LoveEast.48

ISSUE 48
Inside
Bobby Seagull
VC London
Bluebird Pictures
London Symphony Orchestra
Belter for the Shelter
plus
Bell from Bow on kids & gigs
The Gentle Author interviews Doreen Fletcher
and heaps more!
The February sunshine
steeps your boughs and
tints the buds and swells
the leaves within.
- William C. Bryant
Your East London - What's on - Food - People

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2 LOVEEAST

Welcome to your local magazine
Dear neighbour
This edition marks one year since I've taken
on LoveEast, and I'm so greatful to our regular
contributors and advertisers, and to Yolanda Powell
for her eagle eye. It's great to showcase local talent
and traders - it's a community thing, after all. So, a
big thank you for your support.
In this edition, I'm delighted to announce that The
Gentle Author has joined our group of regular
contributors, and his interview with Doreen Fletcher
is simply delicious.
We also have a Q&A with our very own Bobby
Seagull, a profile of VC London, a women's
motorcycle club with a difference, and we discover
Bluebird Pictures, an organisation that is passionate
about film.
There's always loads to do around East London and
we find out about Hackney Winter Night Shelter's
upcoming fundraiser, Belter for the Shelter, and The
London Symphony Orchestra's call-out for singers to
join them at the Barbican.
Our regular contributors never disappoint: Roger
Love interviews local Ultra Runner David Bone,
Vinarius tells us about Hungarian wine, Sean Gubbins
helps us to walk off the winter blues and Bell from
Bow talks music and kids. We have a great restaurant
review and Diana Warrings provides some yum for
the tum as well as some healthy eating tips - handy
to have after the holidays.
As always, be sure to check out the What's on and
Kids sections for a variety of things to do, places
to go and people to see, all on our East London
doorstep.
And, although it doesn't feel like it at the moment,
spring beckons. Bring it on, I say!
Kaz
karen@chomp.me.uk
07590 609 557
@LoveEastMag
@loveeastmag
loveeast.london
I N S I D E
East life
4
8
Culture
12
24
Community
7
Wellness
34
Regular features
15 Bell from Bow
16 The Gentle Author
22 What to do with the kids
27 Wine guide
28 Eating in - and out
30 WalkHackney
31 Roger Love
32 What's on
Newham resident and maths
maestro Bobby Seagull chats
with LoveEast
VC London - an East London
motorcycle club with a
difference
Bluebird Pictures and the
World Cinema Film Festival
London Symphony Orchestra
and singing at the Barbicon
Hackney Winter Night
Shelter's Belter for the Shelter
fundraiser
Diana Warrings explains
The 80/20 Rule
LoveEast is a proud member of the East End Traders Guild
Cover image: Jamie Street via Unsplash.com; follow @jamie452 on Insta to see more.
To advertise in LoveEast Magazine, please call 07590 609 557 or email karen@chomp.me.uk for further information. PLEASE NOTE: booking deadline for the
April/May edition is 1 st March. LoveEast Magazine is produced and published by Chomp Creative Limited. Chomp Creative Limited cannot be held responsible
for any errors or omissions, nor endorse companies, products or services that appear in this magazine. © LoveEast Magazine 2019, all rights reserved. No
reproduction can be made without permission. Be kind to the planet; please recycle.
LOVEEAST FEB - MARCH 2019 3

East life
LoveEast chats with maths maestro Bobby Seagull
Author of three books, co-star of a recent television series, PhD student and part time teacher
at Little Ilford school in Newham, Bobby tells us about maths, West Ham United and the value of
community.
You became famous due to your appearance on
University Challenge a couple of years ago, which
catapulted you into all kinds of opportunities;
what was the most nerve-racking part of that
experience?
To be honest, I was more excited than nervous about
the whole experience. I just loved being on the studio
floor – the bright lights, camera and formidable quiz
master Jeremy Paxman just a few feet away. With its
audience of 2-3m, University Challenge is a national
joint viewing experience. So I was conscious that
mistakes would be picked up by social media such as
Twitter!
University Challenge photo with Jeremy Paxman (Photo credit: BBC 2)
And what was the most rewarding?
Friends know that I am passionate about encouraging
people into education, and in particular maths.
Without meaning to, University Challenge showed
millions of households that I was a captain that
encouraged my team-mates to achieve their potential
in a positive manner. This sort of sums up my ethos
towards teaching and many people had the chance to
see this on TV.
You are also known for your passion for maths. What
got you interested in maths originally?
As a child, it was my outside school interest in
collecting football stickers that ignited my passion
for numbers. Aged 9, friends used to always assert
whether one footballer was better than another,
usually just on anecdote. I used all the data from the
sticker book (details about players such as games
played, goals scored, penalties, etc.) and used a
spreadsheet to analyse them. And then I found that
4 LOVEEAST
I was able to interrogate the spreadsheet to help
inform my opinions with a statistical basis. Some of
my friends found this more convincing than pure
speculation about players!
Do you think of everything in your life in terms
of mathematical formulas? I ask because of your
comments regarding the mathematical likelihood
of your meeting 'the one' when you spoke at the
Wanstead Tap recently - which was actually very
funny!
In the 1999 science-fiction film hit, The Matrix, the
world opens up to the lead protagonist Neo as
numbers and he can see his surroundings literally
as a series of 0s and 1s. I can definitely confirm that
I do not see the world in numbers! But I do notice
numbers and try to spot patterns in them – whether
the bus number I have to take or even the cost of my
shopping. And sometimes, mathematical formulas
can help to make sense of a complicated environment
by making me think about what the key things are.
You've recently published The Life-
Changing Magic of Numbers - tell
us a bit about the book.
The book is partly autobiography,
partly ode to numbers and a soft
manifesto showing why numbers
are everywhere – whether in the
gym, the kitchen or even my
search for love! Every chapter
opens with an anecdote from my
life, and then I try to show how maths and numbers
help to understand that situation. As I love writing
puzzles, every chapter closes with a puzzle.
You've also recently finished the four-part series,
Monkman and Seagull's Genius Guide to Britain. Will
there be another series?
It was a joy to see the public outpouring of support
for our quirky TV show. We wanted to showcase the
scientific and technological wonders of the UK but in
a light-hearted and fun manner. We were so grateful
to have had between 1.6 – 1.8 million watch each
episode and even trended number 1 on UK twitter
with #MonkmanAndSeagull! As for a future series,
these things always remain confidential till it definitely
happens, but we’re quietly confident!

East life
In addition to all of this, you also teach locally - what
year and what's the best bit?
I teach part time at Little Ilford School in Newham
and work across the full range of year groups, from
year 7 to 11. The best part is when to you help a child
understand a concept that they thought they couldn’t
master – you can almost see the light bulb switch on
above them!
National Numeracy. They try to help improve adult
numeracy in the country in particular. National
Numeracy have an “Essentials of Numeracy” test on
their website that allows you work out your current
level. It then gives suggestions on how to improve.
Try it!
Monkman and Seagull, Genius Guide BBC show (Photo credit: Label1)
You played a part in the recent 'Keep Bobby in Boleyn'
campaign (a community initiative to keep the Bobby
Moore statue in Upton Park). Tell us a bit about what
‘community' means to you.
When I was on the BBC quiz show University
Challenge, I introduced myself as being from “East
Ham in the London Borough of Newham”. Most
people often just leave it as saying they’re from
London. However, I’m very proud of my roots and
East London forms a strong part of my identity. Being
part of community is about celebrating the success
of people around you, and doing whatever you can to
support others around you so that you can improve
everyone’s lives.
You are a die-hard West Ham fan so I have to ask -
from a purely mathematical standpoint, where do you
think they will finish this season?
So, removing any emotion, top 6 is practically
impossible due to the sheer quality of those sides. I
am 95% confident that the club will finish between
7 to 13. Within that, purely on us performing in the
middle of that pack, I will say 10th. But of course, 7th
is the top end of that dream season!
Lastly, what advice would you give to someone who
suffers maths phobia? (asking for a friend).
I would say that admitting that you have difficulty is
a good first step. The next is to try and do something
about it. I’m an ambassador for a charity called
FROM TOP:
Bobby holding Seagull shirt in changing room (photo credit: West Ham United FC)
Bobby takes a look around London Stadium (photo credit: West Ham United FC)
Bobby Seagull in West Ham dressing room (photo credit: West Ham United FC)
FOLLOW BOBBY
@Bobby_Seagull
@bobby_seagull
You can also listen to the Podcast, Maths Appeal - find out
how on twitter:
@MathsAppeal
LOVEEAST FEB - MARCH 2019 5

Business focus
Introducing Re:Store
The Refill Shop opening in Hackney Downs Studios on February 16th
Re:Store recognises a real problem
with the use of plastic and its impact on
the planet. Reducing the use of plastic
and unnecessary packaging will help
restore and protect the planet for future
generations.
Re:Store has been created to offer a
more conscious way to shop, with no
single-use packaging in sight. Customers
will be able to refill their own containers
(or containers bought in store) with store
cupboard and household essentials such
as wholefoods, nuts & seeds, herbs &
spices, oil & vinegar, tea & coffee, and
household and cleaning products.
Also on offer will be an exciting range
of sustainable lifestyle products from a
mix of well known brands, and some new
and local producers. Customers will find
popular Elephant Box food containers,
Chilly’s water bottles, Georganics dental
range and award winning vegan cheese
from Kinda Co, as well as products
championing small producers such
as Beeswax wraps made in Essex and
natural soaps made in London.
Re:Store aims to work with local
suppliers where possible and is excited
to be offering Mission coffee beans,
roasted only a couple of miles away
in Clapton and delivered by electric
van, and Ombra premium pasta made
in a local Italian restaurant in Bethnal
Green. The store also plans to host small
events in collaboration with some of the
producers they are working closely with.
Re:Store can be found at vibrant &
creative destination Hackney Downs
Studios nestled between a yoga studio,
cocktail bar, record shop and loom
weaving workshop, as well as nearby
popular cafes and pubs.
Re:Store
Hackney Downs Studios
17 Amhurst Terrace, E8 2BT
restorerefill.co.uk
instagram.com/restore.refill
facebook.com/restorerefilluk
6 LOVEEAST

