E9 Magazine March 2015

Page 1

E9

magazine

March 2015

Q&A with Jay Miller, The Yard theatre What’s on throughout March Milan comes to Hackney The appeal of bells

Fr

Issue 13

ee

Your free guide to what's happening in E9 and the surrounding areas


LONDON FIELDS FITNESS STUDIO EVERY DAY topquality affordable personal training 8am
 Circuit training
 with Rowan 
 £5 drop-in

11.30am Vinyasa 
 Yoga with Ella £5 drop-in

9.30am Spin with Sallie £10. See Friday

4pm & 5pm Karate for kids with Joost

4pm & 5pm Karate for kids with Joost

RED DOT classes 
 included in £20 month class pass. Buy online or in class. All classes are still drop-in and pay-as-you-go, too. 6.30pm
 Urban Escrima Modern martial art £8 drop-in

9.30am Spin with Daniela. £10, 5 for £40, 10 for £75 www.londonfieldsspin.com 9.15am & 10am Spin with Marcela £10. See Friday

Sun

Fri

4pm & 5pm Karate for kids with Joost. 
 Defensive art to build self-esteem and fitness

Sat

Thurs

Weds

Tues

Mon

March 2015

9.30am
 Army Boot Camp with Dean £5 drop-in (meet at studio)

11am Booty Camp 
 with Sapan £5 drop-in

6.30pm
 Circuit training
 with Amy 
 £5 drop-in

6.30pm
 HIIT with Amy (high intensity interval training) 30min £5 drop-in 6.30pm Circuit training with Dave £5 drop-in

7.30pm 
 Circuit training with Rowan 
 £5 drop-in

7pm Boot Camp Run with Simon £5 drop-in

7.30pm HulaFit with Anna (£8 must book - see website)

1pm HulaFit 
 with Anna
 £5 drop-in

10am Zumba Latin dance with Zoe
 £5 drop-in

7pm Urban Escrima with Charlie and Nigel Modern martial art £8 drop-in

7.30pm
 Boxing with Dave Technique and fitness. 
 £5 drop-in

7pm Army 
 Boot Camp with Dean 
 £5 drop-in 
 (meet at studio)

8.30pm
 Capoeira Brazilian martial art. £8 drop-in 8pm Warriors circuit with Sapan and Rowan £5 drop-in

7.30pm Spin with Daniela £10. See Friday

8.30pm 
 HIIT with Dave 
 30min. 
 £5 drop-in

7.30pm Spin with Marcela £10. See Friday

8.30pm
 HIIT with Simon. 30min.
 £5 drop-in

7pm Vinyasa Yoga with
 Ella Top-quality yoga at an affordable price. £5 drop-in

11am Booty 
 Camp with Sapan Toning, weight loss, cheeky fun. £5 drop-in

12.30pm: Pilates 
 with Amanda 
 £8 drop-in

7.30pm Spin with Sevda £10. See Friday

12.30pm 
 Power Yoga 
 with Zoe 
 £5 drop-in.

2pm
 Karate for kids with Joost

6.15pm: Koryu Uchinadi (karate for adults) with Joost £10 drop-in (club member £8)

www.londonfieldsfitness.com Arch 379 Mentmore Terrace, Hackney. E8 3PH (corner of Lamb Lane)


Welcome to your local magazine

Dear neighbours Spring. Even the word sounds good. It’s hopeful, expectant, energetic and that’s what this month’s E9 Magazine is all about. Even though my favourite season doesn’t officially start till 20 March, for me spring begins on the first of the month, and this magazine should put you in the right frame of mind for it. We have gardening and lots of it, with Loraine Hourdebaigt (p24) who gives tips on sowing seeds and making a bird box for the nesting season. There are articles about garden design and permaculture (p10 and p21); Rhowena MacCuish writes about a new restaurant where you can immerse yourself in all things Milanese (p9), and our new feature writer, Christine Preisig has produced a great Q&A with Jay Miller, founder and director of The Yard theatre (p4). Ringing the changes, too, are the South Hackney bell ringers, so if you want an activity that keeps you fit and challenges the mind, this could be for you (p20). Susan Birtwistle reviews Lardo (p26), Roger Love continues the A-Z of fitness (p32) and our guest recipe this week is by James Morgan of the Hackney Pearl (p16). Plus, don’t forget our local resources. You don’t have to look further than the ads on these pages to find the service that is right for you.

Julie Julie Daniels T: 07752 288405 E: julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk W: www.nutshellpublications.co.uk

CONTENTS 4

Q&A: Jay Miller, founder and artistic director of The Yard theatre

6

What’s on in March

8

Milan comes to Hackney

10

A fresh look at garden design

12 Noticeboard 14

What to do with the kids

16

What to eat: gurnard with salsify

18

March calendar

20

South Hackney bell ringers

21

Permaculture design

22

What’s on in March

24

Gardening: time to sow the seeds

25

How to make a bird box

26

Hackney bites: Lardo

28

Legal: lasting powers of attorney

30

A dog’s life: puppy or rescue dog?

32

A-Z of fitness: B is for...

33

Index of advertisers

36

Letterbox Listings

@E9magazine facebook.com/E9magazine To advertise in E9 Magazine, please contact Julie on 07752 288405 or email julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk for further information. Deadline for April edition is 13 March (please allow an extra two days if design is required). Nutshell Publications cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions, or endorse companies, products or services that appear in this magazine.

E9 magazine MARCH 2015   3


My Hackney spring. While Jay is proud and excited about the support he receives from the West End he also points out that it’s important to be at the edge of the city. “I feel that sitting outside is a more comfortable place to be. From the edge you can look in.”

Q&A: Jay Miller, artistic director of The Yard theatre talks to Christine Preisig The rehearsals for The Mikvah Project were in full swing when I went to Hackney Wick to interview Jay Miller, The Yard’s founder and artistic director. His new production is a two-man act that centres around an on-stage Mikvah (a Jewish bath) filled with 18 tons of water, and explores the limits of love. The play is on until 14 March and promises to be a theatre experience of a very different kind. Jay graduated from Newcastle University (the town where he grew up) and studied theatre arts in Paris, before coming to London in 2010. The recession and subsequent cuts closed many doors for young artists. By founding The Yard the following year, Jay wanted to open up new opportunities and create an encouraging and nurturing space for emerging artists; somewhere where risks could be taken. The theatre has received huge acclaim ever since. As well as winning multiple awards, its in-house production Beyond Caring will be transferring to the National Theatre this 4   E9 magazine MARCH 2015

In Hackney Wick’s industrial setting, Jay found the ideal place for his theatre. The Yard is nestled among run-down warehouses and constructed entirely from reclaimed and recycled materials. Its temporary nature is intentional. “The fact that it’s not a permanent fixture gives us flexibility; makes us fleet of foot,” he explains. This ephemerality is very much linked to what Jay wants to achieve. “I’m trying to make work that can happen only in the theatre. Theatre, is there and it’s gone. You can’t hold it. That’s something I want to attain.” Jay has close family ties to the East End. It’s where his father grew up and where most of the members from that side of the family still live. Only a mile or so away from the theatre is where his great-grandfather set up shop after he and his family fled the Russian pogroms and settled down in East London’s Jewish community, so this part of London is very much in Jay’s blood. What drew you to Hackney? It was the artistic tapestry of the area that drew me here. And the fact that it’s on the edge. The area has a strong identity but recognises that it is changing. I like the industrial feel of Hackney Wick. It’s a metaphor for 21st-century Britain. That’s very inspiring. I also like that it’s changing and it feels restless. I like that it’s welcoming and because my family’s history is here I can call it a home. Does the area influence your work? A lot, yes. The setting up of the theatre in a warehouse was really important and there weren’t many warehouse to be found in London. The space feels very epic. That influences the work. Also the people I work with, who are mostly East End-based, are a huge influence. I feel that the


