The Chiswick Magazine July 2019

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CHISWICK CHISWICK HOUSE & GARDENS

6-8 SEPT 2019

GREAT FOOD • AWARD-WINNING PUBS • LIVE MUSIC MICHELIN-STARRED CHEFS • ARTISAN PRODUCERS & SHOPPING FRIDAY EVENING RAZORLIGHT GABRIELLE THE LUCK

UT SATURDAY AFTERNOON DO SO L

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

SCOUTING FOR GIRLS TOPLOADER HOLLOWAY ROAD

SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR NATALIE WILLIAMS’ SOUL FAMILY THE JAY RAYNER QUARTET

SATURDAY EVENING

SUNDAY EVENING

CLEAN BANDIT STEREO MC’S CECIL

TEXAS SOUL II SOUL SOUNDSYSTEM SPACE ELEVATOR

CHEF LINE-UP INCLUDES: ANDREW PERN • ANGELA HARTNETT • ATUL KOCHHAR • CLAUDE BOSI • CYRUS TODIWALA • JAMES MARTIN JASON ATHERTON • JO PRATT • JOSÉ PIZARRO • JOSH EGGLETON • MONICA GALETTI • NEIL BORTHWICK • RICK STEIN

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW PUBINTHEPARKUK.COM Follow us Correct at time of print. Not all talent appears on all days. Line-up subject to change, check website for full details.

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CONTENTS

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ABOUT LOCALS, FOR LOCALS, BY LOCALS

CHISWICK ®

T H E

6. Chiswick Diary

Information on a selection of the exciting events taking place in Chiswick this month

10. Cafe Conversations 14. Asal Shirazi

16. Falcons

is brought to you by EDITOR Áine McGinty aine@chiswickmagazine.co.uk

Falcons Pre-Prep boys out in local community

FEATURES EDITOR

18. Photo Story

Katie Saunders katie@chiswickmagazine.co.uk

Take a look at artist Carrie Reichardt’s remarkable home

26. Raj Thiara Takhar Find out more about Chiswick’s quirky local artist

30. Food & Drink Cookbook Festival

Find out more about Chiswick’s popular foodie event

N O T E

F R O M

T H E

E D I T O R

M A G A Z I N E

Combating isolation in Chiswick cafes

Chiswick woman honoured in Queen’s Birthday Honours List

A

ADVERTISING

Simon Hossack simon@chiswickmagazine.co.uk

PUBLISHER

Paul Williams paul@chiswickmagazine.co.uk

DESIGN

Dear Readers, Welcome to the July edition of The Chiswick Magazine.

As I’m writing this, it looks like we’re finally set for some good weather after a horrible June.

Where’s your favourite place to spend a sunny day? Are you the type to head to Chiswick House for a run? Or to walk from Chiswick to Hammersmith? What about a day trip to Kew Gardens?

Or are you more of a pub garden kind of person?

I’d settle for a day at Kew Gardens and a little drink afterwards in a pub garden.

If you’re looking for inspiration you can always check out our Chiswick Diary.

Whatever way you decide to spend the hot weather, I hope you enjoy it and make time to enjoy this month’s mag as well! Áine x

Áine McGinty Editor

Ed Fitzmaurice

34. West End Kid

ArtsEd student performs with West End Kids

Áine is also the Editor of The Chiswick Herald

TRAVEL

36. Chiswick Park Island

Jo Gardner jo@viestramagazine.com

42. Business Focus

PWR Media Unit 22, 295 Chiswick High Road London, UK W4 4TT. Telephone: 020 3623 0567

Business campus transforms into beach for Plaza Film Festival

Long-standing Chiswick business shares secrets of success

chiswickmagazine.co.uk |

@chiswickmag

|

thechiswickmagazine

© PWR Media 2019. THE CHISWICK MAGAZINE is published by PWR Media. Registerd Unit 22, 295 Chiswick High Road London W4 4TT. chiswickmagazine.co.uk.

All rights reserved.

® THE CHISWICK MAGAZINE is registered as a trade mark, trade mark number UK00003257230.

The views of the writers and interviewees in THE CHISWICK MAGAZINE are not necessarily the views of the publisher. All images have been used with permission of the copyright owner. Any imagery supplied by a third party eg advertising, marketing or pr agency, will be published on the understanding the images have been supplied for publication with the permisson of the copyright owner. Any imagery that incurs copyright infringement, the supplier of that image (s) will be held responsible and liable for any royalties or licence fees. The contributor acknowledges that material submitted may be published in any publication or on any website owned by PWR Media. By submitting material to THE CHISWICK MAGAZINE, PWR Media is automatically granted the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and licence to use, reproduce, edit, distribute and display such material, in whole or part and/or to incorporate it in other works in any form, media, or technology now known or later developed for the full term of any rights that may exist in such content.

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The Chiswick Diary

The Chiswick Diary

1st July: Walk Tall Down at Chiswick Pier

4th July: Rob Auton and Jack Barry at the Tabard Theatre

6th July: CHAS Talk on Allotment Irrigation System

11th July: Shakespeare in the Garden at The George IV

Head down to Chiswick Pier on Monday, 1 July for a sociable walk with a difference.

Elizabeth Dodgson, Alexander Technique teacher, will give you workshop style instruction for the first hour on how to walk tall with freedom and ease and then help you to put it straight into practice. She will accompany you on the walk and then answer questions back at the Pier House afterwards when refreshments will be served. Those attending will walk from the Pier over Barnes Bridge, around the ‘Leg O Mutton’ nature reserve with the group split into a ‘slow and thoughtful’ and a ‘normal speed’ group.

Another unmissable night of comedy at the Tabard Theatre!

On Saturday, 6 July at 12:30 David Kimpton will talk about the Irrigatia watering system at his allotment.

The George IV in Chiswick is delighted to announce the welcome return of Shakespeare in the Garden on Thursday, 11 July as well as Thursday, 1 August. Produced by theatre company Open Bar, this year’s production will be Romeo & Juliet.

Meet at the Pier House for a prompt 14:00 start.

Tickets available £14 (CPT members £10). Call 020 8742 2713 or visit www. chiswickpier.org.uk to book.

1st July: Rob Oldham and Sarah Kendell at the Tabard Theatre

Award-winning stand-up comedian and poet Rob Auton returns with another heart-felt and offbeat comedy/theatre/ spoken word show. The spoken-word night’s raucous and anarchic spirit attracts a rich mix of new talent and some of the most established names in poetry/music including Kate Tempest, Roger McGough and John Hegley.

Jack Barry is an exciting name making waves in the comedy world. Jack has appeared on Channel 4’s Catastrophe, ITV2’s @elevenish as part of sketch duo Twins and in James Acaster’s web series Sweet Home Lahnsteineringa. An excellent writer, he has written for Mock the Week (BBC2) and a sketch he wrote entitled Get Staffed went viral, becoming a Vimeo staff pick and appearing on the Canal+ TV show L’Oeil de Links in France.

Show starts at 19:30 and cost £10.

A double bill of comedy at the Tabard Theatre.

Tickets are available at tabardtheatre.co.uk

We all live on a giant spherical rock that is orbiting through the infinite void of space. How do we lead moral leaves in these baffling conditions? Is it possible to be ‘right’ when nothing is certain? Is live stand-up comedy financially viable anymore?

6th July: Namacunde- an evening of African food, music and friendship

Don’t worry, stand-up comedian Rob Oldham will try to find out!

Two-time Edinburgh Best Show nominee and two-time Writers’ Guild winner returns once again with a brand new show! Sarah Kendall is an award-winning comedian and writer whose stand-up shows have been nominated for Perrier and Time Out Comedy Awards.

Shows start at 19:30 and tickets cost £10.

To book visit tabardtheatre.co.uk

On Saturday, 6 July, St Nicholas Church will be celebrating their relationship with their link parish of S Simon and S Jude in Namacunde, Angola. This will be an occasion for the whole family, with food, music and games, and an opportunity to see photo and video footage of their visit there earlier this year.

Bishop Andrè, Bishop of Angola, who inaugurated the church in April will be at the celebration.

All are welcome.

Tickets £10 for adults and include a 2 course supper and music; kids go free. Any proceedings will go towards community development work in Namacunde.

He took over an allotment last year and by that summer, after killing a variety of fruit and vegetables through neglect, he realised the amount of watering required. An impending two-week holiday kick-started an action plan to address the ongoing watering problem.

Find out how he resolved the problem with an irrigation system that could function without mains power or a tap and was suitable for an allotment.

The talk will finish at 13:15 and will be held at the Chiswick Horticultural & Allotment Society (“CHAS”) Trading Hut on Staveley Road, W4 2SJ opposite the Chiswick School playing fields.

