What’s New, On & Happening in Fulham
December 2023
“December is a simple wish that brings spectacular moments”. - Unknown
What’s New
x2 Pilates
This new boutique reformer Pilates studio opened its doors a few weeks ago in Stephendale Yard, around the corner from what has become a lovely stretch of shops at the bridge end of Wandsworth Bridge Road. We spoke to studio founder / owner Yasmin El-Chgar about why she chose this spot in Fulham and how the first few weeks have gone.
“I’ve worked around this area teaching as a Pilates instructor for a long time and noticed that there wasn’t a studio in this part of Fulham. I’ve kept the studio purposefully small, I think we’re probably the smallest studio in London, with just 7 reformers so I can watch my clients and offer a quality workout. Most studios cater to the masses, after many years of practicing and teaching I know what reformer does to the body and I wanted to take it back to basics and offer quality not quantity”.
X2 Pilates ethos is to offer a supportive environment to everyone and all fitness levels, whether you’re a beginner or experienced, and go beyond traditional fitness routines to foster a more holistic approach to health. Yasmin told Urban Village LDN “I wanted to create a studio that not only had state of the art equipment but also a warm and inviting atmosphere. My members are really happy that finally they don’t have to go to other parts of Fulham and that they now have a location in the Sands End area. I’ve had a lot of thank yous since opening!”.
You can join a class, first class offer is £15, or have one on one reformer sessions. To find out more follow X2 Pilates on Instagram https://instagram.com/x2pilates or for full information or to book a class, hit the link below!
Sonya
Have you spotted this new all-day Aegean bistro at 571 Kings Road where the original Megan’s used to be? Sonya opened in November and apparently is still part of the Megan’s family because it is owned and run by their first ever General Manager Iskren. Iskren has worked in London and the hospitality industry since the age of 19 having grown up in the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia and from what we can gather this is his first venture.
Sonya is billed as a restaurant where “from sunrise to sunset you can immerse yourself in the flavours of Greece and Turkey” and we’re excited to go and check out the menu; food from these two countries is right at the very top of our favourites list.
You can start your day with breakfast which includes Tahini porridge, Greek sausages, Shakshouka, hummus, green harissa & tulum cheese, Saganaki toastie and hot smoked salmon, avocado, wilted greens and poached eggs. At lunch you can choose from a crunchy kale, rocket, avocado, pumpkin seed, pomegranate and grapefruit salad, chicken pita with cucumber, pickles, pickled chilli & home cut fries or sea bass, chicken or fried halloumi with tomatoes, capers and red onions. Before dinner enjoy a cocktail: Pomegranate Negroni, Saffron Sour, Tzatziki on the rocks or a cinnamon spiced espresso martini and tuck into mains from their fire grill including Wagyu Beyti Sarma, garlic yoghurt, scotch bonnet sauce & burnt butter, grilled Seabass, chermoula or Octopus, harissa feta, ezme, zhug, rocket & pomegranate.
Sonya has kept their secret garden and there’s a fabulous octopus mural, a collection of ceramic plates adorning the other wall and a retractable roof with outside heating for cosy winter dinning. In the New Year they’re launching Bodrum Sundays “a family and friends feasting event, with live music and big sharing joints of lamb, beef, whole fish, lobster & orzo shared by the table”. There are private rooms for hire and the kitchen team are currently working on developing a tasting menu for groups of 8 or more so stay tuned or email krd@sonyarestaurant.co.uk for more information.
House of Flowers London
You can’t miss House of Flowers London, a glamourous new floral addition to 170 Wandsworth Bridge Road. This florists shop front is stunning and inside it’s a juxtaposition of dark, moodiness and a fabulous array of colours. Check out their lush, supersized, ribbon flowing bouquets on Instagram all typically shown against a black background https://www.instagram.com/house.of.flowers.london
Pop in to discuss your flower arrangements whether it’s an elegant bouquet or a vast installation, alternatively cut to the chase and head straight to order on the link below.
We have no doubt the team at HFL will be working on some magical displays and arrangements for Christmas. We’ve already seen some of their stunning wreaths and as we’re always trying to zig whilst others zag we really love their alternative styles, think silver reindeer heads with branches for antlers, pink baubles and ribbons.
They also sell gift sets with candles, flowers and vases AND they’re looking for experienced florists to join their team so if you’d like to hear more get in touch via what’s app (+ 44 7309 050503) send your CV and a breakdown of previous experience.
PAID PROMOTION
Melrose House Open Day
Melrose House Nursery School, for 2 - 4 year olds, operates on the ground floor of a privately owned house at the Bishop’s Park end of Finlay Street. The children at the nursery are split according to age, each group is cared for and looked after in two classrooms by highly qualified staff. In addition to the classroom spaces the school has a well-equipped and enclosed garden.
As well as lots of learning through play, Melrose House prides itself on the one to one tuition each child receives daily at the school. It has been a nursery school for over forty years and was previously known as Cygnets, before adopting the same name as its sister school in Southfields. Caroline O'Gorman, Melrose House's administrator and manager, told Urban Village LDN "Cygnet pupils are now sending their own children to Melrose House and stepping inside the 55 Finlay Street walls brings back many happy memories!".
