E9 Magazine February 2015 by LoveEast Magazine

magazine

February 2015

Q&A: Harriet Allan of Project Instrumental Valentine's Day gift: a pot full of spring History of St Joseph's Hospice Bake a chocolate love cake

Issue 12

Your free guide to what's happening in E9 and the surrounding areas

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February 2015

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Welcome to your local magazine

Dear neighbours February is here and spring is just around the corner, allegedly, but I'm guessing it will be just as cold outside as you read this, as it is as I write it. So, let's just Carry On and Eat Chocolate, shall we? Stef from Stef's Brownies has kindly supplied us with a very simple recipe for a divine chocolate cake. I've labelled it as a Valentine's gift, but let's not be picky. This is the perfect cake for anyone and great, too, for the kids to make (p26). This month’s Q&A is with Harriet Allan, co-founder and creative director of Project Instrumental, Hackney's cutting-edge chamber orchestra, who I've seen performing and are just wonderful (p4). Along with our regular columns on gardening, fitness, dogs and restaurant review, we have Rhowena MacCuish writing about community kitchen Café Morningside (p21), and Sonia Lambert investigating the history of St Joseph's Hospice (p8). New to E9 Magazine, family law expert Sangeeta Moore from The Law House introduces the first in our series of legal advice articles, kicking off with why we should all have a will (p28). I hope you enjoy this month's edition.

CONTENTS 4

Q&A: Harriet Allan, co-founder of Project Instrumental

What’s on in February

Feature: A history of St Joseph’s Hospice on Mare Street

Noticeboard

What to do with the kids

Review: The Hackney Pearl

18 Calendar 20

A-Z of Fitness

Feature: Café Morningside

What’s on in February

24 Gardening 25

How to make a spring bulb pot for Valentine’s Day

What to eat: Love Cake

Legal advice

A dog's life: tricks and treats

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Julie Julie Daniels T: 07752 288405 E: julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk W: www.nutshellpublications.co.uk

To advertise in E9 Magazine, please contact Julie on 07752 288405 or email julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk for further information. Deadline for March edition is 6 February (please allow an extra two days if design is required). Nutshell Publications cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions, or endorse companies, products or services that appear in this magazine. Printed by Stephen & George Ltd. © E9 Magazine all rights reserved. No reproduction can be made without permission. This publication is manufactured from ECF (Elemental Chlorine-Free) pulp; sourced from certified or well-managed forests and plantations, printed using vegetable-based inks. The fibres in this paper can be used up to a further seven times in the production of recycled paper. Please recycle this publication when its usefulness has been exhausted.

E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015 3

My Hackney at the Welsh National Opera Orchestra). Like Lowri and Harriet, the PI musicians all work in other jobs, freelancing or playing in different orchestras, and they rush from various parts of the country to Hackney for rehearsals. PI builds on the premise that if the musicians are having fun the audience will. PI doesn't want people to feel they have to know anything to come and experience the music and it reflects the diversity they want to encourage in its audience. One of the ways PI is cutting edge is its approach to music – new and traditional, and not just seeing classical music as something outdated and unrelated.

Photo: John Allan

Q&A: Harriet Allan, creative director and co-founder of Project Instrumental, talks to Julie Daniels Hackney is very much part of Harriet Allan's life. Her parents and sister live here and, although she now lives in another part of East London (having lived in Hackney for several years after university), it's the place she describes as "my London", the place she gravitates to and the place she chose as the perfect base for Project Instrumental, Hackney's very own cutting-edge chamber orchestra. Harriet studied philosphy at university and is a violinist, and those two things tap into her curiosity about why music is so fulfilling. PI is an extension of that curiosity. It's about experiences, especially in live performance, and the power and relevance for everyone of classical music today. Harriet set up PI in 2013 with Lowri Porter, who is the orchestra's leader and musical director (she is also assistant leader 4 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015

I went along to one of PI's concerts before Christmas and it was a hugely enjoyable experience. The music was uplifting, the setting informal and the atmosphere electric. It was enjoyable not only because the music was sublime, but the atmosphere comfortable and fun – a little like having world-class musicians play for you in your living room, while you sit on a comfy sofa with something nice to drink. PI have recently taken up residency at the Hackney Attic, so look out for their next performance on the What's On pages in future editions of E9 Magazine. What drew you to Hackney? My affinities lie in East London and it's where I’m most at home. It's also the home of Project Instrumental. Hackney is perfect for PI. It’s got the right balance of what I love about London: the mix of people, the unpolishedness, the openness to new things and possibility. I’m really interested in spaces for PI and it’s still got spaces to discover. And I love the idea of Hackney having a resident chamber orchestra of the very highest calibre. Ten years ago there was nothing like us around. Does the area influence your work? I’d say it enables it. And possibly inspires it. I knew I wanted to be based in this area before we had found a venue, and it’s the kind of place you can

My Hackney always find something new and surprising. I love that sense that you could live in a place for years and still discover something new. What makes you most proud? I’m surrounded by the most incredible people and I feel gratefully proud of that. I’ve got an amazing family, and it extends out from there. What are you working on now? Lowri Porter and I have been burning candles planning the next year. We have some great plans as we need to get fundraising soon to see us through it. We’re also seeking out trustees as we’re hoping to register as a charity this year, and finding the right board, with all our passion and drive but a broader skillset, is quite involving. I’m constantly thinking about how we can melt the constraints on our events and my imagination, without being contrived or compromising our integrity. We’re passionate about stripping away some of the paraphernalia that might make classical music seem elitist or dry or hard work, and that might exclude people based on social or cultural backgrounds. This year we’ll be thinking about how we can most effectively reach out to sectors that might not otherwise get to our events.

What do you do at the weekend? I often have gigs on Saturday, and now PI takes up any other minute I have. I do love that there's always something happening, and so many new spaces that things are happening in so I usually try to investigate these and get to a gig or exhibition or whatever interesting crossover grabs my diary first. One of my favourite things is just exploring London (walking) with my partner. Anything you would change? Change is always happening but I would hope that it keeps happening in open and harmonious ways – whether that's architecturally, socially, culturally. Hackney's best-kept secret? Its secrets are best discovered, not advertised! If Hackney were human? Creative and complex, energetic and with lots of sides to them! Hackney in a word? Alive. www.projectinstrumental.org

Best coffee in these parts? I’m usually running about and Loafing offers a fine and friendly coffee, right near the bus stop. Where do you eat out? When I lived in Hackney, Anatolya and Green Papaya, Namo for takeaways Photo: Dewan Demmer

An “outstanding” independent school for children aged 3 to 11.