Community
Hackney Winter Night Shelter and the Belter for
the Shelter comedy night
Established over twenty 20 years ago, The
Hackney Winter Night Shelter has become a
route out of homelessness for those it supports.
Begun as a small network of volunteers
from local churches with a shared
vision, the idea was to run a
shelter for one night each
week. Some of the initial
volunteers had personal
experience of homelessness,
giving the group a keen insight
into the issues that needed to
be addressed. Today it provides
professional and holistic support,
helping guests to rebuild their
lives alongside a hot meal and
a warm bed.
The organisation is volunteerled,
with over more than 600
volunteers from all walks of life, and
opens its doors seven nights a
week from November to March.
It has become a lifeline for the
many people it supports, filling
over 3,500 beds each year.
Additionally, an average of 70
people every year are helped to
find more stable accommodation
through the support they receive.
The organisation relies
on donations, grants and
fundraising to deliver its
services, and for the past five
years has put on Belter for the
Shelter, an annual comedy night
held at the Hackney Empire. Tickets
sell out quickly and, with top rate comedians, the
acts are always a hit with the audience. This year’s
comedy night will be on the 19th of February, and
will be compeared and led by Stewart Lee. With
nine comedians - including Rosie Jones, Harry
Hill and Nish Kumar – it will be a stellar evening.
Images courtesy of HWNS, showing some of the stars from 2018's fundraiser
HOW IT WORKS
Referrals
• Homeless charities and organsiations refer potential
guests for the Shelter who wish to move off the streets
• Advocate workers assess suitability for Shelter
environment
Support
• Advocate workers support people to find more stable
accommodation
• Advocate workers ensure access to other services to
help guests rebuild their lives
Moving on
• Guests stay up to one month
• Guests receive support into new accommodation
• Advocate Workers ensure ongoing support is in place
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
HWNS welcomes guests and volunteers from any and all
backgrounds and there are three pathways for volunteering:
Shelter Volunteer
Help us to deliver a warm, safe and enjoyable night for our
guests.
Event volunteer
Help us with our annual programme of fundraising events.
Professional volunteer
Contribute specific skills that add value to the lives of guests
or the running of the night shelter.
TO FIND OUT MORE
Hackney Winter Night Shelter
Room 3 Old School Rooms
The Round Chapel
2 Powerscroft Road, E5 OPU
hwns.org.uk
info@hwns.org.uk
0208 533 8308 (Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5pm)
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE CONCERNED
If you are concerned about someone you have seen sleeping
rough, you can send an alert to StreetLink. The details you
provide are sent to the local authority or outreach service for
the area in which you have seen the person, which will help
them find the individual and connect them to support.
streetlink.org.uk
0808 800 4444
LOVEEAST FEB - MARCH 2019 7

East life
They're bikers, Jim, but not
as we know them!
Meet VC London and prepare
to be impressed
8 LOVEEAST

East life
LOVEEAST FEB - MARCH 2019 9

East life
the four short years since VC London began, a lot has been
accomplished. The brainchild of three women with a passion
for motorbikes and riding, the organisation has grown from
a small group offering motorbike riding lessons to women in an East London
car park to an international network with talks and events that now span the
globe. So, how did it all begin?
As is said, ‘necessity
is the mother of
invention’. Cofounders
Gemma
Harrison, Maite
Storni and Namin
Cho were finding it
difficult to connect
with other women
to ride with so they
decided to put the
word out on social
media to find likeminded
riders.
Using an Instagram
account to
publicise an offer
of riding lessons for
women, VC London
was born. Since
that time, it has
grown organically,
teaching more than
400 women to ride.
Motocross, racing
and leisure riding
are popular and there is no age limit – Gemma's
oldest student was 69 year old mum.
But VC London is much more than motorbike
lessons. It’s become a platform for trading skills
and helping others
by way of events,
lessons, talks, camps,
brand collaborations,
meet ups, and
workshops. These
can include anything
from basic bike
maintenance and
‘how to choose the
right bike for you’ to
building a bike itself.
VC also has its own
clothing label and
merchandise.
At the heart of
VC is a desire to
inspire anyone and
everyone ‘to get
out there and do
what they’ve always
wanted to’, and
promote positivity
and community in
the process.
The incredible women within it are at the
forefront, of course, and they are all about
giving a platform to and promoting women in
extreme sport because, let’s face it, there’s not a
lot of that about. And while the VC Camp event
10 LOVEEAST

East life
is women only, a lot of the events they take part
in and promote are not. They are an inclusive
organisation - as Gemma says, “We have guys
on the team too; it’s not just female-only; it’s
definitely a team effort.”
VC is firmly rooted in motorbike culture, but it
has grown to include a variety of extreme sports
- from skateboarding, dirt biking and flat track
to climbing and automotive sport. It provides
a gateway to support and encourage anyone
– regardless of age or gender - to get into the
stuff they’ve always wanted to try. The quote on
their website sums up what VC London is about
perfectly:
‘Get out there and do what you’ve always
wanted to. Ride, skate, surf, climb, drive, build,
wrench, race... Do it all, jump in, get involved.
And do it with a smile on your face and with
your hair messed up because there’s more to
life than selfies.’
Indeed there is!
TO FIND OUT MORE
vclondon.co.uk/we-are-vc/
facebook.com/vclondon/
@vc_london
vcldnuk@gmail.com
Photos courtesy of and © VC London
ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
Gemma Harrison is originally from
Leeds and has lived in London on and
off for over 12 years. After beginning
to ride around 8 years ago with her
husband, Gemma got into custom
motorcycles. After starting out with
a small, hand-me-down Yamaha
Sr125, she then started to learn about
mechanics and building. Gemma then
met Namin and Mai in 2014 and soon
after they started VC in January 2015
after finding it difficult to find other
women to ride with.
Maite Storni is a Graphic designer
and owner of the Printing company
YAY London. Mai is originally from
Venezuela and grew up in France.
After growing up around her father
who rode motorcycles, Mai never
thought she could ride one of her own
until she met with Gemma and Namin
who taught her to ride. This then gave
them the idea to put out a post on a
small Instagram offering free intro
to motorcycle lessons to any girls
who fancied it. They were inundated
with messages and have since given
lessons to over 400 women.
Namin Cho was born in South Korea
and grew up in New Zealand. Namin
and Gemma met whilst working
together in luxury fashion as designers.
Namin began to learn to ride in 2014
after spending a few years on the
back of her then boyfriend's bike. Soon
after, she started to customise her own
Honda CG125. Namin now rides a
Kawasaki W650 custom bobber built in
the UK by RedMax speed shop.
LOVEEAST FEB - MARCH 2019 11

Culture
Finding out about Bluebird Pictures – an organisation
supporting filmmakers from all walks of life
As a filmmaker of colour, Bluebird Pictures
founder and CEO, Joelle Mae David was
tired of the 'diversity schemes' in the film
and television industry. As she says, “What
I find is that most of these schemes
want filmmakers of colour to create
something about being 'of colour'.
This is limiting diversity, NOT uplifting
it. What about filmmakers of colour
who want to write a Sci Fi film, or
women who want to direct horror?”
Indeed, it’s a valid question.
Why should anyone be
limited to - it has
to be
said - a
stereotypical
storyline? Haven’t
we all had enough of that,
and isn’t it time to let people be, well, people?
The idea of limiting someone’s creativity to
race, gender or religion is, frankly, patronising.
That’s not to say that race, religion or gender
isn’t an influence, but to say that the end result
should be about the subject at hand, with
those influences enriching the work, rather than
stifling it.
This feeling of frustration was the spark that
launched Bluebird Pictures, as a vehicle to
create content with real representation in
mind. Using her experience of working in TV
and film, Joelle set about to form a space for
honest, inclusive, creative expression. It soon
expanded to training and events to offer help
for and highlight under-represented areas in the
industry. Bluebird passionately believes that no
part of the industry should be unobtainable to
those from marginalised groups in society, with
a focus on creating opportunities.
Bluebird believes that there is a wealth
of young talent existing
within East London,
and in Barking and
Dagenham, the
borough in
which they are
based. It simply
needs to be given
opportunities to
flourish. And, with
the new Dagenham
film studios coming,
it’s crucial to engage the
creative community. One of
the ways this is achieved is
by providing workshops and
master-classes every month, as
well as an inclusive trainee scheme.
By providing world-class training in below-theline
jobs in the TV and film industry, as well as
creating content reflecting the world we live in
today, it’s been quite successful. As Joelle says,
“It’s important that young people from all walks
of life are afforded the opportunity to tell their
own stories, as well as be included in the rich
tapestry of the TV & film industry that already
exists.“
Offering a safe space for people to learn, form
collaborations and connections as well as work
on productions allows young filmmakers to
gain needed experience to enter the industry
12 LOVEEAST

