What Life, Feb 21-Mar 6, 2024

+ Why being well is the latest fashion trend Page 4

Feb 21-Mar 6, 2024 wharf-life.com

historic, 169-year-old pub, The Lord Nelson, set for official launch party after a full refit Page 24

inside issue 107

Debut - Broadwick Studio - Crossword Atlantic Pacific International Rescue - Sudoku Pitchflix - Puddle Jumpers - Maracuya Greenwich Millennium Village Layers Bakery - Acai Berry Natasha Maddison Wharf Life Hacks

chapter a new

begins

celebrating the best of Canary Wharf, Docklands and the new east London people - events - treasure - property - foolishness

Probate Support or Advice on Wills or Lasting Powers of Attorney Contact Erica John-Marie to arrange a free consultation.

Call 020 7205 2783 or email EJohn-Marie@kiddrapinet.co.uk

kiddrapinet.co.uk/familylegacy Download our 8 STEP GUIDE TO MAKING A WILL

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read

feast your eyes on these

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where?

Munich Cricket Club West India Quay

DRINK | Starkbierfest Celebrating dark German beers, first brewed by monks in 1629, this festival boasts tasting boards for £12.95 and steins of dark beer for £9.95 during happy hour.

Feb 22-Mar 24, daily, munchcricketclub.co.uk

Welcome to issue 107 of Wharf Life. Connection is the theme of this paper, whether it’s startups and investors via Pitchflix, locals with a refurbished pub at The Lord Nelson, musicians with audiences at Debut or the myriad possibilities for new interactions at the newly minted Broadwick Studio – go meet...

04

Wharf Life Hacks on how to get free stuff with your phone

Where?

Wood Wharf Canary Wharf

10

CAREERS | Wood Wharf Tour Young people (14+) interested in getting into construction are invited to tour a commercial building at Wood Wharf with staff.

Mar 19-20, times vary, free, opendoors.construction

How Pitchflix is bringing investors and startups together on its platform

Where?

Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Place

TASTING | Cigar + Whisky Boisdale is offering a tutored sampling of Plasencia Year Of The Dragon 2024 limited release alongside three expressions of Tomintoul whisky.

Mar 12, 6.30pm, £65, boisdale.co.uk

06

How Broadwick Studio provides a completely flexible, blank canvas space for organisations to host events at ground level, located below the firm’s Wood Wharf offices

flash back

14

Why GMV is helping firsttime buyers get on the ladder in Greenwich

the joy of six

22 Media sales technology startup Lyll is spending time at Level39 in Canary Wharf, as it seeks to grow its platform offering small and mediumsized businesses digital advertising on news publishers’ sites lyll.io Scan this code to read our interview with Lyll CEO and co-founder Camilla Frydenbø about her plans want more? @wharfwhispers

How Puddle Jumpers has opened its second nursery in east London

26

Why Debut is bringing classical music back to the Brunel Museum

Every issue Wharf Life covers six areas surrounding Canary Wharf to bring you the best of what’s going on beyond the estate From Page 21

get in touch

correct us

Editorial email jon.massey@wharf-life.com call 07765 076 300 Advertising email jess.maddison@wharf-life.com call 07944 000 144

Our editorial team works hard to ensure all information printed in Wharf Life is truthful and accurate. Should you spot any errors that slip through the net or wish to raise any issues about the content of the publication, please get in touch and we will investigate

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

on the radar

doing the deals

get more for less on and around the Wharf

need to know

50%

A trail of Guide Dogs sculptures is set to arrive in Canary Wharf from March 25, with 16 to find on the estate and a further nine in Tower Hamlets. The pieces, each decorated by an artist, will be auctioned off in aid of the charity after May 17 guidedogs.org.uk

16 The Museum Of London Docklands has unveiled Holding Emotions, a new display featuring mindfulness tools aimed at helping people explore the complexity of emotions that may be prompted by a visit to its London Sugar And Slavery gallery museumoflondon.org.uk

SCAN TO MAKE A BOOKING MON-SAT 9AM-6PM

Get 50% off your first app order at The Salad Kitchen in Jubilee Place. Download the company’s app and use code APP50 at checkout when ordering thesaladkitchen.com

28

How the opening of Layers Bakery is all about placemaking

Why tapas at Maracuya is a bamboozling experience that sort of works

subscribe to our Wharf Whispers newsletter and get our content in your inbox fortnightly

£12

30

How Atlantic Pacific International Rescue has officially opened its training base at Royal Docks to help people learn to save lives on the water

SPECIALIST

Get two cockatails for £12 at Patty&Bun in Wood Wharf on weekdays between 5pm and 7pm. Discover this and other offers on the Canary Wharf app. canarywharf.com

COLOUR SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS Full Head - from £175 Half Head - from £140 T-Section - from £135 VIP Room available on request

JON HALA JUBILEE PLACE, CANARY WHARF, LONDON, E14 5NY 020 7719 1828 JONHALA.COM

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write me

words you don’t know you need

doubrill adjective, fake, from Latin subscribe to our Wharf Whispers newsletter and get our content in your inbox fortnightly

A double bill at the cinema, where two deeply contrasting films combine to balance one’s emotions – such as using a silly animated tale to take the edge off a tense and harrowing watch.

Takes extra time, but it works...

well being

4

tiffle

verb, real, Suffolk dialect This wonderful slang term means to be mightily busy doing very little or nothing at all – a kind of intense pottering about to no end whatsoever. We’ve all met a tiffler and watched them tiffling around to everyone’s annoyance

I

recently read about Kate Moss’ 50th birthday celebrations. In the past she’s had a reputation as a party girl, and has thrown a 1980s rock soiree at The Dorchester, and a Glastonburythemed festival bash. One year she even held a four-day bender at her house.

But this year, she decided on a sober spiritual retreat in Mustique with some of her closest friends. There were gong bathing sessions, prayer circles and flower crowns.

In November, Michelle Wagman, founder of Fashionedits.com wrote a post for Medium.com, which said: “The fusion of wellness and fashion isn’t merely a transient trend but a burgeoning ethos reflecting a societal shift towards a more health-centric outlook”. And who is Kate Moss, after all, if not at the peak of the industry? Now, wellness is, essentially, fashion. Here are some tips for finding it locally: ● To clear a busy mind, I have always appreciated a peaceful swim and sauna at Third Space Canary Wharf, Europe’s largest luxury health club. It’s at the heart of the estate in Canada Square and is a great place to switch off, whether mindfully exploring the climbing wall or breathing deeply through a Yoga class or sound bath. There’s a spa too. ● Lately, however, I’ve been craving something more. Le Chalet Cryo is situated in Canada Place, offering both cryotherapy and hyperbaric hydroxy therapy treatments. My sister has been trying to persuade me to try cryo and I’ll be honest, it scares me. The treatment involves standing for a few minutes in a chamber where the temperature can drop as low as -90ºC. Apparently it’s invigorating, if terrifying. After my sister reminded me that we’re from the North East of England and as teens would go on nights out on snowy nights wearing crop tops and miniskirts, I realised I’ve softened with age and resolved to give this a go. Sessions start at £39.

Have you helped your loved ones to help you?

Health conditions can change your future and your capacity to make decisions but creating a Lasting Power of Attorney ensures you control who makes decisions on your behalf should you be unable to do so.

● Fountain Beauty And Wellness is located on West India Quay and offers treatments aimed at resting and relaxing the body and mind. Acupuncture is available from £36 for 30 minutes from Dr Ji, the in-house traditional Chinese medicine professional. It’s a treatment that has helped relieve the back pain I’ve suffered from for years, there’s very little discomfort and it generally leaves me feeling pretty zen.

