Why are streets around Judd Street named after Kentish places?

Posted on April 23, 2010 by William Perrin

Questionmark We get a fair few local history enquiries through the site, most of which i can help with pointers to online resources, but this question has me stumped – any clues folks? Put something in the comments if you know or email me.

I was just wondering if anyone could shed light on the reason why the streets around and including Judd Street seem to have links with Kent.

Judd is a school in Tonbridge, there is a Tonbridge Street and a Bidborough Street.

Bidborough is not far from Tonbridge and a Leigh Street which is even closer to Tonbridge.

Leigh the place near Tonbridge is pronounced Lye not Lee as people in Kings Cross say it.

There are other street with links to both Kent and Sussex in the area and I cannot work out why. As far as I know Kent and Sussex were and are both served by Charing Cross, Waterloo and London Bridge so I'm assuming its not a rail link thing.

I'm hoping to be educated on this and also hoping its not so obvious that I'm going to look silly! However that wouldn't be the first time!!!

Many thanks in anticipation,

Malcolm.

Posted in Kings Cross local history | 8 Comments

Chapel Market goes all farmer!

Posted on April 23, 2010 by Sophie Talbot

Chapel_market This Sunday, Islington Farmers' Market will host it's first ever plant fair on Chapel Market. This will be the first time in a very long while that Chapel Market will have stalls all the way from Penton Street up to Liverpool Road. 

There are some fantastic specialist nurseries attending including:

 

If its herbs you’re after, John Webster of Herbal Haven has an unparalleled range of both popular garden herbs and unusual specialties. Their range includes, amongst many others, cinnamon basil, chamomile, mugwort, bergamot, wintergreen, marjoram, Jacob’s Ladder, wood sage, heartsease, mullein, elecampaine, bay and St. John’s Wort. We could name them all, but it would take us forever. Go and see for yourself! 

 

Beauchamp Nurseries – Surrey

Plants from Ab at Beauchamp Nurseries are plants suited perfectly to London because that is where they are grown – in Norwood to be precise. As a Londoner himself, Ab makes extra-special care to provide plants suitable for smaller gardens and windowsills. This year, with Ab’s help you should be able to turn a small windowsill into a nest of edible and visual delights, by picking up some of his edible plants – look out for, amongst other things, dwarf pumpkins, French beans, courgettes, sweetcorn and various mixes of salads.

 

Chilli Edible Ornamentals- Bedfordshire

Shaun and Jo, of Edible Ornamentals, grow over thirty different varieties of chilli peppers, ranging from mild tang to scorching heat. Thankfully, someone from Edible Ornamentals will always be on hand to find you the right chilli plant to produce chillies suited to your personal tolerance. They make a great effort to produce plants which not only produce fantastic-tasting chillies, but also look amazing too – hence the name. They also have a good selection of many other herb plants.   

 

Enjoy the Farmers' Market, and the Plant Fair, on Sunday.
 

Posted in Arts and Entertainment, Food and Drink | Leave a comment

Islington South and Finsbury hustings video – violent crime in Kings Cross

Posted on April 22, 2010 by William Perrin

BallotboxIt's tricky for people to get to hustings, or indeed any meetings.  So i went along and got some video at the excellent election hustings last night for Islington South and Finsbury organised by St James, Clerkenwell. Antonia Cox (Con), James Humphreys (Green) Bridget Fox (LibDem) and Emily Thornberry (Lab) spoke fluently and frankly.

I managed to ask a question about the tragic murders in Kings Cross recently.  I agree with Cllr Convery that we need a big intervention in the area and felt that it was right to raise the issue with the would-be Westminster politicians.  The footage stretches over several clips – the candidates gave thoughtful answers, but were gracious enough to admit that they didn't have all the answers to a grim set of problems.

The first part is below, the second and third behind the links. The answers get better as they goes on.  Hope the video is useful – will post more from the hustings as I process it and get it into youtube (note the deliberate error on the title screen of the first one, late night editing).

Posted in Anti Social Behaviour, Crime etc, Democracy and Elections | 3 Comments

Another late-night liquor license application – 9 Caledonian Road

Posted on April 22, 2010 by Stephan Schulte

Do-shop-drink During the Christmas Season, the Bulletin Board wrote a piece about a new shop that opened at 9 Caledonian Road – Drink, Shop & Do Ltd.  It was a "pop-up shop" (just there for the holidays) and it  specialised in art and crafts but also offered some food and drink in conjunction with it's activities.

I recently met with the owner, a charming young woman named Coralie who advised me that she and her partner were in negotiations with the owner of the premises (the landlord/owner of Soho Books) and that they were planning to return with a full-fledged permanent shop.

All this sounded fine, until two new elements emerged.  The first was that they would be seeking a late-night license to serve liquor and second, and more worrying, they were applying for this license before they signed their lease for the premises.

I found these two items quite worrying since once a premise license is granted, it goes with the shop as compared to being tied to the shops stated activity.  This could mean once the license is granted, the shop suddenly becomes something else with a late-night license to serve alcohol!  I will leave the possibilities to your imagination.

Pizza_shop This situation is not idle speculation as those living along the Caledonian Road might have noticed.  In November 2009 USA Pizza and Burrito Bar was granted a Premises License.  The premises is now for sale and the advertising board promoting the sale states A3 Premises with Late-Night License – such is the value toward the sale price! 

