Hackney Magazine Autumn 2018

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HUMANS OF HACKNEY

HEALTH IN AUTUMN HACKNEY’S BEST BREWERIES

WHAT’S ON, EDUCATION, FOOD & DRINK, PROPERTY AND SO MUCH MORE

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AUTUMN 2018 | hackneymagazine.com | ISSUE 8

NEWS & VIEWS

Editor Yasemin Bakan

5 Latest news & views

Sub Editor

CULTURE

Michael Daventry

7 Theatre company finds its home in Stoke Newington 8-9 Your local guide to music, theatre, exhibitions, festivals, and shows

Graphic Design Umut Senogul

Photography Nilay Islek

Contributors

FEATURE

Victoria Gray, Edward Rowe

11 Hackney Mosque raises thousands with cryptocurrency donations

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FOOD & DRINK

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15 The best places to drink local beers in Hackney

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HEALTH & WELLBEING 17 Autumn foods keep you healthy

FITNESS

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17 Exercises that will increase your happiness

EDUCATION

PROPERTY

INTERVIEW

20 News, views and features

26 Living around Clissold Park 28 Ten tips how to sell your house

30 Q&A with local author Hannah Begbie

15 DRINK LOCAL BREWERIES IN HACKNEY

7 CULTURE THE TOWER THEATRE COMPANY STAGE HENRY V

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9 WILL YOUNG TALKS ABOUT MENTAL ISSUES AT SHOREDITCH TOWN HALL

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NEWS AND VIEWS Changes to licensing won’t kill Hackney

By Edward Rowe

Six Hackney restaurants make Britain’s Top 100

By Edward Rowe

H

ackney is home to some of the UK’s best restaurants.

A total of six eateries in the borough, including five in Shoreditch and one in Newington Green, were among those crowned in the 2018 National Restaurant Awards list of the top 100 restaurants in Britain. Half of these restaurants also reached the country’s top 50, two were in the top twenty and one made it into the prestigious top ten taking seventh place.

Hackney restaurateur Tom Brown also won a double victory at the awards after being personally named “Chef to Watch”

while his debut restaurant Cornerstone in Hackney Wick also triumphed, taking home the ‘One to Watch’ title.

The six restaurants included: 7 Lyle’s Shoreditch 14 Brat Shoreditch 31 The Clove Club Shoreditch 51 Nuala Shoreditch 68 Smoking Goat Shoreditch 99 Perilla Newington Green Lyle’s also appeared at number 38 in the The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list and was joined by The Clove Club, another Shoreditch eatery which took 33rd. The awarding ceremony was held in Bilbao, Spain.

H

ackney Council has introduced licensing rules, including plans for opening time limits of 11pm on weeknights and midnight on weekends for new nightlife venues in popular areas like Shoreditch. Businesses now have to show they will not be detrimental to the area in exchange for longer opening hours.

We Love Hackney group campaigners criticised the changes as among ‘the toughest restrictions on nightlife in Britain’.

Mayor Philip Glanville has responded saying ‘We’re trying to strike a balance between a growing nighttime economy, the interests of the residents who live

Illusion coffee bar The Twisted Fork opens

By Victoria Gray

A

new cafe on Stoke Newington High Street is aiming to bring a touch of magic to the area. Calling itself ‘the world’s first magic themed coffee bar’, The Twisted Fork is everything you would expect from a Stoke Newington cafe coffee, cronuts, avocados - but all the food and coffee comes with a side of magic.

Owner Rich Clark is a member of the Magic Circle and performs magic tricks and

illusions while you’re waiting for your order to be ready. He tells us ‘I looked around a lot of coffee shops and on the walls of most

nearby and the impact on our increasingly stretched public services ... Whether we should be spending that money cleaning up partygoers’ litter, vomit and worse using austeritystretched services is a matter for serious debate ... As mayor of this exciting borough, I’ll always be a friend to responsibly run venues but I will also defend our residents’ right to a clean and peaceful life.’

‘We value the borough’s nightlife’ said council Licensing Chair Cllr Emma Plouviez, ‘but we also value our residents’ right to a good night’s sleep ... they didn’t choose to live in the middle of a busy area packed with late night venues.’

of them are fillers. Canvases of coffee cups, pictures that don’t mean much. But what I wanted to do was make sure that when you look up here, everything you see on the walls has a meaning or is doing something.

It’s entertaining and engaging.’

The decor of the coffee bar is also full of optical illusions, from decks of cards flying off the walls to secret doors and moving artwork. Guest magicians will also appear, and adult magic shows are planned to start soon as well as plans for a bar downstairs. ‘[Hackney] is a great area, a great buzzing atmosphere in Stoke Newington.

I wanted to go somewhere where it will be well received. And so far it’s been really well received here.’

155 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 twistedforkcoffee.com

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VIVA Est: 2012

CULTURE

Photos: David Sprecher

THEATRE / MUSIC / FILM

Henry V

Theatre company finds its home in Stoke Newington The Tower Theatre has purchased a building on Northwold Road, opening in September

By Victoria Gray

A

new theatre is opening in Stoke Newington.

But in many ways, it’s not new at all. The Tower Theatre company is an organisation founded in 1932 putting on high quality, affordable drama, enabling people of all ages and backgrounds to be able to experience every aspect of live theatre.

The company’s previous home was in Canonbury Tower theatre, where it took its name. But in 2003 they

lost their lease, and for 15 years afterwards sought a new location while operating out of temporary spaces. In February 2018, they completed a purchase of Sunstone House on Northwold Road and spent the next six months turning the former gym into a theatre, and moving props, costumes and members in.

We spoke to Sarah Ley, board member for the Tower Theatre, who found support from the local area sealed the deal: “We were delighted to find how many activities and groups

and people showed an interest in our coming in. There’s so many exciting places, and people get what we can bring to them and what they can bring to us.”

Operating 18 shows a year, there is volunteer space for everything from box office to lead actor. The company also want to make the building a community space.

“There’s all sorts of synchronicity we’re hoping to work towards. We’re looking at getting daytime use for the building, and setting up HACKNEYMAGAZINE.COM

children’s shows or a comedy club for days we don’t have shows on. We want the building to work, not only for us - and it must work for us because we’re a charity - but also to be a community venue,” Sarah says.

And bringing theatre to the area is a huge bonus: “We have a lot of new playwrights’ pieces as well as ‘traditional’ theatre, and it’s on your doorstep if you can’t spend £60 to go into the West End. It’s a great place to meet people and make friends.”

Find out more at towertheatre. org.uk

AUTUMN 2018

HACKNEY MAGAZINE 7

WHAT’S ON AUTUMN

LA beatmaker MNDSGN returns to London

Exhibition LONDON ART BOOK FAIR 2018 6 - 9 SEPTEMBER 2018

The Whitechapel Gallery is transformed by over 80 creative and cutting-edge publishers for four days. Indie titles from around the world sit alongside publishing giants at the London Art Book Fair 2018, with a vibrant mix of art books and magazines to explore and buy.

