What’s New & Happening in Fulham

What’s New

Namaste Coffee & Yoga

Last month we were stopped in our tracks by a pretty new addition to Wandsworth Bridge Road (bridge end). Namaste Coffee & Yoga doesn’t need much of an explanation you can enjoy coffee and food including Focaccia sandwiches, vegan protein pancakes, eggs benedict and their yoga studio offers classes to all levels of practitioners. The interiors are charming with handcrafted tables and we got in touch with Aqila Bentasseda to find out more. “I launched Namaste Coffee & Yoga with the aim of providing quality produce and coffee that’s both healthy and tasty. I am passionate about using the best products especially when it comes to our menu. I am from Algeria and was raised on both sustainable and healthy food”.

Aqila told Urban Village LDN about her love of yoga “pivotal in my life especially over the recent lockdowns. I have been practising for many years and instructing for the last three, the benefits for both body and mind are numerous. This is something I am excited to share with local residents of any level or experience, with the additional aim of developing local social networks for all to enjoy. The classes are held in small groups, so you get the attention and guidance you need. Starting with proper alignment and breathing technique, slowly building both strength and flexibility as well as improving balance. I remember attending my first yoga class and I never looked back!”.

We always like to ask the question why Fulham when a new business comes onto our radar. “The reason we love Fulham so much is because it has the perfect balance of busy urban areas mixed with quieter residential areas and well-kept green spaces. Our neighbours have been so welcoming and supportive, we are really touched and already feel both invested in and a part of Fulham! Unfortunately, we are not yet Fulham locals (we are currently looking to move into the area) in the meantime we will continue to support community initiatives and provide a peaceful and positive environment for whoever wishes to use it. Aqila continued to tell us what locals can expect “quality coffee and food served in a friendly atmosphere. We have yoga classes for those who are early risers or prefer to unwind after work. We plan on providing a healthy and happy space for local residents, whether you are needing a meal to satisfy your hunger, a coffee to energise you for the day, yoga classes to unwind and improve your fitness or a friendly face who’s happy to have a chat!”. Find out more about classes on the link below.

Craft Market Hub

We met Fulham resident Jenny Kershaw at the inaugural Wandsworth Bridge Road Spring Fayre. Jenny has been trading at craft markets for over 2 years with her business SewnUpByJen. Putting her 12 years of networking and sales experience to good use Jenny set up Craft Market hub in early May, a Facebook group for creative makers who either currently trade at craft market fairs or are looking to do so.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or seasoned trader Jen wants to use the space for learning, networking, support and advice. There are already 40 members in the group and Jen told Urban Village LDN that as well as Q&A’s, weekend shares and weekly tips there will be more to come. Jen will be releasing eBooks, workbooks and craft fair templates to help those looking to go from beginner to confident trader and she has plans for there to be a membership down the line. “I remember what it was like when I first started, I just fumbled along hoping for the best, I want to help those who might not have either the time or know how to feel confident trading at markets and fairs. I found working as a maker very isolating and I hope the community will bring makers and crafters together in a shared space of learning and networking”.

If you’re trading or looking to, check out the group here https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftmarkethub if this is not something you’re interested in, we highly recommend taking a look at SewnUpByJen’s growing range of hand crafted items. Made with sustainability and longevity in mind there are some lovely products from cotton rounds, an eco friendly alternative to disposable pads, to beautiful lavender eye pillows. Check out her website on the link below or follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sewnupbyjen/

The Queen’s Platinum Jubliee

As Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service, we thought we could add this momentous occasion to our “What’s New” page! This weekend Thursday 2 - Sunday 5 June will be a specially extended bank holiday to honour her reign.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council are taking part in the nation-wide Beacon Lighting ceremony, hosting the Platinum Party in the Park and the Platinum Picnic in the Park (taking place in both Ravenscourt Park and Bishops Park) over the weekend. Each event is “entirely free and open to anyone who wishes to attend” and you can tag H&F council in any pictures posted on social media over the weekend using the hashtag #JubileeHF

The Jubilee Beacon will be lit in Lyric Square on Thursday 2 June one of thousands lit on Thursday evening across the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories in honour of The Queen. At 9.35pm a Piper will play and at 9.40pm a Bugler will play before the Beacon is lit at 9.45pm. “Platinum Party in the Park” takes place on Saturday 4 June (12 noon to late) with entertainers, arts and craft stands, musicians, dance troops, food trucks, games, sports and yoga sessions and more throughout the day. Large screens will show Buckingham Palace’s 7pm evening concert in both parks. “Platinum Picnic in the Park” takes place on Sunday 5 June in both parks again as part of of a community “Big Jubilee lunch; there are others taking place across the country. You can bring your own food or buy lunch from one of the food stands, and enjoy coverage of the Platinum Pageant on the big screens, fun fair rides and other activities with other local residents.

Other Jubilee goings on in our urban village: Aragon House have a family fun day on Sunday 5 June (fun for all ages with free face painting in the garden), if you’re behind on hanging out the bunting check out Fulham local Florence Victoria Designs, her Union Jack’s are also on sale at the The Local SW6 who have a range of sharing boards that you can pre-order, meanwhile at The Little Blue Door get your tickets for their Profiteroyale (love it!) Brunch and Royal Jubilee Supper Clubs. Wishing you all a happy celebratory Platinum Jubilee bank holiday w-end.

