Download IslingtonNow - November 2009 ( pdf ... - Islington Council

More documents

Recommendations

Info

8www.islington.gov.uk LOCAL LIFE Remembering the war With Remembrance Sunday taking place this month, we took the opportunity to speak to resident Olive Besagni about her wartime memories of Islington. “The war had a different effect on different age groups,” Olive told IslingtonNow. “I was in my teens and at that age we thought we were indestructible, despite the war… going dancing, to the cinema, enjoying ourselves.” But the reality was a very different story. Films were interrupted by bomb warnings and getting home could be very dangerous. “Landmines were the worst. They were parachuted in, you heard a gentle flutter, then… boom. Whole areas just wiped out. Another time, I was on the bus heading home. We could see planes overhead, bombs falling and shrapnel raining down on us. It was terrifying; I don’t know how we ever made it.” Olive recently attended an event at Myddleton Square to celebrate renovations to the streets in the area, where she talked to children from Moreland Primary School about her memories. But how different is the Islington these children know to the one Olive remembers? “Islington is a lot busier now, but it’s also greener, and less industrial than it was before the war. As a place, it still has the same feel it had back then though.” Turn to page 15 for details of Islington’s Remembrance Sunday events. 0123_NCS_advert:262x74 6/8/09 10:30 Page 2 Then and now: Olive tells us about her memories and left, a photo of Olive taken at an Islington photographic studio during World War II Historic hall to reopen The countdown has begun – Islington’s Assembly Hall will reopen its doors in March on the 80th anniversary of its opening. The hall, which was originally opened in 1930, is currently being restored to its former glory. Once completed, it will host weddings, civil partnerships, conferences, dances, cinema screenings, variety shows and other community events. A hop, skip and a dance down memory lane We’ve been asking for your memories of the Assembly Hall and have received some great stories! One such story was from an ex-Blackstock Road Secondary Modern School pupil, who recalled that in late-1945 the girls from Miss Jones’ class were invited to a country dance celebration at the Assembly Hall. The girls were thrilled to be invited but faced the problem of what to wear, as clothing was rationed at the time. Luckily, Miss Jones had an idea. Black-out curtains had recently been taken down and were set to be thrown out until they were salvaged and transformed into circular The Assembly Hall was used for a wide range of events in its post-war heyday and will be reopened in March 2010 as one of Islington’s most prestigious venues skirts! The girls were then allowed to sew on two rows of coloured trim to decorate the hem. Each girl wore a plain or coloured blouse to the dance and the class was the only coordinated group there. Everyone had a brilliant time and the needlework that Miss Jones had taught the girls was admired by many. Cycle proficiency We have also been sent a newspaper clipping from July 1968 (pictured). It shows an awards ceremony at the Assembly Hall, with a group of young cyclists who had just received their proficiency certificate from the Mayor. The ceremony was part of a variety show, which marked the start of Islington Council’s road safety fortnight. Maybe you recognise yourself or someone else from this photo! If so, please get in touch. Thank you to everyone who’s already got in touch with their memories of the historic hall. We’re keen to hear more stories before the Assembly Hall reopens in March, so email yours to assembly.hall@islington.gov.uk or call us on 020 7527 3263 or write to Assembly Hall, G11 Town Hall, Upper Street, London N1 2UD. Nationality Checking Service Apply for your British Citizenship at Islington Town Hall. We can help reduce delays in the application process, at a lower cost than most solicitors. To book an appointment please call 020 7527 6350 or email citizenship@islington.gov.uk www.islington.gov.uk
