Chiswick & The West October 2015 by Runwild Media Group

Managing Editor Francesca Lee Editorial Assistant Tom Hagues editorial intern Philippa Short

What’s inside An insight into this issue

Editor-in-Chief Lesley Ellwood Managing Director Eren Ellwood

“The performance is about three bears who go out for a walk and return to find that Goldilocks has broken in, wolfed down Baby Bear’s porridge and made a right mess of the house.” – THEATRE

General Manager Fiona Fenwick senior Designer Lisa Wade Publishing Director Giles Ellwood Executive Director Sophie Roberts Client Relationship manager Friday Dalrymple SALES EXECUTIVE Joe Rutherford Production Alice Ford Oscar Viney Hugo Wheatley Jamie Steele Published by

RUNWILD MEDIA GROUP

One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AX T: 020 7987 4320 rwmg.co.uk

Members of the Professional Publishers Association

Runwild Media Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Runwild Media Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.

“It’s about Ben, played by De Niro, who is a retired 70-something man suddenly discovering that retirement isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be, so he decides to become a senior intern at an online fashion company.” – FILM “The comforting menu offers great meat dishes, cocktails and a wine list comprising wines produced by small companies.” – FOOD AND DRINK DIshes at foxlow

“My expectations are now as high as the ornate ceilings that I can’t stop talking about, much to the irritation of my culinary companion.” – PUB REVIEW

“Chico & The Gypsies have a massive fan base (so we’ve been told) across France and now, luckily, they’re visiting London for a concert to try and ensnare some more devoted fans.” – MUSIC

“Whether you want to brush up for a holiday or become fabulously fluent in French, pop along and see how you can get the best results from your language acquisition.” – ARTS AND EXHIBITIONS

[editor’s letter and contents]

From the

editor

CONTENTS

ere comes the autumn, and with it, a whole host of activities, from family-friendly fun days to cosy evenings spent in front of log fires in award-winning

pubs. Get inspired by this issue with our What’s On section ( from

page 4) and find out about some of the area’s fantastic events. The October half-term is fast approaching but never fear, we’ve put together a helpful kids’ special theatre listings (page 20) that will keep them occupied for a few hours in the afternoon. From tales about dragons to those about three bears and their unwanted guest, there is a great collection of plays and puppet shows taking place this month.

The Princess victoria’s dining room, read more on page 23

REGULARS 4

Meanwhile, on page 23, Tom Hagues reviews the Princess

WHAT’S ON IN OCTOBER All the best events to attend this month

WORD ON THE STREET

Victoria pub in Shepherd’s Bush. It was recently named as the

The most pressing issues from vocal locals

London County Dining Pub of the Year, so read on to find out

FEATURES

whether it’s up to its new-found fame.

relight my choir Get to know Rock Choir, the singing group everyone’s talking about

Elsewhere, on page 16, you can read about The Chocolate Show, which comes to Olympia this month, and from page 8 there are some bite-sized news snippets to keep you in the know. Finally, read about which artists in the local area are unlocking

the artful wanderer

Hot footing it around artists’ homes and studios

plaque to the west

Ealing Civic Society’s efforts to commemorate famous faces

news, events and reviews 8

their doors for 2015’s Open Art Spaces from page 10. We hope you enjoy the issue.

and now, for the nEWS Keeping you up-to-date with what’s happening in the local area

Kiss and make up

Our round-up of beauty news

exhibits are located here, here and here A peek at what’s going on at Olympia

hey, mr dj, put a record on Grab your dancing shoes and head down to these concerts

Francesca Lee, Managing Editor

the directOr’s cut What to watch at the cinema this autumn

20 Keith Sweat © Randy Miramontez; Rock Choir at the O2 © Simon Bisset; Max

Lyric; The Chocolate Show

An appetite for news The tastiest food and drink goings-on

Manners CEO of Resco; Editors © Rahi Rezvani; Katy Seath of Rock Choir; Princess Victoria Pub; Halloween pumpkins; Arnold’s Big Adventure at the

this performance has no interval Take a seat in the stalls and be prepared to be entertained

ON THE COVER (left to right)

Her royal highness Discovering the brilliance of Shepherd’s Bush’s Princess Victoria

Top picks for

OCTOBER

The best events to attend this month

Throughout October FOR THE YOUNGER RESIDENTS

Throughout October SHARPEN YOUR KNIVES

10 & 15 October THE WRITE WAY TO relax

Pitzhanger Manor might be closed, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop completely. Since the end of last month, Walpole Park is now home to a huge number of educational activities for children. All of the talks, workshops and activities relate to the national curriculum, and visitors can expect to get little nuggets of information in English, history, art, geography and drama and many more. With so much on offer, there’s always going to be something for those with kids to do.

Everyone loves a slab of quality meat, but isn’t it something else to be able to cut it professionally by your own hand? These classes teach you where your bacon comes from and where to find the best crackling, while also informing butchery students about how the pigs are reared. The beef lesson will show how to prepare a côte de boeuf joint to take home, and lamblovers can expect to be masters at rolling a shoulder in no time at all.

These workshops are guided writing experiences and styles taught include expressive, transactional and poetic writing. The only thing visitors need to bring is enthusiasm to discover a written voice and express themselves on the page. The organisers use various prompts, including words, poems, art, postcards, positive affirmations, stories and unsent letters. The exercises include individual tasks, pair work, small group work and some guided imagery, so, what are you waiting for? Head down and see where your imagination and creativity takes you.

THE WRITE WAY TO Relax

Book by calling 01751 460 802. Prices vary and courses are subject to availability, visit thegingerpig.co.uk for full class details. Saturdays 7pm-10.30pm, Sundays 3.30pm7pm, 137-139 Askew Road, Shepherd’s Bush, W12 9AU, 020 8740 4297

image © Featureflash

For costs and information about booking, contact Alys Hughes on 020 8567 5661. A full brochure of events can be found at pitzhanger.org.uk. Pitzhanger Manor House & Gallery, Walpole Park, Mattock Lane, W5 5EQ

£10, concessions £6, 10am-12noon, Green Man Lane Cafe, Singapore Road, W13 0EP, book online at openealing.com

HAVIN’ A LAUGH

[what’s on]

11 October HAVIN’ A LAUGH

18 & 25 October A TABARD ADVENTURE

31 October to 1 November JET-SETTERS

Sir Lenny Henry, Sean Lock, Paul Whitehouse, Harry Enfield, Andi Osho, Simon Evans, Curtis Walker and Francesca Martinez are among the comedians performing for The Comedy School Charitable Trust’s Annual Benefit. The event aims to raise funds for vital social programmes, using comedy to educate, rehabilitate and inspire. The Comedy School Charitable Trust also offers people the opportunity to explore all aspects of the performing arts industry, using the power of comedy to teach and inform.

At the Tabard this month is Sigurd the Dragon Slayer by Peter Machen. It tells the story of Sigurd, who is far too young to go off adventuring but when he meets the master blacksmith Regin, everything changes. Tricked by Regin into undertaking a dangerous but exciting quest (all for the promise of a towering pile of gold and jewels), Sigurd faces various hazards but he’s too excited to be frightened. This is a familyfriendly performance, of which there are a lot this month. See our theatre listings on page 20 for more to keep you entertained.

The Family Travel Show hits Olympia at the end of this month in order to inspire you and your loved ones to take a trip abroad, be it for some winter sun or next year’s summer jaunt. With specialist operators and family holiday providers in attendance, you’re likely to find somewhere that suits you and your clan, whether it’s a beach in the Bahamas, a Swiss skiing holiday or a Cotswold cottage weekend. There are also interactive features in the Explorers’ Corner, the Family Holiday Workshop and Winters Escapes Theatre.

