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

fortyseven

It's party season, and the invitations are already dropping into my inbox, including one that requests I come as my favourite Hitchcock character ! For guys the choice is rather limited. I've considered putting on a suit, lots of bronze foundation and dying my hair a shade of bluish grey, and going as Cary Grant in any role. Alternatively, I could just grab my camera, slip into some pyjamas, a dressing gown, and crutches, and make a plausible James Stewart in Rear Window. Girls on the other hand, have it much easier. They could simply nip down to Heather at No.47, who would whip up a Grace Kelly or Tippi Hedren hairdo with ease (and a few hairpieces.)

Heather Morris trained as a hairdresser back in the late 80s, and quickly specialised in wig making. She set up her salon in pharmacist, John Bell & Croyden, which you may know happens to be on Wigmore Street. How apt. A few years ago, Heather and her husband Sami decided to set up shop nearer home in South London. From the outset, it was to be more than just a hairdressers, both in terms of the ambience, and the fact that they sell clothing and accessories. The starting point for the interior, was the contents of a powder compact, so a foundation of flesh tones is highlighted with lipstick red and shimmering gold. The mix and match furnishings which range from local vintage finds, to ebay purchases, to Ikea basics, creates a relaxed boudoir space, in which clients are free to wander. 

Sadly, just as fortyseven had established itself on the Triangle, Heather's husband Sami passed away. Briefly, Heather considered shutting the business, but then realised that throwing away her dream was not going to improve a tragic situation. After all, she'd been cutting hair and making clothes since school, when as a 14 year old she should have been doing her homework, but knowing that one day she would have her own business. Hopefully Heather & the team at fortyseven will be adding sparkle to Westow Street for many years to come.

fortyseven

020 8771 7170

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