Tickets are £2 for members and £3 for non-members, with free admission for children.

The George IV features a large, outside courtyard area that will serve as centre stage for Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare in the Garden will be performing at The George IV in both July and August and Manager, Ben Bullman, is encouraging people to take advantage of the opportunity to see the theatre group: ‘‘This is a great opportunity to experience Shakespeare’s classic in a whole new way. I would really encourage our guests to grab tickets whilst they’re still available.’’

A full list of venues, performances and ticket prices can be found at fullers.co.uk/pubs/shakespeare-in-thegarden

For further information, visit: growchiswick.org or irrigatia.com

12th July: Piano evening of meditative Ragas by Utsav Lal

6th July: Hogarth Singers present Songs for Summer

On Friday, 12 July, at 19:30 there will be an evening of meditative Ragas by Utsav Lal at St Nicholas’ Church in Chiswick.

Hogarth Singers will be presenting their summer concert on Saturday, 6 July, 19:30 at their usual concert venue, St Michael and All Angels, Bath Road, London W4.

Directed by Rupert Gill, the programme for the evening will focus on songs and motets written by a range of contemporary composers including Bob Chilcott (Songs and Cries of London Town), the ever popular Eric Whitace, and Paul Mealor’s setting of Ubi Caritas composed for HRH Prince William’s wedding to Catherine Middleton. Other works include motets

by Norwegian born Ola Gjeilo and the Polish composer Pawel Lukaszewski.

For more information and to buy tickets, please see www.hogarthsingers.org Tickets will also be available at the door: £14, and free for under 16s.

On Friday, 12 July, at 19:30 there will be an evening of meditative Ragas by Utsav Lal at St Nicholas’ Church in Chiswick.

Young Steinway artist, Indian pianist, composter Utsasv Lal, known as the ‘Raga Pianist’ has set a precedent with his highly original, Dhrupad influenced interpretations of Indian Ragas on the piano.

Treading the careful line between an ancient tradition and his innate desire for innovation with utmost respect, the 26 year classical & jazz pianist has fans all over the world with solo performances at top venues that include Carnegie HallNYC, Southbank Centre London, Kennedy Center- Washington DC, Konset Huset-Sweden, Asia Society-Hong Kong, and NCPA- Mumbai. Utsav draws on the depths of his diverse musical influences, rhythmic virtuosity and creative vision to render North Indian Classical Music through the voice of piano with purity, sincerity and simplicity.

21st July: Party on the Pier Head to Chiswick Pier on Sunday, 21 July for a fun day on and off the river down at Chiswick Pier.

The action starts at 11:30 when the event officially opens, the first free boat trip sails, Chiswick Canoe Club take to the water for canoe taster sessions and Thames Explorer Trust meet up ready to take the children river dipping. River dipping is great fun but can be muddy so please dress children appropriately including covered in shoes - then get stuck in!

Free boat trips aboard Princess Freda, a Dunkirk Little Ship, sail from Chiswick Pier every 45 minutes from 11.30 throughout the afternoon. These trips have been very generously sponsored by Fuller’s.

Stroll around, browse the stalls and entertain the children with various games including interactive fun sessions with Amanda’s Action Club. These will run at 12:00, 13:00 and 14:30 and have very kindly been sponsored by Sworn & Co. Also guaranteed to keep the children happy is face painter Cheeky Chops.

Will from Barn Bacon will be cooking delicious handmade burgers and sausages on the BBQ and a Fuller’s bar will be serving draught London Pride. Hot and cold refreshments, cakes and ice creams will also be available. Relax and soak up the atmosphere down by the river whilst listening to the ever popular band Shenanigans.

22nd July: The South Afreakins at the Tabard Theatre After critically-acclaimed, sell-out seasons at both the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016 and London’s prestigious Vaults Festival 2017, as well as Auckland, Hamilton, and Harcourts Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival, 2018, Robyn Paterson is bringing her one-women family drama The South Afreakins back to London. Inspired by Paterson’s own parents’ experience of emigrating from South Africa to New Zealand, she rapidly switches between Helene and Gordon to create a very human story of loss and family.

Helene and Gordon are stuck. Stuck in their arm chairs, stuck in the same house and stuck in their rut. As Gordon’s work-life comes to an end, and with the murder of their son four years previously still tainting their everyday lives, Helene is determined to leave everything behind and start again in the quiet sheepfilled hills of New Zealand. Gordon’s dream is to stay right where he is- until Helene confirms that their extended holiday to New Zealand is, in fact, a permanent move to a new home. Feeling progressively more culturally isolated, will the arrival of his best friend Clive make a difference?

And does our home really lie in places, or within people?

Show starts at 19:30 and cost £10.

Tickets can be found on tabardtheatre. co.uk

For up to date information, timings and how to get to the Pier visit www.chiswickpier.org.uk

Chiswick Pier Trust

Entry is free, donations welcome.

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Healthcare with you at the heart

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Search HCA UK Chiswick From diagnostic imaging for orthopaedic pain to expert-led vision correction, at Chiswick Medical Centre our leading consultants offer exceptional healthcare at a local level.

At our medical centre we have an expert-led ophthalmology unit – where our consultants specialise in reducing patients’ dependence on glasses with laser or lens-based vision correction techniques.

Call 020 3993 3684 Proud to be part of the HCA Healthcare UK group: Leaders in Oncology Care | London Bridge Hospital | The Harley Street Clinic | The Lister Hospital | The Portland Hospital | The Princess Grace Hospital | The Wellington Hospital

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Local Life

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Local Life

Coffee chats tackling isolation in W4

By Áine McGinty

Cafe Conversations, a project which aims to combat isolation in the local area, is the brainchild of Louise Kaye, a Chiswick resident for twenty-five years. Cafe Conversations are weekly meetings which encourage isolated people to head along to cafes in Chiswick for a cup of tea or coffee, to meet new people and have some interesting conversations about a wide range of subjects.

L

ouise started the event in October 2018 having been inspired to do something about this rising issue after listening to The Anatomy of Loneliness on Radio 4.

The BBC loneliness experiment reached far and wide with 55,000 people taking part in a study on the issue. Feelings of isolation can affect anyone, even those who appear to have a large network of family and friends. Louise herself went through a period of feeling alone when her husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s so she is no stranger to the issue.

Listening that day reminded Louise of a project she had read about in which people in Vienna set up a similar initiative. In Chiswick, the project has been well-received. ‘‘Everybody was incredibly positive about it,’’ says Louise. In fact, when she went to Snappy Snaps in Chiswick to enquire about pricing for some leaflets, the manager heard what it was for and gave a significant discount for printing the flyers. The flyers were then visible in local shop windows, Chiswick Library, and counters across W4- workers even handed out flyers to those they thought might benefit from the new project.

‘‘It’s a lovely community thing,’’ adds Louise.

The reaction was just as positive when she approached the owner of her local cafe Avanti Chiswick, who was eager to help and wasn’t fussed about those attending spending money. As Chiswick is divided by a bustling main road, Louise chose to expand the project across two cafes on two different days, approaching another cafe owner on the other side of the A4.

The project was successful from the very start which is no surprise with Louise’s hard work and determination and twelve people showed up to the first meeting. Now, there are a core group who show up every week and one or two newcomers at most meetings.

Louise is eager for even more people to show up to the weekly meetings. ‘‘As long as there are enough chairs in the restaurant, everybody is welcome,’’ she says. If you are apprehensive about attending, there are two volunteers who will be there to reassure you and who can seat you on a different table.

The age range of those attending so far goes from people in their 20s to people in their 90s. In fact, one of Louise’s favourite things about the project is its ability to bring people together who usually wouldn’t come across one another. It has even created new friendships, with two women who met at the meetings meeting up separately for coffee.

The meetings are of course free and still there is no obligation for attendees to spend money in the cafes.

One key element of the project is of course to initiate conversation and this is achieved through sheets on the tables with questions and each person chooses one to discuss. They range between a mixture of simple and challenging ideas which those attending can discuss as much or as little as they want, sometimes Louise says, the conversation does drift off but this is completely fine. The only rule of Cafe Conversations is no politics, a rule which some might actually be glad about!

Now that the project has started tackling this issue headon in W4, Louise hopes to see it go nationwide- to help others start their own Cafe Conversations, there is a template available on her website as well as all the information they need.

If you know someone who might want to set up a Cafe Conversations in their local area, make sure they visit www.cafe-conversations.co.uk or email louisenaomikaye@gmail.com.

