Welcome to SE22
Happy New Year! I hope you have all had a lovely festive period and have enjoyed time with your family.
As usual I have rounded up all the great events taking place in and around Dulwich. The events pages start on page 6. January is proving to be a busy month for events, so we have a fabulous eight pages of online and in person events happening in and around Dulwich. Please do check any event before turning up to make sure that they are still going ahead. Remember to check out www.arounddulwich.co.uk too as many events get added after I have gone to print. You can often find out more details online too.
Last month saw the 23rd Dulwich Charity lunch which was organised to raise much-needed funds for Link Age Southwark. The lunch was very well attended and we raised a fantastic amount for the charity. Please do take a look on pages 32 & 33 to see how we got on.
If you live or work locally, why not get in touch and have The Last Word in this magazine. I am now looking for people to write from February onwards. Just drop me an e-mail.
Remember the magazine depends on all the wondeful local advertisers, so please do let them know if you saw them in this magazine!
Until next time.
Angela
Angela Burgess Head of All Things Community SE Magazines/Around Dulwich
Call 020 8693 9040 angela@semagazines.co.uk www.semagazines.co.uk
@semags_arounddulwich
@SEMagazines
@SEMags_ADulwich
If you would like to advertise in our next issue, you can download our rates from our website any time. Or if you prefer, give me a call!
February Deadline - 15 January (please allow an extra two days if design is required)
To advertise in SE22 please contact Angela Burgess on 020 8693 9040 or e-mail: angela@semagazines.co.uk for further information. You can download our rates from our website: www.semagazines.co.uk.
Photographby Portrayed Photography
Events Calendar - January
New Year’s Day
Weekly Online Breathing Class p8.
Dulwich Park Runners see p9.
Online Talk: Dulwich Streets to Eternal Rest p9.
Weekly Online Breathing Class p8.
Life Drawing & Painting, see p8.
Dulwich Park Runners see p9.
Life Drawing & Painting, see p8.
Weekly Online Breathing Class p8.
Creative Writing Course: How to Tell a Story, p25.
Dulwich Park Runners see p9.
Life Drawing & Painting, see p8.
Weekly Online Breathing Class p8.
Dulwich Park Runners see p9.
Goose Green Coffee Mornings, p9.
Zoom Portraiture see p18.
EDWI - Quiz Night p18.
Goose Green Coffee Mornings, p9.
Zoom Portraiture see p18.
BNI Adventures, see p18.
Green Lunch Club, p18.
The Maya Heritage - Ancient & Modern May Culture p19.
BNI Adventures, see p18.
Goose Green Lunch Club, p18.
Live Band Karaoke, see
Lewisham Underwater Hockey, see p6.
parkruns, see p6.
Goose Green Coffee Mornings, p9.
Zoom Portraiture see p18.
Goose Green Coffee Mornings, p9.
Zoom Portraiture see p18.
Kimchi Fermentation Workshop, see p30.
BNI Adventures, see p18.
Green Lunch Club, p18.
Lewisham Underwater Hockey, see p6.
parkruns, see p6.
Yoga Foundations Workshop, see p19.
parkruns, see p6.
Tapestry Weaving Beginners Class see p24.
Singaround, p24.
Junior parkruns, see p8.
The Weekly Horniman Market see p8.
parkruns, see p6.
Lewisham Underwater Hockey, see p6.
Darning Workshop, see p25.
BNI Adventures, see p18.
Under 5s Explore: Mini Masterpieces, see p30.
Goose Green Lunch Club, p18.
Supporting the Dyslexic Learner, see p30.
Goblin Bank, Holly Murphy, Victoria Lynn @ The Ivy House, p30.
Lewisham Underwater Hockey, see p6.
Further details where available can be found in the News and Events page 6, 8, 9, 18, 19, 24, 25 & 30. Please read as not all the events can fit on the calendar!
Dulwich WI, see page 25.
The Weekly Horniman Market see p8.
Honor Oak WI, see p9.
Junior parkruns, see p8.
The Weekly Horniman Market see p8.
Junior parkruns, see p6.
The Weekly Horniman Market see p8.
Dry January Nonalcholic Drinks Workshop, see p24.
King Groovy & the Horn Stars, p24.
Goose
Goose
The Enchanged Cinema @ The Horniman see p6.
British Museum Lecture - Silk Roads with Curator Yu-ping Luk, see p25.
p19.
Junior parkruns, see p8.
} Focusing exclusively on cutting-edge Early Childhood Education (age 2+ to 7+), the most crucial period in a child’s life
} Transitioning seamlessly from play-based to more structured learning, preparing the children to move on at 7+ with that special Herne Hill School spark
} Embedding key values and developing ‘the whole child’ through a unique, continuous five-year curriculum
} Expert staff operating under the ethos of Love · Care · Excellence in which children excel and learn with fun and enthusiasm
} Extensive wrap-around care from 7.45am to 6pm
What's On January
Friday 3 – Sunday 5 January:
The Enchanted Cinema
Various times. The Enchanted Cinema is bringing their interactive cinema shows to the Horniman this winter. Help them create the sound effects to much-loved animations using instruments, hands and voices. The Enchanted Cinema is coming to the Horniman, and they need your help with the score! You’ll use instruments, hands and voices to help create the soundtrack to well-loved animated films, expertly guided by The Enchanted Cinema’s musicians and multiinstrumentalists. This event is aimed at children aged 4-12. Seating will be on the floor with chairs available for those who require them. The floor is wood, and we advise bringing cushions or rugs for additional comfort. www.horniman.ac.uk. 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ.
