Reweirding: Lost Landscape and Found Lore

A packed Amersham Arms in New Cross last month for the first of a series of 'Reweirding' events there. The theme for March was for 'Reweirding London: Authors on the Secret City', with interesting talks from Caitlin Davies on female crime,  Lara Maiklem on mudlarking on the Thames shore and Tom Chivers on  'London Clay: Journeys in the Deep City' (pictured below left holding his underground London map with host Scott Wood).

The next event,  'Reweirding: Lost Landscape and Found Lore', takes place on Thursday 28 April 2022, 7 pm:

'Discover what remains of south London’s Great North Wood and revel in the revival of the Deptford Jack in the Green mayday celebration. Complementary verdant short films from Video Strolls.

C.J. Schüler, author of The Wood That Built London, charts the fortunes of the North Wood from its earliest times: its ecology, ownership, management, and the gradual encroachment of the metropolis.

The Fowlers Troop Jack in the Green was revived by members of Blackheath Morris Men and friends in the early 1980s. It is a revival of a Jack in the Green from the late 19th/early 20th century which was taken out around Deptford, South East London on May Day by the original Fowlers Troop.

Sarah Crofts tells the tale of the Deptford Jack-in-the-Green and presents David Aylward’s film of the 2006 procession. Artist Sarah Sparkes demonstrates, with some help, with shadow puppets'.

(further details and tickets here).

David Aylward with the Deptford Jack in the Green

Reweirding London: Authors on the Secret City at the Amersham Arms

'Reweirding' put on interesting talks and events at Conway Hall and elsewhere. Next month they are coming to the Amersham Arms in New Cross for 'Reweirding London: Authors on the Secret City', an event that will feature talks from the authors of three recent books on underground London - physically and metaphorically. 

Speakers include:

Caitlin Davies –  'Queens of the Underworld: A Journey into the Lives of Female Crooks'

Lara Maiklem – 'Mudlarking: Lost and Found on the River Thames'

Tom Chivers – 'London Clay: Journeys in the Deep City'

All this plus short films on London from Video Strolls.

24 March 2022 7pm – 10 pm

Venue: The Amersham Arms, 388 New Cross Road, London SE14 6TY

£7 / £5 concessions, advance tickets advised available here.  

Books available from The Word Bookshop, 314 New Cross Road SE14 6AF

Leon Rosselson at New Cross Folk Club

Good to see that the recently started New Cross Folk Club at the Amersham Arms is going from strength to strength. This Sunday November 6th (7:30 pm) they are hosting veteran radical singer Leon Rosselson - probably best known for his Diggers anthem 'The World Turned Upside Down' which has been covered by Billy Bragg, Dick Gaughan and Chumbawamba among others.

The club meets twice a month, with forthcoming guests including Robb Johnson and Stick in the Wheel.

Friday update from Andrew, New Cross Folk Club:

'Leon Rosselson has had to cancel at the last minute on health grounds. However in a stroke of luck which is almost unprecedented in my life, Leicester protest folk superstar Grace Petrie has agreed to play instead. Make no mistake this is incredible good fortune. I had been hoping to book her next year and now she's playing on Sunday'.

Test Dept:Redux - Return to New Cross

Test Dept are surely one of the most influential bands to emerge from the local area, starting out in New Cross in the early 1980s (some band members lived at 8 Nettleton Road) and pioneering a politically committed industrial sound. 

In the last couple of years members of the band, who have remained active across musical and other cultural fields, have been involved in a number of events commemorating the  30th anniversary of the miners strike in which the band were very involved - during the strike they played benefits at the Albany in Deptford among other places.  I went to a great event at the Ritzy in Brixton last April which included the band presenting and discussing the film  DS30, a collage documenting that period.

This Saturday September 10th at the Amersham Arms sees a rare live performance:

'An intimate immersion into the Test Dept machine on our return to New Cross, South London with support from Feral Five and DJs providing an eclectic mix of Dub Sub Punk Noise Electro Industrial.

Live:
Test Dept:Redux
Feral Five

DJ
Elena Colombi (NTS Radio)
Amélie Ravalec and Travis Collins (Industrial Soundtrack For The Urban Decay)
Satellitic (Test Dept)
GrayC (Test Dept)

Roof Terrace BBQ Tickets £10 + booking fee available in advance from Eventbrite; £10 or £8 Concession on the door' (facebook details here)

A little while ago I played a set of music from the miners strike at am Agitdisco benefit for Housmans bookshop, and met Paul Jamrozy from Test Dept who was also playing. Here's my mix which of course includes some Test Dept.

