The funeral of Alan Slingsby You are invited to join his family and friends to celebrate the life of ALAN SLINGSBY who passed away on 28 January 2026. A gathering will be held 10.15 - 11.15am on Friday 13 March West Norwood Crematorium, Norwood Rd, London, SE27 9JU Refreshments afterwards in the Great North Wood Pub 3 Knight’s Hill, West Norwood, London, SE27 0HS Bright colours and happy memories are encouraged 

The funeral of Alan Slingsby

You are invited to join his family and friends to celebrate the life of ALAN SLINGSBY who passed away on 28 January 2026. A gathering will be held 10.15 - 11.15am on Friday 13 March West Norwood Crematorium, Norwood Rd, London, SE27 9JU Refreshments afterwards in the…

Alan Slingsby 1949 – 2026 It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the death of Alan Slingsby, our editor. Alan died at home suddenly and unexpectedly - we believe of heart failure - on 28 January. Throughout his life, Alan dedicated himself to impartial and high quality journalism, and as the editor of the Brixton Bugle and Blog he threw all his energy, skills and resources into building a unique and much-loved publication. Alan loved Brixton and worked tirelessly and selflessly to give its people a voice. He believed passionately in the importance of local news, written to the same exacting standards as the best in international reporting.

Alan Slingsby 1949 – 2026

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the death of Alan Slingsby, our editor. Alan died at home suddenly and unexpectedly - we believe of heart failure - on 28 January. Throughout his life, Alan dedicated himself to impartial and high quality journalism, and as…

Top Papal honour for Brixton equality campaigner Yogi Sutton, a parishioner of Brixton’s Corpus Christi catholic church, received one of the highest honours for a lay person in the faith at a ceremony at the Brixton Hill church yesterday (25 January). In recognition of her tireless work championing racial justice, she was honoured as a Dame of St Gregory the Great by Pope Leo XIV for her contribution to the Catholic Church and wider society.

Top Papal honour for Brixton equality campaigner

Yogi Sutton, a parishioner of Brixton’s Corpus Christi catholic church, received one of the highest honours for a lay person in the faith at a ceremony at the Brixton Hill church yesterday (25 January). In recognition of her tireless work…

Blog Dog of the Week The sausage strolls The Blog and Bugle team had the absolute pleasure of meeting Ned, Bruno, Ronnie and Frankie, a string of dachshunds on their sausage strolls in Brockwell Park. This lively bunch are all chums who were clearly loving their doggy camaraderie under the watchful eyes of their owners, Joy and Jeanette. If you are a super fan of daschunds and a lover of art then stroll over to Joy's website and instagram. Here you will find greeting cards and gifts with prints of Daschund Pollock and Lickedenstein.

Blog Dog of the Week

The sausage strolls The Blog and Bugle team had the absolute pleasure of meeting Ned, Bruno, Ronnie and Frankie, a string of dachshunds on their sausage strolls in Brockwell Park. This lively bunch are all chums who were clearly loving their doggy camaraderie under the…

Freezefest at Brockwell lido The rain stopped and the sun put in an appearance for Brockwell Swimmers’ first Freezefest today (24 January). But the water in the pool was 7.8ºC, and the Met Office’s “feels lie” temperature for Brixton was 5º,so it was not the day for a leisurely couple of lengths. Three hours of coldwater swimming included relays and some courageous performances … Liz Torode (r) celebrates winning the 100 metres 60+ race Organiser Brockwell Swimmers’ Tim Sutton

Freezefest at Brockwell lido

The rain stopped and the sun put in an appearance for Brockwell Swimmers’ first Freezefest today (24 January). But the water in the pool was 7.8ºC, and the Met Office’s “feels lie” temperature for Brixton was 5º,so it was not the day for a leisurely couple of lengths.…

Brixton’s Black, bold and beautiful creators Tamara Barton-Campbell “Black, bold and beautiful” and creating “sexy films that bang”. That’s Brixton’s Renaissance Studios. Founded in 2017, the women-led production studio nestles opposite the bustle of Brixton station and a short walk from the David Bowie mural. “When I think Black, bold and beautiful, people say that about a person. So I am personifying the company and I bring my blackness to the table every time,” explains Tamara Barton-Campbell, founder and creative director of Renaissance Studios.

