Wharf Life, Jul 15-29, 2026

Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Place

| Light Of The World The Brit funk pioneers are preparing to storm the stage at the Cabot Place venue with renditions of Time, London Town and Pete’s Crusade Aug 14, 9pm, from £61 (inc food), boisdale.co.uk

Docklands West India Quay

KIDS | Story Adventures With Richard O’Neil

Join the storyteller as he relates the tale of Colin, a brave, if stubborn ship’s cat who can’t stop climbing trees. Expect pirates and purple, pickled pop. Ages 5+ Aug 11, 11am, noon, 1pm, free, londonmuseum.org.uk Where?

Where? Westferry Circus Canary Wharf Where? London Museum

STAGE | Sti Upper Lip, Jeeves Wodehouse’s Jeeves and Wooster are brought to life in Canary Wharf as Alfresco Actors deliver a two-hour show packed with jolly old jokes. Aug 7, 7pm, free, canarywharf.com

Welcome to issue 166 of Wharf Life. It’s a time for getting out and about as the temperatures become just that bit more bearable. To that end, we’re looking forward to the Poplar Picnic, celebrating the reopening of Discover Children’s Story Centre and tucking into Isso Prawn Crazy...

Anticipation is building for Poplar Picnic, held in Bartlett Park and at Poplar Union, with this year’s event themed around celebrating the Lansbury Estate’s links to the Festival Of Britain

We take a trip to Surbiton with SWR Business Direct and nd some gems Excel London is gearing up to host its nal London E-Prix in August

on the radar

need to know

Canary Wharf Group has found a tenant for its One Eden building.

Accountancy rm PwC UK is set to take 350,000sq ft of space in the 580,000sq ft tower from 2030 as the company plans for its future in the capital and assesses its needs pwc.co.uk

Enjoy comedy with avour as The Pen Theatre welcomes Mouthful 25

Nikkei cuisine restaurant

Bamboo Mat in Stratford has announced that it will be opening a second branch at Wood Wharf as it expands. Combining Japanese and Peruvian cooking, the new venue will o er 82 covers over two oors. Expect plenty of raw sh bamboo-mat.co.uk

Catching up with Canary Wharf’s rst retail business and discovering how it o ers an authentic connection to the local history of the area for residents and interior designers 13

Romana Whole Foods Market

wholefoodsmarket.co.uk

There’s nothing better than failing to read the instructions and discovering you get more for your money than you thought.

That’s what happened to me recently at Whole Foods Market in Wood Wharf, which operates a pinsa bar for grab-and-go food. Similar to a pizza, the dough for these oven-baked slices is apparently fermented for longer, which promises easier digestion.

I opt for one topped with cheese and pepperoni, which is rapidly slipped into an appliance to warm it through.

When it comes out I’m

The Pinsa Romana costs £6.49 when heated to go from the Wood Wharf store including three toppings

delighted to be asked which three extra toppings I’d like. I’d assumed the not unreasonable price of £6.49 was simply sold as seen. What feel like bonus olives, cheese and tomatoes are the icing on the slice. They lend a salty, spicy zing to the atbread, which is soft and yielding in the mouth.

More importantly, this is a quick lunchtime option that feels like a bit of a luxury and there are multiple avours to try. Perfect for tucking into beside the water in the sun at Harbour Quay Gardens just round the corner.

Jon Massey

doing the deals

get more for less on and around the Wharf

Enjoy an Aperol Spritz on the outdoor terrace at Six By Nico in Canary Wharf for £5 when visiting the venue before July 31. This o er is available daily from noon-11pm sixbynico.co.uk

20%

Check out Discover Children’s Story Centre’s major re t in Stratford 30

Get a fth o the price of selected summer beverages at Whole Foods Market in Wood Wharf. O er runs until September 1 and includes Jubel beers wholefoodsmarket.co.uk

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Guitar lessons rooted in musical connection and community.

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write me

words you don’t know you need

sigmata

noun, fake, from Ancient Greek

The reputational wounds that may be su ered by self-serving exceptionalists who try to use elections as vanity projects and come up against the majestic silliness of Binface. Just what will the nal Count be after August 13?

toplofty

adj, real, from American English

First used in 1823, this word from across the pond feels like it’s ready to be dusted o and popped back into everyday speech. Those who are toplofty think a great deal of themselves in comparison to others with a superior manner

Immigration Solicitors

GOT GAME

Mario Kart Championship Canada Square Park canarywharf.com

The heats are back in August with sessions on 6 and 13 from noon-2pm as the Summer Screens gaming competition hots up. Participants need to register online to take part and compete in one Mario Kart World race against three other players and winners get two tickets to play The Cube in Wood Wharf. Following the heats, the nal is set to take place on August 20 from noon-2pm, where those victorious in the heats will be invited to compete for four tickets to The Cube plus pizzas.

EXERCISE TOGETHER

South Asian Run Social Crossrail Place Roof Garden canarywharf.com

Join Minreet Kaur founder of Asian Women Run for a guided social jog around Canary Wharf to explore its green corners and blue spaces on July 29. Registration kicks o at 5.30pm for a 6pm-9pm session The event is free to attend, but booking online is essential to secure a place. The run will start and nish in the roof garden with post-exercise refreshments provided.

Despite the positive title, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker has a lot on his plate as Spidey returns to the big screen

FILM

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Everyman Canary Wharf everymancinema.com

Tom Holland continues his run as Spidey in the latest Marvel ick, with pre-booking available for July 29 onwards at Everyman’s Canary Wharf cinema. Following the events of No Way Home, however, the world no longer remembers its friendly neighbourhood web-slinger and he’s also under threat from a surprising physical evolution that threatens his very existence. Topping things o , there’s a new and disturbing pattern of crimes to contend with too, plus pining for Zendaya’s MJ.

The best way to get around London.

• Surge fees

• Booking fees

• Admin fees

• Green fees Just pay the meter fare!

how Isso Prawn Crazy delivers a hot flush of flavour and robotic cooking to the Wharf

by Jon Massey

It wasn’t really all that long ago that ships coming from and going to Sri Lanka were frequenting the docks of east London. Typically those trade routes saw cargoes of raw materials arriving in Britain while we exported tech and empire overseas.

The arrival of Isso Prawn Crazy flips that narrative, however. This time it’s Sri Lanka delivering a fresh business model and cuttingedge tech into the Canary Wharf hospitality market.

Having built a brand back home, CEO and founder Apinash Sivagumaaran is now determined to make a splash in London, a city he considers the food capital of the world.

Born and raised in Sri Lanka, he studied banking and finance in Australia, working in restaurants and cafés while at college.

“I figured out my passion was in hospitality and so I went into hotels and moved to Singapore to train at one of the best schools in the world,” he said.

After returning to Sri Lanka he worked his way up to become a resort manager and then worked for a major operator overseeing the whole of one company’s South Asian operation by the time he was 25. It was then that he spotted a niche.