My Hackney political angle of our work is far more dangerous here. A lot of the work we do is about housing, about low-paid work and gentrification. Those messages are so much more powerful here. What makes you most proud? When audience members tell me that coming to The Yard is a completely new experience for them and that they see and feel the world in a new way. What are you working on now? Other than the previous plays, the current show The Mikvah Project is about human rather than social concerns. I wanted to make a show that explored the edges of who we think we are or who we could be. I am interested in how people change and if it’s through something innate or something external. My next production (in October) will be about five young men in the British Army. Best coffee in these parts? We do excellent tea in our office! But a good place to have coffee is the Timber Lodge, in the Olympic Park. A perfectly placed pitstop on my way to work. Where do you eat out? On Leytonstone High Road there are some brilliant Eastern European restaurants – Romanian, Lithuanian, Latvian. They don’t speak any English and you have to point at the menu and hope what you choose is palatable. I also like the East Ham curry houses. Without a doubt the best curry in London and very good value.

cinema. Embarrassingly I go to Westfield because I can walk back home and chat about the film. Anything you would change? Having a door on my theatre to stop the cold coming in; I’d like some heating, toilets that don’t block. Other than that I do worry about gentrification and the rate of change. People moving in, people moving out. I love that there are five greasy spoons nearby. We’ve got Griddlers next door and I love the people there. How long will they be there? Not very long, probably. Hackney’s best-kept secret? Natura Café and Pizzeria on Felstead Steet, Hackney Wick and Hub 67 a newly created community space for young people and local residents. If Hackney were human? A centaur (half-man half-horse). It’s quite magical and feels like lots of different things in one place. Hackney in a word? Can I have two? Chocolate box. Competition: win tickets to The Mikvah Project, p27. www.theyardtheatre.co.uk

What do you do at the weekend? I use my weekends to do my house up, but on a Sunday I like to visit a gallery and go to the

An “outstanding” independent school for children aged 3 to 11.

Sewardstone Road, Victoria Park, London E2 9JG. www.gatehouseschool.co.uk 020 8980 2978 E9 magazine MARCH 2015   5


Page on header What’s in March Quiz Night at The Crown Mon

Mondays at 8pm. Put your general knowledge to the test. The Crown, 223 Grove Road, E3.

Magic Lantern Art

3

Vinyasa flow Mon

Mondays, 6.45pm-7.45pm. Yoga classes at Victoria Park Community Centre, 5 Gore Road, E9.

Art and Craft Mon

Mondays, 1pm-3pm. Discover your creative side in this relaxed class. Victoria Park Community Centre, 5 Gore Road, E9.

Music at Oval Space

Thursday, 5 March, 7pm-11pm. Max Cooper’s Emergence is the story 5 of how “everything comes from (almost) nothing”. Groundbreaking visual and musical show, it sees ex-scientist Cooper create an overpowering sensory and dancefloor experience. 18+, ID required. Oval Space, 29-32 The Oval, E2. Book through www.ovalspace.co.uk

Storytime for under 5s Tues

Every Tuesday in March, 10am11.30am. Victoria Park Community Centre, 5 Gore Road, E9.

Fri

Thursdays, 1pm-3pm. Knitting and natter for beginners and experts at Victoria Park Community Centre, 5 Gore Road, E9.

Networx computer classes

Siege of Calais

Friday, 2pm-4pm. Computer skills club at Victoria Park Community Centre, 5 Gore Road, E9.

Stepping Out Until 16 May

Dawn Chorus

Saturday, 7 March, 6am-8.30am. Discover the many varieties of birds in Victoria Park and listen to them sing in the morning. To book a place call 020 7364 4504/5393 or email joelle. copeland@towerhamlets.gov.uk or samantha. brewster@towerhamlets.gov.uk Meet at V&A building, Victoria Park.

Knitting Thur

Tuesday, 3 March, 7pm-8.30pm. Art for adults. Victoria Park Community Centre, 5 Gore Road, E9.

Until 16 May. Exhibition at Hackney Museum to celebrate Hackney City Farm’s 30th Anniversary. Hackney Museum, 1 Reading Lane, E8.

Mikvah Project

Until Saturday, 14 March, 8pm. Two bodies meet. Two worlds collide. Every Friday, Avi and Issac immerse themselves in the holy water of the Mikvah, participating in a traditional Jewish ritual. The Yard theatre, Unit 2A Queen’s Yard, White Post Lane, Hackney Wick, E9. www.theyardtheatre.co.uk Until 14 March

7

Saturday, 7 March, 7.30pm. English Touring Opera perform Donizetti’s The Siege of Calais, the story of the citizens of Calais who offer their lives to save their city from the English army. Stirring and exhilarating history brought to life on stage, with thrilling music. To book: 020 8985 2424 or go to www.hackneyempire.co.uk

7

Permaculture

Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March (and further weekends in March, April and May). Twelve-day permaculture design course at Victoria Park Community Centre, Gore Rd E9. Six weekends fortnightly. Booking and details: http://springintoactionpdc.blogspot.co.uk/ See feature on p21. From 7 March

What’s on continued on p22. 6   E9 magazine MARCH 2015


Have you discovered our private first floor yet? It’s perfect for any occasion...

THE CROWN

Weddings Birthdays Family Celebrations Exclusive Parties Business Meetings And Much More… 223 Grove Road, Bow, E3 5SN geronimo-inns.co.uk/thecrown · 020 8880 7261 crownevents@geronimo-inns.co.uk /TheCrownVictoriaPark @TheCrownE3

E9 magazine MARCH 2015   7


A taste of Milan in Hackney

G

et ready for the arrival of Il Cudega, an Italian deli, wine bar and restaurant with a difference. Situated in London Fields under the railway arches, it will open to the public in April and serve food all day, starting with breakfast from the takeaway cart in the courtyard. Customers can eat al fresco in the warmer seasons, park their bicycles and enjoy a limited selection of food-to-go from the cart. There are also plans to use the space to grow fruit, vegetables and herbs to be used in the kitchen. Giovanni Brighi and Lardner Luca Gaggioli (Luca) want to introduce us Londoners to the delights of the Lombardy region. Giovanni has lived in Hackney for more than 20 years as a banker and restaurant investor. His Milanese business partner, a gastronomy expert, food publisher and risotto guru, will be relocating here after the opening. The menu will be tapas in style, offering mainly small plates of Italian delicacies with a few select main meals. It will feature unusual and lesser known Italian fare such as risotto alla milanese (saffron risotto), osso buco (bonemarrow) and raspadura (young Grana Padano cheese). The food will be accompanied by carefully selected fine wines from the same region. Cheese and charcuterie will be sourced from Italy, while other meat and vegetables will be sourced locally. Giovanni and Luca hope to make their little piece of Italy in London a real hub of culture to be enjoyed by families both local and from across 8   E9 magazine MARCH 2015

the city. It won’t just be a place to come to eat and drink, it will be an authentic Italian experience where people can enjoy Italian music and learn about the food and wine filling their bellies. “Our first aim is to show people what real Italian food from Lombardy tastes like with authentic Italian ingredients,” says Giovanni. “The second is to educate people in the culture of Italian food and help them to understand the story behind the food they are eating,” adds Luca. Being connected to the community is important to them, and the restaurant is being created using the skills of Hackney people such as a gardener, architect, furniture makers and builders. Il Cudega will also be donating to the La Confraternita del Cudega charity, which helps organise art and cultural events related to Lombardy. The charity will also benefit the East London community by organising classes for local children and young people in food-related activities such as gardening, taste lessons and cooking classes. Il Cudega will open in Westgate Street, E8, in April. Follow their progress at: https://twitter.com/ilcudega

