Training for life
| £20 O At Wahaca
Wharf
Sign up via the Canary Wharf app and get £20 o your bill at the newly reopened Wahaca restaurant. The venue has recently been refurbished. Until Oct 13, canarywharf.com (via the app)
Quay
TALK | How Many Gone - Counting The Victims
This talk brings together leading experts to contextualise who is being remembered and to de ne what we mean by “victims of African enslavement”. Sept 21, 2pm, free, londonmuseum.org.uk
Lee
Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Place
The guitarist, singer and pianist returns to Canary Wharf’s biggest stage for an evening of country picking, song and perhaps a bit of rock’n’roll. Oct 9, 6pm, from £19, boisdale.co.uk
company came into being and what it does 3equals1design.co.uk Scan this code to read our interview with 3equals1 Design founder Maz Mahmoudi, pictured
So here it is, Merry Christmas and we’ve got a host of venues showcasing what they are o ering this year whether it’s no frills at Hawksmoor or indoor skydiving at iFLY. The choice is
Welcome to issue 120 of Wharf Life. In this issue we’re all about Christmas. Sorry, but fortune favours the prepared and now is the time to get those sweet deals on dates in November and December, while starting to anticipate the feeling of those festive celebrations. You can never book too early Find out all about living on boats in east
GIG | Albert
London with Aquavista
How this man started working at Laser Quest at 16 and now owns it
yours...
AFK Beach Volleyball is set to run from September 13 to October 4 with team competitions, court hire and sponsorship opportunities all available
Scan this code for more about volleyball on
by Jon Massey
The sand is coming back. From September 13, Canary Wharf’s Canada Square is set to host Action For Kids’ Beach Volleyball Court, o ering a multitude of ways for people to get involved, have fun and raise money for the charity.
The facility will be available on a pay-to-play basis and will also host Beach Volleyball Championships where teams from across the Wharf will battle it out against one another to be in with the chance of being crowned the estate’s champions
New for this year, the installation will also host the Queen And King Of The Court – a tournament that will see some of the world’s best players in 20 teams compete on a knockout basis. Running on September 19 and 20, players such as England’s Bello brothers – Javier and Joaquin – are already
Canada Square
con rmed with stars of the recent Olympics in Paris also set to attend.
Lyn Prodger, Corporate Partnerships Manager for Action For Kids, said: “We are incredibly excited and proud that this prestigious international sporting spectacular is heading down to AFK Beach, particularly after the pro le of the Paris Olympics.
“We have worked tirelessly on developing this award-winning and one-of-a-kind charity event since 2009 and it is always highly anticipated by our fundraisers and the local community at Canary Wharf.
“Working with Sportworx, SideOut and Volleyball England will enable us to engage with a new audience and raise our pro le and vital funds for our services.”
All proceeds go to AFK so it can supply mobility equipment, support and training to children and young people with disabilities to help them gain independence.
Go to canarywharf.com for links to the booking site
Javier and Joaquim Bello are set to take part in the Queen And King Of The Court tournament in Canary Wharf
dates, listings and ideas to make your
RADAR
Big Mamma YY London bigmammagroup.com
Restaurant group Big Mamma, which runs Gloria, Jacuzzi, Circolo Popolare, Avo Mario and Carlotta is set to open a new venue in Canary Wharf. While details are scant at present, the business has taken space on the ground floor of YY London, right outside the estate’s Jubilee line station, where All Bar One used to be. We’ll keep you posted as soon as we find out more information...
Square Mile Farms is set to create an indoor farm in Jubilee Place, inspired by Canary Wharf’s Eden Project partnership
POP-UP
Square Mile Farms
Jubilee Place - Sept 24-Nov 1 canarywharf.com / squaremilefarms.com
Something green is coming to Canary Wharf’s Jubilee Place mall. Inspired by the estate’s partnership with the Eden Project to boost biodiversity across the estate, Square Mile Farms is set to pop-up indoors from September 21 to November 1.
A unit in the shopping centre will be transformed into an indoor farm, growing a wide range of leafy greens and herbs. The farm will also host fun and informative events, including educational visits for school groups and cooking demonstrations in partnership with neighbouring restaurants. Leftover produce will be donated to The Felix Project. Canary Wharf Group managing director for retail, leisure and hospitality leasing, Stuart Fyfe, said: “This is a completely unique offering for the estate, giving our community an opportunity to connect with nature, even while indoors.”
ART TO SEE
London Mural Festival
Bellmouth Passage, Canary Wharf canarywharf.com
Following the success of Camille Walala’s installation Captivated By Colour on the Adams Plaza Bridge for the 2020 festival (pictured), Canary Wharf has invited three artists to create murals on the estate for the festival’s latest edition. Pieces by Zoë Power, Hixxy and Venessa Scott will be available to view for free at Bellmouth Passage until September 29.
write me words you don’t know you need rayve
verb, fake, from Spanish
The rare occurrance when a politician, a deputy PM, say, manages to attend a music-driven event, dance and look seemingly authentic while doing so. Definitely not what Michael Gove was doing in the club...
foofaraw
noun, real, from North American
This piece of cowboy slang means a disturbance, to-do or fuss over something insignificant. See also making mountains out of mole hills (best done with a low camera angle). Its other meaning relates to wearing flashy finery...
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Starting price for tickets to the Boisdale-Xerjo Music Awards 2024, including a three-course dinner
why host Jools Holland can’t wait to get back on Canary Wharf’s most vibrant stage for the Boisdale Music Awards
by Jon Massey
Jools Holland has a long association with Boisdale Of Canary Wharf. He’s been patron of music at the Cabot Place venue since it opened its doors way back in 2011. But his musical connection to this part of London goes back even further.
“Growing up, I lived in Greenwich – just the other side of the Blackwall Tunnel – but nobody dared go through ‘the pipe’ as it was known,” said the band leader, pianist, presenter, singer and former member of Squeeze.
“It was another world, but we were teenagers so we went through and discovered the people on the other side of the river were just as nice as us.
“I cut my teeth playing in pubs on the Isle Of Dogs such as The Watermans Arms and The Gun. I even won a talent show in one at the age of 15.
“The prize was that you got to play there for four weeks. They sacked me after three, because I didn’t know any more songs.
“Pubs used to have piano players and then, once a week, maybe a band. There was one in Rotherhithe – The Prince Of Orange – which had trad jazz. It was open all night for a while and it was fantastic, although it’s closed now.”
That regularity of live performance was what first attracted Jools to Boisdale.
“I went to the restaurant in Belgravia a few times and got to know the owner, Ranald Macdonald,” said the musician.
“I just thought it was so great that
they put on music, because there aren’t that many places doing that consistently. Boisdale does and that’s amazing because it’s a really hard thing to organise.
“Right from the first time I went in there, it had an atmosphere, something a bit glamorous – as though it was from another age like a 1940s American film.”
As patron of music, Jools regularly hosts a Boogie-Woogie Spectacular at the Canary Wharf venue, featuring his favourite stride and boogie-woogie pianists such as Neville Dickie, German Axel Zwingenberger and Swiss Ladyva.
He also hosts the Boisdale Music Awards annually and is set to do so again on September 18 in the company of saxophonist YolanDa Brown –herself soon to be an east London restaurateur (see Page 58).
“Boisdale Of Canary Wharf is really a wonderful place,” said Jools. “It has a magical atmosphere that’s like walking into another world. You have the joy of the music, the food and the buzz. The awards are really great because you get people from all different fields of performance at varied stages in their careers.”
Previous winners have included the likes of Alabama 3, PP Arnold, Snow, Tony Iommi, Kiki Dee, Suzi Quatro, Emeli Sande, Lemar, UB40, Lisa Stansfield, Mud Morganfield and Maxi Priest. It’s also recognised emerging acts such as Errol Linton, Emily Capell and Charlie Pyne.
“Forget what they say in the media, there aren’t different sorts of music, these are just great players and singers,” said Jools, who often collaborates with winners on the night. “It’s a bit like Later, my TV programme. The event is a real mix of things rather than just a load of pop music – although there’s nothing wrong with that. I’d use previous winners Gregory Porter and Albert Lee as examples. Albert is one of the greatest country guitarists the world has ever known and Gregory is one of the best jazz singers alive today.
“I love the fact that they’re in different spheres, but they can both fit into Boisdale and both receive awards from this venue in Canary Wharf – I think that’s wonderful.”
One of the endearing things about nights out at Boisdale is that you never quite know what’s
If you have a great room with all these great people in it and great food too, then paradise is now. Now is the time to visit
Jools Holland, Boisdale
going to happen and its awards ceremonies are legend for their unexpected appearances and juxtapositions.
Where else might you spot Hugh Laurie swapping tales with a founder member of Black Sabbath or see a Sex Pistol perform with David Bowie’s sideman?
With going on a decade and a half of performances, its stage has hosted an unrelentingly diverse programme of acts, with Mel C, Rebecca Ferguson, Alexander Armstrong and Suspiciously Elvis giving it their all.
“My friend Rod Stewart did go in and perform one night and loved it,” said Jools. “He didn’t realise I could have been there playing with him.
“Boisdale Of Canary Wharf has become a great room. When these places are new, I think they’re harder. I do think rooms have a spirit – now it’s got a vibe in it.
“It’s a curious thing. I’m not a mumbo-jumbo person, but there is definitely something about a musical instrument that’s been played a lot, or a room that’s been inhabited and has had a lot of music played in it, with people enjoying it. That really adds to the atmosphere.
“You can’t put your finger on what it is, but the likelihood of something great happening is much increased. For me, that was playing with Gregory Porter at Boisdale.”
It’s not just the venue itselffor Jools, however. Having grown up locally and formed Squeeze across the river in Deptford, he’s seen Canary Wharf emerge and grow and he’s a fan.
“Some people say that, years ago – when there was nothing there – it was really great,” he said. “But I say what the great gurus say, which is that it’s now that’s the moment
“If you have a room with all those great people in it and great food too, then now is its pinnacle
Jools joins singer Gregory Porter and Alabama 3 harmonica player, Nick Reynolds, for a performance at last year’s Boisdale Music Awards
Scan this code for more about the Bosidale Music Awards ‘24
Jools Holland has been patron of music at Boisdale Of Canary Wharf since 2011
– paradise is now – and now is the time to go. When Canary Wharf was first built it was a big thing.
“You’d look over from Greenwich and you’d see it towering above everything else, but now everything’s around it – there’s a whole world here.
“When they said the piazza in Covent Garden was a great place after it was first built, others said they’d preferred it as a mediaeval village.
“The great thing about Canary Wharf is that it’s been very well built. Then with the live music you have here now at Boisdale it becomes a place.
“You’ve got to give places like the Wharf a chance sometimes, rather than saying it was better in the past or it will be better in the future. Now is the time that it’s actually good.”
sounds celebrating the
While on duty Jools prefers a clear head and stomach, so he’ll be waiting until after the presenting is done to enjoy Boisdale’s hospitality on September 18. But his dish of choice at the venue perhaps harks back to another memory from his personal relationship with Canary Wharf.