Sewardstone Road, Victoria Park, London E2 9JG. www.gatehouseschool.co.uk 020 8980 2978 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015 5

What’s on in February Quiz night at The Crown Mons

Mondays at 8pm. Come along to The Crown and put your general knowledge to the test. The Crown, 223 Grove Road, E3.

Food Assemby

Join the Victoria Park Food Assembly and buy local fresh food online directly from farmers and producers and collect it (while enjoying a pint) on Wednesdays from 6 to 8pm at The Royal Inn On The Park, E9

Slim chance

Saturday, 7 February, 7.30pm, 11.30pm. Following the sell-out 7 success of his previous shows, Slim the comedian brings you his latest one-man show. £16.50-£25.50. Hackney Empire, 020 8985 2424, www.hackneyempire.co.uk

Great British Polar Plunge

Weds

Loophole Until 8 Feb

Until 8 February. Daryl Brown's exhibition at The Residence Gallery, 229 Victoria Park Road, E9. www.residence-gallery.com

The House of i

Thursday, 5 February at LimeWharf. Performance artist and mother of The House of i. Multimedia live art piece. www.limewharf.org

The Death Café

Thursday, 5 February, from 3.30pm. Death: the elephant in the room. It's going to happen to all of us but we don't want to talk about it. Help open the conversation by joining the experts at St Joseph's Hospice, Mare Street. At 6pm, BBC's Fi Glover hosts a panel discussion. www.stjh.org.uk

Wear it. Beat it

Friday, 6 February. British Heart Foundation Wear Red Day. One in four of our loved ones is lost to heart and circulatory disease. Wear red today and host an event to raise muchneeded money for research. Learn more at http:// wearitbeatit.bhf.org.uk/about/

7 .

Art of Whiskey Blending

Wednesday, 11 February, 7pm-9pm. Free tasting of Glenfiddich whiskeys 11 at The Crown. 20-minute sessions. Booking required. The Crown, 223 Grove Road, E3. Call: 0208 880 7261 or email thecrownevents@geronimo-inns.co.uk

The Staves

Thursday, 12 February, 8pm. Introducing their second album If I Was. Signature close harmonies, but with multi-layered songs. Tickets £16 (plus booking fees). Hackney Empire, 020 8985 2424, www.hackneyempire.co.uk

David O’Doherty

Saturday, 14 February, 8pm. The Perrier Award-winning Irish 14 comedian presents a new show of talking and songs. Tickets £19 (plus booking fees). Hackney Empire, 020 8985 2424, www.hackneyempire.co.uk

Junior Wildlife Club

Saturday, 7 February, 10am12.30pm. Under 12s must be accompanied an adult. The Hub, Victoria Park.

6 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015

Saturday, 7 February. Join 100s of plungers to leap into 20 tons of icy water. QEOP, www. queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk

Love Tempo

Saturday, 14 February, 10pm. A special Valentine’s Day line-up at The Yard Theatre. Sacha Mambo, Hampus Time, George Kamm, James Linn, Richard Foe Grainger. Free event and open to the public. The Yard Theatre, Unit 2A, Queen’s Yard, White Post Lane, Hackney Wick, London, E9 5EN. www.theyardtheatre.co.uk/event/love-tempo/

What’s on continued on p22.

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E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015 7

Miracles on Mare Street

The first hospice building, Cambridge Lodge, which stood on the same site. Inset: the hospice today

St Joseph’s Hospice on Mare Street is a local institution to be proud of. Sonia Lambert discovered how it all began

“

It’s a hospice, at the back,” the estate agent said when he showed us round our house, many years ago. “So they don’t make a lot of noise”. I had to suppress an urge to laugh, or cry, I’m not sure which. My father had just died, in a hospice, and I, like many people, already knew what strange and special places they could be. Having lived nearby ever since, I was curious to find out more about the amazing story of St Joseph’s Hospice on Mare Street, an institution that’s closely bound up with this community – and one that has played an important role in the history of the hospice movement itself. I met with Sister Hilary Thompson and Sister Florence Kavanagh, who kindly showed me some items from the early days, and told me about their work. 8 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015

In 1900, five Catholic nuns arrived at King Edward’s Road from the South of Ireland. They were from an order named the Religious Sisters of Charity. They’d come to help “the poor and ignorant in the poverty-sticken parishes of Hackney and Hoxton,” many of whom were Catholics of Irish descent. At first, the sisters visited local people in their own homes, walking through the slums to nurse the sick. They often met with anti-Irish prejudice, even among the people they were trying to help. At the time, hospitals routinely turned away patients who were dying of tuberculosis, cancer and other conditions. They concenrated on people they could cure, leaving those at the end of their lives to die in the workhouse, or at home, in pain

Miracles on Mare Street and poverty. In January 1905, the sisters opened St Joseph’s Hospice for the Dying at Cambridge Lodge, Mare Street. It had just 12 beds. From the start, the hospice took in patients of all backgrounds and beliefs. Demand was unrelenting, but the nuns were enterprising and dedicated fundraisers, appealing to wealthy patrons and the local community alike, holding flag day collections, appeals, and the first of countless jumble sales. Sister Hilary showed me a large crucifix which once hung over the bed of Queen Victoria in Buckingham Palace – and was given to the hospice by an early benefactor, Queen Alexandra. Other items from those early days include the first log books, and a sort of early mobility scooter, from the 1900s. Over the years, the hospice grew. New wards with balconies were added, so that patients with TB

Sister Florence Kavanagh with an example of the habit she and the other nuns used to wear bombed, and most of the original structure was destroyed. Cicely Saunders, famous for her pioneering work on the treatment of the dying, arrived at St Joseph’s in 1958, and stayed until 1965. She spent her years there researching pain control. Her work helped raise public awareness, and changed approaches around the world. The hospice also pioneered the use of Macmillan Nurses, named after the founder of Cancer Relief, Douglas Macmillan.

Hospice nuns in their habits, 1957 could sit outside in the fresh air. The nuns also distributed food to desperate families from the huts at the back. In 1922, 80-100 men each day arrived for food (many of them ex-soldiers from the First World War).

