SoWN News May 2026
- May 19
- 6 min read
Congratulations to Councillors Ibrahim Dogus, David Watson and Victor Chamberlain for returning to their seats for our local wards in Lambeth and Southwark and welcome to Councillors Doug Buist and Hellen Benavides who successfully won seats. We say a heartfelt thanks to outgoing councillors Sarian Da Silva and Irina Von Wiese for their contribution to the South Bank and Waterloo while they were in office and we wish them well for the future.
Inside this issue:
Local events:
Reimagining the River, Thursday 21 May at St John's
Age Well Here Directory launch, Wednesday 27 May at Coin Street
Lower Marsh Lates 2026: Your Ultimate 90s Cinema Experience
Lambeth Local History Forum walks
Have your say on improving BFI IMAX tunnels
Waterloo Sports and Football Club new website
Update from South Bank and Waterloo Sustains Us
Backstage Cafe & Bar at the Old Vic
Spotlight on... Jason Ehrhart from Coin Street
Reimagining the River - Thursday 21st May, 9:30am to 1pm at St John's Waterloo Church
How can we reimagine the river Thames for the future? With flood defences needing to be raised by 2050, join us for a morning of brainstorming our vision for the river's future -share your priorities and discuss ideas. Run in collaboration with Southbank and Waterloo Sustains Us, Thames Estuary Partnership and the Environment Agency.
Reserve your ticket here.
Age Well Here Directory launch
The local Elders group is delighted to announce the launch of the Age Well Here Directory, a practical and inspiring new guide for older people and those who support them.
Next Wednesday the Elders are hosting a launch party at Coin Street. Join the party to celebrate the publication of the directory and explore how it can support as many people as possible. Feedback has already been overwhelmingly positive, with one community member sharing: “I’m so impressed with this project and everything you’ve achieved. This will really make a difference to people.”
Date: Wednesday 27 May 2026
Time: 6–8pm
Location: Coin Street neighbourhood centre, 108 Stamford Street, SE1 9MH
Entertainment will be provided by the Lambeth North Music Hall and light bites and refreshments are being generously donated by Audley Nightingale Place, Clapham's independent living retirement village.
Have your say on improving BFI IMAX tunnels
The "Feel Safe, Feel Welcome: Improving the Waterloo BFI IMAX Tunnels" initiative has launched which is being led by several local partners as a collaborative partnership project with the aim of revitalising the unloved tunnels surrounding the BFI IMAX. You can read the full detail about this project here.
The project has started with a survey that will be open for 4-weeks.
If you would like to also receive updates as the project progresses, you can sign up for email updates here.
Waterloo Sports and Football Club new website
Waterloo Sports and Football Club are excited to share with our SoWN neighbours the Launch of their brand new website -https://www.waterloofc.london
The website celebrates 30 years of community engagement and delivery of services within Waterloo and the wider Southwark and Lambeth areas.
Lower Marsh Lates 2026: Your Ultimate 90s Cinema Experience
Lower Marsh Lates returns with FREE 90s films on the big screen, live performances, and exclusive food and drinks deals on an iconic and historic market street – all wrapping up beneath the glow of a ‘Waterloo Sunset’.
This three-part summer series transforms Lower Marsh into an outdoor cinema extravaganza on the last Thursday of June, July, and August. Register for FREE below.
Upcoming dates:
South Bank and Waterloo Sustains Us
Feedback closing soon – have your say on a community vision to transform Waterloo East’s streets
Last chance to have your say on the early ideas to respond to local flood risk in Waterloo East’s streets. Focusing on the area of Cons Street, Windmill Walk and Greet Street, it offers ideas for new street planting to absorb rainwater, helping to reduce flooding, provide cooling, improve air quality and support wildlife.
Learn more about the project and add your thoughts online here.
Planting Design Workshop for your housing estates - 2pm Saturday 30th May
Come along for a free walking tour and hands-on workshop exploring effective planting techniques for tenants and residents associations to green communal spaces of your housing estates. It will be hosted at Living Space, 1 Coral Street, from 2-5pm on Saturday 30th May. See the flyer for more details. Registration is required by emailing here.
People’s Emergency Briefing local screening – 4pm Thursday 4th June
South Bank & Waterloo Sustains Us and the British Film Institute are hosting a local community screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing – an eye-opening film bringing together nine leading UK scientists and experts with the latest evidence on climate science, food security, health, economics, national security and nature. See more details and register your interest here.
