Fulham Residents' Journal May 2015 by Runwild Media Group

fulham Resident s Journal

P RIS

’

MAY 20 15 • i ssue 31

Where will we find your perfect buyer or tenant? As the exclusive UK affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate network, we can reach quality buyers and tenants in 46 countries via 950 offices and a website visited 135,600 times a month. There’s no better way to open your door to the world. We highly value your feedback: fulham@residentsjournal.co.uk or 020 7987 4320

w w w. R e s i d e n t s J o u r n a l . c o . u k (020) 7987 4320

Proudly published by

RUNWILD MEDIA GROUP

701 Fulham Road London, SW6 5UL Tel: +44 (0)20 7731 7100 fulham@struttandparker.com struttandparker.com/christies

Dear Resident, As crowds prepare to roar and the Pimm’s is ready to be poured, Fulham Residents’ Journal gears up for Polo in the Park at Fulham’s historic sporting institution, Hurlingham Park. However, SW6 welcomes the event this year with one major difference; it’s the first time since 1939 that the England International match will be held here. Find out more, from page seven. The area is awash with creativity and culture as the HF ArtsFest returns for its second year, showcasing arts in the borough. Find out about all the talents on your doorstep, from page 10. Meanwhile, the food and drink scene in Fulham is buzzing as The Imperial opens its doors showing off its makeover (p.20) and Bethan Rees (gladly) takes a tour of the capital’s first urban winery, London Cru, in celebration of London Wine Week (p.22) Make sure you follow us on Twitter, @FulhamRJ, for all the latest SW6 updates.

Image: An intense game of polo, photographed by Gabriel O’Rorke (gabrielororke.com). Read all about Polo in the Park returning to Fulham from page seven.

Managing Editor Francesca Lee Editorial Assistant Bethan Rees

General Manager Fiona Fenwick

Executive Director Sophie Roberts Client Relationship Director Friday Dalrymple

Editorial Intern Elizabeth Sersta Editor-in-Chief Lesley Ellwood

Production Hugo Wheatley Alex Powell Oscar Viney Alice Ford

Business Development Manager Nicola Bloomfield

Managing Director Eren Ellwood

Publishing Director Giles Ellwood

Senior Designer Lisa Wade

Members of the Professional Publishers Association

FULHAM Residents’ Journal

LOCAL NEWS Keep your finger on the pulse with our roundup of local news

Council cuts

Read all about it

From April, Hammersmith & Fulham Council will reduce the total income budgeted from fees and charges for residents by four per cent. This comes as welcome news for local residents following five years of rises and arrives with the announcement that there will be a reduction in council tax by one per cent; the only local authority in London to do so. Cllr Max Schmid, cabinet member for finance, said: ‘This is a budget that puts money back in residents’ pockets, and not just through a cut in council tax. We have worked hard to make a difference to residents’ lives for the better, despite large government cuts to our budget.’

You can almost hear the bibliophiles celebrating, as a range of eBooks are now available from Hammersmith & Fulham libraries. The virtual collection of 1,500 new titles is free to download for library members and includes bestselling authors such as Hilary Mantel, Stieg Larsson and Cecelia Ahern to read on iPads, Kindles and smartphones alike. Also, there are no reservation charges or overdue fees and several users can access one title at the same time, so there’s no waiting around for your book of choice. Starting an eBook club of your own has never been easier. (lbhf.gov.uk)

(lbhf.gov.uk)

No rest for the wick-ed Beautify your home this month with one of Fulham-based Wick & Tallow’s candles. The new Floral collection is elegantly presented in a signature white glass with a bronze monogram and would make a perfect addition to any bedroom, bathroom or as a dining table centrepiece. Fulham Residents’ Journal loves the Sweet Pea and Peony Candle, with notes of pink pepper and cedarwood, giving it a rich and intense bouquet. 9cl candle £18, 30cl candle £35. 2-5 Engineering Offices, 2 Michael Road, SW6 2AD, 020 3286 3940 (wickandtallow.com)

Image: ©Kate Nielen

-4-

Vote on Following a sell-out run off Broadway last year, the London Theatre Workshop welcomes Vote For Me, a musical based on a presidential debate where the audience chooses the winner. Commissioned by Robyn Goodman, the producer of Avenue Q, expect to see a side to American politics that you never thought you would: dancing and singing. 5-23 May, from £12. Performances from Tuesday-Saturday at 7.45pm with matinees at 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, The Eel Brook, 65 New King’s Road, SW6 4SG (londontheatreworkshop.co.uk)

Hope for Fulham Palace Fulham Palace Trust has received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help the Discovering the Bishop of London’s Palace at Fulham restoration project, which aims to restore the Palace’s Tudor quadrangle, Great Hall and gardens. The grant applications are processed in two rounds and the Trust has passed round one, which means that HLF has endorsed the outlined proposal and has earmarked funding for it. Additionally, development funding of £119,000 has been given to help produce detailed plans in order to make a second round application for summer 2016. If the Trust is successful, work will begin in spring 2017. Fingers crossed! (fulhampalace.org)

Image: ©Fulham Palace Trust

Movie night This month, Parsons Green Film Society will be screening the mystical comedy-drama Dean Spanley which is set in the early 1900s. One of the illustrious Peter O’Toole’s final performances, we see him play Horatio Fisk, a cantankerous, bitter 70-something living out his final days at the turn of the 20th century, who joins his son Henslowe to attend a lecture on the transmigration of souls by a visiting Hindu Swami. Here, Henslowe meets Dean Spanley and the sequence of events that unravel reveal the emotional truths buried in Horatio’s past. 30 May, £12 online, £13 on the door. Doors open at 7.30pm, film shown at 8pm, London Film Academy, 52a Walham Grove, SW6 1QR, 07872 607 113 (parsonsgreenfilmsociety.com) -5-

Ride with me Prepare for summer at Parsons Green’s new indoor cycling studio Ride Republic. Founded by three local Fulham ladies with a vision to create a different approach to exercise, focusing on not what just happens on the bike, but also off it, the workouts are designed for achieving personal goals and the space brings together a community of people with a passion for healthy living. With no joining fee and classes offered on a pay-as-you-go basis, it’s a great choice for busy people needing a flexible workout. 709 Fulham Road, SW6 5UL, 020 7736 7495. Class times and prices vary, see website for more details (riderepublic.co.uk)

RUNWILD MEDIA GROUP

WE ARE HIRING!

SALES EXECUTIVES LoCATIoN

South West Office, Putney Bridge

HoURS of WoRk

Monday - Friday, 8.45am - 5.30pm

SALARy

ÂŁ20,000 - ÂŁ25,000 Plus commission

Runwild Media Group is a dynamic, independent publishing house and a leader in the luxury magazine industry. We specialise in producing monthly luxury titles, bespoke publications and a host of media solutions which produce remarkable commercial results.

We are seeking a driven and dynamic individual to join us as a Sales Executive to oversee the growth of long term client relationships and partnerships, as well as bringing in new business. You will be responsible for identifying opportunities with both new and existing clients through effective marketing activities. The successful applicant will demonstrate strong sales, marketing and business acumen and will be a highly motivated and organised individual, as well as being personable, commercially minded and an excellent communicator.

Please send your CV and covering letter to: careers@runwildgroup.co.uk

Welcome home Chestertons Polo in the Park returns for its seventh year but with one crucial addition: the first England International match at Hurlingham Park since 1939. Fulham Residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Journal celebrates the momentous occasion by catching up with England international player George Meyrick, while Jennifer Mason tries her hand at the fast-paced sport

Polo at

the Hurl

ingham

, image

courtes y of Hu

rlingam

-7-

Polo Ass

ociation

FULHAM Residents’ Journal

INTERVIEW

Top of the game George Meyrick, England International polo player, speaks to Bethan Rees about this year’s event and the injury which almost cut short his career George Meyrick

What are you most excited for at this year’s Polo in the Park? I always like playing in London; it’s a totally different experience and the atmosphere is great. It’s not often that you get to play in front of such a large crowd. How do you feel about playing in the first International England match in Hurlingham Park since 1939? It will be such a cool thing to be involved with; it’s a part of history! How did you become involved in polo? My grandfather always had horses and I was lucky enough to grow up on a farm where I learnt to ride. I got asked to play in a Pony Club team when I was seven or eight which was so much fun. I got a bit more serious at school – I was in the team there and have just progressed ever since. I knew it was what I wanted to be doing for the rest of my life.

sport and being part of a team. I have always preferred ball games as I like using hand-eye coordination. Your future in the sport was threatened through injury – what happened? I broke my foot; it was a very bad break. They were unsure if I would be able to play polo properly again. That’s just part of the game; there aren’t many players who haven’t had some sort of setback along the way. Despite what the surgeon said, I always somehow thought I would find a way to overcome it and fully recover which I did.

