Your only FREE Inside... community newspaper Little brother to Brixtonblog.com

THE ELECTRIC BRIXTONBugle LOWDOWN: Find out Edition 31 | April 2015 | FREE www.brixtonblog.com | @brixtonblog about this iconic landmark’s transformation into an updated music venue that’s here >>> SCHOOL GROUND SOUNDS, p20 >>> WHAT’S ON p18-19 >>> THE FINAL MS. BENNETT COLUMN, p22 >>> SPORT, p23-24 >>> to stay. Features, p 15 Anger at GET TO KNOW GHOSTPOET The musician chats about his new album and Electric Brixton gig, as well as a possible cultural name change. Arts, p13 cutback •MINET LIBRARY TO BE SOLD IN £4M funding CUT

•CULTURE consultation branded ‘pointless’ BRIXTON PEOPLE Up and coming actress Ashley Casely- Hayford explains how a career •COUNCIL SAYS it is listening to residents FURIOUS: Protestors outside Town Hall change two years ago seems to be paying off. Feature, p14 by Anna McKie community groups take over running said the sale of Minet Library, in enough room and the space there is three others, cuts to the remaining Knatchbull Road, Brixton, was isn’t suitable anyway. The government Friends of Lambeth’s libraries and five libraries, as well as cuts to park particularly worrying because it is cuts are obviously a huge problem but parks, including those in Brixton, budgets and having friends’ groups or home to the Lambeth Archives. some of these plans, like selling Minet, have criticised Lambeth council for its communities take over the running He told The Bugle “Selling Minet seem like panic measures... and they proposals to reduce cultural services. of the borough’s green spaces as not only robs the community of their are doing things they can’t undo.” They have branded its Culture 2020 “charitable trusts”. local lending library but it threatens Colette Thomas, chair of Lambeth consultation “pointless” and said that Friends of Lambeth Libraries said it the Archives. They are the history and Green Parks and Spaces Forum, is no the council do not understand the is “appalled” by the proposals and that memory of the borough, and one of more positive about Culture 2020. seriousness of what they are doing. it has “no doubt more sensible savings the best collections in . “Asking a ‘friends group’ - a The proposals include the sale of could be made.” “The council have proposed they role of a council to manage major Waterloo and Minet Libraries, having Bill Linskey from Brixton Society go to Brixton Library but there isn’t Continued on page 3 PARISSI PERFECTION This gem of an eaterie on Atlantic Road delights the palate with simply satisfying >>>>>>>>>>> blow P4 >>>>>>>>>>>>>> ingredients. Food, p17 www.brixtonblog.com @brixtonblog It’s all about sales Brixton letting property managment

0207 274 3111 edenharper.com 2 NEWS www.brixtonblog.com April 2015

The Brixton Bugle & SHOOTING BrixtonBlog.com Man jailed for ‘violent are edited in Brixton by IN DULWICH Zoe Jewell and Tim Dickens. Police have begun a hunt for Both the and newspaper are rampage’ in Brixton a gunman after a teenage boy published by a not-for-profit was shot in the stomach in community organisation. A man has been jailed for life after head and wrists. She told officers Dulwich. It’s run by a committed team pleading guilty to murdering his ex- Brooks had attacked her. Police were called to South of people from Brixton. wife and trying to kill his girlfriend. Police then found the body of Croxted Road at 3pm on On July 29 2013 Desmond Brooks, Keisha McKenzie inside the hallway. March 24, after being alerted Brixton and Bugle from Brixton, went on a “violent She had very severe stab wounds and by ambulance crews. 439a Coldharbour Lane rampage”. her teeth had been smashed. They found a 17-year-old Brixton Police were called to a residential Brooks had a seven-year-old son boy with a gunshot wound to SW9 8LN address in Redlands Way, following with Keisha who witnessed the his abdomen. » Tel 020 3730 1312 reports that a woman had been horrific murder of his mother. He was taken to a south » @brixtonblog stabbed. A manhunt was then launched London hospital in a critical » @brixton_bugle They found Brooks’ then girlfriend for Brooks. That night he boarded a condition. » www.brixtonblog.com Joan Wade, 46, suffering from a bus in , telling the driver: It appears he was shot near number of injuries, including stab “The first police you see, could you Seely Drive, and rode off on a ADVERTISING wounds. flag them down. It’s me they’re moped before being treated by Jenny Shramenko Their three-year-old son was at the looking for.” paramedics in South 07811 878394 house at the time of the incident. He told officers he had killed his Croxted Road. [email protected] She managed to tell one of the wife and hurt his baby mother. He Police have said no arrests police officers on the scene that her said: “I couldn’t take it anymore both have been made. Circulation: 10,000 copies “baby father” - Brooks - had carried nagging me everyday, disrespecting Readership: circa 15,000 out the assault. me in front of others, couldn’t take Police were then called to Tilson it anymore man.” DEPUTY EDITORS Gardens, SW2, following reports that Brooks is now facing at least 29 london’s Keith Lewis Lindsay Faller two women had been attacked. years in prison after pleading guilty to Officers discovered Saffron murder, attempted murder and assault slowest Sub-editor: Jamila Omar Yeboah-Simpson, then aged 17, with occasioning grievous bodily harm. Designer: Agnes Graves a number of severe cuts to her face, internet A Brixton road has been been NEWS awarded the title of “London’s Anna McKie, News Editor slowest street for broadband.” [email protected] Cowley Road was discovered to have the worst internet FEATURES speeds in Katrin Magnussen Distressing bus crime by price comparison site [email protected] uSwitch.com. BY ANNA MCKIE from a nearby shop. during which the two young victims Broadband speeds on ARTS & MUSIC The teenagers were then taken were terrified by threats made by the Cowley Road average just 1.41 Barney Evison Ruth Waters Two teenage boys were forced to to a stairwell of a block of flats in suspect, who intimated he was in megabits per second (mps), [email protected] fight, steal and perform a sex act Walworth where he forced one of possession of a knife. compared with 38.88 mps on each other during a “distressing” the boys to perform a sex act on “He used their fear to control them on London’s fastest street for FOOD Miss South attack on February 11. the other. and force them to effectively do as broadband, Westbourne Park [email protected] At 7.55pm, two teenage boys The suspect then walked away from he said. Road, W11. boarded a 133 bus in Brixton. A man the area in an unknown direction. “Despite their young age, the The study found that Cowley SPORT Sandra Brobbey who had got on the bus at the same Police released a CCTV image of victims have been incredibly brave Road’s average speed is 50 [email protected] time approached the boys, who were a man they would like to speak to in coming forward and providing times slower than the fastest sat on the top deck, and told them following the incident. information to and I would street in Britain. Sandy Lane in he had a knife. A 14-year-old boy appeared at praise them for this.” Cannock, Staffordshire, has an ISSUE 31 According to police, he then forced Youth Court on March Anyone with information is asked average speed of 72.86 mps. Writers: Bobbie Lakhera, the pair off the bus in the Elephant 21 and was remanded to the care of to contact police on 020 8721 Siobhan Davies, 32, said: Pictures: Nick Weedon, David Gibson, and Castle area. the local authority. 4621, or contact Crimestoppers “I tried to load my husband’s The boys were led to a park in Trainee Detective Constable Amy anonymously on 0800 555 111 or Facebook profile last week Cartoons / Illustrations: Newington Butts, where they were Beautridge said: “This was a most at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. and it took three days. It’s Kaylene Alder, Pam Williams forced to fight each other and steal unusual and distressing crime, ridiculous.” Crossword: Josie Gardiner Columnists: Alison Alexander, Frankie Holah, Ms Bennett gang raids All change at Brixton Pound Six men have been arrested A massive thank you to everybody after police carried out raids in involved in making this issue, and the Coldharbour Lane, Brixton. Blog & Bugle project, a success. The Brixton Pound has They have also launched a new website at www. On March 10, police also recently launched a new brixtonpound.org with help from Graham Woodruff, seized crack cocaine, heroin branding and website, as well who works with the Bristol Pound. and cannabis, along with as making changes to the way The online B£ account system has been updated. Users £7,000 cash, as part of customers pay. and businesses have greater control over their profiles the raids. Charlie Waterhouse from and they have got rid of the PIN needed for the pay-by- They were the result of an local design agency This Ain’t text payment system. operation led by the Trident Rock’n’Roll, who is responsible Brixton Pound said: “The currency actively strengthens Central Gangs Unit to target for the paper notes, created Brixton’s independent businesses, builds a more connected gang members involved in the new logo (left). community, and celebrates the area’s unique character. drug offences in Brixton. He said: “Brixton is London’s most dynamic, diverse “We believe in economic justice and building a local Police raided a number of and dizzying district. The Brixton Pound is living proof economy that is sustainable, creates opportunities for different premises, including that there is a better way.” local people, and is distinctly Brixton.” a car wash on Coldharbour Lane, which were frequented by gang members when Send us your BRIXTON news supplying drugs. • www.brixtonblog.com • @brixtonblog • April 2015 www.brixtonblog.com NEWS 3

CONT FROM FRONT PAGE: services, how can that work?” Missing She, like others (see our The dog show must go on comment on page 9) also criticised TEENS the way the council had gone More ‘scruffs’ than ‘Crufts’, the about its consultation. Thomas Police are concerned for the Brockwell Dog Show is a well-loved feels the council has already made welfare of two unconnected date on Brixton’s summer calendar its decision and the consultation teenagerss from Brixton. and so many were extremely process is just a formality. disappointed to hear that the family- “We’re going to consultations friendly event would not be on. and meetings and yet we always Although it is a community event, get the same answers.” a Lambeth council officer normally “How much did they expect to leads the show but is not in a position get from the public anyway? You’ve to do so this year. got sports, arts, parks, a huge However, after seeing Brixton amount of documents. People will Blog’s article on the subject, two get lost in it, they won’t respond volunteers are now in discussion to it and in my opinion that’s just with MADD (Brockwell’s community how the council like it.” events programme) to see if they can Cllr Jane Edbrooke, Cabinet keep the dog show going, now that Member for Neighbourhoods, Lambeth council’s community team said: “The problem is if you deal are no longer able to support it. with each issue individually you They say if they can get it off the will find that everyone loves parks, ground they will need the support everyone loves sports, everyone of local volunteers and businesses loves libraries and we wouldn’t to make it happen. actually know where the public’s The show normally takes place priorities are. By putting it all in July and features categories such together like this it shows we’re Alison Mora, 15, is missing as handsomest dog, prettiest bitch, having to make choices. The fact from her home in Brixton. cutest puppy, golden oldie and best is that the overall budget is being She was last seen at around dog and owner fancy dress and reduced by £4 million pounds. 4pm on Monday, March 2, anyone can register for £1.50. “We are absolutely listening when she left home without In March it was discovered by the to everyone. These cuts are saying where she was going. Community Partners heartbreaking. If someone has a She is 5ft 3ins and of slim (BPCP) that there would be no show better idea, I assure you I’m not build with shoulder-length this year as the Lambeth council precious and I will investigate. black hair. officer would not be running it. “The consultation is open until BPCP said that they have not April 24 and we really want to had a clear explanation about why make sure people get involved circumstances have changed. and tell us their views and ideas.” Cllr Jane Edbrooke, Cabinet Have your say on the cultural Member for Neighbourhoods, said: services proposals by completing “The community are free to run the a questionnaire at lambeth.gov.uk Brockwell Dog Show as they see fit. or pick one up from a local library. Lambeth council in no way opposes this fun event.”

