Author Archives: Kennington Observer

About Kennington Observer

Surreptitiously observing Kennington, including the suburbs Vauxhall, Oval, Walworth, and Elephant since 2012. We're fiercely independent and never boring.

Jack White at Newport Street Gallery

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Once you’ve written probably the best known guitar  riff of the 21st century you’d think that life is pretty much downhill after that. But clever Jack White from the White Stripes thought of a backup long before creating the chant a from thousand terraces. His first ever public art exhibition, These Thoughts May Disappear, is an overview of White’s artistic space outside of music. Some of these works are from the 90’s but most have been created specifically for this exhibit/salesroom at Newport Street Gallery in Vauxhall. And yes, amongst us we figured out that a terrace isn’t just a place where you gossip and sip Rose.

At first glance White’s artworks are pop art, Tim Burton-ian inventions to the extent that you expect Helena Bonham Carter herself to pop from behind a sculpture, but they invite a closer look. People who are aware of the Stripes work (not us) will detect his colour coded references to the Stripes back catalogue. An upstairs room acts as a nod to White’s start as a Detroit upholsterer and features a stripey table with a levitating ping pong, as all good tables should possess.

Gallery one is comprised of a number of small ceramic figurines which all bear a striking resemblance to White himself, which to us acted as sinister, almost Trumpian introduction to the exhibit. In the third gallery we encounter White’s mythical Pallet Cleanse Corporation, which repurposes redundant pallets into glamorous objects of adoration, often in high gloss. As if you forgot the identity of the artist, there are stripes of every sort to remind you. And apparently references to songs we’ve never heard of.

After the furniture jumble sale with aforementioned levitating ping pong, the third room becomes immersive and allows us to play with all sorts of Moog synthesisers and other fiddly bits which integrate into the works. The overall impression are of works manufactured out of household objects from a man shed in the back of a garden,  which across this impressive group of more than 100 sculptures, paintings, photographs, and pieces of furniture White achieves.

Is this the evolution of a talented artist or a bored, washed up rock star trying to capitalise on his name? To think in these binary terms rather defeats the purpose of art like this. If you enjoy art for art’s sake, does the artist really matter? And as it’s free who cares, as a seven nation army can’t hold you back.

These thoughts may disappear is on now until 13.9.2026, so you have no excuse to get over there. And for those of you who have no clue who the hell we’re talking about, the video is below.

Pullens Yard Open Studios Spring 2026

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As frequent readers are all too aware, we here at the Observer love nothing more than anonymously sticking our noses where they don’t belong. So why not join the merry ranks of middle class white people and partake of our passion/dysfunction? We’re talking, of course, of the great Pullens Yard Spring Open Studios weekend taking place on 5-7 June (that’s next week and not this weekend, folks. Keep up) in Walworth. It might just prove to be the last warm weekend of the year.

Pullens Yards (Clements, Peacock and the large Iliffe Yard) are an amazing collection of 1880’s workhouses which were originally designed for the people who lived in the nearby Pullens Estate. We wrote about the fascinating squatting history of the estate a few years ago. Instead of being converted into luxury flats, the Yards serve the same purpose as they did 140 years go, and the cabinet makers and blacksmiths have been replaced by potters, jewellery makers, card makers and folks who make things that you want but by no means need. We once bought moth balls disguised as little knitted mice. And as we know crystals are just rocks, but the stall holders might just convince you that they have the power to heal.

The studios at Pullens Yards are usually not open to the public, but twice a year they fling their doors open to give us a glimpse into their creative universe and this is the Spring iteration. The artists are more than happy to show you what and how they create, and of course you can buy what’s on show. And buying is by no means compulsory, as at the end the day these folks just want to show off how clever they are and it’s totally free. Have we mentioned how much we love free?

A visit to the Yards is a fun way to spend a morning or a late afternoon searching for quirky and unusual gifts for yourself or loved ones. In the past we’ve encountered live music, food for sale, a bar provided by Orbit Brewery(!) and live music. A sunny late spring day is an exceptionally optimistic way to see the Yards. And who knows, you just might discover a previously unrealised desire to own a necklace made out of forks or a room deodoriser fashioned as a piece of cheese.