Limonious Night in New Cross with Paul Gilroy, Dr Lez Henry, Charlie Dark and more

Following the recent exhibition at the South London Gallery of work by Jamaican reggae/dancehall record sleeve artist Limonious (featured at Transpontine recently), there's a very interesting sounding event tomorrow night in New Cross with some great speakers and music:

'One Love Books in conjunction with Sound System Outernational (Goldsmiths) and The Wire invite you to SHOULDER MOVE, an evening of talks and music in memory of Jamaican artist Wilfred Limonious

Saturday 11 June 2016, 6pm–3am @ The Amersham Arms, 388 New Cross Road, London SE14 6TY,, 6–8pm, guest speakers

- William 'Lesley Lyrix' Henry (Introduction)

- Christopher Bateman and Al 'Fingers' Newman ('In Fine Style: The Dancehall Art Of Wilfred Limonious' presentation and book preview)

- Paul Gilroy ('Labels, Album Covers and the Black Public Sphere')

8–10pm, break for England vs Russia (Euro 16)

10–3am, Sound system session with Virgo High Power Discotheque

Selectors Al Fingers and Charlie Dark playing LPs and 45s designed and illustrated by Limonious

Free entry all night https://www.facebook.com/events/1013569565385788/

Where are we now? Bowie Tribute Nights at Ivy House and Amersham Arms

Various Bowie events coming up over next few days and weeks. 

Tomorrow night - Saturday 16th January - at the Ivy House (40 Stuart Road, Nunhead SE15 3BE) there's The David Bowie Spectacular Send Off. They say:  

'Let's give our London boy the send off he deserves. It's simple: let's party to his tunes, have the Duke on the big projector screen and toast to his life and work all damn night long.

19:00: Decks up and spinning and Labrynth plus more footage on the big screen. Lovely Rob and Martine who both frequent and work at the pub will be playing their much loved records. 

21:30: Resident DJ Billy, who entertained you for New Years brilliantly, will be seeing the night out on the decks.

This is all about the love of the man so of course it is FREE ENTRY. Not strictly fancy dress but I feel like Ziggy would approve... Let's Dance XXXXXXX'

Black Star Ball at Amersham Arms

On Friday 12th February, Enola Arts theatre presents 'Where Are We Now? A celebratory tribute to David Bowie' at the Amersham Arms in New Cross. The evening of live performance and art will be in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Acts taking part  include The Featherz: 'previously featured on David Bowie's website, and attired by Mark Charles and appearing in various Boy George videos, perform glitter glam rock that will have you slipping out of your catsuits'.

Bruno Wizard ( once of 1970s punk band The Homosexuals) will be providing some punk prose and time travel to the original era. 

More live acts to be confirmed, plus DJ Jean Genie, Art, Visuals, Professional Make Up Artist, Rebecca Rowe ('will help you release your inner Stardust', Bowie Art Auction, Strut your stuff as Bowie on the FAME Catwalk and more.

Amersham Arms, 388 New Cross Road (opposite New Cross station), London SE14 6TY

£5 Advance http://www.wegottickets.com/event/347086 - £10 on the door or with concessions (NUS/NHS or Lewisham Card).

Dani Cox of The Featherz

Brockley Ukulele Group back at Amersham Arms

Continuing their tradition of fine uke-themed flyers, Brockley Ukelele Group are back in action at the Amersham Arms  SE14 on Sunday 14th September 2014. 

New Cross in Time Out

If you haven't picked up this week's Time Out London, look out for its 'Great bits of London' feature on New Cross with its strapline of 'creativity, cheap thrills and chicken shops in the south-east student belt'. Written by Goldsmiths student Andy Hill it accurately characterises local pubs/bars New Cross House, New Cross Inn, Hobgoblin, LP Bar and Amersham Arms. Foodwise Cummin Up, London Particular and Chinwag get a mention, with a recommendation too of a walk to the top of Telegraph Hill to look over London. Other readers recommend Smokey Jerky, No 178, Little Nan's, Birdie Num Num's, the Royal Albert and the Venue - 'you're not a south-easterner if you haven't had the Big V experience'. 