Chiswick’s Cafe Conversations takes place Monday 15:00-17:00 at Avanti Chiswick or Wednesday 14:00-16:00 at Cafe Grove.

Avanti, Bedford Corner, South Parade, W4 1LD Cafe Grove, 7 Grove Park Road, W4 3RS

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15% OFF* BRAND NEW SAFE DEPOSIT VAULT IN CHISWICK Salt’s anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and antihistamine properties can help reduce symptoms of respiratory and skin conditions.

Spa de Sal offers two salt rooms, with sessions specially adapted for children or adults and for the conditions presented.

Get comfortable in our relaxing loungers and let the healing properties of salt ease ways the daily strains of exertion and pollution. Deep breathing techniques will help get the salt-infused air to reach deep into your lungs and blood stream where it starts doing its job of cleansing and healing.

Mention the Chiswick Herald when making your booking and receive a 25% discount off your first session which must be used by 30th September 2019.

*INTRODUCTORY OFFER FOR 12 MONTH RENTALS ON ALL NEW BOXES OPENED BEFORE 30/9/19 PRICES START AT £95 A YEAR 12 DIFFERENT SIZES OF BOX CALL 020 3928 2828 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT 329 CHISWICK HIGH ROAD, LONDON W4 4HS

www.metrosafe.co.uk CHISWICK

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KNIGHTSBRIDGE

Chiswick Magazine (271.6x184.6mm)(X).indd 1

ST JOHN’S WOOD

26/06/2019 10:26

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Local Life

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Local Life

Chiswick resident Asal Shirazi was taken by surprise when she was notified in early May that she had been recommended to be recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. She was so shocked that she actually thought it was a joke at first before being told that her supporters had in fact recommended her.

A

sal, a mother of 5, was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for ‘hands-on’ service to the local community.

Asal’s award was for services to autoimmunity and education. The honour is awarded for things of a volunteering nature which do not lead to financial gain and are for humanitarian reasons.

Asal is one of the brains behind Chiswick-based anti-aging skincare brand Jeunvie and sister brand Essentiel Vie. Essentiel Vie is a purely plant-based, vegan, chemical free skincare brand for mothers to be which became available nationwide in Boots last year. The success of this small family business is extremely impressive.

They started out making safe, chemical free products out of necessity as Asal suffers from several autoimmune conditions herself and says that research has shown that they can be triggered by chemicals in skincare. Asal has 4 daughters who use a lot of skincare products and wanted to make them safer as well as creating skin nutrition to use under make-up.

Asal’s condition is life-limiting and she is mostly housebound due to this invisible disease. Asal doesn’t profit from her efforts and the skincare brands were more a ruse created as a means of promoting awareness of autoimmune diseases. Her friends and family have been instrumental in helping her to set up her skincare brands and achieve her goal of educating the public about skincare chemicals.

She hopes this recognition will see the brands publicised and be another way of achieving her goal of bringing attention to autoimmune diseases. Speaking of her recent award Asal says, ‘‘It’s still quite fresh and surreal so it hasn’t quite sunk in but it’s very humbling and if it helps my cause then fantastic.’’

Asal has also been awarded the Chevalier Medal at the Innova Exhibition amongst other recognition from various European governments so her hard work is not in vain.

As well as the skincare brands, Asal has also set up a charity called Autoimmune Support Awareness London in a bid to provide information and help for other sufferers. Her aim is to increase understanding and hopefully encourage more research to ultimately find a cure.

Asal hopes to see better measures in place for autoimmune conditions and she is hoping her fellow Chiswick residents will help her bring a better quality of life to other sufferers.

Chiswick mother recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours List

www.asalondon.com www.jeunvie.co.uk www.essentielvie.com

By Áine McGinty 14

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Local Life

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Falcons Pre-Prep boys out in force in local community

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U

nder the guidance of Mr Arnott, the Head of Music who himself was performing on both days, the boys were thrilled to take to the main stage and sing a selection of songs in front of their largest audience ever of approximately 1,000 local Chiswickians. They admitted to feeling very nervous and a little ‘strange’ before they performed, but were full of smiles and pride as they were returned back to their parents. Bravo boys!

Local Life

Also on the agenda over the weekend, the ‘Fantastic Falcons’, a football team made up of Year 1 and Year 2 boys, represented the school in the U7 5-a-side football tournament at the Bedford Park Festival. The Falcons Pre-Prep were one of the sponsors of the event and the boys did themselves proud, earning a respectable third place, a shiny medal and lots of cheers from the crowd.

Well done boys!

Last month saw the Falcons Pre-Prep boys out and about representing their school with pride within the local community.

Year 2 boys were lucky enough to be invited to perform at the first Chiswick Proms which took place at Chiswick House. On both the Saturday and Sunday, the boys were one of a number of support acts ahead of the main acts including Ruthie Henshall and Lesley Garrett.

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Head, Andrew Forbes, commented:

‘‘It is wonderful to see our boys out and about in the community enjoying many of the family-orientated activities that are frequently on offer in Chiswick.

We are committed to ensuring that our boys feel part of a community and events such as these help to develop their sense of pride and belonging in their school and where they live.’’

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Photo Story

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Photo Story

The

Treatment Rooms Chiswick

By Katie Saunders

I met with artist Carrie Reichardt at her remarkable home in west London. I have admired The Mosaic House on several occasions and I was excited to meet the person and artist behind the work to ask her why, how, and where the inspiration came from.

C

arrie hasn’t always lived in The Mosaic House, as it’s nicknamed now. She lived with her parents in their family home on Sutton Court Road, Chiswick. The Mosaic House was owned by her father and was originally built with beautiful red bricks but he decided to pebble dash the property. Carrie probably wouldn’t have felt the need to render and cover it with mosaic tiles if it hadn’t been pebble dashed, as pebble dash isn’t particularly nice to look at, is it!

Another being the scarab beetle that went up in 2017 during the time the front of the house was finished, by world renowned Chilean artist Isidora Paz Lopez. It was following her that Carrie put out the call for other artists to join as the house was hidden behind scaffolding for four years when the work came to a halt. Finances were running low, but never the desire to get it done. It eventually came down to several weeks of hard graft and many artist friends joining her from all over the globe to get it completed.

The house was rented out to tenants back then, as separate bed sits.

It wasn’t until Carrie turned 16 when she moved in and had her own bed sit and years later her first child. The downstairs became her one bedroom flat and as her family grew her father gave her the rest of the house to become her family home. Carrie’s first ever mosaic is in the back garden in the ground, and from making mosaics Carrie found therapeutic relief and a great way of treating personal traumas, hence the name of the house being “The Treatment Rooms”.

Since the house has been finished Carrie has done some sensational public artwork, one being The Tree of Life by South Acton station and I know Carrie is working on some exciting new stuff at the moment. Her new book in collaboration with Bob Osborne Cash is King 2 was released on the 24th June 2019 and from the 7th July for one month only some of the banknotes from the book will be at The Hogarth Club in Chiswick for a sneak preview before the official book launch at Saatchi on 20th August. Carrie’s show Alchemy opens at Saatchi on the 24th July alongside Helen Blur and Broken Fingaz.

Carrie studied fine art sculpture at a college in Leeds and also Kingston before they were universities, and for a further 9 years learning everything there is to know about ceramics at Richmond Adult Community College (RACC). Creating ceramic pieces and printing designs, pictures and letters onto ceramics was where Carrie found herself. In fact every piece of ceramic art work on the house; the small faces and the guns on the back wall are all her own work made at RACC. As we spoke about ceramics and all of the above, Carrie walked me into her work space in her home and showed me the hundreds and thousands of ceramic transfers, some very new and some extremely old. All incredibly fascinating.

There are so many features of the house that stand out and they have important stories behind them. One in particular is the memorial wall for Luis Ramirez at the back of the house. This all began when Carrie replied to an advert in the Big Issue to become a pen pal to an inmate on death row in a prison in Texas. It sparked an interest in Carrie and she was drawn to help and find out more. Her pen pal was Luis and she got to know him and they became friends. Luis had been locked up without access to proper legal help counsel and in questionable circumstances. After his execution in 2005 his mother came to visit for the unveiling of the finished wall.

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The Treatment Rooms HQ is going to be open to the public from the12th July and then every Friday onwards from 2-7pm. Art from The Treatment Rooms Collective will be on sale and people can see the projects Carrie is currently working on and be able to meet the artists.

Don’t miss your opportunity to see this remarkable house and to meet the lovely lady herself, Carrie Reichardt.

Address: 119A Acton Lane, W4 5DR.