Rhowena MacCuish For beautiful food photography, visit Rhowena’s website: www.scrumptiousfoodphotography.com


www.gardendesign.today

garden design workshops Design Your Own Garden 4 day intensive course 9th-12th March 10am-4pm or 20th-23rd April 10am-4pm A creative workshop & complete design package to guide you through designing your own garden, step-by-step. Course led by professional garden designer. Limited places

Spring Gardens one-day workshop 16th March 10am-4pm Lift your spirits and study the beauty of Spring Gardens. One-day workshop designing a seasonal garden. Limited places

for more courses & information contact: candida@gardendesign.today

Only the best will do on Mother’s Day. Call A G Price for the most perfect flowers and gifts www.agpriceflowers.co.uk 217-219 Well Street, E9 6QU 020 8986 0250 E9 magazine MARCH 2015   9


A fresh look at garden design Advertorial

Things to think about:

Don’t rush garden design. Take stock and assess your space first, says Candida Cook

T

he concept of a wonderful garden design can be many different things However, the starting point is always the space itself. Whether you dream of a magical, secluded retreat or a bountiful outdoor larder, the first step is to take stock of the garden you have inherited. Sit for a while just looking, listening, absorbing. Try out different places to sit... different heights, different viewpoints. Shut your eyes and let your senses explore the environment around you – sounds, breezes, warmth of brick and stone. Take time to understand the bone structure of your garden. Now you can have fun and let your imagination flow. 10   E9 magazine MARCH 2015

Gardens are designed in four dimensions. Think big, in broad strokes; don’t get hung up on details. Create a simple overall shape and outline for your garden first. The detail will follow.

A common mistake: “minimal means low maintenance”. It does not! A square of lawn bordered with paving is high maintenance, but a wildlife garden can be low maintenance.

Height and volume. Plants, like buildings, have scale and volume, so play with the airspace of your garden, and create a threedimensional design.

Ecology. It takes around three years for a new garden to build up a balanced ecosystem. Maintain some original planting while the new garden becomes established, in order not to lose that healthy balance.

The fourth dimension is time. Your garden is a living, beautiful space which will develop over time.Tweaking the design and managing the planting will be a constant job throughout the life of the garden. Remember to check the needs and eventual size of that cute little plant at the market and allow enough room for it to reach its full potential.

Finally, make sure you design a space that fits with the reality of the time you have to give, and you will successfully create your dream garden. Candida is running a garden design course from 9-12 March, Victoria Park Community Centre, E9. Email for details: candida@gardendesign.today www.gardendesign.today Candida Cook: 0775 229 4131.


HIGH END KITCHEN

VICTORIA PARK ART TRANS

FINE ART TRANSPORT STUDIO MOVES INSTALLATIONS

From £30 Flat Fee! www.victoriaparkarttrans.com info@victoriaparkarttrans.com

075 4082 5996 020 8985 0321 E9 magazine MARCH 2015   11


Noticeboard Mums in need

A new scheme has just been launched aimed at helping new mums who face multiple problems that prevent them from easily accessing health and support services. Bonding with Baby was developed by three Hackney charities, Hackney Playbus, the Claudia Jones Organisation and Shoreditch Trust “Bump Buddies”, and will help parents to develop skills and confidence and reduce social isolation, as well as providing a space for parents to share experiences and to have practical discussions on health topics. The groups are currently planned at locations across Hackney, including Well Street Family Centre, E9, Ivy Street Family Centre in Hoxton, N1 and Pembury Estate, E5. Attendance will be by referral or self-referral. Morning and afternoon sessions are available. See Hackney Playbus website for updates and more details. www.hackneyplaybus.org

Cosy competition

To celebrate Hackney City Farm’s 30th birthday, we’re offering a £10 voucher for the farm shop, and three very cute pairs of knitted egg cosies. Just send an email to julie@ nutshellpublications.co.uk with “Hackney City Farm” in the subject line, together with your name, address and telephone number. The first randomly picked email will receive the voucher, and the next three, a pair of egg cosies. Offer closes on 31 March 2015. As mentioned last month, the farm’s anniversary is being celebrated in Stepping Out, an exhibition at Hackney Museum, 1 Reading Lane, E8. Included are exhibits drawing on stories and glimpses of the farm’s history, together with an interactive map by artist Rebecca Davies, created with people who live, work and play in the local community. The exhibition runs until 16 May when it will transfer to the farm. www.hackneycityfarm.co.uk

12   E9 magazine MARCH 2015


www.fdplumbing.co.uk

MEANWHILE, IN EAST LONDON... Clive, I need your help! My boiler has broken down and I need a local, honest and reliable Gas Safe expert to fix it! Darn it Jane, you’d better call FD PLUMBING & Heating! Call our friendly team on

020 7060 4770

Our experts are on hand to help with free advice or a home visit.

Exclusive E9 Magazine reader offer: 10% off your first plumbing, heating or gas job . Promo code ‘ HELLOE9 '. Terms & conditions apply*.

PLUS!

Installation and maintenance for gas, boilers, plumbing and heating * Terms & conditions: One 10% discount per household. Applies to labour charged at hourly rate & excludes boiler & heating system installations, bathroom renovations & other quoted projects. Valid for jobs completed before 31 March 2015. 10% discount applies to works provided during normal working hours – Monday to Friday, 08:00-17:00. Excludes bank/public holidays. Out of hours works will be charged at full weekend & evening rates. Appointments are subject to availability. Discount applies to labour & is not applicable to materials, parking, congestion charges & any other expenses incurred. Not to be used in conjunction with any other promo code.

E9 magazine MARCH 2015   13


WHAT TO DO Baby yoga

For babies from 6 weeks to 1 year. A baby-focused class using a mix of massage, classical yoga postures, stretches and balances adapted exactly to their stage of growth. Accompanied by wellknown songs and rhymes to make the exercises fun and interactive. Fridays at The Royal Inn on the Park, Lauriston Road E9.10.45am-11.45am £6.50 per class. Contact Karen for more details: first-touchmassage@hotmail.co.uk or call 07902 227669.

Art

Artist Katherine Tulloh runs an art club for children in her home ─ or at nearby Well Street Common if the weather is fine. Classes take place after school in term time only. Sessions for 5-7-year olds are on Tuesdays, 4pm-5pm, and for 8-11-year-olds, on Mondays, 4pm-5.30pm. Call Katherine on 07909 961 877 or email her at katherine@herechickychicky.com

Cycling

Cycling Club Hackney runs Saturday morning coaching sessions for their 8-13-year-old members.There’s also a group for 13+ development riders. Meet 10am at the club HQ, 6 Olympus Square, Nightingale Estate, E5. Cost £2.00. CCH are also offering coaching to 6-8-year-olds on Saturday mornings. Note: there are limited spaces and parents must stay with their child. For membership details, go to the website: www.cyclingclubhackney.co.uk

Theatre

Hackney Children’s Theatre is Hackney’s newest theatre space for young audiences. Situated in 700-year-old St John at Hackney church, the theatre hosts monthly performances for kids and their families. Check out www.facebook.com/ hackneychildrenstheatre

14   E9 magazine MARCH 2015

Children’s Centres

The three in E9 are Wentworth on Cassland Road (www.wentworth.hackney.sch.uk), Gainsborough on Berkshire Road (www.gainsborough.hackney. sch.uk/childrens-centre), and Morningside on Chatham Place (www.morningside.hackney.sch. uk/childrens-centre), but there are many others nearby. All of them run drop-in play sessions, and a range of activities and support for families.

