What’s New & Happening in Fulham

What’s New

ANIMA

We caught up with Fulham resident and founder Sarah Thomas to hear about the new community based wellness space she’s creating for mothers / mothers to be and their children at 181 New Kings Road. ANIMA [a - ni - ma] meaning, among other things, the essence of a person, vital force, inner child, is a space on two levels in Parsons Green. After becoming a Mother herself three weeks before lockdown Sarah felt there wasn’t a place for Mothers to go to that reflected her new state of being – a new mother seeking community. ANIMA is intended to be homely, welcoming and a place where mothers can relax and connect with their community.

Sarah told Urban Village LDN “Fulham has such a community village feel to it, there are many families in the area and a real need and want for places to go to that are designed with Mums and children in mind. We wanted to create a place that is a nice experience for Mums (no loud music blaring and awful coffee), and somewhere that makes women feel supported throughout their whole journey of motherhood from antenatal to postpartum and beyond. We want to tend to a Mother’s own needs whilst also creating a space for children to connect with nature and the simple joy of imaginative play”.

ANIMA is a hybrid space with a cafe, treatment rooms providing on-demand holistic beauty treatments (massages, facials), wellness classes (meditation, yoga, sound healing, breathwork), creative classes (candle making, flower arranging, life drawing). Sarah told us “we are looking forward to working with different and local practitioners for classes with a more natural and creative feel with both local Mums and children in mind. Our children’s activities range from baby yoga to nature walks and all our classes are designed to encourage creative and conscious development in little imaginations and to give Mums the opportunity to embrace their creativity”.

ANIMA will also stock a small range of independent clothing, wellness and homeware brands tailored towards Mothers and Children. They will be open to the public from 14 July, aim to build the business and tailor make it for the local community based on feedback from Mothers about their wants and needs. They will be hosting retreat days throughout the summer starting with: “Mothers-To-Be” on Weds 16 June and “New Mums and Families” on Monday 21 June. Both events will include a wellness class, nature craft, organic facial and a seasonal organic lunch. For full details and tickets head to the ANIMA website on the link below.

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/animahouse

New look for Hot Spot Yoga

We went along to The Hot Spot Yoga Studio to take a look at their recent renovations. Fulham Resident and Studio Director Melissa McIntyre showed us round and told Urban Village LDN “the studio opened in 2006 and the last time we underwent some changes was six years ago. We took the opportunity during lockdown to put the downtime to good use and be ready for when we were able to reopen again. We’ve refreshed our look and brought some green into the studio to reflect our fantastic Parsons Green location”.

The studio reception has a leafy back wall, a stunning feature tree which is under lit and creates a leafy ceiling canopy, there’s a Scando forest wallpaper feature wall, wood accents and earthy tones throughout. The changing rooms and shower facilities have been upgraded and the studio, we enjoyed it’s warmth on an especially windswept rainy day, has been installed with a medical grade UV disinfectant filter. The studio is abiding by the current 1m distance rules and can currently accommodate 26 spaces.

If you’d like to take a look at their refurb, sample The Hot Spot Yoga studio experience then why not head over and visit the team at their International Day of Yoga event on 21 June. To celebrate this day recognised by the United Nations, which is also summer solstice, there are complimentary classes at the studio throughout the day. The studio also have a great intro offer of 10 consecutive days of classes for £35. Find out more here http://thehotspotyoga.co.uk/intro-offer

https://www.instagram.com/thehotspotyoga/

Annabella Clothing

We spoke to Valentina Liotta, a local mum who recently decided to get involved in a business that has been run by her family in Catania, Italy and introduce what they offer to the UK. Annabella Clothing was started by her Grandmother over 50 years when, as a Mother to five children who was good with her hands and looking to get back to work, she decided to create a small range of hand sewn baby clothes. Over the years the business grew with her sister joining their two room shop which had a couple of machines and a few seamstresses. Valentina told Urban Village LDN “when I became a Mother myself and having recently had my second baby I put my career on hold. My Grandma who is now 96 is no longer going to the shop but my Aunt is still involved in the business which sells directly to wholesalers and retailers in Italy. I started talking to her and discussing how we could market the products to the UK which had never been introduced to the brand. A couple of months ago we launched on social media and created an online page on Etsy”

