October 2015

LOVEEAST M

A

G

October 2015

A

Z

ISSUE 20

I

N

E

Free

Designers, singers, makers

East London's multi-talented residents

Your East London – What's on – Food – People

Welcome...

0 0 3 ÂŁ % 5 9 .

0

ucher o V s i w e John L

* on Fee is is m om Sales C

To celebrate the recent opening of our newly designed flagship Victoria Park estate agency office, we are offering you a gift to make your move with us a little sweeter!

A ÂŁ300 John Lewis gift voucher and just 0.95% + vat sales commission fee* So, if you are considering selling your home, call us now or drop by and speak to one of our team.

020 8986 2222

170 Victoria Park Road, Hackney. E9 7HD enquiries@robertalanhomes.com Visit our new website for the latest properties available for sale and to rent www.robertalanhomes.com * Terms & conditions apply - please ask us about this limited offer

Welcome to your local magazine Dear neighbours What was formerly known as E9 Magazine is settling nicely into its new persona – LoveEast.

I hope you had a chance to flick through last month's edition and like the way it looks. I was lucky enough to find a great designer (ilkadickens. com) who made a fine job of giving the magazine a fresh, new, stylish look.

Because of the doubled circulation (10,000 copies going through letterboxes in E9, E8 and E3) our readership is at least double that – great news if you're part of a business that wants to reach the young professionals and families who live around here. Why not get in touch if you want to promote something over the next couple of months in the lead up to Christmas?

Meanwhile, enjoy this month's edition. Christine Preisig starts our new series on East London's makers with Barn the Spoon (p8). We have a stunning review of Typing Room at Bethnal Green Town Hall Hotel from Susan Birtwistle (p30); essential legal advice from Sangeeta Moore (p31) and reassuring words from our wellbeing columnist Karen Liebenguth (p22). Plus the What's On pages and calendar are full of great things to do throughout October and the half term.

Julie Julie Daniels T: 07752 288405 E: julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk www.nutshellpublications.co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/LoveEastMag Twitter: @LoveEastMag

CONTENTS

4

Meet Hannah Brine, founder of Victoria Park Singers

8

Art of wood carving with Barn the Spoon

16

Cook what you pick with the urban forager

20

Herbal hideaway in the heart of Hackney

25

Art & design: East London's talent on display

Cover: Hackney resident Markus Lupfer's Spring/Summer 2016 show.

To advertise in LoveEast please call 07752 288405 or email julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk for further information.

Deadline for November edition is 9 October (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. ©LoveEast all rights reserved. Magazine design, www.ilkadickens.com. No reproduction can be made without permission. Please recycle.

LOVEEAST OCTOBER 2015 3

East life Hannah was taught by some big names in the industry, including musician and TV producer Robert Howes and conductor David Lawrence. She spent time in bands, did some giggs, wrote music, and generally got a great buzz from it, while teaching and working in PR to stay afloat.

Hannah Brine, singer, conductor, songwriter and founder of Victoria Park Singers, talks to Julie Daniels "No auditions, an all-inclusive approach and a great choir leader who inspires and makes you feel that everything is possible," says one choir member. "Feeling at home is sometimes hard in London, so being a member has been extraordinary," says another.

Within seconds of meeting Hannah Brine, it was clear why she has such a loyal following at Victoria Park Singers, and why the Wednesday evening gathering at the Royal Inn on the Park is a great success. Her energy is infectious. She has warmth and charisma by the bucketload, and why woudn't you be inspired to sing in her 100-strong choir?

The winner of the recent BBC Music Day Unsung Hero Award says it's down to being surrounded by the right people; 4  LOVEEAST

people loving the same things, having the same energy. "If you love the music and love people you can't go wrong," she says.

Hannah came to London two years ago but her choir work began long before that with a hefty commute from her home town of Leicester. She was running Fosse Singers there but rose to the challenge of working in London, and set up Kensington Singers in West London. In 2013 she founded Victoria Park Singers.

Her backround, as you would expect, is all about music. She studied with the Association of British Choral Directors, as well as achieving one of the best marks for the LRSM (Licentiate of the Royal School of Music) exam. Her father conducted orchestras, and both her parents are singers.

She says there are lots of conductors doing what she's doing but doing it here is different. "The members in this choir are exceptional. I do the same thing in Kensington but it hasn't blown up in the same way it has here. I love my Kensington choir, but it's just the energy here. You've got people like Chris Rawlins (who set up Bow Foodbank); you have these very socially minded, proactive people".

Praise indeed for her choir members, but the feeling is definitely mutual.

What drew you here?

I was moving down from Leicester and wrote on Facebook that I was looking for a room with a view. As luck would have it Jess at Of Cabbages and Kings, Stoke Newington, also posted at the same time. She was looking for a new housemate and a mutual friend (or fate!) threw us together. I now live in a flat overlooking the canal. .

Does the area influence you?

It really does. I have met tons of creative and inspiring people in the area: this part of London is great for finding like-minded people, and there is always something to do. Given the choir has only been going for two years we are well supported by other musicians and events

East life in the area. There is a lot to get involved in such as Shuffle Festival, Roman Road Festival and Richard Desmond does a sterling job of organising the Big Gig in the Park which we perform at. We also support local charities including the Bow Foodbank, St Joseph's Hospice and Ingeenium.

What makes you most proud?

My singers' faces when they perform. I throw some challenging music their way and they tackle it all enthusiastically.

Knowing how hard we have worked, the performances give me a great sense of pride. That, and my parents near 100 per cent attendance record at our concerts. They're very familiar with the M1 service stations!

What are you working on now?

We've just performed at Rich Mix with Three4 and we're

“If you love music and love people, you can't go wrong” performing at the Southbank Centre on 1 October as part

of the live Moby Dick readings.

Then it's on to learning songs for Christmas – we have a busy schedule coming up including our main concert on 17 December at St John’s Hackney. We also have a gospel workshop on 8 October as part of Black History Month, with award-winning choir director Colin Anderson (which people can book via our website.

Personally, I’m writing and have another track Carry That Weight coming out soon with a producer called Genix.

Best coffee in these parts?

I am very fond of the Hub Café in Victoria Park. The supersized windows make you feel Continued overleaf...

Beautiful Plantation Shutters & Blinds

Introducing the “simply better” shutter range equally at home in contemporary or traditional interiors.

Solid hardwood shutters… at MDF prices!

25% off selected ranges Tel: 020 3418 8877 Email: sales@completeshutters.co.uk www.completeshutters.co.uk New Showroom at 90 George Lane, South Woodford, London E18 1JJ

LOVEEAST OCTOBER 2015 5

East life like you're still outside, and the owner Jam is an inspiration.