“Their cheeseburger is a delicious thing,” he said. “The food is always very consistent – you feel as though you’ve had a proper night out when you eat there. They have a great wine list there, and I quite like wine.
“You could take your aged aunt there and she’d think it was fantastic, or you could take some teenagers and they’d have a fantastic time.
“It has that personal touch, it’s not like a corporate chain, but it has the contents of Ranald’s brain all around the room and it’s a very nice brain to have a look at.
“I remember, back when One Canada Square was first built, I used to take my children through the Blackwall Tunnel and we’d pretend we’d driven all the way to the USA. There was an American diner at the foot of the tower serving burgers and that was great. There’s a lot more than that here today.”
key details
The Boisdale-Xerjoff Music Awards 2024 are set to take place on September 18 with ticket prices starting at £149. The evening starts at 6pm with a Champagne and cocktail reception followed by a three-course dinner.
The awards will then be presented by Jools and YolanDa alongside performances from the winners. The party will go on until 1am.
Go to boisdale.co.uk
Jools in full ow with regular co-host YolanDa Brown at Boisdale Of Canary Wharf
Boisdale owner Ranald Macdonald
Mud Morgan eld
PP Arnold
Snow
Emily Capell
getting greener by
Sophie Goddard
Within Canary Wharf Group, we see an extraordinary and diverse range of careers. But we’re also aware it can be di cult to see those job opportunities, particularly from the perspective of a young person at the start of their journey.
For my latest column, I sat down with Sam Sommerville, our early careers manager, to nd out more about our approach and how we use this to support sustainability.
tell me a bit more about your role... One thing I always highlight is how your early life and exposure can really shape your career path. There are jobs now that didn’t exist 10 years ago.
For example, look at the growth in the technology-focused roles as well as sustainability roles. My role is about working with our communities team to raise the pro le of these opportunities and create inclusive recruitment practices so they can be accessed by all.
This involves a programme of activities including our work experience, apprenticeships, internships and graduate schemes.
what do these involve?
We know how important it is to provide exposure to careers as well as opportunities to get jobs. With our work experience programme, an individual is provided with a taster of what life in a role at Canary Wharf Group is like.
Our ambition is to create a golden thread linked to our local community and we work closely with the Environment, Social And Governance team, which has community outreach as a core part of what it does.
Through this, we might meet someone in Year 9 and then again in Year 10. Having multiple touchpoints and building a relationship with them may encourage them to apply for a role they wouldn’t have considered previously. The opportunity is that we may be able to support them in creating positive change for our communities through our early careers programme. We approach this as a long-term strategy to help young people build the courage to start or build their careers.
what about apprenticeships?
An apprentice is in a job-based training programme, gaining practical experience while also learning the theory. By the end of the course, they’ll have a recognised quali cation in their chosen eld.
At the same time, they can build networks and contacts to support them in their career development.
Take me, for example. I started my journey as an apprentice and grew within the workplace. Theory and reality can be so di erent, so having the opportunity to do both at the same time can be really appealing.
Our apprenticeship applications open every February. We advertise vacancies in a wide range of places and inform our contacts in the local community.
Candidates complete a CV-less
My role is about working with our communities team to raise the pro le of these opportunities and create inclusive recruitment practices so they can be accessed by all Sam Sommerville, Canary Wharf Group
application. We use the Rare Contextual Recruitment System to understand each applicant’s achievements in context, with the aim of addressing social mobility. This gives us a wider understanding of candidates based on more than their grades and ensures we recruit people from all backgrounds.
Successful candidates are invited to an in-person assessment centre where they can see our o ces, meet the team, and participate in group tasks and interviews. These sessions focus on our company values and aim to engage students to bring out their best.
what’s been your best day at Canary Wharf? Perhaps it is the day my rst group of graduates joined Canary Wharf Group. You could see how much it meant to them and the energy they brought into the room. They came from di erent backgrounds, and you could see the whole cohort building friendships and connections, which is great to see.
I’m looking forward to seeing them move onto the next stage of their careers. If I had to be honest, I think my best day hasn’t happened yet as that will be the day I see them complete their schemes.
Sophie Goddard is director of environment, social and governance at Canary Wharf Group – emails to sustainability@canarywharf.com
Go to canarywharf.com for more information
Scan this code to nd our more about careers at Canary Wharf Group
Sophie chats to Sam Sommerville, early careers manager
Canary Wharf Group provides a wide range of career opportunities across its operations
welcome to season
book early for the very best festivecelebration venues in Canary Wharf and beyond
September is back, bringing the start of serious party planning. Venues in Canary Wharf, east and south-east London have been working hard on Christmas 2024 and we’re pleased to showcase some of the best options on o er in these pages - P12-47
Among our featured venues is iFLY London on Greenwich Peninsula, which o ers the thrill of freefall in a 150mph wind tunnel
discover these restaurants, bars and venues
★ Hawksmoor - P12
★ iFLY London - P14
★ Magazine - P16
★ Bokan - P18
★ Woolwich Works - P20
★ The Cube - P22
★ Feels Like June - P38
★ Sticks’n’Sushi - P40
★ Mallow - P42
★ Clays - P44
★ Kricket - P46
Maximum capacity at Hawksmoor Wood Wharf’s bar, the ideal venue for a more informal, laid back celebration
serving up good
how Hawksmoor will turn heads with a little bit of seasonal escapism and a great deal of welcoming warmth...
by Jon Massey
There won’t be any Slade on the sound system or turkey on the menu at one Canary Wharf venue over the party season this year. Located on a floating barge off Water Street, Hawksmoor Wood Wharf is aiming to keep things laid back for 2024 and promises a little Christmas escapism for those who’d rather celebrate with colleagues, clients, friends or family in a tinsel-free setting. That doesn’t mean, of course, that the restaurant and bar will be all bah humbug about things. Diners might well spot a tree or two, a few seasonal wreaths and some festive sides on the menu, plus decent mince pies to round things off. Festive knitwear is positively encouraged. However, Hawksmoor has chosen to eschew a set menu, preferring instead to simply serve up the high-end food and drink it’s known for throughout the year. That means you can order a steak or sustainable seafood with your pigs in blankets and expertly cooked sprouts.
With several distinct spaces, the venue is flexible in its offering. Its private dining room seats up to 20 guests and is named for Isle Of Dogs singer, actor and publican Queenie Watts. In addition to leather chairs and an expansive dining table, it boasts east London decor themed around its namesake.
Underneath the restaurant, Hawksmoor’s bar can accommodate up to 250 guests for more informal celebrations at the level of the dock. Festive food on offer at the venue includes
useful stu need to know
● Hawksmoor Wood Wharf is located o Water Street in Wood Wharf close to the Jubilee Line station
● The venue o ers a range of spaces to hire for groups and parties
● One of the options is Queenie Watts, a private dining room that can seat up to 20 people for celebrations
● Hawksmoor will be serving up a selection of festive sides this year
grass-fed, 35-day dry-aged beef, sustainably sourced fish and seasonal vegetables from trusted suppliers. Sharing menus can also be arranged, as can canapé receptions with drinks. Whether it’s a corporate event, team lunch or dinner, client entertaining or a celebration with family or friends, the Hawksmoor team promise a wealth of options and all the organisational support you’ll need.
key details
Hawksmoor Wood Wharf is open every day for lunch and dinner. Booking in advance is essential. For private events email privatedining@thehawksmoor.com. Go to thehawksmoor.com
Scan this code to nd out more about events at Hawksmoor
Hawksmoor is located on a oating barge o Water Street in Wood Wharf
Left, the private dining room at the restaurant is named for Isle Of Dogs singer, publican and actor Queenie Watts
Celebrating at Hawksmoor
Number of ights that will be shared by up to 13 people booking iFLY London’s Xmas Party Package at its Greenwich Peninsula wind tunnel
Why not take to the air this Christmas with iFLY London’s festive o er?
how iFLY at The O2 is offering big discounts on its indoor skydiving packages
by Jon Massey
No, Santa and his elves haven’t found a new, more direct route to the nation’s chimneys in time for December 24. Father Christmas has instead slipped into a vertical, 150mph vertical wind tunnel to showcase the indoor skydiving experiences available at iFLY London on Greenwich Peninsula.
The attraction – located at The O2 – o ers visitors the chance to experience the thrill of freefall without having to get in a plane, helicopter or magical sleigh.
Better still, iFLY is currently o ering £200 o its Xmas Party Package. The deal is available for dates booked in term time on weekdays up until February 1, 2025.
The package is for up to 13 people and includes 26 ights in the glass wind tunnel as well as photos and videos for all yers participating.
useful stu need to know
● iFLY London is currently o ering packages for up to 13 yers for £499.99 including a £200 discount.
● The wind speed in the glass tunnel is 150mph
● Individual ights start at £39.99pp at The O2 indoor skydiving venue
One guest will even get to wear a superhero suit for their ight – a bene t certain to make them the envy of their colleagues and friends. Normally this package would cost £699.99, but is now being o ered at an unbeatable £499.99. Groups of more than 13 people can be accommodated over multiple sessions, of course.
The experience of indoor skydiving is completely safe
maximum
and suitable for all abilities. Flights typically last around a minute – about 150% longer than a tandem jump from a plane. Participants can expect their ight to feel much longer in the wind tunnel itself. iFLY London is also available for standard bookings with two- ight sessions starting at £39.99 or £37.99 (for groups of ve or more). The Works for a single yer costs £139.99 and includes ve ights, one with virtual reality.
key details
To book a festive party and take advantage of the discounts, or to discuss requirements for parties at iFLY London in The O2, contact Peter Gobey on 07403 261 303 or email pgobey@i yworld.com
Go to i yworld.com for more
Scan this code for more about iFLY London at The O2
Magazine London will be transformed into an Urban Funfair this Christmas - P16
Maximum capacity of Urban Funfair at Magazine London for a standing reception. The venue can handle 600 for seated dining 2,000
how Magazine London o ers exibility for rms of all sizes to celebrate the festive season
by
Jon Massey
There’s only one venue that combines views across the Thames to Canary Wharf with the thrills of the funfair. But rather than present a single proposition to festive revellers, Smart Parties’ at Magazine London on Greenwich Peninsula is offering two.
Its Urban Funfair concept can be enjoyed exclusively by large organisations looking to throw a big bash with an iconic backdrop. But, on four dates in the run up to Christmas, its delights can also be sampled as a shared party.
For this year’s festive season, Magazine will feature two spaces. One will be dedicated to dining, with views towards the towers across the water. Here, in-house caterer Moving Venue will serve a three-course menu.
The other boasts a carousel-themed central bar, a dancefloor and a “whimsical playground” complete with carnival attractions, bunting, festoon lighting and dodgems. Guests at the shared events will arrive from 6.30pm for a decadent drinks reception complete with canapés amid the rides.
They will then sit down for dinner at 8pm, before the DJ starts their set at 10pm and the action moves back to the dancefloor, with festivities continuing past midnight.