The Queen opened a new Wing of St Joseph’s in 1984, and Princess Diana visited no less than three times, in 1985, 1991 and 1992. “I entered religious life in 1959,” says Sister Florence. “When I started off, we wore a black

During World War Two, the hospice was evacuated to Bath, and the building became a reception area for war casualties. A worker at the time described the people who arrived. “They usually looked terrible, heads covered with a mixture of blood and dust... most had been cut by flying glass.” In 1944 the building itself was Invalid chair circa 1900 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015 9

Miracles on Mare Street

Diana, Princess of Wales, visited three times habit, but after I began working in childcare I had a white habit. Then we changed to grey in 1969. Then in about 1979 or 1980 I left my veil off, and now we can wear what we like – within reason!,” she laughs. “I got moved around a lot. It is an extraordinary way of life; people often don’t understand it. But it’s a good way of life.” Today, St Joseph’s sees around 1,700 people each year, many of these in the community. The institution has evolved, providing a much wider range of services, and is as multicultural as the rest of Hackney. The sisters retain a close relationship, and still live next door, but the administration of the hospice is now independent. These days, the hospice costs over £15 million a year to run. Ordinary hospitals can be harsh places – the whole focus is on getting you better, as efficiently as possible. My experience was that in a hospice, surrounded by people who knew how we were feeling, with a focus on making things as comfortable as possible, the atmosphere was completely different. I’m not a religious person, but even so, I found something about this quiet kindness that felt spiritual – even holy. There are thousands of people whose lives have been touched by this place, making it close to the hearts of so many East Enders. 10 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015

The first patient records.

For more on the history of St Joseph’s take a look at the new website, below, where you can also make a donation to support their continuing work. Information in this article comes from St Joseph’s Hospice, Hackney: A century of caring in the East End of London by Michelle Winslow and David Clark. Thursday, 5 February, from 3.30pm. Death: the elephant in the room. It's going to happen to all of us but we don't like to talk about it. Help open the conversation by coming along to the "Death Café" and join the experts at St Joseph's Hospice, Mare Street. At 6pm, BBC's Fi Glover hosts a panel discussion. www.stjh.org.uk

Sonia Lambert’s novel Three Mothers is now available as an ebook on Amazon, Kobo, or via Victoria Park Books. She also teaches a local evening class in Creative Writing at Victoria Park Books, 174 Victoria Park Road, E9. http://wordlabwriting.wordpress.com/

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Noticeboard Happy 30th anniversary

Hackney City Farm was originally created by the community, and the farm wants to make sure the local community is involved in the upcoming celebrations for its 30th

Photo: Hackney City Farm

anniversary. Local artist Rebecca Davies is creating an interactive map and walk, highlighting significant places in the history of the streetscape. The map is being designed and made through collaboration with older and young local people in the area. It will feature in an exhibition at Hackney Museum that depicts the community-led action that developed the farm from derelict land to the thriving hub of today. The map will then become a permanent fixture at the farm. When: From 6 February to 16 May (when it transfers to the farm) Where: Hackney Museum (Ground Floor,Technology And Learning Centre, 1 Reading Lane, E8) www.hackneycityfarm.co.uk 12 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015

In our back Yard

The Yard Theatre. "It's …a little bastion of everything theatre’s supposed to be, in the exact spot a theatre shouldn’t be,” says Time Out. And if that isn't recommendation enough for you then I don't know what is. Watch out for The Mikvah Project which begins on 17 February. Each Friday Avi and Issac immerse themselves in the holy water of the Mikvah (Jewish bath).They talk about the synagogue, they talk about women, they talk about football. As their bond deepends, a transformation begins. The play is written by acclaimed new writer, Josh Azouz. Jay Miller, artistic director of The Yard, directs. With live singing, ancient rituals and an onstage Mikvah, the production is not to be missed. 17 February to 14 March, The Yard Theatre, Unit 2A Queen’s Yard, Hackney Wick, E9. www.theyardtheatre.co.uk

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E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015 13

WHAT TO DO Baby yoga

For babies from 6 weeks to 1 year. A baby-focused class using a mix of massage, classical yoga postures, stretches and balances adapted exactly to their stage of growth. Accompanied by wellknown songs and rhymes to make the exercises fun and interactive. Fridays at The Royal Inn on the Park, Lauriston Road E9.10:45am-11:45am Classes cost £6.50 per class. Contact Karen for more details: first-touchmassage@hotmail.co.uk or call 07902 227669.

Art

Artist Katherine Tulloh runs an art club for children in her home ─ or at nearby Well Street Common if the weather is fine. Classes take place after school in term time only. Sessions for 5-7-year olds are on Tuesdays, 4pm-5pm, and for 8-11-year-olds, on Mondays, 4pm-5.30pm. Call Katherine on 07909 961 877 or email her at katherine@herechickychicky.com

Cycling

Cycling Club Hackney run Saturday morning coaching sessions for their 8-13-year-old members.There’s also a group for 13+ development riders. Meet 10am at the club HQ, 6 Olympus Square, Nightingale Estate, E5. Cost £2.00. CCH are also offering coaching to 6-8-year-olds on Saturday mornings. Note: there are limited spaces and parents must stay with their child. For membership details, go to the website: www.cyclingclubhackney.co.uk

Theatre

Hackney Children’s Theatre is Hackney’s newest theatre space for young audiences. Situated in 700-year-old St John at Hackney church, the theatre hosts monthly performances for kids and their families.Check out www.facebook.com/ hackneychildrenstheatre

14 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015

Children’s Centres

The three in E9 are Wentworth on Cassland Road (www.wentworth.hackney.sch.uk), Gainsborough on Berkshire Road (www.gainsborough.hackney. sch.uk/childrens-centre), and Morningside on Chatham Place (www.morningside.hackney.sch. uk/childrens-centre), but there are many others nearby. All of them run drop-in play sessions, and a range of activities and support for families.

Kicking

Monday afternoon Kickboxing for 3-5 and 6-11-year-olds at the Hackney Forge. Call Maria for details on 07872 188 655.

Farms

At city farms (in South Hackney, or further afield in Stepney, Spitalfields and Mudchute) you can introduce your kids to the pongs and pleasures of real farm animals. Stepney City Farm has a great café, as well as a farmers’ market every Saturday from 10am-3pm. www.stepneycityfarm.org, www.hackneycityfarm.co.uk, www.spitalfieldscityfarm.org, www.mudchute.org

Acting

If you’re looking for something a little different to do with your pre-school-age child, try Hackney Forge on a Wednesday morning. Cbeebies actress Samantha Seager runs acting classes for little tots. For more details and class times, go to www.actingbugs.co.uk

Dancing

There’s ballet for children at the Hackney Forge on Tuesdays from 4pm-4.45pm and 5pm-5.45pm. Call Mafalda on 07550 722 693 for details. Also at the Hackney Forge you’ll find Saturday Street Dance and Musical Theatre classes. 12 noon-1pm, 1.15pm-2.15pm and 2.30-3.30pm Call Lisa on 07985 945 335 for details.

