out&about - April / May edition by out&about media

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APRIL - MAY 2016

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Creative Writing at Orleans House Gallery • Celebrating the Bard at Watermans • Local Artist on Ceramics and Pottery • Win a Three Month Pass at Heston Pools

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With a beautifully refurbished bar, dining room & riverside terrace, the Royal Oak is a hidden gem in Isleworth & the perfect place to relax over a meal or a leisurely drink. Delicious Menu using fresh ingredients sourced locally where possible.

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CONTENTS Regulars

Features

Food

5 Editor’s Tips What’s On at Kew 13 Words Poems by Jacqui Stephens 16 Hen Corner Makes Cheese 18 Local History The Real Mona Lisa 31 Business Matters Hounslow Chamber of Commerce

4 Make a Splash At Heston Pools 7 The Art of Words Creative Writing and Art 8 BRAG Recycling in Brentford 9 Happy Birthday Shakespeare The Bard at Watermans 12 At the Wheel Talking Ceramics and Pottery

20 Free Running Discover Your Inner Child 24 Gifts with a Conscience Chiswick Shopping 26 Day in the Life Rob Gillespie from Hounslow Highways

10 Chiswick Dining Eccellenza at Le Vacherin 15 What’s Cooking? At Verdict in Brentford

24 ADVERTISING SALES

PUBLISHER

EDITOR

FHW Events & Marketing Ltd 1 Times Square, Sutton, Surrey SM1 1LF www.fhwem.com Tel: 020 8770 3177

Gerry Devine | gerry@fhwem.com Claire Eccleshall | claire@fhwem.com

Nisia Studzinska | nisia@fhwem.com

HOUNSLOW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Sally Smith - Chief Operating Officer Hounslow Chamber of Commerce Ltd sallysmith@hounslowchamber.org.uk Tel: 020 8326 6416

Published by: FHW Events & Marketing | Printed by Direct Colour | ©2016 FHW & out&about magazine. While we endeavour to make sure that all published information is accurate, the publishers cannot be held responsible for mistakes or omissions or any loss resulting from non-publication of an advertisement. While all reasonable care is made to ensure accuracy of information, the publisher accepts no responsibility for the views or claims made by any of the contributors, advertising or editorial content included. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of ‘out&about’ or the editor. Terms and conditions apply. Please recycle your magazine.

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LOCAL BUSINESS

MAKE A SPLASH Find your fitness fusion in 2016

Was one of your New Year’s resolutions to get fit and stick to it? If you haven’t tackled this challenge yet, we at Fusion Lifestyle want to help! To celebrate the official opening of the £13.5m redevelopment and modernised facilities at Heston Pools and Fitness we’ve got an exclusive three-month pass to give away. This should give you enough time to face your New Year challenge head on whilst making you feel happy, healthy and proud that you’ve achieved your goals. The new facilities boast a brand new 25m pool, a new dedicated indoor cycle room and a new health and fitness suite that features over 80 stations. For our younger friends, there’ll be plenty of time to burn off energy with climbing, ball pits and adventure in the new three-storey soft play area. Plus the whole family can enjoy tasty food and drink from the centre’s brand new Bickels Yard café. For your chance to win a three-month pass to the new Heston Pools and Fitness answer the following question: How big is the main pool at Heston Pools and Fitness? Send your answers to: liz@flock-creative.com

For more information visit: www.fusionlifestyle.com/centres/Heston_Pool

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Cover Image

WELCOME

Spring cycling Shutterstock

“April is the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain.” ~T.S. Eliot, The Waste Land

EDITOR’S TIPS Kew Highlights Over Easter Don’t Miss Out On… The Chocolate Cookie Kitchen will enable visitors to make

their own cookies in a variety of unexpected flavours to enhance the chocolate taste – flavours include lavender to rosemary, available flavours will tie in with the Flavour trail. The Kitchen will be at White Peaks and will run 11am – 4pm daily. The Bean to Bar Workshops will give visitors a chance to get hands-on and make their own chocolate as well as explore the production and science of chocolate. In the Princess of Wales Conservatory Film room, 25 March – 10 April 2016, 10.30am-4.40pm, places are limited. £6 per person per session. Make your own chocolate wrappers at the drop in workshops where you will learn about fair trade, production and design. You can also browse the chocolate wrapper designs through the ages and be inspired! These sessions will be at the Teepees form 25 March – 10 April 2016, 10.30am-4.40pm. Botanical Art

On March 8th 2016, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew’s resident botanical artist Masumi Yamanaka presented her painting of the Miracle Pine to the Japanese Ambassador, Mr Keiichi Hayashi, at the Japanese Embassy in London. This stunningly detailed painting depicts the lone miracle pine, which was the only surviving tree out of 70,000 in the town of Rikuzentakata after the devastating tsunami hit Japan on 11th March 2011. This miracle pine became a symbol of hope in Japan, with this gesture from Kew Gardens marking the five year anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake and the lasting relationship between Kew Gardens and Japan

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April can appear to be a cruel month indeed, on the cusp of sunshine and rain, offering us glimpses of summer and taking it away again. But its beauty lies in a number of things; as echoed by Shakespeare, whose 400th birthday is celebrated in April this year, ( Watermans in Brentford are feasting on an array of activities and shows celebrating the ‘Bard’) “April hath put a sprit of youth in everything.” April and May feels like cathartic seasons, out with the old, in with the new, recycling, building, replacing! The challenges we have set ourselves at the beginning of the year, may well materialize in the forthcoming months. But don’t despair if they don’t. If you are not running the London Marathon in April or looking for garden inspirations at the Chelsea flower show in May or indeed bedding for the night at one of the Museums at Night events across London, then take a moment to savor and read out&about, whilst eating all that Easter chocolate! after visiting Kew gardens for its chocolate sensations – a festival not to be missed. And it’s not too late to try something new: I am thinking of cheese making –check out HenCorner for their courses in April, and the fruits of your labour devoured in summer.

Nisia nisia@fhwem.com

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Nisia We are looking for a gardening expert who would like to contribute and

share their gardening expertise in out&about for our readers. If you are interested, please drop me an email to nisia@fhwem.com

LOCAL BUSINESS

THE ART OF WORDS Opportunities at Orleans House Gallery to explore creative writing Orleans House Gallery has always held a rich variety of courses ranging from painting and drawing classes, life drawing, children’s art clubs to school workshops. Once more, Orleans House Gallery is broadening its horizons by developing a series of creative writing classes in its aim to explore the connections between art, heritage and writing but also develop the individual’s creative writing skills. Elizabeth Fraser Betts, Arts Education Manager says, “There is a budding writer in many of us and Orleans House Gallery is the perfect space and creative environment to nurture those talents and produce writing which reflects the surroundings and the stories of the borough. We hope this course enables people to find out more about the heritage of the gallery, but more importantly discover their own hidden writing talents.” Explore and develop your creative writing skills using the Richmond Borough’s painting collections, as well as the

Capability Brown and Art and Soul exhibitions at the Orleans House Gallery as inspiration for your writing. Participants will explore their ideas and respond to the art work through poetry and prose. Taught by the poet, Agnieszka Studzinska, whose first collection, Snow Calling was shortlisted for the London New Poetry Award 2010, this workshop promises to engage the writer with new ideas and build confidence in their writing skills. Suitable for beginners as well as advanced level. Tuesdays - 10-1 pm, 26th April, 3rd May, 10th May, 17th May. £100 for the block. To book a place or for more info contact:artseducation@richmond.gov.uk Tel: 02088316000 or book online:

www.richmond.gov.uk/arts

LOCAL BUSINESS

SOMETHING TO BRAG ABOUT

“I’ve been involved with the group since its early days,” says treasurer Douglas Benford, “And the reason we’ve managed to keep going so long is because of the positive energy, enthusiasm and friendliness of the group, coupled with the fact that we all are unpaid volunteers. Everyone contributes because they want to. At first it was a bit uphill getting our message through, but today there’s increased enthusiasm and awareness of recycling locally. There’s still progress to be made, though, on how landfill and wastage can be reduced. In the Borough of Hounslow, on average only 36% of waste is recycled. The amount of food waste and household rubbish sent to landfill is horrendous.”

