Wharf Life, Mar 8-22, 2023

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Where? Newfoundland Community Window Canary Wharf

Enjoy the winning entries in last year’s Canary Wharf photography competition, which will be on display until the end of the month. Until Mar 31, daily, free, canarywharf.com

Where?

Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Square

The vocalist returns to the Boisdale stage to perform The Great Jamaican Songbook – a succession of classic, sun-soaked tracks. Mar 30, 9.30pm, from £19 (show only), boisdale.co.uk

Where? Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Square

Known for her supporting stints on tour with Jools Holland, the singer brings her original compositions to Boisdale of Canary Wharf. Apr 5, 9.30pm, from £29, boisdale.co.uk

Welcome to the 83rd issue of Wharf Life. We’re tired of this wintry weather, so this issue is about bright clothes, potent summer cocktails, getting out to the country and enjoying the city all around us. Oh, and there’s some wine tastings at The Gun and a dash of art thrown in too...

more about Executions

How Russell & Bromley blends modernity with 140 years in the footwear business to o er Wharfers a cutting edge retail experience at its recently opened Canada Place store

How skin-tight, vibrant clothes from Wolf Rayet can transform anyone

How The Gun is inviting people to discover its wine list every month

SEE | Canary Wharf In Focus Exhibition

GIG | Rebecca Purdy

GIG | Cleveland Watkiss

on the radar

need to know

Australian skin, hair, body and homeware brand Aesop is set to open its doors in Cabot Place this month. Shoppers can expect a range of ne quality formulations introduced to them by a team of in-store consultants amid antique ttings aesop.com

The Brunel Museum prepares to host its latest run of concerts

It’s back – Festival14 is set to return to Canary Wharf’s Canada Square in the summer with ve days of mostly free events including performances by Soul II Soul and Nubiyan Twist. Block out July 26-30 in your diaries to make sure you don’t miss out canarywharf.com

Ateam of barbers is ready to provide workplace haircuts in Canary Wharf as businesses find creative ways to make office-based days more appealing.

Get Groomed mobile barbers has corporate clients across the UK using its services including Car Finance 24/7, PitchBook, Oscar Recruit and Pareto FM. Barbers attend on set days enabling staff to have top-class haircuts at work. They also go to homes and hotels for busy individuals.

Global creative consultancy 3 Monkeys Zeno in Old Street, London, recently signed up to a Get Groomed barbering session as part of a range of wellbeing initiatives for staff, to encourage people back into the office.

3 Monkeys Zeno’s Nicholas Barnard said: “Everyone is so busy these days, it can be hard to find space in your own time to go to the barbers, so having someone come in was really welcome.

“It couldn’t have been easier. The barber set up shop for the day in one of our meeting rooms and all we had to do was book a slot and pop in when our session was called.”

For 3 Monkeys Zeno – an

fringe bene ts encourage staff back into the office

Beams for Thin Air in Royal Docks

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Everybody bene ts from workplace events like these – they create a bit of a buzz

integrated communications agency, with 29 offices across the world – employee perks are part of the company culture.

Get Groomed was founded by Giuliano Dore and Sabrina Vjaykumar offering haircuts and beard trims in homes, offices and hotel rooms across London, Manchester, Birmingham, Kent and Guildford, Surrey.

Giuliano said: “Everybody benefits from workplace events like these – they create a bit of a buzz and give the employer another reason to encourage staff back into the office.

“We have a team of barbers now in Canary Wharf ready to provide the latest hair trends.”

Go to gogetgroomed.co.uk

Canary Wharf

St Paul’s Cathedral On Marble Slab by Ed J Bucknall

Get Groomed o ers mobile barbering services to corporate clients in homes, o ces and hotel rooms across London and beyond

Giuliano Dore, Get Groomed

Canary Wharf Group have teamed up with the social media entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den investor for a series of talks with thought leaders. The rst one features the man himself and focuses on how he’s navigating today’s evolving workplace.

putting the in March

THE DEAL Margaritas seem to be avour of the month right now on the Wharf – we suspect the hidden hand of a tequila brand, but no matter. It’s our job to check these things out. Caravan in Reuters Plaza is currently advertising a Chef’s Margarita cocktail and Margherita pizza for £12 on Mondays from 4pm-7pm or after 9.30pm. This actually turns out to be £15.19 with service included but the drink – a savoury take on the classic – is great. There

are far better pizzas on the Wharf, but it’s warming fuel to get you through the bite of the alcohol. taste ★★★✩✩ value

The Barbados born singer promises an evening of “irresistible reggae and dancehall beats”. The performer, who is set to come to the Cabot Square venue next month, has worked with the likes of Tom Jones, Robbie Williams and Sting.

THE STALWART

Although a relative newcomer to Canary Wharf, those in the know are already regulars at MMy Wood Wharf for mixed drinks. Lo- cocktail bar Ethika serves up reassuringly reliable tipples at the mini food market, so it’s our tip for a classic Margarita (£12.50) served with a halfsalt rim. Sharp, refreshing and crisp, it’s a drink that beckons to spring and summer. Not too long now... taste ★★★★✩ value ★★★✩✩

THE SPECIAL Next door, The Alchemist has created a whole Margarita menu to tempt Wharfers in. As per usual this involves some theatrical glassware, dry ice and general air. We opted to try the Purple Haze (£10.50), which celebrates the strain of cannabis it takes its name from by being served in a little bong. A blend of Patron Silver Tequila, lime, blueberry, soda and fruit salad it’s sadly weak on the taste front. taste ★✩✩✩✩ value

TALK - Wharf Talks: Steven Bartlett East Wintergarden, April 18, 5pm, £15 canarywharf.com

GIG - Zeeteah Massiah Boisdale, April 6, 9.30pm, from £19 boisdale.co.uk

by

Russell & Bromley pulls off a neat trick. The latest retailer to arrive in Canary Wharf is both a brand with decades of history while also shining out of its new store in Canada Place with a cool blast of chic modernity.

Even before officially opening its doors, the footwear and handbag shop’s wall-size visual display was drawing attention in the mall.

But step into the pale wood, brass and bronze interior and the atmosphere has a subtle flavour of the brand’s pedigree to it, with golden metal and minimal

displays showing off the products to luxurious effect.

“We have a 140-year-old family owned business that looks to entertain its customers with a modern shopping experience and offers a wide range of products for men and women manufactured in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Northern Europe,” said Andrew Bromley, CEO of Russell & Bromley.

