Beast magazine issue 3

BEAST LONDON

SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED BEST BARS this side of town

Tales, trends & talk from the beating heart of East London

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BEA S T m agazine i s brought to you by E di tor Emma Winterschladen C re a t ive D ire c t o r Nicky Acketts S u b Ed it o r Jane Gazzard Features & Digital Writer Charlotte Davey Contributor Camilla Cary-Elwes Photographer Kathrin McCrea Fashion Editor Maria Loizou Music Editor Ed Gibbs Social Media Producer Sophie Castle Publishing Director Jason Frost Advertising Vanessa Beeson & Ann Castle Printed in the UK by Printwize To advertise contact v@beastmag.co.uk or ann@beastmag.co.uk ON THE COVER George Castle. Photography by Kathron McCrea. Follow George @georgecastle4 #BeastMag

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GOD'S OWN JUNKYARD

Follow the bright lights to this neon wonderland in the heart of Walthamstow Tucked away on an industrial estate in E17 sits this deliciously garish, joyfully illuminated ode to all things kitsch. The once workshop and warehouse of the late Chris Bracey (aka ‘The Neon Man’), it remains home to his collection of vintage neon signs, circus displays, retro art and eccentric movie props. A mosey around is an activity in itself, but if the desire for a fluorescent masterpiece in your own home is too much, you can buy, rent or even commission one – or just enjoy a cup of tea at their on-site Rolling Scones Cafe instead.

Unit 12, Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Shernhall Street, Walthamstow, E17 9HQ, godsownjunkyard.co.uk

OUT THERE Eyes wide open and ears to the ground

IT'S BEHIND YOU

The high life Ice skating is surely one of the most romantic ways to spend a cold winter’s evening. Doing it outside (ice skating, that is…) is far more magical than cramming into a leisure centre rink packed out with precocious six-year-olds.

Doing it on a rooftop is just plain adventurous. From November-December, Europe’s only rooftop ice rink will be returning to Tobacco Dock. It’s sure to be popular, so if you want to book in, you’d better get your skates on.

Tobacco Dock, Pennington St entrance, St Katharine's & Wapping, London E1W 2SF skylightlondon.com

For afternoon tea with a festive twist, Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch should be your go-to spot throughout November and December. Offering a twist on the classic British tradition, don’t go expecting cucumber sandwiches on white sliced bread. Instead, snack on snow crab tempura on a shokupan bun, a Santa Claus whisky macaroon, a coconut snowball with white chocolate ganache and many more Christmassy treats all served with tea, coffee or a glass of something fizzy. noburestaurants. com 6 BEAST

Urban Makers East Christmas market is returning to the Ecology Pavilion, Mile End, on the 8 and 9 December where they'll be showcasing the work of 50 different designer/makers each day.

With jewellery, stationery, clothing and homewares, this is the perfect opportunity to pick up a truly unique handmade present while supporting local makers.

Ecology Pavilion, E3 5TW. urbanmakerseast.co.uk

A LITTLE OF WHAT YOU FANCY Columbia Road’s cutest cake shop has teamed up with Boodles Gin to create boozy Christmas cakes to scoff over the festive season.

Infused with mulberry gin, this vegan mulberry cake is available at Lily Vanilli throughout December, ideal for when you need a winter warmer.

6 The Courtyard, Ezra St, E2 7RH. lilyvanilli.com beastmag.co.uk

WORDS: CHARLOTTE DAVEY

Let it snow, let it snowball

Start warming up those vocal cords and practise your ‘please don’t pick me’ faces, because ‘Aladdin’ is flying into the Hackney Empire until 6 January. Oh yes it is!

Starring Clive Rowe (of 'The Story of Tracey Beaker' fame) as the Dame, it promises to be an evening of riotous fun for the whole family, full of chances to boo and cheer.

Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ. hackneyempire.co.uk

There is nothing like a dame…

Catch ‘Aladdin’ at the Hackney Empire

Get crafty

MADE IN HACKNEY

If you’re reading this over a mug of honey and lemon with a screwed-up tissue in your hand, then we prescribe Made in Hackney’s Winter Wellness course. Nutritionist Harriet Bindloss will show you how to make winter wellness remedies to help ward off colds, coughs and the flu. There is a suggested donation of £5, but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.

3 Cazenove Rd, Cazenove, N16 6PA. madeinhackney.org

We love the idea of homemade cards, but ours always end up looking as if a toddler has been let loose with PVA and a fistful of glitter. Thankfully, this year artist and printmaker Jamie Temple is on hand for creative guidance.

Head to the Barbican from 3-4 November for a linoprinting workshop and come home with a set of stylish, handmade Christmas cards that you’ll be proud to post.

Barbican Shop, EC2Y 8DS. Tickets: barbican.org.uk

Endangered Shoreditch-based photographer Tim Flach is bringing ‘Endangered’, a poignant visual record of critically endangered species, to the Wex Photo Video Gallery.

The free exhibition will highlight animals and ecosystems on the brink of extinction – all photographed

by Flach over a period of 20 months. His work aims to remove the sense of ‘otherness’ in conventional images of creatures photographed in the wild by representing the animals in a portrait style usually associated with humans. The exhibition will run until 3 January, kicking off on Wednesday 28 November with a talk and book signing.

37-39, Commercial Road, E1 1LF. timflach.com

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Après ski and the city If you’re after a touch of alpine living in the heart of London, then Drake & Morgan have you covered (quite literally). In true aprèsski style, they’ve kitted out The Listing, on Cannon Street, with an exclusive Veuve Clicquot Gondola. The cosy rooftop spot, which can seat up to four, is the perfect way to enjoy a luxurious winter evening – complete with fondues, charcuterie, blankets and, of course, champagne! drakeandmorgan.co.uk beastmag.co.uk

The Blitz Party Every year, we approach New Year’s Eve with the same naïve excitement for the wild possibilities of the night, and every year we end up in bed by 11.45 after making up the words to Auld Lang Syne. This year will be different.

See in the New Year with something unique: a Blitz-themed party at Village Underground. 1940’s-style attire is a must to truly throw yourself into the Blitz spirit, dancing the night away to live Big Band music. There’s even a pre-party swing dance class for you to sharpen your steps before the main event. Village Underground, 54 Holywell Lane, EC2A 3PQ. theblitzparty.com

’Tis the season of sipping and socialising in some of East London’s best watering holes. Whether you’re after a cosy pub, a quirky bar or a literarysalon-cum-absinthe-parlour, we’ve rounded up our favourite hot spots for a cold winter’s night Words by Charlotte Davey

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Coupette Bethnal Green Situated in a 160 year-old building, with its exposed brick walls and air of ‘industrial chic’, this Bethnal Green boozer takes the art of the cocktail very seriously. If you hadn’t guessed from the name, which loosely translates as ‘a cheeky one’, Coupette has a subtle French theme running throughout both their decor (a bar topped with vintage Discount Suit company – suited and booted on the cheap

10-franc coins) and their vast drinks menu. Many tipples include French favourites such as champagne and Calvados, as well as an array of ciders. Say bonjour to your cheeky new date-night spot. coupette.co.uk