He's a hard worker but always smiling. I also like the vegan café on Broadway Market for the vegan desserts which would make even the most gluttonous carnivore happy.

Anything you would change?

Bring Boris Bikes to Homerton.

More bikes, everywhere!

Where do you eat out?

We're spoilt for choice here but I like all the little places which keep popping up in Hackney Wick, and I love Chatsworth Road market on a Sunday.

Linden's Pink Kitchen is a great little supper club, too.

If East London were human?

I'd like to think this area would be Grayson Perry, though that

The area's best-kept secret?

For me everything centres around the park. I feel lucky in a big city to be so close to nature.

could just be because I'm a fan of his. Like Grayson, it's warm, visually interesting, vibrant, always offering something new, imperfect (sorry Grayson!) and doesn't easily fit into a mould.

One word to sum up the area?

Green! And brilliant! victoriaparksingers.co.uk

What do you do at weekends?

I hit the gym and go to Columbia Road flower market on a Sunday when I can. I’m also a fan of contemporary dance at Sadler's Wells.

FountLondon is a home to a chic, urban nursery.

The type of nursery Elena and Rachel, Founders of FountLondon, wished they’d had when their children were young.

It never existed till now....

To register your little ones, please email us at: info@fountnursery.com We are still recruiting for our Wonder Team.

If you think you fit that bill then please email us now.

6 LOVEEAST

NOW OPEN St Mary of Eton Church, Eastway, E9 5JA (Entrance – new building via car park)

Free childcare places available Vacancies for qualified childcare staff Contact us for more info: eastway.preschool@yahoo.co.uk 07958 074462

‘With Roger, I have lost several stone, lots of inches and even my cynicism about those people who love exercise ... because now I am one.’

Samira

No-nonsense, friendly personal training in parks and private studio in Netil House E8 ROGER LOVE personal trainer www.hackneypt.com

LOVEEAST OCTOBER 2015 7

East London makers To begin our series looking at the work of East End artisans, Christine Preisig talks to Barn the Spoon

Barn the Spoon busy at work

In a small shop on Hackney Road surrounded by piles of wood shavings sits an impressive looking man carving spoons. His name is Barnaby Carder, better known as Barn the Spoon.

brings out beautifully crafted spoons from a chunk of green wood. “I like the simplicity of it. I’m using very basic tools to make another very basic tool,” he says.

Barn’s unusual profession came from a lifelong love of woodwork. It started in childhood when his neighbour taught him how to turn bowls. Later on he learnt all kinds of different woodwork techniques such as furniture, fence and jewellery-making.

It was about seven years ago when he began a green wood apprenticeship with a chairmaker and found his true passion – spoon carving. And spoons are what Barn is now famous for.

It looks simple but there's obviously a lot of skill involved. For Barn, his craft has two elements.

One is to make a functional household item that people can buy. The other is that he sees his spoons as art. “They're folk sculptures. I like making lots of little spoons for a tenner that dance around someone’s kitchen.

People can have a different kind of relationship with a practical item such as a spoon as opposed to a sculpture you see at a museum.”

With just an axe for shaping the outline of the spoon and a bent knife for carving the bowl he

Before he opened his East London shop three years ago, Barn sold his spoons on the street as a pedlar. He is proud to be able to make a living out of carving spoons. “I was willing to sacrifice a lot so I could just hang out and make spoons. But luckily I don’t need a lot of money. I don’t buy things.”

“They're folk sculptures"

The spoons are exclusively sold at the shop at 260 Hackney Rd, E2 7SJ. barnthespoon.com Barn also owns a little woodwork school where he collaborates with other craftspeople. Details: thegreenwoodguild.com 8 LOVEEAST

What's on in October MON

TUES

WEDS

THURS

Weekly 6.45-7.45pm and 8-9pm. Vinyasa flow and Hatha yoga with Nadia.

Chargeable class.

Email missbocheva@ gmail.com

6

Weekly Vinyasa flow with Nadia at Chisenhale Dance Studio, 64-84 Chisenhale Road, E3.

Email missbocheva@ gmail.com

Weekly 1-3pm. Knitting at Vicky Park Community Centre.

5 Gore Road, E9. Free.

26

It's half term and the fun begins!

26

12noon-3pm.

Pumpkin carving.

It's time to get your scare on and get into Halloween. Make your own petrifying pumpkin! Meet at the Hub community room, Victoria Park.

7-8.30pm. Victoria Park Friends Group AGM, St Paul's Church, St Stephen's Road, E3.

13

10-11.30am.

Storytime for under 5s. Victoria Park Community Centre, 5 Gore Road, E9. Free.

27

12-3pm. Creepy crafts. Scary spiders, blood curdling bats, ghastly ghosts. Meet at Hub community room, Victoria Park.

27

10.30-12.30pm.

Creepy creatures in Tower Hamlets Cemetary Park. Make your own sticky snake and beastly bat to take home. £4 per child (£2 for each additional sibling). 4+ THCP, Soanes Centre, Southern Grove, E3.

Book: fothcp.org/ events-training

27

10.30-11.30am.

Toddler Tempo.

Music, singing and movement for toddlers. Hub 67, 67 Rothbury Road, E3. 07480 922843 sallyhub67@gmail. com

7, 14

3.30-7pm Pizza Club with outdoor clay oven. Bring your favourite toppings, Canal Club Gardening Group, Belmont Wharf, Waterloo Gdns, E2.

1

10am-4pm. Short intensive introduction to bike mechanics at Hub 67. bikeworks.org.uk

1

7

7.30pm Rozi Plain – London-based alt folk singersongwriter, £10.45 advance. St John of Bethnal Green, E3. roziplain.co.uk.

21

10.30-12.30pm.

Catch up with some gossip over coffee and cake at Victoria Park Community Centre, 5 Gore Road, E9. Free.

28

Weekly 1-5pm. Paper craft workshop, St Margaret's House, 21 Old Ford Road, E2. Free.

12 noon-2pm.

Ghastly games. Try your hand at apple bobbing and play slimy lucky dip.

Meet at the Hub community room, Victoria Park.

6pm. Closing event of residency and exhibition of artist Ilia Rogatchevski Bell Culture. St John of Bethnal Green, E3. Free.

1

10am-6pm. Artists and artisans of the East End. Well Hung, 239 Hoxton Street, N1 (till 1 Nov)

8

6.30pm. Childhood nostalgia quiz. £6. vam.ac.uk/moc/whatson

8

9.30-1pm. Forage in TH Cemetary. Book: fothcp. org/events-training

29

10.30-12pm. Spooky stories at TH Cemetary Park, Soanes Centre, Southern Grove, E3.

