London Diary, Autumn/Winter 2011 – Completely London magazine

London’s diary,
autumn 2011

Get up to speed with events in the Capital this autumn.
Plus a chance for artists to get their work published in
Completely London magazine.

London’s diary,
autumn 2011

Get up to speed with events in the Capital this autumn.
Plus a chance for artists to get their work published in
Completely London magazine.

London’s diary,
autumn 2011

Get up to speed with events in the Capital this autumn.
Plus a chance for artists to get their work published in
Completely London magazine.

Calling London artists!

Completely London is launching a search to find London’s next big visual artist. Are you a London based photographer, film maker or illustrator looking to raise your profile and take your work to the next level? Then we’re giving you the chance to have your work published in one of our future issues. The brief? It has to encompass the spirit of London and what it means to you. We’ll need one piece of your artwork, in high resolution format – so please upload it to a file sharing service such as sendspace.com, and then email the link along with a supporting statement of 150 words, a brief biography and your contact details to talent@completelylondon.co.uk. The closing date for entries is 31 January 2012. For full terms and conditions see completelylondon.co.uk.

Easy rider

How often have you sat on a stationary bus and stared forlornly at the motorcycles flying in the face of rush hour? Well if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em and rev up to a speedy commute. ‘Get On’ aims to give as many people as possible who have never ridden before a free one hour trial session on a scooter or motorbike with a qualified instructor. Just put your postcode into the search bar to find your local Get On training centre. Go on then – on yer bike!
geton.co.uk

Giddy Up!

Thought riding was the domain of the country set? Wrong. There’s a growing number of city folk who are hot to trot, and not a tally ho tweed botherer among them. If you fancy trying out equestrian pursuits, make your first stop Hoof Ride London that lists around 70 riding centres across the Capital. HRL’s aim is to challenge the perception of riding being expensive, inaccessible and elitist – to get you off the sofa, away from your desks and saddling up. All the fun without the mucking out.
hoof-in-town.com

Jive talkin'

Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, Swing – all fast, furious and fun dances from the 1940s and 1950s, which relegated the slow paced, traditional ballroom styles to wallflower status and took dance halls and newly liberated teenagers by storm. And, as London continues its love affair with all things vintage, it’s seeing a return to retro dance classes. If you fancy trying out that cool cat groove, take a class at The London Swing Cats run by former UK Lindy Hop champions Robert and Claire Austin. They hold drop in classes every Tuesday in King’s Cross followed by music and dancing.
Find more classes across London at uk-rocknroll.co.uk.

Viva the Velodrome!

It’s with happy hearts that we can report that South London’s historic Herne Hill Velodrome, the last working venue to survive from the 1948 London Olympics, looks set to be saved thanks to the efforts of cycling enthusiasts. A new high tech all weather track surface is now in place, and the Save The Velodrome campaign is close to realising its hope that this national treasure will thrive as a grassroots cycling facility. Hillary Peachey, chair of the campaign, said: ‘The level of support we’ve had is phenomenal – from Londoners and cyclists, to Sebastian Coe and Tessa Jowell MP, British Cycling and Southwark Council.’ Funds are still needed to renovate the grandstand and more. Find out more and make a donation at savethevelodrome.com

HIGH FLYING… the Thames Cable Car will carry up to 2,500 people an hour across the river between the Royal Victoria Dock and the Greenwich Penisula

Completely London, completely free

Whether you love to live fast, or prefer to sit back and take it slow, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in the autumn/winter issue of Completely London magazine. Visit a KFH estate agent to pick up a free copy or email your name and address to order@completelylondon.co.uk.

Coming soon…BEAUTY

Gritty and gorgeous, beautiful and beastly: take a good look at London and tell us what beauty means to you in the city, email donna@completelylondon.co.uk.

Photography: Velodrome Courtesy of Condor Cycles. Istockphoto. Tamar Levine/Gallery Stock