Kicking

Monday afternoon Kickboxing for 3-5 and 6-11-year-olds at the Hackney Forge. Call Maria for details on 07872 188 655.

Farms

At city farms (in South Hackney, or further afield in Stepney, Spitalfields and Mudchute) you can introduce your kids to the pongs and pleasures of real farm animals. Stepney City Farm has a great café, as well as a farmers’ market every Saturday from 10am-3pm. www.stepneycityfarm.org, www.hackneycityfarm.co.uk, www.spitalfieldscityfarm.org, www.mudchute.org

Acting

If you’re looking for something a little different to do with your pre-school-age child, try Hackney Forge on a Wednesday morning. Cbeebies actress Samantha Seager runs acting classes for little tots. For more details and class times, go to www.actingbugs.co.uk

Dancing

There’s ballet for children at the Hackney Forge on Tuesdays from 4pm-4.45pm and 5pm-5.45pm. Call Mafalda on 07550 722 693 for details. Also at the Hackney Forge you’ll find Saturday Street Dance and Musical Theatre classes. 12 noon-1pm, 1.15pm-2.15pm and 2.30-3.30pm Call Lisa on 07985 945 335 for details.


WITH THE KIDS Music

Piccolo music for babies and toddlers runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the V&A building in Victoria Park. The toddler class is at 10am and the baby class at 11am ─ just drop in. For more info call Stefanie on 07708 451 314. There’s also Suzuki Hub whch runs music lessons for kids (violin, viola, cello, flute). Suzuki Hub, 116 Weymouth Terrace, E2 8LR. www.suzukihub.com

Reading

Don’t forget the libraries, We have quite a few of them, so find out what’s on at www.hackney.gov.uk/libraries-whats-on.htm

Museums

Small stories: Until 6 September at The Museum of Childhood. This exhibition reveals the fascinating stories behind some of the UK’s best-loved dolls’ houses, taking you on a journey through the history of the home, everyday lives and changing family relationships. The Museum of Childhood also runs free drop-in activities every day including arts and crafts, tours, trails and storytelling. All activities are free, drop-in and suitable for children aged 3-12 unless otherwise stated.

Cinema

Every Saturday morning the Hackney Picturehouse hosts a family-only matinee of a specially chosen children’s film, plus fun activities. From recent blockbusters to classic favourites, Kids’ Club is for children aged 3-12 years. Membership is £4 a year, including the first visit free. Tickets for members and accompanying adults are £1.50 each. Non-members and accompanying adults pay £3.50 each. No adult unaccompanied by a child will be admitted. Also at the Picturehouse, there’s Toddler Time, a great way to introduce pre-school children to the big screen. The programme features 30-minute shows for kids and their parents/carers. Admission is just £3 per child and accompanying adults are free when they become members of Toddler Time (free to join – ask at the Box Office or call 0871 902 5747).

Tutoring

Until Friday, 23 October 2015 4.30pm-5.30pm A small, friendly tutoring class explores the subjects of English and Maths. Learning is individually planned and the space given to develop confidence and independence. Age group: 5-13. Homerton Library, Homerton High Street, E9 6AS. Contact: Ms B Kaur on bilber.kaur@gmail. com Telephone: 07891713638.

While you’re there, why not pick up a Montessori Family Pack? Designed by Montessori, a selection of family packs for under 5s is available to borrow from the Information Desk. Each pack contains a map, activity suggestions, storybooks and toys. For details of special events and activities during school holidays, visit www.vam.ac.uk/moc/ whatson/ Sutton House is not only beautiful but fun for the kids, too. Explore the family friendly treasure chests and discover the lives of the people who lived there through puppets and costumes. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sutton-house/

If you run an activity you would like to see listed in a future edition, please email julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk

E9 magazine MARCH 2015   15


What to eat

Illustrations by Rachel Gale. See more of her work at www.rachelgale.com

The Hackney Pearl is E9’s hidden jewel. James Morgan gives a flavour of his restaurant and shares a delicious fish recipe

I

opened the the Pearl in 2009 after many years working in some of London’s best restaurants and bars, including St John, Smiths of Smithfield and the Garrison. A restaurant, café and bar rolled into one, it echoes memories of the vibrant café and dining culture in my home towns of Sydney and Melbourne. It’s a place of warm hospitality, bold flavours and great drinks in a quirky, but unpretentious atmosphere. The seasons are celebrated with outstanding local produce and we bake, pickle, braise, preserve and cure everything we can on site. I love our customers and our team. They’re like an extended family. My hope is that The Pearl can be all things 16   E9 magazine MARCH 2015

to all people; somewhere you come back to again and again to have a quiet moment with a lovely coffee, to kick off the weekend with a cocktail, meet friends for brunch or a sensational dinner. The most important thing is that everyone feels welcome when they arrive, cared for while they’re here and when they leave, happier for having been here. I’d like to share with you a simple dish using gurnard. It’s an ugly fish, a bottom-dweller that would lose out in the beauty stakes to other fish we’re more used to here in the UK. But despite its looks, it tastes absolutely delicious. I hope you enjoy my simple recipe.


What to eat Red gurnard with salsify, savoy and pickled currants – serves 4

with a little sea salt and a few more drops of the pickling juices.

Method Preheat oven to 180C. To make the pickled currants, add the vinegar, sugar, allspice and juniper berries to a small nonreactive saucepan (not aluminium or copper) and simmer over a low heat for 5 minutes or until sugar has dissolved. Pour the hot liquid over the waiting currants, stir to ensure they are all covered and set aside to steep. Thoroughly wash all of the sand and dirt off the salsify. Peel them and cut into 8cm batons, dropping them as you go into a bowl of cold acidulated water. Heat the milk to a gentle simmer in another small sauce pan. Poach the salsify in the milk for 5 or 6 minutes or until they are just tender. Strain them before tossing them in a little butter or olive oil, then pop them into the oven and turn them occasionally until they are pale golden brown. Heat some oil and butter in a small frying pan loose-lined with a sheet of baking parchment (this will stop the fish from sticking) then pan fry the fish fillets. Place them in skin side down, holding each fillet down for 20-30 seconds (this will prevent the fillets from curling up). Turn the fillets over when they are halfway done. Have some lightly salted water boiling on the stove. Drop in the savoy cabbage until it has cooked. Strain off the water. Add to the savoy a knob of butter, the pickled currants and two tablespoons of the pickling juices, and if necessary, a little more oil and/or butter. Season and toss well. Taste. On each of four warmed plates make a little nest of the warm current dotted cabbage. Top with three or four pieces of golden salsify and then finally the gurnard fillets, skin side up. Sprinkle E9 magazine MARCH 2015   17


March calendar Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Watch Six Nations throughout March at The Crown, Grove Road, E3

Until 16 May, Stepping Out Exhibition (Hackney City Farm’s 30th anniversary) at Hackney Museum (p6)

2 Quiz night at The Crown (p6)

3

Knitting club

Music at Oval S

Magic Lantern Art for adults (p6)

9

10

Quiz night at The Crown (p6)

Hackney Singers Mozart’s Requiem (p22)

Yoga, Art & Craft Vic Park Centre (p6)

Storytime for under 5s, Victoria Park Community Centre (p6) Garden design course (p10)

Garden design (p10)

16 Quiz night at The Crown (p6) Yoga, Art & Craft (p6)

Quiz night at The Crown (p6)