Free entry whitechapelgallery.org

Iris Theatre stage a new adaptation of Arabian Nights by Nessah Murthy, directed

by Daniel Winder

the UK, Senegalese artist Omar Victor Diop recasts history and the global politics of black resistance.

Liberty: A Universal Chronology of Black Protest reinterprets defining moments of historical revolt and black struggle in Africa and the diaspora, exploring what unifies and defines these fights for freedom and human rights.

Free Entry autograph.org.uk

This autumn, Iris Theatre will transform Hoxton Hall into a magical world where stories of Ali Baba, Ala’ad-Din and Sinbad the Sailor unfold in their new adaptation of Arabian Nights. An engagement project, Encountering 1001 Nights, will run alongside the show and will focus on engaging with the local communities in Hoxton.

Tickets: £13 - £30 Time: 7.30pm hoxtonhall.co.uk

Plays Shows

24 SEPTEMBER - 13 OCTOBER 2018

ASTROLOGY AND THE CITY

COMEDY CAFE

28 SEPTEMBER - 11 NOVEMBER 2018

8 SEPTEMBER 2018

Astrology and the City is a solo exhibition by Londonbased artist Alan Michael.

The exhibition presents a new series of paintings working within the genre of street photography that look at subjectivity, displays of labour and formal issues of image reproduction.

Free Entry cellprojects.org

Join Comedy Cafe Theatre for an evening of outstanding stand up comedy at one of London’s oldest and best loved comedy clubs. This week’s talent-packed lineup features the brilliant Diane Spencer, Joanne McNally, and Comedy Cafe New Act Winner Damian Kingsley.

Tickets: £14 Time: 7pm comedycafetheatre.co.uk

LIBERTY / DIASPORA

ARABIAN NIGHTS

UNTIL 2 NOVEMBER 2018

In his first solo exhibition in 8 HACKNEY MAGAZINE

‘Halloween Spooktacular’ family rave by Big Fish Little Fish

12 SEPTEMBER- 13 OCTOBER 2018

AUTUMN 2018

A KETTLE OF FISH

From Brad Birch, writer of the Tremor and The Brink, and returning director Caitlin McLeod (Brenda, 2015), comes the premiere of an otherworldly one-woman show that asks whether we have any control over anything at all.

Tickets:£12 Time: 8pm theyardtheatre.co.uk

Music PARIS _MONSTER 19 SEPTEMBER 2018

American duo Paris Monster who create experimental electronic sounds return to UK.

Tickets: £10 Time: 8pm theoldbluelast.com MNDSGN, LAPALUX, KIEFER & KAI WHISTON 22 SEPTEMBER 2018

Talented LA beatmaker MNDSGN returns to London for a showcase of spectacular beats, alongside Lapalux and CID RIM, for one of the first shows at Dalston’s brand new 2,500 capacity space, Hackney Arts Centre!

Time: 21:00-02:00 Tickets: From £19.50 hackneyartscentre.org TROPICAL GOTHIC 28 SEPTEMBER 2018

Mike Cooper presents his new Tropical Gothic project alongside multiinstrumentalists Clive Bell and Sylvia Hallett, followed by a set of musically deconstructed protest songs. Tropical Gothic examines Gothic within a specific geographical area of ‘the South’… as well as transnational movements of the Gothic…

Tickets: £10 Time: 7.30pm cafeoto.co.uk

Talks WILL YOUNG: FINDING YOUR VOICE 14 SEPTEMBER 2018

Will Young today is known as a British musical icon; in the past two decades he has won Pop Idol, released over four albums, been nominated for an Oliver Award, and won two Brit Awards. However, Young also has a deeply personal side, one he is planning to share during his upcoming event at Shoreditch Town Hall. In his talk ‘Finding Your Voice’, Young hopes to discuss the process of self-discovery, using his own life to illustrate both the importance, pain, and complexity of it.

Tickets: £19 Time: 6.45 shoreditchtownhall.com

Kids / Family RUGBYTOTS 8 SEPTEMBER 2018

Rugbytots’ is the world’s favourite rugby based play scheme for 2-7 year old children. Rugbytots main focus is to build confidence and self-esteem in young children, ensuring that they not only have a fantastic introduction to a great sport but they develop skills that are transferable to all walks of life.

Free Entry, Booking essential Times: 9:25-10.10 10.50-11.35 hackney@rugbytots.co.uk Haggerston School Weymouth Terrace London E2 8LS CLIMBING CLUB

In addition to being great fun, all aspects of indoor climbing are covered in this weekly club, including safety issues, top-roping, bouldering and lead-climbing skills, climbing techniques, and abseiling.

For 9 to 19 years old Where: Castle Climbing Centre Per session: £25 22, 23, 24 September, 5pm-7pm 25 September, 10pm-12pm For more dates check on: geckos.co.uk

Will Young

HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR 28 OCTOBER 2018

Dance together on a dance floor filled with bubbles, balloons, confetti cannons, and topped off by the parachute dance. Get crafty on the Captain Cookie Craft tables and enjoy the baby chill out or play areas.

For families with younger children (8s and under) though all ages are welcome.

Tickets: Child £7, Adult £10 Time: 14:00 – 16:30 Hangar - Sidworth Street London Fields E8 bigfishlittlefishevents.co.uk JUNIOR’S KICKBOXING 1 OCTOBER 2018

Kickboxing classes with a specially structured syllabus that covers first-aid skills, stranger awareness, and road safety. Childen learn increased respect, self-discipline and build confidence whilst getting fit and having fun.

Time: 4.45 5.30 For more dates check on: themartialartsplace.com

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FEATURE

Hackney Mosque raises thousands with crypto-currency donations

By Edward Rowe

A

Dalston mosque made history by raising over £10,000 after accepting donations in crypto-currencies Bitcoin and Ethereum as part of a fundraising campaign during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Masjid Ramadan, also known as Shacklewell Lane Mosque, is believed to be the first ever mosque in the UK to accept charitable contributions in crypto-currency.

Crypto-currencies are digital currencies that allow users to transfer wealth independently of any central banks. There are many different crypto-currencies but the most popular are Bitcoin and Ethereum.

The pioneering mosque, which is also Britain’s first Turkish-owned mosque is run by the UK Turkish Islamic Trust, a small independent charity that receives no outside funding.

The trust launched the ground-breaking campaign to raise money from Zakat (annual obligatory alms-giving equal to 2.5% of a Muslim’s wealth) and Sadaqah (voluntary charitable donations) given by Muslim crypto-currency owners during the holy month in which believers are required to give selflessly.

