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Cloudesley Association – November 2019 Update

1. Christmas Carols in Lonsdale Square Church

The wonderful annual tradition of singing Christmas carols on the four corners of Lonsdale Square is happening this year on Tuesday 17th December, starting at 7pm. All residents are warmly invited so please do go along if you are free.

2. TfL - Victoria Line

A number of you are affected by the increased noise generated by the Victoria Line this past year or so.

Tfl did some grinding on the southbound rails in the area on 12 September, which has hopefully made a difference to noise levels. However, TfL doesn’t yet have a fixed date for when the northbound grinding will be carried out, but have indicated that it will potentially be in March 2020.

TfL are going to be taking noise measurements at a couple of properties on a regular basis to monitor the situation. Generally-speaking, the grinding will be taking place at least once per year, but the regular measurements will help them to understand if and when more regular grinding will be required.

3. ILS - Christmas day-care

The ILS will be providing some holiday day-care during the Christmas holiday season.
Any queries please contact Amanda via the Cloudesley Association, and we will put you in touch with Penny Barratt.

4. Islington Square

Islington Square is now open! Kicking off with a bang, it is hosting a number of events including a “Feeling Good” Jazz Residency Weekend from 29 November to 1 December. Timings can be found on the Islington Square website www.islingtonsquare.com

5. Kings Cross

Christmas is a busy time at Kings Cross. Some of the more interesting events on in the coming month include:

(a) Northern Brights Festive Workshops: get stuck into some festive workshops - a host of independent brands will teach you everything from wrapping paper printing and candle dripping to cracker and piñata making. Listings can be found at www.kgx.cc/xmas;
(b) Christmas under the Canopy: Expect carol singers, live jazz, special events, seasonal master classes, workshops, tastings and so much more at the Canopy Market - open every day from 29 November to Christmas. In particular do not miss: (i) a ceramics / craft special weekend at Canopy Market 29 November - 1 December and (ii) the London Winter Craft Beer Festival at Canopy Market from 6-8 December.

6. Election register

If you haven’t received your polling card yet and wish to vote, the deadline to register is the 26th November. Information on who can vote and how to be added onto the register can be found at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

7. Cloudesley Association website

Nick has updated and reorganised the website. This is full of information about the local history. Hope you enjoy it and please do get in touch should you have any historical facts or photos that might be of interest.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

As ever, if you know of any neighbour who is not on the Cloudesley Association e-mail distribution list, please pass this e-mail on and/or ask them to provide us with their contact details so that they can be kept in the loop.

Contact e-mail for the Association: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

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Cloudesley Association – July 2019 Update

1. May Residents Meeting - Minutes

Our last residents meeting took place on 21st May. We had two special guests, Jenny Tatton and Rowena Champion, and had more general discussions about the Victoria Line and plans for the Church. Minutes of the meeting can be found here (http://www.cloudesleyassociation.org/meetings/204-meeting-21-05-19)

2. Victoria Line Update

A group has been set up by a local resident for all those affected by the noise and vibration issues currently being experienced as a result of the Victoria Line. This has been an ongoing issue for a long time, but the situation seems to have deteriorated over the past year.

If you are affected by this and are not already part of the group, please do let us know and we can put you in touch with the person running it. The main message is that TfL will only feel pressure to do the work necessary to reduce the current noise and vibration levels if sufficient numbers of people get in touch with them to complain.

There is a meeting on 30 July with Heidi Alexander, deputy mayor where this will be discussed in detail – we will report back on this in our next update.

[Later addition: click here for what to do if you are experiencing tube noise]

3. Thornhill Gardens Update

On 30 June, 10 local volunteer gardeners, in wonderful sunshine, dug flower beds, power-washed benches in preparation for oiling, swept paths and were refreshed with tea and toasted sandwiches from the new kitchen. They have a fundraising target of £500 which will be used to buy 10 tons of compost (generous donations have already amounted to £335 + £1 from a dog walker from Colebroke Row!) They are also currently trying to identify horse stables to get free manure!

Volunteer litter pickers visit the Gardens every morning.

The next volunteer gardening days are:
Sunday, 28th July (10am-2pm);
Sunday 25th August (10am-2pm).

Please do go along, even if just for moral support.

