Pg life nov 2013

Palmers Green LI FE www.palmersgreenlife.co.uk

November Edition Issue 9

Grouts, Draper and Haberdashery Shop

Presented by

AnthonyWebb Your Personal Palmers Green Estate Agent

welcome Welcome to our November edition of Palmers Green Life Magazine. In this month’s issue we welcome Councillor Bambos Charalambous and Dan Maier from Creative Exchange to our team of regular contributors to Palmers Green’s only community magazine.

Palmers Green Life will showcase a member of Creative Exchange, a network of local creative people, every month and Anthony Webb will display the featured artist’s work within our pop up gallery. Please visit us if you are considering selling or renting your home or even if you just want to admire our new gallery!

With winter fast approaching and energy costs rising yet again the annual fuel bills for the average household have reached £1,420, according to the energy regulator Ofgem. Take a look at "Property Matters" on page 20 for ways you can save money on your fuel bills.

This month, Past Times takes a look at "Grouts" which was the oldest privately owned business on Green Lanes

and forms an important part of the rich history and heritage of the area.

Thank you to everyone who has visited the shop to say how much they look forward to receiving our magazine, if you have a local story to tell please get in touch tonyourris@palmersgreenlife.co.uk or call me on 020 8882 7888.

Tony Tony Ourris Director Anthony Webb Estate Agents

Anthony Webb supporting local schools, charities and local action groups to enrich our community

Contents

Tony Ourris Director tonyourris@anthonywebb.co.uk

Martin McKelvey Manager martin@anthonywebb.co.uk

Nick Fitzsimons Sales & Lettings Negotiator nick@anthonywebb.co.uk

Susan Babaie Sales & Lettings Negotiator susan@anthonywebb.co.uk

Anthony Webb

John Constantine Sales & Lettings Negotiator john@anthonywebb.co.uk

Panayiota Kyriakides Administrator

The Team

Anthony Georgiou Admin Assistant

Like us on Facebook

Welcome ................................................2 Past Times in Palmers Green – Grouts....3 Councillor Bambos Charalambous and Oakthorpe School ...........................4 Palmers Green Jewel in the North – The day the dance hall fell silent.........5 Hazelwood School Christmas Market.....6 Creative Exchange & Open Studios........7 Local News – Triangle redevelopment..8 How to keep your hair looking beautiful by Kiri......................................8 FOR SALE - The Fairway ........................9 FOR SALE - The Glade .........................10 FOR SALE - Hedge Lane ......................11 Anthony Webb Showcase ...............12-13 Baskervilles Blog ..................................14 Local Events – Palmers Green Christmas Lights ..................................15 Savour the Season recipe

by Shelley Shapir ..................................15 Khin Lee Restaurant.............................16 TO LET - Crothall Close........................17 TO LET - The Grove ..............................18 Drape Masters Interiors

by Julia Sondack ..................................19 Property Matters – How to save on your energy bills..............................20 TALKIES – Community Cinema.............21 Charity in the Community ....................22 Ask a Local Lawyer by Fariz Uvais ........23 Hazelwood School ...............................24

AnthonyWebb palmersgreen@anthonywebb.co.uk

Past Times in Palmers Green ...

Do you remember Grouts a draper and haberdashery shop which stood for over 88 years at the corner of Green Lanes and Devonshire Road in Palmers Green? It was the oldest privately owned business in Green Lanes and forms an important part of the rich history and heritage of the area.

Grouts in the early years

Grouts prior to its closing in 2002

2013 Family run business Skate Attack now occupies the premises

One of the first to open in a row of shops built in 1912 it was a family run business started by Alfred Grout in 1914. The family occupied the first floor whilst Alfred’s wife provided the home comforts for the staff who “lived in” on the top floor. Good service was guaranteed - when the shop opened there were twelve assistants (family and staff) one or two for each counter.

topped counters with their brass rules, oil gas lamps, floor boards and even a complicated railway pulley system of wires (installed in 1927) that was used to transfer bills and cash around the shop. The building survived the war but the front of the shop was blown out by a massive bomb that fell on the railway line in WW2.

Wendy Peacock (nee Small) aged 58, lived in Palmers Green from the mid 50’s up till 1980 sums up the place that Grouts had in the heart of the community “Grouts was a favourite shop of my mums and would now have fitted very neatly into a Harry Potter film set! The smell was such a mixture – all pleasant – but all different fabrics and fibres. So many tiny drawers and cupboards and everything in them folded to perfection with a neatly attached label. I seem to remember steps up at the back and a feeling of entering a magical world.”

A general and fancy drapers of the old tradition, during its years of trading it was renowned for its service and the endless variety of goods from corsets, knitwear, fleecy bloomers to bits of ribbon, odd buttons, tea towels, zips and cotton reels ‘in a fantastic choice of colours!’. "If in doubt go to Grouts" became a well-known saying amongst the locals. The shop retained many of its original features including glass

Susan Whittemore (nee Grout), the last proprietor of Grouts, started working in the shop at 11 and ran the shop successfully with her husband for 25 years. Unfortunately the traditional customer base dwindled and Susan had no desire to run the business down, to compromise or become a museum and when “it was simply time to go” the shop closed down in April 2002. The cash telegraph system - as it was known - was sent to the Lowestoft Museum of Transport.

The shop is now occupied by a new family run business called ‘Skate Attack’ offering a variety of Roller Skates, Skate Boards, Scooters , clothes and sporting equipment.

