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Wood & Vale - Text only page News Whistleblower speaks out over Baby P failingsA MENTAL health professional at St Ann's hospital, where a paediatrician missed signs that Baby P may have had a broken back two days before he died, has spoken out about failings in her department. The woman, who did not want to be identified for fear of... Car smashes into garden in Muswell HillANXIOUS residents are demanding better road safety measures after a car ploughed into a house in Muswell Hill. On Wednesday, at approximately 2.44pm, police were called to a collision in Cranley Gardens. A red Citroen Saxo travelling up Cranley Gardens ha... Stars lined up for Live Aid concert for hackerA ROCK concert featuring guitar heroes Marillion is being organised in support of computer hacker and former Highgate Wood pupil, Gary McKinnon. And pop legends George Michael, Brian May and Jamiroquai have been tipped to join the line-up. Mr McKinnon, 4... Exclusive screening of epic film courtesy of Everyman cinemasTHE Ham&High has joined forces with the Everyman cinema to host a special charity screening of blockbuster film Australia. This exciting event will be held as the celebrated venue in Belsize Park reopens to the public after a refurbishment. The exclusive... Belsize Park cinema ushers in a new eraA MUCH loved cinema in Belsize Park is opening its doors next month under new ownership – promising to be a real addition to the community. The Everyman group bought the Screen on the Hill in Haverstock Hill in March.... Calls for sacking of council leader over Baby P caseTHE leader of Haringey Council made a heartfelt apology on behalf of all the child protection agencies involved in the Baby P case, as calls for his resignation grew louder. Labour Cllr George Meehan read a statement at a cabinet meeting in Wood Green C... Thousands of litres of council fuel disappearsGALLONS of Camden Council fuel have evaporated into thin air – with authorities clueless as to what happened. Diesel oil, believed to amount to thousands of litres, has disappeared from the Whittington Estate in Highgate where it was being stored. Council... Former Tory leader backs call for independent Baby P inquiryFormer leader of the Conservative Party Michael Howard has called for a full and independent inquiry into the Baby P case. Mr Howard was speaking at a private reception organised by Hornsey and Wood Green Conservative Association in Highgate on Tuesday ev... Baby P scandal: call for Haringey Council leader to quitThe Liberal Democrats opposition group have tabled a motion to next Monday s Haringey full council meeting demanding resignations over the Baby P failures and the council s response to the baby s death. The motion acknowledges the swift apologies made by... Relief for commuters as Overground re-opensTRADERS welcomed passengers with open arms when Hampstead Heath train station reopened today (Monday). Commuters flooded through the gates at the Overground station in South End Green, which has been closed for improvement works since September 1. West Ha... Letters Baby P case: Our arrogant borough needs intensive careHaringey Council has blood on its hands. What has gone wrong? Its problem is systemic, it is in need of intensive care. But is there a cure for arrogantly professed infallibility other than annihilation? I doubt it. Haringey believes it can do no wrong, y... Baby P case has stigmatised Haringey for a generationI WINCE every time I hear or read about Baby P and Haringey. This borough is now stigmatised for at least a generation. The lone social worker who put the welfare of children before her career and warned four government ministers (including David Lammy) d... Mother speaks out against Haringey's destructive regimeHaringey is busy pursuing the wrong people, levying false accusations towards innocent families and causing destruction and devastation with brutal and chaotic methods of investigations. My son at aged 12 was swiftly taken from my care against his will a... We can't ignore headteachers' support for Sharon ShoesmithOVER 60 Haringey headteachers have pleaded for Sharon Shoesmith, Haringey s director of children s social services, not to resign. So, are we to ignore this overwhelming support from highly qualified people who are in a better position than us to judge h... More of your letters on Baby P: the case that shocked the nationSadly, it is now clear that lessons were not learned following the Victoria Climbie case in 2000. How can children be protected from dysfunctional family situations? Technically all councillors, Lib Dem as well as Labour, are guardians of the children Har... Dick Whittington should be London's Olympics mascotThere are just a few days left before the authorities decide on an Olympic Mascot for London 2012. Would it not be fitting if they were to choose London s most famous son and universally popular folk hero, Dick Whittington? His rags to riches story can ea... Boris seeks your help in battle against teenage crimeToday I am asking for the help of each and every reader of the Ham&High to make London a better and safer city. Since the Mayoral election, my greatest priority has been addressing the serious youth violence that has led to the horrific murders of 28 teen... Tips on how to thwart the playground bulliesThis week has been designated as Anti Bullying Week. I m sure that many of your readers will be familiar with