“We blend modern styling with longevity and quality through long-term partnerships with factories, including some that my grandfather worked with.

“I knew him well – he was around for a long time. I’ve taken over from my father, having apprenticed with him 25 years ago and he took over from his.

“My brother’s now doing what my uncle did, and he did what his uncle did.

BORIS - £245

R&B says: “With a stitched toe-cap and five eyelet lacing, Boris is a quintessential Oxford lace-up. Hand crafted in northern Portugal, the chestnut toned calf leather has been expertly polished to produce the rich finish. The addition of a contrast welt and blake stitched leather sole ensures they’ll be the ideal bridge to all smart-casual looks.”

“Originally the Russells and the Bromleys were both shoe purveying families. The Russells were manufacturers and the Bromleys were in sales

“George Russell got together with Julia Bromley, and George Bromley got together with Liz Russell. There’s a huge thread that runs through it all.

“Today my brother, my cousin and I are now all working in the business and the wider family are sill linked in too – especially with what the brand is doing and where we are going. For us, it’s about balancing that heritage with modernity and the passion we bring to the business.”

In 2023, Russell & Bromley is very much a forward-looking, high end retailer focused on building and continuing to develop and market products under its own brand.

Its 1,300sq ft Canary Wharf store sees the brand operating in more than 33 stores worldwide including a recent opening in Dublin.

“The Canada Place shop is a new concept, which we’ve built to further engage customers,” said Andrew. “We’re data-led as a business so we see how customers interact with our stores and what continued on Page 6

Years since the Russell & Bromley brand was created through romance between two show purveying families

modern, how Russell & Bromley is bringing history and cutting edge retail to Canary Wharf

Jon Massey

For us, it’s about balancing that heritage with modernity and the passion we bring to the business

Andrew Bromley, Russell & Bromley

ORIEL, £275

R&B says: “Add the preppy refinement of collegiate style to your outfits with Oriel. Crafted from butter-soft tan-brown suede to a round-toed frame that contrasted with sleek leather panels, piping and tassels, and set on comfy gum soles, they’re the perfect week to weekend shoe.”

from Page 5

they require. It’s the balance of online and in-store shopping.

“People like to try shoes on in person. There’s nothing like walking out of a shop with a pair you know will fit.

“Buying online works too and that’s a big part of our business – customer satisfaction is about wearing fashion that’s comfortable, modern, puts a smile on your face and gives you confidence.

HOVE M, £245

R&B says: “Hove M is a luxurious yet laid-back lace-up derby designed to walk you through the everyday. Crafted from rich double-faced calf leather in a glossy brown hue, this style boasts a buttery soft, sumptuous feel from top to toe, whilst a statement square toe detail has been accentuated by enlarged piping and intricate stitchwork. Finished on a translucent, leisure-inspired gum sole creating a clean elevation, Hove M offers both style and durability with each step.”

CLEOPATRA, £275

R&B says: “Cleopatra is a contemporary reimagining of our bestselling loafer. Crafted from smooth nappa leather in a bold pink hue and set on a lightweight contrast sole, this style has been adorned with a chunky gold three-ring chain trim, structured piping detail and a subtle plaited welt, offering chic finish to a cult classic.”

SLINGPOINT, £245

R&B says: “Bringing back the Y2K kitten heel, Slingpoint is a comfortable way to wear the heeled slingback trend. Crafted in Italy from metallic pink leather, this chic pump has been set on a vintage-inspired kickback flared heel wrapped in matching pink metallic leather.”

TOPFORM, £245

R&B says: “Evoke 70s styling with the Topform sandal. Crafted from criss-crossing straps of smooth lilac suede, this style has been detailed with a flattering ankle strap and buckle fastening. Set on a chunky platform sole and comfortable block heel, effortlessly ease back into occasionwear in style.”

“Shopping in a store is a different experience, but still incredibly relevant. When customers come in to see us they will find a team with great expertise, knowledge of the trends we’re offering and the outfits they can be worn with.

“We love people to feel welcome and that comes from the environment we’ve created, the skills of the team and the general ambience. The most exciting thing for us is to see a customer’s face when they walk out of the shop happy.

“We aim to create a family environment in our stores and in the company as a whole. That binds us together and adds an element of the personalities of all those involved in the journey.

“The store team in Canary Wharf will add their piece to the story while also having the knowledge passed down from the buying and marketing teams, so they know what fits with what our customers are after.”

While Andrew and the team are unquestionably focused on the business side of the brand’s operation, there’s a real sense of enjoyment at the prospect of engaging with customers on the Wharf – a place that’s long been on the firm’s radar as a possible “Black is, of course, one of the main colours, but coming out of the pandemic we’re seeing people really wanting some colour,” said Andrew.

QUILTBOX, £295

R&B says: “Refined elegance is optimised with Quiltbox, our timeless quilted shoulder bag. It’s crafted in Italy to a rectangular silhouette. Wear it day and night, casually or to finish off evening looks.”

“One of the big things we look for when selecting products is that glint in the eye – shoes where the customer can have a bit of fun trying them on, then going out for dinner or heading out to meet friends.

“We have really important relationships with our manufacturers – we don’t own a factory ourselves, but work with different

“What people see in the stores

the Wharf Life edit

is a very carefully considered, curated edit. The customer is always in our minds and the data we have from them is central to the whole process. It’s about presenting people with what we feel they need.

“I could easily say that it’s the opening of the Elizabeth Line that has led us to Canary Wharf, but there’s been a constant increase in interest over a much longer time.

“We had success at Westfield White City and we always felt our brand would do well in Canary Wharf.

“It’s a huge community which has developed beyond just office spaces.

“There’s a lot of lifestyle options

here, a lot of residents and a lot of hospitality businesses.

“People are living their lives in Canary Wharf in a way that perhaps they didn’t before, so we felt now was the right time.”

As for the future, the brand’s latest store is right at the forefront of its increasing integration of digtal and traditional retail.

“We’ve got a big project to enhance customer experience – joining up online and in-store to make things seamless,” said Andrew.

“It’s bringing the storytelling of what we do and why we’re doing it to both places.

“About 80% of customer journeys start online, and yet nearly 70% of our business is in-store.

“There’s always going to be a need – a lot of brands that started online are now seeking physical space. Our message is that wherever you want to buy, we’re here for you.”

