Tolpuddle Martyrs in Kings Cross – how can we commemorate the 1834 march from Copenhagen Fields?

Posted on September 24, 2008 by William Perrin

Tolpuddle_march_2 The Tolpuddle Mural on the wall at the entrance to Edward Square on Copenhagen Street is a great piece of community art.  A huge and vivid depiction of a fascinating piece of our social history.  David Renton has got in touch as follows on the 175th anniversary of the demo:

‘Next year will be the 175th anniversary of the great demonstration in support of the Tolpuddle Martyrs that started on Copenhagen Fields and is commemorated today by the mural on the side of the Mitre on Copenhagen Street.

‘A group of Islington residents have been starting to swap ideas for possible commemorative activities. They include a possible musical event. We have also been thinking of activities especially for in the immediate vicinity of the mural – history walks, film showings,possibly events in local schools.

‘If you’ve got any good ideas about what we could do, please don’t hesitate to get in touch initially via me, David Renton, (click for email)  or on 07777671381.’

Either drop David a line or make a comment here.

Google has turned up an engraving of the original demo from the TUC site here which shows the area now Caledonian Park when it was still fields and the long demolished Copenhagen House- click the picture to enlarge.
Copenhagen_fields_demo

Posted in Kings Cross local history | 8 Comments

Dedicated to Lisa

Posted on September 23, 2008 by Stephan Schulte

Orchestra_2

Baroque Music at King’s Cross
Sunday September 28, 2 – 5pm
St Pancras Old Church

Lisa Tang has alerted the Community Bulleting Board that on Sunday September 28th the OAE will be hosting an open event as part of the Mayor of London’s Open Rehearsal initiative and the OAE’s Musicians on Call scheme, in which the musicians visit residential homes and hospices around the country to play and chat to the residents.

We are delighted to be holding this event in the beautiful setting of St Pancras Old Church, near to Kings Cross St Pancras. You can drop in for free anytime between 2-5pm to meet us, listen to beautiful music and chat with the players. The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE) plays on instruments and in styles appropriate to the age of the music, allowing you to hear it as the composer intended. Renowned for its vitality, energy and warmth this is a great opportunity to come and hear the Orchestra in its new neighbourhood, as from July the OAE has had its Headquarters at the new Kings Place development near King’s Cross. The Orchestra is also Resident at Southbank Centre where it gives a series of concerts between October and June each year.

This open event is dedicated to Lisa Pontecorvo who was an enthusiastic community activist in the Caledonian Ward, Islington and Camden and worked closely with the OAE’s education team on projects linked to Edward Square.

For more information contact:

CHERRY FORBES,
Education Manager
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Direct line 020 7239 9371

Posted in King's Cross People | 2 Comments

Government Stone Walls for Network Rail’s Stone Wall

Posted on September 23, 2008 by Sophie Talbot

Kings_cross_rear2Trickery and bamboozling characterise community engagement in one of Europe’s largest regeneration areas local groups claimed today.

Over 17,000 residents, hundreds of businesses and 4,000* commuters a day are to be shut out of their local entrance to the King’s Cross/St Pancras transport hub. This will undermine the benefits of one of the largest regeneration initiatives currently underway in Europe. But in response to a parliamentary question the government has completely ignored a request for an assessment of the huge impact this will have on the local business and residential community.

Norman Baker (Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Transport; Lewes, Liberal Democrat) asked the Secretary of State for Transport if her Department would “make an assessment of the effects on (a) the local community and (b) regeneration in the King’s Cross area of Network Rail’s plans to close permanently pedestrian access routes to King’s Cross and St Pancras rail stations from the north-east of the station complex; and if she will make a statement”.

Rosie Winterton (Minister of State, Department for Transport; Doncaster Central, Labour) replied that “Network Rail applied for and received planning consent from the local planning authority (London borough of Camden) for the redevelopment of King’s Cross station. Consultation was undertaken as part of this process, which resulted in Network Rail commissioning a study to consider ways to maintain access to the station from York Way. Network Rail has advised me that the study concluded that from an operational safety perspective the access to York Way in this location could not be maintained”.

Network Rail are to close all entrances to King’s Cross Station and replace them with one new entrance on the far western side. A massive wall the length of the station will divide King’s Cross and Somers Town closing the community on the Islington side out of the stations and King’s Cross Central development.

Planning consent was given to Network Rail on the basis that they carry out a feasibility study into providing access by bridge at the rear of the station. The study failed to look at the only known workable option wasting time and public money on conclusions that are irrelevant.

