COMMUNITY NEWS FROM THE HIGHBURY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Meet your neighbours at our AGM

It’s already behave, Boney will get you!” - on the restoration of the town at that time of Boney being Napoleon Bonaparte. Inveraray in Scotland, seat of the year again – Now of course that’s changed, and it Dukes of Argyll. The 11th Duke time for the will change again.’ wanted a history of the castle and HCA AGM. But how did Mary become a Mary was invited to help. ‘This was This year writer of local history?... virgin research into the castle and we are Mary was born in Bristol. She lucky to began working for the civil service, continued on page 2 have as but World War II broke out, and she our joined the Wrens. ‘I was stationed in speaker Alexandria for the last year of the Come to the HCA the author of the War,’ says Mary. ‘You had to sail in definitive A History of , convoy. It was much calmer coming AGM and Party! Mary Cosh. She is currently back than it had been going.’ researching a book on the Greens of After the War Mary went up to St Saturday 17 April Islington. She will tell us about this Anne's College Oxford where she at 7.15pm together with some snippets on contributed to Isis, the student Christ Church, 155 Highbury Highbury history. magazine. She did a vacation job in Grove, N5 GRAHAM COULT talks below to an Earls Court B&B while the usual Wine and food! Mary Cosh about her research housekeeper was away and wrote up methods and how she came to be a her experiences for The Spectator. writer and to live in Islington…. Then The Times Educational What has the HCA been doing On historical research Mary says: Supplement gave Mary a freelance in the last year? What would you ’I visualise a subject. I see an ivory job, and so she had made a start on like the HCA to do? castle with no entrance. The major her chosen path. Mary Cosh, author of A question is how do you find a secret She first became involved in History of Islington, will be our entrance? I find Hoskins’ Local Islington’s history when she worked speaker this year History in England a good place to for the Order of St John of start. Then I go to an appropriate Jerusalem, a charity based in Auction and raffle in aid of library. I find the main sources from . She stayed there for 17 the Elizabeth House June 2010 which I identify the primary sources. years. Mary led historical walks and Talent Show for local kids I also go to the Greater London wrote pieces for the then new Join the party! Wine, food, Archive, which is near the Hugh Islington History Society as well as raffle, stimulating discussion Myddelton School.’ running classes in local history. and much more. ‘People's view of history has Mary's work on A History of changed. In the mid 19th century, Islington stems back to this time. Can you bring a dish of food? If history would have been the But she hasn’t written only about so, please ring Beth on 7359 Napoleonic Wars and your hero Islington. Her interest in history led 2193 or email would have been Wellington. People to an invitation from an architect [email protected] would say to children “if you don't friend, Ian Lindsay, who was working

The HCA represents over 900 residents and businesses on all aspects of living and working in Highbury, and Park.

Membership is free. Members receive bi-monthly newsletters like this one. New members will receive the newsletter by email (unless you don’t have email). To join or talk to us about anything Highbury-related, please email [email protected] or write to PO Box 43396, N5 9AD.

April 2010 • Issue 66 1 continued from page 1

Pilates Classes the town,’ says Mary There is an Islington connection. Thomas Milner who worked on Inveraray Castle, was also responsible for Mondays 9.15 am the New River Head, and the early restoration of St Mary's St Johns School Hall Church in Islington. A later project took Mary to Scotland again, Conewood St N5 to Edinburgh to write a social history of its Golden Age… However, Islington is where she has chosen to make her home Chloe’s classes focus on improving posture by releasing tight muscles and breathing correctly. A great since the late 1950s. Appropriately enough, it was a local history way to strengthen core muscles and release stress too. write-up in The Observer on the Tower that brought her to investigate the area in the first place. It was then that she www.chloepaterson.com decided it would be a good place to live, and she hasn’t regretted Member of the Body Control Pilates Association it. Fortunately for us, she continues to devote her research and 07771 848 553 writing skills to our neighbourhood …

A History of Islington, Mary Cosh Historical Publications, to be reprinted in July 2010 http://www.historicalpublications.co.uk/book%20popups/history ofislington.html