Valentina told us that Annabella Clothing “is a niche product, far from mass production and not something you’ll find on the high street. We create around 20 pieces each season, they are handmade, classic in style featuring unique embroidery and we can personalise orders with the baby’s name or initials”. The range uses premium and natural fabrics including Modena Wool and organic cotton which are all sourced in Italy. The attention to detail shows in their designs, there are no third parties involved with the company in fact they are still working with people who have been involved with the company from the start. Their top of the range product is the Newborn set which includes: a dress / jumpsuit with leggings, a throw, organic cotton linen pillow case, a hat and baby booties which are all coordinated in colour and design. We also loved their individual pieces including gorgeous dresses, bloomers and leggings; a baby wardrobe staple. The designs are perfect for gifting, special occasions and we were massively impressed when Valentina told us that items are tailor made to specifications and delivered within two weeks of an order being placed. To find out more follow them on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/annabella_clothing Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Annabellababyclothing or head to their Etsy page on the link below where Valentina will happily answer any questions and can discuss individual orders.

READER OFFER: Valentina has kindly offered subscribers to Urban Village LDN 15% off on any purchase made before the end of June. Simply enter the code URBAN15 at checkout.

Abode

Bayley & Sage Abode is the company’s first homeware and garden shop and aren’t we lucky its in our urban village at 38 New Kings Road, a few doors down from their Parsons’s Green delicatessen; on the site where Oddbins used to be. The team at Bayley & Sage told Urban Village LDN “Similarly to the artisan food and drink offering across our nine delicatessens, Bayley & Sage Abode is approached with the same commitment to celebrate independent craftmanship. With a specific emphasis on tableware and earthenware the store offers a beautiful and eclectic mix of homeware along with plants and flowers that can be treasured”.

We went along to investigate and there is no doubt they’ve waved some magic on this site to transform and give it a massive upgrade. The facade of the shop is stunning with fabulous window displays and inside you’ll find a treasure trove of planters, glass vases, gardening accouterments, candles, their own range of pottery all beautifully displayed on rustic shelving. There’s a conservatory style ceiling which floods the space with light and leads you through to an outside space. The flooring of rubberised pebbles slightly threw us, but what a smart idea to stop crunchy sounds and gravel being dragged back in store. There’s a mermaid water feature and a garden shed displaying bird feeders, pots etc “we have specifically focused on tableware and earthenware but we offer a beautiful and eclectic mix of homeware along with plants and flowers. The look and feel was incredibly important to us so customers will find a range of natural textures and aromas to explore”.

We asked Bayley & Sage why they decided to move into homeware and the reasons behind choosing Fulham as the location for their first store “We felt it was a natural progression for Bayley & Sage. We love celebrating great food and drink but we also appreciate the importance of how it is served and the overall experience. There is so much ritualism around cooking for friends and family and the special touches that people remember. We also love the way it’s a part of Bayley & Sage you can keep. Bayley & Sage Abode has been a concept of founder Jennie Allen’s for some time, therefore, when the space became available, she immediately saw the potential. South West London is the heartland of Bayley & Sage and particularly Fulham – we really feel we know the local community. Not to mention, our Parson’s Green delicatessen is only a couple of doors down from Abode which was an added bonus”. We love that Fulham was first and think Abode is fantastic addition to the area, the team told us “as we grow, we are always on the lookout for great new locations so watch this space!”

Deja Vu

We spotted flashes of pink and “coming soon” hoardings on Wandsworth Bridge Road a few months ago. Mid-May, after lockdowns and renovations, Deja Vu opened the doors to their hair, beauty and ascetics salon. Looking radically different to the corner spot last occupied by Starbucks their pink colour scheme, big windows onto neon signage, plush pink velvet seating and a stunning collection of mirrors is certainly lifting and brightening up this section of WBR.

Entrepreneur Founder, Chase specialises in the hospitality sector but after his bars were badly hit by Covid and some of his other businesses wiped out he decided he needed to diversify. After brainstorming with his five sisters they suggested a beauty related business and so Deja Vu, a salon where customers can find all their beauty requirements under one roof, was born.

Deja Vu offer a membership scheme designed so regular customers can save money on monthly treatments but you don’t have to be a member to visit the salon and walk in’s are welcome. Gold membership (£30 a month/minimum three months) gives members a 20% discount on hair and beauty services and their Platinum membership (£50 per month/minimum 6 months) gives you additional access to aesthetics with a 30% discount. There is also an additional 20% discount on all retail purchases and every three months you can claim a free treatment of your choice up to the value of £60. Hit the link below to find out more.