Fridays 3, 10, 17, 18 & 25 January: Lewisham Underwater Hockey Club
7:30pm – 9pm. Try out underwater hockey at Forest Hill pools every Friday evening. We’re a mixed ability club who play for fun and exercise. Complete beginners welcome - we’ll ease you in gently and have kit you can borrow. Forest Hill Pools, Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill SE23 2HZ. For more information go to www.luwhc.org.uk
Saturdays 4, 11, 18 & 25
January: Parkrun 9am – 10am Dulwich Parkrun
Free, weekly timed 5k run, jog, or walk in Dulwich Park starting from Queen Mary’s Gate. Register once and bring your printed barcode (can be used at any parkrun across the world). Firsttimers briefing at 08.50. Also in Peckham Rye, Brockwell and Crystal Palace parks. https://www.parkrun.org.uk/dulwich/
Peckham
Rye Park Run
A 3-lap anti clockwise course, entirely on tarmac and is mainly flat and therefore a potential PB course The start & finish are located close to the Colyton Road entrance of the park. Peckham Rye Park, Colyton Road SE15 4JR. https://www.parkrun.org.uk/peckhamrye/
Sundays 5, 12, 19 & 26
January: Junior Parkrun
Peckham Rye - 9am - 9:30am
A free, weekly, timed run for 4–14-year-olds, to get fit, stay healthy and have fun! We run 2km every Sunday morning at 9am, through rain and shine. The course is visible, well-marshalled, and all held on the paths around the sports pitches. Peckham Rye Park, Colyton Road, SE22 0NE. www.parkrun.org.uk/peckhamrye-juniors/ Brockwell Park - 9am - 9:30am
A free 2km fun run for 4–14-year-olds every Sunday in Brockwell Park. Just register on parkrun.com to get a barcode and meet behind the lido at 8:55 for a briefing. Come rain or shine, Easter, or Christmas we meet every week. Brockwell Park, Dulwich Road SE24 0PA. www.parkrun.org.uk/brockwell-juniors/
What's On January
Sundays 5, 12, 19 & 26
January: Horniman Market
10am – 3pm. Located on the Bandstand Terrace, you will find stalls selling seasonal fruit and vegetables, artisan bread and cheese, organic meat, and delicious street food.
If that’s not enough to have you feeling like our overstuffed walrus, we also have regular guest traders specialising in treats such as luxury chocolates, delightful drinks, irresistible cakes, and tasty pickle and preserves.
100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ. www.horniman.ac.uk
Monday 6 January – 6 April: Spring Term at Dulwich Lawn Tennis Club
9am. Our tennis programme cater to various age groups and skill levels, our experienced team of LTA qualified coaches will ensure tennis players have lots of fun whilst improving their tennis. At our tennis classes your children have the perfect mix of tennis, fun games, healthy competitions, drills and a lot more! Our junior tennis programme is perfectly suitable for children from 3 to 16 years old - all abilities. We welcome players of all ages and abilities.
Dulwich Lawn Tennis Club, Giant Arches Road, Burbage Road, Herne Hill, SE24 9HP. https://clubspark.lta.org.uk.
You can submit your events for free via our website: www.arounddulwich.co.uk
Tuesdays 7, 14, 21 & 28
January: Weekly Online
Breathing Class
7pm – 7.40pm. A 40-minute breathing and relaxation class. Unwind, centre yourself and use the breath to help relax and prepare for a restful evening. Using different breathing techniques that can be incorporated into your day along with a few gentle mat-based stretches and ending with Yoga Nidra a full body guided meditation for deep relaxation. All welcome. No experience is needed. £7. Join at: https://liveyogateachers.com/classes/ meditation-open-level-kerry-flower
Tuesdays 7, 14, 21 & 28
January: Life Drawing and Painting 7pm – 8pm
This is an online drawing & painting session conducted via Zoom. Long pose life painting and drawing. A single pose held for three hours with 5-minute model breaks every 25 minutes.
The Dulwich Art Group & School. www.dulwichartgroup.co.uk.
Tuesdays 7, 14, 21 & 28
January: DPR Social Runs
7:30pm – 8:30pm
Fantastic local running club. Social runs every Tuesday 7.30pm at Trevor Bailey Sports Ground on the south circular. Plus runs every Sunday morning; coached sessions on Thursdays; cross country races; competitions; weekends away; frequent social activities. Come along on a Tuesday to try us out! www.dulwichparkrunners.co.uk enquiries@dulwichparkrunners.com
Trevor Bailey Club House Dulwich Common SE21 7HA
Tuesday 6 August: Honor Oak WI 7.30pm-9.30pm
The Honor Oak WI is a friendly and supportive group of women of all ages, backgrounds, and interests. We meet on the first Tuesday of the month. We also have book and craft clubs, gallery & museum visits and gentle local walks groups. Non-members are very welcome with a £5 charge towards craft materials - we’d love to see you! honoroakwi@gmail.com Honoroak_WI facebook.com/groups/honoroakwi/ Stanstead Lodge Café, Northwood Road, SE23 1DD.
What's On January
Tuesday 7 January: Online talk - From Dulwich Streets to Eternal Rest: Stories of West Norwood's Buried Residents
8pm-9pm. Uncover the hidden stories of Dulwich at West Norwood Cemetery. To celebrate the cemetery’s new entrance on the West Dulwich side, join Dr Jane Jordan for a captivating journey through time, exploring the remarkable lives of Dulwich residents now resting in West Norwood's historic grounds. This fascinating online talk reveals the untold narratives of ordinary and extraordinary people who once walked Dulwich streets. Discover forgotten tales of local heroes, artists, entrepreneurs, and everyday citizens whose legacies are etched in stone. From poignant personal histories to broader community insights, this presentation brings history to life. https://www.bellhouse.co.uk.
Wednesdays 8, 15, 22 & 29
January: Goose Green Coffee Morning: Goose Green Coffee Morning 11am-12.30pm
Do drop into Goose Green Coffee Morning for a warm welcome, coffee, tea and cake! We are open every Wednesday, it's a great place to get to know others from the local community. All welcome! Free! St John The Evangelist, 62A East Dulwich Road SE22 9AT.
