Wharf Life - May 11-25, 2022

May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

+ Bulllards releases a new flavour of gin plus a recipe for a sweet Collins Page 10

putting on the

show how Terrible Thames brings Horrible Histories right onto the river Pages 32-33

inside issue 63

Chris Ezekiel - Sophie Goddard David Lefevbre Sell - Crossword Massey Shaw Fireboat - Patricia Volk Lenderwize - UK Wallball - Sudoku David Come Home - Tideline Art 1023 West - Hackney Bridge APT - From The Ashes BBQ

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

Fast, affordable, conveyancing services Call our team on 020 7205 4021 or email cmiller@kiddrapinet.co.uk, ypatel@kiddrapinet.co.uk or mzvarykina@kiddrapinet.co.uk

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Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

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read

feast your eyes on these

what’s on

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

Canada Square Park Canary Wharf

WATCH | Summer Screens The big televisions are back, screening a range of sporting events including cricket, F1 and Wimbledon for Wharfers who need a screen break.

May 30-Sept 22, from 11am, free, canarywharf.com

Welcome to Wharf Life. Our 63rd issue is all boats, history, art and the river as we feature a mudlark who makes pieces from the things she finds, the Terrible Thames cruises, an historic fireboat, artists’ studios by Deptford Creek plus a bit of wallball and BBQ thrown in for good measure...

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Wharf Life’s latest hacks, complete with diary dates and fashion

Where?

Montgomery Square Canary Wharf

06

EAT | The Night Market The street food traders will be out in force on Thursday evenings, plus drinks and music from 640 East and free mini golf to have a bash at. Enjoy.

Thursdays May 26-Sept 22, 2pm-10pm, canarywharf.com Where?

Museum Of London Docklands West India Quay KIDS | Catch A Con Artist Suitable for those aged 5+, these free, drop-in sessions challenge audiences to help catch a con artist who’s loose in the museum.

May 29, times vary, free, museumoflondon.org.uk

34

Moored beside Canary Wharf in West India South Dock, the crew looking after the Massey Shaw fireboat are looking for the next generation of volunteers to help tell her remarkable stories

flash back

10

How artist Patricia Volk went from drawing as a child to sculpture

How startup Lenderwize provides financial services for telecoms

the joy of six

32 Poplar-based artist Ian Berry is hard at work, slicing and dicing donated jeans for his latest denim artwork, which will be displayed in Canary Wharf for World Environment Day on June 5, then added to the estate’s collection ianberry.org Scan this code to read our interview with Ian about how he uses the ubiquitous textile to make his work want more? @wharflifelive

How Terrible Thames packs in the tales as it sails from Tower Bridge

42

How From The Ashes BBQ serves up from a hole in a Fish Island wall

Every issue Wharf Life covers six areas surrounding Canary Wharf to bring you the best of what’s going on beyond the estate From Page 31

get in touch

correct us

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

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

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Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

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Canary Wharf

on the radar

doing the deals

get more for less on and around the Wharf

need to know

£5

While dates remain unconfirmed, muchloved bar and restaurant The Pearson Room is set to launch an al fresco pop-up in Jubilee Park for the summer months – somewhere to refresh one’s spirit while surrounded by the sound of the fountains thepearsonroom.co.uk

Visit Scarpetta in Canada Square MondayFriday, from 5pm-7pm, and get happy hour cocktails and wines priced at a fiver. Great with fresh pasta scarpettapasta.com

31 Sticking with the pop-up bar theme, Electric Shuffle have also returned to the outdoors with a summer terrace on the fringe of Cabot Square.

Expect beers, burgers and Thursday-Sunday brunches with a capacity of 250 electricshuffle.com/london

36

Find out what being a trustee at APT in Deptford is all about

Surrey Quays Shopping Centre gets a pair of courts

10%

38

Meet Nicola White of Tideline Art who spends her time digging out the treasures of the Thames and making art from the things she finds mudlarking on the foreshore

Fancy a restorative shot in the arm? Get A Drip in Cabot Place is offering 10% off customer’s first IV drips when they download the Magic Stamp app magicstamp.com

COME AND JOIN OUR BOARD APT Studios & Gallery is an artist-led charity based in Deptford We are looking to recruit up to 5 new trustees to join our active and engaged board The deadline for applications is May 30, 2022 For further details about the opportunity please visit

aptstudios.org

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Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

write me

words you don’t know you need

frusmit verb, fake, from Latin subscribe to our newsletter and get Wharf Life content in your inbox each week for free

To fill out a complex online application form, click to file it digitally and simply be met by an error message that fails to make it clear whether the whole thing has been sent or needs to be done again to meet a deadline

diary dates and ideas to make your Canary Wharf life sweeter...

FILM - Doctor Strange 2 Everyman, Crossrail Place, until May 19 everymancinema.com

stegophile

The Sorcerer Supreme (not a 1970s dish involving a saucer and some chicken) returns in his latest caper, complete with magic cape as Benedict Cumberbatch attempts to navigate the Multiverse Of Madness with allies both old and new to confront a mysterious new adversary.

Isn't that the plot of every superhero sequel? Expect an added level of darkness for the latest Marvel flick as Disney has enlisted horror grandee Sam Raimi as director. Times and prices vary.

noun, real, from Greek

Someone who loves to climb up the outside of buildings – perhaps the most famous example being the French Spider-Man Alain Robert who once scaled One Canada Square in Canary Wharf.

Don't try this at home

Have you helped your loved ones to help you?

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

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

Liz West's Hymn To The Big Wheel was featured in last year's festival

kiddrapinet.co.uk/understandinganlpa

FESTIVAL - Summer Lights 2022 Across the Canary Wharf estate, Jun 21-Aug 20, free canarywharf.com

Your options can start here.

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

AY L E S B U RY

FARNHAM

HI GH W YCOM BE

LO N DO N

M A IDE N H E A D

S LO U G H

While this year's Winter Lights fell foul of the last vestiges of Covid restrictions in January, the prospect of a second year of Summer Lights seems worlds away from those dark days. Once more, a series of outdoor installations will be created across the Canary Wharf estate, designed for natural light to fall on and through them. A trail will be created so visitors can find them all, or simply wander the squares, parks and open spaces to discover works for themselves. If last year's festival is anything to go by, this free-to-visit celebration of the sun is likely to feature brightly coloured works and plenty of reflective, shiny materials used with sustainability in mind.

Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

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Canary Wharf

audio channel

Sofar Sounds, across Canary Wharf, various dates, £22 Pop-up gig specialist Sofar Sounds has teamed up with Canary Wharf for a series of performances across the estate in June, July and August. The line-ups and even the locations of the events remain under wraps, but audiences can expect to see two or three sets from artists performing music, spoken word, comedy or dance, curated by Sofar to generate maximum excitement among those who attend. Running from 8pm to 10pm, the gigs cost £22 and will take place every other Wednesday on ● June 1, 15 and 29 ● July 13 and 27 ● August 10 and 24.

Exact gig locations will be revealed 36 hours before the performance starts.

Go to canarywharf.com for more details or to book tickets

Easy Care Textured Shirt, £25.99 Zara, Cabot Place zara.com

brunch date

Plateau, Canada Square Plateau has teamed up with Maison Mirabeau to offer diners a Rosé And Cocktail Brunch Experience at £32 for two courses or £37 for three with the option to add freeflowing Mirabeau Cotes de Provence and cocktails featuring the wine at an additional cost. plateau-restaurant.co.uk

What with the cost of living crisis biting, we're always on the lookout for a bargain and we think this simple garment from Zara is the cheapest white shirt available on the estate – excluding any multi-buy offers.

It may not be the sharpest style available but it does come with Zara's Green To Wear 2.0 standard, which aims to minimise the environmental impact of the textile trade.

subscribe to our newsletter and get Wharf Life content in your inbox each week for free

A series of secret gigs is set to take place in Canary Wharf

White Blazer With Bow, £149 Straight Fit Trousers, £69.95 Massimo Dutti, Cabot Place massimodutti.com

, e s u re l and reficlle with y ards recu l b lg in

This casual suit is a viscose linen mix making it light and perfect for warmer climes or, you know, Mars, if the red planet is more your scene.

The jacket features dramatic notched lapels, a doublebreasted fastening and a broad bow to cinch it in at the waist, should you wish.

Paired with simple white trousers, this is a beach to bar look that's ideal for those eager to turn heads throughout the day.

> Find us on Mall Level -1, Cabot Place, Canary Wharf for free gin sampling bullardsspirits.co.uk

@bullardsgin

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Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

Canary Wharf

40+

Works by artist Patricia Volk currently on show in the lobby of Canary Wharf’s One Canada Square Patricia stands with some of her sculptures in the lobby of One Canada Square

Scan this to find out more about Corucopia in Canary Wharf Images by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta

by Jon Massey

I

t annoys me slightly when someone describes me as a ceramicist or a ceramic sculptor, because I don’t think the fact I’m working with ceramics has anything to do with the pieces I produce,” said artist Patricia Volk. “I have no interest in doing glazes or anything like that – I’m not a potter.

“I also have no interest in repeating things – I like to keep changing and developing. I like things to look as though they’re slightly unsteady, as if you would have to put your hand underneath them to stop them falling over.”

Cornucopia, a mid-career retrospective featuring more than 40 of her sculptures, is currently filling the lobby of One Canada Square in Canary Wharf. The exhibition, which will remain in place until June 10, is free to visit and open every day.

The brightly coloured forms,

how artist Patricia Volk went from a love of drawing to producing vibrant pieces in clay

joy in the

often twisted and curled in on themselves, present a stark contrast to the marbled hues of the tower’s ground floor space.

“When I’m making the piece, I never think of how people might respond at the other end,” said Patricia. “But I would like to think that people would enjoy seeing them, and maybe that the work would give them something to think about as well.

“I hope people are moved and might pick things up that I might have been thinking about subliminally. There is a series of pieces called Source – very simple forms – that I really liked doing.

“They’re a contradiction with the totem pole pieces, which are quite complicated, because they are very simple forms with a drip.

