In Good Company: Natasha Rawley
Natasha Rawley is a social media manager and content creator based in Ealing. She works with a number of independents within the Borough and is a particular fan of her little corner of The Queen of the Suburbs, Pitshanger. We talk to her about what she thinks are the jewels of Ealing's crown.
At what stage in your life did you first move to Ealing?
My husband and I first met in Ealing, so it’s always been special to us. Neither of us lived here at the time.
We moved to Ealing as a family of four a couple of days before the first lockdown in 2020. We had fallen in love with a home in Pitshanger with the most beautiful garden. We didn’t think in a 1,000 years, we would be lucky enough to call it our home, but then we got the call that the owner had accepted our offer, we were delighted, but there was so much work to do on the house to make it into a family home.
We didn’t know much about Pitshanger as an area, but we had a friend who had lived here for many years before who told us all about it, so we knew what a special place it was and how lucky we were.
If you were telling someone about Ealing who had never visited, how would you describe it?
It’s a beautiful community hub. I’ve never lived anywhere in London like it; there are so many communities, and so many people proactively building and taking care of Ealing. I love how much life the Borough has in it.
I love the amount of independent shops, businesses and restaurants; its green spaces and opportunities.
Do you have a favourite Ealing watering hole?
The Duke of Kent is our local, and we love it as it’s a great family pub with good food and a brilliant outdoor play area for the kids, so you get 10 minutes of peace to drink your drink.
If I’m meeting friends No 17 Dickens Yard or Teatro Hall.
Where have you had your best Ealing meal?
There are too many to mention here. We are super lucky in Ealing but…
Fed and Watered was defo one of the best meals in the Borough. Sadly, it’s closed now, but watch that space closely.
Reineta in Dickens Yard is one of my go-to places to have lunch. The menu is excellent, and they also sell Isle of Wight tomatoes there, which are my fave.
Cote in Ealing Broadway is a family fave. The team there are so friendly, and the food and cocktails are always great.
We also love Trash and Treasures monthly food market at Brentham Club, with so many amazing chefs all in one place. One of our faves there is Hamilton Catering.
Do you have a favourite Ealing independent store?
I love Harrison’s on Pitshanger Lane for delicious treats, cheese and more cheese and superb wine.
When I can, I always stop at Cafe Berry in Pitshanger Park for a coffee and a sweet treat. Their iced coffees saved me during the summer.
Pitshanger Bakery is a place we consistently pop into for bread and pastries, and their olive and cheese stick is so addictive!
I’ve recently discovered nuts n stuff in Ealing Broadway. It’s such a find! They make their own nut butter and have so many dried fruits, which I love for recipes and baking and amazingly flavoured nuts.
Two shops I love to spend time in on the lane are The Pitshanger Bookshop and Frank & Salvi.
Is there a part of Ealing that you find particularly inspirational or where you find peace?
I’m a massive walker. If I had the time, I would walk everywhere. The residential roads between Pitshanger and Ealing Broadway are my favourite places to walk, and there are so many beautiful houses, flowers and gardens to admire and see.
I also love Gunnersbury Park for a lovely chilled walk.
Tell us what you're up to & what's next for you.
So, a lot is going on my side. I run a digital marketing business (www.thecreativecaboodle.com) where I help independent companies with their digital marketing, content creation and social media management. That keeps me super busy.
I’m also a trustee for the Pitshanger Community Association, and we are currently planning Light Up The Lane 2023 (https://www.pitshanger.org.uk/)
Additionally, to the above, I sit on the PTA for St. Gregory’s schools, and we are super busy currently planning the Christmas Bonza and looking for local sponsors, so if you are interested, please email me at natasha@thecreativecaboodle.com
I’m also into all things interiors and styling (https://instagram.com/multihyphenlife), so there’s definitely a chance when this goes out, I’m planning away the Halloween decorations.