September 2015

LOVEEAST M

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September 2015

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ISSUE 19

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Free

E9 Magazine

has had a makeover

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

Welcome...

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Welcome to your local magazine Dear neighbours If you're wondering what's happened to your monthly copy of E9 Magazine, don't worry – you're reading it – and it's had a little makeover.

Why change the name to LoveEast? Well, we're reaching out to even more local people. We've doubled our circulation and are delivering 10,000 copies of the magazine to households in E9, E8 and now E3, so it made sense to give it a more inclusive title. LoveEast's ethos is exactly the same as E9 Magazine's. We're still writing about your area and the people in it. We just wanted to spread the love a little further.

This month we have an interview with Bobby Kasanga, the charismatic founder of Hackney Wick FC, and what a story he has to tell (p4). If you're a parent of primary school-age kids, Sonia Lambert has some great advice on the stressful search for a secondary school (p10). Susan Birtwistle reviews fine wine and food at Mission (p34), and we have a sophisticated recipe from Empress head chef Elliott Lidstone (p28). Plus, the regular calendar (p21), what's on (p9, 29) and loads more.

Many thanks go to Ilka Dickens (www.ilkadickens. com) who designed our new look, and to Yevgeniy Kazannik for the cover photo featurng models in Lama's Pyjamas' great vintage clothes (p6).

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

CONTENTS

4

Meet the man behind Hackney Wick FC

6

Buddha bargains at Lama's Pyjamas

8

Dusty Knuckle: not just another bakery

10

The search for a secondary school

24

Rich pickings with the urban forager

Cover: Yevgeniy Kazannik Green Lens Sudios

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

Deadline for October edition is 10 September (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 SEPTEMBER 2015 3

East life wanted to change his life and was spurred on by the fact that he had become a dad (his daughter was born while he was inside for the second time).

For Bobby, there was only one option –football. Frustrated that there wasn't a team that represented the whole of the borough of Hackney, he set up Hackney Wick FC.

Bobby Kasanga, founder of Hackney Wick FC, talks to Aimee Douglas The name Bobby Kasanga may not be familiar to you yet, but with a personality as big as his ambition, and a flair for publicity, it soon will be. The founder and driving force of Hackney Wick FC is making an inspirational effort to bring our community together – as well as giving the borough its first proper football team.

Bobby had always wanted to become a professional footballer, but his dream vanished when he made a choice that would ruin his career before it had begun.

From the age of 14, he started mixing with the wrong crowd.

He quickly found himself making big money doing "security runs" (stealing money from security vans). It was, he says, something that all his friends were doing.

His football career came to an abrupt end following a tragic incident that happened on the day of his debut match with 4 LOVEEAST

Ashford Town FC. As he finished playing the biggest match of his life, Bobby received a phone call from an associate telling him that a friend had died from multiple stab wounds after carrying out a robbery.

Bobby was blamed for a socalled "revenge" murder shortly after the death of his friend, but he was able to clear his name by proving that he was playing football at the time of the murder. Following a police investigation, however, his involvement in earlier robberies was uncovered and he was sentenced to five years in jail.

Within a year of finishing his time, he was sucked back into robbery and the lavish lifestyle that went with it. He was jailed again. This time he decided to use the second spell in prison to get a degree – criminology and social policy.

When he was released he did things very differently. He

While he had thrown away his own chance at becoming a professional player, he felt that something as unifying as football could help prevent other young people from falling into the same trap.

Bobby’s organistation does extraordinary things. Relying solely on people's generosity (and funding where he can get it), it's uplifting to witness people coming together to support Hackney Wick FC. He wants the club to give to the community in other ways, too, so it's compulsory for every member to do voluntary work for local charities. This has helped him to build a remarkable fan base.

Plans for the future include creating a kids' team to join the men's and women's teams he has already set up.

Bobby is an inspiration and has become a vital part of East London's community. Not only does he bring together people from many different backgrounds, but gives young people a safe environment in which to live a better life.

Bobby is looking for sponsors. If you're interested, please contact him at www.hackneywickfc.com

East life whenever I go there. Also the Hackney Pearl; that’s where we had our first ever meeting and I go in there quite a bit as well.

What do you do at weekends?

This weekend we walked down the canal, and afterwards we went to the Kopparburg Urban Forest (Hackney Wick). On Sunday we had a little match and then we came back and just watched movies all night.

Bobby at a coaching session

Does the area influence you?

Definitely, yes. Just trying to create a team here is going to be a magnificent thing for everyone. There are football teams that are hundreds of years old but actually starting a modern team with its own new identity is amazing.

What makes you most proud?

Being a dad. You grow up and you don’t really realise what your parents go through until you have your own kids, and I think just her asking questions and seeing that she’s got the whole world in front of her is amazing.

What are you working on?

We are hoping to have a merchandise shop selling Hackney Wick FC clothing like scarves and hats. Then it’s just where we go in the engagement of the community. Maybe we'll get someone from the council to show that Hackney Wick FC is affiliated with the council, so all of the volunteering we do won't just be from Hackney

Wick FC, but part of the wider borough of Hackney. We’ re also working on reaching the top of the league table and working on more community events,

“The things I've done in the past, they're done now, it's what shapes you”

The area's best kept secret?

Personally, I would say the canal. Walking down the canal the other day, it was so peaceful, so quiet and there’s the boat community that many people don’t know about.

If East London were human?

He or she would be vibrant, ambitious, trendy, enthusiastic and multicultural.

One word to sum up this area?

Exciting.

such as giving mental health patients free football coaching.

Hopefully, we'll start the kids coaching soon.

BeautifulGame 15

What drew you to Hackney?

What initially brought me to Hackney was family; I came here just before my 18th birthday.

Anything you would change?

To be honest I don’t think I would change anything. Even the things that I’ve done in the past, they’re done now, and it's what shapes you, so I don’t think I would change anything, I would just like things to develop a bit faster.

Where do you go for coffee?