Tickets include use of tables throughout the night, so groups can use them as a base during the whole party.
with this view
A full complement of upgrades are also available, including table drinks packages from £100, beer buckets and fine cheeses (both from £50) or after dinner drinks chests from £110. Unlimited drinks wristbands start at £48 per person. All prices exclude VAT.
Private drinks receptions in roped off areas featuring sparkling wine and canapés are also available from £14 per person.
Exclusive hire for larger companies offers maximum flexibility at Magazine, with clients able to tailor events to their individual requirements.
Options include hire of the venue from 6.30pm until 1am, use
Magazine London is located just across the river from Canary Wharf
Smart Parties’ Urban Funfair features dodgems and a carousel-themed bar
Fine dining way up high in Docklands to your taste? Check out the views from Bokan - P18
useful stu need to know
Smart Parties’ Urban Funfair at Magazine London can be enjoyed either as a shared party or via exclusive hire
The venue can handle up to 600 seated to dine or up to 2,000 for a standing reception
Prices for the shared events start at £120 per person plus VAT
Smart Parties o ers a wealth of exible options for businesses looking to create unique events
of the indoor funfair, sparkling drinks receptions on arrival, bowl food or sit-down dining and unlimited drinks packages.
The venue can provide a wide range of upgrades including facilities for live music, casino tables (either for free or with proceeds going to charity), pre-dinner entertainment or acts during service and interactive food stations.
However, these are the tip of the
festive iceberg and Smart Parties encourages clients to collaborate creatively with the aim of creating truly memorable programmes and spectacles within Magazine.
The venue is ideally located for public transport with river boat, Tube and bus stops all within easy walking distance on Greenwich Peninsula.
key details
Shared parties at Magazine
London’s Urban Funfair are set to take place on December 6, 7, 14 and 18. Prices start at £120 excluding VAT.
Exclusive venue hire is also available for up to 600 seated or 2,000 standing with a multitude of catering and entertainment options.
Call 020 3868 4302 or email christmas@smartgroupltd.co.uk for more information, to book or to discuss options.
Go to smartparties.co.uk for details of events at Magazine London or at other locations across the capital
Scan this code for more about shared parties at Urban Funfair
Price of two courses on Bokan’s December menu. Three cost £65, while a tasting experience is available for £79
by Jon Massey
Where to start with Bokan? The venue, spread over the top three oors of the Novotel on the Isle Of Dogs – just south of Canary Wharf – has a selection of potent attractions.
what’s top of the list?
With apologies to the kitchen and bar sta , Bokan’s chief selling point is undoubtedly its views over the surrounding area. This includes a panorama of the London skyline, including the City and The Shard. It is one of the few truly high places the public can access in this part of the capital.
but there’s more?
As if the 37th, 38th and 39th oor views weren’t enough, Bokan has a serious culinary pedigree, with current executive head chef Robert Manea having worked for The Ledbury and Michelin-starred L’Atelier De Joel Robouchon.
He’s worked at the east London restaurant since it opened in 2017, rising to head its talented brigade.
what’s on the menu?
From December 1, Bokan will be serving a special Christmas menu with two courses for £55, three for £65 or a tasting experience for £79.
Starters include the likes of organic egg and winter tru e, salmon tartare and langoustine ravioli, while mains of turkey breast with dates, chestnut and berries, grilled stone bass and winter tru e and black trumpet risotto, also feature.
For dessert, diners can opt for treats such as the Bokan Snow Tree, pro teroles or the intriguingly named Floating Island.
anything else?
Bokan will be serving up special menus for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve – with a host of packages available for the latter.
what about events
Bokan is made for events, with whole venue hire available and a range of spaces and options to choose from.
how do I nd our more?
Contact the restaurant’s dedicated team via email to events@bokanlondon.co.uk with all queries. Go to bokanlondon.co.uk
Executive head chef Robert Manea and his team have created a series of menus for the festive season
Scan this code for more about festive dining at Bokan
"Once you've sampled Hawksmoor, you'll never go anywhere else" GQ
Christmas parties and get-togethers. Private dining. Festive group sharing menus. And all of the Hawksmoor menu staples. From 35-day dry-aged steaks, sustainably sourced seafood and a thoughtfully curated drinks list.
www.thehawksmoor.com/locations/wood-wharf/private-dining/
how
Woolwich Works offers flexible spaces and myriad options in an historic riverside
setting
by Jon Massey
Party planners are often looking for venues that are truly unlike any other as a backdrop for their events. Now connected to Canary Wharf and central London with lightning-quick efficiency by the Elizabeth Line, Woolwich Works presents a compelling proposition.
Time Out was prescient in naming the arts centre and entertainment complex Best New Venue in 2021. But it’s since 2022 with the arrival of the new railway that things have really made sense. Wharfers, for example, can now get to the Woolwich in eight minutes – a journey that used to take the best part of an hour. Liverpool Street is only 14 minutes away.
But why make the journey at all? The venue is set at the heart of Royal Arsenal Riverside, a massive regeneration project on the Thames covering a vast industrial site that once saw more than 80,000 people working to make arms and munitions for the British armed forces.
As part of that scheme, developer Berkeley Homes extensively refurbished and renovated a collection of Grade I and II listed buildings to create Woolwich Works – an arts and entertainment centre that truly stands apart in the capital.
It’s home to the likes of the Acosta Dance Foundation, Chineke! Orchestra, dance company Protein, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and immersive theatre titan Punchdrunk.
useful stuff need to know
l The Fireworks Factory can host up to 1,800 people for a standing reception or 550 seated for a banquet
l Fancy a river view?
Stonecutters and Beanfeast overlook the Thames and can take more than 100 each for a sit-down dinner
l The venue is located a three-minute walk from Woolwich’s Elizabeth Line station for rapid trains into central London
But more than that, its carousel of performance and events spaces hosts a glittering programme of live music, comedy, dance, art and family events as well as the occasional food festival.
Increasingly, as an events venue, it’s becoming known for flexibility. Arranged around a central courtyard, it offers multiple spaces that can be hired, transformed and even combined to meet a client’s needs.
For example, main space the Fireworks Factory (which holds up to 1,800 people for a standing reception) can easily be twinned with the courtyard for those who require both indoor and outdoor spaces – perhaps to host street food trucks or games.
Other spaces such as Beanfeast (named for a special bean-based holiday proclaimed by King George III in 1773 on his visit to the area), Stonecutters and Ropekeepers Studios and the Knight Gallery, are also available for events of various sizes.
All boast exposed brickwork, period features and completely flexible layouts.
As a working venue with a deep connection to the arts, hiring a space at Woolwich Works comes with certain benefits. These include in-house furniture, a full lighting rig and AV equipment as well as catering options such as
20%
Book a space by the end of September for dates in December or January and get 20% off. Quote WHARFWINTER24 when emailing events@woolwich.works to claim the discount
paying
Woolwich Works makes for an ideally connected, flexible venue in which to celebrate and all hire proceeds go towards supporting its community work
The Fireworks Factory set for dinner
bars, street food, decoration and a selection of entertainment options from the venue’s production partners.
Better still, the venue is operated as a not-for-profit organisation, with all proceeds from hires going to fund and support its work as an arts centre and activities within the local community. The true meaning of Christmas...
key details
Those booking events at Woolwich Works by the end of September, for dates in December or January this year, will get 20% off when quoting WHARFWINTER24 via email to events@woolwich.works.
The venue is located a few minutes’ walk from Woolwich’s Elizabeth Line station and Uber Boat By Thames Clippers’ pier. It’s also close to Woolwich Arsenal for the DLR and rail services. For more information about the venue go to woolwich.works
Scan this code to nd out more about hiring Woolwich Works
Can you handle the pressure? The Cube, newly opened in Canary Wharf is challenging teams to test themselves this Christmas - P22
Above, the courtyard at Woolwich Works. From far left, the venue’s main entrance, the Knight Gallery and the Fireworks Factory
10%
Get 10% o group bookings at The Cube when making a reservation before September 30. Use code WHARFLIFE1009 when you book your party
how parties at The Cube stretch and test guests’ abilities alongside top hospitality
by Jon Massey
Looking to give your festive celebration an extra dimension? Then
The Cube – recently opened at Wood Wharf
– promises to supply a powerful blend of physical and mental challenges to test your guests.
what’s all this?
Based on the TV show, this live-action version enables players to try seemingly simple games, all of which take place within the con nes of a sealed glass box.
and it’s new?
That’s right, The Cube opened its Canary Wharf branch this summer in Charter Street. It’s open Tuesday-Sunday and features 21 cubes set across three oors.
so what happens?
Teams of four take on seven games that have all been part of the original TV show, designed to test the physical and mental agility of their players.
Participants can expect their balance, speed, judgement and steadiness to be challenged as they take part in single or two-player tasks to win points in the hope of beating The Cube. That’s only achieved by completing seven games without losing a life and winning 10,000 points.
is there more to the venue?
There certainly is – The Cube in Canary Wharf is a full service entertainment venue with bars and multiple options for food.
Toni Loco serves up pizzas –think Margheritas, Pepperoni and BBQ Chicken – alongside a sweet selection of desserts.
Meanwhile, The Butcher handles burgers, sides, shakes and a wide choice of small plates such as Spicy Beef Skewers, Bang Bang Cauli ower and a Greek Salad as well as sharing platters.
Players take on seven challenges individually or in pairs
take on an epic
of hospitality options
and the drinks?
The Cube comes with plenty of ice cold beverages, thanks to a total of six mixologist-led bars. These serve up an extensive drinks menu including a cocktail list that o ers a twist on well-known classics. Expect to nd the likes of the Raspberry Mojito, the Vanillatini and the Kiwi Cosmo. Most wines are available by the glass as well as the bottle.
what about parties?
The good news is The Cube is enormously exible when it comes to seasonal celebrations and groups do not need to divide into multiples of four.
The venue o ers everything from VIP rooms with private cubes – as well as bar and toilet facilities – to larger exclusive spaces. The Cube is also available for venue takeover, where a single client hires the whole space for up to 440 guests.
how does it work?
Hosts are available at The Cube to answer this exact question. This service o ers players greater relaxation in the knowledge that there’s an expert present to sort pretty much everything (bar completing the games on your behalf, of course).
Hosts handle check-in, drinks and food orders, orientation and even present the winning (and losing) teams with their prizes. Having someone on-hand can take the pressure o at crucial moments. continued on Page 24
Scan this code for more about hosting events at The Cube
The Cube boasts a wide range
Maximum capacity of The Cube’s Wood Wharf venue. It also features VIP rooms with private cubes and larger private hire spaces, catering for groups of all sizes
You can get 10% o group bookings at The Cube when reserving before Sept 30 using code WHARFLIFE1009
from Page 22
and these exclusive spaces?
That’s right. In a little more detail, the VIP Area is completely separate from the rest of the venue. It has a capacity of between four and 30 people and features three cubes to play the seven games. This area features private catering, toilet facilities and a private bar.