Standing tickets from £9.75, seating tickets from £22.50, Eventim Apollo, 45 Queen Caroline Street, W6 9QH, 0844 249 1000, eventimapollo.com

Adults £12, concessions £10, children £6, performances at 2pm, Tabard Theatre 2 Bath Road, W4 1LW, 020 8995 6035, tabardweb.co.uk

A TABARD ADVENTURE

£8 when booked in advance, on-the-door £12, weekend entry £15, Saturday 10am5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm, Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, W14 8UX, 0844 209 7360, familytravelshow.com

JET-SETTERS

[what’s on]

Across London Throughout October CRAVINGS: CAN YOUR FOOD CONTROL YOU?

This science-fuelled exhibition (that we hope won’t ruin any appetites) is running throughout the winter and gives people the chance to explore their eating habits and what it is that makes them want certain dishes. Expect to see a number of fascinating objects that will demonstrate how cutting-edge science and technology can explore how food affects your body, brain and eating habits. Why not go along and find out why it’s difficult to have only one biscuit, or stop yourself from eating the whole tube of Pringles?

online chatter What’s got local tongues wagging recently?

@LondonMummyShop Pleased as punch & huge congrats to the lovely @LoveGiveInk on their much deserved win with @notonthehighst!

Free, Monday-Sunday 10am-6pm, Exhibition Road, SW7 2DD, 0870 870 4868, sciencemuseum.org.uk

@alicearnold1 Just been judging at a Chiswick dog show. No one tried to bribe me. No one. Really disappointing.

Throughout October OKTOBERFEST

Yep, the 10th month of every year gives us this beer-swilling celebration. Luckily, you won’t have to go all the way to Germany to celebrate, as Octoberfest Pub in Fulham is kicking things off by providing west Londoners with all their beery needs (all the way through until the end of December, no less). Practice your best knee-slapping and make sure you’ve worked up a fierce thirst, because you’re going to be getting your gums around a grand amount of tankards. Tickets are sold as either standing or sitting but it’s likely that you’ll end up lying down anyway, so does it matter?

@francisandre Chaos in Ravenscourt Park as someone brings two pigs to the Dog Show.

@TabardTheatreUK Dinner is served! @magicneil Neil Henry’s Mindsquirm returns on 19th Oct

£5 standing, from £15 seated, Sunday-Thursday 12pm-11pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm-1am, 678-680 Fulham Road, SW6 5SA, 020 7736 5293, octoberfestpub.com

#chiswick #magic

@MHDreamOn We know this gent! Great article on @fostersbookshop in today’s @standardnews #chiswick

@London366 Ealing singer who worked with Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye set for more solo success

@eleccoffee Whizzing up a pile of Scotch Bonnets for our chilli jam!

@ajyadtowaterloo london cocktail week

5-11 October LONDON COCKTAIL WEEK

Who doesn’t love a cocktail or two? Great news, there’s more than you can fill your boots with during this year’s event, whether you like something fruity and sugary or dry and blow-your-headoff strong. Fancy a negroni? You’ll find one. Do you want it to be served in a brogue? You can probably find that too, but you can easily manage to do that yourself after having several of the concoctions in normal receptacles. London Cocktail Week nearly always goes down a storm, so don’t miss out on this year’s festivities. Get your wristband on and enjoy the drink-devoted days. £10 for a wristband, see website for where to collect in central and east London. Book via drinkup.london

There’s a nice park in Shepherd’s Bush and all this while I walked past it and didn’t notice

@millhouseward Great show tonight from that man Morrissey in Hammersmith.

[LOCAL GROUP]

Relight

my choir The Journal talks to Katy Seath of Rock Choir Chiswick about how the group is hitting all of the high notes How do the teaching methods at Rock Choir benefit firsttime singers?

Rock Choir welcomes all singers, so there’s always a range of abilities and levels of confidence to develop – both in their technical ability as well as in their performance. The teaching style ensures that people can feel safe and supported in what they learn. It’s a great platform for people to connect and re-connect with their voices. Some people will then go on to be soloists with the choir (if they choose to), whereas others will gain a sense of achievement from singing in a room with other people.

What is your main demographic in terms of members?

We welcome everyone to rehearsals, however Rock Choir attracts more women than men. We want to increase the amount of male singers as the ones we have absolutely love it. The age range of choir members can be anything from 18 to 118 – with people in their retirement or busy working parents who are looking for that important ‘me time’.

katy seath

When was Rock choir chiswick launched? how has it Grown?

What usually happens in your regular sessions?

It formed in September 2009 and was based at the Russian Orthodox Church on Harvard Road for the first five years, and we started with about 35 members. Since then, the choir has grown to almost 90 singers and we now enjoy rehearsing at Strand on the Green Junior School on Thames Road.

The first thing that we do is a warm up, which begins once members and tasters have signed in and found a place to sit. This is vital to get our voices ready but also to create a feel good atmosphere and relax

In what way is Rock Choir different from other choirs?

How do you lead a large group?

I teach the parts from the piano and use my head microphone to amplify my voice. The choir learn by rote, which is where they repeat and build the parts and then sing in sections with the backing track. It’s a successful method of varying the way the choir experience the song – both sitting and standing, with piano and backing track as well as a cappella. If we’re close to an upcoming concert then the rehearsal will focus on perfecting our overall performance levels together.

How can you tell singers are enjoying it?

Members often say they don’t notice the time passing!

To join Rock Choir, call 01252 714 276 or email office@rockchoir.com. More information, including the cost of being a member, can be found at rockchoir.com performing at Bridgewater hall

Firstly, it really is for everyone – there’s no audition or requirement to read music; it’s for anyone who enjoys singing with others. Training is given to all choir leaders, and the pioneering teaching used in sessions as well as the performance opportunities like performing at the O2 or Bridgewater Hall help make Rock Choir different to other singing groups.

Rock choir at the O2

people into the singing. I also often try to implement moments to get the members engaging with one another – maybe having a minute to say hello to someone they don’t know and to find out something specific about them. We can all get into habits of always doing the same thing, like sitting in the same seat and talking to the same people so it’s important to make sure singers interact with each other. Then I’ll recap the song we’re working on at that moment.

And now,

for the news

the lyric

CHANGING FACES

Following the departure of Lyric Hammersmith’s executive director Jessica Hepburn, an announcement has been made to appoint Sian Alexander as the person taking over the role. Alexander held the same post at the Bush Theatre in Shepherd’s Bush and, before that, she was Arts Council England’s head of theatre in London for 10 years. It’s been a varied couple of months for the Lyric; its new refurbishment was unveiled earlier in the year and this change of hands at the top of the chain is another exciting chapter for the theatre. lyric.co.uk

A LIDL VERSION OF A BIG STORE

German supermarket giant Lidl has its eyes set firmly on Chiswick as a site for one of its new stores. The company, which offers discounted goods and various European brands, has stated that it’s seriously interested in setting up camp in W4. It has also said that if a site without a large car

Keeping you up-to-date with what’s happening in the local area

interior of a lidl

park can’t be found, then a smaller store – similar to those in Tooting and Balham – could be built. The news comes as part of the retailer’s plan to open a number of new stores in London’s boroughs as it becomes more and more popular with shoppers. lidl.co.uk

