LOVEEAST
M A G A Z I N E
February 2016 ISSUE 24 Free
your
F R E E
award-winning
magazine
The Gentle Author
Meet the Spitalfields Life blogger, plus
art in the making at an East End foundry
Your East London – What's on – Food – People
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Welcome to your local magazine
Dear neighbours
This month it's my privilege to feature the Gentle
Author (p4). Some of you may have heard of
him and if you haven't, then I'm very pleased
to introduce him to you. He's been writing his
blog Spitalfields Life for several years now, writing
daily stories about the many fascinating people
who live in the East End. He doesn't write about
celebrities. HIs interest from the start was to
uncover the many interesting but "invisible"
people who live in this part of London. His work
is an antedote to our celebrity culture, and we're
much richer for it.
We've discovered two more great East London
charities, one provides fruit & veg vouchers for
people on low incomes (p12), and the other is
gathering volunteers to continue its great work
inspiring children to read. If you fancy getting
involved take a look at p25.
Christine Preisig continues our East London
makers series, visiting a local foundry where
some of the world's greatest art is cast (p8).
There are our regular features on food, history,
fitness, legal matters and wellness, as well as our
comprehensive what's on guide.
Have a great February everyone, and don't get
hung up on Valentine's Day. Take a leaf out of
Sophie Parkin's book instead (p14).
Julie
Julie Daniels
T: 07752 288405
E: julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk
www.nutshellpublications.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/LoveEastMag
Twitter: @LoveEastMag
C O N T E N T S
4
Meet the Gentle
Author, creator of
Spitalfields Life
8
The foundry casting
the work of our most
celebrated artists
14
Spread the love like
Sophie Parkin
24
All you need is love:
this month's great
reads for all ages
25
Be a Beanstalk
volunteer and inspire
kids to read
To advertise in LoveEast please call 07752 288405 or email julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk
for further information. Deadline for March edition is 5 February (please allow an extra two
days if design is required). Nutshell Publications cannot be held responsible for any errors
or omissions, or endorse companies, products or services that appear in this magazine.
©LoveEast all rights reserved. Magazine design, www.ilkadickens.com. No reproduction can be
made without permission. Please recycle.
LOVEEAST FEBRUARY 2016 3
East life
Illustration: Lucinda Rogers
The Gentle Author, writer and creator of Spitalfields Life,
talks to Christine Preisig and Julie Daniels
For more than seven years, and without missing
a single day, the Gentle Author – for that is the
name he prefers – has written a daily story on his
blog Spitalfields Life about the people and culture
of the East End. There, he describes his "harebrained"
promise to write 10,000 stories about
Spitalfields, which has grown to cover a much
wider area of the East End. He affectionately
depicts local people and places, and by doing
so has become a celebrated diarist and cultural
historian of our time.
The project has a deeply personal motivation.
After his father died, the Gentle Author moved
back to his childhood home in Devon to look after
his mother who suffered from dementia. During
the six years he lived with her until her death he
was rarely able to leave the house. He couldn’t
have done this, he says, without the help of some
amazing people.
It was something that altered his view of life and
made him realise just how extraordinary it is to
be in the world. He had had a successful career
as a writer, but from that point on he wanted to
write in a different way. For one thing, he wished
to express himself in an unmediated way, with no
gatekeeper between him and the reader.
4 LOVEEAST
East life
He also wanted to write stories that nobody else
was writing – about the ordinary and, to other
eyes, invisible people that surrounded him.
He moved back to Spitalfields in 2009 (his first
job was there in 1981) and began writing his now
famous Spitalfields Life. He started without much
purpose beyond trying to take the idea of a blog
as a literary form quite seriously. Very quickly he
noticed that the more ambitious the stories, the
quicker the readership grew. Besides writing his
daily stories, he publishes books, teaches writing
courses, leads political campaigns and writes
articles for magazines and newspapers.
By way of writing Spitalfields Life, the Gentle Author
found out that his family actually came from the
East End. When he published some letters his
grandmother had written to his father (she was
an unmarried mother who had to give him away
as a child), two genealogists who read his blog
got in touch with him. Together they were able to
uncover his own ancestry.
It turned out that his great-grandmother grew
up just 50 yards from where he lives now near
Brick Lane. To know that he is connected to the
place through his ancestors makes him feel more
comfortable writing about it.
The Gentle Author's pledge to write his daily
stories means he will be writing for many years
to come, but seven years into the project he is
still enthusiastic. "The fact that I’ve written the
life stories of about 1,500 people – that’s a real
personal passion.”
It's very distressing to the Gentle Author to
know that when people die, sometimes their life
stories, along with their work, are lost for ever.
This is part of the reason he writes Spitalfield Life
and the stories he reveals help to immortalise
the fascinating people of the East End. Last
autumn, for example, he published a selection
of remarkable paintings created by artist Doreen
Fletcher. She had given up her art years ago
because of the lack of interest in her work. When
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LOVEEAST FEBRUARY 2016 5
East life
he published her paintings of the East End in
Spitalfields Life it was a sensation. Several galleries
became interested and a solo show is now
planned.
It's wonderful to hear stories like this and it shows
just how influential Spitalfields Life has become
and how many possibilities it has created.
In all the years the Gentle Author has been
writing, and to his own surprise, he has been able
to keep his identity secret. Writing anonymously
is not a publicity stunt but a device deliberately
chosen to put the people and the culture centre
stage. “I decided to step back and all I want to
reveal is that my intention in doing this is benign.”
We are lucky to have had the chance to meet the
Gentle Author and, by way of Spitalfields Life, will
continue to accompany him on his wanderings
for many years to come.
What makes you most proud?
I suppose you could say that I’m proud that
the 1838 Marquis of Lansdowne Pub is still
there in Cremer Street, Hoxton. We saved that
pub when the Geffrye Museum wanted to use
Heritage Lottery funding to demolish it. I thought
it was disgraceful, because they call themselves
a "museum of the home" and in the East End
the pub is an extension of the domestic space.
When the director of the museum justified this
by saying that the museum was "not interested
in the culture of the labouring classes" it was very
disappointing. But at that point I realised that we
had a huge readership who could write letters of
objection. It was class war. And the Hackney
Planning Committee refused
permission for demolition. That’s
a victory you could say I'm
proud of.
What are you working on?
Photographer John
Claridge took more
photographs in the
East End in the
fifties and sixties
than anyone else.
Because he
was just a kid
with a camera,
Paul Gardner in his paper bag shop
everyone was very open to him and he took many
beautiful photographs, which we are now putting
together into the definitive book of his work to be
published this summer.
Best coffee in these parts?
I don’t drink coffee but my favourite places for a
cup of tea are Pellicci’s in Bethnal Green, Leila’s
Café in Shoreditch and the Town House in
Spitalfields. Those are the places I like to go.
Where do you eat out?
I like St. John Bread & Wine in
Spitalfields – it’s my regular and it
never disappoints.
What do you do at
weekends?
I don’t really have
weekends, but I do
love to go to the
market.
