Author Archives: SE16.com

Lionel Shriver at Canada Water Library

Posted on by

Southwark resident Lionel Shriver – author of the million selling We Need to Talk About Kevin – enthralled the audience at a packed Canada Water Library on Monday.

Lionel talked about her latest novel The New Republic – published last week – with its twin themes of terrorism and the mystery of charisma. After reading from the book, Lionel took part in a lively question and answer session with the audience of over 100 fans, talking about the writing process and sharing her entertaining thoughts on other writers and literary critics. After the event Lionel signed copies of her books.

The bestselling author said that the new Canada Water Library was “…a terrific place – and my local library!” Lionel went on to describe the library’s own theatre, the Canada Water Culture Cpace, as “a fantastic venue with a really professional setup”.

Ben Okri at Canada Water Library

Posted on by

Booker Prize winner Ben Okri was the latest leading literary figure to speak at Canada Water Library.

Ben Okri read passages from Wild – his first collection of poetry in more than a decade. The evening was well attended my local residents as well as fans eager to hear from the celebrated author.

“Canada Water Library is fast becoming one of London’s best known literary hotspots attracting some of the country’s most talented, gifted and popular writers,” says Cllr Veronica Ward, Southwark’s cabinet member for culture.

“The library is very popular with residents in the area and beyond and has had tens of thousands of visitors since it opened last year.”

On Monday Southwark resident Lionel Shriver will be speaking at the library.

Jubilee street party in Stevenson Crescent & Catlin Street

Posted on by

On Saturday 2 June residents of Stevenson Crescent and Catlin Street held a street party to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

“The mood was brilliant and the event went very well thanks to support from housing associations, The Hyde Group, Notting Hill, Hexagon and Housing For Women, along with enthusiastic residents who worked tirelessly to make it fun for everyone,” said Jean Douglas, Hyde’s regeneration coordinator for  Bermondsey Spa.

“Of all the events we have held at Stevenson Crescent, this was the one that brought so many residents out onto the street to join in and get to know each other. It was great to see so many new faces.”

The event saw more than 30 children make bunting and decorations for the gazebo, which Hyde resident, Irene Hurley sewed together. The Pye (Positive Youth Expression) Project provided the music and DJ-ing workshops turning it into a hugely festive occasion which they also videoed.

Resident Sharine Goring said: “I’m so glad so many residents joined in and we’ve been able to see what was just an idea turn into a fabulous event.”

Tracy Berry added: “It was well organised and I’m glad to have been a part of this; we can do more like this.”

Another chance to vote for the Southwark Portrait Bench

Posted on by

Sustrans has reopened the voting to decide who should be depicted alongside Barry Mason (of Southwark Cyclists and Surrey Docks Farm fame) in a new work of public art at South Bermondsey:

  • William Cubitt
  • Sir Michael Caine
  • David Haye
  • Sam King
  • Una Marson
  • Phyllis Pearsall
  • Mary Wollstonecraft

Read SE1’s story from the first round of voting; voting ends Friday 8 June and all other details are the same as before.

Wifi coming soon at Bermondsey and Canada Water Stations

Posted on by

Bermondsey and Canada Water stations are among the first 80 London Underground Stations to be fitted with wifi equipment as part of a deal with Virgin Media. The service should be up and running before the start of the Olympic Games at the end of July.

Internet access will be free during the summer; pricing has not yet been announced for the autumn and beyond.

“Our customers will soon be able to connect to the internet for live travel information while they are on the move through stations,” says Gareth Powell, London Underground’s director of strategy and service development.

“Bringing a next generation wifi service to one of the world’s oldest underground transport networks is progressing as planned and the forthcoming service is testing well.

“The first stations include some of our busiest and most well-known destinations and we’re on-track for a successful launch this summer – all delivered at no additional cost to fare payers or taxpayers.”

Parts of Canada Water Station will also be covered by the London Overground’s new wifi service which will be provided by The Cloud.

Latest from Boris Johnson on Chambers Wharf

Posted on by

Our London Assembly member Val Shawcross tabled a question to the Mayor:

Your response to Thames Water’s Phase 2 consultation on the Thames Tunnel indicated your ‘acceptance’ of the use of the Chambers Wharf site, subject to ‘further appropriate work’ and stated your support for the use of Chambers Wharf instead of Kings Stairs Gardens. In a letter to Thames Water dated 27th March you stated that the use of Chambers Wharf was ‘intolerable’ to residents and demanded a reassessment of alternative sites. Please clarify your position on this. Have you withdrawn your consultation response as Mayor in light of your subsequent statements?

Boris Johnson’s response was published this week:

I have not withdrawn my consultation response as this contained a great many generic points relating to the proposals as well as over 200 specific points relating to the numerous proposed construction sites.

It has become clear to me that both the overall cost of the project and the impact at a number of specific sites, Chambers Wharf being one, appeared excessive.

Thames Water has recently published its response to the consultation exercise and I will closely examine the company’s report on the issues raised but I am disappointed that there is not more within it to limit disruption and reduce costs.

Southwark Park 5k run raises £10k for Breast Cancer Campaign

Posted on by

Simon Hughes MP was in Southwark Park on Sunday morning as the official starter of the Girls v Boys 5k run which is expected to raise £10,000 for Breast Cancer Campaign.

England rugby sevens star Chris Cracknell and fitness expert Sarah Maxwell captained teams of girls and boys for the fundraising 5k – and also led a warm-up for the 83 charity runners.

Simon Hughes, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, joined in the warm up and said: “I supported, and people ran Girls vs Boys, to remind others that more than half a million people in this country have breast cancer and 12,000 die from breast cancer every year. However by putting money into research there can be cure.

“We came [to Southwark Park] for a positive reason – to reduce the pain, reduce the anxiety and have a better future.”

The close-run race was ultimately won by the girls team who posted an average race time of 32 minutes and 13 seconds compared to the boys’ 37 minutes and 2 seconds.