Dear folks,may 2011 release the good in you!
New stories on London's hectic life will follow shortly.
Thanks for visiting :)
Friday, 31 December 2010
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Frozen Britain for Christmas
Heavy snowfalls have brought Britain to a halt in the last five days, as up to 25cm of snow blanketed parts of Scotland, North Wales, Northern Ireland and the West Country.
Snow showers have also reached central London and some flights from Heathrow were delayed. Thousands of passengers were stranded at the airport for four days and slept on departure lounge floors, as the airport could not deal with extreme weather.
Meanwhile, the East Coast Line, one of the country’s main railway arteries, was suspended, leaving passengers at King’s Cross staring at a departure board flashing up cancellations. Hundreds spent the night in the freezing cold waiting for Eurostar trains, while the Red Cross handed out blankets to keep passengers warm.
The great queue of St Pancras is slowly decreasing now, as passengers are leaving ‘on a first come, first served’ basis.
The situation at Heathrow airport seems more difficult; even though it has reopened its second runaway yesterday in the evening, many families were told today they will not get home for Christmas as BAA admitted it could not clear the massive backlog at Heathrow before Friday.
Even transport in mainland Europe has been heavily disrupted by the snow and freezing temperatures and hundreds of thousands of passengers in continental Europe contemplate Christmas ruined and holidays wrecked by the heavy snow.
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
EMA will soon close to new applicants
Many high school students will not receive the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) from the next academic year.
Economic support to 16-18-year-olds students will be targeted to those young people who really need financial help to continue in education.
Yesterday’s protest over plans to axe EMA, was called by the ‘education activist network’ and supported by London Region University and College Union (UCU); activists, who had set up a little trestles table and stood chatting and holding banners, started their march at 3.30 pm in Trafalgar Square.
Soon after, demonstrators from all over London gathered at the department of business, innovation and skills in Victoria Street, where they were surrounded by police. The crowd soon disbanded, and a small group marched off, towards a public meeting being held at King's College.
The action was far quieter than last week’s demonstration to protest at the Government's plans to treble university tuition fees.
Agitators were disappointed over EMA scrapping, but students who currently get the grant will continue to receive it for the rest of the academic year.
Monday, 13 December 2010
Day of protest against plan to axe poor pupils' EMA grants
Students and lecturers at more than 100 schools and colleges across the country will stage marches and sit-ins at lunchtime, protesting against plan to axe poor pupils’ EMA grants.
The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is a weekly grant of up to £30 given to 16-18-year-olds from the most disadvantaged homes to help them stay in education, by paying for their basic costs such as transport, food and books.
Martin Doel, chief executive of the Association of Colleges (AoC) said that the overall spending cut involved could see support for the poorest young people shrinking from £574 million to possibly as little as £75 million, severely limiting the career prospects of teenagers from low income families.
EMA payments are received by 600,000 young people from lower income families in English sixth forms and colleges and in some areas of Birmingham, Leicester and the North West, up to four fifths of students are entitled to the grant.
While potesters all over the UK claim that receiving the support is often the decisive factor for poor teenagers in deciding whether to continue their studies, authorities are increasingly concerned about the present economic climate.
Schools Minister Nick Gibb said that as 90% of the students currently in receipt of EMA would have stayed in education without it, the best solution is to ensure better value for money, targeting support to those young people who really need financial help to continue in education.
EMA is due to be scrapped in September 2011 and will be replaced by targeted support straight away.
The action comes just days after tens of thousands of demonstrators descended on Parliament to protest at the Government's plans to treble university tuition fees.
Thursday, 9 December 2010
UK students gathered in their biggest mass demonstration ever as MPs vote to raise tuition fees
Thousands of students gathered today in a day-long demonstration in central London, in a last-ditch attempt to defend their right to higher education, while waiting for MPs’ tuition fees votes.
Young protesters from Brighton, Bristol, Leeds, Nottingham, Liverpool, Oxford, Sheffield and Manchester travelled by coach to join the demonstration.
Police attempting to control student protest in London have resorted to controversial "kettling" techniques to contain the demonstrators' anger.
The protesters marched through Trafalgar Square and headed to Buckingham Palace before converging near Parliament later today, as MPs voted to increase university tuition fees to £9,000 per year, by a majority of 21.
The protest, which was not coordinated by a central body, was chaotic and flared into violence, as several agitators and police officers were injured.
The siege of the treasury is over now, a police charge has pushed back protestors, but it is still difficult to say if the demonstration is drawing to a close. Parliament Square is a mess and anything that can be smashed is a focus of attention.
But Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who branded university tuition fee protesters 'dreamers', said that fee increases were the best possible choice, given the economic crisis.
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Protest number 3 sees 153 students arrested
Thousands of students took the streets today for the third time to protest against plans to triple university tuition fees.
Traffic was brought to a standstill as the students marched through Whitehall, Westminster, Victoria, Hyde Park and the City before ending up in Trafalgar Square, where terrified workers saw a group of demonstrators attempting to smash their way into local Tesco Express and Waterstone's.
153 demonstrators were arrested in London, most of which, said Scotland Yard, were made in Trafalgar Square as they played a game of cat and mouse around the capital to avoid being 'kettled'.
Meanwhile, students who have occupied universities last week, have vowed to continue their protest despite being threatened with legal action.
Young demonstrators who marched up and down the UK were more peaceful, but they are planning to protest in London on the day MPs vote on the fees.
