Chiswick & The West February 2016 by Runwild Media Group

Managing Editor Francesca Lee

What’s inside

Editorial Lead Tom Hagues editorial ASSISTANT Emily Adams

An insight into this issue

Editor-in-Chief Lesley Ellwood Managing Director Eren Ellwood General Manager Fiona Fenwick senior Designer Lisa Wade Publishing Director Giles Ellwood Executive Director Sophie Roberts Client Relationship manager Friday Dalrymple

“The first artist that really inspired me to draw was M.C. Escher, because I found his work with perspective absorbing and his technical ability mind-blowing.” – ARTS AND EXHIBITIONS

SALES EXECUTIVEs Joe Rutherford Kate Emmett Production Alice Ford Oscar Viney Hugo Wheatley Jamie Steele Published by

“In this romp, the end of World War Two is in sight and Britain’s finest (we use this term loosely) platoon welcomes a female journalist to the town.” – FILM

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DAD’S ARMY

“The mains: rump steaks with tongue-pink interiors are sublime and need no lavish description – they do what they’re meant to and are thankfully cooked to perfection.” – FOOD AND DRINK

LONGFELLOW

“They can boast that they supported legendary music act Hall & Oates during their most recent tour, as well as the fact that they headlined the BBC Introducing stage at Radio 2’s Festival In A Day, alongside Rod Stewart and Bryan Adams.”

– MUSIC

“You’ll get a facial, eyelash tint and eyebrow touch-up, along with a mani-pedi so you’ll be wedding-dress ready in no time at all.” – BEAUTY

[editor’s letter and contents]

From the

editor

CONTENTS

ebruary is here and with it comes the glimmer of spring at the end of this long wintry tunnel. But, let’s not write it off too quickly, because there’s plenty to do before we

plough into March. For proof of this claim, flick over to page four for this month’s What’s On pages; from a lantern festival to a flower show, there’s a little bit of everything. This issue, we turn our questioning to the Ealing Decorative &

to when the members are all together and how you can join (page nine). If that whets your artistic appetite, skip over to page 10 for our chat with local artist Raph Thomas about his latest work. If you participated in Dry January and are willing to leap head-

Fine Arts Society to find out more about the group, what it gets up

KING, SEE PAGE 13

REGULARS 4

WHAT’S ON IN FEBRUARY

WORD ON THE STREET

cocktail guide to the area. We’ve got recommendations coming out

The most pressing issues from vocal locals

of our ears for the best tipples in west London and page 21 has our

FEATURES

review of Balans Soho Society in Shepherd’s Bush.

first off the wagon, turn to pages 18 and 19 for our comprehensive

All the best events to attend this month

GETTING TO THE ART OF IT All you need to know about the Ealing Decorative & Fine Arts Society

Our theatre page sees a review of Herons this month, and its film

FOR THE BIRDS Q&A with local artis Raph Thomas on his new series, Birdland

counterpart has flicks to catch in February as well as a review of

Youth, starring the fabulous Michael Caine.

in the eye of the beholder Beauty news and a review of Murad’s skin treatment TOY BOX A local entrepreneur explains the idea behind her toy rental service

We hope you enjoy the issue.

SHAKEN AND STIRRED Our handy cocktail guide to west London

news, events and reviews

francesca Lee, Managing Editor

TERRIBLE TEENS

YOU SPIN ME RIGHT ROUND

ON THE COVER (left to right)

Keep your ear to the ground and enjoy this month’s music scene

Carvosso’s at 210 on Chiswick High Road; Emperor Penguins by Raph

SWEET OR SALTY POPCORN?

READ ALL ABOUT IT... AND THEN EAT IT

Our review of Herons at the Lyric

What we thought of Youth and the hottest new releases

Thomas © Raph Thomas; Charmaine Dooley; King © Sharon Esquivel; the dragon at the Magical Lantern Festival © WELI Creative; Max Gill and Billy Matthews in Herons © Tristram Kenton; Longfellow © Tom Leishman; Dogs welcome at Outsider Tart in Chiswick © Freya Scott; Balans Soho Society in Westfield Shepherd’s Bush

February’s food and drink news 21

THE MIGHTy society A review of Balans Soho Society in Shepherd’s Bush

Top picks for

FEBRUARY

The best events to attend this month

3 February – 6 March THE FIRST RULE OF LIGHT CLUB…

11 February – 13 March BLOOMIN’ ’ECK

15 & 16 February BIG NIGHT OUT

…is that you should tell everyone about it. Coming to the UK for the very first time – and W4 for that matter – is the Magical Lantern Festival. This year is the Year of the Monkey, and to mark that, a Mount Huaguo lantern with an illuminated waterfall will provide the fairytale setting for an intricate recreation of popular Chinese fable The Monkey King. It does sound pretty magical, doesn’t it? Keep an eye out for the impressive 66-metre-long dragon, although we’re sure it’ll be quite hard to miss, and don’t forget to hit the market area for some treats.

The annual spectacular that is the Camellia Show at Chiswick House and Gardens Trust returns this month to inject a bit of colour into W4. This is the 6th year of it running and, like last year, it’s completely free to attend. Believed to be the oldest collection under glass in western civilisation, you can expect to see vibrant pinks, ruby reds, delicate whites and candy-cane striped flora. Keep an eye out for Middlemist’s Red – a type of Camellia brought to Britain from China in 1804 by Shepherd’s Bush-ite John Middlemist. It’s one of two to exist in the whole world; the other one is in New Zealand.

Shooting Stars presenters and comedians Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer have been around on the comedy scene for quite some time – a quarter of a century in fact. They’re currently touring with a show entitled 25 Years of Reeves & Mortimer: The Poignant Moments in order to reflect on their great comic achievements. The usual Reeves and Mortimer surrealist humour will be in full force, with some musical moments, interesting dance moves and perhaps a dash of magic. It’s sure to be a welcome return to the stage for the pair, who have a very loyal fan base.

Free, 10am-4pm Tuesday-Sunday, Chiswick House and Gardens, Burlington Lane, W4 2QN, 020 8742 3905, chgt.org.uk

From £28.25, 7.30pm, Eventim Apollo, 45 Queen Caroline Street, W6 9QH, 0844 249 1000, eventimapollo.com

Adults from £16, children from £10, family tickets from £48, entry between 5pm-8.45pm Tuesday-Sunday, Chiswick House & Gardens, W4 2QN, 0844 844 0444, magicallantern.uk

a warming whisky

bloomin’ ‘eck

the first rule of light club…

[what’s on]

22 February A WARMING WHISKY

23 February cast your mind way, way back

25 February WHEN I GROW UP

The Defector’s Weld often hosts tastings, and the one this month is a Glenfiddich special. It’s an informal event and nothing much is expected of you – just turn up and enjoy a blind tasting session of Glenfiddich 12-, 15- and 18-year-old whiskies. It’ll be held in the pub’s whisky hideaway and you’ll leave with a warmth in your heart and a seriously good overview of single malt whisky and its production. There are multiple sessions during the evening, so if one is taking place when you arrive, kick back in the bar and wait for the next rotation.

Some of the most iconic objects from British prehistory have been rescued from the Thames’ riverbed. But who left these items and how did they live? An illustrated talk will introduce guests to a series of early Londoners who lived and died along the banks of the Thames between BC 400,000 and AD 60. The fascinating talk will be given by Jon Cotton, an ex-senior curator of the Museum of London, who has plenty of experience working on archaeological sites in west London. Head down to see how Chiswickians used to live when times were a little bit simpler.

Do you remember when you were a child and the whole world was your oyster? This event gives you the chance to role-play the professions you dreamed about doing when you were a young ’un, from a firefighter or pit-lane engineer to radio presenter and beautician. KidZania London is a child-sized city in west London that is ripe for exploring during this special adults-only evening, and the best thing about it is that you can do so with a cocktail in hand without pesky children running around and getting in the way of your fun.

Free, 7pm-9pm, Defector’s Weld, 170 Uxbridge Road, W12 8AA, 020 8749 0008, email defectorsweldevents@youngs.co.uk for more information, defectors-weld.co.uk

£3, doors open at 7pm, talk will start at 7.30pm, The Pier House, Corney Reach Way, W4 2UG, 020 8742 2713, chiswickpier.org.uk

£29 for entry and cocktail, £39 for entry, cocktail and supper, 7pm-11pm, KidZania London, Westfield Shopping Centre, Ariel Way, W12 7GA, 0330 131 3333, london.kidzania.com

when i grow up

[what’s on]

Early next month

online chatter What’s got local tongues wagging recently?

5 March SUPPORT THROUGH SONG

Charmaine Dooley, a talented and very qualified singer, is giving a song recital this month in the hope of raising awareness of the work that Children with Cancer UK does, as well as raising funds for its crucial research. She’ll be accompanied by pianist Richard Black, which promises to be a very impressive pairing indeed. The suggested donation for each ticket is £20, which can be donated on the JustGiving page (search for A Concert for Children with Cancer UK). Be sure to leave a name and how many tickets are needed. Suggested donation of £20, 8pm, St Michael and All Angels Church, Bath Road, W4 1TT, justgiving.com

@QuintinBC Beautiful morning to remind everyone where the @TheQuintinHead finish line is... approx 400m beyond Chiswick Bridge.

@Chiswick_mum Congrats @WatermansCentre on the new website - great improvement and as big plus, Snoopy film is on at half term, hurrah!

@TAMPCOFFEE In love with this sunny yet chilly weather. #londoncoffee #chiswick #chiswickliving

@Eyebee Beer o’clock at @BrewDog Shepherd’s Bush.

@iamNATHANCARTER O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire DATE CHANGE! 12th March has moved to Bank Holiday Sunday 29th May. All tickets remain valid.

Further afield 10-21 February KEEP THE KIDS HAPPY

Head down to the Southbank Centre this month for a child-friendly extravaganza featuring theatre, literature, music and plenty of workshops and free activities for children up to the age of 12. Whether they want to dive into books and get wrapped up in the world of Roald Dahl or let their imagination run wild with an exciting stage production, you can rest assured that this festival will be entertaining for your little one. See website for full list of events, including when they’re taking place. Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX, 020 7960 4200, southbankcentre.co.uk

@CathPG Another lovely #sunrise in #Ealing this morning.

