Village Raw - ISSUE 7

JULY TO SEPTEMBER 2019
FREE
VILLAGE RAW
STORIES FROM CROUCH END, EAST FINCHLEY, HIGHGATE, MUSWELL HILL AND SURROUNDING AREAS
Fashion Conscience: Local sustainable fashion / Out of Sight, Out of Mind: waste responsibility /
The Secret Garden: Wolves Lane Horticultural Centre / Living the Great Life: A yin and yang approach to
eating / Stories from Prison: the Bird podcast / Straight Outta Crouch End: The Arthouse gets political

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CONTENTS
VILLAGE NOTICEBOARD
Things to do and community notices
FASHION CONSCIENCE
A look at local sustainable fashion
STRAIGHT OUTTA CROUCH END
As the Arthouse turns five it gets
political
A NEW ARTS CENTRE
Interview with Time + Space Co.
about the plans to turn Hornsey Town
Hall into a leading arts centre
STORIES FROM PRISON
The Bird Podcast and the UK prison
system
IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH
After finding he had a brain tumour
Adam Blain turned to writing
FINDING A HAPPY SPACE
The Lab: A space for R&R
THE SECRET GARDEN
ON WOLVES LANE
A community run space with
woodland, tropical plants, aquatic
animals and organic produce
EDITORIAL
Welcome to issue seven. As we type this we’re enjoying our last moments
in Hornsey Town Hall, with the restoration and conversion finally about to take
place. We’ve been on rolling month-long terms for over a year now, and were
served notice at the beginning of June. We’ve grown very attached to this
grand old building – the beautiful spaces that architect Reginald Uren created
– but we’ve also seen how dilapidated and in need of a serious amount of TLC
the building now is. We’ve seen the due care and respect that the developers
and arts operator are approaching the building, and while we’re sad to be leaving
we’re looking forward to returning in the not too distant future – whether
as residents or participants.
One of the things we’ve actively pursued with the Village Raw project, is to
put people and businesses together. From the very first issue, where we had
world class cellist Gabriella Swallow and jazz clarinettist Luke Eire performing
live together at the launch – even though they’d never met before. We saw
people from Highgate mingling with people from Wood Green – discussing work
and business. Maybe little comes from such interactions – but you never know.
So for our food piece in this issue, we put together two cooks who had never
met – the one thing they have in common is an understanding of macrobiotics.
We take a look at sustainable fashion with local makers, waste management
with Chris King and dig a little deeper into the leafy depths of Wolves Lane. In
these strange days we’re getting political with Crouch End’s Arthouse cinema
and this issue’s Village Sounds is less about music and more about… prison...
And we meet a corporate lawyer who, after discovering he had an incurable
brain tumour, turned to writing and humour.
David and Luciane
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HIGHGATE’S HIDDEN GEM
The former garden centre converted
into an events and garden space
LIVING THE GREAT LIFE
The macrobiotics diet - a yin and
yang approach to eating
OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND
What happens to the waste we
produce
REUSABLE NAPPIES -
GET STARTED TODAY!
Tips from Emma Ross
IMPERFECT PARENTING
Dr Emma Svanberg discusses
the alternative to perfection
SUMMER DAYS
Capturing that summer feeling
A LOCAL HARVEST
Finding that perfect allotment spot
EDITORS
Luciane Pisani
David Reeve
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Luciane Pisani for Studio Moe
COPY EDITOR
Julie Tang-Evans
CONTRIBUTORS
Victor Baumann, Zoe Bee, Dan Bridge, Simone Bossi,
Aimee Charalambous, Beth Cutting, Jack Donato-
Brown, Alison Evans, Charlotte Hogg, Chris King,
Kate Kuzminova, Laetitia Lafont, Amanda Lee, Becky
Matthews, Federico Michettoni, Katrina Mirpuri, Carla
Parks, Huma Qureshi, Emma Ross, Dr Emma Svanberg,
Philip Taylor, and Dominique Woolf.
ADVERTISING
hello@villageraw.com
PRINTING
Printed in East Finchley by JG Bryson on chlorine
free paper produced by an EU Ecolabel certified
mill from FSC and PEFC regulated forests.
Cover image by Dan Bridge
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Village Raw April to June 2019
Designed and published by Studio Moe Ltd.
© 2019 Studio Moe Ltd. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of any contents of Village Raw
magazine without prior permission
of the publisher is strictly prohibited.
THANKS TO:
Loretta Agamemnos, Seb Barre, Adam Blain,
Julie Bland, Thomas Broadhead, Ian Chalom, Michael
Curtis, Giorgiana Dumitru, Yvonne Field, Nick Fletcher,
Anna Freedman, Charlotte Harris, Olivia Guest,
Tom Hoyland, Augusta Hull, Camila Klich, Andrea R.
Lagartos, Karen Leason, Kate Littler, Laura Lilley,
Caroline MacAskill, Andrew Major, Nina McNamara,
Lu Melcher, Marianne Mogendorff, Sam Neophytou,
Mel Pretorius, Lucy Pilgrim, Joan Podel, Piers Read,
Aimee Schmidt, Anna Souter, Mark Stevens,
James Taylor, Jianhui Yan, Siri Zanelli.
03

