Village Raw - ISSUE 15

FEBRUARY TO APRIL 2022
FREE
VILLAGE RAW
STORIES FROM CROUCH END, EAST FINCHLEY, HIGHGATE, MUSWELL HILL AND SURROUNDING AREAS
Inside the Shepherd’s Cottage: A 17th century Highgate house / Upstairs at the Gatehouse: A look at
Highgate’s fringe theatre / Space to Throw: Ceramics studios offering courses / Right Up My Street: How to set
up a street party / Fill ‘Er Up: The zero waste refill scene / Getting to Know: Rapper and artist TaliaBle.

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CONTENTS
VILLAGE NOTICEBOARD
New openings in the area.
UPSTAIRS AT
THE GATEHOUSE
A look at Highgate’s
fringe theatre.
GETTING TO KNOW
The poetry and music of
rapper and artist TaliaBle.
FROM PAINT TO PRINT
How lockdown closures
led an 81-year-old to a
new career.
EDITORIAL
Welcome to the 15th issue of Village Raw. It feels over the last two years that
even the magazine has had to self-isolate, but we are hopeful that 2022 will see
us out and about in the community once again. We’ve already heard murmurings of
various exciting plans that locals and businesses are formulating for this year and
we’re looking forward to discussing them in future issues, and through our social
media channels @villageraw
So, as we enter another period of regrouping and rebuilding, we wanted to look
at some of the community opportunities that might help us take those tentative
steps forward with our fingers firmly crossed. Over the various lockdowns many
streets in the area began active WhatsApp groups so how about taking it to the
next level with a street party? And one of the things that really took off during the
lockdowns was home deliveries - so why not get the plastic packaging under control
by checking out the local zero plastic shopping options. If you fancy getting
your hands dirty why not look into the local ceramics studios offering space to
work. And if you really want to follow up on a newly instilled love of nature check out
The Local Nature project. We also meet an 81-year old who began a new lockdown
career; talk to poet, rapper and artist TaliaBle; visit the 17th century Shepherd’s
Cottage (check out the planning application!); and Ola offers up some tips on how
to focus our minds.
Luciane and David
hello@villageraw.com / www.villageraw.com
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SPACE TO THROW
Local ceramics studios
offering courses.
INSIDE THE
SHEPHERD’S COTTAGE
Inside a 17th century
Highgate house.
EDITORS
Luciane Pisani
David Reeve
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Luciane Pisani for Studio Moe
COPY EDITOR
Julie Tang-Evans
Designed and published by Studio Moe Ltd.
© 2022 Studio Moe Ltd. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of any contents of Village Raw
magazine without prior permission of the
publisher is strictly prohibited.
By subscribing you’ll not only be supporting Village Raw,
but the community as well. You’ll also receive the magazine
delivered to your door every three months.
www.villageraw.com
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RIGHT UP MY STREET
How to set up a community
street party.
UPON MEETING
A FOX (OR TWO)
Launching the On Local
Nature community.
FILL ’ER UP
Exploring the local
zero waste refill scene.
ASK OLA
Refocusing the mind and
dealing with hay fever.
ADVERTISING
hello@villageraw.com
COVER IMAGE
Photo by Dan Bridge.
CONTRIBUTORS
Dan Bridge, Jane Hill, Alex Glebov, Sharon Goldreich,
Mischa Haller, Kate Kuzminova, Antje Lang, Becky
Lima-Matthews, Victoria Meera, Katrina Mirpuri, Ola
Nwakodo, Carla Parks, Casey Reddy, Julie Tang-Evans.
THANKS TO:
Laura Alvarado, Margaret Andrews, Alison Evans,
Wendy Gallagher, Nicola Glantz, Ricky Grimes, Paul
Handley, Tami Jarvis, Lisa Jones, Karen Leason,
Alessandro Lovino, Tallie Maughan, Juliet Munro,
Basil Olton, Zoe Norfolk, Michael Plastiras, John
Plews, Katie Plews, Helen Rogers, Veronika Seifert,
TaliaBle, Stephen Thomas, Jenny Williamson, Terry
Yoshinaga.
PRINTING
Printed in East Finchley by JG Bryson on chlorine
free paper produced by an EU Ecolabel certified
mill from FSC and PEFC regulated forests.
Village Raw February 2022 to April 2022.
Tweet us: twitter.com/VillageRawMag
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Follow us: instagram.com/villageraw
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VILLAGE RAW
VILLAGE NOTICEBOARD
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VILLAGE ALLSORTS
Things to look out for
in the neighbourhood.
Words by Katrina Mirpuri.
1. TEN TO ONE BAR
Tottenham might not spring to mind when
you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy a
cocktail but, since lockdown, north London
natives and drinks aficionados Ant
Buck and Seth Elton decided to take the
plunge and start their own bar. Ten to One
Is located in an old betting shop (hence
the name) situated just a stone’s throw
from West Green Road.
Speaking about the bar’s total transformation
from a fully functioning betting
shop to bar, co-owner Ant said: “Apart from
the electrics and the plumbing, the entirety
of the building was completed by us and
the help of some friends. We took every
piece of rubbish to the dump, knocked
down every wall required, built the kitchen,
toilet and bar - before insulating the entire
venue. It was a lot! There were points at
which we thought we had bitten off more
than we could chew but we have survived
thanks to a loyal customer base.”
On the drinks front they shake up
everything from classic cocktails to house
specials, and they’re always happy to cater
to those who want to go off menu! If
you like what they offer you might want to
consider booking into one of their cocktail
masterclasses where you can learn how to
perfect your favourite tipple.
The space offers a chic yet cosy atmosphere
and is great for date nights or
socialising with friends. Their recently
launched food menu caters for all dietary
requirements and offers a number of
meat, veggie and vegan options. In addition
to this the bar has gradually attracted
foodies after a string of successful supper
clubs - all of which were hosted by talented
local chefs.
Ant explains that community is at the
heart of the bar. “I was raised in Tottenham,
and am so pleased to have been able
to give back to the community in terms of
providing a space that is welcoming with
great drinks, food and entertainment.”
Future plans include showcasing more
upcoming chefs and live music nights!
