May 2016

LOVEEAST 

M A G A Z I N E 

May 2016 ISSUE 27 Free 

East End's finest 

Food & wine on Roman Road 

The people behind Pellicci's 

Galleries for the kids 

Design Show East 

your 

F R E E 

award-winning 

magazine 

Your East London – What's on – Food – People

DESIGN 

east 

SHOW 

designshoweast.com 

We are delighted to have been invited by The Geffrye Museum to create 

a new show to celebrate and buy great design for the Home & Garden. 

For 3 days over the second May bank holiday, the front lawn and the 

Galleries at the Museum will be home to DESIGN SHOW east 

When 

Friday 27th May Evening Reception : 6 pm - 9 pm 

Saturday 28th - Monday 30th May : show open 10 am - 5pm 

Where 

The Geffrye Museum of the Home 

136 Kingsland Road, Hoxton, London E2 8EA (between Pearson and Cremer Streets) 

How to get there 

geffrye-museum.org.uk/visit/map/ 

facebook.com/eastlondondesignstore 

@ELDstore 

eastlondondesignstore 

FREE ENTRY

Welcome to your local magazine 

Dear neighbours 

May is a month of bank holidays, so armed 

with your trusty LoveEast magazine (perfect for 

handbag or manbag) there shouldn't be any 

problem entertaining the children – or the grownups 

for that matter – as you all know by now how 

full of essential info it is. 

Angie Gough (aka the Arts Crusader) has a knack 

for finding the coolest ways to introduce your kids 

to arts and galleries. Whether it's a museum-in-arailway-station, 

of the sophistication of the Saatchi 

Gallery, there's plenty to keep them interested... 

and it's free (p14). 

For the grown-ups (mostly) there's a fabulous 

shopping event at the Geffrye Museum, where 

Design Show East are showcasing the work of 70 

designers and makers. There really is something 

for everyone and a must-do thing for the second 

May bank holiday (p8). 

We also have features on a new Roman Road 

restaurant, Bacaro, as well as an interview with 

the guys behind Vinarius, also on Roman Road. 

Two wonderful places to discover if you haven't 

been there before (p22, 26). 

We hope you enjoy this month's edition. 

Julie 

Julie Daniels 

T: 07752 288405 

E: julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk 

www.nutshellpublications.co.uk 

C O N T E N T S 

4 

The story of Pellicci's, 

Bethnal Green's 

celebrated café 

8 

Shop till you drop at 


10 

Style & Substance: 

meet East London's 

finest 

22, 26 

Fantastic food & wine 

on Roman Road 

32 

Essential accountancy 

advice from the 

experts 

Facebook: facebook.com/LoveEastMag 

Twitter: @LoveEastMag 

Cover image by Lady Ray 

To advertise in LoveEast please call 07752 288405 or email julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk for 

further information. Deadline for June edition is 5 May (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 MAY 2016 3

East life 

Anna Sereno and Norman – one of Pellicci's regular customers 

Anna Sereno of Bethnal Green's celebrated café, E Pellicci, 

talks to Isabelle Garretsen 

It’s difficult to find a seat in bustling Italian café E 

Pellicci in Bethnal Green. It’s 10.30 in the morning 

and the place is absolutely packed. 

Anna Sereno is the heart and soul of the familyrun 

café where she has been working for 20 

years. While serving cappuccinos and pastries, 

she chats to her clientele, a diverse mix of artists, 

businessmen, workmen, travellers and young 

couples. An impressive number of movie stars 

have visited Pellicci’s, including Idris Elba, Michael 

Gambon, Alan Rickman and Sheila Hancock. 

There’s a photo of Tom Hardy on the wall. He 

filmed a schene from the crime thriller Legend, a 

movie about the Krays, who also regularly visited 

the café. 

The tiny restaurant has an intimate and 

dynamic atmosphere. Unassuming from the 

outside, the café has an ornate interior which 

was designed in the early 1940s by Italian 

carpenter Achille Cappocci. The building was 

listed about ten years ago. 

When Anna’s grandparents came over at the 

start of the last century, Bethnal Green wasn’t an 

Italian hub. “All the Italians were in Clerkenwell,” 

Anna tells me. Recently many Italians have flocked 

to the area, hoping they will find more work 

opportunities than in their home country. They 

love coming to Pellicci’s for meals which remind 

them of being at home. 

Pellicci’s has become a second home for many 

people. One of the customers, Norman, tells me 

he has been coming to the café every single day 

for 61 years, ever since his father took him as a 

seven-year-old boy. 

4 LOVEEAST

East life 

“It’s a very unique caff. You won’t find anywhere 

with the same camaraderie and ambiance. You 

have to share a table and talk to people. Such a 

small establishment brings together people from 

all walks of life.” 

The vibrant local community Anna’s grandparents 

joined a hundred years ago is still very much 

visible in this small hub in Bethnal Green. 

What is your connection with East London? 

I was born here. My grandparents opened E 

Pellicci in the early 1900s. They came to London 

from a small village in Tuscany called Roggio. My 

nan belonged to the first generation of Italian 

immigrants. 

My dad worked in the café with his brothers 

from the age of 11. My nan shared a room with 

her two girls and the five boys slept in one room. 

Dad used to say those were the best days ever. 

Everyone lived the simple life. People would 

earn some money and didn’t have an enormous 

mortgage. Everyone was in the same boat. 

My mum, Maria, came over when she was 21, met 

my dad and has worked here ever since. She still 

works in the kitchen and she’s 76! 

When I was young, I worked in the café on 

Saturdays. I started working at Pellicci’s fulltime 

when I was 21. My cousin Tony and brother 

Nervio also work here. 

What makes you most proud? 

All of us working at Pellicci’s feel like we’ve won the 

lottery every day. We absolutely love it. I never 

have a day when I think “god I don’t want to go to 

work today.” 

We have met wonderful people and seen so many 

unlikely friendships formed in this café. People 

have been coming for years. Juke box Jimmy has 

been coming to the caff every day for 55 years. 

It’s the biggest compliment when people keep 

coming back after so many years. 

Continued overleaf... 

Beautiful Plantation Shutters & Blinds 

Introducing the “simply better” shutter range equally at home in contemporary or traditional interiors. 

Solid hardwood shutters… 

at MDF prices! 

25% 50% off selected ranges 

Tel: 020 3418 8877 Email: sales@completeshutters.co.uk www.completeshutters.co.uk 

New Showroom at 90 George Lane, South Woodford, London E18 1JJ 


East life 

Where do you eat out in East London? 

I love the great food at Turkish restaurant Tas 

Firin in Bethnal Green. My family likes going to the 

Indian restaurant Tayyabs. I also like the Spanish 

deli Laxeiro on Columbia Road. 

Best coffee in these parts? 

Pellicci’s coffee! 

Favourite meal? 

My mum’s home-made mushroom and chicken 

pie with crispy hand-cut chips and broccoli 

cheese. 

Anna's cousin, Toni, with another Pellicci regular 

Nowadays people walk past each other on the 

street and don’t say hello, so it’s really special to 

see everyone getting on here. 

How has the area changed? 

Bethnal Green has changed massively. When my 

grandparents arrived here it was really poor. 

My grandad died of TB. 

Property prices have gone up and many families 

have been forced to move further out. I’ve moved 

five tube stops away. But I get the best of both 

worlds. I get to be here every day but I have a bit 

more space where I now live. 

The area’s best-kept secret? 

It’s not a secret but I absolutely love Victoria Park. 

There’s something really special about it. On a 

nice day you’ll see roughnecks walking around, 

as well as the posh person from up the road. 

Everyone comes together in Victoria Park. 

If East London were human? 

I couldn’t describe the area as one person as it’s 

a mix of everybody. I love the quirky bars and 

restaurants. People in East London come from so 

many different backgrounds. 

East London in a word? 

Eclectic. 

Pellicci's, 332 Bethnal Green Rd, London E2 0AG. 

