Your Magazine (winter 2013) by Hammersmith & Fulham Council

Issue 11 | Winter 2013 News, events, culture and lifestyle in the borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

YourMagazine Floor fillers James Murphy and 2ManyDJs to rock town hall PAGE 58

Wheely good It’s a revolution! Barclays Cycle Hire bikes are coming! PAGE 22-24

Time for rematch Fulham boxer Groves calls for a new title fight PAGE 82

T U C X A T L COUNCI 0& – SEE PAGES 17, 47-5 ls ve le 99 19 to ed t to be return Council ta x bills se

IT’S PANTO SEASON! PAGES 44-46

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Issue 11 Winter 2013

Contents Trees takeover Brook Green 17

Cover story

A dancing cow? We speak to the brains of the Lyric’s panto Jack in the Beanstalk

From firs to spruces, Hammersmith is looking festive

Council tax set to be cut

Your bills set to go down another 3% next year

Jane Asher cooks up a treat 27 Actress breaks ground for new special school in W12

John Lewis comes to town

Department store spearheads new Westfield plans Get your skates on at Westfield

Cool Christmas gift ideas

Top traders scoop awards night gongs

From woolly hats to warming cocktails, we have it all

Crime falls to lowest levels

H&F tops London league for crime fall

Fly-under idea wins hearts

Tunnel scheme should replace Flyover, residents say

Sophie Ellis-Bextor is back

Xmas tree recycling & rubbish dates over the holidays

The local singer heads to Bush Hall for big gig

The bells! The bells!

All Saints Church appeal saves belfry from ruin

PUBLISHED BY

Geoff Cowart 020 8753 6597 geoff.cowart@lbhf.gov.uk

WHAT’S ON 6 pages of days & nights out 52

Tim Harrison tim.harrison@lbhf.gov.uk ADVERTISING

DISCLAIMER: We thank our advertisers for supporting Your Magazine, but H&F Council does not accept responsibility for goods or services offered by advertisers.

Your views on topics that affect local residents

PRODUCTION EDITOR

Michael Stafford & Alison Tilley designhammerprint@lbhf.gov.uk

Where’s the lost river? Give your feedback

EDITOR

DESIGN

Arthouse cinema coming to new-look town hall

Earls Court’s bold new look for development

Hammersmith & Fulham Council www.lbhf.gov.uk

John Naylor 07768 440 987 john.naylor@lbhf.gov.uk

Curzon Cinema is set to roll 68

Sgt Robin Rowe with his niece Isabella at Remembrance Sunday parade in Fulham

From the Raymond Briggs’ classic Father Christmas to the films at Riverside Studios this is your full guide to what’s on in the area

SPORT Exclusive interview SW6 boxer seeks a rematch 82 Fulham boxer George Groves suffers heartbreak in fight with Carl Froch after controversial decision

Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 3

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U N W RAP A N E W K I N GS M A LL TH IS C H R ISTMAS M O N TO F R I 8AM TO 9PM SAT U R DAYS 8AM TO 8PM S U N DAYS 8AM TO 6PM BOX I N G DAY 8AM TO 9PM N E W Y E A R ’ S DAY 11AM TO 5 PM

HAMMERSMITH LO N DO N W6 9 H W S O M E R E TA I L E R S O P E N I N G T I M E S M AY D I F F E R

News In your area

Newsboard What’s happening in Hammersmith & Fulham

ion of Damaged sect ch is repaired St Paul’s Chur

Gust snaps cross from church roof

Christmas all wrapped up Once again, the town hall will roll out the festive carpet to 300 senior citizens who would otherwise spend Christmas alone, continuing a 20-year Hammersmith & Fulham tradition. More than 100 volunteers will serve turkey and trimmings, thanks to local donations.

“Residents and businesses have been generously helping make Christmas a special time for older residents for two decades,” said Cllr Greg Smith, cabinet member for residents’ services. Guests, helpers and donors can email events@lbhf.gov.uk or call 020 8753 2135.

It’s easy going green in revamped estates The green transformation of three Shepherds Bush highrises is nearly complete after eight years of improvements. The Edward Woods estate now boasts three of the most efficient energy-saving tower blocks in the country, with stone wool insulation and photovoltaic solar panels which help cut residents’ electricity bills. Poynter, Stebbing and Norland houses have also been brick-clad and redecorated. When researchers from the London School of Economics studied energy performance before the upgrade, they found residents had The most utility bills of up to £2,000 a year. The next bills energy-saving are expected to show significant savings. tower blocks in “Residents of the Edward Woods Estate can now the country turn on their radiators this winter in the knowledge that they are likely to be the only people in the country paying less to heat their homes,” said housing cabinet member Cllr Andrew Johnson. 6 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

The autumnal storm which swept London blew down the cross at St Paul’s church in Hammersmith. Part of the celtic cross on the western tip of the church was ripped away by gusts on October 27. Stone plunged earthwards, damaging a wall. Roof tiles were also dislodged. Stonemasons advised that the landmark 1884 church be temporarily closed until everything was made safe. Music, film and Irish language lessons in St Paul’s Centre, organised by the nearby Irish cultural centre, were cancelled, and meetings rearranged. The incident intrigued local film buffs of a certain age. The classic 1976 horror movie The Omen featured a scene in which Patrick Troughton, playing troubled priest Fr Brennan, is impaled in his own churchyard by a lightning conductor which plunges down from the roof. It was a scene filmed in the borough. The location used for the ‘spiking’ was the churchyard of All Saints, near the Fulham end of Putney Bridge.

Sing song merrily at St Dionis church Schoolchildren from across Hammersmith & Fulham will not only add their voices to a family carol singsong at the weekend... they’ll be running the service! The event will be held at St Dionis church in Parsons Green on Saturday, December 7 at 5pm, with the singalong fuelled by wine, hot chocolate and mince pies, which will be served at the end. It is all in aid of The Daisy Trust, a charity which gives grants to projects in H&F borough. Last year’s 45-minute service was led by 50 borough youngsters. Tickets are £10 for adults, £5 for children, on the door or by emailing carolsdaisytrust@ gmail.com

Post Office lets locals pay bills at the counter

Now you can pay your council tax while picking up some stamps

A ground-breaking partnership between the Post Office and Hammersmith & Fulham Council means residents are now able to pay for a range of local council services at any major post office in the UK – including 17 branches in the borough. It means residents can pay their council tax, homecare, council rent and service charges at any branch. Richard Gutsell, director of government sales for the Post Office (left), and H&F Council leader Nicholas Botterill (right) launch the initiative at Shepherds Bush post office

ON YER HEAD HARRY! QPR’S latest flirtation with social media has gone right over manager Harry Redknapp’s head. Literally. All clubs have embraced Twitter as a way of getting closer to fans, but QPR have become the first team to place their matchday link on the frame of the Loftus Road dugout. It was launched at the QPR v Derby County game – a match the Rs won 2-1 to maintain their promotion push. The hashtag #QPRvDER could be clearly spotted right above manager Harry Redknapp’s head, helping generate more social media buzz. “We hope to show our growing fanbase how to interact with each other to add an extra dimension to their matchday experience,” explained club official Adam Hulme. Rangers have nearly 150,000 Twitter followers, and almost 230,000 Facebook fans – a 108 per cent increase this season alone.

Santa’s grotto will be in 3D at the Westfield mall in Shepherds Bush, with chances to meet the bearded present-giver until Christmas Eve. Youngsters will be able to appear in the animated tale of Elbow the Elf as part of a stereo 3D spectacular including wind, lights and elf dust. The £4 ticket price includes a gift for each child, and a donation to Save the Children. Visit www.uk.westfield.com

Join the army cadets If you’re young and looking for a challenge, try the army cadets. A new cadet unit has been formed at Fulham House, SW6, linked to the Army Cadet Force, the army’s national voluntary youth organisation. Cadets learn sport, first aid, adventure training and community work, as well as military skills. 239 Fulham Detachment meets every Monday and Thursday from 7.30-9.30. Email fulhamarmycadets@armymail.mod.uk

Counting on the birds If you think surveys are just for the birds… you’re right. Borough schools are being urged to help assess the health of the nation’s feathered friends. A birdcounting study is being staged from January 20 to February 14, to check on numbers and help struggling species. “By participating, you’ll be helping give nature a home at school,” said Faye Strange of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, which is organising Big Schools’ Birdwatch. Schools will earn a certificate and poster. Details at www.rspb. org.uk/schoolswatch

Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 7

News In your area

Youngsters get free flu protection This winter, children aged between two and three will be offered for the first time a nasal spray vaccine to beat the flu. Young children’s close contact with each other means they are more likely to transmit the virus to other more vulnerable groups, including infants and older people. And older people and those who have chronic health problems are being urged to take steps to protect their health this winter by having the flu vaccine. H&F Council and the NHS Hammersmith and Fulham Clinical Commissioning Group are reminding anyone aged 65 and over, care home residents, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, heart or kidney disease, that they are entitled to receive a free jab. For more information, speak to your GP or local pharmacist, or visit www.nhs.uk/flu

Take to the ice at Westfield

They’re taking to the ice at Westfield, where the giant shopping mall again features a winter skate arena. Up to 160 skaters will be able to twirl and glide until January 5, with special sessions

featuring live DJs, discos and even Christmas jumpers. Penguin and seal stabilisers are available for hire for the youngest skaters. One session runs until midnight on December 23 for last-minute

shoppers, with the rink closed on Christmas Day. Tickets from the atrium box office (by the Bobbi Brown shop) or online via www. uk.westfield.com from £8.50 (children £7).

Renowned cookery school Leiths is launching a Portobello pop-up for amateur epicureans to hone their kitchen skills. Returning to its roots in Notting Hill where Leiths first opened in 1975, the school in St Marks Road introduces a new series of courses with a Global Gourmet theme from January. The main Leiths campus is currently in Wendell Road, Shepherds Bush.

HAYNES CAP FETCHES £2K An England International cap presented to the late, great Johnny Haynes has sold at auction for £2,000. The cap was won by the Fulham legend in 1961 following a match against Italy at the Olympic stadium, Rome. England won 3-2 after a late strike from Jimmy Greaves… then a Chelsea player. Haynes, a one-club man who played 658 times for the Whites, presented the tasselled cap to Dennie Mancini, landlord of the Lord Palmerston 8 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

pub in New Kings Road, where it was put on display. It sold at the Graham Budd sports memorabilia auction in early November, comfortably beating its £800£1,200 pre-sale estimate. Among the other lots were international caps worn by fellow Fulham stars George Cohen and Alan Mullery. Cohen’s cap from the 1966 home internationals fetched £1,800, while Mullery’s – an England cap from the 1969 tour of central and South America – made £1,500.

Sheik shakes up Bush Hall Grammy award-winning composer and songwriter Duncan Sheik is bringing his own brand of folk-pop to Bush Hall this month, fresh from working on the theatrical debut of American Psycho at the Almeida Theatre, Sheik will perform a showcase on December 15, along with special guests, at the intimate venue in Uxbridge Road.

Benefit cheat coughs up for housing con

Lucky winners get tech-filled event tickets Congratulations are in order for six gadget and gizmo lovers! In the Autumn edition of Your Magazine, we offered half a dozen lucky entrants the chance to win free tickets to the Gadget Show LIVE at Earls Court. The winners were: Diana Hardie of Ravenscourt Gardens, Michael Spitzer of Wood Lane, John Kent of Harbord Street, Iva Petrovic of Auriol Road, J Ferguson of Field Road and Sean O’Brien of Stonor Road.

CAN YOU SPOT ODD MAN OUT? Can you locate the Odd Man Out at shops in Fulham? If so, you are in with a chance to win an impressive hamper of more than 20 prizes, all donated by select SW6 businesses. Organised by the Durell Arms in conjunction with Fulham Road businesses, this is a window shopping competition requiring you to locate small household objects that you wouldn’t ordinarily expect to find. For example, a tin of baked beans in a butcher’s shop or a pair of spectacles in a flower shop. Pick up a competition form from participating Fulham Road businesses, download it at www.lbhf.gov.uk/oddmanout or pick one up from the Durell Arms at 704 Fulham Road. Competition runs until December 22.

Blue badge bandits beware Hammersmith & Fulham Council has brought a total of nearly 370 successful prosecutions against people dishonestly using blue badges, and issued nearly £90,000 in fines against offenders.

Tempest performs at Lyric Kate Tempest (pictured) blows into Hammersmith in January with an extraordinary show mixing music, percussion and the spoken word. Brand New Ancients, which visits the Lyric on January 7, is on a national tour. It follows the lives of two south London families, with accompaniment by a quartet of violin, cello, tuba and drums. Kate, who won the 2013 Ted Hughes poetry award, is a performance poet and rapper who has recently completed a tour of another play, Hopelessly Devoted. The Lyric show is at 8pm on January 7. Tickets £15/£12. Box office: 020 8741 6850 or visit www.lyric.co.uk

A woman who swindled the council out of housing benefit has been given a suspended jail sentence. For 12 years, Messie Allie used her parents’ address to fraudulently claim housing assistance. H&F officials found that while she claimed to have been living with her parents, she was really a housing association tenant. The fraudster, who had worked for the Department for Work and Pensions, was caught after officials spotted payments made from her bank account to Kensington and Chelsea Council, where she was liable for council tax. In court, she pleaded guilty to five charges, was ordered to do 200 hours of community service, and was sentenced to six months in jail, suspended for a year. She was also ordered to pay the council’s £1,600 costs. “We will continue to fight fraudsters,” said H&F Council deputy leader Greg Smith.

1,000 jobs to move to borough

Work is underway to convert a former self-storage warehouse into the global HQ of a loyalty card firm, bringing 1,000 jobs to Hammersmith & Fulham. Dunnhumby’s transformation of 184 Shepherds Bush Road also involves £200,000 of environmental improvements to nearby Little Brook Green. The firm launched Tesco’s loyalty

card, and now specialises in ‘customer science’ – researching why shoppers prefer certain brands. The Grade II-listed 1916 building began life as a car showroom, but has been an Access Self Storage warehouse for 23 years. Work will be finished in time for the building’s centenary. H&F Council leader Nicholas

Botterill said: “This investment is more evidence of Hammersmith town centre’s rebirth.” Central to the conversion is a glazed roof, similar to the one over the British Museum. “In its own way it will create a great landmark at the west end of Brook Green here in Hammersmith,” said architect Roy Collado. Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 9

News In your area

Photo provided by Burlington Danes Academy

Secret to All Blacks’ success started on a W12 sports pitch Rugby world champions the New Zealand All Blacks trained at Burlington Danes Academy, ahead of their 30-22 victory over England last month. The rugby giants, currently touring Europe for the autumn international series, approached the ARK secondary to train at its all-weather sports pitch. School principal Dame Sally Coates said: “It was a privilege to host what’s arguably the best team in history. The fact that they chose to train at Burlington Danes shows just how lucky our students are to enjoy such excellent facilities.” Rugby players Dan Carter (pictured left) Richie McCaw, and Ma’a Nonu, some of the

Burlington Danes head Dame Sally Coates and pupils check out the All Blacks

sport’s greats, took part in the private training sessions and as a gesture of thanks, the 2011 World Cup winners presented

the school with a signed jersey and ball and posed for pictures with members of its Year Eight rugby team.

Bhavan gets big names for Diwali party This year’s Bhavan Centre fundraising Diwali banquet was backed by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg as the event celebrated its 25th anniversary. The West Kensingtonbased Bhavan Centre – which is focused on promoting Indian art and culture – held its annual Diwali banquet at the Sheraton Park Hotel, in Piccadilly, on November 27. Also attending as joint chief guest was His Excellency Dr Virander Paul, the Acting High Commissioner of India.

Want to get into the festive spirit with all the family? Father Christmas will be parking his sledge in Ravenscourt Park for a series of visits to the W6 Garden Centre’s magical grotto. Santa will be at W6 Garden Centre on December 7, 8, 14, and 15 from 11am to 3pm, where children can meet the legendary man and take home a hand-picked gift. Each visit costs £7.50, with £2.50 going to West London Action for Children. Contact the W6 Garden Centre on 020 8563 7112 or email info@w6gc.co.uk

Forty years of top tunes As Virgin celebrates its 40th birthday, the borough can bask in the reflected glory of an astonishing commercial success story. The music arm of the multi-faceted group used Townhouse Studios at 150 Goldhawk Road, Shepherds Bush, as a key recording house. It finally closed in 2008. Adam Ant’s Friend or Foe, Coldplay’s X&Y, The Jam’s Setting Sons, Queen’s A Kind of Magic, Phil Collins’ Hello I Must Be Going and Peter Gabriel 3 (pictured) were all recorded there, as were albums by ABC, Yes, XTC, Van Morrison, UB40, Simple Minds, the Sex Pistols, Pulp, Killers, Kaiser Chiefs, Blur and Eric Clapton. And, for a decade into the noughties, Virgin retail and the company’s website were both headquartered in Brook Green. Richard Branson 10 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

launched Virgin Records in 1973 with the quirky instrumental album Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield. Events planned to mark the 40th anniversary year include an exhibition, art book, film and various live events. There will also be five boxsets of three discs each marking the different eras of classic Virgin tracks – from Losing our Virginity – The First Four Years (1973-77) to Fascinating Rhythms (Sound Systems & Dancefloor).

A quality performance from Bush Theatre

The Bush Theatre has been named winner of the 2013 Groucho Club Maverick Award after judges praised the ‘quality and diversity’ of its performances. The theatre in Shepherds Bush, which reopened in a former library building in 2011, was recognised for the work of artistic director, Madani Younis (pictured). The Bush Theatre was chosen from more than 200 submissions to scoop the award at a ceremony on November 7, and follows in the footsteps of winners including last year’s victor Danny Boyle, for his part in the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.

Behold arrival of Christmas three!

X Factor star Adam gets ready to rust ‘n’ roll

Former X Factor contestant Adam Burridge is set to headline a pre-Christmas charity gig at the Distillers pub in Hammersmith. Appearing with his new band Rust and Bone, Burridge will perform as part of a gig

Picture by CComley

OUR HAMMERSMITH & CITY SPUR TURNS 150

The Hammersmith & City line is celebrating its 150th anniversary of the Paddington to Hammersmith branch next year. To mark the occasion TfL is asking customers to share their experiences and anecdotes for a new book to commemorate the anniversary. The entry deadline for contributions to the book is December 31. Write to corporatearchives@tfl.gov.uk

Christmas trees will be going up in every town centre. In Shepherds Bush, the tree is located outside the Shepherds Bush Central line station and is sponsored by Cygnet Properties & Leisure Plc and Ibis London Shepherds Bush Hotel. In Fulham, the tree will be in Jerdan Place and is sponsored by Maclaren. And in Hammersmith, the 25-foot-tall tree will be displayed in Lyric Square and is sponsored by the owners of office block 10 Hammersmith Grove, Development Securities. to benefit the homelessness charity Crisis. The gig takes place on Friday, December 13, with doors at 7.30pm, at the Regal Room in the Distillers, 64 Fulham Palace Road. Tickets £10 available on the door.

Lights, Xmas, action in town! Deck the streets with festive lights! King Street, Beadon Road and Hammersmith Road in Hammersmith will be aglow with Christmas lights this year thanks to business group HammersmithLondon. While the Fulham town centre lights are provided by Fulham FC, with the team’s captain Brede Hangeland saying: “I’m delighted that Fulham FC is once again getting behind the borough’s Christmas lights. The club plays a key role in the local community with the help of our Fulham FC Foundation which delivers inspiring programmes all year round.”

Abigail Alexander and Shakira Scott with their survey for local young people

Young people give fresh perspective Fresh ideas were the order of the day at Hammersmith Town Hall last month as more than 100 young people took over the council. Enthusiastic 13 to 19-year-olds had the chance to share their views on the running of the council, including the parks and communications departments, during National Takeover Day on November 22.