@CheddarDeli Congratulations @AlexWrethman on the opening of Ealing’s @CharlottesW5. Delicious food, stylish decor and top staff.

@craigblundell Delighted to be playing Hammersmith this evening #tickboxlist

@HounslowCycling

25-28 February STYLE BE SEEIN’ YA

Catwalks, talks and all the up-and-coming trends you can shake a stick at: it’s London Fashion Weekend. Billed as fashion’s biggest pop-up event, this temporary show will inform, impress, educate and leave any fashionista wanting more. Professionals will be on hand to give you advice (if you can get to them) and there’s no stopping you taking away a bit of inspiration for your own wardrobe. From £20, see website for types of tickets and full event details. Saatchi Gallery, King’s Road, SW3 4RY, 0871 230 1558, londonfashionweekend.co.uk

Did you know there used to be a ‘Hammersmith & Chiswick’ railway station?

@Pand0ra83 @artisan_coffee is quickly becoming my regular coffee stop in Ealing. Can’t wait to do the Coffee Homebrew class there.

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

Auction every Tuesday from 6pm, viewing Saturday – Tuesday 10am - 6pm Right: Hammer Price £41,000, Emil Nolde (German, 1861 -1956), 'Kopf Junge Frau Rotes Kleid'

A unique auction house for fresh inspiration, individual interiors and antique finds, Hammer £95,000, a chinoise- furniture and porcelain. featuringLeft: fine arts, price silver, jewellery, rie bronze and cloisonné jardinière by this advertnecessary. Ferdinandseven Barbedienne Free valuations days a week, no Bring appointment with you and receive a free …….

30-34 Chiswick High Road, W4 1TE 020 8400 5225 | www.highroadauctions.co.uk Hammer Price £2,100 Hammer Price £1,500 Hammer Price £2,000

A 17th century Cypriot icon, Your local glykophilousa

Cartier. An 18 carat rose gold

A fine late 18th century mahogany

auction house offering FREE valuations 7 days a week, table clock Love bangle just pop in no appointment necessary Give us a call or email w4@highroadauctions.co.uk to arrange a house visit Auction of Antiques, Interiors & collectables held every Monday at 6pm, Viewing Saturday to Tuesday 10am-6pm On site café offering delicious home-made food

30-34 Chiswick High Road, W4 1TE | 020 8400 5225 | w4@highroadauctions.co.uk | www.highroadauctions.co.uk

[NEWS]

Heard it on the

GRAPEVINE

Get to grips with what’s affecting your area

phases and is set to be completed in 2026, though the museum will reopen next year. visitgunnersbury.org

Read all about it

This year’s Chiswick Book Festival will be organised by Jo James who has been appointed as the author programme director. With 20 years’ experience organising and running book events at various festivals including Cheltenham, Stratford and Dubai, Jo will take over from Cathy Schofield who has programmed the local festival for the last three years and used to organise World Book Day. The Chiswick Book festival will take place between 15 and 19 September 2016.

surf the streets

Surf the streets

Fulham and Hammersmith town centres are set to receive free Wi-Fi thanks to a deal the council has settled with telecoms company Arqiva. The network will be installed on lampposts throughout the borough, meaning you could be making use of the new service as you walk around Shepherd’s Bush Green or head to the tube station. To get online, stop walking (to avoid collisions) and search for ‘_Free HF WiFi’, for 30 minutes of free internet access every day, with the option of buying more payas-you-go minutes if you need it for longer. The service will be available in 20 different streets including Hammersmith Road, Askew Road and King Street.

chiswickbookfestival.net

Top dog

Antiques are out and pampered pooches are in as a new dog-grooming salon has opened close to Chiswick Park tube station. The Grade II-listed building, formerly a

Park life

Plans are already well underway for the refurbishment of Gunnersbury Park and Museum, which will see 22 Grade II and II* structures repaired, but the project has received another boost in funding. The Country Houses Foundation has donated £75,000 towards the renovation of the drawing room in the Gunnersbury Park Large Mansion, which will restore the space to its once magnificent Victorian state. The room is a pinnacle part of the Rothschild family history – it was where Leonora’s wedding took place in 1857 and it still retains the original golden carrier pigeons monogram of Nathan Mayer Rothschild. This extensive project will take place in

charlotte’s w5

Transport for London shop and an antique shop before that, has undergone a drastic transformation, becoming the Chiswick Park Pet Spa & Boutique, owned by Chiswick resident and qualified dog groomer Yvonne Kurt. Yvonne first applied for the shop back in December 2014 but it needed a complete renovation. Now she’s installed a shower unit and custom-made grooming tables to give pups some all-important R&R.

Third Place

Charlotte’s Group is expanding its reach with a new site in Ealing called Charlotte’s W5. Its extensive menu allows diners to choose three different sizes of certain dishes from taster to main. It’s also designed to be a “third place” for Ealing residents, which is a concept that allows people to use the restaurant or bar area as an extension of their home. It’s comfortable and each table has plug points for busy working guests. The soft opening runs until 11 February, then its doors will be fully open for business. Charlotte’s W5, The Old Stable Block, Dickens Yard, W5 2TD, charlottes.co.uk

[LOCAL SOCIETY]

Getting to the

art of it The Journal quizzes Mary Crawford, chairman of the Ealing Decorative & Fine Arts Society, about the group, its trips and how to get involved Nile cruise where EDFAS members had the whole boat to themselves.

How did you get involved in the society?

My husband and I got involved by joining EDFAS in order to go on the first trip abroad, which was to Saint Petersburg in 2004.

What would you say to someone who wanted to join but didn’t think they had enough subject knowledge?

EDFAS trip to Spain

When did the Society start?

Our parent organisation is the National Association for Decorative and Fine Arts (NADFAS), which is coming up to its 50th anniversary, but we as the Ealing Decorative and Fine Arts Society (EDFAS) started more than 15 years ago.

How many members are there?

We have around 220 paid-up members.

Tell me about a particularly memorable talk or event that the society has enjoyed

Everybody will have their own special memory but mine was the lecture by Bertie Pearce on the history of magic, in which he performed some amazing conjuring tricks. There have also been excellent day trips to Arundel Castle in West Sussex and William Morris’ house, Kelmscott Manor. We also do five London visits a year and last

year’s highlights were the amazing Stanley Picker House in Kingston and the London Transport Poster Collection in Acton.

What do you get out of your trips abroad?

Our trips abroad, of which we usually have two a year, are basically to experience the arts and culture of new places. We have excellent local guides and stay in very good hotels, which wouldn’t be easily affordable unless we were in a group and out of season. Many of us probably know each other before a trip, but being together for a week, sharing meals and seeing sights together enables us to make new friendships with people who all live in the same borough of Ealing.

What’s the best excursion you’ve been on?

For me personally, the most memorable trip was to India, but for others it was the

There is no need to have any specialist knowledge at all. We hope we are welcoming to anyone who wants to join and of course you can come to a taster lecture for £7. There are nine lectures a year, on the third Monday of each month except July, August, and December. There is also the possibility of becoming involved in voluntary work, such as helping with conservation in some of Ealing’s historic houses and buildings.

Where is Your favourite place in Ealing?

I think my favourite places in Ealing are the parks, but some of our members have different favourites such as St Mary’s Perivale, the walks along the canal and Gunnersbury Park and House.

What is your profession?

I am a retired teacher and lots of our members are retired but many still work as nurses, doctors, therapists, lawyers, accountants, IT engineers, garden designers and many more.

can you Describe the society in three words?

Stimulating, congenial, life-enhancing.

For information about joining or to find out about the society’s events, visit edfas.org.uk

[ARTS AND EXHIBITIONS]

For the

birds Chiswick resident and artist Raph Thomas talks about his latest series of work, Birdland

However, I found myself always painting when I had free time and it’s definitely my passion now.

all images © raph thomas

Where have you found your inspiration for Birdland?

I was definitely inspired by wildlife in west and south west London before I started the series of bird paintings. I like to run around Bushy Park in Teddington, and along the Thames – there are a lot of beautiful areas near me, which, unfortunately for local wildlife, has an invasive growing parakeet population. They look bizarrely flamboyant against traditional English wildlife. military macaw

emperor penguins

What is your favourite material to work with?

My favourite artistic material is definitely acrylic paint. It’s a fantastic medium to apply and work with. Without dilution it usually dries in minutes, allowing me to build up thick textures. It’s also durable and I enjoy combining lots of different materials with it. In some of my most recent paintings, I’ve been combining acrylic and ink with glue and emulsion paint to build up a distressed background effect.

Why did you choose to do a series on birds?

I had been working on a lot of paintings that had a narrative behind them before I started. I wanted to make something thematically neutral or positive but also colourful and detailed. I have always liked birds, especially parrots, despite getting bitten by one as a child. They look like little works of art themselves – sometimes their colouration can be so garish and unsubtle.

Do you have a particular creative process?

I like to photograph a subject and work from that basis. At the moment I am very

Which artists inspired you to study art?

The first artist that really inspired me to draw was M.C. Escher, because I found his work with perspective absorbing and his technical ability mind-blowing. For a long time Giorgio de Chirico was one of my main inspirations, I loved his surreal, statuedotted landscapes. raphthomasart.co.uk harlequin macaw

into textured backgrounds and I like to coat them with a mix of different materials to see how they interact with each other differently. I usually isolate myself for a few days while working on a painting so as not to break up the consistency of an image. It can be difficult to pick up the exact same style of painting if you put it on hold for a short while.

Have you always wanted to be an artist?

I don’t think so. I wasn’t particularly confident in my ability to paint before I went to university, where I studied ancient history. For a time I thought I wanted to write.

