ABSOLUTELY BLACKHEATH & GREENWICH
AUGUST 2014 / £3.95
RANGER’S HOUSE
JULIUS WERNHER’S ASTOUNDING ART
CROWNING CAKES
TEA INSPIRED BY LONDON’S PALACES
GRAHAM BUTLER
AND HIS CURIOUS NEW ROLE
Tangerine Dream Summer’s hottest looks
STYLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGANT COVERS.indd 4
29/07/2014 11:14
Meet the property experts If you live in Greenwich, Blackheath, Lee, Westcombe Park (or any of the surrounding areas), it’s quite possible that you – or one of your neighbours – has bought or sold a property through us. Our success is built on the fact that many of our clients have either used us before, or were recommended by friends or family – in fact, 99%* of our clients said they would recommend us.
We have been established in the local area for nearly 40 years, and our managerial team have nearly 90 years industry experience between them. We have 25,341** people registered with us right now looking for property. Why not call us today for a free market appraisal from the property experts. Visit johnpayne.com for more information. *From over 270 clients reviewed via independent site, referenceline.com **accurate at 23rd June 2014
Chris Wadeson Lee Manager 119 Burnt Ash Road, Lee SE12 8RA 020 8852 8633 lee@johnpayne.com
Pat McManamon Westcombe Park Manager 11 Stratheden Parade, Westcombe Park SE3 7SX 020 8858 6101 westcombe@johnpayne.com
Doug Norris Greenwich Manager 227 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich SE10 8NB 020 8858 9911 greenwich@johnpayne.com
Richard O’Toole Blackheath Manager 1 Montpelier Vale, Blackheath SE3 0TA 020 8318 1311 blackheath@johnpayne.com
johnpayne.com JP_IFC.indd 1
23/07/2014 11:25
contents
XXXXXXXXX / XXXXXXXX
Aug ust 2014
14 7
12 14 19
EDITOR’S LETTER C U LT U R E WHAT'S ON Diary dates for August
BEHIND THE SCENES
...at Ranger's House, diamond magnate Sir Julius Wernher's art-filled Georgian mansion
COLUMNS
Ilana Fox on summer in South East London and our three top August reads
54 28 COAST TO COAST
Find your summer wardrobe in this month’s sumptuous fashion shoot
B E AU T Y 37 TIP TOP TANNING
The new products that'll mean you never have to bake in the sun to get that all-natural tan
38 BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL
Lawrence Roullier White on the illustrious histories of some super scents
20 GRAHAM BUTLER
FOOD & DRINK 42 ANNA HAUGH-KELLY
ST YLE 26 MID SEASON
46 REVIEW: COMMUNION
On his West End success
Pieces that'll take you from August to autum
The Forest Hill chef at the helm of Gordon Ramsay's London House
The Camberwell cocktail bar doing things by divine order
48 ROYAL RECIPES
Cakes based on Royal Palaces and what Henry VIII would have feasted on
INTERIORS 54 HOME SPOTLIGHT Cover image ja mes lucas
A peek at luxury design agency Thorp's most ambitious South East London project
3 GREENWICH_Aug_CONTENTS.indd 3
42 61
CONSTANT GARDENER
Margaret Evison on opening her South East London garden to the public
K I D S & E D U C AT I O N 66 KIDS CONFIDENTIAL Amanda Constance on the new study guides taking A Level learning by storm and all the kids news from our area
71
PROPERTY PROPERTY NEWS
News and views on the area
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 15:27
EDITOR ALEXANDRA JONES EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CATHERINE HALES EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS ILANA FOX, LAWRENCE ROULLIER WHITE SENIOR ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER LYNSEY SAKER PROPERTY DIRECTOR ANDY ELMER PROPERTY EDITOR LUCIE PEARCE ART DIRECTOR RAY SEARLE SENIOR DESIGNER PAWEL KUBA PRODUCTION MANAGER STEWART HYDE MID WEIGHT DESIGNER TAHIR KAPUCU PROPERTY EDITORIAL DESIGNER ANDREW MAVIN DESIGNER EKREM YILMAZ JUNIOR DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN COPY CONTROLLER CHRISTINE MANN FINANCE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HVID DIRECTORS GREG HUGHES, ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT PA TO DIRECTORS MARIANNE MCFADDEN For editorial enquiries please email: alex.jones@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 7704 0588 or email: advertising@zest-media.com Subscriptions are available simply by emailing marianne@zest-media.com You can receive an online subscription for FREE or a postal subscriptions for 12 months, £30 respectively (to cover postage and packaging). Please email us with your preferred option and details.
Published by
ZEST MEDIA PUBLICATIONS LTD 213 Westbourne Studios, Acklam Road W10 5JJ T: 020 7704 0588 F: 020 7900 3020 WWW.ZEST-MEDIA.COM Zest Media Publications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Zest Media Publications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.
Fo l l ow Us O n T wi t t e r @ABSOLUTELY_MAGS Fa c e b o o k ‘ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES’
FLANNEL PANEL_.indd 4
_ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 1
25/06/2014 11:04 28/07/2014 14:49
RAFFLES
49 Montpelier Vale, Blackheath, SE3 0TJ Tel: 020 8852 0018
RAFFLES.indd 2
08/04/2014 14:50
OUR AUTUMN & WINTER 2014 COLLECTION IS NOW AVAILABLE IN STORE & ONLINE OSKA 20 Montpelier Vale London Blackheath T 0208 852 9774 blackheath.oska.com OSKA 71 Heath street London Hampstead T 0207 433 1482 hampstead.oska.com
Untitled-8 1
28/07/2014 15:59
ABSOLUTELY / AUGUST 2014
EDITOR’S
letter
DEEP summer is when laziness FINDS
RESPECTABILITY. S am Keen
W
ell, quite. I would add to this that deep summer is when you’re likely to sit up, look around and go ‘Is it August? Already?’ We’re not sure how it’s come around so quickly either. Our fashion offering this month takes as its inspiration August’s mood of in-between-ness. Turn to pg. 26 for the products that you won’t want to throw out as soon as the seasons turn. Lawrence Roullier White is also in a reflective mood this month, looking at the history and provenance of some of his favourite fragrances. His column on pg. 38 will tell you which scents to buy so that you can smell like Marie Antoinette or John F. Kennedy. For our food offering we’ve got an interview with South East London chef Anna Haugh-Kelly who tells us what it’s like to be Gordon Ramsay’s protégée and why that doesn’t necessarily mean losing your temper. As well as this, I went down to Camberwell’s newest cocktail bar, Communion. Read my review on pg. 46, along with some of the new cocktail recipes that are so impressing locals. Our main interview this month is with a relatively unknown (for now) actor from Herne Hill. On pg. 20, Graham Butler tells me all about landing the lead in the West End production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and why he’s not too worried about filling his predecessor’s award-winning shoes. And whatever else you take away from this issue, take a leaf out of Sam Keen’s book and enjoy these last lazy, hazy summer days. Until next time!
LUI'S SS14; LUI-S.CO
Alexandra Jones
7 GREENWICH_Aug_EDS_LETTER.indd 7
Editor
Email: alex.jones@zest-media.com Twitter: @Absolutely_mags Facebook: AbsolutelyMagazines
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 14:38
Gin Bop.indd 2
25/07/2014 14:19
ABSOLUTELY / LOVES
IN THE BAG
5
The elegant design of Philip Lim's Buff Pashli Satchel makes it the ultimate summer accessory. We want. £740; my-wardrobe.com
T h i n g s We
ABSOLUTELY LIGHT UP
New York designers Roll and Hill have arrived at SCP in London and this Modo chandelier may take 16 weeks to order but it’s so worth the wait. £4,230; scp.co.uk
ON THE SPOT Stella McCartney's new autumn collection is all muted colours and asymmetric shapes, with stiff volume in the skirts and bold graphic prints. stellamccartney.com
SIMPLE STYLE
Clean lines and classic shapes are the mainstays in Maje's new collection. Casually chic, this collection will take you effortlessly from summer heat to autumn chills. maje.com
GOOD TIME
This utterly bonkers but totally fabulous Dali-esque watch is part of Cartier's Crash Collection. We particularly love the pink gold strap. Price on request; cartier.co.uk
9 Greenwich_Aug_ABS_LOVES.indd 9
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 09:36
Id 20 th Century Designs FURNITURE & DECORATIVE ARTS
w w w. i d f o r l o n d o n .c o m 38 Church Road, London SE19 2ET M: 07958 487 654 E: jerryrossati@aol.com
ID 20TH CENTURY DESIGNS.indd 2
34 Tranquil Vale, London SE3 0AX T: 020 885 8857 W: www.therightangle.co.uk
27/01/2014 12:22
Absolutely
August 2 0 14
Culture ARTS &
> WHAT'S ON p. 12 BEHIND THE SCENES p. 14 COLUMNS p. 19 PROFILE p. 20
EDWARDIAN LATES On 7 August, head to the Horniman Museum and Gardens for an evening of Edwardian entertainment. There'll be a tea dance with live music, extravagant music hall acts, silent film screenings, a period photo booth, street performances, tours, food, drinks and much, much more. 100 London Road SE23; horniman.ac.uk
11 Dulwich_Aug_CULTURE_OPENER.indd 11
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 10:29
APRIL IN PARIS 1 9-23 Au gu s t T h e C h u rc h i ll T h e atre ohn Godber’s bittersweet comedy tells the story of Al and Bet, a couple who have found themselves in a rut and dreaming of a better life. Could an unexpected trip to Paris be just what they need? u High Street, Bromley, BR1, 0844 871 7620; atgtickets.com
J
DINER POP-UP Thro u gho u t Au gu s t T h e R ai lw ay uby Jean's Diner is popping up at Blackheath pub The Railway, bringing a taste of American food south of the river with creative burgers, fried chicken and everything else expected from a real US diner experience – minus the actual Americans. u 16 Blackheath Village, SE3; royalalberthall.com
R
Goldfrapp Live 21 August O ld Royal Naval College
As part of the Greenwich Music Time Festival, electropop outfit Goldfrapp will perform songs from their illustrious back catalogue, as well as from 2013’s acclaimed Tales Of Us. A major coup for the festival, this will be the duo’s only London show of 2014 so fans of the pair are advised to snap up tickets before they sell out! King William Walk, SE10; greenwichmusictime.co.uk
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
Greenwich_Aug_What's_On.indd 12
THE ROYAL TENEBAUMS
8 Au gu s t Manor Hou se G arde n s op Up Screens is bringing Wes P Anderson's classic The Royal Tenenbaums to Manor House Gardens. Visitors can expect Gywneth Paltrow at the top of her game, a bar and burgers. Just pray for sunshine! u Lee, Lewisham, SE13; popupscreens.co.uk
12 28/07/2014 11:57
ARTS & CULTURE / WHAT’S ON SLOW MAGIC 13 Au g u st O 2 Are n a illed as ‘music by your imaginary B friend’, Slow Magic will be playing at Brooklyn Bowl in August. Instantly recognisable by his colourful mask and air of mystery, the elusive musician’s style has been described as ‘a sparkling rainbow of youth wrapped in gossamer melodies, airy synths and ambiguous, looping vocals echoed in the world of makebelieve’. So there you go. u Peninsula Square, SE10; theo2.co.uk
must see
Rozanne Hawksley: War and Memory
ON SCREEN
VERDI'S TRAVIATA
Thro u gho u t Au gus t T h e Qu e e n's Hou s e
10 August G reenwic h P ictu rehou se erdi’s Traviata tells the tale of Violetta, a socialite who V falls for the well-born Alfredo. The two elope but soon Alfredo’s father seeks Violetta out and urges her to leave Alfredo, for his own good. Violetta agrees and from that moment tragedy ensues. Streamed live from Glyndebourne, this is the perfect event for opera lovers. u 180 Greenwich High Road, SE10; picturehouses.co.uk
To mark the WW1 centenary this year, Rozanne Hawksley’s exhibition explores the nature and meaning of war commemoration and memorialization, particularly the impact of conflict on combatants, family, friends and the nation. Park Row, SE10; rmg.co.uk
EXHIBITION OF THE MONTH Ab s o l u t e l y ’s p i c k o f A u g u s t’s a r t s a n d c u l t u r e
SHIPS, CLOCKS & STARS f you’ve ever been interested in exploration or cartology, the National Maritime Museum’s new exhibition Ships, Clocks & Stars: The Quest for Longitude is for you. Held in honour of 300th anniversary of the passing of the Longitude Act in July 1714, it seeks to tell the remarkable story of the race to determine longitude (east-west position) at sea. This discovery would in turn help solve
I
13 Greenwich_Aug_What's_On.indd 13
the problem of navigation and save ships and sailors from shipwreck or starvation. There was also an added incentive: rewards of up to £20,000. Visitors to the exhibition can explore the rivalries and ingenious inventions sparked by this brilliant discovery. u National Martime Museum, 11 July - 4 January, Park Row, SE10; rmg.co.uk
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 11:58
HISTORY
RANGER’S HOUSE Holding the unique art collection of diamond magnate Julius Wernher, could this be South East London’s greatest hidden gem? Wo r d s H e l e n a D r a k a k i s
W
hen you reach the dusky pink drawing room of Ranger’s House you can almost breathe in the atmosphere of the lavish parties thrown by the Wernher family at the turn of the 20th Century. Glittering chandeliers hang overhead while old master paintings adorn the walls. The armchairs, decorated with Beauvais tapestry are ever-so-slightly worn on the seat, but the backs remain flawless, after all, society ladies, in silk or taffeta skirts perch delicately on chairs. They never, ever recline. The room is one of 12 housing more than 700 items of the private collection of diamond magnate Julius Wernher. Neither Julius, his wife Birdie, nor their three sons ever lived at Ranger’s House, the discreet Georgian villa built alongside the west wall of Greenwich Park. The building is most noticeably lit up at night and it is here where paintings and porcelain, jewels and sculptures are now displayed in rooms that mirror those of the family’s former residences of Bath House on London’s Piccadilly and Luton Hoo, the Wernher’s weekend retreat in Bedfordshire. ‘It’s a surprise to everyone who first lays eyes on it. The diversity and quality of the objects can only be seen in major
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
Dulwich_Aug_Rangers_Huose.indd 14
national museums, and here we are in a modest early Georgian house on the edge of Blackheath and Greenwich Park...a much more relaxed day out than central London,’ says Annie Kemkaran-Smith curator at English Heritage, to whom the collection is on loan to for 125 years. Born in 1850 in Germany, Julius Wernher came to work in London’s financial district aged around 20 and it was there that he was offered a job that would change his fortunes and eventually ignite his passion for collecting. Diamonds had been discovered in the remote territory of Griqualand West in central South Africa and in November 1871 he set sail for Cape Town. In nine years he rose to become the largest exporter of stones from the Kimberley diamond fields, and a mine manager for the Parisbased diamond dealer Jules Porgès before Julius’s return to the Capital in 1881. When gold was discovered on South Africa’s Witwatersrand Ridge in 1885 Julius had, by now, sufficient capital to invest in this large-scale and highly lucrative extraction operation. Four
THE DIVERSITY AND quality of objects CAN ONLY BE SEEN IN major
national museums 14
28/07/2014 11:10
ARTS & CULTURE / BEHIND THE SCENES
15 Dulwich_Aug_Rangers_Huose.indd 15
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 11:10
Butterfly Domes
Collections of butterflies in antique glass domes made to order
www.butterflydomes.co.uk butterflydomes@btinternet.com 07951 110147
butterfly domes.indd 2
08/04/2014 14:49
ARTS & CULTURE / BEHIND THE SCENES years later he was reckoned to be worth £7m (£280m today) making him one of the world’s richest men. In just twenty years from 1890 onwards, Julius amassed one of finest medieval and Renaissance decorative art collections that still remains in private ownership. While he is described as a modest man: ‘more like a grocer than a man of many millions,’ his wife, Birdie, gained a reputation as a hostess, wellknown for her opulent entertaining. ‘To be involved in displaying the collection at Ranger’s House, and being responsible for its ongoing care is a huge privilege. Not many curators get to work with such a high quality collection that has so many different aspects to it, and I enjoy being able to get up close and personal with such stunning objects,’ adds Annie Kemkaran-Smith. Within the hundreds of objects there are many of international importance: a pair of maiolica plates from the Isabella d’Este dinner service (only 22 of these plates, which belonged to the ‘The First Lady of the Renaissance’ survive); a pair of French Sevres porcelain plates from the Louis XVI dinner service (also called the Windsor Castle service as HM The Queen owns the majority of the
medieval ivories,
RENAISSANCE
bronze sculptures and painted LIMOGES ENAMELS
set). There are also several examples of highly important medieval ivories, Renaissance bronze sculptures and painted Limoges enamels. Upstairs, visitors armed with a magnifying glass can take in around 115 enamelled, jewelled and chased gold jewellery pieces. A Greek earring of the winged figure Victory dates back to the 2nd Century BC while later examples of fine craftsmanship include a gold pendant of an opal-set lizard and a 16th Century ring with rectangular cut diamonds that has been painstakingly enamelled with black scrollwork. Even bringing the collection into Ranger’s House presented English Heritage with certain challenges. The floor in the upstairs bronze room had to be strengthened to carry the weight of 75 pieces including a 16th Century
17 Dulwich_Aug_Rangers_Huose.indd 17
bronze of Hercules cradling the infant Bacchus. An early 16th Century oak gallery front that is two metres long had to be winched carefully into place in the Red Room and is now hung on a specially reinforced section of panelled wall. And, in the downstairs Gallery, a whole sash window had to be removed to bring a large marble statue ‘The Loves of Angels’ into the building. ‘It’s difficult to pick out one or two favourite object,’ admits KemkaranSmith. ‘The beauty of the maiolica plate with the head of St. Joseph is simple yet stunning, with the red lustre showing that it was made as a luxury item. Equally, the small but perfectly formed pendant of the infant Christ with his hand raised in benediction is an object that makes me think of the person who wore it and how special it must have made them feel.’ u Ranger’s House and Wernher Collection is open annually from April – October. Entry is by guided tour only. There are two tours on each open day (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday): 11am and 2pm. Tours last about 1.5 hours. For further information visit english-heritage.org.uk or phone 0208 294 2548.
