Get down to Elephant Park this summer
18 June 2018
Lendlease has got a packed programme of events planned for Elephant Park this summer.
From film to theatre, storytelling to sport, there’s something for everyone. Highlights include the South Social Cinema South American film festival, Wimbledon tennis coverage and the Thursday nights Summer Series featuring Shakespeare in the park, live music and more.
Visit the Elephant Park website for the full line-up and further updates.
And while you’re there take part in the poll to choose a classic film to be screened on 12 July.
The Two Million Pound Wall Campaign
5 June 2018
The regeneration of Elephant and Castle is delivering a permanent new home for the Southwark Playhouse. Currently based on Newington Causeway, this much loved theatre will move to the newly completed Uncle building at St Mary’s Churchyard next year.
With a secure 125 year lease, the Playhouse will finally have a permanent, purpose-built venue for the first time in its 25 year history (having moved three times already). This latest move opens up new opportunities for the theatre, including a dedicated youth, community and development space and enables the launch of a second, smaller satellite venue in the arches at London Bridge station.
In order to fund the fit-out of its new Elephant and Castle theatre, the Playhouse has launched the Two Million Pound Wall Campaign. Reaching out to its legion of fans, the theatre is offering supporters the opportunity to contribute their own, unique designs to be featured in a crowd-sourced artwork in the new foyer, in return for a small donation.
Summer Open Studios: 8 to 10 June
4 June 2018
This weekend, two of our favourite creative venues throw their doors wide open to the public. Hotel Elephant and Pullens Yards are each hosting their annual Summer Open Studios.
Hotel Elephant, a not for profit workspace for arts and creative enterprise, is offering a glimpse inside the hive of creativity currently buzzing at its Spare Street studios. Pay them a visit on Saturday or Sunday to meet the artists and makers who’ve made the project a success, including photographers, printmakers, painters and costume designers to name but a few.
Meanwhile, just a stone’s throw away, Pullens Yards will be opening up the studios of more than 50 local artists. Drop-by these picturesque Victorian workshops to buy pottery, crafts and jewellery or just to potter around, enjoy the sunshine and soak up the atmosphere.
Find out more about Hotel Elephant’s Open Studios
Find out more about Pullens Yards Open Studios
London College of Communication Degree Shows
29 May 2018
It’s that time of year again. Students across the country are completing courses and finishing exams and, with two major universities in our neighbourhood, that means it’s a busy time for Elephant and Castle.
London College of Communication is putting on two degree shows over the next three weeks to showcase the work of final year undergraduates.
The first show, which starts on Thursday 31 May and runs through to 2 June, will exhibit a range of innovative work from students studying advertising, journalism and photography. The second to be held from 21 to 23 June, will feature the work of students from the Design and Screen Schools.
Both shows are open to the public and are free to visit. In conjunction, the University is also hosting a number of open workshops and symposiums on design and photography.
The Chelsea Fringe comes to Elephant Park
21 May 2018
Kick off your summer in the Elephant’s newest green space with a neighbourhood green gathering.
Flowerful Elephant, which takes place at Elephant Park this weekend, is the culmination of a week’s worth of Chelsea Fringe activities happening in London’s newest park. This free, fun-filled, family day will celebrate the area’s local gardens, growing groups, green spaces and horticultural history.
Drop by between 12 and 5pm this Saturday, 26 May, to enjoy live performances, workshops and talks and a host of stalls selling arts & crafts.
Mercato competition for female foodies
16 May 2018
Three organisations that are making a big splash in Elephant and Castle, Mercato Metropolitano, Peabody and Hatch have teamed up to help female food entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality.
The Female Food Founders competition is offering a three month tenure at Elephant and Castle’s buzzing food market, Mercato Metropolitano, and up to £1000 in capital start-up costs to the lucky winner.
All three of the local organisations backing the competition are passionate about providing opportunities to community-focused projects and believe a three month summer stint at Mercato could be just the boost needed for one of the neighbourhood’s budding businesses.
In addition to the market space, the winner will be given free mentoring, free business advice and free use of Hatch’s new co-working space, 55 East on East Street.