LOVEEAST OCTOBER 2015 9

G.E.M.s. It is her passion that has inspired us to find the most suitable shoe brands we can find. Her advice is to choose wide, lightweight, flexible shoes that don’t taper at the toes and that are as adjustable as possible.

Tracy’s and our advice is to let your children walk barefoot as often as possible. This will develop the muscles and ligaments in the foot, which increases the strength of the foot's arch – improving proprioception (awareness the body's position) and contributing to good posture.

Regular shoe fitting and podiatry check-ups are essential for healthy children's feet, says Alex Tham

Kids' feet are often taken for granted and that's especially true with smaller children who are particularly vulnerable to damage caused by shoes that don't fit properly.

This is because a child’s foot is formed with soft cartilage-like bones which harden over time, gradually fusing together to form fully over the years.

Poor foot health and inappropriate shoes can cause major problems later in life. It is essential to have your children's shoes fitted, together with regular check-ups and proper advice on feet and footwear while they are young.

10 LOVEEAST

At Little G.E.M.s we feel it is important to offer shoes that promote healthy feet from baby’s first shoe, right through to secondary school age when, realistically, style usually wins over performance.

Look after your children's health with podiatrist-endorsed footwear and regular foot check-ups. We are also offering a free drop-in clinic at Little G.E.M.s with Tracy Byrne on the first Friday of each month as part of our commitment to healthy feet for kids.

Next drop-in cinic is on Friday, 2 October from 2pm-4pm, Little G.E.M.s, 243 Victoria Park Road, E9 7HD. littlegemsboutique.com tracybyrne.co.uk

It is this commitment that naturally led us to collaborate with podiatrist Tracy Byrne, who specialises in podopaediatrics (infant foot care and development) and who also consults for Bobux and Skeanies on shoe design.

Tracy has been instrumental in educating us, and in turn we have taken this knowledge to inform our purchasing for Little

Tracy Byrne, podiatrist

Advertorial

Big news for little feet

Culture corner It's not just cool for kids at the Museum of Childhood If you haven’t been to the museum in Bethnal Green it’s a must for all ages – and no, you don’t have to have kids to enjoy what's on offer. This autumn there are great exhibitions and events for young and old.

For those of you who grew up during the 70s, 80s and 90s and know your toys, TV ads and shows, the museum is holding a childhood nostalgia quiz, hosted by Londonist editor-

Photo: V&A Museum, London

at-large Matt Brown, on Thursday, 8 October (tickets £6). Why not get together with your friends or colleagues and book a table? The bar will be open from 6.30pm.

Some toys have a spooky reputation and during November the museum is offering grown-ups haunted evening tours – for those who dare to enter after dark. Book now as tickets will sell out quickly (£7).

If you do have children and you’re looking for a day out at half term (26-30 October), as part of the Big Draw there will be a range of free drop-in activities for all ages, and workshops for children aged 5-12 (£5 per child) around the theme of Every Drawing tells a Story.

There will also be a Halloween spooky party on Saturday, 31 October – dressing up a must.

V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA. For full details on all events visit vam.ac.uk/moc/whatson

Take a walk through local history and literature Over the summer holidays you may have noticed a group of adults and children wandering around Central Hackney and Stoke Newington peering at landmarks and talking animatedly about books and historical facts. This was the inaugural project for Story Habit, a collaboration between two local companies, LandSky CIC and Victoria Park Books.

Our walks started from Hackney Central Library, and Stoke Newington Library (both partners in the project) and were circular, taking in local points of interest like St Augustine’s Tower and Abney Park Cemetery. We learned about the fly tower in the Hackney Empire, and the first ever London school bus, which took 25 Quaker girls from their school, Newington Academy, to the City to worship.

At each point we talked about good books that shared something in common with the particular local site, so by the end we had brains buzzing with amazing details about Hackney, and a fabulous list of wonderful books to buy or borrow from the library.

You can access the list here or enquire about our next walk at storyhabit.co.uk

Joanna de Guia LOVEEAST OCTOBER 2015 11

Noticeboard Hackney City Farm is celebrating

One of East London's most precious places has received £9,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The much-needed money will help to archive the farm’ s history. Original photographs, documents and artefacts unearthed during recent celebrations for the farm's 30th birthday will be donated to Hackney Archives. Farm volunteers will receive training in website production, recording, interpreting and archiving and use these new skills to share the heritage. A new online resource store, a self-guide map and a “usable farm feature” built by students at the University of East London will celebrate this unique archiving project. Photo: farm worker Emma with Clover the donkey. For more information or to register as a volunteer, go to: hackneycityfarm.co.uk

What are your memories of our canals?

Would you like to help capture the history of our local heritage?

Laburnum Boat Club wants to talk to people who have memories of the Regent’s and the Hertford Union canals. If you have lived or worked by the canals and have stories to tell, please get in touch. Volunteers are also needed to help with researching the project and you'll develop skills such as archival research, photography, interview techniques, as well as providing guided walks. The project is supported by funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Photo: Cambridge Heath Bridge courtesy of London Canal Museum. Interested in getting involved?

Contact Carolyn Clarke 07773 784517 info@shoreditchtales.com

Midcentury East show

10am-4pm, Sunday, 11 October. The Midcentury East show returns to Erno Goldfinger's iconic Haggerston School building. There will be over 60 dealers of midcentury furniture, ceramics, glass, wallpaper, vintage fabrics, industrial, clocks, collectable posters and much more. The organisers are offering two tickets for £10 from 2pm, a great introduction to those who haven't been to the show before. Haggerston School, Weymouth Terrace, E2 8LS.

modernshows.com

12 LOVEEAST

Extra hour half an ’s for L boating o read veEast ers i f yo show this u ad

Rowing boats and pedalos for hire, Victoria Park West Lake ROBERT HAWKINS Ceramic Versions 7 Nov - 13 Dec 2015

THE RESIDENCE GALLERY, 229 Victoria Park Road, E9 7HD, Thurs-Sat 11-6, Sun 12-5, 02089850321, www.residence-gallery.com

Regal Boat Hire Ltd 07852 127895 info@regalboathire.co.uk

Faraday School Independent Prep School

Old Gate House 7 Trinity Buoy Wharf London E14 0FH

Tel: 020 7719 9342 Pupils' attainment “is judged to be well above national age-related expectations” ISI Inspection Report Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Creative, independent preparatory school Strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy Rigorous approach to learning Outstanding pastoral care Confident and articulate pupils

Fee for the Academic Year 2015/16 £2,930 per term To find out more, or to register, please contact

admissions@faradayschool.co.uk- T: 020 8965 7374 Late Care Until 5.30pm - Daily School Bus Run (including south of the river)

nms

www.faradayschool.co.uk LOVEEAST OCTOBER 2015 13

What to do Swimming London Fields Lido offer swimming lessons and they’ve started offering stages 3-8 swimming classes again. Go to www.betterlessons.org.uk for details and booking. Plus of course, there's Mile End Leisure Centre, York Hall in Bethnal Green and the gorgeous Aquatics Centre at the QE2 Olympic Park.