Culture
confidently. The
hope is to create a
model for inclusion
in the industry, both
through productions
and by offering
training - initially
in Barking and
Dagenham, and
eventually as a model
to be used elsewhere
in the country and
internationally.
2018 saw Bluebird
Pictures launch their
first ever film festival,
The World Cinema
Film Festival; a means of celebrating culture and diversity. Now
in its second year, Bluebird is launching the next festival and
submissions are now open for short films or documentaries
under 20 minutes that depict ‘culture’ or, more specifically, ‘what
does culture mean to you?’ The event will be held in June with an
international winner (including UK) and a Barking and Dagenham
winner in each category.
Winners will
receive meetings
with industry
professionals as a
means to bridge the
industry gap, Final
Draft screenwriting
software, a trophy
and screening at
the festival itself.
Looking to the future,
it’s hoped that the
festival will go from
strength to strength,
providing a voice
as well as lucrative
opportunities for
participants.
ABOUT JOELLE
Born and raised in East London
within a multi-cultural family, Joelle
has worked across the board in the
media industry, from digital night
editor at The Sun Newspaper and
The Daily Mirror, to production
assistant at the Premier League and
assistant director in TV & film, on
productions such as Aladdin, Tomb
Raider, Lost in London, and Guerrilla.
She has produced and directed a
documentary series called ‘Hidden
Talent’ on BBC 3 as well as other
short, passion projects..
TO FIND OUT MORE
bluebirdpictures.org
@BluebirdPicture
@bluebirdpictures
vimeo.com/user18985647
info@bluebirdpictures.org
HOW TO APPLY TO THE WORLD
CINEMA FILM FESTIVAL
bluebirdpictures.org/homepost/
world-cinema-film-festival-2019/
Photos courtesy of and © Bluebird Pictures
LOVEEAST FEB - MARCH 2019 13

“Just about the friendliest workout space
imaginable, with a diverse range of clients
including local creatives, young families
and a sprinkling of celebs” Time Out
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INCLUDES 175 CLASSES:
ARMY BOOT CAMP. HIIT.
YIN YANG YOGA. BOXING.
LUNCH BREAK. PILATES.
ROCKET YOGA. STRETCH.
VINYASA YOGA. BALLETFIT.
WARRIORS. KETTLE BELLS
ZUMBA.
REBOUNDING.
DAYBREAKER.
POWER YOGA.
BOOTY CAMP.
BODYWORK.
YOGAHIIT.
CIRCUITS.
F IN D O U T M OR E A T:
londonfieldsfitness.com / @londonfieldsfit
14 LOVEEAST

Please don’t stop the music...
Things I miss since becoming a parent
number eleventy billion – going to live
music gigs. Don’t get me wrong, the
Peppa Pig soundtrack that is a gentle and
constant background in our home is an
auditory delight, but it wouldn’t be my
Spotify choice (fact – having kids messes
with the algorithm). So I was very excited
about an afternoon of live music in a part of
Shoreditch I’d last seen at 3am many years
ago.
Adam and Sarada, founders of Wake Up
Gigs, met at a music event and have enjoyed
live music around the UK ever since. And
then along came Edwin, now an incredibly
cute toddler, but of course at the same
time a major obstacle to wild nights out.
The ticket fee, plus the cost of a babysitter,
plus the inevitability of leaving before the
encore so you don’t have to queue for the
tube mean that being a fan of live music
is expensive, and the organisation is more
complicated than getting Glastonbury
tickets. Wake Up Gigs is the answer to that,
and on 17 February they are hosting their
latest gig, at Ace Hotel in Shoreditch.
Bell from Bow
All the gear you need will be there – toys,
balloons and musical instruments for the kids, a fully stocked baby
changing zone and an equally fully stocked bar and menu. The
headline band is yet to be announced but Wake Up Gigs have fans in
Radio 1 DJs Steve Lamacq and Huw Stephens, as well as the current
presenter of Desert Island Discs, Lauren Laverne. Less well-known
fans now include my two kids. Noise, chaos and interaction are very
much encouraged so there is no fear of crying babies, and, did I
mention the bar?
I’ll be back for the next event on 17 February. Because anything
that links my new life with my beautiful babies and my old life with
moshing and music is good with me.
If you want to join me you need to hurry – tickets sell out on the day
of release, so sign up for their mailing list on their website now.
WAKE UP GIGS
wakeupgigs.com
@wakeupgigsldn
@wakeupgigsldn
@Wakeupgigs
ABOUT CELINE
Mum from bow, gin addict, permaknackered,
fan of food, coffee and
cheese. Follow Celine for more
adventures in parenting:
@bell_from_bow
@bell_from_bow
bellfrombow.com
LOVEEAST FEB - MARCH 2019 15

The Gentle Author
The Gentle Author interviews Doreen Fletcher
One day I received an email with a photograph of a painting by Doreen Fletcher attached
at the end. It was quite an indistinct photo, just the size of a thumbnail, but I was
immediately spellbound. It was a good painting. The picture had a rigorous structure,
a mystery and an authority which drew my attention at once. It was quite unlike any
painting I had seen.
I did not know anything about Doreen then, but I was fascinated to learn who she was. So I contrived a
means to meet her. When I asked Doreen if she had any more paintings, she blushed and rolled her eyes,
laughing. I discovered that Doreen had given up painting ten years earlier, discouraged by lack of interest in her work. Yet she
told me she painted full-time for twenty years and when she stopped she had put all her paintings away in an attic.
Portrait of Doreen Fletcher in her studio by Stuart Freedman
Doreen let me persuade her to take her paintings down
from the attic. It was obvious that these pictures comprised
a significant body of work, of range, contrast and
accomplishment. When I photographed these paintings
and published them on Spitalfields Life, the response was
immediate and positive. After decades of rejection, thanks to
the democratising quality of the internet, Doreen discovered a
passionate constituency who loved her work.
For artists, disappointment is a common experience. It is hard
to accept that it is arbitrary whether your work coincides
with the fashion of the day. So I hope Doreen’s example may
be an inspiration to others. It is not often that struggles are
vindicated but I believe Doreen would confirm she has been
vindicated beyond expectation.
In recent years Doreen’s atmospheric urban landscape
paintings have reached a wide audience who appreciate her
distinctive vision of the changing capital. She is getting the
recognition she deserves, not just for the outstanding quality
of her painting but also for her brave perseverance, pursuing
her clear-eyed vision in spite of the lack of interest or support.
16 LOVEEAST
Doreen’s work was exhibited at Townhouse
Spitalfields in 2016 and 2017, and she had a
painting shown in the National Gallery when
she was shortlisted for the first Evening
Standard Contemporary Art Award in 2017.
This monograph coincides with a retrospective
of her work at the Nunnery Gallery, Bow Arts.
The most gratifying outcome is that Doreen
has started painting again, producing a stream
of new paintings, as if to make up for lost time.
I visited Doreen at her studio to hear her story
in her own words.
Doreen Fletcher: Looking back, I think I was
attracted to paintings even from the age of
four or five. I loved colour and my dad used to
take me to the local toy shop where I always
insisted on the best quality paints. I was an
only child, born into a working class family, and
my parents were - as you might say these days
- semi-literate. Consequently, from the age of
about eight years old, I took responsibility for
helping them out in dealing with officialdom,
not unlike - I suppose - immigrant children in
the East End today whose parents have limited
English.
My mum and dad were very loving, and keen for me to have
the opportunities they had missed. When I was five, I was
bought a set of encyclopaedias from a salesman selling
door-to-door on the never-never. It had colour reproductions
of famous paintings such as Constable’s ‘The Hay Wain’ and
Turner’s ‘The Fighting Temeraire’ and I thought they were
wonderful.
I passed my eleven-plus exam but I had a very difficult time at
grammar school because - although I was clever and always
in the top six of the top stream - I came from the wrong side
of the tracks. I felt I had to pretend I was from somewhere
else, because most of the pupils came from professional
middle-class families. Consequently, I could not invite school
friends to our tiny terraced home. I did not speak with the
right accent, have the social ease of the other children or
possess their cultural knowledge.
The art room was a refuge for me because there I could
express myself fluently under the expert tutelage of the art
teacher Mr Hanford. He had trained at the Royal Academy
School and was probably the only teacher of any influence