Local History in England, Hoskins, W. G. (Harlow: Longman, 1959; 2nd edition 1972; 3rd edition 1984) HARDWARE FOR THE HOME & GARDEN - KEYS CUT - LOCKS SUPPLIED & FITTED - HOUSEWARES - LIGHT BULBS - TOOLS - PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL GOODS AGM charity: Elizabeth House LOCKSMITH SERVICES AVAILABLE 20 Highbury Park N5 2AB Talent Show Tel: 7354 5029 Fax: 7354 5034 Elizabeth House in Hurlock St off Blackstock Rd works with local kids from five to 18 to help build their skills and confidence Email: [email protected] outside of school and family - running sessions in cooking through to self defence as well as support classes in English, Maths and Science. Wlad Duda, director of four years’ standing, says what is special about Elizabeth House is that they work with children from as young as five right through to adulthood and they are Get your fabulous jewellery, able to give one-on-one attention that is often hard for schools handmade chocolates, and to provide. He believes ‘if you catch them when they are young it helium balloons at is much easier.’ Last year for the first time Elizabeth House ran a Talent Show in June – wanting to give local kids the opportunity to To Be Established show they are good at something. It was a great success with 10 or so taking part – mostly under 12 years old. 80 people cards • gifts • wrapping paper attended the show. Prizes were book tokens to hopefully inspire 1c Highbury Park N5 1QJ the kids towards a positive future. The cost to run the talent 020 7354 1223 show this year will be £1600. HCA hopes our members will be able to help. Please come to our AGM and take part in the raffle to raise funds. For more information see www.elizabeth-house.org And for a history of Elizabeth House see HC News issue 26 February 2002 at www.highburycommunity.org Highburyvintners Independent wine store New editor New extended shop This is my last of six issues as Editor. We have a Wine club & tasting events temporary Editor for the next issue but beyond that is Over 900 wines & specialist beers uncertain. To help keep HC News going, any contributions Top quality service & advice of articles would be very welcome, for example: if you’d like Free delivery to N4, N5 & N16 to review a book by a local author (see p3). Or if you’d be happy to interview a local organisation (of your own 71 Highbury Park, N5 1UA choosing or suggested by the Committee), then please do 020 7226 1347 get in touch. Email [email protected] www.highburyvintners.co.uk Thank you in anticipation! Ceinwen Jones

2 Talk by local crime writer If you like reading about crime you might be interested in CALIGARI CABINETS Fieldway Crescent Library’s monthly reading group on Monday 19 April (6pm). Islington resident and herself a member of the Bespoke fitted furniture group, Joan Lock will be talking on the challenges of writing Tailored to your taste about crime – fact and fiction. A former nurse and policewoman, Joan is author of 11 non-fiction crime books. She has also written and interior a modern crime novel and an historical detective fiction series. Following Joan’s talk the reading group will discuss crime writing www.caligaricabinets.co.uk in general, having each chosen a crime novel or factual book to read beforehand. If you’d like to come and join in, just turn up (or 07976 417 227 for more info email [email protected]).

