hackneytoday Circulated to 108,000 homes and businesses by Hackney Council Issue 248 24 January 2011 inside Discover something new 7 Boxing Lives 8-9 Library events 11 Details from the cover of this year’s colourful Discover Young Hackney programme FEBRUARY will see a host of The Council’s fifth annual youth performances at the their peers. range of activities, from Hackney opportunities for teenagers festival for 13 to 19-year- ‘I’m In’ talent competition Then creative writing and acting, to to try out arts and cultural olds kicks off in style at final, which will see five throughout Chinese lantern making and People activities during Discover the Hackney Empire on 4 musical hopefuls battle it the month there drumming workshops. Young Hackney (DYH). February with a showcase of out in front of an audience of will be a whole Full story & pictures: pg 4 17 HOUSING MILLIONS ensuring that it continues including a health centre, Close sites, with the construction or due to through the downturn in and retail and commercial next phase of planned be built over the next By the housing market. opportunities. This work being considered five years. Listings pull-out James Willsher The Council is investing follows hot on the heels of in March, which will Cllr Karen Alcock, over £16million during the 1,000 homes already together create a total Deputy Mayor of 18 WIN THE next step in one the next four years, while being built there, as well of 226 homes for social Hackney, said: “The of London’s biggest developer Berkeley Homes as a new community renting, 182 for shared Council made a pledge regeneration has contributed more than centre and the Skinner’s ownership, and the to residents that despite projects looks set £30million. Funding Academy, completed remainder for private sale. the economic climate ExCeL Baby to go ahead with another for affordable housing last November. Taken together, the we would find new and Show tickets 1,000 homes to be built at has also been received Planning permission was funding and planning innovative methods Woodberry Down. from the Homes and also granted earlier this approval mean that nearly with partners to provide A funding package was Communities Agency. month for construction half of the 4,600 homes housing at Woodberry 28 announced this month for The development work by Berkeley Homes planned for the 20-year Down. the Council’s regeneration programme will deliver at the Horston and regeneration programme programme for the area, a range of new facilities Sherwood, and Newnton are now either under CONTINUED PAGE 3 Hackney History www.hackney.gov.uk get your next out 7 February 2 24 January 2011 hackneynews y Hackney Today is a produced by the Communications & Consultation team at London Borough of Hackney, Room d 82, Hackney Town Hall, Mare Street, E8 1EA. E-mail: htnews@ hackney.gov.uk o Editor: Jane Young Grades officially Tel: 020 8356 3275 E: [email protected] t Sub-editor & designer: Kate Gibney on the up y Tel: 020 8356 3178 E: [email protected] Reporter: Marcel Reinard e Tel: 020 8356 4966 E: [email protected] Top performing 2010 GSCE students from Mossbourne Academy Advertising & distribution manager n backgrounds across David Roberts the country. Tel: 020 8356 2416 By Yvonne Servante, Deputy E: [email protected] Marcel Reinard Director of The Learning Trust, which runs the k Hackney Today is published GOVERNMENT borough’s educational by the London Borough figures have services on behalf of the of Hackney. It has a print confirmed another Council, said: “With run of 108,000 copies and year of improving exam results above the is delivered free, to every GCSE and A level results national average, Hackney c home and business in the in Hackney schools is a place of choice for borough each fortnight and colleges. secondary education and For the first time, stats that’s testament to the hard The paper’s official, have been released showing work and dedication of our a independently audited HCC student Pawel Ladosz helped boost the college’s scores, door-to-door delivery is school GCSE results gaining two A*s and an A at A-level schools.” against the new English Cllr Rita Krishna, 91,380 copies per issue, Baccalaureate. To achieve Yesodey Hatorah Jewish studied by each pupil Cabinet Member for according to Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) figures for the Baccalaureate, students Secondary School for Girls; during the academic year. Children’s Services, added: h the period Jan-June 2010 