IslingtonLife winter 2017

Your local magazine from Islington Council • Winter 2017

Protecting essential services

Islington gets festive!

Free parking vouchers

All your Christmas listings

IslingtonLife

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Contents 03

Welcome Message from the Council Leader

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News How Angelic Energy is causing a buzz

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2017 review Look back at some of the year’s major events

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Christmas Festive fun in your neighbourhood

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Budget Making a difference with less

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Working Could you benefit from the Getting Into Work project?

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Your Home News and information for Islington Council’s tenants and leaseholders

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Festive volunteering Find out how you can help those in need during the festive season

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Young people Building ambitions at Moreland

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Get active Islington’s new bike sharing schemes

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Tackling hate crime Find out how you can sign Islington’s pledge

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History Islington’s 500 year-old charity and Cally Clock stops for work to begin

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Winter health How you can stay warm and well

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Market Trader of the Year 2017 Find out who is the borough’s favourite

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What’s on Don’t miss these great local events

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Parking Get your free Christmas parking vouchers!

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Christmas opening hours Information on operating hours for council services

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Arsenal in the Community The latest news from Arsenal FC

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Local life Our brand new library

Highlights 12

Adult learning courses lead to jobs

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The new-look Moreland Primary

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Trampoline park springing up soon!

Winter 2017

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Welcome Welcome to the festive edition of IslingtonLife.

Cllr Richard Watts Leader of the Council

View this and previous issues online at issuu.com/islingtonlifemag Be the first to hear about the latest news.

Follow us on Twitter @IslingtonLife and @IslingtonBC for council news

You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram. Search for IslingtonLife

Other formats If you would like IslingtonLife in large print, audiotape or another format, please call 020 7527 3416

Recycle me!

Please recycle this magazine once you’ve finished with it.

Christmas is a brilliant time of year in Islington. From the wonderful Christmas lights displays in our town centres and high streets, to the huge number of festive events that take place across the borough – it’s a time for us to come together, but also to reflect on the year gone by.

For me, memories of this year will always focus on the horrific terrorist attack our community suffered in June in Finsbury Park. In the early hours of that morning, I saw first-hand the amazing resolve of our community in the face of hatred.

The way people from across the borough came together to stand together made me extremely proud.

The council supported the victims of the attack and their families. We are continuing to prioritise work to tackle hate crime in all its forms, and recently signed our anti-hate crime pledge at Finsbury Park Mosque.

The Finsbury Park terrorist attack came just a few short days after the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower.

Residents’ safety is our number one priority. We work extremely closely with the Fire Brigade and have a programme of investment work to ensure all our homes and buildings are safe. The council also made staff and support available to help with the response at Grenfell Tower, with many staff helping those directly affected, which is another source of pride for me as Leader of the Council.

This year has also seen many positive events and achievements for Islington. The continued transformation in the performance of our local schools means that we are helping to give young people in

the borough the best start in life.

The GCSE results this summer put Islington students ahead of their peers in English. The Fair Futures Commission has been listening to local young people to hear from them what they want to change to help them achieve what they want to in their lives.

Helping young people into work is a real priority for the council, and this year we passed the 1,000 mark for the number of unemployed 18-25 year olds who the council has helped into work since 2014.

We are also continuing to help make our borough a fairer place for all by building more new council homes, and other genuinely affordable homes, prioritised for local people. A lack of decent affordable housing is still a huge challenge in Islington, as are the continued massive cuts imposed by the Government on the council.

Recently we have launched the pioneering Angelic Energy, a council-run not-for-profit energy provider that offers local people a fairer deal on their energy bills.

We know the cost of living is a real challenge for many residents, and this is just the latest way we are trying to help local people save money.

As you can see, 2017 has been a year of challenges for Islington, but also successes. Whilst there are issues we must work harder to overcome, we remain determined to help make our borough a fairer place for all.

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.

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IslingtonLife

News

Give your children a great start Local council research shows that children who take up a free place from when they are two are better at reading, writing and maths by the time they reach Year 1 than children from a similar background who didn’t take up a place.

Fifteen hours per week free early education for two year-olds is available for out of work families, or those with an annual income of

less than £16,190 per year, children who are looked after or adopted and children with special educational needs.

All three and four year-olds can get 15 hours free a week during term-time, and some get 30 hours if parents are working and earning between £6,000 and £100,000 per year.

Find out what you can get at www.islington.gov.uk/free2 or www.islington.gov.uk/30hours

TfL’s Highbury Corner work closes A1 Transport for London (TfL) will close the A1 Holloway Road near Highbury Corner roundabout from 1am on Monday 18 December 2017 to 4am on Monday

8 January 2018, while it carries out work to rebuild the main section of Highbury Corner Bridge.

Temporary changes will apply to London Overground services and

travel around Highbury Corner, so please plan ahead and allow more time for journeys. Local shops and businesses will be open as usual.

Find out more at www.tfl.gov.uk/ highbury-corner

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News

Find out how much you could save

Youngsters enjoy their pedal-powered smoothies at the Angelic Energy launch

Angelic Energy is a brand new not-for-profit energy provider set up by Islington Council to offer fair gas and electricity prices. With the winter chill here, now is a great time to see how much you could save.

Energy prices have risen 36 per cent above inflation over the last 10 years, leaving many people, especially the poorest in our community, without a warm home and a hot meal.

Islington’s new energy company promises to offer gas and electricity as cheaply as possible, with easy to understand pricing and no jargon, or hidden charges. It also aims to give

the best possible customer service to help people understand their bills better.

Cllr Claudia Webbe, who was at Angelic’s launch at Angel Central, said: “There is a real buzz around Angelic Energy. Our not-for-profit energy provider is now up and running and offering residents superb customer service and greatvalue energy tariffs. It was great

to see the level of interest from residents in Angelic Energy. People were keen to find out how much it could save them on their gas and electricity bills, whether they were on Pay As You Go or other paymonthly tariffs.”

Find out more at www.angelicenergy.co.uk or call 0800 169 0220. islingtonlife.london

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IslingtonLife

2017 review

A year in Islington This time last year, as IslingtonLife was delivered to homes across the borough, severe flooding caused by a burst Thames Water main hit hundreds of homes and businesses in Angel. A lot has happened since then. We take a look at a few other big events over the past 12 months.

Building new homes

Firefighters thanked The tragic Grenfell Tower block fire in June shocked everyone to the core and prompted concerns about the cause of the fire and how it was able to spread so quickly. Following the incident, Islington reviewed all of its high rises, took swift action to remove certain types of cladding and continues to follow closely the advice of London Fire Brigade.

