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

 November

“My lovely November, Have you seen my heart, somewhere in your castle of yellow leaves?”
― A Waltz for Zizi

Inspire Fulham Pop Up Event: Sat 9

The Inspire Fulham autumn pop event is hosted by Nuffield Health and Lucy Choi, London and will take place at Nuffield Health, 11-5 Stevenage Road, to celebrate the wealth of talent in the heart of Fulham. Local brands and pop ups exhibiting at the event include Wild Daisy, photographer Alexa Kidd-May and Sweet Home London. As well as face-painting and cakes for sale there will be a raffle in support of Fulham Reach Boat Club with all profits going to their charity which was set up to “allow young people fair access to the same opportunities to unlock the potential of young people through rowing “. Raffle prizes up for grabs include a private rowing session for up to 4 people, a £25 gift voucher from Quirky Gadgets and a meal for two at the Blue Boat.

In Made in Fulham this month we feature the founder of Inspire Fulham, local resident Sophia Wade where you will also be able to find out more about her mission to introduce, connect and engage Fulham based entrepreneurs. https://inspirefulham.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/inspirefulham/?hl=en

Autumn art exhibition: 12-17

The Fulham Society of Artists & Potters (SOFAP) autumn art exhibition takes place in the Main Hall of The Fulham Library, Fulham Road and will showcase affordable paintings, ceramics, print making and sculpture produced by both local amateur and professional artists. All art on display will be for sale as well as handmade greeting cards. Entrance is free and everyone is welcome.

The Fulham Society of Artists & Potters (SOFAP) was founded in 1952 as a not-for-profit organisation ‘to encourage the practice and exhibition of the work of local artists in association and to attract and interest the public in the visual arts.’ Membership of the Society is open to anyone over the age of eighteen living, working or studying in the Borough of Hammersmith And Fulham. In addition to their spring and autumn annual exhibitions the society arranges monthly tutor-led workshops designed for members of all abilities to explore and experience as many different media and styles as possible in a fun and convivial environment with other members and their guests.

https://www.sofap.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/sofap_art/

Fulham Camerata Autumn Concert: Saturday 16

The Fulham Camerata autumn concert takes place on Saturday 16 November at 7.30 pm combining two greats of English classical music, separated by over 350 years but brought together by Fulham Camerata in what we’ve been told is an inspriging chorcal programme at Holy Cross Church on Saturday November 16 in an inspiring choral programme.
The works will be performed with three guest instrumentalists opening with a selection of Henry Purcell’s finest anthems from the 17th century, the concert moves on to John Rutter’s beautifully melodic, contemporary Requiem in seven movements.

Tickets can be purchased here https://www.tickettailor.com/events/fulhamcamerata/

https://www.facebook.com/FulhamCamerata/

London Terrariums at the Palace Gardener: 21 November

​Join London Terrariums for a morning making your own Demijohn Terrarium at The Palace Gardener. Learn how a terrarium works, how these self-contained ecosystems survive and how to look after them. The morning starts with an introduction to explain the history & science that goes into creating a terrarium, from the different plants you can use. Then it's up to you to get your hands in there and build your own!

​London Terrariums will supply you with a Demijohn Jar, plants, pebbles and moss so you can build your own minature garden to take away. https://www.palacegardener.com/events

https://www.instagram.com/thepalacegardener/?hl=en

Just So Flowers workshops: Friday 22/Sat 23

If you love having fresh flowers in your home but are never quite satisfied with the way that you arrange them, this is the class for you. Kay from Just So Flowers is an experienced florist who says “so many people tell us that they just don't know how to arrange their flowers" so she created a practical demonstration. During the workshop participants will learn how to prepare flowers, receive advice about colour, shape and design and learn how to keep blooms looking fresh for as long as possible. Kay goes on to tell us “we will be using seasonal flowers and foliage to make an arrangement suitable for a short vase perfect for the coffee or dining table. There will be lots of fresh flowers in warm autumn hues to choose from along with a variety of winter foliage”.

At the end of the class your flowers will be wrapped for you to take home, and you will receive a mini goody bag which will include discount vouchers to use at which ever venue you attend The Palace Gardener (22 Nov) or The Showroom Presents (23 Nov). Click here for further information and tickets https://www.justsopopups.co.uk/ @justsoflowers

Organic Refill Market opening

The owners of BYGRAM Organic Refill Market are excited to become part of the Fulham community. Owner Tonia Krokatsis told Urban Village LDN that although they haven’t quite opened the doors to their planet conscious store located at 795 Fulham Road “feedback from curious passer-by’s and locals has been really encouraging and positive”.

BYGRAM will stock a large range of organic dry foods, including a wide selection of vegan and gluten free products, natural cosmetics from small UK businesses, home cleaning products and kitchen reusables made from organic cotton. Although shopping this way is not a new concept it seems it is one that has been re-imagined by BYGRAM who believe that “zero waste shopping should not be different or special, it can be a weekly routine for everyone”. The store have no plastic packaging, zero waste is the aim and they will be encouraging customers to bring in their own containers but compostable paper bags and glass jars/bottles will be available as an option to stock up on their loose foods.