A massive protest is expected in the capital next week and it will be a last-ditch attempt to stop new Conservative plans turning UK in an elitist state.
Traffic was brought to a standstill as the students marched through Whitehall, Westminster, Victoria, Hyde Park and the City before ending up in Trafalgar Square, where terrified workers saw a group of demonstrators attempting to smash their way into local Tesco Express and Waterstone's.
153 demonstrators were arrested in London, most of which, said Scotland Yard, were made in Trafalgar Square as they played a game of cat and mouse around the capital to avoid being 'kettled'.
Meanwhile, students who have occupied universities last week, have vowed to continue their protest despite being threatened with legal action.
Young demonstrators who marched up and down the UK were more peaceful, but they are planning to protest in London on the day MPs vote on the fees.
A massive protest is expected in the capital next week and it will be a last-ditch attempt to stop new Conservative plans turning UK in an elitist state.
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Students protest up and down the UK
The student demonstrations against increased university tuition fees became a national event yesterday as thousands of students across the country took to the streets to voice anger at the new government’s plans.
Nearly 3,000 from Universities, colleges and schools gathered at University place in Manchester, and almost the same number paraded through Brighton. Meanwhile 2,000 students came together in Bristol heading into the city centre. Smaller demonstrations took place in Edinburgh, where the Liberal Democrat headquarters were surrounded by about 250 students and in Cambridge, where more than 200 youngsters scaled the fence of the Senate House.
Seven people in total were arrested amid a heavy police presence.
Meanwhile in London there were few injuries and although there was vandalism, no repeat of the attacks on symbolically important buildings such as Conservative Central Office was reported.
Moreover, several universities in the capital have been occupied in the past few days, including the University of London’s School of Oriental and African studies in Bloomsbury and the University College London.
University chiefs have been granted an injunction to evict all the students from the buildings, but in some cases, groups voted for “non-violent resistance” against attempts to remove them.
UK has not seen this sort of behaviour and demonstration for some considerable time and further riots will take place next week.
Nearly 3,000 from Universities, colleges and schools gathered at University place in Manchester, and almost the same number paraded through Brighton. Meanwhile 2,000 students came together in Bristol heading into the city centre. Smaller demonstrations took place in Edinburgh, where the Liberal Democrat headquarters were surrounded by about 250 students and in Cambridge, where more than 200 youngsters scaled the fence of the Senate House.
Seven people in total were arrested amid a heavy police presence.
Meanwhile in London there were few injuries and although there was vandalism, no repeat of the attacks on symbolically important buildings such as Conservative Central Office was reported.
Moreover, several universities in the capital have been occupied in the past few days, including the University of London’s School of Oriental and African studies in Bloomsbury and the University College London.
University chiefs have been granted an injunction to evict all the students from the buildings, but in some cases, groups voted for “non-violent resistance” against attempts to remove them.
UK has not seen this sort of behaviour and demonstration for some considerable time and further riots will take place next week.
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
University fees protest continues
A second huge mass protest took place this morning as thousands of students occupied University buildings across the capital.
Hundreds of schoolchildren as young as 16 joined the protest walking out of lessons in the co-ordinated mass demonstration dubbed "Day X".
The youngsters are worried that they won't be able to afford to go to University, as new Conservative plans announced cuts to education and a tripling of tuition fees three weeks ago.
Liberal Democrat HQ and Downing Street were targeted by students today and despite a pre-planned major police presence outside key Government buildings in Whitehall, a police van was surrounded and vandalised. Protesters climbed on the roof, covered the vehicle with graffiti and smashed the windows.
So far more than 60 people have been arrested in connection with the occupation of Millbank and one student has been charged with violent disorder.
It is almost a revolutionary situation and this protest is only the second step of a wider campaign: anti-cuts and anti-fees groups are springing up at universities up and down the country.
Further demonstrations are planned in Brighton, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester.
Hundreds of schoolchildren as young as 16 joined the protest walking out of lessons in the co-ordinated mass demonstration dubbed "Day X".
The youngsters are worried that they won't be able to afford to go to University, as new Conservative plans announced cuts to education and a tripling of tuition fees three weeks ago.
Liberal Democrat HQ and Downing Street were targeted by students today and despite a pre-planned major police presence outside key Government buildings in Whitehall, a police van was surrounded and vandalised. Protesters climbed on the roof, covered the vehicle with graffiti and smashed the windows.
So far more than 60 people have been arrested in connection with the occupation of Millbank and one student has been charged with violent disorder.
It is almost a revolutionary situation and this protest is only the second step of a wider campaign: anti-cuts and anti-fees groups are springing up at universities up and down the country.
Further demonstrations are planned in Brighton, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester.
Thursday, 11 November 2010
University is a luxury
All Universities in UK will charge at least £6,000 a year from 2012, according to new Conservative plans announced last week.
The maximum rate at the moment is £3,290 a year and those institutions that are over-subscribed will charge £9,000 when the new rules come into force. They will push for the maximum charge allowed under the new proposals, as charging lower fees could compromise their prestige.
A huge mass protest against tuition fees took place yesterday and was led by more than 45,000 students, who descended on Westminster and stormed Conservative Party HQ starting fires and throwing concrete from the roof. All Conservative staff were evacuated from the building at 3pm under a strong police guard and at least eight people were hurt.
It was the biggest protest by students since 1998, when tuition fees were first introduced by Labour.
