What’s on, new & happening in your Urban Village

May

"The world's favorite season is the spring. 
All things seem possible in May."
-  Edwin Way Teale

What’s On

Fulham Palace re-launch: 25/26 May

We can’t think of any local who wouldn’t agree that Fulham Palace is a very special place and that we are lucky to have such a historical treasure with stunning gardens and grounds in our community. After work on the third restoration phase began in 2018 and £3.6 million later; including £1.9 m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund we can’t wait for the Palace’s re-launch this month and to see the completed works. There will be tours and activities throughout the week end, including a free Tudor May Day on Sunday 26.

Restoration works have meant that their museum has doubled in size, no doubt giving visitors a fact filled insight into the history of the Palace and it’s residents. New garden beds featuring 400 plants, originally grown at the palace by the “plant loving” Bishop Compton. Historic rooms, not previously open to the public, now are.

We have enjoyed watching the phase three story unfold on Instagram, especially the portrait of Bishop Winnington-Ingram (Bishop of London from 1901 - 39) returning to the Palace. Loved the fact that he was known for his parties; now that’s our kind of Bishop!

@fulhampalace

https://www.fulhampalace.org/news/fulham-palace-relaunch-announced/

Fulham Beach: 2 May

Winterland London has packed away the igloos, fake fur, curling lanes and fir trees and swapped them for beach huts, deckchairs, plam trees and a sandy beach. It’s located in a corner by the River Thames, just below Wandsworth Bridge where the Fulham Motor Auction lot used to be. We haven’t been yet but we know Urban Villagers who have.

It’s about time we made it there for a round of mini golf, to check out their “Some Like it Hot” slider with homemade Fulham fire hot sauce and their cocktail list - Jungle Jug of Pimms to share anyone? We’ll bring the towels and reserve a spot for you; if the weather on the May bank holidays is anything like Easter we have no doubt this urban beach will be packed for its second summer. The team behind the venue are looking for new sites, Fulham was first!

@fulham_beach

https://www.neverlandlondon.com/

Spring cleaning

Always feels good having a Spring clean and a de clutter although we’re not quite up to Marie Kondo levels. It is also very satisfying getting rid of damaged items with a trip to the Smugglers Way Reuse and Recycling Centre just out of the hood on the other side of Wandsworth Bridge. Alternatively if you don’t have a car Hammersmith & Fulham Council have a bulky waste collection service and have joined forces with the British Heart Foundation who will collect saleable electrical items or furniture with fire labels still attached for FREE. They have also and collaborated with TRAID who will collect clothes for recycling.

https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/recycling-and-rubbish/bulky-waste-collections

https://www.bhf.org.uk/shop/donating-goods/f-and-e-collection

Good luck

To all Fulham students who are sitting written public exams, including GCSE’s and A levels, which start this month. We wish them and all Fulham schools every success. Good luck to all the parents supporting them too!

What’s New

New kid on the Brook

Mid March saw the opening of Brook House situated in the former site of the Southern Cross pub at 65 New King’s Road. Since that pub shut its doors there were two more, one with an upstairs theatre and after that a French wine/cheese offering.

Since the closure of that establishment, locals worried that a local venue would be lost when the building was boarded up for redevelopment with flats above. Then a new account and an Instagram teaser campaign came up on our radar billing Brook House as “Fulham’s missing ingredient”. Although that maybe a stretch, we are lucky to have so many wonderful eateries in our neighbourhood, this venue is most definitely a welcome addition to the area. Brought to us by Mark Dyer and Eamonn Manson who also brought us The Sands End and The Brown Cow (which they sold in 2017) they describe their latest venture as a “healthy mix of restaurant, pub and bar, Brook House is, we feel, a venue Fulham needs. Rustic, relaxed and welcoming to all.”

Urban Village Ldn having watched the space change from building site to a refreshed, elegant facade and a space with cool yet quirky interiors (spot the tongue in cheek portrait on one of the walls) went to check it out one Sunday lunch. Despite the slow start on the service front and feeling slightly neglected on a corner table this was soon forgiven as the meal was deemed delicious without exception by our party of four. We were all starving so after a round of “bloody good” Bloody Marys we dove into the herb gnocchi, roast beef and roast cod. Honestly, we couldn’t fault the food and felt that the price we paid for it was reasonable for the fantastic meal we were served; our compliments to the chef. We’ve since been back on a Friday evening and the service was much improved, the staff lovely as well as knowledgeable and the atmosphere was vibrant.

The venue is light, bright and airy looking out across the New King’s Road onto Eelbrook Common. The space has a stunning bar, old school art, exposed brickwork, wooden tables, a fabulous centrally placed tree and feels unique by design giving the space it’s own individual identity.

