Free Community Training for Park Users

Posted on January 10, 2008 by Stephan Schulte

                           Community_training_3

The following information was passed to The Bulletin Board by local resident, Lisa Tang.

Islington Council are offering an unique opportunity to residents of Islington.  Between January and April 2008 they are running a succession of FREE training opportunities to community group members or individuals who care about their greenspaces and wish to work together to improve the quality and use of the spaces.

The courses have been tailormade to offer the most appropriate training to enable users to run safe, effective activities in their parks and open spaces. The courses are funded by NRF (Neighbourhood Renewal Fund) and facilitated by Greenspace rangers.  If you are interested in this free training opportunity call our support services team for more information.

Please note places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. Call (020) 7527-4953/3288, Fax (020) 7527-4971 or e-mail supportservices@islington.gov.uk to find out more and to book your place.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided, and all venues are fully accessible.  Please advise them when booking if you have any dietary, crèche or access requirements.

The Schedule of Events

Running practical conservation events

Saturday 12 January 2008
BTCV Office, 80 York Way, Kings Cross, London N1 9AG

Saturday 9 February 2008
Whittington Community Centre, Yerbury Road, London N19 4RS
Crèche available

Saturday 23 February 2008
Islington Ecology Centre, 191 Drayton Park, London, N5 1PH

Saturday 8 March 2008
BTCV Office, 80 York Way, Kings Cross, London N1 9AG
Crèche available

Basic and Emergency First Aid

Saturday 16 February 2008
BTCV Office, 80 York Way, Kings Cross, London N1 9AG
Crèche available

Saturday 1 March 2008
Islington Ecology Centre, 191 Drayton Park, London, N5 1PH

Fundraising workshops

Saturday 2 February 2008
King Henry’s Walk Garden, King Henry’s Walk, London N1 4NX

Saturday 5 April 2008
King Henry’s Walk Garden, King Henry’s Walk, London N1 4NX
Crèche available

Posted in Community Health and Welfare | Leave a comment

Wharfdale Road greenwall lastest news

Posted on January 9, 2008 by Sophie Talbot

Image001 Happy New Year, if a bit late, from the Wharfdale Road Greenwall Project! The image on the left is a possible design for the greenwall. We are  negotiating with a sculptor who may design a steel planter for the base of the wall – all very hush, hush at the moment. We also have the support and expertise of Camden Garden Centre on board, so we are in safe hands. The project is blossoming into being not only a vertical garden, but also an impressive art installation complete with sensory elements, subtle lighting, imaginative use of the fantastic natural light that hits the wall at sunset, and all with input from our local schools (you know who you are BSS, CS and WS – we’ll be contacting you soon to see if you are interested!!!).

You can see more about the history of the project and what it aims to achieve by clicking on Green Wall Project on the right hand menu, or visiting www.cookie.org.uk/greenwall.

If you have any comments or concerns about the project, any expertise or ideas to offer, or cash you’d like to pledge, do get in touch. Email the project at greenwall@cookie.org.uk or contact sophie@kingscrossenvironment.com.

Posted in Green Wall Project | Leave a comment

Local crime falling

Posted on January 9, 2008 by William Perrin

Cally_snt The Kings Cross area has undeniably got a lot safer over the past few years. Figures from the police, presented at Monday’s West Area Committee showed that Caledonian Ward saw reductions in fraud, robbery, theft, sexual offences and violence against the person.  But there was an increase in criminal damage, which is 35% above the London average. 

The figures the police provided weren’t very good at recording ‘fear of crime’, which is quite different to actual crime.  And there are always questions about unreported crime.  In many areas over half the population doesn’t feel safe in their neighbourhood after dark.  Have a look at what the police are doing in their local leaflet about Kings Cross here. 
Download caledonian.pdf
It covers arresting drug dealers on the Bemerton, searching for cannabis factories with thermal imaging and tackling youth violence.

There is a big difference between sitting at home worrying about crime and actually talking to the police and helping them set their priorities, which is much more reassuring.  If you want to feel safer and Come along to the Safer Neighbourhood meeting on 31st January 7.00 to 8.30 at the Blessed Sacrament Church on Copenhagen Street.  Will post some more information closer to the time.

The detailed statistics the police presented are in the document here
Download Performance.pdf

Posted in Anti Social Behaviour, Crime etc | Leave a comment

Bingfield Park – improvement work starts

Posted on January 7, 2008 by William Perrin

P1000754 Some really good news – work on the next phase of improving Bingfield Park has started.   Back in 2002 Bingfield was a war zone.  Most weekends kids would ride stolen moped grand prix there and then burn the bikes, setting light to a couple of trees.  A huge investment in 2004 led to a major rebuild and a massive drop off in anti social behaviour.

