FREE CHISWICK, ISLEWORTH, BRENTFORD & OSTERLEY Your local community magazine
DECEMBER 2020 - JANUARY 2021
Christmas
THINGS TO DO WITH
MARKETS
THE TRUTH ABOUT
parakeets
Children
Jazz
AT GEORGE IV
Helping Hounslow at Treaty Shopping Centre • Christmas Activities New Chiswick Antiques Market • Christmas markets • Gardening tips • The truth about parakeets • Jazz at George IV • Watermans • Hen Corner • WW1 Heroes
www.outaboutmagazine.co.uk
2020
Launching September 2020 - www.westlondonbedrooms.com
DECEMBER 2020 - JANUARY 2021
Contents 21
8-9
INSIDE Regulars
Features
4
Letter from the Editor
Nappy Christmas 6
20
Coffee Break
21
Jazz at George IV What’s on in December
23
Watermans Entertainment for all
Treaty Centre collection for charity
8-9
Christmas activities What is there to do this year?
11 Antiques market
New outdoor market in Chiswick
24
Hen Corner Sara Ward
12-13 Christmas markets
GET IN TOUCH DIRECTOR Amanda Rowley info@outaboutmagazine.co.uk Tel: 07967 660772 ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Gerry Devine geraldineholden@icloud.com Tel: 07710 574479 EDITOR Bridget Osborne bridget@thechiswickcalendar.co.uk out&about Magazines www.outaboutmagazine.co.uk Tel: 07967 660772
16-17
Food, flowers and original presents
16-17 West London’s parakeets
What’s truth and what’s myth?
18
Gardening tips From Osterley National Trust
25
World War One Heroes’ tales still being uncovered
All information in this edition was correct at time of publication but may be subject to change.
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Published by: out&about Magazines. 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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EDITOR'S LETTER
Welcome Once again, we’re taking it up to the wire with trying to find out what’s on where this year. Many of the usual Christmas events have been cancelled but other new events have sprung up – especially of the socially distanced, outdoor variety - and their organisers are now frantically scrambling to get everything ready, having heard only in the last week of November that their events have the go-ahead to take place.
Here’s what we can ascertain about what there is to do by way of entertainment locally this Christmas P8-9 There’s a new monthly Antiques Market opening in Chiswick on Sunday 13 December P11 The Chiswick Flower Market will be going ahead in December, as will the Duck Ponds market at Gunnersbury Park and several others P12 - 13 As well as their Christmas show for children: Morgan & West’s Great Big Christmas Magic Show, Watermans has designed an online theatre experience for children, to start in January P23 There will be three Jazz at George IV gigs in December, including a Blues & Soul night on Christmas Eve. The only difference is, as we are in Tier 2, you will need to buy a meal to eat while you enjoy the music, which most people do anyway. P21
Sara Ward at Hen Corner is planning courses, both face to face and virtual for the new year. P24 Andy Eddy, head gardener at Osterley Park, writes about what we should be doing with our gardens over the winter months P18 Maggie Coleman has been researching the stories of Isleworth’s unsung heroes of the First World War P25 And what about those noisy, brightly coloured parakeets which populate west London? Did they start breeding here having been released into the wild by the producers of Humphry Bogart and Lauren Bacall’s famous film The African Queen? Les Mc Callum debunks all our favourite parakeet myths P16 – 17 A final thought to leave you with. As you do your Christmas shopping in Hounslow’s Treaty Centre, please think about making a contribution of nappies, toys or books to the collection in the big blue box, for families with young children who are struggling P6 Have a good Christmas,
Bridget
Editor: Bridget Osborne
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TREATY SHOPPING CENTRE
NEXT TIME YOU’RE SHOPPING AT THE
Treaty Centre.. drop something in the box for a new mother and baby
Treaty Shopping Centre December charity collection Baby Basics is a volunteer-led project aiming to support new mothers and families who are struggling to meet the financial and practical burden of looking after a new baby. They and their partner charity The Extra Mile, which provides help for vulnerable families with children aged 3 months to 5 years, are the two charities being supported by the Treaty Shopping Centre in December. As you do your shopping, please consider buying an extra something for a family which is really struggling this Christmas. There will be a big blue donations box in the Mall for you to make your contribution. They are collecting nappies (all sizes), books and toys.
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When they started their charity collections in October, customers at the Treaty Centre filled several shopping trolleys with donations of food for the Hounslow Multicultural Centre, which has been providing freshly cooked meals to elderly, disabled and vulnerable people throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
a contribution to Baby Basics and The Extra Mile in December”. They will be collecting donations in the big blue box until Christmas Eve.
