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LAMBETH SOUTHWARK RIVER THE FOOD DRINK STYLE CULTURE FOR THE SOUL PROPERTY The coveted 8000 prize from Jerwood DRAWING COMPETITION Turning to Rotherhithe and Surrey Quays LOOKING EAST First taste of Reader Deals from a local merchant WINE CLUB Open days and a look inside the best local schools EDUCATION make IT flexible Bespoke databases and software development Small team highly responsive service at affordable hourly rates or fixed prices For a free consultation call 020 7403 8105 or visit www.onclouds.com oncloudsOnclouds Limited is an Digital Solutions Agency serving the business community of south London since 2009. Monthly packages are available with any combination of our services listed and include a single set up fee plus monthly payments. You can change provider at any time as long as the balance for the 12 month period is paid in full. Onclouds Limited is a registered company in England and Wales 06748127. We also provide Websites SEO Social Media CRMs Warehouse and other business management systems EDITORS WORDS Dear Readers This September marks our third anniversary and this time round we have been delighted to work with new people in our community to create fresh content and features not seen before. In this issue we have a marvellous Wine Club in collaboration with local merchants Lant Street Wines who are offering special deals and discounts on award-winning reds and whites. We also have our first full Education feature showcasing the very best of local education which uncovers some inspirational stories teachers and pupils that are helping to shape an even brighter future for Londons riverside residents. We invite you to visit the Jerwood Drawing exhibition and see some great Rep. theatre just north of the river. Two of our team went to see Three Days in the Country at the National and highly recommend that you do too. Of course come rain or shine the only place to be on 19th September is the Bermondsey Street Festival - so hope to see you there Yours A Webb WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED WITH THIS MAGAZINE PLEASE RECYCLE IT CONTACT US Editor A Webb awebbtherivermagazine.co.uk Sub Editor Owen Rice Contributors Joe Campbell Ruth Parr Owen Rice George Swinton Designers Alison Cutler Milana Veselinovic Publisher Chris Richmond Assistant Publisher Joe Campbell Commercial Sales Lee Hayes commercialtherivermagazine.co.uk FREEPHONE 0800 021 1484 THE RIVER The RIVER Magazine is published by River Publishing House Limited. Company number 8307961. River Publishing House cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited articles and images. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters and emails. The material in The RIVER Magazine is subject to copyright. All rights reserved. The paper in this magazine originates from timber that is sourced from sustainable forests responsibly managed to strict environmental social and economic standards. The manufacturing mills have both FSC PEFC certification and also ISO9001 and ISO14001 accreditation. LAMBETH SOUTHWARK Follow us on twitter rivermagazine and Like us on facebook www.facebook.comTheRiverMagazine All of our content is now online at www.therivermagazine.co.uk Angela Webb Editor 04 THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 EDITORS WORDS Shipbuilding at Surrey Quays looking for a venue for this years christmas party PRIVATE DINING AREA AVAILABLE AT TOWER BRIDGE BRANCH BOOK WITH VALENTINA FINE FOODS BEFORE NOVEMBER 15TH 2015 AND GET A COMPLIMENTARY GLASS OF PROSECCO UPON ARRIVAL PER PERSON VISIT WEBSITE FOR FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS 31 SHAD THAMES LONDON SE1 2YR towerbridgevalentinanefoods.com 020 7036 6028 FOOD DRINK 09 Wines with Provenance 12 Biscuit Town 13 Turkish Delights STYLE 14 Shipbuilding at Surrey Quays CULTURE 16 Ever HopeFull Rep. 17 Entertainments Listings 20 Bermondsey Street Festival 2015 22 Three Days in the Country 24 Cover Story Pencils Down EDUCATION 25 Education for Everyone 36 Open Day Listings PROPERTY 38 Whats Your Property Worth 39 The Rise of Rotherhithe 20 In The River AUTUMN 2015 09 17 24 25 06 THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 CONTENTS 06 THE RIVER AUTUMN 2012 FOOD DRINK breakfast meetings and afternoon teas relax with evening cocktails 10 London Bridge Street London Bridge Quarter SE1 9SG 020 7855 2200 Just steps from The Shard ust around the corner from Borough tube station on Lant Street is an old converted cork factory that from 1986 housed Waterloo Wine Co established by Paul Tutton of Tuttons in Covent Garden and has recently evolved into the Lant Street Wine Company. An independent wine merchant Lant Street Wine do the simple things well finding and importing interesting wines from small quality producers and selling them at reasonable prices. It is said that Ben was almost born in a bottle having explored the cellars and shelves of Waterloo Wine since he was 6 years old. Bens father David had worked from the early days with Paul Tutton and their selection and supply of world wines for over thirty years drew praises from many including Oz Clarke for being full of quirky unexpected bottles. Ben having grown up in the middle of all of this knows every aspect of the wine merchants world from vineyard to consumer and has now stepped boldly into management. Another of the next generation of merchants at Lant Street is Rudi Assistant Manager and a comparatively late starter originally more interested in grains than grapes with a particular fondness for Japanese whiskey. Rudi has been exploring the world of wine for 5 years and is currently working his way through his Wine Spirit Education Trust courses. Their long-standing relationships with family-run wine producers gives the team at Lant Street Wine unprecedented insights into how the estates and vines have evolved and the passion of the wine-makers themselves. When customers pop into the shop nine times out of ten we will have tried the bottle theyre looking at and can offer advice on its style and flavours explained Rudi. Although steeped in a great wine provenance the team at Lant Street have a refreshing relaxed air of casual enjoyment of the whole trade wonderfully embodied in Ben. When asked what his personal favourites were he shrugged It varies depending on the time of day and occasion of course but I will generally come back to a dry crisp Loire Valley white. A classic English fry-up accompanied by Champagne is also not out of the question LANT STREET WINE COMPANY 59-61 Lant Street SE1 1QL t 020 7357 7788 e saleslantstreetwine.comBen knows every aspect of a wine merchants world from vineyard to consumer with provenance WINES Selling to both trade and public local wine specialists have re-opened their doors as the Lant Street Wine Company with a fabulous RIVER Reader Wine Club by Owen Rice THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 FOOD DRINK 09 We are delighted to bring you the first of four Wine Club Reader Offers in conjunction with local wine merchants Lant Street Wines. FERRANDIERE MERLOT 2014 Made from 25 year old vines. The wine is made by undergoing cold maceration for 5 days then temperature controlled fermentation for 10 days in contact with the skins. Matured in tanks for eight months. Aromas of red fruit and cherries with refined tannins and soft mouth- feel on the palate. PASCAL BOUCHARD CHABLIS 2014 100 Chardonnay. Fresh and mineral a classic French wine for matching fish seafood and mild cheeses. Unoaked so the emphasis is on freshness fruit and minerality. Full and rich in style with hints of pear green apple and citrus on the palate. CEDRICK BARDIN SANCERRE 2014 Made from Sauvignon Blanc vines averaging 20 years old grown on a plot of local flint soils famous for their minerality and finesse. This is good typical Sancerre - citrus fruit and gooseberry aromas on the nose with mineral and floral notes coming through. Full and silky mouth-feel with a light fruit sweetness. White blossom and citrus flavours with stony minerality and a touch of exotic fruit. Dry crisp with fresh zingy acidity and a lean finish. Good with fish and goats cheese. RIVER THE from Lant Street Wines wine