Today David Cameron vowed that he would not turn back on trebling tuition fees and condemned the students who tried to ransack Conservative headquarters yesterday, saying the full force of the law should be used to prosecute violent protesters.
On the other hand, it will be hard to prevent working-class kids from being priced out of education.
The maximum rate at the moment is £3,290 a year and those institutions that are over-subscribed will charge £9,000 when the new rules come into force. They will push for the maximum charge allowed under the new proposals, as charging lower fees could compromise their prestige.
A huge mass protest against tuition fees took place yesterday and was led by more than 45,000 students, who descended on Westminster and stormed Conservative Party HQ starting fires and throwing concrete from the roof. All Conservative staff were evacuated from the building at 3pm under a strong police guard and at least eight people were hurt.
It was the biggest protest by students since 1998, when tuition fees were first introduced by Labour.
Today David Cameron vowed that he would not turn back on trebling tuition fees and condemned the students who tried to ransack Conservative headquarters yesterday, saying the full force of the law should be used to prosecute violent protesters.
On the other hand, it will be hard to prevent working-class kids from being priced out of education.
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Mill Hill residents united in grief as teenager number seventeen was killed in London
A 17-year-old boy named Marvin was killed on October 27 in his neighbourhood park.
The teenager suffered a gunshot wound to his chest after being attacked in a park area of Mill Hill estate just after midnight. He was taken to Barnet General Hospital but died on arrival.
Police fear the tragedy took place in a pre-planned showdown, as rival gangs have clashed at the place of accident, even though he was allegedly not linked to any gang.
Marvin’s murder comes days after a 16-year-old boy was shot dead in a gang attack in Plaistow and brings the number of teenagers killed in London this year to 17.
Yesterday the press has also revealed that one of Marvin’s older brothers was jailed for manslaughter while another of his siblings was sentenced for murder: they are both involved in the killing of a teenager boy from Neasden, kicked to death in 2006.
The scenario makes me think about a quote from the 19th Century historian J.A. Froude: ”Wild animals never kill for sport. Man is the only one to whom the death of his fellow creatures is amusing in itself”.
The teenager suffered a gunshot wound to his chest after being attacked in a park area of Mill Hill estate just after midnight. He was taken to Barnet General Hospital but died on arrival.
Police fear the tragedy took place in a pre-planned showdown, as rival gangs have clashed at the place of accident, even though he was allegedly not linked to any gang.
Marvin’s murder comes days after a 16-year-old boy was shot dead in a gang attack in Plaistow and brings the number of teenagers killed in London this year to 17.
Yesterday the press has also revealed that one of Marvin’s older brothers was jailed for manslaughter while another of his siblings was sentenced for murder: they are both involved in the killing of a teenager boy from Neasden, kicked to death in 2006.
The scenario makes me think about a quote from the 19th Century historian J.A. Froude: ”Wild animals never kill for sport. Man is the only one to whom the death of his fellow creatures is amusing in itself”.
Saturday, 14 August 2010
The long way of a driverless train
A driverless train ran for almost four miles on the London Underground during passenger traffic hours.
The incident happened around 6.45 am on Friday and passenger services were consequently diverted to allow the runaway train to pass through.
The engineering train on the Northern line went through six stops on its 13-minute journey before coming to a stop at Warren Street.
Such a major incident during rush hour could have resulted in disaster as a collision with a passenger service train leaving Archway was only narrowly avoided.
London Underground and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch are now investigating on the incident.
The incident happened around 6.45 am on Friday and passenger services were consequently diverted to allow the runaway train to pass through.
The engineering train on the Northern line went through six stops on its 13-minute journey before coming to a stop at Warren Street.
Such a major incident during rush hour could have resulted in disaster as a collision with a passenger service train leaving Archway was only narrowly avoided.
London Underground and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch are now investigating on the incident.
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Teenager number fourteen was killed in London
The second teenage boy was killed in London in less than a week.
He has died today in hospital after he was stabbed during a fight in East London on Sunday, July 4.
The youngster is the fourteen teenager murdered in the city this year, equalling the total for the whole of 2009.
The increasingly alarming statistics disappoint the youth crime groups which had shortly hoped the problem was lessening at the light of last year’s related figures.
Media are dealing with such dreadful news at least on fortnightly basis and it seems the report of a never ending war among teenagers in London.
Hopefully we won’t be reading similar tragedies for a while.
He has died today in hospital after he was stabbed during a fight in East London on Sunday, July 4.
The youngster is the fourteen teenager murdered in the city this year, equalling the total for the whole of 2009.
The increasingly alarming statistics disappoint the youth crime groups which had shortly hoped the problem was lessening at the light of last year’s related figures.
Media are dealing with such dreadful news at least on fortnightly basis and it seems the report of a never ending war among teenagers in London.
Hopefully we won’t be reading similar tragedies for a while.
Sunday, 4 July 2010
Too young to die, too many every year
Every year a worrying number of young people are killed by other teenagers in the streets of London.
A teenage boy was murdered by a gang outside his school in South London last Friday, July 2.
He was ambushed and stabbed in the chest shortly before starting his morning lessons; by 9 am the 15 year-old boy was dead.
The youngster was the thirteenth teenager to be murdered in London in 2010, against a total number of fourteen youths killed in 2009 and thirty murdered in 2008.
Even though the Mayor of London has moved more and more officers from back-office functions to streets in order to increase stop and search since 2008, it is currently hard to tackle the violent culture that has taken years and years to develop in the city.