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 11:11
JANE BOTTOMLEY INTERIORS THE GARDEN STUDIO Tel: 0208 355 3388 email: info@janebottomleyinteriors.co.uk
Jane Bottomley Interiors has a reputation for creating beautiful interiors of the highest quality. Over the past 30 years we have forged relationships with decorators, cabinet makers, carpet suppliers and fitters and all manner of other interior related trades, this gives us an unparralleled ability to provide a totally comprehensive Interior Design Service.
www.janebottomleyinteriors.co.uk jane bottomely.indd 2
09/04/2014 09:56
ARTS & CULTURE / COLUMNS BOOKS
WELL READ
Chloe Mavrommatis and the team at Dulwich Books recommend their selection of sensational reads – enjoy!
ALL THAT IS by Jame s Sal t e r £8.99; P icador
ithout a doubt James Salter is, in my reckoning, the best male novelist alive. All That Is tells of the life of Philip Bowman who, rather than sinking like an anvil to the bottom of the ocean on active service at the end of WWII, surfaces in a middle-class dawn in the New York publishing world of the 1950’s. He wanders the offices, reception rooms and bedrooms of friends and lovers for the next 40 years. Reading Salter is like trying to capture the reflections of a diamond: fascinating, fleeting and beautiful. u
W
FRIENDSHIP by Emil y G oul d £14 .99; Virago
painfully spot-on book about turning 30 and feeling utterly incapable of true adulthood. Bev and Amy are best friends in New York, a setting that mirrors pretty sharply the wonder, frustration, and slog of trying to live in London. Unexpected motherhood looms, and the girls find themselves trying to maintain their friendship through the fall-out of break-ups, job losses, mounting debt and uncertainty about the future. Sharp, funny and unnervingly familiar. u
A
THE SPRING OF KASPER MEIER by B e n Fe rgus s on £14 .99; Little, Brown
iscerally set in the ruin of post-war Berlin, an unlikely detective searches for a British pilot. As a black market trader and homosexual, Kasper Meier has everything to lose as he struggles to keep afloat in a world where nothing is as it seems. The story is gritty and claustrophobic, and makes even the ordinary unsettling. A debut of unusual power and depth. u
V
6 Croxted Road, SE21; dulwichbooks.co.uk
19 Dulwich_Aug_Books_Ilana.indd 19
OUT FOXED Hello, my name is Ilana and I’m addicted to East Dulwich
I
Wo r d s I L A N A F OX
’m writing this column on what’s meant to be the hottest day of the year so far – and you know what? For once the weather forecast on my iPhone tallies with what I can see out of the window. The sky is blue, the sun is shining, and the air is sweet with all the promise that summer brings: of badly burned BBQ meat and acceptable daytime drinking. I’m itching to put my laptop down and get outside… because the fact is that our summers are so bad that we need to seize the day when the sun comes out.
I know I’m showing my age, but British summers didn’t used to suck, did they? When I was a teenager I swear we had proper, season-appropriate weather. I remember months of lounging about in the park (and accidentally setting a Scout hut on fire – sorry!), of getting a tan in a day, of not feeling like I had to make the most of every single drop of sunshine. In comparison it now feels as though we get about five days of proper summer a year and that the rest are a washout. So who could blame us if for those few sunshine-filled days we behave a little crazily? When you squeeze a whole summer’s worth of fun into a couple of days it can get chaotic. There are riots at Sainsbury’s when the BBQ food runs out, there are turf wars on Peckham Rye over the best picnic spot, and let’s not even speak of the battle for tables in our pub gardens. It’s a jungle out there and only the fittest and most determined will survive. But you know what? Those mental – and sometimes verbal – fights of who gets the sweet spot in the sunshine are worth it, because when it’s sunny we’ve no need to go to Soho to party ourselves to insanity. We’ve got the pubs (admittedly they’re more gastro than spit n’ sawdust, but hey, they serve alcohol), we’ve got the people (30-something is the new 20-something, yeah?), and we’ve got the spirit. South Londoners may be selfish when it comes to the last chicken kebabs in the chilled aisle at the supermarket, but the truth is, we rock: and that’s an actual fact. And when it’s summer, why would you want to be anywhere else? u Ilana Fox is a writer. Her third novel All That Glitters (Orion Books) was published last year. She’s currently writing her fourth. She lives in East Dulwich. Follow her on Twitter @Ilana
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 14:44
PROFILE
CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER Herne Hill-based actor Graham Butler takes some time out of rehearsals to speak to Absolutely about his new role: the lead in the West End production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Wo r d s A l e x a n d r a J o n e s
‘I
really thought that I was Hamlet. Or a young King Lear, you know? Grizzled and embittered,’ Graham Butler turns to me with an earnest look. He has blue eyes, clear and round and incredibly expressive, set wide in an elfin face. If Disney did Hamlet, he’d be a shoo-in. He laughs at this, ‘Yeah, sometimes I catch sight of my face in the mirror and I think, ‘Oh, you’re actually just a fifteen-year-old boy.’ One day I’ll get there!’ He’s sanguine about it because at 28, the Guildhall graduate has had a string of parts that have traded on this spry charm. From Second Lieutenant Raleigh in David Grindley’s superb 2011 production of Journey’s End to the title role in the Globe’s production of Henry VI. And now, the Herne Hill local is playing fifteen-year-old Christopher Boone in the much-lauded stage adaptation of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime. ‘I see myself as this frustrated, angry old man but I keep getting these parts, these simple, innocent youths. And then people are always like, ‘Oh no, that’s actually quite like you.’’
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
Dulwich_Aug_GRAHAM_BUTLER2.indd 20
Born and raised in Lancashire (‘in a little valley called Rosendale…[where] Coronation Street is the pinnacle of culture’) Butler is the youngest of three brothers, all of whom had an interest in acting and the theatre (one is now a director and the other, a writer). It was for this reason, he tells me, that he almost didn’t go into acting himself, decididing that, for the sake of his pride, he wouldn’t follow in his brothers’ footsteps. Instead he resolved to beat his own path, one which would lead to Glasgow and an English degree. And were it not for a post-A Level jaunt around Europe, which gave him a taste for the nomadic freedom that the life of an actor could offer, he would have happily walked that path. ‘I went InterRailing, and it was my last stop: Paris. In two weeks I was due to go to Glasgow to start the English course. I was sitting on a bench on my own and I just thought, ‘I don’t want to do that.’ And I didn’t.’ So, I venture, he’s probably the first person in history to actually ‘find’ themselves while travelling (don’t most people find chlamydia and a mysterious desire to teach English to foreigners?). He laughs, but answers in earnest, ‘You could put it like that. I suppose being an actor means you don’t have to choose
exactly what you’re doing with your life.’ This is a habit, I realise; he laughs at the joke, but answers the question terribly earnestly, so that it feels as if you’ve hit upon something very important. Actors, of course, make it their business to be charming, and this really is a charming trait, though perhaps incongruous with the image that he’s painting of himself as someone who went to drama school on the whim he picked up in Paris, someone who loves the business precisely because
20 28/07/2014 10:13
ARTS & CULTURE / PROFILE
he doesn’t know what he’s doing from one week to the next. ‘Of course, I also like the instant gratification,’ he explains when I press him. ‘Seeing someone react to what you’re doing, hearing someone laugh or cry. It comes down to vanity, to the arrogance of being an actor.’ He doesn’t come across as arrogant, in case you’re wondering, though he assures me wryly that this is down to regular stints of bar work. ‘It’s essential to keep me grounded!’
I LIKE THE
instant gratification...
HEARING SOMEONE
laugh or cry
21 Dulwich_Aug_GRAHAM_BUTLER2.indd 21
And if it is the audience reactions that he thrives on, Curious (as he calls it), offers plenty to sustain him, from laughter and applause, to a few tears (or at the very least, damp eyes). Based on the spectacularly popular Mark Haddon novel of the same name the play follows Christopher, a (to quote Butler) ‘genius with no filter,’ as he attempts to solve the mystery of who murdered his neighbour’s dog. It is implied, though never explicitly stated, that Christopher has Asperger’s
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 10:14
Summer time at Greenwich Market Craft Wednesdays August 6, 13, 20 and 27 Punch & Judy shows, magician, hula hoop classes and crafty fun for children every Wednesday
Park It in the Market
Window shopping Beautiful new timber windows
Thurs 28 August 7pm Winner of the Best Vintage Event, London Vintage Awards 2014. Classic car and bike meet, street food, music and late night shopping. Every last Thursday of the month, March – October 2014.