club 10 THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 FOOD DRINK tasting notes Autumn recommendations Waipara West Pinot Noir 2013 25.00 Chateau Tayet 2011 11.18 Ferrandiere Merlot 2014 7.75 Waipara West Sauvignon Blanc 2013 12.29 Paslca Bouchard Chalbis 2014 16.32 Cedric Bardin Sancerre 2014 14.98 Cassagnoles Colomblanc 2013 7.10 LAncienne Cure Bergerac Rose 2013 11.45 THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 FOOD DRINK 11 BERGERAC ROSE 2013 Light redpink in appearance with Raspberry nose with a hint of strawberry and blackcurrant. The palate is fresh generous and provided with a long crisp finish. WAIPARA WEST PINOT NOIR 2013 A satisfyingly deep rubycrimson with purple hues at the rim. Aromatically it is multi-layered with a predominantly wild fruit character think wild strawberries combined with some forest floor complexity. The oak plays a supporting role adding notes of smoke liquorice spice. Red dark cherry sweet summer plums and cassis on the palate. Solid tannins are buoyed by fresh juicy acidity which give the wine both drive and texture. Finish is long and dry. Winner of the International Wine Challenge Trophy for Best New Zealand Pinot Noir in 2015. WAIPARA WEST SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 Punchy passionfruit nettle gooseberry and box tree sit on top of richer tropical citrus fruit notes. The riper fruit characters are from the more exposed parts of the vineyard where the grapes develop fuller richer flavour. This sort of fruit absolutely loves being fermented in barrel mainly older and left on lees for winter adding nuance of yoghurt linseed and flint. The palate is dry the mid palate is impressive with a lovely surge of flavour filling the mouth then leading to a long clean satisfying finish. Silver Medal Winner of the International Wine Challenge Trophy 2015. COTES DE GASCOGNE COLOMBLANC 2013 A blend of Colombard Ugni Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc grape varieties. Blends are created by Gilles Baumann selecting the various vats by tasting to determine which combination would create the best balance according to the characteristics of each grape variety. Typical fresh Gascogne style no oak and lots of emphasis on fresh fruit. Dry with apple-y fruit and good acidity and finish. CHATEAU TAYET 2011 The blend for Chteau Tayet is 60 Merlot and 40 Cabernet Sauvignon. After vinification in the winery maturation takes place for 12 months or so in stainless steel or concrete tanks. The wine is then bottled at the chteau. Ruby red with a nose and palate of red fruit flavours. Good depth and length for the price. Should be drunk within 3-5 years to get the best from the fruit. 12 BOTTLES MIXED CASE - 15 OFF FREE DELIVERY WITHIN 10 MILES OF SE1 x2 Ferrandiere Merlot x1 Cedrick Bardin Sancerre x2 Waipara West Pinot Noir 2013 x2 Waipara West Sauvignon Blanc 2013 x2 Chateau Tayet Bordeaux x1 Cotes de Gascogne Colomblanc x1 LAncienne Cure Bergerac Rose x1 Pascal Bouchard Chablis Total price 137.95 normally 162.29 020 7357 7788Or visit Lant Street Wines at 59-61 Lant Street SE1 1QN near Borough tube station and mention The RIVER to receive 10 off your first order. Sounds like a dream Where is this place by Ruth Parr ould it be a real place or just something along the lines of The Big Rock Candy Mountain a fantasy destination full of all the things you love best where hens lay soft boiled eggs and there are natural springs of lemonade During a recent episode of The Great British Bake Off it was said that Bermondsey had once been known as Biscuit Town and amazingly its true James Peek and George Hender Frean founded Peek Frean at Dockhead just off Jamaica Road in 1857. Many of the famous lines we still know today were invented by them Garibaldi in 1861 Marie in 1875 Chocolate Table the first chocolate-coated biscuit in 1899 and the classic Bourbon in 1910. When their Dockhead factory burned down in 1873 the enormous production machine moved to Drummond Road. It was at this point that Bermondsey became known as Biscuit Town. By the 1940s Peek Frean was a powerhouse employing over 4000 people directly. Located so close to Surrey Docks and the railway line the factory was perfectly placed to import the best ingredients from all over the colonies and equally well-placed to export the biscuits back again. Perhaps so long ago the story drifted over to hobo travellers in America of a town that just made fabulous foods and inspired the Big Rock Candy legend a land of milk and honey where you can stay for many a day and you wont need any money. he Iskender Kebap kebab is one of Turkeys most famous dishes and originates from Bursa in the northwestern Marmara region just 50 miles south of Istanbul and close to the Sea of Marmara. According to culinary folklore Chef Alexander Mehmetoglu Iskender Efendi created the first Iskender Kebap in 1867. Selecting lamb raised on the thyme-covered slopes of Mount Uludag he roasted the meat as a self-basting doner kebab on a vertical grill and cut off thin slices as it cooked spreading the meat on top of a bed of diced bread. The dish was then topped with savory tomato sauce and browned butter and completed with a generous serving of yogurt on the side and a sprinkling of parsley. This delicate combination became a national treasure and an enormously popular export all over the world with each new generation of chefs in each new place creating their own special version. Kilikyas situated at the impressive waterside of St Katharine Docks in EC1 have three versions on their menu the classic lamb a chicken and a mixed version. The mixed kebap sampled for the purpose of this article was a show-stopping blend of floral chicken deeply flavoured lamb and rich tomato and herb sauce presented in a grand authentic Turkish steel bowl. It is little wonder that Turkish people in London flock there to while away the hours chatting eating and drinking tea or traditional Kahvesi coffee looking out over the yachts moored in this exclusive east of the city hideaway. Just for a moment between mouthfuls of kebab I was transported to a faraway exotic place and time lulled by the easy relaxed atmosphere of Kilikyas. The Iskender Kebap is certainly big enough to share but I suggest that just this once you make sure you have one entirely to yourself KILIKYAS RESTAURANT St Katharine Docks London EC1 t 020 7488 0813 w www.kilikyas.com while away the hours chatting eating and drinking tea or traditional Kahvesi coffee TURKISH delights 1 Iskender Kebap Getting to know Turkey through its food drink and hospitality at Kilikyas in St Katharine Docks by Owen Rice Bursa IstanbulSea of Marmar THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 FOOD DRINK 13 his summer Surrey Quays Shopping Centre invited youngsters from the local community to help out the visiting Lego team in building a giant ship as an homage to the areas rich maritime history. The three-metre long ship has been on display in the middle of the mall and Centre Manager Ian Moore announced a competition open for everyone to name the ship. The 280000 square-foot shopping centre first opened in 1988 and was quickly expanded by another 8.3 acres to include Surrey Quays Leisure Park with a 9-screen Odeon cinema Gala Bingo Hollywood Bowl restaurants and bars. It now stands as the retail hub of the docklands area with a number of major stores for men and womens fashion sports and leisure jewellery accessories entertainment and gifts. 