OCTOBER 2021
PRIMROSE HILL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
FREE
PLUS
PRIMROSE HILL FOOD MARKET
The stories behind some of our favourite stalls
STUDIO M
Mimi Leslau on sculpture, community and change
PARTIAL TO PUBS?
How have Brexit and lockdown affected our pubs?
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On The Hill On The Go
OCTOBER 2021 CONTENTS & PREVIEW
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Keep up with the latest news and happenings on our social media channels.
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22 31
@onthehill_mag @onthehillinfo @onthehillinfo
Editor’s Letter 05 On The Street 07
Primrose Hill Food Market, group walks, Primrose Hill Community Library, St Mary’s
What’s On 16
Things to do this October
Pulling Pints 18 onthehill.info
Behind the bar in the Queen’s with Frances Howe
Up in Smoke? 19
How we can avoid burning rubbish
Primrose Hill People 20 A Day in the Life of Tom Wilson
Camden during World War II 21 Roy Lee shares his memories
Partial to Pubs? 22
How have Brexit and lockdown affected our pubs?
Studio M 24
Mimi Leslau on sculpture, community and change
That’s the Way our Money Goes 27
JC on working at the G7 summit
Hello, Primrose Hill! 30 Looking back at the Art Trail
Primrose Hill Eats 31
Chocolate fondant cake from Sweet Things
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PRIMROSE HILL COMMUNITY LIBRARY SHARPLESHALL STREET, LONDON NW1 8YN
POEM Whether Alert by Russell Butler
VOLUNTEER NEEDED DO YOU LIKE SINGING? DO YOU LIKE ENTERTAINING KIDS? We are seeking an enthusiastic volunteer to lead a fun packed session with songs and stories during term times. Everybody joins in with the singing and doing the actions.
A warm breeze blows on Primrose Hill. Alas, it will not blow tomorrow. Soon we will feel damp autumn’s chill And after autumn, winter’s sorrow. I can write junk like this all day and all night Or at least until another spring’s in sight.
Time Commitment required 1 hour on a Monday mid morning. Please apply giving details of what you can offer to: events@phcl.org
020-7419 6599 · www.phcl.org
Join us for Autumn Gigs at the Heart of Folk 2 Regent’s Park Road, London NW1 7AY ➭ efdss.org BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: you’ll be entitled to a full refund if you can no longer join us 4
The Team
EDITOR’S LETTER
Editor
Maggie Chambers editor@onthehill.info
Editorial Group
Dick Bird, Doro Marden, Phil Cowan, Pam White, David Lennon, Mole on the Hill, Micael Johnstone, Andrew Black
Social Media and Website Editor Jason Pittock
Subeditors
Brenda Stones, Vicki Hillyard
Photographer
Sarah Louise Ramsay www.slrphotography.co.uk
Cartoon
Bridget Grosvenor
Design
Luke Skinner agency-black.com
Advertising Sales Jake Kalisch ads@onthehill.info
Special thanks to all our contributors.
This publication is created by the community and for the benefit of Primrose Hill on behalf of your local charity, the Primrose Hill Community Association (PHCA). All proceeds from this publication go directly to fund the charity. We hope you enjoy. www.phca.cc Disclaimer: the views in the magazine are not necessarily the views of the PHCA.
This product is made of material from well-managed, FSC® certified forests and other controlled sources
onthehill.info
WELCOME TO OCTOBER
Maybe it’s the times we’re living through, but there’s an awful lot about drink in this issue. Phil Cowan, under the auspices of researching how Brexit and lockdowns have affected our six local pubs, went on a pub crawl to find out how they’ve coped during the past few years. The good news is that trade is picking up again, but they, along with all our local businesses, need continued support. At a recent Primrose Hill lecture at St Mary’s, Joan Bakewell was in conversation with Andrew O’Hagan and the discussion turned to the importance of neighbourhood. Andrew O’Hagan said that ‘Businesses in Primrose Hill are flying by the seat of their pants’. Many of them are struggling to survive, let alone make a profit. So let’s support them. Stroll around to Primrose Hill Books rather than go to Amazon. Before you buy anything online, or from a supermarket, consider if you can buy it locally. For an alternate view on pubs in Primrose Hill, Frances Howe gives her account of pulling pints in The Queen’s, despite only having had one beer in her life before she got the job. Another place to get a drink is Hopkinson’s Bar in the Community Centre, which will be reopening on Friday 22 October. They’re hoping to have live music once a month, and to open again on Sundays. Meanwhile, our politicians, who are supposed to be making the world a better place for us, held the G7 summit in Cornwall this summer. Local chef JC helped with the catering. Under the auspices of ‘Build Back Better’, world leaders settled down to a Cornish-themed lunch with wine at £3,000 a bottle. Personally, I think it’s high time we took to the pubs en masse and sorted the world out from there. Pint, anyone?
ISSN 20-6175
Cover PHOTOGRAPH BY Sarah Louise Ramsay
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Primrose Hill LAUGHS
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OCTOBER 2021
PRIMROSE HILL NEWS, VIEWS, CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE
ON THE STREET Group walks in Primrose Hill p9
New at Primrose Hill Community Library p 11
Mary Portas Supports St Mary’s p 12
PHCA News & Info p 13 AN D M O R E
PRIMROSE HILL FOOD MARKET Sarah Lang from Primrose Hill Food Market gives us the stories behind some of our favourite stalls, and explains how the market is developing its relationship within our community.
PHOTOGRAPH BY TARA RUDD
Continued on p 8
7
ON THE STREET
Primrose Hill Food Market
Many of you will be familiar with the farmer’s market in the playground of St Paul’s School on Saturdays. Run by traders, it is a community interest company (CIC), meaning it is focused on supporting its traders while also contributing to the local community through charitable campaigns. The goal of the market is to provide small businesses with great trading opportunities, while also offering customers a wide variety of topquality produce. The majority of profits made by the market are donated to local causes. Taking over from previous management in March 2020, just as London was subjected to the first national lockdown, Primrose Hill Food Market had to make a rapid response to a challenging trading environment. Thanks to our dedicated traders and support from our loyal customers, the market has flourished. Looking back, we can even say that the pandemic brought some unexpected benefits. As many people lost their jobs and income, some decided to focus on their passions and start new businesses. We were delighted to give several of these start-ups a platform to introduce their products and hone their skills, whilst still supporting our experienced traders. The market made a special contribution to the community as it became a weekly chance for neighbours and friends to greet each other outdoors in the midst of lockdown. New friendships were formed in the queue as it snaked up the hill, growing longer and more sociable each week. With so much great produce on offer, it is hard to choose favourites. One of the four veg stalls, Wild Country Organics, was started by Dr Adrian Izzard on his family smallholding in the 1990s, when he decided to turn his passion for horticulture into a business. His decision to focus on growing interesting varieties of vegetables
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PHOTOGRAPH BY TARA RUDD
for their flavour, not for standard looks, has resulted in a stunning variety of loose-leafy veg, bunches of roots and seasonal produce which are absolutely bursting with rare flavour. Another of our notable regulars is Food and Forest, which, like us, is a CIC. It was founded in the belief that agroforestry has the potential to ease some of the environmental dilemmas facing the crop industry worldwide. They work with farms which apply an alley-cropping system of planting: this means rows of nut trees being planted with arable crops sown in between. Research shows that this form of farming can reduce water damage and soil loss, as well as conserve habitats and create wildlife corridors, while also maintaining productivity and crop yield. September and October are peak nut-harvesting months for Charles Tebbutt and his team, so be sure to catch the short autumn window when green Kentish cobnuts and English walnuts are on sale and at their finest! Another welcome new business from lockdown was Jones’ Crumpets. Founder Ian Endfield, who considers himself a true crumpet connoisseur, has made it his mission to provide his regulars with the ultimate specimen, made with the finest ingredients. Pick up a pack of these little beauties to take
home, or have one toasted by Jones himself, slathered with butter from fellow traders Hook & Son. Alternatively, for an unmissable lunch, head to Smokin’ Brothers for a Brick Lane bagel packed with their sashimi-style smoked salmon. From their smokery in the Cotswolds, three best friends from Italy produce some of the finest smoked salmon available in the UK. Sourced responsibly, salted for a minimum of ten hours and then smoked over a combination of beech, oak and juniper before finally being cut into their signature sashimi-style slice, this salmon is a must. Having survived and even thrived through the multiple lockdowns, Primrose Hill Food Market is confident of its future at the heart of the community. As we enter our second autumn, with the abundance of first-class produce that the season provides, we will continue to grow, adding even greater variety for our customers, while continuing to support small, independent businesses and local charitable projects. If you know of a food business or charity in the area that would be a good fit for Primrose Hill Food Market, please email the team at hello@primrosehillfoodmarket. co.uk. We set up every Saturday from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm in the playground of St Paul’s School.