the issue of bullying in schools and the impact which it has on victims. School toilets are recognised as a hotspot for bullies. I have just writ... Councils do understand faith burial needsYour article (Religious Row over Burials, H&H November 7) highlights a well-known problem faced by both the Muslim and Jewish communities. The Board of Deputies of British Jews has done extensive work on the issue to ensure that appropriate procedures are... We can all do our bit in battle against superbugsWith everyone worrying about superbugs and infections when they go into hospital now, you can t just rely on the NHS to keep you safe. People have to protect themselves too! I had to go into hospital and while the staff were all very capable, it makes sen... Sport KELLY SMITH: Arsenal Ladies striker speaks exclusively to Ham&Highby Jem Maidment FOR a side who recently chalked up their 100th consecutive Premier League game without defeat, there remains an air of despondency around Arsenal s outstanding ladies side. Losing heavily, 6-0 at Swedish side Umea IK in the last 16 of the Uefa Women s Cup... Wenger confirms that Theo will be out for 'at least three months'Arsenal have confirmed that star winger Theo Walcott will be out for at least three months. The 19-year-old forward picked up a shoulder injury during an England training session ahead of the international team s 2-1 friendly win over Germany in Berlin on... Henri of Arsenal scores for EnglandArsenal youngster Henri Lansbury scored the only goal of the game for England U19s in their victory over European champions Germany in Colchester on Tuesday evening. Enfield-born Lansbury, who skippered the side, notched the winner just before the hour ma... Shoulder injury could keep Theo out for 10 weeksArsenal starlet Theo Walcott could be out until Christmas after dislocating his shoulder while training for England s friendly tonight against West Germany. The blow could mean that with Arsenal trying to stay in touch with the Premiership leaders, he wil... GUNNERS PREVIEW: Omens look good for Champions League progressARSENAL V DYNAMO KYIV Tuesday 25 November Champions League Emirates Stadium KO: 7.45pm ITV4 If Arsenal win on Tuesday night, they will qualify for the Last 16 of the Champions League. The omens look good; the Ukrainians have yet to win in England in eig... TV audience as Arsenal take on Chelsea's Carling Cup conquerorsArsenal s Coca-Cola Cup quarter-final at Burnley will be live on TV. The clash at Turf Moor is to be shown on Sky Sports on Tuesday 2 December. Burnley say they expect a crowd close to its 22,000 capacity. The Clarets knocked out Chelsea at Stamford Bridg... Star striker Kelly ponders move from Arsenal to BostonBY JEM MAIDMENT Arsenal Ladies star striker Kelly Smith is mulling over an offer from America. I ve been drafted to Boston for the start of a new league over in the U.S next summer, says the 30-year-old, who spent seven years in America before moving to... Ljungberg among scorers as Arsenal Ladies crash out of EuropeArsenal Ladies crashed out of the Uefa Women s Cup in Sweden on Wednesday night. Vic Akers side lost 6-0 at two-times winners,Umea IK, to go out 8-3 on aggregate. FIFA Women s World Player of the Year Marta scored four times – the first coming after just... Only a matter of time before Wenger's young guns storm PremiershipBY JEM MAIDMENT Arsenal swept into the quarter finals of the Carling Cup on Tuesday night with Arsene Wenger admitting it is only a matter of time before some of his youngsters force their way into the first team on a permanent basis. A Gunners side with an average of ju... Arsenal Ladies set up Chelsea encounter with 7-0 drubbingArsenal Ladies will meet Chelsea in the League Cup semi-finals next month after hammering Leicester 7-0 on Sunday. Scotland international Julie Fleeting led the way with a hat-trick against the Northern Division minnows with the other goals coming from Ra... Power cut by Napa defeatMARTIN Power failed in his ambition to secure a Lonsdale belt as he crashed to defeat against reigning British bantamweight champ Ian Napa at Newham Leisure Centre last weekend. In a rematch of their 2005 clash, the two fighters went toe-to-toe for... Middlesex star Joyce looks set to join SussexMIDDLESEX star Ed Joyce is expected to join Sussex next season, just four months after leading the Lord s-based outfit to their first trophy for 15 years. The 30-year-old Irishman took over the captaincy in June when former skipper Ed Smith was injured sh... CHRIS SILVERWOOD: A great finish - but third isn't good enoughWHAT a great finale. We followed up last week s excellent victory over promoted Worcestershire with a 93-run victory against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road in the last County Championship match on Saturday. And for the second successive year we ve finis... Texan billionaire swoops into Lord's and sets up world's richest challengeA TEXAN billionaire landed his helicopter on the sacred pitch at Lord s on Wednesday and brought some of football s buzz and bling to cricket. Sir Allen Stanford (pictured) stepped off his chopper at the home of cricket to launch Stanford Twenty20 for 20... Aussie is knocked for six by warmth of Lord's welcomeNOT only is Keith Bradshaw the first foreigner to be chief executive of the quintessentially English Marylebone Cricket Club, he is also an Australian – the bitter arch enemies of England s national cricket team. So