|
p8
The old 'one-armed bandits' were simple. You put your money in the
slot, pulled the lever and hoped that the cherries, lemons or oranges would clunk into a
winning line. Modern fruit machines involve flashing lights, multiple choices and eye
dazzling designs. Someone who understands what goes on inside the money-guzzling devices
is Lambert. He services and repairs them and can often be seen fixing machines in
Steptoes, the Auld Shillelagh and the Rochester Castle.
 One of the best-known characters around Church Street, Lambert came to Stoke
Newington from Guyana (via Barbados) with his six sisters and three brothers when he was
five years old. Too young to experience real culture shock, the main difference he
remembers is that in the West Indies people mostly lived in separate one-storey houses.
When his father pointed out their new house in London, he thought that the whole joined-up
terrace was going to be their residence. Leaving Clissold Park School at 17, he undertook
a four-year apprenticeship in electronics and electrical engineering at the Central
Electricity Generating Board and the LEB.
A bit of freelance ticket-touting at Bob Marley concerts got him noticed by the front of
house manager at the Rainbow in Finsbury Park, London's leading rock venue in the 1970s.
He was offered a job as a bouncer, officially 'security officer'. His main task was to
stop over-excited fans jumping onto the stage. A naturally good talker, he found that
gentle persuasion backed up with a hint of something stronger usually worked. It was a job
well suited to his talents: Lambert is a karate expert. He fought five times for the
England national side against some of the world's best. Later he was employed by rock
promoters as part of stage security. He went on tour with Paul Weller and The Jam, Dire
Straits, Elvis Costello and The Police to a number of countries including Norway, Sweden
and Holland. Joe Strummer and The Clash took him to the United States. It was important
that the musicians trusted the back-up staff as they spent long hours together and shared
the same lifestyle.
On one occasion Sting trod on his toes as he rushed past. Lambert reminded him that even
superstars could apologise. He did so and they remained friendly. Marvin Gaye recognised
Lambert at a wedding and they shared a drink or three. He remembers that a well-known
group were having fun chucking their visitors into a swimming pool. They grabbed one man
as he came through the door. Just as he was about to suffer the same fate, someone
recognised him. The newcomer was their coke dealer and his pockets were filled with the
white stuff.
That phase of Lambert's life ended when his then partner insisted he settle down in
England. They bought a house in Chadwell Heath in Essex, but Lambert managed to visit
Stoke Newington almost every day. When they split up he moved back and he has been in the
fruit machine business for the past 15 years. Lambert is an Arsenal fan and season ticket
holder. His sister played for a women's football team called Highbury Ladies and he became
their coach. Ian Wright is still his hero and it won't be a short conversation if you
disagree with him.
Good Health
To counter the occasional and completely unfounded accusation that
N16 is overly concerned with eating and drinking, we asked Ruth Arendse to investigate
healthier ways of spending one's time in Stoke Newington. Ruth visited the two women-only
health clubs in the area Amazon and Sunstone and describes her impressions.
Amazon
A small club, with studio space for 15, Amazon offers instructive courses based on an
holistic approach to health and fitness. Special attention is given to the supervision and
assessment of the workout programmes of those using the well-equipped gym. Sara Dove, the
club's energetic owner, runs a number of classes and is accessible to members and open to
suggestions as to the improvement of individual programmes. I was also impressed by the
courses run by Nicole and Lance.
The compact nature of the club, where one moves from the reception through the studio to
reach the gym, jacuzzi, sauna and changing rooms, may not suit everyone. There can be
distractions during yoga classes and some may miss the privacy of a changing cubicle.
However, there is an intimacy and friendly atmosphere in the club, aided by Sara's
experienced input and personal involvement. Amazon offers a variety of membership options,
including the opportunity to freeze individual membership to take account of holidays,
seasonal work pressures and pre- and post-natal periods.
134 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16. Phone: 020 7241 1449
Sunstone
A larger establishment, Sunstone has a range of instructive courses for its 2000 members.
Facilities include a spacious and attractive studio, a modern gym and changing rooms with
individual cubicles. A swimming pool, sauna and steamroom offer alternatives for
relaxation after your exertions.
The club is run by a friendly management team and instructors, and Gail and Jane bring
enthusiasm and fun to your workout. Mothers and babies can take advantage of the excellent
creche, as well as the swimming lessons for mums and the under-fives.
Although perhaps more imagination and planning could go into individual gym workout
programmes by taking into account the specific needs of the club's large and diverse
membership, Sunstone is nonetheless a welcoming and sophisticated place in which to tone
up and wind down.
Sunstone provides a number of membership options, including special rates for students and
the over-sixties.
16 Northwold Road, N16. Phone: 020 7923 1991
Both clubs run sports injuries clinics, and offer reflexology, massage and beauty
treatments, available to members and non-members. They have also recently introduced
Pilates classes which are a combination of mind, toning, breathing and re-shaping
disciplines.
|
. |