“They have to be made properly because the drip won’t go where it’s supposed to if they aren’t – I can’t tell you how much satisfaction I get from doing those drips.”

As we talk, it becomes clear there’s a real connection in continued on Page 8

Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

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ice creams water gardens cocktails, tea cakes, pizza + a giant sandpit

we'd love to see you there

a great place to hang out at the weekend republic.london

by East India DLR station

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Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

virtual viewpoint

by Chris Ezekiel

from Page 6

Chris says time is precious, as does his mum, so make sure you use it wisely

D

ooley Wilson sang his beautiful song from the film Casablanca about the fundamental things of life, As Time Goes By, as if time was a universal background constant. But time is a peculiar thing.

Ever since Albert Einstein made the connection between space and time, we have known that time is relative to your frame of reference. Einstein’s theory of special relativity even suggests it might be possible to travel back in time.

Time slows down the faster you go, but this is imperceptible at the speeds we travel, and therefore in our day-to-day world it appears to go by just as the song implies.

Like Einstein, though, I wonder if time is just an illusion. Of course, we all know day turns into night, the seasons pass and we’re constantly working towards deadlines. We all get older.

I’m sure we all remember being We all remember being children during the school summer holia children during days, where a single the school summer day seemed to last an eternity. We all know holidays where a the feeling when we single day seemed to look back at an event that felt like yesterday last an eternity and realise it was 30 Chris Ezekiel, Creative Virtual years ago.

We also perceive time differently depending on the circumstances and our emotional state.

It’s true that time is the most precious commodity, as my mum always reminds me.

So Mr Wilson’s song is a reminder about taking time for the most important things as we go about our busy lives, because time does go by so quickly.

We’re a long way from being able to travel at the extreme speeds needed to slow down time. We will probably crack the code for slowing down the biological clock long before then – at which point We Have All The Time In The World by Louis Armstrong, really comes into its own.

“

Chris Ezekiel is founder and CEO of customer engagement solutions specialist Creative Virtual based at West India Quay’s Cannon Workshops Scan this code for more information about Creative Virtual or follow @creativevirtual and @chrisezekiel on Twitter

Patricia’s life between the work she creates and her own and others’ reactions to it. Born in Belfast, she wanted to be an artist from an early age.

“It was what I always wanted to do – I can remember when someone asked me when I was fi e years old what wanted to be when I grew up, and I said I wanted to be an artist,” she said.

“My father was a member of the Ulster Arts Club and, when my mother wanted to get rid of me on a Sunday morning, I was packed o there. re e er wal ing around and looking at the paintings on the walls and the beautiful sculptures. It was a fantastic place and it was something to aspire to, definitely. ’ ery dysle ic can remember starting school at the beginning, drawing a picture of a wedding and my teacher calling in another teacher to ha e a loo at what I’d done – that’s where all my self-esteem came from.

“I was completely obsessed with drawing – people would come up and ask me to draw a picture. I always won the prizes.” ith no port olio, howe er, art college was an impossibility and atricia got a o in the te tile industry e ore o ing to ondon at the age of 17. Again unable to get into art college – something she ad its would ha e een a remote possibility for someone of her age she ne ertheless ound work and stayed. t was when e ery ody elie ed that ondon was the ost e citing place and two o y riends decided to lea e ho e, said atricia. e were ery, ery young, and I thought I’d just do that as well. My mother was delighted to see me go and I just stayed.

“Things happened, circumstances happened. got a o ery quickly here and I got married ery young and had a child. ca e o er in the pril and the Troubles started in the August.

Then there was no going back.

“It was a bad time, but people here were ery ind to e. got a job as a typist and then went to wor in ad ertising and et y husband. The group he was with had all been to art college – they’d done fil and .

“Then, one night, in my mid-30s, after 16 years of not drawing, I picked up a pencil and thought that I could still do it.

“I said to someone that I had always wanted to go to art college, so I took a year out, went to adult education classes at the Camden Institute and Islington Institute, and did life drawing and clay modelling.

“I remember someone walking in and seeing a figure had done,

17

Patricia’s age when she left Belfast to come to live in London

Patricia said at first she became obsessed with

What’s important to me about my work is that it keeps me sane when I’m feeling down in the dumps Patricia Volk, artist

making heads because she could talk to them before moving on to more abstract pieces

Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

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Canary Wharf

and saying that I’d got something – that I could do it, and it gave me such pleasure.

“Looking back, there’s always been someone who has said something like that when my confidence has een at its lowest, to pick me up and make me look forward.

“In that year out I got a portfolio together, applied to Middlesex Poly because someone said I had to do a foundation course. I went to a party and someone asked what I was doing, and I said that I wanted to go to art college but I’d never get in because I was shit, and they got my address, got an application, sent it o and, although y husband said I’d never get in, I did, and that day was the happiest day of my life. or the first ti e, hadn’t told any lies a out y ualifications and I’d got in because of what was in my portfolio. So then I started my education at Middlesex Poly, and went on to do three-dimensional design. After I’d done my degree it was my mindset to go out and earn a living.”

And to a certain extent, that’s what she did. Constantly altering and changing her approach she’s progressed from making

Her work will be on show until June

One of Patricia’s Source pieces

Images by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta

monumental heads to writhing coloured forms and vibrant totem poles. Recognised as a Royal West Of England Academician and a fellow of the Royal Society Of Sculptors, her work can be found in numerous private, national and international collections including the Swindon Museum And Art Gallery. Perhaps her success can partly be explained by the forces and inspirations at work within her pieces, absorbed throughout her life.

She said: “As a trainee designer in Belfast, the lady who ran the company had come from Vienna with absolutely nothing and had certain ways of doing things. She taught me how to do patterns so no material was wasted. Even now when I roll out a big slab of clay I’m thinking ‘100% economy’.

“It’s interesting how the things that happen to you when you’re a lot younger have such a dramatic e ect.

“What’s important to me about my work is that it keeps me sane when I’m feeling down in the dumps.

“It’s fascinating that pieces I’ve done which people find upli ting may have been done when I’ve been feeling depressed.”

Go to patriciavolk.org for more info

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Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

spirited flavours

by Bullards Spirits Let the sweet taste of summer shine through in a Bullards twist on the traditional Tom Collins cocktail, featuring their brand new Pineapple, Ginger And Lime Gin.. The perfect tipple for summer BBQs and family get-togethers, this tropical twist on the classic mix is as delicious as it is colourful.

Made with pineapple, lime, gin, and soda water, it’s an easy tropical mix that can be adjusted to your preferred sweetness with the addition of pineapple syrup ingredients 50ml Bullards Pineapple, Ginger And Lime Gin 25ml Pineapple syrup (optional sweetness) 25ml Lime juice 50-100ml Double Dutch Soda Water Fresh pineapple slices Lime wedge Ice method Fill a tall glass with ice to chill. Add the pineapple slices, gin and syrup to a cocktail shaker and muddle together.

Add a scoop of ice and shake. Pour into the ice-filled glass and top with soda water. Garnish with a wedge of lime.

Top tip - We like to give the drink an extra touch by dipping the top of the empty glass in pineapple syrup and then in white sugar.

Bullards’ Pineapple Collins

flavour profile Bright and refreshing, Bullards’ Pineapple, Ginger And Lime Gin is an elevated twist on a flavour normally associated with rum. Smooth, crisp, and indulgently aromatic, the team at Bullards have combined juicy roasted pineapple with feisty ginger warmth and bright lime leaf to provide the perfect balance between sweet and spice. This summer spirit is packed full of flavoursome botanicals including juniper, coriander, pineapple, lime leaf and ginger root. For a tropical mix try it with Double Dutch Ginger Ale and a wedge of fresh lime over ice...

Wharf Life has teamed up with Bullards Spirits for a series of marvellous mixes – try the range for yourself at Bullards Gin Shop And Tasting Room in Cabot Place Scan this code to discover the full Bullards range, more cocktail recipes and to shop merchandise, gift sets and spirits online

easing that

how Level39-based Lenderwize uses technology to provide the telecoms industry with much-needed financial services

by Jon Massey

L

awrence Gilioli’s business, at least at present, is mostly hidden from the minds of the public. Make a call from the UK to Brazil and the phone rings, someone picks up and the conversation happens.

As far as the user is concerned, they’re paying BT for that call and it’s delivering that connection.

Except, in the world of telecoms, that’s not what goes on.

“BT doesn’t have all the lines in the world, so needs to connect with an intermediary or wholesaler,” said Lawrence. “They, in turn, don’t have all the lines either, so they need to connect to a terminating operator, which completes that phone call.”

It’s in this middle stage that Lawrence, a seasoned entrepreneur with a background in the telecoms industry, has identified his first ar et.

“These companies are invoicing each other – the middle man has to pay the terminating operator in Brazil and BT has to pay the middle man.

“However, typically the intermediary has to pay Brazil on seven days, but won’t get paid by BT for 60 days.”

That payment mismatch at worst means the wholesaler can’t do business at all, or limits what they can do, due to cash flow.

To address this problem, Lawrence created Lenderwize. Based at Canary Wharf’s tech accelerator, Level39 in One Canada Square – but with sta distri uted around the world in reflection o the industry it serves – its aim is to provide smart finance solutions or these companies.

“We are essentially talking about digital commodities and services here,” said Lawrence.

“Today’s world is ever more digital – that means traditional banks don’t understand it and they don’t know how to fund it, to validate activity or how to mitigate risk.

“So we’ve invented a fintech plat or that uses patent pending technology to capture the digital assets behind phone calls, text messages and data use, for example.

“These things are intangible, but our technology makes them tangible because we are able to capture, validate and certify that these are real assets.

“That means you can lend against something enderwi e certifies has been delivered.

“We understand this market because me and my partners come from this industry, which is huge – $64billion a year and growing. It includes voice calls, text messages, data use and, now, other e-goods and commodities.

“It is hidden to the general public and it’s even hidden to the financial world, ecause, being digital, once again, they will shy away from it.

