SoWN News 15 September 2025
- csaunders935
- 16 hours ago
- 9 min read
Welcome to your South Bank and Waterloo Neighbours newsletter.
Discover what’s unfolding in the community including inspiring local projects, joyful events and opportunities to get involved.
This newsletter contains:
Wonderful Waterloo and South Bank Fun Day, Sunday 21 September
SoWN Forum, Thursday 9 October 6pm
Reimagining Emma Cons Gardens update
Space for Storytelling Free Workshops at St John Waterloo - Wednesday 17 September
Waterloo Community Counselling Marks 30 Years with 'Garden of the Gods' Gala - Wednesday 5 November
Congratulations to two local stars
Special residents prices for orchestral concerts by ERSO at St John’s Waterloo - Sunday 19 October
Local events
Cuppa and a chat at Coin Street, Tuesday 16 September
Reimagining Emma Cons Gardens, Thursday18 September
Gabriel's Wharf Arts Festival, Saturday 20 September
Waterloo Community Counselling - final summer walk for displaced peoples - Tuesday 23 September
Lambeth Fringe Festival, 25 September to 25 October
Volunteering drop-in event, Wednesday 1 October
Myatt's Field Park events - various dates
Spotlight on... Jenny Stiles of the Waterloo Action Centre
Wonderful Waterloo and South Bank Fun Day - this Sunday!
The Wonderful Waterloo and South Bank Fun Day is coming up on Sunday 21 September, 2–5pm at St John’s Church, Waterloo. This free community celebration will bring neighbours, local groups, and organisations together for an afternoon of creativity, sustainability and fun.
Come prepared with a few things so you can make the most of the day: bring your bike for a free check-up from Dr. Bike, clothes you’d like mended or altered by Kundakala, and good-quality clothes to take part in the St John’s clothing swap.
Please also consider bringing donations for the Chandler Hall food bank, with essentials such as tins, dry goods and sanitary products. And don’t forget a reusable water bottle, which you can refill on site.
There will also be workshops and performances, with highlights such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Harmony in Nature sessions and a series of creative workshops from Morley College, including kitchen lithography, monoprinting, and sustainable weaving. Plus, you’ll be able to meet a wide range of local partners from cycling and air quality groups to community gardens and universities:
Learn practical repair skills with Kundakala – join short tutorials on how
to fix a hole in your jumper and how to hand hem a garment.
Try out an e-cargo bike with OurBike – free test rides available alongside
Dr. Bike checks.
Get personalised energy-saving advice – student energy advisors from
London South Bank University’s Energy Advice Centre will be on hand to
give guidance on reducing energy use and lowering bills.
Take part in climate and biodiversity games – interactive activities include
Climate Fresk and Biodiversity Collage.
Have a go at doorstep and windowsill gardening – with Bankside Open
Spaces Trust, including seed and bulb giveaways.
Explore the Octopus Garden Trail – a children’s art trail in the St John’s
wildflower garden.
Face painting and family activities – run by Coin Street.
Community jazz class and live performance
Find the full programme and all the details on the event page – and spread the word with your friends, family, and neighbours. Everyone is welcome!
Date: Sunday 21 September
Time: 2–5pm
Location: St John’s Church, Waterloo
FLORENCE ESHALOMI MP and your LOCAL COUNCILLORS invite YOU to the SOUTH BANK AND WATERLOO FORUM
Date: Thursday 9 October 2025
Time: 6 - 7.30pm
Location: Lambeth Walk Methodist Church on the corner of 3 -5 Lambeth Road/Walk, SE1 7DQ
FROM 5.30 there will a tour the new Church and facilities built in association with the adjoining Premier Inn Hotel, hear about its work with a tea or coffee
AFTER there with be meeting a drinks reception with your neighbours
As well as updates from our local representatives, this meeting will have an arts theme with presentations from local artists and art projects. If there is anything you would like to see on the Forum agenda, please let us know.
The final Forum of the year will be held on Thursday 11 December.
Reimagining Emma Cons Gardens
It's been a great season with very successful events including a wonderful dog show, jazz and ballet in the gardens, a beautiful Mexican Craft Market and Mexican wrestlers!
This Thursday 19th September (midday - 8pm) sees the final offering focusing on wellbeing. There will be community gardening from 1pm -2pm and a wool and knitting workshop with Craft Forward from 6 to 8pm. You can still book a Free Massage here. or a Free Pilates session here.