“Hounslow Multicultural Centre is on our doorstep” said Manger of the Treaty Centre Janet Leatherland. “We found that it had been supported by local religious groups, voluntary groups and individuals as a response to the need to help people and have been serving all the communities living in the London Borough of Housnlow since 1981. “Our customers at the Treaty Centre were fantastically generous, and we hope we can make as great f @outandaboutmagazines
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Centre Manager Janet Leatherland with the team from HMCC www.outaboutmagazine.co.uk
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CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES
Christmas ACTIVITIES
… as far as we know It’s quite tricky trying to write this before D day – 2nd December, when we know what the Prime Minister has planned to follow on from the national lockdown, but here goes … Fewer big events are planned this year, so those that are planned are already selling out early. Chiswick House and Syon Park have cancelled their usual Christmas shows – Chiswick House the Chinese Lantern Festival which has become a popular feature in recent years, and Syon Park the Enchanted Woodland.
DRIVE-IN CHRISTMAS 3RD – 7TH DECEMBER
Syon Park is also offering fine dining in socially distanced igloos lit with fairy lights in the Great Conservatory. www.syonhouseigloos.com
Syon Park has opted instead for a series of drive-in events, calling it a ‘Parking Lot Social’. Organised by XL Event Lab, they promise a week of ‘contact-free, socially distant entertainment’, with drive-in cinema, comedy and pantomime in a twenty-acre field.
CHRISTMAS AT KEW 4TH DECEMBER - 17TH JANUARY
The events include screenings of Home Alone, Elf and Love Actually, pantomime performances of Cinderella and a ‘Family Social’. ‘Santa Claus himself hosts two hours of immersive fun featuring a silent disco, car-a-oke, an interactive quiz, party bingo’. For adults there’s a comedy night and the ‘Big Weekender’ party night: ‘Dig out the ugly Christmas jumper from the back of the cupboard because the annual Christmas night out is saved! DJs, silent discos, car-a-oke, big screen mistletoe kissing cam, party bingo, interactive quizzes & more’. theparkinglotsocial.co.uk
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At time of writing in mid-November, Christmas at Kew has been moved back, to start in December, with extra dates made available in January to accommodate those who had booked for November. The festive illuminations lighting up Kew Gardens after dark provide a sparkling trail of over one million twinkling lights, illuminating heritage trees and buildings through the world-famous Gardens. The effect is enchanting and it’s a lovely thing to do at Christmas, but it’s also very popular. Kew.org @outaboutmag
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CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES CHRISTMAS AT THE CHISWICK PLAYHOUSE
Coward abound alongside a Bleak Midwinter and a Little Town Of Bethlehem. ‘With a free glass of mulled wine and a liberal dose of yule tide spirit, Christmas at the Chiswick Playhouse is the perfect evening to put one’s troubles aside and indulge in the festive mood’. Performers include: Catarina Amaral – currently Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz Idriss Kargbo – previous credits include Wicked, Shrek, Five Guys Named Mo, Oliver and The Lion King Dominic Hodson – previous credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, West Side Story and War Horse
The Chiswick Playhouse has a series of Christmas concerts lined up on 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 21st and 22nd December. ‘Chiswick Playhouse is pleased to present a series of Christmas concerts featuring stars of the West End. Rogers & Hammerstein, Sondheim, Bernstein and
CHILDREN’S THEATRE AT WATERMANS 5TH - 30TH DECEMBER
Baker Mukasa – currently performing with Royal Shakespeare Company. Previous credits include Tina: The Tina Turner Musical Chiswickplayhouse.co.uk
GUNNERSBURY PARK Gunnersbury Park has Father Christmas at Gunnersbury, a ten-minute slot with a Victorian Father Christmas, but it is already completely booked.
visitgunnersbury.org
Watermans arts centre in Brentford has a Christmas show for children planned: Morgan & West’s Great Big Christmas Magic Show (suitable for 5+ years). ‘Mr Morgan is busy decking the halls and rocking around the tree, but Mr West would rather be lonely this Christmas. Can Mr Morgan convince Mr West to embrace the magic of the most wonderful time of the year? Or will Mr West get all he wants for Christmas and be left to do his tricks in peace?’ Book tickets in advance and they will refund if they are told they can’t open. Watermans.org.uk f @outandaboutmagazines
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PETER RABBIT TRAIL AT OSTERLEY PARK Osterley Park has a Peter Rabbit trail: ‘Join Peter Rabbit and friends to solve puzzles; get closer to nature with the Peter Rabbit™ winter adventure activity trail around the garden’. Nationaltrust.org.uk/ osterley-park-and-house
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ANTIQUES MARKET
CHISWICK GETS AN
Antiques Market
What better way to spend a Sunday?