What do you enjoy most about the sport? It’s the combination of horses, the thrill, and teamwork. The horses are a huge part for me, I love that side of it. I adore sport in general, everything that is modern day

You’ll soon have contracts in the Middle East, U.S. and China – how do you feel about your role as a global ambassador? Really pleased, the more people I can teach about the sport and reach out to hopefully means the more people will want to be involved and attend matches. Increasing awareness of polo is so important; it’s a proper sport, the horses are real athletes and so are the players. What does the future hold for George Meyrick? I just want to carry on playing at as high a level as possible, for as long as I can. I’d also like the England Team to get as strong as possible and so they can compete with Argentina. -8-

REVIEW

Horsing around Jennifer Mason tries her hand on horseback and discovers it might not be as easy as it looks

’ve sat on the sidelines for a few polo matches over the years, soaking up the atmosphere, cheering on the side I’ve randomly chosen to support, and generally not having much of a clue what’s actually going on in the game. Except when someone scores. However, this is all about to change as I roll up for an exclusive Polo in the Park experience at Ham Polo Club where head coach Charlie Wood and England International polo player Malcolm Borwick are about to put me through my paces. I’m quite an experienced horse rider and a keen sportswoman in general, so I enter the club nonchalantly; I’m pretty sure I can handle this. How hard could it really be, right? The answer? Very. Starting off on foot with mini-sticks, I’m drilled in the four basic polo shots; the offside and nearside forehands and backhands. So far, so good – I haven’t knocked anyone out yet and when I hit the ball it makes that pleasant ‘clack’ sound as the stick connects. Now for the full-size stick. To practice (before they let me near the expensive polo ponies) I jump up on a wooden horse and begin swinging. After a brief period of misses while I adjust to the length of the stick and the height and width of my ‘horse’, I’m just starting to get the hang of it when I’m introduced to my steed for the afternoon and am suddenly faced with the realisation of what I’ve let myself in for. I’m a hugely competitive person and I don’t like to fail, so having felt rather good about my skills on the ground and stationary mount, I’m very aware of how much I want to succeed at the real deal. Used to riding with two hands in the traditional manner, limiting my steering to just one fist on the reins takes some getting used to, despite the extremely responsive polo pony beneath me. I’m anxious to do her justice (and even more anxious not to smack her around the head with my stick) but it’s obvious she recognises the ineptitude of the rider on her back as each

Jennifer Mason at Ham Polo Club

After a bit more practise I feel like I’m almost getting the hang of it – I’m connecting with at least half the balls I pass time I approach the ball for a miss-hit, she stops. After a bit more practise I feel like I’m almost getting the hang of it – I’m connecting with at least half the balls I pass – and when I get a run of a few hits in a row my pony finally starts to get excited and I can feel her pushing forward onto the ball. Sadly for her, I miss again, and all too soon it’s time to dismount and head back to the clubhouse. My verdict? If you’ve got the time to take up this sport, it’s hugely rewarding and entertaining. But boy, is it tricky. For more information about the Polo Academy at Ham Polo Club, visit hampoloclub.com -9-

FULHAM Residents’ Journal

Fest to

impress

As the second annual HF ArtsFest arrives in June, Bethan Rees meets some of the organisers to find out what goes in to coordinating a borough-wide, week-long celebration

he borough is alive with the sound of music (and art, literature, comedy, film and performance) as the area starts heating up with the buzz of all things culture for the second year of the Hammersmith & Fulham ArtsFest, running from 8-14 June. Celebrating the wonderful and diverse nature of this part of the capital, the grassroots event provides a platform for all community arts organisations and aims to bring a more collective awareness of culture to the borough. Meeting Cathy Robertson, chair of HF ArtsFest, instills a sense of hope as her zeal for participation in the arts shines through her Canadian smile while talking about the festival, and the fact that the entire project steered by her is volunteer-led only adds to this. ‘I’m the chair, but I’m rarely sitting down,’ Cathy says through laughter, acknowledging the irony of her title. Cathy started her career in advertising and has always had a mix of arts clients so she’s used to working with her creative hat on. ‘I’ve always had a passion and interest in the arts,’ she explains. ‘Before the ArtsFest, I helped set up the Neighbourhood Watch association for the borough because I had two teenage kids walking around the area and I thought it might help to keep them safe, but it also helped me to understand how the council works,’ says Cathy. The ArtsFest was conceived after a conversation with Cllr Greg Smith of Hammersmith

venport) oto: Richard Da

Sam Deards (Ph

& Fulham, who was trying to re-launch the area’s libraries. ‘He said to me, “we want more people to use the library” and I thought about it, and suggested an arts festival. I thought it might make the library more interesting and part of the community,’ she enlightens me. The committee working with Cathy is made up of a real varied group of volunteers, but with one thing in common: they all have a love for the arts. Sam Deards heads up the marketing for HF ArtsFest and runs Twice as Nice Comedy which showcases stand-up comedians like himself. ‘I’m a west London boy, born and raised and I’ve always been very interested in the arts.’ He tells me Cathy approached him to run the comedy section of the festival, of course. As a grassroots project, ArtsFest secures its funding through various sponsors, both corporate and private. ‘This year and

Cathy Robertson

- 10 -

Bush Theatre

last year, we were able to get a fast-track grant from the Council,’ Cathy explains. The sponsors include Westfield (who also sponsored the 2014 event), and with HF ArtsFest, is planning to host an event on 12 June where the Bhavan dancers and three other groups will perform in the atrium of the west London shopping centre. ‘How cool is that, right?’ Cathy asks. ‘So cool,’ I answer. This year’s festival is set to see such a huge range of subjects and mediums, and Cathy believes that ‘because they’re so disparate it’s a great opportunity to bring them together’. From tours at Blythe House (the V&A Study & Research Centre) where visitors can explore archive collections and meet the curators, to a night of jazz from the 606 Club at Brook Green Hotel; from watching the incredible Albert & Friends Instant Circus perform, to an open day at the newly refurbished Lyric Hammersmith, there truly is something for everyone at HF ArtsFest. However, as streamlined it may appear on the outside, I can assure you having spoken to Cathy and Sam that blood, sweat and almost-tears goes in to organising the festival. ‘You’re dealing with things that change all the time, with people cancelling, so you have to think on your feet a lot,’ Sam explains. ‘The biggest challenge is creating something from nothing and having something at the end which is of interest and value,’ adds Cathy. But after the curtains have been pulled down and the stages put away, what does Cathy wish to gain from HF ArtsFest? ‘The main thing is to make the arts community more vibrant and make it more visible so that people will want to stay here, rather than instantly go to the West End.’ And with such a diverse and jam-packed schedule this year, here’s hoping. For the full line-up and more information, visit hf-artsfest.com. For details on how to become an event sponsor, email Cathy Robertson: crobertson@hf-artsfest.com

Some members of the committee and performers (Photo: David Tett)

60-seconds with

Patricia Watson, vice chairman of the Society of Fulham Artists and Potters (SoFAP) who will be hosting an event at The White Horse on Parsons Green Can you tell me about SoFAP’s event at The White Horse pub at this year’s HF ArtsFest? We are gathering together our members who love Plein Air Painting and hope to tempt those more hesitant to come along and have a go. It can be daunting to be on show, as it were, but artists can go off in little groups for. It’s fun! What are you most looking forward to at this year’s festival? Seeing the variety of arts in the area, getting to know what groups there are and meeting other artists. Would you say Fulham is a cultural hub? Fulham has gone through a series of evolutions, not least through its buildings and the vogue of different foods, restaurants, theatre and café life. Having outdoor space to relax in gives that holiday feel to the area which I think we all love, and from there comes the outdoor music, outdoor painting, spilling out from the theatre and a sense of bonhomie.

Les Enfants Terribles (Photo: David Tett)

- 11 -

FULHAM Residents’ Journal

Can I

kick it?