VILLAGE RAW
VILLAGE NOTICEBOARD
WHAT’S ON
ART/MUSIC/CULTURE
MUSWELL HILL MUSIC FESTIVAL
A new Classical Music Festival for Muswell Hill
and surrounding areas with nine events taking
place. 8 to 13 July. www.mhmusicfest.co.uk
VAMPIRE FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL
As part of International Vampire Film & Arts Festival
there will be three productions on 10 to 12
July, Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village,
N6 4BD. www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com
CARTOONS AND CEREAL
Graduates from The Slade respond to the idea of
the cartoon, with a focus on figuration, fun and
interaction. 12 to 17 July. Offshoot Gallery, 162
High Road, N2 9AS. www.offshootartspace.com
THEATRE ON THE TEA LAWN
This summer’s open air performance will be Arms
and the Man by George Bernard Shaw. Bring a
picnic. 15 - 18 July Lauderdale House, Waterlow
Park, Highgate Hill, N6 5HG.
www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk
SUNDIAL SUNDAYS
Free music on the lawn every Sunday afternoon,
through to 21 July. Lauderdale House, Waterlow
Park, Highgate Hill, N6 5HG.
www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk
POSTCARDS FESTIVAL
London’s only pay what you want festival with
music, circus and performance for all of the family,
and grown-ups. 16 to 27 July, Jackson’s Lane,
269a Archway Road, London N6 5AA
www.jacksonslane.org.uk
THE JEALOUS PRIZE EXHIBITION
The exhibition brings together four artists’
works, featuring large-scale paintings, video
performance, sculpture and screenprints. On
until 21 July, Jealous North, 27 Park Road, Crouch
End, N8 8TE. www.jealousgallery.com
FRESH ON THE NET LIVE
Live music, curated by Fresh on the Net, takes
over The Boogaloo and Jackson’s Lane. 21 July,
Highgate. www.jacksonslane.org.uk
THE REAL LIVES
Outstanding and captivating photographs and
honest personal stories which give sympathetic
and positive insight into the lives of people living
with spinal injuries. Until 22 July, Lauderdale
House, Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill, N6 5HG.
www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk
AMERICANA
An exhibition of paintings and mixed media work
by artist Emma Loizides, whose colourful urban
art combines elements of pop art and landscape.
Until 22 July. Lauderdale House, Waterlow
Park, Highgate Hill, N6 5HG.
www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk
SUMMER SHOW AT JEALOUS NORTH
A wide range of framed screenprinted editions
by a variery of artists at extra special discounted
prices. 24 July to 1 September, Jealous North, 27
Park Road, Crouch End, N8 8TE.
www.jealousgallery.com
NADAV DRUKKER
The ceramics of physics professor Nadav Drukker,
who endeavours to mirror the creativity of
his scientific research in his ceramic works. On
until 29 July. Avivson Gallery, 49 Highgate High
Street, N6 5JX.
www.avivsongallery.com
CAMDEN FRINGE
The Camden Fringe Festival returns to Upstairs
at the Gatehouse for another jam-packed year
with a varied programme of music, cabaret and
theatre. 29 July to 24 August, Upstairs at the
Gatehouse, Highgate Village, N6 4BD
www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com
THE GERRY LAFFY ART COLLECTIVE
This collective of artists are brought together by
London mixed media artist Gerry Laffy. 7 August
to 2 September, Lauderdale House, Waterlow
Park, Highgate Hill, N6 5HG.
www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk
SIGNIFICANT FORM
A mixed group exhibition exploring altered and
expressive forms. On until 17 Aug at Thrown, 26
Highgate High Street, N6 5JG.
www.throwncontemporary.co.uk
KALEIDOSCOPE PRESENTS… NORMAN JAY
Norman Jay MBE brings his legendary Good
Times to Alexandra Palace Park. 25 August, Alexandra
Palace, N22 7AY.
www.alexandrapalace.com
SUMMER SHOW OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Featuring the work of Stas Bartnikas, Robert
Dowling, Judah Passow, Stefan Maria Rother,
NPier, and Stefan Maria Rother. On until 31 August.
Avivson Gallery, 49 Highgate High Street,
N6 5JX. www.avivsongallery.com
DAVID OATES
Painting exhibition. 3 to 26 September, Avivson
Gallery, 49 Highgate High Street, N6 5JX.
www.avivsongallery.com
FESTIVALS AND MARKETS
STROUD GREEN MARKET
Growers, picklers, cheesemongers, coffee roasters,
cider brewers, dairy farmers, street food
cookers, bughouse builders, clarinet players,
bike fixers, beekeepers, washing-up-liquid refillers…
Every Sunday. Woodstock Rd, Stroud Green,
London N4 3EX. www.stroudgreenmarket.com
ALEXANDRA PALACE FARMERS’ MARKET
40 farmers, baristas, bakers and craftspeople
held weekly on Sundays – either at the Muswell
Hill entrance to Alexandra Palace Park, or Campsbourne
School – check website for details:
www.weareccfm.com/alexandra-palace-market
MYDDLETON ROAD MARKET
Grab a bite, beer, wine, unique gift, fresh produce,
vintage items and clothing – the first Sunday
of every month. Myddleton Road, N22.
www.myddletonroadmarket.co.uk
ZERO MARKET N22
Local producers, street food, re-fill stalls, arts
and crafts – all with a ban on single use plastic.
First Saturday of the month. Heartlands Secondary
School, Station Road, Wood Green, N22 7ST.
www.zeromarketn22.co.uk
MYDDLETON ROAD SUMMER FESTIVAL
We Love Myddleton Road. Renaissance Music
and Myddleton Road Market stage the Summer
Festival again! Loads of stalls, live music, rides,
activities, bars, and more! Family friendly. 7 July,
Myddleton Road, N22.
www.myddletonroadmarket.co.uk
RED BULL SOAPBOX RACE
Amateur drivers race home-made soapbox vehicles
for this annual event. Each machine is
fuelled by nothing but sheer courage, the force
of gravity and perhaps a little Red Bull. 7 July Alexandra
Palace, N22 7AY.
www.alexandrapalace.com/whats-on/
red-bull-soapbox-race-2
BLUE HOUSE YARD DAY TO NIGHT MARKET
A range of street food stalls and vans, with a
smattering of bakes, makers and crafters. 10
August, Blue House Yard, 5 River Park Rd, Wood
Green, N22 7TB.
www.bluehouseyard.com
STREAT LIFE - STREET FOOD
AND CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL
This festival takes place over four summer weekends
and features over 30 street food vendors,
craft beer bars, cocktails, Pimms and all sorts
of tasty treats. 27/28 July and 17 Aug Alexandra
Palace, N22 7AY. streatlife.alexandrapalace.com
AUTUMN FLOWER SHOW
With exhibits from members, plant and produce
stalls and of course tea. 7 September, Highgate
Horticultural Society, United Reformed Church,
South Grove, Highgate, N6 6BA.
www.highgatehorticulturalsociety.org.uk
TRADERS WEEK
Friends of St James Square will be hosting the
first event to kick of Traders Week in St James
Square. 21 September, St James Square, Muswell
Hill, N10 3HS. www.muswellbusiness.com
MUSWELL HILL CREATIVES AUTUMN MARKET
Work on sale includes ceramics, jewellery, art,
homewares and more. 28 September, St James
Square, Muswell Hill, N10 3HS.
www.muswellhillcreatives.com
WORKSHOPS
HAIKUDHYANA
In this 80-minute session, led by Kala Ramesh,
participants will delve into the silences, voids
and spaces that surround a haiku poem and how
these spaces can be correlated to mind-space.
14 July, OmVed Gardens, Townsend Yard, Highgate,
N6 5JF. www.omvedgardens.com
HEIGHTENING THE SENSES THROUGH FOOD
Join chef Arthur Potts Dawson to taste, smell,
touch, look and listen to over 25 different ingredients
that heighten your senses and improve
your bodies functions and capacity. 14 July, Om-
Ved Gardens, Townsend Yard, Highgate, N6 5JF.
www.omvedgardens.com
SUMMER CAMP – WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
Children will learn about the importance of parks
and urban spaces through a range of activities
that highlight the need for park recreation, sustainability
and conservation. 27 to 30 August, Alexandra
Palace. www.alexandrapalace.com
A NON-DUAL APPROACH
TO CREATIVE ECOLOGY
A six-part course at OmVed exploring the space
that both connects and separates us. 11 September
to 16 October, OmVed Gardens, Townsend
Yard, Highgate, N6 5JF. www.omvedgardens.com
OFFSHOOT
East Finchley has a new arts space with the Offshoot Gallery. As a space to showcase
contemporary art it’s well set up and spacious – the first show, Prologue,
was a group show that featured 10 painters. Next off the block is Cartoons and
Cereal which opens on 12 July. It’s a space for hire, with additional studio space.
To find out more contact the co-directors, Hannah Woldu and Nick Scammell.
www.offshootartspace.com
NEIGHBOURHOOD NOSH
Local disability charity my AFK have
been collaborating with local favourite
restaurants in N8 to produce a
recipe book, Neighbourhood Nosh. All
sales from the book will go directly to
the charity and you can purchase the
book locally, or by emailing events@
my-afk.org
SPACE FOR HIRE
Mind, in Haringey, has a number of
rooms for hire – from 25 to 80 guests,
including a garden. This is an important
revenue stream for this mental health
charity, so if you have any upcoming
events or children’s parties consider
the hire a brilliant donation.
Email: roomhire@mih.org.uk
04 05

