The Transmitter Isssue 17

FREE

ISSUE 17 APR 2011

A SOUTH EAST LONDON MAGAZINE www.thetransmitter.co.uk

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT? Don't mess with fancy dress

Also It is about the

Ba-Bling Ba-Bling Jewellery at Rosebery's Auctioneers

ANY QUESTIONS? A podcast phenomenon COOL KIRKDALE? We sneak a peek at SE26

Plus

NEWS

FASHION

MUSIC

BOOKS

GARDENING

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“High quality teaching enhanced by

excellent pastoral care leads to high

academic achievement” Sydenham High School's most recent ISI Inspection Report

For personal tours please contact the Admissions team on

020 8557 7000 www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net Email: info@syd.gdst.net

15 Westwood Hill, Sydenham, London SE26 6BL

SYDENHAM HIGH JUNIOR SCHOOL

Independent education for girls aged 4 -11 New science and art rooms. New classrooms.

New playgrounds.

WELCOME TO THE APRIL ISSUE

Editor Andy Pontin

Writing Michael Eyre Hannah McEwen Jonathan Main Howard Male Annette Prosser Andrew Rumsey Mirabel Williams Sue Williams

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his issue hits the streets on 1 April, so we decided that 'foolishness' would be our theme. However, due to an impoverished imagination this idea wasn't really going anywhere and so, apart from a couple of people we forgot to tell (until now), we abandoned it.

On the plus side, this issue packed with all the stuff we know you like, so what the hell.

Enjoy the issue!

Ed.

Photography Andy Pontin Simon Sharville

Printing The Marstan Press Ltd

ANOTHER FOOL

Contact editor@thetransmitter.co.uk 020 8771 5543

The Transmitter is published by Transmission Publications Ltd

Cover Sam in Elizabeth Emanuel dress from Antoinette Costume Hire, www.costumehirelondon.com Hair by Fortyseven, www.fortysevenhair.co.uk Makeup by Lucy Young www.lucyyoungmakeup.com.

Photography by Andy Pontin

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Š simon sharville 2011

by economycustard.co.uk

CONTENTS FEATURES

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18 WHAT KIND OF FOOL AM I? Don't tempt me Howard...

20 ANY QUESTIONS? Hannah meets the folk behind a podcast phenomenon

22 HOW COOL IS KIRKDALE? Not a serious question, obviously, but they are nice people

26 FANCY DRESS? Sam dresses up at Antoinette Costume Hire in Kirkdale

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28 COUNT OF CRYSTALS We took some pictures of some mad jewellery at Rosebery's

regulars 19 POEMS FOR THE POEMLESS Rock and Rolling Reverend Rumsey Returns, but for how long?

32 GARDENING: PALACE PATCH Sue is keeping an eye out for frog porn (I think that's right)

36 RESTAURANT REVIEW: COSMOS Mib Williams has been to Croydon's pan-Asian behemoth

37 RESTAURANT REVIEW: URBAN ORIENT Hannah pops into our new favourite South East Asian restaurant

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40 WINE: THESE FOOLISH THINGS Michael has been drinking lots of nice wine

45 MUSIC: THERE’S A WORLD OUT THERE! Howard has been listening to lots of nice world music

42 BOOKS: THE BOOKSELLER Jonathan recommends lots of nice new books

46 WHAT'S ON But not what's not

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EMAIL US: community@thetransmitter.Co.Uk

LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS

stuff That is happening around these parts

MASTERPIECE A MONTH

EASTER CRAFT FAIR

The Dulwich Picture Gallery's Masterpiece a Month exhibition continues to mark their bicentenary celebrations. April will host El Greco’s The Vision of Saint John, while May will welcome Paolo Veronese’s Venere e Mercurio presentano a Giove Anteros ed Eros www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk

St John's Church on Penge High Street is holding an Easter Craft and Community Fair from 1-4pm on Saturday 9 April. Pop in for a vast array of local arts and crafts, some delicious treats (for adults, children and even pets), live entertainment for all ages, children's activities and a café with home-made cakes.

Suggested donation on entry is £1.

OPEN STUDIOS CONTROVERSY OVER bRomley approval FOR 'TEMPLE' IN CRYSTAL PALACE PARK There was new controversy this month when Bromley Council gave 'in principle' approval for a large religious structure to be built on land in Crystal Palace Park, on the 'top site', near to the bus garage.

Unable to gain planning permission to hold services in the building they currently occupy, the KUU, a religious organisation with links to the 'World Music' scene, has used its cash rich financial position to forward proposals for a vast glass building that is 'inspired' by the old Crystal Palace designed by Paxton.

Speaking of the controversy and the reaction by local residents, Pastor Male told us 'the KUU informs us that there is more to life than our blinkered, science-blunted sense organs and minds tell us. Two central tenets of the KUU are that one can doubt and one can laugh.

All we ask is that residents of the area bear these things in mind when considering our proposals for our new Crystal Palace.' www.kuu.org

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Feasting in West Norwood If you’ve seen the difference social enterprise people Space Makers made to Brixton, with its revamped Granville Arcade now teeming with independent shops and creative pop-ups, you’ll be excited to hear that their latest venture involves West Norwood. From April 3 you’ll be able to visit a big, new street market, FEAST, taking place every first Sunday of the month. There’ll be four sites encompassing delights for foodies and gardeners, as well as specialist artisan and retro areas, featuring clothing, furniture and homewares.

It’s that time of year again…the strawberries are sweet, the oranges tangy, the cucumber cool and the mint is swirling around the Pimms…. so why not join Catherine Shaw, Tine Bladbjerg and Lene Bladbjerg at their Open Studio weekend for a glass of Pimms, a view of their latest work and a chat with them about their bespoke dressmaking, jewellery design and fine art creations.

Open Studio weekend Friday 20 May 5-9pm and Saturday-Sunday 21-22 May 11am-5pm.

The Overspill 4 Coopers Yard Crystal Palace SE19 1TN www.allboneandtrimit.co.uk

But Space Makers is only part of the story: it’s the local people, working in tandem with the organisation, who have helped create something they themselves want for their hometown. With the support of its Council too (let’s hear it for Lambeth), FEAST will hopefully become a regular event West Norwoodians can all feel proud of.

Power to the People once again! www.westnorwoodfeast.com

The Overspill

SYDE N HAM

ARTS

FESTIVAL

Sydenham Arts FESTIVAL

A Proper Cup of Coffee

Sydenham Arts Festival returns for its third fantastic year with over 60 events between Friday 1 July and Sunday 17 July. This year the emphasis is on taking part in the arts, and the Festival offers a whole series of completely free participatory arts workshops, including Playwriting with Roy Williams (National Theatre, RSC etc), Sydenham's Day of Dance with Laban Dance Centre, and Voice Percussion with Randolph Matthews.

Alexandra Carter will be singing at her favourite London cafes for UK Coffee Week (4 -10 April) to help Project Waterfall, which is aiming to provide people in African coffee-growing countries with clean drinking water. Alex told us: 'The sound is refreshing, nostalgic and evocative of cafe culture.'

Other exciting free events include: Arts in the Park and Family Fun Day in Home Park on Sunday 3 July, an open-air screening of the original Italian Job starring Michael Caine in Mayow Park on Weds 16 July, the Pop Up Theatre Project and Street Celebration on Saturday 16 July and the popular Visual Arts Trail over two weekends (9/10 & 16/17 July).

If that wasn't enough, there's Balalaika, Alexandra Carter, an openair Wind in the Willows, a Soul Night, a Battle of the Bands, a Youth Talent Showcase, a Bollywood Night, an Acoustic Night, comedy, children's theatre, poetry and choirs, phew!

A festival brochure and website listing all events will appear in May. We're looking for volunteers to help with the festival's organisation now, so to get involved please email Festival Director Jonathan Kaufman at sydenhamartsfestival@hotmail. co.uk or phone 07904 505923 for more information.

MUSICAL LAUNCH Weisan is a local singer songwriter, and when she’s not busy serving you delicious treats in Domali, she is working very hard writing and singing. Originally from Northern Ireland, since moving to London she has been performing regularly.

She has recently been working on her own material, inspired by the likes of Regina Spektor mixed with the soulful funk/blues/rock and pop sounds of Dr John, Nina Simone, Imogen Heap and Pink Floyd, to name just a few.

Alex will be performing at Good Taste Food and Drink on Monday 4 April 6-7pm. Tickets are £7.50 which includes music, wine/beer and a cheese/charcuterie tasting platter.

More performances at cafes in the local area include: April 3, 4pm, Caffe Casbah 140 High Street, Penge SE20 7EU £10 inc coffee & cake: 020 8778 2924

April 4, 11am, Sugahill Cafe 250 Kirkdale, Sydenham, SE26 4NL £5 suggested donation: 020 8659 5828

April 4, 2pm, Pavilion Cafe Dulwich Park, Dulwich SE21 7BQ £5 suggested donation: 020 8299 1383

Weisan will be releasing her debut EP entitled Thank You in April, and to mark the event there will be a launch at Westow House on Thursday 21 April. The evening will have a funfair/ carnival theme with games, sweets and music. There will be a choir to open up the evening, a rockabilly band and of course Weisan will be playing her new tracks. www.weisanmusic.com

April 5, 11am, Cafe St Germain 16 Crystal Palace Parade SE19 1UD £5 suggested donation: 020 8670 3670

Plus lots more, including several performances at the London Coffee Festival - see full tour diary at www.alexandracarter.com For more info on UK Coffee Week www.ukcoffeeweek.com

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TRADING PLACES IT'S BEEN AN EXCELLENT MONTH FOR THE POSHOMETER

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hings are starting to hot up on the Crystal Palace Triangle retail front, with a veritable slew of new ventures springing up to laugh in the face of recession and supermarket hegemony.

We dusted off the old Poshometer (patent pending) and took a look.

SHOU FANG FASHION

This one may have slipped under your radar - a new outlet run by Taiwanese creative Shou Fang who features designs from her Japanese friend and designer Ilha Formosa.

We caught up with Shou Fang just as she had returned from her latest trip to Asia bringing back the spring/ summer collection.

Keep an eye out for Shou Fang's clothes in our June issue shoot for the music issue.

The shop is open at weekends and by appointment during the week.

Shou Fang Fashion 60 Church Road SE19 2EZ www.shoufangfashion.com

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Good Taste Food and Drink

Do South

Following our cheese tasting feature in the last issue of The Transmitter, we are happy to report that Manish has opened the doors to Good Taste Food and Drink on Westow Hill. After a slightly longer delay than originally anticipated (partly down to his fridges not arriving when they were supposed to) things are now back on track.