Now the Government is backing that flawed piece of work, instead of listening to the local community, leaving local campaigners angry and dismayed.

Sophie Talbot of King’s Cross Community Projects said, “Our community faces multiple deprivation and high levels of youth crime. Our young people feel disaffected and ignored by the changes happening in the area. Regenerating Kings Cross was supposed to help change this. But the effect of Network Rail’s closure of the Wharfdale Road entrance with no replacement bridge will cut us off and further alienate our community.”

She added, “A bridge would cost less than 2% of Network Rail’s redevelopment budget for King’s Cross. We are not asking for something unattainable”.

Michael Edwards of King’s Cross Railway Lands Group said, “Network Rail is a public body which should know better. They are disregarding their own self-interest as well as imposing huge costs on the locality. On top of that they want to close off the obvious emergency escape from the station and we simply have to stop them.”

A petition calling for access to the stations by bridge is currently running.

Supporters of the campaign for access to King’s Cross St Pancras can subscribe to a regularly updated blog.

Posted in #googlebridgeKX, Kings Cross Station Refurbishment | Leave a comment

Loads of things to do around Kings Cross this weekend (especially dance) as Cultural Olympiad begins

Posted on September 23, 2008 by William Perrin

Cultural_olympiad Our cultural correspondent Sian has sent a great list of events marking the beginning of the Cultural Olympiad. 

There are some remarkable particiaptory dance opportunities if you or your children have got rhythm – the London Studio open audition and rehearsal are a great opportunity on York Way, the Morphoses event at Sadlers Wells and the creative dance workshop with Ballet Central.  Highlights are below, and the full list is here.
Download cultural_olympiad_launch_newsletter.doc

Open Rehearsal at London Studio Centre & Studio Youth Dance Company Open Audition
Saturday, 27 September, 12:00 – 16:00
London Studio Centre, 42-50 York Way, Islington, N1 9AB
Free.
London Studio Centre is a prestigious professional dance school, which in addition to its full time training courses, offers opportunities to access dance arts in the local community and receive combined expertise of industry professionals. Come and see! The college will be open to visitors wishing to find out more about the college and to access information on the variety of classes on offer as well as the full time training facility. Chance to Dance! Open audition: As part of Open Rehearsal, London Studio Centre is looking for young people aged 15-25yrs who have a serious interest in dance. We will be holding an open audition at 1pm and would like to invite young dancers to become part of Studio Youth Dance Company. To find out more please call 07958 247713. Studio Youth Dance project will run twice weekly and is part of London Studio Centre’s Access and Outreach department.

Creative Dance Workshop with Ballet Central
Friday, 26 September, 17:30-18:45.
Central School of Ballet, 10 Herbal Hill, Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1R 5EG
Free, but booking is essential.  Please call 020 7837 6332 or e-mail info@csbschool.co.uk to book a place. **Booking deadline is 24 September**
Ballet Central will be hosting a creative dance workshop for young dancers based on their current repertoire. The workshop is open to both those who take regular dance classes and those who have no previous dance experience. The young dancers will have the opportunity to work alongside dancers from Ballet Central (Central School of Ballet’s graduate touring company) on choreography inspired by the company’s current repertoire. Parents are invited to watch an informal sharing of work during the last 15 minutes of the class.

Sadler’s Wells Theatre presents: Morphoses Up Close
Saturday, 27 September at 14:30, and Sunday, 28 September at 12:00.
Lilian Baylis Studio, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN
Tickets: £20, please visit http://www.sadlerswells.com to book.
Up Close is an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience in our intimate studio theatre with Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company.  This very special show is in addition to the much-anticipated 2008 season by the company on our main stage.  Up Close allows audiences to gain a unique insight into the choreographic process.  Choreographers Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Adam Houghland, Edwaard Liang and Pontus Lidberg were each asked to choose a piece of music inspired by the American minimalist movement and create a piece of dance inspired by it.  Each piece will be performed live, preceded by an introduction from Christopher Wheeldon himself, and a short film documenting the development of the work.  The performances will feature a host of dancers form Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company, a cast which includes some of the very best dancers in the world.

Museum Mile Walking Tour
Friday, 26 September, 10:00-17:00
Museum Mile, South Camden
Free.
Visit all 13 of the extraordinary museums and galleries located in the historic area stretching Euston Road to the River Thames that make up Museum Mile. An experienced guide will highlight the stories of one or two of the key objects from each of the diverse collections, as well as the history of the Museums. Visit museum-mile.org.uk for more information about Museum Mile.
Presented by In Holborn.