Top Ten reasons to Think Local - Buy Local - Be Local • Buy Local – Support yourself: Studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms – continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community.

• Support community groups: Non-profit organisations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses.

• Keep our community unique: Where we shop, where we eat and have fun -- all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place.

• Reduce environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centres as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.

• Create more good jobs: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents.

• Get better service: Local businesses often hire people with a better

•

•

•

•

understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers.

Invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.

Put your taxes to good use: Local businesses in town centres require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.

Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy: A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.

Encourage local prosperity: A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

Info from http://sustainableconnections.org

020 8882 7888

www.anthonywebb.co.uk

Follow us on twitter

3

4

Councillorʼs Corner by Cllr. Bambos Charalambous Cllr.bambos.charalambous@enfield.gov.uk Tel: 020 8351 1362

There are many roles that local Councillors perform. We have to set an annual budget and the Council Tax (thankfully this hasn’t risen for the last few years); we listen to and try to address our constituents’ problems and concerns, represent their views to local and often national bodies, and make decisions to best benefit people in the borough.

Having been a Councillor for Palmers Green for 19 years, I, and my two fellow ward Councillors Chris Cole and Del Goddard, have seen many changes - mostly for the better. It’s by meeting and working with local residents that we can get good results - such as acquiring the Children’s Centre in Hazelwood Lane at the former Lacey Hall site.

Financially, things are much harder now but despite these austere times Enfield Council is being proactive and creative and many big decisions are being taken that will serve the

borough well for many years to come. One such decision, taken on 16 October 2013 was to approve the £4.455million redevelopment of Palmers Green library. At present, only the top floor of Palmers Green library is open to the public. In the new plans the ground floor will also be open to the public and discussions are taking place with a local health provider to locate health services there.

With every big development there will inevitable be some temporary inconvenience and it is anticipated that the library will be closed from June 2014 until August 2015. During this period other local libraries will have extended opening hours to make up for the closure. There will also be a shorter temporary closure between November 2013 and February 2014 whilst work is undertaken to another part of the library.

The new library will be modern with superior facilities, have improved access, a community space and be more efficient and environmentally friendly. The refurbishment of the library is being partly funded by the sale of the Southgate Town Hall for a housing development the facade of the Town Hall will remain.

As a Palmers Green library user for many years (I remember revising there for my ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels!) and as a local resident, and Councillor, I know that the new library will be a fantastic community facility and place for learning for all the residents of Palmers Green and beyond.

There will be a comprehensive consultation on what resources and facilities people want to see in their new library.

Please get in touch if you want more information about the library or any other matters to do with the Council.

’s y r a m i r horpe P

Oakt

Winter Wonderland

Thursday 28th November 2013 3PM – 7PM – Free Entry

Shop till you drop in our Christmas Market ... find the perfect gift or treat yourself ...

Great Stocking fillers Get Nails, Henna or face painted in our Beauty Corner & much more!!

Visit Santa in his Wonderland Grotto £3.50 each includes Photo & Gift

Proudly sponsored by

Oakthorpe Primary School Tile Kiln Lane, Palmers Green N13 6BY

Like us on Facebook

AnthonyWebb

AnthonyWebb palmersgreen@anthonywebb.co.uk

5

Palmers Green Jewel in the North The day the dance hall fell silent Suzanne Beard of local website Palmers Green Jewel in the North tells the story of the bombing that devastated Palmers Green in 1941.

German bomber 'plane was overhead...and tragically his bomb carriage was blown off, so all the bombs came down together in Palmers Green.

Watch the news any day of the week and you will be reminded of how lucky we are to have lived our lives in peacetime. But many Palmers Green residents still remember a time of air raids and blazing fires, and daily encounters with the fragility of life.

At the start of the Second World War, the German Luftwaffe had predominantly targeted strategic sites – airfields, munitions factories and so on, But in autumn 1940 all that changed, bringing the period we now know as the Blitz. Between September and May 1941 there were 129 large scale raids on the UK, of which 71 were targeted on London. More than a million houses were destroyed in the capital alone and there were huge numbers of civilian casualties. By the middle of the war, more civilian women and children had been killed than soldiers.

Though, as with many parts of north London, Palmers Green saw its fair share of enemy action, the area suffered fewer hits than some of its neighbours nearer the Lea Valley.

But there was one terrible night that will never be forgotten by those who lived here through the war. Betty Wright’s father, Station Officer George Walton was one of the senior firemen based at Southgate Town Hall. Recalls Betty, “Dad spent many many nights fighting the London Blitz, sometimes not coming home for three or four days....exhausted, dirty and hungry.”

An awful scene greeted him on the night of 5 March 1941 on Green Lanes, not far from the present day junction with the North Circular.

“One night in March 1941, the Dance Hall (held in the Princes Hall above Pitman's College) in Green Lanes, Palmers Green was bombed. A

One of my brothers returning from work was on a trolley bus, and he got off the bus one stop before his usual stop: the Town Hall. This action saved his life because immediately after he left the trolley bus, it was blown up. He never knew what made him get off before his usual stop. My brother arrived home covered in a white dust, and suffering from shock said "Pass me a clothes brush....I am in a mess".

The Fire Brigade were there in seconds, and my Dad was one of the first on the scene. He came back with some horrific stories. He got on a double decker bus and it was as though everyone was standing or sitting exactly as they were before the bombs fell. People were still standing reading their newspapers, or sitting down....waiting for their bus stop. However, everyone was dead....killed by the blast.