Brook House has got us locals covered for lunch, dinner, Sunday roast and their all day menu allows for a nice glass of something with a variety of dishes to choose from including (but not yet tried) truffle brie on toast, chicken croquettes and or perhaps a cheese or charcuterie plate to share?

Urban Village Ldn will definitely be going back for more especially when their cocktail menu has been created. We are loving having Brook House on our patch and the fact they allow dogs endears them to us even more!

Urban Village Ldn paid for this lunch

@brookhousefulham

https://brookhousefulham.com/about/

The Agewell Project Book

The Agewell Project is a site created five years ago by writer, author Annabel Abbs and TV producer and cookbook author Susan Saunders “for anyone who wants to make the second half of their life as healthy, happy and disease free as possible”. Both Fulham residents in their fifties they were fed up with “all the talk about anti-ageing and believe “aging should be accepted and enjoyed”. After reading hundreds of studies and talking to numerous experts The Agewell Project Book was next. Out on 2 May, this is a handbook compilation of health advice for those in mid and later life and includes information on what to eat, how to exercise, sleep better.

@agewellproject

https://agewellproject.com/about/

Waffle Pop UK

Have you been to Waffle Pop UK yet? Urban Village Ldn recently made a visit to this shop which opened in January located in the Fulham Plaza on North End Road for a naughty but nice treat after school! The husband and wife team running this new Fulham enterprise serve up delicious waffles on sticks coated in warm chocolate and toppings including classic hundreds and thousands which we opted for.

They also create and serve smoothies and milkshakes for the very reasonable price of £2. We’re liking the look of their Caribbean Queen made of mango, bananas, Greek yoghurt, orange, mango juice and chia seeds. Yet to try the smoothies looks like we’ll have to go back - any excuse!

@wafflepopuk

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 Harriet Inglis the Founder of SpaceMasks the self heating eye masks

How long have you called Fulham home? We have lived in Fulham since 2001. I was born in London but grew up in Clapham and, later on, in Battersea and Chelsea. I adore London and would never ever leave. 

Tell us a bit about yourself and your family. We have four daughters aged 8-15, two exceptional wire haired Dachshunds, two rabbits and a hamster. My parents died when I was young and I have two brothers; one lives in Argentina and the other in Moscow.  Ironically, I see lots of them and speak to them all the time.

How did Spacemasks come to be? I set up Spacemasks two years ago as I wanted to create something simple and inexpensive that would help us all to take essential time out of our hectic lifestyles.  Spacemasks can be used anywhere, anytime.  They’re ideal for taking a nap, to help insomnia, to alleviate tension from too much screen time and headaches.  Self care is so important and with mental health illnesses on the up, it is more important than ever.  I sell them direct from my website but have oodles of stockists; bricks and mortar and online.  

What's your favourite local haunt? The recently opened Ichiro on the North End Road.  Having worked in restaurant PR, pre-children, I couldn’t believe it when ex Nobu chef Ichiro Kubota opened up his own place minutes away.  We’ve also recently returned from a family holiday of a lifetime in Japan so the whole family are happy!  Win win! 

What's your slice of Fulham heaven and why? Don’t laugh but I’ve been having facials at Phillipa Benson since I was 16!  I have had various facials elsewhere in my time but hers are truly the best.   My mother drilled it into me to look after my skin and it’s paid off.  I go religiously every 6 weeks. Phlilipa Benson, 186 Fulham Road 020 7351 4166.

If you could do one thing to improve Fulham what would it be? More police presence! Those moped thieves are despicable. 

What advice would you give to anyone starting up their own business? Don’t be put off by all the admin!  I won’t lie, I often find things overwhelming and I occasionally panic but once I’ve slept on it, I always realise that there’s someone somewhere who can help whether it’s someone in the same boat or simply a helpdesk to answer any (often silly) questions! 

Thank you for talking to Urban Village Ldn Harriet. Congratulations on the creation and success of Spacemasks!

@spacemasks

www.spacemasks.com

Beyond the Hood

Martin Parr - Only Human

Even if you're not a particular lover of photography or a fan of art galleries we think you'll enjoy a trip to the National Portrait Gallery to see "Only Human" by Martin Parr. If you don’t want to miss out get there before it finishes at the end of this month (27 May) and if you’re buying tickets on line be warned the NPG doesn’t allow you to purchase on line on the day.

This exhibition of Martin Parr’s new works captures all sorts of Britishness from travels abroad to partying hard and documents Brit rituals, including finals trashing, fish n chips and swan upping. British diversity, quirkyness and every day life are all beautifully captured. The exhibition is stunningly curated and the photography is displayed on pastel coloured walls. Rooms have different types of flooring, including easy grass and carpet and there is a disco ball suspended in one room. A pop up traditional British Caff has been created especially for the exhibition so you can park your buns for a cuppa and a slice of classic cake half way round; culinary offerings terribly British naturally.

@martinparrstudio

https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/only-human-martin-parr/exhibition/