OCTOBER 2021
Primrose Hill Community Library
The summer may be over, but the joy of darker evenings is being able to curl up with a good book. The library is on hand if you need some inspiration; these are the recent acquisitions you can borrow:
FINALLY TIME TO MAKE THE DREAM
MOVE?
Paperback Lucy Clarke The Castaways
Jonathan Coe Mr Wilder & Me Jane Corry The Lies We Tell Charles Cumming Box 88 John Grisham A Time for Mercy Janice Hallett The Appeal Victoria Hislop One August Night Gillian McAllister That Night Tiffany McDaniel Betty Ian McGuire The Abstainer Peter May The Night Gate LM Montgomery Anne of Green Gables
Barbara Pym An Unsuitable Attachment Caroline Scott When I Come Home Again Francis Spufford Golden Hill Karen Swan The Secret Path Charles Yu Interior Chinatown
Hardback
Richard Osman The Man Who Died Twice
IN PERSON OR V I RT UA L LY W E ’ R E H E R E TO H E L P Get in touch today Contact Us 07946856444 luke .mccar thy@ f i n e a n d c o u n t r y. c o m
Opening hours are as follows: Monday: 10am–6pm Wednesday: 12–7pm Friday: 10am–6pm Saturday: 10am–3pm Thank you for your continued support. www.phcl.org 020 7419 6599
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ON THE STREET
POSTCARDS FROM PRIMROSE HILL
I was thrilled to find this postcard! I’ve been collecting vintage postcards of our lovely neighbourhood for many years, but until recently I had never come across one depicting Chalcot Road. Chalcot Road was once called St George’s Road, but the name was changed in 1937 to eradicate duplicate names in London. Depicted on this postcard is the section of the road between Egbert Street to the left, and, just outside the picture, Edis Street to the right. The image was taken in c 1915. In the centre of the picture you can just make out a sign that says ‘John Spencer & Co. Pianoforte Works’, so the place we now know as Utopia Village was once a piano factory! Early cameras had a slow shutter speed, so the subjects of photographs had to remain completely still for some time for the image to come out crisp and not blurred. The children on the right posed patiently for the photographer, but the figure on the left was clearly lacking restraint, and has become a blur. @old_primrosehill_postcards
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OCTOBER 2021
Group Walks in Primrose Hill Remember when we were only allowed outside our homes to exercise once a day? In the depths of lockdown, the Primrose Hill Community Association initiated the Weekly Walk for anyone who wanted to spend time with others, and they continue to this day. We just turn up at the entrance to the Hill at the corner of Primrose Hill Road and Regent’s Park Road at 10.30am on Wednesdays, and the walk usually goes across to Regent’s Park, taking about an hour and a half. Faster walkers go on and wait at the next crossing for the slower ones to catch up, which gives all the more chance for a chat.
All are welcome to join this friendly group of walkers, meet new and familiar neighbours and learn more about our local area. A few months ago we began to develop themes for some of our walks. We have had three tree walks of one kind or another, a tour from the Royal Parks Mission Invertebrate project, moth identification and four walks around the local blue plaques, with participants picking one of our famous residents, past or present. Some of the presenters actually lived in the relevant house; others had personal memories of
they lack a blue plaque, and lichens in Regents Park. All are welcome to join this friendly group of walkers, meet new and familiar neighbours and learn more about our local area.
eg Sylvia Plath, AJP Taylor and the artist William Roberts (whose wife apparently used to dye her clothes and would ring up the mother of one of our walkers to say ‘Purple today, have you got anything to add?’!). This autumn our programme of walks will cover Primrose Hill’s railway heritage, autumn moth identification, the Camden Town painters and a history of local shops. In the pipeline are ‘Hidden Primrose Hill’, more famous residents, even if
Next event: Camden Town Painter’s Walk, Wednesday 6 October at 10.30am outside Mornington Crescent tube station. Details of all walks are available at phca.cc.
DO YOU NEED FINANCIAL ADVICE?
• • • •
Help with Investments, Pensions, Personal & Business Protection Advice on Inheritance Tax Planning First consultation is free of charge whatever the outcome I am a long-time resident of Primrose Hill 07747 022257 jeremy.duke@quilterfa.com www.quilterfinancialadvisers.co.uk/find-an-adviser/jeremy-duke/ Jeremy Duke Quilter
Jeremy Duke Quilter
@jeremy3892
Here to help in these difficult times.
The value of pensions and investments can fall as well as rise and you can get back less than you invested.
11
ON THE STREET
Mary Portas Supports St Mary’s Fundraising
Mary Portas launched the ambitious Grow the Wonder fundraising campaign for St Mary’s church this summer. Marking the 150th anniversary of the church, home of so many impressive social initiatives, the campaign aims to raise £1.5 million to re-equip and develop the building, to help St Mary’s continue to serve the people of Primrose Hill and beyond. Mary spoke passionately about the campaign and her personal experience of feeling warmly welcomed at St Mary’s when she and her same-sex partner wished to have their child baptised. ‘I’m passionate about communities working together for the common good. And here at St Mary’s we’ve got a powerhouse of social action and spiritual nurture. Will you join me in helping Grow the Wonder to make this very special building fit for the future?’ St Mary’s people have always felt a burning sense of social justice and purpose – hardly surprising, because this church started up in the little chapel of a local home for destitute children.
*New*Acrobatic Arts
Nowadays they’re a flourishing social hub, home to – among other things – an acclaimed youth outreach programme, a homeless shelter, a brewery, an enviably crowd-pleasing designer fair, and a highly respected and long-running lecture series; not to mention a thriving worshipping congregation. They hope to grow the wonder by raising £1.5 million to carry out the work needed. And they invite you to join in and help. Donations can be made at www. justgiving.com/campaign/growthe-wonder For more information, please contact Rev Emily Kolltveit at curate@smvph.org.uk; 07947 792869 www.stmarysprimrosehill.com/ grow-the-wonder
RAD Ballet Classes
“I’m passionate about communities working together for the common good” Mary Portas has created some resources which aim to spread the word about the historic importance of St Mary’s as a hub for kindness in northwest London. Film: www.youtu.be/NHb_ RzAD1ko Podcast: www.soundcloud. com/stmarysprimrosehill/ growthewonder
Primrose Hill Ballet School Celebrating 10 years!
Start Your Dancing Journey With Us! Classes in: RAD Ballet ISTD Tap & Modern Acrobatic Arts Adult Ballet Adult Tap & Silver Swans Ballet
ISTD Tap & Modern
Book Your Place Today! E: katie@primrosehillballet.co.uk W: www.primrosehillballet.co.uk T: 07769 353528
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OCTOBER 2021
NEWS & INFORMATION
from Primrose Hill Community Association
Your regular update from PHCA, publisher of On The Hill
WE’RE BACK!
It feels great that we can now start welcoming people back into the Community Centre and Library again for our various activities, events and classes.
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
We continue our free weekly Open House events aimed at older people, whilst also making plans for a disco, a quiz, a William Blake evening and a series of talks and walks, as well as a comedy night, a jumble sale, and the reopening of Hopkinson’s Bar. If you would like to get involved in organising some of these events, we’d love to hear from you, especially any tech wizards who could help with that side of hybrid events.
