Wharf Life, Mar 6-20, 2024

how Confluence at Cody Dock will immerse visitors in the sounds of the River Lea, right on its banks Page 28

sign upto get the Wharf Whispers fortnightly newsletter in your inbox

CONCERT | Urban Jungle

Where?

Crossrail Place

Roof Garden Canary Wharf

East London Children’s Choir is set to perform a host of works by the likes of Bob Chilcott, The Kinks and Schönberg at this concert amid the plants and towers. Mar 22, 7pm, free, space.org.uk

Where?

Across the estate Canary Wharf

SEE | Paws On The Wharf

Guide Dogs and Wild In Art are set to deliver a free accessible art trail on the estate with canine sculptures for visitors and Wharfers to discover. Mar 25-May 17, daily, free, canarywharf.com

GIG | The Cuban Brothers

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

Where?

Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Place

Welcome to issue 108 of Wharf Life. There’s a mindful theme running through this paper, whether it’s Canary Wharf Group’s careful consideration of tenants’ needs with MadeFor, the calming sounds of the River Lea at Cody Dock, a supportive network for PAs or the refreshing bene ts of a sauna in Stratford...

Expect a raucous rumpus of a show as the act combines comedy, music and dancing that will likely whip up a frenzy and keep it buzzing. Mar 21, 9.30pm, from £29 (show only), boisdale.co.uk

ash back

Events specialist Broadwick , which has its headquarters in Canary Wharf, has opened a new events venue at ground level on Wood Wharf’s Water Street. Expect a blank canvas for all kinds of functions broadwick.com

Scan this code to read our interview with Broadwick’s Elisa Chiodi to nd out more about the space

07765 076 300

The Tower Of London has a new Ravenmaster, tasked both with looking after the fortress’ seven birds and the preservation of the realm as a whole. No pressure...

on the radar

need to know

Wait, what? No, Watch. WatchHouse to be exact. Replete with grass green units, the co ee house has opened its 18th branch in Cabot Square, serving up plenty of brown drinks and graband-go food. Customers can expect speciality pours costing £50 watchhouse.com

Do you ever feel your trainers just aren’t getting the clean they deserve? Well, Canary Wharf will soon have your back as W’air Sneaker Laundry is set to open its doors under One Canada Square –time to get those whites super bright sneakerlaundry.co.uk

Why the beauty at Kyla’s goes deeper than Instagram’s fripperies

Greenwich Theatre has announced four anchor shows for its 2024 season starring the likes of Kerrie Taylor and Paul McGann plus a panto to get excited about

doing the deals

get more for less on and around the Wharf

£4 £6

Get a hot drink and a pastry at Paul branches in Canary Wharf, weekdays before 10am for £4. Takeaways only. Weren’t expecting that, were you Greggs? paul-uk.com

28

Listen to the Lea at Cody Dock as its latest art installation arrives

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

Enjoy Margaritas at Wahaca in Park Pavilion for £6 a go through the month of March which, try as they might, nobody can quite make work as a pun wahaca.co.uk

Canary Wharf - West India Quay

write me

words you don’t know you need

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

spelection

noun, fake, from Latin Endless speculation about when a prime minister will call an election. With Labour betting (literally, live on Sky) that the Tories will go for May, we can expect accusations of dilly-dallying, dithering and fear as the parties jostle for advantage

nudnik

noun, real, from Yiddish

A nagging, pestering person who is consistently and wearingly irritating. Prone to droning on and on about the same hobby horses, the nudnik is to be avoided at all costs, especially in the o ce kitchen

CINEMA

Origin (12A)

Everyman, Crossrail Place April 2, 1pm, £16.40 everymancinema.com

While investigating the global phenomenon of caste and its dark in uence on society, a journalist faces unfathomable loss and uncovers the beauty of love and human resilience. Inspire by the New York Times best-seller Caste, this movie stars Aunjanue EllisTaylor (Oscar nominated for King Richard) alongside Jon Bernthal, known for The Walking Dead and more recently The Bear

The estate is awash with new openings at the moment, in addition to the likes of Roe, Marceline, Hovarda and Kricket. Here are just some of the hoardings spotted across the Wharf to whet readers’ appetites for what’s coming soon...

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Jon Bernthal in Origin

Hobbs Canada Place

Crosstown’s Cinnamon Scroll Latte costs £4.50 and is made with Oatly oat milk, vanilla bean crumble and a mound of fresh whipped cream

crosstown.co.uk

Henry Richards

Jubilee Place

Need jewellery or a watch? Then Henry Richards could soon be the place to go. With a branch at The O2’s Icon centre, this will be a second location for the brand hrichards.co.uk

how Crosstown’s latest collab is all about cinnamon

try treats to

staples, this is served with a gorgeously supple glaze that all but ows o its soft and yielding core.

Za’ta

Canada Place

Like Lebanese food but no time to sit down? This grab-and-go takeaway will soon have you covered. Expect a range of authentic, avourful dishes to try. zata.uk

VArguably the most luxurious doughnut brand on the Wharf, Crosstown isn’t a company that’s averse to a collaboration or two.

There was the doughnut burger at Burger And Lobster and, of course, a partnership with a Haggerston tattoo parlour with free sweet treats and co ees for anyone getting inked.

So news that the brand has teamed up with prominent oat milk purveyor Oatly seemed a bit pedestrian when it landed in Wharf Life’s inbox. What, no pincers? No needles?

enough prospect nonetheless.

This drink feels expensive. At £4.50 it’s cheaper than its inspiration, but even a dollop of whipped cream and vanilla bean crumble sprinkles somehow underwhelm.

Worse still, the toppings make it a challenge to drink without developing a chilled, creamy moustache.

Oddly for a collaboration with a brand known for promoting oats, there’s little of the grain in the avour which is dominated by cinnamon and spice, if you can negotiate the whipped barrier.

Far better to go for the doughnut itself. Like many of the Crosstown

Here the crumble makes perfect sense although, a word of warning, even the daintiest of eaters won’t be able to avoid coating the surrounding surfaces and themselves with crumbs.

But this time the all-in messiness is worth it. Just make sure there are serviettes and perhaps a mini Henry Hoover to hand to clean up after. Go to crosstown.co.uk for more information

Dez Amore

Reuters Plaza

While this isn’t a coming soon, it certainly is a celebration – great to see pasta specialist Dez Amore branching out to a second location from MMy Wood Wharf. dezamore.co.uk

The drink’s inspiration is the Cinnamon Scroll Doughnut, below, a better buy at £5 and it features the brand’s trademark soft glaze

Desks is the minimum size Canary Wharf Group’s MadeFor o ce space solution can cater for – one rm took 10 oors

ready and

waiting

how MadeFor workspaces have been designed to appeal to all kinds of businesses

by Jon Massey

It wasn’t all that long ago, in the grand scheme of things, that Canary Wharf was a two-storey warehouse built in the 1930s handling bananas brought to the UK from the Caribbean. The brick-built structure at what was then West India Docks’ Import Dock, managed to survive the bombing during the Second World War, but not the demise of the docks themselves.

It was bought for £25million in 1988 by Olympia And York – the company that kicked off the regeneration project that would become the Canary Wharf of today – and was demolished without much ceremony a year later.

I mention this not because of some rose-tinted hankering for nostalgia – although the idea of dockers slipping on endless banana skins carries some slapstick appeal. Instead it’s a reminder of just how far this part of London has come in 35 years.

