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New Lambeth Life issue is out!
FREE OCT-NOV 2019 NO 11 www.lambethlife.com info@lambethlife.com 40p at Newsagents
Distributed in the London Borough of Lambeth wards of Bishop’s, Clapham Town, Ferndale, Larkhall, Oval, Prince’s Stockwell and Vassall
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Evelina London
patients enjoy Back to Nature festival with Duchess of Cambridge >> PAGE 4
Community cafe where
fairness is top of the menu
>> PAGE 3
Archbishop’s Park
Gardening Club
Awarded 3 year
Lottery Funding >> PAGE 10
Lambeth unveils the UK’s first rainbow road crossing
Lambeth is the first place in the UK to install a permanent ‘rainbow crossing’ on its streets, to show solidarity with the LGBT+ community in the borough.
The crossing has been installed in Herne Hill, on two crossings outside the entrance to Brockwell Park; on the junctions of Dulwich Road with Railton Road, and Norwood Road with Dulwich Road.
A launch event on August 18 saw the crossing officially ‘opened’.
Lambeth has always been a borough that prides itself on inclusivity and openness, and the rainbow crossing is designed to be a symbol of that solidarity with the huge LGBT+ population of the borough, and London as a whole. ‘Proud’ Cllr Sonia Winifred, Lambeth Cabinet member for Equ
alities and Culture, said: “This is a colourful and fun symbol of Lambeth’s inclusivity.
“We’re proud of our LGBT+ community and have a tradition of championing equality and LGBT+ rights – this crossing celebrates that and is a
physical example of our bold and progressive thinking.
“What better time to unveil the rainbow crossing than in the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. We’ve come a long way, and in Lambeth we’re proud to be leading the
>> PAGE 2 way.”
‘Inclusivity’ The Mayor of Lambeth Cllr Ibrahim Dogus said: “Lambeth’s diversity has always been our strength, and we have never been afraid to show it!
“My dad came to this country as a refugee. He was a political activist in Turkey and had to flee as his life was in danger. This country not only took him in, but several years later allowed us to join him so that we could re-unite as a family.
“While things were far from perfect, I can never forget that this country saved my dad’s life and gave us a home. It housed us, educated us and cared for us when we were sick.
“I will always be struck by the great things that Britain represents as open, tolerant country – where people from more than 150 different countries speak more than 250 different languages; as a country of refugees – a haven for people facing persecution from around the world; and as a compassionate country – where everyone, no matter how poor, could lead a fulfilling life.”
Read why Ibrahim hopes to represent Vauxhall in the next General Election on page 12... Mayor of Lambeth Ibrahim Dogus seeks Selection as Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate in Vauxhall
IBRAHIM DOGUS Publisher info@lambethlife.com
When I came to Britain in the 1990s I waited tables day and night to make my way in a new country.
With a mixture of hard work and good fortune I was able to work, save, build a business and buy a home. Those experiences helped drive me politically and, now that I hold a local leadership role as mayor, I am determined to create the same opportunities for people in London struggling to get by – that’s why I have set up a dedicated café for the homeless in Waterloo.
I am all too aware that not everyone enjoyed the good fortune I did more than 20 years ago when I walked into a job.
And, of course, those people already on the breadline in the 2010s have had to cope with years of austerity driven by misplaced Tory dogma and the ideology of an ever-smaller state.
London is one of the most vibrant and enterprising cities in the world. Its mayor, Sadiq Khan, has been steadfast in his desire to keep the city open, tolerant and rewarding of hard work amid the political chaos of the last three
COMMUNITY CAFE WHERE
years. The scale of homelessness in the capital today, however, bears witness to the cruelty and incompetence of successive Tory governments led by out-of-touch leaders like David Cameron, Theresa May and the blustering Boris Johnson.
In Lambeth I am pleased to say we take a different approach.
In September I opened a coffee shop that aims to deliver great taste while making a difference. With Love is a community charitable enterprise with a focus on helping the homeless.