Police have also appealed for help to find missing 15-year- old Paul Maxwell. He was last seen leaving his home at 6pm on February 13. At the time he was wearing blue Nike track pants, a blue hooded top with grey sleeves, black McKenzie jacket and blue trainers. Sally’s marathon He is described as black, 5ft 8ins tall and of slim build. swimming effort An well-known open air swimmer is coming to Brockwell Anyone with information Lido on Saturday March 28 as part of her 50th birthday should call the Lambeth quest to swim a mile a day for 50 consecutive days in Horniman Easter Fair Missing Person Unit on public pools in and around London. Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 April 020 8649 2112. Sally Goble’s journey started on March 1 at the Forest Hill 10.30am – 4.30pm pool and has now taken in over 20 other pools including Charlton Lido, Marshall Street Baths and Crystal Palace. She has been saving the open air lidos until Easter Egg trail | Arts and crafts markets of her 50 days when she hopes the water might be over Food stalls | Live music (Sun only) 10°C. She might be in for a surprise at Brockwell. Sally is also raising money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity Free entry Brockwell Swimmers have promised her cake and coffee Forest Hill afterwards at 10am. Other swimmers are welcome to join horniman.ac.uk/easter her in the pool. 4 NEWS www.brixtonblog.com April 2015

BY ANNA MCKIE met with accusations from residents and supporters that the consultation The campaign against the demolition has been a “sham from the start” and of Cressingham Gardens has taken that the council “was never seriously Council rules out a blow as Lambeth council has considering refurbishment”. formally ruled out refurbishment Cllr Bennett, said: “We’re ruling out as an option for the estate. unaffordable options and instead will However, residents have vowed consult on a significant regeneration to fight on and have urged Lambeth of the estate to bring all homes up to halt the demolition and explore to Lambeth Housing Standard and Cressingham alternative proposals. provide much needed new homes for At a cabinet meeting, they put council rent to address the housing forward an extra three options crisis that too many Lambeth families for Cressingham and pointed to are falling victim to. the “complete inadequacy” of the “After two years of conversation council’s consultation process. with residents it is time to move refurbishment Lambeth Green Party Cllr Scott forward with viable options. Ainslie, said: “What was clear at “We are committed to providing [the] Cabinet meeting was that the 1,000 new homes for council rent consultation of residents has been in the borough, to help tackle our seriously inadequate. enormous waiting list and the rising “The Cabinet have endorsed a report number of homeless families in based on insufficient information and temporary accommodation. We need assessment that overrides what the to consider all the land available to residents of Cressingham Gardens are us in order to achieve this. asking for. The council must listen to “We will make every effort to limit what residents are saying.” the disruption residents experience They say their proposals would be while regeneration work is going on.” cheaper than current council options. Cressingham Gardens residents They have been awarded £20,000 by have now launched a “fighting fund” the Government’s Urban Community to stop the demolition of their homes. Energy Fund to put together a business They are looking to raise £10,000 case that could open up millions of through a Gofundme campaign. pounds in energy efficiency funding The money raised will go towards for the alternative scheme. legal fees to challenge the council’s Residents say their proposals can proposals and towards materials for provide more truly affordable homes banners and leaflets. at council rent levels without the The Gofundme page says: “Many need for demolition of the estate. of the estate’s residents are old and They favoured “option one” of infirm. Many have lived there for 40 the five that were originally offered years. They don’t want to see their to them, which would mean community torn apart.” refurbishment. The demolition news, which came If you would like to donate to the Residents from Cressingham Gardens put forward their new proposals for refurbishment at the Cabinet meeting which in a letter from Cabinet Member for fund visit http://www.gofundme. saw Lambeth council formally rule out anything but demolition Housing Cllr Matthew Bennett, was com/savecressingham

Brixton-based Irish photographer Gavin Freeborn Brixton is opening a new exhibition at Chelsea College of Arts. From April 22 to 25 he will be hosting The Freeborn photographer’s Exchange. Inspired by artists who barter, he has exchanged his photographic portraits unique exhibit for other skills, objects and hospitality in over 20 countries since November 2011. At his unique pop-up portrait studio, visitors will have the opportunity to meet him, propose a Freeborn Exchange and have their portrait made. Freeborn said: “There’s creativity in [email protected] the air of Brixton. It’s an international landmark and institution for the arts. Calling this community home, in between periods of travel, gave me the foundation www.francesplowden.org to build this show at Chelsea College of Arts. That creative air inspires me to keep documenting and making Freeborn Exchanges with wonderful and diverse people. Whether I’m socialising at Brixton Village, Effra Social Club, taking in a show at Photofusion or many of the other fantastic local gems, every day is a gift. Brixton Blog and Brixton Bugle readers are all very welcome to pop across the river to enjoy this showcase of images from around the world. I hope to see you there and if I’m lucky I may get to make your portrait too!”

Dan Hernandez, Effra Social Club © Gavin Freeborn April 2015 www.brixtonblog.com NEWS 5

rushcroft fl ats re ady Arches shops say they are ‘in limbo’ The first tenants are set to move push back the eviction date has into the flats once occupied by offered them no comfort. squatters on Rushcroft Road. “Although it is a small weight off In July 2013 there were violent our shoulders knowing we have a clashes between protesters little more time to prepare,” Jose and bailiffs forcibly removing Cordoso from A & C Continental squatters from the six blocks of Deli said, “everything is pretty much Victorian flats. After a thorough the same as before.” refurbishment, 22 flats with “Network Rail have obviously two bedrooms have been realised their original time frame was made available at council rent unrealistic and have made a practical levels. Cllr Matthew Bennett, decision to push it back. This is not Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for about making concessions to us.” Housing, said: “I’m delighted He added that reading the rest that on Monday tenants will of the letter showed that the be handed the keys to some of position of the threatened businesses the first new council homes in remains unchanged. Brixton in a generation. These “It all means nothing if at the are lifetime council homes at end we are still told we will have proper social rents, being made to pay rents three times what we’re available to local families in paying now.” housing need. Lorne Mash from Mash & Sons agreed that nothing had progressed for the local shopkeepers. VICTORIA “You read their letters and they present it as if everything is rosy LINE closure but it is meaningless. No date was There will be no Victoria Line set in stone before and no date is set from Brixton on Saturday in stone now, we’re still in limbo.” March 28 and Sunday March BY ANNA MCKIE and Pope’s Road were told they were received a letter informing them that “We won’t give up the fight but 29 due to TfL’s planned being kicked out by Network Rail to Network Rail will not be serving it is exhausting, we’re constantly engineering works. On Traders threatened by the make way for refurbishment. eviction notices until September, looking over our shoulders in fear Saturday the line will be closed refurbishment of the railway Tenants were told they would have with no one being asked to vacate for when it is written down in black from Brixton to Victoria and on arches say they are living in limbo to vacate their premises before the before March 2016. and white and we have to leave and Sunday from Brixton to Warren while they wait to find out if they end of the year and were offered Network Rail says “existing can’t return.” Street. Services will resume will be able to stay in their shops. no assurances they would be able tenants will be given the opportunity The petition calling for a stop to Monday morning March 30. In February, businesses under the to return to the units where many to return after the improvements”. the evictions has now reached over railway line in the triangle between have worked for decades. However, tenants say Network 20,000. Sign it at change.org Brixton Station Road, Atlantic Road Then in March the affected tenants Rail’s comments and decision to

We offer Grosvenor site plans Free local delivery Developers have reactivated plans to turn the submitted the Grosvenor indeed closed. Sales or Return top floors of the Grosvenor Arms on Sidney At the time Brixton Buzz reported that within a two-mile radius Street into flats. “with a large luxury apartment block opposite Proposals by Golfrate, the building’s set to welcome its well-heeled residents, and 10%Brixton’s off bulk finest orders selection owners, to convert the pub’s top floor into proposals to convert the upper floors into flats were rejected by Lambeth council in residential flats, the landlord decided to leave ofFree craft local beers delivery including August last year. before the complaints came in.” According to the application, the upper One person who objected to the new thewithin Brixton a two-mile Brewery radiusrange parts of the building would be extended to proposals said: “The Grosvenor was a great form four residential flats while retaining the amenity putting on a wide range of events public house at the bottom level. attracting people from all over London and The closing date for comments was March operating as a popular local pub. It is sadly 19. Some 59 comments were registered by missed and I would like to see it reopen as the public and were overwhelming against a pub again.” the proposals. Although the application says the bottom In its objection to the development Brixton of the building will remain A4 (pub or Society said: “Accommodation above public restaurant), the ground floor of the pub has houses was traditionally for the publican and been gutted, with the bar and other fittings his/her family and/or pub staff. Such residents taken out, meaning the future for what was would be keeping the same hours as the once a popular local remains uncertain. pub and, much more to the point, have a very strong interest in keeping the pub open and successful. “Such considerations do not apply to people Hypnotherapist without connection to the pub business buying or renting accommodation above the in Brixton premises. Complaints from such residents to A qualified hypnotherapist and a the inevitable noise from a pub can quickly member of the National Hypnotherapy lead to licensing restrictions which make the Society, I offer an initial 20-30 minute pub unviable. telephone consultation free of charge to “Public houses are not only businesses discover how I can help you with your providing local employment, they are important community assets where people problem. I can help with many issues, meet and socialise. As more and more pubs including weight loss, smoking cessa- and similar facilities close, we are in danger tion, confidence building, stress relief, of turning our neighbourhoods into glorified sleep help and phobias. Contact hotels where people live with no connection [email protected] Contact Tony Fab, 0207 724 7311/ 07956 221 545 to their neighbours.” www.suggestionstherapy.co.uk Not long after the original application was House Of Bottles, 420 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LF Lambeth College - The Careers College ADULT & COMMUNITY LEARNING Make Bake Start Create

We offer a range of short courses aimed at firing up your creative and entrepreneurial skills

NEXT OPEN EVENT: 12th May 2015 5.00pm – 8.00pm Brixton Centre Make Bake

Introduction to Fashion & Clothes Making Baking Cakes for a Profit Fashion & Clothes Making NOCN Level 1 Award Cake Making and Baking Clothes Making Made to Measure - Absolute Beginners Cake Decoration Beginners Clothes Making Made to Measure – Beginners Cake Decorating – Level 1 Award Soft Furnishings – Beginners World Cookery Introduction to Cooking Skills for Home and Work Start Cooking Skills for Home and Work Level 1 Award CIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety Introduction to Starting Your Own Business Nutrition Step up to Business Understanding Business – L1 Award Create IT Beginners

Working with Excel Painting and Drawing – Beginners

IT for 50+ Life Drawing – All Levels

Digital Photography Drawing and Painting – Mixed Ability

Keep Fit for 50+ - Mixed Ability Creative Floral Art / Flower Arranging – Beginners

Dance and Exercise Introduction to Creative Floral Art

Pilates Creative Floral Art – NOCN Level 1 Award Yoga for All

Courses will run at one of our centres: Visit our website for details on start dates, Brixton • • location and prices. or at other community venues in Lambeth t: 0207 501 5000 e: [email protected] w: www.lambethcollege.ac.uk

These courses are run in conjunction with Lambeth Adult Learning Services

ACL-RestSW4-Brixton Bugle.indd 1 18/03/2015 13:33 April 2015 www.brixtonblog.com NEWS 7 Better Tributes made to advice Formerpay? Labour Minister Tessa Jowell has called for the minimum wage in London to be raised by £1 centre stalwart Terri per hour. A much-loved Lambeth character Advice Centre, paid tribute by saying Jowell, who is stepping who helped to found the Brixton she was on the side of the oppressed down from her Dulwich Advice Centre has died. until the very end. and seat at Terri Gibbon, an advisor at the He said: “All who used the Brixton the general election next Brixton Advice Centre for 30 years, Advice Centre remember her with month, is manoeuvring passed away at her care home in great affection and respect. She to become the Labour Surrey aged 78. She had been was the rock on which so much of candidate for London suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. our work is built and without her Mayor at the 2016 mayoral Ms Gibbon was a community commitment and experience I do not ballot. The selection activist who helped start the Advice think the centre would have survived campaign is expected to Centre in the 1970s, where she the upheavals of the 1980s. start after the General worked until her retirement about “She was brave and patient, a Election. 10 years ago. mentor to younger colleagues, The MP said the pay She was a familiar figure in Brixton a fighter for ordinary people rise would be worth where she had helped thousands of dealing with bureaucracies, and an £8.9 million to the 4,500 local people with housing, debt and inspiring woman. workers in Lambeth who family issues. “Even when very ill Terri regarded currently receive the Her son Aaron, speaking at her Brixton as her home and would say, minimum wage. funeral, said, “It was impossible to ‘Take me back to Brixton, I have work Other Labour candidates go anywhere in Brixton, or most of to do at the Advice Centre’.” Brixton Advice Centre, which Terri was an integral part of for many years to stand in the London the parishes in Jamaica, without mum Professor Hartley Dean, who poll are David Lammy and being approached by someone she was Director of the Brixton Advice my life and Terri was an important her for her utter dependability and Christian Walmer. had helped”. Centre from 1973 until 1985, part of BAC for most of the 12 years sheer humanity.” Fred Taggart, Secretary of the said: “BAC was an important part of that I worked there. I remember Send us your BRIXTON news Dancers strike gold • www.brixtonblog.com • @brixtonblog •