Most of these crimes take place in central and North-East London. The victims are generally male, aged 14-18 and come from different areas of the city; also varied is their ethnic origin. Stabbing prevails over gunning down and the culprits generally fall within the same age group of their victims.
The only good news is that there are arrests and convictions in almost every case, but such achievements do not lower the number of deaths, that is already a terrible tragedy every year.
Countless are the thoughts and comments of the Mayor, Met Police, teachers and social workers over the necessity to concentrate on the pre-emptive side of tackling violent youth crime.
Some of these tragedies are purely accidental, aroused by a misunderstanding between or among young strangers in a public place or caused by attempted theft or stealing. News often report planned attacks where victims and culprits belong to rival gangs.
Any scenario is different but equally alarming, as most of these young killers do not seem to be worried about police, conviction and prison.
Violence and revenge prevail on the fear of being punished while teenagers behave as they had nothing to lose and this is the most concerning side of the problem.
A teenage boy was murdered by a gang outside his school in South London last Friday, July 2.
He was ambushed and stabbed in the chest shortly before starting his morning lessons; by 9 am the 15 year-old boy was dead.
The youngster was the thirteenth teenager to be murdered in London in 2010, against a total number of fourteen youths killed in 2009 and thirty murdered in 2008.
Even though the Mayor of London has moved more and more officers from back-office functions to streets in order to increase stop and search since 2008, it is currently hard to tackle the violent culture that has taken years and years to develop in the city.
Most of these crimes take place in central and North-East London. The victims are generally male, aged 14-18 and come from different areas of the city; also varied is their ethnic origin. Stabbing prevails over gunning down and the culprits generally fall within the same age group of their victims.
The only good news is that there are arrests and convictions in almost every case, but such achievements do not lower the number of deaths, that is already a terrible tragedy every year.
Countless are the thoughts and comments of the Mayor, Met Police, teachers and social workers over the necessity to concentrate on the pre-emptive side of tackling violent youth crime.
Some of these tragedies are purely accidental, aroused by a misunderstanding between or among young strangers in a public place or caused by attempted theft or stealing. News often report planned attacks where victims and culprits belong to rival gangs.
Any scenario is different but equally alarming, as most of these young killers do not seem to be worried about police, conviction and prison.
Violence and revenge prevail on the fear of being punished while teenagers behave as they had nothing to lose and this is the most concerning side of the problem.
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Recycling award in Redbridge Council
The Waste and Recycling advisor for Redbridge Council was shortlisted for the title of Local Authority Recycling Champion in the Letsrecyle.com Awards for Excellence on May 5.
Habiba Ahmed, who is now one of the top three people in the Country, started her adventure into recycling two years ago.
“I used to run the administration for Enterprise MRS when, thanks to my managerial skills, I was proposed to cover the Recycling Advisor position for Redbridge Council, which I have welcomed since the very first moment,” she said.
Ms Ahmed can speak several Asian languages and the African Swahili and as there are many Asian people in Redbridge, some of which do not speak English, she is the right person to increase their awarness about recycling and environmental issues.
Habiba is in charge of many recycling initiatives around the boroughs and she does monitor the related areas, especially on weekends.
“I have received several formal trainings since when I have started this adventure and now this job is my passion. When I notice that a family is clearly struggling to use recycling bins, I knock on the door and give them training.
“It is immensely satisfying to help people making the world better,” Ms Ahmed said.
Habiba Ahmed, who is now one of the top three people in the Country, started her adventure into recycling two years ago.
“I used to run the administration for Enterprise MRS when, thanks to my managerial skills, I was proposed to cover the Recycling Advisor position for Redbridge Council, which I have welcomed since the very first moment,” she said.
Ms Ahmed can speak several Asian languages and the African Swahili and as there are many Asian people in Redbridge, some of which do not speak English, she is the right person to increase their awarness about recycling and environmental issues.
Habiba is in charge of many recycling initiatives around the boroughs and she does monitor the related areas, especially on weekends.
“I have received several formal trainings since when I have started this adventure and now this job is my passion. When I notice that a family is clearly struggling to use recycling bins, I knock on the door and give them training.
“It is immensely satisfying to help people making the world better,” Ms Ahmed said.
Saturday, 12 June 2010
Chelsea Gold for two Essex teams
Published on the Epping Forest Guardian (short version)- June 10, 2010
Two Essex garden design teams are celebrating gold medals handed out at the Chelsea Flower Show on May 25.
Nazeing nursery Rhodes & Rockcliffe was awarded its second gold in two years after displaying colourful begonia species and hybrids in a garden called ‘Office Greenery'.
David Rhodes took inspiration from the uniqueness of begonia, which is a very attractive and unusual species.
He said: “Not a huge number of people grow this plant, which are available in such different shapes and colours and you can work your magic on them.
“We are the only UK landscape company accredited to Chelsea Flower Show and our customers come from London, Cambridge, Reading and Birmingham, just to mention a few. Achieving the fifth gold medal since 2000 is a sign that we can progress even further.”
‘Spice of Life’ is the name of the other success from Essex, created by Suzanne Gaywood, who has received her eighth gold medal since 2001.
Her key to success is a typical Grenada garden, a small wooden hut surrounded by traditional flora and spices from the homonymous island and designed in Woodham Walter.
“Grenada is my original country and it is also the inspiration behind every garden design I have made so far,” Ms Gaywood said.