The demographics have really changed and the 

area is becoming more and more gentrified. What 

I like is that East London is still a real mix. There 

are million pound houses and then you turn a 

corner and end up in one of the poorest pockets. 

Anything you would change about East London? 

I think it is great things are changing as the 

East End has always been about change. I 

just hope it doesn’t lose its soul and become 

too homogenised. Our café is pretty unique. 

Everything else is becoming chains. 

I love the sense of community in this area and 

hope that doesn’t change. 

Pellicci's beautiful (and listed) interior. 

6 LOVEEAST

Big days or 

little days, 

we can help 

make them 

perfect 

agpriceflowers.co.uk 

217-219 Well Street, E9 6QU 

020 8986 0250 


East London Design Show 

Visit the Geffrye museum over the second May bank 

holiday and enjoy East London Design Store's stylish home 

& garden shopping event 

Boskke 

Barbara Yarde 

One of my favourite destinations in Broadway Market is 

the East London Design Store, writes Julie Daniels. Always 

full of the most beautiful items, it's a treat to come away 

with a unique design – and with the added bonus of being 

able to shop for such quality things on our doorstep. 

This month we'll be able to see the work of around 70 

of these designers and makers on the front lawn and 

galleries of the Geffrye museum on Kingsland Road. 

Design Show East will showcase items of homeware, 

fashion and fashion accessories, jewellery, graphic art, 

artisan food, garden design and products, so what a great 

chance to start your Christmas shopping extra early and 

take advantage of all this talent in one place. 

Good Ordering 

We've selected a few of the exhibitors for these pages to 

give you a taste of what to expect at the show. 

Barbara Yarde creates beautiful pieces of jewellery 

(pictured above) inspired by her travels to to places as 

diverse as Marrakech, Luxor and London's Victoria & 

Albert museum. 

BloomBox Club 

8 LOVEEAST

East London Design Show 

Boskke (top image, left) does gardening design with a twist. It 

aims to improve city life by encouraging abundant greenery at 

home and in the workplace. Your plant pots will never be the 

same again. 

Good Ordering (middle image, left) is a small company run 

from a flat on top of a bike shop in Hackney. They're fusing 

retro fashion with function, and producing a range of useful 

bags with technological gadgets and gizmos in mind. 

The picture on the right shows Myia Bonner's striking 

contemporary jewellery, defined by a geometric style that 

reinterprets traditional designs. 

BloomBox Club (bottom image, left) believes that gardening is 

good for the soul; it helps the bees buzz and the birds sing – 

and on a less existential note they believe that no matter how 

big or small your outdoor space, you can use it to the full to 

enhance your life. That's got to be true because just looking at 

their boxed plant arrangements makes me happy. 

See you at the show. 

eastlondondesignstore.com 

Where: Geffrye Museum, 136 

Kingsland Road, E2 8EA 

When: Fri, 27 May, 6-9pm; Sat 

28- Mon 30 May, 10am-5pm. Free 

entry. 

@ELDstore 

Myia 

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 


Style & Substance 

Abby Hubbard and Louise 

Padmore are founders of Work Well 

Being, bringing health and happiness to the 

heart of London's workplaces, and beyond. 

What's important to you? 

Finding a bit of balance amid the chaos of 

today's frantic world; helping others to do 

the same. Being kind to others and true to 

ourselves. Family, friends, the stars and the 

moon. 

What do you love about the East End? 

Its history and heritage, the hustle and 

bustle, culture, community and its beautiful 

vibrant colours. 

Mem Guzel is the owner and driving 

force behind Roman Road health food hub 

Simply Fresh. 


Having happy people around me & being 

in touch with customers beyond business. 

My family, my dog Penny who helps me run 

front of house & spending any precious time 

with my beautiful girlfriend. 

What do you love about the East End? 

I love meeting people who are part of my 

neighbourhood & gaining a good sense of 

community through those relationships. 

Interviews & portraits by Lady Ray 

10 LOVEEAST

JAMES’ STORY: PART 3 

Understated elegance is its major 

strength. 

Minimalist, pragmatic, relaxed, enjoyable. You 

leave your ego at the door and whether you are 16 or 

66 you are embraced as a friend and everyone helps 

each other. The class instructors are great; totally 

inclusive and very knowledgable. 

Best of all, nobody takes themselves too seriously. 

The £30 monthly class pass is amazing value. Just 

drop in and out as you feel. Don’t worry about what 

level you’re at; underneath we are all the same. 

to be continued... 

£30=100 

classes p/month 

fitness classes - spin - personal training 

FIND OUT MORE AT 

londonfieldsfitness.com / @londonfieldsfit 


What's on in May 

MON TUES WEDS THURS 

Weekly 

Toddler ballet, 

11am-12.45pm, 

Stratford Circus Arts 

Centre. £7. 2-4 yrs. 

eastlondondance.org 

Tennis for kids, from 

4pm in school time, 

Vicky Park, £2. 

towerhamletstennis.org 

9, 16, 23 

Yoga classes. 8.10- 

9.10pm. Victoria Park 

Community Centre, 

5 Gore Road, E9 

9 

The Little Prince, 7.30pm, 

The Arcola Theatre, 

£10-14. Until 14 May. 

Suitable for 12yrs+. 

arcolatheatre.com 

16 

Wellbeing, 10am-4pm. 

Massage, Mani, Pedi. 

£5. Contact Rose 

rsrssll@hotmail.com 020 

8533 1860 

16 

Lemar, 7.30pm-11pm, 

Oslo, Hackney. £15. 

18+yrs only, book via 

alt-tickets.co.uk 

30 (Bank holiday) 

Free From Festival, 

10.30-5.30pm, The 

Boiler House, 152 Brick 

Lane, £5. The UK’s first 

Food Festival focusing 

on people who are 

living their life free 

from gluten, sugar or 

dairy. Cash-only event. 

trumanbrewery.com 

3 

Mussel Men throw 

Lobster Tuesday, 

6.30-11.30pm. £30. 

First Tuesday of every 

month 

3, 10, 17, 24 

Storytime for under 5s, 

10-11.30am, Victoria 

Park Community 

Centre, 5 Gore Rd, E9 

10 

NOW festival, The Yard 

Theatre celebrates the 

best in contemporary 

theatre. Book online 

for discounted tickets. 

theyardtheatre.co.uk 

17 

Lindsey Kemp talks 

about her life and 

work, from David 

Bowie to Marc Almond, 

7pm, Ace Hotel’s Club 

Miranda, Shoreditch. 

Chatterbooks, 4-5pm. 

Third Tuesday each 

month Clapton library 

reading group (8-12s). 

cordula.vonderassen@ 

hackney.gov.uk, 020 

8356 7480 

31 

Canoeing on the 

model boating lake, 

12-3pm. Vicky Park 

Water Week kicks off 

half-term holidays. 

Book 020 7364 

7968, victoriapark@ 

towerhamlets.gov.uk 

31 

Holiday Activities for 

Children, 2-5pm. 

dalstongarden.org 

Weekly 

Baby Music Classes 

10-10.45am & 11- 

11.45am, Hackney Farm 

babymusicclass.co.uk 

4 

Wellbeing, 10am-4pm. 

Massage, Mani, Pedi. 

£5. Rose rsrssll@hotmail. 

com, 020 8533 1860 

4 

Beginners’ Dance Class, 

12-1pm. Shoreditch 

Town Hall, £2. 

4 

Town Hall Tea Dance 

Shoreditch Town Hall. 

1.30-4.30pm. Reserve 

space: 020 7739 6176. 

11 

Charity wine tasting, 

£20pp 7.30pm Vinarius. 

Proceeds to a local 

charity. 536 Roman 

Road, E2. vinarius.london 

11 

Coffee Morning, 10.30- 

12. Victoria Park 

Community Centre. 

5 Gore Road, E9 

18 

Supper Club with food 

and wine from Sardinia. 

7.30pm vinarius.london 

18, 25 

The Government 

Inspector, 7.30pm, 

Stratford East theatre, 

stratfordeast.com 

25 

Gorgeous Gardens 

day, 2-3pm, Geffrye 

Museum. Free. 

