East London Archives

July 28, 2025July 28, 2025

Greenwich + Docklands International Festival unveils 2025 shows

This year’s programme celebrated 30 years of performances in Greenwich and its surrounding boroughs with the theme of Above And Beyond

Above And Beyond will open GDIF 2025 - image by Kristina Makeeva — Above And Beyond will open GDIF 2025 – image by Kristina Makeeva

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A giant zoetrope of skeletons punting across the Styx, a vast chandelier with jazz musicians for candles swinging from a crane, huge trebuchet-like bells swinging too and fro, a slick of multicoloured foam, acrobats, dancers, performers, weird installations and cups of tea.

These are just a tiny fraction of the things the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival has brought to east and south-east London, almost all free to watch and thrillingly vibrant.

But don’t take my word for it.

To mark the 30 years organisers have been pulling this remarkable annual event together, large format coffee table book Above And Beyond by Fiona Hughes is set to go on sale to coincide with the launch of this year’s festival.

Frankly, I don’t envy the author.

Even with 160 pages to play with, boiling down the sheer quantity of shows performed over three decades must have been a tough assignment.

The team members behind GDIF, led by festival founder and artistic director Bradley Hemmings since the event’s inception, are not strangers to tricky issues, of course.

Yet somehow on a yearly basis they pull off a powerful programme of shows, finding funding, commissioning artists and emerging victorious over the organisational bothers.

Epiphytes features aerial performers - image by Claude Esselen — Epiphytes features aerial performers – image by Claude Esselen

a mirror: the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival

“It’s been very interesting and sometimes challenging, but the festival is in some way a mirror of people’s social and cultural lives over the last 30 years,” said Bradley.

“If you think back to the 1990s, you’d be hard-pressed to find a place where you could have a meal on the street or in a public space outside.

“There has been such an explosion of alfresco cultural experiences and there’s now a real appetite for doing things together in the open air.

“If you think of spaces around London, like Canary Wharf, they’re now designed for outdoor conviviality.

“That’s the journey we’ve gone on in a very distinctive way and we’ve thought a lot about that during our time producing the festival.

“For what we do it’s about informality – people can come and see GDIF, meet up with friends and relax.

“It’s completely accessible. It’s something you can have a conversation about, not something where you have to sit in silence in a row.

“Above And Beyond contains gorgeous photographs and very interesting storytelling by Fiona to highlight some of the companies and people who have worked with us over the years.

“I’m so proud of them all.”

Turning Worlds will take place on Greenwich Peninsula - image by Frank Emmers — Turning Worlds will take place on Greenwich Peninsula – image by Frank Emmers

GDIF 2025: Above And Beyond

“Above And Beyond” is also the theme for GDIF 2025, which kicks off on August 22, 2025, with a performance of the same name at 6.45pm in Woolwich’s Beresford Square.

We are living in anxious times, so the idea of ‘Above And Beyond’ is that there are no boundaries or walls to define outdoor arts,” said Bradley.

“There’s a continuity and it can happen anywhere – an inn, a park, a town centre, next to a dock, on a roof, or even, as this year, up in the sky.

“The opening night will feature a specially commissioned production with eight French performers from Lézards Bleus who will create an incredible, heart-stopping Parkour presentation that will take over landmark buildings in Woolwich.

“The climax will feature a collaboration with the Greenwich-based Citizens Of The World Choir made up of sanctuary-seeking people, who’ve done all sorts of exciting things including performing at Glastonbury and recording with Ed Sheeran.”

Weight(less) will be performed as part of Greenwich Fair - image by Lina Johansson — Weight(less) will be performed as part of Greenwich Fair – image by Lina Johansson

evolution and a return to Greenwich Fair

GDIF has consistently changed and evolved over the years, taking root in all kinds of locations depending on availability and funding.

For its 2025 iteration, performances are in the main split over five chunks – one in Greenwich, one on Greenwich Peninsula (home to Bradley and the organisational team) one in Woolwich, one in Thamesmead and the last in Stratford.

First up, Greenwich Park is set to host Greenwich Fair from August 23-24 with performances at various times in the area across the two days.

Bradley said: “It’s a fantastic event but quite hard for us to resource so we had to take a break last year.

“However, we’re delighted to be working with Royal Parks and Greenwich Park, to bring it back to its original home.

“The location is where the 19th century Greenwich Fair used to happen and we’ll be bringing together a programme of street art, dance, circus and installations, with a very family-friendly character at the top of the park in celebration.”

Following on, Greenwich Peninsula will host Turning Worlds on August 30 and 31.

“We’ve moved our offices here, in the Design District and it’s a really invigorating place to work,” said Bradley.

“There are wonderful businesses and phenomenal architecture here, and there are great public spaces too.

“For Turning Worlds we’ve taken ideas of performance and engineering and it will feature a giant metal spiral, a device that enables a performer to walk on a wall and a show that involves exchanges between an acrobat and a giant robotic arm. Robopole, especially, is a phenomenal creation.”

Robopole will be performed on Greenwich Peninsula for 2025 - image by GDIF — Robopole will be performed on Greenwich Peninsula for 2025 – image by GDIF

heading to Woolwich

On September 4, it’s Woolwich’s turn with Fragments Of Us and Go Grandad Go set to both be performed twice in General Gordon Square.

“The former is a piece we’ve co-commissioned with Talawa from dance company Fubunation and director Sonia Hughes.

“It’s going to be very inspiring and thought-provoking, which will invite people into the lives of a cast of black performers who are creating and presenting the work.

“It’s a piece that will challenge traditional assumptions about black masculinity and reveal beautiful moments of poetry, and the brotherhood and connections between the people in the show.

“Then, Go Grandad Go is commission from fantastic dancer and choreographer Dani Harris-Walters. It’s hip-hop – very family-friendly and feel-good – and takes audiences into this world of relationships across the generations.

“It’s really fun and very relatable and engaging.”

The Weight Of Water is set for shows in Thamesmead - image by Campagnefoto — The Weight Of Water is set for shows in Thamesmead – image by Campagnefoto

tilting in Thamesmead

Completing this year’s series of spectacles in south-east London will be The Weight Of Water, a giant tipping staircase of a stage where six performers will dance while battling gravity as their floating performance space.

“It’s from a Dutch company, who have created a wonderful piece of ingenious engineering, that involves a floating stage which can actually tip and change position in response to the movements of the acrobats and dancers on it.

“The show is very much urging us to be aware of the climate crisis and the impact of political indecision.

“There’s live music, dance and circus. It’s nail-biting and an incredibly surprising show which has toured widely across Europe.

“We’re thrilled we’re able to bring it to Thamesmead on September 6 and 7.”

Also taking place that weekend will be Dancing City, an extensive programme of performances on the Saturday held in various locations for the second time in Stratford.

We’ll preview this event more extensively in due course.

Greenwich + Docklands International Festival founder and artistic director, Bradley Hemmings - image by Matt Grayson — Greenwich + Docklands International Festival founder and artistic director, Bradley Hemmings – image by Matt Grayson

key details: Greenwich + Docklands International Festival

Greenwich + Docklands International Festival 2025 is set to run from August 22 until September 6 at various locations in south-east and east London.

Full listings are available online.

