What’s New & Happening in Fulham

What’s New

Walnut Tree Community Cafe Opens

The Walnut Tree Cafe at the Sands End Arts & Community Centre (SEACC) opened their doors to users of the Centre, South Park and the general public mid-February. Urban Village LDN and other Fulham locals went along prior to their big day, enjoying what was to come at their taster day and to find out what’s on offer at this not-for-profit community cafe. We met Cafe Manager Mary and Sandra who not only works alongside Mary but also bakes some of the delicious cakes on offer. These vary daily but include: coffee & walnut, banana cake and rocky road tray bake; sure to be popular after sports activities in the park or post school pick up! The cafe is currently offering cold and hot drinks, additional baked goods and is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. Light lunches are now available and weekend opening hours will follow. This week on the menu: homemade soups incuding leek and potato, carrot and coriander served with bread for £6, panini served with salad (also £6), Spicy falafel, tahini and roasted vegetables, Ham, cheese and caramelised onion and Roasted butternut squash, baby spinach and mozzarella.

We have to say that we like what we’ve seen so far, comfortable seating, a bright, light filled space, they make a most excellent cup of coffee, dairy free alternatives available, and we’ve been back since. During half term it was lovely to see the space being used by mums as a quiet spot to sit, enjoy a coffee, read a book, be with their baby whilst their older children took part in half term activities happening at the Centre that week. As well as seating indoors there are tables and chairs outside in the courtyard, perfect for local dog owners as dogs are more than welcome at the Centre.

The Centre’s space can be hired for regular or one-off events as well as being a base for long-term tenants. In the future, SEACC intends to programme and host its own occasional events, exhibitions, and concerts. We will of course keep you posted as will the SEACC website which is coming soon. In the meantime if you haven’t visited yet BBC Proms artists and Grammy award nominees Arcangelo Music are holding an open rehearsal at the Centre on Thursday 3 March from 5-7pm. Head there to watch some of Europe’s top instrumentalists and singers as they prepare a programme of English Baroque theater music for a touring visit to the Music Festival in Bilbao. The rehearsal is free and unticketed so simply turn up and stay for as long as you like. Follow SEACC on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/seaccfulham/

Anvil Barbers of Fulham

Good to see that the site, on the corner of Clonmel and Fulham Road is no longer vacant with the arrival of Anvil Barbers of Fulham who opened their doors at 602 Fulham Road last month. We love their name, branding and the dark green exterior of the shop. Inside the use of green continues and there are retro style chairs, cabinets and a gorgeous mosaic floor. As well as offering the usual services you’d expect at a barbers: a hot towel shave, beard trims and haircuts, Anvil also offers a facial treatment. Sounds like a great Father’s Day gift, where the Father in your life can get his skin prepped, cleansed, exfoliated, toned and moisturised using natural, sensitive skin-friendly products or perhaps the Father & Son combo might be a lovely experience to share.

We spoke to founders Bruno and Furqan, firstly to welcome them to our urban village and to find out more about Anvil. “We have been working as barbers for a number of years and we also run another shop in the South London area. We felt due to all our experience and skills that we wanted to create a special bespoke feeling service, where the clients don't feel rushed, are listened to, comfortable and enjoy the atmosphere and leave with an amazing haircut that they want. We aim to provide an experience that customers really enjoy, rather than making them feel like it’s a chore that they have to get done. We wanted to create a barbershop that listens, understands and gives expert advice to our clients. To offer amazing haircuts consistently in a stylish, comfortable environment with a warm, relaxed vibe”.

We asked Bruno and Furqan, why they chose Fulham and how the shop name came to be. “The Anvil symbolises traditional craftsmanship and time honoured skill, which is evident in the care and attention to detail we offer with all of our services. Blacksmiths use it to create beautiful metal objects with their hands and in a way it's similar to us creating beautiful haircuts. We discovered Fulham and fell in love with the area, architecture, shops and real sense of community. We felt the area was missing a barbershop which could be the heart of the community. Somewhere a gentleman can come to talk, have a complimentary drink (we offer soft drinks, juices, beer and even fine whiskeys!), share experiences and banter whilst getting or waiting for a haircut”.

Find out more about Anvil on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/anvil_barbers/ or head to their website below.