must get grade A* to C in 33 per cent at Mossbourne Hackney also came out “This is excellent news; English, Maths, Science, Academy; and 25 per cent as the most improved area it clearly shows that plus humanities and from Our Lady’s Convent in the country on point secondary schools across language. School. score per student over the Hackney are making Hackney has met the At A/AS level and last two years – up by an considerable progress and Paid for advertising is national average of 15 equivalents like BTEC, the impressive 15 per cent. we will do our utmost to carried in the paper to keep per cent of pupils hitting borough has seen a 3.7 Hackney Community ensure this improvement costs to a minimum. We the mark for this recently per cent improvement in College (HCC) celebrated continues. reserve the right to refuse added measure, with ‘points score’ per student improvements with their “I’d like to congratulate advertising. The products some schools achieving – a rating system that average point score per the young people and and services advertised in well above this including: measures both individual student rising by 25 per teachers who have all this paper do not carry the Hackney Today is 69 per cent of pupils at grades and the subjects cent compared to three worked so hard to achieve endorsement of Hackney printed on 100 per years ago. these results.” Today or London Borough cent recycled paper. of Hackney This clearly shows that Further data showed MORE INFO Please make sure ‘value added quality’ you recycle it after Printed by Trinity Mirror secondary schools across also rose significantly, To view the full reading, so the Distributed by London Hackney are making with students achieving results visit: www. paper can be used Letterbox Marketing considerable progress one A level grade higher education.gov.uk/ again than those from similar performancetables Designed by Richard Hart www.hackney.gov.uk 3 24 January 2011 TV star Idris Elba returns to THIS his roots, where a new housing PAGE block now bears his name Message from the Mayor Putting frontline services first WE are now well into 2011, but across the country councils are still grappling with the problem they were given at the end of last year – the issue of the Government’s grant cuts, and the savings we have to make in order to maximise the amount of services we all continue t o provide. Hackney homeboy Here in Hackney I’m determined that in the forthcoming budget the Council will not be making cuts to the frontline services it provides residents – there will be no raising of eligibility criteria for home care for the elderly, there’ll be no library closures, no closure of children’s centres, no reduction in the cleanliness of our streets. We are even going to try and pick up some of the services previously funded by Team Hackney – all such local partnerships across the country have Actor Idris Elba and his father, Winston Elba, at Elba House with new resident, Pat Benjamin had their grant funding completely cut or reallocated elsewhere by t he Government. He added that the tribute In previous years we made huge efficiency savings each year and I’ve lived all over the ‘means so much’. used the money to improve or expand services, absorbing higher By place but the only place I In December, the 38-year- costs such as inflation, or catering for more service users, while James Willsher old actor returned to keeping Council Tax frozen for five years. Now the first call on the recognise as where I come Hackney to film the second cash from any efficiency savings will have to be back-filling the HOLLYWOOD from is Hackney series of BBC’s cop drama Government’s grant cuts, just so that we’re able to keep delivering heavyweight Idris ‘Luther’; the first won him s ervices at the front line. Elba returned to a nomination at this year’s However, even the dramatic reductions the Council is making to the his roots to open a House’– a new affordable development on 14 January Golden Globes. costs of management and the loss of support staff through voluntary housing block named after homes development in by one of its new residents, The £6.2million Andre redundancy will not cover the cut in grants in the long term. It has him in recognition of his Andre Street, E8. Pat Benjamin, 44. Street project by not- been recently claimed that merging services with other boroughs to links to the borough. Idris, who grew up just a Speaking about his links for-profit organisation save on management costs