NEIGHBOURHOOD NOSH
We continue to serve 120 free meals a week to those who need them most in our community, thanks to our amazing volunteer team, and our regular financial support for Nosh. We will be working from the Oldfield kitchen, as we have outgrown the small Community Centre kitchen; we aim to run a lunch club at Oldfield twice a week, as well as provide regular meals to others. We are looking for some volunteers who can cook for us once a month on a Wednesday, to take some weight off JC, our regular chef.
OUR NEW STAFF MEMBER
With the increase in activity, we warmly welcome our new parttime administrator, Dom(inique) Hua, who is currently studying a Master’s degree whilst also working part-time at UCL Library. She lives locally and has hit the ground running at PHCA, getting involved in all areas.
MEMBERSHIP
We hope you sign up to our new membership scheme from £1 a year. See www.phca.cc/join
OPENING HOURS & CONTACT INFO
Primrose Hill Community Centre office opening hours: Monday to Friday 11.30am to 1.30pm Contact 020 7586 8327 / info@phca.cc
We look forward to seeing you soon. Amanda Dickins (Chair), Mick Hudspeth (CEO)
13
ON THE STREET
NEWS & VIEWS
Simon Jenkins on Europe’s Cathedrals As part of the Primrose Hill Lecture Series, Simon Jenkins – journalist, Guardian columnist and former Editor of the Evening Standard and The Times – will be giving a talk at St Mary’s on 10 November. He will speak about his new book, Europe’s 100 Best Cathedrals, to take us on an illustrated tour of some of the most magnificent buildings across the continent, telling the stories behind their construction, illuminating Europe’s history and demonstrating the central role played by cathedrals in the European imagination. We will travel from Chartres to York, Cologne to Florence, Toledo to Moscow and Stockholm to Seville to revisit old favourites, explore new discoveries and marvel at the sumptuous architectural details captured in his accompanying slides. Wednesday 10 November, 7pm (doors 6.30pm) St Mary’s, Elsworthy Road, London NW3 3DJ Tickets £12 (£10 conc); book and ticket £42 (£40 conc) Signed copies will be available at the event and from Primrose Hill Books Online live-streaming tickets £10.00 www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/primrose-hill-lecture-series-6686626015
The Fellows Singers A local chamber choir, the Fellows Singers, is seeking singers for all parts who have experience of singing in choirs. The group consists of up to 16 singers, directed by award-winning operatic tenor Bradley Smith; their repertoire covers Bach to the Beatles, including special arrangements. The choir meets on Tuesday evenings during school term, with a one-week break at half term. For more details, contact Jeremy on 07901 555 785.
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Adrian Hemming Exhibition Local artist Adrian Hemming will be holding an exhibition of his work, entitled Turbulent Times: Paintings and Paints, at the Clifford Chance offices. The exhibition runs until 29 October and may be viewed by appointment. Please email nigel.frank@cliffordchance.com or call 020 7006 5183. Clifford Chance, 10 Upper Bank Street E14 5JJ
Hopkinson’s Bar The bar at the Community Centre will reopen on Friday 22 October. Come along for drinks, chat and meet the people behind St Mary’s Brewery. PHCC. 6.30pm-9.30pm
OCTOBER 2021
Barrie Achille Mattei Local journalist Barrie Achille Mattei, who sadly died in July, had a memorable career which took him from the coal wharfs of Camden to Fleet Street. After leaving Haverstock School, Barrie, strong and fit, took the wheel of a lorry delivering hundredweight sacks of fuel into manholes in Primrose Hill, Camden Town, Chalk Farm and Kentish Town. Many were the households relying on supplies, and there were plenty of merchants like him. His flat-bed truck was a familiar sight, and he was able to park outside his family home in Gloucester Crescent, next door to George Melly. As an only child he was cherished. His father had a hairdressing business in Buck Street and his mother was a seamstress. Barrie had always
wanted to be a newspaper reporter, and he got his break after attending Nottingham University. He worked for several media outlets in the south, and also freelanced. In 1969 he joined The Sun’s reporting team and stayed for more than two decades, earning a solid reputation for reliability, accuracy and honesty. Such was his Fleet Street standing that he was appointed The Sun’s night news editor. On leaving Fleet Street, he began freelance work and regularly returned to this area to see friends and visit old haunts. Barrie suffered a cruel blow when his son Dean, aged 48, was hit by a speeding car in Colchester. He eventually settled in Clacton, where he had friends and carers. He moved to a flat overlooking the sea this year and died on 1 July.
Refugees from Afghanistan in Camden
Have Your Say
Camden Council’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and its support for refugees, including how to donate and help, can be found at www.news.camden.gov.uk/ camden-ready-to-welcome-refugees-from-afghanistan. The Hopscotch Women’s Centre is providing translators and support for people arriving in Camden. To donate to Hopscotch, go to www.givey.com/hopscotchwomenscentre.
On The Hill is a magazine for all the community. If you have anything you’d like to share, please email the editor at editor@onthehill.info.
PRIMROSE HILL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
DEC 2020
FREE
THE OPTIMIST Jon Snow on inequality, lockdown, art and ties
PLUS
FESTIVE FOOD
The perfect roasties, and where to shop and eat out this Christmas
FESTIVE GIFTS
A guide to buying gifts from local businesses
COMMUNITY CORNER PHCA News, community organisations and the PHCA AGM
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Calabria is where we learnt to love Italian food, and we are so pleased to share our passion with the people of Primrose Hill. Thank you for making us feel so welcome in your wonderful neighbourhood. We look forward to bringing you all the magnificent tastes of Italy for many years to come. Natale & Natasha ...not forgetting our two children Dominick and Katia (who you will see working with us from time to time).
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What’s On October NEW THIS OCTOBER SATURDAY 2 OCTOBER
The Space Between An evening of music, poetry and reflection with Rowan Williams and David Benjamin Blower. St Mary’s. 7pm
TUESDAY 5 OCTOBER
Film Show at the Library One of Hitchcock’s finest thrillers, Rear Window stars James Stewart as a convalescent photo-journalist who spies on his neighbours and becomes convinced that one of them has committed murder. PHCL. 7pm. £8 in cash, in advance at PHCL or on the door (includes a glass of wine).
WEDNESDAY 6 OCTOBER
Primrose Hill Walk: The Camden Town Artists Retracing the steps, the studios and the sites of the Camden Town Group (1911–14). Meet at Mornington Crescent station. 10.30am.
THURSDAY 7 OCTOBER
The Rheingans Sisters Playful, powerful and richly connecting music that is wholly contemporary while deeply anchored in folk traditions. CSH. 7.30pm.
WEDNESDAY 13 OCTOBER
Jack Rutter The highly respected folk singer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist from West Yorkshire. CSH. 7.30pm.
THURSDAY 14 OCTOBER
Leveret Consummate musicianship, compelling delivery and captivating spontaneity from three of England’s finest folk musicians. CSH. 7.30pm.
THURSDAY 21 OCTOBER
WEDNESDAY 27 OCTOBER
Salt House The trio Salt House bring ‘startling freshness’ to the British song tradition. CSH. 7.30pm.
FRIDAY 22 OCTOBER
Hopkinson’s Bar The bar at the Community Centre reopens. Come along for drinks, chat and meet the people behind St Mary’s Brewery. PHCC. 6.30pm–9.30pm
SATURDAY 30 OCTOBER
Punkie Night Music and fun celebrating England’s original All Hallows’ Eve custom. CSH. 7.30pm
FOR KIDS MONDAY
Ready Steady Go Pre-school education and activities for children aged 2–3 years. PHCC. 9.30am–1.30pm. Contact 020 7586 5862. Ready Steady Go ABC Exploratory play, singing, dance and stories for babies and toddlers 6–18 months. PHCC. 9.30am–12.30pm. Contact 020 7586 5862. Circus Glory Trapeze for ages 2½–16. All levels welcome. PHCC. 2–7.15pm. Contact Genevieve 07973 451 603.