There’s been much short-termist nonsense published recently about the idea that this part of the city might be in peril. It’s true – some companies based here have decided to move for various reasons. But before launching into

a cascade of gloomy thoughts about home working’s effect on the economy and the merits of office clusters, consider a different perspective. Three-and-a-half decades ago, there was nothing much at Canary Wharf but derelict warehouses.

A group of people had to imagine what it might be, who might want to be there and what – if any – companies would come over. In the end, their creativity and bravery yielded success, with the arrival of the Jubilee line extension proving pivotal in that story. Towers rose and were filled. They largely still are.

Current media commentary cries out that Canary Wharf will have to reinvent itself if it is to continue to flourish. But such pieces entirely miss the point. Canary Wharf has done nothing but endlessly reinvent itself since that old warehouse crumbled.

The idea that a few financial institutions moved over here from the City in pursuit of cheaper rent and larger spaces in the 2000s and that nothing much has changed since, is simply perception lagging reality. The estate and the surrounding area is on a constant path of change, renewal

and development – its priorities shifting to meet and satisfy demand.

That’s the case with its shops, bars, restaurants and open spaces as much as it was in the decision to build housing on Wood Wharf.

Canary Wharf Group (CWG) has demonstrated an increasingly open and agile approach to the land it manages – whether that’s embracing competitive socialising with Fairgame and Electric Shuffle or deciding to host a vast padel tennis complex – as it works tirelessly to broaden the appeal of the estate.

But what of the office space itself? Well there’s been diversification there too amid a long track-record of flexibility to serve the market. While tech community Level39 provides small startups with a home and space to grow, funkier spaces have been created at Wood Wharf.

North Quay will see significant lab space created as the estate continues to attract organisations from sectors beyond financial services. Eggs, baskets and all that.

That hasn’t, of course, stopped the likes of Barclays and Citi recommitting to the area – doubtless convinced by an environment that now draws significant crowds at weekends in virtue of what’s

on offer to visitors as well as residents.

Nevertheless, CWG hasn’t stood still on office either, with MadeFor perhaps the punchiest addition to its offering in recent years.

“In short, it’s our fully-fitted, furnished and managed workspaces,” said Luke Thurlow, CWG associate for office leasing and one of the team tasked with helping firms land on the Wharf or move into bigger premises.

“Traditionally, a tenant would take an empty shell and build it themselves, creating meeting rooms, break-out spaces and filling it with furniture.

“MadeFor takes away all of that hassle for the end-user, who can pretty much move in immediately if they like.

“Office space has always been a strong part of the business and this is part of diversifying our portfolio. It means Canary Wharf offers single desks and co-working at Level39, self-contained units under MadeFor and shell space if a client prefers that.

“MadeFor can cater for businesses with 10 desks in 1,000sq ft of space, right up to our biggest letting where Citi took 10 floors as part of a short-term solution to house staff while its tower is being refurbished. continued on Page 8

Canary Wharf - West India Quay

from Page 6

“The message is that many people think Canary Wharf is only for larger businesses – big multinational companies, which we do have here – but even if you’re a small startup or scaleup, we can accommodate your needs.”

It’s an offer that’s clearly gaining traction, with recent signings, including business power supplier, Pozitive Energy, electric vehicle charging firm, Hypervolt, and Taiwanese energy trader, WelHunt, all opting for MadeFor offices at One Canada Square.

Global trading organisation FIA and manufacturing firm Rittal also recently announced they would be renewing their MadeFor leases in the building.

“These recent deals show that companies continue to see Canary Wharf as an international icon,” said Luke. “Buildings like One Canada Square are seen as part of a company’s strategy to build its business, find new clients and retain top talent – there’s real appeal there.

“MadeFor appeals to both a variety of sectors and businesses of different sizes. Often, smaller firms don’t want the headache of fitting out a space.

“These are self-contained workspaces so tenants are not sharing meeting rooms, break out spaces or kitchens with other occupiers.

“That’s especially important so companies know who is coming in and out of their space – vital if you’re regulated by the FCA, for example.”

Essentially, MadeFor is a crucial piece in the puzzle. One of the key ideas behind the creation of Level39 more than a decade ago was that it had the potential to bring fastgrowing startups onto the estate. With a vast portfolio, it could then flexibly serve the needs of those businesses as they grew.

MadeFor both provides space for companies that are expanding, but it also allows the estate to pitch more effectively to firms and organisations of varying size that aren’t home grown, but like the idea of a move to east London.

“One example would be challenger bank Revolut, which started at Level39,” said Luke.

“Now it is based in an 80,000sq ft space at the Columbus Building off Westferry Circus.

“Because CWG has been running the estate for more than 30 years we are able to take a long-term vision for our customers and as a custodian of this part of London.

“If a business is half way through its lease and bursting at the seams or looking to downsize

MadeFor space at 40 Bank Street includes break-out space, plenty of natural light and dock views

The spaces are ideal for firms who don’t want the hassle of managing a fit-out

due to an increase in hybrid working, we can have those conversations.

“Other landlords use more conventional models where they buy a single building, develop it, lease it and sell it. This can make those situations more difficult. What we offer is stability.”

Don’t confuse stability with traditionalism, however. Luke was keen to stress that MadeFor’s spaces were fitted out to reflect the needs of businesses today.

“Our design philosophy dispenses with reception desks and guest waiting areas,” he said. “The idea is that visitors come directly into a break-out space where they can get a feel for how the business is working as soon as they arrive.

“We can, of course, design to a customer’s brief and we’re always working based on feedback from previous projects.

“Perhaps if we’d done this three years ago we’d have had flashy boardrooms off reception areas – people didn’t think you should have staff mingling with visitors. But people aren’t working like that any more. Visitors want to get a flavour of the company – to be in your world rather than in a holding zone.

“Hybrid working presents great opportunities for businesses – if you look at their spaces and how they’re fitting them out, things are a lot more considered now.

“You’re seeing a lot more meeting rooms, collaboration spaces, fewer conventional rows of desks. Suppose you have a project team that’s coming in three days a week – what do they need?

“Some customers have asked for more break-out space, while others want desks because people are also coming into the office to do more focused work and to make the most of sitting with colleagues to do that.”

Beyond the spaces themselves, the estate’s constant evolution is perhaps the most potent weapon in Luke’s arsenal when talking to potential clients. But then there’s the added value of engaging with a landlord which is completely invested in fostering a thriving, vibrant local economy.

Luke said: “The quality of our office space and workspaces is generally well understood in the market. We produce top quality, best-in-class office developments.

“But what we’re also trying to show people who come to Canary Wharf are the lifestyle amenities – the shops, bars and restaurants, the green open spaces and the transport links.

“With the Elizabeth line, you’re 45 minutes from Heathrow. It’s about trying to excite people by

The quality of our office space and workspaces is generally well understood in the market. We deliver best-in-class

Luke Thurlow, Canary Wharf Group

getting them to picture themselves and their business here.

“There are the technical details like the air conditioning and the Wi-fi, but most people who come to look at office space will think more about the coffee downstairs and dinner at Hawksmoor or Dishoom.

“We deliver high quality workspace, but it’s also about our tenant services team and the maintenance operation.

“We’ve also launched an app for the estate so people know what’s here and about all the events that are going on.

“We’re not just a landlord collecting rent – will it be a Yoga session before work or finding out about Wharf Connect, our network for early career professionals?

