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Palmers Green
Southgate
LI FE
February 2015 Edition Issue 24
2nd
Anniversary Edition
Past Times • The Thatched Cottage
Southgate District Civic Trust • Past, Present & Future
Firs Farm needs your vote • An exciting community space project
Image supplied by Enfield Local Studies and Archive
Ye Olde Thatched Cottage, 1903
welcome We have had an extremely busy January at Anthony Webb, it's a popular month for people thinking about moving and we have had plenty of valuations and enquiries. If you are considering moving in the future, feel free to contact us for a valuation to discuss your options in confidence, it may give you a better idea of what your property is worth and help you make decisions for the longer term. We welcomed two new members of staff in January, Lee Sargent, as a senior sales & lettings negotiator with over 10 years experience in North London Estate Agency and Maria Stafford as an administrator assistant. Our team continue to have training on all aspects of property, including current mortgage trends and the latest property portal technology. Please take a look at my article on page 21 about why Anthony Webb are not signing up to the new property portal On The Market that launched in January. A condition of the new portal is that agents that sign up must drop one of either of the two largest property portals, Zoopla (which includes Prime Location) or Rightmove. If you are looking to sell it is worth considering if your agent is not using one of the larger sites as it could currently impact the marketing potential of your property and affect the time it takes to sell and the price you achieve.
Tony Ourris Director / Editor at Large tonyourris@anthonywebb.co.uk
Martin McKelvey Office Manager martin@anthonywebb.co.uk
Lee Sargent Senior Sales and Lettings Negotiator lee@anthonywebb.co.uk
Susan Babaie Senior Sales and Lettings Negotiator susan@anthonywebb.co.uk
Nick Fitzsimons Senior Sales and Lettings Negotiator nick@anthonywebb.co.uk
Panayiota Kyriakides Administrator
John Constantine Property Management lettings@anthonywebb.co.uk
Kat Georgiou Property Management lettings@anthonywebb.co.uk
Anthony Georgiou Administrator Assistant
Maria Stafford Administrator Assistant
We are still offering a FREE iPad mini if you instruct us within the month of February and we successful sell your home. Why not consider also taking advantage of our premium sales package that includes premium listing slots on Rightmove, Zoopla, our website and magazine. It also includes professionally printed property particulars all of which help market your property. Ask a member of our team for more information on our premium sales package. Finally, Firs Farm are looking for public votes to help them gain funding for an exciting new project at the park that will benefit the whole community (page 14). Cllr Chris Bond, Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment said “Enfield Council has worked extremely hard with the Friends of Firs Farm Park to get this much loved open space shortlisted in the ALGG competition. We are up against six other parks London wide, and only five of these can receive funding, so I am calling on all residents and people interested in our green spaces to get voting to ensure Firs Farm is successful. Our bid, if successful, we see vital work taking place to build a flood relief and cycle path to ensure Firs Farm Park is even more accessible”. Please also show your support and vote for their proposal online.
Tony
Tony Ourris Director Anthony Webb Estate Agents
If you are interested in advertising a local service or business please get in touch or if you have a local story or article that you would like featured in our magazine please contact ellie@palmersgreenlife.co.uk
Ellie Sales Magazine Editor
Contents FOR SALE – Conway Road.................................3
Special Vet for Special Pets by Simon Hayes .....13
December Competition winner ...........................4
Firms Farm needs your vote by Toni Guiver .......14
Daniel Caltagirone Talks about his new film .....................................4
Savour the Season by Jason Sutton ..................14
Past Times, Ye Olde Thatched Cottage.................5
Alexia Says “It’s the Year of the Hobby”...........16
Councillors Corner by Cllr. Bambos Charalambous ...........................6
Jewel in the North by Suzanne Beard ...............15 Colour Trends, Fabulous Hair Company by Kiri ..16
Parliamentary Comment by David Burrowes.......6
Your Local Family Law Specialist Child Maintenance by Karen Chapman ............17
FOR SALE – Hazeltree Lodge .............................7
What’s on .........................................................18
FOR SALE – New Park Avenue...........................7
Talkies Community Cinema by David Williamson .........................................18 Palmers Green Tales by Jenny Bourke ...............19 Drape Master Interiors by Julia Sondack...........20 Property Matters by Tony Ourris .......................21 Action For Kids by Ruth Stivey ..........................22 Your Legal Questions Answered by Fariz Uvais....................................................23 Creative Exchange News ..................................24
Green Lanes Business Association ......................7 Love Your DoorStep by Emma Rigby ...................8 Southgate District Civic Trust by Jane Maggs ......8 Alexander’s and Co by Alex Chrysostomou .........9 Visit Peaks Holiday Cottages by Wendy Boast ..10 Tax year-end: Taxing times by Jan Thompson ....11 Anthony Webb Properties for Sale and To Let ...12
Anthony Webb supporting local schools, charities and local action groups to enrich our community
348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ
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well-presented four bedroom period semi-detached house located in a most desirable “Lakes Estate” residential turning. The property boasts a living room with feature fireplace, a dining room with feature fireplace
and doors to garden, 23ft kitchen/diner, modern bathroom, 19ft master bedroom, many original features including a tessellated tiled hallway, 100ft rear garden and
Conway Road Lakes Estate, N14 4 bedrooms, 2 receptions, kitchen/diner modern bathroom, garden
off street parking to front. Conway Road is conveniently located for both Southgate’s and Palmers Green’s shops, restaurants and stations. Both Broomfield Park and Grovelands Park are within easy walking distance.
£849,995 Freehold Find out how much your property is worth, call us for a free valuation 8882 7888
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'Brown Owl' Dorren Oatham B.E.M presents Ella with her prize by Ellie Sales Congratulations to 9 year old Ella Man, who attends Osidge School in Southgate. Ella won a Nikon camera in our December Spot the Difference competition. Ella and her sister Sherryn Man, who attends Ashmole School, were happy to be presented their prize by local Palmers Green resident Doreen Oatham. Congratulations were also in order for Doreen, a grandmother of six, who has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours list for services to the Girl Guide movement
and the local community. Doreen who divides her time between helping run church events and leading a troupe of Brownies will attend the Tower of London for the medal presentation followed, in May, by the Queens Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. As well as her involvement with the Brownies for over 36 years, Doreen drives elderly people to luncheon clubs and has organised big Christmas parties for the community at St Monica’s church, in Stonard Road, Palmers Green.
Tony Ourris at Anthony Webb congratulates Doreen on her recent honour
As leader of the Southgate based Brownie pack – Doreen said "I really enjoy it, a lot of girls are very shy but by the end of the first term it's amazing how they have grown in confidence. There are more activities available than
Competition winner Ella and Sherryn with Doreen and Tony
ever before including camping, and opportunities to travel abroad with the Guides." Doreen has made many friends over the years volunteering with Brownies. Last year, which was the Brownies’ 100th anniversary saw a huge get-together in Alexandra Palace, where girls from across the capital got together with a day of abseiling, climbing and zorbing. The St Monica’s Brownies, Southgate, meet every Wednesday, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, at their headquarters in Cannon Road next to St Monica's School. There are a total of 30 girls aged between 7-10 years. St Monica's Brownies are currently looking for additional volunteers to help out. If you are interested please pop along on a Wednesday evening to find out more.
Actor Daniel Caltagirone talks to Anthony Webb about his recent movie filmed in Palmers Green by Kat Georgiou Daniel Caltagirone draws out our lucky December competition winner Ella Man
Actor Daniel Caltagirone kindly came into the office to draw the winner for the Christmas competition from our December issue. While he was there the successful actor sat down and had a chat with us about being a local resident and the exciting new film, ‘A Punters Prayer’, filmed in Palmers Green that he starred in. The film is based in a bookmakers, showing the trials and tribulations of real people and their everyday issues. The film’s other big names include Dexter Fletcher, Mem Ferda and Ewen Macintosh. The commitment from these fine actors for a low budget independent feature film can only highlight the quality of the script, the film and the team behind it. Daniel was cast for the role of ‘Holt’ in the film written and directed by first timer Savvas D. Michael. Daniel’s enthusiasm for his role is contagious, asked how he felt about filming a feature film on his home turf; “It was mad for me! It’s highly unusual to do a film a stones throw away from where you grew up. It brought back a lot of amazing memories for me, where I used to hang out with my mates and seeing how the area has changed
over the years. I loved the fact that the producers and Sav (Savvas Michael) were local people too, we could all relate to each other. This was great!” Holt is quite an unnerving complex character, not easy to portray but Daniel is quick to explain why he took on this role. “For me he was the most interesting character in the script. I've met 'Holts' before, they’re totally destabilizing when they walk into the room, no one really knows what to do. My interpretation was pretty much on the same page as Sav’s and this worked great for us. Sav’s ambition for the film was very appealing.” Keen to see the final cut, Daniel feels that if the film is the success it deserves to be“…it could have a positive knock on effect…” for the area. A supporter of local business – his parents own La Rocca in Winchmore Hill - he goes to local barbers AJ and Chemist Lamis among others. Daniel is extremely down to earth, something he credits his family for; born at UCL hospital, his family moved from Russell Square near the British Museum up to this area when he was 4 years old, he went to St
Ignatius Catholic College for Boys and grew up with a very mixed circle of friends from all classes and cultures. “I've mixed with a whole spectrum of people throughout growing up.” Having starred in blockbuster movies such as The Beach and The Pianist, Daniel told us, “It was a conscious decision to stay grounded. Nothing is achieved when you go on a film set and make demands it just slows the process down.” He would love to see the area regenerated and wants to see a lot more funding from the government into the arts. “I don’t understand why there isn't more government funding into local shopping areas, I’d love to see Palmers Green regenerated. I also think it’s ridiculous that there isn't more funding for the arts and film, there is so much to be gained from this”. He understands that an independent film like ‘A Punters Prayer’ could have benefitted from some local funding and in turn would generate something positive for the area. We’ll keep you posted on the developments of ‘A Punters Prayer’ in the near future.
