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Home , Bankside, Bermondsey, Elephant and Castle, Horsemonger Lane Gaol

Issue 17 / Winter 2020

TRUNK CALL PALADAR ELEPHANT SAYS HI Kayode Ewumi tells The award winning The new community THIS us about Enterprice, restaurant creating a project that wants his BBC show set in fusion of the best in you to say hello! ISSUE Latin American cooking 2 The Elephant The Elephant 3

Published by Council

Editor Richard Wells

Additional copy THIS IS THE Nikki Spencer Garth Cartwright Noella Pio Kivlehan

Main Photography Hannah ELEPHANT Maule-ffinch Cover photo Kayode Ewumi, And this is the Elephant Magazine. Enterprice

Designer Nathan Heins, he Elephant Magazine is the publication dedicated to Westco Creative all things Elephant and Castle. We want to celebrate all Tthat is fabulous about our neighbourhood and our Printed by community. We want to look back with fondness on the Swiss Post area’s past and look forward with optimism to the future. Enquiries The Elephant is changing and the Elephant Magazine will councilnews@ be following every step of the way. southwark.gov.uk We welcome your ideas, comments and contributions, so please get in touch.

Photography from left to right: Ruth and Lily, Be Enriched; young dancer, Superarts; ; East Street sign; School of Historical Dress; spy camera, Escape Plan; dessert at the Castle Canteen; Luisa, Draper Together; The ; food at Mercato Metropolitano; House of Magic; volunteer, Castle Canteen; Simon Drake; drama at Draper Hall; Castle Centre sign; Keep in touch Beehive pub; Remember: you can find St Mary’s Churchyard regular updates about the Park; Elephant statue regeneration of Elephant and Castle on our website at

www.elephantandcastle.org.uk 4 The Elephant The Elephant 5

James, 16: Level 2 Highways and Maintenance Straight after leaving school, I did the now I’m in the second month of an course for my CSCS (Construction Skills 18-month apprenticeship. BUILDING A Certification Scheme) card. The course I’d recommend other young people was at Compass school in to give it a try. Whether you want to but for three days out of the two weeks be on site or in the office – there's I came here. I actually failed the course, something for everyone. No one judges but they rang me back and said ‘we have each other and it doesn’t matter what some work experience for you and if you qualifications you have, everyone is come on time, that will help.’ And I do. welcome. My long-term goal is to get BETTER FUTURE I came here every day – on time – and a black CSCS card. For more than three years the Southwark Construction Skills Centre has been helping local people get into work and helping the wider community in the process.

he figure 8,020 makes John White do better still. Just over half of those scheme, Muro Court, and is tended pause for a moment then shake who attend their initial screening events by residents with help from the Skills This head in disbelief. go on to get a job or an apprenticeship. Centre apprentices and Open Standing before the brass plaque – “This still isn’t good enough” he says, Spaces Trust (BOST). unveiled by the Mayor of , Sadiq “but it’s better than a lot of other John, who was awarded an MBE in the Khan to commemorate the opening providers. There’s lots more work to do. New Year Honours list, believes that of the Southwark Construction Skills projects like this can give something Centre in 2016 – John says “When we back to the community during the started, we were quoted as saying we’ll John White MBE disruption caused by regeneration. train thousands of people. I remember But they also provide a good thinking ‘that’s going to be difficult.’ training opportunity. But now, three years on, we’ve actually “It’s a good way to address how our trained more than 8,000. I didn’t realise trainees conduct themselves” he says. we’d be so successful.” “When you’re working in a place like It’s a cold winter morning at the Skills the Diversity Garden you need to Centre, based at Lendlease’s Elephant understand that people are living all Park development. To the left of the For me, it’s about the ones that don’t around you. You need to be quiet. You’re entrance stands the training yard, where achieve. The ones that don’t get jobs. not going to come down there with your a group of young, unemployed locals How do we re-engage them?” music blaring. It’s about respect and are being taught the art of scaffolding. Helping people get into work isn’t the education. It sounds obvious but these It’s just one of the skills taught at only way in which the centre helps the are important things to remember, they the centre, which focuses on helping local community. make you employable.” local Southwark residents (and those “Lots of people say they’re community- The Skills Centre will move from its Apprentices working on the Diversity Garden Molly Gadenz, BOST and Matt Strutt, SCSC from further afield) to undertake based, but you wonder what they current base at Elephant Park later this apprenticeships, pre-employment actually do?” says John. “We have year. It’s due to relocate to courses, short-term construction apprenticeships, we have this and that (another major regeneration area). But George, 19: Level 2 Drylining qualifications and National Vocational but we ask ‘what else can we do to the exact location isn’t critical for John. As work is going to fill a large part of to interview for Stortford Interiors Qualifications (NVQs). help, locally?’” It’s what they do when they get there my life, the only way to be satisfied and doing drylining. Despite passing the 8,000 mark, John One example is a project on nearby that counts. “No matter when or where happy is to do the best I can and to love Today, I really enjoy my job. I’ve worked isn’t satisfied. He believes the centre can King James Street, where apprentices we move, I want 2020 to be the year we what I do. across various sites in London and no have been working on a community really up our game” says John, before I chose construction because I was two days are the same. It’s all about garden. The Diversity Garden is part of returning to one of the centre’s bright never good, academically, at school. working as a team. I’ve made some good the award-winning affordable housing orange porta-cabins to address a group I was always more craft orientated and friends and the supervisors are always of new arrivals. so I didn't want to work in an office on hand to help and offer advice. I have

environment. I was going to college a sense of pride and joy in what I do, and was asked by a mentor if I’d like especially when I see the end results.