“I do not like to be overconfident and this year I was not even thinking about the gold award, as it had all been out of my control, because of the dry weather and the ash clouds. But everything worked out well at the end and all the team members loved my garden.”
Ms Gaywood visits Grenada every year and now she is already planning her next green creation.
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?refresh=8Xf0w41WAg90&PBID=490F2E38-D31B-4A80-83D6-FB68EB010611
Two Essex garden design teams are celebrating gold medals handed out at the Chelsea Flower Show on May 25.
Nazeing nursery Rhodes & Rockcliffe was awarded its second gold in two years after displaying colourful begonia species and hybrids in a garden called ‘Office Greenery'.
David Rhodes took inspiration from the uniqueness of begonia, which is a very attractive and unusual species.
He said: “Not a huge number of people grow this plant, which are available in such different shapes and colours and you can work your magic on them.
“We are the only UK landscape company accredited to Chelsea Flower Show and our customers come from London, Cambridge, Reading and Birmingham, just to mention a few. Achieving the fifth gold medal since 2000 is a sign that we can progress even further.”
‘Spice of Life’ is the name of the other success from Essex, created by Suzanne Gaywood, who has received her eighth gold medal since 2001.
Her key to success is a typical Grenada garden, a small wooden hut surrounded by traditional flora and spices from the homonymous island and designed in Woodham Walter.
“Grenada is my original country and it is also the inspiration behind every garden design I have made so far,” Ms Gaywood said.
“I do not like to be overconfident and this year I was not even thinking about the gold award, as it had all been out of my control, because of the dry weather and the ash clouds. But everything worked out well at the end and all the team members loved my garden.”
Ms Gaywood visits Grenada every year and now she is already planning her next green creation.
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?refresh=8Xf0w41WAg90&PBID=490F2E38-D31B-4A80-83D6-FB68EB010611
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Vital advice on BBQ care
Published on the Willesden&Brent Times - June 3, 2010
With the UK National BBQ Week fast approaching, London Fire Brigade offers plenty of advice to avoid accidents like.
Fire Brigade’s Commander for Brent, Sean Bennett, said: “If you’re careless with your barbecue you could burn more than your sausages.”
For barbecue fire safety tips visit www.london-fire.gov.uk
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?referral=other&refresh=aM1250dSr3R0&PBID=8953b38c-df1f-4f22-9cce-446ad11f800d&skip=
With the UK National BBQ Week fast approaching, London Fire Brigade offers plenty of advice to avoid accidents like.
Fire Brigade’s Commander for Brent, Sean Bennett, said: “If you’re careless with your barbecue you could burn more than your sausages.”
For barbecue fire safety tips visit www.london-fire.gov.uk
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?referral=other&refresh=aM1250dSr3R0&PBID=8953b38c-df1f-4f22-9cce-446ad11f800d&skip=
Festival fun for families
Published on the Willesden&Brent Times - June 3, 2010
Cyclists will get a chance to see at first hand what driving is like from a lorry, while lorry drivers will be given cycling training.
But improving road safety awareness is not the only activity on board at Greenfest festival in Furnivall Gardens, Hammersmith.
Environmental and community groups, together with residents will promote a more planet-friendly lifestyle with natural products stalls, a workshop on ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ and many other initiatives on June 20.
More information available at www.greenfest.org.uk
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?referral=other&refresh=aM1250dSr3R0&PBID=8953b38c-df1f-4f22-9cce-446ad11f800d&skip=
Cyclists will get a chance to see at first hand what driving is like from a lorry, while lorry drivers will be given cycling training.
But improving road safety awareness is not the only activity on board at Greenfest festival in Furnivall Gardens, Hammersmith.
Environmental and community groups, together with residents will promote a more planet-friendly lifestyle with natural products stalls, a workshop on ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ and many other initiatives on June 20.
More information available at www.greenfest.org.uk
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?referral=other&refresh=aM1250dSr3R0&PBID=8953b38c-df1f-4f22-9cce-446ad11f800d&skip=
Chance for DJs
Published on the Willesden&Brent Times - June 3, 2010
Are you a young remix magician? Do you already work as a DJ? Youth Music is the answer to your dream.
The UK's largest children's music charity, in fact, has just launched a massive competition to give aspiring 14-18 DJs the chance to play on stage.
Just download the Micachu track 'Lips' and work your magic for your chance to perform at Underage festival in August.
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?referral=other&refresh=aM1250dSr3R0&PBID=8953b38c-df1f-4f22-9cce-446ad11f800d&skip=
Are you a young remix magician? Do you already work as a DJ? Youth Music is the answer to your dream.
The UK's largest children's music charity, in fact, has just launched a massive competition to give aspiring 14-18 DJs the chance to play on stage.
Just download the Micachu track 'Lips' and work your magic for your chance to perform at Underage festival in August.
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?referral=other&refresh=aM1250dSr3R0&PBID=8953b38c-df1f-4f22-9cce-446ad11f800d&skip=
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Young Times: Try your hand at birdwatching
Published on The Times - January 16, 2010
Count the birds in your playground and help the RSPB
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/young_times/article6989945.ece
Count the birds in your playground and help the RSPB
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/young_times/article6989945.ece
No longer going round in circles?
December 2009
London’s Circle Line has become a lasso-shaped route more than a century after it first opened.