When matchday mascots grow up Ever wondered what becomes of the little lads who run out on to the pitch in their replica kits alongside their sporting heroes? Dru and Gav Lawson were the matchday mascots when the Rs’ drew 2-2 with Spurs at Loftus Road in January 1985. Twenty-eight years on, the boys, who founded the awardwinning ethical

clothing brand THTC, have donated £1,000 to mark the fifth birthday of QPR’s Tiger Cub Down’s syndrome team. The donation was made via the QPR in the Community Trust. Firm THTC (The Hemp Trading Company) was set up in 1999 by Gav and Dru, sons of Alan Lawson,

whose ashes were scattered in the goalmouth at the School End 10 years ago after Alan passed away at the age of 66. Alan had been a regular visitor to Loftus Road since 1946, while Dru and Gav have been season-ticket holders since 1980. Alan was pally with many QPR players and staff, including Barry Bridges and the late Tony Ingham. THTC clothing has been worn by the likes of actor Colin Firth and poet Benjamin Zephaniah.

Dru and Gav Laws on (bottom centre an d right) in 1985

Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 11

Stepping inside this authentic British pub you’ll instantly feel at home. The Andover Arms will take the chill out of the winter air with its cosy feel. The bill of fare changes daily and seasonally but you’ll find plenty of British classics to suit everyone’s tastes and pockets.

The Andover Arms is truly London’s hidden gem and our beers and wines are amazing having won a myriad of global awards. From Fuller’s flagship London Pride to the exclusive vintage ales, Fullers craft their beers with pride and passion. Our lagers are from all over Europe. Our wine cellar is from all corners of the world and we have a medley of fine wines to brighten up everyone’s palate.

57 Aldensley Road London W6 0DL Tel: 020 8748 2155 connect@theandoverarms.com

www.theandoverarms.com

Bookings are very welcome and sometimes essential to avoid disappointment.

Everyt h we pro ing is sim duce ply w love a ith nd passio n

Home-made food to take away Bring some Mediterranean sunshine to your party with a visit to Emilia’s Delicatessen - a firm Fulham favourite. The finest salami, Parma ham and other cold meats make a perfect light starter, or for something more substantial, you could opt for our delicious pasta filled with wild mushroom, asparagus, rocket or Ricotta. Home-made tiramisu makes and indulgent dessert and, for a grand finale to assist your dinner party, great cheese is a must - the only problem is deciding which ones to pick. Imported hand-made Buffalo Mozzarella, Pecorino, goat and sheep’s milk cheeses and cheese à la truffe are highly recommended. Open 7 days a week Mon to Sat 9.0am - 8.00pm Sun 10.00am - 6.00pm

88 New King’s Road, Fulham SW6 4LU Tel: 020 7751 0189 • Fax: 020 7751 0488

News Council tax

From farm to Brook Green come Xmas trees

See Hew’s top Xmas tree tips on page 89

By Geoff Cowart ARE YOU pining fir a Christmas tree? If so, head down to Little Brook Green between 8am and 7pm seven-days-a-week to find your pick of the bunch. The stall, run by Hammersmith landscape design and construction firm Shoots and Leaves, sees the best hand-selected Danish trees, tree stands, wreaths, lights, sumptuous holly and bundles of naturally-scented spruce for swags on offer. For more details, visit www.shootsandleaves.co.uk/christmas

Tony Von Harrach and Hew Stevenson of Shoots and Leaves in Little Brook Green

As cost of living soars, council looks to cut tax again by 3% While bills for gas, water and electricity are on the rise. H&F Council seeks to slash its charge to residents again. Rob Mansfield reports

ritain’s low tax borough is set to cut council tax for the seventh year out of eight in a move that will ‘ease the cost of living’ by taking bills back towards levels not seen since the last millennium. While council tax costs have doubled over the past decade to £1,439 a year nationally, H&F Council is set to reduce its average ‘Band D’ bill by three per cent to £735. The last time council tax was lower in H&F was in 1999 when the average charge was £706. That was the year David Beckham married Victoria Adams aka ‘Posh Spice’, Britney Spears was top of the charts and Harry Potter was the must-read book. The cut would mean that council tax bills in H&F will have fallen 20 per cent in cash terms over the past eight years, if the move is formally agreed at a budget council meeting in February this year. The council says the tax reduction is

possible as it has saved money by: sharing management posts with neighbouring boroughs; halving its historic £176million debt and by reforming the way front-line services are delivered. While council tax has been falling locally, the average combined annual bill for gas, electricity and water has nearly doubled from around £894 a year in 1999 to more than £1,679 in 2012. Cllr Nicholas Botterill, H&F Council leader, said: “While most major household bills have been going up and up, I believe this council has done more to reduce the cost of living than virtually any other organisation in the country. “By relentlessly rooting out unnecessary costs and cutting debt, we have become a much leaner council where the focus is solely on the front line services that matter most to residents. “While improving services, we have been able to ease the cost of living by passing cost savings back to taxpayers in the form of annual tax cuts. “H&F is proof that if you cut back on debt and only spend what you can afford you can actually deliver better services and lower tax.” H&F Council tax bills are currently 39 per cent lower than they would have been if they’d risen in line with inflation, as measured by the retail price index.

Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said: “Cutting council tax by 20 per cent is a phenomenal achievement that Hammersmith & Fulham should be rightly proud of and one their residents will heartily welcome. In stark contrast to the decade when national bills doubled to an average of £1,439, Hammersmith & Fulham has steadfastly kept a lid on their bills at £735. “Hammersmith & Fulham Council is showing just how far they can go to help reduce their residents’ cost of living bills whilst cutting their debts and keeping top quality, efficient local services going.” While tax has been falling, the borough is safer than ever – with recorded crime at an all-time low and H&F topping the London league table for the biggest drop in crime so far this year, according to Met Police statistics. The impressive results are, in part, due to £1.6million worth of funding from the council and local businesses that pays for 42 extra beat police. The borough’s parks have received 13 Green Flag awards, local schools have never been more popular and the council has retained weekly – and in some cases twice-weekly – bin collections. Read the full facts and figures on pages 47-50 and see H&F Council Leader Cllr Nicholas Botterill’s column in Feedback, page 77. Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 17

News Business A man of the cloth. David Saxby in his vintage shop in Fulham

Fulham tailor cut down to size You can’t be the director of any company for 10 years, rules High Court judge, after hearing about vintage clothing business, writes Tim Harrison

Fulham tailor who has run his tape measure up the inside leg of members of the royal family has been banned from running a company for a decade. David Saxby, whose gentleman’s moleskin trousers blazed the trail for Fulham High Street’s vintage clothing enclave, was disqualified in the High Court from acting as a director after an investigation by the Insolvency Service. It means the 64-year-old father of seven, who has enjoyed a surge of interest in old tweedy gear thanks to the Downton Abbey factor, cannot manage any firm until October 2023. Mr Saxby, the sole director of David Saxby Ltd, was disqualified for failing to maintain proper accounting records. But speaking to Your Magazine last week, he said he “could live with” the ruling and it was of “no immediate concern”. “It happens from time to time,” he said, adding that he was considering an appeal. 18 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

Whatever the courts may have ruled, business is continuing as usual in Fulham High Street. At issue is more than £1.7million worth of debit and credit card takings generated between 2009 and 2011 and paid into a friend’s bank account. Investigations found that Mr Saxby failed to ensure that David Saxby Ltd maintained and delivered adequate accounts to its liquidator after the firm became insolvent in September 2011. Registrar Nicholls, for 10 years a bankruptcy specialist at the High Court, made the banning order against David Saxby. His judgement stated that David Saxby Ltd had failed to account for VAT, or Revenue & Customs payments for its entire trading period. Mark Bruce of the Insolvency Service said: “Directors of companies experiencing financial difficulties have a duty to act in the best interests of its creditors including keeping proper records of the company’s trading activities. “Directors like Mr Saxby who disregard such basic duties must expect to have

Directors of companies experiencing financial difficulties have a duty to act in the best interests of its creditors

their ability to be a director removed for a significant period.” Mr Saxby opened his first vintage tailoring shop in Fulham High Street 20 years ago. “It was really something I did as a stopgap measure and then I found myself doing it for real, as a trade,” he told this magazine. “I did have some experience in tailoring and my experience was of another era which I’ve always felt is good. Tradition has lasting value while trends are just that – temporary.” Old Hat, at number 66, came first. Later he added the shop that bears his name, two doors down. There are sister shops in Tokyo and Osaka, and a workshop in an anonymous industrial estate on the outskirts of Ipswich. All the shops trade in traditional menswear such as silk hats, sporting tweed, waistcoats, braces, garters and bowler hats. Starved of regular sources of real vintage clothing, he began making his own, using the styles and templates of yesteryear. David, who has a flat in Burlington Road, just around the corner from his shops, is also a busy family man. The youngest of his sevenstrong brood is a seven-year-old daughter. Invariably kitted out in the kind of clothes he sells, the ex-photo journalist has seen business rise internationally on the back of shows such as Downton Abbey and Jeeves and Wooster, with fans of costume drama drawn to between-the-wars upper class tailored outfits. In the past he has kitted out the Royals in shooting jackets and leatherelbowed tweeds.

Look out for fantastic festive offers on Christmas gifts

News Education Opening-day jubilation as the West London Free School admits pupils in 2011. Below, the current Cambridge Grove site and Toby Young

New free school eyes Earls Court site Parents, teachers and community groups in H&F are being asked what they think about proposals to open a primary free school in the borough, writes Delyth Bowen

he West London Free School Charitable Trust (WLFS Charitable Trust) has been given the green light by the Department for Education to open a third school in September next year. That school will be called Earl’s Court Free School Primary, though it will initially be based in Cambridge Grove in Hammersmith, the current home of sister school West London Free School Primary. The trust also has a secondary school in Hammersmith – the first school it opened in 2011. Subject to planning approval and consultation, the new primary school will move to Earl’s Court, as part of the regeneration and redevelopment of the area, where it would become a two-form entry primary. This, however, would not be until 2020 when the multi-million pound redevelopment of Earls Court is complete. Thirty children each year will be accepted to the reception class

until the school relocates to Earls Court, when the entry numbers would double to 60 children a year. The school will provide children with a classical liberal education, focusing on a core of academic subjects complemented by art, music, drama and competitive sport. The current schools run by WLFS Charitable Trust are both heavily oversubscribed – for the 2013 entry, 394 children applied for 60 places in the primary school, while 1,179 applied for one of 120 places in the secondary school. Toby Young, chairman of WLFS Charitable Trust, says: “I helped set up the West London Free School because I believe that all children should have access to a classical liberal education, regardless of background or ability. That approach has proved so popular with local parents that my group is now opening a third school and our aim is to open a new one every year for as long as there is demand for this type of school from parents.” Councillor Georgie Cooney, H&F Council’s cabinet member for education, says:

“We welcome the suggestion for another free school and continue to offer our support to parents wanting to set up schools or those who opt to send their children to these new schools. “With new housing and development coming to Earls Court, there will also be a growing population and greater demand for places in the area in the future. “A new school will help address this issue while offering local parents more choice for their children’s education.” The consultation is open until 5pm on January 3, 2014. You can fill in a questionnaire online at www.wlfs-earlscourt.org/consultation/ consultation.html or you can fill in a paper copy using one of the consultation leaflets that are being distributed across the borough. An open event will be held at West London Free School Primary – the proposed temporary site for the school – at Cambridge Grove, Hammersmith, W6 0LB, on Wednesday December 11. There will be two sessions during the evening, from 6pm-7pm and 7.30pm-8.30pm. For more information on the proposals contact Toby Young on tobyyoung@mac.com Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 21

Transport

Bike hire

holas Botterill H&F Council leader Nic member Victoria t ine cab (right) and H&F e bikes for a spin in Brocklebank-Fowler tak cyclist in action a ht, Rig ith. Hammersm

Time to go for a ride! Some wheely good news arrives this month as the Barclays Cycle Hire bikes start to hit the road across the borough. Delyth Bowen gets her helmet on

Photo top right: ©Bikeworldtravel/Shutterstock.com

t will be a bike bonanza next week when Barclays Cycle Hire scheme finally comes to Hammersmith & Fulham. Mayor of London Boris Johnson will officially launch the south west extension of the cycle scheme will launch on Friday, December 13, with the help of H&F Council leader Cllr Nicholas Botterill and leader of Wandsworth Council, Cllr Ravi Govindia. H&F Council has contributed £2million towards the popular blue bike hire scheme using ‘Section 106’ funding – money that developers pay to the council to reduce the impact of development and contribute to community improvements, as part of their planning permission. Cabinet member for transport and technical services Cllr Victoria BrocklebankFowler, said she was looking forward to seeing the bikes, backed by the Mayor of London, in the borough. She said: “H&F is already well-connected but this is another feather in the borough’s cap – especially as it is not costing our residents a penny, as our contribution has been paid through money from developers’

22 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

that is set aside for community improvements. “We have worked hard to bring this fantastic scheme to the borough and our residents can now enjoy the benefits of these bikes which are easy to ride and offer lowcost alternatives to other ways of travelling. “We hope more people will be encouraged to get on their bikes and this could help cut congestion on our roads, which has been central to our Get H&F Moving campaign.” Around 1,700 bikes will be available to hire from around 60 docking stations in the borough including from well-known locations like BBC White City, Olympia Exhibition Centre and Charing Cross Hospital. There will also be stations near the parks of Eel Brook Common, Parsons Green and South Park, and at tube stations including Ravenscourt Park, Putney Bridge, West Kensington and Barons Court. The furthest west docking station will be at Ravenscourt Park Station in Hammersmith. The cycles offer another travel option to residents, commuters and visitors and it is likely that the bicycles will be used for a

Arthur Henderson House, Fulham Road

Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme docking stations that will be available to use from December 13 (information supplied by TfL)

This is Irene Road near Parsons Green

Eelbrook Common

variety of reasons – leisure, tourism, work, or for popping to the local shops. Over 200 people contacted H&F Council in 2011 as part of its ‘Get H&F Moving’ transport campaign to offer their views on where the docking stations could be put. Additional suggestions came from council officers and Transport for London, which owns the scheme. Each of the places has had to be reviewed against a set of strict criteria to see if the site is suitable. Garrett Emmerson, chief operating officer for surface transport at TfL, said: “Expanding the scheme will encourage even more people to take to two wheels in London, whether those journeys are for work or pleasure, and we hope it will also help to deliver wider economic benefits to these areas.” Phase 3 of the scheme sees the hire bike scheme expand westwards to parts of H&F, Wandsworth, Lambeth and Kensington & Chelsea bringing more than 2,000 new bicycles and around 5,000 additional docking stations to these boroughs. Each station has a touch screen terminal where you can enter your card details, before getting a ‘release code’ to type into the bike stand and release the bike. When the bike is

We hope more people will be encouraged to get on their bikes and this could help cut congestion on our roads returned, it just has to be pushed firmly into an empty docking point and it automatically recognises the bike, via its code, and locks it back in. There is also an option to become a registered member and get a cycle hire key, which allows you to access the bikes all year for £90 – that is 25p per day. The Barclays Cycle Hire scheme has around 160,000 registered users – 3,900 of whom are H&F residents – with more than 8,000 bicycles at around 570 docking stations across London. There is already one at Olympia train station, on the Kensington and Chelsea side of the border, and in spring last year four stations were installed at Westfield shopping mall in Shepherds Bush as part of Phase 2 of the scheme. For details on cycling in H&F – including how to take part in cycling courses to learn how to ride or to build confidence – and to see a list of docking station sites that have been approved visit www.lbhf.gov.uk/cycling For more information on the council’s transport campaign Get H&F Moving, visit www.lbhf.gov.uk/getmoving Find out more about the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme at www.tfl.gov.uk/barclayscyclehire Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 23

Transport

Bike hire

Check out the borough’s hot spots on two wheels Route 1 The Thames Path Putney Bridge > Ravenscourt Park

n a clear day, a gentle bike ride along the Thames Path is a great way to spend some time in the borough. Here’s our suggested route to get from Putney Bridge, Fulham, to Ravenscourt Park in Hammersmith along the river. Begin your journey at Putney Bridge tube station, head down Fulham High Street to Willowbank going under Putney Bridge via the subway. Pass All Saints Church and you’re now in beautiful Bishops Park. Leave the park and Fulham Palace behind you and turn onto Stevenage Road passing Craven Cottage, the home of Fulham Football Club, then head back onto the Thames Path to enjoy the sights of the river and the distant view of Hammersmith Bridge.

The river path ends temporarily at Eternit Walk so pop up the side of The Crabtree pub on Rainville Road and left again immediately after the pub to rejoin the path. From here it’s a clear ride all the way to the Riverside Studios, home to plays, films and TV. From Crisp Road, turn left onto Queen Caroline Street to meet the river path once more and pass under Hammersmith Bridge, constructed in 1887. Soak up the sun or catch your breath in Furnivall Gardens, before the last leg of your journey. Come out of the park, under the A4 underpass onto Nigel Playfair Avenue, past the town hall, and left onto King Street. Then turn left at Ravenscourt Park Road and park up your bike at the underground station, before strolling to Ravenscourt Park for a well-earned rest.

Route 2 The Traders Way Olympia > Westfield

ant to support your local traders? This route will let you do that in lots of different ways – anything from picking up a fancy dress costume to getting a tattoo, or for the less adventurous, grabbing a coffee or a bite to eat and doing a bit of shopping. From Olympia train station head right onto Hammersmith Road, Carnival store, Suzo Sushi and Hammersmith Tattoo Studio, on the junction with North End Road. Turn right onto Brook Green and if you’re feeling peckish, stop at the Queen’s Head on Brook Green, and turn right again onto Shepherds Bush Road. If you fancy

24 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

some fast and authentic British food, you could try traditional fish and chips at Kerbisher and Malt or alternatively, stop in Brook’s for a quick cuppa and a sandwich. Got the cycling bug now and thinking of buying your own bike? Well, how about stopping at Bikeworks, just seconds up the road to see what’s on offer and have a chat with the friendly team? Get back on your bike and continue north on Shepherds Bush Road, to the town centre,

and cross the newly refurbished Green using the cycle paths. From here, the Bush is your oyster! Get some shopping done in Uxbridge Road, pick up some fresh fruit and veg and some bargains at Shepherds Bush Market, or head to the Bush Theatre to watch a play. If you’ve cycled enough for one day, take your bike to one of four docking stations around Westfield Shopping Centre, and pop to the shops or call in at Shepherds Bush Library in Wood Lane.

Hammersmith & Fulham offers

ADULT CYCLE

TRAINING If you live, work or study in the borough

Free cycle training* is available for people living, working or studying in Hammersmith & Fulham. The sessions are arranged at a date, time and place to suit the trainee and are tailored to the traineeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s level of experience. *There is a booking fee of ÂŁ5, refundable to claimants/unwaged. Private tuition in safe, confident road cycling for adults and families. A two-hour, one-to-one cycle training session for anyone who lives, works or studies in the borough Bikes can be provided for complete beginners Female and male instructors will train anywhere in Hammersmith & Fulham

For more information visit: www.lbhf.gov.uk To book a session contact Bikeworks on: 020 8980 7998 Email: enquiries@bikeworks.org.uk

News Education

School breaks new ground Actress helps with the spadework as building starts to rise in Shepherds Bush, writes Delyth Bowen

ork has begun on a new £11million special school in Shepherds Bush for pupils with autism. A groundbreaking ceremony at Askham Road, the site for the new Queensmill School, was overseen by actress and president of the National Autistic Society Jane Asher and pupil 12-year-old Ollie Walsh. They were joined by Queensmill’s head teacher Jude Ragan OBE and chair of governors Michael Walsh, H&F Council’s cabinet member for education Cllr Georgie Cooney, managing director of schools mutual 3BM Andy Rennison and Arnaud Bekaert, managing director of construction for London and south east for Bouygues UK, the main contractor carrying out the building work. When the new school opens, up to 130 pupils with autism, aged two to 19, will be taught in separate departments under the same roof, providing seamless and continuous education that offers a helpful stability for children with autism. Since last year, all pupils have been taught together on the same site in Mund Street, West Kensington, but the new school is being designed specifically to cater for autistic students. Ms Asher said: “I’ve known Jude Ragan for many years – both she and the magnificent Queensmill School are beacons of excellence in the world of autism, and I was so excited when she first told me of the plans for the new building. To say that I’m honoured to be part of the ground-breaking ceremony is a vast understatement – to be in on the beginning of something

For the first time we will have room to build more therapy rooms, specialist areas and training rooms Headteacher, Jude Ragan OBE

Can you dig it? Jane Asher and pupil Ollie Walsh get the project underway

so very special is thrilling! Surroundings and facilities are important in every school, of course, but for children with the complex and potentially disabling condition of autism they can be critical.” The school is expected to be open by September next year and unused buildings on the site have already been demolished, paving the way for the start of the new build. The hi-tech school will have spacious classrooms, a garden, playground, wet-room and state-ofthe-art inter active sensory room. It will also allow some students to attend an extended school day and offer respite for families, including some overnight respite, giving parents and children a short break from each other. This offers welcome relief, rest and support for families and gives children the chance to also have an enjoyable time that is beneficial to their development.

