Friday, 30 September 2011

We're getting a Waitrose in Vauxhall...


Really!!! We're getting a Waitrose! Albeit a small one. And not until November 2012. So anything could happen. But YES!!! We're getting a Waitrose!

The 148 bedroom Travelodge being built next to the Big Issue offices at the bus station will have a WAITROSE below it.

According to the developer's website "the retail element of the scheme has been pre-let to Waitrose".

And sure enough, Waitrose has put in a licensing application with the Council.

We're getting a Waitrose!

SW8 gentrification now official.

Thursday, 29 September 2011

What's On This Weekend

Friday / Saturday (30 Sep /1 Oct 2011)

If your curiosity for imaginatively bankrupt, dull, densely populated, overbearing buildings is yet to be sated then the Nine Elms - Parkside public exhibition should do the trick. This is the redevelopment of the Royal Mail site off Nine Elms Lane.
  • Friday 30th September 2pm-6pm
  • Saturday 1st October  10am-4pm
All Saints Church, 100 Prince of Wales Drive, London SW11 4BD

Friday 30 Sep 2011 7pm-9pm: 
The opening of the new Hartington Road gallerywww.hartingtonroad.co.uk

Saturday 1 Oct 2011 10.30-12.30
The Friends of Vauxhall Park Open Meeting at Ashmole Tenants Association Hall, 2 Meadow Road. All welcome.

Items on the agenda include proposals for a new orchard, the future of the flower beds in the lavender garden area and how to work effectively with the Council in the face on on going budget cut. Plus the Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea Opportunity Area proposals that will affect the park - particularly the plans for 30/60 South Lambeth Road..

"We would particularly like to invite you to come along if you are interested in joining the committee.  The current committee members are already overstretched and we especially need people who could help us with our charitable status and fundraising projects."


Saturday 1 Oct 2011 10.00-5.00
Lambeth Archives Open Day at Lambeth Archives, Minet Library, 52 Knatchbull Road, London SE5 9QY

Exhibition: Festival in Lambeth

10am to 5pm: An exhibition of watercolours, photographs, photos and objects from the archives' collections celebrating Festival in Lambeth over time: from the 18th century entertainments at Vauxhall Gardens and Lambeth's other pleasure gardens, its fairs, pageants and popular entertainers, through to the Victorian crowds at the Crystal Palace and the local church garden party, and on to the Festival of Britain, the various Royal jubilees and visits and the Lambeth Country Show. Whatever the century, people have always loved a spectacle! 

Talks

A programme of talks running through the day, mainly linking into our theme of Festival in Lambeth.

10.30am Malign Fiesta: the crowds who came to the gallows and gibbets of south London, Jon Newman
11.15am Charles Edward Brooke: a Lambeth vicar and his legacy, Will Ollard
12 noon Gay Pride in Lambeth: the Gay Pride marches of the 1970s and 80s, Bill Thorneycroft
2.00pm The Art of Celebration: patriotism on display at Vauxhall Gardens, David Coke
2.45pm Michael Tippett and the 1937 Brockwell Park Music Festival, Peter Bradley
3.30pm After the Crystal Palace: a century of London's great exhibitions, Brian Bloice
4.15pm The Festival of Britain: 'bread and circuses' for a post-war world, Len Reilly

Films

12.45 to 2pm A mix of short films from the archives and contemporary work by local film makers including:
Bonnington Square, a history of the 1980s squats by Alistair Oldham, 2011
Stall Stories, a film about Brixton Market
Saida's Story, a Ugandan refugee in Clapham, from the Clapham Film Unit's UG2LON project, 2011

Workshops

Informative workshops by local experts on how to get started with your research.
11am Introduction to House History by Len Reilly, Lambeth Archives
12 noon Photographs and memories: creating a community archive, Fiona Price, Lambeth Archives
2pm Introduction to Caribbean Family History, Kelly Foster of Caribbean Family History Group - Lambeth. 
Local Societies stands and book stalls
10am to 5pm: Organisations present include Black Cultural Archives, Brixton Society, Clapham Society, East Surrey Family History Society, Herne Hill Society, Norwood Society and Streatham Society.

www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/LeisureCulture/LocalHistory/LambethArchivesOpenDay.htm?WT.mc_id=archivesopenday

Saturday/Sunday 1/2 October 2011 10.00-6.00
Lambeth Artists Open Day
The creative community of Lambeth open their studios, homes and work spaces to the public. Exhibitors will include painters, print makers, photographers, digital artists, ceramists, video artists, glass makers, embroiderers, mixed media, and jewellers. Discover the many hidden creative gems tucked away in our neighbourhoods.

www.lambethopen.com

Sunday, 25 September 2011

Green Drinks for Vauxhall/Stockwell and surrounds - 28th September



Emily of GreenSW8 writes:

Er, no, sorry the drinks aren’t green, but hopefully the conversation will be!

Come along to an informal get together – a chance to meet locals, get to know each other and chat about what projects people are already doing or would like to do in the future.  All welcome, whether you feel a committed greenie, or just a bit curious!

If you have any seeds you want to swap, bring them along.... I have some wildflowers and rocket seeds!

We’ll be on the top floor of the Priory Arms – they serve pub food as well as drinks.

This Green Drinks is organised by GreenSW8 who recently organised a cycle powered cinema and sustainability zone at Stockwell Festival.  Future events may include film screenings and a local DIY draft-proofing day.