Anthony Webb are proud to sponsor a local film festival brought to you by Talkies Cinema this April and May. The festival "HERE" aims to reflect and celebrate the diversity of interests, people and places in the suburbs of North London. See www.talkies.org.uk for more information and our future magazines for more details on what films will be showing where, and how to book your tickets.
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92 Aldermans Hill, Palmers Green, N13 4PP
Past Times, Ye Olde Thatched Cottage by Ellie Sales
Ye Olde Thatched Cottage remained one of the last links to the old village until its demolition in 1938.
The Thatched Cottage with its eyebrow windows
Percy Whellock & Sons 1920’s
1930 The old fashioned house in a new-fashioned town
Originally known as Fern Cottage, it was built around 1790, as a lodge to the big house owned by Thomas Lewis, Governor of the Bank of England. When the cottage was built, Green Lanes was in the depths of the country and no more than a rutted track along which cattle would be driven up to market. Originally the cottage was occupied by the estate’s gardener and his family.
time the ‘Fairy Godfather of Palmers Green’, who in the summer threw massive hay parties for the local children and at Easter gave them painted hard-boiled eggs.
Arnold James Burton, can still be seen at the entrance today.
The oak cottage was charming, covered in greenery and flowering ramblers. The main building had chimney stacks at each end and its roof was densely thatched with eye brow windows upstairs, looking out onto Green Lanes. There were two small single storey additional at each end, also thatched. Following the great sale of the Taylor Estate in 1902, shop development was gradually beginning to change the face of the highway and the future of the cottage was in the balance. In 1906, following the widening of Green Lanes, there was no room to accommodate the front garden and its quaint picket fence. The cottage continued to be used as a single dwelling place until 1911 when the mansion house was demolished and the estate was broken up for development. The last of these tenants was a Mr Argenti, a wealthy Greek banker and in his spare
Burtons Men's ware 1977
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By now the cottage was looking decidedly worse for wear and it was then that Percy Whellock F.R.H.S stepped in, he brought the lease and converted it into a florist. In 1916, restoration work and the development of 2 acres of Nursery at the rear of the cottage gave it a new lease of life. Percy Whellock & Son Limited became wellknown to many Londoners and provided an attraction for overseas visitors, especially the Americans. Often described as “The old fashioned house in a new-fashioned town”, photographs of the cottage can be found across America. By the 1930’s the cottage was hemmed in by extensive shop development all around. Its 150 years ended in 1938 when it was demolished to make way for, the building we see today, a new branch of Burton’s, the Gents tailors. It was a Burton’s tradition that the foundation stone for each new store should be laid by a member of the family, and Palmers Green’s stone, laid by Montague’s son
Farewell to Denise and Gee Mohamed
Around 1970 Westlakes Hardware store was opened by a local family who had previously owned a green grocer located on Aldermans Hill. In 1994, Gee and Denise Mohamed, the current owners, took over the lease a continued to run the successful business for the next 20 years. Denise said “In over 20 years you get to know what your customers need, we have always serviced locals as well as trades people” In February 2015 Gee and Denise retire. Denise went on to say “We will be sorry to leave Palmers Green, all our friends and customers. Over the years we have watched families grow up, our son’s have all worked with us at one point or another making Westlakes a truly family run business. Whilst we will miss the people, we won’t miss working 7 days a week and look forward to putting our feet up!” We are pleased to inform you that despite Westlakes closure in mid February, after a refurbishment, it will reopen as Amy’s Housewares, another local family business with 4 other stores located in North London. The Hermitage on Cannon Hill, Southgate, London N14 is one of the few remaining thatched houses to be found in London today.
Tony presenting Gee with a farewell gift, some wine and a photo montage from Anthony Webb
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Councillorʼs Corner by Cllr. Bambos Charalambous Balancing the budget in Enfield Cllr.bambos.charalambous@enfield.gov.uk Tel: 020 8379 2653 Every February the Council has to set its’ annual budget for the services it provides to you. Most of the money the Council receives to deliver these services comes directly from the government in the form of a local government grant which is based on the needs of the local area (more on this later). The remainder is made up via the revenue from the Council Tax. Local councils have not been spared from the Government’s austerity measures and Enfield, along with all other local authorities, has had to bear its’ share of cuts since 2010. Since 2010 Enfield Council has had a reduction of 27% in its budget. It is now being asked to find a further £80 million over the next 3 years! This is a huge amount and Enfield and many other councils across London and up and down the country will face some incredibly tough decisions in order to balance the books. I am proud to say that Enfield has been very innovative in trying to reach this target. One such innovation is the ‘Enfield 2017’ project. On 30 October 2014 Enfield approved the project which is intended to transform the
way it delivers services to the public. The principle is to try to have more interaction on line or via the telephone and to try to do things once only and get things right first time. Living in an era whereby we have more technology in our mobile phones than was used to land Apollo 11 on the moon this is can be seen as a nod to the future. The savings will be made in getting rid of duplication and back office functions. The expectation is that we will improve the efficiency of service and save money at the same time. Obviously we don’t want to throw the baby out with the bath water and there will still be face to face contact with those who need it or cannot access services on line. Another of the pressures on our budget is the cost of temporary accommodation which is projected to cost the council £3million next year. The reason for this is that all local authorities have to place people who present themselves as homeless and who are owed a duty to be housed, in temporary accommodation which is usually in the private sector. As has been well documented rents in
London are sky high at present and so this causes pressures on the Council’s budget. In order to address this Enfield Council has set up a company which will seek to acquire local properties in order to house people in need of temporary accommodation cheaply. As I mentioned earlier Enfield Council receives a grant directly from the Government. The Government works out what Enfield’s needs are and then gives it that amount…minus £12million per year! This missing £12 million is then allocated to other boroughs. This process is called ‘damping’ and is grotesquely unfair. Representations have been made to Government by senior Enfield councillors and officers to change this iniquitous and indefensible position. We would love to have that money back and put towards providing services for you. Whatever happens we will do our utmost to ensure that we balance the budget and deliver services and make savings as fairly and equitably possible.
Parliamentary Comment by David Burrowes MP Never Again? david@davidburrowes.com
www.davidburrowes.com
Constituency: 020 8360 0234
Westminster: 020 7219 5414
This year marks 70 years since the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp in southern Poland where at least 1.1 million prisoners died. It has also been 800 years since the Magna Carta was signed by King John at Runnymede, on the banks of the River Thames, providing the foundation stone of individual liberties under the law. Finally, 750 years have passed since Simon De Montfort’s Parliament was the first instance of a parliament in which representatives from towns and the shires were summoned together to discuss matters of national concern.
A couple of months ago, I hosted a public meeting with Lord David Alton about religious freedom where people of many different faiths attended. I reported back on my visit in October to Burma where Christians and especially Rohingya Muslims are persecuted. The local Muslim community present at the event were clear in their condemnation of recent militant Islamic attacks. It was striking how members of all the faiths were united in their support for religious freedom; a universal freedom and fundamental to all our other freedoms.
All three events have shaped our country, its democratic system, our freedoms, the rule of law and a desire never to endure the horrors of genocide. Last month the annual Holocaust Memorial Day was particularly poignant. Not only was it 70 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, which I have previously visited with local schools as part of the Holocaust Education Trust programme, but it was just a couple of weeks after the barbaric attacks in Paris, Belguim and Nigeria. Whilst much media attention has been upon the brutal killings of Charlie Hebdo journalists, in Nigeria the militant Islamist group Boko Haram continues its wave of bombings, assassinations and abductions.
We say "never again" at Holocaust Memorial events, but the sad reality is that there are increasing numbers of people being persecuted and killed for their race and religion. In Paris and Belgium, Jewish people were targeted and attacked. These antiSemitic attacks were not isolated but are the culmination of repeated discrimination which reached a height over the summer during the Gaza conflict. In Southgate, the local synagogue had a brick thrown through the window, the Jewish charity shop Norwood was plastered with anti Israel posters, and constituents told me that they were fearful about their children being in public with Jewish uniforms or insignia.
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I have met with the Mayor of London and Home Secretary to raise constituents real concerns about the rise of anti-Semitism. In a debate in Parliament in December I said that, "We know from history that the litmus test for our valuing of our fellow human beings has, sadly, been our attitude to anti-Semitism. We can show ourselves to be tackling the issue of human dignity in the way we deal with anti-Semitism." This month, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Anti Semitism, which I am a member, will be publishing a report seeking to respond to the growing acts of antiSemitism across Europe. Do check out my website for the findings. I will also be hosting a public meeting on this subject with a panel of locally and nationally renowned anti-Semitism campaigners and representatives from the local synagogues. Come along to a public meeting on Tuesday the 17th of February at Southgate Progressive Synagogue, 75 Chase Road, London, N14 4QY at 8pm to hear what the experts have to say and ask your questions about tackling anti-Semitism in Enfield Southgate.
348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ
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stunning, two double bedroom apartment located on the ground floor of a modern purpose built block. Within five minutes’ walk to Palmers Green’s shops, restaurants and mainline station (Moorgate). Benefits include a spacious living/dining room with wood floor, fitted kitchen with granite work surfaces, contemporary bathroom with Jacuzzi bath, modern en-suite, a private terrace, communal gardens, secure gated parking space and video entry phone system.
well presented three/four bedroom 1930’s built terraced house located on the ever popular “New Park Estate”. The property benefits from a spacious open plan through lounge, modern kitchen, first floor family bathroom, two double bedrooms, a single bedroom and a further loft bedroom, double glazing, gas central heating, off street parking and paved rear garden with rear access. The property is close to local shops and bus routes with Palmers Green High Road under a mile away.
