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Food (in)glorious food


We all know what a food bank is. A place, probably a church hall, where food is handed out to people in difficulties.
You’ll probably know that demand is high and that supply is low. That families struggle.
But who are these people? The men and women who join the early morning queue at St Michael’s in White City are quite a bunch. There’s the woman who had to take on a job working nights at  Westfield Shopping centre because he husband was too sick to work. She finishes her shift and comes straight to pick up food. The Sri Lankan couple who had to flee their country and seek refuge here. An Iranian refugee, others sheltering from the Ukraine war. The Algerian woman who was so determined to be part of this country that she took and passed her GCSE in English. And she makes fabulous cakes which she brings to us!
Most are local, some are homeless or in hostels, some are sick, some just plain struggling. Here’s another alarming statistic; the number of families falling into debt in the Uk according to an organisation called StepChange has risen to a new high of 183,403.
What all the people who visit St Mikes are determined to do is to make things work.
What’s all this about? It’s about you. They need help. This week on Thursday 25, Friday 26 and on Saturday 27 volunteers will be at Sainsbury’s, Fulham Wharf 27 Townmead Rd, London SW6 2GD in the hope you will donate food. 
The last time there was a collection at this branch of Sainsbury’s the response was overwhelmingly generous. But here we are again.
A year ago a food bank in Hammersmith and Fulham would supply tins of meat. We had the luxury of asking people if they wanted pork or beef. We had a choice of soup (only mushroom in recent weeks). There was coffee, biscuits, jam. Sometimes shower gel, washing up gear. Rice pudding. Imagine!
No more. 
Anything you donate is a brilliant boost to our supplies.
If you really want to help these are our priorities.
Tinned meat. (People love corned beef - but it is expensive, I know). Sweet corn. Chick peas. Coffee (small jars please) Jam. Biscuits. Shower gel/shampoo Toothpaste

One of Sainsbury’s slogans is Good Food For All of Us. 
That really means something to the 2,000-plus regulars at the H and F food banks. 

Richard Holledge ● 289d0 Comments ● 289d

Fulham Palace unveils monumental upside-down pineapple

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of opening its house and gardens to the public, Fulham Palace unveils ANANAS, a monumental upside-down pineapple by London artist Annie Trevorah.   The visually striking sculpture is inspired by the historic pinery-vinery at Fulham Palace, a rare example of a pineapple and grape greenhouse built by Bishop Howley during his residency at the palace in the early 19th century.   Trevorah’s particular area of interest is human-plant inter-connectivity and intra-dependence. The main sculpture's lattice design blends in with the blooms and architecture of the walled gardens while reflecting the episcopal coat of arms. Four totems celebrating the shared characteristics of vegetables and humans complement the display as they rise above the formal planting of the knot garden section.   The pineapple (Ananas comosus), a tropical plant indigenous to South America, was first introduced to Europe in the 17th century and has fascinated plant enthusiasts and scientists, architects and artists ever since. Its cultivation relied on the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans. Initially an expression of power and wealth, it has become a symbol of friendship and cultural exchange in modern times.   The unveiling coincides with the ongoing exhibition The Bishops of London, colonialism and transatlantic slavery at Fulham Palace.
23 April – 10 June 2024 Open daily from 10.30am to 5.00pm, free admission Fulham Palace House & Garden, Bishop’s Avenue, London SW6 6EA

meike brunkhorst ● 299d0 Comments ● 299d

Musical Museum survival appeal.

I'm a volunteer tour guide at the Musical Museum in Brentford, London. https://www.musicalmuseum.co.uk/ It is a very satisfying role because I watch the delight and wonder on the visitors' faces when they see and hear the instruments used for music reproduction through the ages. We have musical boxes, polyphons (the precursors of juke boxes) self-playing organs and pianos including player pianos and reproducing pianos that play the actual performances of famous pianists of the past including Gershwin, Rachmaninoff and many others. There are phonographs, gramophones, juke boxes that play 78s and a mighty Wurlitzer Cinema organ in our concert hall. The collection is of national and international importance because it restores and preserves working examples of extremely rare instruments. Loss of income during the Covid shutdown followed by huge inflation in the museum's costs mean that the museum can no longer pay its way so this year, our 60th, might be the last. We have trimmed our costs to the bone but must find money urgently to keep the doors open as we change the way we operate. If you value a historic musical resource, you may wish to support the museum's survival crowdfunder but if it doesn't seem that important to you, I understand that and I apologise for the intrusion. Here's the crowdfunder link. https://gofund.me/5632515e If you feel able to, it would be great if you can also pass on the appeal to anyone you think might be interested.

David Lusty ● 368d0 Comments ● 368d

Letter sent by local teacher about new 'Clean Air' restrictions

This was posted on NextDoor and I thought it was worth sharing here. It is a letter from a teacher written to the council a few weeks ago which, apparnetly has not had a response.
‘ I am writing to share my concerns regarding the new cameras to the west of Wandsworth Bridge Road. I am not a resident. I am a commuter, so I understand that I am probably one of the people you are intentionally trying to force on to Wandsworth Bridge Road. However I would like you to take the following in to consideration: - I am a teacher in Fulham. I used to live in the area and know it well. For personal reasons I had to move out of the area but very much love it and the school I work in. I love the children I work with. I have worked there for over 10 years and know how hard recruitment has been in the last few years. The time and frustration that has been added to my journey is now forcing me to leave my position as I cannot sustain the added time it takes to get to and from work. This will directly impact the children I work with in your area. - I have considerably reduced the amount I spend in local businesses and I am sure I am not alone. I used to stop off for a coffee most mornings and would pop out at lunch time to buy my lunch. I no longer have time to stop in the mornings as I am sat on Wandsworth Bridge Road, and I no longer buy lunch as I have to catch up on work at lunchtime rather than doing it after school as I know it takes me longer to get home. - you have not addressed the problems with traffic on Wandsworth bridge road and Putney Bridge before moving even more traffic that way. It would be advisable to put measures in place there first before adding to it. (Doesn't help that Wandsworth bridge itself is currently one lane in both directions and traffic turning right on the fulham side holds up all other traffic on the bridge. I often queue from trinity road all the way to, and past, Fulham Broadway) Could I suggest restrictions to the time the cameras are operable? I would be happy to (and often do) travel outside of peak times (pre-7.30am and before 5pm) I hope you will take the wider impact of this change into consideration and not just the thoughts of local residents. Whilst you may find commuters irritating, we are willingly bringing money and skills into your area’ As the schemes are imposed across the borough we will lose more and more people who support us. https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-traffic-camera-exclusion-zone-spreading-across-fulham-without-consultation

Ellen Kearney ● 718d0 Comments ● 718d