The Gentle Author
I ever listened to. I loved Fridays when there was
a two hour after-school art club. It was at one of
these sessions that Mr Hanford advised against
using black paint straight from the tube. To this day,
I mix ultramarine and burnt umber for a warm black
and raw umber and indigo for a cool black.
What work did your parents do?
Alice, my mother, worked in a munitions factory
during the war and then became a domestic
servant afterwards. It gave her ideas about not
putting the newspaper or ketchup bottle on the
table and she adopted ‘healthy eating,’ much to my
irritation. She was also particular about keeping the
front step, windows and net curtains clean. Colin,
my dad, started off as a farm worker. He wanted
to be a vet but due to illness he missed a year’s
education at seven years old which meant that he
left school hardly able to read or write.
After I was born, we moved from the village of
Barlaston to Newcastle-Under-Lyme because my
dad could earn more money in the town. In the late
fifties, when the government erected pylons across
the nation, he worked on the construction of these
and later he found employment laying pipes for
North Sea Gas. When my dad was fifty-seven, he
had a brain haemorrhage at work, probably due at
least in part to the vibrations of the pneumatic drill.
He did not work again after that.
What was the first landscape that you knew?
It was composed of greys and browns - sootstreaked
streets with sparrows and pigeons. I used
to long for colour, for tinsel, for fairy lights and
fairgrounds. Yet although I grew up in a two-uptwo-down
terrace in Stoke-on-Trent, every Sunday
my parents took me on excursions by bus into the
country, a different destination each time. This was
rare at the time and I think it revealed their great
sensitivity and care.
These trips were always accompanied by the
purchase of a quarter pound of sweets and latterly,
a brownie box camera that took tiny black and
white photos. I liked going for long walks alone too.
I was always looking and observing the variety of
houses lining the streets I wandered through. Sometimes I
roamed the countryside as well, walking along busy trunk
roads. These days eyebrows might be raised, but there was
nothing unusual in seeing unaccompanied children exploring
back then. I loved my solitary walks.
What took you away from the Potteries?
I did not like living in a small town, it lacked cosmopolitanism.
I hated the social constrictions and the pettiness I
encountered. After A Levels, I decided I to study a subject
that would earn me a living, so I enrolled on a BSc Sociology
Course at North Staffordshire Polytechnic in Stoke. I have
always been fascinated by other people’s lives, attitudes and
behaviour.
However, it proved a disastrous choice for me because the
course dealt mostly with statistics and their interpretation.
I did not even last two terms. So I went to work in a local tile
factory - of which there were plenty in those days - where my
job was sorting broken tiles. After six months I left, realising
there was no future in it for me.
I knew my vocation was to be an artist. I spent a very happy
year doing a foundation course in Newcastle-Under-Lyme.
I felt at home there. I was comfortable and totally at ease in
the chaotic atmosphere of the leaky portacabins that served
as our studios. For the only time in my life, I did very little
work. Instead I enjoyed making friends and formed a close
relationship with a fellow student. Together we moved to
London in 1972 where he attended Wimbledon School of Art
and I worked as an art school model.
Did you apply to art school yourself?
Yes, I applied to study at Croydon College. Even then, I was
very independently minded and did not want a structured
Whit Sunday Commercial Rd 1989 Twilight in St Anne’s Churchyard Limehouse 1998
LOVEEAST FEB - MARCH 2019 17

The Gentle Author
18 LOVEEAST

The Gentle Author
Grand Union Canal in Wintertime Stepney 1986
LOVEEAST FEB - MARCH 2019 19

The Gentle Author
degree course where I might be expected to conform to a
‘house style’. At this point, I was painting quite a lot of selfportraits
and still lifes.
One day in late 1973 I saw an exhibition of paintings of Mow
Cop by Jack Simcock in Cork Street. Mow Cop was a hilltop
village not far from my home. In Newcastle-under-Lyme, if I
leaned out of my bedroom window at a dangerous angle, I
could just see the Victorian folly on the summit of Mow Cop
in the distance.
The houses were built out of Peak District sandstone and local
millstone grit. The place was bleak and dour. I was captivated,
deciding then that I wanted to be an urban landscape painter,
recording my own environment.
Where did you live when you first came to London?
To begin with, I stayed around Wimbledon, then I spent
seven years living in Paddington where my fascination with
urban scenes escalated.
Coming from a small town in
the North, it was an exciting
place to be. I was close to the
Serpentine Gallery, Kensington
Gardens, Notting Hill Gate
and Portobello Road. I started
painting local landmarks,
the Electric cinema and
the Serpentine boathouse.
Then I became interested in
Underground stations at night,
Bayswater and Paddington.
This project continued when I
moved to the East End.
What brought you to the
East End?
At that time artists were
attracted to live and work in
the East End because of the
cheap studio space that was
available. It was easy to rent
because the local population Dental Surgery, Forest Gate, 2018
were moving out and and artists
were happy to live in dilapidated accommodation if it gave
them room to work. Before long, a mutually supportive
community of artists developed around Bow, Stepney and
Mile End.
How do you remember the East End then?
I noticed the skies first, open and dramatic as they advanced
into Essex. There were corrugated fences everywhere, still
bombsites where buddleia proliferated and a few prefabs
inhabited by artists. There was an openness in the streets
which has since gone, now every corner has been built up
and every vacant space filled. Yet the distinctive quality of
light remains particular to this part of London, a luminescence
generated by the proximity of the river. I loved it here because
I had had enough of the West End. It felt to me as if I were
returning home. Like Stoke, the East End was predominantly
working class and also had once been an important centre
for industry. Corner shops and tiny pubs proliferated among
street markets.
Why did you start painting the East End?
I was excited visually by being somewhere new to me yet
that also reminded me of where I grew up. In the Potteries,
the town planners’ ethos was ‘If it’s old, let’s sweep it away’ -
regardless of its cultural and historical significance. I saw the
same fate awaiting the East End. The first painting I did here
was the bus stop in Mile End in 1983 and then Rene’s Café
next.
Was this your full time occupation?
I was working as an artists’ model in an art school. It was the
most boring job you could imagine, but I stuck at it during
term-time so I could have periods of full-time painting. I was
able to keep myself by working three days a week as a model.
How central to your life were your paintings at that time?
Painting was the focal point of my life. My studio was a
small room at the top of a run-down three-storey house in
Clemence Street. It faced north so the light was good for
painting.
I walked around the East End
at different times of day and in
different weathers. Eventually
a particular scene imprinted
itself on my mind that could
have potential as a painting.
I did thumbnail sketches and
took a photograph. Once I had
gathered this information, I
made a detailed drawing as
a basis for the painting. This
might evolve over a period
of months or even years, as
the tension built up between
my need to represent reality
and the demands made by
the painting itself. I always
struggle to resolve a picture
in an abstract way as well as
portraying a subject. To this
day,I follow this methodical
process to make a painting. I worked a minimum of twentyeight
hours a week, a target I still adhere to. I was determined
not to become a Sunday painter.
Did you have ambition for this work?
Yes and I did have some limited success in the eighties
showing within the borough, receiving a few grants and being
accepted in open exhibitions such as the Whitechapel and the
London Group. Companies bought work from time to time
and local people appreciated my paintings, but there was
little interest from any critics or commercial galleries.
Did you pursue other avenues to get recognition for your
work?
Once a month, I used to send off slides in response to
competitions and requests for submissions in Artists’
Newsletter. It was time-consuming and costly without reward.
How did you maintain morale through those twenty-years?
I am an optimist and I remained optimistic up until the late
nineties, when my work grew increasingly unfashionable due
to the rise of conceptual art. It became more difficult to find
any places where I could exhibit my work that would accept
20 LOVEEAST

The Gentle Author
representational painting. My work was simply out of fashion.
My interest in the East End was waning too, as Canary Wharf
transformed into a financial metropolis. I found I did not know
what to paint any more. It felt as though a period of my life
was coming to an end.
What made you feel that?
The East End was changing in a way that I could not
understand or portray. The new buildings were densely
packed, destroying the distinctive sense of place and
community. At first, I was interested in the construction –
on the Isle of Dogs for instance – but once it was finished
there were just too many people and too much architectural
uniformity.
Were there changes in your life too?
I grew more involved in teaching art to youngsters with
special needs, taking a part-time job in further education.
I became more interested because I found I was good at it
and my teaching work was appreciated. Gradually, I worked
more in the administrative side of education, supporting other
lecturers.
Did you find that
satisfying?
Yes, I was earning a
salary and contributing
to the community. It was
rewarding to be working
with other people after my
years of isolation. I enjoyed
participating in the local
community rather than
being an observer.
Once you had completed
nearly twenty years of
painting the East End,
what were your feelings
about that series of work? Tyre Shop, Salmon Lane, Bow 2017
I did not realise that I was
creating any kind of social document at the time because I
was so absorbed with each painting, each one constituting
such a lot of work. I had tried very hard to get my pictures
out there and get them seen. I had hoped for some kind of
recognition. I was never ambitious in terms of international
recognition but I did feel that the work was good enough to
be recognised more than it was.
Were you disappointed?
Yes. I remember the day I made a conscious decision to pack
away my paints. It was November 16th 2004. I said, ‘That’s
it! I am not going to paint again.’ I had no knowledge that I
was undertaking a journey and enduring a struggle that other
artists in the East End had already experienced. If I had been
aware of the East London Group and their example then, I
might have had the heart to continue.
Do you think your project reached its culmination?
At the time I did not think so, I believed I had done all that
work for nothing. But looking at the work again, I am very
glad I did it. I think it was important that I recorded something
which has now vanished.
Do you think you evolved as a painter by doing this work?
If I had I been taken on by a gallery, I might have developed
more as a painter. Instead, I think I found a method of working
that suited what I was doing and I stuck with it. Maybe with a
bit more encouragement I would have done what I am doing
now, since I have come back to painting.
How do you judge if one of your paintings is successful?
A painting is successful for me when I believe I have captured
an essence of a place in a moment. A picture must sit
comfortably and solidly on the canvas. My concern as an
artist is with the pockets of life that we ignore.
Now I have started painting again and the series of pictures
I have been working in the last two years are the result of
having lived in East London for thirty-five years. I have been
reflecting on how much remains from the early years and
come to appreciate how those people who still live here have
adapted to the changes.
In the early eighties, this part of London was run down and
very few people chose to be here. Some streets and buildings
remain as reminders of that
era, left to compete with
new concepts of London
that have emerged since the
closing of local industries
and the rise of corporate
culture. In representing their
utilitarian quality, I envisage
my subjects not only as
reminders of the past but
also as active survivors
struggling positively to find
a place in a world changing
beyond recognition.
I am a painter concerned
with environments that are
or have been inhabited.
I try to resolve the struggle between how I see things and
with abstraction, where the pictorial demands of structure,
organisation and balance hold sway. My work is carried out
slowly and methodically using a range of techniques to
communicate a place of quietude and serenity. The difference
between the work I am making today and the work I was
doing before is that now I am a participant, no longer only an
observer of East End life.
See Doreen Fletcher: A Retrospective curated by The
Gentle Author at The Nunnery Gallery,181 Bow Road, E3
2SJ thru 24 March, Tues-Sun 10am-5pm
Order your copy of Doreen's book from Spitafields
Books: spitalfieldslife.bigcartel.com
The Gentle Author has a plethora of stories, history and
images about life in Spitafields and writes a post every
day. You can read them at spitalfieldslife.com
You can also follow
@thegentleauthor on twitter
LOVEEAST FEB - MARCH 2019 21

