Greater Brockley Meetup, March 11

Nisha & Paul are new in town. So new in fact, that they haven't learned that the correct name for 'Brockley & Crofton Park' is 'Brockley'. But they are keen to learn. They say:

Join us for the first Brockley & Crofton Park Meetup on Wednesday 11th March, from 7pm, at Jam Circus.

We're relatively new to the area and love the community feel - thought this would be a good way for everyone to get together, socialise and support the local bars, pubs, coffee shops, cultural events and restaurants.

We're planning to have at least monthly meetups and more frequently if people are interested. Look forward to meeting you!

Details here.

Cat Video Film Festival, Big Red Pizza, April 25

We got this via Transpontine who explained to his readers that he's resorting to posting about cat videos because he is too busy at the moment to write proper articles. We offer no such apology. 

Click here for details.

Catford Bridge Tavern owners say fire changes nothing

Solitaire, the owners of the Catford Bridge Tavern, which suffered a fire during renovation work over the weekend, have confirmed that they still intend to reopen the pub as soon as possible. In the aftermath of the blaze, they issued a statement saying:

Last night, the fire brigade attended a fire at The Catford Bridge Tavern. The fire was extinguished and no-one was hurt. The LFB web site notes that they weren't treating the incident as suspicious.

Everyone working on restoring the pub is pleased that no-one was injured in this unfortunate incident. 

Michael Nicholas from Solitaire Restaurants, owner of The Catford Bridge Tavern, notes: 'We’re not in a position to comment on the fire, but we are working to ensure that the site is safe and secure. Our intention has always been to reopen the pub and nothing has changed in that regard.'

The fact that the owners have so publicly committed to restoring the pub is as refreshing as it is reassuring.

The Secret World of Elverson Road

The day these kinds of public moments of local joy dry up will be the day gentrification has gone too far (or not far enough). Please keep this sort of stuff coming people.

Saw this along bike path by elverson rd dlr - love it! #secretworld #artysarflondon pic.twitter.com/VOPWcZZSSG
— hat margolies (@fabhat) February 28, 2015

Tell me what you see

People keep sending us photos of the hoardings around the 180 Brockley Road development, with no further comment.

We're not quite sure what reaction we're all expected to share in response to this bit of marketing by the developers - presumably revulsion? Or maybe validation? Amusement?

@BrockleyCentral Seen this? pic.twitter.com/7X6932hrUy
— Rob Briner (@Rob_Briner) February 28, 2015

To be honest, looking at this bit of stock-aspirationalism doesn't evoke a strong reaction in us except to say that this kind of affirmation might have helped six or seven years ago, but now it seems a little behind the curve.

So tell us - what do you see?

Catford Bridge Tavern burns

Plans for the Catford Bridge Tavern - a pub with a convoluted and problematic recent history - have suffered a setback as the pub caught fire this evening. Catching alight is an unfortunately common problem for Lewisham pubs.

Why my train was cancelled. MT @lewishambirder: Old Copperfield pub, catford still on fire #kent_999s @LondonFire pic.twitter.com/snDwgWVraG
— Will Howells (@willhowells) March 1, 2015

The London Fire Brigade reports:

Eight fire engines and 58 firefighters and officers are currently tackling a fire at a pub under refurbishment on Doggett Road in Catford.

Firefighters led four people to safety from the building and they have been taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service suffering light smoke inhalation.

The whole of the roof and second floor and part of the first floor is alight. Trains travelling through nearby Catford Bridge station are doing so at a reduced speed. Firefighters from Greenwich, Lee Green, Bromley, Forest Hill, Lewisham, Bromley, East Greenwich and Orpington fire stations are at the scene. The Brigade was called at 1754. The cause of the fire is not known at this time.

The Telegraph Hill Festival, March 14-29

Sanjit writes:

Over 16 days more than 110 events will celebrate all that the area has to offer, from art, music and performance to workshops, walks, dances and DJs.

There are lots of ways to enjoy the Festival:

• Come and see Guys & Dolls - with a cast of more than 250 people, this blockbuster of a musical will thrill you with song, choreography and large scale set pieces
• Comedy, Quizzes, Theatre ... 
• Enter your child's art work in the Children's Art Competition, get yours or a family members photograph into the photography exhibition, or bake a cake and set it against peers to see if you can win the Cake competition.  Then there's the Upcycling and much else ...

Box Office opens at Telegraph Hill Centre on Thursday 5th March 8 - 10pm, where you can buy tickets in person.   Or if you can't make that, make sure you're ready to get your tickets online from 7am, Friday 6th March.

Find out more at telegraphhillfestival.org.uk