14 THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 STYLE at Surrey Quays SHIPBUILDING The Surrey Quays Shopping Centre its past present and future Everybody shipbuilding together The Art of Heating Hand crafted from Pyrenees Stone Showroom at WC ONE 20 The Circle Shad Thames SE1 2JE infocinier.co.uk 020 7378 9996www.cinier.co.uk contemporary radiators Model shown OLYCALE Edo Electric only Youngsters unite in the project Centre Manager Ian Moore alongside the finished vessel The Surrey Quays peninsula has gone through radical change in the past 30 years most of which was linked to the London Docklands Development Corporation LDDC an agency set up by the government in 1981 to regenerate the east London area. The LDDC spearheaded a number of important ventures in the area including the development of London City Airport the ExCel Exhibition Centre Canary Wharf and of course the Surrey Quays Shopping Centre generating a huge buzz in the area and creating more than 120000 new jobs. In the past few months big news has been announced for the shopping centre. Further phased development is planned to revamp the entire site and make it the destination shopping experience for south London with riverside shopping and dining to rival the likes of Westfield in Shepherds Bush and Stratford. SURREY QUAYS SHOPPING CENTRE AND LEISURE PARK Redriff Road London SE16 7LL Nearest trains Canada Water and Surey Quays overground Canada Water tube Jubilee Line Youth is the gift of nature but age is a work of art by Ruth Parr he Ever HopeFull Rep Season is a collection of theatrical premieres in a pop-up venue in the heart of the city. This four play repertory season of new writing features artists aged 18-80 with the overarching theme being the lives of the over-forties. The Plays American Venus by Leslie Mildiner - Directed by Sarah Berger This Thing Called Love by Shelley Silas - Directed by Ben Caplan Mercy by Claire Whitehead - Directed by Jake Murray The House by Brian Parks - Directed by Keith Myers Jog On by Stephanie Smith Monica Sik Holm - Directed by Charlotte Peters Twain at 70 written by and starring David Patrick Stucky The Golden Age of Theatre - a talk by Nigel Nevinson The So and So Arts Club Founded three years ago the So and So Arts Club is dedicated to connecting artists from all disciplines and ages to foster support collaboration and paid work. The So and So Arts Club is an internet based organisation which has grown to 1200 members in nine different countries. The Club has generated paid work for over 400 actors directors writers and designers in the last three years. Sarah Whitlock appearing in Mercy said Repertory theatre has always been a fabulous way to learn the trade but over recent years it has been replaced by fringe or free performance. The Ever HopeFull Rep. is a great shop window to be seen in and its marvellous fun MERCY By Clare Whitehead directed by Jake Murray Somewhere in the English countryside Helens husband dies. As she ponders life without him she re-examines all she has done - the unhappy love affairs the missed opportunities the small deceptions that became big deceptions - until Dave her first true love walks back into her world. Clare Whiteheads moving and poetic play is a study of lives un-lived regret and second chances and the ever present need for mercy for all of us. 16 THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 CULTURE EVER HOPEFULL REP The So and So Arts Club Aug 31 at 700pm to Sep 27 at 1000pm 6 Fredericks Place EC2R 8AB Nearest tube Bank Station e sarahberger1gmail.com w www.everhopefullrep.com TICKETS FOR ALL PLAYS ONLY 10 Sarah Whitlock Sarah Berger Director of American Venus NATIONAL THEATRE SOUTHBANK SE1 9PX 020 7452 3000 The Red Lion 3 June 30 September A haunting and humorous new play about the dying romance of the great English game football and the tender savage love that powers it Three Days in the Country 21 July 21 October A handsome new tutor brings reckless romantic desire to an eccentric household. Over three days one summer the young and the old will learn lessons in love Jane Eyre 8 September 10 January This bold and dynamic re-imagining of Brontes masterpiece shows one womans fight for freedom and fulfilment on her own terms Husbands and Sons 19 October 19 January DH Lawrence evokes a now- vanished world of manual labour and working class pride interweaving three of his greatest dramas and playing them simultaneously As You Like It 26 October 2015 5 March 2016 Shakespeares glorious comedy of love and change comes to the National Theatre for the first time in over 30 years SHAKESPEARES GLOBE 56 PARK STREET SE1 9AR 020 7261 9565 Measure for Measure 20 June 17 October Injustice hypocrisy and the challenge of inflexible virtue combine in Shakespeares most searching exploration of sexual politics and social justice Richard II 11 July 18 October Dazzlingly eloquent and ceremonious Richard II is Shakespeares most searching exploration of the meaning of kingship and the rising powers that can destroy it GIELGUD THEATRE 35 SHAFTESBURY AVENUE W1D 6AR 0844 482 5130 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Until 24 October This acclaimed production of Mark Haddons award-winning novel adapted by Simon Stephens and directed by Marianne Elliott has won 7 Olivier Awards including Best Play in 2013 THE OLD VIC 103 THE CUT SE1 8NB 020 7928 2651 Future Conditional 1 September 3 October Alia has a radical solution for Britains schools that could restore our place in the world education league. But is the system ready to take lessons from a schoolgirl Also starring Rob Brydon Roosevelvis The Red Lion THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 CULTURE 17 The Hairy Ape 17 October 21 November A classic expressionist masterpiece by Nobel prize-winner Eugene ONeill a labourer is forced to confront primal questions about his true place in the world THE YOUNG VIC 66 THE CUT SE1 8LZ 020 7922 2922 Song from Far Away 2 19 September An unforgettable tale of an estranged family and lost love written by Simon Stephens Curious Incident and directed by Ivo Van Hove Streetcar La Musica 24 September 17 October Marguerite Duras lyrical and poignant study of the damage we inflict on those we love receives its first London revival in two decades Macbeth 26 November 16 January Beginning with Shakespeares text powerful choreography culminates in an unforgettable final act where words falter and finally give way THE ROYAL COURT THEATRE SLOANE SQUARE SW1W 8AS 020 7565 5000 Hangmen 10 September 10 October Local celebrity and second-best hangman in England Harry finds his life takes a peculiar turn after hanging is abolished Roosevelvis 21 October 14 November On a hallucinatory road trip from the Badlands to Graceland the spirits of Elvis Presley and Theodore Roosevelt battle over the soul of Ann a shy meat-processing plant worker MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY 53 SOUTHWARK STREET SE1 1RU 020 7378 1713 Dinner With Saddam 10 September 14 November What happens when Saddam Hussein turns up on your doorstep and announces he is staying for dinner Find out in Anthony Horowitzs new comedy UNICORN THEATRE 147 TOOLEY STREET SE1 2HZ 020 7645 0560 Martyr 15 September 10 October Fundamentalism and tolerance clash in this funny provocative play which asks how far we should go in accommodating anothers faith ages 15 BATTERSEA ARTS CENTRE LAVENDER HILL SW11 5TN 020 7223 2223 A House Repeated 7 24 October Inspired by choose-your-own- adventure stories and early computer games this highly interactive show invites you to explore rooms real and imagined without leaving your seat WHITE CUBE 144 152 BERMONDSEY STREET SE1 3TQ 020 7930 5373 Robert Irwin 23 September 15 November Irwin uses light and subtle alterations of space to refocus the habituated eye encouraging an awareness of the visual field around us DESIGN MUSEUM 28 SHAD THAMES SE1 2YD 020 7403 6933 Life on Foot Camper at the Design Museum 13 May 1 November Embark on a creative journey into how traditional shoemaking has been shaped by contemporary design and new technologies TATE MODERN BANKSIDE SE1 9TG 020 7887 8888 Agnes Martin 3 June 11 October Working within tight self-imposed limits Martin was able to continue to make extraordinary visionary paintings for over three decades until her death in 2004 18 THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 CULTURE As You Like It MacbethJayne Eyre s September rolls around once more the local residents and businesses of Bermondsey Street and beyond can again look forward to a day of fun activities delicious food and drink and fantastic entertainment. With the Street and surrounding roads traffic-free for the day the shops galleries cafs restaurants bars and businesses will open their doors to share their wares with locals friends and visitors. The festival debuted in 2007 when Michael Davies of the Bermondsey Street Area Partnership challenged the community to produce a festival in 3 weeks. With help