Brixton’s Black, bold and beautiful creators

Tamara Barton-Campbell “Black, bold and beautiful” and creating “sexy films that bang”. That’s Brixton’s Renaissance Studios. Founded in 2017, the women-led production studio nestles opposite the bustle of Brixton station and a short walk from the David…

Now Clink can deliver your canapés Image: © Harry Pseftoudis The charity behind Brixton prison’s acclaimed Clink restaurant has launched nationwide catering and bakery delivering high-quality food. Like its restaurants, The Clink Charity’s new venture, Catered by Clink, will support the rehabilitation and training of people in prison and young people at risk of offending. “Customers can enjoy beautifully prepared canapés, pastries and celebration cakes, knowing that every order contributes to life-changing opportunities for individuals rebuilding their lives,” said the charity.

Now Clink can deliver your canapés

Image: © Harry Pseftoudis The charity behind Brixton prison’s acclaimed Clink restaurant has launched nationwide catering and bakery delivering high-quality food. Like its restaurants, The Clink Charity’s new venture, Catered by Clink, will support the…

Police appeal for witnesses following rape in Brixton Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a rape at an address in Pulross Road, Brixton, on Thursday, 8 January. A woman reported to police that she had been raped in the early hours of Thursday, 8 January, and an immediate investigation was launched. Detectives identified a suspect shortly after the incident. He has since been charged with two counts of rape and drug supply offences.

Police appeal for witnesses following rape in Brixton

Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a rape at an address in Pulross Road, Brixton, on Thursday, 8 January. A woman reported to police that she had been raped in the early hours of Thursday, 8 January, and an immediate…

Brixton Rec closes to fit new heat system Brixton Rec is to close for three or four days while a new energy centre, which the council says is to improve heating, hot water and overall reliability across the building, is installed. The Rec currently shares infrastructure with International House, which is to be redeveloped under council plans for the “Rec Quarter”. The council said the building will be closed from the evening of Friday 23 January, reopening from the morning of Tuesday 27 January.

Brixton Rec closes to fit new heat system

Brixton Rec is to close for three or four days while a new energy centre, which the council says is to improve heating, hot water and overall reliability across the building, is installed. The Rec currently shares infrastructure with International House,…

Year of success for Brixton blood donor centre Embargoed until: 00:01 Thursday 22 January 2026 Brixton donor centre manger Rexford Osei-Bonsu outside the centre in the Bon Marché building on Brixton Road Brixton’s blood donor centre next to Marks and Spencer is celebrating its first birthday today (22 January) with the news that its tally of new blood donors is twice the national average. More than one in ten donors at the centre are from the Black heritage communities it targets to improve and save the lives of people with sickle cell disease.

Year of success for Brixton blood donor centre

Embargoed until: 00:01 Thursday 22 January 2026 Brixton donor centre manger Rexford Osei-Bonsu outside the centre in the Bon Marché building on Brixton Road Brixton’s blood donor centre next to Marks and Spencer is celebrating its first birthday today…

Brixton’s KFC diners get a bloody reminder The unnerving sights and sounds of barely clothed women having their throats cut outside KFC in Brixton today (21 January) stopped passers-by and fast food customers in their tracks. It also attracted the attention of six police officers who kept a distant but watchful eye on a bladed article that would have seen an instant arrest if it was not being used to dramatise the miserable life and cruel death of the chickens eaten by local carnivores.

Brixton’s KFC diners get a bloody reminder

The unnerving sights and sounds of barely clothed women having their throats cut outside KFC in Brixton today (21 January) stopped passers-by and fast food customers in their tracks. It also attracted the attention of six police officers who kept a…

Remembering Sam King and the Windrush in Brixton Without Sam King, there would be no Windrush Day, no Windrush Square in Brixton, and the Empire Windrush itself may well have been forgotten. So it is fitting that Brixton, the spiritual home of the Windrush Generation – which itself would probably have a different name without Sam King – will host a commemoration of his life in the 10th year after he passed in 2016.