Find out more at www.southwarkconstructionskillscentre.com 6 The Elephant The Elephant 7

Enterprice, Kayode Ewumi’s hit show, returns to the A LOVE LETTER TO BBC for a second series later this year.

ayode Ewumi grew up in things happening. I got into trouble The BBC commissioned a pilot which Wolverton House on the Aylesbury sometimes and maybe I wasn’t the led to the first series. Kestate and describes his TV smartest – but I did OK.” “Originally, we looked at filming it comedy-drama series, Enterprice, as He also spent a lot of time at Inspire in but my producer, Phil “a love letter to Elephant and Castle.” youth club which is run from St Peter’s Gilbert, said ‘why don’t you film it where “You don’t see stuff on TV about this in Liverpool Grove. you’re from?’ It made so much sense” ELEPHANT area that’s nice and positive, so I wanted “I probably went there once or twice says Kayode. AND to show people what I knew and saw” a week from age 11 until 17” he says. “It was lovely to film where I grew up. says the 26-year-old writer and actor. Damien Brown, who was a youth Knowing people locally made it so much “It was tough at times but growing up worker there, did all sorts of great easier and it meant all my family could here I had a lot of fun too and I wanted stuff for kids on the estate. It was a come and watch.” to highlight that.” safe haven for us where we did In the opening scene of the first “I also wanted to show how people everything from cooking classes to episode, Kayode is seen walking through CASTLE of different races and cultures can all drumming and playing video games.” , eating a pattie, and live together” he adds. At home, Kayode loved East Street is still very much a part of The TV series follows two friends watching videos. his life. Kazim (Kayode) and Jeremiah “We didn’t have that many so we The Aylesbury estate is being (Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge) as they watched the same ones over and over regenerated, block by block, and all attempt to get their small business – again. I remember seeing Jim Carey the council tenants have been given the a delivery service named Speedi-Kazz – in The Mask where he plays a bank option to be rehoused nearby. off the ground. clerk and gangster and being fascinated Kayode’s family moved near to East “It’s about two black boys trying that he could be both characters. Street and he still lives here with his to make it and the funny things that That introduced me to the idea that mum, dad, two sisters, Mary and Lola, happen along the way. It’s something you could act.” and his cousin, Kamil. I think everyone can relate to” After leaving school, Kayode studied “I feel that with there are says Kayode. theatre and drama at City and positives and negatives” says Kayode. Four 30-minute episodes aired in College and then went to Coventry “Some of the flats were not in great 2018 and it was so popular that the BBC University where he did a degree condition and the heating was old” he commissioned a second series which in theatre. remembers. “If it means that people can was filmed last summer. After graduating, he caught the move to somewhere else in the area then From an early age Kayode says he attention of TV producers when that’s good, but it’s not good if you move was always “cracking jokes and he created a mockumentary, called people out of places and they can’t making people laugh.” He cites his #HoodDocumentary, with his old school afford anything else around here.” mum, Oluyemisi as a big inspiration. friend, Tyrell Williams. “When I was a teenager my mum often “Mum’s always telling stories and has “Tyrell and I bought a video camera, sent me to East Street to get chicken such a great laugh” he says. from Curry’s or somewhere, and we paid and plantain. If I’m at home, that still Kayode went to English Martyrs RC half each” he recalls. “Then we started happens. Even now!” he smiles. Primary School on Flint Street and shooting stuff around the area.” Kayode says his family has been a huge then to Thomas the Apostle #HoodDocumentary followed aspiring support to him. secondary school in . MC, Roll Safe (Kayode) as he attempted “They were understandably cautious at “School was cool. I to convince people that he might be the first but then I proved that this is what I enjoyed it” he recalls. next big grime act. Or maybe even the wanted to do. Since then, they’ve pushed “I liked it because next James Bond. me and encouraged me” he says. there were They released two episodes on “My faith also plays a big part in what I always YouTube and the reaction was huge. do” he adds. “I’m not a big one for going funny Within weeks it had been viewed more out. Most of the time I’m either working, than two million times. at church or tucked up in bed.” Although “At the time, it felt crazy. It took off keen-eyed locals may occasionally spot so quickly but it really opened doors him getting something to eat at Bagel for me” says Kayode who was King, Morley’s or Ossie’s Jerk Chicken The first series of Enterprice is named a BAFTA Breakthrough on Road. available to watch on BBC iPlayer Brit in 2016. And, although he’s clearly going places, Trieve and Kayode as He then started you might still bump into him in the Kazim and Jeremiah with the second series on the way. writing Enterprice. market on an errand for his mum.