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From December 13 all Circle line trains start in Hammersmith, run along the current Hammersmith & City line to Edgware Road and then do a clockwise lap of the Circle line before heading back to Hammersmith. They then do the journey anti-clockwise.
Ten 'meet the manager' events took place at stations in central and west London during the nine days preceding the launch of the new route, to inform passengers about the changes.
But passengers have expressed disappointment and frustration over the consequences of the most radical change ever on the yellow underground line. There will no longer be an automatic through service between the west and north sides of the current Circle line and passengers now have to change trains at Edgware Road. And the number of trains per hour has been reduced from seven to six, despite claims that the extension would have improved train frequency.
Andrew Rees, a graphic designer travelling every morning from Liverpool Street to High Street Kensington, said: “Since the new Circle line was opened, I have to wake up 20 minutes earlier every day to compensate for the time I waste changing at Edgware Road. It is not as good as it used to be.
“Before, I had a choice between travelling clockwise and anti-clockwise; now I have to stop and change in Edgware Road.
“When I first read about the new service I thought it was going to be an improvement: they described it as more reliable than it was before, so I guessed it was going to be more trains, but it is less, actually.
“I will leave a complaint note for customer service soon. I also feel sorry for the staff, because they have to work more than before.”
Emily Fasher, a model who travels every day from High Street Kensington to Farringdon, said: “Last Monday, I thought they were doing some sort of works and that things were going crappy on the Circle line for this reason.
“Today I found out it is permanent and I do not understand why they did change everything. Now I have to stop every day at Edgware Road and it takes up to 15 minutes of my journey if I am lucky, which is very annoying.
“Before, we could choose between changing train or going all round the Circle line, instead.
“I do not think this new system is any good.”
The plans have been designed to accommodate the new faster and longer type of train called ‘S-stock’, which will come on stream in 2010 and in 2013.
Tube chiefs say that even though changing train at Edgware Road is felt to be a disadvantage by commuters, scheduling means most travellers will be able to switch to a neighbouring platform instead of using footbridges.
Ray Patel, a station supervisor who divides his time between Edgware Road and Hammersmith, said: “I have been working for Transport for London for 14 years and I guess this new plan is not the best they did so far.
“Edgware Road used to be a through running station, now it is an interchange one. People take a bit longer than before to go to work or reach their destination and the interchange can also be uncomfortable when it comes to people with luggage, prams and older ones.
“When a train is cancelled from Hammersmith, there is congestion in Edgware Road and things get a bit more difficult.
“I am sure that Transport for London meant to make the service more regular and give drivers enough of a break to avoid potential unscheduled breaks in Edgware Road.
“But commuters are unhappy and many of them are complaining to the staff.”
The unquestioned benefit coming from the new plan is the almost doubled number of trains running to and from Hammersmith: the new Circle line trains, in fact, will run in parallel with the Hammersmith & City line ones, from Edgware Road to Hammersmith.
The new service will feed demand in west London, including the new station at Wood Lane. At present the Hammersmith & City line has only seven trains an hour. Adding the New Circle line route, there will be a tube leaving every four minutes.
Tom Bason, an accountant travelling everyday from Richmond to Wood Lane, says:
“I am lucky because the new service is advantageous to me.
“Once I have reached Hammersmith, I do not have to wait for a train to go to work now. There is always a through one for Edgware Road available on one of the platforms.
“By the way, I am aware of the discomfort for people passing through Edgware Road; they must be wasting time waiting for the following train.”
Mr Patel added: “I am sure the new Circle line is good for all those people travelling from Hammersmith to Edgware Road and vice versa: they now have got double choice at their service.
“The only problem that still remains is the staircase: the new service has brought an increased number of trains and passengers per hour, but they all transit along the unique staircase available. Before it was secure, but now it could be unsafe."
London’s Circle Line has become a lasso-shaped route more than a century after it first opened.
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From December 13 all Circle line trains start in Hammersmith, run along the current Hammersmith & City line to Edgware Road and then do a clockwise lap of the Circle line before heading back to Hammersmith. They then do the journey anti-clockwise.
Ten 'meet the manager' events took place at stations in central and west London during the nine days preceding the launch of the new route, to inform passengers about the changes.
But passengers have expressed disappointment and frustration over the consequences of the most radical change ever on the yellow underground line. There will no longer be an automatic through service between the west and north sides of the current Circle line and passengers now have to change trains at Edgware Road. And the number of trains per hour has been reduced from seven to six, despite claims that the extension would have improved train frequency.
Andrew Rees, a graphic designer travelling every morning from Liverpool Street to High Street Kensington, said: “Since the new Circle line was opened, I have to wake up 20 minutes earlier every day to compensate for the time I waste changing at Edgware Road. It is not as good as it used to be.
“Before, I had a choice between travelling clockwise and anti-clockwise; now I have to stop and change in Edgware Road.
“When I first read about the new service I thought it was going to be an improvement: they described it as more reliable than it was before, so I guessed it was going to be more trains, but it is less, actually.
“I will leave a complaint note for customer service soon. I also feel sorry for the staff, because they have to work more than before.”
Emily Fasher, a model who travels every day from High Street Kensington to Farringdon, said: “Last Monday, I thought they were doing some sort of works and that things were going crappy on the Circle line for this reason.
“Today I found out it is permanent and I do not understand why they did change everything. Now I have to stop every day at Edgware Road and it takes up to 15 minutes of my journey if I am lucky, which is very annoying.