Right now I go to Parade; I only just recently met them and he and his wife are very interested in supporting the team as well, and they give me free stuff LOVEEAST SEPTEMBER 2015 5

Buddha bargains Photo: Green Lens Sudios

The summer sale is on, so get yourself a Buddha bargain at Lama's Pyjamas, writes Sally Ramsden

Lama's Pyjamas, the charity shop of the London Buddhist Centre, celebrates its fifth birthday this year and it's already been quite a party. The year began with a new shop fit. In May staff handed over £55,000 – their best profits ever – to support the work of the nearby Centre and, to add to the celebrations, photographer Yevgeniy Kazannik did a free fashion shoot. The party continues in style with a special five-day, 50-per-cent-off-everything summer sale from 1 to 5 September.

Inside the shop, just five minutes walk from Bethnal Green tube, you're more likely to spot a Burberry raincoat or a Jaegar dress than a monk or nun in traditional saffron robes. It all has the look and feel of nearby trendy Shoreditch, minus the designer prices. It attracts some very generous donations and a loyal following, with regular customers popping in almost daily to check out the latest bargains.

Staff were delighted to see an Alexander McQueen jacket emerge from a black bin bag they were sorting through recently, especially since the iconic British fashion designer, who tragically died in 2010, had left £100,000 to the London Buddhist Centre.

The fifth birthday fashion shoot featured five models, all of them Buddhists who attend the nearby Centre, showing off a variety of Lama's Pyjamas outfits, from New York designer Marc Jacobson to home-bred Ghost.

It's not all top end stuff though. The shop stocks a wide range of clothes and household goods to suit most budgets. You'll find plenty of high street brands alongside vintage clothes and top labels, together with a mix of quirky and useful objects from African musical instruments to classy cake stands. What's on sale depends of course 6 LOVEEAST

Models showing off some Lama's Pyjamas outfits

on what's been donated, so you'll rarely find the same thing twice.

"A lot of first-time customers don't realise we're a charity shop until they see our prices," says manager Abhayanandi. "Just the way the shop looks and the quality of our stock works to change perceptions of charity shops, as well as Buddhism."

The Lama's Pyjamas 2015 spring sale had people queuing down the street, so expect enthusiastic crowds for the September summer sale. If you can't get there in person, keep track of special buys as they come into the shop on the new Facebook page.

50% off everything summer sale, 1-5 September.

12noon-6pm, weekdays; 10.30am-6pm Saturdays.

Lama's Pyjamas, 83 Roman Rd, London, E2 OQN. www.lamaspyjamas.co.uk

CELEBRATING 40 HAPPY YEARS AS A POTTER Join me for a special open day on the forecourt of the workshop Saturday, 3 October, 12noon-6pm Make something from clay or have a go on the wheel Refreshments Caroline Bousfield Gregory WorkShop, 77A Lauriston Road, Hackney, E9 7HA www.carolinebousfield.co.uk

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LOVEEAST SEPTEMBER 2015 7

Food heroes www.scrumptiousfoodphotography.com

The award-winning Dusty Knuckle doesn't just make bread – it offers opportunity to the young people who need it most, says Rhowena MacCuish Max Tobias, founder of Dusty Knuckle

Fall in love with bread again; real bread made the traditional way.

And where will you find such a tasty loaf or sandwich washed down with a morning coffee? At The Dusty Knuckle, that's where.

Founder Max Tobias has always been passionate about baking bread, and with the help of his childhood baking partner Rebecca Oliver, who also happens to be a chef, they created this award-winning social enterprise.

Housed in a very Hackney location (a shipping container in a car park just off the Kingsland Road), The Dusty Knuckle is the real deal. Only organic stoneground flour and sustainable ingredients are used. Their bread takes around 48 hours to bake from start to finish, compared to supermarket varieties, which take around 90 minutes. Nutritionally, the difference between the two products is astonishing.

With the wheat stripped of its goodness and the addition of additives and preservatives, processed bread makes for a 8 LOVEEAST

pretty empty loaf that has had no time to ferment.

Max started out three years ago baking once a week for The Place café in Islington. He

“We want to give young people a reason to believe in themselves" now bakes bread every day and has two staff members.

They have worked hard to win recognition and have been funded by UnLtd Do It awards, Urban Food Routes and BBC Good Food, to name a few, while making use of donated items from various big businesses to help furnish their makeshift bakery.

Through Dusty Knuckle, Max hopes to be able to provide troubled youngsters with skills, employment and a sense of worth. "We're trying to create an experience for a particular type of young person who has come from an environment where there are many constraints," he says. "We want to give young people a reason to believe in themselves and to be optimistic about the future. We want to give them the chance to become financially independent in a legitimate way."

To show your support and better your health, make your way down to the container hatch from 8.30am-5pm, Tuesdays to Fridays, and on Saturdays until noon.

Alternatively you can also pick up Dusty Knuckle loaves from the De Beauvoir Deli in De Beauvoir and The Place café on Canonbury Place, Islington.

For more information, head to www.thedustyknuckle.com or follow @thedustyknuckle

Whats on in September MON

TUES

WEDS

THURS

Weekly 6.45-7.45pm. Vinyasa flow yoga with Nadia.

Email: missbocheva@ gmail.com

Weekly Mindfulness with Karen Liebenguth, 7pm-9pm, VP Community Centre, 5 Gore Road, E9. £12/£9 concessions.

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

Email missbocheva@ gmail.com

1

Weekly 3-7pm. The VP kitchen garden needs you! Come to Outdoor Classroom, St Agnes Gate, E9.

Weekly 1-3pm. Knitting & natter and crochet at VP Community Centre.

Suitable for beginners as well as those more experienced. Materials supplied. Very friendly group. 5 Gore Road, E9.

Free.

7

7pm, The Third Man at Chapel Cinema, St Margaret's House, 21 Old Ford Road, E2.

Free

7

6.45pm: Notorious at Chapel Cinema. St Margaret's House, 21 Old Ford Road, E2.

Free.

The history and symbolism of freemasonry with Hendrick Huthoff. www.thelasttuesday society.org, 11 Mare Street, E8.

1-5

28

Sex, scent and curious cosmetics: a history.