TUESDAY
Ready Steady Go Beginners. A gentle introduction to preschool activities for 1–3 years. PHCC. 9.15am–1.30pm. Contact Jamie 020 7586 5862. Monkey Music Music and play for children under 5. PHCC. 9.30am–12.15pm. Contact 020 8451 7626.
Kitty Macfarlane Trademark tonic songs for the times we’re in — both balm and booster for a world on fire. CSH. 7.30pm
Play Happening Play sessions for babies and toddlers. PHCL. £9 per session. 9.30–11.30am. Book at www. playhappening.co.uk.
SATURDAY 23 OCTOBER
RSG ABC & Dance Dance, music, movement and play for toddlers & babies. PHCC. 1–2pm. Contact Jamie 020 7586 5862.
Heidi Talbot & Boo Hewerdine Heidi Talbot and long-time collaborator, Boo Hewerdine. CSH. 7.30pm.
Hartbeeps Multi-sensory classes for mums and their little ones. Music, movement and drama for under 5s. PHCC. 1.30–5pm. Contact 07528 688 734. Messy Monkeys Messy play sessions for babies and toddlers. PHCL. 2–4.15pm. Book at www.messy-monkeys. com. Bilingual Beats ‘Spanish through music’ classes for children. PHCL. 4–5pm. Book at www.bilingualbeatsonline.com. Karate Authentic Shotokan karate classes for children aged 5+. PHCC. 4–5pm. Register at www.shiranamikai.co.uk.
WEDNESDAY
Les Petits Bellots A bilingual mini-crèche for children aged 6 months–4 years. PHCL. 9.15–11.15am. Information at www.lespetitsbellots.com. RSG ABC & Dance Dance, music, movement and play for toddlers and babies. PHCC. 9.30am–12.30pm. Contact Jamie 020 7586 5862. Ready Steady Go Pre-school education and activities for children aged 2–3 years. PHCC. 9.30am–1.30pm. Contact Jamie 020 7586 5862. Circus Glory Trapeze for ages 2½–16. All levels welcome. PHCC. 2–6.45pm. Contact Genevieve 07973 451 603. Primrose Hill Children’s Choir Fun songs and games for ages 4–11. St Mary’s NW3 3DJ. 4.10–5.10pm. 1st time free, then £8. Contact maestromattheww@yahoo.co.uk. Chess Club Learn chess with a trained instructor. PHCL. 6.30–8pm. Contact Alex at alex@chessinschools.co.uk.
THURSDAY
Ready Steady Go Beginners. A gentle introduction to preschool activities for 1–3 years. PHCC. 9.15am–1.30pm. Contact Jamie 020 7586 5862.
Mini Mozart Musical story time. PHCL. 9.30am–12.30pm. Book at www.minimozart.com. La Petite Pierrot Fun French Lessons for babies and children. Suitable for all levels. PHCC. 9–10.30am. Contact 020 3969 2642. First Class Learning English and Maths tuition. PHCL. 3.30–6pm. Contact 020 7966 484 568. Play Happening Play sessions for babies and toddlers. PHCL. 3.30–4.30pm. £9 per session. Book at www.playhappening.co.uk. Catherine’s Ballet Ballet lessons for children under 5. PHCC. 4–5pm. Contact Catherine at 020 8348 0262.
FRIDAY
Ready Steady Go Pre-school education and activities for children aged 2–3 years. PHCC. 9.30am–2.30pm. Contact Jamie 020 7586 5862. RSG ABC & Dance Dance, music, movement and play for toddlers and babies. PHCC. 11.30am–12.30pm. Contact Jamie 020 7586 5862. Circus Glory Trapeze for ages 2½–16. All levels welcome. PHCC. 2–7.15pm. Contact Genevieve 07973 451 603.
SATURDAY
La Petite Pierrot Fun French lessons for babies and children. PHCC. 9am–12.15, 1–3 years old; 11–11.45am, 2–4 years old. Contact 020 3969 2642. Caterpillar Music Multi-sensory music and movement sessions for babies and toddlers. PHCL. 3.15–4.15pm. Contact Anita at 07968486471.
SUNDAY
Perform Drama, dance and singing for children 4–7. PHCC. 9.30am–1pm. Contact Lucy 020 7209 3805
What’s On October FOR ADULTS MONDAY
Chilled Strings Beginners’ orchestra rehearsals. PHCC. 6.30–8.45pm. Contact sueandhercello@gmail.com. Bridge For beginners and intermediate players. PHCL. 6.30pm. Contact jojarrold@gmail.com or call 07887 568 822. Primrose Hill Choir Love to sing? All styles of music, all levels welcome. PHCC. 7.30–9.30pm. Contact maestromattheww@yahoo.co.uk.
TUESDAY
Pilates Dynamic sessions, 10.15–11am; gentle session 11.30am–12.15pm. PHCL. £12 per class, £100 for 10 classes. Contact Liza on 07525 461 361 or email lizacawthorn@gmail.com. General Yoga Intermediate level yoga. PHCC. 6.30–7.45pm. Contact Catriona first at 020 7267 5675. Morris Dancing Class Learn Morris Dancing. All welcome, no experience required. CSH. 6.30pm. Book online. Mah Jong Mah Jong sessions for all levels. PHCC. 7–9pm alternate Tuesdays from 21 September. Contact jimbo.mulligan@outlook.com.
WEDNESDAY
English Folk Dance Club Fun for dancers of all abilities and none. No partner needed. PHCC. 7.15–10pm. Contact camdenfolkdance@yahoo.com.
THURSDAY
Silver Swans Ballet Ballet classes for over-55s. PHCC. 11am–12pm. Contact katie@primrosehillballet.co.uk. Gentle Pilates Gentle but effective Pilates class. PHCL. 12:45am–1.45pm. £10 per session. Contact: annie@mactherapy.org Narcotics Anonymous Support for people with narcotics problems. PHCC. 1.30–3.45pm. Free. More information via NA Helpline 0300 999 1212. Primrose Hill Community Orchestra Community orchestra. PHCC. 2–4pm. Contact sueandhercello@gmail.com. Life Drawing Beginners to professionals, just drop in! PHCC. 6.30–8.30pm. £7. Kriya Yoga Yoga class. PHCL. 6.45–8.15pm. Contact info@kriyayogauk.com.
Submit your details to onthehillwhatson@phca.cc to be featured and reach 35,000 Primrose Hill residents and visitors each month
English Country Dancing Class Learn English country, ceilidh, barn dancing, and related social folk dance styles from further afield. All welcome, no experience required. CSH. 7.30pm. Book online.
FRIDAY
Primrose Hill Walks Weekly walk through Primrose Hill, Regent’s Park and surrounding areas, sometimes with themes. 10.30am–12pm. Free. Check PHCC website for details.
Aerial Pilates Improve strength and flexibility through movement with the support of an aerial sling. PHCC. 10–11am. Contact circusbodies@gmail.com.
Open House A regular activity (film, talk, performance) followed by tea, cake and chat. PHCC. 2–4.30pm. Free.
Chair Yoga for All Online Chair Yoga. 2.45–3.45pm. Free. Register at phca.cc.
Chess Club Learn chess with a trained instructor. PHCL. 6.30–8pm. Contact Alex at alex@chessinschools.co.uk.
Advertise your club, group or event with On The Hill
Hopkinson’s Bar Fourth Friday of the month. PHCC. 6.30–9.30pm.