EALING’S LATEST EXEC

Judith Finlay has been announced as Ealing Council’s new executive director for Children, Adults and Public Health. Judith began her career as a social worker and held various social-work positions in other London boroughs before joining Ealing Council as senior commissioning manager in 1998. She was promoted to her new role to take over from David Archibald, who retired this year. The leader of the council, Julian Bell, welcomes the promotion and said that over the years, Finlay has shown herself to be a “calm and confident leader”. ealing.gov.uk

recycling correctly

GOLDEN TICKET

Residents living under Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s remit are being issued with booklets to give them the chance to win a cash prize. The booklets contain tickets, which residents have to write their name, borough and phone number on, and then put it in with their recycling. If everything in their bin is correctly recycled, the ticket will be entered in to a ballot at the

[NEWS]

“AT LAST,” WE SIGH

The strengthening work that has been taking place on Hammersmith Flyover for the last two years has been completed. Transport for London has said that the work will leave the flyover stronger for decades to come. This will, in turn, decrease the amount of patching work that needs to be done, reducing traffic jams and lane closures while the work is carried out. It’s also rumoured that a Santander bike-docking station could be installed underneath the flyover, with 50 spaces for bikes using the service. lbhf.gov.uk

processing plant, and lucky recyclers could win as much as £500. The first draw is on 30 October, so good luck to all green-minded Hammersmith residents. lbhf.gov.uk

GIVING EVERYONE A CHANCE

Kettle + Crust in Hammersmith, based in St Paul’s Church, offers healthy salads and crusts for lunches and brunches, but it has been catching people’s attention for another reason. The café provides work experience for volunteers who have been out of work for the past five years or more, giving them valuable skills in order to help them move on to a paid job. The scheme is thanks to Resco, the group headed by Max Manners and that operates Kettle + Crust, and gets its volunteers from referrals from job centres and charities. The café also has a ‘pay it forward’ programme, whereby customers can pre-pay for a hot drink or sandwich, allowing someone less fortunate than themselves to come in and get something to eat or drink. It officially opened towards the end of last month. kettleandcrust.co.uk

A LONG TIME COMING

Wormholt Park in Shepherd’s Bush is finally due to get its much-anticipated refurbishment. The work, which is expected

to cost £1million, will transform the park into a friendlier, better and more attractive facility for residents to use. The scheme was four years in the planning and Derrick Wright, chairman of Friends of Wormholt Park, says: “We eagerly look forward to seeing the park take on a new lease of life that will strengthen its role as a focal point for the local community, as it has been for more than 100 years.” Extra planting will be undertaken and the park will see the addition of more bulbs to keep it looking bright when in season. A new adventure playground is also planned and the ball court will be transformed into a multi-use games area. lbhf.gov.uk

AN OVERHAUL

MAX MANNERS, CEO OF RESCO

the hammersmith flyover

This will, in turn, decrease the amount of patching work that needs to be done, reducing traffic jams and lane closures while the work is carried out

Hounslow Council is planning to develop the grounds of Hogarth’s House on Great West Road in Chiswick. It wants to build a learning space in a neglected corner to help engage local school groups and visitors with the history of the house, its gardens and their place in local history. The refurb can take place thanks to a successful first-round award from the Heritage Lottery Fund, in which the council was granted £90,000. The money will be spent on developing plans in preparation for a second-round application in 2016.

The development of Gunnersbury Park and Museum is now under control of a management firm in the form of a Community Interest Company (CIC). A CIC is designed for social enterprises that want to use their profits and assets for the public good, as is the case at Gunnersbury Park. The company is in the process of employing staff, including a curator and head gardener.

hounslow.gov.uk

visitgunnersbury.org

NEW PEOPLE AT THE HELM

The Artful

wanderer

9-18 October

Open Art Spaces takes place this month and there are plenty of exhibitions for you to hot-foot it to

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Ellie Vandoorne

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Showing 16-18 October, The Hepsibah Gallery, 112 Brackenbury Road,W6 0BD, 07767 684 670, ellievandoorne.com

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SHEPHERD’S BUSH MARKET

An artist, illustrator and graphic designer, Vandoorne’s CV sounds like an updated version of the ‘a butcher, a baker and a candlestick maker’ rhyme. She’s a prolific creator of fantastic work using mixed media, watercolours and computers to create her vision. Vandoorne’s work is easily accessible too, as she has an extensive website and large presence on social media image site Instagram. In fact, we like Ellie Vandoorne so much, hers is our ‘Don’t Miss’ exhibition.

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CHARING CROSS HOSPITAL

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Viewing art is great, as most people will agree, but how about having a go yourself ? There’s an interactive event, hosted by a variety of artists, where visitors are invited to see studio demos and hear informal talks. Expect to see printmakers and jewellers, who will demonstrate how they work and allow the audience to partake in casual discussions about the artists’ philosophy and their creative processes. Showing 13 October, 7pm, Austin Forum, 55 Fulham Palace Road, W6 8AU, openartspaces.co.uk

BARONS COURT

place & proximity

TALGARTH ROAD

FLYOVER

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Showing 7, 10 and 11, and 16, 17 and 18 October, 14 Kilmarsh Road, W6 0PL, 07891 933 069, w6art.co.uk

HAMMERSMITH

Silkscreen prints, hand-made jewellery and photographs are on show here, all made by three brilliant minds (and six amazing hands). Keith Davidson is a photographer and silk-screen printer who’s had plenty of practice at creating eyecatching pieces and pop-art brilliance. Madeleine Marsh crafts jewellery and her work is known for often having a sense of humour and telling a story, while Claire Woolley is a screen printer with an interest in flowers and bright, tropical colours.

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[open art spaces]

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Patrick & Eugenia Killery

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On the most easternly part of this year’s Open Art Spaces is Patrick and Eugenia Killery. They are two figurative painters working mainly on portraits, but who also dabble in creating various landscape masterpieces and still-life pieces of work. There’s plenty to marvel at and conveniently it’s only a stone’s throw away from Holland Park and the edge of Hyde Park.

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Showing 16-18 October, 38 Addison Road, W14 8JH, 020 7603 4483. More info at openartspaces.co.uk

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EARLS COURT

Spademan is a painter using oils, oil chalks and charcoal. This Parisian creative soul began painting from a very young age and in 1978, she enrolled at St Martin’s School of Art where she honed her craft and found her feet in the world of abstract constructions. She soon became interested in depicting the human figure through the influence of German painter Max Beckmann. Showing 16-18 October, 83 Talgarth Mansions, Talgarth Road, W14 9DF, 07443 101 850, mireillespademan.com

what is it? Organised across most of west and south-west London, Open Art Spaces is a fantastic way for people to support local artists. There’s no shortage of creative

individuals in the capital, so what better

way to celebrate their passion and to

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encourage others to pick up a paint

these talented individuals? This map

shows where some of the best picks

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and Shepherd’s Bush, but there are Kensington. Visit openartspaces.co.uk for

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all the listings.