SUSTAINABLE FASHION
FASHION CONSCIENCE
With shopping habits that are contributing to the pollution of
our planet, some local designers and businesses are looking for
alternatives that are both ‘feel good’ and fashionable.
Words by Carla Parks. Photos by Federico Michettoni.
Jianhui Yan fell into making his unique jewellery as a way of
paying off the debt incurred getting his MBA. Already working full
time as an office manager, he started making jewellery about 15
years ago, hoping to supplement his income. The cost of his raw
materials needed to be as cheap as possible so Jianhui turned
to vintage and recycled products, even buying broken things
from car boot sales that he could turn into something new.
He discovered a talent for it and started selling some designs at
markets and then local boutiques he visited in person at weekends.
The ‘eureka’ moment came when he visited a furniture shop in his
native China and saw how many offcuts of wood were simply being
thrown out. Additionally, the carpenters had to pay the government
to take the waste away, eating into profits. “I thought, that’s a lot of
waste. You may not be able to make a piece of furniture out of it but
certainly you could use it for other purposes.” Out of this humble
beginning, Jianhui’s ‘Next Pashmina’ design was born.
The versatile necklace is made from tiny geometric blocks of
recycled wood that are cut by a machine and then hand painted.
He first took the design to Paris Fashion Week in 2010 and it
became an immediate success, cementing in his mind that he
wanted to work in an eco-conscious way. Jianhui says he derives
satisfaction from making things that “take on another life”.
It’s a thought echoed by Andrea Lagartos, who recycles
kimonos into beautiful bespoke collars. “By focusing on the
recycling of materials, I am able to create and transform objects
- to give them a new life, purpose or use,” she explains. Andrea
estimates that she’s made about 50 different pieces with old
kimonos that she sources from Japan, with some of them sold
at markets. A member of East Finchley Open Artists, Andrea is
working on the development of Analogie, her fledgling business.
The artist loves the process of her work: “It is a real privilege to
somehow prolong the life of these traditional garments.”
For husband-and-wife team Nick Fletcher and Olivia Guest,
working in an ethical and sustainable way is the entire
foundation of their clothing business, Absolutely Bear. “Our
clothes are made using predominantly sustainable materials in
factories committed to ensuring good working conditions for
the employees,” explains Olivia.
When setting up their brand from their home in Stroud
Green, they thought about what values were important to them.
“It’s not a secret that humans are causing serious damage to
the planet - and the fashion industry has become one of the
worst culprits,” says Nick. They were determined not to add to
the problem and to give something back. Ten percent of their
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SUSTAINABLE FASHION
profits goes to two charity partners: Become, an Islingtonbased
charity working with children in care, and the Born Free
Foundation that works to protect wildlife. Nick adds: “We want
to represent a clear option for people to move away from buying
brands that epitomise the fast fashion culture to brands that
are trying to make a positive difference.”
These local businesses may only have a small impact but
it’s a start in bringing about much-needed change. According to
research conducted for the European Parliament, the amount of
clothes bought per person in the EU has gone up by 40% in the
last few decades. Another sobering statistic is that 30% of our
clothes won’t have been worn for at least a year. Most people
aren’t fully aware of what our insatiable shopping habits are doing
to the environment. The fashion industry is the second-largest
polluter in the world - only behind the oil industry. One estimate
is that 150 billion items of clothing end up in landfills every year.
Of course, it’s not just the manufacture of clothing that’s to
blame. Aimee Schmidt, a jeweller in Crouch End, learned through
research that many small-scale miners worldwide are exploited
and live in poverty. As a result her business, Hammered, uses
Fairtrade silver and gold. The foundation guarantees a fair price
for gold and precious metals, adding a premium on top that
helps fund projects to improve lives and communities. “It is
more expensive,” she concedes, “but I feel passionate about
the ethical side and I wouldn’t do it any other way.”
This page: Rings by Hammered (left), T-shirt by Absolutely
Bear (right). Opposite page: Noshi Collar by Analogie.
Previous pages: Portrait - Jianhui, Aimee and Andrea (left
to right); Jianhui’s geometric wooden block necklace.
Aimee, whose designs are influenced by architecture, also
uses recycled stones that have come from old rings and would
like to scale up the business so that sustainable jewellery
becomes more mainstream. “It’s a bit of a luxury at the moment
because working ethically is more expensive. I’d like it to become
a more accessible option.” Only about four years old, Hammered
has been featured in Vanity Fair and is available online and
through private commissions.
Jianhui, who has a studio at Hornsey Town Hall and a shop in
Gabriel’s Wharf, has not looked back since he first sold his ecoconscious
designs to local boutiques. The self-taught designer
has been stocked by the likes of the V&A, MoMA, agnès b.,
Harvey Nichols and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.
He continues to experiment with unusual materials, including
rubber, and has even used paper straws and recycled leather to
make a striking necklace inspired by a visit to the Everyman in
Muswell Hill. His commercial success proves that although some
fashion accessories and clothing lines might be made from
seconds, that doesn’t mean they are second best. •
To find out more check:
Jewellery by Jianhui: www.jianhui.co.uk
Analogie: www.analogie.co.uk
Absolutely Bear: www.absolutelybear.com
Hammered: www.hammeredlondon.com
More images at: www.villageraw.com/
sustainablefashion
08

VILLAGE RAW
ART & CULTURE
STRAIGHT OUTTA CROUCH END
The Arthouse turns five this year. To mark the occasion,
the independent Crouch End venue is putting politics in the frame
and taking its small scale, local model to more boroughs.
Words Becky Matthews. Photo by David Reeve.
Crouch End Theatre director Sam Neophytou and his co-founder,
the actor George Georgiou had originally planned to turn the old
Salvation Army Hall into a theatre. But although the initial idea
changed, politics and the community have driven the Arthouse
from the start.
“I used to come to the building back when it was the Salvation
Army building, so it was somewhere that was close to my
heart. It’s really important that our theatre and films aren’t just
accessible but reflect our communities.” Says Sam.
The independent cinema and live venue has had its fair
share of setbacks over the years. Picturehouse opened on the
same street, two years after the Arthouse opened, and it’s
sandwiched between two building sites.
“It’s hard to run the business with two building sites either
side, that’s the worst thing. Daytime trade is reliant on people
having somewhere nice to come, without noise and dust and
skips outside which we haven’t had for a couple of years now.
That’s the challenge.” he explains.
With the closure of Earl Haig Hall and current redevelopment
of Hornsey Town Hall Arts Centre, having accessible, cultural
spaces in Haringey is becoming increasingly important. Fortunately,
locals have continued to support the Arthouse, dodging
the skips and sawdust to share communal viewing experiences
they might not have elsewhere.
Local filmmakers and stories find a home at the Arthouse
too, including screenings of the feature film Burning Men by Jeremy
Wooding, and a short film about local artist Ben Wilson aka
The Chewing Gum Man.
“Loads of people email us and say “I’ve got a short film, can
I show it”, and we tend to show it for nothing, and they get a
chance to invite all their mates...that kind of thing is exactly
what we’re here for.”
The Arthouse may have arrived in N8 before Brexit, Me Too
and Donald Trump’s presidency, but its keen to use its fifth
anniversary to reflect on political changes.
“We’re putting on a rolling festival, starting in July. About
how the last five years have shaped us and the world around
us, That’s the power of film, the power of art. It’s our protest,
our Woodstock if you like. We’ll start slowly with a few q&as and
piece together a narrative of what’s been going on in the world
over the past five years.” He explains.
Political and social commentary by arts venues isn’t anything
new. Last year The Barbican ran The Art of Change season which
looked at artistic responses to social and political change, and
it’s been the driving force of the ICA since the 1940s. However,
as Sam argues, independent cinemas and venues have an opportunity
to give the audience a voice too.
‘We have to say something because we’re an arts venue,
we’re not Starbucks, selling coffee. We screened Dispossession
a while, which is about social cleansing and the gentrification of
our cities. We put that on 12 to 20 times, and it was packed out
every time. People got quite heated during the q&as.”
The small scale, local focus is something that developers
and other local councils have picked up on too. The Arthouse
has been approached to run new sites including Barking and
Camden. Future plans also include two screens as part of the
redevelopment of Hornsey Town Hall.
Most significantly, over the next few years, the Arthouse’
programming won’t just be to encourage bums on seats but to
create a space for communities to make their own art.
“The other venues will have workshops and studio spaces
for people to come in and create music, film and theatre. That’s
what’s appealing, and Crouch End is our little template. The idea
is for small spaces fitting nicely into the high street, which no
other venue does.” •
You can find out more about what’s happening at The Arthouse at
www.arthousecrouchend.co.uk
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11