SATURDAY
Primrose Hill Market St Paul’s School playground, Elsworthy Road, NW3 3DS. 10am–3pm. Contact www.primrosehillmarket.com.
onthehill.info
CONTACT DETAILS PHCC Primrose Hill Community Centre 29 Hopkinsons Place (off Fitzroy Road) NW1 8TN Contact: info@phca.cc www.phca.cc 020 7586 8327 PHCL Primrose Hill Community Library Sharpleshall Street NW1 8YN Contact: events@phcl.org www.phcl.org 020 7419 6599
CSH Cecil Sharp House 2 Regent’s Park Road NW1 7AY Contact: info@efdss.org www.cecilsharphouse.org 020 7485 2206
Pulling Pints
Frances Howe on Primrose Hill from the other side of the bar I’ve spent almost three years pulling pints behind the bar at The Queen’s on Regent’s Park Road. Ironically, I had only tried beer on one occasion before starting the job! I was eighteen and found myself in London after deciding to put my university degree in Australia on hold. I managed to get the job through my sister who had worked at the pub and had left a good impression on the new general manager. I didn’t realise at the time that the pub would become my home away from home, nor that it would remain that way even after three years abroad. Anyone who works in hospitality knows that the job can be incredibly social. When you have a whole team that is working full time, it can feel like you practically live together. The turnover rate for hospitality jobs can be pretty high and so you are afforded the opportunity to mingle with people from all walks of life. David Nicholls beautifully described the kinds of people who work hospitality jobs in his 2009 novel, One Day. In it, the lead character Emma is asked what her ‘stroke’ is. He says that everyone who works in the restaurant has a ‘stroke’, whether that be waitressstroke-artist or waitress-strokecomedian. Throughout my time at The Queen’s, I’ve encountered
bartender-stroke-rock-star, bartender-stroke-fashion designer, bartender-stroke-DJ and bartender-stroke-filmmaker. I’ve worked alongside people from Italy, Bulgaria, Canada and Denmark and am proud to call them all friends, staying in touch even when they leave the job. The other social side of the job is getting to know the locals. We have such a beautiful group of people that we are proud to call locals at The Queen’s. Over the years I have had the opportunity to listen to their stories, their jokes and their advice. I’ve heard stories about Glastonbury Festival before it was even called Glastonbury, about fighting in wars overseas and about life in Primrose Hill over the years. I’ve been given advice on my degree, how to solve cryptic crosswords, DIY projects and have even been helped with moving house! (Thank you, Glenn.) It is a beautiful thing getting to come into work and see familiar faces, especially when I find myself in a city that is so far from familiar to me.
I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed getting to play small parts in the lives of strangers who pass through our doors. On a few occasions, I’ve been able to serve the first glass of champagne to couples after they got engaged on the top of Primrose Hill. I’ve played a part in many Christmas parties, birthdays, family reunions and weddings. I’ve met a few of the pub’s past managers who come back to visit and reminisce on the good and the bad. I’ve even met a few who used to work behind the bar and heard their stories of drinking secretly on shift during their university holidays in the 1980s. Now that I’m twenty-one and certainly had quite a lot more than just a taste of beer, I look back on my experience thus far at the Queen’s with warmth. I know I won’t get to hang out behind the bar forever, but for now that’s where I find myself most days of the week. It’s not quite home, but it’s so much more than just a job, and I’m grateful every day to have landed it despite my obvious inexperience all that time ago.
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OSTEOPATHY, MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE, MASSAGE, EXERCISE REHABILITATION
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Up in Smoke? By Doro Marden
“Isn’t burning rubbish to create energy a good thing?” asked a green-minded friend as we sat in the park. Well, there was a long answer and discussion, but the short reply is “Not really”. The North London Waste Authority (NLWA), of which Camden is a member along with six other boroughs, is planning to replace an existing incinerator in Edmonton with one that can burn 30% more black bag waste. At first glance you might say that was an improvement, if the only alternative for our black bag contents is landfill, which produces methane and is wasteful, expensive and polluting. But at a time when we have to cut our carbon emissions urgently, and the ‘circular economy’ is not just ‘nice to have’ but an imperative, there are many ‘buts’: Veolia, who collect our rubbish, say that a shocking 85% of the contents of an average Camden black bag could be recycled. The seven NLWA councils will be locked into a contract to ‘feed’ this incinerator with a set amount of waste into the future; so waste will have to be brought in from outside boroughs to achieve this, and there will be no incentive to improve our poor
recycling rates (only about 30%). Burning one tonne of plastic creates 1.8 to 9 tonnes of carbon in the atmosphere. Considering the new incinerators planned and under construction, there will be over-capacity not just in London but nationwide. Incinerators may well become ‘stranded assets’ as restrictions on carbon bite. Most importantly, incinerators produce the worst kind of air pollution – toxins and tiny particles that go deep into our lungs and brains – which have been linked to higher rates of death from Covid. What can we do instead? First of all, concerned campaigners are asking the NLWA to pause and review the new incinerator. See the Stop the Edmonton Incinerator Now website (stop-edmontonincinerator.org). Much more could be done to make it easier for us to recycle. Keep Britain Tidy commissioned a fascinating report called ‘Inside the Mind of a Contaminator’, which found that it was the keenest recyclers who were most likely to put inappropriate rubbish in their recycling! The information we get could be so much clearer, and outreach could be better. This applies to businesses too – how many of our restaurants recycle food waste?
Holland and Denmark have mixed waste material recovery facilities, which can separate black bag waste, reduce plastics being burned and make a profit. Fifteen times as many jobs are created in reuse and recycling compared to waste disposal. All in all, it looks as if burning rubbish for energy is not a good idea, and instead Camden could make money, create jobs and save carbon through increasing recycling. Find more information on the websites of XR Zero Waste ( www.xrzerowaste.uk) and the UK Without Incineration Network (UKWIN) (ukwin.org.uk). Our nearest recycling centre is in Regis Road, Kentish Town. If you struggle to get there, these organisations take items which shouldn’t go in your bin: Bright Sparks: www.brightsparksonline.com CollectYourOldBed.com: www.collectyouroldbed.com Groundwork: www.groundwork.org.uk The London Community Resource Network: www.lcrn.org.uk Reuse Network: www.reuse-network.org.uk Second Time Around: www.secondtimearound.london
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Primrose Hill People
A Day in the Life of Tom Wilson
Tom Wilson, Senior Designer and Studio Manager at the Primrose Hill branch of Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery, describes his working day Every day is different at Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery. We are the UK’s leading bespoke jewellery company and we specialise in designing and making truly one-off items of jewellery. We have three studios open to the public: one in Primrose Hill; one in Cambridge city centre; and our HQ in a converted barn in Halls Green, Hertfordshire. We are a diverse and multitalented group of people, which is hugely inspiring. Our jewellery is made by a team of goldsmiths in their fully equipped workshop at our Hertfordshire jewellery centre. It’s often affectionately referred to as ‘the goldsmiths’ bowl’ because of its glass sides, which let our customers see them all hard at work! I am Senior Designer and Studio Manager of the Primrose Hill studio, which offers a unique retail experience: we are qualified jewellery designers offering a ‘clean sheet’ bespoke design service in a relaxed high street setting.
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I start the day by setting up the studio with my design team, Victoria and Emily. We put the jewellery out into the cabinets and make sure the displays are looking just right. We’ll talk through our to-do lists for the day, making sure we are briefed on each scheduled customer consultation. Throughout the lockdown periods, we moved all our customer consultations online. We’ve luckily been designing online for years with customers from further afield; we are as happy designing online as we are face-to-face in the studios, so this didn’t affect us too badly. We have continued to meet online with customers who feel safer at home, but it has been great to welcome people in the studio again. Our design consultations are informal and relaxed: I’ll chat through the customer’s ideas and then offer my thoughts and show examples from the extensive gallery on our website and the collection on display in the studio. It’s important for us to get to know the customer. After all, we are usually designing something personally significant to them: maybe the engagement ring they will offer when they propose to their partner, or remodelling a beloved family heirloom. During the consultation I will hand-draw ideas, bringing the design to life in front of the customer for us to refine together, while
working within their budget. Once the design is just right, our workshop team will make the piece, either entirely by hand or using computeraided design (CAD) technology. As I work from the Primrose Hill studio and our workshop is in Hertfordshire, I keep up to date with the progress of my commissions through video chat with our team of goldsmiths and operations department. I make sure that I’m happy with how things are looking and that everything is on track. I think that one of the more positive things to come out of the lockdowns is that we now work more closely as a company. Before the pandemic we would often be visiting the different studios and workshop, interacting in person, whereas we now rely more heavily on phone and video calls – which has led to us needing to communicate more precisely! Another aspect of my role as Senior Designer is working with Harriet on the engagement ring collections in all three studios. We are in constant communication with the design teams to get an idea of the ring styles they would like to develop, what is popular at the moment and what they feel is missing. I work with each designer on their ‘Ready to Wear’ templates, helping them select their final designs and coaching the more junior team members on developing ideas that will appeal to customers. Our Primrose Hill studio is at 69 Regent’s Park Road, open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. Do drop by to speak to us about your bespoke design ideas. www.hkjewellery.co.uk
Camden during World War II By Roy Lee
I grew up in Camden and experienced WWII here as a child, including the Blitz of 1941. I have many memories of that time; here are some of the most vivid. Upon Primrose Hill was a very large anti-aircraft gun, affectionately known as Big Bertha. It made a tremendous amount of noise, but it is unknown if it ever hit enemy aircraft. I attended Haverstock School during the war, and one lunchtime everyone looked up to see a strange object flying above our heads. Suddenly it stopped and we all dived for cover. This was a V-I rocket (doodlebug) which fell on the Smith’s clock factory in Cricklewood, killing over a hundred workers. On every street corner was placed a very large dustbin which was for residents to place any unwanted veg or potato peelings. This bin was collected regularly and the contents sent to farmers to be fed to the pigs. What would Health and Safety make of this today?
