Out & About Magazine, Chiswick Edition, Oct-Nov 2020

FREE CHISWICK, ISLEWORTH, BRENTFORD & OSTERLEY Your local community magazine

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

LITTLE

Jazz

Egrets Spotted in Isleworth

AT GEORGE IV Autumn gigs

Watermans

Brentford FC

Playing to an empty stadium

Live cabaret returns

Little Egrets • Brentford’s new stadium • Isleworth’s mechanical cinema Watermans live cabaret • Osterley Park Gardener’s notes • Landmark Arts Jazz at George IV • Community theatre on Zoom • Hen Corner • Connock London

www.outaboutmagazine.co.uk

2020

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OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

Contents 20-21

INSIDE

Features

Regulars 4

6-7

Letter from the Editor

26

Hen Corner The perfect Christmas pud

Little Egrets 6-7

Return to Isleworth

8

Brentford Stadium All dressed up but no one to see it

9 Mechenical Cinema

GET IN TOUCH

In Isleworth

DIRECTOR Amanda Rowley info@outaboutmagazine.co.uk Tel: 07967 660772

10-11 Watermans theatre

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Gerry Devine geraldineholden@icloud.com Tel: 07710 574479

16-17 Landmark Arts

EDITOR Bridget Osborne bridget@thechiswickcalendar.co.uk

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PUBLISHER out&about Magazines Banstead, Surrey www.outaboutmagazine.co.uk Tel: 07967 660772

Reopens

8

13

Hearing Well Solving your hearing problems

Autumn courses

20-21 Jazz at George IV

Autumn programme

Community theatre Surviving and thriving on Zoom

25 Discover Connock London Win some products online

27 Chiswick House

Reaches its funding target

All information in this edition was correct at time of publication but may be subject to change.

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Published by: out&about Magazines.

While we endeavour to make sure that all published information is accurate, the publishers cannot be held responsible for mistakes or omissions or any loss resulting from non-publication of an advertisement. While all reasonable care is made to ensure accuracy of information, the publisher accepts no responsibility for the views or claims made by any of the contributors, advertising or editorial content included. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of ‘out&about’ or the editor. Terms and conditions apply. Please recycle your magazine.

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EDITOR'S LETTER

Welcome For a magazine called ‘Out & About’ it’s been quite tricky working out what’s going on this autumn and what isn’t. Many of the institutions which usually run autumn events, such as Syon House, aren’t doing them this year.

I had written a piece about open air markets, but despite the hugely successful launch of the Chiswick Flower Market in September the organisers have decided to cancel it for October. They’re hoping to hold the market in November and December, but with timed slots for entry booked online.

Brentford FC has a brilliant new stadium and no one to show it off to. They are not now allowed to welcome supporters this year and have rolled over season ticket for this season to the next one. P8i Watermans announced the return of their Friday night live cabaret nights on 2 October before the Prime Minister’s statement on 22 September. Luckily as a theatre venue they are able to go ahead with their shows, but they will end at 10.00pm. P10-11 Jazz at George IV has actually increased the number of gigs this autumn, with a mix of French chanson, with the songs of the ironic French singer Edith Piaf, urban blues, gypsy jazz and an Ella Fitzgerald night. P20-21 Landmark Arts centre in Teddington is offering face to face courses in a range of skills from basketry to

handmade soap making.

P16-17 Sara Ward at Hen Corner is still sticking to online courses

by Zoom, so you have no excuse not to make the perfect Christmas pudding this year. P26 Arabella Harcourt-Cooze writes about how her local amateur dramatic group has survived this year and even thrived on Zoom. P23 There is always more to be done in the house – a cupboard or junk room to be sorted out. Tim Langley’s house is full of old mechanical protectors. For him it’s a passion and a business. When you find old film of the family in previous decades, don’t chuck it because you don’t have anything to watch it on. Get him to transfer it for you. P9 Other than that, the great outdoors is always an option.

We are lucky to have the wide open space and ever changing tableau of life on the river. Len McCallum, a lifelong birdwatcher, has spotted that Little Egrets have returned to Isleworth. P6-7 Andy Eddy, head gardener at Osterley Park, writes about his favourite autumn plant. P18 Best wishes,

Bridget

Editor: Bridget Osborne

COVER IMAGE Vintage Mobile Horse Trailer Bar

The Blues Engineers

Available to hire for any event!

Weddings Private Parties Corporate Events Birthdays

By Jon Perry P20-21

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ISLEWORTH’S LITTLE EGRETS Photographs and drawings

by Les McCallum

ISLEWORTH’S

Little Egrets Birdwatcher and artist Les McCallum is happy to see Little Egrets making their home near his Being a keen birdwatcher I am used to friends and neighbours asking me to identify the bird they have just seen. We normally manage to work it out.

