thestar ISSUE 11 2009
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thestar
ISSUE 11 | 2009
Welcome
Contents 4
star shot – photographic competition
as this issue goes to press the star prepares to celebrate its third year. The continuing success and growth of the star is testament to the combined efforts and commitment of those who contribute to make the magazine the fantastic read it is. I am as ever indebted to our writers whose continual efforts never cease to amaze and humble me – thank you. of course such a production wouldn’t be possible without our advertisers, please show your support to these companies.
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News
8
Party People – a look at the real people
10
Brian Hopson writes…
as we approach Christmas I can’t help feeling that this year is a particularly important time to reflect on the little things and focusing on what actually should matter. Joan straw shares her memories of raising her children alone and the happy times they enjoyed at Christmas time.
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Win House of fraser vouchers
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star walks – historic Wanstead
I’m delighted to welcome onboard some new partners and sections. We have joined forces with House of fraser to bring you a Christmas exclusive – for one lucky winner the chance to win £250 worth House of fraser vouchers and a personal shopper session at the London City store in our fantastic competition (see page 11 for entry details). our fashion section looks at glamming it up for the party season with zing and bling star style. We have also teamed up with Leyton orient to bring you news from the local club, (see page 38). also let our resident astrologer help you through the winter months, so read alfie Centauri’s horoscope on page 37. finally, Party People, (page 8), is a new series of interviews with the people at the heart of local politics.
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Tucker’s law – wills
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Leytonstone in Transition – what exactly is the Transition Movement?
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Curry Club
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recipes – star of India style
23
fashion – glamming it up star style
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a look at Hitchcock revisited the DVD
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Joan straw – you don’t need a lot to make Christmas special
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Dave Hayes reminisces…
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a look at local theatre group – The Woodhouse Players
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Diary
37
star gazer alfie Centauri take a peek at your holiday horoscope
38
Leyton orient news
39
Classifieds
I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year and thank you for all your support, contributions and for reading the star. Lara Geary Editor The Star magazine 6 Gainsborough Road, London E11 1HT T 020 8558 4050 www.thestarmagazineuk.com Published by The Star magazine Editor Lara Geary lara@thestarmagazineuk.com Fashion editor Jeanne Holland jeanne@thestarmagazineuk.com Advertising Lesley Phillips 020 8558 4050 or email lesley@thestarmagazineuk.com Design, production The Lightside 020 8558 4050 www.thelightside.net | enquiry@thelightside.net Public Relations Holland Young Associates 020 8989 1244 | jholland@hollandyoung.idps.co.uk
Contributors Bill Hodgson Brian Hopson Joan Straw Dave Hayes Jane Duran
Cover image: ©Brian Rawlings A big thank you to all of you who have contributed articles, photographs and advice.
Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited. All dates and credits are accurate at time of going to press but are subject to change. The Star does not accept any responsibility for the content of advertisements supplied by external organisations. The views expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The Star is printed on paper from environmentally sustainable sources using vegetable based inks.
behind local politics
High street
When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it.
ISSUE 11 2009 THE STAR MAGAZINE 3
Star Shot Enter the Star Photographic Competition and be in with the chance of seeing your image on the cover of the next issue of The Star. Theme: Spring Prize: Cover of issue 12 Closing Date: 20 January 2010
Thank you to all of you who entered our issue 10 competition. We where overwhelmed with entries, our winner is Brian rawlings. The winning entry (seen on the cover), I think you will agree captures the truly unique feel of light only seen during winter. This shot of Bushwood captures that feel perfectly and conjures up pleasurable memories of walking through in the cold and taking in the views scenery and enjoying light at this time of year. Here is a selection of other entries. Thank you once again to all of you who took the time to send your images to us. We want your shots of spring for the next cover, you can be as literal or abstract as you like.
Send your entries to: The Editor 6 Gainsborough Road, London E11 1HT
Copyright ownership: The photographer must be the sole author and owner of the copyright of photos entered in to the competition. The copyright remains with the photographer, although by entering the competition you authorise The Star a non exclusive royalty free usage of your photo in the promotion and use of this competition for a maximum period of 3 years with credit to the photographer.
Jane Duran
or you can email it to editor@thestarmagazineuk.com
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Anne Slough
The Star magazine
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news Turner prize-winning artist Grayson Perry has unveiled a new work inspired by everyday life in Walthamstow. The Walthamstow Tapestry is 15 metres long and runs the entire length of the top floor exhibition space at the Victoria Miro Gallery in Islington. It examines contemporary Walthamstow life within the context of a consumer society. “The tapestry explores the emotional resonance of brand names in our lives and our quasi-religious relationship to consumerism,” said Mr. Perry. “Charting man’s passage from birth to death, the tapestry is peppered with those leading brands encountered along the way”. Retail giants including Marks and Spencer and Ikea are referenced in the work although their logos are often obscured in order to emphasise the transitory nature of high street culture. The Walthamstow Tapestry can be viewed until Saturday 7 November at the Victoria Miro Gallery, 16 Wharf Road, London N1. For further details visit www.victoria-miro.com
- A new exhibition documenting the final months of Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium is now running at Vestry House Museum. The famous stadium opened in 1933 and was closed for redevelopment last year despite a campaign by residents to preserve it. The new exhibition features a range of images by photographer Katherine Green, which were captured during the venue’s final three months and highlight the local people who worked there and contributed to its history. The exhibition includes a newly commissioned series of oral history recordings recounting the stadium’s sporting and social legacy, which can be accessed from listening points around the museum. Archive documents and photographs from the Vestry House collection are also on display. ‘Going To The Dogs - The Last Days of Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium’ runs until Friday 27 November at Vestry House Museum, Vestry Road, Walthamstow. For further details call 020 8496 4391. A new book ‘Last Days at the Dogs’ has been published to coincide with the exhibition. Copies are available from www.katherinegreen.co.uk
LOCAL TORIES RE-OPEN HIGH ROAD DEBATE The prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for Leyton and Wanstead has called for a debate on the future of Leytonstone town centre. Edwin Northover is concerned that Leytonstone’s one-way traffic system has proven to be a failure with gridlocked vehicles blighting the area. He has proposed returning the High Road to a dual carriageway with the help of funding from Transport for London.
He is also examining proposals to pedestrianise Church Lane and introduce a weekend street market, which would encourage the development of a ‘cafe culture’. In addition, Conservative councillor Matt Davis has suggested the empty former Woolworths store could be reopened as an indoor market for specialist traders. Comments about the future of Leytonstone town centre can be emailed to cllr.edwin.northover@walthamforest.gov.uk
NEW TRAINING ACADEMY FOR LEYTONSTONE
£1.5 MILLION ‘SWEETENER’ CLINCHES TESCO DEAL
The Learning and skills Council has confirmed £5 million funding for a new training academy to be built in Leytonstone.
Tesco has won its battle to build a new superstore in Highams Park.
The proposed National Skills Academy for Construction will be built on Cathall Road to provide training opportunities in all aspects of the building industry. It is hoped the Academy will become the first point of call for employers recruiting for Olympic construction projects. Building work is expected to commence shortly for completion in late 2010. In addition, a new jobs and training centre has been launched in Stratford to help residents seeking employment at the Westfield shopping centre development. Newham Council’s Workplace Training and Job Brokerage Centre provides a base for training and recruitment to help jobseekers secure work during both the construction process and in preparation for retail opportunities when the development opens in 2011. “Our experience has shown that working physically alongside employers makes it easier to meet their needs and maximise the number of local people getting jobs,” said Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales. “The Workplace Training and Job Brokerage Centre will allow people to get on-site and be inspired by what is going on around them”. For further details and to arrange an interview call 020 8430 2000.
Kathy Stevenson
THE ART OF WALTHAMSTOW
The controversial development was waved through by councillors after store chiefs agreed to pay a £1.5 million ‘sweetener’ to help fund improvements to local amenities. The 24-hour supermarket and 250 new homes will be built on a stretch of empty industrial land near Station Road. Tesco claims the store will provide 182 new jobs. The Highams Park Society is hoping to challenge the council decision. Tesco currently operates five stores in Waltham Forest with another earmarked for a site near Blackhorse Road.
COMMUNITY CANDIDATES MAY CONTEST ELECTIONS Campaign groups in Waltham forest may field independent community candidates to unseat the area’s councillors at the forthcoming election. Waltham Forest Civic Society called a meeting in October to discuss the proposal and consider options for forming an umbrella organisation to represent grassroots issues, which have been largely ignored by the existing political hierarchy. The key issues identified included inappropriate high rise developments in Walthamstow, the continued closure of the EMD Cinema, the anticipated closure of the Pool and Track, threats to green open space and cutbacks to local libraries and museums.
YOUNG FILMMAKERS IN THE FRAME
FACELIFT FOR SOUTH WOODFORD
Budding young moviemakers between the ages of 16 and 19 are invited to contribute to a new series of short films examining urban culture.
redbridge Council has announced details of a £1.7 million regeneration scheme for south Woodford shopping centre.
The films will be written and produced by young people in conjunction with leading media professionals. Participants will be involved in all aspects of the filmmaking process including camerawork, sound design, directing, producing, editing and music.
The scheme will centre around George Lane and is intended to boost the area’s future as a retail destination. New street lighting will be installed along with more attractive seating, litter bins and signage. George Lane will be entirely re-paved and new facilities introduced to encourage cyclists. Business owners in the area with their own private forecourts are invited to contact the council to become involved in the scheme. The project will be completed by Spring 2012. For further details visit www.redbridge.gov.uk
No qualifications or previous experience is necessary but only residents of the Olympic boroughs (Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Greenwich and Waltham Forest) may apply. The completed films will be broadcast on Urban Dynamik TV and Channel 4’s 4 Docs strand. For further details contact: pierre@spacestudios.org.uk 6 THE STAR MAGAZINE ISSUE 11 2009
Tell us your news at
news@thestarmagazineuk.com
UNCERTAINTY FOR LOCAL HOSPITALS
CASH FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
Trust chiefs at Whipps Cross are considering a merger with hospitals in Homerton and Newham.
Local businesses are encouraged to cut energy bills and upgrade to more carbon efficient equipment by taking part in a new loan scheme.
The plan would allow all three hospitals to co-exist under one governing body while enabling Whipps Cross to seek foundation status by the end of next year. Supporters claim the initiative would give hospital bosses more independence and allow patients to have greater influence on policy. Ongoing financial problems at Whipps Cross are believed to have prompted the discussions.
The Carbon Trust can offer business owners interest-free loans of up to £40,000 to help make their operations greener and cut carbon emissions. The loan scheme is designed to ensure that monthly repayments are covered by energy savings.
Meanwhile, Barking, Havering and Redbridge has been labelled the country’s ‘worst performing’ NHS Trust in an Audit Commission report. With a deficit of £35 million, it was criticised for poor financial management and internal control. Trust chiefs claim more than £28 million has been saved in the last financial year while significant improvements have been made since their last government inspection. A proposal to close the King George Hospital in Goodmayes is currently being examined.