The deadline for entries is Friday 25 May.
Rose Vouchers for free fruit and veg come to East Street
15 May 2018
The Alexandra Rose charity is holding a launch event for its fruit and veg voucher scheme at East Street Market this Friday, 18 May.
The vast majority of us don’t manage to eat the government recommended five portions of fruit and veg a day but low-income families find it a particular struggle. Poor eating habits can start in early childhood and there’s growing evidence that a child’s capacity to learn in school is affected by what they eat.
The Rose Vouchers for Fruit & Veg Project helps parents with young children to buy fresh fruit and vegetables while developing the skills and confidence to give their families the healthiest possible start. Rose Vouchers are worth £3 per child every week (double if the child is under one year of age). Vouchers can only be redeemed at markets that sell fresh fruit and vegetables. This means that the project not only helps young families but also supports our local markets.
For Southwark Council, urban renewal is primarily about social regeneration; improving residents’ well-being and promoting strong communities. Bringing healthy-eating schemes like this one to the heart of the Elephant and Castle regeneration area is just one way in which the council is making good on that promise.
So come down to East Street Market on 18 May between 10am – 1pm where there will be a range of family activities including cooking, recipes and a free voucher giveaway.
Elephant and Castle’s Roman sarcophagus goes on display
14 May 2018
Last summer, a rare Roman sarcophagus was discovered on a building site in Elephant and Castle. Now, this exceptional discovery is going on display for the first time, as part of a new exhibition about London’s Roman past.
The Roman Dead exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands uses finds from Roman burials across London to explore who Roman Londoners were and to reveal the city’s diverse past.
The Harper Road sarcophagus was an exciting find but it’s not the first Roman grave to be found in Elephant and Castle. The latest archaeological research suggests that this part of Southwark had great ritual and religious significance for the Romans and that it was an important place for honouring their dead. Read more about the Elephant’s Roman history.
With the amount of construction work underway as the regeneration of Elephant and Castle progresses, there could well be more discoveries to come…
Charlie Chaplin: Walworth walk and film screening
8 May 2018
CoolTan Arts is leading a celebration of the Elephant’s most famous son, with a Charlie Chaplin guided walk and film screening this Friday, 11 May.
The walk will explore Charlie Chaplin’s rags to riches story, his early career in music hall and his family’s deep connection with the neighbourhood. Culminating at East Street (Chaplin’s birthplace) the walk will be followed by a screening of several of the comedian’s iconic short films at 55 East, Elephant and Castle’s new community and enterprise hub.
CoolTan Arts is a mental health charity based in the Newington Library building on Walworth Road. The charity’s programme of guided walks started life as part of a collaboration with Southwark Council and the NHS, recognising the link between physical activity and improved mental health. Each walk is researched, devised and led by volunteers to enable walkers of all abilities to come together, explore, learn and share experiences.
The Cinema Museum scoops Love London award
1 May 2018
Elephant and Castle’s Cinema Museum has won Time Out magazine’s Love London award as the Capital’s favourite culture spot.
This wonderful museum, often described as a “hidden gem”, has been a labour of love for founders Ronald Grant and Martin Humphries, who first turned their treasure trove of cinema memorabilia into a public museum back in 1984.
Elephant and Castle has a long history as a centre of entertainment, especially cinema. The neighbourhood is renowned as the childhood home of two movie giants – Charlie Chaplin and Michael Caine – and also houses the archives of legendary film director, Stanley Kubrick. So what better place for a museum dedicated to the movies?
Based in the former workhouse where Charlie Chaplin lived briefly in his youth, the museum is the perfect place to spend an afternoon reliving the golden age of cinema or an evening enjoying one of their regular film screenings or talks.
Read our 2015 feature on the museum or visit the museum’s website .
Flowerful Elephant
30 April 2018
Kick off your summer in the Elephant’s newest green space with a neighbourhood green gathering.
Flowerful Elephant, which takes place at Elephant Park on Saturday 26 May, is the culmination of a week’s worth of Chelsea Fringe activities happening in London. This fun-filled family day will celebrate the area’s local gardens, growing groups, green spaces and horticultural history.