Big Draw National Launch
Friday, 26 – Sunday, 28 September,
10:00-18:00
Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road,  NW1 2BE. Plus on Saturday (27 September) events also occur at University College London, Gower Street and the Wellcome Trust, 215 Euston Road.
Free.
An all-star cast of artists, scientists, archaeologists and architects have pooled their unique talents to present a day filled with drawing-related activities. From drawings by snails and beauty maps to drawing on life will have something for everyone.  Visit bigdraw.org for more information.  University College London and the Wellcome Collection will also both be part of the Museum Mile walk.
Presented by Wellcome and Partners. 

High Wire
Wednesday, 17 September – Sunday, 26 October
11:00-19:00
German Gymnasium, Pancras Road
(opposite the new St Pancras station entrance)
Free.
Art Exhibition featuring a video Installation by Catherine Yass of highwire event performed in Glasgow plus free High Wire Talks taking place for the duration of the exhibition.
Presented by the German Gymnasium.

2012 Poster Designing
Saturday, 27 September, 13:00
Islington Museum, 245 St John Street, Finsbury, EC1V 4NB
Ages: 8-12
Spaces are limited, so visit the museum or call 020 7527 2837 to book a place.
Youngsters aged eight to 12 are invited to come along to the Islington Museum to design a poster for the London 2012 Games. There will be prizes for the best ones. An artist will talk about the history of Olympic posters to set them on their way. This event will also link to the Museum’s new exhibition, ‘Stick no bills – Graphic Islington’, where posters, leaflets and programmes from the past 200 years to advertise Islington’s finest venues will be on display.

180 Briefing: King’s Cross To Euston: London’s New District
Tuesday, 23 September,8:30-11:30
New London Architecture, 26 Store Street, WC1E 7BT
£149 (£129 NLA SUPPORTERS) Free copy of Redefining London: King’s Cross, Bloomsbury, Covent Garden, Holborn, Soho & Fitzrovia for every delegate
A string of exciting developments is creating a brand new district north of the Euston Road. Join us for this 3 hour intensive discussion to get an insight into what is happening to transform one of London’s most challenging inner-city areas. Who are the main players and what are the key developments breathing vitality into the area?
Speakers include:
Bob Allies, Partner, Allies & Morrison Architects
Andrew Barraclough, Director, HOK
Roger Madelin, Joint Chief Executive, Argent Group Plc
Adrian Penfold, Head of Planning & Environment, British Land
Aidan Potter, Founding Director, John McAslan & Partners
Michael Squire, Partner, Squire and Partners
Bob West, Acting Head of Planning, Camden
Gain insight to:
• The London Borough of Camden’s vision for the King’s Cross and Euston area
• Major developments and their impact
• The changing character of this area
• The opportunities available for future development and investment
• Developing connections between the area’s masterplans
More info: http://www.newlondonarchitecture.org/conferences/kingx001.php

Posted in Arts and Entertainment | Leave a comment

Help Housman’s bookshop survive another 50 years

Posted on September 22, 2008 by William Perrin

Housmans_web Housmans bookshop is a Kings Cross institution.  The shop at 5 Caledonian Road (map) has an amazing history as a flag bearer for the peace movement, sexual equality and the green agenda.  It also sells some great fiction and the friendly, knowledgable staff are a change from the bored ‘threefortwo’ pushers who inhabit bookshop chains.  Housman’s also offers creative writing courses and a great programme of talks.  They have an amazing range of stationery too. 

At a time when the American government is nationalising banks the need for a radical bookshop is acute. But Housman’s is in trouble – the recession is biting and i suspect it has been hit by the lack of passing trade following the closure of the Thameslink Station on Pentonville Road.  Nik from Housman’s says:

‘the shop is still not yet fully viable. Just as the planning blight on the King’s Cross area has been lifted and everyone’s hopes raised, the current recession has hit Housmans (as other retailers) very hard. Unless we can continue to expand our customer and supporter base substantially and quickly we will not last for another year.’

Housman’s wants to trade its way out of trouble – so spread the word and drop in to buy books, stamps, printer cartridges, tea or coffee.  You can buy books the old fashioned way – over the phone – 020-7837 4473 – or by post – drop them an email by clicking here.  You can also donate (click here – a paypal donate button is halfway down the page) or give your time as a volunteer – contact Nik by email.  Thanks to Patric and Sarah for tipping me off to the issues.

