Tibetan Monks Sand Painting in Bermondsey

Kagyu Samye Dzong London is a Tibetan Buddhist Centre based in the grand surrounds of the former Bermondsey Public Library in Spa Road SE1. Later this week it will host a visit by monks from the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery  in India, including the creation of a Sand Mandala, a dance performance and interactive workshops open to all.

The monks creating a mandala in Salisbury earlier this month

The events run from 25th to 30th October (full programme here) and will culminate in a ceremony at Tower Bridge:

'Of all the artistic traditions of Tantric Buddhism, that of painting with coloured sand is one of the most exquisite.  The mandala essentially is a representation of the celestial mansion or abode of a principal deity or deities, surrounded by their retinues, and representing the path and fruition of the particular cycle of practices.  To make a sand mandala, millions of grains of sand are painstakingly laid into place in an intricate design over a period of several days using hollow tubes called chagpurs.  The material used is ground marble dust – but in ancient times powdered precious and semi-precious stones were also used. The monks will be creating a Medicine Buddha Mandala.

A total of eight monks will be making the mandala over a period of five days. The exhibition begins with a short dedication prayer, and on completion, the mandala is dismantled in a moving ceremony during which the sand is swept into the centre of the table, symbolizing the impermanence of all things.  A small amount of sand will be poured into the Thames after a small procession from the centre to Tower Bridge, and people attending the ceremony can take away with them small bags of sand as a memory of the event.

Wed 30th Oct: 10am - 12pm - Completion and Closing Prayers at 10am and the Pouring Ceremony at Tower Bridge at 12 noon'.

Everything Means Nothing to Me: Elliot Smith Night in Greenwich

I can't believe that it's ten years since the sad death of singer Elliot Smith. There's a tribute night tonight at Oliver's piano and jazz bar in Greenwich (9 Nevada Street SE10), with proceeds going to men's suicde charity CALM.

Teachers Strike in Lewisham

Teachers picketing Prendergast-Ladywell Fields College yesterday

Yesterday's teachers strike seems to have been pretty effective in Lewisham. Martin Powell-Davies (National Union of Teachers) reports that 75% of local schools were either completely or mainly closed. The strike focused on three big issues, as described by the NUT  :

'Pay – no to dismantling the national pay system
Conditions – no to attacks on conditions – Michael Gove wants a longer school day and year
Pensions – no to working longer, paying more and getting less'

Lewisham Pensioners Book Sale

Coming up next Sunday 20th October, Lewisham Pensioners Forum is having another Big Book Sale. It's at the Saville Centre, 436 Lewisham High Street (near the Hospital), with paperbacks five for £1 and hardbacks from 50p to £2. You can bring along books to donate on the day as well as buying.

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.

Pop up Record Shop in New Cross Road

You go for years without a record shop in the area then two open within a month. Vinyl in Deptford is planning on sticking around, but there's also a temporary one opening in New Cross Road this weekend. This from Goldsmiths:

'A pop-up record shop in the heart of New Cross will open on Saturday (19 October) in association with NX Records, a collaborative independent label from Matthew Herbert’s Accidental record label, and Goldsmiths, University of London. Launched just six months ago as a platform for Goldsmiths students from the BMus in Popular Music, NX Records has already hosted live shows, produced an acclaimed introductory mix-tape and is now proud to announce the opening of the NX Records Pop Up Shop.

The first venture of its kind in New Cross, the shop will be open from Saturday 19 October until Saturday 23 November, and will offer a unique record-buying experience in a lively, friendly atmosphere. The most desirable new vinyl and CDs from a range of labels, limited edition releases from NX Records artists and friends unavailable elsewhere, and unique handcrafted releases and zines will also be on offer.

From mainstream to underground, the BMus in Popular Music at Goldsmiths embraces popular music in its many forms: rock, pop, folk, urban, jazz, experimental and commercial. It is also the programme that produced Mercury Prize 2011 nominee Katy B, and James Blake – also nominated for the Mercury Prize and a 2012 Ivor Novello award.

Honouring Goldsmiths' commitment to the local creative community and to a new generation of upcoming artists, the shop will also host talks, workshops and Q&A sessions from industry experts, and one-of-a-kind, intimate in-store performances from NX and other local artists including Holy Milk, Thefft, Buffalo Ink and Crewdson.

