Battersea, Clapham C & Balham • Issue 3 36
Dhruv Baker
Earlsfield’s Masterchef
Christmas creativity - the DIY robin redbreast cupcake for kids Health and ½tness - avoid back pain, stress and lethargy this winter History? It’s behind you! - the origins of the Christmas pantomime Plus… recipes, travel, local events, news, businesses and reviews
contents pg 32
Welcome It’s been great to see so much improvement in the local physical environment recently, from the redevelopment of Clapham Old Town to the improvements still going on in Balham. We’ve been involved with the latter ourselves as part of the Balham Partnership and, believe me, the securing of funding and the delivery of such developments is a long and difÀcult process. A number of local residents and volunteers, including Jane Ellison MP, recently helped clear up an area of Balham town centre that was beyond the reach of the council’s cleaning responsiblities. This was true community spirit, much like the coming together of the people in Clapham Junction after the riots. What if we could capture that spirit and channel it to improve our local area and support its vulnerable people on a regular basis? That would be something. If you’d like to be involved in such a project, please get in touch – if we Ànd we have the will, we’ll Ànd a way. Richard Chumbley richard@essentiallocal.com
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Contents 4 What’s new? 6 9 11 13 15 16 18 20 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 38
Clapham moles, homes by James & Michel Roux Jr Baker by name, chef by nature Food, fame and inspiration with Dhruv Baker Recipes of a master chef Lobster with saffron, and chocolate torte Icing on the cake Christmas creativity: the Robin Redbreast Cupcake Bags, baubels and bon-bons Interior trends this Christmas Winter garden decoration Bringing the garden alive in winter months Choose your experience Family, honeymoon or adventure travel? History? It’s behind you! The origins of the British pantomine Where we live Quizzes, awards, restoration and community action The ultimate ½tness re½t Our local leisure centres are getting a makeover Teaching yoga to children Francesca of YogaBugs tells us why she does it The unwelcome present How to avoid back pain this winter Essential guide to a calm Christmas Your seven-step guide to stress relief Taxing issues Managing your business and personal income Theatre preview Your guide to local theatres Essential Local Events What’s on locally in December and January Reviews: Out & About in your local area – Zumbura, Clapham and The Lodge, Balham Viewpoint So, what’s so great about Christmas?
Editor: Richard Chumbley • richard@essentiallocal.com Designer: Monika Orman Cover photo: By Farley Berry (www.ladyberrycupcakes.co.uk) featuring model Ivy Da Silva. Advertising/Editorial Enquiries: 020 8432 3441 info@essentiallocal.com • Essentiallocal.com Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Advertisements are published in good faith and neither the publisher nor its editorial staff endorses any advice, advertisers or advertising material included within this publication and cannot accept, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.Any suggestions made by contributors to this publication should not be undertaken without seeking appropriate professional advice. Essential Local, the Essential Local Directory, We Choose Local and Essential Local Events are trademarks owned and controlled by Richard Chumbley. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form– electronic, mechanical, recording, photocopying, or otherwise–without prior written permission of the publisher. All in-house artwork and editorial in this publication remains the copyright of Essential Local. ©Essential Local. All rights reserved 2014.
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what’s new
What’s New? in your local area Mexico City in Abbeville Road
Home, James!
When considering which estate agent to go to when selling, buying or renting a home, your first thought might be that the bigger brands have the greatest reach. However, that’s not strictly true: independent, boutique agents invariably list properties on the same online portals – Rightmove, Zoopla and the like – as the big boys. So in actual fact your choice might best be decided on recommendation, the agent’s local knowledge and the quality of service. This is where a local independent can stand out, such as new Balham based firm Daniel James, headed by Daniel James White, a former director at another local firm who has over 20 years experience in the industry. “Many of the previous agencies I worked for focussed on sales targets and very rarely was there
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Comensal 32 Abbeville Rd, Clapham SW4 9NG 020 8673 7272 www.comensal.co.uk
any customer focus,” explains Daniel. “For me, happy customers are the heart of any successful business so great service is hugely important. I never hide behind my staff and make a point of making myself available.” Daniel has lived in our area all his life and believes local knowledge is an essential tool. “A tenant or purchaser will have more confidence in an agent who knows the area, can advise on what’s happening locally and who lives here too. Which is why I opened here – I know the area like the back of my hand.” If someone is looking to move early next year, Daniel believes this is a great time to prepare. To help, you’ll find a free guide to selling/letting on his website. Moreover, as an introductory offer he’s offering readers a 20% discount on standard fees if they make an instruction before the end of Feb 2015. “We’ve received a great welcome from the local community, which is important to us as we very much want to be part of it,’ says Daniel. ‘We’d like to thank everyone for their support through our first year and to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!”
Daniel James Estate Agents 330 Balham High Road SW17 7AA 020 8767 7001 www.danieljames.co.uk
ADVERTORIALS
John Sim was a keen amateur cook when he met experienced restaurateur Cati Bego in Mexico City. The fruit of that meeting can be found at Comensal, the boutique Mexican restaurant recently opened by the couple in Clapham’s Abbeville Road. “Mexican food is so deliciously vibrant that we wanted to bring those authentic flavours to England, not the flavours that you find in Tex Mex restaurants,” John explains. The menu is inspired by the food of Mexico City, which John describes as a melting pot of traditional southern fish and vegetable dishes, every variation of
meats from the north and true Mexican street food. “The quality of the ingredients is essential,” he says. “We have our tomatillos (green tomatoes) delivered directly from Mexico and there are no pre-pulped ingredients here, our chefs cook everything inhouse, right down to our tortilla chips.” The new Christmas menu includes individual platters of Mexican street food which will allow diners taste a variety of dishes in one sitting. Alongside this, a new drinks menu offers a unique range of Mexican cocktails, wines, beers, mezcals and tequilas. John’s favourite dish is Enchiladas de Mole (mol-eh). “The dish is enchiladas stuffed with shredded chicken and smothered in mole. We use Cati’s mother’s recipe for the mole sauce, a heady mix of tomatoes, chilli, nutmeg, cinnamon, cumin and chocolate. The flavour is rich, aromatic and wonderfully intense. When you visit us, you should definitely order the mole: everyone should try it at least once.”
what’s new Clapham’s culinary masterclasses with Michel Roux Jr
Did you know that BBC’s Saturday Kitchen is filmed live in a converted chapel in Clapham? Or that the same location is now home to Michel Roux Jr’s own cookery school? Or that after reading this you will have the best Christmas present idea.... ever?! The brainchild of Cactus TV Managing Director Amanda Ross, Cactus Kitchens offers an array of intimate culinary and cooking experiences hosted by some of the nation’s top chefs, including one-to-ones with Monica Galetti and Michel Roux Jr. Meanwhile, Saturday Kitchen fans can experience the thrill of being cooked for by a TV chef and touring the studios. Amanda tells us more. What’s Michel Roux Jr’s connection with Cactus Kitchens? I’ve worked with the Roux family for years. Michel lives locally and I knew he was interested in a project like this so we set up ‘The Michel Roux Jr Cookery School’ in partnership. People are so surprised when they find out they are spending the day with chefs like Michel or Monica Galetti. It’s wonderful to see the look on their faces when they meet them – some even faint! But Michel is one of the most down-toearth, charming and professional chefs I know.
ENJOY £40 off selected courses with the code ‘Essential’
Is it surprising to people that Saturday Kitchen is ½lmed in a Clapham side street? Very much so, as the studio complex is very discreet – it’s like a tardis! It’s hard to imagine that a converted chapel off Clapham High Street is the home to so many TV shows, and that we regularly have Hollywood stars and pop stars here, as well as the world’s best chefs. Even those unfamiliar with the show really enjoy our ‘A Taste of Saturday Kitchen Experience’: great food cooked in front of you by a TV chef, a wine tasting session with the show’s wine producer, and then a tour of the studio before everyone has a go at the omelette challenge! If I buy a cooking experience as a Christmas gift, how is it presented? We’ve created bespoke crackers for every gift voucher or booking. Each contains a message saying ‘You’re invited to a cookery experience’, a hat, joke and miniature Le Gavroche chocolate bar. You can follow up the cracker with our hand-tied invitation. All our guests are delighted with them. Anything else you’d like to add? We also offer a great knife skills course designed by Michel plus experiences for corporate clients. For 2015, we have a new Miele Master Series: masterclasses with chefs such as Michael Caines, Atul Kochhar, Ken Hom, Claire Clark and Theo Randall. It’s great - there’s a chef to suit everyone!
Cactus Kitchens Cactus Studios, 1 St Luke’s Avenue SW4 7LG 020 7091 4800 info@cactuskitchens.co.uk www.cactuskitchens.co.uk
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food & drink
Baker by name, chef by nature Masterchef 2010 winner and long-time local resident Dhruv Baker speaks to Richard Chumbley about food, fame and culinary inspiration. “Probably one of the most amazing talents I’ve ever seen... the palate of an angel!” So said Gregg Wallace of Dhruv Baker when he won Masterchef in 2010 with a menu of spiced lobster with saffron and fennel, venison with conÀt chestnuts and a masala tea ice cream with pear and trufÁes. “A lot of our catering clients still ask for those dishes,” says Dhruv as we chat in the restaurant of his newly opened EarlsÀeld pub, The Jolly Gardeners. “But that was me cooking to the best of my ability as a home cook, four and a half years ago. I hope I’ve evolved since then!”
Masterchef
Mexican-born but Indian-raised Dhruv says he was about nine when he started messing about in the kitchen, encouraged by his mother. Years of self-taught cookery skills later, friends and family kept telling him he was a great cook, but he couldn’t know for sure. “That’s why I entered Masterchef. It was for afÀrmation,” says Dhruv. “When I won, I was stunned. I spent quite a few weeks afterwards waking up in the night wondering whether it had happened.” How did he feel about becoming well known so quickly? “I found it unnerving at Àrst, but it’s not like other reality shows where people love to hate or to be hated, it’s a cooking show,” says Dhruv. “People are genuinely curious about my experience.” Upon winning BBC’s Masterchef, Baker quit his job of ten years as a Sales Director to follow his passion. “I’d dreamt about a career in food for years, but then kids and mortgages and school fees appeared and it seemed more of a pipe-dream. Thankfully it wasn’t too late.”
admired the most, asked them if they would let me into their kitchen, and they did. To work for people such as Michel Roux Jr, Tom Kitchen and Atul Kochhar was a dream. I’m still in touch with many of them and they’re incredibly supportive.”