Lately, quite few people have been saying “I’ve just seen a young heron” on the Thames foreshore in Isleworth, describing it as small and completely white.

Straight away that brief outline of colour, size and location tells me it was a Little Egret and not a juvenile Grey Heron, but they could be excused for getting the identification wrong as Little Egrets are a recent addition to our UK wildlife and wouldn’t be found in most people’s bird guides.

My first sighting was some 30 years ago in 1989, while filming a BBC Timewatch documentary on Lundy Island [about Napoleon in exile on Helena Island.]

Standing by the cliff top, a large white bird with trailing legs and yellow feet flew along the shoreline.

I couldn’t believe it. At the time they were very rare visitors to the UK. I rushed to tell the warden who was coming along on a quad bike and waved him down. He

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looked at me in disbelief and told me I was mistaken; the last one seen on the Island was 100 years before. It was shot and now resides under a glass dome on the bar of the pub.

The next day the egret paraded himself for all to see on the small landing beach.

Population wiped out in Victorian times They were so numerous in the Middle Ages that there is on record a banquet menu for a newly appointed bishop listing 1,000 egrets plus other birds such as bittern and partridge. It appears they were extremely common, but with the draining of marshes they rapidly declined.

The final straw began with the ‘Plume trade’. In the 1800s they were slaughtered in their thousands for their beautiful long feathers and they gradually disappeared from this country, only to be found in a small area of Southern France. At one stage the neck feather or plumes of breeding adults were more valuable per ounce than gold.

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ISLEWORTH’S LITTLE EGRETS Breeding in England again Until 1988 the average sightings of little egrets to the UK was just 15 birds, which made them extremely rare. If you look in any bird guide for the UK before 1991 you will not see any reference to this bird. The first recorded breeding happened in 1996 on Brownsea island, Dorset. From then on they have expanded their territory and colonised most of southern England and Wales.

They can be seen in our area along the Thames at low tide, Richmond Park, Bushy Park and even on the river Crane next to Cole park allotments, not forgetting the Duke of Northumberland river which is 50 yards from my house.

It is estimated that there are now more than 12,00 breeding pairs in the UK, nesting either on the ground in a reed bed or high in a tree close to water. They prefer to nest in a colony with other Egrets or closely the related Grey Heron.

They are easy to spot, as they are brilliant white with a long thin black bill and long black legs, but their most unusual feature is their feet, which are bright yellow.

Wading in shallow water they shuffle their feet to disturb fish and then with a lightning strike of the bill, pluck the hapless fish from the water.

They might also stand motionless and wait for a fish to swim by before striking, or with wings out-stretched for balance, they will chase fish and pluck them from the shallow water. They eat just about anything: fish, newts, frogs, small birds and even worms.

Every time I drive along the busy 316 at St Margarets I think that just yards away in Cole Park allotments there are two Little Egrets feeding in the river Crane.

Les McCallum’s drawings and paintings of wild birds are on show at the South Street cafe in Old Isleworth, which offers takeaway coffee, home-made cakes, rolls and ice cream.

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BRENTFORD’S NEW STADIUM

Brentford’s NEW STADIUM All dressed up and no-one to see it Season tickets rolled over to next year

Brentford has a shiny new stadium – ‘one of the most significant and exciting developments in the history of Brentford Football Club’.

The 17,250 capacity stadium next to Kew Bridge, less than a mile away from the old Griffin Park ground, will also be home to London Irish rugby matches and is at the heart of a new complex of 900 new homes.

Games have been played in it since the beginning of September, though to an eerily quiet, empty stadium, as football waits to see what happens with the pandemic and when it will be allowed to welcome fans back through the turnstiles.

The club had been hoping to welcome supporters in October but the Prime Minister’s statement on 22 September announcing further Covid-19 restrictions put paid to that.

The club is giving all Season ticket holders the option to ‘freeze’ their 2020/21 ticket and defer it to the 2021/22 season. Under this scenario, supporters will keep their seat and secure the same price for next season regardless of the club’s league status. Those choosing this option will remain as season ticket holders, retaining all the benefits which that entails.

Those who freeze their Season Tickets will not have to pay again for any games they are able to attend in 2020/21. Brentford FC will instead deduct a pro-rata value for each game attended from the amount put towards their 2021/22 season ticket, and supporters will then pay any remaining balance at renewal.

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Alternatively, fans can choose one of two refund options: either a full refund or a 75 per cent refund.