Storytime for under 5s, Victoria Park Community Centre (p6)

Garden design course (p10)

St Patrick’s day whiskey-tasting at The Crown (p22)

Knitting club

18

24

30 Storytime for under 5s, Victoria Park Communit Centre (p6)

Madeon at Oval Space (p23)

18   E9 magazine MARCH 2015

Knitting club

25 Food and wine tasting at The Crown (p22)

31

Wild Thing, Eng Opera (p22)

Garden design c

Coffee morning at Victoria Park Community Centre (p22)

Storytime for under 5s, Victoria Park Communit Centre (p6)

Yoga, Art & Craft Vic Park Community Centre (p6)

11

17

23

Yoga, Art & Craft Vic Park Community Centre (p6)

4

Storytime for under 5s, Victoria Park Community Centre (p6)

Yoga, Art & Craft Vic Park Community Centre (p6)

Quiz night at The Crown (p6)

Thurs

Knitting club


March calendar

sday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

1 Mikvah Project at The Yard Theatre until 14 March (p6)

5

6

(p6)

Space (p6)

Networx Computer Club (p6)

7

8

14

15

Dawn Chorus in Victoria Park (p6) Siege of Calais, English Touring Opera (p6) Permaculture course (p6)

12

glish Touring

13 20th-century art at Geffrye Museum (p22)

course (p10) (p6)

Networx Computer Club (p6)

19 (p6)

(p6)

Touch of Class at Hackney Empire (p22)

La Bohème at the Hackney Empire (p22)

La Bohème at the Hackney Empire (p22)

20 Networx Computer Club (p6)

26

Mikvah Project at The Yard Theatre until today (p6)

27 Flower Power Spring Party at The Crown (p22)

21 Fishing taster day in Victoria Park (p22)

22 NHS in Stitches, comedy at Hackney Empire (p22)

28 Make your mark on Vicky Park (p23)

29 Memoryscape History Walk (p23)

Networx Computer Club (p6)

E9 magazine MARCH 2015   19


Ringing the changes

Every Wednesday a group of enthusiasts meet to have fun and carry on a 400-yearold tradition. Sarah Frith reveals all

Ringing stopped at St John of Jerusalem in 2010 for major stonework to be completed. Some enthusiastic new learners were recruited in 2013 under the watchful eye of one of London’s top instructors and the band is looking for more people to join in and start learning the ropes.

T

he band at St John of Jerusalem church on Lauriston Road, Victoria Park, meet in their tower each Wednesday evening to ring their eight huge bells. Some people ring to keep fit, others for the mental exercise (bell-ringing has been described as a friendly, physical Sudoku). Many ring for the social pleasures of a team sport open to all, regardless of age or physical ability. The bells themselves, the largest nearly a ton in weight, were cast at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry for the building of the church in 1848. Hung on their original oak frame, the bells turn with ropes controlled by the ringers below. By changing the order that the bells ring, using mathematical methods, huge varieties of glorious melodies, called changes, can be rung. These are the sounds of history. Towers have been ringing changes for hundreds of years and their tones would have been familiar to Shakespeare and Newton. 20   E9 magazine MARCH 2015

If you’re interested in joining, visit the website at www.sjoj.co.uk/bellringing or email us at southhackneyringers@gmail.com – or just turn up at 7pm on Wednesdays.


Spring into Action! Advertorial

Making cob

Above photos: C White

Photo: London permaculture flickr

Spring into Action at the Victoria Park Community Centre

W

hat can we do to address the mounting problems in the world both locally and globally? Over six weekends between March and May, Victoria Park Community Centre will host a course introducing some solutions via the methods and techniques of an ecological design discipline called permaculture. Permaculture puts people and nature at the centre of decision making and problem solving. It’s about working with nature to respond to, and repair, the damage industrialisation has had on people and the planet. The course will focus on practical sustainability, ethical guides to action, and design principles drawn from natural systems. Observing ecology and understanding the importance of relationships between elements will be an ongoing narrative throughout the course. Permaculture thinking has been applied in food growing, local economics, green building,

community development and more. During this full permaculture design course, which is certified by the Permaculture Association UK, we’ll visit examples of these and provide opportunities to get involved. The scene is blooming in London, so much so that the city will be hosting the International Permaculture Convergence in September and attracting specialists from around the globe. https://www.permaculture.org.uk/IPCUK The main venue for this Spring into Action! course is the new Victoria Park Community Centre at St Agnes Gate, E9, and the course will also visit permaculture sites in London. The teachers include Graham Burnett, author of Permaculture: a beginner’s guide, Claire White and James Taylor. Dates: 7 and 8 March, 21 and 22 March, 4 and 5 April, 18 and 19 April, 2 and 3 May, 16 and 17 May. Cost: Sliding scale £380-£780. To find out more and sign up visit: http://springintoactionpdc.blogspot.co.uk Learn about our other courses here: www.clairewhitegardens.co.uk E9 magazine MARCH 2015   21


What’s on in March Mozart Requiem

Tuesday, 10 March, 7.30pm. Hackney Singers, Lewisham Choral 10 Society and Forest Philharmonic orchestra perform Mozart’s Requiem, Brahms Nänie and the St Anthony Variations. Royal Festival Hall, South Bank. Tickets: 0844 847 9910

McGregor, John Holt + more performed by UK reggae stars. To book, call 020 8985 2424 or go to www.hackneyempire.co.uk

St Patrick’s Day

17

Wild Thing

Thursday, 12 March, 7.30pm. The English Touring Opera perform Donizetti’s Wild Man of the West Indies. A man is driven mad when he witnesses his wife’s infidelity. Set on a remote Caribbean island and combining comedy with powerful moments, this is a rare feast for lovers of beautiful singing. To book, call 020 8985 2424 or go to www.hackneyempire.co.uk

12

20th-Century Paintings

Friday, 13 March, 1pm-2pm. Lunchtime talk. Take a closer look at the Geffrye painting collection with a curator. Free entry. No need to book. Age group: 18+. Geffrye Museum, Kinglsand Road, Hackney, E2 8EA. More details: 020 7739 9893 for or www.geffrye-museum.org.uk

13

La Bohème

Saturday, 14 and Sunday 15 March, 7.30pm. Puccini’s La Bohème is a tale of young love in a Paris garret. On Christmas Eve lovers draw close, but poverty and ill-health force them apart. With some of the most memorable music in opera, The English Touring Opera’s new Italian-language production lifts every spirit and breaks every heart. To book, call 020 8985 2424 or go to www.hackneyempire.co.uk 14, 15 March

Touch of Class

Sunday, 15 March, 8pm. On Mother’s Day, Touch of Class celebrate the mothers of the planet. They will also be saluting the legends of reggae music, with some of the biggest tracks of all time by iconic artists past and present. Expect music from artists such as Bob Marley, Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths, Freddie

15

22   E9 magazine MARCH 2015

Tuesday, 17 March. 6pm start. Shenanigans at The Crown (Jameson’s whiskey tasting). The Crown, 223 Grove Road, E3.

Coffee Morning

18

Wednesday, 18 March, 10.3012.30pm, Victoria Park Community Centre, 5 Gore Road, E9.

Fishing taster day

Saturday, 21 March, 11am-3pm. Are you a budding angler? Join the Community Park Rangers for a fishing taster day in the park. You’ll be hooked! Coaching sessions available throughout the day.To book a place call 020 7364 4504/5393 or email joelle.copeland@ towerhamlets.gov.uk or samantha.brewster@ towerhamlets.gov.uk Meet at the East Lake, Victoria Park.