By the end of its 30-day Ramadan campaign, the mosque had raised a total of £17,443, of which £13,983 was given in crypto-currency. Masjid Ramadan received 24 crypto-currency donations in total throughout the month, which lasted from 17 May to 14 June. Seventeen of these were made in Bitcoin and a further seven in Ethereum. Crypto-currencies can be worth thousands of pounds sterling and one Bitcoin was equal to £5,658 when the

The largest single crypto-currency contribution came in the form of 14.99 Ethereum and was worth over £5,200 mosque started its campaign in May. The largest single crypto-currency contribution came in the form of 14.99 Ethereum and was worth over £5,200 — more than the combined value of all cash donations given by local worshippers which came to £3,460.

The charity plans to use the money for crucial repairs to the mosque building, providing food and shelter to needy members of the local community and assisting poor Muslim families with funeral costs, which can also include repatriation to Turkey, North Cyprus and elsewhere alongside burials in Britain.

‘We are truly grateful to everyone who donated whether through crypto-currency or by conventional means. Many people at the mosque were initially sceptical about us accepting this new money, but the fact we received four times more in crypto-currency donations shows how important it is to be open to these new digital currencies. These donations will make a huge difference to our mosque and charitable works’ said Erkin Guney, chairman of the mosque’s Board of Trustees.

There is debate among Islamic scholars as to whether crypto-currencies are religiously permissible, but Masjid Ramadan took special measures to ensure it did not break any rules while accepting the donations.

Shacklewell Lane Mosque leaders hope that other mosques and organisations will follow its lead and make use of crypto-currency contributions for charitable purposes.

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HUMANS OF HACKNEY We record the stories of strangers across Hackney. Here are the latest Humans of Hackney.

ADAM FAULKNER & TIM STEPHENS Musicians

W

e are two friends and musicians who left London in March 2018 to cycle to Japan and make an album along the way.

For years, we’d meet on a Friday morning before work at our favourite greasy spoon, ‘Arthur’s’ in Dalston. We hatched this plan over many a bacon and egg sandwich. We’d always mulled over the idea of writing music full time but living in London whilst doing so would make things financially difficult. After being inspired by a trip to Peru in 2017 and a very short cycling tour to Brussels the same year, more travel was also on the agenda and Japan loomed large on our ‘to do’ lists.

After a bit more brain power and a few more trips to Arthur’s we hatched the idea to cycle across the globe, making music as we adventured. We worked out that we could take instruments with us and write music as we went, inspired by the places and people we would meet on our journey.

Planning a route across two continents and an excess of 20 countries can take a bit of time but we enjoyed doing it. We knew we had to get through Europe to reach Turkey, which is the gateway to the east. From there, we pencilled in the Central Asian ‘Stans (as they’re known), then headed to South East Asia via India before swinging north towards Japan. We

CYCLING FROM HACKNEY TO TOKYO

“Making music on top of a mountain with a drummer we randomly met in Turkey has to be the highlight for us.” estimated it would take 12 months to get from London to Tokyo.

We both have personal stories connected to Alzheimer’s. Tim’s grandmother, who has sadly passed away, had the condition... and my grandmother has suffered with it for the past 6 years.

We’ve both seen how debilitating it can be

and how it robs a person of themselves and their dignity, so we wanted to do what we could to raise money for a worthy cause.

We also know music is an effective way of giving those who suffer from Alzheimer’s their memories back somewhat, so we wanted our album, when it’s finished, to be a symbol of that.

There are so many memories so far that we could mention but making music on top of a mountain with a drummer we randomly met in Turkey has to be the highlight for us. It was a breathtaking moment, set amongst incredible scenery, playing our synthesizers.

To follow our journey on Instagram @TotalBikeForever

Zine, Anti Diet Riot Club, Guerilla Science to name just a few – they’re incredible people. Outside of that I read a hell of a lot; a mix of independent zines like Azeema and Ladybeard to novels by incredible writers like Angela Carter and Virginia Woolf. I know I’m a walking feminist stereotype, no apologies, no regrets.

My own venues are like my babies so of course I can’t choose a favourite.

Outside of our spaces, I think I have to say The Glory has my heart. From scratch nights to regency satire; a kaleidoscope of drag to moving screenings; The Glory is home to a wonderful creative community of queer artists. With so many LGBTQ+ venues in London being shut and threatened, it’s really key to support them!

‘Immersive’ as a concept defo finally reached full saturation this year.

Everything from your dinner to your shopping experience is embracing the immersive event culture. I think we’re seeing some really proactive engagement in discussions about not just including different communities but allowing them to curate their own shows/spaces as well. Hopefully this is the start of a sea change to the same old Oxbridge dudes programming the more influential venues in the UK.

JENNA AL-SANSARI Bahraini / British programmer at The Book Club, Queen of Hoxton, Hoxton Square Bar

I

choose arts events (anything from spoken word to wild live game shows) firstly through seeing if they’re simple in concept and well explained by the promoter (shouldn’t take more than a sentence); and secondly whether I would want to go to that event. If someone has to take 15 mins to explain to me what their idea is and how it might work, it’s usually a no due to the fact that you won’t have that long to explain it to your audience.

The promoters I work with honestly are a huge source of inspiration.

Herstory, Vagina Museum, gal-dem, Sex+

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MAIREAD & ATHENA Floral Stylists & Founders of Rebel Rebel Florist

Editorial

info@hackneymagazine.com

W

e set up our own company in 2000 with almost no experience at all and winged it. We just loved flowers, and thought we could do it. We do regular workshops in our Hackney base behind Broadway Market once a month.

We do a five day residential course in Italy twice a year which covers a lot of basics and you get to eat gorgeous food and drink nice wine, and we teach regularly in Beijing, at Cohim.

“Floristry trends for 2018?

With the power of Instagram, whatever’s happening in New York! Dried flowers are popular.

Sprayed mad colour.

Tropicals.”

Where do we get inspiration that influences our work?

Well, David Bowie! And Caravaggio and Ava Gardner and Vogue Italia, US Vogue now too, and Shane Connolly and Constance Spry and Steely Dan and Shakespeare

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and everything we see and do. We used to get inspiration from the BBC but they’ve gone off lately.

Our favourite garden is Great Dixter in Kent – the house was designed by Lutyens and Christopher Lloyd’s garden is just a dream.

We went to Luoyang in China for the peony festival last year. It’s where the International Peony Garden is, and is actually the centre of Chinese civilization, though they dismiss it as a minor city of 6 million people! There are hundreds of acres of peonies and they are truly amazing.

But even more amazing are the Longmen Grottoes nearby which house thousands of Buddhas – it is the most moving and spiritual place we’ve ever been.

