Steve Burden – known for murals and paintings that investigate dystopian themes and ideas associated with British housing estates – talks to South East London Blog Editor and Founder Rosanna Head about what drives his work and processes, delving deeper into how his practice explores, and works, to support the under-representation of those from lower … More #SpotlightOn Artist Steve Burden
Welcome to August’s Literary Loves, where we feature an independent local bookshop and their chosen pick of the month, and top of the pile books to keep an eye out for. Laurel Waldron This month, Jonathan Main from Crystal Palace’s The Bookseller Crow on the Hill recommends The Painter’s Friend, by Howard Connell (Picador, £16.99). … More August Literary Loves
Artistic Directors of Paines Plough Charlotte Bennett and Katie Posner have launched Roundabout 2021, as part of this year’s programme ‘A Promise to 2021’. Rosanna Head The pop-up venue in Slade Gardens, Brixton from 19-29 August has a line-up of four world premieres that includes; a new musical by Chinonyerem Odimba (Princess & The Hustler, Medea). BLACK LOVE with music by Ben and … More Paines Plough Roundabout Season, Brixton
Throughout July, we have been taking semi-ripe cuttings. People often find it confusing to remember which kind of cuttings we take and when. Short answer – from spring to mid summer we take soft wood cuttings, from midsummer until mid autumn we take semi-ripe cuttings, and after mid autumn (when the wood hardens), we take … More This August in your and the Community Garden
By Nick Richards This last year or so, the evening stroll came back in fashion. Cometh the violet hour, we glimpse through lighted windows other rooms, other lives. This is your neighbourhood. Sydenham and Penge. Pissarro’ s Avenue, streets stalked by Shackleton. This mood is captured in an exhibition of small scale paintings by local … More The Last Dog Walk, night paintings by Darren Hayman
By Rosanna Head Hatcham House is a community workspace hub set in a restored building behind Hatcham Liberal Club in New Cross Gate south east London. It is run as a Community Interest Company operating on a very affordable membership basis. I visited the house last month to meet Steve one of the co-founders to … More Hatcham House Co Working and Community Interest Space, New Cross
We’ve been a little slack on the artist #SpotlightOn features recently, if anything we are nothing but honest, so we are coming back with vengeance with Darren Hayman, south east London based painter – ‘he paints things…..’ and his current exhibition at the Blue Belle Cafe in Maple Road in Penge launches this Friday until … More #SpotlightOn Artist Darren Hayman
This month – although the rain has made an appearance – it has got VERY warm and dry. Cat Stevens, Community Gardener We are really lucky to have a number of automated watering systems in the vegetable beds and the greenhouses. But there are other areas of the gardens which do not have this, such as … More This month at the Brockwell Park Community Garden
The sustainable Sydenham brewery This week, South East London Blog caught up with Sydenham social enterprise entrepreneur and Ignition Brewery director Will Evans, Claire Foster“When you ask someone with learning difficulties what they really want, they usually say a job and a relationship. Not just a job, they want a cool job. A company they … More Sydenham Brewery: Tapping into local talent
This month’s SpotlightOn focuses on the handy work of tattoo artist Amanda Rodriguez, owner of Three Kings Tattoo, Deptford, London. Tell us about what you do? My name is Amanda Rodriguez (@AmandaTattoos) and I’m a tattoo artist and owner of Three Kings Tattoo London. I specialise in nature based tattoos and floral tattoos in an … More #SpotlightOn Tattoo Artist Amanda Rodriguez
This month at the Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses we’ve been ‘earthing up’ our potatoes. This process protects early shoots from frost damage and ensures that the developing potatoes aren’t exposed to light (which turns them green and poisonous.) It’s a simple process – once the stems are about 10cm tall we create a ridge of earth … More In the Community garden this month
South London based schoolofskate.co.uk started offering group skateboard lessons at the newly built Charlton Skatepark in late 2017. Last year they expanded to Folkestone Gardens skatepark at Deptford and this year to Victoria Park in Hackney. Stuart Hopper, Head Coach at School of Skate tells us a bit more about the school. ‘This Easter we have released some … More Skate Skills at South London’s Skate School….
