Wharf Life, Jul 26-Aug 9, 2023

Why Mortal Kombat is a little bit too much killing Page 4

inside issue 93

David Lefevbre Sell - East River Wharf

Circle Collective - The Lowback

London Taxi Drivers’ Charity For Children

Summer Sessions - Crossword

AEG Cleaning Services - Sudoku

Chris Ezekiel - Terrible Thames

The Watch House - Amy French

Silvertown Tunnel - MSG Sphere

Wharf Life Hacks

how Oysteria sees Jamie Topkaya and family serving up fresh sh and seafood overlooking the dock Page 6

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

Image by Jon Massey

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Where?

Jubilee Park Canary Wharf

Catch the last in Jubilee Park’s line-up of Wednesday buskers as Simeon brings her take on blues, country and soul to Canary Wharf for a lengthy, live, al fresco set. Aug 16, noon-2.30pm, free, canarywharf.com

Where?

Museum Of London

Docklands

West India Quay

TRY | Chanachur Bengali Snack Making

Suitable for ages 5+, these three workshops (starting at 11.30am) o er participants the chance to make a delicious snack with Bombay mix. Aug 9, various times, free, museumo ondon.org.uk

Where?

Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Square

Welcome to the 93rd issue of Wharf Life. There’s something of the sea and adventure about these pages, whether it’s a tour with Terrible Thames, a bite to eat at Oysteria or a ride to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party with a jolly group of taxi drivers. There are also activities to get excited about, not least Summer Sessions

GIG

Original vocalists Chris Amoo and Dave Smith, both celebrating more than 45 years in the industry, are set to perform two shows packed with smooth hits. Aug 23-24, 9.30pm, from £29 (show only), boisdale.co.uk

Meeting the cast: How Terrible Thames turns a trip on the river into an anarchic history lesson as student Billy schools his teacher on the most gruesome tales of central London

Matt or to nd out more about the restaurant in Water Street

3018

Find four weekends of activities as Summer Sessions hits Greenwich

How AEG is helping homes go green with carbon neutral cleaning

GIG | Simeon Hammond Dallas

| The Real Thing

on the radar

need to know

Following Festival14 (Jul 26-30), the Canada Square Park big screens are set to host Tuesday evening lms in August as Movie Nights return to Canary Wharf. Screenings start at 7pm and are free. Expect Mamma Mia and Isle Of Dogs (appropriately) canarywharf.com

35

Time is ticking away and we thought now would be a good time to remind readers that the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival is set to return to Canary Wharf with Dancing City expected to take place on September 9-10. Shows are free festival.org

doing the deals

get more for less on and around the Wharf

50%

Jones Bootmaker in Canada Place is currently o ering up to 50% o on selected lines over the summer. Terms and conditions apply with full details in store jonesbootmaker.com

Should Stratford really be getting the enormous MSG Sphere?

£495

How cyclists could use the Silvertown Tunnel under TfL’s shuttle bus plans

26

How the London Taxi Drivers’ Charity For Children gives special needs and disadvantaged kids a lift with its annual parties and treats. Here’s how you can help

In our fortnightly plug for the Canary Wharf app, users can get £100 o membership of new padel tennis club Padium set to launch in Bank Street canarywharf.com

“Thisplaceiscrazy. Ican’twaittocomeback fivemoretimes!”-NeilPatrickHarris “Phantom Peak

-NMe

subscribe to our Wharf Whispers newsletter and get our content in your inbox fortnightly CanAda Water, London, SE16 7PJ

Canary Wharf - West India Quay

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

write me

words you don’t know you need

barreness

noun, fake, from Modern English

Such a person who, having hung around with a bunch of politicians for a bit, is elevated to the House Of Lords despite a comparatively short CV. Not to be confused with barrenness, the inability to be fruitful

plisky

noun, real, from Scots

A mischievous trick or practical joke – you know, like the premiership of Liz Truss or the pretence that the extension of the ULEZ isn’t about mitigating the e ects of air pollution on those worst o in society

Nrityalaap School Of Dance is set to perform at Crossrail Place Roof Garden in early August

DANCE - The Space Presents Nisargah Crossrail Place Roof Garden Aug 5, 3pm-3.45pm, free space.org.uk

You’ll need to be quick to catch this show high above the Elizabeth Line, but Nrityalaap School Of Dance promises a “sublime medley of movements, gestures and expressions of Odissi” – the oldest of the eight forms of Indian Classical Dance. Spectators can expect 45 minutes of spiritual and emotional movement aimed at helping the dancer become one with the divine in a discipline that harks back to the temples of Odisha.

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

hot list

rumours tips and rankings

NEW STUFF

Head down to Seoul Bird in Jubilee Place for its latest guest bowl – chef Asma Kahn’s Fragrant Green Chicken for £11.95 with 50p going to mental health charity, the Campaign Against Living Miserably.

OUR PICKS

If you do nothing else on the Wharf this fortnight, try these

1. Get your peepers checked. Newly opened optician and glasses shop, BlooBloom in Canada Place o ers free eye tests up to an hour long – bloobloom.com

2. Isn’t it time for a new look? If you like menswear, recently opened Boggi Milano in Canada Place can help – boggi.com

3. M at Newfoundland has a sustainable lunch menu. Two courses for £27, noon-3pm, weekdays – mrestaurants.co.uk

>> Oh God, no. Really? I mean, goodness. That’s really a bit... No, oof. That’s not going to hurt, it’s going to lead to a life limiting condition or death...

For those who remember the original Mortal Kombat, its level of violence and horri c nishing moves caused a moral panic on release. Well, its rather pedestrian digital depictions of extreme brutality have nothing on the 11th instalment of the franchise. Hardcore graphic violence explodes across the screen with almost every ick of the controller as our two characters slash, punch and hack at each other. As with all beat-em-ups, there are two ways to play. A careful, considered and cerebral

approach with delicately executed combos or a kind of frenzied button mashing – very much hit (repeatedly) and hope.

There’s not a great deal of depth to this game – no more than say a st pushing bloodied ribs out of a de ated torso with extreme pressure –but that’s not really the point.

While the earlier games had a certain charm, this iteration is so enamoured of the gore it can’t help itself but stop the action every couple of seconds for a hideous replay, which ultimately makes for a disjointed bout.

Jon Massey

>> For bookings or more information about Platform in Crossrail Place, go to experienceplatform.co.uk

game review

Mortal Kombat 11, Warner Bros – at Platform in Crossrail Place

drinks review

The Lowback, Hawksmoor, Water Street, Wood Wharfe

by Mary Tadpole

At the time of writing we’ve just had a Saturday where the rain did not stop all day. Next week’s forecast is looking, to put it bluntly, shit.

Come on July – I mean, don’t overdo it, but where has the sunshine gone? Still, we are in England and this might be the only warmth we get, so get out the barbecue, put on your sunniest dress or shirt (jumper optional) and let’s dive into the seasonal drinks to cheer ourselves up.

Hawksmoor’s bar – The Lowback– has a range cocktails that, luckily, can be enjoyed inside as well as on its terrace. All drinks are £14.

First up is the Amal Sgroppino. Similar to a slushie, with avour all the way through, its lemony taste is sweet and reminds me of lemon drops from school walks home.

Next is the Captain Sandia, which comes with a watermelon slice. It’s a long, refreshing drink with hints of grapefruit but dominated by the melon. You

could drink it by the jug. Finally, Nikkei Nights turned out to be like a Mojito crossed with a Margarita, it’s fresh, limey and very drinkable.

For wine drinkers, The Lowback has also picked the perfect rose for lovely weather –even if you have to look through rosé tinted glasses to see the drizzle outdoors that way.

Chateau Galoupet Cru Classe

De Provence, is pricey at £15 per 125ml glass (or £90 per bottle), but tastes the way you feel rosé is supposed to – delicate yet full bodied with a well-rounded summer avour.

As responsible drinkers at Wharf Life, we recommend eating with your tipples and the Big Matt Burger (£15) is just the job.

It comes with the melted cheese dripping over the meat, like a food photographer’s dream and was delicious.

Hopefully the weather gets better but, if not, you’ll nd me in my ip- ops, summer dress and ski jacket drinking anything frozen and alcoholic until Halloween arrives.