When we did a huge floral eye for the final series of Big Brother on Channel 4 and the photos were blown up to huge billboards and featured all over London – that was pretty special. We loved making a 4.5m high ‘Wardian Case’ for last years Mayfair in Bloom installation at Sketch. And this year we got a Gold and an Innovation award for our Lucas Hugh window in Chelsea in Bloom.

Floristry trends for 2018?

With the power of Instagram, whatever’s happening in New York! Dried flowers are popular. Sprayed mad colour. Tropicals. rebelrebel.co.uk

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REVIEW

AUTUMN WINES

By Victoria Gray As the last glimpses of summer fade away, one comfort is being able to refresh our wine choices. Here are 4 cosy wines to start the autumn off right with:

ONE OF THE OLDEST RESTAURANTS IN STOKE NEWINGTON

T

he Thai Cafe, run by a Thai family for over 40 years, is a small and unpretentious restaurant. Sitting in the small, friendly dining area accompanied

by Far Eastern music, I chose the Chang Thai Beer to drink and fishcakes followed by a chicken green curry and coconut rice from the authentic Thai menu to eat.

The fishcake starter with chilli sauce was a great way to start the meal. The Green curry and coconut rice were also delicious.

The service at The Thai Cafe is wonderful, the staff are welcoming, the restaurant has a homely feel and won’t break the bank either. We cannot wait to come back and try the rest of the menu.

3 Northwold Rd, Stoke Newington, London N16 7HL Tel: 020 7249 2618

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LUIS FELIPE EDWARDS GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2017 Region: Chile ■ £9.99 A full-bodied white is just the thing you need as your dishes start to get heartier. This Chilean Chardonnay pairs very well with creamy dishes, and fish. majestic.co.uk Majestic Wines, 201-207 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6LG

THE BLACK STUMP DURIF SHIRAZ 2017 Region: Australia ■ £9.99 Australian Shiraz is a delightfully spicy red wine that will go perfectly with the first roast dinner you make of the autumn. laithwaites.co.uk

SOLE ORANGE WINE 2016 Region: Northern Europe/ Romania ■ £12.30 Orange wine is still a new concept to some - made by leaving white grapes in contact with the skin - it gives a fruity flavour and nutty, spicy finish. Just the thing for a cool evening. tanners-wines.co.uk

GALLIMARD RESERVE BRUT CHAMPAGNE, NV Region: Chile ■ £29 If you’ve got something to celebrate this autumn, it’s time to turn those sweet summer proseccos back to richer tasting champagnes and this bubbly is one to push the boat out for. bottleapostle.com Bottle Apostle, 95 Lauriston Road, E9 7HJ

The best places to drink Hackney beers in Hackney s the leaves change colour, our drinking habits move from Aperol Spritz to pale ale - and with one of the largest populations of breweries in the capital, Hackney is the place to indulge. Here’s where you can sample a few local brews, either at the breweries themselves, or the breweries’ favourite locations.

◆ SEVEN SISTERS BREWERY This nano-brewery’s beers are available at Mother Kelly, Clapton Craft, and Eat 17, and they organise the Stokey Beer Festival in February. They tell us ‘being based in Hackney as a brewer is fantastic because people are always open to trying something new. As a small developing brewery we’ve felt very supported here, it’s one of the reasons we’re still going!’

◆ ST JOHN AT HACKNEY This new brewery is connected to the St John at Hackney church and aims to give back through the parish community, as well as brewing delicious beers.

Try this: Pale Ale version 3 16-17 Bohemia Place, London E8 1DU, open Tuesday Sunday 12pm - 10.30 or later

◆ HACKNEY BREWERY While the seven-year old brewery currently hosts occasional events, a more regular schedule is planned for next year. Its beer can be found around the borough and they tell us ‘there are so many great places to drink in Hackney, that have their own feeling and personality, we are a big supporter of the local community, bars and charities.’

Try this: Kapow Pale Ale Arch 358, Laburnum Street, London, E2 8BB

◆ THE EXPERIMENT Cornwall favourites Verdant team up with London’s Pressure Drop for a range of experimental beers served under a railway arch.

Try this: Neal Gets Things Done 19 Bohemia Place, London E8 1DU, open Thursday and Friday 5-10pm, Saturday 1210pm, Sunday 12-5pm ◆ LONDON FIELDS BREWERY The first commercial brewery to open in Hackney since the 19th century, London Fields also offers tours and tastings and is opening a new taproom in late 2018.

Try this: Broadway Boss lager 365-366 Warburton Street, London E8 3RR open from 5pm Thursday - Sunday

◆ DEVIANT AND DANDY Filling the ‘quirky’ bracket, this brewery offers neon signs and hideaway bunkers as you sip its beers.

Try this: Strange Brew Arch 184 Nursery Rd, London E9 6PB, open Friday and Saturday 12 - 11pm ◆ FIVE POINTS This Hackney institution hosts brewery tours once a month, and the pub opposite the five road points the brewery is named after that they have recently acquired is open from 4pm daily. They tell us ‘whether it be a classic East End boozer, or a vibrant,

Hackney Brewery

Credit Eugenio Grosso

A

By Victoria Gray

Howling Hops Brewery Bar new-wave craft beer taproom, the variety of places to drink beer in Hackney is incredibly diverse - and unparalleled in London!’

Try this: XPA 3 Institute Place, London E8 1JE ◆ FOREST ROAD BREW COMPANY A brewery with a fierce independence and a very fun taproom, Forest Road have got two core beers and are often collaborating with other breweries.

Try this: Posh 8 Netil Lane, London E8 3RL, open Thursday - Saturday 12pm - 11pm, Sunday 12 - 8pm

HACKNEYMAGAZINE.COM

◆ CRATE BREWERY Crate Brewery is part of what made Hackney Wick canalside such a popular area - with its airy outdoor space, it’s a drinker’s paradise.

Try this: Cider Unit 7, Queens Yard, Hackney Wick, London, E9 5EN, open Thursday - Sunday 12:00 - 11pm ◆ HOWLING HOPS BREWERY Just behind Crate, Howling Hops’ tank brewery is just as impressive a space. The beer is served alongside regular USbbq style pop ups.

Try this: Das Koolsch Unit 9A Queen’s Yard, White Post Lane, London E9 5EN, open from 12pm daily

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SHOPPING NOOK

153 Stoke Newington Church St, Stoke Newington, London N16 0UH nookshop.co.uk (available instore & online) 1. Bonne Maison socks £16 2. Classic String Bag £9 3. YKRA Sailor Pack £75 4. Ferm Living Loop Cushion £54

DESIGN STORE

111 Stoke Newington Church Street London N16 0UD eastlondondesignstore.com

3

Get The Look

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Vase from local ceramic artist Lesley McShea £45

With a plethora of gift shops and boutiques, Hackney is the perfect place to find that special something.