2 green parrots

[BEAUTY]

In the eye of the

beholder Our round-up of the latest beauty news and products

review

Face off Bethan Rees tries out the new Murad facial in Westfield

dr murad

mong the beauty counters in Westfield White City’s Debenhams, I find my chin supported by a padded plastic rest while my skin is being assessed by a state-of-the-art analysis system courtesy of Murad, the LA-based skincare brand. Terrified by what they’ll find through years of sun exposure and a busy lifestyle,

the YouthCam software reports minimal damage (surprisingly). Following this, I’m given a personal recommendation for a treatment. Jen, the Murad specialist, suggests I have the AHA Rapid Exfoliator Facial which is designed to reduce the appearance of lines and reveal smoother and healthier skin. After cleansing, Jen applies the Intensive-C Radiance Peel, which, she warns, may sting a little. The sensation is mild and absolutely tolerable; in fact, it’s almost a satisfying sting as it feels like the product is actively working on the skin, accelerating the turnover of damaged cells. After the peel is removed, Jen gently massages a clarifying mask into my skin, with a very cool and calming effect. I leave Debenhams feeling much more at ease than I usually do – Murad is the perfect shopping pit stop. From £55 for 60 minutes, Debenhams Westfield, Ariel Way, W12 7GA, murad.co.uk

HOW ABOUT…

Murad’s magical anti-ageing philosophy is available to anyone who buys his book entitled Conquering Cultural Stress: The Ultimate Guide to Anti-Aging and Happiness. It gives pointers to keep you hydrated (“eat your water!”), how to switch off from all those pesky parts of life that give you wrinkles and, ultimately, how to make small lifestyle changes to benefit your well-being. £12.95, available from murad.co.uk

top beauty picks BLOW DRY YOUR HARDEST

THE MORE THE MERRIER

Mondays and Tuesdays are often touted as the worst days of the week, but this is certainly not the case at Ealing’s Rose Hair and Beauty, where for two days, you can have a wash, cut and blow dry for £29. Perfect for setting yourself up for a week’s worth of compliments on your new ’do.

Simply Beauty of Chiswick is tempting passers-by with a special offer: spend more than £100 and you’ll receive a complimentary Great Refresher Facial – perfect for perking up winter-tired faces. We’ve racked our brains and we can’t think of anyone who doesn’t love a free facial.

Rose Hair & Beauty, 24-26 South Ealing Road, W5 4QA, 020 8840 2600, rosehairandbeauty.co.uk

Simply Beauty of Chiswick, 1 Acton Lane, W4 5NE, 020 3752 4876, simplybeautyofchiswick.co.uk

WEDDING BELLS

Getting married in the morning? (Or, at least in the near future?) Fear not, because there’s a bridal package waiting for you at Allure Hair & Beauty in Hammersmith. You’ll get a facial, eyelash tint and eyebrow touch-up, along with a mani-pedi so you’ll be weddingdress ready in no time at all. Get the confetti ready, because here comes the bride. £75, Allure Hair & Beauty, 266 King Street, W6 0SP, 020 8748 6900, beautysalonallure.co.uk

[theatre]

Terrible

teens

LAST CHANCE TO SEE

Tom Hagues reviews Herons while Francesca Lee spends a night at Cirque du Soleil

ALL IMAGES © Tristram Kenton

(L-R) Sophia Decaro, Billy Matthews, Max Gill, Moses Adejimi and Ella McLoughlin

Billy holds onto a glimmer of hope that he and his father will soon move away for a better life. Similarly, his estranged mother appears sporadically until he finds the courage to send her away and insist that she never contacts him again. Billy’s hope for a better future is the only thing that keeps him sane while battling the primal instinct of the bullies around him. From £15, until 13 February. Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King Street, W6 0QL, 020 8741 6850, lyric.co.uk

an island of adventure I have been to many a circus performance before. La Soirée in a

nestle into my seat located high in the upper circle to see Simon Stephens’ Herons, which has been adapted by the Lyric’s artistic director, Sean Holmes. For this production, the stage has been turned into an expanse of water, to denote – rather physically – the canal where the action takes place, and also to represent the rippling, all-encompassing memory of the murder of a girl there some years earlier. It’s a bold version that’s shorter than the original, which only heightens the suspense and intensity, save for the all-too-obvious video screen behind the actors showing primates in their natural habitat. It’s a lurid way to get the message across and

(L-R) Max Gill, Billy Matthews, Moses Adejimi and Ella McLoughlin

Big Top on the Southbank recently

it’s not needed; the antagonistic teens on stage shouting, jumping and splashing at each other is enough to signal the fact that this play’s about tribalism, hierarchy and aggressive bullying. The young actors are sensational, there’s no doubt about that. The Lyric is excellent at introducing new thespians to a big stage and this play is no exception – Max Gill as the bullied Billy gives a very moving and convincing performance. His castmate, Billy Matthews, portrays the chillingly nasty Scott, who is very much the ringleader and pusher of primal behaviour. It’s he, who at the play’s climax, snaps and attacks Billy in an unexpected and jaw-dropping way with a golf club. While this is happening, the gates behind them holding back a deluge of water begin to let a torrent through as though it’s at breaking point. Herons is a mixture of crude symbolism and a raw storyline about youth exposed to adult themes. Billy’s father is the one who helps convict Scott’s brother of the murder of the young girl, and it’s this that Scott uses to warrant his behaviour towards Billy. While he’s being treated in such a manner,

got me wincing, flinching and unsure of where to look. However, nothing quite competes with a night at Cirque du Soleil. Themed on a mysterious land ruled by goddesses, Amaluna focuses on the queen Prospera who arranges her daughter’s coming of age ceremony. Featuring dazzling acrobatic stunts, awe-inspiring gymnastics and a giant water bowl that sees Miranda (Prospera’s daughter) and her Romeo glide, contour and bend in and out of, it’s certainly a spectacle for the eyes. The show however is somewhat let down by a rotund clown and a sea captain whose squeaking and squawking antics are irritating to say the least. If you haven’t yet seen Cirque, then I’d recommend this show; just switch off as soon as you hear the double act, you’ll thank me for it later. From £21, until 6 March, call 0845 401 5045 or 020 7589 8212 to book tickets, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP, cirquedusoleil.com

[MUSIC]

You spin me

right round You can dance if you want to, and you can leave your friends behind with our music listings

18 February LONGFELLOW

From south London, this group of five young men is making headway in the world of alternative pop. They can boast that they supported legendary music act Hall & Oates during their most recent tour, as well as the fact that they headlined the BBC Introducing stage at Radio 2’s Festival in a Day, alongside Rod Stewart and Bryan Adams. With successful tracks already lurking on BBC Radio 1 and 6 Music, this quintet is making quite an impression. Attend their biggest headlining show at Bush Hall this month and you’ll fall in love. longfellow

£10, 7.30pm, Bush Hall, 310 Uxbridge Road, W12 7LJ, 020 8222 6955, bushhallmusic.co.uk

23 February RICHARD HAWLEY

Inspired by 1960s rockabilly, specifically that in Sheffield, Hawley likes making soulful and deep music. When asked to describe his career, he referred to himself as a Jack-ofall-trades and stated that his songwriting and being a musician run alongside each other in wonderfully talented parallel lines. His albums frequently reference or depict Sheffield, mostly because it’s where he’s from and what he knows best – there’s a reason he’s referred to as the ‘Godfather of the Sheffield music scene’. From £29.25, doors 7pm, Eventim Apollo, 45 Queen Caroline Street, W6 9QH, 0844 249 1000, eventim.co.uk

please release me, let me go

Here’s the albums coming out this month that we’re keeping an eye on…

5 February Wonderful Crazy Night by Elton John

king

5 February We Are King by KING

This trio comprises twins Paris and Amber Strother, as well as Anita Bias and We Are King is the trio’s much-anticipated debut album. Having released a handful of EPs and singles already, most people are expecting good things from it, and the three of them work closely on all aspects of the music from songwriting to arrangements, which helps create their unique sound. £6.99, available on iTunes

This is John’s 33rd studio album and it’s one we’re particularly excited about at The Journal. Similar to his 2013 release (The Diving Board), Wonderful Crazy Night is co-produced by John and T-Bone Burnett so it has all the right elements for an absolutely corking album. The first single released from it, Looking Up, is a piano-heavy (of course) feel-good track that’ll not only get stuck in your head but it’ll also hit you in the heart, too. We’re big Elton John fans here, can you tell?

year. The album’s lead single, Let Me Love You came out last month and was treated as a welcome return to the charts by long-waiting fans. Look out for the track Falling Slowly, which features The Shires, an English country duo who are absolutely fantastic – the song is a great collaboration. £9.99, available on iTunes

£8.99, available on iTunes

12 February Time of My Life by Ronan Keating The latest offering from the ex-Westlife member is inspired by his wife, Storm Uechtritz, whom he married in August last

Sweet or salty

POPCORN?

A guide to some of this month’s big screen blockbusters review

The passage of time

Katy Parker finds that Youth is a cinematic masterpiece that might just have you reassessing life

Michael caine and Harvey keitel in youth

contender for the Palme d’Or at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, Youth is a beautiful and profound reflection on the passage of time and the curious nature of old age. Sporting a stellar cast of Academy Award winners and nominees, including the perennially brilliant Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz and Jane Fonda, the film opens on a hotel in the Alps in springtime, where Fred (Caine), a retired composer and conductor and Mick (Keitel), a working film director, are taking

time out and enjoying a holiday. Together they consider their pasts, present and futures at a time in their lives when they feel as though their best years are behind them, while life at the hotel continues. Their children (Fred’s daughter is played by Weisz), Mick’s young writers and other guests, including a Hollywood actor played by Paul Dano – who can currently be seen on our screens in the BBC adaptation of Tolstoy’s War and Peace – all seem to personify the time that Mick and Fred lust after. But Fred is destined to make one last

curtain call for a very special individual who is a firm fan of his work. Certain to make you laugh and cry, the film’s abstract narrative makes for a wonderfully beguiling portrayal and it’s a triumph in thought-provoking cinema. It is rare that a film can be so impactful that it causes you to review your whole outlook on life, and this one does it with finesse. Youth is in UK cinemas now rating:

[film]

WHAT’S ON

Directed by Walt Becker Starring Jason Lee, Jesica Ahlberg and Josh Green This is one for the kids during the February half term. It’s a follow-up to other films in the franchise – remarkably this is the fourth in the series. Who knew there were so many cinematic avenues to follow for a trio of singing chipmunks? This one sees the three try and stop a marriage proposal from going ahead in Miami, hence the need for a frantic road trip. We apologise in advance if any of the film’s songs get stuck in your head.

dad’s army

point break

12 February POINT BREAK alvin and the chipmunks: the road chip

Directed by Ericson Core Starring Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey and Ray Winstone Inspired by 1991’s Point Break, this is the tale of an FBI agent who gets in with a team of extreme sports athletes who he suspects are behind a string of corporate heists. You might have seen it all before (or at least something similar) 20-odd years ago, but give it a go – it’ll be worth it.