“Typically banks or other investment institutions want to invest in real estate, the motor industry or tangible things like that.

“Consequently, there is this whole digital world that is under-served by banks and undercapitalised, but with a tremendous need because this area is only growing in size and companies need access to funding.”

Having launched the platform two years ago with the intention of building a business

ultimately to sell to a large financial institution once the concept is proven, Lenderwize now has 12 sta split across ondon, Italy, Australia, Holland and Switzerland.

“We have just passed processing 350million calls in the last year and we expect that to double this year and to triple within two,” said Lawrence. “We expect to surpass a billion calls.

“The way it works is that our clients buy into our system and the data is uploaded automatically onto our platform.

“That gives us access to their switches anonymously, so we can validate and verify that the information they are giving us on a daily basis is erifia le.

“Right now we’re doing that on a sample basis – looking at calls going to the same destinations from the same number and capturing durations and frequencies. We’re checking to see if the numbers are real and, ideally, will

Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

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Canary Wharf

ultimately do that on every single asset.

“That’s part of our know-how, but it’s the case that the operators in this market require these services, so clients reach out to us because the need is so great.

“We have a very precise credit vetting procedure and our ability to verify the assets means we’ve only had one default so far, which is exceptional.

“I think the ability to analyse beforehand and then to validate on a daily basis is the key to success. It means that if there is something wrong, we discover it immediately, not at the end of the month.”

I

n addition to providing credit to these wholesale companies, Lenderwize is also in a position to embed a range of financial ser ices in its operation.

Lawrence

Things like phone calls are intangible, but our technology makes them tangible because we are able to capture, validate and certify these are real asssets Lawrence Gilioli, Lenderwize

said: “We’re looking to exit in three years and we think we’ll be sexy to a bank, a telecoms operator, an insurance company or a big bank.

“That’s because ultimately we are an entire ecosystem that can be used for supply chain financing or supply chain payments, but the direction our fintech plat or is going in, which mitigates risk, will be adding on e edded finance, insurance and payment solutions, all in real time.

“As this whole world gets more and more digital, the need to speed things up in real time becomes greater, from risk analysis to the transfer of value.

“Our direction is to continue to develop new technology but we don’t want to re-invent the wheel ourselves, we want to develop partnerships with high quality businesses.

“That’s why we’re so

happy to be at Level39, because there’s so much interesting stu going on here. We want to partner with organisations doing specific things to add to our mosaic, creating services for our investors and our clients.”

A

s if revolutionising the finances o the telecoms industry on the business end wasn’t enough to be getting on with, Lawrence also has ideas about how Lenderwize might branch out into the consumer market.

“Today we’re B-to-B and tomorrow we want to be B-to-C,” he said.

“At the moment you’re pro a ly paying a flat ee for your phone contract, but statistically you’re throwing away about 25% of that money.

“We want to give people the ability to convert what they’re paying for and not using. continued on Page 12

Lenderwize founder Lawrence Gilioli has a background as an entrepreneur in the telecoms sector

Years Lawrence intends to run Lenderwize before looking to sell the business

6

12

Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

from Page 11

66%

Of people surveyed globally said they would be likely or very likely to change their telecoms provider on the spot

“Three years ago, 25% of people surveyed globally said they would be likely or highly likely to change their operator on the spot if they got a phone call o ering the a new deal.

“Three years later and that figure is there is no loyalty in the o ile world. his eans that Vodaphone or BT, for e a ple, could lose their entire custo er ase o ernight, potentially.

“Mobile operators need to create loyalty progra s, to create stic iness. o we will be proposing our finance eets teleco solution on people’s phones, where custo ers can place unused airti e that they have already paid or in an interest generating wallet.

“We want to tackle two great ine ciencies airti e and an sa ings accounts that o er low or no rates o interest.

“We want to convert these ro cost centres into profit generating centres a tool for everyone to use in a proacti e way. e’ll e tal ing ore a out this later in the year.

Lawrence, who holds dual talian and erican citizenship said he’d based the business in London ecause o the e cient infrastructure, easy access to clients and investors and ta rea s or startups.

“Level39 is at the heart o fintech in urope, it’s also the coolest place to be aesthetically and it’s connected to all the an s, he said.

Go to lenderwize.com

Scan this code for more on Lenderwize

Level39 is at the heart of fintech in Europe – it’s also the coolest place to be aesthetically and it’s connected to all the banks Lawrence Gilioli, Lenderwize

Lenderwize hopes to develop a platform that would give consumers a way to free up cash they have already spent on airtime as a way to promote loyalty to telecoms providers

Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

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Canary Wharf

13k

Plants brought onto Canary Wharf as part of the first phase of Greening The Estate

getting greener

by Sophie Goddard

I

n my last column I wrote about the importance of biodiversity and shared some details about our exciting partnership with the Eden Project. In this one, I want to dive a little deeper into some of the terms we use when we talk about biodiversity.

Hopefully this will provide some more insight and give you a greater understanding of our vision for Canary Wharf.

The term “biodiversity” essentially refers to a measure of all plant and animal life in a particular habitat. In general, the more biodiversity present, the healthier our ecosystems are.

A healthy, flourishing population of plant and animal life is essential to sustaining life on Earth and supporting native biodiversity is an incredibly important part in combating the climate crisis.

You may have also heard the term “biodiversity net gain” – particularly in reference to construction and development projects.

This refers to an increase in the amount of biodiversity in a particular area that results from an intervention – for example, installing a green roof or the creation of new habitats.

Biodiversity interventions are included in all of our construction and development projects and will be particularly important for our upcoming revitalisation of Middle Dock.

Access to biodiversity in urban spaces is incredibly important for our wellbeing, especially for people who live and work in cities.

Having the opportunity to unwind and connect with nature is beneficial for both our mental and physical health.

According to mental health charity Mind, spending time in nature has benefits such as improving your mood, reducing stress, and improving self-esteem.

The wellbeing benefits were a huge driver behind our Greening The Estate project, and through our first phase of that we brought an additional 13,000 plants to the Wharf. For our next phase, we want to give people the opportunity to connect with water and wildlife at Canary Wharf by opening up access to our docks.

Sophie Goddard is director of sustainability at Canary Wharf Group and can be contacted via sustainability@canarywharf.com Go to canarywharf.com or breakingtheplastichabit.co.uk Scan this code for more information on sustainability in Canary Wharf

Top spot to find nature: Crossrail Place Roof Garden offers tranquillity atop the Elizabeth line station – set to welcome its first passengers on May 24

the power of

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Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

Greenwich - Peninsula - Woolwich Turn to Page 38 for more Greenwich, Woolwich and Peninsula content

take a breath

by David Lefebvre Sell

Cultivating a healthy level of interoception can contribute to maintaining physical and mental health

When people spend a lifetime ignoring their body – its aches and pains, its cycles of energy and exhaustion – it’s no real surprise that they would be unskilled in listening to it when they need to

– how much awareness can you bring to something as simple as walking?

David Lefebvre Sell

T

here is a common reaction that people have to injury or illness – they tend to feel like their body has somehow let them down – as though the body is some poor sod, that should have to cheerfully accept its lot in life, and never complain.

Our ongoing health is never sure, even if we diligently take care of our physical selves. But it is much less certain if we do nothing to that end.

When people spend a lifetime ignoring their body – its aches and pains, its cycles of energy and exhaustion – it’s no real surprise that they would be unskilled in listening to it when they actually need to.

Proprioception is our perception of our body in space while interoception is our awareness of our inner state. There is a great deal of research that cites this latter ability as a key mechanism to maintaining our physical and mental health.

If that seems strange, consider something like anger. How do you experience anger physically?

What does it feel like? If someone has a good level of interoception, they would be better able to spot the signs of anger in themselves before it causes them to do something they would later regret, like vote for Brexit.

Physical exercise is the most common way to develop interoception and its benefit for our overall health can’t be overstated. But developing our interoceptive ability requires us to actually pay attention to our body.

So it might help to leave your headphones at home once in a while. When you are engaged in some kind of activity, just spend some time noticing your body.

How much awareness can you bring to something as simple as walking? If the idea of it sounds ridiculous, consider the mounting evidence that self awareness in all its forms seems to be beneficial for our physical and mental health as well as having the added bonus of making you less of a bellend.

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

make sure you

Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

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Deptford Special

why the Art In Perpetuity Trust is seeking new trustees to help it deliver its mission for the future

5

New trustees sought by APT with a view to ensuring the charity’s ongoing resilience

We have a unique structure here – the committees of artists don’t work independently, we all work together Sarah Walsh, APT

by Jon Massey

W

e are practising ‘artist-led’ as a reality, not just terminology – we are li ing and breathing creati e independence and that’s so ething we stri e or in perpetuity, just as our name says.” In a nutshell, that’s APT as described y its ad inistrati e director, Sarah Walsh.

The Art In Perpetuity Trust operates from, and indeed owns outright, a former textile warehouse on the banks of Deptford Creek, a complex that houses artists’ studios, a thri ing gallery, a performance space and a wor ing sculpture garden o Creekside.

But it’s much more than just a landlord, it’s a potent, creati e community and, following a period o e aluation and reflection during the pandemic, the charity that runs it is reaching out to recruit new trustees to help it continue to deli er its ission, na ely to support creati e thought and artistic ision oth in the studio and the wider world.

“APT was set up 20 years ago by a group of artists who were loo ing to find new studios a ter they were orced to o e ro their pre ious ho e, said arah.

“They made an arrangement with the guy who was selling the building to slowly purchase the reehold o er a period o ti e and then transformed the legal structure of the organisation into a charity.

“It’s not just a studio complex, it’s a space for interaction, for the exchange of ideas – it’s a community and it’s been created

>> “Being a Trustee allows you to contribute your skills and knowledge to the development of an organic and creative organisation. You gain valuable experience being part of the contemporary art scene and wider Deptford community.

Besides, it’s fascinating to be engaging with artists and their diverse practices.”