One area heavily bombed was the bridge over Kentish Town Road, as the railway line over the bridge was the only rail connection between north and south London. The surrounding area took an awful pounding, but they never managed to hit the bridge. My most vivid memory was being woken up very early one morning by the noise of a crowd of people about fifty yards from our house. A land mine (a bomb
on a parachute) had fallen, and the parachute was caught in the branches of a tree, while the bomb was swinging a short distance off the ground. There but for the grace of God went I! I was never evacuated, and our house was never hit, although the windows were blown out almost as often as they were in. It really was a terrifying experience being in London during the Blitz, but somehow we survived.
Silver Swans ® Silver Swans classes have been specifically designed for the over 55's, but whatever your age, if your looking for a new way to keep fit and active our ballet classes will put a spring in your step. Whether you've never danced before or want to get back into the swing of it our classes have something for everyone. Classes At: Primrose Hill Community Centre Book Your Place Today: Email: katie@primrosehillballet.co.uk Tel: 07769 353528 Website: www.primrosehillballet.co.uk 21
BY PHIL COWAN
Then look no further than some of the finest establishments in London, right here on our doorstep in Primrose Hill. The six venues we still enjoy – The Albert, The Queen’s, The Princess, The Engineer, The Lansdowne and The Pembroke Castle – were all founded around the mid-nineteenth century. They were literally built to be cornerstones of the landscape, as they evolved around the burgeoning railway infrastructure at the Camden Goods Yard. Our village has seen many changes in 170 years, and our public houses, as ‘mirrors of society’, must have witnessed some of the best and worst of them. It’s fascinating to think that between the six pubs, there is service to the community approaching a combined total of over 1,000 years! The role of pubs in providing a friendly public space to meet old and new friends may never have come under such pressure as during the pandemic. The businesses themselves have had unimaginable hurdles to jump during the rollercoaster ride of a lifetime, where restrictions and rules have changed at breakneck pace, making planning for trade a formidable science. Our precious pubs and their valued teams have risen to the challenge with gold-medal responses. As we hope to be emerging from the worst of the bad days, I decided to go on a little pub crawl to speak with some of the people who have kept our ‘locals’ intact throughout. My first visit was to see Sam Moss, proprietor of The Albert. Sam
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told me: “Opening The Albert after its six-year closure was fantastic. We were so excited to see all the locals turn up for the launch on 29 October 2020, and thrilled that Andrew Marr came to cut the ribbon. Sadly, just 8 days later the next lockdown came into force. However, we always knew we were in it for the long run, and despite a few stop-starts we are so happy to be finally providing the great community pub we had always envisaged.
“Generally we feel very optimistic about the future and are looking forward to seeing all of our lovely customers throughout the autumn in the run-up to what we hope will be a fantastic Christmas!” “The irony of the current situation is that the tourist trade we would normally expect has dwindled slightly, for obvious reasons; but because people are working from home more than ever before, we are finding that they are using the venue in ways we had not anticipated. Once people start to reconvene in public spaces, we are also looking forward to welcoming back the many local groups who signed up to protect The Albert through the Asset of Community Value: such as the congregation at St Mark’s Church, staff from the Zoo and the sports clubs who play in Regent’s Park. “Generally we feel very optimistic about the future and are looking forward to seeing all of our lovely customers throughout the autumn in the run-up to what we hope will be a fantastic Christmas!”
Around the corner and up the road to The Queen’s next, for a chat with Fraser Newman, who has managed the pub since summer of 2018. Enjoying a prime location directly opposite the park and with views to Primrose Hill from the legendary balcony, this pub oozes PH appeal. Fraser has cleverly ensured that the venue attracts visitors and locals alike. He commented: “The last 18 months have certainly been unprecedented, but we have worked hard to keep a good service on offer to the community in the circumstances. I think the team has been key to that. People simply like working here and our customers can see and appreciate that. “The added complication of Brexit on top of the pandemic has caused severe staffing problems within the hospitality industry. There is fierce competition for exemplary talent, both back and front of house, but we have been lucky to hold on to a dedicated group of enthusiastic people who are committed to showing The Queen’s at its best. We all hope that the coming months will prove to be less difficult and that we will be able to continue extending our special welcome to the people of Primrose Hill and beyond!” Back down the road to the ‘heartland’ of the village, where The Princess beckons. Refurbished in 2015 and boasting street art by someone rather famous in the garden, this pub also has extensive function rooms regularly used for community and private events. Manager Loni is enthusiastic about a return to pre-Covid times: “The Princess of Wales is delighted to welcome you back as we return to full capacity. We still continue to operate with the highest standards of safety and have taken every precaution to maintain those high standards throughout your visit.” The Engineer on Gloucester Avenue was my next port of call. An imposing corner building directly adjacent to both the railway lines and the Regent’s Canal, this hostelry has a fantastic walled and heated garden for those who still prefer to do their pubbing outdoors.
community, and I think it has been a beneficial two-way street for the locals and our staff to finally be able to interact under the safest of conditions. We are taking the most stringent precautions and hope this will encourage people back out to the pubs. After all, if you don’t use it, you lose it.” Final destination: The Pembroke Castle. Neatly perched on the edge of the iron bridge at the entrance to our little island, this impressive inn is magnificently spacious with grand interior details that remain gilded and adorned as they were in the original interior design scheme. The pub became renowned for its Britpop patrons in the mid 1990s, and a request for an Oasis track or two may still be provided if you ask nicely. That completes my Primrose Hill pub crawl. I hope that we can all continue to enjoy and support these very special places together in the months and years to come. Cheers! @Primrose_Phil Supervisor Andreas Matta told me: “Local people have started to return, cautiously, but in increasing numbers, and it is great to see them all again. While nobody can predict what future months will bring, there is clearly a degree of confidence as we are already taking a considerable number of bookings for the festive season.” Just a couple of minutes up the road I took a break at The Lansdowne, famous for its
unfortunate address of Dumpton Place, and its place in history as one of the first ‘gastropubs’ in London, with visits from Harry Styles. The impending facelift of the little street on which the pub is located promises to provide a big improvement to the space outside the pub on the junction with Gloucester Avenue. Emanuel Delaj was overseeing operations when I visited, and informed me: “It’s lovely that the pub is being supported by the
NB Phil Cowan was not harmed in any way during the writing of this article. In fact all interviews were conducted in the mornings, alcohol-free! Our Primrose Hill pubs: www.thealbertprimrosehill.co.uk www.thequeensprimrosehill.co.uk www.lovetheprincess.com www.theengineerprimrosehill.co.uk www.thelansdownepub.co.uk www.bestcitypubs.co.uk/ pembroke-primrose-hill
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STUDIO M BY MAGGIE CHAMBERS PHOTOGRAPHS BY SARAH LOUISE RAMSAY
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Mimi Leslau wants to be the change. She hopes her work, which is rooted in spirituality, will inspire action for a better world. She feels strongly that we have a responsibility towards others, especially those in our community. Studio M on Chalcot Road was one of six new businesses to spring up in Primrose Hill during the pandemic. It opened after the Primrose Hill Art Trail in 2020, which Mimi felt brought out the community and inspired people. Starting a business during Covid was a risky endeavour, both from a business point of view and because of the general distress felt by many. Of course, the studio had to close for periods of time when restrictions tightened. In response to all this, Mimi created pieces which she hoped would resonate with people, bring joy and spread positive messages. Mimi is fulfilling a dream of being an artist, and of giving back, so her business has a built-in charitable element. This year, a percentage of the sales have gone to provide oxygen to Covid patients in India, as well as to Centrepoint, as she wants to help people, particularly youth in the Camden area, to find shelter. “There comes a point in life when you realise you don’t need any more stuff”. If you are going to make “stuff” it better be for the greater good, hence the giving percentages of sales to charity. Mimi has long been interested in sculpture. She began working with plaster casting and bronze in the 1980s, but after having three children she found she did not have the time to make a full-time business from it. As a hobby, it was an expensive one, so she found another medium and went smaller, which led her to experiment with ceramics. She hand-picked classes from Camden School of Art, Hampstead School of Art, and the Working Men’s College, and after
three years of that, and a lot of selfteaching, Studio M was born. “I’ve been a maker all my life and then suddenly, the work found its voice.”
