Palmers Green & Southgate LIFE magazine May/June 2017

&

Palmers Green

Southgate

LIFE

May / June 2017 Edition Issue 36

School Funding Cuts • Cllr. Bambos Charalambous

Broomfield School • Invites the community to visit

You are never too old for Speed Dating • Homecare Preferred

The wall that encircles Broomfield house today was built by Sir John Spencer

st drawings of One of the earlie

use circa 1800 Broomfield ho

welcome I am pleased to report that consumer confidence in the housing market has improved over the past six months.

Halifax’s latest Housing Market Confidence Tracker, which tracks house price optimism based on consumer sentiment regarding whether house prices will be higher or lower in a year’s time – showed a 2 point improvement on October 2016.

In October 2016, just after the EU referendum result, the index showed a net 42 felt house prices would rise in the next 12 months, this increased to 44 this month. More of the public also think the next 12 months will be a good time to sell, compared with six months ago. This optimism is reflected at Anthony Webb as we have seen a record number of homes come onto the market in the first quarter of the year, placing us as Rightmove's number one estate agent locally for available stock. We have a good range of family homes and first time buyer flats available.

If you are thinking about selling please contact a member of our team. We can visit your property for a valuation, offer trustworthy advice and help you make informed choices about the sale of your property.

We are pleased to introduce two new members of staff to our team. We welcome Umar Hagarty, an experienced Sales and Letting negotiator and John Piscopides who joins us as Viewing Assistant. Find out more about Umar on page 20.

Tony Ourris

Martin McKelvey

Director / Editor at Large tonyourris@anthonywebb.co.uk

Office Manager martin@anthonywebb.co.uk

Umar Hegarty

Emily Berry

Senior Sales and Lettings Negotiator umar@anthonywebb.co.uk

Property Manager lettings@anthonywebb.co.uk

Kat Georgiou

Panayiota Kyriakides

Property Manager lettings@anthonywebb.co.uk

Administrator

Leo Morales-Joannou Administration Assistant

John Piscopides Viewing Assistant

Ellie Sales

Claudeth Whyte

Magazine Editor ellie@palmersgreenlife.co.uk

Advertising Manager ads@palmersgreenlife.co.uk

Finally, we are proud to sponsor the Hazelwood School summer fete on Sunday 11th June, do pop along between 12-4pm for a fun pack day of entertainment whilst raising funds for the school. Good luck Hazelwood!

Tony

Director Anthony Webb Estate Agents

If you've got a local business why not tell people about it in our magazine.

It's distributed to 12,000 local homes and places of interest.

Quarter page £70 Half page £120 Full page £220 Double page spread £350 Contact us about your artwork requirements and discounts for repeat advertising at ads@palmersgreenlife.co.uk

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

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348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ

A view from City Hall

by Joanne McCartney AM

We stand together E: joanne.mccartney@london.gov.uk www.joannemccartney.com Tel: 020 7983 5524 The 23rd March saw a truly horrific attack on members of the public and police officers in Westminster, and my thoughts have been with those who have lost loved ones and those who were injured, as I’m sure yours have been. Those murdered are police officer Keith Palmer, Spanish teacher Aysha Frade, American tourist Kurt Cochran, Andreea Cristea from Romania, and Leslie Rhodes, from Streatham.

PC Keith Palmer was doing his job protecting our city and this attack brings home to us the danger our frontline emergency workers may experience, even though London is one of the safest cities in the world. Three other police officers were injured on Westminster Bridge. We saw on our television screens police officers, fire

fighters and medical personnel rushing to the scene, whilst ensuring members of the public were ushered away from any danger.

The emergency response was swift and effective and a testament to the professionalism and training of all concerned – thank you.

Since then London has quietly been getting on with life, whilst not forgetting and remaining vigilant. Attending the vigil at Trafalgar Square the day following the attack it was clear that the thousands attending to show their respects to those who lost their life and were injured, were also determined to send a message that we are a city that will not be divided by hate and that we remain united and open. As the

Mayor has stated; “London is the greatest city in the world. We will never be cowed by terrorism. We stand together, in the face of those who seek to harm us and destroy our way of life. We always have, and we always will.”

Brexit – the case for London I have previously written about my disappointment that the UK voted to leave the EU and the need for a good deal for London in any Brexit negotiations. The Mayor has now set out his concerns and asks for London to the government, including concerns over security, immigration, ensuring the rights of EU citizens, protecting workers rights and environmental safeguards.

F SA OR LE

F SA OR LE

Readers may be interested to read the full report here www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/londons_global_and_european_future.pdf

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EAUTIFUL PERIOD SEMI-DETACHED HOME. An Edwardian five bedroom house boasting 2230sq.ft of living space over three floors on the ever desirable Lakes Estate conservation area. The ground floor includes an impressive entrance hallway with original tessellated tiled floor and double inner doors, a spacious living room with original fireplace and stain glass windows, a second reception/music room, a modern bright kitchen/diner with French doors to garden and a utility/w.c.

AKES ESTATE HOME REQUIRING MODERNISATION. Anthony Webb are delighted to offer this four bedroom Edwardian semi-detached house with west facing garden, off street parking and garage.

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348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ

Sir John Spencer & The Elopement in a Bread Basket

by Joe Studman There’s an elaborate monument in St Helens Church, just off Bishopsgate, to a man of humble beginnings, who rose to be the richest man in The City of London in the late Elizabethan age.

Wealthy enough to purchase Broomfield House in Palmers Green.

John Spencer came from Waldingfield, a small Suffolk village where his father, a wool merchant, dealt with London clothworkers and managed to persuade one of them to take his eldest son as an apprentice. That’s how teenage John Spencer first made the journey to the big city; to serve a master for seven years.

bread, the young Elizabeth Spencer was secreted into the empty basket and made her escape. Marriage soon followed but still John Spencer refused to acknowledge the marriage.

Now because he had disowned his daughter Spencer didn’t hear that he had become a grandfather. It is thought that Queen Elizabeth used her authority by agreeing to release John Spencer from the Fleet only if he would consent to become Godfather to a young couple she knew. In this way John Spencer was duped into attending his own grandsons baptism and it is thought that a reconciliation occurred at this time.

John Spencer was no ordinary apprentice and soon rose in affluence and influence. By the last decades of the 16th century he was importing luxury goods from Spain, Turkey and Venice. Civically he became Alderman, Sheriff and in 1594 Lord Mayor of London.

He was known as “Rich Spencer” and had a reputation for parsimony. This didn’t stop every merchant in London wondering how they could lay their hands on his money. The favoured method would be to marry his daughter.

Spencer had married Alice Bromfield (no connection) and the couple had one child, a daughter, Elizabeth. Their City home was Cosby Hall in Bishopsgate. Canonbury Tower, in Highbury, served as their rural retreat. But as the couple approached middle age the opportunity to purchase Broomfield House as a retirement home could not be resisted.

There was also a couple of unhappy memories from Canonbury.

William Compton

The first was an attempt by a Dunkirk Pirate to capture Spencer and ransom him for £50,000. The plot only failed because Spencer was held up in London on the night that the corsair intended to waylay him on his route home. The wall that encircles Broomfield house today was built by Spencer possibly to improve security before he moved in.

The second sorry event involved The Virgin Queen. Elizabeth visited him at Canonbury Tower and he may well have loaned money to his Sovereign. Queen Bess would almost certainly have invited him to court and it was probably on one of these occasions that his daughter met William Compton, heir to the Earl of Northampton. Compton however was penniless and although a romance blossomed Spencer not only refused to sanction a marriage but he also confined his daughter to Canonbury Tower. Compton didn’t give up and his influence on the monarch was greater than The City man. The result was that John Spencer was imprisoned in The Fleet for ill treating his daughter.