Simon Deacon, Director of Popular Music at Goldsmiths, commented: "NX Records exists to showcase the talents, and hopefully launch the careers, of up and coming artists who have begun their creative journey at Goldsmiths. The Pop Up Shop shop will be a creative hub for NX Records and will give New Cross residents a great opportunity to experience some of the amazing talent we have at Goldsmiths."

Goldsmiths recently announced it will be creating new recording studios at 286 New Cross Road for the use of its students from the Department of Music. Once completed, it is hoped the professional-level studios will be available for public hire'.

- For more information about the pop up shop visit http://310nxroad.tumblr.com/

- For more information about NX Records visit http://www.nxrecords.co.uk/

- In-Store events (doors 19:30):

Sat 19 Oct (Opening night) - Thefft (DJ set) + Holy Milk
Fri 25 Oct - Jacob Aria + James Marples
Fri 1 Nov - Tom Morley + King of Hearts
Fri 8 Nov - Femme + Lisa Busby (DJ set)
Thu 14 Nov - Lake Dysmal and Crewdson (workshop and gig)
Thu 21 Nov - Niomi Eve + Jamie Coe
Sat 23 Nov (Closing Party) - Buffalo Ink + Special Guest DJ

Day of the Dead Silent Disco

Friday 1 November 2013 is Mexican Day of the Dead, and the only Day of the Dead Silent Disco in London (probably) will be happening in SE14. According to the organisers:

'The Hill Station Café (Kitto Road SE14) will be transformed into a Fabulously Fluorescent, Luminously Lovely, Ultra Violet, Psychedelic Disco.  Tickets £15.00 in advance from www.brownpaper.com, include:

Wireless headphones  tune in & turn on

Competing DJ's  wig out to your fave raves

Free Deadly Cocktail  there'll be blood on the dance floor!

Entry into Special Day of the Dead raffle 

Prizes for best dressed Senor and Senorita 

A top line-up of local DJ's will keep your feet firmly on the dance floor with a selection of the best banging party tunes, decadent disco hits and old-skool hedonism.  It's a fancy dress thing - the more skulls the merrier (but of course you don't have to).  The best dressed Senor and Senorita will be crowned "King and Queen of the Dead". Everybody gets a free cocktail on arrival, and there'll be lots of extra scary stuff too. Proceeds go towards funding the New Cross & Deptford free film festival 2014'.

Also at the Hill Station, a new season of Cinetopia starts next Friday 18th October - the night with a mystery feature film, a two course themed meal and a film quiz. The first film in the season is described as 'a funny and honest tale of Brooklyn bohemians behaving badly. Artistic failure leads to marriage break-up which affects adolescent sons in different ways. A quirky and wise American indie'. Further details on facebook

Jay-Z on the Jubilee Line

When playing at the O2 in Greenwich there's really only one quick way to and from central London - on the tube. Hence Jay-Z being spotted on tube at Waterloo last night on his way to gig (photo by GoodguyGoodguy). And yes that's Chris Martin from Coldplay standing behind him.

Rihanna also took the Jubilee line from London Bridge to North Greenwich when she was playing at the 02 in October 2011

South London Anti-Fascists AGM

The past year has seen South London Anti Fascists grow from a largely dormant email list to a significant force in London anti-racist politics. When racist groups like the BNP and EDL tried to exploit the killing of Lee Rigby in Woolwich earlier this year, South London Anti Fascists stepped up with similar groups elsewhere (now organised as the Anti Fascist Network) to mobilise opposition. In some cases the numbers they have mobilised have exceeded those pulled out by more established groups like Unite Against Fascism.

They have paid a heavy price, as the police have met this new generation of militant anti-fascists head on with mass arrests in Whitehall (58 arrests on 1 June anti-BNP protest) and again in Tower Hamlets on September 7th when 286 people were arrested for demonstrating against the English Defence League.

South London Anti-Fascists banner in Tower Hamlets on September 7th 2013

Within South London, they have helped ensure that small demonstrations in Croydon by the 'English Volunteer Force' on 27 July and by Croydon & Sutton British National Party on 5 October have been countered and well-outnumbered. Both demonstrations were at Lunar House incidentally, the Immigration Enforcement (formerly named UK Border Agency) processing centre in Croydon. I've never quite understood why fascists want to protest there, I would have thought they'd be queuing up to work for an Agency that goes around locking up and deporting migrants in a way the BNP and co. can only dream of.