6 LOVEEAST
East life
Occasionally, it’s been possible to have guest
writers take over sometimes, but the irony is that
when I do get a few days off it is to finish a book
or to tidy the house.
Anything you would change?
In Spitalfields, there’s now a vacant lot where
they demolished the London Fruit & Wool
Exchange. There were more than a 100 small
businesses in there and Tower Hamlets Council
voted unanimously to save the building but
Boris Johnson overruled them in favour of the
developers. It’s going to become chain stores and
headquarters for an international law firm. Boris
wants to do the same thing in Norton Folgate.
Tower Hamlets refused the developers but he
is going to overturn that. And then there is the
Bishopsgate Goods Yard... With over 40,000 on
the housing list, Hackney and Tower Hamlets
object to a luxury development of tower blocks
of flats that will put the Boundary Estate into
permanent shadow. There will be no benefit for
local people and it will blight the East End for
generations to come. Boris Johnson is able to
overrule local democracy and do all this. If I could
change one thing it would be to take that power
away from him.
The area’s best-kept secret?
Well, I’d say it is Paul Gardner’s paper bag shop
(see picture, above left). I’ve written about it a lot.
It’s just up the road at 149 Commercial Street. It
was opened by James Gardner in 1870 and then
his son Bertie took over, and then his son Ray
took over and now Paul Gardner is there. It is
the oldest-established business here and it’s the
cheapest paper bag shop in London. It also sells
balls of strings and tags… anything you could need
to do with market trading. And it’s a wonderful
place because Paul is a very charismatic man and
all the customers love him. His shop is like a pub
where people stand around and tell stories, an
incredible institution and the hub of Spitalfields.
The whole meaning of Spitalfields is bound up
with that place.
If the East End were human?
It would be Nicholas Culpeper, a physician in the
17th century. He believed it was wrong that the
Royal College of Physicians could set the price
of what it cost to see a doctor because it meant
that most people could never see one. He worked
and lived in Spitalfields and was the first to put
forward the idea that healthcare ought be free
as a human right. He treated 40 people a day
for free and translated medical books from Latin
into English so that anyone could read them. His
generous and radical spirit embodies the best of
the East End.
East End in a word?
Resourcefulness.
spitalfieldslife.com
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LOVEEAST FEBRUARY 2016 7
East London makers
out of its mould (see picture,
below).
Despite the foundry's glittering
clientele, which reads like a
Who's Who of the world's most
celebrated artists (Tracy Emin,
Anish Kapoor, Antony Gormley
to name a few), Jerry Hughes,
the foundry’s manager, is
refreshingly down to earth. He
has run the place with Henry
Abercrombie, the foundry's MD,
since 1992 and is unfazed by
the artworks that surround him.
Jerry introduces us to bronze
casting – a craft that dates back
thousands of years – and in
particular “lost wax casting”.
Once the artist's idea has
materialised into a model, a
mould is made from its shape.
The inside of the mould is then
covered with molten wax, and
once cooled and hardened, the
wax copy of the original model
is removed from the mould (see
below).
Gary Hume's snowman
Christine Preisig takes a tour of the
AB Fine Art Foundry
The corridors of this beautiful
Victorian warehouse and former
dog biscuit factory, are lined
with bizarrely shaped moulds.
In one huge room Gary Hume's
shiny silver snowman sits
forlornly in a dusty corner
awaiting restoration. Pieces of
an enormous pumpkin by Yayoi
8 LOVEEAST
Kusama are ready to be welded
together, and Gavin Turk's Self
Portrait bronze statue is draped
in cloth, restoration complete,
waiting to be collected.
In another room, American
filmmaker and artist Philip Haas
watches as his double-faced
Francis Bacon wax cast is taken
Wax copy of Philip Haas's Francis
Bacon sculpture
East London makers
Next, a system of wax tubes,
which provide ducts for pouring
the metal during casting, are
attached to the outside of the
wax copy. The copy with its
tubes is then dipped into a
slurry of silica and covered with
a sand-like crystalline silica.
When heated in the kiln, the
wax copy melts. More heat is
added and the combination
of slurry and grit transforms
into a ceramic material that
withstands the heat and
pressure of molten metal.
The molten metal – bronze
mostly – is then heated and
poured into the ceramic shell,
filling the space left by the wax
(hence “lost wax casting”). The
next day, the cast is released
and the sculpture receives the
finishing touches.
Every step in the process
requires a great deal of skill,
and that's evident in the 20 or
so employees who work there.
Some are artists themselves
and most of them have been to
art school.
It was great to see so many
skilled people at work, and
there was a warm, family-like
atmosphere at the foundry. But
there was also a bit of magic in
the air.
It was a privilege to witness the
skill that brings great sculptures
to life, and to see the finished
artworks in all their glory.
abfineart.com
Gavin Turk's Self-Portrait
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LOVEEAST FEBRUARY 2016 9
What's on in February
MON TUES WEDS
Weekly
8.10pm: Hatha
yoga, Victoria Park
Community Centre,
Gore Road, E9. Nadia
missbocheva@gmail.
com
1
11am-6pm Whitechapel
Gallery's Electronic
Superhighway
exhibition. £11.95.
8
Aromatherapy,
manicures and more.
VP Community Centre.
£5. Email Christine
for appointment
chrchaffin@hotmail.com
15
10am-12.30pm. Bird
Box-making for kids,
Victoria Park. Book:
joelle.copeland@
towerhamlets.gov.uk
15
7-11pm. Dancing Years
play at the Moth Club.
£8 adv. mothclub.co.uk
22
12pm-11pm. London
Beer Week, Old
Truman Brewery. £10.
designmynight.com
29
1pm. Take part in the
world's biggest youth
music festival. Rich Mix.
Details: mfy.org.uk
10 LOVEEAST
Weekly
Ballet for children at
Hackney Forge. Call
Mafalda on 07550 722
693 for details.
10am-11.30am.
Storytime for under
5s at Victoria Park
Community Centre,
Gore Road, E9. Except
29th. Free.
2
7-10pm. The
Breakfast Club Hoxton
host The Big Breakfast
Club Quiz. £5 entry.
2
11am-1.30pm. Try a
Cooking On A Budget
workshop at St Paul's
Church Hall in Stoke
Newington. Contact
info@bagsoftaste.org
9
6.30-11.30pm. Mussel
Men host Lobster
Tuesday. £30pp for
food, drink & live
music. musselmen.com
9
8pm. Winner of
the Kevin Spacey
Foundation Artists
of Choice Re: Home
begins its run. £12.50.
theyardtheatre.co.uk
16
7.30pm. Junior Boys
play at Oslo Hackney.
oslohackney.com
Weekly
Vinyasa Flow with Zoe.
Text 07972 367663.
Ping Pong fun and
fitness for over 50s,
Dalston CLR James
Library.
4.30-5.30pm. Creative
writing for children,
7-14yrs. Dalston CLR
James library.
10, 17
6-9pm. Cookery
classes for £75 at
e5 Bakehouse. 020
8525 2890 to book.
e5bakehouse.com
10
7.30pm. The 5 star
Edinburgh smash Janis
Joplin: Full Tilt Stratford
East Theatre. £12.
stratfordeast.com
17
10.30am-12.30pm.