A long-established local group making a difference

Are you interested in recycling issues? Want to get involved and discuss household rubbish reduction and re-use ideas? BRAG – Brentford Recycling Action Group – is a local fun and friendly, non-political community waste action group BRAG has also had outings to recycle sorting centres and that has been running for witnessed how kerbside 17 years. Its aim is to raise recycling is turned into a awareness of waste issues and useful resource, whether it to promote activities and be plastic rubbish converted facilities to improve the local into underground pipes, old environment for the benefit waste paper baled and pulped of local people. Originally to make new paper, glass and set up in conjunction with tin melted down to make Hounslow Council Recycling new items, garden waste Team and Brentford turned into garden compost residents in 1999, BRAG’s and food waste turned into past projects have included biofertiliser and electricity. promoting the green-box recycling scheme and home BRAG is always eager to hear composters, helping fresh voices and ideas for new School children put together projects and extends a warm magazines on green issues, welcome to all at its meetings, and producing cotton “In the Borough of Hounslow, on average held on the first Tuesday of ‘BRAG bags,’ which were only 36% of waste is recycled. The amount the month at 7pm. The venue given away free locally to is the picturesque Toll House reduce plastic bag usage. The of food waste and household rubbish sent next to Brentford Lock. After group, made up of volunteers, to landfill is horrendous.” the monthly meeting, BRAG also regularly takes part in members adjourn to the local festivals and Brentford nearby Magpie and Crown market. pub on Brentford High Street And that’s not all. BRAG has produced an A-Z guide to what can be reused and recycled locally, as well as a guide to the Brentford ommunity (a new homeowners’ manual) and a sustainable-living map of the area. It has also published the occasional ‘BRAG Mag’ free newsletter and maintained its informative and longestablished website, bragonline.org.uk. BRAG is a member of London Community Resource Network (LCRN).

for Green Drinks, a social evening for people working on, studying or just interested in environmental issues. Besides its website, BRAG has a thriving email group.

Find out more by coming to a BRAG meeting or checking out the group’s website, bragonline.org.uk, a valuable source of ideas and resources.

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LOCAL BUSINESS

SHAKESPEARE COMES TO BRENTFORD The Bard gets a makeover at Watermans writes Erica Weston Love him or loathe him (and let’s admit, we don’t all get those obscure gags…) Shakespeare seems to be going from strength to strength. And to be precise it’s the 400th anniversary of his death this April and our guess is there will be plenty of chance to max out on all things Shakespeare. Watermans will be joining in the fun but doing it in it’s own quirky way with a weekend festival including creative activities, live performance, cinema and hip hop! The Shakespeare Reloaded Weekender (Fri 22-Sun 24 April) will give Shakespeare a twist and a stir. A highlight of the weekend will be a Friday show by the Hip Hop Shakespeare Company founded by MOBO and BAFTAwinning rapper Akala. Brilliant for teens, twenties and anyone who’s still a twenty-something at heart (or a parent!), it’s Shakespeare as you’ve never seen it before, challenging what it means to be poetic and literary, exploring the social, cultural and linguistic parallels between the works of William Shakespeare and that of modern day rappers. On the Saturday night, the critically acclaimed all-girl cabaret act Ruby Dolls return after their sell out event at the River Weekender. Funnier and ruder, they’ll riff on all things Shakespearean in, If Music be the Food of Love. During the day there will be workshops for adults and kids including lots of free stuff, one of which we are intrigued to

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Akala

hear is a giant version of Hangman with a renaissance twist. You can follow a treasure hunt of beautiful objects inspired by A Winter’s Tale courtesy of Wimbledon School of Art, or make your own interactive video content inspired by The Tempest using kinetic sensors. And Chickenshed Theatre are back with a number of drama workshops for children and young people - they’ll sell out fast to book now. On Sunday the Comedy Club 4 Kids will brave the heckling of 250 children aged 6+, and take to the stage. It does what it says on the tin: a comedy club that brings the best of stand up but for kids, so without the rude bits. There’s lots more so check out Watermans website and search Shakespeare Reloaded.

For upcoming listings for Cinema, Children’s Theatre, Exhibition and more visit www. watermans.org.uk.

Ruby Dolls

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LOCAL BUSINESS

ECCELLENZA AT LE VACHERIN Le Vacherin, a traditional French bistro restaurant located in the heart of West London, Chiswick Born in St Vincent, renowned Chef, Malcolm John came to England aged four and settled in Coventry with his family. After leaving catering college at the age of 18, Malcolm moved straight to London where he trained with the Savoy Group at the Berkeley Hotel Knightsbridge for six years. Malcolm temporarily moved to Italy to work at the Sirenous Hotel, Positano. On returning to London in the early 1990’s, Malcolm noticed that there was a gap in the market for an informal, inexpensive French bistro but the time wasn’t right to go out on his own. Between 1995 and 1997 he worked as an Executive Sous Chef at the Café Royal alongside Herbert Berger and then as Head Chef at St Quentin, Knightsbridge. He then moved to Terrance Conran’s Blue Bird Private Members Club for two years in the same role. Malcolm John opened the doors to his first Venture in French cooking; Le Vacherin in Chiswick in 2004. In the same year, Le Vacherin was nominated for Best Newcomer awards in Harpers & Queen and Tattler magazines and was awarded an Egon Ronay star in November 2005. In 2014, Le Vacherin was nominated the 4th best French bistro in London and currently holds 2 AA rosettes and is Michelin rated with two forks and spoons. The classic, fine dining French menu showcases the best seasonal produce, which change throughout the year apart from the popular trademark dish the restaurant is

named after: a ‘French cheese’ that stays in season between September and March. Malcolm John has created a calendar of events for 2016 at Le Vacherin. On the 6th of June Le Vacherin will be hosting the Seafood and Loire night: 5 courses plus wine flight from the homonymous French region at £55. Sunny June will be seeing the acclaimed Julian White agencies return to the Caveau for a sharp Sabrage night. Can you afford to miss a 5 courses & Champagne flight with Sommelier recommendations throughout the Evening? 13th of June will be also an occasion to take the smoking jacket out of the closet and pretend to live in romantic Paris. Just for one night, at £95.00. Bring your family to experience the famous and revolutionary Bastille Day on the 14th of July: an accordion player will be on site all day, staff will be “dressed to impress” and 3 succulent French traditional courses will be served in harmony at £35.00. It will be like experiencing a funny history lesson. More news is available at Le Vacherin, such as the Birthday club, the Diners Loyalty club & the Couples Dine time. Why not visit our website for more information?