Meraki Design offers new service

Meraki Design was founded in 2013 by Fulham resident Eris Koutsoudakis and Maria Kachramanoglou. This interior design studio, named after Meraki, the Greek word used to describe something done with soul, creativity and love, has created designs for a variety of projects in different sectors including boutique hotel, retail, restaurant and residential. Eris got in touch with Urban Village LDN to tell us about the new tier service they have recently launched. This service provides a bespoke and affordable way of accessing interior design services whether your project is a full renovation or simply a room in need of a refresh.

We asked Eris why they decided to create and launch this service. “We started the tier service because so many people kept asking us for just a consultation/ hourly fee. We appreciate not everyone wants/needs a full interior service so we provided a tier scheme that ranges from hourly consultations to full interior design turnkey services to meet everyone's individual needs and to be accessible to someone that just would like to bounce ideas off us”.

Meraki Design told us that they make the process easy and fun across the three tiers that they offer. Tier One is a £250 per hour consultation, Tier Two is a per room concept costing £1,000 which starts with a briefing consultation to discuss your project and your individual requirements. Meraki Design, based on the information provided, then come back to you with a presentation that includes a suggested layout, colour scheme and mood board for your project. There is then an additional consultation where Meraki talk you through the designs and discuss any potential changes before providing you with your final interior design scheme to start transforming your space in your own time. The final interior design scheme includes a complete mood board, a colour scheme, custom floor plan and furniture suggestions. Tier 3 is priced per project and includes concepts, layout, technical drawings, specification and instalment. Find out more on the link below or follow and take a look at their work on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/merakidesignltd/

What’s Happening

Parson’s Green Fair returns

This much loved local family event returns to Parsons Green on Saturday 2 July, after being cancelled due to Covid in 2020 and 2021. The profits from this annual event, which takes place on the first Saturday in July, is organised by and benefits the charitable work of Fulham Good Neighbours and is sponsored by Marsden Properties who are based in Fulham.

The event which takes place from 11.30am - 5.30pm celebrates the local Fulham community and is a wonderful opportunity to meet neighbours, enjoy performances, attractions and great food. In addition, there are over 100 stalls showcasing everything from monogrammed wash bags to Indian kaftans, organic dog food and antiques. There will be a main stage, children’s stage, a magician, ventriloquist, Punch & Judy show, petting zoo and donkey rides.

The organisers are looking for event marshals so if you would like to volunteer contact info@parsonsgreenfair.org you can also follow them on https://www.instagram.com/parsonsgreenfair/

A Passion For Bernstein: 13 March

Fulham Camerata is inviting all music lovers to the Chichester Psalms and Music from America on Sunday 13 March at 7.00pm in Parsons Green at Holy Cross Church, Ashington Road, SW6 3QA.

In 1965, Leonard Bernstein took a sabbatical from his post as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic to turn his attention to composition. In early 1963, Bernstein had received a letter from the Very Reverend Walter Hussey, Dean of Chichester Cathedral, asking him to write a piece for the Cathedral’s 1965 music festival to be held in Chichester, uniting the cathedral choirs of Chichester, Winchester and Salisbury. The result is Bernstein’s composition of the Chichester Psalms,

The evening also features two modern American composers: Eric Whitacre with his beautiful Sleep lyric and Morten Lauridsen’s O Nata Lux. This north American musical evening is capped by The American Flag marking the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s ‘discovery’ of America and based on a patriotic poem by Joseph Rodman Drake. Under the energetic musical direction of Harry Castle, previously director of Durham University Chamber Choir, and with the accompaniment of their brilliant organist ,Richard Gowers, Fulham Camerata takes you through the vibrant and melodic music of the Psalms and other compositions from north America.

Tickets are available from Fulham Camerata’s website on the link below or at the door, price £15, students £10, under 16s free.

Just Say Hello

What do you say when you walk past someone who is homeless? On Random Acts of Kindness Day, London-based homeless charity Glass Door which operates in Fulham, launched a new film as part of its ‘Just Say Hello’ campaign.