Dulwich Hamlet FC
dulwichhamletfc.co.uk | info@dhst.org.uk | Champion Hill
Avery happy new year from Champion Hill. Here’s to success on and off the pitch in 2025! Why not make it a resolution to be more like Merlin, right, cheering on The Hamlet at the Hill!
Over the festive season the club was proud to support the King’s College Hospital Charity in what has now become an annual tradition, helping to deliver toys to the children’s department, and we’d like to thank you for your generosity and for all the help you give the club year in, year out.
Our Christmas party, hosted by the Supporters’ Trust, also raised funds for our big trip to Hamburg later this year, celebrating the centenary of our friendship with Altona 93. Santa even popped in to deliver a message with predictions of playoffs, promotion pushes and a palpable sense of silverware.
The new calendar kicks straight into action with our men’s team’s trip to Cray Wanderers on New Year’s Day; before our first home game of the year when our men face Bognor Regis Town at Champion Hill on Saturday 4th. The following day on Sunday 5th our women’s team travel to Ashford Town to get going after the holiday break.
On Saturday 11th our men are at home again, hosting Folkestone Invicta at the Hill; while on Sunday 12th our women’s reserves travel to Leatherhead, the scene of many an infamous Hamlet-Tanners clash.
The following weekend our men are on the road to Billericay Town on Saturday 18th, while our women travel to north-west London the next day to face London Bees in the second round of the Capital Women’s Cup. This is the last cup hope of the campaign for our women’s side; as it will be for our men when they face Sutton Common Rovers in the third round of the London Senior Cup. Keep an eye on the club site at dulwichhamletfc.co.uk for the date of that key fixture and all updates. Here’s hoping for a hit, a palpable hit!
The last weekend of the month sees our men back at Champion Hill, hosting Chichester City on Saturday 25th; before our women travel
to Norwich on Sunday 26th for their rearranged fixture and one of the standout trips of the season. Away days like these, as well as big games at the Hill, are not to be missed, so etch them in your calendars now.
In fact, mark them on your all-new Hamlet Hounds calendar for 2025, which this year sees a fresh rabble of our favourite four-legged friends, including Merlin, who just can’t get enough of the Hamlet. All profit from the sale of the calendars goes to dog-related charities and like the rest of our mega-container merch it’s produced by our Supporters’ Trust — which unites our community and makes its voice heard. Let’s hear it for the hounds, and up the Hamlet!
Merlin was submitted for Hamlet Hounds 2025 and appears in October.
Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD.
Winter Scent to Lift Your Mood
Garden Talk with Janine Winlaw | Instagram @janinewinlaw
One of the nicest elements of winter flowering plants is the scent. Winter flowers tend to have a particularly powerful perfume as they have to work harder to attract the few pollinating insects around at this time of year. To get the maximum benefit, place scented plants by the house, near a door, along garden paths or in the front garden so you can enjoy the relaxing perfume as you pass. There’s a fabulous array of plants and shrubs with fragrance at this time of year. Here are a few to try:
Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) is a stunning shrub for winter with yellow and orange flowers with spidery petals along its bare branches. It resembles a small tree in habit, eventually reaching around 4m. It’s beautiful underplanted with snowdrops and cyclamen. Hamamelis Hollis is a strongly perfumed yellow variety. Mahonia with its spiky, leathery leaves has pale yellow flowers that have a delicate scent. In early spring the flowers give way to blue-black berries.
Winter flowering daphnes such as Daphne odora with its delicate clusters of pale pink flowers will give you a lift on a cold day. And Edgeworthia, closely related to daphnes, has
clusters of scented yellow flowers on bare stems in winter, for some serious wow factor!
Sweet box Sarcococca, a compact shrub with neat evergreen foliage and a mass of pungent honey-sweet creamy flowers in winter and early spring is a must.
Winter-scented viburnum such as V. bodnantense and closely related Viburnum farreri both have clusters of sweet-smelling flowers on bare stems, from October through to early spring. Wonderful.
Chimonanthus praecox ‘Luteus’ produces an intoxicating scent. This can be trained against a wall - south facing aspects will encourage the yellow flowers to bud for a lovely scent that will waft around the garden.
Winter flowering honey suckle such as Lonicera purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’ has sweetly perfumed creamy-white flowers to keep the blues away.
Space out your strongly smelling shrubs so that they don’t overpower each other and add layers elsewhere with bulbs such as bright purple blue Iris unguicularis ‘Mary Barnard’ which has a delicate fragrance.
Ripe Old Age
Practical Advice for Navigating
Later Life with Michael Scott | rightathome.co.uk/mitcham
Our Post-War Elderly Community – the Lucky Generation
Both my parents were born before WWII. They experienced the Blitz in London as children. They both suffered considerable fear and hunger, as well as emotional shock and homesickness, due to their evacuation from London, leaving Mum and Dad behind. To them –even in old age – simple pleasures were regarded as luxuries. They laughed a lot, lived for the day, and drank and smoked in excess with contented abandon!
Members of our community today, born just after World War II (now aged 79), can be seen as the lucky generation. They missed the two World Wars and ten years of the Great Depression (1929 to 1939) endured by their parents and grandparents. They were born just after the Holocaust and atomic bombs being dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. During their lifetimes, from 1946 to the present day, they have seen extraordinary economic, social, and technological changes, with much improved healthcare and welfare.
Compared to those born in 1920, the post-war generation has much improved life expectancy. In 1920, average life expectancy was around 54 years (men) and 55 years (women). By 1946, this increased to 64 and 69 years, respectively.