The not-for-profit shop is based in Elizabeth House in the shadow of Waterloo station – a vast metal and concrete structure that was built in the 1840s, which honours the dead of the Great War and launched the first Eurostar service in the 1990s. It has a significant social history but today it risks being known for something ignoble – the rising tide of homelessness, with rough sleepers clustering around the station. As a local councillor, this worries me. As a citizen, it angers me. As a local businessman, it puzzles me. So, when commuters, tourists and shoppers stop at Waterloo they see With Love. They are buying our great-tasting morning coffee they will be encouraged to buy discounted food or a hot drink and donate it to someone who could not afford it. By building opportunities for giving into our daily routine, With Love is encouraging giving at the same time as bringing people together, cutting the stigma around homelessness and creating a special type of enterprise. It has the simple aim of being a good business that’s also good for the community it serves.
We are now considering how to provide training opportunities for unemployed Londoners following the countless studies which show a direct link between a lack of traditional education, unemployment, poverty and homelessness.
And for the staff we hire to work in With Love then we will pay them the London Living Wage and ensuring we put fairness at the top of the menu.
With Love will not end homelessness. We know we are just one part of a bigger solution which is being driven by community businesses across the capital. But, by providing warm food and warm conversation, we can strip out the ideology of austerity and make a real difference to the tired and the lonely.
The community business has been made possible by generous supporters including HB Reavis, who provided the premises rentfree, Ben & Jerry’s, who provided funds for refurbishment, and CocaCola, Just Eat, Cobra Beer and Chef Online who all made contributions. You can find out more about this amazing project at www.facebook. com/withlovewaterloo/ >> FAIRNESS IS TOP OF THE MENU
“Delicious Food, Beautiful Atmosphere” Steaks&Burgers 020 7928 1986
tington hospital.
Today, more than a decade on, Dogus’ physical scars have healed and life has moved on. The entrepreneur has worked and lived in Lambeth for more than a decade. He has moved from teenage potwasher to the proprietor of Troia and Westminster Kitchen. More recently, the father-of-two has handed over management of the restaurants to his wife and other board members and embarked on a new chapter devoted to championing his community.
The small business owner who ran some of the South Bank’s bestknown eateries has become the community activist behind Lambeth Life and With Love, a new café set up to support the homeless in Waterloo.
What has remained with Dogus following that extraordinary attack, however, is the memory of the struggle to help clean up his community – as well as an overwhelming sense of gratitude towards Britain despite the horror of being shot in the country that he came to for sanctuary.
Ibrahim Dogus hasn’t got the sort of background you’d normally associate with someone trying to make their way across the river into the Palace of Westminster – he was waiting on tables whilst our soon to be retired MP was already not a fresh face in the commons chamber.
An immigrant whose family came to Britain to escape threats of violence, or the reality of conflict, before taking a role in modern, democratic and liberal politics in an adopted homeland is a readily familiar one.
Where it takes a sudden and sobering twist with Ibrahim Dogus, however, is that this social entrepreneur fled Turkey only to be shot on the streets of Britain - the country to which he had pledged his future.
Dogus was barely into his twenties when a criminal gang responded to his efforts to stamp out drug-related violence in Hackney by, first, torching his car and then shooting him in the stomach.
The young restauranteur was lucky to survive and says he owes his life to the NHS doctors and nurses who treated him for several weeks in intensive care at Whit
“I owe this country a huge debt,”
“My dad was a political activist in Turkey and had to flee as his life was in danger. This country not only took him in, but several years later allowed us to join him so that we could re-unite as a family. “While things were far from perfect, I can never forget that this country saved my dad’s life and gave us a home. It housed us, educated us and cared for us when we were sick.
“I will always be struck by the great things that Britain represents as open, tolerant country – where people from more than 150 different countries speak more than 250 different languages; as a country of refuge – a haven for people facing persecution from around the world; and as a compassionate country – where everyone, no matter how poor, could lead a fulfilling life.”
Never was that sense of gratitude shown more clearly than in March 2017 when, in the aftermath of the Westminster Bridge terror attack, Dogus opened the doors of his restaurants to provide free food and drink for who rushed into danger on that dark day.
He kept the restaurants open late into the evening to serve exhausted emergency service workers and it was for that moment of generosity – just one of many selfless acts across the capital that week – that earned him a community award from the Met Police’s Lambeth borough commander earlier
this year.