Green Drinks.  Weds 28th Sept 2011 at The Priory Arms, (Top Floor) 83 Lansdowne Way, Stockwell, London, SW8 2PB  7.30 – 9.30pm (ish!)

projectdirt.com/events/green-drinks-vauxhall-stockwell-and-surrounds
projectdirt.com/group/greensw8

Sainsbury's submits redevelopment planning application



A shedload of Brownie Points go to Rosemary at Albert Square for spotting that a planning application for the Sainsbury's redevelopment has been submitted to Lambeth Council.

As previously noted it features three towers (19, 28 and 37 storeys) and leaves room for Nine Elms tube station.

You can find the details of the application here. The most readable bit is this PDF document although it's over 50MB in size so you may have to be patient (it's easier if you download it and read it offline).

Summary:
A part detailed and part outline planning application comprising: Full detailed planning permission for the demolition of the existing retail store and petrol station to allow for the erection of a replacement retail store (7,432msq net trading floorspace (13,059msq gross internal floor area), childrens tutoring facility (298msq), lobby/circulation space (1,707msq), energy centre (779msq), flexible retail, community floorspace (787msq), business, office floorspace (1,860msq) and 671 residential units with ancillary gymnasium (369msq) arranged in seven blocks including towers of 19, 28 and 37 storeys. 
Also proposed are 363 retail and 148 residential parking spaces, 882 cycle spaces together with associated open space, childrens play space, landscaping and public realm improvements along Wandsworth Road and a new route from Wandsworth Road to New Covent Garden.
Outline planning permission (with appearance, landscaping and access to be Reserved Matters) for 105msq of flexible A1, A2, A3, A4, D1 floorspace and 66 dwellings within 2 blocks. In addition outline planning permission is also sought for a further 1736msq of flexible floorspace for use in association with either the proposed Nine Elms Northern Line station or A1, A2, A3, A4, D1 use.

Friday, 23 September 2011

Laser cutting design exhibition in Vauxhall

CutLaserCut studio-43
If you're into design or merely nosey about what's on your doorstep then you may be interested  to know that Cut Laser Cut under the railway arches at Vauxhall  is holding a Client Showcase Open Studio.

As its names suggests, Cut Laser Cut is a laser cutting service for the design industry. Their lasers can cut or engrave intricate designs on a wide range of materials including acrylic, plastics, wood, foam, paper, card, fabrics, rubber and cork.

The result can be anything from shoes to lampshades to dehydrated banana leaf doilies.

The Open Studio is being held as part of London Design Festival and showcases new work from recent designers projects. It ends tomorrow (Sat 24th September 2011)

Cut Laser Cut Arch 45b, South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1SR CutLaserCut.com  More pics on Flickr


CutLaserCut studio -19

Thursday, 22 September 2011

Live in Nine Elms? Want some elms?


The Conservation Foundation's Ulmus Londinium project aims to record exisiting elms within London, replant more, and raise awareness of their heritage.

The foundation has 750 elm saplings to give away during 2012 to Londoners that live in a place with Elm in their name. The giveaway aims to increase the capital's elm population and celebrates the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Foundation's own 30th anniversary.

The Foundation also hopes to create a comprehensive guide of surviving elms within the M25. According to the map no-one has so far spotted any elms at all in Nine Elms so if you know of any, you might add them to the National History Museum's Urban Tree Survey.

Dutch Elm Disease ravaged Britain during the early 1970s, leading to the death of most mature English elm within a decade.


Lambeth Talk: article on the Tradescants

The current edition of Lambeth Talk (September 2011) contains a feature by Jon Newman of Lambeth Archives about the Tradescants and their Ark.

Don't forget the Lambeth Archives open day on Saturday 1st October 2011.

Postcard of New Vauxhall Bridge, 1907

Note the absence of the statues which were not added until late 1907

Jan 9, 07

Miss M Worigham (?)
Steam Bakery
Selsey on Sea
Sussex

I am sending you a PC as you wished. This is the new bridge & a very fine specimen it is too. It is quite close here. Hoping you are all well. From HEW.



Wednesday, 21 September 2011

Beefeater Gin Distillery, Kennington


I took the opportunity afforded by London Open House to visit the Beefeater Gin Distillery in Kennington.

Beefeater is the second largest gin brand in the world but the only brand distilled in central London. Indeed, all Beefeater London Gin is distilled here in Montford Place.

The plant was established in 1820 and used to be much bigger as there were administrative and marketing offices and a bottling plant, but now only the core business of making the gin is carried out here and there are just seven employees. Of those, only two are involved in actually making the gin - 2.4 million 9 litre cases of it per year.

It was an interesting tour with a nice little booklet with a fancy G&T in the bar at the end. Sadly the bar is not open to the public as apparently Lambeth is worried about the risk of having a public bar in a distillery next to a gasometer, although for some reason they aren't worried about the combination of gasometer, petrol and alcohol at the Tesco next door.

And on the subject of Tesco, If you've ever tutted at the wasteland next to the distillery on Montford Place, well, although it used to be part of Beefeater it's now owned by Tesco who apparently aren't bothered because they just want to make sure they own the land so no other competing supermarket can open up there.

Again, I beg the Lord above: please can we have a Waitrose? Update 30/09/11: And the Lord did smile down upon me.