@tentoonebar
2. TATT CITY
If you have TikTok the chances are you may
have heard of a new tattoo shop in London
that does a £25 deal. Tatt City is Wood
Green’s newest independent tattoo shop
challenging the stereotype of what to expect
from a tattoo “parlour”. It’s lit with a
simple pink neon light and the inside is decorated
brightly with vibrant paint and interiors.
The shop specialises in doing small
dainty designs and the staff are very welcoming
to first timers! @tattcity___
3. THE GREENERY
NATURAL KITCHEN
One of Turnpike Lane’s more recently
opened food spots, The Greenery offers all
day dining, drinks and freshly baked goods.
Its shop window is decorated with an as-
sortment of colourful baked goods and, if
that isn’t enough to lure you in, you’ll be
happy to learn they do a hearty cooked
breakfast that may well come garnished
with edible flowers! As the name suggests,
the eatery focuses on healthy foods with a
sustainable approach. Future plans include
afternoon teas and live music.
@tgnaturalkitchen
4. MAAD BURGER
This plant-based burger restaurant started
its journey as a Wood Green kitchen with
deliveries, becoming so successful over
lockdown that they opened a restaurant in
what used to be Karamel. The owners have
decided to keep the community element to
the space and have plans to continue live
music in the venue. Sustainability is the
driving force behind this business. They
run carbon positive with the help of solar
panels and the restaurant will soon start
growing their own ingredients, such as
micro herbs and veg. @maadldn
5. LE PETIT CAFE N8
This tiny cafe on Wightman Road offers
more than meets the eye. Owner Lloyd
Wilkinson took over a quiet cafe and refurbished
it to become a reliable local during
lockdown. Their rotation of freshly baked
cakes and pastries from local bakers is always
something to look forward to and they
offer a selection of artisan sandwiches and
hot breakfasts if you’re after a meal. When
it’s warmer, the outdoor seating area is
perfect for people watching!
@lepetitcafen8
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VILLAGE RAW
ART & CULTURE
UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE
Harking back to the history and founding family of
Highgate’s award-winning fringe theatre venue.
Words by Sharon Goldreich.
On a chilly winter evening in Highgate village, 60 or 70 people of
diverse ages are toe-tapping and subtly swaying to the rhythms of
blues and jazz, nodding their heads to the more up-tempo swing,
boogie and rock ’n’ roll beats and energetically waving their arms in
synchrony to a calypso number, while gleefully singing “Push Ka Pi
Shi Pie”. It’s as captivating to watch the masked, socially distanced
audience facing us across the traverse stage as it is to take in the
six suave actors, with their smooth choreographed moves and
soulful voices, and brilliant five-piece band performing in this polished
revival of the hit musical Five Guys Named Moe. The joyful
and salubrious atmosphere of a shared theatre event, following the
pandemic lockdowns, is almost tangible.
The intimate setting of Upstairs at the Gatehouse for this latest
production of Five Guys Named Moe, the 1990s jukebox musical
by Clarke Peters, featuring the mid-20th-century music of Louis
Jordan, marks an apt return to its London roots. Scant in dialogue
and ample in song and choreography, the Gatehouse’s staging not
only offers a generous catwalk setting for the dance sequences,
but makes the most of the interactive nature of the show, enhancing
the intimacy between actors and audience.
This production is the latest in a long string of successful musicals
staged by Ovation Productions, the owners of Upstairs at the
Gatehouse. Ovation is the husband-and-wife team John and Katie
Plews - longstanding and familiar residents of Highgate. John - always
colourfully waistcoated - has hosted many diverse acts, as
MC, on the Fair In The Square main stage. Having trained at LAMDA
in technical theatre in the late 60s, John worked as stage manager
at the Theatre Royal Windsor, run by actor, director and theatre
manager John Counsell, from whom he learnt a lot. The seed of his
one day owning a theatre was planted then. Production work for
an international company was followed by John spending nearly
a decade at sea, as entertainment director for major cruise lines.
John and Katie actually met while working on the QE2. Back on dry
land, John subsequently ran three venues for a borough council in
PHOTO COURTESY OF UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE (THIS PAGE) AND BY DARREN BELL (OPPOSITE PAGE).
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VILLAGE RAW
ART & CULTURE
“We get such a kick from
seeing someone in the West
End or a touring production
after we gave them their
first shot”
the 80s before establishing Ovation Productions with Katie in 1985.
They specialised in corporate and other events before resolutely
deciding in the 90s to open a theatre. Following a London-wide
search for a suitable venue, the couple eventually settled on a derelict
space being used as a warehouse above a local pub, acquiring
a lease in 1997 to open a theatre. John and Katie chose the eponymous
name “Upstairs at the Gatehouse” to distinguish it from The
Gatehouse Theatre in Stafford and also to signpost its location
above the well-known pub.
Believed to be Highgate’s oldest pub, The Gatehouse might date
back as far as 1337, according to its 19th-century owners. While records
which commenced in 1552 mention five unnamed licensed
inns in Highgate, The Gatehouse first appears in the 1670 records.
Its famous patrons have included Byron, Dickens and Cruikshank.
The pub’s name derives from the arched gatehouse that stood right
next to it - one of three entrances to the Bishop of London’s Hunting
Park (the other two gates were located at The Spaniards Inn
and in East Finchley) - where travellers wishing to access the Great
North Road were charged tolls. The gatehouse which stood right
on the boundary of two parishes (London and Middlesex) had multiple
uses. When it functioned as a courtroom, a rope divided the
sessions to prevent prisoners from each borough from escaping
to the adjacent authority. Curiously, the boundary remained until
1993 when Haringey and Camden (the new authorities) reached an
agreement to move it a few feet, allowing the building to fall under
one single licensing authority. From 1895 the Highgate Hall - which
now houses the theatre - was used as a music hall, cinema, dance
hall, amateur theatre venue and Masonic lodge, then in the 60s it
functioned as a jazz and folk club where Paul Simon once performed.
Since opening “London’s top theatre” (referencing its location
446 feet above sea level) John and Katie have produced multiple
award-winning successes and were honoured with the Lifetime
Achievement Award at the 2020 London Pub Theatre Awards. From
the start the couple decided - unlike most similar fringe venues
- not to produce new writing but to focus on revivals, particularly
of musicals. They produce the kind of shows they enjoy the most,
John particularly relishing the challenge of adapting big musicals
for a small stage and cast, such as 42nd Street, Anything Goes and
Singin’ in the Rain, for which he insisted on ample rainfall that would
flood the stage every evening. However, John has occasionally
also collaborated with writers on new work, mainly jukebox musicals.
