Ways to make housing affordable

Teepol - cleaning up at the British Family Fayre

A lot of attention is being given to affordable housing, social housing, and the need for more housing. Indeed, the latest development is the Conservative party's proposal for discounted housing for first-time buyers under forty years old, as reported here by the BBC.  Most of these schemes simply reflect the fact that demand for housing and home ownership continues to outstrip supply, which has a lot to do with ongoing, and in some cases, record-breaking rises in house prices.

As responsible estate agents, we at Edward Ashdale certainly hope that the initiatives under way do help people find homes at an affordable cost, though it is certainly true that in both the owned and rental sectors the cost of a home does not compare well to the income of many people.

One consideration, then, is people's income. Having more income is one way to afford a better home. That is one reason why we have been happy to help the Tulse Hill Community Market to take off. It is an outlet for local people to trade goods and services and, in many cases, the goods such as jewellery and art are ones that the traders have created themselves. This is the kind of place where may people have started selling and begun businesses that grow and grow. It is easy to forget that even massive businesses start somewhere, just as Marks & Spencer did, with £5 and a Penny Bazaar. Even car boot sales, where again people sometimes sell the things they have started to make (or bake), can be an important step for some people. So we welcome these too, and note that a new one in Brixton has been set up, named BrixtonBooty, and we wish that well - see @BrixtonBooty on Twitter.


So, we also view efforts elsewhere to boost the economy, large and small, with approval. There are many artisan markets around, one instance being the Gingham Goose Craft Market in Hayes - Twitter @GinghamGoose. There are also British manufacturers who have, despite the demise of many proud names, clung on and prospered down the years. One example is Teepol, a cleaning products manufacturer in Orpington, which has been in business since the 1960's. They recently appeared at the British Family Fayre. The British Family are an interesting phenomenon in themselves, having chosen to buy only British goods for a year, which gave them a unique twelve months and a lot of publicity for British producers.  On Twitter, @BritishFamily.

So, in short, good luck to the government with what it is doing for the housing sector, and even better luck to the people making this country prosperous.
  
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Helping the thin blue line

Constable Douglas-Smith

Sometimes it is surprising how things come together. We're fresh from supporting the Met Police's Junior Citizen initiative by supporting 90 children to take part in activities promoting child safety, health and wellbeing - this is an earlier example. Our Tulse Hill office is looking forward to receiving the certificate we will get acknowledging our help, but helping the children is the real point.

We didn't think about it at the time, but when we supported the new Community Market in Tulse Hill, that too supported children and the police. This came home to us when we went to the Fun Day run yesterday by the Community Market at their old Scout Hut location. The market itself is about to move to a coffee shop at 357 Norwood Road, just down from our Tulse Hill office. The Fun Day, though, featured local traders, a few only just starting out, and people including (sometimes face-painted) children. It also featured Constable Douglas-Smith, pictured. On his beat in the community, the constable is well-used to being photographed as he pops into local events, keeping up relationships with people. However, if there were no Community Market, there would be less positive things being done in the community and one less opportunity for Constable Douglas-Smith to catch up with people in a nice setting. So, we are very happy that we have supported the market, and the Met's Junior Citizen initiative, and that we met Constable Douglas-Smith, our local example of the thin blue line of British policing.

We look forward to seeing him again.

You can read about who else we meet at the Community Markets and about their services and contact details in our post here.

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Calling Tulse Hill businesses! Your community needs you

Tulse Hill Forum Chairman Erica with a fine cake and Chris, its baker

Yes, if you're a business in Tulse Hill, your community needs you! If you are a business in Tulse Hill, and we're one, near the railway station, you are part of the community. There's no getting away from it. So why not join us at the gathering the Tulse Hill Forum has organised on Wednesday 7th May at 7.30pm in the Creative Aroma coffee shop to meet local business people?

The Forum wants to listen to what local businesses think is important that can be done in Tulse Hill to make it even better for them and for everyone in the community. The Forum is also interested in finding out what businesses can contribute to what the Forum is doing - time, skills, money, items, even things as simple as use of window space for posters. Some of the things the Forum is doing are really innovative and making a real positive difference, drawing on the talents of local people of all ages.

The Tulse Hill Forum are as bright and engaging a group of people, and as determined to boost the local community, as any you'll find around the country. We really enjoy talking with them and doing what we can to support them and the recently started Tulse Hill Community Market. Hence this blog post.

So, if you're in a local business, please join the Forum and one or more of us from Edward Ashdale Estate Agents on the 7th. Did we mention what a lovely place the Creative Aroma is? Or how superb their home made cakes are? Well, they are. If you've not been there before, some and find out for yourself.

See you there.

John Adamthwaite

You can view our earlier posts in our Index here.
  

Tulse Hill Community Market takes off!

See below for who these happy people are

In our last blog post, we said "Make a note in your Calendar - Saturday 25th January 2014" - about the launch of the Community Market in Tulse Hill. Details and future dates of the Community Market are in that earlier post, here. 