Go to russellandbromley.co.uk

Ready for shoppers: There are plenty of places to relax and try on shoes in Canary Wharf’s recently opened Russell & Bromley store in Canada Place

We aim to create a family environment in the company as a whole. The store team in Canary Wharf will add their piece to the story

Andrew Bromley, Russell &

Bromley

Russell & Bromley CEO Andrew Bromley inspects a Slingpoint shoe at the new Canary Wharf store

by Chris Ezekiel

finding those routes

The artificial intelligence battle is raging among search engines, but what are the consequences?

There’s currently an artificial intelligence arms race going on amongst the big tech companies. Two behemoths – Google and Microsoft, are betting big that their Bard and Bing services will revolutionise the way we navigate the net.

In 2000, Google became the world’s largest search engine. Fast forward to 2023 and the rise of ChatGPT – the revolutionary large language model (LLM) – allows for a “conversation” to find what you’re looking for.

These models are still in a test phase and it’s clear why – it’s easy to prompt them to get things wrong. These LLMs have become possible due to the advancements in computing power and no doubt they will continue to evolve at a rapid pace.

The ethical and educational concerns have been well documented. What I think is a bigger concern is the ownership and control of the data and AI models.

The parallels with George Orwell’s famous novel 1984 are striking. In the story there were just a few countries to which most of the world’s citizens belonged and it was those states that determined what constituted “acceptable speech” in order to control society.

In 2022, it was a small group of private companies in Silicon Valley and their executives, which wielded a disproportionately high level of power over prioritising the content that we see online.

In 2023, this same small group of companies and executives are handing over these powers to computer models, that by their very nature are uncontrollable.

I believe, as with any new tools, we will learn to adapt and use them in many useful ways as part of our everyday lives. However, the world’s democracies need to act fast and agree a plan to protect our national identities and diverse cultures, otherwise these important human social attributes will be lost forever in some centralised global computer model.

Cannon Workshops

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

by Jon Massey

Those who don’t drive to Canary Wharf are unlikely to have made it to the glamorously named Level -3 of Canada Place’s car park. But Wharfers who have recently descended so far via the lifts to the right of Waitrose may have been surprised to find a vibrant splash of orange in the deep.

Car rental firm Sixt has joined UFO Drive in offering vehicles for hire on the estate – and it’s created a glossy, disco ball of a space, all vibrant colour and shining LEDs.

In celebration of its arrival the company offered to lend Wharf Life a car for a couple of days to demonstrate the process. So I accepted.

Stepping through the glass doors of the brand’s richly kitted out unit – complete with bright orange desks, a sliver of bustling flatscreen and smiling staff – it was easy to forget I was in a car park. Everything inside was clean, shiny and new.

Due to poor organisational skills, I’d managed to turn up a month early for my booking, but the patient staff simply made a few calls and sorted things out with minimal fuss.

I’d been expecting a lucky dip economy car – a VW Polo or similar – but was also offered an upgrade to Tesla’s long range Model Y. A chunky all-wheel drive electric, it’s capable of zipping to 60mph in less than four seconds from a standing start.

The staff took me through the rudiments of the vehicle which, after some jerky pulling away, I managed to pilot gingerly out of the car park avoiding any bumps.

My plan was simple. First, survive the journey home. Then decide on a destination out of the smoke to find some winter fresh air – nothing fancy, just a jaunt.

Both went entirely to plan. The Tesla turned out to be almost too easy to drive. Its lack of dials was a little peculiar at first, with a large touchscreen in the centre of the car

Cost: £74.66 per day (from Sixt)

Minimum hire: 3 days (from Sixt)

Range: 331 miles

0-60mph: 3.5 seconds

Top Speed: 135mph

Equipment: 15” Touchscreen

Seating: 5 Adults

handling all necessary read-outs.

Bristling with cameras to aid manoeuvring and a curious video game-like graphic of the position of other motorists, cyclists, traffic lights and traffic cones, it was a vision of the self-drive future yet-to-come.

Indeed, there was a sense of the car already becoming self-aware. I felt it intervene at least once while driving on the motorway to prevent us wandering into another lane. No

bad thing, perhaps, but the wheel moving independently was a little disconcerting.

I opted to travel to Warley Place Nature Reserve as a fair test of a run just beyond the M25. The Tesla – firm of ride – managed the country bumps well enough and I found myself rapidly delivered to a place less than an hour from London, but also worlds away.

Run by a voluntary, charitable trust, the reserve comprised the remains of the gardens attached to the long ruined house, the family home of Edwardian horticulturist Ellen Willmott.

It was a beautiful spot in the February sunshine, liberally coated in daffodils, snowdrops and crocuses. While not completely impossible to access via public transport, the only alternative to a car would be to catch a train to Brentwood and arrange taxis to and from its location.

The Essex Wildlife Trust proved a welcoming bunch, albeit a little over sensitive on the health and safety front. Cheery warnings were imparted as I walked through the gate about keeping to the path lest terrible peril befall the unwary.

This proved to be very much the theme of my visit as fresh terrors were regularly depicted by scary yellow signs flagging deep and dangerous water in every pond, unstable walls and the ever-present threat of CCTV surveillance.

But despite a flash of hailstones and the fearful cacophony of the warnings, I was charmed by the place. Clearly loved by its volunteer army, who keep its ramshackle beauty in good order – enough to attract a multitude of birds and other wildlife. It was the ideal antidote to the formality of the city, although a view of a distant Canary Wharf did pop up from one vantage point.

As for the car itself, it was more or less effortless to drive after getting used to its curious lack of forward crawl. Unlike standard automatics the Model Y doesn’t creep forward when the brake is released but waits

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

how Sixt is offering slick car rental deep beneath the feet of Wharfers, ideal for those looking to get out of London for a bit

Sixt in Canary Wharf

£74.66

Daily fee to rent a Tesla Model Y Long Range from Sixt based on a hire period of March 22-25. UFO Drive’s price for the same car over the same dates would be £102 per day

exploring the executions

And

until its accelerator is pressed. It also brakes when it is released, more akin to a manual petrol car and a feature that essentially lends itself to one-pedal driving.

This was my first experience of renting an electric and proved seamless enough with a full battery supplied on collection. The only minor faff was having to ensure an 80% charge on return of the vehicle, which took about 15 minutes on one of Canary Wharf’s Level -3 Tesla Superchargers. Then it was simple to park up, drop the key in the slot and go about my morning.