Hazeltree Lodge Palmers Green, N13
New Park Avenue Palmers Green, N13
2 bedrooms, living/dining room, kitchen, bathroom shower room, allocated parking
3/4 bedrooms, through lounge kitchen, bathroom
£449,995 Leasehold
£449,995 Freehold
Green Lanes Business Association by Costas Georgiou, costas.georgiou2@gmail.com
Cycle Enfield - Fair consultation for all Happy New Year Everyone, it’s been a while since we submitted any updates on local issues from the perspective of the Green Lanes Business Association (GLBA), our focus is still the Mini Holland Cycling Scheme (Cycle Enfield). On 8th January 2015 Enfield Council held an introduction to the consultation for the Mini Holland cycling scheme. The GLBA, which represents Palmers Green businesses, and the residents of Palmers Green Ward were excluded from this meeting. They were not invited to attend. The GLBA is in favour of promoting sustainable and healthy travel, including cycling, but schemes must balance various interests, including those of the local economy and overall taxpayer’s value for money.
We call on Enfield Council to: ✔ Broaden representation on the cycling partnership boards to include organisations such as local schools, the GLBA and the Ruth Winston Centre for older people ✔ Provide information such as large scale maps of proposed cycle routes in accessible locations and at convenient times, and publish all the
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assumptions and methodologies underlying business cases, shopping surveys and designs ✔ Consider practical alternative cycle routes, including parallel roads close to Green Lanes ✔ Conduct a low cost simulation of scheme designs, such as lane closures and parking suspension along the proposed route for at least two consecutive weeks. This will demonstrate the positive or negative impacts on businesses and residents ✔ Extend opening times and improve the signage for Lodge Drive car park. Trial free 20 minute parking in Palmers Green (as with other town centres) ✔ Keep the Triangle. It has been a local Landmark since 1904 and shopkeepers and residents alike want it saved. Since 1992 the GLBA has had a good relationship with Enfield Council on all matters relating to business and the community. Along with representatives for the residents, we feel it is
imperative that these communications continue, particularly when the Mini Holland scheme may have negative impacts on our local businesses and residents. We would like to see The Ruth Winston Centre users and staff included in these discussions. The Centre provides vital services to over 100 people per day, many of them have disabilities, use the Dial-a-Ride service or need help getting out of vehicles. We do not want a physical barrier to the social activities of older people in our community. GLBA is the only business association in the borough that meets a minimum of once a month to discuss local issues in an aim to stay abreast of current issues that could affect local business and the community of Palmers Green. These meetings are also regularly attended by the police Safer Neighbourhoods team. We feel it is of the utmost importance that the GLBA are included in all phases of the consultation period for the new Cycle Enfield Scheme.
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Love Your DoorStep by Emma Rigby Paying it forward and community www.loveyourdoorstep.co.uk
Visit us on facebook
Paying it forward is the selfless generosity of ordinary people who perform an act of kindness for someone else. They are not paying back, because nothing has been done for them. It’s doing something good just for the sake of it with no expectations, just because you can. It is a beautiful concept and it is what we do at Love Your DoorStep (LYDS).
helping each other.
Paying it forward is not something new, as the term was first used in 1944. There is probably no one particular thing that has been encouraging us to pay it forward more often than in the past, although there are now many more people suffering and having a difficult time coping financially, due to the recession and some governmental changes.
When it comes to answering a request from another member, some people might step up because they are already friends, some because they have often seen that name on LYDS, but most often they are helping complete strangers.
As you know, the idea of LYDS unfolded right after the riots in Enfield. Enfield businesses came together to support one another and LYDS encouraged Enfield to get back its feeling of community and of
Right from the beginning LYDS members have been using its Facebook platform to ask other people in the area how to get help, where to find things and what’s going on in and around Enfield. Other members freely pass on any information they might have on the subject in question, because they want to.
LYDS now has well over 10,000 members. As Enfield is the fourth most densely populated of all London Boroughs, there are still lots of people that LYDS has not yet reached, but 10,000 is an impressive number after only three years. There are lots of people in Enfield who are really experiencing the community spirit
and are helping each other as much as possible. There is always someone who will help you to find a product or service that you need, and if by chance it is a difficult request, there is probably someone who will lend you what you need or help you out in some way. Sometimes important things get lost, from dogs to Oyster cards, and so far we have had 100% success in getting those lost ‘items’ back to their owners with the help of our community. There is nothing better than community to make life easier and much more fun. Paying it forward is a big part of what that really is, and LYDS happily supports our community as much as possible. If you are looking for more community in your life LYDS is there to help. Find our community group on facebook under N21/EN1/EN2/EN4/N13/N14/ Whats there to do and where to find stuff.
Southgate District Civic Trust – Past, Present & Future by Jane Maggs www.southgatedistrictcivictrust.org.uk In 1962, a group of local residents banded together to fight a plan to demolish the Georgian cottages on Southgate Green. Their campaign saved the cottages and led to the formation of Southgate District Civic Trust. particularly for conservation areas, but also for any Over the next few years, the Trust widened its area of large developments or where members are directly interest to cover the old Southgate Municipal Borough concerned. (abolished in 1965). The area includes Southgate, Southgate Green, Palmers Green, Winchmore Hill and As part of this, members are reviewing the council out as far as Oakwood, Cockfosters and Hadley Wood. Local Heritage List, to be sure anything important to the community is included. Listing may not give these So, after 50 years what is there in our past, present places full legal protection, but it has to be taken into and future! account when considering any development. It’s The Past – to develop the future you have to about what is important to us as a community. understand the past. The Trust has an active Local The Future – the Trust actively works with council History Group, which meets regularly, usually with a officers, local politicians, residents groups and speaker on a local subject. We have an extensive businesses to keep improving our area. However, we catalogue of local history publications written by Bourne Hill, Woodman know that national changes, like planning laws have members including our periodic bulletin Oakleaves. a huge impact on our community rights. So the Trust Excitingly, the latest edition, Oakleaves 5, received an involved with major developments in the area like the is also a member of Civic Voice, the national charity award for Best Journal 2014 from LAMAS (London North Circular Action Plan, Salmon’s Brook for the civic movement. In fact through Civic Voice, our and Middlesex Archaeological Society). The group Improvements and Cycle Enfield. member’s views were included in the first ever ‘Civic initiated four local blue plaques for distinguished Society Manifesto’. As we get closer to the General former residents. This area has a fascinating past and we intend to Election, we have something tangible to discuss with ensure a great future. The Present – we tackle the present trying to those politicians knocking on our doors. conserve and protect the best aspects of the area. So how do you get involved? Come to one of our The Trust has campaigned in the past for major Clearly everywhere has to develop and grow, but The ‘open meetings’, which include a speaker on anything developments like the restoration of Grovelands Trust wants to ensure that changes are appropriate, from environmental matters, bee keeping to council House, plus smaller things like the flower-bed at the sympathetic and what people want. The Planning development plans. Or come to a history group top of Chase Road in Southgate. Our members are Group meets monthly to review planning applications, meeting, or a social event. Full details are in our regular members Newsletter, or on the website (www.southgatedistrictcivictrust.org.uk) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/southgatedistrictcivictrust), or contact Jane Maggs on 020 8882 4253. Better still, join us and make a difference.
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92 Aldermans Hill, Palmers Green, N13 4PP
Your Local Accountant – How to pass property to your children and pay less tax by Alex Chrysostomou Alexander’s & Co Chartered Accountants 24A Aldermans Hill, Palmers Green, London N13 4PN Tel: 020 8882 6611 Fax: 020 8882 6621 Email: Alex@alexandersandco.com Website: www.alexandersandco.com Alex loves business and gives regular presentations to those wanting to learn about the accountancy and tax part of running their own business. He helps break down the barriers that people face in running their own business and how to maximise their earnings. The biggest enjoyment that Alex gets from his role as an accountant is to work with people from all walks of life and most importantly helping them with their money. Alex’s specialism is in dealing with tax issues relating to properties, where he regularly advises clients with a property portfolio as small as one buy-to-let property to large commercial and residential property developers.
Question: I am reaching retirement age and have a few properties earning me rental income. I am conscious of my inheritance tax position and want to make sure that my children receive the properties and we pay as little tax as possible. Can you advise on our position?
Answer: The issue I would need to establish from the onset is whether you rely on the rental income from the properties to help you during your retirement. If so, then you won’t be able to pass the properties to your children and retain the benefits (i.e. the rent) from the properties. If you plan to gift your residential property to your children and continue to live in it, rent free, this won’t fall out of your estate for inheritance tax purposes, as it will be seen as a ‘gift with reservation of benefit’ – although it won’t attract any capital gains tax, regardless of the method of transfer. If you decide to gift any of your properties to your children you will have to wait seven years until the gift falls out of your estate (although the value of the gift does fall over time, reducing your potential inheritance tax bill). There is also the issue of capital gains tax to consider in gifting the investment properties. Regardless of the money which exchanges with the
transfer, the deemed transfer is taken as the market value of the property at the date of exchange. Capital gains tax is calculated as the market value of the property, less the purchase price (and any other allowable capital expenses) with the balance chargeable for capital gains tax at 28%. There are instances in which your capital gains tax bill can be reduced. The main one being is if you have ever lived in the property you are disposing. If so, then the last 18 months will be free of capital gains tax. In addition, you are entitled to a relief known as lettings relief, which could result in up to an additional £40,000 relief from capital gains tax. This could be doubled if the property is owned by husband and wife. There are various other tax planning opportunities available and the potential options are always tailored to each individual situation. The aim is always to look at the long term goal of the individual and to build a plan to help manage their affairs in a tax efficient manner.
If you have an accounting question for Alex please e-mail him directly he will be happy to assist you, alternatively Alexander’s & Co offer an initial free consultation please contact them to find out more. Disclaimer: The information provided in this article should not be construed as legal advice and the information is offered for information purposes only. You should always seek advice from an appropriately qualified accountant on any specific accountancy enquiry.
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Choosing the right holiday cottage break by Wendy Boast Wendy Boast is the owner of Visit Peaks holiday cottages and has been going on self catering holidays with her husband, three children and friends for over 25 years. If you are interested in a 2015 self catering holiday get in touch by email wendyboast@visitpeaks.co.uk or phone 07980 390 520. A self catering holiday cottage is a popular getaway choice for many people. Although you may still be doing some cooking and washing, going self catering usually means more flexibility. You can choose when and what to eat and you will have separate living and bedroom areas.
the local area too.
