Photo:Tobyotter

An unusual tribute marked Mother’s Day in New Addington, on Sunday. Angelia Jordan, a funeral arranger, gave over the window of her shop to photographs of mothers past and present

Angelia Jordan, who works at Rowland Brothers in Central Parade, New Addington, asked people to lend her pictures of their mums so she could display them in the shop window.

Jordan, who lost her mother, June Tarry, two and half years ago, said: “I want as many people as possible to have their mums’ faces up in the display because they are very important people. (more…)

Photo:Hanna Woodside

Tucked away down Deptford High Street you might be surprised to find a brightly painted train carriage, home to the Deptford Project Café.

The café is the first stage in a plan to regenerate the area and sits by the Deptford Project market, which hosts contemporary art installations, live music, and arts and crafts stalls.

Step into the converted South East Trains carriage and you find a bright and airy space with some cool design touches, like a patchwork settee. Everything from the lamps to the chairs have been made by local artists and designers. The food – bruschetta, jerked chicken, home-baked cakes  – is all made with locally sourced ingredients and served on pretty, retro crockery. (more…)

Lama's Pjyamas Buddhist Charity Shop

A new charity shop has opened in Bethnal Green, designed to raise money for the local Buddhist centre.

From jewellery boxes to shoes, and books to jackets, Lama’s Pyjamas relies on the donations of local people to fill its shelves, with profits going to the London Buddhist Centre, just a hundred yards away along Roman Road.

Co-founder Claudine Edwards said: “Most of the stuff comes from local people but we also get a lot through the  Centre. People have been great so far.”

“We’re very linked to the Buddhist Centre. For many people this is their first contact with Buddhism, and we love to see them moving on and having a look at the Centre as well,” she said.

Even though the shop itself has been running for six weeks, the official opening was only last Saturday. Ms Edwards said: “It was really good fun. The local community really seems enthusiastic about our shop.”

Artist Holly Berry designed a window display for the event. “We like to think of it as a sort of opportunity for the local people – we have some artists working with us already and we are very keen to see initiative from people outside of the shop,” she explained.

The London Buddhist Centre organises many different events, classes, courses and retreats.

Lama’s Pyjamas is open throughout the week from 12noon to 6pm.

For further information, visit www.lamaspyjamas.com or call 020 898 018 43

Kids Love Ink in Deptford

The last thing you would expect to see sandwiched between the job centre and a greengrocers in Deptford High Street is a hip tattoo parlour called “Kids Love Ink”, but in south-east London, you come to expect the unexpected.

In an area where hip hop leads the way, the tattoo parlour, which opened its doors in September 2006, provides a place for the rock and roll kids to express themselves.

Alec Snelling, co-founder of the shop, said the main reason he chose this specific location was the happening music and art scene but also “the community feel of the area.”

He also stressed the merits of Goldsmiths College being nearby, though not all his clients come from there.  Mr Snelling said the parlour has a lot of existing customers who travel to Deptford from across the country, especially to get their tattoo done there.

Another artist in the shop, Marcus “The Muckster” Broome, said: “People generally get what celebrities have. A lot of people ask for the one that Cheryl Cole has on her hand and stars like Rihanna has are also popular.” “Tattoos do correspond with fashions,” he said, adding: “But they also vary in age group. Lots of older people stick with traditional things like family names, and young people get things like anchors, birds and flowers.”

The question of if there was such a thing as too many tattoos was met by a chuckle from “The Muckster” “I have so many I have lost count. So no, never.”

The tattoos at Kids Love Ink start at £30 for a simple design such as a single star, and go up to hundreds of pounds for intricate art such as a whole “sleeve”.

To book a tattoo, or for information call 020 8691 1124 or visit the store at 142 Deptford High Street, London, SE8 3PQ

Photo: Katie Dolphin

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Kyra Pitter at The Fitting Studio

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Owner Lynne chats with some of her dedicated customers. Photo: Adriane Scott-Kemp

You Don’t Bring Me Flowers‘ in Hither Green is not just a florist, its not just a cafe – it’s an experience.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door reveals a magical space: flowers spill across the room, homemade baked delights adorn the counter, boutique cards and gifts nestle in pockets of shop while vintage furniture and antique china fill any remaining space.

(more…)