What’s New & Happening in Fulham

 What’s Happening

Parsons Green Choir in Isolation

Geraldine, Fulham resident and choir member, got in touch with Urban Village LDN to tell us how Fulham Camerata has coped with isolation. We thought it was a lovely story to share with our readers.

At the start of March all members of Fulham Camerata were charging ahead in preparation for their forthcoming Spring concert on 21st March, a beautiful one too, with Mealor’s Stabat Mater and a selection of Vaughan Williams pieces.  On 12th March we began to have our grave doubts; would anybody come?  On the 14th March we sadly cancelled  our long awaited Parsons Green event, just short of the lockdown.

Fulham Camerata is an amateur chamber choir, supported by an ensemble of semi professionals, spanning all age groups and various nationalities, led by our young, talented and whizzy music director, Harry Castle. Our customary three concerts in the year plus our Christmas concert, all in local churches, now seemed a distant happy memory that Covid 19 had placed firmly beyond our reach.

What were we to do? As Judith Nugée, the choir chair reflected, it’s not only about the immensely enjoyable singing to the Fulham community but also about the strong community within Fulham Camerata itself, all of us longstanding believers in our slogan that ‘the joy of singing is what binds us together’.  A short while into the lockdown the idea was mooted to try out a choir rehearsal on Zoom and to see how we got on. Our expectations about what could be achieved, musically, as a remote choir, were generally quite low but we persisted and a few interesting things have begun to emerge. Because of technical time delay difficulties when as a choir, you sing a piece of music online you mainly just hear yourself and this brings a new perspective. You can’t ‘hide’ in the crowd as you do in a normal rehearsal and you are immediately aware of wrong notes  and shortcomings and where you need to put in some more hard work. So now a new angle, an added positive which helps us work in a different way, has emerged from the lockdown.

Of course nothing can compare to the buzz and the camaraderie of real weekly rehearsals and the joy of the communal singing that sweeps you up with it. Meanwhile it is fun to see everybody, even in a little square on your screen, and I think we all feel that something precious has been kept alive.

Watch this space for our comeback!

Emoji It Now

We wrote about this new app founded by local resident Ben Phillis and think it’s a great way to provide feedback and support local businesses; especially as doors reopen and they try to get back on their feet.

Although the timing to launch an app isn’t great Emoji It Now have officially launched and are pushing ahead. They are currently running a £250 prize draw which is open to anyone and is easy to enter. All you need to do is download the app and give feedback on a local business. That’s it you’re automatically entered into the competition.

There is some great additional support for local businesses and services too. If you repost the competition on Instagram (tagging @emojiitnow) you will get a bespoke set of reasons for free for a year (ie service, product range etc) and Ben will enable you to see all the data on you business, send in app messages to people who feedback on them with any offers they’d like to make. A great way to engage with customers? Local business owners DM Ben on Instagram if you have any questions. Readers check out the app and Good Luck if you enter the competition.

Ray’s Playhouse hits Space Hive target

Another lock down lift! Despite all that’s been going on in the world the Make Ray’s Playhouse Shine Again campaign on Space Hive has been a success. Donations reached the £55,000 target after a £10,000 pledge from Woodfords Solictiors/Bender family trust which means thanks to local community donations they can now access the Lord Mayors Community Fund and the LBHF CIL Fund to which they’ve applied.

After being threatened with closure In September 2019, due to lack of funds to replace and renew the core infrastructure of their building, we’re delighted that this treasured local asset is on track to get a much needed and extensive upgrade after 30 years of being a lifeline for local families.

Ray’s Playhouse Limited is a registered charity in England and Wales 1142275.

Park life - have your say

The council have asked the resident led H&F Parks commission to canvas park users and residents to find out what they want to see for the future of parks and open spaces in the borough. A new strategy will then be drawn up with the aim of helping residents and visitors benefit more from our local parks and open spaces. Have your say by submitging your thoughts, views and proposals by Monday 7th June to the following email address: peter.smith@lbhf.gov.uk or click on the link below to tell the commission how you think the council can improve our open spaces by answering questions such as - which parks and open spaces do you use regularly, how do you use these spaces, and what is the best way to involve local people in the decision making.