With Spencer out of the way Compton plotted to liberate his sweetheart from captivity. He arranged to enter Canonbury with the local baker and, after delivering

Canonbury Tower

John Spencer didn’t live long in retirement at Broomfield. He died on March 3rd 1610 and his wife following him at the end of the month.The penny pinching Spencer had left no will nor money to any civic fund or charity. Everything was inherited by the now Earl of Northampton. The legend goes that when William Compton realised how much wealth he had inherited from his father in law he went into a swoon that turned his head for several months.

William Compton became “Master of the Leash” to James 1st and may well have introduced The King to Broomfield who possibly used it as a hunting lodge.

The Comptons sold Broomfield to Spencer’s erstwhile apprentice, Joseph Jackson, in 1612 and it was this family that developed the onetime farmhouse into the building we knew before the tragic fires. They owned Broomfield until the early 19th century.

Spencer Monument in St Helen’s Church

You can hear more tales from Enfield’s history on one of my local walks and talks.

Visit www.jaywalks.co.uk

8882 7888

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Councillor’s Corner

by Cllr. Bambos Charalambous

School Funding Cuts Cllr.bambos.charalambous@enfield.gov.uk Tel: 020 8379 2653 One of the things that we can be proud of in Enfield is the quality of the education in our schools. I am a governor of two schools including one that I attended as a child and education has always been something that I am very passionate about. I was, therefore, alarmed when I heard about the £3 billion cuts in education across country that the government are seeking to impose by 2020.

On closer scrutiny it is clear that these cuts will have a serious impact on schools locally.

Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will be affected. A change in the criteria in assessing special educational needs and disabilities means that children without complex needs, (for example children with dyslexia and dyspraxia), will no longer get the funding they once would have done. This could have a devastating impact on those children and could harm their future prospects.

If staffing levels are cut then the potential for working with SEND children in smaller groups will be seriously diminished.

There are also a number of anomalies in school

funding which will lead to further pressures on budgets. For example, schools with staffing bills of over £3,000,000 are subject to an “apprenticeship levy” whereby they have to give the Government back an amount equal to 0.5% of their payroll cost and yet due to DBS checks and other child safeguarding issues and the nature of the work, the chances of schools employing an apprentice are negligible.

Schools will also have to pay more in national insurance contributions. This is due to a change in the state pension requirements. Previously schools received a 3.4% rebate for part of their employer national insurance contributions.

Schools will now no longer receive this rebate meaning that a school with a £1,000,000 wage bill will have to find approximately an extra £25,000 each year. In addition to losing the rebate the schools will also have to pay roughly 1.6% more in national insurance contributions as the Government have increased the employers’ contribution by this figure. If you throw in inflation and nationally negotiated pay increases in addition to the Government cuts in

funding then you have a recipe for disaster.

As roughly 70% of most schools’ funding is staffing it is inconceivable that these cuts will be possible without a reduction in staffing levels.

It has been widely reported that Latymer School has asked parents to make a voluntary contribution towards the school’s finances in order to bridge their gap in funding. Sadly they are unlikely to be the last school to do this.

There is an excellent parent led organisation called “fair funding for all schools” campaigning for more money for schools. Some people will have seen, read or heard of one if its founder members Jo Yurky who is a parent from Muswell Hill and I would encourage everyone interested in this issue to visit their website www.fairfundingforallschools. org. A child’s education is too precious to be put in jeopardy by these cuts, the adverse impact of which could have long lasting, damaging effects for a generation.

Parliamentary Comment

by David Burrowes MP

Can we end homelessness? david@davidburrowes.com

www.davidburrowes.com

Constituency: 020 8360 0234

Westminster: 020 7219 5414

50 years ago Iain Macleod MP for Enfield West spoke at a candlelit vigil in Hyde Park to raise awareness of homelessness which led to the formation of the homeless charity Crisis. He said: “This is an appeal to help those who no longer have any dignity and self-respect; the down and outs. We call upon the talents, ideas and enthusiasm of people from all different prejudices and beliefs in a constructive attempt to tackle this growing urban problem.”

Sadly 50 years on if Iain Macleod was still alive he would be dismayed that despite great strides in tackling homelessness thousands of people across the UK will be sleeping rough tonight.

The challenge in Crisis' 50th year is how do we end homelessness?

There has been progress through the ground breaking Homeless Persons Act of 1977 and later reforms, the Rough Sleepers Iniative, Housing Option programmes, Streetlink, and now the Homelessness Reduction Act. In this last session of Parliament I was pleased to have persuaded my colleague Bob Blackman to choose the duty of homelessness prevention as

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his subject of his private members bill. He had come 2nd in the ballot for Private Members Bills which meant he had a good chance of getting his Bill through Parliament. I ended up being the whip for the Bill and with cross party and Government support it has become law.

So Councils will now have a duty to prevent homelessness for everyone who needs help, particularly young single people who can be overlooked. Alongside Government investing £500 million in homeless funding we have a real opportunity to intervene earlier with tailored support to stop a personal problem becoming a homelessness crisis.

Over the winter months Enfield churches like St Johns, St Andrews and Christ Church Southgate have been providing a night shelter for around a dozen homeless people. A huge thanks to all the volunteers who not only helped provide a safe shelter but also enabled the charity All People All Places to help most of the people into secure accomodation and some have obtained work as well. When I visited the shelter I was told how it had been a lifeline and was much

appreciated by these vulnerable people.

So how can we reduce the crisis of being homeless and reliance on charitable support like night shelters? One answer is to introduce a 'Housing First' approach as has happened successfully in Canada, USA and Finland. It involves rapidly housing homeless people in secure accommodation and then intervening to deal with underlying causes like addictions and mental health. In the UK we often try and do it the other way around by treatment first but usually fail to break the cycle of homelessness.

Locally we have established a new group called Enfield Fresh Start with the help of Home Care Preferred. It will encourage and co-ordinate support for homelessness throughout the year.

We have projects to create an accessible homeless services directory and develop a social enterprise to support homeless people into supported housing and gain skills to work.

Please contact me if you are interested in getting involved. Let's make 2017 a year when in Enfield and beyond we make huge steps in ending homelessness.

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8882 7888

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Italian is the language of music by Laura Scaramella This beautiful language is the language chosen by Mozart for some of his most famous operas. It is the language that sings and it has been associated with music for more than a thousand years.

Many people fall in love with the Italian language by going on holiday in Italy; enjoying the beautiful country, the warm weather, the sea, the city of art and perhaps by listening to Italians. I have heard of an English speaker who believes that everything ordinary becomes rather special if said in Italian: the modest kitchen towel is asciughino, to rock or swing is dondolare, to whistle is fischiettare and garbage is spazzatura.

I suppose that when you experience mostly blue skies and warm weather you might be inclined to feel positive and happy; and most things might feel and sound better. However, the musical

element of the Italian language is actually achieved by the fact that most words end with a vowel giving a singing quality to the language.

But Italian is also the language of music in the sense that Italians have greatly influenced music and its language and so many musical terms such as allegro, forte, andante, etc are in Italian.

It was an Italian, Guido D’Arezzo, who invented the modern musical notation in the medieval era. Later on, the Italians dominated the musical scene during the Renaissance and the Baroque periods. They established Italian as the language of

music in the same way as, for example, English is used today in most countries for IT and new technology terms. So if you play an instrument you will be very familiar with Italian terms such as piano, presto, sonata, aria, etc. Italian has also given many instruments their names: piano, viola, cello (violoncello), etc.

Join one of our classes to take a dip into this beautiful language, you will have the chance to hear the real language, you will practise speaking from day one and learn or improve your Italian. And even if singing is not required we might listen to Italian music from time to time. Ciao!