Arguably South London Anti Fascists' most significant intervention was in mobilising for something that never happened - the BNP's planned march from Woolwich to Lewisham Islamic Centre on 1 June 2013. Their mobilising (along with others) built up a huge momentum in the week leading up to the demonstration, and it is plain that the fear of where this might lead prompted the banning of the BNP march in this area.

South London Anti Fascists will face the same arguments that many of us had throughout the 1990s - should the priority be organising amongst the communities threatened by the far right, or amongst the people the fascists are trying to recuit from? How much effort should be expended in countering tiny groups of racists compared with countering racist official immigration powers? How can you combine a broad, inclusive approach with being prepared to sometimes physically stand up to fascists? While it was and is important to discuss these, my experience is that bitter tactical disagreements between competing groups tend to be fruitless - at the end of the day there is no single correct approach, and any and all of the above will be required.

So far, South London Anti Fascists seem to have avoided this trap, recognising the need for a diversity of tactics and combining a militant street presence with some genuine community outreach (e.g. at the only meeting I have been to of their's, they had representatives from Lewisham Islamic Centre and the Nigerian Mosque on the Old Kent Road along to discuss the situation in the context of recent attacks on such places)

South London Anti Fascists have been meeting regularly in New Cross and tomorrow afternoon (Sunday 13 October, 2:15 pm) they will be holding their Annual General Meeting locally - for details of venue please email hello@slaf.org.uk

Anti-fascists in the pub? - spotted at the Amersham Arms

Datacide in Deptford

Datacide, international 'magazine for noise and politics', has its origins in the underground techno/speedcore/noise scene in 1990s London. Its founder, Christoph Fringeli, also initiated Praxis records and the legendary Dead by Dawn nights at the 121 Centre in Brixton (for a while Praxis had a record stall in New Cross Road in what is now Prangsta). Today it is published out of Berlin, but with contributors spread around the globe. As well record reviews and other music news, it features in depth articles and interviews on the related cultural politics, anti-fascism, and much more.

In a return to its South London origins, there will be a launch event for the new issue 13 on Sunday 20th October 2013 at Vinyl, the new record shop/cafe/bar at 4 Tanners Hill, Deptford SE8. It will run from 7 pm to 10 pm (admission free).

There will be talks from contributors including:

- Christoph Fringeli - An overview of Datacide.

- David Cecil  - 'Confessions of an Accidental Activist – Sexual politics and homophobia in Uganda'. David was arrested in Uganda and deported earlier this year. He found himself in the media spotlight after he produced a comedy drama in Kampala (Uganda) which was mistakenly portrayed as a piece of ‘gay activism’. The US evangelist movement, international rights activists and the mainstream media have all contributed in different ways to misleading perceptions of sexuality in Uganda. Meanwhile, more substantial and complex factors of post-colonial socio-economic transformation have been (deliberately?) overlooked, along with the actual experience of daily life for LGBTI people in Uganda (David was also involved in the 1990s free party sound system scene).

- Neil Transpontine ' 'Revolt of the Ravers - the movement against the Criminal Justice Act in Britain'.  It is now 20 years since the UK Government announced its plans for new laws notoriously targeting gatherings with music 'characterised by repetitive beats', sparking off  mass opposition. A look back on that movement and its impact.

Sunday nights sounds will be supplied by South London bassnik DJ Controlled Weirdness.

Lowry's Deptford Painting

The L.S. Lowry exhibition at Tate Britain closes on October 20th. I took my mum and we tried to find the original of the print we had in our 1970s front room like so many other people at that time - but to be honest a lot of the pictures were very similar and we couldn't be sure which one it was! I remember being lambasted in the pub by a left wing Labour Party activist when I was a teenage young socialist and he put me on the spot about what art I liked. Frankly I could hardly name an artist at the time, so I meekly mentioned Lowry (well we had one in our house!). He jumped down my throat telling me that 'Lowry was so anti working class'. It was one of those classic 'middle class lefty would be saviour of the working class sneering at the taste of working class people' moments. I remembered all this when I saw that Tate had managed to get Marxist/sometime Situationist art historian  T J Clark to co-curate the exhibition and redeem Lowry's critical reputation - whether he succeeded or not I'm not sure. Said Labour activist turned out to be right that I should check out Picasso anyway.