South Londoners with 'a penchant for modern and eclectic interiors' are celebrating the opening (finally) of Do South, a new store that promises to showcase examples of contemporary Italian, Spanish and Danish furniture from brands including Zanotta, Sancal, Novamobili and Moroso, alongside reworked and 'refreshed' vintage sofas and armchairs.

Along with a wonderful selection of special cheeses, there is also a good choice of charcuterie (including at times venison and donkey!), bread, wine and beer. A coffee station along with some delicious looking cakes at the back of the shop tops it all off. Coffee is from Transmitter favourites Volcano Coffee - if you like coffee and have not had one of these yet, believe me you need to get in there and try it for yourself.

Manish and his team really know their fromage and will guide you if you are a little unsure about your cheese and charcuterie, so go along and try something new.

Good Taste Food and Drink 28 Westow Hill SE19 1RX. www.goodtaste-fd.co.uk

The two guys behind Do South, former publisher Freddie Oke and ex-advertising exec Noel Douglas, also promise a range of ‘accessories with a difference’.

'What we do is exclusive, but it’s accessible and affordable' says Freddie. 'I suppose you could say we are the pages of a magazine like Elle Decoration brought to life'.

Doesn't that sound nice, I think the Poshometer just quivered.

Do South 2 Westow Street SE19 3AH 020 8771 0500

count our crystals If you take a look at the fashion pages in this month’s issue, then you may notice an array of lovely sparkly things. We thought that our dear readers deserved a bit of bling for spring, and the jewellery featured is courtesy of a collection belonging to the late ‘Count of Many Crystals’ (aka Count Alexander von Beregshasy).

Until his death last year, the Count was one of the most flamboyant characters on the London fashion scene, and his collection is being sold at auction by Rosebery’s.

BLUE DOOR CYCLES There's yet more excitement for cycling enthusiasts following the good news about the Velodrome (see page 12). A new independent operator, Blue Door Bicycles, is set to open a destination cycle shop on the site of Central Cycles and Auto Stores on Central Hill, SE19.

Sadly, Geoff Talbot and his sister Margaret who ran the old cycle store and will be fondly remembered by many local people, both recently passed away.

The new owners tell us that they will be bringing the shop into the 21st century, but respecting the inheritance from the Talbot family who ran Central Cycle and Auto Stores since the late 1940s. They gave us a tour of the shop as they began the refurbishment and it certainly is an interesting place. he fascinating history of the shop and the Talbot family has been documented on their website and is well worth a look. www.centralcycle.co.uk www.bluedoorbicycles.com

The auction will include a vast quantity of costume jewellery, much of it with glittering Swarovski crystals and cubic zirconia and set in silver or white gold. The Count made jewellery for films and for actors and actresses to wear privately, and he had a large, international clientele of the rich and famous. He also made reproductions of state jewellery from Europe’s royal families as well as replicas of the most famous diamonds in the world.

As well as the Count’s collection, the auction will also include film memorabilia, including costumes worn by Faye Dunaway in the 1983 remake of The Wicked Lady and jewellery associated with a film of The Phantom of the Opera. There will also be a selection of vintage clothes, textiles, purses and bags on sale from the likes of Hermes, Chanel, Ossie Clark and Biba.

If you fancy a bit of old-fashioned glamour, or perhaps a glittering tiara for a special occasion, then now is your chance. All lots in the auction will be illustrated online at www.roseberys.co.uk from 30 April; customers unable to come to the auction in person can bid online at www.the-saleroom.com or phone Rosebery’s before the sale to leave a bid The auction will be held from 11am on 7 May. Rosebery’s Auctioneers 74-76 Knight’s Hill London SE27 0JD

An unassuming item of jewellery that you could wear to Sainsburys!

See page 28-31 for more pictures.

TRANSMITTER TWITTER There's only one thing worse than being talked about... olfp05 Feb 04, 2:11pm via Twitter for iPhone @TheTransmitter thanks!

Another good issue!

dethample Feb 04, 9:22am via Web

Whoa! @TheTransmitter I wasn't expecting the cover.

Thank you - lovely piece. x leeroymejoy Feb 04, 8:59am via Twitter for iPhone

I like this time of month, everyone in crystal palace neglects the morning metro, and reads @TheTransmitter mag instead!

GoodTasteFood Feb 08, 11:18pm via Echofon

Since appearing in @ TheTransmitter had nothing but huge amounts of enthusiasm and support from everyone. Thank you!

Follow us on Twitter @thetransmitter

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There are other plans in this area for cinemas and on reflection we would prefer now to give our support to these rather than causing another distraction. We are replacing the cinema with a designer retail area with workshops and a flexible space with a community focus. We are interested in creating and diversifying the market area with a flexible covered arena where a variety of exhibitions, markets and events can be held.

We are detailing the proposed apart -hotel and associated restaurants and also looking again in detail at the Westow Street elevation as this has caused concern in the past.'

When will we see an application?

A CRYSTAL PALACE MARKET SQUARE? Plans are afoot to develop land in the heart of the Crystal Palace Triangle. St Aidans Group Ltd have planning approval from Croydon to build a number of flats and houses on the site around Victory Place. However, rather than going ahead with the currently approved works, they have been working on plans for a more ambitious scheme involving retail and leisure facilites.

As the Crystal Palace Triangle is a conservation area there is inevitably controversy surrounding any development, so we thought we would cut through some of the rumour and talk to Ivan Bateman from the St Aidans Group.

Why are you doing this?

'After our current planning approval was granted for this site, a lady said to me 'it's a shame, why don’t you put a cover over the site to make a market like Greenwich?' It struck a chord with me because we had been thinking along similar lines ourselves; why can't Crystal Palace have a Spitalfields, Borough or Greenwich type market?'

'Since then we have looked at mixed-use markets, both here and abroad, and we have seen examples where they are the heartbeat of the communities they serve and

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where the businesses around them are diverse and energetic. These markets do not have McBrands, and they work.'

'Obviously retail is struggling a bit around the Triangle at the moment but there are green shoots - creative and interesting retailers reflecting a changing mood of opportunity and optimism, a belief in what Crystal Palace offers in the long term. I believe a market-focused system can help turn the tide and mark Crystal Palace out as a destination.'

'Yes, we have a choice to just build the houses that have been approved, which, to be honest, is commercially more palateable by the banks, but I am much more interested in the idea of a multi-use, multi-faceted, dynamic community and social enterprise scheme even if it means that we will have to subsidise some of this activity.'

Can you give us a summary/update of the current plans? What about the idea of a cinema?

'We have now removed the cinema from the scheme. There was little support from Croydon, and the operator with whom we were in discussions has now distanced themselves from the scheme.

'We expect to submit an application in the next four months. We have brought in new architects with a strong reputation to help get us across the finishing line. We are adapting our scheme in response to feedback from both the public and Croydon.'

What are you doing to try to involve the local community?

'Open communication is not a natural approach for investment development companies, but we have had some public meetings that we have taken a lot from, this magazine had our first release and we got some good feedback and comments after that.'

'I believe that we have a lot of support in the community. Yes, we have had some negative comments but many are based on architectural design, which is very subjective.'

What part do you see local businesses playing in your plans?

'I can say categorically that no McBrands have been approached and it is not our intention to do so. We have identified several small businesses that we want to help nurture and who will set the standards and the vibe of the scheme. We already have five young designers that we are sponsoring who will have studios in the design mews and we will be offering opportunities to more local artists and start up businesses to take space subsidised by the Group.'

NETWORKING

SAD AND LONELY? THERE'S NO EXCUSE

CRYSTAL PALACE JELLY

NETWORKING MUMS

VN Book Club

Are you a local homeworker, freelancer or running a local business? If you feel like leaving the home office once a month and working with like-minded people in your local community, then Crystal Palace Jelly could be just the ticket.

Sell It Mama! the South East London Mumpreneurs Network are bringing their networking lunches to the Exhibition Rooms in Crystal Palace for 2011.

Like a good read? Come along to a small, friendly, local book group.

Crystal Palace Jelly is a casual coworking event that takes place once a month at Westow House, SE19. It is an opportunity to work, chat, share ideas, and work on collaborative projects.

Tickets are free, for more details on forthcoming dates, and to register your interest go to crystalpalacejelly. wordpress.com; or follow on Twitter @CP_Jelly.

The network offers mums in business affordable opportunities to meet other mums to support and inspire each other while networking.

The next date for your diary will be 14 June, when the guest speaker at the lunch will be Sam Willoughby of What’s On 4.

To register for the lunch email clare@motherslife.co.uk, or to find out more about all events visit www.selondonmumpreneurs. blogspot.com.

The VN book club meets about once a month in various pubs in Crystal Palace. The next meeting is on 4 April at 7.30 in Westow House and the chosen book is Emma Donaghue’s Room.

Recent books include Evie Wyld’s After the Fire, a still small voice David Vann’s Legend of a suicide and In search of the missing eyelash

by Karen Mcleod. We also had the opportunity to discuss two of the books with their authors, Evie and Karen at events hosted by the Bookseller Crow. New members welcome!

www.sellitmama.com

Crystal Palace Triangle

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SPORTS NEWS

Velodrome Concept design Photo by Hopkins Architects

SUCCESS FOR VELODROME CAMPAIGN Great news: the Herne Hill Velodrome Trust has recently been awarded charitable status and can now start to think big and bold about the future of this historic site.

British Cycling and the Dulwich Estate have agreed on a longerterm lease of 15 years, vital to enable fundraising and encourage capital investment. The resurfacing of the track is just the start, and campaign leader Hillary Peachey is calling on more people to join in for the next leg of this exciting £5 million project: ‘Stage two will see the future of the Velodrome secured, and needs everything from office space and computers to fundraisers, donors and trustees.’

Concept designs by 2012 Olympic Velodrome architects Hopkins are available to view on the campaign website www.savethevelodrome. com as are other details about how to get involved.

LONDON CLASSIC REMINDER It may be too late to register for the 38-mile annual London Classic bike race (yes, we can hear your sighs of relief), but it is certainly not too late to offer your support. The race will be finishing at The Alma pub in Crystal Palace on Sunday 10 April, so go along and have a sympathetic pint with those cyclists who have made it up the hill in one piece. www.thelondonclassic.org

ANYONE FOR TENNIS? Sydenham Tennis, Squash and Croquet Club is holding a free open day on Bank Holiday Monday 2 May from 11am to 2pm. All ages and abilities are welcome, so you can just turn up on the day and try your hand at tennis, squash, racquet ball or croquet. Coaches will be available to offer tips and advice on how to improve your game. All equipment will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own (it's in the cupboard under the stairs next to the dumbbell and the skates) And for those who decide to sign up on the day they are giving a 20% discount on membership fees. Just quote The Transmitter to qualify!

