The early season sunshine has already started making an appearance across Canary Wharf, with pleasant evenings tempting workers, residents and visitors to the area outside.
The time of summer socials is almost upon us, with the smart and the organised already beginning to consult diaries, form plans and make bookings.
With whole businesses, teams and small groups of colleagues all looking to capitalise on the clement weather ahead, it’s best to secure key dates early, especially at the estate’s top spots.
Having arrived in the vanguard of the area’s regeneration Hawksmoor Wood Wharf quickly established itself in the upper echelons of the estate’s hospitality scene.
Both have terraces for guests to enjoy dining or refreshment in the open air.
Wood Wharf is the brand’s largest venue and, moored at the head of Water Street, acts as a gateway to a part of the estate that’s become well known for drinking and dining in recent years.
Oysters with bone marrow at Hawksmoor
just ‘a little unexpected’
Hawksmoor says: “Our Wood Wharf venue isn’t about reinventing the wheel.
“It’s about doing things properly: sustainable food, an award-winning cocktail menu and genuine service – all delivered in a space that feels considered, open, and just a little unexpected.”
Those planning seasonal events can look forward to a solid offering menu-wise.
Hawksmoor has long specialised in “dictionary-thick steaks”, chicken dishes and seafood such as lobster, monkfish, hake and Dover sole.
The cooking is big, bold and honed by the team over many years to reflect the quality of the sustainably sourced ingredients.
Crowd-pleasing sides such as Tunworth mash, macaroni cheese and beef dripping fries sit happily on a menu next to starters such as potted beef and bacon, smoked salmon with Guinness bread, roasted scallops and oysters.
>> Hawksmoor Wood Wharf boasts a 20-seat dining room for guests or businesses hosting private gatherings.
It’s fully equipped for presentations and groups of 34+ can take a semi-private space with a dedicated waiting team and sommelier to ensure guests are effectively refreshed.
To make planning easy, Hawksmoor offers both a canapé menu, with bites inspired by the flavours on its main menu as well as bowl food options for those seeking something more substantial.
Bite-size desserts can also be arranged to send guests away with a sweet taste in their mouths.
The Queenie Watts private dining room at Hawksmoor Wood Wharf
key details: Hawksmoor Wood Wharf
Hawksmoor Wood Wharf is located on a floating pontoon beside Water Street and is open from 11.45am-11pm, Monday-Thursday, 11.45am-11.30pm Friday and Saturday and 11.30am-8.30pm on Sundays.
At weekends, the venue offers extensive traditional roast options.
Event enquiries can be made online for all of the venue’s spaces or via email to woodwharf@thehawksmoor.com.
Urban Village Fete is set to return to SE10 on May 18, 2025, with what can only be described as a wealth of activities and performances for visitors to sample.
Taking over Peninsula Square, Central Park and Design District, it’s continued to build and develop the vision outlined in 2015 as a creative form of placemaking, as the residential towers have risen around it.
“The transformation of Greenwich Peninsula since 2015 is extraordinary, and the evolution of the Urban Village Fete is just one example of how much the place has changed in a decade,” said Laura Flanagan, director of Greenwich Peninsula.
“What started as an eclectic community get-together in a brand-new piece of town, has grown into one of London’s most-loved festivals.
“From inspiring talks hosted in the heart of Design District, to games, music and independent shopping in Central Park, there is so much to explore.
“Celebrating 10 years of the Urban Village Fete is a significant milestone for Greenwich Peninsula, giving us the opportunity to bring to life all the very best things about living, working and visiting here in one amazing day.”
The line-up has been designed to attract as wide an audience as possible with highlights including the following:
The festival has something on offer for all ages – image by Kris Huphreys Photography
family fun at Urban Village Fete
Beats And Braids will be providing feather hair extensions and braids from stylist and Design District tenant Stanley Watts, the Incredibly Clever Canine Circus is back, showcasing tricks for dogs and owners to learn and Jon Hicks’ Allympics will host competitive events such as show jumping, a spoon race and a birthday cake hurling contest to mark the 10th edition of the festival.
music and performances
Returning once again, headliner Gilles Peterson will be spinning sounds, while London Soul Choir, the Charity Shop DJ People’sParty and Design District’s Loose.fm are also on the bill.
Another one to look out for is London-based cultural hub and music movement Touching Bass.
>> “I played at the first ever Urban Village Fete back in 2015 and it has been incredible to watch the event grow and come together over the past 10 years,” said Gilles, DJ and top of the bill for 2025.
“It is a neighbourhood that gives back to the community and that’s a special thing indeed.
“You don’t come across many other events that represent a true democratisation of art – something we need now more than ever. Here’s to 10 more years.”
Urban Village Fete will feature many performances over the course of the day – image by Kris Huphreys Photography
health and wellness
Recently opened Greenwich Peninsula gym Gather will be hosting group workouts, Yoga and family sessions.
There will also be the chance to learn to skateboard with the Keep Rolling Project and Skateboard GB coach Rachael Sherlock as well as an opportunity to have a go at Wheelchair Basketball with Brixton Ballers in Design District’s rooftop court.
arts, crafts and creativity
Urban Village Fete has a programme of more than 40 workshops for visitors to take part in.
Make pinch pots and paint ceramics with Pottery Studio LDN, weave baskets with Yi Crafts, blend teas with Hackney Herbal, try Polish paper cutting with Well Crafted or take a one-hour nail art workshop with expert Sophie Harris-Greenslade.