19 February HOW TO BE SINGLE

Directed by Christian Ditter Starring Alison Brie, Dakota Johnson and Rebel Wilson We’re not Mystic Megs, but something tells us this is launched just in time for Valentine’s Day… How to be Single sees six people in New York City learning how to be on their tod in a world where the definition of ‘love’ is ever-changing. How poignant.

deadpool

10 February DEADPOOL

Directed by Tim Miller Starring Morena Baccarin, Gina Carano and Ryan Reynolds Special Forces operatives are hard, fast and ruthless. Imagine, then, the possibilities that open up when one of them takes part in a rogue experiment, which leaves him with powers that can accelerate the healing process. Surely he’d be unstoppable. Well, this is the case for one agent, who adopts the alter-ego Deadpool for his new-found skillset.

Directed by Oliver Parker Starring Bill Nighy, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Gambon The faithful members of the Walmington-onSea Home Guard are back in this remake of the much-loved television show of the same name, albeit with new faces. In this romp, the end of the World War II is in sight and Britain’s finest (we use this term loosely) platoon welcomes a female journalist to the town who, as it turns out, is actually a German spy. Bedlam ensues, with much shouting and capers.

5 February DAD’S ARMY

12 February ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP

how to be single

[RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT]

Toy

story

Bethan Rees meets the co-founders of Toy Box Club, the innovative solution to putting a stop to toy-strewn houses and encouraging children to share, and finds out what Hammersmith hotspots make local resident Jessica Green tick

heela Berry and Jessica Green are the co-founders of Toy Box Club – Jessica is a Hammersmith resident, Sheela lives in Fulham. The idea and concept behind their business is simple, as Sheela explains to me. “Toys are expensive and children’s attention spans to them are limited; they could want the toy of their dreams, you buy it and a week later they don’t want to play with it anymore,” she begins. Toy Box Club is a monthly subscription service that delivers a box of the best toys and books straight to your door and at the end of the month, the box is collected and another is delivered, encouraging children to share their toys. Jessica discloses more about the business. “There’s that guilt of wanting to give your children a toy, but not knowing what to get them for their age group. We’ve done the research and have put our findings into creating a box of toys for every month of your child’s life between the ages of zero and four years old,” Jessica says. One of the things I find personally most fascinating about the concept, is the

intentional avoidance of using genderspecific toys. As an ever-increasingly controversial and spoken about topic, one of the campaigns leading the way on discussing these issues is Let Toys Be Toys, a parent-led campaign that grew out of a thread on parenting site Mumsnet. Let Toys be Toys is asking the toy and publishing industries to stop restricting children’s

Children should be able to decide which toys they want to play with and what they think is fun interests by assigning and promoting toys with specific genders; with some toys and books for boys, and others only for girls. The main arguments surrounding the campaign are as follows: children should be able to decide which toys they want to play with and what they think is fun; they also need a wide range of play to develop different skills;

and to avoid out-of-date gender stereotypes. Jessica explains to me how she feels about this issue, and why Toy Box Club has followed suit. “I feel girls’ toys are particularly focused toward appearances and domestic tasks. It’s really quite amazing if you have a look at the toys on offer, such as ironing boards,” she tells me. Sheela elaborates: “We want to teach parents that there’s nothing wrong with girls playing with dinosaurs and boys pushing prams; in fact, pushing a pram when learning to walk is probably one of the best things you can do for development.” I ask the pair if they wish Toy Box Club had been around when they both had their first children, and they laugh and exclaim: “Yes!” Jessica adds: “The real value of it is that you get rid of them at the end of the month. When we had small babies our houses were full of rubbish, I wish this existed before.” toyboxclub.co.uk

jessica’s hammersmith Live: Brackenbury Village Play: Ravenscourt Park Drink: Andover Arms Eat: The Oak W12 Culture: The Lyric and Bush Theatre

Canary Wharf Ice Rink

31st October - 27th February Canada Square park, Canary Wharf

booK TICKeTS TodAy SponSored by

icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk offICIAl bAr & KITChen provIder

Shaken and

stirred Our handy cocktail guide outlining the best places to go and what to drink when you’re there

ere at The Journal, we couldn’t help but notice just how lucky we are when it comes to finding somewhere that makes a mean Martini, a neat Negroni or a wicked whisky sour. This is not an exhaustive guide, but it’ll surely help anyone looking for an evening

to spend catching up with old friends, enjoying the weekend or impressing on a date. The Journal takes full responsibility for any hidden gems discovered, but we would like to distance ourselves from being held accountable to any hangovers that come as a result of this guide. Bottoms up!

SMITH’S COCKTAIL BAR

smith’s cocktail bar

If you have a strong constitution (or are a pirate), choose the Fire Kraken. It’s made with Kraken black spiced rum (Kraken by name, cracking by nature) and a healthy dose of amaretto, which is then muddled, mixed and mashed with lime juice, chilli syrup and bitters. It’s a hot, spicy drink fit for both seafaring

pirates and rum-loving accountants. 170 Shepherd’s Bush Road, W6 7PB, 020 7603 2516, smithsw6.co.uk

THE COMMON ROOM

A long-standing Ealing favourite, where the happy hour(s) is from 5pm-9pm with two-for-one on the simpler cocktails. This is probably the one you’ll choose to go to when you’re with a big group and simply can’t all decide on a place – it’s the place to go to get what you want. 3-4 Grosvenvor Parade, W5 3NN, 020 8992 7774, thecommonroom.co.uk

[FOOD AND DRINK]

SHAKE IT up

carvosso’s at 210

CARVOSSO’S AT 210

Situated on the High Road, Carvosso’s at 210 is a welcome sight to anyone gasping for a well-executed and delicious cocktail. The top picks here include the Pornstar Martini, Espresso Martini, Old Fashioned and the fresh fruit offerings – the master mixologist insists on using only the freshest fruit for his cocktails and it makes all the difference. The signature cocktails here are great and you’re in safe hands with the staff – they will conjure something up for you that suits your alcoholic preference and you can be as picky as you like, safe in the knowledge that they’ll produce a jaw-dropping concoction. The Old Fashioned is particularly good, and you get to watch a huge lump of ice get whittled down to the size of your glass – a bespoke drink, if you will. We love it for its fun, buzzy atmosphere to meet friends in after work, but it also suits brilliantly for a pre-dinner beverage. The bar is welcoming and comfortable and if you’re looking for some privacy, the snug areas make the perfect hideaway for you to relax in and enjoy your drink. Plus, you can sit outside whatever the weather – it’s got covered outdoor seating, heaters and blankets but, if being indoors is your bag, you can nestle in front of its open fire and unwind with friends and a cocktail or two. What’s more, the all-day dining menu offers tantalising dishes from a plate of jamón ibérico with mixed olives, French bread and olive oil, to rump of English lamb with wilted spinach and gravy. If there’s a group of you, order the sharing platter but the danger here, of course, is that you might never leave. The private function rooms are perfect for parties and the best thing about it this month is that you’re rewarded with houmous and pitta bread when you order a cocktail between 4pm and 7pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It all sounds too good to be true…

Cocktails are a great way to start an evening;

of a French 75 made with our Gallimard NV

a modern alchemy which impresses and

Champagne (£26) and Beckett’s London Dry

delights, if done right. Bars in London make

(£32) would set the tone for a particularly

some of the best in the world but one cannot

stylish evening.

make a decent cocktail without the best

Some cocktails need a liqueur or vermouth,

raw materials. In London, we are spoilt by a

these are not merely filler; a Manhattan

blossoming array of local artisan distillers and

is made immeasurably better with Cocchi

many quirky spirits from all over the world are

Vermouth Di Torino (£23), for example. A

readily available. None more so than in The

Singapore Sling wouldn’t be the same without

Good Wine Shop…

Heering Cherry Liqueur (£29). And don’t

We are just round the corner from the

forget, when making long drinks your mixer is

Sipsmith distillery, which provides us with

usually going to be the majority of what you

both the Classic London Dry Gin (£30) and its

are drinking, so it makes sense to get the best

Sipping Vodka (£28), which combine to make

tonic/bitters possible. Our customers love our

a great Martini. Our other local heroes are

1724 Tonic (£1.65). It contains quinine which is

the Chiswick-based Compass Box. It makes

picked on the Inca Trail in the Andes.

premium blended whiskies in a huge variety

These are just a few ideas of the

of styles; they have a whisky which would suit

marvellous mixology you can create from

any cocktail. We’d recommend using the rich

products we sell. Visit us and see why The

smokiness of the Peat Monster (£43) for a

Good Wine Shop in Chiswick is the place to buy

special spin on a Whisky Sour, or the smooth

spirits in West London. Explore our selection

vanilla and butterscotch aromas of Hedonism

of more than 25 gins, 50 whiskies, 20 Liqueurs,

(£68) for a luxurious Old Fashioned.

and a considerable range of Rum, Brandy and

Looking at our range of artisan spirits

Vodka. Cheers!

from beyond W4, an excellent Negroni could be made with Chase’s Eureka Citrus Gin (£40).