In 1991, nearly half of women in their 70s were widowed, but by 2016, this had decreased to just 30%. In 2016, the number of women who remained childless at 70 halved since 1990, dropping from 21% to 9%. Such changes are thought to be most likely due to fewer wartime losses and changes in societal norms around marriage and fertility.
Older people are also staying in the workforce longer. Between 1992 and 2017, employment among people aged 70 to 79 doubled, from 4% to 8%. This change is partly due to legislation preventing mandatory retirement, allowing many to continue working longer.
Financially, the Post-War generation is much better-off than their parents, with more people owning their own homes and enjoying greater financial security. This increase in wealth is linked
to both a rise in homeownership—due to the "Right to Buy" scheme in the 1980s—and better education, with more and more older people having A-levels or higher qualifications.
Their lifetime also enjoyed an era of peace and innovation. They benefited from the advent of antibiotics, widespread vaccination programs, and advancements in medical research that saved countless lives. Their generation witnessed a revolution in communication—from handwritten letters to instant messaging, and from black-andwhite television to streaming services. As the PostWar generation continues to age, their experiences are shaping future generations, offering a window into how improving healthcare, social norms, and economic policies can dramatically alter the course of aging and quality of life.
This generation stands as a testament to resilience and adaptation, having weathered the turbulence of their parents' past while embracing the progress of a more connected and prosperous world.
Planning for PerformancePeak
Fitness tips with Leanne Spencer | www.bodyshotperformance.com
From To-Do Lists to Energy Lists: Planning for Peak Performance
How to kick off the new year with focus and momentum? Whether it is preparing for a sales kickoff, rallying your team for January, or setting the stage for personal goals, one truth stands out: business is often more predictable than we give it credit for.
The Power of Predictability
No matter your industry there are recurring cycles and milestones that shape your work. Month-end reports, quarterly deadlines, project launches, and seasonal peaks are all predictable moments that require focused energy and resources.
Yet, how often do we allow these moments to catch us off guard, even though they’re clearly marked on the calendar? By acknowledging this predictability, you can take control and approach these periods with confidence and preparation.
Plan Your Energy, Not Just Your Tasks
How often do you take the time to plan your energy? As high-performing professionals, I’m sure you meticulously map out your time and tasks to maximise efficiency and ensure nothing’s overlooked.
But here’s the question: how often do you plan your energy to successfully achieve those tasks? Planning your energy, not just your to-dos, is the key to thriving during high-demand moments this year. Let’s dive into how you can align your energy with your goals for sustainable success.
Map Your Energy for the Weeks Ahead
Here is a simple yet powerful strategy: map out your energy needs for the next 4, 6, or even 12 weeks based on the predictable demands of your role or business. Consider:
• When will your workload peak? Identify specific times when your energy and focus will be most needed, such as product launches, campaigns, or key presentations.
• What are the recurring deadlines? Think about regular touchpoints like month-end reporting or team check-ins.
• What can you anticipate? While some challenges are unexpected, many demands can be foreseen and planned for.
Why This Matters
Preparing for predictable moments isn’t just about avoiding surprises; it’s also key to:
• Building resilience: Knowing when high-energy periods are coming allows you to conserve and recharge beforehand.
• Optimising resources: Align your time, energy, and team efforts with the most critical milestones.
• Enhancing performance: When you’re prepared, you’re more likely to tackle challenges effectively and with less stress.
Recovery is just as important as preparation and performance—it’s the phase where you recharge, rebuild, and regain balance. Don’t overlook the time after a big event to intentionally pause and recover before diving into your next challenge. This is the moment to step back, rest, and allow your mind and body to restore their reserves.
Predict, Prepare, Perform, Recover
This principle forms part of my simple four-step Cadence Approach:
• PREDICT when the big events are in your life
• PREPARE by ‘building your bulletproof’ -small changes, big impact
• PERFORM when you need to
• RECOVER because ‘backing off beats burnout’
Start the Year Strong
Take time to sit down with your calendar and map out these predictable events. Once you’ve identified them, think about how you can prepare.
What's On January
Wednesdays 8, 15, 22 & 29
January: Zoom Portraiture
@Dulwich Art Group & School
2pm – 5pm. Paint a clothed model with a focus on the portrait over two three-hour sessions. We give you a wide view and a closer portrait view so you can work out the framing for yourself. The model will at times be engaged in conversation in order to bring some animation to the face. ONLINE EVENT: www.dulwichartgroup.co.uk.
Wednesday 8 January: East Dulwich WI - It's our Quiz Night with Peter Hillyard
7.30pm-9.30pm. We are delighted to welcome again our dear friend Peter Hillyard for our January 2025 Quiz night. Peter is a charming quizmaster and has challenged our brain cells for many years with his quizzes. We are looking forward to start the year with a great quiz! And yes, there are prizes to be won.
The East Dulwich WI welcomes guests to this event, first time guests attend for free, returning guests pay a fee of £5. We welcome new members, membership for the year April'2024 to March 2025 when joining in January 2025 is £12. For more information please email: join@eastdulwichwi.co.uk.
The Castle Pub, Upstairs Function Room, 280 Crystal Palace Road, East Dulwich, SE22 9JH.
Thursdays 9, 16, 23 & 30
January: BNI Adventures
6:30am – 8:30am. Part of the award winning multi-national networking organisation, BNI, Adventurers brings together businesses local to Dulwich with the aim of passing business and keeping money in the local community. Givers gain, and members of Adventurers have excelled at both over the last 12 months. Breakfast included. Free parking. Get referrals: boost your business! Contact Hayley 07843 989728 for information. Register at: www.eventbrite.co.uk
Dulwich & Sydenham Golf Club, Grange Lane, College Road, Dulwich, SE21 7LH.
