OUR PATCH PROPERTY NEWS, EVENTS, CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE IN W4 ISSUE 17 SPRING 2018

BOTTLING IT How a garage start-up turned into a distillery with a world profile The­Patch­Feb­18_The­Patch­Feb­18­­01/02/2018­­18:49­­Page­1

THE Personal attention Personal space Results you want

Whether you want to get in shape using the best equipment, be expertly led in inclusive personal training sessions or classes, play tennis, squash, swim in our mood lit pool, or dine in the Crucial Cafe, our professional, friendly team are on hand to welcome you. Call Jo or Joe now on 020 8994 0500 and arrange a Club tour.

­ The Hogarth Health Club Airedale Avenue W4 2NW www.thehogarth.co.uk 020 8994 0500 THE AIREDALE The Airedale, Crucial Cafe and NEW Hogarth MediSpa MEDISPA are open to non-members THE HOGARTH CLUB The­Patch­Feb­18_The­Patch­Feb­18­­01/02/2018­­18:49­­Page­1

OUR PATCH SPRING 2018

CONTENTS THE HOGARTH CLUB Personal attention Personal space Results you want

WELCOME TO OUR PATCH FROM PAUL COONEY t’s springtime and, just as Chiswick is resplendent, the property market is in full bloom. Expecting to gently ease into 2018, I was knocked for six by the Iimmediate pace of the market. January was a record breaker for sales agreed, with several sales negotiated off market. February has been equally COVER STORY successful and the pace is set to THE CRAFTY WAY TO START A DISTILLERY 4-6 continue. As such I’m pleased to report How a bright idea to begin gin production in a copper still in a I simply haven’t seen the effect of the lock-up succeeded in changing the world’s drinking habits dark cloud that supposedly hangs over the property market. TALKING HEADS WHAT'S ON THE NEW PARENT POWER 7 YOUR NIGHT OUT 18-19 January was a record breaker How schools are relying on Gigs, comedy and footie. for sales agreed, February parents to fix budget woes Don’t miss a thing! has been equally successful

EAR TO THE GROUND ASK THE EXPERTS Chiswick continues to top the list as NEWS FROM OUR PATCH 9-15 DOWNSIZING 20-21 West London’s most desirable area. The A full round-up of what’s Size is everything when you village atmosphere, the independent going on in W4, W6 and W12 look for life’s next move and family-run shops on the High Road, Devonshire Road and Turnham LOCAL LIFE LOOKING BACK Green Terrace, the superb state and THE NEW CINEMA WAVE 16-17 THE PRESS BARONS 22 independent schools, the abundance of New cinemas mean film fans How a band of calligraphers transport connections and the variety have a huge choice of screens created publishing beauty and quality of properties available Whether you want to get in shape using the best equipment, can’t be beaten. With over a century of be expertly led in inclusive personal training sessions or classes, combined experience in West London property, we know W4 and agreed play tennis, squash, swim in our mood lit pool, or dine in the Crucial Cafe, PROPERTY NEWS, more sales in 2017 across Chiswick, our professional, friendly team are on hand to welcome you. EVENTS, CULTURE AND Hammersmith and Shepherds Bush than any other agency. Built on a foundation LIFESTYLE IN W4 of honesty, integrity and the desire to go Call Jo or Joe now on 020 8994 0500 and arrange a Club tour. the extra mile, our success stems from PUBLISHED BY Our Patch is distributed our ability to deftly pair the best buyers ­ Horton and Garton to 21,000 homes across hortonandgarton.co.uk Chiswick. We hope you enjoy it. with their perfect property. This year ­ To suggest a story or topic, ­ The Hogarth Health Club Airedale Avenue Chiswick London W4 2NW please send an email to: our community outreach will extend DESIGN AND PRINT [email protected] www.thehogarth.co.uk 020 8994 0500 Hammerprint to supporting more charities and local 020 8753 2235 organisations than ever before. Watch DISTRIBUTION DISCLAIMER this space! For informed advice on how Letterbox Distribution We thank our advertisers THE AIREDALE for supporting Our Patch, the market is moving in your particular Published four times a but Horton and Garton does not accept responsibility patch of Chiswick, or to nominate a year. To advertise, email: for goods or services offered The Airedale, Crucial Cafe and [email protected] by advertisers local charitable event for our support, NEW Hogarth MediSpa MEDISPA don’t hesitate to get in touch. are open to non-members THE HOGARTH CLUB OUR PATCH SPRING 2018 COVER STORY WHEN THE SPIRIT MOVES

‘We’re pinching ourselves!’ The guys who reinvented gin clink glasses with Tim Harrison