Also self catering can often work out cheaper than staying in hotels especially for larger groups or families.
If you are travelling with a young family ask about any baby equipment you may need such as a cot and high chair. Do you need a stair gate or black out blinds? Are these included in the price or do you have to pay extra?
Here’s what to look for when choosing your break. Facilities vary greatly so check what's available. Some places will have washing machines and separate dryers, TV's with satellite channels, well equipped kitchens, microwaves etc while more basic accommodation might not. The better holiday cottages should offer free wi fi, bed linen and towels, DVDs, board games, a BBQ, outdoor furniture, supplies of general household items, as well as maps and guides of
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Find out where the nearest food shop will be. Is a local or farm shop nearby or is there a large supermarket? You can often arrange for an online supermarket shop to be delivered to your accommodation on the day you arrive.
It's always good to have a garden or outside space if you're staying in self catering accommodation. If so, check that it is safe and enclosed. If you are visiting in the spring and summer ask about outdoor seating and BBQs. You want to be able to enjoy the sunny days! If you're going away with family or friends, think about what type of holiday you want. Will you be doing everything together or having
some time apart? Do you want to go for accommodation that is big enough for all of you or would you prefer separate but neighbouring accommodation? Ask what there is to do locally. The holiday cottage owner should know about local attractions and even attractions further afield. They should also be able to tell you which pubs and restaurants are good in the local area. If you are booking a rural holiday cottage, ask about local walks, cycle ways and local towns. If you are thinking of taking your pets away on holiday make sure that the holiday cottage is pet friendly. Some self catering cottages will accept dogs, but many stipulate only one wellbehaved pet; if you are holidaying with more than one family or a group of you with several pets that could be a problem. Also check what the rules are for pets; where are the pets allowed, check the finer details and ask if there are additional pet fees.
348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ
Tax year-end: Taxing times by Jan Thompson Contact Jan on 07568 321207 or email jan.thompson@sjpp.co.uk www.jananthompsonwealthmanagment.co.uk Jan Thompson Partner of St James’s Place Wealth Management, is based locally and is inviting local residents to discover the simple yet highly effective steps you can take to preserve and protect your wealth. Preserving and protecting your wealth surgeries are being held locally by appointment on 25th & 26th February 2015 from 10-5pm. All surgeries last approx 40mins and are held in the strictest confidence and without obligation.
It pays to get your finances in order before the end of the tax year. When the run-up to the end of the tax year coincides with the countdown to a general election, taxation and personal wealth are going to feature high up on the political agenda. Of course, no one knows the outcome of the May election until the ballot has closed and the votes are counted. And any changes to taxation rules will remain in the balance until a new government is formed. But there are some crucial questions for voters over the coming months. Will there be cuts to higher rate tax relief on pension contributions? Will there be a reduction of the burden of Inheritance Tax? Will Income Tax rates change? Certainly, Britain’s savers and investors can only plan on the basis of what they know – and can only speculate on which election promises become policy. Yet savers and investors still have to make a series of decisions prior to the tax year-end; a full month before the general election. The best approach to help reduce tax bills and achieve financial goals is to make full use of the allowances, exemptions and planning measures already in place. And that means taking action before 5 April to ensure the opportunities that are available now are not lost. So, as the tax year-end fast approaches, savers and investors should consider the following. Take full advantage of your annual ISA allowance July’s increase in the annual ISA allowance to £15,000 was a welcome, if overdue, development, and reaffirmed the value of ISAs for long-term planning and tax savings. Yet latest HMRC figures from September last year reveal that the average value of a Stocks & Shares ISA portfolio is just £29,520 and that the average contribution in the last tax year was £6,200. Clearly, there is room to maximise the opportunity to generate tax-efficient
income and capital gains free of any further tax liability. However, what hasn’t changed is that your allowance for this tax year will be lost unless you invest by 5 April. Save tax with pension contributions The recently announced changes to pensions introduce much greater flexibility and remove many of the reservations some people had about investing through pensions. The annual allowance that can be invested in a pension in this tax year is £40,000. Advantage can also be taken of any unused annual allowances from the 2011/12 tax year onwards. The continuation of higher rate tax relief on pensions is one of the post-election uncertainties, so those paying tax at higher or additional rates should consider accelerating contributions while the higher tax reliefs remain in place. Make gifts to reduce your Inheritance Tax liability Gift exemptions may appear minor in isolation, but their consistent use over the years can produce significant savings and benefits. Each individual has an annual gift exemption of £3,000 and has until 5 April to take advantage of last year’s exemption if it wasn’t used. Between spouses there could be £12,000 available for immediate gifting, which can be divided into any number of individual gifts. Advantage can also be taken of the normal expenditure from income exemption, which offers a lot of flexibility and is potentially the most generous exemption as it has no defined monetary limit. A number of broad conditions do apply, including that a regular pattern of gifts needs to be established, gifts must come from surplus income and gifts must not affect the donor’s standard of living. It is also possible to make small gifts of up to £250 to as many people as you wish in any one tax year. The only caveat is that the same individual cannot receive both a small gift and any of the annual
£3,000 exemption in the same tax year. A good way to maximise these allowances might be through Junior ISAs, for which this year’s allowance is £4,000, giving children or grandchildren a head start. Alternatively, investing into a pension for someone else could boost your gift by 20% through the tax relief available on contributions. Fully utilise your Capital Gains Tax allowance Individuals can realise up to £11,000 of gains this tax year without having to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT), which is worth £3,080 to a higher rate taxpayer. And a decision to crystallise gains up to this limit before the end of the tax year could reduce the amount of tax paid in the future. Married couples or civil partners should also not forget to make use of their spouse’s or partner’s CGT allowance. Transfer assets between spouses Don’t forget that transfers of assets between spouses are free from tax, which provides the opportunity to ensure that both optimise their available allowances and reliefs. It may be advantageous to transfer assets into joint ownership or to your spouse if they pay a lower rate of tax than you, which could save tax on future income and capital gains. The level and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time and are generally dependent on individual circumstances. An investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.
To receive a complimentary guide covering wealth management, retirement planning or Inheritance Tax planning, produced by St. James’s Place Wealth Management, contact Jan Thompson of St. James’s Place Wealth Management on 07568 321207 or email jan.thompson@sjpp.co.uk
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F SA OR LE
TSO FO AL R LEE T
The Grove, N13
Munster Gardens, N13
4 bedrooms, 2 receptions, kitchen, bathroom
3 bedrooms, 2 receptions, kitchen, bathroom ground floor wet room, chain free
£724,950 Freehold
£449,995 Freehold F SA OR LE
TSO FO AL R LEE T 3/4 bedrooms, through lounge kitchen/diner bath/shower room
3 bedrooms, through lounge, morning room, kitchen/diner Victorian built, chain free
£419,995 Freehold
£624,995 Freehold LE
T
LE T
Truro Road, N22
TO
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D CE DU RE
Mitchell Road, N13
Arnold Gardens, N13
Godolphin Close, N13
1 double bedroom first floor flat, spacious living room kitchen, bathroom
studio apartment, living/sleeping area, kitchen, shower room parking facilities, unfurnished
£850 per month
£750 per month
92 Aldermans Hill, Palmers Green, N13 4PP
Special Vets for your special pets by Simon Hayes, Head Vet & Partner - Village Vet Winchmore Hill Southgate, 32-34 Cannon Hill, Southgate, N14 6LG - Tel: 020 8882 6222 & Winchmore Hill, 2 Station Road, Winchmore Hill, N21 3RB - Tel: 020 8360 2020 www.villagevet.co.uk
At Village Vet, we pride ourselves on always striving to match the needs of both you and your pet, providing special vets for your special pets. Village Vet is here for you in your community putting you and your pet first. We pride ourselves on offering high standards of care and excellent client service. Our practices all retain their own personality, but we have the back up of being in a group to share our expertise. The Southgate practice run by Zara Posener is a fantastic 1 vet practice offering a boutique style of care, whereas in Winchmore Hill, Simon Hayes runs a large 4 vet practice with a more hospital style and staff onsite 24 hours to care for any patients that need to stay in overnight. There is also a large car park. We have incredibly well equipped veterinary practices, with digital xrays, ultrasound, in house laboratories, full operating theatres, dental xrays and endoscopy. In fact everything your pet could need, but most importantly we have vets, nurses and receptionists with knowledge, empathy and compassion to help you and your pets. For both practices one thing we love is helping our
old and new clients when they get new puppies and kittens. We offer a great value puppy or kitten plan to help you through those first difficult months of owning a new pet. In fact, why not come in and see us before you even get your pet? Our teams have a wealth of knowledge and experience and are always happy to help. Choosing a puppy or kitten can be a very daunting task so let us take some of the stress out of it for you. Most people have an idea of the type of pet that they want. Some choices are simple, like a dog or a cat, but others are more difficult, like do I buy a kitten from the internet?
Here are some questions to ask yourself: • Is the pet or breed you have chosen appropriate for your circumstances? • What are your plans for the future – short term and long term. A puppy will be with you for on average 12 years and a kitten 15 years. • Do you want a Pedigree breed or a cross breed?
• Do you want a rescue animal or one from a breeder? • Be careful about online media. Always try to visit a breeder before parting with any money. There are lots of scams out there. • Is the puppy or kitten being brought up in a home or in a kennel situation? • Is it a good idea to buy the smallest or weakest looking puppy or kitten? There are many more things to consider, but hopefully, that is a start. Once you get your new bundle of fluffy joy home, make sure you book an appointment with us in the first 24-48 hours so that we can check him or her over and give you advice about feeding, training, vaccinations, deworming, defleaing and anything else you are concerned about. Have a look at our website www.villagevet.co.uk to find out more about the puppy and kitten plans and the other services that Village Vet offers.