Drop by between 12 and 5pm to enjoy live performances, workshops and talks and a host of stalls selling arts & crafts.
Drawing Room comes to Elephant and Castle
24 April 2018
Drawing Room is a free, public art gallery dedicated to contemporary drawing.
Formerly based in Bermondsey, the gallery was established in 2002 by curators Mary Doyle, Kate Macfarlane and Katharine Stout. Now it has moved to Rodney Place, Elephant and Castle, and will mark its arrival with a free afternoon of music from Ubu Ensemble on 20 May 2018.
Drawing Room has taken up residence in the old National Windscreens building, near Lendlease’s Elephant Park development, thanks to help from Southwark Council. It’s one of a number of ‘meanwhile’ uses being made of the vacant spaces that temporarily become available as the regeneration progresses. Meanwhile uses help to ensure the area remains active and lively as sites are redeveloped, while also creating welcome opportunities for small businesses and community projects.
Drawing Room will be based at Rodney Place for around 18 months until the site can be used for new housing.
East Street Library extension
23 April 2018
Elephant and Castle’s East Street Library is being refurbished and extended.
The work includes:
- an extension that will provide a new meeting room / activities space for the library
- disabled access toilet
- improved study spaces
- a new look children’s space
- improvements to the outside
Southwark Council will aim to ensure the library remains open throughout the works (which are due to complete late July). However, there may be a temporary reduction in services during the course of the works. The next nearest library is close by at Artworks (Newington Temporary Library) and books borrowed from East Street can be returned to any other Southwark library.
Public art to celebrate Walworth
17 April 2018
Artist, Kerry Lemon wants your ideas for the new hoarding she’s designing for the Walworth Square site.
Walworth Square is a new open space, currently under construction next to Walworth Town Hall, which is due to open later this year. Kerry has been commissioned by the council and its regeneration partner, Lendlease, to design a hoarding for the side of the Town Hall facing the square on Wansey Street.
The hoardings are necessary to protect the fire-damaged Town Hall until it’s brought back into use in a few years time (the council is currently seeking an organisation that will help to restore the building for arts and culture uses). Kerry’s new designs will provide an eye-catching backdrop to the new square and will help to make the site more attractive and inviting for several years to come, until the hoardings can come down.
As well as being a pleasant new open space for the neighbourhood, Walworth Square will be home to new shops and cafes, and will host a programme of events throughout the year. It will also be the site of the new Southwark Memorial and provide a location in which to hold borough remembrance services.
Kerry’s proposal for her 65m ‘canvas’ is to create a collage that celebrates everything that Walworth is renowned and treasured for. She’s already got plenty of ideas but now she wants to know what you think.
Find out more on Kerry’s blog and be sure to drop her a line with your suggestions.
Seven: art from Elephant and Castle
16 April 2018
Seven is a new exhibition which showcases the work of seven contemporary artists associated with Elephant and Castle.
Featuring the work of Dylan Atkins, Frank Bowling, Simon Hiscock, Clive Jackson, Angela Lucas, Sonia Martin and Peter Massingham, it’s the latest exhibition to be staged at the Art Academy in the former Newington Library on Walworth Road.
Opening next month, Seven offers a glimpse into the rich variety of work being produced by local artists. From Sonia Martin’s enigmatic figurative pictures to Frank Bowling’s famous abstracts, the exhibition celebrates the work of seven artists (through painting, photography and sculpture) each with a distinct perspective.
The Newington Library building reopened to the public, on a temporary basis, in September last year (following the 2013 fire) and is currently being used by for a variety of art projects by The Art Academy.
Seven is a free exhibition and runs from 16 May – 2 June.
Last chance to apply for a £5,000 Community Fund grant
3 April 2018
There’s just one week left in which to submit your application to the 2018 Elephant and Castle Community Fund.
If you need funding to support an existing community project or to help get something new and exciting off the ground, your application needs to be in by midday Tuesday 10 April.