will enable councils to avoid any impact The star who played few of miles down the road to the borough, Idris said: A2Dominion has created on services. But even if every London council sacked its Chief Stringer Bell in the hit US on the Holly Street Estate in “I’ve lived all over the 23 new homes for Executive, its Directors and Assistant Directors, and shared just one TV series ‘The Wire’, as well Dalston, was accompanied place, but the only place affordable rent, and part- single super-manager for the whole city, this wouldn’t even deliver as upcoming comic book by his father Winston I recognise as where I buy/part-rent aimed at a tenth of what the capital’s boroughs are expected to save over the movie ‘Thor’, unveiled ‘Elba and welcomed to the come from is Hackney.” local people. n ext four years by the Government. Even though we are protecting front-line, day-to-day service delivery, the borough will be badly affected by a lack of future Woodberry Down funding investment. Worst of these is reduction in the amount of money available to councils for Decent Homes work that will push housing improvements for many residents way off into the future. The money we will be able to put aside for new schools, investment in FROM FRONT PAGE creating 1,961 affordable that provides long-term that local communities p arks, resurfacing roads and pavements, will be extremely limited. “The Council’s own homes by 2011.” social and economic deserve.” Along with the Government’s changes to housing benefit and its investment demonstrates Justin Tibaldi, benefits for the wider Genesis will acquire and withdrawal of the Education Maintenance Allowance to more than our ongoing commitment Managing Director of area.” manage around 1,900 of 3,500 of the borough’s students, Hackney cannot escape the to one of the largest Berkeley Homes (Capital), Ruchell Peng, Genesis the affordable rented and impact of the national spending review. However, I will ensure the regeneration programmes said: “We are totally Regeneration Manager for intermediate homes over Council remains committed to shielding residents from its worst in the capital.” committed to it and will Woodberry Down, added: a 20 year period. This effects. She added: “Hackney continue to work closely “It is a real achievement equates to 41 per cent of is also among the top- with our partners to ensure that the partnership work the total at Woodberry performing London that together we deliver at this important site is Down. boroughs for affordable the investment necessary starting to bear fruit and is The first new homes for housing provision, and to create a real, sustainable further proof of Genesis’ social renting are expected is on course to exceed a community where people work to deliver the kind to be ready for occupation Jules Pipe, elected Mayor of Hackney three-year total target of will choose to live, and of houses and services this spring. 4 24 January 2011 feature Give it a tr y... design, film and theatre. Cllr Jonathan McShane, By Cabinet Member for Nicola Quinn Community Services, said: “DYH offers fantastic NOW in its fifth year, opportunities for young the Discover Young people to develop their Hackney (DYH) creative skills and knowledge festival offers real and discover ways into opportunities for creative training and careers in the young people to arts – and almost all for free.” pursue their goals. The Council’s Cultural The youth arts Development Team, which and culture organises DYH is keen to festival hear from anyone who for 13 to needs support to access 19-year-old activities. Each event has Try something new or build on your existing skills by taking part in the Council’s Discover Young Hackney festival residents starts in its own access champion earnest on 4 February and the festival programme DOCSCREEN: SHORT DOC pro standards. £5/£3 concs with the ‘I’m In’ showcase is available in braille and on FESTIVAL Info: 23 February, 7-10pm, (cid:3) for young performers at audio-tape or disc. First-time film-maker with a Village Underground, Hackney Empire. Auditions These listings are a sample great story to tell? Group of Holywell Lane, EC2; took place at Hoxton Hall on of the activities on offer. friends who want to share an 020 7422 7505. 