Picture credits: St Albans antiques and vintage market
Chiswick High Rd is getting an open-air antiques market. The organiser of the open air Antiques and Vintage market in St Albans, Jennifer Titmuss, has been granted a street trading licence by Hounslow Council to run a similar market in Chiswick High Rd, in the same location as the Chiswick Flower Market, from 9.00am – 3.00pm on the second Sunday of each month. (The flower market is on the first Sunday of the month). The market stalls will start in front of Chiswick Police Station, but will stretch further than those of the Chiswick Flower Market, all the way along the south side of Chiswick High Rd to in front of South Beach shop at 123 Chiswick High Road W4 2ED. To create social distancing, each pitch will have their own queue. While social distancing regulations are still in place, Jenny plans to have 50 – 60 stalls. Once we get past the pandemic and the pitches can be closer together, the market will have up to 80 traders, selling all sorts of antique and vintage objects, including architectural salvage, furniture (upcycled and not), French Brocante, ‘collectables’ such as china dolls f @outandaboutmagazines
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and World War II memorabilia, ‘ephemera’ – printed materials such as post cards – and ‘kitchenabilia’ – old kitchen stuff. Speaking at the meeting of the Licencing panel on Tuesday 17 November, Jennifer Titmuss said: “A monthly antique and vintage market would bring visitors, vibrancy and opportunity to an already popular and atmospheric community, help improve the potential for local shops and businesses, particularly after such a hard and terrible year. “An event in the community like this should be embraced and seen as an opportunity for everyone”. She said she had designed the layout of the market so there would be easy access for people to the shops as well as to the stalls, in both a Covid and post- Covid scenario, and that she was looking forward to a period of post-Covid prosperity. “It’s such a nice thing to have and Chiswick is such a fitting place for it.” The date of the first market is Sunday 13th December.
www.outaboutmagazine.co.uk
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OPEN AIR MARKETS
Duck Pond Market
Chiswick Flower Market
Chiswick Flower Market
Old Isleworth Market
Food Market Chiswick
Christmas
MARKETS PLANNED Open air markets more popular this winter Shopping ain’t what it used to be. What used to be a carefree and enjoyable experience (well, sometimes) is now no longer something you’d really do for pleasure – except that is, if it’s out in the open air.
Chiswick Flower Market
The response to the idea of enjoyable outside shopping, for everything from bulbs, bouquets and bedding plants to exotic indoor plants and hop bines, was phenomenal. The new market is bang in the middle of Chiswick High Rd, outside the police station. For their next one, the organisers spread the stalls out more by spreading down Devonshire Rd, doubling the area of the market.
London’s markets are coming into their own. Chiswick Flower Market – the first new flower and plant market to open in London for 150 years – had 7,000 visitors on its opening day in September (it was after all written up by Time Out as the No. 1 thing to do in London in September).
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They also introduced an early slot for ‘tender perennials’ – people over 70 and those who are particularly vulnerable – between 08.30 and 09.30. Covid regulations allowing, they are planning to go ahead with a Christmas flower and plant market on Sunday 6th December.
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OPEN AIR MARKETS Duck Pond market, Gunnersbury Park
September. Home to between 20 and 25 stalls each Sunday morning selling a range of fresh food, the market was set up as a social enterprise. The revenue it raises is used to maintain the surrounding public space, which includes an adventure playground and a children’s paddling pool. Among the stalls selling meat, cheese, vegetables, coffee and street food is Hook and Sons, which sells unpasteurized milk (a totally different taste!)
The flower market is not the only new market to have opened in west London this year. Gunnersbury Park became the latest place to host a Duck Pond market in September, joining Richmond, Ruislip, Highgate and Chalfont St Giles. The artisan markets for independent crafters, food producers and small businesses launched in 2008 and are growing apace. “Duck Pond Market combines the magic of a festival with interesting stalls, local, sustainable and ethical food, crafts, homewares and arts — always in a beautiful setting” says founder Caron.
They were forced to close for a few weeks during the height of the first lockdown, but market development manager Kathleen Healy says she thinks people feel safer doing their shopping outside. Since the beginning of September the food market has been as busy as ever and they’ve had to have marshals keep the queue in order. Traditionally they decorate the market for Christmas. The art and craft stalls they usually have will happen, Covid regulations permitting.