Another brother was home on leave from the Royal Marines, he went down to see what was happening and came back later....filthy dirty and very tired...after helping as many of the injured he could. He said he would never forget the terrible scenes he had seen. There so many people who had lost their limbs.

Outside was like daylight, the fire was so bright in the blackout.

Though there were many injured, there were only 2 fatalities inside the dance hall. Sadly, it was a very different story outside. 41 people had been killed on the passing bus caught in the blast.

There is still a reminder of the terrible events of that night. 14 properties were destroyed and a further 17 had to be demolished. Of these, Barclays bank on the corner of Green Lanes and Sidney Road (141-143 Green Lanes), directly opposite the blast, was never rebuilt. The site is now used as a forecourt by Chiswick Tyres.

• Betty Wright would love to hear from anyone who remembers her family, the Waltons, who lived in a flat in Palmers Green Town Hall for over 50 years.

If you would like to get in touch, please palmersgreenn13@btopenword.com and we will pass your email on.

• Are you interested in sharing your memories of the area? Palmers Green Tales is a new project about the people of Palmers Green, their lives, their memories, and their everyday experiences.

More news soon, but if you would like to contact us in the meantime, please email palmersgreenn13@btopenworld.com

For more Palmers Green history and people, visit Palmers Green Jewel in the North at www.palmersgreenn13.com

A girl I was at school with (she would have been three years older than me) was in the Dance Hall and she lost a leg. I experienced many air raids in Palmers Green, but this was the worst.”

Mrs Wyn Whiddington was inside the dance hall, and later gave her account of the evening to the BBC project, the People’s War. The hall was packed, and she and her friends had sat out of a particular dance because they didn’t know the steps. There was a big draft of wind, then silence. Everything went dark. The whole floor was gone. She and her friends had to be pulled out of the rubble.

Top left image supplied by Enfield Local Studies and Archive. Bottom right image courtesy of Kevin O’Neil – Southgate Photographic Association

020 8882 7888

www.anthonywebb.co.uk

Follow us on twitter

6

Like us on Facebook

AnthonyWebb palmersgreen@anthonywebb.co.uk

7

Art knows no boundaries

by Dan Maier

On the 1st October, Creative Exchange, a new network for Creatives launched in Southgate.

Over a hundred people attended the red carpet event, queuing to get in. There is now a creative hub in our area connecting designers, craftspeople and artists who, until now, have been beavering away, often not aware of other professionals working in similar fields just around the corner!

Councillors Martin Prescott & Bambos Charalambous

Founded to support lone practitioners, Creative Exchange also organizes the Open Studios & Art Trail bringing design and art to the high street with the aim of bringing vibrancy back to our shopping areas. Conservative Councillor Martin Prescott and Labour Councillor Bambos Charalambous have been hugely supportive of our initiative proving that art knows no boundaries!

Both the Arts Council and Enfield Council have recognized the value of what we’re doing for the arts, the community and local businesses.

Creative Exchange also runs a pop-up gallery at the former Blockbusters store at Southgate tube and we would love to transform this iconic building into an Arts Centre for the community. If anyone can help make this happen or is interested in joining the network, do get in touch. admin@creativeexchange.uk.com Our next inspiring event is the Designer Craft & Art Fair on Sunday 17th November where you can meet some of our Members and find unique and affordable gifts.

Visitors enjoying the Launch exhibition

Ceramist Mary Marmery, Glass Artist Tami St. George-Hedley and Creative Learning Consultant Christina Stavrinides, Members of Creative Exchange

Photos by Ron Hewit ORGANISED BY

UNDER ONE ROOF

Designer Craft &

Art Fair Fair Southgate

30 Designer-Makers

DESIGNER DESIGN NER CRAFT

Artists

AR ART RT FAIR

SU S UND DAY AY 1 17 7N NOVE O VE M B E R 2013 10am– 10am–6pm –6pm St Monica’s Pa Parish arish Centre (next to St Monica’ Monica’ss Primary Sc School) hool) 7HG 6C Cannon Hill Hill, Southgate, S th t N14 7H G Don’t miss a unique uniique shopping experience in one of o Southgate’s hidden Discover treasures! Disco over a stunning array of exquisitelyy handmade pieces from c cherry-picked herry-picked k Designer-Makers and Artists brought b to you in a Villa.

Grade ll listed Regency R V illa.

SUPPORTED BY email: info@op info@openstudios.uk.com enstudios.uk.com www.openstudios.uk.com www .openstudios.uk.com Tel: 8886 9020 T el: 020 8 886 9 020

020 8882 7888

www.anthonywebb.co.uk

Follow us on twitter

8

News in the community Palmers Green Triangle Redevelopment

On your way home this evening you might want to take one last look at Palmers Green Triangle’s long closed toilets.

The railings are being taken down and the underground space sealed off this week to make way for a less cluttered public space. The ragged concrete planters are also being removed and new seating installed.

The Green Lanes Business Association in conjunction with Enfield Council is intending to install a new clock tower as a focus for the triangle – appropriately, it will be triangular with one face looking onto Green Lanes and the others facing Barclays and HSBC – and would like to hear from local designers who would be interested in taking on the commission, working with the Triangle Metalworks.

"The Triangle is a local landmark" said Costas Georgiou, Association Chair. "We hope that the clock tower will be designed by a local person."

