Crystal Palace Food Market

I've mentioned the sense of community and campaigning spirit of Crystal Palace inhabitants before, and last weekend saw the fruition (literally) of one such campaign. The first of what is intended to be a weekly market was held at the bottom of Haynes Lane, and in case you missed it, it was a huge success. Food markets have come and gone in SE19, but this one seems likely to succeed, down to all the commitment and groundwork done by several key participants. The roots of the market stem from an organisation called Crystal Palace Transition Town, which started over a few drinks at The Grape and Grain, if I remember rightly. The Transition Town movement is both local and global. The idea is that local communities work together towards a more sustainable future in a world of "climate change, depleting resources and economic insecurity". Started a few years ago in Kinsale, Ireland, it has since spread to the UK and across the world. Perhaps the best known example in this country is Totnes in Devon which even has its own currency, the Totnes Pound. Back in SE19, the local campaign has been busy with a variety of projects, including the 'Palace Pint', a scheme where anyone in the area can grow hops which when harvested will all go to creating a local ale, and Patchwork Farm, which collects surplus produce from anyone growing food locally in gardens and allotments.  "Food feet not Food Miles" is their mantra. And now, the new food market is a culmination of efforts by members of Transition Town, lead by Karen Jones, with the help of Rachel de Thample and Joe Duggan among others.
As I write, the second weekly market will be getting under way, so why not head over to Haynes Lane. I can recommend the welsh cakes and Bermondsey made Caerphilly cheese from Mootown.

Rachel de Thample & Karen Jones

Karen & The Carrot, aka Joe Duggan

Crystal Palace Food Market every saturday on Haynes Lane

Brown & Green

The week after the August Bank Holiday, always feels like the start of a new term, even 21 years after leaving full time education, I still get that slightly anxious feeling. So for those of you dreading the return to work after the summer, and wondering how you're going to put up with all those daily commutes between now and Christmas, I thought it might be a good time to feature Brown & Green at Gipsy Hill Station. I know this isn't exactly in the Triangle, but the station could be said to be one of the Triangle's gateways. And besides, the cafe and its proprietors are lovely, bringing a ray of sunshine to the morning commute, and well worth featuring.


Following the station's interminable recent refurbishment, twin sisters, Laura and Jess Tilli won the pitch to open a new cafe next to the ticket barriers. Many will know Laura and Jess from their TV success on The Restaurant, in which they were runners up in the competition to run their own restaurant. Coming second was the best possible result according to Jess. It gave them a huge boost without having the pressure of suddenly becoming full-time restaurateurs, and it enabled them to continue with their varied food related projects, such as Gobble Gobble, their childrens' party catering business, and Florentine & Pig, a website which aims to get children interested in cooking. The opening of the cafe, followed a brief period of doing the food at the Gipsy Hill Tavern. Now, commuters and passers-by alike, seem to be relishing their home-made and wholesome offerings, and the station has almost become a destination in its own right.

Jess & Laura

In your rush through the station to catch a train, you might want to stop and check not only the departure boards, but also, Brown & Green's blackboard. As well as listing all their tempting treats, if your name is up there, you'll be entitled to a free cuppa!