2

1

East End Prints A3 print come framed in black 50cm by 40cm frame £45 (for a limited time)

EASTERN BIOLOGICAL

485 Hackney Road, London, E2 9ED easternbiological.co.uk

Bodil Jane Bamboo Bowls Bamboo bowls with a fun jungle print illustrated by Amsterdam-based Bodil Jane. Each bowl has a different jungle-themed illustration: Toucan and Leopard.

Size: 7cm x 14.5cm £7.95

EXTRAORDINARY WEDDINGS AT QMUL LONDON, E1 enquiries@qmweddings.co.uk 020 7882 8176 qmweddings.co.uk @WeddingsQMUL

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AUTUMN 2018

World Map Mug A classic mug, featuring a classically coloured vintage world map of the world.

Made from enamel.

Size: D 10cm x H 9cm £8.50

HEALTH & WELLBEING equator is unable to synthesise vitamin D in the winter months due to lack of sunlight exposure).

Vitamin D is a really important vitamin and is vital in helping to prevent heart disease, cancer, diabetes, depression, behavioural problems and bone health, to name just a few. Some of the best food sources are salmon, sardines, mackerel, trout, herring, cows milk and eggs.

Don’t forget your (root) vegetables Root vegetables take centre stage and rightly so. Delicious roasted, in warm salads, or in soups and stews they are rich in fibre, phytonutrients and antioxidants (such as vitamin C) ensuring our circulation and immune health are supported. They are also packed with the right type of carbohydrates to help give us energy for the colder months.

Eat more nutrient-rich mushrooms Mushrooms are rich in protein, calcium, magnesium, B and also D vitamins.

Mushrooms such as Reishi, Oyster and Shitake all have very strong antiviral and antibacterial properties. But try to only eat organic mushrooms if you can, as they absorb whatever they have been grown in.

For more information or to book an appointment please email joslinnutrition@gmail.com

STAY STRONG AND HEALTHY IN AUTUMN

A

Joslin Morrison Nutritional Therapist

utumn brings us fresh food in abundance and many fruits and vegetables at this time of year reflect those breath-taking rich autumn colours we see on the trees.

Unfortunately, the change in seasons can bring with it the onset of coughs and colds. This is the time our immune system truly needs building up, so we can enter the winter months feeling strong, to fight off all the germs floating around.

Are you getting enough zinc?

Zinc is a fantastic immune booster. It is vital for the body’s defence system, as well as numerous other roles such as hormone production, growth and repair, digestion and immunity. As well as that, it has also been proven to help boost your mood,

and studies have shown it has helped in treating people with mild depression. So those of us prone to the winter blues, or who frequently get sick, could do with ensuring we have adequate zinc in our diets.

Try incorporating some zinc rich foods such as nuts, seeds, shellfish, fermented breads like sourdough and grass-fed beef and lamb.

Keep your vitamin D levels up Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and is stored in our livers and fatty tissues.

Unfortunately, from the start of autumn our levels start to deplete and by midwinter our vitamin D stores have rapidly declined, so we need to look at keeping them topped up in other ways. (Anyone who lives 33 degrees north or south of the

FITNESS

Mountain climbers

Burpees

Squat jumps

EXERCISE YOURSELF HAPPY

W

hat do you do when you need a mood-boost? Did you know that exercise has been scientifically proven to increase happiness in both the long and short term? But how does this happen and why should you try and fit exercise into your day?

First of all, the science bit. By releasing endorphins, the ‘happy hormones’, exercise improves mental wellbeing and makes you feel brighter and more energised. The brain power that is involved with new patterns of thinking

stimulates neural growth and can lead to increased feelings of confidence and selfworth.

The physical and mental improvements that exercise promotes are endless. The fresh air of an outdoor workout or the positive environment of indoor group activity can invigorate your body and brain and relieve muscle tension, leaving you feeling more clear-headed.

It’s so easy to incorporate 15 – 20 minutes of exercise into your day without a gym membership or equipment – just find an open space and that’s pretty much all you’ll need! For a quick, sweaty yet

50m grapevine

effective workout, try 30 seconds of each of the above moves, with a 30 second rest in between, for 3-5 rounds, resting for 60 seconds after each round: Mountain climbers - drive the knees to the chest.

Burpees - make sure you get some proper air when you jump!

Squat jumps - chest up, weight in the heels.

50m grapevine - great for a full core workout!

As always remember to warm up, cool down, drink plenty of water, train safely and eat well every time you exercise!

Eleanor Heaton-Armstrong Personal Trainer trainedbyeleanor.com

HACKNEYMAGAZINE.COM

AUTUMN 2018

HACKNEY MAGAZINE 17

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Edward Rowe

Tradition meets trendy at ManCave

L

ooking scruffy is a thing of the past, or so you realise when you first step into ManCave, a trendy barbershop on Stoke Newington Church Street.

The shop brings a youthful, vibrant feel to traditional gentlemen’s hairdressing and grooming, combining antique décor with some quirkier aspects. Before entering ManCave, the first thing to catch your eye is the sign, sporting the antlers of a noble stag – even the outside of the shop oozes sophistication.

Along with more antlers on the inside, the shop displays smart armchairs, historic scissors, traditional-style lamps, old books, and a tall free standing clock along with a skateboard covered in stickers for children to sit on while waiting. Many of them bought from antique shops and auctions, these distinctive items bring an air of authenticity to the space, which is complemented by an exposed Victorian yellow stock brick wall and other open brick features adding further refinement and character.

This attention to detail doesn’t stop at the decorations either, the shop’s interior is just the beginning. Once in the chair, customers are offered tea or coffee, served in traditional English gentlemanly style with a cup and saucer – of course.

Refreshed and relaxed after a few sips, the styling begins. Even the lightest trim is carried out meticulously. Both clips and gentle snips make sure no single hair is left out of place.

By Edward Rowe

‘There’s nothing like a good haircut or beard trim to give you a little confidence boost,’ explains stylist Derek who joined ManCave shortly after it opened, adding that gentlemen can really benefit from ‘a haircut tailored to the individual, that not only looks good but is manageable also, seeing you through to your next trim.’

Derek particularly enjoys delivering these

tailored styles, “I’m really loving the softer scissor cuts that are so popular now, it’s nice to give the clippers a break now and again” he says.

He and the other stylists attend to the customer’s every request, stopping at various stages of the haircut to ensure that each hairstyle is perfectly suited.

Next come an array of products carefully selected to match the customer’s hair type and craft their preferred look, such as powders and sprays for texture, volume and bounce. For Derek, when it comes to male grooming, ‘The key issues here for me are not having a cut that compliments your face shape or using the wrong hair products. With so much variety available now, ask your barber for advice on the products that would be best suited for your hair type or style.’