Lambeth schools are revelling in their success at finals at UEL Sportsdock in East London. the London Youth Games at the Olympic Park. Caroline Kenworthy, Team Manager at Dunraven School, Leigham Court Road, Dunraven School, said: “I am really, really, really Streatham, (pictured above) celebrated winning proud of them. I didn’t know what to expect. gold at the Key Stage 3 dance competition at They have done an amazing job. They dance the Copper Box Arena on March 13. a lot at school. Since the end of January, we Earlier in the week, St Martin in the Field have thrown it all together and rehearsed our school won bronze in the female under 13 rugby socks off. contact competition at Sports Centre, “I think it’s important for young students to Wandsworth on March 11. This was followed recognise development and achievement in a by another bronze the following day by the Elm subject where it is sometimes subjective. Events Green School at the under-15 male volleyball like this really can help their confidence.” hustings Voters will get the chance to quiz parliamentary Hopefuls will be quizzed on a range of topics hopefuls ahead of the general elections at a centred on housing and transport. Confirmed neighbourhood hustings. candidates are Rathy Alagaratnam from UKIP, Candidates for the Dulwich and West Norwood Lib Dem James Barber, Labour’s Helen Hayes, seat, which covers much of south-east Brixton, Conservative Resham Kotecha, Steve Nally of will take part in the hustings at St Paul’s Church TUSC and Rashid Nix from the Green Party. Hall, Herne Hill, at 7pm on April 16. The Dulwich and West Norwood constituency The event will be co-hosted by the Herne is held by former Labour minister Tessa Jowell, Hill Forum and Brixton Blog. who is not standing for re-election. 8 your brixton www.brixtonblog.com April 2015

YOUR TWEETS Some of your #Brixton tweets: new season at the windmill My>>>>>>>>>>>>>TOP Brixton FIVE 2015 is an exciting year for Brixton Windmill and Friends of Windmill Gardens (FoWG). As well as our usual lively programme of monthly community events in Windmill Gardens, including our fantastic annual parade and summer festival on 28 June, we are offering a new venture. FoWG are launching monthly historic walks starting on Sunday 5 April, 1pm from Brixton Windmill. Experienced Blue Badge tourist Lael @RhachellW: Culture meets purpose. guide Liz du Parcq will introduce you to things you didn’t know @bcaheritage Thank you for the Staying about the history of Brixton Hill. Power Exhibition. Blown away! #Brixton k Our season of free weekend guided tours of Brixton Windmill starts on Easter weekend along with an Easter Egg Hunt for children on Sunday 5 April. You can find more information at www. brixtonwindmill.org/visit Another ‘first’ for Brixton Windmill will be ‘Milling Monday’. This event on 4 May will showcase flour grinding for the first time to visitors. We have recently trained 12 volunteer millers and hope to start producing flour regularly in 2015. Rahima Fitzwilliam Hall Finally, Brixton Windmill, built in 1816, will be 200 years old Founding member and director of the next year. We are asking readers for ideas and help to make 2016 a Brixton Pound and former Community great year of celebratory events at one of Brixton’s most intriguing Engagement Co-Ordinator at Brixton Aoife Twomey @aoifetwomey buildings. To get involved, email us at [email protected] Station Road Market Breakfast cycles with #Toots & The Maytals..”I’m a man who fight for the right, Jean Kerrigan, chair FoWG 1/ C@fe Brixton. not for the wrong” #Brixton #Spring For a smiley face, a Cardamom Tea and some desert blues on the stereo. Although it’s predominantly an internet cafe it’s also one of my go-to spots for a quick takeaway tea and a friendly chat – Amman, the owner, loves his customers! It’s also perfect for sitting Streets Kitchen @streetskitchen outside on a sunny day with @LondonBlackRevs speaking the paper watching the weird @BrickLDebates on #Brixton housing and wonderful Brixton Station crisis Road do its thing.

2/Stuart the Watchman Join the conversation in on Pope’s Rd. #Brixton by Tweeting us Whether I need a new watch @BrixtonBlog or battery or not, Stuarts self- @Brixton_Bugle built stall on Pope’s Rd always puts a smile on my face. He’s keen to talk to passers-by and keep everyone up to date on the goings on in Brixton. If you become very good friends HOW DO he might even invite you for Chirstmas drinks on his stall YOU READ – a tradition he’s kept going YOURS? since his arrival in the 80s! 3/ Salon Brixton Tweet us pics of your Bugle Because it has never failed to please me or my appetite. It’s in odd places for a chance somewhere to go with someone special and slow yourself to win a Brixton Blog bag down a pace, indulging the night away in thoughtful food @brixtonblog YOUR PICTURES: Spring daffodils in Windmill Gardens, planted by the Friends group in 2014. Picture by Nicholas and wine. Weedon from the Brixton Blog Flickr group. 4/ The Big Oak in Brockwell Park Being the oldest tree in the park I feel it’s almost rude to @brixtonblog [email protected] t: 020 3730 1312 walk through the park without a visit to the big oak. Just south east of Brockwell Hall, it’s a constant presence, and I love having a go at climbing it The by numbers despite never getting very far. 5/Nour Cash and Carry. options instead of limes in our Many a kitten has been born demolition put jerk pork here, grown up and strayed forward by dim sum away but apart from that it’s cressingham residents age of much lo78ved brxton advice centre recipe hardly changed since I first 3 stalwat terri when she died 2 started shopping here six years ago, and that’s just one of the things I love about it. Family- consecutive days amount tessa run and full of life, I can think sally goble has swum jowell suggests of no better place to top up on a mile in london’s minimum wage pulses, spices and fresh veg. 100 They take B£ pay-by-text now. 50 swimming pools residents attended 2020 culture meeting £1should go up by April 2015 www.brixtonblog.com EDITORIAL 9

This month’s suggestion for Brixton Illustrated comes from @MazHem who said “ You should draw somewhere in the Brixton illustrated arches. V. topical and they tend to look awesome.” Next month, BRIXTONBugle Brixton Illustrated goes green! Tweet your suggestion of your The arches, by kaylene alder favourite green bit of Brixton to @kpictures for next month’s COMMENT Bugle and win a free print. The temperature of the Lido waters is almost at ten degrees, cherry blossom is everywhere and we’ve had several extremely sunny walks in Brockwell Park of late. It is, finally, the Brixton spring. Our listings on page 18, Alison’s Brockwell Park gardening column (p.22) and the arts pages (p.12-13) are full of the blossoming of culture and nature that’s happening in Brixton right now. It’s not all smelling of cherry blossom in Brixton though, or indeed in London. Earlier in March, we attended the Day for Housing at the Karibou centre which united housing activists across London for a day of discussion. The stories of evictions as estates are regenerated across the city were hard to hear – in Brixton, Guiness Estate resident and long-term Brixtonite Betty Mahari had fighting talk: “Now it (Brixton) is nice and trendy, me and my family are not good enough…we’re staying”. For many people, the experience of Brixton’s gentrification has not been a pretty one as we have seen too with the campaign against Network Rail’s planned evictions for Atlantic Road, Brixton Station Road and in Herne Hill. Network Rail has announced a stay of execution, with notices of eviction now delayed until September. The danger of the postponement is that the campaign loses it’s momentum – we mustn’t let that happen. If you have already signed the petition, make sure you write to the council and Network Rail, as well as attending the benefit event at the Recent Culture 2020 consultation is unproductive Cambria on April 10. If you haven’t Arts Co-Editor Ruth Waters attended a uber neutral (yet very friendly) council officer When one resident commented that we didn’t signed the petition, then head over consultation meeting between council and and a blank flipchart, our opinions, including have all the facts in front of us, a blunt response to change.org to join the 20,000 who local residents concerning how Lambeth’s my own, felt like they were pointlessly floating was fired back: that all information is available have. parks, libraries and leisure facilities should out into the ether. In my discussion group online. Who is going to wade through reams of be maintained under the proposed cuts, but certainly, our ideas as to how the council could documents to understand the council’s activity You may have noticed last month was distinctly unimpressed. change their proposal (avoiding selling off Minet and motivation? In no profession other than that we have re-started our Brixton Library) were lacking in strategic research and politics would this be acceptable. People’series, celebrating our local I am not an experienced attendant of consultation overwrought with political scepticism. Here are 100 residents, passionate about Brixton heroes. If there’s anyone you meetings, I’m not going to lie. But I was shocked Would opening a coffee shop at the library the cultural assets of their ward, being made think we should be interviewing, at the transparency of box-ticking at the recent make a significant amount of money to justify to feel like silly schoolchildren who haven’t then email your suggestion to info@ Culture 2020 consultation, where local residents its presence? Would putting pay-as-you-go hot done enough homework. It is the council’s brixtonblog.com were ‘consulted’ on Lambeth council’s proposals desks into the library help to make ends meet? responsibility to spell it out to their residents as to how they should run our parks, libraries Should a trust of local residents take over and what they are doing and why, not to pay and leisure facilities with a reduced budget. run the Minet Library as a social enterprise? How lip service to consultations to fulfill a legal Over 100 local residents gathered at Myatt’s would this affect the community the library was requirement. Field North Community Centre - all of them initially supposed to be serving? I don’t know This consultation would have been much concerned about how the cuts are being the answers to these questions but if it were more productive if the councillors had discussed managed, and many of them particularly worried my [paid] job to have researched how to best well-researched ideas for how to bear the funding about how they will affect the provision of manage the funding cuts, I would have. cuts to our parks, libraries and leisure facilities. services in Vassall Ward, where Minet Library The meeting seemed to rely on people having To hold a faux idea-gathering ceremony only to and Myatt’s Field Park are under threat, and in done extensive research into funding options, reveal before we go home that nothing new has the case of the former, in danger of being sold off. or to blindly trust our council and their own been raised, and it is our job to read the council My day job is in arts marketing, and this research. I winced at the end of the meeting website, not their job to inform us, certainly left crowd would equate to what we call ‘an engaged when, after residents asked how their ideas a bitter taste. audience segment’ - we know they’re interested, would be taken forward, associate director John now we need to listen to what about. However, Kerridge said that ‘nothing new had come up Sign the petition to show your support for the councillors and officers didn’t seem to see today’, that the council hadn’t already been Minet Library, and find out more about it that way. considering and in fact working on. His remark the council’s Cultural Service by 2020 I love being asked for my opinion and am was infuriating. And not just because he hadn’t proposals at brixtonblog.com usually keen to give it. But, presented with an actually heard all that had happened in the room. @brixtonblog [email protected] t: 020 3730 1312 10 Feature www.brixtonblog.com April 2015

BRIXTON quit work and was due to visit family in Australia, but before a bit surreal. I think until I get on something like Holby City flying out was invited to audition at a drama school. “I had to they really don’t get what I’m doing!” prepare a monologue and sing a song. It’s hilarious thinking Age ain’t nothing but a number, as despite being 32 Ayesha PEOPLEy-hayford, actress about it now as I didn’t know what I was doing! I did Brian regularly plays young roles. “I get cast as under 20s but after Friel’s Translations as I really loved the play. I thought, what being a lawyer, playing a 20-year-old brat is fun! I currently have Ayesha casel have I got to lose? two ongoing theatre performances. Adult Child, Dead Child “Sarah Mann, who interviewed me, got me to do the is a solo performance written by a good friend, Claire Dowey. monologue in all different ways and I loved that, it was my It’s very dark about really serious issues such as child abuse first experience of being directed. While away I found out I had and neglect. The other is called HIV Voices - Hugh Wyld is the been accepted on the course, a diploma in speech and drama. director and it’s the first dance choreography for myself that I “With law, it’s a very direct route. You get a certain degree, a have done. We are a collective and perform in different places. By Bobbie Lakhera certain training contract. The reality is in the acting world it’s “I have also done a play called Adam’s Eve. I call it my sex not too dissimilar. If you are treating it like a serious profession play, it’s all about a menage-a-trois. I didn’t invite my mum to An actress who has appeared on both screen and stage, Ayesha you should aim for an accredited drama school. I know that that! I’ve mainly been doing quite badass girls, which I love. Casely-Hayford orginally pursued a legal career. “I decided when I am not doing this the most traditional way, not the series of If I end up making a little place for myself in those roles I’d be I was 16 I was going to be a lawyer,” she explained. “A lot of it steps which you would normally take. glad. It’s strange because I really felt I could do what I wanted was because my family was always asking what I was going to “Perhaps I should have worked it out sooner! I actually felt in law, the colour of my skin wasn’t an issue. Now I have come do. When I said law, it got lots of nods! I ended up working in quite sick at the thought of taking up the course. I had this very into an industry where my colour is a factor. I get to play a a firm in Wimbledon and I was really happy. But, suddenly, I secure life and I was throwing myself into this other world. But council estate teen but I have also played a junior doctor, so I realised that I didn’t want to do it for the rest of my life.” I knew I had to push myself out there.” don’t feel like I have been stereotyped. Bizarrely, no one wants Growing up, Ayesha had always been into performing, acting, Ayesha got an agent about a month into the course, and to give me a part as a lawyer!” dancing and playing the piano and clarinet. “It was always on before graduating had started to get student film jobs and Already busy with voiceover and stage work, recently Ayesha the side, I never thought you could actually have a life as a attend further acting workshops. She also started to create her completed her first feature film, starring in The Last Kill written performer. You know when you don’t realise, it’s not your world, own works with a former tutor, Colin Watkeys. The change in and directed by Anthony Oldman. It is the latest success in her so I didn’t know. After work I was going to dance and acting profession came as a surprise for her family, leaving her mother nascent acting career, one which she hopes proves the importance classes, and was meeting people who only did this. I realised particularly concerned. of following your heart. “My mum thinks I have gone full circle then it could be a job.” “My mum is amazing now but at first she was upset. She with what I wanted to do as a kid. I am just hoping that if you Two years ago - at the age of 30 - Ayesha took the plunge. She liked saying her daughter was a lawyer! My family find it all follow your passions, you end up where you should be.”