Since it was established by Lendlease and Southwark Council in 2012, the fund has awarded roughly £175,000 to around 40 community organisations and directly benefited thousands of local people. From film projects and school drama to skill-sharing and language classes, the wide range of initiatives supported so far reflects the amazing breadth of talent that exists in Elephant and Castle.
This year, grants of between £500 and £5,000 are available from a total fund of £50,000. Your project must be based in the Elephant and Castle regeneration area and should address one or more of the five themes below:
- Further Education / Skills Building / Training and Entrepreneurship
- Arts and Culture
- Environment
- Older Residents
- Wellbeing
Healthy Streets: Harper Road
3 April 2018
As part of its commitment to Healthy Streets, Southwark Council is trialling a temporary width restriction on Harper Road.
The new 2m limit to vehicle width will be trialled for six months until the autumn.
The Healthy Streets Approach is designed to improve air quality and reduce congestion in London. Alongside improvements to Elephant and Castle’s parks and walking routes (as part of the Walk Elephant initiative) reducing the flow of HGVs and other large vehicles, on overly congested streets, is one of the ways in which the Elephant can become a better place to walk around and spend time in.
You can find out more about the Harper Road trial and provide your comments on the council website.
And you can find out more about improvements to local parks and walking routes here.
The curious case of the missing eggs
26 March 2018
Elephant Park has teamed-up with Blue Elephant Theatre to celebrate the start of the Easter holidays this Friday.
Bring your little detective to help the Easter bunny find the missing eggs. Drama music and games, led by local theatre group Blue Elephant, will bring the riddles to life as the children solve the mystery and save the day.
This is a free event but spaces are limited so you’ll need to book in advance.
The Manor of Walworth
23 March 2018
Antic, the pubco behind the successful revival of the Elephant and Castle pub is set to open another on Walworth Road.
The Manor of Walworth, will be a new, traditional public house based in part of John Smith House – former headquarters of the Labour Party – at 140 Walworth Road. Antic are promising a Georgian Manor House feel, in keeping with the rich history of the building. Expect up-cycled furniture, original fireplaces and stripped back rooms.
The pub is slated to open on 6 April
Community Council: Monday 19 March
19 March 2018
The latest meeting of Borough, Bankside and Walworth Community Council will be held this evening at Amigo Hall, St George’s Cathedral, Lambeth Road SE1 7HY.
The agenda includes Neighbourhoods Fund 2018/19 decisions; cultural strategy and an update on Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre with a representative from Delancey
The meeting takes place tonight, 19 March at 6.30pm.
Elephant Atlas
16 March 2018
Elephant Atlas is a new exhibition which opens today at London College of Communication. It features works inspired by Elephant and Castle’s historic Cuming Museum Collection.
Stepping away from the traditional ways of presenting museum objects and subjects, Elephant Atlas features 17 artists and writers responding to the collection through photography, illustration, performance, installation, film, creative writing and workshops. Each contributor has used ideas raised by the objects and stories, choosing items or aspects which have captured their imaginations.
The exhibition is free and runs from 16 March to 4 April.
Community grants of up to £5,000 now available
19 February 2018
The 2018 Elephant and Castle Community Fund has gone live.
This is your opportunity to apply for grant funding to support an existing project or to get something new and exciting off the ground.
Since it was established by Lendlease and Southwark Council in 2012, the fund has awarded roughly £175,000 to around 40 community organisations and directly benefited thousands of local people. From film projects and school drama to skill-sharing and language classes, the wide range of initiatives supported so far reflects the amazing breadth of talent that exists in Elephant and Castle.
This year, grants of between £500 and £5,000 are available from a total fund of £50,000. The deadline for applications is midday, 10 April 2018.
Your project must be based in the Elephant and Castle regeneration area and should address one or more of the five themes below:
- Further Education / Skills Building / Training and Entrepreneurship
- Arts and Culture
- Environment
- Older Residents
- Wellbeing
Got a question about the Town Centre development?
12 February 2018
If you want to know more about the proposed plans for a once in a lifetime opportunity to deliver essential regeneration for Elephant and Castle Town Centre, Delancey’s project team will be on hand at the shopping centre to help.