Ann Gilmore, co-chair APT Trustee

Scan this code to find out more about becoming an APT trustee with public sector experience and knowledge of local communities in south London, a trustee with a background in fundraising and inco e generation and a financial professional with a knowledge of the charitable sector. rustees ring di erent oices, skillsets and experiences to the table that we can use to help build partnerships, communicate what we’re doing and maintain our resilience as they go ern the charity. e ha e a uni ue structure here – the committees of artists don’t work independently, we all work in unison to run APT together.”

For all time: The Art In Perpetuity Trust is based in a former warehouse on the banks Trustees meet six times a year in of Deptford Creek and provides an extensive range of facilities for artists addition to attending the charity’s . ttendance at arious pri ate iews and e ents will also be expected.

Sarah said: “As an organisation we’re always thinking about di ersity, e uality and inclusion and that includes the way in which we recruit trustees.

“It’s important to us to be accessible and transparent and to reach out as widely as possible to attract a range of people who that way purposefully can represent APT to pro ide support or successfully. those who ha e le t “We’re a little nugget education and want a in Deptford with space that isn’t isolated the most wonderful but alongside their community and peers.” anyone coming in as a Now APT is seeking trustee will experience up to fi e new trustees that.” to bolster the charity’s l The deadline for board who will work applications to become alongside the commit- APT administrative a trustee is May 30. tees of artists resident director Sarah Walsh Go to aptstudios.org on site that dri e its APT’s gallery acti ities and direction. space runs Sarah said: “We are looking >> “Being a trustee means a rolling or people who can pro ide a you can see the direct impact programme range of skills and experience in and valuing of your skills and of shows fi e areas to ensure we re ain experience to make a positive from its a resilient organisation for the difference to the lives of others position on future. in the local community. It Creekside “We’d like an artist or curator opens up a whole new world with an excellent industry of networks and creative profile, a legal e pert with possibilities on your doorstep.” understanding of charity, property Jenny White, co-chair and employment law, someone APT Trustee

active and

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Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

£22

Starting cost of a Terrible Thames adult ticket, rising to £25 on peak, with kids costing £14-£15. Under-3s go free.

Family tickets are £65-£72 for two adults and two kids Neal Foster co-wrote Terrible Thames with Horrible Histories author

how Terrible Thames presents audiences with a trip up the river that’s packed with London’s history, complete with a few shocks on the way

Terry Deary

by Jon Massey

I telling

the

The show becomes a battle between student and teacher

t’s fair to say the Woods family have some history with the river. Thames Watermen since 1866, Lillian and Alfred Woods launched sightseeing tours of the capital from the Tower Of London in the early part of the 20th century – an enterprise that boomed in the 1950s around the Festival Of Britain.

Lillian then encouraged her son Alan with his idea to gradually build the Silver Fleet – a series of vessels built for the Thames in ent and u ol shipyards.

While Alan remains chair of the company, today its course is steered by the next generation – siblings Thomas, William and Kate – who have spent the last two decades overseeing its growth as a provider of luxury river cruise ships for events and private charters.

Over the years the Silver Fleet has welco ed fil stars, politicians and members of the royal family on board – and that remains its core business. But history also has a funny way of coming full circle and, in possession of refurbished s essel il er oc eye and, having acquired Tower Quay Pier, the a ily has ade a o e ac to sightseeing, albeit with a fairly ig di erence.

“We had this boat, which was built by my father with a lot of lo e it was loo ing antastic after its refurbishment, with all the lo ely woodwor inside and we thought it would a e the best sightseeing cruise in London,” said Kate Woods, who wor s as design and de elop ent director at Woods Silver Fleet.

“We also thought there was nothing on the river to entertain children, so we loo ed and loo ed and, without really understanding how Horrible Histories wor ed, we approached Neal with the idea that we were Thames Watermen with a nice history and that it would be an interesting idea to bring the brand to the Thames.

“We’d also bought the pier by Tower Bridge, which is a great location, so we were absolutely delighted when it fired hi up.

Neal, by the way, is Neal Foster – actor manager of the Birmingham Stage Company, resident at The Old Rep Theatre and

Audiences on the Terrible Thames trips up the river can expect to take part in singing a few shanties as they sail through the heart of the capital

the man responsible for bringing Terry Deary’s Horrible Histories to the stage worldwide as well as conceiving performances under its irreverent cartoon umbrella for the li es o arwic astle.

Woods’ approach resulted in Terrible Thames, a tour unli e any other on the river in that it’s a full blown theatrical performance complete with sound engineer, soundtrac and an e er changing ac drop as the oat a es its way to Parliament and circles ac to ower uay ier ia ecution oc at apping.

Co-written by Neal and Terry, one of the biggest challenges for the team was adapting the content to the speed of the boat – something that constantly changes and is dictated largely by the e and flow o the tide.

“We’ve been doing Horrible Histories since 2005 and in the West End for 10 years, but we’d never done it on a boat,” said Neal.

“I was instantly attracted to the idea – I’ve always loved rivers.

If I’m visiting a city, I’ll always head for a trip on a boat, so being on a boat for long periods suits me very well.

“It was also clear there was an awful lot of history in the section of the Thames we’d chosen to wor with, so where er possi le we decided we wanted to attach it to whatever you could actually see from the boat.

“When we were writing the show, the two biggest problems were that firstly didn’t now where the audience’s attention would be – whether they would e loo ing at the actors or at London going past. It turns out they were loo ing at the actors a lot more than expected so we had to a e sure the characters really pointed to the things they were tal ing a out.

“The second issue was the change in speed – you could almost say no two trips are ever the same – so the script had to be adaptable to cope with that while still being manageable for the actors, all while performing for the audience.

“That’s why we’ve had to rehearse thoroughly – you need actors who can thin on their eet and react uic ly. t’s a it li e doing Hamlet, but the ghost might appear at the end of the play instead and you ha e to ill Claudius three acts early. It’s why

Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

33

Wapping - Limehouse - Shadwell

you need the sound engineer – to make sure everything happens at the right time.”

Terrible Thames cruises run regularly at weekends and during school holidays – with a full complement of half term sailings from May 30 to June 3.

With stories constantly updated and added, it’s a 45-minute ride designed to impart knowledge with plenty of humour and the brand’s customary gore.

“The whole thing that Terry is doing with Horrible Histories is to tell you the history you don’t know or that the stories you think you know are actually completely di erent, said eal.

“One of the captains working on the boats said that he had been on the river for 20 years and he hadn’t ever known any of the stories, and that’s a chap who has lived and breathed the river. It really is something for Londoners as well as visitors to the capital.

“When we were writing it, Terry came up with the great idea of it being hosted by a teacher and a student who has won their school history prize and is being taken on the trip as a treat.

“The student and their family have been on the river all their li es so they are uite confident they know more about its history than the reluctant teacher. So it then becomes a battle about who knows more.

“There are 40 or 50 stories in the show, which takes in Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, Cleopatra’s eedle, arlia ent and the unpowder lot which was really on o e er oadicea destroying London, the Golden ind and e en people fleeing the reat lague y hiding on oats on the river, who died because that’s where the rats all were.”

K

ate added: “I’ve been really touched by people’s reactions to it. With all the trained Thames watermen there’s a real London feel to the whole experience and it’s been put together with so much love, from the actors to the illustrations on the boat that were hand-drawn especially for us.

“There’s something about the two brands going together that works so well. It’s been really well received, and we were sold out at Easter, but we do sometimes have walk-in spaces so if you’re in the area, it’s always worth checking the timetable.”

Go to terriblethames.com for more information

Scan this code to find out more about Terrible Thames

45

Minutes - typical time a performance of Terrible Thames lasts

what’s on

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

Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping

STAGE | Queer Cowboys This show rediscovers forgotten stories of the Old West to celebrate lives erased from the history books, via spoken word and music.

May 26, 7.45pm, from £8, wiltons.org.uk Where?

Troxy Limehouse

I’ve been touched by people’s reactions to it. There’s something about the two brands going together that works so well

CLUB | Sasha The DJ is back in London and celebrating 10 years of his Last Night On Earth imprint with this show.

Expect stints from Lnoe Ten and others.

May 28, 4pm, from £27.05, troxy.co.uk Where?

Half Moon Theatre Limehouse

Kate Woods, Woods Silver Fleet

Kate Woods says the tour has been put together with a great deal of love

STAGE | Party Suitable for those aged 2-6, this 40-minute show follows Alfonso who wants to go to his best friend’s birthday party. There are just so many questions...

May 27-Jun 11, times vary, £7, halfmoon.org.uk

top tip

Whether it’s a delicious toasted bagel or an enormous slice of freshly made honey cake, Ice Chocolate Cafe in Wapping impresses. Find its two entrances down a walkway off Wapping Lane or via Sovereign Close Go to chocoicecafe.com

Silver Sockeye in her Terrible Thames livery

Scan this code to find out more about the Ice Chocolate Cafe in Wapping want more? @wharflifelive

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Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

87

Years since Massey Shaw started fighting fires in London from the Thames. She was named in honour of Sir Eyre Massey Shaw, the first superintendent of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, who led the organisation from 1865

why the Massey Shaw Educational Trust is seeking volunteers to see its boat sail into the coming decades

by Jon Massey

T

his is not the story of the fire oat assey haw. ow could it e ust to stand on the dec o this re ar a le cra t at her erth in est ndia outh oc is to eel her plan s and steel plates uietly pulse with the decades o history they’ e a sor ed. t would e possi le to fill this space any ti es o er without co ing close to otto ing out the sheer depth o aterial associated with this re ar a le oat. t ight e the part she played sa ing goods worth any illions o pounds ust a year a ter co ing into ser ice y lasting down the walls o a warehouse with the power o her ain et to stop a fire in its trac s at olonial har in apping. t could e the ore than li es she sa ed as part o the flotilla o little ships launched to help rescue ritish ser ice en ro the eaches at un ir in errying soldiers ro the land to larger cra t and hersel ta ing a out ac across the channel, a ing three trips despite the danger o the sea and ene y fire. r it ay e the part she played in the desperate firefighting e ort during the lit . ut these stories and any ore are est told y those who now, the olunteers who are wor ing to eep her shipshape and who hope e entually to open her to the pu lic as a useu ship.