The following businesses have re-opened their doors (or are about to!):

Aragon House: you couldn’t have failed to have spotted they re-opened for take away draft beers, wine burgers and pub nibbles last week end. We know some residents have found it upsetting to see the Green packed again but we have to say it was lovely to see young people outside enjoying life although the rubbish left behind and the lack of public toilets is a concern! If we have spent 10 weeks clapping for key workers it would be great if people could make the effort to clean up after themselves! Hopefully opening back on 4 July will improve things and toilet facilities have also been opened at Tell Your Friends up the road.

Archie’s Food: have a great selection of home delivery meals that are perfect for when you fancy a night off cooking or want a few meals to hand in the freezer. They also offering a three course menus so if you’ve got a birthday, anniversary coming or don’t need an excuse and just fancy an indulgent week end they’ll deliver the cocktails, nibbles, starter, main and pud for £35 per head all you have to do is plate up. Their new web-site with full home delivery information is now up and running www.archiesfood.com

Bon Bon Deli: on Wandsworth Bridge Road re opened om May for take away only (9 am - 3pm). Dishes can also be ordered online for contactless pick up. https://bonbondeli.co.uk/

Brook House: re-opening soon!

District Coffee: open (Parsons Green Lane)

Drink of Fulham: NEW: now offering same day delivery on orders before 5 pm (see “What’s New). They have extended their opening hours Thursday/Friday (11 am - 4 pm), Saturday (9 am - 7pm) and Sunday (10 am - 4 pm). Week-end mini cheese selection available for purchase so you can to create an extra special cheese board at home. Get in touch with Zara or Callum if you have specific cheeses you’d like to find. White & Black truffle oil, quince and cheese fruit bread also available www.drinkoffulham.co.uk

Flavourtown Bakery: reopened for take away only in June.

Fouberts: Vanston Place opened at the end of May. Check out their twenty homemade ice-cream and sorbets.

Fulham Reach Boat club: Slowly starting to get boats back on the water starting with club single scullers. If you want to find out more about their upcoming Learn to Row courses contact them on Instagram or click here to find contact details/information https://www.fulhamreachboatclub.co.uk/

Fetch Fulham: lots of Fulham folk seem to have taken the plunge during lockdown to get a four legged friend. Need help with a new puppy or behavioural issues that have arisen since lockdown message Catherine Parkins on Instagram to arrange a time to talk. https://www.instagram.com/fetchfulham/?hl=en

Fulham Palace: The botanic garden will re-open free of charge seven days per week, dawn to 18.00 (last admission 17.00), from Monday 29 June. The café will re-open for takeaway only, from 9.30 to 17.00. External toilets will be open from 9.30 to 17.30. The walled garden will be open 10.15 to 4.15 pm as usual. As a temporary measure, until the end of August, Fulham Palace are introducing a voluntary donation to enter the walled garden – £2 for adults and £1 for children aged 5 and over. Entry will be free for Friends and patrons. The donation for the walled garden entry is designed to help manage numbers to this enclosed space.

Jack and Beyond: their Fulham Road doors have reopened serving coffee and cakes. 7.30 am- 4.00 pm Mon - Fri, 8.00 am - 16.30 Sat & Sun.

Local Hero: open from 8.30 am selling coffee and sandwiches, fresh fruit and veg, organice milk, sourdough and eggs.

Mortar & Milk: opened their doors in mid June and have been told that the clinic can now re open.

Pear Tree Fulham: well technically they’re in Hammersmith (14 Margravine Road) but …we loved their “Pints Away” offer but assume they’re opening back up on 4 July.

Palace Gardener : reopened on 15 May Mon - Sat (10 am - 5 pm) Sunday’s (11 am - 5 pm). After a trial run Glasshouse Cafe is no longer open for takeaways.