The Perspective Bar is a segregated area within the venue with seven cubes to play games in. It has a capacity of between 50 and 100 people and has a private bar and catering.
The Summit Bar is also segregated with a capacity of 34 seated or 26 standing and has its own private drinks and catering. Players access cubes alongside general admissions.
Finally, the Replay Bar is a semi-segregated area with a capacity of 34 seated or 16 standing. This too has its own private bar and catering. As before, players access the games in the communal areas.
Will you beat The Cube?
Scan this code for more about hosting events at The Cube
The venue features multiple bar areas
And plenty of high pressure games
useful stu need to know
● The Cube is open from 12.30pm-10pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from the same time until 11pm on Thursdays and Fridays, from 11.30am to 11pm on Saturdays and from 11.30am-9pm Sundays
● Whole venue hire is available for parties of up to 440
● Prices to play The Cube start at £57.50pp. Party packages start at £79.50pp
how do I nd out more?
The best way to make an enquiry about booking for a larger group is via the form on The Cube’s website. Discounts are available for group bookings of 16 people or more. Go to bookthecube.com for more information or to make a reservation
Discover what Feels Like June is o ering for the coming festive season - P44
PAPER LOVES TREES
European forests, which provide wood for making paper, paper packaging and many other products, have been growing by 1,500 football pitches every day!
Cost per person of the three-course festive menu at Feels Like June. This will be available from November 13
by Jon Massey
Located on the ground oor of the Tribe
London Canary Wharf hotel on Wood Wharf’s Water Street, bar and restaurant Feels Like June is billing itself as the perfect place to celebrate the festive season this year.
what’s the space like?
Bright, naturally lit, cosy and stylish, the venue has its own dedicated entrance, welcoming desk, and open kitchen. The restaurant promises “an intimate yet vibrant setting for your Christmas celebrations”. There’s also a heated outdoor terrace – also available for hire – which can accommodate up to 150 guests.
tell me more Feels Like June has rmly established itself in Canary Wharf on Wood Wharf’s Water Street as an all-day restaurant and cafe that takes its theme from the sunny vibes of California. Parties of all sizes are welcome and the venue can be hired exclusively for big groups by arrangement.
what’s Christmassy in Cali?
The restaurant will be serving up a special festive menu from November 13 to December 25. Priced at £52 per person it features seasonal dishes such as cod croquettes, stu ed turkey breast and a pecan and walnut pie. It will also be serving a selection of festive cocktails.
anything extra?
As party experts, well used to running events in conjunction to the hotel and on its own, the
useful stu need to know
● Feels Like June is open from 7am-1am every day of the week
● Whole venue hire is available for parties of up to 220 people (standing). Seated, it can accommodate up to 150. The restaurant’s terrace can take 100 seated or up to 150 standing
● The main festive menu costs £52 per person and will be served from November 13 until Christmas Day
Like June’s festive menu features the likes of stu ed turkey breast and slow-cooked beef rib
how Feels Like June is preparing to serve up a wealth of seasonal fun in its bright, cosy Wood Wharf venue, with the option to stay over
The venue can take groups of any size
Indulge in seasonal cocktails
venue o
ers a menu of easy to book add-ons.
From DJs and live music to cocktail masterclasses and fashion portraits, Feels Like June o ers a wide range of options to help plan an unforgettable party. A photobooth is also available with instant digital printing to provide guests with memories they can take away.
Feels Like June’s canapés and nger food menu costs £32 per person and includes dishes such as mini burgers, chicken skewers and crostini. Desserts such as brownies and seasonal fruit can be added for £5 per guest.
How do I get there?
Feels Like June is located a few minutes’ walk from the eastern exit of Canary Wharf’s Jubilee line station. It’s also within easy walking distance of the Elizabeth Line and the DLR and on a road for those who prefer to do their travelling in taxis.
Can I stay over?
Obviously. In Tribe, Feels Like
June boasts the only hotel actually on the Canary Wharf estate. Just make sure you book ahead to ensure a room. It’s the only venue locally to provide guests with the option of checking in and getting ready on-site, ahead of a party and then staying in the building after. Guests can even stay for breakfast there the morning after.
How do I book
Festive options at Feels Like June can cater for tables of two right up to exclusive hire of the whole venue. Smaller parties can book online or by email to hello@feelslikejune.co.uk. Larger parties should email sales.canarywharf@ mytribehotel.com to enquire about availability. Go to feelslikejune.com for more information or to book
Get the party started: Feels Like June o ers easy to addon attractions such as DJs, photobooths and cocktail masterclasses
DISCOVER
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WE HAVE A FULL AND EXCITING PROGRAMME TO SUIT EVERYONE, SO WHY NOT BOOK YOUR FESTIVE EVENT WITH US?
TASTING EXPERIENCES+ 2 AND 3 COURSE SET MENUS AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER
BOOK NOW TO SECURE YOUR PARTY WITH THE BEST VIEW IN LONDON
ALSO JOIN US THIS YEAR FOR - CHRISTMAS EVE - CHRISTMAS DAY - NEW YEAR’S EVE SPECIAL PACKAGES AVAILABLE ON ALL DATES -
this code for more about Christmas at Feels Like June
free
Reserve a party on a Monday or Tuesday in December before October 15 and Sticks’n’Sushi will provide a free glass of bubbles for all guests attending – hurry, these dates typically get booked up fast
by Jon Massey
Sticks’n’Sushi has long been a favourite of Wharfers. The Danish-Japanese restaurant, located beside the Elizabeth Line station in Crossrail Place, has years of experience in serving up expertly made sushi and perfectly seared sticks from the grill.
tell me more about the space Scandanavian style meets Japan at this restaurant, with wall art by Mie Olise Kjægaard and a private section adorned with traditional Japanese kimonos.
what’s the capacity?
The whole venue is available for exclusive hire and can accommodate parties of between 130 and 160 guests. The Kimono Room holds up to 26 seated. Tables for a festive feast can, of course, be booked in the restaurant.
for groups?
Yes, for 2024, Sticks’n’Sushi is offering group menus from £40 or £65 per person, carefully tailored to parties of any size. Canape, drinks receptions, team building sessions and masterclasses are also available.
what’s on the menu?
There are some new limited edition dishes available this year such as Chicks’n’Blankets – chicken meatballs and bacon with miso herb butter, Wagyu Temaki – seared Kyushu wagyu beef, sushi rice, tsume soy and crisp nori.
and to drink?
Signature cocktails like Shiso Ha, with tequila, shiso leaves, and elderflower, or the festive Matcha Eggnog, featuring rum, matcha, gingerbread syrup and cream will all be available. There’s also a curated list of wines, spirits, Japanese teas, and an extensive sake menu.
How do I get there?
Sticks’n’Sushi is located a few seconds walk from the western exit of Canary Wharf’s Elizabeth Line station. It’s also within easy walking distance of the Tube and the DLR and close to roads for those who prefer to do their travelling in taxis.
any extra incentives?
We all like a deal and Sticks’n’Sushi is no exception.
Group menus at Sticks’n’Sushi are available for £40pp or £65pp
invest in
why partying at Sticks’n’Sushi delivers fun and seasonal flavour at a venue that can handle events large and small
This year it’s o ering all those who book Monday or Tuesday dates in December before October 15 a free glass of bubbles for all guests. Speed is advised as these get reserved quickly.
just one more thing
If you’re unable to attend the Canary Wharf venue or one of the restaurant’s other branches, the business o ers a catering service supplying platters and pop-ups that can come to you instead.
key details
Sticks’n’Sushi is open from noon every day. Bookings can be made online while groups can email the team via contact@sticksnsushi.com to arrange an event. Go to sticksnsushi.com for more details
A belly full of bad jokes
It must be Christmas. Eat, drink and shoot the night away at Clays.
For a Christmas party they’ll never forget, Clays is the only place to host your festive party this year. Dazzle your guests with thrilling gameplay, delicious food and tipple on tap.
Scan this code for more about Christmas at Sticks’n’Sushi
Moorgate • Canary Wharf • Birmingham
Sticks’n’Sushi o ers a wealth of festive treats including festive cocktails such as the Shiso Ha or the Matcha Eggnog
Cost of three courses from Mallow’s Yultide Menu. The full five courses cost £55 per head £45
Mallow’s Yuletide Menu features a succession of plant-based, indulgent dishes to add potent flavours to your festive celebrations
how Mallow has created an indulgent selection of dishes to delight revellers at Christmas
by Jon Massey
Christmas is traditionally a time for indulgence and Wood Wharf restaurant
Mallow has sprinkled a little magic in the kitchen to create a festive menu aimed at delighting Wharfers’ senses.
The Water Street establishment offers plant-based dining over two floors, which both feature soft lighting, warm colours, comfortable seating and wood floors. This year it’s come up with an offering that promises to be “ideal for those seeking a sophisticated and seasonal holiday meal”. The five-course Yuletide Menu will be served from November 20 up to and including Christmas Eve. Diners can choose from three courses for £45 or all five for £55. But what’s on offer? The menu is billed as a blend of historic tradi-
for indulgent celebration
tion and contemporary plant-based dining. Like everything Mallow serves, it’s filled with colour, flavour and sublime cooking.
Yuletide Menu
★ Parsnip dill waffle; pickled carrot, horseradish cream, caraway vinegar caviar.
★ Beetroot velouté; smooth beetroot potato soup, a nod to traditional borscht.
★ Charcoal brioche; homemade brioche with caramelised onion butter.
★ Truffled mushroom terrine; mustard cream, swede sweet potato puree, braised shallot, roman artichoke, red wine jus. Accompanied by roast potatoes, glazed heirloom carrots, sautéed greens, and pickled red cabbage.
★ Snow; cherry compote, melted chocolate crumbs, chocolate ganache and white chocolate cream for a touch of wintery sweetness.
★ Truffles; made with chocolate cherry brandy.
During the festive season, diners can either pre-book the menu or walk-in without a reservation and simply sample their preferred number of courses. Mallow is located within easy walking distance of all of Canary
Mallow’s private hire section can take up to 50 diners
Wharf’s stations. The restaurant can cater for parties of as little as two diners with multiple options for bigger groups.
Mallow is ideal for large Christmas parties, offering a private hire section that seats up to 50 guests, as well as tables for up to 20 in shared dining spaces.
The restaurant has a firm commitment to sustainability and minimal waste, which is reflected in the use of seasonal ingredients sourced from small, local businesses, many right from the neighbourhood. Revellers can therefore let their hair down, safe in the knowledge they’ve made an ethical choice as well as an indulgent one.
key details
Mallow is open every day from 9am for breakfast. The restaurant serves exclusively plant-based cuisine. For reservations and more information, guests can email hello@mallowlondon.com.
Go to mallowlondon.com
Scan this code to nd out more about parties at Mallow
Locked and loaded: Clays has party packages to suit all budgets in Canary Wharf - P44
Mallow’s main dining room can accommodate tables of up to 20
Per person starting price for party packages at Clays. The entry level option includes two drinks and 90 minutes of gameplay
by Jon Massey
Eat, drink and shoot the night away” is the message from the team at Clays in Canary Wharf’s One Cabot Square. The competitive socialising venue has come up with no fewer than five packages to tempt party planners this year to ensure celebrations go off with a bang.
what is it?