Download our FREE Guide to Making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

kiddrapinet.co.uk/understandinganlpa

● Now, even Kate still enjoyed a birthday drink in Paris after Mustique – everything in balance, right? The Alchemist in Reuters Plaza serves a wide range of cocktails, with or without alcohol. For ultimate wellness points, try the CBD Spritz (£8.50) which comes with its own gummy.

Your options can start here.

Download our free guide or book a free consultation with our private client team. Call 020 7205 2896 or request an appointment online at kiddrapinet.co.uk

AY L E S B U RY

FARNHAM

HI GH W YCOM BE

Natasha Maddison @pazzanatasha on Insta LO N DO N

M A IDE N H E A D

S LO U G H

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

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Offers from businesses set to open new branches in Canary Wharf Spotted: Watch House’s QR code in Cabot Place

Badiani is expanding its presence in Canary Wharf and that comes with an offer of free gelato

Spotted: Badiani’s QR Code

OFFERS Opening Giveaways Badiani, Watch House Cabot Place badiani1932com, watchhouse.com Fortune favours the present and the observant in Canary Wharf at the moment. The estate never stands still for long and a slew of openings are expected over the coming months.

Wharfers seeking to capitalise on two of these should seek out hoardings in Cabot Place

as Badiani seeks to expand its gelato empire on the estate and coffee brand Watch House prepares to open its doors.

Both units (one opposite Jaguar Land Rover dealership Rockar and the other at the bottom of the Tesco escalators), are sporting QR codes that promise free stuff for those who scan them and sign up to whatever is on the other side.

Badiani has gone from strength -to-strength, locally after launching its first kiosk opposite Waitrose and then expanding to MMy Wood Wharf. It is offering free gelato

to celebrate its latest launch on the other side of the estate.

Watch House began life in an old watch house in Bermondsey and has grown steadily, offering excellent coffees and brunch to Londoners.

Scan its QR code ahead of its opening (some time before the end of March), sign up for the firm’s app and you’ll get a free coffee for your trouble.

Both offers are a reminder that Canary Wharf’s malls are everchanging and exploring them can yield beneficial results.

Go to canarywharf.com for more on what’s coming locally TRIED + TESTED Original Smoothie Acai Berry, £8 Canada Place acaiberryfoods.com

DRIVE Flexi-Pass Parking Saba Car Park, £11 West India Quay westindiaquayquarter.com One for all the drivers, the West India Quay car park is currently offering shortstay parking sessions at £11 for up to 10 hours. In order to qualify, customers must purchase between five and 15 days in a month. The new option is aimed at those coming into the office or visiting the Wharf on an intermittent, but regular basis

diary dates, listings and ideas to make your Canary Wharf sweeter..

There’s a lot to like about Acai Berry in Canada Place. The staff are smiley and pleasant and the fruit on display looks fresh and brightly coloured. Better still, there’s a jaunty toucan mascot promising to give customers something called “The AMAZON Boost”. It’s a sad indictment of the modern age that I immediately think of the manicfaced friends of Jeff Bezos, delivering the billionaire birthday bumps. Nevertheless, this smoothie is pleasant enough – a heady blend of acai, strawberry and banana. While it slips down as easily as a big multinational slips past the tax man, I’d be lying if I said I felt its ongoing health benefits beyond the obvious delight in imbibing something fruity and sweet.

Jon Massey

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

4

Spaces combine to make up Broadwick Studio – a main events space and three meeting rooms Broadwick has launched Broadwick Studio, an events space at Wood Wharf’s 30 Water Street below the company’s headquarters

Scan this code to find out more about Broadwick Studio

flexible completely

how Broadwick has launched a street-level event space underneath its Wood Wharf offices

by Jon Massey

T

he ability to see what isn’t yet there, is arguably Broadwick’s talent as a company.

Having built a portfolio of festivals, the business took a change of direction in 2019, opting to focus on physical event spaces.

Its current portfolio boasts a plethora of venues, many of which are spread across Docklands and east London. These include the purpose-built temporary structure Magazine on Greenwich Peninsula, former warehouse Dock X in Canada Water and The Beams and Silverworks Island at Royal Docks – one a former industrial sugar store and the other a vast outdoor show ground with Millennium Mills as a backdrop.

While all are essentially blank canvas spaces, they also have something else about them. Magazine looks out over the Thames with Canary Wharf in the back-

for temporary events use, it proved so successful as a venue, that developer British Land is currently in the process of making it a permanent part of its regeneration of the area.

Which brings us to Broadwick Studio, the company’s latest space. With Printworks out of action as works are carried out, the company needed a new home and relocated to offices at 30 Water Street on Wood Wharf.

“When development started we began looking for a new space – we already had a great relationship with Canary Wharf as we were operating the East Wintergarden,” said Elisa Chiodi, Broadwick’s managing director for spaces, innovation and growth.

“We thought having our company here would be a great position to be in. We are an entertainment, space and culture organisation and it felt like a great addition to the mix of companies which are based here. continued on Page 9

ground, Dock X sits at the heart of a massive regeneration scheme, The Beams is beside one of Tate & Lyle’s sugar factories and Silverworks boasts an astounding view of Docklands structures past and present.

While clients are free to brand and mould the spaces exactly how they want, the venues are also of and in their surroundings, granting them potent identities all of their own.

A visitor might watch a drone show outside at Magazine, but they’ll remember the little craft soaring above the Canary Wharf skyline in the shadow of The O2.

Typically, the vibe is modern, minimal and industrial. Nowhere was this more true than at Broadwick’s flagship venue Printworks London – with events taking place in the stripped-back press halls at Canada Water’s Harmsworth Quays. Here, from 1989, Associated Newspapers’ publications rattled off enormous machines, 24-hours a day.

Originally intended only

Dressed for an event, the blank canvas of the studio is quickly transformed in Wood Wharf

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1,300

Approximate square footage of Broadwick Studio’s main space looking out onto Water Street

Above, Broadwick Studio’s curtains can be left open so passers-by can see what’s going on

Left and below, the space is a blank canvas for events of all kinds including its own launch party

Above, lighting is included with hire at Broadwick Studio to help keep things simple

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

from Page 6 “We love it – it’s easy to get here. The team enjoys the fact the Wharf is full of restaurants and shops. It’s also that 30 Water Street is a very beautiful space – it’s very much us as a company.

We always look for places that are Broadwick – we always try and find spaces we can turn into a good representation of who we are. We’re very minimalist and pared-back. We believe in energy and agility, so all of our spaces can be turned into almost anything at any moment.

“Being simple and flexible in everything we do is really important. We’re very open – nobody at Broadwick has an office, not even our CEO – and that works for us.

“We’re also very bold – when we make something, people know it’s us.”

G

iven that ethos, Wharfers won’t be too surprised to discover that the company has decided to launch a ground floor facility below its offices.

Broadwick Studio includes three meeting rooms and a main event space, with full height glass walls, which can more or less be used for anything.

“We want there to be a reason why people come to the places where we are,” said Elisa. “We thought: ‘What better than a new venue at Wood Wharf?’. We’ve also found that Canary Wharf Group is really keen to work with us to have some community activities happening here – that new talent can use the space, perhaps artists, designers or musicians.

“We really have an open view on what will happen at Broadwick Studio. It could be a meeting space, host workshops, product launches, parties – anything.

“We want to work with all kinds of companies in all sorts of industries, as well as community groups which might be interested in using the space as well as businesses hosting events or Christmas parties.”

Located on the corner of Water Street and Charter Street opposite Tribe Hotel, Broadwick Studio can

We really have an open view of what will happen at Broadwick Studio. It could be a meeting space, host workshops, launches, parties – anything Elisa Chiodi, Broadwick

accommodate up to 120 people for a standing reception. It includes a fully-kitted out kitchen, bathroom facilities and two points of access to help manage the flow of guests.