from the council and local businesses the committee was able to produce the first festival in Tanner Street Park with about 30 stalls a maypole a dog show and music. Since then the festival has gone from strength to strength and 2015 promises to be better than ever Supported this year by Simplicity Caf and Restaurant in Rotherhithe the Festival will see more than thirty local restaurants bringing their food to the streets for your enjoyment and will truly honour Bermondseys reputation The festival will honour Bermondseys reputation as Londons Larder 20 THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 CULTURE The village fte in the city returns Saturday 19th September as Londons Larder. Liquid refreshments are covered too with Bermondsey Streets vibrant bars and pubs serving drinks in the park and the local Southwark Brewery will have its own Festival ale should you wish to imbibe. Of course its not just food for the belly but food for the soul too as artists musicians dancers actors and fashionistas prepare to present their work and talents across a range of stages and on the streets. This year maypole dancing returns as does the dog show organised by locals Holly Lil and located in Leathermarket Gardens. Other entertainment on offer includes a jazz orchestra salsa dancing choir singers local bands and more. If something a little more calm and historical is your thing why not join one of the walking tours just meet outside Tanner Co at 11.30am 1pm or 2.30pm. Whatever your tastes theres bound to be something to see to do or to eat at the Bermondsey Street Festival. We look forward to seeing you there Official running time of the festival is 11am-6.30pm with most stalls closing at 6pm. To see the full list of who and what will be at the festival visit www. bermondseystreetfestival.org. uk 22 THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 CULTURE John Simm leads a fantastic ensemble cast at the National by Joe Campbell ased on Ivan Turgenevs 1869 drama A Month in the Country Patrick Marbers adaptation tells the story of a handsome and articulate tutor who arrives at a wealthy familys estate to help a young boy with his studies. His arrival however ignites love and lust in a number of family members. Three Days in the Country is a story about love. It is not however a love story in the conventional sense. Whereas one might think of a love story as a tale of two people overcoming hardships thanks to the triumphant qualities of love what Turgenevs play and Marbers interpretation shows us is the honest uncomfortable truths of love. That it is a powerful emotion one which can be destructive if handled badly. During the course of the play the darker sides of love and passion are revealed jealousy anger frustration pettiness denial and helplessness. Moreover it is done with a tremendous amount of wit THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 CULTURE 23 THREE DAYS IN THE COUNTRY From 21 July to 21 October The National Theatre Upper Ground South Bank SE1 9PX t 020 7452 3000 w www.nationaltheatre.org.uk and cynical humour too. The intelligent staging of the play is one of its most enjoyable aspects echoing Brechts Epic Theatre the theory that performance can be a vehicle for objectivity and self- reflection rather than just an escape into an alternate reality. Towards the back of the stage each actor and actress sat in a row of chairs visible to the audience even when not on- stage reminding us that we were watching a performance and forcing us to be analytical of what was being said rather than becoming lost in a story. At times I stopped seeing Simm as the misanthropic Rakitin and saw his despondency as an exaggeration of my own frustrations. The minimalistic set and snappy rarely-a-line-wasted dialogue added to this clever disillusionment ensuring that the audience were never distracted by unnecessary chatter. The Lyttelton Theatre at the National is no small performance area and the director was not afraid to use the space as much as possible. Making sure the actors stayed a fair distance apart gave a great impression of the vast and expansive Russian countryside and also meant that when the characters did get close their coming together was more meaningful. John Simm in his various television and film roles is an actor who manages to vocalise frustration and entrapment extremely well and his lovesick Rakitin is just as powerful. His punchy sarcasm is a joy as it cuts through the mounting tension. Mark Gatiss Wolf Hall Game of Thrones is also very funny as the eccentric yet brutally honest doctor Shpigelsky. In fact each character manages to effectively portray a different convention of love and Lily Sacofsky in her theatrical debut does a solid job of illustrating the recklessness of first love. Three Days in the Country shows us that love is not always the pure thing we hope it to be. Love can steer people towards bad decisions love is the shards we are left to pick up after being shattered it is the jealousy and anger of unrequited affection and the tragedy of a truly broken heart that never fully heals. The characters in turn articulate these despairing feelings in a way that most of us at some point in our lives have wanted to. The play is certainly not all doom and gloom there is a huge amount of humour and charm borne of each characters flawed personality. So even though the setting characters and costumes are from another time and place the message remains universal. Marbers interpretation shows us the honest uncomfortable truths of love he Jerwood Drawing Prize is the largest and longest running annual open exhibition for drawing in the UK. Selected from original drawings the Jerwood Drawing Prize has established a reputation for excellence and for promoting and celebrating the breadth of contemporary drawing practice within the UK. The exhibition provides a platform to showcase the work of drawing practitioners from student to established and as a project helps to define a wider understanding of the role and value of drawing in creative practice. The longevity of the prize which has been running since 1994 is a testament to the appetite of the artists who make drawings and the continued interest of audiences visiting the exhibition making it one of the most popular shows in the Jerwood Visual Arts programme. A total of 60 works by 58 artists including one collaboration have been carefully selected for exhibition by the panel Dexter Dalwood artist Salima Hashmi artist curator and writer and John-Paul Stonard art historian. According to Stonard The Jerwood Drawing Prize is one of the most important art prizes in the UK and unique for focusing on the medium of drawing. It was inspiring to see the range of entries not only drawings in the traditional sense but also drawing as a process seen through other media including sculpture and video. The drawings selected were those that had the energy of a personal vision and showed dedication to the medium. The First Prize of 8000 Second Prize of 5000 and two Student Awards of 2000 each will be announced and awarded to the winning artists at the preview on 15 September. The exhibition will be on display at the Jerwood Space London from 16 September 25 October 2015. JERWOOD VISUAL ARTS Jerwood Space 171 Union Street SE1 0LN t 020 7654 0179 w www.jerwoodvisualarts.org 24 THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 CULTURE downPENCILS With a first prize of 8000 who will win the coveted Jerwood Drawing Prize here are few things more important than education. Being taught how to read write and do sums how to think how to analyse and how to interact with others can be the difference between somebody finding their place in society or feeling disconnected from the world. Whether it is a first time parent fretting over what school they should or even can enrol their child into or an adult who finally decides to change their life by learning something new beginning that journey of education can be daunting. Although 2012 saw a dip in the number of University entrants 2013 and 2014 both saw record numbers of successful applicants become undergraduates. Considering the sharp rise in tuition fees over the last few years this could be an