8 The Elephant The Elephant 9

Elephant Says Hi is a new community initiative to make Elephant and Castle the most welcoming place in London. Greg Barnes, Milly Bianchini, Events and local resident Community Manager at 55 East

f you’ve noticed colourful elephant adds Jenny. “We want to encourage for South Gardens Elephant Park and Greg Barnes and his partner Tomasz moved into a flat on 55 East, a community café, kitchen and event space on stickers popping up in the windows more people to say hi to a neighbour, local residents. As well as food and Trafalgar Place four years ago. They were just two of the East Street, is one of dozens of places signed up to Iof local cafes, shops and community join a group, support a local café or try drink, the party included music, African locals who helped to organise the street party. Elephant Says Hi. spaces then you’ve discovered a new a new activity.” drumming, acrobatics and face-painting. “Being involved was a great way to get to know the team “We’ve been involved in Elephant Says Hi since last project designed to make Elephant and They worked with students from “We chose Wansey Street and Sayer from Elephant Says Hi as well as neighbours from the summer. It’s a great project and a lovely way to bring Castle more welcoming for everyone. London College of Communication Street as you have the old Victorian original houses on Wansey Street and all the new homes. old and new residents together. It’s also a good way for Created by Liza Makarov and Jenny (LCC) to create an Elephant Says Hi houses on one side and the new estate The planning meetings were lively, social gatherings us to network with other organisations and businesses Sawyer, the Elephant Says Hi project website and their distinctive branding. on the other. We want to connect with people swapping stories about their experiences in the community. launched with a party for neighbours “It was wonderful to be able to use local newcomers with those who have lived in of living or working in the area and everyone had ideas We had a table at the street party. It was such a on Wansey Street last September. talent. The LCC students really helped the area for a long time and vice versa” and suggestions. joyful occasion and it was great to be able to tell more Since then, dozens of local businesses to make it all happen” says Liza. says Liza. On the day, there was a fantastic turnout and a good mix people about what we do. We told everyone about our and organisations have signed up to Over the last six months, Liza and They arranged long tables in the of people. The support from local businesses was amazing Community Cuppa events, where people get to chat over the scheme. Jenny have toured the neighbourhood, middle of the street and encouraged and the variety of goodies on offer gave a taste of just how a free cup of something hot, and we definitely got new Liza and Jenny came up with the idea inviting local businesses and community people to bring dishes to share. There vibrant the area is. people joining us. Being featured on the Elephant Says Hi when they took part in the Loneliness organisations to sign up to their was also food provided by local cafes, For me, it was a perfect example of how people from very website and map is also a great way to let people know Lab, an 18 month project founded by Elephant Says Hi Welcome Charter. including Tasty Jerk and Hej as well as diverse backgrounds who normally might never meet, that we’re here but it’s also good to have the stickers in Lendlease and non-profit organisation, “We asked everyone to commit to the new wine bar, Diogenes the Dog, let alone stop and chat, can come together, have fun and the windows as not everyone’s online.” Collectively. The idea was to find new being open, friendly, inclusive and and there were numerous stalls where build relationships.” ways to make London a less lonely city. welcoming to different types of people people could find out more about the “It’s estimated that nine million people in different ways. The response has been Elephant Says Hi participants. in the UK are lonely and we’re on a great” says Jenny. “There were 200 people of all ages and mission to try and change that in the “There’s a wonderful range of places it was really diverse” says Jenny. Elephant” explains Jenny. that have joined, from Baldwin’s the “We had residents who have lived As part as of their initial research, the herbalists on Walworth Road to the here for 35 years and others who had pair set up a ‘talking table’ at Hej Café Elephant Barbers on Wansey Street. only moved in three months ago. It was on Rodney Road and invited people We’ve also signed up some pretty unique a great way to introduce neighbours, to share their experiences of living in places like 55 East and Drawing Room with people chatting to people they Elephant and Castle. (an art studio where children can pop in hadn’t spoken to before. I particularly “We found that quite a few people and draw after school)” she adds. remember one lovely lady, who the did things outside the area – despite All the participants can be found on neighbours don’t see very often, who there being so many things to do locally. the Elephant Says Hi website which decided to bake a cake and come and We decided to try and create more of filters them via different categories such join us. To me – that’s what Elephant a sense of belonging and cohesion by as Eat & Drink or Learn & Do. Says Hi is all about.” connecting people to each other and They also put a sticker in their window “Elephant Says Hi is starting to create to all the interesting spaces, places to let everyone know that they’re part a real buzz in the area and we’re looking and activities in the neighbourhood” of the scheme. forward to signing up more members, says Liza. Liza and Jenny officially launched putting on more events and doing all “Elephant and Castle is undergoing Elephant Says Hi last summer with we can to make Elephant and Castle a lot of transition so – now, more than a community street party organised the most welcoming place in London” Find out more about the project, including participating venues, at www.elephantsays-hi.com ever – we need to support one another” with Ernest Harris, Building Manager adds Liza. 10 The Elephant The Elephant 11 TEN YEARS OF THE CUL DE SAC GALLERY

The Elephant’s Cul de Sac Gallery is moving on. Founder, Stephen Hall spoke to the Elephant Magazine about his decade in the neighbourhood and what comes next.