New shops in Greenwich Elizabeth Avey Vintage Wedding Dresses at 4 College Approach
Peyton and Byrne Master Bakers and Sandwich Makers at 20 – 22 Greenwich Church Street
Greenwich Hound Dog, London Dog Portraits at 9 College Approach English Flowerhouse has moved to 24 Greenwich Church Street
Market opening times Seven days a week & bank holidays, 10am – 5.30pm
www.ayrtonbespoke.com Telephone 020 8877 8920 Email enquiries@ayrtonbespoke.com 406 Merton Road, London SW18 5AD
_ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 10
www.greenwichmarketlondon.com
“At any time of the year, Greenwich boasts one of London’s favourite markets.” Time Out
28/07/2014 16:06
ARTS & CULTURE / PROFILE
syndrome. Whether he does or not, it is clear that he thinks in a different way to many people. He lives in a world driven by routine and rote, he finds comfort in the regularity of multiplication, he excels at maths and equations but finds the nuances of human interaction difficult. The opening scenes in which Christopher ruminates on the nature of metaphors perfectly illustrate his staunch practicality. ‘I think it should be called a lie,’ he explains. ‘Because a pig is not like a day and people do not have skeletons in their cupboard.’ Butler, who gives a mesmeric physical performance (in the myriad ticks and postures which make up Christopher’s character), is particularly good in these scenes, striking a subtle balance between innocence and self-righteousness. It was a play that initially no one, Butler included, thought would survive a transfer from novel to stage (‘I loved the book and I just thought, ‘That’s such a stupid idea’’), but in 2013, Curious won
If you're COMMITTED TO
THIS BUSINESS, IT'S EASY TO GET lost...you become
consumed by it
Olivier awards for Best New Play, Best Director, Best Set Design, Best Lighting Design and Best Actor. It was immediately hailed a classic and Luke Treadaway’s award-winning performance (he won Best Actor for his Christopher) was widely heralded by both audiences and critics. ‘I’m glad I didn’t see it,’ Butler ruffles his hair. ‘I would have had Luke in my head the whole time. Even if I didn’t mean to, I would have imitated him in some way.’ Must be a lot of pressure? ‘In a way,’ he begins slowly. ‘To be honest I almost didn’t want to go for it because I thought it would be so huge. What I’ve realised though is that yes, Luke won Best Actor but
23 Dulwich_Aug_GRAHAM_BUTLER2.indd 23
it also won Best New Play and that’s because it’s the most ensemble-led piece that I’ve ever been involved in. Everyone is entirely reliant on everyone else. Nothing in this play would function without every single person. That’s the part about theatre that I’ve always loved, the feeling of being part of a – to use Simon Stephens’ word – ‘gang.’ And if there was ever another thing that I would have wanted to do it would have been…’ To be in a gang? I venture. ‘No,’ he laughs. ‘Can you imagine? Me? Roaming the streets of South London in a hoodie? No, it would have been to be in a band. For that same reason, everyone’s on stage together.’ I almost believe him, because he is supported by a wonderful cast (sometimes literally) who add depth to Christopher’s bluntness. But the fact is, he’s on stage for almost the whole show, chattering and often expressing, quite beautifully, levels of emotion that, you would assume, he has never experienced himself. So the pressure is undoubtedly huge. Having said that, so is Butler’s talent. And his successes haven’t gone to his head: the Effra is still his favourite boozer and he still loves South London because people talk to their neighbours. ‘If you’re committed to this business, it’s easy to get lost…I think if you become consumed by it and it’s the most important thing to you, it can kill you.’ I ask if he thinks that’ll ever happen to him. ‘Maybe,’ he laughs. ‘If I ever get to play Hamlet...’ u The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is at the Gielgud Theatre until February 2015; for tickets go to nationaltheatre.org.uk
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 10:14
Untitled-9 1
28/07/2014 16:14
Fashion Absolutely
August 2 0 14
> MID-SEASON SHOPPING p. 26 SUMMER'S SOPHISTICATED SIDE p. 28
DO THE MATHS FIELD OF DREAMS Inspired Top ofby thedays classout in in theLondon style stakes, along the we love riverthis Thames, geometricthe silkFieldlife print dress summer by Paul collection Smith.will Combine seewith yourchunky little ones black through gladiator whatever sandalsmischief for instant poolside they get chic. up Hazy to during Triangle the holidays. Print Dress, ÂŁ325; fieldlife.co.uk paulsmith.co.uk
25 Dulwich_August_Fashion_Opener_02.indd 25
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 10:31
ALAÏA
Cutout textured-leather waist belt, £680; net-a-porter.com
SUNDRY
Palm Print Track Pants, £99.95; harrods.com
HARVEY NICHOLS
Stella Mccartney Monochrome star intarsia wool coat, £1,375; harveynichols.com
WILDFOX
Rainbow Open Knit Jumper, £180; harrods.com
DION LEE
Open-back leather and faux patent-leather top, £425; net-a-porter.com
ST. JOHN
© PAUL & JOE A/W14
Lockram Space Dye Draped Cardigan, £775; harrods.com
STELLA MCCARTNEY
Monochrome star intarsia wool coat, £1,375; harveynichols.com
SEAFOLLY
muste hav
The new pieces that will take you from August to autumn
HARVEY NICHOLS
Mother Of Pearl Printed cotton and silk blend shorts, £310; harveynichols.com
BELSTAFF
Kaddington pleated leather mini skirt, £1,175; net-a-porter.com
Dulwich_Aug_FASHION PRODUCTS.indd 26
Rosa vinyl and leather sandals, £210; net-a-porter.com
MID SEASON
Coastline Bikini Top, £59, and Coastline Tie Side Pant, £42, seafolly.com
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
SOPHIA WEBSTER
MATTHEW WILLIAMSON
Strawberry embroidered belt, £225; matthewwilliamson.com
26 28/07/2014 10:01
© ALEXANDER MCQUEEN S/S14
FASHION / GET THE LOOK editor’s
PICK
ÉTOILE ISABEL MARANT
Shanon jacquard-knit wool-blend poncho, £410; net-a-porter.com
VERSACE
TALITHA
Printed crepe mini shift dress, £840; net-a-porter.com
Pia embroidered silkgeorgette poncho top, £495; net-a-porter.com
PROENZA SCHOULER Zig-Zag Stretch-Ribbed Crop Top, £595; brownsfashion.com
MSGM MIGUELINA
Mari crocheted cotton top, £190; net-a-porter.com
SEE BY CHLOÉ
Floral-print twill slip-on sneakers, £270; net-a-porter.com
Printed crepe straight-leg pants, £345; net-a-porter.com
EMILIO PUCCI
Suzani Cady Gown, £2,099; harrods.com
MOSCHINO CHEAP AND CHIC
Printed satin mini skirt, £220; net-a-porter.com
HOUSE OF HOLLAND Jack metallic jacquard mini dress, £300; net-a-porter.com
© CHLOÉ A/W14
DOLCE & GABBANA Bianca embellished sandals, £705; net-a-porter.com
27 Dulwich_Aug_FASHION PRODUCTS.indd 27
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 10:02
XXXXXXXX / XXXXXXXXX
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
Dulwich_Aug_FashionShoot.indd 28
28 28/07/2014 10:06
XXXXXXXXX / XXXXXXXX
Un d e r t h e
S UN Classic tailoring mixed with statement jewellery and swimwear make for a summer of sophistication Photography Ja mes Lucas Styling Hannah Beck
Entire look by Hasan Hejazi
29 Dulwich_Aug_FashionShoot.indd 29
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 10:06
Body by I.D Sarrieri, Earrings by Karla Ross, Ring by Imogen Belfield
Dulwich_Aug_FashionShoot.indd 30
28/07/2014 10:07
Bow bikini top, £49, by Princesse Tam Tam; princessetamtam.co.uk Crochet pencil skirt, £399, by Sea Ny at my-wardrobe.com Cream coat, £175, by Pepe Jeans; pepejeans.com
Swimsuit by Moeva Earrings and Cuff by Karla Ross
Dulwich_Aug_FashionShoot.indd 31
28/07/2014 10:07
XXXXXXXX / XXXXXXXXX Trousers by Tara Jarmon Bikini by Moeva Ring by Imogen Belfield
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
Dulwich_Aug_FashionShoot.indd 32
32 28/07/2014 10:08
XXXXXXXXX / XXXXXXXX
Photography: James Lucas Styling: Hannah Beck Hair and Make up: Alice Oliver using Bobbi Brown and Aveda Models: Elise Lebrun @ESTABLISHED and Leila Sharma-English @ESTABLISHED Production: Beauty & Pro beautyandpro.com. Shot on location at The Park Club, Acton (www.theparkclub.com)
33 Dulwich_Aug_FashionShoot.indd 33
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 10:08
Bio Sculpture Gel, the original everlasting manicure, is a chip-free, salon treatment that cures to a strong yet flexible, glossy finish and lasts for up to three weeks. The damage-free, nourishing treatment will protect and enhance your natural nails and is available in over 150 colours. As the original nail gel, Bio Sculpture Gel is tried, tested and proven. For your nearest salon or further information on starter kits and training courses for beginners and experienced nail technicians visit Proud www.biosculpture.co.uk or call 0845 331 2347 members of the
@biosculpturegb
www.biosculpture.co.uk
A6R CC Havana Final.indd 1
2014/01/10 4:43 PM
BIO SCULPTURE.indd 1
30/06/2014 17:41
The MindBody Therapy Centre Your Choice in Complementary Health
20%
Off Waxin g July Only
Bring this advert along July only bookings. Terms and conditions apply. One offer at a time.
◗ Deep Tissue Massage ◗ Sports & Remedial ◗ Acupuncture ◗ NSRT ◗ Hypnotherapy
◗ Reflexology ◗ Yoga Classes ◗ Products for sale ◗ Vouchers
120 Stanstead Road, Forest Hill, London. SE23 1BX therapy4life.net | 020 3417 6108 | facebook.com/MindBodyTherapyCentre
MIND BODY THERAPY.indd 1 _ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 2
25/06/2014 17:10 28/07/2014 16:06
Beauty Absolutely
HEA LTH &
August 2 0 14
> SUMMER'S ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS p. 37 HEAVEN SCENT: HISTORY p. 38
WORLD CUP COLOUR The World Cup may be over but the new limited edition make-up collection from Clarins, ‘Colours of Brazil,' will transport you right back to Rio. Look out for the hydrating Lip Balm Crayon in Sweet Cherry – a colour we reckon is set to score. From £18; johnlewis.com
35 Dulwich_Aug_Beauty_Opener.indd 35
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 10:24
LILASJEWELS_APRIL.indd 1
26/03/2014 08:58
134 Herne Hill, SE24 9QL Tel: 0207 326 5050 www.intersporthernehill.co.uk @intersporthh INTERSPORT_V2.indd 1
_ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 3
25/07/2014 15:54
28/07/2014 16:07
HEALTH & BEAUTY / PRODUCTS NIP + FAB
365 Body Glow Fix, £9.95; nipandfab.com
editor’s
PICK
CLARINS
Self Tanning Instant Gel, £19; clarins.co.uk
MADAME
La La Tan, £36; madamelala.com
CLINIQUE
Body Tinted Lotion Light-Medium, £18; clinique.co.uk
CRÈME DE LA MER THE Face and Body Gradual Tan, £65; cremedelamer.co.uk
VITA LIBERATA
pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan Mousse Medium, £37.50; vitaliberata.co.uk
ST. TROPEZ
Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse, £33; st-tropez.com
TIP TOP TAN When faking it is this easy, there's no excuse to hit the sunlounger
muste hav
LANCÔME
Self Tan Flash Bronzer, £23; lancome.co.uk
JAMES READ
Bronzing Mousse, £24.50; jamesreadtan.com
FAKE BAKE
Flawless Self Tan Liquid, £22.95; fakebake.co.uk
37 Dulwich_Aug_Beauty_Products.indd 37
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 09:47
this month we’re talking about…
Minx nails Dulwich
beauty
CONFIDENTIAL Top tricks to keep summer easy and breezy. Just slather, spritz and go. Simples!
words RAMOL A HENRY
hat’s worse than a chipped nail? yes, loads of stuff, but it is W Well, annoying if you've spent a small fortune on a pre-holiday mani / pedi. With Minxing, a patented flexible film in a colour of your choice is applied to the nail using heat. With correct application and up-keep, it lasts up to 14 days on hands and 4-6 weeks on toes. A fun and relatively inexpensive way to avoid sand-chipped holiday nails. ● LY T T L E M I N X 251 Gipsy Road, SE27 lyttleminx.com
3 of the best
SUMMER ESSENTIALS 1
3
Heaven Scent You might not know it, but your favourite scents come with a whole load of history...
2
1. H&M QUICK DRY NAIL SPRAY, £2.99; hm.com 2. COWSHED WILD COW PERFUME OIL, £12; cowshedonline.com 3. ELIZABETH ARDEN 8 HOUR CREAM, £8.50; feelunique.com
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
Dulwich_Aug_Beauty_Notes.indd 38
w o r d s L AW R E N C E R O U L L I E R W H I T E
38 28/07/2014 09:41
BEAUTY / NOTES
U
nder the cover of darkness, dressed as servants of a Russian aristocrat, the King and Queen of France attempt to flee French revolutionaries. En route to France’s eastern border their carriage is stopped at Varennes and their true identity is betrayed by the scent of the female attendant. Only royalty, only Marie Antoinette, could afford a perfume as precious as Quelques Fleurs by Houbigant1. There is a rising trend in selecting scent; people are now looking for history, a perfume with provenance and pedigree and there is much to choose from. Sadly the Marie Antoinette story is a myth, whilst it’s true she favoured Houbiagnt (it was said that she carried three vials of the company’s perfume to her execution to give her strength), the scent Quelques Fleurs was not actually introduced until 1912. The fragrance does, however, have an (arguably) even greater significance. The brainchild of perfumer Bienaimé, Quelques Fleurs was the world’s first multi-floral, as well as the first fragrance to use aldehydes (these are the molecule additions to a fragrance which make the scent ‘sparkle’). This honour is often mistakenly attributed to Chanel No. 5 or to L T Piver’s Reve d’Or, however Ernest Beaux’s creation for Coco Chanel did not appear until 1921 and while Reve d’Or was released earlier (1886), it was not reformulated with aldehydes until 1926. Earlier in 1882, Houbigant was the first perfumery to combine naturals and synthetics in its ground-breaking Fougère Royale2, the world’s first ‘green,’ ‘fern’ scent which revolutionised the fragrance industry forever and launched a completely new genre.