Ovation’s equally important priority is to hire new and young
theatre creatives and give them the experience needed to help
advance their careers. “We get such a kick from seeing someone in
the West End or a touring production after we gave them their first
shot,” Katie says effusively.
The Plews’ love for this theatre is requited by the community
they entertain. The familiarity and camaraderie between the couple
and their audience members is evidenced in the mutually warm
greetings at the door, the couple having known many of them for
decades. The loyalty of their theatregoers became apparent when
the first lockdown was announced and many ticket holders for April
to June shows chose to forego refunds. Moreover, the theatre’s
60 or so patrons, who include pillars of the local community and
known showbiz personalities (the late Victoria Wood was their first
patron), generously donated £30,000. Fortunately, in October 2020
PHOTO BY DARREN BELL (THIS PAGE).
PHOTO BY TIMOTHY KELLY (TOP) AND COURTESY OF UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE (BOTTOM).
the theatre was awarded £56,242 by the government’s cultural recovery
fund, as part of the £1.57 billion rescue package distributed
to over 1300 UK theatre companies and venues. Like all its counterparts,
Upstairs at the Gatehouse continues to suffer losses due to
the pandemic. With some performances cancelled, a drop in ticket
sales as some theatregoers have been reluctant to attend shows,
and the theatre operating at half-capacity when hosting socially
distanced performances, audience numbers have been 40% lower
than usual over the recent Christmas season. Despite the uncertainty,
the Plewses remain steadfast and are focusing on the
spring season which opens on 1 March.
On the subject of being a married production team, Katie and
John almost simultaneously declare: “It works!” John focuses on
directing while Katie produces. Their family is, in fact, a theatre dynasty.
Their daughter Racky, an established director and choreographer,
has worked on West End and international touring productions.
Jessica, her sister, works in WHAM (wigs, hair and make-up)
- also in big productions. The girls learnt the ropes growing up in the
theatre - and seeing John and Katie selling tickets, programmes
and ice cream in lieu of front-of-house staff absent due to Covid,
then going off after the show to do the performers’ laundry, it is obvious
how devoted they are to this remarkable cultural institution
they have created and nurtured.•
For more information visit: www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com
Opening pages: The Gatehouse
c. 1895 (left), 42nd Street.
Opposite page: Singin’ in
the Rain. Above: Five Guys
Named Moe. Bottom: John (front
left) and Katie (front right)
cutting a cake with Victoria
Wood and patrons on 13 January
2002 to celebrate the 1000th
performance at Upstairs at
the Gatehouse.
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VILLAGE RAW
ART & CULTURE
Getting to know TaliaBle
The young multisensory artist with a colourful vision.
Words by Katrina Mirpuri. Photo by Casey Reddy.
22-year-old Tottenham born TaliaBle has
been making music for only two years but her
creative vision and thirst for words encapsulates
north London’s immense DIY scene.
We caught up one evening to talk about all
things music, colour and north London.
Where did you grow up?
I’m from near Bruce Grove and I’ve lived
there all my life. Like my mum has been
there for 40 years or so. I’ve never moved
and this is literally just my home town. I
filmed a recent music video in Broadwater
Farm, so I try and keep it local and I know all
the best places.
What are you studying at university?
Fashion communication. It’s storytelling
through visuals - so editorials, music videos,
film but you can even do sculpture and
illustration so it’s broad. It’s literally just creating
concepts and making it rooted within
fashion. So basically fine art for fashion.
That explains a lot, because your music
comes with visual artistry which is seen
throughout your music video work and
even social media. How did you create the
world of TaliaBle?
I interned for [fashion designer] Charles
Jeffrey and a production company, and I
really enjoyed it when I was there because
I was creating content decks for people’s
ideas and stuff. I like putting briefs together
and building ideas so I started doing that
with my music. People say that social media
isn’t real but it’s so real - and I treat it like a
business. It’s where I get opportunities and
it’s even helped me to build my persona.
Even when I post pictures, there’s a theme
and a certain style - it’s all very fantasy
based. Sometimes when people meet me
they’ll have a preconception that I’m really
boisterous but I’m really not!
I’m in love with overbearing visuals
and I like everything to be on top of each
other and love layers, so everything is kind
of boisterous and in your face. I work with
a bunch of people - usually with my friend
Sam who films my videos and Zack who
does all the CGI.
The music video for Muzzled Butterfly is
very psychedelic. Tell us more about how
you created it?
So there’s one part where I use green
screen and I was crawling on the floor and
that was put into a CGI environment. As
I mentioned before, I like to use layers so
there’s lots of visual layering too. Also with
the lyrics, I explore the area of overthinking
minds - things like anxiety, doubt. That’s
the undercurrent of every theme. I love
surrealist writing and word building.
How long does it take to create a music
video from start to finish?
It can vary. Muzzled Butterfly took two
weeks but it depends who you’re working
with. With Adorn, we filmed the whole video
as a demo, so going to locations and shooting
it as if it’s the real thing, sort of on the
day. The processes change depending on
the circumstance.
When did your creative journey start?
I’ve been making visuals since secondary
school and I’ve always written poetry, and
I’ve always kept diaries. That turned into
more serious poetry then one day I thought
“I’ve gotta make some music.” I never set
out to write lyrics, it’s always just been poetry
for me.
What gets your creativity flowing?
It’s quite basic. I just read poetry or if I feel
an emotion, it stimulates me. Even if a
friend tells me they’re feeling a certain way,
sometimes I will channel their perspective
and write something but it will be in this fantastical
world where their depression could
be a wall. It’s just putting those kinds of
topics in a surreal moving environment that
doesn’t exist but it’s kind of like a dream.
Who are your favourite poets?
I love Caleb Femi. He’s from Peckham and
the way he writes about the ends and estates
is so symbolic and beautiful. He’s
basically a roadman [of road culture] who
writes poetry, and it’s just so amazing - so
he’s one big inspiration at the moment. Kae
Tempest is also a huge inspiration.
Do you have plans to release more music?