This image: Fulham All Stars Sean Davis and Abdeslam Ouaddou celebrate a goal during last year’s match; Below: Sean Davis (left) and Abdeslam Ouaddou share a joke; Both images courtesy of PA Photos

This month, Craven Cottage welcomes its third year of the Shooting Stars Chase Cup. Bethan Rees meets Fulham FC legend and captain of the Fulham All Stars, Sean Davis, ahead of the charity kick-around

x-professional footballers, sportsmen and celebrities will run on to the pitch at Fulham FC’s home-ground, Craven Cottage, on 23 May to compete in the Shooting Star Chase Cup for the third year in a row. The charity football match will raise funds for two local charities; the Fulham Football Club Foundation, which aims to build better lives in the community through sport, and the Shooting Star Chase charity, a children’s hospice supporting babies through to young adults with life-limiting conditions and their families. This year, Game of Thrones fans will be particularly jubilant as Sean Bean (aka Eddard ‘Ned’ Stark) will take to the field as captain of the Celebrity All Stars as it takes on the Fulham All Stars team made up of ex-Fulham players, captained by Sean Davis. Sean, a former Fulham midfielder, remains the only player in the Club’s history to play with Fulham in all four divisions and he loves coming back to Craven Cottage after retiring

from professional football in 2012. ‘It’s always good to return, I miss the dressing room and the banter,’ he tells me as we sit in the ground he still calls home. In 2014, the Fulham All Stars beat the Sealand All Stars team (featuring Joe Calzaghe, Jack Whitehall and Olympian Mark Hunter) nine goals to three, but Sean assures me it’s not just the winning that counts. ‘It’s all fun and games really, the legs aren’t what they used to be,’ he laughs. Will Fulham All Stars win this year? ‘Oh yes, definitely!’ Sean says. It’s set to be a great family day out for all, and hopefully the sun will be shining in SW6. For Fulham FC fans it’s a great chance to see some legends playing back at Craven Cottage, and of course, it’s all for a good cause. Tickets in advance, adults £12, under-16s £5, adult ticket on the day £15, 23 May, 1pm kick-off, Craven Cottage, Stevenage Road, SW6 6HH, 0843 208 1234 [option 1] (fulhamfc.com)

- 12 -

THE

real-life CANDIDATE

Having led a life more colourful than the most implausible soap star, Ivan Massow talks to Henry Hopwood-Phillips about why he’s ready to get serious and succeed Boris Johnson as Mayor of London…

Image © Sarel Jansen

ondon mayoral candidate Ivan Massow seems like a real guy; not the most sexy of descriptions, admittedly, but in the age of the Spock-lite politician it’s a powerful card. He also looks real. Though he’s wearing the ubiquitous open-necked shirt, the London mayoral candidate comes across less like the sandblasted goblin of the Blairite and Cameronian yesteryear than a wizened saltand-pepper-haired pin-up. The post has relatively limited formal powers but its appeal has, perhaps paradoxically, up until now, been restricted to the megalomania of Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson. So having a candidate who appears so regular feels slightly anti-climactic. But, of course, Ivan isn’t terribly normal. The menagerie, from dogs at knee-height up to parrots above (singing a medley of welcomes and threats as I bound through his Bloomsbury door) hints at this. Raised near Brighton, he admits to being an ‘instinctive’ Tory ‘despite a politically tribal narrative that might insist my “natural” position is on the left’ due to an early ‘street urchin’ existence that included dyslexia, adoption and homosexuality. Clearly, his life trajectory wasn’t a conventional one with a launch pad of qualifications, but Ivan was a man with an idea. ‘I found a niche in the market by making sure gays weren’t financially penalised in the financial products that they were offered.’ Millions of pounds soon flowed into his coffers. ‘I was so happy proving to teachers, parents and friends that I was worth something, that I wasn’t a dead-end,’ he beams. That particular high, however, closed when he lost a lawsuit to a firm he had accused of failing to uphold his ethics. A period of alcoholism followed and spanned a time of self-exile in Barcelona, a sad hiatus that nevertheless ended with a fairytale rescue by none other than Joan Collins – ‘who by the way, insists on being named the godmother of my child,’ he

adds excitedly. The controversy didn’t end with the alcohol intake; never shirking the right to real opinions, he recollects being ‘forced to resign as chairman of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) after observing that much of conceptual art is “craftless tat”.’ Looking to pick himself up, Ivan jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire that was the mayoral ring at the end of last year. The first shot across the bows came from Mark Wallace at Conservative Home, describing Ivan as an ‘unconvincing candidate’, a man who seemed destined to be little more than a careerist and ‘loose cannon’. ‘I understand why he said that,’ Ivan comments humbly, ‘so I set things straight by inviting his editor to interview

But, of course, Ivan isn’t terribly normal me.’ The follow-up makes for interesting reading, and captures Ivan’s tone well. It is apparent that he is sensitive to the lightness and heaviness of both life and the task he has set himself. Another accusation is that what Ivan sells as ‘blue-sky thinking’ amounts to little more than headline-chasing. Policies aimed at housing the homeless in City Hall and naming a prison after himself on ‘Boris Island’ seem to add noise rather than solutions to a city that proffers itself as one of the few ‘world capitals’. ‘That’s not fair,’ he protests, giving the example of a volunteer transport brigade that would potentially stop London from coming to a halt on strike days. A Conservative for 33 years, a Londoner for 25, one cannot fail to be impressed by the energy that the silver fox is applying to his candidature. One gets the impression that some believe his campaign to be more about energy than sense; a political example of a man on a collision course with a brick wall. Looking back at Ivan’s life, it seems the walls have sustained far more damage than his head. (ivan.london)

- 13 -

FULHAM Residents’ Journal

Art of green

abstraction As May’s anticipated RHS Chelsea Flower Show unfolds, Elizabeth Sersta talks to the man behind The Telegraph’s art-inspired garden

A sketch of Marcus Barnett’s design for The Telegraph’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden

s you saunter from garden to garden, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show will enliven your sight and senses, swallowing you in its overwhelming opulence of colour, shape and texture. This year’s show will be as exciting as ever, as visitors will see distinctive art influences. With a wide-ranging background, Fulham-based Marcus Barnett is an exciting personality in landscape design and is working alongside The Telegraph at the show. Marcus served in the Scots Guards for seven years and I was eager to find out if

there are any crossovers between the two subjects. ‘Understanding landscape from a topographical point of view; there’s a military discipline with the attention to detail, planning and process,’ he says. Previous experience of five shows has given him a great understanding of the process that goes into designing a garden for such a prestigious event. ‘Having designed for RHS Chelsea Flower Show before, you realise how short the timescale is and how little margin for error there is. You have to watch out for things such as what to do when plants you depend on fail to flourish,’ he explains. Marcus has worked with an abstract aesthetic for the garden, inspired by the bold De Stijl movement pioneered in the Netherlands circa 1920, referencing

FLORALS IN FULHAM Fulham is brimming with florals and fauna. Make the most of SW6 with Fulham Residents’ Journal’s guide to exploring the local area in all its blooming glory.

WHERE TO GO…

...To be inspired Take a stroll in Fulham Palace Gardens for a glimpse into the historic grounds. Covering an impressive 13 acres, the gardens have a 19th century appearance, with some 18th century landscaping and an old walled garden remaining. You can still see some of the notable trees that were planted in the gardens as early as in the 16th century, including the cork oak, the black walnut and maple. Take a moment to appreciate The Knot garden which recreates its original 1830s layout. Fulham Palace, Bishop’s Avenue, SW6 6EA, 020 7736 3233 (fulhampalace.org)

Fulham Palace Trust © Matthew Bruce

- 14 -

illustrious artists like Piet Mondrian and Theo van Doesburg. ‘I admire the movement, its principles and its boldness. It arose from the darkest days of the World War One in stark contrast to the dreary climate that gripped Europe at the time. To arrive at such modern, striking and colourful images and paintings was hugely brave. I like that,’ he reveals. Marcus is courageous to take such a creative risk and is aware of the varied feedback it may provoke. ‘It is not for everyone and may instil a “marmite” judgement.’ In other words, you either love it or you hate it. I see Marcus as an artist himself as he honourably translates the artistic movement into impressive plant layouts. Colour blocked in bold shades, vertical and horizontal rectangular forms can be seen across his garden layout. ‘The garden takes the abstract expression of natural forms and portrays a distillation of the natural landscape,’ he explains. He tells me that plants are coming both from the UK and continent-based nurseries, but wants to keep information veiled when disclosing specific plant types. He cherishes ‘the surprise element’ as he believes it is an important part of ‘the excitement and mystery of the Chelsea Flower Show.’ Working with living plants entails some level

of unpredictability. Marcus describes his struggle: ‘There is an unknown element, as one can never be entirely sure which of the chosen plants are going to be entirely successful, and which are not. This is, in fact, one of the biggest challenges in completing a garden. We will be using concrete in a way which has not been seen at Chelsea before,’ Marcus reveals mysteriously. I learn garden design is a lot about using your skills and experiences and I want to know if there is anything else that motivates Marcus in his career and life. He shares with me a fragment from a radio conversation he overheard in the early ’90s which inspired him. He remembers hearing: “So, is it fair to say that you waited for your ship to come in?” followed by the sound of a desk slamming and then a loud, raised voice saying: “Have you not listened to a word I’ve said? I did not wait for my ship to come in; I went out to meet it”. The RHS Royal Chelsea Flower Show is on 19 -23 May. Prices vary, see website for details: rhs.org.uk. Royal Hospital, SW3 4SL, 0844 338 7502