The headteacher of Queensmill School, Jude Ragan, said: “All of our children have severe and complex autism, and as such have a muddled understanding about the world around them, which makes them highly anxious. “The new environment will be more suitable for our children and, for the first time, we will have room to build more therapy rooms and specialist areas that will help their education and treatment, as well as specialist training rooms.” H&F Council’s cabinet member for education, Cllr Georgie Cooney, who is also a governor at Queensmill, said: “Queensmill is a fantastic school and it has always been a priority for this council to provide first-class education and opportunities to all children in this borough.” Queensmill has been rated outstanding by Ofsted in its last two inspections and is accredited by the National Autistic Society. Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 27

News Westfield London

John Lewis is set to come to Westfield New department store, flats and public park will be centrepiece of the giant shopping mall in Shepherds Bush, writes Dan Hodges

John Lewis is the store that most Westfield shoppers wish would open

28 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

hoppers will soon have another reason to visit Westfield London in the shape of a giant new John Lewis, due to open at the shopping centre within four years. The four-storey, 230,000 sq ft department store is likely to become a new architectural landmark, acting as the anchor for a major expansion to the north of the current mall that will add 600,000 sq ft of retail space and more than 1,500 homes. The store will employ around 600 workers and will offer 350,000 lines across all its ranges, including fashion, homeware and technology. It will have an outdoor dining terrace with views over the old BBC Television Centre, which is also being redeveloped, along with the listed Dimco buildings, which currently serve as a Westfield’s bus station. The imminent arrival of John Lewis, a brand many shoppers have been demanding since Westfield London opened five years ago, has been welcomed by Hammersmith & Fulham Council. Council leader Nicholas Botterill said: “This marriage of the UK’s best retailer and the nation’s most exciting shopping centre is set to last – and with one of London’s

finest boroughs as the backdrop, it will be a wedding to remember. “The arrival of John Lewis at Westfield is further proof that White City is becoming unbeatable as a centre for shopping and leisure, and the creation of 600 jobs is fantastic news for local people.” The store is expected to open in 2017, bringing a further boost to footfall at the shopping centre, which already attracts 27 million shoppers annually. Michael Gutman, Westfield’s European managing director, said: “John Lewis is the most requested store at Westfield London and we are delighted that we will soon be able to deliver on this for our customers. “The new store will be another huge attraction to Westfield London and will become an important centrepiece of the massive regeneration taking place in the White City Opportunity Area, with the creation of thousands of new homes and jobs.” Andy Street, managing director of John Lewis, said : “Our business in London has strengthened significantly over recent years. It is therefore right that we now move to open in Westfield London and bring our offer to customers in the west of the city.”

How it could look. An artist’s impression of the new store’s interior

CHEERS TO WESTFIELD By Magda Ibrahim CELEBRATING ITS fifth anniversary in the borough on October 30, Westfield London has come a long way from the shopping centre company’s birth in Australia more than 50 years ago. More than 100 guests partied at Jamie’s Italian to mark the retail haven’s fifth birthday. There are 275 stores under its expansive roof, and it has launched an indoor ice rink and Christmas grotto for the festive period. As part of the Westfield Group – which was first listed on the Sydney Stock Exchange in 1960 and includes 91 shopping centres in Australia, New Zealand, the US and the UK – Westfield London welcomes 27.7m shoppers each year. From Adidas to Zara, its 377 stores haul in around £960million in sales annually and employ 8,000 people. With development on the horizon, the next big addition ahead of the John Lewis opening in 2017 will be the children’s experiential play zone Kidzania, in 2015. The £20m two-storey centre will offer children the chance to learn as they play, exploring adult careers such as surgery or films. Kidzania is opening at Westfield in 2015

Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 29

Recycle more this Christmas Your guide to household recycling and rubbish this Christmas We are helping you recycle more this Christmas by keeping disruption to collection days to a minimum. There will be just three collection days that change, all other collection dates will remain the same. The ONLY collection dates affected are as follows: Normal day of collection

If you have your recycling and rubbish collected once a week

If you have your recycling and rubbish collected twice a week

Wednesday 25 December (Christmas Day)

Moves to Saturday 28 December

You will receive just one collection this week on Saturday 28 December

Thursday 26 December (Boxing Day)

Moves to Sunday 29 December

You will receive just one collection this week on Monday 23 December

Wednesday 1 January (New Year’s Day)

Moves to Saturday 4 January

You will receive just one collection this week on Saturday 4 January

All other collection days

Not affected by changes over the Christmas and New Year period

Recycle more this Christmas Last December you helped save over £75,000 by recycling – thank you! Please help us recycle even more this Christmas.

Recycling sacks and banks are ONLY for clean and dry: *Please remember to flatten cardboard boxes if they don’t fit intothe Smartsack and leave them in a neat bundle for collection.

paper 3 card 3 cardboard* 3 paper

glass containers 3 glass bottles 3 jars

metal containers 3 tins 3 cans 3 aerosols

plastic containers 3 plastic bottles 3 tubs and trays 3 pots

cartons 3 cartons 3 Tetra Pak

Top Christmas recycling tips If you’ve received new electrical appliances, your old items can be recycled. Smaller items, like hairdryers and laptops, can be recycled at bins in libraries and council offices, and in electrical recycle banks around the borough.

Old batteries can be taken to recycling bins in libraries and council offices. There are also bins at many larger supermarkets and other retailers You can recycle your old and unwanted CDs, DVDs, video tapes and cassettes at media banks in the borough.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council

For full details of library and council office opening times and recycling bank locations visit: www.lbhf.gov.uk/christmas. To help reduce your food waste this Christmas check out www. lovefoodhatewaste.com for food shopping tips, leftover recipes and portion calculator. Also visit www.lbhf.getcomposting.com to find out how to order a subsidised home composter to make top quality fertiliser with Christmas leftovers.

Recycling sacks and banks are not for: Food waste

Plastic wraPPers

shredded PaPer

Food-soiled Packaging

Polystyrene

Foil

PaPer towels/tissues

Plastic bags/bin bags

textiles

builders’ rubble

garden waste

naPPies

Metal iteMs

bottle toPs

electricals

old electrical aPPliances

batteries

Metallic wraPPing PaPer

If in doubt, leave it out! If you receive a bagged rubbish collection, rolls of clear sacks are delivered at regular intervals. If you run out with the extra Christmas recycling, you can pick up another roll from your local library or council buildings.

Free Christmas tree recycling collection

Last year you helped us recycle 60 tonnes of Christmas trees, which were composted and put to good use. This helped save you money as they were not thrown away as rubbish. If your recycling and rubbish is collected in sacks from outside your home, leave your real Christmas tree in your front garden or outside your property for recycling. It should: • be clearly visible from the street and not hidden behind walls or plants • not cause an obstruction on the pavement

There are also designated collection points where you can take your trees. These include: New Kings Road (on edge of Eel Brook Common) Fulham Palace Road Cemetery (opposite Queensmill Road) Normand Park (opposite Lillie Road entrance)

• have no decorations left on it.

Loris Road Community Gardens

Trees must be ready for collection by midday on your normal weekday collection between Thursday 2 January and Wednesday 15 January, but they will not be collected until the afternoon of your collection day.

Ravenscourt Park (by the football pitch) Wormwood Scrubs Car Park (off Scrubs Lane)

For more information: Visit: www.lbhf.gov.uk/recycling Email: cleaner.greener@lbhf.gov.uk Call: 020 8753 1100

News Remembrance Sunday

Clockwise from top left: Cllr Frances Stainton; Cllr Adronie Alford; Trooper Michael Lake reads; a tuba of Thames Fanfare Brass; inset, Len Overton, ex-RAF

Lest we forget Borough falls silent to remember the dead of two world wars, and other conflicts, as civic dignitaries lead the tributes at memorials, writes Nina Romain

rave men and women who gave their lives in two world wars and other conflicts around the world were honoured during two Remembrance Sunday events in November. The mayor, Cllr Frances Stainton, joined the march to Fulham War Memorial, while the deputy mayor, Cllr Adronie Alford, attended a service at Shepherds Bush Green. “The parades and services in Shepherds Bush and Fulham served as a small way of showing that we appreciate our armed forces,” said Cllr Stainton. “With the two-minute silence and the emotion of Remembrance Sunday fresh in our minds, we think about the sacrifices made by so many who serve in the name of Queen and country. “We will indeed remember them, not just today but throughout the year as we look forward to making a good peaceful future for all.”

32 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

Meanwhile, a former soldier has found a flat in Hammersmith – thanks to a council policy change prioritising former members of the Armed Services and others who make a contribution to the local community. The former serviceman, who wishes to remain anonymous, served in the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment (First Battalion) which saw active service and a recent tour of duty in Afghanistan. But on returning to the UK this year and being discharged from the British Army after four years’ service, he faced being homeless. He applied to H&F Council for housing assistance in September. After recent policy changes, the council decided the private qualified as ‘high priority’ to join the housing register, as an exsoldier. This enabled the council to offer him a local studio flat in September, allowing him to move out of his temporary accommodation.

Adult learning and skills service

Work Zone

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

Come and find out about live job vacancies and enjoy free taster and pampering sessions Monday 16 December 2013 11am-4pm Come and try something new! Leave feeling relaxed with your nails glistening, your Christmas card designed and your heart full of Christmas cheer. Your one-stop event for: • • • •

Jobs Work placements Training courses Apprenticeships and more

We have activities ranging from: Face massage Nails Head massage Upper Back & Shoulders massage Mince Pies & marzipan sweets Hand crafted festive decorations Delicious fresh lunch available from Macbeth Café at reasonable prices • Enjoy a glass of Christmas cheer

sio es

ls Al

Both events take place at: Macbeth Centre, Macbeth Street, Hammersmith W6 9JJ To find out more contact: Penny Asumang Ninar Farhat alssinfo@lbhf.gov.uk 020 8753 4691 penny.asumang@lbhf.go.uk ninar.farhat@lbhf.gov.uk

E E n s a re

• • • • • • •

Christmas Festive gifts

Christmas shopping and eating trends With the festive season upon us, the pre-Christmas shopping and cooking panic has already set in. Magda Ibrahim tours the independent retailers in Fulham Road and Askew Road for ideas Ruth Green, owner Indian Summer, 624 Fulham Road

SW6

What are the big sellers for Christmas 2013?

Our cable knit hat with raccoon fur pom-pom (£49) has flown out of the shop, while silveror gold-plated coin lariat necklaces (£31) are also a winner. We have a new range of ankle boots, and suede biker boots (£95). We are quite a girly shop, and trinket plates with gold birds (from £4.95) are great.

Are you stocking any new brands this year?

The Rodgers and Rodgers jewellery is a new line, and is absolutely beautiful. Prices range from £15 to more than £100. Silver and gold pieces range from bracelets and necklaces to earrings, with pretty stones such as aqua and powder blue chalcedony, amethyst and topaz.

Are there any trends in the local area? People want quality, rather than the latest thing. We do our own range of cashmere products, which are a luxury item, but people love them for gifts. Cashmere is something you invest in; grandparents will buy the cashmere babygrow (£57) or blanket (£53).

What would you like to open in your Christmas stocking this year? Escentric Molecules perfume Molecule 01

Inside the shop

34 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

is amazing, so I would love a bottle. I should probably also get a few baby books, as my first child is due in February.

Can you recommend any other local shops that have the ‘X factor’? Nomad Books (781 Fulham Road) is great. It is really nice to have an independent bookshop nearby. The Parson’s Nose butcher (753 Fulham Road) and Local Hero coffee shop (640 Fulham Road) are lovely. We have about three coffees each day from there.

I get in the festive spirit by…

Going to Christmas markets, and seeing the lights. London comes to life at Christmas, and I love the lights in Sloane Square.

Who would you like to see coming through the door, and what would you recommend they buy? Holly Willoughby, because she is so lovely. She would look great in one of our hats. She could also pick up an Alex Monroe bumblebee necklace for herself, a Bob & Blossom tutu for her daughter, and a dinosaur finger printing set and whoopee cushion for her son. I’m sure her husband would appreciate woolly slipper socks.

CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS

W12

By Magda Ibrahim

A high quality range of products on display

Nicola Swift, food director The Ginger Pig, 137 Askew Road Are there any 2013 Christmas food trends?

Cockerels and capons make an interesting change. The capon has got quite a lot of fat, so it is very tender, while cockerels bred for meat are large and succulent. The threebird roast is quite luxurious, while turkey is perennially popular.

What if I don’t like turkey?

Christmas is about enjoyment, not what you think you are supposed to eat. A lovely rib of beef, or pork? And don’t look down your nose at chicken – you can be quite surprised if you buy the best.

What accompaniments will jazz up my Christmas plate?

have 80 years of experience, and produce all our turkeys and geese. I think I would cook beef for them though!

Eek, I have a vegetarian coming – what shall I make?

Ask them what they like. No point making a parsnip and sweet potato bake if they don’t like root veg. A really good cauliflower cheese can be almost like a French gratin dish. And if they want Linda McCartney sausages, why not?

How can I emerge from the kitchen without looking like I have been oven-baked myself?

Set a limit of five elements, one of which will be the meat and one the roast potatoes. Try to include dishes that can be prepared in advance, such as vegetable puree. Don’t be afraid to throw a salad in; red cabbage, cranberry and red onion with lemon juice and honey, left in the fridge from the day before.

The Defector’s Weld 170 Uxbridge Road

Steps from Westfield, the Defector’s Weld offers mulled wine and hot spiced cider as the perfect accompaniment to one of the pub’s famed pies. Or try a cocktail such as the Tennessee Apple Pie, a soothing combination of bourbon and apple schnapps.

Boma Green 271 New Kings Road

Harbour Bar & Terrace Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Chelsea Harbour marina at this new-look bar. Cocktails include a balsamic and watermelon martini and blackcurrant and jasmine tea martini. The most decadent choice, the Chelsea Riverside Manhattan, blends 20-year-old bourbon with bitters and vermouth.

What is the biggest mistake people make when cooking at Christmas, and how can it be avoided? Trying to do too much and not realising how many of those things will need the oven. The meat can be rested for a good 40 minutes, which people often don’t realise, which means that time can be used for other dishes.

I would like to treat our poultry farmers – father and son Gerald and Richard Botterill, who rear their heritage chickens on the Belvoir Estate in Leicestershire. Between them they

In the revamped Brook Green Hotel basement, Smith’s cocktail bar is all exposed brick, muted velvet booth seating, and standard lamps. The cocktail list features classics such as margarita and Bloody Mary, as well as Chilli Willy, with vodka from the local Sipsmith distillery. The bar is working on an outlandish Moulin Rouge-themed New Year party.

The latest outpost of the Boma family has a menu of hearty dishes including rack of lamb and steak, and Indian treats including coconut pannacotta, accompanied by cardamom cocktails.

Pork, prune and brandy stuffing rolled into balls and cooked with the roasties for extra flavour. Something fruity and acidic also works well and I recommend mostarda (Italian mustard fruits) which are sweet pickled plums, peaches and nectarines. It is magic with cold cuts.

Who would you like to cook for, and what would you make?

Smith’s 170 Shepherds Bush Road

Kona Kai 515 Fulham Road The superb Ginger Pig butchers in Askew Road boasts experienced butchers such as Steven Owens, left

Escape the winter blues at this Polynesian-inspired bar that boasts 100 rums and rare spirits. Try the Vicious Virgin, with Virgin Islands rum, or the Passion of Kona Kai, a mix of gin, brandy, passion fruit nectar and lime.

Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 35

Wine tasting for everyone Gift

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Taste and learn about wine in a relaxed setting Discover which wines you like and where to buy them Unravel the mysteries of wine lists and labels Understand how to match wine and food Flexible courses - miss a night, get a credit Courses based at The Wine Cellar, Fulham • 1-evening tastings plus 4 & 8 week courses starting at 7pm • Saturday courses with Champagne & Lunch • WSET professional courses • Beer tastings Fine Wine tastings • Corporate & Private events • NEW Café Rouge French Wine evenings (with Dinner)

For further information and booking details please call Jimmy Smith on 0208 144 2444 or book online by visiting our website

www.westlondonwineschool.com

Crime Extra town centre police working You’re nicked, my son. Crime rates in H&F borough have fallen 16%

H&F tops London league for biggest fall in crime Crime in H&F is down more than anywhere else in London, according to the latest Met Police figures which show a 16% fall compared to last year, reports Rob Mansfield

here were 2,169 fewer crimes in H&F in the seven months to the start of November 2013. The impressive fall in the headline crime figure means the borough is officially safer than ever. There were 11,218 crimes in H&F between the start of April and end of October 2013 – which is 16 per cent down on 2012 when there were 13,387 crimes over the equivalent seven months. A detailed breakdown of the stats reveals the number of robberies is down by 16 per 38 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

cent, while burglary has fallen 22 per cent, or 238 offences. There were 981 fewer offences for theft and handling of stolen goods and drug trafficking tumbled by a quarter. Violent crimes, such as common assault, harassment and use of an offensive weapon, decreased by 11 per cent. The news comes as H&F Council continues to spend £1.3million a year for three squads of extra town centre beat police with local businesses adding an extra £350,000 a year. The additional cash means the borough has 42 more police officers than it would do otherwise. Cllr Greg Smith, H&F Council deputy leader, says, “To achieve the biggest reduction in crime across London so far this year is a testament to the hard work and dedication of some seriously good local crime-fighters. “Extra beat police combined with other measures, such as the council’s neighbourhood wardens, Parks Police and comprehensive networks of CCTV cameras and Neighbourhood Watch groups, means

H&F is now safer than ever.” As part of the borough’s crime-fighting approach the police and council have been inviting residents to series of ward-based meetings which target crime on a hyper local level. The ‘How are we doing on crime?’ series of road shows sees senior police and council officials tour the borough to hear directly from residents. The events are supported by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime and the borough’s Neighbourhood Watch Association. Cllr Smith continues: “The crime-fighting road-shows have proved invaluable in gathering intelligence and really getting under the skin of residents’ concerns. “By listening more closely to residents, who know their neighbourhoods like the back of their hand, we have been able to target offenders far more effectively. We are now reaping the rewards as crime continues to fall year after year.” Read more at www.lbhf.gov.uk/crime

H&F

SAF

E R N

THA

EVE

• Lowest crime ever last year (2012/13) • 42 extra beat Police as funded by the council and local businesses • 800+ CCTV cameras catching offenders • Local road-shows targeting crime in your neighbourhood *2012/13 had the lowest ever recorded crime in H&F, according to Met Police figures

Do you feel safer? www.lbhf.gov.uk/crime www.lbhf.gov.uk/ crimeclip2013

@MPSHammFul

Are you ready for snow?

Hammersmith & Fulham Council is prepared for severe winter weather conditions, including snow. Sign up for snow update email alerts for information about school closures, council services affected by bad weather, and how the roads are looking. Visit www.lbhf.gov.uk/snow and sign up! Information is also available on Twitter http://twitter.com/lbhf

Hammersmith & Fulham Council

Transport New river crossing

What the proposed Diamond Jubilee Bridge would look like – if funding can be secured

Capital’s first river bridge in a decade approved By Delyth Bowen

New crossing is for strollers and cyclists

he first new Thames River crossing for more than a decade will be built in the south of the borough, linking Hammersmith & Fulham with Wandsworth. Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s planning committee has approved plans to build the £22million foot and cycle structure, dubbed the Diamond Jubilee Bridge. Palace Investments, of New Bond Street, Mayfair, hopes to create a 170m-long bridge connecting Imperial Wharf and Chelsea Harbour, from the spot where The Queen boarded the royal barge for the diamond jubilee flotilla last year, to Battersea on the south side of the Thames. Cllr Nicholas Botterill, leader of the council, said: “The new bridge has the potential to give the south of our borough a real boost by improving the local economy, bringing jobs to the area and making transport links better and faster. We look forward to seeing this exciting idea becoming reality and with 1.2m trips expected across the new bridge a year, this will be beneficial for local residents as well as commuters and visitors who come through the borough.”

Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 41

Transport Flyunder gains support

The scheme, designed by architect Chris Medland of local firm One-World Design, drew scores of comments from local businesses, residents and authorities, with the majority of people and groups coming out in favour of the crossing. The council’s Design Review Panel, made up of representatives from local residents’ associations and amenity groups, thought it was a “terrific proposal for that part of town”. Original plans submitted to the council in October last year, showed the multimillion pound bridge connected to the existing Grade II* listed Cremorne Railway Bridge – better known as Battersea Railway Bridge. However, following objections from English Heritage, the scheme has been modified. Now the plan is for two new river piers to be erected so that the jubilee bridge would stand adjacent to the railway bridge, rather than be attached to it. The bridge, made up of three spans with a design of three arches, will be built and maintained at no cost to the taxpayer and will be open 24-hours-a-day. Wandsworth Council, the authority south of the river, approved plans for the bridge earlier this year and the Greater London Authority must give final consent but, if it goes through and funding is secured, it is hoped that construction could begin next winter. To read the Planning Applications Committee agenda for November 20, visit www.lbhf.gov.uk View the plans, visit www.lbhf.gov.uk/ planning and enter the planning reference number 2012/03582/FUL

42 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

Residents back the concept of burying the A4 in a flyunder As engineering and transport experts continue to explore options for burying Hammersmith’s Flyover, 89% of respondents to a council poll say they back some form of tunnel replacement, reports Rob Mansfield

total of 249 people, or 77% of respondents, said they ‘strongly agreed’ with tunnelling beneath the A4 Talgarth Road and concrete flyover. Twelve per cent of people who filled out the feedback form, available online and at the council’s Flyunder Summit, ‘agreed’ with burying parts of the A4. Nine per cent disagreed and 2% were indifferent. The favourite tunnel length was from Hogarth Roundabout to Warwick Road and there was some backing for north-south links on major routes such as Fulham Palace Road and Shepherds Bush Road. Around a fifth of respondents said they wanted land freed up by burying the A4 to be used for improving connections to the Thames. Twenty-one per cent would like the land used for new housing, while 7% favoured new offices. Thirty-four per cent wanted the tunnel to be paid for by aboveground development with a similar number wanting nationwide or London-wide taxes to pay for it. Eighteen per cent said the A4 should be tolled to pay for the tunnel. The news comes as the council reports that its feasibility study, to explore the various tunnel options, is progressing well. It is exploring several tunnel lengths and possible start and finish points, and will measure options against social, economic and environmental benefits. It will include feedback from residents and is set to be completed by March 2014, when the study will be given to Transport for London (TfL) which owns and manages the A4. The study aims to answer two main questions. Could a tunnel be built, and should a tunnel be built? The preliminary

findings will be presented at a public meeting in January. Cllr Nicholas Botterill, H&F Council leader, said: “Residents’ views are vital on the question of whether we should build a tunnel and how bold we want to be. We have a range of options – from simply replacing the flyover to something far more ambitious, like a tunnel that potentially stretches from Chiswick to Earl’s Court, involving various north/south connector tunnels. This is very much the start of the process and all options are being explored.”

This is very much the start of the process and all options are being explored Multinational engineering firm CH2M Hill Halcrow – one of the UK’s largest infrastructure experts and builder of the Channel Tunnel – is exploring the ground conditions in the area to help answer the question of ‘could a tunnel be built’. Meanwhile TfL has started repairs to the flyover with works set to last 18 months. Some overnight closures and partial closures of the flyover will be needed along with local road closures and diversions, according to TfL. Cllr Botterill continued: “This needs to be the last time TfL spends such a large amount of money on this divisive, ugly old structure. In the short term TfL needs to do the works with the minimum of disruption to motorists. In the longer term we need a solution that can relieve congestion while improving Hammersmith as a place to live.”

Residents braced for holiday disruption due to Hammersmith flyover repairs

Neale Stevenson and H&F Council leader Nick Botterill

A member of the public expressing his views at the flyunder summit

What do you think? l Share your thoughts on a tunnel beneath the A4 at

www.lbhf.gov.uk/flyunder l TfL is providing updates on their flyover works at

www.tfl.gov.uk/hammersmithflyover l Public meeting – hear the latest on the council’s flyunder

feasibility study. Come along to the council’s Transport Select Committee on Monday, January 13 at 7pm

AS THE holiday season approaches, Hammersmith & Fulham residents could find that work being done on the flyover is affecting their borough’s transport routes. Scaffolding is now going up on the sides of the flyover as preparation work starts, and there will be closures of borough roads including Hammersmith Bridge Road, the Queen Caroline Street slip road, Sussex Place and Fulham Palace Road. The work, started by TfL last month, is due to last 18 months. The current lane closures at night will continue through December but will be restricted to outside morning and evening rush hours, to ensure traffic disruption is minimised. All work will cease during the Christmas week starting December 23, and then start again from early January. Hammersmith & Fulham Council leader Cllr Nicholas Botterill says: “As things get busier around Christmas and New Year’s Eve, we need to ensure that our residents can continue getting to work, visit and travel in their borough as they need to. “To do this, we are publishing details of which roads will be affected, so people know where to avoid. We also look forward to an effective transport solution that does the work with the minimum of disruption to motorists, while improving Hammersmith as a place where people want to live and work. In the longer term our borough needs a solution that can relieve congestion while improving it as a place to live.”

Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 43

Panto Jack and the Beanstalk

Learning all the mooves

Howard Ward plays the dame with, left, Stevie Webb as Sprout and Rochelle Rose as Jack

44 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

There aren’t many stage roles which involve watching cows wandering around fields... but that’s the preparation Hannah Scarlett has been busy doing By Tim Harrison

ou might be able to walk like a cow, run like a cow and act like a cow… but could you learn how to dance like a cow? It’s the challenge which has been facing Hannah Scarlett, inset below, who plays the front half of Caroline the Cow in this year’s Lyric panto, Jack and the Beanstalk. The 24-year-old had to work out how a cow moves by watching videos of ruminants grazing in fields ahead of rehearsals for the show, which runs until January 4. A west London resident and graduate of the Hammersmith theatre’s Young Company, Hannah knows she will have succeeded when she has won over her sternest critic… her five-year-old son. Kai (the name means ‘rejoice’ in Mandarin) keeps spotting posters for this year’s panto, featuring a long-eyelashed bovine beauty. He always points at the animal and loudly declares: “Mummy!” For Hannah, the role represents a considerable upsizing from last year’s panto, Cinderella. “I played a mouse in it,” she said. “But I was also in the ensemble.” This year, as well as being the front end of Caroline (the rear end is played on alternate nights by two female actors!) Hannah is also in the chorus, necessitating some frantic backstage costume changes. “When Caroline isn’t on stage, I’m in the ensemble,” she said. “I’m a Hammersmith townsperson… the kind of person you see in Lyric Square.” So what kind of a character is Caroline the Cow, and how does she communicate? “Well, it’s the Lyric’s take on a pantomime cow, and she’s one of the principal characters. After all, no cow, no beans… no beans, no story! “She has feelings, and you have

to try to portray them on stage. You learn the physicality of a cow; learning how a cow moves. I act, and respond to other characters as if I’m a person.” Rehearsals involved prancing around on stage in a dummy prototype cow costume, with the front legs learning how to interact with the back legs… especially during the dance sequences. “We have a rhythm,” Hannah explained as the opening night of the show loomed. “If you watch a real cow, their feet don’t actually move at the same time. I’ve been watching cows walking and running on YouTube.

You learn the physicality of a cow; learning how a cow moves. I act, and respond to characters as if I’m a person “We still haven’t decided where Caroline will be in the finale, and the bow still hasn’t been worked out,” she said. One thing’s for certain – she won’t be whipping her head off for the curtain call, as it might upset the younger children. Hannah, an Ealing resident, began her stage training at the London Studio Centre, which specialises in her first love, dance. She has trained with Chiswick’s Ballet Rambert, worked with the Lyric’s hiphop company and been an active part of the Hammersmith theatre’s Young Company. She had an ensemble role in the Lyric’s production of Desire Under the Elms last year, joining in a frantic dance sequence on a tiny stage area. Long-term she has still to decide whether to focus Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 45

Panto Jack and the Beanstalk wholeheartedly on dance, or broaden her work to embrace more musical theatre. “I did do a children’s musical, combining singing, dancing and acting, and I enjoyed it,” she said. “I have to keep working on fitness, and I do running, go to the gym and do pilates. My body is my work, and I have to invest in that.” Although Caroline the Cow has no actual lines in Jack and the Beanstalk, the moos that the audience hears are hers. She had to record them in advance, because the sound of mooing underneath a pantomime cow’s head is too muffled.

We start developing the panto in March, and do the first reading in April. It’s strange as you’ve only just finished the last one when you start the next

46 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

Stevie Webb’s role is as the audience’s pal, Sprout

Photos by Helen Maybanks

No such difficulties for one of the Lyric’s most recognisable panto performers, Stevie Webb, a pivotal figure in this his fourth successive Hammersmith panto. He takes the role of Jack’s teenaged pal Sprout, a kind of ‘Buttons’ character who befriends and chats to the audience. “I’ll be doing what I did last year, but in a different costume,” he laughed. “Like every 17-year-old, Sprout wants to be a florist, but the evil giant has taken away the colour green.” Sprout helps get the audience booing, hissing and practising their ‘Behind yous’; a task which would tire out even the fittest performer. “It’s exhausting at a 10am show when you have 600 children screaming at you,” he said. “You just have to match them.” Stevie is in the Lyric’s Secret Theatre company, a repertory team which recently put on A Streetcar Named Desire. “The ensemble element is important,” he said. “It means that when you start rehearsing a play, you hit the ground running because you know how each other works. It’s a democracy; we all have our say.” Stevie has even more of a say than usual in Jack and the Beanstalk. He is also a ‘creative associate’, which means he takes part in planning and production meetings with the director, writer and choreographer, sharing his thoughts on songs, character development and structure. “We start developing the panto in March, and do the first reading in April,” he revealed. “It’s strange as you’ve only just finished the last one when you start the next. It’s easy just to litter a show with gags and innuendo, but it’s important for the kids that we don’t muddy it too much. The other vital thing that Stevie does is work out precisely the right moment to share the sweets with the audience!

H&F council tax set to fall to 1999 levels

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Your council tax bill is set to be reduced by 3% again next year – the seventh cut in eight years. The cost of council tax has tumbled by 20% during that time, taking us back to a level last seen in 1999. How are we going to do it? y n n e p y r e v e e We mak go further

to t competition h g u ro b e v a h We ices, bringing rv se f o n o li il m £90 down the cost nt we have ie c ffi e re o m g By bein ber of people m u n e th d e lv a h town hall working at the our services f o y n a m ss e c You can ac sier for you and online - it is ea ey saves you mon

We share services and staf f with other councils H&F shares £300 million of services with Westminster City Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. This means that we need far fewer senior managers. It is no t all about cost, it has also led to im provements in many areas. For exampl e, you can now use libraries in any of th e three areas. SAVING £43 mIllIoN Ac roSS the three couNcIlS by 2015/16

££ 1,300 1,200 1,100 1,000

s l l i b d l o h e s u o h r e h t o r u o Y

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H&F council

tax bills

2006

2014

We’ve been cutting debt Back in 2004 we owed £176 million which cost residents £9.5 million a year in interest. That is more than we spend on our libraries every year! We have now got that debt down to below £78 million by selling buildings that we no longer use. We now pay £2.7 million a year in debt interest. SAVING ArouNd £7 mIllIoN per yeAr IN debt repAymeNtS AY TOD

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We want to cut costs, keep bills low and protect the services that matter to you the most…

A cleaner, greener borough

H&F is safer than ever Through your council tax bill you pay for 42 extra police officers and 800-plus CCTV cameras. There are now 8,000 fewer crimes per year than there was 10 years ago.

Keeping H&f moving We have frozen pay and display parking charges and added 200 extra parking bays. We’re investigating the long-term replacement of Hammersmith Flyover with a tunnel. We have just helped bring the Barclay Cycle Hire scheme to the borough.

What do you think?

With your help, our streets are now among the cleanest in London and we have 13 award winning parks. We’ve also maintained weekly or even twice-weekly refuse collection because we know how important this is to you.

Popular schools and more choice Our schools are more popular than ever before and our pupils have been achieving some of the best GCSE results in London. We have been expanding schools and encouraging new free schools and academies.

Tell us at: www.lbhf.gov.uk/counciltax2014

What’s on Winter

Game over ➔ Check out the London Chess Classic at the Olympia Conference Centre, 7 Dec -15 Dec www.londonchessclassic.com

What’s on VENUES The Apothecary Gallery 33 Greyhound Road W6 8NH 020 7381 5727 www.londonapothecary.co.uk Barons Court Theatre Beneath the Curtain’s Up pub 28a Comeragh Road W14 9HR 020 8932 4747 Bhavan Centre 4a Castletown Road W14 9HQ 020 7381 3086 www.bhavan.net

Black Velvet 3 North End Crescent W14 8TG 020 7602 6834 www.blackvelvetlondon.co.uk

Olympia London Hammersmith Road W14 8UX 020 7385 1200 www.olympia.co.uk O2 Shepherds Bush Shepherds Bush Green W12 8TT 0844 477 2000 www.o2shepherdsbushempire. co.uk Polish Jazz Café Posk 238-246 King Street W6 0RF 020 8741 1940 www.jazzcafeposk.org

Finborough Theatre 118 Finborough Road SW10 9ED 020 7244 7439 Box office 0844 847 1652 www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk Lyric Theatre Lyric Square King Street W6 0QL 020 8741 6850 www.lyric.co.uk 52 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

7 Dec & 8 Dec

Father Christmas is visiting Fulham Palace. Tickets to see the white bearded one cost £10, and he will be coming down the chimney at the palace in Bishops Avenue, SW6, on both days. Children must be accompanied. Tickets available via the Lyric Theatre box office

Riverside Studios 1 Crisp Road W6 9RL 020 8237 1009 www.riversidestudios.co.uk The Troubadour 263-7 Old Brompton Road SW5 9JA 020 7370 1434 www.troubadour.co.uk

7 Dec - 4 Jan Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas, performed for the under sixes at the Lyric. Tickets £10, U16s £8 7 Dec

The Princess and the Frog.

Bush Theatre 7 Uxbridge Road W12 8LJ 020 8743 5050 www.bushtheatre.co.uk Eventim Apollo 45 Queen Caroline Street W6 9QH 0844 249 4300 www.eventimapollo.com

CHILDREN

Under The Bridge Stamford Bridge Fulham Road SW6 1HS 020 7386 3327 www.underthebridge.co.uk

Should your event be included here?

Add to the What’s On listings by emailing information, as early as possible, to geoff.cowart@lbhf.gov.uk

A Let’s All Dance production at Riverside Studios, with shows at 2.30pm and 4.30pm. It lasts 45 minutes, including a chance to meet the dancers. This new ballet is accessible to all, but is particularly aimed at three to eight-year-olds. Under twos get in free. Otherwise, tickets are £9 (£7 concs). Family discounts also available

on the 23rd, 27th, 28th and 30th, then from January 2-4. On New Year’s Eve there is only one 3pm show. Box office: 020 8932 4747. Tickets £8 and £12, with family and group reductions 15 Dec

Wizard of Oz at Fulham Palace. The adaptation of the classic tale of Dorothy, strong winds and little people has plenty of audience participation and is perfect viewing (at just over an hour) for younger children experiencing theatre for the first time. Tickets £10, family tickets £36. Staged in the Chaplain’s Garden Marquee at the palace near the foot of Putney Bridge. Book via the Lyric Theatre box office 15 Dec

Arthur Christmas 2D (U), an all-the-family film at Riverside Studios which answers the question: How does Santa manage to deliver all those presents in one night? Screening is at 2.30pm

COMEDY

7 Dec - 4 Jan

Christmas at the Magic Cavern at the Barons Court

Theatre. Richard Leigh has been performing there for the past 11 years, and tickets are snapped up early. It’s now London’s longest-running magic and illusion show, with 60 seats sold for each performance. Shows on December 8, 15, 22, 27, 28 and 29, plus The Ice Cave Magic Show at 3pm and 5pm

7 Dec

Trevor Noah appears at the

Eventim Apollo, fresh from a season at London’s Soho Theatre and the Edinburgh Fringe. The show is provocatively called The Racist, with the South African comedian recording this one for DVD… so you need to be in your seats by 7pm. Tickets £22.50

➔16 Dec-22 Dec

For all things horsey: The London International Horse Show Olympia Grand

popular events, with 85,000 horsey fans expected. A mix of entertainment on each day, with performances and displays including the Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and the Ukranian Cossack stunt riders. There is also the Shetland pony grand national, and the Kennel Club dog agility competition. Tickets from £35, with some discounts. Visit www.olympiahorseshow.com 13 Dec

16 Dec - 31 Dec

Eventim Apollo in his show, Roaring Forties. A self-confessed misery since his 20s, the comedian is now in his 40s and embracing middle age with open arms. Tickets £25.75, show starts at 7pm

Riverside Studios. The Riverside Arts Group was formed at the studios in 1986, to promote west London art. Each of the participating members was asked to create a work measuring 50cm by 40cm for this show, and the diversity is impressive. Open all day, with free entry. Those taking part are: Lynne Beel, G Calvert, Brian Deighton, Pauline Harding, Jane Oldfield, Chris Stevens, Sajid Rizvi,

Ed Byrne appears at the

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS 7 Dec - 15 Dec

London Chess Classic at the Olympia Conference Centre; an event hosted by Chess in Schools and Communities – a charity which aims to boost child development via chess. Players of all standards take part, but the real attention is focused on the grandmaster event, with £10,500 in the prize kitty. Sixteen players have 25 minutes each of rapid play. All games broadcast. The final is on the 15th. Plenty of side tournaments, lessons and exhibition games. Visit www.londonchessclassic.com for tickets 7 Dec -14 Dec

Nineprintmakers at Riverside

Studios. See panel 16 Dec - 22 Dec

The London International Horse Show at Olympia

Maria T Pastor, Aude Grasset, Chloe Fremantle Blegvad, Jose Suarez, Stephen Williams, Martin Ireland, Suk-Fan Leung, Heather Gordon, Maire Gartland, Greta Wakil, Yinjie Sun, Anton Harding, Sanja Stamenic, Susan Bazin, Janey Hagger, Jim Sitch (his work features apples and coins), Celia Toler, Brenda Hass and Marianne Moore

FILM

RAG 50x40 exhibition at

a dark tale of sexual intrigue at a London comprehensive, and at 8.40pm, the bang-up-to-date Philomena (12A) 8 Dec

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (U) is screened at

Riverside Studios at 2.30pm. At 6.10pm the evening double bill starts, with Meet Me in St Louis (U) and The Shop Around the Corner (U) 9 Dec Riverside Studios screens Blue

is the Warmest Colour

(18), about sexual awakening in a teenage girl

6 & 7 Dec Judi Dench double bill at Riverside Studios. At 6.40pm, Notes on a Scandal (15) –

10 Dec A double bill of Les Miserables (12A) at 5.45pm and Sunshine on Leigh (PG) at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith – the latter an uplifting story about two young soldiers returning to family life after service in Afghanistan

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS 7 Dec -14 Dec

Nineprintmakers. A pre-Christmas show at Riverside Studios which, for the seventh year running, offers artists a chance to display their etchings, prints, silk screens and collages. All works are available for sale, with the featured artists being: Colin Aggett, Lucy Farley, Robert Geers, Keith Hunter, Julia Martin, Noonie Minogue, Sumi Perera, Sarah WarleyCummings, Annabel Wyllie. Open all day, with free entry 020 8237 1009 www.riversidestudios.co.uk