For me, the goal is to release new music
every month then hopefully by summer I’ll
have one whole EP. I feel like I’ve been inconsistent
in terms of releasing because I
get caught up. I kind of spread myself thin
sometimes, and I get caught up with the
music and then doing visuals and there’s
not much balance. But I’ve now got like a
backlog of about 20 songs so I’m excited to
push it out one by one.•
For more information check out: @taliable
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VILLAGE RAW
FROM PAINT TO PRINT
How lockdown closures led an 81-year-old to a new career.
Words by Sharon Goldreich.
Giggy & Bab
MADE IN ENGLAND
While the country was plunged into lockdown, Margaret KM Andrews,
aged 81, embarked on her new career as a children’s writer
and illustrator. It all started when her art group, run by the charity
Guideposts, could no longer meet due to the pandemic - yet her
unflagging artistic drive compelled her to keep painting. Her illustration
of a pink hare, gazing longingly at the moon, proved particularly
popular once posted on Facebook. She named the hare Pink
Patsy and promptly reimagined her as the protagonist of a picture
book. She was supported by her daughter Wendy Gallagher who
helped edit the story and they set up their own publishing company,
Magmay Books. The mother-and-daughter team have formed a
prolific creative partnership. Between them they have owned different
shops in Muswell Hill for 40 years, and we meet at Wendy’s
key-cutting business.
It was Wendy’s daughter Jessie who helped inspire the first
story, swiftly turning Pink Patsy into a family preoccupation and
series of books. The four titles released so far, aimed at children
aged 3-6, have garnered enthusiastic responses from kids, parents
and teachers alike for their stunning illustrations, imaginative storylines
and valuable messages, such as caring for others and for
the environment. As well as the bright pink hare, a motley crew of
charming animal characters appears in the stories. There’s Bird, the
green-cheeked conure parrot; Tiger, the wise silver tabby cat; Max,
the brave booted mouse, and other companions - even the sun,
moon, rainbow and flowers have voices.
Besides satiating Margaret’s need to paint on a daily basis,
this project holds particular resonance for Wendy who struggled
with dyslexia as a child. Through her own experiences and while
volunteering at her daughters’ primary school, helping children
with learning difficulties, she became aware of strategies that
help readers follow text more easily. Wendy has implemented such
reader-friendly devices in the books, in the layout of the text on
the page, breaking it down and using different colours to distinguish
between the respective characters’ dialogue. Onomatopoeic
words are bold and printed in different fonts. This sensitivity to the
reader, she hopes, will entice children and provide them with confidence
to follow the text and start reading rather than just being
read to.
With a fifth book - on the theme of counting - awaiting publication
in February and a new lead character, the farm-dwelling Bobby
Blue - “a hare that likes to repair”, about to join the ranks of Patsy
and her friends, there’s no stopping Margaret and Wendy. Pink Patsy
and Bobby Blue soft toys are presently in the making, while the pink
hare continues to capture the hearts of her young readers, and one
cannot fail to be inspired by the passion and mutual admiration her
creators exude.•
The Pink Patsy books are available to purchase from the Muswell Hill Children’s
Bookshop. For online stockists, visit www.magmaybooks.co.uk or email
info@magmaybooks.co.uk.
Meadow
Education
W I T N E S S .
N O U R I S H . G R O W .
Does your child need extra
support in English and/or Maths?
Or, perhaps you want to enquire about
how to prepare for 11+ exams or GCSEs?
Contact us for a free 15 min consultation
to discuss their needs.
We pride ourselves on treating each
student as a whole person who deserves
nurturing and support. We have over 18
years of working with families.
beth@meadow.education
www.meadow.education
www.giggyandbab.co.uk
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VILLAGE RAW
ART & CULTURE
SPACE TO THROW
There is a deep love of ceramics and pottery in the UK, with more
people looking to take up the craft both as hobbyists and artisans.
Words by Becky Lima-Matthews. Photos by Kate Kuzminova.
The long months of lockdown have inspired people to take up
crafts and this winter The Great Pottery Throw Down returned to
our screens. According to the Crafts Council, pottery made up 74%
of crafts bought between 2018 and 2020, and the biggest buyers of
ceramics today are under 35. But people from different age groups
and backgrounds want to come together to learn how to throw. And
all three studios we spoke to have personal experiences and reasons
for sharing their skills with those who want to learn.
Ricky Grimes Ceramics is a studio based behind his home in
Muswell Hill. Ricky is a practising artist and runs classes alongside
his colleague Jenny Williamson. But he started his career in electronics
in Glasgow, before coming down to London in the mid-80s
where he took a job as a baker in Neal’s Yard then later took a City &
Guilds course in pottery which led to him swapping dough for clay.
After working in schools and later in adult education, Grimes set up
his own studio in 2003 to teach ceramics and pottery courses for
adults. “It’s really taken off since then, especially in the last five,
six years,” he explains. “I expanded the studio and allowed for more
wheels. And demand has been very high. Especially now The Great
Pottery Throw Down is back on, so enquiries have spiked again.”
People come to his classes to learn throwing, hand-building and
the studio is also set up for Japanese Raku Firing too.
Raku translates as enjoyment or happiness, and the technique
goes back to the 16th century. It’s a fast-firing technique where
bisque fired pots are dipped in glaze and brought rapidly to temperature
until the surfaces have a shiny orange-yellow glow and
the glaze smoothes out. Then they’re extracted from the kiln with
tongs and covered in leaves and sawdust to build a lustrous and
crackled smoky surface. “You pick up the lid of the kiln and that’s
when everybody always goes ’wow!’. People enjoy it because of its
excitement factor, it’s very visual and immediate.”
Raku is just part of what Ricky Grimes offers and pottery isn’t
just a passing interest for people that come to his studio, and you
only need to peek at his Instagram to see there is plenty of room
to play while you learn, with his pets making the odd appearance
too. “My classes are fun, sometimes people are intimidated by it all
when they first come but I’m quite funny, and I’m very gentle with
people when I’m teaching.”
Making ceramics a more accessible craft was the vision behind
Turning Earth. Founder and creative director Tallie Maughan was
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Opening page: Ricky Grimes in
his studio. This page: Jenny
Williamson at the wheel.

VILLAGE RAW
ART & CULTURE
These pages: Turning Earth Haringey, which opened in January.
inspired by the culture of hobby ceramics in the US when she was
touring the country as a theatre manager. “I was living in the US
from 2009 to 2012 working in theatre, and I realised that there were
community access pottery studios in most cities. They were aimed
at hobbyists, not professionals, and you could come and use them
in your spare time.”