... For advice

... To relax

If you’re thinking about updating your garden, head to landscape design specialists Harrington Porter for some helpful professional advice. The friendly team will welcome you with a cup of coffee in their Fulham showroom and you can talk though your plans for an outdoor space, get your hands on design impressions, as well as see material samples and other garden products. 419 New King’s Road, SW6 4RN, 0207 731 3552 (harringtonporter.com)

The beer garden at The Rose is a retreat away from the rush of the city, offering a private setting created by its shady greenery. A water feature and blooming flower beds offer an eyepleasing backdrop for a relaxing afternoon drink. Sit back and let the pub’s chef treat you to one of his barbecue specials: a burger, juicy steak or lobster served with fresh herbs grown in the roof garden. 1 Harwood Terrace, SW6 2AF, 020 7731 1832 (therosefulham.co.uk) The Rose (Photos: Matt Chung)

- 15 -

Marcus Barnett

FULHAM Residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Journal

Design online Jennifer Mason quizzes Will Cooper, founder of lifestyle brand ACHICA, about the business, how itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grown over the past five years and what it will be doing to support British designers in the months ahead

ive years ago, Will Cooper and his business partner Quentin Griffiths came up with an idea that has launched one of the most successful luxury lifestyle brands of recent times, ACHICA; a members-only site where customers can purchase designer brands at discounted prices during time-sensitive sales. As a huge fan of the site myself (although my credit card is less fond of my ACHICA addiction) I was interested to see whether everything has always been driftwood hearts and silk flowers or whether the brand and the team behind it have faced more than the usual challenges. What was your inspiration behind founding the brand? Initially when Quentin and I had the idea for ACHICA, we were told it would never work. There was very little confidence within the industry that people would purchase furniture online without having physically inspected it first. The business

aimed to offer customers access to beautiful furniture and home accessories within an inspiring online experience at exceptional prices, by offering time-limited promotions that enabled us to hold no stock and thus pass on these logistical and operational savings to our customers. What did the start-up process involve? Quentin and I funded ACHICA ourselves initially. We got some good early traction and this attracted venture capital investment. We thought at the time that we were setting up a very similar model

- 16 -

to fashion sites – i.e. to sell overstock – but within a month of getting buyers together, we realised we could actually buy predominantly current line stock. To this day, ACHICA sells mainly live lines from famous name brands. Describe the most challenging part your job. ACHICA has grown phenomenally over the last five years, so keeping pace with this growth has its own challenges. We’ve had to scale quickly in terms of the workforce and physical space as well as continue to find new brands to keep our customers excited. What’s the biggest mistake that you’ve made? Believing that you can get everything right. In a new company that’s growing at a rapid pace, it’s important to make sure you get the big things right and recover from the smaller hiccups as quickly as possible. You founded ACHICA in the years following the financial meltdown of 2007-8. Did that put any restrictions on your plans for the lifestyle brand? Not really – if anything, customers were more receptive to our business model which makes high-quality top brands more accessible. They’re extremely savvy. It’s very interesting when we speak to them to find that they love us because they enjoy the thrill of a bargain – they revel in getting a quality brand at an exceptional price. The majority of our customers are extremely affluent and have the ability to shop anywhere, but they choose ACHICA as they have confidence in their own tastes and enjoy using us as a resource to create a beautiful home.

What would you say have been the business’s defining moments? Reaching four million members was a pretty amazing milestone, as is our fifth birthday which we’re celebrating this year. What can we expect from the brand in the future? We’re supporting home-grown British design. As part of our fifth birthday celebrations we’re sponsoring the May Design Series and New Design Britain accessories category. Later this year we will be launching a ‘pop-up’ shop on the website, highlighting the five finalists of the category and their wonderful homeware products. Have you been inspired by anyone particularly in the business world? Chris Gent, CEO of Vodafone is a big inspiration to me. As a financial PR and consultant in my early career I worked with Chris and rated him highly as he took Vodafone from a small telecoms company in Newbury to the largest telecoms company in the world. What advice would you give to someone who is considering starting their own company? Have patience and make sure you have the right people around you. What luxury brands and styles do you admire? I love Heals, The Conran Shop and Scandinavian design – simple, classic, elegant lines. (achica.com) - 17 -

FULHAM Residents’ Journal

A spotlight on... Fulham & Chelsea Women’s Institute

WI members at the

AGM in 1965

Fulham Residents’ Journal catches up with the Fulham & Chelsea Women’s institute to talk jam, cakes and its current campaign

‘L

istening to thousands of women singing Jerusalem at the AGM sent shivers down my spine. It reinforces the rich heritage of the WI, the sense of belonging and I find it both humbling as well as inspiring. It makes me proud to be president of the Fulham & Chelsea WI and part of this great organisation,’ says Toto James. The Women’s Institute was originally formed in 1915 to revitalise rural communities and encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War, but it’s come so far since then. For some the phrase ‘Women’s Institute’, may conjure up images of cheeky-looking, half-naked women with perfectly positioned teacups and cakes to keep hold of their dignity. However, there’s much more to the fearless female societies than calendars; its 100-year history speaks volumes of its character and courage. Traditionally, WIs were based in rural areas and therefore there’s no London federation technically; but there has been a growing interest in

This image

urban areas. With more than 50 groups in the capital alone, London is definitely spearheading the trend for new groups and Fulham is at the helm of the movement; it was the original London branch set up in 2003, providing a blueprint for WIs to come. As a member for seven years and president for almost three, it’s safe to announce Toto enjoys being part of the community group. ‘I can truly say that during my time I have thoroughly enjoyed my role within Fulham & Chelsea WI, which has constantly remained a supportive and welcoming group of friends,’ she says. The members meet up on monthly basis at The Hollywood Arms, just off Fulham Road. ‘I believe that the ethos of WI has remained in inspiring community spirit and allowing a forum for it to flourish. For example, together with The Hollywood Arms and the Fulham Good Neighbours, we set up a monthly get-together for local elderly residents to meet, called the Silver Club, and as keen supporters of this club we bake cakes for them to enjoy.’ Toto explains. But it’s not all about eating sweet delights

and left: Ch

elsea & Fulha

- 18 -

m WI

and chatting; Toto believes that the WI plays a special role in providing women with educational opportunities and the chance to build new skills. Located in Oxfordshire is Denman College, the WI’s own residential and day adult education college. It’s set in a charming Georgian mansion and surrounded by 17 acres of immaculate grounds which ‘provide the perfect atmosphere for learning’ says Toto. Named after the first National Federation for Women’s Institutes (NFWI) chairman,

Living in London allows us to enjoy some amazing galleries and exhibitions Lady Denman, the college offers a variety of courses, from learning how to write your life-story to tailoring lessons, calligraphy to pâté making. However, back in London, the Fulham & Chelsea WI’s calendar is so jam-packed (literally in some cases), but they still managed to enjoy a wonderful day at Denman College. ‘Living here allows us to enjoy some amazing galleries and exhibitions,’ says Toto; but the members don’t spend all day sauntering around the many culture centres of the capital, they also partake in Thames beachcombing, Thai cookery classes and fencing lessons. ‘The programme is guided by what our members would like to do,’ Toto tells me, and it’s clear they’re a very diverse bunch.