The Good Wine Shop, 84 Chiswick

The flavoursome Tapatio Tequila (£27) makes

High Road, W4 1SY, 020 8994 8184,

an excellent Margarita. The simple elegance

thegoodwineshop.co.uk

210 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PD, 020 8995 9121, carvossosat210.co.uk

[FOOD AND DRINK]

Read all about it…

and then eat it

Food and drink news to get your taste buds dancing

BARKING GLAD

You know that look your dog gives you when you’re eating a biscuit? The one where its eyes increase in size and they look adoringly at you? It’s heart-wrenching, especially when you can’t succumb to their adorable pleading. Help is at hand from Outsider Tart and its ‘Barkery’ – a selection of biscuits for dogs. Beef-flavoured goodies are up for grabs and Puppy Granola as well as chicken and cheese. Just don’t get confused and eat them with a cup of tea…

Honey, Almond & Walnut Sourdough

HONEY I ATE THE BREAD

Outsider Tart, 83 Chiswick High Road, W4 2EF, 020 7096 1609, outsidertart.com

Gail’s has got a new sourdough with a twist up for grabs, featuring honey, walnuts and almonds. Saw off a doorstop-sized slice, slather on some of the (also new) almond butter and hey presto: heaven.

Hare and Tortoise, 156 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PR, 020 8747 5966, hareandtortoise.co.uk

OODLES OF NOODLES… AND SUSHI

Chinese restaurant New Leaf now offers sushi, sashimi, noodles, ramen and teriyaki on its menu; these tasty new morsels will have you going back time and time again.

ALL HAIL THE PALE ALE

FOR GOODNESS SAKE

Kalamari, 4 Chiswick High Road, W4 1TH, 020 8994 4727, kalamarirestaurant.com

New Leaf Restaurant, 35 Bond Street, W5 5AS, 020 8567 2343, newleaf-ealing.com

gailsbread.co.uk

Hare and Tortoise has a new sake flight available, featuring Nigori, a clean and refreshing drink; Yamadanishiki, which is smooth and soft; and Hana Awaka, a sweet and sparkling option. Sounds good to us.

High Road, the restaurant is lavishly decorated in a Mediterranean style, which briefly transports you to the sunny climes of Greece. The meze is great for larger groups and the seafood dishes are a house speciality. Opa!

Posh fish ‘n’ chips shop Kerbisher and Malt has got its own pale ale on sale (we love rhymes) to wash down your battered cod with. It’s four per cent, making it an easydrinker, and a bottle of the brew is priced at £4. Pass us a fishcake.

outsider tart

A GREEK TREAT

Kalamari is offering 10 per cent off the bill for new patrons. Situated on Chiswick

Kerbisher and Malt, 164 Shepherds Bush Road, W6 7PB, 020 3556 0228 and 53 New Broadway, W5 5AH, 020 8840 4418, kerbisher.co.uk

Inspiring new cookbooks JAMES MARTIN MORE HOME COMFORTS

CHRISSY TEIGEN CRAVINGS

HEMSLEY & HEMSLEY GOOD + SIMPLE

With an enormous repertoire of great food and

Imagine a book where there’s something for

The two Hemsleys call it ‘the ultimate cookbook’

easy-to-follow recipes, Martin had to release a

every occasion, and then stop imagining and

and ‘a perfect kitchen companion to their first

follow up to his previous book, Home Comforts,

open up Cravings. It’s just like its author, in

book’ so you can bet that it’s a winner. Comprising

just to get them all in. The pages contain

that it’s outrageously fun and contains more

140 new recipes, the book’s dishes are delicious,

quick dishes like pea and parmesan soup and

than just instructions on how to cook; it’s full

nutritious, and sustainable. How about that for

sweeter than sweet treats like churros with

of life, helpful tips and a whole lot of love.

(mostly) effortless healthy living?

peaches and custard.

£18.06, released 23 February, published by

£25, released 25 February, published by

£20, out now, published by Quadrille Publishing

Clarkson Potter

Ebury Publishing

[FOOD AND DRINK]

The mighty

society Tom Hagues finds simplicity and contentment at the charmingly unfussy Balans Soho Society

the infamous balans burger

here are four of these establishments in London: one each for Stratford’s and Shepherd’s Bush’s Westfield shopping centres, one in High Street Kensington and one on Old Compton Street in Soho. They all offer the same thing – uncomplicated, no-stringsattached sustenance and absolutely fantastic cocktails. I walk into the Shepherd’s Bush site on a rainy Wednesday evening and allow the dark wood, dim lighting and lively music to take over. The cocktail list, which is where I start, is neither exhaustively long and stressful, with try-hard flavours and ‘modern twists’, nor is it frustratingly short. It has an impressive selection of original choices, a wide variety of flavours and uses alcohol that is clearly best for the drink, and not chosen to be cost effective. I pick out a fresh-sounding apple and elderflower Collins – it’s sweet, thanks to the cloudy apple juice, and well-rounded thanks to the Broker’s gin mingling with the subtlety of the cucumber and St. Germain. I can also recommend the Bee’s Knees – a simple blend of King of Soho gin, honey and lemon juice. Eventually, it’s time to order something to eat and, when presented with the menu, you get a whiff of the Balans ethos: you’re here to eat, drink and be merry. The menu doesn’t

present anything unexpected but that’s not by any means a criticism. Fried chicken, rack of lamb, crab linguine – these are all comforting, savoury dishes that feel like old friends and it’s rare to be disappointed by dishes like these that have very much become plates of their time. In fact, I decide the thrice-fried chicken (crunchy and peppery exterior, moist and tender interior) is one of the best I’ve ever had. There’s nothing more gratifying than something simple done so well. The seared yellowfin tuna is also exceptional and shows that Balans is capable of wowing with small plates. The mains, rump steaks with tongue-pink

interiors, are sublime and need no lavish description – they do what they’re meant to and are thankfully cooked to perfection. They come served with chips that are roughly and thickly hand-cut, and are fluffy on the inside with golden skin. It’s at this stage in the meal that I realise what Balans Soho Society is: it’s that trusted friend you can meet up with after not seeing each other for a year and find that you pick up from where you left off. The dessert consolidates this – a small pile of sugary doughnuts with cinnamon apple compôte and whipped cream, and a sticky toffee pudding with salted caramel ice cream. These are all comforting, smile-inducing dishes that everyone is familiar with, but Balans knows how to do it well. I leave the restaurant feeling like I’ve had a pat on the back and been told that everything is okay. One last look at the other diners enjoying themselves and I realise that they feel the same too. Balans Soho Society is certainly the thing that’ll pick you up when you need it, it’ll help you celebrate and it’ll always be there. Do as the restaurant suggests: “Lose an evening in the finest way possible.” I’ll drink to that. Balans Soho Society, Westfield Shopping Centre, Ariel Way, W12 7GA, 020 8600 3320, balans.co.uk

Balans Soho society in shepherd’s bush

The heart of

your home

ÂŠ sarel jansen

The Journal learns about the Osborne Interiors approach to creating the perfect bespoke kitchen from its owner and two very satisfied clients

The first thing to discuss is the initial contact with clients. “Jenny and Tony were very specific in what they wanted,” Roger says. “In fact, Tony actually brought me a drawing of what they were looking for.” Tony nods before saying: “We were very happy with Roger because he looked at our drawing and went with it. We spoke to other designers who wouldn’t go along with what we really wanted.” Did Roger make suggestions, based on what the design was? “Roger advised us to move the hob from where we had originally wanted to put it,” Jenny says, “and he was absolutely right. I’m really glad he suggested that we move it, and he also advised us against the first worktops we had chosen, which has turned out to be a great decision.” Tony jumps in to add: “Just because we’d drawn something didn’t mean that it was the best option. Roger stepped in and made it work for us and he’s done it very well. We’ve got exactly what we wanted.” Osborne Interiors’ bespoke service is something that clients can expect throughout the entire process. It’s very much a case of ‘from conception to completion’, and it shows in the quality of the work. Jenny points out that Roger was always flexible and accommodating when it came

beautifully crafted piece of design, and you can see that everything has been carefully thought about by Osborne Interiors. Tony praises the employees who fitted the kitchen, saying that “They were absolutely fantastic.” The project took a month, which is an impressive amount of time in which to refurbish an entire kitchen in, but even more so when Roger explains how much work was involved. “We had a lot of building work to do here,” he says. “For example, where we installed the ovens is where a door used to be, but we recessed the ovens into that space in order to stop them blocking light coming through the window. We then had to build a new door further down the wall.” It’s this kind of attitude that makes Osborne Interiors stand out from the crowd – to even think about blocking light coming into the kitchen and take steps to avoid that is thoughtful and beyond impressive. Jenny and Tony also praise Osborne Interiors for its all-in-one approach with the cost and the work. “That was very important to us,” Tony says. Roger explains, saying: “We have subcontractors who we trust and use all the time – plumbers, electricians and decorators – so our clients don’t have to worry about doing all of that themselves. Other kitchen suppliers will only want to do a dry fit, meaning the client has to do all of that before they arrive.” Jenny confirms this: “A lot of quotes we had were expensive, and then they would say to us that we had to have all the electrics, plastering and decorating done before they even arrived. What’s great about Roger and Osborne Interiors is that we didn’t have to even think about that – they did it all for us.” The overall impression is that signing up for a kitchen from Osborne Interiors is less about ‘getting a new kitchen’ and more about creating the perfect design. The fact that clients can sit back, relax and trust that the job will be done expertly and efficiently is welcome news, and as Jenny and Tony can vouch, the lasting quality of the design is second to none.