4 / 5 OUR PATCH SPRING 2018

t’s hard to believe that it’s only everything – brewing, distilling, clothes, more of a role than that. He not only nine years since two childhood pals coffee…’ The US was going from ‘big is unlocked that space for us, but he began sold their flats, put the money into beautiful’ to saying ‘small is wondrous’.” using our distillery as part of his pitch to leasing a garage in Nasmyth Street, So they took the decision to go into other people thinking of buying houses Hammersmith, and set up the first business, assisted by master distiller Jared in that road! We always tip our hat to new copper pot gin distillery in Brown, the third of the three amigos. To John when we pass Horton and Garton’s ILondon for nearly two centuries. their amazement, they discovered that offices; we really appreciate his help.” The Sipsmith story is a phenomenon; what they were planning was illegal! Five years on, with demand far a soaraway success which still leaves Back in the 1820s, in an effort to stem outpacing Sipsmith’s capacity to supply, its founders shaking their heads in production of cheap back-street gin and the swan-neck copper pots were moved amazement. “It’s been a bit of a rocket contain the effect it was having on from Hammersmith to Chiswick. ship ride,” admitted Sam Galsworthy, London’s population, the government who opened the distillery with his chum outlawed small-scale distilling. There were 12 gin distilleries Fairfax Hall in March 2009. “We are still The clampdown meant it was harder pinching ourselves.” to hide from the authorities, making in the UK when we started... In those nine years, the operation has the drinks industry easier to regulate. now there are 480 shuffled half a mile across Ravenscourt The law had never been repealed. So Park and Stamford Brook to its Sam, Fairfax and Jared set out to There are now four – Prudence, Patience, current home in Cranbrook Road, change it. “We’d quit our jobs with Constance and Cygnet – in a hangar Chiswick. Sam had previously been great trepidation and sold our flats,” behind the homes in Cranbrook Road. working a hop, skip and jump away said Sam. “We spoke to our MP, and The role of Prudence in this good in that other local temple of drink to drinks trade associations, and news story shouldn’t be understated. production, Fuller’s brewery. He to revenue and customs.” Their Mass produced spirits are made in was then in his early 30s, and had badgering led to an amendment stainless steel, which can produce harsh spent 10 years in beer – six of buried in the footnotes of the flavours which then need adjusting with them promoting brands such as 2007 Finance Act, which said filtering and additives. But Sipsmith’s London Pride in the USA. that – after a gap of nearly 200 copper stills have the effect of naturally “It was while I was in the years – small distillers could once removing harshness. States that I saw the momentum again apply for a licence. Combine that with only taking the behind consumers wanting The boys were in business. best part of the distilled product (the authenticity in what they were With the help of estate agent first and last parts of the process – the drinking,” he told Our Patch. John Horton, at Horton and head and the tail – are removed) and “They were really buying into the Garton, suitable premises were you have a drink that does not need to ‘why’ of products; the US craft found at 27 Nasmyth Street, be filtered. In a way, Prudence is the real scene was proving to consumers Brackenbury Village, and star of this saga. that they deserved more.” Sipsmith was born behind a pair It’s fair to say there has been The idea of setting up a new gin of anonymous blue garage doors. It was something of a revolution in gin distillery came about after several long an address which felt right. distilling since the first Sipsmith bottle conversations between Sam and Fairfax. Fairfax realised that the former was savoured by a public which had lost “He’s my best friend; we grew up tenant, whisky expert Michael Jackson, touch with its 18th century passion for together in Cornwall,” Sam explained. was someone with whom he’d had an the product. “There were 12 gin “I said ‘Look what’s going on in animated chat at a wedding. Before that, distilleries in the UK when we started,” the building had done service as a pub’s said Sam. “Now, as a result of the law Left: Sipsmith is master distiller micro-brewery. The signs were good. change, there are 480. I’m rather proud Jared Brown, and founders “Yes, John found us the original that we opened the doors and have Sam Galsworthy and Fairfax Hall garage,” Sam confirmed. “But he played enabled other people to do it.”

Sipsmith founder Sam The new premises Fairfax in the old in Hammersmith in Chiswick Hammersmith lab OUR PATCH SPRING 2018

And it’s a bandwagon that shows no “It’s a very good question,” said Sam. anything, Sipsmith is even more driven signs of losing its wheels. “I looked “Our overriding concern was that it now to set higher goals.” into my crystal ball three years ago might… but our team are more involved Gin distilling by artisan minnows and predicted that the growth couldn’t in the business than ever before. It’s just is, says Sam, “waking more and more go on,” Sam admitted. “Well, I’ve that our gin is now enjoyed by more people up to this extraordinary, very dropped that crystal ball now!” Today, people around the world.” English, very London product”. Sipsmith produces a wide range of Beam Suntory have proved shrewd Gin exports have now overtaken spirits, although the original zesty parents to their new adopted offspring. whisky in the UK. They’ve even London dry gin is still the flagship. Had the business transferred its distilling overtaken that bastion of Britishness, operation to, say, an industrial estate beef! And there’s no sign of the Chiswick- Three-quarters of those working outside Birmingham, it simply wouldn’t driven boom slowing. “Sipsmith will at the distillery live within have been the same. continue to be a beacon, a compass So Sipsmith has been left alone. to help people navigate a cluttered three miles of Cranbrook Road A wider world profile means staff market,” pledged Sam. numbers have increased by a fifth “You see people standing in There is also a VJOP (very junipery over since the December 2016 takeover, but supermarkets, paralysed by the sheer proof) gin, a walloping 60%er; sloe gin; otherwise the USP of London-made, choice of different gins. But all gin lemon drizzle gin; London cup; and small-batch, copper-distilled drink has began with a classic London dry; it sipping vodka. been maintained. began with a recipe methodically made “There was a need, and we tapped At the time of its acquisition, Beam in this fabulous city.” Cheers. into it,” said Sam. “Consumers are Suntory chairman Matt Shattock spoke awakening to the fact that it’s people, of ‘maximising the global potential’ of not machines, behind this business. Sipsmith. Sam concurs. “It’s enabling us Win goodies in our competition! Follow Horton and Garton on one of I feel a pride in what we’ve achieved; to grow, without changing the ethos,” our socials and ‘like’ the Sipsmith post I like to think we’ve pioneered he said. “[Beam Suntory] don’t have for a chance to win a bottle of Sipsmith something.” Sipsmith has put a modest much to do with us in the UK. They’re London Dry Gin and a Distillery Tour suburban road in Chiswick on the world a powerhouse, but they’re incredibly Voucher for two. Usual rules apply. map, and it’s become a feather in the sensitive about brand awareness. If cap for a community which can sip the product with pride. That’s a bond that Sam Galsworthy – a Brook Green resident – values greatly. “People want to know more about what they’re drinking, and we wouldn’t be having this conversation if our local community wasn’t at the heart of what we do,” he said. Of the 50 people who now work at the distillery, three-quarters live within three miles of Cranbrook Road (“And that’s very important to us”). “Chiswick has embraced us in the same way that Hammersmith did,” said Sam. “It’s what’s so fabulous about communities in London, and I hope our neighbourhood is proud of us.” Belief in the business, and in the different products, shines through when staff escort groups around the premises. Which brings our conversation to the elephant in the room. Just over a year ago, Sipsmith was taken over by global drinks giant Beam Suntory, the world’s third largest spirits producer with a stable of brands including Jim Beam, Laphroaig, Teacher’s, Courvoisier and a great gin name from the past, Gilbey’s. The firm paid £50million for Sipsmith… and yet the microdistillery has retained its defiant, independent ‘small producer’ image. Wasn’t Sam The swan-neck copper pots worried that Sipsmith might lose its of the new Chiswick distillery artisan appeal?