“It’s all about what you can do here and, if we’re not doing something already, then talking to us about delivering it.

“It’s a very exciting time and, over the next 10 years people will see so much change here, whether that’s the landscaping of Middle Dock in partnership with the Eden Project or any of the other plans in the pipeline.”

Suffice to say evolution is a certainty at Canary Wharf as it brings life sciences and schools into the mix alongside residential, higher education, governmental bodies and much more.

That, however, will doubtless be easier for Luke and his colleagues to articulate to potential clients than it was for teams 35 years ago, when the whole process of convincing firms to give E14 offices a chance began.

key details

MadeFor spaces are available in Canary Wharf at One Canada Square, 40 Bank Street, 20 Water Street and the Columbus Building. Offices are cleaned and managed including repairs, maintenance, waste management and refreshment options.

Go to offices.canarywharf.com

Canary Wharf Group’s Luke Thurlow says MadeFor means the estate can offer flexibility to potential clients

Years since Alice founded The Canary Wharf PA Club, which has just been relaunched with monthly meet-ups running throughout 2024

how The Canary Wharf PA Club has been reborn as a socially-focused community to support its members

by Jon Massey

Alice Scutchey founded The Canary Wharf PA Club (CWPAC) in 2019 while working as a senior EA to Citi’s UK chief financial officer and things took off. Tapping into a desire among personal assistants, executive assistants and office managers to meet and network, a packed schedule of events saw the organisation swell to a database of thousands.

The club ended up becoming like a business with Alice running things alongside her full-time career, offering premium paid memberships to help sustain and monetise its operation.

“I probably could have quit my job and made it into a business, but I didn’t want that,” she said. “I was increasingly finding it hard to get to know people personally – they knew me but I didn’t know them because I was busy running the events.”

Something of a victim of its own popularity, Alice decided to put the club on pause. Having worked as an EA at American Express and Quintet Private Bank, she is now director of EMEA business administration at global printing and communications firm Toppan Merrill and has turned her attention back to her creation. This time, however, she’s got some help.

“It came about because I was chatting with my friend, Lucia Sudlow, about the network,” said Alice. “It had become unmanageable and I didn’t have time for it.

“Both of us have a background as assistants, so we discussed whether we should give

relaunching it a shot together.

That way we could halve the workload. There’s clearly a need for people to meet and – being a PA can be a lonely role. You don’t necessarily have a team or an internal network.

“It’s about bringing people together and helping them in any way we can.”

To that end, Alice and Lucia officially relaunched the club with an event at Doubletree By Hilton London Docklands Riverside, with a plan to commit to a sustainable 12 events per year.

“There are lots of businesses that offer training and courses to help people be better PAs,” said Alice. “But we want to focus on the person, not on the role. The club isn’t about companies selling things to our members either.

“It’s meeting once a month with no pressure or expectations – just a desire to bring something to the table. PAs often have something extra going on in their lives – a passion, a hobby or a side business.

“We want our events to be about bringing those things out and showcasing them. To anyone new to the club I would say: ‘Bring your whole self to a monthly meet-up and connect with other like-minded people to support each other’.”

That message of connection and friendship rings true for Lucia and Alice too.

“I originally trained as an architectural technician but I wasn’t very good at it,” said Lucia, who today runs creative and production agency Ask The Impossible, with her husband.

“I was made redundant in 2008, and I went to get a temp job as an assistant admin person. I realised

Alice Scutchey has relaunched

The Canary Wharf PA Club for PAs, EAs and office managers

that I was really good at it, enjoyed it and got a lot from it.

“When I first came to London, I was in a role for about 18 months and then I was offered a new job, so I needed to hire someone. Alice came in. We only spent two weeks working together and 14 years later, we’re still friends.

“I went on to work for a tech startup and became the head of people and talent after doing pretty much every job there apart from IT development.

“Now I run the operations side of our agency – my husband has the crazy ideas and I make sure they happen. As long as whatever a brand wants to do is legal and moral, we’ll do it.

“I’m still very much interested in the PA world and I like to be involved with good people –that’s why I wanted to help with the club.

“We’re going to focus on one good quality event a month –there are lots of clubs that offer paid membership and venue finding services and so on.

“But we just want to support people, not sell them something. Things don’t always need to be about growing your skills or your professional career. Sometimes you just want to meet people, have a drink, socialise and make connections.”

And that’s really what success looks like for the CWPAC reborn – a vehicle that’s for members to enjoy themselves and benefit from friendships forged.

“It might be that, through the club, someone has found a new job or bought a product from another PA’s side business,” said Alice. “To me seeing these things is success. It might be that someone gains the confidence to present in front of an audience.

“Many PAs who run their own businesses don’t have thid and our events will be a non-judgmental space that will help people do that. If someone has something they want to present to the group then we’ll book them in.

“Of course, being a PA is a

The club is about bringing people together and helping them in any way that we can

Alice Scutchey, CWPAC

career in itself, but moving on to another a role is also a natural path for an assistant to take. It’s important to us to support that transition, if people want to make it, as it’s something we’ve both done.”

Lucia added: “PA skills are so transferable – you have to be a jack of all trades in the role. That’s so often a phrase people use negatively, but actually it’s not.

“Having a little bit of knowledge about a lot of things is really useful. PAs can get typecast in the assistant role, but actually they’re so capable when they get to a certain part of their career because they have gained so much knowledge.

“Both me and Alice are good examples of what people can go on and do – we want to tell people not to be afraid of their ambitions.”

need to know

The Canary Wharf PA Club is aiming to meet once a month from now on. Events will be free unless otherwise stated. Interested parties can register online for further news.

Go to cwpaclub.com for more information or follow @cwpaclub on Instagram

Scan this code to find out more about joining the club

Alice’s friend Lucia Sudlow is helping run the club, which aims to support and inspire its members

1Position of Misinformation + Disinformation on the World Economic Forum’s top 10 global risks over the next two years, from 2024. This falls to five over the next 10 years, narrowly beating Adverse Outcomes Of AI in sixth place

virtual viewpoint

by Chris Ezekiel

Is artificial intelligence a villain or a victim when it comes to its applications? Anyone who has had their face, voice, comments or supposed thoughts hijacked and dumped into the wilds of social media will probably say the technology is a villain. They will state that it is being used to make up lies, spread falsehoods and manipulate society. Clearly it is a villain.

But anyone involved in using AI for good – and there are an abundance of ways the technology is advancing society and economies – will say it is a victim in this instance.

How could, for example, a technology that’s improving healthcare screening, or being used to analyse billions of data points to enable perfect crop timing to combat world hunger, be classified as wholly villainous?

The debate might make for a catchy headline or two but, in truth, such moral questions are meaningless. It is neither villain nor victim. AI is just a tool and one that is used by humans as they see fit.

Anything villainous about how AI is used, is down to us, not the tech itself. The deepfakes that are appearing on platforms around the world are virtually indistinguishable from reality.

They are so sophisticated that they fool reputable media organisations, who go on to further spread this mendacity by repeating their messages or replaying them.

But it is humans who are choosing to create them, to populate these channels with lies. AI doesn’t yet – and may never – have the awareness to do this.

How could a technology that’s improving healthcare screening be classified as wholly villainous?

This technology has so many benefits for society if it is harnessed correctly and people remain firmly in control of it. Humans must and should have power over AI– not the other way around.