Arts 'n Crafts
Little Artists London offers an array of child-friendly
workshops at CreatePlace, St Margarets House, 21
Old Ford Road , Bethnal Green ,E2 9PL. Days, times &
booking info: littleartistslondon.com/workshops
The Makers Guild at The Yard - play, discover and
make; Fridays during term time. the-yard.co.uk
Turn discarded materials and items into fun and funky
treasures in these monthly Crafty Kids Parties at
Poplar Union Sat 2 Feb & Sat 2 March, 1:30-3pm; £5,
ages 4-12. Info: poplarunion.com/event/crafty-kidspartywomen-of-the-world-inspired-puppet-making/
Music & Dance
Tots Gigs monthly morning series of acoustic gigs for
parents who want to see a great gig in the daytime and
bring their babies in tow. Check website for dates &
times: soundscreativeprojects.co.uk/whatson/
Children’s Creative Movement & Dance classes
Saturdays at Chisenhale Dance Space. Times and ages:
chisenhaledancespace.co.uk
Exhibitions & Activities
Step back in time and experience Christmas of
yesteryear at the Dennis Severs House, 18 Folgate
Street, E1 6BX. Dates & tkts: dennissevershouse.co.uk/
christmas/
A Pirate’s Life for Me exhibition at the Museum of
Childhood thru 22 April. Imaginary swashbuckling
world of adventure and exploration. vam.ac.uk/moc/
exhibitions/a-pirates-life-for-me/ Also Open Play for
Under 5s on Saturdays, 10.45 – 11.30 & 12.00 – 12.45.
vam.ac.uk/moc/whats-on/ and Free drop-in activities
during term time, including arts and crafts, tours, trails
and storytelling. Check vam.ac.uk/ for holiday activities.
Splish Splash
Find an indoor pool near you: swimming.org/
poolfinder/ Just put in your post code and voilà.
22 LOVEEAST

Cinemas
The Castle Cinema: thecastlecinema.com
Genesis Stepney: genesiscinema.co.uk/GenesisCinema.
dll/Home
Picturehouse Hackney: picturehouses.com/cinema/
Hackney_Picturehouse
Picturehouse Stratford: picturehouses.com/cinema/
Stratford_London
RichMix Shoreditch: richmix.org.uk/events/type/film
Parks & Recreation
Check out Living with Warmth, a children's what's
on guide for Hackney & Islington with a playground
and child-friendly cafe and attractions map:
livingwithwarmth.com/london
Hackney Wick FC offers a variety of football
opportunities for children of varying ages and
abilities. Contact Bobby Kasanga for info: Niaman.
hackneywickfc@gmail.com
Bow Creek Ecology Park - wildlife haven in the urban
environment: visitleevalley.org.uk/en/content/cms/
nature/nature-reserve/bow-creek/
Clissold Park - paddling pool, fountains, tennis court
and skate-park plus an aviary and animal enclosures,
multi-use games area and dog-free play area: hackney.
gov.uk/clissold-park
Homerton Grove Adventure Playground - free, open
access playground and youth service for children 6+.
Under 6's welcome if supervised: hackneyplay.org/
homerton-grove/
Shakespeare Walk Adventure Playground - free, open
access playground offering a wide range of indoor and
outdoor activities. Under 6's welcome if supervised:
wapa.org.uk/about.html
Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park runs a variety of clubs
and events including Bow Beasties Wildlife Club and
the Forest School. Info: fothcp.org/kids and also check
out our Spotlight on FoTHCP in the What's on section.
The Tumbling Bay Playground in the north of the
Olympic Park has rock pools, tree houses, wobbly
bridge etc.: queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/the-park/
things-to-do
Victoria Park is ready for Spring with all kinds of
activities. Look for their PDF events guide for details,
dates, times etc. on the Tower Hamlets website:
towerhamlets.gov.uk
Inclusive Adventure Playgrounds
Designed for young people with disabilities/additional
needs and supervised by trained, CRB checked staff, &
offer a variety of activities for stimulating & inclusive play
in a setting that supports the child's requirements and
also gives support to their families.
Hackney Adventure Playground, Clapton
FB page: @KIDSAdventurePlayHackney
Terence Brown Ark, Canning Town
theaaazone.com/terence-brown-arc.
htmlhackneywickfc@gmail.com
Be sure to check times/availability via the websites or contact details provided.
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK
FARADAY PREP SCHOOL
WWW.FARADAYSCHOOL.CO.UK
LOVEEAST FEB - MARCH 2019 23

Culture
London Symphony Orchestra invites 500
Londoners to fill the Barbican Centre with song
The London Symphony Orchestra [LSO] needs 500 people from all walks of life
to take part in the UK premiere of David Lang’s the public domain on 24 March
2019 at the Barbican Centre, conducted by LSO Choral Director Simon Halsey.
Participation is completely free and the only requirement for those who wish to
take part is availability to attend rehearsals in London on dates from Jan-Mar
2019. There are no auditions and there is no requirement to read music.
The performance on 24 March will open a London
Symphony Orchestra concert which explores the
use of space in the performance of live music. the
public domain, which is performed throughout
the Barbican foyers, is immediately followed by a
performance of Philippe Manoury’s Ring, in which
members of the LSO perform as they encircle the
audience entering the Barbican Hall, creating an
extraordinary sound experience. The programme is
completed by the world premiere of a new work by
Donghoon Shin and Scriabin’s The Poem of Ecstasy
conducted by LSO Principal Guest Conductor
François-Xavier Roth.
American composer David Lang wrote the public
domain in 2016. Searching for a way to capture
shared experiences through music, he typed ‘One
thing we all have is our …’ into the search engine
Google, and used the auto-fill function to see how
people around the world completed the sentence.
He then used this information to compose the
piece.
David Lang said: “the public domain is designed
for the entire community we live in so it doesn’t
require music professionals, although they are
welcome. Performers and audience should be
indistinguishable from each other. I don’t want the
audience to feel separated from the performers,
in location, dress, ethnicity, ability, etc; rather,
the performers and audience should be mixed
together, in all ways, so that non-performers might
feel that they share the communal space with the
performers.”
Simon Halsey, Choral Director of the London
Symphony Orchestra and
Chorus, who conducted
the world premiere of the
piece at the Lincoln Centre
in 2016, said:
24 LOVEEAST

Culture
“This is an accessible, compelling and hugely
enjoyable opportunity to create fascinating musical
textures on an enormous scale. We’re looking for
anyone from regular choir members to shower
singers, to people who haven’t sung before but
want to try something new. Plus, we’re inviting local
choirs to sign up together and explore this unique
piece of music as part of a 500-strong group.”
This performance of the public domain is part of
LSO Discovery, the London Symphony Orchestra’s
award-winning music education and community
programme and is being delivered with the support
of Culture Mile, a partnership led by the City of
London Corporation with the Barbican, Guildhall
School of Music & Drama, London Symphony
Orchestra and the Museum of London. Culture Mile
is an ambitious and transformational initiative that
will create a vibrant cultural area in the north-west
corner of the City over the next 10 to 15 years.
Stretching just under a mile from Farringdon to
Moorgate, Culture Mile will have creative exchange,
cultural collaboration and learning at its core in an
area where 2,000 years of history collide with the
world’s best in culture.
To find out more and to register your
availability for rehearsals, visit lso.co.uk/
publicdomain
ABOUT THE LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The London Symphony Orchestra performs over 120 concerts
a year and was named by Gramophone as one of the top five
orchestras in the world.
The LSO has an enviable family of artists; our conductors
include Sir Simon Rattle as Music Director, Gianandrea Noseda
and François-Xavier Roth as Principal Guest Conductors,
Michael Tilson Thomas as Conductor Laureate, and André
Previn as Conductor Emeritus.
We also have long-standing relationships with some of the
leading musicians in the world – Bernard Haitink, Anne-Sophie
Mutter, Mitsuko Uchida and Maria João Pires, amongst others.
The Orchestra is self-governing and made up of nearly a
hundred talented players who also perform regularly as
soloists and in chamber groups at LSO St Luke's. The LSO is
widely acclaimed by audiences and critics alike.
London Symphony Orchestra
Barbican Centre
Silk Street
London EC2Y 8DS
Administration: +44 20 7588 1116
Box Office: +44 20 7638 8891
Email: admin@lso.co.uk
LSO St Luke's
UBS & LSO Music Education Centre
161 Old Street
London EC1V 9NG
Administration: +44 20 7490 3939
Box Office: +44 20 7638 8891
Email: lsostlukes@lso.co.uk
1: Barbican Foyer
2, 3 & 4: LSO Community Choir
5: Simon Halsey
Images © and courtesy of London Symphony Orchestra
LOVEEAST FEB - MARCH 2019 25

Say it with flowers
this Valentine’s Day
www.agpriceflowers.co.uk
217-219 Well Street, E9 6QU
020 8986 0250
26 LOVEEAST