“Small and medium sized businesses are the backbone of the UK economy and key to moving to a low carbon world,” said chief executive Tom Daley. “We are extending a helping hand to them by offering more than £100million in interest-free unsecured loans at a time when bank funding is hard to come by. This is as close to free money as a business can get and is flexible enough to help almost any business from the corner chip shop to a factory”. For further details visit www.carbontrust.co.uk/loans
CASH CRISIS THREATENS END OF EMPIRE one of east London’s most famous entertainment venues is facing closure in the New Year. The Hackney Empire will go dark in January following the end of its pantomime season and is expected to remain closed until at least the end of 2010. It is understood the move follows a period of consistent loss making at the venue along with existing debts of more than £1 million and concerns from the Arts Council about programming. “The business as a whole is not working,” said interim chief executive Claire Middleton. “The idea is that we stop, take a breath and take stock of the way the organisation operates. If we were to just keep working we wouldn’t have time to look again at the way we sell tickets or different marketing or programming”. The Hackney Empire first opened as a music hall in 1901 and was designed by the famous theatre architect Frank Matcham. It played host to a number of stage legends including Charlie Chaplin, Stan Laurel and WC Fields in its early days. It was used as a TV studio for many years before falling into the hands of a bingo operator during the 1960s. In the 1980s it was reinvented as a venue for cutting edge satire and stand-up comedians. The venue closed in 2001 for a £17 million refurbishment and reopened in 2004 with much improved facilities. A number of employees now face redundancy although a skeleton staff will be maintained to continue youth and community work until the future of the theatre is determined.
REPRIEVE FOR LANDMARK LEYTONSTONE HOUSE
BOOST FOR WANSTEAD FOOTBALLERS New changing room facilities at Wanstead flats Playing fields are now open thanks to a £791,000 grant from the City of London Corporation. The playing fields consist of 64 football pitches around Aldersbrook Road, Capel Road and Harrow Road, which have been used by local sports enthusiasts since the 1940s. Although the playing fields themselves are in good condition, the changing rooms and meeting areas have declined over recent years. “The City of London has managed Wanstead Flats since 1878 and the new changing rooms are a testament to our commitment to maintain these sporting facilities to the highest standard,” said spokeswoman Barbara Newman. “We hope that footballers who use the Flats will fully utilise the new facilities. We also invite the local community to take advantage of the new communal meeting rooms”.
PARK REVIVAL ON TRACK The first phase of the £1.5 million regeneration of fairlop Waters Country Park is nearing completion. an iconic Leytonstone house has been saved from the bulldozer. The sprawling Victorian residence on the corner of Whipps Cross Road and Chadwick Road had been earmarked for demolition to be replaced by a block of flats. Developer AG Property submitted a planning application for the scheme to Waltham Forest Council earlier this year. Following protests from nearby residents, this application was refused and a revised scheme has since been approved. The existing structure will now be retained and converted into five flats and a three-bedroom house while two additional houses will be constructed on spare land adjoining the site. Work is expected to commence shortly.
Footpaths have now been re-laid and many new trees planted along with improved road access and a new car park. The local council was awarded £400,000 funding by London Mayor Boris Johnson to begin work on the scheme earlier this year. The park’s revival is expected to be completed within two years and Redbridge Council intends to market the site as a major tourist attraction.
SEARCH IS ON FOR NEW LIBRARY redbridge Council has agreed to fund a new public library in the seven Kings area. The council is now searching for possible sites to house the new facility. Various empty shops are currently being inspected and a proposal to purchase a portable building, which could pitch up at various sites in the neighbourhood, is also under consideration. Comments and suggestions should be sent to customer.cc@redbridge.gov.uk ISSUE 11 2009 THE STAR MAGAZINE 7
Party People The star interviews… With the general election less than nine months away, the Star will be meeting some of the people behind the parties; not MPs or councillors but the local workers the mainstream media generally ignores. What makes them tick? The star’s new series of interviews begins with richard Wilkins, secretary of Leyton and Wanstead Labour Party. richard is a lawyer, who lives in Wanstead with his wife and three sons.
Why are you a political activist? Politics is too important to be left to professional politicians. The involvement of ordinary people is the bedrock of our democracy, whatever party they are in. A nice idea, but does it work? Isn’t everything decided by the people at the top? It hasn’t worked well, I agree. But I believe it can. What must come from the expenses scandal is a hard look at what Parliament is for; not a platform for professional careers or party cheerleaders , but where government answers to those it serves and who pay for it; where new policies and laws are tested rigorously. The system needs changing then? Yes, but improvement depends as much on MPs’ attitude as on changes to the system. For example, as a lawyer an issue that bothers me is the increasing amount of new law. This makes it harder for MPs to do their key job of scrutinising new laws to see whether they work, and how they will affect their constituencies. They should be more assertive in commanding the parliamentary time they need for the job, which is probably about passing fewer laws, but better ones! Too often MPs have waited for leadership from the party machines rather than taking the responsibility for changing Parliament themselves. Does that mean the parties are too strong? Strong parties are helpful as teams to get things done, and so voters know what they are voting for. But often you need to be flexible about how you achieve your goals, and that is an area where Parliament should be more assertive. When did you get involved and why? I got hooked early. My fantastic primary school teacher thought children were never too young to learn about the world. She organised a mock election, which I won! Involvement in Labour came through my Dad, a trade union steward. My Gran was
8 THE STAR MAGAZINE ISSUE 11 2009
also my role model for community involvement, working for local charities well into her eighties. They were different politically but each respected the other for being active and not sitting on the sidelines. What about political heroes? I had an anti-hero in Mrs. Thatcher. In the 1980s my dislike of her government spurred me into action. I remember what Gran thought when Mrs. Thatcher spoke of taking us back to Victorian values. Gran’s generation could remember those values, and how people had fought to escape them. The achievement of people like that is my true inspiration. The story of the Labour movement is one of ordinary people working together to shape their future, not having it shaped for them. We owe them a lot, which is why I believe we should put something back. So what about those who don’t get involved? Not everyone wants to be in a political party – I can understand that, but there are lots of other local groups who desperately need volunteers. The great thing about being involved is that you get to meet other people who make up our community – people you wouldn’t meet just through friends and work – and you get a fresh perspective on things if you are prepared to be open minded. That’s why door knocking is so interesting. Second, when things don’t go right at least you can say you did your bit: perhaps it gives you more of a right to grumble - not that I would ever do that of course!
Look out for more Party People in future issues. Have you got a story to tell or is there someone you think we should interview? Let us know, we want to hear from you.
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Snap happy Brian Hopson writes...
Paris in winter is beautiful. If you know the city, you’ll probably know the area around the Seine near to Rue de Rivoli where every year between Christmas and February there is an ice rink for children. If the day is fine and you’re there at the right time, the sunlight streams across the ice, sharpening the outlines of the skaters and boosting colours so that the skaters, wrapped up in their coats and scarves and hats, look like cartoon characters rather than people. If, like me, you are an enthusiastic photographer, you can capture wonderfully impressionistic images combining colour, childhood, winter, enjoyment and sheer fun. Except that the men who operate the rink will try to stop you. The last time I was there, I pulled out my Nikon, fixed on a suitable lens, stuck a polarising filter on the end of it and raised the camera to my eye. Instead of seeing children on the ice as I expected, I saw the hand of an attendant waving in front of the lens. I asked what was wrong; he told me that the taking of photographs was forbidden. When I asked why, he simply shrugged. After an exchange of views, it became clear that he would physically block my shots if I persisted so I moved to a more distant vantage point. From there, using a long lens, I took the picture I had intended to take, albeit with a slightly flatter perspective. At first I felt smug – I’d beaten the system! – but then I felt angry, not just because he had interfered with my pursuit of a good photograph but because of the stupidity of the situation. To what possible unpleasant use could I put a photograph of a few kids, wrapped up from head to toe against the cold on an ice rink? Photographs can of course be adjusted so that they appear to be what they’re not – Photoshop is a very powerful tool – but if I’d wanted to do that, there are millions of perfectly ordinary pictures of children on the internet which could be downloaded and 10 THE STAR MAGAZINE ISSUE 11 2009
adjusted. It would be perverse indeed for someone to take pictures of children quite as fully covered as my skaters to use as the base picture for such goings on. So, I felt insulted by the unthinking way in which I was treated by this man. But then, that’s the French for you, isn’t it! Well, no. This stupidity runs rather wider. Do you remember the Brits who went to Greece to spot aircraft (yes, I know it’s an odd pastime but it’s not illegal!) and were promptly locked up as possible spies? Or the tourists who were banned by police from taking pictures of buses in Trafalgar Square? What about the Daily Mail report (I know…. but that doesn’t mean it’s always wrong!) about parents at a Church of England Primary School being prohibited from taking pictures of their children at the school sports day? Or the 85 year old Edinburgh grandmother who was stopped by a swimming pool attendant from taking a picture of her four granddaughters, aged between 5 and 10, for the family album? As it happens, she was the mother of TV presenter Nicky Campbell and so that story attracted some wider publicity. Campbell commented soberly:” I understand there should be rules but they should be enforced with intelligence”. The Data Protection Act is often cited as a reason for bans but the Information Commissioner’s Office, the body responsible for operating the Act, has said that authorities who have banned people taking shots for the family album are simply wrong.
“I understand there should be rules but they should be enforced with intelligence”
More worryingly, the various anti-terrorism laws are also cited from time to time by the police when they want to stop photographers taking pictures. This proved such a problem that in the middle of this year, the Met had to issue guidance to its officers to remind them that using a camera in public is not in itself a terrorist offence. However, some would argue that in spite of such guidance, the burden of proof seems to have shifted and the photographer now has to prove his or her innocence. I’m not happy about this trend and neither are lots of other photographers. In this, as in similar areas, it helps to know your rights and in my camera bag I carry something called “The UK photographer’s rights guide” prepared by a freelance legal consultant called Linda Macpherson who specialises in media and intellectual property law. It’s free, and if you’re interested in obtaining a copy the weblink is http://www.sirimo.co.uk/2009/05/14/ukphotographers-rights-v2/. I’m not suggesting that we should all rush out to take pictures of secret missile sites or similarly sensitive places (although I have to say that if genuine amateur photographers know where they are, “the enemy” probably does too). I accept that we shouldn’t take pictures of individuals – children or adults – without permission. But I do think that general shots which include adults and/or children in them should not be banned as a matter of course. Photographers must behave responsibly but those in authority must use their intelligence too. Photography and pornography are different words. If the authorities behave as if they’re not, we will soon be on the road to the photographic equivalent of the “Kill all pediatricians” banners which emerged at the height of public concern about paedophiles. As a photographer, I would prefer to see that particular malapropism avoided.
Welcome to Christmas at HOUSE OF FRASER All your favourite fashion brands, all your home accessories and all your gift ideas – ALL under one roof Christmas exclusive to Star magazine win £250 worth HOUSE OF FRASER vouchers and a personal shopper session at the London City store in our fantastic competition (see entry details below). Welcome to House of Fraser, leading department store and home to top fashion brands, designer labels, classic and contemporary menswear, sumptuous home accessories and fantastic gift ideas. With Christmas just around the corner House of Fraser offers the perfect one stop shop for Christmas glitz and that perfect prezzie.
Fashion at House of Fraser this season is an eclectic mix of ‘power dressing’ for day and vampy looks for night. Take charge by day with sharp, smart dressing, exaggerated shoulder lines, cinched waists and that impeccably tailored trouser suit – don’t miss Kenneth Cole’s new signature ‘streamlined’ workwear – this is ‘business’ with an urban edge. At night – you can be whatever you want to be – ‘party girl’ with sequins and lace, ‘foxy and feminine’ with animal prints – or ‘pale and interesting’ with luxury dressing in pales and neutrals. Take a look at the glamorous new looks from Episode and Untold. And for that ‘wind down weekend’ – just cosy up with easy coordinates from Linea Weekend. For men the mood this season is smart – funnel neck coats, chunky knits, slim fit shirts, skinny ties and jeans are the order of the day – and you can get all the key looks from top names at House of Fraser.