Well, we made a note ourselves and were there for the launch, and it was great! To think that just four months ago the market was an idea that came to young ladies, Iyanla (14 years old); Jada (14) and Liqueda (15) - all cousins - as they went around Brixton Hill market, and now, three months on, the hall was open, and all the tables for sellers were taken. Also, the marketing - 2500 bright, cheerful postcards designed by Shenice (18) and a poster displayed in our Tulse Hill window - had done its work and people were coming in, and the sun was shining. OK, that last part is hard to believe, but it was, and shining on the purple balloons and A-stand that were proudly declaring that the market was in session.

The creation of the market meant a lot to local people. So much so that they had managed to bring Lambeth's Deputy Mayor, Councillor Adedamola Aminu, and Clovis Till, holder of an MBE, to officially declare the market open. Pictured above together are, from the left - Margaret Pierre-Jarrett, Director of High Trees Community Development Trust; Sam Samuel of Edward Ashdale Estate Agents; Deputy Mayor of Lambeth Cllr Adedamola Aminu; John Adamthwaite of Edward Ashdale; and Nicole of Ast Enterprises (see below). Nicole is interviewed for the Now In Focus podcast about the story of the market, on the opening day, here.

Here is a little on the people who took part as sellers in the market. Apologies if anyone is missed - just give Edward Ashdale a call and you can be added later:

- The young ladies mentioned above themselves had a stall with varied produce - some very well worded key rings, small pictures, and jewellery. Hung nearby were some of Shenise's T-shirts with some stylish artwork;

- Not with a stall today, but present and helping, Nicole of Ast Enterprise - "Healing Hand Crafted Jewellery". Nicole can also be credited with having a big hand in helping the market become a reality. She will be selling at later markets. Enquiries to aqua.bah@talktalk.net;

Joan - centre

- Art by Joan (who only started drawing at 70 years old!) - botanicals and pet potraits - greetings cards, T shirts and other uses of Joan's very good drawing and artwork. Joan can be commissioned to produce pet portraits in pastels and those we saw were excellent, showing real character in the animals. Enquiries - joanlongley@btinternet.com;

A great sound

- Goldstar Bamboo Sax - small (and not so small) saxaphones made of bamboo. They made a lovely sound, which was played to us by Chris, live, all day. See www.goldstarbamboosax.com; 

By What I Hear I Keep

 - What I Hear I Keep - Scarves and hats knitted by Nola - strong colours and lovely soft wool - to find out more contact Nola at whatihearikeep@yahoo.com. Nola also offers children's tuition services;

- Titas World Cuisine - "Infusion of Caribbean flavours Homestyle Cooking" - very popular and Chef Vincent's food disappeared fast - see their Facebook page here; 

- Cherubim. Really nice baby clothes, and with additions of hard-to-source fabric from Ghana that made some of the garments really striking - contact Yvonne via vonsilver925@btinternet.com; 

- Jewellery, t-shirts, hats and scarves by Kylie and Trisha, two cousins. Baby bibs with slogans like "I'm not crying, I'm ordering dinner" were fun as well. Even more fun - as the bibs were inspired by Kylie having a baby recently - was Kyle mentioning one accurately inscribed "I support Liverpool because Daddy does";

- Abi's Cakes - flower arrangements; chocolates; chocolate bouquet's and baby garments thoughtfully arranged as cupcakes, with a chocolate on top. Enquiries to mommo-08@hotmail.co.uk;

- Butterfly After School Club (at the local St Martin's Community Centre) - Amanda was very friendly and there were a couple of photos of very happy children - enquiries - amanda_butterfly@hotmail.co.uk;  

Sweet T Licious

- Sweet T Licious - cake pops. Beautifully decorated, very sweet! Susan - enquiries - susiesoven@hotmail.co.uk.

Not to forget the teas and coffees and wraps that were there to refresh market-goers. 

In summary - it was a great day, with great people. Jennyfer Mclean, a lady herself instrumental in the setting up of the market, said something to remember during the speeches. "This is about youth, not people like me who have retired, but leaving a legacy, and going on and on and on, like the work Margaret [of High Trees] does." Not that anyone who meets Jennyfer would consider her retired. 

Joan, the artist, agreed with Jennyfer, saying "This is an enterprise, a place where young people and others can sell things and be inspired to make things and learn from people older than themselves."

As for the inspiring younger people themselves, Iyanla said, "I'm excited about the market and hope it will be a great success." Jada added, "I feel good, we've done something positive for the community." Shenice said, "I hope the community market gets known throughout this area." 

We're sure it will. We look forward to future Tulse Hill Community Markets and are honoured to be involved.

You can view our earlier posts in our Index here.