Farms At city farms 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 Children’s Centres There are many, including 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).

Meath Gardens Children's Centre, 1 Smart Street, E2; Mile End Leisure Centre, The One O'Clock Club (Victoria Park near the boating lake); Overland Children's Centre, 60 Parnell Road, E3.

Tennis Junior tennis at Victoria Park. Book at www. towerhamletstennis.org.uk Hackney City Tennis Clubs organise various tennis classes in Hackney, including in London Fields, Haggerston park and Hackney Downs. www.hackneytennis.co.uk Baby yoga From 6 weeks to one year. Baby-focused class using a mix of massage, classical yoga postures, stretches and balances adapted exactly to their stage of growth. Accompanied by well-known 14 LOVEEAST

songs and rhymes to make the exercises fun and interactive. Fridays,The Royal Inn on the Park, Lauriston Road E9.10.45am-11.45am. £6.50 per class. Karen: first-touchmassage@hotmail.co.uk or call 07902 227669.

Art Artist Katherine Tulloh runs an art club for children. Classes take place after school in term time only. Sessions for 5-7-year- olds on Wednesdays 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 Singing Angel Voices, tunes for toddlers. Tuesdays, 9.45am-11am in term-time at St. Michael’s and All Angels in London Fields (Landsdown Drive).

No charge, but donations welcome. If interested, contact Connie on 07830 349362.

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. They also run a great programme of afterschool dance classes, break dance, street dance contemporary and creative dance.

Check out www.facebook.com/ hackneychildrenstheatre Capoeira Brazilian martial art. Wednesdays, 5pm-6pm (5-11-year-olds). New Kingshold Community Centre, 49 Ainsworth Road, E9.

Acting Try Hackney Forge on a Wednesday morning.

Cbeebies actress Samantha Seager runs acting classes for little tots. Try a free taster class. www.actingbugs.co.uk

with the kids 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.

Street Dance:Tuesdays 4pm-5pm (5-11 yearolds), Fridays 6pm-8pm (11-19 year-olds). New Kingshold Community Centre, 49 Ainsworth Road, London, E9.

Fitness Fitness for young’uns, Thursdays, 7pm-8pm (5-11 year-olds). New Kingshold Community Centre, 49 Ainsworth Road, E9.

Kicking Monday afternoon Kickboxing for 3-5 and 6-11-year-olds at the Hackney Forge.

Call Maria for details on 07872 188 655.

Museums Free drop-in activities every day at The Museum of Childhood, including arts and crafts, tours, trails and storytelling. For ages 3-12 years.

Cambridge Heath Road, E2. There's always something interesting happening at the Ragged School Museum, 46-50 Copperfield Road, E3.

Sutton House is not only beautiful but fun for the kids, too. Exhibitions, treasure hunts, puppets and costumes. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/suttonhouse/

Cinema Hackney Picturehouse Kids’ Club is for ages 3-12 years. Membership £4 a year, including the first visit free. Tickets for members and accompanying adults are £1.50 each. www.picturehouses.co.uk/ cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse Adventure Homerton Adventure Playground. Kids can run around, climb, jump, roll, balance, scream, play with mud and water, make things, destroy things, dress up, read, be quiet. The staff are trained professionals whose role is to support the children in their play. Opening times: AprilOctober, term-time: Tuesday to Friday, 3.30pm7pm and Saturday 12noon-5pm. Entrances in Brooksby’s Walk/Chatsworth Road or Wardle Street, E9.

O p So en on ing !

Music Piccolo music for babies and toddlers, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the V&A building in Victoria Park. Toddler class 10am, baby class 11am. Just drop in. Stefanie on 07708 451 314.

Suzuki Hub runs music lessons for kids (violin, viola, cello, flute). Suzuki Hub, 116 Weymouth Terrace, E2 8LR. www.suzukihub.com

Award winning classes for 0-5 yrs

At Gymboree our focus is on encouraging and nurturing your baby in every aspect of their development, with you right by their side. We offer a variety of fun and sensory led classes from newborn to 5years.

Gymboree classes are designed by experts in early childhood development to help young children learn as they play.

Book your FREE trial class today!

Gymboree Bethnal Green bethnalgreen@gymboree-uk.com

020 7537 2901 / 07966 227583 59-61 Roman Road, London, E2 0QN gymboree-uk.com

LOVEEAST OCTOBER 2015 15

Urban forager

Rosehips (left), apple bircher (centre) made from crab apples (right).

October is the start of autumn and a forager's delight, writes Elinor Brett This month is a special time for foragers. The berries and stone fruits of late summer are now only visible in their jars of gin and jam, but there are plenty more wild foods coming into season.

Rosehips are abundant across East London, and although they are fiddly to wash and deseed, they can be used to create delicate syrups, jellies, sauces, tarts and even soup. They are so high in vitamin C that during World War Two the Ministry of Health organised large-scale rosehip cordial distribution.

Another favourite of mine is crab apples, which are, among other virtues, fantastic for bees. The shape, colour and flavour of the fruit on different trees varies enormously, from tiny, mouthpuckeringly sour marbles, to surprisingly sweet, pink-blushed ping pong balls. The only way to find out is to taste them, so have a nibble before you take a bagful home.

Crab apples are generally ready when they begin to drop from the tree, and you will find them in locations from Hackney Marshes to Mile End and Victoria parks, as well as in lots of spots along the towpath. Keep an eye out for other orchard fruits while you are looking – there are plenty of selfseeded apples available, and, if you look closely enough, even some pears.

16 LOVEEAST

Remember: if you don’t recognise it, don’t pick it – some wild foods are poisonous. Wash your bounty well, and take it from the tree rather than the ground. Only take a small proportion of what is on offer and never strip a plant bare – birds and animals need the blossoms, berries and nuts more than we do.

For more foraging suggestions go to: hotbutteredmackerel.squarespace.com Instagram@hotbutteredmackerel

Crab apple bircher – serves two This is a great recipe for sour apples, with the tart oats balanced by creamy yoghurt and sweet apple purée.

Wash 500g crab apples or wild apples, cut in half and put into a large stainless steel saucepan with 500ml of water and the zest of a lemon. Bring to the boil and simmer until reduced to a pulp.

Balance a sieve over a large bowl, add the pulp and press with a fork to squeeze out the liquid. Set the liquid aside and return the pulp to the pan with 250g sugar. Bring to the boil and simmer for another 30 minutes until thickened, then whizz with a stick blender.