Round up of local stuff


Here you go:

  • The SE11 Lurker goes to the KOV forums so you don't have to. Updates on Kylun & 8 Albert Embankment here...
  • ... and more on the "co-operative" council's shafting of the dreams of the community over the future of the Beaufoy Institute here.
  • With somewhat ronic timing, Labour in Lambeth has published a draft "manifesto" for VNEB pledging that they “will ensure that the necessary infrastructure and public services will be provided for local residents affected by the developments.” There's even mention of libraries! Go figure.
  • A cyclist was injured in a nasty accident at Vauxhall Cross yesterday. "Police said a male cyclist was critical after being hit by a lorry in Vauxhall. Witnesses told how his bicycle was dragged along the road by the HGV before the driver realised what had happened."
  • Yesterday (20th Sept) was the 11th anniversary of the day that an anti-tank missile was fired at the MI6 headquarters at Vauxhall Cross, causing minor damage to the eighth floor. The Real IRA was later blamed for the attack. They used a Soviet RPG-22 Netto one-shot disposable anti-tank rocket launcher. BBC News report here.

Sunday, 18 September 2011

South Lambeth Market off to a Promising Start

Yesterday's inaugural South Lambeth Market got off to a brilliant start.  On a day full of competing activities (Open House London, Stockwell Festival, Great River Race, Surrey in the CB40 Final, etc.) the market drew a fine crowd of interested locals.

Friendly local traders peddled crepes, teas, cakes, bread, barbecue, jam, sweets, flowers, handmade knick-knacks for the home, "reloved" furniture, and more (complete list here).

The doors opened promptly as advertised and everything appeared to be functioning smoothly, belying the incredible amount of effort put in by organisers.  The Cavendish Arms deserves a special vote of thanks as well for hosting the market.

As well as filling the Cavendish's front court, the market continued in the pub's event space, providing even more room for market stalls and refuge should the weather turn sour.

South Lambeth Market will return every second Saturday of the month, with an increasing list of traders.

Friday, 16 September 2011

Saturday: The Great River Race through Vauxhall


As if Saturday weren't busy enough already what with London Open House and South Lambeth Market and the Stockwell Festival...

The Great River Race (the UK Traditional Boat Championship) which covers 21 miles from London Docklands to Ham in Surrey takes place on Saturday 17th September 2011.

The race attracts more than 300 crews from all over the globe and features every level of competitor "from those who enjoy fun, fancy dress and charity stunts to serious sportsmen and women who like to win. A great fun day out for competitors and spectators alike".

The starting cannon goes off at 1:40pm but if you want to watch from Vauxhall's riverside you should mosey up there for about 2.30pm when the leaders should be making their way past.

More info: www.greatriverrace.co.uk


Slightly further afield - MA art show and tennis

A couple of plugs for things beyond South Lambeth:


MA Fine Art Show at City and Guilds
Showcasing the artistic diversity currently being fostered at City & Guilds

"While one student displays a series of sculptures to draw on an engagement with the uncanny erotic seductions of neo-surreal imagery - engaging the viewer in a dialogue with glass, fur and their own inhibition - another explores the relationship of his previous career as a 3D computer modeller using paint to create images of suspended motion".

124 Kennington Park Road, London SE11 4DJ

Opening hours
15/09/11 10h00 - 19h00
16/09/11 10h00 - 19h00
17/09/11 10h00 - 17h00
18/09/11 10h00 - 17h00

www.mashow2011.com



Southwark City Tennis Club
Runs across six venues (the biggest venue is Burgess Park, the nearest Mary Harmsworth Park near the Imperial War Museum).
Adult coaching and junior + an active tennis ladder for adults.

Childrens Coaching starts this week. Sessions are generally 1.5 hours
£45 for 1 session per week for the term ( 12 weeks)
£90 for 4 sessions per week for the term.
www.southwarkcitytennisclub.org.uk

Thursday, 15 September 2011

The new Market Towers: One Nine Elms

Plans were unveiled today for the proposed buildings that would replace Market Towers at One Nine Elms.

It's the usual stuff really - tall buildings - tall enough to overshadow the St George Wharf Tower. There is a talk of a public area at the top of the taller building a theatre somewhere at the bottom.

Oh, and the usual "entrance to the linear park".

No green space to speak of.

The site has "potential for":
  • New homes: up to 450 apartments, a mix of one, two and three bed private and affordable apartments, each will have a private winter garden and access to communal facilities such as a gym (including a spa and pool) and a roof top garden on the West Tower podium
  • Hotel: a 180 room 4* hotel located in the podium of the West Tower
  • Offices: over 100,000ft2 of modern high quality office space located in the podium of the West Tower
  • Employment: providing significant employment opportunities including jobs for local residents with, in the longer term, 500-600 people being employed in a wide variety of jobs
  • Public square: a new public square with shops, restaurants and cafés, offering high quality shopping and dining
  • Cultural and community space: whilst we are considering a number of ideas, one of our preferred options is to create a cultural and art based experience at the top of the building. This has the potential to include a large scale work of art visible from ground level. The area would be accessible to the public, offering breathtaking views over London
  • Improving pedestrian and cycle access through Vauxhall: this will allow easy access to the river front, as well as creating a route up to Vauxhall Park and connecting the South Bank to Battersea through the linear park
More info here: www.onenineelms.com




Update: 17 September 2011. Rosemary from Albert Square sent me this picture with the message "God trying to send out another message today?"