6 / 7 TALKING OUR PATCH SPRING 2018 HEADS

Pupils from St Peter’s CofE Primary, plus left: John Horton and Karen Frazer, and right: Imogen Lavelle

BANK OF PARENT POWER With school budgets under pressure it’s parents who are stepping up. Headteachers Karen Frazer, of St Peter’s in Hammersmith, and Imogen Lavelle, of The Good Shepherd in Shepherds Bush, share their views

he new-look playground at “Parents’ contributions are important the government’s new funding formula St Peter’s CofE Primary is a because you don’t know what will will mean. So far, parents here haven’t good example of the growing happen to budgets in future,” said Karen had to dig into their pockets to provide importance of parents who has been in teaching for 20 years. books and stationery like some other fundraising efforts. Karen – “If you want something extra, you do schools – thank goodness.” who has been headteacher at rely on parents. Imogen, who has led the Gayford Tthe school in St Peter’s Road for almost “Budgets get cut, but things don’t get Road Catholic primary for the past three three years and overseen its Ofsted rating any less expensive. You reach a certain years, said another source of funding climbing from ‘good’ to ‘outstanding’ – standard at the school, and you don’t to improve the school facilities came explained: “The cost is around £65,000, want that to fall. In a way, you can from a new PTA called the Friends and as we don’t have that, we rely on almost never raise enough; it always of Good Shepherd. “We’ve started to support from parents, and from local comes back to the children.” engage past as well as current pupils businesses such as Horton and Garton, The Good Shepherd has its own and parents of the school.” The Friends who have been very generous.” Parent financial challenges. Imogen’s budget organise various events to raise funds funding is crucial for the project to has taken a real-terms cut of £130,000 including seasonal fairs, a bingo night, succeed and one of the main fundraising over the past two years. a school disco and a very popular Spring events is a big auction on March 22. So she and her governing body have Ball, supported by Horton and Garton. Is there no official funding stream had to think of imaginative ways to cut Money raised will help to equip a for something basic like playground costs while retaining the same breadth classroom dedicated to the arts. equipment? of education for their 247 pupils. “The whole school community “I’m afraid it doesn’t work like that,” “We had to look at drama, music, is working together to protect and Karen said. “We also need new fencing French, art, cooking – which are all enhance The Good Shepherd. Our around the playground. Parents are additional costs,” said Imogen. “They parents are very committed and view it more willing to fundraise for things all had to be trimmed back. All local as a second home for their children,” that their children will use. headteachers are waiting to hear what Imogen added. 15 Mar - 07 Apr A Lyric Hammersmith and Abbey Theatre production

Tickets from £15 | lyric.co.uk Registered Charity, No. 278518

Plough and the Stars Horton and Garton Ad.indd 1 24/01/2018 14:45 15 Mar - OUR PATCH SPRING 2018 07 Apr A Lyric Hammersmith and Abbey Theatre production EAR TO THE GROUND A round-up of local knowledge, news, views, and what’s ticking in W4, W6 and W12

S IT’S A FACT... ’ DOGGONE DYNAMISM 40YRS When dog owners are walking since the St Peter’s Residents’ their pooches in St Peter’s Square Association (SPRA) began. For Gardens, they should murmur a few words of thanks to the St Peter’s details email [email protected] Residents’ Association, which provides the dog poo bags. DID YOU KNOW...

ST PETER Yes, it’s thanks to the committee’s efforts that 49 dog owners are able Royal Dry Cleaners has now been to make use of the bags every day to providing a cleaning service at clean up after their pets – a rise from 395 King Street for 20 years! the 41 bags used per day in 2017. The association recently invested £700 in buying a year’s worth of JOHN’S TOP TIP There’s a jumble sale in little black bags… all 18,000 of them! St Peter’s church, 14 April. LOCAL FAVOURITE RUN THE NUMBERS... TOP 20% FOR SALE St Peter’s CofE Primary, Hammersmith, is ranked joint 193rd out of the top 1,000 THE CARPENTER’S ARMS primary schools in the Sunday 91 BLACK LION LANE Times league tables of 2017, tied THERESA ROAD W6 Independent gastropub serving with John Betts! What are the odds?! £1,200,000 FREEHOLD a seasonal British menu. Simon W6 For our head teacher interview, Cherry’s top wine tip? The Tierra Call sales  020 7183 8091 Merlot from Chile at £4.15 a glass. turn to Talking Heads on page 7.

Tickets from £15 | lyric.co.uk Registered Charity, No. 278518

Plough and the Stars Horton and Garton Ad.indd 1 24/01/2018 14:45 OUR PATCH SPRING 2018 JOHN’S TOP TIP Limousin Cross T-bone steak and chips at the Anglesea Arms A ZOO OF FUN FREE SCHOOL AT THE BREATHES EASY West London Free School primary LOCAL pupils can breathe more easily after Banim Street was closed to school rush-hour traffic. Part of H&F Council’s ‘healthy school H&F’S FIRST streets’ scheme, it runs to the end of HEALTHY March. Parent Laura SCHOOL Bolton said: “Our STREET children can arrive and leave school safely on an extremely busy road, with less Hammersmith illustrator Louis setting his ink pictures of animals exposure to dangerous pollutants.” Fowler has been passionate against bright blocks of colour The CCTV-enforced scheme runs

BRACKENBURY VILLAGE about zoology since he was at to give the images a dramatic 7.30am-8.30am and 3pm-4.30pm. Flora Gardens primary. Now his background and bring the animals meticulously observed ink sketches to the fore. of endangered species are on sale Produced by a specialist printer in his local pub. in Covent Garden, they may one IT’S A FACT... If you’re enjoying a jar in the day be brought together into a Stonemasons Arms, Cambridge book. It wouldn’t be his first; Louis Grove and an animal catches your has several children’s books to his eye, unpeg it from the display line name, including Nothing Rhymes 533YRS and buy it for £20 at the bar. with Scissors, a cartoon/poetry mix. since the death of Sir Robert Louis (it’s pronounced ‘Lewis’, Ten per cent of his picture money rather than like a French king) has goes to animal conservation. Brackenbury, the man ordered by made an A-Z series of animals, www.onecuts.wordpress.com Richard lll to kill the Princes in the Tower, after whom it is named. To LOCAL FAVOURITE RUN THE NUMBERS... his credit, he refused the order! BRACKENBURY VILLAGE

BOROUGH FOR SALE OF H&F 5% The proportion of Hammersmith & Fulham’s footprint covered by Brackenbury Village – BRACKENBURY’S DELI the area bounded by Ravenscourt 22 ALDENSLEY ROAD Park, King Street, Hammersmith CARDROSS STREET W6 Home-cooked food and hand- Grove and Goldhawk Road which £850,000 FREEHOLD roasted coffee in the heart of W6 is made up of a wide variety of Brackenbury Village. John Horton Call sales  020 7183 8091 says – “The best place for coffee”. Victorian architecture.