L-R Hillary Peachey, Lord Coe, Tessa Jowell MP and cycling hero Tony Doyle MBE at the launch of the Trust.

Photo by Marek Warno/Snapparazzi

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www.sltcc.co.uk 020 8778 4217 Sydenham Tennis Squash and Croquet Club, Lawrie Park Road, London SE26 6ET

Crystal Palace Triathlon - the green triathlon Crystal Palace Triathletes are again putting on their hugely successful annual Crystal Palace Triathlon, and once again it will be carbon neutral.

The event was voted 2010 Triathlete’s World British Triathlon Event of the Year.

As well as minimizing environmental impact from the race itself, the Triathletes are asking all competitors, marshals, organisers, and spectators to think about how they can do their bit by sharing lifts, and using public transport. They are partnering with Jambusters to operate a car share scheme, and also including details of the local buses, trains and trams on the race page of the website.

Bromley Council will be providing recycling and composting bins to enable recycling on race day.

Details of the carbon footprint of the race will be calculated by ZeroCarbonEvents with details of this published on the website after race day. www.crystalpalace-tri.co.uk

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10/

PARK LIFE

The planned restoration includes adding colour to the trees and some people.

Playtime in the Park Hurray! Just in time for what surely has to be the most longedfor summer ever, the Friends of Westow Park have secured funding to expand the park’s play area. Work will start around the end of April on fantastic improvements, including the addition of a timber climbing structure for 8-13 year olds.

The Friends have worked long and hard to make a difference to this lovely little park (just behind Sainsbury’s) and should be congratulated for winning such substantial financial assistance from Croydon Council (£20,000 via the Playbuilder Funding scheme) and community projects funders the SITA Trust (who are handing over a whacking £50,000).

Since coming together two years ago, the Friends have revamped the flower beds, instigated a wildlife area to increase biodiversity and organised play days and picnics in

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the park. Most recently, in March they held a mega work day during which volunteers (with stellar help from local Scouts and British Trust of Conservation Volunteers) came together to plant up 450 hedge trees that had been donated by the Royal Society of Horticulture and the Woodland Trust. Their endeavours haven’t gone unnoticed as Sara Bashford, Croydon Council’s Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture and Sport, confirms: ‘Friends groups such as this one are hugely important to Croydon.

We genuinely value the work that residents put into these projects, and I am delighted that their efforts have been rewarded.’

The playground, although a popular spot for those looking after younger little ones, had become run-down and under-used. The new improvements will increase its appeal to a wider range of children,

something Cathy Henchion, Treasurer of the Friends, says is very important: ‘We’re delighted. By the summer there should be some new and exciting play equipment, including some for older children who are not catered for in the playground at present.’

This is great news for local families as well as those from further afield who’ll be able to combine their supermarket sweep with a bit of run-around time for the kids too.

Only certain areas of the playground will be sectioned off whilst work is being done, so no need to panic, play will not be interrupted. Look out for the balancing beams, a new roundabout and a big basket swing.

Our under-13s Transmitter Team can’t wait! www.sitatrust.org.uk friendsofwestowpark.ning.com

1, Westow Street SE19 3RY, Crystal Palace London, United Kingdom tel.: 02034415298

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Also Great Value New Bikes for the Hilly Crystal Palace!

TO FIND OUT MORE & GET INVOLVED:

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Friends IN High PLACES We’re lucky to have more green spaces than lots of London communities, something South London converts are proud to point out to their former North London neighbours. Most of them have their own volunteers working hard to enhance the areas so we can all benefit. Have a look at these websites to see how you can get involved. Or simply take in the spring sights with this circular walk and give them some feedback on what you like so far: suggestions for new improvements are always welcomed, as are new recruits!

Friends of Beaulieu Heights www.BeaulieuHeights.org Friends of Crystal Palace Park focpp.blogspot.com Friends of Grangewood Park www.grangewood.btik.com Friends of Westow Park friendsofwestowpark.ning.com

15

CINEMA NEWS

Part of the ‘What If’ project, DesignedbyGoodPeople.com

We believe in ethics, environment & ideas, well crafted, Designed by Good People

PICTURE PALACE CAMPAIGN BROMLEY COUNCIL RESPONDS TO CONCERNS ABOUT RELIGIOUS SERVICES AT 25 CHURCH ROAD The Picture Palace Campaign has been informed that Councillor Pat Ryan, Labour member for Upper Norwood ward, has written to both the Chief Executive and Leader of Bromley Council regarding the news that Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) will hold religious services at 25 Church Road, despite having been refused planning permission for change of use.

Councillor Ryan, writing in response to an article in the Croydon Advertiser, asked Bromley Council what steps they would take to ensure that KICC does not ignore the planning decision taken in December 2009 to retain the D2 entertainment use of the building.

He is concerned, like many Crystal Palace residents, that KICC is spending much money and time refurbishing the building, but there has been no consultation with the local community about its plans.

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Bob McQuillan, chief planner for Bromley Council responded to Cllr Ryan’s concerns saying – “The starting point is what planning legislation enables a local planning authority to do…it does not enable action to be taken in anticipation of a breach but only after a breach occurs and only then if it is expedient to take action. In response to the press articles we have spoken to the Crystal Palace Town Centre Manager and are writing to KICC advising them that they should not do anything which needs planning permission without obtaining it and that if they do so they are at risk of action being taken.

We have also asked that they clarify their intended use of the building.”

The Picture Palace Campaign welcomes Bromley Council’s call to KICC to clarify its intentions for the building. The Campaign has been asking for them to be revealed for some time. KICC has still not answered requests from local MPs to meet with representatives of the local community.

How you can help the campaign It may be time in the not-too-distant future to make your voice heard regarding KICC and its plans once again. The campaign committee will keep you informed and up-to-date on what is happening at 25 Church Road. Meanwhile: •

Please be ready to rally quickly to stop KICC flouting Bromley’s planning decision and using 25 Church Road for religious purposes, thereby shutting out the local community

•

Check the website and sign up for the monthly newsletter at: www.picture-palace.org

•

Join our facebook page Picture Palace Campaign (return a cinema to Crystal Palace)

•

If you tweet, follow us on twitter: @picturepalace for more updates

•

follow the debate on: www.virtualnorwood.com

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17

What Kind of Fool Am I? ASKS HOWARD MALE

Sometimes

I just like to stare hard at a word and try to unfold all of its meaning or meanings. I once even did this for quite good money when I used to produce a weekly word game for Radio Times called Definitials.

I would take a word and define it just using its letters as a starting point. For example, ATOM would be A Titbit Of Matter, and DOGMA would be Deity Orders Grown Men Around. When I learnt that this issue of The Transmitter was going to hit the streets on April 1, 'foolishness' I thought, and jumped at the chance to take apart this relatively deceptive three-syllable noun. Some words don’t bear much examination: BOAT is just … a boat. But FOOLISHNESS rocks as a word (unlike BOAT which just rocks as an object).

A fool can be so because they were born that way. Or because they are too lazy to employ their judgement to best negotiate a problem or situation.

Or because they’ve chosen to play the fool for laughs, or money, or both. In fact this latter example of foolishness paradoxically can require a certain amount of skill to do well.

So although the antonym (opposite) of FOOL is GENIUS there have been are a number of professional fools who could be said to be geniuses (personal favourites include Buster Keaton, Steve Martin, and Vic Reeves).

18

But to get to the question posed by the title of this piece, I am so many shades of foolish that I hardly know where to begin. So let’s just begin with what I’m doing now, typing out these words which seem to spring without much forethought from my untrained fingers: no, I can’t type, and I’m too foolish to invest any time in trying to learn how. My curious technique (if you could call it that) utilises two fingers of my left hand and one finger of my right hand – and somehow words appear on the screen in roughly the right order. And then I look back over the words only to be informed of how many of them I’ve spelt incorrectly.

But can semi-dyslexia be called foolishness? Should I be less hard on myself for this particular fault? I probably read much more than most people, yet still the definitive order of some of the letters of some of the words I write stubbornly remains wrong. So even within the realm of the very thing I make a partial living from, I’m astonishingly foolish.

So let’s move on to the bigger picture. Morally speaking I think I don’t do too badly. I don’t fool around, steal, or covet anyone’s oxes, for example. And yet large swathes of the world’s population – whether Christian, Muslim, or Jewish – would consider it epically foolish of me to have turned my back on my religion. For all those pious folk basically believe in the same God (give or take some of the small print) and that God has created an eternal flaming pit in which I will burn for all eternity for foolishly turning my back on Him. But hang on there: surely I have used intelligence rather than foolishness to make this decision.

I’ve just exercised my free will while simultaneously collating all the information at my disposal to conclude that it’s all nonsense.

Yet even the great French philosopher Blaise Pascal would have had no truck with my foolish behaviour. His angle was that even if reason tells you there is no God, your best bet would be to go with belief as a lifestyle choice and that way avoid the eternal human barbecue at the Earth’s core, or thereabouts. Yet I believe that we are all either predisposed to religion or we aren’t – and what kind of God

wouldn’t see through an individual who simply pretended to believe in order to get on His right side? A deeply flawed God, in my humble opinion. Which would be no God at all by the standards of what a God is meant to be, as far as I’m aware.

In conclusion I think we all probably need to get used to the fact that we are fools in almost every respect. If being foolish means not being able to do stuff, then I’m also a DIY fool, a skateboarding fool, a juggling fool, a mathematical fool, a brain surgery fool, an airline pilot fool, and on and on. I’m not a fool when it comes to making a chicken tikka masala as good as any available on the Triangle, or a fool when it comes to picking out a half-decent tune on the guitar, or – I’ve just realised – a fool when it comes to recognising my own, it would appear, limitless limitations. And the first step to being wise is to know that you know nothing, and so I feel I’ve got a head start there.

Oh, and I wrote the whole of this piece without first asking the editor if he was even interested in using it, (I wasn't, but someone cancelled an advert just as we were about to go to print - Ed) so that’s pretty

absurd, asinine, brainless, cockamamy, crazy, daffy, daft, dippy, doltish, dotty, fantastic, fatuous, feebleminded, flaky, half-baked, half-witted, harebrained, ill-advised, ill-considered, illogical, imbecilic, imprudent, incautious, indiscreet, injudicious, insane, irrational, jerky, kooky, loony, ludicrous, lunatic, mad, moronic, nerdy, nutty, preposterous, ridiculous, screwy, senseless, shortsighted, silly, simple, stupid, unintelligent, unreasonable, unwise, wacky, weak, witless, and zany.

poems for the poemless Good fences make good neighbours.

BY Andrew rumsey

Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it And spills the upper boulders in the sun, And makes gaps even two can pass abreast.

