Enfield Dispatch #29, February 2021
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ENFIELD DISPATCH No. 29 THE BOROUGH’S FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FEB 2021 NEWS Council blamed over failure to stop office conversions into flats P . 4 FEATURES Campaigners seek to restore borough’s Fairtrade status P . 6 ARTS & CULTURE New photography book tells people’s lockdown stories P . 13 SPORT Enfield Town FC fans vote to cancel the season P . 15 The Dispatch is free but, as a not-for-profit, we need your support to VOLUNTEERS FROM charity Hearts and Helpers, set up by Enfield resident Adrian White (pictured far right), have received 400 pairs of stay that way. To make a one-off donation to our donated trainers to give to homeless and vulnerable people in London since the start of the pandemic. Adrian says: “Our dedicated team publisher Social Spider CIC, works for hours to help people get the best footwear, ensuring all donations are cleaned and in good condition. A pair of new shoes and scan this QR code with socks can really make someone’s day.” Anyone with donations should email [email protected] to arrange for a collection. your PayPal app: Praise for hospital staff after pandemic hits new high BY JAMES CRACKNELL sible variant of Covid-19 in Kent, lower proportion of deaths even divert some patients to hospitals which spread quickly across Lon- though we’ve had more patients. with spare capacity.” taff at North Middlesex don – with Enfield borough itself “We understand more about the dis- To date about 100 patients going University Hospital have among the worst-hit local areas for ease, using treatments such as dexa- through their recovery from coro- been praised for their several weeks. By early January, a methasone and two or three other navirus have been transferred “incredible” effort during new peak in cases led to a record drugs which we didn’t have last time from North Mid to “community Sa period when they’ve treated 322 coronavirus patients being and have really made a difference.” wards” established by other health more coronavirus patients than at cared for at North Mid, compared Maria said that the availability providers, including at Chase Farm Chamberlains Estates any time in the pandemic. with 270 in April last year. of personal protective equipment Hospital in Enfield. Extra capacity Speaking to the Dispatch, the boss Mercifully, the mortality rate (PPE) was much improved and that was also provided at North Mid by of the NHS trust that runs North has been lower with 177 deaths there had been greater flexibility repurposing wards such as pae- Residential Sales & Lettings Agents Mid admitted the second wave of between November and the end of in the availability of both staff and diatrics, with care for children Covid-19 had been bigger than January compared with 265 deaths critical care beds. At the busiest provided instead at Great Ormond feared but that they’d still been recorded at the hospital between times, however, ambulances have Street Hospital, as well the provi- able to cope – even while being March and June. North Middlesex been diverted to other hospitals. sion of a “modular ward”. 020 8366 3551 forced to divert ambulances to University Hospital NHS Trust “We were having upwards of Maria said: “We have coped, and 020 8366 3551 other hospitals. chief executive Maria Kane told 100 ambulances on some days. that is a testament to both external The Dispatch is supported Cases surged in December after the Dispatch: “It has felt different We were helped out by London by Chamberlains Estates the discovery of a more transmis- to the first wave. We have had a Ambulance Service being able to CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 – turn to page 5 020 8366 3551 020 8366 3551 Residential Sales & Lettings Agents Residential Sales & Lettings Residential Sales & Lettings Agents Residential Sales & Lettings Chamberlains Estates Chamberlains Estates 020 8366 3551 020 8366 3551 2 NEWS No.29 FEBRUARY 2021 ENFIELD DISPATCH Film studios to open Councillor charged ED. at Meridian Water n Enfield councillor has been charged with breaking Covid- BY JAMES CRACKNELL A19 lockdown restrictions. o nother studios com- William Coleshill, an independent N .29 plex is set to open in councillor for Bush Hill Park, was Enfield as the borough arrested at Hyde Park in Westmin- FEB 2021 grows its reputation ster during the second national Aas a hub for the film industry. lockdown in November. A Metro- Troubadour Theatres struck politan Police spokesperson said he Enfield Dispatch is a deal with Enfield Council to was “charged with participating in the borough's free build the new film and television a gathering in public outdoor place community newspaper. studios at the local authority’s of more than two people”. We publish monthly £6billion Meridian Water devel- Cllr Coleshill, of Nash Road in and distribute 10,000 opment. The