Workmen are now removing the decrepit fencing along Rufford Street.  It is being replaced with the more modern silvery fencing that runs along the rest of the perimeter.  This is a small part of a large funding package of just under £0.5million carefully marshalled by the ward counsellors from S106 money (funds a property developer pays for planning permission).  Some local ward pledges money is part of the package.  The council has worked closely with local groups to back up community action.

  • the sports pitch and Crumbles Castle will be floodlit so that young people can use it in the winter, allowing CYP football to carry on through the year
  • Sparkplug will be rebuilt with proper facilities
  • benches will be installed
  • new planting for biodiversity (the park is pretty sterile for wildlife)

Full details in the update note here. The whole project will take some time to complete.  Thanks especially to Cllr Paul Convery, Lawrence Sullivan the Ranger and Andrew Bedford of Greenspace.
Download december_update_bingfield_park_30.11.07.doc

Posted in Bingfield Park | Leave a comment

Want to have your say? Puzzled or worried by something happening locally? Email now or come along on Monday evening…

Posted on January 3, 2008 by William Perrin

Ask_a_question A lot of people want to have their say about something or ask a question about what is going on locally.  But most don’t know how to do it or don’t have the time.  Many people find it hard to stand up at a meeting and ask.  There is an opportunity on Monday evening to put your question about things going on locally to a group of councillors to get an answer, even without having to turn up. 

You can ask about more or less anything local – from why the bin men don’t put the lids back on the bins, through to the lorries in the Kings Cross gyratory or to complaining about a noisy pub.  You won’t necessarily get a magic answer but the councillors will discuss the issue, get the facts for you and often help you resolve a problem, confidentially if need be.

You can ask a question either by email (you will get a proper reply) or in person at the meeting of Islington’s ‘committee for things that happen in our part of Islington. Click here to send an email to the committee clerk who will get it answered for you.  To ask in person , turn up at the Barnsbury Centre on Offord Road at 7:30 Monday evening 7th Jan (map here use the Offord Road entrance). Questions usually come pretty soon after the 7:30 start.  There are some rules about questions here on the agenda.

You can leave after the questions if you like or stay to hear a discussion about what will happen to the Elizabeth Garret Anderson school site (they are going to build a new school a paper is here) or a presentation on local crime statistics (the paper here is baffling even to statisticians) or something on Islington and City Credit Union though I don’t know what.

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

‘The Times’ Kings Cross house prices look to outperform market

Posted on January 2, 2008 by William Perrin

The_times_kings_cross The Times has now picked out Kings Cross in an article on house prices. The Times re-runs the December forecast from Hamptons we first reported here in the middle of a sensible wider piece on the UK market.  Again no sign of bargains for those looking to buy, encouraging news for those lucky enough to own.  The article says:

‘Most observers are predicting that the current turbulence will continue through the first quarter. But by mid-year they expect the general health of the economy and increases in the number of residents will bolster demand and support prices.

‘Knight Frank expects growth of 3 per cent across Greater London, while Savills predicts 5 per cent. Both tip blue-chip parts of central and southwest London to hold value best. Hamptons — which is tipping Bayswater, Islington, Kings Cross and Paddington as next year’s outperformers — thinks that prime Central and North London will grow 4 per cent and South London by 3 per cent.’

For more on Kings Cross house prices, also check out James Byford’s original piece for this site here.

Posted in Buy&Sell | Leave a comment

Kings Cross on TV

Posted on January 1, 2008 by William Perrin

Avengers_bingfield_street_2

Let’s kick the New Year off by looking back to Kings Cross in April 1965.  This fantastic composite still shows the junctions of Randell’s Road and Bingfield Street with York Way – from the 1960s crime series ‘Gideon’s Way’.  The lovely Jaguar Mark II was state of the art then and a favourite of bank robbers.  From the remarkable Avenger Land site.  The area has been used for loads of filming over the years.  You can find a piece here about the Ladykillers with links to present day locations with original photos.

Posted in Arts and Entertainment, Kings Cross local history | Leave a comment

Happy Kings Crossmas!

Posted on December 19, 2007 by William Perrin

Happy_kings_crossmasThanks to all our readers and contributors.  With a special thanks to everyone who has got stuck into community issues this year.

Have a happy holiday, whether in Kings Cross or beyond.

If you want to make a New Year resolution how about doing a little something for your community?  We shall be back with suggestions in January.

Posted in Arts and Entertainment | Leave a comment