11 Mare St, E8. www. thelasttuesdaysociety. org

The science of hedonism with Zoe Cormier. www. thelasttuesdaysociety. org, 11 Mare St, E8.

The summer sale is on at Lama's Pyjamas, 83 Roman Road, E2.

15

29

7.30pm. Three4 perform a quirky and intimate classical concert at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1. www. richmix.org.uk

2, 16

Visit Geffrye Museum's restored 18th-century alms houses. 136 Kingsland road, E2.

9

12.30-3pm.Teddy Bear's Picnic in Victoria Park. Bring your favourite teddy and picnic, and enjoy storytelling, games and music. Booking advised. Meet at V&A building. Email joelle.copeland@ towerhamlets.gov.uk

16

7-9pm. The Hackney Gold Hoard – a talk by antiquarian Stephen Selby. VP Community Centre, 5 Gore Road, E9.

Free.

LOVEEAST SEPTEMBER 2015 9

Photo: Oliver King

Secondary school choices

If your mind is on open evenings and secondary school places, Sonia Lambert has some great advice This autumn, I’ll be doing the rounds of open evenings with my younger child, and applying for her place at secondary school. People say that choosing a school is one of the biggest decisions you make for your child. It’s certainly scary, even second time around.

Most parents panic a bit – I think from a sense that our power is slipping away. Your cute, bubbly "tween" will morph into a lanky stranger who knows swear words to make you blush, grapples with homework you don’t understand, and finds you a boring embarrassment. It's an awful and wonderful process.

There’s a poem I like, Walking Away by Cecil Day-Lewis – about how childhood is a series of goodbyes – and that's how I feel at the moment.

Don’t talk to me next summer – I’ll be a sniffing, snotty mess.

But there are things to feel good about, especially round here. When my first child was born, 14 10 LOVEEAST

years ago, Hackney was notorious for its schools.

Key stage 2 results were the worst in the country.

We loved living here, but we were pretty sure we’d have to move.

How things change. More than a decade later, we’ve seen some drastic intervention, a lot of hard work, and shiny new buildings all round. Hackney schools are now extremely popular and all of its secondaries are rated “good” or “outstanding” by Ofsted. GCSE results are comfortably above the national average, and quite a few of our schools are remarkable, particularly in terms of the improvements made by children over time.

Educating your kids in East London will bring you into contact with some extremes – things that make you gulp, and gasp. The ethnic and cultural diversity is an enriching and inspiring thing, but being in a minority can sometimes be tiring or isolating, and this area is one great mass of minorities. We attract some amazing teachers (even if they can’t always afford to stick around

Secondary school choices long) and the kids go on stunning trips.

Expectations have changed. As Hackney Mayor Jules Pipe puts it, what the early academies like Mossbourne did was to "raise the bar for schools in Hackney and show that it is absolutely possible to achieve excellence in an inner-city school with a comprehensive intake and a challenging catchment area".

We live in one of the most deprived parts of the country – but I’m often humbled by the generosity and dedication of other parents.

People love to freak each other out with stories of local stabbings, or at least of kids who throw chairs – and there is a bit of this. But I’ve found that the emphasis on education and respect from other communities is a helpful influence. Recent research suggests that kids benefit academically from attending ethnically and socially diverse schools – in any case, their results are unlikely to suffer. There are other options, and I looked into many of these for my first child.

“Take a look at our local schools, they are inspirational ” If you are religious, there are some well-respected faith schools for girls in central London (Greycoats and Marylebone). Latymer in Edmonton selects on ability, and can be reached by train from London Fields. Popular private schools for this area include Forest and Bancroft's – obviously, they're expensive, and sometimes difficult to get into even if you can afford it, so it makes sense to consider a variety of options. The Anglo-European school in Essex (a state school with an EU focus and an unusual admissions policy) also attracts families from around here.

Good news rarely makes headlines, and the media too often relies on scaring people rather than informing them. The schools round here, however, are a reminder that given effort and funding, things can sometimes go right.

If you have a child coming up to this age, please take a look at our local schools, they are inspirational places. At the Urswick, for example, I found the charismatic head and atmosphere of purposeful calm unexpectedly moving.

Getting beyond the stereotypes can be difficult – real life is a messy mish-mash of good days and bad days, positives and negatives, taking a chance and hoping for the best. But whatever schools you choose – good luck!

DON'T... …leave it to the last minute. Start looking in year 5. …miss key dates (applications for next year to be submitted online before the October half term). ...go on hearsay – visit for yourself. …make unrealistic preferences. If you live too far away from a state school your child is unlikely to get in.

DO... …attend open days and evenings. It will make you feel a lot better about the process. …consider neighbouring boroughs – which may also provide good options and nearby schools. All state school applications go on the same form. …look at admission policies. It’s complicated! With state schools, the nearer you live, the better your chances, but a banding system complicates this, and some very popular schools have introduced a random "lottery" element. …keep calm. Remember when they were babies, worrying that they’d never learn to walk/talk/use the toilet? Things have a way of working out. …contact the relevant departments in Hackney or Tower Hamlets, depending on where you live: Ian.Hodges@learningtrust.co.uk, 020 8 820 7510 school.admissions@towerhamlets.gov.uk

The good thing is that once your child has settled (and they almost always do) you will become fond of the route you chose, and nostalgic about all of the good and bad memories along the way.