types of fresh salad are sold 14on Serpil’s stall Congratulations to Whitecross Street market stallholder Serpil Erce, who has been crowned Market Trader of the Year 2009. Over 20 Islington stallholders were nominated in this year’s competition, which recognises the contribution that market traders make to the area. Serpil started her Sunny’s Olive Tree stall just two years ago and, despite the 7am starts, she hasn’t looked back since. Her trademark salads, which are bursting with the olives that gave her stall its name, are a firm favourite among customers who fancy something delicious and nutritious. Serpil was presented with her prize (of free trading in Whitecross Street market to the value of £300) by Cllr Lucy salad boxes are sold on Serpil’s stall on a 200busy day Super sunny Serpil! Shop local and save cash A still from Jimmy Swindells’ film ’Blurring in Between’. This scene was shot by Regent’s Canal This year’s Market Trader of the Year, Serpil Erce (right), is congratulated by Cllr Lucy Watt Watt, Executive Member for Communities, Skills and Business. Serpil told us: “It’s a really good market with a friendly atmosphere. Every single customer is important – Make a list before you shop to avoid buying more than you need – and stick to it. Dig out your cook books and create some healthy value meals or use recipe ideas in free magazines. Instead of using a big supermarket for all your purchases, think about shopping at your local market for great deals on healthy fruit and vegetables. There are some excellent markets in Islington. Visit www.islington.gov.uk/markets and check out the markets section of the Time Out guide if they weren’t here, I wouldn’t be here!” As well as quality, fresh food she swears by service with a smile: “They come here because they get a friendly service.” Ceremony of the month Race down the aisle Geri and Mick Race celebrated their marriage with over 90 of their friends and family in Islington Town Hall’s stunning Council Chamber. Now living in Tower Hamlets, the pair decided to marry in the Town Hall after Geri came across the venue when organising a voluntary sector event back in 2007. “I helped organise an event in the Town Hall a few years ago, when I used to work in the area and absolutely loved the venue. We also wanted to invite all our friends and family to the ceremony and Islington Town Hall was one of the few venues that could accommodate the numbers! “It was great to have everyone there to share our ceremony and our registrar helped make it a very special day that we will not forget.” After the ceremony, all the guests travelled by London buses to Shoreditch for the reception. Geri and Mick on their big day at Islington Town Hall This dramatic engraving of notorious 18th-century burglar Jack Sheppard and his accomplice, escaping from Clerkenwell Prison in 1724, is one of many historical illustrations held in the collection at Islington Local History Centre, part of Islington Museum. The engraving was produced in 1839 by artist and Amwell Street resident George Cruikshank, who also illustrated Charles Dickens’ ‘Oliver Twist’. Spitalfieldsborn Jack Sheppard was famous for his daring escapes from various London prisons. For example, in May 1724 – soon after he was sent to Clerkenwell Prison IslingtonNow November 2009 9 MUSEUM OBJECT OF THE MONTH Spring-heeled Jack for robbery – he broke a hole in his cell wall, tied his prison blankets together, and dropped into the neighbouring prison yard and over its 22-foot high wall to freedom! To see this and other Islington treasures, you can visit the museum, based at Finsbury Library at 245 St John Street, Monday- Saturday (except Wednesdays), 10am-5pm. Admission is free. Call 020 7527 2837 for more information. And to find out about our crime and punishment exhibition, A Fair Cop, turn to page 14. DIRECT DEBIT WINNER Evren is on the move Highbury dad-to-be Evren Altinok has won £500 of green travel in our latest prize draw for residents who pay their council tax by direct debit. Evren decided to spend the cash on a commuting bike to get in shape for the new arrival. “Winning the prize is a great start to my fitness drive. I want to ride to work and back on my bike two or three times a week.” And, with lots to be done before the baby comes, the last thing Evren and his wife need to think about is paying their council tax. Evren says: “Paying by direct debit is so easy and hassle free. It also breaks the bill into affordable chunks each month, leaving more money for those other household essentials – like nappies!” As well as being in with a chance to win more fantastic prizes, everyone who signs up to direct debit gets £20 off their bill. See www.islington.gov.uk/ directdebit or call 020 7527 2633 for more details. This month’s direct debit winner spent his green travel vouchers on a brand new set of wheels
Page 1 and 2: www.islington.gov.uk IslingtonNow I
Page 3 and 4: IslingtonNow November 2009 news 3 I
Page 5 and 6: is the recycling 35%target in Islin
Page 7: YOUNG islington IslingtonNow Novemb
Page 11 and 12: 172 Cllr Barbara Smith and Homes fo
Page 13 and 14: your views IslingtonNow November 20
Page 15 and 16: Community events Young fun Islingto
Page 17 and 18: IslingtonNow November 2009 17 Warlt
Page 19 and 20: IslingtonNow November 2009 19 Wharf
Page 21 and 22: IslingtonNow November 2009 21 THE I
Page 23 and 24: Matches to be played at Emirates St

Download IslingtonNow - November 2009 ( pdf ... - Islington Council

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?