Free Coffee morning
at Victoria Park
Community Centre.
17
10am-5pm.
Half-term fun at
raggedschoolmuseum.
org.uk
24
7-10.30pm. What's
Your Poison, a talk
on toxicology and
drinks. £20 early bird.
storiesonbroadway.com
THURS
Weekly
10.30am. Mini Builders
at Shoreditch Library
for under 5s and their
parents. Free.
1pm-3pm. Knitting and
natter at Victoria Park
Community Centre, Gore
Road, E9. Free.
6pm-9pm. Painting
& throwing evenings,
Wonderland
Ceramics. info@
wonderlandceramics.com
4
6-9pm. Pop down to
the Blue exhibition at
the Espacio Gallery
on Bethnal Green
Road, open until 7 Feb.
espaciogallery.com
18
10.15am Playdoh
Imagined Worlds
Workshop, Museum of
Childhood. For kids ages
5-12yrs (w/parent). Book
now, £5. vam.ac.uk/moc
18
February Half Term -
Forest School Holiday
Club. £30 per session.
fothcp.org for info.
25
7.30pm. Electronic pop
artist Rosie Lowe plays
at Oslo Hackney. Tickets
£9 and available at
oslohackney.com
Continued on page 17
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LOVEEAST FEBRUARY 2016 11
Local heroes
The 'Rose Voucher' is
helping to improve the
health of families in need,
says Rhowena MacCuish
Jonathan Pauling, Alexandra Rose Charity (left) with Wayne
Campbell, Ridley Road market manager
In recent years rates of food poverty in London
have skyrocketed, with huge numbers of families
seeking support from the capital's food banks.
At the same time, rates of childhood obesity
continue to rise among the poorest communities.
The Alexandra Rose Charity recognises the
importance of early-age development and
have set up a scheme that provides fruit and
vegetable vouchers to families
receiving benefits and who
have children under the age of
5. The vouchers, worth £3 per
child per week, or £6 if the child
is under a year old, mean that
hard-up parents can keep their
children healthy, avoid obesity
and illnesses related to poor
diet, while helping their kids'
development.
Jonathan Pauling, the charity's
director, has been working
closely with Wayne Campbell,
manager of Ridley Road market, to encourage
more vendors to get on board with the scheme.
As well as at Ridley Road market, the vouchers
can also be redeemed at fruit and veg stalls set
up through East London Food Access. Head to
elfaweb.org.uk for a diary of where and when.
“a great way
to get families
eating fresh fruit
and veg”
"The Rose Vouchers for the Fruit & Veg project
is a great way to get families in Hackney eating
more fresh fruit and veg," says Jonathan,
"while supporting local markets who play
such an important role in promoting a healthy
food culture. We are proud to be working in
partnership with Hackney’s children’s centres,
the markets team at Hackney Council and Food
Matters to deliver the scheme. Over the next year
we hope to expand the project
to support more families. If
you want to help local families
to access healthier food and
avoid food poverty you can
donate through our website.
Most importantly, shop local to
support your fantastic street
markets."
This great charity is working hard
to help the most vulnerable,
with planned expansion into
a number of new children’s
centres and other markets in
Hackney. It hopes that the success of the project
will encourage other areas to take up the scheme
so that more families can be supported to give
their children a healthy start.
Vouchers can be collected at local children's
centres, which also provide a range of health
and wellbeing activities, together with support,
workshops and play groups.
To find out more information head to their website at
alexandrarosecharities.org.uk
12 LOVEEAST
LOVEEAST FEBRUARY 2016 13
Sophie's world
Photo: Claire Lawrie
Sophie at her East End club, Vout-O-Reenee's
Forget Valentine's Day cards, red roses
and expensive restaurants. Spread the
love like Sophie Parkin
February is the month of
Valentines, as if you didn't know,
and should be celebrated... but
differently.
I am sick of watching my
cleverbeautifulsingle friends
consumed by a marketing
ploy that sneers,"if you're so
successful how come you
haven't got, or worse, kept, a
lover? Failure!" So years ago I
started sending anonymous
cards to give them what, hope?
No, love. (Sorry, it was me.)
It's hell for us all, because
apparently if you are lucky
enough to have a lover, you
must buy roses, chocolates and
dinner at a fancy restaurant at
double prices, for one day only.
Each way we're all losers.
Why don't we change the
meaning of a day that excludes
so many, to include everyone?
Make it a day when we
celebrate our ability to love
in the true sense – whoever,
whatever. Don't just declare it
on social media, have a love-in,
tell friends and family, do a
public recital of Walt Whitman's
Leaves of Grass, a love poem to
the Universe.
This year at Vout-o-Reenees
(Saturday,13 February) we're
staging an anti-romance
evening of nudity, comedy
poetry and performance art that
will blast its way into Valentine's.
It's called HUSH. All singles
welcome and I promise to do no
match-making, for one day only.
The next day, the Dutch
husband and I will do the
things we love. This may or
may not include a walk along
the river; a cycle to Pellicci's,
my favourite café; the Bethnal
Green Museum of Childhood
for the dolls houses. Or... a walk
up Brick Lane for a new vintage
hat; to Chez Elles for a Kir
Royale brunch with my grownup
kids and mum, followed by
The Carpenters Arms, Cheshire
Street, for a drink with friends,
and a movie at Rich Mix in
between.
Or we may go for a swim and
before lights out, I'll whisper
one of the poems I wrote to
my husband when we first met,
thereby fitting in all the things I
love most.
So forget about cards this
Valentine's. Fill your day full of
love, with things you love and
people you love. Be happy,
practise random smiles at
strangers, and love yourself in
doing what you love most.
Sophie Parkin is an author and
owner of vout-o-reenees.com
14 LOVEEAST
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LOVEEAST FEBRUARY 2016 15
Acting Bugs
What sort of classes are available?
Acting Bugs sessions introduce pre-school
children and toddlers to the magical world of
drama and storytelling. The classes are designed
so that the parent or carer can join in alongside
the children.
Advertorial
Describe a typical class
Under the umbrella of a story (which could be a
well known classic or one of our devised stories),
we play games, sing songs, role play and use
props and bubbles to bring the stories to life.
Samantha Seager talks to
LoveEast about the great
fun to be had at Acting Bugs
What is Acting Bugs?
Acting Bugs is a drama and storytelling group for
pre-school children and their parents or carers,
using puppets, role play, music and props to bring
stories to life.
What do the kids get most from the classes?
The main thing which many parents comment
on is how their children grow in confidence. It
is also very beneficial for developing focus and
concentration. And all this while having lots of fun.
The parents really have a great time, too. Some
tell me they're so sad when their child goes off to
school or nursery as they can’t come any more!
What else does Acting Bugs do?
Well, if you're looking for a party that will get
your little one's imagination buzzing, while giving
them fun-filled exciting adventures, Acting Bugs
specialises in creating magical parties for children
aged 2–7 years. See our website for more info.
Acting Bugs classes take place every Wednesday
morning during school term time at the Hackney
Forge, 243a Victoria Park Road, London E9 7HD.
actingbugs.co.uk
How did it all come about?