VILLAGE RAW
PARTNER CONTENT
A NEW ARTS CENTRE
Hornsey Town Hall will one day become a flexible performance and
events space featuring a wide-ranging artistic programme. Village
Raw spoke to the team behind the operator, The Time + Space Co., to
hear more about the plans to turn it into a leading arts centre.
Interview by Carla Parks. Photo by David Reeve.
The team at The Time + Space
Co. responsible for bringing
Hornsey Town Hall back
to life (left to right)
Andrew Major, Piers Read
& Lucy Pilgrim.
With the Arts Centre not due to open again until 2021, can you
tell us a bit of what you envision for its future?
Andrew Major, Head of Space and Community: The vision for the
Assembly Hall, the main performance space, is a flexible space
that will house up to 800 people standing or 400 seated. We are
working with Theatre Projects, one of the world’s leading consultancy
firms, in maximising each space to the fullest extent.
The brief is to create genuine, immersive performance spaces
throughout the whole of Hornsey Town Hall. This is so we can realise
our plans to host live music, theatre, dance, comedy and more.
The versatility of the spaces is key. They are being designed in
such a way that one night we’ll have a comedy event and the next
a community theatre group performing.
Lucy Pilgrim, Marketing and Events Manager: Flexibility is key to
this and from a programming perspective this needs to strike a
balance between the corporate, private and community events
and of course making sure they are available to the whole community,
for which there will be lower rates. A certain percentage
has been allocated for community hires.
What kind of private events might you host?
Piers Read, Managing Partner: We’ll be hosting weddings, receptions,
corporate functions, bar mitzvahs and conferences. Because
each venue will be so versatile, the building will be used for a variety
of different purposes. For example, the Council Chamber could host
a wedding but also a TED-type talk or a college lecture. I think it’s
perfect for a resident jazz night. The flexibility means people can
get maximum enjoyment of the space, whatever you are doing.
The building will finally close in early July. Your team, current
occupants and the co-working space will move off site. How will
this affect awareness of the redevelopment?
Andrew: The Audience Agency consultation, which we commissioned
to canvass local opinion, showed the need to further develop
our outreach programme. We want to ensure the community
is fully aware of the access and opportunity the Arts Centre
will present to local people and businesses. During the whole refurbishment
process, there will be outreach initiatives, going to
schools, colleges and working with even more community groups.
We intend to spread the message, wide and far, that the facility is
publicly accessible and a welcoming place for all. When this message
gets across, people are incredibly positive and supportive.
Lucy: In spring we launched the new Arts Centre website and
we’ve also started a regular newsletter. People can sign up via our
website for news updates and you can follow us on social media
channels too, @HTHArtsCentre.
What did the community consultation tell you about what
people want to see?
Piers: Around 60% of people who replied to the Audience Agency
survey said they wanted a varied programme that they can proactively
participate in, to create a vibrant, social hub. There is a
preference for performance-based visual arts, but variety was
cited as being more important. It was less about the ‘what’ we
put on and more about the ‘how’ we go about it. Respondents
want to see collaborative programming, with participatory experiences
also popular, and we intend to develop both elements.
Will you be developing people’s skills as part of the project?
Piers: We are about to launch an initiative called CREATE. This is
a philosophy of sorts, with which Hornsey Town Hall Arts Centre
would host and support creative output for entrepreneurs in
the future. We are going to promote people’s Concepts, using
Research, Education, Arts, Technology and Enterprise. CREATE is
designed to take people’s ideas and turn them into a reality. The
dream is that a local person ends up performing on stage in the
Assembly Hall as part of our innovative and diverse arts and event
programming from 2022 onwards.
Lucy: The Arts Centre is going to be a place where people can
come, experiment and be supported by us. We’ll use our experience
and rich network of industry peers from the arts and culture
sectors to help realise our goals.
Andrew: We will offer facilities to people who would like to work
in sound engineering, lighting and rigging, eventually resulting
in training courses and industry accreditations. The CREATE
concept is being launched for everyone at a community event
on 6 July and is designed to give a glimpse of how the building
will host creative output in the future. CREATE is an ethos we’re
developing and this event is a precursor to what will follow. It
also celebrates the rich heritage of the building before it gets
restored as a modern-day arts centre. •
You can sign up to the newsletter via hthartscentre.com. Follow the Hornsey Town
Hall Arts Centre on Facebook, @HTHArtsCentre on Twitter and Instagram.
12 1
13

VILLAGE RAW
VILLAGE SOUNDS
STORIES FROM PRISON
“One topic, two chicks, three points of view. What does
it really mean to ‘do time’?” A perfectly succinct tagline
for a thought-provoking and insightful podcast.
Text by Jack Donato-Brown. Illustration by Victor Baumann.
Nina McNamara (left) and Kate Littler
(right).
The topic? The UK prison system and social
justice. The chicks? Nina and Kate - longtime
friends and housemates, who live in
Stroud Green, and have combined their careers
working in research and design (Nina)
and social care (Kate) to create ‘Bird Podcast.’
The points of view? Former prisoners,
prison staff and political lobbyists.
As a society we often shun and vilify
people who’ve been incarcerated by using
labels from preconceived, negative representations.
In doing so, we take away the
human element and isolate ex-offenders,
thereby hindering their rehabilitation. Nina
and Kate hope to change this and tackle
the gulf between the media’s judgmental
portrayals and the reality the prisoners
encounter both in and out of their cells.
“People have the capacity to change,” says
Kate. “They might have done something
which was terrible but, as a society, if
we don’t believe people can change then
what’s the point of rehabilitation?”
After years of austerity and cuts to
funding for Her Majesty’s Prison service,
the government recently announced an
increase in day and overnight leave for
prisoners to support them in acclimatising
for life after prison. Bird Podcast explores
some of the concerns these changes raise,
highlighting the need for a debate to bring
the issues of rehabilitation to the forefront.
Born from work stories shared at
the day’s end, the podcast maintains a
serious yet objective tone. Every episode
is dedicated to exploring individual issues
within the prison system, providing a balanced
discussion from both a statistical
and personal standpoint. For example, in
the ‘Mental Health’ episode, to coincide
with the number of suicides in prisons
rising 97% since 2012, we hear from Dave,
an ex-offender who suffers from psychological
issues and attempted to commit
suicide while inside. Through this balance,
we are offered a rare and impartial space
from which to form our own opinions. The
lack of bias is so rare and refreshing when
addressing such an important but sadly
divisive topic. “There is a lot of stigma and
this actually affects so many people,” says
Kate. “We definitely didn’t want to put our
opinion on it, the main thing is their voices.”
Their composed and genuine style
of delivery makes it difficult to feel anything
but empathy and sympathy for these
struggles: The women who’ve had children
taken away and put into social care due to
short term sentences for petty non-violent
crimes; the prison staff working in an under-funded
and under-trained system; or
the addict who sees their daily fix as a day
out. But no-one is victimised and no blame
is laid at anyone’s feet. Bird simply provides
the platform to share experiences.
The podcast goes past the boundaries
of mere audio, with Nina and Kate recently
expanding into events which, like Bird, are
centred around a key theme. Their most
recent example, ‘Rehabilitation’ featured
guests from previous episodes revealing
their own personal journey beyond the
prison gates. Events such as these go a
step further and allow more tangible and
accessible interaction with the speakers
and subject matter as a whole.
This season finale will cover knife crime
in the UK, with interviews from young people
in the government Youth Offenders
Team programme and offenders currently
in the system in Pentonville Prison. With
more events on the horizon and more episodes
in store, we can expect more great
insight from the two chicks of Bird Podcast.
“When you listen to the podcast, not
that you can’t disagree, but you definitely
have to rethink a little bit about how you
feel,” says Nina. They’ll continue encouraging
us to consider the hurdles we face,
challenging our own perceptions of the
prison system and ex-offenders. In turn
asking us to form fresh ideas that will address
the evident need for change. •
To listen to the podcast and learn more about future
events go to: www.birdpodcast.co.uk
14 1
15

VILLAGE RAW
IN SICKNESS
AND IN HEALTH
In 2014, Adam Blain was diagnosed
with a brain tumour and told he had
only one year to live. Adam and his
wife, Lu, chat to Village Raw about
life five years on.
Words by Zoe Bee. Photos by Kate Kuzminova.
Many of us grow up reading rags-to-riches stories, but it’s tales
of people who’ve learned to cope with heartbreaking situations
that give us strength and show us that the worst can be endured.
Lu Melcher is an oncologist - a doctor who provides care for
a person diagnosed with cancer. When her husband, Adam Blain,
kept feeling nauseous and getting headaches, she decided to
take him into her work to get a brain scan. Lu says: “I didn’t think
anything would come of it. I just thought, let’s get it checked out.”
Lu discovered that Adam had a brain tumour - a grade 4
Glioblastoma Multiforme. Some tumours are completely cured
with treatment. However, this type of brain cancer is not curable.
Lu gave Adam the devastating results herself. She says: “It was
the worst thing ever.”
Doctors removed the tumour and right temporal lobe of Adam’s
brain, followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatment to remove
the cancerous cells. They told Adam he had one year to live.
So how does he cope? Adam says: “You have to cope. I have a
wife and three children. There is no alternative. I was a corporate
lawyer and worked until it was clear I couldn’t anymore. Then you
recalibrate and you find a new norm because your brain can’t
maintain that level of chaos.”
Adam was educated at Cambridge. His brain is deteriorating
and there are enormous holes in what it can do now. He has
no short-term memory and cannot collate oral information
anymore, which means he may repeat a conversation four or five
times. Adam has also lost his spatial awareness, so if he’s having
lunch in a restaurant he hasn’t been before, for example, he may
forget his way back to the table from the bathroom.
However, if you gave him an IQ test, Adam would score
extremely highly. He can solve complex maths sums and the
crucial Countdown conundrum very quickly.
Imagine a painting, a masterpiece, defaced by a beaker of
acid. Some parts will be obliterated, but other parts are still
beautiful, still intact. The clever bit of Adam’s brain is firing on all
cylinders. It’s this clever part of his brain that compensates for
the holes and it creates systems to help him cope. So he is able
to manage the house, shopping, cleaning and is an excellent
cook. Adam has also written two funny but moving books about
his experiences, charting his journey from normality to having a
disease often described as a death sentence.
Five years on, Adam’s scans remain stable. Some 97 percent
of people with Adam’s aggressive type of tumour would not be
alive now. Adam and Lu are aware he’s living on borrowed time. Lu
says: “Since Adam’s diagnosis, we have gone out on a date night
once a week, which we’d never done before. We chat, take stock
of our lives and focus on spending more time together as a family.
I think we’ve been lucky because there’s nothing left unsaid.”
They have planned a family holiday in Cambodia to celebrate
Adam being stable for five years. Lu says: “It might be a terrible
mistake. Adam may get ill but life is short and you’ve just got to
enjoy it.” •
To find out more about
Adam Blain’s books, Pear
Shaped and Grin and Pear It,
visit: www.villageraw.com/
adamblain
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2019
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17