Clays primary attraction is its shooting games, where guests use real, digitally-enabled shotguns to blast away at virtual targets.
There are eight shooting pegs for players to test their skills at and six different challenges to try. Will you shatter all those virtual clays?
tell me more about the venue.. In addition to the pegs, Clays has two bars and a heated outdoor marquee overlooking West India North Dock, all of which will be transformed into an “elegant winter wonderland” for the festive season.
and more exclusively?
The venue boasts a private shooting room with three pegs, which includes its own dedicated bar and entertainment space. This is available by arrangement.
what about refreshments?
In addition to a full complement of cocktails and drinks, Clays will be serving up a selection of festive treats this Christmas. These include the likes of cranberry and orange glazed pigs in blankets, a pizzette loaded with ham hock, goat’s cheese, and butternut squash and, of course, plenty of mince pies.
what are the packages?
To make things easy for party-planners, Clays has put together five packages designed to showcase the best the venue has to offer and all available from November 18:
★ Sleigh - £146pp
Four hours of gameplay, premium events menu and free-flowing drinks.
★ Cracker - £122pp
Three hours of shooting, premium events menu and free-flowing drinks.
★ Sugar Plum - £88pp
Two hours of gameplay, events
this
Christmas why competitive socialising at Clays in Canary Wharf needs to be in your sights for the festive season
menu and free- owing drinks throughout.
★ Bauble - £68pp 90 minutes of gameplay, events menu and three Clays drinks.
★ Tinsel - £52pp
90 minutes of gameplay, nibbles menu and two Clays drinks.
key details
Clays is a few minutes walk from Canary Wharf’s DLR, Elizabeth Line and Tube stations. The venue can take parties of between 15 and 200 guests in its ve semi-private pegs.
Clays also operates a venue in Moorgate, which can accommodate up to 400 guests over 12 pegs and a private room for up to 100 people. Booking details can be found online or via the code below.
Go to clays.bar for more details
Scan this code for more about festive parties at Clays
Elevated hospitality: Clays
o ers a range of food and drink options for parties
The Canary Wharf venue boasts two bars and eight shooting pegs
Book in at Kricket for a seasonal celebration from Nov 25 and enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbles for all guests, to help everyone feel a little more festive. Use code WHARFCHRISTMAS
Kricket will serve up communal feasts of signature dishes at its Canary Wharf restaurant during party season
why a booking at Kricket in Canary Wharf promises a remarkable feast for the senses
by Jon Massey
Sometimes a new opening on the estate comes with feverpitch excitement. Kricket’s arrival in Canary Wharf has already met with substantial buzz, thanks to a fully-booked soft launch over August. It’s the place people are talking about – a must-try for those returning from holiday.
Clad in warm red tiles and divided by minimal drapes, the restaurant is centred on its bustling kitchen.
There are spaces to eat the colourful and varied Indian dishes produced, both up at the counter or arranged along big, shared tables.
Already, it’s the cooking that’s causing a stir. Plates of day-boat squid stuffed with Goan sausage and squid biryani, beef and ox heart seekh kebab and Keralan fried chicken cost between £13 and £18, delivering big flavours alongside even bigger value.
Owned by Rik Campbell and executive chef Will Bowlby, Kricket officially opened its doors this month and is tucked away beneath the DLR tracks opposite Blacklock and overlooks West India North Dock. New launches are often among the most popular venues to book for festive celebrations and the restaurant hasn’t missed a beat in
gearing up for the party season. From November 25, it is all set to serve up festive feasts for £47.50 per person – a curated selection of signature dishes with some seasonal additions. The menu is available for groups of between four and 14 people (or more on different tables). Food is served communally, with diners invited to enjoy all the offerings together, family-style and the venue offers a full selection of cocktails, wines, beers and other beverages to ensure an appropriate level of festive refreshment.
As if all that didn’t sound tempting enough, those using special code WHARFCHRISTMAS when booking will receive a free glass of bubbles for each diner to help everyone get in the festive spirit.
key details Kricket is located in Canary Wharf’s Frobisher Passage opposite Blacklock. Tables can accommodate parties of up to 14, with larger bookings also accepted including hire of the whole venue. For all enquiries, email events@kricket.co.uk. Go to kricket.co.uk for more information
Scan this code for more about Kricket or to arrange a booking
Christmas special will be Duck Chettinad
Kricket’s Festive Feasts will include the likes of bhel puri
Kricket’s
by Laura En eld
Tears are sure to fall when Jackie Eley and Chris Elwell leave Limehouse’s Half Moon Theatre next year. Their departure will mark the start of a new era, not only for the organisation but also for the duo, who have worked there together for more than two decades and are also a couple.
In January Chris is set to step down as director and CEO after 27 years and Jackie will leave her role as administrative director after two decades.
“I thought we wouldn’t work together for that long,” said ac ie ho rst met hris bac in the 1980s.“But there’s always been something new coming around the corner.
“When the announcement went up about us leaving on Half Moon’s Facebook page, someone posted: ‘I can’t believe you’re still speaking to each other’. But we have always found it easy.”
The company works closely with the local community and children’s centres to give young people from birth to 18 (25 for disabled young people), the chance to experience unique theatre productions, both as participants and audience members.
During his time at the helm Chris has directed, written and adapted more than 60 pieces of work and run programmes including Exchange For Change and Narratives Of Empathy And Resilience as well as developing the company’s streaming service.
He was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to theatre and young people in 2017.
Meanwhile Jackie has overseen fundraising and £2million of capital works to buy and refurbish the company’s Victorian building, to make it more accessible and welcoming to families.
She also led the launch of Theatre Passport in 2020 – a free ticket scheme for Tower Hamlets schools and community groups.
She and hris rst crossed paths four decades ago at London Festival Ballet – now English National Ballet.
They both then followed their own paths, with Chris working at the Royal Shakespeare Company and then the Central School Of Speech And Drama.
He landed at Half Moon in 1997 and quickly secured core funding from Arts Council England, opening the theatre as a public venue in 1998.
Meanwhile, Jackie ran Pop Up Theatre, which made childrens touring shows and often performed at the east London
venue. When the administrative director role came up, Chris said she should come and work with him “for a few years to help out”.
At the time she was working at the Royal Festival Hall.
“It was great to work for such a flagship organisation and learned so much about fundraising, which I could then bring to Half Moon, but I didn’t like doing just one thing,” said Jackie.
“That’s what attracted me about this job – that I could bring the fundraising skills and also be much closer to the product and be involved in community work and pieces for young audiences.”
The biggest challenge she has faced was, perhaps unsurprisingly, lockdown.
She said: “We were supposed to be opening a show that week and were just coming up to the dress rehearsal. I remember thinking: ‘What do you mean, we’ve got to close for three weeks?’ How naive were we?
e uic ly lmed the play in the dress rehearsal and then, because we were due to have new air conditioning and ventilation put in, we rapidly took everything out of the theatre – all the lights, the lighting rig and all the technical equipment, so it was an empty space for the builders to
I didn’t expect to be here for 20 years. I just thought I’d come, help buy the building, get some money to refurbish it and then be o .
Jackie Eley, Half Moon Theatre
work on. I think the builders did two days and then said: ‘Sorry, we can’t work anymore because we can’t argue that it’s necessary’.
“We took our computers home, because we weren’t in the cloud then, and all started working from home. That lasted three months and it was really, really tough.
“Finally, the builders came back to nish and e managed to get a grant to lm lots of sho s so e could put them online for free, for the community.
“We ended up getting audiences in Canada and Australia and South Africa and loads of other places, because all these shows for young audiences were available online.
“We also put on some free workshops online for people to do at home – things they could do even if they ere in a con ned space. That was challenging, but we were also really proud that we didn’t stop.”
While she will be sad to say goodbye to Half Moon, she is in nitely proud of the legacy she is leaving behind.
“I honestly didn’t expect to be here for 20 years,” she said. “I just thought I’d come for three or four, help buy the building, get some money to refurbish it and then be off. ut ve had such a good time – we’ve ended up doing four different capital pro ects.
“It took much longer than I thought to buy the building, but we’ve done that now and even paid off the mortgage hich helps the company because we don t have to nd that money every year.
“Each capital project has made it better and more welcoming. The last one we did was to put in a new lift, because it was 30 years old and they literally didn’t make spare parts anymore.”
This free family fun day returns for a ninth year with another selection of fun community events throughout the building and garden.
It will be held on Saturday, October 5 from 10am-4pm with pop-up storytelling performances, music and movement workshops, art and craft activities and a tea and cake stall. Exhibition, Greenwich Printmakers Comes East, can also be viewed in the foyer gallery. No need to book, just show up.
Jackie said: “It’s focused on environmentally sound issues. So we use recycling to create all the craft and this year the theme is nature.
In the theatre, every 20 minutes, there’s a di erent activity on a cycle. In the foyer sta and volunteers will run the art activities and then there’s always a giant chalk area outside.
“Families can stay as long as they like, pop in and out or come for the day with a picnic.
You’ll often nd one of our trustees dressed up as a duck or a dragon or a squirrel or
Years the couple have worked together
something going around interacting with the families.”
The event usually attracts around 700 participants to the theatre.
“It’s a great way for us to introduce families to our work; “ said Jackie, “Kids can have a go at things and hopefully they’ll come back and book tickets for our shows.
“About a third of our audience is new each season and I think a lot of them would have come from the Fun Palaces day.
“Because it’s a free activity, that de nitely appeals to people who aren’t sure about the arts or coming to the theatre.
“We try to be as informal as possible, relaxed and welcoming because the whole point is to get families through the door to realize what we’re about, and also to talk to them about all the other stu we o er the rest of the year.”
Go to halfmoon.org.uk
Fun Palaces 2024 at Half Moon Theatre
Fun Palaces allows kids to explore Half Moon for free this October
making a
how it’s about to be all change at the top, as the couple running Half Moon in Limehouse announce their departure
She added: “Every time we have nished a ne pro ect ve thought maybe it as time and d move on then something else came up and it s al ays been really interesting. So ve ended up staying.
She said the couple had been tal ing about leaving on and off for a long time but nally felt the right moment had arrived.
t s time for me to retire because it has been very hard or said ac ie.
hris is going to do some freelance creative stuff ithout having the responsibility of running a company.
e is the one ho is very much involved in the community. Someone stopped him in the street the other day.
hey ust pulled up their car in the middle of the road ound do n the indo and said y daughter used to come to you and than you for everything you ve
done for our family . tend to spend more time in the o ce so no the families really ell that come in here regularly and no lots of the organisations and funders in the borough.
he duo announced their departure in early ugust pic ing the timing as the company s application for the ne t four years of rts ouncil funding is due in utumn .
e felt that gives time for the trustees to recruit t o ne people and us to have a handover said ac ie. hen there ill still be a good months for the ne people to get their feet under the table and create their vision.
m sure the company ill still have the same ethos because the trustees are absolutely certain they ant to appoint people ho are committed to being very much part of the community.
hile the couple has tried not to let or spill over into their
personal time it has been inevi table over the years. n our ourneys in and out of or e ill be brie ng and debrie ng said ac ie. So it ends up being a lot more hours than e do in the o ce.
hen e go on holiday e agreed e d al ays be contactable because for the t o senior people to go on holiday together ouldn t normally happen. ut our staff are so great that only very rarely has anyone had to contact us.