0. This ation centre in 194 Wartime fruit preserv y of The National rtes cou t righ and image, top ’s Institutes Federation of Women

The 1983 Wo

men in Comm

‘The WI has a long history of campaigning on a wide range of issues, which has led to a reputation as a practical and ambitious organisation that doesn’t shy away from tricky issues,’ Toto reveals. Every year WI members have the chance to put forward issues as ‘resolutions’ that they want to see the national body campaign on. Resolutions go through a year-long consultation before a final list is made to take forward for discussion at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the summer. If passed, these then become mandates and form the basis of campaigning and awareness raising activities in the years ahead. On the NFWI’s agenda currently, is the Time to Talk About Organ Donation campaign, which is urging all members to reach out to families, friends and the local community to get them talking and thinking about organ donation. The WI aims to increase the chances of a transplant being possible for the 7,000 people on the waiting list. From its first campaign in 1921, advising women to partake in jury service and later urging the government to open up jury service to all, to the More Midwives campaign in 2012 which called for urgent action to resource maternity services and improve quality of care, and also led to NHS England announcing a major review of the facilities, it’s clear that there’s so much more to the WI than jam and Jerusalem. To find out more about Fulham & Chelsea Women’s Institute, visit fulhamchelseawi.org

unity campaig n

- 19 -

FULHAM Residents’ Journal

food & drink Warning: the following may make you hungry

REVIEW

EXCEPTIONAL TASTE The Imperial has had a makeover and its new menu is perfect for anyone who knows that they’re hungry but isn’t sure what to eat, writes Tom Hagues

hen you walk through the doors of The Imperial, it’s hard to ignore the smart simplicity of its décor. Off-white paint teamed with the rich dark-browns of wooden table tops is a safe choice that pays off, creating a naturally relaxed ambience in which diners can sample the new menu. Some people suffer from the terrible affliction of not being able to decide what to order when confronted with a menu. This results in the panicked flapping of hands when the waiter

appears, the enquiring as to what other people are ordering and the frenzied scanning of everything available and choosing something at random. Helpfully, The Imperial’s menu has plenty to offer in neatly separated categories, meaning anyone at a loss will be able to find something that gets their taste-buds dancing. This happened to me after I’d panicked at the choice and asked my fellow diners what they were all having, I settled for the grilled mackerel starter (exceptionally done and accompanied

by onion foam and egg crumble) and the pork shoulder, which came served on a black pudding purée with a beer and pearl barley jus. It was a dish of savoury punch, which was delightful, but the side order of sweet, crunchy purple-sprouting broccoli was a welcome break from the saltiness. The others chose The Imperial’s burger; a big hunk of meat covered in smoked cheddar and charred shallot mayo between shiny brioche buns. It’s a classic and was received well by those who ate it. Desserts came in the form of a peanut butter cheesecake and a caramelised white chocolate ice cream, which also received mass approval. This new menu, in all of its ingenuity, was devised by new head chef Jason Lee Cole and sous chef Ollie Quench. The pair have brought their experience to The Imperial and have matched it with internationally inspired dishes using only locally sourced produce. The Imperial has also had its garden revamped and it’s now an extension of the interior, with communal tables and comfy sofas dotted around. Additionally, gardener Charles Dowson and the head chef Jason have created a vegetable garden, giving new meaning to the phrase ‘locally-sourced produce’. The Imperial, 577 King’s Road, SW6 2EH, 020 7736 6081 (the-imperial.co.uk)

- 20 -

Hear her raw

Tanya Mah

Is there more to the raw food lifestyle than celery sticks and cucumber? Bethan Rees meets the woman who’s taking the movement by storm as she opens her second raw food café in Fulham

aw food is no longer the reserve of a novelty lunch date à la Sex and The City, or embodied by a customary sushi restaurant; it’s a lifestyle that’s taken hold of people on both sides of the Atlantic. Forget steak tartare, think fruits and vegetables that haven’t been heated over 118°F. The raw food movement is thought to have originated in the mid-1970s, inspired by Viktoras Kulvinskas’ Survival into the 21st Century; a book that claimed our diet could resolve physical disorders and extend our lifespan through eating uncooked foods, as heat-processing allegedly destroys digestionassistant enzymes and creates tissuedamaging toxins. Fast-forward to 2015 in the capital and there’s an abundance of 100 per cent raw food eateries. One of the people at the helm of the crusade is Tanya Maher, who has just opened her second café in Parsons Green and has worked as a professional wellness coach for half a decade. ‘There’s been a massive change since I arrived in London five years ago; raw food has become a lifestyle, not a diet,’ she says. Tanya was first introduced to the idea of raw food at 14, after a near-fatal car crash. She was left with a broken back and a badly bruised and damaged pancreas,

which doctors wanted to remove. However, her parents chose to go against medical advice and instead opted for a holistic path to recovery. ‘I wasn’t getting any better at the hospital, because my body rejected all the food. Eventually, all I could tolerate was soothing mint tea, healing manuka honey and raw vegetable juice,’ she explains. Her first café in Chelsea boasts superfood cocktails and raw versions of popular indulgent dishes such as curries, nachos and burgers. However, her new venture offers more of a ‘juice bar’ experience. In collaboration with a new spinning studio, Ride Republic, you can visit for a cold-pressed organic juice, a smoothie or a raw vegan protein snack for the perfect post-workout treat. ‘We had so many people popping into the Chelsea site to grab a juice or a medicinal mushroom latte that we decided it was time to open an on-the-go version,’ she enlightens. Tanya’s passion for this lifestyle is obvious: ‘Raw food is important for life. It contains everything you need to thrive and it promotes good digestion, healthy skin, hair and nails.’ But what’s her advice for the naysayers and sceptics? ‘Just try it for one day and see for yourself; you’ll feel so much better.’ 709 Fulham Road, SW6 5UL, 020 7736 7495 (riderepublic.co.uk) - 21 -

FULHAM Residents’ Journal

Planet of the

grapes

In celebration of London Wine Week (18-24 May), Bethan Rees (happily) steps in to the stainless steel haven that is London Cru, London’s first urban winery, and finds out there’s so much more to wine than just grapes

‘W

ine is one of the most civilised things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing,’ Ernest Hemingway once mused, and what better place to enjoy the magic of the grapevine but in the capital? London Wine Week is back for its second year this month to celebrate London’s thriving wine scene with pop-ups, masterclasses, wine tours and tastings at various venues, including London Cru, the capital’s first winery. Alex McNair, winery assistant, welcomes me in to the industrial-looking former gin distillery-turned-winery tucked away down an alley in SW6. Surrounded by stainless-steel tanks and rows of old oak barrels, the winery certainly looks like the real deal. Using state-of-the-art equipment and only the best grapes sourced from European vineyards, London Cru aims

to embody the ‘Made in London’ spirit. ‘We felt that with so many talented people creating world-class craft beers and spirits in London, it was time to do the same with wine,’ says Alex. Like many of the best ideas, the concept for London Cru was born in a pub; The Atlas on Fulham’s Seagrave Road to be precise. A conversation between Adam Green (general manager at London Cru and business development director for London-based independent wine specialist Roberson Wine), and Gavin Monery (Australian winemaker at London Cru) about Gavin’s time in winemaking led to this prevailing ideology: if quality wines were still attainable after grapes had been off the vine for 18 hours, as Gavin had experienced in Australia, what is to stop someone doing the same thing in Europe? After researching, the pair discovered that grapes could be transported crosscountry in refrigerated trucks for up to five days which would theoretically take London Cru to southern Greece and North

- 22 -

Left, above and below left:

Photography by Ian Stirli ng

Africa; they’ve not come close to this range yet, though. Utilising the Roberson Wine warehouse for the space and with investment from Cliff Roberson, managing director and founder of Roberson Wine, and Will Tomlinson, an entrepreneur and a friend of Adam, the idea of London Cru was made a reality by summer 2013, with its first wines being produced that autumn. But is this just another trendy London, dare I say it, gimmick à la Cereal Killer Café? ‘The majority of people have really got behind the project. Any mutterings of

the g-word are often put to bed when sceptics try our wines,’ Alex assures me. I wanted to find out more about the process behind the wine, having tasted a few of the bottles; how does London Cru take the grape from the vineyard to the bottle? Alex happily enlightens me. The grapes are currently sourced from Languedoc-Roussillon (France), Piedmont (Italy) Calatayud (Spain) and most excitingly, Bacchus grapes from Sandhurst Vineyards in Kent. ‘The 2014 [vintage] was one of the best in living memory and

- 23 -

FULHAM Residents’ Journal

presented the best opportunity to produce a truly English wine,’ Alex describes animatedly. The process starts in the vineyard, working with growers to produce healthy grapes for elegant, balanced wines with natural acidity. Alex explains, ‘the harvest date is crucial’. Harvesting is done by hand to avoid damage and once the grapes arrive in Fulham, they’re sorted to ensure only the fruits in top condition are used. ‘As every batch is different, our approach changes depending on the grape’s flavour profile and the style of wine we hope to make,’ he says. They do this by analysing on arrival, measuring the sugar, acidity and nutrients in the juice. The chardonnay grapes are pressed into a juice and held in steel tanks for 12-24 hours, and the partially clarified juice is transferred to old French oak barrels. Here, the primary fermentation begins