The wine guide
Bull’s Blood in East London
By Orsolya Ajvazov
Having accomplished my studies and internship in Oenology in Hungary I am more than happy to give this insight into the
country’s history and winemaking to the readers of LoveEast magazine.
Hungary was, in fact, one of the leading wine producing countries in Europe for thousands of years, but following
the aggressive assault of phylloxera (a bug from America) in the 1880s, two world wars, and 40 years of communist
collectivization, its fame gradually faded. Nowadays, among the 22 regions, probably the most famous is Tokaj for its
finest sweet and dry whites (Furmint) and Eger for its red blend (Bikavér).
The country is situated in the northern border of the winemaking area in Europe, ideal for the production of quality white
wines, although, due to the unique microclimates and soil types, Hungary can produce a wide range of wines: from light
fruity whites to full-bodied reds and sweet wines.
In each of the wine regions, you can find the most famous international grape varieties (such as Merlot, Cabernet etc.) and
dozens of local and unique ones which all have their own story connected to the regions.
The signature Hungarian red wine is undoubtedly
the Bikavér from Eger aka Bull’s Blood. Legend
has it that the name Bull’s Blood comes from
the siege of Castle Eger in 1552 by the Turkish
army. After many days of fighting in the cold,
the Hungarian soldiers, exhausted, begged their
superiors for something to quench their thirst.
The captain of the fortress, István Dobó, opened
the cellars and generously served local wine to
his soldiers. In their eagerness to drink, the dark
red wine streamed down their faces all over their
beards, moustaches and armour. The Turkish,
who were attacking the castle, later saw the red
stains on the faces and clothes of the Hungarians
and, assuming they had drunk bull’s blood,
attributed great strength to the defenders.
Eger is situated about 86 miles
northeast of Budapest and,
with its hilly terrain, has optimal
conditions to grow grapes - in
fact, scientists identified a 30
million-year-old vine grape
fossil among the modern-day
vineyards. The blend today is
Eger’s flagship wine and, by
regulation, it must be made of
at least three grape varieties
with a minimum of 50% of Kékfrankos and 2% of Kadarka.
Vinarius has recently started importing wines from Eger, made by the
Thummerer family, who have a well-deserved reputation all over the country.
They were one of the first in the region to start focusing on quality instead of
mass production, after the communist era. Now they’re cultivating 100 hectares
of vineyards with international and Hungarian grape varieties on the hills of
Nagy-Eged mountain and have a 4,200 m2 cellar carved into volcanic tuff.
Our selection of Bikavér includes the Classicus and Superior and in both cases
you can expect a deep-coloured, full-bodied red wine with dark fruits and
blueberry aromas with a touch of sweet spiciness and a nice acidity, with more
ageing aromas and complexity for the Superior. So if you would like to feel the
spirit of the bull on a misty day, stop by at Vinarius!
VISIT US
536 Roman Road, Bow E3 5ES
OPENING HOURS
Mon & Tues: 12 - 7pm
Wed - Fri: 12 - 11pm
Sat: 11am - 11pm
Sun: 11am - 10pm
Food is served Wednesday to
Sunday from 6:00 pm.
We take reservations for private
and corporate parties and wine
tastings.
GET IN TOUCH
store@vinarius.london
020 3302 0123
SOCIAL MEDIA
@VinariusLondon
@vinarius_on_the_roman
vinarius.london
SHOP ONLINE
With FREE delivery to E3, E6,
E8, E9 postcodes only. Terms
and conditions apply; please
check our website for more
information.
LOVEEAST FEB - MARCH 2019 27

Eating In
Lemon slices with poppy seed and
coconut yogurt
February always feels a bit like a bridging
month - the festive period is over and spring is
still too far away. This lemon slice with poppy
seed & coconut yogurt may help you make
this month a little more cheerful and brighten
up your afternoons in the run up to Spring.
Made with natural sugars from dried apricots
and maple syrup and using wheat free fibre
rich flours as a base, it bursts with zesty citrus
flavours from organic lemons and freshness
from the poppy seed and coconut yogurt
topping.
Makes around 12 slices
Photo: Diana Warrings
Ingredients:
3 unwaxed lemons – zested
120g dried apricots soaked in
hot water until soft
4-6 tbsp. maple syrup
175g butter (soft)
4 free-range eggs
4 tbsp. of plant based milk
125g almond flour
100g spelt whole grain flour
2 tbsp. bicarbonate of soda
4 tbsp. of poppy seeds
250g coconut yogurt
Pinch of salt
Diana Warrings is a Health &
nutrition content producer, recipe
developer & well-being cook.
irmagreen.com
Method:
1. Pre-heat the oven at 180C. Zest the lemons.
2. Drain the apricots, roughly chop and place in a blender. Add the
4 tbsp. maple syrup, the soft butter and blend until smooth. Next
add the eggs and milk and blend again until well combined. Finally
add 2-3 tbsp. of lemon zest, blitz once again and set aside.
3. Sift the flour into a large bowl, add the bicarbonate of soda, 2 tbsp.
of poppy seeds, a pinch of salt and mix well.
4. Next add the egg-butter mix, ¾ of the remaining lemon zest and
whisk until you get a smooth cake batter.
5. Line a baking tin with baking paper, pour in the batter, making sure
it is well distributed and bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes.
6. In the meantime, mix the coconut yogurt with 1-2 tbsp. of maple
syrup and 2 tbsp. of poppy seeds, stir well and set aside until
serving.
7. Lift the baked cake out of the tin, place on a cooling rack and leave
until completely cool before cutting it into slices. Serve topped
with the poppy seed & coconut yogurt and lemon zest.
Enjoy!
28 LOVEEAST

Eating Out
Dinner with a difference: the Dine & Drag show
We love a good drag show and were delighted to test-drive Wringer
+ Mangle's Dine & Drag show recently.
The Wringer + Mangle venue itself has bags of
character. It's relaxed and unpretentious - think rustic
with a modern twist - with muted colours, lots of
greenery and all sorts of quirky, interesting things
dotted around the room and on the walls. The front
area features a backdrop of large windows and a
trellis of climbing plants on the wall to the left, and
becomes a feature in itself when not doubling as the
stage.
It's immediately clear that a lot of thought has gone
into creating a welcoming atmosphere, and it's the
kind of place where you can easily feel comfortable
enjoying a leisurely Sunday brunch, a romantic
evening meal or a drag show. Somehow it just works.
The food for Dine
& Drag is a well
thought-out set
menu with three
options (meat, fish
or vegan) and was
excellent. Generous
but not OTT
portions, with fresh,
seasonal, locallysourced
produce
and a bit of bubbly
to wash it down. As
with the ambience of
the venue itself, the
food is beautifully
and imaginatively
presented; a feast for
the eyes as well as
the taste buds.
On to the show
itself, which was a
lot of fun and had
everything you would expect from a good drag show. OTT frocks and
make up, lots of bling and sparkle, lots of laughs and as camp as you can
get. The performers did a great job of engaging the packed audience and
the atmosphere was buzzing. And, as you would expect, there was quite
a lot of audience participation. After all, who doesn't like belting out a
song and bringing out their inner Diva?
Photos: © KrisHumphreysPhotography
DINE & DRAG
Wringer + Mangle
13-18 Sidworth Street,
Hackney, E8 3SD
WHEN
Two sittings every Friday
evening; 7pm & 9pm.
COST
From £45 pp includes 2 course
set meal (vegan option available),
some bubbly and after-party with
Drag Queen DJ.
ALSO
The restaurant itself offers a
variety of options depending
on the day and is open 7 days a
week.
TO FIND OUT MORE
wringerandmangle.com/
dine-and-drag
@Wringer_Mangle
@WringerandMangleLF/
@wringerandmangle
LOVEEAST FEB - MARCH 2019 29

Walk Hackney
Sean Gubbins explains the Parish Squirt
No, this was not something derogatory to call your annoying child. It referred to the local fire engine.
By a law of 1708, parishes were obliged to have a fire engine. Hackney’s was kept in the Engine House on
the south side of the old church (now St. Augustine’s Tower) towards the bottom of today’s Narrow Way.
When a new larger engine was
bought in 1823, the old one was
assigned to be kept in a shed just
off Kingsland Road in what is
now St Peter’s Way, leading to De
Beauvoir Square.
In 1850, this engine was looked
after by two firemen: a Mr.
Williams and a Mr. Edwards. They
were not full-time firemen, as
we have today. Mr. Williams was
the Beadle, an official of West
Hackney Church, all the way
up in Stoke Newington Road,
and Mr. Edwards was a local
shoemaker. If there was a fire
they had to be found to get the
engine out. Both men lived close
by the Kingsland engine house,
but it was considered a marvel if
the firemen were at home when
needed. More often than not, Mr. Williams was to be found up at West Hackney Church ‘pottering’ and
Mr. Edwards was often out during the day, making deliveries to his customers. Whoever was able to find a
fireman was rewarded 1/- (one shilling).
Photo: Sean Gubbins
The next step was to find the turncock, who was often an employee of the New River Company which
supplied water to the western side of Hackney. The fee for calling him out was 2/6 (half-a-crown or two
and a half shillings). According to The National Archives Currency Converter, 1/- in 1851 was worth £4 and
2/6 was worth £10 in 2017.
When the hand-drawn engine was replaced by a horse-drawn machine, one of the firemen had to make his
way to the nearby cab rank in Kingsland Road to commandeer a horse.
Not all our equine friends were compliant. Often the first cab’s horse
Looking for something to
refused to cooperate, so another had to be found that would oblige. do one weekend? Intrigued
Then machine, men and horse could proceed to the fire. How this to find out more about
cumbersome procedure ever successfully got to a burning building in Hackney?
time beggars belief.
My source for this account is a press cutting of recollections made
by Mr Charles Clarke in 1910 of his youth 60 years earlier. He was
born at the dairy his father had, close by the Kingsland engine. The
press cutting is one of many, along with correspondence, notes and
photographs, compiled by Hackney resident Florence Bagust between
1906 and 1936. These are available for reference at Hackney Archives.
30 LOVEEAST
Look up walkhackney.co.uk
and pick a walk that takes
your fancy. The next four
are in this edition's What's
On section. I look forward to
welcoming you on one of my
walks.