Returning home, Maughan saw an opportunity to shift the culture
to make pottery available to more people through affordable
classes and practice space. “Pottery has always been an inaccessible
craft because it requires you to have the right materials and
someone to fire your work and you also have to understand what
temperature to fire your clay at, and how to make the glaze, etc.
So it has to be curated for you,” she says. “I’d been to a community
college class in Hackney and got two hours a week access
which wasn’t really enough because it takes 10,000 hours to master
something. What you need is to be able to come and go as you
please. Also clay dries in a very specific way, so you need the freedom
to come and check on it.”
The first Turning Earth opened in Hoxton in 2013, operating on a
gym-membership-style pay per month scheme where people had
flexible access up to 15 hours a week with shelf space to store their
materials and projects, as well as access to classes. As the first ceramics
studio of its kind, interest was high from the start, as Maughan
explains. “That was the very first time that it had been done in the
UK. And it was immediately, crazily popular. We quickly got to capacity
which is about 200 users a month, and we ran about seven classes.”
Four years later, Turning E10 opened in Leyton, occupying over
8,000 sq ft of the top floor of an old hardware factory. Today, as
we chat, Maughan is excited about the next chapter in the Turning
Earth story. It’s the first week in January and she’s preparing
to open the doors to new students and members at a brand new
space - Turning Earth N22, based in the Crawley Road industrial estate.
“When I first came back from the US, east London seemed
like the safest place to open up, which turned out to be true. But
I’m from Haringey and I live here, and now enough time has passed
and ceramics is now so ingrained that it seemed the right time to
take a punt and open a large ceramics centre here.” The centre was
opened by Keith Brymer Jones (The Great Pottery Throw Down) and
Mayor of Haringey Adam Jogee in December 2021.
Over in Highgate, artist couple Basil Olton and Veronika Seifert
teach fine art and ceramics courses for children and adults at Highgate
Art School, which came out of their studio HalfaDozen in a shop
on Archway Road - where passersby can see the artistic processes
at work. Basil explains: “The idea of HalfaDozen studio was breaking
that link with the art and process, so the process of making isn’t hidden
because it’s in a shop front - and the art school is on the corner.”
The pair have worked locally for over ten years. They took over
the lease for the studio building in 2016, then opened Highgate Art
School next door in 2018. The studio offers membership at different
price points for artists of all disciplines, and the art school teach-
16 17

VILLAGE RAW
ART & CULTURE
These pages: Basil Olton and students at Highgate Art School.
es children and young people as well as adults. “People in our lessons
are from the local community and they come from all walks of
life, the demographic is quite wide including professionals, working
parents and students (including 6th formers). Young people have
moved on to foundation courses and degree courses, which we help
prepare for because we’re both practising artists and we’ve worked
at the Tate and South London galleries, so we’ve got quite a wide
range of experience.” Olton continues: “We try to create a supportive
environment where ideas can flourish, where you’re free to make
mistakes and it’s all part of the learning process. You should have
an idea of what you want to make, but be flexible in process, which
works out with clay as well because clay itself has its own mind.”
One thing that came up in talking to the different studios in the
area is that learning is a two-way street and that artists are continually
learning. And all three studios have had to rethink how they
operate as the pandemic continues, from reduced class numbers
at Ricky Grimes Ceramics to online courses at Highgate Art School
during lockdown, and crowdfunding at Turning Earth. But the appetite
to learn ceramics is still strong, so what are the studios hoping
for in 2022?
Basil Olton is looking forward to building the momentum created
by the art school’s growing online presence, with plans to
add another kiln, add more wheels and develop the space further.
“We’ve been busy post lockdown. We were able to access more
people, and we used social media a lot more during the lockdown.
We’re busier now than before. I think people have needed an outlet,
and it’s given us renewed enthusiasm by helping the people that
creating art helps.”
Tallie Maughan is excited to bring more people together at
Turning Earth N22, and plans to open more studios elsewhere in
London and beyond. But right now you can check out the Haringey
space. “It’s a stunningly beautiful space with light streaming
through loads of plants, lots of lovely wood furniture that’s all
handmade. It’s a really beautiful space to come and spend time
and really connect.”
And for Ricky Grimes it’s all about keeping the kilns fired up and
making sure everyone is safe and happy at the studio. “I hope that
my customers keep well, those normal types of hopes, and that we
don’t have too many problems with the kilns or anything like that.
And I hope to have a lot more fun in the classes too.”
Through facilitating spaces to learn and practise, these studios
have forged communities made up of professional makers and
happy hobbyists - where friendships, relationships and sometimes
even new generations of curious, creative people are moulded
alongside the clay.•
For information on classes from beginner to intermediate and membership at Highgate Art
School/HalfaDozen Studio, Ricky Grimes Ceramics or Turning Earth visit:
www.highgateartschool.com
www.rickygrimes.co.uk
www.turningearth.org
18 19

VILLAGE RAW
VILLAGE PICTURES
INSIDE THE
SHEPHERD’S COTTAGE
Words by Jane Hill. Photos by Dan Bridge.
We shape our buildings - they shape us. Shepherd’s Cottage, a late
17th century dwelling, is one of the oldest and least altered in Highgate
Village. Only visible from Townsend Yard, this tinderbox house
is all north facing and depends upon borrowed light. The attic floor
is eye level with treetops and it can feel like being in a ship’s crow’s
nest while the undercroft, where the shepherd kept his sheep,
could be a narrow boat.
The Grade II listed cottage is furnished with local artefacts: a
hornbeam skittle from the Freemasons Arms; bookcases (made
from 1940s banana crates stamped Elders & Fyffes) salvaged
from antiquarian bookshop Fisher and Sperr which closed in 2010;
sculptor Bernard Meadows’ tools, Ercol chair, Welsh blanket and
hand-painted harvest mugs from Keith Fawkes books; a rout bench
from the Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution; and ornaments
unearthed in a midden.
Highgate’s yards were the backlands populated by craftsmen
and artisans who supported Highgate Village. They represent that
less tangible heritage, indicative of old routes of movement and
migration within the landscape where the borders between worlds
and epochs are at their most fragile. A link to pastoral Middlesex
and the natural amphitheatrical space of the Highgate Bowl, these
edgelands are our breathing spaces and wildlife corridors, with ancient
boundary trees - where bird song is heard and bats can be
seen at dusk.