Go to hawksmoor.com for more

HAIR | BEAUTY | AESTHETIC TREATMENTS

LADIES CUTS FROM £75 MENS CUTS FROM £50 + AESTHETIC TREATMENTS

Scan this code for more about The Lowback or to book Captain Sandia

Nikkei Nights

Big Matt Burger

seafood with tables overlooking South Dock

by Jon Massey

Seafood in Canary Wharf often plays second fiddle. With the possible exception of sushi and black cod at Roka and Nova Soctian lobster at Big Easy, few venues spring to mind as places to find dishes with fish and crustaceans as the main ingredient.

This might be a bit of a disser vice to Boisdale, although despite the smoked salmon and shellfish platters it’s always seemed a restaurant that’s more turf than surf at heart.

Those who enjoy eating the fruits of the sea can rejoice, however, because the estate now has two places that put them front and centre. There’s Fish Game, recently opened on Wood Wharf, with former head chef at The Gun Matt Colk overseeing its charcoal grills.

And then there’s Oysteria, which popped up next to the Canary Wharf end of South Quay Bridge earlier this year. While Fish Game has found talent in a cook formerly working at a Blackwall venue, Oysteria represents a wholesale move for a family wellknown on the Isle Of Dogs.

The Topkayas – father Mustafa and his children Jamie and Felicity – ran Italian spot Capeesh on the ground floor of Pan Peninsula next to South Quay DLR for seven years. Having identified a vacant unit in Canary Wharf during the pandemic, they’ve now crossed the dock with Oysteria the core focus, having recently sold Capeesh as a going concern.

Jamie, who is spearheading the new venue, said: “We’d seen this place as a completely vacant unit but initially we weren’t going to take it on. Then we saw a gap in the market.

“Oysteria was really a good opportunity that came out of Covid. We spoke with Canary Wharf Group and they did a survey, which found there was a lack of seafood restaurants in the area and that they would really like to change that.

“We knew from running Capeesh that people locally really like their seafood – we’d been continued on Page 8

serving the fruits of the

Canary Wharf - West India Quay

how Oysteria delivers very fresh

Years the Topkayas ran Capeesh on the Isle Of Dogs before opening Oysteria on the Canary Wharf estate

Jamie Topkaya is ready to welcome Wharfers to Oysteria, located right beside South Quay Bridge

Cost of Bronte Pistachio Crusted Tuna, served with salad and soy sauce – one of head chef Tacim Yetis’ favourite dishes on the menu £19.90 from Page 6

there a while and we thought it was time to jump over the water and onto the estate.

“I’ve always been a fan of oysters and we’ve managed to find an award-winning head chef to make the magic happen in the kitchen.”

Before guests taste anything however, it’s worth taking note of a few things. Astonishingly, Oysteria is the first restaurant in the Wharf’s history to face out over West India South Dock. This strip of quay boasts a chunky colonnade to the rear of Bank Street, gets the sun pretty much all day and benefits from views down the dock.

Oysteria has tables right beside, sheltered from above, as well as a glass all-weather seating area for when things inevitably get a bit chillier. Inside, the restaurant boasts minimal decor aimed at subtly recalling the deep.

“We’ve tried to remind diners of the sea,” said Jamie. “There’s wooden cladding that’s similar to the deck of a boat, lighting like bubbles in the water and a light green colour scheme. It’s a bit like the restaurant under the sea.

“Outside, of course, guests can enjoy seafood right next to the water and we have heaters for colder weather.

“At Oysteria, people will find a good atmosphere, good food and good service – we’re very focused on looking after our customers. We want to put a smile on everyone’s faces.”

Key to that will be the food. The menu is about 70% seafood with burgers and steaks available for those who prefer land-based flavours.

The dishes are mainly Italian with influences from other parts of the Mediterranean – all overseen by head chef Tacim Yetis.

Named best chef in the UK at the 2022 Kebab Awards, he mostly does his talking on the plate, but did let slip that his personal recommendations were for the tuna with pistachio, salad and soy sauce, the monkfish with saffron gel, crusted polenta and spinach or pan-fried scallops with wild

Head chef Tacim

Yetis has created a Mediterranean menu that’s about 70% seafood with a strong Italian influence

At Oysteria, people will find a good atmosphere, good food and good service – we’re very focused on looking after our customers

Jamie Topkaya, Oysteria

Grilled salmon

Fresh oysters King prawn risotto

choose

a sample of Oysteria’s lunch menu

Oysteria is currently offering a deal where diners can get a main, pasta or risotto plus a soft drink for £11.90 or a house wine or beer for £14.90. This is available Mon-Fri, noon-3pm. Here are some of the dishes included:

Fish And Chips

Prime cod filet battered and fried with chips, tartare sauce and mushy peas

Penne Gamberetti

Pasta with king and baby prawns with peppers and mushrooms in cream or tomato sauce

Risotto Vegetariano

A risotto made with seasonal vegetables and flavoured with saffron

Fishcake

Fishcake made with cod and salmon and served with a salad

Turf Burger

An 8oz beef patty in a seeded bun, served with lettuce, tomato, red onion and a side of chips

mushrooms, celeriac puree and salmon roe.

“On the drinks side, we are focusing on cocktails, including some that come with an oyster,” said Jamie. “We have a Gin Martini and a Bloody Oysteria, which both come with one – the former features an oyster liqueur.

“The latter is a Bloody Marystyle drink, which goes perfectly with the shellfish thanks to the Tabasco sauce.

“We source much of our seafood from Billingsgate, which is only a stone’s throw from us, with some oysters coming from Jersey and Poole as well. It’s been an amazing learning process, discovering how to tell if they are fresh by tapping them,

“We serve them very fresh and there’s nothing better. If I was personally ordering a meal, I’d always start with a dozen and then follow it with the tuna.

“With the Italian influence, we offer a lot of pasta and risotto dishes too and those are always tempting.

“Then we have a fantastic pista-

chio tiramisu for dessert, which is perfect with a Limoncello.

“We’ve been getting busier and busier as we’ve built it up – taking on a unit that was just an empty shell at the beginning and turning it into a restaurant.

“We’re planning to introduce a two-for-one cocktail offer soon as well as a happy hour.”

In the meantime, Wharfers looking for a deal can get lunch for £11.90 for a main pasta or risotto and a soft drink or £14.90 with a house wine or beer on weekdays from noon-3pm.

“We pride ourselves on delivering quick service,” said Jamie. “At lunchtime we know people want to be able to sit down, eat and leave within 30 minutes and this is already proving popular.”

Go to oysteria.co.uk for more information or to book

The Canary Wharf venue features wooden cladding, light green upholstery and spherical lights, all aimed at giving it an ocean feel – appropriate given its strong focus on ingredients from the sea including the oysters that give the restaurant its name Scan

Circle Collective has found jobs for more than 1,000 young people since it was founded by Turly in 2011 1k

by Jon Massey

Intensely practical’ is the best way to describe Circle Collective. Sure, to people strolling through Jubilee Place it’s a striking shop filled with neon, skateboards and the kind of clothing you don’t really see elsewhere in Canary Wharf. Aside from the inventory, a chic customer picking up a new look will likely not find too much different in the retail experience. Knowledgeable, youthful staff will be on hand to offer information on the products and then collect payment at the till – pretty much like any other store on the estate.

But Circle Collective isn’t like any other shop on the Wharf. It’s the public facing tip of a much larger mission that the customer will, wittingly or unwittingly, have played a role in.

Go behind the scenes and you’ll find a vast space dedicated not to stock, but to skills. That’s because the shop is a social enterprise that exists in symbiosis with a charity of the same name, entirely dedicated to giving young people work experience and finding them employment.

Having recently opened its third dual site at Canary Wharf, founder and CEO Turly Humphreys said it would be impossible to have one without the other.

“It’s two organisations that have to work together,” she said. “A lot of organisations have asked whether you need both because they are usually only interested in the training.

“But the magic of what we do is that we do an employability course and it’s wrap-around. Participants get real work experience related to all aspects of the shop alongside mentoring and really practical information about things like how to do an interview and write a CV.

“We work with corporate partners and take them into workplaces so they can see a real working environment. We get them ready for that, building confidence and resilience.

“It’s about constantly pumping them with sensible information and, when necessary, telling them some really strong home truths – that the bus wasn’t late, they were.

“This is not volunteering – their shifts in the shop are treated like a job. If they come in and they’re not on time, for example, then they’re taken to one side and the implications are explained to them. That might be an increased risk of shoplifting because we’re short-staffed, which is obviously not acceptable.”

