Twenty three local businesses and community groups in Lewisham have been awarded grants of up to £1,000 to kickstart environmental and cost-saving projects Recycle grants – with the winning bids all coming up with schemes which benefit the environment and climate and save money on bills by being less wasteful A wide range of worthy causes have been identified – from investing in sustainable materials such as reusable coffee cups to repurposing clothing and from building community gardens to buying a more energy efficient system such as a heat pump a cafe and bistro with a mission to cut down on disposable coffee cups The Sydenham bistro will use the grant to invest in reusable coffee cups for their customers alongside better washing facilities and the development of a cup deposit scheme and incentives Also gained a cash boost are Make Mee Studio – a sewing school based in Crofton Park Library They will be hosting free mending and recycling workshops in store at the Lewisham branch of Circle Collective with the aim of encouraging customers to think about the climate impacts of their clothing choices Other projects include the Rastafari Movement UK Wellbeing CIC – providing culturally relevant food wellbeing support and unique doorstep befriending to struggling households and individuals Buro is a dedicated co-working space in Brockley providing high-quality workspace within walking distance for local freelancers and remote workers Buro will be using the grant to go towards buying a new air source heat pump to save ion energy bills Winning Post is a project aimed at increasing residents and local children’s knowledge of planting Latin Hub UK is a social enterprise promoting healthy living and support to members of the Latin American diaspora in Lewisham The grant will go towards trialing a new beehive within the allotment where they grow healthy organic produce for their clients hARTslane is a community arts space in New Cross they will be launching The Hatcham Community Street market which will offer up to 40 affordable spaces for locals to easily sell second-hand clothes and books Mimi’s Studio is a beauty salon offering bespoke eyelashes and extensions for purchase in store or online They will be using the grant to create a return scheme for their packaging including sterilising equipment to ensure it can be reused Deputy Mayor of Lewisham and cabinet member for environment said: “We are proud to be moving towards a more circular economy in Lewisham one that helps us meet our climate and environmental goals while also prioritising better spending so savings can be reinvested into other areas and reusing is not just about fixing day-to-day items but more broadly it is about improving the way we live we are committed to building an ambitious and inclusive local economy we are encouraging businesses to adopt sustainable practices — we’re also unlocking a range of opportunities to help our businesses reach their potential “I am proud that our small business leaders and community groups are leading the way with Lewisham’s circular economy These grants will provide a strong foundation for working towards practices that are more efficient and more environmentally conscious.” Pictured top: A hive of activity at the Make Mee Studio – one of the recipients of the grants (Picture: Make Mee Studio) Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Please enable JavaScript to take full advantage of iPlayer.BBC New Comedy Awards - 2024: 3 Southern Heat: Crofton ParkBBC New Comedy Awards2024: 3 Southern Heat: Crofton ParkContains strong language and adult humour.Contains discriminatory language.In the third heat Alfie Packham and Frankie Thompson perform a set for a place in the final of the BBC New Comedy Awards Lewisham council has performed a cabinet reshuffle after the resignation of two members Mayor of Lewisham, Brenda Dacres confirmed the changes following the resignations of both Cllr Kim Powell cabinet member for children and young people Cllr Powell has resigned from her post of four years with immediate effect The council has not disclosed the reason of her resignation Mayor Dacres said: “I’d like to thank Kim for all her work during what has been a crucial time for her portfolio 1,100 residents have been supported by Lewisham Works in its first two years of operation; she has overseen the growth of the Mayor’s Business Awards programme and we have launched our Inclusive Economic Development Strategy “Kim also oversaw our extensive programme to support local businesses to recover following the pandemic and has been central to driving our plans forward to revitalise Lewisham with £24million of Levelling Up funding “I wish her all the best and I know that she will continue to serve the residents of Hither Green ward as their local councillor.”  Mayor Dacres announced that Cllr Ese Erheriene will take over the business Cllr Erheriene has been a councillor for Lee Green since 2022 Mayor Dacres said: “I’m pleased to welcome Ese to the cabinet “With employment and growth so high on the Government’s agenda this is a really important time for this portfolio and I’m looking forward to working with her to deliver the very best for our residents and businesses.” Cllr Barnham announced his intention to step down from his role as cabinet member for children and young people after six years He will leave his post after the council’s budget meeting on March 5 Mayor Dacres said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to Chris who has dedicated an enormous amount to this role over the last six years he has been a driving force in improving outcomes for children “Ninety-nine per cent of Lewisham schools are now rated Good or Outstanding we have opened family hubs across the borough to provide support local SEND places have expanded by 300 and our Youth Justice Service is award winning for its pioneering work “Chris has also been central to the council’s successful bid to become one of 10 local authorities to deliver the Families First for Children Pathfinder programme – improving services to help more children stay with their families in safe and loving homes “I know that he will continue to serve the residents of Crofton Park ward effectively as their councillor.”  