LOVEEAST SEPTEMBER 2015 11

Noticeboard Join the garage sale trail

Saturday 26 September sees Hackney's first ever garage sale trail. A fun and creative opportunity for individuals and communities to come together on one day and set up a stall with treasures from the attic (and your junk drawer), as well as raise money for charities, or simply make some extra cash. Sign up for your How To leaflet and for details on getting creative, and making your stall stand out. (Pictured left, Hackney Wick FC founder Bobby Kasanga and TV presenter Kat Boyce show their support)

www.garagesaletrail.co.uk

Little feet first

There's a great opportunity to check out your little one's feet at Little Gems on Victoria Park Road. The shop is hosting a free paediatric podiatry event on Friday, 4 September from 10am-noon. Tracy Byrne, paediatric podiatrist from the Holistic Health Clinic in Broadway Market, will be there to assess your child’s feet and gait as well as answering any queries you may have. Its free, impartial advice, plus there will be some giveaways, too. www.littlegemsboutique.com /

www.tracybyrne.co.uk

Pose with a nose

Wetnose Animal Aid is all about helping the lesser well known animal rescue centres that nobody gets to hear about. Did you know that rescue centres have seen a 35- 40% drop in donations over the past four years? The drop in funds has hit them badly and many now face closure. Why not get involved in Wetnose Day on 25 September and help raise some much-needed cash? For details (and to buy your 'wet' nose) check out the website. www.wetnoseanimalaid.com

12 LOVEEAST

LIAM RYAN THE HUNGRY EYE 12 Sept - 18 Oct 2015

Extra hour half an ’s b for E oating read 9 Mag er show s if you this ad

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A primary school story

The children of Faraday School describe their average day School bus I get picked up at West Silvertown, very near my house. It’s fun as we sing and chat.

Wake up, shake up assembly On some mornings we dance to wake up our brains and bodies for learning. It’s really fun because some children stand at the front to teach us the moves.

Literacy We’ve been learning about advertising and focusing on toys that people shouldn’t buy!

This is funny because usually people love buying toys. We’ve also looked at persuasive language that encourages us to buy things.

Playtime I play football or tennis upstairs on the roof. There are loads of other games to play, too, and we get the equipment from the toy box. After play we eat our snack in the classroom and chat to our friends.

Maths In the beginning of the lesson we do a warm up like bingo or minute maths where we’re practising our times-tables. I’m good at mine!

Then we go into groups and do our separate work. I’m in year six so my work is really hard and I work with Miss Gimblett. Sometimes we go on the computer during lessons and play maths games.

PE Mr Nunes teaches us PE and at the moment we’re practising for a dodge ball tournament to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. Mr Nunes teaches us lots of skills and games like athletics, cricket, football and basketball, which is my favourite, because he makes it fun.

14 LOVEEAST

Lunchtime I eat school lunches so I get spaghetti bolognaise, but my favourite is rice and mashed potatoes. I sit with children from the other classes at lunch in the hall. After lunch we go outside into the downstairs playground. I like to play on the climbing wall with Erin.

Geography We use text books and lots of websites to help us learn. At the moment we’re learning about erosion and we saw a photo of Durdle Door, which is an arch that has formed at a beach in England. We’ve made presentations about cities in England and had visitors in to talk about Russia. They brought us Russian dumplings to try and lots of artefacts from their country for us to look at.

ICT In lessons we learn computer skills. We’ve used new websites like Minetest and Room Sketch to make 3D drawings. We’ve just edited a video of our adverts from literacy and I added music, transitions, effects, captions, pictures and a slogan to mine.

End of the school day – clubs At 3.30pm we eat a snack and then I go to karate, cooking, magical maths and dance. My favourite is karate because I’ve learned how to do an axe kick with Kenny the teacher. My second favourite is cooking because we always bake delicious food.

www.faradayschool.co.uk Old Gate House, 7 Trinity Buoy Wharf, E14 0FH. 020 7719 9342

BE THE VERY BEST VERSION OF YOU

… with friendly, no-nonsense personal training at private studio at Netil House in Hackney E8 ROGER LOVE - personal trainer www.hackneypt.com

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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 SEPTEMBER 2015 15

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 For babies from 6 weeks to one year. A babyfocused class using a mix of massage, classical yoga postures, stretches and balances adapted exactly to their stage of growth. Accompanied 16 LOVEEAST

by well-known songs and rhymes to make the exercises fun and interactive. Fridays at The Royal Inn on the Park, Lauriston Road E9.10.45am11.45am. £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 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. 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 unless otherwise stated. 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/ sutton-house/

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 SEPTEMBER 2015 17

Daisy Birthing Advertorial

Daisy Birthing dispels the fear of giving birth one positive movement at a time, writes Elisa Nickell Elisa with her children George and Isla

If you are pregnant and want to get the most out of your birth experience through movement, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques, Daisy Birthing is for you.

I teach classes in Bow, Bethnal Green and the surrounding areas, and I love seeing the positive impact my classes have on local mums to be.

Daisy Birthing is a social enterprise programme run by the Daisy Foundation. It combines antenatal education with essential advice on breathing and movement, and it helps many local women turn their sometimes negative perceptions of giving birth into positive ones.

What really sets us apart is that we work on the hidden muscles that are key to birthing, but not usually tackled or even mentioned in more traditional antenatal classes.

“The techniques we practised weekly in my Daisy class 18 LOVEEAST

were core to my positive birth experience," says local mum Cheryl. "The midwives commented on my great breathing technique and on how calm I remained throughout my baby’s birth, despite an unexpected ambulance ride in the middle of it!"

Daisy Birthing supports whatever birth choices women make, and the classes teach them how to have an active birth through movement and relaxation, as well as giving essential advice about medical inductions and interventions.

This promotes a positive pregnancy and fully prepares them for the birth.

The flowing movements we teach help with common discomforts such as carpal tunnel syndrome, heartburn and swollen hands and feet, and can be adapted for those with various pregnancy-related medical conditions.

Choice, confidence and community are our underlying values and whether attending classes or not, local women have access to information on birth and babies through our website.

Birthing classes are just a small part of what The Daisy Foundation has to offer women and their birthing partners.