I see the house as a repository, an abode of souls. Myself as
its guardian. Old materials that mattered in the past still belong in
the present, standing in for human histories, and they recalibrate
my purpose. A development of seven houses in Townsend Yard
has been given planning permission. Shepherd’s Cottage will be
blocked in, plunged into darkness, divorced from its setting and effaced
from public view, its structural integrity undermined and its
significance as a heritage asset ignored. Local societies are campaigning
to turn this decision around. •
For more information visit: highgatesociety.com/townsend-yard-update
To object to the granting of Listed Building Consent use reference HGY/2021/3273 at:
www.planningservices.haringey.gov.uk
20 21

VILLAGE RAW
VILLAGE PICTURES
22 23

VILLAGE RAW
COMMUNITY
RIGHT UP MY STREET
The past decade or so has seen a huge increase in the
popularity of street parties.
Words by Julie Tang-Evans. Photos by Ming Tang-Evans.
The tradition of street parties goes back to 1919 with “peace teas”
marking the Treaty of Versailles after WWI. Throughout the 20th
century neighbourhood celebrations in the UK were few and far
between, occurring only to mark specific national events - VE Day
(1945), the coronation (1953), royal weddings and jubilees. Then, in
2009, initiated by the Eden Project, The Big Lunch was launched to
“encourage communities to celebrate their connections and get
to know each other a little better, coming together in a spirit of
fun and friendship.” This seems to have ignited the spark for what
is now a growing trend.
Organising a street party is straightforward but requires a bit
of planning and willing volunteers. As participant and organiser I
have several years’ experience of street parties in Haringey and
there are some important things to remember to make yours a
success. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Form a committee: You don’t want to do all the work on your own
so enlist a small group of neighbours to meet up and delegate
tasks. Start well ahead - at least three to four months.
Choose a date: Avoid days when there may be other rival events
(like school fairs) or when a lot of people might be away on holiday.
Closing the road: Decide whether you want to close the whole road
or just part of it (eg. between two junctions). You must get council
permission for this but there is no fee in Haringey and Barnet.
Residents’ agreement: You need signatures from a minimum 70%
of residents who live on the proposed road. The easiest method is
going door to door with a clipboard and forms, asking each householder
to sign against their door number. Not wanting to attend
doesn’t mean they’ll object to signing. If you have email addresses
or a WhatsApp group for your street send an advance warning that
you’re coming round. This is also a good opportunity to get neighbours’
email addresses or phone numbers so you can keep them informed
later on about street party details and volunteering to help.
Event application: When you have enough signatures contact your
council - at least eight weeks in advance if possible - and complete
an online event application which is straightforward for street parties.
They require an outline of your plans and the number of people
who might attend - an estimate is fine. You’ll need licences for
selling alcohol or paid music performances. The council checks to
see if there is any issue re your chosen date, eg. roadworks taking
place. If all is OK, they’ll approve the temporary street closure and
put up notices in your area about a week before the party, advising
the public of the date and times the road will be closed.
Temporary road closure: It’s a good idea to buy/borrow official
looking “Road Closed” signs for each end of your street. Use
wheelie bins and tape to create a physical barrier (easily moveable
for emergency services). You may wish to ask neighbours to move
their cars outside the party area for its duration.
The fun part: Choosing what you want at your street party. While
I’d advise against fire eaters or bungy jumping (you don’t want to
have to buy event insurance), the options are almost limitless, dependent
only on how much planning and organising you’re up for.
The basics are: tables, chairs, food and drink (bring your own or
dishes to share), and some entertainment for children and adults
(live music provided by talented neighbours or just a playlist via
Spotify). Gazebos are good for shelter from sun and wind. Extras
might include: face painting, games, races, tug-of-war (for friendly
street rivalry), a visiting fire engine (see tips), talent show, stalls
(toys, games, books, plants, local produce, coffee and tea), cake
competitions, tombola/raffle (prizes mustn’t exceed £500 in value),
hay bales for seating and messy fun at the end (see tips),
dance class (eg. Bollywood or Salsa), Morris Dancers, circus performers,
bouncy castle (must be supervised at all times). Maybe a
theme (for food and dressing up).
Costs: Even a low key party will incur a few expenses (things like
bunting, balloons, children’s games, prizes, bin bags, road signs).
It’s reasonable to ask for a small contribution from each attending
neighbour or family. And ask people to bring their own plates, cups
and cutlery - free and eco-friendly.
Tips: To book a fire engine visit, call your local fire station 2-3
months in advance. You can suggest a time and where to park but
bear in mind they can’t guarantee they’ll definitely be able to get
there. For hay bales try College Farm, Finchley, N3 3PG. Tel: 020
8349 0690. Cost approx. £6 per bale and you need to collect them.
10 is plenty. For dancers try local dance schools, leisure centres or
freelance dance teachers.•
24
25

VILLAGE RAW
UPON MEETING A FOX
(OR TWO)
And the launch of the On Local Nature community.
Words by Antje Lang. Photo by Alex Glebov.
I’ve recently discovered that I’ve got some fox friends living in my
garden. They hang out behind some pallet furniture (okay, a stack
of pallets that we intend to make into furniture). I’ve named them
Mags and Harold because I can’t help but personify animals and I
just get a vibe from them. My hope is that they’ll one day impart
some life wisdom to me like the elderly fox from The Lion, the Witch
and the Wardrobe. A girl can dream.
I remember the first time I saw a fox. I was driving at dusk
through rural North Carolina about seven years ago and I saw one
dart into the bushes lining the side of the road as my headlights cut
through the darkness.
It seems funny to me now because it was such a poignant moment
for me - I was so excited to glimpse this creature I’d only ever
seen on TV or at the zoo - but I imagine this sounds incredulous
to readers from the UK where foxes are a common sight. For me,
growing up in downtown Chicago, my most frequent animal sightings
were pigeons, very large rats and once, an errant possum.
True, we had coyotes that walked into Quizno’s and stole subs -
and one that got trapped on an ice block and was rescued from the
middle of Lake Michigan. We had a skunk who proceeded to spray
our dog after she surprised it! We had a bunch of geese that got
very angry when you got too close to their goslings in springtime.
