I am Rev Caroline Bailey – I am the vicar of All Saints West Dulwich. I have recently moved here from Manchester, where I used to be an English teacher in a sixth form college.
How long have you lived in the area?
Six months.
What brought you here?
I became the vicar of All Saints church on Rosendale Road!
What do you most value about the area/street you live in?
I love the green spaces, the diversity, all the cafes and the amazing range of people I meet every day! I also love the train to Victoria and how you feel like you’re close to the centre of London but not completely in it.
What’s the one thing you couldn’t do without?
I would have to say my faith – it’s not easy but when you are part of a faith community and have a belief in God, life is never dull and you always have support and meaning in your life.
Do you belong to any groups?
I swim at Brockwell Lido most days (it was 3.5 degrees yesterday!) and I am in a book group and hope to join an art class this year.
Describe your perfect weekend
On Saturday morning, I would have a swim then a sauna at Brockwell Lido. For lunch, I’d go to Ema’s café on Rosendale Road (I love the French mushrooms on toast!). Later, I’d take my two cockapoos for a walk in Dulwich woods with family and/or friends. On Sunday, I love to celebrate communion at church with the wonderful congregation, then we have tea and coffee and a good chat. In the afternoon, a stroll around Brockwell Park would be nice and maybe a film at West Norwood Picturehouse!
What’s your favourite place for a night out?
I like to watch a film at West Norwood Picturehouse, then eat at Sole Luna Italian Restaurant in West Norwood.
What’s your favourite place to go for a drink?
It has to 2-4-1 at The Rosendale or the Birdhouse Brewery in Herne Hill. Both are friendly and full of life!
The best kept secret..the Woodhouse pub in Sydenham hill!
When I want to relax…
I swim or watch TV – I like Scandic Noir!
What is your favourite shop?
I really like Lark in Herne Hill, where I recently got a black fake leather jacket for £10 – what a bargain! It’s also full of nice clothes and good presents.
The book I’m reading at the moment..
I’m re-reading ‘Wuthering Heights’ as my daughter wanted us to read it before the new film. And I used to be an English teacher before I was a priest, so I like to keep that part of my life up. We recently used Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ to talk about faith in our Advent course in church.
My perfect holiday..
I love Italy (We lived there for a year many years ago!) so I would like to go with my family to a villa in Tuscany with a nice (cold) pool and have a chef there so I don’t need to cook!
My secret ambition..
we have lots of wonderful classical concerts at All Saints church; it would be fun to have a pop concert one time!