“I picked the chefs I admired the most, asked them if they would let me into their kitchen, and they did.” In particular he’s remained in touch with Masterchef judge John Torode: “John’s become a good mate. We live in a similar part of London and just sort of hit it off – invariably there’s food and wine involved,” says Dhruv. “What he doesn’t know about Southeast Asian food isn’t worth knowing, but he cooks less with Indian spices, so we’ve cooked together and learnt from one another.”
FulÀlling the dream
Dhruv’s second step from amateur home cook to his dream of owning a restaurant was the setting up of successful catering company EarlsÀeld Kitchen, which he continues to run with business partner Adam Pomaro. Adam is also a partner at The Jolly Gardeners, which is the realisation of Dhruv’s dream of owning a restaurant, albeit in a pub setting. “I don’t think the food in a pub needs to be any different than in a restaurant,” says Dhruv. “That said, it’s Àrst and foremost a pub. It’s been here over 100 years and I don’t like the idea of ripping it all out and replacing it all. I know the pub and I love it as a pub.”
Life-changing
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“People throw the expression around but it really was a life-changing moment for me,” says Dhruv, who immediately set about gaining experience in professional kitchens, effectively halving his previous salary and doubling his hours. It was a massive step. “Imagine going from cooking for a group of friends with a glass of wine to doing 17 hours a day for Àve days straight,” explains Dhruv. “It’s physically demanding and you have to stay mentally alert even when you’re exhausted. The learning curve was incredibly steep.” Fortunately his Masterchef experience and passion knocked open a few doors. “I picked the chefs I
Judge Dhruv with ½nalists and winning cake of the Ernest Bevin College ‘Bevin Bake Off ’.The competition celebrated the opening of the fully refurbished Food Technology room
“With spices, it’s best to try using them one at a time, getting to know how they work, and then to start blending them together.”
©Simon Derviller Photography
He has a close afÀnity with the local area. Dhruv’s father bought a house in Wandsworth Common in the sixties and Dhruv moved to the area in 1999, eventually raising his family in EarlsÀeld. “I adore this part of the world: the open spaces, the river, the restaurants. We’ll go to Chez Bruce for a treat or Tooting for cheap, phenomenally good food.” Dhruv and wife Aileen have two children, Arun, 6, and Alexander, 3. “I cook with them when I can,” he says. “If you let them play with the ingredients, smell them, taste them – they’re more likely to try it themselves.” In addition to the catering business Dhruv is also a regular at BBC Good Food Shows, a presenter on Waitrose TV and a contributor to various publications. “The last six weeks has been focused on the pub. When things have settled I’ll be able to look at the other projects again,” he says.
Culinary inspiration
One of those projects is promotion for his Àrst recipe book Spice - Layers of Flavour, published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson earlier this year. The idea behind the book is that the word ‘spicy’ is misused as a generic word to mean hot. “Spice and heat are very different things,” explains Dhruv. “The book looks at the intrinsic qualities of spice as ingredients. Add a cinnamon stick and star anise to a beef casserole,
for instance, or add cumin to duck fat when roasting potatoes. With spices, it’s best to try using them one at a time, getting to know how they work, and then to start blending them together.”
“The word ‘spicy’ is misused. .. spice and heat are very different things.” Dhruv’s inspiration for his dishes comes from many sources. “It can come from a single ingredient or an experience and then you work back from that. There’s no kind of warning or logical route. With a seasonal menu I think about what’s associated with that season. We did a bonÀre night apple tart tartin recently: you think crunching of leaves, bonÀre smells, crackling of Àres. So we dried out apple skins for leaves and black cardamom for the smoky smell. We were even going to add popping candy for the crackle of a bonÀre.” I mention that he’s very lyrical when he talks about food. “Cooking is as much of an art as a science,” says Dhruv. “The transformation from raw to cooked ingredient is science, but the concept, ideology and presentation, I think that’s more about art.”
For Dhruv’s recipes see page 9 or for information on his pub visit www.thejollygardeners.co.uk
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food & drink
Recipes
GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE & CINNAMON TORTE
Two recipes from Masterchef champion Dhruv Baker’s new recipe book, Spice - Layers of Flavour LOBSTER POACHED IN FENNEL & SAFFRON BUTTER This is the kind of dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The combination of garlic, ginger, fennel and saffron with the natural sweetness of lobster is hard to beat, but if you are feeling less extravagant, the lobster can easily be substituted for king prawns.
SERVES 4 2 live lobsters weighing around 600–800g 100ml white wine 4 tsp fennel seeds 10 black peppercorns 250g unsalted butter Few strands saffron 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 2 slices of fresh ginger, about the thickness of a pound coin 1 lemon, quartered Crusty bread, to serve
Images ©Kate Whitaker
Place the lobsters in the freezer for 20 minutes – this will make them docile and easier to cook. [Editor’s note: please see www.bbcgoodfood.com/glossary/ lobster for advice on the most humane way to kill a lobster]
Find a large pan, fill with water and bring to boil. Add the wine, 3 teaspoons of the fennel seeds and the peppercorns. Add lobsters and boil for 10–12 minutes. Remove the lobsters from the pan and allow to cool slightly before twisting off the claws. Use a sharp knife to cut through the lobster tail and then remove the thin grey vein running along its length. Remove the meat from the tail and slice in half – you need to do this while it is still quite hot but not so hot that it is difficult to handle. Crack the claws using shellfish crackers or the back of a heavy knife and remove the meat in one piece. Melt the butter in a pan and add the saffron, along with the remaining fennel seeds, garlic and ginger. Cook over a very low heat for 10 minutes; you want the butter to be gently bubbling as excessive heat will burn the spices, making the dish bitter. Add the lobster meat to the butter and simmer gently for a couple of minutes. Serve with crusty bread and a squeeze of lemon.
This torte works on so many levels: it’s not overly sweet and the addition of amaretto makes it a really good dinner party dessert. It’s also gluten-free but, more importantly, it tastes fantastic.
SERVES 6-8 150g dark chocolate, minimum 70% cocoa solids, broken into small pieces 125g unsalted butter 170g light brown sugar 175g ground almonds 5 eggs, separated 200ml amaretto Pinch ground cinnamon 200ml double cream Icing sugar, for dusting Raspberries (optional), to serve
Preheat the oven to 150°C/300°F/Gas mark 2. Lightly butter a 23cm loose-bottomed round cake tin and line the base with non-stick baking paper. Put the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and place over a pan of just simmering water. Once melted, remove from the heat and allow to cool. Add the sugar and ground almonds to the chocolate mixture and then stir in the egg yolks, 150ml of the amaretto and the cinnamon. Whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form and then fold into the chocolate mixture with a metal spoon. Pour the mixture into your prepared tin and cook in the oven for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin for a few minutes before turning out. Whip the cream into soft peaks and stir in the remaining amaretto. To serve, place a slice of torte on a plate with a spoonful or two of the cream. Dust with icing sugar and serve with a few raspberries scattered over, if using.
©SPICE: Layers of Flavour by Dhruv Baker, published in hardback by Weidenfeld & Nicolson. Price £25/ eBook £12.99)
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food & drink
Icing on the cake Farley Berry of Lady Berry Cupcakes offers us some creative excitement in the run-up to Christmas: the Robin Redbreast Cupcake! You will need: Food Paint Brush, Rolling Pin, Water, Cookie Cutters x 3 sizes, Brown Fondant, Beige Fondant, Red Fondant, Yellow Fondant, Black Fondant or two Black Sprinkles 1. Cover your cupcake in a smooth layer of butter cream or jam. Warm all your fondant well before rolling and cutting. Roll the brown fondant and cut a circle using the largest cutter.
2. Lay the brown fondant circle on top of the cupcake, and smooth with the warmth from your hand. Roll and cut a beige fondant circle with the medium size cookie cutter.
3. Warm the red fondant and cut a circle using the smallest cookie cutter. Place the beige circle on the lower half of the cupcake and secure with a little water on your brush.
4. Place the small red circle of fondant on the lower half of the medium beige circle and secure the circle with a little water, once again using the paint brush.
5. To create the wings cut a second large brown circle using the largest cutter, then use the same cookie cutter to cut out two wing shapes from either side of the circle.
6. Place the wings either side of the body, using a small amount of water to secure. To make the beak create a small yellow triangle and then secure it at the top of the beige circle.
7. To create the eyes roll two black balls of fondant and place these (or two black sprinkes) in two indentations that you make with the end of your paintbrush. ‌ and then your have your little Christmas Robin!
Farley Berry is a Wandsworth cupcake artist offering decorating classes/parties for adults or children – great for birthdays or hen parties! For course details or to order cupcakes email ladyfarleyb@gmail.com or call 07985 245 674 www.ladyberrycupcakes.co.uk
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home & garden
Bags, baubels and bon-bons
Harrow and Green
Amara.com
Amanda Russell and Juliet Bawden of R&B Consultants delve deep into this year’s Christmas interiors shows to pick out the highlights
So what is new and interesting about decoration for Christmas 2014? There seem to be many overlaps in style between one company and the next, with the differences reÁected primarily in the price, materials used and the sustainability of the product. London feels like a series of villages, particularly South London where the independent shops and designer makers often offer a better service plus something a bit out of the ordinary. One such local company to watch out for is Harrow and Green, based in a design studio in Balham, who amongst other items produce personalized
Hessian Christmas Sacks. One of Selfridges chosen companies, they are now asked to produce bespoke artifacts for both the Christmas and tourist markets. The major chains all have twists on traditional looks and themes this year. The word ‘traditional’ seems to be another way of saying ‘Victorian’: it’s all about creating a cosy country Christmas with lots of tartan, red, green, real Scots pine trees and glass baubles. Another popular, more modern, theme is Scandinavia. This features lots of hearts and reindeers and also simple contemporary objects. Knit wear also has the strong Scandinavian look with traditional patterns of red or grey on white using natural material such as wool, felt, linen cotton and silk. Apart from the odd splash of red, this look has a limited colour palette of taupe, oatmeal, off-whites and greys.
