The Guide

resident

October 2013

HUGH BONNEVILLE

From Blackheath to Downton Abbey and beyond

STYLE COUNSEL Three local fashionistas on autumn’s hottest trends

LEADING THE WAYMeet 10 of the area’s most influential people

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Making their mark

Fashion Phyllis Taylor, Sika Phyllis Taylor had always marvelled at the coloured prints she saw when visiting her parents’ homeland of Ghana. Having always loved fashion, she wondered whether she could work them into a collection that her peers would wear. So she took up a course in dressmaking and pattern-cutting at the London College of Fashion and in 2005, her label, Sika, was born, marrying West African textiles with London’s urban chic style. In 2007 Phyllis, who was living in Catford at the time, opened up her first Greenwich Market boutique, expanding into larger premises last year.

‘I chose to set up in Greenwich because it’s a really nice home for independent brands like me,’ says Phyllis. ‘The locals really appreciate it and there are lots of tourists around. People are really familiar with the area.’

Sika’s AW13 collection, Candy, shirks off the usual plethora of blacks and greys that pack the department stores in favour

of a Charlie and The Chocolate Factory-inspired collection of colourful, tailored pieces created from high-grade fabrics. It’s a fairly limited collection, and Phyllis’ regular customers are flocking to buy pieces already, so you need to call in quick to get your hands on it! � 4 College Approach, Greenwich SE10 9HY;

020 8858 8158; sikadesigns.co.uk

LOCAL LUXE

From Lee to Locksbottom and Charlton to Chislehurst, our cup runneth over with independent traders, individuals and those striving to make a difference. The Guide Resident rounds up 30 of its favourite local movers and shakers

Photos by Joe Lord and Ben Joseph Photography

We also love… DAVINA BOUTIQUE Michele Prichard interned with Jimmy Choo before establishing her Chislehurst Boutique some 25 years ago. She now has boutiques in Bromley and Dulwich, too. davinashoes.co.uk

BLACKBURN BOUTIQUE Russell Blackburn, of Blackburn Bridal, opened his Blackheath occasionwear boutique last year with a fabulous selection of occasionwear that includes his own collection of glamorous eveningwear gowns. blackburnoccasionwear.co.uk

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We also love…THE GUILDFORD ARMS This relaxed Greenwich pub has an elegant first floor restaurant, a huge garden and great modern British cooking. theguildfordarms.co.uk

LOCALELocale Blackheath is the quintessential Italian neighbourhood restaurant. A long-established go-to for dinner, cocktails and special events, the place is warm and convivial and the food delicious. localerestaurants.com

INSIDERS’ GUIDE

Food & drinkAndrew McLeish, Chapter One & ChaptersAndrew McLeish is Chef Patron of Michelin Star Chapter One restaurant in Locksbottom and Director of Blackheath Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant Chapters. Working his way up through prestigious kitchens including The Ritz and The Dining Room at the Landmark Hotel, he became executive chef director at Chapter One in the year 2000. Andy’s simple, robust dishes often combine traditional dishes with modern cooking techniques. His Chapter One signature dishes include jugged hare with a potato and truffle espuma and raviolo of chicken and morel mushrooms. At Chapters in Blackheath, which blends the relaxed bonhomie of continental cafe society with superb culinary skills, try the slow roasted belly of Gloucester old spot pork with hand cut chips, baby spinach and apple and hazelnut salad.� chaptersrestaurants.com

Meantime beers are found on pumps at pubs and festivals all over the capital. Founded by Alastair Hook and like-minded friends in a small Greenwich flat in 1999, Meantime opened its first pub, The Greenwich Union, in 2001, and in 2002 it was shortlisted for the Time Out, Evening Standard and Class magazine Pub of the Year awards. In 2007, four Meantime beers appeared in the World’s Top 50 and, in 2008 Alastair was named Brewer of the

Year by the British Guild of Beer Writers. The list of achievements goes on, but it was in 2009 that our favourite new brewery and restaurant opened – The Old Brewery at the Old Royal Naval College is possibly the most beautiful place you will ever enjoy a pint. Grab a table outside and, if it’s quiet, take in the sound of music practice drifting from the naval college while admiring Maritime Greenwich at its finest. � meantimebrewing.com; oldbrewerygreenwich.com