Dogs and owners can learn new tricks at the festival – image by Kris Huphreys Photography
creative conversations
Friend of the fete and BBC Radio London presenter Robert Elms will set up shop at Design District for a series of interviews on topics as diverse as education, collaboration and the evolution of street fashion.
>> “Ten years ago, this part of London was little more than the O2,” said Robert. “But since then, the Urban Village Fete has helped to promote a genuine creative quarter where people can have a great day out while enjoying art, architecture and design.
“I shall be talking to some of those creatives, designers and makers again this year. Coming together to discuss thought provoking topics amid a fun festival is one of the things which makes the event unique.”
shopping at Urban Village Fete
The Urban Village Fete Makers Market will see more than 34 independent stalls open for the event.
Prioritising sustainable goods, these include Aah Kid’s upcycled kids clothing, Elan Skincare’s vegan products, lighbulb terrariums from WildBulb and CharitySuper.Mkt, the UK’s first multi-charity shop.
Every purchase will see money go to the British Heart Foundation, Traid, Emmaus Greenwich and War Child.
The event will take place across Peninsula Square, Central Park and Design District – image by Kris Huphreys Photography
‘doing the right thing’
“HemingwayDesign takes huge pride in being able to curate and contribute to such a successful free event across the last 10 years,” said festival curator Wayne Hemingway.
“Urban Village Fete gives back so much – you don’t have to spend a penny and yet you can experience something truly special
“By being generous and providing the community with culture of this quality and diversity and of this scale, Knight Dragon is simply doing the right thing.
“It is uplifting to see the vital support that the fete gives creatives, designers, artists and small businesses.
“It brings our team incredible satisfaction in creating something meaningful for the community, bringing people together for one unforgettable day in the heart of the city.
“We get so much joy from observing tens of thousands of diverse Londoners have such a great time.”
To help boost the vibe, Urban Village Fete will host five bars and more than 30 food and drink producers including the likes of Smashing Plates, Annie Mae’s Mac And Cheese, En Root and Jerk And Grind.
All events and activities are located a short walk from North Greenwich station, the Thames Cable Car and Greenwich Pier for river bus services.
key details: Urban Village Fete
Urban Village Fete is set to take place on Greenwich Peninsula on May 18, 2025, from 11am-7pm. Entry is free.
In a vaulted brick chamber on the banks of the Thames, the lime green wheel of a massive steam engine is gently, powerfully revolving.
Picked out in vibrant red, yellow and black stripes, this stately machine is no longer powered by boiling water, but a marvellous industrial relic, animated for the benefit of visitors to Tower Bridge.
Originally there would have been eight such engines – four on each side of the river – used to pump water into massive hydraulic accumulators that were used to store energy to raise the crossing’s two huge bascules.
These would swing up and down, on average, 60 times a day to allow tall ships to sail up and down the river unimpeded.
The Victorian technology is, however, just one of myriad surprises awaiting those on a trip into this major landmark.
Perhaps one of the most startling is its age.
At 131 it’s considerably older than many of the buildings that surround it, but less than a seventh of the age of the neighbouring Tower Of London, which celebrates its 950th birthday this year and inspired the aesthetic design of the crossing.
One of the preserved steam engines at Tower Bridge – image by Tower Bridge
visit for £1
“Tower Bridge is London’s defining landmark, welcoming visitors from all over the world,” said Amy O’Rourke, marketing manager for Tower Bridge at City Bridge Foundation.
“We want to make it accessible to everyone, but particularly to people living locally so that they can feel it’s their local landmark.”
Amy, who joined the team at the attraction five-and-a-half years ago – after travelling down the Thames from Royal Museums Greenwich – is leading the charge to encourage more of its neighbours to visit.
To that end, Tower Bridge is seeking to highlight the fact that residents of the boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Southwark – or those living in the City Of London – can get tickets to explore Tower Bridge for £1 per person.
Amy O’Rourke, marketing manager at Tower Bridge – image by Jon Massey
“We want everyone to feel welcome at the bridge,” said Amy.
“The story that we tell about its history is focused on the people – those who built it and those who have worked here.
“We have these lovely connections to the local community, the docks and the work that went on in this part of London, so we want people who are here now to know about them.”
Visitors with pre-booked tickets queue to gain access to the experience on the bridge itself then, following a quick security check, climb 200 steps or take the lift in the north tower to the crossing’s twin elevated walkways some 42 metres above the Thames.
There’s even a glass floor so people can look down on the bridge below.
The walkways were originally intended to allow pedestrians to traverse the river unimpeded given the bridge’s frequent openings, although in practice its operation was so slick most Londoners simply waited at ground level.
The crossing opened 131 years ago – image by Jon Massey
discovering Tower Bridge
“On the way up and in the walkways, you’ll learn about the history, why it was built – because of the need for a river crossing with the increase in traffic,” said Amy.
“You’ll also find out about the alternative designs for the crossing that were put forward, and how we got to the final design of the lovely bascule bridge we have today.
“At the time it was finished, in 1894, it was a marvel of engineering. Visitors finish the tour by descending in the south tower and making their way to the engine rooms, which are really the beating heart of the bridge.
“It’s my favourite place because you can really feel the hard work that would have been done there – blood, sweat and tears. It’s very special.
“When it was running on steam, about 80 people were needed to manage and maintain the crossing in working order.
“Throughout the visit we talk about their stories, including the likes of cook Hannah Griggs, who was born in Bermondsey and helped keep staff fed from 1911-1915. These are the people we want local residents to know about.”
There’s another aspect to Tower Bridge.