Most of Lowry's pictures are famously of the north of England, but in 1959 he painted a view of Deptford Power Station from Greenwich. It is in the National Maritime Museum collection and isn't featured at Tate.

Deptford Power Station photographed in 1973 - it was demolished in 1992. The Millennium Quay housing development now stands on that site.

Soft Wax and the Search for LT: a 1950s London Soundman?

As mentioned here last week, Vinyl is a new record shop in Deptford at 4 Tanners Hill (previously home to Blossoming Together, Deptford Deli, Deptford Properly and in the 1930s the Communist Party's Workers Bookshop).  It has a coffee shop upstairs, records downstairs and a gallery space. There's a great installation on there at the moment as part of the Deptford X Fringe called Soft Wax.

Steve Wax and Cecile Buxton have recreated the feel of a West Indian front room set up for a blues party, drawing on the latter's childhood memories of living in Spitalfields in the late 1950s. There's a 78 record player from the period, and a collection of records to go with it.

As for the records there's a fascinating mystery with a local connection. Steve picked up a collection of unidentified old records which had been sold to a Greenwich record shop - many of them were 1950s American R&B records including a number of 'soft wax' acetate discs. This music was very popular in Jamaica at the time, and without proper local distribution of the records DJs would sometimes make their own copies using acetate cutting machines. 

Most of the records have 'LT' scratched into the label, suggesting that they belonged to a DJ of that period (and maybe later, some of the music dates from 1960s and 70s). 

So the search is on for LT - who was he? There are some clues, some of the record sleeves have the address Herman Miller of Harlesden written on them. The records were sold by an older Caribbean woman, believed to have been the widow of the records' collector, who probably lived in the New Cross area. LT could have been the person's name, or possibly nick name/DJ name. If you have any clues get in touch.

The installation closes tomorrow (Sunday) but the Soft Wax project continues. Next week (October 12th) they are taking part with Jamtone in a 70s style Reggae Sound System Dance at the Vibe Gallery in Bermondsey:

'It’s a return to the source for us. Together we will be select a blistering mix from the rich heritage of Jamaican music. From the 60s into the early 80s and beyond. For this night the tunes will be spinnin’ on Jamtone’s traditional Sound System rig, enabling them to be appreciated to full affect, in a “back-a-yard” style. Expect guest musicians and DJs live on the mic too.

Darren Jamtone has been the mainstay of Sound Systems for two decades. He is now an accomplished live and studio Sound Engineer too, with many records to his name. Steve Wax has been carving out a unique niche as an installation DJ. This evening will commence with the playing of a “one away” collection of late 50s acetates, played on a period deck with an accompanying installation. There will be a vintage record stall, for your continued listening pleasure. There’s a fully licensed bar and arrangements have been made to order food in. Pure niceness all'.

Deptford Anchor Saga: the next chapter

For the last twenty years or so there has been an anchor at the Broadway end of Deptford High Street, a nod to the area's maritime past (although actually it came from Chatham dockyard rather than Deptford). Famously it became the place to hang out for the area's street drinkers - then in April it suddenly disappeared as part of the redevelopment of  the High Street.

Photo from Ben Greville's remarkable series of photos of the Anchor

The anchor has ended up on the closed Convoys Wharf site - perhaps with  a view to it being used in the proposed development there. Rather strange, as that development  hasn't even got planning permission and hopefully will never happen in its current proposed form. Those who miss the old anchor have taken to drawing anchors where it once stood.

Meanwhile a replica anchor has been made and is currently residing in the Master Shipwrights House garden. It may well feature this coming Saturday 5th October when:

'Rediscovered Urban Rituals in collaboration with Deptford Is Forever present Give Us Back Our Blooming Anchor procession. Gathering Midday from the Dog and Bell, 116 Prince St. SE8 to the Arthouse Lewisham way Deptford High Street and Market (approx 12.45pm). Come follow the Anchor with its bearers and rough musicians and revel in the spectacle of this iconic Deptford Symbol on its journey back to its rightful place at the head of the high street and beyond'.

.
Deptford High Street 'Kids Love Ink' tattoo parlour will also be doing anchor tattoos on the day.