By her own admission, Mimi is an old hippy, inspired by spirituality, and the storytelling used in ancient artforms Much of Mimi’s work is stoneware with various slip decorations, oxides and stains. She tends to use materials that are of the earth and does not use glazes unless they are natural. During lockdown she got into gardening and found some Jurassic clay in her garden. As she had no other clay to work with at the time, she learned how to use that. She loves going back to the way people used to work – it feels so much more authentic – so she fired the clay using a wood-fired kiln which she built herself, guided by YouTube videos. By her own admission, Mimi is an old hippy, inspired by spirituality, and the storytelling used in ancient artforms. She is an Aquarian and a child of the 1960s. As a result, the ceramics in Studio M have the feeling of being there for some
larger purpose, and not just for decoration. There is a healing and life-affirming presence to her work, which is imbued with positive messages. Mimi creates totems signifying love and hope. There are inspiring messages carved into her pottery, such as ‘Be the Change’ and ‘Peace’. One particularly noticeable and moving textile piece in Studio M was inspired by countries at war and Mimi’s own past. It is a prayer shawl. Her grandfather was a Holocaust survivor, and Mimi is aware of a history steeped in pain and a constant battle to survive. She has ordered various vintage religious fabrics from countries all over the world which were at war with one another. She shredded them, boiled them together, so the colours ran and they were united, braided them, and sewed in beads with messages of peace, love and hope. The real message is survival; and “Together We Can”. These people who normally hate each other can save each other’s lives. This prayer shawl can provide warmth and unity even to an enemy. Mimi is an idealist. The shawl is a fantasy, a hope, a vision of a world where enemies unite and love prevails. Love can’t feed you, but at least it’s a beginning.
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Mimi’s paternal grandparents were born in Germany, and being Jewish, they were privy to a secret from a friend before Kristallnacht to get out of the country and flee to safety, with only the clothes on their backs, so they fled to what was then Palestine and eventually Israel as refugees. The generation who went through this upheaval and lived through the Holocaust tended not to speak of it, as to not imbed their children’s minds with their own horror, so Mimi makes a point of speaking of it, honouring the past and her Jewish heritage by being a voice for those who lost their lives so she could live. She is not religious, but she is very spiritual and believes in many things if they are a force for the greater good. After her parents emigrated from Israel in the late 1950s, Mimi grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. The family never felt they fitted in, especially as her mother and older sisters did not speak English when they moved there. It was supposed to be the land of opportunity, but Mimi is not sure her parents were happy there and she always felt otherly. When she came to London in 1984 to go to university, she loved the diversity the city offered and finally felt as if she did fit in. London makes room for everyone! It’s fabulous! She moved into student accommodation in Marylebone, in the days before the High Street blossomed into what it
Mimi’s work is her own personal revolution for change. is today, met her husband on a blind date and married in 1986. On that first date, they walked to the top of Primrose Hill, where they had their first kiss. She can now see the spot from her living room window; she feels embedded in Primrose Hill. Her three sons and her husband were all born and raised in the area. It’s home.
Mimi loves to hear people’s stories, is interested in their cultures and journeys and feels she is in the ideal place to meet neighbours and passers-by in Chalcot Road. Studio M is otherworldly, with music, incense and candles and a welcoming atmosphere where visitors are invited to chat, drink coffee, browse through the artwork, and leave a wish on the prayer wall. Mimi’s work is her own personal revolution for change. It’s a way to be heard and seen. She is a peace warrior, and the work shouts out her messages of hope for a better kinder world.
Soulstice Crystals loves to embrace the natural form of these wonderful stones, to radiate healing energy and positive vibrations. Soulstice works with ethically conscious suppliers and designs their jewellery at their studio in London. Bringing you one-of-a-kind crystals, crystal jewellery, crystal kits, crystal gift boxes, crystals for kids, and so much more. You can find us online or come and see us in person in our Primrose Hill store at 142 Gloucester Avenue, NW1 8JA. We have a special offer for On The Hill Readers of 20% off your first order. Use the code HILL20 at checkout. www.soulsticelondon.com
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IG @soulsticelondon
That’s the Way our Money Goes – Three Thousand Quid a Bottle By Jim Mulligan
I met JC at the Community Centre as he was putting the finishing touches to the Neighbourhood Nosh meals, and we walked on past Sam’s Café. It was like Pompey’s triumph. Everyone greeted him with a delighted smile. Primrose Hill is still JC’s manor. “Do you still get a frisson when you go past?”“Not at all. You have to move on.” And JC has moved on, from L’Absinthe to Vins du Cru, his online fine wine business. JC had a minor distraction a couple of months back when he had a phone call from Emily Scott: “Emily is the cousin of the mother of my children, my first wife. I have known Emily for nearly 30 years. We had a restaurant in Burgundy at the time, and when she was a teenager Emily came and stayed with us for about six months. That’s probably where she got the hang of cooking. She has just opened a restaurant at Watergate Bay, right by the sea. It’s one door down from where Jamie Oliver used to have his Restaurant 15.” Emily asked JC if he could come down to Cornwall to give her a hand with a big event, and it didn’t
take him long to realise she was talking about the G7 conference. Emily’s lips were sealed, but he later found out that she had been chosen to cook a dinner for the heads of state at the G7. The Prime Minister’s wife, Carrie Johnson, was responsible for the dinner at the Eden Project and she wanted a fresh approach, something that was not stuffy; after a competitive selection process, Emily was chosen. “She is a wonderful chef. She’s a lovely person, and I’ve got great respect for her. The quality of her cooking is all about the produce. At her restaurant she only uses fresh produce: lots of fish. The restaurant is pretty big. She probably serves seventy or eighty covers a night. She will obviously be under more pressure now as a result of the dinner. It’s a new place. She bought it a few weeks before lockdown and she opened in May, four or five weeks before the G7 gig.” By chance Emily launched her book, Sea and Shore, the day before the G7 event. It’s a cookery book and a biography, a mixture of recipes and life in Cornwall. She also moved house, so new restaurant, new book and moving