Posted in Buy&Sell | 2 Comments

Charity Festival and outdoor market – Cross Kings York Way 27-28 September [NB dates corrected]

Posted on September 20, 2008 by William Perrin

Educate_for_life York Way is known for many things but shopping isn’t one of them.  To provide something to do in Kings Cross at the weekend Felicity and Lis at the Cross Kings will be holding a charity festival next weekend for Educate for Life – details below.  If you have any ideas, suggestions or concerns (especially if you live nearby) drop them a mail by clicking here.  Cross Kings say as follows:

‘We will be running a festival at Cross Kings on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September. As part of this, we are planning to hold a small outdoor market on the set back area of pavement running parallel to the length of the wall which separates York Court Garden from York Way.

‘The main emphasis of the festival, besides showcasing excellent up and coming artists, is to raise awareness and money for the charity Educate for Life. They will have a stall with information about the charity outside along with a merchandise stall so all the musicians, poets and film makers can promote their talents. There will be a coconut shy, face painting, a hat and balloon art stall, mask stall, live caricatures, palm reading and hopefully a clothes stall.

‘The aim is to provide something fun and interactive for the local community – hopefully kids included! – whilst extending our festival atmosphere and being able to raise awareness for an amazing charity.’

Location details here.  This prompts the question why we haven’t had a festival in Kings Cross for ages.  Face painting always conjures up images of Phoenix Nights for me – remember to use washable paints….

Posted in Arts and Entertainment | Leave a comment

York Road tube – feasibility study in the public domain at last

Posted on September 17, 2008 by William Perrin

York_road_tube_artists_impression York Road tube is a lovely example of a Leslie Green designed Picadilly Line station.  That line suffered from a surfeit of stations and York Road was closed in 1932.  The station survives at The junction of York Way and Bingfield Street/Randells Road.  There has been much interest in reopening the station when Kings Cross is redeveloped.  It would provide better access to transport for people on Maiden Lane and the Bemerton areas and could help ease congestion in Kings Cross/St Pancras. 

The excellent, easy to use Freedom of Information Site – www.whatdotheyknow.com – has helped me get hold of the feasibilty study carried out for TfL by Halcrow Group Ltd.  The basic cost is £13million to bring the station up to modern standards and put it back to use. I haven’t had time to study it in detail but the report provides handy facts in the long running campaign to get this station reopened.  We need to look at and think about challenging the critical assumptions in the report:

‘Considerable uncertainties exist in the forecasts of future patronage from the redeveloped catchments area, and the extent of additional surface public transport links that would be provided to serve the ‘Kings Cross Lands’ development.

‘The central case passenger demand forecasts indicate that around 9,200 passengers would use York Road Station during the morning peak.

‘An assessment of the impact of re-opening York Road Station on the level of crowding at King’s Cross St Pancras indicates it will provide little in the way of congestion relief.

‘Overall, the scheme performs poorly in economic terms with a negative net present value to society of -£34.1 million and a benefit to cost ratio of merely 0.03:1.’

Views would be very welcome in the comments.

A copy of Volume 1 – the technical engineering bits of the feasibility study is here – beware large file Download technical_prefeasibility_report_revised_april.pdf Volume 1 has some rare photos from inside the station. Here also is volume two, the business case another large file Download york_road_business_case_report__final__2sided.pdf
I also have the annexes – please drop me a mail for a copy – but i have put the Annex with some original drawings up here.

Posted in Planning, Licensing and Regulation, Transport | 8 Comments

In Memory of LISA PONTECORVO

Posted on September 16, 2008 by Stephan Schulte

Pari_09may0414

This page will be devoted to communicating information on the passing of Lisa Pontecorvo, our friend and a tireless community activist in the Caledonian Ward, Islington and Camden.

Please bookmark this page for all upcoming information.

You may wish to join many others of Lisa’s friends and colleagues who have left a Tribute to Lisa in the Comments section at the bottom of this posting.

Memorial Event now scheduled for Friday 14, November

The date has now been confirmed for the memorial event in Edward Square to celebrate and commemorate the life of Lisa.  I apologise for the slight delay in finally settling this but we now have a date and time that seems to maximise involvement and attendance.

It will be held on Friday 14th November at around 2pm in Edwards Square. We shall have a large marquee erected, refreshments, music, art and performances arranged (so far) from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, local schools and from Lisa friends and neighbours.

Much of the organisational burden is being handled by staff in the Council’s Greenspace department and we are very grateful for their contribution. Further details will be circulated shortly and we shall be widely publicising the event throughout the neighbourhood and Borough.

Best wishes,

Paul

As soon as we have more information, we will pass it on. You might want to record your recollections of Lisa under the "Comments" section of this posting for all to read.

Posted in King's Cross People | 73 Comments