Fans who choose a 75 per cent refund will leave a 25 per cent nonrefundable deposit with the club to hold their seat location at the stadium for the 2021/22 season.

Supporters choosing the refund options will also have the chance to buy any remaining tickets for games later this season (after those who have opted to freeze their season tickets) although during any reduced capacity games, these will be very limited at best.

Jon Varney, Brentford FC Chief Executive, said: “I would like to thank all our supporters for their amazing backing and patience during this period of great uncertainty. We share your frustrations and are incredibly disappointed we aren’t in a position to be together at our new home”. www.outaboutmagazine.co.uk

ISLEWORTH’S MECHANICAL CINEMA

ISLEWORTH’S MECHANICAL

Cinema

Tim Langley’s work is also his hobby and his passion There’s something very romantic about an oldfashioned cinema projector. Most cinemas now play films at the touch of a keypad button but seeing – and hearing - the spools of a mechanical projector turning instantly creates a sense of expectation, a true cinematic experience.

Tim Langley has nine at his home in Isleworth. “My wife Helen is very understanding” he says.

Tim restores old films – both commercially produced movies and documentaries and home movies - family treasures, rediscovered gathering dust in people’s attics.

His passion for film started in the late 1970’s when his mum found him a job as a trainee Cinema projectionist when he left school.

“I will be eternally grateful to mum for picking up the phone up and making an enquiry on my behalf ”.

He worked in the projection box for Odeon, EMI and Granada cinemas, then moved to Television, as a film print analyst, video tape operator and editor, telecine colourist and finally as a manager working for ITV, Channel 5, BBC, NBC Universal & A+E Networks.

Now he works for himself. ‘The Mechanical Cinema’ based in Isleworth does film restoration and repairs archival film prints for Renown Film productions and Talking Pictures TV, who specialise in releasing and showing classic ‘B’ pictures from the 1930’s to late 1960’s (channel 81 on Freeview).

“They are a joy to work on” he says, delighted that he has been able to restore lost gems from all over the world.

Before

After

Before

After

You can see from these ‘before’ and ‘after’ examples how he is able to remove scratches and blemishes and in this case, completely rebuild a set of film titles.

The Glass Mountain, a 1949 black and white British romantic film is one that he’s restored. A popular success in its day, it featured the violinist Tito Gobbi with the orchestra and chorus of the Venice Opera House. He’s recently uncovered a lost bit of early Bernard Cribbins. But just as satisfying was his friend’s old family films of his mother’s generation which brought her joy once she was able to see them again.

So if you have old film prints you are curious about, or, any old film projectors that just need a bit of TLC, Tim is your man. Contact him on 0208 568 8213 or info@themechanicalcinema.co.uk

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WATERMANS’ THEATRE Lili La Scala

WATERMANS’ THEATRE

Reopens

Erica Weston is pleased to present the autumn programme of Cabaret, Dance and Performance Following seven months of closure, Watermans is thrilled to be reopening its theatre on Friday 2nd October with the first in a new series of Friday Nights Live. This popular and eclectic programme brings together all kinds of performance from sultry cabaret to acrobatic dance so there’s always something to brighten Friday nights in West London.

The theatre will be Covid-secure with face coverings, socially distanced seating and enhanced cleaning.

Customers have already commented on how well Watermans has managed its socially distanced cinema, with comments on its social media such as: ‘They’ve definitely got the Covid safety measures nailed at Waterman’s and the staff are all so helpful and friendly’.

So you can be sure you will feel as safe as possible while enjoying the show.

Watermans’ Director Jan Lennox said: ‘I urge you to support these artists if you can and come and give them a huge round of applause - in person. There really is nothing like sharing the experience with others and I know our whole team is looking forward to that.’

The Guru Tandoori Kitchen at Watermans is open too, so before the show you can enjoy a curry. A great local night out.

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HERE’S THE LINE-UP: Lili la Scala - Another F*cking Variety Show Friday 2nd October, 8pm. Tickets £15/14.

Join the hottest ticket in town Lili La Scala promises a diverse and glorious line up in this return to traditional variety – big names, bigger songs and even more sparkle.

“A riotous and scintillating evening of risqué comedy, fabulous cabaret and general impropriety.” ★★★★★ Broadway Baby Nikki and JD - Knot Fri 9 October, 8pm. Tickets £15/£14 Physically exhilarating and touchingly poignant, Knot is the internationally acclaimed circus and dance work

by Nikki Rummer and JD Broussé

“thrilling circus skills... wonderfully funny, tremendously touching” ★★★★★ The Scottish Herald

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WATERMANS’ THEATRE Apphia campbell - Woke Fri 16 October, 8pm. Tickets £15/£14 A new and timely story about the 20th Century African American experience. Against a powerful soundtrack of original music and traditional gospel and blues, two women, 42 years apart, become involved in the struggle for civil rights.