10 / 11 EAR TO THE GROUND DID YOU KNOW... GLASS MASTER It is nearing the centenary of the death of one of area’s most distinguished residents, the 1.97% Arts & Crafts artist Christopher Whall. of the borough’s 6.3 sq miles A specialist, he lived at is occupied by the public park, 19 Ravenscourt Road and worked in a furniture workshop at 1 Ravenscourt opened in 1888, designed by Park. He created many church windows, Col John Sexby, London’s first his finest are in Gloucester Cathedral. chief officer of parks. LOCAL FAVOURITE STABLE THINKING

Of the 41 bombs which landed in TO LET Ravenscourt Park during the Second World War, the one which did the most damage was an incendiary which fell in January 1941 and destroyed the old manor house which – half a century earlier – had been established as Hammersmith’s PATISSERIE SAINTE-ANNE public library. When the fire was RAVENSCOURT PARK RAVENSCOURT 208 KING STREET put out, it was beyond repair, so the HAMLET GARDENS W6 French bakery with classic breads rubble was swept into the buildings £550 PER WEEK W6 and pastries, cakes, macarons and extensive cellars, and grassed over. chocolates. John Horton says – All that remains is the stable block, Call lettings  020 7183 8071 “It’s my favourite destination”. now the café.

DID YOU KNOW... IT’S A FACT... Five street-light car-charge points were installed in Westcroft Square STREAMS in one day. The sockets, fitted by Ubitricity, do not need planning 3 permission. Westcroft Square merged to form the lost river electric car owner Adam Kelly said: “These are great for me, my family of Stamford Brook. ‘Stamford’ and other residents.” H&F Council derives from ‘stoney ford’, the aims to install 150 electric vehicle point King Street crossed the river, charging points by 2018. where the town hall now stands. UNE NOUVELLE LIBRAIRIE POUR LOCAL FAVOURITE CETTE ZONE FOR SALE West London’s expanding French population now has a secondhand bookshop, La Librairie, in King Street. Opened by Marine Raynor, STAMFORD BROOK who has lived in Brackenbury Village for six years, it covers BIKE fiction, non-fiction, collectables, 360 KING STREET SOUTH SIDE W6 children’s and graphic novels, plus From tiny beginner ‘balance bikes’ £1,950,000 FREEHOLD W6 tea, coffee and French biscuits. for toddlers, to £10,000 time-trial www.lalibrairielondres.com machines for those with serious Call sales  020 7183 8091 ambition and deep pockets. OUR PATCH SPRING 2018 JOHN’S TOP TIP Legendary Portuguese sandwich ‘Francesinha’ from Caco&co INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN IT’S A FACT... Wendell Park primary school celebrates International Women’s Day on 8 March with a special assembly. At one of their previous £9.4 k IWD events, 14 inspirational women raised in a month of crowdfunding revealed what they wanted to be at the age of 10… and what they by the Gardening Friends to create become. Those attending included a rota to beautify, preserve and a dance producer, a plumber and a enhance the park, and strengthen woman who scouts for models. community bonds. LIVELY WINTER LECTURE SERIES LOCAL FAVOURITE TO LET The annual winter lecture season in the Upper Room at St Saviour’s, WENDELL PARK Cobbold Road, always stimulates. The of Kensington, the Rt Rev Graham Tomlin, tackles Living Together after Grenfell Tower on 7 March, BBC reporter Matthew Price (pictured) talks on ASKEW WINE Brief Encounters on the Refugee 84 ASKEW ROAD COBBOLD ROAD W12 Trail on 18 April, and MP Chuka Independent wine, spirits, beer £495 PER WEEK W12 Umunna discusses Brexit on and cheese shop. Owner Mallek 9 May. Free. Call 020 8740 5688. says – “Spend over £50 and quote Call lettings  020 7183 8071 ‘Our Patch’ for 10% off your bill.”

RUN THE NUMBERS... JOHN LEWIS NOW AT WESTFIELD IN THE NATION Westfield’s £33 million John 5th Lewis store opens on March 20, St Stephen’s C of E Primary’s the anchor shop of a £600million joint ranking out of the top 1,000 expansion making the shopping centre the largest in Europe. The primary schools in Sunday Times’ store, on four floors, is 230,000sqft, league table for best performers in the biggest in the enlarged mall. reading, writing and maths 2016-17. LOCAL FAVOURITE TECH START-UPS BOOM

Shepherds Bush has become a TO LET thriving launchpad for tech start-ups, says Huckletree co-founder Andrew Lynch. Huckletree West is a buzzing new co-working space with more than 75 businesses and 300

SHEPHERDS BUSH SHEPHERDS members, situated on the ground floor of Mediaworks – the new CARPETSTORE flexible workspace in Wood Lane. 156 GOLDHAWK ROAD It’s been built by developer Stanhope GOLDHAWK ROAD W12 Independent, family-run business with support from H&F Council. £1,485 PER WEEK W12 offering a personal and professional “There are some fantastic start-ups service. John Horton says – “Just here that will change our day-to day Call lettings  020 7183 8071 mention ‘Our Patch’ for a discount”. lives forever,” said Andrew.