home; and all just before the G7 dinner. It’s pretty obvious that both Emily and JC must have had security clearance, but he has no idea how it was done. He was never interviewed, never filled in a form online. We all know he would not have been allowed within a mile of the President of the USA unless they knew whether, as he put it, “I was scratching my ear or my balls.” If they can do that for JC, we have to presume they can do it for any one of us. Scary or what? JC arrived in Cornwall on the Wednesday night and stayed with Emily. On the Thursday he had to go to St Ives to get his accreditation. Then on the Friday, he and Emily got to the venue at eight o’clock in the morning in the van with everything they needed. They were in the ‘Mediterranean area’, which has a big café, and they were given the run of the kitchen. It was well equipped and there was a bar which they used to get the drinks ready. “My job was to welcome all the guests and put them at their ease. I was wearing the uniform from Emily’s restaurant: black trousers, some funky Vans shoes, a white kind of matelot shirt. I had to greet everyone individually and make sure they had a drink, and then they shook hands with Boris. I spoke French to M. Macron and his wife. They were delighted, especially that I had no accent. They insisted on meeting Emily before they went to see Boris. Once the heads of state were settled, the Royal Family arrived. I welcomed the Queen, Prince Charles and Camilla, and William and Kate. So I was the greeter of the most important political people in the world, and the Royal Family. “During the meal I was too busy to listen in to what people were saying, but it seemed that most of the conversation had nothing to do with very heavy stuff. One thing I remember was Ursula von der Leyen telling a joke: ‘What is the difference between the European Union and a terrorist? You can negotiate with a terrorist.’” Before the event, Emily was briefed by the Home Office that the guests probably were not going to
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enjoy their meal much, they were not going to drink much, they were only there out of a sense of duty and they were going to leave early. “Well, they ate their food, they drank their wine, they had a bloody good time and they left late, so it was basically the opposite of what we had been told. Carrie wanted everybody to mix, not be so formal, be a bit lighter. And that’s what we achieved. I got on very well with the ones speaking French and English. We created a bond. They relaxed, they talked to me and asked me questions. There was a bit of banter. The only table where it was a little difficult was the one with Boris and Joe Biden. That were the least relaxed table.” Besides two caterers from the Home Office catering department, JC had two people to help him. One was Oscar, Emily’s nineteenyear-old son, who had barely worked in a restaurant before; the other was Rosie, the daughter of Emily’s partner, who was also inexperienced. “Everybody ate the same dishes, so at the end of the day it was dead easy. Looking back on it, I think we wouldn’t have done any better or worse if they had come to the restaurant. It was as good as it gets. The starter was a spiced melon gazpacho with edible flowers, so it looked really pretty and was very tasty. Then we had locally caught turbot with vegetables grown in Emily’s
garden. There were three Cornish cheeses, one a gouda made by a Dutch family who had moved to Cornwall. We finished with a pavlova of English strawberries with clotted cream and chocolate truffles. Everyone tucked in. Probably the one who ate the least was Joe Biden.”
“It was surreal, because here I am serving Joe and Jill Biden, and as I’m serving them I’m looking at Boris Johnson and Angela Merkel and all those other heads of state.” JC was the only one allowed to bring the food to the Bidens. He had to go to the kitchen and ask the secret service agent stationed there which plate he should take, and she would randomly pick one for him. It wouldn’t be appreciated if the Present were poisoned. “It was surreal, because here I am serving Joe and Jill Biden, and as I’m serving them I’m looking at Boris Johnson and Angela Merkel and all those other heads of state. After they had eaten, there was a young woman in the garden playing the guitar and singing. The sound was perfect; it created an atmosphere without being too intrusive. The Bidens wanted to say thank you to her, so I went to get
her and everyone stood up and was relaxed. So they should have been. They must have had twelve bottles of wine between sixteen of them. It’s not bad going, especially when Joe Biden did not drink at all and Carrie drank very little. I won’t say their names, but I had to serve some of them more than others.” Emily had hoped that some of the guests might sign her book, but when she talked to the Home Office they said no chance. The American secret service said no chance. But JC showed the book to the Macrons and Mme. Macron took the book and got everyone to sign it. Joe Biden wrote, “You are more than welcome to visit us in Washington.” At the end of the evening, the Home Office men put the surplus bottles of wine in a safe box and took it away, but left behind everything that was opened. Since each bottle cost a cool £3,000, JC felt it would be a sin to waste it, so he left the young ones to clear up and he got stuck in. “I must have drunk £2,500 worth of wine before we went home.”
Intern Required Studio M are looking for an intern to work October 18 – December 5 (2 days per week) paid. Preferably A level art or previous art experience. Hands on working with clay, shop sales and social media leading up to Christmas. Open Studio. References required. Please contact Mimi on mleslau@hotmail.com Studio M, 41 Chalcot Road
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Marketplace Thank you to all our contributors!
Specialist
Community
PRIMROSE HILL DENTAL 61a Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 8XD 020 7722 0860 / 07845 0088 240 primrose.dent@gmail.com M, W, F 09.00–17.00 Tu, Th 09.00–20.00 Sa 09.00–13.00
PRIMROSE HILL COMMUNITY CENTRE 29 Hopkinson’s Place, Fitzroy Rd, NW1 8TN 020 7586 8327
PRIMROSE HILL BUSINESS CENTRE The First Business Centre in the World 110 Gloucester Avenue, NW1 8HX 0207 483 2681 info@phbcoffices.co.uk M–F 09.00–18.00
Fashion & Jewellery HARRIET KELSALL 69 Regent’s Park Road, NW1 8UY 020 3886 0757 M–Sa 10.00–18.00 Su 11.00–17.00 www.hkjewellery.co.uk
PRIMROSE HILL SURGERY 99 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 8UR 020 7722 0038 M–W 09.00–18.00 Th 09.00–12.30 F 09.00–18.00 PRIMROSE HILL COMMUNITY LIBRARY Sharples Hall St, NW1 8YN 020 7419 6599 M 10.00–18.00 W 13.00–19.00 F 10.00–18.00 Sa 10.00–16.00 POST OFFICE 91 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 8UT M–Su 06:00–22:00
THE PRIMROSE HILL COLLECTION 020 7681 4303 www.theprimrosehillcollection.co.uk Free delivery in Primrose Hill
To advertise your business in Marketplace contact ads@onthehill.info
CHALK FARM FOODBANK Revelation Church c/o Chalk Farm Baptist Church, Berkley Road, NW1 8YS 0207 483 3763 Th 10.30–12.00 www.chalkfarm.foodbank.org.uk
onthehill.info
OPEN STUDIO CHRISTMAS SALE Come Get Your Spirit On! Studio M 41 Chalcot Rd NW1 8LS November 29 – December 5 10:00 -5:00pm PEACE LOVE ART CERAMICS JEWELLERY GIFTS! Time to Shop!
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Hello, Primrose Hill!
In June, the Primrose Hill Community Association turned our streets into an art gallery for the second year running. The Art Trail featured local professional and amateur artists, and included photography, ceramics, painting and sculpture. The quality of art on display showcased Primrose Hill talent in all its colourful glory.
Adrian Hemming
U3A Art
Elisabeth Botsford
Jennifer Louise Martin
Profuselyillustrated.com
Robert Ellis Hawke & Anna King
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Emma Tarlo
Christina Jansen
Children in Chalcot Square
Julia Landes
Nicolas Tobias
Primrose Hill EATS
Chocolate Fondant Cake Thank you to Sweet Things on Regent’s Park Road for this delicious recipe! It’s easy to make and will be a lovely treat for autumn evenings. 1.
Preheat your oven to 190°C (gas mark 5).
2. Prepare a round 9” spring-form cake tin with butter or flavourless oil and cocoa powder, or oil spray. Don’t use greaseproof paper. 3. Melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave in one-minute increments.
Ingredients • 200 g dark chocolate, 70% cocoa • 200 g salted butter • 5 eggs • 1 tbsp gluten-free plain flour • 160 g caster sugar chips, nuts, fruit, anything you like!
4. Add the flour and sugar and mix to combine with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula. 5. Add the eggs one by one, stirring after each addition. 6. Bake for 18–20 minutes; the cake should still tremble in the middle! 7. Serve at room temperature or chilled, with clotted cream or gelato and raspberries.
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In a hashtag and memefilled world, there are still those who read broadsheets 020 3151 6287 166 Regents Park Road, Primrose Hill, NW1 8XN
johndwood.co.uk 32
good Ra t he r ge n t s e st a te a