www.levacherin.com

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LOCAL BUSINESS

AT THE WHEEL Peter Smith, Ceramics Artist talks creativity I am an artist who has worked in ceramics for about 30 years, since my last few years in an Oxfordshire secondary school. I studied engineering after school but soon found myself working in the NHS, where I have remained in a variety of management roles. I live in Chiswick and work as a project manager in a Service Redesign team. Highly stressful of course; which is why I think I have kept the love of making pottery alive throughout my life. I have been a resident artist at Redlees Studios in Isleworth for 10 years now. Redress is a converted Victorian Stable

building. I am very lucky to have such a beautiful facility near to home. It is the first space that I have used that is entirely mine; I do not have to worry about clearing anything away when I leave. I have come to recognise just how important it is to my life that I have a creative outlet. It really is a major source of ‘therapy’ for me! My ceramics are inspired by many things. I think first and foremost I enjoy the technical side of interplay and interconnection between shapes. It’s the engineer training in me I suppose? Put that with a major love of music as inspiration (especially opera); the need to make things that are useful and a huge drive to acheive balance in my pots, then you see I am never going to tire of making pots? I am a ‘part-time’ artist and that presents challenges. Frustration at ‘never having enough time’ is a major issue. But once I have have made a pot, what do I do with it? There are only so many people who would be grateful for a pot as a gift and home only has so much display space. The problem is somewhat solved by the twice yearly ‘open studios’ events at Redlees Studios. This presents opportunities to sell our art directly to the public. But that’s a challenge; artists these days don’t just need to be able to produce something. An artist, especially one working individually, needs to be a bit of a business person as well as being a salesman. My favourite piece at the moment is, unusually for me, not functional, but a sculpture inspired by viewing Barbara Hepworth pieces in London and St Ives in Cornwall. You may not be surprised though to hear that the form was originally thrown on the wheel? But after throwing it was cut up and reformed with lots of scrapping down to create the form. The decoration is called ‘naked raku’ which is made by applying a highly burnished layer of porcelain slip over the clay body. Before raku firing, the pot is covered with a ‘resist’ of slip and glaze, both of which are removed post-firing. The raku process, which I now do in a kiln that I built myself, creates blackening where the resist cracks or pinholes. It is this that makes the subtle and random black/ white crazing. The next open studios is 13th - 15th May, I have a kiln full of stoneware mugs and vases at the moment. Come and meet me and see my work in studio 3.

www.redlees.org

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GUEST WRITER

WORDS Poetry by Jacqui Stephens Silence

after “Invisible Visible Nature” a painting by Sandra Beccarelli The tar-coated lump rolled sullenly backwards and forwards digging its own channel deeper, its heavy shell worn thin and thick by the push and pull of wind and waves and the pull and push chafing of the sleeping voice within. It could have been the sharp spiked tap-tap-tap of a sandpiper which paused, head cocked, in its race to outrun the tide, to peck here and there with the others, that woke it up. Inside the beak-chipped shell of the tar-coated lump muffled staccato echoes trembled the silence into stuttered ink-scratched broken lines which smudged to whispers. The sea heard the words, the wind lifted them to dance and shout and sing songs

Untitled

after “Ripple” a pin drawing by Sandra Beccarelli Her avoiding gaze settling on a distant point over my left shoulder, hurls icy needles which gather and dart like Arctic terns snagging the softly rippled skin of a shot silk sky. I slowly turn. Red-splashed tattered gusts slap my face. Unpicked threads climb like kites ripped from a child’s bewildered grasp. The sky’s gashed slits rain down. Jacqui Stephens When I retired in 2015, I decided I was not going to compile a “bucket list” but to be open to new opportunities life brings. Writing poetry has given me a voice to express emotions and the deep connection I have to the memories of northern landscapes.

phens Jacqui Ste

of racing currents, wheeling gulls, slip-sliding sands and tumbling clouds, northern sunsets, salmon pink, saffron, and violet arched horizons. It could have been the thick thud-thud-thud of thunder or the crackling corkscrew lightening, that tore apart the blue-domed sky, and let the massed choirs of starlight in.

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We are looking for poems, short stories or extracts from short stories and flash fiction. If you are an established writer or an r inspiring writer, please send you work to nisia@fhwem.com

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Spring

ART FAIR 21 & 22 MAY 10AM - 5PM

Admission £4, Concessions £3, under 16s & LAC members FREE www.landmarkartscentre.org

LandmarkArts

Landmark Arts Centre

Ferry Road, Teddington, TW11 9NN. 020 8977 7558 Registered Charity No: 1047080 landmark-OandA.indd 1

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LOCAL BUSINESS

WHAT’S COOKING AT VERDICT? Brentford’s former courthouse gets ready for summer Words Agnieszka Studzinska There is nothing like a good and when I say good, I mean good coffee and delicious cake on a Friday morning as an end of week treat for…well for whatever you want it to be. Since opening back in September, Verdict, the former courthouse in Market Square in Brentford, goes from strength to strength. It has seen a steady flow of loyal customers and not surprisingly, as it offers a seriously impressive dining experience, catering for breakfasts, lunches and dinners. And their coffee and cakes is a must. “Since the successful introduction of Tapas evenings on Wednesday and Saturday evenings, we have launched a Tuesday Burger night with a slight twist with the introduction of our famous fillet of salmon and Crab burgers, described as awesome,” says Aaron Durkin, one of the founding partners of Verdict. The establishment has an equally impressive beverage menu, stocking craft beer from BBNO’S , Pressure Drop & handcrafted London ciders as well as wide selection of wines: rich full bodied RIOJA, a robust Malbec along with traditional favourites such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chablis. What’s more, customers will soon be able to enjoy some alfresco dining with a glass of Malbec or handcrafted traditional Lemonade on Verdict’s sun drenched terrace. With spring and summer around the corner, the market square fountain will come alive with community spirit

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sampling one of the many new flavours of ice cream that Verdict has also introduced. “We have formed a partnership with a traditional Ice Cream producer, using no eggs, artificial additives or colours. Some flavours are Halal, compliant and suitable for vegetarians,” says Durkin, who is clearly excited about welcoming younger customers and their families. “Verdict is a great pace to stop for a quick snack, treat or a more leisurely dining experience, we want the neighbouring communities to know that we are close by and that you don’t have to travel to Richmond or Chiswick, as lovely as they are, for some outstanding culinary, local cuisine.” Verdict is now also catering for children’s parties, business meetings, adult celebrations as well as creating a Lounge Bar, just ask the management for further details.