Chris Ezekiel, Creative Virtual

Technology is advancing at unprecedented rates. It is widely acknowledged that the legal system lags far behind the progress of technology and so laws struggle to keep pace and keep consumers safe.

There are even times when it appears that technology companies are focused on finding loopholes to protect revenue streams rather than supporting laws that protect consumers. This is clearly a problem.

The ethical principles which govern business and that define civil society should and must extend to the virtual world and importantly the use of AI.

Humans are the architects, designers, creators and users of this technology. But it is just that –something that we use. Don’t blame AI itself.

Chris Ezekiel is founder and CEO of customer engagement solutions specialist Creative Virtual based at Canary Wharf’s Cabot Square

Scan this code for more information about Creative Virtual or follow @creativevirtual and @chrisezekiel on X

AI is increasingly used to help assess scan results as technology becomes pivotal in healthcare

it’s all in the

Canary Wharf - West India Quay

7

Ravens currently live at the Tower Of London – Jubilee, Harris, Poppy, Georgie, Edgar, Branwen and Rex

watching the birds

It’s said that if the ravens ever leave the Tower, both the fortress and the nation will fall

Wapping - Limehouse - Shadwell - Tower Hill

how Yeoman Warder Barney Chandler now holds the fate of the Tower Of London and the realm in his hands

by Jon Massey

Doubtless Michael “Barney” Chandler’s 24 years in the Royal Marines came with their share of pressures. Having served all over the world as Company Sergeant Major in 42 Commando, including a tour of duty in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province from 2006-07, he became the 387th yeoman warder (YW) at the Tower Of London in March 2009.

But now he’s taking on arguably the biggest responsibility of his military career – as the sixth o cial raven aster o the o er Of London.

YW Chandler has been charged with leading the team of four yeoman warders whose job it is not only to care for the fortress’ seven birds, but in so doing to protect both the integrity of his home’s walls and the safety of the whole nation.

Age-old legend has it that should these winged residents leave, then both the Tower and kingdom will fall. The idea the birds should be protected dates back to at least the reign of Charles II in the 1600s, who was advised of the realm’s potential peril when his astronomer John Flamsteed proposed the ravens’ removal as they were impeding his stargazing.

Needless to say, having just been restored to the throne, Charles wasn’t keen to test the theory – the birds’ protected status has endured ever since.

The position of ravenmaster itself is a relatively recent invention, inaugurated by one YW Jack il in ton a little less than ve decades ago. He even designed a special badge with a raven and a crown on it to denote the rank.

“I am honoured to have been appointed as the new ravenmaster at the Tower Of London, after many years of caring for them as part of the ravens team,” said YW

The ravens have a long association with the Tower and are immensely popular with our visitors – I’m looking forward to playing my part Barney Chandler, Tower Of London

Chandler, who is originally from Watford.

“Being able to work alongside these majestic birds has always been a favourite part of my duties as a yeoman warder, and I feel immensely privileged to be entrusted with this iconic role.

“The ravens have a long association with the Tower and are immensely popular with our visitors – I’m looking forward to playing my part in continuing their legacy for many years to come.”

The Tower is currently home to seven ravens – Jubilee, Harris, Poppy, Georgie, Edgar, Branwen and Rex – the latter named in honour of the current king’s recent coronation.

YW Chandler and his team will now be responsible for maintaining the birds’ enclosures, feeding and watering them.

The ravens, naturally scaven-

The ravens are fed on raw meat, with blood-soaked biscuits as a special treat

gers, are fed on a diet of raw meat – chicks, mice and rats – as well as the occasional egg and bloodsoaked biscuits as a treat.

The yeoman warders are also responsible for the health and wellbeing of the birds, including clipping their wings to destabilise the in fli ht and encoura in them to stay close to the Tower.

It’s also part of the team’s job to share the story of the ravens with the 3million yearly visitors to the fortress.

important details

here is no technical scienti c distinction between a crow and a raven, although the latter is usually used in relation to larger species of crow. The collective noun for ravens is an “unkindness”, a little less brutal than a “murder” of crows.

The Tower Of London, including the ravens’ enclosures, is open daily from 10am-5.30pm on Mondays and Sunday and from 9am-5.30pm from Tuesday to Saturday. Adult entry costs £34.80, while child tickets cost £17.40 for those aged 5-15.

Tower Hamlets residents can visit the Tower for £1 and take up to three children with them for £1 each. Proof of address must be taken to the ticket o ce and so e exclusions apply. Those claiming certain ene ts can also visit or £1 irrespective of their address. Go to hrp.org.uk for details

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

STAGE | One Track Minds

Where?

Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping

The live storytelling event focusing on a single song that changed the life of its participants returns with the aim of leaving a lasting impact on its audiences. Mar 26-27, 7.30pm, from £10, wiltons.org.uk

Where? Troxy Limehouse

GIG | Ikon

The K-pop sextet are set to play their rst concert in London, promising a performance that’s “captivating, energetic and diverse”. Expect VIP packages. Mar 28, 6pm, from £104.35 troxy.co.uk

KIDS | Cinema Chill - Dust

Where?

Half Moon Theatre Wapping

Watch this digital performance on the big screen as Little Titch and Nelly discover they have more in common than they’d rst thought. Ages 4-9. Mar 23, 2.30pm, £7, halfmoon.org.uk

ash back

This is Puddle Jumpers nursery school in Wapping, the company’s second site, which has brought a former church school back into educational use with a wide selection of facilities for the kids in its care puddlejumpersnursery.com

Scan this code to nd out more about Puddle Jumpers new nursery site in Wapping

want more? @wharfwhispers

YW Michael “Barney” Chandler

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see

STAGE | Mary’s Daughters

Where?

The Space Isle Of Dogs

Telling the story of 18th century intellectual radical Mary Wollstonecraft, this show explores her life and her daughters’ stories, one of whom wrote Frankenstein. Mar 19-30,times vary, from £10, space.org.uk

Where?

Poplar Union Poplar

TRY | Family Photography Workshops

Welcome the onset of spring by taking pictures of its glories with these Wednesday sessions which will take in a wealth of east London locations. Apr 3, 10, 17, 24, 4pm-5pm, £6, poplarunion.com

LEARN | Eco-Crafternoon

Where?

Poplar Union Poplar

why the beauty of Kyla’s is so much more than Insta-ready

by Jon Massey

Kyla’s Cafe And Bistro has been open for a while now on the Isle Of Dogs. I confess, initially I was put o visiting by its Instagram feed. It’s a riot of pastel pink, gold and consumables that look like they’ve been conjured by AI prompted with the words “overly vibrant, colourful food”.

Its velour-upholstered walls host neon slogans including “Hello Gorgeous”, “Shall We?” and “Love Is The Beauty Of The Soul” – Tracey Emin has a lot to answer for.

But the fact that it’s been consistently busy every time I’ve walked past, prompted a nagging doubt. Was I missing something more than a cutesy sel e opportunity? Surely the enduring attraction couldn’t be snapping a slightly di erent angle of the, admittedly, plentiful crystal chandeliers?

And so it proved. A recent visit was a revelation. While the aesthetic might look like something from the set of Barbie, Kyla’s is unquestionably a slick,

professional operation. For the most part it’s walk-ins only, with eager, smiling sta waiting to guide eager, smiling guests to the tables. It’s an all ages a air. Families, singletons, groups of mates, couples, old friends. All are welcome. Kyla’s is a broad church and a busy one, with a steady ow of hopefuls through the door.