indication of a number of things. Are schools performing better Are students aiming higher Or are we as a nation just taking our education more seriously Perhaps it is a mixture of all three but whatever the reason the thought of being left behind without an education to be proud of is a scary one so choosing the right school is one of the more important decisions one usually has to make. In this our first autumn guide to the best local schools and educational establishments you can find out about a school whose headteacher was awarded an OBE for services to education a school who specialise in teaching children with dyslexia and learning difficulties a place that fosters creativity in adults a school who have served the community for over three-hundred years and more. We have also included a list of all of their open days on page 36 so you can plan a visit for yourself. Interviews and insights with key leaders in our area Playtime at The Dominie Battersea 26 THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 EDUCATION A relentless drive for outstanding performance is behind the progress at Walworth Academy ver the last two years a transformation has been taking place at Walworth Academy impacting every level. A bold demand for 100 consistency from each pupil and every teacher coupled with an unforgiving No excuses approach to anything short of success has put in place an impressive foundation for excellence. The aim is to ensure that every young person in the academy is confident that university is a real possibility either through A Level achievements or BTEC qualifications. With this in mind all new Year 7 children visit a university so they can see what is ahead of them - should they achieve their potential. Right from the start students are also introduced to a seven-year curriculum so they can see the big picture with clear milestones marked out en route. The character of the children is something that is central to the new rigour introduced at Walworth pupils are encouraged to support and look after each other there is a zero-tolerance approach to any violence or aggression and a very active practice to teach children to manage difficulties by talking and listening. With firm goals set and parameters for behaviour clearly drawn a quality education can begin. Rigour does not begin and end with pupils at Walworth. Principal Yvonne Powell has a programme of reflective practice for all teachers too. Three times a term they can attend courses for improving techniques sharing successful methods to bring back into the classroom as they learn. Filming classroom performances and subsequent reviews allows teachers to adapt and enhance the education they deliver throughout the year. It is this kind of attention to detail that is establishing a high bar for behaviour results and achievement and is what is steering the school in the direction of an outstanding Ofsted rating. There is also a set of family values at Walworth Academy CARES which stands for C Commitment A Aspiration R Resilience E Excellence S Self Management These qualities are expected from everyone at the school whatever age and role they have. Higher achievers are invited to take on additional challenges in the Brilliant Club and already three students have recently won places at Russell Group Universities to study Medicine with and one student with a confirmed offer of a place at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Yvonne Powell has come from Little Ilford School where she achieved Outstanding levels twice and began leading Walworth Academy in January 2013 around which time she was awarded an OBE for her Services in Education. What Ms Powell is achieving here is a true community school that is engaging and serving the people around it so be sure to visit on the Open Days and see it for yourself. WALWORTH ACADEMY Shorncliffe Road SE1 5UJ t 020 7450 9570 Principal Yvonne Powell OBE THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 EDUCATION 27 Courses at the Poetry School have enriched my life providing many links with all sorts of other people engaged in the same processes of trying to write poetry. They have provided continuous challenge and stimulation to keep going. Not to mention encouragement Poetry School student Summer 2015 Learn teach swap grow think talk read write compose translate transform at the Poetry School in Lambeth. Where poetry starts. Join a community of poets see your poetry flourish New term starts 14 September Visit www.poetryschool.com or call 0207 582 1679 for more details The Dominie a co-educational school for children with dyslexia and dyspraxia f your child has not taken to reading as you expected or is showing a reluctance to write there may be a myriad of reasons why but these are flags that can suggest some form of dyslexia dyspraxia or other associated learning difficulty. As Anne ODoherty the Principal of The Dominie in Battersea explained Children want to learn they are naturally curious. If they are having trouble it may be something as simple as the child needing an eye test. Whatever the reason if steps are taken children can be supported and helped. A simple series of checks and educational assessments can be made to discover the reasons for any difficulties before deciding on the best course of action. The Dominie located near Battersea Park in a converted Victorian warehouse is a school in every sense. It is a truly local nurturing environment that provides all of the usual school elements a class structure prefects clubs sports days and a Christmas play but there are many extras too not least Maisie the school dog who is a very popular member of the school community Children come with detailed personal reports and leave with the same making sure their transition back into mainstream education is as carefully managed as their arrival at The Dominie. Before a pupil can join the school a three-day assessment is carried out so parents and teachers have a detailed profile and understanding of each child and their needs. With this knowledge a personalised education plan is constructed. Exceptional attention to detail like this is made possible at The Dominie due to a capacity of just thirty-two pupils grouped into four classes. The first base of support for children begins with self- esteem. Once a child who may have already begun to lack confidence or feel frustrated has been reassured and filled with confidence helping them fulfill their personal and academic potential can begin. One of The Dominies philosophies is to teach the way children learn. In the classroom specialist teachers and therapists work as an integral part of the learning process. Teaching follows a modified national curriculum and includes philosophy music drama art and games. During their stay at The Dominie children become equipped with strategies for their own personalised learning so they can return to mainstream education brimming with confidence. Anne ODoherty is originally from Wimbledon and trained in SpLD dyslexia at St Bartholomews Hospital. She taught in the East End and was Head of Lower School at Thomass Kensington before moving on to the Dyslexia Teaching Centre in Kensington where she became Co-director. In 2007 she became the Principal of The Dominie. Her leadership priorities are all about the children and their needs plus the qualities of and appreciation for her staff. It could not have been more clearly demonstrated when at the end of our meeting she added as a throwaway remark The children have lovely big badges too with The Dominie is Outstanding written on them Oh did I mention that our latest Ofsted Report rated us as Outstanding in every category What the school does and how it does it was intensely clear and in focus at all times achieving Outstanding ratings seemed almost incidental. Top class. THE DOMINIE 55 Warriner Gardens SW11 4DX t 020 7720 8783 A year to be proud of an exceptional past and a promising new future at Archbishop Tenisons School in Kennington here is a lot to celebrate at Archbishop Tenisons School this year and it is not just that they have been providing a quality education to children for a staggering three hundred and thirty years. This September the doors are opening to