This year new homes have been launched at Blenheim Court and Morton Road and construction work underway on four new terraced council houses on Manger Road, Holloway.

united

Islington’s diverse, welcoming and tolerant community showed that it would not be divided by hate following the dreadful terrorist attack in Finsbury Park in June. In the days following the attack, hundreds of people laid flowers outside Muslim Welfare House and about 1,000 people attended the Solidarity Street Iftar outside Finsbury Park Mosque.

Islington Council launched its biggest council house-building programme in 30 years at the start of the year.

A total of £40 million was allocated for badly needed new homes for local residents, including schemes at Dover Court in Canonbury and King Square in Bunhill ward. Islington is committed to 2,000 new affordable homes between 2015 and 2019, including 500 new council homes.

Islington stands

Local firefighters will be honoured with the Freedom of the Borough – the highest tribute the council can bestow. The Mayor of Islington, Cllr Una O’Halloran said: “Our firefighters really are shining examples of the best of Islington and I am honoured to make them Freepersons of the Borough during my Mayoral year.”

“We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community and will continue to stand together and support each other,” Cllr Richard Watts, leader of Islington Council, said at the time.

Read about Islington’s hate crime pledge on page 23.

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2017 review

Go Islington Festival

Islington students shine in GCSEs

It might have rained on the day, but that didn’t dampen the fun at this year’s Go Islington festival held in Highbury Fields in July. From football to archery, boxing to trampolining, there was something for everyone.

Highlights included Mighty Smith (pictured), whose strength was tested to the max by Islington children, and performances by young people from Platform, Rose Bowl and Lift youth hubs.

Archway’s new town centre unveiled Residents flocked to the opening of Archway’s new public space at its grand opening in September. There was live music and performances, market stalls, arts and crafts, an Arsenal penalty shootout, dance lessons and Dr Bike offering repairs.

The new space is at the heart of Archway’s £12.6m transformation, offering a welcoming new place for residents. It was created in partnership with the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL), as part of major work to replace the traffic dominated oneway gyratory and help to reconnect the town centre and shops.

Islington’s GCSE students outshone their peers nationally in English language and English literature this year, with more achieving top results than last year – despite changes in the grading system leading to results falling across the country.

Some 20.6 per cent of pupils gained a grade 7 or better in English literature – equivalent to A and A* grades under the old system. This was a rise of 2.5 per cent on 2016.

For English language, 15.9 per cent of pupils gained a grade 7 or better, a rise of two per cent.

The proportion of pupils achieving a grade 4 or better – equivalent to a C or better under the old system – also rose by 2.5 per cent in English literature to 76.2 per cent, and is 3.7 percent higher than the national average, a huge improvement on last year. English language at grade 4 or better improved by 1.3 per cent to 72.8 per cent, also beating the national average.

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IslingtonLife

Christmas events

A very local Christmas You don’t have to go far to get festive in Islington. We round up some of the Christmas treats happening in your neighbourhood.

Angel and Upper Street With high street stores and local shops, plus the fantastic Chapel Market, this is a great place to do your Christmas shopping. If you’re looking for something more unusual, try the shops and stalls down Camden Passage, which has now reopened after the floods.

St Mary’s Christmas Fair 2017

Saturday 9 December 2017, from 10am-4pm St Mary’s Church, Upper Street Pick up wonderful hand-made crafts and beautiful gifts at this free event.

There will also be Christmas carols and refreshments served in a pop-up sanctuary cafe.

Islington Menorah Lighting

Sunday 17 December 2017, from 5pm-7pm Islington Green, Upper St A free celebration for the whole community to mark Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights. See the ceremony of lighting the ninebranch Menorah, hear a live band play Klezmer music, sing traditional songs, and indulge in free savoury and sweet treats. There will also be a children’s activity tent and spectacular fire performances.

Plus, do you dare to attempt the

fire walk challenge to raise funds for Chabad Islington?

Archway Every Saturday from 10am-5pm, Archway Market (at the corner of Holloway Road and St John’s Grove) has a good mix of traders, including the ‘Best Bookstall in North London’ and Beyout, selling African inspired clothing, jewellery and homeware.

You can also get discounts and special offers in some of the shops with the Archway Card. Find out more at www.archwaylondon.com/ archwaycard

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Christmas events

Clerkenwell A good destination to head to for your Christmas turkey and all the trimmings. Smithfield Market is the largest wholesale meat market in the UK and one of the largest of its kind in Europe. There’s been a livestock market here for over 800 years.

Then check out the shops and grab a bite to eat at Exmouth Market.

A Creative Clerkenwell Christmas

Monday 4 to Friday 8 December Festive Pop-Up Shop hosted

by Milliken showroom, 5 Berry Street, Clerkenwell Monday 18 to Saturday 23 December, Clerkenwell Green Don’t miss this series of festive pop-up shops for design enthusiasts, curated by Charlene Lam of The Creative Edit, featuring independent designers and makers.

Under 5s Christmas Craft workshop

Monday 18 December from 10am-12 noon The Museum of Methodism and John Wesley’s House, 49 City Road Join in the fun making Christmas wreaths, pomanders and decorations out of greenery at this free festive craft session for children aged under 5.

Finsbury Park With around 100 independent shops dedicated to fashion, Fonthill Road is one to head to if you want a new Christmas outfit. Stroud Green Road boasts an array of unique independent shops if you are looking for a more unusual gift. Plus don’t forget, you can buy a Christmas tree from inside the park.

Daisy Pulls It Off

5 December to 13 January Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park This play is the perfect addition to your Christmas festivities: an adventure to chase away the winter chills. Plucky heroine Daisy is ready for a new term in school and to take on a jolly ripping mystery in this family treat for Christmas.

An affectionate parody of 1920s schoolgirl novels, this play by Denise Deegan is a rip roaring spectacle of theatrical magic.

Nag’s Head and Holloway Another good destination for Christmas shopping, this area has a mix of large supermarkets, big brand shops and the famous Nag’s Head covered market. Head here if you want to stock up on essentials, or buy new clothes or a gift for a friend or loved one. islingtonlife.london

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IslingtonLife

Budget

Islington under pressure Throughout the year, the council provides numerous services for over 200,000 residents, from keeping Islington’s streets clean to caring for the borough’s elderly residents, providing opportunities to learn new skills, to caring for Islington’s foster children. And many more, of course.

Alongside this, the council works with partners and voluntary organisations to ensure that Islington continues to be a vibrant, diverse and safe borough.

Over the past ten years, national government has cut the level of funding it provides to local councils.

By 2020, it will have cut its core funding to Islington Council by 70%.

Demand for council services is

changing. Some services, such as looking after the borough’s older residents, face increasing demand as people are living longer and often need specialist support to ensure their quality of life. More recently, the demand for children’s services has increased dramatically too. Despite this, the council is committed to protecting services to the public and will continue to manage the increasing financial pressure from our children in care services.

In Islington, unlike in other areas, the council has not closed any libraries, leisure centres or swimming pools, for example.