15 October, 4pm-5pm, Fulham Palace Road, W6 8RF, 020 3312 2355. Meet inside entrance, booking required, openartspaces.co.uk

are in west Kensington, Hammersmith also events taking place in Fulham and

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Imperial College Healthcare D Charity Art OAhospitals in order to R Collection displays art in LIE LIL of patients and staff. Head improve the welfare down to see what’s on show at the moment.

brush than throwing open the doors of

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Charing cross hospital

[beauty NEWS]

Kiss and

make up

Chloe Riddle seeks out the latest trends, treatments and newest products for autumn

Home essentials

Soothe your skin and senses each evening with Neom’s calming lavender, jasmine and Brazilian rosewood set. Neom’s scents have been carefully chosen for their therapeutic properties, and this blend has been carefully formulated to help you discard the stresses from your day. Lavender for its relaxation properties, jasmine to inspire optimism and Brazilian rosewood to help balance emotions. Just what you need as the colder weather sets in. Real Luxury™ Perfect Night In Collection, available for £99 from neomorganics.com

A GOOD EGG

Enriched with a nourishing, firming complex that helps stimulate the production of collagen so as to prevent further loss, La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream lifts and firms as it re-contours and redefines. Sheer and weightless, the cream is already making waves in the beauty world. If you’re a fan of the finer things in life, then this is the product for you as it uses a rich concentration of caviar – a highly sought after superfood. Real Luxury™ Perfect Night In Collection

La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Creme, £292 for 50ml, laprairie.co.uk

Skincare lifeboat

Bold and beautiful eyebrows with a clearly defined arch have become a staple look across the board. If you want brows like Cara Delevingne and Miranda Kerr, then look no further than Space NK Apothecary, where you can find a range of high-quality eyebrow pencils and brushes. Our favourite is the Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil by Hourglass. With its retractable combination powder and wax pencil, it allows for long-lasting eyebrow shaping without smudging. Big brows are here to stay, so search for your perfect pencil to define your beauty look.

ARK Skincare recently released two exciting new products, a hydration masque and an exfoliator, to its already extensive collection. The masque contains a careful blend of Vitamins A, B5, C and E for smoothness, protection against the elements and maximum radiance. The exfoliator revitalises using bamboo microbeads, fruit acids and enzymatic action, leaving your face feeling plump and conditioned. Both perfect for quenching and regenerating your skin during the blustery autumn months.

Space NK Apothecary, 172 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PR, 020 8994 3184, uk.spacenk.com

Enjoy both for £70, arkskincare.com

Iconic eyebrows

Sofa Beds | Sofas | Beds

Our rather remarkable showroom in Chiswick, London is now open!

W&H Over 35 years of quality British craftsmanship

Extensive fabric and customisation options

Luxury 14cm deep mattresses on all our sofa beds

Call us on 0845 468 0577 or visit willowandhall.co.uk/journal for showroom information or to request free samples or a catalogue

Exceptional value compared to the high street

[motoring]

Start

your engines

Ahead of the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, Gabriella Dyson finds out from Abels what it takes to handle the mountain of luggage involved in the world’s longest-running motoring celebration

f you happen to be in Hyde Park in the early hours of Sunday 1 November, you’ll no doubt run into hundreds of veteran-car enthusiasts and their cherished vehicles. Braving the anticipated showers and crisp winter air, these seasoned aficionados are united in their passion for one of the biggest and longest-running motoring events in the world. “The annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is the biggest veteran-car event in the calendar,” John Watson, managing director of Abel’s UK residential sector, tells me. “Several thousand people gather together to see the drivers off and to soak up the sights and sounds of yesteryear.” Hundreds of beautifully maintained automobiles line up at the starting point, while thousands of eager spectators gather along the run’s 60-mile route. However, Watson explains that many of these pre-

1905 vehicles, of which there are more than 500, were not built with luggage in mind. “Our role is to make life easier for everyone involved,” he says. “We collect their baggage in London and transport it down to Brighton where participants can collect it from us at the sea front or choose to have it delivered directly to their hotel.” It’s no mean feat, but Abels has always risen to the occasion. As experts in logistics and moving services, collating all that luggage at the start of the run is something of a walk in the park. Its signature cornflower-blue lorries work like clockwork from sunrise to sunset in order to provide the sort of quality service that its clients have come to expect over the years. Having been a proud sponsor of the Veteran Car Run since 2010, it was only natural that Abels would gradually come to play a more significant role in the

organisation of the event. Each year, the Royal Automobile Club hosts an upscale cocktail party on the Saturday at its headquarters on Pall Mall, prior to the main event, providing the perfect opportunity for participants to celebrate their mutual passion in a relaxed yet formal setting. Abels has been quick to adapt to its new organisational role by getting this venue primed and ready to go, proving its worth not only as a skilled moving service but also as a master of the art of event management. The whole affair promises to be a roaring good time, but for a busy moving company such as Abels, October and November offers two highlights in the motoring calendar. While the company won’t be entering any automobiles into the Bonhams Run itself, the annual Regent Street Motor Show provides the ideal opportunity to display its own veteran vehicles. Taking over one of London’s busiest shopping streets for an entire day, this year you can expect to find an authentic horse-drawn pantechnicon dating back to 1896 (the same year as the Emancipation Run to London to Brighton) alongside some of Abels’ other unique and exciting motors. abels.co.uk; veterancarrun.com

Above: Hammer Price £13,500, A late 19th century icon

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Exhibits are located here,

here and here

Here are some of our favourite showcases in west London this month, with exhibitions perfect for chocoholics, those looking for a new job and expecting parents exhibition focus

The Chocolate Show

This month, Olympia will be filled with a whole manner of mouth-watering produce and exciting demonstrations – all of which are chocolate-themed and are as popular as you might imagine. We caught up with Salon du Chocolat to get the low-down...

What wonders can people expect to see?

The Chocolate Show is the UK’s flagship chocolate celebration and there’s a brand new line-up of features at this year’s event, making it the most interactive and exciting show yet. We’ll be making chocolate straight from the cocoa bean live on site at the Bean to Bar Factory, with distributors HB Ingredients, Bean to Bar UK and chocolatier Paul Wayne Gregory demonstrating the techniques behind the chocolate-making process. The award-winning musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is hosting the children’s area, where little hands can get messy with chocolate workshops and the

iconic Great Glass Elevator will also be making an appearance, all at no extra cost. Also, the live catwalk takes place every day at 5pm.

what is your favourite element about this exhibition?

What we love about the show is that it brings together the UK’s chocolate talent under one roof. We have more than 80 exhibitors at the show, from makers such as Willie’s Cacao from Devon, Duffy’s from Lincolnshire and The Chocolate Tree from Scotland, to artisan chocolatiers such as Paul A Young, Rococo and Lauden, plus national brands including Hotel Chocolat and Divine. There’s also a range of exciting international brands from various countries such as Denmark, Iceland, Vietnam and the US, which all have really interesting chocolate scenes.

flavours for visitors to taste and discover. Just some of the most unusual flavours last year included a whole grain mustard by Fifth Dimension Chocolates, Going to the Curry House by The Chocolatier and Paul A Young’s Marmite chocolate. We can’t wait to find out what our exhibitors have in store this year, but we can reveal that Little Jack Horner’s will be bringing its chocolate sausage rolls…

Do you have a treasured exhibit from previous years?

We couldn’t possibly choose a favourite! The great thing about The Chocolate Show is the variety; there really is something for every chocolate lover. Whether you are hunting out the latest chocolate bar maker or want to learn how to make your own truffles, you can attend tastings hosted by the experts or watch top chefs cooking live on stage including Great British Bake Off winner Edd Kimber, restaurateurs Chris and Jeff Galvin and patissier Will Torrent.

key information 16-18 October Friday-Saturday 11am-7pm, Sunday 10am-6pm £12.50 when booked in advance,

What’s the strangest product you have seen at exhibitions in the past?