he Cul de Sac Gallery opened in defined his career and the reputation The company occupying the building a recession and survived the age of the gallery but also changed and folded and I met the landlord by Tof austerity. As well as the start influenced the surrounding area chance. We got chatting and I proposed of a new decade, 2020 also marks the and made a bold statement on society we turn the buildings into seven start of a new chapter for the gallery and politics. studios. That was during the recession, – beginning with the destruction of Now, despite having to move from its when the property was cheap.” funding for the Cul de Sac’s NSA the funding for the arts and for local it to live that long.” its most iconic piece of work, the Tale County Street home, Stephen reveals Named after County Street’s dead end training was “totally axed.” authorities has diminished significantly. But now the plinth has met its end, of Two Cities, a replica of Trafalgar that he plans to reopen his studio (near the ) the Cul de In 2013, a change to the national In an area struggling to shake off the with Stephen considering destroying Square’s famous fourth plinth. elsewhere in Southwark. Sac’s programme ran between 2009 planning rules, which meant that hangover of its post-industrial decay, it in one final act of performance art. This February, the gallery’s County Given its many achievements, it’s and 2014, during which time a handful commercial buildings could be this Victorian replica displaces the Stephen wants to stay in building will return to its perhaps surprising to hear that the of staff and a team of volunteers converted for residential use more emptiness of political rhetoric into the and is hoping to find space for a new landlord. As a result, the 16 tonne Cul de Sac Gallery actually came managed to exhibit around 126 easily, piled on the pressure. reality of urbanism.” gallery in . The council is monument, which has stood in about by accident. international artists. “This changed the landscape” says As well as functioning as art, the keen to support local arts organisations the street since 2011 as a symbol of After leaving arts school, the – now “The plan was to run a project space Stephen. “Artists depend on cheap plinth also helped deter antisocial - whether in temporary spaces, such austerity, will be torn down. 51-year-old – Dubliner moved to for artists by creating a number of buildings in popular areas that aren’t behaviour. “Gangs would congregate as Drawing Room (nearby in Rodney “The plinth has become its own London. “I’d lived in Camberwell and studios. We built a yard and then added being used for other purposes.” To add here” says Stephen. “Sometimes there Place) or with permanent premises legend” says Stephen, gallery founder was working in Elephant and Castle at the gallery on to it. This gave us extra to the pressure, the gallery faced a 40 were up to 30 people in this dead-end such as Hotel Elephant in Spare and plinth creator. He says the concrete the London College of Communication” space where we started doing shows.” per cent rent increase in 2014. They space, smoking, drinking and causing Street. It maintains a register of mass not only says Stephen. “I found a studio, next At the time, says Stephen, “There were running out of money and, at a nuisance. There was a lot of crime organisations on the look out for door to the current building in County was a great scene in London with East the same time, Stephen decided to and I thought, let’s just do something space and will try to match them with Street, just around the time that End art tours and lots of small spaces take time out for parenting. From 2015, to ‘design out the problem’. The plinth suitable opportunities. the 2008 financial crash doing lots of shows. You’d come to our the gallery only put on occasional became our intervention.” As for Cul de Sac’s legacy, he says: happened. opening and then go on to one nearby, projects, all of which were funded by Stephen spent £4,000 creating the “Our approach was influential for say in Peckham or Bermondsey.” the studio business. sculpture with local stonemasons. other organisations and exhibition But Cul de Sac was always more At seven meters long and four meters It took seven days and comprised 16 making. Our ‘open source’ programming than just a gallery. “We ran a tall, the hulking A Tale of Two Cities, tonnes of aerated concrete blocks. was adopted by the Centre for scheme working with the National which has stood between industrial As for the gangs, Stephen says: “They Contemporary Arts Glasgow, and Skills Academy (NSA), employing warehouses and the immediately stopped coming because our hosting of other galleries was a young, unemployed school leavers. for more than eight years, will certainly there was no room for them anymore. precursor of the ‘condo movement’ We gave them six-month work be remembered as the gallery’s They realised something was changing.” of gallery space swaps which is now placements and trained them in most prominent work. Delivered in Since then, the artwork has become an international phenomenon.” areas such as arts management partnership with Southwark Council, its own legend. “It was the first Stephen adds, “Following the General and fabrication.” it was originally built to be a social public art piece I did and it’s been a Election, it looks as though the Funding-wise, the gallery got an Arts commentary on austerity. defining moment in my career ever demolition of A Tale of Two Cities Council grant for the County Street According to the website, “An empty since. I meet people today and they will coincide with the end of ten Urban Garden, while all of their shows plinth, de-centred from the tourist still go, ‘Oh, you’re the plinth guy. year’s of austerity, so perhaps it were self-financed. But things began to hub, reminds us that while high profile Amazing! I love that piece.’ It’s should be viewed as a monument change after 2010. sites like the fourth plinth persist, kind of flattering – I never expected to austerity itself.” The 2008 financial crash, cuts to Government funded programmes and the age of austerity all took www.culdesacgallery.com a toll on the arts world. Many Find out more about arts and culture in Southwark at www.southwark.gov.uk/events-culture-and-heritage community projects lost funding and join the register for arts and culture space at tinyurl.com/rklqjlg and, in Stephen’s words, the Buddy Holly who played the debut – more than five weeks’ wages for the et it was here that a group of concerts of what would be his only average man. Consequently, being a working class teenagers and young UK tour at The Trocadero on 1 March Ted was quite a commitment and many men created a movement that 1958 (two performances in one night). Y paid off their clothing bills via a weekly would soon become known as the Teddy The Teds were a notoriously tough tab while others resorted to more Boys or more simply, Teds. crowd (they threw coins at Cliff Richard dubious means. Today, almost seventy years later, the when he appeared at the same venue) TEDDY The emergence of the Elephant’s Ted culture lives on. And the Teddy Boy but they loved Buddy Holly and his band, READY Teds was picked-up by the tabloid uniform of drape coat with velvet-trim The Crickets. press which regarded these tough collar and pocket flaps, bootlace tie, high- The Trocadero played host to many young men, dressed in their flash clobber, waisted drainpipe trousers, crepe-soled of the big international stars of the as something of a novelty. But it was the shoes (brothel creepers) and big hair, 50s, including Frank Sinatra and Ella arrival of American rock ‘n’ roll, which moulded into greasy Brylcreem quiffs, Fitzgerald. At the same time, a new gave the Teds their own soundtrack and has changed remarkably little. generation of local talent was emerging propelled them into the national spotlight. Today’s Teddy Boys are a gentle lot, but from the surrounding neighbourhood. Bill Haley & His Comets entered the when the Elephant and Castle Teds first Bermondsey’s Tommy Hicks first met UK singles charts with Shake, Rattle came to attention, they quickly attracted the songwriters Lionel Bart and Mike and Roll in late 1954 and then exploded media notoriety; largely due to their flash Pratt at a bohemian hangout known as into the national consciousness in January fashion, a refusal to acknowledge their the Yellow Door and the trio soon began 55 when their record, Rock Around The ‘betters’ and their raucous behaviour. performing nearby at The Cave – a coffee Clock roared up the charts (four months Here, in post-war Britain, still a society bar on Waterloo Road – under the name before doing the same in the US). bound by class and conformity, was a The Cavemen. In 1956, when Blackboard Jungle, a bunch of rebels without a cause. Bart would go on to write West End Hollywood film which featured Haley’s At the start GO!of the 50s, the Elephant didn’t seem like the kind of place from The original Teds based their style musicals (including Oliver!) while Hicks song in the opening credits, screened at on a craze for Edwardian clothing that would rename himself and the Trocadero (a 3,000 seat cinema and which Britain’s first big, youth culture phenomenon would burst into life. had taken hold amongst upper class become Britain’s first rock ‘n’ roll star and live music venue on New Road) the men. These were wealthy youngsters the first to have a top 40 hit in America. local Teds grabbed their girlfriends and with money to spare for the new (albeit Not that the Teds thought much of Steele, jived in the aisles, while a handful made retro) suits that Saville Row tailors had as far as they were concerned – only the trouble and slashed the seats. reintroduced after WW2. Short for Americans could really rock. Their behaviour hit the headlines, Edward, the style soon became known The Teddy Boys were the first of leading to copycats elsewhere and feeding as Ted. several generations of British youth a growing moral panic about rock’n’roll The idea of aristocratic youths, to mould their own, group identities and delinquency. Later that year, when Bill swanning around in expensive around fashion, dance, slang and the very Haley arrived in London to play his first suits, might seem a world away from latest music. In the following decades, UK dates, the local Teds headed over to the working classes of 50s Walworth. the Elephant would bear witness to a Waterloo Station to greet him, along with Nonetheless, young locals quickly began succession of youth movements and a couple of thousand excited teenagers. to adopt elements of the new style and sounds, from mods to ravers; from garage This created even bigger headlines. made it their own. to grime. But it was the Elephant’s Teds But Haley’s time in the spotlight was Initially, the look couldn’t simply be who pioneered British youth culture, the brief. Younger, more exciting rockers purchased off the peg and employing a ones who got it started – the ones who would soon be inspiring Britain’s tailor to make the bespoke drape coats got things rocking and rolling! teenagers. One of these was the Texan, and trousers could cost as much as £50