Old Isleworth Market reopens
“Stallholder costs are kept low to encourage start-up businesses, the vibe is friendly and supportive and this shows in the happy and relaxed atmosphere”. Caron is planning a Duck Pond market for Christmas at Gunnersbury Park on 10th – 13th December from 10.00am – 3.30’ish’. “If retail reopens we will be doing this with food and craft. If we continue with ‘essential’ stalls only it will go ahead with essential stalls only!”
Food Market Chiswick celebrates its 21st birthday Old Isleworth Market reopened in September. The monthly market in Shrewsbury Walk has a range of local produce from local independent businesses; cakes, curries, flowers, plants, fudge, Mexican street food, sourdough, artisan bread, jams, chutneys, ceramics, cards and handmade crafts. Among the regular stallholders is Brenda Daly’s award winning microbakery Daly Bread. Next market: Saturday 12th December. The Food Market Chiswick, in Dukes Meadows alongside Chiswick Bridge, celebrated 21 years in f @outandaboutmagazines
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C H A I R M A N R O B E RT L O D G E TA L K S A B O U T L I F E ON THE FRONTLINE DURING COVID-19
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When we think of our key-workers that have soldiered on throughout the lockdown, Funeral Directors are not necessarily the first profession that springs to mind. Chairman of Lodge Brothers, Robert Lodge gives us a little insight into life and work on the frontline during what has been potentially the most challenging time of his career. Q. What challenges did the Company face as a result of the outbreak of COVID 19? A. These are unprecedented times, and for most of us, particularly in our generation, it’s the first time we have had to respond to a worldwide crisis and adapt so quickly and so often, with government guidelines sometimes changing on a daily basis. The UK would have ground to a halt without our key-workers turning up for work every day, and as Funeral Directors we also were on the frontline. At first, whilst the medical information was being established, we kept a close eye on any important changes as this could be fundamental to our working practices. During those first few weeks we were very concerned with maintaining the physical and emotional welfare of our staff. Q. Have the Branch Funeral Arrangers had to adapt the services they provide? A. Firstly, I am so grateful for the hard work and loyalty of my staff. Throughout this entire period I have had their full support. Our branch funeral arrangers are our ambassadors – they are trained to the highest standards in funeral administration, but more importantly they are experts at comforting the bereaved face-to-face, holding their hands physically and emotionally through the process. When restrictions were imposed, sometimes it was not possible for them to meet the bereaved in person, and arrangements were being made entirely by telephone. This was a real challenge for them when they are used to reaching out physically. But they have risen to the challenge and our client reviews and feedback have been very positive and I am immensely proud of all of them.
Robert Lodge & Nero
Q. Has all of this impacted the cost of a funeral? A. I’m a family man, as are all of the Directors of the Company, and we are aware that through this lockdown many of our local families’ incomes have suffered. As a result, we actually lowered the cost of our funerals for 3 moths by as much as £500, and I believe we are the only Funeral Directors in the area to have done so. Q. How has this impacted your family life? A. Naturally, as a husband and a father, one’s instinct is to stay at home and protect one’s family over and above everything else. In circumstances like these though, as a Funeral Director in a pandemic, we did not have the luxury of choice when so many people were depending on us. I am fortunate to work alongside several of my family members. Hopefully over the coming months, we will take time to reflect on the important things in life and make sure we make extra time for family and friends.
Our new branch in Isleworth is at 1-2 The Pavement, South Street TW7 7AJ
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F U N E R A L D I R E C TO R S & M E M O R I A L S TO N E M A S O N S
Andrew & Robert Lodge with their eco-friendly hybrid funeral fleet
During these UNCERTAIN times you can always RELY on Lodge Brothers
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We understand that with the ongoing changes to our lives caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, the feelings of grief and anxiety are amplified when we lose a loved one. The Lodge family have been proudly helping and supporting families for over 240 years and we stand ready to help you now during this time of uncertainty.
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W I L L S & P R O B AT E 16/11/2020 15:45
WEST LONDON’S PARAKEETS Drawings by Les McCallum
WEST LONDON’S
Parakeets
Les McCallum debunks some favourite myths
West London is home to a sizeable population of parakeets. Every now and then I hear someone declare with tremendous confidence a story about them which they believe to be true, but I know for certain is not, so sadly I am here to debunk some of those myths.
“THE CLASSIC 1951 FILM ‘THE AFRICAN QUEEN’ WAS FILMED AT SHEPPERTON STUDIOS.” Well, NO! Not a single frame was shot at these studios, but you will often read in books and newspapers that this is so. Sorry it’s a myth, a complete fabrication that keeps getting reprinted over and over, even in their own publication, ‘Shepperton Studios, a visual celebration’. The large studio in Worton Hall at Isleworth Studios, where the African Queen was filmed in 1951, was later dismantled and relocated to Shepperton studios following its closure in 1952, so perhaps this is the start of the myth.