So ill saying goodbye to alf oon leave a big hole in her life t s sad but it s time said ac ie. e are going to do some traveling. e moved house at the end of last year so there s decorating to nish.
d li e to do some things never had time for – classical concerts and a read more see my friends and go to the gym. hen might get bored and volunteer at a small charity. ho no s eaving doesn t actually seem real yet. t the moment there s so much to do. m trying to get ahead ith my fundraising so that hoever ta es over from me has got a secure base to start from. e re al ays busy so there s al ays lots and lots to do. Go to halfmoon.co.uk
Scan this
for
| The Hawksmoor6
images by Hélène Binetof the Six surviving churches designed byNicholas Hawksmoor as his Limehouse creation ghts for restoration funds. Sept 14-Mar 14, times vary, hawksmoor300limehouse.com
Where?
Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping
brother of Bond creator Ian. Oct 1, 7.30pm, from £10, wiltons.org.uk
Indira
Presents
Expect 12 hours of non-stop music as this marathon gig touches down in London for the very rst time. A Spanish powerhouse playing the best of dance. Sept 29, 6pm, £41.52, troxy.co.uk
GIG|
Paganotto
Artcore
STAGE | Posting Letters To The Moon Enjoy an evening of letters from actor Celia Johnson (Brief Encounter) to her husband, the explorer and writer Peter Fleming,
Where?
St Anne’s Limehouse
Where? Troxy Limehouse
code
more about Half Moon’s Fun Palaces 2024
Chris Elwell, left, and Jackie Eley have announced their departure from Half Moon Theatre
how Get Your Ducks In A Row is a cabaret show for the end times of the climate change disaster, but in a good way
by Laura En eld
Life can get pretty stormy. But according to Londonbased creative, Willy Amott: “There’s always someone singing as the boat goes down. Whether it be Titanic, The Poseidon Adventure or in real life, that entertainment still happens even in those dark moments.
“The show must go on, is a saying some people really do live by. I thought that was a really interesting angle and it would be fun to put an audience in that situation – then make it very silly and not scary.”
On September 26, Willy is set to bring Get Your Ducks In A Row to Theatreship on the Isle Of Dogs – a Cabaret-style show that promises to thrust the audience into a world which is, well, ending.
“The idea is that the audience and performers are all on the last known ship because the climate crisis has happened and sea levels have risen,” said Willy.
“The uber rich have gone up in the sky and are probably living on the moon. The middle rich, however, are on this boat and the performers are providing the entertainment for the evening.
“There will be some sort of prize –maybe joining the rich on their blimp in the sky – which will add a sort of game show element to this surreal, post-apocalyptic cabaret.”
Originally from Bristol, Willy had a varied career journey before “tripping” into the arts and culture orld for the rst time during the pandemic.
He said: “I never studied live art or performance at university, but I think sometimes there s a great bene t in that.”
In the last four years he has mainly spent time producing other people’s shows including performances for Fierce Festival, Beatfreeks and Fatt Projects.
He has also managed stages at Manchester Pride and Birmingham Pride, toured with drag artists like Bailey J Mills and cabaret collectives
I’ve learned to say yes to myself and that’s a skill. Sometimes we don’t let ourselves play like that as we get older, we start to get too practical.
Willy Amott, Willy Does Productions
li e Send n he lo ns lling in the gaps with odd jobs as a performer, facilitator, panellist and researcher.
In January, he took the plunge and moved to London to pursue his dream of creating his own shows under company name Willy Does Productions.
He got his chance after successfully bidding for £1,000 seed funding for this year’s Totally Thames Festival, hich ta es off some pressure and has allowed him to really play around with the concept for Ducks
The unique setting of Theatreship – an arts venue set aboard a former cargo vessel – has also played a big role in its evolution.
“Initially, I applied with slightly different idea – a bit lo er ey said Willy. “It was just going to be a sort of light touch environmental quiz with performance elements.
“Then someone from the festival said I should check out Theatreship. The second I saw inside it, I knew we had to be there.
“I decided to make it more performance heavy and amp up the immersive elements. The idea has transformed into something I think will be very wacky and very silly.”
The evening will be hosted by comedian and West End star Richard Energy, who Willy has worked with before.
“He performs stand-up, lipsyncs, sings live and will be providing a little narrative sense to the chaotic evening,” said Willy.
Beyond Richard, there’s a trio of performers, namely Cyro, a trans drag performer and co-host of Man Up London, Jean, winner of Top Of The Slops 2024 who wears denim ensembles and Jamie Fuxx, a cheeky heartthrob who has performed across the capital.
“In general in my work I try to platform more drag artists,” said Willy. “It’s important to make sure that other people are getting their moment in the spotlight, including people I think are really good and these performers certainly are.
“Usually I put on this kind of show for other people – they present their ideas to me and I work out how to make it happen in a really pragmatic way. Being the creative is very different. y notes for this sho have been so long my nger gets tired scrolling through them.
“It’s full of silly little things I’ve seen on Tiktok or YouTube – songs I think might work for a particular moment. When I was producing for other people I would always try to make it work – whatever they wanted. Now I’m trying to do that ith myself and not cut off ideas.
“The reason the show has grown is because I gave myself permission
to say: ‘What you really want to do is something that is a bit mad and requires the imagination, but that s ne. ou can ma e people buy into it if you buy into it yourself rst .
“I’ve learned to say yes to myself in the last couple of months and that’s a skill. Sometimes we don’t let ourselves play like that as we get older, we start to get too practical. But I just allowed myself to play with the idea.”
key details
Get Your Ducks In A Row will be performed aboard Theatreship on September 26. Doors open at 5.30pm for a performance at 7.30pm. Tickets start at £9.42 and are available through Totally Thames.
For more information go to thamesfestivaltrust.org
Scan this code for more about Get Your Ducks In A Row
Seats in Theatreship’s oating auditorium located in the cargo hold of the bulk carrier
Jamie Fuxx.
Photo by James Kung @jdwmk
Jamie Fuxx is set to perform in the show
Image by James Kung @jdwmk
Image by @theheadrop
Host Richard Energy, right, and drag act Cyro
Jean, who wears denim ensembles, is on the bill
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see EVENT | Bee Curious
Join artist-botanist Jane Plowright for a bee identication workshop, creating insect ID cards to take home and aid in creature spotting. Family friendly. Sept 21, noon, free, poplarunion.com
Launched in January, Theatreship is an arts venue run by Inigo Lapwood and a group of volunteers. The former bulk dry cargo carrier is moored in Millwall Cutting between West India South Dock and Millwall Inner Dock. It used to carry up to 300 tonnes of grain and coal but was brought across from the Netherlands as part of a project with the Canal And River Trust to reopen the dock as a public space.
Fully converted, it boasts a 110-seat auditorium suitable for theatre performances or lm screenings and a cafe-bar area within its steel cargo hold. The aim is to make it into a mixed arts space with the help of its impressive role call of sta . They include head of lm programming, Natalie Hill, who has won multiple BAFTAs and head of music programming Karl Lutchmayer – a multi-award winning Steinway artist and former professor at Trinity Laban in Greenwich. For details go to theatreship.co.uk
Lie back and indulge in a series of sounds played by Heather Ryall, all designed to sooth, relax and switch on your parasympathetic nervous system. Sept 22, 6pm, £18, poplarunion.com
Image by James Kung @jdwmk
Willy Amott
in focus
Theatreship on the Isle Of Dogs
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
EVENT | A Night Of Glass
Where?
Finnish Church Rotherhithe
Singer songwriter Dan Whitehouse teams up with composer Gustaf Ljunggren and poet Jenny Mitchell for a night of music and stories. Oct 4, 6.30pm, £15, tunedin.london
Where?
APT Gallery Creekside
ART | Moonlighting (A Bit On The Side)
The Art In Perpetuity Trust’s annual group show features work from artist members with pieces curated by Sheila Vollmer and Victoria Rance. Sept 12-29, noon-5pm, free, aptstudios.org
EVENT | Party In The Piazza
Where?
Brunel Museum Rotherhithe
Organised by Bosco, this day of free family activities and food (thanks to a pop-up cafe) coincides with the museum’s Open House Weekend. Sept 21, 10.30am-3.30pm, free, thebrunelmuseum.com
move fast
Snake-based homegrown radio station Aaja is set to celebrate six years of electronic musical entertainment across multiple venues. Creekside Festival is on Sept 7 across Deptford from noon. Tickets from £19.25 creeksidefestival.com
Scan this code to nd out more about Creekside Festival or to snag a lastminute ticket or two
how Nepali startup Hamro Maya grew from a passion for cooking to fully fledged foodie market trader
by Laura En eld
There is a reason we have so many songs about supporting the one you love – Wind Beneath My Wings, You Lift Me up, Lean On Me. I could go on.It is because following your dreams can be scary, endlessly exhausting and surprisingly confusing.
Those who succeed almost always have someone cheering them on along the way. For Laxmi Gurung, that person is her partner Kiyam Lin.
“I’ve always had this passion of having my own restaurant or cooking, but he was my backbone and gave me the con dence to do it said the founder of fledgling food startup Hamro Maya.
The business can currently be found at Canada Water Market in Deal Porters Square, every Sunday serving up “under-represented Nepali cuisine”.
“Hamro Maya means ‘our love’ in Nepalese and the business really did start from that, as cheesy as that sounds,” said Laxmi. Born in Nepal, she moved to the UK with her family aged 12. Kiyam was born in Hong Kong and came here aged two.
The couple, both 31, met in September 2020 and bonded over a “shared passion for food” but were quickly parted again due to the Covid lockdowns.
ove still managed to flourish however, and Kiyam said it was clear from the start where Laxmi’s future lay.
hen e rst met could see she was so passionate about food and suggested she should start a business,” he said.
ut she said o de nitely don’t want to’. So, I left it on the back burner. But after a while it became really obvious that she really loved making amazing food for all of our friends.
“Every time they came around, she’d make something new and, over time, she realised this was actually a thing that she could really do. She’s got the ability, the talent and the passion for it, so I said she should just give it a go. Sometimes you need someone else to tell you to just go for it.”
He was also starting his own new chapter, beginning a research fellowship job at UCL in April after studying theoretical physics and completing his PhD.
Laxmi said: “He’s been
supporting both of us. I left my job in January so I could attend courses and get the business going and I was at the point of breakdown at times.
“I wasn’t sure if I could do it and he’s just been there to support me so well.”