12 / 13 EAR TO THE GROUND © Denise Quinlan, Insightful Images © Denise Quinlan, Insightful £9.4 k CS9

UPDATE YOUR EMBROIDERY STITCH IN TIME The Chiswick Timeline project continues with embroidery workshops; W4 residents are encouraged to join in. The embroidery, ceramics, photos and books will be CHISWICK displayed at London TIMELINE.ORG Auctions this spring. FOR MORE A limited print run INFO of Chiswick Timeline books, designed by local company Starch Green, are available

CHISWICK HIGH ROAD Undoubtedly the most contentious residents.” Community activist and from Fosters Book Shop and the topic in Chiswick, plans for the resident Karen Liebreich notes, Timeline website. Horton and Garton Cycle Superhighway, or CS9, “The Cycle Superhighway has been is proud to support the Art Trail. continue to develop. blown up out of all proportion, and Councillor Sam Hearn, who has has become a political and religious represented his constituents for football, which is most unfortunate a decade, says, “The key point is and ridiculous. It’s basically a very IT’S A FACT... within TFL’s own consultation: the good thing.” TFL are currently scheme will increase pollution on analysing over 5k responses to the the high road and divert traffic consultation and Council onto the A4 which is already believe, “It is evident that some 50 YRS heavily polluted and congested. In elements of the scheme will need to Fosters Book Shop is the longest principle, it’s an excellent idea but be revised for it to be acceptable… the unfortunate result will be an A decision for the revised scheme established business on the High even poorer air quality for Chiswick will not be taken until the summer.” Road, trading for 50 years. Owned by Stephen Foster, it boasts one of LOCAL FAVOURITE RUN THE NUMBERS... the best book collections in London.

5.8 FOR SALE The average number of Chiswick properties sold each week of the last quarter of 2017. Paul Cooney says, “Many of my CRUCIAL CAFÉ buyers and sellers are already AIREDALE AVENUE W4 locals looking to move within LINDEN GARDENS W4 Crucial Café at the Hogarth Health Chiswick. ‘Chiswick chains’ are £750,000 LEASEHOLD Club is tucked away just off the high W4 now the norm and 1 in 5 properties road. Paul says – “It’s the healthiest, Call sales  020 7112 5375 freshest, tastiest menu in Chiswick.” we list is sold off market. OUR PATCH SPRING 2018 PAUL’S TOP TIP Two local primaries make this area a top choice for families

TAKE YOUR MEDICINE AT EVANS & PEEL Celebrating six months of curing what ails you, Evans & Peel Pharmacy cements itself as a firm GLEBE ESTATE favourite alongside other popular independent Devonshire Road GERA watering holes BOOK YOUR The Italian Job APPOINTMENT and Vinoteca. The OPENTABLE. unassuming façade CO.UK conceals a low lit INVOLVED! speakeasy, accessed only with a password, where nattily Born from the POP (Protect Our appeal. Our efforts culminated in dressed bartenders expertly assemble Pavements) campaign five years a beautifully articulated speech at creative concoctions. Wax your ago this spring, which succeeded a council meeting by Glebe local moustache and book in advance! in stopping Hounslow Council Tracey Szwagrzak. It was obvious we replacing paving stones with tarmac wouldn’t be steamrolled – literally in the Glebe Estate and Alphabet or figuratively!” In June 2013 GERA Streets areas, the residents’ announced the decision taken by IT’S A FACT... association is still going strong. Hounslow Council to designate the Faced with the threat of major Alphabet Streets and Glebe Estate change to the street scene, locals as Heritage Fringe areas, ensuring rallied. One recalls: “I spent pavements would be replaced 1893 hours canvassing, going door to like for like. Join this formidable The 1893 map shows Glebe Estate door along four streets, ensuring group of community champions we spoke to every household. for fun and friendship by emailing completed, but where the Alphabet Residents researched an 18-page [email protected] Streets now stand it was labelled ‘Chiswick New Town.’ Only Balfern LOCAL FAVOURITE RUN THE NUMBERS... Grove was marked for construction. N 1 TO LET According to Rightmove stats, out of 208 local agencies, Horton and Garton agreed the BIG JIM’S TRIMS most lets in Chiswick and 6 DEVONSHIRE ROAD Hammersmith during 2017. DALE STREET W4 This wildly popular barber has a One W4 landlady says, “They let £335 PER WEEK cult following. Paul Cooney says – W4 our Dale Street property in record “Owner Wade always goes above Call lettings  020 7183 8071 and beyond for local charities". time to fabulous tenants.”

14 / 15 EAR TO THE GROUND DID YOU KNOW... HOUSE HISTORY GOES ONLINE Lifelong Chiswick local and media 296 YRS guru Nigel Walley is helping six The number of years the Grade II GREEN Chiswick residents’ associations, listed Bull’s Head pub has been including the SOTG Association, to develop House History Initiatives licensed. Rumours have it this via Chimni. Get your house included, local favourite once housed Oliver email [email protected] Cromwell’s secret campaign HQ. ON THE LOCAL FAVOURITE CAFFEINE, KINDNESS

AND COMMUNITY FOR SALE Last year was “a bit of a horrid time,” say Neil and Bex, owners of ‘strand hub’ The Coffee Traveller – but locals rallied to the rescue when a van full of equipment was stolen and the cafe was ram raided. STRAND THE COFFEE TRAVELLER Amber Inder Rieden was due to row 58 THAMES ROAD a race on the Thames and seized the ERNEST GARDENS W4 The caffeinated version of Cheers fundraising opportunity, and within £699,950 FREEHOLD W4 for locals. Paul Cooney says – 48 hours, the community had raised “If you live in Strand on the Green, enough money to get the team back Call sales  020 7112 5375 you love The Coffee Traveller”. in business.

