Islamic Mella in Cromer Street Shows Approachable Islamic Kings Cross Community

Posted on August 19, 2008 by William Perrin

"Hire a Muslim!" said one of the stands.  It meant a local Muslim person from Kings Cross would sit down with you answering any questions regarding women, terrorism, other faiths and a number of other issues for ten minutes.  There were exhibition stalls explaining both the history of Islam, contributions to science and European thought and Islamic meanings.  Other stands were a rap for Islam group, a European Muslim Initiative (in other words Muslims being part of Europe)  and some attire and food stands.  There were also fun fares, and samples of prayers were audible.  Overall this mella was a true reflection of one section of Kings Cross, its very pious mainly Bengali community.  What was good at this event on the 17th of August, Islam_explained is that it showed different ways of being and living as a Muslim person at Kings Cross.  It was a gesture by the local mosque and community that they are part of Kings Cross and like to be understood beyond the dressings that may be a barrier for some who are not Muslims.

It is important that decisions in Kings Cross are made to measure a wholesome approach for all.  For example whilst there is a need for pubs and prayer rooms, what we need is more areas and businesses where all groups feel invited and  comfortable being together, for example in tea-houses, restaurants that offer Halal option and pub days on which no alcohol is sold.

Also we need more street festivals and garden fetes where we, Muslims and non Muslims of different faiths and none, can meet and grow together as neighbours and friends and overcome barriers that at times in the past were tragically strayed, or even to discuss points where we agree not to agree.

For the Muslim community at Kings Cross to open its doors so freely was a courageous and important step, it wasn’t the first time they have done a mella, but certainly this one was one of the most successful ones.   

Ed. comment: apologies for false street in earlier posting.  Quite rightly Cromer St, not Coram St.

Posted in King's Cross People | Leave a comment

Swinton Street Crossing almost ready

Posted on August 19, 2008 by William Perrin

After five years or more of local campaigning, and half a year delay,  Swinton Street will be safe to cross as of next week.  The new push button operated crossing is a real victory for the voice of a local resident who raised the issue repeatedly and reminded Transport for London and Street-management yearly of the problem.  In the same sweep the traffic lights were combined with a new crossing over Kings Cross Road at Travelodge Hotel and a widening of the pedestrian walk way in Kings Cross Road and Pentonville Rise.Acton_street_crossing  

Read the full story here:  Victory at Kings Cross

Posted in How to get things done locally | Leave a comment

Kings Cross – Is it time for redrawal of the borders?

Posted on August 19, 2008 by William Perrin

London_map_2 From time to time the topic creeps up.  The Islington half of Kings Cross is not identical with the ward of Kings Cross in Camden.  The Kings Cross Station and Kings Cross developments  happen both in Islington as well as in the ward of Sommers Town (Camden).   That the real ward of Kings Cross does not house Kings Cross station is strangest of all facts.  The confusion is great and especially erratic when it comes to the distribution of tasks like security.  Only recently in a posting here by William (link) we read how Islington Police blamed Camden for the increase of drunkenness and begging  near Tesco Caledonian Road (Islington), claiming that the Camden Police pushed them (who are housed in Kings Cross – Camden) into Islington, etc..

This blog is prove that people all around Kings Cross identify with it.  In my humble opinion it may be time  for a new ward of Kings Cross that includes the entire area.  Or if the boroughs of Islington and Camden feel they can not agree, better cooperation would certainly be well put in place. 

But as always the best way to know if people would like to merge and into which borough is best done trough a public consultation.  How about then a new bigger ward of Kings Cross?

Posted in Planning, Licensing and Regulation | 3 Comments

Regents Canal Closure plus Cancerogenic Exposure?

Posted on August 19, 2008 by William Perrin

National Grid has closed down theHighvoltageimag0284 Kings Cross end of Regents Canal for works.  This complete closure between York Way and Camley Street can only have been done by a technocrat who does not understand how important this green life line is to the local community.  A redirection is given, but it it runs along busy streets and is long winded.  Come to mention national grid, the reason why they are there is because high power voltage cables simmer below the walking paths.  Shouldn’t the National Grid be made to consider  to relay the lot of cables alongside asphalt roads that carry cars. It can hardly be of comfort to all those seeking natural retrieve to walk on top of these cables which some say cause cancer through unnaturally high magnetic exposure (see here for an example of these claims).  Another absurdum.  The laying of these cables certainly precedes the re-appraisal of the canal for leisure and revitalisation.  How ironic.

The section is promised to open again on the 22nd of August.

Picture:  In case you find it hard to read.  signs like these are all over the Regents Canal
including at Kings Cross.  It reads:  Caution:  High Voltage Cables Below!

Posted in Wildlife and Nature | 1 Comment

Rainbow in Kings Cross – pot of gold near Nido

Posted on August 14, 2008 by William Perrin

Dsc_0001Well, at least this dreadful Summer has one upside – a lovely rainbow on Sunday landing somehwere near Nido on the Pentonville Road.  I think it was a full arch but couldn’t see from my window – looking out over Bingfield Park.