the Elephant and from Albie in The Cut. The The local author and documentary maker recalls cloth they would have had made up would be how his father’s generation adopted the style. ‘customer’s own’. Where they got that from is “My old man was born in 1934 so would lost in the mists of time. have been twenty when rock ‘n’ roll and the He loved a shirt with a ‘Billy Eckstine Collar’. Edwardian look began to hit” says Baxter. Detail was all and he remained a fussy dresser From what he told me, it was the clothes and to the end of his life. His hair would have been hair cut – the legendary DA (or Duck’s Arse) – taken care of by one of the many barbers on which he and his pals adopted.

on the Teds the on the Walworth Road and in Camberwell, with a From what I gather, there were some 'tasty' Mark Baxter Baxter Mark ‘Tony Curtis’ requested when that became the Teddy Boy gangs around Elephant and Barnet of choice. Castle but, knowing my dad, that wasn’t My mum, also a Camberwell girl, was born in something that would have interested him. 1936 and she too was a bit of a music nut. Guy He was a music and style man. He wasn’t into Mitchell and Johnny Ray were her faves. Her trouble and he certainly wouldn’t have risked clothes were made by ‘Betty’ who I remember ruining the line of his jacket. still making bespoke clothes well in to the 70s I know he had his suits made at Levy's in and early 80s.”