NEW COURSE OPENING: Three week intensive Italian course for beginners starts in July. Very limited places available, book soon by calling Laura on 07941 092593 or email: laura@parlaitaliano.co.uk

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348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ

Liz and Tracy

n, Figen Karadoga Congratulations to rred efe Pr re Ca me Ho Care Manager at eat Figen won The Gr in Winchmore Hill.

Front for d ar aw l na gio Care Awards Re ed has now progress Line Leader and of the als fin the to gh throu National award.

Special recognitio n to the members of the Field Dames , Grange Park & Clay Hill WI's (Women 's Institute) who presented the MP S 200 knitted teddie Enfield with over s. These teddies are used to comfort yo ung children in traumatic situatio ns, which our local police deal with thr oughout the year. #TeddyWatch

8882 7888

ds Enfield is a Free Cakes for Ki ich provides wh ce rvi community se ildren whose ch for s ke ca ay birthd various difficult in ng gli ug str families are team of about a e ar e , circumstances. W ng varyi skill levels 30 keen bakers of to ensure a child e sir de but all with the ir birthday. If you has a cake on the m, please get in our tea would like to join touch by emailing m. nfield@gmail.co freecakesforkidse tion on our website ma There's more infor m forkidsenfield.co es ak ec fre w. ww at

Congratulations to Monty Beach, Za c Richards, Joseph Guessis and Albi e Murray from Haze lwood School. Th ey raised ÂŁ35 for Th Hospice with a ca e North London ke sale at their sc hool.

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348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ

8882 7888

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Broomfield School - When your reputation precedes you by Ellie Sales I consider myself lucky living in Palmers Green. We have a great community vibe, diversity, a vibrant local high street and great local schools and parks.

So I find myself asking why our community is so disparaging about Broomfield School?

Having just gone through the secondary transfer process myself, with my eldest son, I must confess that I subjected Broomfield School to the same prejudices as many of my peers. Having come out of special measures 4 years ago perhaps my opinion was unjust and so I went to meet with their Head Teacher Peter Travis to try to dispel the rumours and stigma that have blighted the school for so many years.

Since you came out of special measures back in June 2013 how has Broomfield changed?

It’s been four years since we came out of special measures and the changes at Broomfield are abundant, including becoming a GOOD school in 2015. Years ago it was mooted that the school was to be demolished and rebuilt under the ‘Building Schools for the Future programme’. However due to the world recession this did not happen, but instead we have received considerable funding, most recently over £2.1 million, to enhance our campus. We now have a modern, light and inviting school environment. Like all local schools we have fully equipped ITC suites, a gymnasium and a sports hall. We also have large playing fields and green spaces and brand new science labs. We are working closely with the Local Authority who want us to remain as a small to middle size school, one where we know our pupils by name and support them all individually.

Some people have concerns about the level of teaching standards including how Broomfield cater for high achievers?

I believe that Broomfield not only has an excellent Senior Leadership Team, supported by a great Governing Body, but

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teachers that are inspiring and are committed to setting high standards and encouraging aspirations for all our pupils.

You only have to look at our EBac and Progress 8 results to see how we are performing. Progress 8 shows that we are in the top 25% of schools nationally and in the top 5 schools in Enfield. Broomfield is not a grammar school, we take pupils of all abilities and from all walks of life. We have a broad range of achievement levels including plenty of high achieving pupils.

We have a diverse ethnic, religious, and social-economic mix and every one of our pupils is cared for. If you look at the statistics from the Department for Education you will see that our students (lower, middle and higher achievers) are showing progress higher than the national average. I believe this to be a true judge of educational standards and is testament to our teaching. Our attendance levels are inline with, if not slightly above, the Enfield average.

How does the school deal with bullying?

We do not have a problem with bad behaviour as it is not tolerated. We hold frequent anti-bullying assemblies, we have students that are anti bully mentors and trained members of staff as well as two on site counsellors. If a problem should arise we immediately intervene opening lines of communication with the pupils involved, their parents and our teaching staff. Any signs of low level bullying are dealt with quickly to ensure there is no escalation.

What would you tell a parent considering Broomfield School as an option for them?

We have good teachers that inspire,

captivate and challenge everyone to be the best that they can be. Our attitude to behaviour means that your child will be in a safe and happy environment supported by staff and their own peers.

Are there areas that you are still looking to improve upon?

Whilst we have plenty of day trips for our students throughout the year, we are currently focusing on expanding our foreign trip opportunities. We are also discussing with the Council the option of having an entrance on Powys Lane making the school more accessible for our students from that part of Enfield.

Where do you see the school in five years times?

Being judged as outstanding in all categories by Ofsted; it’s an ambitious vision and I won’t be satisfied until we achieve it.

Can parents come and visit the school to take a look around?

Yes, we hold regular open days. Our next open days are on the 25th May, 29th June and 14th July. Please contact the office at office@broomfiled.enfield.sch.uk to book your place. Following a recent ‘Taster Day’ in March for our new Sept 2017 Year 7 pupils, we received excellent feedback from pupils and parents. A couple of families who attended initially had no intention of taking up their place with us, but wanted to see what we were like. Having met us and loving what they experienced, they have subsequently changed their minds, and we are now looking forward to welcoming them alongside the rest of our new intake in September 2017.

348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ

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Vancouver the Hollywood of the North

by Mike Prior, Director Scott’s Travel your local Worldwide travel experts, serving our clients for over 80 years.

Scott's Travel, 3 Broadway, Southgate, N14 6PJ Tel: 020 8882 0141 www.scottstravel.co.uk Vancouver in Canada has been on my wish list for years and I was lucky enough to visit with my family last July. Known as one of the best places in the world to live with its idyllic setting, laid-back yet vibrant culture and temperate climate it's easy to see why residents are so proud of their city.

A worthy travel destination at any time of the year Vancouver is clean, green, safe, a great walking city and easily accessible!

Beautiful architecture

Enjoying family time

Vancouver Island

With direct flights from London Heathrow to Vancouver with British Airway we spent the first four days exploring this amazing city. It's not often you can recommend an urban environment for people who want to get back to nature, but Vancouver is truly the best of both worlds. You can spend the morning at the Vancouver Art Gallery or wandering the shops, then go hiking all afternoon, whether it's an 8km jaunt around the seawall in Stanley Park, the world’s largest city park, or a longer hike along any of the trails surrounding the city, such as on Burnaby Mountain or on Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver.

It may be a bustling city but you can relax on many of the beaches, all within easy reach. I would recommend Sunset Beach, between Stanley Park and downtown, the name says it all or visit Kitsilano where you will find Kits Beach, named one of the "top 10 best city beaches in the world" by international travel magazines, and perfect for beach volley ball.

Kitsilano hosts one of the city's organic-food hubs, and has a range of restaurants to enjoy.

We boarded the car ferry to Vancouver Island and took in the spectacular vistas on the drive to Tofino. We had booked an 8 night stay in a cottage at Chesterman Beach, perfect for privacy and comfort right on the beach. Our wonderful three-bedroom duplex holiday home, with its own garden, faced the open ocean, was extremely comfortable and had and everything we needed for a memorable getaway. For a true taste of all the beauty the Tofino area has to offer, you need to get out on the water and my family enjoyed a fabulous day kayaking. Visiting Vargas Island Provincial Park in Clayoquot Sound you can expect to see exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities, including the chance to see Gray whales in the area around Ahous Bay. This idyllic backdrop was used in the filming of the Pirates of the Caribbean last year, with its wooden board walks and dense rainforest it really is an island paradise. But bear in mind the sea this far north is rather ‘fresh’.

We completed our holiday with a two night stay in Victoria, the capital city of British

Columbia. Established in 1843 as a fort for the Hudson's Bay Company, Victoria's British ancestry is apparent in the double-decker buses, horse-drawn carriages, formal gardens and tearooms. The city is now a cosmopolitan centre with a lively entertainment scene and a wonderful array of attractions.