Costas celebrating the redevelopment of Palmers Green Triangle

If you are interested, please contact Costas on 07943 198198 or contact the vice chair, Tony Ourris, on tonyourris@anthonywebb.co.uk

How to keep your hair looking beautiful

by Kiri from Fabulous Hair Company Hello and welcome back. So this is our third article we previously covered the advantage of using salon professional products explaining the false economy of a cheap shampoo and then followed on with how to look after your coloured hair including some great tips on covering grey hair and getting the most from your hair colour. Both these articles can be found on our website www.fabuloushaircompany.com or email me @ kc@fabuloushaircompany.com & I’ll send you a copy.

In this article we will start with how hair quality changes as the weather gets colder and how home central heating, car heaters & the sudden drop in temperature outside, with the added harsher winter winds can dry & dull your hair.

The problem in winter months is your hair is whipped into tangles by the stronger wind, and then you have the constant change of temperature going from a hot indoor environment to the sudden cold of the outdoors. All of these factors leave your hair feeling dry & lifeless so you shampoo & condition your hair more often than usual to try and fix the problem, this removes moisture and just makes the matter worse. You should give your hair some TLC a good quality shampoo & conditioner when needed and a deep moisturising treatment every two weeks will help you through the winter months (read my previous article on what products I would recommend). Wrap your hair in a silk scarf, silk is a wonderful material not only will it protect your hair from the environment it also helps to keep all the natural oils in your hair.

Great hair during winter is not all about using the right products a balanced diet can make a big difference as the old adage says you are what you eat so eat lots of green vegetables and fresh fruit particularly pear, avocado and mangos.

Multivitamin containing A, B, C and E will help strengthen your hair. Oily fish, like sardines, fresh tuna, salmon and mackerel are excellent sources of essential omega 3 fatty acids and also vitamin B12 and iron are another source of nourishment for your hair.

I’ll like to invite you to the salon sometime early in November for what I will call a discovery event, for this event I would ask you to bring everything you use on your

Like us on Facebook

hair including products, styling equipment & brushes, my friendly team will show how to shampoo your own hair the right way and advise you on the right amount of product to use plus the correct way it should be used, we will also give you some great tips on styling your hair & the right way to use hot styling tools to reduce the amount of damage they can cause to your hair. If this is something that would interest you please email me for a date & time this is a free event and we only we have limited spaces, this is a great way to get some good advice from our experienced team of hairdressers On a personal note I’ve just spent three amazing days at Salon International working on stage cutting and styling with the Paul Mitchell International Artistic Team which I am fortunate to be a part of. As part of the show I talked about male grooming, this is something we have not covered yet and a few guys have emailed me with some questions so in my December article to appease the guys we will look at men’s styling as well as party hair for Christmas for you girls. And if there is anything you would like me to write about please email me and I’ll do my best to answer your question on my next article.

Or you have any questions that need answering quickly please email me at kc@fabuloushaircompany.com and I’ll get back to you soon as I can. If you enjoyed my article let us know, like us on facebook and we’ll enter you in our monthly competition for a chance of winning 1 of 10 Paul Mitchell in salon Awapuhi Wild Ginger Keratin treatments worth £25. Just go to our website and www.fabuloushaircompany.com click the facebook icon to like.

AnthonyWebb palmersgreen@anthonywebb.co.uk

AnthonyWebb Your Personal Palmers Green Estate Agent

F SA OR LE

9

A

well presented, extended four bedroom, end of terrace house situated in this popular residential turning off Firs Lane. The property, which is CHAIN FREE, is located within easy reach of Palmers Green's shops, restaurants

and mainline station (Moorgate) and benefits from a spacious open plan living/dining area, a 22ft modern extended kitchen, a conservatory, a ground floor cloakroom, a first floor contemporary bath/shower room, double glazing, gas

The Fairway Palmers Green, N13 4 bedrooms, living room kitchen, conservatory bathroom

central heating, brick built barbecue and off street parking for two cars. An early viewing is essential to avoid disappointment.

ÂŁ479,995 Freehold More properties urgently required, visit us today!

020 8882 7888

www.anthonywebb.co.uk

Follow us on twitter

AnthonyWebb Your Personal Palmers Green Estate Agent

F SA OR LE

10

A

two double bedroom ground floor maisonette with front and rear gardens located in this quiet residential turning close to both Winchmore Hill’s and Southgate's shops, restaurants and transport facilities. The

The Glade Winchmore Hill, N21

property, which is offered CHAIN FREE, benefits from a spacious living room with

2 bedrooms, living room bathroom

doors to garden, a kitchen, a bathroom, two good size bedrooms, double glazing, gas central heating, own front door, a 943 year lease and share of Freehold. The property does require modernisation.

ÂŁ284,950 Share of Freehold

More properties urgently required, visit us today!

Like us on Facebook

AnthonyWebb palmersgreen@anthonywebb.co.uk

AnthonyWebb Your Personal Palmers Green Estate Agent

F SA OR LE

11

A

beautifully presented three bedroom 1930's built house located close to Palmers Green's shops, restaurants and mainline station. The property benefits from a spacious living room, an open plan modern kitchen and

sitting room, a bright and spacious conservatory, a ground floor cloakroom, a contemporary first floor bath/shower room, double glazing, gas central heating, front and rear gardens. An internal inspection is essential to fully appreciate this

Hedge Lane Palmers Green, N13 3 bedrooms, living room kitchen/diner, conservatory bathroom

stunning family home.

ÂŁ424,950 Freehold More properties urgently required, visit us today!