Above and top

: Photography

The chardonnay grapes are pressed to a juice and held in steel tanks for 12-24 hours before the second fermentation, where selected bacteria converts the tart-tasting malic acid to a softer lactic acid, prior to ageing the wine in a barrel for about eight months. Grapes destined for red wines go through the de-stemming machine and whole fruits are moved to an open-topped fermentation tank for up to three weeks to macerate, which extracts colour and tannin

by Ian Stirling

from the skins and seeds. Once the fermentation is complete, the wine is settled in a tank for between one and five days before going in the oak barrels to await bottling. You can try some of London Cru’s beautiful produce across the capital, but if you fancy staying local, it’s stocked at the Harwood Arms and Fulham Wine Rooms, or simply visit the winery itself for a tasting session. For something a little more handson, the ‘winemaker for a day’ course is run at the winery. Where does Alex see the future of London Cru heading? ‘The success of urban wineries relies solely on the quality of wine produced and we strongly believe that we have created a solid first vintage with our second year of production showing off some truly special wines,’ he illuminates. ‘We expect to keep our core-lineup whilst branching out to more esoteric varieties and regions across Europe.’ Cheers to that, and to plenty more years of Fulham-made wine. 21-27 Seagrave Road, London SW6 1RP, 020 7381 7871 (londoncru.co.uk)

- 24 -

Parson’s Nose FA MI LY BU TCHERS www.parsonsnose.co.uk SOUTH KENSINGTON 165 OLD BROMPTON ROAD SW5 0LJ 020 7835 0662

FULHAM 753 FULHAM ROAD SW6 5UU 020 7736 4492

PUTNEY 88 LOWER RICHMOND ROAD SW15 1LL 020 7788 6160

FULHAM Residents’ Journal

health & beauty Look and feel your best this month with a visit to a local salon

Hair to the throne

Bethan Rees is well and truly pampered to princess standards at La Durbin Boutique Salon

y locks are my crowning glory; ever since winning the ‘Best Hair’ award in my sixth form yearbook, I’ve become very devoted to looking after my tresses with regular trips to the hairdresser to keep them healthy. However, this had not always been the case. For years, salons had evoked a fear within me. Perhaps it was the childhood memory of being frogmarched by my mother to the local coiffeur after giving myself a DIY haircut, when I was just six; or maybe it was the countless later-life recollections of having my long hair hacked off, about seven inches more than previously agreed with the stylist. Of course, in this situation, I didn’t say anything aside from ‘it looks lovely,’ because that would be characteristically not British of me. I had no fear though when I visited Fulham’s La Durbin Boutique Salon, a favourite with celebrities such as the Made in Chelsea crew; Latifa Durbin, owner of the salon, will make you feel like royalty. The chandeliers, boudoirstyle furnishings and rustic mirrors bring a slice of Paris to Fulham Palace Road and make a charming change from the sometimes soulless, modern salons in the capital. With a glass of bubbly in my hand, Latifa starts to work her magic. After mutually agreeing to cut a couple of inches off the length, I move to the massage chair to have

my hair shampooed. With both eyes shut, my head being rubbed by Latifa and my body being soothed by the chair, I almost drift off. Back to reality and in to the cutting chair, I want a voluminous blow-dry and, boy, do I get one. Using big round brushes, she rolls and secures them in my hair, leaving them in for a short while to ensure maximum bounciness. Although I may appear as though I’ve been dragged backwards through a bush of brushes, the results are undeniable; a perfectly big blow-dry. Next time I visit I’ll be sure to try - 26 -

out the salon’s new signature style – the Chelsea Glam Wave – which gives hair a Hollywood-esque, 70s-style finish, so you can look like the vintage sirens hanging on the wall of the salon; think Sophia Loren, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor. And with a new make-up counter from cosmetic brand Delilah – loved by beauty bloggers such as Pixiwoo and Caroline Hirons – La Durbin Boutique Salon really is a onestop shop before a night out. As I leave the salon, I thank Latifa and say, ‘my hair looks lovely’. And this time, I mean it. La Durbin Boutique Salon, 339 Fulham Palace Road, SW6 6TD, 020 3302 3973 (ladurbin.com)

Parent Trap: Nappy Valley Net NappyValleyNet.com has become an online sensation in the four years since founder Susan Hanage, aka. Annabel, launched it, with more than 130,000 visits to the site every month. An invaluable tool for parents based in south-west London who are seeking to swap tips and share advice, we’ve teamed up to post some of the most pressing topics posted on the site

What is your dining room used for in your terrace house? We are about to extend the side return in our mid-terrace house. Our current dining room sometimes feels like it’s a wasted space without a real purpose other than as a walk-through to the large kitchen-diner, so we want to avoid that at all costs. Any suggestions or ideas we could consider would be much appreciated. Top replies: Fri 13 Feb, 2015 2.19pm

Fri 13 Feb, 2015 2.25pm Most houses I’ve seen use that space as a playroom – to keep the children’s stuff out of the kitchen and front reception room. I wouldn’t take away that option even if you don’t have small children – a future buyer may! Other uses I’ve seen for the side return room are: a TV snug (so the front room is smarter and TV-free); a study with lots of bookshelves; a grand piano (seriously!); and a dining room (but hardly ever). Mon 16 Feb, 2015 1.06pm We knocked down the back wall to make it open-plan with the kitchen. The area by the patio windows at the back of the kitchen has a sofa and is essentially the kids’ play area. This works well for us because it means none of the space is wasted and it feels huge.

Shall we get a dog? I’m thinking about getting a dog for the family. We have two children over the age of six and I’m looking into different breeds. I’m leaning towards an English springer spaniel, but my biggest concern (aside from never having owned a dog before) is what to do with the dog if we go away for several weeks in the summer as we have in the past. Should I consider not getting a dog if we don’t want to sacrifice our summers abroad?

conscious that he’s home alone when I’m out and that can be a big inconvenience, which you need to factor into your decision. Mon 9 Feb, 2015 7.43pm You could maybe ‘borrow’ a doggy to help make up your mind whether or not to get one of your own. My friend has two dogs and a ‘borrower’ who takes the dogs some weekends and looks after them for free when she is on holiday. It’s win-win!

Top replies: Sun 1 Feb, 2015 9.55pm

Mon 16 Feb, 2015 1.40pm

We got a cockapoo just over a year ago when my children were 18 months and three years old. They adore him and he adds so much to our family. We are lucky in that every overseas holiday we have had, he has gone to neighbours or friends. We have a rota of who to ask as everyone wants him! He has been left for six/seven hours before and has been asleep on the sofa when we get back (very rarely do we leave him for that long and only if taking him isn’t an option) so we’re lucky, but I’m always

Springer spaniels are lots of fun, but they are also very intelligent and need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation – they like to work. Maybe take a look at a cockapoo or miniature schnauzer. They are both good ‘London’ dogs and could be ideal for your first experience. I would be more than happy for you to come on my daily dog walk with a few different breeds so you can check them out and have a chat about becoming a dog owner.

- 27 -

All threads from NappyValleyNet.com; users’ names have been omitted to protect individuals’ identities and although opinions have not been altered, posts have been edited in line with the Residents’ Journal house style

We left half of the dining room as our living room and created a utility room and a downstairs loo with the other half; we love the layout. We have a good size eat-in kitchen, a front lounge and a place to hide the piles of laundry! It really works for us.