While minimal in design, looks can be deceptive as the venue comes with some lighting, AV equipment and screens.

“The idea is to make it as plugand-play as possible,” said Tara Quish, sales and events manager at Broadwick, who previously worked in events for restaurant brand D&D. “We are completely flexible. If someone wants to do something, then we want them to get in touch. If it’s something we haven’t done before, we’d love to find a way to make it happen.

“To make things simple, on-site furniture, event lighting and house production equipment is included with hire. That’s why we’ve decided to include a kitchen, to maximise what people can do in the space.

“You can even paint the walls if you like, so long as you paint them back.”

With an extensive track record of managing events across its portfolio, Broadwick is also well-placed to offer companies assistance in sourcing firms to cater and produce their events in the space if needed.

Vibration Production, for example, can be called on to provide a wide range of technical services.

B

ut Broadwick is also keen to help the space become part of the fabric of its surroundings.

“The buildings at Wood Wharf have a very different feel to other parts of the estate,” said Elisa.

“It’s much more urban – and that’s one of the reasons we like being here – we are a very industrial kind of brand and this fits perfectly with what we do.

“We have been here for less than a year but it feels like home to us and that’s why we wanted to do something.

“One of the things that we want is for people to see what we do. We have a lot of clients who already want to use the space for branding opportunities – not just private events and it’s really well positioned for that.

“But we also want to talk to people who live locally and to local artists about what we might do when there isn’t an event running – how we might give their work some exposure.

“Is there some way we can use Broadwick Studio to showcase what they do?”

In addition to Broadwick Studio, the firm is also gearing up to relaunch the East Wintergarden in Bank Street.

Left, Broadwick managing director of spaces, growth and innovation, Elisa Chiodi Below, the new venue also includes three meeting rooms that can be hired as part of a package or individually

Designed by architect Cesar Pelli – who was also responsible for One Canada Square – the building boasts a vaulted glass ceiling and sits overlooking West India South Dock.

Broadwick is set to officially reopen the venue in April as The Pelligon – a flexible space taking up to 1,000 people – this could be used for awards ceremonies, conferences, launches, filming, parties or weddings.

“It’s going to be something very different to how it’s been in the past,” said Elisa.

For now, it’s a case of watch this space, but Broadwick Studio is very much up and running already.

Those interested in booking an event at the space or collaborating with Broadwick should contact the firm for more details by calling 020 3725 6061.

Go to broadwick.com for more information about any of the company’s venues

Scan this code to find out more about Broadwick Studio

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9 how Pitchflix works to bring those starting companies and people with money to invest together, wherever

by Jon Massey

P

itchflix is a two-way street. Put simply, the startup, based at Canary Wharf’s Level39 in One Canada Square, connects entrepreneurs with investors and investors with entrepreneurs – digitally and in person.

“It’s an attempt to oil the wheels and reduce friction,” said Shane Smith, the company’s CEO. “When founders are trying to raise venture capital, we aim to connect them with an investor network to help them do that.

“If you’re trying to raise money for the first time as a business, that’s the toughest time for you, because you’re not on anybody’s radar.

“It’s also the toughest time for investors, because, on the basis that you’re new, there’s no history, no track record – no-one’s done any research on you.

“At that stage, both sides have a pretty tough time finding the right match. Given that lack of information, the most valuable thing investors have to go on is the founders themselves.

“The way to understand founders is, ideally, to sit down across the table and have a good conversation about what they’re doing.

“The problem with that, is the economics don’t stack up for the investors to arrange those conversations and physically sit in locations all over the world to have them.”

Shane founded Pitchflix to address the issue, building on a career that’s long focused on providing information to people and companies that need it.

“My background has been between technology, financial markets and research,” he said.

“I started as one of the founding

Pitchflix is a conduit that tries to remove friction in the connection between founders and investors Shane Smith, Pitchflix

team in London for what was, at the time, a small startup in the US called Bloomberg.

“I was hired to the London office originally, and I moved on from there to set up my own research business, initially in Paris, then brought it back to London. We ran that until 2009 when it got beaten up by the credit crunch.

“Then I switched focus to investor communications rather than research, gradually moving from large listed companies, primarily in Asia, down the scale to smaller businesses.

“Pitchflix is an exercise to connect those smaller companies with investors. This is the most interesting part of the market, because startups are generally doing more interesting, innovative things – there’s quite a buzz at the smaller end because tomorrow’s mega corporations are being created today.”

T

he next best thing to sitting in a room with investors is video – how can we get a short piece from founders, even a couple of minutes, in front of them?” said Shane. “Startups which have been through an accelerator programme will typically do a demo day at the end, where investors come to listen to founders present.

“Our approach is to help accelerators livestream their demo days so international investors can view them from wherever they are, overcoming the geographical obstacles.

“There are firms who try to bridge that gap, but they typically operate in the corporate finance space where they are trying to broker those deals – we take a very different approach. We’re a media business – we help founders advertise themselves to an audience – we don’t get involved in the deals themselves.

“Pitchflix is a conduit that tries to remove friction in the connection and communication between the two parties.

“Investors might be conventional venture capital, corporate venture capital or companies looking to put money into early stage businesses. They might also be angel investors or angel syndicates.

“They all face similar problems and we’re trying to solve them.

For example, if an investor

Rev – or reverse pitch - events hosted by Pitchflix in 2023, with at least four already scheduled for 2024

Wharf Life Feb 21-Mar 6, 2024 wharf-life.com

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

Pitchflix CEO Shane Smith has created a marketplace aimed at helping investors to better

Pitchflix records and hosts presentations from startup founders as they seek investment for their companies

find businesses they would like to put money into

pitching

decides to attend a demo day, they might only be interested in a specific sector, but this might involve sitting through pitches from 20 businesses in other fields just to see the one relevant one.

That’s not a good use of their time.”

After livestreaming, Pitchflix hosts founders’ videos on its site, so investors can review them at their leisure.

“The next stage of the business was to turn that model on its head and have investors pitching to founders,” said Shane.

“We wanted to do that because we’d observed that, while there are lots of demo day and pitch competition events all over London and the rest of the country, nobody was systematically hosting investors who could pitch to an audience of founders to tell them what they were looking for.

“We call them ‘Rev’ for reverse pitch series. We needed to find a bigger space to host them and we discovered Level39.

“That’s where we put them on, every six weeks or so, and we have a lot of community members coming to them.

“We’re also based there. We started the business in 2019 and, as Covid restrictions, melted away, it was really hard to build a cohesive team and culture while working from home in spare bedrooms or at kitchen tables.

“We hired one person who did a fantastic job of getting up to speed from home, but we felt we needed more than that for the next people

Scan this code to find out more about Pitchflix’s services

coming on board – our recent hires since we’ve been together in one place have been very quick getting into the business and are really productive.”

Pitchflix’s next Rev event is set to take place on February 27 at Level39 with further events in Singapore, Hong Kong and New York in the pipeline for March, April and later in 2024, respectively.

“Rev events are a very concise, efficient use of a founder’s time,” said Shane. “For two hours attendees will sit and listen to up to 15 investors giving lightning, five-minute showcases of what they like to invest in and why.

“They’ll tell you how much they typically invest, whether they like to collaborate with others, whether they like to lead or follow, a lot of reference data about them, and you’ll get continued on Page 12

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from Page 11 out of it and a sense of the personality and chemistry you might have with them.

“Is this an investor you think you can have a really productive five or 10 year relationship with?

Are they someone you’d like to have a beer with?