you would be forgiven for thinking he h... Udal joins, but Keegan and Dazza departFormer England off-spinner Shaun Udal has joined Middlesex for two seasons as new coach Toby Radford begins to shape his squad well ahead of the 2008 season. The former Hampshire player had verbally agreed to play for Berkshire next season in the Minor... KELLY SMITH: Arsenal Ladies striker speaks exclusively to Ham&Highby Jem Maidment FOR a side who recently chalked up their 100th consecutive Premier League game without defeat, there remains an air of despondency around Arsenal s outstanding ladies side. Losing heavily, 6-0 at Swedish side Umea IK in the last 16 of the Uefa Women s Cup... Carling Cup progress puts Arsenal v Spurs reserves on holdArsenal s reserve clash with Tottenham Hotspur next month has been rescheduled for next year. Neil Banfield s side were due to take on their north London counterparts in the the Barclays Premier Reserve League South clash at Barnet s Underhill Ground on D... Star striker Kelly ponders move from Arsenal to BostonBY JEM MAIDMENT Arsenal Ladies star striker Kelly Smith is mulling over an offer from America. I ve been drafted to Boston for the start of a new league over in the U.S next summer, says the 30-year-old, who spent seven years in America before moving to... Jem Maidment analyses Arsenal's 'top of the league' financial positionRecession? What recession? Britain s shrinking manufacturing industry, City institutions and small businesses may be bracing themselves for financially lean times ahead, but Arsenal are truly bucking the trend. Success on the pitch, at least regarding pot... Tottenham announce plans for new 60,000 capacity stadiumTOTTENHAM yesterday confirmed their intention to build a new 60,000-capacity stadium near their current White Hart Lane ground, writes Patrick Mooney. Tottenham announced the Northumberland Development Project at the same time as their financial results... Harry ecstatic, Wenger furious after pulsating eight-goal derbyHarry Redknapp was jubilant and Arsene Wenger furious after the Gunners let a two-goal lead slip in the final minutes of a pulsating north London derby last night. Arsenal led 4-2 with a minute of normal time remaining before rejuvenated Spurs pegged them... EXCLUSIVE: Terry Neill's love affair with Arsenal and HullArsenal may be his first love, but Hull City, the next visitors to The Emirates Stadium, will always hold a special place in the heart of Terry Neill. The Northern Irishman is the only person to have managed the two clubs and remains, nearly 40 years on,... Modric a danger to England's World Cup hopes - WoodgateJONATHAN Woodgate has picked out Tottenham team-mate Luka Modric as Croatia s danger man ahead of England s vital World Cup qualifier on Wednesday. Woodgate, who was surprisingly overlooked by Fabio Capello for both Saturday s trip to Andorra and in Croat... Curtis sees of best of British to win Sabre TournamentCAMDEN Fencing club s Curtis Miller belied his age when he won the Whitgift Under-20 Sabre Tournament in South Croydon on Saturday. The 16-year-old cadet beat No. 3 ranked Jake Rowley to book his place in the final of the event that attracted nine of the... Spurs triumph at last in Uefa CupTottenham's winning streak continued last night with the side s demolition of Dinamo Zagrem in the Uefa Cup. Darren Bent was the star of the team after scoring a hat-trick of goals while another by Tom Huddlestone put them far out of reach of the hapless... Reknapp rings the changes with his backroom staffNew Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has wasted little time in reshuffling the coaching staff at the Lane following his shock move from Portsmouth over the weekend, writes Patrick Mooney. Tottenham sacked to Juande Ramos, sporting director Damien Comolli, al... Two golds for Bradley - now he can't wait for London 2012MAIDA Vale cyclist Bradley Wiggins was still celebrating this week despite failing to become the first British athlete in 80 years to bag a hat-trick of Olympic golds. The 28-year-old finished up with a brace of gold medals in Beijing after his successes... Harriet, 11, becomes yongest-ever winner of women's finalHarriet Dart became the youngest winner of the Cumberland women s title when she beat Gemma O Donoghue in straight sets on Saturday. Dart, 11, the British No.4 in her age group, lived up to her top seeding, winning 6-3, 6-1. Dart also reached the final... MCC prepared to mount underground mission at Lord'sMiguel Cullen The MCC is considering using underground rail tunnels beneath the hallowed Lord s turf to house cricket nets. Two disused Underground tunnels, once used by the Jubilee and Metropolitan lines, could now be put to a different use, if a deal b... Spurs to get official reception but victory parade looks unlikelySpurs fans will be given several chances to get even closer to the Carling Cup following Sunday s epic 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Wembley. The trophy will be displayed at the Spurs Megastore on Tottenham High Road this weekend and will also be shown off... Celebration time for Spurs fans as Chelsea are beaten at WembleySpurs fans arriving at Wembley for yesterday s Carling Cup Final against Chelsea. Some three hours later they were jubilant after Spurs had scored a 2-1 extra time victory over their London rivals. Although Chelsea took the lead through a defelcted free k... John Emburey leaves Middlesex to pursue