Circle’s focus is on preparing

harnessing the of experience

young people for the realities of work and then supporting them into paid, permanent employment with its programmes typically lasting between five and eight weeks. So far, it’s helped more than 1,000 into jobs in myriad fields.

Turly said: “We believe that any young person who wants to work deserves a job. We’re generalists –we’ll take any young person aged 16-25 who wants to work and is eligible to do so – recruiting them through job centres, social media and walk-ins.

“They can’t be in education or training but we welcome people straight from school alongside graduates from university. They might be refugees or neuro-diverse – we’ll work with anyone. Then they become a peer group, work together and support each other.

“My aim for Canary Wharf is to match the people on our programmes to vacancies on the estate. That will be a challenge because there are lots of companies here and those jobs are not all gathered at a single point, so we need to collaborate with HR departments and businesses so they can understand the benefit of hiring from a diverse pool of people who want to work.

“It’s about companies realising that there’s a real benefit to diversity and that you can hire people for many jobs such as front-of-house in hospitality without them needing three years of experience.”

Turly started the charity and social enterprise after being inspired by her son’s sporting

how Circle Collective provides training, mentoring and support to young people who want to find jobs

activities – initially looking at that as a way to help young people.

“He was 16 and a sports scholar at the time – playing cricket, rugby and football all around the country,” she said. “Once young people were on the pitch, it didn’t matter what anybody’s background was. So I started by trying to get more people into sport, but then I went to a job centre and saw how disillusioned the young people were – the lack of ambition they had.

“It was so sad because they never expected to do better than their parents – to own a house, for example.

“I come from a commercial background and I’ve always run my own business. I had a flagship

store for corporate printing in the Strand, then I had a studio in Tottenham Court Road.

“I looked at those young people in the job centre and thought: ‘This isn’t rocket science’. I got some of them into the shop, some of them into the office and, out of those first nine recruits, I got seven of them into work. I’m still in touch with them today.

“One lad’s father was a farmer and there wasn’t enough for another income on the farm, so I got him a job as a welder, which was perfect. Then there was a lovely girl who had hearing problems.

“I managed to send her on an away week and she came back much more confident. She’s been running a big bingo hall now for years.

“None of it was especially complicated – it was all about being practical. That’s the ethos we still run Circle Collective with.

“I work on partnering with the corporates and run the shop and we have Matthew Lewendon who has a charity background and is our director of operations who handles the charity – it just works.”

Circle’s Back Your Future programme is very much tailored

to individuals and features one-to-one mentoring sessions, work experience in the shop, motivational workshops, a chance to meet employers and access to job vacancies. But it’s more than that – once brought into the fold, the charity offers ongoing support to those it finds jobs for as long as they need it to ensure everything is going to plan. The aim is that participants feel they belong to a community they can rely on.

“First we sit down with them and find out if they have any barriers to work and to identify any transferable skills they have – which many do,” said Turly.

“So they start off with the charity and then they have an induction on the shop floor, where health and safety and safeguarding is explained to them.

“They get a sheet with a list of things we teach them and on the first day they’re taught cash handling and taking credit cards, at the till.

“Then they’re taught how to approach customers and learn product knowledge – they may have to go and research that.

When they first come to us and say that they want to work in a shop or in an office – it’s our job to continued on Page 12

Circle Collective founder and CEO Turly Humphreys created the charity to help young people into work

I looked at those young people in the job centre and thought: ‘This isn’t rocket science’. Out of those rst nine recruits, I got seven into work

Turly Humphreys, Circle Collective

Scan this code to nd out more about Circle Collective

from Page

teach them about all the different sectors and how they might find roles within them. We use the shop to give them experience in relevant areas.

“If somebody’s creative, for example, we often get them involved in merchandising – we aim to use the skills the young people have got, whether it’s handling websites or using their creativity.

“One girl we had came from prison and she’s now doing merchandising in Primark, which is exactly what she wanted to do. Then I’ve got a lad who was a refugee, hardly spoke English and was homeless – he’s now a chartered accountant.

“We have a graduation every year and you can’t bottle the atmosphere. The young people come back, get a certificate and they all do a fashion show. The corporate supporters come and everybody’s in tears.

“At first nobody wants to talk, but then someone grabs a microphone and they all thank everybody. It’s wonderful. It’s about getting people into work, but it’s so much more than that.”

Circle needs both funding to continue its work and a larger pipeline of corporate partners to help it find roles for the young people it supports.

“The people who come to us often have a lack of career advice, work experience or role models and may also be suffering from anxiety and mental health issues,” said Turly.

“There’s also a lack of awareness of the realities of work, which is why it’s so important to take them into workplaces where they can hear from people doing the jobs.”

Turly said Circle would love to hear from businesses locally who can help with similar visits or provide entry level jobs in and around Canary Wharf. The organisation is also looking for sponsors to help it continue its work.

The other aspect to Circle that is of benefit to Wharfers is the shop itself, with all profits fed back into the charity.

“It’s thanks to Emma Warden

case study

Alex Emerson-Arfstrom

There’s a real sense when you visit Circle Collective that people who wind up in its orbit keep coming back for more.

Alex Emerson-Arfstrom is a good example – finding his way onto one of its programmes and then returning to work part-time at the organisation while studying.

He said: “When I left college I was looking for work. I took a gap year, but the catch was I didn’t have much experience on my CV outside of projects – I didn’t have any work experience.

“My friends referred me to a place called Circle Collective and I started off as a trainee on its Back Your Future programme. I was there for about two months, getting some basic retail experience in the Dalston store.

“I was born in Haringey – I’ve lived there my whole life. Then I received a job offer, but this was the place I wanted to be, so I’ve been here for six months on a kickstart scheme, training people like myself and using the skills I had learned.

“I was inspired by the training and became a supervisor myself, to train young people.

“I was working part-time and then I got into university to study cyber security. It’s way more than just working in a shop. There are so many opportunities we can give young people.

“They can shadow the staff here

staff spot

Angela Brown

I’m the partnership manager at Circle Collective,” said Angela Brown. “As an organisation we can educate, encourage, support and create some fantastic fresh talent for an organisation.

“At present we have a particular focus on equality, diversity and disability and how corporates can embed that within their operations.

“At present, we feel businesses are doing it but maybe not as authentically as they could be.

“For example, we’re

and build their skills – there are so many areas to get involved with – administration, IT and customer service.

“I’ve been here for about two years now, and it’s very rewarding when people get jobs – they’ve done their training, get employment and come back and talk to me about how they feel. I do keep in contact with a lot of them and seeing their confidence grow over time is amazing.

“I wasn’t the most confident person at the beginning. My

preconception was that it was going to be very structured, but it was a much wider spectrum of things I was taught.

“On my second day I was helping to create a social media project, and then I was going out to stores, talking to people. There’s such a wide range of things to get involved with.

“I’ve gained more skills than I can count from Circle. It gave me the opportunity to do some really great IT work – hands-on experience. It’s been great that they have shown that trust in me.

“I’d always been a creative person and the programme allowed me to spend time working with social media and that turned into managing websites, setting up deals with brands and designing things on the IT side.

“While I’d always had an interest in cyber security before I came to Circle Collective, what the organisation has done is allowed me to develop those skills such as managing its website.

“I’m not sure what I will do in the future but it will be within the cyber security sector – it’s such a broad area.”

Scan this code to find out more about Back Your Future

and Jane Hollinshead at Canary Wharf Group that we’ve been able to open here.” said Turly.

managers as businesses are often used to graduates or people who come from a certain background.

“It’s really important that everyone is talking the same language so the young people have a chance to shine.

“The shop is like bringing Shoreditch to Jubilee Place – we stock a mixture of retro brands and vintage clothing including some high-end pieces from labels like Burberry.

“One of our trainees asked if we could do skateboards so we wrote a business plan and I gave him £200, which he turned into £400.

currently working with Landsec who will be taking on young people as kickstarters.

“I’m working with them to ensure that those young people are understood and supported by their

“I’ve been with Circle Collective for five years and am currently training as a therapist which I feel plays into my current role.

“There’s a therapeutic element to what we do and I think young people need that kind of support to take the pressure off their coaches.”

“Now everyone who comes on our programme is taught how to build a skateboard. We’re not a specialist skate shop but we do sell boards and if people need their bearings fixed then they can come in. We also have a lot of skate clothes that people can buy and four of our staff are skaters.

“We also stock products that are locally made and would like to find more makers who want to sell through us. What we say to buyers is that when they shop with us in store or online, they are really supporting the community.”