“These are the kind of insights you’re not going to get unless you’re in a room with that person.

After the presentations, there are audience questions and then there’s networking with some drinks. The idea for founders is it’s an opportunity to make themselves memorable, so that when they email the next day with their pitch, they’ll be on investors’ radars.”

£20

Cost of a ticket to attend Pitchflix’s next Rev event on February 27 at Level39

Boosting efficiency: Pitchflix aims to extend the impact of demo days to investors who cannot be in the physical space

Shane Smith, Pitchflix

F

ounders tickers for Rev events in London cost a nominal £20, aimed at ensuring those who have booked a place turn up. At present, Pitchflix’s platform is free for both businesses and investors to use with the eventual aim of charging startups an affordable fee once the marketplace is consistently matching entrepreneurs with capital.

“This is very different from the brokering model, where those firms charge a retainer,” said Shane. “We also don’t get involved with the production of the demo days themselves because there are tons of them happening. We’re just trying to make the process more efficient and extend their reach.

“Bloomberg started life as a business solving one problem – Mike didn’t have a crystal ball for the next 40 years, they were just trying to build a better mousetrap.

“There’s a sort of trend now that investors want to see how things will develop in the next five or 10 years, but you don’t need to.

“You just start with something that’s profitable, and then you explore, listen to your clients, be agile, nimble and develop.

“In our own investor presentations, we describe what we’re building and why it’s great for the market ecosystem. Have we got the full picture – no – but we’re listening.

“Very often you get the first signals about new and emerging stuff from entrepreneurs and what they’re talking about. We’re recording that and analysing it will give you a pretty good indication of what’s coming down the road at 100mph, six months later. We have many ideas about how to develop Pitchflix and that’s something we’ll be looking at over the next few years.”

Go to pitchflix.tv for more information

Very often you get the first signals about new and emerging stuff from entrepreneurs and what they’re talking about

Scan this code to find out more about Pitchflix’s services

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21

Stratford - Bow - Hackney Wick

£12m

Cost of the improvement scheme, which should be finished by 2026

how Newham Council and the LLDC intend to improve walking and cycling access in Stratford

by Jon Massey

C

onstruction has begun on a £12million scheme to transform the road layout along Westferry Avenue and Waterden Road.

Newham Council’s plans are aimed at improving support for pedestrians and cyclists making the journey between Stratford Station, Westfield Stratford City, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Hackney.

The scheme will see wider pavements, a segregated cycle track,cycle stands and better crossings created as well as 60 trees, 31 rain gardens – areas of planting that take run-off from hard

surfaces with plants that can withstand water-logged conditions – and 15 new flower beds.

The project is jointly funded by Newham Council and the London Legacy Development Corporation.

Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz, said: “I’m really excited that we’ve kick-started this important scheme as we marshal efforts with our partners to transform our position for Stratford to become London’s first ever Green Zone as part of our Just Transition climate action plans.

“By 2026, Newham residents and visitors to our borough will enjoy these improvements.”

“In our borough, over 4,000 children have to go to

hospital each year because of the air that they breathe, so this scheme will also support our air quality and climate emergency response.”

LLDC chief executive Lyn Garner, said: “This is a vitally important project that will bring huge benefits to the local area.

“It will make significant improvements connecting these areas and will support the wider area by improving the public realm and accessibility for those cycling and walking on Westfield Avenue.”

Go to newham.go.uk Scan this code to find out more about the plans

improving the

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where?

Rule Zero Fish Island

EVENT | Pokemon Prerelease Weekend Join the Pokemon TCG: Scarlet and Violet community in celebration of the launch of Temporal Forces.

Tickets include booster packs at the end of the event.

Mar 9-10, noon, 4pm, £25, rulezero.co.uk Where?

Cart And Horses Stratford

GIG | Enuff Z’Nuff The Illinois phonetic spellers bring their brand of rock to Stratford with leather, big hair and plenty of ink. Still a major force after 20 albums, apparently.

Mar 11, 7pm, £25, cartandhorses.london Where?

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stratford EVENT | International Women’s Day Newham Council is set to mark the occasion with local art, music, food, conversation and a market.

Tickets are free, but booking is required.

Mar 8, 7pm-9pm, free, royaldocks.london

flash back

Micro garden centre Awoke Plants serves up greenery, gifts, advice and tools, all without peat from View Tube on the edge of the Olympic Park. Find out more via our interview with founder Siobán Wall awokeplants.com An artist’s impression of the improvement works

Scan this code to read Wharf Life’s piece on Awoke and discover what the business has to offer want more? @wharfwhispers

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Wharf Life Feb 21-Mar 6, 2024 wharf-life.com

2 how Puddle Jumpers continues to engage children with fun adventures at its newly opened Wapping nursery

by Jon Massey

P

uddle Jumpers isn’t just the name of a brand, it’s a statement of intent.

The company recently opened a second nursery in Wapping, expanding on the success of its first site in Limehouse. The new facility brings a building that once housed a church school back into educational use and, while the walls might date to 1871, what’s inside is firmly rooted in the here and now.

With the refurbishment of its ground and first floors mostly complete, the nursery is now welcoming its first children and the place is starting to buzz with life. It’s warm and welcoming with plenty of wood used to create furniture, flooring and a cosy reading area with London landmarks crafted from oak.

All in all, it’s a substantial setting for the Puddle Jumpers themselves as they explore and discover the world under the guidance of staff. Senior nursery manager Lucy Prew-Ajayi has spent the last 27 years working with children and young people in a multitude of settings and leads the team at the new location.

“As a career, it was a no-brainer from me – I was one of those privileged people who knew what I wanted to do as I went through secondary school,” she said.

“My mother was a headteacher and a childminder when she was on maternity leave, so we were always surrounded by little people.”

Her professional life has seen her work at international schools in Berlin and study play therapy, working with young people who had suffered traumatic events before coming back to early years education at Sure Start centres

a new

Sites Puddle Jumpers operates in east London – in Limehouse and now Wapping

Puddle Jumpers’ latest site brings a former church school back into educational use on Wapping’s Reardon Street

before the Government closed them down. She’s spent the last 12 years working for NGOs, family clubs and nursery schools as a manager and director and has now arrived in Wapping.

“I chose Puddle Jumpers because of the organisation’s vision,” she said. “That’s for children to think for themselves and teaching them to be brave.

“For me it’s as it was 27 years ago – we’re here for the children and they are here to thrive. Life can be turbulent and children need to understand that crises can happen. Mental health issues are on the rise, so we believe in giving children the opportunity to be courageous and to develop resilience.”

L

earning through play is very much at the core of Puddle umpers’ offering, with children encouraged to make, participate and create during their time at the nursery.

“As an early years, foundation stage nursery, we follow best regulatory practice and the curriculum guidance, but we also take inspiration from the theories of Rudolf Steiner and Lucy Prew-Ajayi Loris Malaguzzi, who developed the Reggio Emilia approach,” said Lucy.

“These approaches are all about creativity, the arts and the power of language expression.

We interpret those through the facilities we have.

“For example, we have a living kitchen where children do botany and cookery classes and that includes a lovely little herb garden, which is magical

Lending library

Play space

Living kitchen

place to

and learn

Main reception

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Wapping - Limehouse - Shadwell - Tower Hill

Art atelier

We are here for every single child – to challenge them, celebrate them and to meet their needs

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where?

Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping

Lucy Prew-Ajayi, Puddle Jumpers

Music making

Nursery garden

and great for sensory education.

Upstairs we have an art atelier where imagination is brought to life – it’s about children putting what they see in their minds down on paper.