currently cabinet member for culture and communities The culture and communities portfolio will be covered jointly by Cllr Edison Huynh who will keep responsibility for libraries Mayor Dacres said: “I’m pleased that Edison and Sakina have agreed to take on these important briefs “They already play key roles in cabinet and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with them in their new portfolios.”  Cllr Kim Powell and Cllr Chris Barnham (Picture: Lewisham council) By 2021-08-16T03:55:00+01:00 brother Tilak and dad Jay are no strangers to working with their community and as soon as coronavirus reared its ugly head the family was eager to help wherever they could.  started helping different food banks in the area including the Trussell Trust and Lewisham Food Bank Having food bins in store meant customers could come and drop stuff off at their convenience “On average there’s a bin three times a week,” says Pratik The team also gave out free food to NHS staff “They couldn’t get out so we delivered it to the hospitals,” says Pratik “What was happening unknowingly was all the unhealthy so we gave them fruit and veg - what people actually needed.” The store also carried out deliveries to emergency services and dropped off samosas for people giving out vaccinations at the health centre.  they helped with the provision of free meals for those in need “The [Neasden] Temple organisation delivered 1,500 meals a day in the locality of North West London,” says Pratik My Dad is the head of the South East branch We were delivering meals to 150 people who needed support.”  The store also gave out free school lunches for kids when schools closed last October “We were put on a list that went out to all local schools - no questions asked - we gave out 150 meals,” he says He claims that many organisations in the area were willing to help but the biggest issue is people don’t know where the help is - we connect the dots We’re here on the public frontline - we can see the problems clearly We work on a non-profit basis and we do big things.” Pratik found hope in the heroic actions of those around him it’s how the people have come together,” he says We’ve been lucky with our customers and how the local community have responded If they were panicking it would have been awful When businesses asked for help to give out to poorer parts of the community In addition to all their work in the community Pratik and his team remained dedicated to satisfying the needs of their customers “We have paper round deliveries - the demographic is 70 plus,” says Pratik “They reached out to us [for food deliveries] and we were happy to oblige In the first wave people were scared and a lot of customers were shielding Staff capped the number of essential products people could buy in order to try and control the situation bread -  to make it fair and to ensure that we could service the maximum number of customers,” he says “We made a promise of having availability every day We have a huge range in store so we have a lot of suppliers to ensure availability Other businesses just have one or two sources of delivery but I had to put restrictions on it.”  The store’s symbol group was also supportive I have to give it to them,” says Pratik.  His father Jay also had an important role to play “He’s been there 40 years and he creates a calmness The team did their best to maintain constant communication with customers in order to help them remain calm “There were some points where people needed things explained - they just hadn’t experienced it before and they were scared,” says Pratik “It was the media as well - even in September there’d be one picture of the one shop where one shelf emptied out It would go nationwide and it’s irresponsible I knew on the frontline I could order a million toilet rolls there was a bit of common sense prevailing.” Ensuring there were enough staff to keep shelves full and manage remote orders while maintaining social distancing was tough “The biggest challenge was trying to keep the equilibrium - keeping the balance correct,” says Pratik “We had to reduce staffing when we were busier - we had to take precautions as were given by the government now it was taking 20 because of social distancing.” The store cut its customer-facing hours to buy it more time “We kept our original hours (from six til 10) but opened to public from eight to nine and used the extra time to fill Restricting the number of customers allowed in store also drained resources “Then you had to stand on the door and stop people coming in,” he says “Before you’d only dream of people queuing up at Christmas!” The constant pressure took its toll on everyone people kept buying it - a lot of us lost weight Keeping the operationality going was the hard bit There was no point going to cash & carries - it was so busy You’d go in and they’d let you have one toilet roll “Balancing family life was very difficult,” he adds “The schools were shut and my wife was looking after the kids from morning til night - all credit to her Customers were emotionally overwhelmed too “Once a lady was crying in the shop,” he says “When I asked why it was because she didn’t expect to get everything [but she had].” Pratik came across a man welling up in-store He said: ‘If you hadn’t delivered we’d have starved!’ He had money but he’d been shielding and was so scared of leaving the house,” explains Pratik.  Every convenience store did something in some way I think we underestimate how much good we can do.”  Pratik has kept some of the changes in place “We’ll definitely keep masks on and carry on with our cleaning regime,” he says “Because we’re in a family area I think a lot of people will keep them on People are a lot more educated now and taking on that individual responsibility.” but staff no longer have to stay afterwards “We now close at nine in the evening and staff go home - it’s about getting the life work balance,” says Pratik.  