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home & garden Wood really came into its own last year and is still popular. Sainsbury’s offer what looks like a section of silver birch trunk, the centre of which is carved out in a heart motif to hold a night light. You can even buy wood grain wrapping paper, or a wooden swivel tree made up from slats of thin wood that splay out from a central pole. Digital printing has resulted in much more exciting fabrics including cushions and duvet sets that look like winter landscapes. As far as wild life is concerned, owls, robins, stags and foxes are still very much in evidence and all make it to the Christmas feast. The theme of a white Christmas is always with us and so easy to achieve: just purchase white, silver
by Sainsbury’s Heart Bark Candle Holder & Winter Scene Cushion. Top: Edwardian Christmas Bauble, www.dotcomgiftshop.com
and glass. Marks and Spencer are selling some very covetable aged looking glass tea light holders, bon bon jars and decanters. We hope some of these ideas have inspired you. Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy.
Interior Designers R&B Consultants are Amanda Russell, formerly Linda Barker’s right-hand woman, and Juliet Bawden, author of 70+ books. randbconsultants.co.uk russellandbawden@gmail.com
home & garden
You can bring your garden alive in the depths of winter, says local garden designer Henrietta Gentilli Winter is mostly spent indoors, so focus on the areas of your garden which are most visible from the inside, both areas close to the house and focal points such as back walls or corners try placing lightly sprayed larch stems, silver birch or eucalyptus with hanging glass/ceramic/painted decorations amongst your plants strategically place branches with hips/berries on them in pots around the garden. Complete them by adding a moss or lichen topping on the soil large bunches of bright, natural yellow, orange and red dogwood stems look stunning as accent colours amongst existing planting or placed in pots to brighten up corners hurricane lights with candles can add a touch of magic to a garden at nighttime fill pots or bowls with bulbs or moss/lichen and place a pillar candle in the centre. Position these on the front steps, a terrace or on a garden table try skimmia, heathers and cyclamen placed in small old terracotta pots in sets of three on a garden table; or hellebores and ferns in large troughs or pots; or perhaps bowls with ‘paper white’ or ‘bridal crown’ narcissi and hyacinth Source items locally from the Northcote Road Market, Hildreth Street and New Covent Garden Market, or from Petersham Nurseries.
Henrietta can help develop your ideas. Call her on 07711 652992 or designs@henriettagentilli.co.uk
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travel
Choose your Experience As the chill in the air turns our thoughts to warmer, more exotic climes, the experts at Clapham-based Experience Travel Group reveal their personal favourite destinations for the family, a honeymoon or adventure!
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FAMILY
HONEYMOON
Sam Clark, Co-Founder and MD of Experience Travel Group, lives with his family in Streatham
Becky Grainger, Senior Sales consultant, lives in Clapham and enjoys a touch of luxury
I’ve travelled to many places in Asia with my wife and two children, aged 8 and 6. Whilst my wife enjoys resting on the beach in Thailand, it was engaging and outdoor experiences that really excited my children. In our recent trip to Sri Lanka, we stayed for two nights at The Mudhouse – an eco-hotel with no electricity, but there is so much there for the kids to discover and enjoy: swimming the lakes, bullock-cart rides, local temples and even playing cricket with the staff! Getting the right balance is important though, and the option of a private villa provides busy families with the ease and luxury that they need to unwind, but also allows for some genuine family time together. I think the next great destination for families is Indonesia – the weather is fantastic over the UK summer holidays, there are more direct Áights now, and there are so many adventures to be had with yacht cruises, island hopping, volcanoes, wildlife and, of course, some great beaches for some good old-fashioned R&R.
I think a combination of Sri Lanka and the Maldives makes for the perfect honeymoon - it’s a great combination of culture, scenery, wildlife and relaxation. The charm and colonial romance of Sri Lanka and the stunning setting of the Maldives would melt anyone’s heart. I was lucky enough to stay at the incredible Gili Lankanfushi Resort in the Maldives. I had a huge and very luxurious overwater villa all to myself, with private butlers and even my own cornered-off section of the sea! Indonesia also offers some amazing luxury hotels and a wide variety of breath-taking scenic spots for your honeymoon photo album. We ensure that all the hotels and guides go the extra mile and arrange unique, romantic experiences based on individual tastes. We know it’s the little extras that can make a honeymoon unforgettable. I once arranged a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over Sigiriya Rock in Sri Lanka, with champagne too! One tip is to set up a honeymoon list with us, then with donations from friends and family you can go the extra mile and make it a very special trip.
ADVERTORIAL
ADVENTURE Lauren Boyd, Travel Consultant, lives in Clapham while planning her next adventure Adventure doesn’t always have to be about “roughing it” – there are ways to really get under the skin of a country without compromising on comfort. For example, the Four Seasons Tented Camp in Thailand’s Golden Triangle combines ultimate luxury within an incredible setting which you are free to explore and see elephants in their natural habitat! One of my favourite places in Southeast Asia is southern Cambodia – it’s very seldom visited by tourists but is relaxing, naturally beautiful and has some great beaches. Borneo was one of my greatest adventures: I saw orangu-tans in the wild, climbed Mount Kinabalu (Southest Asia’s highest peak) and dived with some of the best marine life on earth. Lots of my clients have loved doing our street food tours with expert guides, particularly in the hectic yet charming city of Hanoi in Vietnam, where they can pull up a stool and slurp noodle soup with the locals. Adventure is all about trying something new and seeing the country as it really is. We hand-craft every holiday to make sure our clients can do just that.
Experience Travel Group is the UK specialist in distinctive, personalised and experience-based holidays to Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Burma, Laos, the Maldives, Indonesia and Borneo. Co-Founders Tom Armstrong and Sam Clark became frustrated at the conventional holiday information from companies and guide books whilst living in Sri Lanka, so decided to set-up Experience Travel Group and use their intimate country knowledge to create extraordinary holidays. Melissa Nicholas came on board in 2007 as a third partner to launch the Southeast Asia product, and soon after, the London office was born in Battersea. Since then, Experience Travel Group has taken on new specialist consultants, carefully extended their existing country portfolio and just this year moved into brand new offices in Clapham. Whether your interest is in Asian street food, obscure wildlife, architectural gems or gorgeous boutique hotels, the Experience Travel Group team has the passion and know-how to make sure your holiday strikes the perfect balance for you.
For expert advice: 020 7924 7133 7 Prescott Place, Clapham SW4 6BS info@experiencetravelgroup.com www.experiencetravelgroup.com
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entertainment
History? It’s behind you! You might think ‘Oh no it doesn’t’ when someone asks whether pantomime has a long history. ‘Oh, yes it does’, says Chris Chilton servants (Clown and Pierrot) would play tricks on him. The Christmas panto fun of today – with its unique Rich had his critics and actor and theatre fusion of eccentrity, ambiguity and absurdity – can producer David Garrick was quick to voice arguably trace its roots back to the ancient concerns about the death of serious theatre. theatres of Greece. But in more recent Did you However, supremely practical man that he centuries it found its inspiration from the know that the word was, Garrick himsel set about developing ‘Commedia dell’arte’, a travelling street ‘slapstick’ derives from the cultural identity of the pantomime, theatre in 16th Century Italy that used a hinged stick carried by a partly by limiting their performances at dance, tumbling, music, stock characters performer to exaggerate his own theatre in Drury Lane to the in half masks, satire and buffoonery to the sound of a Christmas season only – a convention that entertain its audiences. comedy impact? survives to this day.
The Harlequinade
Pantomime (‘imitator of all’) began to be popular in England during the 17the Century, but it was not until the work of John Rich (1692-1761), actor-manager of The Lincoln’s Inn Theatre, that it reached new heights. He is often referred to as the father of pantomime as he fused commedia, spectacle, music, ballet and myth into one – the Harlequinade, with Rich himself often playing the role of Harlequin. The usual storyline was that two lovers (Harlequin and Columbine) were kept apart by a father (Pantaloon), whose Dan Leno
The Clown and Dame In the early 1800s, Joseph Grimaldi changed the role of ‘Clown’ beyond all recognition – from a loutish buffoon to a more sophisticated character with a white face and red cheeks – the forerunner of the clowns we know today. His antics on stage in a time of war were considered to embody the freedom and liberty of British culture in contrast with our French enemy. Grimaldi’s antics led to pantomime’s association with the bizarre and some of its most famous gags. He also pioneered the introduction of the key pantomime character, the ‘dame’, a role further developed in the 1890s by music hall star and ‘funniest man alive’ Dan Leno, who portrayed the dame as a garrulous, workingclass woman. Pantomime has always revelled and excelled in the ambiguities of cross-dressing, with the principal boy being played by a woman in contrast with the dame being portrayed by a man. By reversing and disorganising the ordinary world, pantomime releases its audience to participate in the absurd.
Pantomime Today Despite its history, the pantomimes of today are almost universally aimed at children. Perhaps adult audiences in the twentieth century became more sophisticated, or perhaps – which is more likely – the introduction of Àlm and television, with their enhanced ability to create fantasy scenarios and fastmoving comedic effects, simply took over that vital role of representing the absurd.