Accessories reflect the prevailing mood for sophistication with an edge. Bags in bold designs, chunky jewellery, belts and hats for boys and boys’ hats for girls are big news. And don’t forget they make cool Christmas gifts. So whether you’re looking for gifts for all the family – or that special investment ‘designer’ look – House of Fraser has got it all – and it’s all under one roof! See the Star’s fashion section on pages 23 to 25 for more from House of Fraser and what’s hot this season. Nearest House of Fraser store is the London City branch located at 68 King William Street (at Monument Tube) London EC4N 7HR
www.houseoffraser.co.uk
PRIZE DRAW
HOUSE OF FRASER CHRISTMAS COMPETITION
STAR MAGAZINE has teamed up with HOUSE OF FRASER to offer one lucky reader the chance to win £250 worth HOUSE OF FRASER vouchers* plus a personal shopper session at HOF London City branch.
Name:
To enter simply complete the voucher to be entered into the prize draw. Post your entry to The Star Magazine, 6 Gainsborough Road, Leytonstone E11 1HT * Vouchers can be spent on house brands only like Linea, Episode, Howick, Untold, New and Lingwood.
Address: Postcode Email Telephone: Post your entry to The Star magazine, 6 Gainsborough Road, London E11 1HT Terms and conditions: Vouchers can be spent on house brands only like Linea, Episode, Howick, Untold, New and Lingwood. Closing date for entries into the prize draw is 20 January 2010. Prize to be used at the House of Fraser City store only Database Disclaimer Information supplied may be held on record by Star Magazine and used for future events. If you do not want Star Magazine to hold your information please tick box ISSUE 11 2009 THE STAR MAGAZINE 11
Star walks: Historic Wanstead High Street Words and pictures by Bill Hodgson.
ANOTHER VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WOULD LIKE YOU TO HELP HER
Could you foster a dog that belongs to a woman fleeing domestic violence? If you have experience of caring for a dog, are patient and caring, live in Greater London or the Home Counties, and are available for at least six months then Dogs Trust T rust would like to hear from you. Please call:
0800 298 9199 for more information or email:
www.dogstrustfreedomproject.org.uk www .dogstrustfreedomproject.org.uk Registered charity number: 227523 and SC037843
12 THE STAR MAGAZINE ISSUE 11 2009
Wanstead began life as a minor rural settlement and was once home to a small community of farmers. The village slowly began to emerge in the 1700s when a number of mansions were constructed for wealthy merchants following improvements to the road links with central London. The most decisive factor in Wanstead’s development was the arrival of the railway in 1856 which led to an explosion in the area’s population and the building of vast numbers of suburban homes as the capital reached east. Much of today’s Wanstead is firmly rooted in this rapid 19th century expansion and many reminders can still be found of the area’s early development and rural heritage.
The Jubilee Fountain, corner of Cambridge Park Opposite Wanstead underground station stands an elegant drinking fountain which was erected in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Now listed by English Heritage, it was designed to provide refreshment for both humans and cattle and features sculptures of Queen Victoria and her grandfather George III. The fountain has been re-sited on several occasions in response to road alterations. An earlier drinking fountain can also be found at the opposite end of the High Street near Hollybush Hill. Wanstead Underground Station The tube station at Wanstead was built in the 1930s. It was designed by Charles Holden who was responsible for much of the underground network’s distinctive modernist architecture of the period. The station opening was delayed until 1947 as it was requisitioned during the war as a secret underground factory employing more than 2000 civilians to produce components for aircraft and radio. Wanstead station was extensively refurbished in 2006 with many original features restored. Further modernisation work is currently in progress. The George public house, 159 High Street This site has been occupied by a public house for almost three centuries. The original ‘George and Dragon’ was a modest tavern built in 1716 as a rest house for coaches travelling between central London and Epping. In 1904 the pub was extensively rebuilt in a flamboyant Jacobean style with striking five sided turrets. The building retains a commemorative plaque from the original tavern which is inscribed with a verse celebrating the theft of a cherry pie from a passing baker in 1752! The George is now part of the Wetherspoon chain. Above from left United Reform church Drinking fountain Shopping Parade
32 High Street Wanstead Empire Old Cottage Antiques
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Wanstead Empire, 157 High Street This building was home to Wanstead’s Empire cinema which opened in 1913. A six hundred seat theatre, it was originally known as a venue for ‘high class’ films and boasted its own orchestra which accompanied the silent movies. The theatre was later renamed the Kinema and continued to operate until 1961 by which time it had become known as a venue for more daring ‘continental’ films. In later years the Kinema was used as a bowling alley, a gym and a snooker club. Controversial plans to demolish the building and replace it with a housing development were rejected earlier this year. Shopping Parade, 141-147 High Street This elegant shopping parade with wide tree-lined pavements is typical of the picturesque low rise developments which characterised Wanstead’s commercial life in the early 20th century. A pair of Grade 2 listed Georgian houses constructed in the early 18th century are located directly behind this parade.
Allied Irish Bank, 129 High Street The Allied Irish Bank occupies a grand 18th century building formerly known as the Manor House. It is the least altered of Wanstead’s buildings from the period and many original details have survived including the claret red brickwork, tiled roofs and sash windows. For many years the building was home to a Conservative Club and the grounds feature an imposing bust of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill who was Wanstead’s MP for four decades. The building and its forecourt piers have been listed by English Heritage. Wanstead United Reformed Church, junction Nightingale Lane and Grosvenor Road This elaborate building was originally constructed as St. Luke’s Anglican Church in central London and stood on the site which is now home to St. Pancras station. The development of the railway terminal forced the demolition of the church but it was rebuilt brick by brick in Wanstead and reopened in 1867. It was badly damaged by bombing during the Second World War and closed for several years before it could be repaired. A recent plan to demolish the church was thwarted when it was listed by English Heritage earlier this year. Two of the adjacent church halls have since been sold to provide funds to maintain the main building. Directly behind the church at 1-3 Grosvenor Road stands an imposing semi-detached Victorian villa built in 1864 which was originally part-owned by the novelist Charles Dickens.
32 High Street adj. Woodbine Place The estate agent office at 32 High Street occupies what is believed to be Wanstead’s oldest surviving building, dating back to the 16th Century. The building has been substantially altered although it retains many original features. It stands on the corner of Woodbine Place which has served as a bus terminal for many years. In the early 20th century tram services ran between here and the Royal Albert Dock. The cottages at 16-19 Woodbine Place date back to the mid 19th century.
Right Wanstead Empire
4 PEOPLE 4 ADMI
WEDS/FRI & SAT ONLY
Vouchers are n www.harlowgreyhounds.c 14 THE STAR MAGAZINE ISSUE 11 2009
Old Cottage Antiques, 6-8 High Street A rare example of Wanstead’s more humble 18th century dwellings can be found on the west side of the High Street. The site comprises two former cottages, one constructed in weatherboard and the other with brick. These cottages would have been rented by farm workers or servants from the nearby mansions. An antique shop now occupies the premises. Across the road at 73 High Street stands the attractive headquarters of the Jolliffe Building Company which was established in 1866. Christ Church, High Street adj. Wanstead Place The Gothic-style Christ Church and the surrounding parkland dominate the High Street scene and contribute greatly to the area’s village atmosphere. Built in 1861 to accommodate the rapidly growing local population and to ease pressure on St. Mary’s Church at nearby Overton Drive, Christ Church is an English Heritage Grade 2* listed building. The architect was Sir George Gilbert Scott who would later design the Albert Memorial in Hyde Park and St. Nikolai’s Church in Hamburg which was then the world’s tallest building.
Ironically, Scott was also the principal architect of London’s St. Pancras station which had forced the relocation of St. Luke’s Church to Wanstead. The Church of England Primary School located near Christ Church dates back to 1790 and has also been listed by English Heritage. Old Fire Station, 12 Fitzgerald Place The first purpose built fire station in Redbridge was this modest building located near Christ Church. The area’s horse-drawn fire engine had once been stationed at the George pub but the local population had grown sufficiently by 1913 to warrant the construction of these new headquarters. In 1919 the borough’s first motorised fire engine began service from this site. The fire station closed in 1957 and the building has subsequently been used as a Red Cross ambulance depot and a community centre for the elderly. Left to right Churchill statue – Allied Irish Bank Old Fire Station
DMISSIONS 4 MEALS
NLY TILL END NOVEMBER
re now available at ds.co.uk or ring 01279 639248 ISSUE 11 2009 THE STAR MAGAZINE 15
Email your legal questions to editor@thestarmagazineuk.com
Tucker’s law Make a will… even if it’s the last thing you do!
Did you know that 70 percent of people die without a will?
There are many reasons to have a will: You get to decide who benefits. Under the intestacy rules, people who you may wish to benefit may receive little or nothing! ; For appointing Guardians and/or Trustees in the event that you have young children and if neither parent is alive. Inheritance Tax. Since 9 October 2007 it has been possible for spouses and civil partners to transfer their unused inheritance tax nil rate band allowances of £300,000. This limit may seem like a large allowance but when you sit down and calculate what your house, car, furniture, jewellery etc., is worth today you would need to ensure you make the most of any tax allowances you can take advantage of. The last but most important consideration is – ‘why should I not have a will?’ When I enquire of clients whether or not a will has been made or even whether they would like to do one, I am told that ‘it is too expensive’ or ‘it is morbid to think about that at my age’ or ‘I can’t be bothered’.
RENAISSANCE SOLICITORS 413 Hoe Street Walthamstow London E17 9AP Tel: 020 8521 1100 www.renaissancesolicitors.co.uk
16 THE STAR MAGAZINE ISSUE 11 2009
The ‘it’s too expensive argument’ is wrong. Under normal circumstances if a husband and wife do what is known as a “mirror will” i.e. two identical wills, you are likely to get a discount. There is a will promotion currently being advertised by Will Aid at present and for which any monies paid will go to charity. This is for the month of November and which we are participating in. With regard to the ‘I can’t be bothered’ and ‘I am too young argument’, all I have to say is that it doesn’t take too long. If you are old enough to own property or have savings then you are old enough to need a will.
So, not only would you need to make a will but ensure that you cover all eventualities in your will. That’s where a solicitor’s invaluable experience, expertise and advice come in. I will now go on to tell you about clients who revised their wills and had they not done so, the results would have been disastrous in terms of their wishes. I had a 90-year-old client who requested that I visit him at home to take instructions for a will for both him and his wife. Upon attending his property I was introduced to his wife, who was also in her late eighties. It was confirmed by my client that both he and his wife had identical wills (mirror wills) made previously, many years ago. This couple had no children and my client confirmed he only had one surviving relative, a niece. His wife also had a sole surviving relative, a niece who had not only been non-supportive of the couple during their lifetime but had not been in contact for the last 20 years. My clients confirmed that they did not wish for this niece to benefit. Both husband and wife wished for their entire property to be left to the husband’s niece and some cancer charities. Had my clients not revised their wills the wife’s niece would have benefited. The extremely high level of percentage of intestate deaths in the UK will only reduce if you as an individual take action so make a will even if it’s the last thing you do!!!
Leytonstone in Transition What exactly is the Transition Movement? from Brixton to australia, people are taking the initiative to work together in creative ways to transform their local communities, so that they are better connected, more enriching and in tune with the biological limits of the planet. To date, there are in existence 227 official Transition Towns worldwide, with 117 in the uK. By Diana Korchien. Here in Waltham Forest we too have an active Transition community. Many activities work best at a neighbourhood level, and we are hoping that Transition groups will spring up all over the borough, with Transition Waltham Forest acting as the link, or hub. For the past few months we have been involved in several local food initiatives and are now presenting a series of Transition film screenings in association with the 491 Gallery in Leytonstone.
Olivia Sprinkel
If you would like to find out more about this innovative movement, please come along to one of our friendly (and cheap!) Sunday film screenings at the 491 Gallery, enjoy some delicious home-cooked food and join us after the film for a discussion. elite_conditioning:1/4 20/10/09 14:07 Page 1 The more of us who join in, the more we can make happen, and the more we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, whilst improving our quality of life. Pressing locally picked apples to make juice outside the Hornbeam Centre - an example of one of our hands-on projects
If you are interested but can’t come to the films, please get in touch with Ros Bedlow, rosbedlow@hotmail.com, (0)20 8556 0885. Forthcoming Transition Film presentations: Sunday November 29 The 11th Hour
Elite Conditioning offers a range of health and fitness services
“The 11th Hour” goes way beyond simply pointing at problems. This wonderful documentary provides a fairly sharp focus on practical/viable solutions and serves up some inspiring/motivating ideas/insights”.
