What’s New & Happening in Fulham

What’s New

BarreFly London

Parson’s Green recently welcomed its newest boutique fitness studio, BarreFly London located at the junction of the New Kings Road and Munster Road. We spoke to Founder and long time Fulham local Hilary “Nesse” Cannon (@thebarrebetch on Instagram) who told Urban Village LDN “BarreFly London is at once barre studio, PT space, and girl-powered feminist community, where the instructors are fabulous, the playlists are filthy, and the burn is REAL. And yes, there is an actual bar at reception”.

Nesse was a trainer at Slice Urban Fitness, a local community and fitness space that, sadly, was forced to close its doors during the first lockdown. Nesse is a certified nutritionist and barre instructor, she is also a 4-time cancer survivor, and regularly gives corporate talks on how achieving ‘flow state’ (specifically through being a barre instructor) helped her not only to fight back against cancer, but stay mentally fit whilst doing so.

Barre, for those who don’t know, is an exercise form that brings ballet, yoga, Pilates, and functional (strength) training together in a low-to-no impact full-body workout which is suitable for all ages and ability levels. “The focus is on isometric strength training, posture and core work, and improving flexibility, and the exercises are easily modified for beginners and/or ‘kicked up a notch’ for those who’ve been at it for a while”.

Nesse told us “The problem with most barre studios is that they take themselves wayyyy too seriously. They often require trainers to use weird, ‘g-rated’ language, and to play boring music, and generally not express themselves or have any fun with their clients. Not here. I want my trainers and my clients to bring their entire selves to the studio. In all of their silly, weird, inappropriate, sweet, wild, WHATEVER glory. And to know that – whoever they are and however they look and feel that day… it’s just great with us.”

BarreFly London classes run 7 days a week and there are three class formats: BARRE – the signature fan favourite, BEND – a slower, stretchier, more balletic version, and BOUNCE – a signature barre class with a hint of HIIT to satisfy the cardio-lovers in the room. Take advantage of their October offer: £50 unlimited classes for 30 days.

Follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/barreflyldn/

Fin + Bone

The most stylish butcher and fishmongers just opened in our urban village. What a sight to behold as you’re ambling down the Munster Road towards the New Kings Road; without a doubt the most impressive upgrade on the bookies that used to be located there. Fin + Bone opened at 303 New Kings Road last month and, although they are still in a soft opening phase, this month sees the team selling their full range of fresh fish, dry aged and fresh meat.

We spoke to Alex Taylor who told us how the business was born out of lockdown. “We set up online meat and fish deliveries during the first lockdown using local What’s App groups, next came a two month pop up in South Kensington and we thought we’d go back to doing our day jobs but the business developed a life of it’s own. We had various Fulham customers, including some regulars that we delivered to on a weekly basis in Cortayne Road. We kept seeing the empty site and thought why not”. After five months of “torturous” building works Fin + Bone has their first bricks and mortar location with a lobster tank incoming.

Alex told us that Fin + Bone offers the convenience of meat and fish in the same shop all displayed on the counter in front of you. The vast majority of their fish is from the South Coast of the UK “we made a conscious decision that freshness, sustainability and quality were all of equal importance. Our fish is super fresh and of the highest quality supplied by day boats and small trawlers. Our meat is all grass fed and we have close relationships with famers who have small herds of cattle and our chicken, pork and lamb are all free range. We dry age our beef for a minimum of 28 days sometimes longer, 60-100 days, and we can age to our customers specification. We want quality to be accessible to everyone so we offer a range of quality cuts at various price points. You won’t just find sirloins, rib eyes and tomahawks, we also have onglet and bavette steaks and you’ll find mackerel as well as turbot. Our range covers everything from special occasions to mid week suppers”. Fin + Bone also stock deli items to compliment their meat and fish offer. Since they’ve opened Alex told us that they’ve had “a very good reception. We were pleasantly surprised, we’ve met some really nice people, had genuinely wonderful feedback and already have some great regulars”. We love the look of the shop and what a logo. Welcome to the neighbourhood Fin + Bone!

Neighbourhood Pantry

Neighbourhood Pantry is a brand new personal shopping and delivery service. They are on a mission to make shopping local, at independent shops, as convenient as possible for neighbourhoods across the country. As it’s been created by two SW6 neighbours, Elena and Poppy, Fulham is first up.

