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Your local magazine from Islington Council 

IslingtonLife 

Issue 49, Winter 2012 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 

New home for local family in time for Christmas p.13 

Much-loved baths 

reopen p.4-5 

Seasonal opening hours and 

free parking vouchers p.16-17 

Is Christmas costing 

too much? p.19

Contents 

Cover: Sue and her son, Michael, of N1 are looking forward to Christmas in their new council home. See page 13. 

Inside 

this issue 

3 Welcome 

4-7 News 

Ellie Simmonds opens much-loved baths 

Pat Cash launches tennis wall for youngsters 

8-11 Safer Islington 

Tackling alcohol-related harm 

Travel safely this Christmas 

The next 

edition of 


will be out in 

March 2013. 

12-13 Your home 

Christmas at home 

Get a foot on the housing ladder in Islington 

14-15 Young Islington 

Young people create arts spectacular 

Update from the Youth Council 

16-17 Christmas in Islington 

Seasonal opening hours for council services 

Free parking vouchers 

19 Money advice 

Is Christmas costing too much? 

20-21 Local life 

Helping parents back into work 

Energy and money saving advice 

FEATURE 

22-23 Healthy living 

Drink sensibly for a healthier future 

Winter-proof your workout 

24-25 People and places 

A quick guide to Bunhill Ward 

Bright Sparks moves into furniture 

26-27 Noticeboard 

Free hire of the Islington Assembly Hall 

Are you in the draw to win £3,000? 

28-29 Arsenal in the community 

30-31 What’s on 

LGBT History Month 2013 

Get ready to Dance Izzy! 

2

Welcome 

www.islington.gov.uk 

Cllr Catherine West, 

Leader of the Council 

Top right 

Catherine volunteering at last year's 

Pensioners' Christmas Lunch. 

Bottom right 

Catherine celebrated London Living Wage 

Week last month. 

For many, Christmas is a time for 

family and the people you love. For 

the family on page 13 who have 

finally moved out of their temporary 

accommodation, it will be a wonderful 

first Christmas in a new home. Their 

story is a powerful reminder of why 

we’re investing in the biggest council 

house building programme for thirty 

years. 

Overcrowding ruins lives; causing 

stress, ill health, stopping children from 

studying and destroying relationships. 

We’re on the side of our community 

and over the next two years, many 

more Islington families currently living 

in overcrowded conditions will move 

to a safe, secure new home that 

better fits their family’s needs. 

It has been another tough year 

and with government cuts hitting our 

community hard, we know people 

are feeling the pain. We will continue 

to fund the independent debt and 

welfare advice (see page 19) that 

acts as a vital lifeline in times of 

crisis and focus what we do have on 

those that most need our help, from 

bursaries to keep young people in 

education to bringing more of the 

lowest paid workers onto the Living 

Wage. I am particularly proud that this 

year we became one of the UK’s first 

Living Wage councils and now we’re 

working to encourage employers in 

Islington to do the same. 

For the third year I will be joining 

my councillor colleagues and serving 

lunch at our Pensioners Christmas 

Party in the Assembly Hall. Older people 

bring so much to our community, and 

we’re now looking for a second older 

people’s champion. If you have ideas and 

enthusiasm, find out how you can put 

yourself forward for this volunteer role 

on page 21. 

On behalf of Islington Council, a very 

happy Christmas and a peaceful New 

Year. 

Cllr West said: 

“Everyone deserves a 

fair day’s pay for a fair 

day’s work. 

“Being paid a Living 

Wage of £8.55 per 

hour makes a huge 

difference to the 

lives of our residents, 

workers and their 

families. We’re proud to 

be one of the UK’s first 

Living Wage councils.” 

Other formats 

If you would like 

IslingtonLife in large 

print, audiotape, or 

another format, please 

call 020 7527 3416. 

3

News 

Where else 

to work out 

in Islington? 

Image courtesy of Aquaterra Leisure 

Islington is lucky to have a great range 

of leisure centres across the borough. 

Aquaterra Leisure manages six 

centres for Islington Council which 

have all been awarded the prestigious 

Customer Service Excellence standard 

and Aquaterra holds the Investors in 

People award at Gold Status level. 

Centres in Islington include: 

Archway Leisure Centre, 

Macdonald Road, N19 5DD 

Cally Pool, 

Caledonian Road, N1 0NH 

Finsbury Leisure Centre, 

Norman Street, EC1V 3PU 

Highbury Pool, 

Highbury Crescent, N5 1RR 

Islington Tennis Centre, 

Market Road, N7 9PL 

Sobell Leisure Centre, 

Hornsey Road, N7 7NY 

For more information on 

leisure centres and sports 

4 

facilities in Islington visit 

www.islington.gov.uk/ 

leisurecentres 

To find out more about your 

local Aquaterra centre, visit 

www.aquaterra.org 

The main arena at the Sobell 

Leisure Centre 

Sporting hero opens 

much-loved baths 

Ellie Simmonds and local school kids at the opening swimming gala 

Sporting hero Ellie Simmonds was 

guest of honour at a swimming 

gala to celebrate the £16.5 million 

transformation of Islington's 

much-loved Ironmonger Row Baths 

last month. 

Ellie, who won two Gold medals at 

the London 2012 Paralympic Games 

and two at the 2008 Paralympics in 

Beijing, joined the Mayor of Islington 

to officially open the Baths, near Old 

Street, EC1. She also met young 

people taking part in a celebratory 

swimming gala to mark the end of the 

refurbishment. 

Ellie Simmonds said: 

“It is a great facility for the whole 

Islington community, with not just the 

pool but the Turkish Baths downstairs, 

and the gym. It is modern but also keeps 

the old traditions. 

“There were some great swimmers 

out there - hopefully if they use this 

great facility all the time there will be 

some future Olympic swimmers.” 

Cllr Janet Burgess, Islington Council's 

executive member for health and 

wellbeing, said: 

“We’re on the side of residents and 

want to help everyone enjoy healthy, 

active lives. 

“The new-look Ironmonger Row 

Baths is an exceptional place for 

residents to swim, exercise and relax, 

and a lasting legacy of this Olympic year. 

“Ironmonger Row Baths is for all, 

whether young or old, fit or less active, 

and is fully accessible for disabled people. 

“It was wonderful to have Ellie 

Simmonds as guest of honour, and for 

young Islington swimmers to have the 

chance to meet a true sporting hero.” 

The Baths opened to the general 

public on 24 November with a special 

weekend of community events including 

free swimming and introductory offers 

4


Training pool 

Gym 

Sauna 

Newer 

and better 

After more than 70 years of wear 

and tear, the much-loved Ironmonger 

Row Baths building had started to 

show its age, and in 2010 major 

refurbishment work started, including: 

a full restoration of the main pool, 

with improved water circulation and 

healthier swimming environment 

a new training pool with moveable 

floor, to improve access for 

learners and disabled people 

work to make the 1930s building 

fully accessible and welcoming for 

disabled people 

a new exercise studio, greatly 

enlarged gym and cardio zone 

restoration of the historic Turkish 

Baths, and new expanded spa area 

modern, expanded changing 

rooms for swimmers and gymgoers 

a careful refurbishment of the 

historic Grade II-listed building 

a new public laundry for the local 

community 

Local school kids celebrate the opening of Ironmonger Row Baths 

for the Turkish Baths and spa. 

The refurbishment was funded by 

the council and the now defunct EC1 

New Deal for Communities. The Baths 

are operated by GLL, who run more 

than100 facilities, mostly in London, 

under the Better brand. 

The newly opened Baths have also 

brought job opportunities for local 

people, with 18 residents so far securing 

work after a joint recruitment drive by 

GLL and the council. 

For an opportunity to try 

Ironmonger Row Baths, 

turn to page 23 for a 

special introductory offer. 

Fact file 

The Baths opened in 1931 as a 

washhouse for local people. The 

swimming pool opened 7 years later 

with an official ceremony followed 

by a swimming gala – just as the 

refurbished baths were re-opened 

last month. 

5

News 

Islington celebrates London Living Wage Week 

The Living Wage campaign’s 

banner was raised over the 

Town Hall to celebrate Living 

Wage Week in November. 

Islington was one of the 

first Living Wage authorities 

in the country to gain the 

accreditation. Since then, 

the council’s support for the 

Living Wage includes: 

increasing the wages of 

approximately 110 lowpaid 

council staff, mostly 

women, and 80 per cent 

of its contractors 

helping Samuel Rhodes 

School become Islington's 

first accredited Living 

Wage school, and working 

with 14 more schools to 

help them get accredited 

encouraging 24 of the 

25 Tenant Management 

Organisations (TMOs) to 

go Living Wage 

working with private 

sector employers, 

including Schools Office 

Services, which now pays 

more than 100 staff a 

Living Wage 

working with Islington's 

voluntary sector 

employers, including 

Voluntary Action Islington, 

which is now an accredited 

Living Wage employer 

working with local 

employers to adopt the 

Living Wage, for at least 

760 Islington based staff 

across private public and 

voluntary sectors. 

For more 

information and 

6 case studies visit, 

www.islington. 

gov.uk/livingwage 

Students from Samuel Rhodes School 

Sign up to My eAccount 

Over 80,000 residents have 

already signed up and are 

accessing a wide range of 

council services online. 

Why is My eAccount better? 

You take control – access 

services and information whenever you like 

Faster and cheaper – update your information online and 

save on postage and administrative time 

You can arrange a bulky waste collection 

You can renew your parking permit 

You can view and print your council tax bills instantly 

View and print your council tax online 

Log into My eAccount and 

sign up for eBilling. Rather 

than posting your council 

tax bills we can then email 

you a reminder to view 

it online. This allows the 

council to spend money on 

other important services, 

rather than on printing and 

postage. 

Did you know? It takes 7-10 days to provide you 

with a copy of your council tax bill, but signing up for 

eBilling means you can print it whenever you need it! 

6


Pat Cash with local youngsters at Rosemary Gardens 

Pat Cash opens 

tennis wall for 

local kids 

Former Wimbledon champion, Pat Cash, 

officially opened the newly developed 

tennis wall in Rosemary Gardens last 

month before giving local youngsters 

the chance to learn some of his skills. 