Veterinary staff on site 24 hours h a day.... Winchmore Hill 020 8360 2020 2020 8am – 8pm Monday to o Friday 9am – 4pm on Satu Saturday urday nday 10am – 2pm on Sun Sunday
Southgate e 6222 020 8882 62 22 9am – 7pm Monday to o Friday 9am – 1pm on Satu Saturday urday
SIMON HAYES Head Vet
Open at times to suit s you
www.villagevet.co.uk www.villagevet t.co.uk
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Firs Farm - An exciting community space project that needs your VOTE by Toni Guiver Friends of Firs Farm, Firs Farm, Firs Lane, Winchmore Hill, London N21 2PJ friendsoffirsfarm@gmail.com www.firsfarmn21.org www.facebook.com/FirsFarmParkN21 Public votes are urgently needed to support the transformation of Firs Farm, Palmers Green (opposite Winchmore School) into a beautiful wetlands area. Enfield, Winchmore Hill, Palmers Green and Edmonton are popular residential areas and many value and appreciate the green spaces that exist to walk their dogs, play football, take their children for a walk or just enjoy some space and fresh air. As many of you know, green spaces need protecting and nourishing in this day and age. The recently formed “Friends of Firs Farm” group has worked with the council and other third parties to ensure that the development of Firs Farm will benefit all the community e.g. Families, schools, groups and sports clubs. In Jan 2015, an application, supported by the Friends Group, to fund an ambitious project, was made to the GLA’s: Big Green Fund by the London borough of Enfield. Firs Farm is now in competition with 6 other shortlisted projects across London. Our vision is a landscaped area which attracts new wildlife and plants, new cycle pathway, access for wheelchair and double buggy users, a safer route for school children. It is important to note that this will not affect the sports playing fields.
that more people will be able to access and enjoy Firs Farm; to cycle, run, jog, or just sit and watch the wildlife. To stroll along the paths, taking in all that the new wetlands and surrounding area will have to offer. This project has much to offer the community in terms of health, recreation, and education. It is a very exciting project and the Friends hope that you will help the quest to improve this green space for everyone.”
Sainsburys Manager Mark and Toni
In essence, this project needs as many votes as possible to ensure its success. Please help us to change this underused space in Firs Farm to somewhere that everyone in the community can access and enjoy. Voting opens on 21st January 2015, to vote please go to www.london.gov.uk/biggreenpoll or visit our website for more details. Chair and founder member of the group, Toni Guiver explains, “This is a golden opportunity to help transform a dull green space into an exciting area for everyone. The aim of the Friends of Firs Farm is
Jim Owen Head Teacher at Winchmore School said “Winchmore School students would benefit immeasurably from a safer footpath through the park to school each day, and a local wetland pond would certainly be of interest to our young ecoscientists!” Sainsburys in Winchmore Hill are also keen to back the project having recently donated £100 towards litter picking up sessions at Firs Farm.
If you are keen to get involved with the Friends group, or just to know more about this exciting project, please get in touch and don’t forget to vote for us!
Savour the Season by Jason Sutton Beef fillet cooked by reverse sear Beef fillet cooked by reverse sear. Notice how uniform the meat is. There’s no grey, overcooked boundary.
This isn’t a recipe as such, more of a change of mindset. I and most other people who eat at the supper club like their beef roasted to a medium rare: pink but not 'bloody' (it's not blood but that's for another article). I used to follow the ages old method: sear the meat in a pan and then transfer to a hot oven to roast. No longer. And I urge you to change. Your family and friends will love you for it. You will love the fact that you never again overcook the Sunday joint. It's called the reverse sear method.
have a band of tough, grey overcooked meat fading to pink. The major issue with fire was temperature. There was just one: burny hot.
With reverse sear, you cook the meat in a very cool oven. And I mean COOL; so low you can happily handle the baking tray with naked hands. The oven should be at the same temperature as you want your meat to be. Then take it out and rest it. Finally, replace in a ferociously hot oven for ten minutes to brown and crisp the outside. You will need a meat/temperature probe but these are inexpensive and readily available.
Tradition. It's how we've always done it! Cooking is prone to the this-is-how-granny-did-it syndrome. There are many, many kitchen myths still knocking about. Of course few want to take the time and expense to experiment - people cook to eat - so bad and/or unnecessary practices are perpetuated.
If you think about how we cook meat, it hasn't really changed since we discovered fire. We place flesh close to heat. Nothing wrong with this but you will always
What's happened in the intervening years between Prometheus and me is the development of temperature control. The internal of medium roast beef should only be about 55 - 60°C so why put it in a 180°C oven? Why not use the lower temperature technologies? The answer is: tradition and time. Let's take these in order.
Time. Yes, hands up, this way takes longer, perhaps two or three times as much. But oven time doesn't really matter does it? When do you ever do a rush roast? And the major problem with the sear/hot roast method is that timing becomes critical. Five minutes too many and you
have overdone meat. Most joints aren't perfectly cylindrical or symmetrical so in a hot oven the thinner end will cook faster. A high temp also means the meat contracts fast and forces out moisture. Who wants dry meat? The major advantage with this is it's pretty much impossible to overcook your expensive joint. If the oven is 60°C, the meat can get no hotter. You can leave it in for an extra hour without an issue. No rushing back to save the dinner - even the Christmas turkey! This method applies to all meats. So what are the internal temperatures you should be looking for? Here’s my taste: Beef Rare: 50°C Medium Rare: 55°C Medium: 60° Well Done: 70°C As my mother liked it: 95°C
Jason runs the New River Restaurant, a supper club for splendid people in Palmers Green. www.newriverrestaurant.com
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348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ
In praise of the sweet delight of a square of ‘Tottenham’ Suzanne Beard of Palmers Green Jewel in the North drools over the closest thing to a local delicacy
Melton Mowbray has its pork pies, Eccles has its cake, Devizes has its ciders, But what does PG make? What indeed? At first glance, we do seem to be a little lacking in our culinary specialities, though I know that some will right now be thinking of the dolmade, the kleftiko, and the gently, deliciously oozing, nutty, honey filled baklavas of Aroma. But perhaps the truly authentic Palmers Green originating speciality doesn’t really exist - or exist yet. Palmers Green Pudding? But there is one overlooked localish speciality that perhaps we should be tucking into. It doesn’t belong to Palmers Green, but it does come from a place not much more than two miles from here, though in a sense, like all our delicacies, it simply belongs to us all. I am talking, of course, of the pink, square, delight, Tottenham. As I get older, as in the adage, my taste in music gets sweeter, and my taste in food gets more savoury (have you tried to eat a Kola Kube recently?). You’d hardly think I would give this little sweetmeat the time of day. But perhaps my liking for Tottenham is hereditary. My Mother tells of how as a child just after the war, she’d get up in the darkness for a trip with my granddad, Charlie Freeston, to Spitalfields Market to buy fruit and veg for his shop in Ongar high street. First would be a visit to the market itself (and with luck, a sixpence from Mrs Kent, who kept a keen eye on the money sitting on high on her perch), then a trip to the wholesalers in Leytonstone, and then, best part of all, a warm-up with tea and Tottenham at a stall outside Bearman’s department store on Leytonstone High Street. A bite through the soft icing and into the springy madeira-like sponge with a gulp or two of hot sugary tea
must have made a fine restorative. As equally it might today. Note by the way, that in my family at least, it is ‘Tottenham’, not Tottenham Cake. The ‘cake’ is superfluous. We always know what you mean. The origins of Tottenham like many of these things are not entirely clear, but Tottenham is certainly well over one hundred years old. It was baked by the North London’s Quakers, with the pink icing traditionally made from the mulberries from the Tottenham Friends’ burial ground (the Quakers built their first Meeting House in Tottenham in 1714). Many websites will tell you that the cake was popularised by Thomas Chalkley, who sold it for a penny (or half a penny for misshapen offcuts), and that it was given away to the children when Spurs won the FA Cup in 1901. Local historian Peter Brown and his wife Doreen describe it as a children’s cake, a crowd pleaser, reflecting the Quaker values of simplicity, sharing and equality, a view echoed by a cook book from 1931, quoted on Haringey Council’s website: It sometimes happens that a large number of pieces of cheap cake are required at very short notice for such functions as children’s treats or tea meetings, and in such circumstances it may be almost impossible to prepare some thousands of buns or small cakes. Resort is then had to cheap sheet cake, which is easily made and looks large at the price at which it is sold. The cheapest cake of this sort that may still give entire satisfaction is Tottenham cake. Give entire satisfaction it does. You can buy it from Greggs or Percy Ingle, as sadly we no longer seem to have a proper baker in Palmers Green (other than the aforementioned, excellent but Tottenham-free Aroma patisserie), but
why not make your own? The Browns have continued the tradition of baking the cake for the Friends, using their old recipe, tried and trusted for over 50 years – in 2013 Doreen appeared on the Great British Bake off. This is the way they make it: Quantities as for a 7" round tin (38 square inches) • Cooking margarine - 6 oz • Caster sugar - 6 oz • Eggs - 3 • Self-raising Flour - 8 oz • Vanilla essence - a teaspoonful • Grated nutmeg (if desired) - a little • Milk Mix margarine and sugar (as for Madeira cake). Beat eggs and mix in. Fold the mix into the flour. Add vanilla, nutmeg and mix well. Add milk as required to form a 'dropping' consistency. Pre-heat oven and bake at 150°C for 50 minutes. o achieve a flattop cake, cover with foil. Icing: This is either lurid pink or shocking pink: Icing sugar. Mulberry juice - from the Friend's Mulberry Tree, (or Blackcurrant, or Cherry). Add Lemon juice if desired. Coat the cake with a weak mix of icing sugar and warm water, and allow to soak in. Coat the cake with the lurid (or shocking) icing. Since writing this article, I am pleased to say Palmers Green now has a new patisserie and boulangerie! Hurrah
For more about Palmers Green history and people, visit www.palmersgreenn13.com or ‘like’ us on Facebook. And if you have any Palmers Green stories, please get in touch.