This month I take great pleasure in introducing a regular gardening contribution from the team at Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses (BPCG). Based in Brockwell Park, the Community Greenhouses is a community garden that includes an orchard, a series of demonstration gardens, a walled herb garden and two commercial-sized greenhouses. The team help people grow through learning … More Community Garden Blog: Spring Equinox
The Horniman’s Bee Garden has been recognised as a haven for multiple bee species and has been awarded a Bees’ Needs Champions Award. I spoke to artist Jasmine Pradissitto about the sculpture ‘Flower Girl’, a creation that absorbs pollution from the air, pollution that masks the smell of flowers preventing bees finding their food. The … More #SpotlightOn Artist Jasmine Pradissitto’s Pollution Absorbing Sculpture ‘Flower Girl’, Horniman Museum
This month, contributor and resident book worm Laurel Waldron shares her literary loves and this months’ showcase store, Dulwich Books. Currently Reading I’ve got two on the go currently; the first being my annual reread of an old favourite. Raffaella Barker’s Hens Dancing (£10.99 at bookshop.org) is the diary of slightly wayward divorcé mother-of-three Venetia … More March Literary Loves
Silent Night tells the story of a south London hitman Mark who is tempted by ‘one last job’ when he is released from prison. We caught up with the film’s director and south Londoner, Will Thorne. Claire Foster Tell us about what you do I’m a film director first and foremost, to give myself an … More #SpotlightOn Film Director Will Thorne
A new year often begins with dry January but for many, we continue to be mindful about our alcohol intake, with more health conscious individuals seeking complex flavour experiences – without alcohol. In this article I interview south London Mother Root’s founder and drinks expert Bethan Higson, on Mother Root Ginger Switchel: a sophisticated, award-winning … More Bethan Higson: Mother Root
SE London Blog’s Cooks up a Storm with the Catford Cookbook, Claire Foster When better than a cold and wet January day to delve into the local Catford Cookbook – a collection of 100 recipes inspired by local people and small independent shops in SE6. Brought to life by the award-winning team at House of … More Shop, Cook and Eat SE6
This month I take pleasure in introducing our new contributor and resident book worm Laurel Waldron. Every month, Laurel will share her literary loves and showcase a #seLondon independent bookshop’s pick of the month. Over to you Laurel. Rosanna Head A lifelong bookworm, I was thrilled to be asked to contribute a monthly column on … More February Literary Loves
Sujan Katuwal, owner of Panas Gurkha Restaurant and Atul Kochar, Michelin star chef, are on a mission to cook 100k free meals for the NHS and homeless, and they are not going to stop there. Rosanna Head Sujan, his wife and the team have been working tirelessly since the beginning of last year to bring … More Sujan Katuwal of Panas Helping Hands: On a mission to cook 100k Free Meals
According to Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) at least 8 million pieces of plastic are entering the oceans every single day. You may think that south east London is a long way from the ocean, but every bit of water leads to the ocean. South East London Blog spoke to Plastic Free East Dulwich founder and … More Becoming a Plastic Free Community
Following the 2021 new year government announcement to stay home, Theatre Peckham has launched a world-class creative learning programme online to support the well-being and mental health of young people. A recent Ofsted report stated, ‘repeated isolation has chipped away at progress pupils have made… and had a negative impact on many children’s well-being.’ Theatre … More Theatre Peckham puts student’s mental health centre stage
Coming to the capital in January 2021, Bando Belly is South East London’s brand new food concept pioneering ‘soul food fusion’. Bando Belly created its own signature food with flavours inspired by America, the Caribbean, South East Asia and primarily and most importantly – multicultural London and its rich and diverse food heritage. We attended their virtual launch … More Bando Belly: A Lick of South East London Soul Food
At this time of year, you may be trying to organise your Christmas plans, please take a moment for the 999 Club, a south east London homelessness charity, Lewisham Borough Council’s ‘Charity of The Year’. South east London Blog’s editor Rosanna Head spoke to Gulen Petty, Head of Fundraising, Partnerships and Communications about how they … More Focus on homelessness: 999 Club
I stumbled across artist David Wolverson after he posted images of his work on a local community webpage. These interesting and inspiringly textured representations of local landmarks and some of my favourite London spots led me to invite him to feature as one of our #SpotlightOn artists, agreeably he said yes. Read David’s story here; … More #SpotlightOn Local London Artist David Wolverson
It was a dark, cold, wet Autumn evening when we jumped in the Uber heading to Nunhead. The warmth and welcome at London’s first regenerative restaurant soon thawed our damp chill. We were greeted by owner Catherine Solomons who had just celebrated the restaurant’s first birthday, in such a difficult year for hospitality. The restaurant … More Hanging out at 28 Well Hung
I have coached clients throughout 2020 and there has been a diverse response to the pandemic, with some people experiencing a higher workload and others not enough and many reporting a multitude of symptoms from loneliness to anxiety. Annabel Jeffcoate blink is a young, forward-thinking mental health not-for-profit organisation, with one simple vision – they want … More #Lockdown Wellbeing with Blink Mental Health Charity