The specially designed wall is an 

impressive addition to the site’s facilities 

which already include two tennis courts, 

a football pitch, and changing rooms, 

basketball hoops, outdoor table-tennis 

tables and a children’s play area. 

Tennis star, Pat Cash, said: 

“It is great to be part of a scheme 

that will help youngsters take their first 

steps to becoming the tennis stars of 

the future.” 

Cllr Paul Smith, Islington Council’s 

executive member for environment, said: 

“We’re on the side of residents and 

committed to providing places in our 

parks where residents can play sport 

and keep healthy. 

“This excellent new tennis wall will 

help inspire more local people to get 

involved with the game.” 

Since opening in 2007 Rosemary 

Gardens has received almost £1 

million in funding from the council, 

Barclay Spaces for Sports and Football 

Foundation. 

Cllrs Richard Watts and James Murray meet local apprentices 

Apprentices build their careers on estates 

Two new Islington Council apprentices 

have been recruited to help maintain the 

borough's housing estates. 

As part of its commitment to create 

employment opportunities for young 

people, the apprenticeships - one 

in brickwork and one in carpentry 

- will last for two years and include 

gaining hands-on experience working 

alongside qualified council staff, 

and one day a week studying for a 

construction diploma. 

Since the council launched its 

apprenticeship scheme in 2009, 73 

residents have taken part. By the 

end of March 2013, an additional 34 

apprentices will have been recruited. 

Islington Council's executive member 

for children and families, Cllr Richard 

Watts, said: 

“We're on the side of local young 

people and are working hard to help 

them find employment and training 

opportunities. Like all our council 

apprentices, these new apprentices 

are gaining great experience 

alongside their qualifications, which 

will be invaluable in helping them 

find employment at the end of their 

apprenticeships.” 

Nominate 

your local 

hero 

Islington Council is once again calling 

for nominations for the Mayor's 

Civic Awards. 

The awards, now in their 12th 

year, see public spirited citizens 

recognised for their contribution to 

the local community. Under-18s 

are honoured with The Ben Kinsella 

Award – which recognises a young 

person whose positive actions have 

made their mark in Islington. 

Nominations close on 25 January 

2013 and can be made online at 

www.islington.gov.uk/mayor 

or by picking up a nomination 

form from your local library. 

For more information, 

contact The Mayor's Office at 

themayor@islington.gov.uk 

or call 020 7527 3113. 

7

Safer Islington 

Police briefing 

Islington’s borough commander, 

Gerry Campbell and the Metropolitan 

Police would like to ensure the safety 

of residents and visitors over the 

festive season. Gerry provides some tips on 

how to prevent crime this Christmas… 

Keeping safe 

on the roads 

When driving in icy or hazardous conditions please note the following 

tips from the council's road safety team: 

Slow down, steer gently and avoid harsh turns, braking or 

acceleration 

Keep a safe driving distance between you and other vehicles 

Look well ahead to anticipate problems 

When pulling away, use 2nd gear if possible to avoid wheel spin 

When braking, get into a low gear earlier than normal 

Reduce your speed well before bends and corners by easing off 

the accelerator 

Reduce your speed if you encounter black ice 

Check your batteries at the start of winter and ensure your tires 

have been checked for the correct pressure and tread depth 

Check your wiper blades are in good condition. 

Nuisance neighbour behind bars 

A man who breached his antisocial 

behaviour injunction on an 

Islington estate has been jailed 

for 16 weeks and could lose his 

council home. 

The 40 year old man from 

Blair Close, N1, breached an 

anti-social behaviour injunction 

in June 2012, by playing loud 

music, making obscene gestures 

and verbally abusing neighbours. 

In September 2012 another 

order and an injunction were 

agreed, which included telling 

him he must not use - or 

threaten to use - violence 

towards any of his neighbours. 

But he breached this order 

in November and was 

arrested by Mildmay’s Safer 

Neighbourhoods Team. The 

Clerkenwell and Shoreditch 

County Court sentenced him 

to 16 weeks imprisonment for 

harassment of neighbours. 

Cllr Paul Convery, the 

council’s executive member for 

community safety, said: 

“We’re on the side of 

residents, who want less crime 

and anti-social behaviour in 

Islington. This man’s behaviour 

badly affected residents’ right 

to enjoy their lives and homes. 

But our decisive action has put 

him behind bars and he could 

yet lose his home. 

“Our message on anti-social 

behaviour is clear: play by the 

rules or face the consequences.” 

“London attracts tourists from around the world 

who come to see the sights and do their Christmas 

shopping in its bustling city centres. Unfortunately, 

the capital’s bright lights are also a magnet for 

unwelcome, opportunistic criminals keen to take 

advantage of the busy winter period in rather 

different ways. 

“We ask the public to be extra vigilant and to 

take note of the following crime prevention tips: 

When out and about… 

Keep your purse inside a zipped-up handbag at 

all times 

Be extra cautious when using cash points - make 

sure you cover your pin number. Do not leave 

until your cash has been put away 

Be aware of your surroundings when using your 

mobile phone. Try not to use it at locations such 

as coming out of the underground or on public 

transport – this is where it is most likely to be 

snatched 

Protecting your goods… 

Record the serial numbers of gifts such as 

laptops, smart phones and electrical goods. 

Property mark your valuables - the MPS 

regularly carry out Smartwater schemes in the 

Islington area 

At home… 

Do not open your door to unexpected callers - 

burglars will often take advantage of seasonal 

traffic and pose as Christmas carollers or charity 

workers 

If you are away for Christmas, ask a neighbour 

to keep an eye on your property 

Late at night… 

Drink responsibly and never leave your drink 

unattended 

Stick to well-lit roads and don’t take short cuts. 

Try not to go home alone. 

Plan, in advance, how you will get home from 

a night out. Do not accept lifts from illegal taxi 

touts. 

“Winter is a time for festivities and celebrations - 

keep yourself and your belongings safe.” 

8


On the scene – 

tackling alcohol-related harm 

Teams from around the council are working with partners including the police, NHS, licensees and 

substance misuse services in the borough to tackle the harm caused by alcohol in Islington. 

Here, four people involved in the campaign talk to IslingtonLife about their work… 

Fiona Exley, Trading 

Standards Team 

Leader, Islington 

Council 

“I’m helping prevent 

retailers selling alcohol 

to children and work with partners to 

educate young people. 

“Following a successful pilot in 

Caledonian and Holloway wards last year 

a new Community Alcohol Partnership 

(CAP) to tackle underage drinking 

has been launched in response to 

residents’ concerns in Bunhill. My team 

recently went out with a 15 year-old 

volunteer ‘test purchaser’ and found 

that 15 of the 25 off-licences in the 

neighbourhood sold alcohol to her. 

“We will now be training these 

retailers to challenge underage sales 

and proxy sales, where someone over 

18 buys alcohol for someone under 

that age. The CAP will also tackle the 

demand for alcohol by working with the 

local police, youth services, schools and 

colleges to educate young people about 

responsible drinking.” 

Fiona’s top tip: “If a young 

person asks you to buy 

alcohol on their behalf, don’t 

do it. It’s illegal and you could 

get an £80 on the spot fine 

or be prosecuted in court.” 

Dr Paramabandhu 

Groves, Consultant 

Psychiatrist, 

Islington Specialist 

Alcohol Treatment 

Service (ISATS), 

Camden and 

Islington NHS Foundation Trust 

“My team help Islington residents who 

are problem drinkers and have complex 

needs. 

“Every day my team see the 

devastating effects that excessive 

drinking can have on the wellbeing of 

Islington residents, their loved ones and 

communities. We work with over 300 

service users from all walks of life in 

Islington each year – problem drinking is 

an issue across our entire community. 

“My team assess needs and agree 

treatment with patients who, in addition 

to problem drinking, have other needs 

which drinking might affect - including 

depression, anxiety or other mental health 

issues, or family and childcare problems. 

Treatment might involve psychiatric or 

psychological intervention, in- or outpatient 

detox, rehab, regular meetings 

with key workers, medication and 

attending our relapse prevention group. 

“About 2 out of every 3 people who 

attend ISATS stop drinking or reduce 

their consumption to a low-risk level by 

the time they leave our service.” 

Dr Groves’ top tip: “If you 

are concerned about your own 

or someone else’s drinking, 

support is available. Visit your 

doctor or contact the Islington 

Community Alcohol Service, 

on 020 7833 9899.” 

Robin Clark, 

Licensing Sergeant, 

Islington police 

“I work with Islington’s 

licensed premises 

to resolve alcoholrelated 

crime and disorder issues which 

are causing the public problems. 

“My team investigate issues linked to 

licensed premises in Islington including 

noise, fighting, underage or out-ofhours 

sales, rowdy behaviour and 

serious violence. The police and council 

then work together with Islington’s 

pubs, clubs, bars, restaurants, offlicenses, 

shops and so on to resolve 

these problems. For example if there 

are problems around noise, rowdy 

behaviour or violence at closing time, 

we might look to stop this by looking at 

procedures for how a bar or club closes. 

If there is a history of violent assault, we 

might recommend only plastic glasses 

are used for safety reasons. 

“My team and the council’s licensing 

team have an excellent relationship with 

most licensed premises in Islington – it is 

in everyone’s interest that premises are 

safe, operate legally, and don’t create 

problems locally. Very occasionally a 

licensee doesn’t co-operate and there 

are unresolved issues, in which case the 

council’s Licensing Committee review 

the licence, which might be taken away 

or extra conditions added.” 

Robin’s top tip: “If a licensed 

premise in Islington is causing 

you problems, let us know. Call 

020 7527 3031, or email 

licensing@islington.gov.uk” 

9

Safer Islington 

Travel 

safely this 

Christmas 

The council, police and TfL are working 

together to make it safer for you to get 

home. Un-booked minicabs picked up 

in the street or outside pubs and clubs 

are illegal, unregulated and uninsured, 

and can also provide cover for serious 

crimes including sexual violence and 

robbery. 

If you’re using a minicab over 

Christmas, stay safe by: 

Booking it – you can text CAB to 

60835 to get two licensed local 

minicab and one local black cab (taxi) 

numbers sent directly to your phone 

(texts are 35p each plus standard 

message rate) 

Playing it straight 

There are good reasons to steer clear of 

dodgy electrical goods this Christmas. 