21

Food & Wine Tasting

Wednesday, 25 March, 7pm8.30pm. The Perfect Combination. Tasting a range of wonderful wines paired with dishes prepared by The Crown’s chef. Places limited, booking essential. Price: £12. The Crown, 223 Grove Road, London, E3. To book, call: 020 8880 7261 or email: thecrownevents@geronimo-inns.co.uk

25

Flower Power Spring Party

Friday, 27 March, 6pm. Spring into action and get yourselves along to The Crown for the first BBQ of the year. Suppliers will be on hand to provide some complementary drinks. The Crown, 223 Grove Road, London, E3.

27

NHS in Stitches

28

Saturday, 28 March, 7.30pm. Nish Kumar, Kerry Godliman, Stewart Lee, Lucy Porter, Rufus Hound, Mark Steel, Wendy Wason and


What’s on in March Francesca Martinez are preparing themselves for a night of comedy and entertainment that is NHS In Stitches. The all-star line up will be lending their (often quite loud, always hilarious) voices to the Hackney Empire’s call to stand up for the NHS. To book, call 020 8985 2424 or go to www.hackneyempire.co.uk

Make your mark

Saturday, 28 March, 10.30am–1pm. Join the Community Park Rangers to help carry out some practical conservation in the park. Lunch will be provided. For more information please call 020 7364 4504 or email joelle.copeland@ towerhamlets.gov.uk. Meet at the outdoor classroom near St Agnes Gate, Victoria Park.

28

park. Limited spaces available. To book, call 020 7364 4504/5398 or email joelle.copeland@ towerhamlets.gov.uk or samantha.brewster@ towerhamlets.gov.uk Meet at the V&A building, Victoria Park.

Madeon at Oval Space

Tuesday, 31 March, 7pm. Nantesborn Hugo Leclercq aka Madeon was introduced to electronic music aged 11 when he came upon a documentary about Daft Punk. A year later, he began learning how to make music. In 2013 he became the first ever electronic artist/DJ to perform a show on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. See him live at the Oval Space, 29-32 The Oval, London E2. www.ovalspace.co.uk

31

Memoryscape history walk

29

Sunday 29 March, 10am–12.30pm. Join the Community Rangers on a recorded audio trail around the

William Place Dental Practice 0208 821 2830 William Place, Bow, London, E3 5ED reception@williamplacedental.co.uk • • • •

quality dental care preventive and cosmetic dentistry tooth whitening dental hygienist and oral health educator services • emergency appointments • long opening hours • Saturday appointments • competitive prices E9 magazine MARCH 2015   23


Gardening

New life is emerging in Hackney’s parks and gardens, so now is the time to get sowing, says Loraine Hourdebaigt

O

n 20 March the spring equinox will mark the last hours of a long winter, and the start of a new season. It might still be cold out there, but everywhere you look in Hackney parks and gardens there are signs of new life emerging. Buds are exploding into delicate little leaves, while every day seems greener, fresher and more alive than yesterday. Yes, springtime is definitely just around the corner. Take advantage of the amount of light that longer days now offer. It’s time to buy or take out of storage the collection of vegetable and flower seeds you want to grow this year. It can be a real challenge, prior to March, to successfully germinate seeds and bring them to maturity. Blame it on the weather, but more than anything, blame it on short days and long, dark nights. Sow indoors, on a sunny windowsill or any other south-facing spot you may have at home. In the allotment, use the cold frame if you have one. It’s best to start your seeds in small pots: they tend to get too wet and rot in larger ones. Keep them indoors until they have germinated and produce a couple of leaves. After that, and if the weather is warm enough, leave your little seedlings outside to acclimatise, making sure to bring them back in if the temperatures go below zero. They’ll soon be ready to be planted in the ground or in big pots. Prepare your vegetable patch or flower bed before you do any new planting. So, unlike your seedlings 24   E9 magazine MARCH 2015

that will spend the next few weeks indoors, there is work waiting for you outside. If you are creating a new planting area, then you’ll need to fork the ground over, remove grass, weeds and stones. Finally, level the ground with a rake. On an established planting area, it is not necessary to fork over your soil, but a good rake to scarify the surface wouldn’t go amiss. Once in the garden you’ll need to protect your young plants from hungry slugs. They absolutely love the fresh and delicate new growth that’s easy to munch through. Given the chance, they can eat their way through the vegetable patch quicker than any other garden pest. The best way to get rid of slugs in the long term is to spread slug pellets really early in the season. I do this at the beginning of March, when the slugs wake up from the long winter, and go off to find a mate. The trick is to get them before they lay their eggs, thus interrupting the course of their reproduction. It’s so far the most effective way I’ve found to considerably reduce the number of slugs in the garden. March can be either bitterly cold, or lovely and warm. But whatever this month brings, don’t leave it too late putting your gardening hat on! Start small, with tiny little seeds. With the right care and attention, they will become big, and you’ll be rewarded with colourful blooms and lush fruits and vegetables throughout the growing season. Don’t leave it to the slugs…


How to make... ...a wooden bird feeder Get a length of treated timber 10cm wide, and about 2.5cm thick. Make sure that it will last outdoors; you can ask your builder’s merchant. Cut it in sections that will create the bottom, the back, the sides, the front and roof of the bird box.

Once you’ve done this, sand the cuts to get rid of any splinters. Get your timber glue out, and glue where necessary (where you will hammer in the nails).

You’ll need a helping hand here to put the box together as it’s very tricky to nail the whole thing with only two hands!

I thought I would construct a simple roof at first, but felt a little inspired, so I created a Japanes-style roof. Fix the sides with two cup hooks and fat nails either side of the roof, so that you slide the roof on and off easily, and clean the box after the birds have used it.

Drill a hole at the front, just below the overhang, for your birds to get in. For a blue tit, for instance, you’ll need a hole 27mm to 30mm in diameter. Hang your box somewhere quiet, not too close to the house, but ideally where you can watch your birds!

Loraine Hourdebaigt

www.growingconcerns.org

1 2 3 4 5 ????

E9 magazine MARCH 2015   25


Hackney bites This month's great place to eat…

Lardo

I

rather love Lardo. There aren’t too many restaurants that I go back to time and again but Lardo is one of them. Sitting at the bar overlooking the kitchen is one of the nicest things I like to do in London. It makes sense to me now because Eliza Flanagan, the owner, used to be general manager at Bistrotheque, and head chef Damian Currie is formerly of St John’s Bread and Wine.These are another two restaurants that I go back to regularly. It seems that all three really understand our need for nourishment. Lardo, as the name suggests, is really all about cured meats and pizza, and if you want first rate pizza around these parts there isn’t anywhere better than here. The cured meats are done by Lardo themselves from Manglitsa pigs. These pigs are chosen for their wobbly creamy fat and they are plumped up on apples and biscuit crumbs in Wales. Lucky Wales, as they also must have been chosen for being the cutest looking pigs ever. Their woolly coats make them more sheep than pig and rather unnervingly a little like my dog. 26   E9 magazine MARCH 2015

Anyway, they are as sweet looking as they are tasty. Just try the Lardy Loin. A little warning. This place has even reached the giddy heights of a review in posh party people’s glossy Tatler, where they excitedly exclaimed Bravissimo! But try not to let that put you off. I don’t think we can solely blame Tatler’s Bravissimo! review for the fact that this place is busy. Hackney seems to be a dining destination now, so my advice would be to book before you go. It’s amazing to think that soon after it opened I went for lunch with my daughter and we were the only ones in the restaurant. We had a great time then as we still do every time now. Lardo is on Richmond Road in the industrial Arthaus building along a small stretch of other commercial places. But this is the place that draws you in. It might be because you can see the kitchen through the Crittall windows it feels inviting. Once inside this continues with the standout feature being the most flamboyant woodburning pizza oven I’ve ever seen. Made by Eliza’s Dad and clad in mirrored tiles, it’s the ultimate in


Hackney bites Bee Gee ovens. The beautiful pizzas that emerge from this disco igloo are Roman, which means they are flat and crispy, using sourdough. Mostly, I have the Lardo pizza: spinach, mozzarella with a soft egg in the centre, covered in wafer thin bits of lardo that just melt first from the heat and then in your mouth, delicious.The other popular choice with us is the Tuscan sausage, kale and chilli. The menu is short and seasonal, which I like, and when back in season I’ll be eating the courgette flower and goats curd pizza. The pizzas are large and I like the way they ever so slightly go over the edge of the plates. You won’t need pudding afterwards, but that doesn’t stop my family, so I’d suggest that great classic combination of pizza and ice cream. It’s homemade, with sophisticated flavour combos and delicious. If you want slightly more refinement then go for an affogato. Wonderful.