Apphia Campbell

“Inspiring! A fast and exciting play that ended with most of the audience standing and applauding.” ★★★★★ British Theatre Guide

Christine Bovill - Tonight You Belong to Me The award-winning, five-star Glaswegian chanteuse Christine Bovill returns with a brand-new show.

With her heart-melting, smoky, evocative voice, she cherry-picks some of the most celebrated songs and engrossing stories from the Jazz Age.

Christine Bovill

“This is a slice of musical history worth savouring.” ★★★★★ The Wee Review

Watermans, 40 High Street, Brentford TW8 0DS Watermans.org.uk

Nikki & JD - Knot Photo credit: David White

CINEMA GALLERY BAR RESTAURANT Come and see us!

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Catering FOR 2020

Burchell’s of Old Isleworth With our traditional business pretty much non-existent we’ve adapted to survive in 2020, deciding to take our great food direct to your door.

Burchell’s at Home menus change weekly, offering a range of freshly made meals, salads, cakes, desserts and other treats. To some a godsend during isolation; to many just great to have good meals without the hassle of cooking. Wholesome, professionally cooked, everyday food is here to stay!

Burchell’s at Work for businesses starting to get back to a ‘new kind of normal’. Traditional finger buffets or the new option of ‘packed lunch boxes’ avoiding crowds at the table.

Burchell’s at Play has menus for private gatherings.

Small or large parties (rules dependent), dinners, weddings and wakes. info@burchells.co.uk | www.burchells.co.uk

HEARING WELL

Chiswick

On Mission in Armenia

ProblemsHEARING?

Problems hearing speech in noisy environments? Family complaining the TV is too loud?

Deepak Jagota says life is too short to put up with easily solved hearing problems.

Deepak Jagota is an experienced Hearing Aid Audiologist and owner of Hearing Well, located in it’s new premises on Chiswick High Rd. “Everyone deserves good hearing and the happiness it brings” he says, “My goal is to help people achieve both.”

Hearing Well provides hearing tests, hearing care and ‘the best hearing aids in Chiswick’. His patients attest to this, with one client describing Deepak like this: “He’s a man of great experience and expertise and he has a formidable technological range behind him to be able to refer to. He answered all my questions and spent a lot of time making sure that what he had produced for me was the best possible solution to the problem that I had”.

Hearing Well was closed earlier this year due to the government

Covid-19 lockdown but Deepak says “I was able to reopen Hearing Well in June due to being classed an essential service however with many new health and safety adaptions.

This is to ensure all government recommentaions were met and customers feel reassured they are in a safe environment.

“The practice is disinfected regularly to ensure we are safe and clean. Appointments are now all taken in advance and I ensure the correct attire is worn at all times.

This includes wearing a medical gown, mask, apron and gloves while sanitiser and masks are provided for all patients”.

As an independent Hearing Aid Audiologist, Deepak is not tied in to one manufacturer or range of products; he’s able to pick and choose what works best for individual patients. His clients also appreciate the time and effort he

goes to in order to work out the best solution for them.

“Deepak was the Audiologist who first tested my hearing and fitted me with new hearing aids. I was impressed with his competence and professionalism. He was very pleasant and I felt comfortable and confident that I would receive excellent service”.

Deepak’s customer service ethos comes from no less than Mahatma Gandhi. His website bears the quotation “Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served. But all other pleasures and possessions pale into nothingness before service which is rendered in a spirit of joy.”

Maybe that’s why Hearing Well has been nominated in the Best Business for Health and Wellbeing category of the Hounslow Business Awards this year.

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LANDMARK ARTS

LANDMARKArts Returns this Autumn

This Autumn Landmark Arts are delighted to be able to offer a range of adult art and craft classes, delivered in our specially created teaching pods, designed to give everyone a safe space to be creative. Their venue has been rated COVID Secure and measures they have in place include: • Students placed 2 metres apart and all tables, chairs and equipment are cleaned after every class.

• Staggered class times.

• Where materials or tools are provided, there’s enough for every student without the need to share.

• A one - way system for entering and leaving the building.

• Hand sanitiser points provided at the entrance and exit and also within each teaching pod.

• Tutors wear face shields and face coverings are mandatory for students unless they are exempt. Face shields and a small range of art materials can be bought in our shop.