GHD hair straighteners were among 

the most counterfeited products 

advertised online last Christmas. Some 

of the fakes were not safe, causing 

serious burns and fires, and some even 

melted. 

Here are some tips from the 

council’s trading standards 

team on how to make sure that 

any electrical goods you buy 

are safe: 

Buy from a reputable shop or online 

retailer 

Check the voltage – 230V, 50Hz 

is the UK’s domestic voltage. Is the 

product fitted with a UK plug or 

charger? 

Check the seller’s contact details – 

make sure it’s a full address and not 

just a PO Box number. Not all .co.uk 

Checking it’s yours – make sure 

the driver knows your name and 

destination before you get in, and 

check their photo ID 

Sitting in the back – always sit in 

the back seat and have your mobile 

phone accessible in case there’s an 

emergency. 

Find more information about 

minicab safety, plus a journey 

planner, times of the first 

and last tubes and night bus 

maps at www.tfl.gov.uk 

websites are based in the UK 

Avoid second hand electrics – there’s 

no guarantee, no warranty, and you 

don’t know what condition it’s in 

Use online review sites – see what 

others have said about the company 

you are buying from and the product 

you are buying 

Read the product guarantees, the 

seller’s terms and conditions, returns 

policy and privacy statement 

Keep records of whatever you order. 

For more information about 

your consumer rights, call the 

Citizens Advice consumer 

helpline on 08454 04 05 06. 

If you are concerned about the 

goods an Islington business is offering, 

contact 020 7527 3198, or email 

trading.standards@islington.gov.uk 

Safety 

in the 

kitchen this 

Christmas 

Did you know that around 60 

per cent of accidental fires in 

the home start in the kitchen? 

Rhys Powell, London Fire 

Brigade’s Borough Commander 

for Islington, talks to 

IslingtonLife about being safe 

in the kitchen this Christmas… 

“These may be simple tips but 

this Christmas we’d like to remind 

residents to: 

never leave cooking unattended 

turn off electrical appliances 

when they are not being used 

make sure your electrical items 

and gas appliances are serviced 

regularly. 

“In addition, our local firefighters 

can come to your home and give 

you advice on how to prevent fires 

and stay safe in your home. 

“During the visit, firefighters will 

not only offer advice on how to 

prevent a fire, but if required they 

will supply and fit smoke alarms. 

We can even fit specialist smoke 

alarms for the hard of hearing or 

visually impaired and all of this is 

free of charge. 

“Our crews in Islington would 

really like you to take advantage 

of this service - we would much 

rather come round and fit a smoke 

alarm than come to your home 

because of a fire.” 

To book a free home fire 

safety call us for free 

on 0800 028 44 28, 

or email us at 

smokealarms@london-fire.gov.uk 

Please quote the reference ISL 04. 

10


Worried 

about 

someone? 

Vulnerable adults come from all walks of life. They may be 

elderly or frail; they may have a physical or mental health 

problem or they may have a learning disability. 

However, they have one thing in common: they are more 

at risk of abuse. Abuse can range from physical, emotional or 

sexual, to financial abuse or neglect. 

If you’re concerned about a neighbour or relative this 

Christmas, contact the Access Service on 020 7527 

2299, or at access.service@islington.gov.uk 

For more information, visit 

www.islington.gov.uk/safeguardingadults 

Residents help resolve 

neighbourhood ASB issues 

Residents from all over the borough have volunteered to be 

on our pioneering Neighbourhood Resolution Panels, which 

tackle low level crime and anti-social behaviour in Islington. 

The panels bring together people harmed by low-level 

crime and anti-social behaviour with those responsible for 

causing that harm. Our volunteer facilitators have been 

trained to help the victims and perpetrators discuss what 

happened and who was affected, and together to agree 

what can be done to make things better. 

Alison Blackburn from Islington Council said: 

“Cases are referred to the panel by police officers, ASB 

officers from housing associations and housing estates, and 

licensing officers. 

“The panels are bringing harmed people and wrongdoers 

together to resolve their differences positively and move 

on with their lives.” 

Don’t be worried this winter 

If you’re living with a chronic 

health condition, Telecare could 

be the answer to maintaining 

your independence while 

having access to support when 

you need it. 

Islington Telecare can fit simple 

discreet equipment in your 

home which connects you to 

our local, experienced 24/7 

response team. We can check 

in with you regularly if you 

want, or you can be in touch at 

the push of a button when you 

need us. 

From just a few pounds per 

week, our competitively priced 

services can be tailored to your 

individual needs. 

We can talk you through the 

options and give you an idea of 

costs with no obligation. 

Find out more from the 

Telecare team at: Contact 

Islington, 222 Upper Street, 

London N1 1XR 

telecare@islington.gov.uk 

020 7527 5456 (between 

9am-5pm Monday to Friday) 

11

News Your home 

www.islington.gov.uk/housing 

Want to get a foot on the housing ladder in Islington? 

Our part-buy, part-rent scheme could be for you. 

We have a range of 1-bedroomed properties available 

in the N1, EC1V, N5, N7 and N19 areas. If you 

• live, work or have relatives in Islington 

• have a joint household income up to £60,000 or 

• earn up to £55,000 if you are buying on your own. 

We would like to hear from you now! 

Contact us 

T 020 7527 7809 

E housingdirectsharedownership@islington.org.uk 

W www.islington.gov.uk/housing 

Sample property 

One double bedroom, first floor apartment 

in N1. 

Sample costs: 

Full value: £250,000.00 

Price to you (based on 40% share): £100,000.00 

Estimated monthly mortgage: £565.36* 

Monthly rent: £343.75 

Monthly service charge: £72.00 

Total estimated cost: £981.11 

* You should obtain your own mortgage. The above is an example only 

and is based on 25 years repayment period at 5.4%. We recommend 

a minimum household income of £24,000. 

Hanna, a recent happy customer of the shared ownership scheme said: 

“The staff were very helpful, buying a property is very stressful but Islington Council were able to deal with all my queries 

promptly. Within two months of accepting the offer I became a home owner. I would recommend the Shared Ownership 

Scheme to anyone wanting to get on the property ladder as the properties on offer are definitely value for money.” 

Plans for new 

housing in N7 

We have just launched a consultation 

on our early ideas to redevelop the 

derelict Bramber House site on the 

Lower Hilldrop Estate. These include 

providing: 

much-needed new council 

housing which will be offered first 

to local people 

better open space and more green 

areas on the estate 

a new library to replace the John 

Barnes Library. We will provide a 

temporary library while work is 

underway. 

Housing information 

– website changes 

Now that housing services have 

reintegrated into the council, the 

Homes for Islington website is no longer 

available. Most of the content from it 

has moved to the housing section of 

the council’s website. 

Visit www.islington.gov.uk/housing 

Find out more 

There are full details and a feedback form on our website at 

www.islington.gov.uk/consultations and a display in the 

John Barnes Library. The deadline for feedback is 20 December. 

12


Christmas at home 

Local residents Sue and her son, Michael, of N1 are looking forward to Christmas in their new home 

Local families are getting 

the first chance to bid 

for new council homes 

in Islington, thanks to 

the council's new Local 

Lettings Policy. 

The policy means that when new homes 

are built on council estates, residents 

on the estate get first priority to bid for 

the new homes. This helps local families 

living in overcrowded situations to move 

into a bigger home, and gives other 

households the chance of a new flat. 

Islington is the first council to say 

“no” to the Government and Mayor of 

London’s plans to allow social rents to 

rise to near-market levels. In Islington, 

we are keeping our council homes 

at social rent, so that families on low 

wages can afford them. 

New tenant, Sue Kara of N1, and her 

son, Michael, are celebrating their first 

Christmas in their new home. Sue said: 

“I have been homeless and living in 

temporary accommodation or with 

friends since 2001 so the thing I have 

now is security. 

“The new flat is beautiful! It’s bigger, 

brighter and much quieter than my 

previous place. I’ve really enjoyed using 

the balconies throughout the summer 

and love my new modern kitchen! 

“I feel much safer than where I was 

before. Our new home has made a big 

difference to me and my son. My old 

place was dark and I feared being there. 

My new home is lovely and light and my 

son loves it too.” 

Sue, who suffers from chronic fatigue 

syndrome, cannot work and has cared 

for her son for four years following 

a serious road accident. She says the 

move has given her a real boost: 

“It’s like being reborn, a new beginning 

and a new future for me and my son. 

“I’m really looking forward to 

Christmas. This is the first time in a 

long time we are able to enjoy all the 

festivities in a place that feels like home.” 

Cllr James Murray, Islington Council's 

executive member for housing, said: 

“We are desperately short of 

affordable family homes in Islington. We 

believe the Government's plan to raise 

rents is wrong for Islington - so we have 

made our own plan to build hundreds 

of new homes for social rent across the 

borough. 

“And with our Local Lettings Policy, 

when we build new homes on Islington 

estates, local people will get the first 

chance to bid for them.” 

By 2014, the council will deliver 

1,800 new homes for affordable rent – 

many of them will be family sized. 

13

Young Islington 

Pioneering approach 

to children’s play 

Children in Islington should have 

more opportunities to run, jump, 

swing and climb in unique play spaces 

that challenge them, according to a 

pioneering new Islington Council policy. 

The policy, Managing Risk in Play 

Provision, is the first of its type to be 

adopted by a local authority in England. 

Islington is already at the forefront of 

designing adventurous and exciting 

play opportunities across the borough’s 

And the winners are… 

Award winners (left to right): 

Caric James, Julious Joseph and 

Carl Osbourne 

Islington's inspirational young people 

and youth projects were celebrated 

last month at the Youth Achievement 

Awards, held as part of National Youth 

Work Week (5-9 November). 

The winners included: 

Young Achiever of the Year Award - 

parks and open spaces. The new policy 

will now also apply to play areas on all 

of Islington's housing estates and at 

children's centres and leisure facilities. 