Pullen’s Open Studios is open Friday evening and in the daytime over the weekend. And if you’re overwhelmed by that necklace fashioned out of forks, take a break and check out the great and very quirky Electric Elephant Café. And no, its not a charity shop. It just looks like one.

Outdoor Pubs in Greater Kennington

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We were summonsed into the office today to address that strange, heat producing orb almost never seen on a Bank Holiday. Executed in haste but with exquisite precision, below is our guide top local independent(ish) pubs with outdoor seating. We’ve left out the big chain pubs and those that cram a few benches to within 6 feet of the wheels of the #3 bus.

Orbit Brewery – Walworth. Winners of our highly relished ‘best Sunday Roast’, Orbit is our own little brewery tucked in railway arch in Walworth, with a large and quiet beer garden in front. Tzatzikii beer is on tap.

Old Red Lion – Kennington Park Rd. Fun, young pub with a faux Elizabethan meets car boot sale feel. Shady garden at the back.

The Rosy Hue – Elephant Park. Swishy gastropub in the newish Elephant Park. Very dog friendly and some quiet seats outside.

Betty and Joans – Elephant Park. Cool and trendy gay pub that’s straight friendly. Lots of outdoor space and huge doors bringing the outdoors indoors. They have a cracking comedy night but it is unfortunately not outside

The Black Dog – Vauxhall. When your little pub is name checked in a Taylor Swift song you hardly need our assistance, but were giving it anyway. Friendly but very popular seating area in front and smaller area in the back that reminds us somewhat of a prison cell.

The Jolly Gardeners – Vauxhall. Another contender for our ferocious quest to unearth the best sunday roast, the space outside is often full but there is a less known outdoor space at the back which looks not dissimilar to a ski lodge.

The Duchy Arms – Sandcroft St. We’ve always felt a bit sorry for the Duchy Arms as it suffers from BPLS (thats bad pub location syndrome). But they have been gifted with an outdoor space that is so big it was once a car park. When the smoker is one they have some cracking BBQ.

The Pilgrim. – Ken/Vauxhall – Fun sports pub with a some seating to the front and more in the back. Very lively.

The Ship – Kennington Lane. Another local stalwart with a somewhat private front area. If you visit please keep your personal front area totally private.

The Tankard – Kennington Lane. The only local pub we’re aware of with a rooftop bar, and they make the most of it during the warmer months. Tankard, we are loving your retro Sunday Roast carvery. So pass the Blue Nun and crank up the Bonnie Tyler.

Now, where’s our Pimms?

The Mysterious Case of the Kerbside Markings

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If you’ve ever looked at your nearest kerb you’ve seen them. They’re in Kennington Cross, in the older bits of Elephant, even in the languid streets of Walworth. They’re cryptic inscriptions  cut into the kerbs when they were laid down. Is it a cult symbol? The Masons? We love nothing more than a mystery, and if you look at a kerb there are plenty to be found. Just don’t get hit by the 59 bus.

When it comes to hobbies like deciphering kerb markings  there are plenty of sad, probably middle age white dudes out there with loads of time to waste on these matters, making the job of our research team much easier. An easy answer is that the marks are stonemason cuts to let the bosses know how many stones were cut that day by one person. But some have two markings, so that isn’t it. Other white dudes speculate that they marked the beginning and end of a day of laying them down, but in some places there are three of the same markings in a row. Many of these markings are just squiggles or crosses, further undermining that they were made to evidence the identity of the stone layer.

One middle age white dude with a LOT of time on his hands was Ashley Cowrie, who investigated 4000 miles (!) of British kerbstones to unlock the meaning behind this great British mystery and has written a surprisingly erudite paper about it. He debunks a number of theories, such as the presence of crosses to commemorate plague deaths (sorry sunshine, but during the plague of 1665 Kennington was but a swamp) or an indication of underground utilities (but some only appear once). In an age before street signs the crosses could indicate parish boundaries, but again they appear too frequently.

If you’re interested in kerb markings, first off you might want to seek professional help. But if the desire persists then there are many resources online to assist your fixation, such as their own Facebook page (kids, Facebook was a social media tool used a LONG time ago).  But there is tantalisingly no consensus as to the meaning of the many carvings. We’ve eliminated stonemason marks, an indication of underground utilities, parish boundaries, or individual identities of the worker. This Victorian mystery remains an enigma that you can solve on your own. That is, if you struggle to find friends.  