B

uilt in y a uel hites at owes on the sle ight or , ore than illion in today’s oney she ser ed the ondon ire rigade ro launch until . ter a decade in the wilderness, in , the assey haw nd arine essels reser ation ociety e ar ed on a pro ect to restore her and to sail her once again to un ir or the first ti e since the s. oday, a ter uch passion, a sin ing, restoration wor , andalis , repair and reno ation, she lies y the entrance to est ndia oc s, sharing space with the s stea tug ortwey and the oc land cout ro ect. ro there, the assey haw ducational rust, as the society

has eco e, intends to use its th anni ersary year to raise awareness o its wor , the essel hersel and the opportunities a aila le or those who ight li e to get in ol ed with the ongoing pro ect. rust a id ogers hi sel a or er firefighter, al eit a land ased one said e’re a co pletely oluntary organisation and we’d really li e to engage with a wider audience including people who are in oc lands. erhaps they’ e seen this lac and red oat that loo s a it strange we o ten get uestions a out what she is and what she does. o one o the things we want to do is to get ore olunteers o all ages who can co e along and support us in our plans or the oat. e’ e had her or years, ut we see oursel es as custodians and we now need people to ta e her orward or the ne t . his oat has a uni ue history and we want to help people understand it and to help shape it whether they’re in ol ed in the fire ser ice or not. e want people to co e and e trained so they can run the engines, operate the oat and an her pu ps so she can appear at e ents. ut we also ha e a ig archi e that we’ e uilt up o er the years, so we need people with s ills to help organise and digitise that. urrently the tea are wor ing towards getting assey haw ready to once ore cross the channel in . e’re part o un ir ittle hips, which cele rates the ourney ade y those oats in to sa e troops ro the eaches, said a id. he crews who went o er during the war were all olunteer fire en and ortunately they all ca e ac sa ely, ut so e o the soldiers they rescued had een adly in ured. e’d especially li e young people to ta e part in our ne t trip, to learn the s ills that were taught ac in the s, which are needed to operate the oat so uture generations can continue to en oy and learn a out her. olunteering is a great deal o un o er the years ’ e een in ol ed, ’ e et so e antastic people and ’ e always en oyed it. t’s great when isitors co e onto the oat, especially i they ha e stories to share a out indi iduals who perhaps ser ed on

pump up the

Massey Shaw’s ‘monitor‘ is capable of knocking down walls at maximum flow Images by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta

Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

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Isle Of Dogs - Poplar - Blackwall

The opportunity to go out on the boat to show people what she can do and what it was like in the early years gives you a real buzz

what’s on

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

The Gun Blackwall

David Rogers, Massey Shaw

Massey Shaw Educational Trust CEO David Rogers wants people to get involved with the ongoing project

A wheelhouse was added to the boat in the late 1940s to give the coxswain and river pilot some protection

Massey Shaw or were associated with her.

“Also, the opportunity to go out on the boat, to show people what she can do and what it was like in its early days gives you a real buzz. We’re here to prove she can still do the job she was built for.”

Descend into Massey Shaw’s engine and pump room and you can see exactly what he’s talking about. The beating heart of the vessel is her two main engines that require constant maintenance to both propel the boat and to power its firefighting e uip ent, capable of pumping enormous amounts of water to where it’s needed.

David says the main brass cannon on deck – called ‘the monitor’ – is capable of pumping 13,000 litres of water every single minute with enough force to propel the whole boat along when in ull flow.

“Last year we had an open day and the pump was running and the harbour master ran up the dock and said it was just fantastic – that he’d never seen anything like it,” said David.

“That’s the reaction we want – people clap and cheer because it’s such a great thing to see. We’re hoping to hold another open day to raise greater awareness of what we’re doing on August 14 and we’re very keen to attract new visitors.

“Beyond that we’re working to get Massey Shaw ready for Dunkirk in 2025 and we have an Arts Council application in to become an independent museum. hen we want to find so ewhere we can have a link to the shore so we can display our archive. We’re also looking to partner with other local organisations and companies so we can expand and move forward from here.”

The Massey Shaw Educational Trust is actively seeking new volunteers, partnerships and funding for its activities.

Go to masseyshaw.org for more information

Scan this code to find out more about Massey Shaw Massey Shaw was rebuilt in 2010 with Lottery money to get it to its current condition

TAKE | Afternoon Tea Enjoy refreshment by the riverside at this historic pub, complete with a glass of Prosecco, scones, traditional sandwiches and a decent brew.

Mon-Sat, noon, 2.30pm, £35, thegundocklands.com Where?

Poplar Union Poplar

FILM | Pop Corn Shorts A new movie scratch night showing a selection of freshly cut works to give audiences a taste of upcoming and developing films.

May 26, 7.30pm, free, poplarunion.com Where?

The Space Westferry Road

STAGE | Za’atar Rain Written and performed by Maya Goldstein, this semi-fictional quest tackles friendship, borders, barriers and a sarcastic pigeon called Elon Musk.

May 24-27 7.30pm, £15, space.org.uk

flash back

In addition to workshops for London Craft Week at Craft Central, Freeweaver Saori Studio offers Wharfers a chance to blend the mindful with the functional on looms at its base on the Isle Of Dogs Go to freeweaver.co.uk Scan this code to read our interview with Erna Janine of Freeweaver Saori Studio want more? @wharflifelive

36

Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

how the installation of courts at Surrey Quays Shopping Centre by UK Wallball, working alongside British Land, is set to benefit the local community with a flexible, free facility

by Jon Massey

S

unlight streams down onto the freshly minted wallball courts at Surrey Quays Shopping Centre.

I bounce the rubber ball, slap it vigorously with my hand.

My opponent steps in, makes an easy return, I dash forward striking the yellow sphere deftly into the bottom right hand corner of the wall, where it bounces back into the court and lands stone dead. The point is mine.

I lose all the other points, of course, but then my opponent is founder and CEO of UK Wallball and a former European No. 1 singles champion. So I don’t feel too bad.

Dan Grant and the governing body for the sport he runs are on a mission to get as many people as possible outside, active and bouncing balls against walls.

Installed in partnership with British Land, the two UK Wallball courts on the Rotherhithe Peninsula will be free to use (if you’ve brought your own ball) and can be turned to any number of game variations following their forthcoming launch on May 12.

Dan said: “Wallball is a simple, accessible sport where you hit a ball against a wall with your hands. Lots of people will have done it at school – called it pat-ball, Eton Fives, one-wall handball – there are lots o di erent na es or it, ut ‘wallball’ is the one they play around the world. This is the one wall version and it’s the international standard.

“Basically, you have one big rectangle marked out on the wall and one big rectangle on the floor. he ain thing is – all you need to do is hit the ball with either hand so that it hits the wall and lands in the court.

“It can bounce once before it’s hit again and then you rally away until it either

the call of the

bounces twice or it goes out. The way it’s scored is that you get a point for each rally won on your serve – if you lose the rally then it’s your opponent’s serve.

Games are usually played up to 11, 15 or 21 points.

“The easiest way to think of it is that it’s like playing squash against one wall – but there’s no line to hit it above, so you can hit it low and kill the ball.

“For the service, the ball has to hit the wall and land in the back half of the court and then it can land anywhere in the box.

“There’s also a blocking rule – if I hit the ball and then don’t move, I’m a legitimate obstruction that the other player has to try and get around.

“You can’t rugby tackle the other person out of the way – it’s a non contact sport – so they have to get round you to get the ball back.”

H

aving travelled the world playing the game Dan subsequently trained as a doctor, so his interest in promoting sport goes beyond pure pu licity and is fir ly rooted in the physical and ental enefits o outdoor activity.

“Our aim at UK Wallball is to try to get

Green and blue: The new courts at Surrey Quays Shopping Centre

as any people ro as any di erent backgrounds as possible active.

“In cities where grey space is increasing and green space is disappearing, we think people should use walls for things like this. here are o cial rules, ut our otto is: ‘Any wall, any ball, anytime’. We don’t care how people use the courts, so long as they are being used.

“If people want to invent their own rules, they absolutely can. This whole space at Surrey Quays can be used for a lot of other things – not just traditional wallball.”

T

he Rotherhithe installation is the first ulti court acility or free use in the country. Alongside the two playing areas is a third space where those waiting to have a go can hang out, spectator searing and a vending machine selling balls and gloves. an said ast year, we did our first proper community court at Bankside, which was also a really vibrant installation. That was us working with the Jack Petchey Foundation to target young people in London. When it went up it got a lot of media traction, which was awesome. I think a lot of people during the pandemic realised exercise in the open air was a pretty good thing, and that wallball is cheap too – in fact, if you have your own ball, it’s free. the ac o that, ritish Land, which is regenerating the area around Surrey Quays and Canada Water, saw it, thought it was pretty cool and got us down to find out i they could do something for the community here.

“I persuaded them that they should and so we’ve installed the courts.

“We got our artist back – Dan Gurney – to make them look great. I really like his geometric approach. It works really well in an urban space.

“When you do this kind of thing, you want the courts to feel like they belong, so the design is inspired by both the

Scan this code for more information about UK Wallball and how to play the game greenery and the docks on the Rotherhithe peninsula.

“We’ll also have posters telling people how to play and how the design of the courts fits into the local area.

“The way we think of it is as an urban amphitheatre – yes, we want it to be used for wallball, but other sports and arts organisations can get in touch with us and use the space as well.

“It’s also that street to elite philosophy – I want a kid who’s played on these courts, hasn’t had to pay for anything apart maybe for a couple of quid for a ball and then for them to go on and play for Team GB. That would be really cool.”

D

an, who works as a doctor in emergency medicine and medtech, believes wallball could be the next big thing in the UK – something he elie es would e eneficial to the health of the nation should urban environments embrace it.