New art gallery in Hartington Road

From The Ayling Family Show
It's all go in South Lambeth - and much of the going on is going on in Hartington Road.

As if the excitement of the launch of the new South Lambeth Market at The Cavendish Arms this Saturday were not enough, a new gallery will open a couple of weeks later.

Gallery! Yes! You heard me right! Gallery. Get us!


It's at 151 Hartington Road, Stockwell, SW8 2EY and is called (only slightly confusingly) Hartington Road.

The gallery will presenting exhibitions every three to four months providing  a space for artists and makers to show new work.

The first of these will be The Ayling Family Show from 1st - 9th of October 2011 which brings together three artists and makers from one family - Julia Crallan, Matt Ayling & Sally Ayling:
Displaying a mixture of textiles, drawing and jewellery, The Ayling Family Show presents a diverse collection of contemporary art & craft.
The gallery will officially open on Friday 30th September, 7pm-9pm.


For further information or to be added to the mailing list contact info@hartingtonroad.co.uk.

www.hartingtonroad.co.uk


Wednesday, 14 September 2011

The Lights by Howard Korder: new theatre production at "The Spring"

We didn't used to have any theatres hereabouts and now it seems you can't shake a stick without hitting one.

No longer will we have to make do with the Lost Theatre on Wandsworth Road and the forthcoming theatre at the currently theatre-less Tea House Theatre. A production is to take place in "The Spring", which is presumably what is or was the Vauxhall Gardens Community Centre aka The Spring Community Centre aka The Spring Garden. Who knows? It's an SE11 thing.  In any case it's at 100 Vauxhall Walk.

According to its website Define Choice theatre company is "a home-grown, hand-made, organically-reared Theatre Company based in West London that focuses predominantly on new-writing. Not content to sit around waiting for the phone to ring, a small group of actors decided to get on and do something for themselves. Written, directed & performed by the ensemble – the group’s goals lie with self-sufficiency & the potential of affecting a change".

The Lights will run on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 3rd to 30th October 2011 at 7.30pm and is described thus:
A dark journey through an unnamed American city whose structure and society is crumbling. Over 24 hours on seemingly lawless streets, a young couple encounter the miscellany of city life from the pavement to the penthouse. Written by Howard Korder, a Pulitzer Prize nominee who is best known for his screenwriting (HBO's Boardwalk Empire); The Lights hasn’t been professionally performed in the UK since the original production at The Royal Court in 1996. 

Tuesday, 13 September 2011

Vauxhall constituency would disappear under Boundary Commission's proposed changes

To save you wading through the data...

Kate Hoey
The Boundary Commission for England's proposed changes would see the disappearance of the existing Vauxhall constituency - MP the Right Hon (apart from her support for fox hunting) Kate Hoey.

A new constituency - Battersea & Vauxhall - would be created comprising four Lambeth and four Wandsworth wards:
  • From Lambeth: Clapham Town, Oval, Prince's, Stockwell (our South Lambeth area is covered by the Stockwell or Oval wards)
  • From Wandsworth: Latchmere, Queenstown, St Mary's Park, Shaftesbury
The Bishop’s, Ferndale, Larkhall and Vassall wards which are currently within Vauxhall would go elsewhere.

According to The Guardian's analysis, had the 2010 elections taken place with the new boundaries in place the result would still have been a victory for Labour, albeit a far less convincing one, putting the Conservatives in with a real chance. It's bad news for the Lib Dems though...


2010 Election Results for Vauxhall constituency Estimated results for new Battersea & Vauxhall constituency

Votes % of vote Votes % of vote
Lab 21,498 50% 20,132 42%
Con 9,301 22% 17,932 37%
Lib Dems 10,847 25% 9,347 19%
Green 708 2% 660 1%
Other 837 2%

Total 43,191
48,071

Monday, 12 September 2011

River service from Vauxhall begins 3rd October

As the Vauxhall Society website notes, the Thames Clippers service from the new St George Wharf Pier will commence on Monday 3rd October 2011.

The route is the "Tate to Tate & Service West" with boats calling at Millbank Pier, Embankment Pier, Blackfriars Pier and Bankside Pier.




Schedule

Boats run at 20-40 minute intervals Full timetable here.

  • First weekday service departs St Geroge Wharf 06:49
  • Last weekday service arrives St Geroge Wharf 20:19
  • First weekend service departs St Geroge Wharf 09:37
  • Last weekend service arrives St Geroge Wharf 20:19


Prices

Adult Single:

  • £5.50
  • Oyster Card £5.00 (10% discount on Adult Single journeys when paying with Oyster PAYG)
  • Travelcard (1/3 off with valid Travelcard): £3.70
  • Freedom Pass: £2.80
  • London Student Oyster Card: £3.70
  • Tate to Tate Service: £5
  • Tate Member Discount: £3.80 (On Tate service only)


Saturday: South Lambeth Market at The Cavendish Arms


This Saturday (17 September 2011) sees the launch the new monthly South Lambeth Market.

A community-led initiative, the South Lambeth Market aims to provide a focus for foodies and lovers of plants, flowers, arts and crafts.

The market will take place at The Cavendish Arms, 128 Hartington Road, London SW8 2HJ.

