ETA – this weekend

Posted on November 22, 2007 by William Perrin

Arrivals_flyer_3 I see I’ve been beaten to the post (pardon the pun), by Stephen, but just thought I’d give a little further info about the event:

ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)
Bassline Circus & Les Studios de Cirque de Marseille

Directed by Pierrot Bidon, London’s Bassline Circus joins forces with Les Studios de Cirque de Marseille to produce a breathtaking new collaboration, E.T.A. (Estimated Time of Arrival). Featuring MORE THAN: 100 performers from Camden, the 50 piece London Breakbeat Orchestra, 35 circus performers, 8 video screens, 3 cranes AND a wheel of death.

Join the parade in Battlebridge Road at 7pm before being led to an outdoor location which has been transformed for the show at 730pm. With live samba beats and a train of lanterns, let it take you on a journey past iconic landmarks of the Kings Cross Railway Lands, across times and dimension and bring you to a secret destination. The spectacular performance featuring The London Breakbeat Orchestra, Asian dance, state of the art digital visuals, stunning aerial feats and new-skool circus will create a monumental show to capture this historical day.

Fast, furious, unexpected and unstoppable – fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride!

MEETING POINT: Battlebridge Road 7.00pm

For further information or information about access disabled access, please call Camden Arts Information Line 020 7974 4590 or e-mail arts.tourism@camden.gov.uk

Posted in Arts and Entertainment | Leave a comment

Circus in Town!!!!!

Posted on November 22, 2007 by Stephan Schulte

341 How did we miss this…

Just reported to The Bulletin Board by Janys of York Way Court – a two hour circus parade Friday 23 & Saturday 24 Nov, starting Battlebridge Road at 7.00, leaves 7.30, run by Camden Council celebrating St Pancras opening. Bassline Circus and Cirque de Marseille.

The parade will snake around King’s Cross and reach mystery destination, leaflet says train of lanterns to destinations around Kings X & railway lands. Info Line 020 7974 4950

Posted in Arts and Entertainment | Leave a comment

The Kings Cross Kingfisher is back!

Posted on November 20, 2007 by Sophie Talbot

Kingfisher Sighted by Jean James this afternoon at Battlebridge Basin a Kingfisher – it’s probably the same one that has visited the basin in previous years. British Waterways national ecology manager Mark Robinson said only yesterday:

"As well as being a strikingly beautiful bird, kingfishers are an important indicator of the general health of the waterway ecosystem as, like the big cats on the African plains, they are at the top of the waterway food chain.

"And good populations of kingfishers – even in urban areas – show the important role waterways have in greening our towns and cities by providing wildlife corridors which help sustain populations of a variety of both common and endangered species including bats, water voles and otters."

British Waterways is planning a number of improvements to kingfisher habitats at locations including Regent’s Canal. If you spot any urban wildlife in and around King’s Cross, do send your sightings and photos (if any) to KXnature@cookie.org.uk and well get them posted up.

Posted in Wildlife and Nature | Leave a comment

Helping the community – local democracy

Posted on November 20, 2007 by William Perrin

Community It is pretty easy to get your voice heard in Islington.  There are a whole range of ultra-local committees that meet on issues directly affecting us in the area – these meetings are always open to the public.  Last night I went to West Area Committee which focusses on our patch of Islington (Kings Cross, Barnsbury, South Holloway).  A whole range of things came up from bins, dog poo to refurbishing Highbury Corner.  Of direct interest to Kings Cross, residents, Councillors and council staff covered:

  • why the bin men can’t put the lids back on the bins and why the bins are left all over the place.  There was an acknowledgement that this is progress from five years ago when the debate was about the huge piles of refuse everywhere
  • the tipping around the skip on Pembroke Street
  • dog poo on the public pavements around the Bemerton – enforcement isn’t as good as it is on the leafier side of the Cally.  Cllr Smith (Lab. Holloway) moved a resolution to improve street cleaning in areas where people lived as opposed to the over-focus on the Angel.
  • why dog control orders keep being delayed for three months, every three months
  • benches on the Cally Road keep disappearing – there is nowhere for older people to sit
  • ‘neighbourhood management’ – how council money being spent in the most deprived areas can be managed better.  About £60k will come to North Kings Cross.

These meetings are not a laugh a minute, but it is serious stuff, though the sparring between the political groups all seems pretty futile in the face of real local problems.  There were about 15 members of the public there.  Anyone can attend and if you don’t want to stand up and ask a question they can be submitted in writing (or I can raise something for you if you let me know).  There is also tea and biscuits.  The next committee is on the 7th January at 1930 – will publicise it here nearer the time.

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

New Sex Shop License sought for 8 Caledonian Road

Posted on November 16, 2007 by Stephan Schulte

8_caledonian_road_4 The Bulletin Board has just been alerted by David Fordham of Trading Standards that an Application for a new Sex Shop Licence has been filed for 8 Caledonian Road, N1 9DU.  The application was submitted by K B Enterprises Ltd.

Comments on this application must be submitted by 19 Oct – please do not delay in responding.

The picture above shows the Applicant’s location in its current configuration. The picture below as it appeared previously.P8210006_4 

As you know, there is already a Licensed Sex Shop across the street at Soho Books.  This license has been running for more then three years and has caused no concern because of the strict Condition(s) placed on it by the Council – strict control over the outside of the shop – that there be no indication of the fact that there was a sex shop inside!