The menu o ers fully halal takes on breakfast and brunch staples, with a Turkish twist here and there. Other cuisines feature too – with American in uences, Italian pastas and British grub, but with a clear emphasis on comfort eating. While there are mains and substantial burgers on o er, I nd the call of brunch impossible to resist, opting for Cilbir (£11.90).

This turns out to be a pair of poached eggs atop a mound of garlic-infused yoghurt and spinach – the whole thing liberally doused with chickpeas and a pungent chilli sauce.

It’s everything the description promises, spiced, avourful and messy – a perfect melange for the two hunks of buttered sourdough to mop up.

This is excellent, good value

food that is so much more than decent presentation – cooking with real depth.

The Turmeric And Ginger Latte (£4.30) I order to go with it is a warm yellow in its whisky tumbler and, while lacking some sweetness, manages a satisfactory turn as a drink that might actually be doing me some good.

That said, Kyla’s isn’t really about virtuous living. Sure, there might be plenty of fresh fruit and veg in glorious technicolour, but this is a place of indulgence. I bet every milkshake is an artery-furring triumph.

need to know

Kyla’s is open Monday-Thursday from 7am-6pm, Fridays from 7am-7pm, Saturday from 8am-7pm and Sunday from 8am-6pm. Find it on Turnberry Quay close to Pepper Street. Go to kylaslondon.co.uk for more information

Scan this code to nd out more about Kyla’s tasting a

Textile artist Maud Barrett is set to lead participants in an afternoon of patching and mending to help people upcycle cloth and give their clothes new life. Mar 30, 3pm-6pm, £10, poplarunion.com

ash back

Historic pub, The Lord Nelson, has o cially reopened its doors following a £220,000 re t under the watchful eye of new licensee Cara Venn who has big plans for the venue. Expect sport, entertainment and drinks o ers thelordnelsonmillwall.co.uk

Scan this code to read our interview with Cara about her plans for The Lord Nelson on the Isle Of Dogs

want more? @wharfwhispers

Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey

why Wicked Little Letters falls at despite strong casting

watching a

by Jon Massey

It would be understandable if director Thea Sharrock thought she was making a nailed-on British comic hit with Wicked Little Letters – perhaps something that would become as loved and revered as Withnail And I or This Is Spinal Tap. It’s a fun tale and there are plenty of rude words, after all.

With major talents such as Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley and Timothy Spall in the mix there’s certainl lent o re o er on screen. And better still, the setting of prissy 1920s Littlehampton is perfect for this true story of mystery, sweary poison pen letters.

spoiler alert Colman is faultless as Edith Swan – the godly, unhinged victim and, it turns out, perpetrator, of the crimes.

Pinning it all on neighbour and former friend Rose Gooding (Buckley), she oscillates with increasing mania through piety, pride, anger and jealousy as the case captures the public imagination. It’s a powerful, funny and accomplished performance that nevertheless isn’t enough on its

own to save the movie. Buckley is also excellent as the profanity-spouting free spirit and mum with a golden heart but a taste for trouble, who winds up in the dock for writing the ugly missives, thanks to idiocy and prejudice from the cops.

Spall is strong too as Edith’s domineering, evil dad – a menacing and horrid presence who is the clear cause of his daughter’s deranged scribblings.

But ulti atel the l ails to deliver on the dramatic promise of these flavour ul in redients.

Too little time is spent on the story – the letters’ contents and the potential thrills and intrigues therein. There’s no real suspense, little threat.

Anjana Vasan as PC Gladys Moss winds up with only meagre work to do as the only investigator to smell something dodgy in Rose’s supposed guilt. It’s patently obvious she’s innocent, so the subsequent work to prove her innocence and catch Edith red handed feels lacklustre – a plot going through the motions.

A promising supporting cast of Joanna Scanlan, Lolly Adefope and Eileen Atkins get a few good lines between them but little character development, rendering them mere props in PC Moss’

ht or ustice. hile there are laughs and a few touching o ents in the end the l can’t decide whether it wants to be a jokey comedy about people saying “fuck” in polite society, a meditation on an oppressed and constricted daughter driven to send nasty messages to herself by a vile patriarch or a police procedural as PC Moss strives to get her woman.

It winds up being a bit of all three with a dash of courtroom drama thrown in for good measure leaving the overall watch as thin and unsatisfying as the gruel Edith serves up to her toxic dad. He chucks it straight in the bin in disgust.

I’m not quite that uncharitable, ut the structure o the l is largely a waste of the considerable talents on show here.

★★✩✩✩

● Wicked Little Letters is currently showing at Odeon Surrey Quays. Standard tickets cost £14.49. Go to odeon.co.uk

Scan this code to nd out more about lms at Surrey Quays

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

GIG | Lemon Lounge

Where?

The Albany Deptford

The not-for-pro t sound system rocks up at the Deptford venue for a late night dance featuring guest DJs. Expect dub, dancehall and jungle. Mar 23, 10pm, £12, thealbany.org.uk

Where?

The Pen Theatre South Bermondsey

FILM | Mostly Phone Footage

Screen artist Alex Culshaw presents a live edited, real time mixed video screening. The performance will be preceded by work from artist Will Sipling. Mar 27, 7.30pm, £6.13, thepentheatre.com

GIG | Music Is A Social Space

Where?

The Albany Deptford

Sound activist (which is a thing, apparently) and musician, Charles Hayward, returns to the Deptford venue with an evening of challenging sounds. Mar 30, 8pm, £12, thealbany.org.uk

ash back

Check out classical music concert series Debut, held monthly in the Brunel Museum’s Thames Tunnel Shaft. Founder and soprano Lizzie Holmes programmes a wide variety of performers alongside regular collaborators thebrunelmuseum.com

Scan this code to nd out more about Debut at the Brunel Museum in our interview with Lizzie

want more? @wharfwhispers

Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley in Wicked Little Letters

take a breath

by David Lefebvre Sell

Do people who listen to heavy metal really have IQs that are 20% higher on average? No

One of the most inconvenient and insidious quirks of human psychology is our tendency towards con rmation bias – we unconsciously favour information that con rms our beliefs and values. It takes a strong character and force of will to really try to take in the evidence and ask: “What if I’m wrong?”.

This tendency is disastrous for our personal growth, especially later in life when our beliefs are more rmly entrenched. But we’re not just talking about politics, or if Crocs are suitable footwear for a night out. Con rmation bias might be stopping you from believing that you’re not ugly or unlikeable. When our beliefs are negative, we tend to lter out the good stu .

The rst step in combatting this is to realise that it’s happening all the time. You’re probably doing it right now as you read this. If I tell you that people who listen to heavy metal have – on average – IQs that are 20% higher, some of you will think: “Hell Yeah”. Others will dismiss it as nonsense.

In this case, the latter would be right – I made that statistic up–but my point is that we need to investigate the evidence before rushing to conclusions.

The opposite could also be true – you might have a wildly in ated idea of your own worth. Self awareness matters

David Lefebvre Sell

If you have the negative self belief: “Nobody really likes me” you will tend to lter out evidence that contradicts it. That might include saying things to yourself like: “Oh, she’s just being nice” or: “They only like me because I did something for them”. Being confronted with such contradictory evidence of how people see you creates cognitive dissonance.