But to continue providing vital services for Islington residents and to manage this increase in demand, the council has had to make changes to the way it delivers services, and find innovative ways to make the best of the money it has.

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Budget

Saving money without cutting services One of the ways the council is rethinking how it works is by helping to identify issues facing local people earlier, to help prevent them from becoming worse.

Despite facing an increasing demand for social care services, Islington Council is committed to supporting its residents to lead healthy, independent lives. In Adult Social Care, the council works closely with local hospitals to find sensible and innovative ways to tackle complicated care issues.

For example, encouraging those eligible for social care to receive their personal allocated budget through a direct payment; giving residents more control and dignity about how they live their lives.

chose direct payments to pay for the support and services needed for her sons who both have severe learning disabilities.

This means that, instead of having care services organised by the council, residents can arrange their support in a way that works for them. For example, hiring a personal assistant, using a private care provider or buying respite care to give a family member a break.

She said: “I would encourage anybody who receives social care and support to just give Direct Payments a try, because they give your more flexibility and freedom to get the right care for you. From our experience, they really can change lives for the better.”

Islington resident Alyson Ruddick

Alongside this, the council is running

new pilots to improve discharge services – getting residents home from hospital faster than ever and receiving the help they need at home. This involves bridging the gap between health and social care to create a seamless, integrated service that is able to encourage community based support.

Read more of Alyson’s story on the IslingtonLife website. Go to islingtonlife.london and search for Alyson.

How you can help Volunteer

There are many voluntary organisations in Islington and they play a crucial role within the community. Each relies on the help of local people to support those in need. If you could give up some of your spare time, turn to page 18 for some local Christmas volunteering opportunities.

Recycle

It costs £80 per tonne to send rubbish to landfill but only £15 per tonne to recycle it. It’s much better for the environment too.

Go Online

An online transaction costs the council roughly 32p to process,

compared to £7.40 in person.

Our website provides a quick way for residents to do things online, such as reporting faults or paying bills. Set up your My eAccount today!

For more information, visit our website www.islington.gov.uk

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IslingtonLife

Working

New skills lead to new opportunities

routine and learning new things.”

Islington’s courses cover a huge range of subjects - from CV workshops to GCSE maths; from adult social care to basic food hygiene. So whatever you’re interested in, there is something for you. Places are available now.

Louise says: “If you’re considering doing a course I would say 100 per cent to go for it because you will gain new skills, meet new people and build your confidence. It really helped me with that. And if you’ve been out of work for a while it gives you a sense of purpose, which is really good. Go for it!”

Every year Islington Council offers hundreds of free adult learning courses, which make a real difference to the lives of residents. This is something Louise Meade can attest to as she embarks on a new job after completing two courses.

Louise (pictured) had been out of work for almost six months and was keen to get back to employment as quickly as possible.

She says: “I wanted to change direction in career and I wanted some computer skills – so I came along to see what course were on offer.”

After a short assessment, a tutor suggested two courses – Introduction to Administration and IT Skills for the Office – and Louise decided to do both.

“I found the admin course excellent, it gave me a lot of skills and it was really helpful for me to work as part of a team,” she says. “I enjoyed meeting other people, learning from them and engaging with them.”

While she was learning, Louise’s tutor gave her lots of support with applications and interviews and towards the end of the course she successfully applied for an apprenticeship with the council.

She says: “I’m really looking forward to getting back into work, into a

Council run courses are free for Islington residents or parents with children in Islington schools. You must be 19+, unemployed, or lowwaged and receiving benefits to qualify. You will need to bring ID and proof of benefits with you when you enrol on a course.

To find out more, including a full list of courses, visit www.adultlearning. islington.gov.uk or call 0207 527 5083.

You can also pop along to open days on 4 and 5 January 2018 at Arsenal, First Steps and 3Corners learning centres.

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Working

Act out your perfect interview Getting into work, whether for the first time, or if returning after a period of time away, can be a daunting experience.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be.

Islington Council, working closely with the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park, is offering 10 residents the opportunity to be part of the ‘Getting Into Work’ project, a free course designed to guide participants of any age towards employment.

Course leader Amy Allen

The course is set over six weeks, free and open to all residents, with participants learning a range of theatre skills to help them build confidence and perform better in interviews.

Each 90-minute session provides the opportunity for role play, discussion and other practical exercises in a calm and supportive environment.

Afterwards there will be an informal half hour social with refreshments in the theatre café, so people can get to know each other and ask questions.

Melli Marie, Park Theatre’s Creative Director, says: “Participants will learn about the creative arts as a route to employment in addition to the preparation for any type of work,

A member of the Park Theatre team at their desk

and developing employability skills to maximise potential for securing work. The tools are given so that participants get the very best out of the process but also gain valuable skills for life.”

Getting Into Work is due to start on Tuesday 23 January, from 10am-11.30am. If you are interested in taking part please email HCDT@islington.gov.uk or call 020 7527 6768.

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IslingtonLife

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Your Home

Your Home News for council tenants and leaseholders

More new council homes for King Square Old bungalows which were demolished

The arch of Turnpike House under construction

The new Eva Martin Court

Forty-seven new council homes have just been launched by Islington Council as part of its continued drive to build more council and genuinely affordable housing for local people.

The second phase, which is underway and due to complete in 2019, will see a further 94 new council homes built, a brand new community centre and a refurbished children’s nursery.

The flats, in two new blocks, have transformed the site of car park and a row of old bungalows on King Square, EC1, and are the first phase of major improvement works to the estate.

Residents began moving into the new homes in November and a launch event was held the same month to celebrate the first phase completion. Of the 47 new homes, 25 are accessible units for people aged over 55. Improvements have

also been made to communal areas, with a new gardening area and bike storage unit.

Residents on the estate have been heavily involved in the project from the outset and continue to have a big say. They even helped choose the architects and the names of the two new blocks – Tardrew House, named after the architect who designed King Square, and Eva Martin, the first female Mayor of Islington in 1936-37.

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News for council tenants and leaseholders

Area Housing Office Christmas opening hours The two area housing offices below will close on Friday 22 December 2017 at 4pm and re-open on Tuesday 2 January 2018 at 9am.

St John Street Area Housing Office 245 St John St, Clerkenwell, EC1V 4NB T 020 7527 6250 Holland Walk Area Housing Office 85-88 Holland Walk, London N19 3XS T 020 7 527 7480 The area housing office below will also close on Friday 22 December 2017 at 4pm:

Saturday 23 December 8am-12noon Sunday 24 December Telecare (emergency repairs only)

is available for people who are homeless and unable to find alternative accommodation via the council’s main switchboard on 020 7527 2000.