WITH THE KIDS Music

Piccolo music for babies and toddlers runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the V&A building in Victoria Park. The toddler class is at 10am and the baby class at 11am ─ just drop in. For more info call Stefanie on 07708 451 314. There’s also Suzuki Hub whch runs music lessons for kids (violin, viola, cello, flute). Suzuki Hub, 116 Weymouth Terrace, E2 8LR. www.suzukihub.com\

Reading

Don’t forget the libraries, We have quite a few of them, so find out what’s on at www.hackney.gov.uk/libraries-whats-on.htm

Museums

Small stories: Until 6 September at The Museum of Childhood. This exhibition reveals the fascinating stories behind some of the UK’s best-loved dolls’ houses, taking you on a journey through the history of the home, everyday lives and changing family relationships. The Museum of Childhood also runs free drop-in activities every day including arts and crafts, tours, trails and storytelling. All activities are free, drop-in and suitable for children aged 3-12 unless otherwise stated.

Cinema

Every Saturday morning the Hackney Picturehouse hosts a family-only matinee of a specially chosen children’s film, plus fun activities. From recent blockbusters to classic favourites, Kids’ Club is for children aged 3-12 years. Membership is £4 a year, including the first visit free. Tickets for members and accompanying adults are £1.50 each. Non-members and accompanying adults pay £3.50 each. No adult unaccompanied by a child will be admitted. Also at the Picturehouse, there’s Toddler Time, a great way to introduce pre-school children to the big screen. The programme features 30-minute shows for kids and their parents/carers. Admission is just £3 per child and accompanying adults are free when they become members of Toddler Time (free to join – ask at the Box Office or call 0871 902 5747).

Tutoring

Until Friday, 23 October 2015 4.30pm - 5.30pm A small, friendly tutoring class explores the subjects of English and Maths. Learning is individually planned and the space given to develop confidence and independence. Age group: 5-13. Homerton Library, Homerton High Street, E9 6AS. Contact: Ms B Kaur on bilber.kaur@gmail. com Telephone: 07891713638.

While you’re there, why not pick up a Montessori Family Pack? Designed by Montessori, a selection of family packs for under 5s is available to borrow from the Information Desk. Each pack contains a map, activity suggestions, storybooks and toys. For details of special events and activities during school holidays, visit www.vam.ac.uk/moc/ whatson/ Sutton House is not only beautiful but fun for the kids, too. Explore the family friendly treasure chests and discover the lives of the people who lived there through puppets and costumes. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sutton-house/

If you run an activity you would like to see listed in a future edition, please email julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk

E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015 15

Hackney bites This month's great place to eat…

The Hackney Pearl

ell here we are at The Hackney Pearl. It never occurred to me that I’d be writing about this place. I’ve been here many times before since it opened. It’s where I meet up with one of my best friends, being the midway point for both of us. She lives in Forest Gate. I think she must have got the short straw. We both love it here. Every time it’s a hilarious night of eating, drinking and chatting about what we’ve been up to. The routine we’ve evolved seems to be: meet as early as possible and then be the last to leave. They’re very nice the people who work here. So to come clean, in some ways I felt a little sorry that this great secret of a place is now going to be outed. But being the professional I am I booked a table for four. None of the others had been before and I wondered what kind of night we’d have. It was a great. Just as hilarious, and I’ll mention again how nice the people are who work there. 16 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015

But it’s not all about them, the food is good, cooked in an open and relaxed kitchen. In some ways Hackney Wick is an odd place. An outlying industrial island, stranded somewhere between a canal and a dual carriageway. It consists of warehouses, light industrial buildings, stacked up tyres and mostly cheap housing stock. But it’s this strange wilderness that is a great virtue and binds together a thriving community spirit. The Olympics and the vicinity of the Olympic (Queen Elizabeth) Park have made some difference but this slight isolation means it’s still able to keep a distinct identity of its own. So it’s easy to get “well-lost’ in this neighbourhood. But once inside The Hackney Pearl it was a bit like stepping back in time. The Kinks and then The Doors were playing; we were sat at a grandad’s patterned Formica table, the one with extending side wings, and one of our waiters who was all beard and hair, looking like something from the Yellow Submarine. Brilliant.

Hackney bites He may be a pretty face but our waitress was more than that. She could remember all our different orders perfectly without taking notes. On the wall in front of us, next to the art books, was a large photo of a burnt out car in a forest, literally road-kill. Oh, and the Prosecco’s on tap. It all feels very familiar and informal. The menu’s short but sweet and seasonal (they change it regularly), and there wasn’t any problem finding something we wanted to eat. We had a feast. To start with, we went for mixed charcuterie with cured venison and a large bowl of saffron mussels, both totally delicious. This was followed by freerange Cumberland sausages with mash, Aylesbury duck confit with pickled figs, my perfect baked salmon with fennel, leeks, capers and shallots. Incredibly, some of us still managed to squeeze in homemade ice-cream with either treacle tart or apple crumble. The food is heartening with the portion sizes equally comforting.

It’s not a big place, there are only so many patterned Formica tables available in the UK, but it’s open from day to night keeping it real, relaxed and easy. Three courses with wine approx £40 a head. Opening Hours: Tuesday –Saturday 10am-11pm Sunday – Monday 10am- 6pm Weekend Brunch 10am-1pm

Susan Birtwistle The Hackney Pearl, 11 Prince Edward Road, E9 5LX. 020 8510 3605 www.thehackneypearl.com

Say it with flowers this Valentine’s Day

www.agpriceflowers.co.uk 217-219 Well Street, E9 6QU 020 8986 0250 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015 17

February calendar Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thurs

Watch the Six Nations throughout February at The Crown, Grove Road, E3

Until 8 February, Daryl Brown 'Loophole' exhibition, Residence Gallery (p6)

Arts events General events Outdoor events

3 Storytime for under 5s, 10-11.30am, at Victoria Park Community Centre, 5 Gore Road, E9

Quiz Night at The Crown (p6)

House of i at L (p6) Food Assembly (p6)

Death: the elep room. Join the at the Death C Joseph’s Hospic

Swing dance classes every Tuesday at Royal Inn on the Park, E9

10 Storytime for under 5s, 10-11.30am, at Victoria Park Community Centre, 5 Gore Road, E9

Quiz Night at The Crown (p6)

Folk night, every Tuesday at Chats Palace, E9 www.chatspalace.co.uk

16 Quiz Night at The Crown (p6) Street Dance workshop, Hackney Empire (p22)

Learn the art of whiskey blending at The Crown (p6)

The Staves per Hackney Empire

Mikvah Project, The Yard Theatre, till 14 March (p22)

Sound of Music singalong, Hackney Empire (p22)