Alfred Le Roy

Hackney Wick

Set aboard a canal boat, Alfred Le Roy is not one

Discount Suit Company

for the landlubbers. Dispel any notions of cramped

Contrary to what the name suggests, this is not the place to

barge holidays spent wedged into a single room with

get suited and booted on the cheap. Discount Suit Company

nothing but snoring relatives and a set of Scrabble for

is housed in the old storeroom of what was a Petticoat Lane

entertainment; Alfred Le Roy is a spacious, comfortable

suit shop. Spend an intimate, informal evening here with

cocktail bar that just happens to cruise up and down

a couple of mates and a sharing-sized carafe filled with a

the River Lea. The whole cabin is lined with windows, so

fruity, spicy cocktail – all accompanied by the sound of soul

everyone gets the chance to watch the world drift by, all

music. The stuff Friday nights are made of.

the while sipping on a cocktail (we recommend the Toffee

discountsuitcompany.co.uk

Spitalfields

Apple Sour) and nibbling at a cheeseboard. alfredleroy.com

Bõkan Canary Wharf Bōkan’s rooftop bar and terrace is the ideal spot to enjoy casual drinks and astonishing views – at the same time feeling a million miles away from the corporate cut and thrust of the Canary Wharf streets below. Fully heated, the terrace is extra special in winter, with the skyline illuminated against the night’s sky. Head over on a Sunday to watch the sun setting to a live jazz soundtrack. bokanlondon.co.uk

Callooh Callay

Shoreditch

Back in the days when cocktail bars were a rare occurrence in Shoreditch (can you imagine?) Callooh Callay was something of a trendsetter. Now, a decade later, it is one of the area’s most well-established bars, winning numerous awards for their cocktails. We love the ethos of their inclusive members’ club, JubJub – it’s free to join because they care more about the people in their bar than the money in their bank accounts. calloohcallaybar.com

Hoxton Square Bar – extrordinary cocktails

We love the ethos of Callooh Callay's inclusive members' club, JubJub

East London Liqueur Company

Bow

Hoxton Square Bar

Hoxton Square

Once the home of London distilling, the East End has finally

Ideal for uncovering new music, Hoxton Square Bar &

gone back to its roots. After 100 years, East London Liquor

Kitchen saw performances from the likes of Florence

Company is the first vodka, gin and whisky distillery to

and the Machine, Mumford and Sons, Vampire Weekend,

grace this fine end of town. Join them for simply sublime,

Foals and Lianne La Havas early in their careers. Live

classic cocktails, made using their own spirits, like the

performance is a vital element of this intimate venue, and

Christmas Rum One cocktail – a festive delight made with

if that doesn’t tempt you in, their legendary chicken wings

Demerara rum, cider vinegar, satsuma liquor and black tea.

surely will. For every two basket of wings you buy on a

And, if you want to go behind the scenes, you can pop into

Wednesday, you’ll get one free. See them off with a couple

their distillery at the old glue factory in Bow Wharf to find

of their extraordinary cocktails. hoxtonsquarebar.com

out where the magic happens. eastlondonliquorcompany.com

Iris Bar at The Gherkin

The City of London

If you’re feeling flush and want to treat someone special to a

Giant Robot

Canary Wharf

truly jaw-dropping date, head into The City. Once there, you

Street food is on the menu at Giant Robot – the vast, vibrant

will have to brave the vertigo and make your way up to level

Canary Wharf rooftop bar with five different food stalls.

40 of The Gherkin, where you’ll find Iris Bar. Although there

Open late, it is the perfect place to grab something speedy,

are other places to enjoy London’s cityscape from above, this

whether it’s a boxful of dumplings from Yumpling, fried

is the only spot where you where can enjoy 360ᵒ panoramic

chicken from Thunderbird or steak, chips, and all the dips

views. Not only does the Iris boast an impressive cocktail

from Stakehaus. But with a 36-tap beer bar to get through,

menu, but magnums of champagne are available for £99

you’ll probably find yourself staying the evening.

throughout November. Just remember to book ahead.

streetfeast.com/visit-us/giant-robot

searcysatthegherkin.co.uk/iris-bar

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Iris Bar at The Gherkin – Enjoy a magnum of champagne for £99

London Cocktail Trading Company

Brick Lane

The brainchild of three bartenders, this award-winning cocktail bar has an inimitable drinks menu that’s hard to beat on quirkiness, creativity and delight-factor. Try Royal-Mail-Aged Air Mail (with sevenyear-aged rum, clarified lime, chestnut honey), or Violet Fizz, which is violet liqueur, Belvedere, lemon sherbet and milk shaken with nitrous oxide. Our favourite has to be Welcome to Tennessee, Have a Nice Day; a Jack Daniels-based cocktail with spiced Matcha Plum Wine, Cardamom-Ginger Brew and Yuzu Juice which comes in a noodle box complete with crispy noodles on top! Add to that a 1920s-inspired ambient buzz, and you’ll soon find yourself lured in for the evening.

If you’re really taken with your tipple, you can book into a masterclass for the chance to get behind the bar and make your own cocktails. thecocktailtradingco.co.uk

Lounge Bohemia

Shoreditch

If you can’t end a night out without a kebab the size of your forearm, then Lounge Bohemia is your kind of joint. Wedged surreptitiously between a kebab shop and Shoreditch Box Park, it is the perfect spot for clandestine meetings, The London Cocktail Trading Company – a 1920s buzz

secretive soirees, or just a great night spent drinking fantastically experimental cocktails. Think fizzy alcoholic gummy bears, drinks served in toothpaste tubes, and all manner of smoking, spitting concoctions. Decked out with Soviet-style furnishings, the Czech theme continues to the beer menu, perfect if European beer is your thing. Suits are discouraged and entrance is by appointment only, so dress down and practise your best phone voice if you want the chance to see it from the inside. loungebohemia.com BEAST

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Challenge friends to a free game of pool after a few cocktails served by truly knowledgeable, friendly staff. originalsin.bar

Queen of Hoxton

Shoreditch

This is a venue of slashes – multifaceted, you could say – with it being a bar/nightclub/roof terrace/art gallery/performance space. Renowned for its gigs and pop-up events, it's the perfect place to go if you fancy more than just a drink. Check out the ground floor for

Mrs Fogg’s Maritime Club & Distillery Broadgate

weekly parties, ukulele workshops, and a games area

Londoners with a penchant for mother’s ruin will be

arcade games. Head upstairs for drinks on the zany

long-acquainted with the eponymous Mr Fogg, the

rooftop, which undergoes a transformation twice-yearly,

intrepid adventurer who traversed the world in 80

or downstairs to the basement bar for club nights,

days and inspired the now thriving empire of olde-

comedy shows and cabaret gigs. queenofhoxton.com

worlde cocktail bars dotted around London (we love

with table-football, pinball, a ping pong table and retro

his Covent Garden gin parlour). It turns out Mr Fogg’s

The Last Tuesday Society

better half (his Indian wife Aouda) is also something

A literary salon. An absinthe parlour. A museum of

of a gin fiend, and has recently docked her steamer in

curiosities. This hidden Prohibition-esque establishment

Broadgate. The result is a Victorian-era time-capsule,

is so much more than your average candle-lit cocktail bar.

serving up inventive cocktails and innovative dishes

Proprietor and pataphysician Viktor Wynd has created a

inspired by India. Revellers can also shake their own

world filled with beauty, wonder and imagination through

cocktails using a custom-designed Rickshaw in the

‘a veritable feast of experiences and productions.’ The bar

engine room.

can be found hidden within The Viktor Wynd Museum of

mr-foggs.com/mrs-foggs-maritime-club

Curiosities, Fine Art & Natural History – a treasure trove of

Hackney

taxidermy and trinkets, from shrunken heads and witch

Netil 360

London Fields

paraphernalia to erotic books and fine art. Their ‘L’Heure

This cosy rooftop is your secret, laid-back local.