The proposals offer significant benefits for a huge range of people living, working and learning at the Elephant. This new town centre will become a focal point and cornerstone of the wider £3bn regeneration underway in Elephant and Castle, whilst reinforcing the status of the area as a major cultural and education destination in central London.
The plans include more than 1,000 new homes on a site where none currently exist; new restaurants and leisure space; a live music venue and a new cutting-edge campus for London College of Communication.
As part of Delancey’s engagement with the local community, from Tuesday 13 February, you’ll be able to drop in to the Community Engagement Centre (unit 215 at the Elephant and Castle shopping centre) to meet the Delancey team.
So, if you live or work locally or if you’re just interested in what’s happening, stop by and say hello. And if you have a business in the shopping centre, this is a great opportunity to find out more about the help and assistance on offer to relocate.
Community Engagement Centre (Unit 215, E&C Shopping Centre). Opening times: Monday-Friday, 12-3pm; Wednesday 12-6pm
Maldonado Walk unveiled
12 February 2018
An Ecuadorian themed ceremony was held on Saturday 10 February to celebrate the naming of Maldonado Walk.
This small passage next to the newly built Crossway Church, just off Hampton Street, has been named in honour of Pedro Vicente Maldonado, the 18c Ecuadorian scientist who died in London in 1748. The ceremony brought together politicians, the local community and Ecuadorian dignitaries, who’d flown to London specifically for the occasion, to enjoy traditional music, dancing and food.
The new street name, originally proposed by Cllr Maria Linforth-Hall is, in part, recognition of the contribution that the local Latin American community have made to Elephant and Castle over the past 30 years. It’s also part of the Walk Elephant initiative to make the Elephant an easier place to navigate and to get around on foot.
Maldonado Walk forms part of the emerging Low Line; a new walking route along the railway viaducts which link Blackfriars to Camberwell. It follows hot on the heels of Spare Street, which opened just around the corner in 2016, and houses local arts organisation, Hotel Elephant, in five refurbished railway arches.
Find out more about how we’re making the Elephant a better place to walk
Delancey Statement on the Town Centre
7 February 2018
On 30 January, Southwark Council’s planning committee voted to defer Delancey’s application to redevelop the Elephant and Castle shopping centre as a new town centre for the area.
Delancey has listened to the concerns and issues raised by the local community, Ward Councillors and the council and made a revised offer.
Borough Triangle exhibition
6 February 2018
Peabody is holding two public exhibitions about the Borough Triangle site this week.
The housing association plans to build new homes, a range of retail and commercial spaces and new public space for local residents on this site between Borough Road and Newington Causeway (currently home to Mercato Metropolitano). The exhibition, to be held at the London School of Musical Theatre, is an opportunity for the community to find out more about the proposals. Peabody’s project team will be on hand to talk through the plans, answer your questions and collect feedback.
The exhibition will be held at London School of Musical Theatre, 83 Borough Road, SE1 1DN on the following dates:
Wednesday 7 February: 6pm–8.30pm
Saturday 10 February: 10am–2pm
Elephant Park Masterplan exhibition
5 February 2018
Lendlease is holding a public exhibition to show the outline designs for the fourth phase of Elephant Park which includes two development plots on Rodney Place (plots H11a and H11b).
The exhibition is open to anyone who’s interested in finding out more about Elephant Park. It will be held at Balfour Street Housing Project, 67 Balfour Street London SE17 1PL on the following dates:
Thursday 8 February: 3pm – 8pm
Saturday 10 February: 11am – 3pm
The Posh Club returns to Elephant and Castle
5 February 2018
The Posh Club is a glamorous performance and social club for older residents of Elephant and Castle.
Each three-hour event is styled as a tongue-in-cheek ‘posh’ 1940’s afternoon tea with three live show business turns, volunteer waiters in black tie, vintage crockery and an in-house pianist.
Supported by London College of Communication and Peabody, the club is a glamorous event for about 100 participants per week with the emphasises on dressing up, live performance, social
connectivity and intergenerational volunteering.