While the capital’s most easterly physical river crossing is rich in heritage, it plays many other roles too.
Hydraulic accumulators at Tower Bridge – image by Jon Massey
events at Tower Bridge
“Once the doors close at 6pm, things start to happen behind the scenes,” said Amy.
“We work with a partner called Social Pantry and have a number of spaces available for events of all kinds.
“For example, there’s a room in the north tower that can hold about 60 people for a wedding or small dinners.
“The walkways can also be used for photography, drinks receptions and dining.
“We are quite flexible on what we can accommodate – recently we’ve had jazz bands playing, gymnasts performing and acrobats showing off their moves.
“We can also offer dinner and drinks in the engine rooms, which are a more intimate space and great for engineering enthusiasts.
“We can change the lighting to match corporate branding, or events can be timed to coincide with sunset.
“It’s really special to be over the Thames, especially at night with the whole city lit up.
“We can also arrange special tours for guests so they get an enhanced experience.”
While Tower Bridge can be visited daily with slots from 9.30am-4.30pm, it’s worth trying to catch a bridge opening just for the sheer spectacle.
“When it happens London just stops for a while,” said Amy.
“It feels really special, standing there and witnessing it.
“Everyone’s normally rushing everywhere and I thought it must also be good for people’s wellbeing to just take a moment.”
Forthcoming openings are listed on Tower Bridge’s website and will take place most days in May.
The walkways include glass floors so visitors to the bridge – which is dog-friendly throughout – can look down to the Thames below – image by Tower Bridge
key details: Tower Bridge
Those living in Tower Hamlets, Southwark or the City Of London can get tickets to visit Tower Bridge for £1 per person.
There’s quite possibly a dash of Viking DNA in Stuart “Tommo” Thomson.
Where others see stretches of under-used water, he sees opportunity, just as Scandinavian raiders once did.
He’s also a fan of flames afloat.
First there came Barge East, a culinary powerhouse of a restaurant opposite Hackney Wick on the western edge of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and a flotilla of wood-fired hot tub boats with electric cruising engines.
Having conquered Canary Wharf, Skuna shored up its presence with a fleet of gently bobbing BBQ craft, popular in the summer months.
Last year, these were retrofitted with igloo-style roofs for winter to allow cold weather fondue sailings.
But it’s the latest arrival that speaks to the raw fire and ice existence of the northern tribes.
Built (appropriately) in Sweden, and believed to be the only self-propelled vehicle offering hot and cold therapy in the country, she’s currently moored for static service at West India Quay.
The boat has two icy plunge pools on its roof – image by Skuna
hot, then cold at Sauna Boat
The proposition is simple.
Her lower deck boasts changing facilities and a smart, wood-fired sauna allowing guests to get suitably toasty while gazing out of a large plate glass window overlooking the waters of North Dock.
There’s even a see-through hatch in the floor for views down towards the deep.
Once hot enough, a walkway round the structure and a wooden staircase take guests up to the roof where two icy plunge baths sit, complete with a high-tech cooling and water purification unit.
After the shock of a refreshing dip, the liquid chilled to a brisk 7ºC (or cooler, if desired), guests can then relax on comfy sofas with Canary Wharf’s towers to the south and the listed historic sugar warehouses of West India Quay to the north.
The temptation, of course, is to then do it all again to maximise that endophin high.
Skuna founder and CEO, Stuart ‘Tommo’ Thomson – image by Jon Massey
messing about in boats
“As a company, we’re interested in anything unusual you can put on a boat,” said Tommo.
“We want to provide all sorts of different experiences for people and we feel Sauna Boat is a natural progression from our hot tub boats.
“Saunas are booming across the country at the moment and there’s a wealth of health benefits to hot and cold contrast therapy – a boost for physical and mental health and it improves sleep dramatically.
“Since it arrived I’ve been in it every day and I’ve never slept better.
“The concept of taking a sauna has been around for thousands of years but it wasn’t really a popular thing to do in the UK until five or 10 years ago.
“Now it’s attracting people who are looking for something different, to relax and catch up with friends, or meet new people.
“That’s what Sauna Boat is all about. People come in, get changed – some may stay in the heat for 10 minutes, others for longer.
“Then it feels fantastic to step outside onto the deck and get some air on your body.
“Then they can enjoy the plunge pools, enjoy some time on the roof and go back inside for some more warmth and another cycle.”
The craft was built in Sweden and is now located in east London
a Sauna Boat from Sweden
Tommo and the team first came across the Swedish craft in 2018 in Oslo while searching for floating experiences to bring to the UK.
Initially Sauna Boat will be a static experience at West India Quay, but the plan is eventually to cruise the craft in the dock in similar fashion to the way they operate in Sweden.
Two further craft are expected to join the flagship in due course.
“It’s taken us a little while to get the first one over here, but we knew we loved the Scandinavian tradition of sauna,” he said.
“They are places of wellness and relaxation, but also somewhere to socialise with friends.
“We have music on-board and Friday evenings might be more upbeat, but Sauna Boat will always be a place to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy time spent with others.
“Floating on the water is an amazing place to have a sauna experience.
“Through the glass wall you can see other boats, ducks and geese going past.
“It’s all about tranquillity and the design means you can be snug in the sauna while looking out on Canary Wharf’s skyscrapers or relax on the top deck.
“Since we launched the hot tub boats here in 2018, West India Quay has changed so much – there’s an incredible array of bars and restaurants here and in Canary Wharf so this is the perfect place for our latest boat. It feels fantastic to have brought this here.”