Top: Ayesha Casely-Hayford (taken in Kaff Bar) Right: Casely-Hayford has a winning smile Above: A Time to Speak, HIV Voices Left: As ‘Nicola’ in short film Cracks April 2015 www.brixtonblog.com FEATURES 11

SWITCH ON TO THE ELECTRIC BY ANNA MCKIE deteriorated. Everyone in the area was nervous around a venue that is surprisingly cold when about what would happen to it next so we had it’s not crowded, sees the Electric as part of When Dominic Madden (below) opened to commit to a comprehensive refurbishment.” Brixton’s evolution. Its success is reflective of Electric Brixton in 2011, there were plenty “What’s so great about the building is that its what’s happened to the area, he believes. of obstacles to overcome: a recession hitting original architecture allows for great acoustics “Brixton is a vibrant place. It has improved concert ticket sales as and artists love in terms of huge well as competition that.” investment from the nearby “Of course we in things like . had to ensure beautiful squares, Now, four years later, that we could etc, for which the venue - formerly hang proper Lambeth have the iconic Fridge - is modern sound to be applauded. thriving with sell-out equipment, There are the shows starring Brit lights, the whole obvious issues Award-winning names production set- of places like and some of the world’s up. Everything Foxtons turning biggest DJs. needed rewiring up but the fact Madden admits and re-plumbing. is areas have to it hasn’t been easy. But now it’s state- evolve and it is we’re giving Koko a run for its money.” “We’ve had to be of-the-art - we’ve only 10 to 15 He says bands and huge DJs love having obsessive in what we’re doing, listening to what even got the minutes from somewhere new to play: “International acts the music industry wants, what the customer sound equipment use.” the West End.” like Paul Van Dyk play year wants.” In total, it took 18 months and £1 The Palladium Picture House cinema opened “The area hasn’t lost its vibe. When I bought in, year out, big bands like the Stereophonics million to get the venue fit for purpose. in 1913 and later become a live music venue the building I was two months into the refurb play halls, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, “When I bought it in 2010 the building had called The Ace before it was turned into the when there were riots and we had to barricade the again and again... here they can do a theatrical legendary Fridge . outside. Yet I’ve never felt uncomfortable here. based event in an intimate setting. It’s my gift Madden - who has previously run other I’ve felt incredibly safe and it’s a great area. to London,” he says with a twinkle in his eye. music venues - is well aware “We have mirrored of the building’s legacy, which comes with its how Brixton has ups and downs. “Certain venues have a magic become more about them, this one does. This building is ‘fashionable’ ” he special, it has a heritage.” says. “I don’t think “In its day, was really important - it ‘gentrification’ is the was up there with clubs like . It has a right word.” cultural significance.” Madden puts down But the reputation wasn’t all good, he some of the Electric’s acknowledges. “We had issues when we began; success to the fact that there were certain problems associated with south London was the venue: namely firearms. In the old days it lacking in a smaller, was kind of ‘check your gun in on the way in’. independently-run “But we haven’t had an incident in all of venue. Electric Brixton’s years - touch wood - which “People in the is pretty rare for any venue.” music business used Madden, who looks young for his 40 years to pooh-pooh south and was wearing a coat as he showed me of the river but now 12 arts & culture www.brixtonblog.com April 2015

a rt outsiders portraits triumph BY Ruth Waters questions about a prison system which boots out young offenders with just Outsiders in London, a new £46 to survive on for six weeks and photography exhibition from little chance of a proper job. Milan Svanderlik - the portrait Gary Areef Barnes (right) is an photographer who presented 100 outsider, not because he’s an ex-convict Faces of London - has opened in but a war veteran who returned from the crypt of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the horrors of twenty-first century . The exhibition conflict to an uncaring community, features outsiders from all over disconnected from his family. Both London, and includes the portraits men benefited enormously from the and stories of three Brixton locals: Mr Park Community Centre Dennis Rose, Mr Gary Areef Barnes and specifically the work of Julie and Julie Louise Fawcett MBE. Louise Fawcett. As a white mother-of four housed Outsiders in London aims to illustrate on the Stockwell Park Estate amid how many of us will experience the huge racial tension and soaring crime feeling of being an outsider at some rates, Julie faced a ‘sink or swim’ stage in our lives; how some of us are decision with her involvement in her labelled as, or feel ourselves to be, local community. As the MBE may outsiders from the very outset but give away, she chose to swim, going manage to turn this into an advantage, on to become an inspiration to many or just make the best of it. The three members of the community, and stories of Dennis Rose, Gary Areef renowned for her work with gangs. Barnes and Julie Louise Fawcett give All three stories and portraits are just an insight into the specific challenges of a small part of a great exhibition, but being an outsider resident on Stockwell stand as a fitting testament to the Park Estate over the last few decades. determination and achievements of Dennis Rose (left), despite being only outsiders in Brixton. 34, has been in prison three times, but has now turned his life around Outsiders in London is open until against the odds. His story is an May 8 at The Gallery in the Crypt, inspiring glimpse inside the mind of a St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar determined man, but also asks difficult Square. Entry is free.

A RTS DEBT is a book-Burning issue years of my life… to a stranger who donated a bag of their bone marrow to me.’” Alinah’s fascination with modern debt springs from personal experience. In 2011 her and her family’s quick descent into debt hit rock bottom as their house was repossessed. Following a toxic mix of missed loan repayments and fluctuations in the property market, she felt thrown to the lions. She wishes she’d known her rights back then, that she should have questioned the “harassment and demands for unreasonable repayment.” She also wishes she’d known that debt management charities existed and that “it is possible to negotiate.” As much as her book-burning is a way of Something miraculous has been happening helping other people, it also seems to be deeply in Brixton and you may not even know cathartic for Alinah herself: “I am personally as about it: debts have been turned to ash. interested in debt as a mental and emotional Metaphorically at least. Arts Co-Editor state of being. I think we need ways in which Ruth Waters reports. we can be honest with ourselves when we are part of the debtor-creditor relationship, most Performance artist and social activist Alinah especially when it comes to immeasurable, Azadeh has brought her project, Burning the emotional ‘debts’ that we carry for years, and Books, to Brixton. It banishes the stigma and practice forgiveness as a pragmatic approach shame of debt through communal creativity to making society and our relationships work and ritual. better.” The Book of Debts - a large log book Does she think things are improving for into which people are invited to write their books which have been burnt to date and why are simple one-liners that hide a wider story, people in debt? With payday loan shops story - has been in residence at Brixton’s she wanted to bring her project to Brixton. like ‘My jather – he just owes me a lot.’” popping up on every high street, the 198 Contemporary Art and Learning since Alinah must feel like she’s read it Sometimes the entries “are future could seem bleak. But Alinah thinks March 12 and will be recited and burnt at St all when it comes to human debt. poems, commentary or longer perceptions, at least, about debt are changing: Matthew’s Peace Garden, Brixton on the last I ask her what the entries in the I am interested in pieces of amazing prose – like the “When I started it was just me, reading a weekend in March. various volumes of the Book of debt as a mental tale of a man who cannot shake the book of anonymous stories - and now I am Alinah’s community project has been able to Debts have been like: “Because I and emotional shadow of the time he worked on accompanied by contributors - people who bring to the fore the huge strain which debt ask for people to consider debt in state of being Wall Street as a young man mis- join from each place [I tour to] - who co- puts on us (whether financial, emotional or all its forms, they put in all kinds selling dodgy financial products recite with me their own stories. So I think otherwise) in eight towns and communities in of things owed or owing – from the to people who gave him their life perceptions are changing slowly… but it the UK so far, with Brixton the ninth. I caught financial to the emotional, social, political, savings, just before being closed down by the takes time to shift the consciousness around up with Alinah to find out more about the ecological and metaphysical. Sometimes they Feds, or the person who owed ‘The last 15 such a deeply taboo concept.” April 2015 www.brixtonblog.com ARTS & culture 13

Even then he was nervous about depending The Face, with its bittersweet take on the ups on music to pay the mortgage, and continued and downs of daily life. Obaro is quick to add working nine-to-five months after the record that it’s the way most people live: “It can be came out: “It took me a while to accept music restrictive living on a minimum wage but you

m us ic as a full-time career... I wasn’t this bright-eyed, can still find enjoyment - it depends how you get to know bushy-tailed character, I’d lived a little.” He look at life.” added that he’s worked longer in nine-to-five So what can the audience at Electric Brixton jobs than he has in music. expect from the gig later this month? Lots of Working the nine-to-five is a recurring theme material from the new album, Obaro tells me, in Shedding Skin, given particular focus in the with some older tracks sprinkled in too. “The track Off Peak Dreams and its accompanying new record was designed very much with live ghostpoet video. Obaro asked filmmaker Liam St Pierre to in mind,” he adds. As the final date on the tour, Obaro Ejimiwe has worked as Ghostpoet So why is Obaro thinking about dropping make a film about the constraints of city living could this be the last time Obaro performs as since 2011 - three albums later, is he the Ghostpoet moniker entirely, as he told me and gave him a budget matching the average Ghostpoet for a while? Who knows - but it’s thinking of dropping the moniker? Arts during our interview? “I don’t want to put all monthly salary in the UK - £2,608. definitely worth seizing the opportunity. Co-Editor Barney Evison interviewed him my eggs in one basket,” he said, “I feel like The resulting video follows a day in the shortly before the release of his third album I could do way more.” He wants to develop life of your average salaried worker - getting Ghostpoet is playing at Electric Brixton Shedding Skin and a gig at Electric Brixton creative partnerships with other artists, citing up, commuting, working, going to the pub April 9 and his new album Shedding Skin on April 9. Nick Cave as a big influence. “I want to make - reminding me of Four Tet’s Smile Around is out now. music with other people, but not When I spoke to Obaro Ejimiwe, aka under my name.” Ghostpoet, he was really looking forward to Obaro evidently takes his art playing his gig in Brixton later this month. seriously, explaining how closely “It’ll be nice to play south London,” he told he analysed other bands’ albums me, “and I can get a bus home, to see what made so it’s a no-brainer!” Throughout I’m not interested them work well. our conversation Obaro drops in making a batch of Despite his obvious in similar reminders that fame singles that you stick passion he remains hasn’t gone to his head. together and call grounded and is The first Ghostpoet album - an album often self-effacing. 2011’s Peanut Butter Blues & He currently lives Melancholy Jam, released on Gilles Peterson’s in Tooting, where he was born and record label - was an instant success, earning raised, and admits that London Obaro critical acclaim and a Mercury Prize will always be a part of him - but nomination (he was beaten by big hitter adds “it’s just a place”. PJ Harvey’s Let Shake). The track I asked him about his pre-record Finished I Ain’t was also used in the first season deal days. In his early ‘20s he of Channel 4’s well-watched drama Top Boy. found himself living in Coventry The third Ghostpoet album, Shedding Skin, with a mortgage. A degree in was out earlier this month and saw Obaro take media production wasn’t much a slightly different musical direction, recording use initially and he worked a it with a live set-up. He says this record is more variety of minimum wage jobs; call “immediate” and intended to be taken as a centres during the day and club whole: “I’m not interested in making a batch doorman by night. He spent his of singles that you stick together and call an spare time making music, which album, I like making pieces of work.” It’s done he uploaded to MySpace and well with critics and listeners alike, garnering shared with friends. The record positive reviews and reaching number 52 in deal came in 2011, when Obaro the album charts. was approaching 30.