Go to circlecollective.org for more information or to shop

I’ve gained more skills than I can count from Circle. It gave me the opportunity to do some really great IT work –hands-on experience

Alex Emerson-Arfstrom, Circle Collective

55%

another level

by Amy French

convening to fight

The Big Cancer52 Conversation kicked off recently at Level39, bringing together leaders from the charity, healthcare, and pharmaceutical sectors to share best practice, exchange ideas and explore collaborations, with the aim of improving outcomes for people with rare and less common cancers.

There was a fantastic energy in the room, with a key focus on working together and innovation. The day was structured around three big conversations geared towards finding solutions to the challenges faced by people affected by these cancers.

These were collaborating with the NHS to help patients get diagnosed earlier, working with the pharmaceutical industry to improve patient outcomes and finally harnessing technology to best support patients.

Cancer52 is the common voice for rare and less common cancers that account for 47% of diagnoses yet 55% of deaths. Despite this, these cancers remain severely under-represented across all areas, including policy, services, and research.

The Cancer52 alliance has more than 100 cancer charities working together on matters that impact the rare and less common cancer community –defined as all cancers outside those of the breast, prostate, lung and bowel.

Conversations like this are critical for improving outcomes, as patients with rare and less common cancers are frequently diagnosed later due to more vague, non-specific symptoms in patients. There is also less public awareness of rare and uncommon cancer symptoms.

We were introduced to the Cancer52 team and mission by Level39 member, The Cancer Awareness Trust which is part of the growing healthtech and life sciences community here at Canary Wharf.

As supporters of this event, we look forward to working together to identify next steps to maximise its impact.

Amy French is director at Level39 in Canary Wharf – follow @Level39CW on Insta and Twitter and @Level39CanaryWharf on LinkedIn

Go to level39.co for more information about the One Canada Square-based tech community

Scan this code to find out more about Cancer52 or to donate to its work in battling less common forms of cancer

Cancer52 is an alliance of more than 100 charities that works together for better patient outcomes in diseases outside breast, prostate, lung and bowel cancers

Proportion of cancer-related deaths attributable to less common forms of the disease

Cancer52 at Level39

Rare and less common cancers are frequently diagnosed later due to more vague, non-specific symptoms in patients. There is also less public awareness of rare and uncommon cancer symptoms

Amy French, Level39

virtual viewpoint

by Chris Ezekiel

As every football fan will testify, it’s always hard losing one of your star players – especially to an arch-rival team and even more so when the player started as a 14-year-old academy player and has been revered for nearly a decade. This is what all us West Ham supporters have recently experienced with the departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal.

We all know that football has become a big money business and it’s a sad fact that money now seems to trump loyalty.

There are rare exceptions. Mark Noble was a one club man and is known as Mr West Ham having spent 18 years playing for the Hammers before retiring in 2022. He is now the club’s sporting director. Mark epitomises an unwavering loyalty that is becoming increasingly hard to find in football.

I’ve been considering this recent change at West Ham from two perspectives. Firstly, from the perspective of children who support the team and have their idols, only to see their dreams dashed in a flash.

My two little Hammers fans are too young at the ages of two and six months to know much about it, but my friend’s boy, Jack, who’s coming up to seven, was upset that his idol had left the club.

Secondly, from a business perspective. Running Creative Virtual, I know that inevitably people come and go. This happens in all businesses and change is healthy for all concerned.

Companies need fresh ideas and thinking, and people need new challenges. Whatever changes and challenges emerge, however, what is important is that the fabric of an organisation remains intact – this is critical for its continued survival. For West Ham it’s the club’s history, the supporters, its East End heritage, I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles and the rare Mr West Hams.

Just like in our personal lives, a company needs a core team of unwavering supporters. I’m fortunate to have such key individuals at Creative Virtual and they form the fabric of our company.

So while Jack may have initially been sad, I know he has enough Mr West Ham-type people in his life to be absolutely fine. In any case, he soon bounced back with the comment: “at least he still plays for England”.

Fee reportedly agreed between West Ham and Arsenal to capture the signature of midfielder Declan Rice, making him the joint most expensive player in the Premier League £100m

Scan this code for more information about Creative Virtual

Chris Ezekiel is founder and CEO of customer engagement solutions specialist Creative Virtual based at West India Quay’s Cannon Workshops

Follow @creativevirtual and @chrisezekiel on Twitter

Mark Noble epitomises an unwavering loyalty that is becoming increasingly hard to find in football

Chris Ezekiel, Creative Virtual

a lesson in

l The Dockland Settlements aims to provide support to local communities who live close to our centres in Newham, Southwark and Tower Hamlets.

l As a charity we provide sporting, social, recreational and educational activities as well as low cost playcare to help parents go back to work or remain in work.

l The Calder’s Wharf centre opened its doors on the Isle of Dogs in January 2020. It hosts playcare services and its halls are home to a variety of activities for the community including sporting, social, recreational and educational activities. The centre also has a spa room which is used for massages and beauty related activities. Its halls are also available for hire.

Cost of an adult ticket to see Terrible Thames. Kids aged 3-15 cost £15, while toddlers and babies go free

cast o

Jake Addley, The Teacher

Playing the role of The Teacher, Jake Addley is a member of the current rotating cast of Terrible Thames. Essentially the more sensible and serious of the two characters, whose pomposity is constantly pricked by his exuberant student.

Jake said: “I started o as a child actor, appearing in Shakespeare plays and pantomimes from about the age of 10 at an arts centre in Bracknell.

“Then I got an opportunity to attend the Brit School when I was 16 and my career went from there. I wanted to be a dancer for a long time, so I was in a contemporary dance group.

“From the age of 18, I was appearing professionally. About two years ago I was performing in another show and got asked if I wanted to audition for Terrible Thames – I did so and got the part.

“Having the river as your set is amazing, especially if it’s a nice sunny day – cruising up and down between all these iconic buildings and historic monuments. However, because the tide goes in and out the speed of the boat up and down stream can change completely so as performers we have to alter what we’re doing depending on that. Performing with James is great because initially I was coming into it new whereas he’s an old hand – when we’re chopping and changing things he’s a real pro.

“My favourite fact on the tour is that the Ministry Of Defence building still has Henry VIII’s wine cellar underneath it, which I had no idea about. I’m also embarrassed to say that before I got this role, I had no idea Cleopatra’s Needle was on the Thames, despite living in London.”

Having the river as your set is amazing, especially if it’s a nice sunny day – cruising up and down between iconic buildings

Jake Addley, Terrible Thames

by Jon Massey

There’s real depth to Terrible Thames not just talking about the part of this touring play that deals with Julius Caesar crossing the river with an elephant when the whole body of water was much wider and shallower.

I’m referring to the sheer displaced tonnage of gruesome facts and aquatic curiosities that Horrible Histories author Terry Deary and Birmingham Stage Company actor manager Neal Foster have filled this 45-minute show with.

The former is well known for celebrating the brutal and shocking as a way to engage minds young and old in the study of the past. The latter has long been a partner in bringing his written works to the stage.

But this collaboration – running every day over the summer holidays – is truly something different, seating its audience on the top deck of a boat and taking them on a cruise through the landmarks its inspired by.

Passengers take to the top deck of Silver Sockeye – part of Woods Silver Fleet – for a 45-minute trip up the river to the Houses Of Parliament before heading back to Wapping and returning to base at Tower Quay Pier.

The show itself rests on the premise of a long-suffering teacher taking an excitable and enthusiastic student on a trip up the Thames as a treat for winning the school history prize.

The twist in the tale, of course, is that the teenager knows far more about London and the river’s horrific history than the

tellingterrible

all played their parts in the city’s story over the years.

From the audience’s point of view, it’s a hectic barrage of information. Dozens of anecdotes and morsels bubble up to the surface as the two performers coordinate their material with the passing sights.

We learn about executions, plague, fire, suicide and even a boating disaster, in all their gory details as London slips by.

Perfectly timed sound effects provide aural punctuation as the actors dice and slice imaginary victims to the obvious delight of both adults and children.

And while there’s an inevitable

Terrible Thames takes place on board Silver Sockeye, a specially decorated boat operated by Woods Silver Fleet

For example, Cleopatra’s needle is revealed to be nothing to do with its namesake but rather an obelisk carved in the time of Thutmose III. Similarly, we also learn that Waterloo Bridge was largely built by women during the war in the 1940s and that Vikings led by King Olaf of Norway (probably) pulled down a wooden iteration of London Bridge using cables and longships to help beat the Danes who had taken control of the city.