Above And Beyond, published by Unicorn, will be released on August 22 and is available to purchase at GDIF 2025 events and in selected bookstores

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July 26, 2025July 26, 2025

Thames River Police Museum is a hidden gem in Wapping

Located at Wapping Police Station, the collection offers a glimpse into the lives of those who look after the safety and security of the waterways

The Thames River Police Museum has a wealth of exhibits from more than 200 years of operation - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life — The Thames River Police Museum has a wealth of exhibits from more than 200 years of operation – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

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Gabriel Franks was fatally shot just outside what is today Wapping Police Station.

The murder took place during a riot on October 16, 1798 and, at the age of 22, he became the first serving officer to be killed in the line of duty anywhere in the world.

Today, Gabriel continues to be honoured by the Metropolitan Police’s Marine Policing Unit through the name of one of its fast response vessels.

His is just one of a mountain of stories to be found in the Thames River Police Museum – a room stuffed to bursting point with artefacts, curios, models, weapons, uniforms and documents piled high over the more than 200 years that the world’s oldest police force has looked after the water.

Unfortunately, apart from the odd open day, it’s not an especially easy collection to access because Wapping Police Station is a working building.

The museum’s website still recommends that interested parties send a letter with a stamped, self-addressed envelope so the curator can reply.

Thankfully, there is also an email address to contact.

A rocket-propelled rope launcher at the museum - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life — A rocket-propelled rope launcher at the museum – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

a quick visit to the Thames River Police Museum

Even during a brief visit, however, it’s possible to get a sense of the depth within.

There are oil paintings depicting officers policing the river, a handsome portrait of magistrate Patrick Colquhoun, who was instrumental in the force’s establishment, and innumerable pictures of sports teams competing from its ranks over the years.

There are handcuffs, cutlasses and a rocket-propelled device to fire a rope over the water – not to mention plenty of information about the various craft operated by officers over the years.

But then there are deeply human stories – a newspaper article celebrating Marion Dutton, “the only female diver in the Met’s Marine Policing Unit” from The London Paper in 2007.

There’s a signed portrait of Jack Warner as Sgt Dixon of Dock Green, addressed to the unit’s chief superintendent plus a menu from the Catering Department from a time when a pork sausage would have cost a peckish policeman all of 18p.

Just above is a cartoon with the look of Punch about it poking fun at the river cops as “the senior service” with officers enjoying a snooze in a boat on the Thames.

A view of working police boats from the museum - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life — A view of working police boats from the museum – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

the grim and the mundane

But there’s tragedy here too among the painstakingly crafted models of boats created by former constables.

On the wall there’s a plaque recognising officers’ efforts to save lives in the aftermath of the Marchioness Disaster as they rescued 50 of the 80 survivors after the ship sank with 131 passengers and crew on board following a collision with another vessel.

There’s also a fingerprinting kit with a strip of red tape reminding officers that it’s suitable for helping to identify dead bodies.

The death of Gabriel Franks in the year the force was established is a stark reminder of the challenges and often grim parts of the job.

While Gabriel lost his life due to the unpopularity of the principle that those stealing cargo from ships docked in London should perhaps be stopped, the river has also seen its fair share of violent crime and tragedy.

The museum neither shies away from this, nor sugar-coats it, simply presenting events cheek-by-jowl with the reality of the men and women tasked with looking after the safety and security of those on the water.

Undoubtedly, the museum in its current form is a treasure – there’s something wonderful in its haphazard presentation that reflects the layers of surprising history within.

Walking its narrow pathways between old blue lamps and diving suits is a singular, unpretentious experience.

It is a shame, however, that more people aren’t able to see this stuff.

Perhaps the Museum Of London Docklands should mount a special exhibition if taking charge of the collection on a more permanent basis would be impossible.

The Thames River Police Museum is locate at Wapping Police Station - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life — The Thames River Police Museum is locate at Wapping Police Station – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

key details: Thames River Police Museum

The Thames River Police Museum is currently only available to view by appointment or on occasional open days such as the annual Wapping Shindig.

Find out more about the museum here

Police cutlasses at the Thames River Police Museum - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life — Police cutlasses at the Thames River Police Museum – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

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July 26, 2025July 26, 2025

KintsÜgi aims to help people reset relationships with their phones

Isle Of Dogs resident Lizzie Aaryn-Stanton found herself spending more than nine hours on her device and decided to create an app to coach people in similar situations

Lizzie Aaryn-Stanton has created a new app, KintsÜgi - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life — Lizzie Aaryn-Stanton has created a new app, KintsÜgi – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

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“During lockdown, I was averaging nine and a half hours a day of screen time on my phone, mostly on Instagram,” said Isle Of Dogs resident Lizzie Aaryn-Stanton.

“I was posting, then constantly checking for likes and affirmations.”

The portable communications devices that have become a seemingly essential part of modern life have a darker side to them.

We live in an attention economy.

The enormous organisations that create and hone the apps we stuff our phones with want our time and our eyes – not because they’re really keen to improve our lives, but to show us as many adverts as efficiently as possible.

To do this, teams of developers work tirelessly to design better and better ways to keep us looking, with one of their most powerful tools being simple counters.

The work of creating posts is not rewarded financially, in the main, but instead via something much less tangible – engagement.

The social media companies know it feels good to be seen and keep users hooked by showing how many likes, views and shares their post has attracted.

It’s fun, exciting even. You can watch in real time.

But it’s also a system of diminishing returns.

Over time our brains get used to the little pops of dopamine released when we imagine the positive thoughts of others as those counters tick upwards.

Eventually, our heads get wired to those numbers and the rewards they create in our brains. We need them just to keep functioning and our phones are there to feed us more and more of what we crave.

We sit there anxiously refreshing our screens desperate for the smallest indication that someone has noticed us or something we’ve done.

It’s available all day, every day at the tap of a screen and it’s free.

Little wonder, really, that many people struggle to have a healthy productive relationship with a device that ironically was conceived to ease our lives through communication.

Phones are designed to capture our attention and keep it as long as possible - image by Burst / Pexels — Phones are designed to capture our attention and keep it as long as possible – image by Burst / Pexels

recognising the problem

Lizzie knew what was happening to her wasn’t healthy.

Spending an average of 66 hours or more a week was taking its toll and she decided she wanted to do something about it, not just for herself but for other people too.

“I was absolutely miserable at that time,” she said.

“I would turn my phone off or put it in a drawer and then, five minutes later, I’d be checking something on it again.

“There was no need at all, but I was going back time after time, re-editing images on Instagram.

“It was deeply vain and it came from a lack of self-worth – something I was trying to get from my phone but that it was never going to give me.

“I’ve been an actress for the last decade and so at the time of my phone addiction, I saw posting on social media as part of my career.

“There was a lot of TikTok in those nine and a half hours as well and I realised scrolling through videos had even more of a grip on me than Instagram.

“I knew that was really something I shouldn’t do.”

Lizzie was determined to break the cycle of her problematic phone use - image by Dalius Poškaitis — Lizzie was determined to break the cycle of her problematic phone use – image by Dalius Poškaitis

creating KintsÜgi

Determined to break the cycle, Lizzie started by Googling advice on how to get off her phone and began trying things out.