Sixt also rents petrol cars and hybrids – still its main area of business – with prices for the same length of hire starting at £32.66 per day for an entry level vehicle. Go to sixt.co.uk for more information

Scan

by Jon Massey

The Museum Of London Docklands on West India Quay is set to host a series of events centred on its ongoing Executions exhibition.

First up is Crime And Punishment: Women Throughout History – a talk in which authors Laura Shepherd-Robinson and Suzie Edge will take a closer look at the social history of women and crime with a particular focus on the female voices featured in Executions. The talk will take place on March 13 at 6.45pm, with tickets costing £10. Entry to the main exhibition is not included.

Then, on March 24, Executions itself will be opening after hours from 7pm-10.15pm complete with pop-up talks, tours and performances of execution ballads by folk music group Alva. There will also be an opportunity to see James Holcome’s film Tyburnia, revisiting the site of the Tyburn Tree – a place of public execution for more than 700 years. Tickets for the after hours event cost £20.

SPECIAL OFFER

Executions runs at the Museum Of London Docklands until April 16. Standard tickets start at £12. Wharf Life readers can get 25% off adult ticket prices, when visiting before April 1 by using promo code Wharf25. Special events listed above are separate to this offer and not subject to the discount.

l Terms and conditions apply. The offer is only valid on visits to Executions on or up to March 31. Only adult tickets are covered and the discount will be applied during the checkout process. The offer applies to max four reduced tickets per customer and there is no cash or credit alternative. Go to museumoflondon.org.uk

Scan this code to find out about events and exhibitions at the Museum Of London Docklands

Image by Museum Of London

The Museum Of London Docklands’ Executions exhibition will be opening late for one night only on March 24

Warley Place

Nature Reserve is worlds away from London

There’s a partially restored walled garden

extensive pathways to explore

The Tesla on its travels

by Jon Massey

You can never run out of things to paint in London,” said Ed J Bucknall. While he doesn’t say so explicitly during our interview, it’s clear the Wapping-based artist has a deep passion for the city around him – a deep connection to and endless fascination with the very fabric of the place.

“A lot of the inspiration for me is derived from the Thames – the changing light and the changing skyline – because London’s being constantly reconfigured,” he said. “My works are almost snapshots to record this decade of London expanding.

“I always carry a sketchbook with me, so I’m often seen locally, sketching and drawing in pubs in winter and outdoors in summer. I do as much of my work as I can on location, including painting.

“I work in pen and ink, watercolour, acrylic and oils on paper, canvas and even marble. I’m self-taught and the nice thing is that I haven’t been moulded to a particular style or technique. I paint what I want to paint and people either like it or not.

“Over time, I’ve learnt techniques that work for me and I take inspiration from generations of amazing artists.”

Originally Ed trained as an architect in Leeds, before moving to London in 2011 and continuing to practise his chosen profession. While drawing was one of the things that first attracted him to architecture, he increasingly found the digital side of his work less satisfying, which prompted a change in direction with the arrival of the pandemic.

“From an early age I’d always painted and drawn for pleasure,” he said. “When I started as an architect, it was all rooms full of drawing boards, but with computer aided design, you hardly see anything like that now.

“I was having some success with gallery shows and selling art alongside my career as an architect and the lockdowns were the catalyst for me to move into making art full-time.

“I started selling paintings at Wapping Docklands Market at Brussels Wharf in 2021 on Saturdays and then, last year, at Canada Water Market in Deal Porter Square on Sundays.

“I was the first non-food trader at the former and that’s now brought in a lot more crafts, which have been very popular. At the same time, I exhibit full

Readers can buy postcards of Ed’s work from as little as £2 with greetings cards starting at £3 and signed prints from £35. Prices for original works vary

time at Skylark Galleries on the South Bank. Between those three, it’s been great for exposure and I’ve had a lot of success with ongoing commissions including pub signs and bespoke cards for Greene King to sell in their pubs.

“I’ve also had some of my images appear in worldwide publications. Art has always been my passion, but I never thought I would make ends meet as an artist.

“One of the things that has surprised and encouraged me since going full time is that it’s possible to make a living making art in London.

“Fortunately for me, my work strikes a chord with a whole range of different people – locals who have lived in the area for many years and are delighted to see an artist draw and paint what they see and experience, people moving into the area, some moving out and tourists visiting.

“I think what appeals is that my pieces are quite traditional but they are not just photos. They are my take on whatever I see inspired by a particular view or the light.”

While Ed’s work often features continued on Page 23

nding a di erent

Wapping - Limehouse - Shadwell

how Wappingbased artist Ed J Bucknall takes inspiration from the Thames and the city around him

by Ed J Bucknall

Wapping-based artist Ed J Bucknall nds inspiration in the city around him and from the Thames

Canary Wharf In The Mist by Ed J Bucknall

Great Jubilee Wharf, Wapping by Ed J Bucknall

continued from Page 10

familiar landmarks, he’s always looking to bring a fresh perspective to the places he draws and paints.

“Low vantage points always inspire me,” he said. “When the tide goes out and you’re down on the Thames foreshore, you see buildings and the whole of ondon in a different way.

“I used to kayak on the Thames, so I was privileged to see unusual views, and that’s part of my mindset. It’s escapism from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can be in central London, or in Wapping, just down by the water and it gives you a sense of tranquillity – although you have to be aware of the tides of course, which can also change the view as boats rise and fall.

“The sketches I do on location are much better than photographs, which can distort things – so they are my cri -sheet for working on the finished pieces in the studio. I find the paintings just happen – some are happy accidents and some come through skills that I’ve picked up by trial and error.

“Some of my pieces are painted on reclaimed marble, which is quite unusual. They look almost three dimensional and have a connection to the history of London. Some of the marble I use is recycled Thames ballast that would have been dumped in the river in the 18th and 19th centuries after ships had taken on cargo. It has natural patterning and colouration from its time in the river and that’s something I work with.”

- Limehouse - Shadwell

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

Where?

Troxy Limehouse

GIG | King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard

The Aussie rockers come to London o the back of the release of ve albums this year – an astonishingly proli c period. Support from Los Bitchos. Mar 23, 7pm, from £39.90, troxy.org.uk

Where?

Troxy Limehouse

GIG | PH-1: About Damn Time

South Korean American rapper PH-1 comes to the Limehouse venue for his rst world tour. Expect blistering lyrics from this potent performer. Apr 2, from 5pm, from £45.20, troxy.org.uk

Where?

Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping

GIG | Paris! From Piaf To Pop Singer Christine Bovill brings her interpretations of French song to the East End stage, fresh from a ve-star run at the Edinburgh Fringe. Mar 28-Apr 1, times vary, from £12.50, wiltons.org.uk

ash back

physical link to both the subject of his

As a registered mudlark, Ed has a physical link to both the subject of his paintings and, with the marble, the medium he works with.

“I don’t dig or scrape on the foreshore, I just pick things up from the surface,” he said. “Anything of archaeological significance is recorded and reported to the Museum Of London. The Thames is like a washing machine – items just get churned up and uncovered.”

Trading at the market is another point of connection, where visitors can browse his works or chat with their creator.

“It’s been a steep learning curve but one that I’ve really enjoyed,” he said. “It’s lovely to meet both fellow traders and the general public. I think it’s important that people have an opportunity to speak to artists and I’ve had lovely stories of young people being inspired by my work.”

As for the future, Ed intends to continue balancing the work he wants to paint with commissions from commercial clients and individuals.

commercial clients and individuals.

Ed’s work is available to buy online with an extensive range of signed prints from £35 and greetings cards and postcards also available.

Ed’s work is available to buy online with an extensive range of signed prints from £35 and greetings cards and postcards also available. Prices for the latter start at £2. Go to edjbucknall.com for more information

eaders can also find d at Wapping Docklands Market, which runs at Brussels Wharf from 10am-4pm on Saturdays and at Canada Water Market at Deal Porter Square on Sundays at the same times.

This is Limehouse-based lmmaker Mark AC Brown whose latest feature Dead On The Vine is gearing up for its UK premiere, having won three categories at Kevin Smith’s inaugural Smodcastle Film Festival in the USA markacbrown.com

Scan this code to read our interview with Mark, covering his journey to become a writer and director

want more? @whar ifelive

Wapping

One of the things that has surprised and encouraged me since going full time is that it’s possible to make a living making art in London

Ed J Bucknall, Artist

Scan this code to nd out more about Ed’s art or to shop his collection

Sketching on location in Wapping

A painting of the Canary Wharf skyline on a shard of marble ballast

Above, two pen and ink sketches of pubs, done on location in Limehouse and Wapping

Shadwell Basin, Wapping by Ed J Bucknall

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

Where? The Space Isle Of Dogs

by Jon Massey

STAGE | Morveren

Drawing on Cornish mythology, this mermaid-rich tale is a celebration of community and a coming of age story for three generations of women. Mar 28-Apr 1, 7.30pm, from £6, space.org.uk

Where?

Poplar Union Poplar

GIG | Chewy She: Immersive Show

Audiences are invited to enter this wonky carnival world for an evening of dance, music, theatre, fashion, art and alternative comedy. Mar 31, 8pm, £12, poplarunion.com

Where? The Space Isle Of Dogs

The Gun is a pub that has long been about bringing people together. That might be the illicit meetings of Lord Horatio Nelson and Lady Emma Hamilton (whose trysts remain immortalised with their names on the toilet doors), rugby fans indulging in pints while watching the game or locals catching up around the fire or out on the terrace in the warmer months.

Recently it’s been experimenting with wine tastings refining and ageing its for ula ahead of the launch of a regular series on the last Friday of the onth, set to kick off in earnest on March 31.

Having recently attended one of the warm-up events, I’m happy to confir that he rape Escape features no uncomfortable tunnelling beneath the Thames or Steve McQueen impressions.

Rather, it was a snug evening in the company of fellow wine enthusiasts, heated by an open fire and set to the gra elly tones of deputy manager Fabio Scarpa, whose rich drawl proved as deep and rewarding as the notes in a well-aged Cabernet Sauvignon.

Perhaps the most striking thing about the evening, however, was its role as a catalyst for interaction – bringing long standing local residents together with east London newbies, to much merriment. Lubricated by three reds, three whites and a fi , the atmosphere was open and welcoming as a diverse group of attendees talked about the wines, themselves and a certain amount of nonsense (me) in good cheer. Having come through two years where talking freely to strangers was pretty much an impossibility, it was refreshing to see how easily and enjoyably the world has returned to normal.

Looking around at smiling faces, with fast friendships formed, it was also a moment to re ect that people ha e een enjoying such pleasant evenings at the venue since the 1700s.

With a la y fire s ouldering in the grate and the scent of wood smoke in the nostrils, perhaps some things don’t change so very much.

he final for at and price of the forthcoming tastings is still in production but will be announced on the venue’s website and social media channels in due course. Go to thegundocklands.com or follow @thegundocklands on Insta for more information

7Wines were provided at the tasting event – three whites, three reds and a zz

The Gun in Coldharbour is set to host regular monthly wine tastings with the possibility of more in the summer

STAGE | Ten Days

Matthew Jameson brings the Russian Revolution to the stage in this contemporary re ection on democracy and the grave warnings of history. Fun. Mar 14-25, times vary, from £5, space.org.uk

try this

Discover Sacred Geometry with local artist Melanie Amber Bell with a four-week art course at Poplar Union. Two-hour sessions take place on Thursdays at 6pm, starting April 6, costing £8 for drop-ins or £30 for the lot poplarunion.com

Scan this code to nd out more about the course or to book your place via Poplar Union

want more? @whar ifelive

We tasted seven wines, nibbled on cheese and took turns to tour the pub from top to bottom –enjoying its views, nooks and cellar to get an appreciation of the place’s history and continuing appeal.

how The Grape Escape at The Gun is about more than just sampling a selection of the pub’s excellent wines

popping the

our picks top wines to taste

With seven wines to choose from, we’ve selected our favourites for enthusiastic readers to try at The Gun...

igniton has occurred

Eins Zwei Dry Riesling, £41 Rheingau, Germany

Crisp and refreshing with a pun in the name, this was the wine of the night as well as being the most modestly priced

Jessica Chambers and Elisa Igrassia delivered a breathtakingly kinetic routine at Lanterns Studio Theatre – seen here during a previous performance in Edinburgh

by Jon Massey

In 2023, we see people dancing more than ever. You don’t have to scroll for long on social media before you come across somebody broadcasting their moves. But that’s still worlds away from the visceral thrill of seeing skilled artists ex and bend their bodies live on stage.

The rst iteration of The Ignition Platform arrived at Lanterns Studio Theatre on March 4, with performances of two excerpts from a work in progress by choreographer and dancer Kennedy Junior Muntanga.