It’s very much a case of ‘from conception to completion’ to her ideas. “I saw some chrome fixtures elsewhere and, through combined efforts, Roger and I managed to achieve the same look but at a third of the cost. Also, Roger suggested we put a particular backing in to complement the chrome,” she says, gesturing to the gleaming units. “It was great, because Tony and I would come up with the ideas and Roger would make them happen. I really liked that Roger would say ‘That’s a good idea, and what about...’ using his experience to help us as much as possible,” she smiles. Roger nods and explains: “This kitchen was a great experience for me because it’s German-inspired on one side and a traditional English design on the other, but it’s all brought together with fixtures and fittings. In particular, we used these mirrored plinths for the cupboards and they have such a good polish on them, it looks like the units are floating.” Jenny nods enthusiastically: “So many people have copied these – they come round and ask me how it’s floating,” she laughs. Tony and Jenny are clearly delighted with their kitchen – and they should be. It’s a

Osborne Interiors, 20 Fauconberg Road, W4 3JY, 020 8742 2236, osborne-interiors.co.uk

oger Wheatland sits in the house of two of his past clients – Jenny and Tony Hooper – talking about his business, Osborne Interiors, and the services it offers. There’s decades of experience here – Roger’s been in the kitchen-fitting industry for the best part of 35 years. His family used to own a collection of furniture shops and, when they moved on, Roger bought a few of the sites and took them over, gradually turning Osborne Interiors into what it is today – a bespoke, first-class kitchen and bedroom-fitting business with impeccable standards.

[letters]

Word on

THE STREET The very latest from west London’s vocal locals

SLIP-UP To the woman I helped up near Ealing Broadway station: don’t be embarrassed. You said you were mortified but the rain was coming down so hard, anyone could have slipped on the pavement. Glad you’re okay and don’t worry – not many people saw it happen. - Mr Lustig

time to worry?

TIME TO WORRY? The floods in the north of England made me think about what would happen should the Thames burst its banks along near where we are. At high tide the water often comes over onto the promenade on Strand on the Green, but imagine if Chiswick (and indeed our homes) were to suffer more serious flooding. There must be a reason for such dangerous weather and its resulting consequences and something should probably be done about it. - Mrs Marin

answers on a postcard, please

ANSWERS ON A POSTCARD, PLEASE I’m looking for a bike because I made a vow to my wife that I would cycle half of the way to work. We live in Hammersmith but I work in Vauxhall, so I was actually considering cycling through Fulham, over the bridge and up to Putney rail station where I would catch the train. It’ll be good exercise and a nice way to go to work (provided the roads aren’t manic, which I’m sure they will be) but I’ve never bought a decent bike before. Some friendly advice, please. - Mr Charing

FRESH IS BEST I love the market on Chiswick High Road. You can’t get fresher fruit and vegetables anywhere else than on a local market – at least I think so. I’m looking forward to the spring season to kick in so we can have beautiful rhubarb regularly on the menu. I find that when it’s grown between April and September, it is so much more delicious. - Mrs Maggie

fresh is best

CASTING A ROD I ate at Sexy Fish in Mayfair recently ( for a special occasion) and I’ve been inspired to eat more fish. I need a great fishmonger near me so I can ask them for advice on how to cook and prepare more unusual pieces – I plan on going all out! I live on the Shepherd’s Bush/ Hammersmith border – does anyone have any suggestions? - Mr John

JUST-A LIKE-A MAMA USED TO MAKE Pizza and pasta are two dishes you can find anywhere but, having holidayed in Italy for so many years, I’m beginning to see how different our version of them is. I’ve just moved to Ealing

(near South Ealing tube station) and wondered if anyone had any recommendations for truly Italian eating in the area. I’m happy to head into Chiswick if needs be, but I just need authentic Italian carbs for those days when I can’t be bothered to cook. - Ms Leach

LOCAL HEROES Thanks to all the charity workers I see out on the streets, collecting money and raising awareness for the various organisations operating in the area and around London. I often admire your commitment as I know a lot of volunteers have full-time jobs, so it’s refreshing to see people helping out in the community so often and with such enthusiasm. -Mrs Moodey

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

[PROPERTY]

Property

news

Wheatstone House

Telereal Trillium sells Chiswick High Road scheme

The former BT telephone exchange in Chiswick – which has planning for a major new residential-led scheme – has been snapped up by developer L&Q for an undisclosed sum. The London and South East-focused developer bought the 0.8 acre Wheatstone House site from Telereal Trillium, who secured planning for 95 residential units and nearly 5,000 sq ft of commercial back in March 2015. In a strong location near Chiswick Park and Kew Bridge, the project has been designed by ColladoCollins Architects to “create a stronger visual statement on Chiswick High Road”. Graeme Hunter, group property director at Telereal Trillium, said: “Gaining planning permission for the redevelopment of Wheatstone House was essential in establishing the opportunity to enhance this part of Chiswick High Road and increase the value of this asset. The mixed-use scheme will provide a central investment into the neighbourhood, while focusing on the housing demands of the area.” Jerome Geoghegan, the group director of

development and sales at L&Q, added: “We are pleased to have secured Wheatstone House in Chiswick and look forward to creating high-quality new homes in Chiswick. L&Q is one of London’s leading residential developers and has a strong track record of building new homes for people across a range of incomes and creating places where people want to live.” Savills put the deal together.

Green light for London Square’s Isleworth scheme

Planners have given residential developer London Square the go-ahead to build a new mixed-use scheme on London Road in Isleworth. The development, a former car showroom and vacant office building located a short stroll from Isleworth train station, will deliver 203 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, plus more than 900 sq m of commercial space, in a series of eight low-rise blocks designed by Stanford Eatwell & Associates. Each of the residential units gets its own private balcony, terrace or winter garden, with floor-to-ceiling glazing put in “where possible” to give a light and airy

feel in the apartments. The eight blocks have traditional-look brick facades, and come set in landscaped communal spaces; there are also podium terraces and roof gardens. Isleworth should see some chunky improvements thanks to a £151m regeneration plan taking place across the London Borough of Hounslow, which is expected to be complete by 2025. London Square expects sales to launch early 2016, with completions anticipated from Q1 2017. Rebecca Littler, sales and marketing director at London Square, said: “London Square Isleworth will bring new vitality to the area and deliver a striking collection of contemporary apartments within easy reach of great transport links, leafy parks and amenities. We now have a total of eight prime sites underway across the capital and Isleworth represents what all of our developments have in common – great architecture, thoughtful design and a fantastic location.”

Dukes Avenue, Chiswick W4 A grand five bedroom Edwardian semi-detached house Situated on a highly regarded road in Chiswick, this property boasts an abundance of original period features throughout. 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, WC, kitchen/dining room, double reception room, entrance hall, utility room, cellar, west facing garden, balcony, off street parking. EPC: E. Approximately 252sq m (2,712 sq ft). Freehold

Guide price: £3,000,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/chiswick chiswick@knightfrank.com 020 3757 6230

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/CWK160018

duke cbg March 16

27/01/2016 15:46:41

Thornton Avenue, Chiswick W4 A stunning six bedroom semi detached Victorian house An exceptional family home presented for sale in excellent condition throughout and situated just off Chiswick High Road. Originally built as the master builders property, the house benefits from being the widest on the street. 6 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, study, kitchen/dining/family room, double reception room, basement, west facing garden. EPC: E. Approximately 340.38 sq m (3,664 sq ft). Freehold

Guide price: £2,800,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/chiswick chiswick@knightfrank.com 020 3757 6230

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/CWK140003

THORNTON CBG MARCH 2016

27/01/2016 15:51:57

Osier Mews, Chiswick W4 An outstanding three bedroom riverside town house This spectacular four storey town house boasts panoramic river views and is situated in the exclusive gated community of Regency Quay, just a short distance from the local amenities of Chiswick High Road. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, WC, reception room, dining room, study, kitchen/breakfast room, 2 balconies, south facing garden, off street parking, available mooring. EPC: C. Approximately 170 sq m (1,830 sq ft). Freehold

Guide price: £1,799,950

KnightFrank.co.uk/chiswick chiswick@knightfrank.com 020 3757 6230

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/CWK150073

OSIER MEWS CBG MARCH 16

28/01/2016 10:50:18

Brackley Terrace, Chiswick W4 A charming three bedroom Edwardian house Brackley Terrace is a charming quiet cul de sac nestled to the east of the Glebe Estate with close access to Turnham Green Underground Station and the array of boutique shops and restaurants of Chiswick High Road. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, double reception room, kitchen, dining room, west facing courtyard garden. EPC: E. Approximately 110 sq m (1,184 sq ft). Freehold

Guide price: £1,150,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/chiswick chiswick@knightfrank.com 020 3757 6230

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/CWK150184

BRACKLEY CBG MARCH 2016

27/01/2016 15:22:50

Kew Bridge Road, Brentford TW8 A two bedroom apartment with river views by Kew Bridge Situated in this highly regarded development the property boasts underfloor heating throughout, comfort cooling, secure underground parking, 24 hour concierge and on site residents fitness suite. 2 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen/breakfast room, reception room, balcony. EPC: B. Approximately 76.3 sq m (821 sq ft). Leasehold

Guide price: £850,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/chiswick chiswick@knightfrank.com 020 3757 6230

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/CWK160013

KEW BRIDGE CBG MARCH 16

27/01/2016 16:02:32

3327

EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS IN 2015

LET Homefield Road, Chiswick W4 Guide price: £1,500 per week

LET Flanders Road, Chiswick W4 Guide price: £1,200 per week

January 2016 is the beginning of a new lettings year and hundreds of people are contemplating their next move. Our extensive knowledge of the local market combined with our network of 417 global offices ensures we can match your property to the best possible tenant. Contact us today for a free market appraisal to make sure your property is waiting for them. KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings chiswicklettings@knightfrank.com 020 3757 6230