Melrose House are holding an Open Day for both sites on Friday 5 January 2024 (10am - 12 noon) so if you'd like to see Melrose House in action and find out more about what they offer the children who attend their nursery schools, click on the link to register your interest
Beautiful Noise
Monkey Music has developed a brand new programme for parents and their new born babies; it launched last month taking place at Fulham Palace. Beautiful Noise is a five-session interactive programme for babies up to 16 weeks old. It is a mix of in person classes and pre recorded sessions designed to explore how babies use noise to make sense of the world around them.
Monkey Music’s specially trained teachers use music, songs and activities to deepen the bonding between parents and their newborns. The programme also helps parents discover how music supports early development including encouraging Baby’s muscle development, improving visual tracking and helping teach spatial awareness, language development and lots more. Each booking includes a kit bag with instruments and a sensory scarf to be used at home.
Jeni from Monkey Music told Urban Village LDN “I’m so excited to bring Beautiful Noise to Fulham, especially in our 30th year! It’s been such a privilege sharing music with so many local families over all that time, and introducing this really special new programme seems a very appropriate way to celebrate. In a lovely relaxed nurturing environment, parents gain more confidence that they are doing the right things and it is also such a great opportunity to meet other new local parents”.
We’ve always been huge fans of Monkey Music, the classes are always joyful and our little monkeys loved them, one even breaking into tears every time the closing farewell song came up because she didn’t want the session to end! More Fulham dates for the New Year will be announced soon in the meantime you can get in touch with Jeni to find out more putneybarnesfulham@monkeymusic.co.uk or click on the link below
What’s On
Christmas Carols on WBR: Sun 3rd (3pm)
Head to Wandsworth Bridge Road to take part in some festive singing around the Hazelbury Road Christmas Tree. Bonbon, Carbon Kopi & Bridge Baker will be on hand to serve you mulled wine, hot chocolate, spiced cider, mince pies & Christmas treats. Who knows a certain person in a red suit may be along with some treats too! Whether you love to belt out the classics or would like to sing in harmony join the Carol Singing. Christmas classics from Hark the Herald Angels Sing to Good King Wenceslas as well as holiday favourites like Jingle Bells and Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer for the little ones https://wbrassociation.org.uk/
By Beautiful Brands Christmas Shopping: Thurs 7 (10am -7pm)
Not in Fulham but organised by Fulham locals, this event showcases curated brands and includes all sorts of gifts / products: candles & smellies, jewellery and homeware. It takes place at Chelsea Town Hall if you fancy a change of scene. Brands based in Fulham that are taking part in their December event include Edit One, Alissya London and Athletica London and Powder Hound https://www.bybeautifulbrands.com/
Michael Morpurgo book signing: Thurs 7 (4-5pm)
Head to Nomad Books and meet the legend that is Michael Morpurgo who will be signing copies of his latest book “Tales from Shakespeare”. A collection of ten retellings of Shakespeare’s classic plays, featuring illustrations from ten different artists.
Carols by Candlelight: Thurs 7 (6.3o - 7.30pm)
Support the work that The Daisy Trust does for H&F organisations and charities at this event. Clare Balding will also be signing copies of her new book Isle of Dogs. People can bring their book along or she will sign book plates. There will not be any books at the carols for sale. As ever all the proceeds go to beneficiaries in H&F.
Music Night on WBR: Fri 8 (6.30pm onwards)
Back by popular demand seven venues on Wandsworth Bridge Road have seven acts performing live music. Take your pick from Enjoy a Pop-Up “Taco” night at Carbon Kopi with Chef Raul, who’s worked at some of London’s best restaurants with music by Owen Bolton performing a mixture of covers and originals to soft soul and cool beats at Chai Thali. Click the link for full information and to book ahead. https://wbrassociation.org.uk/music-night/
Couture Collective Christmas shopping: Sat 9 (10am - 5pm)
Christmas shopping at Couture Collective, 659 Fulham Road, London SW6 5PY.
Nativity Trail: Sat 9 (3-5pm)
Meet characters from the nativity in an interactive indoor trail around St Peter’s Church (SW6 7JS). Sounds like great fun for under 11s and their families with games, fire pit & marshmallows, sweet treats and more including mulled wine for the adults. Doors open 3-5pm and the trail lasts around 20 mins. For more information email christmas@stpetersfulham.co.uk
Fulham Camerata Concert: Sun 10 (6.30pm)
A free charity concert at Holy Cross Church featuring Handel’s Messiah and traditional carols, starting with a short audience rehearsal before Fulham Camerata launch into the Hallelujah chorus https://www.fulhamcamerata.com/
The New Stages Series: Thurs 14 (7.30pm)
This monthly series of events at Sands End Arts & Community Centre continues with Doing the Rounds on Thurs 14 at 7.30pm. The poet Audrey Ardern-Jones will be reading from her book accompanied by the Poetry & Music Ensemble, with Lucas Jordan on the flute and Fabricio Mattos on the guitar. More information and tickets https://www.newstagescreations.com/#new-stages-series. Tickets also available on the door on the night.