We look forward to welcoming you! ______________________________

www.landmarkartscentre.org Ferry Road, Teddington, TW11 9NN Registered Charity No: 1047080 Registered in England No: 3061090

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TURKISH IZNIK TILE MAKING Monday 19th October | 10.30am - 4.30pm £75 including materials

SMARTPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY - ONLINE COURSE Saturday 10th & 17th October | 10am - 12pm £80 (two mornings) PATCHWORK STAR Monday 12th October | 10.30am - 4.30pm £65 including materials BOOKBINDING: STAB BINDING WITH A HARD COVER Wednesday 14 October | 11am - 4pm £65 including materials

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HEAD

Gardener’s NOTES

Andy Eddy, Head Gardener at Osterley Park writes One of the chief beauties of the autumn garden at Osterley is a small tree called Sasafras Albdidum with astonishing red autumn colouring that would suit any small garden.

We have two, relatively young specimens in our American Garden as this shrubby tree hails from the eastern seaboard of the US. However we also have a larger specimen in the main formal garden that is now approximately twelve feet tall (pictured).

This stunning tree has two, sometimes three lobed leaves which are a fresh bright green in the spring but its autumn

colour is what makes this choice subject one that I would never be without in any garden that I owned or managed.

Every year at the beginning of October the leaves start to turn yellow at the tips of the branches with the central leaves soon following suit to turn the most fiery of reds. Indeed this small tree can be seen right across the garden from many hundreds of metres away glowing on even the gloomiest of autumnal days.

In its home country it has long been used by the indigenous peoples for many and varied purposes including to cure wounds by the rubbing in of the leaves; as a dye from its bark; as a flavouring and to cure meats and as a fire starter due to its flammable oils.

However it is as a food flavouring that it is most important as this is the main spice used in the development of Gumbo a signature dish of the Louisiana Creole cuisine. Indeed it is even the base of Sarsparilla the drink that Doris Day’s ‘Calamity Jane ‘ character drunk in the famous 1950’s movie!

Planting Design and Maintenance Telephone 07594 622547 katepeacock@hotmail.co.uk

kate: the gardener

Open Monday to Sunday 10am – 5pm Gardens open daily 10am – 5pm Osterley House reopens Wednesday 7th October Play trail is open but with restrictions in place Café is open daily from 10am – 4pm. We have outdoor seating at the front and rear of the café and takeways are available Cycle hire is available every Saturday and Sunday,10am – 4pm, from September to December 50 Things to do activities in the formal gardens throughout the autumn

Please check website for further details www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ Osterley-park-and-house

JAZZ AT GEORGE IV Photograph credit: Jon Perry

Jazz

AT GEORGE IV

Larry Pryce is delighted to welcome live music back to George IV this autumn It is with a long-awaited sigh of relief and anticipation that live Jazz and Blues is at last returning to the newly socially distanced Boston Room at George IV in Chiswick High Rd. The diverse and hugely entertaining programme includes musical cabaret showcasing the songs of the great French chanteuse Edith Piaf, some hot Country and Urban Blues from the brilliant Blues Engineers, Helen Theophanous and her top quartet celebrating the music of the great jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald and the UK’s leading Gypsy jazz and swing outfit Trio Manouche with special guest vocalist Francesca Confortini in an exciting evening of swing.

Thursday October 1st at 7.30pm “Piaf Remembered”

Piaf Remembered made its debut to great acclaim at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The show is a mix of spoken word and French song.

Performed by the renowned French jazz and cabaret singer Oriana Curls, the music resonates to the memories of a man who as a eight year old boy attended Edith Piaf ’s final emotional concert at Paris’s Olympia Music Hall.

Oriana Curls The intimate musical cabaret featuring many of the iconic French singer Edith Piaf ’s timeless classics such as Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien and La Vie En Rose.

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This wonderful cabaret showcase features the stunning vocals of Oriana Curls together with noted multiinstrumentalist Katy Jungmann on saxophone, accordion and clarinet, the dynamic Chris Jerome on piano (Tom Jones, Lionel Richie) and the narrator and director Gary Merry (founder of The New Factory of the Eccentric Actor) who wrote the script for the show.

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JAZZ AT GEORGE IV Thursday November 5th at 7.30pm – The Blues Engineers The multi-talented Blues Engineers perform an exciting mix of jazz tinged Country & Urban blues.

The Engineers have played with, supported and toured with some of the very best in the business including BB King, Van Morrison, ex Rolling Stone Mick Taylor, Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, and Jools Holland.

Vocalist and guitarist John O’Reilly is internationally acclaimed for his exciting slide and steel (resonator) guitar playing. Together with multi-instrumentalist Nick Payn, saxophonist/flautist and harmonica player, their highly atmospheric repertoire covers an impressive range of funky Country and Urban blues classics as well as well as their own highly distinctive material.