coaching roleFormer England spinner John Emburey has left Middlesex to pursue a more hands-on coaching role. Chief executive Vinny Codrington said Emburey had left by mutual consent after the club wanted to move him into a more administrative role. After being made d... Keothavong vows to crash into the world’s top 100CUMBERLAND S British No. 1 Anne Keothavong believes she is on course to break into the world s top 100 during 2007. The 23-year-old Keothavong enjoyed a perfect end to 2006 when she claimed her second $25,000 title of the year in Prerov, Czech Republic,... West Hampstead settle for a draw in eight-goal thrillerPurley Walcountians 4 West Hampstead 4 WEST Hampstead failed to benefit from an early lead and were held to a draw in their South Hockey league division two clash with Purley Walcountians in Surrey on Saturday. West sought to build on last weeks 5-2 demo... Greyhounds still in the doghouse after another narrow defeatInvicta Dynamos 5 Haringey Greyhounds 4 HARINGEY Greyhounds remain slumped at the foot of the ENL Cup table after they were narrowly beaten by leaders Invicta Dynamos in Kent on Sunday. The defeat, the Hounds fifth in five cup games this season,... Don't break the Mold: Dave among the points again for resurgent HampsteadUCS 9 Hampstead 34 HAMPSTEAD notched their third consecutive London League division three victory on Saturday when they trounced local rivals UCS at Ranulph Road. Hampstead have been a revelation in recent weeks and in Saturday s derby match produced a s... Robinson's bid to keep Spurs out at the LanePAUL Ince s Blackburn seek to get back on track when they meet Tottenham in Sunday s early kick-off at the Lane (1.30PM). Ince s outfit, currently slumped in 18th place with just 13 points, will be hell-bent on keeping their noses in front of 19th placed... Rookie Fraizer is ready to take his chance for SpursBY PAT MOONEY FRAIZER Campbell now knows that new Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is a man of his word. When the former Portsmouth manager took over from the sacked Juande Ramos three weeks ago he took Campbell to one side and told the rookie striker he would get his ch... Don't panic says skipper Ledley - we'll get back to winning waysLILYWHITES skipper Ledley King urged players and fans to remain calm after Saturday s lacklustre loss to Fulham at Craven Cottage. The defeat, Tottenham s first in seven games since the arrival of new manager Harry Redknapp three weeks ago, rocked King... SPURS MATCH SPY: Gomes blunders are proving so costlyFrom Craven Cottage fulham 2 Davies 33, Johnson 70 tottenham h 1 Cambell 81 Att: 25,139 SPURS revival under Harry Redknapp came to a halt on Saturday at Fulham. The Lilywhites performed poorly and the defeat put them back in the relegation zone. Another... HARRY'S WORLD: England call-up is good for Darren BentON THE PERFORMANCE AGAINST FULHAM: It s difficult to put our finger on what was wrong on Saturday because the other performances had all been so good. It was a blow but you ve got to pick yourself up. You re going to have good days and bad days, but w... MIKE McKINLEY: How very Spurs of us to lose at FulhamHaving gained results unexpectedly in the tougher games, how very Spurs to go and make a complete dog s dinner of a supposedly easier fixture. That may be a little disrespectful to Fulham, whose home record is very decent, but given our recent run it s r... IT'S GOOD TO TALK: Hudd reveals secrets of Harry's successTOM Huddlestone this week revealed the secret behind Harry Redknapp s transformation at Spurs – talking with his players. Since taking over from the sacked Juande Ramos just over two weeks ago, Redknapp has steered Tottenham to three wins in four Premier... THE REDKNAPP REVIVAL - after Liverpool rout, where will it all end?MATCH SPY: Tottenham 4 Liverpool 2 A blistering spell of three goals in seven minutes helped Tottenham ease into the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup with a 4-2 win over Liverpool at the Lane on Wednesday night, writes Ben McPartland. The holders, who made seven ch... HARRY'S WORLD: Three off, but not a bad tackle in the gameON THE PERFORMANCE AGAINST MANCHESTER CITY: That [the win] was important for us today because our recent run has seen us get back among the pack. It s going to be tough all year. Everybody seems to be knocking each other about and beating each other.... MATCH SPY: Bent double puts a dent in the bubbleFrom Eastlands Manchester c 1 Robinho 16 Tottenham h 2 Bent 29, 64 Att: 41,853 ALTHOUGH Spurs made hard work of overcoming a City side reduced to nine men by the end, they had under-fire keeper Heurelho Gomes and two-goal Darren Bent to thank for their... Swiss Cottage swimmers continue impressive start to the seasonCAMDEN Swiss Cottage continued their impressive start to the season when they won the second round of the National swimming league at Eltham. Swiss bagged 367 points from a maximum 400 to gain their second victory in the competition following their first... No stopping 80-year-old SusanSUSAN Halter loves swimming so much she carries a costume with her wherever she goes. But that isn t the Hungarian s greatest eccentricity, writes Jonny Weeks. Remarkably, Halter – a former Olympian born in 1927 – defies her 80 years by swimming every day... Keothavong stuns Schiavone to progress in the US OpenCUMBERLAND S Anne Keothavong became the first British woman since Jo Durie in 1991 to reach the third