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www.highgateprimaryschool.co.uk
FINDING A
HAPPY SPACE
In need of some rest and
relaxation? You don’t need
to travel far to find it.
Photos courtesy of The Lab.
My experience of going to the gym is usually
associated with some sort of punishment.
No pain, no gain, as they say. But
as I approach The Laboratory in the leafy
surroundings of Alexandra Palace, I experience
a different type of sensation - and
it’s not one of imminent dread. The spa
and health club is set back from the road
leading up to Ally Pally and my first impression
is one of tranquillity. Large windows
overlook a wide expanse of green
lawn and there are bright orange chairs
dotted around a terrace. Already this
feels less like a standard health club and
more like a sanctuary.
Inside, I am greeted by Caroline MacAskill,
the corporate and community sales manager.
Friendly and welcoming, she shows me
around the well-equipped gym facilities
and smaller studios that are reserved
for meditation classes and yoga. The big
draw, however, is the 25-metre pool with
seven large skylights along one side.
The water is kept at a temperature that
doesn’t make you wince when you get in
and there is the option to relax in twin hot
tubs after a brisk swim or to use the sauna
or steam rooms.
“We try to find an individual person’s
happy space,” Caroline says of the club’s
philosophy. This individual attention applies
to members and non-members alike.
The spa, for instance, is open to guests;
anyone can book a treatment or a spa
day. The latter includes full use of the
pool and a relaxing room with lounge
chairs reserved only for spa guests. The
treatments vary from facials to a wide
range of massages, for which the club is
known. These include: Thai yoga, pregnancy,
sports and therapeutic massages.
There are also more unusual offerings,
such as Reiki and hot stone therapy.
A beauty therapist suggests an ESPA
prescriptive facial for me and I am whisked
off to one of the four treatment rooms,
where I’m told that my skin is dehydrated
and that I should exfoliate more often.
Given my love affair with red wine and the
fact that I rarely use anything more abrasive
than soap, both are probably true. Although
I am unlikely to have a regular facial
every few weeks, I do feel an immediate
difference in the suppleness of my skin. For
those who are looking for more comprehensive
treatments, there are special spa
packages including ones for brides, grooms
or simply to recover from stress.
Seb Barre, The Lab’s general manager,
believes that being able to offer such a
bespoke range of services to individuals
is part of the club’s appeal: “People stay
with us because they like what we do and
trust in our expertise.” The family-run
business also prides itself on not tying
members into contracts, and offering excellent
customer service. Jaysika Nardani,
the treatments manager, always follows
up with spa day guests to get valuable
feedback. “You try to find out as much as
possible about someone’s experience and
why they’re visiting the spa. We hopefully
exceed their expectations,” she says.
Sitting on the terrace with a fresh
juice, I certainly feel refreshed and revitalised.
The bonus is that I didn’t have to
lift a single kettlebell in the process.•
To find out more about The Lab’s spa days, visit:
www.labspa.co.uk or call 020 8482 3000.
19

THE SECRET
GARDEN ON
WOLVES LANE
We all know Wood Green is a hub
for shops and food outlets but do you
know about its huge green secret?
Words by Katrina Mirpuri. Photos by Dan Bridge.

VILLAGE RAW
This page: The Cactus House. Opposite page: the greenhouses at Wolves Lane.
Previous page: The Palm House.
Just 10 or so minutes’ walk from Wood Green tube is Wolves Lane
Horticultural & Garden Centre - a community run space that boasts
woodland, tropical plants, aquatic animals and organic vegetables.
It’s hard to imagine why such a green paradise - a stone’s throw
from the concrete jungle - isn’t more popular?
Previously owned by the council, the centre once thrived
with round-the-clock care only to become another victim of local
government cuts in 2017. This meant it was left abandoned and
overgrown, resulting in dead plants and broken greenhouses.
Volunteers joined forces two years ago to salvage what was left
of the space and it now acts as a prime spot for the community to
come together and get involved in its redevelopment.
The centre is made up of a spectacular array of large urban
greenhouse structures, each of which is utilised for different
projects. The Wolves Lane Flower Company (featured in our last
issue) sits alongside other local projects which have since helped
to enhance the community with sustainability in mind. Edible
London, which occupies one of the greenhouses, sees a team of
growers use organic farming methods to feed London’s less able
and more vulnerable population, such as the homeless. So far
Edible London has managed to cultivate everything from beetroots
to exotic tomatillos, kiwis and cucuzza (large Italian squash),
proving the power of intelligent growing. Working with the Haringey
based vegetable delivery service, Crop Drop (which also runs from
the centre), Edible London is able to distribute its surplus food to
the residents of Haringey.
By far the most spectacular greenhouses at Wolves Lane are the
Palm House and the Cactus House which hold a varied selection of
tropical plants and cacti. The Palm House is a magical wonderland
of greenery and wildlife, with inhabitants like fish (they luckily
managed to survive when the site was deserted) and terrapins
who enjoy the warm greenhouse climate. The Cactus House holds
an impressive amount of spiky beauties, many of which have been
nursed back to health after near death.
All of this wouldn’t be possible without the help of regular
volunteers, and opportunities to join in are open to all on Tuesdays
and Wednesdays (with a free lunch from Crop Drop). It’s a chance
to make new friends and help keep the centre running, with jobs
ranging from gardening, Palm House maintenance, vegetable
packing for Crop Drop and general DIY.
The time for people to come together and learn practical and
rewarding skills has never been more important and the community
at Wolves Lane is providing Haringey with its own green space to
do this.
The centre is open to the public every Sunday from 12 - 4pm
with fresh organic produce, plants, flowers and homemade
refreshments on sale, alongside tours of the greenhouses and the
opportunity to learn more about the benefits of horticulture.
22

VILLAGE RAW
VILLAGE IN PICTURES
PHOTO OF WOLVES LANE FLOWER COMPANY BY BETH CUTTING.
This page: This page: Yvonne Field –
Founder and Managing Director of The Ubele
Initiative, and Wolves Lane community food
hub and market (top); Camila Klich and
Marianne Mogendorff from The Wolves Lane
Flower Company (bottom). Opposite page:
Gardener Michael Curtis from Crop Drop.
There are also exclusive market days which are listed on
the website. 2019 dates include Sunday 14 July, 15 Sept
and 8 Dec. For further details of these and other events,
and how to get involved, visit: www.wolveslane.org
25