Pottery Cafe: re opened in June for collection and drop off Paint Pottery home packs. They’re hoping to start in studio painting as soon as they can.

Pilango Cider: re opened for take away Saturday 6 June 12 - 4 pm. Order on line to click & collect cider, English wine and craft beer www.pilangocider.com

St Clements: announced they were back in business on 20 May. They’re serving coffees, juices, cakes, seasonal salads and brunch boxes Weds -Sat and have a mini market.

The Real Flower Company: Re-opened the doors to their Fulham branch ( 66 New Kings Road, SW6 4LT) in June just in time for British Flowers Week. They are now offering contactless deliveries, a weekly flower club box of English Flowers, plants and click and collect flowers.  Click below to find our more or contact them on 020 7736 6517

Vicino: This Italian restaurant on the Kings Road is now open for takeaway (pick up or order via Deliveroo). They have also opened their windows and set up a shop front so they can serve fresh juices, beers and Aperol Spritz’s so if you’re getting your daily exercise or passing by why not pick one up?

Support Small

We Gift Local is a new service for independent businesses set up and launched in March by a group of people including Fulham resident Carly. They created a directory to sell gift vouchers on line while local businesses are closed. Customers can redeem them later, there is no fee for independents to sign up just a small commission for sold vouchers to cover their costs. We think its a fantastic way for locals to support small at this time not only in our area but in other parts of London. For example if you have family and friends celebrating birthdays who live elsewhere, look at their directory and find a local independent store in their area. E vouchers are delivered by email and will be a lovely way of supporting local whilst marking lock down birthdays, showing someone you’re thinking of them or as We Gift Local mentions saying thanks to “COVID-19 heros” during this time https://gift-local.com/pages/our-story

Sam’s Pledge

Regular subscribers will know that we featured Sam’s Riverside in our Beyond the Hood section in our pre lockdown issue. Sam was a Fulham resident for many years and we enjoyed meeting him, talking about his latest venture, discussing drinks brands and suggesting cocktails (Caramel Espresso Martinis) and we were so looking forward to enjoying a lunch or cocktails outside by the river; sadly we didn’t get there before the pandemic hit. They’ve introduced Sam’s Pledge which will act as a voucher to be used once they are open again, redeemed against future meals or drinks. As their Go Fund Me page says “Pledges will be used as a way to for us to meet our financial commitments over the coming months, we will use the funds to pay the staff until government help becomes available. It will enable us to down tools for a hiatus and re-open again once this nasty business is over. We know in good times it is very easy to say that our team are part of a family, we want to stand by this commitment in these tough, tough times”.

You can purchase a voucher by clicking the link below and you will receive a 10% discount when you redeem the voucher when the restaurant reopens. To redeem your voucher upon the restaurant re-opening, simply email them directly  or via Go Fund Me and let them know when you would like to dine at the restaurant. No doubt you will be treated like a VIP! https://www.gofundme.com/f/sam039s-riverside-pre-paid-restaurant-vouchers

Power to the People

For the people from the People is a community organisation offering free household essentials care packages within the Hammersmith & Fulham Borough to low income or vulnerable members of society including the sick & elderly and those who need assistance during COVID-19. Head to their website to fill in a referral form or email to refer a friend, relative if they are eligible info@forthepeoplefromthepeople.com

https://www.forthepeoplefromthepeople.co.uk/care-package-application-form

Insta @forthepeoplefromthepeople

Better Together

United Hammersmith & Fulham have raised over £77,000 which means they have so far provided grants to 48 groups helping those most in need with emergency funding during this time. They are now aiming to get to £100,000 to help those most at risk in the borough. Can you help? Take a look here unitedhf.org and congratulations to the United H&F team!