round of the US Open when she stunned 25th seed Francesca Schiavone in three sets on Wednesday, writes Patrick Mooney. Keothavong, 24, broke the Italian... Anne set for Wimbledon after reaching Surbiton finalCUMBERLAND S Anne Keothavong warmed up for Wimbledon by reaching the final of the The Surbiton Trophy on Saturday. Despite losing to New Zealander Marina Erakovicin in straight sets, 4-6, 2-6, the British No.1 was happy with her efforts in the grass seas... What's On Travel writer's compelling images from those far-off placesAn exhibition by Nicki Grihault, whose stories and pictures have appeared on the Ham&High travel pages, will be held in Shoreditch. Ms Grihault specialises in pictures and stories of remote places and this show reflects his passion. When I look back over... Teddy boys live on in affectionate tribute to inspirational art teacherAn Artist In Slumland was The Observer s headline for its review of Margareta Berger-Hamerschlag s best-selling Journey Into A Fog, about teaching art in Kilburn and Paddington youth clubs in the 1950s. Reverence for young life shines through pages whic... Superlatives and expletives in the life of Wyndham LewisBY ALISON OLDHAM The iconoclastic artist-writer Wyndham Lewis drew superlatives – and undoubtedly expletives – from those who knew him. TS Eliot said he was the greatest prose writer of my generation . Walter Sickert described him as the greatest portra... Livingstone, you may presume, will showcase Campbell originalsLivingstone Studio in Hampstead is holding a selling exhibition of original work by legendary textile designers Collier Campbell. It s of covetable painterly hand-brushed scarves, each with a unique design. They are made from diaphanous silk which makes t... Eclectic selection for Suburb's annual summer showOn Sunday an annual summer show for Hampstead Garden Suburb will be launched in the Lutyens-designed Main Hall of Henrietta Barnett School in the Suburb s Central Square. Curator Jeff Jackson brings together an eclectic selection of modern British and con... Diego Rivera's bicycle pursuit of Frida Kahlo in HampsteadUnashamedly plundering characters from literature and art history, Mychael Barratt creates affectionate narrative paintings and prints with London settings. As his exhibition Urban Myths at Gallery K in Hampstead celebrates the Hampstead and Highgate Fest... Ruth's prizewinning exhibition of images to treasureBy ALISON OLDHAM Wedding photographers bear a heavy responsibility – to capture images to treasure at an event which can t be restaged. Dartmouth Park photographer Ruth Corney wears this hat as lightly, indeed gaily, as her many others. Her picture of a... Kate Greenaway's Hampstead studio gets a new lease on lifeFrench artist installs himself in Victorian illustrator Kate Greenaway s former home by Alison Oldham A Victorian artist s studio in Hampstead has been returned to the art world. In 1885 the illustrator Kate Greenaway commissioned architect Norman Sh... Exhibition celebrates a designer whose passion was paintingby Alison Oldham The late Philip Pank was one of a not so rare breed – the architect artist. He exhibited with the London-based Society of Architect Artists from 1984 until his early death in 1991, and looki... Bohm’s poetic lens captures the moment beautifullyBy Alison Oldham POETIC, mysterious, transitional moments when the light is right are the trigger for Dorothy Bohm s personal photographs. Her daughter, art historian Monica Bohm-Duchen, says her mother never manipulates images but aims to capture a mome... House Bunny is sexist drivel - but it could have been worseThe House Bunny (12A) Directed by Fred Wolf. Starring Anna Faris, Emma Stone, Colin Hanks, Kat Dennings, Katherine McPhee, Rumer Willis. 97 mins Three star ratinger produced comedy, about a former Bunny Girl who ends up running a University sorority house... At last - Mafia movie that doesn't glamourise the MobBY MICHAEL JOYCE Gomorrah (15) Directed by Matteo Garrone. Starring Toni Servillo, Gianfelice Imparato, Carmine Paternoster, Salvatore Cantalupo, Salvatore Abruzzese. 135 mins Four star rating It s the enduring delusion that almost every major filmmaker indulges at some s... A big loud ugly crude Hollywood movieTropic Thunder (15) Director Ben Stiller Starring Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr, Jack Black, Nick Nolte, Matthew McConaughey, Steve Coogan 107 mins Two star rating A big loud ugly crude Hollywood movie that is a parody of big loud ugly crude Hollywood... Teacher starts a big wave of Nazi principlesThe Wave (15) Director Dennis Gansel Starring Jurgen Vogel, Frederick Lau, Max Riemel, Jennifer Ulrich, Christiane Paul 110 mins Three star rating A Nazi version of Dead Poets Society, this German high school movie shows just how easily and quickly see... Dark Knight - at last a blockbuster deserving of the hypeBY MICHAEL JOYCE The Dark Knight (12A) Director Christopher Nolan Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Maggie Gyllenhaal 152 mins Five star rating The history of the summer blockbuster is e... Reed's Berlin is downbeat and gloomy, with an edge of hysteria.Lou Reed s Berlin (12A) Director Julian Schnabel Starring Lou Reed, Antony Hegarty 80 mins. Two star rating No, he doesn t do Perfect Day. After making a case to be included in the list of top film directors with his heartrending adaptation of The Divin... This female Adrian Mole is strictly for the girlsAngus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (12A) Director Gurinder Chadha Starring Georgia Groome, Aaron Johnson, Eleanor Tomlinson, Alan Davies and Karen Taylor 100 mins Two star rating After some success with films aimed at a female audience, Gurinder Chadha (B... Murphy's latest romp turns out to have an empty shellMeet Dave (PG) Director Brian Robbins Starring Eddie Murphy, Elisabeth Banks, Gabrielle Union, Ed Helms, Austyn Lind Myers, Scott Cann 90 mins Three star rating In a case of art imitating life, Eddie Murphy plays a shell of a man in his latest family or... Myers loses his momentum as well as his powersThe Love Guru (12A.) Director by Marco Schnabel. Starring Mike Myers, Jessica Alba, Romany Malco, Justin Timberlake, Ben Kingsley, Verne Troyer. 