Please take a look on our website for more information: www.thedaisyfoundation.com For more information about my classes in East London, call me on 07738 920303 or email elisanickell@thedaisyfoundation.com

LOVEEAST SEPTEMBER 2015 19

MON

WEDS

THURS

1

2

3

Outdoor events

Mindfulness, p9 Hitchcock's Notorious, Chapel Cinema, p9 Lama's Pyjamas sale, p9

7

8

9

10

Mindfulness, p9

Vinyasa, p9 Outdoor Classroom, p9

Get knitting and nattering, p9

16

17

Art events General events

The Third Man at Chapel Cinema, p9 Vinyasa flow, p9 History of freemasonry, p9

TUES

14

15

Vinyasa flow, p9

Mindfulness, p9 Sex Scent and curious costmetics, p9

Vinyasa, p9 Outdoor Classroom, p9 Restored alms houses at Geffrye Museum, p9 Lama's Pyjamas sale, p9

Teddy Bear's picnic, p9

Vinyasa, p9 Outdoor Classroom, p9 Restored alms houses at Geffrye Museum, p9 Hackney Gold Hoard, p9

21

22

23

Vinyasa flow, p9

Mindfulness, p9

Vinyasa, p9 Outdoor Classroom, p9

29

30

28

Vinyasa flow, p9 Talking about hedonism, p9 20  LOVEEAST

Mindfulness, p9 Three4 at Rich Mix, p9

Vinyasa, p9 Outdoor Classroom, p9

Get knitting and nattering, p9 Lama's Pyjamas sale, p9

Get knitting and nattering, p9

24 Get knitting and nattering, p9

FRI

SAT

SUN

4

5

6

Computer skills club, p29 Free kids' podiatry, p29

Lama's Pyjamas sale, p9 Barmy Army, p29 Vintage kilo sale, p29

Vintage kilo sale, p29

11

12

Lama's Pyjamas sale, p9

Computer skills club, p29

Outdoor Classroom, p29

Outdoor Classroom, p29 Hungry Eye exhib, p29 King Henry's Walk show, p29 Big Fish Little Fish rave, p29

13 How about Sunday brunch at The Pavilion?

18

19

20

Computer skills club, p29 Bach for babies, p29

FountLondon open day, p29 Outdoor Classroom, p29 Sonia Eden sings Island soul sounds, p29 Bric a brac sale, p29

Hugger Family Cabaret, p29

26

27

25 Computer skills club, p29 Wetnose Animal Aid day, p12, 29

Outdoor Classroom, p29 Ceramic painting at Geffrye Museum VP Volunteer Awards, p29 Mouths Wide Shut, p29 Garage sale trail, p29

Ceramic painting at Geffrye Museum History walk , p29

September LOVEEAST SEPTEMBER 2015 21

Green spaces A little work will extend the life of your plants through September and beyond, says Loraine Hourdebaigt July and August are times when gardens and balconies are at their best. With a bit of work, your plants will continue to flourish well into the autumn. To prolong your flower displays, a little deadheading at the weekend will revive your plants and encourage them to flower all the way through September, and hopefully longer.

A guide to East London's pocket parks King Henry’s Walk Garden Complete with an outdoor kitchen and mini woodland, there's so much happening at this buzzing community garden. From tandoori cooking and pizza oven training to herbal tea-making masterclasses. In the summer, plays such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream are performed by local children. Open Sat-Sun, 2pm-4pm in summer. 11c King Henry’s Walk, N1. www.khwgarden.org.uk

Watering is still very important this time of year, particularly if you have a container garden. Too often I hear people who believe potted plants will be happy relying solely on rain water. This is far from the truth. If you rely on rainfall to water your plants, I’m afraid they will die. However, while you should keep to your watering regime outdoors, indoor plants now require less water.

Lawns will certainly have suffered in the hot spells earlier this year, and probably need some TLC. Rake the grass to remove dead growth, and aerate it. Using a garden fork, spike it into the ground, 10-15cm deep and apart. This will help with drainage and aeration around the roots.

Finally, top dress with a mixture of sand, loam and organic matter to promote thickening of your lawn, as well as a strong root system. It may sound back breaking, but it is well worth the effort if you want to have the best lawn on the street.

Take advantage of plants dying back to collect seeds from perennials, annuals and your fruit and veg. Make sure they are really dry before storing them. They’ll be ready for sowing later in the autumn, or early next spring. With a little imagination and fancy packaging, seeds will make lovely (and cheap!) gifts come Christmas.

But that's a long way away still, so for now, make most of the last days of summer and enjoy what the garden still has to offer. www.growingconcerns.org 22 LOVEEAST

Cordwainers Grow Hidden in a small enclosed space beside the London School of Fashion on Mare Street, Cordwainers Grow is certainly a place to visit.

Over the past couple of years, volunteers have transformed the site into a lush, vibrant and multifunctional space. Scattered throughout the garden are wild herbs such as hollyhock, madder and coreopsis – useful for making herbal remedies and cosmetics (lip balms and creams). Natural pigments can be extracted from the herbs to dye fashion garments. 182 Mare Street, E8. www.cordwainersgrow.org.uk Dalston Eastern Curve Garden This is a magical space, secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city. Like Cordwainers Grow, this inviting community space (previously unused land near Dalston station) has much to offer. Activities including organic cooking, African tango and shadow lanternmaking. Events throughout the year. 13 Dalston Lane, E8. www.dalstongarden.org Chloe McFarlane, CPRE London

“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 SEPTEMBER 2015 23

Urban forager

From left: sloes and cobnuts; sloes on the branch; sloe cordial (recipe below)

Now is the best time to go foraging in our urban spaces, says Elinor Brett

September might just be the best month of the year for foraging. The parks, marshes, towpaths and woodlands of East London are currently heaving with edible wild plants – from apples and elderberries to hips and haws.

You’ll still find a few late blackberries and plums in shady spots and sheltered nooks, while the berries and blackthorns that have been slowly ripening through August are finally ready. The towpaths are especially good for damsons and sloes, although you’ll have to look carefully to spot the tall, straggly trees. As well as traditional jams, gins and jellies, damsons can also be used fresh – baked into cakes, churned into ice cream or even simmered with spices to make an autumnal sauce for duck or pork.

Intrepid cooks will also find plenty of rowanberries, rosehips, crab apples and cobnuts in places like the Wick Woodlands and Mile End Park. Remember not to pick cobnuts too early as they will be soft and tasteless – wait until late September when the leaves on the trees are starting to turn golden.