Space for Storytelling Free Workshop at St John Waterloo
Join the free monthly workshop for storytellers, writers, creatives and curious beginners – enjoy stories, discussion, networking and community over this series run by Connection with Wonder. This club is part of Room for You, St John's flagship community and creative programme.
17 September – Audience interaction. (Why use interaction? What different types of interaction are there? What might go wrong and what can go right!)
15 October – Fear (how do we make stories chilling, ethics around scary storytelling)
If you want to tell a story or extract… great! Time limit is 7 minutes. Please email vanessa@connectionwithwonder.com in advance. Topics and ticket here
Waterloo Community Counselling Marks 30 Years with 'Garden of the Gods' Gala
Waterloo Community Counselling (WCC) is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a spectacular evening of celebration and fundraising. The “Garden of the Gods” Gala will take place on Wednesday 5 November from 5pm at the iconic Circe’s Rooftop, and promises an unforgettable experience inspired by Greek mythology.
For 30 years, WCC has provided vital mental health support to Londoners, with a particular focus on accessibility and inclusion.
As one of the only counselling services in the city offering therapy in over 23 languages, WCC plays a crucial role in supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and marginalised communities. Its commitment to low- and no-cost services ensures that people from all financial backgrounds can access the help they need.
The gala will feature:
A welcome glass of bubbly and food & drink voucher
Live music and DJs
Immersive entertainment
Tarot readings and goddess-style caricatures
A themed photobooth
A hosted charity auction with standout prizes, including fine dining, exclusive events, and unforgettable experiences
Every ticket is a full donation, with 100% of proceeds going directly to support WCC’s counselling services.
WCC invites supporters, community members, and local organisations to attend, celebrate, and help raise funds for its essential work. Attendees are encouraged to bring friends, family, and colleagues to share in the festivities and support a cause that has touched thousands of lives across London.
Congratulations to two local stars
Congratulations to two Waterloo Action Centre patrons Joe and Asher. Joe, who participates in Tuesday Sewing Group, won the All Star Comedian Award at the Edinburgh Festival and Asher, as part of the Drum Healing Group at WAC (Sundays at 1pm), won second place in their class at the recent Notting Hill Carnival.
Fantastic successes!
Special residents prices for orchestral concerts by ERSO at St John’s Waterloo
The Ernest Read Symphony Orchestra (ERSO) is one of London's leading and longest established amateur orchestras, founded in 1931 by Ernest Read, a pioneer in the development of music education and youth orchestras.
We are proud to combine high quality performances with an approachable style of presentation, and in each concert our Principal Conductor Christopher Stark offers illuminating insights into the main piece through commentary and excerpts.
For some years we have been performing three concerts each year at St. John’s on Sunday evenings. We would like to build links with the local community and have a special ticket price of £5 (reduced from the usual £12) to local residents who might enjoy an early evening concert of wonderful music.
All you need to do is ask for a local resident’s ticket at the door on the concert day.
Find or contact us at: https://erso.london/; @ERSOLondon on Facebook; ersoinfo@gmail.com
Sunday 19 October 2025 at 6.30pm
Kaprálová Suita Rustica
Korngold Violin Concerto (soloist Basil Alter (joint winner of 2025 ERSO Soloist of the Year)
Dvorak Symphony no. 6
Sunday15 March 2026 at 6.30pm
Prokofiev Lieutenant Kije
Copland Billy the kid
Errollyn Wallen Mighty River
Sunday 21 June at 6.30pm
Alex Papp Frieden
Hummel Bassoon Concerto (soloist Emily Ambrose (joint winner of 2025 ERSO Soloist of the Year)
Shostakovich Symphony no. 1
Local events
Cuppa and a chat at Coin Street
Head to the Coin Street neighbourhood centre for a cuppa and chat with local people and the Coin Street team.
Date: Tuesday 16 September
Time: 11am to midday
Location: Coin Street neighbourhood centre
Free. Everyone welcome.
Reimagining Emma Cons Gardens
Join this local, community-led event designed to reclaim and reimagine this cherished green space ahead of its long-term transformation.
Date: Thursday 18 September 2025
Time: 12pm, 2pm, 6pm
Location: Emma Cons Gardens
Free. More information here
Gabriel's Wharf Arts Festival
You're invited to fun-filled day of music, spoken word, circus, comedy, art & craft craft activities, food and shopping.