Vancouver's mild climate offers a plethora of outdoor activities at any time of year (although in the wintertime, I recommend you use a wet suit!). Its location is a perfect hub for all you adventurers with quick and easy access to Whistler, the Canadian Rockies, Victoria, and Vancouver Island you’ll find your personal adventure here. Vancouver is also the home port for Alaska cruises May through October, so why not consider a twin centre break? Contact me to find out more about my trip…I could talk about it all day!

"Vancouver is one of North America’s most under-rated tourist destinations. It is a modern, travelfriendly city with a unique mix of cultures. The relatively mild Pacific Northwest climate and an energetic restaurant and nightlife scene are other features that make this such an attractive city."

Stanley Park

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Kayaking

348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ

Bringing the personal touch back into accountancy by Ellie Sales Palmers Green and Southgate Life magazine met up with Luna Muncaster, a local ICAEW Chartered Accountant who left the corporate world to set up her own home-based accountancy practice.

Luna provides a high quality, personal accountancy and tax service for small businesses and individuals. We wanted to find out more about why she chose to run a business from home and how it’s going.

What made you set up your own business?

I spent 20 years in large companies BDO, Sony Music, Dixons and BT. I

became highly experienced but not truly fulfilled in my career. I then became a mother and found it impossible to achieve a good balance between my career and family. In 2015, in my search for a better quality of life, I took the plunge and set up my own accountancy firm, based at home. It’s the best career move I’ve ever made!

What kind of services do you offer?

I offer a high-quality, personal accountancy and tax service; my firm is a member of the ICAEW’s Practice Assurance Scheme. I offer the usual compliance services such as annual accounts, personal and company tax returns, VAT and payroll. However, I include in my fixed annual costs features such as diagnostic reviews, tax planning advice, general accountancy advice and a personalised tax update after the Chancellor’s Budget. Additionally, I offer an advisory service to help clients understand their business’s profitability and cash flow so that they can grow. I can also help new businesses start up, guiding them through their legal duties.

Have you managed to improve your quality of life?

Yes, enormously. Being my own boss means I can be there for my kids when they need me. I did slightly worry that working from home would leave me feeling lonely and isolated. It hasn’t in the slightest. I make the effort to regularly meet my clients face to face, which helps me improve their service by understanding their needs and developing trust. By working from home

I feel more connected to my local friends and community contacts. I’ve created space in my life for things that make me happy and fulfilled, such as playing the piano and singing at local care homes, and also through events at my children’s school in Palmers Green.

So, how’s the business going?

The last two years have been incredible – it’s been really exciting to build a successful business of my own. I get an enormous amount of personal fulfilment from helping real people with real problems. My clients tend to be selfemployed sole traders, landlords or limited company owners with, say, 10 or so employees. I absolutely love my job and work hard for my clients – I’m constantly thinking of ways to help them and they are very appreciative of my efforts. I firmly believe that investing time in them is worthwhile. The quality of my service means everything to me and is the reason that clients regularly recommend me to others.

What makes your service stand out?

I believe that it’s my personal, friendly and proactive approach that makes me stand out. Clients that have switched from larger firms say that they like the extra time that I invest in them; it allows me to act as their trusted advisor. I think the combination of my open, communicative service with regular contact and my 20 years of experience as a Chartered Accountant gives clients a superior service at reasonable rates.

Please visit www.lunamuncaster.com to find out more or contact Luna on 07999 691 748 or at luna@lunamuncaster.com. She would be more than happy to meet you for an informal, no obligation, chat.

If you run a business from home and would like to feature here please contact Ellie at ads@palmersgreenlife.co.uk

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F SA OR LE

F SA OR LE

• Semi-detached family home • Four bedrooms • Two receptions • Rear garage • Beautiful 95ft rear garden • Walking distance of Ashmole Academy

• Detached House • Three bedrooms • Conservatory • Chain free • Garage and parking • Front and rear gardens

£765,000 Freehold

£625,000 Freehold F SA OR LE

Crothall Close Palmers Green, N13

F SA OR LE

Mayfair Terrace Southgate, N14

• Fantastic family home • Three bedrooms • Two receptions • Extended kitchen/diner • Off street parking • Landscaped rear garden

• Three bedrooms • Two receptions • Semi-detached house • Off street parking • 65ft rear garden

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Oakfield Gardens Edmonton, N18

Farndale Avenue Palmers Green, N13

£480,000 Freehold

£550,000 Freehold

348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ

How to revamp your bath in one afternoon

by Mick Lawton your local Palmers Green DIY Doctor

Mick is a specialist painter, decorator and carpenter with a building and property maintenance company based in Palmers Green.

Resealing the bath is one of those jobs people often put off doing but, with a small amount of effort, you will be surprised at how effective it is at sprucing up your bath or shower room.

1

What do you need?

• Sealant remover, I recommend UniBond Silicone Sealant Remover, it will cost you around £7.

2

• Sealant and a cartridge gun, I always use Dow Corning bacteria resistant sealant for the best finish

Now for the DIY bit...

Apply sealant softener and leave to dry for 10-15 min. Remove the sealant with a plastic scraper but be careful not to damage the bath.

Scrub the area using bathroom cleaner and leave to dry.

Hot Tip - Fill your bath with water. This ensures that the sealant won’t crack when the bath is filled at a later stage as often some movement may occur between the bath and the wall. Insert the sealant cartridge into the gun and cut the nozzle off at the end so that its size corresponds with the gap to be filled. Sitting on the edge of the

bath, press the trigger and apply the sealant to the gap in one smooth movement. Don’t overfill. Once applied, the sealant can be smoothed with a wet round-ended tool. Try the handle of a wooden spoon, or a wet fingertip. Shape the sealant at an angle, as this will help encourage water to flow back into the bath.

3

Remove excess sealant with white spirit before it dries. Leave to dry according to the instructions on the cartridge, before emptying the bath.

That's it, now lay back and enjoy a long soak to appreciate your efforts.

If DIY is not for you or your property requires painting or redecorating please call me.

I'm both local and affordable. Visit my website to see examples of my work www.micklawton.com. Contact me on 07985 412 599.

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348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ

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Meet Umar Hegarty, the newest member of our team

Now that you have joined Anthony Webb how will your previous experience help you in your new role?

I have recently moved from a small independent estate agent in Southgate. During my two years there I was responsible for many aspects of the business including property valuations, sales and property management. Prior to that I have successfully run property investment seminars in London advising clients on how to increase their rental yields and the benefits of flipping property.

What aspects of Estate Agency excite you?

I get a real buzz helping people find their perfect home. Buying and selling property can be very stressful with highs and lows and I find it particularly rewarding to close a transaction knowing that I have helped someone move on.

There are lots of local estate agents so why should someone consider Anthony Webb?

Martin and Tony are well known within the community, this familiarity pays off with lots of repeat business and recommendations. We offer a personal service, meeting clients in their own home and giving honest advice, helping vendors set the right price for their property. It helps to know what is driving a sale and how we, as agents, can support the vendor. The internet plays a large part in advertising properties and offers complete transparency when valuing properties so finding an agent that you can trust with a good reputation is key.

What happens when a property is not getting the level of interest you might expect?

Keeping an open line of communication with vendors is very important. We try to give feedback from viewings, good or bad, within 24 hours. When properties are priced correctly they will sell. We are able to adjust the marketing of properties if we feel they are under preforming or negotiate with vendors if the price needs to be adjusted. When there is a good level of trust between the agent and the vendor a sale runs more smoothly.

How is the current local property market performing?