Verte’ is 6-7pm every weekday, so if you fancy a dance

Leave your office attire at home, as casual clothing

with the ‘Green Fairy’ herself, that’s the time to sample

is actively encouraged, which all adds to its relaxed

one of their Absinthe cocktails.

vibe. They even have a friendly rooftop dog named

thelasttuesdaysociety.org

Tres to provide canine company, as you watch the sunset over Hackney with a freshly made pizza and a pint of raw draught beer or cider from Hackney-based local brewery Trumans. netil360.com

Original Sin

Stoke Newington

Set far enough underground that phone signal is off the menu, this suave Stokey bar is the ideal location for good old-fashioned conversation. The long, narrow room is dimly lit in that warm glow that makes everyone and everything look sultry and sophisticated.

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Carry on the party at home – The Sun Tavern have an in-house off-licence

Enjoy the buzz at Wringer+Mangle, with flowing drinks, live music & the best drag acts in town The Sun Tavern

Bethnal Green

With tankards lining the walls and a bar bursting at the seams with bottles of whisky, this cosy 1850s’ pub in the heart of the East End is the place to go for a proper drink. One of their stand-out features is their awe-inspiring selection of poitín, a clear Irish spirit renowned for its potency, with a strength of 40-90%.

If you like what you see (or can’t see, after a few glasses) you can buy a bottle of whatever you’re drinking to take away with you from their in-house off-licence. Cheers to that! thesuntavern.co.uk

Wringer + Mangle

London Fields

Housed in the cavernous shell of an old industrial laundry building, this buzzy bar restaurant is now also home to the ever-popular Dine + Drag. Every Friday, it comes alive with some of the best drag acts in the city. Expect a colourful set menu, flowing drinks, and live music and dancing from one of their fabulous queens. The plant-clad bar and snug outside terrace are perfect for a lively tipple before heading downstairs to see out the rest of the night in the vast club. Luckily, their recovery bottomless brunches on a Saturday morning are just as fun, and come with equally as delicious cocktails. wringerandmangle.com

A GOOD

YEAR Fellows at East London-based social innovation programme, Year Here

A new movement of do-good brands are making a real impact in East London, nurtured by revolutionary social innovation programme Year Here. Current Fellow Charlotte Tottenham explains more…

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T

he rise of the East London supper club was meteoric and well-documented. An antidote to over-priced food in stuffy venues, the popularity of these rebellious gastro-dens was undeniable, with keen cooks serving affordable local grub from their own homes. Soon these pop-ups were, well, popping up everywhere, but as soon as the Michelin-starred celeb chefs joined in, the rebellious magic seemed to somewhat dissipate. Thankfully, in the midst of all this seemingly-samey gastronomic hype, I chanced across Fat Macy’s: a supper club with a difference.

The catering company recruits Londoners to run supper clubs, with profits going into training and supporting young people living in temporary accommodation, such as homeless hostels. The aim is to help them raise a deposit to rent a flat of their own – and of course along the way offer them invaluable work experience.

Trainees clock 200 hours as volunteers, thereby sidestepping beastmag.co.uk

Left: Fat Macy's Above: Birdsong

the challenges of a system in which working more than 17 hours actually reduces housing benefit payments. Along the way, Fat Macy’s provides two forms of ID, a travel card and some clothes for work, and once the volunteers have accumulated their hours, they pay for a rental deposit.

For diners, it’s three courses of delicious seasonal food, with each trainee chef contributing new recipes and cuisines to the pot. You sit on communal tables, mingling with others as you share good food and stories. And above all, you can be safe in the knowledge that your money has gone to a good cause. As founder Meg Doherty says, “we wanted to appeal to those who want to help but don’t know the best course of action; those unsure about giving cash to someone on the street, but for whom giving money to a large charity feels impersonal. With Fat Macy’s, the people you are supporting are actually there, in the room, cooking your food.”

Until then I’d seen the housing crisis as this vast and insurmountable problem, the preserve of newspaper headlines and policy makers. But Fat Macy’s quickly reminded me how much power I have as a consumer to, quite literally, put my money where my mouth is. That is: into responsible, socially conscious events and products.

Soon after, I came across women’s fashion brand Birdsong, beastmag.co.uk

who make gorgeous chic staples in comfortable, long-lasting natural fabrics. Co-founders Sophie Slater and Sarah Beckett source only from women’s charities and organisations and they put the welfare of their makers at the heart of everything they do. They tell me they were frustrated by fashion norms of paying makers a pittance, and equally fed up with the prevalence of airbrushed models. The pair aims to create clothing that lasts and nobly promises “no sweat-shops, no photo-shop.”

These businesses are united by the fact that each is a social enterprise: a company that exists to bring about positive change in society, while earning its income from sales of services or goods.

Another thing they have in common is ‘Year Here’, an East London-based, social innovation Fellowship programme, where both companies were founded. It’s a pretty singular year-long course, like a masters degree only with no classrooms; a sort of practical post-grad with a dash of MBA and a sprinkling of start-up incubator – or, as one current Fellow put it: “Holy shit, I’m on the social version of The Apprentice.” It’s a nightmare to explain to people and I should know, since I’m one of 20 fellows on the latest cohort.

To use its own tagline, Year Here gives its Fellows a year to ‘test build and build solutions to society’s toughest problems’. ➠ BEAST

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EAST LONDON ‘SOCENTS’ (TO SUPPORT) FAT MACY’S A roaming catering company and supper club company working with young Londoners living in temporary accommodation. Look out for their next series of Christmas supper clubs starting from 6 December. fatmacys.org

BREAD AND ROSES A flower shop and online delivery company that trains and employs refugee women to be florists. Keep an eye on their website for the launch of their next floristry training series and accompanying shop. wearebreadandroses.com

MIGRATEFUL Migrateful runs cookery classes where keen foodies can learn different cuisines from asylum seekers, refugees and migrants struggling to integrate due to legal and linguistic barriers, helping the migrant community on the journey to employment and independence. migrateful.org

CHATTERBOX An online language learning and cultural training platform delivered by refugee professionals. Visit their website to find out more about the courses and options they offer for individuals, businesses and educators. wearechatterbox.org

And the UK’s problems are undeniably tough. Income inequality is at Victorian levels; in London one in 59 people is homeless.

Facts like this are staggering and it’s easy to become disillusioned, or they can inspire you to actually do something.

Jack Graham, the charismatic founder of Year Here, falls into the latter camp. After experience in international development and working at the Young Foundation, a leading centre for social innovation in East London, Jack noted that ambitious young graduates were struggling to break into the social sector, despite being passionate about change.

“In fact”, he says, “they were often snapped up by the bright lights of international development with no heed to the very real problems in the UK”. Year Here was his response: a space where a new generation of social leaders can spend a year tackling social issues in our own backyard.

The programme, which is run from a co-working studio near London Fields, is pretty unorthodox. There are no exams, no campus, no teachers and no fee. Instead, we learn in the real world, which unsurprisingly, I’m finding, is both a lot more challenging and a lot more powerful than being in the classroom.

Divided into three sections over a year, it kicks off with a five-month placement in order to gain some real-world insight into life on the frontline of inequality. With positions ranging from homelessness hostels to GP surgeries, I’m currently placed at the Bromley by Bow Centre in Tower Hamlets, where I’m learning a lot about the daily realities of life in one of the country’s poorest boroughs.