While this encouragement was key, it was that little voice inside a mi that nally prompted her to change career.
“I worked in a homeless department at the council and had to talk and listen to people every day about their sorrow – what they’re going through,” she said.
“It made me feel that I am more privileged and also lucky enough to be where I am, just thankful.
“One day I realised I needed to do something about my life. I already had what I wanted to do in the back of my head and I just knew I had to make it come true.
“It just hit me that I needed to go ahead and grab that idea and proceed with my passion.”
Her love of making food came from her father, who was previously in the Indian Gurkha army and moved his family to the UK “for a better future”.
“My dad was the main cook of our house,” said Laxmi who grew up in Plumstead. “Whenever we came home from school or wherever he would be asking: ‘What do you want to eat? What kind of food do you want?’.
“We would pick and he would make it for us. He taught us to respect food and what we have been given.”
Laxmi began experimenting with cooking when she went to University in Bath to study biology and business management and then a masters in human resources management. She went on to work for McDonalds and then Greenwich Council.
Once she decided to leave her o ce ob she began loo ing into how to start a business and discovered a free course offered by the Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency (GCDA).
“It was really eye-opening and helped me develop what my aim was, my values,” she said. “It helped me understand my own business and my own idea better.”
Her menu was developed from home at rst but then she stumbled across Karma Kitchen, which provides space for food production and delivery and has
Maya serves up its food in Canada Water, Wapping and Tower Hill
Price for eight chicken dumplings served with chutney at Hamro Maya
Hamro
made with love and
Scan this code to nd out more about Hamro Maya
- Deptford - Bermondsey
I realised I needed to do something about my life. I already had what I wanted in the back of my head and knew I had to make it come true.
Laxmi Gurung, Hamro Maya
a facility in South Bermondsey where Laxmi lives. Since July she has been using its shared kitchen space for four days a week to create her dishes, with the aim of transporting customers from the snowy peaks of the Himalayas to the aromatic spices of hillside treats and the bold flavours of the Terai Here.
They include a range of handmade dumplings known as Momo – based on her mum’s recipe – and classics such as chowmein, fried rice and chatpate, inspired by what her dad taught her.
Hamro Maya launched at The Market Network’s three markets at the start of August – Tower Hill Market, Wapping Docklands Market and Canada Water Market.
support
Laxmi said the business had quickly become a seven-day job and she was already considering hiring more staff.
“Canada Water is probably the most popular because we have a lot of people from the South Asian community there,” she said.
“But its also been a real pleasure to introduce what Nepali cuisine is to new people.”
Some of her biggest fans are, of course, her parents.
“They’ve been raving about it and bringing their friends and family,” said Laxmi. “My dad approves my food, but always wants it be more spicy. We do offer our spicy sauce on the side –not everyone can handle it.”
Then there is Kiyam, who had never even tried Nepali cuisine before he met Laxmi.
“Going down to the markets and seeing people paying money for her food and loving it is honestly so crazy,” he said.
“I feel so proud that it’s successful. She is flourishing in this new way she’s never done before and it’s amazing.”
key details
Hamro Maya is at Tower Hill Market from 11am-3pm on Thursdays, Wapping Docklands Market from 10am-5pm on Saturdays and Canada Water Market from 10am-4pm on Sundays. Go to hamromaya.com
Hamro Maya’s Laxmi Gurung and Kiyam Lin
Images by James Perrin – nd more of his work at jamesperrin.com or via @millerjamesperrin on Insta
Cost of a standard single, 20-minute game at Laser Quest Greenwich. Multiple deals and o ers are available £10.95
on things to do, places to go, people to see
GIG | Janet Jackson
The pop icon brings her Together Again tour to the capital, in celebration of 50 years in the biz and 35 of her album Rhythm Nation. Wycelf Jean supports. Sept 28-29, times vary, from £71, theo2.co.uk
STAGE | The River Paul McGann stars in Jez Butterworth’s play featuring a new girlfriend and a remote cabin by the water. What could possibly go wrong? Jun 21-22, 7.30pm, £21, greenwichtheatre.org.uk Where? The O2 Peninsula Where? Woolwich Works Woolwich Where? Greenwich Theatre Greenwich
GIG | Brassworks
Head down to south-east London for a street brass carnival and a festival of horns. Includes family fun and a nale concert with Steam Down and others... Sept 21, from 11am, £14 ( nale concert), woolwich.works
back
Works, we catch up with the man who founded the directory behind the events to talk street food and growth. Catch the latest edition on September 14 and 15 for £16.50 blackeatsldn.com
Scan this code to read our interview with Black Eats founder Jackson Mclarty online at wharf-life.com
From playing at 14, working part-time for Laser Quest at 16, to owning the whole UK business, Alistair’s passion remains as bright and unwavering as a beam of light
how Laser Quest Greenwich has opened its doors in response to demand for fun within the M25
by Jon Massey
Do you want to see my alien?” said Alistair Dawson, as he takes me on a tour of Laser Quest Greenwich in the run-up to the venue’s launch. “I’m really pleased with him.”
Alistair has a long history with Laser Quest and there’s a sense he’s lost none of the enthusiasm he rst felt for the game and its atmosphere. Born in Bolton, he began playing aged 14 and started working part-time at his local branch while studying at college.
“Apart from the games it was also a bit of a social scene,” he said. “Inevitably I got a job and a foot in the door.
“I lived up there until my mid-20s when I hit a bit of a glass ceiling as one of the managers, so the next step was to own my own centre. There was an opportunity for me to get some premises in Croydon and open up.
“So I sold my house and raised some capital to get it up and running as a licensed operation, similar to a franchise.”
hat rst venture as a success with Alistair getting stuck in to establish the business.
“Once that had happened, all I could think about was opening a second one,” he said. “Being a northern lad, I was drawn to some opportunities in the north and so I opened the ne t one in She eld.
“That was next to a leisure complex and a cinema, so that worked very well too. From there it was a case of me, having understood how the business model worked, copying and pasting the next one and eventually I found myself with eight or nine sites.”
That trajectory may well have continued had the pandemic not arrived in 2020, which forced the closure of his businesses. However, Alistair leaned into an opportunity.
“I had the chance to buy the whole of Laser Quest, which develops, supplies and licenses the equipment,” he said. “The owner was coming up to retirement age and I got on with him quite well, so that opportunity was there.
gured that if e didn t recover from Covid, I was screwed anyway, so I put all my chips on the business.”
he man ho d red his rst laser at no o ned the
It was bizarre. At rst there was a lot of pressure. But then there was a bounce back after Covid – people had been starved of fun
Alistair Dawson, Laser Quest GB
company that was ultimately responsible for his rst ever ob.
“It was bizarre,” he said. “At rst there as a lot of pressure and I did question whether I’d done the right thing.
“But then there was a bounce back after Covid – people had been starved of fun.
“When all the centres were open and trading again, there was renewed interest from other leisure operators too – such as Flip Out – so it’s proved to be quite a good decision and I hope it will continue.
“At the moment we’ve got about 60 centres in the UK and I own about 10 or 12 of those sites. The others are licensed operations.”
In response to renewed interest, the company has been increasing its operation in Greater London with branches in Bromley, Brent Cross, Kingston, Barking and Romford. It has just opened its latest site in Greenwich, tucked away in a basement at Merryweather lace ust off the eptford nd of Greenwich High Road.
“We’ve realised there’s a big demand in the capital and we’re no getting round to ful lling that,” said Alistair. “Traditionally, the business has always been a venue for children’s birthday parties. We do packages that include food, drinks and everything people need for that.
“But it also appeals to all ages – for some there’s a nostalgic feel to it. Someone in their 40s, for example, might remember going to parties as kids. It’s a fun activity and people get excited just talking about it.
“We still do score sheets for each player so you can see who you zapped, who zapped you and what percentage of your shots were on target.
“Being just down the road from Canary Wharf, we’d love compa-
nies to use the facility – we do offer e clusive hire ith unlimited games. We’ve got a 4,500sq ft arena that can accommodate up to 40 players.
“Catering can be arranged or groups can make their own arrangements – we like to be really fle ible. e also intend to get the venue licensed so we will be able to serve alcohol to adult players. That means we’ll also be tting into the competitive socialising market, which is really ta ing off.
“We’ve also introduced something completely new for Greenwich – an attraction called the Laser Maze. It’s like something out of Mission Impossible, where players have to navigate their way through a room lled ith beams.
“Break one of them and you’ll get penalised and we hope it will become really competitive. Also on-site, we have an array of video games to keep people entertained.”
As for the future, the fact that Alistair is now in charge of the wider business means he has oversight on the development of the brand, its equipment and what its future will be.
“As a business we own the trademark and produce the packs necessary to play the game,” he said.
“The great thing about owning the company is that I can help develop new equipment, features and systems to make it even better over the coming years.
“One of the things we want to do is to bring out a Laser Quest app so photos and scorecards from the game can be downloaded. That would also allow us to do members’ leagues.
“We’ve got some really exciting things coming over the next couple of years.”
key details
Laser Quest Greenwichis open now from 4pm-9pm on weekdays and from 10am-9pm at weekends, for school holidays and on Bank Holidays.
The standard rate for a single, 20-minute game is £10.95. A go on the Laser Maze costs £3. Party packages start at £29.95 per guest. clusive hire of the hole venue starts at £350 with a capacity of 40 people. Corporate hire starts at £795 for one hour with unlimited games included. Go to laserquestgreenwich.com for more information
Scan this code to nd out more about Laser Quest Greenwich
Laser Quest Greenwich o ers parties for children and adults as well as a wealth of special o ers and deals on single games
take a breath by
IDavid Lefebvre Sell
t’s an essential component of resilience to have the willingness to grow through our su ering, and the self knowledge to see that we have done this many times in the past.
The con dence that comes with this knowledge is the most important personal narrative. It’s vital to know that you are a person who can weather a storm.
But how can we be better at this? The rst task is to know your stress responses. Do you tend to ght, y, or freeze in situations of su ering or threat?
Let’s begin by looking at freezing. The tendency to do this under duress is sometimes di cult to recognise. It may look like procrastination, or shutting down emotionally or as more of a mental paralysis.
This can happen when we are overwhelmed or in the response to a particular stressor. Even if you are someone who is generally very capable and resilient, there may be situations where your usual coping strategies just don’t work.
Many men, for example, are taught from an early age that the way to deal with emotional upset is to simply suppress it. This can work just ne for many years, until a situation arises where their emotions refuse to be repressed.
If we avoid our own emotions for most of our lives, we can hardly expect to be very skilled at dealing with them in middle age.
When we encounter those stressors that make us feel very incapable or very small, the rst thing to recognise is that it’s happening.
Just to be able to say: “I’m scared and it’s making me freeze up”, can be enough to give us some much needed space. Next, is to down-regulate the nervous system, get out of the stress response a little bit.
Just to be able to say: “I’m scared and it’s making me freeze up”, can be enough to give us some much needed space
David
Remind yourself of some of the di culties you’ve already been through – the bad days and the lessons learned.