verdictbakery.com

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LOCAL PROJECT

HOME-MADE CHEESE Hen Corner gets to know your curds and whey says Sara Ward I don’t know how far down your list of aspirations for 2016 you are, I never make New Year’s resolutions as it’s a sure fire way of setting myself up to fail, but I do often decide that a few dreams can be realised each year with a bit of planning and determination. This year I decided to get back into cheese making and am very pleased that I have. I’ve always enjoyed making food and discovering how everyday products are made from basic raw ingredients. I recall considering what was in cheese when I was first introducing my son to solid food when he was a baby nearly sixteen years ago. We often think of cheese as an ingredient in it’s own right and when looking at the list of ingredients on a packet, simply see the word cheese, but I know that it doesn’t come out of a cow looking like that or indeed from a sheep, goat or buffalo. We all know that cheese comes from milk, but how can such a huge array of varieties (France has over 450 and Britain has around 700) each with differing textures, flavours and strengths all be derived from your daily pint? The not so simple answer is through differing milks, water content, bacterias, moulds, techniques, maturing time and storage. Cheese making, like so many other food producing techniques that rely on slow patient processes, has in many cultures left the home kitchen and been trusted to the larger producers, who to be fair often have access to very large quantities of milk. But just as we delight in baking our own bread and brewing the odd barrel of beer, let’s not miss out on the opportunities of discovering how a furry white mould can protect a new cheese allowing wonderful complex flavours to develop inside that ooze out upon cutting when it’s ripe and ready. We currently make three different cheeses here at Hen Corner and are looking forward to trying out more in the coming months. Softer cheeses don’t need so long to mature before eating and the addition of some fresh herbs, garlic and black pepper adds pungent flavours to a young cheese that we can enjoy within a couple of days. Another favourite that we make is a firm tangy feta that keeps well in a tub of brine and makes a wonderful addition to summer salads. Our favourite cheese, however, of which we are most proud is a camembert style with a soft white casing protecting the gooey rich centre. This one does ask for our patience as it takes 6-8 weeks to mature, but the first couple of weeks of

this process rewards us with the daily development of the trademark white mould that slowly grows over the outer surface of the cheese locking in all the wonder. As cheesemaking creates whey as a by-product we’ve recently developed a new loaf that we sell on Fridays at our Micro Bakery that adds honey, butter and whey to the wheat flour resulting a soft light sweeter loaf, perfect for breakfast time. So if you’d like to rival Little Miss Muffet and get to know your curds and whey, come and join us for our next cheese making course, we may even make a few savoury biscuits to enjoy with the cheese whilst it is straining… Cheese Making Course at Hen Corner Wednesday, 27th April, 9.30am - 4pm

HenCorner.com

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LOCAL HISTORY

THE REAL MONA LISA Linda Lingham Taylor on Doctor Who and the Mystery of Mona Lisa’s Twin On the face of it, a fictional alien from the planet Gallifrey and Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous painting would appear to have little in common. And what on earth, or perhaps in space, you might be tempted to ask, has it got to do with Isleworth? Well, the first actor to play the good Doctor, William Hartnell, lived at 51, Church Street, next door to his unofficial guardian, the art connoisseur, Hugh Blaker, who inhabited numbers 53 to 57. And it was Mr Blaker who discovered another portrait of Lisa that has since been dubbed ‘the Isleworth Mona Lisa’. Of course, the world-famous version of the Mona Lisa (the ‘Mona’ is short for ‘Ma donna’) has hung in the Louvre since 1797. It is a portrait of the wife of a wealthy Florentine merchant, Francesco del Giocondo and is known for the sitter’s mysterious, elusive smile and the subtle shadowy quality of the work, called ‘sfumato’, or ‘Leonardo’s smoke’. But in 1913, Blaker discovered a dirt encrusted portrait in a Somerset manor house which, once cleaned, was found to be of a younger Lisa, the composition almost identical to the Parisian version and the smile equally as enigmatic. He took it back to Isleworth (hence its name) and he and his stepfather, John Eyre, set about trying to prove that Leonardo had painted two portraits of the same woman, ten years apart; but the art world set its face against them.

And the controversy over the painting’s provenance continues to the present day. The Mona Lisa Foundation restored the Isleworth Mona Lisa to public gaze in 2012 following her liberation from a Swiss bank vault where she had languished for almost forty years. They claim that this painting (which belongs to an anonymous international consortium), was commissioned in 1503 by del Giocondo, but delivered unfinished in 1506 before Leonardo left for France, and therefore the Louvre portrait is a second painting, produced ten years later. However, many da Vinci experts insist that Leonardo worked on only one version over a period of time and the Isleworth portrait is just one of many copies (and not a very good one at that). To bolster their case, the Foundation organised a tour of the painting to Asia in 2014, together with an exhibition of their evidence. Historical references included Leonardo’s sixteenth century biographer, Giorgio Vasari, who referred to two paintings, one begun in 1503 but left unfinished (the Isleworth version) and a completed painting found in Leonardo’s possession towards the end of his life (the Louvre version). In addition, Gian Paolo Lomazzo, in his 1584 treatise on painting, mentioned ‘della Gioconda’ (La Gioconda, ‘the laughing one’ is an alternative title for the painting) ‘e di Mona Lisa’, implying the existence of two paintings. And indeed, in 1504, the painter Raphael made a sketch of the portrait in Leonardo’s studio which was flanked by two Greek columns, as is the Isleworth painting, whereas the Paris version, which has never been trimmed, has only the bases, suggesting that Raphael drew the ‘first’ painting. The Foundation also commissioned Pascal Cotte to make a state-of-the-art digital analysis which proved the brushstrokes on the face were by a left-handed artist (Leonardo was left-handed) and also revealed preparatory drawings beneath the paint, such drawings usually being found in original works, not copies. The Foundation concluded that the artist was ‘likely the same for both paintings’, at least in terms of the face and hands; they accept that the rest, in particular the crude background, was by another, inferior, artist. The physicist, John F Asmus agrees, stating with ’99 per cent scientific certainty’ that the same artist painted ‘at least the face’ of both paintings. However, Cotte himself has warned against using his work to ‘back up risky conclusions’.

Portrait of Lisa del Giocondo

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LOCAL HISTORY particular, “the head, like all other copies, does not capture the profound elusiveness of the original”, the style was too heavy-handed, and the under-drawings did not show any of the characteristics of Leonardo’s preparatory methods. He added that he did not know of “any major Leonardo scholar who has definitely accepted it.” And it is true that such a famous painting inevitably generated copies – the earliest known was discovered in the Prado in Madrid in 2011 – and da Vinci’s own students created many versions. In fact, in the last hundred years there has been only been one ‘new’, fully authenticated, Leonardo: Christ as Salvator Mundi (Saviour of the World), rediscovered by Luke Syson and exhibited at the National Gallery in 2011. It was subjected to intense analysis by the experts, including Kemp, and a consensus reached on its status. This, says Syson, is the correct procedure for any serious campaign for authentication, which did not happen in the case of the Isleworth Mona Lisa which he agrees is a ‘rather poor, somewhat later copy.’ The Isleworth Lisa (left) & The Mona Lisa (right)

Isleworth can still bask in the reflected glory of Mona Lisa’s controversial twin who once took up residence in Church Street

Syson and others have also pointed out the flawed nature of a comparison between the paintings as the Isleworth portrait is on canvas whereas all of da Vinci’s mature oil paintings were executed on wood, including the Paris version (on a poplar wood panel) and the Salvator Mundi (on a walnut panel). But the Foundation refuses to give up the fight, and since there are only fifteen authenticated paintings by Leonardo to survive, a ‘new’ one would be a great prize (a previously unknown Gauguin, for instance, was recently auctioned for almost $300 million). Nonetheless, Isleworth can still bask in the reflected glory of Mona Lisa’s controversial twin who once took up residence in Church Street. But to settle the issue once and for all, it might well be necessary to beg the good Doctor to employ his Tardis to go back in time to check the veracity of the assertions with the master painter himself. Check out the Science Museum exhibition: Leonardo da Vinci: The Mechanics of Genius, which runs until 4th September 2016, for an insight into the vast range of Leonardo’s talents.