The service here is efficient and welcoming. The tables are placed close to each other, which makes you feel part of a local gathering. It has recently won an award for best neighbourhood restaurant and it’s easy to see why. As I write, Hackney kids can get to eat pizza for a fiver before 7pm – and what kid doesn’t like pizza? So, see you there! Opening hours: Sun 11am-10pm Mon – Sat 11am- 11pm Pizzas between £7.50 and £12.00 Gelati, biscotti £4.50, affogato £4.50

Susan Birtwistle Lardo, 197-201 Richmond Road, E8 3NJ 020 8985 2683. www.lardo.co.uk

Competition

Wanted

You have to be quick off the mark for this one. We have two pairs of tickets to see The Mikvah Project at The Yard theatre, E9. Just answer this question: What is a Mikvah? Email julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk, putting “Mikvah” in the subject line. Entries, including name and telephone number, to be emailed by midnight, 5 March 2015. Senders of the first two correct answers will win a pair of tickets.

E9 Magazine needs a dedicated person who can devote a few hours a week to bringing in new business. Requirements are passion, great communication skills and a love of all things Hackney.

julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk

E9 magazine MARCH 2015   27


The Legal Eagle – planning for the future There are two types of LPA, each one covering a different aspect of your potential future needs. The Property and Financial Affairs LPA gives your attorney(s) the right to make decisions about your possessions and financial interests. Your attorneys can therefore deal with your bank accounts, pay your taxes and bills and buy and sell property on your behalf.

It’s important to plan for the future and make lasting powers of attorney, writes Sangeeta Moore

W

ithout a doubt we are living longer. As a consequence, many of us will experience illnesses affecting our ability to remember, think and make decisions for ourselves. Research by the Alzheimer’s Society shows that dementia is on the rise and it is predicted that one million people in the UK will be affected by 2025. It therefore makes sense that we plan for our future by making provisions for when we no longer have the mental capacity to make our own decisions. We can do so by creating Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs). An LPA is a legal document which allows you to appoint others (your attorneys) to look after your affairs if you are unable to do so due to ill health. Choosing the right attorneys, people you trust implicitly to respect your wishes, is important. These can be family members, trusted friends or professionals but you must be sure they have your best interest at heart.

28   E9 magazine MARCH 2015

A Health and Welfare LPA, on the other hand, enables your attorneys to make decisions about your social and healthcare needs. This includes decisions about where you live, who you socialise with, what you eat and what clothes you wear. However, the most important aspect of the Health and Welfare LPA is that it allows your attorneys to make decisions about your medical care. In particular, they can decide whether they agree with your medical treatment and can refuse lifesustaining treatment on your behalf. No doubt, this is one document that makes your wishes known in advance and may eventually play a central part in the care your receive. You can only create your LPAs when you are of sound mind. That is when you can think and reason clearly. If you have lost mental capacity and do not have LPAs in place, the Court of Protection will need to be involved and it is the court who will appoint somebody to manage your affairs. The application process for this and the on-going management of your affairs can be complex, expensive and time consuming. It is important, therefore, that you act now and have your LPAs prepared while you are able to do so.

Next month: minimising challenges to a will.

Sangeeta Moore is a solicitor at The Law House. Contact her on 020 8899 6620, 07825 838 922 or write to her at: smoore@thelawhouse.com


A local garden centre offering design & build and garden maintenance services. 2 Wick Lane

London E3 2NA 02089853222 info@growingconcerns.org www.growingconcerns.org

BEN GOODING & Co

THE DETERMINED LINE 6 March - 19 April THE RESIDENCE GALLERY

Bespoke Kitchens & Renovations contact me at toby.birtwistle@me.com

Specialising in Contemporary Fine Art 229 VICTORIA PARK ROAD E9 7HD OPEN WED - SAT 11 - 6, SUN 12 - 5 020 8985 0321 www.residence-gallery.com E9 magazine MARCH 2015   29


A dog’s life dog, and am I really prepared for the life-long commitment to walk, feed, train and care for this new member of the family?” But if you’ve decided, then should it be a pup or a rescue? Pups are gorgeous, and it’s wonderful to see a puppy learn as it grows. And it’s a great experience for a young child, who also needs to learn how to handle the puppy gently, and not to be shocked or fearful when the puppy inevitably starts to play a bit rough, or mouths and chews in a way that unintentionally hurts. It’s very good advice never to leave dogs, or pups, together and and unattended with small children. A pup will need toilet training, and that takes quite a lot of commitment. A crate, wisely used, can be a big help with this – and it can also give the pup (and the family) space when needed.

If you’re taking the plunge and getting a dog, don’t jump in without asking the right questions, says Andy Waterhouse

S

o, you’ve decided to get a dog – a first dog, or maybe another in a long line of dogs, or maybe a companion for a dog who already owns you. Should it be a pup, or should it be a rescue dog? Should it be a girl, or should it be a boy? What breed – or just a mutt? These are questions that require personal answers – but making the decision needs thought, and it is worth weighing up quite a few factors rather than just reacting to an impulse. The first thing that you should consider is, “Can I really provide the right sort of home for any

30   E9 magazine MARCH 2015

A rescue dog is generally house trained for you, and having lost one owner is often desperate to please. It may also have experienced all sorts of trauma, so it will need a different kind of care and understanding from its new owners. I have had pups in the past but I got both my current dogs (pictured, right) as rescues. They are both wonderful dogs, but each of them has a different temperament. Timmy is calm and very gentle, a great mentor to other dogs and to my Ben – who is altogether more excitable! If you get your dog from an established rescue organisation, they will do a home assessment, and will do all they can to see that your situation and your new dog are well matched. And they will be there with any support you need as you give your dog its new home. It is incredibly rewarding to give an older dog a new chance in life, so do consider it. You will pay a fee to the rescue organisation to help cover their costs; but this will generally be somewhat less than you would expect to pay for a pedigree pup. The rescue centre will already have been working on any existing health or behavioural issues, and they will aim to select a dog with the right temperament for you and your family. If you are choosing a pup, you definitely need to see it with its mum – and preferably to see its dad,


A dog’s life too. Don’t accept excuses for not being allowed to see it with its mum. Mum and dad need to be healthy and of good temperament. It is wise to choose a puppy that is happy to be held and is neither too dominant in its behaviour, nor fearful. It must not be separated from its mum until it is at least eight weeks old. Lastly, if you have made up your mind to get a dog, pup or rescue, pay a visit to your pet shop or library, and find a book that will give you all the advice you need.