Use the reserved juice to soak 150g oats overnight. Serve the oats topped with Greek yoghurt, nuts and a large spoonful of apple purée. Any leftover purée will keep in the fridge for a week.

LOVEEAST OCTOBER 2015 17

MON

TUES

WEDS

October

Art events General events Outdoor events

THURS

1 Get knitting, p9 Paper craft, p9 Build a bike, p9 Artists of East End, p9

5

6

7

8

Vinyasa flow, p9

Vic Park Friends AGM,

Pizza Club, p9

p9

Rozi Plain, folk singer, p9

Childhood nostalgia quiz, p9

Vinyasa flow, p9

Wild wood forage, p9

12

13

14

15

Vinyasa flow, p9

Storytime, under 5s, p9

Pizza Club, p9

Get knitting, p9

Vinyasa flow, p9

19

20

Vinyasa flow, p9

21

22

Vinyasa flow, p9

Get knitting, p9

Coffee morning, p9

26

27

28

29

Vinyasa flow, p9

Toddler tempo, p9

Vinyasa flow, p9

Spooky stories, p9

Creepy creatures, p9

Ghastly games, p9

Get knitting, p9

Pumpkin carving, p9 18 LOVEEAST

Creepy crafts, p9

FRI

SAT

SUN

2

3

4

Computer skills club, p29 Free kids' podiatry, p10, 29 Building a bike, p29 Skyway After School Hub, p29 Art of Ageing Exhib, p29

Vintage pound sale, p29 Fun Palace at Half Moon, p29 WorkShop open day, 77A Lauriston Road, noon-6pm Kitchen gardening, p29

9

10

11

Kids' clothes swap, p29

Junior wildlife club, p29

Computer skills club, p29

Ancient Greek supper club, p29

Midcentury East show, p12 and p29 Free mindfulness for older people, p29

Orphaned Land, Israeli rock band, p29

Affordable vintage, p29 Hackney record fair, p29 Vintage pound sale, p29

16

17

18

Computer skills club, p29

An apple affair, p29

Fungi foray, p29

Autumn tree walk, p29

23

24

25

Computer skills club, p29

Make your Mark on Vicky

Old Dalston Market, p29

Kids' clothes swap, p29

Park p29

30

31

Pumpkin party, p29

East End walking tour, p29

Computer skills club, p29

Halloween spooky party, p29

Park after dark, p29 LOVEEAST OCTOBER 2015 19

Green spaces Photos: www.scrumptiousfoodphotography.com

A herbal retreat could be the healthy antidote to the hustle and bustle of the city, says Rhowena MacCuish

If you are looking for a perfect hideaway, while learning more about herbs, then Hackney Herbal might be just up your street. It's a project run

by Cordwainer's Grow, located just beside the London College of Fashion on Mare Street, and it aims to connect local communities with nature and the environment.

After seeing many unused herb plants in public, private and community spaces, the project's founder, Nat Mady, decided to start getting the word out about just how many great herbs there are and how we could be doing so much more than just pairing them with food in our kitchens.

"I've always been interested in the environment and sustainability, and enjoy being close to nature," she says. "After joining the community garden I realised I actually loved being involved with the community, too, sharing knowledge and helping people became just as important."

Hackney Herbal work with other local groups to bring herbal tea-tasting and tea-making workshops to local community centres, as well as

schools. The workshops provide a friendly place for young and old to learn new skills and socialise with the rest of the community.

They have also started working with Tiosk of Broadway Market, to create refreshing healthy dried herbal tea infusions, the proceeds of which help to fund health and wellbeing workshops organised in partnership with the Centre for Better Health.

Hackney Herbal would love to hear from anyone who wants to learn more about herbs and how to use them to their full potential, as well as from people interested in getting involved in community projects. cordwainersgrow.org.uk/project/ hackney-herbal

Nat Mady of Hackney Herbal

20  LOVEEAST

Look out for An Apple Affair with Grow Hackney in Hackney Wick on 17 October, where Hackney Herbal will be celebrating the birthday of the English herbalist, Nicholas Culpeper, with a workshop inspired by his book, Complete Herbal (see p29).

“Just about the friendliest workout space

imaginable, with a diverse range of clients including local creatives, young families and

a sprinkling of celebs, London Fields Fitness Studio prides itself on its drop-in, pay-andgo format.”

- Time Out

£20=65+classes p/month

FIND OUT MORE AT londonfieldsfitness.com / @londonfieldsfit

LOVEEAST OCTOBER 2015 21

Wellbeing

As the summer holidays fade into the distant memory, many of us will be in full swing with our regular battle with time. There just never seems to be enough of it to do all the things we want to do in a day.

But whenever we feel that we haven’t got time, what’s really going on is that we have made a choice to spend our time on something else.

What we need to do is ensure that we are happy with how we choose to spend our time.

I recommend simplifying and letting go – spending time only on the things we want and need; the things that add value and meaning to our day – letting go of all the rest.

Reassess your week For the next week pay close attention – maybe make some notes – to all the things you are fitting into 24 hours. How are you spending your time online: email, games, internet searches,

Advertorial

As the post-summer pace begins to quicken, perhaps it's time to simplify and let go, says local life coach, Karen Liebenguth

social media…? What busy activities are you doing (including work)? How much TV are you watching? What are you reading? How much time do you spend cleaning, caring for other people?

How much time do you spend driving around or commuting to and from work?

At the end of the week, review your notes. Look at how you spend your time and chuck some of the stuff out.

It’s worth pointing out that we often have unrealistic ideals which we place on ourselves or feel that others place upon us – things that we think we should or ought to do or what we think others expect of us.

Only by checking if own expectations are relevant, realistic and valid, and by being aware of what we think others expect of us, can we begin the process of letting go.

Karen Liebenguth offers 1:1 coaching while walking in Victoria Park; team-building workshops and mindfulness courses to reduce stress and restore wellbeing.

Get in touch for more information and visit greenspacecoaching.com for wellbeing tips and mindfulness exercises.

Book a free taster coaching session by emailing karen@greenspacecoaching.com or call 07815 591279.

22 LOVEEAST

Big days or little days, we can help make them perfect www.agpriceflowers.co.uk 217-219 Well Street, E9 6QU 020 8986 0250

LOVEEAST OCTOBER 2015 23

Photo: Mark Hawksbridge / City and Hackney Mind

Mental health

Stressed and need someone to talk to? Help is at hand, says Alethea Cope We’ve all heard the statistic. One in four of us will struggle with a mental health problem in any given year.

Locally, the picture is even more concerning. Hackney has the second highest prevalence of mental health problems in London, and Tower Hamlets’ mental health-related admission rates are the fifth highest.