Agatha Christie at home This is the first of what we hope will be a series of write-ups of books by local authors. If you would like to review a book by a Highbury writer please email [email protected] Drug & Health Food Store BY GRAHAM COULT 17 Highbury Park, N5 1QJ. Tel 020 7359 3623 In her latest book, local resident Hilary Macaskill looks at a famous author from a new angle - through her homes. Agatha Organic & Non-Organic • Food • Baby Products Christie’s name and work is familiar to all but most of us know Toiletries • Household Products little about her life and personality. Aromatherapy • Homeopathy In this lavish coffee-table book, Hilary introduces us to Herbal Remedies • Eco Friendly Products Agatha's personality through homes she rented, purchased, Organic Fresh Fruit and Vegetables decorated, and furnished. There are Body Building Products many surprises, including Agatha Christie as astute businesswoman, skilled in property negotiations; Agatha Christie as accomplished interior designer, skilled MAC McCABER in the creation of atmosphere through handyman and window-cleaner the use of colour, texture, light, works of mobile: 07960 037 485 art, and other objects; Agatha Christie as chemist, and Agatha Christie as Hard-working and trustworthy, living locally. archaeologist. Recommended by several HCA members - One of the homes Agatha owned was in the 1934 Modernist references on request. block in Hampstead, Lawn Rd Flats, designed by architect Wells Coates. The building was a rendezvous for artists such as Henry I do painting, decorating, small electrical and Moore and Barbara Hepworth, and many architects and plumbing jobs and gardening at £120 a day designers such as Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer from the pro rata. I also clean windows inside and out - Bauhaus movement lived here, as did Diana Rowntree The £80-90 for a 3-storey Victorian house. Guardian's first architecture correspondent. This appartment contrasts very sharply with homes Agatha owned in Torquay, which also feature prominently in the book. The book is a visual feast taking the reader to beautiful Help!! houses and settings - accompanied by a liberal sprinkling of analysis and fascinating snippets of information. It offers an itinerary for holidays and outings which, while relaxing and My holistic therapy business is exploding. I am looking for self-motivated people to help me, working from refreshing, also promises stimulation and opportunities for home full- or part-time. I distribute Forever Living learning and growth - without ever needing to leave these islands… (Aloe Vera and Bee Hive) products. You do not need Hilary Macaskill has established a niche for herself with experience as full training will be given. intelligent, discerning travel writing on sometimes unusual subjects. Her previous book co-authored with Molly Wood, Contact Elizabeth Lock on 07711 501055 Downhill All The Way: Walking With Donkeys On The Stevenson or [email protected] Trail recounts their adventures following in the foosteps of Robert Louis Stevenson in France. It is a well-written, fun and www.yourinnerglow.co.uk enjoyable read with lots of insights into culture and cuisine, and www.foreverknowledge.info includes some recipes. ‘Your Future’ Both books are published by Frances Lincoln: www.franceslincoln.com

3 Businesses we love: Alternative Time Out guide to Highbury

Below is the second instalment of NICOLETTE JONES’ Butchers wanted, and many compilation of neighbours’ recommended local shops… 183 Blackstock Rd things you hadn't even • Will always give you a known you wanted. suggestion if your (Maya) Part 2: FOOD German cookies Arsenal Wine mind goes blank and, • Good gluten-free AND DRINK (Lebkuchen, Stohlen); 144 Blackstock Rd specifically, always range (Nicolette) also surreal things to • Will bulk purchase very good lamb • Huge range of Fresh Fish & keep you entertained beer for you, give you (George). interesting foods you Halal Meat Market (horseblanket? . . a bit of a deal on it and • Lovely free-range won’t find elsewhere - (between Finsbury radio-controlled call you when it’s ready chickens at a good herbs, spices, teas, Park Station & Stroud yacht?) Take a to collect. (George) price (Teresa) coffees (Nick) Green Rd, opposite shopping trolley as White Bros • On first name terms • Great for baby food, Tesco's) they have a pay-for- Greengrocers, with all their organic food and most • Fresh fish bought bags policy. Some 150 Blackstock Rd customers; they make kitchen cupboard daily at Billingsgate; interesting frozen food (between Gillespie and time for a chat (Ian) essentials (and as knowledgeable (we had a lobster for Chatterton Rds) • His Toulouse cheap as, if not Afghani proprietor. £4.50!) and virgin olive • Very good service, sausages and sirloin cheaper than, a (Seb) oil at a price which can't good quality and steaks are great supermarket) (Liz) • An enticing and be beaten. (Caroline) excellent prices (Henry) • They have almost intriguing range of Al Bahia Halal (Adam) Highbury everything and offer fish, all very fresh. Butchers 5 Blackstock • I see more of my Vintners help and advice on all (Nick) Rd (next door to Fish neighbours here than 71 Highbury Park sorts of health and • Usually good quality, and Cook) anywhere else; a good • Makes shopping for cookery issues. (Jane) very clean and good Great for lamb - also place to bend the our wine interesting And slightly further value with a large blocks of dates councillors' ears; down and fun! (Jacqueline) afield… knowledgeable owner. (harissa) - friendly and to earth, market stall • Interesting range, MAH Bros helpful (Caroline) (Ian) friendly people (Nick) 144-158 Tollington Park (Adam) Sunrise Food Finsbury • Have bought lovely, • Amazing service, Amazing cash and Stop, 258 Seven Superstore, lasting plants here for great advice and they carry, very good for Sisters Rd (opposite 29 Blackstock Rd borders and window deliver (Jane) giant boxes of washing station) • Cheaper and more boxes (Nicolette) FiveBoys Natural powder, large • Open long hours. interesting than a big • Tim is very friendly Food Store, quantities of pepper Nice people who’ve supermarket and happy to give you 17 Highbury Park corns... you can save a managed to keep open (Jacqueline) a good price on larger • Crammed with fortune here despite Tesco’s. They • Takeaways are quantities (eg trays of everything you ever (Caroline) heavenly (Becca) cherries when in deserve to be supported. (Natalie) Arsenal Food and season). And where Happening Bagel Wine (aka Ozzy's else would you go for a Jane sent in a PS to Part 1 in the January Bakery, 284A Seven corner shop) Christmas tree? HC News Sisters Rd (opposite 90 Blackstock Rd (George) • Ozzy's friendly family Wallers 2 Grocers GIFTS AND HOME entrance) business is open long and General Store • Nicest bagels in the hours, 7 days a week. 187 Blackstock Rd Riley Upholstery, 233 Blackstock Rd world (Laura). And He will order anything (near corner with Neil is incredibly helpful and does a chollah bread (Becca). you ask for that he can Mountgrove Rd) beautiful job. He restored and re-covered • Bagels are delicious get hold of, and • Always brilliant offers my friend's granny's sofa and the and great value, my besides basic on ends-of-line and transformation and quality of the work is family think they are groceries, he stocks consumables near sell- fantastic. better than Brick Lane. fair trade and organic by date. (George) Bennet and Brown, (Jane) products and gluten- • Manager goes out of 84 Mountgrove Rd LIDL (towards Fins - free muesli. Good his way to hunt for www.bennetandbrown.co.uk bury Park entrance) range of ice cream. bargains, and enjoys Furniture restoration and interesting • Incredible prices and (Nicolette) passing the savings on things to buy. Dominic Bennet will help friendly staff; get your • On Nicola's Couldn't- to customers. Good you find things and deliver. They have a tinned tomatoes/beans, Do-Without list. meeting place for long- great selection of antique and vintage good quality fruit and • Hugely friendly term residents who furniture, mirrors, lights, children's toys, veg, high fruit content corner shop pre-date Islington's etc. jams, usually has (Caroline) gentrification era (Ian)