Looking back on the events of that spring day, Dogus discerns a wider truth which he feels epitomises the values of Londoners. “It is through my restaurants and all charitable activities I have
proudly showcased the migrant contribution which forms the fabric of Vauxhall’s vibrant and diverse spirit.
“As a community activist, I have strived for more than 20 years to try to bring people toget
her, particularly those from Turkish and Kurdish communities.” That final point is a reference to his creation of the cross party organisation, the Centre for Turkey Studies (CEFTUS), which he set up in 2011 to encourage mu
nities from endless, acrimonious internal dispute and try to unite people from differing backgrounds.
“This is the single most important reason that I want to be an MP. Our country is at a crossroads. We are in grave danger of entering a dark place politically, where Government is dominated by dangerous right-wing nationalists. I can see the warning signs because at the moment, things don’t look too different to the country from which my family and I fled.” He points in particular to three things in the record of the Tory government which crystallise how a party that used to describe itself as “one nation” has betrayed the British values of fairness and decency which it previously espoused – “Boris Johnson’s retreating from the world as we march towards a ‘no deal’ Brexit; Theresa May’s hostile environment for immigrants and ‘go home’ vans; and a relentless attack on the poorest and most disadvantaged which began under David Cameron.”
It is this mix of Tory economic incompetence, xenophobia and ideologically-driven cruelty that has pushed Dogus into seeking a new role as MP for Vauxhall.
The retirement of Brexiteer MP Kate Hoey, 30 years after she
tual understanding between the different ethnic groups of his country of birth.
It is that notion – of bringing people together – that could serve as a motto for Dogus. And it has proven to be one of the core mo
tivations for entering politics.
Westminster politics has become broken, as is often said, and also dangerously bitter. He sees it as his central mission as social entrepreneur, mayor and Labour activist to spare commu
was elected in a controversial byelection, has prompted a vacancy in a seat which some 77.6 per cent of voters backed Remain in 2016. For Dogus, the selection contest to be Labour’s candidate is an opportunity to make the case
for the causes about which he and Vauxhall residents care so passionately – dismantling austerity, rebuilding public services, standing up for migrants and, yes, fighting for Britain to remain in the EU.
Dogus has said “The Tories have so far miserably failed our communities across the country with their ideologically driven desire to leave the EU without a deal. I will fight to ensure that the United Kingdom remains the open, tolerant and compassionate country that welcomed me as a child. I will campaign and vote to remain in the EU.”
It is with that simple explanation that Dogus hopes to convince Labour members and then Vaux
hall residents to put him forward as their MP whenever the next general election comes – an event that looks sooner with every passing day.
Britain gave Dogus a job, an income, a place in the community. At times – after being shot, and then watching politics unfold since the referendum – he might have had cause to question the direction of the country. Now he is clear that the only way forward is to turf out the Tories and deliver a Labour government backed by a scores of new MPs determined to protect the historic security, rights and freedoms that make Britain an open, liberal and great nation.
Plans to install more bike hangars in Lambeth
In response to resident’s requests for more bike parking spaces, Lambeth Council is installing 41 new bike hangars around Lambeth this year. By 2022 there will be more than 2,600 spaces for people to use. Many residents lack indoor space to keep their bikes secure, so since 2012 Lambeth Council has been installing special bike hangars around the borough. With 220 installed so far, the council is consulting residents on 55 roads which have been identified for the next phase of hangars to be installed.
Climate emergency
Lambeth Council recently declared a climate emergency and committed to going carbon neutral by 2030. The cycle hangar programme is an important part of the council’s work to clean up our air and help
more people to take up active travel like cycling and walking.
Cycling is a win-win for our health and the environment – reducing our reliance on polluting transport at the same time as getting more active.
With a rise in the number of people choosing cycling as their main way of getting around the council wants to ensure more people have access to secure bike storage facilities, making the decision to get out on our bikes as simple as possible! Word from Cabinet
Cllr Claire Holland, Deputy Leader of Lambeth Council with responsibility for Environment & Clean Air, said: ‘’I’m delighted more bike hangars are being installed around Lambeth this year, making cycling more accessible to residents who don’t have the space to store their bikes securely indoors.