14 The Elephant IT’S ALL HAPPENING AT ELEPHANT PARK 2019 was an exceptional year at Elephant Park and 2020 is set to be even better.

lephant Park has burst into life over launched with a series of family events in creating the unique designs, each the last twelve months thanks to and a big screen in the park. The first of which included a special anagram Ethe completion of more than 500 film to be shown was family favourite, for trail followers to solve. The homes; the arrival of new food and retail Dumbo (naturally) followed by other sculptures will be auctioned off, with destination, Sayer Street; new public classic crowd-pleasers, including all the proceeds used to support local space and a packed programme of Grease, Sister Act and The Italian Job. community projects.

community events. There was also an opportunity to catch The anniversary culminated with a From left to right: A number of new businesses opened some nail-biting sports action from the birthday party at the end of August: their doors on Sayer Street for the first Ashes through to the US Open. an all-day celebration filled with free time, including a range of independent But perhaps the highlight of the activities including an Elmer-themed restaurants with an outstanding offering year was Elmer the Patchwork tea party and a chance to meet the of global cuisine. Elephant’s birthday. patchwork pachyderm himself. Koi Ramen Bar; films in the park; Elmer celebration; Beza; The Tap-In; Elephant sculpture trail Koi Ramen Bar has been winning fans 2019 ended with a fiesta of festive fun, with a seriously tasty array of Japanese as Sayer Street and the new, temporary dishes – including their traditional wildflower meadow were transformed Tonkotsu ramen (a rich and creamy into a winter wonderland, complete with pork soup noodle). Tasty Jerk brought a twinkling Christmas tree forest and an authentic taste of the Caribbean to magical ‘snow’ showers. And for those Sayer Street while Ethiopian restaurant, who were hunting for unusual presents, Beza has established itself as a local the Merry Elephant pop-up shop came favourite with a range of healthy, vegan up trumps. Run by SoLo Craft Fair specialities. Meanwhile, sports bar, (a local organisation The Tap In has discovered a winning promoting local makers, musicians and formula which mixes Latin American workshop leaders) it proved to be the inspired food (by Cubana) with one perfect place to find a fantastic range of the best craft beer ranges anywhere To celebrate the 30th anniversary of of craft gifts. in London. the much-loved children’s character, a Many more businesses are set to join cavalcade of brightly painted elephants the Sayer Street selection in the coming arrived in town. The sculptures, months, including a new branch of designed by local community groups, Lendlease will reveal more detail on the Elephant and Castle’s home-grown formed the basis of a special Elmer art plans for 2020 (and beyond), shortly. foodie paradise, Mercato Metropolitano. trail at Elephant Park. So keep an eye on The summer months promise to be The trail was a community initiative www.elephantpark.co.uk/events particularly lively with a host of special supported by Lendlease. Primary to make sure you’re amongst the first events planned and free activities for schools, pensioners, youth groups and to hear the news. the whole family. Last year’s season other local residents all got involved 16 The Elephant The Elephant 17

A fusion featuring the best of Latin American cooking is on the menu at Paladar.

“ hen people walk through the with guava sauce are particularly warp” he recalls. “We pretty much had door at Paladar, I want them popular – the restaurant is also 100 per to change everything. At one point a Wto feel like they’re stepping cent gluten free. structural wall and part of the ceiling into another world; one where they can “We had a lot of people asking about almost collapsed but luckily the have a holiday without leaving Elephant gluten free options and we realised, builders put a prop in place and rescued and Castle” enthuses general manager, that with a few simple tweaks, our the situation.” Charles Tyler. entire menu could actually be gluten Paladar has a small bodega (shop) Charles opened his vibrant and free – as it’s mainly based on corn rather which sells the Latin American wines stylish Latin American restaurant on than wheat” Charles explains. and spirits served in the restaurant. London Road just over two years ago, “We’re featured a lot on gluten free “Most people know about Chilean along with Colombian head chef, Jose blogs and social media as somewhere wine and Argentinian wine but Brazil Rubio-Guevara, Ecuadorian sommelier, people can come and eat anything now produces some delicious sparkling Rafael Cabezas-Castro, Cuban front of without having to worry. The wines and we’ve made some great finds house manager, Yalain Pita-Salomon, Instagrammers love the fact that it’s from Uruguay, Peru and Mexico too” and French bar and operations manager, not only gluten free and delicious says Charles. Cedric Gaultier. but that it looks great too!” The bodega has a chef’s table (with “Latin America is known for its variety a view into the kitchen) which can be of flavours, distinctive spices and fresh hired for groups. In the summer, guests ingredients and we’ve brought all these can eat in their walled garden too. together to create something very Instagrammers “Our hidden gem” says Charles. special” says Charles. The restaurant also hosts a regular “We’re very much a neighbourhood love the fact programme of exhibitions by Latin restaurant and lots of our guests live American artists and photographers. and work in the area. There are Latino that it looks “We’ve just had had an exhibition families who come here for birthdays, by Cuban artist, Daniel Diaz, which as well as tourists and theatre-goers, great too explored his vision of the English so it’s always an interesting and countryside and included a country diverse mix.” cottage in every painting. Our new Since opening in 2017, Paladar show is curated by a local councillor, has received rave reviews from Charles fell in love with Latin Maria Linforth-Hall, who’s from everyone from Trip Advisor to the American food and culture after Ecuador” says Charles. Financial Times. travelling extensively all around the The team at Paladar also makes a “We were pleasantly surprised continent in 2013. point of celebrating all the Latin when we got the number one spot on He was born in south American holidays and festivals. Trip Advisor just seven months after and has lived here for much of his life. “Mexico’s Dia de Muertos (Day of opening. Now we regularly get five star He’s also no stranger to the restaurant the Dead) is always a big thing for reviews across the board” says Charles. business, having previously run Asian us and we celebrated the 500th Last August, food writer, Bill Knott restaurant, Champor-Champor (near anniversary of Havana last November wrote about Paladar’s ‘sensational ) which he eventually too. This February, we’re marking Latin American cuisine’ for the sold after 11 years. Peru’s Dia Del Pisco Sour and Chile’s Financial Times. “I wasn’t planning to open another Dia de la Piscola with special offers “Bill originally contacted Jose, our chef, restaurant but when I got back from my on piscos. Any excuse for a party!” as he was writing about ajiaco, which travels I was fired up by all the things smiles Charles. is a traditional Colombian potato and I’d seen and tasted there and my Latin chicken soup. But when he came to visit, American friends persuaded me to do he was so impressed by what he saw and something together.” Paladar tasted that he did a lovely write up on But opening Paladar wasn’t without 4–5 London Road SE1 6JZ the restaurant too” says Charles. its challenges. Charles discovered the 020 7186 5555 “We were also delighted to win the former La Dolce Vita Italian restaurant Best New Business Award in the 2018 was up for sale when cycling past on Open Monday–Friday 12pm–3pm Southwark Business Excellence Awards.” his bike one day. But the Grade II listed and 5pm–10pm As well as being vegetarian and vegan building needed a lot of work. Saturday 1pm–10.30pm friendly – their roast aubergine with “La Dolce Vita had been open for 26 www.paladarlondon.com fried beans and their cassava fritters years and it was a bit of an 80s time 18 The Elephant The Elephant 19