“As an actress, I’ve always been good at inventing games and exercises to help actors unlock characters,” she said.

“Whenever I need to do that, I’ll find a way to make it fun.

“I was having all these ideas about how it might be possible to help others in similar situations.

“Then I realised that I needed to create something on the phone itself so people could reshape their relationship with the device.”

This was the genesis of Lizzie’s creation, KintsÜgi, a recently released app that aims to coach users on establishing and nurturing healthier phone behaviours.

Before going into more depth on the software, first a bit of context.

“I’ve done a lot of deeper work into addiction since I started this journey and I’m not marketing the app as a cure for addicts,” said Lizzie.

“I am an addict of multiple forms and I realise now that the phone was an accessory for a deeper issue – a love addiction.

“I’ve completed the 12 steps through Sex And Love Addicts Anonymous and am doing the 12-step programme with Co-Dependents Anonymous, both of which are based on the AA model.

“I had a break-up in 2022 that brought me to my knees.

“I was only with the guy for a month, but it took me a year and a half to heal from that relationship.

“I was convinced that he was the person I was going to marry and have kids with – that it was going to be all ‘happy-ever-after’.

“I was caught up in very binary, love addict thinking.

“I began working with a therapist who helped me realise that I was addicted to the feeling of falling in love.

“Flash forward and I understood that my Instagram use was a way for me to get little hits of love when I didn’t have somebody to fall in love with.

“Unlike other addictions like alcohol or drugs, as a love addict you’re forced into withdrawal more often than you’d like to be because you can’t control other people.

“I was using social media to help deal with that.

“Through therapy, I’ve gained a deep understanding of who I am.

“Doing the 12-step programmes has also given me knowledge of how addictions are formed and why we’re addicted to things but also how to get yourself back to a place where you can start to put your life back together again.

“That’s how the name of my app – KintsÜgi – came about.

“It takes its name from the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold.

“When a bowl smashes, it’s a very slow process, because you have to put one bit back at a time, paint it gold and then move on to the next bit until you’re finished.

“Eventually the idea is that the end result is more beautiful because of that healing journey.”

Lizzie knew the solution had to start on the phone - image by Dalius Poškaitis — Lizzie knew the solution had to start on the phone – image by Dalius Poškaitis

not a programme of abstinence

The contrast for Lizzie is that fighting many forms of addiction involves abstinence.

However, in the same way she’s not shutting herself off from personal relationships, KintsÜgi’s aim is to change its users’ interactions with their phone.

Following a seven-day free trial, the programme costs £5.99 per month and offers users daily tasks and challenges with the intention of helping them achieve this outcome.

“When I was glued to my phone, I turned first to my device for help and then started writing notes on it,” said Lizzie.

“That’s why I knew this had to be on the phone.

“My dad’s in Kenya and my mum’s in Spain, so, without my it, I wouldn’t have a decent relationship with them.

“When users log in there’s a three-part Welcome Pack and the first thing to do is to get a pen and a notebook and start being nice to yourself.

“When people are locked into problematic behaviour, they’re often at their lowest – at or close to rock bottom.

“When you’re there, the person you hate most is yourself and you can’t start a healing journey unless you start to change that.

“Then we go into a week of changing how you react to your phone.

“There are visual things, like cleaning your screen, turning off notifications and changing the ways it steals your attention.

“Then there are some pretty tough habits that I encourage people to adopt such as keeping their phones hidden, not wearing them and never having them on the table when eating or in public.

“Then there’s sleeping with your phone out of the bedroom.

“Watching the screen before you go to bed is not helpful for rest.”

KintsÜgi offers daily challenges to help users reset their relationship - image by Dalius Poškaitis — KintsÜgi offers daily challenges to help users reset their relationship – image by Dalius Poškaitis

how KintsÜgi works

After completing the three-day Arrive sessions, users move on to seven days of Reframe followed by seven days of Retrain to complete the Welcome Pack.

They are then free to explore the app’s other content, with packs created by Lizzie to help address myriad issues.

She said: “Wherever you are and whatever pack you’re on there’s either a written lesson or a voice note from me setting a challenge for the day.

“That might be about reconnecting to yourself or engaging with an offline hobby.

“There are packs that cover working from home, the maintenance of good habits, gambling, adult content and social media.

“Realistically, our phones are the gateway to a lot of problematic behaviours. How people progress within the app is up to them and what they need.

“Ultimately KintsÜgi is a way for people to get to know themselves a bit better. It starts as a way to get off your phone, but the benefits are wider than that.

“The people I want to reach are those who need it most, to stop living the rat race, nine-to-five, and take time for themselves.

“The first thing to do is to write out the positive and negative things about your phone.

“Then it’s about how we can relate to ourselves and each other in a healthy way so we don’t need it to fill the gap.”

key details: KintsÜgi

KintsÜgi is available to download for Android and IOS phones.

The app offers a seven-day free trial with a £5.99 subscription allowing access to all content thereafter.

Find out more about the app here

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July 25, 2025July 25, 2025

Heron Wharf unveils apartments for sale at The Millhouse

The last building in Berkeley Capital’s development on the west bank of the River Lea also includes residents facilities plus Canary Wharf views

An artist's impression of Heron Wharf - image by Berkeley Group — An artist’s impression of Heron Wharf – image by Berkeley Group

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“What will be here in the future is going to be fantastic,” said Luke Tredwell, sales and marketing director at Berkeley Capital.

“We are in an area where everything is coming together to create huge transformation, with thousands of homes and thousands of jobs.”

The part of east London he’s talking about is the corridor leading up the River Lea to Stratford where big plans are afoot.

While the city historically turned its back on the waterway as industrial transportation became the dominant activity along its length, developers are now seeing the capital’s second largest river as a prime asset.

When completed, the various schemes will see many new residents living on its banks, joining up the likes of East India, Canning Town, Bromley-By-Bow and West Ham.

What’s coming is important. Canny buyers will know that considering the future of a place when deciding where to invest is vital.

Understanding a development’s wider context is just as important as assessing the amenities it provides and those in the immediate area.

This brings us to Heron Wharf by Berkeley.

Formerly known as Poplar Riverside, the scheme has been given a fresh identity to help bring clarity to what it offers, rather than simply naming where it is.

The development is in a strong position – the first two buildings in its initial phase have been well received and it recently launched The Millhouse, offering 92 one and two-bedroom apartments for private sale.

A show apartment at the development - image by Berkeley Group — A show apartment at the development – image by Berkeley Group

creating community at Heron Wharf

“This is the last opportunity to buy a home in the first phase of Heron Wharf,” said Luke.

“The first two buildings are just completing and this is an exciting time as people start living here and forming a community.

“The Millhouse will be a really great addition because it includes a 20m swimming pool, spa, gym and a special salt room on its lower levels that are due to open next year.”

The sales launch of this latest block coincides with the unveiling of some 1.5 acres of Heron Wharf’s park.

This first phase includes expansive green space with views over the Lea and plans to retain part of an historic gasholder as a link to the site’s industrial past.

When complete, the finished 2,900-home scheme will see the park extend to 2.5 acres.

With swathes of planting and landscaping, the scheme has already had a big impact on local wildlife with a plan to increase biodiversity by 545%.