To tackle the climate crisis all of us need to switch cars and cabs for bikes and public transport, and these bike hangars are just one of the initiatives we’ve introduced to make cycling the best way to get around Lambeth. With new cycle lanes, quietways and changes to road layouts being introduced all over the borough, we’re supporting our residents to use less polluting ways of travelling around London, cleaning up our air and making
our streets safer for everyone.” In demand
It’s clear that our programmes are starting to have an effect, as we’ve seen exceptional demand for new hangars all over Lambeth. Our teams are working flat out to install new hangars and identify new locations for future use.’’ The bike hangars, provided by Cycle Hoop, have room for up to 6 bikes each and take up half a parking space. Lambeth Council’s proposals
The proposed locations can be viewed on maps of Lambeth’s proposed cycle hangar location webpage. There are currently 220 hangars already installed providing 1,320 bike spaces, but there is lots of demand for more to be installed. People who have applied for a space and were added to the council’s waiting list will be prioritised when the new spaces become available, with some spaces available for residents who hadn’t applied already if hangars aren’t already full.
To continue the crackdown on illegal gaming, such as the ‘cup and ball’ scam, on Westminster Bridge, Lambeth Council is proposing an extension of its Street Gaming and Street Gambling Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)
The PSPO, which has been in place in the South Bank area since 2016, is due to expire on 10 October 2019, aims to prevent street gambling and the associated antisocial behaviour which has a negative impact on local residents, visitors and businesses.
Since February this year, officers have issued over 290 fixedpenalty notices to offenders breaking the order, showing what an important role it plays in helping tackle this persistent problem.
Taking these and other factors into consideration Lambeth Council is now looking to extend the PSPO for a further 3 years. Word from Cabinet Cllr Paul Gadsby, Cabinet Member for Housing, with responsibility for enforcement said:
“Street gaming and gambling around the South Bank is a blight on one of London’s most popular destinations, so it’s vital that we extend this order and continue to work with the police and other local partners to clamp down on people who flout the law. Since this ground-breaking PSPO was introduced we’ve issued hundreds of fines to offenders.
Street gaming and gambling is linked with other crime, including
Lambeth Council looks to extend its PSPO for Street Gambling and Gaming
theft and pick-pocketing, so it’s important that we have the right tools to tackle it. We also know that there are vulnerable people caught up in this, with links to modern-day slavery, human trafficking and prostitution – the PSPO plays an important role in our efforts to protect them”
Our existing PSPO and current legislation
Extending the order for a further 3 years will help us to continue to tackle some of the ASB we are witnessing – some examples are listed below:
• Large groups blocking the pavement on Westminster bridge • Pedestrians being forced into the road to avoid games and the crowds it attracts
• Offenders harassing
passers-by, touching members of the public and encouraging them to play
• People refusing to hand over money being verbally abused and threatened with physical violence • Attracting other unlawful activity y to the bridge, including unlicensed street performers and vendors
Under the ‘Gambling Act 2005’ [Image credit: South Bank London]
the current legislation classifies the above as offences, but these can be difficult to prove and often leads to ASB not being enforced. The aim of our PSPO is to take action and enforce against those carrying out these offences.
Why are we extending the PSPO?
Modern-day slavery, human trafficking, prostitution, exploitation of minors, pick-pocketing and theft, and the deliberate targeting of vulnerable people are all linked with street gaming and street gambling, which has a severe impact on people and the local area. This has been confirmed by analysing Lambeth Council’s and the Metropolitan Police’s data.
This data analysed included a sample of 100 crimes reported since January 2017 and various behavioural patterns were identified:
• Reports of theft and pickpocketing
• Victims lured into revealing cash which was then snatched/ stolen
• Reports of victims being fraudulently conned out of money • Breaches of criminal behaviour orders
• Victims surrounded and threatened by a group of gamers
• Weapons found on gamers following searches
• Assault or obstruction of police officers
• Offenders found in possession of stolen goods
• Missing persons linked to street gaming and street gambling • Vulnerable children were taken into police protection
Lambeth Council and the Metropolitan Police will face challenges in enforcing against street gaming and street gambling to reduce this negative behaviour if the current PSPO is not extended.