More information about 

the Managing Risk in Play 

Provision policy can be found 

at www.islington.gov.uk/ 

riskinplay 

Dene Figueira De Sousa 

Volunteering Award - Adam Rachid 

Sporting Individual Award - Pro 

Excellence Sports Academy - Caric 

James and Julious Joseph 

Youth Project of the Year Award 

- Pro Excellence Sports Academy - 

Caric James and Julious Joseph 

Young Voice Award - Victoria 

Azubuike 

Young Arts Award - Shantelle 

Peterking 

Members of Islington's Youth 

Council were involved in scoring the 

nominations and Youth councillor 

Jasmine Martins, said: 

“Choosing the final award winners 

was a difficult process. Every single 

young person living in Islington should 

be proud of the work they do to benefit 

them and their peers.” 

Apply now for Islington 

primary schools 

If your child was born between 1 

September 2008 and 31 August 

2009 they will be starting primary 

school in September 2013. It is 

important that you apply on time – 

the deadline is 15 January 2013. 

For everything you need 

to know about Islington 

schools and how to apply 

see our primary school admissions 

brochure, or go to 

www.islington.gov.uk/admissions 

Youth Job 

Opportunities 

Bulletin 

The latest issue of the Youth Job 

Opportunities Bulletin is available 

on Islington’s youth website 

www.izzy-info.com/jobs. 

Packed full of vacancies, it brings 

together apprenticeships and jobs in a 

range of sectors for local young people. 

The website also has lots of advice 

for young people on applying for jobs 

and attending interviews. 

14


Youth 

Councillor, 

Jasmine 

Martins, writes 

on behalf of 

the Youth 

Council. 

Young producers for Occupy (left to right): Alistair (19), Brea (16), Emma (18), 

Daniel (19), Christelle (17) and Jacob (16) 

Young people create 

arts spectacular 

Young people from across Islington are 

being given the chance to create and 

perform in a new show called ‘Occupy’, 

which will include cutting edge art, 

electrifying music, eye-popping theatre 

and inspiring spoken word. 

Six young people (pictured) aged 

16-19 have been recruited for 

six months to work with local arts 

organisations to develop skills across a 

range of areas as well as work with other 

young people aged 13-19 to develop 

the Occupy programme. 

They will be supported by local 

organisation All Change, the creative 

director for Occupy and are being paid 

the London Living Wage. The project 

Islington shortlisted for 

children’s social care awards 

Protecting vulnerable children is one 

of the most important responsibilities 

of any council. Islington takes 

this responsibility very seriously 

so it is pleasing to have this work 

acknowledged. 

In November the council was 

shortlisted in four different categories 

in the prestigious Social Worker of the 

Year Awards 2012 - a registered charity 

is supported by Arts Council England 

and will give the young people a good 

foundation for a career in the arts. 

Renowned local arts organisations 

Cubitt Education, Apples and Snakes, 

Islington Community Theatre, the 

Lovebuzz Project and the Random Dance 

company are helping to shape the event. 

Production and rehearsals for Occupy 

start in January 2013, and the show will 

open to the public over Easter at the end 

of March. 

Find out more at 

www.platformislington.org.uk 

which aims to improve the reputation 

and understanding of the social work 

profession. 

At the time IslingtonLife went 

to print the results were not 

available but for updates 

including the winners, visit 

www.socialworkawards.com 

f 

“Since our last update, myself 

and Y Cllrs Elliot and Victoria 

have been looking at ways we 

can encourage organisations 

to invest in youth provision 

in Islington. We met some 

potential investors and 

spoke to them about the 

importance of youth services, 

telling them our experiences. 

We are also looking at how 

we can get other young 

people across the borough 

involved in developing youth 

provision. 

“Y Cllrs Harry and Innocent 

have been assessing the 

coverage of young people 

in the local papers to see 

what positive stories are 

published about young 

people. They are also planning 

inter-generational events 

where young people and 

older people could meet and 

exchange stories. 

“The Youth Council were 

pleased to hear about the 

council's new bursary that 

gives teenagers up to £300 

a year to help them start 

further education. We were 

worried about EMA being 

abolished by the Government, 

so this is a good scheme for 

young people facing financial 

hardship. 

“Remember to follow us on 

Facebook and Twitter to keep 

updated with our work.” 

Follow us on Twitter 

@IslingtonYC 

Follow us on Facebook 

@IslingtonYC 

15

Christmas in Islington 

Seasonal opening hours 

Over the festive period, a number of our services will be operating with different opening and closing times. 

For the full details please look at our website at www.islington.gov.uk/bankholidays 

Parking 

Restrictions will be 

as normal except 

on 25 December, and 1 January 

when only obstructions and 

dangerously parked vehicles will be 

enforced. 

Contact Islington 

Normal service hours from 

now until 21 December and 

after 2 January. Festive opening 

times as follows: 

24 December - 9am-5pm 

25 December – closed 


27 December - 9am-5pm 

28 December – 9am-5pm 



31 December – 9am-5pm 

1 January - closed 

2 January – normal hours 

resume, 8am-6pm 

Contact Islington will remain 

open for out of hours emergency 

housing repairs over this period. 

Call 020 7527 2000. 

Registry office 

The registry office will be 

open as normal except 

for 24, 27, 28 and 31 

December when it will close at 3pm. 

Parks 

The gates on all of our 

parks will not be locked on: 

24 December - they 

will remain open until 5pm 27 

December 

31 December - they will remain 

open until 5pm on 2 January 

Parks are open as normal at all 

other times. 

On 26 December, restrictions 

apply in match day zone only for 

Arsenal home match with minimal 

enforcement elsewhere. There is also 

a match at Emirates Stadium on 29 

December when additional match day 

restrictions apply. 

Libraries 

All libraries will be open 

as usual except on 

25, 26 and 30 December and 1 

January when they will be closed. 

On 24 December they will close at 

1pm and 31 December they will 

close at 5pm. Normal hours will 

commence on 2 January. 

Leisure centres 

Leisure centres may 

have different opening 

hours during the Christmas and New 

Year period. For details on your local 

centre visit the Aquaterra website at 

www.aquaterra.org or see posters 

inside the centres. 

Cemeteries 

Cemeteries will be open as 

usual over the Christmas 

period except: 

Trent Park –will be open at 10am 

-4pm on 25 and 26 December, 

and 1 January. 

Hampstead – will be open at 

10am-2pm on 25 December, and 

10am-4pm on 26 December and 

1 January. 

Islington and St Pancras - will 

be open 10am-2pm on 25 

December, and 9am-4pm on 

26 December and 1 January. 

The cemeteries office will be open 

as normal except on 25 and 26 

December and 1 January when it 

will be closed. 

Christmas 

tree collection 

service 

Recycling your Christmas tree is easy 

with the council’s collection service: 

Street properties - leave your tree 

inside the edge of your property 

along with your other recycling on 

your normal collection day. 

Estates - The council will collect 

trees from estates on 2-13 

January 2013. Ask your caretaker 

whereabouts on the estate you 

should leave it 

Drop-off points in parks 5-13 

January 2013 – King Square, 

Barnard Park, Rosemary Gardens, 

Elthorne Park. The Reuse and 

Recycling Centre on Hornsey 

Street accepts green waste and 

Christmas trees all year round. 

All decorations need to be 

removed and only real Christmas 

trees will be collected. 


www.islington.gov.uk/recycling 

or call 020 7527 2000. 

16


Anti-social behaviour 

and noise patrol service 

The anti-social behaviour (ASB) 

reporting line will operate as normal 

over the Christmas/New Year period. 

You can report ASB at any time on 

020 7527 7272 or at 

www.islington.gov.uk/reportasb 

The ASB response team will operate 

the following hours: 

24 December - 12noon-8pm 

25 December - no service 

26 December - 4pm-midnight 


28 December - 5pm-4am 

29 December - 5pm-4am 


31 December - 12noon-8pm 

1 January 2013 - 4pm-midnight 

The noise patrol service will 

not operate on 24, 25 and 31 

December. Usual patrol service will 

apply at all other times. 

In an emergency always dial 999. 

Recycling and rubbish collections 

Changes to 

collection days 

over Christmas: 

Normal collection day Revised collection day 

Tuesday 25 December Wednesday 26 December 

Wednesday 26 December Thursday 27 December 

Thursday 27 December Friday 28 December 

Friday 28 December Saturday 29 December 

Monday 31 December Monday 31 December 

Tuesday 1 January Wednesday 2 January 

Wednesday 2 January Thursday 3 January 

Thursday 3 January Friday 4 January 

Friday 4 January 

Saturday 5 January 


www.islington.gov.uk/recycling 

Winter gritting 

During the winter months, particularly during bad weather, we’ll be gritting 

roads and pavements to ensure that safe passage along our streets is not 

endangered by snow or ice. On a number of main routes, we will pre-grit the 

roads when bad weather is forecast. 

To keep up-to-date on which roads have been gritted, follow us on 

Twitter @islingtonBC 

For more information, visit www.islington.gov.uk/gritting 

Stuff your food 

waste caddy this 

Christmas 

Remember to put any leftovers into 

your kitchen caddy so that they can 

be recycled. 

The council accept all raw and 

cooked foods, apart from large 

bones. However, if you are using 

bags to store your food waste make 

sure you use compostable liners 

(available free from your local library). 

We cannot recycle any other bags, 

including plastic bags or 

black sacks; even if 

they say they are 

biodegradable. 

For 

information 

on recycling your 

food waste visit 

www.islington.gov. 

uk/recycling 

Free 

2012 

all day parking 

voucher valid on: 

Thursday 

27 December 2012 

2012 

Valid all zones 

2012 

Valid all day in resident 

permit holder on-street 

parking places only 

2012 

Free 

2012 

all day parking 

voucher valid on: 

Friday 

28 December 2012 

2012 

Valid all zones 

2012 

Valid all day in resident 

permit holder on-street 

parking places only 

2012 

17

TIRED OF ENDLESS PIECES 

OF JUNK MAIL PILING UP? 

Say “NO” to 

junk mail 

Did you know that the average household in the UK receives around 650 pieces of junk mail 

each year? In north London, this is equivalent to 18kg of rubbish per household. 

5 

easy ways to reduce junk mail 

1 Place a ‘No Junk Mail’ sticker or sign on your front door. 

 

2 with the Mailing Preference Service. 

Register with Royal Mail’s Door to Door Opt Out. 