“Everything we’ve learnt over the last few years suggests it will catch on in the UK,” he said. “It’s already big in Ireland, Spain and the Basque Country – it’s huge in the USA. In New York there are 2,500 courts. all all is ta ing o here too.

“We’ve started working with schools over the past couple of years and the kids love it. It’s not just sport either – when we put a court in a school we can give them a blank canvas and they can design it, so there’s a creative element there too.

Our ethos is that it’s not super-serious.

“Of course, there are pathways for GB Juniors to go straight to the top, but if you just want to turn up and play, that’s fine too. eel li e i the ids are en oying it, then that’s good for all of us.

“As a doctor I’m interested in prevention. We know that if you’re just active and walking around, then that’s really good for you. As you travel you see people from the lowest socio-economic backgrounds have the worst outcomes in terms of health. So, having an urban space that feels safe and fun is much better than the alternative.”

The UK Wallball courts at Surrey Quays are set to launch on May 12 from 1pm-3pm. The courts will be in place on an ongoing basis.

Go to ukwallball.co.uk

Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

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Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey

2

Courts have been installed by UK Wallball in partnership with British Land at Surrey Quays Shopping Centre

what’s on

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

The Albany Deptford

ART | Seawall Greek artist Andreas Angelidakis’ outdoor artwork is free to visit in The Albany’s garden, with visitors able to wander through the eight sculptures.

Until Oct 2022, daily, free, thealbany.org.uk Where?

The Albany Deptford

STAGE | Footloose The Musical The students of Trinity Laban present a tuneful take on the 1980s classic film where city boy Ren trips the light through a rural town that’s banned dancing.

May 27-28, times vary, £10, thealbany.org.uk Where?

The Bird’s Nest Deptford

GIG | Never Mind the Jubilee A succession of bands take to the stage to mark the Queen’s reign in a different way – features Yur Mum (pictured) on Jun 4 plus Army Of Skanks.

Jun 2-5, times vary, free, thebirdsnestpub.co.uk

flash back

Dan Grant is both a physician and the founder and CEO of UK Wallball – he’s also a former European No. 1 in the singles version of the game

Deal Porter Square now welcomes Canada Water Market every Sunday, blending street food, refreshments, sustainable produce and a range of crafts. Discover what the traders are offering between 10am and 4pm squidmarkets.co.uk Scan this code to read our interview with Squid Markets founder Will Cutteridge at wharf-life.com want more? @wharflifelive

38

Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

by Laura Enfield

T

he tide is high when I speak to Nicola White.

It’s a matter of small consequence to most Londoners, but to the 53-year-old mudlarker, it’s from the rise and fall of the waters that life emerges.

The Woolwich resident remembers two very distinct desires from her childhood in Cornwall – to never, ever work as a boring secretary and to have her own shed where all her treasures could be displayed. As a young girl, she avidly combed the beaches and land, collecting shells, driftwood, bits of rope, mushrooms, toadstools, seedpods and eggshells.

“It’s something I have always enjoyed doing – using things I’ve found in artworks,” said Nicola.

“Life happens and, when I became a teenager, I lost interest and went and lived in France and then had y first child pretty young at 22 – everything was on hold, because I had to work.

“I did a bilingual secretarial course ecause spea fluent French and then worked as a PA for banks in Paris and London.”

For 25 years, Nicola found herself doing a job she had vowed to avoid. While it brought her a comfortable life, money to buy a flat, security or her son and later her daughter, she never loved it.

“I was at the mercy of my choices for quite a while,” she said. “I was very good at my job, but I had this feeling it wasn’t what life was all about.

“I had this burning desire to create and make art and just be outside. I couldn’t ignore this thing in me. That said, I wanted to share my passion with other people and make the most of my life. I tried to ignore it but I was getting more miserable.”

She already knew the answer lay outside her door on the banks of the Thames. When Nicola moved to London in 1999 she was almost immediately attracted to the river because it reminded her of her childhood in Truro.

“One day I was in Greenwich and the tide was low and there were these steps leading down to this long stretch of beach,” she said. “I was just drawn to go down there and found this really peaceful world away from all my worries and my job.” he started finding pieces o broken pottery and glass and used them to create art, just like she did as a child. Eventually she spotted her first coin.

It was then she discovered what she was doing had a name – mudlarking – the practice of scavenging through river mud for lost items of value or historical significance this was a

Nicola says mudlarking has become trendy thanks to social media, but requires a permit and lots of patience

how Nicola White of Tideline Art went from helping city bankers to making money off the banks of the Thames

for treasure Images by James Perrin – find more of his work at jamesperrin.com or via @millerjamesperrin on Insta

Left, Nicola, in her studio. Above and below right, some of the art she has created. Right, some of the items she has found

A while ago I was sitting in this room and thought – ‘Wow this is actually what I dreamed of as a child’ – and it really fills me with joy Nicola White, Tideline Art

The Fireworks Factory works as a large auditorium and can also be used for weddings and banqueting

Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

39

Greenwich - Peninsula - Woolwich

”In February, I found a beautiful onion bottle from the early 18th Century. It’s an amazing feeling when you find something in the mud that was last touched or held by somebody who was alive hundreds of years ago”

”One piece that really represents the essence of mudlarking is a little brass tag that would have been on a suitcase, with the name of Frederick Jury and an address in Woolwich. I found out he went to Australia to fight in the First World War and was in the trenches and got hit by a grenade. He married his landlady when he came back to England and died in 1932. I found him in a paupers’ grave in Greenwich. He was someone who had been forgotten and finding this bit of metal opened up this incredible story.”

“I found a wooden dog that may have been confiscated by missionaries from the Democratic Republic Of Congo. I saw him peering up at me from the foreshore and thought ’I’m definitely not taking you’ because he looked so weird and had nails coming out of his back. But now I’m really fond of him.”

pastime enjoyed by a handful of Londoners back then. But it has grown in popularity thanks to a blossoming online community, in which Nicola plays a large part.

She works under the name Tideline Art and has a YouTube channel with 134,000 subscribers where she docu ents her finds, broadcasting to 30,000 followers on Twitter and Instagram. She also has a thriving business selling the art she crafts from the items she pulls from the mud. er glass fish, which she puts up for sale twice a year, go for around £250 each and typically sell out within 24 hours. Later this year she will be giving a series of talks as part of the Totally Thames Festival.

“Mudlarking is such a part of my life I can’t imagine not doing it,” said Nicola. She took the plunge eight years ago, aged 45, uit her o and rented out her flat to embrace the mudlarking life full time.

“I had been doing it for about 15 years – making art in my spare time and I suddenly thought: ‘I want to see if I can do something I love with my life’.

“I was very nervous of leaving banking, but I was building up Tideline Art on social media and my website and things gradually came together.

“I think if you follow something you are really passionate about and put all your energies into it, then doors start to open up for you.”

Today she has a studio at her ho e in oolwich filled with hundreds of treasures she has found over the years, including a silver half crown from Elizabeth I’s reign and a wax seal stamp that belonged to the Commodore Superintendant of Woolwich Dockyards .

“A while ago I was sitting in this room and thought – ‘Wow this is actually what I dreamed of as a child it really fills e with joy’,” said Nicola.

She can be found on the foreshore as early as 6am and as late as 11pm, up to four times a week, looking for treasure.

“It’s very hard not to go because you think you might miss out on something,” she said. “That’s the thing about mudlarking – you simply don’t know what you are going to find and that’s what keeps you going back.”

Her love of naval and industrial history means Greenwich, Deptford and the Isle Of Dogs are her favourite areas to go, kitted out in sturdy boots and knee pads with her trowel and phone at the ready to docu ent any finds.

“You need patience and persistence,” said Nicola. “People might think you just stroll down to the Thames and come back with lots of bounty without any

e ort. hat people don’t see are the hours you go down and don’t come back with anything.

“I get people asking where to go to find clay pipes, ut udlar s don’t give locations away because that is part of it – you have to go down and find out or yoursel es. here’s no uic fi .

“I have never met anyone who isn’t inspired by this idea that you can find and hold history in your hands. It’s accessible to everybody.”

There are negative aspects though. The mud can be dirty, smelly and full of rubbish – particularly plastic – and, more recently, face masks. It can be dangerous too.

“I got stuck in the mud once,” said Nicola. “Luckily someone was with me, but it really was quite scary and gave me a new respect for the mud. The tides can rush up and you have to make sure you know where your exits are, because there are pinch points where you can get cut o .

Nicola mostly mudlarks alone as she enjoys the meditative aspect of it, but she said there was a strong sense of camaraderie in the community.

“It can be competitive but also supportive – people will help you identi y your finds and share information,” she said.

More important items do not get used in her art, but are researched and featured on her channels. Rarer items have to be reported to the authorities.

“You have to have a permit to mudlark from the Port Of London Authority,” said Nicola.

“One of the responsibilities we ha e is to report any find that is over 300 years old, or ones that are historically significant, to the Museum Of London and they put them into a database. t’s really not the financial value. If you are going into mudlarking for that, then forget it. It’s about the story behind the finds or any genuine udlar er.

I like to think of the Thames as a giant liquid storybook.”

So in all those hours on the foreshore has she ever let anything slip through her fingers “I don’t think I’ve ever lost anything but one day I would like to throw something in for so eone to find in years, she said. wonder what they’d find out a out e t a es e thin of my own story.”

And that’s the truth of mudlarking. Everything and everyone has a story to tell.

Go to tidelineart.com

Scan this code to find out more about Tideline Art

what’s on

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

Greenwich Theatre Greenwich

STAGE | A Room Of One’s Own A 21st century take on Virginia Woolf’s lectures exploring the impact of poverty and sexual inequality on intellectual freedom and creativity.

May 27-28, 7.30pm, £15, greenwichtheatre.org.uk Where?

Beanfeast Woolwich Works

GIG | Grupo Lokito Formed by a Latin piano player and Congolese singer this band plays an exciting and original blend of African and Cuban music.

June 4, 8pm, £10.50, woolwich.works Where?

