What’s on, new & happening in your Urban Village
September 2019
We’re back!
September
‘‘By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer’s best of weather
And autumn’s best of cheer." - Helen Hunt Jackson
North End Road Autumn Festival: Saturday 21
The Autumn Festival is organised by North End Road Action Group (NERAG). Residents, local business, organisations and the council joined forces a few years ago to revitalize North End Road and the market.
On Saturday 21 September (9 am - 5pm) North End Road will once again become pedestrianised for the event and in celebration of World Car-Free Day. Everyone is invited for some traffic free shopping with stalls running the length of the high street from St John’s Church right up to Lillie Road.
There will be over 150 stalls selling everything from arts and crafts to home and fashion items. There will also be live music, children’s workshops, street food and fresh produce for sale.
If you’d like to have a stall at the event contact Sonia Gorniak Sonia.Gorniak@lbhf.gov.uk or get involved email nerag@btconnect.com
Cinema under the stars
Fulham is spoilt for choice this month!
Pop Up Screens makes a return to Bishops Park with Mama Mia Here We Go Again (Friday 6), Bohemian Rhapsody (Saturday 7) and 10 Things I hate about you (Sunday 8). Later in the month they head to South Park were they will be showing The Incredibles 2 ( Fri 27), Back to the Future (Sat 28), and the Little Mermaid (Sun 29).
For tickets and further information https://www.popupscreens.co.uk/
Luna Cinema also comes to Fulham this month. Bohemiam Rhapsody and Star is Born will be screened in the magnificent setting of Fulham Palace’s walled garden on 18/19 September. A full bar will be in operation and you can pimp your experience by purchasing extras including back rests, fleece blankets and a bespoke cheese box courtesy of The Cheese Geek. A premium ticket (£29.50) gets you fast tracked to the bar, a complimentary drink and a Directors Chair. General admission £17.
https://thelunacinema.com/fulham-palace
https://www.instagram.com/thelunacinema/?hl=en
If you fancy going further afield to a neighbouring urban village, Backyard Cinema will open the doors to it’s new Wandsworth venue on the site of the Capital Studios building on 13 September. Their first showing is already sold out but there are plenty of other films to choose from including sing a longs to Grease and The Greatest Showman. The Winter Night Garden makes its first appearance at this new venue and we’re loving the thought of entering a new world of film through a magical wardrobe. https://www.backyardcinema.co.uk https://www.instagram.com/backyardcinema/
Dinner with ex-England International Andy Goode: Saturday 21
On the eve of England’s opening World Cup game, Aragon House are holding a special Sportsman’s Dinner with rugby pundit and ex-England international Andy Goode. Along with previewing the tournament, Andy will be sharing tales from his amazing professional career which spanned 18-years. Andy was capped for England 17 times, won 5 premiership titles, 2 European cups and is the 2nd highest scorer of all time in premiership rugby. The dinner will take place in Aragon House’s Richardson Room, located on the first floor with Georgian windows overlooking Parsons Green. Sounds like an entertaining evening of delicious food & rugby appreciation. Aragon House told us to expect “friendly service, a warm and relaxed atmosphere and a few glasses of something decent!” Full info and ticket prices here https://bit.ly/2ZBxewE
Calligraphy Beginners Workshop, Market Hall: 22 September
Join Kejal, the founder of Calligraphy by Kiki, for this special Beginner’s Brush Lettering Workshop being held in a private space upstairs at Market Hall Fulham and in partnership with the mental health charity Mind. Learn the basics and unlock your creativity to create elegant hand-written shapes and letters using brush pen calligraphy.
All you need do, other than book your place, is come armed with a couple of words/a phrase that you’d love to be able to calligraphise by the end of the class. Kejal reassures us that no experience is necessary, each class allows plenty of one on one time, tips tailored to your personal style and that, as Kejal is left handed, the class is suitable for either right or left-handers. For this special charity event you will receive the gift of a Brush Lettering Beginner's Kit which includes a pen, exercise letter guide, practice sheets and special, smooth paper to take home with you. Before you know it you’ll be addressing envelopes, invitations and, dare we mention, Christmas cards with beautiful calligraphy!