Christmas Music Fayre: Sun 17 (2-4pm)
A free day of musical fun at Sands End Arts & Community Centre with Sherry Music Academy. There’s a jazz concert from 2pm to 4pm and a Christmas concert at 6pm.
Santa’s Grotto
Come & meet Father Christmas upstairs in the Lodge at the Sands End Arts & Community Centre. You’ll get a special gift from the man himself and find out if you’ve made it on to the naughty or nice list!
£6.50 per child - including a present from Father Christmas.
9/16/23 December from 2.30pm to 6pm
10/17/24 December from 10am to 2pm
Book here https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/santas-grotto-at-seacc-2226749
Christmas card & gift making: 18 - 22 (10am - 2pm)
Head to the Walnut Tree Café at the Sands End Arts & Community for daily guided Christmas card & gift making. Only £2.50 per person including help yourself tea and coffee.
Community Christmas meal: Thurs 21 (7-9pm)
The Main Hall at the Sands End Arts & Community Centre is the location for a scrumptious feast and some festive cheer. £3 per person book on Eventbrite
Details of all the Christmas events at Sands End Arts & Community Centre can be found on their website www.seacc.uk and on Instagram and X @seaccfulham.
What’s Happening
Friends of Bishops Park
We went along to the Friends of Bishops Park AGM last month which was both fascinating and informative. We’re now on a mission to increase membership having found out, not to be critical of the amazing work that the committee does, that there are less than 150 members!
Considering the annual membership fee is only £10, the amount of locals who use the park and the facilities and the incredible work that the Friends do, we have to say we were flabbergasted but also ashamedly confess that we’re guilty of not being members ourselves!
We got back to UVL HQ and immediately tried to remedy that. It isn’t especially easy to be honest so hopefully that will be changed to make it more of a one click sign up but the paperwork has been printed and is top of our pile and ready to fill in! Hopefully in warmer months volunteers can help up drum new support / members with a card reader in hand.
Back to the AGM and the insights you get being a member. We loved meeting new Chair Sarah Jane Johnson, hearing from Phoebe Shaw Stewart H&F Ecology Lead, Council representatives and plans for the park. In the pipeline: refurbishment of the riverside railings, the water fountain and news that the market will be coming back to the events circle next year. We’ll be drip feeding some of the other stories we picked up over the coming months but in the meantime London Hog Watch reported that sadly there are no hedgehogs in Bishops Park but cameras recorded 11 different bird species 3 of which are on the amber list.
The main objectives of the Friends of Bishops Park is “to secure the preservation, protection and improvement of Bishops Park as a place of historic and ecological interest and beauty and recreational use; to promote the conservation of the natural plant, animal and bird life of the Park and educate the public in the history, natural history and other aspects of the Park”.
Urban Village LDN spoke to new Chair Sarah Jane Johnson to find out more “I was born and brought up in the countryside but love living in London - a city with more green areas than most. It is easy to take these green spaces, so valuable for our physical and mental health, for granted. I am passionate about representing historic Bishop’s Park and its wide variety of trees and plants, birds and insects. In the great scheme of things we have a responsibility to look after the world for future generations and every little helps! I would be delighted to hear from anyone who uses the park in whatever capacity so we can grow a strong community and look out for each other”.
Art Exhibition to Support Community Projects
Tis the season for giving and as we rush around picking out gifts for our nearest and dearest, spare a thought of how you can also help spread warmth and joy to the elderly in Fulham during this special time of year; when many feel isolated and alone. As the holiday spirit fills the air, Fulham Good Neighbours has organised a Christmas Art Exhibition on Friday 8 Dec (12pm) at their community centre, 70 Rosaline Hall, dedicated to supporting essential community projects. They reached out to Urban Village LDN to ask us to help spread the word and let you know that everyone is invited to this showcase of art, Christmas cards & their Calendar.
The Art exhibition is free to attend and you can browse the assortment of art pieces created by their Art Club members whilst enjoying a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie. The proceeds from any art, Christmas card (£3 for 12 or 30p per) or calendar sales (£5) will contribute directly to fund their projects aimed at supporting older and disabled Fulham neighbours. Whilst you’re there you can also find out more about the incredible services they provide in Fulham.
Jamie, Director of Fulham Good Neighbours said “We’d like to invite locals to our exhibition and our community centre. If you or your neighbour need help in your home or garden or would like to visit our Social Clubs (6 days a week at our community centre), or learn how to get online, our friendly team of staff and volunteers are here to support. We are also always happy to hear from volunteers and partner organisations too so please don’t hesitate to get in touch, let us know your ambitions for the community and we will aim to facilitate!
For those unable to attend the exhibition but eager to support Fulham Good Neighbours, donations are warmly encouraged through the organisation’s website or by joining their cause as a volunteer on info@fulhamgoodneighbours.org or 020 7385 8850.