The O2 Peninsula

GIG | David Gray The British singer-songwriter has got back with his band and original equipment after 20 years to replicate album White Ladder in its entirety.

May 27, 6.30pm, from £39, theo2.co.uk

flash back

Following the pandemic, Woolwich Works is well and truly getting into its stride with its vast buildings buzzing with activity, life, shows and plans for the future as it grows into its own walls woolwich.works Scan this code to read our interview with Woolwich Creative District Trust CEO James Heaton want more? @wharflifelive

40

Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

Advertising Directory - Classified

PUBLIC NOTICES LONDON BOROUGH OF TOWER HAMLETS LICENSING ACT 2003 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE

find our advertisers’ messages here The Sushi Co print Wrap online thesushico.co.uk

Galliard Homes print Page 30 online galliardhomes.com

Kidd Rapinet Solicitors print Pages 1, 4, 15, 27 online kiddrapinet.co.uk

Simon Bradford print Page 40 online handyman-services-london.co.uk

Bullards Spirits print Page 5 online bullardsspirits.co.uk

Perfect Waxing print Page 40 online perfectwaxing.uk

Republic print Page 7 online republic.london Randox print Page 9 online randox.com Patrena Brown print Page 17 online patrena.brown.exp.uk.com

Notice is given that: Canada Square Health and Fitness Limited has applied to London Borough of Tower Hamlets Licensing Authority for a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003.

Premises: The Pearson Room Pop Up Bar in Jubilee Park, Canary Wharf, London, E14 Licensable activities and timings are: Sale of Alcohol: Monday to Saturday - 12.00 to 23.00. Sunday - 12.00 to 22.00.

Anyone who wishes to make representations regarding this application must give notice in writing to: The Licensing Section, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG or Email: licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk Website: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk Tel: 020 7364 5008.

Representations must be received no later than 08/03/2022.

The Application Record and Register may be viewed between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday during normal office hours at the above address. It is an offence under Section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the offence is up to level 5 on the standard scale (unlimited fine)

Court & Co print Page 19 online courtco.co.uk Hamptons print Pages 22, 23 online hamptons.co.uk Landmark Estates print Pages 24, 25 online lmlondon.com

be part of the Canary Wharf conversation

IMPROVE YOUR HOME

To advertise in Wharf Life call 07944 000 144 or email jess.maddison@wharf-life.com

BEAUTY SERVICES BODY WAXING BY THE EXPERTS IN CANARY WHARF Services Include Female Waxing - legs, bikini, eyebrow, full body, facial, pregnancy and vajacial Male Waxing - eyebrows, chest and abs Book at perfectwaxing.uk or call 07411 068 541 Perfect Waxing, 37th Floor One Canada Square London, E14 5AA

Wharf Life is published by Massey Maddison Limited and printed by Iliffe Print Cambridge. Copyright Massey Maddison Limited 2021 In regard to advertising material submitted by third parties and printed in Wharf Life, each individual advertiser is solely responsible for the content of such material Massey Maddison Limited accepts no responsibility for the content of advertising material, including, without limitation, any error, omission or inaccuracy therein

Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

41

Royal Docks - Canning Town

50+

Artworks are on display at the Silver Building for David Come Home

what’s on

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

Online Royal Docks

PROJECT | The Islanders Discover the history of Silvertown through the stories of its community over many generations through industrial development and cultural change.

Ongoing, free, royaldocks.london Where?

Online University Of East London Images from David Come Home at The Silver Building

the call of

EVENT | School Of Education And Communities Calling all educators, this event is for anyone interested in imparting knowledge and skills to kids and keen to discover how UEL can help.

May 27, 11am, free, uel.ac.uk Where?

Excel Royal Victoria Dock

how artist Simon Isaac explores notions of travel, migration and journey with David Come Home

by Jon Massey

A

rtist Simon Isaac has taken over a series of spaces at the Silver Building to exhibit a group of 50 works entitled David Come Home.

Arranged over three floors of the building off Dock Road, the images aim to create a fragmented narrative of a future that seems an inevitable consequence of space colonisation and the possible social and physiological implications of that story.

Making use of diverse and remote locations, Simon’s photography sees his subject – the titular David – at times lost in the environment’s he’s

pictured in and, at others, dominating the frame, forcing intimacy on the viewer.

The press materials for the exhibition say his journey picks up themes of migration and displacement – the latter in relation to the artist’s own military discharge after his relationship with another serviceman was discovered.

Being gay was a crime in the British military until 2000.

David Come Home also draws on pop culture, cinema and sci-fi TV shows in its use Scan this code to find out more about the exhibition

of imagery, which includes the use of a space suit used in the making of the video for David Bowie’s Blackstar in 2015.

Works are printed on traditional paper, transparencies, wallpaper, reclaimed aircraft aluminium and screen, a deliberately fragmented approach designed to serve Simon’s narrative, which can be viewed in terms of a three-act play spread across three locations in the building and defined by the trio of words in its title.

David Come Home will be on show at the Silver Building until May 29.

It is available to view for free between 9am and 5pm, Monday-Saturday.

Go to davidcomehome.co.uk

EVENT | MCM London Comic Con Go in your favourite cosplay or simply to meet a host of stars and leading figures in the worlds of TV, anime, film and, of course, comics.

May 27-29, times vary, from £17.50, excel.london

hot spot

There’s art on the walls, coffee spurting from its espresso maker, live music, food and, most importantly of all, wine – check out Yapix in Canning Town for intense Italian flavours and a thoroughly warm welcome Go to yapix.co Scan this code to find out more about Yapix in Canning Town or to make a booking want more? @wharflifelive

42

Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

how restaurant From The Ashes BBQ was born out of lockdown and took flight among Londoners

by Laura Enfield

F

ire can be a sudden spark that ignites with a burst or a so tly glowing fla e that slowly s oulders.

Curtis Bell has experienced both since founding ar ecue usiness ro he Ashes BBQ in June 2020 after just a ew wee s o planning.

“It was just a burning desire,” said the Swansea-born chef, with no hint o a pun intended.

“My favourite thing was always to coo on the each. ay e it’s a pri iti e thing, ut ha e always ust een drawn to the fla e. tried doing the posh stu fine dining and it ust isn’t e.

“I just like the rawness of cooking in a very direct and si ple way o er the fla es. uc ed ehind a hatch on ish Island, the takeaway experienced a rush o a e in loc down, with its salty s o ed por ser ed in sugary hand ade doughnuts. usto ers were wal ing ro as far as London Fields to queue or up to an hour. t was a success that took Curtis and his co ounders y surprise.

“It just exploded overnight and we were getting reviews and write ups in the papers we had to hire sta , said urtis. t was daunting, unexpected and an a a ing thing to happen out o loc down. he we is ran ellows and artin nderson, who urtis et when he o ed to the ig s o e pun ery uch intended , ha ing landed a job at barbecue joint e per in oho.

Until then he had followed the recipes of another renowned restaurant, Pitt Cue, “like the i le osses had e en o ered hi a o , which he wound up turning down. elt li e it was don’t eet your heroes’ and wanted to eep it al ost as a antasy, said the year old. y then they had gone ro this really gritty, ase ent barbecue to this corporate steakhouse for City workers and it had ind o lost its agic. t is that hands on fla our that Curtis loved and wanted to capture with ro he shes. hat, he eels, is achie ed y

wor ing directly with ar ers such as ar er o in ere ordshire and c u in cotland to source eat. he tea also does ost o the utchery the sel es in a tiny eight foot by six-foot kitchen, so they can stick to their whole ani al approach. e a e sausages ro the legs and s o e down the nec s and shoulders and bellies and then s o e the loin li e a ri roast, said urtis. e get hal cows and use the bones for stock and the fat for potatoes and tri ings or ince or a special. t’s not only ore cost e ecti e, it’s also a uch ore e cient way to coo . thin e eryone needs to e coo ing li e this. hey launched the usiness than s to a loan ro his dad and a pig ro ar er o who said ay e when you can . riend ade the a s o er ro recycled parts, which they dubbed he iggy and they egan e peri enting. he hardest thing is patience, said urtis. ro seasoning it right the way through, to resting it can e hours and the te ptation to get into it earlier is huge.

“It does take its toll when you’re doing ig e ents and ha e to start at a and go through until idnight. t’s endurance, sta ina and hard wor . o eti es you cut into it and it’s o ercoo ed. hat’s disappointing, but I will braise it down and a e a ris et ragu and try and a e the est o a ad situation. e try to a oid as uch wastage as possi le. o is it worth all the e ort es, lo e it all good things co e to those who wait, said urtis. ou can ha e a stea , which ta es inutes to coo , or a piece of rib, which has taken se en hours. guarantee you will e way ore satisfied with the latter. s uch as y ac hurts and y legs hurt, there is so uch satisfaction in the joy it brings people. hen you put all those hours in and it pays o watching those people ite into it it’s ust a a ing.

T

he chance to birth his own usiness ca e when he, Martin and ran were ade redundant during the pande ic. urtis and Frank opened a dark kitchen for fried chicken restaurant o fighter and decided they should copy the or ula with ar ecue. he person who was renting out the o fighter itchen had one on Fish Island too and we went over and had a look at it and scra led so e oney or the deposit and the first onth’s rent, and in we went, said urtis.

£9

is the cost of their signature dish with prices ranging from £3.50 to £10.50

Curtis said turning down a job with his heroes led him to the path he is on today

We’re still trying to figure out what our dream is but I think it is to be a bit of a household name in London Curtis Bell, From The Ashes BBQ

the hottest

hatch

Images by James Perrin – find more of his work at jamesperrin.com or via @millerjamesperrin on Insta

Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

43

Stratford - Bow - Hackney Wick

The nduja ‘Del Piero’ doughnut contains smoked pork shoulder, nduja from Duchy charcuterie and chilli jam

Martin came on board and they spent four weeks testing out recipes, eventually landing on a doughnut filled with pulled por as their signature dish, inspired

by Black Axe Mangal restaurant in Islington.