We always have a fantastic range of exciting

£15 on the door salonduchocolat.co.uk

[exhibitions]

more at olympia

It’s never too early to begin thinking about your future, so even if you’ve only just returned to university, why not go along to this exhibition to start some networking? For those who graduated in the summer, the event will prove extremely helpful. There are a whole manner of different stalls to take advantage of in order to get yourself prepared for the working world, from the Advice Clinic and CV Clinic, to the Mock Assessment Centre. One particularly interesting area to aim for is the Psychometric Testing Area, where visitors can practice psychometric tests so you know what to expect when it comes to the real thing. It’s always best to get ahead, so why not start this month? Free, register online, Friday 11am-5pm, Saturday 11am-4pm, gradjobs.co.uk

10-11 October VEGFEST UK

With more than 200 stalls filled with foods, cosmetics and fashion items, this event is probably one of the most comprehensive tours around vegan goods you can come across. There’ll be plenty of live demos to enjoy throughout the two days, and 15 specialist caterers that will be dotted around to give advice and impart their veg-tastic wisdom. It’s not all food and talks though, because there’s also documentaries, comedy hours, music and a bodybuilding contest for

image Courtesy of Language Show Live

9-10 October NATIONAL GRADUATE RECRUITMENT EXHIBITION

language show live

some light-hearted entertainment, on top of kids’ cookery classes. £10, concessions £6 when bought in advance, £12, £8 concessions on the door, Saturday 11am-7pm, Sunday 10am-5pm, london.vegfest.co.uk

16-18 October LANGUAGE SHOW LIVE

Line up, linguists! This event promises live performances, talks and demonstrations, as well as the opportunity to network with thousands of like-minded, language-loving individuals to help develop skills and

gain advice on the best learning methods. Whether you want to brush up for a holiday or become fabulously fluent, pop along and see how you can get the best results from your language learning. Free, register online, Friday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 10am-4pm, languageshowlive.co.uk

No more “for crying out loud, how on earth are you supposed to fold this buggy up?” 23-25 October THE BABY SHOW

One of the country’s biggest events for parents-to-be to attend and get themselves completely prepared for the arrival of their little one. There’s plenty to enjoy, including special offers from boutique brands as well as product demonstrations from the manufacturers of some baby goods (no more “for crying out loud, how on earth are you supposed to fold this buggy up?”) and there’s plenty of advice from experts in the field. £14.35 in advance for Friday, £15.35 in advance for Saturday and Sunday, concessions £12, £20 on the door, 10am5.30pm, 0871 231 0844, thebabyshow.co.uk

the baby show

Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, W14 8UX, 020 7385 1200, olympia.co.uk

[music]

Hey, Mr DJ, put

a record on

Get your dancing shoes at the ready and head straight to these concerts Hammersmith apollo

evening of original music that will entertain you, and the hundreds of other concertgoers, from the very beginning.

12 October KEITH SWEAT & BLACKSTREET

keith sweat & blackstreet

13 October EDITORS

Don’t panic, it’s a Tuesday and not a Friday so superstitious concert-goers have nothing to fear. Editors are back with a new album, In Dream, which was released earlier this month. The band has had two UK number one albums, An End Has a Start (2007) and In This Light and on This Evening (2009), and their début album, released in 2005, has sold more than half a million copies in the UK alone. The group will be supported by The Twilight Sad and it looks set to be a great

Eventim Apollo, 45 Queen Caroline Street, W6 9QH, 0844 249 4300, eventimapollo.com

What is it with bands reforming these days? Anyway, Starsailor got back together in 2014 and this year they’re touring to celebrate last month’s release of their greatest hits album. The band has achieved more than three million album sales, has played various charity concerts for a number of causes and lead vocalist James Walsh has had a fairly impressive solo career after he abandoned the rest of them in 2009. He’s back with the group now and there aren’t any hard feelings still lingering after his previous departure. £21.50, doors open 7pm

From £40.75, doors open 6.30pm

£26.75, doors open 7pm

editors

O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Billed as a ‘momentous musical event’ by the Apollo, this concert brings together many legends of R&B music and unleashes them on stage for an evening of roof-raising and beat-throwing. Sweat had numerous jobs before he found fame, from mailroom clerk to working on the commodities market at the New York Stock Exchange (quite a leap, we know) and throughout these different careers, he was singing in NYC clubs. He was discovered and offered a recording contract in 1987 which just goes to show that if you’re good at something, stick at it. Blackstreet is a band that formed after the breakup of another called Guy. This offshoot proved more popular, hence why they’re still touring.

17 October STARSAILOR

22 October Ezra furman

An American musician and songwriter, Furman isn’t short of live performances on his CV. Having been in a different band before joining his current one, he’s one to watch in the coming years. He can put his name to six albums; three on his own and three as Ezra Furman and the Harpoons. This means he has sufficient repertoire to work from so his Apollo performance should be as varied as a packet of M&M’s. From £16, doors open 7pm

13 October R5

No, it’s not a bus route. Yes, there are five of them but no, we don’t know what the R stands for. What we do know is that they formed in 2009 and have been described as an exciting emerging voice in pop-rock, so they might be worth a visit. The band is led by vocalist and rhythm guitarist Ross Lynch, who is presumably known as R1. We think all the Rs will be great though. £18.50, doors open 7pm

27 October COASTS

A quintet from Bristol, these young men have got much to offer the rock world, and they only formed in 2011. One of their tracks, A Rush of Blood was named as DJ Zane Lowe’s hottest record in October 2014. £15, doors open 7pm O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Shepherd’s Bush Green, W12 8TT, 0844 477 2000, o2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk

[FILM]

The

director’s cut A few opportunities to sit down and do nothing for a couple of hours (you’re welcome)

2 October THE INTERN

Directed by Nancy Meyers Starring Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway and Nat Wolff This imaginatively-titled glossy flick has been written and directed by Nancy Meyers and stars some heavyweight Hollywood heroes. It’s about Ben, played by De Niro, who is a retired 70-something man suddenly discovering that retirement isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be, so decides to become a senior intern at an online fashion company. It also has De Niro’s adopted daughter, Drena, playing a role, so it’s a bit of a family affair.

escalating war against drugs at the border area between the US and Mexico. Think explosions, fast-paced action and lots of shots of Emily Blunt looking like a fearless warrior, and yes that is Victor Garber who played Thomas Andrews in James Cameron’s Titanic. Doesn’t he look menacing?

16 October PAN

Directed by Joe Wright Starring Hugh Jackman, Levi Miller and Amanda Seyfried J.M. Barrie’s characters are brought back to life in the latest epic depicting the adventures of mischievous Peter Pan. It focuses on the story of young Pan himself, an orphaned boy who is ‘spirited away’ to Neverland where he finds his destiny and becomes a world-famous boy hero. And they say you should go to university to secure your future! Not only will this film be thrilling for kids, adults should enjoy it too and relive some of the tales’ original magic, from the tick-tocking of the clock in the crocodile (clockodile?) to the moustachetwirling Captain Hook.

16 October CRIMSON PEAK

Directed by Guillermo del Toro Starring Charlie Hunnam, Jessica Chastain and Tom Hiddleston An aspiring author is torn between love for her childhood friend and the temptation of a mysterious outsider after a family tragedy. In an attempt to escape her past, she flees her home and moves to a house that, rather mysteriously, breathes, bleeds and remembers. Sounds like she’s in for a rocky time and frankly, rather her than us.