“That’s reflected in the name of Heron Wharf,” said Luke.

“It’s aspirational and, because this scheme is of a substantial size, it’s easier to have a greater impact on the environment.”

An artist's impression of the residents' pool at the development, which is on the first floor of The Millhouse building - image by Berkeley Group — An artist’s impression of the residents’ pool at the development, which is on the first floor of The Millhouse building – image by Berkeley Group

services and amenities

The development will also provide a concierge service, a co-working space, a cinema room and a games room in addition to the exercise and wellbeing facilities at the Riverside Club.

In the 79,000sq ft of retail space on-site, residents can also look forward to using local shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, a supermarket and a crèche

But what can buyers at The Millhouse look forward to in the properties themselves?

“They have fantastic layouts, often with amazing views over the park, the river and towards Canary Wharf,” said Luke.

“Depending on what a buyer wants to get from the building, there will be a home in it for them.”

The apartments feature open-plan design and come with private balconies.

Buyers can expect integrated Bosch appliances in the kitchens, white sanitaryware and black fittings in the bathrooms and carpeted sleeping areas with built-in wardrobes for the main bedrooms.

Luke Tredwell, sales and marketing director at Berkeley Capital - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life — Luke Tredwell, sales and marketing director at Berkeley Capital – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

Heron Wharf – well connected

Luke said: “The Millhouse marks the end of the beginning of a new way of living in east London.

“With serene green views, premium wellness facilities and the River Lea on the doorstep, the neighbourhood offers residents a unique blend of tranquillity and city connectivity.

“Heron Wharf continues to evolve into one of London’s most exciting new addresses and The Millhouse is right at its heart.”

Heron Wharf is located within about 10 minutes’ walk of East India DLR station, with Canning Town station a little further away.

Both offer rapid access to Canary Wharf, the city and other destinations across east London.

Those who prefer to get about on their own could opt to walk to the Wharf in less than 30 minutes of go by bike in around a quarter of an hour.

A series of bridges planned to cross the River Lea should improve pedestrian and cycle links in the area still further, allowing access to local amenities such as ecological regeneration project Cody Dock, which is just over the water.

In the immediate area, Aberfeldy Village, London City Island, Goodluck Hope and Trinity Buoy Wharf all offer amenities and places to eat and drink.

Further afield, residents can also easily access the likes of Stratford, the Wharf, the Isle Of Dogs and Greenwich as well as plentiful open spaces such as Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park and Royal Docks without having to travel very far.

It’s a place well worth checking out.

Apartments at The Millhouse come with private balconies - image by Berkeley Group — Apartments at The Millhouse come with private balconies – image by Berkeley Group

key details: The Millhouse at Heron Wharf

Homes at Heron Wharf are currently on sale with prices ranging from £455,000 to £930,000. Some are ready to move into now.

One and two-bedroom apartments at The Millhouse are expected to complete in May 2026 with prices starting at £460,000.

All apartments come with a 999-year lease.

Find out more about the development here

This is an opportunity to help shape the community at Heron Wharf as it forms - image by Berkeley Group — This is an opportunity to help shape the community at Heron Wharf as it forms – image by Berkeley Group

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July 24, 2025July 24, 2025

AFK Beach Volleyball court raises funds for charity in Canary Wharf

The facility is back in east London until August 10, 2025, this year at Union Square in Wood Wharf

AFK Beach Volleyball has returned to Canary Wharf - image by Canary Wharf Group — AFK Beach Volleyball has returned to Canary Wharf – image by Canary Wharf Group

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what’s this?

Where have you been? This is the AFK Beach Volleyball court in Wood Wharf’s Union Square.

what’s that?

It’s a pay-as-you-play facility for anyone who fancies bashing a ball around while diving about on sand to use.

what do I need?

Court hire is for four or more people on an hourly basis and costs £15 per person – £60 minimum.

Volleyballs and guidance on the rules are provided, so players just need to turn up in kit that’s appropriate to play a game or two on the sand.

when can I book AFK Beach Volleyball?

The court is already in place and will be in Canary Wharf until August 10. 2025.

Bookings are available Tuesday-Sunday although some slots may be unavailable due to special events.

why should I play?

Isn’t it time you did some exercise?

In all seriousness, beach volleyball is a fantastic sport and an ideal way to get some fresh air.

Also, every single thwack of the ball helps raise money for AFK, a charity that helps children who are disabled or neurodiverse live more independent, fulfilling lives.

This year the court is located in Union Square in Wood Wharf - image by Canary Wharf Group — This year the court is located in Union Square in Wood Wharf – image by Canary Wharf Group

tell me more

Corporate partnerships manager at AFK, Lyn Prodger said: “It’s an amazing small charity and this event is a big shop window for us.

“We wouldn’t be speaking to the likes of JP Morgan, Barclays and Accenture without it and the support of Canary Wharf Group.

“We provide mobility equipment for disabled children and young people all round the country and we also fund the maintenance of that equipment which is vital and not something all charities do.

“It’s no good if you have a £2,000 wheelchair that’s your whole life but you can’t use it for the sake of a £200 repair.

“But it’s not just about buying some equipment and saying goodbye, it’s an ongoing dialogue and opportunity.

“We’ve also started providing work placements in London because we’re based in the capital.

“We support anything that fosters independence and wellbeing and that includes helping people into work.

“We realised quite early on that many of the young people we work with aren’t ready for employment, so we have an outreach team that supports them to help change that.

“When you’re in a special school, for example, no-one ever asks what you want to do when you leave.

“The employers we work with are like gold dust – they raise confidence and aspirations.

“What we say to them is that we’re not bringing a problem, we’re bringing an amazing group of talented young people who are ready for work.

“We also put our money where our mouth is by giving young people paid employment roles with us. Some of them help with this event and they really are amazing.”

The charity will be hosting its Corporate Championship - image by Canary Wharf Group — The charity will be hosting its Corporate Championship – image by Canary Wharf Group

what’s coming up at AFK Beach Volleyball?

In addition to free access play on the court, AFK hosts a corporate tournament for businesses and there are still a couple of slots left.

Taking place on July 31, 2025, the event sees companies face off on court in a five-vs-five format with most teams entering a squad of 10 players to allow for subs.

Teams commit to fundraising £2,000 to enter.

This can simply be paid as a donation from the business and covers a full day of play, lunch and refreshments as the competition for the 2025 Corporate Championship trophy heats up on the court.

AFK corporate partnerships manager, Lyn Prodger - image by Jon Massey — AFK corporate partnerships manager, Lyn Prodger – image by Jon Massey

who’s the team to beat?

Lyn said: “We’ve been running these events since 2009, first at Broadgate Circle in the City before moving to Canary Wharf in 2013.

“Barclays have won the most championships, but Accenture won it last year after being silver medallists in about four contests.

“They’re both coming back this year. It’s a wonderful event with plenty of dressing up. We’ve had Smurfs, Oompa-Loompas and Baywatchers over the years.

“We start from 10am and everyone gets a good day of play – then after lunch we go into the play-offs and then the finals.

“Whether it’s in the corporate championships or members of the public simply playing on the court, when I see what we’ve done here I have to pinch myself a little bit.

“We’re a small charity and realising we can do something like this is fantastic.