This experiential learning theme continues into the Consulting phase where Fellows deliver projects for public and private sector clients, from Sainsbury’s to the Mayor of London. The culmination of this is that we then spend two months working on our own venture, with many going on to nurture this further during an optional further incubation period post-graduation. One such

CRACKED IT A phone repair service staffed by ex-offenders and vulnerable youths that provides pop-ups in workplaces including Barclays and Investec. To get Cracked It to your place of work, get in touch with Josh via the Cracked It website. crackedit.org

BIRDSONG A women’s fashion brand championing women from worker to wearer. Check out their latest collection on their website or pop into their pop-up at Beyond Retro in Dalston from 29 November - 9 December. birdsong.london 20 B E A S T

Josh Babarinde training up at Cracked It

beastmag.co.uk

Year Here is a social innovation Fellowship programme training and supporting the next generation of social entrepreneurs. Apply now to become part of the next cohort of Fellows: yearhere.org (deadline midnight 2 December) Two Year Here fellows map out their journey so far

social entrepreneur is Josh Babarinde, who founded Cracked It, a phone repair service staffed by ex-offenders and vulnerable youth.

“It's an exhilarating intellectual challenge to find and maintain the social enterprise sweet-spot, between running a commercial operation and achieving a positive social impact.”

The year is punctuated by five enormously intense weeklong ‘bootcamps’ designed (among other things) to spark this entrepreneurial spirit. This is where The Apprentice element comes in, as we complete high-octane challenges and tasks, while racing around London. Exhausting, but very exciting.

Alongside all of this there is a very enlightened emphasis on selfleadership and reflection. Self-care is also part of the curriculum and hearing founder Jack Graham actually articulates on week one that ‘mental health has total parity with physical health’ was refreshing. It’s little wonder that the programme is birthing such a wealth of successful social enterprises.

There are now estimated to be 100,000 of these social enterprises in the UK, contributing £60bn to our economy. But can businesses really solve social problems? This new wave of social enterprises coming out of London, not least the Year Here programme itself, suggests the answer is yes. The freedom that comes from sales revenue – as opposed to an over-reliance on dwindling public sector funds and prescriptive grants – allows these social enterprises to genuinely compete in the marketplace.

Cracked It founder Josh was on a career trajectory that might have seen him in policy or politics, but he was attracted to the world of social entrepreneurship because of its capacity to operate above politics. “Businesses – in the form of social enterprises – are able to access an alternative source of cash to beastmag.co.uk

Year Here founder Jack Graham

invest in tackling social problems that's from a direct consumer need. In Cracked It’s case, we discovered that 29 per cent of smart phones have broken screens, so we’re harnessing the £2bn-ayear phone repair market for the purposes of crime prevention.”

And these businesses are having a genuine transformative impact. Nearly two-thirds of Cracked It’s 160 former trainees are now working or studying, and at Birdsong 100 per cent of the makers have pride in the work they do – with 83 per cent stating that their quality of life is directly improved by working with Birdsong. Meanwhile Fat Macy’s volunteer Emmanuel Bejedi recently qualified for his rental deposit allowing him to plan his move out of his temporary accommodation.

“Social enterprises are empowering consumers to make tangible differences – and if you're going out for dinner anyway, why not eat at a social enterprise venue?” asks Meg Doherty. As customers and consumers, we are central to the success of these social enterprises; in being choosy about the provenance of the things we buy, or buy tickets to, we can directly do our bit to redress the imbalance of inequality. B BEAST

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born to

RIDE Andrew Almond, founder of BOLT, is championing a new kind of motorcycle culture Words by Charlotte Davey

F

rom his early days zipping around southern Africa on a little Honda, Andrew Almond has turned his passion for motorbikes into a profession. His shop and garage, Bolt, has become a hub for East London bikers, creating custom bikes and selling limited edition apparel. Charlotte Davey caught up with Bolt's founder to talk creativity, craftmanship and community in the ever-evolving motorcycle world.

Where did your fascination for bikes originate?

My first experience of motorcycles was when I was working out in the rural north of Mozambique and I had a little Honda to get about on. There were no real roads out there, just dirt tracks and no garages so I had to quickly learn how to keep it running. I’d ride the bike hundreds of miles each week through the bush and I loved the adventures that came with it.

How did your work in business and the arts lead you to establish Bolt?

Prior to working at Bolt I worked for the Barbican Arts Centre and before that the University of the Arts. In both roles I would manage projects centred around innovation and enterprise, essentially looking at our creative resources and seeking opportunities for collaborations. While there were many aspects to the work I loved I felt restricted by the politics and bureaucracy of large organisations, and there was always a ceiling to creativity. I realised that I needed full creative control over what I did, to take an idea and run with it as far as possible, and the only way to do this was to do it alone. What I do with Bolt is much the same, whether we build a bike, curate a music festival or an art exhibition, it’s all about connecting talent, making things happen and building communities of interest. ➠BEAST

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Andrew Almond, creator of Bolt – the go-to hub for custom bikes and timeless clothing

Does the precision and technicality of mechanics ever limit your creative approach to your bespoke bikes and fashion?

I am very much about form following function: build something that does the job required, and then make it beautiful. In terms of the custom motorcycles we look at the geometry of the rider first – like a bespoke suit it has to fit, then how they want to use the bike or how they’re going to get the most amount of enjoyment from it.

Once we have achieved this we look at how we can make something beautiful. We like to use as much craft in our work as possible, from hand-beaten aluminium to hand paint. This handmade human element is what really makes something unique, it is what custom culture is all about at its core. In terms of our apparel we do both, some is technical, some not so. I like the challenge of concealing armour and protection within a garment.

Leather jackets have historically always been associated with bikers, but now they’re a fashion staple for a lot of people. Do you have many nonbikers as clothing customers?

Yes definitely, the vast majority of our stock is exclusive to Bolt and our customers come to us because of the quality and workmanship that goes into our apparel. Our stock of Aero leather jackets, for 24 B E A S T

example, are made with front-quarter horse-hide from the Horween Leather Company in Chicago and each one is made by hand in Scotland by one machinist. A jacket like this will last a lifetime and will only get better with use, and the classic styles will not date.

You’ve lived in East London for 20 years, what’s kept you here?

I think it is the creativity and the possibilities of this corner of the city keeps it exciting. It is essential to be surrounded by new talent with fresh ideas to be at the forefront of innovation.

How are you engaging a new generation of East Londoners?

We are very much a social brand, our store is as much a hangout for people as it is a retail space. It’s important to us that we remain a hub in the community. We host a lot of events, ride-outs and parties – everything from curating stages at music festivals to art exhibitions. It’s important that everything we do draws on our myriad of interests from music to fashion, art and design. We also run mechanics workshops throughout the year and are looking to expand into paint, leather tooling and other crafts. It’s great to get people involved in mechanics and working on their own motorcycles – I think it enriches their experience. B 1a Bouverie Road, StokeNewington boltlondon.com beastmag.co.uk

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g i S n ing f rom the

Heart A Yorkshireman living in the heart of Hackney Wick, singer-songwriter Scott Quinn is making waves in the world of music – and with good reason. Our Editor Emma Winterschladen chats to him about the stories behind his songs, the instafame game and singing as therapy

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W

e’re sitting in Benk + Bo and Scott is admiring the artisan ceramic mugs our coffee has just been served in: “I’m a big ceramics fan.” A man after my own heart.

Although Scott has been writing, playing and singing music for years – “since I can remember” – it’s only in the last few years that his music is starting to gain a wider global audience. “Things are definitely starting to happen, but I’ve been doing this since I was a little kid, when I was in bands and orchestras”.