Highlights announced so far include:

  • Di Lieto Bakery (ex South Lambeth Road) are returning to the area to trade from the market
  • Mimosa Delicatessen (from October onwards)
  • Wildflowers plants and cut flowers
  • Blueberry Hill Cakes

There will also be hot food in the form of savoury and sweet freshly made crepes, a Mediterranean BBQ and fresh Chorizo rolls, so you can come and have brunch, lunch or afternoon tea. The bar in the Cavendish is open from 11am.

Inside you will find:

  • Fein & Cooper Homewares (as seen in Liberty) selling homewares from vintage fabrics and vintage inspired lace curtains
  • Moseley Giftware
  • Retro and Designer Second-hand Clothing
  • Upcycled furniture
  • Hand printed bags, aprons and lavender bags
The majority of traders are local from Stockwell, Vauxhall and South Lambeth, so the market has a real community feel. Trade local and support your local community.

You can keep up to date with the market and the traders who will be there by following the market on Facebook and Twitter and its FABULOUS new website (which I built, a fact I mention in case anyone else wants a website).

A busy week in South Lambeth...



Monday 12 September 2011
10.00am-12 noon
Digital Switchover Tea Party
Albert Square

Tuesday 13 September 2011
6.00pm to 9.00pm
Lambeth Libraries - Have Your Say consultation public meeting
Montgomery Hall, 58 Kennington, Oval SE11 5SW

Wednesday 14 September 2011
7.00pm-8.00pm
Friends of Stockwell War Memorial inaugural meeting
Stockwell Community Resource Centre 1 Studley Road London SW4 6RA

Thursday 15 September 2011
3.00pm-5.00pm
Walk: Vauxhall: A Little History led by Penny Howard of The Vauxhall Society
Meet Starbucks (opposite Vauxhall Tube & Bus Stations)

Thursday 15 September 2011
4.00pm-7.00pm
One Nine Elms consultation exhibition
Ground Floor, Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane, London SW8 5NQ

Friday 16 September 2011
At leisure

Saturday 17 September 2011
10.00am-4.00pm
The very first South Lambeth Market
The Cavendish Arms, 128 Hartington Rd, Stockwell, London SW8 2HJ

Saturday 17 September 2011
10.00am-2.00pm
One Nine Elms consultation exhibition
Ground Floor, Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane, London SW8 5NQ

Saturday 17 September 2011
1.00pm-6.00pm
Stockwell Festival
Larkhall Park, Courland Grove, SW8 2PX

Saturday 17 September 2011
10.00am-4.00pm
South Lambeth Market
The Cavendish Arms, 128 Hartington Rd, Stockwell, London SW8 2HJ

Saturday and Sunday 17 & 18th September 2011
Open House London

Monday 19th September 2011
6.30pm-9.00pm
Kennington Oval Vauxhall Forum meeting
Montgomery Hall, 58 Kennington Oval, SE11 5SW

Open House London - Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 September


The annual Open House London event takes place this weekend (17/18 Sept 2011).

More than 700 buildings will open their doors to the general public for free: architects homes, eco and retrofit buildings, tours of major regeneration projects, landscape projects, government buildings, historic landmarks etc etc.

Full details at www.londonopenhouse.org but here's the basic line-up in Lambeth (I am thrilled to be going to the Beefeater Distillery in Kennington - expect an incoherent report about it later on)::