“Whenever I’d come back to Sri Lanka, I’d meet up with friends and go for food,” he said.

“There were a lot of new concepts popping up, but they were focusing on crab, which is quite expensive and not accessible for everyone.

“I talked to people and realised there was a middle income

I call prawns the wagyu of the sea and, when you eat at Isso, you’re supporting a fleet of sustainable, small-scale day boats in Sri Lanka

Apinash Sivagumaaran, Isso Prawn Crazy

Years since Apinash created his business in Sri Lanka, which he’s now expanded overseas following steady growth on the island of his birth

Isso Prawn Crazy founder and CEO, Apinash Sivagumaaran outside his Canary Wharf restaurant

serving up the

audience that wasn’t being served and there was an opportunity to develop a seafood brand.

“Everyone else was doing crab and lobster, but I’ve always loved prawns. As a kid, if my mum cooked a prawn curry, I’d give my father one, my sister one and I’d take the rest.

“So I came up with the concept of Isso – which means prawn in Sinhala, one of the languages of Sri Lanka – Prawn Crazy.

“We built a prototype restaurant, about 80sq m, with only 16 seats and we had lines of cars parked outside because we’d priced it correctly. We saw growth month on month and we even saw Ferraris and Lamborghinis pulling up to visit.

“Basically we’ve taken one of the best proteins you can find in Sri Lanka and we’re serving it to the mass market.”

Off the back of this success, Apinash has expanded the business to five locations in Sri Lanka and has now opened in Canary Wharf.

He puts the company’s success down to a somewhat unusual business model.

“From day one, we’ve partnered with Alpex Marine in Sri Lanka, which gives us something rare in this industry,” said Apinash. “Through them we work directly with 150 fishers in the north and north-east of the island who use small boats to catch prawns.

“They go out to sea for four hours, chill their catch and then we quick freeze it to -36ºC as soon as they return which means the shellfish you’re eating in our restaurant are as fresh as it gets.

“I call them the wagyu of the sea and when you eat at Isso, you’re supporting a fleet of sustainable, small-scale day boats in Sri Lanka because we import all the prawns we serve in the UK from them.

“We make sure we pay them fairly and I’d love to grow this business until we’re working with 1,000 boats.”

Visitors to Isso’s new 90-seat restaurant at 25 Cabot Square, a unit previously occupied by Vagabond, will find a menu centred around three core species – flower prawns and black tiger prawns, both caught wild at sea, and giant freshwater prawns. The latter Apinash dubs “the lobster of the river”.

The space features an open kitchen, complete with robotic equipment to help speed up service, varied seating intended to encourage both formal and casual dining, a private dining room and a mural by artist Geshany Balder celebrating the main ingredient. Inspired by the original Sri Lankan venues, the Canary Wharf restaurant’s menu features a central “combo” option, where

guests choose the type of prawns they’d like, the style they’d like them cooked in and a side to go with them.

This ranges in price from £19 to £45, depending on the shellfish selected.

Diners can also choose from a series of starters such as mutton rolls featuring rich spice and slow-cooked meat, cuttlefish fritto tossed in sea salt and chilli flakes with a fruity dip and coconut prawns if you just can’t get enough. Each is priced at £12.

“Personally, my favourite dish is the great freshwater prawns cooked hot butter style with rice,” said Apinash.

“I also love the mutton rolls. My head chef, Karan Kashyap, has really elevated the whole thing. We use more meat in the dish and less potato and serve it with this amazing spicy sauce.

“We’re here to represent Sri Lankan food, take it to the next level and then take it across the world. London is the most exciting market on the planet.

“Most of the Sri Lankan businesses here are UK-born, but we’re offering something different.

“We want to be what the future of restaurants looks like – the supply chain, automation in the kitchens to make them more efficient. We’re creating value for everyone involved, our staff, the people catching the prawns and our partners.

“Sri Lanka has gone through a lot – a two-decade civil war, backto-back recessions and political unrest. Back home, there isn’t a lot of time to dream big because there are many problems to focus on.

“For me, I want Isso to be a motivation for all of our entrepreneurs on the island. You don’t have to be born in New York, Paris or London to dream big.

“You can have those aspirations from Sri Lanka and take over the world.”

● Isso Prawn Crazy will also be operating a month-long pop-up in Victoria Park at the Pavilion Cafe in east London throughout August, open from 2pm-10pm. Booking details are expected to go live in the third week of July.

key details

Isso Prawn Crazy is located at 25 Cabot Square and is open every day for lunch and dinner. You can find full details including menus on the restaurant’s website. Go to prawncrazy.co.uk for more information

Scan this code to nd out more about Isso Prawn Crazy

why HCA UK’s Lister Fertility Clinic has opened a satellite operation at the company’s Canary Wharf centre

by Jon Massey

When I was studying medicine, I spent a lot of time as a student sitting around watching other people doing things,” said James Nicopoullos. “But then I did my obstetrics and gynaecology rotation and got to deliver babies.

“That was when I began to feel like I was going to be a proper doctor. Up until that point, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do within medicine, so I started training in that field.

“Many of the consultants I worked for had an interest in fertility and so mine started to grow.”

Today, following extensive training and the publication of a research thesis in the field, James is the medical director at HCA UK’s Lister Fertility Clinic. He’s also the “person responsible” for ensuring it complies with the high level of regulation in the sector as overseen by the Human Fertilisation And Embryology Authority.

Based at The Lister Hospital in Chelsea, we’re talking because HCA has recently opened a satellite fertility clinic at its 40 Bank Street Canary Wharf Outpatients facility.

Offering initial investigations, monitoring and treatment preparation, it extends the reach of the hospital’s operation, which includes procedures such as egg collection and embryo transfer.

James said: “Fertility journeys aren’t always easy ones and there are lots of things to consider.

“However, once a decision is made to proceed with treatment, that often results in multiple visits to our clinics. We know that juggling life and work against the emotional and physical impact of a fertility cycle is not easy.

“That’s why we’ve created these satellite units – we know that being able to go somewhere closer to work or home can be really important to people.

“One of the things to consider is that, to get the desired outcome, people may have to go through multiple cycles of treatment, so making the process easier is really important.”

Canary Wharf joins The Shard Outpatients, The Beaconsfield Clinic and The Portland Hospital on the list of satellite locations operated by the clinic.

Our Fit For Fertility health screening is a bit like an MOT. In essence, it’s to look to see if there’s anything there which is prohibiting pregnancy

James Nicopoullos, HCA UK

In addition to providing treatment to help people conceive, the newly minted clinic also runs HCA UK’s Fit For Fertility health screening – a range of tests and a consultation designed to give them a picture of their reproductive health so they can make decisions for their future based on the best evidence available.

“This is a bit like an MOT,” said James. “In essence, it’s to look to see if there’s anything there which is prohibiting pregnancy now or that might do so in the future.