New Cross Acid House 1989

From the excellent Phatmedia archive of Old Skool and Rave flyers, here's one from 1989 - 'A Touch Above presents Asylum Acid House', Fridays at the Harp Club (now the Venue - see previous discussion on its pre-history). 

From the same year (15 April 1989), here's a flyer for Subconscious 'Deep House, Garage and Fundamental-Mind Beats' in the Crypt at St Pauls in Deptford

Deptford Dolphins Thames Swim

I was slightly sceptical about whether the self-proclaimed Deptford Dolphins were actually going to manage to swim out from Watergate stairs to the nearby crane derrick in the Thames (as previewed here). But two of them made it on 22 September, and there's a film to prove it. They are already thinking of doing it again for next year's Autumn Equinox - with the swimmers to be awarded the Deptford Dolphin badge pictured above.

The Dolphins in the Master Shipwrights House garden after the swim

This was another project of the emerging Deptford Alternative Sports Club, as some of those involved with Deptford Three Sided Football Club seek further adventures. The next planned action is kayaking the River Ravensbourne down to the Thames at Deptford Creek from its junction with the Pool river in Bellingham Park - no date has been set because it all depends on there having been plenty of rain to make the river fully navigable.

Music Monday: Sam Lee in Deptford

I was lucky enough to catch folk singer Sam Lee singing a song a couple of weeks ago at a Build the Lenox event at the Master Shipwrights House in Deptford. Sam filmed the video for his song Good Bye My Darling in the garden there last year, sitting by the fishing shack at the end of the garden that overlooks the Thames.

The video also features him walking round various parts of London carrying his boat, and then getting into the river on it by Watergate stairs in Deptford

Clarkshaws: Vegan Brewery in East Dulwich

Clarkshaws is 'a small independent microbrewery in East Dulwich. Our beers are created with a subtle blend of innovation, hard work, and the finest ingredients mixed with a dash of whimsy and serendipity, resulting in contemporary takes on classic British beer styles.We use only ingredients sourced from the UK, supporting local producers and reducing the 'beer miles' of all our products. Our process is designed to be vegetarian and we are London's first micro to produce all Vegetarian Society accredited products'.

When I was a vegan - sorry younger self I haven't lasted the course, though I do actually care for some animals now rather than just care about them in the abstract. I digress... when I first turned vegan, I didn't really know the ropes. In the back of a van heading off to some anarcho-punk squat gig I wondered why nobody wanted to share my cider. Then somebody took me aside and told me - it wasn't actually vegan or even vegetarian. I had no conception, and I guess most people don't, that drink may contain animal products. Fish products are routinely used to clear wine and beer, and some cider contains gelatin.

But yes in East Dulwich there is now a brewery that makes vegan beer and is Vegetarian Society approved. Seemingly approved by Southwark Vegans too, as on Sunday 29th September they are going to visit said brewery. You can tour the brewery any time between 12pm - 4pm complete with a beer sampling for £2.50 (includes a pint of beer).

The brewery is  at Unit 8, Tyrrell Trading Estate, Tyrrell Road, SE22 9NA.

Deptford Vinyl: New Record Shop in Tanners Hill

Excellent... Vinyl,  a new record shop in Deptford, kicking off with some events this weekend:

'Moving south from Soho and Camden, Record Shops Ambient Soho and Dragon Discs touch down in a new retail spot after spending 12 years in festival world with the addition of a coffee bar and gallery. Jenny and Ron bring you a new space to to invade, with Jerome Hill in the record shop

VINYL...Gallery, Record Shop and Coffee Bar is Deptford's latest micro venue serving coffee smoothies cakes and paninis with a licensed bar.

Friday 27th September: Vinyl Gallery premier exhibition Transformation. 6.30 - 9.00 pm Part of Deptford X

Artists: Jenny Brown, Annie Chapman, Chris F Clark, Punkvert, David Vallade, Sam Mattacott.

Saturday 28th September: DJs from 2.00 - 9.00 pm Record Shop Disco

Sun 29th September 2.00 - 7.00m Chill House Downbeat

4 Tanners Hill, Deptford, SE8 4PJ (07930421113)'

I used to frequent Ambient Soho in Berwick Street during the 1990s techno golden age, so will definitely be checking this out.