3
1
2
RECENTLY OPENED 4
5
Lubin is another French fragrance house which was patronised by the last queen of France. Lubin’s Black Jade3 was worn by Marie Antoinette, a drop of which was said to have survived in a black jade flask that she handed to a friend as a parting gift. The modern re-working is based on the original formula from Lubin’s archives. In the same vein, Le Vainqueur4 is a 2005 interpretation by Jeanne Sandra Rancé of the fragrance originally presented, by her great-great-grand-father François Rancé, to Napoleon in 1795. Eight & Bob5 was created by French aristocrat, Albert Fouquet. Made for his own use, Albert occasionally gifted it to his high society friends. In 1937 Albert took a shine to a dashing young American who was touring France in a convertible sports car. He gave the cocky young upstart his fragrance with the note, ‘In this bottle you will find the dash of French glamour that your American personality lacks.’ The young man was John F. Kennedy. Back home JFK sent a letter thanking Albert for the perfume and requesting eight more bottles ‘and, if you can, one for Bob.’ Albert sent the package labelled ‘Eight & Bob.’ Sadly Albert soon died and whilst Philippe, his butler, continued for a time he ceased production with the onset of WWII. Philippe sent one last shipment to America and to avoid it being detected he hid the bottles inside hand-hewn books. Eight & Bob was recently recreated by Philippe’s descendants and, in homage to the journey across the Atlantic, each bottle is presented inside a cut out book. History never smelled so good! u Roullier White, 125 Lordship Lane, SE22; roullierwhite.com
39 Dulwich_Aug_Beauty_Notes.indd 39
Benefit
The new Benefit Brow Bar, where licenced aestheticians are on a mission to tweeze the lovely visitors of The Glades Shopping Centre into shape. Debenhams, 262 The Glades Shopping Centre, BR1; benefitcosmetics.co.uk
editor’s
PICK B RASS BANNED C ol or WOW
This latest innovation in specialist hair care products is for the not-so-natural blondes among us. Banish brassy tones for good. 6.8oz £16.50 Dr. Boo, 22 North Cross Road, SE22; drboo.co.uk
GET GLOSSY Burt's Bees
With natural oils, rich in nutrients these glosses will leave your lips soft, shiny and primped. Available in 12 shades to suit every complexion £8.99; Holland and Barrett, Borough High Street, SE1; burtsbees.co.uk
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 09:42
www.designsofmodernity.com
20th Century Scandinavian, European and American furniture & lighting Showroom, website & design service New items every week – Restored – Re-upholstered – Refurbished
BESPOKE KITCHENS & FURNITURE Designed and built in East Dulwich
Showroom open Monday to Sunday: Basement @ Crystal Palace Antiques Jasper Road, London SE19 1SG T: 07966 285 694
Ian Dunn Woodwork & Design 4 Goose Green Trading Estate, 47 East Dulwich Road, London SE22 9BN 0208 613 1781 | info@iandunn.com | www.iandunn.com
IAN_DUNN_DEC.indd 1
29/11/2013 Ben_Adams_Dul_Mar.indd 10:54 1
21/02/2014 11:07
Jennings-Bramly Furniture Ltd Beautiful furniture dovetailed to your needs Drawing rooms Dining rooms Bedrooms Kitchens Libraries Studies
0208 945 5794
JENNINGS-BRAMLY.indd 1
_ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 4
|
0771 555 4694
|
www.bramly.co.uk
|
richard@bramly.co.uk
29/11/2013 11:28
28/07/2014 16:07
Drink Absolutely
FOOD &
August 2 0 14
> ANNA HAUGH-KELLY p. 42 REVIEW: COMMUNION BAR, SE5 p. 46 FOOD NEWS p. 51
PICK YOUR OWN No one loves summer in the city. It’s hot, it’s dusty and it’s cramped. This August, head just a little way out and enjoy the idyl of the countryside before the pick your own season finishes. Hewitts Farm, Court Road, BR6; hewittsfarm.co.uk
41 Dulwich_AugFOOD_OPENER.indd 41
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 10:34
PROFILE
LUCK OF THE IRISH Forsest Hill local, Anna Haugh-Kelly is head chef at Battersea’s London House and Gordon Ramsay’s latest golden girl Wo r d s G e o r g i e L a n e - G o d f r e y
‘I
’ve ve got something funny to tell you,’ whispers Anna Haugh-Kelly conspiratorially as I take a seat in her restaurant, London House. ‘I’ll just get some tea.’ Small, blonde and elfin, with an appealing Irish lilt, Anna is the latest talent to join Gordon Ramsay’s team, heading up the kitchen in his 26th restaurant, London House. Having trained under Michelin-starred chefs such as Shane Osborn, Philipp Howard and Derry Clarke, Anna certainly has the pedigree, but, it seems, not the ego to match. I can't reveal what she told me (far too naughty) but what I can tell you is that she's very funny and very charming. It’s easy to see why Ramsay snapped her up. I can’t help but wonder though, whether Ramsay’s infamous leadership style has worn off on her? ‘I do shout at people, but I never said I wouldn’t,’ she says with a shrug. ‘But I try to be very fair – I don’t abuse people, I don’t degrade them personally and I never lose control. It’s a choice.’ It’s a sentiment you can easily believe; Anna comes across as the type of boss who’s firm but fair. ‘I like to think it’s
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
Dulwich_Aug_LondonHouse.indd 42
protective and encouraging rather than domineering and cruel,’ she continues. ‘I’ve had a chef ignore me for two months before. He wouldn’t even look me in the eye. It was absolute torture. But no one is going to make me not love my job.’ And boy, does she love her job. Anna talks about London House with infectious enthusiasm and at lightning speed – it’s plain to see that this restaurant is her baby. The dishes on the menu are very much her own, something that she’s immensely proud of but also slightly surprised by: ‘Even to this day I didn’t expect to be so involved. I thought the company [Gordon Ramsay Holdings]
would be controlling because they know what they’re doing. But instead they were asking me what I wanted to do and just said, ‘Yep, brilliant’ when I told them. I just thought, ‘This is nuts!’’ The resulting menu is influenced by Ireland. ‘I think it’s a great shame that Irish food is always seen as something quite heavy,’ she laments when I ask her about her dishes. ‘The truth is that Irish people didn’t invest a lot of efforts into developing our cuisine, but there are a lot of great, interesting flavours and bases there, which I use as the basis of the dishes. For example, the stuffed gnocchi are actually boxty cakes – old Irish dumplings – but nobody would know what a boxty cake was and gnocchi is easier interpreted as a modern European dish.’ It’s this gnocchi which Anna is planning to demonstrate at the Foodie
I had a chef
ignore ME FOR TWO MONTHS. it was torture.
42 28/07/2014 10:46
FOOD & DRINK / PROFILE
43 Dulwich_Aug_LondonHouse.indd 43
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 10:47
Market Fresh food cooked to order at your new all day dining local restaurant
Drop in anytime or to reserve call 020 3475 7080
www.thecrystalpalacemarket.com The Crystal Palace Market
CRYSTAL MARKET.indd 2
@3CPmarket
25/07/2014 16:53
FOOD & DRINK / PROFILE
I DON'T ABUSE PEOPLE, I DON'T
degrade them...
I NEVER LOSE
control
Festival taking part in Battersea this month a dish which she describes as ‘simple, yet special.’ ‘It’s our biggest selling dish and gets huge feedback, so I quite like the idea of being able to share it with the people who have had it.’ A quick Google confi rms this – even one of the harshest food bloggers I read describes the gnocchi as a ‘revelation’. Which led me onto my next question: how does she cope with the negative feedback when it does come? ‘Well, some of the feedback has been so positive that it’s ridiculous. It’s like, have these people ever eaten before? Have they been raised on dry toast? So I kind of have the same attitude with the negative – you have to take with a pinch of salt. You have your own style
and some people will agree with you, some people won’t.’ It’s a self-assured statement, but also a grounded one, and you get the impression that you’re never going to get the tantrum-throwing reaction to criticism out of her that you do from other chefs. Anna is no diva and seems quietly confident in her abilities. When I
ask her what makes a good chef, her list is exact: high discipline, being passionate about food, eating out, enjoying your job and liking the people you’re with. And when we come round to discussing London’s dining scene, her eyes light up once again. ‘I love Burger and Lobster, Dabbous and Hélène Darroze at the Connaught. And ToastED on Lordship Lane is absolutely amazing. One of the best starters I’ve ever had in my life was at ToastED. It was this mackerel dressing with a citrus marinade, with tiny croutons and samphire. That was it. And I had three of them!’ Closer to her Forrest Hill home she recommends Canvas and Cream, an arty, mother-and-daughter run cafe, serving classic brunch dishes and excellent cakes. ‘In the past ten years of living in London, this is the most exciting time to be in the city,’ she asserts. ‘You can go to any area now and you can get amazing food. And not just a good bite to eat either, but inspirational food.’ And with London House now settling into its stride, it’s just got a whole lot more exciting. u 7 Battersea Square, SW11; gordonramsay.com/london-house
45 Dulwich_Aug_LondonHouse.indd 45
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 10:47
BARS
HOLY SPIRITS
They promised cutting-edge cocktails, gourmet ingredients and a cracking good time. Could Communion deliver? Wo r d s A l e x a n d r a J o n e s
A
few weeks ago, divine summons popped into my inbox. Come to Communion, it said, the Catholic-themed bar in Camberwell where the cocktails are of the highest order and the food is otherworldly. There was something so pleasingly random about the whole business, as if the proprietors (who also own the Church Street Hotel and Angels & Gypsies, a holy trinity indeed) had heard a divine calling and the message was ‘get pissed.’ Well, artfully pissed. I’ll be damned, I thought to myself, if I miss a chance to sample some of the trendiest sounding tipples in South London. Alright, I’ll stop with the terrible puns. Communion, when I went recently, seemed a fortuitous place to end up; cool, plush and dark it was the perfect antidote to a hot-as-hell day spent in central London (seriously stopping now). Filled with heavy furniture and illuminated prettily by the stained glass window-style lights that run across one wall and below the bar, it lived up to the promise of the promotional pictures. If I’m honest, themed bars make me a bit
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
Dulwich_Aug_Cocktail.indd 46
uncomfortable (and they’re cropping up all over South East London at the moment) so the question was, could Communion wholly pull it of? (Sorry). Well, yes, actually it could and did. The stained glass window lights are a feature (a beautiful feature) but don’t dominate, and the thimbles of communion wine and wafers that come with each table are novel, but subtle. Beyond this, nothing screamed Sunday School, which is how it should be. Onto the drinks then, which really were quite stellar. Personally, I don’t like anything too sweet or sticky so I
was surprised that my favourite of the evening was the rum-based Calvary. Morello cherry, lime, egg white, and St John Caommandaria wine (a rich, oaky Cypriot desert wine) are mixed with Dictador Rum, an award winning Colombian rum with a distinct coffee flavour, to create a light, crisp two-toned drink that is as pretty as it is drinkable. Also commendable was the Dry Cherry Ilegal (recipe opposite), which despite the fact that it came with a rim of cherry sugar, was brilliantly tart, even bitter. These, of course, were just my personal favourites, but my friends each had their own choices, and it wouldn’t be worth listing them all here. What is worth mentioning is their (and my) delight as each new round was brought out. The Communion bar staff take the details incredibly seriously; the devil’s in the detail, after all (I literally can’t control
46 28/07/2014 09:52
FOOD & DRINK / REVIEW RECIPES
LIKKEL RASCAL Jamaican-influenced cocktail, lots of flavours and fruit with a heathy mixture of rums
INGREDIENTS • 25 ml Appleton’s • 25 ml Kraken Black Spiced Rum • 15 ml Jamaican sorrel (available in stores in Peckham, Camberwell & Brixton) • 5ml Jamaican stamina tonic • 50 ml Pineapple juice • 20 ml Orange Juice • 15 ml lime juice • 15 ml Nutmeg Syrup METHOD Build over cubed ice and serve in a Can. Garnish with fresh sugar cane and pineapple.
DRY CHERRY ILEGAL Cherry flavoured, fresh and smoky sister of well-known margarita
THERE WAS HUGE respect, FOR THE, sense of occasion, VISITING A COCKTAIL BAR is
meant to illicit
myself), so there were a myriad of lovely touches. The Likkel Rascal (right), for example, which is on the ‘South London’ part of the cocktail menu, where all drinks are inspired by, and sourced from, the local area, came in an old tin-can that was labelled with the name of the drink. Even the tap water came in a crystal decanter with crystal tumblers. There was huge respect for the sense of occasion that visiting a cocktail bar is meant to illicit. Food is courtesy of Angles & Gypsies, which is just upstairs, and was uniformly
delicious. It would be easy to wax lyrical on this point but most of you will know that Angles & Gypsies has long been producing faultless Spanish dishes, so just as a reminder: the pork was the most tender I’ve ever tried, the mushrooms came stewed in a rich earthy jus and the steak, the steak...oh wow, the steak. Communion doesn’t take itself too seriously. That said, it does take a hard line on quality, using some of the best liquors around. The only problem, if there must be one, is that the cocktails are almost too drinkable. Now, some people say that if the alcohol is really top notch, then it doesn’t matter how much you drink, the hangover will never hit. These people obviously did not see me on Sunday morning. u 29-33 Camberwell Church Street Basement, SE5; communionbar.com
47 Dulwich_Aug_Cocktail.indd 47
INGREDIENTS • 25 ml Ilegal Mescal • 25 ml cherry Marnier • Juice of grilled Sicilian lemon (grill them until sugars start caramelising, then leave to chill and juice) • drop of cherry bitters • drop of peychaud’s bitters • 15ml amareno cherry sugar METHOD Shake and strain into chilled glass. Serve straight up with cherry infused sugar rim.
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 09:52
ON THE MENU
history in the
BAKING A new book of cake recipes, inspired by the foods served at London’s Royal Palaces looks at what Greenwich-born Henry VIII might have eaten at Hampton Court Palace
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
Dulwich_Aug_Cake2.indd 48
H
enry VIII was a monarch renowned for his love of lavish abundance–whether it was women, food, palaces or sport, Henry indulged his passions on a grand scale. So when he took over Hampton Court Palace in 1529, one of the first projects he embarked upon was to increase the size of the palace kitchens. While Henry’s own meals were served to him in his lodgings from a private kitchen, he travelled with a vast entourage of around 600 courtiers, all of whom were entitled to meals at the palace twice a day and he needed kitchens large enough to provide for them. By the time the builders had finished, Hampton Court boasted around 55 rooms devoted to food production, staffed by 200 people...A Tudor diner at court, depending on their status, could expect to be served a wide range of fresh produce, from copious quantities of meat – roast beef or mutton and hearty stews– to freshly baked breads and a variety of fruit and vegetables grown in the palace gardens. On feast days or special occasions, Henry would dine with the court, seated at a top table surrounded by his most favoured guests. Elaborate banquets, often lasting several hours, would be prepared, and included an array of luxury ingredients, including swan, venison, salmon and porpoise. Henry is famous for having a sweet tooth and ‘sweetmeats’ crystallised or honeyed fruits, sugared almonds, jellies or marzipan sculptures were an important part of his regal feast, all prepared in his confectionery kitchens. During the sixteenth century sugar was still a highly expensive commodity and serving sweet confections was seen as a mark of extravagance and luxury – naturally they featured prominently on the monarch’s banquet table. u
48 28/07/2014 09:50
FOOD & DRINK / RECIPES
ROSEA AND ALMOND CAKE his delightfully light, fragrant cake is made with ground almonds, scented with rose and decorated with sugar-crusted rose petals – perfect for a summery afternoon tea. Make sure you buy unsprayed rose petals and be as lavish as you like with the decoration.