Hugh Blaker

lindalinghamtaylor@gmail.com

But the most vehement opponent of these claims has been Martin Kemp, professor of art history at Oxford, and a leading da Vinci expert. He argues that whereas scientific techniques might be useful in highlighting forgeries, they could not, in themselves, prove authenticity. What was critical was visual interpretation and a detailed knowledge of the painter’s methods and style (his ‘hand-writing’). In

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LOCAL BUSINESS

WHO WANTS TO GROW UP ANYWAY? Kirsten Lonsdale tells us how to discover our inner child combination of exercise, fantastic coaching and the playful environment always leaves me exhausted but with a massive smile on my face! Every week the Coaches manage to get me to jump further, balance better and overcome obstacles that are both physical and mental.”

“Peter Pan may have had the right idea, why should we grow up?” says Andrew, a 47 year-old Finance Director who has just taken up freerunning and says he’s never felt more happy to throw himself around a children’s playground. Andrew is among a growing number of stressed and pressured professionals in West London who have signed up for weekly freerunning classes with the founder of the discipline, Sebastien Foucan.

Sebastien is delighted to see so many women taking up the discipline, which has in the past been viewed as a more macho pastime. “Freeruning was never meant to be about taking big risks or doing the longest and scariest jump. My discipline is about expressing yourself and reconnecting with yourself and your environment. I like to convey the feeling of freedom and fun through the classes and many of my students quickly understand the biggest obstacle actually comes from their own mind.” Foucan Freerunning Academy runs classes five days a week at Oxygen Freejumping in West Acton. Adult sessions are on Wednesdays, Thursdays.

For more details email Academy@foucan.com

Foucan, who starred in the opening sequence of James Bond’s Casino Royale has set up his own Academy at Oxygen Freejumping’s Acton site and is himself surprised by the appetite for adult beginner classes. “When we opened the Academy in Acton we scheduled just one class for adults amongst all of our sessions for children because we were not sure how popular it would be. We have had such a big response that we have now had to add two more sessions including a women’s only class on Sundays.” Foucan was part of a group of friends in France in the 1980’s, who developed an obstacle led style of play, which they named ‘parcours’ (Parkour). He founded freerunning in 2003 as a more expressive form of the discipline. The art form exploded into the UK consciousness with Mike Christie’s Jump London documentary, which showcased Foucan and his friends jumping from the capital’s iconic landmarks. Foucan thinks that Freerunning is a natural way to move our bodies and puts the Academy success in West London down to adults wanting to re-discover their inner child and find a way to play again, he says. “For some reason we think we need to stop playing when we grow up. Life gets serious and we forget about having fun and using our bodies the way we were meant to.” This is a view echoed by 42 year-old Product Designer Mark Hester who joined the Academy after watching his 14 year-old boy having all the fun. “The hour I spend at the Foucan Freerunning Academy has become the highlight of my week over the last term. The

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COFFEE BREAK

SPRING QUIZ 1. What is the first day of Spring technically called?

Across

Down

7. Evergreen tree 9. Unfastens 12. Agitate 13. Upon 14. Amount a tablespoon can hold 15. Single unit 16. Departed 17. Kind of selling 18. Funeral woodpile 20. Sleeps briefly 22. Knapsacks 25. Drill a hole 27. Also 28. Rebirth of the soul in a new body 30. Examination 31. Steals from 32. Dining cars 33. Directed a light

1. Plant science 2. Female child 3. Small animal 4. Gossip 5. Pertaining to a sponge 6. Cause to be out of tune 8. Person who advocates liberty 10. Data 11. Flat-fish 12. Cease 19. Person who plays the piano 20. You cannot get out this way 21. Writers 23. Peanut 24. Male offspring 25. Spawned 26. Temporary stop 29. Stepped

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2. On the first day of Spring, it is said that the day and night are exactly what length? 3. In which children’s Disney film does the “Rite of Spring” feature? 4. Why does daylight increase in Spring? 5. What does Spring symbolise? 6. What is the name for the Roman goddess of Spring? 7. For Australians, in what month does Spring begin? 8. La Primavera, or the ‘Allegory of Spring’, is a painting by which artist? 9. Is Spring considered the first, second, third or fourth season of the year? 10. How many daffodils did Wordsworth see, when he was wandering lonely as a cloud?

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LOCAL BUSINESS

GOOD STUFF WITH GOOD STORIES Rowena Hughes, Chiswick based retailer of gifts with a conscience. I started Rosy Rosie a few years ago driven by the seemingly constant need for gifts! I always seemed to be on the look out for fun, good quality and cost effective presents for babies, children and their grown-ups that were just a ‘bit different.’

Now, as well as selling via our website and being ‘regulars’ at local markets/events in West London, we also wholesale our candles to lovely independent British businesses. Indeed it was whilst I was attending local markets and popup events I started meeting lots of talented designer/makers. Many of them created beautiful and covetable things and wanted other sales outlets. I also started attending various trade fairs where I met vibrant British companies who were making ethical commitments within their businesses in terms of fair trade and use of sustainable materials. The light bulb moment came when I realised that you can have fun, fabulous products that also have a decent ethical and sustainable provenance – maybe handmade, made from sustainable materials, made here in the UK or made within community/fair trade projects and so the ‘Rosy Rosie’ criteria of ‘Good Stuff with Good stories’ was born.

I was already making my own handmade scented soy wax candles – inspired by my own desire to have ‘Luxury Brand’ candles at err ‘Not Luxury Brand Prices.’ I chose soy wax because it holds scent well and is ‘healthier’ to burn. It is becoming increasingly popular as a candle wax because it made from soy beans which are a sustainable crop (no palm oil or other nasties) and the beans used to make the wax for my candles are non GM and not sprayed with pesticides or herbicides, they are totally natural. I use good quality fragrance, formulated for use in soy wax so the candles have an excellent and consistent ‘scent throw’ whilst burning. In fact they subtly scent a room even when unlit – the ‘potpourri’ effect. Once the candle has finished burning, the containers - tins and glass tumblers – are easily washed with soap and water to be recycled or even reused.

Now our ranges include clothes, toys and accessories for babies, children and their grown-ups – everything from organic cotton Baby Rompers and Baby Blankets – to recycled plastic Seaplanes and Dump Trucks to Traditional Wooden Jigsaws and Toys, Craft Kits and Leather Accessories and Handbags for the grown-ups.