VILLAGE RAW
PARTNER CONTENT
HIGHGATE’S HIDDEN GEM
Just off the centre of Highgate Village, in an area known locally as
the Highgate Bowl, lies OmVed Gardens. A former garden centre, which
was advertised in the 1960s as the largest in north London, was
converted into an events space and garden in May 2017.
Words by David Reeve. Photos by Simone Bossi.
On a cold morning in January 2016, HASA
Architects undertook a site visit to
Townsend Yard in Highgate. Once inside
the site of the former garden centre, they
were quick to note the state of disrepair:
“Moss and condensation on the glass facades
made it almost impossible to see
inside,” says co-founder Mark Stevens.
“It was dark and dully lit. From the inside
we found there was no visual connection
to the exterior.” Beyond the broken glass,
boarded up windows and rot, they recognised
that the original steel framework
was in good order and set about designing
a series of small-scale interventions to
bring the space back to life. The dilapidated
green houses were transformed in just
six weeks, and the tarmac was ripped up
from the surrounding land and re-cultivated.
“It was an open brief with a concept of
rebirth, reuse, rejuvenate,” says Mark.
OmVed Gardens opened its doors in
time for the Chelsea Fringe, bringing this
forgotten piece of the city back into public
use as a community garden and versatile
events space. Sensitivity and lightness
of touch is evident throughout the architectural
installation – much has been
achieved with relatively small means. The
use of one material throughout creates
continuity – reinforcing the connection
between each bay of the glasshouse –
while the new birch plywood internal ‘skin’
subtly contrasts with both the old glasshouse
and the highly visible landscape.
Stroud Green artist and curator Anna
Souter took advantage of this interaction
when co-creating the show Rewind/Rewild:
“Most of the walls are made of glass
so when you look up you see these trees
moving in the breeze. It’s so different from
the traditional windowless white cube
space of most galleries, which are closed
off from the world and can make you feel
the art exists outside of time and real life.
Because the glasshouse is a perforated
space, it emphasises the impact of what
you are looking at, and asks how art has a
role to play in a wider ecosystem.”
With a flexible design, that appears
to breathe with the surrounding environment,
it’s a place for art, performance, music,
discussion, contemplation – a space
that exudes and feeds creativity. “Coming
from the high street you have no idea
what’s going to be waiting for you,” states
Highgate resident Izzy upon her first visit.
“Beautiful tended shrubbery but at the
same time it feels really wild and amazing.
It makes me feel giddy, how much I love it
here, and I don’t want to leave.”
There are new external and internal
pathways, as well as rooms and furniture
pieces that guide visitors through the
large open bays of the restored but still
fragile glasshouse that existed on the
site. It’s a project that has won numerous
plaudits, and was recently recognised by
RIBA (The Royal Institute of British Architects)
as an award winner for 2019.
It’s also a project that will continue to
evolve and grow as OmVed continues to
explore creativity and nature, food and
sustainability. “It’s our imperative to grow
food in the city and explore how this can
be done in combination with enhancing
our ecological environment,” says Om-
Ved’s director Karen Pagarani. “We hope to
create a space that nurtures flora fauna
and the human. Our events and activities
have evolved organically since the beginning
and will continue to take new shapes
in the future.”
Check the OmVed Gardens website
for the developing calendar of upcoming
events, as well as related articles and seasonal
recipes. You can also sign up to their
newsletter.•
This page: The garden centre in
January 2016, before the redevelopment.
For details of the RIBA award check: www.architecture.com.
OmVed has workshops on haikuDHYANA and Heightening
the Senses Through Food on 14 July, and a six-week series
of 2hr workshops on a non-dual approach to a creative
ecological future, which begins on 11 September. For
details check: www.omvedgardens.com
26
27

VILLAGE RAW
LIVING THE GREAT LIFE
Developed in the 1920s by Japanese philosopher, George Ohsawa, the
macrobiotic diet is believed to be a way to live in harmony with
nature through the food that we eat. A yin and yang approach to
eating that can have transformative effects on mind, body, and soul.
Words by Aimee Charalambous. Photos by Kate Kuzminova.
At first glance, the macrobiotic diet appears to focus on wholefoods:a
way of eating with wholegrains, pulses and lentils, vegetables,
sea vegetables, fresh and dried fruits, seeds, nuts and
fermented foods. It’s viewed as a healing diet that steers clear
of processed foods and most animal products, in favour of locally
grown organic produce. But look closer and you’ll find there
is much, much more to this century-old menu.
At the heart of the diet is a deep understanding of nature
and its elements. The word ‘macrobiotic’ derivesfrom the Greek
‘macro’ meaning great, and ‘bios’ meaning life. The macrobiotic
philosophy suggests that our health is directly affected and
guided by nature. And, by living and eating in a way that harmonises
with nature, we will create the same balance and harmony
within our bodies.
Balancing energies
The macrobiotic way of eating draws on Vedic teachings
concerning digestion and the ancient Taoist concept of yin and
yang – two opposing yet complementary forces that, when balanced,
maintain health and wellbeing. It is believed that many
of today’s chronic illnesses can be attributed to poor digestion
and energetic imbalance. Macrobiotics seeks to bring us back
to our centre, by harnessing the different energies of food and
leaving us feeling happier, healthier and filled with real vitality.
The macrobiotic principle of yin and yang relates less to the
nutrient content of food, focussing more on features such as
the food’s colour, pH, shape, taste, texture and water content.
Consideration is also given to how food is prepared.
Yin energy is associated with those foods which grow upwards
and outwards – think leafy greens and fruits. Yin foods also make
us feel uplifted, so include sugars and grains too. When eaten in
balance you’ll feel awake, alert and light in your body but, in excess,
you’ll experience a ‘high’ followed by a ‘crash’.
Yang energy represents the opposite. Foods that move inwards
and downwards, drawing energy in towards their centre.
This is epitomised in foods like root vegetables that grow down
into the ground. The majority of animal proteins are also considered
yang, as they are concentrations of the nutrition consumed
by the animal. Foods with yang properties leave you feeling
warm and relaxed, and grounded in yourself but, in excess,
they can lead to heaviness and lethargy.
Eating the right foods - at the right time of year - is another
key tenet of macrobiotics. The seasons, and the food they produce,
are a complementary balance struck by nature. Yang seasons
like summer offer up yin foods, like watermelon - to help us
cool down and stay hydrated. Cold seasons like winter are considered
yin, providing yang root vegetables which help us to feel
warm and grounded. So, by eating the right foods at the right time
of year, we can balance our energy with that of the seasons.
At first sight, the diet (and the large list of produce it includes)
may seem a little intimidating but it is, in fact, easier to source
than you might think. Core ingredients such as miso, wakame
seaweed and tofu are easily found in big brand supermarkets and
local organic stores. Fresh seasonal produce is available from local
greengrocers and farmers’ markets. And, for those with less
time to spare, there is a wealth of delivery services, including our
very own local Crop Drop, which can offer you a weekly bag of
assorted produce from farms close to Haringey.
28

VILLAGE RAW
FOOD & DRINK
For Everyone
Macrobiotics has gotten a bad rap for being rigid and time consuming.
A diet governed by strict rules on what - and how - you
eat. But macrobiotic principles can be applied to any situation,
something Anna Freedman, a local macrobiotic health coach
and James Taylor, a local chef, are quick to point out.
“It’s all about finding a balance. You can maintain the basic
principles and adapt the practice to your needs and tastes,”
says Anna. “Macrobiotics can work for those looking to heal,
lose weight or just explore a more natural way of eating.”
“Through my courses I tailor the approach to the individual,
equipping them with recipes that are easy to integrate and enjoy
as a plant food repertoire - or alongside fish or meat dishes.
There is no common menu,” Anna explains. “You can create a
one-pot power dish to sustain a family, or a hearty meal singing
with several balanced components.”
“Macrobiotics offers a way to enjoy fresh food no matter who
you are,” agrees James. “It teaches you to be more conscious
about how you source ingredients and encourages us to listen to
what our bodies are telling us about what they need in response
to the changing seasons, climates and stresses in life.”
Macrobiotic principles also offer a way to be more sustainable.
“I’m a lot more conscious of eating seasonally and organically,”
James says. “I believe the land provides our bodies with
what we need for the different seasons so we should make the
most of our local produce rather than importing foods from the
other side of the world.”
It’s clear that modern macrobiotic principles focus on creating
a relationship with food that complements our natural energies
and lifestyle. It affords a new approach to living, offering
a philosophy that - at its core - is about nourishing you as an
individual with flavourful, healthy food, based on a menu with
the flexibility to tune into what you really want and need. •
Anna Freedman runs Wholefood Harmony, offering cookery classes and health coaching
to those who want to develop their eating style to take advantage of the wisdom
of natural food and eastern medicine. She is also the author of Pure Baby: Give A
Beautiful Beginning, and runs the Gaia Gang and Retreats, working with women from
pre-pregnancy through to motherhood, supporting positive parenting and healthy
eating for them and their loved ones.
www.wholefoodharmony.com
www.annafreedman.com
@annafreedman1
James Taylor currently works for Chefs in Schools, running two primary school kitchens
in Hackney; Moley Robotics supporting development of the first fully automated
and intelligent cooking robot and cooks for a monthly supperclub at the Hot Milk Cafe
in Bounds Green, making use of undervalued and underused ingredients. He is also
available for private bookings catering to any dietary requirements.
@jbtthechef
You can view a film featuring James and Anna, and check out their recipes,
on the Village Raw website: www.villageraw.com/macrobiotics
30 31