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Main Feature

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Main Feature

W4’s quirky artist By Áine McGinty

There’s something quite infectious about Raj Thiara Takhar’s attitude to life- find out more as she invites me into her home, shows me her muchloved pieces of art and talks life in W4.

C

hiswick-based artist Raj is unique not only in her approach to life but in her artwork. She did an art work course when she was younger but went from working in the fashion and make-up industry to working as a property developer, as well as raising her son, Tayin. In fact, it was when her son decided that he no longer needed help with his homework that Raj was prompted to delve back into the art world.

She sat down as normal one day to help him with his homework but that day turned out to be very different as he looked at her and said ‘‘Mum, I don’t need your help anymore’’. This shocked Raj but she was quick to act borrowing a pencil from Tayin before heading to Turnham Arts & Crafts for more supplies. ‘‘I’ve always been an artist but I started again that day,’’ she says.

The rest is history with Raj creating a wide range of pieces since that day. Since then she has even exhibited her work in Sicily, a place she goes to often. She sold 5 pieces in Sicily last year and as one piece found its new home in Gothenburg, Raj found herself very emotional. ‘‘I’m hard-pressed to let them go,’’ she says. If you do manage to convince Raj to let you own one of her dear pieces of art, you will be the owner of an entirely unique piece as she never recreates them.

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Main Feature

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When asked about the process of creating her art Raj says, ‘‘I really don’t know. There are no two the same.’’ For my visit she had a selection of her art across the room, she points at Dancing Angels and The Cities to confirm her point. ‘‘I start with one line and then the inspiration takes over.’’ She says she puts her speakers on, starts her pieces and then puts them away before going back to them as she is unable to finish them in one sitting. Raj is second generation Indian and her piece Marigold was inspired by the time she was in India.

The inspiration behind her art varies- her favourite artists, such as Pissarro and Manet and her supportive son Tayin and husband Ravi.

Other inspirations for Raj include David Bowie and Audrey Hepburn. Her home is adorned with tributes to them including various books opened on her favourite pages. One part of her process as an artist is, as mentioned, to draw whilst listening to music so you are most likely to find Raj listening to Bowie when she is creating.

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Main Feature

Her home in Bedford Park is amongst her inspirations which is quite obvious when you see the presence of trees in her work and the fact her home is surrounded by them. Chiswick itself also inspires Raj. ‘‘I like living here, I like the people around me. I think it’s an inspirational place for artists,’’ she says.

Raj has been living in her home for nearly 15 years and makes much use of the wide range of places to visit in W4. ‘‘High Road House is my haunt, I’m there most days,’’ she tells me. She can also be found in the Postroom Cafe or popping into Zen Maitri on Turnham Green Terrace. Her favourite places to shop in W4 include Oxana Lifestyle, Marmalade Fine Jewellery, and Greige Lifestyle and she often gets her hair done at Klassi HAIR.

You can contact Raj via raj.takhar@btinternet.com

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Food & Drink

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Food & Drink

This year includes Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi with their cookbook titled Diabetes Weight Loss.

Giancarlo will be doing a demonstration at the show in September, giving people the opportunity to see him in action and taste his recipes.

His recipes have been especially adapted to enjoy great Italian food in a healthy way that aids weight loss and helps keep a healthy lifestyle whilst living with diabetes.

Jo Pratt is back with her book titled The Flexible Pescatarian. Jo demonstrated last year and is part of the Cookbook Festival team.

She is the best selling author of eight cookbooks and has previously been awarded a Gourmand writing award and has worked with Gary Rhodes, Jamie Oliver and Marcus Waring. She is also Executive Chef of award-winning restaurant The Gorgeous Kitchen.

Chiswick Foodies The Cookbook Festival 12-16th September 2019

By Katie Saunders

A

fter its success last year, the Cookbook Festival is back and returning for its 2nd year alongside the much loved and respected Book Festival at Chiswick House and Gardens. All proceeds from both events go to charity and they’ll both create a fun and enjoyable buzz in Chiswick. The Cookbook Festival brings new energy and excitement for avid foodies.

There will be chef demos, hands-on workshops, plenty of eating and lots of festival fun. The success after last year was so prominent, pop-up dinners opened in London off the back of it and recipes from the books were used; bringing cookbooks to life.

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Mira Manek is at the Festival this year with her new book Prajna, Ayurvedic rituals for Happiness.

The book is out on the 5th September and will bring awareness to Ayurvedic recipes. Prajna is the Sanskrit word for Wisdom and is all about the ancient wisdom of Ayurvedic. Mira’s book shows you ways to create dishes and bring this ancient wisdom into your life with simplicity for everyday cooking.

Mira grew up with her mothers, grandmothers and aunts cooking and soon learnt Gujarati dishes and found them fascinating. She has received worldwide press on her recipes and adaptations of Indian dishes to create lighter meals on her food and wellness journey.

John Gregory Smith is joining the Festival this year with his colourful mouth-watering dishes. John is every bit as vibrant and lively as his recipes. His food choices are for palettes all over the world, he’s explored the length and breadth of Lebanon on the latest foray alongside his personal spice trail through North Africa and the Middle East.

From the souks of Tripoli and Beirut, to the Chouf Mountains and the Qadisha Valley, his recipes bring this country of hidden beauty and bold flavours directly to the plate. Complete food satisfaction.

John’s new Cookbook Saffron in the Souks is out now.

Headlining the Festival this year is Diana Henry and writer and Great British menu judge Matthew Fort.

Diana will be sharing her kitchen alchemy from ‘How to eat a peach’ to ‘From the oven to table.’ You’ll also be able to enjoy a sumptuous Indian banquet with Mira Manek Prijna, plus so much more from other chefs. Tickets from £10 per session.

The month of September is truly treating Chiswick residents well!

The weekend before the Cookbook Festival, is a music and food festival called Pub in the Park with Tom Kerrridge, on the 6-8th September at Chiswick House and Gardens.

Plenty of mouthwatering dishes from pop-up restaurants, chef demonstrations, live music from The Kaiser Chiefs, Clean Bandit, Gabrielle and more. The event is being hosted by Rick Stein, James Martin and Monica Galetti. These September events are a great finish to our British summer, let’s hope for good weather in advance!

A 3rd Festival, Together on the Terrace, in association with the CookBook Festival will be taking place on the same weekend as the Cookbook Festival, on Sunday 15th September. The Piazza on Turnham Green had been rejuvenated by Abundance London in coordination with the Friends of Chiswick Back Common. There is a planned road closure on Turnham Green Terrace for the day to have the Turnham Green Piazza Launch Party.

There will be music, food and arts activities taking place. The little Piazza on Turnham Green has been so degraded over the past few years that people have forgotten it was once a public space. It’s set to be a great day out for residents and visitors. Our food venders on Turnham Green Terrace are excited to make food to take away and there’s going to be tables and chairs outside and marques. Together on the Terrace will be a family-friendly and fun street party.

For more information on all of the events check out their websites: cookbookfestival.org, adundancelondon.com and pubintheparkuk.com

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Food & Drink

Advertorial

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And there’s nowhere better to indulge in these wonderfully complex flavours than on the sunlit (hopefully) terrace at Villa di Geggiano, created using Tuscan beams and shaded by Sangiovese vines. If the sun decides to give way to less clement weather, then there is a collection of dining rooms inside the Villa all of which have their own, unique décor.

If truffles aren’t your thing, then there’s a whole host of other culinary delights awaiting you at the Villa. The A La Carte menu is wide ranging and features many ingredients from our Tuscan home and its surrounding farms. Chosen not just for the quality of the ingredients, but for the sustainability of production. The dishes created with those ingredients aren’t only Tuscan, though. There’s food from all over Italy on offer.

If you’d prefer, and you’re free at lunchtime during the week, there’s a lunchtime set menu to set your taste buds tingling. And if you’re feeling wicked, you mustn’t miss the home-made ice cream.

Villa di Geggiano How can you tell when it’s summer in England?

It’s when the summer truffles are available at Villa di Geggiano!

W

e all know that our climate can be a bit hit and miss, which can sometimes make it hard to tell when the seasons change, and summer starts. Heatwaves at Easter, snow at Whitsun. It’s all par for the course. Unless, of course, you’re measuring the weather by the menu at the Villa di Geggiano.

Right now, it’s definitely the start of summer because the truffle man – who comes all the way from Tuscany to the Villa – has delivered the very first of this year’s summer truffles. These black ‘Scorzone’ have a more delicate flavour than the autumn truffles with hints of earthiness, hazelnuts, chocolate and vanilla. Served simply with home-made pasta, there’s nothing more delicious.