Upper Street Area Housing Office 222 Upper Street, London N1 1XR T 020 7527 5300

Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 December Telecare (emergency repairs only)

However, this office will reopen during the festive break on Wednesday 27 December, Thursday 28 December and Friday 29 December 2017, between the hours of 9am and 4pm.

Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 December – 8am-8pm

From Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 December 2017, from 9am-3pm, you can get emergency advice on homelessness at 222 Upper Street.

Saturday 30 December 8am-12noon – Telecare (emergency repairs only)

For other opening hours see page 33.

The Upper Street staff will be able to provide assistance to housing callers from across the borough and will directly manage any housing related emergencies over these dates.

Housing repair service Report your repair online at any time: www.islington.gov.uk/housing/ repairs-and-estate-management The repairs service will attend emergency and urgent repairs throughout Christmas

Sunday 31 December Telecare (emergency repairs only) Monday 1 January Telecare (emergency repairs Only) Out of these hours, emergency repairs can be reported on 0800 694 3344.

Housing aid team The housing aid team will not be available after 3pm on Friday 22 of December 2017, reopening at 9am on Tuesday 2 January 2018. When the office is closed, an emergency telephone service

Paying your rent Christmas can be an expensive time of year and put a strain on your finances, but it’s important that you continue to pay your rent in advance and avoid getting into arrears. If you are struggling to pay your rent, please contact your local area housing office which can provide you with help and support to manage your money and arrange energy and debt advice.

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IslingtonLife

Your Home

Arts for all - get your tickets An innovative arts programme on Islington’s estates is helping to bring creative projects to residents who may not usually have the chance to access them.

Aimed at older people, families, young people and vulnerable communities, Arts on Estates is a community programme that aims to increase wellbeing through active participation in the arts.

Local arts organisations, including the Park Theatre and The Almeida, are working in partnership with Islington’s housing and arts, to provide the free sessions at estate community centres and arts venues across Islington.

A puppet show by Little Angel Theatre is even performing inside people’s homes to enable those who may have mobility issues or other special requirements.

Keep safe this Christmas

Other programmes include: Gain Ctrl music composition and performance workshops for young people aged 14-25 years being held at various estates across Islington.

MoveMe Dance workshops – a fun way to get dancing, meet new friends and improve health and wellbeing.

Singing Well Community Choir for Islington residents. No singing experience is needed and there is no age limit.

For many people, candles are as much a part of their Christmas decorations as holly and tinsel. But if you don’t use candles safely it could spell disaster for you and your family.

Here are some useful tips:

1. Always place candles in a suitable fire resistant holder.

2. Put candles on a flat and stable

The arts on estates programme also works in partnership with Islington venues to provide affordable tickets to residents, including theatre or cinema trips.

To get involved and find out where the programme is being delivered and to register for future arts on estate activity updates and opportunities please contact Liza on 020 7527 7471 or email liza.durrant@islington.gov.uk

surface and keep them away from Christmas trees, curtains or anything else that could catch fire.

3. Always put candles out when you are out of the room and when you go to sleep.

4. Use a candle ‘snuffer’ or a metal spoon – it is safer than blowing them out which can send sparks. and hot wax flying.

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News for council tenants and leaseholders

Free computer courses for over 55s Would you like to chat to your grandchildren who live far away, but don’t know your Twitter from your Skype?

The Housing Community Development team arrange free computer courses to help council residents with their devices, to set up basic emails and to get online.

The courses typically run once a week for six weeks, each session lasting two hours. You will be with other people your own age and at a similar level of computer skill, and you will have a personal tutor to help you find your way through the jargon.

Do you like gardening?

Gardening groups are a wonderful way of getting to know your neighbours and bringing people together on your estate. You can look after an individual planting bed, or you can set up a community garden.

In partnership with Urban Wild Places, Islington Council is promoting gardening groups. There are a wide range of estate-based gardening groups around the borough, several of which are looking for new residents to join in.

Free sports on estates Did you know a range of free sports sessions like football, tennis, multisports and basketball are open to estates’ residents?

The weekly sessions are run by Islington’s housing department, in partnership with Arsenal in the Community and Access to Sports.

Estates involved in the programmes are: Mayville, Elthorne, Andover and Six Acres, King Square, New Orleans

and Westbourne, but there are also sessions available in a number of leisure centres.

If you are aged over 55, then why not join the Walking Football group taking place on the Sue Davis pitch on the Andover Estate every Thursday from 1pm-2pm.

Estate activities sessions close for the festive break on 22 December and will restart on 8 January.

Find out more, email hcdt@islington.gov.uk or call 020 7527 6768

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IslingtonLife

Festive volunteering

Give something back this Christmas There’s a range of opportunities to give something back this festive season and help people in need.

These local organisations are looking for volunteers. Get involved this Christmas!

Mildmay’s Children’s Christmas Party 14 December

Enthusiastic local residents are needed to dress up as elves and fairies for the Children’s Christmas Party at Milday Community Centre, N16. Taking place from 5pm-7pm, the party is run by local residents for local residents. Volunteers will need to arrive at 4pm to help set up and will be expected to finish at 8pm following clear up. Contact Centre Manager, Teena Phillips on 020 7249 8286 for details on how to get involved.

The Quaker Christmas Shelter 23-30 December

Every year – over the Christmas holidays – Quaker Homeless Action run a shelter for the homeless at Union Chapel in Highbury. They are looking for volunteers to help them support those in need of a warm bed and some home cooked food. There are a various roles available.

Call 020 8983 5066 or 07880 807718, or email admin@QHA.org.uk to get involved. Visit www.qha.org.uk for more information about the charity and the shelter.

St Luke’s Community Centre Christmas Day

If you live locally and want to get involved, St Luke’s Community Centre need a mini bus driver and escort, help in the kitchen, entertainers, servers and hosts who are happy to chat and mingle.

If you can help please email jbailey@slpt.org.uk or telephone 020 7549 8181 and leave your details. More information can be found at www.slpt.org.uk/ volunteer

Volunteers needed for new pop-up charity shop Royal Voluntary Service is calling on local residents to give a few hours of their time each week to volunteer at Shop & Co, a new pop-up store in the Whittington Hospital. As well as serving customers, staff and volunteers will also signpost services available to older people in the local community.

Volunteers and staff members are needed for a period of six months.

Full training will be provided and hours are flexible.

Please visit www.royalvoluntaryservice. org.uk/hospitalretail for more information call 0845 601 3661.