What’s Happening

Revival of South Park’s Heritage Market Garden

The revival of the Heritage Market Garden in South Park started when a group of local volunteers came together in August 2020. We spoke to local resident Fiona Tricarico about the group and their plans to restore this garden oasis in the North West corner of the park where internationally renowned Veitch glasshouses stood in 18/1900's. “Since last year we’ve been gathering in numbers and our community has been developing. The garden provides different things for different people, an opportunity to learn how to garden or simply a place where people can sit quietly and enjoy nature. The Heritage Market Garden has become a garden for those who don’t have any outdoor space something that has become even more needed in recent times. Toddlers enjoy exploring and children who visit us on Wednesdays especially enjoy the bee hives and wormery. We need more help from weed pulling in the rose garden to tackling the ivy and volunteers can help in any way they wish or just stop by for a social catch up”.

Funds are also needed to support the restoration project and The Friends of South Park Community Gardening Group have set up a crowdfunding campaign withe the aim of raising £7,062 and they have also pitched to several charitable funds. Fiona told us “the garden shed isn’t fit for purpose and we need a new one to not only provide shelter if it rains but as a place to store our equipment, tools and would like to also use the space as a potting shed”. Funds raised will be put towards, amongst other things, soil, compost, bulbs, seeds, a new bench and wood to repair the raised beds that are in disrepair. There are plans for community events to invite all ages to experience the joys of a working market garden from planting to harvesting, to educate a younger generation about food from growing vegetables & fruits from a seed, planting bulbs, digging in the earth and learning about ecology, composting and discovering bugs.

If you’d like to volunteer email The Friends of South Park fulham.southpark@gmail.com or visit the garden on Wednesday (1 - 4 pm) or Sunday (10 - 12.20pm) to meet Fiona and the rest of the team who will gladly tell you more, answer any questions and help you sign up. If you’d like to contribute to the fundraising campaign head to the link below where you can make a donation.

Open Art Spaces: 9 - 10 October

Open Art Spaces was founded in 2013 and after pausing for a few years to restructure and reenergise they’re back this autumn with a celebration of art in West London. Whether created in living rooms, studios, attics, classrooms or garages, with no need for gallery representation, this event provides an opportunity for local artists to open their doors and welcome the public to view, buy and share paintings, ceramics, prints, textiles, sculpture, photographs, jewellery and mixed media. New Director, Emma Murphy got in touch with Urban Village LDN to tell us more so we could help spread the word to local artists and arts organisations within the Fulham community.

Growing each year with new talent, variation in artworks and in the number of people involved Emma, a resident of Earls Court and an artist herself, wants to continue the great work from past years and is looking forward to “giving Open Art Spaces a fresh start in this important time where creativity and community needs to be celebrated more than ever”. Emma told us that Open Art Spaces will celebrate and showcase creativity within the Kensington, Chelsea and Fulham community giving local artists, art organisations, community groups, galleries and colleges the opportunity to take part. “We are excited to be reviving and rejuvenating Open Art Spaces this year. In the past this event has been run as an open studio event but in 2021 we are introducing more community groups, workshops and creating a celebration of Art in all ways for everyone. No matter your experience, ability, age there is a place for everyone to get involved”.

Open Art Spaces will encourage visitors to explore, meet artistic residents, discover local talent and buy directly from the artist. There will also be a group show and a timetable of creative events in each area. If you’re an artist, designer or dedicated crafts person looking for an easy and affordable way to exhibit your work and expand your network or you simply want to be a part of their creative community applications to take part in the event, which is planned to take place over the weekend of October 9 - 10 2021, are now open.

https://www.instagram.com/openartspaces/

Happy 2nd Anniversary Bridge Baker

Bridge Baker are celebrating their 2nd anniversary on 12 of June serving special free pastries, hosting fun activities for children and giving out balloons during the day (10 - 3pm). There will also be live music and free pizza tasting in the evening so pop along, say hello pick up what will no doubt be a delicious pastry or sample some of their pizza and wish them, Gauri and the whole Bridge Baker team a Happy Anniversary.