“Lee Tiernan up there is a genius and did a duck liver parfait and prune doughnut which probably changed my whole life, it was that good,” said Curtis.

“We were just toying with ideas and one day ordered some really shit Tesco doughnuts and tried putting some pulled pork in the centre of it – it just worked with the sweet, savoury, salt, smoked fat. A lot of people are still very cautious but, because you have every sense in your mouth, it’s perfect.

“We put it on Instagram as a draw and it worked. It was a magnet and there was a time I couldn’t open Instagram without seeing my doughnut.

“Some people may think of it as a gimmick and are not impressed, ut find that hilarious.

A

The hatch is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for takeaway

party in June 2020 with all their hospitality mates, kicked things o or the trio and they just began opening the hatch every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“People started walking up – it built momentum and, the next thing we knew, we had queues round the block,” said Curtis.

At the peak, he was waking at 6am on Saturdays to tend to the smoker and meats and start rolling and proving the 120 doughnuts they were selling a day. Made over two days from a laminated enriched dough, they included sweet options such as custard in di erent fla ours and dark chocolate Hennessy and hazelnut praline.

Other creations included a smoked pork bun with pickles, sriracha Marmite mayo, smoked garlic mayo and a slaw made with hispi cabbage, fennel, apple, lime juice, walnut, jalapeño dressing and gorgonzola sauce.

They quickly attracted queues, which stretched as far as the Premier shop on Roach Road with punters soaking up the sun and free shots handed out by Curtis.

“It was just a really special time and something I would love to relive again,” he said. “But we’re back in the real world now, sadly.”

Since London went back to business, Curtis has found himself ha ing to sto e the fla es o success in new directions.

Following their early success, From The Ashes landed spots at ood enues wo ri es a pfire in Kings Cross and Kerb Seven Dials. And their summer has a full roster of festivals, events and

private parties, including Bigfoot Festival, British Summertime, Bike Shed in Tobacco Dock, Big Grill Festival in Ireland, London Craft Beer Festival and Manchester Craft Beer Festival.

Frank left in October last year to work with his girlfriend at the cafe of local company Barkney Wick, but Curtis now has a team of seven chefs and said there is no such thing as a day o or hi .

“The hatch will remain open and we want it to go from strength to strength,” he said.

“We’re looking to get an outside licence so we can have benches and seats. We now sell some craft beers and park wines, perfect for a summer day when you’re sitting on the kerb eating barbecue.”

He’s also been implementing a huge shake-up of the menu to help with the business’ longevity.

“Now summer is coming, I’m changing the menu on a weekly basis,” he said. “I ring my farmers and see what’s available and create the menu around that.

“This weekend we have got some whole smoked chicken with some wild garlic pesto, an aged sirloin with horseradish cream and roasted beef fat. Last week I had an aged beef meatball sub with mozzarella, parmesan and wild garlic again. We’re going to become seasonal.”

Curtis said the founders had been a bit unsure of themselves as they tried to transition from their blaze of glory in lockdown to the more even tempered real world.

“It’s been daunting,” he said. e’re still trying to figure out what our dream is but I think it is to be a bit of a household name in London and keep on enjoying what we are doing. I just want to keep cooking outside and doing amazing pop-ups – happy and free. I don’t want to do anything too serious. I’ll never be the person who wants a big huge chain.”

Curtis said the pressure of running a small business was enough. They’ve never had any investors and are just about breaking even. But with prices skyrocketing across the board, the profit argin is getting s aller.

“We are increasing our prices and I hope customers understand why we need to do that,” he said.

“I think the next year will be incredibly tough on hospitality with everyone trying to save pennies. I can already feel the pressure, but hopefully, we can keep our heads above water and keep going and growing.”

Go to fromtheashesbbq.co.uk

Scan this code to find for code to show find out dates about more and tickets From starting The Ashes at BBQ £10

what’s on

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

ABBA Arena Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park GIG | Abba Voyage See and hear avatars of Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid perform hits and songs from their new album in this purpose-built arena.

May 27- Dec 31, times and prices vary, abbavoyage.com Where?

The Yard Theatre Hackney Wick

STAGE | New Newydd 22 Experience the latest work from some of the UK’s best playwrights in Royal Welsh College of Music And Drama’s celebrated new writing festival.

Jun 8-17, various times and prices, theyardtheatre.co.uk Where?

Stratford Picturehouse Stratford

FILM | Lucia di Lammermoor, Soprano Nadine Sierra takes on one of the repertory’s most formidable and fabled roles, in this Met Opera Encore screening.

May 25-27, 1.30pm, £22, picturehouses.com

flash back

Discover a new musical that aims to highlight female role models as Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World gears up for its opening at Theatre Royal Stratford East on June 15. Tickets from £10 stratfordeast.com Scan this code to read our interview with one of the musical’s stars – Christina Modestou want more? @wharflifelive

44

Wharf Life May 11-25, 2022 wharf-life.com

SUDOKU

Crossword - Sudoku

No. 1402

Tough

4 3

8 5

7 4

7

9

Previous solution - Medium

9 2 4 1 3 6 5 8 7 Sudoku 1 a6break 7 from 8 4 that 5 phone 9 3 2 Take 3 8 5 2 9 7 6 4 1 How 6 to1 play 3 5 8 9 2 7 4 To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 8 such 6 2 1 row, 5 9column and 3x3 box one7 to4nine that3each contains every number uniquely.

2 5 9 7 1 4 8 6 3 3 find 2 strategies, 9 6 8 hints 7 and 1 5tips online You4can at sudokuwiki.org 8 7 1 3 5 2 4 9 6 5 to 9 play 6 4 7 1 3 2 8 More

6 1 3 8 6

SUDOKU

8

4

© 2020 Syndicated Puzzles

contains every number uniquely.

Notes

4

Tough

3

8 7 5 4 If you like Sudoku you’ll really like ‘Str8ts’ and our other puzzles, Apps 9 7 For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org

beating the 1 5 4 3 1 6 2 1 5

5 9

Across

Down

1, 15. Gin for the co-workers? (4,6) 3. Confusing rule says the port should be cool (8) 9, 21. Musical scam can be healthy (2,3,2,1,6) 10. Usually Tebbit or Wisdom? (5) . a ies ay say tu you’, perhaps? (12) 13. Did Ben say this was the last battle? (6) . i cult staying upright when parking cars (12) 20. Cold place to make the oil go, as it were (5) 22. Timothy expects the best from the procedure (8) 23. Sounds like choppers have found the centre (4)

1.

2.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

12.

14.

16.

18.

19.

4 7 5 3 8 9 2 1 6

1 8 2 5 6 7 9 3 4

3 4 9 8 2 1 6 5 7

6 5 7 9 3 4 8 2 1

5 9 6 2 1 8 7 4 3

8 3 4 7 5 6 1 9 2

7 2 1 4 9 3 5 6 8

To complete Sudoku, fill the board

Quick Across 1.

3.

9.

10.

11.

Raising a glass makes things hot (8) Attaches corruptly, we hear (5) Count on a sorry prayer? (6) Clare comments wisely on Wimbledon (6,6) You take care of hidden carrot, so to speak (7) Final place for shoes? (4) Examine a sleeping place for work? (5-7) Unsteady deer surprises (8) Allow a minor role to shine? (7) The desperate may clutch at these (6) Finger points to the list (5) Crouch down on the bed, sort of (2-2)

13.

15.

17.

20.

21.

22.

23.

Pulse (4) Lacking decision (8) Destructive (7) Fancies (5) Philosophically Greek (12) Flowers (6) Directs (6) Combination (12) Greek island (5) Electronic communication (7) Sweetening agent (8) Morecambe or Flat (4)

Down

Set by Everden

1.

2. .

5.

6.

7.

8.

12. .

16.

18.

19.

Clinging mollusc (8) Somewhere else (5) rtificial Cannot be counted (12) Problematic (7) Exam (4) Gardening (12) Equal (8) redatory fish Skin decoration (6) Involve (5) Drug (inform.) (4)

Across: 1, 15 Team spirit; 3 Protocol; 9, 21 As fit as a fiddle; 10 Norms; 11 Taxidermists; 13 Naseby; 17 Hardstanding; 20 Igloo; 22 Optimism; 23 Axis.

Down: 1 Toasting; 2 Affix; 4 Rosary; 5 Tennis pundit; 6 Curator; 7 Last; 8 Study-bedroom; 12 Staggers; 14 Starlet; 16 Straws; 18 Index; 19 Li-lo.

Cryptic Solution Across: 1 Bean; 3 Hesitant; 9 Ruinous; 10 Cakes; 11 Aristotelian; 13 Lilacs; 15 Guides; 17 Amalgamation; 20 Corfu; 21 Telecom; 22 Glycerol; Eric.

Down: 1 Barnacle; 2 Alibi; 4 Ersatz; 5 Incalculable; 6 Awkward; 7 Test; 8 Horticulture; 12 Isonomic; 14 Lamprey; 16 Tattoo; 18 Incur; 19 Scag.

Notes

2 6 8 1 4 5 3 7 9

by entering numbers 1 to 9 such whether you’re that each row, column and 3x3 box 8 containssleuth every number cryptic oruniquely.

For many strategies, synonym solverhints inand tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org 4it forIf you quick wins, like Sudoku you’ll really like and oursatisfy other puzzles, Apps this ‘Str8ts’ should and books. Visit www.str8ts.com

The solutions will be published here in the next issue.

Cryptic

9 1 3 6 7 2 4 8 5

6 1 3 8 6

crossword The solutions will be published here in the next issue.

and books. Visit www.str8ts.com

last issue’s solution

Previous solution - Medium Apr 27-May 11

© 2020 Syndicated Puzzles

No. 1402 that each row, column and 3x3 box

Quick Solution

1 5 4 3 1 5 9 6 2 1 5

You can find more Sudoku puzzles and a wide selection ofTo others available in apps and books at str8ts.com. This complete Sudoku, fill the board Sudoku is supplied by Syndicated Puzzles. by entering numbers 1 to 9 such

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