Growing up in Harrogate, Scott was in a band called the Dukes of Bevington which, he says, did well locally. “We got play on local radios, did the Tour de France Fan Park and we used to have a niche gig on the Girl Guide circuit – playing to 11,000 young girls! But after five years it kind of just fizzled out.”

It was only during his uni degree at Leeds College of Music, when he had to do a solo project, that the thought struck him to go at it alone. “I thought nothing of it until I uploaded it to BBC Introducing and it got BBC Radio One play immediately. We’d been trying to do that for years with our band.”

Was that your first big break then I ask? “Well, I panicked and released an entire EP on the same day and then had nothing for release for the next year!” The episode, aside from teaching him to stagger his releases, brought him together with his management. “I got involved in running Ont̓ Sofa, and from there I was given the freedom to start recording my own stuff – as well as developing other artists.”

This was all up north, but Scott has since moved to Hackney Wick to pursue his solo career. “I was initially reluctant to move down, and wanted to build a music hub in Harrogate. But it felt the right time.” Why East London? “I’ve always loved it here. It’s such a creative area and I’m very sensitive to energies and there feels such a buzz. I fell in love with my flat as soon as I saw it. It’s all high ceilings, white- washed walls and lots of plants.” Sounds very conducive to creating I say. “It is.

I’m a sucker for natural light and I have a little set-up where people will often come and jam.”

Scott’s music is velvet to the ears – a mix of electro, R&B and ‘emotional’ pop. “I’m trying to find that balance at the moment. I love pop but I want it to be meaningful. And I’m also moving away from the idea that my music has to be a concise body of work beastmag.co.uk

with one style.” He remembers the first song he ever wrote as a 13-year-old was called ‘Cry No More’, and it’s a song that echoes his more recent music. “There has definitely been a melancholy to my music over the past year.” And does your music mirror life?

“Oh definitely. I was listening to a demo I did six months ago and there was a lot of heavy stuff which reflected my life at the time.

A lot of my songwriting is like therapy. It helps me process things.”

It’s this ability to tune into deep emotions that seems at the heart of Scott’s music. “It’s a real outlet for me. And it’s a weird industry because you're forced to spend time with strangers but within 10 minutes you’re talking about your break-up, or a death in the family.” I’m interested to know what that creative process looks like? “I’m always writing down inspiration, phrases, concepts and I’ll record ‘ear worms’ on my phone. ➠

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“I’ve found a lot of joy in writing about the small things, and I’ve realised that’s what good pop does” Scott Quinn’s top East London spots DARK ARTS COFFEE There’s also an exercise called ‘free typing’, where in a short space of time you type what’s on your mind – because sometimes you don’t know. I’ll often do that when people come to work with me. I’ll make us a fresh pot of coffee and we’ll sit around the table talking about all the big stuff.”

And Scott's music touches on all the big stuff indeed, like life, love, loss and heartbreak. And with his mellow tones, soulful melodies and deep lyrics, it feels refreshingly unique. “I’ve found a lot of joy in writing about the small things, and I’ve realised that’s what good pop does. I’m a big thinker so if I can take my big thoughts and put them into small moments, then I'm doing well.”

With social media now so pivotal to emerging musicians, I ask how the world of online influences him. “I used to want to be famous when I was younger, but I don’t want that anymore. I just want to be able to create my work and for it to reach people.” I ask how the rise of Instagram has coincided with his burgeoning career? “Instagram can be a lot of smoke and mirrors, and it’s so important for artists like myself to not seek too much validation from our likes online.” But it must be strange being able to connect so intimately with fans? “Oh, I love it. But I don’t think of people as ‘fans’, I like to feel like we’re on a level. I’m always trying to reply to all my DMs!” Yet with Scott’s audience growing steadily but swiftly by the week, surely he’s not going to be able to keep that up I say. “Maybe but I want to try. Some of the messages I get into my inbox are so heavy and heartfelt.” It’s no surprise that Scott’s music moves so deeply, with poetic lyrics like: I̒ 've missed you so much since we fell apart // And even though this will never touch // It doesn’t mean I don't still love you as much. “I have people traveling from all over the world to come to some of my gigs, and that’s really special. I want to make an effort to show how much I appreciate that. I even put up one girl up with friends!” B Scott’s latest single ‘From Afar’ is out now. Follow him on Instagram @ScottpQuinn and keep an eye out for his latest gigs (in East London and beyond) at scottpquinn.com

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These guys are great coffee roasters and they have a food pop-up called I Will Kill Again, serving amazing vegan food, and there are pictures of serial killers on the walls too.

Arch 216, 27A Ponsford St, E9 6JU, darkartscoffee.co.uk

ANTONIO’S KITCHEN A vegan Italian has just opened on Bethnal Green. He makes the food fresh in front of you and he’s Italian himself.

It feels very authentic.

393 Cambridge Heath Rd E2 9RA, 020 3305 9029

HACKNEY COFFEE CO. Very Instagram friendly, with comfy leather sofas and book-lined walls. A great spot for working and hanging out.

I’ve done a few live gigs there. hackneycoffee.co

BIRTHDAYS This is a great spot where I’ve also played a few times. They always have live music and DJs – and they serve good vegan chick’n wings too.

33-35 Stoke Newington Rd, N16 8BJ, birthdaysdalston.com beastmag.co.uk

make your music.

www. m ak e r s re cor d . c om

be in the studio.

makers record

The Ai rb nb of Hom e Re cor d ing S tu di os

time to

She's All That

t type of grime RoxXxan is a refreshingly differen be pigeon-holed artist – just don’t expect her to Wor ds by Ed Gib bs

“I came here on my own, just me and a suitcase,” the singer says, recalling her big move from her native Birmingham to the bright lights of London back in 2010. “And I did this show for 1ExtraLive – no one knew who I was. It was terrifying. I somehow ended up playing the Brixton Academy, with Kelly Rowland headlining. I blacked out after that. I don’t remember any of it.”

It’s been a hectic few years since RoxXxan tentative early moves into the limelight.

She worked at a major label when she first arrived here, then was snapped up by another, only to part ways when they tried to shoe-horn her into a neatly marketable package. “I was getting told to wear my hair a certain way, or look more feminine or whatever. That’s not me,” she says.

This year particularly has been a busy one for RoxXxan. It’s seen her tour as the lead performer in critically-acclaimed hip-hop musical ‘Suffrageddon’. The brainchild of Guilty Feminist podcast host Deborah Francis White, the show’s cast was made up entirely of women of colour and Roxxxan, alongside 30 B E A S T

playing the role of Emmeline Pankhurst, also wrote its music. She also recently fronted River Island’s Pride campaign, modelled for Levis and was preparing, just after our interview, to fly to Korea for a Tiger Beer gig.

All this while she trains as a fitness instructor and has a new EP in the works.

Happily, the 28-year-old musician-cumathlete now mixes fitness, recording, live performance and carefully chosen branded gigs to spread her LGBTQ+ message.“I didn’t know I was gay till I was 21. My mum’s old school Irish. So it wasn’t something talked about. And all the ‘gay’ imagery was all this butch stuff, which I couldn’t relate to. It’s very different now.”

Today, she says, it’s much easier for artists like her to be, well, themselves. “Growing up, Missy Elliott was a big inspiration – she was different, not what society deemed to be beautiful. And Miss Dynamite too. She had a deep voice like me and was mixed race. I used to pretend she was my cousin!”