89 mins. * One star rating Mike Myers is not a man who would ever knowingly leave a cash cow under milked. H... Be prepared for fun and much Panda-moniumKung fu panda (PG) Directors Mark Osborne and John Stevenson Featuring the voices of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Ian McShane, Jackie Chan 92 mins Four star rating BY MICHAEL JOYCE Sometimes a film comes along that no matter how many go... GRAPEVINE with LIZ SAGUES: Wine at £300 a popFor Paul Pontallier, the good news is that he works in wonderful conditions. The bad? When you re director-general of one of the most prestigious chateaux in Bordeaux, that s not something you confide to wine writers. Deep in the cellars of Chateau Marga... FRANCES BISSELL: Spanish know the ancient art of good eatingA couple of months ago I attended a tasting of exquisite cured Spanish ham at Cafe du Marche in Clerkenwell, organised for Antonio Gomez Estevez and his sister Rosario, who now run the family company based at the farm, Finca Dehesa Buenavista in the And... It's 10 out of 10 for Simon Bradley's enduring excellenceBY VICTORIA PREVER We re all guilty of taking things for granted. One minute a place is all the rage then fashions change and then today s hot news is yesterday s chip paper. Few restaurants survive more than one circuit of the merry-go-round. When I was a child, my parent... From Chairman Mao's home province comes a real sizzlerBY HAM&HIGH FOOD CRITIC VICTORIA PREVER As part of our warm up for the Beijing Games, Grumpy and I staged our own event – an Olympic Chinese eat-athon. Pretty well every London suburb can boast at least one Chinese restaurant, and probably more. Sadly they re not always the best examples of the... Everyone is going nuts for this Crouch End steakhouseBY VICTORIA PREVER North-west London has nurtured several restaurant-owning dynasties. The Kaye family brought us Golden Egg and Garfunkels and the next generation, the first ASK restaurant – in Belsize Park in 1993. That site was was previously a Cafe Fl... Chef who is out to show the world just wok's cookingShe s prettier than Antony Worrall Thompson and less foul-mouthed than Gordon Ramsay. Celebrity chef Ching-He Huang escapes the heat of the kitchen to talk to Sanchez Manning about food, life in north London and the Olympic games Ching-He Huang – the... Local and organic are the buzzwords, but they don't always mixBY VICTORIA PREVER Local and organic are the latest foodie buzzwords – but don t always mix well. Good intentions can be lost in an ethical minefield. Organic ingredients may clock up many air miles and the eco-aware restaurateur is left weighing up the evils of air freight... FRANCES BISSELL: Cooking with lavender brings sensational resultsAs regular readers will know, I need very little excuse to cook Italian food. These last few days I have not even needed a trip to Bologna to inspire me, but simply a walk down to South End Green to eat a first meal at Osteria Emilia. Any restaurant that... GBK shows just how far the humble burger has comeBY VICTORIA PREVER Since the first Gourmet Burger Kitchen was opened by three carnivorous New Zealanders – advised by my kitchen hero Peter Gordon – the London burger scene has never looked back. A number of similar outlets have followed suit, elevating t... I'm not yearning for Yam, but Sahara is a different storyThe last time I was at 7 St John s Wood High Street was in January when I visited the dreadful Yan. No surprise, it closed its doors for good not long afterwards. That site seems cursed by the Wicked Witch of the Wood, as no-one – not even Pizza Express... Katherine Jenkins all set for concert in her Kenwood 'back yard'Welsh songstress Katherine Jenkins leaves Ed Thomas mesmerised as he manages to track her down before she performs at the Last Night of the Kenwood Proms TWO months of world-class music on Hampstead Heath are coming to an end on Saturday in the shape... Hawley Arms stars and regulars in star-studded reunionBy Susanna Wilkey A GIG in honour of the burned-out Hawley Arms saw celebrity regulars out in force to support their beloved boozer. Mighty Boosh star Noel Fielding compered the evening of live music at Dingwalls in Camden Lock to raise awareness of the p... Diana Krall is bound for Kenwood, with twins in her wakeWith her husband Elvis Costello also away, jazz singer Diana Krall s own world tour – which includes a stop-off at Kenwood on Saturday – is going to be a challenge – especially with two toddlers in tow, she tells Katie Masters Good jazz is when the... REVIEW: CANDIDE, English National Opera, St Martin s LaneFour star rating Leonard Bernstein s wickedly subversive operetta Candide is one of