The flow of information is thicker than the Thames would have been during the big stink and even printing these spoilers doesn’t make a dent in the overall experience.

It’s a trip that works on many levels. For the kids there’s poo, songs, rude words and an irreverent youngster showing up his teacher.

For adults there are plenty of political references and opportunities to groan in a knowing way at the odd heavy handed pun.

For the tourists it’s a breathtaking barrage of information and tales that would never find their way into scripts for more staid, serious tours.

how Terrible Thames pours a wealth of stories and facts into the brains of its audiences

Jake plays The Teacher in Terrible Thames, tasked with taking a prize-winning pupil on a river tour

that there’s almost certainly going to be several tales they haven’t heard before – a new way to see the river that for so long provided the lifeblood of the capital and remains its twisting backbone.

It’s also a testament to the writers that they haven’t tried to shy away from anything.

In addition to the gore and heads on spikes, there’s a poignant reminder that so much of London’s wealth and prosperity rests on Britain’s enthusiastic, mercenary appetite for the slave trade with slavers compensated for their losses when abolition eventually arrived.

All in all, this is a truly refreshing way to see the city with fresh eyes – oh, and there’s a good old shanty to round things off.

l Tickets for Terrible Thames start at £25 for adults and £15 for children aged 3-15. Babies and toddlers go free. Go to terriblethames.com for more

Scan this code to nd out more about Terrible Thames

James plays excitable Billy, the student with a very deep knowledge of London and the Thames

crew the scenery

James Elliott, Billy The Student

Ireally enjoyed Horrible Histories – the books and the TV shows – as a kid, so I was buzzing when I got an audition for Terrible Thames in 2021,” said James, who plays boisterous 13-year-old Billy in the production.

“They asked me to lm an interactive horror tour around a London at, so all my housemates helped out and we ended up with a really funny video that got me the job and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Having attended Stagecoach, James went on to attend drama school in Guildford, graduating into an acting world ravaged by Covid.

“There was nothing much going on, so I spent a lot of time sitting on my thumbs for the rst year before this role came along,” he said.

“The Thames is such a gorgeous place in the summer with the light shining o the water – it’s really magical. I really like that Billy gets to do a couple of songs during the show.

“There’s one about poo, which the kids really love, so I direct it at the adults who don’t quite know where to look, which is also good fun.

“Of course there are lots of other cruises and history tours on the river, but there’s nothing else like this. It’s fun, fast-paced and super informative – a show that’s great for kids and adults.

“It’s a play while also being a tour – audiences will learn about so many things from Execution Dock in Wapping all the way up to Parliament, two miles up the river. The reaction I’ve had from family and friends is that they’ve learnt so much about London from going on the trip.”

Wapping - Limehouse - Shadwell

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where?

The George Tavern Shadwell

GIG | Clementine March

The singer, songwriter and lmmaker pitches up at The George on a bill that also features the talents of Lorcan Swelt and Rosanna, Princess Of Kerry. Aug 13, 7pm, £6.50, thegeorgetavern.london

Where?

Tobacco Dock Wapping

EVENT | London Craft Beer Festival

Try more than 800 beers (all included in the price) at this festival. Tickets cover entry to the event for ve-hour afternoon or evening slots. Often sells out. Aug 11-12, from £57.50, londoncraftbeerfestival.co.uk

Where?

Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping

STAGE | Express G&S

The problem with Gilbert And Sullivan is their operettas are just too slow aren’t they? Thank goodness for this turbo-charged murder mystery show. Aug 15-18, 7.30pm, from £12.50, wiltons.org.uk

screen spot

Get your black and white kicks with the Lucky Dog Picturehouse’s celebration of Buster Keaton at Wilton’s Music Hall on August 2-4 complete with live music and plenty of slapstick pratfalls. Tickets from £8 wiltons.org.uk

Scan this code to nd out more about the trio of Keaton icks on o er at Wilton’s in August

want more? @wharfwhispers

There’s a song about poo, which the kids really love, so I direct it at the adults who don’t quite know where to look

James Elliott, Terrible Thames

how the London Taxi Drivers’ Charity For Children helps and supports kids with trips and funds

by Jon Massey

It was in my second year of doing convoys with the charity – we were taking the children to Southend and my passenger was a child of about nine with her carer,” said Antony Moore. “She was still in a pushchair, being fed from a bottle and she looked like she was in pain.

“When we got to Southend, she went on one of the very slow snail-rides. As I watched her come round the corner, she was smiling and that was when I was hooked.

“From then on I just got more and more involved with anything I could do to help.”

Antony, who lives on the Isle Of Dogs, is the honorary chairman of the London Taxi Drivers’ Charity For Children – an organisation that has been dedicated to helping, supporting and delighting disadvantaged and special needs kids since 1928.

Known for its convoy trips and outings, the organisation has also raised money for various appeals, funding medical equipment, technology, playgrounds, mobility aids and even hospice renovations over the course of its 95-year history.

While its first ever trip was a coach excursion to London Zoo for children living in Norwood Orphanage – organised by former resident and hackney carriage driver Mick Cohen – 1931 saw its first convoy with 40 licensed taxis taking kids to Southend-On-Sea where they could spend 6d in pocket money about 1.94 today .

Last month the charity undertook its latest convoy excursion with more than 0 taxis taking children and their teachers and carers from local schools to Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire.

“The taxis get decorated with balloons and streamers and so on,” said Antony. “We have to

have ambulances and the AA in tow in case anyone breaks down or needs medical assistance and then off we go – beeping horns with all the kids waving out of the windows.

“The journey is part of the fun because they don’t know exactly where they are going – it’s like a mystery tour and they have a really great day.”

Antony became a taxi driver after retiring from a job with Parcel Force.

“I’ve been driving for about 13 years now and I got involved with the charity in the first year, he said. “I was looking for a second career and I could never be a plumber or something like that because I’m not that dexterous –but I like driving and talking to people, so it worked out. I started studying for The Knowledge when I was in my late 0s and it took me about four years – it was the natural choice after that.

“The man who owned the school that I’d studied with was part of the charity and so I thought I would join in.

“I became the chairman in January, taking over from Michael Son, who had been doing it for about 0 years.

“Some of the drivers who are involved with us have been volunteering for more than 50 years – it’s a lifetime.

“Two have been awarded MBEs for their work and one’s a BEM, so there’s been some recognition but, of course, that’s not the reason we do it.

“It’s all about the children. On one trip I was driving one kid through Woburn Safari Park and he got really excited – at first I thought something was wrong and we couldn’t have stopped.

“But his carer explained it was just because he’d seen a tiger for the first time and he didn’t know they were real – he’d only seen them in books before that. It’s moments like that which make everything worth it.”

While the charity runs various excursions and activities, its flagship event sees it host around 00 children and their carers at the Marriott’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

for the cars

Antony Moore,

“Just imagine what it’s like for a child, pulling up to one of ondon’s best five-star hotels on Park Lane – an address they know from their Monopoly board,” said Antony. “Then you walk into the great room which was originally an ice rink so you can imagine

Just imagine what it’s like for a child, pulling up to one of London’s best ve-star hotels on Park Lane – an address they know from Monopoly

LTDCFC

Image by Jon Massey

Antony Moore has been involved with the London Taxi Drivers’ Charity For Children for 13 years since embarking on his second career and became its honorary chairman earlier this year

the size of it. Inside it’s all done out with decorations and there’s a dance floor and all sorts of entertainment. They walk in and their faces light up.

“That’s the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, which we hold over the festive season and the children get gifts and toys they can take away with them. As well as the entertainers – who all do the event for free – there are Pearly Kings and ueens from different boroughs and lots of people dressed up. It’s an amazing spectacle for the kids.

“Being a part of this charity has given me the opportunity to do things I’d never have dreamed of, like taking part in two Lord Mayor’s Shows.

“Our patron is Queen Camilla, so I’ve been fortunate to meet her several times, including driving her to deliver hundreds of Paddington Bear toys to arnardo’s in her first act as consort to the King.

ur members were also in the grandstand for the coronation and I was invited to represent the charity at the King’s Coronation Garden Party.”

The charity is always on the lookout for drivers to get involved and sponsors to help fund the work that it does.

“The trip to Paradise Wildlife Park was paid for by the Worshipful Company Of Tin-Plate Workers, so we owe them a massive thank-you,” he said.