Soho_books_shopfront_3 This system has worked quite well, satisfying local traders and residents, yet allowing the controversial license to be granted – we think this solution worked for everyone!

Actually, I believe that this new application could be refused simply on the grounds that there already is a Licensed Sex Shop almost directly across the street – Soho Books.  What could possibly justify the need for a second such shop?

However, if the Application was refused, I’m sure the Applicant would simply continue as he has been doing – operating unlicensed.  I don’t think that we ultimately benefit by taking such an approach.

If however, a License was granted with the correct Condition(s), then we COULD hopefully achieve the same success as we have had with the first Applicant.  We could have more control the facade of the shop and what was being presented to passers-by – whose "perception" of the neighbourhood is very important for the continued positive development of the area.

Such Condition could read as follows:

The Council must approve all outside signage, window treatments/displays and shopfront promotions in consultation with the Community.

Personally, I’m a fan of letting folks get on with what they want – as long as it doesn’t infringe on others.  I think such a solution allows all to consider themselves winners in this decision.

It is imperative that you comment on this proposal in writing via email to David Fordham of Trading Standards before this coming Tuesday 20 Nov.  Please state your position, either way. I would hope that the Applicant, seeing your Comments would consider carefully how best to present his shop to the Community!

Posted in Planning, Licensing and Regulation | Leave a comment

L’Arrivee at St. Pancras – Saturday 17th Nov 2-5pm

Posted on November 16, 2007 by William Perrin

Been down to the station yet? Seen the amazing Barlow shed? Marvelled at the beautiful replica clock? Yes, it’s all very interesting, but you ain’t seen nothing yet. Come down tomorrow for when the real fun starts with L’Arrivee…Arrivals_colour_logo_72dpi

To whet your appetite, in front of your very eyes, culinary gypsy band Taraf Goulamas will prepare a dish of snails in their portable kitchen, without even stopping the music!   Settle in comfort at the longest champagne bar in Europe and catch the hilarious antics of award winning French Compagnie Joe Sature et les joyeux osselets presenting the UK premiere of “Out Of Service” a glimpse into the world of silver service waiters, choreographed with style and panache. Watch world famous illustrator Quentin Blake create a large scale drawing exploring the world of travel with assistance from the audience. And step, if you dare, into the barber’s chair and get a make over from Spanish hair art company Osadia who will be creating magnificent sculptures to drive away bad hair days!

Plus music from18 piece orchestra La Fanfare Jo Bithume – a cross between a philharmonic orchestra and a Dixieland jazz Band!

www.arrivals2007.org.uk

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Kings Cross house prices – an expert view

Posted on November 16, 2007 by William Perrin

Kingscrossstpancras House prices are a national obsession and in Kings Cross it can be hard to separate the fact from the fiction.  Debate ebbs and flows about whether there has been a ‘kings cross effect’ or not.  Or what will happen now the train is running and the ‘jam tomorrow’ of regeneration becomes more tangible.  So I am delighted to welcome the first in what will hopefully be a series of articles by James Byford of Myspace estate agents on the Cally Road – contact details below.  Unlike many estate agents James is deeply rooted in Kings Cross, living in the area himself and has a good historical perspective with some surprising conclusions:

‘As a local estate agent, it’s in my interest to keep up to date with the values of property and trends in and around the area.  Back in the nineties, other parts of the surrounding area such as East Islington saw more purchases in both homes and investments, as did West Camden.  However, around 2001 when we started seeing the first signs of regeneration in the Kings Cross area, many people jumped on the band wagon and started buying into the area, predominantly for investment purposes.

‘The area had a reputation as a red light district and was rather run down.  Well, the “ladies” were moved on, the council began a programme of extensive refurbishment to many of the estates, and the award winning Regents Quarter began to take shape.  The jewel in the crown was to be the Eurostar Terminal at St Pancras.

‘In 2001, the average price for a London property was £175,632 compared with the National average of £94,243.  Kings Cross which is partly in the Borough of Camden and partly in the Borough of Islington had an average property value of £303,509 (I have taken an average of both Camden and Islington values, using the Halifax index which I admit is not entirely accurate but there is no specific index for “Kings Cross”)

‘Jump forward to 2007 and the London property scene has seen remarkable increases in values, as too has the National.  However, you would imagine that Kings Cross would have seen considerably more, considering all the regeneration that has been going on, particularly against the London average, and yet it has seen only a 66% (£501,121) increase compared to the London rise of 82% (£319,313).  The National index has risen 113% to £200,623.

‘Of course, much of the planned works are not complete.  As I write this, we are yet to see the opening of the Eurostar (14th November) and the Canalside Concert Hall in 2008.  There remains a large waste ground to the north of the station and many of the Local Authority owned properties are still cloaked in scaffolding.  There is still much to do.  Perhaps with the doom mongers predicting a slow down, or in some cases a drop in property values, now is the time to buy in Kings Cross and it will buck the trend?

To contact James drop in at Myspace Estate Agents, 328 Caledonian Road, London, N1 1BB or call +44 (0) 207 609 3598 or click here to email .  To comment on this article use the comment function below.  For the  avoidance of doubt I have no commercial relationship with MySpace and am not trying to sell my flat.

Posted in Buy&Sell | 3 Comments

……and now in Paris

Posted on November 14, 2007 by William Perrin

 

so am in Paree with stephan and john ashwell (not pictured). it’s remarkable that you can just walk to the end of the road and then 2 hours later end up in paris. 

Has been a great day here in cold though lovely weather. 

Posted in Transport | 2 Comments