Thursdays 9, 16, 23 & 30
January: Goose Green Lunch Club 12.30pm-2pm
The lunch club is a friendly and informal club for people over 55. We meet every Thursday during term time and enjoy a delicious main course and dessert with tea and coffee for £5. If you’re interested in joining us for lunch or if you would like to volunteer with us, please call Martin 07939 288885 or Barbara 0208 693 2090. Goose Green Centre, St John’s Church, 62A East Dulwich Road, East Dulwich SE22 9AT.
Thursday 9 January: The
Maya Heritage - Ancient and Modern Maya Culture
8pm-9pm. The ancient Maya civilization reached its peak in AD 300-900. Across much of presentday Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, many great cities have been discovered, some still buried in the jungle. Their achievements in art and architecture were matched by their knowledge of maths, astrology, calendrics and hieroglyphics. Murals, ceramic figures and intricately carved stone panels provide an insight into their religious ritual, music, warfare, textiles and courtly life. Today some six million Maya continue the traditions of their ancestors. Visitors welcome £10 at the door, cash or card.
JAGS Sixth Form Lecture Theatre, Green Dale, Green Dale, East Dulwich, SE22 8TJ. www.theartssocietydulwich.org.uk/programme/lectures.
Friday 10 January: Live Band Karaoke 7pm-11.30pm
Belt out classics from Dolly Parton to Dizzee Rascal, live on stage, backed by a stunning 5 piece band, in front of a supportive crowd. Lyrics are provided on a screen, and our compere will be on stage with you to add those critical BVs or keep things on track... Pick from over 350 tunes from all genres. Sign up to sing at the venue, then keep an eye on the 'up next' screen. See @lbkpeckham for a taste of what's in store.
The Ivy House, 40 Stuart Road, Nunhead, SE15 3BE https://www.livebandkaraoke.london/
What's On January
Saturday 11 January: Yoga Foundations Workshop - A Beginner’s Guide to the Key Poses 2pm-4pm
Do you want to start your yoga journey but worried you won’t know where to begin in class? Do you already attend yoga classes but you're guessing your alignment? Do you want to deepen your understanding of the foundations of key yoga asanas? Then this workshop is for you!
Join me for a 2-hour beginner-friendly workshop designed to build your confidence, strength, and understanding of yoga. Whether your brand new or looking to refine your practice, this session introduces key poses, proper alignment, and safety tips to help you feel comfortable in any class.
The workshop includes a guided warm-up, in-depth instruction on foundational poses, and a simple flow sequence to tie everything together. We’ll finish with a relaxing Savasana and practical tips to continue your yoga journey. With hands-on guidance and a supportive atmosphere, you’ll leave feeling empowered and ready to flow! www.studio-om.co.uk/events/ yoga-foundations-workshop.
Studio Om Yoga, 23 Dulwich Village, SE21 7BT https://www.studio-om.co.uk
New Year: New Pet Diet
Pets Corner with Leonie St Clair | www.londondogstraining.co.uk
Most of us face 2025 with a host of resolutions in mind, a number probably involving a note to self about calorific intake and pursuit of moderation in all things. I suggest adding another line to that fridge magnet list - and take a good look at your pet’s diet, because there is more than a grain of truth in the adage, ‘you are what you eat’.
Obesity, diabetes, gut and pancreatic disease are all increasingly afflictions of the modern pet, and diet is thought to be a major factor. As a behaviourist, I see hyper dogs and vicious cats morph into sweet biddable pets overnight, once a change in diet has been made.
Let’s be clear, cats are obligate carnivores, they need to eat meat. Not any old meat, but fresh and as close to live and kicking as possible. Look inside your cat’s mouth, these are teeth for piercing and tearing, not for grinding vegetables. In the wild cats would eat some carbohydrate from the undigested stomach contents of prey, but this would account for around 5% of their diet, not the 30% that is the norm in many packaged cat biscuits.
Some proprietary cat foods are excellent, but it is wise to check the label on the packaging. Ground up bits of animal and fish do not count. Beaks, feathers and trotters may all get thrown into that category and will be called meat and animal derivatives. Sure, the animal attached to those body parts may have been passed fit for human consumption, but when did you last eat beaks on a regular basis?
There is no such thing as a vegetarian cat, so why do we consider it okay to feed cats a main diet of biscuits? Plant protein concentrates and various types of grain or sugar beet are routinely used as biscuit bulking agents. These may raise the overall protein content of the product, but the quality of protein will always trump quantity. All those extra, unnecessary carbs simply get turned into fat, and we wonder why our cat is getting porky?
Our dogs fare no better. Unlike their wolf ancestors, they are opportunistic scavengers, not pure carnivores, and have evolved enzymes to digest carbohydrate in a way wolves cannot, but they still have the lupine short gut, and dentition, of the meat eater. So, if morphology is anything to
go by, dogs have developed to digest starch if need be, but overall are designed to consume flesh.
The convenience of kibble, together with clever marketing, persuades many of us that we are feeding our pets a quality diet. There is no doubt that our infinitely adaptable canine chums may appear to thrive on kibble but, as one eminent Vet explained to me, it is like feeding your kids chips with everything!
Just take a look at your cat, is he getting fat despite eating very little? Is your pooch itchy, flatulent, irritable, edgy and unpredictable? Diet may be the culprit. A healthy pet has well formed, firm stools; anything less should prompt dietary investigation and a visit to the vet.
As responsible pet owners we have the opportunity to make informed choices for our pets, it doesn’t have to be hard - you just have to know where to look and how to read the labels. Do some research and discover the high quality options available. A place to start is: http://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/
Financial Matters
With David Frederick FCCA | Marcus Bishop Associates | marcus-bishop.com
Financial planning 2025
As we enter 2025, the words of Zig Ziglar, “you can’t hit a target you cannot see, and you cannot see a target you do not have” reflects the position of some adults as they seek to grapple with their finances and financial resilience.