“For women, we take an ultrasound scan and a blood test to check for any physical abnormalities and to get an idea of the number of eggs she has.

“For men, we collect a sperm sample and look at the number and quality produced. Often fertility doctors are gynaecologists and focus on the female for obvious reasons, but it’s actually very common in the couples that come to see us that there’s a male factor when it comes to problems conceiving.

“If that might by an underlying cause we look at how we can improve the situation and what treatments are available.

“The majority of patients we see are people who have been trying for a certain period of time without success. Age is a really important factor.

“For many different reasons, people are seeking to have babies later in their lives at a point where fertility isn’t as good. Generally, the younger you are, the longer you can try before seeking help.

“Fertility remains relatively consistent in women up to the age of 35, for example, and then egg quality and quantity begin to decrease.

“From 37, that really accelerates and the chance of getting pregnant mirrors that. Also important to consider is that the same is true of IVF. If you’re sitting here at 30 and having a fertility assessment,

Cost of a Fit For Fertility health screening at HCA UK’s

The Lister Fertility Clinic now offers services in Canary Wharf aimed at supporting those going through treatment cycles

reducing the

and, even if you don’t get pregnant for two years, your chances of IVF working at 32 are still going to be very good.

“If you’re sitting here at 40 and everything looks OK, there will inevitably be a massive drop off in IVF success in the next two years.

“This is why testing is important – having early conversations gives people an idea about how quickly they might need to move on to IVF if they want to have a child and aren’t able to conceive naturally.”

Age can also play a big part in IVF success rates, which drop the older the donor.

“We are seeing more people nationwide who are thinking more about age, so are considering freezing,” said James.

“If you freeze a 30-year-old egg and then put it into a 20, 30 or 40-year-old, the outcome will be the same – the success rate is based on the age of the egg.

“There’s no guarantee IVF will work, but you are increasing your chances the earlier you freeze an egg. At age 30, it’s around 50% but it drops to 5% for women aged 45.”

For those just starting to try for a baby, James said lifestyle could be a factor in fertility, although people shouldn’t worry too much so long as they weren’t taking things to extremes.

“People shouldn’t be beating themselves up, worrying about an espresso they have in the morning or the two or three glasses of wine they have over the course of a week,” he said.

“Moderation is key, as is eating well, looking after yourself and limiting stress.

“I would say that smoking is definitely a negative factor – that’s also true for men when it comes to sperm production.

“Also for men, I wouldn’t want to see them spend five hours a day in a sauna, but having one once a or twice a week is not going to make a difference – it’s very unlikely that this is going to be the deal-breaker.”

key details

The Lister Fertility Clinic at Canary Wharf Outpatients is located at the HCA Healthcare UK facility at 40 Bank Street.

It offers services including IVF, egg freezing, fertility testing and fertility treatments. You can find full details, including prices, online.

Go to hcahealthcare.co.uk for more information or to book an appointment

Scan this code to nd out more about fertility services at HCA

case study Fit For Fertility

Knowledge is always power. To that end, the Lister Fertility Clinic’s Fit For Fertility health screening service aims to provide men and women with key information about their reproductive health to help them make decisions for the future.

To nd out what Wharfers can expect from the service, we sent Isaac, 44, and Fiona, 39, to try out the heterosexual couple package, which costs £690.

For both partners, the service includes a 30-minute consultation where relevant medical history, lifestyle advice and body mass index are discussed.

In addition, Fiona underwent an Anti-Mullerian Hormone blood test to assess her egg supply, an antral follicle count scan to identify the number of egg-producing follicles in her ovaries and a transvaginal ultrasound scan to check for conditions like endometriosis or broids that might a ect her womb.

Isaac provided a sample of semen for analysis to assess sperm count, movement and shape.

>> “I’d never really given much thought to the quality and quantity of my sperm before,” said Isaac. “So it was really interesting to receive my results and hear what our consultant, Timothy Bracewell-Milnes, had to say about them.

“I supplied my sample at the Chelsea hospital, which was quick and e cient, although I understand soon the Canary Wharf clinic will be o ering a service for patients to produce one at home, then drop it o .

“My count came back at 17million, 2million above average, although I was slightly below average on the quality. I had no idea only about 5% of sperm are capable of fertilising an egg. Timothy suggested taking a supplement to address this and was very thorough throughout the consultation.”

>> “Attending the clinic at Canary Wharf, the tests began with a series of questions about my cycle,” said Fiona.

“I then had my vaginal ultrasound.

“Every e ort was made to make me feel comfortable and relaxed.

The radiographer kept me constantly updated with what she was seeing and the progress of the scan.

“They then took blood for the hormone test to check the number of my eggs. I found the experience to be friendly and the everybody was professional and reassuring.

“At the consultation, Timothy explained the impact that age has on fertility. He said I had an above average number of follicles in my ovaries for my age and that this was good news in terms of fertility, indicating a larger pool of remaining eggs.

“We also talked about other procedures on o er such as egg harvesting and freezing, the relative success rates and when they might be appropriate.

“Everything was handled very sensitively and it was really convenient to be able to access these facilities so close to where I work in my o ce in Canary Wharf.”

on track

by Joe Thurgood

With rail, you get a clear predictable schedule. You know exactly where your employees are and precisely when they will pull into the platform

Joe Thurgood, SWR

QI run a business and it’s important we’re able to track where our employees are going. How does SWR Business Direct help rms keep tabs on where sta are actually travelling to and from?

AThink about your business’s biggest asset for a second. Is it your team? Are they on the move? Does keeping track of them feel like a full-time job? Don’t worry. You do not need to go full bloodhound or micro-manage every single step they take to stay in the loop. Instead, just change how they get from A to B. When it comes to business travel, hitting the tracks is a total game-changer. Rail travel keeps your team productive and safe. It’s also surprisingly easy to track.

Think about the classic road trip. It is a black box of stress. You have no idea if your employee is stuck in a jam or hunting for a parking space. There are few things more annoying than staring at the back of a car when you’re trying to get somewhere and the minutes are ticking by. This is also all time you’re paying them for.

With rail, you get a clear, predictable schedule. You know exactly where they are and precisely when they will pull into the platform. Even better, your team will thank you for it. Instead of battling tra c, they can kick back in a comfortable seat, reply to emails, prep for the big meeting, or just take a power nap and recharge. Plus, trains drop your people right into the heart of a town or city.

Ready to make your corporate travel completely stress-free? Manage it all in one place with SWR Business Direct. This free-to-use platform lets you book any train across Great Britain with absolutely zero booking fees. You will automatically get the cheapest ticket options, handy expense tracking, and detailed carbon footprint reports. Switch your team to a smoother journey today. Create your free account or email the team at businessdirect@swrailway.com to streamline your corporate bookings.