Thursday December 3rd at 7.30pm – Trio Manouche with Special Guest Francesca Confortini Trio Manouche: Trio manouche recording the Isolation Sessions

Thursday November 19th at 7.30pm – The Helen Theophanous Quartet “With Love From Ella”

Trio Manouche are one of the foremost exponents of Gypsy Swing Jazz, bringing a unique and highly contemporary twist to this ever more popular genre.

They have performed in top jazz venues in the UK and abroad, playing major festivals such as the EFG London Jazz Festival and Glastonbury. Joined for this special performance by acclaimed Italian vocalist Francesca Confortini.

Ella Fitzgerald & Helen Theophanous

Ella Fitzgerald was one of the greatest jazz singers of all time. From her early days in Harlem to her glittering world-wide career her songs have become much loved jazz standards including the likes of Caravan, Perdido, April In Paris and Every Time We Say Goodbye.

Helen Theophanous is well known on the London jazz scene regularly appearing in major venues as well

as participating in the prestigious EFG London Jazz Festival. Her quartet includes John Crawford, one of Britain’s most accomplished pianists and composers together with top UK saxophonist Tim Whitehead, sax, (Nucleus, First Musician Artist In Residence Tate Britain) & drummer Steve Taylor, (Frater & Taylor, Steve Taylor Big Band Explosion).

The UK’s leading Gypsy Swing ensemble Trio Manouche will be performing inspired re-worked classics of the great Gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt in addition to featuring numbers from their own highly acclaimed new album “The Isolation Sessions” penned by band leader Simon Harris together with highly atmospheric arrangements of trad swing greats such as Nat King Cole.

“Excellent, I was hooked after just 8 bars….your band swings beautifully ….” - Sting.

The Boston Room is at George IV, 185 Chiswick High Rd, W4 2DR Tickets available through Eventbrite for tables of 2, 3, 4 and 6 (no more than two households per table). www.chiswickcalendar.co.uk f @outandaboutmagazines

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COFFEE BREAK

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QUIZ

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1. During which month does summer end and autumn begin?

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2. Why do leaves change colour in Autumn?

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3. In poetry, autumn is often associated with which emotion?

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4. What language gave us the term autumn?

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Make a mistake (4,2)

1 Happening without warning (6)

4 Unwrinkled (6)

2 Crackbrained (7)

8 Move aimlessly (5)

3 Loosen (5)

9 Fighting man (7)

5 Reclaim (anag) (7)

10 Beseech (7)

6 Yellowish-green colour (5)

11 Fisherman’s basket (5)

7 Scarcely (6)

12 Non-stop (9)

9 Seen (9)

17 Borders (5)

13 Armoury (7)

19 Female singing voice (7)

14 Language of East Africa (7)

21 Coached (7)

15 Substance used for setting jams and jellies (6)

22 Combine (5) 23 Stinging plant (6) 24 Withstand (6)

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6. Which famous poet wrote the poem ‘To Autumn’?

16 Point in time (6) 18 Hard work (5) 20 Dried plum (5) f @outandaboutmagazines

5. The Chinese ‘Mid-Autumn’ festival is also called the ____ festival?

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7. What is autumn associated with?

A. Planting B. Weeding C. Harvesting 8. What month does autumn end?

9. Autumn is one of how many temperate seasons?

A. One B. Two C. Three D. Four www.outaboutmagazine.co.uk

COMMUNITY THEATRE

Greek Theatre

“

IS PERFECTLY SUITED TO ZOOM” Arabella Harcourt-Cooze says Am Dram is surviving Covid better than you might think Destructive and confusing as these times are to the theatrical world, community theatre can now step into the limelight. Local and with little overhead, it can afford to use its imagination to reinvent itself and experiment.

St Michael’s Players’ amateur dramatic group in Chiswick has been performing in the local church hall for seventy years. Pushed to work out how we could continue in the challenging circumstances dictated by the coronavirus, since July a group of talented amateur actors have regularly chosen and cast a number of Zoom play readings. A varied choice, from The Duchess of Malfi to Mixed Doubles and The Life of Brian.

Finishing the evening with a discussion of the play, one leaves with a sense of having been both performer and audience, meeting new people, neighbours and friends.

We decided to go public with an online performance of Aeschylus’

Agamemnon, directed by the gifted Deesh Mariwala.