the present day . He hatched a plot to incite a popular It was a three-storey quadrangle with uprising with a plan to assassinate King The horrible history of three wings for regular criminals and a George III and seize both the Tower fourth for debtors. of London and the Bank of . The gaol’s gallows, where 131 men But, before he could put it into action, and 14 women were executed between he was arrested and tried for treason. Horsemonger Gaol 1800 and 1877, stood on the roof of His hanging attracted more than the gatehouse. 20,000 spectators. Rooftop gallows enabled executions Perhaps the most notorious of all the For much of history, the Elephant, and Bankside were home to all to take place in public, which the Horsemonger prisoners, were Maria authorities thought would deter crime. and Frederick Manning – perpetrators the activities that “respectable” London wanted to keep at arms-length on Ironically, these gruesome events of what became known as the actually contributed to crime and ‘Bermondsey Horror’. the other side of the river. disorder, especially pickpocketing, since Maria emigrated from Switzerland to the sheer spectacle of an execution drew England in the early 1840s to work in enormous crowds. domestic service. In 1847 she married he Romans felt the threat of having long existed beyond the bounds Horsemonger Lane Gaol, built between Horsemonger Lane had a number of Frederick Manning, a guard with the restless spirits was too great to of the city’s jurisdiction, the area had 1791 and 1799, at the junction of Harper famous prisoners. Great Western Railway, at St James’s Tallow their dead to lie inside the earned itself a reputation as somewhere Road and was one In 1813, the poet, Leigh Hunt was Church, Piccadilly. city. Instead, as the 2018 discovery of for shady characters to escape the long of the biggest. imprisoned here over a newspaper Frederick lost his job shortly after an ancient sarcophagus in Harper Road arm of the law. The main gaol for the county of , article he wrote about the Prince Regent; the wedding and the couple moved and printers produced 2.5 million reminded us, the area between Borough Unsurprising then that Newington it replaced a number of smaller, local W C Minor (one of the most active to Taunton where they opened an inn. broadsheets (newspapers) featuring lurid and the Elephant was used as a vast Causeway, in Elephant and Castle, prisons (mostly ramshackle, repurposed contributors to the Oxford English However, within a couple of years, details of the crime. Roman necropolis. would come to house a number of buildings, a hundred years old or more) Dictionary) was held in the gaol before business at the inn had dried up Charles Dickens was amongst the In the Elizabethan period, this stretch London’s gaols. And it made sense to including the White Lyon Gaol which his 1872 trial for murder. He was found and they returned to London. By this spectators that day. He later wrote a of Southwark was used for theatres, keep prisoners – especially those who stood between and not guilty by reason of insanity and spent point, drinking heavily, Frederick scathing letter to The Times, criticising bearbaiting, prostitution and any had committed crimes against the state Tennis Street. the remainder of his life in Broadmoor. was unemployable. the practice: other kind of activity considered too – well away from the established seats Horsemonger Lane is now Harper Road Edward Marcus Despard, a former Later that year, the Mannings would “I am solemnly convinced that nothing disreputable for London proper. In fact, of power in Whitehall. and the gaol was located on the site of viceroy of British Honduras, was be found guilty of the murder of Patrick that ingenuity could devise to be done executed at Horsemonger Lane in 1802. O’Connor. in this city, in the same compass of time, O’Connor was what we’d now could work such ruin as one public describe as a tax-collector and was one execution, and I stand astounded and of Maria’s former suitors. On top the appalled by the wickedness it exhibits. income from his day job, O’Connor had I do not believe that any community grown wealthy through some lucrative, can prosper where such a scene of albeit criminal, sidelines, including horror and demoralization as was smuggling and usury (lending money at enacted this morning outside extortionate rates). Horsemonger-lane Gaol is presented On 9 August 1849, Maria asked at the very doors of good citizens, and O’Connor to dinner at their Bermondsey is passed by, unknown or forgotten.” home, where she and her husband shot The protests of Dickens and many him and beat him with a crowbar. They others eventually led to change and buried his body under the flagstones of Britain’s last public execution was their kitchen before Maria broke into in 1868. O’Connor’s lodgings and stole cash, Today, Newington Causeway continues stock certificates and letters she had to play a major role in the British judicial written to him. She fled to Edinburgh system. It is now home to the Inner with most of the loot, while Frederick London Crown Court, located just a few fled to Jersey. feet from where the Horsemonger Lane They were soon caught and were both Gaol once stood. Despard had already done a spell tried in October of the same year. in prison for debt. He’d also been They were executed at Horsemonger suspended from office for treating the Lane on 13 November – the first For more local history visit the Southwark white colonists and freed black slaves husband-and-wife execution for decades Local History Library and Archive at of Honduras equally (even with the and one of the last public executions 211 Borough High Street abolition of slavery on the horizon, this in Britain. It drew a crowd of around www.southwark.gov.uk/libraries was still a step too far in the opinion of 40,000 people (in which one person was www.elephantandcastle.org.uk/more-history many in the British establishment). crushed to death and two more injured) Read more aboutthe regeneration programme atwww.elephantandcastle.org.uk 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 reap therewards. outofLondonandcan’t to further move upwithhavesome ofthepeopleIgrew had are positivesbutnegatives too. I’msadthat Road. Thearea hasreally changed.There Jerk andBagelKingontheWalworthOssie’s and nottooeither. expensive Ialsolike Rodney Road. It’s nice,chilledandrelaxed winebaron theDog like Diogenes thenew Park andPasleyPark.have Andthey a inBurgessPark,Chumleigh Gardens Pelier lots ofgoodplaygrounds. We oftengoto are andthere and afive-month-oldbaby places. We have athree-year-old daughter It’s soeasyto hoponabusandgetto Road onourdoorstep. sowehave everything else. We’reanywhere justoffthe Walworth finally seems tobe. He doesn’twant to live good cafesandpubsit’squickto get are lotsof partsofLondon.There other for allcultures. ofhalalplacesandfood are alsoplenty there cafes like dogreat coffee,but Hej they where are new lots oflocalpeople.Ilike there how for employment alsoproviding but they’re foodonmytable are putting developments the better. I’minconstruction,sothenew Pembroke House. at musicclassforyoung children lovely Street –asIworkthere. tomention TheWoolpack onBermondsey Castle pubbutI’vealsogotto givea too. here moved Ilike and theElephant have someofmyfriends ago andnow twoyears to London.Icamehere central there are morethere thingslocally. I of thearea to goout,butnow You usedto have to travel out Seyi it ‘up andcoming’now andCastlewas Elephant My husbandalways said Silvie too compared to expensive quiet andrelaxed andit’snot IlikeWhat isthatit’snice, Aidan I thinkthearea’s changingfor fouryearsagoand work here toI camefrom Manchester Umar