ITALIAN GENEROSITY IT’S A FACT... The Italians quietly installed itself on the high road in 2016 and has flourished thanks to a fanatical fan club of local foodies. They donate 450KG their freshly baked loaves, including The largest bell in the Russian Chiswick’s best ciabatta, to The Shelter Project Hounslow’s overnight Orthodox Cathedral is the exact and visiting guests. A W4-based weight of a grand piano. Its volunteer tells us, “You couldn’t Psalms inscription reads, “I will meet a more generous bunch.” THE CHISWICK sing unto the Lord as long as I live.” CONNECTION LOCAL FAVOURITE UNDER Concerns relating to OFFER overcrowding, safety and

GUNNERSBURY the inadequate design of station date back over 15 years. Locals eagerly anticipate the installation of a 120m ‘weathering steel’ footbridge connecting Chiswick Park station to Chiswick Business THE PILOT Park, hoping it will relieve some 56 WELLESLEY ROAD THORNEY HEDGE RD W4 of the gridlock at Gunnersbury. With the best garden in Gunnersbury £1,000,000 FREEHOLD W4 The £7m project is scheduled for The Pilot is Paul Cooney’s favourite completion at the end of 2018. – “This Fuller’s kitchen produces Call sales  020 7112 5375 mouthwatering panfried salmon". OUR PATCH SPRING 2018 LOCAL LIFE

King Street cinema at town hall site FRESH FLICKS our years from now, film fans three-storey art deco building dated designed with a series of different-sized should be settling into their from the mid 1930s. The very first auditoriums, the largest holding 420 seats in a new cinema as part ‘picture theatre’ on the site was The Blue people, the smallest just 16. of the Hammersmith Town Halls, which opened in December 1912. But Picturehouse has now pulled Hall redevelopment. The site The following year it was extended out. We called their head office in on which the old cinema into the car park area at the back of Covent Garden and was told by an Fonce stood is empty and the days of the present building, by the Great West employee said the deal was ‘dead’. the unloved town hall extension Road. The art deco cinema opened in are numbered. September 1936. The new town hall plans Feedback from two rounds of The proposed triple-screen Curzon include a modern cinema consultation on the plans has been cinema will not only serve residents in incorporated into the new designs, Hammersmith, but will now have to on the Hammersmith site guided by an independent panel of serve as the new cinema for Stamford residents. A final set of plans are being Brook and Chiswick, too. That’s because They refused to elaborate, and further drawn up and if permission is granted, the delayed plans for a five-screen calls and emails were not returned. We building will start later this year. Picturehouse on the site of the former also spoke to Kim Gottlieb, landlord of a With underground car parking, full Rambert Dance Company site in portion of the High Road site, who said disabled access and redesigned public Chiswick High Road have finally been he was ‘still hoping’ that a new cinema space, the new town hall plans include abandoned by the cinema chain. operator would join the scheme but that a modern cinema on the site. The Originally, the Chiswick Lane it was ‘complicated’ – and declined to old cinema near the town hall was a Picturehouse – 500 metres from comment further. Cineworld for 20 years, although the tube station – had been However, West London’s cinemagoers

16 / 17 OUR PATCH SPRING 2018

NEWS IN BRIEF

Riverside Studios MIND YOUR KEYS & PEWS Melodious voices will echo round St Peter’s church, Chiswick, on Saturday 24 March as the Addison Oratorio Choir performs Schubert’s Mass in E flat. The Brandenburg Sinfonia, conducted by David Wordsworth, accompanies. The mass premiered in 1829, the year after Franz Schubert’s death. The Addison performance features five top-notch soloists. Also on the bill, which begins at 7.30pm at the church at the junction of Southfield Road and St Alban’s Avenue, is The Heavens and the Ealing Filmworks Heart by James Francis Brown, a piece with three psalm settings. Advance tickets £13 (concs £11, U16s £3). The concert is supported A new wave of silver screens is poised by Horton and Garton. More details: to turn West London into La La Land. www.addisonsingers.com TALES OF EMERY WALKER Tim Harrison reports from the front row Come enjoy tales of friendship, socialism, gender equality, celebrities, arts and crafts and scandal! The talk will be spoilt for choice as two further to Ealing Broadway, with a planned – titled Emery Walker and the Arts projects broaden the local movie opening date in 2019 being mooted by and Crafts Movement – will be held options. The complete rebuilding of developers St George. But that seems at Scott Hall in 47 St Peter’s Grove, Hammersmith’s Riverside Studios is ambitious, given that the project has Hammersmith, on Wednesday still on course for a 2018 opening, with been delayed by more than a decade. March 21. Doors open at 7pm, talk the new multi-arts centre including The proposed scheme would see an at 7.30pm. Tickets on the door or a 200-screen cinema and a compact, eight-screen Filmworks cinema, 209 new from the Carpenter’s Arms in Black intimate screening room. homes, and 36,000 sq ft of retail space Lion Lane. £5 to include a glass The project will create a lively mix for shops and restaurants. The new of wine or a soft drink. For more of spaces for performing arts in all its cinema complex will have 1,045 seats, details, email: [email protected] forms, offering ‘a turning point in how a groundfloor café and a first-floor bar. or call 07710 313 419. audiences experience the arts using all The old cinema was knocked down in forms of modern technology’ with three 2009, apart from its art deco frontage. studios for television, theatre, dance, Of course, west London already has A HELPING HAND FOR opera, music and comedy. a popular crop of existing movie houses: To celebrate its roots it will also Vue Westfield, which has 17 screens YOUR SUMMER PARTY include a permanent exhibition of the and nearly 3,000 seats; Vue Shepherds Already looking forward to your buildings’ heritage, not to mention Bush at the W12 shopping centre, summer street party? Need a bakery, brasserie and fine dining Shepherds Bush Green, with 12 screens; support? We can help! Email pr@ restaurant, each with a dedicated bar, Vue Fulham Broadway with nine hortonandgarton.co.uk or connect and a new river walkway. screens; and Cineworld at 142 Fulham with us on our socials to see how Another new cinema is coming Road, with six. we can help your street stand out. OUR PATCH SPRING 2018 March /Apr il

15 March 18-20 March l Opera lecture, St Michael l Flight of the Conchords, & All Angels W4 Apollo W6 Ross Alley discusses Bach’s The Grammy award-winning St Matthew Passion in the folk comedy duo Jemaine Michael Room, St Michael Clement and Bret McKenzie & All Angels, Priory Avenue. take to the stage with a new 1 March 2pm. £10 incl tea and biscuits. show which is being filmed l The Wandering Hearts, for DVD release. 7pm. For Bush Hall W12 17 March ticket availability, check: Supported by Jarrod l Fulham Symphony www.eventimapollo.com Dickenson, the harmonious Orchestra, Hammersmith country folk/Americana band, Town Hall W6 25-26 March who signed with Decca last Concert programme includes l Danny Baker, O2 year, are promoting their the iconic In the Hall of the Shepherds Bush Empire W12 debut album, Wild Silence. Mountain King from Grieg’s The comedy writer and radio 7.30pm. £12.50. Peer Gynt, plus Sibelius’s DJ presents his Cradle To The www.bushhallmusic.co.uk Tapiola and Rachmaninov’s Stage show, taking stock of 2nd Symphony. 7.30pm. life at 60. 6.30pm. £26.60. 4 March £12 (£8 concs). See website for availability. l Food market, www.fso.org.uk www.academymusicgroup.com Dukes Meadows W4 This Sunday, and every Sunday – rain or shine, it’s the 10am-2pm food market at the Dukes Meadows car park off Alexandra Gardens. Olives to bread, cheese to pies, meat to chocolate. Free. www.thefoodmarketchiswick.com