Daresaydays th Sutton House (

Pancakes,The Crown (p22)

Coffee morning, 10.30-1pm Vic Park Community Centre, 5 Gore Road, E9

Bird Box Makin

Street Dance workshop, Hackney Empire (p22)

23 Quiz Night, The Crown Grove Road, E3, 8pm

11 Food Assembly (p6)

24 Folk night, every Tuesday at Chats Palace, E9 www.chatspalace.co.uk

18 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015

Street Dance workshop, Hackney Empire (p22)

Food Assembly (p6)

Tea Dance (p22

Street Dance w Hackney Empire

February calendar

sday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

1 Fridays, 2-4pm Networx computer class at Victoria Park Community Centre, 5 Gore Road, E9

LimeWharf

Polar Plunge (p6) Wear Red Day, British Heart Foundation (p6)

Slim’s one-man show, Hackney Empire (p6)

phant in the discussion Café, St ce (p6)

Junior Wildlife Club (p6)

rform at the e (p6)

♥

Love Tempo at The Yard Theatre (p6) Comedian David O’Doherty, Hackney Empire (p6)

heatre, (p22)

20 Daresaydays theatre, Sutton House (p22)

ng (p22)

Wildlife arts & crafts (p22)

workshop, e (p22)

22 The Recycled Band, QEOP (p22)

The Recycled Band (p22) Talent showcase, Hackney Empire (p23)

Street Dance workshop, Hackney Empire (p22)

Daresaydays theatre, Sutton House (p22)

27 Alan Davies at the Hackney Empire (p23)

28 Make your mark on Vicky Park (p23)

E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015 19

Fitness – A is for...

Roger Love, personal trainer and co-owner of London Fields Fitness Studio, starts our A-Z of fitness Ankles Trainers talk a lot about core fitness. It’s often taken to refer only to the “corset” of muscles around the middle: the abs, the obliques and the lower back.

Tricep dips

You can start to strengthen your ankles easily.

Bend your elbows to lower yourself until your elbows are at a 90-degree angle. Keep your back close to the bench and keep your tummy pulled in. Then, push down into the bench to return to the starting position.

Stand on one leg and close your eyes. Try to balance for 30 seconds and then change leg. It’s harder than you think.

Do two or three sets of the two exercises. Don’t rest between the two exercises, but take a minute between sets.

Do five sets of 30 seconds on each leg.

Army boot camps

Then, try it with a friend, with your eyes open, throwing a ball to each other.

Now hugely popular across Hackney, army boot camps are led by former armed forces personnel and use basic military physical training to create great outdoor classes.

But for day-to-day strength, balance and agility, you need supportive knees and ankles, too.

Arms Spring is coming and it will soon be time to get out your arms – that oh-so-visible badge of fitness. Prepare with a double set of push-ups and triceps dips to give a nice shape to your upper arms. Start with 10 push-ups, followed by 10 tricep dips. The dips work intensely the back of the upper arm. To do them, place your hands (fingers facing your body) shoulder-width apart on a bench or chair. Slide your bum forward off the front of the bench with your legs out straight. Straighten your arms, keeping a little bend in your elbows. 20 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015

A typical class – such as the one run by Dean Lenton from London Fields Fitness Studio –will be a whole body workout designed to improve stamina, speed, agility and strength. They are tough classes but can be fun, too, creating a real sense of camaraderie. Those attending are usually an even split between women and men. While instructors will be firm and serious, they accept you are NOT in the army and won’t insult or shout aggressively at you.

www.londonfieldsfitness.com

Community kitchen token, allowing the less privileged to enjoy a hot meal in a welcoming atmosphere when they would otherwise go without.

Co-founder Francesca Camporealle

Café Morningside is a local community kitchen with a difference, says Rhowena McCuish

Lise Thiollier and Francesca Camporealle are passionate cooks and have been hosting dinner parties since their university days, and they loved how food could bring people together. It was this combination that encouraged them to open Café Morningside. “We provide our local community with an donation-based lunch every Thursday and Friday, firstly to make healthy food more accessible and affordable, but also to provide the community with a relaxed and welcoming space to meet, eat and be, without the pressure of spending money,” says Francesca. Volunteers find that they are able to develop their own personal skills, socialise with the community and practice their hobbies, while giving something back. For some, volunteering at the café is the starting block they need to turn their lives around. Look out for upcoming fundraiser events on the website, below, where you’ll also be able to find out more about Café Morningside, as well as learning how to get involved. https://cafemorningside.wordpress.com

ommunity, healthy eating and food sustainability are the foundations on which Café Morningside is built. The café is open on Thursdays and Fridays and serves one special dish of the day alongside tea and coffee, with pastries and cakes available in the morning. The chefs bring an eclectic mix of cuisines to the café. Being refugee migrants, they draw on their homeland knowledge of food and recipes for inspiration to make the communal dishes of the day. All the ingredients are supplied by the local community. Mostly it’s local businesses such as The Grocery based in Shoreditch, who give organic fruits and vegetables; E5 Bakehouse, who donate unsold loaves from the day, and Fresh & Fruity, wholesalers who deliver direct. All customers pay only what they deem their refreshments to be worth, or pay what they can afford. Those customers who can afford it can leave a coffee or a meal on tab in the form of a

Photos: www.scrumptiousfoodphotography.com

Café Morningside, Morningside Community Centre, Cresset Road, E9 07587 083131 Open 8am to 1.30pm, Thursdays and Fridays. E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015 21

What’s on in February Street Dance

Monday, 16 February to Friday, 16 -20 20 February, 10am-4pm, for ages Feb Ages 11-19. Dance is back at the Hackney Empire. Whether you’re a confident dancer or it’s your first time, sharpen your moves with Leroy ‘FX’ (Flawless) and perform in a final show on 20 February. Wear comfortable clothing that you can move in, trainers, plimsolls only. No heels. Places are limited. Sign up at: projects@hackneyempire.co.uk or call Rasheeda Nalumoso on 020 8510 4396.

Pancake Tuesday

Tuesday, 17 February. Shrove Tuesday – the perfect day to 17 indulge. Pop round for your guiltfree pancake fix. Savoury or sweet, they’ll have it all. (Not a free event. A la carte prices apply.) The Crown, 223 Grove Road, E3.