Scan this code to nd out more about SWR Business Direct and the ways it makes booking train travel for sta across the UK easier

how exploring via South Western Railway frequent services can lead to unexpected discoveries and gems

by Jon Massey

Kingston’s failure to embrace the miracle of train travel in the early decades of the 19th century was ultimately Surbiton’s gain. Councillors feared (perhaps rightly) that the new technology might severely impact the local coaching trade. Their opposition meant a planned line was re-routed to the south, with Surbiton Station opened in 1838 as the curiously named Kingston-Upon-Railway. Consequently, the neighbourhood benefits today from a direct, 17-minute connection straight into London Waterloo and frequent services, while Kingston station sits on a branch line to the north.

As a result, Surbiton has become a thriving suburban neighbourhood with a bustling high street that’s managed to resist – to some extent – an over-reliance on big name brands.

A talisman for the area, perhaps, the station looms large both physically and in the imagination.

Built in the art deco style in 1937 by architect James Robb Scott, the white modernist structure is Grade II listed and has appeared as a location in both the very first TV adaptation to feature David Suchet as Agatha Christie’s Poirot in 1989 and more recently Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince in 2007.

There’s history beyond the tracks too, some of it echoing into the present. For a while, Surbiton was home to John Everett Millais and William Holman Hunt of the Pre-Raphealite Brotherhood, both taking inspiration from the Hogsmill River in nearby Six Acre Meadow.

The former used it as the basis for his painting Ophelia, which now hangs in the Tate Gallery and inspired Taylor Swift’s The Fate Of Ophelia, its accompanying music video and the cover of her blockbuster album The Life Of A Showgirl

The town is, or has been, home to a slew of famous faces including football manager Roy Hodgson, comedian Julian Clary, children’s author Enid Blyton and composer of The Wombles’ songs, Mike Batt.

Perhaps part of its appeal is that there’s a real sense that you’ll

find something of interest just a little way off the beaten path – the spirit of rebellion in suburbia once satirised in The Good Life, also set in Surbiton.

Not far from the station, for example, is The Lamb – a family run pub that traces its lineage back to a brewery that originally occupied the site on Brighton Road in 1855. Today it’s operated by Adam and Liz Lewis under the philosophy that their establishment should truly be a public house – essentially their living room open to anyone passing.

There’s a strong flavour of silliness permeating everything within. While the bar has a serious drinks offering with a focus on interesting beers, the decor embraces everything from the 1902 French sci-fi flick A Trip To The Moon, to Pan’s Labyrinth and giant hungry hippos.

There’s much live music on offer and a large garden complete with caravan, stage and a ramshackle collection of deep sofas sheltering under a series of gazebos.

Visitors can expect a carousel of foodie pop-ups from the likes of Emma’s Kitchen, Happy Hill Kitchen, Smash And Hash and Little Ginger.

There’s also a roster of musicians performing regular gigs such as singer songwriter Leonie Evans, indie band Baby Husband, pianist Joplin Parnell and jaz guitar duo Gypsy Dynamite. You can find out more about the venue, including events and party listings via its website lambsurbiton.co.uk.

key details

SWR Business Direct is free to use and allows companies to book, plan and manage business travel across the whole of Britain. There are no hidden fees or charges and no booking fees on tickets purchased via the operator’s service.

Users are also eligible for SWR Rewards, with full details available on its website. For more information go to rewards.southwesternrailway.com

Scan this code to nd out more about SWR Business Direct

>> Even further o the beaten track is this establishment. Located overlooking Thames Ditton Marina, close to the River Thames on Portsmouth Road, this corner building is every inch a classic pub.

Visitors can expect plenty of whitewash, beams, dark tiles and hanging baskets and an interior that manages to be both bright and cosy at the same time.

For those who’d rather enjoy some fresh air, there’s also a large covered terrace overlooking the boats.

The menu reads very much as expected with a burger, chilli, scampi and the inevitable sh and chips. But there are also a few less well-worn dishes including a full rack of ribs and a goats cheese pasta.

In the mood for tradition, however, we sample the Deep Fried Brie for £8.45 and the Sausage And Mash for £16.95. The cheese arrives oozing from its crispy shells atop a bed of salad leaves, while a satisfyingly decent portion of potatoes and peas follows, swimming (as they should be) in onion gravy and topped o with three slender but tasty bangers. Go to thecityarms.uk

Goals scored by England during their World Cup campaign in 2026, six from Harry Kane, six from Jude Bellingham and one from Marcus Rashford

viewpoint by Chris Ezekiel

Areserved demeanour, fair play, tolerance, overcoming adversity, sti upper lip, sarcasm, a dry self-deprecating sense of humour, always talking about the weather – it’s always either too hot or too cold – Sunday roasts, sh and ships, a cuppa with friends, queuing and, of course, drinking beer and watching football in the pub with friends are just some of the attributes that make us proud to be English.

Step into any local pub during the World Cup, and you will witness part of this country’s culture in its rawest, most chaotic form.

The air is thick with anticipation and the sticky residue of spilled lager. Total strangers, contradicting our customary English reserve, are locked in sweaty, tearful embraces while beer ies through the air. For 90 minutes, the rigid social hierarchies of modern life dissolve. Even those who wouldn’t know an o side trap from a mousetrap nd themselves hopelessly sucked into the exhilaration.

First there was the clash with Mexico at the legendary Azteca Stadium. It was a masterclass in the English experience. Native fans in Mexico spraying foam over the English team bus, the deployment of loud music outside the players’ hotel to ruin their sleep, days of discussion about the weather and altitude – it was a brilliant, agonising build-up.

Ironically, our obsession with the weather took centre stage when a threatened Mexico City thunderstorm actually materialised and pushed the match even deeper into the early hours. Yet, the nation stayed up through the dead of night, fuelled by beer, ca eine and impossible dreams. And then, the unthinkable happened. We won.

praising the

The following Monday morning brought an eerie, ghostly stillness. The roads were deserted; the streets were silent. The entire nation had collectively hit pause.

Then came Norway the following weekend, another nail-biting early hours encounter as the game went into extra time. Another incredible win to tee up a tantalising semi- nal clash with Argentina.

This year, at the time of writing, we may still lift the World Cup, or we have su ered our traditional exit via a penalty shootout that leaves us staring into the bottom of an empty pint glass. But, as my uncle once told me when I was a little boy: “You can change your job, your car, your friends, or even your partner. But you can never, ever change your football team.” The same applies to your country. In a world fractured by geopolitical instability and wars, economic uncertainty, and the relentless attening force of globalisation, we often nd ourselves asking how we keep our culture alive and what, if anything, can still bind us together?

The answer, it turns out, is 22 people chasing a ball across a patch of grass. Thank goodness for the diversion of the World Cup. We dream of football coming home again, after 60 years. Come On England!