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Joseph Grimaldi
This is an adapted extract from a piece in ‘Simply Hospitality’, a newsletter about London and London events. Email info@ london-hospitality.co.uk if you would like to receive future editions.
local interest
QUIZlocal
WHERE WE LIVE
Let’s see how much you know about the local area? The clue is often in the question... 1) What regal gothic building was once home to Honeywell and then Spencer Park Schools? 2) What’s the original name of the station near where GSF Motorworks’s is located? On the face of it, at least? 3) How many Wandsworth Oasis charity shops are there? If it helps, in Greek it would be ‘éxi’ 4)What swimming swan total do you get when you add together the travel zone numbers of Balham, Clapham Junction and Clapham South? 5) Which local theatre won an Olivier award for The Mountaintop in 2010? You can Park nearby.
Rotary Club Christmas Day Lunch If you are 65 years plus, live in the borough of Wandsworth and would like to spend Christmas Day lunch with other local people at no cost and with transportation to Battersea Park provided, don’t hesitate to request an application form on 020 8696 6540 or at rotarychristmasday.org.uk. Volunteers and donations are also welcome.
6) A disaster at which local underground station featured in Ian McEwan’s novel Atonement? 7) Which newsworthy comedian worked at the Tooting employment office as a clerical officer for seven years? 8) Battersea can lay claim to being the home of the world’s first factory for making what in 1908? A clue is ‘right’ in front of you. 9) What place for people recently celebrated its 100th anniversary and where can you dive without oxygen and run without getting anywhere? 10) Which hidden Balham resident works in the mirth arts, uh? Answers on page 38
Henry Cavendish Christmas Fair
If you read this in time, don’t miss this Fair on Hydethorpe Road in Balham from 1-3pm on Saturday 6th December. Lots of family fun, shopping stalls, present ideas, craft activites, face-painting, fish and chips, music and Father Christmas!
The Balham Community Clean-up On Sunday 16th November residents, councillors, local MP Jane Ellison and businesses from Hildreth St and Balham High Rd got together to clean a yard where rubbish had been piling up. The yard and the alley are private property and thus not on the Council’s cleaning rota. It was true community spirit in action.
Sport the Difference!
Don’t be dismayed if you walk down Northcote Road and can’t find your favourite local sports shop. Capstick Sports has only moved over the road to number 91. When looking for Capstick, you’ll discover a great new pop-up shop selling gifts for men: Bellevue Road’s The Inside Man.
Music and Identity
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Local resident Simon Gillon has written a book called Music and Identity (from before the Stone Age to the Present Day) now available on Amazon.
Wandsworth Civic Awards The awards recognise the unsung heroes who make a major contribution to the borough. The winners, here with the Mayor of Wandsworth, were Katie Amis, Becky Newman, Mary Wright, Liz Shaw, Jon Stanton and Lynn Evans (not pictured).
local interest
Essential Local y Community News The Essential Local Community is a members club of around 40 independent local organisations receiving assistance from Essential Local and supporting both one another and the 'We Choose Local' campaign. www.facebook.com/Wechooselocal
Capital Project in Final Phase This autumn, Battersea Arts Centre (right) will enter the final phase of restoration and redevelopment of its Grade II* listed Victorian building in collaboration with world-renowned and RIBA Stirling Prize 2014 winning architects Haworth Tompkins. The partnership began with conversations in 2006 and work started the year after to open up more spaces in the building and welcome more people from the local community alongside artists and audiences in line with its original municipal function as Battersea Town Hall. See www.bac.org.uk for further details
Congratulations to Wandsworth Oasis for Business Awards Win! Wandsworth Oasis were amongst the winners at the recent Wandsworth Business Awards, sponsored by The Tax Guys. “We are absolutely delighted to have won the award for Commitment to the Community,” says CEO Gill Perkins. “We are celebrating 25 years in 2014 so it is great to have the hard work of our volunteers recognised at such a prestigious local event. I wish they could all have been there.”
Raising the Roof at Devas
Welcome to Nature’s Purest
The Devas Club in Lavender Hill provides sporting, educational and creative opportunities for local young people. A recent project has seen the transformation of a roof terrace into a multi-purpose outdoor sports area. The work was completed by Poë Projects (poeprojects. co.uk). When not put to use by the youth club it is available for hire. If you’d like to meet members of the local community of all ages, Devas offers a regular Friday three-course lunch (by Deabascatering.co.uk) between 1-3pm for just £6, with profits going to the club. www.devasclub.org
One of our most recent members is Nature’s Purest, a Balham-based shop for baby clothes, toys, gifts & bedding made from organically grown, naturally coloured cotton. “It’s high quality, very soft and with no chemicals or pesticides used,” says owner Elizabeth Jones. “We also carry the Sri Lanka Apparel mark, so we know both the environment and producers are looked after too. “My bestsellers are the gorgeous snowsuits and velour blankets. They look so cosy. I’ve even been asked for these in adult sizes! Sorry, it’s just 0-3 months and 3-6 months for the snowsuits! 78 Balham High Road, 020 8773 2672 @NPBalham
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sport & fitness
The Ultimate Fitness Re½t Five of Wandsworth’s Leisure Centres are benefitting from a multi-million pound refurbishment programme. You will definitely notice the difference, says Emma Anne Owen
Example changing rooms
Balham Leisure Centre – who celebrated their 100th year of serving the local community this year! – are adding an extra workout studio to complement their two current studios, and the latter will also beneÀt from an extension and redecoration. Meanwhile, next to the swimming pool, customers will have access to new treatment rooms and a brand new health suite. It all sounds good. Places for People Leisure, who run the centres on behalf of the council, are thanking centre users in advance for their patience over the refurbishment period, which should end by June, but if the result is an even higher standard of local leisure centres, it’s certainly alright by me.
Example spin studio
Typical dance and step studio
Balham Leisure Centre 020 8772 9577 Latchmere Leisure Centre 020 7207 8004 Tooting Leisure Centre 020 8333 7555 Putney Leisure Centre 020 8785 0388 Wandle Recreation Centre 020 871 1149 Roehampton Sports & Fitness Centre 020 8785 0535
www.placesforpeopleleisure.org
ADVERTORIAL
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As a gym user, it’s been great to see the quality gap between privately run gyms and community leisure centres fade as the latter consistently improve their offering to maintain their popularity. When you go to a centre, you want it to have great facilities, a wide variety of classes, helpful staff and a price tag reasonable enough to tempt you away from your exercise bike at home. Luckily for us in Wandsworth we have a good selection, and each of our local centres has its own charms and particular strengths. Now, with a 3.5 million pound programme of improvements and refurbishments underway, funded by Wandsworth Council, the centres – Balham, Latchmere, Putney, Tooting and Wandle – are likely to get even better. Work has already started, with major gym refurbishments at Latchmere and Tooting Leisure Centres already taking place. Other developments you’ll notice over the coming months include a complete refurbishment of the swimming pool changing villages and dry activity changing areas. Reception and communal areas will also be redesigned and modernised to improve access.
children
Francesca Kleanthous of YogaBugs gives an insight into her role and offers useful tips for Christmas calm Why did you decide to teach child yoga? I was working with children with special needs and used yoga. I saw such an improvement in physical, mental and emotional health that when the opportunity to get involved in YogaBugs came up, I knew it was for me. What are the bene½ts of yoga for children? Improved concentration through yoga postures; increased confidence from encouraging children to be vocal; the release of day-to-day anxieties through relaxation and visualisation; and improved fitness. What do you love about your role? Making a positive change in a child’s life makes up for any business challenges. When we open the door and children are excited to see us, it’s an amazing feeling! What misconceptions do people have? A few people think there’s a religious connection, but the only morals encouraged in the classes are things like non violence and kindness: pretty universal principles. What are parents most surprised by? By using yoga postures to tell stories, YogaBugs are able to engage children on a variety of levels and develop many skills. Parents are amazed at how the children embrace the adventure/story and especially how they all lie down and do relaxation at the end. Tips for keeping kids calm over Christmas? Simple breathing exercises can definitely help.You can download some from www.yogabugs.com/funzone What about reenergising them for school? Christmas sugary treats and short daylight hours tend to make the body lethargic. To avoid this, children should exercise regularly. On days at home they can take part in our YogaBugs Jungle Adventure on YouTube. Or check out our classes for the spring term.
YogaBugs classes are fun, interactive and open to children from walking age to 12 years. To try a free taster contact 0845 899 7173, francesca@yogabugs.com or visit yogabugs.com
health & wellbeing
Polly Hand, owner and principle chiropractor at Chiropractic By Hand, offers us her top tips for avoiding back pain this Christmas. STAY HYDRATED When muscles and joints get dehydrated they become tight and painful. Simply by ensuring that you drink water between alcoholic drinks you can avoid the double whammy of waking up with both that headache and stiffness. DON’T SHOP TOO MUCH When out Christmas shopping try not to carry too much. If you do have lots of bags, carry them evenly between both hands and where possible use a rucksack to carry heavy items. AVOID STRESS Stress can have a huge effect on your body: it increases inflammation and causes tight muscles. Make sure you get enough sleep and try to enjoy some stress-busting exercise, a nice relaxing massage or bath. TAKE BREAKS When travelling long distances to visit your family and friends, make sure you take breaks to stretch if driving, and if on a train or coach try to regularly stand up (if safe to do so!) or stretch. STRETCH Start every morning with a good stretching session – it increases blood flow around the body, gets your joints and muscles moving when it’s cold outside, and makes you feel good – which is what Christmas should be all about!
Chiropractic By Hand offers Chiropractic and Sports Therapy services for all the family at Movers & Shapers in Balham. Polly has a special interest in Pregnancy and Paediatric care. To enquire call 07847 202365 or email info@chiropracticbyhand.com
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health & wellbeing
The essential guide to a calm Christmas David Redhead puts the ‘festive season’ firmly in inverted commas as he offers us his seven step guide to stress relief ‘Are you excited about Christmas, Daddy?’ It’s the question that my children start asking as soon as the Autumn term begins. But while many parents still retain that fun-loving child within that adores the magic of Christmas, in my experience there are plenty of grown-ups who approach the ‘Festive Season’ with as much anxiety as excitement. The truth is that the season of good cheer is also a time of heightened responsibility, hard work and high spending. An adult’s task list – finding and buying the right presents, preparing parties and food, entertaining friends and family – imposes a burden of additional stress which can leave us dangerously short of energy and mental well-being even before the festivities begin. Ignoring these undercurrents can make us more vulnerable to the negative feelings – grief, anger or jealousy – that sometimes surface around the Christmas dining table. Often dormant or hidden for most of the year, negative emotions can be sparked into life by the nostalgic nature of Christmas, the proximity of family or simply by too much booze. The explosions that sometimes follow can have a disastrous and lasting impact on family and personal harmony. So how can we make the most of all the fun Christmas offers while protecting ourselves from its stresses and strains?