those musical near-misses that graze the purlieus of genius but don t quite get there. Choked with wisdom, wit... Natalie's life after Musician of the Year accoladeBY MICHAEL WHITE Natalie Clein took the title in the BBC contest at the age of just 16. So what has happened to the Muswell Hill cellist since? Looking back over the history of the BBC Young Musician Of The Year competition, you find that not every winner makes it th... New strings attached to lessons at Highgate SchoolTHERE will be a few more strings attached to music lessons at Highgate School in future. Pupils are set to benefit after the independent school appointed its own highly regarded string quartet in residence. The idea to have the resident Barbirolli Quartet... Hey St Jude's: a host of talent lined up for promsMUSICAL maestros are taking to the stage in Hampstead Garden Suburb for the annual St Jude s Proms. Jazz legend Humphrey Lyttelton and internationally acclaimed pianist John Lill are two of the big names due to perform in June. Others include guitar duo J... Kate Nash: Where will I shop if Camden's Stables Market disappears?By Tan Parsons and James Rosenthal POP princess Kate Nash played a secret gig in Highgate last week in protest at plans to regenerate Camden Stables Market. The singer played songs from her debut album Made Of Bricks to a packed crowd of avid fans at the... Mozart to replace eagles and birdies at Highgate golf clubFor an evening in October the usually lively clubhouse at Highgate Golf Club will close its doors to post-game banter and celebrate the 251st birthday of W A Mozart with a recital to raise funds for the Camphill Village in St Albans, a now regular event o... Sassy Baron Cohen is set to sound off at the British LibraryERRAN Baron Cohen is DJing with his Zohar Sound System at the British Library event on July 26. The music has the same influences as his band Zohar – World Fusion Beat Scientists – a fusion of Jewish and Arabic beats, which he says fits well with an eve... Lucky Seven is part of the plot that keeps Alexis saneHampstead Theatre s writer in residence Alexis Zegerman talks to Katie Masters about her latest play Lucky Seven, a comedy with an edge Alexis Zegerman says – laughing – that it was the desire to stay sane that got her writing. The 31-year-old Camden re... REVIEW: Improvisation to musicShowstopper! King s Head Theatre Four stars Showstopper! makes you feel good. It s interactive, funny, and you can t take your eyes off the stage. If you can remember Whose Line is it Anyway? you ve got it, except that this builds itself into an hour-l... REVIEW: From sitcom to real tragedyTREATS Lion and Unicorn Theatre 3 stars Ann and her boyfriend, Patrick, are sitting happily on the sofa listening to music when suddenly a man bursts in and punches Patrick on the nose. He is Ann s previous lover, Dave, a journalist who has been coverin... REVIEW: The Norman Conquests ,The Old VicThree star rating If Alan Ayckbourn was an architect, Norman Foster would be running scared. Ayckbourn s a genius when it comes to structure: constantly inventing ways to wow the crowd. His comedy Intimate Exchanges has... REVIEW: CLICHE by Dani Carbery Etcetera TheatreThree star rating A girl lies on the crimson carpeted floor. She doesn t move. She has her back to us and we cannot see her face. A man has a bottle in his hand; he seems to threaten her with it. Then he laughs... REVIEW: work by Sam Rumbelow devised with The Actors Ensemble Courtyard TheatreThree star rating WORK is not about working at all but about building and breaking stereotypes of working Londoners. The piece was devised by a group of young, upcoming performers, the Actors Ensemble and uses a simple format in an effective manner. Se... REVIEW: GHOSTS Pentameters HampsteadThree star rating This scandalous play was a heartfelt protest against hypocrisy and Victorian decency. Helene Alvin (Barbara Hatwell) is the widow of an unpleasant man who has lived his life in debauchery. During the early... REVIEW: THE WALWORTH FARCE CottesloeUntil November 29 Five star rating If it s farce you re looking for then you ve found it with this riotous tale of a father and sons re-enacting their Irish past in a south London council flat. But behind the hilarity you ll... Lothario role gives Stephen Mangan his latest conquestPrimrose Hill actor Stephen Mangan s speciality is for entertaining but ultimately infuriating characters. Now he s unveiling his latest – the bouncy, bearded Lothario of Alan Ayckbourn s The Norman Conquests. Katie Masters met him. When it comes to... Good times continue at the Theatre Royal BarA DOUBLE dose of comedy at the Theatre Royal Stratford East Bar is sure to get residents in a good mood. On September 28 at 8pm the venue in Gerry Raffles Square, Stratford, stages Comedy Extra with Steve Day. There is more fun in store with the free sta... Expletive deleted - does Giles Coren just want to be loved?The Times restaurant critic Giles Coren talks to Tan Parsons about Labradors in Kentish Town, his famous father and that infamous email... IN July Giles Coren made national headlines when a furious email he sent to a sub-editor at The Times was leaked... The family man from Crouch End who runs one of the country's top lads' magsWhen I imagine the editor of a lads mag, I conjure up someone like Piers Morgan – tall and slim with slick dark hair and a sweaty handshake, who fixes his glare a little below the neckline and guffaws