Remembering Sam King and the Windrush in Brixton

Without Sam King, there would be no Windrush Day, no Windrush Square in Brixton, and the Empire Windrush itself may well have been forgotten. So it is fitting that Brixton, the spiritual home of the Windrush Generation – which itself would probably…

Council consults on Acre Lane ‘bus priority corridor’ Lambeth council has opened initial consultations on new bus lanes for Brixton’s Acre Lane. It has received funding from Transport for London (TfL)’s Bus Priority programme to improve bus journey times on Acre Lane, and to make buses more reliable by introducing a “bus priority corridor”. TfL says its programme aims to allow buses to navigate freely “without being held up by congestion, parking or other kerbside activity”.

Council consults on Acre Lane ‘bus priority corridor’

Lambeth council has opened initial consultations on new bus lanes for Brixton’s Acre Lane. It has received funding from Transport for London (TfL)’s Bus Priority programme to improve bus journey times on Acre Lane, and to make buses more…

Lambeth among London areas worst hit by job losses The number of people employed in the borough of Lambeth fell by 2% in the year from December 2024 to December 2025. This places the borough among the weakest employment performers in London, according to data published by the employment and pay app WageSight. In December 2025 there were 170,263 employees on Lambeth payrolls covered by central government statistics. The payroll headcount reported by employers was down 3,409 (-2%) year-on-year.

Lambeth among London areas worst hit by job losses

The number of people employed in the borough of Lambeth fell by 2% in the year from December 2024 to December 2025. This places the borough among the weakest employment performers in London, according to data published by the employment and pay…

The D.A.R.E. podcast: mentoring and coaching at your fingertips Professor Miranda Brawn The D.A.R.E. podcast, hosted by former Lambeth equalities commissioner Professor Miranda Brawn, will feature an impressive range of guests for its third season. From Baroness Doreen Lawrence, founder of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, through New York luxury real estate agent and Selling the City Netflix star Eleanora Srugo, to rogue trader turned financial investigator Nick Leeson, they will offer free masterclasses in developing your own “successful mindset” backed by ambition and confidence.

The D.A.R.E. podcast: mentoring and coaching at your fingertips

Professor Miranda Brawn The D.A.R.E. podcast, hosted by former Lambeth equalities commissioner Professor Miranda Brawn, will feature an impressive range of guests for its third season. From Baroness Doreen Lawrence, founder of the…

Brixton library to host Alex Wheatle memorial Brixton library will host a celebration of the life of Alex Wheatle, the Brixton Bard, in February. When he passed in March 2025, the literary world lost one of its leading lights. Alex Wheatle was an award-winning novelist who wrote for both young adult and adult audiences. His early years in a care home and later time in prison, as a result of his involvement in the Brixton Uprising of 1981, never dimmed his creativity or drive and he went on to become one of Britain’s most celebrated writers, receiving an MBE for services to literature.

Brixton library to host Alex Wheatle memorial

Brixton library will host a celebration of the life of Alex Wheatle, the Brixton Bard, in February. When he passed in March 2025, the literary world lost one of its leading lights. Alex Wheatle was an award-winning novelist who wrote for both young…

New cold-water championship at the lido Brockwell FreezeFest, the lido’s first cold-water swimming championship, promises fast races, freezing water and a brilliant mid-winter atmosphere, say the organisers, Brockwell Swimmers Club. The “bold new winter swimming event” is at the lido from 10am to 1pm on Saturday 24 January. Swimmers can enter via brockwellswimmers.com, and spectators are warmly invited to come along, cheer from poolside and enjoy the atmosphere — entry will be free.