Here are the details of Do Shop & Drink application:

Permit the sale of alcohol between:

11:00 and 00:00 on Mondays to Wednesdays
11:00 and 01:00 on Thursdays
11:00 and 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays
11:00 and 23:00 on Sundays

Permit the provision of late night refreshment between:

23:00 and 00:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays
23:00 and 01:00 on Thursdays
23:00 and 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays

As a members of the local community you are able to make a representation about this application.  The representation must be received in writing by the Licensing Team (to the attention of Dominic Ping) before 17 May and should state the name and address of the premises named in the application.  You comments should refer to one or more of the licensing objectives, i.e:

·  the prevention of crime and disorder
·  the protection of children from harm
·  public safety
·  the prevention of public nuisance

I think it's time to make a stand and take a position on just how may late-night establishments we must endure before we can invoke the general concept of "preventing a public nuisance."  After all who can better determine what constitutes a public nuisance…councillors who don't live in the area or local residents!  Over to our readers…

Posted in Planning, Licensing and Regulation | 2 Comments

Kings Cross – Candidates for Islington South and Finsbury and Holborn and St Pancras in General Election

Posted on April 21, 2010 by William Perrin

Ballotbox This is the official list of the candidates for the General Election 2010 in Islington South and Finsbury.  If you live in the Islington bit of Kings Cross these are the names you will see on the ballot paper.

COX Antonia Mary The Conservative Party Candidate
DEBOO Richard James Animals Count
DODDS John English Democrats –“Putting England First!”
FOX Bridget Caroline Liberal Democrats
HUMPHREYS James William  Green Party
MCDONALD Rose-Marie UK Independence Party
THORNBERRY Emily  The Labour Party Candidate

The original council document with the addresses and nominees of candidates can be found on Islington council’s website.

This is the official list of the candidates for the General Election 2010 in Holborn and St Pancras.  If you live in the Camden bit of Kings Cross these are the names you will see on the ballot paper.

Bennett Natalie Louise Green Party
Carlyle Robert British National Party
Chapman John Independent
Dobson Frank The Labour Party Candidate
Lee George The Conservative Party Candidate
Meek Iain Independent
ShawJo Liberal Democrats
Spencer Max UK Independence Party
Susperregi Mikel English Democrats

The original council document with the addresses and nominees of candidates can be found on Camden council’s website.

Posted in Democracy and Elections | 1 Comment

Camley Street Natural Park 25th Anniversary Celebrations

Posted on April 21, 2010 by William Perrin

CamleystFrom the folk at Camley Street:

Come along and join the London Wildlife Trust in celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Camley Street Natural Park in Kings Cross!

LWT will be hosting a weekend packed full of Family Fun and activities including walks, talks and workshops, as well as plant stalls, live music and a pedal powered cinema.

We would love to welcome all of our supporters and the capital’s residents to help us to celebrate the work of Camley Street over the last 25 years, and to find out more about the work of London’s leading Urban Wildlife Conservation Organisation.

Our Festival is a family event with activities for all age ranges, young and old. As well as our festival programme for the weekend, you will also have the opportunity to find out about the Trust’s New Volunteer Programmes for spring 2010.

Refreshments will be available onsite for the duration of the festivities.

When and where?

Saturday 24th April 2010; 11am – 8pm
Sunday 25th April 2010; 11am – 6pm
Camley Street Natural Park
12 Camley Street
London
NW1 0PW
For more information:
Call: 020 7833 2311
Email: ppaulo@wildlondon.org.uk
Or visit:
http://www.wildlondon.org.uk

Posted in Wildlife and Nature | Leave a comment

Holborn and St Pancras hustings – more video

Posted on April 21, 2010 by William Perrin

BallotboxIf you weren't able to make the hustings on Monday night I have now uploaded all of the video I took.  The opening statements of the main party candidates (LibDem – Joanna Shaw, Con – George Lee, Labour – Frank Dobson), their responses to questions on health and housing in the West End.  Their views on housing were interesting. 

To get this stuff up in YouTube I have to chop it into 10 minute lengths so the statements and responses from the Greens and English Democrats are here.  I didn't have the time to record the whole event – you need to go along yourself for that but hopefully these highlights are helpful.  There are hustings tonight, Wednesday for Islington South and Finsbury.

Posted in Democracy and Elections | Leave a comment

Reveal – Events Friday 23- Sat 24th April

Posted on April 21, 2010 by William Perrin

Steve red blue (c) Ray Gibson 2009 Reveal launches this Thursday with a myriad of cultural stuff to sink your teeth into. Our two major commissions with London Sinfonietta and Periplum are among the many events taking place this weekend.

Critically acclaimed theatre company Periplum have been working with local artists and community groups to create '1000 Revolutions a Minute', a site-responsive theatrical trail inspired by the musical history of King’s Cross. Follow the life-changing moments of the character ‘Me’ played out on the streets, alleyways and hidden corners of King’s Cross, with music acting as a catalyst, a companion or a provocation. (Free – booking via the website)

London Sinfonietta, and award-winning animator Tony Comley take to the Midland Goods Shed for In Time, a site-specific piece creating amazing aural and visual landscapes. (£5.50 – booking via the website)

These events take place on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th April only – so book now!

We are also looking for a couple of volunteers to steward performances: So do get in touch if you fancy getting involved behind the scenes! Just email sian.james@bl.uk

Posted in Arts and Entertainment | 2 Comments