Greek Theatre is perfectly suited to Zoom as the actors perform to the audience with none of the pretence of naturalistic theatre and yet the ancient themes still speak to us today. Written in 458 BC, The Oresteia won the first prize at the Dionysia Festival. An exhausted father, having sacrificed a member of his family to go to war/work, comes home, does not acknowledge his wife’s success in keeping the home fires burning, makes no mention of missing her, just thanks the Gods and introduces his mistress. If only Agamemnon had said sorry, “great to see you” and “well done”, the tragedy of generations might have been stopped there at the gates of Argos. Instead of which, an epic tragedy unfolds.

After a month of rehearsals our actors, most of them Chiswick locals, performed live via Zoom

from London, Wales, Lymington, Brescia, Italy, and Crete and we held our breath as to whether jaded by six months of virtual meetings there would be an audience. We were delighted to find that more than a hundred homes tuned in across London and Wales to Houston, Texas and the Peloponnese!

There was something particularly satisfying about ancient Greek Theatre being aired across the world and back to modern Greece. A real sense of connectivity, people, time and place.

St Michael’s Players is now weighing up ideas for performing options in the autumn and winter, following social distancing and other government guidelines. Possible outdoor productions, if we could find a space collaborator. But if the situation worsens what could be better than online pantomime!

All new members and ideas are very welcome!

stmichaelsplayers.weebly.com f @outandaboutmagazines

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www.outaboutmagazine.co.uk

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Calendar THE CHISWICK

The Chiswick Calendar is a local website which tells you what’s going on in our area on a day to day basis. Beautiful photographs by local photographers - Page per day listings of what’s on, constantly updated - Interesting videos - Our own events.

Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and get a free club card, giving you access to deals and discounts from quality local businesses.

Go to www.thechiswickcalendar.co.uk

COFFEE BREAK ANSWERS 1

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If you are reading this, so are your potential customers!

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AUTUMN QUIZ

1. September 2. Leaves loose chlorophyll & other pigments are exposed 3. Melancoly 4. Latin / French 5. Moon 6. John Keats 7. Harvesting 8. December 9. Four

CONNOCK LONDON

DISCOVER THE POWER OF

Kukui Oil With Connock London

Kukui Oil has been used by Hawaiians for centuries to keep skin soft and smooth and it is this oil which is used by British fragrance brand Connock London.

This extraordinary oil was at the heart of Connock London’s debut body collection, and is still its star ingredient today. ‘Traditionally,’ explains founder Amanda Connock, ‘newborn babies were bathed in the oils as a means of protection from the harsh sun, drying winds and salt water.’

Kukui Oil is Connock London’s signature fragrance and is a range of twelve products including their best-selling eau de parfum, candle, hand & body lotion, hand & body wash and bath & shower oil. A range of gift sets and travel sets are also available online or in London’s Fortnum & Mason store.

This elegant floriental fragrance is built around the Gardenia flower and is complemented by a full bouquet of fresh flowers including Italian Bergamot, Moroccan Rose and White Jasmine. The scent is further enriched with Vetiver, White Amber, Vanilla Absolute and Tonka Bean.

Amanda’s love for exotic, unique natural ingredients and stories she was told by her parents instilled in her a life-long passion for beauty and fragrance.

Connock London products are made in England with the purest, finest ingredients sourced sustainably by Amanda from around the globe.

www.connocklondon.co.uk

Win

A box of Connock London products worth £122!

Between 1 - 5 November we are giving our readers the chance to win a box of Connock London goodies.

To enter, simply like our Facebook page @outandaboutmagazines, tag a friend in the competition post and this could be yours! f @outandaboutmagazines

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25

HEN CORNER

HEN

Corner

“Get figgy with it” says Sara Ward

Hasn’t the weather been fabulous this year? Lots of opportunities to get outside be that to markets, gardens, picnics, an allotment etc. A real highlight for me was discovering the Open Water Swimming sessions at Bedfont Lakes. Let’s see if I can brave it through the colder months...

This time of year, I’m always found potting up preserves and preparing for colder nights and the upcoming seasonal frivolities.

Looking back over previous issues, I see that this time last year I was writing about the pesky squirrels that swiped so much of our lovely fruit. This year again they’ve taken all our peaches and pears, but for the first time ever, they’ve kept away from our figs! Figs are fickle, they need to be picked when they are perfect. No waiting for them to ripen in the fruit bowl - they

won’t, but if they are still on the tree when they start to soften and change colour from the hard acid green, then you’re in luck, don’t leave them there too long though, or they’ll start to ‘flower’ with the fruit turning inside out to disperse the dark red seeds within.

I’ve certainly got plans to make fig jam, and a fig liqueur might be nice, but will there be enough for Figgy Pudding?

As it gets colder and darker, I’ll be busy making Christmas Puddings for both family and customers.