Grand, starting at noon on the 16th. One of Olympia’s most

Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 53

What’s on Winter

➔7 Dec-Feb

Winter on the menu: The River Café Thames Wharf, W6

11 Dec You don’t often get films at the Barons Court Theatre, but for one night only there’s a chance to see Krucifiction, a movie based on Franz Kafka’s In The Prison Colony. Based on Ronald Selwyn Phillips’ play which had a brief run at the theatre several years ago, it’s a 90-minute psychological horror film. Performance at 2pm. £7. Tickets on 020 8932 4747 11 Dec Bad Film Club Christmas special at the Riverside. Die Hard 2 (15) is being screened at 8pm

12 Dec Double film bill at Riverside Studios. First up, Day of Wrath (PG) at 7pm; the tale of a young wife of an aging priest who is in love with his son in 17th century Denmark. Then an all-time classic, Babette’s Feast (U) – arguably the greatest culinary movie ever made 13&14 Dec

Blue Jasmine (12A) is being

screened at Riverside Studios at 6.10pm, with Captain Phillips (12A), the new Tom Hanks blockbuster, at 8.30pm

15 Dec Double bill at Riverside Studios. Out of the Past (PG), the definitive flashback movie also known as Build My Gallows High, at 6.30pm. Then Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity (12) at 8.35pm 16 Dec Marx Brothers double bill at Riverside Studios, with A Day 54 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

at the Races (U) at 6pm, followed by A Night at the Opera (U) at 8.15pm

noon-3pm, then 5pm-10pm. Open all day at the weekend. Book on 020 8237 1009

wood-fired treats all day. Try the Tuscan sausage topping, with asparagus and goat’s cheese

17 & 18 Dec Alfonso Cuaron double bill, with Children of Men (15) at 6.30pm and Gravity (12A) at 8.50pm, at Riverside Studios

7 Dec - February Destination restaurant The River Café is serving a winter selection of dishes, with starters including Carne Curda di Vitello (finely chopped veal with salad and parmesan shavings) and main courses including Sogliola al Forno (whole Dover sole, rosemary and anchovy). There’s no change from £50 for three courses, without wine, but it’s a notch above everything else. The River Café is at Thames Wharf, Rainville Road, W6. 020 7386 4200

MUSIC

19 Dec Riverside Studios double bill. On The Road (15) is at 6.20pm, with Kill Your Darlings at 8.50pm 20 & 21 Dec

Gone With The Wind (PG),

the classic American Civil War epic. On Friday, 6.20pm. On Saturday, 1.30pm and 6.20pm 22 & 23 Dec Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without It’s A Wonderful Life (U), the feelgood film, at Riverside Studios. Screenings at 3.30pm and 7pm each day 27-29 Dec

Behind the Candelabra

(15), the story of Liberace, at Riverside Studios, with afternoon and evening showings followed by Saving Mr Banks (PG) 29 Dec

Les Enfants du Paradis

(PG) at 2.30pm at the Riverside Studios 30 Dec

Lawrence of Arabia (PG) at 6.30pm at Riverside Studios

15 Dec Laid-back Sunday roast at the Cock Tavern, 360 North End Road, with Dingley Dell pork belly from Suffolk and 21-day aged sirloin steak on the menu 17 Dec Join happy hour at the Old Oak pub in North End Road, opposite the West Ken estate at the corner with Star Road. Pints are £3 from 10.30am3pm, and the jukebox is switched to freeplay 21 Dec Selected beers are £2 a pint

6 Dec It’s Friday at The Troubadour, with Los Pelos Rizos topping the bill. Also appearing, Lucy Layton and The Blow. Starts 8pm, with two-for-one cocktails for the first two hours 7 Dec

Christmas Rock at The Troubadour, with an impressive

collection of musicians starting at 8pm. On the bill, The Franklys, Jackson Scott,

Alan Wass & Lipstick Melodies, Kristian Marr, Buck and Evan 8 Dec

Tenacious D play the O2

Shepherds Bush Empire, with doors opening at 7pm. More anarchic, stripped-down acoustic music. Sold out as we went to press. Check website for more information 9 Dec

Michael Kiwanuka plays The

Troubadour at 8pm. Sold out

at the Famous Three Kings pub and sports bar by West Ken tube, North End Road

FOOD & DRINK 7 Dec - 11 Jan There’s a new winter menu at the Riverside Studios, including a curried mussels starter, and crispy cannelloni filled with wild mushrooms as a main course. Other recommended dishes include Riverside fish pie, a Hammersmith special, for £12.50. Menu available

10 Dec

Slow Club, a country pop

21 Dec Pick a table at The Oak, W12 at 243 Goldhawk Road – top pizzas in one of west London’s newest gastropubs. The pizza oven in the corner is generating

singalong duo, play the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, backed by Teleman. Tickets £14.06 11 Dec

Kurt Vile and the Violators play the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire. See the former trucklift

➔ 20 Dec

Gig in aid of Crisis, the homeless charity: Jake Bugg & support Eventim Apollo

driver who makes his own rock songs in his bedroom. He recently released a new album, Smoke Rings for my Halo. Tickets £18

tour with a stop at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire. The Britpop masters will be promoting their new album. Tickets from £33.18

11 Dec The Troubadour presents Jay Butler in concert, plus Sam Larner and Mandy Beem. Tickets £6, start time 8pm

13 Dec Troubadour Friday features Mayans, Badlands, Los Pelos Rizos, Gallows Ghost and Julius Cowdrey. From 8pm

12 Dec

Open mic night at Black Velvet. £10 or £8 in advance. Doors open at 6pm 12 Dec

Ocean Colour Scene

continue their Marchin’ Already

14 Dec

Adrian Edmondson & The Bad Shepherds play the O2

Shepherds Bush Empire, with the Celebrity Masterchef winner insisting: “We play punk songs on folk instruments, not as a gag

MUSIC

Dale Storr

Brooks Blues Bar Some of today’s finest jazz and blues musicians pitch up at Brooks Blues Bar, housed in the Polish cultural centre, Posk, in King Street, Hammersmith. Last month’s acts included New Orleans pianist Dale Storr – one of the most popular performers at the Ealing Blues Festival this summer. The close, intimate club environment suits the playing style of Storr. Other recent musicians have included the Phil DeGreg quartet (Phil has played with Woody Herman, Dizzy Gillespie and Chuck Berry), Fran McGillivray and Mike Burke, as well as virtuoso blues pianist John B Harris. Gig tickets are in the £8-£10 range, with full details of upcoming shows at www.brooksbluesbar.co.uk

but because we really like the noise.” The comedian plucks out punk anthems on his mandolin

7.15pm, but there are plenty of other activities during the evening. Tickets are £15

15 Dec

18 Dec

Fulham Palace Family Christmas Carol is staged

at the historic palace beside Putney Bridge at 4.30pm. The child-friendly carol concert takes place in the palace’s Victorian chapel, and children must be accompanied. The Fulham Children’s Choir will be taking part. Tickets £12 (children £6) via the Lyric Theatre’s box office 15 Dec If you were looking forward to hearing The Game’s music on October 14 at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, you’ll have shrugged and started looking forward to the rescheduled date of November 30. That was then cancelled too, but tonight’s the night for those original tickets. It’s the rapper’s first return to the UK since his sold-out tour in 2011. Some tickets still available at £30.93 17 Dec All Abba’s hits are on the menu when Bjorn Again play the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire. It’s been 25 years since the tribute band formed. Tickets for this Christmas show are available at £24.75 17 Dec

Party at The Troubadour

to mark the release of Passport to Stockholm’s new EP, The Chemistry 17 Dec

The Glass Spider Band play

Under the Bridge. Doors open at 5pm. The band play the songs of David Bowie, with this gig at Stamford Bridge celebrating Bowie’s 1987 world tour, and featuring a live Q&A with Erdal Kizilcay, one of the original band members. That is at

The Waterboys play the Eventim Apollo, with Freddie Stevenson as special guest. The show marks the 25th anniversary of their classic album Fisherman’s Blues. “We won’t be playing it in order, or anything tame like that,” said Mike Scott. “Instead we’ll be using the band’s vintage repertoire as a starting point for a new blast of the freewheeling, improvising spirit of the Waterboys in those days.” Tickets from £33.25 to £39.75 19 Dec It’s been 20 years since life began for My Life Story, the flamboyant orchestral pop band. They’re back, for one night, at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, with standing room in the stalls costing £28.12 19 Dec

Orange Circus Band play

The Troubadour. It’ll cost you £7 to get in, but you also get to see Matt Wright, Lizzyspit and

Phoebe Larner 20 Dec

Jake Bugg headlines at the Eventim Apollo in a gig in aid of Crisis, the homeless charity. Also on the bill, Bastille and Aluna George 20 Dec

The Wonder Stuff and Pop Will Eat Itself top the bill at

the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire as part of the Sleigh the UK tour. Also on the bill, Jesus Jones. Tickets £25.31 20 Dec Good line up at the Troubadour tonight, led by The Kleeks. Also appearing at the cute venue, Rye, Belen Arjona and Francesca Berlin. Entry £7 Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 55

What’s on Winter

➔7 Jan

Mixing it up with poetry, music and electronics: Kate Tempest Lyric Theatre

21 Dec

superbly restored concert hall. One of the most successful US bands of recent years, the gig will feature tracks from a new album of rock theatre offerings. Tickets start at £31.25

Admission £7, with no advance tickets sold. Starts at 8am, and runs through until 5pm

PERFORMANCE

SPORT

23 Dec

12 Dec

7 Dec

sensation, play the Eventim Apollo, hot on the heels of the success of their debut single Carry You. Two shows – a 2.30pm matinee and an 8pm evening gig – with backing from Room 94. Tickets from £25.75

the Del Aziz bar, 7.30-10pm. Watch the experts perform in the Mediterranean deli and brasserie at 24 Vanston Place

Sky Bet Championship at Loftus Road. Kick-off 3pm. Box office is 08444 777 007. Prices £20 upwards

15 Dec

8 Dec

put on by the students of the Bhavan Centre. The annual concert in which students who are learning traditional Indian music get into the festive spirit, guided by choirmaster James Marr. Event starts at 1pm. Details at www.bhavan.net

Craven Cottage. Kick-off 1.30pm. Tickets from £35 at www.fulhamfc.com

Kim Wilde’s Christmas Party is being staged at the

O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, with tickets at £28.12. Although she mainly spends her time gardening these days, she can still belt out the old hits, including Kids in America

Union J, the X Factor boyband

27 Dec Head to the Troubadour to banish the Christmas blues. On the bill, J9, Milly Upton, and Ashton. £7 entry 31 Dec Doing nothing for new year?

Propaganda’s prehistoric new year’s eve party is

being staged at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire. Over 18s only. The party goes on until 3am. Entry is £11.25 31 Dec The Troubadour’s new year offering is Vegas Girls

Belly dancing show at

Christmas celebration

16 Dec

Coffee House Poetry session at The Troubadour.

QPR v Blackburn in the

Fulham v Aston Villa at

11 Dec

Chelsea v Steaua Bucharest. Kick-off 7.45pm. Champions League action at Stamford Bridge, with a few tickets still available on general sale at £35 for adults, £17.50 for seniors and juniors. Details at www.chelseafc.com 14 Dec

Chelsea v Crystal Palace. 3pm. Check the website for details, but tickets are so hot for league games at Stamford Bridge that you may be steered towards £495 hospitality packages. Mind you, you do get a slap-up meal. Call 0871 402 2325 or book online at www.chelseafc.com 21 Dec

QPR v Leicester City at

Loftus Road. Top-of-the-table crunch game, kicking off at 12.15pm. Box office is 08444 777 007. Prices £20 upwards 21 Dec

11 Jan

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra play the Eventim

Apollo, with an 8pm start in the 56 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

Fulham v Manchester City

at Craven Cottage. Kick-off 3pm. Book early – this one will be a sell-out. Tickets from £35 at www.fulhamfc.com

26 Dec

Chelsea v Swansea City. 3pm. Boxing Day is one of the best chances to get tickets for a league game at the Bridge, with a lot of people away. Call 0871 402 2325 or book online at www.chelseafc.com 1 Jan

QPR v Doncaster at Loftus Road. Kick-off 3pm. Can the Hoops build on a solid first half of the season as they move into the new year? Box office is 08444 777 007. Prices £20 upwards 1 Jan

Fulham v West Ham United at Craven Cottage.

New year London derby kicks off at 3pm. Tickets from £35 at www.fulhamfc.com

THEATRE 7 Dec Last night of Beyond Theatre’s version Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, adapted and directed by Andrew Cleaver, at Barons Court Theatre. A comic take on a well-known story, with one of the actors going missing just as the show is due to start. 7.30pm, plus 2.30pm matinee. Tickets £12 (£9 concs). Box office: 020 8932 4747, details at www.beyondtheatre.org 7 Dec - 21 Dec

The White Carnation, by

RC Sherriff, at the Finborough Theatre. From the author of Journey’s End, the first production

➔21 Dec

Book now for this sure-to-sell-out match: Fulham v Man City Craven Cottage

in 60 years of a show premiered in 1953 with Sir Ralph Richardson in the lead role. Set in post-war Britain, it is a ghostly tale of a man’s chance to do things differently. Directed by Knight Mantell. Tickets £14, concs £10. Call 020 7244 7439 7 Dec - 4 Jan

Jumpers for Goalposts, at the Bush Theatre. See panel

Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid in Studio 3 at the Riverside Studios; a musical show which runs for two hours and is suitable for over 12s. Tickets start at £15, and there is a signed performance on December 18. Some matinees. Go online for full details of show dates 10 Dec -15 Dec

Don’t Close The Door, an

original comedy written by Victor Rios and Siobhan Davies O’Dean, at the Barons Court Theatre. A cleaner, a courier and a maintenance contractor end up trapped together in a basement over Christmas, with only a biscuit, kettle and bucket for company. Performances nightly at 7.30pm (7pm on Sunday). Tickets £12 (£10 concs). Box office: 020 8932 4747 12 & 14 Dec

7 Dec - 4 Jan

Jack and the Beanstalk is

this year’s panto at the Lyric, with tickets available from £12.50, and family discounts available. As well as magic beans and an evil giant, we are promised zumba dancing. Steven Webb returns to the stage 8 Dec - 17 Dec

Operation Crucible by

Kieran Knowles, set during the Second World War bombing blitz on Sheffield, when 600 people died in seven hours of continuous Luftwaffe bombing targeting the city’s steel works. One bomb reduced a hotel to rubble, trapping four men inside. This is their story. The show is performed at the Finborough Theatre on December 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17. Bryony Shanahan directs. Tickets £18 (£16 concs) 10 Dec - 12 Jan Here’s something for all the family to immerse themselves in. Blind Tiger Theatre presents

Brian and Robin’s Christmas Compendium of Reason. The two hosts of

contemporary music. £12 (£10 concs). Shows at 7.30pm. Box office: 020 8932 4747 31 Dec - 25 Jan Lost Boy, a new musical, has its world premiere at the Finborough Theatre, with book, music and lyrics by Phil Willmott. It is part of the Finborough’s Great War commemoration; a dark sequel to Peter Pan which reunites JM Barrie’s characters as young adults on the eve of war. Willmott directs, with musical direction by Isaac McCullough, choreography by Racky Plews and lighting by Miguel Vicente. Suitable for over 12s. Tuesday to Saturday shows at 7.30pm, with Saturday and Sunday mid-afternoon matinees too. Tickets £16 (£14 concs)

Jan 5 - Jan 21

Valley of Song, a musical romance, at the Finborough Theatre. Music by Ivor Novello, lyrics by Christopher Hassall, book by Phil Park, with adaptations by Ronald Hanmer. Part of the Finborough’s Great War season, the show is set in a world of optimism on the eve of hostilities. Benji Sperring directs. Shows at 7.30pm, with a Tuesday 2pm matinee. £18 (£16 concs) Jan 7

Kate Tempest visits the Lyric, Hammersmith, with a mix of poetry, tuba, cello, violin, drums and electronics. Tickets are £12 and £15 to hear what the Standard has called ‘a truly fresh and compelling voice’

THEATRE

Radio 4’s Infinite Monkey Cage, Brian Cox and Robin Ince, host two nights of science, music, comedy and wonder at the Eventim Apollo, with proceeds going to charity. It starts at 7pm, with tickets from £28.25 (0844 249 1000) 16 & 17 Dec

Musical show by the Irrational Theatre, at the

Barons Court Theatre, including a version of Arthur Sullivan’s Cox and Box, and a new play. It’s a fusion of comic opera and new writing, with shows at 5pm and 8pm each night. Tickets £14 (£12 concs) from 020 8932 4747 18 Dec - 21 Dec

Suggestions of Love by

Luca Tieppo and Riccardo Bentsik at the Barons Court Theatre. Is a chance meeting really what it seems? Opera meets physical theatre, with

7 Dec - 4 Jan

Jumpers for Goalposts, by Tom Wells, directed by James Grieve, at the Bush Theatre. A heart-warming story about football and friendship from the writer whose comedy The Kitchen Sink won him the 2012 award for the most promising playwright. Tickets £19.50, matinees £15, concessions available Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 57

Music Despacio

Waxing lyrical

The 2manyDJs brothers in action in France. Right, with James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem

2manyDJs star David Dewaele tells Geoff Cowart why the Hammersmith Town Hall was chosen for three nights of vinyl and their new soundsystem

t may not be the stuff of clubbing legend. But Hammersmith Town Hall is set to host three of the hottest nights in electronic dance music as James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem) and the Dewaele brothers (2manyDJs/Soulwax) unveil their new 50,000-watt soundsystem on December 19-21. While the town hall does boast one of the finest sprung dancefloors in London, it’s more accustomed to the foxtrot than block-rocking beats. But David says: “It was love at first sight. It has an interesting history and it’s not normally used for this type of event. And it also has the perfect dimensions – both for the number of people we wanted and for 58 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

the sound. And there was no point using a traditional club as we’re bringing the soundsystem, DJ booth and even the bar!” The night is called Despacio – or ‘slow’ and ‘gradual’, David says, which should emphasise the eclectic nature of the music the three superstar DJs will be playing. “We all felt something was missing in

You can have a chat around the edges but you will really FEEL the music in the centre of the room

today’s club culture. So our night is based on what we wanted to hear.” That means dusting off the vintage vinyl and classic disco 12”s from the back of their wardrobes. “We’re pulling out the oddities from our personal collections that we don’t often get a chance to play,” David adds. The sound system is the key as it’s been made to audiophile standard and consists of seven large stacks – with one in the centre of the dancefloor. “You can have a chat around the edges,” David says with a laugh. “But you will really FEEL the music in the centre as it comes from different directions!” Tickets £28.50. Visit www.gigsandtours.com

Music News Kurt Vile walkin’ on over to the Empire He can legally operate a forklift truck. But the Philly troubadour is a much better singer and guitarist. His new album Wakin’ On a Pretty Daze is a further example of his splendid laconic rock, which sees Kurt mix his jangly acoustic guitar with the edgy backing of his Violators band. Don’t miss the unlikely star at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on December 11. Tickets £18. Visit www.o2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk

TOP GIGS

Philly troubadour Kurt Vile

December 11 Ásgeir Icelandic singer-songwriter Ásgeir Trausti’s debut album went gold at home in record time and a version in English is being cooked up by musician John Grant. Come see what the fuss is about. Bush Hall £10 December 17 The Glass Spider Band Celebration of David Bowie’s epic 1987 tour featuring a Q&A with original tour member Erdal Kizilcay, screening of fairytale film Labryinth and live performances of Bowie’s greatest hits. Under the Bridge £15

Wanderlust brings Sophie back to the Bush

December 18 The Waterboys Special line-up marks 25th anniversary of their classic Fisherman’s Blues album. Hammersmith Apollo From £33.25

TOP ALBUMS Ultravox The Albums 1980-2012 (Chrysalis)

Sophie Ellis-Bextor hits the Bush Hall stage in January

THE FORMER St Stephens primary pupil and avowed Fulham FC supporter Sophie EllisBextor marks the release of her new album Wanderlust with a gig at Bush Hall on Tuesday, January 21. The pop singer’s fifth effort was co-written, arranged and produced by renowned Shepherds Bush musician Ed Harcourt. With the album’s first single Young Blood a lifeaffirming testament to true love, beautifully accompanied by Harcourt’s plaintive piano and soaring string arrangement, this is a perfect time to catch up with the local artist. Support from the folkie former busker Robbie Boyd. Tickets £22.50. Visit www.bushhallmusic.co.uk

Petros Singers offer mulled wine, mince pies and fine songs

Fulham Brass Band get into the spirit with carol concerts

Hammersmith’s Petros Singers will perform a candlelit concert of music new and old at St Peter’s Church on Sunday, December 8. The leading amateur choir will be directed by Duncan Aspden as they tackle songs by Carl Rutti, Hadley, Goldschmidt, Philip Stopford and Victoria. Tickets £15 (concs £10, under 12s £1) with mulled wine and mince pies from 7pm. Visit www.petrossingers.org

The Fulham Brass Band celebrate the arrival of Christmas with three special carol concerts. Leading off is an evening concert at St John’s Church in Fulham’s Jerdan Place on December 8 from 6pm. It’s followed by a double-header of carols at Friarwood Fine Wines in New King’s Road on December 10 at 6.30pm and December 14 at 11am. Visit www.fulhambrassband.co.uk

The second phase of the British new wave legends saw Midge Ure acquire frontman duties from John Foxx to lead the band to surprising commercial success. The ninecd boxset collects these albums, with the Conny Plank-recorded sessions for Vienna the clear highlight. While Foxx’s rein was more noisy, Ure added the new romantic synth gloss. It’s captured perfectly on Monument: The Soundtrack from their 1982 gig at the Hammersmith Odeon. Bardo Pond Peace on Venus (Fire Records)

Singer/flautist Isobel Sollenberger has always added the necessary levity to the Pond’s delirious psychedelia and lengthy sonic explorations. With the band sounding especially raucous, she replies by reducing her lyrics to mere snippets as she refines, repeats and reimagines their meaning. Braced against the caterwauling guitar solos of Michael Gibbons, the veteran band continue to search for the optimal level of noise and beauty.

Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 59

Health & Beauty K West Hotel & Spa

A perfect storm Do you need to chill? If so, Geoff Cowart finds a Shepherds Bush spa with the coolest room in town

K West Hotel

60 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

IT MAY be winter – but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep cool in style. One glance at the mercury will tell you that the spa at Shepherds Bush’s K West Hotel is the coolest of them all as it rests at a chilly -15°C – a wild experience after guests leave the hot sauna next door. The idea? It’s a Finnish one apparently, as they believe the climactic

contrast helps promote circulation to aid immune and respiratory systems. And built by a specialist German spa manufacturer, the winter wonderland is as pure as the driven snow because the white powdery stuff is made from nothing but air and water with no chemical additives. For more details, visit www.k-west.co.uk

Health & Beauty Pure Barberism

Gentleman barber of the West End

Ben Hardwick of Hammersmith’s Pure Barberism

Thought the skills of the traditional barber were lost? Think again. Geoff Cowart settles into the chair in Hammersmith

here’s a new barber in town. Meet Ben Hardwick, the new manager of Pure Barberism in Hammersmith’s King Street. And while the clean-cut 31-year-old barber may ply his trade at an address that has served as a barber’s shop for many decades, his modern approach is decidedly more cutting edge. The Ealing-born scissor king took over the shop after a five-year stint working in the West End. Most recently, he worked for Dolce Gabba in New Bond Street. But he says he really cut his teeth at Pall Mall Barbers, just off Piccadilly Circus, where he tended to the needy barnets of the City bankers, politicians and even a few high-profile actors. Now running the sleek-looking shop in the middle of King Street, the affable Ben

says he is hoping to set a new standard and bring his extensive experience to the area. “The bar is higher these days,” Ben says. “Men want something more than a ‘short back and sides’ from their barber. “Whether it’s the style of cut, the customer service or the products being used, the days of the old-fashioned barber shop are long gone.” However, what does live on in the industry are the traditional skills of a barber that Ben has learned over his 10-year-career. “Being able to cut hair properly with a pair of scissors (not just clippers) is the biggest necessity. “Men today want a sharp look, but not the harshness that comes with a clipper cut. So scissors can give a much better cut – which also grows out much better. Everything starts from a proper haircut.”

Men want something more than a ‘short back and sides’ from their barber. Those days are long gone

And then there is the matter of a good shave. Taught to shave with a straight razor by a Turkish barber in Hastings before Ben left for London, he’s been shaving in the traditional manner for almost eight years. “It took more than two years to learn,” he says. “But it’s a big deal to the Turks and I learned from the best. It’s an art form.” Thankfully, the one thing that Ben has not brought with him from the West End is the prices. For £17, chaps can have their hair washed and cut. And for £26, you can have a luxurious traditional shave with two hot towels, an exfoliating scrub, a dash of shaving oil and a cold towel to finish. “I don’t think there is an excuse to not look sharp these days,” Ben adds. “We are all busy. But it matters how you look.” He has even just created a line of products, from shampoos to hair putties, to come to rescue of any chap – regardless of their hair type. “I’ve never seen a head of hair that I couldn’t help,” the diehard Fulham FC fan says with a laugh. Pure Barberism is located at 229 King Street, Hammersmith. Call 07989 861 882 Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 61

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Could you

Foster a child like me? Come along to our information event

Thursday 30 January 2014 6pm to 8pm Hammersmith Town Hall King Street, Hammersmith London W6 9JU

Freephone 0800 169 3497 /adoptionandfostering www.lbhf.gov.uk /fostering www.rbkc.gov.uk/fostering www.westminster.gov.uk/fostering 1 | YourMagazine Autumn 2013

Why wait until the New Year to start your new career? At this time of the year many of us will be thinking about presents and spending time with our families over the holidays. But there are some children who have never had a happy holiday or a family to spend it with. You could be the key link in the chain that helps change this by making an early New Year’s resolution to take up a new, exciting and rewarding career as a foster carer. Carers receive emotional, practical and financial support for the amazing and invaluable work they do. However, there are still so many myths around what it takes to be a foster carer, like thinking you can’t foster if you’re gay, single or unemployed – the truth is YOU CAN! Our New Year’s resolution is to help dispel myths around fostering and explain who can be a foster carer. Here are a few of the most common myths we want to bust!

I'm too old You’re never too old! To foster, you must be 21 or over but there are no upper age limits.

I’m unemployed Don’t worry! We consider applicants who are unemployed or employed, whether that’s full-time or part-time. We pay our foster carers to look after children and young people. We need ‘career carers’ – people who can give their full-time attention to the children and young people staying with them and see it as a full-time job. We also consider applicants who work full-time or part-time.

I'm male It doesn’t matter! Your gender is not important and our carers can be men, women or transgender.

Why not join our network of foster carers today?

If you are interested and want to know more information about fostering children from Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, or Westminster, don’t hesitate – call us today on 0800 169 3497 or email us at fostering@rbkc.gov.uk.

I'm gay It makes no difference at all! You can be straight, gay or bisexual –all applicants are welcome, regardless of their sexual orientation.

I live in rented accommodation That’s fine! You don’t need to own your own house to foster a child. As long as each child has their own bedroom you can foster, or if you are fostering children under three years old, they can sleep in your bedroom. Brekti Russom is a foster carer who looks after children and young people of all ages, from babies right up to 18. She said: “I love children but I don’t have my own. I wanted to make a positive difference for young people, especially teenagers. At the beginning, getting to know each other is not always easy but then you become like a family. Most of the young people I’ve cared for come back for Christmas and we have still have time together. Two of the boys are now doing degrees and I’m very proud. To see them achieve in their lives makes me feel very happy and I would encourage anyone to become a foster carer. My friend is also a foster carer now!”

fostering@rbkc.gov.uk Awarded to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Awarded to the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham and Westminster City Council

Autumn 2013 YourMagazine | 2

News Church appeal

ARCHITECT HAS NO PLANS TO MOVE RENOWNED HAMMERSMITH-BASED architect Richard Rogers has rubbished a report stating that he was set to move his firm out of the borough. The Architects Journal ran a story on October 31 saying Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners were ‘set to move out of their Hammersmith home’. The Journal also reported that the impending move from the Thames Wharf Studios site was due to the firm reaching the end of its lease in early 2016. Citing past acrimony between Rogers and the landlord (former RRP co-founder and past RIBA president Marco Goldschmied) the Journal added that Goldschmied wanted to ‘redevelop’ the site. But the claim was rejected by the prestigious Rainville Road firm this month. A spokesman said: “No decision has been made. Yes, the lease is coming to an end in 2016 – but that’s the only truth in the story.” The potential redevelopment of the Thames Wharf site would also affect the River Café restaurant next door, as it shares the same landlord. The restaurant opened in 1987 and originally served as the staff canteen for the architectural firm.

Restaurateur fined A SIGNIFICANT fine has been imposed on the former owner of the Real China Express restaurant, in Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, for poor standards of cleanliness and hygiene. H&F Council’s food safety team found in June 2012 that the restaurant was operating in poor conditions which led to an immediate emergency closure. The director of the company, Song Qin, appeared at Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court on October 22 and pleaded guilty to six offences. He was fined £3,600. In total, Qin was ordered to pay £6,721 including a contribution of £3,061 towards prosecution costs. A victim surcharge of £60 was also imposed.

66 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

Let the bells ring out for Christmas After a major restoration – and some serious fundraising – the peal at All Saints has been restored, and the ancient belfry strengthened and renovated, writes Tim Harrison

ne of the capital’s most beautiful bell chimes will be pealing out again in time for Christmas after a phenomenal £500,000 fundraising drive. The bells of All Saints, Fulham, fell silent in June when they were lowered and hauled off to a foundry in Whitechapel for urgently needed renovation. Major strengthening and repair work to the tower of the church at the Fulham end of Putney Bridge is now nearing completion, and the target is to have the bells back in place ahead of the Christmas services. Fiona Mylchreest, who has been involved with the project from the start, told Your Magazine: “The bells have been retuned. In the old days that would have involved banging them with a hammer until they sounded better, but now it’s all

done with digital precision.” The wheels, mounts and clappers have been replaced, and the bells will sit in a new frame, set inside a concrete and metal ring beam, which effectively holds the bell tower together. The old oak frame caused the landmark building to shake every time the bells rang. It was supposed to only move 1mm each time, but had started to sway 10mm with every serious bonging. Ten bells were gingerly lowered from the belfry in the summer… but 11 bells will go back up in the coming weeks, with the extra

The bells have been retuned… nowadays it’s done with digital precision

SCHOOL WINS ARTY AWARD

Taking the bells down fry from the All Saints bel e car h wit e don be had to

All our own work! Pupils get creative at St John’s

one – a toll bell – being devoted to the clock chime. The bells have been reconfigured to minimise the strain caused when half were swinging north to south at the same time as the rest were rocking east to west. Fiona described the reinstatement of the renovated, retuned bells as being ‘a sudoku puzzle’, as some parts of the project require a lot of scaffolding, while other parts need less. The £500,000 fundraising drive has been achieved thanks to a concerted effort by the congregation, with grant aid from English Heritage, Viridor’s community fund and a host of other trusts and charities. It was in 2008 that the church architect warned the All Saints parish that the medieval tower was at risk. The bells were knocking against the structure of the tower, loosening the mortar and pulling the corners apart.

There has been a church on the site for more than 900 years. The tower is made of Kent ragstone – floated upsteam in 1440, when agents of King Henry VI tried to pinch it off the barges! However, the foundations were probably laid in the 1300s. For centuries, half a dozen bells rang out. In 1729 two extra bells were added, hence the Eight Bells pub name in Fulham High Street. The last major tower restoration took place in the mid 1960s. Work on the bells and tower has also included restoration of the historic clock, which ensures everyone in Fulham gets to appointments right on time. The last time the bells came down for maintenance was in 1908. This year’s church Christmas cards are being sold in aid of the Tower & Bells Appeal. Plans are in train for a service of blessing in February.

A FULHAM primary school has won 20 framed art works in a national competition to encourage creativity. The pictures are worth £2,500. St John’s CofE in Walham Green is also in the running to win £750 of art supplies in the Art Sparks Learning contest run by the online art website www.art.co.uk Head teacher Barbara Wightwick said: “The vision at St John’s is to provide an exciting and innovative arts curriculum that inspires imagination and encourages thinking skills. We are delighted to be selected to receive this wonderful gallery of art for our school.”

Groups vie for grant support MORE THAN 50 local charities and voluntary groups have registered to apply for grants of £10,000 or more from H&F Council. Every year the council takes applications for its Third Sector Investment Fund. The closing date for applications is January 10. As in previous years, and to make it as easy as possible to apply, groups will need to use the online London Portal (www.londontenders.org) for funding for services that will run from November 1, 2014. For further information on the Third Sector Investment Fund application process, eligibility criteria, service specifications and how to apply, visit www.lbhf.gov.uk/ funding, call 020 8753 2187 or email cit@lbhf.gov.uk Groups looking for smaller amounts of funding of under £10,000, for annual projects, can apply for a ‘fast track’ small grant. The scheme runs continually and groups can apply for funding at any time during the year. Full details on how to apply are online at www.lbhf.gov.uk/funding

Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 67

Regeneration King Street

Plans fit for a King Street approved

A new cinema, shops and homes will replace the current town hall extension

68 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

New proposals would replace one of the area’s ugliest blocks and welcome a new Curzon Cinema to Hammersmith, reports Rob Mansfield

xciting plans to breathe new life into the area around Hammersmith Town Hall in King Street have been approved. H&F Council’s planning applications committee gave the green light for the £150million regeneration scheme, from King Street Developments Hammersmith Ltd (KSD) – a joint venture between Helical Bar plc and Grainger plc, at a meeting on November 12. Subject to verification by the Mayor of London, the planning approval now paves the way for KSD to regenerate the area around and including the ugly town hall extension with a new cinema, new public spaces, shops, homes and offices. The package of improvements includes: 196 high-quality new homes; a three-screen community cinema, to be operated by

Curzon; new retail, restaurant and café space; replacement offices for the council and a new town square. The Grade-II listed town hall will have its former ceremonial stone steps reinstated to link up with the new public piazza while the replacement council offices will be built to the west of Nigel Playfair Avenue. KSD will also provide £5.25 million towards a regeneration fund to boost the surrounding area and refurbish the Grade-II listed town hall, which was built in 1938. A previous development, which included taller buildings, was referred to the Mayor of London but then withdrawn in December 2011. None of the new buildings in the new scheme will be taller than the current town hall extension. The council received just eight objections to the scheme and a further five responses

“It’s been hard work but we finally have a plan that will kick start the regeneration of the west end of King Street”

Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 69

Regeneration King Street in favour during the consultation. Cllr Nicholas Botterill, H&F Council leader, said: “We listened to residents and ditched the less popular elements of the previous scheme and I now believe we have a scheme that Hammersmith can be proud of. It’s been hard work but we finally have a plan that will kick start the much-needed regeneration of the west end of King Street. The developers can now get on with the important work of breathing new life into this rather rundown area.” If the project had not received planning approval taxpayers would have been hit with a bill of around £18 million to move council staff temporarily while the extension was brought up to standard. The new modern building is expected to save around £150,000 in reduced energy costs and the council is retaining the freehold of the land.

New shops and restaurants will breathe fresh life into the western end of King Street, while a new town square (inset) will be designed for events

70 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

David Walters, development director at Grainger plc, said: “We are delighted with the planning committee decision. This is a fantastic opportunity to deliver nearly 200 new high-quality homes designed by local architects Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands in the setting of the handsome listed town hall and in the centre of Hammersmith, with its excellent transport links and proximity to the Thames.”

This is a fantastic opportunity to deliver nearly 200 new highquality homes designed by local architects

On the retail and cinema aspects of the proposals, Helical Bar plc director Matthew Bonning-Snook said: “We are very excited to be introducing a new Curzon cinema to Hammersmith complemented by new retail and restaurant space as well as a landscaped public piazza. This will create an environment people will be proud to live, work and dwell in, and will contribute to putting King Street firmly on London’s cultural map.” Meanwhile further along King Street the Lyric is currently building a two-storey extension behind the theatre to house state-of-the-art facilities. The Kings Mall shopping centre is enjoying a renaissance as high-profile new shops such as H&M open and a modern new-look entrance is built and aluminium cladding fitted. Hammersmith Grove’s nine-storey

office block has opened and its 11-storey counterpart, to create new student accommodation on the site of the former Hammersmith Palais, is starting to take shape. A thousand new jobs are also set to be created in the old Access Self Storage building opposition Brook Green when customer science specialists dunnhumby move in from 2016. The council is also midway through a feasibility study to explore options for replacing Hammersmith flyover with a tunnel. The final report is due to be presented to TfL, which owns and manages the A4, in March 2014. Cllr Botterill continued: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hammersmith is being reborn before our eyes with a series of once-in-a-lifetime regeneration projects that will contribute to the future prosperity and vitality of our town centre.â&#x20AC;?

TIMELINE: EARLY 2014 Greater London Authority set to give verdict on scheme. END OF 2014 Work starts after site assembly, tendering of construction works and mobilisation of contractors etc is complete. BY 2017 Works to west of Nigel Playfair complete. BY 2018 Everything finished.

Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 71

Business H&F Brilliant Business Awards

Top traders celebrate awards night success After 2,300 votes were cast, business leaders from across the borough gathered at Bush Hall to find out who would be crowned the best firms in the area. Geoff Cowart took in the atmosphere

he second annual Hammersmith & Fulham Brilliant Business Awards, organised by H&F Council with help from businesses across the borough, saw a whopping 2,300 votes cast by members of the public to nominate their favourite local enterprises. Across 10 categories, judges selected a shortlist of eight businesses in each one. Those shortlisted businesses were all invited to Bush Hall to see if they were to be crowned business champions. Opening the awards night was H&F Council leader Cllr Nicholas Botterill, who said: “H&F is the borough of opportunity and we do our utmost to help and support

local businesses large or small to succeed. Local businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy and we salute you for all of your hard work and determination.” With cheers and applause ringing out between each award, businesses received their trophies from H&F mayor Cllr Frances Stainton. The council’s business champion, Cllr Robert Iggulden, also praised the commitment of local business self-starters who have persevered through tough economic times in the past few years. Winning the My Favourite Business award was Fitrooms gym in Fulham’s North End Road. Owner Mario Pederzolli said: “Everyone’s really excited. It’s very flattering to win a trophy. It’s testament to our loyal members and all of the hard work we’ve put

H&F Brilliant Business Awards sponsored by:

72 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

into the business. It’s our 10th birthday this month and we always wanted to be a focal point for the community.” And it was smiles all around from the team at Cherry Red hair salon in Hadyn Park Road, Shepherds Bush, who snapped up the coveted Best New Business award. Owner Jennifer Fox said: “We are over the moon! Totally overwhelmed! We’ve only been open for six months so winning the

It’s very flattering to win a trophy. It’s testament to all the hard work we’ve put into the business

Winner! BEST NEW BUSINESS Cherry Red

Hard work bears fruit for salon entrepreneurs From left: H&F Mayor Frances Stainton gives the award for best food business to Joseph Pace and Leroy Stevenson of Parparellu Maltese Cafe in Fulham Palace Road; jubilation among staff of Petit Miracle Interiors; Mayor Stainton congratulates David West of Fitrooms on being the borough’s favourite business, sponsored by Alyson Moffat and Bob Stammers of Kings Mall; and Charlie Raworth of Bush Hall is chuffed to be named entrepreneur of the year

AND THE WINNERS ARE… My Favourite Business Fitrooms Best Customer Service Horton and Garton Estate Agents award is a big moment for us.” A special surprise award was given to Chellies sandwich shop in King Street for amassing the highest number of votes across the entire competition. Owner Fouad Mansour Geimili said: “It feels good!”. The awards were sponsored by Hammersmith Kings Mall, Westfield London, Fulham and Hammersmith Chronicle, Royal Bank of Scotland RBS, Stanhope, Leiths School of Food and Wine, W12 Shopping Centre, HammersmithLondon and The Fulham Resident Magazine. To see more pictures visit our Flickr gallery at www.lbhf.gov.uk/businessawardsphotos

Best New Business Cherry Red hair salon Best Business Supporter of the Community Computer Angels Best Business Entrepreneur Charlie Raworth (Bush Hall) Best Creative Business Petit Miracle Interiors Best Food Business Parparellu Maltese Café Best Fulham Business Vagabond Wines Best Hammersmith Business Fast Signs Best Shepherds Bush Business Exchange Group Training Centre

By Dan Hodges A HAIRDRESSING duo have won best new business award six months after launching Cherry Red. When an empty shop unit came up for rent in Shepherds Bush, hairdressers Danielle McInerney (left) and Jennifer Fox knew they might never have a better chance to launch their own salon. So the friends and former colleagues seized the opportunity and snapped up the unit in Hadyn Park Road, opening Cherry Red in May this year. Danielle, 29, said: “The opportunity presented itself and it was a case of grabbing it with both hands or not at all.” The pair knew they already had many loyal customers willing to travel from Chiswick, where they both previously worked at another salon. “That’s what helped us to hit the ground running. We just took off straight away – and that made local people interested in us,” said Danielle. Their efforts paid off when they were named best new business at the Hammersmith & Fulham Brilliant Business Awards in November. The women say the secret of their success has been their close friendship, combined with a mutual professional respect. Jennifer, 30, said: “We both want the best and want to be the best – and however we need to get there, we’ll get there.” Danielle added: “We’re very lucky to have met each other, to have the same amount of experience and to want the same things. It’s about hard work, determination and facing your fears.”

Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 73

Regeneration Earls Court

EARLS COURT: A new district for L THE BROADWAY A new, north-south thoroughfare linking Cromwell Road to Lillie Road

PUBLIC SPACES

£35m

West Kensington, new entrances

E TH

Improvement to streets and public areas and the creation of 37 acres of green space including garden squares, communal gardens and a new five acre park running through the scheme.

OA BR

HOMES

DW A Y

Up to 7,500 much needed new homes for the capital of which 1,500 are affordable and replacement homes at a cost of:

SCALE Earl’s Court Development

77 acres

St. James’s Park

£315 m THE HIGH STREET

57 acres

Earls Court development is1.3x larger than St. James’s Park

RT D

EN RO

£41.4m

*Additional obligations totalling £5.8m relate to monitoring review groups and a transport contingency fund. Precise locations of buildings/ facilities on the site are still to be determined. Buildings are not to scale

Improvements to local amenities as well as a brand new primary school, community centre, leisure centre, health centre, cultural space and money toward a cultural fund for the area.

Empr Build

LOCAL AMENITIES

THE HIGH STREET A new High Street with bars, restaurants, cafes and shops, cultural and community facilities linking North End Road to Warwick Road

37 acres of green space planned for Earls Court A new five-acre park will be the centrepiece of a major package of improvements throughout the area, writes Simon Jones 74 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

London LOST RIVER PARK

TRANSPORT IMPROVEMENTS

Earls Court, new entrance

£452m

Exhibition Square

TOTAL INVESTMENT

Substantial improvements to all tube stations

£38.2m LO

RI VE R

New and improved bus lanes, bus stops and service improvements

PA RK

£5.5m KEY

ST RE ET

D OA

Community Centre

Primary School

Cycle Hub

West Brompton, platform improvements

ress State ding (existing)

N TO

Leisure Centre

£8m

JOBS AND SKILLS Up to 10,000 permanent jobs are expected to be created and there’ll be £8m worth of employment training and skills in the local area.

nother major milestone in the £8billion redevelopment of Earls Court has been reached as an agreement on a £452million package of benefits for the area was signed. H&F Council, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), Transport for London (TfL) and scheme developer Capital & Counties Properties Plc (Capco) all agreed a package of community benefits, last month. As part of the agreement Capco has agreed that a new primary school, a new leisure centre, new health facilities and community and cultural spaces will all be built as the approved scheme is developed.

New and improved cycle lanes and three new cycle hire hubs plus over 11,000 cycle parking spaces and other sustainable transport measures

£3.1m LILLIE SQUARE will be one of the largest and most high-profile residential developments in London, transforming what is currently a 7.4 acre car park on Seagrave Road into 808 homes set around a new garden square.

Thirty-seven acres of green open space will be provided, including a new five-acre park, and there will also be significant improvements to the transport infrastructure including increased capacity at Earls Court, West Kensington and West Brompton underground stations. Cllr Nicholas Botterill, leader of H&F Council, said: “The redevelopment of Earls Court and West Kensington will usher in a new era of prosperity and opportunity on a scale that has never been seen before in west London. We have said from the very outset that we would only include the estates if people living on them substantially benefit from redevelopment, followed by the wider area. Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 75

Regeneration Earls Court “This agreement can leave estate residents in no doubt that they will be the major beneficiaries of the scheme, not only gaining brand new homes, but also reaping the rewards of the huge raft of community improvements that will help them to make a success of their lives.”

Above: Artist’s impression of aerial view of the new-look Earls Court Below: How the new high street would look

76 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

Details of the community benefit package include: l 1,500 affordable and replacement homes out

of a total of 7,500 new homes to be built in the development as a whole – £315million l Improvements to streets and public realm and the creation of 37 acres of green space, including garden squares, communal gardens and a new five-acre park – £35million l Improvements to local amenities as well as a new primary school, community centre, leisure centre, health centre, cultural space and money towards a cultural fund for the area – £41.4million l Up to 10,000 permanent jobs are expected to be created and there will be £8million worth of employment and skills training in the local area l There will also be significant transport improvements, with £38.2m spent on improving the tube stations in the area. A further £5.5m will be spent on new and improved bus lanes, bus stops and service improvements and £3.1million will be spent on new and improved cycle lanes, three new cycle hire hubs plus more than 11,000 cycle parking spaces and other sustainable transport initiatives. The redevelopment of Earls Court will provide new homes for people living on West Kensington and Gibbs Green estates, which is part of the 77-acre site, with the first residents expected to move into new homes by 2018.

Residents will reap the rewards of the huge raft of community improvements that will help them to make a success of their lives

Opinion Your shout

Feedback We want to hear from you! Send your comments to: press.office@lbhf.gov.uk, write to: Hammersmith Town Hall, Room 39, King Street, London W6 9JU or go online to www.lbhf.gov.uk and leave your comment. We reserve the right to edit comments. Anonymous comments will not be considered but names and addresses can be withheld upon request.

Leader’s column H&F Council Leader Nicholas Botterill

his month we are proud to be proposing yet another 3% cut to your council tax bill. Once approved, it would be the seventh reduction in eight years, saving you £850 a year when compared to the average council tax increase during that period. That is a 20% cut in your bill over that period. With gas, water and electricity prices constantly rising, we know how much financial pressure the average household is under. That is why we have been working so hard to reduce the burden in the one area that we control.

For the first time in a generation we have more money in the bank than we owe We are doing this while continuing to do everything we can to improve the quality of life in our borough. I am delighted by the strong improvement shown in our schools, by the improvements in our parks and, most recently, by the record crime drop. H&F has managed to cut council tax simply by managing our finances in the same way as many of you manage yours. We don’t spend what we don’t have and we make every penny go as far as it can. And, just like prudent households, we have been paying back our debt. We used to owe £176million, which cost you more than £9.5m a year in interest. By selling buildings that we no longer need, we have paid back £100m of that debt. For the first time in a generation we now have more money in the bank than we owe.

It’s time to bury the Hammersmith Flyover – whatever the cost

The river is our greatest asset and is currently wasted (Residents have say on emerging ‘flyunder’ options, October edition). This is a once-every-200-years opportunity to transform part of London. Of course it will cost a fortune... but it will pay for itself with the enormous value it will unleash whether in housing, businesses or public spaces. Jermey Fawcett Via email

Fly-under is a pipe dream

You are all dreaming! It is a complete nonstarter (Residents have say on emerging ‘flyunder’ options, Autumn edition). It’s just the local politicians’ ego trip. Waste no more time and money on exploration and talking about it. Start again in 50 years time. I have always found the flyover beautiful and it still thrills me. David Ivor Via email

Food stalls undo W12 progress

Westfield and the regeneration and upgrade of Shepherd Bush is excellent news, so well done all concerned (The sky’s the limit, Autumn edition)! But why, oh why, has the ghastly food and clothes market been allowed to develop by the tube station? Surely this is a mistake that needs to be rectified. Why can’t we have a proper farmer’s market? Howard, W14 Via email

Town hall plan is mediocre

The plan is unbelievable (Boom time for Hammersmith, Spring edition). The excellent original scheme, which a number of wellorchestrated complainers managed to stop, above all gave an open vista to the beautiful town hall frontage. This has been lost. The bridge to Furnivall Gardens is lost which would have been a major amenity. The reduction in the number of new flats is mistaken as more flats are needed not fewer. This new plan is less ambitious and

How the proposed flyunder entrance might look

basically mediocre. The original plans would have created an iconic development of distinction. The height was no disadvantage. Peter French Via email

Local democracy at work

Much-improved town hall development plan – a good example of local democracy at work (Boom time for Hammersmith, Spring edition). The flyunder seems like a dream, but it would be fantastic to restore the link to the river. Catherine Via email

New town hall scheme is better

Great improvement on previous plan and should make this end of King Street look much better (Boom time for Hammersmith, Spring edition). Tim Day Via email

Stop and shop bays are a big help

This is an excellent idea (More 20p ‘stop and shop bays’ to come in time for Christmas, Autumn edition). Sometimes I just need a couple of items from the pound shop and I end up paying more on parking than I am paying for the items. Hanora Via email

Market plans signal W12 ascent

I’m delighted that all Shepherds Bush seems to be on the up – even Askew Road looks like having a future, and not before time (Market plans get green light, Autumn edition). Keep it up. Michael Lee Via email

Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 77

Environment Super sewer

Ofwat and council challenge Thames Waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pipe dream By Rob Mansfield

The excessive costs of Thames Waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s super sewer are simply unaffordable to bill payers and Ofwat has started to recognise this 78 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

Utility giant’s case starts to unravel as more facts emerge in detailed report by tunneling experts questioning why a disruptive shaft is needed at all

demand to hike water bills by nearly £30 next year has been blocked by the regulator – as the council leader says the move should spell the end for Thames Water’s controversial super sewer. The water utility giant had asked Ofwat to let it increase bills by 8% next year, partly to pay for land needed for the Thames Tunnel ‘super sewer’, but the regulator vetoed the hike in November. Thames Water had tried to argue that the £29 surcharge, which would have come on top of future annual hikes of £80 to pay for the 16mile tunnel, was needed because it had underestimated the costs of buying land for the pipeline. The news comes as a council report, which was submitted to the Government’s planning inspectorate last month, argues that Thames Water is putting playing fields and beetles before humans when siting shafts for the mega pipe. Excavations for the massive concrete sewage transfer tunnel would have a far bigger impact on densely populated areas than first thought, according to Hammersmith

& Fulham Council. The £4.2billion concrete bore will cause years of avoidable misery and disruption to tens of thousands of residents in south Fulham, as well as bumping up water bills, according to the local impact report prepared by the council. The report spells out the human toll of digging the Thames Tunnel in Fulham and argues that disruption to residents would be out of all proportion to the effect on playing fields and wildlife if the main sewer shaft was instead located on a corner of open land across the river at Barn Elms. Cllr Nicholas Botterill, H&F Council leader, said: “The excessive costs of Thames Water’s super sewer are simply unaffordable to bill payers, and Ofwat has started to recognise this. Londoners do not have the cash to fund Thames Water’s gold-plated pipe dream. To add insult to injury, this fatally flawed and unnecessary sewer seems to have been sited where it will cause maximum disruption to residents, schools and businesses in one of the busiest parts of the capital.”

H&F Council leader Nicholas Botterill joins campaigners in pointing out the obvious to Thames Water

Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 79

Environment Super sewer “Carnwath Road is not a brownfield site to the thousands of residents whose lives will be turned upside down if the main sewer shaft is sunk here.” He said that the evidence showed that the people of south Fulham would suffer serious, sustained long-term impact. Past assessments by Thames Water have not taken into account the true human cost of the project on schools, parks, sports and leisure facilities and nurseries, including the risk of stinking gases being pumped into the air. Residents living near the tunnel construction sites would be subject to round-the-clock noise, dust and air pollution for years to come. Thames Water argues that the tunnel is the best solution to stop sewage overflowing

into the Thames when it rains heavily, but the report says there are far cheaper and greener solutions to the problem – including environmental changes such as more green roofs and permeable front gardens to reduce the rainwater pouring into the drains – which would avoid inflicting years of construction misery on the area. Problems with ‘foul exhaust gases’ from the Thames Tideway Tunnel would affect a heavily populated area, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, if the Carnwath Road riverside site were chosen ahead of Barnes. There are other, more suitable sites upstream of Carnwath Road which could house the active air extraction and treatment systems, states the local impact report.

Sewer protesters

The use of Barn Elms would also make strategic sense and would take fumes away from residential concentrations. The local impact report also details fears that the tunnel could affect the anchor points supporting the Grade II-listed Hammersmith Bridge as the tunnel shaves past the bridge’s foundations. A separate report, by respected international engineering experts CDM Smith, says the tunnel does not need the huge construction site in south Fulham in any case. Instead, the sewage transfer tunnel could run from Acton Storm Tanks to Kirtling Street in Battersea without a disruptive, expensive midpoint entrance in SW6. CDM Smith studied the tunnelling conditions 40m beneath the Thames and

Share your views, email: press.office@lbhf.gov.uk

By Tim Harrison

Barbara and George Dafnides

arbara Dafnides and her disabled husband George may be forced out of the Philpot Square flat where they have lived for 30 years, as it is just yards from the proposed Carnwath Road super sewer exit. “I can’t tell you how angry I am,” said Barbara, 72. “We are not going to be able to sleep with the 24-hour noise, and there will be pollution and mud everywhere.” George, 77, suffers from vascular dementia, has high blood pressure and serious mobility issues. The couple have a son, and have also fostered children. “We won’t be able to use our own garden,” said Barbara. “With all the noise we simply won’t be able to sit out there. Our neighbours feel the same way. After being 30 years in one place, we don’t want the stress of moving. We don’t want that kind of stress at our time of life.” Ann Rosenberg, who prepared and submitted the Carnwath residents’ views to the planning inspector opposing the project, said: “Ordinary people simply can’t understand what this is all about.”

80 | YourMagazine Winter 2013

Ann Rosenberg

A resident in the area for 35 years, she is furious that the legal notices fixed to lampposts in the street are written in such obscure legal and technical language that it’s virtually impossible to grasp what is being proposed.

We are not going to be able to sleep with the 24-hour noise, and there will be pollution and mud everywhere “Look at it,” she said. “It’s all written in jargon, yet people are supposed to be able to read it and know what’s going on!” Lance Pierson, who lives in nearby Peterborough Road, condemned the sheer pointlessness of the project, arguing that experts agreed any tunnel did not require a midpoint… and certainly not a midpoint exit in such a heavily populated and congested part of west London.

Lance Pierson

“The whole tunnel is the wrong solution to the problem anyway,” he said. “Why anyone believes Thames Water’s forecasts is beyond me. When Thames Water says it will solve something, you can’t trust them to get it right. “They applied to put an extra £29 on next year’s bills, and Ofwat said ‘No’. This scheme would add an extra £80 to every water bill forever, which is monstrous. “A quarter of the population of England pays Thames Water bills, and they will all be charged for something that’s only in our little stretch here. “There is so much better technology now [than when it was first proposed]. The experts say it is now outmoded, and the cost has just gone through the roof. “It was based on assumptions that water use would increase, but the amount of water used has gone down, with less being flushed away and more recycled… so the scale of the problem is decreasing every year.” He firmly believes that the increased use of water meters will help cap demand, making the need for huge physical projects such as the super sewer redundant.

Sport Taekwondo success concluded that the 25ft diameter tunnel could be burrowed through the London clay without needing to come up for air. Thames Water had argued that a midpoint shaft was required to make it simpler to dispose of excavated material, and to improve worker safety. But the consultants believe modern tunnelling technology addresses both issues, and that the pipe could run from Acton to Battersea Power Station uninterrupted. Cllr Botterill said that the engineers’ report vindicated the council’s opposition. “The experts’ opinion demonstrates that south Fulham does not need to turn into a building site for six years to create a massive construction compound and ventilation shaft for Thames Water’s super sewer,” he said. “We hope Thames Water now sees sense and abandons this blight on our borough.”

We hope that Thames Water now sees sense and abandons this blight on our borough Former Ofwat director general Sir Ian Byatt has also slammed Thames Water’s plans. He claims that inadequate maintenance of London’s sewer network has caused the problem, adding that this failure has led to more ground water entering defective sewers, leading many to overflow into the river. Chris Binnie, the original architect of the scheme and chairman of the Thames Tideway Strategic Study Group from 2000 to 2006, now argues that revised costs mean the benefits no longer justify the cost. And Professor Colin Green from Middlesex University says customers will be ‘ripped-off’ as the current price system ‘creates a strong incentive to pour concrete’ rather than explore green alternatives. A consortium led by the Australian bank Macquarie bought Thames Water for £8bn in 2006. If the super sewer goes ahead the capital value of Thames Water will increase by at least 40 per cent. The council has submitted the new reports to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate, which is examining Thames Water’s 50,000page planning application for the super sewer. The planning inspectors will make a recommendation on whether to grant approval to government ministers who are set to make the final decision by the autumn of 2014. For more visit www.lbhf.gov.uk/supersewer

Spelling it out

Shayanne’s success Fulham youngster opens account with two golds in two months, reports Tim Harrison

he reigning Young Sports Personality of the Year has kicked her way to double glory after winning her first two major competitions and her first two gold medals. Twelve-year-old taekwondo star Shayanne Sarsoza won the under-29kg cadet title at the 11th Serbia open contest in Belgrade, defeating Sarah Jovic, the daughter of the Serbian national coach, in October. The Fulham Road youngster took part in the competition on October 20 and 21 in the Hala Pionir sports hall, defeating a young fighter from Finland in the semi-final before winning the final by a score of 15-2. The result delighted her father, and coach, Sia Sarsoza, who runs the Kixstar Dragons club in Haldane Road. “She fought aggressively, and fought well technically,” said Sia. “In taekwondo you get three points for every head shot, and most of the shots that Shayanne scored were to the head. The fight was stopped in the second round because Sarah started crying and told her coach she didn’t want to continue.” The 12-year-old Fulham fighter was so thrilled by her win that she jumped into her

father’s arms. Shayanne, who spent part of her summer doing intensive training in South Korea, also won bronze this year at open tournaments in Spain and Belgium, which was her very first A-class show. “The training in Korea really made a big difference to her mentality,” added Sia. “Fighting doesn’t come naturally to a young girl!” And last month, Shayanne followed up her golden glory by winning the Croatia open held in Zagreb, beating her German opponent 14-8 in the final. A member of the Great Britain taekwondo talent squad, Shayanne is one of Linford Christie athletes… a group of 40 young local competitors in different sports who are given council support to help pay for travel to competitions, training and equipment. H&F cabinet member Greg Smith sent his congratulations to the young athlete. “I’m delighted for Shayanne. We’re all keen to see how far she can go in her chosen sport.” The taekwondo star, who has just started secondary school, was presented with the Hammersmith & Fulham Young Sports Personality of the Year in the summer by Olympic shooting gold medallist Peter Wilson. Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 81

Sport Boxing

GROVES FLOORS FROCH BUT LOSES THE TITLE FIGHT EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Fulham boxer George Groves sits down with Nick Skoric to talk rematch after the referee stops fight in Manchester against Carl Froch

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espite feeling like he was robbed in his hour of glory – George Groves is more determined than ever on his quest for a world title. The 25-year-old sat down with me after his controversial loss to veteran champ Carl Froch and had just one word on his mind – rematch. Boxing fans are crying out for a second meeting between the two Brits after a pulsating domestic world championship dust-up in Manchester. With Groves ahead on all the judges’ scorecards, referee Howard Foster, shockingly halted proceedings in the ninth round as Froch began to land some telling blows, to the bewilderment of all in attendance. “The people and pundits all wanted to see a clear winner but sadly that was not possible. I was not in a life threatening state as Carl would like you to believe. He may have interests in a rematch with super-middleweight king Andre Ward but he knows we have unfinished business. The referee clearly ruined a fight that was turning into a real epic bout and sadly it also ended my dreams of a world title win,” said the Fulham boxer. “I proved I am a world class fighter and those world championship belts are mine. It no longer is a dream but a reality as when I next get back into the ring, I will take them home with me. Froch is just borrowing them over Christmas.” A changing of the guard clearly seems more likely after Groves’ impressive display which had the very crowd that booed him into the ring, cheer him out. It was like a scene out of Rocky.