ManCave stylists’ ability to craft a gentleman’s facial hair also ought not to be forgotten, as bearded customers can lay back, unwind and let the experts turn an unruly mess into an elegant shape, later treating the beard with luxury oil.

While primarily for gentlemen’s hair (though ladies are welcome too), another of the shop’s attractions is its very own little princess, Leia, the resident Himalayan cat.

The chance to see this adorable little white fluffball should not be missed.

ManCave currently employs eight stylists and is planning to expand its Church Street premises. Customers often queue outside on Saturday mornings before opening time’ which shouldn’t come as a surprise.

HACKNEYMAGAZINE.COM

AUTUMN 2018

HACKNEY MAGAZINE 19

Birthday coming up?

We’re here to save the day.

N Family Club 5 Defoe Road N16 0EP

20 HACKNEY MAGAZINE

AUTUMN 2018

The most fun-packed & imaginative kids’ parties around. Choose from our classic soft-play option, or one of our themed packages. Guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face (parents included!).

We’re taking bookings for Autumn birthdays now! To discuss your upcoming party, drop us a line on olivia@nfamilyclub.com

www.nfamilyclub.com

Education & Training

EDUCATION Vera Jewel is Late for School

New City College enters Top 100 of UK

Go back to school with Vera Jewel – the little girl who can never seem to make it to class on time, though not through lack of trying!

F

rom the author of The Strongest Mum, Vera Jewel is Late for School is a warm, funny and original story about strength of mind and creativity, perfect for learning about standing on your own two feet - and being rewarded for hard work and inventiveness.

Hackney resident Nicola Kent’s catchy rhyming text, bright, jewel-like colours and eye-catching illustrations make this a truly stunning picture book. New school starters will

S Nicola Kent

delight at the inventive travel ideas that Vera comes up with, and parents will relate to the hilarity and daily struggles of trying to get the children to school on time.

Vera Jewel is Late for School is out now. For ages 3-5.

Published by Macmillan.

Hardback £11.99, Paperback £6.99.

taff and students at New City College are celebrating securing a position in the top 100 list of UK higher education providers and outperforming more established and older universities for student satisfaction.

A total of 28 colleges, including New City College, gained places in the top 100, beating more prestigious universities including Oxford and Cambridge.

The listing was compiled from the findings of this year’s National Students Survey, capturing the views of over 320,000 students studying higher education courses at UK colleges and universities. It was

commissioned on behalf of the Office for Students and higher education funding bodies, captures students’ views and feedback on their place of study.

The high number of colleges positioned in the top 100 list indicates that students generally found their learning experience to be very supportive and engaging, compared to study at larger universities.

New City College offers a range of higher education courses in subjects including computing, graphic design, teaching, and childcare.

Open Day

Forest School encourages outstanding academic progress and personal development, offering single-sex teaching in a co-educational environment for girls and boys aged 4-18yrs. Forest is a city school on the edge of North London with 30 acres of grounds.

Forest - Where People Grow

22 HACKNEY MAGAZINE

AUTUMN 2018

Saturday, 22 September 2018 8.30am - 1.00pm 0208 520 1744 admissions@forest.org.uk | www.forest.org.uk

EDUCATION

HACKNEY WILD

Hackney’s green spaces, outdoor activities, diversity and liberal outlook make the borough ideal for raising a family, say new parents.

A

s parents, what we value most is diversity, green space, flexible work opportunities, inspiring family experiences and a good dose of liberalism. London has everything we need,’ explains Anna, mother to two-year-old Yona-Grey, in N Family Club’s #ParentingInTheCity series. She is one of a growing breed of parents to whom East London is as suited to bringing up children as it was to freewheeling during their 20s.

For her, and many others interviewed, creating the perfect childhood for their offspring is not centred on agonizing over the town/country debate, it’s about merging the two. Rural requisites such as fresh air, green space, access to animals, green skills and a sense of tranquility are

not confined to being brought up amid rolling hills.

There may not be fields at the bottom of your garden, but Hackney is not short on green space. The borough has 58 parks in total, ranging from the rambling space of Hackney Marshes with its bike paths and wildlife trails to the beautiful and historic settings of Springfield Park and Clissold Park. Hackney City Farm is a vibrant and wonderful place to introduce children to animals, while horse-riding lessons at Lee Valley are a rite of passage for a new generation.

In conjunction with this shift in thinking is the emphasis of outdoor play and learning in early years education.

Nurseries, such as N, run forest school as a key part of its core curriculum, while the weekend programme has an equally ‘green’

focus. N has hosted animal workshops and is launching a Sunday forest school in the autumn for parents and children to attend together. Over the summer the Family Club has moved its exercise classes to nearby Clissold Park, so parents can enjoy yoga and circuit training sessions in the fresh air, while childcare is provided nearby.

Outdoor space is also increasingly a crucial component of nurseries’ spatial design. N’s latest venue in London Fields (set to open in January) incorporates a huge rooftop garden, complete with toy car racing circuit and a mini farm with chickens and rabbits.

As Anna herself concludes as she jumps on her bike with Yona-Grey strapped on the back: ‘We’re city people who love the great outdoors.’ And with that the two of them ride off into the Clapton sunset.

HACKNEYMAGAZINE.COM

AUTUMN 2018

HACKNEY MAGAZINE 23

Call Stork Removals on 020 8366 6644 for free estimate, free boxes & free advice

info@storkremovals.co.uk www.storkremovals.co.uk

ADVERTORIAL

ANDY LOIZOU:

The demand for property in Hackney still remains strong Oakwood Estate Agents are an independent estate agency based in Stoke Newington Church Street since 1994. The manager, Andy Loizou, has led the company, which specialises in residential sales & lettings. He told us the latest news in the property market.

W

hat exactly is going on in the housing market?

Over the last 18 months the local market and most London postcodes have been experiencing a slowdown. Although demand for good property still remains high, buyers are more forethoughtful and cautious.

This means properties are taking slightly longer to sell.

As always and more so today, having a good pricing strategy in place is key. Properties that are priced correctly will attract the right buyers, resulting in good offers and quick sales being agreed.

My personal view is that the market will likely remain quite flat. However locally we are seeing an increase in activity with new listings beginning to pick up and we are finding the lower end of the market to be the most buoyant with stamp duty relief for first time buyers keeping things positive and stable.

Are there any Hackney postcodes that have been experiencing a slowdown?

The market in Hackney as a whole has slowed down and buyers are seeking to find the best property their money can buy them. Most buyers are willing to look further afield to get better value but the demand overall in Hackney remains strong.

What hope is there for buyers and sellers in the Autumn period?

The Autumn period is always an excellent time to sell your home. We recommend that sellers have their properties ready to go on the market at

Andy Loizou the beginning of September as buyers will commence their property searches once more after their summer holidays. For buyers, the Autumn period represents more choice as more sellers place their properties on the market and it’s a great time to purchase a new home in time for Christmas.