Meerlust Cabernet

Sauvignon / Merlot, £65 Stellenbosch, South Africa

This wonderful, rich companion should be drunk in leather armchairs by an open re in ne company

The Isle Of Dogs venue typically hosts big production companies rehearsing shows for West End stages (complete with one of Elton John’s old pianos), but producer Jamiel Devernay-Lawrence is working to open it up more often to public audiences with a series of initiatives.

It’s a mission that deserves encouragement and attention, given the quality of Saturday’s performances. Kennedy himself coughed and limped his way onto the theatre’s frankly enormous black stage for the rst piece. This tortured solo, drawn from the third act of A Death Has Occurred – a dance play he is currently developing – saw him twist and peel his body o the deck before frequently collapsing back to the earth, seemingly writhing in the agony of a disaster foretold.

His choreography is deeply physical – a demonstration of strength and endurance as much as grace and poise.

Bolney Estate

Bubbly Brut, £50 West Sussex, England

This zz is a true delight on the tongue and a wonderful way to start an evening. Refreshing and approachable

This was also evident in the second piece that saw Jessica Chambers and Elisa Igrassia engaged in a erce battle, snapping ercely in and out of exactingly realised synchronised sequences just often enough to remind the viewer that even the desperate wrestling of the two bodies was much more than just the chance cacophony of aggression. Skill and substance. Further dates to be con rmed. Go to jamiellaurence.com

Scan this code to nd out about Jamiel’s work to bring dance to the Isle Of Dogs via The Ignition Platform

Image by Paul Seaby

take a breath

by David Lefebvre Sell

Relationship styles come in four avours according to John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory

It’s a bit of a Freudian cliché, but the relationships we are exposed to as children tend to shape our expectations as adults and these patterns often bring people into therapy. Have you wondered why you always seem to be attracted to emotionally unavailable people?

Attachment Theory might provide an answer.

Developed by John Bowlby, it lists four attachment styles – anxious, avoidant, disorganised and secure. If your attachment style is “secure” your parents were probably good at looking after your needs and each other’s. You’re able to easily give and receive love and are also comfortable with con ict. You probably nd relationships fairly simple and your friends secretly hate you for that.

The “anxious” attachment style often goes with a negative self image – feeling that your partner is better than you and you’re lucky to have them. This is a dynamic that can be exploited, especially by narcissists. When there is an absence of support or intimacy, the anxious person may respond in desperation, becoming more clingy and demanding. This is often due to previous experience of abandonment.

The person with an “avoidant” attachment style is essentially the opposite of the anxious. They often have high self esteem and feel they do not need to be in relationships. They may even experience love as smothering. It is a common dynamic that men tend to be the avoidant in a relationship, partly due to the fact that this style is so mythologised. No, you’re not a lone wolf you’re just afraid of being loved and vulnerable.

Finally, the “disorganised” attachment style is a blend of the previous two. There is a desire for relationships, but also a di culty with trust.

It is important to understand that these styles represent a spectrum, not a life sentence. Changing the dynamic always starts with understanding it.

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

Cost of a ticket to see a performance of Four Freaks From Iowa – vegetables and overshoes need not be thrown at the actors

by Jon Massey

Greenwich Theatre is set to host a new comedy based on the true story of the infamous Cherry Sisters – a US troupe billed as “The Worst Act In The World” who also became the highest paid performers in Vaudeville history in the 1890s.

Four Freaks From Iowa – a name taken from the New York Times’ verdict – tells the tale of the sisters’ troubled show Something Good, Something Sad. Their performances regularly prompted audiences to pelt the stage with vegetables, overshoes and other objects. It even reportedly led to riots in some towns.

It also became customary for newspapers to write scathing reviews of the spectacle which saw the sisters sue publications

for libel, eventually enshrining the defence of fair comment in law as judges found in the editors’ favour.

Stuart Mitchell-Smith’s play asks whether the act was really so awful that rational people were compelled to riot, why audiences and the press were so brutal to the sisters and whether anything much has changed in the last 140 years.

Four Freaks From Iowa, performed by The Roan Theatre Company, is set to run from March 22-25 with all shows starting at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £13. For more information go to greenwichtheatre.org.uk

worst in

how Four Freaks From Iowa tells the Cherry Sisters’ remarkable story

It is important to understand these styles represent a spectrum. Changing the dynamic always starts with understanding it

David Lefebvre Sell

Three of the Cherry Sisters in 1893

Greenwich Theatre is set to host Four Freaks From Iowa from March 22-25, a play presented by The Roan Theatre Company

Greenwich - Peninsula - Woolwich

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

Where? Indigo At The O2 Greenwich Peninsula

The Turkish alternative rockers – veterans of the 2008 Eurovision song contest – are set to play The O2’s second venue after more than 20 years gigging. Mar 23, 6.30pm, from £63.90, theo2.co.uk

Where? Greenwich Theatre Greenwich

STAGE | We Are What We Overcome

Combining upbeat original music with comic turns and stories, this production tells the tale of one man’s journey to good mental health. Mar 31, 7.30pm, £17.50, greenwichtheatre.org.uk

Where? Fireworks Factory Woolwich Works

The singer and young jazz artists present a performance of music and songs by the great Ray Charles. Expect a full 19-piece band generating the beats. Apr 1, 7.30pm, £28.50, woolwich.works

ash back

This is Karyna Sukha, founder of fashion manufacturing rm Fabrika and label Vavi Studio – both based at Design District on Greenwich Peninsula – creating clothes sustainably in south-east London fabrikalondon.com, vavistudio.com

Scan this code to read our interview with Karyna at wharf-life.com and to nd out more about her businesses

want more? @whar ifelive

GIG | Mor Ve Ötesi

GIG | Tommy Blaize + NYJO

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

Where?

The Albany Deptford

KIDS | A Square World

Suitable for ages 3-6, this honest, touching and quirky piece of theatre is a tale of friends adapting to sudden change. Performed without words. Mar 26, 1pm, 3pm, £8.50, thealbany.org.uk

Where?

The Albany Deptford

STAGE | Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival

See the Bard’s timeless stories brought to life by young people in performances that are the culmination of months of work in schools. Mar 28-29, 7pm, £9.95, thealbany.org.uk

Where?