Sauna Boat is moored at Skuna’s West India Quay base – image by Skuna
key details: Sauna Boat
Sauna Boat is located in West India North Dock with access from West India Quay where Skuna’s hot tub and BBQ boats are also based. It’s officially open from May 1, 2025.
Shared sessions start at £15 on Thursdays and Fridays and cost £20 at weekends.
These last 60 minutes, including changing time.
Sauna Boat accommodates up to 15 people, with exclusive private hire also available.
Newham All Star Sports Academy (NASSA) is set to host its first networking and fundraising dinner – NASSA’s Next Generation – at Brick Lane Music Hall in Royal Docks this summer.
what is NASSA?
For 20 years the charity has been an engine of social mobility for young people in east London.
Engaging them through basketball, it supports their education and training, instilling discipline and ambition in some of the most deprived areas in the capital.
Its Carry A Basketball Not A Blade campaign has reached more than 100,000 young people, teaching them about the dangers of knife crime and working in partnership with the Metropolitan Police to tackle gang culture.
In short, NASSA saves young people’s lives and enriches them.
NASSA CEO and founder, Natasha Hart – image Matt Grayson
>>Natasha Hart MBE, NASSA CEO and founder, started the charity in 2005 after taking her two sons to a Newham park to teach them basketball.
Soon she was surrounded by young people keen to try the sport, which inspired the charity’s creation.
Natasha said: “Once you become part of the NASSA family, that’s for life.
“What started in 2005 as a way for young people to get outside and keep fit has grown into a bigger mission, working with the community to tackle violence and gang culture through sport and education.
“It’s incredibly moving to hear about the difference we’ve made in people’s lives. Now we want to reach even further.
“It’s amazing that we’re able to host this networking and fundraising dinner in our 20th year to help us continue that work.
“We’re so grateful for the support we’ve had over the years and would love you to join us on June 18, 2025.”
why NASSA’s Next Generation?
To continue in its work and expand its operations, NASSA needs to raise funds and is always looking for new organisations and individuals to partner with.
In celebration of its 20th anniversary, it has created an event aimed at bringing its supporters together with those who would like to get involved to network, to introduce the charity’s ongoing work to them and mark its achievements.
Networking and dinner will be followed by a show at Brick Lane Music Hall in Royal Docks
what will happen?
NASSA’s Next Generation is set to take place at Brick Lane Music Hall in Royal Docks on June 18, 2025, from 6pm-midnight.
The evening will start with a drinks reception with plenty of time for networking.
This will be followed by a three-course dinner and a music hall show, with further opportunity to socialise after the curtain falls.
who will be there?
The evening will be hosted by NASSA with support from the charity’s patron, Sir Stephen Timms MP, minister for social security and disability.
Excel London CEO, Jeremy Rees – image by Jon Massey
>>Excel London has long been a supporter of NASSA and its work.
CEO Jeremy Rees has brought local organisations together in an advisory capacity to help guide the charity as it continues to grow and develop, tackling some of the toughest issues in society.
Jeremy said: “What Natasha and the team have done over the course of two decades is incredible and deserves our attention and backing.
“This is an organisation that started with just £20 in its bank account and has now reached more than 100,000 young people.
“The NASSA’s Next Generation networking and fundraising dinner is all about how we can work together as businesses, organisations and individuals to help it continue these vital efforts and reach the next 100,000.
“The event will be a real celebration of NASSA – but we can’t do this alone.
“Support us on June 18 and we can do even more.”
The charity works to fight knife crime and gang culture through its Carry A Basketball Not A Blade campaign
how can I get involved?
Tickets to the event are now on public sale, priced at £220pp with all proceeds going to NASSA.
A small number of full tables (12 seats) and half tables, priced at £200pp are available too.
The tide has washed over the space set aside for major exhibitions at London Museum Docklands and left behind it a rich haul of finds, information and art.
Unveiled this month, Secrets Of The Thames is a hymn to the capital’s longest archaeological site – the river’s foreshore – and those who prowl the edges of the water in search of its treasures.
The exhibition, which runs until March next year, is a celebration and revelation of the long-observed practice of mudlarking – raking through stretches of land that are exposed as the tides reveal London’s beaches and mudflats twice a day.
To that end, curators have combined a vast array of finds with a recreation of the exposed riverbed, artworks and a technical window into how the museum works with the beachcombers to catalogue and preserve historic pieces rescued from the depths.
Today mudlarking is popular – it’s regulated by the Port Of London Authority, which issues 4,000 permits for enthusiasts each year.
It has suspended new applications at present due to a waiting list now exceeding 10,000.
But while 21st century archaeologists, artists and social media producers are driven to dig in the soggy stuff for a variety of lofty motivations, those who went before were often simply scratching a living.
The exhibition includes a recreation of the Thames foreshore for visitors to explore – image by London Museum
the story in the mud
“We tell the whole story from the earliest mudlarks who were first recorded in the 18th century” said Thomas Ardill, curator of paintings, prints and drawings at London Museum.
“It was probably going on long before that too.
“These people were just searching for useful things to sell – bits of coal and steel, for example.
“They were scavengers, sometimes children, sometimes women – but as they were finding useful objects, they were also digging up historical pieces.
“This was in a period when antiquarians were starting to get interested in London’s history and mudlarks found they could sell artefacts.
“In the exhibition we’re showcasing not just what objects were found, but also the people who found them.
“The earliest mudlarks were entrepreneurs, and they were creative and inspired by what they found.
“Some were conning the art world by creating fakes, but that also showed their creativity and ingenuity.