Date: Saturday 20 September 2025
Time: 12 - 6pm
Location: Gabriel's Wharf,
Free, all ages are welcome.
More information here
Lambeth Fringe Festival 2025
The Lambeth Fringe Festival 2025 have announced their very exciting programme of over 200 shows across Lambeth from September 25 to October 25, 2025!
Check out their full programme of theatre, comedy, cabaret, music and family events.
Volunteering drop-in event
Come along to a friendly drop-in event this October and discover how you can make a meaningful difference in our community.
Whether you’re looking to share your skills, meet new people, or explore new opportunities, there’s something for everyone.
Date: Wednesday 1 October
Time: 4 to 7pm
Contact: Sarah, volunteering@coinstreet.org
Myatt's Fields Park
Myatt's Fields Park Project would be delighted to welcome you to one of their events this year.
Visit the website for more information.
Social groups & activities for displaced peoples
Final free community walks this summer, for refugees and asylum-seekers who want to learn more about the local area,
🌿Guided Walk: Just A Stone's Throw Away
📅 Tuesday 23 September
🕙 Meet at 10:30am
📍 WCC Office: Waterloo Community Counselling, Greet House, Frazier Street, SE1 7BD
Lunch and travel expenses are covered.
If you would like any further information please get in touch. Referrals into the group can be made via the online form, or by contact Lucian.
Spotlight on... Jenny Stiles
What’s your role in South Bank and Waterloo?
In 1971 I became the first paid community worker in Waterloo. Lambeth Council had decided to create Neighbourhood Councils across the borough, except in Waterloo where they judged that there was not enough community activity to make one possible.
Blackfriars Settlement obtained a grant to employ a worker in Waterloo to develop activity. I was appointed. Soon after that the Council liked what was stirring here so much that they invited the community to take over the derelict former library
at 14 Baylis Rd from which they in 1966 moved the library to the safety of porta cabins in Lower Marsh. In community care was named Waterloo Action Centre.
Waterloo Legal Advice Service moved in as soon as a room became safe. My flatmate Helena Kennedy, then a pupil barrister, and I had started this in Blackfriars Settlement property. Much else followed as community effort restored the building and its historic front and added another floor. It took a long while. In 2000 there is a note that it rained hard but rain did not come in any where! WAC is a member of
SOWN, as are several local organisations which developed from WAC eg Waterloo Community Counselling, Coin St Community Builders, the other housing co-ops.
Waterloo has the highest density of Co-ops in the UK. In 1976 the umbrella organisation for London’s voluntary sector asked me to work for them to promote similar developments across London. Since then I have worked in related fields managing and developing community projects. However I retained an interest in Waterloo, and have lived here 1980.From1986-1990 I was the Ward Councillor and
for a year was Chair of Lambeth Planning Committee. Since retiring from a national charity I spent a lot of time on WAC – I intended it to be short term but unfortunately the increasing problems faced by many disadvantaged members of the community have kept here tackling the uphill struggles.
What’s your best childhood memory?
I had a lovely childhood, great family. One happy memory is of my mother often collecting us from junior school and taking us over the road to swim in the Adriatic. We lived in Trieste, Italy, for 3 years.
Describe your perfect day.
When the volunteers/ mutual support people at WAC (numerous) and staff (scarce) solve more problems than come in. Increasingly difficult to do as people's problems grow and sources of help shrink. This is
partly due to family care being less available as few people who grew up locally can afford to live here as adults. Public services also decreasing creating more challenges
Who would you choose if you could be friends with a fictional character?
I am happiest with the marvellous real people we have around who excel in helping one another. This includes older people. Who contrary to ageist belief do not lose their abilities when they retire. Just some where to go, to keep meeting new people, to learn new skills etc. If this could be recognised across the country many of the problems of older age would be dealt with but systems often are instinctively paternalistic. This is not a new discovery for me. While still employed at WAC I was asked to write the preface for a book "Beyond Bingo, Tea and Condescension" and some of the first organisations asking me to provide consultancy help were Age Concerns. Ageism remains stubborn, despite major improvement in some other areas of discrimination. When WAC opened we had to manage without a letter box for some years as the local National Front did not approve of our being multi-racial and tried to set fire to the building via the letter box.
Who do you nominate for a SoWN spotlight?
George Thomas. He came to WAC as part of the Sword Fencing group and has for years provided volunteer caretaking for Waterloo Legal Advice Service and is one of the many locals who help hold WAC together.