Crisis at Christmas

throughout December Over 10,000 volunteers are needed to help more than 4,000 homeless people across London this Christmas. The charity needs people with specialist skills, like dentists, hairdressers, lorry drivers and performers, as well as general volunteers ready to help people in need. Search for London roles and register under the ‘get involved’ tab at www.crisis.org.uk

The Silver Line

4, 11, 12, 18 & 20 December The Silver Line is the UK’s only free, 24hr confidential helpline for vulnerable and isolated older people. It offers information, friendship, or a chat whenever needed and is fully funded by voluntary donations. They need your help this Christmas at several London Underground stations to collect money on their behalf. Please call Charlotte to find out and more on 020 3793 9182 or email fundraising@thesilverline.org.uk

For more Christmas and general volunteering opportunities, visit Voluntary Action Islington at www.vai.org.uk

islingtonlife.london

IslingtonLife

Advertorial

Work taking place soon to replace and improve streetlights Dear resident, We are starting work soon to replace existing streetlights with new energy-efficient LED lanterns, across Islington.

The new LED lights will improve visibility. They are designed to provide the same lighting standards as the current lights and give a whiter light which improves visibility for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

The new LED lights will use less energy, need less maintenance and last longer.

This will help the Islington Council to reduce carbon emissions and will minimise the impact of any future energy price rises.

We will not need to dig up the road or pavements to carry out this work, unless a lamppost column is so damaged that we need to replace it.

We might need to temporarily suspend parking in some areas. If we need to do this, we will put up notices in and around your street beforehand to let you know what the parking restrictions will be. Please help us keep your street clean and safe while we carry out our work.

Over the next six months we are upgrading the regular streetlights in Islington, starting in December 2017 at a number of locations across the borough. Once we have finished upgrading the regular streetlights, we will start work on the heritage streetlights. Monitoring of the upgraded streetlights will take place to make sure that they work properly.

You may notice the new lights are on continuously for up to 72 hours following the upgrade while they synchronise with the new system, but after this time they will return to normal.

SSE Enterprise Lighting is carrying out this work on behalf of Islington Council.

To find out more about the lights please visit www.lightsoninislington.co.uk Thank you for your patience while we improve your streetlights.

Working in partnership

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Young people

Building ambitions at Moreland grateful. We all worked together, we all knew what we wanted and we got it. It’s all for the children and for this community.”

A school for the future

Ann, who is also the Headteacher of St Luke’s Primary School, began Moreland’s transformation when she took over in 2011.

She said: “We had the opportunity to sell some of the school’s land and that funded our new school. It was really carefully built, we did a lot of research into what was needed and what was best for our children.

“We’ve got children aged from 0-11 and we call them our Morelanders, because when you come to Moreland you’re on a journey to improve and prepare yourself for life.”

High hopes for the future

Following its impressive £13million transformation, Moreland Primary School now has the facilities to support its ambition, explains Executive Headteacher Ann Dwulit.

Neighbouring the King Square Estate in Bunhill, Moreland Primary School’s new building and children’s centre was officially opened by His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent in October.

Now boasting light, bright and large classrooms, new outdoor play facilities, a music and dance studio and a large hall with stage lighting, the school building is a far cry from what stood before.

Ann says: “The old building was in disrepair; we did the best we could with the school we had, but the facilities were poor.

“When the parents walked round during the official opening, some of them were actually crying tears of joy because they couldn’t believe the change.

“I think the community as a whole – the parents, family, staff – we are so

Looking ahead and preparing pupils for the future is important for Ann. She says: “We do a lot with the children about aspirations and ambitions. We have Dreamcatcher assemblies where people from various walks of life come and tell the children how they got to where they are today. The children get to ask them questions, too. We’re sowing seeds of aspiration.

“I’ve got high hopes for these children, at Moreland and St Luke’s.

It’s tough out there so we need to fight for them and do everything we can to get them on the right road.”

Find out more about Moreland Primary School www.moreland-islington.co.uk

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Get active

Sobell’s trampoline

Get on your

park close to

bike

springing up

(dockless) Two new bike-sharing schemes have come to Islington, with hundreds of dockless bikes now available on the streets to ride.

Ofo, with its bright yellow bikes, launched in October and Mobike, which has orange and silver bikes, launched the following month.

Both schemes require you to download a mobile app to unlock and use the bikes. Once you’re done, you can leave it in any area where cycle-parking is allowed.

Islington Council is working closely with both companies to make sure the scheme meets the needs of all residents, including making sure users are given information on suitable areas to park their bikes, to avoid clogging up busy pavements or creating unnecessary obstructions.

Opening in early 2018, the new Better Extreme trampoline park will be the latest activity to come to the Sobell Leisure Centre.

feature, where users can bounce their way up to the rings. And those wanting an extra thrill can take a trip down the slide, or challenge friends on the wipeout!

Part of £3million improvement works at Sobell, this new family attraction includes a variety of top-of-the-range equipment, like traditional trampoline beds, a foam pit and a purpose-built dodgeball area.

The trampoline park also has a designated children’s area, and will be offering discounted rates, like the Saturday Night Out sessions for £3, so will be a fun option for all the family – regardless of age or experience.

Visitors will be able to test out their skills in the Dunk area – a basketball

Call Sobell on 020 7609 2166 for more info.

Cycle superhighway

Work started on the extension of the North-South Cycle Superhighway in November. This will be a safe and direct route for cyclists between Elephant and Castle and Kings Cross, largely made up of segregated cycle lanes. There are various improvements planned along the route and there will be some works in the south of the borough which may affect travel.

You can find out more at www.tfl.gov.uk/northsouth

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Tackling hate crime

Unite against hate Islington is a richly diverse place to live, work and play and it is important that every member of our community feels safe and free to be themselves without fear of victimisation based on prejudice.

Hate crime greatly impacts on a person’s quality of life but, worryingly, there are many hate crimes that go unreported.

Colin Adams MBE, Chair of the Islington Hate Crime Forum says: “Our number one aim at the moment is increasing the number of reports made by victims and witnesses of these crimes because it is very difficult for the authorities and support services to take action when there is no official record of an issue.�

We all have a role to play and by doing these three simple things can help to tackle hate crime:

Report

The Self Evident App allows anyone with an Apple or Android phone to report a hate crime directly to the

police, including photos and videos of the incident. It is free, easy to use and can be used by victims or witnesses.

Sign online

Sign the Islington Hate Crime Pledge.

Local Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn (pictured right) and other local leaders have already signed it, and you can to.

Learn

The Islington Hate Crime Forum is providing free access to a short online training course that teaches users the basics about hate crime and how to deal with it as an individual, or as an organisation.

Find out more and sign up at www.Islington.gov.uk/hatecrime

The Pledge To unite against hatred or hostility directed at anyone because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or because they are transgender.

Challenge those responsible for hate crimes when they occur to demonstrate we do not tolerate hate crime in Islington.

Learn about what counts as a hate crime and to share this information with others.

Report to the police any hate crime I witness, or suffer.

Support any victim of hate crime, including by helping them to make a report to the police.

Complete the short online training module promoted by Islington Council to increase awareness about hate crime and how to tackle it.