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“RING NECKED PARAKEETS WERE RELEASED FROM ISLEWORTH FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE FILMING ON THE AFRICAN QUEEN!”
The African Queen is one of my favourite films and I can assure you that there is no sign of these birds in the film, not even the very distinctive screeching of their Kee-Kee call.
Once again this is NOT true, even though we see it time and time again either on T.V, books or magazines.
The first recorded breeding of Ring-necked parakeets in the wild dates back to 1855 in Norfolk and that was a one-off. From then on, just a few reported sightings over many decades were noted.
Why am I so sure, you may ask? Well, as a 75-year-old man, having been a birdwatcher from the age of ten and living very close to the old Isleworth Studios, I never recorded a Ring-necked Parakeet until I heard one calling in Kew Gardens in the mid-1970s.
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RSPB research reveals that they became established in the wild in the 70s after birds were released or escaped from aviaries, but there is also one record of them breeding in Kent in 1969.
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WEST LONDON’S PARAKEETS
lum
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WHAT OTHER PARAKEET MYTHS ARE OUT THERE? Jimmy Hendricks is supposed to have released caged birds from his flat in Soho but from what I have read, his girlfriend at the time Kathy Etchingham said: “I never did see any birds in his flat and couldn’t imagine for one moment that he would have owned any birds.” Another claim would have us believe that birds were released when debris from a plane coming into Heathrow fell onto an aviary at Syon Park. I don’t recall seeing any parakeets in this aviary. Could they be escapees from filming in the Blue Peter Garden? There’s another tale that they flew from a pet shop in Sunbury in 1969.
THE SECRET OF THEIR SUCCESS Another name for these attractive and noisy birds is ‘Rose-ringed parakeets’ due to the pinkish collar sported by the male. One of my most memorable sightings was in Wraysbury in 1992, just before Christmas when a male bird was feeding above me on the last few apples left on a leafless tree. What a wonderful sight and what hardy birds they are! These birds are sometimes referred to as ‘Non-native’, meaning any f @outandaboutmagazines
bird, plant or animal, introduced by human activity, invasive and potentially harmful to native wildlife or plants. If they arrive by natural means, they are classed as ‘Native’. For example the collared dove arrived in Norfolk in the 1950s after spreading across Europe and more recently spoonbills, little egrets and great white egrets have all bred in the UK without human intervention. The secret to the parakeet’s success must be due to the fact that they eat such a wide variety of food: fruit, seeds, nuts, buds and of course the garden bird feeders in winter that have a plentiful supply of peanuts, fat-balls and kitchen scraps. Being rather aggressive, they dominate these feeders to the exclusion of our smaller native garden birds. Parakeets nest in holes in old trees and will readily take over sites that are used by owls and jackdaws and even woodpecker holes are enlarged so the nest can be occupied. Three to six eggs are laid on a bed of wood chips, lined with feathers and brooded by the female alone. I have a sparrow tower that for the last few years has attracted a whole colony of these once familiar constantly chirping, garden birds. This year I was surprised to see a pair of parakeets noisily trying to
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enlarge the small entrance hole. After two days they gave up and the sparrows immediately returned to the box with nesting material. The sparrows have now even taken over the swift box that I placed under the eaves.
PEREGRINE FODDER A few years ago conservationist David Lindo emailed me and asked if I would help to monitor the peregrines that were nesting in Kingston. The young were about to fledge and the danger would be for them to end up on the busy pavement below or worse still, in the road. With a birdwatcher on hand any juvenile bird could be quickly rescued and placed back on the parapet, high up on the roof. As I watched the adult birds bringing in prey for the youngsters, I assumed it would be mostly feral pigeons, but to my surprise, I could see the presence of bright green and yellow feathers around the nest. No, not green woodpeckers, the adult male was regularly bringing in fully grown ring-necked parakeets for the young to feed on. The ring-necked parakeet, which has a life span of up to 30 years, is now spreading rapidly across the whole country and there are calls for them to be culled. Love them or hate them, I am pretty sure they are here to stay and will be a colourful addition to our gardens for a long, long time.
www.outaboutmagazine.co.uk
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HEAD
Gardener’s NOTES
Andy Eddy, Head Gardener at Osterley Park writes “Now that the depths of the winter gloom are upon us it is timely to remember that even during the coldest and most dreary of weather there are still some plants that can bravely flower over the Christmas period. One of the best – and most reliable – is the group of winter flowering clematis. These beautiful climbing plants are at their best during the autumn and, more particularly winter months, as they hail from warmer, Mediterranean climes such as the Balearic Islands. We have a few of them here at Osterley, both in the Winter Garden and also spread throughout the rest of the formal gardens. However they are particularly suitable for smaller London gardens where they will grow quite happily in a small space or even in a pot on a terrace or patio.