Sunday 22 September (11.30 am - 1.30 pm) tickets cost £47.75 for full information take a look here https://calligraphybykiki.com https://www.instagram.com/calligraphy.by.kiki/?hl=en
Daisy Trust Fair: Monday 30 September
The Daisy Trust is a charity working in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Run entirely by volunteers it raises funds to provide grants to local causes who seek money for worthwhile projects and initiatives that contribute towards the Borough being a better and stronger community. Since 2010 The Daisy Trust has given grants of over £340,000 supporting more than 119 charities and voluntary organisations. In 2018 The Daisy Trust gave £55,391 to 42 local organisations, beneficiaries included The Haven, Fulham Good Neighbours, Glass Door, Rays Playhouse, SEAPIA, Barons Court Project, Trinity Hospice and the Hammersmith and Fulham Foodbank.
The Annual Daisy Trust Fair will be held at the Hurlingham Club on Monday 30 September (9.00 am - 5.00pm). There will be over 90 stalls selling a range of gifts, clothing, home wares, books and food. Stallholders give 10% of their takings on the day and entry to the Fair is by invitation only. If you would like to attend please email secretarydaisytrust@gmail.com
At home football matches
Sat 14: Fulham vs West Brom @ 12.30
Sun 22: Chelsea vs Liverpool @ 16.30
Fri 27: Fulham vs Wigan Athletic @ 19.45
Sat 28: Chelsea vs Brighton @ 15.00
Fulham car boot sale launches
We can’t believe that it has taken this long for Fulham to get it’s very own regular car boot sale. We looked and couldn’t find another when we heard that Fulham’s “first and only” car boot sale launches on 8 September. The sale will be held every Sunday at the Sands End Adventure Playground to raise money for the SEAPIA Project (Sands End Associated Projects In Action).
The organisers aim to bring “the local community together for weekly bargains, fun, snacks and many more treats”. Stall holders get 20% off their first pitch
(SEAPIA) was founded in 1970 by local residents who recognised the importance of having a place for children to play. The small voluntary committee secured the disused Sunlight Laundry wash house building in William Parnell park. The first “venture” playground was created out of debris and materials lying around.
They have an open-access ‘drop-off’ service for 8-13 year olds charging a nominal fee of £1 per session during school holidays, half term breaks and during term time offer after school hours.
https://www.fulhamcarboot.com https://www.instagram.com/fulhamcarboot/
Natural play area opens at Fulham Palace
This new play area will open at 2 pm on Sunday 22 September at Fulham Palace’s ‘Glory of the garden’ family fun day. The official opening will be marked by a 20 minute nature themed performance by the Fulham Children’s Choir and the event will also feature birds of prey, live music, a caricature artist, garden games and flower crown making (using flowers and foliage from the Palace’s walled garden).
This natural play area, suitable for children of all ages, will use logs and wooden objects saved from previous tree work on site. The design focus was about getting hands on with nature and encouraging children to interact creatively with natural materials. There will be carved logs and wooden structures to balance on, climb over and under and smaller pieces of timber which children can handle and play with. This project has been an ambition of Lucy Hart, Head Gardener at Fulham Palace, who says “hopefully we are connecting future generations with nature and the outdoors more, and helping them realise its OK to get a bit muddy!”.
The natural play area has been generously funded by the Western Riverside Environmental Fund (WREF), built by Conservation and Access, who also built the natural play trail at Box Hill and once officially opened will be open daily from dawn to dusk. https://www.fulhampalace.org/news/nature-and-nurture-building-a-natural-play-area/
Arro Coffee - Marylebone, Bayswater and now Fulham
We got back from our July travels to discover Arro Coffee had popped up on the New Kings Road, round the corner from Parsons Green. New to Fulham but with two other London branches, Arro Coffee is an Italian cafe that started in 2016 focusing on three key products: coffee, chocolate and pannetone. After looking them up on Insta it only took their Chocco shot (coffee in a biscuit cup) to tempt us to take a look for ourselves and see if they are really as they say “The Temple of Coffee”
We were pleasantly surprised to find that there is a lot more on offer than coffee including a “Fulham Sunshine Breakfast”, Parsons Green Royale, lunch options from soups to lasagne, delicious ice cream (made on the premises daily), fresh juices and gluten free bowls, cocktails and early supper options (they close at 9 pm).