So begins Mending Wall, a poem by Robert Frost from his 1914 collection North of Boston. Frost is a divisive figure in North American poetry. Feted and successful, he famously spoke at the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, sealing his effective status as America’s national poet. But the rustic image of the no-nonsense farmer-poet he cultivated in poems like this one was thought by some critics to be a sham – carefully contrived by poetic licence.

Nevertheless, it yielded some cracking poetry, which revels in the pleasing physicality of stones and logs, sap and apples; of pondering life whilst working the land. Reading Mending Wall makes the perfect coffee-break for a crisp day in early spring, capturing all the fecund promise of being abroad in the world. It continues by describing Frost’s encounter with his gruff neighbour along the boundary of their land. As together they haul boulders back onto the wall: He only says, 'Good fences make good neighbors'.

Spring is the mischief in me, and I wonder If I could put a notion in his head: 'Why do they make good neighbors? Isn't it Where there are cows? But here there are no cows.

Before I built a wall I'd ask to know What I was walling in or walling out, And to whom I was like to give offense, Something there is that doesn't love a wall, That wants it down.' I could say 'Elves' to him, But it's not elves exactly, and I'd rather He said it for himself. I see him there Bringing a stone grasped firmly by the top In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed.

He moves in darkness as it seems to me, Not of woods only and the shade of trees.

He will not go behind his father's saying.

And he likes having thought of it so well He says again, "Good fences make good neighbors."

Whether in acres wild or urban villages, each of us carefully cultivates an image which is partly authentic and partly sham.

We build our identities brand by brand, understanding that identity is something we make for ourselves. But, as Frost shows, it is also something discovered in relationship, when we come to see ourselves as neighbours of those we live amongst.

Balancing individual freedom with the obligations of common life always involves the negotiation and maintenance of boundaries. And the need to mend a wall can either be an occasion for dispute or the perfect opportunity for a shared task.

Andrew Rumsey 19

Any questions?

Hannah McEwen finds the answer to absolutely everything

W

hy do I sneeze when I pluck my nasal hair with tweezers?

Why do men get down on one knee to propose? What’s the average calorie count of a human toenail? What are the origins of the expression ‘Dutch courage’? What came first, the Chicken McNugget or the Egg McMuffin?

If you have ever needed the answer to a very pressing question, or just a downright peculiar one, then help is at hand. Here at The Transmitter we know just the people who can help you out, have a bit of a laugh at your expense, or possibly both.

I met up with Olly Mann and Helen Zaltzman who run the massively popular Answer Me This! podcast.

Along with Martin the Sound Man, they form the trio who make it their business to address some of the most wide-ranging questions from around the UK and beyond – and all from a flat in Crystal Palace.

Helen and Olly started Answer Me This! in January 2007, and over the past four years they have recorded over 168 episodes. ‘We obviously had too much spare time on our hands, so had to think of a way to squander it,’ Olly explains.

Since it began, the podcast was named iTunes Podcast of the Year in 2008, and in 2010 won a Sony Radio Academy Award for (radio’s equivalent of the Oscars). With listeners all over the world, and more than two million downloads per year, the show is now one of the most popular independent podcasts in Britain. And if that is not exciting enough, they also have fab jingles.

The format is simple and the results are highly amusing. People email or call their questions in, and Olly and Helen answer them with Martin on hand to help out. The show has

a huge level of correspondence and is so popular that they spend hours just going through each week’s messages. Only about one in 15 of questions received is used; Helen explains that there is a certain alchemy to the ones that make it through, ‘Some are too boring, and people that send in rants are difficult to use. But there has never been a chance that we would run dry’.

They meet once a week in Crystal Palace to record the show. Martin is a musician, so they have access to the recording equipment needed to create a quality broadcast. ‘Even at the beginning it sounded like a higher value production that it actually was,’ explains Martin.

And Helen admits that in terms of content they all feel that they have

come a long way from the early recordings: ‘I find it very difficult to listen to the old shows. It’s like being scratched with a fork over and over again.’

I ask about the most memorable question that they have been asked, and the one that immediately springs to Olly’s mind is quite frankly unrepeatable on the pages of an even vaguely decent publication.

So we move on to slightly safer ground: ‘One man got in touch after he had been cooking his vegetarian wife’s veggie sausages in the pan with real sausages.

When he stopped doing it because he felt so guilty, his wife started complaining that the sausages didn’t taste good any more. He didn’t know whether to come clean or not, so he asked us what to do.’

The podcast does present plenty of opportunities for fun, but I ask if there is a boundary to the topics that they tackle. ‘Quite a lot of the questions we receive relate to complex relationship problems,’ says Olly. This may sound like perfect fodder for a bit of fun, but they do try to handle them sensitively if necessary: ‘We try to be responsible if we reply to people off air, and we do our best to give people sensible advice,’ explains Helen. Not everything makes it through, and sometimes people are encouraged to seek professional help if they get in touch with a serious problem.

They also receive their fair share of plain crazy stuff too ‘because people are anonymous they can get quite aggressive,’ Olly explains ‘but less than one per cent of the emails we receive are abusive. It’s just that you tend to remember those ones.’

The hardest challenge is trying not to repeat the same question twice.

‘Although the listeners tend to remember more. We did the “what is the small pocket for on jeans?” twice without realising it,’ says Helen.

With the sheer volume and range of questions they are answering, I am convinced that their brains must be crammed with random information – completely packed to the rafters with facts that people may never need again. For example the fact that the high-street stalwart Argos was created by a re-branding of the Green Shield Stamp catalogue (which is just one piece of knowledge that is imparted to me during our meeting). But Helen explains that is not too much of a problem: ‘The factual stuff just goes in and straight out again. The stuff that stays there is the deeply embarrassing stuff.’

Helen and Olly both now work as full-time broadcasters, appear regularly on radio and had a book out last year. So what next for Answer Me This!? After the freedom of being able to include what they like in podcast form, no matter how risqué, they all admit that it would be hard to give it up for the rigours of a respectable radio station. I can’t really blame them – it’s so much fun. And to think that something

with such a modest start could have turned into such a popular entertainment show. All from a room in Crystal Palace.

And by the way, the small pocket on jeans is a watch pocket. Or possibly a condom pocket. And a word of advice – take a look at the pictures, and if you happen to see any of them taking part in a pub quiz then try and join their team. I expect that they’ll probably win.

If you haven’t already, you can listen to the podcasts yourself at http://answermethis.wordpress.com

Hannah McEwen

HOW Y

ou stroll along a sunny avenue, an elegant art deco mannequin gazes back at you in a sultry daze through an unspoiled 1920s shop front. A sinewy sequence of piano harmonies starts to float down the road. Sound nice?

The general consensus among the traders and residents in the area is that Kirkdale is 'on the up'. A medley of architectural bounty, good transport links and a steady increase in interesting independent retailers makes this area one of the most desirable in South London.

For those who like a bit of outdoors, not only is Kirkdale a short walk from Crystal Palace Park, one of the largest green spaces in London, but it also has its own fantastic local park. Sydenham Wells Park, a stunningly planted local gem, takes its name from the medicinal springs which were discovered in Sydenham in the mid-17th century.

Several of the springs lie within the grounds of the park and are still active today.

There are some fabulous houses in the area for those who can afford them. The chocolate-box cottages in Halifax Street, one of the oldest roads in Sydenham, were actually scheduled for demolition in the late 50s – see history piece overleaf.

Recent developments in the area include plans to completely refurbish the historic Greyhound pub, which should draw more people from Forest Hill and Crystal Palace to Kirkdale. More independent retailers are moving into the area too, including a bakery, La Bonne, which is just about to open as we go to print.

Some of these retailers are pulling out all the stops to offer something special. As well as all the lovely

22

COOL 'I think Kirkdale has a really lovely atmosphere about it. There's a fantastic mix of shops there now and places like the Kirkdale Bookshop are run by people who really care about plugging into the area and generating loads of events that bring the area together. I think it's only going to get better too, with things like the Greyhound development now under way.'

Jo Elvin (Editor of Glamour magazine & star of E4's Great British Hairdresser)

things in Alhambra Home & Garden (Jo Elvin revealed that she ‘can't go in there without coming out with a fistful of goodies’ in our Christmas shopping feature), locals are enticed in by a tea room, Spanish winetasting and Tapas evenings and Spanish conversation classes. Not to mention crochet and mosaic workshops. Alhambra owner, Rebecca Leathlean told us: ‘The area is just packed with interesting people, it’s full of artists and musicians. There's a great sense of community through the Sydenham Society and the Sydenham Forum. There's a sense that people know each other and are all rooting for the area.’

KIRKDALE EATING Kentmens Fish & Chips La Bonne Bakery That’s Amore Sugahill Cafe

You can pick up an 1893 Bluther from Kirkdale Pianos who have clocked up 25 years in Kirkdale. Liam the tuner took me for a tour around the lovely old pianos in the showroom and knocked out a quick tune on each of them. He's very good.

Behind the Boxes, another veteran of 25 years in the area, can help you kit out your des res with genuine art deco pieces at cracking prices. When I popped in for a chat with founder Ray Owen he told me that Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen had only just left with his film crew for ITV’s hugely successful daytime show, House Gift. How cool is that?

IS KIRKDALE? "There are some highly rated schools nearby and the beautiful, leafy public parks and gardens that are open year round are attracting families.'

Jenny Holland (Sales and Lettings Manager, Wooster & Stock)

Historic Properties Vintage Shoes

Sydenham Wells Park

Antoinette Costume Hire This month Antoinette are having a one-off sale of ladies shoes and boots. If you are a collector of vintage or unusual shoes, head to Antoinette to see the window display. There are approximately 60 pairs of shoes, ranging from traditional clogs and Turkish slippers through 1950s and 1960s stilettos, 1970s platforms and 1980s heels. Plus more up to date designs, including Lady Gaga-style perspex sandals and — a star buy — silk shell sandals by the man who designed Princess Diana's wedding shoes, Clive Shilton. All are in wearable condition and many are as good as new.

The shoes are being sold soley on Ebay, and it is expected prices will start at £5. The sale closes Sunday 17 April at 5pm. www.costumehirelondon.com Antoinette Costume Hire

134 Kirkdale

SE26 4BB 020 8699 1913

Cover girl Sam in Elizabeth Emanuel dress and earrings from Antoinette Costume Hire

Alhambra Cushions

Alhambra Home & Garden There are a couple of good things happening in April/May, including an art exhibition by Forest Hill artist Maria Strutz in April, a wine and tapas-tasting event on 5 May, mosaic workshops on 9 and 16 May and a jewellery workshop on 23 May. For later in the summer, among other things, there will be a paella cooking demonstration and a Feast In The Garden event, with live music by Dan Maitland on Sunday 10 July.