24 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: www.hotbutteredmackerel.squarespace.com Instagram @hotbutteredmackerel

Sloe cordial – makes 500ml Wash 500g of sloes and put into a large saucepan with 600ml of water. Boil gently for about 30 minutes until the fruit is soft, crushing occasionally with a wooden spoon to help release the juice.

Strain through cheesecloth or a sieve, then return the juice to the saucepan. Add 280g of sugar (or 70g per 100ml juice) and boil gently until dissolved.

Add the juice of 1 lemon then pour into a clean, sterilised bottle. The cordial will keep for months in the fridge and makes a delicious iced tea – just add 50ml to a glass of cooled tea and ice.

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 SEPTEMBER 2015 25

Advertorial

Local business

Whether it's a cut, colour or chemistry, there's much more to Idol Hair than meets the eye, write Greta Belardi and Marc Luickx Many of us are concerned about what we eat, but do we pay enough attention to what goes onto our hair? We may wander around the supermarket picking up organic or seasonal food, but we may not be so discerning when it comes to choosing our shampoo and conditioner.

At Idol Hair, we know that many products can be harsh on your skin and hair, leading in some cases to rashes and allergic reactions. We have always paid special attention to quality.

You won't find chemicals such as parabens (preservatives) or sulphates (detergents). Instead, we use products that give a professional result – not a nasty skin rash.

Lynne, one of our regular clients, had suffered for many years with an irritable scalp.

"When Marc told me to buy only paraben- and sulphatefree shampoo and soaps, that's when I noticed the difference," she said.

26 LOVEEAST

As well as giving healthy tips on how to have beautiful hair, we feel it's our duty to advise our clients on the issues surrounding such chemicals.

“We have a reputation for professionalism, care and reliability” We pride ourselves on being a tight-knit and friendly team.

We're like family here, and we treat our customers in the same way. Whether it's a cut or a colour, or both, all of our clients are unique and we help them to express themselves and make

their own personal statement.

We've been around since 2002, starting with just two stylists.

We're now a team of eight and have built a reputation for professionalism, care and reliability. We have many loyal clients who have been with us since the beginning, as well as attracting many newcomers to the area.

This year the salon embarked on a new journey with the Wella masterclass colour programme.

Training and education is ongoing, so that the whole team is able to provide the latest in colour techniques, as well as sharing their deep knowledge of the chemistry of colour. A colour range for sensitive scalps is available, too.

You can be sure that no matter what your need, at Idol Hair you're in safe hands. www.idolhair.co.uk 241 Victoria Park Road, E9 7HD 020 8985 1597 @IdolHair241

Wellbeing

It's very easy to slip into familiar routines, habits and for little to change week in, week out. This can leave us feeling stuck in a rut and dissatisfied with the lack of balance between the different areas of our lives we value most. Taking some time at the start of each week to think about how we want to live each day can make a huge difference.

Try out this model for a balanced week. Feel free to make it your own and be inspired.

Monday – make a plan Spend 10-15 minutes on Monday morning (or Sunday evening) to plan ahead. In order to feel more balanced, ask yourself what matters most to you this week. Is it work, sleep, partner, family, social events, me-time, exercise? Make a note and refer back to it at the end of the week.

Tuesday – three tips for mindfulness Many of us spend much of our time focused either on the past or on the future, paying very little attention to what is happening now.

1. Have at least one meal without talking or reading; just enjoying your food.

Advertorial

Making sure your life is balanced can be a matter of planning, says local life coach, Karen Liebenguth

Thursday – make choices about your free time Ask yourself how you want to spend your time on Saturday and Sunday. What are your needs for "me-time", social time and time spent with the family, a partner or a close friend? What will help you most to replenish your body and soul?

Friday – think about staying at home It’s a perfect evening to create some me-time, time to recover and to begin your weekend rested so that you can make the most of Saturday and Sunday. Try cooking a nice meal, relaxing in a bath, watching a film.

Try some or all of these tips week to week and they will help you to feel more fulfilled and in tune with your own needs. And far from being selfish, this will create more time to give yourself more fully to others.

2. Go for a 15-minute walk (or longer) in your lunch break, ideally on your own, and connect with your surroundings. Feel your feet on the ground while walking.

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

3. Do one kind act: smile at someone on your way to work, make a cup of tea for a colleague, phone a good friend and check in.

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

Wednesday – stay grounded Breathing spaces can help. To feel more present and grounded, pause once in a while during your day and take three deeper breaths.

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

LOVEEAST SEPTEMBER 2015 27

What to eat Roasted fennel, taramasalata and radishes – serves 4 as a starter

Ingredients For the roasted fennel

2 large fennel (save the fronds for garnish) Sprig of thyme 4 cloves of garlic Pinch of course salt For the taramasalata

250g Cods roe (soaked in water then peeled) 125g Olive oil 125g Vegetable oil 100g Breadcrumbs 1/2 clove of garlic Squeeze of lemon juice For the raw fennel & radishes Illustration: www.rachelgale.com

Mention taramasalata and many people will be put off, picturing the bright pink stuff you can get in supermarkets. Home made is far more delicate in both colour and taste and will hopefully win over the sceptics.

1 fennel 1 handful of radishes 1 lemon (juiced)

When all the oil is incorporated, add the lemon juice and seasoning. If it's a little thick add a splash of water.

Without wishing away the summer months, this is the perfect dish to transition into autumn – still lovely and fresh but the pickled element giving a nod to conserving veg for the leaner months.

Slice the raw fennel and radishes as thinly as possible. Use a mandolin if possible (but watch your fingers!), then dress with lemon juice and season. You can do this an hour in advance. The lemon juice will wilt the fennel so it's really lovely to eat but it will still stay crisp.

Cod roe, available at nearby Jonathan Norris, is fairly economical so slather your taramasalata on a decent bit of toast or stick your foil fennel parcels on your last barbecues of summer 2015.

Serve by placing some of the taramasalata on the bottom of the plate, then arrange the fennel quarters on top (dressed with a little salt and lemon juice).

Method Place each individual washed fennel bulb in foil with a pinch of course sea salt, the thyme and garlic and squeeze to seal the foil parcels.