3 

4 

Avoid joining new mailing lists by ticking opt-out boxes on forms. 

5 Return unwanted mail - write ‘return to sender’ on the envelope first. 

Find out more and claim your FREE Say “NO” to junk mail action pack 

and No Junk Mail sticker at www.nlwa.gov.uk/nojunkmail 

18

Money advice 

Is Christmas 

costing too much? 

If you are worrying about how you are going to pay your rent or bills this Christmas 

then please get help. Struggling with money is nothing to be ashamed about and 

there is plenty of support in Islington. 

We know that benefits changes are making money tight for many households so 

it is important that you don’t overstretch yourself this Christmas. Don’t be tempted 

by pay day loans or illegal loan sharks and don’t think you have to suffer alone. 

Help is here 

New advice line 

For free and confidential advice, 

call the Islington advice line on 

020 7288 7676 or email admin@ 

rcjadvice.org.uk 

This line has advice and support 

provided by Islington's Citizens Advice 

Bureau, Islington Law Centre, Islington 

People's Rights and Disability Action in 

Islington. 

We can’t stop the benefits changes 

being brought in by the Government, 

but we have pledged over £3million 

of funding and support in the next 

three years to advice agencies to 

provide debt and welfare support to 

residents. 

Multiple debt team 

Our new multiple debt 

team are contacting 

everyone who has more than 

one overdue debt owed to the 

council. If you are in rent and 

council tax arrears, or owe 

other money to the council, we 

will work with you to help you pay 

your debts and manage your money. 

The team will agree a payment 

plan with you that allows you to 

pay your arrears in one monthly (or 

weekly) payment – rather than 

several payments to different 

departments. 

✓ Worrying about rent 

or mortgage 

✓ Can’t afford electric 

and gas top-ups 

✓ Skipping meals to 

pay for presents 

✓ Using pay day loans 

or loan sharks 

Low cost instant loans 

We have been working with our 

local Credit Union to provide 

residents with low cost instant loans 

as an alternative to pay day loans. 

Contact the Credit Union on 

020 7561 1786 email 

Info@credit-union.coop or 

visit www.credit-union.coop 

For details on the advice and 

support in Islington go to 


moneyadvice 

For information on the 

benefits changes, visit www. 

islington.gov.uk/benefitschanges 

Getting back into work 

The best way to beat the benefit cuts is to get into work, or 

self-employment. See page 20 for advice on how Islington 

Working for Parents, our Adult Community Learning Courses 

and the new Business Enterprise Club could help you. 

19

Local life 

Helping parents back into work 

If you are an unemployed parent, with 

a child aged under-five, you will have 

seen that your benefits are changing and 

it is likely that you will get less money. 

The best way to increase your family’s 

income is to get a job, and the Islington 

Working for Parents team can help you 

do just that. 

Their friendly team will work with you 

on a one-to-one basis and provide a 

personal service that is tailored to your 

needs. This might be helping you to find 

and apply for the right jobs, prepare 

for interviews, or even just giving you 

that extra confidence boost. Through 

contacts with other teams and agencies, 

the team can also help you look at other 

things such as the best way to improve 

your income and the childcare options 

available. 

The team have helped hundreds 

of parents back into work. Let them 

help you. 

A new year – 

a new career? 

Islington Council runs many free courses 

to help residents to develop the skills and 

confidence needed to get into work or into 

further education. 

To enrol on a course all you need to do is 

come along to your local learning centre at 

either Hargrave Park, 3Corners, Arsenal Red 

Zone, or First Steps on 17 or 18 December. 

Here you can also chat to our friendly staff 

about the right course for you. 

To get in touch call, 

020 7527 4486, email 

iwfp@islington.gov.uk 

or visit your local Islington 

children’s centre or Job Centre Plus. 

case 

study 

Cherri Nadine is 

a single parent 

with a five year 

old son. Cherri 

contacted 

Islington Working for Parents in 

2011 and she told us how the 

team helped her: 

“At first we completed an 

assessment and I attended a 

confidence course. My adviser, 

Lindsay, then helped me to get a 

volunteering opportunity with the 

council’s Energy Advice team. 

“I worked towards a qualification 

in Energy Awareness and she 

supported me in applying for a job 

as a Warm and Healthy Homes 

Assessor with the council. I was 

successful and started work on 

1 October.” 


www.islington.gov.uk/acl 

Adult learner, Kadir Ibrahim (pictured left), with council learning and careers 

advisor, Estifanos Abebe 

Advice and support for local entrepreneurs 

The new Business Enterprise Club, 

based at St Luke’s Community 

Centre in EC1 offers practical help 

for those who want to set up their 

own business. The offer includes free 

desk space, an accredited training 

programme and mentoring provided 

by volunteers from local businesses. 

The club is open weekdays 

9-5pm. Contact Shanice Lindsay 

on 020 7549 8181 for more 

information. 

20


Save energy and money 

with the Green Deal 

The Green Deal is a new government 

scheme, due to start next year, that can 

help you become more energy efficient, 

save money on fuel bills, stay warmer 

and improve your home. 

Energy efficiency improvements, 

such as insulation and better heating, 

can be installed in your home at 

no upfront cost. The cost of the 

improvements is instead repaid by a 

charge on your electricity bill. 

The Green Deal is just one initiative 

that can help you to save energy and 

save money. Here are some other 

initiatives the council provides: 

The Energy Doctor – provides advice 

on how best to use heating and 

fitting measures to save energy, and 

over the last 3 years has helped over 

2,300 vulnerable households save at 

least £100 each. 

SHINE (Seasonal Health Interventions 

Network) – this award-winning 

service offered in partnership with 

NHS Islington is a one-stop referral 

service to help reduce winter deaths 

and illness. 

We’ve also supported vulnerable 

residents by providing schemes to replace 

old inefficient boilers and installing loft and 

cavity wall insulation. 

For further information on the 

Green Deal and other energy saving 

initiatives, contact Islington Energy 

Advice Service on 0800 953 1221 or 

at greenliving@islington.gov.uk 

You can also visit 

www.islington.gov.uk/energy 

Keep warm, 

save money! 

As winter draws in, it is important to 

try and make your home as energy 

efficient and cosy as possible. There 

are a number of things you can do to 

keep warm including: 

fitting radiator panels 

lining your curtains, and 

adding draught-proofing strips to 

your windows and doors. 

For ideas on saving energy and 

money, come along to a workshop 

- you will even learn how to make 

thermal linings for your curtains 

without using a sewing machine! 

To book, call 0800 953 1221. 

By turning your thermostat 

down by just 1 degree, you 

can save 

£55 per year on 

your heating bill. 

Could you be a champion for older people? 

We have an exciting opportunity for 

a second Older People’s Champion in 

Islington. The appointment will be until 

the summer of 2014 and is suitable 

for anyone with an understanding and 

experience of the issues faced by older 

people within the borough. 

Although the position is unpaid, the 

champion will be able to develop the role, 

make a real difference to the community 

and have a genuine input into the way 

the council works for older people. 

If you think you could be one of our 

Older People’s Champions fill in the form 

below, and tell us in about 50 words 

the one thing that you would like to see 

change in Islington to help older people. 

Please return your completed form 

by 7 January 2013 to Islington Town 

Hall, any of our libraries, or by post to: 

Older People’s Champion, Room G12, 

Town Hall, Upper Street, N1 2UD. 

Some of Islington’s older residents 

enjoying Christmas lunch at the 

Assembly Hall last year 

Name: 

Address: . 

Phone number: 

Email: 

✁ 

The one thing I would like to see change in Islington to help older people is: 

21

Healthy living 

Make 2013 the year 

you quit smoking 

Drink sensibly for 

a healthier future 

It is estimated that alcohol 

contributes to one in 20 deaths 

in Islington and the borough has 

the highest rate of alcohol-related 

hospital admissions in London. 

Additionally, alcohol consumption 

is increasingly identified as a major 

factor behind violent crime and 

disorder in the borough with serious 

consequences to victims. 

Alcohol excess can damage lives 

so it is important you get the balance 

right. 

It is recommended that women 

should not regularly drink more than 

2-3 units a day - that’s no more 

than one standard 175ml glass of 

wine (ABV 13%) – and men should 

not regularly drink more than 3-4 

units a day –that’s not much more 

than one pint of strong lager, beer 

or cider. 

Beyond the recommended limits, 

alcohol’s potential benefits on the 

heart are outweighed by the risks of 

getting illnesses, such as liver disease 

or cancer. Regularly exceeding the 

recommended guidelines can also 

disrupt sleep, affect fertility, provoke 

depression and intensify existing 

mental health problems. 

Reduce your 

alcohol intake 

If you tend to have a 

drink at a certain time of day, 

break the habit, do something 

different at that time 

Try and have at least two alcohol 

free days a week 

Pace yourself by sipping slowly 

and enjoy the taste. And space 

your drinks out - have a soft drink 

in between 

Have a smaller bottle of beer or a 

single instead of a double 

Swap your usual for a drink with 

lower alcohol content. 

For more information and 

guidance on reducing your 

alcohol consumption, visit 

www.nhs.uk/Change4Life and 

search under ‘alcohol’. 

If you are concerned you’re 

drinking too much and 

would like some advice, 

contact the Islington Community 

Alcohol Service on 020 7833 

9899 or drop in any morning 

9.30am-1.30pm (Thursdays, 

women only) to: 

Islington Community Alcohol 

Service, 332c Goswell Road, 

EC1V 7LQ. 

Outside opening hours call 

the 24-hour helpline on 

08000 66 55 25. 

For many, giving up 

smoking is right up 

there on the New Year’s 

resolution list. It can 

be a difficult one to 

cross off, however, and 

research shows that you 

are four times more likely to 

stop smoking with your local stop smoking 

service than by going ‘cold turkey’. 

If you are want to give up cigarettes, 

contact Smoke Free Islington on 

0800 093 9030 or email 

stopsmoking@islingtonpct.nhs.uk 

Top tips to stop smoking: 

Contact your local NHS Stop 

Smoking Service 

Identify your smoking triggers 

and plan ahead 

Take it one day at a time and reward 

yourself every day that you don’t 

smoke 

Buddy up with a friend and support 

each other 

Use nicotine replacement products or 

other stop smoking medicines to cope 

with the withdrawal symptoms 

Avoid situations where you might be 

tempted to smoke again 

Keep a note how much cash you are 

saving as an incentive 

Keep telling yourself you can do it! 