Alhambra Home & Garden 148 Kirkdale London SE26 4BB 020 3417 6385 www.alhambrahome.co.uk

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A Bit of History The name 'High Street Buildings' reflects the fact that for more than 100 years Kirkdale was officially 'High Street, Sydenham' and was Sydenham and Forest Hill’s very first shopping centre.

High Street Buildings was erected in 1896 to designs by Alexander Robert Hennell, a local architect born in Mayow Road in 1872. Other listed Hennell buildings include the Jews Walk fountain and Forest Hill Library.

perhaps the most fashionable store in South London. In 1900 The Times mentioned it in the same paragraph as Debenham & Freebody, D H Evans, Harvey Nichols, John Lewis and Marshal & Snelgrove.

The fortunes of the High Street began to decline when Lawrie Parade, a rather more fashionable group of shops, was built down the road at what is now Cobbs Corner. Walter Cobb had a small drapers shop in Lawrie Parade and gradually took over other shops in the parade and eventually created

The fortunes of the High Street shops went into further decline with the building of Grand Parade in Sydenham Road, between Queensthorpe and Mayow Roads, in the early 20th century. By 1936 'High Street, Sydenham' had become quite inappropriate, and so it was renamed.

The Greyhound pub in Kirkdale, which has been on its current site since 1720 and has been visited by poets such as Lord Byron and Sir Walter Scott, was in danger of demolition by developers in 2007. It's now been taken on by the same people that run Westow House in Crystal Palace and so looks set to become a fantastic destination pub once more.

In the early 1970s Sydenham residents concerned about preserving local heritage (among them Rolf Harris!) formed the Sydenham Society. More info: www.sydenhamsociety.com

These beautiful 1840s houses in Halifax Street were set for demolition in 1957 but were saved thanks to the public.

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Originally inhabited mainly by workers at the Crystal Palace, most of these 'slum' houses remain substantially the same, but have been updated and gentrified by modern slum dwellers.

Antoinette Costume Hire Exclusive boutique costumiers Original Fancy Dress Authentic theatre costumes Historic and Vintage fashion Personal styling and fitting We create any look Suppliers to: Film, TV, Photographers, Theatre 40 years in the area

Alhambra Home & Garden

www.costumehirelondon.com 020 8699 1913

with Casa Jarapa Rugs and the Secret Garden Tea & Tapas Room Homeware, Gifts, Workshops & Culture, mostly with a Spanish twist!

148 Kirkdale London SE26 4BB Tel. 020-3417 6385 (local landline) 07817-781501 (mobile) www.alhambrahome.co.uk

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22/03/2011 12:51:19

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SUBSCRIBE! TO THE TRANSMITTER 2 WAYS TO DO IT! To receive the next six copies of the magazine posted direct to your door:

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Send your name, address and a cheque for ÂŁ15 to us at: The Transmitter, PO Box 53556, London SE19 2TL (Make cheques payable to Transmission Publications Ltd)

2

Pay for your subscription by credit/debit card online at www.thetransmitter.co.uk

25

1980s Elizabeth Emanuel dress from Antoinette Costume Hire: Hire ÂŁ83 per week.

Fancy Dress Hair: FortySeven Make-up: Lucy Young Model: Samantha Hicks Photography: Andy Pontin

Sam wears 60s-style theatrical dress made for the West End run of The Producers: hire £47 per week, 60s-style red pvc mac: hire £23 per week, bag: hire £11 per week, shoes in Ebay sale. All from Antoinette Costume Hire

27

COUNT OF

CRYSTALS The entire collection of the recently deceased Count Alexander von Beregshasy, known as ‘The Count of Many Crystals’ will be sold in May at auction in West Norwood by Rosebery's.

Make-up: Lucy Young Hair: Willie Smarts & Richard Gibbon Photography: Andy Pontin

(Opposite page) gold plated and velvet lined crown, set with crystals and faux pearls, a copy of the Queen of Bavaria's Crown ordered by Maximillian I for his Queen, Caroline Frederika of Baden in 1806. Estimate £250-350.

Purple velvet evening dress by Anouska Hempel. Part of a collection of Anouska Hempel outfits.

Estimate £300-500 for the collection.

Necklace, brooch and bracelet set with clear Swarovski crystals, an exact copy by Count Alexander von Beregshasy of the jewels he made and supplied for the Andrew Lloyd Webber film The Phantom of the Opera and worn by Minnie Driver.

Also worn by Beyonce when she sang at the 2005 Oscars.

Estimate £250-350.

Silver and Russian cubic zirconia rings from a collection of 35 rings.

Estimate £600-700 for the collection.

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The Ice Queen Crown, a unique clear crystal and silver braid crown with star decoration by Count Alexander von Beregshasy.

Estimate £60-80 Large bib necklace set with Swarovski crystals. Estimate £500-800 Gold silk brocade corset in 18thcentury style decorated with lace, sequins and pearls (part of a collection of corsets, bodices and Victorian costume).

Estimate £100-150 for the collection.

Blue cotton and rayon skirt

by Anouska Hempel (part of a suit). Estimate £300-500 together with a collection of Anouska Hempel outfits.

30

Full length leather and fur coat by Gary Saxe, 1970s, of Native American Indian design and trimmed with silver fox and sable tails and decorated with silver buckles and beadwork. Purchased in the 1970s in Las Vegas this is one of only two coats made, the other belonging to the singer and actress Cher.

Estimate £1,000-1,500

Large silver plated tiara designed by Count Alexander von Beregshasy set with green and clear Swarovski crystals. Estimate ÂŁ200-300.

Collar necklace in gun metal plated finish set with green Austrian crystals

by Count Alexander von Beregshasy.

Estimate ÂŁ80-120

31

A Pond for All Seasons

BY SUE WILLIAMS

Within months you'll have attracted myriad wildlife to your garden

P

eople are a bit put off by ponds. The thought of pumps and fancy hydro electric features and delicate eco balances can deter the most doughty gardener from plunging into the watery zone. Of course a miniature Versailles-style water feature can be created to the rear of the semi, but this month's Palace Patch is going to focus on building a simple pond that doesn't need an electrical supply.

Within months you'll have attracted myriad wildlife to your garden .... dragonflies, damselflies, pond skaters, frogs, toads and even Ken Livingstone's favourite – the newt.

Norwood even has a local heron who resides on the pond behind The Conquering Hero and has been sighted on a Rockmount Road roof (although you won't welcome a visit from him if you're a fish keeper).

32

Constructing a pond goes well with making a raised bed as the soil from one can go into the other.

There's a goodly amount of soil and clay generated in the digging of a pond and although the earth can be spread on the borders it's hard to dispense with the clay further down. The siting of the pond is worth a bit of thought too. I dug one underneath a huge Pittosporum tree – supposedly evergreen – but it still sheds loads of leaves in the dry months and I spend long hours dredging them up from the bottom with a child's fishing net. Grim work.

Ideally the site of the pond should allow some of the water to be in shade and the rest in open sunlight.

This will encourage the greatest variety of wildlife and allow for some creative marginal planting.

Digging is good for you. Remember that when you're halfway through.

The hole needs to be at least 3 feet

at its deepest point with a shallower shelf left near to the sides. Many aquatic animals need this shelf to be able to clamber out of the pond.

Frogs, toads and newts cannot manage in a steeply sided pond and hedgehogs can drown in them. It is essential that the pond is level: water is a cruel mistress when the pond is full, and slap happy digging can lead to a display of pond liner that will never be concealed. A long scaffold board and a spirit level are the tools of this trade. The longer you spend ensuring it is level then the better the outcome will be.

There are three types of pond liner.

Concrete is fairly old school and requires a skilled hand to create a successful pond. Also older concrete tends to crack and then you're scuppered water-wise.

The second option is a rigid fibre glass liner which is already shaped and ready to go into the ground.

I'm not keen on this type of liner as it's difficult to hide the upper edges: I ended up using mine as a bog garden. For me the most successful product is Butyl liner.

This is good quality rubber-based flexible sheeting and it allows you to create a bog trench at the edge of the pond for water-loving marginal plants. As this type of liner can puncture it's essential to put a protective layer between the soil and the Butyl. Sand is a good protector but I'm also fond of getting rid of old lengths of carpet under the pond. Anything really goes as long as it acts as a barrier.

The last practical consideration is how to tether the liner at ground level. The bog trench is marvellous if you want to grow Flag Iris, Marsh Marigold, Gunnera, Rheum Palmatum and Water Plantain. Leave a couple of feet of spare liner all the way around the pond. Dig a trench

about 8 or 9 inches deep around the pond and flatten the liner inside.

Any spare Butyl needs to be secured around the perimeter. I've used old bricks which I lay horizontally on a bed of dryish mortar. Slabs, rocks, sleepers ‌ use your imagination.

As the trench holds water it is excellent for plants which like their feet to be wet (as they might say in some Northern county). Of course you don't need to incorporate this feature round the pond and for a more traditional look just slightly overhang the bricks or slabs over the edge of the water.

The next step is to gradually fill the pond and then choose plants which will oxygenate the water. Luckily for us Norwoodians there is an excellent supplier of these on the Triangle. Aqua Plan in Westow Street hold a good stock of plants and the staff are extremely helpful. Choose a variety of aquatic plants including

submerged and open floating ones and your pond will be balanced without the need for electrical intervention. If you do feel the need for a touch of gadgetry in the water feature, there are many and varied fountains and spouts available on the internet. Some devices are solar powered but I've no experience of whether these are effective or not.

There's undoubtedly a fair bit of graft and planning in setting up a water feature, but that first sighting of frog spawn in a pond that you have created from scratch is indeed a magical thing.

Happy Gardening

Sue Williams

33

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South-east meets south-east

COSMO

MIRABEL WILLIAMS IS IN CROYDON's BIG EATERIE including Black Forest gateau and peach melba cream torte.

All desserts are quite light, which is excellent after the quantities you have consumed in your main course. There are also two large chocolate fountains to dip fresh fruit in – a hit with the younger ones – and Eton mess for the more senior members of the party. The selection of ice creams, however, leaves a little to be desired.

With the luxury of exotic, highstandard dishes from nine different countries to try, you may assume the prices will be unreasonable, however it is much the opposite: dinner at Cosmo is just £13.99 per person. Lunch is a cool £7.99, although you’d be well advised to attend the dinner sitting as half price means half-size portions and the more obscure cuisines are absent.

In terms of the service at Cosmo, the staff lacked a little in the personality department, sometimes making you feel herded about like cattle. Still, you can’t have everything when they are trying to cater to the needs of thousands of customers each week.