deeply. Ben Todd, editor of Zoo magazine, could not... Yogi bears no grudgeBy Katie Davies FEW people have to wait more than 70 years after qualifying to take part in the Olympics, but one West Hampstead resident has his sights on just that. Oh yes, I want to take part in 2012. I will run the 100m in one hour when I am 100 – I... Fiona Millar's ringside seat as the Blairs swept towards No 10Enjoying life after Downing Street, journalist Fiona Millar talks to Ben McPartland about everything from her spat with Cherie Blair to education in Camden In 1995, as Tony Blair was plotting an unstoppable course towards Number 10, journalist Fiona M... Fan who met Fab Four on last night of BeatlemaniaTHIS WEEK sees the 40th anniversary of the Beatles Yellow Submarine film premiere, and one man from Belsize Park has a special reason to celebrate. David Stark, from Belsize Crescent, was just 15 when he went to see the stars arriving at the premiere. He... Stephen Poliakoff's splendid isolation is key to his craftKatie Masters talks to award-winning writer and director Stephen Poliakoff about the inspiration behind his screenplays There are two words that crop up repeatedly in conversation with Stephen Poliakoff, the BAFTA Award-winning, Emmy Award-winning,... Avril's wanderlust comes to happy end in 'edgy' HighgateWhen she s not getting her hands dirty in the garden or walking her beloved dog Mokka, Avril Castellazzo is busy being a central figure in edgy and vibrant Highgate village, as Tan Parsons discovers AS well as running a bespoke furniture company in... Starvation, torture and pain - Holocaust survivor's remarkable storyHolocaust survivor Jack Kagan opens up to Ham&High reporter Katie Davies about his experiences in a Nazi work camp, life in north London after the war and coming face to face with his family s killer. IT S easy to see that Jack Kagan makes the perfect... Esther Rantzen adds backing to plight of young ME sufferersYoung sufferer calls for greater awareness of debilitating illness A 21-year-old woman who languished in bed for two and a half years before doctors diagnosed her with ME has called for greater awareness about the illness. Lydia Marmorstein hopes to read... BRIAN COLEMAN: Maggie T, Nicky G, BoJo and meAfter holding his seat at City Hall Brian Coleman, the self-styled King of Bling, talks to Ham&High reporter Katie Davies and, despite being openly gay, admits he always had a soft spot for Margaret Thatcher. AS the clock approached midnight on May 2,... LAUREN BOOTH: the awkward sibling who likes to ruffle feathersTony Blair s sister-in-law was never afraid to ruffle feathers. Lauren Booth continues her tirade with Ham&High reporter Katie Davies IT seems that Lauren Booth doesn t tire of being controversial. As the half-sister of Cherie Booth and Tony Blair s... WHO'S WHO: JANE SYMONDS, landlady of award-winning Princess of WalesJane Symonds is the landlady of the Princess of Wales pub in Primrose Hill, which last week won a website reviewers award for the best pub in London. What do like most about the area? There s a village atmosphere. I don t go out much but I do like it. I... REVIEW: Radio Golf Tricycle TheatreFour star rating PITTSBURGH in the 1990s is the setting for the last of renowned playwright August Wilson s series of 10 dramas that highlight aspects of African-American life in the 20th century. The tale centres on Danny Sap... REVIEW: Waste By Harley Granville Barker, The AlmeidaFive star rating It s impossible not to compare Harley Granville Barker with Bernard Shaw, his contemporary and admirer. Both deal in ideas; they question morality, point out hypocrisy, and do so with a mastery of irony. The content is universal, contemp... REVIEW: GHOSTS Pentameters HampsteadThree star rating This scandalous play was a heartfelt protest against hypocrisy and Victorian decency. Helene Alvin (Barbara Hatwell) is the widow of an unpleasant man who has lived his life in debauchery. During the early... WHO'S WHO: Alex O'Rourke, 50 years a mechanicAlex O Rourke, 81, has been a mechanic in Daleham Mews in Belsize Park since 1959. He will be hanging up the jump leads and retiring in the New Year. HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED IN HAMPSTEAD? For 50 years, all bar nine months. I ve been here for so long... WHO'S WHO: LISA FREEDMAN, educational writer and advisorLisa Freedman runs a schools advice service to help youngsters get into their first choice secondary school. She is also a contributing editor to The Good Schools Guide and regularly writes about education for the Financial Times. She lives in Highgate.... REVIEW: A PROGRAMME IN MEMORY OF ROBERT CALVERT Pentameters, HampsteadFour star rating As part of the Pentameters 40th anniversary celebrations, Leonie Scott Matthews put together a few pieces to celebrate the memory of her friend Robert Calvert. The first pie... REVIEW: PROPHECY, New End Theatre HampsteadThree star rating The buzz word for this piece is augury, a word that young Jeremy – somewhat improbably – doesn t understand, and that Sarah, his drama teacher, equally improbably, seems unable to explain. They are living in a totally white set, which ma... REVIEW: Last Night of the Proms Royal Albert HallTwo star rating Apart from hand-wrung, Hampstead-liberal reservations about waving flags, what do you say about the Last Night Of The Proms? More like a national indulgence than a concert, it is... Return to London24 home page |