It’s been a very busy start to the year with plenty of properties coming onto the market. We are not seeing the price increases that we have been used to over the last few years, mainly driven by affordability. We are fortunate that in our area the prices remain strong. Vendors are pickier these days about what kind of offer they will accept. The best offer is not always the best buyer! If you are in a position to move for example; you have your own property under offer or you are a cash buyer, you would be in a more favourable position. So, it’s worth considering this if you are serious about moving. We are always happy to come around for an informal chat and property valuation with no pressure to actually put your home on the market. We understand what a big decision that is.

What do you do in your spare time?

I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend and I am a qualified Salsa teacher and teach in a family business based in Enfield every Wednesday and Sunday evening between 8pm11pm. We cater for all levels beginners, improvers, intermediates and advanced. If you would like to find out more please visit www.salsa-secrets.co.uk

Making Tax Digital – changes from April 2018

by Alex Chrysostomou Alexander Associates, your local accountant 24A Aldermans Hill, Palmers Green, London N13 4PN Tel: 020 8882 6611 Fax: 020 8882 6621 Email: alex@alexassociates.co.uk Website: www.alexandersandco.com

Making Tax Digital (MTD) is a key initiative brought in by HMRC to make it easier for individuals and businesses to get their tax right and keep on top of their affairs. This was first announced by the government in the March 2015 budget and has since been updated in the most recent budget.

Essentially, we’re all (eventually) going to have to report our earnings to HMRC on a quarterly basis and the tax we pay will be based from these figures.

From April 2018 digital record keeping and updating by businesses, the self-employed and landlords for unincorporated businesses; a requirement for those above the VAT threshold – (now £85,000 per year)

will come into effect. (This will include partnerships but not limited companies or LLP’s.)

The requirement for unincorporated businesses below the VAT threshold has been deferred until April 2019. This was a change in the policy in Mr Hammond’s most recent budget.

From April 2020 this will also be a requirement for all limited companies.

By 2020 we will all have to report our earnings to HMRC on a quarterly basis.

This will signal the end of the selfassessment tax return in years to come and will align our affairs with HMRC in ‘real

time’.

This is one of the most ambitious changes in HMRC policy and will signal an end to filing your tax return at the last minute on 31st January each year. Many believe that this will create an unnecessary burden, particularly on small businesses. HMRC have responded by saying that they won’t be fining taxpayers on late and or incorrect digital record keeping in the short term until all of the teething problems are ironed out, which may provide some relief to taxpayers.

We are available to help with any queries around Making Tax Digital, (or anything else tax related) and how it will impact your affairs over the next few years.

If you have an accounting question for Alex please e-mail him directly he will be happy to assist you, alternatively Alexander Associates offer an initial free consultation, please contact them to find out more.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article should not be construed as legal advice and the information is offered for information purposes only. You should always seek advice from an appropriately qualified accountant on any specific accountancy enquiry.

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348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ

F SA OR LE

F SA OR LE

• Three bedrooms • Two receptions • Chain free • Off street parking • Garage & 85ft rear garden

• Three bedrooms with loft conversion • Edwardian end of terrace • Two receptions • Off street parking • Extended kitchen/diner • South/westerly garden

Connaught Gardens Palmers Green, N13

Fox Lane Palmers Green, N13

£515,000 Freehold

£825,000 Freehold

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Introducing local artist Colin Frooms Colin studied at Hornsley College of Art and the Royal Academy School of Fine Art London, he has been painting since the age of 8 years old, when he drew his first portrait. Colin has always preferred his paintings to be life size, to express the full impact of the subject.

Colin with Haverings Mayoress, on 16th March at the Queens Theatre in Hornchurch

The Tigers Opera

The technique he uses are a combination of many European methods. His work leans towards the Dutch and Venetian masters and in particular Titian; he paints in a full range of tones and colours only possible to achieve by these time tested vibrant techniques.

Colin worked many years for Walt Disney in his 20's before deciding to paint just for himself. Colin has always been quite reclusive, preferring to stay in his studio and follow his passion. Now in his 80's Colin is allowing his work to be seen, some pieces for the first time.

Colin Frooms Fine Art, contact via Patricia Moore. Email: patriciamoore17@icloud.com Tel: 07565 457056 www.colinfrooms.wixsite.com/fine-art

Soho Man

Please join us for a private viewing of Colin's exhibition at Anthony Webb on May 17th between 7-9.30pm

Palmers Green Business Network by Riffat Harris It’s a given that anyone who wants to grow their business needs to network with others. Developing an online presence and making connections via LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter is very important. Meeting face to face can be even more powerful, it’s a great way of building long lasting connections.

Local Networks

One of the best ways to expand your brand and contacts beyond your family and friends is to join local networks. It’s a great opportunity to tell others about your business, increase your knowledge, work collaboratively and learn from other people’s success.

It can help you keep in touch with what’s going on locally and may generate more leads.

Running your own business can be a little lonely and a bit of social contact can help put things into perspective. Networking presents a wonderful opportunity to make friends.

Palmers Green Business Network is relaxed and friendly group for anyone running their own business and based in the local area. Our aim is to build connections, learn from each other and have fun. Networking can seem a bit scary when you start but over time you will get more confident.

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So if you’re based in Palmers Green, Southgate, Winchmore Hill, Wood Green, Bounds Green and Edmonton come along to one of our meetings.

Morning meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of the month.

Time: 8am to 9:30am Place: Mytime Café, Palmers Green.

Next meeting: 25th April 2017 Evening meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month for drinks or for a meal at a local restaurant. Details of the venue and start time will be available on our website. It’s an opportunity for entrepreneurs to meet socially.

For more information visit our website: www.palmergreenbusinessnetwork.com Come along to our next meeting and make connections.

348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ

Will making for young parents

by Michael Stennett www.stennett-stennett.co.uk

Michael Stennett is a Solicitor with over 30 years’ experience in drafting wills and trusts. His practice, Stennett Solicitors and Estate Agents is based at 4 Winchmore Hill Road Southgate London N14 6PT (opposite Marks & Spencer) and he, together with other members of the Private Client Team can be contacted on 020 8920 3190.

In a hectic family life, it is not a job you may wish to make time for, but making a will is quite literally a matter of life and death.

A mother with young children would not dream of leaving her children to be cared for by strangers. But this could happen if she died without a will. If you don’t make one you are likely to give your loved ones a lot of mess, not to mention arguments amongst those you leave behind, even splitting families apart.

I recently advised John (not his real name).

He and his partner Jane (again not her real name) were unmarried and had infant children. They jointly owned a property.

Jane died suddenly without a will. In the midst of grief, John had to cope with a claim by Jane’s parents for guardianship of the children, because they felt John’s work commitments could not offer the grandchildren a stable family environment.

Then there was the problem with ownership of Jane’s share in the family home.

You see, Jane died without a will, or “intestate”. Under the rules of intestacy your estate will be divided among certain blood relatives in accordance with a strict order of priority, which may not be what you want. The problem for John was he

could not get one penny of Jane’s estate because they were not married. Even if they had been, the intestacy rules would have given John only the first £250,000 outright plus half of the remainder of the estate. The remaining assets would have been held for the children. Instead, the entire estate passed to John’s infant children, to be held on trust until they reached 18. This left John feeling insecure and uncertain about the future.

Had Jane sought advice about making a will during her lifetime she could have made a legally binding document covering amongst other things, who would be guardians of her children until they reached 18, passing her share in the family home to John, so that he could raise their children in a settled and comfortable environment. Basically, the will would have given her peace of mind and comfort in the knowledge that her loved ones will be provided for on her death.

Well, can we really predict the future? You would not think twice about insuring your car, so why avoid taking precautions to cover the inevitability of death?

So, for those of you who have not made wills, what is keeping you from putting off this essential task? Is it the cost? Wills are not expensive having regard to their benefit to you and your family. The average cost of a Solicitor drafting a will is about £195 plus vat. Is it because you believe you are young and making a will can wait?