The first event, held at the shopping centre last year, was a great success; so now the club has returned for a ten-week run, starting today, at Walworth Methodist Church Hall (Clubland). Tickets are £5.
Town Centre planning decision deferred
31 January 2018
Last night (30 January) Southwark Council’s planning committee voted to defer Delancey’s application to redevelop the Elephant and Castle shopping centre as a new town centre for the area.
Cllr Mark Williams, Southwark’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and New Homes, said: “We welcome the planning committee’s decision to defer. We remain committed to finding a solution for a new shopping centre and home for UAL’s London College of Communication that works for everyone and look forward to the developer bringing forward substantive changes to their application.”
Delancey issued a statement to say: “We welcome Southwark Council’s decision to defer the decision of our planning application. Our proposals offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to deliver essential regeneration to a key London location, which will bring almost 1,000 new homes to a site where none currently exist, desperately needed new transport infrastructure with a new Northern Line entrance and ticket hall, and ensure London College of Communication, UAL’s long term future in Elephant and Castle.
We recognise that concerns have been raised about our proposals and this extra time will give us the opportunity for these to be addressed. The issues are resolvable if all parties continue to engage in this positive and constructive manner. We will continue our work with Cathedrals and East Walworth Ward Councillors, Southwark Borough Council and other interested local parties to reach a mutually acceptable and positive conclusion.”
Find out more about the proposals
Beyond 2001: New Horizons
29 January 2018
Famous for ground-breaking films such as Dr Strangelove and Full Metal Jacket, Stanley Kubrick provides the inspiration for the latest London College of Communication (LCC) exhibition.
Beyond 2001: New Horizons is a bold, colourful and interactive exhibition that celebrates the tenth anniversary of the College’s acquisition of the Stanley Kubrick Archive. Rare and unique materials from the acclaimed director’s film productions, including 2001: A Space Odyssey, are on show alongside work created by LCC’s Screen School students in response.
The exhibition runs alongside a series of talks, workshops and seminars until 16 February.
Grants of up to £2,000 available for community projects
23 January 2018
Applications are invited for community projects requiring £500-£2,000 grant funding.
The Building Communities Fund is delivered via the Team London Bridge BID levy. The grant consists of an annual pot dedicated to supporting local events, youth projects, residents’ activities and general community programmes.
There are no set criteria in terms of beneficiaries’ age groups, though the majority of participants must live in SE1, SE16 or SE17. Funded projects must also work in accordance with Team London Bridge’s aim of supporting and promoting sustainable community places.
The deadline for submitting your application is midday on Monday 12 February.
The new issue of the Elephant Magazine is out now
22 January 2018
The new issue of the Elephant Magazine is out now.
In this issue:
- Remembering local people and places in the street names at Elephant Park
- Rene Hayes and the Superarts Dance Academy
- The Elephant’s Roman roots uncovered
Town Centre proposals
17 January 2017
Last night, Southwark Council’s planning committee voted against a recommendation from officers to approve Delancey’s planning application for the Elephant and Castle Town Centre development.
The detailed reasons behind the decision weren’t formalised and the committee is scheduled to meet again on 30 January when it will formalise the grounds for the decision and vote again.
Read the council’s statement
New shopping arcade proposed at Perronet House
15 January 2018
Unused garages beneath Perronet House could become a new shopping arcade if council plans go ahead.
The space beneath the council housing block is split into two garage areas, one of which is let to local residents. Southwark Council is proposing to convert 12 unused parking spaces in the other area (the closed, southern garage) into 11 retail units plus a community café with an entrance diagonally opposite the Bakerloo line station.
The proposal would provide convenience shops for people living and working in the area and affordable retail space for local independent traders.
Community Council: Tuesday 9 January
8 January 2018
The next meeting of Borough, Bankside and Walworth Community Council will be a special meeting on the plans for Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre. It will be held at St Peter’s Church, Liverpool Grove SE17 2HH.
Representatives from Southwark Council and Delancey will be present and there will be an opportunity to discuss the plans and ask questions.
The meeting takes place on Tuesday 9 January at 6.30pm.
Read archived news from last year (2017)