New cold-water championship at the lido

Brockwell FreezeFest, the lido’s first cold-water swimming championship, promises fast races, freezing water and a brilliant mid-winter atmosphere, say the organisers, Brockwell Swimmers Club. The “bold new winter swimming event” is at the lido from 10am to…

Check Brockwell Hall’s free courses A wellbeing day at the smart new Brockwell Hall will offer tasters of various activities on offer there on Saturday 24 January. You can drop in at any time between 11am and 3pm. Activities include yoga, tai chi, storytime for under-5s, Singing Mamas, health and wellbeing stalls. More here: tickettailor.com/events/lambethcouncil2/2025748 The hall’s regular weekly activities include: Tai Chi: MONDAYS…

Check Brockwell Hall’s free courses

A wellbeing day at the smart new Brockwell Hall will offer tasters of various activities on offer there on Saturday 24 January. You can drop in at any time between 11am and 3pm. Activities include yoga, tai chi, storytime for under-5s, Singing Mamas, health and…

Brixton House launches its 2026 season Brixton House kicks off 2026 with theatre from pioneering artists and a call out for new stories which celebrate the voices of its community. Described by the Guardian as “Captivating and powerful”, Roots Mbili Theatre’s Far Gone is a powerful one-man performance which traces a young boy’s journey from innocence to survival. Latinx women from South London take centre stage in My Uncle Is Not Pablo Escobar, and dare you to call them invisible in this humorous yet politically urgent work. As Alejandra, Lucia, Honey and Catalina risk everything to expose a multinational bank, they confront the audience with what it means to be both a Londoner and Latinx.

Brixton House launches its 2026 season

Brixton House kicks off 2026 with theatre from pioneering artists and a call out for new stories which celebrate the voices of its community. Described by the Guardian as “Captivating and powerful”, Roots Mbili Theatre’s Far Gone is a powerful one-man…

Praise for Lambeth youth justice service Lambeth Youth Justice Service (YJS) has been rated as “Good” by an inspection of its work with children and victims of crime by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMP). “There were many examples of encouraging practice at Lambeth YJS,” said Martin Jones, Chief Inspector of Probation. “Diversity and lived experience were well understood and practitioners knew what services were required to support children’s needs.”

Praise for Lambeth youth justice service

Lambeth Youth Justice Service (YJS) has been rated as “Good” by an inspection of its work with children and victims of crime by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMP). “There were many examples of encouraging practice at Lambeth YJS,” said Martin…

Top award for Brixton House theatre Brixton House theatre’s campaign to promote Black Power Desk – a musical produced in September as part of its Uprising Festival – has won a top award. It headed the campaign of the year category in the Stage Awards 2026. Judges said the campaign by Brixton House and PlayWell Productions “combined cultural authenticity, creative boldness and real impact”. Leaning into the show’s…

Top award for Brixton House theatre

Brixton House theatre’s campaign to promote Black Power Desk – a musical produced in September as part of its Uprising Festival – has won a top award. It headed the campaign of the year category in the Stage Awards 2026. Judges said the campaign by Brixton House…

New Show In Brixton’s Tate Library Brixton’s Tate Library is currently host to an exhibition of photographs by people who have experience of homelessness. Organised by the Royal Photographic Society, Our 2025 Journey is a large collection of streetscapes, landscapes, portraits, action shots and frozen moments in time. Quirky, witty, intimate with the occasional bit of technological wizardry, the show is interesting, inspiring and fun. Our 2025 Journey is open daily and runs until 31 January in the Brixton Tate Library, Brixton Oval, SW2 1JQ

New Show In Brixton’s Tate Library

Brixton’s Tate Library is currently host to an exhibition of photographs by people who have experience of homelessness. Organised by the Royal Photographic Society, Our 2025 Journey is a large collection of streetscapes, landscapes, portraits, action shots and…

New Show by Claire Brennan The Soul Awakes is Claire Brennan's new show in Kennington’s Durning Library. Claire has explored a number of different techniques and media on her eclectic artistic journey.  Her current show consists of large organic shapes made from paper and card and reminiscent of the sun. Bold or delicate colours sprinkled with shards of mirror sit at the centre of each work. The effect is to capture fragments of the room and the viewer as you pass by which makes for a constantly changing and slightly kaleidoscopic image. The Light Within is a particularly successful example as the shards reflect back the coloured glass of the gallery window.