“Before, we could choose between changing train or going all round the Circle line, instead.
“I do not think this new system is any good.”
The plans have been designed to accommodate the new faster and longer type of train called ‘S-stock’, which will come on stream in 2010 and in 2013.
Tube chiefs say that even though changing train at Edgware Road is felt to be a disadvantage by commuters, scheduling means most travellers will be able to switch to a neighbouring platform instead of using footbridges.
Ray Patel, a station supervisor who divides his time between Edgware Road and Hammersmith, said: “I have been working for Transport for London for 14 years and I guess this new plan is not the best they did so far.
“Edgware Road used to be a through running station, now it is an interchange one. People take a bit longer than before to go to work or reach their destination and the interchange can also be uncomfortable when it comes to people with luggage, prams and older ones.
“When a train is cancelled from Hammersmith, there is congestion in Edgware Road and things get a bit more difficult.
“I am sure that Transport for London meant to make the service more regular and give drivers enough of a break to avoid potential unscheduled breaks in Edgware Road.
“But commuters are unhappy and many of them are complaining to the staff.”
The unquestioned benefit coming from the new plan is the almost doubled number of trains running to and from Hammersmith: the new Circle line trains, in fact, will run in parallel with the Hammersmith & City line ones, from Edgware Road to Hammersmith.
The new service will feed demand in west London, including the new station at Wood Lane. At present the Hammersmith & City line has only seven trains an hour. Adding the New Circle line route, there will be a tube leaving every four minutes.
Tom Bason, an accountant travelling everyday from Richmond to Wood Lane, says:
“I am lucky because the new service is advantageous to me.
“Once I have reached Hammersmith, I do not have to wait for a train to go to work now. There is always a through one for Edgware Road available on one of the platforms.
“By the way, I am aware of the discomfort for people passing through Edgware Road; they must be wasting time waiting for the following train.”
Mr Patel added: “I am sure the new Circle line is good for all those people travelling from Hammersmith to Edgware Road and vice versa: they now have got double choice at their service.
“The only problem that still remains is the staircase: the new service has brought an increased number of trains and passengers per hour, but they all transit along the unique staircase available. Before it was secure, but now it could be unsafe."
End of a chapter as Borders closes
December 2009
Book-lovers in Islington have been flocking to snap up Christmas bargains after the Borders bookshop chain has started a closing-down sale in all of its 45 stores.
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The N1 centre store in Islington is one of the biggest, with its coffee shop and huge range of magazines and books. There is nothing like this in Angel and the spacious two-storey store has been a popular base for passionate readers, writers and journalists for almost a decade.
Staff here and elsewhere have been warned they face losing redundancy pay if they talk to the press, while administrators for the 45 UK Border stores which have gone into receivership are working non-stop.
With only five days to go, the shop is full of banners offering discounts up to 90 per cent and queues are huge in every section of the store. It is not just books, but also CDs, DVDs and any sort of gadget and stationery.
Ali Karaaslam, a student from Islington, said: “I am really sorry and disappointed about the closure of Borders branches.
“I have been a regular customer for eight years. I buy all sorts of DVDs and CDs and story books for my children in Borders.”
Kira-Anne Macanzie, a shop assistant from Angel, said: “It is really depressing that people are not buying books as much as before. I guess most of them are choosing the internet as their source of infotainment, forgetting about bookshops and libraries.
“Borders is my favourite bookshop and I also reckon the Angel branch is very much part of Islington; there are no other bookshops like this in the area.”
Even some tourists are regular customers at Borders, including Pyppos Helen, an accountant from Greece, who said: “This is my second holiday in London and the second time I come to Borders in Angel; even my family and friends like the Angel branch.
“Last time I bought several travel and psychological books that I cannot find easily in my country.
“Today I found out the company is closing down and I am surprised. Even though high discounts are beneficial to customers, it’s a bad sign for the market in the long term.”
Borders is only the latest of a series of local bookshops to shut. The Bookhouse in Upper Street recently closed and have been replaced by an optician’s, while another store called Angel Bookshop, left its premises to a travel agency and started an online business.
Book-lovers in Islington have been flocking to snap up Christmas bargains after the Borders bookshop chain has started a closing-down sale in all of its 45 stores.
.JPG)
The N1 centre store in Islington is one of the biggest, with its coffee shop and huge range of magazines and books. There is nothing like this in Angel and the spacious two-storey store has been a popular base for passionate readers, writers and journalists for almost a decade.
Staff here and elsewhere have been warned they face losing redundancy pay if they talk to the press, while administrators for the 45 UK Border stores which have gone into receivership are working non-stop.
With only five days to go, the shop is full of banners offering discounts up to 90 per cent and queues are huge in every section of the store. It is not just books, but also CDs, DVDs and any sort of gadget and stationery.
Ali Karaaslam, a student from Islington, said: “I am really sorry and disappointed about the closure of Borders branches.
“I have been a regular customer for eight years. I buy all sorts of DVDs and CDs and story books for my children in Borders.”
Kira-Anne Macanzie, a shop assistant from Angel, said: “It is really depressing that people are not buying books as much as before. I guess most of them are choosing the internet as their source of infotainment, forgetting about bookshops and libraries.
“Borders is my favourite bookshop and I also reckon the Angel branch is very much part of Islington; there are no other bookshops like this in the area.”
Even some tourists are regular customers at Borders, including Pyppos Helen, an accountant from Greece, who said: “This is my second holiday in London and the second time I come to Borders in Angel; even my family and friends like the Angel branch.