4 News in Brief For help with all your Highbury Square now accounting and tax needs. open Fixed fees agreed in advance. Free initial consultation. Finally the public can walk through Highbury Square, the 020 7354 2661 or gated community that has [email protected] been built on the site of the former Arsenal stadium. Office 111, Aberdeen House, Cutting through Highbury 22-24 Highbury Grove, N5 2EA. Square will save at least 10 www.taxassist.co.uk/garybarham minutes for residents walking between Avenell Rd and Highbury Hill (Arsenal tube end). The path was a condition set by the Council to avoid the private housing development becoming isolated from the When the Editor decided to take HC News advertising rates rest of the neighbourhood. a peek at the new path the Avenell Rd gate was locked. But for local businesses Save Whittington A&E the porter (found behind the big petition black doors to the right of the £20 for one ad this size gate) was very happy to buzz £45 for three in consecutive issues There is still much to be done me in. The Highbury Hill gate in the campaign to save the was wide open. Distribution bi-monthly Whittington A&E. To sign the To over 900 residents and businesses petition, drop into one of the In Highbury East and West wards of Islington shops in the Barn: the petition meeting was about to be held Advertisers are automatically added to our is in Godfrey butchers, (22 March) as HC News went circulation list Woodland Hardware, and at to print. To find the latest news Enquiries to [email protected] the pharmacy. A public go to http://dwhc.org.uk/