Update March 2014

This section of the blog will list more traders who have appeared at the market:

- Erin, an American lady resident in the UK who knits and crochets hats that are a lot of fun as well as keeping your head warm, for instance a pony hat with a mane, and a mouse hat. Erin also brought with her from a maker in Brighton several knitted toys, included an enchanting stripy cat, a Frankenstein's monster (with real neck bolt) and a pterodactyl. The items are available on craft website Etsy and when we have links we'll post them here;

- Mareah's Patisserie. Dubbed "a decadent taste of the Caribbean" Reah bakes artisan cakes and patisserie with unexpected and imaginative ingreadients from the Carribean - a bakewell tart with guava; cupcakes with Scotch Bonnet chili peppers, and more. If you would like to contact Reah, email mareahspatisserie@gmail.com or call 07931 969341. The business bagan in November 2013 so it was a pleasure to see the Tulse Hill Community Market showcasing her work so early;

- Maureen, who takes many different items from her personal collection and from friends and combines them with items from Freecycle to produce saleable goods. One especially striking sale item was clipframes from Freecycle combined with art prints from Maureen's earlier times as a bookseller. Maureen aims to generate some money to help people with learning difficulties get together and socialise mode widely.

Update July 2014

The Fun Day on 26th July featured more new traders, attesting to the wealth of talent and enterprise in and around Tulse Hill:

- Blessed G (above). Serving some excellent Caribbean food (the Akee with Salt Fish was really good and she has her own fresh cucumber, carrot, sour sop, ginger an lime, irish moss drinks). Also a mobile DJ for hire, Blessed G - a.k.a Gloria Dixon, email blessedgee1@gmail.com and telephone 07539 943612, is doing very well with her "Friday Night Fish Fries" from her home and plans to study to be a radio DJ. Her catering and DJ services can both be hired and both were being successfully used by the Community Market.

Speaking with us afterwards, Gloria confirmed that she can provide a range of fish dishes and also can provide specialist dishes on request, i.e., lobster, crab, fish pie, etc. Her regular dishes include: 

• Fry fish snapper/sea bass
• Steam fish
• Pepper prawns
• Fry sprats
• Salt fish fritters
• Ackee and salt fish
• Stew fish
• Home made fish n chips
• Rice, rice n peas, dumpling, bammy, breadfruit, plantain, hardo bread and more

Delivery is available on orders over £10 and prices start from £1 for single items. Meals range from £5 - £10 depending on items selected.

- K'Diva make up artist and facepainting. Karlene also does henna painting - such as on Baby Bumps - and makeovers and has been professionally trained. She says, "Everyone who sits in my chair leaves smiling."  www.kdivauk.com and on Twitter @kdivauk, email kdivauk@gmail.com

- Natural You bath and body products. Run by Sue, the stall features a range of goods including coconut body butter and an avocado, honey and olive moisturiser. The latter had to be replaced by one lady customer after two days, "as her daughter and her boyfriend kept nicking it!" Liz changes the range to sell the most popular items, such as the 'freshly squeezed' grapefuit bubble bath. Contact motherluv@hotmail.co.uk on 07532 169757

- Sadie Campbell - Former Tulse Hill resident, supporting the market and local people, but planning a series of events and charitable work in Croydon. Pictured above using the services of local ice man (and caterer, accountant, bookkeeper and jerk chicken man) Andy with his Yo Yo Shave Ice Desserts - @YoyoShaveice email shaveicedesserts@gmail.com, tel 07973 743344.

- Prudence - providing advice on stopping smoking and on wellbeing in general. As Prudence told us afterwards, "I provide non-nicotine stop smoking service for Blacks and Ethnic Minority Communities, Asylum seekers and Refugees community. As part of stop smoking top tips, I encourage and  support community groups , community organisations and young people, as well as event organizers  or  anyone who is interest to host one or more stop smoking top tips service programs. Here are few of our services:

• Health detoxification services for every one;
• Advisory Services relating to non -smoking:On telephone and face to face support;
• Health Assessments Services relating to Carbon Monoxide;
• 95 days non- smoking challenge programs;
• VADS - Non smoking Validation Services.

I also provides Ex-smokers recognition Certificate.This is to celebrate  Ex-smokers success. An opportunity to encourage  communities groups to say thank you to those we know  who have quit smoking. Show appreciation, value their efforts and contributions." 

"For more information on how one can join us, please visit www.stopsmokingtoptips.com or email opulentwellbeing@gmail.com or call 0788 340 1041."

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Tulse Hill Community Market

On 25th January 2014, the Tulse Hill Community Market opened its doors in the Scout Hut in Upper Tulse Hill. The market opens fortnightly on Saturdays between 11am and 4pm. The market is now located at the James Wilson Coffee Shop, 357 Norwood Road, London SE27 9BQ.

Local young ladies aged between 13-17 years old set up the market to showcase their skills and products as budding business people and to help others locally to sell their wares. Everyone is welcome who can pay the modest table fee. 

Edward Ashdale estate agents have helped to publicise and fund the market. John Adamthwaite said, "It's a pleasure to be associated with the young ladies and their new market."

Tulse Hill Community Market upcoming dates in full:

• October    11th and 25th
• November    8th and 22nd
• December    13th and 20th

Please add this post to your Favourites, as we expect to add more information and updates including dates of the markets. 

Contact

If you'd like to get in touch with the market organisers, their contact details are:
 
Email: waistknotwantknot@live.com

Mobile numbers: Nicole on 07904 662306

Jennyfer on 07539 232992

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