16 January, narrowing the issue that is important to you? Access Champion: Tam field to five finalists. MORE INFO Whether you have a finished Vibert; 020 7422 7505; tam@ A full programme of film or are still in production, villageunderground.co.uk To book tickets for I’m In, workshops take place you could be in with a chance on 4 Feb, 7.30- 9.30pm OBONU ‘TALKING DRUM’ throughout February – run to show it at the Rio Cinema. (doors 6.30pm) call: 020 Join master drummers and by creative professionals – 8985 2424; or visit: www. Info: submit by 7 Feb; WRITE ON! WEEK traditional storytellers on in music, dance, radio, art, hackneyempire.co.uk screening 24 Feb, 4.30pm, The new Hackney Young a journey celebrating African- literature, photography, Rio Cinema, Kingsland High Writers Collective wants Caribbean culture. You’ll get PLAY IN A DAY Street, E8. Entry details: you. Get your creative juices to perform alongside jugglers Work well under pressure? 020 7249 6600. flowing, write and develop and acrobats and eat delicious Enjoy a creative challenge? Access Champion: your own stories and poems African-Caribbean food. Our team of professional Amber; 020 7249 6600; and get them published online. Info: 23 Feb, 2-6pm, directors, actors and [email protected] Book in advance. Beemans Community Centre, musicians are aiming to create VOX POPS & VIDEO BLOGS Info: 21-25 Feb, 1-3pm, Rosina Street, E9; a piece of theatre and perform Get behind the scenes of DYH Milton Gardens Youth 07534 505 756. it live in just one day. And they and get your video on the web. Centre, Shakespeare Walk, Access Champion: Florence need your help to do it. No Find out how to film and edit N16; 020 8521 5495. Armah; 07534 505 756; experience needed. your videos, be a presenter Access Champion: David [email protected] Info: 24 Feb, 10am-4pm, and get the backstage goss Alphonso; 020 8521 5495; B6 Sixth Form College, on the festival. No experience [email protected] Kenninghall Road, E5; needed – just bring your 07950 838 238. SIX BOROUGHS: A GET enthusiasm to the three- Access Champion: TOGETHER day workshops. Book in Sarah; 07950 838 238; The Create Programmers – a advance. [email protected] group of ten young people Info: 2-4 or 9-11 Feb, who live in the six Olympic 10am-4pm, SPACE MORE INFO boroughs – introduce a Studios, Mare Street, E8; multicultural music gig For a full programme call: 020 3489 5471. featuring homegrown singers, 020 8356 7209; e-mail: Access Champion: Kayla MCs and bands from across [email protected]; Whiting; 020 3489 5471; the six boroughs. Produced or visit: www.discover young kayla@poachedcreative. and managed by young hackney.com org.uk people, for young people to www.hackney.gov.uk 5 24 January 2011 LGBT history month celebrates the lives DID YOU and achievements of the community every KNOW? February. Visit: www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk m o News in brief c e. all n o s w. w w e: ur ct Pi A memorial candle will be lit at the HMD event Remembering the Holocaust LOCAL people are invited to join a commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) on 27 January. The event, led by Speaker of Hackney, Cllr Sally Mulready, will take place in the Town Hall Council Chamber, Mare Street, E8, at 10.30am. The theme this year is sharing ‘Untold Stories’. The programme includes music and readings from schoolchildren and councillors, the laying of a floral tribute and a two-minute silence. A memorial candle will also be lit. The Council Chamber is wheelchair accessible, but if you One of Sonalle’s images from the Ethnic Minorities Coming Out exhibition at Hackney Museum (above) and a ‘rainbow pledge’ signing event will need more assistance call the Speaker’s Office. (below) during last year’s LGBT History Month in Hackney To reserve a place in advance call Richa Kataria on: 020 8356 3350 or e-mail: [email protected] LGBT History Month Top-five employer HACKNEY has been ranked as allowing them to come one of the top out through the means of five gay-friendly By photography.” councils in the Kate Gibney The ‘Walking Proud in country by lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) charity Stonewall. East London’ oral history Its 2011 Index, which showcases Britain’s top 100 HACKNEY Museum project also launches at the employers of LGB people, ranks the Council 23rd – the 3rd has announced Council-run museum on highest rating for a London authority and fifth highest of all two events to mark 10 February. It features the councils. Hackney’s position at number 23 represents a Lesbian, Gay, memories and experiences significant move up of 20 places from last year. Bisexual and Transgender of 51 LGBT interviewees. Cllr Karen Alcock, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member (LGBT) History Month Community organisation for Equalities, said: “We know that Hackney is a diverse in February. River Cultures collected borough, and being recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace An exhibition of the spoken histories from Equality Index is a clear demonstration of the Council’s photography called a diverse range of people commitment to promoting equality for all.” ‘Ethnic Minorities Coming all over East London, Ben Summerskill, Stonewall Chief Executive, added the Out’ is on display until supported by a Heritage index had received more applications than in any previous Partaking in the production 7 March. The images by Lottery Fund grant. The year. To read more visit: www.stonewall.org.uk/at_work of the images helped many photographer, Sonalle touring exhibition goes on Maroo, illustrate their of the subjects confront and display at Tower Hamlets Millions for Diamond Jubilee subjects’ personal deal with their reality Local History Library & Archives, Bancroft Road VOLUNTARY and community organisations, schools, local E1, from 15-25 February. authorities and health bodies can make a bid for a share in experiences of revealing minority societies. Family the Jubilee People’s Millions worth up to £60,000. LGBT HISTORY their sexuality. and friends often suffer due MORE INFO The Big Lottery Fund and ITV, with the approval of Sonalle, who is to their narrow-mindedness Buckingham Palace, will be helping to mark the Queen’s MONTH EVENT? British born, of hurting or rejecting the Call: 020 8356 Diamond Jubilee in 2012 – with a £3.6million fund. Indian descent, person coming out. 3500; or visit: www. They are looking for new projects that will improve local If you want to publicise an said of the “Talking about the hackney.gov.uk/ places and people’s lives. In June 2011, ITV regional news collection: “I experience and partaking hackneymuseum; to attend will feature six project ideas in each region, competing for event, don’t delay – submit am aware of in the production of the the Walking Proud launch viewers’ phone votes. To have a chance of winning, projects a What’s On listing before the difficulties images helped many of the e-mail: info@rivercultures. will need to inspire local people to get involved. 31 Jan at: www.hackney. of coming subjects confront and deal tv; for exhibition info visit: The deadline for entries is 4 February. To enter call: gov.uk/hackneytoday out in ethnic with their reality, whilst www.ideastore.org.uk 0845 010 1112; or visit: www.peoplesmillions.org.uk 6 24 January 2011 advertising www.hackney.gov.uk To advertise on these pages call David Roberts on 020 8356 2416 7 24 January 2011 The exhibition is the result of a project by the DID YOU London Ex-Boxers Association, brought to life by KNOW? a £50,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant The gloves are on Young trainees at Hoxton APA Boxing Club; Terry Spinks after winning gold at the 1956 Olympics (circled) 1927 world bantamweight, teenager Teddy Baldock (below); & John Kramer’s gloves (top) As we approach London By 2012, this is a story that Nicola Quinn will inspire many people, AN exhibition especially young people showcasing the history of boxing in the Spinks MBE; East End is now open at Sammy Hackney Museum. McCarthy; ‘East End Boxing James Cooke MBE; Lives’ is free and and Mickey Pye. runs until 30 April. It’s also a chance to find Organised with the out more about female London Ex-Boxers’ boxers and looks at Jewish Association, the and Black boxers and the display charts boxing’s discrimination they faced. development from the Visitors to the exhibition days of bare knuckle can limber up with a boxing Cabinet Member for fighting; boxing with training video, or just Community Services, Cllr gloves in pubs and taverns; relax in a recreation of an Jonathan McShane, added: to its current status as an ex-boxer’s sitting room. “Boxing played a major Olympic sport. London Ex-Boxers’ part in the lives of many The exhibition at the Association Chairman, Hackney people and it’s an Council-run museum Charlie Wright, said: “ For integral part of Hackney’s includes memorabilia, the first time the boxing social history. The photographs and interviews heritage of the East End will exhibition tells a story that with some of the East End’s be told through the lives will interest people young finest boxers. of the people who boxed, and old.” It highlights the lives trained or worked here. MORE