We also love…INC GROUP From Greenwich’s Trafalgar Tavern to the newly relaunched Inc Bar, there’s a lot to love about Inc Group. greenwich-inc.com

LORD NORTHBROOKFrom the Most Grotty Toilet award in 2010 to Pub of the Year in 2013, this pub in Lee has really turned around. The order of the day is now classic British dishes with real ales and craft beers. thelordnorthbrook.co.uk

Health & FitnessEllie Brown, Greenwich Pilates Studio Ellie Brown established The Greenwich Pilates Studio in 2011. As well as offering over 30 Pilates classes a week – including pre and post-natal and rehabilitation classes – the studio also offers yoga classes, mother and baby fitness and nutrition and running workshops. Ellie also leads Buggy Runners for parents and carers with babies or toddlers. Ellie keeps her finger on the fitness pulse, and will soon be introducing barefoot running technique workshops for her Greenwich Runners group, as well as a new fitness class from the US that combines the intensity of bootcamp with yoga, pilates and cardio – try out a free workshop in November.� 225 Greenwich High Road SE10 8NB; 07958 225 598; greenwichpilates.co.uk

We also love…VANBRUGH PHYSIO Established in 1990, Vanbrugh Physio’s highly experienced team will keep you up and running. vphysio.co.uk

CHARLTON LIDO This 50-metre, 1930s pool reopened in March after laying derelict for several years. The final stage of the refurbishment will see new health and fitness facilities. better.org.uk

Pubs & barsAlistair Hook, Meantime Brewery

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INSIDERS’ GUIDE

We also love…CAFE OF GOOD HOPE is a Hither Green cafe serving great cakes and a weekend brunch. All profits go to the Jimmy Mizen Foundation. cafeofgoodhope.com GREENWICH STARTING BLOCKS helps young people realise their sporting dreams with bursaries to support their training. greenwichstartingblocks.org

We also love...GENTLY ELEPHANTThis lovely new Brockely children’s clothes and shoe shop was named one of Time Out’s best. gentlyelephant.co.uk

HORTUS From gifts, gardening gloves, BBQs and furniture to potted orchids and landscaping services, Hortus in Blackheath Village is a must for keen gardeners. hortus-london.com

Retail Greenwich Market BURGATORY: Burgers are hot news and Burgatory has been causing quite a stir. Run by Jeremy Stretch, the delicious layered burgers are created from 28-35 day dry-aged chuck steak from Drings, fresh brioche buns from Paul Rhodes Bakery and veg from The Creaky Shed. � @BurgatorySE10

EMMA NISSIM: Fashion and textile artist Emma Nissim, of the eponymous boutique, creates beautiful silk-screen printed clothing in a range of

sustainable fabrics. Her vision is to help build a fair, fashion-forward industry with a low carbon footprint. Look out for her gorgeous Labrador Alfie, who often hangs out in the shop. � emmanissim.com

JOHNNY ROCKET: Run by John Pearce and Niall Paisley, two of the coolest guys in town, the Johnny Rocket gallery-cum-shop was established in 2005. Their jewellery is eclectic and adventurous and the duo are huge supporters of young up-and-coming jewellery designers. � johnnyrocketltd.com

The Age Exchange in Blackheath has a lot to celebrate this year. As well as its 30th anniversary next month, the organisation, founded by Pam Schweitzer, completed a £1.2 million refurb a year ago. The new, multi-functional centre has provided the village with a new cafe, public library, internet facilities, reading groups and more. Sir Ian Mills, Chair of Trustees, who has been key in driving the project forward, tells us of the AE’s groundbreaking work with St Guys, St Thomas’ and The Maudsley in improving the quality of care nationally for those living with dementia or Alzheimer’s.� 11 Blackheath Village SE3 9LA; 020 8318 9105; age-exchange.org.uk

Sophie Austin wasted no time in realising her ambitions. On graduating from Rose Bruford College of Theatre & Performance in Sidcup she set up Teatro Vivo with a vision of creating collaborative theatre projects with those who don’t normally work in theatre, to bring an original, modern twist to existing work. The group’s first production was a promenade performance of Romeo and Juliet in Manor House Gardens, Lee, and since then the group has performed across Lewisham in parks, markets, cafes and venues like The Albany in Deptford. Sophie also works with the Royal Court Theatre and on West End projects, including working with Kristen Stewart in Old Times alongside director Ian Rickson.