020 8882 7888

www.anthonywebb.co.uk

Follow us on twitter

AnthonyWebb Your Pe fu A SA ll G as R LE ki EE ng D pr ic e

ov A SA er G L as RE E ki E ng D pr ic e

12

The Fairway, Palmers Green, N13 3 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom

£375,000 Freehold

Burford Gardens, P

3 bedrooms, living roo

SO LD

£575,000

SHOW Ulster Gardens, Palmers Green, N13

More properties u

LE

T

BY

£449,995 Freehold

SO LD

3 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom

Derwent Road, Palmers Green, N13 1 bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom

£1,000 per month Like us on Facebook

AnthonyWebb palmersgreen@anthonywebb.co.uk

Hamilton Crescent,

4 bedrooms, living roo

£499,950

rsonal Palmers Green Estate Agent fu A SA ll G as R LE ki EE ng D pr ic e

13

Ash Grove, Palmers Green, N13 3 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom

£374,950 Freehold

Palmers Green, N13

om, kitchen, bathroom

SO LD

Freehold

WCASE

urgently required!

Kenmare Gardens, Palmers Green, N13 5 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom

LE T

BY

£369,950 Freehold

Palmers Green, N13

om, kitchen, bathroom

Freehold

New River Crescent, Palmers Green, N13 3 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom

£1,650 per month 020 8882 7888

www.anthonywebb.co.uk

Follow us on twitter

14

Baskervilles Tea Shop Blog by Diane Getting ready for a homemade Christmas Stir Up Sunday this year is on the 24th November. This is traditionally the day the Christmas pudding is made, the last Sunday before Advent. Traditional Christmas puddings aren’t as popular as they used to be but I still love the rich intense flavour. When I was a child we put sixpences into the pudding - finding them on Christmas Day purportedly brings wealth, health, happiness. I am sure that I probably swallowed at least one but it was very exciting at the time!

There is lots of baking and making to do this time of year. In our family we make the Christmas cake at the end of October leaving lots of time for the cake to mature and time to add a bit more brandy. I turn the cake upside down and skewer the bottom and then spoon over a couple of tablespoons of brandy. Wrap it up again with greaseproof paper and foil. It can then be iced nearer Christmas. I have used Delia’s Classic Christmas Cake recipe for years now and can’t find a better one.

My tips for a great cake are: ✔ Make sure the dried fruit is nice and fresh (not dried and crystalized from last year). ✔ Soak the fruit overnight (I must admit I probably add more brandy than the recipe says) ✔ I don’t cover the cake at the beginning of the bake but keep an eye on it and cover it later with foil if needed. ✔ Don’t be in a hurry, the cake takes time to cook. I love the festive aroma as the cake cooks and the excuse to stay at home all day! Test the cake with a skewer and don’t take it out until it comes out clean.

Making cakes is great to do with the kids; they love the measuring, stirring etc. We always have a stir each and make a wish – even if this is associated with puddings and not cakes.

Small cakes make a lovely gift and we will have a selection on sale this December at the shop. You can get nice little 4” cake tins which are great for Grandparent presents. The mixture for an 8” tin makes enough for 3 or 4 little cakes depending how deep you want them.

There are lots of lovely recipes to adapt these festive puddings and cakes for gluten/wheat free and for diabetics but don’t bake them until much nearer Christmas as they don’t last as long. Let us know if we can make one for you.

Happy baking Diane 66 Alderman’s Hill, N13 4RE 020 8351 1673 mail@baskervillesteashop.co.uk www.baskervillesteashop.co.uk Monday – Friday 9-5.30 Saturdays 9.30-5.30 Sundays and Bank Holidays 10-5

Like us on Facebook

AnthonyWebb palmersgreen@anthonywebb.co.uk

The switching on of the Christmas lights in Palmers Green Please join in the festivities on Thursday November 14th from 3.30pm at the Palmers Green triangle when our Christmas lights are switched on by the Mayor of Enfield Councillor Chaudhury Anwar MBE accompanied by MP David Burrows.

Children from Hazelwood School and St. John's church choir will entertain the audience with festive carols and Anthony Webb will be handing out free mince pies and balloons at the annual event to spread the Christmas spirit, we hope you can join us there.

This event is organised by The Green Lanes Business Association working with our high street and its community

Savour the Season

by Shelley Shapir

Whole Roasted Celeriac with Wild Mushroom Sauce This time of year, root veggies abound.

The real difficulty is finding a way to cook those big healthy lumps that will keep all the family asking for seconds.

One member of our family is notoriously difficult to feed, as she looks at any new dish with a distrust verging on hostility. Bring on Jamie Oliver’s ‘Zombie Brain’ (Save with Jamie), which is weird enough to be intriguing. This recipe proved very popular as the veggie option at my recent Canadian Thanksgiving, so I have given it my own twist.

The original recipe calls for pearl barley, but Her Nibs would never even contemplate eating it, so I serve it up with basmati rice. I have also used my own trusty wild mushroom sauce, as it has never failed me. As my dear Husband complains, I have a tendency to use any recipe as a mere guide….

Ingredients For the ‘Brains’ 1 large celeriac olive oil 6 sprigs fresh thyme 7 bay leaves 4 cloves garlic 30 g unsalted butter salt and pepper

For the sauce 200 g chestnut mushrooms 150 g wild mushrooms (I used chanterelle and girolle) 2 cloves garlic, crushed knob of butter olive oil 2 sprigs thyme a few good glugs of white wine (say, 75ml?)