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History

500 years in Islington Melanie Griffiths, director, says: “We’re delighted to be celebrating Richard Cloudesley’s 500-year legacy in Islington. It’s amazing to think that a gift of two ‘stony fields’ in the 16th century continues to help people in Islington and the local churches today. To commemorate this milestone, Cloudesley is running special Anniversary Grants programmes, including a Sustainable Church Buildings project which aims to make Islington’s churches more energy efficient and additional funding streams to support Islington residents with health issues or disabilities.”

Richard Cloudesley in Holy Trinity Church’s stained-glass window

To apply for a grant or to find out more call 020 7697 4094 or email info@cloudesley.org.uk

Key dates in 500 years One of Islington’s oldest charities is celebrating its 500th anniversary by giving an additional £1million in grants to the community, residents in need and local churches.

Cloudesley can trace its origins back to 1517 when Tudor yeoman Richard Cloudesley left two fields, known as the ‘Stony Fields’, in his will to the parish of St Mary’s. These 14 acres, to the west of Liverpool Road, look very different today, and over the years have provided substantial support for countless Islington residents.

The charity gives £900,000 a year in grants to health and welfare organisations and Church of England

churches in the borough, as well as small emergency grants of up to £500 to Islington residents facing ill health and poverty.

To celebrate its 500th anniversary, which runs untill 2018, Cloudesley is giving away twice as much money.

The plan of the estate included in the 1937 auction catalogue

1517 – Richard Cloudesley’s will leaves two fields to St Mary’s parish. The rent is to provide a future income.

1811 – An Act of Parliament permits houses to be built on the land.

1902 – A Charity Commission scheme extends the beneficiaries to hospitals and medical charities.

1937 – The charity sells three quarters of the properties on its estate and invests the funds.

2013 – The charity employs its first staff team after the retirement of its long-standing clerk 2017 – The 500th anniversary of Richard Cloudesley’s bequest

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History

Time for works to begin Students from Hungerford School helped stop the clock at Caledonian Clock Tower before work to restore the site started.

With a £2million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Caledonian Park and Clock Tower are being completely revitalised. The clock tower – with views across London from its 40m high balcony – will be regularly open to the public for the first time!

Work began in October and includes a new heritage centre, called the Cally Clock Tower Centre, which will provide a space for residents to learn about the clock tower’s history and host a number of community activities. There will be a new café with indoor and outdoor seating, accessible toilets, volunteer’s room and 24-hour CCTV coverage.

The park and play areas will remain open to the public throughout the work, which is expected to be completed in summer 2018.

Capturing Cally

Do you have old photos of Caledonian Park, the flea market or the Clock Tower? Do you want to share your stories and memories about Caledonian Park?

As part of the Caledonian Park Clock Tower project, Islington Heritage Service would like to record images and stories from current and former residents and those who worked, lived and set up stalls in Caledonian Park.

If you’d like to share your memories and experiences, then come along to a scanning and oral history session at the Drovers Centre, North Road, N7 9EY, where we will take copies

of your photographs and record you talking about your memories for ten minutes. Sessions will take place in December and January.

The oral histories and photographs will be available on a website and copies of the images, oral histories and transcripts will also be deposited with Islington Heritage Service for their long term preservation and to allow the public access to them.

If you are interested coming along, or have any questions at all please email local.history@islington.gov. uk or call 020 7527 7988.

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IslingtonLife

Local life

Introducing your brand new library!

What’s the greatest novel of the 20th century?

Readers of Islington are being asked to vote for their favourite novel of the 20th Century. The Hobbit?

1984? Rebecca? Whatever you love, let us know by 31 December and you could win the Top 10 list as voted for by Islington!

November saw the opening of the brand new Cat and Mouse library on Camden Road.

Replacing the old John Barnes library, which closed its doors in 2015, the Cat and Mouse library offers a modern IT suite and dedicated study space, as well as an adult, teen and children’s library. The library also hosts a permanent exhibition outlining the history of nearby Holloway Prison, and paying homage to the Suffragettes – many of whom were held in Holloway Prison, including Emily Davison.

The new library will have a wide range of activities - including the ever-popular Baby Bounce and under 5s sessions, a Homework Club for children, reading groups for adults and teenagers, and a monthly Lego club on Saturdays. The grand opening took place on Saturday 2 December,

with poets Paul Lyalls and John Hegley treating residents to fantastic poetry performances. Residents also had the opportunity to try some gentle yoga, sing along to jazz versions of family favourites with Baby Jazz, and get crafty and make their own book with the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art. Michelle Gannon, Islington Council’s Head of Library and Heritage Services, says “At a time when many local libraries are closing, we are thrilled to be able to open a fantastic new library for our residents. We know how valuable libraries are to lots of people and we believe the Cat and Mouse library has something for everyone.”

Why not visit today?

277 Camden Road, N7 0JN.

To enter, either pop into your local library or email your nomination to Library.Informationunit@islington. gov.uk

Winter Reading Challenge After our most successful Summer Reading Challenge ever, which saw more than 1,500 children take part, Islington is launching a Winter Reading Challenge for the first time.

To be involved, children need to read six books of their choice between 1 December and 28 February 2018 and collect stickers for each book they complete. Successful completers will be invited to celebration events in the spring to receive their certificates and a chance to win some very special prizes!

Keep up-to-date at www.islingtonreads.co.uk and follow on Twitter @islingtonlibs.

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Local life

Strong support for

Community

affordable homes

Energy Fund now available!

Islington residents have backed the Council’s planning guidance for the Holloway prison site, which calls for much needed affordable homes.

More than 500 people responded to the council’s consultation for the site, which outlines the council’s expectation that 50 per cent of any new housing on the site must be genuinely affordable.

It is the biggest-ever response in Islington to a community consultation

on a planning policy of its kind. Of those who responded to the council’s survey, two thirds said they agreed with the council’s objectives for the site, which includes the 50 per cent affordable housing target. The historic prison site was formerly Europe’s largest women’s prison, and was used to imprison suffragettes in the early 1900s. At more than four hectares, it is now one of the largest development sites in central London and is currently up for sale by the Ministry of Justice.

Find your perfect PA Many people who receive social care support from the council use their direct payment to employ a Personal Assistant (PA) to help them with household tasks or personal care.

‘PA Finder’ is a new easy-to-use web page that lets you search PA profiles, including their skills, training and interests to help you find someone who is a good match for you.

The site also has information about becoming a PA. This can be a rewarding job and a good opportunity for anyone who has previously been a carer for a friend or family member, worked or volunteered in health or social care, or is looking to work with disabled or elderly people.

Visit www.islington.gov.uk/ PAFinder

‘Community Energy’ is an exciting new funding stream for Islington residents to get involved with an energy project that is more local, more sustainable and more affordable. The fund is particularly targeted at small organisations with charitable aims that are based and working in the borough.