Of course, this is undeniably a national concern. In 2011, stress overtook musculoskeletal 24 LOVEEAST

problems as the main cause of sickness absence in the workplace. But despite the mental health debate gaining airtime, cuts to public services and an overwhelming amount of information means it can be confusing to try to access the right support.

The good news is that help is out there. In Hackney and the City of London a new service is offering residents free, highquality therapeutic programmes to enhance mental wellbeing.

From yoga, mindfulness and complementary therapies, to art, music and nutrition, the City and Hackney Wellbeing Network (led by City and Hackney Mind and commissioned by Hackney Council) offers free support to develop greater wellbeing.

Similarly, if you live in Tower Hamlets or Newham, support is available through Mind in Tower Hamlets and Newham (mithn. org.uk), who offer a wide range of services.

These organisations are making sure that mental health remains firmly on the public agenda through awarenessraising campaigns such as World Mental Health Day on 10 October.

To mark the occasion, City and Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group are hosting "Five to Thrive" week. The week promotes five actions, namely "take notice", "connect", "give", "keep learning" and "be active" – all ways to enhance emotional resilience. During the week, City and Hackney Mind will be hosting a range of events to promote mindfulness, a practice scientifically proven to reduce anxiety and low mood.

Short mindfulness tasters will be held across Hackney with schools, council staff and community groups all getting involved. cityandhackneymind.org.uk chwellbeingnetwork.london Alethea Cope works at City and Hackney Mind.

Art and design Fashion designer Markus Lupfer and artist Alex Chinneck – both East London residents – show off their latest creations

Flowers in the desert was the theme to Markus Lupfer's Spring Summer 2016 show, above and left and, below, Alex Chinneck's 35-metre installation Bullet from a Shooting Star on display at Greenwich Peninsula.

LOVEEAST OCTOBER 2015 25

Fitness If you are more experienced, you can use intervals to increase your anaerobic fitness (short duration, high-intensity exercise lasting anywhere from seconds up to around two minutes).

Working in short bursts followed by low-intensity recovery helps build this type of fitness, which is particularly useful for sport.

A classic way is Tabata Intervals, developed by a Tokyo professor, used by, among others, Japanese speed-skaters. You do 20 seconds of highly-intense activity, followed by 10 seconds of recovery for eight rounds.

Roger Love continues our A-Z of fitness with... I

They key is to make the 20 seconds as intense as possible. Exercises that could be used include sprint running or cycling, tuck jumps, burpees or skipping. For the rest, you could jog on the spot or cruise on your bike.

Interval training

To make it easier to keep track of the timings, you could get a Tabata timer (often for free) for smart phones or you could buy a physical intervals stopwatch, such as those made by Gymboss.

Using alternating periods of high and low-intensity activity is a brilliant way to get started in exercise and improve your fitness.

It works well for beginners starting to run (it’s the basis for apps such as Couch to 5K), and for experienced exercisers trying to improve their anaerobic fitness, which allows them to perform high-intensity activity for a short period of time.

Intensity To help with your intervals you can use the Rated Perceived Exertion Scale or RPE. It rates your effort between 1 and 10.

You could start walking or steady running, say for two minutes, and then do a faster interval of 30 seconds. However hard it feels, you know there will be an easier part along soon.

1 2 3 4 5/6 7 8 9 10

You could plan your intervals by how intensely you are working (see Intensity, below), doing your steady intervals at an effort of 6 out of 10, and your fast intervals at 8 out of 10.

My clients would warm up on a 2-4, and then do their main workout between 6-9, depending on their individual needs. You can use this scale to plan your intervals (see above).

If you want to start running, interval training is one of the best ways to get your body, mind and aerobic fitness stronger.

Over time, you will get faster on each of your intervals (while remaining on your 6 or 8 out of 10) and could reduce the time of the steady intervals and increase the time of the fast ones.

26 LOVEEAST

= = = = = = = = =

Rest Very light Fairly light Moderate Somewhat hard Hard Very hard Extremely hard Maximal effort; must stop soon

Roger Love is based at Netil House in Hackney. www.hackneypt.com

Your safety is our concern The most comprehensive lock-based service available

www.empiresecuritylondon.com 020 8986 7921 8-20 Well Street, London, E9 7PX

William Place Dental Practice 0208 821 2830 William Place, Bow, London, E3 5ED reception@williamplacedental.co.uk • • • •

quality dental care preventive and cosmetic dentistry tooth whitening dental hygienist and oral health educator services • emergency appointments • long opening hours • Saturday appointments • competitive prices LOVEEAST OCTOBER 2015 27

What to eat Pan-fried grey mullet with braised fennel, celeriac & mussel velouté – serves 4 people

Illustration: www.rachelgale.com

Method First quarter the fennel, trimming the root but leaving it intact. Place in a small pan, cover with water and add a good pinch of salt, a knob of butter, a bay leaf and a couple of black peppercorns. Bring to a simmer, then cook on a very low heat until soft. Take off and allow the fennel to cool in the liquor.

While the fennel is cooking, peel the celeriac and cut into 1" cubes. Bring to boil a pan of salted water with a knob of butter, a sprig of rosemary, a bay leaf and a couple of peppercorns in it. Add the celeriac and gently boil for a few minutes until soft, then allow to cool in the liquor.

Next, clean the mussels by removing the beard and scrubbing the shells to remove any barnacles.

Rinse well. Place a large pan on a medium heat for a couple of minutes. Meanwhile, chop the shallots and garlic and sweat them in the pan with a knob of butter. Add the mussels, a small glass of white wine and a splash of the fennel cooking liquor.

Cover the pan and cook gently for a minute or two until all the mussel shells have opened. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and place on a tray to cool, keeping most of liquor in the pan. Strain the liquor through a very fine sieve and reserve.

In a saucepan, melt a knob of butter and two teaspoons of plain flour. Mix together to form a smooth paste, then slowly whisk in the mussel 28 LOVEEAST

Ingredients

4 150g pieces of grey mullet, skin on 500g mussels 1 large bulb of fennel 1 medium celeriac 200g trimmed French beans 2 cloves of garlic 2 large shallots Butter Double cream White wine Plain flour Salt & pepper (and peppercorns) Rosemary, bay leaves liquor until a velvety sauce is formed. Finish with a drop of cream and check the seasoning.

To finish the dish, first remove the fennel and celeriac from the liquor and heat a frying pan till very hot. Place the fennel flat side down and add the cubes of celeriac. Add some butter. Fry gently until they start to colour. Keep warm.

Place the mullet on a plate and season generously with salt and pepper, ready to be cooked.