What tips would you give to make a home more saleable?

There are a few simple tips for making your home more saleable: 1. Tidy Up. First impressions are everything and you will only have one chance to make a good first impression. Make sure you de-clutter and ensure your property is clean and tidy both internally and externally.

The front garden must be presentable as ‘kerb appeal’ is key.

2. Small Jobs. Potential buyers will look at every aspect of your home, so make note of any small jobs that need to be carried out. This could be loose door handles, damaged

wallpaper or broken sockets.

Replace what’s needed and a lick of paint will also work wonders.

3. Dressing your Property.

Creating an unforgettable environment for potential purchasers need not be difficult or cost thousands of pounds. To achieve this you should dress up your property so that potential purchasers are able to easily visualise themselves living there.

Remember you’re selling more than just a property, you’re selling a lifestyle.

Is 2018 a good time to invest in a Buy to Let? There have been lots of changes that buyers should consider before making a buy to let investment. As of April 2016, a 3% additional rate of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on purchases of additional properties, such as buy to lets or second homes, came into effect.

Because stamp duty is tiered, you will pay a different stamp duty rate on different HACKNEYMAGAZINE.COM

portions of the property value.

The Government have also made changes to tax relief for residential landlords, which came into effect from April 2017. We would recommend that buyers speak to an accountant or tax advisor before making a purchase.

Buy to Let can still be an excellent investment but these additional changes must be factored in to costings.

Are there any other recent changes that Landlords should be aware of?

Yes, we would like to remind landlords that, as part of the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) Regulations 2016, from the 1st of April 2018, it will be unlawful to grant new leases of residential or commercial property with an EPC rating below an E. If you need help with improving your property’s energy efficiency rating or want an EPC carried out to establish its current rating, please contact our office. oakwoodestateagents.com

AUTUMN 2018

HACKNEY MAGAZINE 25

PROPERTY

Clissold House Cafe

Enjoy pizza & beer at the Red Lion

Clissold Park

LIVING AROUND CLISSOLD PARK Clissold Park is an incredibly-well rounded area to live, with multiple offerings of things to do from sport and leisure to food and drink, and ideal for families. We look into what it’s like to live there.

By Victoria Gray HISTORY

The park has been in existence since the 1790s when the Grade II-listed Clissold House was built for a local Quaker, whose daughter’s husband changed its name to Clissold House in 1811. In 1889, the park was opened to the public after campaigners persuaded a predecessor to the London County Council to buy the land to save it from development. Since then it has passed through the former GLC to Hackney Council and underwent major restorations in 2012.

CULTURE AND SHOPPING It is next to the bustling Stoke Newington Church Street to one end with its host of pubs, cafes and restaurants, and quirky design and clothes shops like Nook and Hub, plus Stoke Newington Town Hall, which is often used in the 26 HACKNEY MAGAZINE

Stoke Newington Literary and Music Festivals. Events are also hosted in the nearby churches, St Mary’s - which also often holds charity fundraisers to support the community - and The Old Church. In the park itself, you can visit Clissold House and nearby, on Church Street, you can see a Banksy mural, which was used as a Blur album cover in 2003 that the council began painting over before quickly being stopped by fans. Nearby Abney Cemetery is a fascinating walk into the past, where you can see the graves of the founder of the Salvation Army William Booth, and victims of WW2 bombings, as well as hundreds of former residents.

FOOD AND DRINK

Food and drink options are truly in abundance: a cafe in Clissold House offers a lovely place to relax after a walk around the park, and

AUTUMN 2018

there are several nearby pubs for a pint, pub quiz or even a full Sunday lunch. Some include traditional boozer The Brownswood, the Irish bar Auld Shillelagh, the Clissold Tavern serving pizzas in a fantastic outdoor space, and the Rose and Crown which is also a hotel for anybody visiting - and that’s just those within a 100m radius of the park! The area as a whole is a London hotspot for eating and drinking, and a short walk to Church Street or Stoke Newington High Street will give you countless options of almost every cuisine you can think of, plus several highly-rated bars.

THINGS TO DO WITH CHILDREN

The park is an excellent place for kids, with a paddling pool open in the summer months, and plenty of green space for playing sports. Regular fairgrounds visit too, usually during school holidays. Just

across the road is the Clissold Leisure Centre which offers weekly sports lessons and kids clubs during the holidays.

ACTIVITIES

There are plenty of ways to get active in the area too, with tennis courts and regular running events like 5 and 10k races held in the park. The Leisure Centre has a gym for anybody to join, as well as the

PROPERTY

020 7249 1000 | oakwoodestateagents.com TO LET

£1300pcm Gibson Gardens

A lovely one bedroom first floor flat set in a popular turn of the century cobbled courtyard development.

Internally the flat is well maintained and has access to well-kept communal gardens, just a short walk to Stoke Newington Church Street and Clissold

Park, with its choice of bars and restaurants as well as local transport facilities including the 73 bus and Stoke Newington Overground Station with easy access into Liverpool Street. Offered unfurnished with white goods. Available from 22nd September.

FOR SALE

2 bedroom second floor flat Excellent condition Private Art Deco Block Quiet traffic free street On the borders of Stoke Newington and Highbury South facing balcony directly overlooking Clissold Park Greenway Close, Clissold Court Guide Price £700,000

Castle Climbing Centre to the north of the park, and the West Reservoir which hosts watersports like kayaking and wild swimming in the summer.

EDUCATION

There are several schools and nurseries just walking distance from the park, and several more in the local area: Nurseries: Academic, Castle View, N Club

Primaries include: St Mary’s Primary, William Patten, Betty Layward, and Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form is the biggest secondary school next to the park.

PROPERTY GUIDE

Clissold Park is in Stoke Newington and has the N16 postcode.

The Zoopla average house price in N16 is £620,726 HACKNEYMAGAZINE.COM

AUTUMN 2018

HACKNEY MAGAZINE 27

PROPERTY

10 TIPS TO MAXIMISE YOUR HOME’S SELLING POTENTIAL Preparing your home for sale is important. It will not only ensure your property is sold faster, but can potentially add thousands of pounds to its value.

1. CHOOSING

THE RIGHT have been on the market reasons for a delay in the sales 6. LEAVE

THE VIEWINGS TO process.

AGENT for. Anything longer than a YOUR AGENT Don’t just be swayed by a couple of months may suggest Feedback from viewings is the price needs adjusting.