T
S E RV E S 1 2
• 125g plain flour, plus extra for dusting • 6 large eggs • 175g caster sugar, plus extra for the rose petals • 50g ground almonds • 1 tsp rose water • 40g unsalted butter, melted and cooled • a little
vegetable oil, for greasing FO R T H E I C I N G A N D D EC O R AT I O N
• 1 egg white • fresh, unsprayed rose petals • 100g icing sugar • ½ tbsp rose water • edible pink food colouring 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas 4. Brush the inside and rim of a 24cm round ring tin with vegetable oil. Dust with flour, then shake out any excess. 2 Whisk the eggs and sugar together in a large bowl until the mixture is thick and moussey and has doubled in volume. Sift over the flour and ground almonds then carefully pour the rose water and melted butter around the edge. Fold everything together gently using a large metal spoon, making sure that all the flour has been incorporated. 3 Spoon into the prepared tin and bake in the oven for 25–30 minutes until the top springs back lightly when pressed. 4 Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then gently ease the edge of it away from the tin. Turn out on to a wire rack and allow to cool completely. Lightly beat the egg white in a small bowl until frothy then use to brush over each rose petal. Dust with caster sugar. 5 For the icing, mix together the icing sugar, rose water and around 2 teaspoons of water. Stir until smooth. Add a drop of pink food colouring and stir until it’s the shade you desire. Drizzle over the cake. Decorate with the rose petals and allow to set before serving in slices. u
Tea Fit for a Queen (Ebury Press, hardback £10)
BLOOD VELVET CAKE hen ‘Colonel’ Thomas Blood tried to steal the Crown Jewels, the Tower of London was almost divested of its most precious treasures. Fortunately, his attempt was thwarted and the Tower’s happy triumph over the thief is still commemorated there today with this chocolate-flavoured, blood-red coloured cake. It’s finished with a cream cheese icing and a nod to the historic event–chocolate crowns.
W
S E RV E S 1 0
• 100g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra to grease • 250g golden caster sugar • 2 large eggs, at room temperature • 175g plain flour • 25g cocoa powder, plus extra to dust • 100ml buttermilk • ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda • ½ tbsp red wine vinegar • 1½ tbsp edible red food colouring paste FO R T H E C H O C O L AT E C ROW N S AND ICING
• 50g dark chocolate (minimum 50 per cent cocoa solids), broken into pieces • 75g unsalted butter, softened • 125g icing sugar • 250g cream cheese 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas 4. Grease and line a deep 16cm round cake tin with greaseproof paper. Whisk together the butter and sugar in a large bowl until soft and creamy. Gradually whisk in the eggs, adding a spoonful of flour if the mixture looks as if it’s curdling. 2 Sift over the remaining flour and cocoa
49 Dulwich_Aug_Cake2.indd 49
powder. In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, bicarbonate of soda, vinegar and food colouring paste together. Add to the flour mixture and fold everything together. Spoon into the tin and bake in the oven for 1 hour 10 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Remove from the tin and leave to cool on a wire rack. 3 For the chocolate crowns, put the chocolate into a heatproof bowl, resting over a pan of simmering water. Make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water. As soon as all the chocolate has melted, allow to cool for 5 minutes. Cover a baking sheet with baking parchment. Spoon the chocolate into a small plastic bag, snip the very tip of one of the bag’s bottom corners and pipe the shape of crowns by outlining three loops together, a bar underneath and a dot on top of the middle loop for a ‘jewel’. Pipe more crowns than you need so you can choose the best shapes. Leave to set at room temperature. 4 For the icing, beat the butter and icing sugar together, then fold in the cream cheese until smooth. Carefully peel away the paper from the cake and place the cake on a serving plate. Put two large tablespoons of icing aside, then spoon one tablespoon on top of the cake. Smooth it over to cover, then work the mixture around the sides of the cake. Spoon the remaining mixture into a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle and pipe three swirls in the centre of the cake. Push a chocolate crown into each and serve. u
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 09:51
Pianolobby is based in SE London and we would love to help you realise your musical dreams and match you with your ideal upright piano.Come and try our beautiful range of Yamaha, Kawai,Steinberg, Kemble and Barber pianos.
For more information please contact Julian on 020 3645 3930 or email julian@pianolobby.co.uk
PianoLobby.indd 1
27/05/2014 14:28
Lordship Lane Carpets East Dulwich
131 Lordship Lane SE22 8HU 020 8693 8728
Blackheath Village
lordship ooring Co. Brigade St (next to Cote restaurant)
SE3 0TW 020 8852 8109 carpets wood amtico rubber concrete cork sisal marmoleum woven runners customised runners vinyl and woven vinyl bespoke rugs sanding and wood renovation
www.lordshiplanecarpets.co.uk LLC_Dul_MAY.indd 1
_ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 5
As featured in BEST FLOORING SHOPS IN LONDON 27/05/2014 10:14
28/07/2014 16:07
FOOD & DRINK / NOTES RECIPE
TENDERSTEM, RYE KERNEL & TARRAGON SALAD his salad is based on the Nordic diet, which focuses on interesting grains and a characteristic love of aniseed flavours. This recipe uses traditional Västerbotten cheese but you can also use feta, which is widely used in modern Scandinavian cuisine.
T
TABLE TALK Dining out, eating in and sipping cocktails make up the menu this month
SERVES 4 PREPARATION TIME 10 mins (plus overnight soaking) COOKING TIME 25 mins INGREDIENTS For the Salad • 300g Tenderstem • 150g Västerbotten (or Feta cheese) • 100g rye kernels/grain, boiled (or ready made quinoa) • 3 small spring onions, roughly chopped • 1/2 red pepper, finely sliced • Handful of chopped fresh tarragon • Salt and pepper For the Vinaigrette
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar • 1 small shallot, finely chopped • 1/4 red chilli, finely chopped METHOD Soak the grains for 24 hours then boil until just tender (about 22mins). Drain and leave to cool. 02 Blanch the Tenderstem in boiling water until just tender (3-4 mins). 03 Add all the salad ingredients, including the Tenderstem, to a bowl and crumble in your chosen cheese. Season. 04 Mix together all the ingredients for the vinaigrette and drizzle over salad just before serving. 05 Grilled chicken can be added for a meatier salad. ◆
MARKET DAY
GIN O’CLOCK
Ever had a meal so good that you just had to recreat it at home? The Crystal Palace Market will now be saving you the hassle of scouring the supermarket to find the right ingredients. They have opened a butcher and fishmonger, next to the restaurant. So if you like your burger, you’ll be able to buy the beef there and then. Ingenious. 3-7 Church Road, SE19; thecrystalpalacemarket.com
If you’re as enthusiastic about the botanical beverage as we are, then we’ll see you at Rivington Grill's Gin Bop. Experts from Hendrick’s, Beefeater, Tanqueray, Langley’s No.8 and Bombay Sapphire will create bespoke cocktails and there’ll be hog roast to soak up the booze. Splendid. 178 Greenwich High Road, SE10; rivingtongreenwich.co.uk
Going Out Out
01
● tenderstem.co.uk
pparently the best parties don’t start until the early hours. And Gordon Ramsey’s Union Street Bar is helping you resist the call of your bed. From Thursday to Saturday you’ll now be able to quaff classic cocktails until 2am, so you need never miss out. gordonramsay.com/union-street-cafe
A
DID YOU KNOW…
Cucumbers can prevent hangovers, so if you’ve had one too many, eat a few slices before bed.
51 Dulwich_Aug_Food Notes.indd 51
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 10:11
Luxury European Luxury European Furniture Furniture since 1962 since 1962
London & M25 Showrooms 020 7760 7558
Untitled-10 1 absolutely-ad6.indd 1
wharfside.co.uk 28/07/2014 16:17 30/06/2014 17:25
Interiors Absolutely
HOMES &
August 2 0 14
> HOME SPOTLIGHT p. 54 CONSTANT GARDNER p. 61
IN THE NAVY Nautical inspiration abound this month, but seaside-inspired interiors needn’t be tacky. We’ve fallen head-over- heels for this beautiful yet understated bathroom, which has utilised the new Verity range of painted wooden furntiure by bathrooms.com to show-stopping effect. For prices and information see bathrooms.com
53 Dulwich_Aug_INTERIOR_OPENER_.indd 53
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 12:13
BEDROOM Neutral tones has been layered to create a light, but textured effect. The printed wallpaper works with the 18th century architecture of the house. Design pieces are allowed to take centre stage
LOCAL
CLOSE UP Luxury interior design agency Thorp give Absolutely a peek at one of their South East London projects P h o t o g ra p h y R i c h a r d p ow e r s
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
Dulwich_Aug_Eliot_Place v2.indd 54
54 28/07/2014 12:30
HOMES & INTERIORS / SPOTLIGHT
DINING ROOM Bold antiques and an oriental theme add drama to the entertaining room
OUTDOOR Neutrals and pastel colours allow the collection of antique film stills to take centre stage in this outdoor seating area.
55 Dulwich_Aug_Eliot_Place v2.indd 55
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 12:30
SPOTLIGHT / HOMES & INTERIORS HALLWAY The entrance to the house is neutral and as such the vintage film poster becomes a focal piece, a technique that is used extensively throughout the house to great effect (see below, left)
MASTER BEDROOM The oriental theme continues to striking effect upstairs. A regal blue with silver details is offset by a neutral carpet and finishings. The walls are an artwork in their own right, as such any additional art is freestanding.
STUDY AREA A sleek, custom-made desk hides the computer cables and the printer to keep clutter to a minimum. The mirror follows the conventions of the modernist artworks throughout the house.
For more information go to thorp.co.uk
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
Dulwich_Aug_Eliot_Place v2.indd 56
56 28/07/2014 12:30
FULL 2 25183PAGE.indd Dulwich magazine advert.indd 2
27/09/2013 21/08/2013 16:45 13:16
RAILINGS • WINDOW GRILLES • SECURITY • AUTOMATION BALUSTRADES • STAIRCASES • GATES • BALCONIES • GARAGE DOORS
Individual design to suit your needs FREE friendly quote within 2 days We can visit you free of charge or work from photos you send us through email Railway Arch 833 - 836 Consort Road, London SE15 2PR Office hours 8am till 4:30pm | 020 7277 6875 | info@bronzewoodconstruction.co.uk
www.bronzewoodlondon.com BRONZEWOOD AUGUST.indd 2
25/07/2014 11:13
ABSOLUTELY XXXXXXXXX//PROMOTION XXXXXXXX
be aut y
HOTSPOTS Be pampered this August at these luxe local businesses
ROULLIER WHITE Gentlemen, you've spent weeks in the gym perfecting the beach body beautiful. The trunks have been chosen and the tan is subtly topped up. Do not be let down by your cologne. Roullier White has a wonderful selection of summer scents, like Testosterone by Sentifique, all designed to help you stand out from the crowd. Roullier White, 125 Lordship Lane, London SE22 8HU; 0 208 693 5150; roullierwhite.com
ELLA’S BEAUTY BOX Specialising in make-up for all occasions - weddings, photo shoots, proms, make overs. We use only premium make up - MAC, Illamasqua, Sleek, Bobbi Brown. Eyebrow specialist with threading and tinting and enhancing of natural eyelashes with semi permanent extensions to work with and enghance your natural beauty. Perfect for all occasions. 07930381773; ellasbeautybox.co.uk
NEROLI Whether you are planning a relaxing holiday by the beach or a cultural break in the city, neroli’s ‘Beauty Boot Camp Package’ includes all the pre-holiday preening and pampering treatments a girl needs. Starting with a leg and bikini wax, followed by a mani/pedi and finishing with an Organic Facial and eyebrow shape, you’ll leave polished and glowing. 020 8699 9496; neroli-skincare.co.uk
59 Dulwich_Aug_London_Sale_Feature.indd 59
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 10:43
MISS ’ ADAM S
HELPER S
‘‘I am so very grateful to these angels, Miss Adams helpers for improving my quality of life. I don’t know what I will do without them’’. Jan Malik from Sloane square
Careful and Caring Cleaners Miss Adams helpers is an eco friendly non toxic cleaning company that specialises in steam cleaning and offers a complete range of professional cleaning services tailored to meet the needs of our customers. Our reliable and dedicated staff ensure that Miss Adams’ Helpers are indeed your helpers. Rest assured we always deliver a first class service. We aim to do our very best exceeding the average, securing our position as the best and securing your trust in Miss Adams’ helpers.
Along with your vicinity being clean you can expect our CRB checked staff to be:
• Respectful • Precise • Dedicated Committed • Trustworthy
Tel: 0750 725 3078 | info@MissAdamsHelpers.co.uk
miss adam cleaner.indd 2
25/07/2014 11:14
HOMES & INTERIORS / GARDENING
‘T
SPOTLIGHT
CONSTANT GARDNER
Margaret Evison’s idyllic Dulwich garden opens to the public this August, in aid of her late son's charity, The Mark Evison Foundation Wo r d s A l e x a n d r a J o n e s P h o t o g r a p h y L e a n n e D i xo n
61 MARGARET EVISON.indd 61
he weekend when we were told that Mark was on life support and that they were bringing him back from Afghanistan, I gardened all weekend...doing something physical seemed important. And I think when you’re gardening you are reminded that nature dominates our world, that it’ll go on and on and on, even when we’re not here. That’s how it should be.’ Margaret Evison and I are standing in her Dulwich garden on a truly perfect summer morning. ‘You’ve come at a good time,’ she smiles. It is hard to do justice in writing to Margaret’s garden, on this blustery June day, one of the first ‘good ones’ of the year, it is riotously, beautifully alive. It is a tapestry of colour and hue, every shade of green, every shape of leaf, a cacophony of nature. ‘Well, it has taken us 21 years to get to this point,’ she says modestly. A keen gardener, Margaret admits that this house appealed because of its abundance of outdoor space. ‘The garden is big enough to have a number of areas and each one has a different atmosphere. What I try to do is contrast the leaf shape and colour. In the front, particularly, every plant has been chosen because of its leaf rather than its flower. Classic gardeners say that leaves are what one should go by, not the flowers. The leaves are there all the time.’ It is easy to see how someone could draw comfort here. The ‘Mark’ we are talking about is Lieutenant Mark Evison, Margaret’s son, who in May 2009 was killed following wounds received in Afghanistan. ‘He was a very sweet guy, very energetic,
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 10:59
HOW TO MEET THE COST OF YOUR CHILDRENS’ EDUCATION Providing the means for your childrens’ education is a long term financial commitment which for a single child, can typically cost upwards of £200,000 even before consideration of University funding. Selecting the right investment plan to help you accumulate the required capital is a very important decision especially in the current low interest rate environment and our robust investment process can help your achieve your medium to long term funding requirements. For a free initial consultation contact one of our advisers today
020 8771 8661 67 Westow Street, Upper Norwood, London SE19 3RW E-mail: mail@thorntonspringer.co.uk
www.thorntonspringerfs.co.uk Registered in England and Wales No OC314913 Thornton Springer Financial Services LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority TS_Dul_April.indd 1
19/03/2014 12:52
Something Very Extraordinary The Whitten Timber Story About the exhibition Peckham Platform is pleased to be working in partnership with Whitten Timber on an archival exhibition that explores the history of this celebrated local business. Drawing from the personal collection of the Whitten family and those of the Museum of London this exhibition showcases rare images of the Grand Surrey Canal over the last 100 years. Summer Art Clubs Drop in throughout the exhibition this holiday for our FREE Summer Art Clubs. Using wood from the timber yard, you can make model buildings, bridges, barges and cranes that would have once occupied the Grand Surrey Canal.