23 October PAPER PLANES

Directed by Robert Connolly Starring Ed Oxenbould, Sam Worthington and Julian Dennison This family-friendly film is about an Australian boy who has a passion for flight and attempts to compete in the World Paper Plane Championships in Japan. Championships like these do actually exist and are run by Red Bull, so why not get involved and see how well you do with all of that spare time you don’t have?

sicario

8 October SICARIO

Directed by Denis Villeneuve Starring Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin and Victor Garber An idealistic FBI agent is enlisted by an elected government task force to aid in the

pan

[THEATRE]

This performance has

no interval Kids’ special

What’s on the stage? bush theatre 28-30 October STORYSTOCK

Chris Riddell will be headlining the Storystock book festival during this month’s half-term. He will be leading the first in a series of new live-drawing Q&As, where inquisitive children can ask questions and get their replies drawn by Riddell to take home. A number of other authors will also be in attendance, including Judith Kerr, Cerrie Burnell and Jamila Gavin, and some of the performances available include The Music House for Children, Hip Hop Shakespeare and The Harry Potter Show. The organisers refer to the event as a ‘fabulous circus of stories’, so get ready to be entertained. If none of that whets your kids’ appetites, at least head down to enjoy the animation workshops, live literature shows and storytelling sessions.

roots (preferably somewhere with a good commuting time into central London but far enough away to enjoy some peace and quiet at the weekend). This performance is perfect for any little audience members’ first experience at the theatre and there’s plenty for parents to enjoy too.

around. As an original take on a centuriesold tale, it’s bound to be entertaining.

£8, suitable for ages three-10, children younger than 18 months can sit on a parent’s lap free of charge. Shows at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm

24 October OLIVE AND THE DREAM TRAIN

arnold’s biG adventure

Storystock takes place across three days and events begin at 9.30am. For a full list of shows, times and ticket prices, visit bushtheatre.co.uk, or call 020 8743 5050 to book tickets. More information can also be found at storystock. co.uk. Bush Theatre, 7 Uxbridge Road, W12 8LJ

27-31 October GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS

the dragon’s tale

17 October THE DRAGON’S TALE 10 October ARNOLD’S BIG ADVENTURE

Gather under the branches for the biggest day in the woodland calendar: Drop Day. Lead character Arnold the Acorn is about to drop from his tree and begin his adventure in search of somewhere to put down his

Young Olive is a daydreamer and her wandering mind takes her from thinking about what’s going on in her cat’s head to pondering about the weird picture of a steam train puffing out of a fireplace that’s above her bed. One day, as Olive is daydreaming on her way to school, she comes across a real-life steam train – one that’s studded with olives. Seems like it’s been sent specifically to her, doesn’t it? There’s no driver, so Olive hops on and realises that she’s in control and can go where she likes. Let the adventures begin! £8, suitable for ages five-11, children younger than 18 months can sit on a parent’s lap free of charge, show times 11am and 2pm

storystock

lyric theatre

£8, suitable for ages four-eight, children younger than 18 months can sit on a parent’s lap free of charge. Show times 11am and 1pm

This story is based on the legend of George and the Dragon, and is told from the dragon’s point of view through various flashbacks. He’s accompanied by a damsel in distress and for those with a nervous disposition (or easily-frightened kids), fear not: there shouldn’t be any fire-breathing and George is unlikely to swoop in from the rafters and begin brandishing his sword

Everyone knows this child-friendly story, but this version is slightly different. The performance is about three bears who go out for a walk and return to find that Goldilocks has broken in, wolfed down Baby Bear’s porridge and made a right mess of the house. It all kicks off and in this adaptation, with puppets and brilliant music, Baby Bear gets taken on an adventure by a mysterious guest. £8, suitable for ages two and older, children younger than 18 months can sit on a parent’s lap free of charge. Show times 11am and 1pm Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King Street, W6 0QL, 020 8741 6850, lyric.co.uk

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[food and drink]

Knives and forks

at the ready

Philippa Short rounds up the tastiest titbits of local food and drink news

Suzu

lunch and dinner with a varied menu of feel-good grub. Offering great meat dishes and cocktails, the wine list comprises bottles produced by small companies. Sam’s has left big shoes to fill, both in the culinary department and as a community bastion, but it looks like its replacement is up to the task. meat & shake’s fillet steak

Suzu’s owner Makiko Sano wanted to share her passion for Japanese cuisine with the rest of London, so she opened her very own Japanese bar and restaurant, and last month Suzu updated its Lunch On The Go! menu. The daily bento boxes available on the menu now include prawn and vegetable stir-fry and steamed chicken. Sano hosts sushi-making classes and has taught the art to more than 20,000 people in the last four years, so you can get an education from the same place where you can receive dining gratification.

Foxlow Chiswick, 11 Barley Mow Passage, W4 4PH, foxlow.co.uk

Meat & Shake

Meat & Shake, 17 The Green, W5 5DA, 020 8840 7373, meatandshake.com

Pyjama Breakfast

If at the weekend you like a freshly-made breakfast in the comfort of your own home, but without the hassle of having to make it, you’re in luck. Pyjama Breakfast brings bed-hugging customers hot-or-cold brekkie dishes using fresh ingredients so they can enjoy every second of their lie-in. The company is a local business and only sources fresh, top-notch ingredients from the best suppliers, and it boasts that it can get your order on its way to you quicker than you can say supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. We’ll see about that. Delivers Saturday and Sunday, 8am-1pm, 020 3816 0229, pyjamabreakfast.com

The Crucial Café

the brunch burger at foxlow

Foxlow Chiswick

After the recent closure of Sam’s Brasserie, Foxlow, Hawksmoor’s cheaper cousin, has arrived in Chiswick. Opening this month, it’s set to be a huge local favourite for brunch,

The Crucial Café, located in the Hogarth Health Club, is the new kid on the block and offers a range of exceptionally healthy meals, salads, cold-pressed juices, smoothies and snacks. The ingredients for its dishes are locally sourced and feature organic and free-range meat and fish. What makes it particularly special is that it works in partnership with the health club, so you can ingest all that goodness in easy-on-the-eye surroundings with fellow healthy diners. The Crucial Café, The Hogarth Health Club, Airedale Avenue, W4 2NW, 020 8747 4047, crucialfood.com

Enquiries about sushi classes must be made by emailing cookingclass@suzuonline.co.uk. Suzu, 170-172 Hammersmith Road, W6 7JP, 020 8741 1101, suzuonline.co.uk sushi class at suzu

If a normal steak just won’t do it for you, head down to Meat & Shake’s Ealing restaurant and get your gums around the Tomahawk special. It’s one of several new items on the menu and is 1.7kilos of on-thebone beef served with fries and sauce. Make sure you’re prepared though: steak-hungry diners have to pre-order it 48 hours in advance (we assume this is by telephone and doesn’t happen at the table). The restaurant is also dishing out its new Philly cheesesteak sandwich, so if the £65 price tag of the Tomahawk makes your stomach flip, you’ve got something to fall back on at only £11.50.

Amigos Burgers & Shakes

Amigos Burgers & Shakes has a brand-new restaurant in Shepherd’s Bush, offering burgers and milkshakes (did you guess that?). The meat is halal and sourced from a local supplier, making this a Shepherd’s Bush-centric operation. Wear a hat on the first Wednesday of every month and 15 per cent will be knocked off the bill (no extra points for the biggest hat) and for diners who like a challenge, you’ll earn a place on the Wall of Fame if you eat a 50-ounce burger and fries in 30 minutes or less. No bookings taken, 120 Uxbridge Road, W12 8AA, amigosburgersandshakes.com

[review]

Her Royal

Highness Tom Hagues discovers that Shepherd’s Bush’s Princess Victoria is deserving of its newly-awarded status as London County Dining Pub of the Year by the Good Pub Guide 2016

the bar

walk into the Princess Victoria and am immediately struck by two things: the beauty of the interior and the hustling, bustling atmosphere of the place. We walk around the bar, a talking point in itself and, so expansive, I’m certain that the bar staff have toned thighs and a six-pack from walking around it all day. I’m led into the restaurant area, which is another grand room, where I take a seat. It’s Friday night and it’s busy – there are couples enjoying intimate dinners and there are larger parties, and the feeling is that everyone’s having a good time. My expectations are now as high as the ornate ceilings that I can’t stop talking about, much to the irritation of my culinary companion.