The Mikvah Project

Tuesday, 17 February to Saturday, 17 Feb14 March, 8pm. An East London 14 Mar Mikvah. Two bodies meet. Two worlds collide. Every Friday Avi and Issac immerse themselves in the holy water of the Mikvah, participating in a traditional Jewish ritual. They talk about football. They talk about their synagogue. They talk about women. With ancient rituals, live singing and an onstage Mikvah, Josh Azouz’s playful and poignant play explores the limits of love.The Yard Theatre presents this new play directed by Artistic Director Jay Miller. The Yard Theatre, Unit 2A, Queen’s Yard, White Post Lane, Hackney Wick, London E9 5EN. www,theyardtheatre.co.uk

Sound of Music Singalong

Wednesday, 18 February, 7pm. The smash-hit singalong screening of the iconic musical comes to Hackney in celebration of the film’s 50th anniversary. Hosted by Christopher Biggins and Connie Fisher, Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music will be screened in aid of Red Nose Day. All proceeds from the event go to Comic Relief. Free fun pack included. Tickets £20 plus booking fees. Hackney Empire, 020 8985 2424, www.hackneyempire.co.uk

22 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015

Daresaydays

Thurs 19 February to Sat 21 February. A Time and a Place, 7-8.30pm. How long before a place becomes a home? Daresaydays invite you to a performance by young local actors inspired by the relationship between people and places. In partnership with Sutton House. Adults £7, concessions £5 More Information at: www.daresaydays.com / suttonhouse@ nationaltrust.org.uk 19 -21 Feb

Bird Box Making

Thursday, 19 February, 10am12.30pm. Come and build your very 19 own bird box and help our feathered friends to nest in your garden. To book a place call 020 7364 4504/5393 or email joelle.copeland@towerhamlets.gov.uk

The Tea Dance in a box

Thursday, 19 February, 12.30pm2.30pm. Exclusively for people over 50. From Ballroom and Latin dancing to wheelchair dance. DJ Supa Sarah will provide a great soundtrack while the Dance Moves team will be on hand to give you tips and demonstrations. All skill levels and abilities welcome. Copper Box Arena, QEOP. Spaces limited. Reserve your space call 0800 0722 110 or email dance@queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk.

Wildlife Arts & Crafts

Friday, 20 February, 10am12.30pm. Get those creative juices 20 flowing and join the Victoria Park team for all manner of creative fun and activities. Meet at The Hub building in Victoria Park, E9.

The Recycled Band

Sat 21 February to Sunday 22 February. Try out some oversized musical instruments at the Olympic Park this half term. If you’re a budding musician or just fancy tinkering on some unique instruments, make your way to the South Park Plaza where you can play on 12 oversized quirky instruments at any time of the day or night. The Recycled Band has been constructed out of 21-22 Feb

What’s on in February materials found on the Park. Plus: join members of the Together! Music Club for a free concert with The Recycled Band at 2.00pm on 22 February. www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk

Boroughs United

Saturday, 21 February. It’s London’s liveliest, longest-running youth-led talent showcase. Young singers and dance groups from across the capital come together to perform in the footsteps of previous Boroughs United winners including Leona Lewis, Diversity and Flawless. Get in touch if you’re under 19 and want to perform or help to organise the show. Tickets £5. boroughs@ newvarietylives.co.uk. Hackney Empire, 020 8985 2424, www.hackneyempire.co.uk

Alan Davies

Friday, 27 February, 7pm. After a successful year of sell-out dates in 2014 with his brand new show Little Victories, Alan Davies is pleased to announce a season of extra dates for Spring 2015. Tickets £25. Hackney Empire, 020 8985 2424, www.hackneyempire.co.uk

Make your Mark

Saturday, 28 February, 10.30am1pm. Join the Community Park Rangers to help carry out some practical conservation in Victoria Park. Lunch will be provided. For more information call 020 7364 4504 or email joelle.copeland@ towerhamlets.gov.uk Meet at the outdoor classroom near St Agnes Gate.

E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015 23

Gardening For all roses, and in fact most non-evergreen shrubs, fruit bushes and trees, the aim is to open up the plant, thus improving air circulation. This helps lower the risk of mildew, black spot, and other diseases later on. So don’t hesitate to chop some of the stems right back if you feel the plant is overcrowded, or if any stems rub against each other. Stand back and look at your work, make sure your plants look even and balanced. Other plants up for pruning right now are all fruiting trees and bushes, with the exception of stone fruits such as cherries and plum. These are usually cut back during late summer. If you have wisteria and want to ensure that it flowers beautifully, cut back into last year’s growth down to two buds from the base of the stem.

Beautiful gardens won’t grow by themselves, so get out those secateurs and prepare for spring, says Loraine Hourdebaigt

hat will February bring this year? My feeling is that we still have a month of being cold, hiding under layers of clothing and woolly hats. But February is also the last of the winter months, and it carries the promise of warmer days to come, with flourishing parks and gardens. But a beautiful garden will definitely not grow by magic, so make sure to put some time aside in your busy schedule to do a few jobs. Roses, except rugosa and rambling varieties, should be pruned this month. What you want to do is reduce shrub roses to four or six buds from the base. Take back climbers by about two thirds of their length. Cut away all dead, diseased and spindly looking stems from the plant down to healthy wood. As a rule, always prune no more than 5mm above a dormant bud, sloping away from it so that any water can run off easily. 24 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015

Now you’ve done all the necessary pruning, carefully clean and disinfect your secateurs. Along with regular sharpening and oiling, one of the most important tools you can own will last longer and produce clean cuts every time. If you missed the bulb season last autumn, get them now. Either in the ground or containers, spring bulbs can produce fabulous, colourful displays from very early spring. To bring an element of surprise in every display you create, and make the most of season, select bulbs that flower at different times throughout spring. Snowdrops, crocuses, tulips or irises; the choice of species is vast, so have a bit of fun mixing up heights, colours and varieties. Other plants that flower this month are camelias, viburnums and sarcococcas, all lovely evergreen shrubs. The smaller hellebores, iris unguiculare, heathers or winter pansies will brighten up grey Februaries, year after year. You might think a gardener never gets a rest, well, except on a frosty day maybe. When the temperatures go below zero, avoid doing any pruning or planting, as it may cause damage to your plants that they will struggle to recover from. That’s the day to browse through seed catalogues, plan ahead and dream of warmer times.

♥

How to make... A pot full of spring

February is the month to celebrate love, but trust me, your loved one has had enough chocolates at Christmas. So why not give him of her a pretty pot full of spring bulbs that will make them think of you every time they look at it? If Valentine’s day is just not your thing, then this is a project you can do with the kids, too.

You’ll need a pot (any pot that takes your fancy), a handful of gravel, some good compost and spring bulbs in the green. Here, I am using crocuses, snowdrops and dwarf irises. Always plant an odd number; the result will be more natural.