A local resident got in touch with us as, thinking it was already open, she ended up getting a preview from the owner Mr Sassone himself. “Armed with a voucher for a free coffee I returned the following day and was not disappointed. An army of bustling Italian staff were plying people with free coffee and panettone both inside the shop and on the pavement. I was astonished by the panettone - made in Mr Sassone's Culinary institute in Italy - the best I have ever tasted in my life. I have returned on a number of occasions; the staff are delightful”. https://www.arrocoffee.com/ https://www.instagram.com/arro_coffee/
Back to School
Congratulations to all Fulham students who despite tougher exams achieved great GCSE and A level results this summer. We wish them every success in the next chapter be that sixth form, an apprenticeship or taking up a place at university.
If you’re in need of back to school supplies Perry’s Art + Office are kindly offering a 10% discount on any items purchased in their shop during September. Just mention Urban Village LDN in store. They also have a back to school offer with 40% off selected items - another good reason to visit!
https://perrys-art-office.business.site/ https://www.instagram.com/perrysartoffice/
The Smile Brigade launches Community Kitchen and seeks volunteers
The Smile Brigade run by Fulham local Monique Newton offers free and heavily subsidised services and activities to people on low incomes or at risk of loneliness and isolation. Some of their activities include dementia friendly activities such as "karaoke and cupcake afternoons" or "sit and get fit" exercise classes which are offered to elderly people in care homes. They also provide an outreach service to people who are homeless - providing free food, clothes and toiletries to people who are sleeping rough as well as home starter packs/hampers (containing the basic necessities) to families on low incomes.
On 14 August The Smile Brigade added to the work, services and activities they provide and set up a community kitchen at Clem Attlee Community Hall. The kitchen is open every Tuesday from 12 - 2 pm providing a free hot meal to anyone who wants or needs one. Unlike your traditional soup kitchen which is means tested - everyone is welcome and they don't need to provide proof of income. The Smile Brigade believe “everyone who wants or needs access to the basic necessities such as food and toiletries should be able to do so in a friendly and non judgemental environment”.
The food for the kitchen is supplied by City Harvest London and The Felix Project who donate surplus food which would have otherwise been wasted and unused. The Smile Brigade chefs Josh Warner and Eleanore Crewe create a menu and cook tasty and nutritious meals from the ingredients supplied.
Every Tuesday there is also a community wardrobe and bookshelf for guests with free books and clothes which have been donated and are available for people to take. Those guests who can afford to do so are encouraged to "pay what they can" whilst those who can't are welcome to take what they need for free. Free sanitary products are also available for women and girls.
Monique told Urban Village LDN that “as well as donations of food, clothes, books, toiletries and other household items we are looking for volunteers each week to help us run the kitchen. Be it by offering your skills if you are a chef or a performer (we have entertainment each week) or volunteering to help set up, serve the food, befriend our guests and pack away”.
If you would like to get involved with fundraising, donations or volunteering your time please contact monique@thesmilebrigade.org https://twitter.com/smilebrigadeuk
Work begins on new Sands End Arts and Community Centre
The hoardings have been up for while but we’re pleased to report that work has now begun on the brand new Sands End Arts and Community Centre which is being built in and around the currently disused Clancarty Lodge in South Park. The designs for the centre have already won an award and a community trust comprised of local people has been established to run and operate the centre which is scheduled to open next year replacing the former centre in Broughton Road.
Works seem to be moving swiftly and are being done at no cost to local taxpayers after funding was secured from Thames Tideway and Chelsea FC by H&F Council and local residents. We will keep you posted on the works progress.
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 ask them what they love about being a local resident.