Music Monday: Crosswires Festival

Next Saturday May 3rd sees Crosswires Festival taking place across venues in New Cross and Deptford - the Amersham Arms, the Deptford Lounge and the Albany. There's a great and diverse line up with everything from Irish travellers songs to afro-beat electronica. Most of it's free too, with the exception of  the evening session at the Amersham.

I'm definitely going to try and get along to the Albany, where Kit and Cutter are presenting an afternoon/evening. Their folk club at the Deptford Arms and then the Old Nun's Head was great, but I think it's been a couple of years since they've put something like this on. Next week they have The Boat Band, Thomas McCarthy and more, including London Sacred Harp Singing Workshops.

There's also a 'Misguided tour of Deptford' with Radio 4/Utter's Richard Tyrone Jones; 'a mixture of local and art/community history, spoken word, urban myths and outright lies. But can you tell the difference', starting off at 1:30 pm at the New Cross Inn.

Here's a mix of some of the music to be featured in the festival:

Crosswires Festival 03/05/14 - Promo Mix www.crosswires.org.uk by Mango Park on Mixcloud

Tracklist - all acts playing at festival except Kyekyeku-Koo Nimo-Vishal Nagan (track 2)

1.Indian's Petition by London Sacred Harp
2.Pay Me Friday Night by Kyekyeku-Koo Nimo-Vishal Nagan
3.Mary Jane by Savage Henry
4.Supersonic by Amy True
5.Ball Point Pen Thief by Selectric
6.Gold Getter by Resonators
7.Marabout by Débruit
8.Labadi Warrior by The Busy Twist
9.Jibal Alnuba by Débruit & Alsarah
10.Clasped To The Pig by Thomas McCarthy

More New Cross Venue Memories

Over at the great Irish blog Cedar House Revolution, I came across some more recollections of the Venue in New Cross (see previous posts on this subject, especially comments here).

Damian O’Broin recalls that he  'spent the summer of 1990 – and the one before it – working on building sites in London' and that he went to see the band 'Kitchens of Distinction, on a Summer’s night at a little place called The Venue... The Venue was in New Cross, which was pretty much the complete opposite end of London to us. I remember almost nothing about the gig itself. I do remember trooping around the roads of New Cross looking for The Venue. And I remember dancing to Sympathy for the Devil and Fool’s Gold at the club after the gig. It’s strange the details you remember. I think it was a good gig. I have no idea how we all got home'.

In the comments Eamonn from Cork writes:

'The Venue was a great spot which I went to many weekends between 1989-1992 because I was living just over the road in first Brixton and then Peckham and then New Cross itself on Jerningham Road.

It wasn’t a little place though, it was a huge barn of a spot which had originally been an Irish club called The Harp Club. In 1988 when it was still the Harp it had hosted some very full-on acid house nights. My abiding memory of the place is the strawberry smoke which would gust forth in huge quantities, the thorough search you got on the way in and the fact that they only served drink in plastic glasses. And that the club night afterwards was often better than the gigs. Though I saw rising indie hopefuls The Would Bes play very well there.

The Venue ended up being owned by the gang who owned The Swan in Stockwell, South London’s version of The National in Kilburn, and from 1990 onwards had more of an Irish orientation though it still leaned towards the rock side of things. I saw Paul Cleary and The Fleadh Cowboys there and also Dave Fanning DJing and being rather puzzled when people kept asking him to play The Wolfe Tones. There were also several excellent pubs nearby, notably The Amersham Arms which ran acoustic gigs and where I saw Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick be brilliant, The Wishing Well [think he means the Dewdrop Inn], on the same street Clifton Rise as The Venue which was a Crusty hang-out, the Goldsmiths Tavern which had a fine indie night Totally Wired and was full of students from the art college of the same name and The Marquis of Granby, which was the home pub for the Sligo village where I come from and not trendy at all. But welcoming'.

Also at Lush site Light from a Dead Star, Guy Marshall recalls seeing the band there on October 12 1991:

'This was the first proper Lush gig I went to, Steve was still in the band. Set list was: Stray; Bitter; Breeze; Laura; God's Gift; Scarlet; Ocean; Nothing Natural; For Love; Covert; De-Luxe; Second Sight; Downer; Baby Talk; Monochrome; Sweetness & Light. I have a tape of this gig, brings back memories of how nervous(!) I was being on the edge of the mosh pit and that Lush was the band for me! Perfect set list. First time meeting Miki, Steve, Chris and Emma. Miki changed my friend's ticket to SLUSH.