Weekly 

Storytelling, 11am- 

12pm, Dalston 

CLR James Library, 

under 5s, music and 

refreshments. FREE 

Yoga, 6.30pm, 

Haggerston Park. 

ourparks.org.uk/ 

borough/haggerstonpark 

Late night painting, 

6-9pm, Wonderland 

Ceramics, Victoria 

Park Rd, E9. 020 

8985 1214, info@ 

wonderlandceramics. 

com 

5, 12, 19, 26 

Knitting & Natter, 1-3pm, 

Victoria Park Comm. 

Centre, 5 Gore Rd, E9 

5, 12, 19, 26 

Meditation classes, 

7-8.30pm, St Margarets. 

£8 per class, £32 5-wk 

No need to book. 

stmargaretshouse.org.uk 

12 

Museums at Night 

festival, at Museum of 

Childhood, E2. 

vam.ac.uk/moc/whatson 

19, 20 

Peter Doherty, 8pm. 

£29.50, hackneyempire. 

co.uk 

26 

Jazz combo Matthew 

Halsall & Gondwana 

Orchestra, 7-11pm, 

St John at Hackney, 

£14-20. 

soundcrashmusic.com 

12 LOVEEAST Continued on page 25

YOU'RE ONE STEP AWAY 

FROM HEALTHY SKIN 

Ireland's leading 

skin specialist, 

Bernie Fahy, is 

available for free 

Fast, effective and 

permanent results 

consultations at 

Holistic 

Health on 

Broadway 

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 

Market, E8 

hello@theskinspecialist.london 

07476 554414 

"Appearing in LoveEast is a great 

opportunity for me. The response 

has been great – 3 garden enquiries 

already" – Izi Glover, londonfieldsandgardens.com 

To find out more about advertising, call 07752 288405 or email julie@nutshellpublications.co.uk 


Arts 

Photography: All pics by Angie Gough 

I’ve taken the plunge with 

my three (age 7, 5 & 1) and 

been thoroughly, pleasantly 

surprised. 

So long as you… 

1. Explain the rules in advance 

Use bribery or turn it into 

a challenge – “Whoever gets 

through without touching or 

breaking anything gets a bun” 

2. Have a game up your sleeve 

Try “I Spy”, “Who can speak the 

quietest?” or “Tell me a story” 

3. Plan something for after 

A trip to a nearby playground 

or park 

4. Ensure the easy availability 

of cake 

…taking kids to galleries is FUN 

and inspiring. 

London-wise, Saatchi Gallery is 

our new fave – it’s free, there 

are no barriers between the 

artworks and the viewer and 

kids are really welcome. 

Banner Repeater, Platform 1: kids outside Hackney Downs station 

Visiting our local galleries with the kids 

doesn't have to be a challenge, writes 

Angie Gough, you just need a plan 

Visiting galleries can be 

challenging with little ones 

in tow. The potential for 

breakages, short attention 

spans, the “will they/won’t they 

have a tantrum?” factor – why 

would you bother? 

Since I decided to give myself 

a #KickUpTheArts this year, 

In Hackney, we’re spoilt for 

choice, but here are five worth 

visiting with the kiddos… 

• Stour Space, Hackney Wick – 

its recent “What’s Up 

Plant?” exhibition included 

a marshmallow cactus and 

a plaited plant on a tricycle. 

What’s not to love? A small 

space with a relaxed vibe and 

lovely art shop on site. The 

adjoining café is excellent, 

with great food, coffee and 

canal views. Follow with a 

scoot at QE Olympic Park. 

14 LOVEEAST

Arts 

• Banner Repeater, Platform 

1, Hackney Downs Station – 

make like Harry Potter and 

visit this great little gallery 

inside the station. It’s the 

best fun to get to and 

everybody leaves with 

a free piece of art. 

• Standpoint Gallery, Coronet 

Street, Hoxton – we once 

found a giant walrus trapped 

in the lift in this gallery behind 

Hoxton Square. Upstairs, 

Stuart Carey’s ceramics 

studio and the magical New 

North Press host regular 

open studios and family 

workshops. 

• BSMTspace, 5D Stoke 

Newington Road – street art 

is a speciality in this Stokey 

basement, currently filled 

with lead balloons (really) and 

Jeff Koons’ inspired street art 

from Fanakapan. 

"Champagne Life" – portrait by Jelena Bulajic at Saatchi Gallery 

• Print House Gallery, Ashwin 

Street, Dalston – next door to 

the Arcola Theatre, this space 

often hosts local themed 

exhibitions. Currently seeking 

submissions for a collagethemed 

exhibition in July, 

when the roof garden will be 

open to visitors, too. 

No excuses. Give yourself 

a #KickUpTheArts 

Swoosh! 

"What has Dalston done for you?" at the Print House Gallery 


Gardening 

Photo: Nick David 

Advertorial 

Is it or isn't it real grass? 

Izi Glover considers some 

alternatives to growing your 

own lawn 

Ernest Hemingway held no fondness for his 

hometown, the stolidly Republican Chicago suburb 

of Oak Park. He left, never to return, (allegedly) 

cussing it as "a community of broad lawns and 

narrow minds." Well, we have much to be thankful 

for in our diverse East End, even if our lawns are 

smaller. Let’s consider the options. 

Meadow turf can be a great alternative. Grown 

as a dense species-rich blend of wildflowers and 

grasses on a fine mesh, meadow turf acts as a thick 

weed-suppressing mat. At this time of year it will 

grow quickly into an ever-changing mass of flowers 

and tall grass. 

Now some folks may throw up their hands and 

rend their clothes, but Astro Turf is a good option 

for some. Perhaps you have small children, a shady 

site, and are done with lawn maintenance. New 

products are better than the scratchy sports Astro 

of yore – they even include artificial thatch. Your site 

will need quite some preparation, with a good level 

foundation topped with a layer of sand, but then 

the Astro Turf is rolled out like a carpet, instantly 

ready for action. 

Last but definitely not least, good old-fashioned 

lawn turf. As our narrow lawns tend to be shaded, 

it’s best to choose a robust turf with a good seed 

mix. Shadesman by Harrowden turf is a winner with 

subalpine grass seed that withstands heavy wear by 

cattle. With regular mowing, its dense hardwearing 

grass will give you a wonderful green sward to set 

off the rest of your garden. 

Suppliers 

Meadow turf – Wildflower Turf Ltd, 01256 771222, 

wildflowerturf.co.uk 

Astro Turf – Easigrass, 0208 843 4180, easigrass.com 

Lawn turf – Harrowden Turf, 0333 456 4516, 

turfonline.co.uk 

May things to do 

It’s a good idea to start regularly feeding your plants 

as they’re going to be working hard flowering and 

even fruiting over the summer months. A foliar 

seaweed drench is great, or a good douse of Epsom 

salts diluted in slightly warm water. 

Izi Glover is a Hackney gardener at London Fields 

and Gardens. For more information email her at 

info@londonfieldsandgardens.com 

16 LOVEEAST

Business focus 

LoveEast talks to 

local plumber 

Jason Francis and 

learns a thing or 

two about safety 

and keeping the 

bills down 

Jason Francis has run East 

London-based JKF Plumbing for 

10 years now and knows the 

plumbing business inside out. 

But there are many plumbers out 

there and LoveEast wanted to 

know what sets him apart. 


Safety in the home is a 

fundamental thing. To me, it's 

the most important aspect 

of my job and it's my duty to 

educate poeple about things 

that they might be taking for 

granted. For example, many 

people have very old boilers 

that need to be checked. 

Whether you're a home owner 

yourself, or living in rented 

accommodation, it's essential 

to get your appliances checked 

regularly. 

Can you save people money? 

It's always a good idea to check 

how much you're paying for 

your bills. Call your supplier, or 

go online to their website. You'll 

be able to compare what you 

pay to people who live nearby 

and in a similar situation to you 

(ie, size of house, number of 

people living there, etc). You'll 

Jason Francis of JKF Plumbing & Heating 

soon find out if you're paying 

too much. One customer 

recently found out she was 

paying a lot more than she 

should have been. I replaced 

her old boiler and her bills have 

dropped by almost 40 per cent. 