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1) Make a plan: Planning helps minimise the pressure you put on yourself. Share out responsibilities for buying, shopping and cooking with your friends and family upfront and talk through the stressful ‘pinch points’ and how to avoid them.
2) Stick to a budget: Overspending at Christmas will leave you nursing a financial hangover in the New Year. Forget about keeping up with the Joneses; set prices for presents with your friends and family and stick to them. 3) Be tolerant: try to accept friends and family as they are and count to 100 if you feel irritated. 4) Give yourself a break: Take 15 minutes a day to do something that you enjoy, whether it’s reading, walking around the block or singing in the shower. Have a plausible excuse prepared for those moments when you just have to escape. 5) Make time for exercise: don’t neglect healthy habits. Your exercise regime can protect you from stress so get up early to fit it in, if you can. 6) Let it out: if you have had a bad year and are feeling sad – don’t keep the lid on until your emotions explode. Reach out to and confide in a sympathetic friend or relative. But if things really get on top of you don’t hesitate to seek the professional help that you need. 7) Breathe and relax: Breathing and relaxation techniques are great for helping people change their mood. You can download my relaxation ‘loop’ as a free Christmas gift via the link below.
David Redhead is a Battersea-based Cognitive Hypnotherapist, writer and teacher. Contact him on 07788 597359 or by visiting www.davidredhead.com
local business
Rhys Williams from Balham-based chartered accountants and business advisors Zarkava Ltd, offers us his top tips for managing your business and personal income COMPLIANCE The key to success for many businesses and individuals is the ability to plan effectively for the future. Statutory accounting, corporate tax returns and personal tax returns can be daunting but with planning, regularly updated details and a good level of understanding it can be a lot easier. Look to finalise your returns a number of months before the deadline to avoid last-minute panics. PLAN AHEAD Having a simple but effective business plan, including cash flow forecasts, can give direction, early warning signs of times where additional cash will be needed and also provide a great source of documentation to show banks, etc when looking to expand or sell the business. BE AWARE OF AVAILABLE BENEFITS People are often aware of the negative tax implications but not the numerous incentives which are supported by HMRC and which assist individuals, couples and companies alike. For instance, annual investment allowances (AIA), a type of capital allowance, has been increased to ÂŁ500,000 from April 2014. AIA offers tax relief of 100% on qualifying expenditure in the year of purchase. It therefore allows businesses to make investments and pay less tax on their profits. In addition, individuals should make the most of their personal allowances for both income and capital gains tax.
For information regarding any of the above points or to book a free face-to-face consultation and summary action plan, call 020 8675 0399, email info@zarkava.co.uk or visit www.zarkava.co.uk
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entertainment
Theatre preview Lavender Hill, SW11 5TN 020 7223 2223 www.bac.org.uk Housed in a Grade II listed former town hall, Battersea Arts Centre offers shows, discussions, home-made food and drink, weddings, dances, family fun and creative learning. Explore political and cultural history through the Digital Archive.With ‘SCRATCH’, you can experience un½nished shows and offer ideas.The ½nished shows are often then staged further a½eld. Open daily for everyone to explore and enjoy.
Richmond Theatre The Green, TW9 1QJ 0844 871 7651 www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre/
Richmond Theatre was built in 1899, seats 850 and offers something for everyeone, from comedy to drama, to musicals and classical ballet. Part of the Ambassador Theatre Group, the ATG Theatre Card offers priority booking and discounts. Richmond also offers creative learning, including youth theatre groups, an acting company, playwriting, technical workshops and even a community choir.
Theatre 503 at The Latchmere 503 Battersea Park Rd, SW11 3BW 020 7978 7040 www.theatre503.com Situated above the newly renovated Latchmere Pub, Theatre 503’s theatre – with artistic director Paul Robinson at the helm – is game-changing, relevant, surprising, mischievous, visually thrilling and theatrical. A ¾agship fringe venue for over thirty years, they are proud to be one of London’s few destinations for high quality new writing and read every single solicited script sent to them.
The Landor Theatre 70 Landor Road, SW9 9PH 020 7737 7276 www.landortheatre.co.uk
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Located on the ½rst ¾oor of The Landor Pub in Clapham, The Landor Theatre was one of the earliest fringe theatres and brings an audience of up to 60 people closer to the action of some fantastic musical theatre.With a reputation for high production values and adventurous shows,The Landor receives no arts funding and relies on the productions it houses, venue hire and the generosity of its patrons and sponsors. See the theatre website for details of forthcoming shows.
Forthcoming shows: Antarctica from 2th Dec – 4th Jan. Award-winning Little Bulb Theatre return with a Christmas show for families and children aged 2-6, full of songs, puppets and surprises. Adults, don’t miss the New Year’s Arctic Blast from 7pm till 2pm on New Year’s Eve: pop-up performances, live music, snow cone cocktails, Ice Queen and DJs. Also, don’t miss! • ‘Bridget Christie: An Ungrateful Woman’ The award-winning comedian explains everything. 15th Dec. • ‘Sara Pascoe VS History’ Romantic history, existential theory and cultural insights. 17th Dec.
Richmond Theatre patron Jerry Hall will be bringing a touch of glamour to this year’s pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from 5th December to 7th January as she takes on the role of the Wicked Queen. Will the Wicked Queen banish Snow White once and for all, or will the handsome Prince thwart her plans with some help from the dwarfs? Who’s the fairest in the land and will good triumph over evil? Also, don’t miss! • The Moscow City Ballet performing ‘Giselle’ (14th/15th Jan) and ‘Swan Lake’ (16th/18th Jan).
This Christmas, Theatre503 is opening their first ever family show, Cinderella and the Beanstalk. It opens on the 2nd December and runs until the 10th January. A glorious cocktail of all your favourite pantomimes, you will follow Cinderella on a perilous adventure as the scheming Rumple Stiltskin blackmails the would-be princess into retrieving the coveted golden eggs from the top of the beanstalk. Also, don’t miss! • ‘Office Politics’: Three darkly twisted and hilarious plays about the day to day politics of life in the office. 7th/8th Dec.
When not in use the theatre is available for hire, dependent on the approval of the Artistic Director. Accepted genres include: musical theatre, opera, plays, comedy performances, showcases, performance art, private and corporate functions, rehearsed readings as well as cabarets, concerts and soirees.
Other theatres/theatre groups: www.omnibus-clapham.org www.losttheatre.co.uk www.southsideplayers.org.uk www.magplayers.org.uk
ADVERTORIAL
Battersea Arts Centre
what’s on
EVENTS
Battersea, Clapham & Balham
Visit essentialbalham.co.uk or essentialbattersea.co.uk for regularly updated event listings
Antarctica - Battersea Arts Centre Until 4th January A trio of performers with songs and puppets conjure up an expedition to the South Pole in search of the ‘Owlabear’. £14/£9 children & conc. 2-6 years. Battersea Arts Centre Lavender Hill, SW11 020 7223 2223 www.bac.org.uk/antarctica
Ritherdon Road Christmas Fair Saturday 6th December Full of fantastic stalls selling a brilliant selection of gifts and festive food treats from 11am to 4pm. Santa is coming! Afterwards there’s the Gallery Midnight Christmas Party from 6pm. Ritherdon Road, Balham SW17
Christmas Exhibition - Oil & Water Gallery Until 21st December Wandsworth Town’s newest gallery presents a mixed exhibition by some of their best artists. Free. Open every day 10.30 – 5pm (8pm Thursdays, 4pm Sundays) Oil & Water Gallery, 340 Old York Road SW18 1SS 020 8704 4327 www.oilandwater.co.uk
The Christmas Hamper Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th December Stock up with festive delights from food and drink stalls at The Castle pub in Tooting (6th) and at The Bedford in Balham (7th). 12-6pm. Tooting and Balham 020 3286 4661 www.agrapenightin.co.uk
Cinderella and the Beanstalk - Theatre 503 Until 10th January For those who like their Christmas pantos with a twist. A glorious cocktail of pantomimes! Age 8+. £15/£12 conc and Pay what you can Sundays. Theatre 503, 503 Battersea Park Road SW11 020 7978 7040 www.theatre503.com
The White Christmas Fair Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December Taking place on Parkgate Road, Battersea from 10am until 5pm, entry to the event is free. It will feature over forty stalls filled with hundreds of giftable items. Parkgate Road, Battersea SW11 www.whitechristmasfair.co.uk
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Richmond Theatre Friday 5th December - 7th January Jerry Hall will be bringing a touch of glamour to this year’s pantomime as she takes on the role of the Wicked Queen. Tickets from £11.90 plus booking fee. Richmond Theatre,The Green, Richmond TW9 1QJ 0844 871 7651 www.atgtickets.com
The Bandstand Winter Fair Sunday 7th December Enjoy live music, food and gifts, plus funfair rides for the kids and a visit from Santa! The Friends of Battersea Park will have a stall. From11am - 5pm. The Bandstand, Battersea Park
Small Business Saturday Saturday 6th December Throughout the local area you’ll find small businesses providing offers and raising awareness of local entrepreneurs and their communities. See Lambeth.gov.uk and Wandsworth.gov.uk for info. Henry Cavendish School Christmas Fair Saturday 6th December An afternoon of festive fun from 1 - 4pm plus independent traders offering unusual Christmas gifts. Henry Cavendish, Hydethorpe Rd Balham SW12 0JA 020 8673 3376 www.henrycavendish.co.uk