always pros andcons. areand watching butthere thearea develop primary schools. Ilargelylike thechanges localcommunitygroups and designed by It all wasnicethatthesculptures were Parktrail around Elephant lastsummer. theElephant theElmer My loved children shops. atthelocalindependent everything market andyoucanbuyanything shop forfruitandvegplantsinthe community schoolinEastStreet. Ioften School,whichisanice,small Browning the diversity. My goto children Robert exhibitions are free andthepeoplewho Huddleston exhibitionrightnow. Allthe drawing andI’monmyway to theirDonna (outside ofNew York) thatspecialisesin neighbours every year.neighbours every and wehave astreet partywithallour anicemixofpeople changed. There’s In thelastfiveyears,area has really Ilivenow.barefoot pastthehousewhere walking andshesaidremembers then Aylesbury estate. It wasreally hard back before the here thatwere the tenements really central and thetransportreally isgood. central if youdowantto else,it’s goanywhere It’s alivelyarea withanicevibeand, now in southeastLondontoo, whichisgood. is great forartclasses. Corvi-Mora galleries. AndMorley College Arnaudandthe Museum, theDanielle looking atart. theImperial War There’s whole circuit and walkingaround here and workshops. You canactuallydoa alsodotalks nice.They run itare very Rodney Placeistheonlyplace great forart. Room Drawing on I’m anartistandthisarea is Sonia but now things are improving thingsare improving but now London on westandcentral For years,thefocushasbeen Hind upin was bornandgrew 90s. In fact,mygrandmother sincetheearly I’ve livedhere Paul the vibrancy ofthearea and the vibrancy years.Castle forseven Ilike We’ve and livedinElephant Sarah

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