The Simply Bread Revisit

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We recently paid an overdue revisit to takeaway sandwich joint Simply Bread in Black Prince Road in Vauxhall. It’s run by the team from the excellent Jolly Gardeners pub a few doors down. Sandwiched between the two was Ginger Provisions, their noble but doomed foray into the retail supermarket world which itself deserves huge plaudits.

For this meal we were once again joined by our gastronomic collaborator Karen from the Finance team. Still resplendent in her post GLP appearance, she ordered the falafel and hummus sandwich, citing that it was vegan and therefore, in her own parlance, ‘totally healthy’. When we pointed out that falafel is deep fried, Karen replied ‘whatever, its vegan’. Karen observed that the falafels were not made on site, and had probably spent much of their brief life in a very cold place (ie a freezer). What offset this was a delicious hummus and well roasted peppers and courgettes. Overall Karen proclaimed it to be a flavourful and substantial addition to her day. If not quite as virtuous as she cares to admit.

Your scribe had the spicy tuna sandwich served on granary bread. The spice kick was furnished by Korean chili flakes augmented by those tuna bad boys peppers and sweetcorn, mixed with a guilt laden level of mayonnaise. With both sandwiches the portions were huge, and could easily have been nibbled on for the rest of the working day but of course were devoured quickly. In addition to lunchtime sandwiches, Simply Bread opens at 8am and offers the usual amenities of teas, coffees, flat whites, and pastries before you travel to work. Even if that travel is only to a laptop in the corner of your bedroom.

If you’re a restaurateur reading this, please be aware that we get loads of offers of free food from establishments wanting us to darken their door. We praise you, but this rather defeats the spirit of this website. So if you see a gaggle of overworked yet glamorous people lurking at your corner table, it might just be us but you’ll never know.

Save Maderia Star!

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At the Observer we tend to avoid campaigns as that would make us no better than, say, Loose Women. But rules were made to be broken and we’re adding to one.

Madeira Star has been an institution in Kennington Cross for over thirty years. It is one of the few places in Greater Kennington where normal folk can grab an affordable lunch or a decent(ish) fry up. The landlord has decided to not renew Madiera’s lease, the likely reason being that they calculate that a large chain would pay more rent. This would be a true loss to Greater Kennington, as through the years what Maderia has become is more of a community gathering place, and its loss takes away not not only an institution but part of our identity. What is being proposed by the Change.org petition is for Lambeth to step in and protect it as a community asset.

We have to confess that our ulterior motive is that we possess an irrational fixation that any vacant property will be replaced by that scourge of the high street….Gail’s Bakery. And Loose Women, if you’re reading this we do love you. In fact, for reasons relating solely to journalistic research two of the team were in your audience in October. We’re in the picture below between Janet Street Porter and a minor Nolan sister. Yes that us in the grey, right in the middle.

To join the movement click here. Unless you enjoy shelling out £8.90 for a sandwich and £3 for a cup of tea.

Springtime Down on the Farm!

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When many of us think about a party in Vauxhall one conjures up images of empty Co2 cannisters, people stumbling out of a club with glitter in their hair, or the Sunday afternoon naked dance phenomenon ‘SBN’. But something much more wholesome is afoot over at Vauxhall City Farm on 16 – 17 May and it’s not just for children.

The Vauxhall May Fair has been part of the Greater Kennington cultural calendar (it’s a thing) for several years now. This event is not only fun for adults but is also a fundraising tool that enables VCF to improve their services to animals and local kids who rarely see farm animals. Live music and a BBQ will be on offer in addition to a games arena, a cuddle corner (that’s cuddling animals), educational workshops, and displays of sheep shearing and weaving. And for those of you who’s experience of being child focussed extends to giving your nephew the cherry out of your cocktail, please be gentle and realise that they might be playing a game with you.

This event should be great fun, and with VCF now so big, you can just wander off and chill in a corner or pet a pig if you fancy, so you have no reason not to go. So if you’re lucky enough to have kids it should be a great day out. And if you’re lucky enough to not have kids it should be a great day out. Overall, if you compare cuddling an alpaca to cuddling a twenty stone hairy naked man under a railway arch, you’ll find it’s really not all that different. Not that we’d know.