Once you have drawn up a will, it is important to ensure it remains up to date and relevant to your circumstances. The rule of thumb is you should review your will every three years, and certainly when there is a material change in your life, such as marriage, divorce, children and receiving an inheritance.

Stennett & Stennett Solicitors invite you to attend their Free Advice Clinic, which is held on the first Wednesday of every month. The Free Advice Clinic runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at our premises in Southgate. The office is situated on the ground floor with easy access.

No appointment is necessary and you may have up to 15 minutes free advice with a solicitor.

This is an opportunity for you to gain information and advice from us, free of charge, on matters or concerns you may have.

All discussions are kept confidential.

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LE T TO

LE T TO • Four bedrooms • Beautiful kitchen/diner area • Two bath/shower rooms • Off street parking & rear garden • Flexible furnishings • Available now

• Three bedrooms • Three receptions • Rear garden & off street parking • Flexible furnishings • Available now

Kingsley Road, Palmers Green, N13

£2,200 per calendar month

£2,000 per calendar month

TO

TO

LE T

LE T

Hamilton Crescent, Palmers Green, N13

Two bedrooms, First floor apartment • Two bath/shower rooms • Roof terrace • Off street parking • Own section of garden

• First floor flat • Two double bedrooms • Modern kitchen • Offered part furnished • Available from 30th May

Devonshire Road, Palmers Green, N13

£1,400 per calendar month

£1,350 per calendar month

TO

TO

LE

T

LE T

St. Georges Road, Palmers Green, N13

• A stunning 2 bedroom duplex apartment • Split level 1st & 2nd floors • Original wood block parquet floor • Offered unfurnished • Available 3rd July 2017

• Two bedroom first floor flat • Newly refurbished • Modern bathroom • Offered unfurnished • Available now

Corrib Court, Fox Lane, Palmers Green, N13

The Rise, Palmers Green, N13

£1,350 per calendar month

£1,300 per calendar month

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348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ

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Spring Hair Colours for 2017

by Kiri from Fabulous Hair Company Fabulous Hair Company 382 Green Lanes, N13 5PD Tel:020 8886 7070 Welcome: I like to start by thanking all the children and parents who help us celebrate 20 years of Fabulous Hair by taking part in this year’s Palmers Green Easter egg hunt. I would especially like to thank Costas Georgiou the chairman of the Palmers Green Business Association who did a great job organising the event and making sure the event run smoothly in the salon, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to take part on the day due to work commitments in Rome. Here is a picture of the lucky winner Sanduni Wong aged 6 and her father collecting their prize, a PlayStation 4 from Costas in the salon.

Spring Hair colours for 2017.

Chocolate Brown: Bright fashion tones are not for everyone, deeper, richer colours will make a comeback. I love the coolness of a chocolate brown and whenever I mix my chocolate brown formulae for my salon guest I add a touch of violet to give my brown a slight pop, I find this works great with most skin tones.

Strawberry Blondes: If you’re already a blonde why not add a little rose colour to your blonde.

Perfect for warming up any skin tone. Check out celebrity Kylie Jenner sporting a rose blonde or take a selfie and add a rose blonde filter to see if

it works for you.

Baby Lights: With balayage being so big for the last couple of seasons I can see us transitioning into something softer. Finely woven Hi-lights give us a subtle addition of dimension to hair the perfect technique for the accentuating any haircut.

Sun Shine Hair: Already a golden base, double on the blonde ask your colourist to frame your face with lighter panels to give you a lighter, brighter look, why not get creative and go even lighter on the ends.

Just Like Honey: I took this quote from a friend

of mine Lucie Doughty, Lucie is an amazing colourist and stylist and is the John Paul Mitchell Systems Editorial Director. “Be less obvious when it comes to highlights. "Whether you're a blonde or brunette, "deeper roots and multi-dimensional ends will still be a trend, but with less contrast between the tones, making a softer, less harsh."

Platinum Blonde: The last few years the addition of new blonding treatments like Olaplex to protect the hair, allow hairdressers to lighten hair much more safely and take clients to a clean blonde ideal for platinum blonde but be aware this comes with a bigger commitment to the salon.

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

How are you coping with exam pressure?

by Nicola Forward, your local Amatsu Practitioner.

At this time of year I see an influx of students – often brought to me by concerned parents who are already Amatsu clients and so know how Amatsu sessions can help to calm both their mind and their body, easing them through times of stress.

Jackie is one such parent. She introduced me to her daughter Grace who was preparing for her GCSE’s and having difficulty sleeping.

In recent years I have seen more and more students asking me to support them through their intensive exam period. Long hours studying can lead to physical problems – back ache, elbow pains or neck and shoulder spasms.

Other common symptoms include headaches, poor concentration and digestive issues.

Last year I worked with university student, Guy who had a much more extreme reaction - panic attacks with chest pains, palpitations and shortness of breath.

That all sounds pretty serious and I am sure that some of you will recognise these symptoms as a “fight or flight” response – a natural response to immediate physical danger. A healthy level of

adrenaline focusses attention and gets us going, but Guy’s nervous system was on constant high alert. He felt the same about his looming Finals as he would have if his life had been threatened.

Guy was fully checked out by his consultant and given the all clear and we began a short series of Amatsu sessions.

Amatsu is a non-invasive “hands-on” therapy realigning your whole body, addressing your postural discomforts and finishing with cranial balancing. I use a unique combination of touch, pressure, release and natural movement while you lie comfortably, fully clothed on my couch.

Your body tensions are eased and your nervous system calmed and clients describe feeling deeply relaxed and fully energised at the same time so that everything, even exam nerves, feel easier to deal with.

Guy was concerned about taking time away from his studies for our sessions, but it paid dividends – he achieved a 2 - 1. And after my first session with Grace she settled to sleep easily for the first night in weeks. Her concentration improved and she said, “I feel ordinary, just normal again.” Later regular client Mum reported, “She breezed through her exam period – we’ll be back for A Levels!”

Mobile: 07720 81 01 01 Email: nicolaforward@aol.com www.amatsutherapyintl.com If you or someone you know is struggling with their studies then please give me a call.

I am running a special “3 for 2” offer throughout this exam season.

You too could breeze through your exams!

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348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ

You are never too old for Speed Dating Care organisations, Age UK & Home Care Preferred collaborate to bring Speed Dating to the older generation in Enfield Local care provider, Home Care Preferred has joined forces with national charity Age UK and are putting on several speed dating events for older people.

Each session will take place in a local venue and include entertainment and the opportunity to make new friends using the speed dating format. The idea started when Home Care Preferred organised an afternoon tea party at their offices for several clients who receive care at home from the company.

Laura Brassett, Community Relations Manager for Home Care Preferred explains,

Details of the Speed Dating events are: “It was so rewarding to see our clients who had never met each other before start talking and enjoying each other’s company. One man really liked speaking to one of our lovely lady clients and they decided to exchange phone numbers so they could meet up again. This sparked off the idea for speed dating as we regularly see how many older people are at home and often quite lonely. We envisage it will not necessarily be romance based but more building acquaintances and perhaps friendships”.

Home Care Preferred progressed the project by having discussions with their colleagues at Age Concern Enfield.

The two organisations want to launch other schemes in the borough including a befriending scheme.

Ken Waterhouse, MD at Home Care Preferred commented;

“We welcome other organisations to join us in these initiatives and we feel it is so important that older people are given the opportunity to build new friendships. There are so many older people living alone and there is a real chance for like-minded people to spend time together. The great thing about the speed dating concept is that the visitors will have the chance to meet several people for about five minutes and then they can decide who they would like to exchange details with”.