girls too in this previously all boys school. Admittedly girls have been attending the Sixth Form for some years but this autumn Year 7 is open to girls for the first time. Archbishop Tenisons have adopted what is called the Diamond Approach in which boys and girls join together but are educated in classrooms separately until Key Stage 5. This means that Archbishop Tenisons is now offering something that few non-independent schools in the country offer a single sex education in a co-educational setting. In the classroom boys and girls are able to learn and develop in ways that best suit their gender. During PSE tutor groups and play time they are mixed so they can enjoy and learn a wider range of people skills. Archbishop Tensions Principal Elizabeth Sims is confident this approach will offer pupils the very best of both worlds with an interesting competitive element between the boys and girls whilst also bringing in more social interaction for the boys already at the school. Unsurprisingly with its long history of being boys-only the school has a strong pedigree in science-related subjects. This year will offer girls a fantastic opportunity to step up and compete in Science Mathematics and Engineering. When London was still mostly built of wood and suffered in the Great Fire of 1666 Charles II was on the throne and Oliver Cromwells army had just taken the country through a civil war to deliver a new kind of Parliament. It was shortly after this time in 1685 that Archbishop Tenisons school was established to teach poor children in the crypt at St Martin in the Fields Trafalgar Square. This philosophy of care and provision of equal opportunity and education for all children is a deep-rooted one that survives with a justified pride at the school still. The premises eventually relocated across the river and the school has been sustained and well attended ever since. It continues with a little over five hundred pupils divided into four houses to which every child and employee from teachers to cleaners is assigned to one. These houses pull together creating a sense of family pride and not just a little healthy competition too. Open to pupils of any faith or none the school still enjoys a strong association with the Church of England with 70 of pupils recorded as church-going yet another tenet creating a close-knit community in which all teachers and pupils generally know at least everyones face if not their name. South London has many famously good schools that pupils wait on lists to get into but unknown to many is the fact that Archbishop Tenisons out-performs most when it comes to improvement statistics being in the top four performing schools in Lambeth. This is a jewel in the crown of education in Kennington and its future is as bright as its past is deep. Boys will be competing with girls in Science Mathematics and Engineering New uniform celebrating 330 years A long history of education and excellence in London Boys and girls will be educated in classrooms separately up to Key Stage 5 ARCHBISHOP TENISONS SCHOOL 55 Kennington Oval SE11 5SR t 020 7735 3771 28 THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 EDUCATION ith six new classrooms new facilities including a multi-use games area an all weather soft play and a new Year 3 Southwark Primary Free School has extra capacity this September to welcome even more local children into a secure happy and stimulating environment. A not-for-profit organisation the Southwark Free Schools Trust has been set up to run an outstanding new primary school in the borough and the Southwark Primary Free School a mixed state primary open to all pupils aged 4 to 11 is the result placed right at the heart of the community. Vicki Buckland Head of the School is in charge of the day to day running of the school and has in-depth of experience at schools and academies in nearby Peckham. Strategic support is provided by Matt Rampton a National Leader in Education as Executive Principal who is also Executive Principal at Pickhurst Infant and Junior Academies. These links and access to the resources of other schools make Southwark Primary Free School small enough to deliver quality teaching to its 53 pupils and yet able to cherry pick the benefits available in the wider community too. There are still spaces for September and open days are now listed on page 34 Southwarks Free Primary School has links to the meadows and woodland of Pickhursts Forest School and lots more new facilities on site too SOUTHWARK PRIMARY FREE SCHOOL Ledbury Hall Pencraig Way SE15 1SH t 020 7635 4265 30 THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 EDUCATION In just five years an east London school has been transformed into a beacon of aspiration uccess is the best word to describe what is happening at the Bishop Challoner Catholic Federation of Schools. Academic success community success organisational success and spiritual success. Just five years ago only 50 of pupils at Bishop Challoner were achieving 5 GCSEs including English and Maths and this was not surprising taking into consideration the challenges and disadvantages facing the pupils staff and community of Whitechapel and Tower Hamlets. This year it is celebrating four students going on to Oxbridge universities and recent results that show 79 of pupils achieving 5 GCSEs including English and Maths. The Bishop Challoner Federation offers a traditional academic education with less emphasis on BTECs or GNVQs to achieve targets focusing on GCSE and A Level qualifications for all students instead. Nick Soar the newly appointed Executive Principal for the federation of all three schools suggested a number of reasons behind this positive change. Firstly the federation structure has made a big difference. We now have three schools working in unison Nick explained. This allows the sharing of the best teaching research and ideas standards and staffing budgets. As Britains first federated school the campus now has a Boys and a Girls School as well as a Sixth Form College. Another contributing factor Nick continued is the quality of teaching that has radically improved over the last five years. 80 of the 125 teachers are new faces from five years ago. Teach First based on an American concept is a model in which high-flyers fresh from university are encouraged to take a year or two teaching in under-privileged communities. This way some of the success dust is sprinkled where it is needed most before these super able and ambitious individuals go on to high-powered city jobs. A disproportionate number of these individuals have come to Bishop Challoner because of the schools early engagement with the scheme. Nick also explained how the school has been both patient and brave in its approach to recruitment. Not only have we grown talent from within nurturing individual staff turning teachers into pastoral leaders and bringing talent into the leadership team but we have resisted filling positions if the individuals were not right. We have trusted our judgement and often taken on additional exceptional teachers in order to secure quality individuals even when positions are already filled just to get and keep that talent. This may be a luxury that most schools could not afford but the Boys School Pupils Science at the Girls School THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 EDUCATION 31 funding Bishop Challoner have in place is not just state supplied - it has been secured by the endeavours of the leadership team who have won the support of businesses like marketing agency Ogilvy Mather and the American bank Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo sponsor a reading and maths scheme at Bishop Challoner to the tune of 10000 per year and it is connections like these established by Nick and his team that have a massive impact on day to day performance at the school. The close relationship with Ogilvy Mather provides more than just work experience for pupils but a detailed and sustained program instead. Thirty to forty students go for two days and work together on a project like planning a marketing campaign. This is followed by a formal two weeks of work experience and ongoing careers advice and mentoring from Ogilvy staff. According