Nunhead Art Trail Shop Windows

Shop windows in Nunhead have been decorated in the build up to Nunhead Art Trail which takes place next weekend (28 & 29 September). I like this one in Rat Race Cycles:

And this hairdressing scene:

Commonweal: late 19th century socialism in South London

The Socialist League was a significant force in radical politics in the late 19th century (it existed from 1885 to 1901), most famously associated with William Morris. Its newspaper Commonweal is now largely online and is a fascinating source for London politics in that period, with its listings of meetings and branches.

For instance in 1889 there was a Walworth and Camberwell branch committee 'meeting every Monday, at 7.30 p.m., at 3 Datchelor Place, Church Street, Camberwell Green'. At this time there doesn't seem to have been a fully established branch in Deptford - 'Persons wishing to join branch now forming are requested to communicate with G.W. Leach, 72 Gosterwood Street, Deptford' (10 November 1888). But socialism was on the agenda at the Deptford Liberal Club on Deptford Broadway. In September 1889, George Bernard Shaw spoke there on "Radicalism and Social Democracy" followed on 6th October that year by future Labour Prime Minister J.Ramsay Macdonald on "Socialist Programme for London." The social question was also being discussed at the West Deptford Reform Club (31 Reculver Road), where in December 1888 the Rev. Stewart Headlam was speaking on "The Unemployed" (Headlam was a Christian Socialist pioneer who later stood bail for Oscar Wilde). Other meetings listed took place at the Hatcham Liberal Club (then at 98 New Cross Road), the South Peckham Liberal Club (19 Linden Grove) and the Star Radical Club (8 Mayall Road, Herne Hill).

On 7 January 1888, the paper reported this sad story of destitution in Deptford:

'Thos. Ansell, of Deptford, 88 years old, and his wife, who was 77, were very obstinate people who would not go to " the palatial dwelling miscalled a workhouse," because of the inhuman treatment they knew awaited them. Rather than be put asunder after 56 years of love and mutual aid by the red-tape of Bumbledom, they kept on battling against increasing infirmity until they could do no more. Then " the parish" gave them "outdoor relief."

The two poor old people were accorded the princely sum of 3s. 6d. per week, out of which they had to pay 2s. rent and "live" on the  balance. Ansell is dead of hunger and cold, and his brave old wife  is undergoing at last the torture she avoided so long - the slow death  of the workhouse. Such things add a bitter point to Cardinal Manning's attack on the present method of " relief." 

Day after day, as we have been reading on the one hand of great feasting by the fortunate, and also of their loudly-vaunted "charity" to their more hapless fellows, so on the other hand have come reports  of deaths from hunger, and horrors unspeakable, the fruit of poverty and degradation. At no time is the baleful effect of the present system shown so clearly as at periods like that just past, which custom  has decreed a festival-tide. But the time passes by, and the lesson is  unlearnt, or if learnt is unapplied. How long will it go on ?'

Where to get Commonweal - a list of South London stockists (December 21 1889)

Open Shipwrights House

It's London Open House this weekend, so lots of opportunities to visit interesting buildings many of which are usually closed to the public. In Deptford, the magnificent Master Shipwrights House on the river front will be open all weekend (entrance on Watergate Street)

The garden of the Shipwrights House last night - the cannon was dug up at Potters Fields by Tower Bridge. Why is there a replica of the Deptford anchor there? And why is the real Deptford anchor currently in Convoys Wharf?  Go along this weekend and ask!

This year is the 500th anniversary of the Royal Naval Yard at Deptford, and this is the oldest building remaining from it - the home and office of the master shipwright  since 1513, remodeled in early 18th century. Today they will be highlighting the proposal to build a replica 17th century ship (The Lenox) as part of the planned redevelopment of Convoys Wharf - the remainder of the dockyard site next door. 

In fact at 10:30 this morning there will be a  Build the Lenox press call featuring 'Samuel Pepys' and 'Henry VIII' and the firing of a cannon. Horrible Histories stars Ben Willbond (who lives in Deptford) and Larry

Rickard will be taking part.

Convoys Wharf  itself will also be open as part of Open House, from 11 am to 4 pm today only.

More information about Convoys Wharf at Deptford Is?

Previous Transpontine posts on Convoys Wharf for more history and the ongoing saga of the dubious plans for this site.