The opposite could also be true – you might have a wildly in ated idea of your own worth. Rather than face up to that, it’s easier to believe people are out to get you. Then you might toddle o and write a book called Years To Save The West. Self awareness matters.

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

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

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

how Greenwich Theatre is already building on its long term security with a quartet of in-house shows

by Jon Massey

There’s a bit of a buzz at Greenwich Theatre right now. Arts funding across the country is being cut, companies and institutions are under increasin nancial pressure. So it’s heartening to hear the venue has si ned a lon lease a ree ent ith the Ro al Borou h reen ich that ill allo it to kee hostin and roducin ork or another 2 years.

“It’s astonishing that we’ve got this kind o securit no said a es addrell the theatre s artistic director. “It doesn’t come with a grant, but it does come with a rent-free commitment from the council hich e reckon is orth a out 2 illion.

he onl conditions in the lease are that e look a ter the uildin and e continue doin what we’re doing. It means we can lan uch urther into the uture and uild relationshi s with funders and sponsors who kno e re oin to e there or the lon ter . t s a deal that s vital to the venue s uture es eciall as the creative landsca e has chan ed a reat deal in the ti e that a es has been at theatre.

“I came to Greenwich as press o cer in 2 1 and ack then it as ver uch a lace here eo le ho ere 5 and over ould co e he said. he ere re ular theatre oers or ho it as auto atic to think a out seeing a show, going to a concert or visiting the cinema at the end o the eek.

“The changes here have been quite heartening as our average audience is no under and or so e sho s it s id 2 s. heatre had to e rave and ackno led e that the older audience as oin to disa ear and to e lore whether theatre was going to disappear with it – it hasn’t.

“I wonder whether, as more and ore thin s eco e di ital e eriences theatre ill survive ecause it isn t like the and ill stand out as the exception.

e have also seen a hu e chan e in theatre landsca e hich has een challen in . o ack 2 ears and there as a thriving touring circuit of companies in this countr orkin on the seat scale e are.

he ere a le to do it ecause

Key productions to watch out for at Greenwich Theatre over 2024 4

the ere ell unded. ou want to present a show with high co ercial roduction values ou need nancial su ort and there as a lot ore o it a out ack then. o anies have had to be brave and grow – or disappear. hat eans e have to ll Greenwich Theatre either with our own shows, which are devised or the scale o the venue or ith s aller sho s that are ull o aspiration and come here to grow. e ve al a s een e cited about the fact we occupy that sort o osition in the theatre ecolo . e re not a tin seater e attract audiences, press coverage and co ercial artners ut if you want to come and try out an idea ou re not oin to lose ever thin i it doesn t sell.

“It’s exciting to see companies, who do a show, maybe once or t ice the selves on a shoestrin ro and develo .

As part of that change and olstered its agreement with the council the venue has announced four land ark roductions set to take lace over the course o 2 2 . his uartet o roductions ade or reen ich are all to be directed by James and feature ell kno n na es includin errie a lor (Hollyoaks and Where The Heart Is) aul c ann (Withnail And I and Doctor Who), a es Bradsha (Endeavour and Hollyoaks) and ndra v (Sex Education and Holby City) t rst lance a ro ra e includin Frozen and Beauty And The Beast might raise eyebrows a out the isne cation o the venue s offerin ut nothin could e urther ro the truth.

“I’ve wanted to direct Frozen –which is by Bryony Lavery and uite a different ros ect ro the isne sho or ears said James.

“It’s a three-hander about a o an hose child has een abducted and murdered. The other ill e la ed errie. ndra ill take the role o the e ork acade ic ho ants to stud the urderer ho ill e la ed a es.

“It’s a stunning cast and a tough iece o ork ut it s not a sho that s de ressin it s eauti ul in its truth. t e lores nature and nurture, but whichever side of the ar u ent ou all on it ill challen e ou.

“Beauty And The Beast also isn t

on what’s stage

It’s astonishing that we’ve got this kind of security now. We reckon it’s worth about £2million

James Haddrell, Greenwich Theatre

Greenwich - Peninsula - Woolwich

Left, Kerrie Taylor, who has appeared in Hollyoaks and Where The Heart Is, will star as the mother in Greenwich Theatre’s forthcoming production of Frozen (no, not that one)

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

EVENT | Whisky Live + Gin Life

Where?

Woolwich Works Woolwich

Enjoy unlimited pourings of spirits at these twin events with tasting glasses provided. Expect street food to ward o the inevitable unsteadiness. Mar 22-23, times vary, from £49, woolwich.works

Where?

The O2 Arena Peninsula

GIG | James Arthur

The singer songwriter, who rst found fame as a winner of The X Factor, brings tunes from his latest album, Bitter Sweet Love to the tent. Mar 22, 16, 6.30pm, from £46, theo2.co.uk

From left inset: Paul McGann, Indra Ove and Greenwich Theatre artistic director James Haddrell

Disney. It’s a very joyful actor-musician show – a folk music-infused hoe-down retelling of the story.

“There’s a cast of six and it features music from David Haller who has worked on several of our summer shows. It’s incredibly exciting and really fun – there’s just something amazing about watching a brilliant actor pick up an instrument and perform.

“With The River, 2024 is very much a year where I’m achieving my ambitions. I’d wanted to do Frozen for a long time and that’s true of The River as well.

“It was originally performed at the Royal Court in 2012 and is e Butter orth s rst la a ter erusale . t s ver different to that, though and has astonishing writing in it.

“It’s about an unnamed man,

who will be played by Paul McGann, who takes his irl riend shin and ca in in the woods. Something has happened in the past – but what was it and to whom?

“All I can say is there are more than two people in the cast. It’s brilliant to have Paul coming back.

“There’s something about the atmosphere and the environment at Greenwich Theatre – that a lies to the staff and to the performers – people love being in the venue, so they return.

“For an actor like Paul to come to this size venue is a testament to that. It’s about the history and you can feel it when you’re in the auditorium. It’s something really special.”

eakin o hich the nal roduction con r ed ill e the latest Greenwich Theatre panto.

Where?

Firepit Art Gallery Peninsula

ART | Wake Up And Smell The Roses

Arriving just in time for spring, this show will feature resident artists and guests displaying their work at a venue on the edge of the Thames.

Dick Whittington And His Cat will see Anthony Spargo back as writer and villain and Uncle Steve Marwick returning as musical director,” said James. “We won best design at the e ards or last ear s so this will be about being better and bigger. That’s a challenge when we had seven dwarves and a plane in 2023.”

key dates

Frozen will run from April 26-May 19, Beauty And The Beast from August 2-25, The River from October 1-27 and Dick Whittington And His Cat from November 22-January 5. Go to greenwichtheatre.org.uk

Dick WhitScan this code to nd out more about the shows

Mar 7-May 31, daily, free, repit.art

try it

While atmosphere, food and drink at Maracuya on Greenwich Peninsula are bamboozling, with in uences from numerous countries, the place carries a certain charm with friendly service themaracuya.com

Scan this code to nd out more about the tapas and Argentinian steaks available at this restaurant

want more? @wharfwhispers

how Confluence at Cody Dock turns the sounds of the Lea into a clarion call to enjoy and clean up the river

by Jon Massey

Immersive” is one of the most over-used words when it comes to the arts. But Confluence at Cody Dock has a singular and legitimate claim to it, if desired.

Artist Tom Fisher has created a od o ork ased on a ve month residency at the community-led regeneration that literally plunges the ears of listeners into the River Lea and its environment.