Chris Ezekiel is founder and CEO of customer engagement solutions specialist Creative Virtual based at Canary Wharf’s Cabot Square

Scan this code for more information about Creative Virtual or follow @creativevirtual and @chrisezekiel on X

Private boats that took part in the evacuation of soldiers from the beaches and port of Dunkirk

sailing through

how Dunkirks At The Docks is set to bring a fleet of the remaining Little Ships to east London for a day in August

by Jon Massey

The waters of St Katharine Docks are set to fill with small craft that played a big role in the Second World War. On August 1, a number of vessels that participated in Operation Dynamo – the Allied effort to evacuate soldiers from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk – are set to gather in east London Around 850 private boats alongside 20 warships took part in the rescue with more than 200 lost during the evacuation. Many of the vessels made multiple trips ferrying British soldiers across the English Channel to safety between May 26 and June 4, 1940. Many of the Little Ships, as they became known, survive to this

day and visitors to St Katharine Docks will be able to both see a selection of the vessels and meet their owners to talk about their history.

Confirmed so far for Dunkirks At The Docks are Aureol, Dianthus, Endeavour, Ferry Nymph, Firefly, Gay Venture, Guide Of Dunkirk, Hilfranor, Llanthony, L’Orage, Lady Lou, Maimonde, Marsayru, Naiad Errant, New Brittanic, Nyula, Papillon, Quisisana and Riis 1.

The event forms part of the marina’s summer programme, which also includes live music on a floating pontoon – The Sessions Lounge – on August 13 and 20 from 3pm-9.30pm. Entry is free for these gigs and no booking is needed.

For those seeking to fill their diaries with dates, another

maritime spectacle is set to fill the docks on September 12 and 13, when the Classic Boat Festival sails through the locks. This is also free to look round, with visitors invited to explore from 10.30am until 5pm on both days.

key details

Dunkirks At The Docks is set to take place on August 1 between 11am and 5pm. Entry to the floating exhibition is free and there’s no need to book. Go to skdocks.co.uk for more information

Scan this code to nd out more about the event

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

FILM | Pandora’s Box (1929)

Enjoy G.W. Pabst‘s 1929 Weimar masterpiece starring Louise Brooks as a high class courtesan and dancer with destruction in her wake. Features live piano. Jul 30, 7pm, from £15, wiltons.org.uk

The Clement Attlee Limehouse

COMEDY | Live Stand-Up

Shazia Mirza and Morgan Rees present an Edinburgh Fringe warm-up double bill alongside MC Sion James. Ticket includes a drink. Aug 6, 8pm, £10, theclementattlee.co.uk

EVENT | Imagining Animals

Extraordinary creatures are set to be brought to life through puppetry, music and dance at the Tower inspired by the Royal Menagerie. Under 5s go free. Aug 19-31, 11am-4pm, £37 (adults), hrp.org.uk

You’ll need to move fast, but tickets are still available for The Glowworms at The George Tavern on July 23 at 7.30pm. Entry costs £13.34 and includes support slots from Glass Eel and Cordelia Gartside thegeorgetavern.london

Scan this code to nd out more about the gig at the storied east London venue in Whitechapel

Poplar Picnic – Festival Of Britain is free to attend and runs on August 8 from 11am to 5pm

This year’s Poplar Picnic takes its theme from the 75th anniversary of the Festival Of Britain

hosting the

Left, community canoeing on the

operates from the arts and community centre

how Poplar Picnic – Festival Of Britain is set to deliver a summer celebration looking both to the past and the future

by Jon Massey

In 1951, tens of thousands of people poured into east London to visit the Lansbury Estate. While the attractions on the South Bank and Battersea have perhaps had the most enduring impact as the government sought to generate a sense of recovery and progress in the wake of the Second World War, Poplar played a significant role as the site of the Live Architecture Exhibition

Built on a bomb-ravaged tract of land between East India Dock Road, the Limehouse Cut canal and what’s now the DLR to the east, the estate was planned around the idea that it should contain everything people living there needed.

As a result, new churches, schools, shops, a covered market, pubs, open spaces and an old people’s home all linked by footpaths to promote walking, were created.

Three quarters of a century ago, these were new ideas and people flocked to see the likes of Chrisp Street Market, St Mary And Joseph’s Catholic Church and Trinity Independent Chapel (now the Calvary Charismatic Baptist Church).

It’s the 75th anniversary of this influx that provides the theme for this year’s Poplar Picnic – Festival Of Britain, set to take place on August 8 in Bartlett Park and at Poplar Union.

The event, presented in partnership with Poplar HARCA, will be the culmination of a summer of activities at the arts and community centre, celebrating the history of the festival and its impact on the area.

“Poplar Picnic really serves as an open day for us – we want to make everything as approachable as possible and free wherever we can,” said Paolo Florentini, director of programming at Poplar Union, who has been working with the organisation for a decade.

“It’s showcasing what we do and it’s an opportunity for us to expand out of our venue onto the streets, the park and the canal.

“It’s bringing people here, making sure they know that they have access to this space and the opportunities it provides.

“Each year it’s a big deal for us –we’re a small team, but we are able to manage this because we’re really passionate about what we’re doing.”

This year’s event is set to feature street food, a craft market, children’s fairground rides, a games corner for kids, arts and crafts activities, face painting, paddleboarding, bubbles, candy floss and clowns on stilts.

Placing a flavour of 1951 at the very heart of the event, there will also be a recreation of the Rosie Lee Tea

Tent and the Lansbury Estate’s show home.

“The refreshment space will be run by a local artist, featuring tea and cakes,” said Paolo. “There will also be poets, recordings and a display of local history including stories for local groups about the Festival Of Britain.

“We’ll also have an artist who will be inviting people to get involved in making a structure based on the installations on the South Bank in the early 1950s.

“The idea is to remind people what the festival was about – creativity, rebuilding after the war and a positive attitude about the future.

“From August 8 people will also be able to visit the show home – a recreation of a 1951 living room, which will be in place at Poplar Union until late September.

“The Lansbury Estate has endured long after the festival ended – the clocktower and some of the local churches were a part of it.

“People don’t always realise they’re living in the middle of history, an exhibit that 86,000 people came to see.

“We’ll have four actors in the show home space and visitors will be able to watch them going about their lives in the living room.

“We’ve been buying lots of small things from eBay, like 50s chairs, toys, books and maga ines, textiles, just to recreate the space. It will be completely transformed with period wallpaper and flooring.

“The question for us is how you respond positively to something that’s so far in the past? For me it’s about displaying spaces and welcoming communities.

“Then we can approach the past in a way that’s playful and becomes part of the story around Poplar.

“It has a wonderful history to maintain and to share with the diverse groups that live in this area today.”

Kaltrina Pashtriku, communications and engagement manager at Poplar Union added: “This picnic brings everyone together.

“Sometimes people might not speak to their neighbours because they come from different backgrounds or feel unsafe to do so.

“But, at the picnic, everyone attending can feel free to enjoy themselves, have fun and maybe talk to somebody they don’t usually speak to.

“We are all humans, we can integrate and there is so much in Poplar that we want people to be proud of.