Roger Love on Fitness
Personal trainer Roger Love talks to David Bone, a South
Hackney-based ultra runner
David, a father of two, has run major events including the
Spartathlon, a 153-mile run from the Acropolis in Athens to Sparta.
Here, he gives some tips on how to get running. David coaches
runners as part of the DazNbone training company.
How did you get into running?
I grew up with an inspiring and sporty dad - and my family are very
supportive of my sporting excesses. I love being a small part of the
Victoria Park Harriers running club. If you want to kick start your
fitness in a wonderfully supportive environment then do go to one
of the club's joiners nights. The big shift for me was running my first
ultra (Brighton to London). Many might know me for the HemiHelp
10km I've hosted over the past six years in Victoria Park, which has
raised over £100k.
What is an ultra race?
Technically, it's a 50km or above run. However many endurance diehards
think that a 100 miler is the real thing.
What ultra races have you done?
Half a dozen iconic ones globally and, of these, Spartathlon is easily
the toughest one I've finished. I also ran around Tooting Bec running
track for 24 hours non-stop as part of Run and Become Self-
Transcendence series (finishing third with 138 miles covered).
What advice would you give to someone starting running for the
first time?
Find other runners who are at your level. Most running clubs are
geared up for new runners and they will help you with starter runs
and getting the best out of the club. Get along to any of the local
Parkruns (5km) which do a brilliant job of catering for all ages and
levels.
How do to train for a ultra marathon, from beginner to first race?
You need to take the rigour from a marathon plan and then look
to add a parallel plan that helps you run further than 26 miles. One
great strategy is called ‘back to back’ running. Rather than going
from 26 miles to 50 miles you break this mileage down into two runs
that you complete in two straight days. For example, on a weekend,
start off by running 10 miles on Saturday morning and on Sunday
run 20 miles. You will have run 30 miles over that period rather than
trying to run 30 miles in one go. As you get more confident try increasing the second run. Remember that most ultra
runners employ a run-walk strategy to complete anything over 30 miles. So don't be afraid to break up a run with
walking and nutrition breaks.
What do you think about when you are running?
Everything and nothing! Sometimes I will load up my phone with a load of great podcasts but I prefer to listen to the
world around me and, ideally, be surrounded by other runners.
Does it hurt?
I think it's important to try and run pain free. It's not easy to run over 150 miles without a few aches and pains but you
can still train well enough that even a major ultra can be completed with just fatigue. If you are experiencing any pain
then do go and speak to a physio. Consider checking out
the London School of Osteopathy on Cambridge Heath
Road to get body alignment. Get the right running shoes,
too.
David can be found here: daznboneultra.com/
Roger Love Is a personal trainer
based in Netil House E8.
rogerlovept.com
LOVEEAST FEB - MARCH 2019 31

What's on
Immerse
yourselves...
Fresh from a sell-out run
in Singapore, The Secret
Theatre Project is back
in London - East London
to be precise, although
we have no idea where,
exactly, because it's a secret
- with a new, immersive
courtroom thriller. A
serial killer has been on the
loose.The police think they
have their man, a notorious,
dangerous psychopath. But
is he guilty? Think 'The
Trial of the Century' where
Silence of the Lambs meets
Black Mirror.
The event takes place on
various dates in what is
described as 'an opulent and
historic venue'. Participants
will find themselves in
the midst of a courtroom
drama where they will have
the power to decide the
evening’s outcome through
investigating scenes and
interviewing the accused.
Happy sleuthing!
Tickets:
Early Bird: £29.99
Standard: £34.99
Dinner/theatre packages:
from £54.00 - £109.99
To book:
designmynight.com/london/
bars/secret-location/
secret-theatre-projectlondon?t=tickets
About The Secret Theatre
Project:
secrettheatres.com/home
Feb
FRI 1 Feb
Songwriting Circle at The Old
Church, Stoke Newington Church
Street, N16 9ES; doors/bar:
7:30pm, music: 8pm, tkts: £6 +
bkng fee. INFO: theoldchurch.org.
uk/events/songwriting-circle-8/
SAT 2 Feb
Trapped in Zone One & Great Art
are hosting #JustType lettering
workshop with Millsnic at Great
Art, 49 Kingsland Rd, E2 8A.
INFO: trappedinzoneone.com/
workshops/
MON 4 Feb
Fly Girl Collective presents The
Cool Down at The Book Club, a
series of talks on the health and
fitness scene, 7.30 - 9.30pm,
100 Leonard Street, EC2A 4RH.
Tickets: thebookclub.eventcube.
io/events/15804/fly-girlcollective-presents-the-cool-down
TUES 5 Feb
Doreen Fletcher: A Retrospective
curated by The Gentle Author at
the Nunnery Gallery, 181 Bow
Road, E3 2SJ, open Tues-Sun
10am-5pm thru 24 March. INFO:
bowarts.org/nunnery/doreenfletcher-retrospective-2019
THURS 7 Feb
BOTH Dance Class at Poplar
Union, 2 Cotall St, Poplar, London
E14 6TL, 6.30 - 9.30pm, £15/£10
conc. INFO: poplarunion.com/
event/both-dance-sessionfebruary/
FRI 8 Feb
Wander the bookshops of London
with The London Bookshop Crawl,
runs through Sunday. INFO:
bookshopcrawl.co.uk
Extant, Yellow Earth and
Upswing present Flight Paths,
7pm at Stratford Circus Arts
Centre; also 2pm & 7pm on
the 9 th . Tkts: £13/£15. INFO:
stratford-circus.com/whats-on/
Lick your wounds at the
Heartbreak Hotel Festival's
Breakup Party at Rich Mix,
35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, E1
6LA; more events thru the
14th. INFO: facebook.com/
heartbreakhotelfestival/
SAT 9 Feb
Fran & Flora Live Music Brunch
at The London JukeBox, 206
Upper St, N1 1RQ 12-2.30pm,
tickets: £5 via Eventbrite. INFO:
thelondonjukebox.com
ELOP present: LGBT History
Month Rainbow Family Fun Day
at Poplar Union, 11am-3.30pm;
Free, all ages welcome. INFO:
poplarunion.com/event/eloppresent-lgbt-history-monthrainbow-family-fun-day/
TUES 12 Feb
Life drawing at Red Door
Studios, rear of 120 High St
South, E6 3RW, 7-9.30pm. INFO:
throughthereddoor.org/whats-on/
Tim Etchells & Forced
Entertainment with Tyrone
Huggins present To Move
In Time, 7.30pm and Peter
McMaster with Louise Ahl
present A Sea of Troubles, 9pm
at The Yard Theatre, Unit 2A,
Queen’s Yard, White Post Lane,
E9 5EN, Tkts: £17 single / £20
double bill, both run thru the
16 th . INFO: theyardtheatre.co.uk/
whats-on/
WED 13 Feb
Rosie Wilby presents: The
Breakup Monologues at Poplar
Union, 2 Cotall St, Poplar,
London E14 6TL, 7.30 - 9.30pm,
£9/7 conc. / £10 OTD. INFO:
poplarunion.com/event/rosiewilby-presents-the-breakupmonologues/
The Tower Theatre Company in
Stoke Newington presents The
Thrill of Love, runs thru the
23 rd . INFO: towertheatre.org.uk/
thrill.htm
THURS 14 Feb
Valentine's Day
FRI 15 Feb
Peter Shaffer’s gripping
psychological thriller, EQUUS
at Theatre Royal Stratford East,
Gerry Raffles Sq, Stratford, E15
1BN; Tkts from £10, on thru 23
March. INFO: stratfordeast.com/
whats-on/all-shows/equus
TUES 19 Feb
Belter for the Shelter Comedy
Nite & Annual Fundraiser, 7.30pm
at The Hackney Empire, 291 Mare
St, E8 1EJ. INFO: hwns.org.uk/
events/1-belter-for-the-shelter
WED 20 Feb
Haunting harmonies by The
Brothers Gillespie at The Geffrye
Museum, 136 Kingsland Road, E2
8EA, 6.30pm / 7pm start,Friends
£10 / Guests £12. INFO: geffryemuseum.org.uk
FRI 22 Feb
UPBEAT Open Mic Nite at The
Gate Library, 4-20 Woodgrange
Rd, E7 0QH. INFO: facebook.com/
forestgatearts/
SAT 23 Feb
Kingsland to Newington Green
History Walk ‘Sedition and
Mission’, 11am-1.30pm, Meet:
Dalston Lane entrance of Dalston
Junction Station, E8 3DL, £10/£8
conc. INFO: walkhackney.co.uk/
kingsland-to-newington-green/
POP-Skill Swap at Poplar Union,
11am-1pm, all ages welcome
& free. INFO: poplarunion.com/
event/pop-skill-swap/
MON 25 Feb
Newham Word Festival, runs
thru 10 March in various venues.
INFO: newhamwordfestival.org
TUES 26 Feb
Life drawing at Red Door
Studios, rear of 120 High St
South, E6 3RW, 7-9.30pm.INFO:
throughthereddoor.org/whats-on/
WED 27 Feb
Learn to screenprint on fabric
with East London Printmakers 3
day course, 10am-4:30pm. INFO:
eastlondonprintmakers.co.uk
32 LOVEEAST