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Don’t miss the wine either, because at the Villa, the ‘house wine’ is actually house wine. Made from grapes grown in the vineyards of the actual Palazzo Villa di Geggiano near Siena, where the aristocratic Bianchi Bandinelli family have lived for five centuries, you can savour from some of the finest Italian Vino. And once again, there is a wide selection of wines from all over Italy.

All organic, and all absolutely delicious.

Food & Drink

As for the Villa in Tuscany, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and stunning gardens, it has a history of exporting mouth-watering wines to England. In fact, it is believed that Geggiano was the very first to bring Chianti here in 1725.

Villa di Geggiano London has earned a proudly held reputation for excellence over the last few years through providing exquisite meals served with flair and charm.

Boasting probably the best Italian cuisine in London from its Chiswick location, the Villa also provides private dining rooms for special occasions great and small.

At Villa di Geggiano, we love art as much as we love pasta. Within the restaurant’s ‘Galleria D’Arte’, Ilona Pacia, art patron and a keen collector, curates and supports a Resident Artists Programme with the support of many Royal Academicians and Tate Modern patrons who gather at the Villa to mount live-painting events and exhibitions. All artforms are appreciated, with the Villa also hosting nights dedicated to poetry readings and live entertainment.

When the sun has got his hat on, he’s probably heading for Chiswick High Street and the taste of a Tuscan summer.

Useful information: Villa di Geggiano 66-68 Chiswick High Road London W4 1SY www.villadigeggiano.co.uk To book a table, call 020 3384 9442 Opening Times: Lunch 12pm – 3pm Dinner 6pm – 10.30pm Kitchen closes 9pm Sunday

THE CHISWICK MAGAZINE | July 2019 33

Culture

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Stardom for

ArtsEd girl

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Culture

Ashleigh Green, a pupil at ArtsEd Chiswick, will be entertaining tens of thousands of people up and down the country this summer as part of the 20-strong West End Kids song & dance troupe.

A

shleigh and the troupe have already performed at the Chelsea Flower Show (25 May), Geronimo North Festival (26 May) Trafford Centre (27 May), RunFestRun (2 June), West End LIVE (23 June), and will also be at London Pride (6 July), British Summertime Festival (8-11 July), Nickelodeon Centre, Lakeside (14 July & 24 August), Camp Bestival (26-27 July), CarFest (25 August) and the Epsom Downs Family Funday (26 August).

Speaking after West End LIVE, West End Kid, Ashleigh Green said: ‘‘I’m the luckiest girl to be able to perform in front of this many people at West End LIVE with my second family. We worked so hard to get it together in a short space of time and it shows that with hard work and dedication, you can live your dreams.’’

West End Kids is an elite musical theatre song and dance troupe based in central London. The company provides a unique programme of on the job training combining intensive weekend rehearsals with a busy performance schedule.

West End Kids Founder & Artistic Director, Martin Williams said: ‘‘There were well over 30,000 musical theatre fans packed into Trafalgar Square and it was an electric atmosphere! I’m so proud of the all of the West End Kids. This is the 13th consecutive year that we have been lucky enough to be invited back to perform at the world’s largest free musical theatre event and we are always so honoured. The West End Kids did themselves proud once again this year and I’m sure it was an experience that will stay with them all forever.’’

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Culture

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Culture

Chiswick Park Island As part of its ‘Summer on the Park 2019’, Chiswick Park, the business campus located in west London, has planned a summer full of fun activities onsite and some of them have been designed for the local community.

F

rom Monday, 1 July to Friday, 2 August, Chiswick Park will transform into a sandy beach destination - ‘Chiswick Park Island’ is the Park’s most expansive and immersive experience to date. It will be a full month of beach activities, sports leagues, film screenings and much more.

The Film Festival is free to attend. There is no need to book, you just have to come on the night and grab a seat. ‘‘Our film festival is a great community event with a nice family feel to it. We have a great selection of films scheduled this summer. Vue Entertainment, Guest company on the Campus is providing free popcorn for everyone!

We will be showing a movie every Thursday evening from 6.00pm on our Events plaza, right by our sandy beach, taking full advantage of our outdoor screen and creating our own Chiswick Park Enjoy-Work open air cinema,’’ says Charlotte Fougeres, PR & Community Manager.

Here is the full line-up: Plaza Film Festival – every Thursday in July and Thursday, 1 August from 6pm.

Every Thursday evening in July until 1 August, Chiswick Park will take full advantage of its outdoor screen when the Events Plaza will become an open air cinema with the following movies being shown from 6pm.

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THE CHISWICK MAGAZINE | July 2019

• Thursday, 4 July: The Greatest Showman

• Thursday, 11 July: Notting Hill

• Thursday, 18 July: The Beach

• Thursday, 25 July: Breakfast at Tiffany’s

• Thursday, 1 August: Alice in Wonderland

Family Fun Day – 26 July 12pm-5pm On Friday, 26 July, between 12pm to 5pm, the campus will host its annual ‘Family Fun Day’, a community event where families are invited for an afternoon of fun on the beach packed with kids’ activities, live entertainment and performers. ‘‘The concept of offering events is not new to Chiswick Park; they were introduced when the Campus was launched and have continued to be an integral part of the Enjoy-Work offering to the Guests.

This year, we continue to build relationships with local communities and provide opportunities for them to be directly part of our annual Guest Experience offering. Our Campus comes to life in the summer months and we want everyone to be able to enjoy the environment and create great memories,’’ says Matt Coulson, CEO Chiswick Park Enjoy-Work.

The summer months will also see the return of the Urban Food Fest Markets, the regular foodie’s heaven at Chiswick Park, offering a range of both sweet and savoury treats for all palates on Thursday, 1 August and Thursday, 29 August.

Other events include ‘Drive Time’, ‘Art on the Park’, ‘Adventure Land’ and ‘Tech City’. The programme also includes two ‘Well-being Weeks’ one which took place in May and another which will take place in August, a key focus area at Chiswick Park. ‘‘Our programme of events is central to the community that is Chiswick Park. The programme is created to add value to the working lives of our Guests, the opportunity to try something new and to meet new people. From zip line events and urban beaches, to well-being weeks and interesting speakers, the diversity of our programme offers something for everyone,’’ adds Charlotte.

Chiswick Park is home to 67 of some of the world’s leading companies such as QVC, Disney, Discovery, Starbucks and Danone.

THE CHISWICK MAGAZINE | July 2019 37

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Beauty

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Beauty

Beauty in

Chiswick

By Katie Saunders

May your day be brighter and your inner self feel lighter!

Your mind and body deserves to feel calm and relaxation to the next level, and after an appointment at Aurora Spa on Chiswick High Road, it will!

At the spa, we went to the downstairs treatment room. The rooms are cosy and well laid out. Lila talked me through the process of the treatment and the lovely essential oils that would be used. I was actually a little nervous about the wrap part of the treatment because I thought I might feel trapped, but in fact I felt warmth generating from the products whilst the body wrap was on and it was deeply relaxing. I felt my body twitching as I was nodding off several times!

Before the wrap, the treatment started with a scrub and cleansing and purifying products, all over my arms, legs, hands, feet, back and stomach. During the wrap I had a lovely head massage and after the wrap a very nice moisturiser applied all over and when I got off the bed right at the end of the treatment I smelt divine! For the rest of the evening I kept smelling my arms and my skin felt extremely soft and mentally I was very grounded and nothing was getting to me on my journey home.

I

was lucky enough to visit the spa recently for a Herbal Body Treatment and found myself the perfect treat. A special wellness remedy.

I love facials, I love massages, I love all things beauty. I love the sensation of relaxation during a manicure and the soothing nature of having your hands massaged and all the weight of the world disappearing just for a short while. Self care and well-being is such an important part of being human, we can easily neglect or forget this. So many people I know have not had a massage still by the age of 30. My advice is go get one. They calm all your senses and your bound to have a great night’s sleep afterwards.

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If you are looking for a place to go and totally relax and you want a full body treatment with gorgeous products I fully recommend a trip to Aurora Spa, 60 Chiswick High Road, W4 1SY. Whether you live in London or if you’re passing through its worth the visit.

Totally and utterly relaxed.

This was my first visit to Aurora Spa and I felt welcomed and comfortable as soon as I walked in.

There was no rush or haste and everything was running smoothly, Cath, the Spa manager, and my therapist Lila were lovely and easy going. I booked in for the Herbal Body Treatment as at my last spa visit I had a facial and I wanted to mix it up a bit. During the days leading up to my appointment I was really looking forward to having a full body scrub and an all over ultimate body pamper time.