to Nick Soar the biggest driving force behind the leaps in improvement at the federation has been the belief that high ambitions and aspirations work just as well for disadvantaged children as they do with pupils from the leafier suburbs. Established by Irish Catholic nuns in 1850 as a girls school in Whitechapel an area famously challenged by poverty underpinning each of the schools and the Federation is a strong prayer- centred vibrant Catholic ethos. Tolerance and a moral code based on love of God love of the self and love of each other is a core appeal to many of the parents whose children attend Bishop Challoner. Nick Soar takes the reins this September as Executive Principal at Bishop Challoner and the senior leadership team for each of the schools is now as follows Paul Stone Head of Bishop Challoner Boys School Chantelle Easmon-Johnson Head of Bishop Challoner Girls School Mrs Helen Livermore and Mr Andrew Warburton Joint Heads of Bishop Challoner Sixth Form As Nermeen Esther Mila and Bruno each prepare for their Oxbridge starts this autumn the future for the younger children in E1 is looking brighter than ever too. Sixth Formers Heading to Oxbridge from left to right Nermeen will be studying History at Balliol College Oxford Esther studying Psychology at Cambridge Mila studying Psychology at St John College Cambridge and Bruno studying Physics at Jesus College Cambridge. BISHOP CHALLONER CATHOLIC FEDERATION OF SCHOOLS 352 Commercial Road E1 0LB t 0207 791 9500 e infobishop.towerhamlets.sch. uk w www.bishop-learningvillage. towerhamlets.sch.uk Nick Soar the Executive Principal for the Federation ucked in behind a little run of shop fronts on Lambeth Walk is The Poetry School. Established in 1997 the school is the place to go if youve ever had an interest in learning how to write poetry. Of course you can expect to learn how to compose a sonnet a sestina or a limerick but more than that the Poetry School will introduce you to a community of fellow poets who work together on a range of collaborative projects such as arranging readings and getting work into print. According to Julia Bird Head of Programmes The Poetry School welcomes poets of all levels and experience through its doors. Our definition of beginner is somebody who is in love with words and wants to learn how to start arranging the best of them into the best order. Anyone with the smallest spark of literary interest can come to one of our sessions and start to develop their talent. Weve got students of all ages backgrounds and inclinations. Theyre a very supportive bunch. The Poetry School is set to begin its new term on 14 September. One of the real joys of their approach to learning is their range of options that can fit around most schedules. You can enrol for a year-long immersion into the technical nuts and bolts of poetry or drop in for a one day session creating poetry based on Wolf Hall. You can even write food poetry alongside a tasting menu they have something for everyone with a creative spark and something for those that want to find one. So if you think youre someone who has a certain way with words why not flex your poetic muscles Eve Grubin one of the schools poet-tutors has provided a writing prompt for you to have a go at Write a list of ten words you think would never appear in a love poem. Now write a love poem using those words. Details of The Poetry Schools courses and more can be found at www.poetryschool.com Lambeths Poetry School is the place for the aspiring wordsmith THE POETRY SCHOOL 81 Lambeth Walk SE11 6DX t 020 7582 1679 Year on year success for the girls at St Saviours St Olaves or the fourth year in a row St Saviours and St Olaves students have achieved impressive A level results with over 50 of grades between A and B. There was also a stunning 100 pass rate. Samantha Hunter grades AAAA will take up a place at Imperial College in London to study Physics Emily Wong grades AAAA will study Psychology at University College London and Magdalene Kasshun will be going to Southampton to study Medicine. Other A grade students in all subjects were Franciska Howarth grades AAA Larise Cummings and Dana Nurse both with grades AAA. Head of 6th Form John Breslin was delighted saying This confirms my belief that whether you are aiming for the best universities or the most prestigious industry placements St Saviours girls have shown that with hard work and commitment you can achieve these goals. We are heavily oversubscribed for entry in September 2015 and this is testament to the outstanding reputation that our staff and students have established. ST SAVIOURS ST OLAVES SCHOOL New Kent Road SE1 4AN t 020 77407 1843 w www.ssso.southwark.sch.uk A Star Pupils from left to right Larise Cummings Emily Wong Samantha Hunter Fraciska Howarth Dana Nurse ARCHBISHOP TENISONS SCHOOL 55 KENNINGTON OVAL SE11 5SR 020 7735 3771 w www.tenisons.com Tuesday 22nd September 9.00 - 10.30am Wednesday 23rd September 9.00 - 10.30am Thursday 24th September 9.00 - 10.30am and 5.30 - 7.30pm Wednesday 30th September 9.00 - 10.30am Tuesday 6th October 9.00 - 10.30am and 5.30 - 7.30pm ARK ALL SAINTS ACADEMY 140 WYNDHAM ROAD SE5 OUB 020 7450 5959 w www.arkallsaintsacademy.org Wednesday 16th September 2015 5.00pm 7.00pm Saturday 19th September 2015 9.30am 11.30am Monday 21st September 2015 9.30am 11.30am Thursday 24th September 2015 9.30am 11.30am BISHOP CHALLONER CATHOLIC FEDERATION OF SCHOOLS 352 COMMERCIAL ROAD E1 0LB 020 7791 9500 w www.bishop-learningvillage.towerhamlets.sch.uk Monday 14th September 2015 5.00pm 7.00pm Girls School Tuesday 22nd September 2015 5.00pm 7.00pm Boys School Parents may also visit for tours at 9.00am and 9.30am every Tuesday from 14th September 12th October THE DOMINIE 55 WARRINER GARDENS SW11 4DX 020 7720 8783 w www.thedominie.co.uk Please contact the school to arrange a visit. THE POETRY SCHOOL 81 LAMBETH WALK SE11 6DX 020 7582 1679 w www.poetryschool.com Please contact the school to arrange a visit. JOHN CASS REDCOAT SCHOOL STEPNEY WAY E1 0RH 020 7790 6712 w www.sjcr.net Monday 28th September 2015 5.00pm 7.00pm Main School Tuesday 22nd September 2015 5.00pm 7.00pm Sixth Form Wednesday 2nd December 2015 5.00pm 7.00pm Sixth Form SOUTHWARK PRIMARY FREE SCHOOL LEDBURY HALL PENCRAIG WAY SE15 1SH 020 7635 4256 w www.southwarkfreeschool.com Please contact the school to arrange a visit. ST. SAVIOURS ST. OLAVES SCHOOL NEW KENT ROAD SE1 4AN 020 7407 1843 w www.ssso.southwark.sch.uk Thursday 17th September 2015 10.00am Tuesday 22nd September 2015 6.00pm 8.00pm Wednesday 23rd September 2015 10.00am Thursday 1st October 2015 10.00am WALWORTH ACADEMY SHORNCLIFFE ROAD SE1 5UJ 020 7450 9570 w www.walworthacademy.org Wednesday 16th September 2015 9.10am 10.15 am Thursday 17th September 2015 9.10am 10.15 am Friday 18th September 2015 9.10am 10.15 am Wednesday 7th October 2015 5.00 pm 7.30 pm 36 THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 EDUCATION CANADAWHARFROTHERHITHESTREETSE16 1000000 1800Squarefootpenthouseapartmentwithriverfrontviews.Setwithinaconverted warehousethisapartmentsitsinsideanimpressive19thcenturywharfandhasbeen finishedtoaveryhighstandardaccentuatingthepropertysindustrialheritage.The propertyconsistsofthreedoublebedroomsanopenplankitchenreceptionroom twoen-suitebathroomsamainbathroomandaprivatebalcony. HOPSTUDIOSJAMAICAROADSE1 1400000 Thismustseetwo-bedroomapartmentissituatedinsideaconvertedwarehousethat hasbeenfinishedtothehighestpossiblespecification.Builtin1887thisformer warehouseisfullofcharacterretaininginterestingfeaturesfromitsindustrialheritage. ThesophisticatedluxuryinteriordesignedbyDesignHouseLibertyoffersthebestin loftstylelivingandisjustashortwalkfromTowerBridge. 