I Spy: Slothful Sunday edition

As ever, the question for our eagle-eyed readers is: Whereabouts in Brockley is this piece of art?

Riverside South boosts Lewisham's future

Riverside South will create demand for homes in Lewisham

One of the world's leading banks, JP Morgan, has submitted a revised planning application for its new Canary Wharf HQ, signalling that the project is almost certain to proceed beyond the foundation construction which has been underway for over a year.

Riverside South is Europe's largest office development, providing 3m square feet to house JP Morgan's London employees. It means thousands more jobs will move to Canary Wharf and should trigger a rash of other developments in the area, including hotel and residential buildings. In short, it means the next wave of the expansion of Canary Wharf will proceed. Although work has been underway for some time, the developer's stated plan was to complete the foundations before confirming that it would proceed with the superstructure.

Many of Lewisham's most important development projects are predicated on the ongoing development of the Wharf, creating growing demand for housing along the route of the DLR. Brockley's organic growth is also being fuelled by the expansion of the Wharf and London Bridge as key employment hubs, dragging the centre of London south and east. The East London Line will dramtically cut commuting times for Canary Wharf workers, from early next year.

At London Bridge, the superstructure for the Shard has recently appeared, meaning that it remains on track to open in 2012, while demolition work to make room for its baby sister "the Gem" [above] has also begun.

Brockley Central Drinks at The Talbot

Last night, the BC Army was unleashed on The Talbot. With scaffolding still on the walls and the tang of fresh paint lingering in the air, Talbot drinkers old and new filled the pub on its opening night.

It's a fairly small pub and the ground floor is dominated by the bar, which confronts you head-on when you walk in. Seating is pushed to either side and in to a few cosy alcoves. Upstairs, the dining room is served by a small bar. Both floors were packed-out, which is a great show of support for a pub, which many feared had been lost forever. The staff were struggling with temperamental cash registers, unlabelled beer taps and a larger-than-anticipated crowd. Despite that, they coped admirably and the service was friendly throughout the evening.

It's too early (and our head hurts too much) to review the pub properly, but we intend to go back for lunch very soon. Frankly, it was a miracle that the pub was open so soon - given the appalling state it had been allowed to deteriorate to by its former owners. At this stage, The Talbot could probably benefit from a bit more detailing - some flourishes that give a bar like Jam Circus real personality. During our brief chat with the proprietor Felix, he mentioned that he was planning on adding some more furniture shortly.

As BC reader "b." said, while he waiting at the bar in an attempt to "treat" us to a shot:

"It looks very south west London. But then I love south west London - I go drinking there all the time."

Were you there last night? What were your first impressions?

Brockley Central Drinks tonight!

We hope to see you tonight at the opening of The Talbot pub, Tyrwhitt Road, from 7pm.

The team has been working round the clock to get the pub ready in time, so the least we can do is turn up and attempt to drink them dry.

For those who haven't been to a BC drinks before, the organisation is so subtle that you could be forgiven for thinking that there is no organisation at all. Just turn up, have a drink and start chatting to people. Come and say hello to Brockley Nick, Brockley Jon and (when she turns up a bit later) Brockley Kate. Or feel free to ignore us - entirely up to you.

Brockley mosaics

Capture Arts is an artist collective based in Brockley and Deptford and the creative team behind the popular Brockley Station mosaic. As part of the same project, they created two mosaics at St Saviour's Church Hall, Brockley Rise.

The mosaics will be formally "opened" (?) by Mayor Bullock on Thursday, December 3rd and the Broca will be providing tea and cakes for the finale event at 11.15am in Coulgate Street.

Everyone welcome.

Gulen hopes to ride the Midnight Meat Train

Will late-night Gulen inspire a work of similar genius from mdotebeats?

Gulen Kebab has applied for a late night license, in order to serve food until 2am Sunday-Thursday and until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights.

The application suggests Gulen is aiming to capitalise on increasing late-night traffic that will accompany the opening the East London Line and the gradual transformation of the area around the station.

Retro fashion fair, November 28th

St Hilda's Undercroft, Crofton Park, will stage a retro fashion fair on Saturday, from 11am until 5pm.

Afternoon tea will be served and Gavin Stamp, the art historian, will be giving a talk.

With thanks to MG.