What's on
March
SAT 2 March
Shacklewell History Walk,
‘Hackney’s Forgotten Village’,
11am-2pm, Meet: Dalston Lane
entrance of Dalston Junction
Station, E8 3DL, £10/£8 conc.
INFO: walkhackney.co.uk/
shacklewell-walk/
Ms Paolini’s Phantasmagoria
Cabaret, 7:45pm at Hoxton Hall,
130 Hoxton St, N1 6SH, tickets
from £12.50. INFO: hoxtonhall.
co.uk/event/11242/
Intermediate storytelling
workshop with Ben Haggerty,
10am at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal
Green Rd, E1 6LA, Tkts £150.
INFO: richmix.org.uk/events/
intermediate-storytellingworkshop-with-ben-haggarty/
SUN 3 March
Jazz singer Cleveland Watkiss
presents The Great Jamaican
Songbook + DJ Paul Bradshaw
at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green
Rd, E1 6LA, Tkts £17.50. INFO:
richmix.org.uk/events/the-greatjamaican-songbook-dj-paulbradshaw/
TUE 5 March
Pub Quiz, 7:30pm at The Star by
Hackney Downs, 35 Queensdown
Road, E5 8NN, £2 entry pp, prizes,
1st: £50 Cash prize 2nd: £25
Bar tab 3rd: £15 food voucher.
Runs every Tuesday INFO:
starbyhackneydowns.co.uk/
whats-on/
WED 6 March
Live acoustic music, 7:30pm,
upstairs at at The Star by Hackney
Downs, 35 Queensdown Road,
E5 8NN, £2 entry pp, prizes,
1st: £50 Cash prize 2nd: £25
Bar tab 3rd: £15 food voucher.
Runs every Wednesday. INFO:
starbyhackneydowns.co.uk/
whats-on/
THURS 7 March
BOTH Dance Class at Poplar
Union, 2 Cotall St, Poplar, London
E14 6TL, 6.30 - 9.30pm, £15/£10
conc. INFO: poplarunion.com/
event/both-dance-sessionfebruary/
FRI 8 March
Rock The Belles HipHop & RnB at
The Hoxton Pony, 104-108 Curtain
Rd, EC2A 3AH, tickets from £5.
INFO: thehoxtonpony.com TKTS:
supa-dupa-fly.designmynight.com
SAT 9 March
Trapped in Zone One & Great Art
are hosting #JustType lettering
workshop with Lana Hughes at
Great Art, 49 Kingsland Rd, E2
8A. INFO: trappedinzoneone.com/
workshops/
FRI 15 March
Catch Jennings Couch's
gig at The Islington Pub, 1
Tolpuddle Street, N1 0XT. INFO:
theislington.com
SAT 16 March
De Beauvoir History Walk ‘The
development that never was’,
Meet: Entrance to Haggerston
Station (East London Line), Lee
Street, E8 4DY, 11am-1.15pm,
£10/£8 conc. INFO: walkhackney.
co.uk/de-beauvoir-walk-2/
WED 20 March
First day of Spring
THURS 21 March
Gospeloke - Karaoke with a twist,
belt out a song with the backing
of a full Gospel Choir, 7pm at
Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, 2-4
Hoxton Square, N1 6NU, Tickets
from £13. INFO: designmynight.
com/london/bars/shoreditch/
hoxton-square-bar-and-kitchen/
gospeloke
SAT 23 March
Greatfield Spring Market, 11am to
2pm at St George & St Ethelbert
Church Hall, Burford Road, East
Ham, E6 3NN. INFO: twitter: @
greatfield_e6
SUN 24 March
Hoe Street Market, 12-4pm,
Trades Hall (& carpark) Tower
Hamlets Rd, E17. INFO: twitter
@hoestmarket
Freedom Song – When Gospel
Came to the Empire, 6pm at
Hackney Empire, 291 Mare St, E8
1EJ. INFO: hackneyempire.co.uk/
whats-on/freedom-song-whengospel-came-to-the-empire/
FRI 29 March
Spoken word, music, poetry etc.
at UPBEAT Open Mic Nite, The
Gate Library, 4-20 Woodgrange
Rd, E7 0QH. INFO: facebook.com/
forestgatearts/
Comedy with Nish Kumar at
Hackney Empire, 291 Mare
St, E8 1EJ, tkts £22.50. INFO:
hackneyempire.co.uk/whats-on/
nish-kumar-nature-destroy/
SAT 30 March
Dalston History Walk ‘Rural
Hamlet to Industrial Suburb’,
Meet: Dalston Lane entrance
of Dalston Junction Station,
E8 3DL, 11am-1.30pm, £10/£8
conc. INFO: walkhackney.co.uk/
dalston-walk-3/
Local Makers Market & Vegan
Pop-Up Cafe, 10am - 4:30pm at
Christchurch Hall, Wanstead,
E11 2SW. INFO: localmakers.uk
SUN 31 March
Mother's Day
Everyone a Maker Everyone an
Architect, family event suitable
for age 4+ and FREE, 1pm & 2PM
at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green
Rd, E1 6LA. INFO: richmix.org.
uk/events/everyone-a-makereveryone-an-architect/
Pay it forward
James Dutton lives in
a little flat on Hackney
Downs, next to The Star
pub, and, as he says, "I
love this vibrant corner of
London."
He has been working
on LENT, a project that
encourages people to share
the things they hardly ever
use with their neighbours,
in order to live more
sustainably, save money,
and bring the community
closer together.
"Most of the stuff you own
gets used less than once a
month, and we consume far
more than the planet can
sustain."
With LENT, you can make
your purchases worthwhile
by sharing the things you
hardly ever use with your
neighbours, and borrowing
other people’s useful items
when you need them. This
is a great way to spread the
generosity by lending out
stuff you don’t always need
to help the people around
you. Save money... and
the planet!
The LENT App is now
available on both the Apple
App Store and Google Play.
A softlaunch in Hackney
is underway, which aims
to collate feedback from
an initial user base before
rolling the platform out
across the rest of London
and beyond.
www.lent.to
james@lent.to.
LOVEEAST FEB - MARCH 2019 33

Wellness
Diana Warrings shares an easy way to change your eating habits
for the better - and for good - with The 80/20 Rule
Eating healthy is counted as one of the top five
New Year's resolutions. However, far too often
life gets in the way and navigates us back into
old habits soon after embarking on the quest.
With this in mind, we can probably all agree that
healthy eating should not just be an annual ‘one
hit wonder’ during the month of January but
rather be seen as a long term endeavour.
The 80/20 rule may well be a way to help
you get started on the road to
eating healthier. According
to the rule, you follow a
wholesome, healthy diet
for 80% of the the time
and the remaining 20%
you can eat whatever
you like. There are
different variations
as to how this rule
can be applied. Some
people like to practise
their 80% Mon.-Fri. and
leave the weekend for the
remaining ‘20%’, others like
to apply it daily. Most of my
clients have found applying the
rule daily has worked best for
them. They felt it was far easier to
handle birthdays, work lunches, dinners
with friends, dates, etc. Practising daily
may also help with changing eating habits more
effectively.
Now, you might ask yourself, how do I calculate
the 80/20? There are no set rules to this. You
might choose to count a mid-morning latte and
an afternoon treat, as your 20% or prefer to have
a pizza for dinner. An entire meal counts for more
than 20%, but this can be balanced out by adding
a healthy component. With a pizza treat, this could
be a fresh salad, sautéed greens or vegetables as
a starter or side. Having some plain seeds or nuts
with your coffee, cake or dark chocolate also adds
a healthy twist. As with the salad and vegetable
'add-ons', they provide extra fibre, minerals and
vitamins and may help you get used to making
healthier meal choices.
This leaves the question of what the 80% should
look like. Keeping it as simple as the 80/20 rule
itself, healthy food choices include plant proteinrich
foods such as beans and pulses, as well as
fresh seasonal fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and
herbs. These should come in their most natural
and ideally unprocessed form. Where possible, try
to get locally grown: the origin of your food can
be found on its label. When shopping at your local
farmers market, you can ask the vendor directly.
During the winter months, they
often have to buy part of
their goods from abroad
as well. For those of you
who eat meat, fish and
dairy, try and choose
local and organic where
possible. Moderation is
key, so have your meat
or fish as a side dish
and their plant-based
counterparts as a main.
Buying unprocessed whole
foods inevitably leads to
cooking from scratch. This
may mean more time spent
preparing your meals, but it will
give you back control over what goes
into them too. Takeaways and processed
foods, such as ready meals, salad cream,
dressings and spreads, can be high in fat, salt, and
sugar. More often than not, they are also loaded
with preservatives, flavourings, and colourings, as
well as being made with low-quality ingredients
that lack nutrients. As for the 20%, a lot of my
clients like to keep those at a high quality level too
and love making their own treats. You may feel the
same because, don’t forget, your body is a temple,
so only the best is just about good enough.
To get you started, have a look at this month’s
recipe on page 28 and make some delicious
lemon slices with poppy seed & coconut yogurt.
34 LOVEEAST

Your safety is
our concern
Specialising in alarms, CCTV, concertina grilles
and safes, we are the most comprehensive
lock-based service available
Empire Security, 8-20 Well Street, E9 7PX
020 8986 7921
Hackney
personal
trainer
Friendly &
experienced
Free trial session
www.rogerlovept.com
LOVEEAST FEB - MARCH 2019 35

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