The savings landscape of UK adults in 2024 presented a mixed profile. Some 68% of adults had a level of savings in 2024. Almost half of the adult population, (46%) have only £1,000 or less in savings, and a quarter (25%) have £200 or less. Nevertheless one in six UK adults (16%) have no savings at all, equating to around 8.7 million people. An initial five step approach to help adults address and improve their financial resilience in 2025 has been set out below.
1) Set Clear Financial Goals
The first step is to set financial goals, otherwise there is no target or clarity of purpose. Furthermore, these goals must be specific, measurable, and timely, to help individuals not only stay on track but afford them a greater opportunity of achieving their financial goal. Although it is tempting and has been customary to set and focus on goals for a period of 12 months, goals should be set for periods of 12 weeks to afford greater scope for monitoring, review, and revision.
2) Build An Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is an essential feature of financial security. It facilitates the ability to address any unforeseen or unplanned expenses or emergencies that may arise. The main unforeseen event is often loss of employment. It is often recommended that an individual should have three to six months of living expenses saved and readily accessible to cover urgent costs or changes in employment. According to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), 39% of UK adults have less than £1,000 in savings, making it difficult to manage unexpected financial emergencies.
The FCA findings clearly demonstrate that a sizeable proportion of the adult population would not be financially resilient to absorb an emergency shock to their financial position. Hence the message is for 2025, start and commit to the establishment and growing of an emergency fund.
3) Discharge High Interest Debt
High interest debt such as credit cards, if not brought under control have the potential to escalate out of control and become a financial burden. Moreover, servicing debt interest reduces one’s scope for saving or building that emergency fund. A clear objective should be to discharge high interest debt at the earliest opportunity. Over time that debt interest can become the acorn to launch the oak tree of savings and or emergency fund.
4) Review Your Insurance Policies
Insurance policies such as household and car should be reviewed to ensure they continue to meet your needs and are at the appropriate level of cover. It is often a false economy, and in some instances illegal to dispense with insurance. Imagine the cost and consequences of a household flood or fire following the decision to cancel a household insurance policy. It is often better to abandon insurance loyalty to an insurance provider and shop around periodically than to terminate insurance policies.
5) Establish & Update Your Estate Plan
Tomorrow is unknown and not guaranteed for anyone. Therefore, the basic bedrock of any estate plan in 2025, should be an up to date will and a pair of lasting power of attorneys. A will allows you to determine where your assets and estate will go when you are no longer here. Whilst a pair of lasting power of attorneys allows you to select and appoint who you wish to speak and make decisions for you when you no longer have mental capacity to speak or make your own decisions. If yesterday was the best time to start building financial resilience, then today is the next best option.
Stephen J. Smith F.C.C.A.
Local Chartered Certified Accountant with 30 years small business experience
Small Business Accounting
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THE ROSSETTI ENSEMBLE
Wednesday 26 February
7.30pm, MCT at Alleyn’s
MCT atAlleyn’s
The Rossetti Ensemble play masterpieces from the piano quartet repertoire Sara Trickey (violin), Sarah-Jane Bradley (viola), Ursula Smith (cello), John Lenehan (piano)
What's On January
Sunday 12 January: Singaround 7pm-10.30pm
Our Singarounds are informal and participative. We take it in turns to sing a song - any language, any genre, accompanied or unaccompanied, anything goes! We don't use the stage or mics. Singers, listeners and complete beginners’ welcome! £5 on the door, cash or BACS. For lots more information, please see our website: www.thegooseisout.com.
The Ivy House, 40 Stuart Road, Nunhead, SE15 3BE
Sunday 12 January: Dry January Non-Alcoholic Drinks Workshop 7pm-8.15pm
Join me for a Hands-On Workshop in Penge, London SE20 where we will make two nonalcoholic drinks: 1) Fermented pineapple tepache and 2) Ginger switchel - makes a great cordial or base for cocktails. Both recipes are vegan and non-alcoholic. Everything you need is provided. No experience of fermentation is required. I'll teach you everything you need to know, and your ferment will be ready to drink within 24-48 hours of the workshop. Book tickets via https://www.eventbrite.co.uk
Kingswood Road, Penge SE20 7BL
You can submit your events for free via our website: www.arounddulwich.co.uk
Saturday 18 January: Tapestry Weaving Beginners Class
10am-1pm. This class is for anyone who would like to pick up a bobbin and try tapestry weaving. It’s the perfect session if you have always wanted to have a go - no experience necessary. On an upright loom, get started with plain weave, then try blending colours or weaving a simple shape. By the end of the session, you'll have made your own small tapestry to take home. Tapestry weaving allows you to slow down a little and be creative with an art form that plays with colour and design. It's the perfect antidote for busy people with busy lives and is easy to continue at home once you have the basic skills. All weaving materials and instruction are included, and a loom will be prepared for you to use in class.
Bell House, 27 College Road, Dulwich, SE21 7BG. www.bellhouse.co.uk.
Sunday 19 January: King
Groovy & the Horn Stars at The Ivy House 4pm-6pm
Top-notch big band King Groovy are delighted to be back at the Ivy House playing a foot-tapping mix of swing, jazz, Latin, pop and funk, from Count Basie to Amy Winehouse. Expect sassy sambas, funky grooves and some hot horn solos! Sunday lunch available. Entrance is FREE, book a table to make sure of a seat.
www.ivyhousenunhead.co.uk.