Bake in the oven at 170c until just soft (approximately 40 minutes). Open the parcel and cut the fennel into quarters.

In a food processor, blend the cod roe with the breadcrumbs and garlic, then slowly add the oil as if you were making a mayonnaise.

28 LOVEEAST

Place the wilted fennel and radishes on top, along with any fennel fronds you have saved, or use dill.

Finish with a little good quality olive oil or alternatively with virgin rapeseed oil.

Elliott Lidstone Elliott Lidstone is head chef at The Empress www.empresse9.co.uk @ElliottLidstone

What's on in September FRI

SAT

SAT

SUN

Weekly 2-4pm. Computer Club at VP Community Centre, 5 Gore Road, E9. Free.

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

19

6

4

10am-12pm.

Paediatric podiatry event with podiatrist Tracy Byrne from Holistic health. Little Gems Boutique, 243 Victoria Park Road, E9.

Free, plus giveaways.

18

Bach to Baby at Canary Wharf.

Classical concert for baby and you, featuring Lucy Wakeford, principal harp, Royal Opera House orchestra. www.canarywharf.com

25

Why not get involved in Wetnose Animal Aid day? Purchase your 'wet' nose at www. wetnoseanimalaid. com

5

10am-noon. Bird Barmy Army. Meet at V&A building.

5

10am-5pm. Vintage clothes £15 a kilo: Space Courtyard, 129131 Mare St, E8.

12

Hungry Eye exhibition at Residence Gallery until 18 October. www. residence-gallery.com

12

12-4pm. King Henry's Walk flower show, live band, tea, cake, pizza.

Free. www.khwgarden. org.uk

12

2pm-4pm. Big Fish Little Fish family rave, Canary Wharf. Tickets www.canarywharf.com

19

10.30-3pm. Bric a brac sale. Please bring goods you're donating to VP Community Centre, 5 Gore Road, E9 (No books or clothes please)

7pm. Sonia Eden sings island soul, St Margaret's House, 21 Old Ford road, E2.

19

9am-4pm: Eat, shop, play at FountLondon., the fabulous new destination for the whole family. A day of fun events for everyone. 358-360 Arches, Westgate St, E8. www.fountlondon. com

26

Hackney's first garage sale trail. www. garagesaletrail.co.uk

26

6.30pm. Mouths Wide Shut: poetry, prose and prattling from Bethnal Green's newest monthly spoken word and open mic night. St Margaret's House, 21 Old Ford Road, E2. £3 or £4 on the door.

11am-4pm. Vintage clothes £15 a kilo: Space Courtyard, 129131 Mare St, E8.

20

Huggers family cabaret, featuring top kids' entertainers Mike Belgrave, Ria Lina and Lewis Bryan. 7+ www. canarywharf.com

27

Memoryscape history walk. Join the community park rangers on a recorded audio trail around the park. Limited spaces, so booking advised. Call 020 7364 5393 or email samantha.brewster@ towerhamlets.gov.uk Meet outside the V&A building.

26

12pm-3pm. VP volunteer awards.

Come meet the volunteers who help keep the park looking gorgeous.Hub building.

LOVEEAST SEPTEMBER 2015 29

Fitness Roger Love, an East London-based personal trainer, continues our A-Z of fitness with... H Hip to waist ratio This easy-to-do measurement is a great way to check your health and keep track of the progress you're making with exercise and healthy eating.

I know you won’t believe me, but weighing yourself is not necessary the best way to measure changes in your body.

Weight loss doesn't always move as fast as the centimetres of fat you lose – and it is a pretty blunt tool that doesn’t tell you in what way your body is changing.

Hip to waist ratio – recording changes in your stomach and bum – is a great alternative.

This is important because having a large amount of tummy fat (when compared to having fat around the bottom or thighs) makes you more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and heart problems.

Also, if you find you are losing inches round your waist while your overall weight stays static, you can be assured you are losing fat (even if, for example, the muscle you are building is adding some weight).

To work out the ratio, measure your waist around your belly button and the widest part of your bum and hips (a great phrase, I know).

Then, divide waist by hips, and you will get a ratio.

Below 0.80 is good; below 0.75 is excellent.

For example, if your waist is 101cm and your hips/ bum is 96cm, your ratio would be 105 – and you need to lose weight – or more accurately some centimetres on your stomach.

www.hackneypt.com 30 LOVEEAST

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 SEPTEMBER 2015 31

Advertorial

Eat, shop, play

FountLondon is a new East London lifestyle concept designed for locals, by locals Rachel Munro-Peebles and Elena Mackey. Housed underneath three arches near London Fields, it has something for every woman, man and child in the local community.

EAT

It's home to Il Cudega, a familyoriented Italian restaurant dedicated to the flavours and produce of the Lombardy region. Run by local parents and friends Luca and Giovanni, the restaurant is open from breakfast to dinner, serving slow Lombardy food and wines, as well as takeaway meals.

Produce is grown in Il Cudega’s own greenhouse and by the children of FountNursery… and FountNursery also has its own Fifteen-trained Jamie Oliver chef, along with My Happy Bread Company delivering fresh gluten-free options for our children and families.

SHOP

Find a new shopping experience in the second FountLondon arch. This is the new destination for exciting start-ups and brands; a great platform for the surrounding creative community. From affordable art with @EastEndPrints, gifts and 32 LOVEEAST

kids' fashions from @MollyMeg, to the only creative independent natural history shop, @EasternBiological. For retro toys for adults and kids we'll have Maiden and many more.

The outdoor area is a vibrant community hub, with kiosks, bike racks and a buggie park.

It will host special one-off design, art and food events, and Christmas markets.

PLAY

FountLondon is home to a chic, urban nursery. It’s just the type of nursery Elena and Rachel wished they’d had when their kids were young.

It never existed… until now.

There's Cool Canvas's amazing garden and Artburst and Tatty Bumpkin coming especially for our children. FountLondon and FountNursery can even customise children’s parties.

This can be a bespoke service, or just one of our beautiful spaces for hire.

FountLondon also offers play for grown-ups as well as children.