Opening times: 2 – 31 August Wednesday-Friday, 11am-6pm Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm Public opening: 1 Aug 5pm – 8pm Venue: Peckham Platform 89 Peckham High Street London SE15 5RS
info@peckhamplatform.com www.peckhamplatform.com 020 7358 9645 @PeckhamPlatform
WHITTEN TIMBER.indd 1
_ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 7
25/07/2014 16:04
28/07/2014 16:07
HOMES & INTERIORS / GARDENING
HE LOVED HIS SOLDIERS...
he died trying to get them out of...AN AMBUSH
very caring,’ she explains. ‘And completely charming. He loved his soldiers and he died trying to get them out of an extremely dangerous situation where it looked as if they were being ambushed.’ The news of his death rippled through Mark’s family, through his friends and eventually out into the press, with the Telegraph, Daily Mail and BBC all running the story for months and even years after the event. Though each was different, every piece focused on Mark’s many achievements: he was a
cellist, he was a pianist, he ran the London Marathon in just over three hours, and in 2006 he became the youngest person to walk to the South Pole. It is fitting, then, that the charity set up in his name – The Mark Evision Foundation – focuses on helping young people accomplish personal challenges. ‘They [the young people] have to be in the driving seat all the way through, they have to say what they want to do, put in an application explaining how they’re going to do it, then do the thing. Often they video it as they go. We have had some fabulous applications. We’ve got one terrific guy from North Lambeth, for example, who wanted to have football coaching training, which we paid for, and we paid for lots of balls and kit and then he set up a football coaching course on his estate for all the younger kids.’ Offering £500 grants to successful applicants the Foundation was set up in the short period between Mark’s death and his funeral, so sure were his family and friends that it was the best way to remember him. ‘It’s a very sad story,’ Margaret admits quietly. ‘And a lot of young people were very upset, not just the family. The Foundation is a wonderful way for some of his friends to put their memories of him back into something very tangible.’ u Margaret's garden will be open on 31 August, 2-5.30, entry £3.00 in support of the Mark Evison Foundation. 118 Court Lane, SE21 7EA, 07789 765 867; markevisonfoundation.org
63 MARGARET EVISON.indd 63
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 11:00
zest ad:Layout 1
17/7/14
08:24
Page 1
Independent co-ed pre-prep & nursery 3–7 years . Founded 1976 . Member ISA Independent Co-educational 3-11 years. Founded 1942. ISA & IAPS
Inspiring Brilliant Futures In the 2014 senior school entrance examinations Year 6 pupils were awarded • 29 Academic Scholarships • 7 Art Scholarships • 4 Sports Scholarships • 3 Music Scholarships
Open Day
W f
Saturday 27th September 10.00 – 12.30 020-8670 5865
email: admissions@rosemeadprepschool.org.uk www.rosemeadprepschool.org.uk
MAXIMUM POTENTIAL Specialising in Sensory integration OT, SLT & Physio Dyslexia Support and Educational Therapy Service
Emerging, for life
Assessment and support For young people in: Motor skills, Handwriting, Attention & Focus, Language, Articulation, Literacy & Numeracy
Excellent and outstanding: 58 times! Verdict from the latest Independent Schools’ Inspection report: The words excellent (highest rating for Whole School and Key Stage 1) and outstanding (highest rating for Early Years) feature an incredible 46 and 12 times, respectively. See www.isi.net.
dulwich@maximumpotential.org.uk 020 8670 6484 putney@maximumpotential.org.uk 020 8670 1523
Main entry at 2+, 3+ and 4+. We look forward to meeting you! W www.hernehillschool.co.uk. E enquiries@hernehillschool.co.uk T 020 7274 6336
_ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 6
www.maximumpotential.org.uk
The Old Vicarage 127 Herne Hill London SE24 9LY
DEVONSHIRE PLACE W1
MaxPot_April.indd 1
PUTNEY SW11
ST JOHN’S WOOD NW11
DULWICH SE27
27/03/2014 10:16 28/07/2014 16:08
Absolutely
August 2 0 14
Education KIDS &
> KID'S NOTES & AMANDA CONSTANCE ON TEACHING SHAKESPEARE p. 66
SILVER LININGS The new collection from Pale Cloud is inspired by ‘the glamour and atmosphere of early 20th century circus performers and their elegant horses.’ This fashionforward apparel brand specialises in girls age four to 14 and fans include Suri Cruise and Lady Louise Windsor as well as Sarah Jessica Parker's super-stylish twins. pale-cloud.com
65 Dulwich_Aug_KIDS_OPENER.indd 65
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 11:04
kids
CONFIDENTIAL A new recipe for little ones from Ella's Kitchen and Amanda Constance looks at the new guides making A Levels easier
RECIPE
GOLDEN TREASURE MUFFINS ittle explorers love to discover new treasure – and inside these muffins they’ll find squishy golden nuggets of butternut squash. A sprinkling of thyme gives a tasty, herby twist.
L
WHAT YOU NEED • 400g butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and cut into small chunks • 4 unsmoked streaky bacon rashers, finely chopped • 125g self-raising white flour • 50g cornmeal • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 2 teaspoons finely chopped thyme • 1 egg • 75ml buttermilk • 3 tablespoons mild olive oil or sunflower oil WHAT TO DO 1 Preheat the oven to 220°C/ Gas Mark 7. Line a 12-section muffin tin with paper cake cases that measure 9cm in diameter when flattened out. 2 Cook the squash in a saucepan of boiling water for about 10 minutes until softened but not mushy. Drain well and return to the pan. Crush the squash until broken up but not puréed. Leave to cool. 3 Heat a dry frying pan and fry the bacon for about 5 minutes until crispy. Transfer to a large bowl and add the flour, cornmeal, baking powder and thyme. 4 Beat together the egg, buttermilk and oil in a separate small bowl. Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients with the squash and mix together until only just combined. 5 Divide the mixture evenly among the cake cases and bake in the oven for 15 minutes until slightly risen and pale golden.
SQUISH SQUASH Ask your little helper to squish the cooked butternut squash. If you let it cool down first, they can use their hands for messy foody fun!
Guiding light To help his daughter with AS Level Shakespeare, editor of The Week, Jolyon Connell launched a new range of study guides
Ella’s Kitchen The Big Baking Book is published by Hamlyn, out now, £14.99
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
Dulwich_Aug_Education_v2.indd 66
W o r d s A M A N D A C O N S TA N C E
66 28/07/2014 12:33
KIDS & EDUCATION / NOTES
W
hen Jolyon Connell’s daughter Flora didn’t achieve a perfect A in her AS Level on Shakespeare, it got him thinking. Flora – in the sixth form at St Mary’s Calne – got straight As in every subject apart from the great bard. It was The Tempest that had been the problem, a tricky one at the best of times, so Connell immediately offered to help. He dug out his old notes, yet found little to help him there and then scratched his head, as he had no idea which critic to turn to. ‘What do you do if, at the age of 17, you need some direction?’ Connell explains. ‘It’s York Notes or nothing and they don’t give you any idea of which critic to start with.’ And surely if Flora – the privately educated daughter of the ex-deputy editor of The Sunday Telegraph – needed help, many others did, too? Connell’s lightbulb moments are not to be ignored. The last time he had one, the result was The Week, the news digest that became the
publishing success story of the last two decades and is now Britain’s highest-selling weekly subscription magazine. He rang his old tutor at St Andrews, Graham Bradshaw – acclaimed by Harold Bloom as one of the best Shakespeare scholarsof the last 50 years – and asked him to write a guide to The Tempest; five years later, the first Connell Guide was born. With each dedicated to a single, classic text, there are now 20 in print. Other Shakespeare plays covered include Othello, King Lear,
Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet, while the range of novels includes Jane Eyre and Great Expectations, along with modern classics such as The Great Gatsby, Heart of Darkness and The Waste Land. Every guide is written by a leading academic in the field, is no more than 20,000 words long, and is accessible and beautifully designed. Like The Week, the guides illuminate without sacrificing complexity and seamlessly convey the viewpoints from both sides of the critical spectrum. Last September, Connell Guides also launched a subscription service for schools. 275 have signed up so far ‘including all the major public schools,’ says Connell, who adds that he is keen to get state schools on board. For £195 a year, schools receive all 20 guides, the four new ones published in the following year, plus access to Connell Shorts – briefer, digital guides to modern texts, such as Atonement, The Road, and The Bloody Chamber. Subscribers also receive the Connell fortnightly review, regular new essays and a monthly quiz. Colin Hall, head of Holland Park School, says: ‘In these days of Facebook, text language, downloads... the ‘plugged in’ generation find it harder to digest academic texts. What Connell Guides bring is immediacy and clarity; brevity with depth. They unlock the complex and offer students an entry route.’ This September, Connell Guides is launching a virtual Book Club. Designed to appeal to a wider audience, subscribers will receive a monthly Connell Guide or Connell Short (either in print or digitally), a fortnightly literary review, plus a literary briefing, quizzes and more. Connell has also started filming a series of video talks with university dons. When he spoke to Absolutely he had just returned from Oxford, where he discussed Romeo and Juliet with Simon Palfry, a Fellow at Brasenose and distinguished Shakespeare critic. Next in the pipeline is a film with Valentine Cunningham, a Senior Fellow at Corpus Christi College in Oxford, about King Lear and Mrs Dalloway. And his work has not gone unnoticed. At the Sunday Times Festival of Education a few months ago, the (then) Education Secretary Michael Gove said what many teachers are now thinking: ‘John Connell should be garlanded with roses.’ u connellguides.com
67 Dulwich_Aug_Education_v2.indd 67
DAHLING Dior
Alright, we know it’s pricey, but Dior Baby’s AW14 Collection has stolen our hearts. Themed on Christian Dior’s distant memories – of emotion, romance – the Scarlet Woollen Coat (above, £480) for girls, and the Blue Leather Jacket (£1,200) for boys, are our favourites. dior.com
BABY BEAUTIFUL Nom Nom
Hurrah for local skincare brand Nom Nom who have just won a Gold and a Silver at the FreeFrom Skincare Awards. Gold went to their Organic Pregnancy Stretch Butter (Camillia and Vanilla) and Silver to their Organic Baby Butter (Calendula and Evening Primrose). nomnomskincare.com
GI RLS WO RLD
Sydenham School
Feminism is reaching a new generation. Members of Sydenham School politics club recently created a special enrichment day for Years 7-11 with every subject from art to geography featuring lessons with a feminist perspective. On hand to help proceedings was journalist Daisy Buchanan. sydenham.lewisham.sch.uk
AUGUST 2014
28/07/2014 12:48
After the umpteenth year, the self-made man rested.
PL_AUG.indd 2 ZOO1205 PL DPS_Zest_420x297.indd 3-4
11/07/2014 09:39
PL_AUG.indd 3
11/07/2014 05/08/2013 09:39 14:20
web: www.blacklionbuild.com
enquiries@blacklionbuild.com
quoting ABSOLUTELY
BlackLion_construction.indd 1
26/06/2014 09:55
ABSOLUTELY DULWICH
LONDON
AUGUST 2014 / £3.95
ABSOLUTELY LONDON
ROYAL TEA CAKES INSPIRED BY PALACES
S T Y L I S H . I N T E L L I G E N T . E L E G A N T . A B S O L U T E LY
DOWNLOAD
BEHIND THE SCENES
AT THE SAM WANAMAKER PLAYHOUSE
THE NEW
i PA D A P P
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT
T O D AY
GRAHAM BUTLER ON HIS GAP YEAR EPIPHANY
SEARCH FOR
So Sultry
‘ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES LONDON’
iTUNES, NEWSSTAND OR APP STORE
OUR GUIDE TO THE CHICEST SUMMER
The Best of Local Luxury
STYLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGANT COVERS.indd 2
25/07/2014 11:54
RICHMOND
ABSOLUTELY A BSOLUTEL BSOLUTELY Chelsea Fulham
Richmond
MARCH 2013 £3.95
CHILD'S PLAY
NOTTING HILL
SUGAR
KENSINGTON
SUGAR CITY & ANGEL Putney & Wandsworth
ALEX AND ALEXA'S DESIGNER PICKS
NORTH BY NORTHWEST
BEST AFTERNOON TEAS IN TOWN
Battersea & Clapham
MARCH 2013
FASHION • SHOPPING • FOOD & DRINK • WHAT’S ON • CULTURE • INTERIORS • PROPERTY
CREATIVE MINDS
TOP ART HOLIDAYS IN EUROPE
DAVID NASH MAKING SHAPES IN KEW GARDENS
T: 020 7704 0588 / F: 020 7900 3020 WWW.ZEST-MEDIA.COM
IPAD HORIZONAL.indd 1
_ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 9
SS TT Y Y LLII SS H H .. II N N TT E ELL LL II G GE EN NT. T. E ELLE EG GA AN NT. T. A AB BSS O O LLU U TTE ELY LY
25/07/2014 17:36
28/07/2014 16:03
Property Absolutely
pletely > me in London.
August 2 0 14
Our services
Sales and Lettings
Property Management
LIVING THE DREAM
p.76
SPOTLIGHTBlock Management p.82 IN THEIR OWN WORDS p.86 SHOWCASE p. 90 THE INSIDER Property Solicitors
p.95
Chartered Surveyors Financial Services Visit kfh.co.uk
experience and 50 branches ur local knowledge and l ensure we achieve the
ndon branches include
Completely at home in West London.
Our services Sales and Lettings Property Management Block Management Property Solicitors Chartered Surveyors Financial Services Visit kfh.co.uk
With over 35 years’ experience and 50 branches across the Capital, our local knowledge and London network will ensure we achieve the right result for you. Our dedicated West London branches include • Bayswater • Holland Park
The Gatehouse, Repository Road, SE18
£2,000,000 Freehold
A unique and beautifully presented Georgian Military Gatehouse offering over 3,500sqft of living space and set within mature, secluded gardens. The property dates back to 1806 and was formerly the Royal Artillery Commandants residence. This large four bedroom detached residence stands alone without any live in neighbours and is situated in an open field settings within Woolwich Common and the Royal Artillery Barrack field.