“All the drivers involved give up their time for free and we’d love to get more support to fund more trips like this – we’re also starting to vary the kind of things that we do.

“We’ve done two trips to the Docklands Sailing And Watersports Centre on the Isle Of Dogs, for example, where the kids get to try kayaking and paddleboarding.

“We had one child who stepped on the pontoon and immediately got scared but the staff there are so encouraging and by the end he was jumping in and out of the water, having got the confidence to do that. It was wonderful to see. We’re always looking for new ideas as to what the kids would enjoy and what would help them develop. We would love to do more, but everything costs money and we need support to do it.”

Anyone interested in getting involved with the London Taxi Drivers’ Charity For Children can find out more information about the organisation, its activities and its history on its website. Go to ltcfc.org.uk for more details or call 0300 365 4404

Scan this code to nd out more about the charity

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where? The Space Isle Of Dogs

STAGE | A Health To The Company

This show promises to blow the myth of the golden age of piracy out of the water as swords are crossed, timbers shivered and history uncovered. Aug 22-27, times vary, from £8, space.org.uk

Where? Poplar Union Isle Of Dogs

FILM |

Minions The Rise Of Gru

A prequel to the unstoppable franchise, which saw besuited youths ock to cinemas on its release, appears here in a free screening for all the family. Aug 11, 11am, free, poplarunion.com

Where? The Space Isle Of Dogs

STAGE | Highrise

This play explores sentience, memory and consciousness as its main character wanders a deserted highrise building talking to an AI. Aug 15-19, 7.30pm, from £8, space.org.uk

ash back

This is Docklands Sailing And Watersports Centre instructor and ocean scientist Leila Moore who helps people get on the waters of Millwall Outer Dock in all types of craft including dinghies, kayaks and dragon boats dswc.org

Scan this code to read our interview with Leila or to nd out more about activities at DSWC on the Isle Of Dogs

want more? @wharfwhispers

Leaving from Asda on the Island

Taxis in convoy complete with balloons

The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

the latest trip to Paradise Wildlife Park

THISMONTHatyourlocaltheatre...

TEACHEROFTHEYEAR

8th-12thAugust

HIGHRISE

15th-19thAugust

Liverpool,1989.Atroubledteen.Poverty,injustice&thepowerofcommunity.ExploreaworldinwhichhumansandAIhavegrowneerilysimilar.

AHEALTHTOTHECOMPANY

22nd-27thAugust

THREETHINGSTHATARENEVERSEEN

Pirates!Thegoldenageofthehighseas? SPACE.ORG.UK theSpaceTheatre

Makingtheatrethat'sinclusive, supportive,courageousandcreative

29thAugust2ndSeptember

Music,myth&magpies,inspiredbyOld-Irishpoetry&prose.

Email:info@space.org.uk-Tel:02075157799 269WestferryRoad,E143RS-RegCharityNo.801587

The cost of avocado, eggs and smoked salmon on toast at Watch House Tower Bridge

Hardly noticeable from the outside,

on the

Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where? Deptford Lounge Deptford

EVENT | Body Rebuilt Workshop

Join Jieh-ming Huang for a Chinese calligraphy workshop that explores the connection between the human body and personal emotions. Aug 12, 19, 1pm, free, thealbany.org.uk

Where?

Brunel Museum Rotherhithe

TALK | Windrush To Wapping

Meet Sydney Charles Lewis, a Tube Guard on the East London Line in the 1970s whose father came over on the Windrush, and hear his tales. Aug 12, 11am-5pm, free, thebrunelmuseum.com

Where? Matchstick Piehouse Deptford

by Jon Massey

The Watch House is a chain, but it doesn’t feel that way.

Originally born in Bermondsey, it has spread in central London to operate 12 establishments but prides itself on the individuality of its branches.

Which is why, when I visited its Shad Thames outlet near Tower Bridge, I had no idea it was part of a wider organisation. Walk through the door and you’ll be confronted by a vast square central counter complete with a selection of wholesome looking pastries.

Around this are arranged stools and worktops populated by laptop-wielding Londoners probably working on their screenplays.

It’s worth going further in however to the proper cafe seating where tables are

taken by folk having important meetings. One was even liberally spread with loose pages from a paper report –how very 2010.

There’s an e cient bustle to the place and the sta know exactly how to manage the ow of custom, keeping a low key stream of refreshments coming as business is done.

While many doubtless pretend they come for the convenience and minimal surroundings, I suspect the real reason lies in something more primal.

Any fool can kit out a cafe to look nice. But it takes skill and dedication to keep the quality of the service, food and drink as high as this place.

The worker bees are attracted not by honey in this instance, but by truly excellent co ee. My decaf comes with rich, earthy, chocolatey avours and a little card that tells me all about its origins in

the high Andes mountains in Colombia. Better still are the portions for the vegetarian fry up (£14) and the salmon, avocado and eggs (£15) which are both as chunky as the slabs of sourdough they come served on.

While the prices for brunch might seem a little steep, you get what you pay for here – a whole avocado in the latter where many restaurants would merely supply a half.

The sta are faultless and quick in their jobs – but then what else would you expect from an establishment that even o ers customers own-brand espresso handwash in its toilets. That’s attention to detail.

Go to watchhouse.com

Scan this code to nd out more about Watch House

GIG | Folk Of The Round Table

Enthusiasts and musicians share poetry, songs and stories at this open session for players of all levels and backgrounds. Strike up a tune or two. Aug 15, 6.30pm, free, matchsticktheatre.com

sweet treats

Pop over to the Hiver Taproom in Bermondsey on August 4 at 7.30pm for an evening of karaoke and honey beer for £6. Alternatively, its London-based meet-thebees events run regularly in Kennington Park madeofengland.co.uk

Scan this code to nd out more about the karaoke at Hiver or to book tickets for the event

want more? @wharfwhispers

how the Watch House at Tower Bridge gets pretty much everything right as a place to find refreshment

Watch House Tower Bridge is located in Shad Thames

take a breath

by David Lefebvre Sell

how Greenwich Peninsula is getting ready to welcome weekends of performance as the Summer Sessions arrive

The Summer Sessions festival is set to return to Greenwich Peninsula over the four weekends in August, complete with brightly coloured infrastructure by artist Yinka Ilori. Here’s how the weekends break down, complete with a few highlights and diary dates for those who like to plan their lives...

Jon Massey

David says treating your inner child as you would an outer child is a healthy approach

You might think that because I’m a therapist, a Yoga teacher and a Canadian, I’d have to be a pretty awesome dad, right? Well, I am. Except, of course, when I’m sel sh, impatient or generally clueless.

Being a good enough parent is tough and it’s worth understanding the di culty because, even if you don’t want, or can’t have, kids, you might still have to re-parent yourself. Now, if you nd the concept of having an “inner child” truly cringe inducing, I get that.

But how can we not contain some fragments of all the ages and stages we’ve gone through to get to our present stage of personal development?

Nobody is an adult all of the time and being able to take responsibility for the ways in which we are immature is a sign of maturity.

A good way of getting to know that inner child is to examine the situations where you are most reactive. How do you respond when someone doesn’t like you, or when you screw up in some way?

These situations often have some resonance with some traumatic early life experience, and remember that your trauma doesn’t have to be as bad as someone else’s in order to have a ected you deeply.

The challenge at times like this is to be your own, better, parent. Acknowledge your feelings rather than judging them, give yourself understanding rather than criticism, and gently but rmly nudge yourself in the direction of better behaviour.

Notice the way you talk to yourself. If you wouldn’t say it to an outer child, then don’t say it to the inner child.

And if you are (un)lucky enough to have kids of your own, this work becomes all the more important. Because, by God, kids push your buttons. So you better know where they are and what they do. Appar ently my teenager can give me a headache just by rolling her eyes. Terrifying stu .

David Lefebvre Sell is a Greenwich-based psychotherapist and Yoga instructor who teaches at Third Space in Canary Wharf

Follow @davetheyogi on Twitter and Instagram and @DavidLefebvreSellYogaAndPsychotherapy on FB

Scan this code for information about David’s work as a transpersonal counsellor and psychotherapist

AUG 5-6

music to move toe

l Clod Ensemble, based at Design District on the Peninsula, kick things o with various workshops aimed at getting participants of any level dancing away. While many slots are booked up, at the time of going to press there were still spaces available for the Charles Mingus-Inspired Listening Party (6pm, Aug 5, £5), Ray And Cici’s Kids Dance Party (noon, Aug 5, £7) and a screening of The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady (4.45pm, Aug 5, FREE) – a lm by Clod with dancers responding to the 1963 movie of the same name from jazz pioneer Mingus (pictured top).