Free health clubs 

for half-term 

MoreLife fit clubs will be in Islington 

during February half-term. 

11-17 year-olds can benefit from a 

free week-long holiday programme with 

fitness classes, healthy eating advice 

and 12 months’ free access to MoreLife 

Online. Call 0113 812 5233, email 

team@more-life.co.uk or visit, 

www.more-life.co.uk 

22


Winter-proof your workout 

While animals hibernate and plants shed their leaves, people 

naturally tend to slow down during the cold, wet winter 

months. But hibernating isn’t going to burn any calories, so it’s 

important to keep motivation levels high and take time away 

from the comfort of the sofa! 

To ensure that your fitness regime doesn’t freeze this 

winter, James McNulty, Better Fitness Instructor at the 

newly reopened Ironmonger Row Baths, has 

the following tips: 

1. Set specific goals 

Having something concrete to aim for will keep you 

focussed. If you haven’t exercised before start slow 

and choose an exercise regime you know you’ll enjoy. 

Aerobics, treadmill walking, weight training, badminton or 

swimming are all great winter options. 

2. Warm up thoroughly 

During colder weather your body will take longer to warm 

up, increasing the risk of injury. Ensure you walk for 10 

minutes or stretch thoroughly before you get going. 

Ironmonger Row Baths offers a huge range of 

health and fitness activities, with something to 

suit everyone. For more information, visit 

www.better.org.uk 

IRONMONGER 

ROW BATHS IS 

NOW OPEN 

To celebrate the re-opening of 

Ironmonger Row Baths, enjoy no 

contract and no joining fees. 

Now that’s better... 

Join online at 

www.better.org.uk/ironmongerrow 

NO CONTRACT & 

NO JOINING FEE. 

HURRY! LIMITED OFFER. 

3. Get straight to it 

Don’t go home after work, which will give you every excuse 

to settle on the sofa. Instead, go straight to the gym while 

you’re still feeling motivated and ready for action. 

Scan this QR code with your mobile reader. 

Don’t have the app? 

Search for “QR code reader” in your app store. 

4. Phone a friend 

Try and find a workout buddy who’ll go to the gym with you. 

Research shows that if you train with a friend, you’ll be more 

motivated and more likely to meet your fitness targets. 

In partnership with 

Terms and conditions: Offer is valid until 31 st January 2013 on Better Health & Fitness prepaid memberships, excluding single activity 

memberships. We reserve the right to withdraw the offer without notice. 

Registered address: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London SE18 6SX. IPS Registered No. 27793R Inland Revenue Charity No. 

XR43398 

Your 

daily dose 

According to the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, 

adults should aim for 2 and a half hours each 

week of moderate intensity activity – this is 

when you are slightly out of breath, you can 

talk but not sing - or 75 minutes of vigorous 

activity, or a combination of both. 

It is also recommended that adults undertake 

muscle strengthening exercises, such as lifting 

light weights, twice a week and aim to reduce 

the time spent sitting throughout the day. 

Helping you get there 

If you suffer from a health condition that 

would benefit from exercise you may be 

eligible for Islington’s Exercise on Referral 

programme. Contact your GP or health 

professional for more information, or visit 

www.onedeepbreath.co.uk/eor.html 

If you are facing a recent diagnosis or 

recovering from cancer, you may be eligible 

for Islington’s Cancer Survivorship Exercise 

programme. Contact Aquaterra Leisure for 

more information 020 7689 9846/7 

or visit, www.aquaterra.org/cancersurvivorship-programme 

Be a fit 

family 

Learn how to eat 

more healthily, get 

active and meet local 

families with MEND. 

This is a fun, free 

10 week programme 

for children and 

parents. 

Contact Courtney 

Deutrom on 

020 7686 0802 

for information. 

23

People and places 

Bright Sparks moves into furniture 

Islington's small electrical items project 

'Bright Sparks' is expanding into 

furniture, white goods and clothes! 

Bright Sparks is also getting a new 

shop thanks to Islington Council's 

housing department and their 

contractor Kier, who are working 

together to supply the repair and reuse 

scheme with unwanted items, left by 

tenants moving out of council-owned 

properties. Previously these items 

would have been sent to landfill so this 

saves the council money, helps the 

planet - and a local charity who 

distributes the repaired items to 

families in need. 

The repairs are done at a workshop 

based in disused garages on one of our 

estates where local volunteers can learn 

useful new skills such as, basic fault 

finding, electrical rewiring, PC repair and 

software installation. They can also work 

in the ‘Bright Sparks’ shop. Three of the 

scheme's volunteers have since got paid 

jobs elsewhere this year. 

It was an emotional moment when 

Howard Garrick phoned his mum to 

tell her he was Islington’s Volunteer 

of the Year. 

Howard first had contact with the 

Pillion Trust when he was homeless 

and sleeping on the streets of Islington. 

At that time he didn't have contact 

with his mother but the Pillion Trust 

provided him with the help and support 

he needed to turn his life around. He 

enrolled on college courses and started 

volunteering in a drop-in centre. 

Howard has since started Pillion Rocks, 

where people who have been homeless 

play gigs at community events. He also 

set up Splash Pillion, which provides a 

painting and decorating service to people 

Bright Sparks volunteer, Mohammed Issufo 

Volunteer Mohammed Issufo said: 

“I've always been interested in IT 

and a friend told me about Bright 

Sparks. I went to the office and 

asked if I could be involved with the 

computer and networking repairs. I've 

been volunteering two days a week 

and have learnt a lot. We deal with 

all sorts of computers and servers, 

so it's really useful and you learn from 

other people.” 

Islington’s volunteer of the year 

who are being re-housed. 

Howard was nominated for the 

Volunteer of the Year Award due to his 

contribution in helping to set up shelters 

for homeless people. 

Howard really loves the work he does 

as a volunteer and said: 

“I want to show people they can do 

things differently and belong. 

“Volunteering has provided me with 

some space to be myself and helped me 

to create change in the world.” 

The Mayor of Islington presented 

Howard with the Jury’s Inn Volunteer 

of the Year Award at a ceremony 

arranged by Voluntary Action Islington 

in November - other people and 

organisations in the borough were also 

recognised for their contributions. 

If you are interested in 

volunteering, visit 

www.vai.org.uk/volunteering 

or contact Voluntary Action 

Islington on 020 7832 5800, or 

at volunteer@vai.org.uk 

To get involved or 

donate items, email 

shop@brightsparksonline.com 

or drop into: 

Bright Sparks Electrical 

225 Seven Sisters Road, N4 2DA 

Bright Sparks Reuse Furniture 

153 Fortess Road, NW5 1AD 


www.islington.gov.uk/brightsparks 

Self Portrait by 

Christine Entwisle 

Christine Entwisle is one of the 

artists working with residents and 

community groups in Finsbury and 

Archway as part of the 'A Million 

Minutes' arts project. 

Christine is a performer, writer 

and film maker who has been 

working with Mind on Archway 

Road, experimenting with Super 

8mm film to share ideas about 

recurring images and thoughts. 

For more information, 

including the launch 

of a new exhibition 

programme in January, see 

www.amillionminutes.org 

24


TV’s Carrie and David Grant say 

adoption changed their lives 

Islington Council, in partnership 

with four neighbouring boroughs 

– known as the North London 

Adoption Consortium – hosted 

their annual adoption information 

event last month at the Islington 

IslingtonLife Assembly Hall. Spring 2012 

Over 100 people attended the 

event where honest, emotional 

and heart-warming stories about 

adoption were told by parents 

Carrie and David Grant who have already adopted – 

at Islington’s adoption 

including celebrity vocal coaches 

event last month 

Carrie and David Grant. 

Carrie and David spoke about their motivation to adopt 

their child and how it changed their lives too. Carrie said: 

“People say how lucky our child is to have us adopt him, 

but I think we are the lucky ones.” 

Graham, a recent adoptive parent said: 

“It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to us – I am so 

excited about Christmas! It’s amazing.” 

Information on adoption in Islington is always 

available. Contact the adoption team on 

0800 073 3344, or visit 

www.islington.gov.uk/adoption 

Join the library for a chance to win! 

Join your local library before 

World Book Day on Thursday 

7 March and enter the draw 

to win Aquaterra monthly 

leisure passes, book tokens, 

shopping vouchers, or a tour 

of Emirates stadium! The 

first 500 people to join will 

also receive an Aquaterra 

day pass (offer available to 

those aged 16 years+). 

Join today – it’s free! Visit 


jointhelibrary or pop-in 

to your local library. 

More reasons to 

join the library 

Besides the chance to win 

great prizes there are lots 

of great things to explore 

and enjoy at our libraries 

including: 

The latest film and music 

releases 

The latest bestselling 

books and audio books 

24/7 online resource and 

information 

Access to a national book 

reservation service 

Free computer and 

internet use 

Great activities and 

events including Baby 

Bounce, Under Five’s 

sessions, toy libraries and 

Homework Clubs. 

Coming soon… free e-books to download and read! 

Bunhill Ward 

– in focus 

Bunhill Ward covers City Road 

down to the fringes of the 

City of London in the south of 

the borough. Approximately 

12,150 live in Bunhill Ward 

which accounts for 6% of 

Islington’s population. 

Did you know? 

■ ■ Moorfields Eye Hospital, on 

City Road EC1V, was the 

first of its kind in England 

and was originally called 

'The London Dispensary 

for Curing Diseases of the 

Eye and Ear'. 

■ ■ John Milton lived in 

Artillery Walk (later 125 

Bunhill Road) in 1663, 

and he finished the poem, 

'Paradise Regained', from 

this address. 