The treatment was 90 minutes in total and I didn’t get cold which is possible with this type of treatment. When the scrub is being cleansed off with warm wet towels sometimes you can catch a chill at this point but this didn’t happen at all. All of the products in the salon are by Yellow Rose, they are wonderfully natural and nicely scented, and made in Greece from the medicinal plants and herbs from Ancient Greece and the Mediterranean. Some of the products used during the treatment were the Herbal Body Contour Cream, Herbal Body Oil, Herbal Body Milk and they each have properties that moisturise and firm the skin. I hadn’t used them before and it was a pleasure to be able to experience them as they are only available in spas. To have a Herbal Body Treatment using these products for the first time was amazing.

THE CHISWICK MAGAZINE | July 2019 39

Health & Well-being

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Helping patients see more clearly: Sponsored feature

eye correction surgeries explained

By Ali Mearza, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Chiswick Medical Centre

I

t has been predicted that half of the world’s population could be short-sighted by 2050, with over two million people in the UK reporting that they have eyesight issues. The increase in short-sightedness is in the main being blamed on the amount of time people spend looking at their computer screens and smartphone devices. Glasses and contact lenses are often the solution for poor eyesight, however both have their flaws.

If you’re a glasses wearer, then you’ll be all too familiar with the heavy weight that glasses bear on the bridge of your nose or the top of your ears by the end of the day, and it’s likely that at some point in your life you’ll have left your glasses behind somewhere.

Contact lenses also have their limitations. It’s advised that you don’t swim or shower when using contact lenses as this encourages infiltration of your eyes with the bugs that thrive in tap water and swimming pool water. Sleeping in lenses can cause your eyes to become dry and irritated and increase the risk of infection.

Technological advances in vision correction One of the most popular alternatives to wearing glasses or contact lenses has been laser eye surgery – a procedure which has helped correct the vision of many patients over the last 30 years. However, not many people know that this is just one of many treatments available.

At Chiswick Medical Centre, we have a team of leading ophthalmology consultants who are on-hand to provide you with an initial consultation and investigate any eyesight concerns you may have, before offering the most appropriate treatment option for you. At our centre, our ethos is to provide the very best personalised care using state-ofthe-art technology and techniques.

We’re skilled in reducing patients’ dependence on glasses with laser or lens-based vision correction techniques.

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Refractive lens exchange (RLE) What is it?

Refractive lens exchange is a more involved form of eye surgery and could be an option if laser eye surgery is not suitable. If you have refractive lens exchange, your natural eye lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens made from silicone or high-grade plastic. The optical properties of the inserted lens can correct almost any refractive defect, including short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism.

Refractive lens exchange is almost identical to traditional cataract surgery; both operations involve replacing the natural lens with a clear, synthetic implant. The only difference is that cataract surgery is performed to correct blur or light scatter when the vision is not correctable with glasses, whereas refractive lens exchange is used to reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Who is suitable for this procedure?

This procedure is often offered to patients who aren’t suitable for laser eye surgery, or for people who need eyesight correction and are already starting to form cataracts. This procedure is likely to be successful for you if you are: • Aged over 45 • Have early signs of cataract formation • Your short or long sight is too marked to make you a good candidate for laser eye surgery.

We highlight a few of these techniques and treatments below:

Duet lens procedure

Laser eye surgery

What is it?

What is it?

Whilst refractive lens exchange surgery involves the replacement of a natural lens with an artificial lens, the innovative Duet procedure involves the replacement of a natural lens with two artificial lenses.

The first artificial lens is a distance lens and is placed within the natural capsule that holds the original lens. This lens is permanent.

The second lens is a trifocal lens that restores vision at intermediate and near distances and is positioned in the space just in front of the first lens.

As a living tissue, the health of the eye can deteriorate as we grow older. With the add-on trifocal lens, there is the life-long ability to reverse the multi-focal lens technology should it for any reason become unsuitable. This provides another layer of safety to lens exchange surgery.

The two lenses can be inserted as part of the refractive lens exchange procedure but for those patients who have already had lens surgery with a standard lens, an add-on trifocal lens can be inserted to reduce spectacle dependence.

Who might need this procedure?

This treatment is often suited to patients who may have already undergone cataract surgery with standard lenses and want to reduce dependence on reading glasses. It could also be suitable for patients who might want to remove the lenses at a later date.

This procedure corrects focussing problems by reshaping the cornea (the transparent ‘window’ at the front of the eye) with a laser. The laser technology in the UK market is becoming so advanced that it can accurately treat a prescription of -5 in less than 10 seconds.

Besides being able to correct patients’ vision, laser beam technology can also be used to remove superficial scarring at the top of the cornea and treat certain diseases such as deposits in the cornea and recurrent erosion syndrome – where the top layer of the cornea breaks down and causes irritation.

Of course, the primary reason that ophthalmologists use laser technology is to correct vision. There are two main types of laser eye surgery that we use – LASIK and LASEK – but what are they and what are the differences?

LASIK During LASIK treatment, the first laser will create a very thin protective flap on the clear layer of the eye (your cornea). This protective flap is then lifted, and the second laser is used to correct your vision. Both eyes are usually treated on the same day.

LASEK This is often a better option if you have a thin cornea or medical condition that makes laser eye surgery more challenging to complete.

During the surgery, only one laser will be used to correct your vision – rather than the two used in LASIK. For this procedure, an alcohol solution is placed on the surface of your eye via a micro-well. The alcohol solution loosens the thin layer of cells on your eye’s surface.

This is then gently moved to the side of your eye, giving your surgeon access to the layer of your cornea which will be treated by the laser.

Who is suitable for these procedures?

• Those who require the correction of short-sightedness, also known as myopia • Treatment of long-sightedness and astigmatism up to -6.00 • Those over the age of 18 who have had a stable prescription for over two years.

Health & Well-being

At Chiswick Medical Centre, our consultants are able to provide clinically appropriate and bespoke advice on all of the treatments mentioned above.

If you would like further detail on any of the procedures discussed, or you would like to book an initial eyesight consultation, get in touch today by calling 020 3993 3684 or by visiting www.hcahealthcare.co.uk/chiswick

Phakic lens implant surgery What is it?

Phakic lens implant surgery is a type of surgery for severe short-sightedness. It involves implanting an artificial lens into your eye through a small opening in your cornea. The lenses are specifically designed to help focus light more clearly on the retina and are placed into your eye without removing your natural lens; usually preferred for younger people whose natural reading vision is normal.

Who might need this procedure?

This procedure can be particularly helpful in improving the vision of people with very severe short-sightedness, or those who have difficulty wearing glasses or contact lenses but are not suitable for laser vision correction.

THE CHISWICK MAGAZINE | July 2019 41

Business Focus

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Business Focus

It is their customer service that they really pride themselves on here at watches.co.uk. ‘‘Our customer service is second to none, if there’s a problem, we’ll sort it,’’ says Tim. You don’t have to take Tim’s word for it, there are a host of reviews available to read on their website.

Chiswick’s Swiss watch specialists

By Áine McGinty

For this month’s business focus, we find out more about watches.co.uk, the family run business that has been in Chiswick since 1996.

T

he Swiss Watch Company (UK) Ltd was established by John Matheou, who has over 20 years experience dealing with premium Swiss watches. We speak to his Director, Tim Owens, who has been with the company since 2006 and has been in the trade for 30 years.

The company now has a considerable presence on Chiswick High Road, having previously been located above another shop in the area. They have only been in their new building since September and although they have always had support from local people, since the move they have actually met a number Chiswick people who previously had no idea that this company were even in Chiswick. Now, they are seeing lots of people from W4 and even from Richmond or Hammersmith who are able to see the office on their various journeys.

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They boast a wide scope of prices and a wide scope of products, meaning they cater for a variety of people. This includes someone who might want to spend £500 on a watch to get into the Swiss watch market, the week we spoke to Tim they had sold a watch for £30,000. Their demographic is people who want a nice watch and they can certainly supply that. Specialising in premium Swiss watches, the brands available include Patek Philippe, Rolex, Omega, Cartier and many more.

Their success could also be put down to the fact that their formula has not changed, the business may have got bigger over the years but the format is the same. Clients sell or part exchange their watches with them, these pieces are then polished and checked over in their workshop, serviced if needed then once ready they are photographed and listed for sale on their website. They often buy in unworn watches.

They also provide a host of other services. In fact, their 7-strong team not only includes John and Tim with their wealth of experience but a Rolex accredited watchmaker who is available for Rolex repairs. They provide watch batteries, can do bracelet adjustments and provide valuations on watches. In addition, they also provide a broker service where they might offer to sell a watch for their client and take a commission on it, rather than buying it outright.