How about customer service? 

It's about building up 

relationships with my 

customers. There's really 

nothing better than a customer 

ringing me and saying "John 

down the road has highly 

recommended you." There's 

no better referral than that, 

so word of mouth is how my 

business runs really. 

What else sets you apart? 

Honesty. I don't know how many 

times I've had bills from various 

people and it's really unclear 

where the money has gone. 

I break down my invoices so 

everyone knows exactly what 

they're paying for. 

Jason's top tips 

• Safety check Did you 

know that 1in 6 properties 

in the UK have an unsafe 

gas appliance? Get yours 

checked now. 

• Bills to high? Save money 

by reprogramming your 

boiler. 

• Rental properties It's now 

a legal requirement to 

have a carbon monoxide 

and smoke alarms in 

rental properties. 

• Tip for summer Turning 

down water temperature 

down a few degrees will 

reduce bills by up to 30 

per cent. 

Call 07775 338 984 for 

more information or 

email jkf.gas@gmail.com 


Sophie’s world 

Photo: Claire Lawrie 

will be a toddler. Some didn’t 

believe she’d make it to the 

terrible twos, what with all 

those teething problems and 

the sleepless nights. This spoilt 

infant has partied more in two 

years than I have my whole life. 

Seems she’s just a Whitechapel 

girl that can’t say no to poetry, 

music, cocktails, film nights and 

dancing. Phew! 

All the East End Girls I know 

have been the same, and so 

have the boys. If you believe 

in psychogeography, that sort 

of energy rises out of our 

streets and up through the 

souls of your feet, and is an 

ageless phenomenon we pass 

on. Neighbourhoods, like the 

human body, are graffitied with 

the scars of ageing , worn with 

the history of living and none 

more so than the East End. 

Sophie Parkin 

Be proud of your age – it comes with 

experience, writes Sophie Parkin 

Getting older is something that 

happens to everyone; but only 

if we’re lucky. Of course, there 

are disadvantages – the lack 

of physical pursuit ("Nice tits 

love") can come as a relief. As 

the wonderful George Melly 

quoted Socrates, on losing his 

sexual appetite, "It’s like being 

unchained from a lunatic." 

You might have to be older, 

with a past, to appreciate this 

sentiment of falling off the 

merry-go-round. 

Soon I will be 55, I know it’s 

a shock to me too, and my 

club, my baby, Vout-O-Reenees, 

We are living in an ancient 

place, older than the Romans, 

even if some developers are 

treating her like the new girl on 

the block. They may garland 

her with the trinkets of glass 

and steel – we know she’s been 

loitering in Gin Lane longer than 

anyone else; with her saucy 

minx tricks she’ll be here long 

after they fall. 

So when your birthday comes 

along and you're moaning about 

your fading tattoos and scarred 

knees, smile even when it puts 

another line on your face. Be 

proud of your age because with 

it comes experience and 

wisdom – and because you’re 

worth it. 

Sophie Parkin is the proprietor of 

vout-o-reenees.com 

18 LOVEEAST

What's on at the MOC 

Fun for kids and grown-ups at the Museum of Childhood 

On the evening of Thursday, 12 May, as part of 

the Museums at Night Festival, grown-up visitors 

can experience a twilight journey through 

the weird history of toys and childhood. 

places are limited so book now to avoid 

disappointment – £10 per person. 

and turn it into a jumping jack – or the more 

technically minded can see how they can make 

their sculptures create noises with simple 

wires and tools. Workshops are £5 per child 

(accompanied by an adult) and should be booked 

in advance. See the website for details. 

Looking ahead to the summer the Museum is 

running two summer art camps for children, aged 

5-10 and 8-11, from 25 July to 5 August – details 

and booking information will be on the website 

from mid-May. 

And if you haven’t yet visited Clangers, Bagpuss & 

Co the exhibition continues until 9 October. 

To see full details and book places at workshops 

or the summer camp visit vam.ac.uk/moc/whatson 

V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2. 

Photos: Mechanical Toy Robot, 1975-9 and Jumping 

Jack, 1930-39, © Victoria and Albert Museum, London 

During May half term, 30 May–3 June, there 

will be drop-in activities focusing on moving 

toys from wind-up robots and toy cars to 

string puppets. Free and open to all ages. 

Throughout the half-term week children can 

join workshops to create a fantasy creature 

We're the window specialists 

just around the corner 

• Superb workmanship 

• Reliable and trustworthy 

To see us at work, check out our video at 

wall2wallsashwindows.co.uk 

020 8533 7228 


MON TUES WEDS THURS 

30 

Bank Holiday 

Free From festival p12 

Design Show East, P25 

31 

Canoeing, p12 

Kids' activities, 

Dalston Garden, p12 

Art events General events Outdoor events 

2 

Bank Holiday 

Toddler ballet, p12 

Kids' tennis, p12 

3 

Throw Lobster Tuesday, 

p12 

Storytime, under 5s, p12 

4 

Wellbeing, p12 

Baby music class, p12 

Dance classes, p12 

Tea dance, p12 

5 

Knitting/crochet, p12 

Storytelling, p12 

Yoga, p12 

Late night painting, p12 

Meditation, p12 

9 

Hatha yoga, p12 



The Little Prince p12 

10 


NOW festival, Yard, p12 

11 


Charity wine tasting, p12 

Coffee morning, p12 

12 

Museums at night, p12 



Yoga, p12 



16 

Lemar, p12 




Wellbeing, p12 

17 


Lindsey Kemp, p12 

Chatterbooks, p12 

18 


Supper club, p12 

The Govt Inspector, p12 

19 

Pete Doherty, p12 




Yoga, p12 


23 




20 LOVEEAST 

24 


25 


Gorgeous Gardens 

day, p12 

26 

Jazz at St John's, p12 



Knitting/crochet , p12 

Storytelling, p12

FRI SAT SUN 

6 

Music with Maddy, p25 

Shadow Progress, Unit G, p25 

13 

May 

Baby reflex workshop, p25 


7 

Gin-tasting sessions, p25 

Bow history walk, p25 

Greenery Day, p25 

London Fields Bootcamp, p25 

Bird Barmy Army, p25 

14 


Kids' chess, p25 


1 

Steamboat Club, p25 

Fat Buddha Yoga, p25 

Dalston roof gardens, p25 

Reading workshop, p25 

Woodberry Wetlands opens 

today, p25 

8 

Vintage clothing sale, p25 



Reading workshop, p25 

15 

Euro 96 quiz night, p25 



Heart of Hackney Fest, p15 

TH Cemetery walk, p25 

20 

Pete Doherty, p12 


Kate Jackson at Rough Trade, p25 

Baby reflex workshop, p25 

Dave Gorman, p25 

21 



Bow Beasties Wildlife Club, p25 

22 



London Gay Symphonic 

Winds, p25 

27 



London Swing festival, p25 

28 

Dalston kids' flower show, p25 

Kids chess, p25 


29 






around 10 years ago, but try to 

add something new to them," 

he says. He uses the freshest of 

ingredients, as well as making 

the food look like a work of art 

on a plate. 

The menu contains many dishes 

you'll recognise and there's 

something comforting in that. 

On the new summer menu 

you'll find dishes ranging from 

involtini (rolled aubergine with 

mozzarella, speck in a tomato 

sauce), to veal in porcini sauce, 

followed by summer fruit 

tiramisu or white chocolate 

panna cotta. 

LoveEast meets the team at Bacaro, 

Roman Road's new Italian restaurant 

Christina and Marco Barbuti 

are the delightful couple behind 

Roman Road’s new kid on the 

block, Bacaro. As much as I want 

to show them off to you, they're 

having none of it. For them, the 

restaurant takes centre stage; 

they're simply part of the team. 