VILLAGE RAW
OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND
The responsibility we have for the waste we produce in
our homes goes beyond separating it and throwing it in bins
for collection, and it’s time we recognised that
Words and photos by Chris King.
I recently started documenting the environmental boundaries
between the natural and the industrial - a project I’ve called Industrial
Borderlands. I started off by walking up and down the
Lee Navigation - a canalised river that runs from Hertford Castle
Weir to the River Thames at Bow Creek, part of which marks the
eastern border of Haringey.
When you start exploring the periphery of an urban space,
the tapestry of man-made systems attempting to impose order
on us - and on the environment - starts to fray. It’s here you really
begin to witness the fallibility of those systems, especially
when it comes to waste management, and the consequences
of having to sustain an ever-increasing urbanised population.
Because of the disruptive nature of the waste we produce, such
as plastic products that can take hundreds of years to decompose,
failing to capture waste originating from households, public
spaces or industry allows it to leach out into the surrounding
areas, affecting the natural environment.
This is in stark contrast to Mother Nature, where there is no
such thing as waste. It is a closed-loop system within which every
element, at every stage of its existence - dead or alive, animate or
inanimate - has a constructive role to play. A system of such complexity
it’s unlikely we will ever know the extent to which its myriad,
intricate layers are interconnected. From subterranean mycelial
networks that connect and protect trees to the positive role of
keystone plant and animal species in biodiversity - and, of course
the seemingly infinite array of factors influencing climate - new
discoveries are constantly being made that highlight just how little
we know, just how astonishingly complex nature’s systems are, and
the benefits of respecting and working with nature in harmony.
Beyond the waste we generate ourselves, we town and city
dwellers aren’t generally exposed to the waste created by our
systems - whether at the point of production or post-consumption.
Nor do we see the consequences of the excessive amounts
of waste we produce individually and collectively. Beyond what
we scrape into the compost bin every day, we don’t witness one
third of the food we produce globally going to waste. When we
choose which apples or bread to buy, we aren’t aware of the incredible
loss of aquatic life or collapse of bee colonies resulting
from the chemical pesticides and fertilisers used to grow our
food. For decades we have been buying and discarding things
without a care in the world about the impact this has on other
people, animals or the environment.
Whether it’s the clothes we wear or the food we eat, as a culture
we haven’t only become disconnected from how the things
we buy are produced, we treat them and any packaging they
come wrapped in as disposable - acting as if we have access
to infinite resources and disregarding the impact of any waste
produced. With plastic alone this attitude, combined with the
flaws in our waste management systems, results in 12 million
tonnes entering the oceans every year. Only 9% of all the plastic
ever produced has been recycled.
With top scientists declaring we have only 12 years to avert
a climate crisis that will change the face of humanity and the
Earth, we must strive not only for a radical change in how our
systems function but also a radical shift in our culture, and our
relationship with what we buy and our waste.
32 33

VILLAGE RAW
SUSTAINABLE VILLAGE
STAGES
INCLUDE
1. PREVENTION: Using less material in design
and manufacture. Keeping products for longer;
re-use. Using less hazardous materials
2. PREPARING FOR RE-USE: Checking, cleaning,
repairing,refurbishing, whole items or spare parts
3. RECYCLING: Turning waste into a new substance
or product.Includes composting if it meets
quality protocols
4. OTHER RECOVERY: Includes anaerobic digestion,
incineration with energy recovery, gasification
and pyrolysis which produce energy (fuels,
heat and power) and materials from waste;
some backfilling
5. DISPOSAL: Landfill and incineration without
energy recovery
1
2
3
4
5
What does this radical
change look like?
Well, it’s actually not so radical and involves using a pre-existing
concept, the waste hierarchy - promoted by the EU and UK
government as a means of ranking waste management options
‘according to what is best for the environment’. Instead of paying
lip service to it, we need to actually apply it.
If applied properly - giving top priority to preventing waste in
the first place – adhering to the waste hierarchy would reduce
the amount of material circulating in the waste management system
and consequently the quantity of material being processed,
sent to landfill or ending up in the oceans.
However, rather than legislating to promote ‘prevention’ which,
by the government’s own admission, is the best thing for the environment,
local and national government has instead chosen to
focus on one level up from the bottom - ’other recovery’ - diverting
waste away from landfill and nurturing an industry based on energy
recovery from both incineration and anaerobic digestion.
For example, the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) - the
organisation tasked with managing the majority of waste in Haringey
and across six other north London boroughs - sends any waste
considered ‘unsuitable for other methods of recycling’ to the LondonEnergy
facility, situated just above the North Circular on the
banks of the Lee Navigation. Wholly owned by NLWA, waste is incinerated
here to produce electricity. Work has actually begun to replace
this facility with a new one and expand the services provided.
As for the top of the waste hierarchy, in 2017-2018 the NLWA
saw a reduction in waste of just 0.59% on the previous year. While
the amount of household waste reused, recycled or composted
remained at 32% and the amount sent to landfill actually went up
from 8% to 11%.
This government-sponsored commoditisation of waste,
through energy recovery or any other circular economic activity,
disincentivises the reduction of waste – ultimately undermining
the waste hierarchy, the very thing the government is (in theory)
promoting.
So, what can we citizens
do to help reduce waste?
The prevention of waste cannot be achieved simply by consumers
buying and throwing away less stuff, although certainly
we all should be doing this. With 311 million tonnes of plastics
produced globally in 2014, and that amount expected to double
again in the next 15 years, it must also involve corporations
being more responsible with their production practices and the
materials they use, aiming to minimise the impact of any waste
resulting from their products.
While most corporations are not going to do this voluntarily,
the recent legislation to ban plastic straws is an example of
how public opinion can influence politicians - especially during
such a dynamic and unstable period in British politics, when the
government and politicians alike are striving for positive PR opportunities.
As such, the straw legislation was an easy win but
is also a drop in the ocean. It must only represent the start of a
collective call for much more meaningful legislation that introduces
incentives (or disincentives) to enforce the waste hierarchy
across all sectors of society.
When it comes to the issue of waste management, technology
and a circular economic approach alone do not offer a sustainable
long-term solution. We must focus on consuming less, and also
take inspiration from nature by adopting production practices and
making goods that don’t disrupt or destroy the world around us. We
need to start designing waste out of our systems. •
To engage your local MP visit: www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-your-mp
There are lots of great local and national organisations dealing with issues around waste,
such as Feedback: feedbackglobal.org - and Friends of the Earth: friendsoftheearth.uk
REUSABLE NAPPIES -
GET STARTED TODAY!
Words by Emma Ross. Photo by Amanda Lee.
I remember it like it was yesterday. It was at the end of
one of our NCT classes, quickly shoe- horned in as we
were waddling towards the front door to leave. “Oh, and of
course, there is the reusable nappy option,” mumbled our
teacher. Still slightly giddy from how long it took to put a
disposable nappy on a motionless, plastic baby, everyone
headed off home while my interest was piqued. I was soon
back inside, down on my hands and knees - folding, wrapping,
pinning, and totally immersed…
Five years on in my low-waste parenting journey and
nappies are by far the area where I’ve learnt the most and
where I feel like I (and all parents) can make the most impact.
This is mainly due to the sheer volume of nappies
families go through: on average, a child will get through
between 5,000-6,000 nappies from birth to potty. Indeed,
in the UK alone, 8 million nappies are disposed of
every single day and, given that scientists estimate that
one nappy takes around 500 years to decompose, the end
result is billions and billions of nappies left sitting in landfill,
being incinerated, making their way into our seas, up
mountains, down sewers … It can’t go on but, in an age of
convenience, opting for reusable nappies can feel overwhelming.
Here are a few universal tips to get you started:
• Deciding on a type of nappy will depend on several
factors: the age of your child, how often you’ll be using
them (is your child in nursery or with grandparents,
where perhaps it’s not an option?), your laundry
routine, your budget, your preference for certain
materials, the build of your child, etc. So get yourself
down to a Haringey ‘nappy demo’ where you can ask
as many questions as you like and get your hands on
some nappies. Alternatively, try The Nappy Lady online
questionnaire to get a steer for what might work
best for you and your child. (www.thenappylady.co.uk)
• Claim your nappy voucher! Here in Haringey we’re so
fortunate to be given a grant of £54.15 to spend on reusable
nappies - so let’s make sure we’re all using it.
Head to www.haringey.gov.uk to apply for yours today.
• In addition, source second hand – we have a wonderful
online community of parents so check in with
Facebook groups to see who might have nappies to
pass on. Join the Cloth Nappies UK Facebook group
and scour Ebay. Reusable nappies are everywhere
once you start looking for them.
• Ignore the myths! Using cloth nappies saves energy
and water (just don’t tumble dry them), and will also
save you money and time in the long run. They are
also totally chemical free! Follow the #mamalinaxcloth
for more cloth nappy myth busting and just imagine
– no more dashing to the shops when you’ve
run out of nappies. (@mamalina/www.mamalina.co)
And lastly, remember that reusable nappies are nothing
new - our parents and grandparents used washable
terries until the modern ‘disposable’ nappy came into
circulation in the 1970s. It’s now time for us 21st century
parents to learn how to use them and take care of our
planet and our children in the process. •
Follow Emma on her social channels: @mamalinauk
34
35 4