Home delivery has also become a permanent service with the family investing in a new website and online store Pratik has been heartened to find that the business has retained some of the customers gained during lockdown “The learnings from the customer side is customer loyalty - we’ve learned that it’s amazing,” he says “At the height of the pandemic when we were delivering - out to 100 10 or 15 keep coming to us because we helped them That’s shown us a new side that I thought was moving away We’ve learned that community is still strong.” This show of support has spurred him onwards we should provide that service as demand changes “Every business person that survived and came out of the pandemic well He claims that the store’s community work was central to the team’s mental wellbeing “It’s good to have a balance and help others it keeps you sane and keeps you good.”  Register today to gain unlimited access to articles and to receive our great range of email newsletters Register now Site powered by Webvision Cloud Schools say increasing numbers of children are turning up sick because of dire housing conditions – if they turn up at all others by the smell of sewage leaking down their walls “It was midnight and he came to me crying,” said his mother He is one of more than 3,800 children living in temporary accommodation in Lewisham the council with the 10th highest number of children living in such housing in the UK 142,000 homeless children are living in places like commercial hotels after rents and no-fault evictions have soared across the country Schools have seen the impact of this first-hand. Last week, a National Education Union survey found that 59% of teachers in England and Wales had seen their students experience frequent ill health due to poverty, with housing a major factor. In Lewisham, south London, 11 headteachers have signed a letter organised by local community group Lewisham Citizens to the council declaring that a local housing emergency is jeopardising the health of their students Temporary housing supplied to a mother and children Photograph: Martin Godwin/The GuardianBeecroft Garden primary school is a microcosm of Lewisham as a whole About one in five children at the school live in temporary accommodation a gentrified pocket of the borough where a small bridge divides multimillion-pound homes and council estates affluent homes while others are being shifted around by the council or forced to live in squalor by negligent landlords Where a child calls home has become increasingly clear by the condition they turn up to school in Naomi Lothian Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian“Some children are unable to bathe or wash their clothes A lot of them are worried that their friends will know how they’re living It’s drastic on their physical and mental health,” said Naomi Lothian across the bridge that divides the area into up-and-coming and left behind She is on the frontline of a housing crisis affecting the school’s poorest students Those living in homes with damp and mould are coming into local schools with coughs and chest infections others are being bitten by mice and rats in pest-filled homes When the Guardian visited the school last month Lothian was zooming around dealing with the needs of numerous students under her watch Two boys at the school had been living in mould-filled rat-infested temporary accommodation for over a year with their mother They had had no electricity or hot water for months after rats had bitten through wires and damaged the boiler Their mother was bitten twice by rats and her three-year-old son had had repeated chest infections due to the mould Her older son did not attend school for two weeks after being woken up by rats on his chest rat droppings were visible on the floor and sofa and large holes in the floor and walls where rodents roamed remained exposed The family were sent to live there by Southwark council The letting agency that manages the property on behalf of the private landlord ignored the complaints about rats and mould Lothian was told that the family were being rehoused nearby Moments after signing the new tenancy agreement the family’s current landlord rang up to say they needed to leave the property within 24 hours Temporary accommodation for many families is no longer temporary Data obtained by the Guardian through freedom of information requests shows that in Lewisham 297 households had been in temporary accommodation for more than five years by the end of 2023 1,006 households spent more than five years in such housing the majority of students live in social housing others live in rooms blighted by damp and leaking sewage One seven-year-old girl lives in a single room with her mother They were put into temporary accommodation four years ago by Lewisham council “They put us in that building and abandoned us there,” said her mother Cheryl Powell with her son Jaheen Photograph: Andy Hall/The ObserverHer daughter often wakes up in the night due to the smell of sewage and has injured herself playing in the cramped room “She was doing a handstand and she banged her mouth I just lock myself in the bathroom and cry because I don’t want my daughter to see me said some of her students have developed chronic asthma due to damp and mould and others have been bitten by mice or bedbugs The Guardian spoke to a number of parents at the school who shared similar stories lives in a flat with one working window that was so mould-infested a mushroom grew out of the doorway Teachers say the council has been sending families out of the borough These students often arrive exhausted and end up missing school was sent to live in temporary accommodation in Woolwich two years ago She has to take three buses to bring her son Jaheen to school School doesn’t start until 8:45am,” she said on the bus home before sleeping shortly after getting in Rosaline Fofornah is a supervisor at the school She lives in a mould-infested council home “It’s going to make me and my children sick,” she said staying put in such conditions is their only option “I’ve got so