One Taste 10th Anniversary - The Bedford Sunday 7th December On 12th December One Taste hosted their first night at The Bedford. 10 years on they celebrate the artists who’ve contributed. Music & spoken word from 7pm. The Bedford, 77 Bedford Hill, Balham SW12 9HD 020 8682 8940 www.thebedford.co.uk Christmas Tasting - The Wine Tasting Shop Wednesday 10th December Wine for turkey, goose or beef. Easy drinking for a party and some serious dessert wine, sherry and port. Cheese, charcuterie and mince pies. £20pp in advance. The Wine Tasting Shop 18 Hildreth St. Balham SW12 9RQ 020 8616 8658 www.thewinetastingshop.co.uk
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what’s on Booty & The Biatch -Lost Theatre Monday 15th - Thursday 18th December Delightfully depraved take on ‘Beauty & The Beast’. With cabaret stars and exciting new talent, The perfect antidote to family-friendly pantomimes. Lost Theatre, 208 Wandsworth Rd SW8 2JU 020 7622 9208 www.losttheatre.co.uk Sommelier Tasting - The Wine Tasting Shop Wednesday 17th December There will be sparkling, white, red and dessert wine to match with canapés, cheese and charcuterie. Ideas for pairing Christmas food with wine. £25 pp. 7.30pm The Wine Tasting Shop 18 Hildreth St. Balham SW12 9RQ 020 8616 8658 www.thewinetastingshop.co.uk One Day Christmas Holiday Performing Arts Course – Stagecoach Battersea Friday 19th December Dance, singing and musical theatre open to all-comers, including those with no experience! 6-16year-olds can enjoy a fun-packed day of classes and we’ll perform at 4pm. Class starts at 9.30 - 4.30pm. £40. The Contact Centre, 60 Hambalt Road, SW4 9EH 020 8946 2986 www.stagecoach.co.uk/battersea
New Year’s Eve - The Bedford Wednesday December 31st Enjoy Banana Cabaret’s all-star lineup: Paul Sinha, John Moloney, Angela Barnes, John Fothergill and Adam Bloom from 8.30pm, with DJs till 4am. Or just enjoy the party on its own, with a comp’ drink and canapes. The Bedford, 77 Bedford Hill, Balham SW12 9HD 020 8682 8940 www.thebedford.co.uk New Year’s Eve - Harrison’s Wednesday December 31st Enjoy a glass of Champagne and canapes on arrival, followed by a special three-course dinner for £80 per person. After dinner, a disco will take you dancing into the early hours. Please book in advance. Harrison’s, 15-19 Bedford Hill SW12 9RG 020 8675 6900 www.harrisonsbalham.co.uk 2015 Classes - YogaBugs 12th January onwards Classes for children which take them on wild adventures using moves inspired by yoga - they may roar like a lion, fly like a bird or blast into outer space! Imperial Durbar Cafe,Tooting/Woodlawns Centre, Streatham. Tel 0845 899 7173 or email francesca@yogabugs.com
reviews
Out & About in your local area Zumbura - Clapham by Richard Chumbley
It’s a restaurant review, so what you really want to know is whether Zumbura, the modern Indian restaurant in Clapham Old Town that’s just celebrated its first birthday, is worth a try. The answer is: ‘Yes’ – it’s a rather stylish restaurant with good traditional food (from the Purab region), interesting dishes and some delightful touches. I say ‘good’ rather than ‘incredible’ food’ as two of the dishes we tried, the chicken curry and the buttery semolina pudding, were underwhelming. Moreover we found some of the dishes a little over salty. But that’s where the criticism ends. My companion sang the praises of her kullia, a wonderfully sweet, fall-off-the-bone lamb and turnip stew; while I was delighted with an unusual potato curry that was more like a subtly spiced broth, and a stir-fried pea dish with garlic and ginger that was an absolute zinger – fresh and warm and surprising. As a concept, I think the restaurant is a winner. I love the engraved wine glasses; the peacock illustrated ceiling; the organic wood, stone and copper
furnishings, and the quirky hand-made serving bowls. They’ve packed a relatively intimate space (42 covers) with a lot of good design, even if they do seem to want to show it off too much with lighting that’s a little on the bright side. On our visit Zumbura was busy on a Tuesday night, which is a good sign, and the clientele were an eclectic bunch, neither too cool for school nor too staid for plaid. As for the food, it’s more subtle than that in most Indian restaurants and the comforting, tasty, stew-like dishes are likely to please your parents just as much as your partner.
Zumbura 36a Old Town, Clapham SW4 0LB 020 7720 7902 www.zumbura.com
The Lodge - Balham by Monika Orman
There’s no better place to indulge yourself this winter than The Lodge, the new pop-up restaurant in Hildreth Street. A genuine alpine ski lodge atmosphere is created with wooden walls, tables and benches, rustic decorations, tartan cushions and cosy lightening. Heavy blankets are piled up next to the doors waiting to be used on the terrace outside. The Lodge’s cuisine is perfect for cheese and meat-lovers. There’s a nice selection of fondues using cheese from Neal’s Yard, plus cured meats and wild game. There’s a selection of vegetarian dishes as well. I eventually decided upon the sea bream, which was cooked to perfection, unlike the accompanying kale which was nigh impossible to cut. Served with a deliciously light mussel and celeriac broth with apples I can forgive the kale, everything else was top-notch. My friend got the most of the signature dishes by ordering a wonderfully satisfying ballotine of rabbit wrapped in parma ham, served with fondant potato and rich tomato and chorizo cassoulet. For dessert we shared a humble sounding apple
crumble but it was delicious: tasty apples stacked like a dauphinoise served with mascarpone, berry coulis and delicious miniature marshmallows. Ok, now we’re ready to get back to the ski slope... Oh, we’re in Balham not the Alps! It felt like that for a moment. The menu changes every few weeks and if you’d like to try it, book in advance: we were lucky to get a table. No wonder, the atmosphere is amazing, the food very good; and there’s another trick to lure customers in – the hot cocktails. Try eggnog, hot toddies or mulled wine: the perfect apres-(non) ski.
The Lodge 9 Hildreth Street, Balham SW12 9RQ 020 8675 9889 www.jimmyspopup.com
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a-z directory Please visit and like WeChooseLocal for the project’s latest news If you’d like your business or organisation to be included here and on our online directory at EssentialBattersea.co.uk please email info@essentiallocal.com. Listings in white are members of the Essential Local Community
Accountants/Bookkeepers
Bathrooms & Kitchens
Cafes see also Restaurants & Bars
Tax Assist Accountants Get in touch for a free no` obligation quote. 020 7118 0402 niteshpatel@taxassist.co.uk
Poe Projects Project management specialists: design and build, electrical work and interiors. 020 7223 3286
Sabor - The Latin Way Modern Latin American Bistro 2 Tooting Bec Road SW17 8BD 020 8767 3222
www.poeprojects.co.uk
www.saborlondon.co.uk
Force Homecare 22 Bedford Hill, SW12 9RG 020 8675 9866
Care Services
www.taxassist.co.uk
Zarkava - Tax and Business Advisory Services Free consultation and summary of that meeting info@zarkava.co.uk 020 8675 0399
www.diystoresbalham.co.uk B&B - see Hotels;
www.zarkava.co.uk
Bicycle Sales & Repair
Ambulance
Psubliminal Expert advice, sales & repair 17 Balham High Road, SW12 9AJ 020 8772 0707
For emergency assist, call 999
Art Galleries & Antiques Oil & Water Contemporary Art Gallery 340 Old York Road Wandsworth Town SW18 1SS 020 8704 4327
www.oilandwater.co.uk
Crystal Palace Antiques Just 15 minutes from Balham and Wandsworth Common by car/train 020 8480 7042
www.crystalpalaceantiques.com Babysitters - see Childcare Bars - see Restaurants
Beauty Salons/ Treatments Francesca Alexander Hair & Beauty 53 Webbs Rd Battersea SW11 6RX 020 7585 3330
www.francescaalexander.co.uk
Caremark (Wandsworth) Part or Full-time home care service Culvert House, Culvert Rd SW11 5DH 020 3542 1255
www.caremark.co.uk
Cars - see Garages Carpenters - see Builders
Charities & Volunteering Wandsworth 020 8870 4319
www.psubliminal.com
www.wvsda.org.uk
Business advice – see Accountants
Wandsworth Oasis Charity shops and fundraising to help support local people affected by HIV. 020 8769 3845
Builders (Design & Build) Simply Construction Building and roo½ng contractors. 172 Clapham Park Road, SW4 7DU 020 7498 6696
www.simplyconstructionltd.co.uk Poe Projects Project management specialists: design, build, electricals & interiors. 020 7223 3286
www.poeprojects.co.uk
London Loft Conversions Using our experience of over 200 loft conversions for the best result. 0800 1300 512
www.londonlofts.uk.com
www.wandsworthoasis.org.uk
Childcare Likeminders Battersea based babysitting and ¾exible childcare agency 0844 879 7189
www.likeminders.co.uk
Childrens Activities/Courses Yoga Bugs The one bug your child should catch! Call Francesca on 0845 899 7173 or email francesca@yogabugs.com
www.yogabugs.com
The Essential Local Directory is designed to allow small businesses to promote themselves cost-effectively and it costs just £120 to appear in both these listings and online at EssentialBattersea.co.uk for 12 months
a-z directory Lady Berry Cupcake Courses Cupcake decorating classes and
birthday parties for children. Lladyfarleyb@gmail.com 07985 245 674
www.ladyberrycupcakes.co.uk Hartbeeps Exciting, interactive and fun baby and toddler classes. 1st class £5! anna-belle@hartbeeps.com Battersea, Clapham, Balham & others 07588 324 161
www.hartbeeps.com
Tutoring by GAW Advance through achievement From age 6 for Key Stage tests, GCSE and up to A level. 0844 357 9472
www.groovyartworkshops.co.uk Monkey Music Music classes: babies of 3mths-4yrs Balham, Tooting, Streatham, Wandsworth and South½elds 020 8764 5185
www.monkeymusic.com
Courses/Parties for Adults Lady Berry Cupcakes Cupcake decorating classes and
hen/baby shower parties. ladyfarleyb@gmail.com 07985 245 674
www.ladyberrycupcakes.co.uk Cactus Kitchens Cooking skillls and experiences at the Michel Roux Jr Cookery School
1 St Luke’s Avenue SW4 7LG 020 7091 4800 www.cactuskitchens.co.uk
Little Aid - First Aid for Children and Babies Courses for everyone. Perfect for new parents, nannies & babysitters.