FULHAM Residents’ Journal

RESIDENTS’ CULTURE A forum for residents’ concerns and activities

PlumÕs the word Belinda Donovan meets Karen Adams of Fulham’s Café Plum to discuss her café course and finds out what it takes to run a successful business

afé Plum is somewhat if you work for yourself, you’ll have a of a south-west London passion for what you do and you’ll be institution, selling beautiful much more motivated. What makes homemade cakes and the day really special is that partakers Karen Adam sandwiches to 3,000 customers a gain inside knowledge from an s week. The independent family-run industry veteran with tips that you business, headed up by Karen Adams could only truly learn from running a and her husband Ben Smith, opened business yourself. experience for its original site in Fulham in 1998. The one-day course’s legacy is aspiring café owners. However, before this they started apparent; more than 20 cafés have As I leave Café Plum having had out with a quaint tearoom in Devon. opened as a direct response. Some one of the best cappuccinos I’ve tasted Following the success of their in a very long time, I’m filled first café in SW6, they opened with nostalgia, thinking back The one-day course’s legacy the second branch six years ago is apparent; more than 20 cafés have to when I started my own café in Hammersmith and the third in Oxford. I wish I could’ve opened as a direct response in Bedford House, near Putney had Karen mentoring me and Bridge station, in 2012, which is giving me tips back then! the perfect catchment area for hungry people realise that the industry isn’t and thirsty commuters. for them, but they’re happy to have The course is at Café Plum Fulham, When I meet Karen, I’m found that out without having had 89 Munster Road, SW6 6AW and runs from particularly intrigued by the one-day their fingers burned; so it really is 9.30am-5.30pm and costs £275 + VAT per café course she runs, as I opened one a win-win situation and a worthy person, 020 7381 2344 (cafeplum.com) for the dons and postgraduates of University of Oxford when I was 19! Participants learn step-by-step how a business like Café Plum works, from legal obligations to profit making. Karen, who has worked in restaurants and was previously a maître d’ in the West End, explains that the key to running a successful enterprise is getting costings right, as well as the location; high footfall is essential for the success of a café so considering tourist-heavy areas and travel hubs is a good idea. Some people enter the café business without fully realising just how much work it is. Karen’s course is a great opportunity to learn this the easy way. She tells me that a ‘good business head’ is key and that - 28 -

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT Structural changes in the area

Planning Applications DATE REGISTERED: 7 April ADDRESS: Filmer Road PROPOSAL: Continued use of the first-floor level as a two-bedroom selfcontained flat. Also, continued use of the second-floor and loft-floor level as a four-bedroom, self-contained flat DATE REGISTERED: 8 April ADDRESS: Munster Road PROPOSAL: Erection of a rear roof extension and an additional rear extension on the second-floor level on top of the existing back addition. Also, excavation of the front garden to form a lightwell in the new basement DATE REGISTERED: 9 April ADDRESS: New King’s Road PROPOSAL: Erection of a single-storey rear extension to the side and rear of the existing back addition, along with the installation of a new window to the side of the single-storey back addition. Plus, change of use of a part of the groundfloor from retail (Class A1) into a onebedroom, self-contained flat (Class C3)

Fulham Centre

Changing colour One of Fulham’s most recognised buildings, the Fulham Centre at 20 Fulham Broadway, is set to be extended and given a colour change. Home to Barclays Bank, Barnard Marcus and Universal Music Publishing, the building currently has a highly distinctive green-glazed lift and pink exterior. However, the owners have submitted an application for partial demolition of the existing building façades to enable the erection of a double-height, single-storey lobby extension and an extension up to sixstoreys high plus a new roof terrace and entrance lobby. Plans also include changing the colour of the external render of the building to white. The aims of the proposal are to improve access and quality of existing office accommodation, introduce new and extended retail units and to encourage pedestrian activity along Vanston Place. The sculpture sitting outside the building, Clarion by Phillip King, was specially commissioned and designed for the site and will remain in its current position. (romulusconstruction.com)

Planned roadworks and closures in and around May STREET

PLANNED WORK

DATES

WORKS OWNER

Bishop’s Road

New customer connection: lay gas service approximately two metres in footway

26-29 May

Fabian Road

Sewer failure: works intended to include first time permanent reinstatement within the same phase

5-18 May

Fulcrum Pipelines Limited 0845 641 3010 Thames Water 0845 920 0800

St Dionis Road

To lay duct on behalf of Vodafone

11-24 May

- 29 -

Vodafone Group 0333 304 0191

FULHAM Residents’ Journal

the directory Whether whim or wish, all of the essentials are taken care of in our round up for harmonious living

ESTATE AGENTS Douglas & Gordon 656 Fulham Road 020 7731 4391

333 Fulham Palace Road 020 7993 9888

Goss & Co. 666 Fulham Road 020 7751 8326

Strutt & Parker 701 Fulham Road 020 7731 7100

Breteuil 280 Fulham Road 020 7351 6308 Knight Frank 203 New King’s Road 020 7751 2400

Savills 191 New King’s Road 020 7731 9400 and 423 Fulham Palace Road 020 7578 9050

Marsh & Parsons 103-105 Moore Park Road 020 7736 9822 and

Winkworth Fulham and Parsons Green 40 New King’s Road 020 7731 3388

Chestertons ‘Three offices – one great postcode’ 78 New King’s Road 020 7731 4448 Sullivan Thomas Bishops Park 361 Fulham Palace Road Sales: 020 7731 3333 Lettings: 020 7751 8898 and Parsons Green 783 Fulham Road Sales: 020 7751 8899 Lettings: 020 7751 8898

PROPERTY SEARCH AGENT Penn Holmes London Ltd ‘SW6 ladies Katie and Francesca specialise in buying properties for their clients here in Fulham.’ 55 Langthorne Street 07884 180480 07989 746499

FASHION Essam Guenedy 273 New King’s Road 020 7751 3348

Marc Wallace 261 New King’s Road 020 7736 6795

Katie & Jo 253 New King’s Road 020 7736 5304

Iceblu 24a New King’s Road 020 7371 9292

Claudia Sebire 136 Fulham Road 020 7835 1327

Mania Mia 307 New King’s Road 020 3441 1003

Natasha Coote 173 New King’s Road 020 7371 7526

HEALTH & BEAUTY BEAUTY

Space NK 205 New King’s Road 020 7736 6728

hair salon Gina Conway 612 Fulham Road 020 7731 7633

pharmacy

Palace Pharmacy 331 Fulham Palace Road 020 7736 3034

- 30 -

barber

Crew Experience 911 Fulham Road 020 3010 1096

HOME ARCHITECTS

Hogarth Architects Ltd 186 Dawes Road 020 7381 3409

INTERIOR DESIGN

tiling

WOOD FLOORING

Alice Leigh Design

Porcelanosa

12 Parkville Road 07801 823953 (aliceleigh.co.uk)

Wandsworth Bridge Road 08444 818952 (porcelanosa.com)

Bembé UK Ltd ‘German craft since 1780.’ 315-317 New King’s Road 07794 906621

schools & nurseries Chelsea Independent College 517-523 Fulham Road 020 7610 1114

Godolphin and Latymer School Iffley Road 020 8741 1936

Latymer Upper School 237 King Street 020 8629 2024

Parsons Green Prep (formerly Eridge House) 1 Fulham Park Road 020 7371 9009

Hurlingham and Chelsea School Peterborough Road 020 7731 2581

L’Ecole des Petits 2 Hazlebury Road 020 7371 8350

Fulham Cross Girls’ School Munster Road 020 7381 0861

Kensington Prep School 596 Fulham Road 020 7731 9300

Millie’s House Nursery & Pre-School 163 New King’s Road 020 7731 0440

Fulham Prep School 200 Greyhound Road 020 7386 2444

Lady Margaret School Parsons Green 020 7736 7138

Parayhouse School New King’s Road 020 7751 0914

essentials builder William Gaze Ltd. Basement, Loft and Extension Specialist 28 Imperial Square 020 7078 8874 (williamgazeltd.com)

butcher Parsons Nose 752 Fulham Road 020 7736 4492 (parsonsnose.co.uk)

plumber

Sinclair House School 159 Munster Road 020 7736 9182 The London Oratory School Seagrave Road 020 7385 0102

Cranbrook Nursery 344-346 Fulham Palace Road 020 7381 9523 (cranbrooknursery.co.uk)

luxury services EVENTS

Sweetapple Heating & Plumbing ‘Local Gas Safe registered plumbing and heating engineers, offering a 24 hour service’

Addoastra ‘Events that leave a legacy’ Party planning, event styling and concierge services 020 3689 4585 (addoastra.com)

130 Stephendale Road 020 7371 0409 07889 184146 (sweetappleplumbing.co.uk)

Zest Events 2 Swan Mews 020 7384 9336 (zestevents.com)

- 31 -

stationer

Perry’s 777 Fulham Road 020 7736 7225

travel

The Ultimate Travel Co. 25-27 Vanston Place 020 3627 6264

Florist

Mystique Flowers 57a Fulham High Street 020 7371 5888

FULHAM Residents’ Journal

property watch An expert shines a light on local property news

This image and below: A property on Molesford Road at £3,750,000 (Photos: Rob Cadman)

Sale away

Bethan Rees meets Emma Stead, head of Savills’ Fulham sales teams, to discuss the area’s changing demographic and an exciting new development

nside a beautiful, newly refurbished and furnished-toperfection house just off New King’s Road, Emma Stead, head of sales in Savills’ Fulham offices, sits on the impeccable sofa as if it was a throne. And quite rightly so; she’s been in SW6 for 20 years and she’s gained a somewhat royal reputation, a sales crown if you will. A long-term

resident of the area, not too far from where we convene, she’s been part of the Savills team in Fulham since the George Stead acquisition in 1996 and now heads up the Bishop’s Park and Parsons Green sales departments, the first of which is relatively new having opened just two years ago. However, in more recent news, Savills has just launched its Buy-to- 32 -