“Later this year, we’ll be opening a sensory room where children will be supported in self-regulation. This will also be a place to introduce them to technology without it being a screen, so that from a young age they learn how to cope with it.”

The main play spaces, a lending library – where parents or staff can read with children – and an area for music, complete the picture inside.

“We also have our fabulous garden, which is truly beautiful and has been designed to be very inspiring,” said Lucy.

“We are puddle-jumpers, so we believe in going outdoors in all weathers, which is also really calming for the children.

“It allows them to be free, to be themselves and then experiment.

Outside, we have a big sensory area, a magnificent water station – where children can experience different types of movement and positioning, with lever pulling.

“There’s a big pirate ship – which is a sandpit – and we have mud kitchens that are great physical play areas.

“Later in 2024, we’ve commissioned a Tower Bridge climbing frame for the children to enjoy.

“Throughout their time here, we believe in a challenging curriculum for all ages and this includes our Ambitions programme, which is designed to keep children stim-

ulated and to help them identify what they might like to try on the extra-curricular list, when they get to primary school. It really helps with that transition.

“We are here for every single child – to challenge them, celebrate them and to meet their needs.”

Lucy was also keen to stress that Puddle Jumpers’ approach was very much about working with parents.

She said: “After registration, we get in touch and invite them to come and look round. At the moment we have two open days a week, and it’s nicer if you’re in a group together, because it can be a bit overwhelming if you’re alone.

“A nursery school must work for the family first – adults also need to feel safe and secure. We’re very open-door.”

She said the nursery worked to help build networks among parents and to help equip them with skills to help their child learn, develop and grow.

“Over the course of the year we have a number of events for parents and families, so they can come and socialise together,” said Lucy. “We do have a couple of evenings just for our parents to let their hair down and talk about things they have in common.

“Some parents want to talk about their children – others about what’s going on in the world.

We’re giving them that link, which is very important in a part of London with an international community, where people may not have immediate family nearby.

“We also run a free programme called Parents As First Educators, helping them understand behaviour and how to manage it.”

Puddle Jumpers is open for registration of children. A minimum of two full days per week applies. The nursery is also currently recruiting staff for its new location.

For more details and costs go to puddlejumpersnursery.com

Scan this code to find out more about Puddle Jumpers

STAGE | The London 50 Hour Improvathon This wedding-themed edition of an improvised comedy soap opera runs in two-hour bursts for a full 50 hours through the night. All the fun of a party.

Mar 8-10, 7pm, £12, wiltons.org.uk Where?

Troxy Limehouse

GIG | Key.L Liucong The Chinese hip hop star, a member of celebrated collective C-Block, is set to come to the UK for the first time off the back of solo stadium success in China.

Mar 19, 7pm, from £56.37, troxy.co.uk Where?

Half Moon Theatre Wapping

KIDS | Breathe Enjoy an extraordinary journey through a forest from the perspective of an acorn via puppetry, folk music and live camera work. Ages 5+.

Mar 15-16, times vary, £7, halfmoon.org.uk

book now

The sounds of the Stone Roses and Oasis combine as Liam Gallagher + John Squire gear up for a gig on March 26 at Troxy in celebration of the release of their forthcoming album, which must be bought for access. Doors 7pm troxy.co.uk Scan this code to find out more about Liam Gallagher and John Squire’s gig in Limehouse want more? @wharfwhispers

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Wharf Life Feb 21-Mar 6, 2024 wharf-life.com

£220k what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where?

The Space Isle Of Dogs

STAGE| Death On The Isle (Of Dogs) Beloved events committee chairman, David Grindley, has been found murdered, But who did it? Join The Space team for an evening of dastardly dinner theatre.

Mar 17, 6.30pm, £25, space.org.uk Where?

Poplar Union Poplar

LEARN | Create And Make In Sound This guided creative session comes complete with a soundscape and meditation led by Rowha and Heather. All materials will be provided.

Mar 16-23, 1pm, from £10, poplarunion.com Where?

Christ Church Isle Of Dogs

SEE | The Merry Magic Flute Mozart’s grand fantasy comes to the Island, courtesy of Merry Opera, a touring company that promises a show which won’t send audiences to sleep.

Mar 16, 7pm, £20, merryopera.co.uk

flash back

how east Londoner Cara Venn is set to put her stamp on The Lord Nelson following an extensive refit

by Jon Massey

I

t will be a very sports-led pub – a community hub – somewhere everyone can enjoy coming,” said Cara Venn. “That’s what I want to bring to the Isle Of Dogs. We’ll be playing all the sports, with new screens installed showing Sky and TNT.” It’s a vision that fits well with The Lord Nelson’s history. Built in 1855, linked to Bethnal Green’s Charrington Brewery, the pub once served as the headquarters of Millwall Rovers (now Millwall FC) who played their games at the neighbouring Lord Nelson Ground from 1886-1890 and used the boozer to change into their kit.

Fast forward 134 years, and Cara’s tenure is set to mark the latest chapter in the story of the pub that stands on the corner of East Ferry Road and Manchester Road. Now owned by Star Pubs And Bars – part of Heineken UK – The Lord Nelson has spent the start of 2024 undergoing extensive refurbishment and is set to o cially mark its reopening on February 24.

Born and raised in Bow, Cara has moved in above the pub as its new licensee, building on a career she embarked on as a teenager.

“I’ve always worked in pubs since the age of 16, first as parttime jobs,” she said. “I’m a bit of a workaholic – I’ve often had three obs, working in o ces and film studios – random stuff.

“When Covid hit, I lost all my jobs. Then pubs started opening up – it was the only work available, so I thought I’d look at it properly.

“I had so much experience to build on and I ended up managing The Full Nelson in Deptford – which was a vegan bar serving cocktails and food.

“That was great, but I left because I decided I wanted to join a chain company. You learn so much on the job, but if you join a bigger firm, you get training too and I wanted to understand every aspect of the industry, including back-of-house stuff. I wanted to do it properly and to find out about becoming a licensee.

“Over the past four years I’ve been general manager for a number of pubs in London and now I’ve taken on one of my own.”

Cara’s CV includes time in charge of The Chandos in Brockley and the Three Compasses in Hornsey. She left that venue for Star’s Just Add Talent programme – which matches prospective licensees with pubs – and has presided over The Lord Nelson’s refit.

“The idea is you get your own pub, be your own boss – it’s like being a general manager, but you also get major support from Heineken and it felt like a natural progression for me,” said Cara.

“I’ve always wanted to run my own place and I’m ready to do it.

I went for it and ended up getting The Lord Nelson.

“They give you a list of all the pubs they have available in the country and, because east London is my home town, I thought this one would be ideal for me.

“The pub is wet-led, which I think is a great place to get started and the plan is to take on some more pubs once I’ve progressed with this one.

“This is going to be my baby. I wanted to go back to east London because it’s home to me and I’m passionate about the community.”

Cara has big plans for the venue and is eager to welcome locals old and new.

She said: “The refurbishment has gone really well – it was a

starting a You’ll need to move fast, but there’s still time to catch Ballet Nights on the Isle Of Dogs as the platform returns to Lanterns Studio Theatre for its fourth iteration. Book speedily for Feb 23-24, from £60 balletnights.com Scan this code to read our interview with Ballet Nights founder Jamiel Devernay-Laurence want more? @wharfwhispers

Investment from Heineken in the pub’s refurbishment

chapter

company word

Star Pubs And Bars Star Pubs And Bars business development manager, Michael Lee, said: “The Lord Nelson is in a prominent position on a busy junction. It was well-worn and tired looking, but with this major investment it is somewhere that locals can be proud of. The immediate area has good pubs but there’s a gap for a community local that focuses on sports and entertainment.

