Sarah Dallas gets up close and personal with some of Stoke Newington’s movers and shakers.

Barry Mathiason is the conveyancing partner at Traymans, Stoke Newington’s leading law firm. Over the years, he has helped hundreds of people in the neighbourhood buy and sell their flats and houses. The thank you cards that fill the shelves in his office are a testament to a successful and rewarding career.

How long have you been in Stoke Newington?

For 33 years. When I first arrived, as a young solicitor from Finchley, I had no idea where Stoke Newington was. I only knew that people turned their noses up at it. Some people still do, of course. Today I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.

What made you stay?

I like the diversity, the liveliness, the urban mix. Most of all, I enjoy being part of people’s lives here. Moving house is a traumatic experience. If I can make it a little smoother, then I feel I’ve done my job.

What services does Traymans offer?

We have 15 solicitors, and three offices (one on Church Street, two on the High Street). Between us we offer just about everything: property conveyancing, family law, divorce, immigration, housing, crime, wills, probate and litigation.

Do you have a typical day?

I work best in the mornings, so I arrive at the office at 7.30am, get some dictation done and go through the post before the phone starts ringing. I’ll see at least five or six clients in one day, and will deal with all aspects of buying and selling their properties.

Is there such a thing as a typical client?

Well, I hate to use the word “yuppy”, but Stoke Newington is definitely attracting a more affluent house-buyer. When I first started working here, there was one estate agent on Church Street, who had the whole area sewn up. The introduction of the right to buy council properties in the 1980s ushered in a steady boom in prices. So today we still get a mix of clients, but there’s an increasing overflow of people who might have bought in Islington.

Favourite spots for lunch or coffee?

I’m a big fan of La Sera, a fish restaurant on Stoke Newington High Street. For coffee or a snack, Camia, the Italian deli on Church Street is good, and I’m also keen on Blue Legume. 

Pet hates about Stoke Newington?

I do wish Hackney Council were more efficient. They’re improving, but far too slowly. The controlled parking zone is just the latest example of their ineptitude. They haven’t provided enough parking bays for businesses. As someone who has served this community for 33 years, I would have appreciated more consideration for business people.

Where would we find you on a Friday night after shutting up shop?

Friday evenings are very tranquil. I go home to Palmer’s Green, enjoy a family meal and then attend the synagogue in Southgate.

Hopes and dreams for the future?

I’ve been a bit of a workaholic for most of my life, and last year, I had a stroke. So it’s time to take things a little easier now. I dream of retiring, and relaxing a bit.

Autumn means the start of the apple season for the farmers’ market and we’ll be celebrating apples and ways of cooking them at our special Apple Day market on Saturday October 15 from 10 till 2.30p.

There will be lots of different apples to taste – and we want you to vote for your favourite! There will also be lots of information on why apples and orchards are important for wildlife. Children’s activities will include apple bobbing. For adults there will be a competition for the longest apple peel and a Gardeners’ Question time session focussing on fruit tree growing. We’ll have a working apple press at the market so you can see fresh apple juice being made –and taste the results.

The first apples from Chris and Iain Learmonth’s organic orchards in Essex are at the market now; we start off the apple season with the variety called Discovery. Discovery was developed by a Mr Dummer, a farm worker from Langham in Essex in 1949 – it’s a sweet, crisp apple with flesh that is often tinted pink. It’s particularly good in fresh fruit salad. As the apple season continues there will be Worcester Pearmains, Coxes, Spartans, Egremont Russets, Galas and Ida Reds.

The Stoke Newington Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday from 10am till 2.30pm at William Patten School Stoke Newington Church Street and is run by Growing Communities: www.growingcommunities.org  or 020 7502 7588 for more details.
All the produce at the Market is organic, biodynamic or wild and is grown, reared or produced within 100 miles of Hackney.