Scan this code to nd out more about Music To Move To

AUG 11-13

the big music weekend

l As the name would suggest, this is a weekend all about the sounds, with three completely FREE sessions of performance in Design District...

Friday, Aug 11 6pm-11pm Jazzers Maya Delilah (pictured), Camilla George, Jas Kayser, Akimbo, Dave Storey Trio and the Harry Christelis Quartet are all set to take the stage on the rst night.

Saturday, Aug 12

2pm-10pm Rhythm Section (pictured top) take over proceedings the following day with Jerry, Andrew Ashong, Kaida Tatham, Charlie Dark, Bradley Zero and Louise Chen all spinning some tunes to get the party going from afternoon into evening.

lling up the

Sunday, Aug 13 noon-11pm

Then closing things out for the weekend will be Just Vibez, a Caribbean- avoured collective of DJs and MCs playing everything from soca to hip hop, afrobeats and reggae. As ever, there will be dancercise classes between sets in a bill that features Scrappy, Aysha Loren, Merzy, Nikie Baby, Pahjo, Phoenix, Batch, Terrah Dan and Triniboi Joocie.

Scan this code to reserve a free space at the Big Music Weekend

Being a good enough parent is tough and it’s worth understanding the di culty because you might have to re-parent yourself

David Lefebvre Sell

Weekends of activities and entertainment on Greenwich Peninsula in August as Summer Sessions returns to the area

Find these events at Design District

Rhythm Section

Maya Delilah

Greenwich - Peninsula - Woolwich

AUG 19-20AUG 26-27

the joy of foode

l The penultimate weekend in August on Greenwich Peninsula is dedicated to eating and drinking with plentiful events available to book onto:

Saturday, Aug 19

l Victoria Sponge Decorating Workshop

11am-noon, £11.55

Bring your child (6+) and a pre-made cake base to this session and leave with a beautifully appointed creation.

l Grow Cook, Dye Wear

12.30pm-1.30pm, FREE Design District hosts this talk by Bella Gonshorovitz, on using produce to cook with and create fashion.

l Beer Tasting + Street Food Social

2pm-10pm, free to attend Freedom Brewery will be at Canteen Food Hall to showcase its Helles, Pils and NZ Pale for tastings and talks at 2pm and 3pm. From 4pm, the venue will host a happy hour with DJs playing alongside street food and beer o erings.

l Bureau Sushi Making Workshop

3pm-4pm, £11.55

Try your hand at making sushi with this hourlong session. Suitable for kids aged 6+.

l Bureau’s Taste Of Summer 4pm-5.30pm, £44

Try the Design District restaurant’s menu with this series of small plates and paired wines.

Sunday, Aug 20

l Champagne And Cheese Tasting noon, 5.30pm, £22.38

Hosted by Champagne + Fromage in the Greenwich Peninsula Marketing Suite, this sessions will see three expressions of zz served alongside three cheeses, plus bread.

l When Waste Meets Design

2.30pm-4pm, £11.55

Also held at the marketing suite, this session from textile artist Alice Burnhope covers the basics of natural dyeing with food waste and a chance to paint with them on paper

Scan this code to nd out more about The Joy Of Food

outdoor cinema

l The nal weekend of Summer Sessions is dedicated to outdoor cinema with Pop Up Screens providing the necessary technical equipment. Tickets are £8 for adults and £5 for children for all screenings:

Saturday, Aug 19

l Gru alo 10am, U

A mouse goes for a stroll in the forest and uses his wit and imagination to save himself from predators.

l Room On The Broom

11.30am, U

Julia Donaldson’s classic comes to the screen as a witch invites animals along for a ride.

l Encanto 1pm, U

Discover the tale of a musical family who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia.

l Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone 4pm, PG

Relive the rst in the series as Harry, Ron and Hermione pop o to school at Hogwarts.

l Top Gun: Maverick 7pm, 12

Tom Cruise reprises one of his most famous roles to train the next generation.

Saturday, Aug 19

l Gru alo’s Child 10am, U

In this sequel, the Gru alo’s daughter chooses to ignore her dad’s warnings about the big bad mouse.

l Stickman 11.30am, U

Follow our eponymous hero as he runs away from a playful dog, gets thrown in a river and escapes from a swan’s nest.

l Moana 1pm, U

This Disney epic follows the daughter of a chief who embarks on a quest to return the heart of a goddess to Maui.

l Back To The Future 4pm, PG

The rst in the trilogy of De Lorean-based time travel capers sees solid performances from Michael J Fox and his buddies.

l Everything, Everywhere All At Once 7pm, 12

An interdimensional rupture unravels reality leading an unlikely hero to channel her new found powers to ght bewildering dangers from the multiverse.

Scan this code to nd out more about Outdoor Cinema or to book

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where?

The O2 Arena Peninsula

The breakout Nigerian star returns to the UK to tour his second studio album Work Of Art. Expect Yoruba words and plenty of backing vocals at this gig. Aug 20, 6pm, from £54 theo2.co.uk

Where?

Old Royal Naval College Greenwich

There’s a bit of a buzz around the Painted Hall, not least delivered by its cafe, serving Pimms, gins and cocktails plus ice cream on the lawn. Sat-Sun, noon-6pm, ornc.org

Where? Greenwich Theatre Greenwich

This sound exploration workshop for children aged 5-11 aims to allow young people to freely experiment with and experience all sorts of sounds. Aug 20, 11am, free, greenwichtheatre.org

ash back

Punchdrunk has announced that its epic, immersive performance, The Burnt City, must close on September 24, with tickets going fast for the nal shows in Woolwich. Standard entry starts at £55 theburntcity.com

Scan this code to read our interview with Punchdrunk founder and artistic director Felix Barrett at wharf-life.com

want more? @wharfwhispers

GIG | Asake

KIDS | Soundhoppers

DRINK | Bar Al Fresco

Preferred proposals for cyclists with both involving some form of shuttle bus

how Transport For London aims to use the Silvertown Tunnel to improve connectivity for cyclists in east London

by Jon Massey

Transport for London wants your views.

While the Silvertown Tunnel, connecting Royal Docks and Greenwich Peninsula is intended to boost capacity on the road network and relieve pressure on the Blackwall Tunnel, the operator is also using it as a springboard to see whether it can play a part in helping transport cyclists across the river.

TfL is currently considering three options for shifting cyclists and their mounts from one side of the Thames to the other. Its two preferred options are both bus based, with cyclists either slotting their bikes into a specially built vehicle and riding with them or securing them on a trailer behind a minibus for the journey through the tunnel.

No decisions have yet been taken on the possible frequency or proposed stopping points for the service or whether it will be free or incur a fare.

David Rowe, TfL director of investment and delivery planning said: “These cross-river cycling proposals are a key part of our commitment to ensuring that the Silvertown Tunnel supports growth in cross-river cycling use.

“We are keen to hear feedback from existing and potential cyclists so we can ensure that the services that are implemented best represent the needs of those who would use them.

“Work on the Silvertown Tunnel continues to progress, and we are working hard to ensure that this essential new infrastructure delivers transformative benefits to cross-river travel in east London with minimal impact to local communities.

“We will continue to engage with the local community and monitor tra c, air uality

and other factors, both during construction and once the tunnel is open.”

TfL said that it would continue to review and collect comments on the prospect of a cross-river ferry service, but that this was not its preferred option due to a lack of existing infrastructure and possible lack of demand. It also said it was unlikely such a service could be operational by 2025, the date the tunnel is set to open. However it said it would periodically review a boat-based solution as regeneration and development continued in both areas.

London’s walking and cycling commissioner, Will Norman, said: “Making cycling easier and more attractive to Londoners is a top priority for the Mayor.

“These plans will mean that cyclists are set to benefit from easier travel between the Greenwich Peninsula and Silvertown, enabling more people to make the switch to active travel and helping to build a better, greener London for everyone.

“I encourage Londoners to have their say in TfL’s consultation and let us know how this innovative service could best serve them.”

Cyclists can already use the existing cable car to cross the river between Royal Docks and Greenwich Peninsula, although they must pay to do so.

Charges to use both the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels are expected to be brought in when the latter opens to tra c as a way of raising money to pay for the project and to control congestion.