Swiss Watch Co, 117 Chiswick High Road, W4 2ED. Phone: 02089944567 Website www.watches.co.uk Twitter: @swcwatches Instagram: @watches.co.uk Facebook: @TheSwissWatchCompany

Whatever their secret, having enjoyed 23 years in Chiswick, this business seems to be continuing on the up…

The office itself is of course not a traditional retail environment, the website (watches.co.uk) is where you must go to see the watches they have for sale and then once you have found something you like you can easily book an appointment. This company was actually one of the first online retailers of pre-owned Swiss watches, which has allowed them to build a fantastic reputation. As those of you who have walked by their new offices might have noticed, the company do work by appointment only - so prospective customers can email or call them to book a time to visit the premises. However, do not let the appointment only sign put you off, if you have an enquiry, you can press the buzzer, and someone can discuss your query with you in the foyer.

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Property

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THE CHISWICK MAGAZINE | chiswickmagazine.co.uk

Property

A

ubury Place on Emlyn Road, W12 is gated, green, yet at the heart of bustling London.

How have the developers, Kebbell, managed to achieve this?

Their formula was to look for somewhere up and coming, somewhere people would want to live, with good transport networks but a desirable lifestyle on the doorstep. By being on the edge of so much they were able to find the space to develop, and what they’ve created is beautiful.

The latest homeowners in this stunning gated community note particularly that it feels very safe and secure. They want to build a community where their children can play together in the communal spaces. The red brick exteriors mirror the traditional style found in this part of London and with beautiful proportions, private gardens and mature trees these homes offer something very special.

It’s a clever developer who can take a London space, keep a classical look and feel to the properties and then grow a garden oasis around them. Yet luxury developers Kebbell seem to have achieved just that. Offering homes with all of the facilities that busy modern lives demand these nine luxury homes have something special, something really desirable.

Discover your Eden at

Aubury Place

The interiors have been designed by Jo Harris, an independent interior designer and trusted advisor of Kebbell. They are timeless and classical with beautiful finishes in every room. The clever structures allow light to flood into the homes, and solid oak parquet flooring in a herringbone pattern means even the floors are exquisite!

The entrance halls have the wow factor, thanks to the bespoke staircase, with its sensuously curving oak handrail, and finely crafted, powder coated metal spindles.

Throughout, mirror, lacquer, stone and wood create a feeling of the utmost glamour and refinement, visible everywhere from the showstopping kitchen/dining rooms, to the cloakrooms.

All mirrors and light fittings are bespoke and unique, while the decorative architraves, timber panelled doors, and cornices are of a quality seldom seen in new homes.

Tucked away between the cafe society of Chiswick and the very smartest parts of Hammersmith, lies a little oasis, offering safety, seclusion and an escape to your very own eden.

To take a look, viewings are by appointment only - contact Knight Frank on 020 3757 6230 or email edward.​sainter@​knightfrank.​com.

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Travel

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Travel

THE NATURAL WONDERS OF

NEW ZEALAND New Zealand has been through some tough times recently but that won’t stop it being one of the most naturally beautiful countries on the planet. From the beachy north to the snow-capped south - and all the hip cities in between - a visit to New Zealand is a must, even if just once in a lifetime. Find out what to see on each of the islands for city slickers, adrenaline junkies and nature lovers.

WORDS BY JO GARDNER

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Travel

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NORTH ISLAND

Nature lovers: Rotorua

Adrenaline junkies: Queenstown

City slickers: Auckland

Mother Nature at her most fascinating combined with Māori culture - only Iceland comes close to the incredible geo-thermal activity on offer in Rotorua, or ‘Sulphur City’ as it is known. With its bubbling mud pools, hot springs and gushing geysers, the first thing you’ll notice is a strong smell of sulphur, akin to rotten eggs, as it emanates from the Earth’s crust. Thankfully, your nose will soon adjust – good job, too, because there is plenty to admire here.

Known as the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown is a quirky place with plenty of quaint coffee shops selling cinnamon buns so good you will be at the counter before you know it. Do as the locals do and grab a cup of jo to sip before heading out for a day of adrenaline-fuelled fun. And with everything from skiing, snowboarding, white-water rafting, hand-gliding, skydiving, canyoning, mountain biking and heli-skiing on offer, fun is the order of the day. The first commercial bungee trip even took place here in 1988.

The waterside metropolis of Auckland is home to a quarter of New Zealand’s population, making it the country’s largest and most vibrant city. Affectionately known as the City of Sails, its two harbours are frequently dotted with hundreds of gleaming yachts – dine in one of the many waterside restaurants and you can tuck into fresh seafood while watching these elegant vessels sail in and out.

Downtown, Auckland is blessed with great museums, restaurants, galleries and a European-style café culture where you can grab some of the best, and locally-produced, coffee to go. Auckland also has both a staggering amount of golf courses and several beaches – hire a pair of roller-skates and join the throngs of locals enjoying an early evening skate along the promenade of sandy Mission Bay before sitting down for a cold beer with a sea view.

Where to stay SO/Auckland is a modern five-star hotel by Sofitel with an open-air rooftop bar offering skyline views. The hotel also has a sky high restaurant and a spa with several treatment rooms, a pool with floor-to-ceiling windows and a fully-equipped gym with a faux grassy floor. Rooms - designed around the city’s volcanic underbelly – are an explosion of colour and quirk.

Adrenaline junkies: Bay of Islands Travel 150 miles north of Auckland and the look and feel of New Zealand changes completely. A staggering 144 islands make up the Bay of Islands, an area of unhampered natural beauty where coastal scenery and clear blue waters create an area of uninterrupted peace and quiet. Watch the sunset from the sand and you’re likely to find yourself alone with only the sound of the wind on the water for company.

There’s a wealth of history in the area, too, with many of the country’s oldest buildings dating back to the early 1800s. Unsurprisingly, activities in the Bay of Islands are mostly water-based, with cruises, dolphin and whale watching, sailing, snorkelling, diving, kayaking and fishing on offer.

Where to stay For real opulence – or a special occasion - stay at Eagles Nest, a £1,498-a-night all-villa luxury resort set on a 75-acre estate. Each villa has its own infinity pool, sauna and gym, and comes with a personal chef, trainer and spa therapist. 300-degree ocean views are guaranteed. Wander down to the resort’s private beach to see rare native birds or simply chill out by the pool, glass of New Zealand wine in hand.

Originally a spa destination, visitors can visit many thermal sites, including Whakarewarewa Living Thermal Village, an old Māori town where some of the locals still live. Listen to fascinating stories of old, watch as geysers erupt and marvel at bubbling mud.

HOW TO DO IT

NORTH ISLAND • SO/Auckland Hotel 67 Customs Street East, Auckland Central 1010 + 64 9 379 1860 www.accorhotels.com • Eagles Nest 60 Tapeka Road, Russell 0242 + 64 9 403 8333 www.eaglesnest.co.nz

There is a quieter side to Queenstown though, with plenty of walking trails, golf courses, bird watching and wineries to visit, as well as many restaurants to enjoy a good meal at.

Where to stay

Where to stay

The Regent of Rotorua Boutique Hotel is an attractive five-star, black and white building in the centre of Rotorua. The art-deco feel continues in the bedrooms with black and white furnishings and art deco mirrors. The hotel’s pool, spa, gym and coffee house are modern and functional; the award-winning Regent Room Restaurant and Wine Bar a hit with both guests and locals.

Prepare to be spoilt at Matakauri Lodge, a six (yes, six) star luxury lodge overlooking snowy peaks and a beautiful alpine lake.

Built from stone and timber, the hotel’s unassuming exterior gives way to sumptuous rooms that let the views do the talking.

There’s also an outdoor pool and Jacuzzi and a restaurant serving delectable dishes.

The hotel’s incredible art collection also includes an original Picasso.

• Whakarewarewa The Living Māori Village, 17 Tryon Street, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua 3010 + 64 7 349 3463 www.whakarewarewa.com • Regent of Rotorua Boutique Hotel 1191 Pukaki St, Rotorua 3010 +64 7 348 4079 www.regentrotorua.co.nz

SOUTH ISLAND • The George 50 Park Terrace, Christchurch Central 8013 + 64 3 379 4560 www.thegeorge.com

Nature lovers: Fiordland

SOUTH ISLAND City slickers: Christchurch Recent atrocities won’t stop Christchurch rising out of the ashes to show off its friendly, pretty side. Of all the cities in New Zealand, Christchurch is the most English, with parks and gardens, punts down the River Avon and a grand Anglican cathedral making visitors feel like they have just headed down the road to Cambridge.