I am an actress and some of you with under 5s
might know me as Bobby from the Cbeebies
series Me Too! I started doing Acting Bugs
sessions in 2012 as I love working with children,
particularly pre-schoolers and toddlers, and have
a passion for play and having fun. When my kids
were younger, I was frustrated with the lack of
creative and imaginative activities we could attend
together. The seed for Acting Bugs had been
planted and now, in 2016, I'm running several
weekly sessions in many locations throughout
East London, including Victoria Park, Clapton and
Stoke Newington.
16 LOVEEAST
What's on in February
FRI SAT SAT SUN
Weekly
8pm-2am. Carnival
party vibes at The Get
Down club night, The
Book Club Shoreditch
wearetbc.com
5
10pm-6am. An evening
of deep house and
techno wth Fred P and
Lakuti at The Pickle
Factory, Oval Space.
£10. ovalspace.co.uk
12
1-2pm The Way to
Wealth for SMEs
powered by Brian Tracy
Delivered by FAB
Consulting Group, Quay
House, Canary Wharf.
bit.ly/22ZM3md
12
7.30pm. Have
some old-fashioned
fun at Valentine's
Games Night. £15.
shoreditchtownhall.com
12, 26
7pm. Fiver Fridays
at Chisenhale Dance
Space, E3. £5 for
5 performances.
chisenhaledancespace.
co.uk
19
10am-12.30pm.
Wildlife Art and Craft
for children and young
people .The Hub
Victoria Park.
Weekly
12.30pm-4.30pm.
Geffrye Explorers.
Various activities. 3-11
years. Free. geffryemuseum.org.uk
10.30am-1pm. Stained
glass-making at St
John at Bethnal Green
(crypt). More details:.
stjohnonbethnalgreen.
org
6
10-12.30pm. Junior
Wildlife Club, Victoria
Park, Under 12s must
be accompanied by
adults. 020 7364 4504
or email victoriapark@
towerhamlets.gov.uk
6
7pm. A Belter For
The Shelter. Hackney
Winter Night Shelter
hosts an evening
of comedy to raise
money for Hackney's
homeless. £10-22.50.
hackneyempire.co.uk
6
9.30-4pm. For A Taste
Of Forest Gardening
workshop, contact Jo at
info@ediblelandscapes
london.org
13
7.30-1am. Hush at
Vout-O-Reenees – the
alternative Valentine's
Night: an evening of
decadent cabaret. £10.
vout-o-reenees.com
Weekly
9.45-1pm. Various
dance classes for ages
2-11yrs at Chisenhale
Dance Space, E3.
£5-6 per class or term
prices available. Book.
chisendaledancespace.
co.uk
Yoga Nest, St
Margaret's House on
Old Ford Rd. £30 for
a 3 lessons. To book,
email agathe.guerrier@
gmail.com
13
11.30-4.30pm.
Celebrate Chinese
New Year at the
Museum of Childhood
with traditional &
modern dancing,
mask & lantern
making, costume and
calligraphy workshops.
vam.ac.uk/moc/
20
10am-1pm. Jumble at
St Joseph's Hospice.
Grab a bargain from
the huge range of
stalls. New clothes,
toys, DVDs or
something for the
kitchen? This jumble
sale has it all. stjh.org.
uk/challenge-event/
jumble-sale-1
20
10-12.30pm. Bird Box
Making for adults. £5.
Book via 020 7364
4504 / victoriapark@
towerhamlets.gov.uk
Weekly
7-10pm. Pop down
to The Marksman on
Hackney Road for their
Sunday Night Music
Sessions.
12-7pm. FREE. Hackney
Wick's Vintage & Retro
Flea Market at The Old
Bath House,
7
10am-5pm.
Introductory Meditation
Day at The London
Buddhist Centre. £30-
40pp. Booking essential
lbc.org.uk
7
10.30pm-3.30am.
Superbowl Sunday at
POND in Dalston. £25
gets you entry, all you
can eat and the first
beer. designmynight.
com
14
Whiskey & Blues Revival
#3 night at The Ace
Hotel's Club Miranda
in Shoreditch. Dinner,
Whiskey and live music
for £35pp. acehotel.com
28
12pm. Jay & Pea
Nearly New Baby
Boutique Market. The
Boiler House, George
Downing Estate,
Cazenove Road, N16
6BE.
LOVEEAST FEBRUARY 2016 17
MON TUES WEDS THURS
1
Hatha yoga, p10
Electronic
Superhighway exhib
p10
2
Cook on a budget, p10
Ballet for kids, p10
Storytime, under 5s, p10
Big Breakfast Club quiz,
p10
3
Vinyasa flow, p10
Ping Pong fun, p10
Creative writing, kids, p10
4
Blue exhib, p10
Mini builders, p10
Knitting/natter, p10
Painting/throwing
p10
8
9
10
11
Hatha yoga, p10
£5 Beauty
treatments, p10
Ballet for kids, p10
Lobster Tuesday, p10
Re-home @ Yard, p10
Janis Joplin: Full Tilt, p10
Ping Pong fun, p10
Vinyasa flow, p10
Creative writing, kids, p10
Cookery classes, p10
Mini builders, p10
Knitting/natter, p10
Painting/throwing
p10
15
Hatha yoga, p10
Bird Box-making for
kids, p10
Dancing Years play,
Moth Club, p10
16
Junior Boys @ Oslo, p10
17
Ragged School Mus, p10
Ping Pong fun, p10
Vinyasa flow, p10
Creative writing, kids, p10
Cookery classes, p10
Coffee morning, p10
18
Playdoh Imagined
Worlds, p10
Mini builders, p10
Painting/throwing, p10
Knitting/natter, p10
Forest club, p10
22
Hatha yoga, p10
23
Ballet for kids, p10
24
Talk: toxicology &
alcohol, p10
25
Electronic pop, p10
London Beer Week,
Old Truman Brew, p10
Vinyasa flow, p10
Ping Pong fun, p10
Mini builders, p10
Painting/throwing, p10
Creative writing for kids,
p10
Knitting/natter, p10
29
Leap day
World's biggest youth
music festival, p10
Art events
General events
Outdoor events
18 LOVEEAST
FRI SAT SUN
5
Carnival party vibes, p17
Networx computer skills at
Victoria Park Comm Centre, E9
House & techno, Oval, p17
12
Fiver Fridays (dance), p17
Carnival party vibes, p17
Way to Wealth for small-medium
businesses, Canary Wharf, p17
Valentine's Games night, p17
19
Carnival party vibes, p17
Wildlife Art & Craft, kids, p17
Networx computer skills at
Victoria Park Comm Centre, E9
26
Carnival party vibes, p17
Networx computer skills at
Victoria Park Comm Centre, E9
Fiver Fridays (dance), p17
6
Forest Gardening, p17
Stained glass-making, p17
Geffrye Explorers, p17
Junior Wildlife Club, p17
Belter for the Shelter, p17
13
Stained glass-making, p17
Geffrye Explorers, p17
Kids' dance classes, p17
Yoga Nest, p17
Alternative Valentine's p17
Chinese NY at MOC, p17
20
Yoga Nest, p19
Kids' dance classes, p17
Geffrye Explorers, p17
Stained glass-making, p17
Bird Box-making for adults, p17
Mega Jumble Sale, p17
27
Yoga Nest, p19
Kids' dance classes, p17
Geffrye Explorers, p17
Stained glass-making, p17
7
Intro to meditation, p17
Live music, Marksman,
p17
Superbowl Sunday, p17
Vintage/retro flea market,
p17
14
Whiskey & Blues, p17
Live music, Marksman,
p17
Vintage/retro flea market,
p17
21
Live music, Marksman,
p17
Vintage/retro flea market,
p17
28
Vintage flea market, p17
Live music, Marksman, p17
Nearly new baby boutique
market, p17
February
LOVEEAST FEBRUARY 2016 19
Faraday School
Europe. Faraday School prides itself on providing
a traditional education in a creative environment
and its unique location at Trinity Buoy Wharf
beside the Thames and the River Lea offers a
multitude of opportunities to learn and play.