The Ivy House, 40 Stuart Road, Nunhead, SE15 3BE
What's On January
Monday 20 January: Dulwich WI Monthly Meeting
7:30pm-9:30pm. Launched in 2018, the Dulwich WI is a supportive and stimulating group for women of all ages and backgrounds. We meet once a month at Kix Bar + Kitchen 57 North Cross Road, SE22 9ET. We would love to meet you and look forward to welcoming you to our group. More information at: www.dulwichwi.com
Tuesday 21 January – 25
March: Creative Writing Course: How to Tell a Story
7pm-8.30pm. This creative writing course, taught by screenwriter and novelist Isabelle Grey, is for anyone with a story to tell. Whether you’re writing a first novel or a family memoir, this will show how to build a narrative that people will enjoy reading. Eight classes over ten weeks will cover theme and plot, character and point of view, pace and suspense, endings and beginnings, and include plenty of workshop exercises. You will learn how to edit your own work as well as give constructive feedback on each other’s work, with the additional week offering extra time for participants to exchange writing samples ahead of the next class.
Bell House, 27 College Road, Dulwich, SE21 7BG www.bellhouse.co.uk.
Saturday 25 January: Darning Workshop
11am-1pm
Darning is a technique that has fallen out of favour in recent years, but we’re determined to bring it back through this 2 hr darning workshop designed to help you keep the clothes you already own lasting longer and out of landfill. It is a great practical skill and relaxing craft we can easily do at home by helping us unwind from the busy lives we lead, whilst also being more conscious of our clothing choices. During this workshop Madeline Tanoto from @madsdoandmend will teach you about visible and invisible darning of your beloved woollens through practical instruction as well as explore the different tools and materials you can use to keep practicing this skill at home. All darning materials will be provided for the workshop, but you will need to bring a woollen item from home to mend. For example, a wool jumper or cardigan with moth holes, or a pair of worn out woolly socks.
Bell House, 27 College Road, Dulwich, SE21 7BG. www.bellhouse.co.uk.
Monday 27 January: British Museum Lecture - Silk Roads with Curator Yu-ping Luk
7pm-8.30pm. The term ‘Silk Road’ conjures a range of romantic images. Camel caravans crossing desert dunes. Merchants trading silk and spices. Far-flung commerce between ‘East’ and ‘West’. The reality was far richer. Rather than a single trade route from East to West, the Silk Roads were made up of overlapping networks linking communities across Asia, Africa and Europe, from East Asia to Britain, and from Scandinavia to Madagascar. This talk, based on the British Museum exhibition and accompanying book Silk Roads, unravels how the journeys of people, objects and ideas that formed the Silk Roads shaped cultures and histories. Silk Roads tell a story of connection between cultures and continents, centuries before the formation of the globalised world we know today. Books will be available to purchase at the event, and there will be opportunity to have your copy signed by the author. Tickets are £5 per person.
Bell House, 27 College Road, Dulwich, SE21 7BG. www.bellhouse.co.uk.
SE22 Councillors
Councillor Charlie Smith - Goose Green Labour Councillor | charlie.smith@southwark.gov.uk
A Happy New Year To Everyone
Ihope you did not overdo it during the holiday period. Traditionally, January is the month for New Year resolutions. How about getting fit and doing some weights by joining the Dulwich Leisure centre in Crystal Palace Road? There is the offer of 'Free Gym and Swim' which operates all day Friday and part of Saturday. Various memberships are also available. Why not give it a go? Want to give up smoking? It doesn't have to be a drag. The Allen Carr's Easyway@ stop smoking service is available to residents, offering free places on seminars to people who live and work in Southwark. Find out more and book at www.allencarr.com/location/Southwark-council or call 020 8944 7761. Good Luck!
Post Office Ltd are considering closing the main Post Office in Lordship Lane. This Post Office provides a vital service for local people, especially older people who cannot get online. Two banks in Lordship Lane have closed recently and residents have come to rely on this Branch to do their banking and withdraw cash, in addition to the original function as a Post Office. Local retailers use this Branch to pay in their takings each day. If this Branch closes, only one cash machine will remain on this stretch of Lordship Lane. I hope the local community comes together and demands a proper consultation takes place rather than some tick box exercise.
Barry Road is almost a kilometre long. A few motorists regularly exceed the speed limit which is currently set at 20 mph. Local Councillors have arranged for a few metal roundels to be installed on lampposts along the road. Also, the wornout painted roundels on the carriageway will be refreshed. There will be more speed gun sessions with the local police and local Councillors to persuade speeding drivers to slow down. Flood alleviation works on Peckham Rye are almost complete. The works were to install 'Bunds' which would protect 111 local properties from flooding. Some fencing is still in place to allow the disturbed ground to recover.
If
To
“I’d really encourage other people to open their gardens. Everyone’s garden is interesting, so it’s not as frightening as you think. It doesn’t have to be perfect.”
Volunteer Drivers Needed
For 30 years, Link Age Southwark has eased loneliness and reduced social isolation for local older people and those living with a diagnosis of dementia. Today, they urgently need more volunteer drivers like Mark. Every Thursday, he collects four older women, from very different backgrounds, driving them to and from singing sessions run by the charity.
“I enjoy listening to them chat when I’m driving them. Hearing about their lives and families is fascinating – they may have limited mobility now, but one of them told me that at 18 she’d been a long jump champion!
They seem to really appreciate the interaction – they’ll ask about my sons, my dogs – it’s lovely to just be me. I retired last year from a very highpressure career where I was constantly ‘on call’. I wanted to explore other aspects of what I can bring to the world.
Link Age Southwark needed drivers. I have a roomy car, and it was an opportunity to give my
BabyBallet
The award winning movement to music, dance & singing programme for boys and girls from 6 months upwards run with a fun, safe and caring environment. Classes in Dulwich. Call Stephanie 07809 148348 | www.babyballet.co.uk.