5-11 March l An Evening with Ernest Hemingway, Barons Court Theatre W14 John Phillips is well known to Barons Court Theatre audiences. Here he celebrates the life of Ernest Hemingway and his writing in a Something Wicked production which focuses on six stories. At the Curtain’s Up pub, Comeragh Road. £14. Box office: 020 8932 4747. www.offwestend.com JUBILEE 14 March LYRIC THEATRE W6 l Sigrid, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire W12 1-10 March The elfin Norwegian Last dozen performances of Chris Goode’s stage adaptation songstress wrote her first ditty of Derek Jarman and James Whaley’s 1977 punk five years ago, and here she is extravaganza, with the Lyric auditorium reconfigured to on her first UK tour with a perform in the round. Performers include cast original 14 March new LP looming. 7pm. For Toyal Willcox. Tickets from £15. 7.30pm. Sigrid ticket availability, check: www.lyric.co.uk O2 Shepherds Bush Empire www.academymusicgroup.com

18 / 19 OUR PATCH SPRING 2018

6 April l Chris Difford, Bush Hall W12 The Squeeze co-founder takes to the stage with versions of Cool for Cats, Up The Junction and others. The support act is Boo Hewerdine, best known for the 80s band The . 7.30pm. £17. www.bushhallmusic.co.uk 27 March l Colombia v Australia, 6 April Craven Cottage SW6 l Tigers Jaw, Bush Hall W12 Two 2018 World Cup The indie rock band from qualifiers clash in this Pennsylvania have included friendly at Fulham’s stadium, Bush Hall in their spring tour, with QPR midfielder Massimo backed by Slaughter Beach Luongo likely to feature for Dog and, from Brooklyn, the Socceroos. Both team Worriers, who recently were winners in their released their second respective matches at the full-length album. 7pm. £16. Cottage three years ago. 8pm. www.bushhallmusic.co.uk From £25. www.fulhamfc.com/tickets 11-13 April l Nathaniel Rateliff, O2 TWELFTH NIGHT 27-31 March Shepherds Bush Empire W12 LAMDA W14 l Othello, Barons Having sold a million Court Theatre W14 copies of the debut album, 3-5 April William Shakespeare’s tale Nathaniel Rateliff & the Shakespeare’s tale of shipwreck and heartache is the first of murder, deception, love Night Sweats bring their of four plays by the young stars of tomorrow at the UK’s and jealousy is transposed festival vibe indoors for three oldest drama school, the London Academy of Music & to modern-day London, nights at the Empire. 7pm. Dramatic Art at 155 Talgarth Road, W14. H&F residents where the Cyprus housing £29.15. qualify for £7 tickets as the season continues with We Are estate is being defended from www.academymusicgroup.com Three Sisters (Blake Morrison’s portrait of the Brontës, an invading Turkish gang. 5-12 Apr), Samuel D Hunter’s dark comedy A Bright New At the Curtain’s Up pub, Boise (6-12 Apr), and Noël Coward’s Hay Fever (11-14 Apr). Comeragh Road. £12. www.lamda.ac.uk Box office: 020 8932 4747. www.offwestend.com 16 April 26 April 3 April l Lost railways talk, l Open mic, Old Pack l Chiswick Auctions, Memorial Club W4 Horse pub W4 Colville Road W3 An illustrated talk by Stephen You supply your talent, The weekly Tuesday auction Hine about the lines and they supply the PA system, starts at 11am, with furniture, stations of West London’s guitar and cajon at the pub at paintings, antiques, clothes, past. The & 434 Chiswick High Road. It’s silver and toys. As seen on Chiswick Local History a regular Thursday nighter. Bargain Hunt. Free. Society meets at Chiswick 7.30-10.30pm. Free. www.chiswickauctions.co.uk 13-14 April Memorial Club, Bourne Place, www.oldpackhorsechiswick.co.uk l A Midsummer Night’s at 7.30pm. Society annual 6 April Dream, Lyric W6 membership, £9. 29 April l Samah, Bhavan Centre A chance to see Shakespeare’s www.brentfordandchiswicklhs. l Bedford Park car boot W14 famous saga of young lovers org.uk sale W4 Samah is the dance of mystic and warring fairies before First come, first pitch, for poetry, as performed here by it sets off on a nationwide 17 April Bargain Hunt-style browsing Dr Janaki Rangarajan. It’s a tour. Billed as a ‘riotous l The Whitney Houston among the trestle tables in showcase of works by Sufi interpretation’, this is a joint Show, Apollo W6 theplayground of Southfield poets including Khusrow and Lyric and Filter production, Belinda Davids and the primary school, Southfield Rumi, and Bhakti poets such with music from the London National Philharmonic Road. Sellers from 8am. as Surdas and Andal, put to Snorkeling Team. Sean Holmes Concert Orchestra honour Buyers from 8.30am. £1. music. 7pm, from £8. directs. Tickets from £10. the singer. 7pm. £29.50. www.southfieldcarboot. www.bhavan.net www.lyric.co.uk www.eventimapollo.com wixsite.com OUR PATCH SPRING 2018 ASK THE EXPERTS

HONEY, I SHRUNK THE HOUSE!