See also: Crosswhatfields? and Deptford Dame

Rizzle Kicks' Deptford Video

We reported in July that Rizzle Kicks had been spotted filming a video in Deptford. Now the video is out, for their latest single Lost Generation. As you can see it starts out with them walking across the bridge on Broadway Fields looking towards the Stephen Lawrence Centre, followed by a street scene nearby on Cranbrook Road (off Friendly Street). Most of the second half is a big dance number back on Broadway Fields



Incidentally Rizzle Kicks are playing at the Stephen Lawrence memorial concert at the 02 next week (29th September) along with Emeli Sande, Labrinth, Plan B, Tinie Tempeh and many others.

Deptford Dolphins in Daring (Dangerous?) Thames Swim

This has come from some people who may or may not be close to the Deptford Three Sided Football Club. The tale of  a 'pre war equinoctial swim' in Deptford may or may not be pseudo-history. But they are deadly serious about swimming in the Thames at Deptford on Sunday 22 September:

'Through playing 3-sided-football with some of the guys down at (new) Deptford Green on sundays there has been a move to try and establish a Deptford Alternative Sports group and a few of us have decided to try and kick start this by resurrecting the pre war equinoctial swim out to the Borthwick dolphins from the Watergate steps. This (apparently) used to occur around the 21st Sept at the autumn high tide and involved swimming out from the steps to the crane derrick, climbing to the top of the wooden support braces and diving back in to return to the steps. Accomplishment of the swim would (apparently) allow the participant to be addressed as a "Deptford Dolphin".

We are intending to do the swim at the 3.15pm high tide on Sunday 22nd September. Meeting in the Dog & Bell pub on Watergate St at 2.00pm. While there are three of us committed, it would be great to expand participation a bit'.

OK at low tide it doesn't look far from the shore to the crane derrick (the structure on the left), but there will be water in between. Strong swimmers only and I would leave the drinking until afterwards!

Light Houses: film in the streets of Telegraph Hill

One of the highlights of this year's New Cross and Deptford Free Film Festival was Light Houses, where people projected films in their windows for passers-by to watch from the street. Now Cinetopia, who helped organise it, are planning a second Light Houses event on Sunday 8 December. They say:

'For those who don't know about this, Light Houses gives local residents the chance to turn their front room windows into mini cinema screens for the evening...The idea is to use a projector to screen a film onto your window which can be seen from the street. The audience then amble around the streets enjoying a wide range of cinematic delights and meeting the neighbours. This year we had home-made animations, pet videos, themed compilations and even foetal scans. The choice of film is up to you. The December event will run from 5 pm to 8 pm and we can provide technical advice if needed'.

It's fairly straightforward if you have or can borrow a digital projector, you just stick a sheet or better still a shower curtain up in the window and away you go. If you are interested in taking part please contact cinetopia@hotmail.co.uk

The area included is broadly the Telegraph Hill area, as shown in the map below showing where films were shown last May.

Save Lewisham Hospital Victory Parade Tomorrow

From Save Lewisham Hospital campaign:

'We will be holding a VICTORY PARADE through LEWISHAM and PARTY IN THE PARK Saturday 14th September! Meet at 12 NOON, Lewisham Roundabout (nr train station) followed by a celebration in Ladywell Fields!

We want to THANK the INCREDIBLE Lewisham community for your amazing support and to celebrate together our victory at the High Court! Although we've since found out that the Government is appealing, we WILL go ahead with this event as the High Court ruled the Government's proposals to close our Hospital UNLAWFUL and we will continue to fight. Let's make this a fantastic day to celebrate our community and the incredible journey we've travelled together!'

 More details: http://www.savelewishamhospital.com/victory-parade-and-party/

Hilly Fields Parkrun Birthday

This Saturday (9 am), Hilly Fields parkrun will be celebrating its first birthday. In the last 12 months, 887 different people have come to the park on a Saturday morning and run 5 km. The combined distance they have run is 17,640 km - which is further than from Hilly Fields to Sydney, Australia. Most weekends there are between 70 and 100 people taking part, plus a team of volunteers organising it. For the birthday celebrations there will be cake and prizes - and running the course around the park in the opposite direction to usual.

I've written here before about the wonders of parkrun - it's a free, accessible run (or walk if you want), and a great community event. For details of Hilly Fields parkrun, see the website. Weather forecast is that Saturday will be a day of sun in a week of rain, so get along and join in!