I

’d heard on the Facebook grapevine that a new restaurant in Croydon was the place to be. Cosmo introduces us to a new generation of dining as it provides its customers with over 120 dishes from all four corners of the globe, from conventional cuisines such as Indian and Chinese to more exotic ones like Malaysian and Mongolian – and all this under one roof in Croydon’s Valley Park. Although the phrase ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ may cross your mind when looking at Cosmo’s vast menu, you needn’t worry. The restaurant’s fresh and flavoursome food is a cut above many other all-you-can-eat buffet-style operations and it is sure to offer you a dish you have never experienced at a single-cuisine establishment.

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When entering Cosmo’s cave-like interior you are immediately faced with the sheer size of the restaurant which can hold up to 800 people at a time. There is no doubt it was designed to look and feel exotic and oriental; you almost forget you are in downtown Croydon, and instead envisage Mumbai or Bangkok, a setting your local curry house may lack. The atmosphere is enhanced by the nine cooking stations scattered throughout the restaurant where the chefs cook your dish on a sizzling hotplate in front of you. A must when visiting is the seafood: there’s a great variety of choice, and particularly nice were the mussels in black bean sauce and the king prawns in garlic and spring onion.

Scallops and crab are also offered.

The Cosmo dessert section offers a selection of bite-size puddings

All in all, though, this is a very wellrounded restaurant with some great dishes and unrivalled variety which is sure to offer something for all diners.

Cosmo Hesterman Way Croydon CR0 4YA 020 8680 0800

South-east meets south-east

URBAN ORIENT

I

was looking forward to an excuse to sample some Vietnamese food at local restaurant Urban Orient. The last time I had Vietnamese cooking was at a friend’s home a few years ago, and it was quite hard work. Not because of the food (which was lovely) but because I spent most of the afternoon attempting to learn how to count from one to 10 in Vietnamese.

Luckily no such language tests were required at Urban Orient. The welcome was genuinely warm and comfortably chatty. The décor is relaxed, with sofas squeezed in alongside tables, creating an informal intimacy that works a treat.

We started by sharing Chicken Siu Mai and Vietnamese spring rolls.

The Siu Mai dumplings arrived steaming hot and deliciously savoury, and the spring rolls were filled with a surprisingly tasty combination of pork, squid and prawns with just the right amount of

chew in the crispy outer. We opted to dip both in the soy and chilli sauces supplied on the table.

For the main course I chose Thit Nuong – crispy lemongrass pork served with rice and a salad of grated carrot and beansprouts. It came with a fish sauce to pour over, which had a delightfully pungent garlic hit (for me anyway as I love garlic, but maybe not as pleasant for friends that I had a drink with later).

It was a satisfying plate of food, although I would have favoured a wee bit more chilli heat in the sauce.

Hannah McEwen visits Urban Orient

are around the £4 mark, with main courses about £8. At the moment they are only able to accept cash, and it is ‘bring your own booze’ with a corkage fee of £3 for a bottle of wine. Tasty, affordable and straightforward, and somewhere that I plan to return to soon.

Urban Orient 74 Westow Street, SE19 3AF 020 8616 4511

My dining companion plumped for the roast duck, which promised on the menu to ‘make your body tingle with joy!’ The duck was sweet and tasty, and it was a truly comforting main course, served with steamed rice and salad.

It was our first visit and we were made to feel very at ease. The vibe is more glamorous café than restaurant, with prices to match: most of the appetisers and starters

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Thai-spiced fishcakes with som tam salad a RECIPE from Rachel de Thample

Turning fish into fishcakes is a great way to make small amounts go a long way. However, I haven't bulked these little Thai ones out with potato. They're small but they have a good proportion of fish, with only a little dusting of breadcrumbs. With the peanut-topped salad, it's a healthy, well-balanced meal.

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

Serves 4 2.5 of your 5-a-Day •

200g sustainable white fish

•

3 tablespoons Thai green curry paste

•

4 heaped tablespoons breadcrumbs

•

a little flour, for dusting

•

olive oil

For the som tam salad •

2 courgettes, trimmed

•

3 medium carrots, trimmed

•

1 firm mango (so not too ripe)

•

1 garlic clove, chopped

•

1 small red chilli, deseeded and sliced lengthways (more or less, to taste)

•

½ teaspoon sea salt

•

juice and zest of 2 limes

•

1 teaspoon sugar or 2 teaspoons honey

•

a handful of fresh coriander leaves

•

100g roasted peanuts, roughly crushed, to serve

Roughly chop the fish and place it in a food-processor with the curry paste.

Pulse until you have a coarse paste - don't whip it up too finely. f you don't have a food-processor, just lay the fish and curry paste on a large cutting board and chop with a big knife, pressing with the side of the knife to mash and mix them together.

Fold in the breadcrumbs and shape into balls. Dust with a little flour to keep them from sticking. You should be able to get eight little fish cakes out of the mixture, giving you two for each person. Pop them into the fridge to firm up for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the salad. Using a vegetable peeler, peel the courgettes along their length, then just keep going, making strips of the flesh until you reach the seed pod in the centre. Nibble the seed pod while you cook or thinly slice it and add it to the salad. Peel the carrot in the same way.

Next peel one side of the mango using the vegetable peeler. Shave off long, thin slivers of the mango's flesh, so it's similar in shape and texture to the courgettes and carrots. Continue around the whole of the mango until you've used most of it up. Save any remaining bits of mango for a fruit salad Mix the courgettes, carrot and mango together with the garlic, chilli, salt, lime juice and zest, and sugar or honey. Set aside while you fry the fishcakes.

Press each ball down into a little cake and fry in olive oil until golden on each side. Serve with the som tam salad and garnish with coriander leaves and crushed peanuts.

Less Meat, More Veg by Rachel De Thample is available from Bookseller Crow at £16.99. www.lessmeatmoreveg.com

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photograph by Peter Cassidy from Rachel’s book, Less Meat More Veg, published by Kyle Cathie

39

THESE FOOLISH THINGS...

MiCHAEL eyre FORGETs WHAT These foolish things remind HIM of

I

decided on the ‘one of each’ approach this time round.

These are all from France and from three reasonably well known areas so as not to make life too difficult.

All of these drinks are under £15 and worth every red cent. Without any more fuss and flapdoodle, we’re off.

Samuel Billaud Les Grands Terroirs. 2009 Chablis 75cl. 12.5% vol. £14.95 Magnum Fine Wines. Magma Wines.

Instantly you get the classic pale lemony straw colour dipping elegantly down into an open bouquet of linear citrus notes, green apples and white flowers.

The palate is fresh, steely, dry and racy with a surprisingly delicate texture, a true eye opener if ever there was one, segueing into a long fruity, stonily mineral finish. Razor sharp and devastating.

Food: oysters (obs.) two dozen minimum, I’d say. Could also slice very neatly through cheesy type stuff or lamb/pork, that sort of thing.

Anything, really. Salzbrezeln.

Chateau Miraval Pink Floyd Rose. 2009. (geddit?)

Cotes de Provence 75cl. 13.5% vol. £13.50 Magma wines. Fortnum & Masons.

Bentalls. Hennings. Longford wines.

A truly delightful, eye-catching, pale rose pink in the glass that can only indicate a rather splendid and fruity nose. No disappointment there then. Fluttering in a Wildean fashion into a palate of sumptuous, soft, red fruit of the forest and raspberry flavours with an undercurrent of young peach and pear on the long, well balanced, lively, acidic finish.

Stunning. Really, Provence in a glass.

Food: delicate fish dishes, prawns and the like as an accompaniment, say. Or as a juxtaposition, some of

40

the stronger, oilier fishes to bring out the best of both. Charcuterie might do it too. Experiment.

Domaine de la Soleiade Vacqueyras 2009 Cotes du Rhone.

75cl. 13.5% vol. £12.95 Magma Wines. Longford Wines.

The deep plum colour is a huge draw straightways. We can see that things are going to more like they are now than they have ever been before. Wrong? I don’t think so.

Delving deep into a nose of lavender, spicy tobacco leaf and a touch of my favourite, wet leather (but enough about me) there can only be one outcome for this little beauty.

The palate does not disappoint, with edges of raspberry,

kirsch and liquorice interwoven with a skein of white pepper supported upon an Escheresque structure of fine tannins this just goes on forever.

Unlike, unfortunately, this bottle.

Food: anything that has recently been heartlessly torn from the side of its loving mother as they innocently gambol together o’er the countryside, in order for it to be mercilessly slaughtered for the whim of our hunger. Or, possibly, a lovely quinoa salad.

These wines. Find them, buy them, drink them. You’d be a fool to yourself if you didn’t.

Be seeing you Michael

BRILLIANT Antiques and Collectors Auctions Every Month Saturday 7 May includes costume jewellery from ‘The Count of many Crystals’, vintage clothes and textiles plus works of art, collectors items, furniture, paintings, watercolours and prints

Making South London Sparkle!

Rosebery’s, Auctioneers and Valuers 74-76 Knights Hill London SE27 0JD www.roseberys.co.uk Tel: 020 8761 2522 or email: auctions@roseberys.co.uk

A shop full of books that you might want to read

41

The Bookseller

Jonathan main HAS SIGNED COPIES OF CLEVER BOOKS BY CLEVER PEOPLE FOR YOU

I was born and grew up in the East Midlands. When I was 14 I got a job in a lion reserve. The lion reserve was in the grounds of a stately home. In the middle of the lion reserve was a smaller compound containing baboons and monkeys.

Mine and my friend Trevor's job was to open and close a set of big iron gates allowing access for motor cars containing families on a day out to move from the lions through to the monkeys. It was the best job I’ve ever had, sitting in the middle of a field in Leicestershire surrounded by wild animals, especially the day that I waved Jimmy Bloomfield, the then manager of Leicester City, and his family through the cages. There was also a small zoo and I can still distinctly remember one day feeding a horse’s head to a pack of wolves.

These memories came back to me when I read The Hunger Trace by Edward Hogan (Simon & Schuster £12.99), which is set in a rambling Derbyshire wildlife park, not many miles up the road from my own escapades. This modern day Hardyesque tale begins when Maggie, a young woman from Greenwich, inherits both the park and an awkward stepson from her once charismatic husband: it involves sex, falconry and the weather. I loved it and it is our current Book of the Month. Signed copies available.

42

Mark Crick writes clever books too. Machiavelli’s Lawn (Granta £10.99) is the third in a series that began with Kafka’s Soup and continued with Sartre’s Sink, each a pastiche of famous authors writing domestic instruction, in this case gardening. Here, read Isabel Allende on dividing bamboo, Emile Zola on weeding by hand and – my own personal favourite – Raymond Carver planting a hanging basket.