After-school clubs this term include sewing, chess,
choir, guitar, karate, coding, drawing, dance,
Mandarin and cooking, to name just a few. Nearly
half the school takes advantage of the school bus
service, using 18 different stops, including south
of the river.
Advertorial
Faraday School's riverside
location is just one of many
great things to shout about,
writes Emily Sutton
Faraday Prep School has another exciting term
ahead, packed with fun events, educational treats,
and impressive outings.
The year kick-starts with a welcome back disco,
a football tournament against another local
school and visits to the British Museum. On World
Book Day in March, pupils will dress up as their
favourite fictional character and later in the term
the PTA will be holding a film night. Science week
looks set to be a blast (quite literally) and the
annual art exhibition will showcase all pupils’ work
throughout the school. This year the school hopes
to strengthen its links with the neighbouring Royal
Drawing School by inviting a senior lecturer to
judge their pupils' creativity.
Faraday aims to have small classes to ensure
all pupils receive individual attention. As a small
school, children socialise across year groups
and learn from each other during clubs and
assemblies. It is this nurturing environment that
particularly appeals to parents.
"The school has given my son the brilliant start
that I had hoped for," says parent Geeta Kasanga.
"The teachers are superb and very professional.
They have absolutely identified, understood and
appreciated his learning style. The head teacher
is not only approachable, but under her guidance
the school thrives as a small, flourishing and
supportive community. I highly recommend this
amazing gem of a school."
To find out more or to book a place on an open day,
visit faradayschool.co.uk, or call 020 7719 9342.
Faraday School, Old Gate House, 7 Trinity Buoy
Wharf, E14 0FH.
In the curriculum, Faraday follows the Core
Knowledge approach. In the spring term, the
lower school will be learning about, amongst
other things, the seven continents, prime
ministers, the weather and the Impressionists.
Meanwhile the upper school will be studying
a wide range of topics, including poetry, data
collection, electricity, the Stuarts and Eastern
20 LOVEEAST
LOVEEAST FEBRUARY 2016 21
What to do
Stories
Storytime for the under 5s at Victoria Park
Community Centre every Tuesday from 10am to
11.30am. 5 Gore Road, E9. FREE.
Fourth Tuesday of each month, Chatterbooks
reading group for 8-12yrs, quizzes, competitions,
prizes. Dalston CLR James Library.
Building
Free Mini Builders at Shoreditch Library for under
5s and parents.
Museums
Free drop-in activities every day at The Museum
of Childhood, including arts and crafts, tours, trails
and storytelling. For ages 3-12 years. Cambridge
Heath Road, E2. Plus: check out p24 for this
month's extra activities.
There's always something interesting happening
at the Ragged School Museum, 46-50 Copperfield
Road, E3.
Want to be a Geffrye Explorer? There is lots of fun
to be had between 12.30pm and 4.30pm every
Saturday at geffrye-museum.org.uk
Cinema
Hackney Picturehouse Kids’ Club is for ages
3-12 years. picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_
Picturehouse
Swimming
London Fields Lido offer swimming lessons and
they’ve started giving stages 3-8 swimming classes
again. Go to betterlessons.org.uk for details and
booking. Plus of course, there's Mile End Leisure
Centre, York Hall in Bethnal Green and the
gorgeous Aquatics Centre, QE Olympic Park.
New Year resolution
fail? Let us help you
get back on track
Farms
At city farms in Hackney, Stepney, Spitalfields
and Mudchute you can introduce your kids to
the pongs and pleasures of real farm animals.
Stepney City Farm has a great café, as well as
a farmers’ market every Saturday from 10am-
3pm. stepneycityfarm.org, hackneycityfarm.co.uk,
spitalfieldscityfarm.org, mudchute.org
Check out the websites for events.
Personal training with Michelle Crawford
Children welcome if you can't get childcare
Fighting Fit Studio, 15 Bow Wharf, E3 5SN
michellept.wordpress.com
07805 612127
Children's Centres
Wentworth on Cassland Road (wentworth.
hackney.sch.uk), Gainsborough on Berkshire Road
(gainsborough.hackney.sch.uk/childrens-centre),
and Morningside on Chatham Place (morningside.
hackney.sch.uk/childrens-centre). Meath Gardens
Children's Centre, 1 Smart Street, E2; Mile End
Leisure Centre, The One O'Clock Club (Vicky Park
22 LOVEEAST
with the kids
near boating lake); Overland Children's Centre, 60
Parnell Road, E3.
Yoga for babies...
Baby-focused classes using massage, classical
yoga postures, stretches and balances adapted
to their stage of growth. Fridays, Royal Inn on the
Park, E9.10.45am-11.45am. £6.50. Karen: firsttouchmassage@hotmail.co.uk,
07902 227 669.
Yoga for babies... and their mums
Yoga for Mums and Babies, every Tuesday
at 10.15am with tea and biscuits afterwards.
Hackney Forge, E9. 07958 645 978 or email
clare@clareday-yoga.co.uk
Dancing
Wiggly Jigglers at Rich Mix. Creative movement for
0-2yrs. Call 020 7613 7498 to book.
There’s ballet for children at the Hackney Forge
on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Call Mafalda
on 07550 722 693 for details and check out
mafaldaballetblog.blogspot.com
Also at the Hackney Forge you’ll find Saturday
Street Dance and Musical Theatre classes. 12
noon-1pm, 1.15pm-2.15pm and 2.30-3.30pm, Call
Lisa on 07985 945 335 for details.
Activity times may change, so please do check on
times/availability via the websites or phone numbers
provided.
Singing
Angel Voices, tunes for toddlers. Tuesdays,
9.45am-11am in term-time at St. Michael’s and All
Angels in London Fields. No charge but donations
welcome. Call Connie on 07830 349 362.