020 8772 3595
www.littleaid.co.uk
Cinemas Cineworld Ltd Wandsworth High St, SW18 4TF 0871 200 2000 cineworld.co.uk
Clapham Picturehouse 76 Venn Street SW4 0AT 0871 902 5727
www.picturehouses.co.uk
Cleaners & Cleaning Services Blue Ribbon DomesticCleaning Weekly, fortnightly or monthly cleans with the same vetted cleaner. 020 8328 3096 07702 793 623
www.blueribboncleaning.co.uk Time For You Vetted, police and referencechecked Domestic Cleaners. swlondon@timeforyou.co.uk 0800 542 0920
www.timeforyou.co.uk/swlondon
Children Natures Purest Organic and naturally dyed baby gifts, bedding, clothing and furniture 78 Balham High Road SW12 9AG 020 8673 2672 @NPBalham
balham@natures-purest.co.uk
Complementary Therapies Also see Healers Chiropractic by Hand Chiropractic and Sports Therapy services for all the family at Movers & Shapers in Balham 07847 202365
www.chiropracticbyhand.com
Dentists Tooting Bec Dental Same day appointments available. Examination £18 (inc. 2 X-rays)
020 8772 7708 tbdp@btconnect.com www.tootingbecdental.co.uk For NHS contact: 0845 46 47 Designers - see Printing Services Dishwasher Repair. – see Dom’
DIY, Paint & Hardware Force Homecare DIY/Paint Specialist: Keys cut. 020 8675 9866 22 Bedford Hill, Balham SW12 9RG
www.forcehomecare.co.uk
Doctors - see Medical
Domestic Appliance Repair MK Repair Centre Dishwashers, washing machines and electric ovens 19 Cobham Close, SW11 6SP 020 7223 6529
www.mkrepaircentre.co.uk
Education and Tutoring Tutoring by GAW Advance through achievement From age 6 for Key Stage tests, GCSE and up to A level. 0844 357 9472
www.groovyartworkshops.co.uk
Electricians/Electrical MK Repair Centre 19 Cobham Close, SW11 6SP 020 7223 6529
www.mkrepaircentre.co.uk
Emergency Services Call 999 OR 112
Estate & Letting Agents Palace Gate Lettings (ARLA Licensed) Of½ces in Balham, Clapham Old Town, Northcote Road & Earls½eld 020 8675 5050
www.palacegatelettings.co.uk Samuel Estates (ARLA & NAEA Licensed)
38 Balham Hill SW12 9EL 020 8673 4666
www.samuelestates.com Daniel James (ARLA & NAEA Licensed) 330 Balham High Road Tooting Bec SW17 7AA 020 8767 7001
www.danieljames.co.uk Truepenny’s 020 8693 2277 16 Lordship Lane East Dulwich SE22 8HN
www.truepennys.com
Tate Residential (ARLA & NAEA Licensed) 16 Battersea Park Road Battersea SW8 4LS 020 7622 6914
www.tateresidential.co.uk
visit wechooselocal.co.uk for rewards you can receive for to support local independent businesses If you would likechoosing to be included contact us at info@essentiallocal.com or on 020 8432 3441
33
a-z directory Wandsworth Council The Town Hall, Wandsworth High Street London, SW18 2PU www.wandsworth.gov.uk
020 8871 6000
Town Hall Brixton Hill London, W2 1RWU www.lambeth.gov.uk
020 79261000
First Aid
Garden Design & Gardeners
Hotels & Bed & Breakfast
Little Aid - First Aid for Children and Babies Courses for everyone. Perfect for new parents, nannies & babysitters.
020 8772 3595
Henrietta Gentilli Garden Design. Specialising in the design of town gardens designs@henriettagentilli.co.uk 07711 652992/020 8675 8411
Balham B&B 28 Old Devonshire Road Balham SW12 9RB 020 8673 7179
Fitness
Gifts
121 Personal Training Training and nutrition coaching in your home. Train with a family member or friend at no extra cost. 07881 884 738
Andi Bunbury Original Watercolours for Children andibunbury@gmail.com 07816 959179
www.littleaid.co.uk
www.121personaltraining.com
Flooring Wooden Floor Specialists Suppliers, Installers & Renovators 302 Cavendish Rd Balham SW12 0PL 020 8675 2431
www.woodenfloors.co.uk
Florists The Flower Sanctuary Weddings, funerals, deliveries, gifts & cakes 8 Hildreth St, Balham SW12 9RQ 020 8675 3799
www.flowersanctuary.co.uk
Framers Oil & Water 340 Old York Rd Wandsworth Town SW18 1SS 020 8704 4327
www.oilandwater.co.ukk
Garage/Motor Repairs GSF Motorworks Car servicing workshop. Unit E & F London Stone Biz Estate, Broughton St, Battersea SW8 3QR 020 7819 9555
www.gsfmotorworks.co.uk
34
Lambeth Council
www.henriettagentilli.co.uk
www.andibunbury.co.uk
www.balhambandb.co.uk
Hypnotherapy
Also see Comp. Therapies Keith Bibby (UKCP Psychotherapist)
49 Klea Avenue Clapham Common SW4 9HG 020 8673 6311
Graphic Design - see Printers
www.hypno-psychotherapylondon.com
Healing
Interiors & Design
See also Meditation Pippa Neve Healer & Indigo Essence Practitioner Eswyn Road, Tooting, SW17 8TN 020 8767 1292/ 07932 697938
www.pippaneve.com
Relax and Float Releve pain and reduce stress with three ¾oats for £95. Christian Fields, SW16 3JY
www.relaxandfloat.co.uk
Hairdressers Francesca Alexander hair & beauty 53 Webbs Road SW11 6RX 020 7924 3459
www.francescaalexander.co.uk Hair Masters 020 7228 1520 88 Battersea Rise SW11 1EJ
www.hairmasters.org.uk Homeopathy – see Comp. Therapies
R&B Consultants Amanda Russell and Juliet Bawden russellandbawden@gmail.com
wwwrandbconsultants.co.uk Internet - see Broadband Jewellery - see Fashion Job Training - see Training Key Cutting - see DIY Kitchens - see Bathrooms
Leisure Centres & Facilities Balham Leisure Centre 020 8772 9577 Elm½eld Rd, Balham SW17 8AN Battersea Sports Centre 020 8871 8529 Hope St, Battersea SW11 2DA Latchmere Leisure Centre 020 7207 8004 Burns Road, Battersea SW11 5AD Tooting Leisure Centre 020 8333 7555 Greaves Pl, Tooting SW17 0NE Battersea Park Mill’ Arena 020 8871 7537 Albert Bridge Road, SW11 4NJ
Support local businesses and please let them know you found them in Essential Local
a-z directory Clapham Common Facilities 020 7223 9837 Windmill Drive, Clapham SW4 9DE
Live Music The Bedford Live music, Club Nights, Comedy, Food, Drink and Events 77 Bedford Hill Balham SW12 9HD 0208 682 8940
www.thebedford.com
Meditation Guided Group Mediations with Pippa Neve, Tooting Bec 07932 697 938
www.pippaneve.co.uk
Medical Services For urgent but non life-threatening conditions call 111. For life-threatening conditions call 999. Tooting Walk-In Centre Treatment & emergency contraception. 7am-8.30pm. Clare House, St George’sHospital, Tooting SW17 0QT 020 8700 0505 Kiki’s Clinic Paediatric Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Osteopathy for babies and children. 124 Thurleigh Road SW12 8TU 020 7450 1708
www.kikisclinic.com
Chiropractic by Hand Chiropractic and Sports Therapy services for all the family at Movers & Shapers in Balham info@chiropracticbyhand.com 07847 202365
www.chiropracticbyhand.com Motor Repairs - see Garages Nannies & Nursery - see Childcare
Of½ce Supplies & Furniture The New Hurleys 9 The Boulevard Balham High Rd SW17 7BW 020 8772 8223
www.hurleysofbalham.com
PA/Admin Services
Plumbers & Heating Engineers
New Dawn Ventures SW London 07940 525 915
Waterline Plumbing/Heating Local plumber. Free Estimates. Checkatrade registered. Call Stuart on 07894 209 951
www.newdawnventures.co.uk
Paint Specialists and DIY Force Homecare DIY & Paint Specialist. 22 Bedford Hill Balham, SW12 9RG 020 8675 9866
www.forcehomecare.co.uk
Painters & Decorators Simply Construction Friendly building and roo½ng contractors based in Clapham 172 Clapham Park Road SW4 7DU 020 7498 6696
www.simplyconstructionltd.co.uk Poe Projects Interior design projects and painting/decorating jobs of all sizes 020 7223 3286
www.poeprojects.co.uk
Personal Training – See Fitness
Pharmacies Healthchem Pharmacy 4-5 Station Parade, Balham SW12 9AZ 020 8673 8351 Cospharm Pharmacy 281-283 Mitcham Rd Tooting SW17 9JO 020 8767 6005
Photographers Emanuel Redaschi Photography Maternity, New-born and Baby specialist. Studio based between the commons. Of½cial photographer, St Thomas’ Hospital, Westminster Suite. 07775 681191
www.emanuelredaschi.com
www.waterlineplumbing.co.uk
Police For emergency assistance, call 999 OR 112 or for general enquiries contact: Metropolitan Police 0300 123 1212
ww.met.police.uk
Battersea Police Station 112 -118 Battersea Bridge Rd Wandsworth Police Station 146 Wandsworth High Street Lavender Hill Police Station 176 Lavender Hill Clapham Police Station 51 Union Grove
Post Of½ces 08457 223344 Balham Hill Westbury Parade, Balham Hill SW12 9DZ Cedars 41 Queenstown Road, Battersea SW8 3RE Clapham Common 161 - 163 Clapham High Street SW4 7ST Alfriston Road 99 Alfriston Road; Battersea SW11 6NP; Battersea 202 Lavender Hill, SW11 1AB St Johns Hill 7 The Parade SW11 1TG.