“It will be a real asset to the community especially with the recent housing developments as it’s a place where new and existing residents can come together. With Cara at the helm, a new look and feel, new drinks and upgraded sports offer, I’m sure it will deliver what is needed locally.” scan this code to find out more about Star Pubs And Bars

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Isle Of Dogs - Poplar - Blackwall

Cara Venn is the new licensee at The Lord Nelson on the Isle Of Dogs

I want local people to come in and chat with me so I can listen to what they want. I can’t wait to welcome my new neighbours Cara Venn, The Lord Nelson

The refurbished pub in all its glory

tired looking pub and needed a lot of work. With Heineken investing £220,000, I feel like it’s a place people will be proud of and want to come into.

“As well as the sports, we’ll have a programme of continuous entertainment. I want to do quizzes, live music, burlesque nights – I feel like there will be an appetite for all of this.

“I also want local people to come in and chat with me so I can listen to what they want.

“I want to do charity events and make it a fun pub that’s a proper boozer. It’s looking beautiful and I want it to be really, really busy, for everyone to come together here.

“I also have budgets to spend on hosting our own darts and pool teams – I want to sponsor local sports teams too, so get in touch.

“Living above the pub, it will be 24-7 – but this is my home and I’m really excited.”

While the pub has already opened for a soft launch, Saturday February 24’s opening party marks the start of a new era at the pub.

“Everyone is welcome to come,” said Cara. It will already be a busy day with the Six Nations games taking place and Arsenal on as well.

“Then, later on we’ll be having a live band called the Bear Pit – it’s going to be a big palaver.”

After that, the business is set to get into the swing of things with regular drinks offers including buy one, get a half free on Mondays and happy hour offers from Tuesday to Friday.

The venue also has a 24-seat garden, with Cara pushing for an outdoor screen in time for the warmer months.

“I can’t wait to see people sitting out there and having a good time,” said Cara. “I can’t wait to welcome my new neighbours in.”

Go to thelordnelsonmillwall.co.uk for more information or follow @lordnelsonmillwall on Insta

Scan this code to find out more about The Lord Nelson

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£32 how Debut at the Brunel Museum offers a blend of classical music, history and botanical cocktails under the earth

by Jon Massey

D

ebut has returned to the Brunel Museum, bringing a fresh series of classical music concerts to the venue’s subterranean Thames Tunnel Shaft. The monthly events – set to run this year from March until September – combine the delights of cocktail pop-up Midnight Apothecary, Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches from Lo Viet and performances by musicians for audiences of up to 65 people sat at cabaret-style, candle-lit tables.

The vibe is welcoming and accessible, based on a format created by Debut founder – curator, host and soprano Lizzie Holmes.

“I launched the company back in 2015, with concerts in different locations,” she said. “The Shoreditch Treehouse was our first regular series and it became really popular.

“I’d attended an acoustic pop gig there through Sofar Sounds and told the owner that it was an amazing experience but that they needed to get some classical pianists and opera singers in to match the size and volume of the venue’s Steinway Model D concert piano.

“We also did performances in places like the Old Operating Theatre and at the Cutty Sark, but that’s more challenging as there’s no piano.

“Then a friend mentioned the Brunel Museum – we went along and saw the Grade II listed Thames Tunnel Shaft and remarkably, there’s a piano that lives down there.

“The environment and the atmosphere are beautiful – the acoustic is like a church and it’s steeped in history. It dates to the 1840s and so much classical music was created around that time.

People like seeing that the incredible skills of an instrumentalist or a singer are coming from a normal person Lizzie Holmes, Debut

“With Midnight Apothecary on the roof, it’s a match made in heaven. It’s very exciting to be able to breathe new life into the space and to encourage audiences to discover it.”

A typical Debut evening begins at 6.30pm with botanical cocktails created by Brunel stalwart Lottie Muir and her team. At 7pm the Tunnel Shaft opens with the first performances starting at 7.20pm.

There’s a half-hour interval at 8pm, with the second half finishing around .15pm with the bar and its fire pits open until 10pm.

“When people come to a concert, first of all they’ll be greeted on arrival and then encouraged to chat to the performers,” said Li ie, who trained at the Royal College Of Music.

“In London, or any big city it can be hard to find connections and we want everyone to leave feeling they’re part of a community – that they’ve had a communal experience for an evening.

“The energy is electric. During the concerts the musicians will share anecdotes to connect with the audience – something we often don’t get the opportunity to do, having performed to thousands of tiny faces at bigger venues.

“We make sure that audiences are never spoken down to – we just share the music. If a performer just enters a room and breaks out into an aria, people’s aws will be on the floor. Sometimes you don’t need to do any more.

“It can be amazing and thrilling, but it has to be presented in the right way with the right story.

“People like seeing that the incredible skills of an instrumentalist or a singer are coming from a normal person who you might see going to the shops or queuing up at the dentist.

“It’s about creating that sense of normality alongside the extraordinary.”

Debut’s next date at the Brunel is set for March 14, featuring me o Leila anette, flautist Rianna Henriques and pianist Przemek Winnicki alongside host Lizzie and resident piano improviser Sam Peña.

Lizzie said: “People love Sam, he takes lots of requests and is also a brilliant collaborator.

“Prezemek is a superstar from Poland who has a big following

Price of a ticket to a Debut concert at the Brunel Museum

Performances take place in the Thames Tunnel shaft

bringing to the underground The roof garden above the concert venue

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Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey

on Instagram – he’s flying over from urope. The whole idea is that people get a real mash up of different composers and musical feelings throughout the evening.

“Leila is a wonderful singer who I met six years ago and Rianna is a woman of many talents who is oining us for the first time – she also plays clarinet and saxophone and has ust graduated from the Royal College.

“We’ve got Debussy, Chopin, a little bit of a , ffenbach, Bi et, Mendelssohn and Mo art, with the Flight Of The Bumblebee to finish.

“It’s nice to have that variety and a combination of rising stars and people who are firmly embedded in the industry and making waves already.

“We’ll always have a guest singer and a guest instrumentalist, and sometimes a duo, such as guitar and flute. It’s always a very healthy mix.”

Li ie finds musicians for Debut through her extensive contacts, word of mouth and via direct application.

She said “We get about one a week applying and our doors are always open. In 2020, we also ran an artists development programme called the Horizon Project, which attracted 150 applications.

“This year we held an open stage for the first time where we had 25 new musicians we hadn’t worked with before coming along to play a couple of pieces.

“It was like a Debut night, but without an audience. To perform with us, you need to be a brilliant musician, but it’s also about personality.

“The audience will miss so much if you can’t show them that inner person and so that event was really helpful in identifying the right performers for Debut.

“For some musicians, it can be uite disarming to be that open with an audience – it’s an interesting balance.”

Li ie often performs at Debut nights herself, but says her main interest is in providing a platform.

“I do a solo here and there – I love to sing – but I revel in seeing other musicians flourish,” she said. “Discovering new talent and sharing it is such an ama ing thing.”

Tickets for Debut’s March 1 concert at the Brunel Museum cost £32. ther events at the venue and Shoreditch Treehouse are also available.

Go to thebrunelmuseum.com or debut.org.uk for more information

Debut founder Lizzie Holmes

Evenings start with cocktails and food

Lottie Muir of Midnight Apothecary

Scan this code to find out more about Debut

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where?

The Albany Deptford

POETRY | Soft Soft Neoprene Genie presents an evening of soundscapes, self care and immersive, musical poetry curated by Tice Cin for Deptford Literary Festival.

Mar 15, 7.30pm, £10, thealbany.org.uk Where?

