South London Press, Friday, November 21, 2014
News
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www.southlondon-today.co.uk
Star surprise, surprise for Solomon
‘THEY SET ME UP GOOD AND PROPER. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY CRAZY...’ A SOUTH London hero got the surprise of his life when boy-band star Marvin Humes turned up on his doorstep.
Brixton Soup Kitchen (BSK) founder Solomon Smith featured on episode 4 of ITV’s Surprise Surprise last week after his mum Marcia and friend and co-director Mohamed Hashi contacted the programme. When the former JLS star knocked on his door, Solomon said he thought he was dreaming. It was absolutely crazy. It didn’t make any sense to me,” he said. “They set me up good and proper, they totally got me.” Brixton born and bred, Solomon, 29, and Mohamed, 30,
By HAYLEY RICHARDSON have worked relentlessly to keep the charity going, despite receiving no funding since its formation in January 2013. BSK moved to the Brixton Domino and Social Club in Coldharbour Lane, in June, but couldn’t serve food due to the dilapidated state of the kitchen. While Solomon was away on holiday, the TV show employed a team of builders to give the site a make-over. On seeing their handiwork, Solomon said: “I thought I was going to faint, and I’m a big guy so that would have done a bit of damage!”
Since his appearance on the show, Solomon said he has had a lot of people recognise him in the street and offering to volunteer at the kitchen. Proud mum Marcia White said: “He is an amazing boy and I wanted to share him with the world.” As well as food and hot drinks, BSK offers clothing, support and advice to homeless people and those in desperate need. The BSK team have set up a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to buy a mobile van to extend their outreach this winter to help homeless people across the capital. To donate, visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/brixtonsoup-kitchen.
KITCHEN SURPRISE: Solomon Smith and Mohamed Hashi from the Brixton Soup Kitchen, inset shows Solomon and Mohamed with Marvin Humes k4049/50
New writers urged to enter competition A SOUTH London publishing house is urging aspiring local writers to enter its book competition. Tibor Jones & Associates, based in Brighton Terrace, Brixton, is accepting submissions for the Pageturner Prize. Held every two years, it gives budding fiction writers an opportuni-
ty to showcase their talent. It has been a springboard for previous winners. The inaugural prize in 2011 launched the careers of Nathan Filer and Gabriel Gbadamosi, who won Best International Novel at the 2013 Sharjah Book Fair for “Vauxhall”. Entry is free, and open to any writer without an agent with a
draft of an unpublished novel. Manuscripts have to be submitted by January 26 next year. The winner of the prize will be announced on March 4 at a ceremony in Brixton. Visit www.tiborjones.com for more information, and all the rules, or email queries to pageturner@tiborjones.com
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