As for living in East London – Hackney, she says, feels neighbourly like her old

hometown, if a little busier. Plus, she loves hanging out in the hood with partner Jade and their cat Cargo. “Hackney Carnival had the first LGBTQ+ sound system, very Jamaican,” she adds, proudly.

Looking ahead, she’d love to work with Skin from Skunk Anansie someday and basically anyone who’s “a bit of a tomboy.

I’ve always levitated to people like that. And Beyoncé – she’s like Hail Mary to me.”

She admits to not being a big fan of drill music. “Drill’s quite scary to me, with all the really young 18-year-olds hiding their faces and talking about guns. I mean, we’re in London, the most CCTVed city in the world, right? We’re not America.” Her own inspiration, she tells me, comes from the likes of Skepta and Stormzy.

And as for young, emerging artists, RoxXxan advises to stay true to yourself.

“Keep working hard, don’t listen to anyone, know who you are and stay focused. No one knows you more than you do.” Wise words indeed. B Follow RoxXxan on Instagram @rotriplex beastmag.co.uk

EAT S

Come in from the cold this winter and eat yourself happy in one of East London’s cosiest corners

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beastmag.co.uk

YUU KITCHEN 29 COMMERCIAL STREET, E1 6NE

Since opening its doors a few years ago, this edgy restaurant has been bringing the flavours of south-east Asia and the Pacific Rim to the busy streets of East London. It was on a quiet Tuesday that I popped along to try their umami-rich menu, and left with a new-found appreciation for the art of fusion cuisine. The restaurant itself has a communal vibe about it, with long tables and seating at the bar, and the walls are adorned with original murals by Hong Kong -based artist, Lunatic. Comic-book in style, they bring together influences from Manga, Asian fashion, and pop culture – all adding to the place’s unique, slightly risqué feel.

First up was an Earl Grey sake liqueur to kick things off. The perfect introduction to what would prove to be an interesting, innovative menu. My first dish was a spicy tuna tostada with pickled radish and a beastmag.co.uk

spicy mayo. This was served alongside through the process – from deglazing the crispy rice and salmon (with avocado), wok with sake, before adding the aubergine and a charcoal salmon tataki. If I’d left and letting it caramelise – only added to the then I would have been happy; the anticipation of the dish. In fact, being able combination of freshness, spice and deep to watch all the dishes be prepared before savoury flavours running throughout left my eyes, as well as chat to the chefs cooking me ‘mmmming’ by myself at the bar. them, really added another dimension to Next up was one of the chef’s favourites: the dining experience. It also gave me a real Cheese Ube Puto, which was technically respect for the culinary skills at work. taken from the dinner menu. This deeply What I loved too about Yuu Kitchen is that spiced chorizo Bilbao burger was served in a although the meat dishes were devilishly soft, sweet, purple steamed moreish, the vegetable dishes bun with caramelised onion, THE PLACE HAS A were equally as exciting and avocado and a roasted garlic UNIQUE, SLIGHTLY delicious. Personal favourites aioli. It was the sort of thing included the grilled broccoli RISQUÉ FEEL that finished too soon, with an apple and onion despite its richness. Luckily it was followed dressing and fried shallots, as well as some by an equally satisfying and somewhat grilled cauliflower with sweet corn, jalepeño spoiling bao filled with Wagyu and some dressing, shallots, garlic chips and chives. ‘sweet and sticky eggplant’, served with The only issue being that my chopstick crunchy shallots and sesame seeds. skills didn’t quite extend to the sweetcorn!

Watching the chef cook it before me and talk yuukitchen.com BEAST

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GENESIS, SPITALFIELDS 144 COMMERCIAL STREET, E1 6NU

These new kids on the block are all about ‘fast casual dining’. Their vegan and organic restaurant focuses on all things delicious and meatfree, served in as Instagram-worthy a spot as you’d hope. And – having tried one of their Shawarma (with Persian salad, green tahini, pickles and garlic sauce), alongside a fried avocado taco and turmeric margarita – we can confirm these guys are as serious about their food as they are their decor. From the provenance and health credentials of the ingredients, to the creativity of the dishes using said ingredients. Their dishes are comforting, nourishing and, most importantly, delicious. eatgenesis.com

FARE 11 OLD STREET, EC1V 9HL

Introducing another new exciting opening to put on your ‘to-go’ list – brought to you by award-winning duo Michael Sager and Marcis Dzelzainis, of Sager + Wilde. This new all-day dining bar and canteen is located in the historic Morelands building on Old Street, and has been transformed into a buzzy, light-filled drinking and dining space. There’s a grab-and-go coffee area for your caffeine fix, an intimate cocktail and wine bar for your date night needs, as well as a

restaurant serving Mediterraneaninspired seasonal small plates – and larger ones from the robata grill.

Its bold and punchy menu, created

by Head Chef Thomas Raymond, includes the likes of Fare’s Wet Burger (that is: red Devon beef patty, sweet paprika and sour cucumber) and Cylindra Beetroot (Roasted in embers, grapefruit reduction and Devon Blue).

Tempted yet? Maybe their Nitro Vodka Espressos will lure you in: a vodka and coffee cocktail served on tap (like Guinness!). sagerandwilde.com

FARE'S

Mediterranean small plates

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BURRO E SALVIA 52 REDCHURCH ST, E2 7DB

The best evenings are those spent around a friend’s kitchen table, setting the world to rights over a hearty bowl of pasta. Luckily, this little gem of a ‘Pastificio and Trattoria’, feels like entering a cosy yet chic Italian home.

With its dim lighting and bottles of olive oil on each rustic white-washed table, we knew straightaway we’d picked the right spot for a catch-up with friends. Our evening kicked off in the best way: with an apertivo (white Vermouth and soda to be specific) and Pane, Burro e Acciughe di Sciacca – Sicilian anchovies on bread and butter. Their short but sweet menu is the stuff of carby dreams – especially in this weather. You’ll find dishes such as their signature pasta Agnolotti filled with beef, pork and spinach, butter and sage sauce – which we of course had to try – as well as Tagliolini with prawns, spinach pesto, anchovy juice, lemon zest and Cappelletti filled with 24-month-aged Parmigiano and autumn black truffle. The seasonality of the dishes stood out too, but the thing we all noticed most about spending an evening here is that time seemed to slow down.

The wait between courses (because making fresh pasta requires patience), was hardly noticed as we found ourselves too immersed in the company and food - as well as the good wine (we recommend the Ribolla Gialla 2017, Roncus). Oh, and keep an eye out for their pasta workshops throughout the year. Having tried their ravioli, we’ve already book in for their ‘filled pasta’ one! burroesalvia.co.uk

LINO 90 BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE, EC1A 7BN

Just opened, with the paint fresh on the walls, this new all-day restaurant is deserving of the hype. Its location is in a former linoleum and carpet warehouse, and the vast, minimalistic space pays homage to its industrial heritage with an original brown glazed floor and 12-foothigh double doors – once the warehouse entrance. Its culinary credentials are impressive too: Richard Falk, formerly head chef at Clapham’s much-loved The Dairy, will be taking the helm. His low-waste, from-scratch approach will see him making most things in-house – from the cocktails to the charcuterie. Expect shelves lined with craft spirits and homemade ferments, with many woven into the menu. And – with the likes of Sauerkraut and Montgomery Cheddar croquettes, and Belted Galloway wing rib of beef, with oxtail and potato tart (to share) on the menu– we have no doubt it’ll soon become a hot spot for any East London foodie.