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Youth group CYP refurbish unique football court at Vibart Walk

Posted on August 13, 2008 by William Perrin

Vibartwalk1Local young people’s charity CYP provides 5,000 opportunities every year for young people to do something productive and self developing.  They are now working to refurbish the totally unique football court on Vibart Walk (map here – walk up Delhi Street – ball court is at other end of Vibart Walk at junction with Outram Place).

The court has six goals on the walls and is used by local young people for a unique form of football with its own complex rules.  A sort of Kings Cross Wall Game, without the top hats.

CYP supported by Homes for Islington are going to turn this neglected, depressing sunken public space into a more colourful and uplifting youth space by involving young people in its design.  Work wil begin on Monday 18th and continue for three days – drop in and have a look.

To support CYP you can donate by clicking here for a secure online donation service run by Co-op bank and Charity Choice.  No amount is too small, nor too big.  You could donate the amount you have saved on sunscreen this year.  You can contact Antonia at CYP here.

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Free music workshop – from Lake Victoria to Regents Canal…..

Posted on August 11, 2008 by William Perrin

Rock_gong Joanie McGill has got in touch with some free places on a music workshop at Kings Place- like the sound of the Ugandan Rock Gongs.

Joanie says:

>>>London Sinfonietta, Nigel Osbourne and Ugandan Dance Academy – CPD

Sunday 12 October | 10.00 – 12.30 | Kings Place

The London Sinfonietta is about to move its headquarters in Kings Place, an exciting new creative centre near Kings Cross which includes concert halls and art galleries. As part of Rock Music. Rock Art – a four day mini-festival bringing together the UK’s leading contemporary music ensemble with the best traditional Ugandan musicians from 8-12 October we are delighted to be offering a FREE professional development session to artists on Sunday 12 October.

Led by composer Nigel Osborne, with players from the London Sinfonietta and the Lead Musicians of Uganda Dance Academy the aim of this morning is to explore a cross-cultural music exchange, exploring a new sound world of contemporary classical composition and traditional African folk music.

Rock Music. Rock Art is the culmination of a two year journey of cultural exchange, which began in 2006 when Nigel Osborne and three London Sinfonietta musicians travelled to Lolui Island on Lake Victoria in Uganda to explore a set of amazing Rock Gongs – natural rock formations that have resonant qualities. The gongs had been silent for generations, but this project has breathed new life in to them. The musicians have been able to digitally sample the sounds of the gongs to bring them back to the UK and together have explored each others musical heritage to create an exciting new cross-cultural mix.

This FREE session is open to young artists (aged 18 +), who can bring and play an instrument above Grade 8 standard.

If you would like to book a place at this session please email Anna Rice (Participation Manager) for an application form anna.rice@londonsinfonietta.org.uk .

There are limited places on this session and places will be offered on a first come first served basis.  Your place will be reserved for you on receipt of your booking form and a confirmation email will be sent.  If for any reason you are unable to attend the event after confirming a place please contact us as soon as possible, so we can offer it to someone else

Posted in Arts and Entertainment | Leave a comment

Street Drinkers at Tesco

Posted on August 11, 2008 by Stephan Schulte
_40771036_drinking_ban_203 For the past several months I’ve noticed that the population of "street drinkers" who hang out outside our local Tesco’s has been increasing.  I circtulated a note about this and received a number of emails from folks who agreed that this was becoming a problem.  At the same time I wrote to Sgt David Wiggins of our local Community Support Team and received the following update that I felt folks would want to know about.
The problem of street drinkers, beggars and prostitute advertising carders has already been highlighted to me by Sean Murray a couple of weeks ago. In response to that I have already put a request for resources to be made available to me from our MAGPI ( multi agency geographical panel in Islington) commitee. It has already been agreed that the New Horizons and Islington Council Drug and Alcohol teams will deploy their out reach teams to the area, supported by Islington council’s CCTV system. They will be working in the area for the next couple of weeks trying to obtain a medium to long term solution to the problem. I have also secured some funding from the Met Police to work further hours. Once the out reach team has worked the area for the next two weeks I will have a week of action against the street population using the Caledonian ward Safer Neighbourhood team.
The reasons for an increase in the street population using the Kings Cross end of the Caledonian Rd is that Camden Police’s Kings Cross SNT have been working intensively on their side of Kings Cross, pushing the beggars, street drinkers etc into our part of Kings Cross.
Just to reassure you we do take your concerns seriously and have already put in action a plan to deal with the issues.
Regards
Sergeant Dave Wiggins PS83NI
Caledonian Safer Neighbourhood Team
Islington Police Station
0207 421 0271
I’m pleased to see that the SN Team is taking some action, but being an impatient New Yorker, I decided to take some of my own action.  I popped in to see the Manager, and Duty Manager of Tesco myself.  I explained that many folks were really bothered by being hassled by some of these folks ("Have any spare change?") and that we hope Tesco’s would do something about it.  He idicated that he was sorry but there was little he could do except call the police. Unfortunately he was calling the Met Police and rarely got any response.  As I had myself come armed (with two of our SNTeam members), they exchanged numbers and now Tesco’s will contact the SNT rather then the Met.  We hope this will make a difference.  I would point out that as we first approached Tesco’s from the other side of the street, the entire group of 5 drinkers, quickly got up and took off.
Posted in Anti Social Behaviour, Crime etc | Leave a comment