There’s a choir of flavours going on in this dish and I’m a very happy member of the audience

The first choice of the night we make is the gin. The Princess Victoria has an almost offensively large array of gins available – offensive because any gin lover will have a nervous breakdown trying to decide which one to try first. I opt for the one that’s been kept in an old negroni barrel so that it has, as you can imagine, a subtle negroni tinge to it; it’s sheer perfection. I also try an Earl Grey one, which I’m considering drinking in place of actual tea, and one made with beer hops. I decide that I’m going to name my children after the man who keeps bringing them to me. When it comes to the food, I choose the calf ’s liver and foie gras parfait and it is, as you can imagine, screamingly rich and full-flavoured. It comes with a homemade brioche bun and pear and grape chutney, which I’m grateful for because it refreshes the palate against the luxurious smoothness of the parfait. The other starter on the table is the venison carpaccio with truffle oil and garlic mayonnaise, which I’m assured is as delicious as it sounds. I try it, to make sure the truth has been told, and find myself

satisfied that it has. The main courses arrive and I’m excited – from what I’ve seen from the starter, this isn’t normal pub grub at all. The pan-fried hake comes with wholegrain mustard mash and baby Mediterranean vegetables (in the dim light of the restaurant and in the midst of my frenzied excitement, I think the baby courgette is a pickled gherkin). The dish is brought together with a brown shrimp sauce, which is actually one of the reasons why I ordered it and I’m not left disappointed. The fish is perfect; it’s glossy and meaty and the mustard in the mash gives it an earthy warmth that harmonises with the sauce. There’s a choir of flavours going on in this dish and I’m a very happy member of the audience. It’s soon time for dessert and I make a snap decision and try the carrot cake ice cream sandwich. I look around to see whether I’d be chastised for eating it with my hands like a lorry driver at a layby café stop, but decide to play it safe and use a spoon. It is, as I have come to expect, a delight. I leave, before I try to register myself as being legally married to the place. Everything, from the speed of the service to the exceptional knowledge of wines and gins by the dedicated staff, as well as the beautiful setting, makes the Princess Victoria an experience worth heading all the way down Uxbridge Road for. 217 Uxbridge Road, W12 9DH, 020 8749 5886, princessvictoria.co.uk

the dining room

Plaque to

the West

Tom Hagues learns about the Ealing Civic Society’s programme to commemorate famous faces

a potential plaque spot, Pitzhanger Manor

“H

ave you seen our postcards?” publicity officer Mike Tiley begins as he hands one to me. “They’re on sale in Waterstones in Ealing.” The postcards are designed with a selection of images, including one of the Hoover Building in Perivale on the western edge of Ealing. The Society is keen on the historical buildings in its area (but also more modern builds),

and a quick browse of the website will tell anyone that it’s proud of its links with the past. We sit down in St Mary le Strand, where Mike is a verger, and he imparts a wealth of knowledge. The Green Plaque scheme recognises buildings where famous people lived – similar to English Heritage’s well-known blue ones. But as much as the Society enjoys preserving the past in its borough, it also

encourages the creation of high-quality new buildings. The Society began in 1967 and comprised a mixture of people, all of whom were united in opposing a radical overhaul of the centre of Ealing. The party is independent of any political affiliations and Ealing Council, but maintains a good working relationship with the latter in order to ensure its schemes – particularly the plaque programme – can go ahead.

[LOCAL SOCIETY]

Where are these plaques then? Peppered across Ealing, as some residents might already know, is an array of houses, old factories and public buildings that have, at one time or another, housed a famous face. From politics, literature to popular culture, the plaques that are put up recognise and celebrate them all. It sounds like a difficult task, and of course it is. How on earth does the Society find the specific information needed to recognise a building’s significance? “We take suggestions from people,” Mike tells me. Who are the current plaques commemorating? “One of our famous plaques is for Fred Perry. In Pitzhanger, there is the Brentham Club, the place where he learnt table tennis – locals don’t realise that he was a table tennis champion before he was a tennis star – and the people at the club said: ‘If a blue plaque is going up on the house where he lived then surely we should have one on the club where he practiced?’, so we said that we’d put one of ours up,” he says. Mike goes on to explain that English Heritage has – thankfully – not taken against the plaques. “We work very closely with English Heritage,” he begins. “They asked us not to make our plaques the same as theirs and we told them that we’d do green ones – green being the colour of Ealing. We also follow English Heritage rules. For example, we’ll only put up a plaque if the building is still standing and intact.” Does the Society see anyone doing anything similar? “There’s actually something that someone put up on the University of West London that says ‘Lady Byron lived near here’, but she actually

lived in a house that’s a half-mile away. Sometimes people can make mistakes,” Mike says. There’s also one in the middle of the shopping centre, which is a tribute to to Frank Richards, the author of the Billy Bunter series. Mike goes on to explain the trouble with that plaque: “That one says he lived close by but we wouldn’t do it like that. We’d have to have the building there and if that person came back today they’d have to be able to recognise it as their house in order for us to put a plaque up.” Rigorous historical research is important in ensuring that the plaques go up correctly and are factually correct – if you see a green plaque, you know that the Ealing Civic Society has gone to great lengths to ensure that what it

They made what became the original Winnie-the-Pooh represents is true and accurate. I ask if the Society works with other historical groups in order to find other links with people significant in the area. “Yes, we encouraged the Acton History Group to put up a bronze plaque in Acton Park,” he tells me. “It recognises Adam Faith, a pop singer from the early ’60s. The house he lived in was bombed and the Acton History Group said that they wanted to recognise him, which we agreed to. We told them who made our plaques and they had one put it on a brick plinth.” The support that the Society gives to other groups is admirable, and encourages west London to celebrate its historical links

with various figures. What kicked off the scheme? “Our initial plaque was to the first ever Waitrose, which was on Acton Hill – it’s not there anymore. Now it’s called the Babylon Pizza House and when we came to get the plaque put up, there was nowhere we could put it because the façade was plastic and glass,” Mike says. “The council actually said ‘Why don’t you do a pavement plaque’, so we did, and you can see it in the ground now. Waitrose paid for it and were very helpful, so that was nice for our first one.” To grasp how well-regarded the Society is, Mike tells me that the council is more than happy to help the group with its plaque-erecting endeavours. “It’s very good at advising us and it has some excellent conservation specialists,” he nods. “It’s good to cooperate with all these different people.” Mike goes on to tell me one more story about a historically significant place in the area and one, I suspect, that many residents might not know about. “Twyford Church of England High School, just a short way from Ealing Common tube station, hasn’t been a school for very long. It used to be a factory where they made Farnell soft toys and teddy bears. The family lived in the large house at the front and the factory was behind, where the school now is, and in 1919, they made what became the original Winne-the-Pooh,” he tells me. “Mrs Milne found one of the bears in Harrods for young Christopher Robin Milne, and you know the rest. We thought that, despite the fact that he didn’t live there, it was a place that people might recognise so we put a plaque up that reads ‘Winnie-the-Pooh, “born” nearby’,” he laughs. “It’s on the east wing of the building where the factory was.” Is there anything at Pitzhanger Manor, I ask. “There’s potential there,” Mike enthuses. “Very few people know that architect Sir John Soane used to live in that house. We’ve made a proposal to commemorate his time living in the manor.” After being thoroughly debriefed about the plaques, where they are and what they represent, I can’t help but admire the Society’s dedication to the project. The history books of Ealing will soon be lining the pavements. ealingcivicsociety.org

get involved To suggest a historical plaque, email info@ealingcivicsociety.org. Sponsorship must be raised independently, the cost of which is currently around £600. Gates of Pitzhanger Manor