LINO

Soon to be hot spot for any East London foodie

STAY EAST Looking for a romantic sojourn in the heart of the East, or perhaps you just need a bed for the night after your work Christmas party?

We’ve got you covered for both

BOUTIQUE

Just a road crossing away from the bright lights and towering skyscrapers of the City, you’ll find yourself stepping back in time to a perfectly preserved corner of East London.

Replete with well-worn cobbles and teetering red brick town houses, it’s little wonder Folgate Street has featured in many a BBC period drama. It is in this setting, on a drizzly Friday evening, that we found ourselves searching for our night’s accommodation: the discretely-fronted Batty Langley’s.

Voted as one of London’s best hotels by Condé Nast, we had high expectations of this Georgian-influenced, boutique B&B. And – as we slipped across the threshold of its restored 18th

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century walls – it was clear it wasn’t going to disappoint.

It was the overwhelming quiet that first struck us though.

The bustle from the street outside somehow fails to pierce this bubble of period serenity, and we soon found ourselves enveloped in a sense of almost other-worldy calm. The ground floor public rooms feature nor a bar or restaurant and there is certainly no spa or gym to serve as a distraction.

Instead, there’s a sequence of elegant drawing rooms, none of which seemed to contain any guests, and all lined with shelves of classical literature and old encyclopaedias. It was the crackling fires, sink-into-it sofa and well-stocked honesty bar in ‘The Tapestry Room’ which lured us in for a few hours of downtime before we headed out for supper. In fact, the whole thing had an air of an old gentleman’s club about it, but without the associated stuffiness – and patriarchal exclusivity of one gender, of course.

True to its fanciful form, our room was called Obadiah Shuttleworth after a local musician and composer. And with its deep colour scheme, tasteful antiques and bold, tonguein-cheek flair, it felt every part the romantic eccentric. Add to that a sumptuous carved mahogany bed and flatscreen TV (with a media hub and Apple TV) and the whole thing oozed old school luxury with a boutique modern twist. Our many windows looked out across to The Water Poet, a lively ye olde England-style pub where we half expected to see Sherlock Holmes standing outside in skinny jeans, a fag in one hand and pint of craft beer in the other. Talking of figures from the past, we did manage to convince ourselves our room was haunted. It wasn’t hard, with oil paintings of starey-eyed dead aristos adorning the walls at every turn.

A true highlight had to be the plush marble bathroom with an iron roll-top bath and walk-in vintage shower, along with beastmag.co.uk

REVIEWS BY THOMAS PALMER AND EMMA WINTERSCHLADEN

BATTY LANGLEY’S Spitalfields

REN toiletries. It also came complete with the oak throne for a toilet – a great novelty for the loo connoisseur in us all, even if it did prove a little challenging during a bleary-eyed call of nature in the middle of the night!

After a deep night’s sleep (and no haunting from the paintings), we both woke to the most impressive roomservice breakfast, which we leisurely ‘took’ in our suite’s parlour. Served perfectly on time, and with our selected Saturday papers, it was a delectable feast of freshly brewed coffee, just-made smoothies, fruit salad and muesli, as well as smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels. The perfect start to the day.

We left our room reluctantly and decided, on reflection, that other guests seemed in short supply because they too must have found it equally as hard to leave their luxurious nests. Alas, the day called and we eventually slipped out of the hotel, much as we’d arrived the night before, back onto the bustling streets.

A double room at Batty Langley’s starts at £229 per night 12 Folgate St, London E1 6BX, battylangleys.com

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STAY EAST BUDGET

POINT A HOTEL LONDON Shoreditch Three hours at dinner with relatives, a trek across town, some bickering in the streets, followed by a midnight check-in were perhaps not the best circumstances in which to enjoy a stay at Shoreditch’s Point A Hotel. But, despite this, from the moment we arrived we were met with pseudo-Scandi efficiency, soon our fraught dispositions were calmed.

This emerging chain of hotels, located in fantastic spots around London City and Glasgow, offers ‘everything that you need, and nothing that you don’t’. And that just about sums it up – that and ‘reasonablypriced no-frills uber comfort’. Their rooms are small-but-perfectly-formed, and each boast super snuggly beds, a power shower, quick WIFI and great TV. But that is not all.

As well as all that you would expect – done well no less – there’s also a decent slice of quirky start-up freshness about Point A. It has an of-the-moment feel to it, which is hard to put your finger on, but is seen in the neat designs, sleek interiors and multicoloured LED room lighting. Possibly not a necessity, as their slogan suggests, but still very cool.

The view from the room was an added bonus too.

All this resulted in a great night’s sleep, which was followed happily by a low-key but tasty buffet breakfast in their Ikea-esque open-plan cafe area. With natural light flooding in from above and a steaming cup of hot fresh coffee in hand, it proved a lovely way to start the day and left us ready for some hardcore ‘weekending’ around London.

It may seem a stretch to say Point A are revolutionising the market place for low-cost, convenient accommodation, but there’s a lot to be said for a smart, cool hotel which sits confidently in the space between soulless Holiday Inns, extravagant boutiques and high-end luxury. And I think Point A may just be owning the space.

A double room is from £69 per night, with breakfast £9 8-10 Paul St, London EC2A 4JH, pointahotels.com/Shoreditch 38 B E A S T

beastmag.co.uk

Great escape

beastmag.co.uk

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wo hours northeast of London lies the beautiful Somerleyton estate, sitting proudly on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, at the edge of the Broads National Park. Ideally positioned as a weekend getaway, it̓ s hard to believe you're still in England. The vast rural county of Norfolk, with its gentle rolling landscape, feels a far cry from the bustling streets of the city. Time seems to slow to a snail's pace, giving one the space to relax among the lazy inland waterways and unwind beneath the vast open skies. It is here that Lord and Lady Somerleyton have created an exclusive private members’ retreat. Bespoke luxury lodges are being discreetly dispersed through the silent, wooded banks of Fritton Lake. Hot tubs sit on verandas, ready to dissolve the stresses of the city. Not far from the lodges, you'll find The Fritton Arms – the estate’s historic pub and heart of the resort.

It̓ s here that we stayed for the night – whiling away a winter̓ s evening in front of a roaring fire with a pint (or three) of local craft beastmag.co.uk

something. We were also tempted by the dinner menu, packed full of seasonal delicacies, sourced locally from the estate and turned into the likes of Carpaccio Welsh black rare beef, fresh leaves, toasted seeds and truffle oil, or Swanningtons fillet of beef, hand-cut chips, with classic Béarnaise sauce. Afterwards, as we played pool to an audience of giant fish in glass cases, we reflected on local lore. The Fritton Arms is meant to haunted.

William, the multi-tasking manager was holding court at the bar.

Oh, but there he is taking a dinner order. There he is serving meals, clearing tables. Suddenly there he is again, a sartorial silhouette, black against a flash of orange sparks, as he throws logs onto the fire. Perhaps the spectre is he! Calm your nerves with a Peat Monster malt whisky, he suggested. Time for bed.

As we woke the next day, there was nothing to do but experience the absolute silence that only exists miles from anywhere. That and sleep in late, get up later, and then enjoy ➠ BEAST

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a late breakfast at The Fritton Arms restaurant, now bathed in morning sunlight. Again, we were spoilt with another generous selection of local fare; eggs Benedict for the sophisticated, Lowestoft kippers for the bold. Lord Somerleyton’s breakfast for the hearty and Lady Somerleyton’s breakfast for the saucy. All washed down with a selection of Tea Pigs or a freshly brewed coffee, as we gazed down across the lawn to Fritton Lake and beyond. By next spring the pasture will contain tennis courts, an adventure play centre and a swimming pool - perfect if you decide to bring your kids along. You could wake yourselves up with a game of tennis while the little ones make friends. For now though, we were quite happy with a weekend away, just the two of us.