F I L M Honeytrap buzzes into town By Sarah Solomon in the lead role of Layla, Lucien Laviscount (Coronation Street, Waterloo Road), who plays Honeytrap, directed by Brixton-based gang leader/rapper Troy, and Ntonga Mwanza writer and filmmaker Rebecca Johnson, is (Babylon, Suspects) who portrays social to be shown in cinemas and made available outsider Shaun. Breakthrough performances on DVD this May, with distribution by the cast have resulted in Honeytrap being coordinated by Anchor Bay Entertainment. selected for screenings at prominent industry Here at Brixton Bugle we have been keenly festivals in the last few months. following developments on the making In October last year Honeytrap premiered at of Honeytrap since the initial planning, the BFI London Film Festival. As part of the fundraising and production activity took festival schedule, the Brixton Ritzy hosted one place back in early 2013. of the first sold-out screenings of the film – a fitting venue for a film with Brixton at its core. Filmed in Brixton and taking inspiration It was also premiered at Leceister Square during from true events (particularly the 2008 case the festival. Rebecca was nominated for the of Samantha Joseph, dubbed the “honeytrap Best British Newcomer award, whilst Time Out killer”), Honeytrap is a contemporary, urban declared Jessica Sula as the face of the festival. drama set in south London that tells the story of More recently this homegrown film a teenage girl’s experience of gang culture - a girl has began to have an increasing impact who sets up the boy in love with her to be killed. internationally, with screenings having taken A successful crowdfunding campaign place this month at the renowned SXSW together with Johnson’s not-for-profit (South by Southwest) Interactive Festival in company Fierce Productions’ Training and Austin, Texas, which celebrates the best of Mentoring programme (allowing Lambeth’s original music, independent film and emerging young people to learn about the film-making technologies. It is clear that Johnson’s urban process during the shooting of Johnson’s films drama has themes that resonate universally. including Honeytrap) has ensured this is a film with Brixton and its people at its heart, Honeytrap is in cinemas from May 8 and both on and off camera. is available on DVD from May 25. Check The cast of Honeytrap consists of emerging Brixton Blog for more news as to where acting talent including Jessica Sula (Skins) you can see it. Brixton BID

MEETINGS FOR BUSINESSES - HAVE YOUR SAY There has been an excellent turn out to meetings as more and more businesses want to input to decisions about how the Brixton BID budget should be spent. The Brixton BID is run by local businesses for the benefit of local businesses, and provides a forum for businesses to support each other in Brixton’s fast changing environment, giving each business the platform to have their say.

Marketing and Partnerships meeting, Thursday 16th April 11.30am, JP Creative, Piano House Environment meeting, Thursday 2 April 10.30am, The Courtesan, Atlantic Road

If you would like to attend one or all of the listed meetings, please contact the BID office by emailing [email protected]

free hospitality training SAFER LAMBETH BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP The Safer Lambeth Business Crime to enjoy the colourful and vibrant for brixton businesses Reduction Partnership (BCRP) works atmosphere. The BCRP helps for local businesses alongside the members to reduce shoplifting, Metropolitan Police and Lambeth theft, alcohol related disorder, anti- Council. A membership with the social behaviour, street drinking and In partnership with Brixton BID, Lambeth College are offer FREE training to partnership gives your business access begging that effect businesses. SMEs for their employees. Our last course for First Aid, Health and Safety to a town-link radio and a secure The partnership currently has 23 and Customer Services was fully booked! To continue with this beneficial intelligence sharing intranet system. members across Brixton. For day time partnership we are now offering: Further benefits include access shoppers the BCRP radios are used in to the exclusion system whereby Sainsbury’s, TK Maxx and JD Sports. Four day course in Responsible Alcohol Retailing, First Aid, Food Safety & prolific offenders are banned from Members also include iconic bars, Manual Handling which includes recognised certification. all member premises. pubs and restaurants such as Satay We are working with local business Bar, Market House and Fridge Bar. Course dates - Monday 27 April, Monday 11 & 18 May, and to keep their customers and property The BCRP intranet system provides Monday 01 June. safe, enabling all that visit Brixton members with the latest crime news in the area, events running across Employees must attend all four sessions to earn the certificate. Lambeth, upcoming protests and To secure your places email [email protected] faces of prolific offenders that have come to notice. Alerts are also sent out allowing members to be aware of the most pressing information in real-time. BCRP also sends out a fortnightly paper briefing document for businesses without internet access, highlighting latest offenders and excluded individuals. Through Twitter @SaferLambeth and Facebook–Safer Lambeth BCRP, the latest work, members and advice can be found. To sign your business up for this service please fill out the application form on www.saferlambeth.co.uk and click the Join tab. For further information please contact James Barrett at james.barrett@ saferlondon.co.uk 07795109233 Brixton BID

HEALTHY EATERS Healthy Eaters in Brixton is situated on serving wraps and unique Jamaican iconic Electric Avenue. The restaurant patties amongst the great ‘food on specializes in great tasting Caribbean the go’ selection. food while keeping your favourite Stafford will soon be launching dishes as healthy as possible using a bakery at the Electric Avenue low fat cooking techniques while restaurant, where customers will maintaining the succulent taste. be able to buy fresh hot Caribbean Business owner Stafford began the bread, buns, patties and cakes. business as a market trader in Brixton You can find Healthy Eaters at 17 for 6 years and gradually expanded Electric Avenue, Brixton, London, the business from one market pitch SW9 8JP where Stafford and his team to two which lead to opening the will be happy to serve you. restaurant takeaway. Healthy Eaters You can also order food for parties now has a Caribbean street food and office occasions by calling 0207 takeaway in Market Row Brixton 274 4521.

www.healthyeaters.co.uk

Brixton hill florist shop front project

During the development stages of owner commissioned a new sign and the Brixton BID, we partnered with awning which can be seen in the Janet Edwards Florist on Brixton Hill image above. to help obtain planning permission Janet Edwards Florist sells beautiful for a new awning for the shop. flowers and gifts for all occasions The BID funded the planning and also organises workshops for application and architects’ plans those who want to learn to create which were drawn up by local architect their own flower arrangements. company CarverHaggard, who also If you are a local business who helped by liaising with Lambeth would like guidance on upgrading Council’s planning department. your shop front please get in touch The planning application was with the BID team who can provide finally accepted and the business advice and contacts.

BRIXTON WHOLEFOODS Situated on Atlantic Road, Brixton wholefoods and health foods including Wholefoods has been part of the many hard to find items such as macca community in Brixton since 1982. powder, stevia and moringa seeds. With over 30 years of experience If you want to adopt a healthier Brixton Wholefoods is dedicated to lifestyle Brixton Wholefoods is a great providing foods and products that place to start. The staff are passionate encourage good health and wellbeing. and happy to assist you and your family They carry a broad range of specialist on your journey of wellbeing.

www.brixtonwholefoods.com 59 Atlantic Road Brixton, London SW9 8PU Phone: 020 7737 2210 16 food and drink www.brixtonblog.com April 2015 RECIPE By M iss S outh jerk Pork dim sum buns ribs removed. Any non (serves 4) halal butcher in Brixton will sell pork belly. For the jerk pork 1 teaspoon soy sauce Either using a small hand 500g pork belly, bones removed 2 tablespoon guava jelly (optional) blender or chopping very 4 spring onions, chopped finely, simply combine 4 cloves garlic, chopped For the baozi all the ingredients except 1 Scotch bonnet pepper 250ml warm water the guava jelly together to 6 sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves 2 teaspoons fast acting yeast make a thick coarse paste. removed from stalks 2 teaspoons sugar Spread it well over the pork, 1 tablespoon ground allspice 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder taking care not to get it on 2 teaspoons brown sugar pinch of salt your hands as the Scotch 1 teaspoon ground ginger 450g plain flour bonnet will cause quite a 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves tingle. Cover the pork and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt For dipping marinate for at least 2 hours 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar or preferably overnight. pepper 2 tablespoons light soy sauce Heat the oven to 140 2 limes, juiced 1-2 teaspoons Bajan or Jamaican degrees and put the pork 2 tablespoons black treacle hot sauce into an ovenproof dish with a lid. Add the guava jelly if you have some from last month’s recipe and put the While there are very few foods with the Caribbean favourite of lid on the dish. Roast the I don’t love, I have a particular slightly sweet jerk pork instead. A pork for 1 hour 30 minutes. soft spot for dim sum, the mainly little experimentation later taught It will be soft and tender. Cantonese delicacy of small stuffed me that the very light white fluffy Allow to cool slightly, then steamed or fried dumplings served dough for those buns is difficult pull apart gently with two as a lunch. The variations on this for a novice to get right so I went forks and stir the fat and idea can be endless, but most for a simpler lighter chewy baozi cooking juices together. people have heard of cha siu bao style wrapper instead. They were While the pork is which are a fluffy almost bread much easier than expected and cooking, start preparing -like steamed dumpling filled with fantastic with the jerk pork inside. your baozi dough. Using warm, but your work surface and lift the dough your finger and thumb to pinch the slightly sweet barbecue pork. not hot water, stir the yeast, sugar out of the bowl. Knead it on the oiled dough directly together, turning the A favourite of mine at a Sunday Start with the pork. The long and baking powder together in a jug surface until it is smooth and almost dough anti clockwise away from you dim sum lunch at The Courtesan ingredient list may look intimidating with the water until it all foams. Add a glossy. This will take 3-4 minutes. as you continue to pinch. You will with its modern take on Chinese but it’s very easy. Ask your butcher pinch of salt to the flour in a large bowl Return the dough to a clean bowl, end up with a small dumpling with cuisine, I wondered if they’d work for the pork belly in slices with the and make a well in the middle of the cover with a tea towel and leave to a crimped top. flour. Add half the prove in a warm place for 1 hour. Set each dumpling into an oiled yeasted water and After the hour is up the dough steamer and repeat until all the dough start to bring the will have doubled in size and puffed is used. You will probably have some dough together up well. Knock it back and remove pork leftover. Steam the baozi for 15 with your hand. from the bowl. Knead it for another minutes on a medium heat until the Gradually add 5 minutes on and oiled surface again dough is lighter in colour. I did mine the rest of the until it is smooth, springy and elastic. in two batches as I didn’t have a big water, stopping Cut it in half, returning half to the enough steamer. if the dough bowl and covering again. Roll the Serve immediately with the seems sticky. other half out in a long sausage shape. dipping sauce on the side. It is sweet, The dough Cut this sausage of dough into 8 salty and spicy at once but you can will look ragged pieces and roll each piece out with leave the hot sauce out if you like and messy at a rolling pin or wine bottle until it is your food milder. These steamed this stage but about a 2mm thick circle of dough. dumplings make an excellent light will have come Put a spoonful of the jerk pork in the lunch or starter and could be filled together in one centre of the circle and lift it up so it with chicken, tofu or sweet potato if piece. Lightly oil is flat in the palm of your hand. Use you don’t eat pork. Foodie news As we all know, Brixton is ever-changing but each month we bring you a round-up of what’s happening to keep you in the loop:

The foodie-fication (sorry) of Brixton isn’t bar and vegetarian restaurant simply called exactly showing signs of slowing down. We Vegbar is opening at number 45. Tacos, appear to be facing a tidal wave of burger black bean sliders, and BBQ chilli beans this year. The Jamaican-themed Boom all look set to be on the menu. Burger is expanding from west London to Brixton Station Road, while the old Duck Nearby on Brixton Water Lane, a natural Egg site is now Shhh! Burger - awful name, wine bar and grill has just opened. It’s called we know. Oh, for the days of the Wimpy. Naughty Piglets and is run by husband and wife team Joe and Margaux. Joe Sharratt Before you panic at the thought of no duck used to be head chef at Trinity in Clapham, eggs for Sunday brunch, a gentle reminder while Margaux has come from Terroirs and that Duck Egg has moved to Market House is in charge of the wines. for the weekends. Look out for reviews of new and old Brixton You will need to head up to if you eateries on brixtonblog.com. are sick at the sight of burgers, where a new April 2015 www.brixtonblog.com Food and drink 17 REVIEW simple satisfaction: PARISSI’S LITTLE SECRET IS OUT BY lindsay faller