Theatre
Hackney Children’s Theatre situated in 700-yearold
St John at Hackney church, hosts monthly
performances for kids and their families. facebook.
com/hackneychildrenstheatre
Award winning classes for 0-5 yrs
Acting
Diddy Bugs. Try Hackney Forge on a Wednesday
morning. Cbeebies actress Samantha Seager runs
acting classes for little tots. actingbugs.co.uk
Music
Piccolo music for babies and toddlers, Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays in the V&A building
in Victoria Park. Toddler class 10am, baby class
11am. Just drop in. Stefanie, 07708 451 314.
Suzuki Hub runs music lessons for kids (violin,
viola, cello, flute). Suzuki Hub, 116 Weymouth
Terrace, E2 8LR. suzukihub.com
At Gymboree our focus is on encouraging
and nurturing your baby in every aspect of their
development, with you right by their side. We
offer a variety of fun and sensory led
classes from newborn to 5years.
Gymboree classes are designed by experts
in early childhood development to
help young children learn as they play.
Book your FREE trial class today!
Gymboree Bethnal Green
bethnalgreen@gymboree-uk.com
020 7537 2901 / 07966 227583
59-61 Roman Road, London, E2 0QN
gymboree-uk.com
LOVEEAST FEBRUARY 2016 23
Culture corner
Museum of Childhood
On Saturday, 13 February why not celebrate
Chinese New Year at the museum with
traditional and modern instrumental and
dance performances. Free activities including
Chinese opera mask and lantern-making, as
well as costume and calligraphy workshops.
Also on 13 February London Children’s Book
swap returns for the 5th year running. Bring
your old books to trade for another person’s
favourite read. Plus, there's a book-making
drop-in with the London Centre for Book Arts.
The literature of love
“Love is a better teacher than duty,” said Albert
Einstein, showing himself to be a genius on
matters more extensive than simply science.
A well written love story or poem might prove
to be the best learning tool of all, giving one
the experience of falling in love without the
accompanying discomfort or actual heartache.
Here are some of our new(ish) favourites you
might want to consider this Valentine’s Day.
The Big Book of Love by Laurence
and Catherine Anholt. Gorgeous
rhymes all about love which can
be shared with the whole family.
The Color of
Love by Suzy Taylor. A new
colouring book but this time with
a seasonal theme, and with tearout
pages which can be used to
spell any words you like
Play-Doh, Victoria & Albert Museum, London
To mark 60 years since the launch of Play-
Doh, one of the most enduring of childhood
products, the museum explores the squish,
squash and squelch of the plastic arts with
a range of free family-friendly drop-ins. Plus,
there’s a great choice of workshops: Play-Doh
Story Modelling (4-8yrs, 15-19 February); Play-
Doh Animation (5-12yrs, 15-17 February) and
Play-Doh Imagined Worlds (5-12yrs, 18-19 Feb.
All workshops cost £5 per child (with parent/
carer). To check the times and book one of the
workshops (places are limited) visit the website.
V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath
Road, E2 9PA. For full details on all events visit
vam.ac.uk/moc/whatson
Love is my Favourite Thing;
A Plumdog Story by Emma
Chichester Clark. Children’s book
author and illustrator has turned
her hand to something graphic
to appeal to everybody, including
the family dog.
A Little, Aloud With Love by Angela
Macmillan. Anthology of poems
and prose from the Reader
Organisation to be read aloud,
covering every conceivable kind
of love. Includes work from
Auden, Murakami, Whitman.
The Pursuit of Love, and Love in a
Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford.
Reissues, with beautiful new
covers from Penguin, of the two
wittiest and most moving novels
on love and loving probably ever
written in the English language.
Jo de Guia, storyhabit.co.uk
24 LOVEEAST
Local heroes
Inspiring children to read is a hugely rewarding experience,
says Beanstalk volunteer Tristan Hill
"Don't tell me, don't tell me".
These were the words of one of
the children I worked with this
year and spoken with the huge
passion of someone who didn't
want to be defeated.
He was making a stab at
pronouncing a complicated
word from a Roald Dahl story.
For much of the year, he was
the least committed, and the
most disruptive of the three
children I worked with. He
would do everything he could
to avoid anything, so it made it
all the more rewarding when he
expressed such determination.
Choosing to do voluntary
work sometimes comes with a
vested interest. Many people
don’t quite believe me when I
tell them that I struggled with
reading and comprehension
at school, but it was this that
prompted me to volunteer
with Beanstalk after hearing
about them through an Evening
Standard campaign.
Beanstalk provide volunteers
with in-depth training, and
on-going support, as well as a
box full of books and games.
From then on it's is up to
each volunteer to be creative
and to capture the children's
imagination.
One contribution I made was to
show them an illustrated book
of ballet stories. This captivated
one child and drew out her
genuine passion for dance.
Volunteers work individually
with each child, and away from
the demands of the school
curriculum. While an integral
part of volunteering is to help
them to improve their reading,
there is no pressure on the
children to meet targets. A
30-minute session is about
creating a space where they can
express themselves through
talking and interacting with the
volunteer, as well as developing
ways to interact and socialise
with others.
It's challenging at times, but
seeing the children grow in
confidence, as well as develop in
the classroom, has made it the
most rewarding experience of
my life so far. That’s quite a bold
statement, I realise, but so true.
Beanstalk is a national literacy
charity which places volunteers
in local primary schools to help
children who have fallen behind
with their reading. They currently
work in a number of schools in
Hackney and Tower Hamlets and
need more reading helpers.
To find out more about
volunteering opportunities visit the
website beanstalkcharity.org.uk
or call 020 7749 7965.
LOVEEAST FEBRUARY 2016 25
Fitness
you will fail occasionally but that doesn’t mean
you will not succeed in the end.
Enjoy a drink
Here we are talking quality not quantity. Enjoy one
glass of a nice wine (or beer) rather than chug a
bottle of something cheap and nasty. It means
you drink less and perhaps enjoy it more.
Take a photo of yourself in your underwear
Take a picture and then – depending on your
confidence and living arrangements – either tuck
it away somewhere private or print it out and
stick it on the bedroom mirror. Research in Spain
found that those who took regular pictures found
it hugely motivating because they could literally
see the changes in the body.
Sign up for the Hackney half-marathon
If you need a goal to help drive your training, sign
up for the Hackney Half on Sunday, 8 May. There
are plenty of running plans online (Bupa do great,
free ones). If you are looking for a good cause,
St Joseph's Hospice, on Mare Street, are building
a team for the day. You can apply for a place
through their website, stjh.org.uk/hackney or sign
up at runhackney.com
Roger Love, personal
trainer, gives some tips on
how to keep your new year
of fitness going
As the weather closes in and the demands of
work and family chase away your New Year
resolve, it’s time for you to dig in and consolidate
your 2016 health regime. Here are six ideas to
help you.
Don’t beat yourself up
If you miss a workout or let a sneaky drink pull
you off the wagon of dry January, don’t be too
hard on yourself – and don’t give up. Accept that
Set a new goal
Your first goal was to train once a week. Now,
you can set a new one. It could be a specific
outcome, say to lose 3cm off your waist, or to add
a second session. To try something different, how
about a visit to Mile End Climbing Wall, afterdark
swimming at the Lido, or badminton at the
Britannia Leisure Centre?