This is lovely sophisticated humour, and the rest of Europe thinks so too, Kafka’s Soup having been translated into 25 languages. Signed copies available. In English.

Leo Benedictus, a name familiar to readers of The Guardian, went to an A-list party and then wrote a ‘shocking postmodern thriller’ about it. Or did he? The Afterparty (Jonathan Cape £12.99), contains more twists and turns than an Alpine black run. I don’t normally take much notice of tales of celebrity meltdown, or indeed, and this may surprise you, conversations featuring sex with dogs, but there is much fun to be had here working out who might be who as well as in following the conundrum of its authorship. Signed copies available.

But signed by who? Eh?

Kiki de Montparnasse went to more than her fair share of celebrity parties in 1920s Paris and took cocaine at some of them too. I know this because by page 82 of the graphic (as in comic book, although both meanings are equally relevant) biography Kiki de Montparnasse by Catel and Bocquet (SelfMadeHero £14.99) she is pictured doing exactly that. Described as the ‘muse to a generation’ she was most famously partner to Man Ray (who actually answers to the first name ‘Man’) and was the subject and inspiration for his most celebrated photographs.

She also befriended Modigliani, Duchamp, Cocteau and many other figures of the avant garde, as well as becoming a nightclub singer and Polydor recording artist. This substantial but sprightly book – it comes with a 3-page bibliography, a chronology and biographical notes – tells her story from dirt poor almost feral beginnings in Burgundy, to her death in Paris in 1953 aged 52 when the drink and the drugs have finally taken their toll.

Tea Obreht was born in the former Yugoslavia in 1985. Via Cyprus and Egypt she eventually moved to the US in 1997 and yet she has already been included in The New Yorker’s prestigious list of 20 writers under 40 and her novel The Tiger’s Wife (Weidenfeld & Nicolson £12.99) has

been read on Radio 4 and longlisted for the Orange Prize. It’s not hard to understand the praise. A young woman doctor visiting orphanages after the war in the Balkans attempts to understand the life and death of both her grandfather and her country through history, fable and myth and with the help of a copy of The Jungle Book. It is always engaging and entertaining whilst also perhaps reminding some of us softer bellied Western Europeans that our history is not everybody’s history. Food for thought the next time you are treated by an East European nurse or doctor.

Sarah Winman grew up in Essex, went to drama school and became an actress. Now she has written When God Was a Rabbit (Headline £12.99) in which a rabbit called god talks to a girl called Eleanor Maud, sometimes even using swear words.

We begin in the mid-1970s and by page 30 we have already had mention of fondue sets, Bazooka bubble gum, Ladybird clothes and The Generation Game, including shouts of cuddly toy cuddly toy.

Basically, if you were 10 in 1975 this book is so choc-full of resonant nostalgia that it might be in danger of making you, like the box of Cadbury’s Milk Tray mentioned on page 7, if eaten all at once, bilious, as my Gran would say. Thankfully it saves itself with some surprising

twists and a degree of flintyness not initially apparent, and you get to sing along to Bohemian Rhapsody (in your head, please) too. Enjoy. And if you buy it from us you get a free tote bag too.

Finally, what can I say about Robert B Parker except that I once shared a case of Steinlager in the longneck bottle with him, and that in his prime, as he is with Promised Land and Looking for Rachel Wallace – two books published in one volume (Orion £7.99) – he has no equal, with dialogue that any one of your favourite HBO shows would kill for.

If you like crime fiction and you’ve never read him, get to it now.

Jonathan Main

43

OPENING HOURS

75 WESTOW HILL CRYSTAL PALACE LONDON, SE19 1TX

TEL. 0208 67 000 55 SALON@YOUR-STYLE.CO WWW.YOUR-STYLE.CO

Crystal Palace Osteopaths & Natural Health Therapies for people of all ages

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

11.00 - 18.00 10.00 - 18.00 10.00 - 18.00 10.00 - 19.00 10.00 - 18.00 CLOSED

Crystal Palace Acupuncture Friendly and effective treatment for a vast range of ailments.

From fertility and gynaecological issues, through stress, skin problems and facial revitalisation, digestive problems, migraines and headaches, anxiety and insomnia, to aches, pains and arthritis, and (almost) everything inbetween.

Do get in touch to book an appointment or for more information.

Lilja Katanka, BSc, MBAcC* www.lifeisforlivingwell.co.uk acupuncture@lifeisforlivingwell.co.uk 0773 910 5885

10 Westow St, Upper Norwood SE19 3AH www.crystalpalaceosteopaths.co.uk 44

* fully accredited and insured member of the British Acupuncture Council

THERE’S A WORLD OUT THERE! From gently subversive pop from Brazil, to hard-hitting political Afrobeat from Nigeria, Howard Male checks out the global new releases

I

t’s probably/possibly spring by now and so you’re going to need some hot grooves to make you feel all reborn and freshly budding. First up, might I suggest the lovely (and I don’t use that word often in relation to music) debut album from Brazilian singer-songwriter, Tulipa. So taken was I by this collection of songs in a post pop, semi bossa nova, breezy-yettinged-with-melancholy mode, that this will be my fourth review of it; I’ve bored the readers of The Independent on Sunday, Songlines, and theartsdesk.com with the fact that Efemera (Totolo Records) has been haunting me for the past couple of months.

Right at the opposite end of the global spectrum is the latest release from Fela Kuti’s son, Femi Kuti. With Brian Eno on board as co-producer, RISE: From Africa with Fury (Knitting Factory Records) could have ended up an ambient-ised dilution of Femi’s brassy Afrobeat sound. But thanks to Eno’s love of the Afrobeat form, which dates back to the mid-1970s when he inspired Talking Heads to go all intensely repetitive and polyrhythmic, this is actually one of the best Afrobeat albums since the great man himself was still around, kicking up a horny storm. There’s a diamond-hard clarity to the sound

which makes every element, from the tight funky guitar to Femi’s resonant authoritative voice, stand out. Listen loud on headphones and you’ll feel like starting a revolution.

Somewhere between these two poles, here are three other excellent new releases for your consideration. Firstly, the Owiny Sigoma Band’s debut is one of those rare instances when a union of British pop/rock musicians and African musicians gels perfectly and creates something greater than – or as interesting as – the sum of its parts. The integrity of the Zimbabwean grooves and melodies has been left intact, but the bass-end is much more substantial, and there’s some nice vintage synth sounds bubbling away playfully in the background.

Vampire Weekend fans would do well to give this a try – it’s a tougher, rootsier response to African music than those American college boys have managed.

Another cross-cultural collaboration worthy of your attention is Iness Mezel’s Beyond the Trance (Wrasse Records).

This time the singer alone has enough cultural cross-fertilising going on in her gene pool alone – with her Franco-Italian mother and an Algerian-Kabyle

father – to theoretically not need the involvement of any other musicians. But if you also throw into the mix Robert Plant guitarist, Justin Adams, you end up with a compelling visceral brew of hard-rocking distorted guitar and haunting North African, Arabesque melodies. And you’ve got to respect a Muslim woman who has the balls and wisdom to sing, ‘I shall take the veil off, study, vote and exist.’

Finally there’s the new one from Denver’s DeVotchKa. 100 Lovers (Anti) doesn’t quite scale the heights of their previous efforts, but if you’re already a fan of their unforced blend of widescreen Americana, Mariachi melodrama and good old-fashioned torchsong balladry, then there’s no reason why you won’t lap this up too. If you think you’re unfamiliar with the band, you might be wrong: Nick Urata, their leader and vocalist, wrote the soundtrack to the hit independent movie Little Miss Sunshine. Also DeVotchKa tunes have started popping up as background music during moments of emotional redemption in crass reality TV shows (presumably because Coldplay’s ubiquitous Fix You was already starting to wear a bit thin a year ago).

Howard Male 45

WHAt's ON COMEDY The HOB Comedy 7 Devonshire Road Forest Hill, SE23 3HE 020 8855 0496 www.edcomedy.com Stand Up Comedy

Monday 4 April The All New Stand Up Show Headline acts with brand new material 8pm £3

Wednesday 6 April

Date: Thursday May 12th

No Pressure To Be Funny

Doors open: 6:45pm

An evening of satirical comedy and topical debate.

LBC's James O'Brien and top stand ups Nick Revell and Alistair Barrie present a brand new weekly panel show with special guests. Comedians, journalists, campaigners, politicians.

8pm £5

Show: 7:30pm - 10:30pm Venue: St John's Church Auckland Road London SE19 2RX Getting there: Nearest train stations are at Crystal Palace and Anerley No parking on the premises

Thursday 7 April

Bar: Licensed Bar

Celebrity Pub Quiz A different comedian as host each week Cash prizes and free drinks to be won 9pm £2

Kevin Precious mc, Inder Manocha, Kevin Hayes and Henrik Elmer 9pm £9/£6concs Late bar

Monday 11 April The All New Stand Up Show New act open mic night 8pm £3

Wednesday 13 April No Pressure To Be Funny (see details above 6 April)

Thursday 14 April Celebrity Pub Quiz Comedian Danny Buckler as host.

Cash prizes and free drinks to be won 9pm £2

Sat 16 April Stand Up Comedy Chambers & Nettleto mc, Chris dangerfirld, Paul B Edwards and Phil Nichol 9pm £9/£6concs Late bar

Crystal Palace based Respect Music is presenting the first of 'The St John's Sessions', an evening of musical entertainment at the magnificent St John the Evangelist Church on Auckland Road, Crystal Palace.

Jocelyn, the American R&B Diva behind the dance floor filler, 'Somebody Else's Guy' regularly sings with the All Stars, multi-talented group of musicians who have played with and recorded with some of the world's best known artists including Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, George Michael, Amy Winehouse, Stevie Wonder, The Eurythmics, Madonna, Rod Stewart, Elton John, Chaka Khan, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and many more.