Thomas Ardill, curator of paintings, prints and drawings at London Museum – image by Jon Massey
“A lot of the mudlarks today are fantastic artists and it’s an exhibition that you see through their eyes.
“It’s about the joy of discovery as much as it is about the objects.
“About five years ago, we touched on mudlarking a bit and realised it had potential – Secrets Of The Thames has been a long time in the making.
“We’ve been working closely with Stuart Wyatt, London Museum’s finds liaison officer, whose job it is to record the finds made by mudlarks with permits.
“One of the things I really like in the exhibition is the finds desk. It reveals how we record objects and will feature rotating exhibits.
“At the moment, there’s an Italian ceramic water vessel, which is one of four or five discovered in a particular spot on the Thames over the years.
“There’s definitely something interesting going on in that location.
“Stuart thinks what might have happened is a box containing a shipment may have been broken and been dumped over the side of the ship that was carrying it.”
London Museum curator Kate Sumnall – image by London Museum
connecting to London’s history through Secrets Of The Thames
With brightly-lit cabinets full of deeply personal items – false teeth, rings, bones and even phallic fertility symbols – it’s also a chance for Londoners to get a sense of the city’s former inhabitants.
“We are lucky in London to have this amazing tidal river environment that has preserved so much of our past,” said London Museum curator Kate Sumnall.
“It is the longest archaeological site in the capital and here we find an unbelievably rich selection of finds, from beautifully worked prehistoric arrowheads to a small, ivory sundial used to tell the time.
“Thanks to the dedication and expertise of today’s mudlarks, we are constantly uncovering new objects that inform our understanding of history.
“Above all this exhibition is an exploration of love and desire, faith and loss, migration, community and culture – the stories of generations of people who have visited the city or called it home.”
With many mudlarks using their finds to create art, the museum has chosen to embrace their creativity and showcase their talents as part of the exhibition.
Printmaker, sculptor and artist Amy-Leigh Bird – image by Jon Massey
a mudlark’s tale
Amy-Leigh Bird is a printmaker, sculptor and artist who regularly scours the foreshore in search of inspiration and materials.
One of her pieces is included in Secrets Of The Thames.
She said: “I started mudlarking as a kid, inspired by going to see an exhibition by artist Richard Long at Tate Britain.
“There was a beautiful piece he’d made out of red bricks and so I went down onto the foreshore with my dad and made my own little piece there – that was my first work.
“Then I went to university and started collecting in the rivers in Glasgow, collecting ceramic and glass objects. I also found a gun.
“When I came to London, it just seemed instinctive to go mudlarking.
“At first I was just aimlessly collecting – stuff I was interested in, but that did include bones and teeth, and this grew more into my practice.
“Other mudlarks were looking for coins, pins, garnets and cameos – which are all beautiful and exciting – but I like objects that are uglier.
“We’re all made of bones and teeth come from the mouths of living, sentient beings.
“Animal bones and teeth in the river might have come from meat markets that would feed the people of that time.
“They link back to us, which is really beautiful.
“Coming from a small town, I find that London can be an assault on the senses – it’s relentless.
“When you go mudlarking, there is this wonderful moment, highlighted in the exhibition, when you leave the chaos and noise behind.
“Once you’re on the foreshore, the sounds are different.
“It’s the the waves lapping, the gravel beneath your feet. I end up being there for hours and the time just flies.
Amy-Leigh Bird’s Ancient Ruins 2020 – image by Jon Massey
“Finding something feels euphoric. It’s personal, it’s mine. I lost a lot of my childhood toys in a house move, which was sad.
“So when I find something mudlarking it’s a sign to me that the object has in some way chosen me, which is a beautiful experience.
“My favourite object in the exhibition is a neolithic bone.
“It’s such a simple object but it’s made me wonder how many of the bones I’ve picked up for my collection are neolithic.
“I originally started making work by finding things and making prints out of them.
“I’d put bones, clay pipes and things together, photograph them and then translate that image into a photo-polymer etching.
“In lockdown, when I couldn’t go out or mudlark, I was stuck at home with a big box of bones and started to think of how I could create work differently.
“That was a shift in my work as an artist, to go from 2D work to sculpture.”
Amy-Leigh’s piece, Ancient Ruins, 2020, is included in Secrets Of The Thames.
Mudlark Alessio Checconi explores the Thames foreshore at low tide in search of treasures washed up by the ever-churning waters – image by John Chase / London Museum
key details: Secrets Of The Thames
Secrets Of The Thames will be at London Museum Docklands until March 1, 2026 and is accessible during normal opening hours.
Tickets are cheaper if booked online in advance and start at £16 for adults.
The largest creatures on Earth have inspired countless works of art and fiction, often used to draw attention to matters of importance.
In the Hebrew scriptures, Jonah finds redemption in the belly of a great sea creature, having turned back to a righteous path.
There’s Moby Dick and Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan too, but we needn’t get bogged down with revenge, obsession and highfalutin social philosophy.
More recently, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home saw Captain Kirk and crew forced to time travel back to 1986 on the silver screen to pick up a pair of humpback whales, thereby averting ecological disaster after an alien probe comes seeking the ocean giants, only to find them extinct in 2286.
That’s almost as far-fetched as everyone running around with hand-held communication devices and tablet computers…
Recently unveiled on Water Street, Whale On The Wharf, then, belongs to that proud tradition of leveraging the largest animal on the planet as a lodestone for attention and it’s exactly what StudioKCA’s intallation does.
Leaping from the waters of the dock close to Marceline and Dishoom, the 12-metre high sculpture successfully breaches the consciousness of passers-by.