Working under the name Action Pyramid, the sonic artist and musician was awarded Cody Dock’s ig ting p e ea commission – a challenge to respond creatively to its idal ea iver cology eport. While some might have expected lights and bulbs to play a part in that response – given the title – with typical freedom of thought, the decision was made to fund a project that would illuminate the river or visitors in a different sense.

Supported by Cockayne Grants For The Arts, The London Community Foundation and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Confluence itself comes in multiple arts. he rst is alread in lace and free for visitors to Cody Dock to experience.

isten o e ea allows up to two people to put on headphones at a dedicated spot and listen live to the sounds of the river below via two hydrophones that are permanently submerged in its waters. The free listening post will be in place until June 12, with visitors able to listen in person or to tune in online.

nd it ver rela in said ino Bri noli iodiversit o cer at Cody Dock. “I can’t stop myself ro tr in to ure out hat it is I’m hearing – perhaps I’m not zen enough – but I really enjoy sitting there and listening.

“I love being next to the water –

Water is an amazing conductor of sound and there are so many things to hear

Gino Brignoli, Cody Dock

having the opportunity to see the river, especially at slack tide when the ea is relativel still. nd it fascinating that so much sound is contained within its waters.

“While we don’t necessarily know what we’re listening to through the hydrophones, water is an amazing conductor of sound and there are so many things to hear.

“Everything that lives beneath the surface tends to communicate that way because it’s a murky world and vision is unreliable.

“We can’t be certain, but we think e a have heard sh moving pebbles around and clams letting out air on the bottom. Personally, I like that the sounds give you an imaginary world to enter.”

While the Lea is considered to be “bad” environmentally speaking – with Gino and other groups targeting improvements that will at least see it receive a rating of “poor” – the river nevertheless teems with life.

ig ting p e ea s focus is on turning the spotlight on an ecosystem that supports bats, eels, kin shers and re seals as ell as invaders such as cra sh and mitten crabs.

“It’s about saying: ‘Hey, this is London’s second largest river and very few people know about it – either that it exists at all or that it s si ni cant said ino. “There’s a lot of work to be done to make sure people know about it, so they can visit.

“We’ve had visitors from Eastlea School in West Ham, for example – which is named after the river – and found that even the teachers hadn’t necessarily made that connection, or been aware that the Lea is here in east London.

“The exciting thing about working in ecology is that as long as there’s a will, we can actually achieve quite a lot. The younger generation seem to be more engaged – it’s exciting because this is where the change will come from.”

Awareness is ultimately the point of Confluence – an appropriate name for a work created on the tidal Lea where fresh water meets brackish, changing direction twice a day as it rises and falls by four or ve etres.

The second part of the work will come in the form of an installation

Cody Dock biodiversity o cer Gino Brignoli says the Lighting Up The Lea commission celebrates the river and the wildlife that inhabits it

Hydrophones submerged in the River Lea at Cody Dock that can be listened to beside the water or streamed online

Gino contemplates the sounds of the river

listening through the

that is set to launch with a live event on April 12. Tom’s sonic work – wrought from recordings of the subaquatic world, the movement of the Lea estuary’s mud, passing bats and seasonal birdsong – will then be available to hear daily in a dedicated listening space at The Barn, Cody Dock’s new venue and arts space.

“It has been a real pleasure to begin working on this commission, with the Lea often being a source of inspiration for my work,” said Tom.

“The chance to spend extended time exploring, listening to, and learning about the local tidal ecosystem and surrounding habitat has been really wonderful.

“Something which is often a feature of my practice is using sound as a means to help us reconsider a place. The site’s ecology report has been a fascinating starting point.”

Cody Dock CEO, Simon Myers, added: “The lower Lea is rapidly changing and without wider appreciation and awareness of its incredible urban biodiversity we are on track to lose this rich diversity, just as people are rediscovering this under-appreciated corner of London.

“My hope is that this commission will quite literally help shine a light on the Lea while also producing a new piece of immersive art that inspires people’s imagination.”

dive in

The Listen To The Lea part of Confluence is available to experience daily for free on the east bank of the river. It will be in place until June 12.

Action Pyramid’s installation will be available to listen to for free after April 12. While Cody Dock is continually open for alkers its o cial hours o o era tion are 9am-5.30pm daily.

he re eneration effort offers people a wealth of opportunities to volunteer, including on projects to restore and re flood the dock itself, to clean up the Lea and to observe and record the wildlife that can be found locally.

The scheme is home to a wide variety of initiatives aimed at transforming a formerly derelict toxic waste dump on an industrial estate into an area and facility, which can be enjoyed and visited by local residents and those urther a eld. n 2 22 it eatured in Sir David Attenborough’s Saving Our Wild Isles Go to codydock.org.uk or actionpyramid.com for more

Scan this code to nd out more about Con uence

Royal Docks - Canning Town

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

KIDS | An Easter Extravaganza

Where?

Riverscape

Silvertown

Enjoy a miniature pop-up farm from Mudchute’s animals (free) and an Easter Egg hunt (£4) in celebration of the season. Ideal for local families. Mar 23, 10am-2pm, free, royaldocks.london

Where?

Excel

Royal Victoria Dock

EVENT | Everything Electric 2024

Not wishing to exclude anything electrical, this show nevertheless focuses on vehicles and home energy with plenty of innovation on display. Mar 28-30, 10am-5pm, £45, everythingelectric.com

CLUB | Kettama

Where?

RA Fold

Canning Town

The DJ is set to play a gig that runs all through the night and into Good Friday. Expect rave- ecked house music, loops and a special guest. Mar 28, 11pm-6am, from £22.50, fold.london

ash back

Life saving charity Atlantic Paci c

Tom records sounds live on location

Sonic artist Tom Fisher has created Con uence in response to Cody Dock’s ecology

Tom checks in on the sounds of the Lea

Visitors to Cody Dock can Listen To The Lea

Starting

Stratford Sauna can be found behind a gate on Penny Brookes Street, close to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Stratford - Bow - Hackney Wick

how Stratford Community Sauna provides a haven amid the glass and steel towers of an east London town reborn

There are three saunas on site as well as a selection of plunge options

by Jon Massey

...my skin steams in the chilly air, fresh from the heat of a amewarmed wooden pod. My heart rate shoots up as my toes pierce the icy water and I half-fall, halfjump into the plastic tank. There’s shock, but also calm as the pool closes over my shoulders. Then it’s up and out into the comparative warmth of late February...

On the eastern edge of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, a strip of land sits between The Gantry on Penny Brookes Street and The Stratford Hotel on International Way. The Lighthouse And Gardens is a community project providing a range of facilities and activities while Hadley Property Group makes up its mind about what it wants to do with the plot.

There’s a certain joy and heartbreak when it comes to temporary schemes. Often, innovative, singular gems are created only to be lost later on.

But, for the moment at least, this peculiar garden and community centre offers a reath o resh air one discovered or the rst ti e hen a friend suggested a morning trip to Stratford Sauna

Occupying the northern part of the garden, the facility is run by Community Sauna Baths which also operates out of a 1930s public bath house in Hackney Wick.

At Stratford, entry is through an

unpromising gate in the hoardings with a handy bell to press for entry. From there, it’s over rubber mats in the open air to banks of lockers and changing cubicles (with shower curtains for privacy).