Improve your sleep
Lack of sleep can affect hormones and that could
interfere with the weight loss process and make
you crave higher-calorie foods. You can track your
sleep with a fitness monitor that you wear – and
start to make changes by keeping your room cool
and turning off your phone (or put it on airplane
mode). Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep.
Roger Love is a personal trainer based in Netil House,
Hackney.
hackneypt.com
26 LOVEEAST
Drama and story-telling
classes for under 5s
Has your little one
got the acting bug?
Join Sam Seager
(Bobby from Cbeebies
Me Too!) and her team
First class is FREE
Come explore one
of Hackney’s last
independent high streets
Market every Sunday 11-4
Shops, bars and restaurants
7 days
chatsworthroade5.co.uk
Homerton overground | E5 0LS
Every Wednesday morning at
Hackney Forge, 243a Victoria
Park Road, E9 7HD
Email Sam at info@actingbugs.co.uk and
get your child's imagination buzzing
www.actingbugs.co.uk
Your safety is
our concern
The most comprehensive lock-based service available
www.empiresecuritylondon.com 020 8986 7921
8-20 Well Street, London, E9 7PX
LOVEEAST FEBRUARY 2016 27
Eating in
Valentine's French toast with caramelised pecans
and orange sauce – for two, of course
Thickly slice the brioche and
get your ice cream out of the
freezer.
Turn the brioche in the egg
mixture until each piece is
completely covered.
Heat a little butter in your
frying pan on a medium-high
heat then fry them on both
sides until you have a perfectly
caramelised finish.
Illustration: rachelgale.com
To top it off, get yourself a big
scoop of smooth vanilla ice
cream, stack everything on a
plate and recklessly top it with
the crunchy pecans and your
mouthwatering orange sauce.
Patrick Drake
the60secondlife.com
This is a perfectly delicious dish
for a Valentine's Day breakfast
or brunch. Let's face it, it isn't
going to compliment your New
Year regime, but who cares? If
you want to treat yourself and
your lover to something tasty
and decadent, this will push all
the right buttons.
Ingredients (for two)
1 large orange
1½ tbsp butter
2 tbsp runny honey
3 free range eggs (preferably
organic)
½tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp pecan nuts
4 thick slices of brioche bread
¼ tsp of sea salt flakes
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
Method
For this ludicrously tasty French
toast, zest half an orange into
a pan then squeeze in all of its
juice. Bring it to a gentle bubble
on a medium low heat, then add
1 tbsp of butter and 1 tbsp of
honey before you reduce it to a
beautifully thick syrup.
Once it is thick remove it from
the heat.
Crack and whisk a few eggs in
a bowl before adding ground
cinnamon and a pinch of salt.
Cook your pecans in the
remaining butter on a medium
heat for a few minutes, together
with the remaining honey and a
pinch of salt. Then, when they're
golden, let them cool down.
Patrick Drake is the creator of
the online cookery course The 60
Second Chef and co-founder and
Head Chef of HelloFresh.
LoveEast Reader Offer
Patrick is offering LoveEast
readers 40% off the price
of his full 60-Second Chef
cookery course. To get your
discount, just quote CHEF40
when you make your
purchase at:
the60secondlife.com
28 LOVEEAST
Eating out
Saray Broadway Café
We’re still in the bleak winter. It’s cold, there’s
been some snow and those post-Christmas blues
are still hanging around, but the good news is
we’re out of "dry January".
Who does that? It’s never made sense to me to
give up stuff in the hardest months of the year
and then to bore everyone with it as well. At
least I had the decency to start my regime during
September. This is the time for comfort and
familiarity to tuck yourself in and keep it simple
and local. What could be nicer than a quick walk
to a local café for a straightforward, inexpensive,
no fuss breakfast or an OAP-loved lunch? These
cafés are a local amenity for all of us.
The Saray Broadway Café is just this sort of place.
It’s been along Broadway Market for an age, with
easy-wipe surfaces and those tables and chairs
that are built as one unit. It contains no irony and
it could be anywhere in the UK. Brilliant.
If you haven't been there you'll know it from the
front window attraction, where fresh spinach
and cheese Turkish flatbreads, also known as
Gozleme, are cooked before you in a little wooden
cubicle in the front window.
When you wedge yourself in you'll be able to
check out the street view through the large
windows, but it's inside where the real action
happens. School kids, builders, locals, OAPs,
workers, we're all In there, in the know and
enjoying a cuppa and contentment.
This isn’t fine dining; there's nothing fancy. It’s
what you’d expect, and that's the virtue. We all
have a moment when there's nothing better than
a greasy spoon. I had beautifully fried eggs, soft
and perfectly round by being cooked in those
rings, along with a generous portion of crispy
bacon with mushrooms. They even had fried
bread. Where else are you going to get that and a
gammon served with a pineapple ring? One of my
Granny's favourite meals.
The service is forthcoming and gracious, setting
the tone for the easy atmosphere and good times.
We paid £13 for our three breakfasts.
Susan Birtwistle
Saray Broadway Cafe
58 Broadway Market, E8 4QJ
LOVEEAST FEBRUARY 2016 29
Legal eagle
argument. They are not able to give detailed legal
advice but legally trained mediators can give
general guidance on the law and how the courts
approach the matter.
The main advantage is that issues are resolved
out of court, which invariably means that it's far
less stressful, more cost-effective and produces
results that the couple agree on. That makes for a
much better outcome.
The process is particularly useful when there
are children involved, and some mediators
are specifically trained to involve the children
themselves in the mediation process, and this can
be very effective.
Mediation is not suitable for some cases, for
example where there is domestic abuse.
At TV Edwards both Denise Ingamells and I are
accredited mediators. Our success rate is very
high in helping separating couples to reach an
agreement, even those who initially had great
difficulty speaking to each other.
Advertorial
Divorce is difficult in any
circumstance, but mediation
helps to ease the process,
explains David Emmerson
Mediation is the most effective, quickest and
cheapest way of resolving issues concerning
children, finance, divorce and separation.
It's a process by which the couple meet with the
mediator – usually in the same room but not
always – and talk through their views, feelings
and proposals in order to resolve issues.
The mediators use their skills and training
to encourage discussion and to make sure
everybody has a voice.
Mediators are skilled at dealing with a couple's
power balance and they ensure that each party
knows and understands the relevance of every
If you feel that mediation is something you would
like to pursue, then please do call us. We will find
out whether it is suitable for your situation, as
well as talking to you about what the issues might
be. A separate meeting will then be arranged to
explain the process. If it is decided that mediation
is suitable, the first session is arranged. At
that point the agenda is set and any financial
disclosure, valuations and other necessary
preparation is planned.
Mediation sessions can last up to 90 minutes and
many disputes are resolved after two to three
sessions.
For advice or further information, please
contact David Emmerson on 0203 440
8089 (david.emmerson@tvedwards.com), or
Denise Ingamells on 020 3440 8087 (denise.
ingamells@tvedwards.com).
tvedwards.com, 35-37 Mile End Road
London, E1 4TP.
30 LOVEEAST
Wellbeing
Critical analysis – the ability to challenge your
assumptions.