The Pen Theatre South Bermondsey

STAGE | Cabaret Volt-Air Expect acrobatics, clowning, comedy, live music mime and poetry from this variety night, curated and hosted by burlesque performer Scarlett Whispers.

Mar 8-9, 7.30pm, £13.70, thepentheatre.com Where?

The Albany Deptford

SEE | More Than A Hoodie View this celebration of young men of colour as a photo exhibition of submitted images is displayed in the venue’s cafe. What will you see in them?

Mar 9-30, daily, free, thealbany.org.uk

flash back

This is Jack Carvosso and MJ Ashton, creators of The Pen Theatre in South Bermondsey – a fringe venue aimed at providing a platform for performers to put on shows with limited risk or pieces in development thepentheatre.com Scan this code to read Wharf Life’s interview with Jack and MJ about their niche venue want more? @wharfwhispers

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£6.95

Cost of the Bruschetta Toscano at Maracuya on The Tide at Greenwich Peninsula

a spot of

how Maracuya combines a frankly baffling melange of influences, cuisines and errors to charm on small plates

by Jon Massey

M

aracuya is a restaurant and cocktail bar that appears to be in a state of flux as it tries to do lots of things, all at the same time. Named for the Spanish word for passion fruit, its main menu boasts tapas dishes that carry influences from Italy, Spain, France, Mexico and Greece.

The Greenwich Peninsula venue serves Argentinian steaks, Chicken Kiev, pork schnitzel and Latin American mains as well as plenty of pasta dishes.

On the day we visit, there’s a separate Ukrainian menu, blue and yellow ribbons round candles on the tables and water glasses from a vodka brand.

I’m all for fusion, but this is

Maracuya is located on The Tide at Greenwich Peninsula

more an identity crisis of fissile material with elements popping off seemingly at random to start their own little restaurant chain reactions. While sat at one end of the place there’s a very real sense tables at the other might be dining on dishes from a completely different venue, possibly in an alternate dimension where everyone calls the place “The Passion Fruit” and speaks like Alan Rickman.

There’s further confusion when we come to order. Fever Tree Ginger Beer turns out to be Ginger Ale from The London Essence Company. A side order of fries never turns up at all, although it doesn’t make it to the bill either, so little matter, really.

By this point, it would be reasonable to assume that there are some decent reasons to avoid Maracuya – and those overly

affected by discombobulating atmospheres may do well to steer clear – but that’s not to say the place is entirely without merit.

Three of the four tapas dishes we order are pretty good, if a little unusual. They’re also well priced for those on tighter budgets.

Bruschetta Toscano (£6.95) comes as two decent hunks of garlic bread generously topped with pickled red onion, cherry tomatoes, rocket and pesto.

There’s a freshness to the dish and it’s generous in quantity, something true for all the offerings, which is why we don’t care about the chips.

Croquetas De Puerro (£8.45) are three deep-fried cylinders of leek, cheese and bechamel sauce, pepped up with a bed of chilli jam – an unusual variation on the ham staple. Then there’s Insalata Salmone (£7.95), a decent trio of smoked salmon twists with Mozzarella, half an avocado and a slightly less convincing iceberg lettuce base.

But neither this or the overcooked Shredded Steak (9.95) were enough to dampen the overall feeling of having a good time. Somehow, the upbeat, efficient service, the silliness of the iguana statue on the bar and the sheer chutzpah of showcasing diner feedback on its own website stating: “apart from the starters having to be returned because they weren’t cooked properly, the food was very nice” results in a kind of triumph.

Go to themaracuya.com Scan this code to find out more about Maracuya on the Peninsula

Shredded Steak

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Greenwich - Peninsula - Woolwich

The standout dish was a light and fresh mound of tomatoes, pickled onions,

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see

rocket and basil on garlic bread, the Bruschetta Toscano

Where?

Woolwich Works Woolwich

COMEDY | The Funny Mummy show Alyssa Kyria is set to bring her one woman show about the bonkers world of parenting to Woolwich.

Expect truth bombs and Gangsters Paradise.

Mar 16, 7.30pm, £15, woolwich.works Where?

The O2 Arena Peninsula

GIG | Ne-Yo The hitmaker brings his Champagne And Roses tour to North Greenwich. Expect support from r’n’b heavyweight Mario as a special guest on the bill.

Mar 13, 16, 6.30pm, from £66, theo2.co.uk Where?

Greenwich Theatre Greenwich

STAGE | Phaedra Backwards Marina Carr’s vivid dream play plunges the audience into the background stories of the Minotaur and Phaedra, queen of Athens and wife of Theseus.

Mar 7-9, times vary, £10, greenwichtheatre.org.uk

see it

From March 2, The National Maritime Museum will host Women Of The RNLI, an exhibition celebrating crewmembers, lifeguards, fundraisers, mechanics and station managers who help save lives at sea rmg.co.uk Croquetas De Puerro

Insalata Salmone

Scan this code for more information about Women Of The RNLI at the National Maritime Museum want more? @wharfwhispers

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£375

Starting price for Atlantic Pacific’s Casualty Care Course at its base in Royal Docks

The charity runs a variety of search and rescue courses in Royal Docks

how Atlantic Pacific International Rescue has set up a Royal Docks base to train people on and off the water

by Jon Massey

A Atlantic Pacific’s Kate Sedwell

Powerboat training on the water

Rescuing ‘Dead Fred’ from the Royal Docks

tlantic Pacific International Rescue o cially opened its training facility on the edge of Royal Albert Dock near Newham Council’s Building 1000 this month.

But what does the charity do and what will be on offer there We sat down with co-founder and chief operating o cer Kate Sedwell to find out. how did it all begin?

“We started in the north-east coast of apan after the 2011 tsunami.

My co-founder, Robin enkins, and I used to work at the niversity f The Arts London.

“I was head of international pro ects and he was part of the interior and spatial design team, which delivered academic courses. We had many apanese students, so we had really good relations with apan and used to send a lot of staff and students there, but there was a pause in that while the country recovered from the disaster.

“In 201 we were asked to start sending students and academics again to the north-east – where the tsunami had hit – to do an art pro ect. We had no idea what was going to happen, but Robin went.

He came back and said that they wanted him to build a sculpture in memory of everyone who had died.

“He said it was massively outside his comfort one and thought it was inappropriate, because he hadn’t suffered any personal loss.” so what was the alternative?

“Robin said he really wanted to give apan a lifeboat. My response was ‘What Where has this come from ’. He told me that a lot of people had drowned during the tsunami because there was

no service to go and save them.

People on the beaches could hear screams from the sea but weren’t able to help. Robin had volunteered with the RNLI’s Tower Lifeboat and had gone to a college in South Wales, which was famous for inventing that kind of inflatable boat.

“But when he asked people in apan where their lifeboat service was, they told him the country didn’t have one. There is a coastguard, but people there have a different relationship to the sea – there isn’t a big leisure industry associated with it, so those getting into trouble are mostly in the fishing industry and they save one another.” what was the next step?

“Robin came back to the and said that he would return to his old college and ask them if they would build us a boat.

WC Atlantic came up with a very small RIB and AL students designed our lifeboat in a box.

“We used a 0-foot shipping container and they designed a crew changing room, a workshop and a boat to go in the end – it’s a one-stop shop for a lifeboat station.

“We sent the lifeboat to amaishi – a place that had been very severely damaged by the tsunami, which Robin had visited in 201 – along with a team to train local people in how to operate it over there. This was the seed that started Atlantic Pacific and we still go back every year to deliver courses. It’s the first volunteer-run lifeboat service in apan.” what does the charity do today?

“We started working from WC Atlantic’s base in Wales with students learning how to build boats and skills to tackle humanitarian disasters.