[letters]

Word on

THE STREET The latest from west London’s vocal locals

THAT WOULD HELP I’ve recently become a daily user of Turnham Green Station and wonder why the Piccadilly Line only stops there during limited hours. It would be very beneficial for me if it stopped more regularly at Turnham Green and I’m sure many others would agree, so I am confused as to why there haven’t been any moves by residents and Tube users to bring this about. This addition to the Piccadilly Line could also encourage a rise in house prices for the area, which would make many of the locals very happy. - Mr Bleza

a neighbour remarked at how friendly our pumpkin looked, which of course is not the point! Any advice would be much appreciated – if only they had a stencil or shape cutter for this kind of thing. - Mrs Mahoney

tips please

THANK GOODNESS

that WOULD HELP

TIPS PLEASE If anyone can write in and suggest the best way to carve a pumpkin, I’d really appreciate the help. My children and I do one every year on the first day of the October half term but frankly, we aren’t very good at it. They love the pumpkin pie that I make with the insides, but the scary face never turns out how we like it. Last year

Has anyone else noticed that they’ve stopped the endless work on the Hammersmith Flyover now? I recently considered moving because I couldn’t see myself putting up with the traffic the work caused for another day but, I’m happy to say I recently received an alert on my phone that said it’s all done and dusted. I’m pleased! - Mr Dillon

thank goodness

IMPATIENT FOR A REASON Does anyone know when Brew is meant to be opening in Chiswick? I went to the Wimbledon one a while ago (before the owner was involved in that scandal with the cyclist) and thought that it was very pleasant. I know we’ve got loads of places like that but, without wanting to sound too cliché, you can never have too much of a good thing. I’m looking forward to the café opening on the High Road (whenever that may be) as well as Foxlow. - Mrs Sakes

SINCEREST APOLOGIES I was reading a copy of the Chiswick Residents’ Journal that I found on the seat between me and a lady on the Tube the

sincerest apologies

other day. When I got up to leave at my station, I took it with me and it wasn’t until I had got off and out onto the street that I realised it might have been hers. If you’re someone who has had their copy of their magazine stolen from the Tube by a blundering and forgetful old man, I apologise! - Mr Emmerson

WALKING IN AN AUTUMN WONDERLAND It was great to see a little bit of an Indian summer last month, but let’s not forget about the pleasures of early autumn. I love bright, crisp mornings and sunny afternoons, especially walking through Pitshanger Park. Obviously it’s not great when the soggy leaves are everywhere, but I’m looking forward to the season nonetheless. Could someone not set up a walking group for folk like me to wander around with on a Saturday morning? - Mr Sarrel

walking in an autumn wonderland

If you have anything you’d like to share, ask or say, email us at chiswick.bg@residentsjournal.co.uk, write to us at Runwild Media Group, 6th Floor, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AX or tweet us @ChiswickWestJ

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Certificate No. FS23942

[PROPERTY]

Property

news The new £1million+ residential areas of London

The list of £1million+ neighbourhoods in the capital just got longer. Knight Frank has mapped the markets where at least 20 per cent of sales have been above £1million in at least one quarter since the start of 2014. The minimum threshold was five sales and no postcode district was allowed to have more than one quarter with 20 per cent of sales above £1million before 2014. New entrants to the £1million+ club include Hammersmith (which has had five such quarters since 2014, the biggest transformation recorded), Maida Vale (W9), Queen’s Park (NW6), East Finchley (N2) and Muswell Hill (N10). Battersea (SW11), Vauxhall (SW8) and Herne Hill (SE24) are the new faces further south.

saleable space to be bolted on above, delivering a raft of top-floor options, each packing two bedrooms and private terraces on either flank. A handful will also have some outside space overlooking the welltended communal gardens and all have been allocated secure parking. In case the current penthouse owners were feeling a little miffed at the demotion, the scheme’s developer promises plenty of upsides for existing residents too, Jason Hobbs of Knight Frank’s Residential Development Land team explains: “This sale represents an opportunity for a rooftop developer to build 15 luxury apartments in a popular Chiswick location. As part of the planning permission, the development will provide a variety of benefits to Chiswick Village including a car club, brand-new lighting, surfacing, fencing and CCTV to the existing community.”

Biggest September asking price rise for 13 years – Rightmove

Level Set: Mass penthouse development site goes up for sale in W4

An intriguing residential development opportunity has just come up in leafy Chiswick, after planners green-lighted a scheme to add a single vertical extension across a range of 1930s buildings, essentially creating 15 brand new penthouses. One of the best-known apartment complexes in the area, the Art Deco-style Chiswick Village currently provides 280 one, two and threebed units arranged across fifteen blocks, rising from four to six storeys in height and topped off with flat roofs. The consent allows for 20,027 sq ft of

Asking prices across the country have risen by 0.9 per cent in the last month to hit a brand new national record, says Rightmove, as supply shortened yet further. London’s more pricey boroughs have, however, seen some extremely disparate behaviour. There have been some massive ups and downs in prime central London, where a couple of major instructions can skew average prices dramatically. Asking prices in Kensington & Chelsea shot up by 8.4 per cent in September (giving an average price of £2.15million; up +26.5 per cent on the year), while those in Westminster plummeted by 12.5 per cent (also giving an average price of £2.15million; but up by just +1.2 per cent on the year). Larger family-size homes and more affluent areas seem to be driving prices up for the national charts, with the top 15 highest-priced counties all seeing asking prices increase by 1.8 per cent, double the national average. Family home asking prices have gone up by 1.2 per cent while firsttime-buyer properties dropped by 1.1 per cent in the same period.

In Pictures: Stanhope’s BBC Television Centre

Stanhope plc is limbering up for the official launch of its mixed-use development of BBC Television Centre in White City, west London. A proper “marketing pavilion” will be up and running in time for a big launch in April next year, but a “marketing display” is now live until the end of October, giving prospective buyers the chance to chat to agents Savills or Strutt & Parker about what units will be available. Completion for residential and office spaces, and for the new Soho House members’ club, is planned for December 2017; prices will range from £500,000 for studios, up to £7million for a penthouse on the Helios itself. That pricing is based on a £1,000–£1,300 per sq ft ballpark. “Television was conceived as a mixed use scheme from the start and will be more dynamic and vibrant as a place because of the integration of these different uses,” says Alistair Shaw, managing director of Television Centre at Stanhope. “There will be residential apartments and houses, offices, television studios, a hotel and members’ club operated by Soho House, gym, cafés, restaurants, boutique independent cinema and retail.” He goes on to say: “Our approach has been to think about the development from the bottom up, not from top down as with other residential developments. We’re passionate about the quality of the ground floorplates, the public spaces, the landscaping, the uses – and the place itself.”

John Bull Place, Chiswick W4 Four newly built three bedroom houses within an exclusive development Four architect designed three bedroom homes, recently constructed to the highest of standards. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, downstairs WC, large open plan reception, kitchen, rear garden, allocated parking. EPC: B. Approximately 102 sq m (1,100 sq ft). Freehold

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