“It feels so good to know everyone who plays here is contributing.

“Just stepping on that sand makes a real difference in people’s lives.

“What’s really great about Canary Wharf is that we have this audience and we’re able to tell them about AFK and what it does.

“It’s a great community here and we’re working with The Island Studio to offer Pilates on the sand, with Signorelli on a deal for players who come down and, of course, with 640 East.”

The minimum booking for the court is four people - image by Canary Wharf Group — The minimum booking for the court is four people – image by Canary Wharf Group

key details: AFK Beach Volleyball

AFK Beach Volleyball’s court will be in Union Square until August 10, 2025.

Court hire is for a minimum of four people and starts at £60 per hour.

All proceeds go to the charity.

The Corporate Championship is set to take place on July 31, 2025, with slots still available.

Find out more about court hire here

AFK Beach Volleyball will be in place until August 10 - image by Canary Wharf Group — AFK Beach Volleyball will be in place until August 10 – image by Canary Wharf Group

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July 24, 2025July 24, 2025

Ong Lai Kopitiam will bring Malaysian flavours to Canary Wharf

How Robert Ngo and his wife Mel have built on their street food brand, Eat Lah, to open a new restaurant in Wood Wharf’s emerging Harbord Square area

Ayam Goreng Berempah with the blue Nasi Kerabu, which gets its colour from the butterfly pea flower - image by Ong Lai Kopitiam — Ayam Goreng Berempah with the blue Nasi Kerabu, which gets its colour from the butterfly pea flower – image by Ong Lai Kopitiam

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“I want Malaysians, Singaporeans and south-east Asians to feel at home here and for people who have never tried Malaysian food before to have a really great experience,” said Robert Ngo, co-founder and director of Ong Lai Kopitian – set to open its doors at Harbord Square in Wood Wharf soon.

“I knew I didn’t want a simple place with four walls and a kitchen where we would just cook food.

“We’ve spent a long time and a lot of money and effort on the fit-out.

“I believe restaurants are really important, not just places to eat, but places to hang out at – somewhere for the community.”

Ong Lai is joining a rapidly emerging part of Canary Wharf based around independent businesses.

Already Italian bakery Signorelli is drawing Wharfers down to Union Square, with another new restaurant – Nora – coming later this year.

There’s also Wayne Hairdresser Salon, floristry from The Flower Club and beauty services from Awe London as well as recent arrival The Island Studio offering Reformer Pilates classes.

So what does Ong Lai bring to the mix?

Well, firstly, kopitiam means coffee shop, so there will be plenty of robusta-based brews on offer with beans imported from Malaysia.

But there’s also the food and hospitality, something that’s in Robert’s blood.

Robert Ngo of Ong Lai Kopitiam outside his soon-to-open restaurant - image by Jon Massey — Robert Ngo of Ong Lai Kopitiam outside his soon-to-open restaurant – image by Jon Massey

a journey into food

“I’m a first generation Chinese immigrant child – I was born in Hackney and raised in Leyton,” he said.

“When I was five, my dad opened up his first restaurant and, at his peak, he had about four takeaways – I was already in the kitchen from a very young age.

“By the time I was seven I was washing dishes, even though I was only as tall as the sink, so I was always around my parents doing business in the food and beverage environment and my dad was always getting me ready to take over the operation after my studies.

“But being young and naïve, I told him I had other ideas.”

After realising aerospace engineering wasn’t for him, Robert embarked on the lengthy training necessary to qualify as an architect.

But then the Credit Crunch dealt a double blow.

The family business suffered a serious financial hit and Robert took a break from his studies to work as an architect’s assistant.

By the time he returned to education part-time, he realised the recession had damaged the industry to an extent that made finishing his training financially unattractive.

Instead, after a brief flirtation with estate agency, he went back into architecture working his way up in computer aided design to run a team of five people, rounding off the first decade of his career.

“I’d always been creative but that working environment wasn’t,” he said.

“People were coming in, doing the hours and getting paid silly amounts, but the environment was quite toxic. I needed a different outlet.

“I came home everyday hating my life and myself.

“My wife, Mel, got the worst of it – hearing me complaining.

“She said I should quit my job and start my own food business.

“The lowest point of entry was street food so I went all-in and spent about £7,000 getting a van and gazebos – I did everything properly, buying all the right equipment and created a decent brand.

“That’s how it all started.”

The restaurant will offer plenty of vegan options, including Kolo Mee with tofu and okra - image by Ong Lai Kopitiam — The restaurant will offer plenty of vegan options, including Kolo Mee with tofu and okra – image by Ong Lai Kopitiam

Eat Lah and blue rice

Co-founded with his wife, Eat Lah began serving Nasi Kerabu, a dish built around vibrant blue rice flavoured with herbs and spices that originated in Mel’s native Kelantan in Malaysia.

Following a steep learning curve that has included street food markets as well as spells at Boxpark in Croydon and Canteen at Design District, the brand now operates around a professional prep kitchen, allowing it to trade at multiple locations as well as at events.

It’s a regular at Canary Wharf’s Thursday pop-up Lunch Markets, for example.

Positive feedback from customers on the quality of the food, plus a desire to offer something more complex than street food setups can has driven the couple to establish Ong Lai.

Menu experiments in Croydon and, more recently, at a pop-up in Canning Town, proved the viability of the concept and Robert and Mel began searching for a space in 2024.

The restaurant will serve kopi - coffee - specially imported from Malaysia - image by Ong Lai Kopitiam — The restaurant will serve kopi – coffee – specially imported from Malaysia – image by Ong Lai Kopitiam

opening Ong Lai Kopitiam

“We looked all over, but mainly in east London and then we were approached by an agent for Canary Wharf Group who was looking for independent businesses for Wood Wharf,” said Robert.

“We wanted somewhere that we could build the new concept from the ground up.

“Ong Lai means: ‘Prosperous fortune come my way’, but it also translates as ‘pineapple’ in Chinese. At New Year they have big pineapples as decorations, so we’ve used the fruit in our branding.

“The reason we created that name is that Malaysians and Singaporeans know what it means – it’s an inside joke.

“For people who don’t know, it’s a good conversation starter.

“The design is based on a traditional kopitiam with interior design by a Malaysian agency.

“Ong Lai is about being creative,” said Robert.

“Doing festivals, markets and office catering, Eat Lah always revolves around the blue rice, but we’ll be doing much more than that in the restaurant.

“We will be doing an elevated version of it as well as Kolo Mee – noodles flavoured with soy sauce and shallot oil, Hainanese Chicken Chop and Malaysian Fried Chicken Wings.

“We’ll also be serving really good pork.

“The name shows we’re leaning more towards the country’s Chinese food – we didn’t want to be a Malaysian restaurant that tries to do everything.

“But this will be somewhere people can come in for an Egg Tart or Kaya Toast with a coffee.

“The beverage side of Malaysian cuisine is not that celebrated over here, so we really wanted to do that.

“We’ll be serving the Kopi black with sugar or with condensed or evaporated milk as well as Teh Tarik.

“These are wonderful flavours that I drink every day when I’m visiting Malaysia.”