Book a one-to-one session with the dynamic fitness instructors from Moveyourframe – or make it a family affair with Moveyourframe family workouts.

Opening weekend, Saturday, 19 September (9am-4pm), with a whole day of events for everyone.

358-360 Arches, Westgate Street, E8 3RN. info@fountlondon.com www.fountlondon.com www.fountnursery.com If you're a creative start-up business looking for a great platform, please contact us. @FountLondon

Legal eagle Advertorial

person who is single may have up to half a million pounds of their estate protected from inheritance tax. Married couples, on the other hand, can potentially benefit from two exemptions of £500,000 each, bringing their total exempt estate to £1,000 000 before inheritance tax bites.

However, there are conditions which have to be met for the additional tax-free allowance of £175,000 to apply. Nonetheless, these changes will help many people and they will be able to pass a larger amount of their wealth to their family. Is this a welcome change? Absolutely. Does it benefit everybody? Certainly not.

The rise in property prices has pushed many people into the inheritance tax bracket. Sangeeta Moore examines changes made in the recent budget Death duties started life in the 18th century as a tax on the uber rich. Over the centuries this tax has become a trap for many ordinary people with, by comparison, modest income and wealth. The consistent increase in the price of property has pushed many into the inheritance tax bracket.

As the law stands today, when we die everything we own above £325,000 in value is taxed at 40 per cent. This is a harsh tax. Often it means that children have to sell the home where they grew up in order to pay the tax due. It doesn't come as a surprise that this tax is unpopular.

The Chancellor, in his budget speech, announced changes to inheritance tax. The exemption will rise by £175,000, from £325,000 to £500,000. A

The current inheritance tax laws do not make provisions for unmarried couples. Though these couples may have children and be in a stable relationship not dissimilar to that of married couples or civil partners, they do not have the benefit of the double exemption.

Unmarried couples are discriminated against under the present inheritance tax laws and this discrimination continues post budget. Tax planning through their wills continues to be the way forward for unmarried couples to soften the impact of inheritance tax.

The new provisions allowing us potentially to pass between £500,000 and £1,000 000 to our children free of inheritance tax may well lose its effect in future as the price of property continues to soar, especially in London. This situation is likely to continue and another adjustment will be needed.

Will the Government of the day see it fit to abolish inheritance tax altogether? Time will tell.

Inheritance tax law has always been complicated and the changes the recent budget introduced haven't made things any easier. For advice on how the new inheritance tax regime will affect you, please call me.

Next month: keeping your will up to date.

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 SEPTEMBER 2015 33

East End bites

Mission

the evening warmth and a delicious sherry, notably served in a beautiful glass.

Mission is the work of husband and wife team Michael and Charlotte Sager-Wilde. They know how to pick an up and coming spot. Their other successful wine bar, bearing their name, is in that "no man’s land" stretch of Hackney Road, near the bingo hall. There, like here, it’s all about low and fair mark-ups on very fine wines.

The wine list is extensive and clearly laid out.

It’s not intimidating; the staff are friendly and helpful and you’re able to have good wine by the glass. But you have a great choice that includes champagnes, Bordeaux blends, cabernet sauvignons by the decade, Rieslings, vermouths and my personal favourite, sherries.

There's a lovely row of houses in Paradise Row. Mission isn’t housed in one of them. You’ll find it under the railway arches.

Going past the houses is how I spotted it. One morning as I sat on the bus, a Life of Brian scene was re-enacted right in front of me. In one of the upper floor, full height windows, the shutters were suddenly whipped back to reveal a fully naked man. He must have woken up thinking he was still in his Tuscan villa. Being on the top deck, at eye level, I needed to look somewhere else. That’s when I clocked Mission.

When I returned, "Brian" was no longer there, but Mission was.

Of course, the railway arches have been there for years, but now a group of bars and restaurants have reinvented the end section, creating a lovely new public space. Not quite paradise but it's brilliantly tucked away. Sitting there it’s hard to imagine the main road so near.

You can book, but we just turned up. It’s understandably popular but there’s a lot of space with tables both inside and outside, and a semiprivate dining mezzanine. We sat outside enjoying 34 LOVEEAST

Mission also has a kitchen, and while enjoying our drinks we also enjoyed pork puffs with smoked cod roe, capocollo and melon, pappardelle, peas and girolles, crispy pig's head and tartare sauce, salt beef with runner beans and hen's egg. The only thing is, it all comes as and when it’s ready and in no particular order. Meaning we shared some. I’m never too keen on that.

But as they say in Life of Brian, "when you’re chewing on life’s gristle, don’t grumble, give a whistle… always look on the bright side of life".

They're right and Mission is a lively and fun place to do just that.

Dishes range from £4 to £17.

Susan Birtwistle

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Emotional health

Photo: Emma Marshall

If you need someone to talk to but think therapy isn't for you, we can help, says Bibi Schonau Have you ever considered therapy or counselling but didn’t quite know what to make of it? Let me debunk some of the myths.

Therapy is for weak people. Wrong. Perhaps you think that asking for help through counselling or therapy is a sign of weakness. Actually, it’s quite the opposite.Taking the step towards therapy means that you’re brave enough to invest in yourself and your future. To me, that sounds quite clever and strong.

It's a bit 'out there' isn't it? Not true. We believe that therapy should be an ordinary thing, something that is part of our normal lives – just like going to the dentist or having a haircut. It’s amazing that we spend so much time and money on our physical health, and relatively little on our emotional health. Knowing that our emotions 36 LOVEEAST

are such important factors in our experience of happiness is something that can really make a difference in our lives.

You only see a therapist if you have a problem.

Not at all. We tend to think of therapy as an emergency intervention. This is often what we do at our practice – we help people through crises – but therapy is also a way to facilitate personal development and growth. It can help you to clean up a mess from the past, but it can also help you to become emotionally healthy and get the most from your life.

When is the last time you thought about your life, and considered whether you are happy with where you are? When was your last emotional health MOT? I'll be judged. We won’t do that. We’ll keep your secrets and we’ll be on your side to help you to become the best that you can be.

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

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

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