Other memories: Stood next to Boris Williams - drummer with The Cure - during support band Shelleyann Orphan's set. He was "going out" with Caroline Crawley of the band. I was totally dumb struck for a while (luckily my friend plucked up the courage to say Hi!) then we had a quick chat and he signed a Lush flyer & my Boys Don't Cry T-Shirt which I happened to be wearing at the time. Also saw guitarist from Curve Debbie Smith. Probably other "Indie" stars I didn't recognise. Someone in the crowd had Tom and Jerry hand puppets(??) which Miki is heard asking about'

Lush ticket from The Venue - signed by all the band.

There's actually film of a whole Lush set at the Venue earlier in March 1991 on youtube

Amersham Arms Street Art

I like the latest redecoration of the Amersham Arms in New Cross, especially the 'I love New Cross DJ'...

...the fox on the corner of Amersham Road... 

... and the flamingoes heart.

Sorry don't know the detail of the artist(s), or identity of DJ - anyone know any more?

See previously: Amersham Arms pandas; 2009 Amersham Arms Murals

New Cross & Deptford Free Film Festival 2014

There's been some great events in the New Cross & Deptford Free Film Festival since it started in 2012 - see NXDFFF for previous posts. Planning is starting for the third festival to be held next Spring. If you are interested in film, have an idea for an interesting venue or event, or just want to get involved in something positive going in your area, get involved.

'Would you like to be involved in the third New Cross & Deptford Free Film Festival?

Free Film Festivals  is a community group promoting free film screenings in neighbourhood venues.  Last year the NXDfff held 23 film events in 13 venues over 11 days. It was a very diverse programme - from mainstream family features, locally made shorts, global docs and 50’s sci-fi horror.  The festival was enjoyed by over 1,000 people.

Free Film Festivals is about showing films in interesting local venues. It’s about increasing the 'feel good' factor of people in the community with free and enjoyable events in popular public spaces, including outdoor screenings. We are entirely not-for-profit and run by volunteers. Events are funded thanks to our partnerships with community organisations and other supporters.

If you have an idea for a film event, are a filmmaker or want to gain experience in event organising, marketing and design or just want to be part of a community fun film project come along and meet us on Monday 11 November, upstairs at the Amersham Arms, 388 New Cross Road at 8pm.Please drop us a line at nxd@freefilmfestivals.org'

Stand! for Football at the Amersham Arms (with Terry Hall DJing)

(update: 26 October - apparently this event has been cancelled)

STAND! is a football fanzine that speaks out against the corporate excesses of modern football. Next Saturday 26 October they are having a night of beer, music and football at the Amersham Arms in New Cross. 

It starts out with a panel discussion on 'what we can do to take back our beloved game' followed by a night of 'classic old skool indie, house and ska' with a DJ set from the great Terry Hall (Specials/Fun Boy Three), as well as Big Beat Boutique, D'Arcy and One Man Melt. Advance tickets (£10) available here.

Kilimanjaro via Amersham Arms

From Laura Witt: 'In February 2014 myself and my husband will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for a charity called Hands on London, which helps provide volunteers to support local charities including Deptford Reach and the Ahoy Centre.  We are also running a marathon in October and have arranged a gig to support our Fundraising at the Amersham Arms on 22^ndSeptember, with a great line up of 3 bands; Deltorers, Capital X and Moonlighter'. 

Further details here:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/202844226542123/

Good luck Laura, as I told a friend who climbed Kilimanjaro be sure to have this on your ipod:

Music Monday: Brockley Ukulele Group at Amersham Arms

Brockley Ukulele Group continue their tradition of fine flyers with this uke-toting clangers image:

They are playing at the Amersham Arms on Sunday June 9th with  their ever expanding repertoire of songs available for you to request in the Sunday night Ukebox. They've got more records than the KGB don't you know?