The people and pundits all wanted to see a clear winner but sadly that was not possible

Groves is no stranger to setbacks. He missed out on another world title opportunity back in 2012 when he was forced to pull out of the title bout against Robert Stieglitz through injury. But adversity does not faze George. His fans will be pleased to hear the injustice of the Froch night has not deterred Groves and he believes it is simply a matter of time until he joins the long glorious list of British world super-middleweight champions. Considering future hall of famer Joe Calzaghe, who ruled the 11 stone division for 10 years, was born right here in Hammersmith there must be something in the water. After all, Calzaghe ended his career undefeated. And while Groves may have lost his undefeated record with this loss, he has surely moved a step closer to becoming the next world champion from our streets. “I am proud of my roots in the area and only wish I could have brought more glory to H&F with victory over Froch,” added the avid Chelsea FC fan. “I was born here and learnt to box here as a young kid down at Dale Youth boxing club and now I am fighting on pay-per-view television. It is crazy. Who would have thought it? I want to thank everyone from the area who came up to Manchester to support me and watched on TV. My day will come and I will bring back those world championships belts to west London and we can all celebrate together.” Keep up to date with our champion’s progress on Twitter @StGeorgeGroves Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 83

Sport Yesteryear’s kit

QPR away kit 1982 FA Cup final

Chelsea Greavsie, 1960

/ / / / / / QPR home kit Introduced 1983

Fulham 1975 FA Cup jacket

Fulham Johnny Haynes era

Chelsea Blues’ 1976 look

Chelsea For Gianfranco fans

Chelsea Like Pat Nevin, 1984

RETRO TOPS

Football in west London is going through a golden period. But interest has never been stronger in the retro shirts on offer at the respective clubs’ shops. Dan Levene enjoyed a misty-eyed rummage in the clothes racks

ast season, for the first time in a top European league, three clubs from the same borough occupied England’s top division. So it may seem odd that, coinciding with these glory glory days, the thirst for nostalgia has never been greater. Take a look around the club shop of any top side, and you’ll find a corner dedicated to yesteryear. The cold terraces, hot Bovril, and lukewarm mainstream feeling for football all seem to have been forgotten when it comes to the retro shirt. West London’s three top clubs have all dusted off their time machines this Christmas, to stock a gift for the nostalgic football fan in your life. For one decimal penny under £40 at Fulham, Dr Who’s TARDIS can take you back to the team of two England captains that contested the 1975 FA Cup final for The Whites – courtesy of a rather fetching red-trimmed bomber jacket.

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For a tenner less, you can go back almost a decade earlier, with a replica of the longsleeved, white-as-the-driven-snow, number 10 shirt work by the great Johnny Haynes in 1966. Chelsea’s ‘no history’ accusation, beloved of those lured to Anfield and Old Trafford (usually from places like Neasden and Surbiton), is thoroughly dispelled by the Blues’ own replica shirt selection.

Channel the Flock of Seagulls hair together with the flair of Pat Nevin You, or the misty-eyed Chelsea fan in your life, can be cast all the way back to 1960 – with a classic Jimmy Greaves number eight shirt. Go cap-sleeves and white-trimmed for the 1976 broad-collared Ray Wilkins

Brentford v QPR 19/4/03 Marc Bircham celebrates after scoring the winning goal for QPR to make it 2-1

number. Or channel the Flock of Seagulls hair and artistic flair of Pat Nevin together into a yellow-with-red-and-blue pinstripe of the much-beloved 1984 away kit (all £30 each). As if to prove that nostalgia isn’t a thing of the distant past, you can even kit yourself out as Gianfranco Zola – wearing a beaming grin and frantically jabbing in the air at his off-the-bench goal in a 1998 Cup Winners Cup final shirt (also £30). QPR hark back to their finest nearlymoment, with the pillar-box red of the away strip donned for the 1982 FA Cup final – yours for £35. Or there’s the kit that unites Shepherds Bush’s favourite team with its favourite tipple – the classic hooped Guinness kit (complete with stencilled lettering – all the way from the old Park Royal brewery) – as worn from 1983 onwards. These are the shirts everyone will be wearing in 2014. The message is: go retro, it’s the latest thing.

Sport Football round-up

Christmas fixtures By Tim Harrison

Martin Jol unveils Rene Meulensteen as his new assistant at Craven Cottage

Fulham goes double Dutch Arrival of former United man is effort to help save Fulham’s season, writes Tim Harrison

ouble acts traditionally do well at Christmas. it was Morecambe and Wise’s time of year, after all. But whether Meulensteen and Jol will achieve the same adulation remains to be seen. Some fans fear they could turn into a festive laughing stock. The Whites are in trouble. Being in the drop zone in December isn’t necessarily fatal, but supporters know that on current form a rapid improvement is required. Which is where former Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen comes in. Martin Jol’s fellow Dutchman will, the

club insists, work alongside the manager. Suggestions that Jol’s role would be undermined by Meulensteen’s arrival was dismissed as wayward reporting by a “cynical media”. The coach only had limited time to work with the squad before the home game against Swansea, but the 2-1 defeat still hurt. “All the hard work we’ve done in the last two weeks we haven’t built on today,” admitted Jol. Next up for Fulham, home games against Aston Villa and Manchester City, and away fixtures against Everton, Norwich and Hull.

AFTER OCTOBER’S stutter, when doubts and uncertainty briefly replaced confidence and vigour, the Hoops have got their promotion challenge back on track. The astonishing run of eight clean sheets, which propelled QPR to the top of the Championship, was followed by a draw and a defeat… but Harry Redknapp has worked hard to reinstill the belief. Victories against Derby and Charlton, and draws at Wigan and Reading, have given their title push fresh momentum. The Christmas fixture list includes the crunch visit of Leicester City to Loftus Road on December 21, followed by away trips to Forest and Watford on Boxing Day and December 29. The New Year’s Day clash is a winnable home game against Doncaster. Harry has been celebrating his 30th year in football management – an occasion marked by the Rs with a special edition programme for the recent Charlton game. “This league is so difficult,” the manager recently admitted on the first anniversary of his Loftus Road appointment, before launching a thinly veiled attack on the attitude of ex-players who were picking up big pay packets as the Hoops were relegated. “We’ve got a group now that care about the football club,” he said. “As a manager, that’s all you can ask. I want a good group to work with, day in, day out. It’s a different club now, with much better people.” Chelsea travel to the Emirates on Monday December 23 to play Arsenal, before two home games on the trot – against Swansea on Boxing Day, and Liverpool on December 29. On New Year’s Day the Blues visit Southampton’s fortress. Oddly, on paper, it is beleaguered Fulham who look to have the most promising Christmas and New Year fixtures. Although the Whites’ games on Boxing Day and December 28 are both away, the opponents are fellow scrappers Norwich and Hull. Then, on New Year’s Day, Fulham host West Ham. Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 85

Sport Fulham FC lookback

Trinder’s the name The music hall star who spent his childhood Saturdays sneaking into Craven Cottage went on to become one of Fulham FC’s best-loved and respected directors. You lucky people!

few weeks ago, just as the ownership of Fulham FC was changing hands, I came across Tommy Trinder’s biography, You Lucky People by Patrick Newley (Third Age Press 2008). Few Fulham fans under 35 will have heard of Trinder, yet for years his name was synonymous with the club. Despite his cheery persona Trinder was a secretive man, scornful of autobiographies, and Patrick Newley has done well to reconstruct his story from interviews and press cuttings. There can hardly be a better description of Tommy’s stage act than this. Aggressive style, staccato delivery. Few comics, then or now, talked as fast as he did and much of his act centred on a masculine world with jokes about sport and sex. The comedian honed his trade in the variety halls of the 1930s. “The most important lesson of music hall,” he said, “is to make every member of the audience feel you’re performing for them alone.” As a young man, he made enemies, not least the fast-talking Max Miller, who saw

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him as an upstart and a threat. In response Tommy posted bills all round the West End stating: ‘If it’s laughter you’re after, Trinder’s the name.’ He made it to the London Palladium just as the Second World War started, and enhanced his popularity entertaining servicemen and women. His films (including The Bells Go Down, Fiddlers Three and The Foreman Went to France) are still shown today, unlike Max Miller’s. Trinder was born in Streatham in 1909. Patrick Newley describes childhood experiences in that district in the 1910s. These may well be correct, but the 1911 census puts him in Holyport Road, Fulham. The census return is notable for the lovely handwriting of his father, a tram driver. Naturally, young Tommy became a Fulham fan, soon discovering a free, if perilous, method of entering the ground on matchdays. He probably dreamt of playing at Craven Cottage, but could hardly have imagined becoming a director of the club in the 1940s. He enlivened the VIP box. For a home FA Cup-tie with Bristol Rovers in January 1948,

The new owner of Fulham Football Club, Shahid Khan

Trinder cheerfully acknowledged visiting fans’ placards which read: ‘Tommy, we’ve come to do you.’ He had already promised centre-forward Arthur Stevens a new overcoat if he scored a hat-trick, and as Arthur’s third goal went in, Trinder stood up and waved the promised garment. The Fulham chairman CB Dean was not given to extravagance, and Craven Cottage had hardly altered in five decades. After Dean’s death during the 1958-59 season, Tommy took over as chairman and enjoyed a perfect start. Within months

Tommy Trinder, chairman of Fulham FC from 1959 to 1972

By Morgan Phillips Fulham had won promotion to the top tier. Tommy increased the ground capacity and instituted other improvements without risk of profligacy. He once told me the new electric scoreboard had been recycled from old music hall signs. I suspect it was another joke, but he was careful with his cash. My acquaintance with him was entirely to his credit. In August 1960 my father Morgan Phillips had a major stroke and was unable to take his place in the stands. Tommy arranged for him to sit in the directors’ box, which had only a few stairs, and Mrs Trinder brought him a cuppa every half-time. I was there when Trinder showed my father a telegram from Milan offering £100,000, a huge sum, for Johnny Haynes. The offer was rejected and Haynes became the first £100-a-week player in the Football League. Trinder won credit for refusing Milan’s offer and retaining the Fulham maestro. To safeguard his prudent image he pointed out that the taxman would have taken a chunk of the transfer fee, so it is odd that he later sold Alan Mulllery to Spurs in a deal that did more for the Inland

Revenue than Fulham. With his showbiz experience he should have been able to cope with the new era of football, but he floundered, failing to improve the team and trying a succession of managers. By 1969 Fulham had slipped into the Third Division. Tommy also suffered from tactlessness, such as his ill-timed benefit for the South

The most important lesson of music hall is to make every member of the audience feel you’re performing for them alone African paramilitaries (‘Trinder Entertains The Master Race’ was the Sunday paper headline). I also saw him turn away autograph hunters, which explains Patrick Newley’s revelation that his rival Max Miller would sometimes sign autograph books with Trinder’s name just to annoy him. Players sometimes resented his gags.

When a friend rang to say he couldn’t make it to the match as he had a bad back, Tommy immediately quipped that Fulham had two! People always tried to outsmart the comic. Invited to dine at the House of Lords he was initially embarrassed when the doorkeeper told him he was improperly dressed. The official explained that he should have worn the same attire as on TV the previous evening (Trinder loved doing drag). In 1972, with Fulham facing another crisis, fans lost patience. By 140 votes to 3 the supporters’ club called for Trinder to resign. They believed the time was right for someone from the business world, like Sir Eric Miller, to take over. Trinder survived and Fulham reached the FA Cup Final in 1975, but soon after he and his allies were ousted by Miller & co. Then Fulham’s troubles really began. Despite his foibles, Tommy was a decent man and Fulham to the core. He cared about the club and would never have treated it as his immediate successors did. Jimmy Hill came to the rescue, Al Fayed took it to new heights. Over to you, Mr Khan.

Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 87

Property 12 Hammersmith Grove

10 new storeys will boost town centre Now if you think Hammersmith is changing, you ain’t seen nothing yet, says Magda Ibrahim

f you have already enjoyed the delights of a Byron hamburger or a hearty dish from Bill’s, the prospect of more new eateries in Hammersmith will whet the appetite. But just wait until you see what’s round the corner. The developers behind 10 Hammersmith Grove are eager to maximise the buzz in the area with a second phase. Development

The changing face of Hammersmith. The glassy, reflective block in the centre is how the building will look

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Securities is targeting the first half of 2014 to start work on neighbouring number 12, on the former NCP car park site. Around 50 per cent bigger than number 10 at 165,000sqft, the new 10-storey development will include up to four ground floor units for restaurants or shops. The rest of the building will be taken up with offices, while planting and green landscaping is planned to bring a sparkle to public realm areas. Although a start date is yet to be confirmed for the work – as negotiations are still in progress for a funder for the project similar to the £50m Scottish Widows investment at number 10 – it is expected the work will take around 18 months. Development Securities, the business behind the project’s planning and leasing, has noted a ‘strengthening market’ in the area for prime office space, thanks to

greater ‘economic stability’ in the UK. However, it has suffered a setback at number 10, where a deal with drinks company Pernod Ricard to rent the top three floors has broken down and the space is back on the market.

Property News

How to create a really spruce look in your living room Hew Stevenson, of Shoots and Leaves, suggests you pick a tree with at least an 18-inch gap to the ceiling to achieve Christmassy perfection

magine this: You’ve just shoved your Christmas tree in the back of an already packed car burying both your kids and your shopping! You’ve got Christmas tree netting round your gear stick, you can’t see out of the passenger window and then, when you remove the tree, you’ve a pile of needles distributed across the seats! We’ve barely started and your Christmas tree spirit is already sapped! Now assuming you’ve got the right size tree and you’re not scraping the painted white ceiling you’ve now got the epic job of cutting down the stump to fit your stand (that’s if you can find it) and untangling the lights, half of which don’t work! Little wonder perhaps why many local residents are opting to get their tree delivered and installed. But hang on, isn’t that a bit risky? How do you know that you’re going to get a decent tree, and isn’t it very expensive? Imagine the children’s faces if some scrawny looking tree turns up that’s a foot shorter than you, with needles already falling off! So how do you choose the right tree? The short answer is that it’s got to be right for you and your home. Generally speaking, the taller a tree, the bushier it is – although you can find ‘slimmer’ models if that’s what you need. And confusingly, Christmas trees are not measured to the top. The ‘leader’ or spikey bit on the top can often be a foot or more in length, so we don’t count that. My advice would be to order a tree at least 18 inches (45cms) less than your ceiling height. Cut a slither off the stump prior to putting it on your stand – do this and it allows the tree to draw more water, keeping it fresh and helping it last through the Christmas period. Do place the tree in a stand or bucket that holds water, you’ll be surprised both at how

Danish trees destined for west London living rooms are selected and tagged

much water the tree can take up and the difference it makes to the health of the tree. Do keep the tree away from a hot radiator if possible, or turn down your underfloor heating as this dries the tree out. Finally, make sure your tree is sustainably sourced from a reputable supplier. As the trees grow they should be frequently side pruned to ensure a good shape, even the leader/spike splinted to ensure it’s straight! Shoots & Leaves is open on Little Brook Green next to Tesco and the Brook Green Hotel from November 28. We hand-pick our trees in advance on the farms, tag them, and they’re cut last-minute to ensure they

last – guaranteed. We deliver free to W6, W12 & W14 and it’s just £5 delivery to SW6. Installation is £10. Pick your tree and we can deliver it, usually same day if required. This year we’re running a charitable initiative in partnership with numerous local schools whereby the schools can sell discount vouchers for the trees. If you are a governor, teacher or on a PTA and want to raise money for your school charity, please get in touch. Shoots & Leaves has been in Hammersmith for 14 years, and specialises in garden design and construction.

House prices continue to gallop skywards in the borough PROPERTY SALES in Hammersmith & Fulham are booming with the average price tag now a whopping £1,056,731, according to property experts Rightmove in their monthly index for November.

The latest figures place H&F third in the house price league, with Kensington and Chelsea topping the chart with an average property price of more than £2,298,155, followed closely behind by Westminster at

£1,501,439. Compared to a London average of £517,276, H&F is streets ahead. And don’t expect the bubble to burst any time soon as H&F has recorded a 19.1 per cent hike in its average property price since November 2012.

Winter 2013 YourMagazine | 89

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That was 2013... ... and what a year it’s been!

Out of all of our six years of business it really feels like 2013 has been Horton and Garton’s year. Things have really come along in leaps and bounds this year with the business continuing to grow to new and unprecedented levels and obviously this has made me extremely happy to see. What has made me even happier though is the way in which we’ve done it. We’ve grown quickly but steadily, employing new members of staff at the right times to meet demand. We’ve stuck to our guns whenever we’ve had the opportunity to value a property, trusting that our local knowledge pays dividends in getting the price right. Most importantly, we’ve done all this whilst keeping a smile on our faces and a good working atmosphere in the office.

An AwArd Last month we were delighted to be awarded the Hammersmith & Fulham Brilliant Business Award for Best Customer Service. Winning any award is always amazing but to win the one we really wanted and in an area we pride ourselves on made it just that extra bit special. The trophy is now proudly displayed in our office and will hopefully be joined by a few more in years to come. Who knows, perhaps we’ll have to invest in a cabinet soon…

I’d like to say a big thank you to all of the clients we’ve had the pleasure of working with this year, here are some of our highlights. Now let’s look forward to an even better 2014! Onwards and upwards. John Horton Director

A record yeAr for Lettings This year we’ve completed a record number of new lets, smashing the targets we’d set ourselves and surpassing all years previously. Along with this we’ve also had the addition of a new ‘Deal Bell’ to the office which, I can assure you, has been ringing off the hook thanks to the Lettings department! Whilst prices may have not gone up this year for many Landlords, most have been very happy with the speed at which we’ve found a new tenant for their property and avoided a void. 176 King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 0RA @hortonandgarton

www.facebook.com/hortonandgarton www.hortonandgarton.co.uk

sales@hortonandgarton.co.uk 020 8819 0510

lettings@hortonandgarton.co.uk 020 8819 0511

A booming HAmmersmitH As we’ve already mentioned, Lettings values haven’t seen a huge rise this year. However, this certainly isn’t the case for Sales

prices in the local area. You’ve probably read many reports in the media as to the actual rises and, whilst a lot of this is just media

An increased training budget To ensure that all of our new members of staff are up to date with the stringent guidelines set by our regulatory bodies (ARLA and NAEA) we have tripled our training budget. In an unregulated field, we think it’s essential that all good estate agents operating today are signed up to some form of regulatory body. Most importantly it ensures that any client or prospective client has piece of mind that they are dealing with industry professionals.

hype, we have definitely seen a 15%-20% annual increase in Sale prices. On top of this, Rightmove has now named Hammersmith as the third most expensive borough in the country. This along with the multitude of new plans set to arrive in the local area such as the ‘Flyunder’ and King Street regeneration all add up to exciting times for anyone looking to sell their property.

An expAnding office We’ve added four new members of staff to the team this year to meet the increasing demand. The back office has now expanded to include a dedicated member of staff for Marketing and Advertising and we have new negotiators in both Sales and Lettings. We’ve got so big in fact that the tea run was becoming a nightmare – a double boil at least! – but thankfully we installed an instant hot tap to ensure the team always have a sufficient supply to keep them going.

James, Honor, Latham, Shane, Natalia, John, Michael, German, Ashley and Martin

Best Wishes for a Wonderful Christmas 176 King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 0RA @hortonandgarton

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sales@hortonandgarton.co.uk 020 8819 0510

lettings@hortonandgarton.co.uk 020 8819 0511