300 ml reduced fat crème fraiche 2 tbsp English mustard salt and pepper Preheat the oven to 190 C/gas 5 • Scrub down the celeriac, and rub all over with olive oil, salt and pepper.

• Line a baking sheet with 2 layers of foil, and place celeriac root side up on the sheet.

• Dump the garlic, thyme and bay on the top. Make a neat little bundle of foil up around the celeriac, leaving the top open.

• Pop the knob of butter on top, and bundle up the foil, nice and tight.

• Into the oven with your little Brain, and cook it for about 2 hours, or until it is tender. If you are roasting a couple Brains, they will take a bit longer. (I did 2, and they needed an extra 45 minutes)

Now for the sauce….

• Slice up the chestnut ‘shrooms, and tear up the wild ones.

I leave any small ones whole for texture and a nice fancy look.

• Use a deep-ish saucepan, and on medium heat, melt the butter. Slosh in a tbsp of olive oil to stop the butter burning.

• Get those fungi into the pan, and add in your garlic and thyme.

• Season with salt and pepper to taste. Don’t be shy…mushrooms need that kind of help.

• Stir until the whole lot gets a bit soft and there is some nice mushroom juice in the bottom of the pan. Don’t brown them!

• Now is the time for some glugs of wine. Trust me, it really adds to the flavour.

• Let that cook down for about 10 minutes, and stir regularly.

• Add the crème fraiche and mustard.

• Drop the heat to low, and let that scrummy mixture bubble gently.

Get on with your rice. Follow the pack instructions, and don’t ask me, because I am a bit rubbish at rice!

Now, get out the plates, carve that Brain, and serve with rice and a big old liberal ladle full of sauce.

Veg loveliness. Thank me later.

020 8882 7888

www.anthonywebb.co.uk

Follow us on twitter

15

16

Like us on Facebook

AnthonyWebb palmersgreen@anthonywebb.co.uk

AnthonyWebb Your Personal Palmers Green Estate Agent

TO

LE T

17

A

modern built three bedroom detached house offered to rent in this most popular cul-de-sac off Fox Lane within in easy reach of both Palmers Green's and Southgate's shops, restaurants and stations. The property

benefits from a spacious living room with separate dining area, a conservatory, a kitchen, a utility room, a ground floor cloak room, a modern first floor bathroom, two double bedrooms and one single bedroom, two off street parking spaces and

Crothall Close Palmers Green, N13 3 bedrooms, living room kitchen, conservatory bathroom

a rear garden. The property is offered part furnished and is available now.

ÂŁ1,550 per month More properties urgently required, visit us today!

020 8882 7888

www.anthonywebb.co.uk

Follow us on twitter

AnthonyWebb Your Personal Palmers Green Estate Agent

TO

LE T

18

A

spacious and beautifully presented two double bedroom split level flat occupying the first and second floors of this Edwardian building. The property benefits from a spacious living room, a modern kitchen with

The Grove Palmers Green, N13

appliances, a modern bathroom and shower room, two good sized double

2 bedrooms, living room kitchen, bathroom shower room

bedrooms and gas central heating. The flat is located in a popular residential turning within 5 minutes walk of Palmers Green mainline station (Moorgate). The property is offered unfurnished and is available in early November.

ÂŁ1,250 per month More properties urgently required, visit us today!

Like us on Facebook

AnthonyWebb palmersgreen@anthonywebb.co.uk

19

Entertaining Christmas?

By Julia Sondack, Drapemasters Interior Furnishers Julia@drapemasters.co.uk www.drapemasters.co.uk Julia Sondack from DRAPEMASTERS Interior Furnishers has passed on her hints & advice for sprucing up your home to ensure a stylish yet comfy Christmas, enabling you to celebrate and relax with friends and family....

Firstly, why not take a moment to think about how you like to use your home for entertaining? What makes you feel comfortable? Everyone naturally wants their interior to reflect their true personality - that’s what transforms your house into your home.

Now, look around your home, room by room, with a fairly critical eye (in truth those that come over the seasonal holidays will be casting theirs on it!) and make a list of changes you would like to achieve. A simple list making process, a fairly ruthless one; arranging your items in each room under the following headings: Keep; Throw; Alter/Restore; Clean; Acquire.

You will find there are several areas that you will need to cast a very discerning eye over, as when we have lived with things for a long time we tend not to notice them or see them as a problem anymore. Examples of such areas are main walkways and entrances. Are they neat and tidy or full of shoes and bits and pieces you were intending to find a home for one day? Is the carpet worn or grubby in these areas? Have the walls been knocked one too many times and could really do with a lick of fresh paint or wall paper?

Living and dining areas tend to be rooms where most of your relaxing and entertaining takes place and of course will create the greatest impact on your guests as well. These are areas in which you can generally follow your desires in terms of colour and style (whilst taking into account the flow through from other areas). What do you see/feel in these rooms? Is the sofa lumpy or saggy? Simply restuffing the cushions could solve this problem.

Are the curtains or blinds a little grubby or tired? These could be professionally dry cleaned

and re-hung. If the curtains are worn down the leading edges they could be remodelled using a contrast fabric border.

Another way of brightening up sofas as well as uniting colours in the room, is to treat your home to some gorgeous scatter cushions. Visually these give great impact for comparatively little outlay. Another point to check in these rooms,which can make all the difference is the lighting, have you replaced that blown bulb? Is the lighting too bright?

Make it feel cold and clinical? Add a dimmer switch or a few side lamps for a warmer cosy feel.