Hainanese Chicken Chop will be available at the restaurant - image by Ong Lai Kopitiam — Hainanese Chicken Chop will be available at the restaurant – image by Ong Lai Kopitiam

key details: Ong Lai Kopitiam

Ong Lai Kopitiam is set to open soon at Harbord Square in Wood Wharf.

The restaurant will seat up to 30 diners and will be open daily.

Find out more about the restaurant here

Kolo Mee with Ayam Goreng - image by Ong Lai Kopitiam — Kolo Mee with Ayam Goreng – image by Ong Lai Kopitiam

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July 13, 2025July 13, 2025

Lina Stores review: Canary Wharf branch impresses with simplicity

Recently opened at Crossrail Place, the restaurant draws on more than 80 years of history to deliver a high quality Italian dining experience

Grilled prawns with tomatoes and garlic at Lina Stores - image by Jon Massey — Grilled prawns with tomatoes and garlic at Lina Stores – image by Jon Massey

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There’s a danger with growth, especially when it comes to hospitality brands.

A business founded and nurtured with passion by its creators can lose its appeal as economies of scale dislocate a sprawl of branches from the things that made the place good to start with.

It’s understandable. Those seeking a profit margin will always be tempted to trim an ingredient here or there.

It’s an equation where small differences can translate into big savings.

The risk is how close to tipping the scales does an operation dare go? Will the punters really notice a sauce made with two cloves of garlic instead of three? How about one?

Fortunately, Lina Stores – recently opened in Canary Wharf’s Crossrail Place in the unit formerly occupied by The Breakfast Club, is more concerned with value and quality for its customers than making a quick buck.

At least, that’s the message it’s sending out on its pale green plates.

There could be a few reasons for this.

Firstly, the brand’s lineage is an 80-year-old deli in Soho rather than a beloved restaurant.

That brings with it a certain dedication to quality born of a family-run institution that was conceived primarily to supply Londoners with the kind of Italian treats which were a rarity at the time it opened.

The restaurants, which can now be found in 11 locations in London and Manchester, plus three in Japan, aren’t tasked with replicating an existing establishment, but instead aim to showcase produce.

The original shop is a jumping off point for this, rather than something to be photocopied.

Secondly, the team at White Rabbit Projects, which has worked with Lina to expand the brand, have clearly shed sweat to tread lightly.

Clean and green: The first floor dining room at Lina Stores in Crossrail Place - image by Jon Massey — Clean and green: The first floor dining room at Lina Stores in Crossrail Place – image by Jon Massey

an Italian ethos

Italian cooking at its best lives or dies on the quality of its ingredients often in spare, unfussy combinations.

There’s nowhere to hide and Lina isn’t afraid to be the neutral backdrop to the stars topping its green and white-striped serving paper.

The aesthetic of the Canary Wharf restaurant follows this pattern.

Head upstairs from the ground floor deli and you’ll find a bright, airy space with a barrel-vaulted ceiling.

Everything is in shades of pale green save the floor – marble the shade of emeralds at night.

There’s an open kitchen too, with stools for diners who want to watch the magic happen.

It’s a minimal scheme akin to the slender black picture frames used to contain the delicate art on its walls.

This is because Lina saves nearly everything for the eyes and mouth.

30-yolk tagliolini pasta with truffle, a fabulous over load - image by Jon Massey — 30-yolk tagliolini pasta with truffle, a fabulous over load – image by Jon Massey

sampling the food at Lina Stores

To start, we crunch the flesh of fresh green Bella Di Cerignola olives (£4) while making up our minds.

Burrata (£10) comes bathed in a little pool of extra virgin olive oil and dusted with black pepper – a simple, creamy delight on the tongue with a pleasant tang.

Next comes the grilled prawns (£13) – three chunky specimens that arrive with a wedge of lemon and dressed with fresh tomatoes and garlic.

Expertly singed, these give up their meat without effort in sweet little chunks – an excellent way to whet the appetite for what we’re really here to try.

Lina in Soho is known for its fresh pasta, trays of which in its windows have been tempting passers-by through the doors for decades.

So what of the restaurant offering?

We order three due to greed and the desire to be comprehensive – the Jerusalem artichoke and ricotta ravioli (£10.50), the lamb sausage ragu pappardelle (£14.50) and the 30-egg yolk tagliolini with black truffle (at £17.50, the most expensive option on the menu).

The portions are sensible, the kind you might actually get as a first plate in a restaurant in Italy.

But the flavours are outsize.

The ravioli is earthy and vegetal, the tagliolini a fabulous overload of truffle, but the star of the show is the deep, rich pappardelle shot through with seasonal greens and chilli.

Great value, high quality.

When the staff have relaxed into things – clearing away the plate for discarded olive pits without asking while I was still chewing, was a minor misstep – Lina is shaping up to be very good indeed.

**** (4/5)

Jerusalem artichoke and ricotta ravioli at Lina Stores - image by Jon Massey — Jerusalem artichoke and ricotta ravioli at Lina Stores – image by Jon Massey

key details: Lina Stores

Lina Stores is located at street level in Crossrail Place. The restaurant is open daily from 11.30am-11.30pm.

The deli is open from 8am-5pm on weekdays and from 9am-5pm at weekends.

Bar Lina is open from 5pm to midnight, Tuesday-Thursday and from 5pm-1am, Friday-Saturday.

Find our more about the restaurant here

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July 13, 2025July 13, 2025

EBRD Literature Prize won by Sons, Daughters in Canary Wharf

The European Bank For Reconstruction and development has recognised author Ivana Bodrožić and translator Ellen Elias-Bursać with 2025 award

Author Ivana Bodrožić, left, and translator Ellen Elias-Bursać celebrate their win - image by Ale Di Padova / EBRD — Author Ivana Bodrožić, left, and translator Ellen Elias-Bursać celebrate their win – image by Ale Di Padova / EBRD

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Canary Wharf, known in the public psyche for its tall towers housing companies delivering financial services, has long been much more than that.

Its true essence is defined by the people inside those buildings – their interests, passions and diversity.

The European Bank For Reconstruction And Development (EBRD) Literature Prize – recently awarded at the organisation’s Bank Street offices – is an excellent example.

Born of a desire from staff to share in and engage with cultures in the territories where the bank operates, the contest is now in its eighth year and recognises works of fiction translated into English.

Both author and translator are equally celebrated for their efforts, reflecting the prize’s aim – to spread notable writing to as wide an audience as possible.

For 2025, an independent panel of judges led by critic and cultural journalist Maya Jaggi chose Sons, Daughters by Ivana Bodrožić, translated from the Croatian by Ellen Elias-Bursać as the winning work.

Ivana says she wanted to tell a story about how we're all locked in ourselves- image by Ale Di Padova / EBRD — Ivana says she wanted to tell a story about how we’re all locked in ourselves – image by Ale Di Padova / EBRD

a feeling of being locked in

“It’s a novel I published in Croatia five years ago, so I was writing it maybe seven or eight years ago,” said Ivana.

“It started from me and my own feelings of being locked in and is written from three different perspectives.

“The first is a woman who has locked-in syndrome.

“She’s paralysed but she has a really strong inner life.

“The second voice is that of a young man.

“He is transgender and he doesn’t feel like he belongs to his body when he looks in the mirror.

“The third is the perspective of the mother of the first character.