Greater Kennington and the 1926 General Strike

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Today is May Day, celebrating worker’s rights, and next week marks the 100th anniversary of the 1926 General Strike. That prompted us to research the largest employer of Greater Kenningtonians at the time and it was Sir Joseph Causton & Sons at 139-143 Clapham Road/Brook Drive in north Stockwell (Stockwell is an area south of Greater Kennington). Causton & Sons had the very grown up job as a primary printer to the King, creating WW1 Air Raid advisory posters, and of course propagating information to the public. In their role as disseminators of information, they became deeply entangled in the ensuing strike.

The general strike began on 4 May, 1926 after the Trades Union Congress (TUC) called for solidarity with miners facing wage cuts. Printers were the first line of workers called out among the 1.7 million who stopped working. With printing presses silent, the closure of Causton’s presented a real problem for the TUC and people who wanted to spread propaganda about the noble cause. The TUC then scrambled to produce their own paper and the government produced one (edited by Winston Churchill).

The general strike lasted nine days and afterwards sympathetic businesses forgave their striking employers and people moved on. However, some sided with the government and dismissed the strikers. It stands to reason that Causton’s were in the latter category as their customers included the Crown and government. Causton & Sons relocated in 1937 and the building was then occupied by Freeman’s Catalogue. Our more seasoned readers might remember Freemans as the home of the £2.99 polyester mega tie. It’s now home to a gym, an independent coffee shop, Tesco (a supermarket), and many flats. We’d like to give a shout out to Observer megafans Luca and Stuart, who live behind the building and took some photos for us. We love but you’re not getting paid. We barely do.

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Making Your (Persian) Mind Up

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We love Amici as they never run out of novel concepts to get people through the door. Bands! Singles nights! Jack Straw! And now they’ve done it again….Just when you thought Kennington couldn’t get any more camp they’re hosting…..wait for it….. a Eurovision night!

Amici will be taking their enormous TV outside and it will be viewed in their otherwise quiet garden where, according to the press release, drinks will be flowing and food will be served (it’s not free, we know what you’re like). The food served is Persian and Italian. You can get Italian anywhere so we always stick to the Persian, which is to die for.  Office favourites are any of the grills, and also the Persian stew called Khoresh. The owners are Iranian and can give you the full low down about what you’re about to encounter. Well maybe not if it involves dancers emerging from under a giant skirt.

Amici if you’re reading this (and if not you’re missing out) we have some tips to make it a better night. You could try a ‘who’s replaced Scott Mills’ drinking game or, even better, have a former UK representative do a PA! There are plenty of them who have a LOT of time on their hands. Try reaching out to Gina G, she’s getting on a bit but stranger things have happened.

The UK entrant is the disturbingly catchy ‘Eins, Zwei, Drei’ by Look Mum No Computer. The chorus features the lines ‘Darlin’ I need somethin’ salty, with a slice of pepperoni’. See for yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niMKvJ-Itq8&list=RDniMKvJ-Itq8&start_radio=1

Topical Ghosts in Oval

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We love contemporary art and we love Gasworks Gallery in Oval. And while nothing will quite achieve the varnished heights of a previous show which turned the gallery into a Hampstead Heath cruising area, the current offering certainly tries its best. So if your taste includes ghosts who can play the piano while talking about racism, then you’re in for a real treat.

The current offering at Gasworks is by Portuguese American artist Gabriel Abrantes and is called ‘Bardo Loops’. The animated ghosts reference a phase between death and rebirth. Think of them as really articulate zombies. The ghosts talk about a range of topics without the other ghost listening (they are dead after all) in a friendly and almost mocking tone. The challenge for the viewer is that some of these topics are indeed very serious, but made to look trivial. Abrantes uses the ghosts as a way to explore issues relating to loss, illness and vulnerabilities. The manmade disasters unfolding behind them (eg a forest fire) seem minimal as we remain trapped in our own drama, ultimately only getting out of said drama by the use of our phone or AI. Or both.

Bardo Loops is open now until 7 June and is totally free. But please remember that if you want to mingle with the apparitions, the gallery is only open Wed-Sun 12 to 6. If you want even more ghostly fun they are having an artist curators tour on 9 May and a few other phantasmic offerings to be found here.