% One to One Personal training % 12 week weight loss course including diet plans % Sports Conditioning for aspiring athletes % Online Program design for those ‘on the go’
Contact Tel 07931 484 421
Harmony Hall Looking for a venue in Waltham Forest? Then look no further.
www.eliteconditioning.org.uk Personal training gift vouchers available for the perfect Christmas Present!
For further information or to make a booking call 020 8520 7909
Located just off Walthamstow High Street is Harmony Hall, a multicultural family centre serving the people of central Walthamstow. It comprises two medium sized halls and one large meeting room which doubles as an up-to-the minute IT suite with ten terminals. Available for hire seven days a week, from 9am to 11pm. No bar.
ISSUE 11 2009 THE STAR MAGAZINE 17
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he vaccination programme against cervical cancer is continuing in Waltham Forest. One batch of the HPV vaccine was recalled as a precautionary measure following the recent, tragic death of a Coventry schoolgirl before pathologists confirmed she had died from a malignant tumour. The Department of Health has been clear all along that there is no reason to suspend HPV immunisation. “We have one of the most successful immunisation programmes in the world and have great confidence in the safety of them,” says Director of Public Health, Andy Beckingham. “Young girls can continue to protect themselves against cervical cancer by having this vaccine. The HPV vaccine has passed rigorous safety testing needed for it to be used in the UK and other European countries.” More than 1.4 million doses have
now been given in the UK. The vaccine could eventually prevent up to 400 deaths due to cervical cancer every year. In the UK, about 3000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and about 1000 die from it. Being able to protect young women against this disease is an important development and evidence is clear that the vaccine is very safe.
If parents or young people are concerned about the safety of any vaccine they should speak to their GP to discuss their concerns, visit NHS Choices at www.nhs.uk or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. Further information for parents, carers and girls about the vaccination programme is available on the NHS immunisation website (www. immunisation.nhs.uk/hpv).
Learn how to make delicious Indian Food The Star of India Way – Come Along To Star Of India Curry Club If you enjoy delicious food and would like to learn how to make some basic or more exotic Indian dishes ‘Star of India’ style – then come along to their regular and highly successful ‘curry club’ lunchtime events. Award LancasterHomeGarden:1/4 23/10/09 18:46 Page 1 winning STAR OF INDIA at 875 High Road Leytonstone, boasts some of London’s finest chefs skilled in the creation of fine Indian cuisine.
LANCASTER’S HOME & GARDEN GARDEN ACCESSORIES | GIFTWARE
Visit our showroom for all your home and garden needs, we also offer free parking. G We stock an extensive range of traditional and unusual gift items. G All solid fuels supplied, pre-packaged and loose for collection or delivery
Watch how these experts do it – have a go yourself – enjoy some delicious ‘Star of India’ food with a glass of wine – all for £30 per person. Curry Club takes place at Star of India, 875 High Road Leytonstone, from 12noon – 3.00pm on Wednesday and Saturday twice a month. You’ll have two hours tuition and practice followed by lunch with a glass of wine. The sessions will cater for vegetarian, fish and meat options. Each session is limited to ten places.
Here are some examples of favourite dishes you’ll learn to cook: •
Onion Bhajee
•
Samosas
•
Korma
•
Salmon Shashlick
•
Tandoori and Tikka chicken
•
Curry sauces, madras - and hotter if you like!
•
Nan Breads
•
Pilau Rice
•
A range of vegetable dishes
•
Mint Sauce and various accompaniments
•
The Perfect Papadom
Curry Club is a great way to meet other people who enjoy food. You could also book as a birthday party, a hen or stag event with a difference, or as a business incentive or team building exercise. And with Christmas coming up, Curry Club will make an original and ideal Christmas gift for someone who enjoys cooking and eating good food. Star of India will tailor the package to suit your requirements.
Curry Club dates 2009/2010 November
December
January
Saturday 7
Saturday 5
Saturday 9
Come and enjoy a mince pie and a glass of wine on us, each weekend during December.
Wednesday 11
Wednesday 9
Wednesday 13
Saturday 21
Saturday 19 (a special Christmas session)
Saturday 23
Tel: 020 8520 1088
Plus alternate Saturdays and Wednesdays throughout 2010.
G Large range of Christmas trees available.
We boast many satisfied customers
Fr e e C a r Pa r king
Railway Goods Yard, Wood Street, Walthamstow, E17 (opposite Wood St Station)
www.lancastershomeandgarden.co.uk
Wednesday 25
Wednesday 29
For more information on CURRY CLUB or to book a session please call: Jeanne Holland on 020 8989 1244 or email: jholland@hollandyoung.idps.co.uk ISSUE 11 2009 THE STAR MAGAZINE 19
Recipes – Star of India style The perfect meal for the holiday period and to cheer up any January evening. Treat your taste buds to a culinary treat courtesy of the star of India.
Pilau rice Ingredients 50 mls ghee (or clarified butter) ½ inch cinnamon 2 star anise
Chicken curry Ingredients
Method
2 bay leaves
heat saucepan, add vegetable oil
4 green cardomon pods 1 teaspoon black fennel seeds
4 cloves garlic finely chopped
add garlic and ginger and soften
2 sliced onions
add onions and soften
1 small onion
½ inch fresh ginger (grated)
add green pepper/tomato/chilis and stir
2 cloves garlic crushed
add all other fresh spice ingredients and mix
450 grams basmati rice – washed and drained
1 small green pepper 2 fresh green chillies (de-seeded and chopped)
salt
add chicken and seal add 150ml water or chicken stock
Method
½ inch cinnamon stick
cook for 20/30 minutes
warm good sized cooking pot (with lid) and add ghee
5 green cardamom pods
add mixed curry powder and leave to cook for further 10 minutes
add chopped onion, garlic and soften
4 bay leaves 4 chicken breasts – diced into chunks
serve with fresh coriander garnish
½ bunch fresh coriander 1 chopped tomato
tablespoon mixed curry powder ½ cup vegetable oil small teaspoon black peppercorns salt to taste lemon wedges to garnish 150ml chicken stock or cold water
add all the spices cook all above until coloured if desired add couple of lemon wedges at end of cooking For madras chicken - same recipe as above but do not de-seed and add two more fresh green chillies. For tamarind chicken – same recipe as above but add teaspoon of tamarind mix.
add rice and stir add 2 inches water just to cover rice and cook for 15 minutes to absorb water stir rice mixture and place lid onto pot and leave on low heat for 5 minutes to steam add fresh coriander to serve
20 THE STAR MAGAZINE ISSUE 11 2009
Plain Naan bread
Keema Naan
Ingredients
½ lb good quality minced meat
200 grams self raising flour
1 egg
one teaspoon baking powder
2 garlic cloves finely chopped
1 egg
½ inch fresh ginger grated
salt
1 green chillie finely chopped
sugar
1 teaspoon mixed curry powder
onion seeds (kalonji)
½ teaspoon garam masala
water as required
fresh coriander
10 mls milk
salt to taste
Method in a bowl add all ingredients and mix to a firm dough (add water as required)
Method place all ingredients in bowl with the mince meat and mix leave in fridge for 24 hours
NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH Opening times: Noon – 11.30pm
roll into ball and cover with clingfilm take small ball of mince mixture leave in fridge for 24 hours remove from fridge and roll into small tennis ball sizes roll each tennis ball into a flat oblong shape place on baking sheet cook in hot oven for couple of minutes until risen and brown
take small tennis sized ball of plain dough mixture and spread out
T 020 8989 4028 E info@starofindiauk.com
place the mince mixture on the dough and wrap round to seal the mince in the dough
www.starofindiauk.com
roll dough around mince mixture and roll out to flat
875–877 Leytonstone High Road, London E11 1HR
cook in oven until risen and brown
STAR VOUCHERS FOR CHRISTMAS – a versatile and welcome gift Stuck for gift ideas this Christmas. We’ve got a STAR solution. Why not give something totally original, delicious, sociable – and that can be enjoyed at any time of the year. London’s award winning Indian restaurant STAR OF INDIA has introduced STAR GIFT VOUCHERS – a perfect gift choice for anyone who enjoys fine Indian Cuisine prepared in authentic ‘home-style’ fashion. Good news too – although one of the City’s ‘hot spots’ for the best food in town – STAR OF INDIA is on our doorstep in Leytonstone High Road – so locals can enjoy a ‘festive feast’ that’s within walking distance. Gift vouchers are available in denominations of £10 and £20 and can be used in the restaurant or for take-away orders too – so they make a fantastic versatile gift – and one you know they’ll love. Gift vouchers are also redeemable against the STAR’S popular CURRY CLUB sessions which run twice a month throughout the year. STAR GIFT VOUCHERS available now from STAR OF INDIA, 875 Leytonstone High Road. Tel: 020 8989 4028
MAKE THIS A STAR CHRISTMAS for the STARS in your life! For further information please call Jeanne Holland Holland Young Associates Tel: 020 8989 1244
We would like to wish all our customers a Happy Christmas Freephone: 0800 634 0433 Tel: 020 8531 2499 020 3022 0012 Delivery areas: Chingford, Highams Park Walthamstow, Leyton, Buckhurst Hill, Woodford and South Woodford
g n i m m Gla e l y t S r a t it up S i Doing your th ng with zing and bling thi s Christmas!
Top to bottom above: ‘star’ by Julien Macdonald Chinchilla long faux fur coat £70 Julien Macdonald for Debenhams Cocoon coat in green £200 Betty Jackson for Debenhams Grey tailored waistcoat £32 animal sequin dress £30 Bracelet £10 Wallis
right: Black one shoulder feather dress £120 Linea Gold jewel chain bracelet £55 Kenneth Cole Black tights £7 aristoc all at House of fraser
ISSUE 11 2009 THE STAR MAGAZINE 23
If there’s one thing that’s filtered through from the catwalk this season – it’s confidence with a big ‘C’. Even with a shaky economy fashion refuses to lay down and die and this season sees some bold new moves – as well as some perky ‘pick me ups’ for last year’s looks. There are some very defined shapes and silhouettes that every self-respecting fashionista may want to buy into – but many of last year’s favourites re-appear and can be updated with a glitzy twist here and there. Party time is here again – and dresses are still favourite Christmas fare. Black will always reign supreme – but the new ‘notice me’ dress with asymmetric shoulder, or in leather, metallic, sequin or velvet are big players. You’ll also see a new rich and inviting range of ‘berry’ tones coming through. ‘Power dressing’ has an eighties ring about it but this season the look is far sharper and far slicker. If you really want to be in there – go for the “Balmania” line jacket with razor sharp shoulders and skinny fit arms – it might set you back a bit but you’ll certainly call the shots. The silhouette is well defined, trousers are long and lean, waists are cinched and skirts tapered. Treat yourself this winter and make your one coat purchase an investment purchase. It’s worth it, as you’ll end up with a wearable designer piece that’s wearable again and again. fabrics this season are luxurious with cashmere and 100% wool designs available in range of styles. a focus on collars brings a new design dynamic to the basic coat – cowl, shawl, faux and leather are all clever twists.