The Albany Deptford

GIG | Leviathan Orchestra

Founded in 2018 by trumpeter and musical director Axel Kaner-Lidstrom, the jazz ensemble will be in full force on April Fool’s Day. Support from XVNGO. Apr 1, 7pm, £15, thealbany.org.uk

taste tip

by Jon Massey

Cost of a ticket to one of Debut’s ‘secret concerts’ in Rotherhithe

This has to be one of the best deals in London right now – Buster Mantis is o ering a wide selection of small plates, deserts and cocktails for £6 each on Thursdays. Well worth booking as it’s understandably popular bustermantis.com

Scan this code to nd out more about Buster Mantis in Deptford or to book a table

want more? @whar ifelive

Classical music promoter Debut is set to host a series of “secret concerts” in the Brunel Museum’s Thames Tunnel, starting on March 16. Each event starts at 6.30pm with audience members able to indulge in botanical cocktails from Midnight Apothecary and food from Vietnamese Bánh Mì. Guests then descend into the Thames Tunnel to candlelit cabaret tables at around 7pm for the performance, which runs until 9.15pm including a half-hour interval.

Each show features Debut founder and soprano Lizzie Holmes and resident pianist Sam Pena as well as guest musicians whose identity

is announced closer to the concert.

Tickets for each concert cost £28 with audiences limited to 65 people for each event.

Other dates include April 13, May 11, June 23 and July 23.

The August and September dates have already sold out, so readers are advised to move fast. The performances have particular relevance because Marc and Isambard Brunel claim to have hosted the world’s rst underground concert party at the venue in 1827.

Go to debut.org.uk for more information

Scan this code to nd out more about Debut’s concert series Soprano

and Debut founder Lizzie Holmes acts as host

how Debut’s latest concert series continues a long-held tradition of performances in the Brunels’ Thames Tunnel

Debut’s concert series runs from March through to September, with limited tickets selling fast

Price of an o -peak ticket to Thin Air. Peak tickets to the show at The Beams cost £25

Royal Docks - Canning Town

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

Where? Fold Canning Town

CLUB | Cartulis

The March edition of this regular party has been growing and developing since 2009. The latest event features DJs Z@p, Unai Trotti and Raphael Carrau. Mar 25, midnight-11am, from £20, ra.co

Where? Excel Royal Victoria Dock

EVENT | UCAS Discovery London

Thin Air promises to ll the 55,000sq ft venue with light and audio installations that will give visitors a transformative experience in a former sugar warehouse

displaying the

Join thousands of students at Excel to meet 100s of universities and apprenticeship employers o ering info on di erent further education options. Mar 27-28, 9.30am-3pm, free (registration), ucas.com

Where? Cody Dock Canning Town

DO | Riverside Clean Up + Seasonal Celebration

Join the Cody Dock community for some spring cleaning followed by an afternoon of refreshments, workshops and live music performances. Mar 26, 10am-noon, free, eventbrite.co.uk

act fast

by Jon Massey

Seemingly channelling the opening sequence of The Mighty Boosh, a series of art installations in The Beams venue in Royal Docks promises to take visitors on a “journey through the boundaries of light, sound and space”. Thin Air’s opening chapter, which is set to run at The Factory Project venue from March 17-Jun 4

is billed as a transformative experience that “explores the hidden complexities that shape the world we live in”.

Arranged over some 55,000sq ft of interconnecting space in the former sugar warehouse beside Tate&Lyle in Silvertown, the show includes work by artists such as 404.zero, James Clar, Robert Henke, Kimchi and Chips with Rosa Menkman, Matthew Schreiber, Setup and UCLA Arts Conditional Studio. Visitors should expect strobe lighting and loud

sounds, meaning the show is not suitable for those who are sensitive to either.

Thin Air is open Wednesday to Sunday with times varying across the ve days. O -peak adult tickets for the show start at £20. Go to thebeamslondon.com for more information

Scan this code to nd out more about Thin Air

There’s still just about time to get a ticket for Move It at Excel from March 10-12. The dance show and exhibition is o ering 10% o standard entry deals with code LONDON10 –bookings must be made by end of March 9 moveitdance.co.uk

Scan this code for more details of the event or to book tickets for entry or the classes on o er

want more? @whar ifelive

how Thin Air is set to fill Beams with breathtaking waves of illumination and sound for three months

Image by Jesse Hunniford

by Jon Massey

Anyone and everyone can wear Lycra,” said Laura-Louise Erasmus, founder of Wolf Rayet. She creates catsuits, swimsuits, leggings, meggins (for gents), Yoga shorts, playsuits and sports tops – manufacturing the garments from her workshop at The Trampery Fish Island in Hackney Wick.

“I make super-jazzy festival wear which also can also be worn for the gym,” she said. “These clothes are something to be silly in – to dance around in, have a great time and look incredible.

“Anyone can wear these clothes. I’ve taken them to hen parties, and made everyone put them on – whatever their size – and, at the end of the night, everyone just loves them.”

She also designs a new print each year in time for Christmas, and makes pieces for her entire family to wear, ready for a festive walk through the countryside.

“My parents are my biggest fans – they live in Blakeney and, when they go out walking in Wolf Rayet, other people in North Norfolk people are like: ‘Why aren’t you wearing normal clothes?’,” said Laura-Louise.

“But my designs are like costumes – they completely change people’s personalities in a really nice way. That’s especially true for people who would never normally wear this kind of thing – they put a catsuit on and feel great.

“I’ve been going to festivals since I was 16 – I love it, especially the dressing up. I think it’s a British thing.

“I’ve been to festivals in other countries where I’ve been really dressed up and no-one else is.

“Clothes make you feel more confident asically I ake ig elastic bands that people can dance, have a lot of fun and be free in. After a few drinks you can usually get people into some Lycra.”

aura- ouise first ca e to London as a student to study fashion at Central Saint Martins but, following a mugging and a series of negative experiences

Years since set designer and builder Laura-Louise started Wolf Rayet as a colourful side hustle 7

decided to transfer to Bristol to study instead. She then returned to the capital as an intern in the fashion industry, quickly falling out of love with the idea after spending a year unpaid, while making ends meet by working in a bar at night.

“We were treated really badly and I didn’t want to be part of that, so I thought I would make my own way and do my own thing,” she said. “That’s when I started doing screen-printing, then I tried jewellery with a grant from The Prince’s Trust.

“From those experiences I realised I had a love of print design, catsuits and a y festi al outfits. At the time there were not many people making these, so I decided to create y own, outfits that people could go crazy in. That’s where it all started o cially in 2016.