Thank god for Parissi. Recently opened, it is a pleasing newcomer to Brixton. In truth, I’m a bit apprehensive to write about it because at the moment it is a little secret gem and if anyone reads this, they’ll immediately want to go and I shall never get a table ever again. See, it appears that Atlantic Road is proving to be quite a formidable address for decent eats. I like the fact that it still feels like the real Brixton, especially on a Friday night. The beauty of this southern bit of Atlantic Road is that it is undiscovered by gastro-tourists who only stick to the Village or Market Row. Places like Parissi, Kaff Bar, Fujiyama and the like are still accessible to those of us who don’t particularly feel like queuing an hour for a cheeseburger. And who would want one anyway when Parissi serves food that is prepared with simplicity and ingredients of the highest standard? Open early providing coffee, homemade pastries and that holy grail of North African breakfasts, shakshuka (eggs baked in spicy tomato sauce and topped with pecorino cheese and herbs) for Brixton commuters, it is also open late on Fridays and Saturdays for dinner, serving a range of mezze, wine and luscious-sounding cocktails. Its deli counter is full of beautiful handmade cakes and sandwiches for the hours in between. In essence, you could stay there all day quite happily. My friend and I ate babaganoush, a mixed mezze platter of cured meats and cheeses, as well as bouyardi (baked feta cheese), and Italian fennel sausages. Bread was ordered, essential for sopping up any remaining sauces and oils; and a mellow Pinot Noir and some fine Prosecco arrived too, proving themselves elegant companions for the food. The babaganoush cheese, gussied up in the best possible way cakes: blueberry tartlet and was a legendary mesh of smoked aubergines, with slices of gherkin, dark, beautiful grapes, banana, chocolate and hazelnut fresh tomatoes, garlicky olive oil and velvety and fresh rocket. Bouyardi is something that cake. The body of the blueberry tahini. Italian fennel sausages were few but everyone needs in life. Aged Greek feta was tart was cake, but its base was satisfying. Slices of the aniseedy porky wonders baked in aluminium foil, with sweet roasted pastry, creating a crumbly but were mixed with potatoes and tempered by the peppers, fresh oregano, olive oil and tomatoes. spongy combination; blueberries mild sweetness of the peppers - tomato sauce The result was a warm, creamily herbaceous exploding in the mouth at each providing a vibrant richness. and salty thing of greatness, the cheese soft, bite. Banana, chocolate and The mixed mezze platter was beautifully warm and slightly oozy. It was by far our hazelnut cake was moist, with presented with mortadella, prosciutto, aged favourite dish of the evening. the perfect amount of sweetness. chevre, emmental, manchego, and creamy blue The meal ended with mint tea and homemade Chocolate provided depth, with hazelnuts as a quiet backdrop, providing texture and a hint of flavour. What I loved most about Parissi was its inherent confidence to allow the quality of its ingredients to do the talking. There is no overcomplicating of dishes; most have only four or five components, and the result is simple yet tasty, nourishing food. In a setting that is intimate, welcoming and instantly charming, I find myself hoping that Parissi remains Brixton’s little secret. The reality is, with food this good, I will probably be shouting about it from the rooftops, only to return and join its queue.

Dinner for two, with drinks and service £70.

Lindsay at blondevsbland.com 18 what’s on www.brixtonblog.com April 2015

Bing Selfish. Suggested donation £5. Please sign the petition to halt the eviction at change.org. BRIXTON MUSIC NEWS SAT 11 @ BRIXTON ACADEMY Arts Co-Editor Barney Evison rounds up the latest music news from our corner of south London. Gina Yashere is touring with her comedy show ‘Laugh Riot’ in Brixton on the Blog, “its sweeping chords wrap around tonight at 8pm with updated and the Academy with a warm, fuzzy, psychedelic brand new material. Buy tickets at glow.” How lovely. o2academybrixton.co.uk.

Young Causeway play Songwriters & Wordsmiths SUN 12 @ BRIXTON WINDMILL Local folk band Young Causeway are headlining Explore the brilliant Ashby mill with the Songwriters & Wordsmiths night at the one of the expert tour guides who help Brixton Hootananny on April 8. Songwriters look after the place. You’ll learn all and Wordsmiths is a night celebrating emerging about the history of the Ashby family, talent that takes place at the Hootananny every see original wind-powered machinery second Wednesday of the month. and find out how the windmill was Alabama 3 do soundtrack for crime caper date at Brixton Academy on April 24. The night used to make stoneground flour. Local band Alabama 3 - the guys behind the theme Nubiyan Twist album is billed as “a true celebration of the album”, Book at brixtonwindmill.org for a song for the Sopranos - have continued their launched pairing Hopkins’ performance with live re-edits full tour. Tours are on the hour and affinity with gangster rock music by appearing 12-piece afrobeat outfit of videos from the tour. half hour from 2-4.30pm. on the soundtrack for new British crime film Nubiyan Twist launched Hackney’s Finest, out in cinemas April 3 and their new album on Younghusband headlining Bad Friday festival at MON 13 @ RITZY CINEMA available on DVD and On Demand April 13. Wormfood Records at Windmill We’ve only heard great things about Brixton Jamm last month Psychedelic Londoners Younghusband are the ’s A View From The Brixton Lara eliminated in The - head to the Blog for our headlining the annual Bad Friday festival at Bridge and this is your chance to see Voice live quarter-finals review and interview the Windmill on Good Friday (April 3). Critics the sold-out show streamed to the Brixtoner Lara Lee - aka with lead singer Nubiya. have praised their “blend of fuzzy psychedelia, Ritzy screens by National Theatre Floetic Lara - has been This is a band to keep shoegaze and krautrock” and this gig promises Live. Book as soon as you can online sent home after reaching your eye on. to be good ‘un. at picturehouses.co.uk. Tonight’s the live quarter-finals performance is at 7.30pm. of The Voice with her Ghostpoet on hold? coach Sir Tom Jones. South London alternative musician Obaro TUES 14 @ LISBOA GRILL Unfortunately her Ejimiwe - aka Ghostpoet - suggested he might Sometimes it’s best to return to old rendition of ‘God Put A be putting the Ghostpoet name on hold after favourites and lately we’ve been getting Smile Upon Your Face’ he finishes his current tour. He said he wants to a lot of take-out piri piri grilled chicken didn’t secure her a place work on more collaborative projects - read our from Lisboa Grill, formerly The Gallery, in the semi-finals. interview with him on page 13. He’s performing on Brixton Hill when we’re in need of at Electric Brixton on April 9 promoting his new some downtime from the kitchen. It’s War On Drugs wows crowd at the Academy album Shedding Skin. just insanely good and really this tip The War On Drugs played Brixton Academy applies to almost any night of the week. last month to critical acclaim across the board. Jon Hopkins finishes his sell-out tour in Brixton “This is hazy, windswept music for big skies Electronic artist Jon Hopkins is promising an WEDS 15 @ BRIXTON REC and open roads” said our reviewer Nicholas audio-visual special at his final Immunity tour For a fun – and knackering – sporting option this week, join the Afewee Boxing Club for their adult session WEDS 1 @ HOME Doors open at 10pm and tickets are SAT 4 @ THE OF WALES THURS 9 @ ELECTRIC BRIXTON from 7pm. We love it, so we’ll see you Come up with some great pranks £12.50 in advance. BRIXTON The brilliant Ghostpoet is playing there! If you’ve got kids, then take and let us know about them at @ Celebrate the long weekend at this tonight – doors open at 7pm and them along at 5.30pm tonight too, BrixtonBlog on twitter. Don’t believe FRI 3 @ WINDMILL BRIXTON all-dayer at the POW with house tickets cost £15. Those aged 14 + are or 10.30am on Sundays. It costs £5 anything we say today… Spaghetti A day off! Head up to the Windmill music hero Robert Owens headlining welcome if they come with an adult. for adults; first session free. trees in Brockwell Park, anyone? Brixton for the annual Easter Bank the main club room, alongside Ilija Holiday Bad Friday music festival, Rudman, Richie Littler, and the FRI 10 @ THE CAMBRIA FRI 17 @ F.MONDAYS THURS 2 @ ELECTRIC BRIXTON curated by indie pop zine SoundsXP. Cornershop Disco collective. Tickets A benefit event is being held at The Local chefs Katayun Sethna and her This looks set to be a pretty special The deal is nine bands and BBQ food are £8 in advance or £10 on the door; Cambria to support the businesses partner Phil Walther are doing a pop- night at the Electric Brixton. John for £9. Younghusband, a four-piece from 4pm until 4am. under threat of eviction by Network up restaurant at F.Mondays coffee shop Talabot, Roman Flügel, Capulet and band in London, are headlining with Rail. There will be a Q&A with Jose on Brixton Hill Thursday-Sunday Mr Prince will lead you through a their krautrock grooves. Doors open MON 6 @ BRIXTON EASTER Cardoso from A&C Continental Deli evenings. They’ve called the venture night of house-influenced music with at 3pm. MONDAY as part of the event and entertainment ‘All the Quail’ and it will be a 20-seat ‘the full plethora of aesthetics’ too. Fingers crossed that Bank Holiday will be provided by protest singer affair using ingredients from Brockwell Monday is a scorcher, in which case if you haven’t escaped Brixton for family events, we recommend spending the day flitting between Brixton’s pub gardens (Trinity Arms, Prince Regent, Duke of Edinburgh) and the park. If not, then get cosy inside with a Khan’s or Negril takeaway. TUES 7 @ BROCKWELL AND RUSKIN PARKS We discovered a new 10k running route last year and it’s fast become critics choice: one of our favourites. Start from critics choice: Windrush Square, run to Brockwell, run around Brockwell, exit at Herne Hill, run up to and Easter egg hunt around it. Enjoy a good view of the yoga workshop SUN 5 @ BROCKWELL PARK city and a great sense of satisfaction. Sat 18 @ yogapoint WEDS 8 @ UPSTAIRS AT THE RITZY An Easter egg hunt! The good people at Brockwell Park Community The folks from Reggae Roast are Local Brixton yoga teachers Tanya Shoop and Chris Holt are leading Greenhouses have hidden egg tokens in the gardens for kids today joining DJ David Katz for a night of a hands-on yoga workshop at the lovely Yogapoint on Dalberg Road from 10am-12pm. Once they’ve been collected, the egg tokens can original reggae and dub vinyl upstairs today for anyone who regularly experiences pain and discomfort, or be swapped for a flowerpot of chocolate goodies. It’s £3 per child; at the Ritzy. It’s free and from 8pm feels stuck with their yoga practice. It runs from 2.15pm and you can email [email protected] for more information. until midnight. book by emailing [email protected]. Cost is £30. April 2015 www.brixtonblog.com WHAT’s on 19 read about them on Brixton Blog and , then head to lambeth.gov. uk/consultations/cultural-services- by-2020 (phew!) to have your say. APRIL RITZY ROUND-UP SUN 26 @ WINDMILL BRIXTON green screen-y and a tad more Stalin-era Soviet Our second Windmill BBQ tip and this Union-y, then Child 44 may be a better fit. The time it’s the first of a series of relaxed always exceptional Tom Hardy leads this chilly Sunday sessions featuring five or six thriller as a Russian agent trying to solve a grizzly punky bands, a 4pm BBQ and what’s flurry of child murders. Expect grit, unbearable billed as a ‘chilled vibe’. Today, Croydon tension and elaborate Eastern European accents. band The KADT are headlining. Doors at 3pm and tickets cost £5. Taking the plaudits for ‘Best film title of the month’ - A Pigeon Sat on a Branch MON 27 @ THE LIDO Contemplating Existence. The Come on, it’s the end of April, things whimsical Swedish festival and critic pleaser should be hotting up by now, surely? If you’re grumbling about losing an hour of sleep centres around two door-to-door salesmen Colonel Kurtz. The horror! The horror! If you dare, start the week by diving to the changing of the clocks, then prepare to be trying to flog novelty wares. It’s a bit odd, utterly Your littluns not quite ready for the smell of napalm into the chilly waters of the Lido. placated. For the dawning of British Summer original and might just be a belter. in the morning (wimps)? Then Home may be a Guaranteed you will feel brilliant Time also signals the arrival of blockbuster better option for Easter holiday entertainment. afterwards and you can think in awe season on the big screen. Adam Marshall’s Do you, like me, have an annoying friend The latest animation from Dreamworks - those of the Brockwell Icicles who have pick of the highlights from the Ritzy’s April who continually tells you how good Blade creative megaminds that brought us Shrek, How been swimming daily all winter. programme is a blinder - the perfect excuse to Runner looks on Blu Ray and if you haven’t To Train Your Dragon and, er… Megamind- it hide from that horrible sun thing. seen it then your years on earth effectively follows Oh, a member of an alien race called the TUES 28 @ BRIXTON REC amount to nought? Yes? Then vengeance is Boov (stay with me), which has invaded Planet If the Lido is still too cold for you, For starters, those Marvel Avengers - they are within grabbing distance - you can go one better Earth. You can bet that, when Oh befriends a take a swim today at our beloved once again assembling. In Avengers: Age when Ritzy screens the restored 30th birthday sassy human girl Tip, all manner of hijinks will Brixton Rec. Also check out Hatha of Ulcron, the unfeasibly large gang of comic version of Ridley Scott’s dystopian masterpiece. ensue. The film’s predictably impressive visuals yoga at 12.15pm and the cycling book heroes join together to take on ne’erdowell will be enough to keep the nippers engrossed, class at 6.45pm. Ultron - a self-aware human despising artificial And if you’ve got a lust for early Harrison Ford while you work out whether that really is that guy intelligence program. Joss Wheddon is in the (and, frankly, who among us hasn’t?) then from The Big Bang Theory voicing Oh. WEDS 29 @ UPSTAIRS AT THE director’s chair, so it’ll be a crowd-pleasing Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam-flick-to-end- RITZY combination of hitting, kicking and quipping all-Vietnam-flicksA pocalypse Now offers a And add to this high-octane car chases (Fast Tonight you’ll find a live music from the likes of Thor, Iron Man, Captain America double dose. The seminal adaptation of Francis and Furious 7), music documentaries (Kurt night presenting south London and The Hulk… and Hawkeye…and Black Conrad’s novel witnesses Captain Willard’s Cobain: Montage of Heck) and Ben Stiller (While musicians, singers and poets, hosted Widow… and, well you get the idea. (Martin Sheen) journey down the hellacious We’re Young), it’s all almost worth losing an by local Rami Radi. It’s a lovely night If you prefer your big budget cinema a little less Nung river to capture Marlon Brando’s insane hour’s sleep for. dedicated to celebrating local talent. Entry is from 7.30pm and it’s free.