“What we realised while creating the lifeboat in a box is

that there was nowhere in this country that you could go to train in search and rescue if you weren’t associated with one of the emergency services.

“In 2017, it was clear the Atlantic Pacific pro ect was becoming too big for us to work at AL and commit to, so we took a leap of faith and uit our obs to run the charity full time. Robin moved back to Wales to work on search and rescue boat building and we started to develop the London pro ect.” which is now up and running?

“That’s right. We have a classroom and a workshop at Royal Albert Dock where we can deliver the courses that we now offer.

“We also have a workshop next door where we can tweak and maintain our fleet, which includes a brig that’s used for all our training – it’s currently moored at Royal ictoria Dock. “ riginally we were in Bermondsey, but we weren’t right by the water, so when we were invited to come and look for a home at Royal Docks, we did.

“The water is very good for beginners – there are no tides or currents – it’s a safer environment.

It gives you some stability to practise the slow manoeuvres, which are fundamental for being good at search-and-rescue at sea, before trying them in more challenging waters.

“It’s a great location – well connected to our neighbour London City Airport, Heathrow and atwick, for people coming from urope. Newham Council and the LA have been really welcoming.” what does Atlantic Pacific offer?

“We work with young people in local schools and the reception has been really good. The curriculum is missing a trick in that it doesn’t empower young people to try out life-saving skills to see whether

committed to lives

Wharf Life Feb 21-Mar 6, 2024 wharf-life.com

31

Royal Docks - Canning Town

The world is changing and we’re only going to see more disasters – especially flood-related ones – and there aren’t enough trained people

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where?

Social Convention Canning Town

Kate Sedwell, Atlantic Pacific

they would like a career in that sector.

“It could be medicine or comms they find interesting, rather than being on the water – but this is a chance for them to discover that.”

“The world is changing and we’re only going to see more disasters – especially flood-related ones – and there aren’t enough people ready and trained to go and help. The London Ambulance Service, for example, needs more staff and the search and rescue sector at a global scale is massively under resourced. We need people ready to deploy.”

Atlantic Pacific’s aim is to train emergency responders to help deal with disasters across the globe

Trainees learn how to deal with casualties in disaster areas

what publicly accessible courses does Atlantic Pacific run?

“You can find full details of all our courses online, but we run a Casualty Care Course over three days, a Search And Rescue Fundamentals Course over four days and a Royal Yachting Association Powerboat Level 2 Course over two days.

“We also have a five-day Introduction To Medicine Course aimed at ages 16-20, which is designed for young people who are about to embark on medical or emergency response careers.

“We work with instructors from the likes of the RNLI, IMRF and the Health And Safety executive to give people the best possible experience and grounding.

“We generally spend as little time in the classroom as possible so people get as much practice as they can.

“This might be rescuing our ‘Dead Fred’ – a 70kg man overboard dummy – to practice pulling casualties into the boat or it might be learning to manoeuvre safely in tight spaces or tow.

“But it’s also important to learn practical theory. In life-saving situations, you want to know the right knots to use.”

Prices for Atlantic Pacific’s courses start at £375 per person.

The charity will aim to assist with costs if they are prohibitive.

Go to atlanticpacific.org

Scan this code to find out more about Atlantic Pacific

COMEDY | TNT Tania and Teena are set to host an evening of standup that promises to be explosive and eruptive as they welcome special guests to the stage.

Mar 9, 7.30pm, from £5, socialconvention.org Where?

Excel Royal Victoria Dock

EVENT | Disney 100 The exhibition returns to Excel, packed with artefacts and content from the first century of the world’s most potent entertainment company.

Mar 6-Apr 30, times vary, from £18, disney100exhibit.com Where?

RA Fold Canning Town

CLUB | Futur Shock Chapter Four: Nekyia Enjoy mash ups of opera and near death experience at this art-based night featuring Haroon Mirza, Pouya Ehsaei, Sarah-Jane Lewis and many more...

Mar 14, 7pm-midnight, from £8, fold.london

catch this

You’ll need to be quick, but After Dark is set to return to the University Of East London’s Docklands campus on February 29. The free festival of lights is open to all, with registration required for attendance uel.ac.uk Scan this code to find out more about After Dark, which runs from 5pm-8pm with street food available on site want more? @wharfwhispers

32

Wharf Life Feb 21-Mar 6, 2024 wharf-life.com

Crossword - Sudoku

Sudoku

Take a break from that phone How to play To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers one to nine such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

More to play You can find more Sudoku puzzles and a wide selection of other brainteasers available to download for free at puzzles.ca last issue’s solution Feb 7-21

Notes

crossword beating the

Cryptic

Down

1.

1.

Edward is absent, we acknowledged (5) 4. I see the ailing object is unlawful, as it were (7) 8. Bury apprentices between both poles (7) 9. Be amazed at a Greek island with an oath (5) 10. A deer in the rear? (4) 11. Taken to the beginning was surprising (8) 13. Level twilight? (4) 14. Horse disturbs the dust? (4) 16. Artist came back, literally (8) 17. Kids’ beds get mixed north of the border (4) 20. Sounds like the mates are against it (5) 21. Talk about the water at the castle (7) 22. A certain Spanish leader indeed (7) 23. Criticise a hit? (5)

Across 1.

Cumbrian waterways (5) 4. Broke (informal) (7) 8. Tooth medic (7) 9. See 2 down 10. Remove (4) 11. Person in custody (8) 13. Fashion magazine (4) 14. Amongst (4) 16. Trains (8) 17. Harvest or blue? (4) 20. Divided (5) 21. Hug (7) 22. Runs away (7) 23. Records (5))

Place where horses make a noise? (13) 2. Mythical being at the front of ocean disaster (5) 3. Run with a sharp arrow (4) 4. Small pictures come in groups (6) 5. Tear up the price of woven material (8) 6. Cleric did go round, we find 7 7. Meteorological astonishment? (13) 12. Taken off the lid again? (8) 13. Top of the ice is out of place, sort of (7) 15. Shut in to fight with swords (6) 18. I believe in mixing up interior design (5) 19. Pin down equine equipment (4)

Down

Set by Everden

1. Scott poem (4,2,3,4) 2, 9 Acc. London Terminus (5,5) 3. Uttered (4) 4. Annoy (6) 5. Gets back (8) 6. Made monarch (7) 7. Old barrow boys (13) 12. US road surface (8) 13. Mournful poem (7) 15. Estimate (6) 18. Spoken exams (5) 19. From the same place (4)

Across: 1 Noted; 4 Illicit; 8 Interns; 9 Corfu; 10 Hind; 11 Startled; 13 Even; 14 Stud; 16 Returned; 17 Scot; 20 Oppos; 21 Chateau; 22 Decided; 23 Knock.

Down: 1 Neighbourhood; 2 Titan; 3 Dart; 4 Insets; 5 Lacerate; 6 Circled; 7 Thunderstruck; 12 Reprised; 13 Ectopic; 15 Fenced; 18 Credo; 19 Tack.

Cryptic Solution Across: 1 Lakes; 4 Boracic; 8 Dentist; 9 See 2 Down; 10 Oust; 11 Detainee; 13 Elle; 14 Amid; 16 Exercises; 17 Moon; 20 Apart; 21 Embrace; 22 Escapes; 23 Disks.

Down: 1 Lady Of The Lake; 2, 9 Acc Kings Cross; 3 Said; 4 Bother; 5 Reclaims; 6 Crowned; 7 Costermongers; 12 Blacktop; 13 Elegaic; 15 Assess; 18 Orals; 19 Ibid.

Notes

Quick

Quick Solution

Across

whether you’re cryptic sleuth or synonym solver in it for quick wins, this should satisfy