VILLAGE FAMILY
VILLAGE FAMILY
There’s a meme going around social media at the moment
which goes like this:
“How to be a mum in 2019. Make sure your children’s academic,
emotional, psychological, mental, spiritual, physical,
nutritional and social needs are met while being careful
not to overstimulate, underestimate, improperly medicate,
helicopter, or neglect them in a screen-free, processed
foods-free, plastic-free, body positive, socially conscious,
egalitarian but also authoritative, nurturing but fostering
of independence, gentle but not overly permissive, pesticide-free,
two-story, multilingual home preferably in a culde-sac
with a backyard. Also, don’t forget the coconut oil.”
Except for the fact I’d change ‘mum’ to ‘parent’, I’d say
that’s a pretty accurate description of the pressures modern
parents face.
Why is that? The biggest change between this generation
and the last one, is that we now know just what is at
stake. Freud started to highlight the importance of relationships
in the 19th century. But it was as recently as the
1960s and Bowlby’s ‘attachment theory’ that people realised
just how crucial parenting is. Until then, behaviourism
taught us that humans were essentially programmable and
that children should be ‘trained’ rather than ‘guided’ - and
we can still see evidence of that powerful Victorian message
that “children should be seen and not heard”.
What has really shifted in our generation is the addition
of neurotechnology. We can now clearly see how relationships
can impact on brain development. In Sue Gerhardt’s
2004 book, Why Love Matters, she outlines how parenting
relationships can influence the development of the frontal
lobes – the parts of our brain responsible for tasks such as
IMPERFECT PARENTING
Words by Dr Emma Svanberg. Illustration by Tia Fog.
reasoning, impulse control and emotional expression. We
can now literally see the difference in brain activity between
a brain that has felt loved and a brain that has felt neglected.
For parents, this is a pretty terrifying thought. The responsibility
you feel holding that baby in your arms for the
first time is overwhelming as it is – now we know that our
actions are directly shaping our children’s brains and having
a lifelong impact.
Coupled with this knowledge is the rapid spread of the
Internet which has, particularly in the last 10 years, brought
us more access to information than we could ever have
thought possible. So now we not only know that we are
shaping our children’s brains but we can read thousands
of articles on how to ensure we shape them in the best
possible way – all of which tend to completely contradict
each other.
One fact that perhaps is less well reported is that our
brains are incredibly plastic. We know that the first 2 years
of life are particularly important because that’s when our
brains are rapidly developing. But we also know that the
brain can continue to change throughout our lives. This is
one of the reasons why meditation and therapy are so powerful
- they can actually change the structure of the brain.
We might make mistakes, but these are mistakes that
can be fixed in the lifelong relationship we will have with
our children. So, instead of aiming for perfection, we can
accept our imperfection and know that our children – and
their brains – will benefit. •
Learn more about Emma and her work at: www.mumologist.com. Find her on
Instagram and Twitter as: @mumologist, or on Facebook as: themumologist
SUMMER DAYS
Words by Huma Qureshi.
Illustration by Tia Fog.
Some of my recent memories of summer in London have
been brutal.
Not so long ago I was heavily pregnant during the
summer months, right up until the end of August when
the rain finally broke on the night of the very last bank
holiday, marking the birth of my youngest, smallest child.
All I remember of those pregnant summers was the
impossible London heat. That dry, stifling, solid heat we
never quite believe exists until it finally arrives, the air
hanging heavy and unmoving. Any breeze, never quite
fresh, never quite moving through an open window or a
back door - offering no true respite.
But this year, I am looking forward to the summer -
for after three pregnancies in close succession, two of
which took me through sweltering seasons and soaring
temperatures, I am not pregnant and the heat shan’t (or
so I hope) immobilise me quite so much. As we approach
the end of the school year, the weeks become abundant
with summer fairs, sports days and end-of-term-this
and end-of-term-that. But little stars mark the last day
of term in my diary as though I’m the one at school. I
can’t wait for the holidays to finally arrive.
We’ve been lucky. We’ve already had a taste - on
the most glorious days of spring - of what may be, an
early slice of summer days to come. We’ve sought out
chimney cakes and shade under the trees at the farmers’
market in Alexandra Palace, cycled through Priory
Park, wandered aimlessly through Highgate Woods.
We’ve watched zombies parade through Crouch End and
browsed the markets at Myddelton Road - and there’ll
be more of all this to come, with summer festivals in just
about every little nook of our collective corner. Lest any
of this sound too idyllic, we’ve also suffered the trauma
of not finding ice cream soon enough…
The long summer break is always a time of escape
and we have one of those lined up too. I shall be grateful
for the pause, for the change in scenery, for the chance
to explore somewhere new. But I’m one of those people
who always looks forward to coming home after a little
time away. And - more than anything else - it’s those
summer days at home that I’m looking forward to the
most. To the little, simple things that remind me how
lovely this time of year in the city can be.
Things like waking up and throwing open the back
door for that first touch of morning air - or the ease of
dressing little legs in little shorts. Things like simple
finger-picking, plate-sharing picnic dinners or making
home-made lollies. Always a mess, always a disaster but
always fun. Things like watering the flowering plants at
the end of the day when the children are in bed and the
air feels as though it has lifted. The damp soil smells of
the earth and of the promise of the next summer day
and the next, and the next.
Sometimes (I’ll admit) the summer holidays can
feel too long. Summer days don’t necessarily make for
stress-free days and I’ve sometimes yearned for termtime
routine. But - all things considered - the idea of an
endless summer? I’ll embrace that right now. •
Huma is an author and blogs at: www.ourstorytime.co.uk
You can also follow her on social media: @ourstorytime
36
37

VILLAGE GREEN
A LOCAL HARVEST
Leasing an allotment can be a great way
to escape the smartphone screen, engage
with nature, and fill your cupboards with
fresh produce you’ll be proud to eat. If you
don’t consider yourself greenfingered then
other allotment goers are usually very happy
to impart their planting and growing tips.
The waiting lists can be long though, so best
send your application in, and then you’ll
have a few years to work out what shed to
get. The best place to start your search is
via your local council – Haringey alone has
27 sites covering 76 acres of land.
38
3 LOCAL LANDMARKS, 23 INDIVIDUALLY DESIGNED APARTMENTS,
1 ENVIABLE ADDRESS
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