start at 6.45pm from Papa’s Park including Nathan Fake, Andrew THURS 30 @ BLACK CULTURAL on Pulross Road. Tasks last month Hung and Vessels. Doors open at ARCHIVES critics choice: included painting walls at Somerleyton 10pm, tickets cost £7.50-12.50. ‘One love’ is a signifier of universal and then gardening at Wyck Gardens, Tickets at brixtonjamm.org. love, peace and goodwill. The BCA with runs and circuits in between. are hosting ‘One Love in the Archives’ BEN AARONOVITCH SAT 25 @ LAMBETH COUNCIL tonight as part of their monthly Café WEDS 22 @ CHELSEA COLLEGE Today is the deadline for responses on Club Lates series. Read love letters, wed 8 @ brixton library OF ARTS the Culture 2020 proposals on what find advice from the ‘agony aunts’ in Okay, it’s way outside of Brixton but Lambeth council does with our parks, the BCA’s magazine archive and make Every year, Cityread London asks Londoners to one of our photographers, Gavin libraries, archives, arts and leisure handcrafted cards. Tickets are £20. You read the same book and then curate a month- Freeborn, is showing his photos centres. There are big changes afoot – can book online at bcaheritage.co.uk. long programme of book groups, film screenings at the Chelsea College of Arts from and other events across the capital. This year’s today until April 25. He trades his novel is Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch. portraits for hospitality, skills and Brixton Library will be hosting the author tonight objects around the world and his to talk about his urban fantasy/crime fiction. The work includes lots of Brixtonites. event is free and runs from 6.30-8pm. THURS 23 @ THE PRINCE OF WALES The Always Be Comedy night starts Park Community Greenhouses and can’t make classes straight after work. at 7pm tonight and features Nick the market, cooking over an open fire Use the back entrance of the hall and Helm, Mike Wozniak and Gemma in the courtyard at F.Mondays. Look don’t forget that if you’re a St Matthew’s Whelan. Tickets are £10-12. James for more details on allthequail.co.uk. resident, you get a discount. Drop in Gill is on hand to MC. prices are £10, first class is half price. SAT 18 @ 6 SOMERLEYTON FRI 24 @ BRIXTON JAMM Get sweaty with the Block WorkOut TUES 21 @ GOOD GYM The Jamm is hosting the official Jon community fitness sessions, open to all Join the brilliant people at the Good Hopkins party after his gig at the abilities. Ladies from 10.30-11.30am Gym to carry out some extremely Academy tonight. He has curated a and men from 12-2pm. Entry is a useful local tasks and get your weekly special line-up for the club to keep nominal donation of £1 a session. exercise sorted at the same time. Runs you partying well into the night, SUN 19 @ BRIXTON STATION ROAD Get down to the farmers’ market and, while you’re there, support some of critics choice: the local shops under threat of eviction by Network Rail. A&C sell the best fennel sausages, the Moroccan Café THE ELECTION is our favourite Brixton lunch option and Brixton Tools is handy if you’re in need of DIY supplies. PROJECT MON 20 @ ST MATTHEW’S thurs 16 @ photofusion ESTATE TENANTS’ HALL Yoga classes now take place at St Pop along to the exhibition launch party of Simon Roberts’ The Matthew’s Tenants’ Hall every Monday Election Project at Photofusion from 6.30pm tonight. Roberts was at 8.45pm – especially useful if you the official British Election Artist in 2010 and he traversed the UK in a motorhome during the official 24 days of electioneering to capture as many political parties and constituencies on his camera as possible. 20 feature www.brixtonblog.com April 2015

tom’s music mission is a big hit with schools Features Editor Katrin Magnussen local up-and-coming artists on a big equipment so I recorded them in so it’s a big lift for them and a boost “I’m also looking for voice coaches, meets the man behind local red sofa. They even got some scoops. the studio as they were singing, to to their self-esteem. You can imagine technicians and young writers to help charity, School Ground Sounds, “We were lucky enough to film let them get a taste of production.” their parents and the teachers.” he out with the blog,” he says. “I am a to find out how he’s changing George Ezra, when he was 18. We For some students, recording explains with genuine excitement. one-man-band at SGS but I have a the lives of young, musically got the first two music videos that he music may provide them with just a “What I found from my Bristol Couch lot of great volunteers such as music talented students. ever recorded,” he explains. boost. Others could use it to establish days is that just having that video is teacher and voice coaches - so it feels After graduating in 2012, Tom industry links. “They will share the so powerful.” very much like a team effort.” Tom Scott enthuses about School returned to his old stomping ground video on social media, with their Tom’s excitement is catching. One reason that SGS provides such Ground Sounds (SGS), the charity he of Lambeth to work as a maths teacher friends - and you can see the spring One student, Noemie, created quite a vital service is that music education founded last year. “For me it has all at The Elmgreen School, Tulse Hill. “I in their step after they have done it.” a buzz with her video: “She’s had in state schools is often sidelined the best bits of teaching. I’m working did a ‘teach-first programme’ which Tom adds “music-making is linked lots of people approach her saying and not prioritised, says Tom, with with amazing young people, but it’s means that you are in the school first to everything from self-esteem to they’d like to work with her. Luke secondary schools allocating as little stress-free and combines everything for two years to see if you’ll keep social development, and it gives these Pritchard from the Kooks saw it and as around £1.50 per child. I enjoy doing.” going.” The fresh maths teacher young people a sense of identity.” commented ‘great video, well done!’ ” He hopes to enable local and “SGS is a charity that’s a little soon noticed that many students This forms the backbone of School “If we get a few hundred students London-wide students with different – it’s more down with the kids, were preoccupied with other things Ground Sounds. Following a teacher’s that would be amazing,” says Tom, the benefits of free professional I guess”, softly-spoken Tom says with a besides numbers and calculations. nomination based on whether they “and if a few make it in the music recordings. He has already been in smile. “Some music charities’ “I could see so many students are ready for such a platform, each industry that would be great! We are talks with Camden’s Roundhouse as are all about syntax, impact and data, that were not engaged at all – they student is provided with a free never going to be short of students another potential recording base. In things that are quite inaccessible. SGS were just looking out of the window three-hour session in the Elmgreen and it won’t cost the schools a penny Brixton, it will shortly join forces with is about showcasing students and or running around the corridors recording studio. to do it - it’s a free service and I will fellow music charity Raw Materials. putting them in the centre.” singing, just wanting to perform. Most sing, but some rap or play want to keep that way. I really love it.” “There are a lot of talented students Tom explains how his interest in That’s when I thought, let’s combine instruments. Whilst they perform, The charity offers opportunities at the schools we have been working music and recording was sparked the two and get them into the studio,” Tom films them and the result is beyond recording too, and Tom with, and it just makes me think - whilst studying at Bristol University. explains Tom. “Elmgreen has the a professional video which is then has imminent plans to run free how many more schools and students He launched a YouTube channel most amazing music department published on both the School Ground workshops for students wanting to out there are just sitting on their entitled Bristol Couch with a friend, and recording studio, but it was Sounds’ website and YouTube. “A few learn music production or who just talents, not doing anything about where they interviewed and filmed hardly being used. I had my camera thousand people might see the video, want to practice. it? My mission is to discover it.” What’s new for Future Brixton in Spring 2015…. This month we had the fantastic news that Brixton had won the largest grant made by the Mayor of London’s High Street Fund - £869,000. It’s also been a challenging time for businesses and their customers in the arches on Atlantic Road. To keep up to date with all things Future Brixton then log onto www.futurebrixton.org

Brixton granted £869k from the High Street Fund

Brixton will receive £869,000 from the Mayor’s High Street Fund for a range of projects including working with the market traders to develop a strategy for the street markets and undertaking major improvements to the public realm on Electric Avenue. Projects include supporting the Brixton £ to provide the world’s very first local currency cash machine and wifi on Electric Avenue so that market traders can take card payments.The Impact Hub Brixton will also move to POP Brixton.

Lambeth College apprentice, Karen Smith, tells us Canterbury Square, a her thoughts on building Pop Brixton new square for Brixton? POP Brixton is a temporary project, offering offers me the opportunity to learn about a training, workspace, shops and events space variety of trades. I know having a broad skills in the heart of Brixton. Karen Smith is one of base will make me more employable, so that twelve apprentices working to bring the project was definitely a reason why I wanted to do this to life. At just seventeen she is already winning particular apprenticeship.” praise for her hard-work and aptitude on-site. Valentia, Arts and Marketing Director told us, Encouraged by her lecturer at Lambeth “We are getting excited about opening at POP College to look into the scheme she thought Brixton, and letting the community enjoy the it looked like a great opportunity so she results of a lot of hard work. The best part of signed herself up. creating Pop is definitely getting to know lots of amazing, talented people and the exchange Following publication of the Brixton Public Karen told us, “The project sounded like of skills and passion the project has enabled. Realm Design Study in 2014, Lambeth something a bit different and something I With TEDx Brixton (3 October) and RIBA engaged Urban Movement to develop public might not get the chance to work on again. London Architecture Open summer showcase space improvements for Canterbury Square in It’s also a multi- apprenticeship, which (4-28 June) already pencilled it’s definitely Brixton. The new public space aims to create starting to fee a bit real” a social, attractive and relaxing space for local people, and visitors to Brixton. All feedback With all the containers now on site things is now being gathered and collated from the are really starting to come together and take online questionnaire which closed on 21 March. shape. The current batch of apprentices will But keep an eye out for the results from the be leaving the site once the build is done but a questionnaire on www.futurebrixton.org new set of landscape and design apprentices will come on board for the next stage in creating this meanwhile space. Jump onto www.popbrixton.org for updates!

visit futurebrixton.org • follow @futurebrixton

LBL BrixtonBugle April v4.indd 1 24/03/2015 12:10 22 columns www.brixtonblog.com April 2015