Mandy Muden mc, Iain Stirling, Steve Nallon and Matt Green 9pm £9/£6concs Late bar

Stand Up Comedy

An evening with 'Jocelyn Brown and The All Stars

Respect's first presentation will be 'An evening with 'Jocelyn Brown and The All Stars'. With special guests million selling songwriter Goran Kay www. gorankaymusic.com and the tremendous 4 octave range of Rietta Austin www.riettaaustin.com

Saturday 2 April

Saturday 9 April

The St John's Sessions

Tickets: £17.50 email sharon@respectmusic.co.uk

Wednesday 20 April No Pressure To Be Funny (see details above 6 April)

Thursday 21st April Celebrity Pub Quiz A different comedian as host each week Cash prizes and free drinks to be won 9pm £2

Saturday 23rd April Stand Up Comedy Guest mc, Nick Sun, Pat Burtscher, Earl Okin & Special Guest 9pm £9/£6concs Late bar

Mon 25 April The All New Stand Up Show New act open mic night 8pm £3

Thursday 28 April Celebrity Pub Quiz Different comedian hosts each week 9pm £2

Monday 18 April

Saturday 30 April

The All New Stand Up Show

Stand Up Comedy

Headline acts with brand new material Hosted by David Whitney 8pm £3

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Guest mc, Stephen Carlin, Dave Thompson and Cole Parker 9pm £9/£6concs Late bar

CAR BOOT 2nd April 10-1pm St. Joseph's RC Nursery Infant and Primary School, Crown Dale, Upper Norwood SE19 3NU Cars: £12, Tables: £8 Entry: Adults - 50p, Children FreeDonations to the PTA table welcome All proceeds to the Friends of St Joseph's PTA

SPORT Old College Lawn Tennis & croquet Club 10 Gallery Road, Dulwich www.oldcollege.co.uk

Sunday 2 May (Bank Holiday) TENNIS OPEN DAY • • • •

free tennis coaching on the day all abilities welcome adults Juniors & mini tennis light refreshments

WHAt's ON

Send listings information to: EDITOR@thetransmitter.co.uk

ANTIQUE & CRAFT FAIRS Saturday 2 April ST Barnabas Village Hall Dulwich Village SE21 7BT

Sing and Sign free taster session at LWS cafe -Tues 5/4/11 at 10.30 a.m. Book in advance at www. singandsign.weebly.com

10am-4pm Art Deco fair •

20th Century Modern

•

Art Deco

•

Art Nouveau

All enquiries Ray 07759943462

Saturday 9 April.

EASTER CRAFT FAIR St John's Church on Penge High Street is holding an Easter Craft and Community Fair from 1-4pm on Saturday 9 April. Pop in for a vast array of local arts and crafts, some delicious treats (for adults, children and even pets), live entertainment for all ages, children's activities and a café with home-made cakes.

Suggested donation on entry is £1.

Gallery Film Dulwich Picture Gallery Gallery Road, Dulwich SE21 7AD All films begin 7.45pm Bar from 7.15pm £8, £6 Friends All tickets available from the Friends 020 8299 8750 or e-mail friendsticketing@ dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk

Monday 18 April Kind Hearts and Coronets (1989) Cert U, 106 minutes Directed by Robert Hamer, and starring Alec Guinness as all seven of the aristocratic D’Ascoyne family, this glorious and hilarious study of the gentle art of murder has remained one of the nation’s most treasured films and the apogee of the art of Ealing Comedy.

Free wine and food.

Free raffle prize – DVD The Lady Killers, another Alec Guinness gem

FILM Crystal Palace Pictures Gypsy Hill Tavern 79 Gipsy Hill, SE19 1QH

Thursday 14 April The General Director: Clyde Bruckman , Buster Keaton Cert U, 78 mins 1926 7:30 pm - £5 on the door Buster Keaton plays Johnnie Gray, a train driver during the American Civil War, who strives to save his beloved engine The General and the woman he adores from enemy forces.

This silent screen classic contain some of the most thrilling and hilarious moments captured on film with perfectly choreographed action sequences, sophisticated sight gags and incredible stunts (all performed by Keaton himself).

It also stands as a satisfying Civil War drama with beautifully detailed period reconstruction.

The film’s huge budget gave Keaton unprecedented freedom and it is an ambitious and spectacular production.

Made at the culmination of the silent era, it is now regarded as one of the greatest comedy films ever.

Monday 9 May Spirit oft the Beehive (1979) Cert PG, 97 minutes Victor Erice’s masterpiece is a classic of European cinema. Set in a rural 1940’s Spanish village haunted by betrayal and regret and seen through the eyes of seven year old Ana, it exists in a dreamlike state; a richly allegorical tale that is as unique as it is beautiful. An audacious critique of the disastrous legacy of the Spanish Civil War. Free food and wine donated by Number 22 Restaurant & Tapas Bar Free raffle prize – ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley

The HOB Film Club 7 Devonshire Road Forest Hill, SE23 3HE 020 8855 0496

Wednesday 27 April Film Club (last Weds of the Month) 8pm £4

(check website for film listings) Screamers Club Films shown exclusively for Mums & Babies 1pm £2

MUSIC Dulwich Picture Gallery Gallery Road, Dulwich SE21 7AD

Friday 13 May 7.30 in the main Gallery The Solstice Quartet The renowned Solstice Quartet was First Prize winners in the 2009 Royal Over-Seas League competition and has since gained a reputation as one of the finest young quartets in the UK. “This is a quartet to look out for” was the review after a successful concert at the Wigmore Hall.

They will play three much loved quartets

by Beethoven, Schumann and Debussy. £20, £18 for Friends including a glass of wine

The Grape & Grain Anerley Hill, London SE19 2AA Tel: 0208 778 4109

Every Monday 9pm The Big Beer Band 17 piece Swing band

First Wednesday of the Month 8pm “The RPM Club” a must for vinyl lovers.

Sunday 24 April 5pm The Sax Pastilles Trad Jazz from Hugo and the gang

Friday 29 April Celebrate the Royal Wedding in style !Watch the wedding with Cucumber sandwiches and Cream Tea’s throughout the day and Live Brit Rock in the evening with “Forlorn Hope”

Sunday 1 May 5pm The Sax Pastilles Another round of Trad Jazz

Saturday 14 May Eurovision Night It’s kitsch, it’s a fix and it’s a huge laugh.

Come and enjoy some of the worst music Europe has to offer !

47

SINGING CLASSES In Crystal Palace

7:00pm Beginners A fun class for anyone wishing to improve their voice.

8:15pm Improvers Group and solo work for those with a little experience.

Classes take place on Wednesday evenings at The Salvation Army Halls, Westow Street Upper Norwood

Directoire...

SOUTH NORWOOD WOMEN’S COUNSELLING PRACTICE Counselling service for women Free Initial Session Sliding scale fees 020 8768 1366 – 07903 598324 London SE25 6PB www.womencounsellingpractice. counselling.co.uk mayanayake1@talktalk.net

To find out more or to book a place visit www.kateproudlove.co.uk email kate@kateproudlove.co.uk or telephone 07931 543650

KATE PROUDLOVE SOPRANO

VOCAL & PIANO TUTOR

5 Rhythms Creative Movement and Dance with Emma Leech

Bespoke, sumptuous dresses that are as special as the celebration…

• Classic cocktail frocks for all occasions • Wedding dresses in glorious colours that will be long remembered Call Catherine Shaw The Overspill 4 cOOpers yard crysTal palace lOndOn se19 1Tn Tel: 07764 196 284

www.allboneandtrimit.co.uk

Every Tuesday 8-10pm The Fitness Factory HSBC Sports and Social Club Lennard Road Beckenham BR3 1QW www.emmadance.co.uk

07984 593 276

If your job is threatened…

To place your advert email sales@thetransmitter.co.uk or call: 020 8771 5543

www.laurencechandler.co.uk Local Professional Business Accountants and Tax Advisors

Accountants Tax & Business Advisors Based in Crystal Palace Free Initial Consultation Laurence Chandler Associates

Tel: 020 8339 7162

Therapy at No.7 Manual Lymphatic Drainage Face and Body Treatment Zero Balancing Reflexology Tel: 0208 670 3278 Mobile: 07941 528458 tanga@numberseven.info www.numberseven.info 7 Giles Coppice Dulwich SE19 1XF

YOGA Strength and Release Breath and Stillness One to one and classes All levels welcome 07931 512394 www.gabriellemcnaughton.co.uk

…don’t compromise on legal advice When your employer is ending your employment, you need specialist advice to protect your rights and maximise your entitlements.

At Bennett Welch Solicitors we have extensive experience of advising on the termination of employment, including redundancy, and on Compromise Agreements, whether simple or complex.

We provide a fast and efficient service and can normally see you within 24 hours of receiving your call.

If you cannot attend our offices, we can advise by telephone and email.

Your employer normally contributes towards your legal costs so you may not have to pay any costs at all.

We act for and advise employees and employers on all aspects of the employment relationship, including: -

Dismissals Discrimination Contracts Maternity & Paternity Equal Pay

Call Daniel Muckle on 020 8670 6141 if you think we can help you.

Bank Chambers, Westow Hill, Upper Norwood, London, SE19 1TY

www.bennettwelch.com

L'IL SUPERNOVAS carlos nadie GETS CARRIED AWAY

T

aking photographs for this piece I was again swept away by Brooke Laing's fluid storytelling approach and creation of what I can only describe as 'magic' from absolutely nowhere. In a plain, windowless room above a cafe in Crystal Palace, Brooke conducts one hour 'action adenture' sessions for kids while their parents get on with their busy lives and Saturday shopping.

I first saw the magic at work when Brooke, the creative force behind Little Supernovas, ran a pirate themed party experience for my 8-year-old daughter and 13 of her classmates (yes, 13). The kids had a fantastic time and my lazy self did absolutely nothing except listen in awe from the kitchen at Brooke's masterly ability to combine fantasy adventure with strict crowd control.

In Brooke's words, a session 'lets your child’s imagination explode! They’ll travel to mystical lands, boogie with baboons, trick dragons, tickle an octopus or blast off into space!'

The Saturday morning classes are proving to be so popular that Brooke has set up a second class.

'The Saturday morning classes incorporate action adventure

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storytelling, music, drama, props, dance, movement and plenty of giggles. Little Supernovas builds your child’s imagination, self esteem, confidence and humour.''

This is not just kids mucking about for an hour though, oh no. Brooke takes a very serious approach to planning all this fun and games: 'I incorporate phonics and numeracy into my classes, for example in a recent story the children had to crack a code by thinking of words that started with the phonics I was sounding out for them. I use a range of sensory props and puppets to aid the stories. This helps the children practise their motor skills as they are required to handle and use the props with me.'

Little Supernovas is available for bookings in nurseries, receptions and pre prep. Sessions in nurseries and reception classes are tailored to fit in with the children's school topics which helps enhance their knowledge and reinforce and enrich their learning.

Little Supernovas is also available for birthday parties, charity and childrens events, and the adventures can be tailored to the event's theme.

Saturday classes are 10am-11am, 11.15am-12.15am, at Living Water Satisfies Café, Crystal Palace, SE19.

Summer Term Saturday classes for children aged 3-6 starts on Saturday 30 April – 16 July (12 weeks excluding 11 June).

Book early to avoid disappointment.

All classes are run by Brooke Laing. brooke@littlesupernovas.com www.littlesupernovas.com 07791 235 247

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