Betty Barclay Cashmere wool coat with playful collar design £240 24 THE STAR MAGAZINE ISSUE 11 2009
and if the temperatures drop to below zero – why not cosy up with a ‘Chubbie’. These gorgeous little ‘shaggy’ jackets might make you look like a ‘honey monster’ but you certainly won’t be cold! Look out for faux fur or animal prints in cropped or ¾ length styles. Military is still here. You’ll see it coming through in precision cut suits, jackets, trousers and skirts – but this season goes far bolder with the new ‘Centurion’ look. Not so much a roman goddess as a glamorous warrior woman! We’re talking leather dresses, leather skirts, studs and buckles. This is glam punk meets Julius Caesar! androgynous is cool too. Boy brogues for girls are a popular antidote to the thigh high 8” heel boots – but wear both to be really serious about your fashion! Boyfriend cardigans are a relaxed easy look, worn with distressed denims and pumps. and of course sharp tailoring should look gender free.
fabrics and prints are the real movers and shakers this season. studs, zips, buckles are bold newcomers, lacy tights and hosiery add subtlety to your look, animal prints now move into bags, shoes and accessories, while pretty roses and bows make an appearance on shoes and bags and of course sequins are a girl’s best friend. Belts are big too – get the ‘mobamabelted’ look and wear with dresses, cardigans and suits – and make sure they are seen! Colours move from rich and warm berries, passionate purples and bright tartans to this season’s new colour ‘green’ in a variety of tones – earthy, mustard, acidic lime and bright. Green is definitely to be seen this winter!
Knits are winter staples and this year is no exception with a new range of textures and colours. rib, cable, fair Isle, bobble, aran and lace styles are coming through and extra detail such as gems and sequins give most basic styles a lift.
Men can rest easy this season with a slim fitting suit available from designers and high street brands. Wear with slim fit shirt and skinny tie and you’re sorted for Christmas. Knits are good too – chunky styles are great outdoor wear and soft merino styles are good with suits and smarter looks. for casual t’s and shirts the big name at the moment is Gio-Goi – beloved of the ‘a’ listers while for extreme weather conditions – the big looks this season are Berghaus and Parka.
BDL by Ben de Lisi for Debenhams Black shift with embellished silver upper body £250
austin reed Tailored jacket £350 Blouse in berry £95 Vivienne Westwood at House of fraser Tartan Winter bag £485
Pink edged flower print scarf £135 Paul smith at House of fraser
Pearl Collar £30 untold at House of fraser
Gloves £50 Moschino Cheap & Chic at House of fraser
‘stopper’ shoes £90 Dune
‘spear’ £110 Dune
‘Jules’ £99 Dune
“Leopard” print suede belt
£19
EPIsoDE at House of fraser
suited and Booted £95 office red ‘suzy’ bag with bow detail £395 Lulu Guinness at House of fraser fuchsia slouchy ‘hobo’ bag £199 Kenneth Cole at House of fraser
“Leopard” print bowling bag £240 DKNY at House of fraser
ISSUE 11 2009 THE STAR MAGAZINE 25
FASHION PARADISE
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HITCHCOCK’S LEYTONSTONE REVISITED a new documentary exploring the early Leytonstone life of the world famous film director alfred Hitchcock is now available. ‘Alfred Hitchcock in East London’ was produced to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Britain’s first talking picture ‘Blackmail’ and was premiered as part of London Mayor Boris Johnson’s ‘Story of London Festival’. It has now been released as a limited edition DVD by the McGuffin Film Society. The legendary Master of Suspense was born above his father’s grocery store in Leytonstone during 1899 and would go on to produce some of the most successful and influential films of all time including ‘North by Northwest’, ‘The Man Who Knew Too Much’, ‘Psycho’ and ‘The 39 Steps’. The 65-minute documentary uncovers the lesser known facts about his early life and pinpoints the key local sites from his formative
years which still exist today. It examines how his background profoundly influenced his later success and why his legacy remains valuable to the area. “Alfred Hitchcock is one of the great filmmakers,” said London Mayor Boris Johnson. “His work at the Gainsborough Studios, where Islington meets Hackney, help put the capital on the film map but much less is known about his early life in east London. So I’m delighted the McGuffin Film Society has produced this new documentary. It provides a fascinating insight into his early life in a part of London that continues to be at the forefront of London’s creative scene”. Featuring a mixture of contemporary footage and rare archive films and photographs, the documentary retraces Hitchcock’s footsteps around Leytonstone and identifies the old cinema buildings where the young boy was first exposed to motion pictures. His boyhood trips to Wanstead and Epping are also documented as well as his fondness for the area’s railways and travelling circuses.
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The film examines Hitchcock’s churchgoing in nearby Stratford as well as his lively teenage years in Limehouse before the family’s return to Leytonstone during the First World War. For the first time in any biography of the director, Hitchcock’s associations with the long-forgotten Walthamstow film industry are explored in depth and his later career at the famous Gainsborough Studios is re-examined within this context. The film also tells the previously untold story of his support for a Leytonstone cinema during the height of his Hollywood fame. Developed with the assistance of the Museum of London and British Film Institute, the documentary boasts exclusive interviews with Hitchcock’s assistant director Roy Ward Baker, ‘English Hitchcock’ author Charles Barr, veteran actor Murray Melvin and many others. The new DVD release also features an additional selection of specially-made short films including a study of Leytonstone during the First World War and a history of east London’s lost cinemas as well as a 40-minute interview with Hitchcock conducted on the set of ‘Family Plot’ in 1976. ‘Alfred Hitchcock in East London’ can be purchased via the website at www.mcguffin.info or send a cheque for £10 payable to ‘McGuffin’ to: McGuffin Film Society, 458 Hoe Street, London E17 9AH. ISSUE 11 2009 THE STAR MAGAZINE 27
more self sufficient in those days – so what we couldn’t buy we made – or grew! Christmas was a big family event for us – but it spread further than that. Our house would be packed with relatives and friends who had nobody to share Christmas with and there would always be room for one more. We never had a Christmas tree – so we made do with the airing rack in the living room (which was actually the kitchen). This ‘versatile’ airing rack, normally adorned with various bits of damp clothing, was magically transformed into the focus of our festivities with homemade colourful decorations. We didn’t have a ‘fairy’ for the top – so we dressed our very obliging dog in pyjamas and a party hat and stood him on top (only for seconds I hasten to add) – just to ‘crown’ the dressing of the airing rack!
You don’t need a lot to make Christmas special Joan straw remembers Christmas as a child in Loughton and as a mum on her own with five children I am lucky enough to have happy memories of Christmas as a child and those happy memories helped me recreate those special times with my own young family. I come from a family of six children – I was the eldest and I had five brothers. We lived in a modest house in Loughton – there wasn’t a lot of money but I think we were
We always had a stocking on our beds, which would be filled with little things such as nuts, sweets and an orange – very rare in those days. We always left a mince pie out for Father Christmas – and he always ate it, as it was never there when we woke up next morning to our wonderful stockings. My father always made our toys when he had the time. I remember my first little wooden pram and my first little doll, which had a china face. Invariably one of my brothers would always manage to break the china face and I would have to wait a whole year until I got a new one. We never got presents during the year – only on birthdays and at Christmas – and I guess that helped us to really appreciate
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and enjoy those special occasions. My father would do his Christmas shopping at Stratford, which was one of the ‘cheaper’ places to shop in those days. I remember he would take one of us children with him as a special treat. When it was my turn we went to the Angel Lane Warehouse where I got a pair of new shoes. I also remember visiting an amazing department store called Woolworths. We rarely had new clothes for Christmas. My mother was a great knitter and my auntie made clothes – so we were always well kitted out! As kids we were quite resourceful when it came to raising some cash to buy my parents Christmas gifts – or at least I was! As the eldest I organised my brothers to go carol singing (without me) – and I mean the ‘real’ sort of carol singing where you gave a mini performance outside each house. After about four hours, when they had raised half a crown, they would come back, hand it over and I would then go off to buy mum and dad something wonderful! Lunch was the highlight of Christmas Day. After a good walk in the forest we would come home to a delicious meal. We never had a turkey – but dad kept chickens in the back garden and would choose the largest bird for our festive feast. I remember we always had delicious sausages from Bosworth’s in Church Lane, Loughton (still there) with our chicken. Christmas pudding was a favourite – made the traditional way months before with stirs and wishes from all
the family. We always had crackers – I think we made them – but they always had a very good gift in them – something worth having! As it was Christmas the grown ups drank home-made wine made from dandelions and bramble tips, which dad used to brew in the old tin bath and the children had fizzy lemonade. Alcohol was not frequently drunk in our house and so mum and auntie would get a bit tipsy which was all part of the Christmas fun. Lunch would go on for a few hours and we would then play, or sit and listen to the radio (no television) or sing songs. In the evening, if we had room, we would enjoy homemade Christmas cake with a cup of tea. It was all so lovely! When I had my own family some years later I wanted my children to enjoy similar happy memories of Christmas. As a divorced parent bringing up five young children on my own, I lived in a three-bedroom maisonette in Loughton and worked as a full time teacher. So we were by no means well off – but we managed and were happy. Even when the older ones went to University, we would always be together early November to stir the Christmas
pudding and make our wishes. I was always very busy in school at Christmas with the traditional plays and concerts, children’s parties and showing them how to make decorations and little Christmas trees – so I was normally exhausted by the end of term. However I was a mum to five young children and I was also ‘Father Christmas’ – so after a ‘stiffening of the sinews” and a “summoning up of the blood” – I was raring to make all their Christmases the best ever! I always had stockings for the children filled with traditional nuts, sweets and little gifts. Even when my eldest “Johnnie” was 22, he insisted on having ‘his’ stocking – so I filled it with onions and smelly socks to get my own back! My brothers were very generous at Christmas – one of my children complained that we didn’t have a tree – so one uncle kindly brought a tree. This then led to another child complaining we didn’t have a TV – and so a television appeared, courtesy of another uncle! The children never expected the latest gadgets or expensive gifts at Christmas – we just couldn’t
left to right: Suzy, John (alias Jack), Helen, Joan, Will and Ed
afford it. Myself and other mums came up with the perfect solution – we would recycle and ‘barter’ between us. The son of one of my friends had outgrown his bike – so I took it and cleaned it up – and one of my children enjoyed it for many years. All my children loved board games and building things – so we always bought gifts that kept our minds active and could be used again and again! We always had a full house at Christmas. My children could be
relied upon to invite their friends and any waifs and strays to spend Christmas with us. I would buy the biggest turkey in Bosworth’s (much cheaper by the 1lb) to feed them all - it would last us for days! Perhaps that’s why my children don’t like it much now! It doesn’t take a lot to make Christmas special. I didn’t have a lot but I learnt early on that Christmas is about sharing and giving – not always about having.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time: a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely. and therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good; and I say, God bless it!â&#x20AC;? (Fred Scrooge, in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, 1843). Well, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d obviously never spent Christmas in our house.
Jane Duran
Neither did Nan and Grandad, who every year packed their bags and went to spend the season in the bosom of their favourite holiday camp, Butlinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at Bognor Regis, which meant Dad had to take them down to Victoria at least two hours early so they could get the best seats on the coach, which they called a charabanc. Before they left they handed over the presents, always good presents and always wrapped in the same quaint and beautiful paper. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean the same pattern, I mean the same actual paper carefully preserved year on year in whatever Tardis-like space it was where Grandad kept the many and various things he considered might come in useful for something.