Remove the mussel meat from the shells and add to the sauce. Keep warm. Heat a heavy frying pan till very hot, add a splash of vegetable oil. Place the fillets of fish skin side down. Gently press each fillet with your fingers to ensure the skin cooks evenly. After 2-3 minutes add a knob of butter and gently free the fish from the pan with a palette knife. Flip them over to finish the cooking.

Finally, cook the French beans in rapidly boiling salted water for 2-3 minutes, then drain and toss in a little butter.

Loosely arrange a piece of fennel and the celeriac between four warm plates. Scatter the beans over the fennel and celeriac, then spoon on the mussel velouté. Finally place a piece of mullet on top and lightly drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.

Andrew "Muzzy" Carruthers Muzzy is head chef, The Morgan Arms, 43 Morgan Street, E3. morganarmsbow.com

What's on in Octobers FRI Weekly 2-4pm. Computer Club at VP Community Centre, 5 Gore Road.

Weekly 4-5pm. Afterschool Hub. Drama, sport, dance movies, art. Hub 67, 67 Rothbury Road, E9.

2

10am-4pm. Bike mechanics at Hub 67. bikeworks.org.uk

2

2-4pm. Paediatric podiatry. Little Gems, 243 Victoria Park Road, E9. Free.

2

Art of Ageing: whitechapelgallery. org/first-thursdays/ exhibitions/the-art-ofageing/ (until 1 Nov)

9, 23

9am-12. Kids' clothes exchange. Hub 67, 67 Rothbury Road, E9.

30

5-8pm. Park after dark. Scary night-time tour. Not for under 5s.

Book: victoriapark@ towerhamlets.gov.uk

30

4-5.30pm. Pumpkin party, Hub 67, 67 RothburyRoad, E9.

SAT Weekly 10am-1pm. Come help out at VP kitchen garden, outdoor classroom, St Agnes Gate, E9.

3

SAT

SUN

versatile fruit. Music, food, entertainment.

98c Wallis Road, E9. facebook.com/ GrowHackney

4

4

17

10am-4pm. Family fun day at Half Moon Theatre, 43 White Horse Road, E1. halfmoon.org.uk

1.30-3.30pm.

Autumn tree walk in Vicky Park. Spaces limited. 020 7364 4504 victoriapark@ towerhamlets.gov.uk

3

24

11am-6pm. Vintage pound sale. 452-454 Robeson Street, E3.

10

7pm. Orphaned Land – Israeli hard-rock band working to break down the barriers between Jews and Muslims, £19.25. St John of Bethnal Green, E2. orphaned-land. com

11-1pm. Make your mark on Vicky Park.

Help carry out some conservation. Meet at Outdoor Classroom, St Agnes Gate.

31

10.30-12.30pm.

Junior wildlife club. victoriapark@ towerhamlets.gov.uk for details.

1-3pm. The Real East End: a walking tour.

Join members of the Tower Hamlets Cemetary Club to learn about some buried residents, including some notorious characters. £8/£5 concessions.

Soanes Centre, Southern Grove, E3.

Book: fothcp.org/ events-training

10

31

10

Ancient Greek Supper Club. £35. isleofolive. co.uk

17

It's An Apple Affair.

Celebration of this

11am-6pm. Vintage pound sale. 452-454 Robeson Street, E3.

Spooky Halloween party at the Museum of Childhood. Dressing up a must. vam.ac.uk/ moc/whatson

10.30am. Affordable vintage fair. Vintage fashion, accessories, homeware. York Hall, Bethnal Green, E2.

4

11am. Hackney Record Fair. EPIC Dalston, 1315 Stoke Newington Road, N16.

11

10-4pm. Midcentury East show, Haggerson School, E2.

11

2-4.30pm. Mindfulness mediation for older people. Ideas Store, 321 Whitechapel Road, E1. Free.

18

2-4pm. Fungi foray at TH Cemetary Park, Soanes Centre, Southern Grove, E3.

Free

25

10am. Old Dalston Market. Salvaged, one-of-a-kind, handmade items. EPIC Dalston, 13-15 Stoke Newington Road, N16.

LOVEEAST OCTOBER 2015 29

East End bites

Typing Room

Head chef Lee Wescott at work

It was a Friday night when we ventured into what used to be Bethnal Green Town Hall.

Bethnal Green’s main claim to fame is its infamous sons, the Kray twins, and by chance we happened to arrive here immediately after seeing Legend, the film about Ronnie and Reggie. While they were managing their gangland empire, this imposing building would have been registering births, deaths and marriages.

The film was two and a half hours, and a tasting menu of seven courses here, slightly longer. This was the only similarity between the two because once seated inside it was immediately hard to remember that outside you have a housing estate, a boxing club and a fried chicken takeaway on the doorstep. This place feels more West End than East. Ron and Reg wouldn’t have Adam and Eve’d it.

30 LOVEEAST

In their day this magnificent Portland stone building would have stood out like a sore thumb, and even though the neighborhood has changed, it still does. It’s now a rather grand hotel and restaurant and the diners weren't the kind you regularly see walking down this stretch of Bethnal Green Road.

You can eat à la carte, but on the night we went it was a taster menu – either five courses or seven. Taster menus aren’t really my thing, possibly because they're a bit precious, take too long and are potentially a little dull because everyone’s eating the same thing.

been anywhere around here that is this good. It was like being in Paris where waiting is considered a profession.

They were unfazed by my demands (I’m on a regime at the moment, so no wheat, no dairy, no sugar and no fruit, but I mentioned the wheat and dairy), and neither was the awardwinning chef Lee Westcott. He’s brilliant and it was a treat to watch him and his team work together in the open kitchen.

His reputation is one of the most inventive and innovative chefs in East London, and he builds outrageously intricate dishes from local produce.

Even the sourdough roll was the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, like a puffed up exotic mushroom served with marmite butter and popped wheat.

Every plate was a pleasure. We ate celeriac, pear, fermented mushroom; mackerel with burnt cucumber; yeasted cauliflower (my favourite); John Dory with watercress, mushrooms and mussels (also my favourite) and roe deer, beetroot with cabbage and blackberry. Pudding was a truly exotic apple upon apple upon apple medley.

The boy done good, I’m rather liking this bit of East End snazz.

Tasting menu: Seven courses: £75 a head.

Five courses: £60 a head.

Well those concerns didn’t last, and the seven course menu was chosen. The flashiness of those Krays must have rubbed off on us.

Lunch menu : From £24 for two courses

It is lovely. The service here is properly good. I haven’t

Town Hall Hotel, Patriot Square, E2. typingroom.com

Susan Birtwistle

Legal eagle Advertorial

new will your estate may pass to people you do not necessarily want to benefit.