We will get to a point when all this is behind us although for some members of our community who have sadly lost loved ones that will be incredibly hard. United in Hammersmith and Fulham have partnered with H&F council archives and libraries to document the experience of the coronavirus pandemic for those who usually live work and play in our borough. All submissions will be archived and preserved permanently as a community memory of this unprecedented period. You can submit your selfie and story here https://unitedhf.org/our-communities/humans/coronavirus-submission/

Urban Village LDN were delighted to be asked to take part and featured on their Instagram grid. Thank you for including us!

Fresh Fruit and Veg

The Alexandra Rose Charity distributes vouchers to families on low income with small children so they can buy healthy fruit and vegetables for their family. Last week £1,000 of these vouchers were redeemed at North End Road Market. If you’d like to donate and support this charity take a look here https://www.alexandrarose.org.uk/Appeal/online-donations

The Smile Brigade

Regular subscribers will know that we’ve featured the work of this fantastic group when they opened their community kitchen last year and that we highlighted the work they did to provide meals to those in need during the festive period. Sadly the kitchen had to shut but the work of The Smile Brigade continues as they’ve adapted by offering free meals, thanks to their partners at Yellow Panda Pub Co, AND are arranging deliveries directly to people's doorsteps (providing they are housebound - due to age or ill health etc).

If you know anyone within the Hammersmith and Fulham who is in need and would benefit from this service you can refer them to The Smile Brigade by filling in and submitting this form using this link: https://bit.ly/2wBuva3

If you’d like to volunteer your time please fill in the form via this link https://bit.ly/3atMkGr

Post it note **** quiz night ***

City Harvest London

City Harvest London put surplus food to good use in a sustainable way, distributing to organisations including The Smile Brigade to help those who are hungry or vulnerable. We’ve seen a few recent pleas for volunteers to help sort food donations and unload deliveries. By volunteering your time even just once “you have the chance to make a direct positive impact on thousands of vulnerable people across London” which is of course even more vital at this time.

Click here to get involved https://bit.ly/2wNfMbT

Covid-19, means, now, more than ever, City Harvest vans are needed on the roads delivering food to charities across London who are preparing food parcels for vulnerable groups including NHS workers on the front line and they need financial help to keep their vans rolling.

Every £50 donated will help feed 200 Londoners
£1,000 enables 1 van to deliver 10,000 meals
£50,000 keeps all their vans on the road for the next 5 weeks
 
Help City Harvest continue their vital work by donating here https://bit.ly/2WZtZgJ

Reviews

Like us you’ve probably got quite a list of local restaurants and businesses that you’re missing during this time. Why not show them some love by giving them a nice review on Google, Trip Advisor etc it doesn’t take long to write.

Some schools are re-opening this month but won’t accommodate all year groups.

On-line support

Have you seen what’s on offer with the BBC’s lockdown learning scheme? BBC Director General Tony Hall describes it as "the biggest education effort the BBC has ever undertaken". There are planners, homeschooling advice for parents, Bitesize Daily has six different 20-minute shows, each targeted at specific age groups from five to 14. What child doens’t want to be taught Geography by Sir David Attenborough, science by Professor Brian Cox, hear Sigrid give a lesson on Vikings and learn how to count in Spanish with Sergio Aguero? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cJHsKqmTdJV8Skn26B9y8z/learning-in-lockdown

Older students can find programmes to support the GCSE and A level curriculum on BBC 4 including “Culture in Quarrantine” https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour

You Tube also has a great Free School with a range of videos for different age/year groups. Lots of topics are covered including the solar system, wildlife and women in history https://www.youtube.com/user/watchfreeschool

We’ve also heard about Ted-Ed and their “lessons worth sharing” from teachers around the world. Video based lessons are organized by age and subject alterantively you can discover videos organized by themes https://ed.ted.com/

Match stick garden

Buddy Burst are helping kids connect with nature during lockdown. Simply email them at hello@buddyburst.com to request some free seed sticks and on receipt enjoy planting at home and watching them grow. You don’t have to have a garden to do this with children as you can simply use a pot to get the same results.