The stories we tell ourselves matter, sometimes they uplift us and sometimes they are the shell that we’ve outgrown, like a lobster. In order to expand, this marine animal must rst escape the hard carapace that has protected it. Once it’s wiggled free of its protective suit, it’s free to become larger and create a new, better one. Now get out there and grow, you beautiful crustacean.
Follow @davetheyogi on X and Instagram and @DavidLefebvreSellYogaAndPsychotherapy on FB
Scan this code for information about David’s work as a transpersonal counsellor and psychotherapist
through su ering
Just as lobsters have to shed their hard, protective shells to get bigger, it’s important for humans to wiggle free of their hard exteriors to grow emotionally
Lefebvre Sell
David Lefebvre Sell is a Greenwich-based psychotherapist and Yoga instructor who teaches at Third Space in Canary Wharf
Starting price for a ticket to F1: The Exhibition at Excel’s Immerse LDN entertainment zone in Royal Docks
The exhibition features seven iconic F1 cars and a wealth of information for visitors to dive into
a blistering
how F1: The Exhibition promises to immerse its visitors in the past, present and future of Formula 1
by Jon Massey
The green lights are on and a new attraction has opened its doors at Excel’s Immerse LDN entertainment zone. Stretching along a kilometre of Royal Victoria Dock waterfront, the area is already home to The Friends Experience: The One In London.
Now F1: The Exhibition has begun welcoming ticket holders to east London. As you’ll likely have guessed from its title, the new show promises visitors a look at the past, present and future of Formula 1.
“With seven of the sport’s greatest race cars, new artefacts, displays and interactive experiences, the London
show promises to be our best yet,” said Timothy Harvey, lead curator and producer of the exhibition.
“We hope the story of Formula 1 continues to inspire new audiences and remain hugely grateful to all the drivers, F1 teams and private collectors who continue to support the project.”
Vehicles on show include Lewis Hamilton’s recordbreaking 2018 Mercedes AMG, Max Verstappen’s 2021 Red Bull and Ayrton Senna’s 1988 McLaren MP4/4 as well as the burnt out remains of Romain Grojean’s car from his dramatic crash in 2020.
Visitors will also be able to play with interactive displays and try a lap of Silverstone on a specially developed simulator, made exclusively for the exhibition.
Having already toured to Madrid, Vienna and Toronto, the London show is the biggest and boasts contributions from leading F1 teams and drivers, with six purposebuilt rooms for visitors to explore.
key details
F1: The Exhibition is open now at Excel’s Immerse LDN entertainment zone. Tickets are currently bookable until December 31.
Prices start at £25 for weekday slots and at £33 for weekend sessions.
Go to f1theexhibition.com for more information
Scan this code to nd out more about F1: The Exhibition
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
Join a relaxed and friendly session under the guidance of artist John Lord for people to explore their passions. All materials and equipment are provided. Sept 19, 7pm-9pm, free, artinthedocks.com
EVENT | Drone X The trade show and conference covering unmanned aerial vehicles returns with more than 4,000 buyers across multiple industries looking to purchase. Sept 24-25, 9am, registration, excel.london
yourself in an evening and morning of Techno as the headliners are joined by the likes of Rolando Simmons, Free Zing and Unai
Sept 28, 11.39pm-11am, from £25, fold.london
Get your second gear unstuck as Friends The Experience: The One In London arrives at Excel’s Immerse LDN entertainment zone. Sit on a sofa, take some snaps and pretend you’re singing Smelly Cat at Central Perk. From £20 london.freindstheexperience.com LEARN | Intro To Drawing And Painting
this code to read our interview with the women who have put the attraction together at wharf-life.com ash back
CLUB | Lena Willikens + Vladimir Ivkovic Immerse
Trotti.
The menu features a range of di erent cuisines
Dates YolanDa Brown is set to play at her new restaurant in Stratford during October
Soul Mama founders YolanDa Brown and Adetokunbo Oyelola at the venue’s bar
The restaurant is to be found at The Gantry in Stratford
The main stage is located on the ground oor
The food is being overseen by Aleandro Brown
how Stratford’s Soul Mama promises a potent programme of performances as the venue o
by Jon Massey
This part of London is no stranger to the sounds of YolanDa Brown. But the saxophonist, broadcaster, author and philanthropist has brought something fresh to Stratford this month.
Soul Mama, located on the ground oor of The Gantry hotel, o cially opened its doors at the start of September and promises a mix of live performances, food and drinks.
“Soul Mama has been a dream come true, and I’m incredibly excited to have opened the doors to our rst venue,” said YolanDa, who was born in Barking and grew up in Gants Hill.
“This journey has been lled with passion, belief, dedication, tears, laughter, perseverance, and a lot of hard work.
“I’m thrilled to see the vision come to life. Our programming is designed to celebrate diverse voices that bring inspiration and joy providing a platform for emerging and established artists alike.
“Grassroots music venues are the heartbeat of our cultural
cially opens
landscape, nurturing talent and fostering creativity. Soul Mama represents a venue for artists by artists, where creativity thrives and connections are made.
“We aim to o er an unparalleled experience where food and entertainment come together, creating moments lled with laughter and hope for everyone who walks through our doors.”
Soul Mama promises a packed programme of jazz, soul, gospel and reggae, but will also host comedy, reside chats and family friendly events.
Gigs coming up include the gypsy jazz project London Django Collective (Sept 18), singer Georgia Cécile (Sept 21), trumpeter Etienne Charles (Sept 24) and trombone player Dennis Rollins with his Velocity Trio (Oct 10). Saxophone fans can catch YolanDa herself on October 11, 12 and 13 at the venue.
The musician co-founded Soul Mama with music manager and entrepreneur Adetokunbo Oyelola, raising cash (£248,148) for the venture through crowdfunding.
The food o ering is overseen by executive head chef Aleandro Brown, who trained under Gordon Ramsay and has worked
at the likes of The Connaught (with Helene Darroz), Maze, Grill and Sketch.
Diners can expect dishes such as one pot creamy coconut chicken curry with rice and peas, Ghanaian-style kelewele plantain and mango jerk cauli ower. A potent Rum Punch appears on the cocktail list alongside Sax On The Beach, naturally.
Fans of Boisdale Of Canary Wharf and Ronnie Scotts, will doubtless revel in the addition of a new venue bringing live music to east London with such avowed regularity.
key details
Soul Mama is located at The Gantry in East Village’s Celebration Avenue. The venue’s cafe is open from 11am-4pm on weekdays. Gigs take place every night from 6pm-midnight.
The venue is also open for brunch at weekends from 11am-5pm. Go to soulmama.co.uk
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Images by Myah Je ers
Soul Mama’s stage will play host to performers of all di erent kinds
on things to do, places to go, people to see
| World Halal Food Festival With various times slots available over the two days, this festival of halal cuisine returns to Stratford. Expect more than 150 vendors. Under 10s go free... Sept 28-29, from £7.49, worldhalalfoodfestival.com
| St October The headliners hail from Iowa in the USA and appear on their rst international tour featuring guitarist Frank Clow from End Of Salvation. Nice facepaint... Sept 14, 6.30pm, from £10, cartandhorseslondon.com
| Discosailing: A Ballet On Water Watch or participate in artist Rasheed Areen’s performance piece, which features dancers oating along the Waterworks River to UCL East. Sept 27, from 12.30pm, free, the-line.org
out Twine at The Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick, Selina Thompson’s latest play, which runs from August 30-September 21. The play deals with issues of adoption and fostering. Tickets start at £10 theyardtheatre.co.uk
this code to nd out more about Twine or to book tickets for the production
Sudoku
How to play
To complete Sudoku, ll the board by entering numbers one to nine such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.
More to play
You can nd more Sudoku puzzles and a wide selection of other brainteasers available to download for free at puzzles.ca
Notes
crossword
Down
1. Sounds like a marine remedy is safe (6)
Take a break from that phone Across 1. Confused master? Download video! (6) 4. Distracting delay? (6)
beating the whether you’re cryptic sleuth or synonym solver in it for quick wins, this should satisfy
Cryptic Quick
9. Deceive a feline and the country’s in chains (13)
10. Control for males only? (7)
. Sounds li e you ll nd mockery in 15 down (5)
12. The condition of a country? (5)
14. Anxious guitarist needs these (5)
18. Tests for Twitter now (5)
19. Looks like ship’s commander gets regard (7)
21. Written weather forecast? (13)
22. A paternal wind-up in the garden? (6)
23. Boil remover might be free (6)
2. About doing business? ry different terms
3. Frighten the siren? (5)
5. Low level compliment? (7)
6. Philip’s photo of a person is kindly (13)
7. Half a bob to treat leather? Not now! (6)
8. What Heinz means! (5)
13. Madam intends to sew in wax, we hear (7)
15. Location for inconsequential tempest? (6)
16. Church camera? See we don’t know the name (5)
17. Performing sports person? (6)
20. The girl I’ve just met? (5)
Paramour (5)
Tries (5)
Coarse (5)
Volcanic material (5)
Umpire (7)
Mental symptom (13)
English poet (6)
Cricket team (6)
Map (5)
Shakespeare play (7)
Refreshed (13)
Dull (6)
Sandy shore (5)
Tutor (7)
Runs away to wed (6)
Coat of arms (5)
Shining guide (6)
Leg bone (5)
Sartre;
Dryden.
Eleven; 2 Private Prayer; 3 Chart; 5 Othello; 6 Reinvigorated; 7 Dreary; 8 Beach; 13 Teacher; 15 Elopes; 16 Crest; 17 Beacon; 20 Femur.
Across: 1 Stream; 4 O put; 9 Concatenation; 10 Regimen; 11 Tease; 12 State; 14 Frets; 18 Exams; 19 Admiral; 21 Climatography; 22 Pagoda; 23 Lancer.
Down: 1 Secure; 2 Renegotiating; 3 Alarm; 5 Flatter; 6 Philanthropic; 7 Tanner; 8 Beans(z); 13 Tussaud; 15 Teacup; 16 Canon; 17 Player; 20 Maria.
THE WHARF
WORLD-CLASS FITNESS AND WELLNESS AT THE WHARF:
STATE-OF-THE-ART TRAINING FACILITIES
REFORMER PILATES AND HOT YOGA STUDIOS
LONDON’S LARGEST MULTI-FUNCTIONAL TRAINING SPACE, THE YARD
OVER 300 CLASSES A WEEK
13M HIGH CLIMBING WALL
SWIMMING POOL, SAUNA AND SPA
THE WHARF
WORLD-CLASS FITNESS AND WELLNESS AT THE WHARF:
STATE-OF-THE-ART TRAINING FACILITIES
REFORMER PILATES AND HOT YOGA STUDIOS
LONDON’S LARGEST MULTI-FUNCTIONAL TRAINING SPACE, THE YARD
OVER 300 CLASSES A WEEK 13M HIGH CLIMBING WALL SWIMMING POOL, SAUNA AND SPA