ast week, my husband came retirement – called rightsizing. “While the property, said Yussuf whose home and announced that he it’s a difficult decision it can also be an Chiswick-based company MZA Planning was in love. “I’m not having incredibly rewarding one,” said Saga’s helps numerous clients negotiate the another rusty old heap of metal Lisa Harris. choppy waters of councils’ planning standing in front of the house!” “Releasing yourself from the shackles departments. “We could advise whether I fumed. Over the years, my of a large home that needs maintaining or not the idea they have in mind is Lbeloved has had a love affair with old can give you more time, and rightsizing even feasible and save our clients a lot British cars – most of them not in the can allow people to release money from of time and money.” best of states! “It’s not a car, it’s a road!” their home so that they can keep doing Surveyor John O’Neill said a survey he beamed, pleased as punch to have the things they love.” could give his clients the reassurance caught me out. they need about the structural condition It turned out that on a mission to According to Saga, 70% of of the building – especially as one of the deliver a parcel to an old chum he had over 50s are considering main reasons for downsizing was to free stumbled across a secluded cul-de-sac of themselves from the physical and eye-wateringly picturesque Victorian moving to a smaller property financial burden of maintaining a large cottages. “I could imagine us living to fund a new life in retirement property. “I always ask what they might there,” he said. be proposing in the way of alterations, These last words were music to my Making it happen or if they have any particular concerns ears. A few months back, we had had a Any property move is a big one, so it’s – something they might get alarmed conversation about whether we extend important to get expert advice before about may actually be nothing – but I the kitchen and do other renovations to you bite the bullet. our Edwardian pile, or downsize to a Planner Yussuf Mwanza said his smaller home, and avoid sinking our last company could do a ‘sense check’ to brass sous into bricks and mortar. determine if there had been any My husband came down firmly in planning issues in the past, and what favour of the former, saying the only the chances were that approval would time he would be leaving was when he be granted for any alterations such as was carried out in a box. This change of building an extension or granny annexe, heart was reassuring. or making changes to the footprint or According to Saga, 70% of over 50s access because of mobility issues. Loft extension by are considering moving to a smaller A case review might even determine Ash Island Lofts property to fund a new life in their whether a client went ahead and bought

20 / 21 OUR PATCH SPRING 2018

Our property experts give Jane Grove HONEY, I SHRUNK THE HOUSE! advice on the ins and outs of downsizing

may uncover bigger issues,” said John who set up O’Neill Chartered Surveyors CONTACT OUR EXPERTS three years ago after 30 years experience FOR MORE INFORMATION: working in large practices. Architect Ivan Lazzaroni said that THE BUILDER: typically, downsizers were looking to Matthew Ryder buy for half the value of their current Ash Island Lofts (Chiswick W4) home. The director of Omnide said his  [email protected] company works on maximising the  07595 002804 resale or rentable value by optimising A typical W6 cottage ashislandlofts.co.uk layout, subdividing into flats, making it into a house in multiple occupation, THE SURVEYOR: building on, or creating a separate “We added another floor to the John O’ Neill dwelling in the garden. semi-detached Victorian maisonette O’Neill Chartered Surveyors Ivan, who lives in Chiswick, said that giving them an additional bedroom and  [email protected] clients were also downsizing the number shower – so their property went from  07495 620550 of rooms they have too. “We are two levels to three, and two bedrooms oneillsurveyors.co.uk increasingly being asked to change spare to three,” said Matt who started the bedrooms into an en suite and walk-in Chiswick Park based company with his THE PLANNING CONSULTANT: closet, which actually improves the business partner Lloyd Taylor in 2012. quality of the property and makes it “Some people have had loft Yussuf Mwanza much more comfortable, desirable and conversions done for their nannies or MZA Planning  more saleable.” au pairs,” said Matthew. “But equally, [email protected] Matthew Ryder of Ash Island they can have them done for a live-in  020 8995 7848 Lofts said his company had recently carer or other family member.” mzaplanning.com completed a loft conversion for a family Another job for a downsizer was for who had moved from a large property someone who moved to a one-bed, THE ARCHITECT: in Bath to a Victorian townhouse ground floor flat in Shepherds Bush. Ivan Lazzaroni maisonette in Chiswick. They had “We converted the space into a two Omnide downsized from their country home, bedroom, two bathroom flat with the  [email protected] but still needed the extra space that a addition of a side-return extension,”  07726 729043 loft conversion could give them. he explained. omnide.com LOOKING BACK

The Doves Press

TRUE TO TYPE HAMMERSMITH & CHISWICK

here have been three engravings designed by Morris’ friend Walker withdrew from the enterprise. private presses, publishing Sir Edward Burne-Jones (who lived in The last books were printed in 1916, and limited editions of fine North End, Fulham). in 1917 Cobden-Sanderson threw the books, in Hammersmith. The Doves Press evolved from the types of the Press into the Thames so The Kelmscott Press, the Doves Bindery, founded in 1893 at that no one else could use them. Doves Press and the Eragny 15 Upper Mall by Thomas James TPress were all based near the Thames Cobden-Sanderson. In 1900, he and the These small books have in Hammersmith, and existed within a typographer Emery Walker (another comparatively short span of years, 1891- friend and colleague of Morris) started pretty bindings as well as 1916. H&F Council owns a complete set the Doves Press at 1 Hammersmith attractive illustrations of the Kelmscott Press books, as well as Terrace. The typeface was designed 20 productions of the Doves Press and by Walker and the calligraphy of the As well as the Doves Press, another eight of the Eragny Press. coloured capital letters was the work local press which started soon after was set up his own press of the gifted but eccentric calligrapher the Eragny Press, established by Lucien at 16 Upper Mall in 1888, naming it , who like Emery Pissarro (eldest son of the artist Camille after his house, Kelmscott Manor. Morris Walker lived in Hammersmith Terrace. Pissarro) and his wife Esther in 1894. designed three types for the books, drew Doves Press books have no illustrations They lived at The Brook, Stamford the borders, ornaments and initials and or decorative borders. Brook Road, Chiswick. The Eragny Press commissioned illustrations. The Press produced editions of Milton published about 30 books, some using The issued titles included Morris’s and other classical English writers, as the Vale Press type and some the Brook own works, medieval texts and well as a five-volume edition of The type which Lucien designed himself. poetry. The masterpiece of the Press English Bible, bound in white vellum. The small books have pretty bindings was The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer However, Walker and Cobden-Sanderson as well as attractive illustrations. The (1896), illustrated with 87 wood did not get on well, and after 1909 Eragny Press lasted until 1914.

22 / 23 OUR PATCH SPRING 2018