many families that are literally living on top of each other They either try to get private accommodation There is literally nowhere to go,” said Lothian Rosaline Fofornah at the door of her bathroom Photograph: Andy Hall/The ObserverSouthwark council said they were made aware of the issues at the home in Crofton Park in February and agreed that the family should be moved after visiting the property They were moved “as soon as alternative housing was found in early March” A Lewisham council spokesperson said: “We expect our temporary housing whether managed directly by us or leased from the private sector and we apologise to the families we have let down in these cases “Lewisham council is buying back and building new social homes in the borough as well as making substantial and ongoing investment in maintaining and improving our existing housing stock Our budget for 2024/25 allocates around £80m to spend on improvements.” 22/11/21 - updated with Yard Sale opening date There's even more pizza on the way as two of London's favourites expand with a couple of new openings.  Their new place there is an 85-seater restaurant and you can have Neapolitan pizzas that include: Yard Sale are getting ready for their ninth pizzeria When do they open? Pizza Pilgrims: 5 November 2021 Yard Sale: 22 November 2021 (50% off Yard Sale pizza delivery from 22-24 Nov and 29 Nov - 1 Dec) Find out more: Follow them on Instagram @yardsalepizza and @pizzapilgrims Subscribe to be the first to get the news from Hot Dinners Please enable the javascript to submit this form By signing up you agree to our privacy policy View on Google maps View on Google maps About us  |  Contact Us  |  RSS Feed  | 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Please enable the javascript to submit this form By signing up you agree to our privacy policy See our previous newsletters here News | Crime Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice A man has been rushed to hospital after he was stabbed in Crofton Park Police were called to Brockley Grove by London Ambulance Service just before 9pm on Thursday after paramedics found the man had suffered stab injuries and police were awaiting an update on his condition on Thursday night One neighbour said: "I arrived home around 9pm Brockley Grove at Merritt Road was cordoned off down towards the cemetery with a handful of police officers and a van and couple of cars "A policewoman said a young man had been stabbed." Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer New visa crackdown as Home Office plans to restrict applications from nationalities most likely to overstay New visa crackdown as Home Office plans to restrict applications London student nurse's roommate charged with her murder in Texas after fatal stabbing 'in row over cat' Roommate charged after London student nurse stabbed to death in Texas plays a starring role in Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’ Christmas music video ALREADY HAVE A REGISTERED USER ACCOUNT? PLEASE LOG IN HERE Registration is quick and easy and provides access to:  Register for free Important protections against unscrupulous landlords have been introduced in Lewisham after the Government approved a new property licensing scheme.  Around 20,000 private properties will fall under the London Borough of Lewisham Selective Licensing Designation which covers 16 wards across the borough: Brockley According to the designation landlords of certain property types will have to apply for a licence and be subject to property inspections to ensure that the appropriate number of people or households live on the property as well as meet certain health and safety standards Landlords who do not comply may face prosecution or may have their property taken under the control of the Council This comes after Eatlondonlines reported on a pregnant single mother subjected to poor housing in Lewisham Labour Councillor and Lewisham Cabinet Member for Housing Management and Homelessness said in a statement by the Council: “With 1 in 4 households in Lewisham renting privately improving standards in the private rented sector is a vital part of our work to tackle the housing crisis Our new licensing scheme will help ensure private rented properties are fit for purpose and empower us to take action against those landlords who fail to fulfil their responsibilities”.  Cooper went on say on X that the scheme will “improve conditions for private tenants across Lewisham and hold bad landlords to account”.   This is timely given Mayor Sadiq Khan and Deputy Mayor Tom Copley’s recent condemnation of unliveable conditions faced by a tenant in Lewisham. A pregnant single mother of two was living for a year in a mould-infested flat without heating or hot water highlighting the importance of introducing stricter regulations for private landlords The new scheme will cover “nearly all” privately rented properties there are notable exceptions such as certain types of houses in multiple occupation According to the designation: “If you are a landlord or if you require information regarding these designations further information and assistance is available from the Council’s Private Sector Licensing and Housing Enforcement Team by telephone on 020 8314 6420 or by email to PSHE@lewisham.gov.uk or by writing to Private Sector Licensing and Housing Enforcement The Crofton Park Transport User Group (CPTUG) has initiated a campaign pushing for a better service at Crofton Park station the station receives on average two or fewer trains per hour despite the annual number of passengers using the station being about 900,000 This means that passenger demands are not being met Crofton Park is one of only seven out of 149 Zone 3 stations with such a low frequency of trains The Lewisham suburb is an appealing area for families and young people with attractions such as the Rivoli Ballroom and Brockley Jack theatre creating flow to and from the area Its proximity to the City- a journey time of 20 minutes to and from the City Thameslink- has made it increasingly popular Other South East London stations have