visit the Southwark Tarn and Co circa 1910, one of many big stores in Elephant and Castle at the time. furniture. Indeed, coupled with its groceries, then on to the East End, and numerous theatres, music halls and eventually he arrived in Brompton Road, Local History Library and Archive at later, its cinemas, by the turn of the Knightsbridge, where the huge Harrods 211 Borough High Street 20th century the neighbourhood department store can be found today. www.southwark.gov.uk/libraries had earned itself a reputation as the A recent book by his descendent, Robin www.elephantandcastle.org.uk/more-history ‘Piccadilly of the South’. Harrod reveals that Charles’ career in Today, there are still a number of shops retail was almost cut short in 1836 when on Walworth Road that date back to the he was convicted for handling stolen very start of Queen Victoria’s reign, such goods at his Cable Street shop. To be as Schwar and Co, the jewellers (trading precise, he was found guilty of receiving since 1838) and Baldwin’s the herbalist 112lb of stolen currants, worth about (in business since 1844). £200 in today’s money. Not the most But you might be surprised to learn heinous crime, but taken very seriously that there was also a branch of Harrods at the time. in the neighbourhood, too. Thankfully for Charles, he was spared It wasn’t a grand department store a threatened deportation and seven of the kind you’ll see in Knightsbridge years’ exile in Australia. Instead, he was today. Although, Elephant and Castle handed a relatively light, one-year prison did have plenty of big retailers of its sentence, while – in contrast – the man own; Hurlock’s, Rabbit’s and the gigantic who sold him the stolen currants was Tarn & Co. to name just a few. Rather, deported to Tasmania. Baker’s: the place to buy your bed in 19c Walworth this Harrods was a small confectioner’s Charles’ reprieve was largely thanks to Read more aboutthe regeneration programme atwww.elephantandcastle.org.uk use the word UPDATES inthesubject line,followed by your postcode. Email [email protected] tobeaddedour mailinglistfor digitalupdates: and welcome suggestions for future features. Drop [email protected] The ElephantMagazine isproduced by Southwark Council. We would lovetohear your feedback MY ELEPHANT AND CASTLE Locals tell us what they love about the Elephant one of the new flats in the redevelopment, flatsinthe redevelopment, one ofthenew to intoin thesink.I’msohappy bemoving to have abath; before thatweusedto wash as itwassohuge!We soexcited were just into moving BuckinghamPalacewe were Aylesbury estate thatmysisterandIthought onthebusnow.longer road layoutnew atthejunctionasittakes public transport. AlthoughIdon’tlike the bikealso really easyto by or getanywhere into Khan’sandnotfoundwhatIwant. It’s been Khan’s Housewares. ever I’venever andIlikehours) andBaldwin’sherbalists Food Oli I love 24 (whichisopen Centre Ineedonmydoorstep.I have everything but Iwouldn’twantto else. liveanywhere have inchurch again. services able to seeeachother, soI’mgladwecan tough. It’s hard forpeoplenotto been be buy ourschoolshoes. COVID very hasbeen andwe’dalwaysPizzeria, goto Grants to andforCastelloand Castleforthecinema Back intheday, we’dcometo Elephant thearea well. London, soIalready knew St Peter’s sinceJune upinsouth butIgrew me forachat. assistantcurate I’vebeen at ofcommunity.sense to Imoved thearea Ethiopian veganfood. restaurants, especiallyBezawhichdoes Park andIlikecafes allthenew outmore. 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was 15.I’llmissCastleTandoori too. I when ShieldStampshopthere the Green though.Mycentre firstjobwasworkingin neighbours.elderly I’llmisstheshopping shoppingformy during thelockdownIwent and independent blind butI’mstillvery I’mregistered thecommunityhere. as Ilove possibly need,whichisgreat ifyou’re has been wonderful. wonderful. has been forarunthree orfourtimesaweek go there Park. Working from home butbeingableto withthearea more, especiallyBurgess love lockdown,I’vedefinitelyin fallen During and restaurants around CastleSquare too. really good.Ilike allthe new, smallbars foods to choosefrom and thepizzais my favourite, are somanydifferent asthere more placesto go. Mercato Metropolitano is kids andallagestakingpart. Saturday. It’s great asyougetfamilieswith like to joininParkrun inBurgessPark ona is great forbringingpeopletogether andI interesting peopleandcharacters. Sport withsomany this area isthatit’ssodiverse baked breadIlike issogood.What about are thebestandsmelloffreshly takeaway. atMixedBlessings Thepatties Chinese Blessing’s BakeryandWinner of myfavourites Mixed are stillhere; and yougetsomuchbangforyourbuck. Walworth Road. Thechickenisreally good I alsolike CheeMc, theKorean placeonthe havethey nothingasgoodEastStreet. chillies! I’velivedinReading andLeeds scotch bonnetchilliesfor£1.That’salotof of Ioncegotawholebowl I remember doing abigSunday roast attheweekend. all thefruitandvegyoucould is EastStreet Market. have They My favourite placearound here Richard it, especially now that there are thatthere it, especiallynow five yearsagoandI really like from Romania here I moved Ana have comeandgonebuttwo thattimelotsofplaces over for17yearsand I’ve livedhere Steven

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