Now start planting. Cover the hole with a bit of broken pot, and fill with compost so that the top of your plants reach about a centimetre below the rim of the container. This will leave enough room to water without the compost spilling out. Add compost around the bulbs, making sure there are no air pockets.

Now cover the top of the soil with a layer of gravel, just to finish the whole thing off.

I’ve personalised my present with a red ribbon and a galvanised plant label. Leave your own message on it and it will be a very lovely present for the one you love. Loraine Hourdebaigt

1 2 3 4

www.growingconcerns.org E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015 25

What to eat

Is cake the food of love? This delicious Stef’s Brownies chocolate cake with edible petals is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift

hen my first brownies bake emerged from the oven eight years ago, I was pleasantly surprised at how different they tasted from those factory mass produced ones. That was the birth of Stef’s Brownies. A year later, thanks to my partner, I was presented with a course at Rococo Chocolate in Knightsbridge as a Christmas present. I was absolutely fascinated with what one can do with some patience, imagination and creativity, and there was no turning back from the wonderful world of chocolate and confectionery. There’s a whole lot more to baking than just measuring, mixing and putting the dough into 26 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015

the oven. Passion and a good attitude are my main ingredients, and I’m in a world of my own whenever I hear the sound of the cake mixer. I feel so much joy and satisfaction when a freshly baked cake is taken out of the oven. It’s warming, comforting, and best of all, it’s completely homebaked so you can be assured that only quality ingredients have been used and a whole lot of love has gone into it. If you’ve tried my bakes, my sincere thanks to you. If you haven’t, I’d love to bake something specially for you. As someone once said, “Life is short, eat dessert first”.

Stef Liew

♥

What to eat Valentine’s Day chocolate cake with edible petals – for two, of course Method Preheat the oven to 160C. Grease a baking tin with a little sunflower oil and line it with baking paper. Mix cocoa powder and bicarbonate of soda in 200ml of boiling water; leave to cool. Whisk the eggs, sugar and oil in large bowl, fold in the flour and the cocoa solution. Pour mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 30 minutes (a skewer inserted into the centre should come out clean). Remove cake and allow to cool completely. Melt the white chocolate over a pan of simmering water. Place the chocolate mixture into a piping bag and swirl onto the cooled cake. Decorate with rose petals.

Cake decoration ideas To make the swirls, allow the chocolate to cool slightly, then transfer it into a piping bag. Snip off a small corner of the bag and allow the chocolate to flow onto the cake. Using slow and smooth movements, create swirls on the cooled cake. If edible rose petals are not available you can use dragées (small edible shiny balls used to decorate cupcakes), which are easily available in the baking section of most supermarkets. Stef recommends using only edible petals purchased from good baking stores.

www.stefsbrownies.co.uk

Alternatively, you can order the petals online at: www.planetbake.co.uk/edible-burgandyrose-petals Illustrations: Rachel Gale, www.rachelgale.com Photo: stefsbrownies.co.uk E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015 27

The Legal Eagle – where there's a will... intestacy rules will determine who inherits your estate. This will depend on what you own and who survives you.

Why should I make a will? There are two good reasons, says Sangeeta Moore – divorce and death

his is the time of year when two things may happen. People either resolve to make a will or, unfortunatley, some may separate with a view to getting a divorce. Surprisingly, not making a will and getting a divorce are related. When we die we can leave whatever we want to whoever we want. The usual way to ensure this happens is by writing a will. A will clearly states who will inherit your possessions. Making a will gives you control over your assets after your death and, hopefully, prevents family disputes. Like buying a home, making your will is one of the most important things you will do in your lifetime. Its significance becomes all too clear when you consider the alternative to it. If you don’t make a will you effectively lose control over how your assets are dealt with. The law takes over and 28 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015

The term common law wife/husband dates back to the 1700s but has no legal recognition. The intestacy rules have no regard for modern family arrangements where two people in a relationship live together (co-habit) on a long-term or permanent basis, without being married or in a civil partnership. In such relationships surviving partners have no rights to inherit from their deceased partner’s estate. Often their only option is to go to court, which is not cheap by any means, and persuade a judge to make some provision for them. Even so, there is no guarantee of success. The decision is entirely at the discretion of the court. If you are living with someone, and especially if you have children, you should make a will so that your partner and children are adequately provided for in the event of your death. For anyone who is getting a divorce and doesn’t have a will, problems can occur. If your divorce isn’t finalised your soon-to-be ex-spouse could still inherit. Until the divorce is finalised you are still legally married. If you have not changed an existing will or you have not made one at all, your surviving spouse or civil partner could still inherit some or all of your estate. Dying without a will can cause unnecessary problems. You could find that the very people you did not want to inherit from your estate are the ones who do. Making a valid will is simple common sense. If you want expert advice on or help with making a will please contact me. We do home visits at no extra charge. Next month: Lasting Powers of Attorney

Sangeeta Moore is a solicitor at The Law House. Contact her on 020 8899 6620, 07825 838 922 or write to her at: smoore@thelawhouse.com

A local garden centre offering design & build and garden maintenance services. 2 Wick Lane

London E3 2NA 02089853222 info@growingconcerns.org www.growingconcerns.org

& Co

Wanted E9 Magazine needs a dedicated person who can devote a few hours a week to marketing and bringing in new business. Requirements: passion, great communication skills, love of all things Hackney. Call Julie on 07752 288405 julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk

Bespoke Kitchens & Renovations contact me at toby.birtwistle@me.com

E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015â&#x20AC;&#x192;â&#x20AC;&#x192; 29

A dog’s life

If you didn’t get round to your dog’s New Year resolutions last month, then perhaps it’s time to fix that and teach him some tricks, says Kamal Fernandez

ast month it was New Year, new you and some great resolutions for the dog, too. What? You didn’t get round to the dog by the time you’d sorted out your new diet and exercise regime? Well, perhaps this month we can fix that and do something with your pooch that’s interesting, fun and perhaps even good for his health. Why not teach him a trick or two?

30 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015

That’s right, a simple trick to get him to use his brain and brawn, while also improving his relationship with you. It will almost certainly enhance his “aaahh” appeal, and will mightily impress anyone he meets. Teaching tricks is not uncommon to most dog owners. However, the extent of the repertoire normally fizzles out after the “high five” or “roll

A dog’s life over”. So how about teaching him a trick that could actually be good for his health?

object with the back legs moving. All of these tricks and how to teach them can be found on You Tube.

Agility is one of the many dog sports that is available, and the more the sport develops and grows, the more there is an emphasis on treating the dog as a canine athlete. Like any athlete, physical strength, flexibility and condition are becoming more and more relevant. In a sport that is decided by 10ths of a second, having that physical edge is vital.