Made in Fulham

It never fails to surprise us what a talented bunch you Fulham folks are. Each month Urban Village Ldn introduces you to THe Fulham face behind an idea, product or business and asks them what they love about being a local resident. This month we talk to author Clare Pooley

How long have you called Fulham home? I first lived in Fulham, in a shared house off the Fulham Palace Road, after I graduated thirty years ago! My housemates were trainee doctors, and our house was always filled with people, but nobody ever did the washing up or any cleaning. It was great fun, but horribly slummy. I then bought my own flat in Sand’s End. It was a large one-bedroom maisonette which cost me the grand sum of £80,000. I moved away from Fulham when I got married, but found myself back here again twelve years ago.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your family I live with my husband, John, and three children - Eliza (17), Charlie (15) and Matilda (12), plus two border terriers and three pet mice, in a house I like to think of as ’shabby chic’ but Savills would no doubt describe as ‘in need of modernisation.’ Incredibly, we managed to get through lockdown without killing each other or falling out irreparably.

What’s your favourite local haunt and why?  I am slightly obsessed by Brompton Cemetery, which features significantly in my novel, The Authenticity Project. I walk my dogs there about three times a week, and it’s an oasis of calm in the middle of the city, filled with birds, squirrels, trees and wildflowers. Every time you go there you’ll find a new gravestone with a fascinating story behind it. I always stop at Emmeline Pankhurst’s grave to say a silent thank you. There’s also a new cafe at the north entrance which serves a top notch cappuccino.

What is your slice of Fulham heaven and why? In a world where so many high streets are filled with identical shops which are part of large chains, I have a special place in my heart for Indian Summer, a unique cornucopia which makes me smile as soon as I walk in. I often go there to buy gifts, and always come out with something for myself. Also, I have huge love for Quirky Gadgets because the owner is utterly passionate about his business, will spend hours talking your kids through his recommendations, and often slips them a free gift.

What have you missed about Fulham life during lockdown? I’ve missed the restaurants and cafés the most. As there were five of us in the house for lockdown, including two very hungry teenagers, I seemed to spend my whole life cooking and cleaning up. I felt like I was running a hotel with very ungrateful guests. It’s a total joy to be able to go to Megan’s and have someone else cook your lunch!

What local shop/service/business has helped make life easier during the pandemic? The Harwood Arms, our local gastropub, did a fabulous Sunday lunch delivery. And for my husband’s birthday at the height of Lockdown One, Randalls made us the most delicious Beef Wellington and Circus Circus sent a taxi load of helium balloons round. Flavourtown kept us cheerful with cake deliveries! It was great to see so many local businesses adapting to the circumstances so brilliantly.

If you could do one thing to improve Fulham what would it be? l would love the council to change the parking regulations so that a Fulham permit allowed you to park all over the borough, as they do in Kensington and Chelsea. The recent parking fee hike, when we already pay for permits, is outrageous.

Tell us about your career as an author I spent nearly twenty years working in the heady world of advertising where I worked hard, played hard and drank even harder. When I finally and reluctantly quit drinking, in 2015, I started a blog by way of therapy called Mummy was a Secret Drinker. That blog picked up hundreds of thousands of readers around the world, and was published in 2018 as a memoir called The Sober Diaries.

I loved writing, and I’d wanted to be an author since I was a child, so I decided to try writing fiction. I did a three month novel-writing course with Curtis Brown, during which I wrote a rough first draft of The Authenticity Project - a novel set in Fulham. It features many places you’d recognise, from Nomad bookshop to Kebab Kid.

The reaction to that book was beyond my wildest imaginings, as it went to a six-way auction in the UK and the USA, and has been translated into thirty-two languages and optioned for film and TV. I’m now editing my second novel which will be out next year.

What advice would you give to someone who'd like to become a writer? Write something, anything, every day. Writing is a like a muscle you need to exercise. I start writing at 5am, when the world is quiet and I can think more creatively, and write for three hours before the kids wake up. Try not to worry too much about whether your work is any good, just get the story down on paper. Then when you’ve finished, you can go back to the beginning and make it better. The first draft of a novel is like the pencil sketch you make before painting a landscape. Once you have the outline you can start adding the colour, depth and detail. The magic is in the editing.

https://www.instagram.com/clare_pooley/

Spotlight 

URBAN VILLAGE LDN SHINES A LIGHT ON A DIFFERENT FULHAM BUSINESS EACH MONTH. IN THIS ISSUE WE TALK TO YUly massoni the Founder of Seed salon, 789 fulham road

Seed, a place to start new conversations, share ideas, grow and connect, was founded by Yuly Massoni and her business Francesca Amantis. Yuly talked to Urban Village LDN about how the Salon came to be, the impact of lockdown and some of the exciting plans they have for the future.