The specimen that you can see in these photos is Clematis x cirrhosa ‘Jingle Bells’ which certainly lives up to its name as it is has been flowering since the beginning of November. It will continue to do so right through Christmas and into the new year, and with its evergreen foliage and bright, white flowers it glows on even the dreariest of days and can be seen here to its best advantage as it sprawls over a cherry tree. It will grow to an eventual height of 3m if planted in the ground or far less if confined to a pot (where it can be pruned more easily as well). After flowering it produces small, fluffy seed heads which are ornamental in their own right and with a light spring prune and a mulch of compost this is a well behaved and easy plant to grow.”
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley-park-and-house
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We’re open every day over the Christmas season (except Christmas day) so everyone can enjoy the outdoors at Osterley. The Gardens are open 10am-4pm, and we recommend booking tickets via-our website to avoid disappointment. When you arrive you can collect a timed house ticket from the kiosk and find out more about the life of the servants of Osterley in the 18th century. If you want to explore the parkland you don’t need a ticket, and our café is open daily 10am-4pm. Follow us on twitter @OsterleyNT for up-to-date information about what’s going on at Osterley.
Please check website for further details www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ Osterley-park-and-house
©National Trust 2021. Registered charity, No. 205846. ©National Trust Images/Hugh Mothersole
Open Monday to Sunday 10am – 5pm
COFFEE BREAK
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QUIZ 1. Which French skier won three gold medals at the 1968 Winter Olympic Games? 2. In which city is Rastrelli’s winter palace? 3. Which British animal is brown in Summer and White in winter
ACROSS
DOWN
7 Suitable (11)
1 Impetuous (4)
8 Small crustacean (6)
2 Short fast race (6)
9 Garden hedge plant (6)
3 Non-commissioned officer (8)
10 Be unsteady on one’s feet (6)
4 Let fall (4)
12 Heavenly spirits (6)
5 Manufacturing (6)
13 Dolt (3)
6 Wake-up signal (8)
14 Motor fuel (6)
11 Eastern (8)
16 More courageous (6)
12 Fire-resistant mineral (8)
18 Patron saint of Scotland (6)
15 Layers (6)
20 Frightened (6)
17 Astounded (6)
22 Star-gazers (11)
19 Timber (4)
4. Which of these is the correct name of a Shakespeare play, A Winters tale, The Winters Tale, A Winters Story, Cold is the Winter, 5. Which song begins with these lines: “Sleigh bells ring: are you listening? Down the lane, snow is glistening.”? 6. Which Caribbean country entered a bobsleigh team in the 1988 Winter Olympics? 7. Who received an Oscar for her performance in the film “The Lion In Winter”?
21 Gaelic (4)
8. Which bird turns white in winter?
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JAZZ AT GEORGE IV
Jazz AT GEORGE IV is back!
Jazz at George IV brings you a stunning line-up for December. Due to the requirements of social distancing, tickets are sold by table, not individually. You can book a table for two, three or four or a banquette which seats six, providing each group is part of the same household or support bubble. As the Prime Minister announced in November, anyone coming to see a show in a pub will also need to buy a meal. (It’s ok. They do good food!)
Blues Engineers - photograph Jon Perry
The Blues Engineers
Trio Manouche
Trio Manouche Christmas Special
Thursday 10th December
The brilliant Blues Engineers finally return to the Socially Distanced Boston Room at Chiswick’s George IV for a hot night of funky jazz tinged Urban & Country blues. The Engineers have played with, supported and toured with some of the very best in the business including BB King, Van Morrison, ex Rolling Stone Mick Taylor, Peter Green, Roger Chapman, Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, and Jools Holland.
Thursday 17th December
The UK’s leading Gypsy Swing ensemble Trio Manouche will be performing the classics of the great Gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, arrangements of trad swing greats such as Nat King Cole and numbers from their much-fêted new album The Isolation Sessions penned by band leader Simon Harris.
Organised by The Chiswick Calendar and Live Music To Go at George IV, 185 Chiswick High Rd, W4 2DR
Trio Manouche are one of the foremost exponents of Gypsy Swing Jazz, bringing a unique and highly contemporary twist to this ever more popular genre. They have performed in top jazz venues in the UK and abroad, playing major festivals such as the EFG London Jazz Festival and Glastonbury.