I recently took a drive south west to visit the beautiful flat lands of Cheddar, Somerset. A lovely getaway where time was filled with cheese tasting, gorge climbing, cave exploring and reading myths of Tor’s and witches. Rosanna Head The reason for the visit was to meet the couple behind the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company, … More Weekend trip to Cheddar to visit Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company
Edible Rotherhithe is a community food growing, gardening and arts charity based in Southwark. They are a local project that works between schools, educational facilities and community centres, to offer food growing, gardening and arts & crafts workshops for children and adults. Rosanna Head We spoke to Christina Nilsen Wheatley, Trustee, Edible Rotherhithe who told us … More Creating Change, Growth and Enablement: Edible Rotherhithe, Southwark
These past few months have proved to be a challenge. What we’ve had to be is mindful of taking time out to switch off, relax and reward ourselves care. That’s where this story comes in. I recently had an inspiring natter with Dan from Lewisham Tea Company about the tea (of course) and how this … More From sipping builders tea to building a tea empire; Daniel Grey’s accidental tea company
#SpotlightOn Artist Helena Hunter as she exhibits ‘Falling Birds’ highlighting the alarming decline of bird species around the world on show at the Horniman Museum 19 Sept 2020 – 10 Oct. With fantasy dinner guest like Lynn Margulis, Rachel Carson and Octavia E. Butler – that would be a meal to remember… … More #SpotlightOn Artist Helena Hunter Exhibition at Horniman Museum This September
Two of the biggest plights thrust into the spotlight during lockdown were isolation and the availability of food. Long before anyone had heard of Covid-19 or understood furlough in it’s modern context, the team at FoodCycle Lewisham were tackling these issues. FoodCycle Lewisham opened in 2016 aiming to serve as many people in the community who … More A passion for food and a platform to fight loneliness – FoodCycle Lewisham
The schools may have gone back but that doesn’t mean lockdown is easing. As we move into another week, we’ve yet another restriction to follow to keep us all safe. Gyms have re-opened, but how confident are you about returning to the gym or are you thinking about a starting a new membership? Our resident fitness … More Back to life, school and the gym?
British Food Fortnight is fast upon us and what with the resurgence of the nations ability and show of love for #EatOutToHelpOut, Love British Food Ambassadors are calling on you to instil and support our homegrown suppliers across the nation and tell us who has the most inspirational take on British food and drink. Now … More Love Local Food and Drink? Support British Food Fortnight This September
This summer during lockdown, new hobbies have emerged, old ways may have reared their ugly heads and for some, new businesses and projects will have flourished. For south east London based artist Michael Ludlam, lockdown meant more time on his hands to dust off the ol’paintbrushes and get painting again. Claire Foster Tell us about … More #SpotlightOn Artist Michael Ludlam
RACHEL RILEY IS CALLING ON SOUTHWARK TO NOMINATE THEIR LOCKDOWN LEGENDS FOR A 2020 NATIONAL LOTTERY AWARD Countdown star, Rachel Riley, is searching for Southwark lockdown legends as part of the 2020 National Lottery Awards, as time is running out to enter. This year the annual search for the UK’s most popular National Lottery funded projects … More National Lottery Award: Nominate Southwark’s Lockdown Legends
Dr Virginia Carter Leno, a researcher based at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, Camberwell has launched a new research project to better understand children’s profiles of attention and motivation. Julia Bird The research aims to better understand how attention and motivation might be linked to strengths and difficulties in … More Contribute to scientific research; King’s College London research children’s attention and motivation
Team Catford announce the launch of House of Lewisham; a hyper- local online department store dedicated to our brilliant borough, celebrating south London neighbourhoods and communities and offering exclusive collaborations with local artists and supporting local good causes…. … More House of Lewisham Launches
Wondering where to go for a break of visit this summer but maybe restricted in choice? Rough Guides has come up with the UK’s best inclusive attractions celebrated in the new Accessible Britain. Rosanna Head As UK attractions begin to reopen and lockdown restrictions ease, many are keen to start safely exploring our shores. Available … More ‘Accessible Britain’ – Free to Download Guide -Post Lockdown- For People of All Abilities
Working from home? We are diving into health and wellness and excited to introduce Annabel Jeffcoate our freelance fitness expert talking about how best to deal with #wfh and how to gain a better life, work and wellness balance. Check out the blog, some useful advice and a video with great tips too. #selondonblog #healthandwellness #pilates … More Balance health and wellbeing while working from home
What does a cup of coffee mean to you? Is it a drink that gives you a boost in the morning or a passion that drives you to give up your city career. Well for Shai Eilon of Mont58 coffee, it was the latter and ‘a no brainer’. Steve Wingrove visits Mont58 Coffee, an independent … More Mont58 Coffee – ‘Serious about coffee but not serious about life!’