There’s a digital disclaimer to sign and then customers are pretty much left to get on with things themselves. here are three ood red saunas o varying sizes to choose from plus a selection of temperature-controlled plunge options – a tin bath, a couple of whisky barrels and two vertical plastic tanks.

The saunas are communal (although private options are available), with visitors enjoying hour-long slots when they are free to explore the facilities at their own pace.

Once changed into swimwear, we clamber up into a long oblong sauna structure on a trailer. Inside is the comforting smell of wood smoke, clean pine benches and a large plate glass window that lets in plenty of light. The heat is potent, but gentle –perhaps less aggressive than the kind found in electric variants.

It’s a convivial atmosphere, with conversation flo in easil et een those gently cooking. Naturally, it’s mostly about the heat and stories of previous sauna experiences. We touch on other places in London to get a sweat on, a Belarussian birching and my experience of a traditional Finnish smoke sauna and night time plunge, that involved climbing down a ladder into the pitch black waters of a frozen lake through a hole in the ice after sitting

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

GIG | Phil Dawson Trio

Where?

Hackney Bridge

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Expect African, Brazilian jazz and funk from three musicians exploring grooves as part of new bar Nico’s Around The World season with Bacardi. Mar 29, 7.30pm, free, hackneybridge.org

on a square of kitchen roll in a blackened wooden shed. The refreshment there was provided as much by the terror of feeling something touch my back as it was by the sub-zero temperatures.

Before long, things get a little hot in Stratford too and it’s time to cool off. here are t o lun e ools on offer and a tin ath all lled ith temperature-controlled water at a brisk 6ºC.

Slipping into the chilled liquid delivers a short, sharp contrast to the enveloping heat of the sauna. The cold derails thoughts and resets the mind ready for a further session in the warm. Rinse, repeat and relax.

While the setting feels surreal amid the skyscrapers, this is a vital, refreshing escape from the everyday and that’s something we all need.

what are the details?

Stratford Sauna is located within walking distance of Stratford Station and is close to Stratford International DLR. Online booking is essential with prices ranging from £8.50 to £15 at peak times. Session times vary, but there are options every day, with morning slots available Wednesday to Friday.

Go to community-sauna.co.uk

Scan this code to nd out more about Stratford Sauna

Where?

Bow Arts

Freeing Your Creativity

Join artist Dora Lam for an experimental, two-hour workshop aimed at demolishing creative inhibitions and removing blocks from the path. Mar 27, 6pm, £7, bowarts.org

SPORT | Spain vs Colombia

Where?

London Stadium Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

The Stratford venue gets ready to host its rst ever international men’s football game with this friendly between European and South American giants. Mar 22, 8.30pm, £39.99, queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk

road upgrade

Newham Council and the LLDC have announced a £12million upgrade to West eld Avenue and Waterden Road with new planting, cycle lanes and street lighting all part of the plans newham.gov.uk

Scan this code to read more about the plans for the area, connecting West eld with the Olympic Park

want more? @wharfwhispers

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

beating

the

crossword

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

Cryptic Quick Down

Across

7. Football move appears at top of page (6)

8. A biscuit to socialise with (6)

10. Almost realise it’s an Italian composer? (7)

11. A meeting of a United Nations particle (5)

12, 18. Vivacious electrician? (4,4)

13. A comical party (5)

17. Saint attempts to come last on a date (5)

18. See 12 across

22. Stir and braze a striped animal (5)

23. Things she takes exception to (7)

24. Fiddled to make a meal? (6)

25. Furry Roman street? (6)

1. Deceptive tools? (7)

2. Return volcanic effusion to make sweet (7)

3. Be honest and flatten (5)

4. Newspaper layouts are very supportive (7)

5. Arctic dwellers put you in it, we hear (5)

6. Rearrange skeletal structure to make a wood (5)

9. An entertaining detour? (9)

14. Made an assessment of the English church (7)

15. An 8 across is the ultimate come down? (7)

16. Is this chocolate bar pronominal, and why? (7)

19. Sounds like you should make sure of this country (5)

20. Almost AI for a cleric? (5)

21. Somewhere a dead bird pines for?

Across

7. Erase (6)

8. Kent, say (6)

10. Blood condition (7)

11. Waterway (5)

12. Cook (4)

13. Collective lions (5)

17. Urban areas (5)

18. Push (4)

22. Ordinary (5)

23. Marx brother (7)

24. Release (6)

25. Occupation (6)

Down

1. Progress (7)

2. Swollen (7)

3. Objects (5)

4. Companion (7)

5. Jack (5)

6. Welsh for Wales (5)

9. Financial support (9)

14. Seat of learning (7)

15. Followed (7)

16. Break off (7)

19. Concerning (5)

20. Perform (5)

21. Initial attack (5)

Cryptic Solution

Across: 7 Header; 8 Hobnob; 10 Salieri; 11 Union; 12&18 Live Wire; 13 Beano; 17 Tryst; 22 Zebra; 23 Objects; 24 Cooked; 25 Ermine.

Down: 1 Chisels; 2 Baklava; 3 Level; 4 Columns; 5 Inuit; 6 Ebony; 9 Diversion; 14 Created; 15 Biscuit; 16 Hershey; 19 Czech; 20 Abbot; 21 Fjord.

another level

by Amy French

Web3 and AI are increasingly being integrated into aspects of the financial services sector, with fintech companies using these technologies to drive innovation and efficiencies, transforming how financial services are delivered and consumed. Level39 sits at the heart of financial innovation, with One Canada Square neighbours such as RationalFX, Datatonic and Currencies Direct.

In our community, we are witnessing a rise in fintechs offering decentralised finance (DeFi), AI-powered customer support and personalisation, and predictive analytics for investment and wealth management.

Level39 is now home to more than 180 technology businesses, many of which are innovating in fintech, deep tech and AI. My team’s role is to create an environment in which those businesses can grow without friction, and connect with potential customers, investors and partners to achieve scale.

Many of these opportunities come from serendipitous meetings over coffee (or 3pm cookies), facilitated introductions and networking events.

We’ve organised our next event with these innovations in mind–focusing on the evolution and future of finance through AI, DeFi and Web3.

I’m excited to bring together our ecosystem of startups, scaleups and investors, and those in our wider network with an interest in these areas and their impact on the financial services sector. We’d love interested parties to join us on April 18 if they’d like to be part of the conversation.

On the night, we’ll welcome

We’d love interested parties to join us on April 18 for our next event if they’d like to be part of the conversation

Amy French, Level39

Farshad Nowshadi, vice president of e-strategy at Saman Bank, who will set the scene before two Level39 members – AxonJay and Applied Blockchain – discuss how they’ve used these technologies to deliver solutions to their customers.

AxonJay CEO, Jean-Philippe Schepens Van Thiel will give us an insight into the company’s Self-Machine-Learning Platform and its recently launched AI-private fund assistant, providing realtime insights and predictions of the lifecycle and activity of alternative funds. Applied Blockchain CEO, Adi Ben-Ari will then share how his team serves customers (Shell, Barclays, Chainlink and fellow Level39 member, WyzePay) across DeFi, Web3, NFTs, cryptocurrency, financial services, and trading, by providing advice, design and build capabilities.

Go to level39.co for details

Amy French is director at Level39 in Canary Wharf – follow @Level39CW on Insta and X and @Level39 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 Level39’s work and the activities of its member companies and tech startups

Level39 is at the heart of financial innovation with its base in One Canada Square

on the cutting