I was brought up during the war, which ended 16 years before I was born by Dave Hayes
They would also invariably ask, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staying with you this year, Irish Molly?â&#x20AC;? which was their way of referring to Other Nan, a Northern Irish Protestant who despite, or perhaps because of, her background, and despite also a lurid depiction of the Red Hand of Ulster on her living-room wall, was by some way the least bigoted xpress_cars:1/4 19/10/09 11:00 member of the family. Other Nan was a Page widow1who had a longstanding gentleman friend called Uncle Fred who worked for Maples of Tottenham Court Road for sixty years â&#x20AC;&#x201C; consequently her flat was rather tastefully furnished with some very nice up-to-the-minute
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gear. Other Nan tolerated Uncle Fred but was probably rather more devoted to another gentleman friend, one John Player, whose products she conscientiously consumed one after the other in a corner seat, which together with a glass of Harvey’s Bristol Cream enabled her to take a detached view of the yuletide proceedings. Other Nan couldn’t remember exactly how many brothers and sisters she had, but it was, I suspect, largely to avoid one or other of the London-based ones landing themselves on her at Christmas that she came to us. The youngest and most colourful of these often determinedly followed her over. Aunt Kemmy – or to give her full title, Mrs. Camelia HughPratt (you couldn’t make it up and I’m not, that really was her name) – was possibly the seventeenth child of an Irish linen weaver, lived in Stoke Newington and worked for the G.P.O. as a telephonist. She had been married several times to a series of posh blokes, who had taken her for every penny she didn’t have, and contrived to cope with the ups and downs of her life by affecting the absentminded manner of a dowager duchess who had mislaid her jewels at Turnpike Lane Bus Station. Aunt Kemmy was anxious that her favourite niece’s only boy should be brought up in the ways of gentlefolk, and taught me the correct way to pour tea, which as far as I could see was to fill only half the cup, pour a roughly equivalent amount of tea straight into the saucer, and forget to use the strainer. In the best traditions of noblesse
oblige she bought us all very lavish presents, so I shouldn’t be taking the piss out of her, but as dotty relations go she really did score rather highly. Nan and Grandad had the right idea, because there wasn’t anything particularly special about Christmas in our house – we just watched telly, same as we did all year round. The Golden Age of British Television they call it now, but at the time, after eight successive years of Von Ryan’s Express (Dad brushing away a discreet tear as Frank Sinatra gets his jotters in the last reel), I do remember thinking there must be more to life than this. And there was. On the afternoon of the 27th, the schedulers attempted to fill the gaping void in all our lives with The British Film. John Mills, Kenneth More, John Gregson, Harry Andrews… somewhere between five and ten minutes in, Dad would begin to sigh heavily, like Tony Hancock in The Sunday Afternoon. The ceaseless procession of Rank stalwarts continued. Ian Carmichael, Victor Maddern, Hermione Baddeley, Sydney Tafler… “What’s the matter, Dad?” “Cor, dear oh dear oh dear. They’ve got the ‘ole bleedin’ lot in this one, haven’t they. The ‘ole bleedin’ lot.” Then, his face smeared with grease and holding a mug of tea, Sam Kydd would make his inevitable appearance. “Oh Gawd ‘e’s in it ‘n’ all.” Dad was a staunch royalist who used to stand up when the National Anthem was played on
the telly and every Christmas afternoon at ten to three would remind us that we had to stop what we were doing in ten minutes because the Queen was on. As soon as the Queen came on, he would then proceed to talk all the way through it. Dad never really stopped talking except when he was asleep, and to this day I have never actually heard Her Majesty’s Christmas Broadcast to the Nation. But we do always have it on. It seems to me that the anticipation of Christmas is a great deal more fun than the day itself. I used to be a Post Office clerk; our Christmas started in September with the publication of the Last Posting Dates leaflet and each week we were busier, and drunker, than the last. Golden days. Decorations appearing, days getting shorter and colder, Salvation Army bands, parties, shopping, getting ready for the big day – I love it. But Christmas itself, no public transport, almost everything shut, cooped up in the house with a more limited range of things to do than any other day of the year, eating for the sake of it – someone should start a Campaign for Real Christmas. Don’t expect a cab driver to do it though. At dawn on Boxing Day, as you look towards Gants Hill, the skies will be dark with the massed ranks of London’s Finest converging on Eastern Avenue and heading for the Sales. Don’t think we’re being greedy. We’re just desperate to get out of the house.
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Woodhouse Players friar Ivor Moody, the curate of st Margaret’s Church, Woodhouse road had felt for a long time that Leytonstone needed its own drama group. In 1983, borrowing the name from a long defunct 1950’s group, he, along with Vi Gostling, then the Chair, now the group President, helped launch the Woodhouse Players. The first show - once in a Blue Moonwas put on at the church. By Phil Braithwaite Twenty six years on, the group has gone from strength to strength. The first five years saw five plays being performed in total. In the last five years it has performed no less than 42 plays, as well as rehearsed readings, films and radio productions. This has included works by Shakespeare, Coward, Pinter, Chekhov, Ayckbourn, Brecht and Bennett, in addition to a large number of award-winning original productions. All types of theatrical genres have been covered, from Shakespearean tragedy through to custard pie panto- and all without the help of a prompt! Unlike many other groups, if a member of cast misses a line, woodside:1/4 20/10/09 13:23 Page 1 it is up to the characters on stage to seamlessly carry it through on stage, which has led to some nerve-tingling moments on occasion!
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1 January 2010 - 8pm 2 January 2010 - 3pm and 8pm 8 January 2010 - 8pm 9 January 2010 - 3pm and 8pm
£7 adults, £4 concessions, book online. www.woodhouseplayers.co.uk
The longest serving member is Elizabeth Braithwaite, who joined in 1990. She met her husband Phil when he joined the Players two years later. Phil has put in most stage appearances for Woodhouse, with his most recent appearance as Scrooge being his 50th show, and various children of the couple have trodden the boards over the years. The most recent Woodhouse marriage was between Stephen Balchin and Khadija Cheetham Slade last year. Steve is the most prolific Woodhousean, being a performer (including taking the title role in Macbeth), director and award- winning writer, who in his spare time runs marathons- including this year’s London marathon. While most shows are put on at the Welsh Church on Leytonstone High Road- their venue since 1989- in the last few years they have also put on shows at the Kenneth More Theatre, the Leytonstone ExServiceman’s Club and the Broadway Theatre, Barking. It was at the latter venue that they performed their highest grossing show, the 2005 Hallowe’en Panto Jekyll and Hyde- Make Mine a Double. This play was also unique as it used a fully digital projected backdrop rather than conventional scenery and staging- a technique that is rarely used in the West End even today. They are a friendly and social crowd- in addition to the weddings mentioned above, there have been three other weddings within the group, with the most dramatic being Colin Heinink’s on-stage proposal to Anna Treadway during the final curtain call of Dick Whittington’s Cat in 2006. Fortunately, she accepted! In the early days, the technical side was a little.... amateurish. Sound was provided from cassette tapes- imagine trying to cue up a gunshot sound to coincide with gunfire on stage! This has moved on tremendously, led by the team of Robert Bettelheim (with Victoria, another Woodhouse marriage!), Peter Raggett and Steve Cahill-Hayes, they now have computer controlled swivel lights with a sound desk bought from NASA(!) and frequently use explosions and special effects to push the drama on. Audiences have grown with the number of productions, in the early days it was not unknown for there to be more cast than audience members, whereas many shows now sell out. This has been assisted by the group’s publicity machine led by Jackie Withnall, while regulars, members and newcomers access the website run by Peter Raggett. The most recent productions where two contrasting plays, Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy Round and Round the Garden (from the Norman Conquests) ran from 28 to 30 May, while July saw The Diary of Anne Frank being performed. The future looks exciting for the Players. Currently running is The Lark by Jean Anouilh and the forthcoming production of Cinderella by Ian Halverson. More information about the group, as well as tickets and information about these and other shows can be found on the website, www.woodhouseplayers.co.uk . ISSUE 11 2009 THE STAR MAGAZINE 33
Diary November Village Acoustic Session Sunday 1 November at 7pm Showcase event for local musicians. Performers welcome. Queen’s Arms, Orford Road, E17 Entry Free E thevas@hotmail.co.uk
Counterfeit Beatles Saturday 7 November at 8.30pm Popular moptop mimics. Royal Standard, 1 Blackhorse Lane, E17 Entry £9 T 020 8527 1966
Leytonstone Comedy Night Saturday 7 November at 8.30pm. Stand-up comedy, variety and cabaret. Heathcote Arms, 344 Grove Green Road, E11 Entry £7 www.theheathcoteleytonstone.co.uk
Green Christmas Sunday 22 November from 11.45am A day of Christmas crafts making cards, decorations, wrappings and gift boxes from recycled materials. The Temple, Wanstead Park, E11 Entry Free T 020 8508 0028
Anglo-Sikh History Night Thursday 26 November at 7.30pm Historians Georgina Green and Dr. Indarjit Singh CBE present a celebration of Anglo-Sikh history. Valentines Mansion, Valentines Park, Ilford Entry £10 T 020 8554 9769
Free Fridays at 93 Feet East Friday 27 November at 8pm Live music night featuring performances from Superfilth and a host of indie bands. Free barbeque. 93 Feet East, Brick Lane, E1 Entry Free T 020 7247 3293
South West Essex Choir
Open Mic Night
Saturday 28 November at 7.30pm
Thursday 12 November from 8pm
Mozart’s Mass in C minor. All Saint’s Church, Inmans Row, Woodford Green Entry £10 www.southwestessexchoir.org.uk
Open session for singers, poets, comedians and musicians. Rose and Crown, 55 Hoe Street, E17 Entry Free T 020 8509 3880
Club Bus Wind Thursday 19 November at 8pm Showcase event for new local bands. Royal Standard, 1 Blackhorse Lane, E17 Entry £6 T 020 8527 1966
Comedy Extra Sunday 29 November from 7.30pm Popular comedians and emerging talent. Theatre Royal Bar, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 Entry Free www.stratfordeast.com
December
Hazel Waters - Racism on the Victorian Stage
Christmas Music Hall
Thursday 19 November at 1pm
An afternoon of festive music hall comedy, dance and song. Includes Christmas meal. Brick Lane Music Hall, 443 North Woolwich Road, E16 Entry £35 www.bricklanemusichall.co.uk
The acclaimed writer examines 19th century popular culture. Museum in Docklands, West India Quay, E14. Entry Free www.museumindocklands.org.uk
Transglobal Underground Saturday 21 November at 8pm The veteran cross-cultural musicians in concert. Rich Mix, 35 Bethnal Green Road, E1. Entry £9 www.richmix.org.uk
The Leytonstone library playreading group We are keen for young men and women with a passion for theatre and a desire for acting to join us and take part. Our group performs a different play (comedies; thrillers; classics and dramas) each Monday evening at 7.30pm for 38 weeks a year at Leytonstone library. So come along, sit in the audience and check us out, or contact Sheila Collings on 020 8556 3684 for further information.
Tuesday 1 December at 1pm.