benefited from the London recent Overground extensions upgrade which has connected Highbury & Islington to Crystal Palace The CPTUG believes that overcrowding due to insufficient train frequency will only become worse once the Catford Greyhound Stadium housing development takes shape told East London Lines: “We always find people are shocked by how close we are to the centre of London yet how mind-bogglingly difficult it is to get there reliably – or to get back at all after a night out.” He added: “Surely workers in one of the world’s leading financial centres in the 21st century should not be in a position where they have to wait an hour to get into work when a single train’s been cancelled?” The CPTUG was set up by a group of  dissatisfied commuters They have since then demonstrated how  service frequency at Crofton Park station is underestimated by almost 50 per cent with evidence showing that the service at Crofton Park station has fundamentally deteriorated over the past 40 years the CPTUG is calling upon all local user groups “The community can insist on a fair deal by asking their councillors MPs and GLA members to write to the Transport Secretary stating that all of London deserves decent transport” The goal is to upgrade the service by having at least four trains per hour stop at Crofton Park and a last train to Crofton Park at or after midnight Without change South London residents are getting less than half the service of other Zone 3 ticket holders for he same money Read and participate in the campaign The online home for all things Brockley (SE4) A Royal British Legion clubhouse that held “loud late-night parties” is to be bulldozed for flats Lewisham will be replaced with six apartments in a three-storey building The ground floor of the new building will be home to a smaller community space The clubhouse set to be demolished hasn’t been used by the Royal British Legion for four years suggested scrapping the condition to ban music from being played in the new community hall But other councillors disagreed due to neighbours’ concerns about noise the Royal British Legion’s agent for the application said the current building was no longer fit for purpose He said: “Due to the decline in clubhouses in general this property has been vacant for approximately four years it has suffered numerous thefts and break-ins It is also suffering from subsidence and has structural defects.” An all-Labour Party planning committee approved the development plans Picture top: CGI of planned flats and community centre at Crofton Park (Picture: Lewisham council) Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times This south-east London urban 'village' is within an easy commute of the city has great schools and a strong community spirit Homes & Property | Where to live Caught between Camberwell College of Arts and Goldsmiths Brockley has a well-deserved arty reputation and many people who rent in the area as students like it enough to stay on and settle a rare surviving example of an intact Fifties ballroom Its kitsch red interior brings high-profile acts and their fans to this south-east London neighbourhood The Rivoli is where English indie rock band Florence + The Machine launched their debut album Damon Albarn and Noel Gallagher have also played there in recent years Brockley Open Studios is an annual summer showcase when local artists open their doors to the public in picturesque mews linking the wide tree-lined roads of Brockley conservation area “Very villagey and community-driven — a secret gem.” This is how estate agent Simon Smith of the local Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward office The neighbourhood sits six miles south-east of central London Catford to the south and Nunhead and East Dulwich to the west Dominating the district are two conservation areas The Brockley conservation area has Victorian houses Breakspears Road and Tressillian Road; to Arts & Crafts-inspired homes around Hilly Fields park St John’s conservation area is far more self-contained New-build homesOpposite Brockley station and close to being ready to move into 180 Brockley Road is a mixed-use development with 25 apartments a new Sainsbury’s Local store and two small office units A couple of one-bedroom homes and two flats with two bedrooms remain with prices ranging from £400,000 to £455,000 contact Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward on 020 3486 2250 says many student renters stay in Brockley after graduating “We also get a lot of creative people who work in Shoreditch as it is an easy commute on the Overground "Families often want to rent near popular Prendergast girls’ comprehensive.” SE4 is the Brockley postcode; it also includes Honor Oak and part of Ladywell Drake Road and Darling Road have large four-storey Victorian semi-detached houses Estate agent Simon Smith from the local branch of Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward says the step up from a two-bedroom flat in Brockley to a house could be as much as £200,000 — it’s a lot to pay and forces many families out of the area even though they increasingly want to stay There are a number of infill council blocks in the Brockley conservation area where right-to-buy flats attract rental investors and first-time buyers Brockley station on the Overground has trains to Shoreditch High St and Highbury & Islington Crofton Park station has Thameslink services to Blackfriars (22 mins) and St Pancras (32 mins) St John’s station trains take 11-13 minutes to London Bridge and 12-19 minutes to Cannon St Elverson Road on the DLR has direct trains to Canary Wharf St John’s and Elverson Road are in Zone 2 — annual travelcard £1,296 Crofton Park is in Zone 3 — annual travelcard £1,520 and Band D council tax for the 2015/2016 year is £1,378.66 with locals making for Brockley Market in Lewisham Way for the weekend food shopping with many stopping for breakfast or lunch at one of the food vans Brockley Road itself has numerous independent coffee shops that are always busy and the Brockley station area has Browns of Brockley café and