After lunch, there was the option to explore the lake in a Canadian canoe but we opted to simply explore the ancient gardens on foot. The rest of the afternoon was spent lazing around contently on one of the lodge’s verandas. We sat reading and watching fish jump to catch insects as the afternoon faded, before feeling the lure of The Fritton Arms drawing us back.

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Luckily, there’s plenty on the menu to offer you a totally new dining experience second time round. The oxtail and mash was simply ten-out-of-ten. We wanted to recreate it at home, so the chef came out and lovingly described the recipe. His attention to detail was impressive and I began to wish I’d recorded it on my phone. But then again the whole process, from farm to fork, takes a week – so best to come back and eat it here again!

Exploring a little further afield, as we did, will take you to Somerleyton Hall. On the far side of the lake, this stunning 19thcentury country house occupies 12 acres of formal gardens, where you'll find an arboretum, an aviary and one of the finest yew hedge mazes in Britain. Be sure to visit Fiona, just across the way at The Calf At Foot Dairy for some raw whole milk and honey. And, if you’ve got time still, visit Beccles. A wander through this medieval market town will take you in and out of boutique fashion stores, but for me, it was the Victorian Twyfords Café where I wanted to spend my time.

A single weekend here is nowhere near enough. There’s so beastmag.co.uk

WORDS BY NICKY ACKETTS

much to see and do, and it really does feel like the sort of place to come back to - time and again. From the rural city of Norwich to the expanse of the beaches; from sailing on the Broads to crab fishing from Southwold Pier; from trying on hats at Burnham Market to watching seals at Blakeney and celebrities at Walberswick.

You could fill a weekend with so much, or - if you prefer – so little. And if you’re anything like us, you too will want to return. Which begs the question: why rent a lodge when you can design and buy your own? (Lodges on Fritton Lake are indeed for sale, too). So, naturally, we checked the broadband (about 4 Mbps when I measured it), and decided it was enough for Netflix and work, and both left in the knowledge we'd be back. Ready for another evening in The Fritton Arms. See you there? William will be serving drinks, taking orders, delivering food, clearing tables, stoking fires… B A stay at The Fritton Arms is from £100 per night, with breakfast.

For lodge rental and information, call 01493 488666 or visit: somerleyton.co.uk

WIN A STAY AT THE FRITTON ARMS Go to beastmag.co.uk for details

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Bespoke ceramic home, available on commission, alicemara.com

Small wallet, MWMakes £50, etsy.com/uk/shop/mwmakesshop

Hideaway pyjama set £89, yawnlondon.com

North candle (Frankincense & Patchouli), Evermore London £28, evermorelondon.com

Ceramic splatter jug

by Sophie Eveleigh, Items of Note £35, Itemsofnote.co.uk 48 B E A S T

Olverum bath oil 250ml for £58, olverum.com

GIFtGUIDE

Yellow/Oxford stripe classic umbrella, London Undercover £75, LondonUndercover.co.uk

Yet to do your Christmas shopping? Fear not: we’ve curated the best of East London’s gift offerings all in one place.

Atlas necklace, Ruddock £150, available to buy from Hackney Made Collective, 61 Hackney Road, E2 7NX. ruddockjewellery.co.uk

Plum wood strainer £30, wholegrainhomes.co.uk

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Mug, Kana London £34, Kanalondon.com

Bellerose Aynor tikka sweater, Mercantile London, £175.00, themercantilelondon.com

Blue & grey bed socks, Yawn London £18.00, loveyawn.com

Premium batch no.2 gin, East London Liquor Company £31.95, 221 Grove Road, Bow Wharf, E3 5SN. eastlondonliquorcompany.com 46 B E A S T

Images courtesy of the Tower Hamlets Local History Library & Archives

The East End in Colour 1960-1980

by David Granick, Hoxton Mini Press, £16.95 hoxtonminipress.com

Lip Kit, Skin & Tonic London £15, skinandtoniclondon.com

Megan faux fur midaxi coat, Elvi £119, elvi.com

GIFT GUIDE

BAKLAVA personalised bath towel, Harem London £40, haremlondon.com

Step Through Lightweight, Temple Cycles, £750, templecycles.co.uk

Mr Hamilton Face Pot £15, 9-10 Charlotte Street, Shoreditch. wagreen.co.uk BEAST

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Limited Edition 'The Body' handwoven throw/wall hanging

by Brick Lane artist Sophie Castle, £150, sophiecastleart.com

Lozen signet ring, Ruddock Solid sterling silver £175 (Also available in 18 Carat gold plated Silver and rose gold plated silver £195) ruddockjewellery.co.uk

GIFT

GUIDE Cocodrilo, House of Hackney candlestick holder £145, houseofhackney.com

Smoked Salmon, H Forman & Son London 350g for £16.40, Stour Road, E3 2NT. formans.co.uk

A5 Silk notebook in exploding garden pink, Silken Favours £26, silkenfavours.com 48 B E A S T

beastmag.co.uk

Coffee & tea alarm clock, The Barisieur From £299, barisieur.com

Harmony bloom oil, Lena Wild £58, lenawild.co

Skinny Cactus Rainbow scarf with fringing, Sliken Favours £125, silkenfavours.com Edie, Handmade leather bag

by Carloe £280, carloelondon.com

Stacking coffee cups by Rob Ryan £100, W A Green, 9-10 Charlotte Street, Shoredtich. wagreen.co.uk

Gin lamp

by Tatty Devine, Brick Lane £39, made.com Hand built vessels, Haar East, From £30, anewtribe.co.uk

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

GET YOUR TIT-TEES OUT

Despite being given the all-clear after six months of gruelling treatment, cancer is still very much a part of Lauren Mahon’s life. In the aftermath of her diagnosis, the now 33-yearold founded GIRLvsCANCER – an online community devoted to tackling cancer taboos and helping women ‘feel empowered to deal with the sh*t show that a diagnosis means’.

On both her website and @girlvscancer Instagram, Lauren writes about the challenges of cancer - from treatment to early menopause, and mental health to dating. She has also gone on to co-host the chart-topping You, Me and the Big C podcast with Deborah James [@bowelbabe] and Rachel Bland, who sadly died in September.

On top of all that, Lauren has designed a range of wildly popular ‘Tit-Tee’ T-shirts and sweaters, all emblazoned with taboo-crushing slogans (think: ‘knockers’, ‘bangers’ and ‘fun bags’). Our favourite designs include her recent partnership with Chiquita Bananas - the T-shirt Lauren is seen modelling here (available to buy for £28). And – with 25% of all sales being donated to GIRLvsCANCERs partner charities – CoppaFeel!, Trekstock, Future Dreams and Look Good Feel Better - Lauren hopes to raise both awareness and money. B Follow Lauren on Instagram at @girlstolelondon & @girlvscancer, and find out more about GIRL vs CANCER at girlvscancer.co.uk

50 B E A S T

beastmag.co.uk

WORDS EMMA WINTERSCHLADEN

Lauren Mahon was just 30 when her doctor uttered the words ‘it’s cancer’.

Since then, the East Londoner has devoted her work and life to raising awareness and supporting other women going through the disease

Artist designed leather bags. Handmade in East London www.carloelondon.com

@houseofhackney H O U S E O F H AC K N E Y. C O M

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