Randox opens new centre

Our health has been something of a major focus over the last few years and Randox Health might have come onto your radar with PCR tests required to travel. With more private health options becoming available, to those fortunate enough to opt for them, and clinics opening up their doors with more than what’s on offer at the local GP surgery, Lynsey from Randox Health got in touch with Urban Village LDN to tell us that they have a new centre located in Fulham (9-13 Fulham High Street). “We are excited to announce the opening of our new preventative health clinic on Fulham High Street. The clinic will give Fulham locals direct access to the world’s most advanced health experience. Each of our health checks are designed to help clients understand, track, and improve their health to live better for longer”.

Their full body health checks include an Everyman | Everywoman programme (two full health checks per year with a follow up consultation included providing an opportunity to discuss key data findings and next steps) and their Signature programme which we’re told provides a more in depth look at health data, a one to one follow up consultation with a GP is also included and they can recommend additional tests including genetic testing if required.

Lynsdey told us “Diagnostic testing is key to understanding your physical and mental wellbeing. Whether you want to understand a specific health concern better, or learn more about your current health. This is an opportunity to get a detailed picture of your current health and identify early risk factors that could impact you in the future”. To celebrate the opening, Randox Health are offering 10% of all health checks. Use code HEALTH22 when you make your appointment.

What’s Happening

La Fete de La Musique: 19 June

To celebrate World Music Day Club Petit Pierrot are holding a Family event “La Fete de La Musique” on 19 June. This is the first time they’ve organised an event for World Music Day which is billed as a fun workshop where families can meet each other, enjoy a mini French disco party where all the French hits will be playing and take part in activities for the children. After the disco, the whole family will have time to discover and buy books from the French bookshop Librairie La Page and bilingual games from Sweet Pamplemousse. Sounds like a lot of fun and a good opportunity to learn and practise some French whilst checking out their new Fulham venue (New King’s House, 136-144 New King’s Road, SW6 4LZ).

Stella from Club Petit Pierrot told us the event “is also an opportunity to meet us and find out more about our lessons (babies to 8 years old – different levels: classes for beginners to advanced French), the programme and methodology as we will be launching a lot of classes taking place weekly, on Saturdays and during the summer holidays”. There are a few places available in the 3.15pm session and you can book tickets for La Fete de la Musique on the link below. Tickets cost £3 per participant (every adult / child all ages welcome) and all proceeds from ticket sales will go to the charity Action for Children.

Fulham Camerata Summer Concert: 25 June

The Fulham Camerata’s summer concert “Songs and Madrigals through time, takes place on Saturday 25 June at 7.30pm and is billed by the organisers as “a beautiful medley of songs and madrigals, both old and new, many evoking the sweet spirit of summer”.

Fulham Camerata told Urban Village LDN more about what the audience will see the choir perform. “Some are a wonderful recall of old England, with classics like Fair Phyllis, Now is the Month of Maying and Thomas Vautor’s Sweet Suffolk Owl; all late 16th century English songs rejoicing in the delights of Spring and Summer and the pastoral world. On a different note, The Silver Swan is a 17th century early modern English madrigal, haunting in the sadness of its words and music. Among the many other more modern lyrics we will be singing Arthur Sullivan’s (the musical half of the Gilbert and Sullivan partnership) The Long Day Closes and also the gently flowing traditional Scottish folksong, Loch Lomond, arranged by David Overton. Other songs being performed include: Eric Whitacre’s Seal Lullaby, part of his Light & Gold Album which is based on Kipling’s story and Billy Joel’s “And So It Goes”, which is perhaps his best work and one that touches many of us with its familiar opening lines: “In every heart there is a room, A sanctuary safe and strong….”

You can buy tickets on the door (£15, student concessions £10, under 16s free) or hit the link below to purchase tickets in advance and to find out more info.

Daisy Trust Ball raises over £100,00 for H&F charities

We wrote about the Daisy Trust’s masked black tie ball in our May issue and we’re delighted to report that this event raised in excess of £100,000 for charities in Hammersmith & Fulham. Hosted by sports broadcaster and Fulham resident Charlie Brougham, ring master for the night, the ‘Gloriosa Circus Ball’ took place at St Paul’s Church; transformed into a big top with circus acts and performers entertaining over 250 local residents.

Charlie said after the event “An amazing amount of money raised in one night, it was a privilege and very moving to be part of something that will do so much good for the local community”. During the evening Piers Player of The Brunswick Club for Young People explained how the Trust helped to fund a variety of projects for young people over the past 14 years. Phil Storey from The Hammersmith and Fulham Foodbank explained how the Trust has helped with critical transport of food over many years. Jackie Lee, Chairman of The Daisy Trust said “The Daisy Trust is truly grateful for the support of our generous sponsors and guests and to Charlie for hosting the event. We can very quickly provide these funds as grants to many worthwhile organisations in our Borough”.

The Daisy Trust is celebrating 40 years of service in the Borough since it was founded in 1981. Since 2010, the Trust has grown significantly and has given over half a million pounds to over 150 organisations. In 2021 The Daisy Trust gave £65,000 to 39 organisations you can find out more and a see a list of beneficiaries on their website (link below).