delis Dégustation and The Brockley Deli a monthly farmers’ market and a standing stone circle erected to celebrate the Millennium Ladywell Fields and Brookmill Park have the river Ravensbourne running through them and are connected to the Waterlink Way an eight-mile pedestrian and cycle route from Sydenham to the Thames The Jack Studio Theatre in The Brockley Jack pub is a leading fringe theatre which runs an annual festival of new writing A new cinema opened in New Cross in January The Brockley Max is the annual community arts festival celebrating local talent and this year it is scheduled to run from May 27 to June 4 Last year it ran in conjunction with a street art campaign to “bring back Bob” — recreating a much-loved mural of the late reggae star Bob Marley that had been destroyed to make way for new housing an annual event showcasing the work of local artists kicks off this year with a private view on June 29 at St Peter’s Church followed by open studio events from July 2-4 Brockley’s state primary schools are all judged “good” or better by Ofsted parents are particularly keen on Beecroft Garden Primary School in Beecroft Road and also Gordonbrock Primary in Amyruth Road The other “outstanding” local primary schools are: John Stainer in Mantle Road; Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham Temple Grove Free School in New Cross There are three “outstanding” local comprehensive schools: Prendergast Hilly Fields (girls ages 11 to 18) in Adelaide Avenue; Harris Girls’ Academy (ages 11 to 18) in East Dulwich and Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham College (co-ed Constellations A summer barbeque is always where Marianne and Roland first meet unlikely connection between the quantum physicist and beekeeper begins every single choice could start or end their story but which decision makes all the difference Constellations follows the affair of occasional star-crossed lovers The play premiered at the Royal Court in 2012 to great critical acclaim and went on to win the Evening Standard Award for Best Play Nick Payne is a screenwriter and playwright starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh was released in early 2025 and has been hugely successful He is currently developing a new project with See-Saw and has various features in development Nick’s play Constellations transferred to the West End and Broadway in 2015 Nick adapted Julian Barnes’s The Sense Of An Ending for BBC Films which was released in 2017 starring Jim Broadbent and his BBC one show Wanderlust starred Toni Colette – an adaptation of his own play he wrote a feature film for Blueprint – The Last Letter From Your Lover starring Callum Turner and Shailene Woodley Home Time Jennifer is waiting for her son to return home from school it becomes clear there is something she hasn’t told us Hendon’s writing is first class in this surprising brought to life theatrically by director Paula Chitty and actress A finalist at The Kenneth Branagh Award in 2017 where it was hailed a triumph Room – A Journey into the Creative Mind of Virginia Woolf written and performed by Heather Alexander Virginia Woolf is abruptly ordered off the grass and refused entry to the library Woolf interrogates the crushing injustice of women living in 1920’s Britain With an incisive mix of integrity and visceral charm Woolf forms her ideas about Shakespeare’s Sister Charlotte Bronte and Aphra Behn among others Alexander reminds us that the issues at the heart of A Room of One’s Own remain as relevant today as they were a hundred years ago Emul8 Theatre Company challenges boundaries seeking to engage the audience in a dialogue around themes of justice offering new writing around current issues They also dramatise and adapt existing iconic texts making them accessible and relevant to a contemporary audience Emul8 seeks to interrogate prejudices and stereotypical representations through thought-provoking and innovative text and staging Game Play produced by Kitchen Revolt Productions With the first date spice’o’meter off the charts Dom’s trying to write the rules on love Dom tightens his grip in a game of pop music and power This young couple can’t stop rolling the dice What have you got left to lose when you gamble with your heart Strap in as we find out who can handle the most heat ‘Cus who knew heaven was also full of burning playful and innovative productions that ignite meaningful conversations We aim to uplift underrepresented artists by colouring out the margins scribbling through the lines and building a playground for working-class joy to become an act of resistance Desmond’s Scared of the Smoking Sea ★★★★ & Standing Ovation Nomination from London Pub Theatres There is a Light and a Whistle for Attracting Attention produced by Play Nicely Theatre  Stories of girls and women and men and Love she knows the script and she’s ready But things are starting to go wrong and the stories she’s been told don’t serve her anymore There is a Light and a Whistle for Attracting Attention is brought to you by award-nominated Play Nicely Theatre (Splinter Play Nicely Theatre was founded to tell stories old and new They return to the Jack Studio following their hit 2023 tour of Bruntwood Judge’s Prize winner Martha Loader’s play Splinter which was a Finalist in the London Pub Theatre Standing Ovation Awards and awarded an Offcomm Press for previous production Splinter at the Jack Press The announcement is in a few hours’ time and film producers David and Kate anticipate their prestigious Civil War epic Catch Me Some Freedom will be nominated for plenty of Goldies they learn that the film’s heroic lead role Fearing an intense and career-jeopardizing backlash David and Kate frantically try to avoid public scrutiny and keep the film from getting any attention whatsoever Featuring award-winning writer and performer Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller as David this “comedic yet poignant” Hollywood satire returns acclaimed as “genius” (★★★★★ Broadway Baby) with “a wonderful set-up” that “delivers in every manner” (★★★★★ Violet Curtain) Black