This summer Teatro Vivo took After the Tempest to five parks in London and their interactive production of Adventures in Wonderland is still on tour. The group is now working on new projects, one of which is a spin on some very famous fairytales. Did someone say Brothers Grimm? � teatrovivo.co.uk

We also love…ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICHSea, ships, time and the stars, ie. the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory, The Queen’s House and Cutty Sark. A force to be reckoned with in anyone’s eyes. rmg.co.uk

BLACKHEATH CONSERVATOIREThis loved independent multi-arts complex is the oldest in London. Founded in 1881 by William Webster, who also founded Blackheath Halls, the Conservatoire was saved from an uncertain future by community action earlier this year. conservatoire.org.uk

CultureSophie Austin, Theatro Vivo

Charity & communitySir Ian Mills , The Age Exchange

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More than simply a florist, the mismatched crockery and Formica tables of You Don’t Bring Me Flowers offer an old world charm – the perfect antidote to Starbucks.

Owner Lynne Norledge sources her beautiful and unusual flowers from just around the corner, catching up on the latest gossip over peonies, astrantia and dill. Fair trade coffee is made on the 60s Gaggia coffee machine, cupcakes are made by a local homebaker, alongside Lynne’s mum’s lemon drizzle loaf and tarts and pastries from Boulangerie Jade. Music drifts from the 20s vinyl spinning

around a restored turntable and the community comes together at regular events, from knitting club to ‘curiosity nights’ with live music.

They bake cakes to order too and you can pick up preserves and chutneys, Catford Honey and Jules and Sharpie hot pepper jellies as well as gifts and seasonal goodies from local designer-makers.

In fact, it’s so pretty here we’ve sent the photographers in twice this month – see our fashion feature on page 54. � 15 Staplehurst Road, Hither

Green SE13 5ND; 020 8297 2333;

youdontbringmeflowers.co.uk

EducationThe Girls’ Day School TrustThe UK’s leading network of independent girls’ schools, GDST educates around 20,000 pupils across 26 schools, and three of them are on our doorstep – Blackheath High School, run by Head Mrs Lisa Laws, Bromley High School, run by Head Ms Louise Simpson, and Sydenham High School, run by Head Kathryn Pullen. But why girls only? The GDST believes girls work better and have more confidence in a mutually supportive environment. Each school is different, but running through them all is the belief that each girl is unique and needs to be encouraged in her own way. � gdst.net

BeautyDr John Quinn, Quinn ClinicsDr John Quinn opened his first doctor-led skin clinic in Bristol in 2006 and earlier this year opened his second in Greenwich. Located on a quiet residential street just behind Maze Hill station, you can slip in and out unnoticed (ideal if you’re heading in for a skin peel). Originally a GP, Dr Quinn practiced for 11 years before deciding he wanted to set up his own clinics offering treatments like Botox, microdermabrasion and IPL with the highest clinical standards. � 54 Woodlands Park Road, Greenwich SE10 9XD; 020 8858 0575; quinnclinics.co.uk

INSIDERS’ GUIDE

We also love…PASSION FLOWER Established in 2006, this Blackheath florist is known for creating gorgeous floral arrangements. passion-flower.net

ISIS FLOWERSIsis, which recently moved from Hayes to Petts Wood, uses seasonal flowers to cap-ture the spirit of the season and the occasion in sumptuous bouquets. isisflowers.co.uk

We also love…BLACKHEATH PREPBlackheath Prep is an independ-ent junior school with outstand-ing academic results at 11+. blackheathprepschool.com

ELTHAM COLLEGEEltham College, founded to educate the sons of missionaries, is rich in history and students have long been recognised for their scholarships. eltham-college.org.uk

We also love…FRESH LIFESTYLE Beauty and wellbeing come together at this Blackheath spa to balance body and mind. freshlifestyle.co.uk

GOOD LOOKS BEAUTYThis progressive beauty clinic in Blackheath is the only salon in the area to carry the four major beauty houses: Guinot, Environ, Decléor and Eve Taylor. goodlooksbeauty.co.uk

FloristsLynne Norledge, You Don’t Bring Me Flowers