“With Poplar Picnic, we are celebrating the past, but also the future. I want the community to come out and really enjoy this area.”

This picnic brings everyone together. Everyone attending can feel free to enjoy themselves, have fun and maybe talk to somebody they don’t usually speak to

Another facet to the picnic will be a space organised and curated by a group of young producers, engaged to help shape the festival and the events leading up to it.

“Inside we will be hosting an event involving 10 young adults who will run a series of different activities around the space,” said Paolo. “They’re aged between 15 and 17 and the idea of the project is to give them an understanding of the complexity of delivering an event.

“They’re learning about things like working with artists, finances and health and safety assessments. It’s a complex pro ect, because we generally don’t work with teenagers, but it is important for them to be involved in such an environment.

“Our hope is that we can collaborate with them again in the future. As part of this, they’re being mentored by singer songwriter Greentea Peng who has been working with Poplar Union for some time now.

“Her contribution is mostly around teaching them to create a space and what’s involved with that.

“She’s been very supportive in making sure that they understand timing, ensuring the stage is full and the need to plan for what happens if an artist doesn’t turn up or something else unexpected happens – all the minor details you need to consider to make an event successful.”

key details

Poplar Picnic – Festival Of Britain is set to take place on August 8 at Poplar Union and in Bartlett Park from 11am-5pm. The event is free to visit and suitable for the whole family. There’s no need to book ou can find full details of the event and other happenings at Poplar Union online.

Go to poplarunion.com for more information

Isle Of Dogs - Poplar - Blackwall -

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

TRY | Tech Academy

Open to over-18s, resident in Tower Hamlets, not in education, employment or training, The Space is running a series of two-day fringe theatre tech courses. Various dates, 10am-6pm, free, space.org.uk

Where? The Space Isle Of Dogs Where? The Space Isle Of Dogs

STAGE | White Nights

This staged adaptation of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novella deals with themes of love, loneliness, hope and human connection to life. Aug 13-16, 7pm, £15, space.org.uk

Isle Of Dogs-based Parkview Outdoor Play is launching a pick-up and drop-o service for parents in Canary Wharf, o ering childcare over the summer holidays with a focus on adventure and fun docklandsettlements.org.uk Scan this code to read our

PAPER LOVES TREES

European forests, which provide wood for making paper, paper packaging and many other products, have been growing by 1,500 football pitches every day!

Cost of a ticket to see Mouthful at The Pen Theatre on July 31 £11.55

Too few pickles in your life? Head to The Pen Theatre

hosting a comedy

how Pickle Jar Theatre’s Mouthful promises participation, showing o and the possibility of karaoke at The Pen

by Jon Massey

Exactly what is coming to The Pen Theatre in South Bermondsey on July 31 is hard to tell. What we can tell you is that Pickle Jar Theatre is taking over the venue for the first in a new series of comedy nights. This is to be called Mouthful and promises to bring together Shakespeare, clowning, drag, music and new writing.

Performances will be five minutes long, which by our calculations means there could be a maximum of 30 performers (although probably closer to 20

given breaks and time for the MC to get their own material out.

For its part, Pickle Jar says: “This isn’t a polished showcase. It’s a playground. A place where performers show off their strangest party trick and invite audiences into a world where anything can happen.

“Karaoke may break out. Characters may unravel. Someone might overshare. Someone else might start a revolution.”

The company says it specifically welcomes those who’ve ever thought that there should be more pickles at a party and who are prepared to “get weird, get involved and get pickled”.

Half of all profits made on

Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

GIG | Live Music Thursdays

Where? Little Yak Deptford

Sink your ears into these regular gigs at the Creekside venue with a set of “anything goes” on the rst date and some smooth jazz on the second. Jul 30, Aug 6, 7.30pm, free, thelittleyak.com

the night will be donated to Medical Aid For Palestinians with the remainder going towards supporting the company’s future works.

key details

Mouthful is set to take place at The Pen Theatre on July 31 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £11.55, with the show expected to finish around 10pm. Go to thepentheatre.com for more information

Scan this code to nd out more about the show

STAGE | Deptford Scratch: A Seat At The Table

The Albany is inviting creatives to apply to participate in selecting works to be showcased and for actors to help bring scripts to life at the table. Details online. Aug 4, 6pm-9pm, free, thealbany.org.uk

Where? Corner Corner Canada Water Where? Deptford Lounge Deptford

| Cristina

The local indie singer songwriter is billed as “one to watch in 2026” . This gig feels like exactly the right place to do that. Expect pop, rock and air. Jul 31, 6pm-9pm, free, cornercorner.com

still time

If you’re still looking for activities for the kids, consider Montage Theatre Arts’ Summer Holiday Workshops at The Albany in Deptford. Suitable for youngsters aged 5-12, these run from July 20 to August 28 montagetheatre.com

Scan this code to nd out more about the workshops at the Deptford venue

Performances and workshops to take part in as Circus Works takes over

Circus Works features opportunities for adults and kids to experience a wide range of skills

how Circus Works offers audiences and aspiring performers a chance to try skills and see quality artists

by Jon Massey

Woolwich Works is getting ready for a week-long celebration of circus arts next month.

The south-east London venue is set to host a series of six workshops and performances between August 10 and 16 for fans and aspiring performers of all ages.

Circus Works kicks o with Circus Workshops For Kids on August 10 and 11. These sessions o er youngsters attending the chance to try many di erent skills, make friends and have some fun.

Sessions for ages 4-7 run on both days from 10am-noon and for ages 8-12 from 1pm-3pm. Places cost £22.

Audiences are invited to experience One Man, One Bag, an absurd, exhausting performance from international artist Adam Havsky running from 1.30pm on August 13. Tickets cost £17.

Then, on August 14, the venue is set to host a workshop

(10am) and performance (1.30pm) from Tony And Ray entitled Find Your Feet with plenty of dancing, movement and joy. Tickets for both start at £17.

Circus Cabaret Show For Kids will then take place on August 15 and 16 at 2pm, promising spectacle, whimsy and fun with tickets from £20.

Finally, Woolwich Works will run an Adult Circus Workshop on August 16 at 10am. Costing £25, the session includes the chance to have a go at juggling, aerial loop, acrobatics, headstands and hula hooping.

key details

Circus Works is set to take place at Woolwich Works from August 10 to 16. Times and prices vary. Check online for full listings and booking details. For more information go to woolwich.works

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

The singer and producer brings his Solaris Tour to south-east London with a set sure to feature Glimpse Of Us and Slow Dancing In The Dark Aug 13, 6.30pm, from £49, theo2.co.uk STAGE | Ghosts

A former reality TV star lives alone in self-imposed exile but is forced to rethink their understanding of fame, success and freedom when an uninvited guest arrives. Aug 19-20, 7.30pm, £19.50, greenwichtheatre.org.uk

From rocking across the pond to Greenwich Market, we catch up with Tom Smith of Tom’s Guitar Shop, which is gearing up to celebrate its second year in business, selling everything from starter instruments to vintage rarities tomsguitarshop.com Scan this code to read our interview with Tom about his journey in music online at wharf-life.com EVENT | Silent Disco For Adults Slip on a pair of wireless LED headphones and choose your groove from one of three live DJs. Expect an electric atmosphere and some singing. Aug 1, 6.45pm,from £23.50, woolwich.works

how the nal London E-Prix at Excel is set to be a celebration of all-electric racing before a move to Brands Hatch

by Jon Massey

History has been made during Formula E’s time at Excel London.