complex will be Edmonton, appeared at Westmin- free copies of each known as Troubadour Meridian ster Magistrates’ Court on 15th issue – and we will Water Studios and will “assist December, where he pleaded not with the economic regeneration guilty. He is next due to appear at continue to do so of Edmonton and Enfield”. the court on Tuesday 25th May. during the ongoing The new facility is said to be the The 26-year-old was elected in public health crisis. largest studio complex inside the 2018 for the Conservatives, but Publisher North Circular and is set to open became an independent member David Floyd later this year. It swiftly follows The proposed film studios will feature three stages initially, opening later this year later that year. the opening last year of OMA Film completed on the 2.4-hectare site. mated 150 training opportunities Editor Studios in Enfield Lock, which A skills academy will be built on are planned in the first four years, James Cracknell itself claims to be the largest such site so local residents can be trained increasing to nearly 500 a year. High water Designer facility in London. how to work in the film and tele- Council leader Nesil Caliskan The council’s deputy leader, Ian vision industry. The initiative will said: “This is incredibly exciting ivers in Enfield recorded Jonathan Duncan Barnes, is an Oscar-nominated also provide training and logisti- news and means Enfield is poised their highest water levels Head of Advertising film director and has boasted of cal support for the media sector. to become one of the leading R in many years following a Klaudia Kiss his ambition to make the borough Troubadour is currently working London boroughs for high-end long period of heavy rain. “a premier location for TV and with the council to create six work television and film production. Salmons Brook, Cuffley Brook and Head of Operations film production in London”. placements for 18–24-year-olds not “The delivery of [these] film Turkey Brook all topped their banks Paige Ballmi Oliver Royds and Tristan Baker, currently in education, employ- studios is the boldest and most on 14th January, and again on 28th Engagement Manager joint chief executives of Trouba- ment or training. exciting project in Meridian Water January, flooding green spaces includ- Penny Dampier dour Theatres, said: “Troubadour Oliver and Tristan added: to date. It would help transform ing Cheyne Walk Open Space, White- Theatres are enormously excited “Troubadour Meridian Water Meridian Water into a destination webbs Park and Forty Hall Estate. Contributors about coming to Enfield and Studios will not only attract by providing a major public theatre Enfield, Whitewebbs, and Bush Hill Simon Allin, working together with Enfield world-class film and television venue and help stimulate the eco- Park golf courses were also flooded. Olivia Devereux-Evans, Council in opening Troubadour productions to the area, but also nomic regeneration of the borough Although some back gardens and Victoria Thompson, Meridian Water Studios. the skills academy will have an through the training academy and allotments were submerged, there Bill Linton, Lucy McGinn, “We strongly believe that this immediate positive and demon- a new media and arts hub. were no reports of flooded properties. Neil Littman, Glynis Vince, project will quickly become an strable local impact in an area “Not only that but the provision of For Turkey Brook, water levels were Monty Meth, integral part of the community in currently going through urban a skills academy will give Edmon- higher than they had been for seven Andrew Warshaw the heart of the council’s regen- and cultural regeneration. ton’s residents a way of entering years, while Salmons Brook recorded eration plans.” “We hope that these studios the film and TV industry, raising its highest level since February 2009. CONTACT Three purpose-built sound stages become a catalyst for employment aspirations and improving their Salmons Brook has a history of will be built as part of a first within the borough.” employability. This is genuinely a flooding but was subject to a major Call 020 8521 7956 phase of works, with a further The studios could create up to game-changing development for flood alleviation scheme in 2016, Email EnfieldDispatch@ two stages planned after stra- 450 permanent jobs once the Enfield and seriously good news when the Environment Agency spent socialspider.com tegic infrastructure works are facility is fully established. An esti- for the people who live here.” £15.3million on a series of interven- tions, including new embankments ADVERTISING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 3,500 staff had now received their across 42 surgeries in Enfield. In at Cheyne Walk Open Space. Contact Klaudia Kiss: first jab. While most vaccinations my view they are doing a great job.” A council spokesperson said: colleagues and staff at North Mid.