They’ll hate me for saying this, 

but they deserve a loud round 

of applause and perhaps a 

few pats on the back, because 

they have brought something 

wonderful to East London. 

Bacaro is a restaurant that 

not only looks great, but has 

a fantastic vibe and very very 

good food. 

Christina and Marco had been 

searching for the right venue for 

two years when they discovered 

Roman Road. “Everything 

kept leading us to here,” says 

Christina. "We wanted to 

bring together old Italy – its 

regional good food – with a 

22 LOVEEAST 

Shoreditchy vibe. Somewhere 

you would want to enjoy 

yourself but somewhere not too 

pretentious." 

Their roots are deep in Italian 

cuisine – Marco is an Italian 

Londoner – and the food is 

designed around seasonal 

produce from carefully selected 

suppliers and artisan producers 

across Italy and the UK. The 

wines and spirits, too, are 

chosen from small producers, 

and there is a great range of 

cocktails (see the "LoveEast", on 

the opposite page). 

Head chef Loren Valentin 

Manoiu (a "Romanian East- 

Ender") brings his long 

experience of cooking in 

Tuscany and Piedmont, as well 

as being a consultant on the 

BBC's MasterChef series. He's 

giving a modern makeover to 

some classic Italian recipes. "I 

take some dishes that were 

The owners are proud of their 

new baby and that's literally 

what Bacaro means to them. 

"It's is our third child," says 

Christina. For Marco, it's "seeing 

people enjoying the food 

and the atmosphere… being 

at home and being part of 

something we’ve created… that’s 

the buzz.” 

He's right. It is a very good place 

indeed. Go try it for yourself. 

Bacaro, 387 Roman Rd, London 

E3 5QR. 020 8980 0111.

Eating (and drinking)in 

Ingredients (for 4) 

800g black cod (or other white 

fish) 

1½ teaspoons olive oil 

2 sliced courgettes 

2 sliced aubergines 

8 garlic cloves, crushed 

4 flat mushrooms 

2 carrots 

Fresh coriander 

Advertorial 

Black cod & veg parcels 

But first, try this... 

Try this easy but impressive dish, courtesy of 

Loren Valentin Manoiu, head chef at Bacaro 

Method 

Place the fish, olive oil, half 

the garlic, plus some salt 

and pepper in plastic zip bag 

(Boil-a-Bags are available from 

Lakeland and supermarkets 

have similar). 

Slice the aubergine and 

courgette thinly (lengthways) 

and grill. 

Slice the rest of the vegetables 

into 3-inch lengths and chop 

the coriander. Season and mix 

in the rest of the crushed garlic. 

Sauté until soft. 

Poach the fish-in-a-bag on a low 

heat for 6-8 minutes. 

Place one slice of aubergine 

onto a slice of courgette and 

top with chopped vegetables, 

and roll. 

Place the fish and vegetables on 

a plate and finish with a pesto 

of your choice, along with a little 

saffron aioli. 

Bacaro, 387 Roman Rd, London 

E3 5QR. 020 8980 0111. 

@bacaro387 

The Love East cocktail 

25ml triple sec 

50ml vodka 

20ml sugar syrup 

2 small scoops lime & mint 

sorbet 

20ml rose syrup 

1 crushed Oreo (blend it) 

Powdered chocolate (for the edge 

of the glass) 

...and shake it up! 


Eating out 

Bacaro 

to me and other locals for decades. There’s 

Abbott's for flooring, Thompson’s for hardware, 

Jakss for kids flash 'n' swagger and Gina’s closet, 

an Aladdin’s cave of bric-à-brac. 

It’s testament to the neighbourhood that all 

this has endured. At G Kelly’s you can already 

get pie, mash and liquor, but if you want an 

alternative, get yourself some good old East End 

pasta and meatballs at newcomer Bacaro, a local, 

independent, family-run Italian. It serves a weekly 

menu of seasonal British and Italian produce. 

To me Roman Road is all about the market, and 

what a market it is. No one-day-a-week wonder 

here – Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays every 

week. It's proper traditional and has been going 

for over 150 years. 

Being long established for the community there’s 

none of that feeling of being fleeced. Have you 

made the Broadway Market "hundred pound 

walk"? This is the average amount of cash you’re 

relieved of by the time you’ve got from one end to 

the other. I’ve always been a bit of a sucker for the 

artisan and niche, but can you Adam & Eve it? 

At least in nearby Roman Road you’ve got yourself 

a bit of a bargain. It does all this by selling 

discounted women’s fashions and home wares at 

a fraction of their original price. Made furniture, 

French Connection and Top Shop are some of 

the brands regularly for sale with their labels just 

about cut out. You also get properly priced fruit 

'n’ veg, too. 

This is a road that looks after its community; 

family-run independent shops have been useful 

24 LOVEEAST 

A good friend and I went and tried it out on a 

Wednesday night. It was bustling with locals. We 

sat down and immediately got stuck into the 

gossip, food and drink, all three just a touch too 

much. It’s exactly the sort of friendly place you 

want nearby to do all this. The service is hospitable 

and informal, a table nearby were celebrating 

and a very well lit birthday cake was brought out 

to a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday. That’s 

all I saw of what they ate. Our neighbour's pasta 

looked substantial and nourishing, but we both 

went for fish – a hearty Cacciucco (seafood stew in 

tomato broth) and delightful black cod served with 

saffron aioli and grilled vegetables. 

It’s fun to be able to pop out in the neighbourhood 

and eat inexpensively in such a convivial 

atmosphere, where you get to know the owners, 

Chris and Marco, and even some of your dinner 

neighbours. This place is a great addition to Roman 

Road, clearly already familiar and cherished, it 

might well be around for a few decades yet. 

Prices: Antipasti £7–£8, Pasta £9–£11, 

Meat £9–£14, Fish £12–£14, Sweet £5–£6. 

Address: Bacaro, 387 Roman Road, London E3, 020 

8980 0111 

Susan Birtwistle

FRI SAT SUN SUN 

What's on in May 

Weekly 

Music with Maddy, 

10am-11pm, Hackney 

Museum. Creative fun 

for ages 0-5yrs. 

6-28 

Shadow Progress 

Multi-disciplinary art by 

Conrad Armstrong. Unit 

G Gallery, 12 Collent St, 

London E9 

13, 20 

Two-part baby reflex 

workshop for parents. 

Pt1, 10-11.30am 13th; 

pt 2, 10-11.30am 20th. 

Venue: Olive Loves Alfie 

East, 6 Victory Parade, 

East Village, E20 

20 

Kate Jackson, 7pm at 

Rough Trade East, FREE. 

roughtrade.com 

20 

Dave Gorman 8pm. 

Hoxton Hall hosts TV 

comedian for one night, 

Hoxton Town Hall. Book 

via hoxtonhall.co.uk 

27-30 


shopping fair, 6-9pm 

Fri, 10-5pm Sat-Mon, 

hosted by the Geffrye 

museum over the next 

three days, FREE. 

27 

Annual London Swing 

Festival Starts today. 

Social dancing, two 

days of workshops and 

the London Jitterbug 

Championships. Check 

swingpatrol.co.uk for 

more news 

Weekly 

London Fields 

Bootcamp, 10am. 

ourparks.org.uk/ 

borough/london-fields 

7 

Bird Barmy Army, 10- 

12.30pm, Vicky Park, 

meet V&A Building 

7 

Greenery Day 10am– 

4pm, Prideaux House, 

Church Crescent, E9. 

020 8986 6000 

7 

A guided history walk 

around Bow 2-4pm. 

Book via localhistory@ 


7 

Gin tasting sessions, 

1-5pm, Bottle Apostle 

in Vicky Park, FREE 

14, 28 

Kids' Chess Club, 2-4pm. 