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Gala Bingo 3 Dearsley Road Enfield, EN1 3FB 9.30 - 11.30am Thursday 20th April, Thursday 22nd June, Thursday 24th August Charge is £1.50 inclusive of breakfast, free hot drink and bingo The Wonder Pub Bately Road, Enfield, EN2 0JG 7.00 - 9.00pm Thursday 18th May, Thursday 20th July, Thursday 21st September Charge is £5 inclusive of meal and entertainment More information please contact Laura Brassett laura@homecarepreferred.com Tel: 020 8364 3670 Home Care Preferred Ltd have been offering care and support needed to empower people to live fulfilled lives in the comfort of their homes since 2012.

Home Care Preferred is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and won Health Care Investors “Domiciliary Care Provider of the Year” in 2016 For more information: Ken Waterhouse T: 020 8364 3670 E: ken@homecarepreferred.com

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David Williamson Coming up at Talkies….

TALKIES AT THE FOX… You may have been reading about The Fox development in local press and hearing rumours about it.

Talkies has been involved in the discussions and it looked like we were going to have our last event in April, with about a year before The Fox would re-open.

We have just found out that the timescale seems to have slipped quite a bit and so landlord Joe Murray has kindly said that we can keep using the Fox until the situation is clearer.

In the meantime we have some great events within easy reach – we hope you enjoy this selection.

Listen out for more additions to our programme via our website.

Oscar-winning Moonlight is a look at three defining chapters in the life of Chiron, a young black man growing up in Miami. His epic journey BOUNDS GREEN BOWLS to manhood is guided by the kindness, support AND TENNIS CLUB and love of the community that helps raise him.

This Oscar-nominated film, directed by Zara Urushadze, is set in Georgia, in 1992. It's a THU 18 MAY TANGERINES tremendous anti-war film, by turns touching, moving and suspensful that focuses on an THE DUGDALE CENTRE immigrant Estonian farmer's efforts to take a very personal moral stance.

FRI 12 MAY

MOONLIGHT

About Elly offers viewers performances as powerful as its thought-provoking ideas, and ABOUT ELLY adds another strong entry to Asghar Farhadi's THE DUGDALE CENTRE impressive filmography.

THURS 1 JUNE

The inspirational story of Owen Suskind, a young man who was unable to speak as a child LIFE ANIMATED until he and his family discovered a unique way THE DUGDALE CENTRE to communicate by immersing themselves in the world of classic Disney animated films.

THURS 6 JULY

FOR MORE DETAILS AND TICKET BOOKING, VISIT www.talkies.org.uk

Palmers Green Tales by Jenny Bourke www.palmersgreentales.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/331208790354294/ or just go to Facebook and look for Palmers Green Tales and ask to join the group.

Our twitter address is @PGTales Susan Mehmet and myself have been making a film about the amazing Conservatory in Broomfield Park. Most of us who visit the park do not realise that the Conservatory is looked after by a wonderful band of volunteers who, raise funds for, plant and look after a fabulous array of plants.

The Conservatory was built by Southgate Council in 1934 and was an integral part of the park, open daily and visited by all.

Unfortunately vandalism and decay led to the Conservatory being closed in 2004. Enfield Council then carried out extensive repairs to the fabric of the building in 2009 and the volunteers

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took over its running in 2010.

The hardworking team of volunteers remade the interior of the Conservatory to support the growth and development of their chosen planting regime.

Elizabeth, their Orchid expert explained to us how the atmosphere within the Conservatory is not particular to any one species so they regulate planting as well as they can, e.g. the Orchids are on the less sunny side of the conservatory as they like a damp atmosphere.

The Conservatory organise and run several activity days during the year, here are some photos of families at the recent children’s fun event where they were supported in planting a turf head.

There are over 30 volunteers who support the work in the conservatory, they not only ensure everything is growing well but organise fund raising activities to ensure it keeps going. We have taken photographs and film at 4 events, including a plant sale and a work -in and hope our film will be available in the middle of June.

We are also planning films about local artists via creative exchange.

348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ

19 9 Ju Jul ul - 6 Aug For F or ages ages 6+ Box Office: ice: 020 8 8292 292 9222 9222

www.chickenshed.org.uk hickensh hed.org.uk Registered charity rity n no:1012369 o:1012369

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348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ

Outdoor Cinema: Grease 27 May

Lea Valley Cactus & Succulent Show 27 to 29 May

Herts Heavy Horse Show 4 June

Outdoor Theatre: Dotty the Dragon 22 July

24 and 25 June

We have more than 6 60 0 beautiful gardens and landscapes landscap pes to explore animal across 30 acres. Our growing g and collection, new Fairy Forest F special events throughout throug ghout the season make Capel Manor an n enchanting day out for all ages.

HQMR\ RXU (QÈ´HOG UHVLGHQWV FDQ HQMR\ RXU (QÈ´HOG UHVLGHQWV FDQ gardens for FREE on Saturday, g S y 10 June. Please bring proof pro oof of address.

Capel Manor Gardens G For more information please p visit www.capelmanorgardens.co.uk www.capelmanorgard dens.co.uk %XOOVPRRU /DQH (QÈ´HOG (1 54 %XOOVPRRU /DQH (QÈ´HOG G (1 54

8882 7888

Outside Designs is a family run business and with over 25 years’ experience. We can help you with: t t t t t

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Calling All Young Musicians! (ages 4-24) Children’s International Voices of Enfield is a charity funded choir that has been run tirelessly by its Founder Directors for the past 26 Years. During this time the choir has performed at least three concerts a year, toured to 10 different European countries, performed in venues including the great St. Pauls Cathedral and recorded a notable collection of CDs. However, most importantly, CIVE has played a pivotal role in supporting and educating Enfield’s Young Musicians.

We have four Choirs that cater to different age groups and abilities and we meet fortnightly for rehearsals on Sunday afternoon so there is something for everyone! With our rehearsals led by top music professionals, graduating from the likes of; Cambridge, Oxford and Guildhall school of Music and Drama, the quality of teaching from our staff is second to none. All choirs learn to read musical notation from sheet music and occasionally attend exclusive masterclasses delivered by International singing professionals.

26 years ago, Dr June Keyte, MBE ARAM FRSA FISM Churchill Fellow Cert Ed (Lond) and Dr Christopher Keyte, Hon RAM, King’s Choral Scholar and member of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden decided to build a musical legacy in Enfield. Passionate about education, higher musical learning and opportunities for young musicians, June and Christopher brought their expertise for music to the local borough of Enfield. We now can boast 25 alumni members who have all graduated or are currently studying Music at Conservatoires or Universities.

Every other year, the choir goes on tour and in the past CIVE has visited Czech Republic, Sweden, Wales, Finland, Switzerland, Iceland, Bavaria, Italy, Munich, Estonia where we stayed with local families and learnt about the culture. In the intervening years, the choir spends a weekend of concentrated learning and concerts at Leiston Abbey, Suffolk, a wonderful 14th Century restored Abbey.

Being part of a choir is such a phenomenal experience, with the opportunity to make new friends, learn a new skill, and build selfconfidence. With opportunities to perform both Vocal and Instrumental Solos at concerts every member of our choir has a chance to shine.

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If your child is enthusiastic about music, please do take a look at our website

www.childrensinternationalvoices.com where you can make contact, or simply call 0208 882 7404.

Upcoming concerts 11th June at 3PM - Cabaret! at the Dudgdale Centre, EN2 6DS 2nd July at 3PM - Summer Recital at Palmers United Reformed Church, N14 4LR

348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ

Your Legal Questions Answered

by Fariz Uvais

Fariz Uvais is a Consultant Solicitor at Fahri LLP based in Whetstone North London.

Write in and ask your legal questions. Fariz will try and answer your questions in Palmers Green LIFE each month. Send your questions to Fahri LLP, 1268a High Road Whetstone, London N20 9HH or by email to fariz@fahrillp.com. Tel: 0203 813 8457 As I have received a few enquiries recently from people who have suffered from scam transactions, I have prepared the following brief guide.