But we never had foxes. Now, living in London, I hear people refer
to them as pests - with a general distaste for an animal I view as
wise and secretive, purely because I grew up with different connotations
about them.
I tell this story about the fox to highlight a point. The way we
view nature and ecosystems - and how we view ourselves in relation
to them - is completely dependent on our circumstances
growing up and the perspectives we shaped as a result. I was lucky
enough to spend part of my youth in Utah - a far cry from the ce-
ment and steel of Chicago - which allowed me to experience the
emotional and physical rawness of getting to the top of something
very high and sitting in open space. That has fundamentally influenced
how I relate to nature and why I’ve chosen to pursue a career
in helping societies prepare for a changing climate. When I see
Mags and Harold now, it stops me in my tracks. I take a moment to
pause and creep silently to get a better look.
Last year, I ran a research project as part of OmVed Gardens entitled
“What Local Looks Like”. I interviewed people locally and internationally
to understand how the global lockdowns had influenced
their relationships with their local environment, nature, community,
and also themselves. Did they come to know any of these things
better or in a different way? Was this change something they liked
and wanted to keep - or would they wish it away if they could?
Over that year many of us didn’t notice as the space we had
during that time was reshaped as the world “opened up” and then
shut down several times over. Ultimately, what we at OmVed realised
is that maybe, really what we need is space to keep thinking
and to keep engaging with these aspects we had been discovering
- all the things that make up local nature to each of us. To that
end, we will shortly be launching a community called “On Local Nature”.
Each month there will be a theme for reflection and in-person
gatherings for those who would like to come and discuss. We
welcome you to join this space and to make space for others, for
your surroundings and for yourself. Who knows, maybe a fox or two
will join too.•
The first in-person meeting will take place in March. For further information check:
www.local-nature.com where you can also register for the newsletter.
26

VILLAGE RAW
FOOD & DRINK
FILL ‘ER UP
Our shopping habits are becoming more sustainable but for some shop
owners, change may not come soon enough.
Words by Carla Parks. Photos by Mischa Haller.
28 29

VILLAGE RAW
FOOD & DRINK
Opening pages and this page: Hornsey’s vegan and low-impact grocery store, Harmless, owned by Tami Jarvis (above right).
This page: Nicola Glantz, of WeFil, at one of her monthly pop-ups.
It’s a quiet Tuesday in January when I visit Harmless, a vegan
refillable store in Hornsey. Owner Tami Jarvis is in the window
unpacking some of her stock. Well known to many locals and loyal
customers, Tami is on a mission to help us transition to a lifestyle
that is less damaging to the planet and more ethical.
The entrepreneur is part of a movement to reject single use
plastic, eat healthily and reduce waste. Customers can dispense
beans, pulses, legumes and much more into their own containers.
There’s a peanut butter machine, oat milk on tap, ground coffee
from W Martyn in Muswell Hill, and a freezer with loose fruit.
Some of her bestselling products, however, are vegan fudge,
dark chocolate buttons and marshmallows. With the rise of
conscious consumerism, Harmless should be a thriving local
business in an area that has its fair share of eco warriors and oat
milk drinkers. Instead, it’s struggling.
“Unfortunately, we’re close to shutting down,” Tami tells me. To
battle against shrinking profit margins, she’s changing some of her
suppliers and switching out some of her pricier organic products. Tami
wants to ensure that this way of shopping is attainable for everyone
so she keeps her prices as low as possible. They’re comparable to
the big supermarkets on many products and can be cheaper. Her
organic rice, for example, works out less expensive by weight.
But there is a price perception problem with Harmless and
other shops like it. As Tami explains, many people come into the
shop and fill containers that are twice or three times the size they
would get at their local supermarket. When they get to the till they
are shocked at the cost.
It’s much the same at The Source Bulk Foods in Crouch End.
The newcomer is a franchise owned by Alessandro Iovino, a South
African who settled in London a few years ago. He has another site
in West Hampstead which opened in late 2020. Formerly working
in commercial real estate, Alessandro sunk his own money into
the concept because he believed so passionately in it. Recycling
should be the last resort, he says.
Alessandro admits that pricing can be a challenge but
explains that the store recently completed a cost comparison
to Sainsbury’s. The final basket came out lower for basics such
as rice and pasta. When I ask if he believes that this lifestyle is
only for those who can afford it, he disagrees. “It’s more of an
inconvenience, yes, but it doesn’t necessarily have to cost more.”
The higher cost is often the result of sourcing ethically made
products, using small suppliers who prioritise traceability and
transparency. Tami, for instance, thinks carefully about everything
she sources for Harmless. She buys many of her products from a
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VILLAGE RAW
FOOD & DRINK
small social enterprise called SESI, based in Oxfordshire. Their ethos
is to work towards a closed-loop economy - recycling, repairing and
regenerating as much as possible.
Just up the road from Harmless is Nicola Glantz, the woman
behind WeFil in Friern Barnet. She is equally careful about choosing
the most sustainable options possible. Like many zero waste
shops, WeFil started as a personal journey. Nikki wanted to use
less plastic. When she started making her own hummus she was
getting chickpeas still in plastic. “It was ridiculous,” she tells me
over coffee.
A friend sent her a link to English refill shops, and she hasn’t looked
back. “We need one of these on every high street,” she reasons.
“The tricky thing is how you have one on every high street without
it encroaching on the next one.” Nikki used to shop as far away as St
Albans and would visit Harmless, before launching WeFil in 2018.
The business started as a pop up that would tour the local
neighbourhood. It was doing a swift trade and expanding when the
pandemic hit. She quickly pivoted to providing her products online
and delivering to specific postcodes. She now runs a WhatsApp
group and has gone back to doing pop ups once a month at
Myddleton Road Market and at her home.
Everything she sources is vegan and many of the products are
organic. One supplier is the Zero Waste Club, a UK-based company
that sources eco-friendly, affordable products with a very clear
supply chain. “You can’t compete with supermarkets when you
have a product from a company like that,” Nikki argues. “It’s not only
about quality, but how little impact they have on the environment.”
Without physical premises Nikki has low overheads, allowing her to
stay competitive and offer the occasional small perk.