plant species audit has found some unusual plants in the Planning update Secret Garden but nothing special enough to enable the Rubber-stamping of BBC event? site to be listed. A production company making a programme in News from Queensland Rd front line conjunction with BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, has approached the Council for use of half the BY ED ALLEN main field on Highbury Fields from 9 August to 8 OF BRYANTWOOD ROAD RESIDENTS September, for an event ‘In the Night Garden Live’ aimed at 2-4 year-olds and their parents. It has the potential to In February we had a public meeting about the attract up to 2,500 people a day from across London temporary fence arrangements between the Queensland and beyond. The event uses up the whole of the annual Rd construction site and the gardens of Bryantwood Rd. allocation of 28 days for all major events on Highbury The Olden Garden hut was overflowing with 20 plus Fields and therefore excludes the possibility of other Bryantwood Rd residents, councillors Theresa deBono major events that would attract a wider cross-section of and Katie Dawson, council officers and representatives of the local community. the developers. Residents voiced their worries about the The Highbury Fields Management Group (HFMG), of security, privacy and aesthetics of the proposed which HCA is part, was given just three days at the temporary fence, the amount of garden being claimed, beginning of March to comment on the proposal. HCA dangers to their children, the length of time of along with other community groups on HFMG have occupation, and damage to plants and trees. The meeting objected to this apparent rubber-stamping exercise and was successful in so far as the developers agreed to make listed a number of problems. But we have declined to improvements to the fence, later erecting in Queensland support or oppose the event at this stage because of Rd a mock-up of the improved version for comment. They the unrealistic timescale, which precludes discussion also said they would try to reduce the period of with those in our community who would be most disruption to local residents. Another key point the affected. developers agreed to was to consult residents on the nature of the permanent wall. But shocking and Secret Garden at NCH Action for Children distressing for us was to learn that the developers do not plan to offer any compensation for taking over our NCH Action for Children have withdrawn the application gardens. The East Area Planning Committee will for their Highbury Park site for yet further revisions. A reconsider the matter of the temporary fence on 30 March.

5 HIGHBURY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Address label space www.highburycommunity.org

Please let us know if you move… To stop receiving newsletters write unsubscribe in the title of an email to [email protected] HC News • No 66 • April 2010 with your name and address in the body of the email. Diary Policing Highbury Tuesday 6 April, 7.30pm Film Money as Debt by Paul HCA committee member, Grignon DIANE BURRIDGE, Birchmore Community Hall, regularly attends Highbury Highbury Quadrant Estate West Safer Neighbourhood Entrance £2/Under 18s free team meetings (open to the public) and reports Transition Highbury are now below on the February showing films on the first Tuesday meeting at Elizabeth of every month at the Birchmore House. Hall. Money as Debt explains simply using animation the Crime rates undemocratic nature of the global First the good news: crime banking system. rates have fallen in the http://transitionhighbury.ning.com/ area. Overall the fall was 2% in the 10 months to Saturday 17 April, evening February 2010 - perhaps helped by the weather! But levels of different types HCA AGM: local history (see p1) of crime can vary as a result of local changes. For example, theft and Christ Church, Highbury Grove handling stolen goods rates had increased during the same period in part due to new shops opening leading to more shoplifting. Monday 19 April, 6pm Copyright HCA 2010. Printed and published by HCA, PO Box 43396, N5 9AD Talk by Joan Lock, Islington New police presence on Blackstock Rd crime writer (see p3) Building works for the new office for the two Safer Neighbourhood Teams - Central Library, Fieldway Highbury West and Brownswood Ward (in Hackney) – at the corner of Ambler Crescent and Blackstock Roads have been completed, with the teams ready to move in. The disappointing news is that this move will now be delayed for some Sunday 16 May, months, as particular electric cables for the computers have still to be 12 noon to 3pm installed. Green Day and Organic Cafe Ecology Centre, Drayton Park Other news Jumble sale, craft and book fair, Each Islington Council Area Committee area is to have a neighbourhood plant sale and bicycle main- officer. These officers are keen to work with residents and the police to tenance workshops. Organised by focus on preventing anti-social behaviour. For example, they have funded City and Islington College. additional patrols, a business watch in Blackstock Road, and design advice Admission free to prevent crime. To book a stall contact: Sue Jandy 020 704 7245 Recently Highbury West Team organised a talk for 55 women at the mosque or [email protected] in Finsbury Park on drug awareness. A future talk has been requested on preventing extremism. Sunday 6 June, 1-4pm Some of the Team are organising a 24-hour relay around the Arsenal Green Day and Organic Cafe Football Club on 19/20 June, to raise funds for the Great Ormond St Hospital Annual Plant Sale from 2pm - hoping to involve local youths among others. If you’d like to participate (for Ecology Centre, Drayton Park one circuit or more), contact Police Community Officer Andrew Goodwin on 0207 421 0635 or email [email protected]

6