Jim Mullen Tuesday 1 December at 8.30pm The legendary jazz guitarist in concert. East Side Jazz Club at the Lord Rookwood, Cann Hall Road, E11 Entry £5 www.eastsidejazzclub.blogspot.com
Festive Fair at the Museum of London Thursday 3 December from 5pm Live music and festive refreshments with over 50 stalls selling ceramics, glass, textiles, bags and stationery. Museum of London, London Wall, E1 Entry Free www.museumoflondon.org.uk
Outdoor Christmas Tree Dressing Saturday 5 December from 1pm. Craft day in the ancient woodlands of Claybury, making festive decorations for the area’s trees. Ravensbourne Gardens, Claybury Woods,
Redbridge Entry Free T 020 8501 1426
Christmas Craft Fair at Sutton House Saturday 5 December from 2pm An afternoon of seasonal gifts and handicrafts in one of east London’s oldest houses. Sutton House, 2 Homerton High Street, E9 Entry £2 www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Christmas Comedy Night Saturday 5 December at 8.30pm Stand-up comedy, variety and cabaret. Heathcote Arms, 344 Grove Green Road, E11 Entry £7 www.theheathcoteleytonstone.co.uk
Victorian Christmas at Valentines Mansion Sunday 6 December from 11am A day of Victorian crafts and Christmas activities for all ages. Valentines Mansion, Valentines Park, Ilford Entry Free T 020 8554 9769
Christmas at the Hunting Lodge Sunday 6 December from 11am The Hunting Lodge is decorated for Christmas and open for crafts, activities, spiced punch and a visit from Santa. Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, Rangers Road, E4 Entry Free www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/epping
Village Acoustic Session Sunday 6 December at 7pm Showcase event for local musicians. Performers welcome. Queen’s Arms, Orford Road, E17 Entry Free E thevas@hotmail.co.uk
Songwriter’s Showcase Tuesday 8 December at 8pm Open mic night for local singer-songwriters of all musical genres. Railway Tavern, Angel Lane, E15 Entry Free www.bosspromo.com
Jimmy Carr Wednesday 9 December at 8pm Popular TV comedian treads the boards. Hackney Empire, Mare Street, E8 Entry £22.50 T 020 8985 2424
Electric Landladies Saturday 12 December at 9pm A celebration of five decades of female pop classics. Chat’s Palace, Brooksby’s Walk, E9 Entry £10.50 http://chatspalace.com
Christmas Greenery Sale Sunday 13 December from 11am Open gardens and plant sale. Myddelton House, Bulls Cross, Enfield
Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of these listings.
Entry Free T 08456 770 600
Johnny Leyton
Traditional Indian Textiles
Thursday 24 December at 7.30pm
Thursday 21 January at 7pm
Christmas with Charles Dickens
Christmas Eve with the 1960s pop and TV sensation. Carlton Hall, Church Lane, E17 Entry £15 T 07930 544312
An exhibition and talk with author John Gillow. William Morris Gallery, Forest Road, E17 Entry Free www.walthamforest.gov.uk/wmg
The Filter Beds at Christmas
Friday 29 January at 8pm
Sunday 27 December from 10am
Stories and songs from the life of the original Man in Black. Millfield Theatre, Silver Street, Edmonton Entry £16 T 020 8807 6680
Tuesday 15 December at 3pm The Poetry Ambassadors of Keats House present an afternoon of readings from the work of Dickens. London Metropolitan Archives, Northampton Road, EC4 Entry Free www.lma.gov.uk
Christmas Tea Dance Wednesday 16 December from 1pm Big Band classics and Christmas favourites. Sir James Hawkey Hall, Broomhill Road, Woodford Entry Free T 020 8709 2854
A wildlife talk and guided tour of the filter beds accompanied by mince pies and hot drinks. Waterworks Nature Reserve, Lea Bridge Road, E10 Entry Free www.leevalleypark.org.uk
January Sunday 3 January from 11.45am
A celebration of the best young Irish musical and dramatic talent. Entry £5 Tottenham Irish Club, Pretoria Road, N17 T 020 8801 7432
Tudor games, activities and displays with a live performance of medieval music from the Erato Consort. Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, Rangers Road, E4 Entry Free www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/epping
E17 Jazz
Doctor Faustus
Thursday 17 December at 1pm
T-Rexstasy Saturday 30 January at 8.30pm
Tudor New Year in the Forest
Celtic Craic
The Johnny Cash Story
Thursday 17 December at 9pm
Tuesday 12 January at 7.30pm
A live performance by the new local jazz collective plus guests. Rose and Crown, 55 Hoe Street, E17 Entry £5 T 020 8509 3880
Christopher Marlowe’s classic drama is reinvented for the modern metropolis. Stratford Circus, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 Entry £16 www.stratford-circus.com
A musical tribute to the legendary bopping elf. Royal Standard, 1 Blackhorse Lane, E17 Entry £9 T 020 8527 1966
REGULAR EVENTS Spanish - English Intercambio Meets every other Monday evening from 8pm Spanish speakers are welcome to join us for Spanish / English conversation practice. Intermediate/Advanced level. Native Spanish speakers especially welcome. Ven para practicar tu ingles y tu espanol. We meet at the Eagle Pub, Snaresbrook For more information, our contact details are T 01992 788311 (Malcolm) E suzannesf@gmail.com
Being Sound Holistic Health opens in Leytonstone You may have seen the ‘Opening Soon’ sign at the premises that used to accommodate Bubbles hat shop at 698 High Road Leytonstone – now it is time for you to visit ‘BEING SOUND – Holistic Health’ where we are offering a wide range of complementary/holistic treatments and products Here is what we have for you:
Counselling - Holistic massage - Gong baths - Hot & cold stone massage Hypnotherapy Homoeopathy - Shiatsu Indian head massage Ayurvedic massage - Herbal remedies - Acupuncture Voicework - Deep tissue massage - Kinesiology ....... and more! From time to time we will be offering various group sessions including voice workshops, gong baths and Kundalini yoga, and I plan over the next months to also organise various workshops
for crystal therapy, selfhypnosis, improving eyesight, homoeopathy, and so on. Do let me know if there is something relevant that you would like to have a workshop on and we will see what we can do. You may be particularly interested in the gong baths, but are not sure what is involved. Here is what will you do:
Just lie back and allow the sounds of the gongs to wash over you and resonate through you. Become bathed in their sounds. It will be like having a massage with sound, tuning you to the greatest possible resonance.
Because of the randomness of the sound the brain has no set pattern to follow, so it gives up and allows the whole body to let go. Then you move beyond your physicality and become totally attuned to the real self. The vibrations of the Gong have encouraged your brain waves to change and move from a
Beta (waking state) to Delta (deep meditation) which is re-energising and immensely good for your well-being.
The sounds and vibration that arise from this out pouring of sound, are like a great cosmic choir, so that you feel immersed as if in a sea of sound and vibration that feels as if it is within and all around you. The tones and resonance play upon the body at the cellular, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels of your being. The effects of a gong bath may be: • Deep relaxation • Feeling of well being • Release of stress and tension • State of meditation • Personal transformation • Relieves aches and pains
The therapies and workshops will be taking place in pleasant, quiet rooms to the rear of the shop, with behind them, in time, a patio garden where clients can sit peacefully for a while after a
session. In the front of the shop we will be selling things relating to therapies – essential oils, incense, books, CDs, crystals, jewellery, candles, singing bowls, etc. as well as a certain amount of eco/ethnic items, greetings cards, etc. There will also be a small sitting area where you can browse a collection of therapy and self-help books while enjoying a cup of herbal tea. We want to make this a vibrant, friendly and exciting place – a place that Leytonstone has been waiting for! Look out for news of our launch event where you can meet our therapists and experience affordable taster sessions of the therapies on offer. We look forward to seeing you soon for healing and retail therapy! Jasmine
020 8556 8363 07956 437 372 being_sound@yahoo.co.uk ISSUE 11 2009 THE STAR MAGAZINE 35
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Cathy Salmon D Hyp. BSCH (Assoc)
Leytonstone School Community Sports Centre
Clinical Hypnotherapist EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Practitioner HypnoBirthing® Practitioner Hypnofertility Therapist
(entrance on James Lane)
T 020 8988 7474 G
Fitness Suite
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outside five a-side pitch
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party packages.
PROMOTION All Saturdays in November and December 2009 free entrance to the fitness suite. (Applies to current and new members)
Hypnotherapy and EFT can help with many conditions, including stop smoking trauma reduce stress pain control dentistry aches and pains emotional problems public speaking
Competitive memberships rates available. Opening Times Monday – Friday Saturday – Sunday
If you are not sure if Hypnotherapy or EFT can help you, or you just want to learn more, then please call Cathy for a chat on
07793 363 548
6pm – 10pm 10am – 4pm
Belly Dancing at the Nags Head Tuesday evenings at 7pm Introductory classes in belly dancing. The Nags Head, Orford Road, E17 T 07930 988 020
nail biting phobias skin conditions sports performance arthritic pains inhibitions sleep disorders exam anxieties
North Chingford
Entry Free T 020 8527 8580
Bakers’ Arms Book Group Last Friday of the month, 7.30 - 9.30pm.
model locomotives. Ridgeway Park, Peel Close, E4 Entry £1 www.chingford-model-engineering.com
Word 4 Word Poetry Night
Probably the best, definitely the friendliest pub quiz in East London. Purely for fun, a prize for the winning team. Regular charity quiz nights The Nightingale, 51 Nightingale Lane, Wanstead, E11 2EY Entry Free
May book; Blindness by Jose Seramago Jun book; Cannery Row by John Steinbeck Jul book; The Piano Teacher by Elfriede Jelinek We are a friendly and informal group. Coffee and wine available. New members welcome. The Hornbeam Centre, corner of Bakers’ Ave and Hoe St, E17 Tickets Free T 0208 521 3696
Coach and Horses Blues Night
The Soundtrack Club
Wednesday evenings at 8.15pm
Saturday evenings from 8pm
Weekly blues club with resident band and guest players. Coach and Horses, 391 Leyton High Road, E10 Entry £2 T 020 8502 0351
Weekly night of electro and alternative rock with guest DJs. Celsius Bar, 166 Hoe Street, E17 Entry Free E soundtrackclub@hotmail.co.uk
A relaxed evening of live jazz. Luna Lounge, 7 Church Lane, E11 Entry Free www.jazzleytonstone.com
Young People’s Film Club
McGuffins Film and TV Quiz Night
Friday evenings from 6.30pm
First Saturday of each month from 8.30pm
New film club for young people aged 13-19. Outset Centre, 2a Grange Road, E17 Entry Free T 020 8496 1530
Test your knowledge of the film and TV greats at this lively quiz. £75 cash prizes plus DVDs and movie memorabilia to be won. Featured in the londonpaper’s ‘Top Five London Quiz Nights’. Rose and Crown, 55 Hoe Street, E17 Entry £1 www.mcguffin.info
The Nightingale Pub Quiz Every Tuesday 8.30pm
CineVideo Club Thursday evenings from 8pm Local amateur filmmakers group with regular screenings. Stafford Hall, St. Barnabas Road, E17
Chingford Model Railway Every Sunday from 2pm (until October) Rides on coal fired, electric and petrol powered
36 THE STAR MAGAZINE ISSUE 11 2009
Sunday evenings from 7.30pm Poetry readings by established writers with slots available for new talent. Theatre Royal Bar, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 Entry Free www.stratfordeast.com
Sunday Jazz Session Every Sunday from 7.30pm
Quiz Night at the Victoria Every Sunday from 8.30pm Quizmaster Neil presides over a popular evening of toe-curling trivia. Victoria bar, 186 Hoe Street, E17 Entry £1.50 www.highvoltagekaraoke.com
Blues Jam Wednesday evenings at 8.30pm Weekly blues club with resident band and guest players. Performers welcome. The Coach and Horses, 391 Leyton High Road, E10 Entry £2 www.coachandhorsesbluesjam.co.uk
Dreading Christmas? Nervous about the New Year? Let STAR gazer Alfie Centauri take a peek at your holiday horoscope.
ARIES 21 March – 20 April
Put tinsel round those horns and butt into every party you see this Christmas Aries! With Mars slipping backwards through your House of Fun and Jupiter beaming in your House of Friends you’ll be one busy party Sheep, dancing and prancing through the Yule. After Boxing Day, though, take a deep breath as life’s about to get a lot more serious. Wise Sheep will sit down with a cup of herbal tea and think about where they want to be one year hence. Career and status issues will need a lot of careful consideration as Mercury re-treads a prudent path through Capricorn. Is it time to retrain for a new career or strengthen your current position? Scratch your woolly head and mull it over Aries – but don’t commit to anything until after the eclipse on New Year’s Day – when a powerful Full Moon will light the way. Loved-up Sheep will head into 2010 on a surge of emotion – singleton Sheep will be tempted to reconnect with old lovers!
