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The Park Cafe tablecloth that’s also an artwork

Visitors to the Park cafe (Pistachios) in Manor House Gardens could find themselves sitting at an artwork, the latest installation from Art Voyage Biennial.

“La Mesa Del Pueblo” (2025) (The People’s Table) is a reimagined textile tabletop by Ryan Hawaii . It was formally unveiled at an event in the Gardens on Sunday.

Pictures by David Ford

The piece celebrates Lewisham’s cultural lifeblood, weaving together local heroes, small businesses, and migrant community flags.

Ryan Hawaii says it is based on the flags of his own heritage, Nigeria and Cuba. It is intended for and can be used by cafe customers for their drinks and food like a conventional table

At the same event the Serbian born artist Vladimir Lalić  formally launched his sculpture  “To Move is to Bloom” (2025) in the middle of the Manor House Gardens lake.

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Big Bed Project – survey results

Manor House Gardens are very popular with Lee residents, according to our survey. More than two thirds of respondents said they visit the Gardens at least once a week with another fifth going at least once a month.

The vast majority – 82% – said the main attractions are the trees, plants and wildlife. 53% visit the cafe and 26% go for the children’s play facilities. Many people said they use the Gardens for exercise.

90% strongly support or support the project to restore the Big Bed near Manor House Library at the north end of the Gardens. 80% are enthusiastic about the idea of making it an educational experience, especially for children. 60% like the idea of adding a central path to allow visitors to get closer to the shrubs, plants and trees. More than half the respondents said these improvements would encourage them to visit the Gardens more often.

The Survey is still open – it will take you less than a minute to complete.

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Leegate latest

New hoardings are being erected around the Leegate site. Concrete blocks and a timber framework have appeared on Eltham Road near the Lee Green crossroads. Several trees on the pavement and concourse, as well as the history information panel, are now enclosed inside the cordon.

Full scale hoardings have been erected round the corner on Leyland Road. The Lee Manor Society has asked London Square for an update on its timetable for starting to clear the site, while it awaits the amended planning consent it needs to start building.

We understand the original hoardings were erected to secure the site and London Square is now replacing them with their normal ‘branded’ hoarding.

The company has over the last month submitted to Lewisham Council its Dust Management Plan and its Construction Environment Management Plan. These are both required by Lewisham planners as part of the developers proposals.

This article has been updated.