Printing & Design Services Essential Local Flyers, brochures, letterheads, business cards, photography. Balham/Streatham HIll 020 8432 3441
www.essentiallocal.com
If you would like to be included contact us at info@essentiallocal.com or on 020 8432 3441
35
a-z directory Support Helplines Age UK 0800 00 99 66
Heart Helpline 08450 70 80 70
Info and advice on topics affecting older people
British Heart Foundation information officers
Breast Cancer Care helpline 0808 800 6000 Learning Disability Helpline 0808 808 1111 Information and support on breast health
Advice for individuals, families and carers
Brook Advisory Centres 0808 802 1234
Marie Stopes Abortion Help 0845 300 80 90
Sexual health advice and services for under-25s
24-hour abortion information service
Cancerbackup 0808 800 1234
Mind Info Line 0845 766 0163
Support from nurses concerning all aspects of cancer
Help for people with mental health problems
Carers Direct 0300 123 1053
NHS111 111
Advice for anyone looking after someone else
24-hr service for non-999 urgent medical help
Childline 0800 1111
Sexual Health Line 0300 123 7123
Support and information for children on any topic
Information and advice on sexual health issues
Cruse Day by Day 0844 477 9400
Shelter 0808 800 4444
Help and support for people who are bereaved
Advice from the homelessness/housing charity
Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247 Smokefree 0300 123 1044 24-hour line for urgent response or in-depth support
Get help to stop smoking and stay stopped
Drinkline 0300 123 1110
Stroke Helpline 0845 303 3100
For callers or families/friends worried about drinking
Support for stroke patients and their families
Frank 0300 123 6600
The Samaritans 08457 90 90 90
Straight up, unbiased information about drugs
Non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day
Renting Out your Home CHS Rentals Letting underused London accommodation for its owners. 020 8355 3129
www.chslondon.com
Renting Out a Room London Hospitality Earn £500pm from renting out your spare room to professionals. 020 8835 0177
www.bblondon.com
Restaurants, Pubs & Bars Ben’s Canteen All-day neighbourhood hangout 140 St John’s Hill, Battersea SW11 422 Garratt Lane, Earls½eld SW18 020 7228 3260
www.benscanteen.com
36
Amirah’s Kitchen ‘View’ Top Ten Indian Restaurant. Takeaway/Delivery Available 356 Old York Road, Wandsworth Town, SW18 1SS 020 8874 8008
www.amirahskitchen.com
The Bedford Music, Club Nights, Comedy, Food 77 Bedford Hill Balham SW12 9HD 020 8682 8940
www.thebedford.com
Rick’s Restaurant Tooting’s Modern British & European Restaurant 122 Mitcham Rd,Tooting SW17 9NH 020 8767 5219
McDonald’s Balham A franchise owned locally, employing locals and supporting the community. 159 Balham High Street, SW12 9AU 020 8675 4520
Harrison’s Neighbourhood brasserie/cocktail bar 15-19 Bedford Hill, Balham SW12 9EX 20 8675 6900
Sabor - The Latin Way Modern Latin American Bistro 2 Tooting Bec Road SW17 8BD 020 8767 3222
www.ricks-restaurant.co.uk
www.harrisonsbalham.co.uk
www.mcdonalds.com
www.saborlondon.co.uk
Support local businesses and please let them know you found them in Essential Local
a-z directory Comensal An authentic Mexican Bar and Restaurant 32 Abbeville Rd Clapham SW4 9NG 020 8673 7272
www.comensal.co.uk
Revolution Premium drinking & dining venue 276-288 Lavender Hill Clapham Junction SW11 1LJ 020 8767 3222
www.revolution-bars.co.uk
Roofers - see Builders Secretarial - see PA services
Solicitors & Legal Advice Battersea Legal Advice Centre Free legal advice. 125 Bolingbroke Grove, SW11 1DA 020 7585 0716
www.lawworksclinics.org.uk
Theatre 503 Above Latchmere Pub 503 Battersea Park Rd SW11 3BW 020 7978 7040
www.theatre503.co.uk
Landor Theatre 70 Landor Rd, Clapham SW9 9PH 020 7737 7276
www.landortheatre.co.uk
Richmond Theatre The Green, Richmond TW9 1QJ 0844 871 7651
www.atgtickets.com/richmond
Therapy Kiki’s Clinic Paediatric Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Osteopathy for babies and children. 020 7450 1708 124 Thurleigh Road SW12 8TU
Spas - See Beauty
www.kikisclinic.com
Sports Shops & Activities
Job Training/Quali½cations
Also see Leisure Facilities Capstick Sports 91 Northcote Road SW11 6PL (formerly number 84!) 020 7228 7814
Pitman Training Clapham Junction 0333 577 3035 1st Floor, 50 Northcote Rd Battersea SW11 1PA
www.capsticksports.co.uk
Pitman-training.com/clapham
Stationery - See Office Supplies Take-Aways - See Restaurants
Travel Agents
Taxis & Private Hire Double O Car Hire Car and Courier Service from and to any required destination 267 Putney Bridge Road Putney SW15 2PT 020 8789 0031 (24 hrs)
www.doubleocars.com
Theatres
For details for forthcoming shows see our regular theatre preview feature elsewhere in the magazine Battersea Arts Centre Lavender Hill, SW11 5TN 020 7223 2223
www.bac.org.uk
Experience Travel Group Sri Lanka and South East Asia
Windows – Sash Wandsworth Sash Windows Traditional timber, double-glazed, draught proo½ng, overhaul, sliding 125 Lavender Hill, Battersea 020 7924 7303
Wandsworthsashwindows.com
Wine The Wine Tasting Shop Independent Tastings and Sales 18 HIldreth St, Balham SW12 9RQ 020 8616 8658
www.thewinetastingshop.co.uk
Yoga Hot Bikram Yoga Try 20 consecutive days for £35! Hildreth St Mews, Balham SW12 9RZ 020 7036 3855
www.hotbikramyoga.co.uk
Yoga Bugs The one bug your child should catch! Call Francesca on 0845 899 7173 or email francesca@yogabugs.com
www.yogabugs.com
The Essential Local Community is a network of around 40 local independent local organisations and businesses who receive priority services from Essential Local and support one another through the ‘We Choose Local’ campaign.
020 7924 7133
27 Prescott Place Clapham SW4 6BS
www.experiencetravelgroup.com Tutoring - see Education Vets - See Pets Washing Machine Repair – see Domestic Appliances
Website Design Essential Local Cost-effective website design and e-newsletter marketing. Balham/Streatham Hill 020 8432 3441
www.essentiallocal.com
Please visit and like WeChooseLocal for the project’s latest news
If you would like to be included contact us at info@essentiallocal.com or on 020 8432 3441
37
vox pops
Viewpoint
Follow our new Facebook page www.facebook.com/wechooselocal for local news regarding how to support local independent shops
We asked members of the Essential Local Community of independent bbusinesses i about their earliest memories of Christmas and what they love about the season
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Sam Harrison, Harrison’s Restaurant & Bar, Balham
Nitesh Patel, Tax Assist Accountants, Tooting
Barry Darragh, Wooden Floor Specialists, Balham
Elizabeth Jones, Nature’s Purest (organic baby products), Balham
“The anticipation of Father Christmas and that sense of excitement you get in your tummy. Now, I just love catching up with family and friends while eating and drinking until I collapse on the sofa!”
“I only started celebrating Christmas when my first child was born and I put out a tree with lights and tinsel. I love seeing the sheer delight on children’s faces when they open their presents.”
“My earliest memory is decorating the tree and my amazement when dad turned on the lights. I now have two children and it’s just a magical and fun time for them. Taking them to santa’s grotto is really exciting.”
“Getting up insanely early to see what Santa had left us! We opened presents in our stockings before going to Church. I still look forward to going there on Xmas Day, partly as I get to see so many old friends.”
Scott Ilman, The Bedford, Balham
Lucy Patel, Healthchem Pharmacy, Balham
Paul Ahearn, Samuel Estates, Balham/ Clapham South
Francesca Alexander (hair and beauty), Battersea
“I grew up at a farm in Zimbabwe. My earliest memory is playing Monopoly on Christmas Eve. Now I look forward to the sounds of presents being opened and the buzz of the preparation of lunch.”
“Trying to stay awake to try and catch a glimpse of Santa – the feeling was magical. My son was born just before Christmas and I’m expecting my second child in Jan, which makes it all the more exciting.”
“My brother wanted a snooker table and my parents gave him a snooker table eraser! He ran out crying, not realising that behind the tree was the table. I love the time with family and the seasonal madness of my business!”
“Writing my wish list to Father Christmas. It’s our busiest time so a lot of Christmas is spent working, but then it’s lovely to sit down to a leisurely dinner on Christmas day.”
Panos Stemitsiotis, GSF Motorworks, Battersea
Daniel Newnham, Simply Construction, Clapham
“I was 3 years old and I found a handheld animated Tom & Jerry pinball machine under my bed. I’ll never forget it! I love getting together with family and friends at Christmas, eating food and playing board games.”
“Watching ‘Scrooge’ for the first time, with snow falling outside and hot chocolate to drink inside. What do I love about Christmas? Spending time with my family, TV and films, sausage rolls and Christmas pudding!”
Quiz answers: 1. The Royal Patriotic Building; 2. Queenstown Road, formerly Queens Road (Battersea); 3. Six; 4. Seven (3+2+2); 5. Theatre 503 6. Balham (WW2 bombing); 7. Paul Merton; 8. Aeroplanes; 9. Balham Leisure Centre; 10. Arthur Smith.