160 years of social housing in Lambeth: fabrik homes
116-120 Coldharbour Lane SE5 9PZ
Sun 11am-3pm.
General access with hourly tours, first tour 11am, last tour 2pm, first come basis. Gallery flat showing innovative construction methods, sustainable features and communities through boards and multi-media.  
160 years of social housing in Lambeth: Prince Consort Lodge
Kennington Road SE11 4AS
Sun 11am-3pm.
General access with half-hourly tours, first tour 11.30am, last tour 2.30pm, first come basis. Displays on history of building, the technological and policy innovations it represented and linkages with pre-occupations of social housing in 21C.  
1901 Arts Club
7 Exton Street SE1 8UE
Sat 10am-5pm.
Regular hourly tours, first come basis. Tours include musical performance.  
Beaconsfield
Lambeth Ragged School, 22 Newport Street, Vauxhall SE11 6AY
Sat 11am-5pm/Sun 11am-5pm.
First come basis. Max 200 at one time.  
Beefeater Distillery
20 Montford Place SE11 5DE
Sat 11.30am-3pm/Sun 12.30pm-4pm.
Pre-book ONLY through Open House, please click on link below. Tours every half hour. Max 15 per tour. 1 G+T (1 unit) or soft drink available for visitors. Last tour Sat 3pm, Sun 4pm. 
BFI IMAX
Waterloo Roundabout SE1 8XR
Sat 11am-4pm/Sun 11am-4pm.
Sat/Sun tours of projection booth at approx 11.15am, 12.45pm, 2.15pm, 3.45pm. Pre-book tours ONLY by email: lucy.jennings@bfi.org.uk.  
Boat Tour - London's Engineering Heritage
Meet: Sat 12noon at Waterloo Millennium Pier, Riverside Westminster Bridge Road SE1 7PB for prompt 12noon departure
Sat 12noon-2pm.
Pre-book ONLY through Open House
Brixton Windmill
Blenheim Gardens SW2 5ET
Sat 1pm-4pm/Sun 1pm-4pm.
Regular tours, pre-book only by email to lrigg@lambeth.gov.uk or ring 020 7926 6056. General access (first floor only) for non pre-booked visitors, first come basis.  
Brockwell Lido, Brockwell Park
Dulwich Road SE24 0PA
Sat 10am-5pm.
Regular tours, first come basis. (Pool open at normal charge). Last tour 4pm. 
Carnegie Library
188 Herne Hill Road SE24 0AG
Sat 9am-4.30pm.
Regular tours. Exhibition of landscape photos of Brockwell Park. Herne Hill music festival taking place. Last tour 4pm. 
Clapham Manor Primary School
Belmont Road SW4 0BZ
Sat 10am-1pm.
First come basis, queuing outside if necessary. Practice Director Philip Marsh on site. Last entry 12.30pm. 
EDF Energy London Eye
County Hall, Belvedere Road SE1 7PB
Sun 9am-10.30pm.
Sun 9am-9.45am: Lecture with Director David Marks including a 15 minute Q&A. 10am-10.30am: Guests to board the first experience of the day for a standard ticket on the EDF Energy London Eye. Pre-book ONLY through Open House, please click on link below. 100 tickets maximum allocation. NB. Over 12 years only.  
Evelyn Grace Academy
255 Shakespeare Road SE24 0QN
Sat 10am-1pm.
Architect-led hourly tours, first come basis.  
Lambeth Palace
Lambeth Palace Road SE1 7JU
Sat 10am-4pm.
Tours every 15 mins, duration 1 hour. Pre-book ONLY through Open House, please click on link below Last tour 3pm. 
Lambeth Town Hall
Brixton Hill SW2 1RW
Sat 10am-6pm/Sun 10am-6pm.
Regular tours with Councillors, first come basis.  
Morley College
61 Westminster Bridge Road SE1 7HT
Sun 12noon-5pm.
First come basis, queuing outside if necessary. Last entry 4.30pm. 
Pullman Court
Streatham Hill SW2 4SZ
Sun 12noon-5pm.
Royal Festival Hall
Belvedere Road SE1 8XX
Sat 10am-11pm/Sun 10am-11pm.
Behind the scenes tours at 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, first come basis, duration 1 hour. NB. Due to nature of areas covered, no children under 16 and unsuitable for those with vertigo or special access requirements. No high heels or big bags.  
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
1 Lambeth High Street SE1 7JN
Sat 2.30pm-5.30pm.
Half-hourly tours from 2.30pm, first come basis. Last tour 4.30pm. 
South London Botanical Institute
323 Norwood Road SE24 9AQ
Sun 1pm-5pm.
Regular tours, first come basis. Small craft and plant sale. Last entry 4.30pm. 
South London Theatre
The Old Fire Station, 2a Norwood High Street SE27 9NS
Sat 1pm-5pm/Sun 1pm-5pm.
Regular guided architectural and theatrical tours with opportunities to view improvisation classes, play rehearsals, 2 theatres and wardrobe rooms.  
Temple Bowling Club
1a Sunset Road, Herne Hill SE5 8EA
Sat 10am-5pm.
Half-hourly tours. Last tour 4.30pm. 
The Elmgreen School
Elmcourt Road, West Norwood SE27 9BZ
Sat 11am-4pm.
Exhibition by local artists including the Parent Promoters' Foundation 'Space for Art' project which links school's students with local artists. Family art activities. Activities in roof garden/meadow to enhance appreciation of building in its grounds. Last entry 3.30pm. 
Tree House
1a Bedford Terrace, Lyham Road SW2 5DJ
Sat 10am-5pm/Sun 10am-5pm.
Regular tours, first come basis. For children: build London out of plasticine on the top floor. One Mile Radius: a photographic exhibition exploring the wealth of sustainable resources for living within one walkable mile.  
West Norwood Cemetery & Greek Chapel
Meet: Sun at 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm inside main cemetery gate, Norwood Road SE27 9JU
Sun 2pm-4.30pm.
Duration 1 1/2 hours.  
Young Vic
66 The Cut, Waterloo SE1 8LZ
Sun 12noon-4pm.
Regular tours, first come basis.  

Recycling electronics at Sainsbury's car park


It's probably been there for months but I've only just noticed.

There is now a recycling point in Sainsbury's car park for small electrical items: "electronic devices, electric personal care, electrical appliances DIY & garden electricals".

Here's what you can and can't put it it:

Yes Please
Phones
Remote Controls
VCRs
Digiboxes
Electronic Toys
Kettles
Hairdryers
Electric Toothbrushes
Shavers
Small Kitchen Appliances
Irons
Small DIY Tools
Clocks
Radios


No Thanks
TV Moniotrs
Computers
Cookers
Washing Machines
Light Bulbs
Batteries
Anything that will not fit in the chute

Sunday, 11 September 2011

Postcard of Vauxhall Park, 1905



8 September 1905

Mrs W Farrow
Wicklewood Mill
Wymondham
Norfolk

I arrived quite safe. Mum was on platform. Hope you were not soaked. Jim was soon into my goods. I shall soon die for want of breath. I can't breath (sic) here. Hoping you are both quite well. Will write soon. Love from all. Connie

Saturday, 10 September 2011

Downing's 30-60 South Lambeth Road proposals published


Today is the last opportunity to visit the public exhibition for Downing's proposed 32 storey, mixed use development at the top of South Lambeth Road comprising student housing and a public leisure centre (with swimming pool).

The company says that "Members of the development team will be on hand to discuss the scheme and you will be able to formally record your feedback.  This will all be taken into consideration in advance of submission of a planning application to Lambeth Council this autumn."