Excited to welcome back the #SpotlightOn artist feature with the talented geometric abstract artist Yvette Miller, read about her mission to create a new narrative for Christian art and her inspirations; #BraveArt #FridaKhalo and her dad… #SELondonBlog #SupportLocalArtists … More #SpotlightOn Artist Yvette Miller
The inaugural Deptford Literature Festival kicks off this Saturday 14th March featuring 17 events over the day; 14 of which are free to attend. The one-day festival features local writers and artists celebrating Deptford’s literary heritage and looks to its future. Rosanna Head There will be a host of talented writers, artists and organisations who … More #SpotlightOn local author Anna Sayburn-Lane
This International Women’s Day (March 8) all over the world women will be celebrated for their achievements; from the work they do, the people they care for, the innovations they create, the opportunites they give to others: a revered and celebrated way of recognising the social, cultural, political and economically achievements globally. Rosanna Head Here at … More International Women’s Day: Celebrating #SELondon Women
Community and culture correspondent Julie Bird reviews You Stupid Darkness! by Sam Steiner, Southwark Playhouse, SE1 You Stupid Darkness, the first performance of which took place on 7 February 2019 at Theatre Royal Plymouth, transferred to Southwark Playhouse in London in January 2020 and is running until 22 February. The play focuses on four volunteers … More Theatre Review: You Stupid Darkness! by Sam Steiner
This is Gabriella, also known as @morewalls_art. I met Gabriella through a pal I worked with last year. She’s bright, bold, nicely opinionated and her art is work to keep an eye out for. As we tie up January, the first month of a new decade, we are proud to present Gabriella to you through … More #SpotlightOn Artist Gabriella Rosenau
Bell House is a charity based in Dulwich that supports the community with educational lifelong learning skills and various other cultural services outside of what the mainstream curriculum offers. Rosanna Head The team reached out to us to share the good news that they had won an award from Historic Houses – ‘the Frances Garnham … More Bell House, Dulwich wins Historic Houses Award for Innovation in Education
Collaboration, cool and funky are words that spring to mind when I think about Babber @ The White Horse, Peckham. The White Horse does some pretty cool takeovers, its most recent being Babber. Launched at the back end of 2019, head chef Joseph Ryan, ex Hoi Polloi and Salon, Brixton, is serving up a menu … More Babber, Peckham @ The White Horse: Restaurant Review
South east favourite 400 Rabbits is multiplying; this time hopping up in Herne Hill at the café beside the iconic Brockwell Lido. There is certainly a sweet symmetry to the idea of bringing together two local gems such as these and the reality lives up to the promise. Those familiar with the Four Hundred Rabbits … More 400 Rabbits @ The Brockwell Lido, Herne Hill: Restaurant Review
Say hi to Lizzie Lines, south east London Illustrator, Designer and Poet who I’ve yet to meet in person, but who inspired me to follow her online with her stand out illustrations, shock colours and prose. Find out what makes her tick, her love of visual metaphors and how she allows her subconscious mind to … More #SpotlightOn Artist Lizzie Reid AKA Lizzies Lines
What I’m currently reading… by Laurel Waldron Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (Orion, £8.99) Finally released in paperback after becoming a hit last summer, the Women’s Prize for Fiction-nominated novel is set in the south east London suburbs of 1957. Local newspaper journalist Jean Swinney is drawn into the story of a young woman who … More July Literary Loves
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