Hazel Carr has lived in East Dulwich for 7 years. She previously worked as a primary school Spanish teacher, and now runs local Spanish language play classes for children aged 0-4, and their parents and carers, as well as Spanish after-school clubs at local primary schools.
How long have you lived in the area? 7 years
What brought you here? My church, which is nearby in Camberwell, my local friends, and the draw of being near to Lordship Lane.
What has changed most during that time? It’s sad (and annoying!) when good shops and businesses close because they can’t afford the rent anymore.
What do you most value about the area/street you live in? The fact that I have the gym, hairdressers, shops and buses right on my doorstep (so, no need for a car!). Also, the sense of community: I know quite a few of my neighbours and some of the local shop keepers / staff.
What one thing would you change? Probably the air pollution….
Do you know your neighbours?
Yes! Some of them have lived in my street for a very long time. My nextdoor neighbour, Rita, has lived in her house for 67 years and her late husband and family, many years before that. It’s so interesting to hear about the history of her family, and the area. She explains lots of things to me, for example, that some of the houses in our street are not Victorian, because they were destroyed during WW2, and then rebuilt in the 1940s.
What is your favourite place to eat? Kartuli, is a wonderful Georgian restaurant on Lordship Lane. The food is amazing, there are plants everywhere, and at Christmas-time they have an exquisite miniature display in the window!
Coffee or tea? Where? Neither, I prefer freshly-made rose lemonade from Jade’s Boulangerie, as my ‘reward’ after my gym workout.
The best-kept secret…I’m not sure how much of a secret it is as it’s usually busy, but there is a lovely little vegetarian café tucked away at the bottom of my road, the ‘Bluebrick Café.’
Where’s your favourite place to walk?
Peckham Rye Park, it’s surprising how big it is when you keep walking!
What is your favourite shop? AJ Farmer’s on Lordship Lane: it’s like an old-school ‘mini-market’. It’s amazing how many different things you can buy there: from household appliances and storage boxes to cleaning products and craft supplies. It may be a bit more expensive than the supermarket, but it’s also more convenient and personal (the staff know their customers!).
The book I’m reading at the moment…’ Suffering is Never for Nothing’ by Elizabeth Ellliot: a book filled with realism, hope, and joy.
For more information about Hazel’s Spanish language baby/toddler and parent/carer play classes (Unicornios y Dinosaurios), email her at hazelcarr@hotmail.com, or find us on Facebook or Happity.