Hackney Central 

Library (7-14yrs), FREE 

21 

Bow Beasties Wildlife 

Club, 10.30-12.30pm, 

TH Cemetery Park. 

fothcp.org FREE 

28 

Dalston Flower Show 

for Children, 12-5pm, 

Dalston Garden. 

dalstongarden.org 

28 

London Fields Jumble & 

Craft Fair, 1.30-5.30pm, 

St Michaels & All 

Angels Church, entry 

£1 for adults 

Weekly 

Sunday Night Music 

Sessions 7-10pm, 

The Marksman on 

Hackney Road 

Vicky Park Steamboat 

Club, 9am onwards. 

Pop down to the 

boating lake and run 

boats some boats. 

FREE 

Fat Buddha Yoga, 

1-2pm, The Hoxton, 

Shoreditch. 

hoxtown.com/events 

1, 8 

My Reading Matters 

1-2pm, The Idea 

Store, Whitechapel. 

Interactive workshop 

(7-9yrs) Free. 

ideastore.co.uk 

1 

Woodberry Wetlands 

Opens in the heart of 

the city... and it's FREE. 

woodberrywetlands. 

co.uk 

1 

It’s the first day of May 

And the first Sunday 

Dalston Roof Park is 

open. Catch some rays 

(hopefully!) 18 Ashwin 

St, E8 

8 

Bethnal Green Vintage 

Clothing Kilo Sale, 11- 

4pm, York Hall. £1.50 

admission (£3 early 

bird). Get there early 

to bag vintage finds at 

£15 a kilo. 

15 

Heart of Hackney 

Festival 1-6pm 

Hackney's favourite 

community festival 

returns. Soul from the 

Jack Tyson Charles 

Trio, hiphop from 

Icykal & Juha, reggae 

from Clapper Priest 

plus, DJs, poets, kids' 

activities from Victoria 

Park Bandstand. Don't 

forget your picnic. 

15 

Euro 96 quiz night, 

7-11pm, The Moth 

Club, Hackney. 

£20/ team of 5. 

mothclub.co.uk 

15 

Guided Walk in Tower 

Hamlets Cemetery 

Park, 2-4pm. FREE. 

fothcp.org 

22 

A Walk In The Park 

with Travis Elborough, 

2-3.30pm. To book 

a place please call 

020 7364 7968 or 

email victoriapark@ 


22 

London Gay Symphonic 

Winds & Goodnight 

Cherry and Juha 

2-5.30pm. Tower 

Hamlets LGBT Forum 

and Switchboard 

LGBT Helpine invite 

everyone to join them 

at the bandstand, 

Victoria Park 



Main photo by N Koblov, Roman Road Trust 

Clockswise from left: Eugenio and Philippe (right); a busy evening at Vinarius; a wine-tasting event 

Julie Daniels meets the team at 

Vinarius on Roman Road 

that are not only good quality 

but great value for money. In 

fact the most expensive bottle 

there is under £50. 

"Wine cheers the sad, revives 

the old, inspires the young," 

said Lord Byron. He could have 

written it for Vinarius, the East 

End "enoteca" whose business it 

is to bring the very best in wine 

and conviviality to Roman Road. 

The team behind the Vinarius 

are Philippe and Eugenio. What 

started out as a hobby soon 

became their day job, and the 

people of Roman Road are 

much the richer for this Franco- 

Italian partnership. 

The word enoteca may not be 

familiar. It's a properly Italian 

concept – not simply a wine 

shop, nor a restaurant, but a 

place where you can go to drink 

a glass of wine, have a small 

plate of food to accompany it, 

or perhaps just have a coffee. 

It's where families are welcome, 

women feel comfortable 

26 LOVEEAST 

sitting alone, and where the 

atmosphere is warm. There 

are well-priced wine-tastings 

(around £15-20) and live music 

on Sunday evenings. Who could 

want for more? 

There can be a certain snobbery 

around wine, but there are no 

snooty wine buffs here. Eugenio 

and Philippe are simply there 

to help. "The selection of wine 

is very important. Probably 70% 

of the wine you see here in the 

shop you can't buy anywhere 

in the UK. It's a unique choice," 

says Eugenio. There is a story 

behind each bottle and they 

take great pleasure in passing it 

on to their customers. 

Great effort goes into sourcing 

small producers from Italy, 

France, Spain and England. 

They're looking for rare grape 

varieties and little appellations 

The word that kept springing 

to mind when I visited Vinarius 

was "hub". In the past year 

and a half since it opened, it's 

become a real centrepoint and 

the team are doing a great 

job of attracting locals and 

newcomers, too. It's a place 

where people feel at home. 

"Customers often bring their 

visiting parents and they're 

always happy to show them 

where they're hanging out," 

says Philippe. 

Along with great wines, there 

is cicchetti – small plates of 

cheese and charcuterie. There's 

fresh bread from a nearby 

bakery and many local craft 

beers and great Italian coffee. 

If you haven't discovered 

Vinarius yet, you're in for a treat. 

You'll find Vinarius at 536 Roman 

Road, E3 or visit vinarius.london

Celebrate Spring with the design store family 

and get 10% off instore* when you show this 

edition with your purchase 

*excludes furniture and lighting to commission 

111 Stoke Newington Church Street, 

London N16 OUD Tel: 020 7249 6385 

6a Ada Street, London E8 4QU 

Tel: 020 7254 3760 

www.eastlondondesignstore.com 

info@eastlondondesignstore.com 

facebook.com/eastlondondesignstore 

@ELDstore 

eastlondondesignstore 

“Our gas bill was £350+ a month and we 

didn’t know why. Jason fixed our boiler and 

our bills are now £125 a month” 

Jenny Carmichael ~ customer 

ARE YOUR BILLS TOO HIGH? 

Contact Jason on 07775 338 984 

or email jkf.gas@gmail.com 

JKF Plumbing and Heating 

Quote LoveEast for 10% off (T&Cs apply) 


What to do 

Pottery 

On Sundays: Weekly drop-in children's pottery at 

Hackney City Farm, 11am-1pm and 2-4pm. £5. 

Goldsmith's Row, E2. 

Stories 

Storytime for the under 5s at Victoria Park 

Community Centre every Tuesday from 10am to 

11.30am. 5 Gore Road, E9. FREE. 

Third Tuesday of the month: 4-5pm. . 

Chatterbooks reading group (ages 8-12) at 

Clapton library. Call 020 8356 7480 for more info 

Building 

Free Mini Builders at Shoreditch Library for under 

5s and parents. 

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 

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 

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. 

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 

Dance 

Mafalda holds morning ballet lessons for kids at 

Hackney Forge, E9. Call 07550 722 693 

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. 

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 

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 

28 LOVEEAST

with the kids 

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. 

Baby Music Class in the Straw Bale building at 

Hackney City Farm. 10-10.45am and 11-11.45am. 

babymusicclass.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 after each entry. 

Piccolo 

Singing, Music & Dancing 

Award winning classes for 0-5 yrs 

A truly fun-packed 

45 minute drop-in 

session for babies 

and toddlers, 

featuring action 

songs, puppets & 

musical instruments. 

“It’s simply 

effervescent!” Now in 

its tenth year! 

Come along and join the fun! 

Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday 

V&A Building, children’s playground Victoria Park, opposite The Royal Inn Pub, 

Grove Road, Hackney E9 7HJ 

Drop - in £5.00 per child, siblings £2.50, Term time only 

For more information contact Stefanie on 

07708 451314 or s_guselli@sky.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 


History hangout 

Stephen Selby 

reveals one of 

Hackney's most 

guarded ancient 

secrets 

About five years ago, I was 

sent a few printed pages by 

Hackney’s acclaimed historian 

Dr Melvyn Brooks, about the 

ancient tunnel that some 19thcentury 

workmen came across 

by accident. 

They had dug a deep pit in 

Homerton High Street, just 

along from Sutton House. It 

was at the junction of Ponsford 

Street where the 236 buses 

travel under the railway arches 

from Morning Lane. 

The workmen found an 

opening into an old stone-lined 

tunnel and daring to enter the 

foreboding entrance, these 

workmen found a skeleton of 

a man fully dressed in a suit of 

armour. Rumours were that 

the style of armour dated back 

possibly to the Battle of Barnet 

in 1471. 