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Alexia says… ‘It’s the Year of the Hobby’ by Alexia Charalambous There is nothing like getting a new year underway than taking up a new hobby or developing an interest and it’s still early in the year to get that under your belt. You may have a burning desire to write that novel, learn how to dance like a Strictly professional or plan to be the next Andy Murray, well, make 2015 the year to seek out this goal. Read on to see my picks of local classes to invest your time and energy in to achieve your goal. Take up tennis Hazelwood Sports Club (www.hazelwood sportsclub.co.uk/tennis) in Winchmore Hill has outdoor and indoor tennis courts. You don’t have to be a member to join either as they have a Pay and Play where you pay £24.00 for access to a court. Alternatively, book in to have some one-to-one coaching with one of the qualified tennis coaches, prices start at £24 per hour. The club has 3 acrylic courts and four artificial clay courts. Ridge Avenue, Winchmore Hill, N21 2AJ. Twinkle those toes with Ballroom and Latin Dancing For those Strictly Come Dancing fans, Dance Matrix offers classes in Ballroom and Latin in Oakwood on Wednesday nights. The class begins at 8.00pm for improvers and 8.45 for beginners. Singles and
couples can attend – you don’t have to have a partner as the men rotate so you always have a partner. At 9:30pm, there is social dancing for half an hour where you practise what you have learnt. St. Thomas’ Church Hall, Prince George Avenue, N14 4SN. Learn a language Whether you like listening music from other countries, travelling abroad, working for an international company, or chatting with foreign friends learning a langue can be fun, at any age. Why not try Italian with Laura Scaramella, she teaches in Palmers Green. For more information please visit www.parlaitaliano.co.uk.
Latest in fitness You don’t need to travel to central London for the latest fitness craze but if you have always wanted to try hot yoga then start off at the Enfield’s Training Temple (www.trainingtemple.co.uk). Now if Insanity is your thing (pure heart-pumping exercise, not for the faint hearted!) you can find classes, alongside yoga and Tai Chi, at The Place Studio (www.theplacestudio.com) in Bush Hill Park.
This is just a small selection of things to do, read next month’s magazine for more of what to do for a year worth living.
Take to the Stage Ever fancied treading the boards? It is awards season and the Oscars are only a month away. There are a number of local theatre groups to join in the local area including St Monica’s Players (www.smptheatre.co.uk), Acorn Theatre Company (www.acorntheatre.com) and St John’s Players (www.stjohnsplayers-pg.org.uk).
Alexia says is a lifestyle blog for women. Please visit www.alexiasays.co.uk for more information. @alexiasaysso email:hello@alexiasays.co.uk
Colour trends for 2015 by Kiri from Fabulous Hair Company Fabulous Hair Company 382 Green Lanes, N13 5PD Tel:020 8886 7070 Colour trends and techniques come and go. In this month’s article I’m going touch on a small portion of what is trending and which techniques are popular. I would always recommend you colour your hair in a professional environment, like a hair salon, and in March’s article I’ll tell you why supermarket box colours are secondbest to salon professional colours. Balayage: There's a new trend in town. Well actually nothing new here - it’s actually an older technique that’s being revisited. Balayage is a French term meaning “sweeping” or “highlighting”. This technique was created in the 70’s by freehanding colour placement onto each strand of hair to emphasise movement and shape. Your colourist will pick up and choose where to place colour. I love seeing bolder highlights and strong ribbons running through the hair. O’mbre: Is another French word, meaning “shaded” and is here to stay! Like Marmite you either love it or hate it. Nevertheless, it’s not going anywhere any time soon. It’s a fun and fashionable way to lighten up your hair without the commitment of colour or highlights. See the picture of Drew Barrymore for a traditional dark-to-light O’mbre. S’ombre: A softer version of an O’mbre. The colours are softer and the transition from dark to light is more gradual.
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Flamboyage: Balayage vs O’mbre. Does it necessarily have to be one or the other? No - a good colourist should be able to combine both techniques. A Balayage melting into an O’mbre will be popular for spring 2015. Babylights: Move over, O’mbre – the hottest new hair colour trend is taking the au naturel route! Babylights, or naturallooking highlights that mimic the sun-kissed tones your hair took on as a child, have been gaining popularity among beauty buffs and Hollywood starlets alike for their ability to enhance your own natural hue without veering too far off the spectrum. Case in point: Miranda Kerr’s subtle golden streaks. An industry source says, "Babylights are a great way to introduce highlights and dimension into the hair. They're easy to maintain with little upkeep and a natural grow-out." Just be sure to ask for very subtle, natural-looking highlights. Softer reds: This past autumn, guests were asking for super rich colour and more dimension. Deeper reds, stronger golds and rich coppers were all the trend. Rich colours still have their place and guests are now opting for softer, more naturallooking shades. Hair colours like Paul Mitchell’s ammonia-free ‘Shines XG’ are a great way to add a more natural tone to your hair. Deep browns: I enjoy working with cooler tones. Here’s a
good tip if you are not sure which tone is best suited to you. If you have a lot of pink in your skin or have a darker complexion, cool tones are good for you. If you tan easily or have a lot of warm tones in your skin, stick with a golden shade. Deep chocolate browns stand out in a sea of blonde. Cool blondes: Another trend I am seeing right now is silver. Whether it is a full on bleach and tone, or simply glossing and some creamy highlights with a slight violet or blue hint. It's white, but you can see the blue in it, like skimmed milk. You can spend a lot of money colouring your hair and I would always recommend you take advice from a hair stylist on which product routine is best to help you to look after your hair and protect your financial investment. If you have any questions that need answering quickly please email me at kc@fabuloushaircompany.com and I’ll get back to you soon as I can. If you enjoyed my article let us know, Like us on Facebook and we’ll enter you in our monthly competition for a chance of winning 1 in 10 Paul Mitchell in-salon Awapuhi Wild Ginger Keratin treatments worth £25. Just go to our website www.fabuloushaircompany.com, or click the Facebook icon to Like.
92 Aldermans Hill, Palmers Green, N13 4PP
Your Local Family Law Specialists Child Maintenance by Karen Chapman Hi there, I am Karen Chapman, the other half of Chapman Pieri Solicitors and this is my first article for Palmers Green Life. I hope you are all well and keeping wrapped up in this icy February weather. I thought I would write about Child Maintenance as this is a subject that often comes up when dealing with family matters regardless if the parties are married or not. There have been a number of changes to the collection and assessment of child maintenance in the previous year and so this article is intended to provide a brief overview of the steps involved in an assessment by the Child Maintenance Service “CMS”.
Working out income The CMS will be able to establish the paying parent’s yearly gross income from information supplied to HMRC and check if they are getting benefits. Unearned income such as dividends drawn through a company, investment and property income is in the first instance excluded. Gross income includes any bonus, commission or overtime payments. It also includes receipts from any pension scheme, tax credits, employment credits and disabled persons tax credits. Gross income excludes investment income, State benefits, student grants and loans.
Most parents can approach the CMS for an assessment. There are 4 rates of Child Maintenance:Nil rate As the title suggests the parent the child doesn’t live with doesn’t have to pay child maintenance because e.g. they are a student, aged 16 or under (or 20 or under if they’re in full time education), get an allowance for work-based training or live in a care home or independent hospital. Flat rate This is £5 per week no matter how many children are involved. It is used of the paying parent’s gross income is between £5 and £100 and they don’t qualify for the nil rate Reduced rate This is used if the paying parent’s gross income is between £100 and £200 it is calculated as £5 per week plus a percentage of the paying parent’s income Basic rate This is a percentage of the paying parent’s gross weekly income. Pension contributions may be deducted. The rates are as follows:
Gross weekly income up to £800 per week:One child 12% Two children 16% Three or more children 19% Gross weekly income between £800 to £3,000 per week:One child 9% Two Children 12% Three or more children 15%
circumstances by initiating a variation application. This is appropriate where the standard formula does not do justice to the case. The categories of variation application that may lead to an assessment being reduced are if the paying parent has significant costs in maintaining contact with a child, or must meet costs relating to long term illness or disability of a child living with him or her. Other criteria include seeking reductions due to paying debts for the joint benefit of both parents, paying for the child’s boarding school fees or paying the mortgage on the property where the child lives. The categories of variation that might increase a maintenance liability are if the receiving parent applies for the paying parent’s unearned income into account, such as income from property rental, dividends and interest. It is also possible to apply on the basis that the paying parent is diverting his income e.g. making excessive pension contributions, funnelling his earnings through a partner or failing to pay a proper salary. There is also an appeal system if either parent believes the maintenance calculation is wrong or that a variation application has not been dealt with properly.
Deductions The amount of child maintenance will also be affected by the number of other children the paying parent or their partner receives child benefit for “relevant other children” and the number of overnight stays with the paying parent. Percentage reduction for relevant other children For relevant other children in the paying parent’s household, a percentage reduction will be applied to the assessment being either 11%, 14% or 16% for one, two or three or more children respectively. Shared care Where the paying parent has overnight contact, a reduction to their child maintenance liability will apply to child maintenance which is broadly as follows: Fewer than 52 nights – no reduction Between 52 and 103 nights – 14.29% Between 104 and 155 nights – 28.57% Between 156 and 174 nights – 42.86% More than 175 nights – 50% plus £7 each week for each child
Fees The application fee will be a £20 charge payable by the applicant for a maintenance calculation. The person with care will be charged a 4% collection fee on any child support collected through the CMS. The nonresident parent will be charged a 20% collection fee on top of the weekly amount of child maintenance he or she is liable to pay, if the CMS collection service is used. The aim is to encourage more parents to endeavour to agree the level of child support between. If you require advice on Child Maintenance Agreements or any other related family matters, please don’t hesitate to call us on 020 8882 9850 to arrange a fixed fee initial consultation for just £75 plus VAT.
Variation Either the receiving parent or paying parent can ask the CMS to take account additional information or
Should you require any further information, please give us a call here at Chapman Pieri Solicitors on 020 8882 9850 to set up an Initial Consultation or alternatively you can email us at: info@cpfamilylaw.co.uk. Please have a look at our website where you will find a lot of helpful information: www.cpfamilylaw.co.uk. Address: Southgate Office Village, Block C, Ground & First Floors, 284B Chase Road, Southgate, London, N14 6HF.