The route should also see at least 20 zero-emission buses running through the tunnels at peak times including the new SL4 service from Canary Wharf to Grove Park, which is included in the Mayor Of London’s recently announced Superloop network, which aims to connect outer boroughs in the capital.

The consultation will run until September 10 and final decisions will be made later in the year, once the responses have been assessed. You can find details of the full proposals and comment on them at haveyorsay.tfl.gov.uk/ slivertown-cycling-service

Scan this code to nd out more or have your say in the consultation

I encourage Londoners to have their say in TfL’s consultation and let us know how this innovative service could best serve them

Will Norman, Greater London Authority

No decisions have been taken, but as these artist’s impressions show, one idea is to have cyclists take their mounts directly on a special vehicle

No decision has yet been taken on whether the service will be free or fare-based

Royal Docks - Canning Town

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where? Social Convention Canning Town

DANCE | Renk Studios Day Party

Renk Studios presents a day party featuring Blu, Zakaia and Fat Lip spinning Tropical House, Baile, Jersey, Favela, Funk, Trap and Dancehall styles. Aug 13, 5pm-10.30pm, from £8, socialconvention.org

Where? Excel Royal Victoria Dock

SEE | Disney 100 Exhibition - Tickets On Sale Now

See more than 250 artefacts drawn from the Walt Disney Archives, celebrating a century of animated and live action entertainment over 10 galleries. From Oct 13, times vary, from £28, disney100exhibit.com

Where? Thames Barrier Park Silvertown

Above and left, one of the proposals is to have a bus, trailer combo to take cyclists and their rides through the two tunnels

TRY | Wheel Style BMX Workshops

Participants aged 3+ will be encouraged to swerve in and out of cones, duck limbo sticks and learn basic BMX tricks during these sessions. Bikes provided. Aug 16-20, 23-27, 10am-6pm, free, royaldocks.london

ash back

This is Dr Shaan Mahmood, founder of Royal Wharf Clinic in Royal Docks, which o ers medical and aesthetic services from its beautifully appointed facility in Cunningham Avenue royalwharfclinic.co.uk

Scan this code to read our interview with Dr Shaan at wharf.co.uk and discover the range of services available

want more? @wharfwhispers

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PUBLIC NOTICE

LONDON BOROUGH OF TOWER HAMLETS LONDON LOCAL AUTHORITIES ACT 1991

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL TREATMENTS LICENCE

Address of Premises 10 Upper Bank Street London E14 5JJ

Applicant's Name & Address Nu eld Health Club 10 Upper Bank Street London E14 5JJ

be part of the Canary Wharf conversation

To advertise here call Jess Maddison on 07944 000 144 or email jess.maddison@wharf-life.com

TAKE NOTICE that we the above-named being occupier of the above premises have this day applied to the Council of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets for the above premises to be licensed under the above Act for the following SPECIAL TREATMENT: Massage Therapy and Physiotherapy

Any person WISHING TO OBJECT to this application should do so by giving notice in writing stating in general terms the grounds of objection to:

Environmental Health and Trading Standards –Health and Safety Team Place Directorate

4th Floor Tower Hamlets Town Hall 160 Whitechapel Road London E1 1BJ

Dated 13/07/2023

Signed S. Maddin APD Cli ord Chance Health Club

Note: The council on considering the application has power on granting the licence to impose conditions (amongst others) as to the hours of opening and to refuse the same (among other grounds) because the premises is likely to be a nuisance or is operated in an improper manner.

Full particulars of the council’s power can be obtained from the environmental health section.

3New pedestrian bridges are planned to be built as part of the project in Stratford, linking the old town centre with the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

The Las Vegas sphere, now known as The Venetian Resort, is set to open in September

out the arguments

how the MSG Sphere is lighting up Las Vegas, but will the minister and Mayor find it right for a site in Stratford?

by Jon Massey

Madison Square Garden Entertainment is set to o cially open its first S Sphere in Las Vegas on September 9 to the strains of a live show. The venue, recently rebranded as The Venetian esort – presumably because its dome is somewhat sunken into the firmament – is the first iteration of an arena type S hopes to build in east ondon.

Coated inside and out with the world’s highest resolution screens it’s capable of pro ecting more or less anything on its exterior and interior. Current Secretary f State for evelling p, ousing and Communities, ichael ove has indicated he

may call in the plans following the ondon egacy evelopment Corporation’s decision to approve the planning application – which would see a 1,500 capacity arena built in Stratford.

n the one hand, you have the obvious levels of light pollution –the glare from more than a million s shining bright up to 11pm at night, which will doubtless impact those living nearby as well as local wildlife.

It’s also likely to take some business away from The – the world’s most successful venue – as a venue of similar si e and filled with 0 0s tech in a location that’s better connected to public transport than reenwich Peninsula. There’s significant opposition from ewham Council, West am’s P and local residents, although it will be the ayor f ondon and ichael

ove who have the final say. ut with videos of the as Vegas venue now hitting the internet, there will also be those thinking that a landmark like this could form part of the crowning glory of Stratford’s regeneration. It would bring obs to ewham, give ondon another world-class entertainment venue and probably drive the kind of tourist numbers to the area that nish apoor’s curly wurly rbit could only dream of. ecision makers and residents should look carefully at the footage of as Vegas as that is the best guide we have. Go to london.msg.com

Scan this code to nd out more about MSG’s plans

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where?

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stratford

EVENT | UK Black Pride

Last year’s event drew some 25,000 people to Stratford and 2023’s is expected to be even bigger. This event is looking for volunteers to help run it. Aug 20, noon-8pm, free, ukblackpride.org.uk

Where?

Cart And Horses Stratford

GIG | Fury

The West Midlanders bring their special brand of anger back to east London alongside support act Voltstorm who promise ri s and stout drumming. Aug 18, 7pm, £9, cartandhorses.london

Where?

Stratford Picturehouse Stratford

FILM | Rye Lane

This debut from breakout director Raine Allen-Miller is a romantic comedy following two 20-somethings as they deal with their nightmare exes. Aug 20, 5pm, £8, picturehouses.com

ash back

This is Janos Verebes-Weisz, founding director of Leo Weisz Therapy in Bethnal Green, which is expanding its operation to Canary Wharf to help people with the struggles in their lives leoweisztherapy.co.uk

Scan this code to read Wharf Life’s interview with Janos and to nd out more about psychotherapy

want more? @wharfwhispers

Scan this code to see a video of the Las Vegas sphere

Sudoku

Take a break from that phone

How to play

To complete Sudoku, ll 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 nd more Sudoku puzzles and a wide selection of other brainteasers available to download for free at puzzles.ca

Notes

crossword

Cryptic Quick Down

2. Her topical love of bears is confused (10)

3. Were this jug to be broken, you’d have the answer (4)

4. Dried tobaccos a cause of death? (6)

5. Getting the measure of poetic rhythm (6)

6. Fish for a captain –almost! (8)

7. Cheese made back in Holland? (4)

11. Lurk in a 17 down? Hardly a bright thing to do! (10)

13. If it aches when you sit, it’s a punishment (8)

16. This hero looks after his captain (6)

17. Watches the pattern? (6)

18. Place of worship for James T (or Scotty)? (4)

22. Appeal to males is a warning (4)

1. Clerical vestments (4)

8. Star viewing theatres (10)

9. Concurred (6,2)

10. Wise person (4)

12. See 5 down 14. Establishing age (6) 15. Highways and ____ (6) 17. Good health! (6) 18. Not written (4) 19. Maintain (8)

Early sound recorder (10)

2. 33.3 record (4-6)

3. Spit (4)

4. Yield to (6) 5, 12 acc. Old device for disks (6,6)

6, 7. Old recording medium

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

GODS & MORTALS RISE FOR A PARTY AT THE END OF THE WORLD

AWARD-WINNING IMMERSIVE THEATRE PIONEERS PRESENT

As Greece teeters on the brink of victory, the pulsating neon backstreets of Downtown Troy give way to a sprawling labyrinth full of hidden secrets. Follow Hades and Persephone as they emerge from the darkness, explore the royal palace of Agamemnon, or party with the hosts of the underworld at speakeasy Peep.

Set over 100,000 square feet, in a purpose-built venue with over 100 rooms to discover, The Burnt City is a truly mind-blowing cultural experience where every journey is unique.

THEBURNTCITY.COM

1 CARTRIDGE PLACE, WOOLWICH SE18 6DJ