Andy Waterhouse is an experienced dog trainer, covering the E9 area. Contact him on 0808 100 4071 or andy@barkbusters.co.uk

Ace Pet Supplies Raw foods Hill’s pet nutrition Burns complete veterinary food Cold water and tropical fish Health and hygiene products All pet accessories Home delivery service

135 Well Street, E9 7LJ

020 8986 7681 E9 magazine MARCH 2015   31


Fitness – B is for...

B

Roger Love, personal trainer and co-owner of London Fields Fitness Studio, continues our A-Z of fitness with... B Bones Bones are going to become quite a talking point over the next few years, as osteoporosis – a condition that weakens them, making them fragile and more likely to break in later life – becomes an increasingly expensive problem for the NHS. Some of the main causes of osteoporosis are heredity and hormonal, but our increasingly sedentary work and social lives will also be a major factor. Wrist fractures, hip fractures and fractures of the bones in the spine are the most common problems that affect people with osteoporosis. Eating well, stopping smoking and cutting back on alcohol can help prevent it – and so can exercise. Weightbearing exercises, such as running, skipping, dancing, aerobics, and weight training, help to strengthen your muscles, ligaments and joints and improve the density of your bones, as your body adapts to the exercise. By doing some preventative work now, you can, hopefully, keep active in later life, too.

Boot runs This is a great and simple way to make sessions interesting and challenging for those who are already running regularly. You run at an easy pace in one direction, and then come back the same route as fast as possible. At the turn-around point, you’re allowed to stop, take a breather, and compose yourself before 32   E9 magazine MARCH 2015

starting the run back. When you’ve finished the return leg, you should feel like you have given your all and you couldn’t have run faster. Start with a total run of 20/30 minutes. Try to go a bit further each time. You don’t have to wear boots; trainers are fine!

Boxing Anyone who saw the BBC show Superstars featuring medalists from the 2012 London Olympics will remember how boxer Anthony Joshua won by showing the best all-round level of fitness, from running to dips. Boxers are amazingly fit, and boxing-inspired training is a fantastic way to increase your strength and stamina, too. There is a huge variety of boxing classes. Some will train you to spar; others will avoid bodily contact and have you hitting pads.This second type of class will have you taking turns to hit and hold pads, and may throw in other skills, including skipping and bodyweight exercises, such as squats and press-ups. A good teacher, such as Dave Davis, who runs our studio’s Wednesday night boxing, will make sure you learn the correct way to throw a variety of punches. Classes, which are evenly mixed between men and women, are aerobically tough – but fun and sociable, too. www.londonfieldsfitness.com


Index of advertisers London Fields Fitness

2

Gatehouse School

5

The Crown pub

7

Greenspace life coaching

7

Garden Design Today

9

A G Price florists

9

High End Kitchen

11

E9 Magazine A truly local publication delivered free, every month, to 5,000 households, shops and cafés Why advertise here?

Oaksmith picture framers 11

Readers like the magazine and refer to it throughout the month, so your ad has maximum visibility

Victoria Park Fine Art transport

11

FD Heating and Plumbing

13

Faraday School

13

William Place Dental Practice

23

Target an ABC1 audience

Birtwistle & Co, architecture

29

No more leaflet drops

Rachel Gale freelance illustrator

29

Growing Concerns garden centre

29

The Residence Gallery

29

Ace Pet Supplies

31

South Hackney (bell) Ringers

31

Letterbox Listings small ads

35

Complete Shutters

36

Rates from £10 (see our new Letterbox Listings overleaf)

07752 288405 julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk

E9 magazine MARCH 2015   33


Useful numbers Police

Emergency 999 Non-emergency 101 Safer Neighbourhood 020 8721 2937

Utilities

Gas - emergency Electrical - power loss Thames Water

0800 111 999 0800 404090 0872 435 5973

Health

NHS Direct 111 Homerton Hospital 020 8510 5555 Royal London Hospital 020 7377 7000 Clockwork Pharmacy 020 8985 1717

Hackney Council numbers General number Council tax enquiries Parking enquiries Waste removal

020 8356 3000 020 8356 3154 020 8356 8877 020 8356 6688

Local councillors/MP

Local councillors (Victoria) 020 8356 3373 MP (Meg Hillier) 020 7219 5325

Library

Hackney Central Library 020 8356 4358

Victoria Park

Park Services (24/7) Victoria Park rangers

020 8985 5699 020 7364 4172

National Rail Enquiries Congestion Charge Transport for London

08457 484950 0343 222 2222 0343 222 1234

Travel

Vet

Goddard's, Well Street Wanstead Veterinary Hospital

020 8986 3918 020 8989 7744

34   E9 magazine MARCH 2015

E9 Magazine is proud to support local businesses. If you do contact someone after seeing their advertisement on these pages, please mention it to them when you call.

Thinking of advertising? The magazine is delivered to 4,500 households in the area every month, and a further 500 copies are distributed to local shops, restaurants and cafés. Readership runs into thousands more. The magazine is full of great articles, useful information and is a handy guide to local businesses and services, as well as giving details about what’s on in the area. It’s something to keep through the month and is unlikely to go in the recyle bin along with doordrop leaflets. It is therefore a very effective way to promote your business to a targeted, local audience. If you would like to advertise, please contact Julie Daniels at: T: 07752 288405 E: julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: @E9magazine Find us on Facebook: facebookcom/ E9magazine

Next issue ─ April Copy deadline ─ 13 March


Page header

Letterbox Listings THE HACKNEY BUILDER property refurbishment & renovation E: thehackneybuilder@icloud.com

Thai Yoga Massage, E9 Quality affordable stress relief www.thaimassagepractitioner.co.uk

SALE of seconds & oddments at WORKSHOP on Saturday, 14 March www.carolinebousfield.co.uk

The skin specialist, E9. Treating tired, dull skin, acne, milia, skin tags, warts, pigmentation, red veins. 07476 554414.

CARIBBEAN SHIPPING SPECIALISTS BARRELS DRUMS - CARTONS - CASES 07539 614406 - info@acshipping.co.uk

Cleaning and Ironing from £10 per hour Fully insured cleaners 020 8262 5878

Don’t forget Mother’s Day on 15 March! A G Price the florists, 217-219 Well Street, E9 6QU. 020 8986 0250

Personal Training with Alice Train, Fuel and Love Your Body Again! 07711 498207 www.alicepteast.com

Three lines of text and a little colour to make your ad stand out is great value at just £12.50

Architecture Toby Birtwistle toby.birtwistle@me.com

Life coaching while walking in the park karen@greenspacecoaching.com www.greenspacecoaching.com

Are you a restaurant owner or chef? Do your dishes justice with great photos www.scrumptiousfoodphotography.com

Join WordLab Creative Writing Workshop at Victoria Park Books. Contact Sonia Lambert 07780 705349

Free BYO every Tuesday at the Empress Buy your wine at the Bottle Apostle and drink it with dinner at The Empress

Top-quality, affordable fitness London Fields Fitness Studio www.londonfieldsfitness.com

Experienced dog trainer East London Andy Waterhouse 0808 100 4071 andy@barkbusters.co.uk

For just £10 you can take out a small ad on the Letterbox Listings page Three lines of text to make an impact

Three lines of text and a little colour to make your ad stand out is great value at just £12.50 E9 magazine MARCH 2015   35


Beautiful Plantation Shutters & Blinds

Introducing the "simply better" shutter range equally at home in contemporary or traditional interiors.

40% Off Selected Shutters Ranges For E9 Readers Tel: 020 3418 8877

Email: sales@completeshutters.co.uk

New Showroom at 90 George Lane, South Woodford, London E18 1JJ

www.completeshutters.co.uk


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.