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Local Events Whatʼs going on locally in Palmers Green & Southgate If you have an activity to list here please get in touch at ellie@palmersgreenlife.co.uk Enfield Poets Present an Evening with Ruth Pade Saturday February 7th 2015 at 7.30 The Dugdale Centre - Thomas Hardy House, London Rd, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 6DS Phone: 020 8807 6680 www.facebook.com/events/ Floating Lanterns: Celebrating Broomfield Park 2015 Sunday 8 February 2.00pm Boating Pond, Broomfield Park Play Streets meeting Sunday 8 February 4.00pm Baskerville's Tea Shop, 66 Aldermans Hill, N13 4PP Workshop for people interested in setting up Play Streets in their road. Rich Driffield from the charity London Play will be there to offer information and support. Interested? Please email chocrogers@hotmail.com so we can give Baskerville’s firm numbers. Feb Shed: Half-term performance workshops for 5-12 year olds Monday 16 February until Friday 20 February 10.00am - 4.00pm Chickenshed, Chase Side, Southgate, N14 4PE. £130.
50% discount for siblings. For children in Year 1 up to Year 8 (ages 5-12 years). Children will explore and develop a wide range of performance skills through workshops that involve drama, dance, singing and story-making. Box Office: 020 8292 9222 bookings@chickenshed.org.uk Chickenshed Community Chorus for Adults 21+ @ Chickenshed Theatre Wednesday 21 January Wednesday 25 February 2015 (5 weeks not including Wednesday 4 February) 6.30-8.30pm £8 each session. £40 for 5 weeks of workshops. An ongoing series of vocal sessions at which you can develop your singing skills as part of an ensemble. Palmers Green & Southgate U3A Monthly Meeting Wednesday 25 February 2.30pm Intimate Theatre, Green Lanes, N13 4DH Speaker: Barbara Lewis, National Chairman of our umbrella organisation, The Third Age Trust. Comedy Night @ Chickenshed Theatre Bar
Thursday 26 February, 8pm, £10 adv | £12, 16+ Comedy Nights at Chickenshed are fast becoming the place to be for a relaxed and very funny night out, attracting wellknown headline acts as well as showcasing rising stars. Friends of Arnos Park Community Orchard planting day. Saturday February 28th 10-3pm. Arnos Park, N11 1AP Volunteers needed please join us in the old playground. Check our facebook page friendsofarnosparklondon for updates. North London Organic Gardeners: Birds in our Gardens Talk Thursday 5 March 8.00pm Small Hall, Baptist Church, Compton Road, N21 3PA Speaker: Bruce Bennett of the RSPB Contacts: suecampbell4@btinternet.com ST HARMONICA’S BLUES CLUB FEBRUARY 2015 LINE UP St Monica’s Parish Centre, 6 Cannon Hill, Southgate N14 7HG From 8pm Friday 6th February Doc K's Blues Band. Still rocking after
47 years. Friday 13th February The Vintage Half-Term Blues Jam. We do six of these each year. Players and singers turn up before 9.00pm and put your name down on the list! Friday 20th February The Sam Kelly Band. Sam has drummed at the club a few times now. He is, quite simply, one of the finest drummers on the blues circuit in Britain & Europe. Friday 27th February Acoustic Blues Night. These evenings are always popular. The Blues as it was originally played, unplugged! Topping the bill, Dan Nash, one of the best local singers/guitarists around with his collaborator Ben Henry Edwards on harmonica. Friday 6th March RoXi and the Blue Cats. A local 5 piece eclectic band, RoXi and the Blue Cats make a welcome to St Harmonicas; great blues music, emotive vocals and toe tapping tunes ... cool vibes and sizzling hot blues covers and original songs from this eclectic 5 piece who have been regular headliners at Broomfield Park Sunday Sessions over the years and the house band at The Electric Blues Club in Enfield.
Do you enjoy having a local cinema? Do you think it is a great benefit to our communities? Then please become a "Friend of Talkies" which will help us to keep bringing you great events at low prices. Check out the ‘Friends’ webage at www.talkies.org.uk
David Williamson
Tickets available at Anthony Webb's offices. Buy your tickets early before they run out!
ENFIELD AND ANTHONY WEBB SUPPORT A LOCAL FILM FESTIVAL. We were delighted to hear that local councilors supported our proposal to the Enfield Residents Priority Fund to pilot a local film festival. Tony Ourris, owner of Anthony Webb, is adding further funds and so in April and May we will be celebrating the film talents of local writers, directors and actors in a wide range of venues in the borough. We have commissioned a number of new film makers to create short films about life in the suburbs. These will be premiered during the festival.
Watch this space for a special film festival edition! ALL TICKETS £5 www.talkies.org.uk
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THU FEB 5 DUGDALE, ENFIELD
THE LUNCHBOX SAT FEB 21 WALKER HALL, N14
ANIMATED SHORTS
A mistaken delivery in Mumbai's famously efficient lunchbox delivery system connects a young housewife to an older man as they build a fantasy world together through notes in the lunchbox.
Animation provides a limitless canvas for creativity. Hosted by local animator and director Phil Davies, the evening will screen amazing films, some gothic, others funny and all enthralling.
THURS MARCH 5 Polish cinema at its best, Ida is an empathetically DUGDALE, written, splendidly acted, and beautifully ENFIELD
IDA
photographed masterwork which was a big hit at the 2013 London Film Festival.
348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ
Palmers Green Tales by Jenny Bourke www.palmersgreentales.com www.facebook.com/groups/331208790354294/ or just go to Facebook and look for Palmers Green Tales and ask to join the group twitter : @PGTales Email us at palmersgreentales@gmail.com I have some sad news to share this month, one of our early interviewees, Betty Martin passed away suddenly in December but her family were really pleased to let me know that she had been delighted to share her stories with Palmers Green Tales and was really pleased to see the finished interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWy22C9n1XU, this is the first of the films. We did get a little behind this month due to that dreadful flu that everyone has had, so Tony Ouris’ interview has only just been released. It was great to catch up with Tony and find out more about Anthony Webb's continued commitment to our community. In January we interviewed our first young person! He has grown up in Palmers Green and it is interesting to see our area from a young person’s perspective. I am particularly interested in what our area has to offer young people in the way of schools, clubs and support networks. One of our early interviews with Joan Sollis demonstrated how welcoming our area is, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOB9w1jpBLg We hope to find that young people can also feel a valued part of our community. Unplugged Sundays continue at St Monica’s Parish Centre on Cannon Hill. Sundays have a chilled vibe and start at 8pm. On Feb 1st Dave and Steve are performing, 8th Feb The haunting and 15th Feb Dave Barnes.
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Creating Conservatory Comfort by Julia Sondack, Drapemasters Interior Furnishers Julia@drapemasters.co.uk www.drapemasters.co.uk Completing your conservatory or garden room is an exciting and important part of the project. To help create the style and atmosphere you hope to achieve you will need to consider how you want to use your new room space. Functionality and form are of the utmost importance. There are two routes you can take. The first is to treat the room as an extension of your home and to continue the genre of the rest of your property, simply allowing the same style to flow through. The second option is to treat it as a separate room, one which is possibly a little more contemporary than others, affording you the opportunity to create a more casual or cutting edge look. One thing you do want to ensure is that this room is used to its full extent, and that it is comfortable all the year round. Being constructed mainly of glass conservatories and garden rooms have, in the past been areas of great heat loss and radiation. Now the effects of this are somewhat diminished by improvements in the glass used. These can still be diminished further by clever use of window furnishings. Gone are the days where we cannot enter a room which is uncomfortably cold or hot for there are several options to
resolve this situation and all can achieve a stylish look within your home:Curtains & Roman Blinds: Good quality curtains or blinds can help retain up to 30% of your room’s heat, not only are they effective thermal insulators they will prevent glare and can diffuse the light achieving the atmosphere you wish to create whilst adding some additional protection to your furniture. Specialist Blind Products: Manufacturers have worked hard on reducing heat loss and radiation and have some great products available. Roller, vertical and pleated blinds with insulation properties and control of solar heat by reflection keep your conservatory cool in the summer whilst maintaining warmth and comfort in the winter. Blinds have the additional advantage of giving us excellent command of the amount of light entering a room. A great benefit of pleated blinds is they can be manufactured to fit any shape of window so are ideal as roof blinds as well. Great advances in technology mean that we no longer have to stand on a chair with a pole trying to open or close our roof blinds as motorisation of most blinds is available. A relatively new innovation called Perfect Fit
blinds benefit from being fixed in a frame on the window, decreasing the amount of light and radiation seepage. They offer a seamless look which is clean cut and neat. Shutters: One of the earliest forms of window dressing, this is a superb product to help assist with light control and enhance any interior setting. The options for woods and colour painted finishes are extensive. They can help you achieve any look you wish from contemporary right through to traditional. What to do next? Once you have an idea as to how you would like to use this space its best to enlist the help of an expert. At Drapemasters we offer free advice on all these products as well as a full interior design service. We will come out and measure your windows, show you samples and recommend the best solution for your situation following through with flawless fitting, safeguarding all manufacturers’ warranties. We will ensure your window dressings realise their full beauty and potential allowing you to sit back and enjoy the atmosphere created by them. For further info. contact julia@drapemasters.co.uk 020 8360 3082 www.drapemasters.co.uk
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DESIGNERS, MANUFACTURERS AND INSTALLERS OF INTERIOR FURNISHINGS
BESPOKE CURTAINS, BLINDS, UPHOLSTERY, SHUTTERS & AWNINGS
48 Vicars Moor Lane,Winchmore Hill, London N21 2QH
020 8360 3082 • info@drapemasters.co.uk • www.drapemasters.co.uk 20 |
92 Aldermans Hill, Palmers Green, N13 4PP
Why I am not currently signing up to OnTheMarket.com by Tony Ourris January 2015 saw the launch of a new property listing website called On The Market, backed by a consortium of high street agents. It aims to challenge the dominance of Rightmove www.rightmove.co.uk and Zoopla www.zoopla.co.uk currently the two big “portal� powers in the online residential property world.