The exhibition is at Vauxhall Christian Centre, 105 Tyers Street from 11am to 4pm. If you can't make it, don't despair, Downing has released the exhibition panels in PDF format on its website (embedded below for your convenience)



With it being so close to Vauxhall Park what everyone will want to know about, of course, is its shadow. Here's what they say:
Daylight and sunlight has been considered for the neighbouring residential properties and the proposed scheme will not have any material effect, with only a limited impact on a small number of windows. A comprehensive daylight and sunlight report will be submitted with the planning application. 
The shadow impact on Vauxhall Park from the proposed building will be minimised through its slender and tapered design. It will create some additional shadowing in the local area to that already cast by other buildings. 
The only additional shadowing over Vauxhall Park will be limited to the afternoon periods during the summer months. Any one area will only be affected for short periods, as the shadow will move as the sun sets.






 Exhibition panels

Wednesday, 7 September 2011

South Lambeth Eateries: Rebato's


I am really delighted to introduce to you the first of a new series profiling people's favourite eateries in South Lambeth. Many thanks to Kyla for suggesting it and getting it up and running, but I'll let her introduce it herself:

“So where’s good to eat in Vauxhall then?” My mum asked, a few months ago. I remained silent.


OK I hold my hands up. I’m new. I didn’t know before moving here in June, that Vauxhall, oft written off as an ugly intersection between the river and leafier suburbs, was going to be just quite as awesome as it is. And I certainly had no idea there would be so many gastronomic delights to sample.


Before living in SW8 I lived in SW2. (That’s Streatham Hill, for the postcodally challenged) I wrote semi-regular reviews of the restaurants in the area in the hope that more people would get out there and use them; many were never very busy and I was frightened that once I found some I liked, they would close down.


We certainly don’t seem to have that problem in many of Vauxhall’s finest. Each time I’ve walked past Hot Stuff or The Canton Arms, or the ever-popular Estrela, they are full to bursting.


People evidently like to go out and eat here – the strip of Portuguese cafés selling frango piri piri and calamares seem to have no shortage of takers despite their similar menus. And oh boy, am I looking forward to trying out everything in the vicinity that looks good. Recommendations are always welcome! Email me at the.bittersweet.city@gmail.com


Kyra @ The Bittersweet City

Rebatos

In the midst of the longest strip of Lusophone shops and restaurants I have ever seen outside of Lisbon stands what I now understand to be an Institution with a capital I.

Rebato’s has been serving South London’s finest for almost 30 years and still offers authentic tapas to the locals of Vauxhall and Stockwell.

I had the privilege of a chat with Marco Rebato, the owner, in the elegant back room of the restaurant, and tried to find out a little bit more about the story behind this SW8 foodie legend.

Marco Rebato (left) and photo-shy colleague
Marco’s father’s family hailed from Madrid and came to take over the site (formerly the restaurant ‘La Casina Rossa')in 1984.

At that time, he recalls, Vauxhall was not such a desirable area. The restaurant was one of only around three serving tapas in London and was certainly the first, he says, in south London.

The idea of sharing plates of food was unusual at that time so tapas was something considered unusual, eaten only on holiday (if at all) by Brits. So Rebato’s first menus were simple: tortilla, meatballs, cockles.

The lunch trade from local businesses flowed in, bolstered by office workers at nearby BT (Keybridge House), Otis Elevators and Freeman's (both Clapham Road), Marco says. As upper and middle managers at these businesses discovered the restaurant at lunchtimes and found no equivalents in the suburbs where they lived, the dinner trade grew as they brought back their wives and children. The big employers are no more* (Freeman's and Otis are long gone and Keybridge House much depleted) but some of these loyal customers remain and still travel into South Lambeth to dine at Rebato's.

Marco is proud of the food they serve and his eyes light up when I ask him about his suppliers. Mostly they are London-based, and so he knows the provenance and ethos of the food. One of his oldest suppliers been providing pork to the restaurant for nearly 27 years: Pugh’s Piglets from Preston, Lancashire breeds the Wednesday suckling pigs the restaurant has become famous for. Specials in the restaurant are created based on the best buys from the market that particular day which is why their vegetable and seafood dishes are ever-changing.

The restaurant section of Rebato's
Having dined in the restaurant recently, I asked about the rabbit I had eaten. French rabbit, Marco grins. English rabbits are too tough, and need stewing, but the lapins can be griddled with just a little salt.

As he is clearly a lover of good food, I ask Marco what his own favourites are from the menu. Prawns are always good, comes the answer – but the real measure of any restaurant, he says, is to try their calamares – if they’re frozen, you’re in for a bad ride. Clean squid, griddled with olive oil and salt is one of life’s greatest pleasures, he says. Marco also has a soft spot for the food from home he remembers at Madrid dinnertimes: Spanish tortilla, salad, crisps, and a few anchovies, if you were lucky.

The goal of Rebato’s has stayed the same since its inception – to serve quality family food. I ask about the changing tastes of the clientèle – is tapas more or less popular now, with the emergence of ‘small plate’ restaurants such as Polpetto and Spuntino, The Salt Yard, Caravan et al? Marco maintains that the menus change regularly, but that they are always looking for new ideas, especially in these times of austerity for all. The latest addition to the menu is called “Tapita & Chatito”, designed to get locals out eating quality food at lower prices. Sample dishes will be gambas al ajillo, tortilla, albondigas, & calamares, starting from £2.50 for smaller portions, all washed down with a chatito of wine for £1.50.