Elena Phillipson told us “the idea was born out of lockdown, when so many small, local businesses pulled together to ensure people in the community got what they needed when the supermarket queues were endless and no one could get a delivery slot online. Many people discovered just how good the produce was from these independent stores. It prompted us to think about what was going to happen after lockdown – we must continue to enjoy and support these places, but it needs to be easy and convenient to do so, particularly as our lives get busier again”.

Elena and Poppy visited local producers and sellers “we tried their exceptional produce and have developed trusted relationships built on a shared passion for the very best quality food and drink. We want more people to discover what we have on our doorstep, but know it’s not always convenient to zig-zag between lots of individual shops to get everything you need”.

Neighbourhood Pantry, just launched this week, has brought together some of the best independent food offerings in our neighbourhood so you can shop for high quality essentials and artisan produce, conveniently, on one website, rather than using the default of a big supermarket. Elena told us “you can get what you need, all in one go, whilst shopping more sustainably and supporting small, local businesses. Once you’ve placed your order online, the Neighbourhood Pantry team will visit each local store - from the greengrocer, the butcher and the bakery to the deli and the florist - to handpick your items, before we pack everything up and deliver it all together, straight to your door”.

Their partner stores so far include Bridge Baker, Randalls Butcher, Cocomelon Greengrocer, Planet Plenty, Ta’mini Lebanese Bakery, La Pizzica Deli, Tacco, Nature’s Delight, The KAF Larder and the Bottle Shop and we’re told there are more to come! Delivery is on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays whilst they build the business and they’ll start delivering daily as they grow. Get 15% off your first order by entering SHOPLOCAL15 at checkout. Follow them on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/neighbourhoodpantry/

What’s Happening

Staff member runs London Marathon to raise funds for Fulham Good Neighbours: 3 October

Fulham Good Neighbours secured a special place in the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon and is delighted to have Barney Valentine their garden lead representing them. They were awarded one of 40 places in the world’s greatest marathon as part of the 40th Anniversary celebrations of The London Marathon Charitable Trust after organisations that have been awarded grants in the past four decades were invited to apply. Fulham Good Neighbours was able to apply for one of these places as The Trust previously funded accessibility works at their community centre, Rosaline Hall, in 2019.

Barney was chosen to represent Fulham Good Neighbours by inspiring Fulham residents to get active through the Gardening project that he leads for the charity, supporting older and disabled people in the area. You may have spotted Barney in training proudly wearing his Fulham Good Neighbours t shirt and jumper. Barney has helped hundreds of residents with their gardens over the last few years. Whenever he does so he promotes Fulham Good Neighbours other services too, which include their innovative Chair Based Exercise programme delivered in partnership with Maskell Biokineticists.

Taking place on Sunday 3 October, the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon will be the world’s biggest ever marathon, with 50,000 people taking on the traditional route from Blackheath to The Mall and another 50,000 taking on the virtual Virgin Money London Marathon. The funds raised by Barney will help to continue to support Fulham residents in their homes and gardens, community and online. If you’d like to sponsor Barney and the incredible and vital work that Fulham Good Neighbours provide please head to the link below. Good luck Barney we’ll be watching out for you and cheering you on! For more information, please contact info@fulhamgoodneighbours.org or call 020 7385 8850

The Daisy Trust Fair returns: Monday 4 October

The Daisy Trust Fair returns to The Hurlingham Club on Monday 4 October (9 am - 5 pm). Founded in 1981 this organisation provides grants to local charities and voluntary organisations in Hammersmith and Fulham. Recent beneficiaries include: Fulham Good Neighbours, H&F Foodbank, Ready Tech Go, SEAPIA and The Smile Brigade.

Jackie Lee, Chairman of The Daisy Trust commented “After going on-line in 2020 due to COVID restrictions we are enormously excited that our Fair in 2021 can go ahead without restrictions.  Stallholders are very keen to get back in front of customers and customers are looking forward to a wonderful day of shopping at The Hurlingham Club.   What really makes The Fair unique is the combination of a great selection of items for sale in such a splendid setting and the many loyal supporters of The Daisy Trust who come along for a wonderful day of shopping.  This special day can’t be recreated online.  Tickets are £8 online or £10 at the door on the day.  Stallholders generously donate 10% of their takings on the day to The Daisy Trust which goes directly to supporting people in need in Hammersmith & Fulham.”