Let department, bringing in Ben Newman as a specialist. The team will assist investors interested in lettings investments across London’s prime residential property markets; provide guidance and advice and also identify suitable investment opportunities for the prospective purchaser. This works for Fulham, as Emma supports: ‘There are a lot

of Buy-to-Let properties in the area, to really put their own stamp on the links to central London, a garden especially below the £2million price property; with the appearance of a and a variety of parks, here offers bracket.’ She also explains that a New York loft, the characteristically that,’ she says. lot of these deals have been made high ceilings give the space a light Having lived in the area for two pre-election, mostly around the and airy feel. However, Savills is also decades, Emma has certainly been £1million mark. marketing phase two which features a witness to the area transforming. Due to the prospective mansion five mews houses which are set to be ‘I’ve seen the area modify, especially tax, Emma explains that the top-end ‘fully developed’ and ‘kitted-out’, as in the last five years it’s changed of the market sales have been a little Emma explains. exponentially, for the better. South more subdued, but this is no news ‘People are moving less often Park feels like you’re in the middle of to the SW6 veteran. ‘This happens due to the increase in stamp Paris!’ she laughs. ‘It’s also become every election year. Properties over duty,’ says Emma. ‘Many are now a lot more family orientated, there £2million are selling, they’re just digging out their basement and are so many kindergartens now,’ she taking longer,’ she states with every extending into the roof allowing adds. ‘There’s also a lot of dogs! I ounce of authority. When asked to them to stay in the house for much quite often go to houses now where back this up, Emma comes through longer, increasing the value of the there’s at least one canine – that with a show-stopper response. house without spending as much never used to happen!’ she says. ‘Last year, we did a huge sale in money as it would cost to move,’ Emma tells me that the demographic Fulham. It was on the market in Fulham has also changed at £16million, backing on to dramatically. ‘There are a lot This has lent Fulham Hurlingham Park.’ more media-type people living to become the diverse, cultured But can they beat this sale in the area now, more artistic and eclectic neighbourhood in 2015? Savills currently has a people too. It’s nice to have a property for £23million, also mixture of people,’ she tells that it is today backing on to Hurlingham me. This has lent Fulham Park, one of the most desirable and she continues. But what about the to become the diverse, cultured finest addresses in the area. ‘It’s a people who are moving to SW6, and and eclectic neighbourhood that it very iconic house as Prince Ernst of why are they making that choice? is today; surely that can only be a Hanover lived there until he sold it Emma enlightens me that buyers positive thing. when he married Princess Caroline come from the neighbouring areas Savills Fulham Bishop’s Park, of Monaco.’ The low-built detached of Kensington and Chelsea because 423 Fulham Palace Road, SW6 6SX, mansion has the façade of a villa in they ‘don’t want to live in pokey 020 7578 9050; Savills Fulham Parsons the south of France, less-so a cosy boxes anymore,’ as Emma puts it. Green, 191 New King’s Road, SW6 4SW, family home; with underground ‘Fulham’s half the price, so if you’re 020 7731 9400 (savills.co.uk) parking for 10-12 cars, staff quarters a family and you want good transport and a swimming pool, it certainly Emma Stead (Photo: Rob Cadman) won’t be an understated purchase. Fulham is currently awash with new developments, from Sands End to Fulham Reach, but one of the more exciting launches comes in the form of an Edwardian laundry factory. The Loud & Western building was originally built in the 19th century, and during World War II, it began the first of Fulham’s community activities as a sandbagging centre run by volunteers at the height of The Blitz. The development by Verve Properties, who has worked with unusual buildings with industrial heritage previously, includes a first phase of four houses at the front, designed as ‘shells’, which means the exterior restoration has been completed but the interior is left clean, raw and open-plan for a buyer - 33 -

savills.co.uk

1 FANTASTIC UPPER MAISONETTE WITH VIEWS OVER BISHOPS PARK fulham palace road, sw6 Open plan reception room/dining room/kitchen ø 2 bedrooms ø bathroom ø roof terrace ø 79 sq m (850 sq ft) ø EPC=C

Savills Fulham Sarah Lloyd sjlloyd@savills.com

020 7731 9420 Guide £775,000 Leasehold, approximately 988 years remaining plus Share of Freehold

savills.co.uk

1 A SUPERB INTERIOR DESIGNED HOUSE FULL OF LIGHT AND CHARACTER hestercombe avenue, sw6 Reception room ø dining room ø kitchen/breakfast room ø 5 bedrooms ø 3 bathrooms ø cloakroom ø utility room ø garden ø 263 sq m (2,831 sq ft) ø EPC=D

Savills Fulham Rosalind Watson rwatson@savills.com

020 7731 9420 Guide £3.15 million Freehold

savills.co.uk

LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY

DESIRABLE SPLIT LEVEL APARTMENT WITH ROOF TERRACE oxberry avenue, sw6 2 bedrooms ø open plan reception room/kitchen ø 2 bathrooms ø roof terrace ø split level ø 114 sq m (1,231 sq ft) ø Council Tax=D ø EPC=D

Savills Fulham Kate Rotheram krotheram@savills.com

020 7578 9051 Unfurnished £650 per week + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply* *£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 dependent on the property size and whether furnished/unfurnished. For more details, visit www.savills.co.uk/fees.

savills.co.uk

LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY

FAMILY HOUSE IN THE POPULAR 'VILLES' AREA OF FULHAM parkville road, sw6 4 bedrooms ø reception room with wooden floors ø kitchen ø 2 bathrooms ø patio garden ø 134.15 sq m (1,444 sq ft) ø Council Tax=F ø EPC=D

Savills Fulham Milly Webb mwebb@savills.com

020 7731 2692 Unfurnished £875 per week + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply* *£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 dependent on the property size and whether furnished/unfurnished. For more details, visit www.savills.co.uk/fees.

Grade II listed, stylish and minimal throughout Matching people and property in London for 150 years.

Fernhurst Road SW6 ÂŁ2,695,000 This stunning terraced house is set in a picturesque, tree lined street and is presented in immaculate condition throughout, boasting fantastic living and entertaining space. EPC=D

Bishops Park: 020 7993 9888 sales.bis@marshandparsons.co.uk

Acfold Road SW6 ÂŁ2,485,000 An impressive five-bedroom mid terrace house with a south west facing garden, offering spacious and well balanced accommodation, positioned on the desirable Peterborough Estate. Freehold. EPC=D

Fulham: 020 7736 9822 sales.ful@marshandparsons.co.uk

Rannoch Road W6 ÂŁ1,495,000 A stunning, newly refurbished family home located in the popular Crabtree Estate, close to the amenities of Hammersmith Broadway and with easy access to the River Thames. Freehold. EPC=E

Bishops Park: 020 7993 9888 sales.bis@marshandparsons.co.uk

Fulham Palace Road SW6 ÂŁ2,500 per week Finished to an exceptional standard with no expense spared, this superb family home provides spacious and luxurious living in an excellent location close to the River Thames. EPC=D

Bishops Park: 020 7993 9888 lets.bis@marshandparsons.co.uk

Moore Park Road SW6 ÂŁ925 per week An incredible, recently refurbished two bedroom apartment offering well balanced accommodation with many design features and a private patio area, superbly located on the Chelsea/Fulham border. EPC=D

Fulham: 020 7736 9822 lets.ful@marshandparsons.co.uk

WHAT'S YOUR NEXT MOVE? To find out how we can help you or to arrange your complimentary market appraisal please contact us: KnightFrank.co.uk/fulham fulham@knightfrank.com 020 7751 2400

Guide price: £1,850,000

The Piper Building, Fulham SW6 A beautifully presented warehouse style apartment. Master bedroom with en suite bathroom, 3 further bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen, study area, guest WC, balcony, parking, 24 hour porter and security. EPC: B. Approximately 239.3 sq m (2,576 sq ft). Leasehold. fulham@knightfrank.com Office: 020 7751 2400

Guide price: £1,250,000

Vereker Road, Barons Court W14 An exquisite duplex apartment with a stunning south west facing garden. Master bedroom with en suite shower room, two further bedrooms, bathroom, reception room, kitchen, garden, storage vaults. EPC: C. Approximately 116.8 sq m (1,257 sq ft). Share of freehold. fulham@knightfrank.com Office: 020 7751 2400