Meet the Locals

Speaking in a booming voice down a crackling telephone line from Lapland in the Arctic Circle, Father Christmas reveals the history of his many names, his reliance on technology and the challenges of not waking children when delivering presents Q. Hello. Am I really talking to Father Christmas? You certainly…

The barbers are back and this time they mean business When Nicos Pavlou and Stavros Christoudolakis were told their barber shop business was to be evicted from the premises where it had been for 102 years they were as shocked as they were devastated. Ever since 1911, men arriving at…

Listening to Brackenbury Village butcher John Stenton reel off the list of different meats he will sell this Christmas is in itself a mouth watering experience. ‘We sell about 8,000 items for about 800 Christmas dinners. It’s a logistical nightmare. But, after all the years we’ve been doing it we’ve…

A great recipe suggestion from John Stenton for the Christmas season. Turkey and Creamy Stilton Pies Makes 4 50g butter 1 tbsp rapeseed oil 1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped 250g chestnut mushrooms, sliced 400g leftover roast turkey, brown and white meat (cut into chunks) 2 garlic cloves, peeled…

A recipe from Andy Needham, chef and owner of L’Amorosa. Fresh egg pappardelle with Welsh saltmarsh lamb shoulder ragu Serves 4 Ingredients For the ragu: 250g salt marsh lamb shoulder(de-boned and diced) 1 small red onion ½ stalk of celery, chopped 1 sprig of rosemary, finely chopped 250g tinned peeled…

Get into great shape with Zaz and Aska at the Grove Neighbourhood Centre. Enjoy yoga with Zaz (left): YOGA WITH ZAZ Fridays at 9.30am. Call Zaz on 07976 667 953. Enjoy sports massage with Aska (centre): INSIGHT SPORTS MASSAGE Mon & Wed 7am – 9pm. Sat 7am – 1pm. Call…

John Stenton Family Butchers are taking Christmas orders now until 15 December 2017. To place your oder please call us on 020 8748 6121 – Free range Norfolk black turkeys – Packington Farm free range capons – Judy Goodman free range geese – Smoked gammon – Homemade wheat-free sausages and…

Shoots and Leaves are giving vouchers to schools, churches and sports clubs to sell and raise money. For details call 020 8563 7733 or visit: http://www.christmastrees.london Shoots and Leaves prides itself on buying direct from the growers, cutting out any middlemen costs. Earlier in the year staff are sent out…

Josh Pull and Will Orr-Ewing tell us what their Keystone after-school classes can offer our kids. What are Keystone Study Clubs? Josh: They are small after school classes in English and Maths for students aged 6 to 11. We have been one of the leading companies providing one-to-one tutoring to…

We ask Elliot Rowe, head of Hammersmith sales at Douglas & Gordon, what he loves about the area and why he made it is home Why did you move to Brackenbury Village? I moved from Clapham to the area more than a year ago because I love it here. When…