Bat Productions has been creating theatre since 2017 and has been behind a broad range of sharp and acclaimed approach to original storytelling Previous productions include: 1950s jazz noir Mack The Knife Twilight-Zone-inspired mystery Technicolor 1960s fashion-industry caper Nines and contemporary comedy-drama The Kindness of Strangers Black Bat Productions has seen two of its pieces published in 2024 by Methuen Drama: 1970s set play-with-songs In Everglade Studio and Hitchcock-esque noir thriller Port City Signature What's on Reviews Articles Theatre News Pub theatre profiles Getting into Theatre SO Award Nominations LPT Award Winners LPT Awards 2022 in pictures Subscribe to Newsletter Advertise with us Getting into theatre Our Team Request a reviewer Contact We are very proud to announce that LONDON PUB THEATRES MAGAZINE is now an OFFIE AWARD WINNING publication A ONEOFF Special Award (February 2024) has been awarded to London Pub Theatres Magazine and Editor Heather Jeffery for providing a vital forum for highlighting the excellent work that happens in rooms in pubs and an acute sense of the importance of tiny fringe venues to the health and development of British Theatre London pub theatres magazine is published in Rickmansworth by London Pub Theatres Magazine Ltd  ISSN 2977-6724  Brockley residents form a human chain to promote making the area safer pic: Helen Crane and politicians formed a human chain across Brockley today to encourage co-operation between young people and local shopkeepers Children holding hands across Crofton Park chanted “Lewisham before being given a signal by a police helicopter taking pictures overhead The chain of schoolchildren then read in unison: “These are our shops The event was orchestrated as part of the City Safe Haven scheme The campaign was set up by community action group ‘London Citizens’ together with the family of Jimmy Mizen a 16 year old who was murdered at a bakery near his home in Lee Around 60 shops in Brockley and Catford are involved in the scheme which encourages shopkeepers to make their premises a ‘safe haven’ This means they will shut their doors and contact police if a young person who feels threatened or is in trouble comes in So far there are 250 registered ‘safe havens’ across London including Lewisham Town Hall and City Hall teacher at Prendergast-Ladywell Fields College and organiser of the event described the human chain as: “a celebration of good people who want to stay good people and do good things “We are trying to create a relationship between kids and shopkeepers – we want them to see each other as friends If people know each others names and spend time with each other Some of the schools in attendance included Prendergast-Ladywell Fields College Attending the event was also Heidi Alexander owner of the Budgens convenience store on Brockley Road in Crofton Park has been involved with the City Safe Haven scheme since its inception “I have had a shop here for nearly 30 years all the children who come in after school at three o’clock get to know me “Often I would see the boys and girls fighting on the road Patel added that he had seen a positive change in the area thanks to the City Safe Haven scheme “I would say 5 per cent of the children in the area are a problem I don’t have to worry about kids in my shop now.” “We are a part of a big local family; these are our children I want them to be proud of Crofton Park and then come back and do something for the community.” Council budget cuts have seen many borough’s beloved free firework displays cancelled, including at Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets, Clissold Park in Hackney and on Blackheath in Lewisham But all is not lost for this year’s autumn festivities Eastlondonlines has rounded up firework events across the boroughs as well as plenty of other ways to celebrate the season Hill Station Cafe will be hosting their Annual Halloween Disco complete with spooky songs Arrive in your scariest costume and use the cafe as a base for your trick or treating on the hill Hill Station Cafe will also be hosting their regular Jazz Jam on the Hill on Bonfire Night Find out more/book: https://hillstationcafe.co.uk/live-events-%26-hire Halloween Arts and Crafts at Crofton Park Library Join Crofton Park Library for some seasonally spooky arts with 3D witches Find out more/book: https://www.croftonparklibrary.org.uk/events/spooky-halloween-workshop-for-children-5-years-p4jka Pumpkin Lanterns Light Up at Curve Garden Catch this amazing display of carved jack o lanterns from now until Halloween night and grab a hot drink from the Garden’s cafe/bar to warm your hands Find out more/book: https://dalstongarden.org/carve-a-pumpkin-for-display-in-the-garden/ Hackney Hauntings – Spooky Tales with Hackney Archives Join The Friends of Hackney Archives as they tell some spooky tales of Hackney Hear about the many spiritualists who called Hackney home the ghostly nurse at the Mothers Hospital and exorcisms in Stuart times “The history of Hackney isn’t a trick Find out more/book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hackney-history-talk-hackney-hauntings-a-spooky-halloween-event-tickets-732698830927?aff=oddtdtcreator Beckenham Fireworks in the Park is a family-friendly fireworks display that has been running since 1946  There is a quieter display at 6pm with fireworks for smaller children – with some small bangs – and the main firework display at 7.45pm.  