“She is a woman in her 60s. She was born and raised in the patriarchy and she is deformed by that system, although she doesn’t even realise it.

“I wanted to tell a story about how we are all locked in ourselves – that we can live and move, but sometimes be paralysed.

“At the time I was writing it was difficult to be part of the LGBT minority in Croatia.

“It was when the Istanbul Convention was being ratified and there were some really loud parts of society – the right wing and the Catholic church.

“They wanted to point a finger at transgender people, saying that they were the biggest problem in Croatia and there were only one or two people who spoke out about their experience of living in that situation.

“In this radical metaphor through literature I was hoping that I could connect all those painful stories and make a novel that readers who wanted to be open could understand.”

EBRD Literatur Prize winners, Ivana and Ellen - image by Ale Di Padova / EBRD — EBRD Literatur Prize winners, Ivana and Ellen – image by Ale Di Padova / EBRD

winning the EBRD Literature Prize as an author

Ivana first found a love of reading as a child.

Growing up she spent five years in a refugee camp where “books were the only thing that told us there were other worlds, which was crucial for me”.

She said: “Books and stories became an essential part of my identity from an early age. Writing is connected with my life, not just talent but something I earned.

“I believe we can write about almost everything.

“What is important is our intention – what we want to do with our stories.

“Do we want to harm or humiliate someone, or do we want to make a larger space for understanding and freedom for human dignity?

“Sons, Daughters is not an easy book to read.

“All the stories are painful.

“My intention, when the reader closes the book, is to make them think that they have time to change something in their life, to open up a bit and see where their blind spots are.

“In that way, perhaps this novel is optimistic.

“It shows you that you don’t need to be so closed, so locked in your own world.

“Winning this prize gives you the feeling that you’re a real writer and you know what you’re doing.

“It’s wonderful to know there’s a community of readers and what you’re doing means something.

“Writing can be a lonely job and being translated is very rewarding. Croatia is a very tiny community.

“It means a lot to know that sometimes I may be able to cross language borders.”

Ellen says she began working as a translator while living in Croatia - image by Ale Di Padova / EBRD — Ellen says she began working as a translator while living in Croatia – image by Ale Di Padova / EBRD

translating the work

In this instance, the person tasked with shepherding Ivana’s words over the hurdles of understanding was translator Ellen Elias-Bursać – joint winner of the prize.

Born in the USA, it was studying Russian that sparked her professional journey.

“Our anti-Soviet professors wouldn’t send us to the USSR, but we were allowed to go to a Slavic country,” said Ellen.

“They found a programme in what was then Yugoslavia, and I went for a year.

“I met a guy, finished school, went back and got married in 1974 and lived there until 1990.

“I had my kids there and became a community translator for many years, getting involved in translating literature towards the end of my stay.

“I met Ivana through the publisher of her first novel, which was about the war in Croatia.”

The winners with the judges and fellow finalists at the presentation - images by Ale Di Padova / EBRD — The winners with the judges and fellow finalists at the presentation – image by Ale Di Padova / EBRD

winning the EBRD Literature Prize as a translator

Ellen said her process for translating a work began slowly before the pace picked up and she’d reach the end of a text.

Then a painstaking period of editing kicked in to ensure everything fitted together.

She said: “Different novels require different contextual explanations depending on how much reference there is to local culture.

“It’s about the sound of the language and the humour too.

“There’s always loss and always gain with translation, you just hope there’s more of the latter.

“It’s tremendously gratifying to win this prize.

“Our role is to support authors and we end up doing much more than translating.

“We work with publishers, attend book launches, find people to review and promote things.

“I’m really happy that Ivana’s novel, which deserves attention, is thankfully getting it.

“I’m also very pleased the EBRD continues to support voices from many parts of the world by promoting books and bringing them to people’s attention – that’s a really valuable gift for everyone.”

key details: EBRD Literature Prize

The EBRD Literature Prize is awarded annually, recognising both the author and translator of a work of fiction.

It celebrates creativity in the regions where the bank operates and aims to bring writing from a wide range of countries to a wider, global audience.

The other finalists recognised in 2025 were Ukraine’s Tanja Maljartschuk and translator Zenia Tompkins for Forgottenness, alongside Poland’s Olga Tokarczuk and translator Antonia Lloyd-Jones for The Empusium.

You can find our more about the prize here

Sons, Daughters by Ivana Bodrožić, translated from the Croatian by Ellen Elias- Bursać, is published by Seven Stories Press UK and is available through Waterstones in Cabot Place, priced £17.99.

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July 10, 2025July 14, 2025

Win a family ticket on Horrible Histories: Terrible Thames’ river tour

Celebrating its fifth anniversary in London the floating show will be hosting a special day of sailings on July 19, 2025, including an appearance by Horrible Histories author Terry Deary

Audiences are treated to a tour by an enthusiastic student and a history teacher - image by Terrible Thames — Audiences are treated to a tour by an enthusiastic student and a history teacher – image by Terrible Thames

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London’s historical river tours with Horrible Histories: Terrible Thames are set to return from July 12, 2025.

The floating show, which takes in the capital’s riverside sights while showering audiences in horrifying, funny and shocking tales of days gone by is also celebrating its fifth year on the waterway.

To mark that anniversary, passengers are being invited to book sailings on a special day of celebration on July 19, 2025, where they will meet royals and reprobates.

The likes of Queen Boudica, King Henry VIII, Queen Anne Boleyn, Guy Fawkes, Captain Kidd, Olaf The Viking and Julius Caesar are expected to be lurking near the tour’s point of embarkation – Tower Bridge Quay – during the event.

Also visiting on the day to meet fans will be Terry Deary, author of Horrible Histories, the series of gore-soaked books that not only sparked a passion for the past in the minds of countless youngsters, but also inspired the Terrible Thames theatrical tour.

The show itself is performed on the top deck of Silver Sockeye, a ship in Woods Silver Fleet, which takes a 45-minute route right through central London beginning and ending just east of Tower Bridge.

Audiences can expect to see Cleopatra’s Needle, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Houses Of Parliament, the London Eye and dive into the stories of Execution Dock, Jack The Ripper and the bloody goings on at the Tower Of London amid a multitude of harrowing tales.

Passengers are guided in their journey by a teacher and pupil on a trip to the capital awarded as a prize for excellence in history – but quite who is schooling who becomes a matter for debate.

Unique on the Thames, the show changes with the tide, which alters the time taken to sail up and down the river for each performance, meaning the actors have to constantly adapt the tour to suit the progress made.

It is performed by members of the Birmingham Stage Company, known for its adaptations of Deary’s works including The Best Of Barmy Britain, returning to the Apollo theatre this summer.

The show takes place aboard Silver Sockeye, part of Woods Silver Fleet - image by Terrible Thames — The show takes place aboard Silver Sockeye, part of Woods Silver Fleet – image by Terrible Thames

your chance to win

>> For a chance to win a family ticket (one adult and three children or two adults and two children) to see the show this summer simply answer this question: Who wrote Horrible Histories?

To enter email your answer to info@wharf-life.com with the subject line Terrible Thames Competition.

>> Prize is tickets only, subject to availability. Transport to Tower Bridge Quay is at the prize winner’s expense.

There is no cash alternative. Entrants agree to have their data shared with Terrible Thames.