You might like to consider whether your guests will be staying a night or two? If so how is the spare room looking? Do you have anything at the window? If you are not wishing for them to be up with the lark you may like to consider a blackout blind or curtains at the window for their comfort.

If all of this is totally overwhelming and you’re now thinking of lying low or packing your bags to go away instead, then please don’t worry. Help is on hand at Drapemasters, we are always happy to pop over and advise, design, manufacture and install any form of furnishing required to give you the warm, cheery and comfortable Christmas glow you deserve....

For more advice along with furnishings then please do contact julia@drapemasters.co.uk or call on: 020 8360 3082

WINTER OPULENCE DESIGNERS, MANUFACTURERS AND INSTALLERS OF INTERIOR FURNISHINGS

BESPOKE CURTAINS, BLINDS, UPHOLSTERY, SHUTTERS & AWNINGS

48 Vicars Moor Lane,Winchmore Hill, London N21 2QH

020 8360 3082 • info@drapemasters.co.uk • www.drapemasters.co.uk 020 8882 7888

www.anthonywebb.co.uk

Follow us on twitter

20

Property Matters How to cut the cost of your energy bills explained here

by Laura McGadie of the Energy Saving Trust Formed in 1992, Energy Saving Trust is a social enterprise with a charitable Foundation.

They offer impartial advice to communities and households on how to reduce carbon emissions, use water more sustainably and save money on energy bills.

Energy costs are rising. Annual fuel bills for the average household have reached £1,420, according to the energy regulator Ofgem. So how can you cut the cost of yours? These are some basic ways of making your home more energy efficient and saving money.

1. Put a jacket on If you have an uninsulated hot water cylinder, you could save money by fitting a tank jacket.

You can also insulate exposed pipework around the cylinder and boiler.

The materials for the whole lot will cost you around £25. You can fit everything yourself and save about £60 a year.

www.facebook.com/AnthonyWebbEA 2. Get in control

Installing a room thermostat (if you don't have one) will save you around £70 a year. You can then make savings by using your controls more effectively.

Decide when you want the heating to come on, only heat the areas in your home where it's needed and decide on a temperature.

Turning down your room thermostat by just one degree will save around £65 a year.

3. Destroy draughts Check for gaps around your doors, windows, floor, chimney or anywhere heat may be escaping.

Use draught-proofing products for the doors and windows, fit a chimney draught excluder or use sealed fire guards. Also seal your skirting boards with silicone sealant.

Depending on the size of your home these materials cost up to £160.

It will take around two years for this investment to pay for itself - savings are up to £75 a year.

4. Check up top Double-check your loft insulation to see if it needs to be replaced or topped-up.

If your loft has nothing in place, 270mm of insulation can save you up to £180 a year.

Topping up your loft insulation from 100mm to 270mm can save you around £25.

If you turn a light off for even a few seconds, you'll save more energy than it takes to switch on again. That applies to all light bulb types.

Nearly all electrical appliances can be turned-off at the plug without upsetting their systems.

The only exceptions are satellite and digital TV recorders. They should be left plugged-in for recording programmes.

Check the instructions on any appliances you're not sure about.

6. Take care in the kitchen You can save another £40 a year with careful use of kitchen appliances.

Set your washing machine to wash at 30C. Only use your Follow on you twitter tumble dryerus when can't@AnthonyWebbN13 dry clothes outside.

Don't fill your kettle to the top, just boil the amount of water you need.

It's estimated three-quarters of British households overfill their kettles, wasting £68m a year in energy costs.

7. Change your head A family of four will save around £75 a year by installing an eco-showerhead.

They can cut your hot water use with no noticeable difference and are being given away free by some water companies.

They can be used if your shower takes hot water straight from your boiler or hot water tank.

8. Get the right light Most of us have changed from traditional light bulbs to energy saving ones. But there is now a range of lower energy bulbs http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Electricity/Lighting/ Lighting-products that you can install to save you more money.

Even halogen spot lights can be replaced - the new LED (light emitting diode) bulbs are bright enough to do the job.

They are priced between £4 and £20 and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and fittings. If your supermarket doesn't stock them, most DIY stores do.

The Energy Saving Trust recommended logo can give an indication of light quality and durability.

For the average household, changing all bulbs would cost around £125. The low energy versions would last longer and save around £60 a year.

5. Turn it off The average family could save between £50 and £90 a year just by remembering to turn appliances off (if they aren't doing it already).

Like us on Facebook

For more information and tips please visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

AnthonyWebb palmersgreen@anthonywebb.co.uk

21

Talkies is your very own pop-up cinema, operating in a range of venues locally. Talkies is more than just movies. We often have collateral activities, such as food and drink, music before and after the film, directors talking about their work or even fancy dress opportunities!

Check out the programme, sign up for the mailing list and book tickets at www.talkies.org.uk We are always on the look out for creative ideas for events and volunteers to help with planning, marketing, front of house, graphics, technical and moral support. Get involved in your local cinema - email us at the website.

THE CONFORMIST Thurs. 12th November 19.30 Dugdale Centre Tickets £5

SEX&DRUGS&ROCK&ROLL Wed 27th November 19.30 The Fox, Palmers Green Tickets £5

"The Conformist" is Bernardo Bertolucci's immaculate work of cinematic art about the conflicted mindset of a man who carries out Mussolini's fascist ideology.

Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll is the 2009 film of the Ian Dury story starring Andy Serkis in the role of the punk legend.