StudioKCA have also created similar pieces in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and in Bruges, Belgium.
The whale’s skin is made from plastic waste reclaimed from the ocean – image by Jon Massey
the story Whale On The Wharf tells
“We’re telling the story of how we live, what we use, where it ends up and what we should do about it,” said Jason Klimoski, who along with his wife Lesley Chang run the Brooklyn-based art and design studio that created the piece.
“It’s about the 150million tonnes of plastic in the ocean and the 8million we add to that each year.
“A lot of that is hidden, so bringing some of it here hopefully helps people visualise it.
“The plastic used in Whale On The Wharf comes from the Pacific and the Atlantic. We worked with the Hawaii Wildlife Fund to collect about five tonnes of plastic.
“We cleaned it, organised it by how long it had been in the water, sorted it by colour and cleaned it piece by piece.
“We chose to make a whale because, pound-for-pound, the plastic in the ocean weighs more than the total of all the whales on the planet.
“We thought it would be the perfect metaphor to help people understand the scale of the problem.”
The sculpture is supported on a recylced steel frame and concrete foundations made with biochar from spent coffee grounds collected from Canary Wharf – image by Jon Massey
a sustainable foundation for Whale On The Wharf
While the leaping creature is the public-facing portion of the work, Whale On The Wharf is also a creation of significant depth.
Canary Wharf Group’s commission is about a lot more than adding to its extensive public art collection.
Wharfers sipping coffee on the estate and then discarding their cups in its waste bins have contributed to its construction.
The sculpture sits on a foundation of concrete made with biochar, a material that replaces sand in the mix and is made from those discarded grounds.
This also prevents CO2 being released when the coffee breaks down and reduces demand for the extraction of traditional raw resources from the Earth.
“We understand the power that art holds,” said Sophie Goddard, director of environment, social and governance at Canary Wharf Group.
“It can provoke emotion and it can create change.
“With this project we’ve really pushed the boundaries of what can be achieved.
“We thought about how we can take the principles of the circular economy and push those forward.
“We’ve locked up spent coffee in the foundation and we’ve been able to do that through the efforts of our in-house waste management team.
“They hand-sort the rubbish that goes into our bins and their work means we’ve sent no waste to landfill since 2009.”
Whale On The Wharf is free to visit and stands 12 metres tall – image by Jon Massey
a strong steel core
On top of the concrete, Whale On The Wharf is supported by a braced steel structure made from recovered and reused steel to further reduce its environmental impact.
Jason said: “Inside the sculpture there’s a steel spine that supports the structure and aluminium armature to make the shape of the whale.
“Onto that we attached each of the pieces of plastic using steel ties and screws.
“We really want people to see the things they use every day, to recognise them and then wonder what happens to them. How did the things that make up this sculpture get here? What was their journey?
“There’s a car bumper, a kid’s toilet. It’s really the items that relate to children I find both funny and sad.
“Hopefully there’ll be a conversation at home after, especially with the kids, about how we use plastic and what we do with it afterwards.
“When we were building it, we were focussed on the scale of the issue, not necessarily on the thing itself.
“We have a son and so we have to think about the stuff we buy him and what will happen to it.”
Now Canary Wharf has both a head-turning artwork and also a constant reminder of the consequences of unbridled consumption on our planet.
As well as its role in drawing attention to environmental issues, the installation is a significant addition to the estate’s sculpture collection – the largest publicly accessible collection of outdoor works in the UK.
“The whales is a landmark, it’s visually stunning and it really stops people in their tracks,” said Lowri Harries, associate curator of public art at Canary Wharf Group.
“That’s exactly what we want. Since our initial call with Jason, the installation has involved pretty much every part of our business.
“Construction, development, sustainability, marketing and communications as well as all the external contractors that have worked on the project.
“It’s taken a village to make this happen and we’re really thankful to everyone involved.”
An Ode To Never Fitting In, 2024, by Ashley Cluer is seen at Refuse in Broadwick Studio – image by Jon Massey
Visitors can expect to see a selection of sculptures including a vast chain made from medicine blister packs and vibrant lime green shapes made from cement, newspaper and recycled wood.
Free to access, the exhibition is on display at Broadwick Studio.
Perhaps when prompted by all these signs, we might take more notice of the way we’re living as a species and even avoid alien annihilation in the future.
PS, at Wharf Life we’re calling the Whale Bruce. You didn’t hear it from us…
key details: Whale On The Wharf
Whale On The Wharf is located on the corner of Water Street and Park Drive in Canary Wharf’s Wood Wharf. The installation is free to visit.
Refuse is in place until April 26, 2025, and is open from 10am-6pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at Broadwick Studio on the corner of Water Street and Charter Street in Wood Wharf.
Alan Hardie is, at least in part, powered by Irn-Bru.
The Glaswegian beverage famously “made in Scotland from girders” is an on-brand drink of choice for the man in charge of the University Of Sunderland In London for two reasons.
Firstly, the orange liquid fits neatly with the institution’s colour scheme.
Secondly, the ammonium ferric citrate that gives it its bright and fizzy hue recalls the steel necessary to make a success of launching a London campus – steel is an alloy rich in strength and flexibility.
And what a triumph the University Of Sunderland’s campus in the capital has been.
Since its launch in 2012 at a building on Marsh Wall on the Isle Of Dogs, the campus has seen more than 28,000 students pass through its doors.
The University Of Sunderland In London started off with four programmes, expanding over the years to 31.