The indoor-outdoor circuit at the venue was first created in 2021 when the London E-Prix transferred to Royal Docks following two years in Battersea Park.

Amongst the frantic driving, the cheers of the crowds and the breaking of an indoor land speed record, the event has brought colour and some truly breathtaking driving over the years to a building more usually associated with trade shows, exhibitions and conferences.

Run as a double-header, drivers compete in two races over a weekend with New Zealander Nick Cassidy winning both contests in 2025 for Jaguar TCS Racing, bringing his total number of victories at the venue to three.

With the popularity of the sport rising, the Royal Docks fixture has become a big draw for Excel, however, this will be the last year the event is held at the conference and exhibition centre.

The development of new cars for the 2026-2 season demands a wider track due to increased speed and the London E-Prix will move to Brands Hatch next year.

But before that happens, there’s one more chance to see the event actually take place in the capital.

Coming after the Tokyo E-Prix on July 25 and 26, those attending can expect to see the likes of championship top three Lucas Di Grassi of Bra il, Jean Eric Vergne of France and Joel Eriksson of Sweden do battle on the track.

British fans can root for Oliver Rowland, Taylor Barnard and Dan Ticktum, who were lying eighth, ninth and 11th in the standings at the time of writing.

Also appearing will be Brit Jake Dennis who is in 13th position, but

won two London E-Prix races at Excel in 2021 and 2022.

As for Cassidy, his season for Citroen has gone a little awry this time around as he currently sits in 15th place out of the 20 drivers participating.

The drivers race third generation vehicles, which included several innovations in design such as the ability to rapidly charge the batteries during a pit stop and the decision to remove the rear brakes to rely on recovering energy from the wheels to slow the car. The new cars that will be raced next season at Brands Hatch have seen the electric motor power increased from 350kw to 600kw with the potential to be one of the fastest racing cars on the planet.

The final London E-Prix at Excel offers grandstand seating to watch the races trackside, as well as a fan village complete with street food, bars, live music and immersive gaming. It is possible to access this area at a reduced cost without paying to watch the race live.

The Hankook London E-Prix is also the season finale for the Formula E World Championship. Doubtless there will be an extra level of pomp and circumstance as the event brings down the curtain after 12 races at Excel.

key details

The 2026 Hankook London E-Prix is set to take place at Excel London on August 15 and 16, open from 9am-6pm and 10am-6pm respectively.

Ticket prices start at 20 for access to the fan village. Tickets to watch the race live from the grandstands start at 65.

Go to fiaformulae.com for more information

Scan this code to nd out more about Formula E

the nal

350kw

The power in the motors of the Formula E third generation cars used in the latest season

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

CLUB | Sounds Crazy Collective

Promising to bring its “full bass-heavy soundsystem” this is one of two drum’n’bass focussed events taking place at the east London venue. Aug 7, 10pm-6am, from £5, supportthecause.co.uk

Where?

Cody Dock Canning Town

EVENT | Beer And Bats Drink beer, eat food and learn all about these winged mammals and how to detect them. Then head out along the Lea to spot and listen for them. Aug 7, 7pm, £7.21, codydock.org.uk

CLUB | Signal Festival 2026

This rich celebration of drum’n’bass runs for 17 hours at The Silver Building venue that’s been “getting away with it since 2018”. Aug 22, noon-5am, from £35, supportthecause.co.uk

be quick

Ensemble Festival is returning to Royal Victoria Dock with a packed, free programme of circus, theatre and spectacle. Audiences are invited to come along from noon-8pm on both July 25 and 26 certainblacks.com

Scan this code to read Wharf Life’s full preview and to get full listings for the two-day event this month

how Discover Children’s Story Centre has reopened following an extensive £3million refit and upgrade

by Jon Massey

Even from the outside, it’s clear Discover Children’s Story Centre is full to bursting with adventure and inspiration. There’s a colourful three-eyed monster popping out of its roof.

Located in Stratford High Street a few minutes’ walk from the station, the building recently reopened to the public following a £3million renovation featuring myriad new attractions for kids aged 0-11 and their adults.

“Discover is a hands-on centre for creative story sharing,” said Rebekah Polding, the charity’s CEO. “When you come here, there’s nothing children can’t touch – they are completely free when they come through our doors to enjoy play, making stories, reading books and taking part in storytelling sessions in whatever way works for them.

“Children learn through play, they learn to love stories, to love reading and, as we know, loving books is the single greatest skill that any child can develop to lead a long, happy and successful life.

“It is the magic bullet, it is transformative. Books can help us overcome anything this world throws at us. I’m so proud that Discover delivers that for the people who come here.”

Following the upgrade, the centre has been brightly decorated outside by artist Hanna Benihoud, whose colours frame large windows onto its new cafe and bookshop space.

Part haven for refreshments, part playground, this features a reception desk complete with purple fur, plenty of plywood construction to create nooks to explore and relax in as well as a horde of books dotted around that are free to read with kids.

This is an attraction in its own right, but pay for entry, venture into the centre and there’s so much more to discover. Author and illustrator Rob Biddulph has been enlisted to create a graphic retelling of Discover’s origin story – billed as “totally real and intergalactic”.

Alien visitor Hootah, following the disappearance of stories on their own planet, Squiggly Diggly, has journeyed across space to Earth in search of tales to beam back across space and help restore their homeworld.

Consequently all visitors to

Discover are not only enriching their own lives, they’re helping save another planet by creating and participating in storytelling.

Everywhere there are little and large Hootahs to spot, not to mention a space ship and plenty more steampunky installations to discover.

“We have a fairytale forest with a trip-trap bridge and plenty of areas for children to explore,” said Rebekah. “Then on the upper floor there’s a spaceship theme that skews to slightly older kids.

“Outside, we have our beautiful story garden where we’ve increased the diversity of planting for sensory exploration and also have incredible structures to climb on. Everything has been designed with the help of children, taking inspiration from their imaginations.

“Following the renovation we now also have a dedicated multi-sensory space for our smallest visitors aged 0-2, filled with interactive toys.

“Books are a great bond between carers and little ones. You don’t need to be a scientist to see that babies tune into the person reading to them and they understand a little bit more about focus and concentration each time it happens. It’s like a really wonderful hug.”