Divorce It may come as a surprise that divorce does not revoke your will entirely. Any gift you leave to your ex-wife/husband or ex-civil partner will fail as they are regarded as having "died" on the date the divorce was finalised. Equally, if you appointed them as your executor, they will not be able to act in this capacity. You need to appoint new executors and look at how else you want to distribute your estate.

Review your will when your circumstances change, advises Sangeeta Moore Making a will is essential if we want to manage our affairs properly. It is an invaluable tool, helping family and loved ones have a less stressful time after we have died. In fact, it's such a valuable document that many of us unwisely keep it permanently locked away.

Throughout our lives we experience many changes that can alter our priorities, including how we want to pass on our wealth and possessions. It therefore makes sense to review our wills regularly, making sure it reflects changing circumstances and wishes.

Let's look at some of the life events that should prompt us to review our wills.

New additions to the family New parents will need to appoint guardians for their children. The best place to do this is in your will. Grandparents on the other hand may consider setting up trusts for their grandchildren or leaving them a gift in their will.

Marriage If you get married your existing will is revoked in its entirety. This means that if you do not make a

Relocation Countries have their own specific rules on how your estate passes down to your family.

Therefore, if you have moved from another part of the world – even from Ireland or Scotland – you need to review your will. Your Irish, Scottish or foreign will may not be valid in England.

Increased wealth You may come into money through various means, such as winning the lottery or being left a large sum of money. This will increase your personal estate and affect the amount of inheritance tax you will have to pay. You can mitigate this tax by taking a fresh look at your will and planning your estate.

Changes in the law Each new change in the law may have implications for the amount of tax payable on your estate.

Regular reviews are essential to make sure that your will is up to date.

There are many more reasons why you should review your will frequently. If your circumstances have changed and you think you may need to update your will, please contact me.

Next month: the role of an executor.

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 Home visits at no extra charge.

LOVEEAST OCTOBER 2015 31

Advertorial

Emotional health

Photo: Emma Marshall

Is the search for perfection stopping you from becoming the best you can be, asks Bibi Schonau Perfectionism means we are never “good enough” unless we (and everything we do) are perfect.

Although you may think that perfectionism is something to strive for, it actually hinders creativity and growth. Trying something new becomes an anxiety-provoking venture since, for the perfectionist, there must be no risk of making mistakes along the way.

Everyone who has seen a child learning to walk will know that as soon as a child falls, it will naturally try to get back up again. It won’t even hesitate – it will stumble, stand up, toddle on and fall again, and again, and again. Obviously, a child needs to fall to learn to walk – without falling it can’t learn about balance, gravity and the way the body works. So in this way, both the stumbling and the toddling are part of the learning process.

32 LOVEEAST

It’s such a pity that we grow out of this skill to get up again when we make mistakes – without hesitation – or when things go differently from how we want them to go. We don’t usually think about this, but most inventions have been through hundreds and sometimes thousands of previous versions before becoming amazing. Can we try and see ourselves as going through the same process?

In her book, The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown suggests that there is nothing wrong with healthy striving, but that perfectionism fuels the thought that "if I look perfect, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimise the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame”.

She suggests we should embrace our imperfections, be open about them and learn from them. We can joyfully, instead of anxiously, learn about what works and what doesn’t.

If we can bear to look at our mistakes, we can learn to accept ourselves as we are, not as we think we should be.

The Therapy Practice London is run by chartered counselling psychologists Bibi Schonau and Jennifer Opoku. The practice is based in East Village, at the heart of the Olympic Park.

For more information call 07788 547099 or email info@ thetherapypractice.london thetherapypractice.london

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

Roger Love Personal trainer www.lovelondonfitness.com

POP UP TEA STOP – 10.30am-noon every Wednesday at Prideaux House, 10 Church Crescent, E9. All welcome. 020 8986 6000

Experienced, reliable dog walker. Fully insured, references supplied. For more details call Annabel on 07960 483570

Travelling abroad and want to see some art?

I can advise you on how to see the very best. www.douglas@darkstream32.fsnet.co.uk

MINDFULNESS FOR HEALTH 8-week Breathworks course starts 25 Oct E8 £65 facebook/anasamindfulness

If you would like to take out a small ad on the Letterbox Listings page, prices from just £17.50 per month

I’m an illustrator who makes beautiful screen-printed bags, postcards, T-shirts, etc. Take a look: www.rachelgale.com

The Law House solicitors

At The Law House we believe in giving excellent service

We are based throughout London and specialise in the following areas of law

Wills • Lasting Powers of Attorney • Trusts • Probate • Inheritance Tax Planning At The Law House, our costs are transparent and we offer fixed fees.

Our priority is to offer an exceptional service to you, including, wherever possible, meeting you at a time and place convenient for you – which need not be limited to the hours of 9am to 5pm on weekdays, as offered by most solicitors.

Call us on 020 8899 6620 or you can email us at: sbedford@thelawhouse.com www.thelawhouse.com LOVEEAST OCTOBER 2015 33

Advertising in LoveEast

Christmas or New Year parties...

LoveEast 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.

Why advertise with us?

...festive dinners If you have an event to publicise or a venue to promote, why not do it through LoveEast?

We deliver to 10,000 households in E2, E3, E8 and E9 There's no better way to reach your target audience 07752 288405 sales@nutshellpublications.co.uk

34 LOVEEAST

Every month the magazine is delivered to 10,000 households in E9, E8, E2 and E3, as well as to local shops, restaurants and cafés in Victoria Park, Hackney Wick, Broadway Market and Roman Road. Readership runs into many thousands more (a conservative estimate would be 20,000).

The magazine is full of great articles and essential 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's therefore a very effective way to promote your business to a targeted, local audience.

If you would like to advertise, please contact us at:

07752 288405 sales@nutshellpublications.co.uk

Twitter: @LoveEastMag Facebook: facebook.com/LoveEastMag

Next issue – November Copy deadline – 9 October

Landlords, we offer

0% Commission on Lettings!

’ Yes, that s 0% Commission on Lettings!

Our Guaranteed Rental Income service will give you peace of mind and our trusted Property Management approach means that we look after your property as if it were our own.

To find out more about our exceptional services for Landlords, call us now or drop by and speak to one of our lettings team.

020 8986 2222

170 Victoria Park Road, Hackney. E9 7HD enquiries@robertalanhomes.com Visit our new website for the latest properties available for sale and to rent www.robertalanhomes.com

Vendors

How about paying us what you want based on how well we do?

What % do you want to pay us?

You decide based on how well we have worked for you!

For more details on this offer call Broadway Market: 020 7275 7505 Shoreditch: 020 7729 2476

sales@daveystone.com www.daveystone.com (subject to a minimum fee)