Photo from Hilly Fields parkrun flickr group

There are other parkruns in many other London parks (see map here). Last week a new one started in Southwark Park, getting off to a fine start with 150 people taking part (see report here).

For a round up of South London running, check out Go Feet.

Friday the 13th at Lewisham Arthouse

An evening of music, film and movement on Friday 13 September 2013:

MONKEY PUZZLE TRIO Viv Corringham, electric voice, Nick Doyne-Ditmas, electric double bass, Charles Hayward, drums and keyboards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oYh4V-yY40

JO THOMAS will unfold her elegant and mysterious soundworlds
https://soundcloud.com/jo-thomas/track-2-b?in=jo-thomas%2Fsets%2Fmermaids-jo-thomas-holidays-1

GONE HOUSE, GHOST HOUSE (film plus live soundtrack by RABBIT with butoh interventions/actions by Bridget Scott)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdX__nWNa-o

£5/£3 doors 7.45pm start 8.15pm

Lewisham Arthouse
140 Lewisham Way
London SE14 6PD
Map and directions
gallery@lewishamarthouse.org.uk
www.lewishamarthouse.org.uk
020 8691 9113

Rewind Nunhead

Lots of amazing free events happening at the Peckham and Nunhead Free Film Festival over the next ten days, including tonight 'Rewind Nunhead'. From 6 pm to 8 pm, short films will be shown in shops along Evelina Road/Nunhead Green, followed by a showing of 'Be Kind, Rewind' on the Green at 8:30 pm.

Among the shorts to be seen tonight is Nun Heads, Cinetopia's compilation of clips depicting the life of nuns as represented on screen from the Bells of St Mary to Bad Lieutenant, showing at Nunhead Corner.

Frendsbury Gardens Green Flag Day

Frendsbury Gardens is  along the railway line next to the Honor Oak Estate, SE4. The Friends of Frendsbury Gardens invite everyone to help celebrate Green Flag day on Saturday 7 September. They say:

'Come along and join in the fun and celebrate because Frendsbury Gardens has been awarded a Green Flag! Green Flag awards, handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognise and reward the best parks and green spaces across the country. Activities from 10am will include:

* Bug club for 0-12 year olds (bug hunts and arts and crafts),
* A foraging, picking and preserving workshop by Grow Wild
* Mosaic-making.
* Storytelling.
* Mobiles making.
* Information about 'going green'.

Lewisham mayor Steve Bullock will be raising the Green Flag at 11:45am. He will be accompanied by local councillors and local residents. Frendsbury Gardens is off  Frendsbury Road. There is street parking and places to lock bikes nearby and the 484 and 343 buses stop outside.  Please do come along and invite all your friends and neighbours!'. Facebook event details 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:

New Cross Party in the Park

Huge amount going on at Party in the Park in New Cross on Saturday 14 September, a big free festival in Fordham Park with loads of local musicians and other stuff. Ben Holland, Eddie Capone, Shocks of Mighty!, Unit 137 Sound System, The Pit Ponies, The Hotelles, The Fruitful Earth, Nunhead Folk Circle and many more - see facebook events page

Should be good, but to make sure it it is the organisers - New Cross Learning and Madcap Coalition are asking for people to lend a hand: 

'New Cross Party in the Park NEEDS ALL OF US on sat 14th september

New Cross Party in the Park is happening a week on saturday (14th) in Fordham Park between 1pm and 8pm with loads of great music, community stalls, food, drink and much much more - it's just the kind of thing that we need, if you agree can you PLEASE help and make sure that it's a successful event that we can do again and again. 

The people who are currently making this possible are a very small group of very dedicated people - but there's only so much they can do - if you can offer 2 hours on either the saturday or the days either side you will be able to enjoy the party that much more knowing that you are doing something to make it happen.

All you need to do is email newcrosspeopleslibrary@gmail.com saying which 2 hour slot(s) you want to do - simple, but i can assure you that it will be HUGELY appreciated'.

Sanford Housing Co-op Open Day

The famous Sanford Housing Co-op in New Cross (Sanford Walk SE14) is having its annual open day on Saturday 7th September, 2 - 8 pm. Come down and find out about its permaculture and eco heating, listen to the acoustic open mic or maybe try out some juggling. For more about the place and its history, check out this post I did a couple of years ago.