2ShadThamesSE12YU 02074030600 www.kalmars.com mayflower-interior.jpg caption Inside The Mayflower pub originally called The Shippe rotherhithe-palace.jpg caption The remains of Rotherhithe Palace on Bermondsey Wall East The_Mayflowerpub.jpg caption The oldest pub on the Thames The Mayflower where the Mayflower ship set sail in 1620 Stave_Hill.jpg caption Stave Hill Ecology Park in Rotherhithe Canary-Wharf.jpg caption A View of the Canary Wharf from the open spaces of Rotherhithe The_Mayflower_Compact_1620_cph.3g07155.jpg caption The Pilgrim Fathers aboard the Mayflower ave you ever wondered what your property is actually worth Local property specialists KALMARs have given us some insight into current trends and provided us with price guides for home-owners in south London based on property type and number of bedrooms. Owners of prime flats with one two or three bedrooms can expect to sell their property for up to 550k 750k and over 850k respectively explained Sebastian Kalmar at their office in Shad Thames. The demand for sellers is very strong at the moment he continued. House prices have reflected this in their growth in the first and second quarters of 2015 and we expect demand in the next quarter of 2015 to be just as strong if not stronger. So if you are thinking of marketing your property theres no better time especially in regenerated areas like New Bermondsey Surrey Quays and Elephant Castle. The shortage of supply is also increasing the demand for rented property which in turn is increasing rental prices. One bedroom prime flats start at around 400 per week whereas two and three bedroom properties are now looking for 500 and 750 respectively. The decision to sell your property may come down to the potential value of the property and that is where specialists like KALMARs can lend their expertise. Having recently sold properties such as the Balfour Lofts the Valentine Apartments and Painters Mews they also have extensive knowledge of upcoming projects in SE1 and SE16. These include New Bermondseys Biscuit Factory the Lendlease regeneration project of Elephant Castle and the redevelopment of Surrey Quays and its shopping centre. With prices as strong as they currently are the big decision for home-owners now is whether to sell soon or wait but having an accurate valuation may make the decision a lot easier. KALMARs Jamaica Wharf 2 Shad Thames SE1 2YU t 020 7403 0600 w www.kalmars.com e infokalmars.com With interest rates due to rise when is the best time to sell by George Swinton worth WHATS YOUR PROPERTY 38 THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 PROPERTY 3 Painters Mews one of the beautiful properties sold by KALMARs Balfour Lofts in County Street Elephant Castle The KALMARs Team THE RISE OF rotherhithe The gateway to other worlds by George Swinton THE RIVER AUTUMN 2015 PROPERTY 39 here are few places so close to the heart of London that enjoy spaces as quiet and open as Southwark Park or as fascinating as the Stave Hill Ecology Park a 5.2 acre nature reserve educational facility research area and place of recreation. Situated on the bend of the Thames Rotherhithe has extensive river frontage on both its northern edge and to the east too. Naturally it enjoys a regular commuter ferry across to Canary Wharf as well as a service along the river all the way to Richmond in the west and the Thames Barrier in the east. The river though is not the only way of getting around from Rotherhithe. With tube stations servicing Bermondsey Rotherhithe Canada Water and Surrey Quays as well as overground trains running northsouth through Surrey Quays Canada Water and Rotherhithe the area is well-connected to say the least. Thanks to the imminent redevelopment and upgrade of the retail and leisure complex at Surrey Quays the next ten years is likely to see a big change in the areas popularity and property value even though prices have already seen a sharp upward turn in the last decade. Rotherhithe has often been considered the more desolate distant end of Bermondsey the wrong side of the street to Wapping and the urban edge to Greenwich but now this space between other desirable areas is rising on the swell of demand as people are catching on to its benefits and relatively low prices. Rotherhithes history is surprisingly rich and still Stave Hill Ecology Park in Rotherhithe A view of the Canary Wharf from the open spaces of Rotherhithe celebrated today one example being the shopping centres naval facade. For a thousand years it has been a natural port for London gaining its name from hryther hyth the Anglo-Saxon for landing-place for cattle. The first recorded use of this name was in 1105 as Rederheia. Perhaps the delivery point for farm animals transported from the Isle of Sheppey and the farms of Kent it was the watery gateway for food and trade into the capital. By 1350 King Edward III had a palace built on the marshy rivers edge although it could have been considered more of a hunting lodge for his falcons and a place to stay away from the plague- ridden London populous than a palace of luxury. The remains of the palace can still be seen modestly resting in an open grassy square at the waters edge at Bermondsey Wall East. Skip forward two or three hundred years to 1620 in front of the Mayflower pub then called the Shippe and you would have seen The Mayflower set sail to Southampton where it picked up 102 English Separatist passengers and headed off to the New World where they would become known as Americas founding Pilgrim Fathers. From these original travellers have come some surprising and hugely influential descendants including Presidents Franklin D Roosevelt George W. Bush and John Adams as well as entertainers Bing Crosby Clint Eastwood Richard Gere Orson Wells and Marilyn Monroe. More recently the docks at Surrey Quays and the tunnel to Wapping built under the Thames by the Isambard Brunel father and son team have carved Rotherhithe out as a port and hub central to Londons and the countrys industrial revolution. It remained this way until the outbreak of the war when on the first day of the Blitz Surrey Quays was heavily bombed the raid igniting over a million tonnes of timber in Quebec Yard causing the most intense single fire ever seen in Britain. It seems a long time to remain dormant but Rotherhithes history is huge and the seventy years that have passed since have not weakened it for the long term. Now from these ashes like a mythical Phoenix Rotherhithe is rising to be glorious again. Inside The Mayflower pub originally called The Shippe The Pilgrim Fathers aboard the Mayflower The remains of Rotherhithe Palace on Bermondsey Wall East The Mayflower picked up 102 English Separatists and headed off to the New World winkworth.co.uk on the go... No matter where you are our properties are only a tap away. OFFICES IN LONDON THE COUNTRY AND OVERSEAS. SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLYwinkworth.co.uksurrey-quays SURREY QUAYS 020 7237 9119 surreyquayswinkworth.co.uk A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON BUYING RENTING AND SELLING HOMES. CARLTON HOUSE SE16 6SL - 799950 SHARE OF FREEHOLD This exceptionally spacious second and third floor top duplex apartment contains four double bedrooms and sits in a well-kept purpose built de- velopment adjacent to the Albion Channel and close to local amenities. Carlton House is a short walk away from the Surrey Quays shopping and leisure centres with easy access to Canary Wharf and the West End via the Surrey Quays overground station and Canada Water tube station. TROTHY ROAD SE1 5RR - 560000 FREEHOLD A well maintained two-storey linked terraced house in a quiet no through road close to all local amenities. The property is situated close to The Blue Shopping Parade and a short distance from Bermondsey tube sta- tion. Trothy Road includes three bedrooms a spacious receptiondining room with laminate wood flooring a large rear garden and a front patio. DOLPHIN CLOSE SE16 6DX - 775000 FREEHOLD A two-storey extended semi-detached house refurbished to a very high standard throughout positioned in this small secluded cul-de-sac close to Canada Water tube station and Rotherhithe overground station. Dolphin Close includes a quality fitted kitchen a luxury bathroom suite and ground floor shower room a paved rear garden and three double bedrooms. CHAMBERLAIN COURT SE16 2AZ - 465000 LEASEHOLD This stylish second floor apartment is situated in a modern development close to local amenities. Chamberlain Court is a short walk from Southwark Park and is close to major bus routes and rail stations. This property contains two double bedrooms a spacious reception with a decked covered terrace a quality fitted kitchen a thermostatically controlled heating system and entry system.