*Google Eventbrite + Jazz at George IV. Eventbrite charge a booking fee. You will receive an e-ticket by email.
Tickets £14 / £12 (Chiswick Calendar Club Card members) via Eventbrite*.
Tickets £12 / £10 (Chiswick Calendar Club Card members) via Eventbrite*.
Andy Roberts
Christmas Eve Soul Special with the Andy Roberts’ Soul Experience Thursday 24th December
This highly impressive contemporary soul line-up is led by the outstanding vocalist and keyboard player Andy Roberts, (ex-Atlantic Soul Machine & Blues & Soul Patrol), along with the hugely acclaimed guitarist, Chris Booth, a mainstay for the resident funk band at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. Together with the noted bassist Massimo Avellano, the trio will be playing an exciting mixture of original material together with their own superb interpretation of tunes by the likes of Curtis Mayfield, Joe Louis Walker and Gamble & Huff. Tickets £14 / £12 (Chiswick Calendar Club Card members) via Eventbrite*.
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THE CHISWICK
Calendar
The Chiswick Calendar is a local website which tells you what’s going on in our area on a day to day basis. Beautiful photographs by local photographers - Page per day listings of what’s on, constantly updated - Interesting videos - Our own events. Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and get a free club card, giving you access to deals and discounts from quality local businesses.
Go to www.thechiswickcalendar.co.uk
COFFEE BREAK ANSWERS 1 7
If you are reading this, so are your potential customers!
ADVERTISE
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info@outaboutmagazine.co.uk Tel: 07967 660772 | 07710 574 479
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QUIZ 1. Jean Claude Killy 2. St Petersburg 3. The Stoat 4. The Winters Tale 5. Winter Wonderland 6. Jamaica 7. Katherine Hepburn 8. The Ptarmigan
WATERMANS
Watermans
Erica Weston presents their new online children’s theatre commission As I write this, Watermans is closed for the second time due to the coronavirus restrictions. We’re still hoping to reopen in December in time for our Christmas show so watch this space but while we’re closed we’re still working hard, and particularly exciting is our new online children’s theatre commission, something which closed or not, you will see in the new year! Following successful forays into online events like live gigs, turning our attention to children’s theatre felt particularly important. It’s clear that so many children simply won’t have the opportunity to go to the theatre over the coming months, with the Christmas season cancelled in most places. And let’s be clear, these children are the audiences of the future, not to mention what
they’re missing out on now in terms of enjoyment and inspiration. So watch out for Myths and Adventures from Ancient Greece, written by the talented Hannah Khalil and directed by Ian Nicholson, who many of you might remember from the brilliant Jon Klassen ‘I Want My Hat Back’ series during the last lockdown. Written for 3-8 year-olds, children will enter a miniature world full of exciting adventures, with the battered insect Hope as their guide. Hope journeys into the world of Ancient Greece to escape Pandora’s Box, warn King Midas of his greed, seek Persephone in the Underworld and help Theseus to defeat the Minotaur. The series will be premiered on YouTube for 4 days from 13 January 2021 and will be free.
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HEN CORNER
HEN Corner
Sara Ward says ‘local’ is for life not just for lockdown! Photo credit Pam Wade
Photo credit Rachel Whiting
I have a feeling that this year’s festive celebrations will be quite different from previous years, with loved ones missing from around the Christmas table and restrictions limiting who we can see, where and when. In many ways, I expect we have good reason to wish this year away, hopeful, albeit reluctantly, that 2021 will redeem the losses of the last twelve months. But before we rip the year planner off the wall in frustration, let’s look at some of the fabulous things that we’ve benefitted from this year. Enjoying the great outdoors. God bless Kew Gardens, English Heritage and the National Trust who have done all they can to keep their gates open to members and visitors. Taking time to walk around beautiful gardens, admiring nature, has been so restorative this year. Getting busy indoors. Be that baking, exercise videos, home
decorating, or just a good old clear out. It’s all good for the soul! Technology. My goodness, I used to think that Zoom was just a song by Fat Larry’s Band! Now it’s not only a great way of meeting up with people, for both business and pleasure, but a fabulous grocery delivery service here in West London. Keeping it local. I’ve saved the best until last. As a small business, it’s been overwhelming to see the support that local customers and neighbours have given me. Whilst I’ve really appreciated their custom, and patience if the bread is not all baked on time, the biggest reward is seeing real people at my front door every Friday, and as long as you’ll come and collect it - I’ll continue to bake bread with wonderful artisan flour. Then, as a customer, I’ve appreciated all the hard work that
local pubs and restaurants have put in to stay open safely with the biggest highlight of local shopping being the new Chiswick Flower Market on the first Sunday of each month, see ChiswickFlowerMarket.com. I always take time to look back and count my blessings before looking forward into a new year, and I do, once again, feel thankful for the new people that I’ve met, the new skills that I’ve learned and the blessings that I’ve found in every day. So, as the clock chimes midnight and the calendar page turns, let’s get creative and party like no other year before! Photo credit Pam Wade
Weekly recipe films, see: youtube.com/HenCorner All courses, virtual & face to face, can be found at HenCorner.com
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WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
WE WILL
Remember THEM
Maggie Coleman researches the unsung heroes of WW1 I was surprised to discover that not all Commonwealth servicemen who died as a result of service in World War I are commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). I found out about this when I was working on the Isleworth 390 Project. Run by the Isleworth Society, it involved researching the 390 names of the servicemen on the War Memorial on Twickenham Road in Isleworth and led to a book: The Isleworth 390 detailing our findings, published in November 2019. One of the soldiers I researched was Harold Frank Upton. In 1911 he was aged 24, living in Worton Road, Isleworth and was working as a market gardener. Soon after war broke out in 1914 Harold enlisted and became a Private in the 11th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. He embarked for France on 26 July 1915.