LET Gainsborough Road, Chiswick W4 Guide price: £1,150 per week

LET Shirley Road, Chiswick W4 Guide price: £925 per week

LET Linden Gardens, Chiswick W4 Guide price: £465 per week

332721 KF_Chiswick BrookGreen_feb.indd 1

LET Upham Park Road, Chiswick W4 Guide price: £995 per week

LET Brookfield Road, Chiswick W4 Guide price: £775 per week

LET Rusthall Avenue, Chiswick W4 Guide price: £438 per week

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

LET Edmunds House, Chiswick W4 Guide price: £595 per week

LET Chiswick High Road, Chiswick W4 Guide price: £425 per week

21/01/2016 15:49

Whether small or tall Move with Savills

EALING

£507 pw + fees apply*

WIMBORNE GARDENS W13 3 1 2

880 sq ft EPC=F

BROOK GREEN

£2,750 pw + fees apply*

CHISWICK

£475 pw + fees apply*

GIRDLERS ROAD W14 6 3 5

4,071 sq ft EPC=C

HEATHFIELD COURT W4 2 1 1

675 sq ft EPC=E

* Fees to include drawing up the tenancy agreements and reference change for one tenant – £282 inc VAT one-off fee. £36 inc VAT for each additional tenant/occupant/guarantor reference where required. Inventory check out fee – charged at the end of or early termination of the tenancy and the amount is dependant on the property size and whether furnished/unfurnished. For more details visit savills.co.uk/fees

6400|A The West Journal 'Small or Tall' DPS 1 ART.indd 1

25/01/2016 12:32

6400|

6 12:32

Call us 7 days a week on 020 7877 4640 savills.co.uk

5 FLAT DEVELOPMENT CHISWICK

Guide £1.75 million

CHISWICK

DUKE ROAD W4 4 2 2

1,421 sq ft EPC=E

HEATHFIELD TERRACE W4 1 or 2 1 or 2 1 or 2

BROOK GREEN

Guide £2.6 million

EALING

ADDISON BRIDGE ROAD W14 1,663 sq ft 4 3 2 Listed Building

6400|A The West Journal 'Small or Tall' DPS 1 ART.indd 2

From £775,000 - £1.45 million

WOLVERTON GARDENS W5 7 4 4

732 – 1,256 sq ft Listed Building

Guide £1.795 million

2,960 sq ft EPC=E

23/01/2016 19:14

Call us 7 days a week on 020 7877 4640 savills.co.uk

BROOK GREEN

£1,200 pw + fees apply*

CHISWICK

£1,250 pw + fees apply*

IFFLEY ROAD W6 4 2 2

2,308 sq ft EPC=D

SOUTH SIDE W6 4 2 3

1,977 sq ft EPC=D

EALING

£357 pw + fees apply*

BROOK GREEN

£400 pw + fees apply*

MONTAGUE ROAD W13 2 1 1

605 sq ft EPC=D

ELSHAM ROAD W14 1 1 1

570 sq ft EPC=D

6400|B The West Journal 'Small or Tall' DPS 2 ART.indd 1

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EALING

Guide £449,950

BROOK GREEN

Guide £1.495 million

DENBIGH ROAD W13 1 1 1

366 sq ft EPC=D

FITZJAMES AVENUE W14 3 2 2

1,636 sq ft EPC=E

EALING

Guide £1.75 million

TWYFORD CRESCENT W3 6 3 3

3,165 sq ft EPC=D

3 HOUSES IN A DEVELOPMENT CHISWICK MILLS ROW W4 4 to 6 3

From £2.65 million to £3.35 million

3 to 4

2,373 sq ft - 2,917 sq ft EPC=TBC

6400|B The West Journal 'Small or Tall' DPS 2 ART.indd 2

23/01/2016 19:22

Call us 7 days a week on 020 7877 4640 savills.co.uk

CHISWICK

£923 pw + fees apply*

CHISWICK

Guide £595,000

GAYFORD ROAD W12 5 2 4

1,903 sq ft EPC=B

BEVERLEY COURT W4 2 1 1

581 sq ft EPC=TBC

EALING

£380 pw + fees apply*

CHISWICK

£1,100 pw + fees apply*

624 sq ft EPC=C

DALE STREET W4 4 1 3

1,469 sq ft EPC=C

THE GREEN W5 1 2

6400|C The West Journal 'Small or Tall' DPS 3 ART.indd 1

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6400|

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CHISWICK

Guide £1.05 million

BROOK GREEN

Guide £2.095 million

ESMOND ROAD W4 2 2 1

1,130 sq ft EPC=D

WINGATE ROAD W6 4 2 2

1,765 sq ft EPC=D

BROOK GREEN

Guide £1.95 million

EALING

DALLING ROAD W6 5 2 3

2,153 sq ft EPC=F

GRANGE ROAD W5 4 3 1

6400|C The West Journal 'Small or Tall' DPS 3 ART.indd 2

Guide £2.5 million

2,928 sq ft EPC=E

23/01/2016 19:27

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THE

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SATURDAY 12TH MARCH | 11AM - 3PM Join us for a comprehensive insight into where to move outside the capital. Regional experts offering one to one advice | A wealth of locations and properties to peruse Entertainment for the children | Refreshments Battersea & Wandsworth 98-100 Northcote Road, SW11 6QW | Blackheath 46 Tranquil Vale, Blackheath, SE3 0BD Chiswick 48 Turnham Green Terrace, W4 1QP | Earlsfield & Southfields 350 Garratt Lane, SW18 4ES Muswell Hill 256 Muswell Hill Broadway, N10 3SH For more details about the event or for a free market appraisal, please contact your local Hamptons branch or call 020 7265 6595

www.hamptons.co.uk Please dial in full. If you have already appointed another agent, you may be subject to a restrictive contract.

Denbigh Road W13 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom Furnished

ÂŁ449,950

1 Reception Off Street Parking

A beautifully refurbished apartment finished to an exceptionally high standard. This one bedroom apartment has a bright reception room with an open plan kitchen and comes with off road parking.

Beaconsfield Road, W5 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom

ÂŁ615,000

1 Reception Garage Well Located

A two bedroom ground floor flat which is well located for Ealing Broadway and South Ealing Underground Stations. The property offers spacious accommodation throughout and benefits from a garage and wood floors in the bedrooms and dining hall.

WE EALING Ian Gardiner

Emma Gardiner

Kira Russo

Anne Marie Cahill

Koo Dahinden

Grange Park W5

ÂŁ3,995,000

5 Bedrooms 3 Reception Rooms 5 Bathrooms Gated Off Street Parking Separate Studio A substantial and beautifully refurbished detached family home which is well located for the excellent transport links and amenities of Ealing Broadway.

Kenilworth Road W5 5 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms Cellar

ÂŁ1,550,000

2 Reception Rooms Off Street Parking

A handsome red-brick halls adjoining semi-detached family home which is well located for the shopping and transport links of Ealing Broadway. Benefiting from many period features, a large cellar and a sunny south west facing garden.

Telephone: 020 8579 5242 Email: info@gardinerhomes.co.uk www.gardinerhomes.co.uk

BOSCOMBE PERCY ROAD BVAL VAL I N DEEETN TTA TA RROAD OAD RR OAD OAD WW12 1W W 2W12 1 12 2 PCM ££49 ££6 65 50 0PW PPW W/ /£2145 ££2 28 81 16 6P PCCMM AA generous ground floor garden flatfamily in prime street •• • • • A lovely Aperfectly perfectly wide Victorian presented presented family semi-detached semi-detached house family house house cleverly interior designed Victorian family house 4double bedrooms bedrooms double bedrooms 4double double bedrooms •• • • • 352 double bedrooms bathrooms (2 en suite) Shower Showerroom room •• • • • 32Bathroom bathrooms and shower room 33’ double reception Bathroom en Bathroom ensuite suite room •• • • • Cloakroom Cloakroom Well designed kitchen reception room Double Double reception reception room room •• • • • Double Double reception room

•• • • •• • • •• • • •• • • •• • •

Private decked SW facing garden with side access Kitchen Kitchen /family breakfast / breakfast room room with under-floor under-floor heating heating Fabulous family /with dining room Basement / kitchen media room Patio garden Good ceiling height throughout West facing patio garden Patio Kitchen /garden dining room Ample storage High quality internal finishes Wood Wood floors floors throughout throughout Utility and larder Available immediately -2016 / unfurnished Available early March Current planning permission tounfurnished extend add 4th bedroom Available immediately -furnished furnished /to unfurnished SW facing garden with separate entrance 979 sq ft / ft 91 m approx. EPC D- E 1806 sq ftft /248 m approx. EPC 1216 1216 sq sq /168 113 / sq 113 sqm mapprox. approx. 2670 sq sqsq m approx. EPC -E -D

TO LET

LOFTUS PERCY ROAD W12 W12 BB I PERCY N I NDDEENNR RROAD OAD OADW W 1 12 2 GUIDE PRICE £2,0 0 0,0 0 0 FREEHOLD ££ lovely lovely wide wide Victorian Victorian family family house • •• •• AAA well cleverly cleverly proportioned interior interior designed and designed airyhouse 4Victorian Victorian storey family family family house house house • •• •• 4/5 3535double double double double bedrooms bedrooms bedrooms double bedrooms bedrooms • •• •• Cloakroom 3232bathrooms bathrooms bathrooms and (2 (2 utility en en suite) suite) room bathrooms and and shower shower room room • •• •• Double Cloakroom Cloakroom reception room Cloakroom Cloakroom • •• •• Spacious Double Double reception full reception depth room kitchen room / family room Double Doublereception reception room room

• •• •• Conservatory Fabulous Fabulousfamily family family / dining room / /dining diningroom room Basement Basement family / kitchen media / kitchen media room room • •• •• 56’ West West westfacing facing patio patio garden garden garden with side access Kitchen Kitchen / dining / dining room room • •• •• Scope High Highquality to quality extend internal internal subject finishes finishes to planning Utility Utility and and larder larder • •• •• Ample Current Current storage planning planning permission permission totoextend extend totoadd add4th 4thbedroom bedroom SW SW facing facing garden garden with withseparate separate entrance entrance • •• •• 2314 1806 1806 sq sq sq ft 215 /248 168 168 sq sq sq m m m approx. approx. approx. excl. EPC EPC loft. 2670 2670 sq sq ftft ft/ft/248 sq sq m m approx. approx. - -E EPC EPC EPC DE -D-D-EEEPC - E