INFO of famous boxers such “As we approach London as Jewish prizefighter, 2012, this is a story that For info and opening Daniel Mendoza; 1948 will inspire many people times call: 020 From top: 1985 world welterweight champion Sylvester Mittee; Olympic lightweight, especially young people 8356 3500; or visit: boxer’s weighting scales from Shoreditch Town Hall; 1986 York Hall Ron Cooper; and looking for a sport that they www.hackney.gov.uk/ poster; 1948 Olympic GB boxing team; bantamweight British and local boys Terry can get involved with.” hackneymuseum Commonwealth champion Ian Napa’s boxer’s shorts 8 24 January 2011 feature A book a day... A healthy living afternoon was the latest in a series of events to get people in Hackney excited about visiting their local library lots of top tips for By helping Nicola Quinn children develop their THE Council speech and continued its drive language. to encourage more On 5 February people to take there will also advantage of what’s on be entertainment for offer at its eight libraries children aged three to with a healthy living 10 and their parents or workshop and fancy dress afternoon. carers at Stoke Newington competition. The event on 13 January Library. The ‘Ballet was the second in a series Among The Books’ event, MORE INFO of open days at Hackney from 2-3.30pm, includes libraries. Council is holding a ballet performance, For story time dates Come along, join your Visitors to Stamford Hill a series of free, and info call: 020 Library were able to take local library for free and creative story- 7683 4587, or e-mail: part in a range of activities start taking advantage of time sessions [email protected]; all aimed at promoting at libraries to for ballet info call: 020 what’s on offer healthy living, including encourage parents 8356 3000; or visit: www. sampling to read more with balletomane.co.uk tasty salads, smoothie resource for the local their children. making, advice on community. The sessions for under- YOUR VIEWS stopping smoking, “Not only can you fives will give parents massages and free borrow books, but you can the chance to brush The Council wants to health checks. also use the Internet for up their storytelling know what would bring Cabinet free, join a book club, hire skills through fun, more people to libraries, Member for a room for a meeting, or creative reading Community do your homework. Come sessions. and how services could Services, Cllr along, join your local Parents be improved. Take part Jonathan library for free and start attending the in an online survey at: McShane, taking advantage of what’s sessions can www.hackney.gov.uk/ said: “Libraries on offer.” collect a free ‘Talk libraries really are a great Throughout February the to Me’ DVD containing www.hackney.gov.uk 9 24 January 2011 The new Dalston CLR James Library and Hackney Archives are due to open their DID YOU KNOW? doors to residents later this year Combining literature with exercise at Stamford Hill Library during the Council’s healthy living event Delivered to your door SUCH is the enthusiasm of performance poet and musician John Hegley (below) for Hackney’s Community Library Service (CLS), that he has written a poem about it. The service is free and open to residents of all ages who are unable to access a library either on a temporary or permanent basis. If you find it a bind to get out and about, No closed on a Wednesday, no frightening fine never you mind, you can give us a shout some of our customers say it’s a life-line and the library vibe can be brought to your home: so get on the blower and we will start crating the large print, the average, the audio tome and loading- yes Hackney your carriage is we’ve huge cribbage boards; if your vision is blurred waiting. we’ve jigsaws and Scrabble just give us the word and we’ll make a selection around your idea MORE INFO what seemed out of reach can be suddenly near. If you are a dalek and can’t get outdoors For further details or and you live in Hackney - the service is yours. to register call the CLS If you want horror stories, we’ve horrible here on: 020 8356 5238 or we’ve DVD video, all of the gear visit www.hackney.gov.uk/ we will bring the horrific and have you some cheer. community-library-service Substantial the stock we can bring to your pad as much as you’d get if you borrowed like mad, our visits are monthly, our clients are glad. 10 24 January 2011 advertising www.hackney.gov.uk To advertise on these pages call David Roberts on 020 8356 2416