Inspired by having lived in a Cyprus village close to nature, seeing first hand the eye sore plastic rubbish created, how it polluted the sea and beaches and witnessing the initiatives for change Cyprus put in place Tonia and her husband Chris wanted to play a part in contributing to a greener planet. We wish BYGRAM every success with their venture and look forward to visiting the shop and announcing on our social channels when they’re officially open @organicrefillmarket

Bottle It

The Bottle Shop opened their second shop in Fulham last month; the other shop is located in Wimbledon. Stocking a range of fine wines, craft beers, ciders, spirits and champagnes and featuring offerings from local breweries including Jeffersons in Barnes and the Wimbledon Brewery. This independent shop located on 273 New Kings Road looks like a great one stop shop for the party season and is open from Mon - Sat 10 am - 9 pm. We love the shop front and all those rows of gorgeous bottles the Ciroc limited edition design bottles might have to go onto our Christmas list! @bottleshop_uk

House Cats London launch own products

The Fulham branch of this Manicure and Prosecco bar celebrates it’s second anniversary this month and seems to be going from strength to strength adding new strings to their bow. Last month House Cats London launched their own range of body and nail care products. Their collection includes cuticle oils, ultra rich foot creams and scrubs with ginger and verbena or melon, guava and mango scents. We love the packaging and the pricing is great if you’re looking to buy yourself or a friend a treat, alternatively a House Cats London gift card would make a great present - seems like our Christmas list continues to grow. Happy anniversary to the Fulham team; House Cats own label Prosecco next?

https://housecats.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/housecatslondon/?hl=en

KOKO The Barber

There are lots of fantastic barber shops in our neighborhood but this latest arrival on the Fulham Broadway end of the Fulham Road caught our eye last month. We love the fixtures and fittings, the traditional barber pole outside the shop, the vintage feel of the store, framed old press articles on the walls, leather chairs, displays of shaving accoutrements. It’s a great location for a pre or post Chelsea game trim. Hair cuts are £18, a beard Trim £10 or why not got all in for a full KOKO service wash & cut, hot towel shave & facial and nose ear wax for £45?

 St Dionis re-opens

On Sunday 10 November at 3pm St Dionis Church on Parsons Green officially re-opens after it’s recent refurbishment and the completion of their Living Space project. Everybody in the Fulham community is welcome and invited to come along to take a look inside, refreshments and treats will be provided and a service of celebration with the Bishop of Kensington and the Rt Revd Dr Graham Tomlin will take place at 5pm.

The Living Space project was undertaken to create more space within the church to welcome all members of the local community. The improved facilities are intended to help local associations, residents and improve the life of those on Parsons Green and the surrounding area.

The Living Space project was led by the church with the help of a group of local businesses, schools and residents, improved facilities include a kitchen, meeting spaces and a new entrance which faces the Green. https://www.stdionis.org.uk/

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 Sophia WADE founder of inspire fulham which was launched in 2019 to connect and introduce SUCCESSFUL and aspiring ENTREPRENEURS.

How long have you called Fulham home? Fulham has been ‘home’ for 24 years. I moved here straight after university and never left!

Tell us a bit about yourself and your family. I married my husband just over 20 years ago and just over 15 and a half years ago we had our first boy, Thomas. Followed very quickly ( I wouldn’t recommend 3 boys in 3 years), by Charlie 14 and Jonti aged 12.

What's your favourite local haunt? My favourite haunt is Tinto’s Fulham. I have been visiting there almost every day for 15 years. Originally when the children were very young and it was midway between home and Bishops Park. Later it was on my way to nursery, then Primary School. Now it’s just an escape from teenage hormones.

What's your slice of Fulham heaven and why? My slice of Fulham heaven is my church St Peters. I am a practising Christian and it is an amazing place to deepen my faith and serve this fantastic community we live in.

If you could do one thing to improve Fulham what would it be? I think Fulham need more policemen ‘on the beat’. I would like to see a police station even if it was in one of the many empty retail sites on the Fulham Road.

What's the thinking behind Inspire Fulham? I love connecting people to the benefit of all, there is no hidden agenda. I absolutely love affordable fashion, sport and Fulham. A few years ago I sat in a coffee shop with a friend Johnny and we brainstormed the idea of a new boys school, it would be faith, boys and enterprise. 10 years after that initial conversation The Fulham Boys School is up and running and thriving. We connected a very capable team all with a similar vision and a great school was created. It opened my eyes to what can be achieved when people work together to deliver a goal and fill a genuine gap.

I would like to do the same for Fulham by supporting local entrepreneurs and retailers to support the high street. I would like Fulham to be distinct from other areas in its support of new and pioneering entrepreneurs and pop ups. I hope to create a platform which assists on line and local business’s to connect together and grow. The concept is face to face connections rather than the focus being on line.

The Knackered Mother’s Wine Club

Now that Halloween has been, gone and kicked off the party season the countdown to Christmas is on! We thought the timing couldn’t be better to feature Helen McGinn aka @knackeredmother. Not being wine snobs, officiandos or really having much of a clue, other than knowing what we like and don’t like, Helen’s fabulous blog has saved us as our eyes glaze over in supermarket aisles and shelves groaning with choice. A quick scroll on Helen’s Insta stories has proved incredibly handy!

Ten years ago Helen decided to write a wine blog starting with a few sentences about her plans to recommend a couple of wines each week for people looking for some wine inspiration. “With three kids under five and a part-time job, it was also my way of carving out an hour or so each week to think about something other than, well, three kids under five and a part-time job.” The blog is now award winning.

Helen’s an international wine judge, has written articles for various publications including a weekly drinks column for the Daily Mail’s Femail magazine, has quite a few TV appearances under her belt, Saturday Kitchen Live and This Morning to name a few and she’s the author of several books including: A Very Nice Glass of Wine, The Knackered Mother’s Wine Club Book, Homemade Cocktails and Teetotal Tipples.

So if you’re looking for some inspiration, guidance on a red to enjoy with the Sunday roast or thinking of some new tipples to serve at your Christmas festivities this year take a look at Helen’s blog https://www.knackeredmotherswineclub.com/ https://www.instagram.com/knackeredmother/?hl=en