“Parsons Green was the first place I’d seen when I moved to London, I fell in love and have felt that way ever since. I was lucky enough to find a job at a salon here in 2007 which led to me meeting Francesca, my business partner, and buying the salon we worked at from our former boss in 2009. In 2014 we finally moving to a bigger shop and that was when we rebranded and created our business in the way we’d always wanted. When deciding on the salon name we did not want anything hair related as we wanted to give our clients the idea of a community, a space of many possibilities where ideas can be shared and relationships can be created. Our salon is a space where our Fulham community feels at home and I believe what makes Seed different is our friendly, family approach and team work culture which I think transmits to our clients and makes the salon a place where they feel at home and can expect exceptional service”.

Seed is a fusion of rustic modern style with statement lighting features, rows of gorgeous products on wooden shelves and a lush natural vibe with greenery provided by a selection of plants placed throughout the salon. They also have a pretty outdoor space which we’re sure gets put to good use in good weather as an alternative place for clients to sit whilst waiting for colour, highlights to work their magic. No doubt May 17 couldn’t have come soon enough for Yuly and Francesca, for their doors to reopen and for clients to return. Yuly told us that lockdown “was very difficult mentally and financially but our team stayed strong and with the community support we stayed positive that things would be ok, but it was definitely a very scary time. We are very happy to be back, once again providing hair treatments from balayage to blow dries and serving our clients our signature cappuccino, grapes and of course prosecco and popcorn on Saturdays. You can also find Beauty M at the salon who do the most amazing facials”.

We asked Yuly what was next for Seed? “We are very excited about the future, things have definitely changed, clients appreciate us much more and we are collaborating with FotoHouse to showcase vintage and limited edition prints. We will be having exhibitions here at the salon so clients or anyone interested as well as having their hair done can buy/appreciate or sell art. People can expect different photography exhibitions every 3 months and we will be hosting open evenings”. If you’re interested email Seed to be added to their mailing list hello@seedsalon.co.uk

Beyond the Hood  

Everyman Chelsea opened in July 2020 and we all know what happened next. Now going to the cinema is back on the agenda we thought it was worth a small write up here especially if you haven’t had the chance to visit this boutique cinema yet.

Sitting on the 22 bus you couldn’t have failed to notice the huge gaping hole that was left after the demolition of Cineworld Chelsea or the work in progress on this £15 million development which also includes 11 residential flats and shops. Chelsea is Everyman’s flagship cinema, the sixth in London and their 33rd nationwide. The first Everyman opened in Hampstead in 1933, now one of the country’s oldest independent cinemas and after a group of local investors rescued the cinema from receivership in the 90s the Everyman cinema was reborn.

There are two screens showing new releases, classics, independent British, art films and documentaries and the third screen is in a small screening room which is available for private hire. Each screen has a unique look and feel to it, with different colour schemes, sofa coverings and the interiors throughout the space are exceptionally well done. There is a bar lounge where you can enjoy food and drinks, meet friends before or after to talk about the film. We always thought going to the cinema was a bit anti social and found it hard to part with the baby sitting money for a film so we love this concept. Alternatively if you’re going as a couple and are over the amount of hours you’ve spent with each other during the course of three lockdowns you can head straight to the big screen or order food and drinks for delivery to your sofa.

Food on the menu includes: Pepperoni and Margherita pizza, mozzarella garlic flat bread, beef dog, sharing plates including Hummus and flat bread, Aubergine mezze, House salsa and tortilla chips, Padron peppers and a range of savoury snacks including popcorn salted, sweet or mixed; we know it can be annoying but honestly, for us, going to the cinema just isn’t the same without it. Not only are there the typical drinks you’d expect to find on a menu there are also milkshakes and cocktails! Now you know us and our love of a good cocktail although we’re not sure we’re brave enough for a sharing Sipsmith G&T - a film’s worth of gin and tonic for two! A Pretty in Pink or a Raspberry Candy Fizz sound tempting and sweet so we can pass on any of the other sugary offerings.

If you want to catch up on some of the big screen entertainment you’ve missed, Oscar winning Nomadland or Judas and the Black Messiah, fancy a double billing of A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place II and a super sized cinema experience; hit the link to find out what’s on. Tickets are a little bit pricier than usual but we think it’s worth the extra pounds for a better than average, in fact a rather special movie going experience: Adult £16.90 / Child £12.90