TAURUS 21 April – 21 May
It’s always best to do things the old way, isn’t it Taurus? The old way is the best way for you. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it might be the perfect slogan for you peace and comfort loving Bulls and the festive period with its emphasis on tradition and well-loved rituals is always a cosy time of the year for you. Well – have no fear! This holiday will be just as you like it with your ruling planet Venus charging into fellow earth sign Capricorn and casting a mellow glow over the festivities. All the action will be at home for you in your own meadow surrounded by the people and things you love. But don’t get TOO complacent Taurus as the New Year might find you with your head in a muddle as your familiar world suddenly rearranges itself into a new pattern! Will it be you or someone in your herd who has a change of mind? The wise Bull will keep one eye open for red flags as the other is checking the level on its brandy glass! Lovedup Bulls must try not to be too bossy – singleton Bulls can take a risk!
GEMINI 22 May – 21 June “Why aren’t there two holidays?” I hear you say. “Then I could go away and party but stay at home and chill at the same time.” This is an impossible time of year for Gemini as there are TOO many choices to make and it’s just not fair for these naughty twins to have to settle for one thing. Well, patience, Gemini, patience! The time between Christmas Day and New Year can be as frenetic as you like as the Twin-friendly Moon beams at you excitedly. The days before and after you might find a tad frustrating as other people are pulling your strings and you want to cut loose. Better make full use of the last days of expansive Jupiter in your House of Adventure and escape – either physically or mentally – after the eclipse of the New Year. 2010 brings the focus back to your House of Career with Jupiter’s move to glamorous Pisces adding a hint of showbizzy sparkle and you want to be ready! Loved-up Twins might be making a commitment this year – singleton Twins might be making one too! CANCER 22 June – 23 July
Like Bulls, little Crabs want to stay in over the holidays with all the family gathered under one shell – being wistful and nostalgic and drinking too much wine. But there’s never much rest for Cancer as this time of the year is all about EVERYONE ELSE – their wants and needs – and moods. Nevertheless with Venus smiling down on them, Cancer, it looks as if this will be a specially generous and luxurious Christmas for you. People will treat you well and you will treat them TOO WELL! Be careful and pull in your pincers before you get yourself into murky holiday debt buying all the presents you can see as Mars in extravagant Leo is enthroned in your House of Money. The Full Moon Eclipse in Cancer on New Year’s Day might well find you thinking of yourself for a change and having a little weep about the Good Old Days. But the changes coming up in the beginning of 2010 will be in your favour as Jupiter moves
into Crab-friendly Pisces and encourages you to take a risk or two away from your familiar shore. Loved-up Crabs will snap their shells shut on the past – singleton Crabs will get serious or sidle away.
LEO 24 July – 23 August You’re in charge, Leo! All through Yule, you rule! Don’t even consider getting down off your throne and doing the washing up. Just roar and all the other signs will come running, plastic gloves in hand, to do it for you. Yes, it really is your time of the year. Mars is making your mane brighter and your roar bigger than ever. But don’t push it. Remember what happens to despots? They get dethroned by an angry mob and with all the sober earth energy that is around this Christmas you may find your subjects (I mean family and friends!) get peeved and decide to stage a bloodless coup! Sensible Leos will channel their fiery energy into self-improvement projects to kick-start the New Year, using the steady influence of Saturn to develop their noble minds as well as honing their sleek physiques. Loved-up Lions will feel more secure – singleton Lions will be prone to infatuations.
VIRGO 24 August – 23 September We like you at this time of the year, Virgo, because you get everything right – the mince pies taste perfect, the presents are beautifully wrapped. There is decent food throughout the holiday – no-one is sent out to the shops at midnight for a loaf of bread. But we worry about you too because we know that you think that it’s not quite good enough. This year you can relax, just a bit, perfect one, as you are no longer weighed down by the constant tut-tutting of serious Saturn in your sign. Other than flaky sign ruler Mercury trying to mess with your head (but not succeeding as you’ve got it well under control!) the planets as a whole are pretty much staying out of your way this season! Instead you can turn your mind to frivolity and fun. Get a reindeer tattoo, put on your dancing shoes and your silly Christmas hat and find an Aries to go out partying with! Loved-up Virgos will benefit from their partner’s stroke of luck – singleton Virgos will find a friend turns into a lover. LIBRA 24 September – 23 October This year, Libra, don’t worry if you don’t get the perfect gift because there will be a stampede to the shops after Christmas with people returning things. On the other hand, don’t buy any big, expensive white goods for your home as there’s a strong whiff of malfunction in the air. Anything that can break down might. And don’t leave your wallet on the bus! You get the picture? Yes, it’s that topsy-turvy time again when Mercury goes skidding backwards and nothing is as it seems. In your case, it’s at the Lovely Libran home, where the trickster is slipping in and out of the shadows, hiding things and pulling hidden things – usually the broken ugly vases – out of the attic. With sensuous Venus paying you a visit too, you’ll have an overpowering urge to decorate. Don’t! Wait till the cold light of mid-January dawns. You have been warned! Loved-up Lovely Libras will take their relationships VERY seriously now – singleton Lovelies will play the field! SCORPIO 24 October – 22 November
Not known for putting their Christmas lights on the outside of the house or having a life-sized model of Santa and his elves parked at the front gate, Scorpios will, nevertheless, be having a wild and wonderful time at Christmas. But you won’t know about it. The curtains will be closed. If you’re not a Scorpio don’t read any further as they will be likely to take out an injunction against you to protect their privacy. You’re a Scorpion? Phew. Just between me and you, there’s no reason why you and your famous sting shouldn’t be having a cool time this holiday. The stars promise everything you need – a self-indulgent Venus, a mischiefmaking Mercury, Uranus throwing a strop in your House of Romance – and a damn good weep at the Full Moon Eclipse on New Year’s Day. Enjoy. Loved-up Scorpions will do some mysterious thing – singletons Scorpions will sshh.
SAGITTARIUS 23 November – 21 December It’s your month Saggies! Which is good and bad. More than any other sign, Saggies embody our image of the festive season, being ruled by Jupiter and wanting more and more of everything good and not knowing when to stop! In between the clubbing and the fancy dress parties and the Christmas Day dips in the freezing Serpentine, a wise Saggie will have a two-minute pause to think about money. Yes, Venus and the Moon promise a nice little boost but Mercury might well mislead you into thinking it’s better than it is so hold off buying a speedboat with that Christmas bonus. After the Christmas extravaganza, there’s a change of mood – from self-indulgence to selflessness, with Saggies poised to enter 2010 determined to make their charitable impulses stick. Loved-up Saggies will rescue tiny frozen puppies and take them home – singleton Saggies will put all their love into foreign aid programmes! CAPRICORN 22 December – 20 January
Like their fellow Crabs, the hardy Goat people are happiest spending the holidays at home with their loved ones in a traditional Dickensian-nostalgia fest. There will be a Noble Tree, beloved old peeling decorations, Christmas cake as grandmother-on-both-sides-going-back-three-generations used to make and Christmas songs from when they were 17. Unlike Crabs though, Capricorns will always have one anxious eye on the office. And with so much astro - activity in Capricorn this Christmas – four conscientious planets holding a board meeting in your first house – there’s a real possibility that it might all be too much for you. Stop worrying, top your glass up, wear that silly hat and hide your Blackberry. What you don’t want is a long wail from your other half at Full Moon that they never see you. Waaaaahh! Loved-up Goats will have to practise powersharing – singleton Goats must try to curb their jealousy!
AQUARIUS 21 January – 19 February
Super-social at the best of times, Aquarius, hosting Jupiter in your sign all year has magnified your uber group tendencies so a simple one-to-one chat has seemed like an outrageous impossibility! Slow down, for goodness sake. There’s a reason why your other half is jumping up and down saying “Look at MEEE!” Don’t do what the other signs do this Christmas (as if you Water Bearers ever would !) Don’t have the extended family round for a week, don’t party every night, don’t spend the entire period house sitting or cat sitting or dog walking. Just have a quiet night or two in with your partner or your favourite person. Chill. Talk. Get to know them again. Mars in your opposite sign of Leo ensures that the coming New Year is going to be pretty much all about you two. So prepare. (And you might want to leave your job.) Loved-up Water Bearers will have to pay attention – singleton Water Bearers might fall for someone from a different culture!
PISCES 20 February – 20 March
You do love the spirit of Christmas Pisces but it’s just all too much for you! You love buying presents but getting them AND wrapping paper AND sellotape in the same room at once? And organising all those relatives? And getting all those post-festivity bills paid? We just know that you will be the sad soul frantically rushing round the supermarket buying unwanted luxury foodstuffs at the last minute while not being quite sure if there’s enough bread for three days. Uranus moving forwards in your sign is making you antsy so do us all a favour Fish person and go away for the duration. Yes, get that last minute flight and take off. You know it makes sense. Lots of sensible planets in comforting Capricorn might protect you from making too many silly mistakes and there’s a lovely big weepy Full Moon Eclipse in Cancer in your House of Romance which will give you all the Technicolour Hollywood scale drama you crave. Lovedup Fish people will be restless and unpredictable – singleton Fish will fall in love with their friends. Aah. ISSUE 11 2009 THE STAR MAGAZINE 37
www.leytonorient.com
Leyton Orient Football Club
are gearing up for a busy winter as they aim to make their mark in Coca-Cola League One during the 2009/10 season.
The Oʼs, whose recently upgraded Brisbane Road stadium can host in excess of 9,200 local football fans, are currently in their fourth season in the third tier of English football following promotion in 2006, and under the management of Welshman Geraint Williams, they are confident of improving on last yearʼs 14thplaced finish.
The beginning of this season has brought mixed fortunes, but having put a run of eight matches without victory behind them with successive home wins – including a 10 London derby success over Millwall – they are ready to kick on and look upwards. Williams, a former Colchester United manager and Welsh international footballer, revived the clubʼs fortunes when he was appointed as boss of the Brisbane Road side in February of this year, leading the Oʼs away from the danger of relegation to League Two with a fine run of form. The addition of the likes of former Chelsea youngster Jimmy Smith, experienced exIpswich and Leicester man James Scowcroft and imposing defender Ben Chorley, a product of Arsenalʼs youth system, bolstered an exciting young squad in the summer and they are all beginning to click into a unit capable of mixing it with the big teams in the division.
Brisbane Road will certainly host its fair share of high-profile games this season, with former Premier League giants Leeds United, Norwich City, Charlton Athletic and Southampton all in League One, and with a huge number of local teams also in the same division as the Oʼs, the atmosphere is always going to be electric in the stands.
November and December sees the Oʼs take on Tranmere Rovers, Gillingham and Milton Keynes Dons in the League at Brisbane Road, while they also get their FA Cup campaign under way, and the road to Wembley in the Johnstoneʼs Paint Trophy continues with a home tie against Hereford United on Tuesday November 10. Tickets are on offer for all these fixtures, with free tickets available to under-11s to all home games if booked in advance. Adult tickets for League fixtures start at £20, so why not sample the thrill of live football in your back yard, right here in E10?
The Johnstoneʼs Paint Trophy clash with Hereford United offers even better value with adult tickets priced at £10 and all under-18s going free (again, if booked in advance), so now is the time to sample the Leyton Orient experience.
There are many ways in which to get hold of matchday tickets – the clubʼs main ticket office at the stadium is open to personal callers between 9.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday, while telephone bookings can be made on 0871 310 1883*. The easiest way to purchase tickets is online via the clubʼs official website, www.leytonorient.com, and this facility is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Itʼs an exciting time for sport in east London with the 2012 Olympics fast approaching, and with the Oʼs looking to make progress in the football world too it really is a great time to get down to Brisbane Road and support your local team!
*Calls cost no more than 10p per minute from BT landlines. Call charges from other networks and mobiles may be higher.
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