The council is particularly interested in projects that reduce energy use and carbon emissions, use cleaner sources of energy, and make energy more affordable.

Applications are welcome from charitable community groups who have not been involved in energy projects. Funds will be available through two streams between November and March.

If you’re interested visit www.energyadvice.islington.gov .uk and search for ‘community energy’ or email lucja.paulinska@ islington.gov.uk

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Local life

Winter wise: your guide to staying well this winter Hospitals and doctors’ surgeries are preparing for the cold season in Islington. With winter here, doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals are urging Islington residents to think local and use community healthcare services if you are ill or need non-urgent treatment.

Health professionals are urging those eligible to have their flu vaccine as soon as possible, to help them and our hospitals stay flu-free throughout the winter.

Dr Rachel Landau, Clinical Director for Emergency & Urgent Care, says: “Emergency departments prioritise looking after patients who attend with serious conditions.

Departments are always busier over the winter months and festive

holidays. If you attend with a minor problem you may have to wait for a long time to be seen.

Below are some tips for you to keep well this winter

Don’t put off getting the flu vaccination. If you’re eligible get it now. It’s free because you need it.

If you start to feel unwell, at the first sign of a winter illness, even if it is just a cough or cold, get advice from your pharmacist before it gets more serious.

NHS 111 service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones. It is suitable for patients with the need for urgent medical help or advice when it is not life-threatening.

threatening or an emergency, please consider using your local pharmacy, NHS 111 or your local GP, rather than attending the Emergency Department.”

“If your condition is not life

Make sure you speak to your pharmacists about medicines you should have in stock to help get you and your family through the winter season. Pick up prescription medications before the Christmas holidays start.

Many GPs and pharmacies will close over the holidays.

It is important to keep warm in winter – both inside and outdoors as it can help to prevent colds, flu

and more serious health problems, such as heart attacks, strokes pneumonia and depression. Heat your home to at least 18°C (65°F), if you can, you might prefer your living room to be slightly warmer.

Keeping an eye out for elderly relatives and neighbours and supporting them in the cold weather can help them Stay Well This Winter.

Visit nhs.uk/staywell for more information

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29

Local life

Healthy choice for Islington’s Market Trader of the Year 2017

L-R: Christine Lovett, David Twydell, Su Pollard, Dave Jackson and Serpil Erce

Serving up a healthy portion of our five-a-day has bagged two Islington traders the coveted title of Market Trader of the Year 2017.

Street food trader Serpil Erce, who serves up healthy salads from her stall, Sunny Olive Tree at Whitecross Street Market, and fruit and veg seller Dave Jackson, based at Chapel Market, were both chosen by public vote.

Serpil won the take-away food category and Dave won in the general market goods category.

They were presented with their prize - £150 off their ground rent – by Islington celebrity Su Pollard at the Chapel Market Christmas light switch-on event.

A total of 256 votes were cast since the competition was launched in

Join our traders!

May, with shoppers, residents and visitors across the borough voting for their favourite street traders.

Camden Passage, Chapel Market, Exmouth Market and Whitecross Street.

Annie Denny, who nominated Serpil, said it was because of her “service with a smile, and healthy food that gets us to eat our five-a-day!” Rob Walters nominated Dave because of his “lovely fresh veg and fruit.

A nice guy who is pleasant and always cheerful.” Both shoppers will receive £50 to spend at their chosen trader’s stall.

Highly commended by the judges were Stephane Barette who runs Whitecross Coffee at Whitecross Street and Jeffrey Heller who has a stall at Chapel Market. One resident who nominated Stephane said she served “fabulous coffee served with a smile. Just the way to start your day.” One of Jeffrey’s shoppers said he was “one of the nicest people I have ever met. I have been buying from him and his father for many years. Lovely person, friendly warm man and wonderful personality.”

The Market Trader of the Year 2017 competition was open to all traders directly licensed by Islington Council at the four council-run markets: Chapel Market, at the heart of the Angel town centre, sells a huge array of goods and services.

A bustling market has been here since the 1860s and today it continues to be one of London’s most popular. Spaces are currently available for new sellers.

If you think you could add to the offer and are interested in joining Chapel Market traders, Islington’s Street Trading Team would love to hear from you. Email street.trading@islington.gov.uk or call 020 7527 3394 for a chat.

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What’s On

Don’t miss these two great exhibitions at Islington Museum

A Christmas Carol Get in the Christmas spirit inside John Wesley’s Chapel with the Museum of Methodism’s magical festive show – Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol performed by the Quantum Theatre. Suitable for families.

Where: John Wesley’s House &

The Museum of Methodism,

49 City Road, EC1Y 1AU. When: Saturday 16 December 2017 Cost: Adult £10, child £6,

family £25

Collins’ Music Hall at night, by Vera Skinner, 1956, just two years before its destruction by fire

Islington on canvas: art from the archives Friday 1 December 2017 to Saturday 24 February 2018 See Islington’s changing landscape through an artist’s lens. Paintings

by Islington-based artists, including Walter Richard Sickert, Thérèse Lessore and Geoffrey Fletcher, have been specially chosen by staff, volunteers and friends of the museum as favourites for display.

Many of these works have rarely been seen until now.

Fenian Outrage: The Clerkenwell Explosion of 1867 1 December 2017 to 30 January 2018 (then touring) Wednesday 13 December 2017 marks the 150th anniversary of the ‘Clerkenwell Explosion’, considered to be the first explosion caused by a nationalist organisation on the UK mainland, in which 12 local people were killed and several others injured. It also resulted in the last publically hanging of a man in Britain.

This exhibition commemorates this significant historical act, detailing the facts surrounding the event and its aftermath.

The Singing Well Community Choir Sing your way to health and happiness with this new choir set up by Islington Council. No singing experience is needed and everyone is welcome. Sessions take place on Mondays at the Loraine Estate Community Centre, just off the

Holloway Road, N7 9UE, from 2pm4pm.

For more information, email liza. durrant@islington.gov.uk or call 020 7527 7471.

Tickets available at www.quantumtheatre.co.uk/ johnwesleyhouse

Women’s football

The Islington Women’s Football League is looking for new players and teams to join its league on Tuesday nights. Anyone interested in entering a team should email Chloe.Copsey@ GLL.org. Individual players should email Peter.Samways@GLL.org or call 07966 614 544. Teams need to aim to have seven or more players.

Where: Whittington Park 3G

Football Pitch, N19 4RS When: Tuesdays at 7pm-8pm,

8pm-9pm or 9pm-10pm Cost: £30 per team, per game

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Christmas information

Recycling your Christmas tree is easy Love your tree, don’t dump it!

After you’ve decorated and enjoyed your lovely tree over Christmas, do the right thing and dispose of it responsibly. Do not dump your tree on the pavement, at recycling sites or street corners. This is fly-tipping and is illegal.