Both displays are set to music With a funfair and over 20 food stalls there is something for everybody Find out more/book: https://beckenhamfireworks.com/ Join the Couldson Community Partnership for a series of Halloween surprises for all ages including a trick or treating trail Find out more/book:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/coulsdons-trick-or-treat-2023-tickets-528320941157 Many residents are feeling the loss of Victoria Park’s famous annual fireworks display Waltham Forest is now one of the closest spots for Tower Hamlets and Hackney residents to catch some luminous festive action Join thousands of guests to see the Grade II Town Hall building illuminated with lights and fire effects backed by an original musical performance Find out more/book: https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/events/waltham-forest-light-show-spectacular Halloween Film Screenings at Genesis Cinema Catch a screening of the classic 1976 horror or dark zombie filled comedy One Cut of the Dead, for a truly scary Halloween evening Find out more/book: https://www.genesiscinema.co.uk/events–seasons/ Cofton Park Christmas Tree Pic:Joceline Perrot Lewisham Council has been accused of spoiling the borough’s Christmas trees by placing unsightly traffic management barriers around them The evergreen trunks are surrounded by plastic barriers which according to one councillor is in accordance with tree provider Skanska’s health and safety regulations the fences round the trees in Crofton Park and Ladywell totally detract from the tree – the trees might as well not be there,” said Jenny Wood “Everyone locally is talking – and laughing – about it it’s actually quite sad – is this what we’ve come to?!” told ELL that the council was not to blame: “We have bought the tree from Skanska and we must abide by their health and safety regulations.” of a young girl almost hit by a falling tree as the reason for enforcing such safety barriers She insisted these measures would prevent a tree falling The fences are around a metre tall; while the trees amount to over 10 feet tall Skanska currently hold a 25-year street light renewal infrastructure contract in Lewisham Their illuminating expertise was requisitioned this Christmas to provide the trees that the council appear to be unable to provide themselves Photographs of the Christmas trees caused a furore across social media a Brockley blogger wrote: “Lewisham Council: If you have so little faith in your citizens that you don’t credit them with sufficient Christmas spirit to avoid violating a conifer or sense enough not to crash into one The flimsy structures have been derided on Twitter with one user exclaiming “He’s not coming over here and sticking his presents under our tree #brexittree.” ‘He’s not coming over here and shoving his presents under our tree!’ #brexittree #croftonpark #christmas pic.twitter.com/Dud9eb68Fi — Adam Mitchenall (@AdamPMitch) December 3, 2016 Another user highlighted the marked difference between the Christmas trees in Hackney and Lewisham #Dalston tree vs #CroftonPark tree. @LewishamCouncil pls note the lack of ugly safety barriers! #freethetree pic.twitter.com/KVKmxNDaMF — Jenny Wood (@WoodyJen) December 5, 2016 If the tree in Ladywell is anything of an indicator, then Lewisham may well struggle to rid themselves of last years label of provider of the UK’s most depressing tree Both Lewisham Council and Skanska did not respond to requests for comment When the Bartholomews realised they were living a village lifestyle in the heart of Zone 3 they started their search for a bigger home much further afield renting and decorating in London from our award-winning experts During the pandemic Katie and Karl Bartholomew came to realise that although they loved London they no longer really used or needed it The couple were happily settled in Crofton Park in the south-east London Borough of Lewisham “It had always been at the back of our minds that we might move out maybe when the children were closer to secondary school age,” explained Kate “Lockdown made us realise that we were already living a village lifestyle – going to local shops seeing local friends – even though we were in London The family had bought their three-bedroom terraced house for just over £450,000 in 2013 and added two extra bedrooms with a loft extension but the problem was that the downstairs was very unbalanced,” said Katie but we didn’t want to do a side return extension because it was going to cost something like £100,000 for just a very small amount of extra space.” the idea of moving closer to their respective families in the north and Midlands “We felt we would not get any more for our money there than we had in London,” said Katie So they did what all smart buyers do if they are priced out of their chosen location and looked along the train line for an affordable, nearby option. This brought them to the West Sussex village of Hassocks two stops inland from Brighton and on the fringes of the South Downs “We did some research and found Hassocks has brilliant “It is only around ten minutes by train to Brighton quaint Sussex village like Ditchling or Hurstpierpoint but in a way we quite liked that it had a bit of a Londony feel to it.” Leaving London: this family swapped ‘spiritual home’ Hackney for York — and now save £2,600 a month on rent Leaving London: ‘We left because of air pollution and love our new home on the edge of the South Downs’ Buying guide: everything you need to know about buying property in Mallorca - home of the ‘Golden Visa’ Last summer the couple sold their Crofton Park house for £806,000 with plenty of living space and a large garden useful for when Katie and Karl are required at their respective offices and they can also easily walk to Hassocks’ shops and cafes So far the move is working well although starting a new life in a new location does require some effort. Katie has made friends with other parents at the children’s school, and has also connected with other newbie Hassocks residents via the hugely popular Facebook group Life After London She also uses a co-working space in Brighton one day per week while Karl has joined a local football team birthday party or organization outing at a community park or regional park Discover the perfect outdoor covered pavilion in Anne Arundel County Many of our community parks and regional parks feature one or more pavilions with grills and picnic tables graduation party or celebration in one of our parks.  Open the Facility Details link to find the pavilion of your choice Reservation & Facility Details ActiveNet Account Instructions Park Pavilion Rules and Regulations Find parks by name or by type of activity or parks near your home.