Last year I happened to stumble upon what I think is the perfect combination of flavours. This new pudding is made with butter rather than suet and is packed full of apricots and cranberries steeped in spiced rum, yummy. I’ve even entered it for a competition, so let’s see what the judges thought.

If you’d like to try our puddings, you can make your own along with us on Stir Up Sunday here at Hen Corner or from the comfort of your own home via Zoom. Alternatively, you could order one from our bakery and hide it away for the big day.

With the puddings safely stored in the larder, it’s time to take every opportunity to get back outside, looking for conkers and pine cones.

We’ve got so many lovely open spaces and parks here we’re spoilt for choice, so pull on your boots and grab your gloves..

Christmas Pudding Zoom: Tuesday 3rd November, 5pm Stir Up Sunday at Hen Corner: 22nd November, 3pm Weekly recipe films, see: youtube.com/HenCorner

All courses, virtual & face to face, can be found at HenCorner.com

26

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CHISWICK HOUSE

CHISWICK House Reaches its funding target

£20,000 and the Chiswick House Dog Show Committee £5,000.

In May, Chiswick House launched a fundraising campaign to raise much needed money to cover the everyday running costs of the estate. The #welovechiswickhouse campaign launched, and an ambitious target was set of £120,000 in 120 days.

The money was raised through a programme of summer fundraisers: a plant fundraiser, an open day for families, a webinar series, culminating in the Chiswick House Auction. Simultaneously, the Chiswick House Friends Lego brick model fundraiser was also launched to support the #welovechiswickhouse campaign.

With grit, hard work and the support of the local community they have done it. Raising over £127,555 (beating the original target) – of which the Chiswick House Friends Lego fundraiser has contributed

What next?

The income raised will support costs that have been draining the reserves to keep open, which gives Chiswick House valuable time to focus on what happens next.

Three strategic projects have been identified to ‘broaden and deepen engagement’ with visitors and the local community: 1. ‘Children’s Outdoor Play: exciting and inclusive play-area and programme for all our local communities’ 2. ‘ Volunteering: a programme to improve wellbeing for vulnerable communities in Hounslow and expand our existing volunteer programme’ 3. ‘House interpretation: refreshed and engaging visitor experience to broaden our audiences in time for the planned reopening in April 2021.’

These three objectives have been fed into all fundraising bids to statutory funders (such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund) as well as Trusts and Foundations. Outcomes from these applications are expected by mid-October.

At the same time, reviews are being undertaken on how to generate commercial income in order to reduce the dependency on event income. Nicki Thomas, Head of Commercial, has led the charge on how to diversify commercial income by exploring better use of under-utilised spaces and grounds and new retail opportunities.

Chiswick House and Gardens Trust have set out the vision and ambitions in a 10 year Business Plan. The vision is to be: “A special place to delight, educate and be inspired by our 300 years of stories of influence, design and environment. For everyone everyday.”

chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk f @outandaboutmagazines

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27

ASHTON HOUSE SCHOOL

ASHTON HOUSE SCHOOL

50/52 Eversley Crescent Isleworth Middlesex TW7 4LW

50/52 Eversley Crescent Isleworth Middlesex TW7 4LW

Want to give your child a child? first class education?

Choosing a school your Choosing a school for yourfor child?

Ashton House School has for the past

Ashton House School has for the past a happy, 80 years beenfrom offering highpurposeful quality primary education with to children environment high academic standards and an primary education the surrounding areas; enriched by to children from enriching broad-based curriculum which aims at a purposefulthe environment with high surrounding areas; by ‘adding inordinate value’ to each enriched child’s learning.

80Ashton years been offering high quality House School offers

academic standards and an inspiring,

a purposeful environment with high We have anand excellent exam and scholarship academic standards and an inspiring, excellent exam scholarship record and our assessment data makes us a highly record with the vast majority of broad curriculum. We have an achieving independent school. children moving on to the school excellent exam and scholarship of their choice. Our academic record with the vast majority of Contact us for the latest results on our latest record certainly makes us one of Benchmarking (IBT).

They theInternational highest achieving independent children moving onTests to the school schools Weststudents London. at Ashton House School are showinthat of their choice. Our academic achieving at a very high level and are competitive record certainly makes us one of Be inspired: with children anywhere around the world. the highest Find out how we can help your child today.achieving independent schools in West London.

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Come and meet our committed and caring staff.

They are passionate about helping children achieve their best.

To find out more callCRESCENT us on or visit our website:MIDDLESEX TW7 4LW 50/52 EVERSLEY ISLEWORTH

8560 ashtonhouse.com T:020 020 8560 39023902 F: 020 8568 1097 E: principal@ashtonhouse.com