The route to reclaiming your money will depend on how you paid the scammer: 1) I paid using a credit card If you've paid for goods or services with a credit or debit card, you have greater protection if things go wrong under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act or by using chargeback.

But whether you can make a claim or not depends on the type of scam you have fallen for.

An example of a scam where you could use Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act or chargeback would be a scam where you paid for goods or services and it turns out these were either never available or the 'seller' has disappeared.

Credit cards have the greatest protection, as you can make a claim against your card provider

under Section 75.

Under Section 75, the credit card company is jointly and severally liable for any breach of contract or misrepresentation by the company.

For Section 75 to apply the item or service you bought must have cost over £100 and not more than £30,000.

2) I paid using a debit card If you used a debit card, you may be able to ask your bank to get your money back through the chargeback scheme.

Chargeback is not enshrined in law but is part of Scheme Rules, which participating banks subscribe to.

It applies to all debit card transactions including goods costing less that £100, although exact rules may vary between the Visa, Maestro and American Express networks.

But, there are no guarantees your bank will be able to recover the money through chargeback.

Chargeback also applies to credit card transactions but will be particularly useful where goods cost less than £100 and so section 75 doesn’t apply.

3) I didn't authorise the payment If there is a transaction on your card you know nothing about, then you can make a claim from your bank as an unauthorised transaction.

If you hand over your card to have a particular amount debited from it, and then you find more money has been taken without your permission, or a sum has been taken by someone else, you can make a claim for this extra amount.

The Payment Services Regulations 2009 and the Banking Conduct of Business rules place obligations on banks and building societies to provide a refund in these circumstances.

Make sure you report the unauthorised transaction as soon as you become aware of it.

In the next issue I will cover bank transfers, money transfer wire service and paypal.

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.

Fahri LLP L

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We act for clients We s across London on C Us Call all types of property property matters. Our focus at all times is to keep the client 0203 3 813 8450 updated by communicating comm municating regularly FFax ax Us: via email and by y telephone telephone and we 0203 3 745 7370 aim to achieve the best possible results at a re easonable cost. reasonable

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Introducing our team .... The Family Law Specialists

Christina Pieri

Karen Chapman

Martha Koumbas

Mena Ruparel

Marion Foley

Rene Panayiotou

Peter Vassila

Hi there, I hope that you are all keeping well and enjoying the gorgeous spring flowers that are blooming all around us. I love this time of the year with longer and lighter days.

By the time this edition goes to print, we will be in the throws of a snap general election which has followed on pretty quickly from the last election and Brexit so I thought I would continue the theme and talk about an area of law that needs some reform by the government. By Christina

SHOULD DIVORCEES HAVE TO PLAY THE BLAME GAME?!

In a recent divorce case the Court decided in its wisdom that a wife’s appeal from a refusal to grant a decree nisi be dismissed. This case highlighted antiquated divorce laws which in my view need reform.

The facts The parties were married in 1978 and had two children.

They separated in 2015 and the wife petitioned for divorce on the ground that the marriage had irretrievably broken down and the fact that the husband had behaved in such a way that she could not reasonably be expected to live with him. More commonly known as the “unreasonable behaviour” fact (“UB”).

In 2016, a family court ruling refused to grant the “desperately unhappy” wife a divorce. The husband successfully argued that, despite his alleged “UB” and his wife’s affair with another man, their 39-year

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marriage had not broken down irretrievably.

The husband contested the divorce. The Judge described the wife’s allegations against her husband as “minor altercations of a kind to be expected in a marriage” and said that her allegations were at best flimsy. I have seen those facts and actually disagree with the Judge.

Ironically, on Valentine’s Day 2017, the wife appeal to the above was dismissed by the Court of Appeal. The law was applied correctly as it stood although there was a strong argument that the law no longer reflected modern day realities and that no fault divorce was called for.

348 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5TJ

Chapman Pieri Solicitors Tel: 0208 882 9850 www.cpfamilylaw.co.uk The wife was not left totally without remedy since she could wait until February 2020 and apply on the fact of 5 years separation where the Husband’s consent would not be required. Until then, the wife has no choice but to remain in a shell of a marriage despite not living with her husband and desperately not wanting to be married to him. I would say that his behaviour in contesting the divorce and the way that he has conducted himself in itself may demonstrate the Husband’s “UB” and also, dare I say, a bit of a controlling nature too.

The ruling was surprising as Judges are usually willing to accept fairly trivial “UB” particulars provided that the petitioner in a divorce can establish that the behaviour has had a negative impact on them. I believe that the test for “UB” should be subjective rather than the court looking at the particulars objectively and so strictly.

Even the President of the Family Division, questioned whether parties should be able to dissolve a marriage without state intervention and said that the current procedures were "based on hypocrisy and lack of intellectual honesty".

Current basis for divorce The only ground for divorce is that the marriage has “irretrievably broken down”. However, the petitioner needs to satisfy the court of one or more of five facts, three of which are fault based: a) adultery b) behaviour & c) desertion.

Two of the facts relate to periods of separation

an option, and mutual consent would not be required.

Therefore, if the only facts that are available to you are either adultery (your spouse’s and not yours) or “UB”, then you have no choice but to commence divorce proceedings on whichever of those two facts apply to you. By blaming the other party, this immediately adds fuel to a probably already difficult and acrimonious situation but it really is a means to an end. The other option would be to wait two years and hope your spouse consents to a divorce or wait five years where their consent will not be required.

If two consenting adults agree that their marriage has broken down irretrievably, then why force one party to lay the blame of the divorce on the other? My view is that there should be an option so that parties can divorce by consent without having to wait two years.

There will of course be arguments of those who oppose the introduction of no-fault divorce including that the institution of marriage should be supported; the risk of the divorce rate increasing if it is perceived to be easier to get a divorce than it is to get back; and the negative impact of family breakdown.

Government's position In October 2015 Richard Bacon MP’s No Fault Divorce Bill, which proposed an amendment to the 1973 Act that would require a joint petition from both parties, didn’t pass its first Commons reading.

The most common facts cited being “UB” and adultery (around 60% according to the Office of National Statistics). Both are fault based divorces.

The Government has indicated that any proposals for legislative change to remove fault from divorce would have to be considered as part of its more general consideration of what further reform may be needed to the family justice system. Recently, Lord Keen of Elie said the government had ‘no current plans to change the existing law on divorce’.

Arguments for and against no-fault divorce A number of lawyers and Resolution (an organisation of over 6500 family law lawyers) have called for the introduction of no‑fault divorce. Resolution foresees a single basis for establishing irretrievable breakdown where one or both parties can declare that their marriage has broken down and if, after a waiting period of six months, either or both hold the same view then the divorce would be granted. Citing fault would not be

So for now, it remains very much a blame game but STOP PRESS....The Wife has just filed a petition with the Supreme Court (the highest Court in the land), seeking to appeal the ruling that has left her "trapped in a loveless marriage". I am hopeful that the Supreme Court will review the old case law and find a solution which reflects much needed change so that consenting adults who agree to divorce can do so in an amicable and civil manner.

d) two years if both parties consent, and e) five years without consent.

At Chapman Pieri Solicitors, we offer a no obligation, Fixed Fee Initial Consultation at £150 plus VAT. You will receive excellent advice from one of our experienced team.

Should you require any further information, please give us a call here at Chapman Pieri Solicitors on 0208 882 9850 to set up an Initial Consultation or alternatively you can email us at: info@cpfamilylaw.co.uk. Please have a look at our website where you will find a lot of helpful information: www.cpfamilylaw.co.uk. Address: Southgate Office Village, Block D, 286 Chase Road, Southgate, London, N14 6HF.

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