The closing date is July 30, 2025 and the editor’s decision is final.

The tour lasts 45 minutes and takes in the major London sights along the river - image by Terrible Thames — The tour lasts 45 minutes and takes in the major London sights along the river – image by Terrible Thames

key details: Horrible Histories: Terrible Thames

Horrible Histories: Terrible Thames is taking bookings from July 12 for daily sailings until September 3.

Adult tickets cost £25 while children aged 3-15 cost £15 each. Family tickets cost £70 with two adults and two children or £60 for one adult and three children.

Those aged 65 or over can sail for £20.

Find out more about the tours here

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July 10, 2025July 10, 2025

Mudchute Park And Farm seeks long lease to secure future funding

Following the expiry of the current agreement, the charity looking after the land is in limbo and wants Tower Hamlets Council to grant it a 30-year term

Mudchute Park And Farm's lease expired in June 2024 - image by Jon Massey — Mudchute Park And Farm’s lease expired in June 2024 – image by Jon Massey

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In the 1970s, the tract of land now occupied by Mudchute Park And Farm was earmarked for a high-rise housing development.

Under that deal it would have been handed off to the Greater London Council by the Port Of London Authority, which had realised Millwall Docks’ days were numbered.

Instead, local residents rose up and fought a successful campaign to ensure the 32 acres would become public open space.

There are very few living locally who would argue that the park, farm and allotments – which have served generations in the community five decades – are anything other than a source of enormous social benefit to those living and working locally.

It’s a site on which children can be face-to-face with real sheep, cows and pigs, where dog walkers can socialise their pets and where walkers can experience the pure joy of coming across a llama with a sceptical look on its face.

There’s also the farm’s work to support and nurture rare breeds and its efforts to preserve and enhance the natural environment.

It’s free, fun and accessible to all.

While there’s always room for improvement, it’s a site that rightly attracts plaudits as one of the borough’s gems.

Sue Mortimer, chair of the Mudchute Association - image by Jon Massey — Sue Mortimer, chair of the Mudchute Association – image by Jon Massey

an expired lease

However, it’s also an operation that’s currently hobbled.

The charity that runs the farm and looks after the site it sits on – the Mudchute Association – has been in negotiation with Tower Hamlets Council (which owns the land) to renew its long-term lease on the site since 2019.

However, that process has not yet resulted in an agreement between the two parties and the existing 20-year lease ran out in June 2024.

The charity currently has the right to continue operating on the site while it works to reach an agreement thanks to the Landlord And Tenant Act 1954, but this leaves it in a tricky position.

While the day-to-day operation of Mudchute Park And Farm continues, plans to improve and develop its offering for the future are severely impacted by the delay.

“We can’t apply for grants and funding because we have no lease in place – that’s especially a problem for large capital projects,” said Sue Mortimer, chair of the board of trustees overseeing the Mudchute Association.

“As a charity, we are heavily reliant on fundraising and volunteers – the farm is totally free at the point of delivery, a community asset that benefits everyone who lives, works and visits the area.

“We welcome 250,000 people every year, including more than 10,000 school children, care for rare breeds, offer volunteer training programmes and provide access to beautiful green space.

“The income we receive – from letting space to Muddy Boots nursery, for example – goes on feeding and looking after the animals and running the farm.

“Since the lease expired, we live hand-to-mouth.”

The land the park and farm sit on was originally earmarked for development - image by Jon Massey — The land the park and farm sit on was originally earmarked for development – image by Jon Massey

a lease of 30 years for Mudchute Park And Farm?

Sue said the farm would like to agree lease of at least 30 years with the council to enable the charity to apply for funding to further improve the farm and open up new revenue streams from developers locally.

“Mudchute is one of the few areas in Tower Hamlets where organisations engaged in construction can offset the loss of flora and fauna by investing in new habitats resulting in biodiversity net gain,” said Sue.

“But we have to have a lease in place in order to benefit from those arrangements.”

While Sue and Mudchute are at pains to stress there are currently no plans to close the farm or to alter how it operates, just continuing with the status quo will increasingly cause the charity problems and potentially force it to make hard choices.

That could mean charging for services and activities or even entry to the farm.

Negotiation between the council and the charity is seemingly at an impasse.

Free at the point of delivery, the farm is popular with local residents and visitors to the area - image by Jon Massey — Free at the point of delivery, the farm is popular with local residents and visitors to the area – image by Jon Massey

Tower Hamlets’ policy

The authority’s published policy on renting assets to voluntary and community sector organisations is that it will normally only grant a lease of up to five years to such groups.

However, there is provision in that policy to accommodate longer leases for organisations “where there is an opportunity to seek grant funding from organisations outside the council e.g. Big Lottery Fund” where those applications can only be made on longer leases, typically 25 years or more.

On the face of it, this may apply to the Mudchute Association and the council’s current position on the matter is unclear.

As the only 32-acre farm in the borough (one of the largest city farms in Europe, for that matter) it could well be considered a special case.

“I don’t really understand what the council’s position is, apart from the fact that they don’t like to give long leases to any organisations,” said Sue.

“That seems a bit short-sighted in my view, considering what we do here.

“There’s also been the suggestion that we pay rent for the first time in our history, beyond the peppercorn levy of our old lease.

“We are a charity and we don’t have a lot of excess money, but that’s something we may have to look at – the important thing is we have a fair offer from Tower Hamlets.

“We can’t agree to a rent that in five years time could go up exponentially and we can’t afford to pay.

“But we will look carefully at any offer we get.”

The farm supports rare breeds and has sheep, goats, pigs and cows - image by Jon Massey — The farm supports rare breeds and has sheep, goats, pigs and cows – image by Jon Massey

ongoing negotiations

Sue and the charity are hoping to resolve the matter with the council through negotiation, but given the past lease’s expiry and the slow pace of dialogue, they are also preparing to go to court over the matter if necessary.

They have launched a fundraising campaign to generate £75,000 with the intention of forcing a renewal – likely a 15-year term, at most.

The charity has also garnered extensive local support – expressed in a petition of more than 6,000 signatures – to raise the matter at a council meeting on July 16, 2025, to address both the lease extension and the principle of charging the charity rent for the first time.

Sue said: “We’d love to have this settled amicably without going to court. We’re all so passionate about the farm and, with a long lease, we could do so much more.”

Nobody from Tower Hamlets Council was available for interview for this piece, however the authority did send a statement.

A spokesperson said: “We remain committed to reaching a fair and sustainable lease agreement with the Mudchute Association that supports their work and benefits the community and we are engaging through the appropriate legal processes to ensure a fair outcome.

“As part of this ongoing dialogue, our chief executive and our corporate director of housing and regeneration will visit the farm to help move discussions forward.”

The Mudchute Association is keen to negotiate a new lease with the council as soon as possible - image by Jon Massey — The Mudchute Association is keen to negotiate a new lease with the council as soon as possible – image by Jon Massey

key details: Mudchute Park And Farm

You can find out more about Mudchute Park And Farm and its campaign for a new lease online.

The Tower Hamlets Council meeting on July 16, 2025, will take place at 7pm in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall in Whitechapel, for those wishing to attend.

Find out more about the farm’s campaign for a new lease here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here