Voodoo Ball

'Calling Ye Gods, Loa, Shamans, Spirits and Healers, you are invited to don your best headdress and join us at the inaugural VOODOO BALL for one night of unguided misjudgements and alcohol-soaked decay, in honour of The Grand Shaman, himself. We have a line-up of the most spirited DJs, as well as a genuine 1930s jazz band to get your bones hoppin'...there will also be mysterious goings on, gypsy fortunes to be told and plenty of the unexpected. Bring your best'. With

*Mike Fielding aka NABOO THE SHAMAN of The Mighty Boosh (DJ)

*Old Hat Jazz Band - 1930s time travellers

*Mr Sands + Mr Vision - bringing the choicest tunes

*The Sexy Offender - sure to be a stomping set

+ Madame Zjaza the gypsy fortune-teller

Saturday 9th March, 10pm - 3am

On the door: £7 dressed voodooesque/£9 if you're a mess

Amersham Arms, New Cross

Limited advance tickets at www.voodooball.co.uk

For some serious voodoo tunes also check out Stephen Grasso's Haunted Soundsystem

Music Monday: Si Cliff

Brockley based singer/songwriter Si Cliff is launching his debut album 'Memories' this week in New Cross. Si, who studied music at Goldsmiths, recorded most of the album at home - the tracks are largely based around his voice and acoustic guitar, but also feature cello, violin, double bass, flute, drum kit, piano, soprano choir with additional guitars, ukuleles, banjo and other instruments. Two of the tracks were recorded live at the Albany Theatre in Deptford with a horn section and full band, and the gig on Wednesday 20th February at the Amersham Arms will be with a full band and a choir.

There is lots more information on http://www.sicliff.co.uk

Here's a short film about the making of the album and featuring Si wandering the green and lovely streets of Crofton Park, as well as on One Tree Hill and (I think) Blythe Hill Fields. You can pick up a copy of the CD for £5 at the Amersham Arms gig on Wednesday - music starts at 8:30 pm, with support including Tom Morley and Steffan Davies.

Folk Festival Film

Last October the Amersham Arms in New Cross hosted the London Folk and Roots Festival. While most of the action happened downstairs, Acordes Urbansos filmed some of the participating artists singing upstairs and have now put out the film '16th Folk Room'.

Michele Stodart upstairs in the Amersham Arms

It features the Kilkawley Family, James Burton, Hankdogs, The Galleons, Lucy Kitt, The Bara Bara Band, Josienne Clark, Lorraine Wood, Troubador Rose, Michele Stodart (from The Magic Numbers), Pete Greenwood, Maggie Jane Rose, Indigo Earth, Winston Skerritt, Jack Day and Joe Wilkes.

Pete Greenwood singing with the lights of New Cross station through the window

Hankdogs

New Year in New Cross

Plenty to do in New Cross on New Year's Eve. The New Cross House and Amersham Arms are both having parties with late opening and free admission, the latter with Simon Obee of New Cross Bags fame DJing and promising - or threatening according to your taste - lots of Fleetwood Mac (oops they got the date wrong in flyer!). There's also a Deadly Rhythm party in the back room, but that's already sold out.

The New Cross Inn has lots of bands playing including  Soul Delirious, Valve Control, The Hotelles, Giant Burger, Omar, Pusca and The Only Sun 8:00pm to 8:30pm. £6 in advance, £8 on door with concessions for regulars. Further details here.

The Royal Albert is charging £5 in.

At the Bunker Club (46 Deptford Broadway), Breton and Deptford Army are putting on a party, £5 before midnight, £7 after, open until 4 am (facebook details here).

Of course there's a New Year's Eve party at the Venue in New Cross Road, with the spirit of Michael Jackson appearing - £15 in advance, £20 on door, cheap drinks and guaranteed hangover.

Or for a free all ages event you could just walk up to the top of Telegraph Hill where hundreds of people will gather as usual in the top park (Kitto Road SE14) to count in the New Year and watch the fireworks go off across London. Weather forecast is for rain earlier in the day, but dry by midnight - although no doubt muddy in the park.

(Brockley Central has a few other ideas from further afield)

Brockley Ukulele Group 100th Gig

Brockley Ukulele Group are playing their 100th gig tonight, at the Amersham Arms in New Cross. The SE London strummers started out early in 2008 with a drop-in session at Broca cafe, and played their first gig at the Telegraph Hill Centre in June 2008. I played with them for the first couple of years and had a lot of fun playing out at the Montague Arms, Hobgoblin, Jam Circus, Rivoli Ballroom, Shunt, and other venues. Ukeists have come and gone from the shifting collective that is BUG but one constant since late 2008 has been a monthly session at the Amersham Arms.