020 8852 9451 KFH MASTER brand adverts_July-August.indd 2
PROPERTY FRONT COVER.indd 1
KFH, Blackheath kfh.co.uk
71
05/06/2014 15:18
05/06/2014 15:18
AUGUST 2014
25/07/2014 11:30
Completely at home in South East London.
Our services Sales and Lettings Property Management Block Management Property Solicitors Chartered Surveyors Financial Services Visit kfh.co.uk
With a network of 17 branches in South East London and over 50 across the Capital, our local knowledge and London network will ensure we achieve the right result for you. Our dedicated South East London branches include • Blackheath • Bromley • Chislehurst • Lee
KFH.indd 1 brand adverts_July-August.indd 4 KFH MASTER
17/07/2014 15:20 14:06 05/06/2014
Arsenal Way, Woolwich, SE18 £589,950 Leasehold Blackheath 020 8852 9451 Email sbl@kfh.co.uk
KFH.indd 08.14 KFH 2 Blackheath and Greenwich.indd 2
A two bedroom, Grade II listed conversion modernised to a stunning standard with an en suite bathroom to the master bedroom on the mezzanine level.
• • • • • • • •
Two bedrooms Two bathrooms Mezzanine level Exposed brickwork Private section of garden Parking space Concierge service EPC rating D
17/07/2014 11:35 14:06 14/07/2014
Freelands Road, Bromley, BR1 ÂŁ640,000 A truly beautiful three bedroom, Edwardian semi detached family home offering period features, two reception rooms, driveway and 38ft garden. This property is situated in the prestigious Sundridge Village area, close to some outstanding schools. Freehold. EPC rating E. Bromley 020 8460 6066 Email sbr@kfh.co.uk
Kingshurst Road, Lee, SE12 OIEO ÂŁ625,000 A beautifully refurbished three bedroom, semi detached house offering bathroom, two WCs, extended kitchen/diner, large private garden and off street parking. This property is located on a popular road in Lee, near the train station. Offered chain free. Freehold. Lee 020 8857 9494 Email sle@kfh.co.uk
KFH.indd 08.14 KFH 3 Blackheath and Greenwich.indd 3
17/07/2014 11:36 14:06 14/07/2014
Woodlands Road, Bickley, BR1 £3,800 pcm Beautifully presented four double bedroom detached family house with three bathrooms, three reception rooms, large kitchen, 80ft garden and patio and an additional ground floor annex. This property is located on a private road, within close proximity to Chislehurst train station. Unfurnished. EPC rating D. Bromley 020 8464 5353 Email lbr@kfh.co.uk
Tyrwhitt Road, Brockley, SE4 £2,800 pcm Beautiful double fronted Victorian house with six double bedrooms, two reception rooms, two bathrooms, utility room and private garden. Located within the Brockley Conservation Area near Prendergast School. Furnished or unfurnished. Blackheath 020 8297 0181 Email lbl@kfh.co.uk
£210 tenancy agreement fee per property. Other fees apply, visit kfh.co.uk/lettingsfees
KFH.indd 08.14 KFH 4 Blackheath and Greenwich.indd 4
17/07/2014 11:37 14:07 14/07/2014
Living the dream
Ashburnham Grove, SE10, £1,250,000
T
his stunning three bedroom house situated on a quiet residential road offers beautifully presented interiors and benefits from a superb garden with a gym. Foxtons, Greenwich 020 8879 2179; foxtons.co.uk
Greenwich, SE10
PRIME LOCATION.COM
O.I.E.O. £825,000
SUGGESTS
A
fabulous double-fronted 3 bedroom semi-detached cottage in the heart of Greenwich. The cottage has been extensively refurbished by the present owners to provide a comfortable and attractive home with all mod cons, including a stylish fitted kitchen and open-plan living and dining area. Upstairs there are three bedrooms, some with the original beams exposed and a modern bathroom and toilet.
W
e have just launched our new ‘travel time’ feature which allows you to search for property based on journey time to a selected destination and your preferred method of transport. You can use our great, new travel time feature to find properties for sale or to rent that meet both your property requirements and your travel criteria. So, if you’re looking to be within a certain journey time from family, friends or work, make sure you use our new feature to find property.
JDM, Blackheath 020 8463 0091; jdmonline.com
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
PROPERTY ROUND UP.indd 2
76 25/07/2014 11:34
PROPERTY | LIVING THE DREAM The MOST LUXURIOUSLY appointed PROPERTIES on the market
Falconwood Court, SE3
Akehurst Court, High Street, TN13, £750,000
£1,300 Per Month
A
A
Cluttons, Blackheath 020 7647 7820; cluttons.com
Taylor & Tester 01732 455543; taylorandtester.co.uk
brand new suite in this recently re-modelled development, moments from Blackheath Village and station. This luxury property benefits from solid wooden flooring, a stylish swivel plasma unit, modern fitted kitchen with dishwasher, and bathroom with large shower, and genius storage solutions throughout.
simply stunning period conversion arranged over two floors, which is centrally located in Sevenoaks High Street. This apartment has had more than just the standard refurbishment and now presents itself as an incredible one-off property that has to be seen to be fully appreciated.
Marine Wharf, SE16
Spotlight on
£450 Per Week
SE10
S
ituated on the 6th floor of the popular Marine Wharf development in Surrey Quays lies this high specification 2 bedroom apartment only minutes from Surrey Quays and the River Thames. A stylish open plan reception and dining space is furnished to a high standard and is flooded with natural light from floor to ceiling sliding door leading onto a private balcony, while a fully fitted kitchen completes the space. Two double bedrooms with ample storage space have access to a bathroom (master en-suite) and smart shower room. The development benefits from a 24 hr porter, on-site supermarket, resident only gym
Average asking price £532,882 Average asking rents £1,855 pcm and is only a short walk to the Surrey Quays overground station providing a convenient commute around London. Benham & Reeves Residential Lettings, Greenwich, 020 3440 7010; brlets.co.uk
77 PROPERTY ROUND UP.indd 3
Average property value £568,602 Data provided by
AUGUST 2014
25/07/2014 11:34
Devonshire Drive, West Greenwich SE10 Guide Price £850,000 Share of Freehold Stunning split level conversion apartment believed to be the library of the former Victorian built John Roan Girls School. Offering 1,500 sq ft of accommodation with two mezzanine level bedrooms and bathroom and open plan kitchen/living room with 28ft ceiling height. Contact Greenwich Office on 020 8858 9911
› › › › › ›
Lee 119 Burnt Ash Road, Lee SE12 8RA 020 8852 8633 lee@johnpayne.com
JOHNPAYNE.indd 1
Two bedrooms One reception room One bathroom Stunning conversion Mezzanine bedrooms EPC rating: E
Westcombe Park 11 Stratheden Parade, Westcombe Park SE3 7SX 020 8858 6101 westcombe@johnpayne.com
23/07/2014 14:28
Blackheath Park, Blackheath SE3 Guide Price £3,950,000 Freehold This fine Georgian double fronted house is situated on the premier road on the Cator Estate. Offering over 7,000 sq ft of luxurious accommodation arranged over four floors with an impressive indoor pool and a stunning landscaped 300ft rear garden. Contact Blackheath Office on 020 8318 1311
Greenwich 227 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich SE10 8NB 020 8858 9911 greenwich@johnpayne.com
JOHNPAYNE.indd 2
Blackheath 1 Montpelier Vale, Blackheath SE3 0TA 020 8318 1311 blackheath@johnpayne.com
› › › › › ›
Five bedrooms Three reception rooms Three bathrooms No chain Close to the Village EPC rating: E
johnpayne.com 23/07/2014 14:28
Please call your local office for a free sales or lettings valuation.
CHISLEHURST BR7
£2,950,000 F/H
Elm Bank occupies an enviable position on this exclusive private gated road that runs parallel with Chislehurst Golf Course. An original Arts and Crafts house, it was designed by the renowned Architect Ernest Newton and built in 1897 by William Willet. The Grade II listing has ensured that much of the properties original charm and character remains, yet the present owners have sympathetically refurbished the house to appeal to the needs of today. Energy Efficiency Rating E.
Please contact our Chislehurst office for more information: Tel: 020 8295 4900 Email: chislehurst@langfordrussell.co.uk
BROMLEY BR2
£999,950 F/H
wEsT wiCkham BR4
£850,000 F/h
A stunning five Bedroom detached house built in 1946 which has been sympathetically extended to an exceptionally high standard. This delightful home is perfectly located for commuters using Bromley South Station with links into London Victoria, Blackfriars and Kentish Town and is also within catchment to the highly regarded Highfield Primary School. Energy Efficiency Rating C.
This four bedroom detached family home briefly comprises two spacious reception rooms as well as a separate dining room, high specification kitchen with integrated appliances and Corian work surfaces. This spacious property also boasts a utility room, down stairs WC, ample off street parking and garage with potential for a further garage to the front.
Please contact our Bromley office for more information: Tel: 020 8315 5544 Email: bromley@langfordrussell.co.uk
Please contact our west wickham office for more information: Tel: 020 8432 7373 Email: westwickham@langfordrussell.co.uk
The Acorn Group, incorporating:
LANGFORD_RUSSELL.indd 1
23/07/2014 15:51
Beckenham 020 8663 4433 Bromley 020 8315 5544
Chislehurst 020 8295 4900 Locksbottom 01689 882 988
ORPINGTON BR6
Orpington 01689 661 400 West Wickham 020 8432 7373
£2,500,000 F/H
Beautifully set on one of the most sought after roads within the exclusive ‘Chelsfield Park’ private estate behind electronic gates, is this newly built contemporary six bedroom detached home. Accommodation comprises grand entrance hall, reception, kitchen/breakfast room, downstairs cloakroom, family/cinema room, utility area with wet room, gym, swimming pool, hot tub and sauna, master suite with en-suite, dressing area and balcony, large garden and integral double garage. Energy Efficiency Rating B.
Please contact our Locksbottom office for more information: Tel: 01689 882 988 Email: locksbottom@langfordrussell.co.uk
ORPINGTON BR5
£799,950 F/H
BECkEnham BR3
£950,000 F/h
Immaculate mock Tudor detached residence located on Petts Wood/Crofton Borders. Comprises two large receptions room, contemporary fitted kitchen, four good sized bedrooms, family bathroom, separate WC, and a large garden complete with a paved patio area. Situated ideally within the catchment area for Darrick Wood, Newstead and Crofton schools. Energy Efficiency Rating E.
We are delighted to bring to market this stunning five bedroom, three bathroom house in one of the most prestigious roads in Beckenham. The ground floor comprises two reception rooms with direct access to a beautiful mature garden, a large kitchen/diner which also has access to the garden, a study and WC. Energy Efficiency Rating C.
Please contact our Orpington office for more information: Tel: 01689 661 400 Email: orpington@langfordrussell.co.uk
Please contact our Beckenham office for more information: Tel: 020 8663 4433 Email: beckenham@langfordrussell.co.uk
langfordrussell.co.uk LANGFORD_RUSSELL.indd 2
23/07/2014 15:51
PROPERTY | SPOTLIGHT
Spotlight on CHISLEHURST
Through the keyhole...SOUTHLANDS ROAD, BR1 ÂŁ1,199,000
C
onstructed to the highest specification, this 6 bedroom family home offers spacious and luxurious accommodation over two and a half floors. There is underfloor heating throughout, speakers in the ceilings of the main living areas and plasma screen points in all but the top floor rooms.
SUSIE BUFF
Sales & Marketing Director at George Proctor & Partners 020 8658 1155; georgeproctor.co.uk
KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM
THE MASTER SUITE
The stunning kitchen/breakfast room is fitted in a comprehensive range of wall and base units with integrated appliances, bi-folding doors to garden and lantern ceiling.
The master suite has a complete range of wardrobe cupboards with built-in drawers and shelves, plasma TV point and full en-suite bathroom with 1700cm shower.
PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE from the experts
ANDREW ROBERTS
Director at Langford Russell, Chislehurst 020 8295 4900; langfordrussell.co.uk
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
SPOTLIGHT.indd 2
BEST SCHOOL
All schools in Chislehurst are excellent. There are three independent and five state schools. They all offer a diverse range of educational services to suit all ages and abilities.
RAINY DAY
It has to be Chislehurst Caves. A fascinating labyrinth of manmade tunnels that forms a maze covering over six hectares thirty metres below the woodlands above.
82
FUN FOR FREE
Walk around the 290 acres of Scadbury Park nature reserve, the ruined moated manor house and then go through the Hawkwood Estate to Chislehurst Common.
SPORTS & REC
Play rugby at Old Elthamians and cricket on the Chislehurst cricket ground. Cock fighting has been outlawed, although the cockpit is still there!
AUGUST 2014
25/07/2014 11:40
INNOVATIVE MORTGAGE ADVICE
elysianfinance.co.uk
ELYSIAN_DULWICH_SEPT.indd 2
24/09/2013 11:27
Crooms Hill, SE10 £2,650,000 Freehold A 6/7 bedroom Grade II Listed house fronting onto Greenwich Royal Park Greenwich 020 3092 5899
Wemyss Road, SE3 £775,000 Leasehold A two bedroom split-level maisonette in the heart of Blackheath Village. EPC: D Blackheath 020 3305 6488
Erlanger Road, SE14 £1,300,000 Freehold A four-storey Victorian house overlooking Telegraph Hill Park. EPC: E
St. John’s Park, SE3 £3,750,000 Freehold A six bedroom (three en-suite), three reception Victorian house. EPC: E
Greenwich High Road, SE10 £1,695 pcm Unfurnished (charges apply) A well-presented two bedroom flat close to Greenwich station. EPC: F
Oakcroft Road, SE3 £4,000 pcm Unfurnished (charges apply) A large five bedroom detached Edwardian house just off the Heath. EPC: F
Greenwich 020 3092 5899
Greenwich 020 3092 5899
Blackheath 020 3305 6488
Blackheath 020 3305 6488
www.humphreys-skitt.com *Tenant Charges Tenants should note that as well as rent, an administration charge of £216 (Inc. VAT) per property and a referencing charge of £54 (Inc. VAT) per person will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit www.hamptons.co.uk/tenantcharges
HUMPHREYS.indd 1 G308-Display-AD-A4P-DPS-HSK.indd 2
25/07/2014 02/07/2014 10:54 10:12
Local. National. International.