Inside the Infinite Shed: Heat Pumps Explained - 10am Thursday 25th June
Ever wondered how a heat pump actually works? Curious about switching out your boiler but not sure where to start? As part of London Climate Action Week, join London South Bank University and South Bank & Waterloo Sustains Us for an open invitation to explore LSBU’s innovative “Infinite Shed” and see heat pump technology in action. See more details and register here.
Help us shape a fairer and greener neighbourhood
Are you keen to help shape local Sustains Us activities like those included in this newsletter? They would love to have you join the South Bank & Waterloo Sustains Us Residents Group. The group builds on previous work of the SoWN Environment Group to continue supporting local action on issues that matter to residents. Email sustainsus@sbeg.co.uk if you would like to join the monthly meetings. You can also subscribe to the Sustains Us newsletter – see the latest issue here.
Lambeth Local History Forum local walks this June
The Lambeth Local History Forum are pleased to inform you that they are have two exciting and informative local walks to offer you this June.
Housing Initiatives: A spotlight on Waterloo's evolving neighbourhoods
This walk focuses on the evolving residential communities of North Lambeth from the 1840s. As the area soon became a concern of philanthropists, health inspectors and later community activists, new developments in social housing took place right up to the 1990s.
Date: Sunday 7 June
Time: 2pm
Meeting point: Outside Morley College Westminster Bridge Road SE1 7HT
Book here. Free 20 places available.
Image: Peabody Square Blackfriars
Gardens Forgotten and Gardens Hidden - A tour of Waterloo,
Join the Lambeth Local History Forum on an interesting and revealing walk around Waterloo and Lambeth Marsh to discover the history of Pleasure Gardens, market gardening and opens spaces developed over the past 250 years.
Date: Saturday 27th June 2026
Time: 2.30pm
Meeting point: Meet at the Millennium Green, Baylis Road Entrance SE1 7AA
Book here. Free 20 places available.
For further information about Lambeth Local History Forum walks click here.
Image: William Curtis's garden
Backstage Cafe & Bar at the Old Vic
From 25 May–03 June, whilst the Old Vic is between shows, there’s a rare opportunity to book a table at Backstage from 5pm. Join them for after-work drinks, catch up on the sunny balcony, and enjoy their delicious small plates – a special chance to make the most of the creative space and settle in earlier than usual.
For your quick takeaway lunches, they've got delicious ciabatta sandwiches as well as seasonal frittatas and comforting soups available from the counter —perfect for a midday boost. Visit the website for more information.
Spotlight on... Jason Ehrhart from Coin Street
What’s your role in the South Bank and Waterloo area?
A: I’m Head of Marketing for Coin Street, so a big part of this role is to craft campaigns and events for our sites, including Oxo Tower Wharf, and Gabriel’s Wharf. If you’ve enjoyed events such as the Gabriel’s Wharf Arts Festival, Carols by the River, or London Design Festival at Oxo, these have been delivered by my fantastic team. I have recently led on the rebrand of Coin Street, Oxo Tower Wharf and Gabriel’s Wharf, the rollout supported by the wider Comms and Marketing team.
What’s your favourite thing to do on the weekend?
A: You’ll find me queuing up at a bakery in East London with some sharp elbows to get my overpriced pastry of choice, then a bit of gardening in our modern cottage garden, and finally I’ll end up at the pub, for a chilled evening in the sunshine with a few pints.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I really wanted to be a pilot – it just felt so glamorous, jetting off to a different location every day, wearing a crisp white outfit and a hat! I think in my mind it was still the hey-day of 1960s travel, everyone drinking martinis constantly, flying on Concorde to New York or Barbados, and chatting with cabin crew. I reckon I was more sold on the lifestyle that the actual job, which is a good thing given I have terrible eyesight and can’t even ride a bike.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
A: I genuinely have a detailed note on my phone which is a list of songs for Karaoke, depending on my mood. I’d probably start with Evanescence – Bring Me To Live, followed by Natalie Imburglia – Torn, and end with Madonna’s The Power of Goodbye. Aren’t you glad you asked?
Who do you nominate for a SoWN spotlight?
I nominate the lovely Louise Whitworth at South Bank BID