Review – an ability to pause and to ask "What
would I do differently next time and why? How
will I do it and how will that give me the outcome
I want?"
New learning – an ability to learn about yourself
from experiences (your potential and areas for
improvement), rather than seeing yourself or
others as a failure.
Advertorial
Make a little time each day
to reflect, says life coach
Karen Liebenguth
We usually talk about picking up bad habits, but
here’s a good habit to pick up – regular reflection.
Reflection can be a very empowering process. It
can help you to make sense of your day – to come
to decisions, to set a course of action and to step
away from the "autopilot" that is the habit for
many of us.
As we move into 2016, a good starting point is
to reflect on the intentions you set for the new
year, giving you a chance to track progress and
to follow through rather than falling back into old
patterns.
Preparing a reflection skills toolkit
Reflection requires a number of skills which can
easily be developed:
Self-awareness – an ability to pause, to pay
attention to thoughts and feelings and to question
yourself without judgement. This will help you to
become aware of your habitual ways of thinking
and behaving in any given situation.
Non-judgement – it's important to be able to
describe / recall situations neutrally.
Reflection tips
1. Give yourself at least 10-15 minutes for regular
reflection, in a place where you feel at ease and
at a time that suits you best (when your mind is
open and alert). I like to reflect while walking in
Victoria Park or during a weekend hike. Others
reflect during a long soak in the bath.
2. Switch off all background noise – radio, TV, your
phone – to create the best conditions to clarify
your intentions and to help you verbalise your
thoughts and feelings.
3. Capture your reflections in a notebook.
Between Christmas and New Year I used these
tools to reflect on the past year. It helped me to
gain clarity about what worked and what didn’t
work so well in 2015.
These tools can be applied to anything, big or
small. They will add depth to how you live your
life, rendering it more satisfying and meaningful
as a result.
Karen Liebenguth offers 1:1 coaching while
walking in Victoria Park, 1:1 mindfulness
training & courses for the workplace &
mindfulness for stress and chronic pain.
To book a free taster coaching session email
karen@greenspacecoaching.com or call
07815 591279. For more information visit
greenspacecoaching.com
LOVEEAST FEBRUARY 2016 31
History hangout
beneath the summit at the north-western tip of
Springfield Park. In the British Museum there is a
Roman sarcophagus that was found last century
in the immediate vicinity, so we know that the
Romans were present there.
Having marched with his legions all the way to
Anglesey, Governor Paulinus left his southern
strongholds unchallenged to the ravages of
Queen Boudicca, accompanied by her own Iceni
tribe from Norfolk and the Trinovantes tribes from
Essex. It was a most unfortunate coincidence. She
wasn't defending the religious Druids, she was
claiming back her royal inheritance.
Stephen Selby investigates
the mystery of Blood House
In 60 or 61AD the Roman governor of Britain,
Gaius Suetonius Paulinus, with the approval of
Emperor Nero, set about to annihilate every single
Druid, man woman and child. Only in Anglesey did
the remaining Druids escape death by sailing to
Dublin for safety.
Here in Hackney we have our own possible
connection to the Druids in the form of caves
beneath the legendary ancient burial mound in
Springfield Park. It is believed by many historians
that places named as "spring" and "well" were
linked to the Druids. Julius Caesar called these
cave-dwelling priests the Cavernii when he first
encountered them in Kent in BC54.
There is a rather grizzly 1786 map reference
to “The Blood House”, where Springfield Park
overlooks the vast Lea valley. Could nearby
Moundfield Road be a link to the mass execution
of the local Druids?
Two of my dowsing colleagues specialise in
identifying Druid burial locations in Britain and are
certain that there was a Druid temple complex
Boudicca and her tribal armies first destroyed
the major Roman military base at Colchester.
Next, she burnt London, killing 70,000, and then
ordered the destruction of St Albans. Paulinus
had made a great error of judgement by being
absent. These military and civilian massacres were
a major setback for Rome. According to Tacitus
the famous Roman chronicler, Boudicca’s victory
was only temporary. After annihilating the Druids
across the entire country, the disciplined Roman
legions encountered the celebrating tribes in
the south, somewhere along Watling Street. The
Romans then massacred their adversaries; Queen
Boudicca was eventually pronounced dead.
Thus Paulinus provoked two of the most bloody
events under the Roman occupation; the
countless murders of the Druids, and Boudicca's
own revenge.
Was this "Blood House" named after the
massacre of Druid cave-dwellers from Springfield
Park? This pinnacle is located on what is now
Moundfield Road – just a hundred yards from
the possible temple complex. As the Druids did
not fight the Romans, it leaves us to conclude
that they were perhaps lined up like sheep to
the slaughter. Dowsing over the whole area, at
all times with witnesses, there are the possible
remains of literally hundreds of human corpses
beneath this high mound.
Next month: Shoreditch and its ancient Holywell
Mound.
32 LOVEEAST
Letterbox Listings
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If you would like to take out a small ad
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LOVEEAST FEBRUARY 2016 33
Useful numbers
Police
Emergency 999
Non-emergency 101
Safer Neighbourhood 020 8721 2937
Utilities
Gas - emergency 0800 111 999
Electrical - power loss 0800 404090
Thames Water 0872 435 5973
Health
NHS Direct 111
Homerton Hospital 020 8510 5555
Royal London Hospital 020 7377 7000
Clockwork Pharmacy 020 8985 1717
Borno Pharmacy 020 8981 0600
Hackney Council numbers
General number 020 8356 3000
Council tax enquiries 020 8356 3154
Parking enquiries 020 8356 8877
Waste removal 020 8356 6688
Tower Hamlets Council numbers
General number 020 7364 5020
Council tax enquiries 020 7364 5002
Parking enquiries 020 7364 5003
Waste removal 020 7364 5004
Local councillors/MP
Local councillors (Victoria) 020 8356 3373
MP (Meg Hillier) 020 7219 5325
Library
Hackney Central Library 020 8356 4358
Bethnal Green Library 020 7364 3492
Victoria Park
Park Services (24/7) 020 8985 5699
Victoria Park rangers 020 7364 4172
Travel
National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950
Congestion Charge 0343 222 2222
Transport for London 0343 222 1234
Vet
Goddard's, Well Street 020 8986 3918
PDSA, Bow 020 8980 5011
Wanstead Veterinary 020 8989 7744
Hospital
The Hackney Vet 020 8533 6554
LoveEast is proud
to support local
businesses. If
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seeing their
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on these pages,
please mention it
to them when you call.
Why advertise with us?
Every month the magazine is delivered to
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well as to local shops, restaurants and cafés in
Victoria Park, Hackney Wick, Broadway Market
and Roman Road. Readership runs into many
thousands more (between 25,000-30,000).
The magazine is full of great articles and
essential information and is a handy guide
to local businesses and services, as well as
giving details about what’s on in the area. It’s
something to keep through the month and
is unlikely to go in the recyle bin along with
doordrop leaflets. It's therefore a very effective
way to promote your business to a targeted,
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If you would like to advertise, please contact
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34 LOVEEAST
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