“Last time I bought several travel and psychological books that I cannot find easily in my country.
“Today I found out the company is closing down and I am surprised. Even though high discounts are beneficial to customers, it’s a bad sign for the market in the long term.”
Borders is only the latest of a series of local bookshops to shut. The Bookhouse in Upper Street recently closed and have been replaced by an optician’s, while another store called Angel Bookshop, left its premises to a travel agency and started an online business.
Soho shopkeepers flee the bulldozers
November 2009
An ambitious Crossrail project in London could force hundreds out of work and dozens of shop owners out of business.
The rail scheme is due to link Maidenhead in Berkshire to Shenfield in Essex, via Heathrow airport and central London, by 2017.
In order to purse this plan dozens of shop owners in Soho, central London, are going to quit their business early next week after having received five weeks’ notice under a compulsory purchase order.
Two massive old buildings in Dean Street will disappear in the space of a few hours, as bulldozers sweep away shops, restaurants and pubs.
Passers-by and commuters may be shocked by the different landscape, but shop owners claim they and their staff will face massive disruption.
Francesco Cipriani, manager at Spaccanapoli, has been helping to vacate the premises of his pizzeria for the last few days.
“We have already sold all the furnishings and staff laid off here,” he said. “It is emotionally hard to leave this place after 16 years and for most of the 25 staff members the certain income is gone at the moment.
“The most experienced of us will move to our other branch in Farrringdon area, that is called Santorè, but what about the others?
“London has already got a great transport and I think it is not worthy to demolish these old buildings for Crossrail’s sake.”
Also worried about the future is Nicola Atkinson, manager at Cornish Bakehouse. She claims the takeaway chain serves hundreds of passing customers every day.
"Our last day will be on Tuesday and it is very sad to leave. We have been here for five years and it is deeply unsettling to vacate now that businesses are struggling anywhere.
“Hopefully we will be able to go to another shop, but is not sure yet. Consequences of this plan are terrible for the whole area,” she said.
More optimistic about the future and the project is Rajeev Kein, manager of Perfume Culture, a new shop displaying a wide selection of cut-price perfumes.
“I think this plan will only affect shop owners. Some people feel bad because they have been staying here for several years and rely massively on usual customers.
“We won’t be affected badly. We are a new business and we are renting; consequently, we have not been offered compensation, but now we are shifting to Oxford Street, that is even a better business venue, where Crossrail offered spaces for most of the businesses that will make way for the project.”
Under the rail scheme Tottenham Court Road will host both an underground and a Crossrail station.
Crossrail has allegedly offered landlords almost the whole value of their “assessed property value” in compensation.
But owners claim there is no guarantee of finding other premises in another well-known and central area and many businesses are still on stand-by, waiting for another place to move into.
Display fires memories of sporting past
October 2009
With the London 2012 Olympic games still three years away, a display of rare treasures and memorabilia from past Olympic games is now on show at Islington Museum.
It includes torches from the 1948 and 1956 trials, a gold medal, and the starting pistol from the marathon at the 1908 London Games.
Passing the Baton celebrates more than 100 years of Olympic and Paralympic experience and some of the items on show, such as postcards and stamps, have been lent by Islington residents in response to an appeal for souvenirs.
Alex Smith, heritage assistant at Islington Museum, said: “This is a great chance to show how the Olympic games and politics are related and how these games can bring co-operation among countries.
“All the visitors are enthusiastic about the initiative so far and during the open day most of them were among those who could even remember the London 1948 Olympic Games.”
The event runs until October 30 and highlights London as a three-time host of the Olympic Games with an exhibition, events and activities, including a free talk by Paralympics gold medallist Tom Aggar.
Young people can show their talent and design an Olympic poster, with prizes for the best one. Children can also download a free education pack on the story of the Olympic games.
News flash: Plastic bags are history
Published on the Islington Tribune (18-09-2009)
BBC political editor Nick Robinson proved his green credentials by signing a pledge not to use plastic bags at an event on Highbury on Saturday.
Mr Robinson is pictured above with his colleague, BBC radio presenter Sheila Dillon. The two both live locally and attended the first plastic-bag-free day at Highbury Barn and supported the campaign to stop the use of plastic bags, which clog up the seas and rivers and choke wildlife.
Nearly 300 people signed up to agree to ditch using them in future and switch to reusable bags instead.
Participants were also given reusable Highbury Barn bags supplied by Highbury east Councillors or loyalty bags from Frank Godfrey the butcher.
The Highbury Soul band provided a buzz about the Barn and retailers were enthusiastic about the atmosphere and the number of people promising to give up their plastic bag habit.
Love your lungs! MP lends his support to free lung screening scheme
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Published on the Islington Tribune (18-09-2009)
Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn had his lungs tested and was given a clean bill of health.
It was all part of the British Lung Foundation ‘Love Your Lungs’ campaign day. The free lung function testing event took place in Holloway last Wednesday, with more than 150 people availing themselves of the service. The borough is being targeted after research showed that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a particular problem in the area.
The lung function tests are quick and painless – they take around 10 minutes and require only that you blow into a tube.
Mr Corbyn said:“I feel great having had a lung function test! It is reassuring and extremely easy to do.”
The next event will take place on Thursday September 24 in Sainsbury’s, Angel N1 Centre, between 10am and 4pm. For further information, visit www.lunguk.org
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