St Albans Avenue, W4 £1,795,000 Freehold StStAlbans W4 £1,795,000 Marys Avenue, Grove, W4 £1,600,000Freehold Freehold St Albans Avenue, W4 £1,795,000 Freehold Stsuperbly Albans presented Avenue, W4 A and recently renovated four bedroom two bathroom home in this sought after£1,795,000 location only Freehold a short A presented anddetached recently fourlocated bedroom twopopular bathroom home in area this sought location only a short Asuperbly beautifully presented Victorian villa in this residential close toafter excellent state and private walk from Turnham Green tube andrenovated the Chiswick High Road. A superbly presented and recently fourHigh bedroom two bathroom this sought after location only walk from and Turnham tube andrenovated the Road. schools withinGreen walking distance ofChiswick Gunnersbury tube station (Districthome Line) in and the river Thames. EPC = E. a short A superbly presented and recently renovated four bedroom two bathroom home in this sought after location only a short walk from Turnham Green tube and the Chiswick High Road. walk from Turnham Green tube and the Chiswick High Road. • Sought after location • 25’ Double reception room • Two bathrooms • • Sought after location location • 25’ Double reception room • Two bathrooms Excellent residential • Beautifully presented throughout • Two reception rooms • Walking distance of the high road • Large kitchen/dining room • Landscaped garden •• • Sought after location •• 25’ Double receptionroom room •• Two bathrooms Walking distance of the high road Large kitchen/dining Landscaped garden Close to all amenities • Five bedrooms • Cloaks • Contemporary style • Four doublereception bedrooms • EPC =D after location Double room bathrooms •• • Sought Walking distance of the road •• 25’ Large kitchen/dining room •• Two Landscaped Contemporary style Four double bedrooms EPC = D reargarden Detached Victorian villahigh • Three bathrooms • Walled garden •• Walking distance of the high road • Large kitchen/dining room • Landscaped garden Contemporary style • Four double bedrooms • EPC = D • Contemporary style • Four double bedrooms • EPC = D

w w w. a n d r ew n u n n a s s o c i a t e s . c o . u k w w w. a n d r ew n u n n a s s o c i a t e s . c o . u k w w w. a n d r ew n u n n a s s o c i a t e s . c o . u k w w w. a n d r ew n u n n a s s o c i a t e s . c o . u k

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Sutton Court, W4

£499,950 Leasehold

A well-proportioned one bedroom second floor apartment in this sought after mansion block situated in the heart of Grove Park. EPC = D.

Arlington Gardens, W4 £675,000 Leasehold plus SoF A well presented and conveniently located (within Belmont School catchment area) two double bedroom first floor conversion flat in this popular residential road only moments from the Chiswick High Road and within an easy walk of Turnham Green and Chiswick Park tube station. EPC = E.

Dukes Avenue, W4St Albans Avenue, W4 £2,500,000 Freehold £1,795,000 F Dukes Avenue, £2,500,000 Freehold St Albans Avenue, W4 W4 £749,950 Leasehold plus SoF London Stile, W4 £399,950 Leasehold Dukes Avenue, W4 £2,500,000 Freehold Dukes Avenue, W4 to acquire this family house in Dukes Avenue with a west facing rear garden £2,500,000 A wonderful opportunity enjoying Freehold

A superbly presented and recently renovated fourwith bedroom two bathroom homeenjoying in this sought after location only a A wonderful totwo acquire this family house inLocated Dukes west facing rear garden AAvenue creative and astylish of this one bedroom A stunning, newlyopportunity refurbished bedroom garden flat uninterrupted aspects over gardens towards the west. in this sought after refurbishment road running off Chiswick High Road. walk from Turnham Green tube and the Chiswick High Road. A wonderful opportunity to acquire this family house in Dukes Avenue with a west facing rear garden enjoying uninterrupted aspects over gardens thePark, west. Located in thisfloor sought after road an running off Chiswick Road. ground flat to provide ideal pied a terre orHigh first time conveniently located on this popular roadtowards in Bedford A wonderful opportunity to acquire this family house in Dukes Avenue with a west facing rear garden enjoying aspects over gardens towards the west. in property this sought after road off Chiswick High Road. buy situated closerunning to Kew Bridge, the river Thames anduninterrupted just a short walk from Turnham Green tube station and Located uninterrupted aspects over gardens towards the west. Located in this sought after road running off Chiswick High Road. and Gunnersbury tube station. EPC = C. the amenities of the Chiswick High Road. EPC = D. • Prime central location bedrooms • Off street parking • Two bathrooms • Sought after location •• Six • 25’ Double reception room • Prime central location Six bedrooms • Off street parking • Semi-detached family house distance of the • high Two reception rooms • Freehold • Walking road • Large kitchen/dining room •• Prime central location •• Six •• Off street parking • Landscaped garden Semi-detached family house Twobedrooms reception rooms Freehold • Wonderful west facing garden kitchen • EPC = E parking • EPC = D central location Six bedrooms street • Contemporary style ••• Vaulted • Four double bedrooms •• Prime Semi-detached house Two reception •• Off Freehold Wonderful west family facing garden Vaulted kitchenrooms EPC = E •• Semi-detached family house • Two reception rooms • Freehold Wonderful west facing garden • Vaulted kitchen • EPC = E • Wonderful west facing garden • Vaulted kitchen • EPC = E

w w w. a n d r ew n u nwnwa w. s s o c i a t e s .n c o . u k  0 2 0 8 9 9 5 15 0 u k0 w w w. a n d r ew n u n n a s s oacnidart eew s . c ou.nunka ss o0c2i0a t8e9s .9c5o .15 0 0 0 2 0 8 9 9 5 15 0 0 w w w. a n d r ew n u n n a s s o c i a t e s . c o . u k  0 2 0 8 9 9 5 15 0 0 w w w. a n d r ew n u n n a s s o c i a t e s . c o . u k  0 2 0 8 9 9 5 15 0 0

THE ART OF MOVING UK RESIDENTIAL, EUROPEAN & INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS

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Memb No: A001

Prime locations 268x190mm.indd 1

Certificate No. FS23942

01/02/2016 11:01

[PROPERTY]

west Bethan Rees heads to the Marsh & Parsons’ Askew Road office to meet its senior sales manager and discuss the growing appeal of this village-esque area

ormerly known as Gaggle Goose Green, Askew Road, located in what is being dubbed by some as Askew Village, is a buzzing strip of independent cafés, artisan businesses and cosy pubs serving fantastic food; you can sense this area’s individuality instantly and it’s easy to see why it’s become a desirable place to buy a property. To the east, there’s Shepherd’s Bush, to the west, Wendell Park and to the south, Ravenscourt Park. The Marsh & Parsons’ Askew Road office, which opened in March 2014, works closely with the nearby Brook Green office and covers the surrounding areas including Acton, Chiswick and Brackenbury Village. Mark Hustwit, senior sales manager at the Askew Road Marsh & Parsons branch, joined the office in October last year, but why did he want to join Marsh & Parsons? “From the moment I went in to the head office, it was such a slick operation. It’s very well established (since 1856) and there’s lots of potential to develop,” he describes. Mark has been enjoying learning the ropes of this energetic area and has already noticed its palpable appeal. “I think there’s a perception that Askew Village is going to be and has been a good one for capital growth. Some areas in London have noticed a bit of a dip, some have levelled, but here prices have been rising since 2014,” Mark explains. I ask his opinion on the most desirable streets in the area. “All the roads just off Askew Road do very well, such as Stronsa Road, Emlyn Road, Gayford Road and Valetta Road. W12 is where we seem to have the most activity in this office,” he answers. Walking along Askew Road, the pavement is strolled upon by mothers and their pushchairs, suited and booted professionals on their way to one of the many surrounding stations with fantastic links in to the City and also a slightly younger crowd, enjoying the mildly bohemian vibe of the street on

the weekend. “A lot of people I’ve been showing properties to have rented here in the past, and now they’re returning. They might have lived here when they were younger and it was cheaper but are now moving back because they’ve noticed all the positive changes,” says Mark. “People are also coming here for the excellent schools,” he continues. As the Askew Road area increases in popularity for buyers, I want to know if Mark has any advice for those wishing to move there. “Buy quickly,” he says assertively. He also adds: “This area is one that is realising its potential, next will be Shepherd’s Bush and Acton will follow suit with the Crossrail, which people are starting to talk about already.”

Mark Hustwit

Marsh & Parsons Askew Road, 120 Askew Road, W12 9BL, 020 8102 0123, marshandparsons.co.uk

Stamford Brook Road, W6, £2,400,000

Tabor Road W6 £1,750,000 A wonderfully presented four-bedroom house with a west facing garden on one of the Brackenbury Villages most sought-after roads with the local amenities of Shepherds Bush close by. Freehold. EPC=D

• Four bedrooms • West facing garden • Victorian property • Sought-after location Brook Green Sales: 020 7605 7760 sales.bkg@marshandparsons.co.uk

St Dunstans Road W6 ÂŁ1,450,000 A beautifully presented four-bedroom family home within easy reach of Barons Court Underground station. Freehold. EPC=E Brook Green Sales: 020 7605 7760 sales.bkg@marshandparsons.co.uk

Ormiston Grove W12 ÂŁ999,999 A well-presented three-bedroom duplex apartment ideally positioned for the amenities of Shepherds Bush. Share of Freehold. EPC=D

Askew Road Sales: 020 8102 0123 sales.ask@marshandparsons.co.uk

Wingate Road W6 ÂŁ1,150 per week A beautiful four-bedroom house on the highly sought-after Wingate Road and only a short walk to Goldhawk Road station. EPC=D Askew Road Lettings: 020 8102 0123 lets.ask@marshandparsons.co.uk

Warbeck Road W12 ÂŁ595 per week A stunning three-bedroom, split-level property with a private garden and within easy reach of Shepherds Bush. EPC=D

Brook Green Lettings: 020 7605 7760 lets.bkg@marshandparsons.co.uk

A quirky yet elegant apartment in an imposing red-brick building Matching people and property in London for 160 years.

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