We spoke to Glass Door who told us “There are many reasons why someone might become homeless – from the death of a loved one, being a survivor of human trafficking, to having a chronic illness. But one aspect that unifies them all is the feeling of loneliness and isolation that comes with homelessness. Glass Door’s message is that by just smiling, or stopping to say hello, one can brighten their and your day, because we all benefit from small acts of kindness such as asking if they need anything or if you can buy them a hot drink or a bottle of water.

Not sure what to say or do? Ask them how they’re feeling, and perhaps if they need anything like a bottle of water, a hot drink, or a meal; Rushing to work and don’t have time to stop? Help them feel seen with eye contact and a smile; Refer them to Streetlink: the details you provide will be sent to the local authority or outreach service for the area to help them find the individual and connect them to support. Safety should of course be your top priority, so only approach someone if you feel safe to do so, during the daytime and if there are plenty of people around.

You can take a look at Glass Door’s video here https://youtu.be/myrwAET5ZKk or find out more on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/glassdoorlondon/

Made in Fulham

It never fails to surprise us what a talented bunch you Fulham folks are. Each month Urban Village Ldn introduces you to THe Fulham face behind an idea, product or business and asks them what they love about being a local resident. This month we talk to health coach, author and TV producer, Susan Saunders

How long have you called Fulham home? Such a long time! I bought a tiny basement flat overlooking Eelbrook Common in 1994 and, apart from a few stints filming abroad, haven't really left. There isn't much reason to leave, is there? Fulham has so much to offer. As a young couple, my husband Richard and I, had a huge choice of bars and restaurants on our doorstep, as our family grew we were thrilled to find wonderful parks, schools and activities for children within walking distance. Now our nest is empty we're enjoying the restaurants and cultural opportunities Fulham offers all over again!

Tell us a bit about yourself / your family For the last 30 years I've worked as a TV producer, making documentaries and factual programmes with the likes of Gordon Ramsay, Raymond Blanc, Emma Willis and AJ Odudu. All while raising our two wonderful daughters, who are now at university. In addition to taking on freelance TV projects, I've now built a second career as a health coach and writer. This career change was born and bred in Fulham! I'm one half of the book and blog The Age-Well Project https://agewellproject.com . I met my fabulous co-author and neighbour, Annabel Streets, when our daughters were at nursery together locally. The success of The Age-Well Project made me think about how I could help people more directly so I trained as a health coach. I've also written a follow-up book, The Age-Well Plan, which is a six-week programme to kickstart a longer, healthier, happier life.

What’s your favourite local haunt and why? I'm really not into football but I love a trip to Craven Cottage to support Fulham FC! My husband bought us season tickets and I always enjoy a visit to the Johnny Haynes stand. There's something about the rollercoaster of emotions one goes on during every match, along with thousands of other people, which is incredibly life-enhancing. The history of the place is wonderful too: it's the oldest football stadium in London and in a beautiful location on the river. I'm really looking forward to the opening of the new stand in the summer. It will bring more amenities to the area and will open up the river walk from Putney Bridge to Hammersmith, making that walk even more enjoyable.

What's your perfect Fulham day? A morning 'dog jog' along the river to Hammersmith with my spaniel, Monty, picking up a large black Americano from Tinto on the way home. Lunch at the Palace Garden Centre with one of my daughters or a friend (I always have the FAT: feta, avocado and tomato). The afternoon would include a goal-laden victory for FFC at Craven Cottage then home for a cup of tea. A lovely dinner out with local friends in one of Fulham's many great bars and restaurants rounds off the day.

What's the best meal you've had in Fulham? The area is stuffed with good restaurants - Gola, Pure and Sukho Thai are favourites - but the most memorable Fulham meals have taken place in friends' homes or gardens. We have such an abundance of good food shops here. Meat from Parsons Nose, veg from Fulham Greens, and cheese from Bayley & Sage have formed the backbone of some of my favourite meals. Plus Fulham is full of lovely people to have dinner with, which helps!

Which local shop/service/business do you rely on? Never under-estimate the North End Road. Eating fish, particularly oily fish, is part of my Age-Well lifestyle so I shop at Ocean Catch. Al Baydar is a Mediterranean delicatessen packed with Ottolenghi-style ingredients without the price tag. Elsewhere in Fulham, I get my books at Nomad, my veg and bread from The Local SW6 and refill at Regram. Monty the spaniel likes a pamper (and a treat) at Bishops Bark.