HartBeeps
Mondays at Christ Church, 263 Barry Road, East Dulwich, SE22 0JT. Mondays 10am Happy House, 11.15am Baby Beeps & 12.30pm Baby Bells.. http://hartbeeps.com
Family Space
Free, creative workshops that take place on the last Saturday of the month at the South London Gallery, 6567 Peckham Road. For children aged 5-12 years old with their parents and carers. Drop-in, no need to book. www.southlondongallery.org
Little Superhero Training
Practice your Superhero moves! Discover Superhero fun facts! Any Little Heroes, Boys and Girls aged 2 - 5, Come along for a FREE taster session. Mondays & Fridays (term time only) St Barnabas Parish Hall, 23 Dulwich Village, SE21 7BT. Contact Lucy 07813 791757 | lucy@littleherocompany.com www.littleherocompany.com
brain a rest, whilst hopefully making a difference. Being a volunteer driver makes me feel good: you’re taking time – listening and being there for others.”
To find out more about becoming a Link Age Southwark volunteer, contact 020 8299 2623; volunteering@linkagesouthwark.org or visit: www.linkagesouthwark.org
Mini Athletics (SE London)
Winning the gold medal for children’s sports classes! Start your child’s fantastic journey in athletic development, designed for toddlers up to children of 7 years old. All through a fun play-based format. To try us out, contact Sam: 07811787153 | smcdermott@miniathletics.com www.miniathletics.com
Tennis-4-Kids
Learn young, have fun. Rally around for a smashing time. Serving ages 3-11. Rackets supplied; fun guaranteed. Gordon 07877 391005 | www.tennis-4-kids.com | gordonwood@hotmail.co.uk
‘Unicornios y Dinosaurios’
Fun and interactive Spanish language play classes, for children aged 0-5, and their parents and carers. Thursdays mornings (term-time only) in East Dulwich. Suitable for all levels of Spanish! Contact Hazel on 07852 553 239 or hazelcarr@ hotmail.com.
Your Class Here
If you would like to advertise your children’s class here, please e-mail angela@semagazines.co.uk for details.
What's On January
Wednesday 29 January: Kimchi Fermentation Workshop
7pm-8.15pm. Join me for a Hands-On Fermentation Workshop in Penge, London SE20 where you will be chopping and prepping veg and fruit to take home and ferment with full instructions. The recipe I use is vegan. Everything you need is provided. No experience of fermentation is required. I'll teach you everything you need to know and your ferment will be ready to eat within a week of the workshop. Kimchi is a spicy Korean condiment made from fermented cabbage. As well as being delicious, it has lots of brilliant gut health boosting properties. I'll give you lots of recipe ideas on how to eat kimchi. https://southlondonferments.wordpress.com.
Thursday 30 January –
Thursday
13 March:
Supporting the Dyslexic Learner - All Six Sessions Special Offer
10am-11.30am. This six-week course has been designed to help you understand how you can best support a child at home and at school. Children with dyslexia may learn differently from you. We will cover how to recognise different learning profiles, multi-sensory learning, ageappropriate reading matter and tools, note taking, mind mapping, making numeracy more visual and how to gather evidence that a child needs help and support.
Tina Hunter is a highly experienced specialist teacher and assessor with over 20 years of experience in the field of further education. She has worked both in the UK and abroad, gaining valuable insight into a variety of educational systems and practices. Tina has worked with students across primary, secondary, and further education levels, allowing her to develop a comprehensive understanding of the diverse needs of learners at different stages of their academic journey.
Bell House, 27 College Road, Dulwich, SE21 7BG www.bellhouse.co.uk
You can submit your events for free via our website: www.arounddulwich.co.uk
Thursday 30 January: Under 5s
Explore: Mini Masterpieces
10AM-11AM OR 11.30AM-12.30PM. Spark your child’s imagination through playful painting. Join these exploratory sessions for under 5s. Each session begins with a journey through the Gallery to discover the different people, places and animals in our paintings, followed by an art-making activity. Our themes change monthly to keep your little creatives engaged and open them up to new ways of playing. Under 5s Explore: Mini Masterpieces takes place on the last Thursday of every month.
www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
Dulwich Picture Gallery College Road SE21 7AD
Friday 31 January: Goblin Band, Holly Murphy, Victoria Lynn 7pm-11pm
A real breath of fresh air to the English folk scene, we are delighted to be welcoming the brilliant Goblin Band to The Ivy House, with two great supports! Buy your tickets quickly for this one! £12 advance, £14 on the door (cash or BACS). For tickets and lots more information, please see our website.
www.thegooseisout.com
The Ivy House, 40 Stuart Road, Nunhead, SE15 3BE
The Dulwich Charity Lunch 2024
The Dulwich Charity Lunch, held in December last year, raised a fabulous £3,950 for Link Age Southwark
The lunch, now in its 23rd year, is held every December and is a fantastic way for local businessmen and women to meet up and get into the festive spirit. We were lucky to get part of our donations matched by The Big Give. We were back at The Lordship where they kindly closed the pub for the event. 60 locals got together and had a great Christmas party. The organisers enjoyed great support from local businesses who donated prizes for the raffle and came along and enjoyed the day.
A BIG THANK YOU TO:
AA Graphics, Alice Godfrey Nutrition, Amphlett Lissimore, The Arts Factory, Caroline Mills Family Mediator, The Chair Sanctuary, The Clipper, Daint Interiors, East Dulwich Blinds, Elly Allen Interiors, Experience Away – Not Just Travel, Franklins Pub, Glade Financial, Hello Social, The Illusioneer, The JB Edit, Kathy Daniel Coaching, The Little Clipper, London Pooch, The Lordship Pub, Mac Support, My Parenting Solutions, Portrayed Photography, Romeo Jones, SE Magazines, Sartoria Lab, The Soul Nurturer, Therapy, Tidylicious, Toni Horton, Topaz Holistic Retreat, Village Blinds, the ED Women’s Institute, Yoga with Michele, Zen Oven Cleaning and more...
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