“Friends started wearing them and then more and more people. Covid completely changed my business, because people were online all the time and they wanted to look cool on their

Laura-Louise Erasmus makes her clothes at The Trampery Fish Island in Hackney Wick

how Wolf Rayet makes vibrant, colourful clothes for gym and festival-goers of all ages and sizes

Glitch and Pink Animal Catsuits, £105 eachCircus Wave Catsuit, £105

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

Where?

Theatre Royal Stratford East Stratford

Zoom calls, so my sales went from normal to crazy. With the pandemic receding I started doing gym wear as well.”

In addition to selling her pieces online, Laura-Louise has a stall at Wilderness Festival and is hoping to be at Glastonbury this year. Having originally made her pieces from her warehouse home in Hackney Wick, she also recently took the plunge and moved into a unit at The Trampery in anticipation of further growth, sharing the space with other local makers.

She also plans to use the sizeable space for her main profession – a separate creative endeavour.

“Wolf Rayet has always been a side hustle for me – the main thing I’ve done in recent years has een set design for , fil , advertising and live events,” she said. “I’ve lived in Hackney Wick for 12 years – in warehouses – and many of the people here are musicians, often making music videos, so I got involved.

“Although fashion is creative, set design is even more so because you get to build so many wild things.

“Say you want some giant soup bowl to sit in with a load of lifesize noodles – that’s the type of challenge that I want to do. From doing that kind of thing – making all these weird and wonderful pieces – I started assisting people and getting more work.

“With Covid, I got a lucky break – a few people knew I did sets, so they gave me their entire projects to design and that’s now my main job. It’s an amazing thing to do, really exciting and every day is different. I worked as the art director on a fil called In Too Deep, for example, looking after every aspect of the set on a boat in Cornwall and making sure that every single thing is in the right place. I get quite seasick on boats, so it was quite challenging.

“But it s fun, it s creati e and I love being able to do Wolf Rayet as well.”

Inspiration for her prints comes from all around with Animal, for instance, actually based on the iron casting on top of a storm drain in London.

“I started by seeing the water and the ripples, then put loads of colour in to completely

change it from the original,” said Laura-Louise. “I draw out the design, bring it into Photoshop or Illustrator and then send it to be printed at a factory in Manchester. I use two different fa rics that are like Lycra, but made from recycled bottle tops and plastic waste.”

Wolf Rayet is named for a kind of massive star that burns brighter than our sun – a little like Laura-Louise’s clients in their catsuits on the dance oor. But make no mistake – her brand is not about making throwaway clothes for a single moment of radiance. Fiercely environmentally conscious, her pieces are high-quality hand-made garments for repeated wear, designed to stand up to the rigours of dance and exercise.

“I want to be as sustainable as possible,” she said. “I try to make everything to order, so there’s ery little waste and the offcuts are kept and turned into bum bags, bikinis and so on.

“I do make some stock for the shops at festivals, also so people can come and see pieces in Hackney Wick and try them on. Having this space is great.

“But if people don t feel they fit in my size range, they can easily give me their measurements so we can make a custom order. People can also have any of the prints mixed and matched – whatever they want.”

Future plans include looser fitting pieces featuring Wolf ayet prints and the steady growth of the business, as Laura-Louise continues making clothes and building sets in east London. Go to wolfrayet.co.uk for more

Scan this code to nd out more about Wolf Rayet

STAGE | Gone Too Far

Bola Agbaje’s Olivier Award-winning tale of two brothers from di erent continents returns to the stage with identity and heritage at its heart. Mar 24-Apr 1, times vary, from £10, stratfordeast.com

Where?

Stratford Picturehouse Stratford

FILM | NT Live: The Life Of Pi

See this National Theatre production beamed live all the way to Stratford as Pi attempts to survive the sinking of a ship and the attentions of a tiger. Mar 30, 7pm, £22, picturehouses.com

Where?

Cart And Horses Stratford

GIG | Rising From The Deep

Expect a line-up of professional musicians who have all worked with various members of the extended Deep Purple family for an evening of tributes. Mar 31, 8pm, £15, cartandhorses.london

move fast

East and south-east Asian arts organisation

Kakilang is set to take over The Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick for Taste, a celebration of queer culture on March 18. Standard entry costs £18 for this 7.30pm-3am event theyardtheatre.co.uk

Scan this code to nd out more about Taste or to book tickets for the event

want more? @whar ifelive

My designs are like costumes –they completely change people’s personalities in a really nice way

Laura-Louise Erasmus, Wolf Rayet

Block Melt Catsuit, £105

Block Confetti Leggings, £62 Block Confetti Sports Top, £40

Image by Jon Massey

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

Across

1. Political disagreement doesn’t match up (12)

7, 12. One to follow down the hole? (5,6)

8. Mr Dodgson compared it to a writing desk (5)

9. Sounds like an alternative source of metal (3)

10. Quadruped has its priorities wrong (9)

11. See 17acc

12. See 7acc

15 Agree with ice in a casque? (9)

17, 11. Mr Dodgson’s crazy milliner (3,6)

18. Dental gearing (5)

19. Find acceptance in rage essential (5)

21. Confuse saintliness with the unnecessary (12)

1. Confuse antiheroines with a playing card? (12)

2. Sounds like Armstrong might be him in France (3)

3. Gallic warfare? (6)

4. Ah! Charmer! Mr Dodgson’s springtime tea guest! (5,4)

5. At no time have you had the nerve! (5)

6. Ben dissented, owing, as it were (12)

7. Sort this and what’s left is useless (5)

10. Holds a confused Swiss heiress dear (9)

13. Crack the code with this dessert! (5)

14. Wharf Life comes fourth! (6)

16. Bee, Card, Red? (5)

20. Not a place to be stuck in (3)

Across

1. US city of brotherly love (12)

7. Trainee soldier (5)

8. Odds but not odds? (5)

9. Vegetable (3)

10. Political theory (9)

11. Take back (6)

12, 14 dn. Dickens novel (6,6)

15. US student (9)

17. Neither (3)

18. Spanish island (5)

19. Wireless (5)

21. Sectional (12)

Down

1. Roundabout words (12)

2. See 16 dn

3. Bury (6)

4. See 16 dn

5. East Anglian tribe (5)

6. Irregularly shaped (12)

7. Bell sound (5)

10. Small sausage (9)

13. Dance (5)

14. See 12 acc

16, 2, 4. Austen’s most famous novel (5,3,9) 20. River (3)

beating the

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