Completed in 1904, the cathedral was designed by architect George Gilbert Scott who also designed London’s St Pancras Station. While the Christchurch Cathedral undergoes renovations you can also visit its replacement, the Cardboard Cathedral, just a few blocks away.

Don’t miss a leisurely punt down the River Avon which threads lazily through pretty Hagley Park, or a visit to some of the city’s vibrant bars, restaurants and shops where a large student population keeps things fresh and hip.

Where to stay The George is a 53-room boutique hotel ideally located overlooking Hagley Park and the River Avon. Local artwork adorns the walls; eat at one of two award-winning restaurants, work out in the gym or enjoy a drink in the old English-style garden.

Guests can also borrow a mountain bike, hire a babysitter or work in the business centre.

Travel

One of only two places in the world where fjords can be seen, Fiordland National Park consists of hundreds of lakes, mountain peaks, deep fjords and rainforests. The south west has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status for its glaciers, rocky coastlines, towering cliffs and plummeting waterfalls. Two-thirds of the park is covered with southern beech and conifer trees, some a staggering 800 years old.

• Matakauri Lodge 569 Glenorchy Road, Queenstown 9348 + 64 3 441 1008 www.robertsonlodges.com • The Marlborough Lodge 776 Rapaura Road, Blenheim 7273 + 64 3 570 5700 www.themarlboroughlodge.co.nz

Milford Sound is a must: the country’s bestknown fjord attracting more than 500,000 tourists each year, as is Marlborough Sounds, an area resplendent in mountains, lakes and vineyards where foodies flock to try local tipples served with award-winning dishes.

Where to stay The Marlborough Lodge is a luxury hotel set in a former Victorian convent. Handsome in grey and white, with colonial flourishes, the lodge has just 10 beautifully appointed suites, a heated outdoor pool, a spa, tennis courts and – for those balmy evenings – an outdoor fire pit. The building is set in 16 acres of lush gardens with lakes and walking trails. Keep walking and you’ll stumble across the Marlborough vineyards.

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Book your Free Trial Lesson!

One of the most prestigious dance schools in the heart of West London!

Offering Ballet, Tap & Modern Jazz Contemporary classes for all Ages.

IDTA Accredited Dance School: Specialising in Exams, Shows, Audition Preparation and Intensive Teaching Training Courses.

The Academy has a history of 100% pass rates with pupils and teachers achieving marks as high as 96% distinctions and merits.

Brand New, Fully Equipped Purpose Built Dance Studio in Chiswick W4.

www.westlondondanceacademy.com Natalieparnell.wlda@gmail.com 07795578781

We are moving!!

West London Dance Academy will be moving their Chiswick classes to: The Parent Hood ground floor studio @ 87-89 Chiswick High Road. W4 2EF from September 2019.

We are extremely excited to move into a band brand new purpose built fully equipped dance studio with a soft play sensory cafe above for parents and children. This will enable us to offer more classes Monday - Saturday. Please see our new time table on the website.

We are holding an OPEN DAY on Saturday 10th august 2019 10.00 - 13.00 @ The Parent Hood please come along to see the studio, meet the students and the Principal and join in some free classes, there will be free face painting, balloons, free gifts and much more! we can’t wait to see you there!

www.westlondondanceacademy.com tel:07795578781

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• Treat O’Clock • Support your local brand, share the love WWW.PRINCESSPROSECCO.CO.UK EXCLUSIVE FINE PROSECCO SUBSCRIPTION BOX ON-LINE GIFTING THE NO1 DESTINATION FOR PROSECCO LOVERS

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HOME IS WHERE

YOU SELFIE

“10 best city arts districts around the usa” — usa today

JOIN IN AT ThisisCLEVELAND.COM

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Whether you’re into food, art, or architecture, you’ll feel right at home Instagramming Millennium Park. choosechicago.com/welcomehome

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Premier Premier by Brightsun Travel are bespoke corporate and luxury travel specialists, established in 1986.

Our team of experienced travel consultants are available 24/7 to suit your travel needs.

With our partnerships with airlines and hotels globally we can offer:

Escape the city A wonderful riverside pub The Bell & Crown couples the charm of a country pub with a great London location. Set right on the banks of the Thames, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy superb food, fresh real ales and friendly service with a smile.

Breakfast now being served from 8am Monday to Friday and 9am at the weekend.

Unique and individual experiences in every pub.

The Bell & Crown, 11-13 Thames Rd, Strand on the Green, London, W4 3PL T 020 8994 4164 E bellandcrown@fullers.co.uk www.bell-and-crown.co.uk

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Discounts on business and first class fares Advice on maximising loyalty points, lounge passes and upgrades 24/7 check-in and check-out on a vast range of hotels Complimentary room upgrades on a wide range of hotels and more

T: 0208 819 9852 W: btpremier.com ATOL: 3853

Always MAKING

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THE TOWNHOUSE COLLECTION Prices from £899,950*

YOUR WATERSIDE PLACE

The townhouses at Keelson Gardens are a limited collection of just six homes arranged around a landscaped courtyard on the multi award-winning Brentford Lock West development on the banks of the Grand Union Canal.

Each property benefits from: • 1,959ft2 of accommodation • Four bedrooms • Two private balconies accessed from the master suite and bedroom three • Two ground floor terraces • Two parking spaces

£25,000 CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS STAMP DUTY PLUS £2,000 TOWARDS MOVING IN COSTS**

020 3504 6403 brentfordlockwest.co.uk Marketing Suite and Show Home open daily 10am to 5pm Boaters Avenue, Brentford Lock West, TW8 8FE

*Price correct at time of going to print. **£25,000 contribution towards stamp duty plus £2,000 towards moving in cost on selected townhouse plots only & for reservations secured before May 31st 2019. Not in conjunction with any other offer & subject to terms and conditions. Images of townhouse show home & stock.

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BASEMENTS | EXTENSIONS | RENOVATIONS BESPOKE SOLUTIONS • POLISHED CONCRETE • MICRO CEMENT FINISHES • JOINERY • CRITTALL • STAIRCASES

DESIGN LED CONSTRUCTION Tel: 020 8995 3424 Email: info@assegaidb.com 46 Duke Road, Chiswick, London W4 2DD www.assegaidb.com

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295 High Road, Chiswick, London, W4 4HH T: 0203 646 1300 W: www.roofwiselimited.co.uk E: roofwiselondonltd@gmail.com We are a family run business with over 15 years experience in the roofing industry.

We pride ourselves on our high standards of workmanship and customer service.

Bathrooms & Kitchens High specificaction.

Professional team.

For a no obligation quote call Will on 07748 982 917 58

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OUR SERVICES

New Roofs • Flat Roofs • Leadwork • UPVC Fascias • Soffits & Guttering • Chimneys • Building Repairs • Ridge Tiles & Gable Ends • Loft Conversions • Interior & Exterior Painting

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AN AUTHENTIC TASTE OF TUSCANY BROUGHT TO LONDON W4

Villa di Geggiano

This elegant restaurant is the unofficial outpost of the fabulous 15th century Palazzo in which the aristocratic Bianchi Bandinelli family have lived for five centuries. Legend has it that in 1752 this Tuscan villa produced the first Chianti to be exported to England.

THE FOOD IS SUBLIME

THE WINE IS DIVINE

The menu is ingredient-led and uncomplicated. Wherever possible, the restaurant procures from organic, traceable and sustainable sources.

As the owners have their own highly-regarded organic vineyard, there are impressive stocks in the capacious cellar.

There are also organic wines from the villa’s neighbouring estates and many other fine Italian wines. The house red in this restaurant is absolutely the right decision to make.

Choose from a tasting plate of cured meats and cheeses straight from Siena, a delicious bowl of home-made pappardelle with duck or wild boar, or if you’re feeling peckish, go for the char-grilled Tuscan Fiorentina – 800g of prime beef for two to share.

And if you’re around for lunch, there’s no better introduction to the deliciousness of the Villa than the special set lunch menu, offering two courses for £20 and three courses for £25.

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“When Villa di Geggiano cook Italian... it’s phenomenal.” Tatler.

THE ART IS INSPIRATIONAL

The Villa is about feeding the soul as well as the body. Across the dining rooms, you’ll find a wide array of contemporary paintings and sculpture. Here, established artists rub shoulders with talented newcomers.

The first Summer truffles have arrived!

OPENING TIMES

Lunch 12pm – 3pm Dinner 6pm – 10.30pm Kitchen closes 9pm Sunday To book a table, please call 020 3384 9442 Villa di Geggiano 66-68 Chiswick High Road London W4 1SY www.villadigeggiano.co.uk

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