As well as being passionate about food, Marco Rebato is clearly also passionate about community. He is proud of the longstanding reputation of the restaurant and its 27-year history. He recently contributed a £100 dining voucher as a raffle prize for this year's Tradescant Road Big Lunch street party and he is currently doing cooking demos at a nursery in Streatham. Marco is proud of being able to give something back – all the more important after the recent riots. People can do a lot in their local communities if they look up once in a while, he says.

It’s getting towards 7.30pm, and the restaurant’s lovely panelled bar at the front is starting to fill up. I ask Marco, finally, what he feels the future of the restaurant is. He isn't sure. Vauxhall is still changing; he feels there aren’t so many families, or businesses here any more. He hopes that the area’s transient nature will not impact too heavily and will allow his family to continue his legacy. With a head chef, a manager and sous chef of 25, 26 and 12 years’ service respectively, it’s not just the local community that would be at a loss if this restaurant ever had to close its doors.

Rebato’s
169 South Lambeth Road
SW8 1XW


Tel: 020 7735 6388
www.rebatos.com
Twitter: @rebatos

* Andrew writes: Well there is one big employer left: MI6. Rebato's achieved some fame in 2000 when a spy allegedly got drunk there and lost his or her laptop.It was all over the papers.

Tuesday, 6 September 2011

Coming up at Lost Theatre, Wandsworth Road


David Taborn www.davidtaborn.com will be teaching Life Drawing and Printmaking at the Lost Theatre (208 Wandsworth Rd SW8 2JU nr Lansdowne Way) on Wednesday evenings 7-9pm, ten sessions from Sept 21st onwards.  More info e: vanessaletts@talktalk.net; m: 07946 365 630.

Lost Theatre's Sunday Drama Club for 5-10 year olds, run by Leigh Tredger, will be starting on Sunday 18th Sept, and the times have changed slightly to 12-1pm (instead of 11-12pm).  The classes cost £40 for 10 sessions, which represents good value for money.  The group will be working on a version of the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' by Catherine House set in Africa, which they will present on Lost Theatre's stage to an invited audience on December 18th. If you want to meet Leigh Tredger she will be teaching a dance routine (free) at the Larkhall Park Stockwell Festival on Saturday 17th of September, first Session at 2pm and then 3.30pm to participate in the parade starting at 4.30pm. www.losttheatre.co.uk/under16s/under16s

Lost Theatre is also running a Drama Class for 11-15 year olds, Wednesdays 5.30-6.30pm, starting 14th Sept, £40/ten sessions.

Upcoming shows at Lost Theatre include Honk! a musical comedy based on The Ugly Duckling (13th Sept - 1st Oct), a National Theatre schools production of Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream and from the West End the musical of Little Women  (12 Dec - 7th Jan). www.losttheatre.co.uk/whatson/forthcomingshows/forthcomingshows

Sunday, 4 September 2011

Have you seen this lovely cat?

08 Aug 2011 update: Penguin has been found! His owners staff write: "Good news! Penguin has been found and is back, albeit a bit clingy and hungry. The lovely people a couple of doors down alerted us to his presence in their garden and facilitated his capture. Thank you so much for all your help - if nothing else, this experience has at least allowed us to realise what lovely neighbours we have! Thank you again, Susie and Andrew and Penguin xxx"


Susie and Andrew Shapland write:
We live on Tradescant Road and have a very silly cat called Penguin. He's not quite two years old, is quite home-loving but has, from Friday, disappeared. I don't suppose you could keep an eye out or maybe ask your readers to do so? 
He doesn't have a collar, but is chipped. As I said, he's quite dim but also quite curious, so the chances of him wondering around and getting trapped in someone's house/shed/anything else are quite high. If he were a 'normal' cat we wouldn't worry, but he's never done this before - it's most out of character.
If you have seen Penguin please email tradescantroad@gmail.com

Saturday, 3 September 2011

Stockwell Festival: volunteers sought for cycle powered cinema


An appeal from Emily Myers:
Stockwell Festival 17th Sept /cycle powered cinema and sustainability zone/volunteers needed! 
The Stockwell Festival is happening on 17th Sept, Larkhall Park 1-6pm You can read more about many of the activities planned for the day here and here 
I’m organising a cycle-powered cinema and sustainability zone at the event and am looking for volunteers! I’ll mostly be screening short films – some on a green theme, some for kids, fair-trade, dance. It’s a low energy system with just 2 bicycles. 
I need help both on the day and in the run up – even if just for an hour or two, but if you can do more that is great as well.

I will need help in various ways – if you think you might be able to help – please email greensw8@gmail.com and I can send further details….. To give you an idea of the sort of help I need please see below….basically the more help I can get, the more I can do! 
Event Run up
- Help sourcing equipment and materials
- creative – eg making signs (Creative Day on the 10th Sept)
- organising workshops
- helping create an exhibit/quiz/competition
On the Day
- set up and dismantle.
- Supervising cycle-cinema inc pedalling if needed!
- Usherettes – if you like dressing up (or not) – people to help people find their way around and engage
- Photographer
- General help – on info stands – encouraging people take part in quiz/competition – and fill in any other gaps
Equipment
I need a dvd player/laptop, projector screen, exhibition boards/big things for signs(!), ground cover, some solar lighting for the cinema , bicycle –inc children’s bike