■ ■ The name Bunhill is 

derived from ‘bone hill’ 

which is thought to be 

attributed to the fact that 

in 1549 wagonloads of 

bones from the charnel 

house at St Paul's were 

deposited on Bunhill Row 

Schools & children’s 

centres 

■ ■ Moreland and King Square 

Children’s Centre, EC1V 

8BB 

■ ■ St Luke’s CE Primary 

School Nursery, EC1V 3SJ 

■ ■ St Peter and St Paul 

Primary School Nursery, 

Goswell Road, EC1V 0EU 

Bunhill Ward councillors 

Troy Gallagher 

Labour 

Claudia Webbe 

Labour 

■ ■ Moreland Primary School 

Nursery, EC1V 8BB 

■ ■ Central Foundation Boys’ 

School, EC2A 4AP 

■ ■ Richard Cloudesley Special 

School, EC1Y 0TJ 

■ ■ City and Islington College 

(CANDI), EC1V 7LA 

Community centres 

■ ■ Moreland Community 

House, EC1V 8BB 

■ ■ St Luke’s Community 

Centre, EC1V 8AJ 

■ ■ Rahere House Community 

Centre, EC1V 8DE 

The arts 

■■London Symphony 

Orchestra 

■■Arts Catalyst 

■■Spectrum music project 

Parks and open spaces 

■ ■ Compton Park 

■ ■ Finsbury Square 

■ ■ Fortune Street Park 

■ ■ King Square 

■ ■ Owens Field 

■ ■ Quaker Gardens 

■ ■ Radnor Street Gardens 

■ ■ St Luke’s Church and 

Gardens 

Robert Khan 

Labour 

25

Noticeboard 

Nappuccino 

dates 

Come along for a coffee and 

find out about the advantages 

of using real cloth nappies and 

how to apply for a real nappy voucher. 

The next nappuccino session will be held at the 

I-Recycle Centre, 1 Cottage Road, N7 8TP, opposite 

Caledonian Road tube station. 

Upcoming sessions will start at 10.30am on the 

following dates: 

8 January 2013 

5 February 2013 

5 March 2013 

To book a place please call 020 7527 5157, or email 

jean.hughes@islington.gov.uk 

For real nappy sales and more comprehensive talks 

about the different types of nappies and washing 

tips, visit Real Nappies for London - Events at 

www.realnappiesforlondon.org.uk 

Contact Islington 

Islington’s customer service centre is located on 

the ground floor of 222 Upper Street, N1. 

Pop in to speak to one of the team or 

call 8am-6pm Monday to Friday 

(8.30am-6pm Wednesdays). 

020 7527 2000 

contact@islington.gov.uk 

Stay informed and updated and be the 

first to hear about the latest news – 

follow us on Twitter @IslingtonLife 

Send your letters and comments 

on the magazine to: 


Room G16 

Town Hall, Upper Street, N1 2UD 

Islingtonlife@islington.gov.uk 

020 7527 3416 

Are you in 

the draw to 

win £3,000? 

Start the year with a cash 

boost! Sign up to pay your 

Council Tax by direct debit 

before Friday 25 January and be in with a chance of 

winning £3,000 in our January prize draw! 

Direct debit is the quickest, easiest way to pay your 

council tax – sign up at www.islington.gov.uk/ 

directdebit or by calling 020 7527 2633. 

New 

charge for 

developers 

Islington is one of the 

smallest and yet most 

densely developed and 

populated authorities in the 

country. In order to ensure that the future growth of 

the borough can be accommodated sustainably, the 

council is introducing new charge on developers called 

the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). 

Further consultation will take place in the 

New Year and once in place the charge raise 

funding for infrastructure and community facilities such 

as transport, parks, sports, libraries, schools and health 

facilities. For further information, 

visit www.islington.gov.uk/cil 

Diary dates 

Upcoming council meetings for the diary include. 

13 December 2012 – Housing Executive 

14 January 2013 – Executive 

17 January 2013 – Planning Committee 

24 January 2013 – Council 

05 February 2013 – Housing Executive 

and Planning Committee 

07 February 2013 – Executive 


www.islington.gov.uk/democracy 

26


Get on 

your bike 

The council are running free cycle 

training courses during February 

half-term. All you need to take part 

is a bike and a helmet. Three courses 

are available: 

Learning To Ride (5-9 years old): 

for children who've never cycled before 

Bikeability Level 1 - Off Road Control Skills (7-12): for 

children that can already cycle 

Bikeability Level 2 - Introduction to Road Cycling (9-12): for 

children who can cycle well 

Training takes place at a number of locations including 

Elthorne Park, Rosemary Gardens, Castlehaven Community 

Association Centre and Waterside Youth and Play Project. 

Cycle training is also available all year round for adults who 

live, work or study in the borough. It is free and delivered as 

one-to-one sessions. 

Free hire 

of Islington 

Assembly Hall 

If you’re a community 

organisation or charity based 

in Islington, check out 

www.islington.gov.uk/assemblyhall in 

January for details on how to apply to hire the 

prestigious venue for a maximum of five hours 

free of charge on a selected date. 

Applications must show a commitment to 

provide events and activities that meet certain 

criteria. 

For full details, visit the website or contact 

us on 020 7527 8900 in the New Year. 

For more information, visit www.islington.gov.uk/ 

cycletraining or to book contact David Shannon at 

david.shannon@islington.gov.uk 

A3 

Would you like to help the council 

improve housing services? 

If yes, then a role on Islington’s Housing 

Executive could be for you! 

The council recently formed a Housing 

Executive to make recommendations on 

key housing decisions and be consulted 

on strategic housing issues for the borough. 

You are 

the key to 

a better 

housing 

service 

The Housing Executive is looking for a housing 

association tenant representative to provide an 

objective view on landlord issues and to bring a housing 

association resident’s perspective to the group. 

Could this be you? To find out more: 

020 7527 2903 

resident.engagement@islington.gov.uk 

You will be provided with support and training to help 

fulfil the role. 

For further information, visit 

www.islington.gov.uk/housingexecutive 

You are 

the key to 

a better 

housing 

service 

You are 

the key to 

a better 

housing 

service 

You are the key to a better housing service 

Scale example: 

55mm (A4 logo) 

27

Arsenal is delighted to have a regular 

spot in Islington Life which keeps 

residents up to date with all the 

Club’s latest community initiatives. 

This regular feature also keeps local 

residents informed of events and issues 

surrounding Arsenal and Emirates 

Stadium such as fixtures, road closures 

and transport updates. 

2012 also sees Arsenal celebrating 

100 years in Islington, having moved to 

north London from Woolwich in 1912. 

Since the Club's inception, community 

has been, and continues to be, at the 

very heart of the Club. 

In this edition we’re taking a 

snapshot of a typical week in the busy 

life of Arsenal in the Community. The 

department focuses on the delivery of 

projects sitting under the themes of 

sport, education, health, employment 

and training and social inclusion. Largely, 

the work of Arsenal in the Community 

aims to fulfil the potential and transform 

the lives of young people. 

Premier League 4 Sport at St 

Aloysius College, Highbury Fields 

Girls School, the Sobell Leisure 

Centre, St Mary Magdalene 

Academy, Mount Carmel School, 

Highbury Grove School, Holloway 

School, London Canonbury School 

and William Tyndale School 

Arsenal in the Community – Fact File 

2,160 people per week are engaged 

in the Islington area through Arsenal 

in the Community projects 

40 different individual projects are 

delivered throughout the Islington 

borough each week 

55 different venues in the Borough 

of Islington are used each week to 

deliver Arsenal in the Community 

projects 

The Arsenal Kickz programme provides 

a range of pathways for youngsters 

Premier League 4 Sport aims to 

promote and encourage young 

people's participation in badminton, 

judo, volleyball, netball, table tennis 

and hockey. The Premier League 

scheme offers the community more 

opportunities to get involved in sport, 

helping young people to stay healthy, 

active and develop an interest in sports 

other than football. 

National Governing Bodies for each 

of the sports work alongside Arsenal in 

the Community to identify a community 

hub Club where young people can 

progress into matches, tournaments 

and events regularly. 

Arsenal Kickz Project at Rosemary 

Gardens and Elthorne Park 

Arsenal Kickz aims to regularly engage 

young people through football and 

other activities. Many young people 

in Islington have a natural attraction 

and affiliation towards Arsenal Football 

Club which is used as an initial route for 

engagement. 

Once engaged the project attempts 

to consistently connect with young 

people and provide some familiarity and 

Arsenal has contributed more than 

£750,000 to upgrade six pitches 

in the Islington borough since 

2006 

72 students have now completed 

the Arsenal Employability Scheme 

and all have gained casual 

employment with Emirates 

Stadium catering providers, 

Delaware North Companies 

stability. The project aims to create a 

safe environment, provide supportive 

structures, provide access to volunteer 

opportunities and develop pathways to 

education and training. 

Positive Futures on Market Road, 

Highbury Quadrant, Crouch Hall 

Court, Aubert Court, Girdleston, 

Finsbury, Kings Square, Andover, 

McCall and Hollins and the Harvist 

Estate 

Arsenal Positive Futures began in 

the Borough of Islington in 2004. It 

partners with Islington Housing and 

aims to engage young people in a 

range of sporting and educational 

activities. By providing a safe and 

familiar environment where participants 

feel comfortable, it is hoped that the 

project becomes a consistent part of 

young people’s lives. Tournaments and 

matches are organised at the weekends. 

Like many of Arsenal in the 

Community’s initiatives the project goes 

beyond delivering regular football sessions 

on a number of local estates. Since 

supporting young people is at the heart 

of the scheme, a range of focused pieces 

of work for individual groups have been 

developed to address some challenging 

issues (including sexual health, drug 

misuse and the consequences of carrying 

weapons) with young people in a relaxed 

environment. It reaches out to the 

young people on its programme who are 

considered difficult to engage and also 

offers them pathways to employment, 

further education through the Arsenal 

Sport and Learning programme and 

The Arsenal Foundation Learning 

Programme and it also provides access to 

volunteering opportunities.

The Arsenal Double Club at 

Clerkenwell, Hungerford, Hanover, 

Blesssed Sacrament, Copenhagen, 

Pakeman and Samuel Rhodes 

Primary Schools and Islington Arts & 

Media Secondary School 

The Arsenal Double Club is an innovative 

education and football programme 

which improves the numeracy and 

literacy skills of children in the Borough 

and beyond. The scheme uses Arsenalthemed 

resources to engage young 

pupils to improve their Maths and 

English. The session is followed up with 

a football coaching session. 