It currently has around 6,000 students with an expectation to “grow significantly”.
The new campus is located at Harbour Exchange – image by Jon Massey
a new campus
“We needed to move because our existing building was tired and it was time for a change,” said Alan, who is the university’s pro vice-chancellor for international office and branch campuses.
“The other thing was there just wasn’t the space for some courses and there was nothing else we could do to improve it.
“Those were the things driving us to do something better.
“We chose this location because it’s a great part of London with fantastic transport links and we already had thousands of students coming here – we didn’t want to say to them that we were making life more awkward by relocating somewhere else.
“I’m amazed at the facilities we’re now able to offer.
“I was able to take one of my deputy directors – Lynsey Bendon – away from her student role temporarily and the job she and the team have done on the new campus is outstanding.
“When I first saw it finished, I was genuinely blown away – we couldn’t be happier. It’s light, it’s funky and everything’s been done to a high standard.
“There are lots of areas for students to work together and on their own and a great staff area too.
“Hopefully it projects confidence, that we’re serious about what we’re doing.
“We’ve got the space to be even more successful – to prove ourselves – and I think we can.”
Based on the last 13 years, that’s an aim that seems eminently achievable, given the progress already made.
For Alan, the London campus’ growth has been a story of adaptability – being able to rapidly change course.
There are dedicated facilities for specific courses – image by University Of Sunderland In London
adaptability at the University Of Sunderland In London
”Here we always want the student to be at the heart of any decisions we make,” said Alan, who is originally from Newcastle and has a private sector background working in human resources.
“If that means paying for extra staff to make things more efficient, then that’s what has to happen.
“As we’re a smaller part of the overall organisation, we’ve managed to speed things up that would otherwise have to go through a committee for approval.
“What we’ve been fairly good at is taking time to understand our student demographic, which is different from some other universities.
“If people come through the door we should treat them really well and, in general, I think we do that.
“If you go into a supermarket, for example, they say they’re doing things for the customer, but the way the store is laid out is really in the company’s interests.
“We choose to operate the campus in a way that works for our students, many of whom are older and may be fitting their education round jobs and childcare.
“It’s important they don’t feel bounced around and that we run as a one-stop-shop.
“Over the 13 years, it’s been key that we’ve learned how to do things ourselves and change where necessary.
“We have a variable intake model, meaning we welcome new groups of students three times a year.
“We have people coming into the campus and leaving all the time with students at all stages of our courses.
“What that allows is for us to identify what is and isn’t working within a 12-week window three times a year, rather than waiting to assess things at the end of a full 12 months.
There are dedicated facilities for specific courses – image by University Of Sunderland In London
“It means we can quickly adapt and iron out any problems if necessary ready for the next intake.
“That’s been incredibly rewarding as a process and it’s relied on having a team of like-minded people.
“We’re 252 miles from the mothership and while the original idea was that the campus would run with a small group of staff with services provided remotely from afar, it became clear after a few weeks that wasn’t going to work.
“So we learned how to be more self sufficient and that’s been a theme during our time in the capital.
“We want to celebrate our students.
“We switched to using Southwark Cathedral for our graduation ceremonies, which is an iconic venue.
“Previously we used local hotels, but moving things takes us to another level, which is what we’re always trying to do.
“The question for us is always: ‘Why should students come here?’. It’s up to us to create the answers.
“We’re not for everybody. Some institutions have better programmes or a greater legacy – it’s our choice whether we want to challenge that by doing things differently.
“Initially when we opened with just 199 students there was a kind of modesty – a lack of confidence – for the first couple of years.
“But with support from our base up in Sunderland we’ve continued to grow and expand.”
With such stellar facilities now on tap, the university is clearly on a sure foundation to build on that even further.
Secretary of state for education, Bridget Philipson MP, opens the new campus in the presence of University Of Sunderland chancellor Leanne Cahill, vice-chancellor Sir David Bell, Alan, deputy directors of the University Of Sunderland In London, Lynsey Bendon and Geoff Paul and head of marketing, recruitment and admissions, Jelena Miljanic – image by University Of Sunderland In London
opening the university’s new campus
>> The University Of Sunderland In London’s new campus was officially opened on March 27, 2025, by secretary of state for education, Bridget Philipson MP.
She said: “As a Sunderland MP, it does give me such pride to see the university going from strength to strength.
“The investment here is the stepping stone to even more growth, excellence and opportunities for people to study.
“I know the impact the university has for local economies, for driving growth both in the north of England and in London.
“It’s more important than ever that our universities are financially sustainable and that means stepping up, as Sunderland has, to drive forward growth, opportunities and productivity – that dynamism that the sector can bring.
“I think we all know we have to do more to narrow those gaps where it comes to inequality and educational opportunity.
“The University Of Sunderland has always been at the forefront of driving that forward and I’ve seen that impact, not just for young people, but for all the adults who have had the chance to go back into education and get on and everything that means for them and their families as well.
“That’s what the university is doing with this new building and I’m so excited to see it put to such good use.
“We can all feel what that means in terms of possibilities for those who come to study here from overseas and also from local communities.”
The new campus boasts a multitude of breakout areas – image by University Of Sunderland In London
key details: University Of Sunderland In London
The University Of Sunderland In London is based at Harbour Exchange on the Isle Of Dogs and offers courses in business, finance, management, tourism, hospitality, events, engineering, project management, nursing and health as well as postgraduate research.
It’s only the return of the London Craft Beer Festival, back in the capital, but this year in a completely new location
where’s that then?