This month we talk to SiMona Barbieri Founder and Creative DirectoR of HUB DOT. a New way of making connections, replacing labels and job titles with 5 coloured DOTS that reflect an individual’s mind-set, help level the playing field and give people the freedom to start conversations by asking ‘What’s your story?’ instead of ‘what do you do?’
How long have you called Fulham home? I moved here in August 2003 heavily pregnant with my first son. I had just left corporate life and a job at Goldman Sachs and was ready to step into the magical world of Fulham.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your family. Neapolitan but a Londoner at heart – I have always loved breaking the rules and never truly ‘fitted in’ although on the outside my life may seem to conform. I’m married to a Yorkshire man, we have 3 kids and a dog.
What's your favourite local haunt? Santa Maria pizzeria because no matter how crap my day has been, a Neapolitan pizza and a cold beer never fails to cheer me up.
What's your slice of Fulham heaven and why? I love to walk the bridges and be by the river. Fulham Palace is our piece of heaven and we have endless memories of picnics, open air cinemas and shows we’ve seen there. The most quintessential corner.
When, how and why did Hub Dot come to be? From a personal need of broadening my Fulham horizons. I wanted to look for a network that would celebrate all the dimensions of my life; that space did not exist. So in June 2012 with a group of friends round my kitchen table and a passion about breaking down the barriers that prevent us from connecting with one another we decided to create a community where our personal stories would be more important than titles and jobs. Hub Dot, a new way of connecting was born.
What advice would you give to anyone who has a new idea, concept or product? Think it through thoroughly and spend more time researching and learning than being carried away by the geniality of your idea. It’s easy to allow your mind to fly and creativity can be dangerous so keep your feet firmly on the ground. Ask yourself, if this idea takes off how will my life be impacted and will I be happy with that scenario?
Thank you for talking to Urban Village LDN Simona. We wish Hub Dot every continued success and the best of luck with your next event “Entrepreneurial Journeys. Spirit of Reinvention” which takes place on 25 September at Kindred, Bradmore House, Hammersmith, W6.
Whether you are nurturing a seedling of an idea, or are in the first frantic phases of a start-up, on parental leave looking for a new opportunity, or in need of a change of direction or way of doing things, Hub Dot want to take you on an entrepreneurial experience, created by the visionary stories of people like you. For further information and tickets visit https://hubdot.com/events https://www.instagram.com/hubdot/
Bazaar Hipster
If you’re like our Ed and love all things Moroccan then take a look at Bazaar Hipster, a company created by SW London resident Sophia Lahlou. Whilst on maternity leave after having her second child, Sophia who is originally from Morocco, started to think of a way of turning her passion for fashion/lifestyle, local creativity and her fascination with cultural fusion into a business.
All products featured on the Bazaar Hipster web-site are hand made by talented local artisans/ designers and hand picked by Sophia who often goes back home to Morocco to treasure hunt and find special pieces. Sophia told us “I am very proud to promote local creativity and somehow contribute in my humble way to support and preserve craftsmanship found in Morocco. We have a selection of beautiful vibrant products, each bringing together my vision of my country of origin, its traditions/heritage, modern take on fashion - it’s what I call’ Tradition with a Twist’”. We’d definitely say the wall art featuring British hipsters wearing red fez hats comes with a Bazaar Hipster twist!
Urban Village LDN met Sophia last year and recently purchased a beautiful Berber clutch*, a special birthday gift for a friend overseas, so we were especially pleased to hear that Bazaar Hipster’s Berber collection is one of Sophia’s favourite ranges. “I love the Berber collection, because it represents perfectly the bazaar hipster spirit. Each bag is a stand out piece with an authentic style adding an immediate WOW effect to any outfit”.
We love Sophia’s grid on Instagram. It’s not just a place to showcase Bazaar Hipster’s fashion and home accessories but to learn more about Morocco’s traditions, culture and history. There are stunning photographs with detailed posts about all things Moroccan from beautiful old portraits of women to the art and use of embroidery.
*Not gifted
https://bazaarhipster.com/ https://www.instagram.com/bazaarhipster/