So what is all the fuss about? Agencies, like mine, are being asked to sign up to the new website which will have reasonably priced subscription fees compared to the annual subscriptions for Rightmove and Zoopla. However a condition will be that the agents will have to drop one of these 2 well known portals. It is still not clear if other restrictions will apply such as, holding back property listings from other portals for 48 hours giving On The Market exclusivity during that period. Whilst I am grateful that the emergence of this site has already had beneficial effects on the ever increasing fees charged by Rightmove and Zoopla I do not believe that now is the time for my agency to sign up. As an independent Estate Agency it can be more difficult to attract vendors then say, well known large high street chains backed by national advertising campaigns. We
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have to think outside the box creating marketing strategies to suit the local area and build strong community links to engender trust and familiarity. Ultimately I want to offer my clients the best and fastest choice available to them to sell their property. Currently Rightmove attracts 90m visitors a month, whilst Zoopla, attracts 45m visitors, however evidence suggests Zoopla delivers more enquiries in London than any other portal. What is clear is that both portals enable property to be viewed online quickly by mass. I feel to drop one of these key portals would not currently be a sensible move as the vendor may lose out, their property may be on the market for longer than necessary and it may even put prospective vendors off choosing my agency to sell their property if they feel their properties marketing potential is being restricted. Whilst On The Market have amassed a
large marketing fund I am keen to see the site and its marketing campaign in action before I consider signing up. I think competition is good and I welcome the new property portal but at this early stage I feel it is a far too risky strategy to drop either Rightmove or Zoopla. I am not alone as larger firms such as Countrywide (which includes brands John D Wood, Hamptons and Gascoigne-Pees) with shares in Zoopla, has rejected OnTheMarket and will stick with Rightmove and Zoopla, as have Connells and LSL. I will keep a constant eye on the sites development and wish them well. In the mean time if you are looking to sell or rent your home in Palmers Green, Southgate or Winchmore Hill please do not hesitate to contact us, we are here to help.
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Action For Kids supports disabled children and young people to live the life they want - just like everyone else by Ruth Stivey www.actionforkids.org Phone: 020 8347 8111 Facebook or Twitter: ActionForKids Action For Kids is a charity based in Hornsey which has been serving the local community since 1991. Our founder, Sally Bishop, started the charity from her front room by raising funds for a child who needed a wheelchair. This March she was awarded an OBE for her work. In January 2013, Graham Duncan, was appointed as our new CEO to help us make an even bigger difference in the lives of disabled young people. As well as providing mobility equipment, we help disabled youngsters and their families in the surrounding boroughs in a variety of ways. We encourage independence and focus on creating opportunities so our students can live their lives more like others their age. Our short breaks activities for 14 – 25 year olds means parents can have respite from caring duties during school holidays and their child can partake in lots of new experiences. We run daily activities locally including: rafting, abseiling, horse riding, martial arts, yoga, zumba, podcasting, film and music making, animation, art, craft or hair and beauty. Above all, we listen to each individual student and tailor our services to suit them. For teenagers over 14, we link with schools and colleges, including Barnet and
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Southgate College, with the aim to empower and build student’s confidence by facilitating active participation in decisions about their futures. Action For Kids uses different media tools and ways of working to help understand an individual’s aspirations, looking for their ability – not what they can’t do. A majority of the young people we work with who have learning disabilities tell us they would like work yet according to statistics www.learningdisabilities. org.uk/help-information/learningdisability-a-z/e/employment-careers only 7% of adults with learning disabilities are in paid employment. Our unique Life and Work programme provides them with accredited learning, bespoke work experience and everyday life skills to ultimately gain paid employment. It’s not an easy or speedy process for a candidate with a learning disability to gain work but things like independent travel training or having someone there to initially help in a new environment can change outcomes dramatically. Countless work placements have been given in shops, garages, restaurants, theatres and libraries throughout the area. In the last year, 13 students have gained paid employment in independent businesses,
schools, community enterprises and larger companies. Our students also attend Bikes4GoodCauses, a community cafe and bike repair shop on the High Road on the border of Palmers Green. As well as being the perfect place for young people to engage with locals, they train in a variety of areas. Shruti has been volunteering at the bike shop weekly for six months and has learnt to make coffee, serve customers and use the till. She said: “I like making coffees - I can make lattes Shruti at Bikes4GoodCauses and hot chocolates by myself now. Most of all, I like going on the tills and dealing with money as I love maths.” Her job coach, Shalini, said: “Work is so important for our students to gain confidence, skills and a sense of achievement. Placements within local businesses are especially great as it can really strengthen a young person’s place in
the community.” Action For Kids wants to thank everyone in our vibrant, diverse neighbourhood, brilliant businesses and public services who help us make a tangible difference to young lives. Can you or your workplace help us do more? Could you spare a few hours a week? We are always looking for regular, committed volunteers to help with a range of activities with our young people. We have lots of events and fundraising opportunities – you could hold your own cake sale, or for the more adventurous there are skydives, abseiling and more! Please contact us to find out more.
348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ
Shruti & job coach Shalini
Your Legal Questions Answered by Fariz Uvais Fariz Uvais is a consultant in the law firm Harper & Odell. Write in and ask your legal questions. Fariz will try and answer your questions in Palmers Green LIFE each month. Send your questions to Harper & Odell, 61-63 St John Street, London EC1M 4AN or by email to farizu@yahoo.com. I am the leasehold owner of a flat in a block of flats consisting of four flats in total. The freehold owner has appointed managing agents to manage the common areas of the building, which are the parking lot and the inside corridors leading to the four flats. The service charges that are being demanded are out of proportion to the services that are in fact provided to us and although I have written several times to the managing agents to query the high level of service charges, they have ignored my letters and simply keep sending me letters of demand. Is there anything that I can do to ensure that the managing agents take my concerns seriously? As a leaseholder you have a statutory right to seek a summary of the service charge account from the landlord under section 21 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. Your request must be in writing and can be sent direct to the landlord or to the managing agent. It can require a summary of the 'relevant costs in relation to the service charges payable' in respect of the last accounting year, or where accounts are not kept by accounting years, the past 12 months preceding the request. Where a landlord has received such a demand he must provide the summary within one month (or within six months of the end of the 12-month accounting period, whichever is the later).
The summary should show: ✔ how the costs relate to the service charge demand, or if they will be included in a later demand; ✔ any items for which the landlord did not receive a demand for payment during the accounting period; ✔ any items for which a demand was received and for which no payment was made during the accounting period; ✔ any items for which a demand was received and for which payment was made during the accounting period; and ✔ Whether any of the costs relate to works for which an improvement grant has been or is to be paid. Once you receive the above information from the landlord, if you are still of the view that the charges are excessive, you have the right to make an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for a determination on the reasonableness of the sums being claimed and also as to whether or not each item of the service charges claimed were reasonably incurred. Any determination made by the Tribunal following such an application is binding on all parties.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article should not be construed as legal advice and the information is offered for information purposes only. You should always seek advice from an appropriately qualified solicitor on any specific legal enquiry.
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Creative Exchange News
Patagonia
The world comes to Palmers Green Nori Jemil has photographed the globe – from the mountains of Patagonia to the wilds of Broomfield Park I am a freelance photographer and travel writer, and in the past ten years my work has evolved out of the environments I’ve found myself in. I lived in South America for several years, where I studied digital photography, so the wild environments of Antarctica, Patagonia and the Chilean Andes were favourite subjects. More recently I've visited Iceland and the Arctic, but I'm equally happy capturing land and seascapes anywhere from Australia and Turkey to Cornwall – even Broomfield Park! Portraiture, architecture and wildlife also feature regularly in my work, and a recent trip to China has resulted in some images of giant pandas to sit alongside the penguins, huskies and polar bears.
of the Year (for photographs of Istanbul, Bhutan and Argentina), and these have led to commissions in Australia and my photographs being published in Condé Nast Traveller Magazine and other journals.
To see many more of my photography see my website norijemil.com. If you would like to buy a print, or are interested in a commission, please contact me on email at noriphotography@hotmail.com.
The photographs I’m exhibiting at Anthony Webb’s offices in Aldermans Hill are a small part of a much larger collection and are available as a series of limited edition prints.
If you are contacting Nori please mention you saw this piece in Palmers Green Life.
Broomfield Park
I have won several awards, including Wanderlust Magazine's Travel Photographer
Creative Exchange – meet the team Ron Hewit By night, I edit the back page of Anthony Webb’s monthly magazine. By day, I’m chief sub on Radio Times, the world’s leading entertainment magazine, which isn’t nearly as much fun but pays better. I first became aware of Creative Exchange in 2012 through the Art Trail. I was so pleased to see a local arts-based organisation putting on such a brilliant display and getting such an enthusiastic response. I knew that I wanted to get involved too and I haven't been disappointed. I'm a selftaught photographer and although I take my hobby seriously I wasn't really developing very fast or in any particular direction. Since I joined CE I've had a really successful exhibition at Anthony Webb's in Green Lanes – the feedback I received was very encouraging and I even sold some prints! – and I'm much more (eh) focused. Better still is being part of a local, arts-based organisation that's buzzing with energy. And best of all I've met some great, very talented people.
You can see Nori’s exhibition from 11 February to 13 April at Anthony Webb’s office at 92 Aldermans Hill N13 4PP
Nori Jemil – the inside story Nori will also be giving a talk about her work on Wednesday 25 February from 7.00 to 9.00pm at the Anthony Webb offices in Aldermans Hill. Tickets are £10 (non members) £5 Creative Exchange members) plus booking fee and are available via https://creative-exchange-norijemil.eventbrite.com
More art on the high street! From 11 February there will be a new, permanent exhibition of work by members of the Creative Exchange at Anthony Webb’s office at 348 Green Lanes. Come along to see a brilliant selection of fine art, photography, prints, glass and porcelain.
If you are interested in joining the network, email membership@creativeexchange.uk.com