This year there are 100 stallholders and over half of them are first time exhibitors and new to the event. You’ll find accessories, children’s clothing, toys, food, gadgets, homeware, skin care and more. Dare we say it? A perfect opportunity to start your Christmas shopping!

Art auction to raise funds for Fulham schools: 8 October (7-11 pm)

Stormzy will make a rare appearance at a Parsons Green art auction next month in the form of a coveted art print which will be auctioned off in aid of local state schools. The iconic artwork is the result of a one-off collaboration with the celebrated artist Metin Salih; whose work ranges from celebrated images of Hollywood stars to official Star Wars posters and Kellogg’s cereal packets.

Salih, who met the Grime artist when he was living in Fulham Riverside back in 2018, said: “In this unique piece of art, my aim was to encapsulate the pressures Stormzy faces as a young man. His meteoric rise to fame has seen him chased by adorning fans worldwide. It’s a snapshot of his life to date and I would love to think that someone could bid for the one-off print it in order to give something back to society but also to be inspired by his story. The original portrait will be gifted back to Stormzy himself.”

Salih, 59, is a regular visitor to the Naïve coffee company in Parsons Green. The business was launched by his close friends, brother and sister Mustafa and Fatma Kondoz, in December last year during the height of lockdown. The art auction, which will take place on October 8 at St Dionis Church, Parsons Green, from 6.30pm, is the brainchild of the Kondoz’s who want to give something back to a community which they say has supported them wholeheartedly. They are also being supported by design and build firm Pascal Huser and boutique fitness studio Transition Zone.

The Painting Brighter Futures auction will feature more of Salih’s works in a bid to raise funds for The Fulham Boys School and Lady Margaret’s School art departments. Naive owner Mustafa Kondoz says he was in awe of the dedication of local schoolteachers who did not receive the same acclaim as their NHS counterparts during the height of the pandemic. “As we got to know them as customers, we could see clearly how these individuals were providing a lifeline for their pupils throughout the pandemic and some told us stories about children who were using art to deal with difficult feelings of isolation. Painting Brighter Futures will hopefully help them to keep accessing this resource going forward.” Head of Art & Design at Fulham Boys School Joe Brasse said: “Art allows our boys to examine what it means to be human, to voice and express, and to bring people and ideas together. For many of our boys, art has become a respite or a form of escapism amid the pandemic. The funds from this auction will provide opportunities to explore bespoke practices and improve the department’s offering of specialist equipment.”

We wrote about Naive when they opened at 75 Parsons Green and have been in to sample their coffee for ourselves on many an occasion. If you have yet to try Naïve’s unique coffee experience, their high quality coffee blends are made from small batches of beans bought at a fair trade price from all over the world through a microlot farming system. These are special lots of coffee, selected for their high quality and unique flavour profiles, grown on farms/estates in limited quantities and picked and processed separately. Whilst you’re there soak up the unique interiors and the delicious food also on offer.

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 Ingeborg Boyce founder of Ingifinds

How long have you called Fulham home? 7 years

Tell us a bit about yourself / your family I am Norwegian but was born and raised in Paris. I used to spend my weekends growing up going to flea markets and have always collected things from an early age.

What’s your favourite local haunt and why? St Clements! Its a great coffeeshop with fresh and delicious food!

What is your slice of Fulham heaven and why? I love going for long walks along the river with my dog as it feels like a “break" from the city.

What did you miss about Fulham life during lockdown? Going to the food market in Bishops Park and picking up some delicious street food for lunch or dinner so I don’t have to cook!

What local shop/service/business helped make life easier during the pandemic? Bayley & Sage was very handy to be able to wonder up to and get any delicious foods or treats such as cheeses and fresh veggies!

If you could do one thing to improve Fulham what would it be? Reduce traffic so Wandsworth Bridge road would become a nice road with shops and restaurants.

Tell us about Ingifinds and how it came to be Having worked in the art world all my life, I brought my creativity into my own business, whilst having flexibility and time to still be able to pick up my kids at school! I wanted to work, but with 3 children it is difficult to be able to keep the balance of family and business life. Having always liked markets of arts and crafts, I threw myself into the digital world selling things I love, and it is a continuous learning curve which makes it furthermore interesting.