Five years on, I am proud to have a thriving small business You can find Rosy Rosie online or at one of her popup events – for more details see www.rosyrosie.com or contact Rowena at rowena@rosyrosie.com

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LOCAL BUSINESS

HOLIDAY AT THE EXTREMES Rachel Jelley shares her adventures

Have you been watching ITV’s series ‘Life at the extremes’ with Davina McCall? I’ve been hooked due largely to the fabulous cinematography and because each episode is packed full of interesting facts about animals who survive, and thrive, in some of the world’s harshest conditions. I’ve been gripped for another reason too; I’ve been lucky enough to visit three of the destinations featured. Sunvil - your local travel agency - offers holidays to all four.

a region that is largely an ice-desert had such an effect on me? It is because you expect a place like this to be sleepy and uninhabitable. Instead what you find is a 2000 strong population who have been drawn here - as if by the earth’s magnet pull – by the awe-inspiring wildlife, which survive in one of the world’s toughest environments. Polar bears, walruses, seals and husky dogs all call Spitsbergen their home.

Namibia:

Namibia is an amazing country and one of the most diverse in the African continent. Visitors here can observe dense herds congregating around watering holes in the Etosha National Park, meet indigenous communities, explore the Skeleton Coast, visit seal colonies along the Atlantic Coast and admire the beautiful, iconic, red sand dunes of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. You can even experience all of these attractions in a two-week holiday. Believe me that watching a giraffe drink is both fascinating and hilarious at the same time. I can also highly recommend climbing the sand-dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib and greeting the sunrise from their summit. The Azores:

Situated in the mid-Atlantic, the Azores are the westernmost point of Europe and a group of nine lush volcanic islands. Here, you will find vibrant-blue crater lakes, botanical gardens, plunging cliffs, flower-strewn hedgerows and high mountain peaks. For outdoor enthusiasts (like myself ) and nature lovers, there is no rival. The Azores also have another attraction for visitors, and that is their rich marine life. Surrounding the islands are deep shelves in the sea floor, which are heaven for sperm, blue, fin and humpback whales as well as wide array of dolphins and turtles. The whale watching season starts in April and runs until October book your trip today.

Costa Rica:

Direct flights from the UK can now take you to Costa Rica, the compact heart of an extraordinary range of experiences. There is nowhere else in the world where you can seek out scarlet macaws and capuchin moneys in a rainforest, overlook a smoking volcano, raft down a tumultuous river and laze on a rugged beach, all within the space of a few days. Nature lovers, activity-junkies, bird watchers and photographers will all be in their element. Follow in Davina McCall’s footsteps on a holiday with Sunvil.

Tel: 020 88473401

Spitsbergen:

We all have that one place which has captured your heart and which you feel most privileged to have visited. For me, that destination is the archipelago of Spitsbergen at just 1300km south of the North Pole. Why you might ask, has

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HOUNSLOW HIGHWAYS

A DAY IN THE LIFE Rob Gillespie, Service Director for Hounslow Highways has a cuppa with out&about

reflect and consider the issues currently at hand. Secondly as a Highway Engineer, I just like roads and transport so a journey lets me enjoy that environment. Worst part of the journey to work?

The worst part is always the examples of poor road-sense and lack of courtesy of some drivers we all encounter out there. There’s certainly no excuse for lack of courtesy, we’re all travelling together and we all need to get to where we’re going. A ‘break’ indulgence?

There will certainly be a mid-morning refresher needed but generally not a snack. Definitely a coffee but that has to be espresso-based, I can’t stand instant. What does the day hold for you?

What time do you get up?

I am up around 5.30 am and the first cuppa will be about 6.00 am, normally on the way to work. How do you travel to work?

I generally drive as I am out and about on the Hounslow network during the day. If I have meetings in central London then it is the train and tube every time. The best part of the journey to work?

The best part is normally the whole journey for a couple of reasons. I have always enjoyed the quiet time of a journey to

The day in Hounslow will hold a great variety. One moment I will be discussing engineering principles for a major bridge design, the next I will be looking at street cleansing and fly-tipping. It never ceases to amaze me how the activities on a roads network can vary so much. The borough network really is a living thing in itself, it is designed for us to travel on, live in and do business in. Each of those user groups have different needs and expectations and we have to tailor our service to meet each of them. Best aspect of your job?

Being around our teams and especially in our Operations Hub. Our teams really are passionate about the highways service we deliver, the cleanliness of the environment and the quality of the works we carry out. Everything we do is controlled and monitored through our Operations Hub in Jubilee House, I can spend time in there and find out about all our ongoing works, what trends we are seeing and what the emerging issues are.

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HOUNSLOW HIGHWAYS Worst aspect of your job?

I guess it isn’t a worst aspect, but I do get disappointed when we don’t deliver quite as well as we’d planned. We pride ourselves on the planning to get the right outcome and when it doesn’t happen (not very often I have to say), we do beat ourselves up and learn from it. How do you unwind?

I have two terriers who love to run so I get excellent long country walks at weekends. I still play competitive badminton for my local club so despite being more effort on ageing joints, the exercise is very welcome. Mottos for motivation?

I have a theme that we should always know “why” we are doing something and what the end goal is. That is very important for all of our teams to be motivated. I also believe we should all be better tomorrow than we were today. In another life, I would like to be...

A writer. Like everyone I am sure there is a best-selling novel in there. I like the idea of the author in ‘Love Actually’ sitting looking at a lovely secluded lake, in the quiet, letting the creative juices flow.

Streets Ahead for business

More than a highways service provider Have you considered how Hounslow Highways could work for you?

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Combining the expertise of major road construction and maintenance companies, VINCI and Ringway, Hounslow Highways offers a widerange of services to private and public service clients across West London.

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• Project and engineering design • Civil engineering construction works • Street lighting design, installation and maintenance • Road and footway surfacing • Tree and grounds maintenance • Drainage and environmental management • Road marking • Road and general signage

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We pride ourselves on sharing this knowledge, offering advice that’s right for you, right when you need it – making the process of buying, selling, renting or letting reassuringly simple. Winkworth. See things differently.

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Admission rates start from £4.50* Taking bookings for Birthday Parties, from as little as £8.50 per head! Blenheim Centre, Prince Regent Road, Hounslow, TW3 1NL Open 7 days a week 10am to 6pm**

WWW.JUNGLE-VIP.CO.UK Tel: 020 8577 5618 Please note children of all abilities are welcome to play at Jungle V.I.P. We have designated play areas for 0-2yrs, inclusive of a sensory zone; a toddler specific area and a child area up to the age of 10yrs and/or are of a maximum 4ft 10 in height Definitions of: Off Peak timings inclusive of – 10am till 3pm (Mon to Fri term time only) Peak timings inclusive of - 3pm to 6pm (Mon to Fri term time only) 10am to 6pm Weekends & School Holidays Mon – Sun *Off-peak & peak rates apply **We may close early on a Friday/Sunday due to a VIP party booking.Please call in advance to avoid disappointment