To see if this might possibly be 

true, I researched and found 

more than I bargained for. 

A subsequent investigation 

revealed that Alan Hayday, an 

experienced dowser-diviner, 

traced this tunnel from the old 

Church tower of St Augustine’s, 

travelling east behind the 

Georgian terrace in Sutton Place 

to Sutton House itself. 

30 LOVEEAST 

This house, now run by the 

National Trust, was built for 

Ralph Sadleir, one of Henry VIII’s 

high-ranking courtiers, in 1535. 

The tunnel would have been 

accessible to Sadleir. Many 

tunnels in those days were not 

only used in anticipation of an 

emergency or escape, but were 

the means of wealthy people to 

avoid robbers and highwaymen, 

in this case those roaming the 

Hackney Marshes. 

Starting in 1993, Hayday traced 

the length of the tunnel all 

the way to St Mary’s Leyton, 

travelling directly beneath the 

River Lea and the mile-wide 

Hackney Marshes. See the red 

lines on the map, above. 

Does this tunnel date back 

to the time of the Knight’s 

Templars? Well this is more than 

a possibility. The line from the 

site of Brooke House at Clapton 

heads south towards Clapton 

Priory and the Templar’s Round 

Chapel (beneath Homerton 

Hospital). 

On the strength of this 

revelation, I travelled to Weston- 

Super-Mare to visit Alan Hayday, 

since which time we have 

exchanged many thoughts. He 

showed me how I too could 

become a dowser, and so I 

attended several weekend 

courses on the subject and 

now specialise in dowsing for 

archaeological mysteries. 

But this is another story for 

another time… 

* Most people are aware of 

dowsing for water, but experts 

can dowse for anything they 

want to find. Archaeology is 

now an important application. 

In professional circles it is called 

biolocation. 

Next month: the mystery of 

Hackney Marshes during World 

War Two.

Faraday School 

Independent Prep School 

7 Trinity Buoy Wharf London E14 0FH 

Tel: 020 7719 9342 

Pupils' attainment “is judged to be well above 

national age-related expectations” ISI Inspection Report 

Ÿ Creative, independent preparatory school 

Ÿ Strong academic foundation, teaching Core Knowledge 

Ÿ Rigorous approach to learning 

Ÿ Outstanding pastoral care 

Ÿ Confident and articulate pupils 

Ÿ Unique riverside location in a creative hub 

Ÿ Small Class sizes 

Fee for the Academic Year 2015/16 £2,930 per term 

To find out more, or to register, please contact 

admissions@faradayschool.co.uk- T: 020 8965 7374 

Late Care Until 5.30pm 

Daily School Bus Run (including south of the river) 

Boat charter available (from North Greenwich Pier) 

www.faradayschool.co.uk 

nms 

Visit our shop in Bethnal Green at 

103 Roman Road E2 0QN 

www.gingerwhite.co.uk 

Quote code “LOVEEAST10” for 10% OFF all shop orders - offer ends 30th June 2016 


Money matters 

Thinking of starting your 

own business? Let Alan 

Patient & Co, LoveEast's 

accountancy experts, guide 

you through the steps 

Advertorial 

I began my own business many years ago, but I 

remember very well how daunting it was to be out 

there on your own. 

It can be a struggle knowing where to start, and 

many clients have said it would have been helpful 

to have an accountant’s advice at the point of 

setting up in business, rather than after the event. 

It can be hugely rewarding to be your own boss 

and I hope my advice helps you to start off on the 

right foot. 

Don't give up the day job 

A sensible route is to start a business in your 

spare time while maintaining a day job – this is 

a perfect way of testing the water to see if your 

business idea is viable or not. 

The taxman cometh 

You'll need to inform HMRC once you start a 

business of your own. As the tax year runs from 

6 April to the 5 April, if you commence trading 

in January (for example) you will be obliged to 

complete your first Self-Assessment tax return for 

the period to 5 April, and then yearly thereafter. 

Solo or need some company? 

You will also have to decide whether to set up 

as a sole trader or limited company. There's a 

difference in law, as well as a difference in the 

treatment from the tax man, and this is really 

an area where an accountant’s advice can be 

beneficial. Broadly, though, if your annual earnings 

Alan Patient 

are in the region of £25,000 then you should 

consider becoming a limited company. I will 

cover more of starting in business (including VAT 

registration) in the next issue. 

You may feel there is an awful lot to consider, but 

I don’t want to put you off – it can be wonderful to 

be your own boss. 

If you would like to talk in more detail about 

starting your own business, don't hesitate to give 

us a call and we'll be happy to offer advice. Our 

first consultation is free! 

Alan Patient 

Alan Patient & Co. 

9 The Shrubberies, George Lane 

South Woodford, E18 1BD 

020 8532 9843 

alanpatient.com 

32 LOVEEAST

Rowing boats and 

pedalos for hire, Victoria 

Park West Lake 

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 

Regal Boat Hire Ltd 

07852 127895 

info@regalboathire.co.uk 

Life coaching for 

modern lives 

Fast, 

strong, 

fearless 

www.millerandlove.com 

Hackney E8 

ROGER LOVE 

Personal training 

1:1 studio or park 

www.hackneypt.com 


Wellness 

brings an understanding of where you are in your 

life and how you get to where you want to be. 

Exploring happiness 

Last month’s international Day of Happiness 

inspired lots of debate, including a panel 

discussion at The Canvas Café, London’s first 

"Happy Café". It was an energetic event and 

the themes tied in with research from Action 

for Happiness’s Ten Keys for Happier Living 

(actionforhappiness.org/10-keys-to-happier-living). 

Advertorial 

At the event, people discussed the importance 

of being spontaneous and playful; of making a 

difference to others; of making an effort to be 

happy in everyday life, and of being kind to oneself 

and others. 

What does happiness 

mean to you, asks Karen 

Liebenguth 

Happy is a much used word. "I’m happy about 

this, I’m not happy about that..." But what does 

being happy really mean? What does it feel like? 

Research has shown that long-term happiness 

stems from the feeling of being in charge of 

as much of our lives as possible. It’s not about 

smiling all the time, nor does it come from money 

or health, but from a belief that you are on the 

road you want to be on. 

The problem many of us face, however, is that we 

live out of sync with what matters most to us. We 

find ourselves doing a lot more things we don’t like, 

meaning the things that contribute most to our 

happiness slip off our agenda. 

One of the most common reasons people seek 

life coaching is because they have an overall 

sense of unhappiness and lack of fulfilment. By 

helping to increase self-awareness, coaching 

34 LOVEEAST 

To find out what being happy means to you, ask 

yourself what’s important to you in your life. What 

is meaningful to you? What are the things that 

give you a deep sense of satisfaction and as a 

result, bring you happiness? 

It’s often the little things that bring great joy. 

Reigniting old passions such as painting, writing, 

photography or sport; spending quality time with 

family and friends; changing a habit or routine or 

doing some voluntary work in your community. 

Making an effort every day to explore what’s 

possible is the very thing that renders our life 

meaningful and happy. It's essential for our 

wellbeing. 

Look out for lots more inspiration later this month 

during Mental Health Awareness Week (from 16 

to 22 May). This year’s theme is relationships. 

Good relationships being essential for good 

mental health. 

Karen Liebenguth is a life coach and accredited 

mindfulness teacher offering 1:1 coaching 

while walking in green spaces – where insight, 

change and creativity happen most naturally. 

Karen also offers 1:1 mindfulness training and 

mindfulness workshops and courses for the 

workplace. 

To book a free taster coaching session in Victoria 

Park email karen@greenspacecoaching.com or 

call 07815 591279. For more information visit 

greenspacecoaching.com

Fitness 

Roger Love, a local personal 

trainer, continues our 

A-Z of fitness with… N 

Advertorial 

Negatives 

If you want a physical and mental challenge – 

and the prospect of building more muscle – 

try "negatives". 

These involve slowing down the phase of 

an exercise when the muscles you are using 

are lengthening – also called the eccentric 

phase – because it is believed this does more 

of the micro-damage to the muscles that helps 

build size. 