Working in a visual medium for so long, and being glued to a screen to write and coach, I value my eye health very highly. Mrs Nanjuwany at The Eye Practice on Fulham High Street is so expert and so thorough. And I can pop next door to Las Vegas nails for a quick manicure after an appointment!

If you could do one thing to improve Fulham what would it be? I know everyone says this, but I'd reduce the traffic! Pollution is implicated in many of the chronic conditions of ageing, including dementia, and our streets are clogged. I'd make a start by building a functioning bridge between Hammersmith and Barnes to replace the beautiful but not-fit-for-purpose one we have now. I'm not hopeful it will ever be fully repaired.

Tell us about Susan Saunders Health and how it came to be I coach clients one-to-one, and run courses, helping women over 50 age well, reduce dementia risk and beat confusion about how to be healthy. Creating The Age-Well Project made me realise how much help people need to work out what's best for them and their health as they age. I work via Zoom and have clients all over the world: I'm currently running a course called Eat Well to Age Well and I have participants from New York to New Zealand! I love that I can sit in Fulham and be connected globally to people who want to age well. You can find me at https://susansaundershealth.com and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/susansaundershealth/

What advice would you give people starting a new business? Find your people! Drill down into what your niche is and who you're going to serve. That's true for any service-based industry. And bring your skills with you: whether your previous work experience was serving in a bar for a few months, or 30 years of making TV, you've learnt skills you can transfer to your new business.

What are you working on currently? I'm coaching one-to-one clients and developing an online course for better brain health to reduce dementia risk. I hope to run that later this year and I'm also writing a book about post-menopausal health.

Beyond the Hood

Booking Office 1869

Booking Office 1869 opened in November last year inside the St Pancreas Renaissance Hotel located in the heart of Kings Cross. We’ve always long admired this stunning red brick Gothic building by architect George Gilbert Scott, who also designed the Albert Memorial and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. Originally it opened as the Midland Grand Hotel in 1873 but closed in 1935 and was left abandoned for decades, until it was saved from dereliction, renovated and reopened by Marriott Hotels in 2002.

With a birthday and a reunion with family overseas both happening last month we decided to head out of Fulham to celebrate. We have to flag at this point that making a reservation on line was easy but trying to follow up to organise drinks on arrival and add another member to our party was not! Nobody ever answered the phone, there was no answer machine to leave a message so we resorted to emailing and the response was a standard bounce back, “we’ll get back to you in 3-5 working days response”. Anyway all was eventually well and our requests accommodated via email; back to the good stuff!

On arrival you can’t be anything but astounded by being in such close proximity to this towering building, it’s sense of history and it’s presence as an iconic London landmark. You’ll find the restaurant by heading into the hotel foyer and entering via a huge gothic arch marked “Booking Office” on your right. Front of house were efficient and walking around the corner to see the full extent of the reimagining of the station’s original 19th century ticket hall was breathtaking. The room can seat up to 120, the interiors are stunning with palm trees, beautiful pendant lights made of brass leaves and the restaurant features a 22m long bar that surrounds the original ticket office. It is an incredible mixture of old and new, a contemporary design which respects its heritage; a modern Victorian style winter garden.

Our table was in a lovely corner of the room with a large window which looked onto St Pancreas International Station, it was comfortable with soft backed chairs and an upholstered banquette. Table service was a tad slow to begin with but we were understanding, knowing how hard hospitality has been hit and that staffing levels etc are still being impacted. We loved the menu, which had something for everyone and wasn’t overly sophisticated or fussy. We enjoyed the raw bar: oysters and sashimi style tuna skewers, Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder cooked in Chermoula spices, served with yoghurt, flatbread and pickled onions, fried chicken with lime and yoghurt, steak with black peppercorn sauce “which was excellent”.

We were slightly worried about being drowned out by the DJ which we were aware of when booking but the “Last Call” DJ series was well judged starting at 9pm and building slowly with the female DJ playing some great 90s tracks. This is a fabulous venue for drinks at the bar and they have a late licence until 1am. We’re looking forward to going back and sampling some cocktails, they have a tempting list and one of our party said his Martini was the best he’s had in London.