Double Club Homework Club 

sessions also run at Highbury Quadrant, 

Andover, Harvist, Girdlestone, and 

New Orleans Estate in partnership with 

Islington Housing. The aim is to provide 

a space for local children to come along 

and get help with their homework in a 

supportive environment 

Football for Elfreda Society for 

Adults with learning difficulties at 

Elthorne Park 

The Elfreda Society is a leading local 

charity based in Islington for adults 

with learning difficulties. Every Monday 

morning an Arsenal in the Community 

coach leads a session to ensure there 

are no barriers to enjoying and playing 

football with Arsenal. 

Mental health football session 

at Elthorne Park for Islington 

Foundation Trust 

Funded by the Premier League and 

Sport Relief, the project forms part 

of a national campaign. It is delivered 

in partnership with mental health 

programme, Time to Change, together 

with Camden and Islington Mental 

Health Foundation Trust, which aims to 

challenge attitudes and prejudices about 

mental health. 

Badminton is one of six sports 

available on the Premier League 

4 Sport programme 

Soccer Schools at the Sobell Leisure 

Centre and Rosemary Gardens 

Arsenal in the Community runs regular 

after school and holiday-time soccer 

schools in the Borough giving young 

people the opportunity to play the 

‘Arsenal’ way with experienced coaches. 

Arsenal in the Community also 

coordinates alternate fortnightly 

sessions for visually impaired and deaf 

youngsters at the Sobell Leisure Centre, 

making football accessible to anyone 

who wishes to participate. 

Arsenal Employability Programme 

at the Learning Centre, Emirates 

Stadium 

The Arsenal Employability Programme 

is the Club’s bespoke employment 

and education scheme accredited by 

EDEXCEL at level 2. 

Over a period of 12 weeks groups 

of young adults who are largely 

not in education, employment or 

training (NEETs) complete a range of 

certificated units designed to help them 

develop their own employability skills. 

With the help of the UK’s leading 

education company, Pearson, and 

City and Islington College, all the 

youngsters have the opportunity to 

gain experience across various skill sets 

including interview techniques and time 

management while being able to apply 

for real jobs. The training is delivered at 

the Club’s Learning Centre at Emirates 

Stadium and in community centres on 

local estates. 

Arsenal in the Community 

coordinates a number of ongoing 

education and training programmes 

to give young people a chance to 

transform their lives. Projects include 

football and education sessions in 

pupil referral units; Arsenal’s Sport and 

Learning programme - a unique project 

that offers a full-time alternative to 

mainstream education for students in 

Years 10 and 11 that have been, or at 

risk of being excluded from mainstream 

education and The Arsenal Foundation 

Degree - a two year programme which 

enables students to learn the key 

elements of community sports coaching 

with a particular focus on football. 

The Arsenal BTEC National Certificate 

in Sport Science in partnership with 

St Aloysius College is also an option 

available to young people aged between 

16-18 years-old who are interested in 

coaching young people in community 

sports. 

Matches and events at 

Emirates Stadium 

from 26th December 2012 – 

23rd February 2013 

Wednesday 26th December 

Premier League 

Arsenal v West Ham United 

Kick-off: 3.00pm 

Saturday 29th December 


Arsenal v Newcastle United 

Kick-off: 5.30pm 

Sunday 13th January 2013 


Arsenal v Manchester United 

Kick-off 4.00pm 

Wednesday 30th January 2013 


Arsenal v Liverpool 


Saturday 2nd February 2013 


Arsenal v Stoke City 


Saturday 23rd February 2013 


Arsenal v Aston Villa 


At the time of going to print, the standard 

TV selections had been made up to the end 

of January 2013. Ordinarily, fixtures up to 

this date will not change. However, as ever, 

all fixtures remain subject to change and 

circumstances may yet arise which result in 

further fixture changes. 

Subject to progression in UEFA Champions 

League, the Capital One Cup and the FA Cup 

draw, Arsenal could be drawn at home in the 

months of January and February 2013. 

All updates can be found on 

www.arsenal.com

What’s on 

COMMUNITy events 

LGBT History Month 2013 

LGBT History Month is a glittering celebration of diversity and equality that is 

held in February each year. 

Last year, Islington made the national media with our ground-breaking 

exhibition of Islington library book covers defaced by gay writer Joe Orton. This 

was just one of 38 events during the month and was our biggest yet! 

We'd like to make it even bigger this year but we need your help! 

Please let us know what you will be doing to mark LGBT History Month 

– email equalities@islington.gov.uk or visit, www.islington.gov.uk/ 

lgbthistory for more information. 

Sunday street markets 

Visit Islington’s new street market 

in Camden Passage every Sunday, 

for food, clothes, crafts and lots 

more. Whilst you’re in the area, stroll 

to Chapel Market, which includes a 

farmer’s market on Sundays between 

10am-2pm. 

When: every Sunday, 10am-4pm 

Where: Camden Passage, N1 

How much: free 

For more information about Islington’s 

street markets, visit 

www.islington.gov.uk/markets 

The Cally Market 

Enjoy a variety of fresh produce and 

original designs. Pop-down for a loaf 

of bread, a cut of meat or organically 

grown fruit and veg. 

When: every Saturday, 9am-5pm 

Where: Caledonian Road, between 

Offord Road and Bridgeman Road 


Child seat safety 

For peace of mind have your child’s car 

seat tested at a free event in Holloway. 

When: 18 February 2013, 

10am-3pm 

Where: Morrisons, 10 Hertslet 

Road, N7 6PL 


Get ready to Dance Izzy! 

Dance Izzy is back on 22 December from 6-10pm, offering young people aged 

12-16 a safe place to party with the hottest names in house, garage, afrobeats 

and R&B music. DJ's on the night will be Mike Anthony and Noah Francis. 

Dance Izzy offers young people a real club atmosphere and is held at the Relentless 

Garage on Highbury Corner. It's run by young people supported by the council's youth 

workers and local police from the Safer Neighbourhoods Team help keep it safe on 

the night. 

Tickets sell out fast so get yours now - call Judith Samuel on 07 825 098 689. 

f For updates, check out the Dance Izzy page on Facebook. 

Holocaust Memorial Day 

On Holocaust Memorial Day we will 

commemorate the millions of lives 

lost in the Holocaust and subsequent 

genocides. The day is also an 

opportunity to shine a spotlight on 

on-going human rights abuse still taking 

place around the world. 

When: 28 January 2013, 10am-2pm 

Where: Islington Assembly Hall, N1 


30


CULTURE 

MakeArt Exhibition 

Islington Arts Factory’s annual exhibition 

of art created by young people (aged 

4-14) in after school and weekend art 

classes are now on display. 

When: now until 21 December 

Where: Islington Arts Factory, 2 

Parkhurst Road, N7 0SF 


Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty 

Sleeping Beauty sees Bourne return to 

the music of Tchaikovsky to complete 

the trio of ballet masterworks that 

started with Nutcracker and the 

international smash hit, Swan Lake. 

When: now until 26 January 2013 

Where: Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery 

Avenue, EC1R 

How much: £12-£60 

For more information and to book, visit 

www.sadlerswells.com 

The Dark Earth and the Light Sky 

This play by Nick Dear delves into the life 

of the enigmatic and complex character, 

Edward Thomas, in an era of change and 

destruction. 

When: now until 12 January 2013 

Where: Almeida Theatre Islington, 

N1 

How much: £8-£32 


www.almeida.co.uk 

The Alternative Comedy 

Memorial Society 

Experimental, joyful comedy hosted by 

Thom Tuck and John-Luke Roberts with 

a packed, exciting line-up of left-field 

comics. 

When: 18 December, 7.30pm 

Where: The Pleasance Theatre, 

North Road, N7 9EF 

How much: £8 


www.pleasance.co.uk/islington 

Green living 

Conservation Christmas Party 

Join the nature conservation team in 

a practical conservation session in one 

of Islington’s three nature reserves 

and then enjoy a Christmas party 

afterwards. 

When: 19 December, 10am-3pm 

(conservation work), Christmas 

party to follow 

Where: Islington Ecology Centre, 

Gillespie Park, N5 1PH 


For more information and details 

on the location please call 

020 7527 4374 

Hatha Yoga 

Get fit and healthy with the most popular 

form of yoga that concentrates on 

postures to build flexibility and strength. 

When: every Thursday, 6.30-8pm 



How much: £8/£7.50 concession 

For more information text Sarah on 

07812 785 237 

Highbury Time Bank Café 

Share your skills with the community, 

enjoy a walk around the park and then 

treat yourself to a lovely cake, tea or 

soup at the café. 

When: every Sunday, 11am-3.30pm. 

Sessions will end after Christmas 

and resume in April 2013 




For more information contact 

highburytime@live.co.uk 

assembly hall events 

Highlights this winter include: 

Wishbone Ash in concert 

Following hot on the heels of last year’s 

highly acclaimed tour, this show focuses 

on material from the classic eras of the 

band, featuring stage favourites mixed 

with classic album tracks. 

Where: Islington Assembly Hall, 

Upper Street, N1 2UD 

When: 13 December, 7pm 

How much: £17.50 

Roachford in concert 

Ever since coming onto the scene in the 

late-80s with unforgettable tracks like 

‘Cuddly Toy’ and ‘Family Man’, Andrew 

Roachford’s maverick take on music has 

spread far and wide and now comes to 

Islington with his ‘Addictive’ tour. 



When: 14 December, 7pm 


Nerina Pallot in concert 

The Brit and Ivor Novello-nominated 

singer takes a short break from writing 

and recording her fifth album for people 

to see her live in her 'Lonely Valentine 

Club' tour. This is a great chance to see 

a unique talent and one of the most 

engaging live female artists in the UK. 



When: 11 February 2013 


Tickets to concerts are available from 

the usual ticket agencies. The venue 

does not have a box office but for 

information about the venue, call 

020 7527 8900. 

31

Don’t miss out. Apply now for 

Islington primary schools 

Everything you want from a 

school, right on your doorstep: 

Warm and enthusiastic teachers 

Fun and inspiring classes 

Excellent facilities 

Apply by 15 January 2013 for the best chance 

of a reception place at your first choice school. 

Visit www.islington.gov.uk/admissions 

www.islington.gov.uk/admissions

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