Humphreys Skitt & Co. is now part of the award-winning Hamptons International network providing you with access to over 85 offices, and unrivalled expertise and service. Blackheath 020 3305 6488 info@hs-blackheath.co.uk Greenwich 020 3092 5899 info@hs-greenwich.co.uk www.humphreys-skitt.com
HUMPHREYS.indd 2 G308-Display-AD-A4P-DPS-HSK.indd 3
25/07/2014 02/07/2014 10:54 10:12
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Sally Livermore Associate, Residential Lettings at Cluttons, Blackheath Photography: sarah metcalf
W
hen I was growing up, I was determined to be a lawyer. My understanding of the work required to reach said goal was somewhat uneducated, and thanks to a Saturday job in my Mother’s estate agency (something I believe she regrets to this day,) I changed course and dived head first into the world of property. 10 years later I have worked in various locations in London and have spent time working in both the administrative and sales side of the lettings role and I have been a Lettings Manager for 7 of those years. Some of my fondest memories are of those in estate agency; the most notable being the time when valuing a large house in Chiswick, one of their pet chickens flew and took a seat on my lap halfway through my valuation. I think it improved our position in the ‘pecking’ order somewhat. Having previously lived in Greenwich and growing up nearby, Blackheath has been well known to me all of my life. I love Blackheath as it is a true London village, with a superb mix of gorgeous little delis, stylish wine bars, cosy pubs and fine restaurants. The Heath is its true icon often filled on a sunny weekend with family picnics, and keen kite surfers. I love nothing more than coming down on a Sunday, taking a meander through the eclectic stalls in the Farmers Market and then wandering up to the heath for a family game of football and fly of the kite (wind permitting).
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
ITOW.indd 2
The variety of people looking to live in Blackheath is a perfect blend of families looking to be in catchment of the array of superb schools, and City and Canary Wharf workers looking to live somewhere a bit green and leafy. The superb transport links from Blackheath and nearby Greenwich and Lewisham make this easy and pleasurable. Blackheath properties are predominantly period houses or conversions with beautiful high ceilings, and stunning external architecture. I think of Blackheath as the more affordable (and nicer if you ask me!) Clapham Common, where you have the convenience of being close to central London, but the tranquillity of the Heath and Greenwich park make you feel like you are a million miles away. Blackheath is one of the friendliest places I have ever had the pleasure to work and live in. Everyone is keen to get to know you and there is a superb community ethic that runs to the core of the village. I see Blackheath as being somewhat under valued given its transport links, amenities and location. I believe we will see significant growth in prices for both sales and letting over the coming years, which will be elevated further by all the re-development and new build apartments going up in Greenwich, Lewisham and the surrounding area. I think it is an ideal place for buy to let investors to be buying to benefit from both good yields and a healthy capital growth over the years to come.
020 7647 7820; cluttons.com
86 25/07/2014 11:42
PROPERTY | IN THEIR OWN WORDS
87 ITOW.indd 3
AUGUST 2014
25/07/2014 11:42
You want the best. So do we. Best large lettings agency in the UK - Gold Best customer service - Silver Best website - Gold
Lettings Agency of the Year Awards 2014, in association with The Sunday Times and The Times
FOXTONS.indd 2
24/07/2014 10:23
FOXTONS.indd 3
24/07/2014 10:23
Property Showcase Over 7000 sq ft of impressive, luxurious accommodation complemented by a stunning 300ft parkland style garden
L
ocated in an excellent position only a short walk from the Village, the house sits back from the road with a paved drive providing good off-street parking. The house has been renovated in a dramatic open plan modern style, and offers versatile living and entertaining areas on the ground and lower ground floors with a spectacular open staircase as a central feature. The large kitchen/dining area overlooks an impressive underground swimming pool with spa and sauna and is lit by a large octagonal skylight. On the upper floors there are five bedrooms and three bathrooms, plus a library area on the first floor landing with modern spiral staircase. Blackhealth Park, SE3 ÂŁ3,950,000 Freehold John Payne, Blackheath 020 8318 1311; johnpayne.com
limited edition townhouses now available
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES GREENWICH_SQUARE.indd 1403449_Absolutely Greenwich1and Blackheath_Half_page_DPS_400x116mm_3_July.indd 1
90
SHOWCASE.HORI.indd 2
25/07/2014 11:46
PROPERTY | SHOWCASE
LOCAL ACQUISITION
Hamptons International Acquires Humphreys Skitt & Co
H
amptons International has announced that it has acquired Humphreys Skitt & Co, an estate agency operating in the South East London markets of Blackheath and Greenwich. The acquisition covers both Humphreys Skitt & Co’s offices in Blackheath and Greenwich and includes the sales, property management and land and new homes divisions of the business. Hamptons International has already started recruitment to establish a new lettings operation which will strengthen the existing services currently offered by the Humphreys Skitt & Co team. The acquisition forms a key part of Hamptons International’s
thrilled to be included under the Hamptons International umbrella. The opportunity to be a part of a larger company like Hamptons International offers our staff and our clients a wealth of opportunity and additional benefits. We look forward to a smooth transition phase and will be delighted to introduce some new faces from Hamptons International to the local community in the very near future.”
strategic plan to expand its UK network, which currently includes 73 branches across London and the South of the UK. The company will now trade under the name Humphreys Skitt & Co in Association with Hamptons International. Commenting on the acquisition, Marc Goldberg, Head of Sales at Hamptons International, said: “We are extremely excited about welcoming the Humphreys Skitt & Co team to the Hamptons International fold. South East London, particularly around Greenwich and Blackheath, has been on our radar for quite some time and the Humphreys Skitt & Co business ethos and strategy is much aligned to our own. Today’s announcement marks our second acquisition of the year and a further step in our plans for expansion this year and over the coming years.” Mark Maynard, Director at Humphreys Skitt & Co, added: “The team at Humphreys Skitt & Co is
MARC GOLDBERG
Head of Sales at Hamptons International
MARK MAYNARD
Director at Humphreys Skitt & Co
020 8297 1697; humphreys-skitt.com
Greenwich Square is a benchmark for modern city living in the beautiful Royal Borough of Greenwich, offering a limited number of stunning townhouses. The vision will bring to life a vibrant public square including leisure facilities and a range of retail amenities. • Rare opportunity of 3 storey, 4 bedroom townhouses. • All townhouses provide a private garden. • High specification & bespoke interior design. • On-site cafés, restaurants, retail and a new leisure centre. • New to open mid 2014. • Short walk to Maze Hill station with direct trains to London Bridge in 11 minutes.*
Prices from £775,000*
Call 0800 077 8177 greenwichsquare-london.com A NEW DEVELOPMENT BY
SUPPORTED BY
OUR FUNDERS
PROPERTY | DEVELOPMENT | FINANCE
A development in association with Urban Capital Greenwich LLP / Topland Group
*Terms and Conditions apply. Prices are correct at the time of going to press. Computer generated images are for illustrative purposes only. Travel & walk time source: www.tfl.gov.uk & www.walkit.com. All townhouses have a predicted Energy Efficiency Rating ranging between 85-87 (B) on the Predicted Energy Assessments (PEAs).
91 SHOWCASE.HORI.indd 3
AUGUST12:40 2014 25/06/2014 25/06/2014 12:02
25/07/2014 11:48
Canary Wharf
ÂŁ1,100 pw Furnished
3 Bedrooms | 1 Reception | 2 Bathrooms | Apartment Parking | 24hr Concierge | EPC - B | Joint Sole Agents Canary Wharf 020 3417 3748 cw@brlets.co.uk
Eleven offices open six days a week Monday - Saturday Beaufort Park | Canary Wharf | City | Ealing | Greenwich | Hampstead | Highgate | Hyde Park | Imperial Wharf | Kensington | Knightsbridge Additional charges apply: Tenancy Agreement, Credit Check & Inventory Report. For details visit www.brlets.co.uk/tenantinfo
B&R.indd 2
23/07/2014 17:35
London’s Letting Agency
To arrange a viewing or for more information call
info@brlets.co.uk www.brlets.co.uk
020 7319 9783
Greenwich Borders
£325 pw Furnished
Greenwich
£350 pw Furnished
1 Bedroom | 1 Reception | 1 Bathroom | Apartment Balcony | 24hr Concierge | EPC - C | Sole Agents Greenwich 020 3503 0529 greenwich@brlets.co.uk
1 Bedroom | 1 Reception | 1 Bathroom | Apartment Close to Amenities and DLR | EPC - B | Sole Agents Greenwich 020 3503 0529 greenwich@brlets.co.uk
Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf
£575 pw Furnished
2 Bedrooms | 1 Reception | 2 Bathrooms | Apartment Balcony | 24hr Concierge | EPC - B | Sole Agents Canary Wharf 020 3417 3748 cw@brlets.co.uk
£425 pw Furnished
2 Bedrooms | 1 Reception | 2 Bathrooms | Apartment 24hr Concierge | Canary Wharf Tube | EPC - C | Sole Agents Canary Wharf 020 3417 3748 cw@brlets.co.uk
Dubai | Hong Kong | India | Malaysia | Singapore
B&R.indd 3
23/07/2014 17:36
Smart explores the local area. Nearest school 0.3 miles
ZOOPLA.indd 1 Zest Adverts_Jan2014.indd 1
11/07/2014 04/04/2014 09:39 15:18
PROPERTY | THE INSIDER
The Insider Nothing’s better than THE INSIDE SCOOP. LOCAL AGENTS give their recommendations... TIME OUT
Take a lovely country walk - Keston Ponds and Hayes Common are both very good options, or cycle and take a ball to Norman Park for the afternoon.
Russell Sinclair Director of
Sinclair Hammelton
LOCAL STREET
Wilderness Road is a private gated road with some stunning houses and apartments only a few hundred yards from Chislehurst High Street.
Steven May Branch Manager at
JDM, Chislehurst
FACT
Camden Place was home to the exiled French Emperor Napoleon III, LouisNapoléon Bonaparte, from 1871 until his death in 1873.
Laura Knight-Smith Sales Manager at KFH, Chislehurst
020 8464 5566; sinclairhammelton.co.uk
020 8325 8000; jdmonline.com
020 8285 9900; kfh.co.uk
INTERIOR INSPIRATION
HANG OUT
KIDS
The Princess of Wales pub in Blackheath has a great atmosphere. I also like to relax and enjoy a coffee at The Pavilion Café and the White House Bakery in Greenwich Park.
Royal Greenwich Park is one of the largest parks in South East London and is great allyear-round, with the Royal Observatory, a playground, and a boating lake all on offer.
Greenwich’s answer to the Sistine Chapel, The Painted Hall in the Old Royal Naval College is one of London’s hidden gems. It’s open everyday and is free.
Christopher Venter Sales Manager at Foxtons, Greenwich
020 8879 2179; foxtons.co.uk
Mark Wellington Manager at Benham &
Reeves Residential Lettings, Greenwich
020 3440 7010; brlets.co.uk
95 THE INSIDER_NEW.indd 1
Graham Lawes Associate Director at
JLL, Blackheath and Greenwich
020 8852 8383; jll.co.uk AUGUST 2014
25/07/2014 11:51
Professional Property People
Have you heard the news? We have opened a sales and lettings office in South East London. As a result of unprecedented growth and customer demand, we are pleased to announce the launch of our dedicated Residential Lettings, Property Management and Sales office for South East London Contact us to discuss how the team at andrew scott robertson can be of service to you.
www.as-r.co.uk
T: 020 7703 4401 Wimbledon Village T: 020 8971 6780
Wimbledon Town T: 020 8971 3800
Knightsbridge T: 020 7808 8530
Camberwell T: 020 7703 4401
E: commercial@as-r.co.uk
E: residential@as-r.co.uk
E: auctions@as-r.co.uk
E: camberwell@as-r.co.uk
AS-R_CORP_v4.indd 1
24/07/2014 12:22
We have the knowledge.
Unlike some of our competitors, we have spent many years selling and letting in property, solely in South East London. Our superior local knowledge means that we can offer (we believe) the best possible advice to vendors and landlords. You could almost say we’ve written the book on it. Pedder. Nobody knows South East London like we know South East London.
Pedder. SE London’s premier agent Crystal Palace
Dulwich Village
East Dulwich
Forest Hill
Herne Hill
Park Hill
Sydenham
West Norwood
Pissarro House 77A Westow Hill SE19 1TZ 020 8670 7160
119 Dulwich Village Dulwich Village SE21 7BJ 020 8299 0922
23 Lordship Lane East Dulwich SE22 8EW 020 8299 3721
2-4 London Road London SE23 3HF 020 8314 4070
24 Half Moon Lane Herne Hill SE24 9HU 020 7738 5926
52 Chichester Road Park Hill CR0 5NB 020 8680 2422
Darley House 14 Sydenham Road SE26 5QW 020 8659 0220
270 Norwood Road West Norwood SE27 9AJ 020 8670 9008
Residential Sales · Residential Lettings · Property Management · New Homes Specialists · Mortgages Commercial Property · Land / Development · Chartered Surveyors · Property Maintenance
www.pedderproperty.com PEDDER_OBC_SE.indd 1 1 PDR_ad_knowledge_04.indd
17/07/2014 09/07/2014 09:53 18:01
HOMES TO VIEW TOWER VIEW LONDON E1W These five luxurious apartments and fabulous penthouse are superbly designed to the highest specification, providing a rare opportunity to live in a central London residence, alongside the Thames. With breathtaking panoramic views over Tower Bridge and some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, Tower View will captivate you. ¡ Close to the restaurants of St. Katharine Docks, Wapping High Street and Shad Thames ¡ Easy connections to the City of London and Canary Wharf ¡ Bespoke internal specification ¡ Two bedroom apartments and a three bedroom penthouse with roof terrace
cluttons.com
CLUTTONS_IB.indd 1
23/07/2014 10:59
WAPPING
020 7768 6978 wapping@cluttons.com
TOWER VIEW E1W Prices from ÂŁ1,850,000
These apartments are one of London’s finest river-fronted properties and have been finished to the highest standard throughout.
CLUTTONS_IB.indd 2
23/07/2014 11:00
Letting or selling your home.
WE MAKE IT EASY.
020 7647 7820 blackheath@cluttons.com
cluttons.com CLUTTONS_OBC.indd 1
23/07/2014 10:57