New Show by Claire Brennan

The Soul Awakes is Claire Brennan's new show in Kennington’s Durning Library. Claire has explored a number of different techniques and media on her eclectic artistic journey.  Her current show consists of large organic shapes made from paper and card and reminiscent of…

When beer was banned in Coldharbour Lane The Temperance Billiard Hall on Brixton's Coldharbour Lane today Temperance is not something associated with Brixton’s Coldharbour Lane in recent years, yet it is home to a important landmark for the temperance movement and features in a book on the subject published today (9 January). Historic England, the official guardian of the country’s built heritage, chose Dry January to highlight the.

When beer was banned in Coldharbour Lane

The Temperance Billiard Hall on Brixton's Coldharbour Lane today Temperance is not something associated with Brixton’s Coldharbour Lane in recent years, yet it is home to a important landmark for the temperance movement and features in a book on the subject…

Brixton’s new Tube mural commission Renowned British painter and local resident Hurvin Anderson, whose major Tate Britain exhibition opens in March – has been commissioned to create 10th annual mural at Brixton Tube. The new artwork will launch in November, succeeding the current mural by Rudy Loewe. The Tube commissions respond to the history of murals in Brixton from the 1980s, and to the wider social and political history of mural-making.

Brixton’s new Tube mural commission

Renowned British painter and local resident Hurvin Anderson, whose major Tate Britain exhibition opens in March – has been commissioned to create 10th annual mural at Brixton Tube. The new artwork will launch in November, succeeding the current mural by Rudy…

YIPPEE PIE YAY! Pie Hard is back in Brixton Pie Hard returns to Club Silly in Valentia Place on Saturday (10 January). Club Silly and 6FootStories will, once again, be showing the classic Bruce Willis Christmas action movie Die Hard while audience members hurl custard pies at each other in the Brixton HQ of the Bureau of Silly Ideas. Watch all your favourite Die Hard scenes re-enacted in front of the screen – with shaving foam instead of guns and cardboard boxes in place of ventilator shafts.

YIPPEE PIE YAY! Pie Hard is back in Brixton

Pie Hard returns to Club Silly in Valentia Place on Saturday (10 January). Club Silly and 6FootStories will, once again, be showing the classic Bruce Willis Christmas action movie Die Hard while audience members hurl custard pies at each other in the…

Eddie ‘Tan Tan’ Thornton Eddie Tan Tan Thornton playing with the band Kitty. Daisy & Lewis. Image: Wendy Collings/Wikimedia The death has been announced of trumpeter Eddie ‘Tan Tan’ Thornton who played in Brixton with many of the musicians who have made it such a centre for jazz and reggae. Born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, in 1931, in 1960s London he played on hits including the Beatles’ …

Eddie ‘Tan Tan’ Thornton

Eddie Tan Tan Thornton playing with the band Kitty. Daisy & Lewis. Image: Wendy Collings/Wikimedia The death has been announced of trumpeter Eddie ‘Tan Tan’ Thornton who played in Brixton with many of the musicians who have made it such a centre for jazz and reggae. Born…

Brixton traffic halted by bus collision Brixton Road was brought to a standstill this afternoon (5 January) by the collision of two buses. At 2pm a 109 – which was pulling out – crashed into a 133 to Holborn which was pulling in at the box-junction opposite TK Maxx. Ambulance workers arrived at the scene after 10 minutes but nobody was injured. Both buses sustained minor damage.

Brixton traffic halted by bus collision

Brixton Road was brought to a standstill this afternoon (5 January) by the collision of two buses. At 2pm a 109 – which was pulling out – crashed into a 133 to Holborn which was pulling in at the box-junction opposite TK Maxx. Ambulance workers arrived at…

Brockwell Live opponents warn of long-term damage to park Annual music events in Brockwell Park are not a temporary use of the park, but “part of an obviously prolonged and recurring use with lasting effects beyond the event period”, says a major objection to planning permission sought for this year’s Brockwell Live events. The Protect Brockwell Park (PBP) campaign today (5 January) published a detailed submission from its planning consultants.

Brockwell Live opponents warn of long-term damage to park

Annual music events in Brockwell Park are not a temporary use of the park, but “part of an obviously prolonged and recurring use with lasting effects beyond the event period”, says a major objection to planning permission sought for this…

Effra frozen over

Effra frozen over