Tricks are also a great way to enhance your relationship with your dog, and build quality time with him. It makes the daily walk a bit more interesting and invigorating for your dog, too. They are a great way to mentally stimulate your dog, which for active, high-energy dogs can help with behavioural problems.

But even our pet dogs could benefit from simple tricks to help build physical strength and hopefully increase their longevity. Here is a list of 10 simple tricks that can help your dog physically, as well as being great fun to teach. Just a small note of caution. If you have a puppy or underdeveloped dog, it’s not advisable to attempt any trick that requires a strenuous physical challenge. 1. Sit and beg A great trick for building core muscle strength, which will, in turn, help prevent back injuries. 2. Stand up tall Good for building up your dog’s back end. However, it’s best tried only with dogs over 12 months, and even later with larger breeds. 3. Walk backwards A great trick for co-ordination and rear end awareness. 4. Spin on the spot 5. Hide your eyes 6. Roll over 7. Wave/high five

Often boredom, separation anxiety, aggression, nervousness, etc, can be caused by a lack of stimulation. Taking your dog for a good long walk is a great way to alleviate this energy. However, sometimes, when you are either very busy, the weather is bad, or you’re simply unable to take him for as long a walk as usual, taking 10-15 mins to teach a trick can mentally exhaust him, and will leave him satisfied and content. Everyone strives for a dog that is well-behaved but who can also can do some cool tricks to show off to friends, but there are so many more benefits to these simple activities.

Kamal Fernandez is a professional dog trainer and has trained dogs for over 20 years, having competed at Crufts and at competitions all over the UK. He is also a Championship Obedience judge at Crufts. He uses reward-based methods to teach dogs of all breeds everything from domestic manners, to competitions and film work. For more information: www.eastlondondogtraining.co.uk

www.eastlondondogtraining.co.uk

8. Take a bow 9. Leg weaving 10. Stand on a box This is where your dog stands on a box/phone book with their front feet and circles around the

Do you have a problem with your dog that you would like us to cover? Email us at julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015 31

E9 Magazine

Index of advertisers London Fields Fitness

Gatehouse School

The Crown pub

Greenspace life coaching

Complete Shutters

FD Plumbling and Heating

Faraday independent school

A G Price florists 17 Oaksmith picture framers

East London Ballet School

Rachel Gale, illustrator

Growing Concerns garden centre

Birtwistle & Co, architecture

Letterbox Listings small ads

Nutshell Video

Big Move estate agents

A truly local publication delivered free, every month, to 5,000 households, shops and cafés Why advertise here? Readers like the magazine and refer to it throughout the month, so your ad has maximum visibility Target an ABC1 audience No more leaflet drops Rates from £10 (see our new Letterbox Listings on the right)

07752 288405 julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk

32 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015

Page header

Letterbox Listings THE HACKNEY BUILDER property refurbishment & renovation E: thehackneybuilder@icloud.com

NEED A PLUMBER? Look no further than F D Plumbing & Heating. Call our friendly team on 020 7060 4770.

Advertise here for just £12.50 (if you choose a coloured background) Email julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk

Personal Training with Alice Train, Fuel and Love Your Body Again! 07711 498207 www.alicepteast.com

CARIBBEAN SHIPPING SPECIALISTS BARRELS DRUMS - CARTONS - CASES 07539 614406 - info@acshipping.co.uk

Cleaning and Ironing from £10 per hour Fully insured cleaners 020 8262 5878

Say it with flowers this Valentine’s Day. A G Price the florists, 217-219 Well Street, E9 6QU. 020 8986 0250

Why not advertise here? Just £10 for a three-line advert Email julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk

Three lines of text and a little colour to make your ad stand out is great value at just £12.50

Architecture Toby Birtwistle toby.birtwistle@me.com

Life coaching while walking in the park karen@greenspacecoaching.com www.greenspacecoaching.com

Are you a restaurant owner or chef? Do your dishes justice with great photos www.scrumptiousfoodphotography.com

Join WordLab Creative Writing Workshop at Victoria Park Books. Contact Sonia Lambert 07780 705349

Free BYO every Tuesday at the Empress Buy your wine at the Bottle Apostle and drink it with dinner at The Empress

Top-quality, affordable fitness London Fields Fitness Studio www.londonfieldsfitness.com

Professional dog trainer and Crufts judge Kamal Fernandez www.eastlondondogtraining.co.uk

For just £10 you can take out a small ad on the Letterbox Listings page Three lines of text to make an impact

Three lines of text and a little colour to make your ad stand out is great value at just £12.50 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015 33

Useful numbers

Police

Emergency 999 Non-emergency 101 Safer Neighbourhood 020 8721 2937

Utilities

Gas - emergency Electrical - power loss Thames Water

0800 111 999 0800 404090 0872 435 5973

Health

NHS Direct 111 Homerton Hospital 020 8510 5555 Royal London Hospital 020 7377 7000 Clockwork Pharmacy 020 8985 1717

Hackney Council numbers General number Council tax enquiries Parking enquiries Waste removal

020 8356 3000 020 8356 3154 020 8356 8877 020 8356 6688

Local councillors/MP

Local councillors (Victoria) 020 8356 3373 MP (Meg Hillier) 020 7219 5325

Library

Hackney Central Library 020 8356 4358

Victoria Park

Park Services (24/7) Victoria Park rangers

Travel

National Rail Enquiries Congestion Charge Transport for London

Vet

Goddard's, Well Street Wanstead Veterinary Hospital

020 8985 5699 020 7364 4172

08457 484950 0343 222 2222 0343 222 1234

020 8986 3918 020 8989 7744

34 E9 magazine FEBRUARY 2015

E9 Magazine is proud to support local businesses. If you do contact someone after seeing their advertisement on these pages, please mention it to them when you call.

Thinking of advertising? The magazine is delivered to 4,500 households in the area every month, and a further 500 copies are distributed to local shops, restaurants and cafés. Readership runs into thousands more. The magazine is full of great articles, useful information and is a handy guide to local businesses and services, as well as giving details about what’s on in the area. It’s something to keep through the month and is unlikely to go in the recyle bin along with doordrop leaflets. It is therefore a very effective way to promote your business to a targeted, local audience. If you would like to advertise, please contact Julie Daniels at: T: 07752 288405 E: julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: @E9magazine Find us on Facebook: facebookcom/ E9magazine

Next issue ─ March Copy deadline ─ 6 February

Nutshell Video ♦ Corporate video ♦ Training films ♦ Animation

Short films that speak volumes

♦ Videos for schools