4. CHOOSING

THE RIGHT TIME really important but buyers high valuation or low fee. You TO SELL need to feel confident and Valuations are free so get can find it difficult to be comfortable with the agent several of them. Don’t feel The time of year can make a completely honest in front of difference to how long it takes you choose. Do they have tied to the first agent you see. the vendor as they know they experience selling a property Prices often vary from agent to for your home to sell. School have an emotional attachment agent so it’s better to have as holidays, especially in the so it is better to be out when like yours? Have a look at how summer are notoriously quiet. they market properties and much information as possible viewings are taking place. to be able to make an informed In contrast, the period between check who will be carrying out decision.

Christmas Day and New Year 7. HAVE

A REALLY GOOD viewings. Look at review sites like AllAgents, TrustPilot and sees traffic to property portals SPRING CLEAN 3. GET

YOUR PAPERWORK IN such as Rightmove and Zoopla Pay particular attention to Google to find out how other at its highest. people’s experiences have ORDER windows and other glass You must ensure you have surfaces such as shower doors, been. A good estate agent paperwork for any works 5. FLEXIBILITY

ON VIEWINGS mirrors and splash backs, as should be excited by your home and be able to give constructive carried out to your property Evenings and weekends are well as skirtings and all those and if you live in a flat you’ll often the most popular times other hard to reach areas feedback to help maximise its for viewings. Try to be as sale potential. need evidence such as service that may get missed. Ensure charges and any major works flexible as possible to be able to that all paint work is touched schedules. Your solicitor will accommodate this. Even if you up and that curtains / blinds 2.

PRICE Do your research. Check prices talk you through exactly what can only allocate one evening are clean. Check all light will be needed but it is always or weekend day a week, it just bulbs are working. Kitchens of similar properties recently prudent to prepare in advance ensures you don’t miss out on and bathrooms are the most sold in your area. If you are as not having paperwork any potential buyers. important rooms to get right. looking at properties currently in order is one of the major It doesn’t matter whether they for sale, check how long they

Pay particular attention to kitchens and bathrooms; scrub them until they shine and minimise toiletries on show

28 HACKNEY MAGAZINE

AUTUMN 2018

PROPERTY

are brand new or in need of updating, they must be clean.

It’s important to remember that not everyone is a fan of animals so evidence of pets can sometimes be off-putting.

8.

DE CLUTTER Clear surfaces, minimise personal possessions, such as 10. IF YOU HAVE SOME OUTSIDE family photos, and get rid of SPACE THEN REALLY or store excess furniture. The SHOW OFF THIS ASSET more ‘stuff ’ you have in the

BY ENSURING IT IS WELL room, the harder people will MAINTAINED. find it to be able to visualise Outside space in London is a themselves and their own real asset, however large or things in there. People look for small, so ensure you really light, space, and functionality, maximise its appeal. Get rid so concentrate on trying to of weeds and any dead plants ensure your rooms offer all or leaves. Put away any bikes, these things as best you can. toys, or garden machinery.

9.

PETS If you have pets, ensure all food bowls and toys are put away.

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2 Bedroom Flat Mile End Road, E1 Guide Price: £1,733 pcm

Sales | Lettings | Management HACKNEYMAGAZINE.COM Half Page Advert Hackney Life July 2018.indd 1

AUTUMN 2018

HACKNEY MAGAZINE 29 18/07/2018 15:06:12

INTERVIEW

Q&A

Hannah Begbie

By Yasemin Bakan

L

ocal author Hannah Begbie represented BAFTA and Edinburgh Comedy Award-winning writers and comedians for fifteen years until her youngest son was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. In 2015 she joined the board of The Cystic Fibrosis Trust, to raise awareness and advocate for the CF community.

She also enrolled in The Novel Studio course at City University, winning that year’s new writing prize. The book she developed there became her debut novel, MOTHER, and won the Romantic Novelists’ Association Joan Hessayon Award for new writing.

Tell us about yourself Until three years ago I was a theatrical agent for comedians and screenwriters. Now I’m an author. My debut novel, ‘Mother’, was published this summer by HarperCollins.

How long have you been living in Stoke Newington?

Ten years. Before we moved here my (now) husband Tom and I would walk endless circuits of Clissold Park at the weekend and talk about our plans and ideas. We knew then that we wanted to raise a family here.

When did you decide to be an author?

My Dad bought me a diary when I was eight and I wrote an entry every day for 20 years.

The seeds were sown then but I didn’t start writing fiction until much later.

What made you write Mother?

My youngest son was diagnosed with the genetic illness cystic fibrosis at five weeks old. It was shocking and frightening and my response to that was to write.

I began creating characters 30 HACKNEY MAGAZINE

churches to parks and home.

What engages you when you’re not writing?

My two young boys. Running.

Where is your favourite place for dinner in Hackney?

I like Trangallan on Newington Green. I’ve had some memorable conversations there.

The best coffee Bodega 50 on Allen Road.

Any hidden place you’d like to share?

I gather Gillespie Park is nice.

Hannah Begbie and situations that allowed me to explore some of the possibilities that lay before me. It became a thriller-ish exploration of motherhood, womanhood and identity.

When did you start writing the book?

A few years ago, I signed up for The Novel Studio course at The City University to meet fellow writers. I started workshopping scenes there.

Which writers have most influenced your writing?

The one that always springs to mind is Maggie O’Farrell: I read the opening chapters of ‘The Hand That First Held Mine’ when my son was just a few weeks old and,

AUTUMN 2018

despite my exhaustion, was utterly gripped by how she’d expressed the early days of motherhood.

Who are your favourite authors?

Lorrie Moore, Raymond Carver, John Cheever, Jonathan Franzen: all authors that write about the truth of being human and the relationships we choose (and don’t choose) with true voice and energy.

Is there any event you’re going to attend soon?

On 12 September, my husband Tom and I do a Q and A at Stoke Newington Bookshop.

Tom is a screenwriter (‘The Crown’, ‘Strike’) and is attached to adapt ‘Mother’ as a television drama. The rights have been optioned

by Clerkenwell Films who he made ‘Lovesick’ with. We’ll be talking about the process of writing from life into fiction and how you then adapt those ideas from book to screen.

What are you reading now?

A book about shame and vulnerability by Brene Brown and ‘Medea’ by Euripides (research for my new book).

I’m about to start Joe Heap’s ‘Rules of Seeing’, which I’ve heard is very good.

Does living in Hackney inspire you?

Yes. I think my way through life and writing puzzles while running through Hackney: Clissold Park, Springfield Park, Ridley Road Market, residential streets, down the High Street and towards the City of London.

Where are you most comfortable writing?

Anywhere from cafes and

‘Mother’ is out now.

Published by HarperCollins.

Hannah will be talking about ‘Mother’ at Stoke Newington Bookshop on 12 September, 8pm Twitter: @hannahbegbie

THE BIRDCAGE BAR + KI TCH EN

58 Stamford Hill, London N16 6XS thebirdcageN16.co.uk • @thebirdcageN16 Tel: 020 8806 9077

BUY.SELL RENT.LET

East London Property