The People’s Pantry, launched in Muswell Hill over the summer,
is also mobile. It uses a repurposed 1970s milk float to deliver to
north London postcodes and can be booked to appear on your
street. Lisa Jones and her husband Stephen Thomas explain that
the business has been “a gradual build”, with new products added
weekly. They are now showing up at local venues on fixed dates and
have had a good response. Business is roughly where they hoped.
For those on the high street, it’s a slightly different picture.
Alessandro at The Source says the pandemic has been “scary”
for business. He’s hoping for more predictability, as trade has
suffered from lockdowns, staffing issues, sickness and other
hard-to-control factors. He’s also looking to collaborate with local
businesses and have events that’ll appeal to the community. A
local vegan chef, for example, recently demonstrated how to cook
one of her recipes using ingredients in the store.
A few doors down is Michael Plastiras, who has run Broadway
Fruiterers in Crouch End for 24 years and is retiring this March. He
opened his refill space at the back of his fruit and veg shop on the
day the first lockdown was announced. Everything in the refill shop
is available packaged but it will cost 20% less if you buy it loose.
“I wanted to give customers better value for money,” he explains.
Back at Harmless, Tami believes that more people need to
adopt this lifestyle for prices to come down on some of the
premium items. She wants to make it easier to make the switch
and is responsive on Instagram where she can sometimes be
found dancing with her tight-knit team. Tami vows to keep going,
if only for those who have supported her including her customers.
“They are the soul of our shop and we wouldn’t still be here if it
wasn’t for them.”•
This page: Lisa Jones,
of The People’s Pantry,
serving customers from their
repurposed milk float at a
street pop-up.
Opposite page: Alessandro
Iovino with chef Rachel
Ama, during a vegan cooking
demonstration, at Crouch
End’s The Source Bulk Foods.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SOURCE BULK FOODS.
MORE INFO:
• Harmless, 79 Tottenham Ln, N8 * Insta @harmless_store
• The Source Bulk Foods, 3 The Broadway, N8 * Insta @thesourcecrouchend
• WeFil, deliveries to N2, N3, N8, N10, N11, N12, N22 and NW11. Pop-ups: Myddleton Rd
Market (1st Sunday) and 2 Goldsmith Rd, N11 (1st Friday) * Insta @wefil_you_up
• The People’s Pantry, deliveries to N2, N3, N8, N10, N11, N13 and N22 *
Insta @peoples_pantry
• The Broadway Fruiterers, 15 The Broadway, N8
NOTABLE OTHERS:
• The Cottage in Town (opening soon, N22), Unpackaged at Planet Organic (various
locations), The Deli at 80 (N4), Tony’s Continental (N2), Organic Alley (N10), Greens on
the Hill (N10), Halcyon (I can’t find this one!)
32 33

VILLAGE RAW
ASK OLA
Send your questions to hello@villageraw.com
Words by Ola Nwakodo.
Reader question: “Over the last few years I feel I’ve really
lost my ability to focus and plan and organise - is there
something to settle my scattered brain?”
Without knowing your full circumstances, I wouldn’t be able
to offer any bespoke recommendations. However, traditional
herbal medicine has a lot to offer when it comes to
supporting mental clarity.
BACOPA has a long history of use for improving memory,
mental acuity and focus. I consider this herb helpful
in cases of nervous exhaustion, chronic stress and
stress-induced mental fog. Studies show that taking bacopa
regularly can improve mental performance, cognitive
and intellectual function as well as a feeling of enhanced
wellbeing. I prefer to use the tincture in prescriptions. It is
considered safe for long-term use with no known toxicity.
However caution is advised for dialysis patients as it is high
in potassium.
GOTU KOLA has been used for centuries as a brain tonic.
Some studies show that it can increase alertness and
working memory, and relieve anger. I usually combine it
with other herbs such as gingko or ashwagandha, to get
synergistic effects on attention, concentration, brain
function and processing.
ROSEMARY has a traditional use to strengthen memory
and cerebral circulation. Trials have found that inhaling
rosemary essential oil improves mental alertness, quality
of memory and mood. Participants in a 2013 study stated
they felt “fresher” and EEG analysis confirmed stimulatory
effects on the anterior region of the brain. It may be helpful
in clearing the mind and increasing mental awareness. My
favourite ways of using rosemary are as a tea or essential
oil in a room diffuser.
GENTIAN is indicated for discouragement after a setback,
and pessimism. In Bach Flower remedies, the positive potential
of gentian is courage, grounding, acceptance that
restores a positive outlook.
“Every year I struggle with hay fever symptoms! Any recommendations
on how to manage and minimise please?”
For many who suffer from seasonal hay fever, symptoms
can feel unrelenting at times. Support is available to lessen
the severity of attacks. The key to having sustained relief
from symptoms seems to be preparation.
Herbal respiratory and immune tonics are beneficial for
many. Regularly taking a blended tea (or tincture) of echinacea,
elderflower, nettles and yarrow - starting before
spring - may help immune function, stabilise an overreactive
response and reduce swelling, soreness and pain. Another
blended herb tea of peppermint, sage (add for runny
nose), thyme, and marshmallow leaf (add for thick mucus)
could support the nose, sinuses, lungs and circulation
throughout the season. This tea is also useful as a gargle.
Consider a good dose of vitamin C and zinc and teaspoon
of flaxseed oil daily. Bioflavonoids which are contained
in quality vitamin C supplements and in food
sources, act as natural antihistamine. This helps to block
histamine, the chemical substance responsible for known
symptoms of hay fever.
Increase your intake of magnesium. German researchers
found that three bananas contain enough magnesium
to stop an attack. There are also many good supplements
available.
A good diet that includes fruits and vegetables especially
onions, garlic (acts as an anticatarrhal) and peppers
may help reduce attacks. Some find that a teaspoon of local
honey daily - before and throughout the season - helps
with desensitisation.
Exercise regularly as studies have found that moderate
cardio exercise can calm inflammatory proteins in the nasal
passages. A 2013 study found that after running for 30
minutes, sneezing, runny nose, nasal itching and congestion
all decreased by more than 70 percent.
Euphrasia or eyebright as a compress could soothe and
provide relief for itchy red eyes.•
Ola Nwakodo, Medical herbalist, Saint&Smith. For enquiries contact:
ola@saint&smith.com / www.saintandsmith.com / 07971193396
34