In July 1916 he was promoted to Lance Corporal but shortly after, in September that year, he was wounded and taken to a casualty clearing station. He was then shipped home from Boulogne for hospital care. Following his treatment Harold was transferred to the 427th Agricultural Company of the Army Labour Corps in February 1918. He died on 16 October 1919 from laryngitis as a result of tuberculosis (TB). TB was common in the population at large at the time as well as among servicemen. It was a condition that was often aggravated by war service. Harold’s death was registered in Brentford. He was aged just 32. He was awarded the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the 14-15 Star. With Harold’s history of service throughout the war, I was puzzled that his name was not commemorated by the CWGC.
I contacted them and after a preliminary check they asked me to submit documentary evidence to enable their Commemorations department to consider his case in more detail. Having raised Harold’s case, I have since submitted evidence of four other servicemen listed on the Isleworth War Memorial who are not currently recognised by the CWGC. I hope that they will accept all five as worthy of commemoration. Although these five represent less than 2% of the servicemen on the Memorial, it is worthwhile considering that if this situation was replicated across the country, there would be 100s, if not 1000s, who could be added to the CWGC list. I would like to be confident that when we say “we will remember them” that, as far as possible, all who served and died as a result of World War I are included.
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WEST THAMES College
One of the top 3 Colleges in London!* How Can Employers Get Involved? There are also lots of ways to get involved with the College and to work with the local community. You’ll be surprised by the benefits it could bring to your business.
We are a successful, vibrant college of further and higher education. Whether you are a school leaver or an adult looking to update your skills, we have a range of courses to give you the skills and experience you need to fulfil your dreams.
Courses
• We are one of the Top 3 Colleges in London*
Why study at West Thames College?
• Our vocational courses are taught by industry professionals. • Our strong links with employers provide access to industry leaders and excellent work experience opportunities. • State-of-the-art facilities and workshops at our main Isleworth campus and the Skills + Logistics Centre in Feltham Above all our friendly staff will give you the support and guidance you need to succeed. The achievement rates of our students is above the national average and they go on to do amazing things either in the career of their choice or at one the nation’s prestigious universities. *Based on overall performance for students aged 16-18 across all levels in 2018-19
West Thames College is a lively and successful college, offering courses for 16-18 year olds, Adults and also Higher Education. Our practical courses will give you the skills you need and employers want.
• Work with young people, who offer fresh new ideas and can deliver projects that your company has not had the time or skills to carry out. • Identify and train future talent to fill specific skills gaps
• We are one of the Top 3 Colleges in London*
• Existing employees gain supervisory and mentoring experience.
• Our specialist staff will give you all the help and support you need to succeed.
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• You will have access to expert careers advice and guidance to help you take the right steps towards your chosen career.
We’re always looking for new employers to get involved in areas such as:
• Our students gain the qualifications, skills and experience they need to go on to university or to get the job they want. • We work with a range of companies to provide our students valuable insight into the industry as well as vital opportunities such as work experience and industry placements.
• Work Experience • Industry Placements • Insight & Masterclasses • Contribution through our Employer Advisory Board If you are interested in our employer programme and would like to know more about how your business can get involved, please contact Martina Greeves, our Head of Careers & Work Placement at wex@west-thames.ac.uk
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