The newly refurbished PPC Hairdressing salon
Pepperpot Centre Hairdressing Salon has just been opened. In the photo we see two members having their hair washed, cut and braided...Contact Ernest at PPC to make an appointment.


HSBC staff volunteering at the Pepper Pot Centre Christmas party
At the Pepper Pot Centre Christmas Party Sharon Hoare HSBC Bank North London area Director and seven of her local managers acted as volunteers helping to support the delivery of a wonderful Christmas surprise for our members and guests.

Christmas surprise from Tesco
Just before Christmas members of the Pepper Pot Centre received a great surprise. Staff from the Ladbrook Grove Tesco provided these wonderful gifts that will help our members enjoy the Christmas celebrations.

Visit to Royal Albert Hall
Pepperpot Centre members joined award-winning classical dance soloist, Bollywood choreographer-actor and musicologist Menaka PP Bora for an evening of conversation, dance and music in the Elgar Room. As part of the evening Menaka was be joined in conversation by legendary British television broadcaster Alan Yentob, the former Creative Director of BBC and editor/presenter of the acclaimed BBC One series Imagine.
Menaka’s debut performance in the Elgar Room included freshly choreographed pieces from classical and experimental South Asian dance and music, including the rare 16th century Indian classical Sattriya dance of Assam. She was also be joined by renowned guest musicians and musicologists Prof. John Baily and Sulaiman Haqpana for the live performance.


Pepper Pot Christmas party
Early festive cheer was brought to a group of members of the Pepper Pot Centre, their friends and guests on Thursday 5 December at their annual Christmas party.
The Pepper Pot Centre staff hosted the party and Lenny Ranks, Super Classic A1 and the Ebony Steel Band provided some wonderful music. The Pepper Pot staff and volunteers, eight of whom came from the High Street Kensington HSBC branch served the food, made sure everyone had a good time and plenty to eat.
As one visitor said “This afternoon was a special time for all those who attended and it was very rewarding to see so many elderly people looking so happy”
During the afternoon seven Pepper Pot members over the age of 90 received presents and one lady, May Butler who is 99. In addition the raffle supported by donations from our visiting Ambassadors raised a record £205.00 in less than two hours.
We would like to thank all our guests for joining us to celebrate the season’s festivities, this include the Mayor, Cllr Will Pascall and the Mayoress, Cllr Sarah Addenbrooke,Emma Dent Cord MP, Prof Ian Hall (Patron). We also had representative from RBKC Adult Social Care, Westway Trust, St Helen’s Church, Age UK, Notting Hill Methodist Trust, Lion Club, Local CAB, NHS, Fareshare, Kensington Temple, Embassies of Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Jamaica, St Vincent & The Grenadines and Local Counsellors.
If you know anyone over 55 who would benefit from joining the Pepper Pot Centre or would like to volunteer, email Zenawi at zenawi.tadesse@pepperpotcentre.org.ukor call him on 020 8968 6940.



May Butler 100th Birthday Celebration
On Saturday May Butler celebrated her 100th birthday with her friends and family at the Pepperpot Centre in Ladbroke Grove.
The Centre was founded in 1981 to combat discrimination, isolation, depression and loneliness amongst the growing generation of Caribbean older people and more crucially to empower African and Caribbean older people to take charge of their own lives.
The Centre open to all communities in the Royal Borough Kensington & Chelsea and neighbouring Borough’s.
May was born in Jamaica in the Parish of St Mary on 1st of February 1920, one of four siblings. May moved to Kingston in her 20’s where she trained as a hairdresser and met her husband Rudolph (Ruddy) Butler. In 1957 the happy couple immigrated to England and settled in West London. Life in the 50's was very challenging in England adapting to the weather and a different culture but May responded to the challenges with optimism and purpose.
Like many of her peers May found employment Lyons company and she spent the last 25 years of her working life with British Rail. In addition she is an active member in her local All Saints church in the heart of Ladbroke Grove
For the last 20 years May has been attending the Pepperpot Centre regularly, where she happily enjoyed her well-earned retirement amongst her many friends.
When asked what keeps you going she replied..."Always be Kind and appreciate life and keep smiling”