HOUNSLOW HIGHWAYS

SEARCH IS ON FOR OUR BEST LOCAL BUSINESS The hunt is on for the best businesses in Hounslow with the launch of the 2016 Hounslow Business Awards in association with Hounslow Highways Now in their fourth year, the awards, organised by Hounslow Chamber of Commerce in association with Hounslow Highways, aim to recognise and reward the achievements of the local business community across the whole of the London Borough of Hounslow. Businesses are invited to put themselves forward for the awards, which were formally launched on 8th March 2016 at the prestigious global headquarters of GSK on the Great West Road, Brentford. The finalists will then be invited to a gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Hilton London Syon Park Hotel, on 13th October. Stephen Fry, Chief Executive of Hounslow Chamber of Commerce, said: “I continue to be very impressed with the quality, enthusiasm and passion of the businesses that enter these awards. These awards demonstrate that Hounslow is an exciting place to work and recognition from these awards can make a difference when securing new customers and new business. Applications are welcome from all local businesses in the borough, large and small and there is no limit to the number of categories that can be entered.”. Speaking on behalf of title sponsors Hounslow Highways, service director Rob Gillespie said: “Hounslow Highways is very pleased to be the headline sponsor for the Hounslow Business Awards for the third consecutive year. Hounslow has a diverse and entrepreneurial business base and we are delighted to support their success.”. Councillor Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council, said: “The Hounslow Business Awards are the perfect opportunity for our local businesses to showcase just what

they are doing and who they are. We’re extremely proud to be sponsoring these awards again. I urge our local businesses to put themselves forward for the awards and if you know of a business that should be nominated, get them to apply. We want to celebrate our businesses and the part they play in our community.” Charlie Wetherall, director of Online Support, who were winners of the 2015 Business of the Year award spoke at the launch event and said “Winning an award has had such a positive impact on our business. I know we won new customers as a result of our success and I encourage every business here tonight to enter.”.

to find out more about entering your business visit www.hounslowawards.com

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HOUNSLOW CHAMBER

MEMBER NEWS Mobile Materials Recycling Facility Up to £1 million in savings is available to any establishment or village of 10,000 people handling its own waste with a mobile Materials Recycling Facility * It might sound too good to be true that you can save money AND the environment, but an effective, tried and tested method has been developed proving that simple guidelines and cost-effective equipment not only reduces waste but also saves money.

have invested in this equipment, it is both mobile and versatile and can be moved from site to site as required for each new project. Under the neighbourhood plan scheme towns and villages can take on the waste management services themselves as part of the big Community plan by the Government. For more information please contact: Geoff Chapman on 0750 713 8690

*findings from a financial study by independent Bio-regional engineer Nicole Lazarus, taking into account reduced transport costs, sale of recyclates and avoidance of landfill tax.

The equipment and resources to actively handle waste efficiently are inexpensive to install, recouping their own cost several times over in saved waste removal revenue. Using specialist equipment to break down waste into smaller volume is a quick and easy method, which immediately produces massive savings on traditional methods of waste disposal. There is a range of equipment available for the treatment of all types of waste. Once you

A School Farm in Feltham Community groups invited to come down to the farm at Reach Academy Feltham

Reach Academy Feltham (RAF) in the centre of Feltham High Street is creating a school farm and natural area for the school and the local community. They had their Farm launch on the 7 March and welcomed two pigs and 20 chickens. Reach has transformed an adjacent acre of land, on loan from the Ministry of Defence, into a space in which the Academy’s pupils can learn to look after small farm animals, grow and harvest produce, study insects and amphibians in a natural environment and understand the seasonal cycle and value of agriculture. The project build has been made possible by the generous support of the Heathrow Communities for Tomorrow Fund and the Ministry of Defence. However to make the farm a success they’re seeking sponsorship and donations from community members and local businesses to purchase some essential farm equipment, plants and feed to help get them started. Reach hope to welcome and make available this great facility to local community groups, nurseries and schools

so they too can experience a little piece of the countryside within the convenience of this town centre site. Reach Academy Feltham is a new, innovative through-school which moved into its purpose-built site in central Feltham in September 2014. Reach Farm has been designed to provide significant educational benefit to every pupil from the Nursery to Y13 and also to groups with diverse needs in the area. “We are very excited about this project because it gives our pupils and our community the opportunity to study nature on a regular and close-up basis in a safe and accessible environment” said the Academy’s Principal, Ed Vainker. “How lucky is Reach Academy Feltham to develop such a facility adjacent to its site, a chance so rarely available to students in urban schools? The pupils are all really behind the scheme – there is currently a competition to name the pigs, which are already delighting the students and applications have flooded in to be student farm volunteers. The potential to come from this natural space is huge, longlasting and truly an exciting new phase in the development of Reach Academy Feltham.” For further info: Emily Henley, Reach Farm Coordinator, RAF (07711 712658)

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HOUNSLOW CHAMBER

MEMBER NEWS A Royal February for Hounslow Business parking spaces onsite, providing frequent business travellers and leisure guests with fast, regular access to the airport via shuttle or the convenience of a park and fly option. 97 of the hotel’s executive rooms and the refurbished Renaissance Executive Lounge boast impressive, uninterrupted views of the runway. Additional facilities include a Health Club, Room Service, Concierge, Bureau de Change, ATM and Gift Shop. Lunch with the Earl of Wessex

John Holland Kaye CEO at Heathrow HRH The Duke of York KG attends official re-launch of Renaissance London Heathrow Hotel

The Duke of York KG, was guest of honour in February at the Renaissance London Heathrow to celebrate the re-launch of the landmark airport hotel following a complete renovation. His Royal Highness joined Surinder Arora, Founder and Chairman of the Arora Group,which operates the hotel, in a ceremony attended by local partners, businesses, stakeholders, clients and guests. Completed in December last year, the £20 million refurbishment encompassed all areas of the hotel including upgrading its 3,000sqm conference and events space, reconfiguring the public areas to introduce a new restaurant, bar and lobby lounge and adding 61 new stylish guestrooms bringing the total count of bedrooms and suites to 710.

The second Royal visit on February 23rd welcomed HRH Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex, and the launch of the Duke of Edinburgh Diamond Challenge at Heathrow Airport. To celebrate the launch, John Holland-Kaye CEO at Heathrow reached new heights as he abseiled down the inside of Terminal 5 from departures to arrivals, prior to a lunch. It is reasonable to suggest that your Chamber Team and Board are awaiting sponsorship to undertake similar high risk activity. The lunch at the Arora group Hotel at T5 – Sofitel – was again hosted by Surinder Arora. More than 150 colleagues also signed up to take part in the FITBIT challenge to walk, run, cycle or row the equivalent distance of one of Heathrow’s 180 worldwide destinations over 400,000 miles - by the end of June, with representatives from British Military Fitness on hand to help them limber up for their challenge.

Speaking at the event, Surinder Arora, commented, “I am honoured to be joined by The Duke of York, our team, partners and our special guests here today to mark the official re-launch of this impressive hotel after such an extensive transformation. The hotel and I have a unique relationship from my time as a waiter in the bar during the 1970’s, so to be standing here cutting the ribbon more than 40 years later, remembering those days fondly, is very special.” Located on the main perimeter road, the Renaissance London Heathrow is the closest hotel to the airport’s central terminals and offers 710 guestrooms, 17 function suites, 5 breakout rooms, a brand new Market Garden restaurant and Bar Eleven as well as an impressive 700

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HOUNSLOW CHAMBER

The Chiswick Calendar Party 2016 Celebrations and Praise

The Chiswick Calendar celebrated its first year anniversary in January with a number of ‘celebrities’ in attendance at the party, including Torin Douglas, Ruth Cadbury MP, leader of the council, Steve Curran and author Sadie Jones. A brilliant turnout reflected the hard work that has gone into the development of the The Chiswick Calendar. There has been much positive feedback about the website, lovely comments about the photographs, the newsletter, the events, the videos and the latest offering – the club card. Congratulations to Bridget and the team for doing such a great job!