Harper & Odell Solicitors Property and Litigation Solicitors Established 1948

Specialist affordable property advice is only a phone call away.

We act for clients across London on all types of property matters.

Our focus at all times is to keep the client updated by communicating regularly via email and by telephone and we aim to achieve the best possible results at a reasonable cost.

Tel: 020 8886 1524 Fax: 020 7490 8040 348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, London N13 5TJ law@harperandodell.co.uk

www.harperandodell.co.uk

Specialist Restorers in Fire and Water Damaged Properties Typical examples of services we offer: ✔ Water Damage Restoration and Structural Drying ✔ Fire Damage & Smoke Restoration ✔ Odour Removal Service ✔ Damp & Condensation Control

Blitz Kleen Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning PLUS End of Tenancy Cleans for Landlords, Tenants & Letting Agents Please call for a FREE no obligation quote Telephone: 07973

419 028 www.blitzkleen.co.uk

✔ Mould & Bacterial Remediation ✔ Air Decontamination post Mould and Bacterial Exposure ✔ Specialist Brickwork and Stone Renovators ✔ Full Refurbishment Programmes ✔ Surveys & Insurance projects undertaken for Insurance Claims W: www.spectrum-propertycare.co.uk E: enquiries@spectrum-propertycare.co.uk

Office: 020 3700 6913 Mobile: 07931 920 193 IICRC Certified

020 8882 7888

www.anthonywebb.co.uk

Follow us on twitter

22

Charity in the community Local people doing good deeds for charity Marios Koupparis from M.K Gas Services, a local based Company established for over 15 years climbed/walked to the summit of the highest mountain in mainland Spain with 10 other team members of team dK2013.

Mount Mulhacen (3444 m), which is approximately 3 times the height of Ben Nevis. It was completed over 2 days (10th-11th October 2013).

Walking 3/4 of the way up on the first day and staying in a lodge over night. The second day was spent getting to the summit and all the way back down.

All money raised will go to Parkinson's UK. So far this year team dK2013 have raised in excess of £13,000 for Parkinson's UK. If anyone would like to make a donation please use the links below:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/marioskoupparris http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/TeamdK2013 Please contact Palmers Green Life if you are fundraising for charity and would like to be featured within our magazine.

Mick Lawton GENERAL BUILDING & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE We deliver the highest levels of expertise and attention to detail and deliver up-to-date advice in what is a fast-changing and challenging area of the law.

Including:

Decorating • Plumbing Electrical • Kitchen & Bathroom Fitting Tiling • Plastering • Carpentry

FREE ESTIMATES T 020 8245 9146 M 079 8541 2599 E micklawton@live.com

Like us on Facebook

• Residential & Commercial Conveyancing - Freehold and Leasehold • Wills • Probate Call for more information on:

020 8884 6707 Email: r.dawson@barnesandpartners.com 60 Fore Street, Edmonton, London N18 2TT

AnthonyWebb palmersgreen@anthonywebb.co.uk

23

Ask a Local Lawyer by Fariz Uvais Fariz Uvais is a partner in the law firm Harper & Odell and has a consulting office in Palmers Green. Write in and ask your legal questions. Fariz will try and answer your questions in Palmers Green LIFE each month. Send your questions to Harper & Odell, 348 Green Lanes, N13 5TJ or by email to farizu@yahoo.com.

I own a (long) leasehold flat with a mortgage, in my name. I recently got married, and want to know how to add my wife’s name to the deeds.

You should first contact the mortgage company to request their consent to add your wife to the mortgage. If they agree, then a solicitor or licensed conveyancer will assist you to complete the mortgage companies’ forms to make the necessary changes to include your wife. They will also complete and file the relevant forms with the Land Registry to effect the transfer of the title of the property to the joint names.

Usually you can choose to hold the joint titles as either: • tenants in common; or • joint tenants.

The way in which the joint title is held will determine the share of ownership held by each and how each person’s title will pass on his or her death. You should take proper legal advice on these matters before proceeding.*

*Reprint Apology, Details included within our September magazine were printed incorrectly please find above the correct version of the Q & A.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article should not be construed as legal advice and the information is offered for information purposes only.

You should always seek advice from an appropriately qualified solicitor on any specific legal enquiry.

BASED IN N13 SERVING NORTH LONDON

GC Chartered Certified Accountants & Registered Auditors

Services provided:-

• • • • • •

Financial accounts & audit Landlords rental accounts & tax Landlords capital gains tax Inheritance tax Business consultancy Company formations Georgiades Charalambou & Co LLP

Chartered Certified Accountants & Registered Auditors 283-285 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, London N13 4XS Tel 020 8886 3672 Fax 020 8882 2713 Email info@gcaccountants.com

www.gcaccountants.com

• ALL NEW ROOFS GUARANTEED • ALL ROOF REPAIRS • FLAT ROOF RENEWALS & REPAIRS • CHIMNEY POTS, COWLS, REBUILDS • INSURED REGISTERED COMPANY • TRADING UNDER SAME NAME & NUMBER FOR OVER 15 YEARS

07976 873724

CALL DIRECT TEL - 020 8372 2629 email - paul-apex@blueyonder.co.uk www.rooferslondon.co.uk

020 8882 7888

www.anthonywebb.co.uk

Follow us on twitter

AnthonyWebb Your Personal Palmers Green Estate Agent

348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, London N13 5TJ

Tel: 020 8882 7888 palmersgreen@anthonywebb.co.uk

www.anthonywebb.co.uk Like us on Facebook

Follow us on twitter