Also new is a quiet space that can be used for prayer, feeding or simply taking a little time out. The centre also features a new heating and cooling system, to better cope with the extremes of weather the UK is now beset with, as well as refurbished toilet facilities that are fit for purpose.

“It feels amazing now we’re back in our space after a meanwhile pop-up in the Stratford Centre while the work was being done,” said Rebekah.

“Now we have a place where people can mingle that’s safe, a place where they can connect both for the people of Newham and London beyond.

“That’s part of the magic –interacting away from screens. We enable really supportive behaviours.

“There isn’t really a typical amount of time that people spend here. It depends a lot on the attention spans and energies of the individuals involved.

“But we’re designed as an enriching experience – there are

Per person cost of an annual pass to Discover Children’s Story Centre in Stratford

lots of quiet nooks and corners where those who are here can rest and refresh themselves.

“A visit might involve free play, time in the gardens and then listening to one of our story builders’ interactive performances, which are included with entry. That might involve reading, creating, singing or dancing.

“We also have our early years shows which feature lots of props and action in an intimate setting.”

Rebekah herself is just the right mixture of silliness and passion. She’s clearly delighted to be running an institution that carries a crucial message – the importance of reading for both personal education and enjoyment – but carries it with lightness and fun. We spend some time during our interview, for example, seriously discussing the merits of various jacket potato toppings in the cafe (she is, naturally, right to champion beans and then cheese).

Having worked in the cultural sector her entire career, she became CEO of Discover via a route that included Picturehouse cinemas, Film London, BAFTA and Enfield Council.

She said: “I joined in April 2023 and am extremely grateful to my predecessor Karla Barcacle-Best who saw Discover through Covid.

The first thing we did was to sit down with kids, local families, community groups and others and that’s enabled us to build our Stories For All strategic framework.

“One of the planks of that has been the capital renovation of the building called ‘up and out’ – words from Willy Wonka who also accepted no limits to what he could achieve.

“That’s the work that we’re nearly at the end of now, turning this former hotel from the 1870s into a place that families will really enjoy visiting in the 21st century.”

The next milestone in the project will be the opening of new immersive exhibition Luna Loves London on July 25 in the building’s basement, created with former children’s laureate Joseph Coelho and illustrator Fiona Lumbers.

Rebekah said: “These installations are unique to Discover and we have a history of celebrating some of the best writers in children’s literature – Judith Kerr, Michael Rosen and Julia Donaldson.

“The exhibition opens towards the end of the month and it’s a way for children to step in to the kinds of environments they’d find in the Luna Loves series.”

Visitors will encounter a bus, a library, a street for playing sports, an art gallery, a community garden, a dance studio and a

This is what reading is. It’s about shared experience, empathy and connections between people. That’s why we built Discover Rebekah Polding, Discover

carnival with a strong emphasis on the kind of down-to-earth settings of the real city rather than a collection of landmarks. Tickets for the experience cost £5.50.

One further, major, change is also in the pipeline at the centre. Discover is set to drop an enormous oak tree into the building that will sit proudly in a disused atrium under a glass roof.

“This is going to be so exciting,” said Rebekah. “With the help of Adventure Playground Engineers, based in Canning Town, we’re going to build a three-storey vertical playground in its branches with wheelchair accessible treehouses guided by children’s designs.

“The idea is that stories grow like trees and there will be a whole series of adventures for kids to discover and explore.

“Stories are important. One of my favourite books is called My Cat Likes To Hide In Boxes. It’s a building story and includes the line: ‘The cat from Norway got stuck in the doorway’, which has always made me laugh.

“So, in our family, whenever anybody gets stuck, we all shout: ‘The cat from Norway’. This is what reading is. It’s about shared experience, empathy and connections between people. Telling each other how we experience the world and seeing it through new lenses. We built Discover so children can learn there’s no right way to tell a story – that’s why the monster on our roof has no name. You have to give them one.”

key details

Discover Children’s Story Centre is located at 383-387 Stratford High Street and is open from 10am to 5pm every day. Entry costs £11 for adults and children aged one and over. Babies aged 0-1 are free. Discounts are available for Newham residents.

The best value option, however is £19 per person which grants a full year of unlimited access. Go to discover.org.uk

Scan this code to nd out more about Discover

Stratford - Mile End - Bow - Hackney Wick what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Joined by Devils

and

in support, the full-throttle out t play a warm-up gig ahead of their appearance at Bloodstock. Aug 5, 7pm,from £10, cartandhorses.london

EVENT | Black Eats Fest

The celebration of food and culture returns with family friendly and adult sessions on each day. Expect plenty of traders, bars, stalls and entertainments. Aug 7-9, times vary, £15, blackeatsfest.com

EVENT | Black Unity Bike Ride

Starting and nishing in the park, is a two-wheeled celebration of black culture, community and cycling with thousands expected to take part. Aug 1, 9am-5.30pm, £20, blackunitybikeride.com

be quick

Catch the London College Of Fashion’s Undergraduate Exhibition and catwalk shows as students show o their creations until July 17 (so you’ll need to move fast). Get full details online for what’s on at its East Bank campus arts.ac.uk

Scan this code to nd out more about the exhibition and the shows at the London College Of Fashion

Sudoku

Take a break from that phone

How to play

To complete Sudoku, ll the board by entering numbers one to nine such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

More to play

You can nd more Sudoku puzzles and a wide selection of other brainteasers available to download for free at puzzles.ca

Notes

crossword

Cryptic

Across 7. Indication of angry utterance – this is it! (9,4)

8. Wigan or Oldham but not Bolton (8)

9. There’s always one and it’s nearby (4) 10. 19th century PM goes back to slumber (6) 12. There’s room for an east London river (6) 14. Book some rest here for her (6)

16. Voices or cash, we hear (6)

18. Sheds but not always shut (4)

20. A vice on the side? No wavering! (8)

22. Cash and food? They want it all (13)

Down

1. Support exams? Yet there are objections! (8)

2. Tristan’s girlfriend admits to dealing (6)

3. Pairs confused when studying (4)

4. Couple allowed to form band (8)

5. A rough misadventure? (6)

6. Dance dress makes four, sort of (4)

11. Military high-flyer is a model around gardening (8)

13. Ant hunter sounds like tough labour (8)

15. Takes many inns to make one of these (6)

17. Say Ben was confused about this battle (6)

19. f you know your stuff, you’ll be above everything (4)

21. Join it and then whack someone with it! (4)

beating the whether you’re cryptic sleuth or synonym solver in it for quick wins, this should satisfy

Quick

Not working (13)

Came into view (8)

Criminal group (4)

Show a movie (6)

Pullman’s heroine (4)

Workspaces (8)

Tyrannical (13)

Fellow-feeling (8)

Something unique (4)

Sports arenas (8)

Kipling’s hero (6)

Mountain lake (4)

Ethical rule (8)

Model (8)

____ Christie, crime writer (6)

Stop working (6)

Possessed by you (4)

Location