It’s easy to recycle your Christmas tree in Islington. Here’s how.

Decorations

All decorations need to be removed and only real Christmas trees will be collected.

This year there are extra drop-off points for your

Christmas Tree, at:

Elthorne Park Wray Crescent (park end) Tufnell Park, Campdale Road Paradise Park, Lough Road / MacKenzie Road entrance Highbury Crescent, near playground entrance Rosemary Gardens Barnard Park, Charlotte Terrace King Square Gardens Spa Fields (off Northampton Road) Between 30 December - 20 January 2018.

The Household Reuse and Recycling Centre, Hornsey Street also accepts green waste and Christmas trees all year round.

Street Properties

Please bring your tree to one of the drop-off points, or place your tree on the edge of your property for collection on your normal recycling day.

Islington Council Estates

We will collect Christmas trees on 6, 13 and 20 January. Please check with your caretaker where your collection point is on your estate.

Residents on other estates should use public drop-off sites or check with their landlords.

Flats above shops

Place your tree out on 6 January at your normal recycling collection point.

2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 Free all day parking Free all day parking voucher valid on: voucher valid on:

Free all day parking voucher valid on:

Wednesday 27 December 2017

Friday 29 December 2017

Thursday 28 December 2017

Valid all zones Valid all zones Valid all zones

Valid all day in resident permit holder on-street parking places only

Valid all day in resident permit holder on-street parking places only

Valid all day in resident permit holder on-street parking places only

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IslingtonLife

What’s On

Coming up at Islington Assembly Hall…

Wedding Open Day Visit this stunning art deco venue on Sunday 21 January to find about the flexible wedding packages and to get info from wedding suppliers!

Get 20% discount on stationery for your big day. Email printing@ islington.gov.uk or call 020 7527 4568 and quote ‘Islingtonlife’.

Donae’o Just coming off tour supporting Dizzee Rascal, this NW rapper has been making waves on the grime scene.

When: Thursday 25 January 2018

Check out the full Assembly Hall line up at www.islingtonassembly hall.co.uk and keep up-to-date on Twitter @Islington_AH

Leading the way in digital tickets Mica Paris sings Ella Fitzgerald One of the UK’s most respected female singers, with a career full of Top 10 hit singles and albums worldwide.

When: Sunday 11 February 2018

Islington Assembly Hall is the UK’s only mobile-first venue with its move into digital ticketing with partner DICE. The DICE app lets you buy tickets with a few taps of your phone and locks them to your device, putting fans first and touts out of business!

At the heart of the for Community focussed Community focussed for community for over 150 years more than 150 more thanprovides 150 years years The Islington Gazette readers with the latest sports and entertainment Visitin usnews, at: www.islingtongazette.co.uk Visit us at: www.islingtongazette.co.uk www.islingtongazette.co.uk

@islingtongztte @islingtongztte

@islingtongztte

facebook.com/islingtongazette facebook.com/islingtongazette

facebook.com/islingtongazette

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33

Christmas information

Christmas opening hours Anti-social behaviour line The ASB response team will operate the following hours: 24 December – 12noon-8pm 25 December – closed 31 December – 12noon-8pm On other days the service will run between 4pm and 2am on Sunday to Thursday nights, and 5pm to 4am on Friday and Saturday nights.

Contact Islington The festive opening hours are as follows: 22 December - 9am-4pm 25 – 26 December - closed 27 – 29 December - 9am-4pm 1 January closed Open as usual from 2 January

Libraries All Islington libraries will be closed from 24-26 December, and on 31 December - 1 January. They will be open as normal at all other times.

Parks The gates on all of our parks will remain unlocked from 24 December until 5pm on 27 December and again from 31 December until 5pm on 2 January. There will be no park keepers in attendance during these times and all sports areas will be open for free use. Parks are open as normal at all other times.

Islington & St Pancras and Trent Park Cemetery

Registry office The registry office will be closed from 23 December to 2 January.

Children’s centres Individual centres’ hours will vary.

Please check www.islington.gov. uk/childrenscentres for more information.

Leisure centres Check opening hours at www.better.org.uk

Both cemeteries will operate normal opening hours aside from the following dates: Islington and St Pancras 25 December - 10am-2pm 26-27 December - 9am-4pm 1-2 January - 9am-4pm Trent Park Cemetery 25-27 December - 10am-4pm 1-2 January - 10am-4pm Please recycle your tree, details on page 31.

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Arsenal in the Community

Sensory room at Emirates Stadium

Arsenal have opened a sensory room at Emirates Stadium.

The space - which contains a range of sensory tools and games - is giving fans with profound special

needs and their families and carers the opportunity to go to matches live at Emirates Stadium - in some cases for the first time.

Arsenal has a long history of

providing services for disabled supporters dating back to the early 1960s when the club first introduced a commentary service for visually impaired fans - a service which continues to this day.

New Centrepoint intake

Arsenal youngsters visit the Arsenal Hub Arsenal youngsters Reiss Nelson and Chuba Akpom visited the Arsenal Hub in October to hand out tickets for the Gunners’ match against Norwich.

Arsenal have welcomed a new intake of young people to its football programme with youth homeless charity Centrepoint. Participants will have the chance to play football, build confidence and gain access to employment pathways during the eight week programme.

The duo met boys and girls involved in the Arsenal Double Club – a long running community programme which combines 45 minutes of football themed education with a 45 minute football session.

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Arsenal in the Community

Highbury Quadrant School Basketball in opens new climbing wall

Arsenal mascot Gunnersaurus visited Highbury Quadrant Primary School to celebrate the ‘opening’ of their new climbing wall, funded with help from The Arsenal Foundation.

Gunner also handed the school a framed, player-worn Arsenal shirt from the Gunners’ 2016 ‘charity matchday’.

Arsenal for Everyone The Gunners marked its Arsenal for Everyone campaign at the Premier League match against Brighton in October. It was an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the club – from players, to supporters and the wider community.

Members of Arsenal’s mental health football group went pitchside at Emirates Stadium for a special presentation, and the Gay Gooners fan group took part in a number of special activities.

the park

It’s not all football for The Arsenal Foundation. The Gunners have been helping Ball Out - a community coaching programme in Finsbury Park – deliver basketball sessions for local youngsters.

Home fixtures Visit Arsenal.com/fixtures for the latest information on Arsenal home fixtures.

islingtonlife.london

Apply now for Islington primary schools if your child was born between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2014 Everything you want from a school, right on your doorstep: highly skilled and enthusiastic teachers fun and inspiring classes excellent facilities There is no automatic entry to reception from nursery. Apply by 15 January 2018 for the best chance of a reception place at your preferred school. Visit www.islington.gov.uk/admissions

www.islington.gov.uk/admissions