What advice would you give to people starting a new business venture? Just do it

You can check out Ingifinds range of handmade decorative objects from ceramics, linen and candles and accessories and say hello to Ingeborg at The Daisy Trust Fair on Monday 4 October (9 am - 5 pm). You an also head to the online shop below or follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ingifinds/?hl=en

Spotlight

URBAN VILLAGE LDN SHINES A LIGHT ON A DIFFERENT FULHAM BUSINESS EACH MONTH. IN THIS ISSUE WE TALK TO Richard JamminZ owner of Jamminz Caribbean

As the days get darker we spiced up our life and talked to Richard Jamminz the owner of Jamminz Caribbean. Located in the heart of Fulham at 379 North End Road his shop has only been open since 2019 but Richard told Urban Village LDN that “the passion and drive behind it has been going for years”.

Richard spent many years working as a chef in some of the most renowned venues in the UK from Ascot to the Royal Albert Hall before taking this passion for food to the next level. He began doing private catering events and as new ideas evolved he wanted Fulham to experience a different level of Caribbean cuisine. Jamminz an authentic Caribbean Take Away was born with the ambition of providing good food and a quality service. 

Richard, a local resident, knew that he wanted to bring more than just good food to Fulham. His aim was to create a bustling environment where people could come in to buy their food and end up chatting with other locals from the area. Starting off with staple items like curry goat with rice and peas, the menu has grown to include a plethora of options and seasonal deals such as fried fish during Easter.

Richard told us that “the affordability of the menu and it’s generous portion sizes but most importantly the hospitality of the staff has helped to create a loyal customer base”. Located across the road from it’s original site, Richard told Urban Village LDN that the business has gone from strength to strength in a relatively short amount of time “thankfully as a small business, Jamminz has been grateful to receive a lot of ongoing support from the local community which has spurred us on to keep going in these difficult times”. 

We asked Richard what’s next for Jamminz? “There are so many things in the works and it’s an ongoing process to promote ourselves within the community. One of the biggest things we are working on right now is local promotion and introducing Jamminz to people beyond the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. We’ve managed to make this happen a lot more thanks to the involvement of apps like Too Good To Go. This has also allowed us to save a huge ton of food waste! We’ve got a Christmas menu in the works and have plans to revamp the menu for the upcoming new year.”

We know from so many people we’ve interviewed over the last couple of years about life in Fulham how loved the gems on the North End Road are. It sounds like Jamminz Caribbean Take-Away is another treasure to discover, if you haven’t already, and we have no doubt that you will get a warm welcome from Richard and his team. You can also find them on Instagram @jamminzcaribbean

Beyond the Hood  

Open Art Spaces: 9 - 10 October

Neighbouring London villages are taking part in Open Art Spaces, a community art event celebrating creatives across the borough of Kensington and Chelsea over the weekend of the 9 - 10 October. With The Chelsea Theatre (7 World’s End Place, SW10 ODR) as it’s hub, Open Art Spaces “aims to make art accessible by delivering a wide variety of exciting and free events” including: open studios, open houses, free workshops suitable for all ages and an afternoon of spoken word to round off the event.

An installation by flower sculptor Yan Skates of “Big Flower Fight” fame will transform the outside of The Chelsea Theatre which will be open from 12 - 5 pm on both days. The theatre will be the venue for workshops which include free pottery for beginners, funky string and self portrait illustration suitable for all ages and standards. You will need to sign up to participate via the Open Art Spaces website. Artists exhibiting at The Chelsea Theatre include: Daisy Spires, Amanda Denny, Emma Orchard and Echeberry.

Open houses / studios range from Faye Haskins Printmaking Studio in Pimlico to artist Elena Cecchinato’s flat in Holland Park. Open Spaces include Bertie Blossoms on Portobello Road who will exhibit work by Artist Silviya Georgieva, you can move from there to Franklins Wine Bar on Westbourne Grove who will be showcasing artist Katie Rose and carry on to the Leafwild Cafe on Ladbroke Grove to see work by Clare Emily. If you want to soak up more art there is a public display taking place at Athlone Gardens, 370 Portobello Road W10.

The full programme of events can be found on the Open Art Spaces website, leaflets with maps will be available at all Open Art Spaces locations, alternatively you can follow and find out more on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/openartspaces/