Good examples would be the downward phase 

on the bench press or the bicep curl. 

Most people lift their weights too quickly anyway 

and this system generally helps to slow you down 

– and because it's tough and disciplined it builds 

mental strength, too. 

Negatives could be done on their own or as a 

"finisher" after the main part of your workout. 

To get started, slow down the downward phase 

of a press-up. Count 1-2-3 seconds on the way 

down and come up on 4-5. Try not to swear in 

front of the kids. 

Netball 

Whenever I work with a client on Highbury Fields, 

it's always amazing – and heartening – to see the 

sheer number of netball teams passing through 

the park towards their matches. 

With its short, sharp bursts of cardio – and need 

for rapid recovery – it is great for building aerobic 

strength and burning calories, and for fine-tuning 

balance, agility and co-ordination. 

The bumper crowds at matches held at the 

Copperbox in the Olympic Park and the fact that 

Sky Sports now covers the Netball Superleague 

is testament to the game's popularity. 

There are leagues all over London, and 

a search on Google will reveal a wealth of 

opportunities. But a good place to start might 

be netbusters.org (which includes 

details of sessions at Haggerston School) 

or gomammoth.co.uk (which covers Mile End 

Stadium). 

Nutrition 

Whether you want to lose fat, build muscle, 

run the fastest race of your life or have more 

day-to-day energy, you need to get your food 

and drink right. Half the battle is knowing 

precisely what and how much you are eating now, 

so that you understand what needs to be fixed. 

In the past, you might do a written food diary. 

The app age has made it easier, with free 

resources, such as MyFitnessPal, providing a great 

tool to record and analyse what you are eating 

and drinking. Then, you can use this data to help 

make wise choices in the future… 

Roger Love is a personal trainer based at 

Netil House, Westgate Street, E8. 

hackneypt.com 


Legal eagle 

Advertorial 

Taking the kids abroad 

can be complicated for 

separated parents, writes 

Forum Shah 

The school holidays are fast approaching and 

that means many parents will be making plans 

to travel abroad with their children. This can be 

the one opportunity of the year to spend some 

extended quality time with each other – but the 

arrangements for travelling abroad with children 

can be complicated if their parents are separated. 

It's best to try and plan ahead and communicate 

as much as possible in an attempt to sort out any 

difficulties, and with plenty of time before your 

trip. Many people don't realise that you need 

the permission of each person with parental 

responsibility before taking the children abroad. In 

most circumstances, this is the other parent. 

It is best if permission is put in writing in case you 

are asked to provide proof at the airport, or upon 

entering the other country. 

If permission is not given, you may need to apply 

to obtain a Court Order giving consent for the 

children to travel abroad. An exception is where 

you have obtained a Child Arrangements Order 

saying the children live with you. This allows you to 

take them abroad, but for no longer than a month 

without permission. 

If a court application is made, the Judge considers 

any objections raised. The most common is a 

fear that the children will not be returned home. 

The court looks at evidence provided to ensure 

that the children will be returned, such as return 

tickets. Ultimately, the judge determines what 

is in the children’s best interests and whether 

they will benefit from the holiday, which in most 

circumstances, of course, they will. 

If you would like advice about taking your children 

abroad or if you are concerned about your children 

being taken abroad without your consent, please 

do get in touch. We have a team of experienced 

accredited solicitors who are able to offer specialist 

legal advice. 

Forum Shah is a family lawyer. Please 

contact her on 020 3440 8013, or by email: 

forum.shah@tvedwards.com 

tvedwards.com, 35-37 Mile End Road 

London, E1 4TP 

36 LOVEEAST

Letterbox Listings 

T H E H A C K N E E Y Y B B U U I L I D L E D RE R 

property refurbishment & & renovation 

E: thehackneybuilder@icloud.com 

Well Street Common Festival, Sunday 12 

June, noon till 5pm. To volunteer or book 

a stall: info@wellstreetcommon.co.uk 

POP Beauty UP treatments TEA STOP for – 10.30am-noon a fiver! Victoria every Park 

Wednesday Community Centre, at Prideaux 9 Gore House, Road. 10 Call Church Sylvia 

Crescent, 020 8985 6571 E9. All or welcome. masonsylvia@hotmail.com 

020 8986 6000 

Experienced, reliable dog dog walker. walker. Fully Fully 

insured, references supplied. supplied. For more For more details 

call details Annabel call Annabel on 07960 483570 on 07960 483570 

Travelling abroad and want to see some art? 

I can advise you on how to see the very best. 

www.douglas@darkstream32.fsnet.co.uk 

MINDFULNESS FOR STRESS: 8-week 

course at Yoga Place, Bethnal Green. Email: 

karen@greenspacecoaching.com 

If you would like to take out a small ad 

on the Letterbox Listings page, prices 

from just £17.50 per month 

I’m an illustrator who who makes beautiful beautiful screen- 

screen-printed bags, postcards, bags, postcards, T-shirts, etc. T-shirts, Take a 

look: etc. Take www.rachelgale.com 

a look: www.rachelgale.com 

l Street Well Common Street Common Festival Festival Well Stree 

Sunday 12th Sunday June 12th 2016June 2016 

12-5pm 12-5pm 

og Show - Donkey Dog Show Rides - Donkey Stalls - Rides tea tent - Stalls - tea tent 

Cake competition Cake - Live competition Music- Refreshments - Live Music- Refreshments 

Football Tournament Football - Raffle Tournament - Raffle 

Tombola - BBQ Tombola - Animal - Petting BBQ - Animal Petting 

EVERYONE WELCOME EVERYONE WELCOME 

wellstreetcommon.co.uk 

Dog Show - Do 

Cake competit 

Footba 

Tombola 

EV 

LOVEEAST MAY 2016 37 

Sunday

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 

you do contact 

someone after 

seeing their 

advertisement 

on these pages, 

please mention it 

to them when you call. 

Why advertise with us? 

Every month the magazine is delivered to 

10,500 households in E9, E8, E2 and E3, as 

well as to local shops, restaurants and cafés in 

Victoria Park, Hackney Wick, Broadway Market 

Roman Road, Chatsworth Road and East 

Village, Stratford. 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, 

local audience. 

If you would like to advertise, please contact 

us at: 

07752 288 405 

sales@nutshellpublications.co.uk 

Twitter: @LoveEastMag 

Facebook: facebook.com/LoveEastMag 

Next issue – June 

Copy deadline – 5 May 

38 LOVEEAST

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HOSPICE 

5, 10 OR 15 

MILE ROUTES 

Av’a 

butchers 

EXPLORE THE 

EAST END 

17TH JULY 2016 

Register at stjh.org.uk/GEEW 

or call 020 8525 3200 

Founded in 1905 under the care of the Religious Sisters of Charity. Charity No. 1113125

Looking for an 

Accountant? 

Tax Tips 

on the Go: 

Download 

our TAX App 

FREE from the 

App Store & 

GooglePlay 

We can guide you in the right 

direction, call 020 8532 9843 

At Alan Patient & Co, we pride 

ourselves on being friendly 

and helpful, but also extremely 

professional. 

Our first consultation is free, 

giving us an opportunity to 

explain exactly what we can do 

for you. 

We offer a full range of services, 

but you can in effect “pick and 

mix” the services which suit you 

best. 

Whether you find accounting 

daunting, expensive in terms of 

your time, or just plain boring, 

we can find a solution tailored 

to your business needs. 

Our clients vary from: artists 

to antique dealers, bookmakers 

to builders, hypnotherapists to 

haulage contractors, plumbers to 

publishers and trainers to types 

of dancers. They all have their 

own unique requirements and 

we aim to make their lives a 

little easier. 

Alan Patient & Co 

Chartered Accountants • Registered Auditors 

9 The Shrubberies, George Lane, South Woodford, London E18 1BD • Tel: 020 8532 9843 

www.alanpatient.com • Alan Patient & Co @alanpatientco Alan Patient & Co

May 2016

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?