Echoes of Emotion Watermans exhibition gets the thumbs up

Wednesday 13th January saw the ‘Private View’ of an exhibition of artwork by students of Brentford School for Girls at The Watermans Arts Centre. The pieces on show had been selected by Watermans from the huge annual school exhibition of GCSE and A Level work created during 2015. Working to diverse themes, students’ work reflected how ideas and emotions can be conveyed through art. The ‘Private View’ was well-attended with MP Ruth Cadbury; the Deputy Mayor of Hounslow; Myra Savin Councillor and members of local business and community groups enjoying the evening. Students were on hand to talk to their guests about their artwork and their experience of putting together a professional art exhibition. Of the work on display, Ruth Cadbury commented, “Some really interesting pieces showing a variety of reflection on the theme. Some beautiful, some challenging but all showing skill and thought. A credit to the students and their teachers.”

A Year7 student and her sister on preview night

Brentford School for Girls was grateful for the opportunity to once again exhibit at Watermans; the exhibition ran for the whole of January. Chase Buchanan very kindly sponsored the ‘Private View’. For further information about the school, please contact general@brentford.hounslow.sch.uk

www.hounslowchamber.org.uk

HOUNSLOW CHAMBER

Rugby for All England Team invite neighbours in for Twickenham Training

The England senior team hosted an open training session for 15,000 at Twickenham Stadium at the end of January, including grassroots clubs and rugby playing schools, local residents and pupils from 11 local schools formed the guard of honour.

Hounslow Chamber was also pleased to be there to see the team train together at the Home of England Rugby for the first time under new Head Coach Eddie Jones. The event included a Q&A with new captain Dylan Hartley and players Jack Nowell and James Haskell. Eddie Jones said, “Today’s open training session was a really important moment for the whole England team. After today, I’m sure the players are more eager than ever to return to Twickenham when we face Ireland on February 27. I’d like to thank everyone who came out today and showed their support for the team. It means a huge amount to each and every one of us.” With an original target of 10,000 spectators, the event was expanded to allow for the overwhelming demand for places. We wish England all the best in the Six Nations tournament. Their current form is looking good. Photos courtesy of: England Rugby/Leo Wilkinson Photography

www.hounslowchamber.org.uk

HOUNSLOW CHAMBER

PAST EVENTS Energy & Sustainability Summit Hounslow Chamber hosted an Energy & Sustainability Summit at Linden House on Upper Mall on the border of Chiswick/Hammersmith on the 28th January 2016. Linden House is the home of the Corinthian Sailing Club and is a quirky, stylish venue on the Thames. Please check it out! The afternoon started with a number of workshops with a variety of speakers, including Alastair Hutson from Beond who presented on the drivers costs behind energy sustainability. Andrew Chen from Heathrow was next up and he spoke about Heathrow’s blueprint for reducing

emissions. The work being undertaken by Heathrow is innovative and inspiring. Dru Morton, the Sustainability Manager at the RFU/Twickenham Stadium, spoke about his role. It is interesting to note that the Stadium has to use grow lights as there is not enough natural light to ensure the grass on the pitch is up to the required standard. Dr Amoako-Attah from UWL gave a fascinating insight into building design for the future which includes building energy performance analysis. Dr Jo made a complicated subject accessible to the layperson, for which I was most grateful! Mary Rushton-Beales from Lighting Design House gave us a whistle stop tour of a number of airport lighting schemes to enhance the retail/visitor experience. The next time I visit Heathrow, I will look at the ambience created by lighting, with better understanding. Matthew Coulson from Enjoy-Work.com relayed how the beehives placed on top of one of the buildings within Chiswick Business Park, had to be brought down to ground level as the bees were exhausted by having to fly so high! The afternoon ended with Peter Buckley presenting on his pet

project – London Air Rail Transit System. The workshops were stimulating and it was gratifying to see the larger organisations in Hounslow and west London sharing best practice. The workshops were followed by a delicious two-course meal supplied by Beejal at Cooking Crowd. The keynote speaker was Barbara Vest, Director of Generation and Energy UK. She is straight talking and tells it how it is, which is refreshing to hear in these days of jargon and spin. Energy UK is the voice of the whole industry, speaking up for the broad spread of companies they represent – from smaller generators to the major companies. Bit like Hounslow Chamber being the voice of business for Hounslow – small and large. The day/evening was made possible through the generosity of Beond and Heathrow. January also saw Cllr Theo Dennison presenting the annual

budget with reference to business at the Hounslow and Chiswick business lunches. These presentations take place each January. Businesses are not given a vote so this is your chance to meet Councillors and to have your business voice heard.

Heart of the City People forget the important role business plays in supporting communities. Sally and I attended a very early Breakfast Meeting at the Mansion House with the Lord Mayor of the City of London; the invitation came from local MP Seema Malhotra who is already involved with “Heart of the City.” More about this coming soon. To see a You Tube recording of a live TV discussion with me as a guest emphasising the role of Business and Communities go see: https://youtu.be/ QyML2IQDoDk

www.hounslowchamber.org.uk

HOUNSLOW CHAMBER

EVENT SCHEDULE 6th April

8.00am - 9.30am

Chiswick Park Business Breakfast Union Bar, Chiswick Park, 566 Chiswick High Road, London W4 5YA £5 for coffee and hot breakfast

8th April

9.30am - 11.30am

Twickenham Business Biscotti London Marriott Hotel Twickenham, 198 Whitton Road, TW2 7BA Business networking event - meeting and forming business relationships with like-minded people.

12th April

10am - 12 noon

Business Biscotti Brentford Urban Villa, Great West Quarter, Great West Road, Brentford ,TW8 0GP Joint breakfast with Business Biscotti Brentford

13th April

12.45pm

Hounslow Business Lunch The Sun PH, 148 Hanworth Road, Hounslow TW3 1UG Free Lunch

19th April

7.00am - 8.30am

SBA Business Breakfast Hazelwood Centre LLP Croysdale Avenue, Sunbury on Thames, TW16 6QU Join a networking breakfast in a relaxed personal environmet to discuss business.

21st April

9.00am - 10.30am

Business Breakfast at the Bulldog 556 London Road, Ashford, TW15 AF (large car park!) £5 for a full breakfast including tea and coffee Joint event with Ashford Chamber, Spelthorne Business Forum & Surrey Chambers

27th April

12.45pm

Chiswick Business Lunch The Roebuck, 122 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PU Free lunch

10th May

10am - 12 noon

Business Biscotti Brentford Urban Villa, Great West Quarter, Great West Road, Brentford ,TW8 0GP Joint breakfast with Business Biscotti Brentford

11th May

12.45pm

Hounslow Business Lunch The Sun PH, 148 Hanworth Road, Hounslow TW3 1UG Free Lunch

13th May

9.30am - 11.30am

Twickenham Business Biscotti London Marriott Hotel Twickenham, 198 Whitton Road, TW2 7BA Business networking event - meeting and forming business relationships with like-minded people.

19th May

9.00am - 10.30am

25th May

12.45pm

Chiswick Business Lunch The Roebuck, 122 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PU Free lunch

If you would like to attend any event please contact Sally Smith on 020 8326 6416 or sallysmith@hounslowchamber.org.uk or visit www.hounslowchamber.org.uk

www.hounslowchamber.org.uk

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