When I was a trainee in France there was furore in the gardeners’ mess room – scientists were predicting better sparkling wine could soon flow from the chalk downlands of southern England than from the Champagne region itself. Roll the clock forward some years and we know that climate change is causing growers GREEN around the world more serious consequences than injured national pride. Closer to home, rapid temperature swings, bouts of heavy rain and periods of drought are presenting us with some tough challenges from FBY ALISON ALEXANDER,INGERS BROCKWELL COMMUNITY GREENHOUSES damaged seedlings to poor harvests. Determined to find life’s upside as we gardeners are, the emerging medium-term warming pattern in the UK is providing us with some horticultural delights in addition to the prospect of good quality homebrew. Our Walled Garden display this year illustrates the novel food and ornamental plants that gardeners couldn’t dream of growing here Ms Bennett, Brixton Bugle’s only 30 years ago. anonymous dating columnist, In the ‘Hot!’ border you’ll see bananas, tree supported us in our crowdfunder last echiums from the Canary Isles, birds of paradise, year by buying the opportunity to ornamental chillies, ginger lilies, yam and more. write one last column. You’ll find out Within our own site we’re turning a greenhouse why she won’t be writing another… into a curry house and experimenting as ever with crops like rice, cassabanana, sesame, okra, When I started writing Ms Bennett, I snake gourd and horned melon. never thought for a second that my life For more information on London’s recent would begin to turn into a Jane Austen climate shift and the changes that have resulted novel. Especially given my Tinder in the garden, check out our volunteer Chris escapades. I’m not sure how Elizabeth Smith’s March 14 blog entitled ‘Hot!’ Bennett I was on those dates... From April 1 (really), visitors will have more However, a girl can always redeem chance than ever to enjoy the Greenhouses and herself. I met a man at a wedding. Let’s seek inspiration for their own gardens, balconies call him The Other Guy. A wedding of a or tubs as we extend our opening hours. man I was once completely in love with. New times will be Thursday to Sunday 10am- Who kindly told me I was too good for 5pm for the public and for volunteering. On him. Now I realise I was. other days, the site will be busy with pre-booked Anyway, you know when you hear, school groups and young people’s’activities. or see a movie, about love at first sight? There’s a lot to do in the garden now, if you’d That moment where everything stops like to come and volunteer do get in touch. and all you see is that person in front of you. Where your heart goes aflutter. www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk Well I’ve never quite experienced it, and Email: [email protected] I’m not sure I even believe in it - a little Twitter: @GardenBrockwell like runners ‘high’. But I think I actually saw it happen. When The Other Guy saw me, his whole face changed, his posture, his voice, I can’t quite describe When it comes to fitness, there’s an athlete in it, and I’m not saying what he felt was all of us and it’s definitely time for her to shine. love at first sight (my ego isn’t that big) We need to train her well, feed her well and but something happened. We spoke that treat her well. The rest and recovery matters night, he made his enquiries and he left as much as the sweat and reps. the wedding telling my friends and his, It is so easy to be hyper-critical of bodies that he was going to marry me. with so many Photoshopped and filtered So fast forward three months and I’m images flying around, which makes it even engaged. He asked and I said yes. more important to remember that we’re all Not because he is the love of my life, unique in shape and size. Not only should or he gives me butterflies. Or when I we celebrate this, but our baseline objective look at him, I fancy him more and can’t should be to live healthily and not for the next quite believe my luck. fitness fad or trend. But I think I could have a happy Throughout my training journey, experience life with him. I know it doesn’t sound has shown me that I am happiest and healthiest romantic but, I could be happy, and I’ll both in mind and body, when my goal is not take that over crazy love. Any day. God based on achieving a look, but running a faster knows it hasn’t got me anywhere in the time than last week or adding one more pull- past. And I think after the awful year I up than I thought possible. Nothing beats had with The Beard playing it safe and that feeling of achievement, and when you smart is a good idea. are making progress and enjoying what you Love shouldn’t hurt. Relationships do, the rest just follows... should be that hard. You shouldn’t So, whatever your fitness level and whatever try to be a perfect version of yourself your shape, train to suit what YOU want to unless it’s for yourself. And as my mother achieve, with YOUR health and happiness at always says, “there is nothing wrong with >>>RECLAIM YOUR BODY the heart and in a way that YOU enjoy. marrying a man who loves you more Train and eat well not because you hate your than you love him”. body but because you LOVE your body!!! And I know he does. I know he cares. Channel that inner Warrior Woman!!! I know that I am enough and more. I’m not second-guessing, insecure or Follow my fitness journey online @ pretending. And that is enough. move more with frankie holah frankieholah and check out YouTube.com/ Without that pressure to be perfect, frankieholah for videos and more workouts without this stupid worry that I’m going Ladies, it’s time to take our power back and wrong message about what female fitness is. coming soon to come off as needy or clingy, I can reclaim our bodies. With summer around the The simple truth is, it’s about health, strength For personal training enquiries you can get work on being happy. And I look forward corner, let’s make it the season of the Warrior and dedication. Happiness, confidence and in touch on [email protected] - let’s to that. Woman! For too long we’ve been sold the the body you deserve are just the by-products. build that all year round body! April 2015 www.brixtonblog.com sport 23

Arsenal star Santi Cazorla has the charity’s young members to to key networks and guidance to get backed a south London charity film, produce and star in their a foothold in the profession. FBB running a crowdfunding campaign own videos. The project, which TV will provide a more inclusive to establish a youth-led football aims to tackle the lack of diversity platform for young people from all channel on YouTube. in the media industry, whilst backgrounds to learn these valuable The Spanish international helping young people to get a skills and develop their talent.” midfielder was announced as a foothold in the sector, will target Commenting on Santi Cazorla’s patron of Football Beyond Borders 13 to 25-year-olds from ethnic decision to become a patron of the this month. The football charity, minority communities. charity, Sky Sports pundit Guillem which runs educational projects Football Beyond Borders founder Balague said: “I am delighted that reaching young people in Brixton Jasper Kain said: “FBB TV will Santi has agreed to join the team. His and some of south London’s most develop the potential of the next journey towards football stardom is deprived areas, has also been generation of pundits, presenters an inspiration to our young people endorsed by Sky Sports pundit and producers by bringing together and a clear example of the merits of Arsenal star backs Guillem Balague. household names in football with hard work and commitment. He is Volunteers from the charity hope budding young talents. already looking forward to getting to raise £7,500 to set up FBB TV, “As an aspiring filmmaker myself involved in the charity’s hugely new football charity an online platform that will help I was lucky enough to have access worthwhile projects.” East Dulwich Sporting Crabs

claw back to Christro was at the forefront of the Crab revolution after their recent poor run of form. Chris even tried a carbon copy of the effort moments later - it was close but no cigar. winning ways Clapham battled well and even at 4-0 the home side gave it a good go BY DAVID GIBSON forward and new fans’ favourite and went on to dominate the last 20 Armstrong was on point to double minutes. After a series of well-delivered World Cup winner The East Dulwich Sporting Crabs the lead before half time with a well- corners Clapham finally pegged one returned to winning form with an timed hanging header at the back post. back as the Crabs failed to clear their away victory over Clapham New Town East Dulwich continued with the lines. Whilst the defensive players inspires students on March 15. It didn’t have to be pretty momentum in the second half and looked miffed at the final whistle there and at times it wasn’t but thanks to the third goal was inevitable, although was still a sense of relief in the camp Students at a local school recently Academy’s Sports Week, during some great finishing the Crabs will it did come from an unlikely source. as East Dulwich recorded their first got a visit from a sporting legend. which students will hear from top now look to end the season on a high. Mike Garvin calmly controlled the ball win in five games. It is always worth Sir Clive Woodward, who coached sportsmen and women. The week will The Crabs looked a lot more within a cluttered box before smashing mentioning that no yellow cards were the England rugby team to win the see students get visits from Premier confident with the return of Ben home a close range volley. The fourth shown although even when taking World Cup in 2003 and served as League footballer Brede Hangeland, Daughtry in the number 10 role. goal came from a more likely ‘sauce’ the role of linesman, Ben Swindells the British Olympic Association’s heavyweight boxer Dillian Whyte and Daughtry provided a link between as the self-appointed condiment king was picking fights with players and Director of Sport, visited students Rugby World Cup winner Natasha the midfield and the target man Ian Chris Taylor threw himself on the end officials alike. at Evelyn Grace Academy in Brixton. Brennan. Armstrong and it didn’t take long of a cross and side-foot volleyed it into Sir Clive told told a packed assembly Student Laaraf Ali, 14, said: “It was before East Dulwich took the lead. the net. Taylor reeled away cracking Final score: East Dulwich Sporting of students that “everybody in this great to hear from someone who has Right winger Stuart Wood executed out the infamous ‘crab’ celebration Crabs 4, Clapham New Town 1 school can be a champion in their been that successful… He taught me a perfect lob (or a Wood-chip if you portraying pincers with his hands subject – but you’re never going to be to really listen to what my coaches will) over the helpless keeper to put like a tiny Mancunian crustacean. David Gibson blogs at sportingcrabs. a champion without the hard work”. are telling me and take it on board the Crabs on the front foot. Centre Fresh from his holiday in Cuba, Fidel wordpress.com The event was part of Evelyn Grace so I can be a champion.” 24 sport www.brixtonblog.com April 2015

Brixton Bugle’s Dulwich Hamlet denied a Man of the Match: Ethan Pinnock

Pinnock worked hard win by last gasp equaliser to clear several dangerous crosses. He made some crucial BY SANDRA BROBBEY last time Dulwich registered a win wayward in their recent league was fouled in the six-yard box. It interceptions despite in the league. A victory over The encounters, shipping 11 goals in was the midfielder’s second goal and having the wind knocked Dulwich Hamlet were denied their Rocks would have given the south their past six games, including three penalty in an eventful encounter that out of him during first home win of the month after East London side a boost in their push conceded against East Thurrock. saw players’ tempers flare briefly the first half. Thurrock scored a late equaliser in a for the play-offs. The Pink and Blues Hamlet struggled to take control of after the final whistle. Carew’s late lively 3-3 draw. A severe dip in form endured a nervy, unsettled start the midfield in the early stages of strike was cancelled out by a swift has seen Gavin Rose’s team lose four against the visitors at Champion game and a third-minute strike by counter attack with Ross Parmenter times and draw twice since their last Hill. This was understandable given The Rocks meant the home side were securing a third goal and a point for Below left: Dulwich Hamlet in action win in the Ryman division. the number of goals conceded in the on the back foot almost immediately. East Thurrock. against East Thurrock. Below: Hamlet A Valentine’s Day victory over past few weeks. The away team’s energetic celebrate Ashley Carew’s second goal bottom-placed Bury Town was the Defensively they have been midfielder Mitchell Gibney caused Match Attendance – 953 with their fans problems for Hamlet’s defence with his pace and movement. However his third-minute strike was cancelled out by an 18th-minute own goal from Ben Wood, an error that gave Hamlet a great chance to force their way back into the game. Dulwich fell behind again after Gibney grabbed his second goal of the game. But an Ashley Carew penalty put the home team back on level terms. The introduction of Luke Wanadio and Shawn McCowlsky helped to inject some much needed pace into Hamlet’s attack as they sought to press the team from Essex and attack them from the flanks. The game stood at 3-2 after the home side took the lead courtesy of Ashley Carew’s 90th-minute penalty, after striker Joe Benjamin Britain’s oldest competing athlete launches new Silver Tuesday sessions for the over 45s A top British triathlete launched new other parts of Lambeth are being Tuesday from 2pm at Brockwell Park, “My grandson called me a mad parts of the Capital. fitness sessions for over 45s in Lambeth encouraged to join the sessions, run will also include Walking Football, granny for doing them! Keeping active sessions run by the charity have been this month. Eddie Brocklesby, Britain’s by the fitness charity Silverfit. Nordic led by a top coach from Millwall FC. and healthy is so important whether attended more than 100 people. oldest competing triathlete and a walking and pilates will be among Commenting on the launch of the you’re young or older. We want to super-fit 71-year-old retired social a range of activities on offer as part session, Eddie (the founder of Silverfit) encourage more people to maintain Visit www.silverfit.org.uk or follow worker, paid a visit to Brockwell Park of a fitness programme backed by said: “I only started running in my 50s their fitness as they grow older”. @silverfitorg to find out more out to kick-start Silver Tuesdays. Comic Relief and Lambeth council. and since then I’ve competed in four Silverfit’s exercise drives have more about Silver Tuesdays. Older residents of Brixton and The sessions, which will run every Ironman races. proved to be quite popular in other

Eddie Brocklesby with Dr Zoe Williams, formerly Amazon from TV show Gladiators. Picture by Suzanne Hakuba