For 2025, the event has moved to Magazine on Greenwich Peninsula, just across the Thames from Canary Wharf.
when’s it taking place?
Visitors to the festival are invited to survey and sample its delights from July 18-19, 2025, with afternoon and evening sessions on both days.
These last for five hours from 11.30am-4.30pm and 6pm-11pm on both the Friday and Saturday.
so what’s on offer?
Tickets of all types include all beer (and the occasional craft cider), with more than 800 different brews on offer presented by over 100 breweries.
whet my whistle…
The list is extensive, but the festival will include a strong showing from some of London’s celebrated brewers including DEYA (voted top at last year’s inaugural Top 50 UK Beers awards), Verdant and Tiny Rebel.
There will be international visitors too with beers from the USA, Europe and Australasia including New Zealand’s Garage Project new for this year.
what if I don’t like beer?
Fear not, cider, sake, spirits and more will also be available for those who prefer alternative refreshments.
There will be lots of food traders at the event alongside breweries – image by London Craft Beer Festival
dine at the London Craft Beer Festival
will we starve?
Certainly not.
To help soak up the beer, the festival will be serving up ramen from Bone Daddies, chicken from Chick N’ Sours, BBQ courtesy of From The Ashes, burgers by Meltdown Cheeseburgers and seasonal dishes from 10 Greek Street.
More food traders will be announced in due course.
and the dancing?
Promising to keep the party pumping, a programme of DJs, live music and other entertainments is planned.
how best to attend?
There are a number of ticket options for visitors to choose from.
Standard tickets cost £64.50 per person (did we mention every ticket type includes all beer and cider?).
Group tickets for four people cost £59.50 per person.
There are also options for fast-track entry and hospitality packages for larger groups.
how do I get there?
Magazine London isn’t a publication, but a purpose-built event venue, clad in black, right beside the river.
It’s located on Greenwich Peninsula, a short walk from North Greenwich Tube station, which is served by the Jubilee line and numerous bus routes.
Visitors can also travel to North Greenwich Pier on the Uber Boat By Thames Clippers River Bus service or from Royal Docks to the Peninsula via the Thames Cable Car.
The event is perfect for summer parties with larger groups – image by London Craft Beer Festival
summer special
>> For groups of eight or more, the festival offers Group Hospitality Tickets
Alongside all beer and cider, these also include fast track entry, a main dish and side per person from the food traders, two vouchers for non-beer drinks (think cocktails and spirits), a guided festival tour with a beer sommelier on arrival and a dedicated meeting point and host for your group.
Tickets cost £105 per person including VAT. Ideal for a summer celebration.
Legal And General Affordable Homes is set to host an open day for its shared ownership properties at East River Wharf.
when’s it happening?
The housing provider has scheduled the event for May 10, 2025, in the Sky Lounge at the development, which is part of Riverscape, a scheme on the banks of the Thames in Royal Docks.
The idea is to lessen the burden of purchasing a property, be that stamp duty, moving costs or legal fees.
how does it work?
The £5,000 is deducted from the overall cost of the property on completion with the purchaser responsible for assigning the cash appropriately.
To be eligible, buyers must reserve their shared ownership home before midnight on June 30 this year.
East River Wharf homes all feature private balconies – image by Legal And General Affordable Homes
more about East River Wharf
tell me about East River Wharf
Located close to Lyle Park, the scheme offers one, two and three-bedroom apartments within easy walking distance of Silvertown and Pontoon Dock DLR stations.
They also benefit from Royal Wharf Pier, which is served by the Uber Boat By Thames Clippers river bus service.
what are the properties like?
The shared ownership apartments feature open-plan living spaces, fully fitted kitchens with integrated Siemens appliances, private balconies and an NHBC 10-year build warranty.
and the residents’ facilities?
Those moving into East River Wharf will get access to a residents’ gym, pool and spa as well as Riverscape’s Sky Lounge.
There’s also a 24-hour concierge service and estate security.
what’s the area like?
East River Wharf’s blocks are located close to Lyle Park on the western edge of the Royal Wharf area.
Locally, many businesses are now established including a riverside pub, cafés, restaurants, a convenience store and a nail salon.
The scheme is also close to publicly accessible tennis courts and Thames Barrier Park, which boasts extensive landscaping and open space along the river.
Apartments come with integrated appliances – image by Legal And General Affordable Homes
a regenerated areas
and the location?
Royal Wharf is undergoing vast swathes of regeneration and boasts strong transport links to other areas of London.
Canary Wharf is around 15 minutes away, with direct links to the likes of London City Airport, Woolwich and Bank also available.
why shared ownership?
The scheme allows buyers to access housing with a much lower deposit than when purchasing a home on the open market.
This typically results in monthly outgoings that are cheaper than renting a home in the same area.
Housing providers sell a share of a home – often 25% – with buyers taking out a mortgage on just that portion of the property.
That means they may pay as little as 5% of that value as a deposit.
They then pay a capped below-market rent on the rest plus the full service charge and can live in the property essentially as though they own it.
getting more
Owners can choose to increase their share in a property via a process called staircasing right up to 100%. As their level of ownership rises, the rent they pay falls.
how much is East River Wharf?
Prices at the development start at £96,875 for a 25% share of a one-bed based on a full market value of £387,500.
Two-beds and Three-beds are also available.
The view from the Sky Lounge – image by Legal And General Affordable Homes
key details: East River Wharf
Legal And General Affordable Homes Open Day at East River Wharf is set to take place on May 10, 2025, from 10am-4pm in the Sky Lounge, offering tours of available apartments.