Any further contributions towards the restoration of this local garden would be most welcomed. It will be a glorious space SOON with wild meadow grass areas for bees and butterflies!

Any questions about this, please get in contact and we will put you in touch with Dirk Meerstadt about this.

4. Thornhill School – Fundraising for a New Library

A group of parents, the Thornhill Foundation, has been raising money to build Thornhill Primary a much needed new library. Thornhill is a fantastic school but is suffering, as others, from wider Governmental school cuts and reliant on fundraising to make projects vital to teaching and learning happen.

As well as a resource for the children and teachers they hope this will, in time become a wider community resource for local book readings, poetry events and a Barnsbury book festival.

The library is costing around £150,000. Through events, grants from charities and generosity from parents and local friends of the school they have raised c. £137,000 in 18 months. They are now in the final push to raise the remainder.

A leaflet about the project is attached.

The group is asking local people who value the school and its impact on the wider community to donate to their crowdfunding campaign. If 1000 local people now give £20 then they will make their target.

To find out more about the project or pledge, go to:

www.spacehive.com/thornhillschoollibrary

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Cloudesley Association – May 2019 Update and change of meeting date

1. Residents Meeting

Unfortunately we were unable to secure a suitable venue for our proposed residents meeting on 14th May so we have had to change the date – it will now take place on Tuesday, 21st May at 6.30pm in the Drapers Arms (the room upstairs).

We will circulate an agenda a couple of days beforehand. Rowena Champion has kindly agreed to join us to discuss issues of local interest. We will also be joined by Jenny Tatton who will speak to us about the amazing local history work she has been doing. We are also aiming to spend some time talking about the plans for restoration of the Holy Trinity Church more generally. If you would like to raise a specific subject/topic for discussion, there is still time so please let us know ASAP.

2. Barnard Park – Date for the Diaries

The Friends of Barnard Park will be holding their AGM at 7.30pm on Monday 13th May in the Adventure Playground building just off Copenhagen Street. We understand from Rowena that there has been some progress made in relation to the proposed regeneration of the park and we hope that we will be able to report back with some more information on this soon.

3. Holy Trinity Church - News

The Diocese have received funding for a project to research local Cloudesley history, focused initially on the parishioners of Holy Trinity buried in the crypt. Read the press release on the Cloudesley Association website. This exciting project will build on the work that has already been started (Read about that here). Anyone wishing to volunteer to help with the research should contact the Diocese at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . There is also one final drop in session at Finsbury Library, 245 St John Street on Thursday 9th May (2-5pm)

4. Friends of Thornhill Road Gardens - Gardening Club

On the last Sunday of each month, anyone keen to get stuck into some gardening can join the Friends of Thornhill Road Gardens between 10am and 1pm in Thornhill Road Gardens for a spot of gardening. It should be a lovely opportunity to meet other local gardening enthusiasts.

5. Islington in Bloom

Islington in Bloom is your local horticultural competition and is run by Islington Gardeners and Islington Council. The 2019 competition is now open. Entries close by 2 June. To enter the competition, click here.

Contact details are: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Daniela on 2027 527 6394.

6. N1 Centre Redevelopment

According to Nextdoor Barnsbury, the old site of Gap and French Connection is being redeveloped to house a new Uniqlo shop and mini golf centre. We understand that there are other changes afoot, including an expansion to H&M.

7. Visitors Car Parking Permits

It has not been particularly well advertised but there is now a new/alternative way to get parking vouchers for residents’ visitors, which we thought you might want to know about.

Visitor E-vouchers can be bought through RingGo. They are paperless vouchers linked directly to a vehicle number plate. You can buy for the exact amount of time you need rather than needing to buy 30 min, 3 hour or 1 day blocks.

If you are new to RingGo you will need to register online first (you can register in advance now so you are ready to go), but after that you will have more choice over how you order vouchers – through the RingGo app, online, or by calling 0203 046 0005.
You can order e-vouchers for immediate use or up to two days in advance.

8. Kings Cross

Of interest in Kings Cross this month:

London Craft Week: 8th – 12th May. Coal Drops Yard joins London Craft Week for the first time, presenting a packed programme of workshops, installations and experiences. More detail on the programme here.

Everyman Music Film Festival: 9th – 26th May. Everyman and music venue Spiritland bring you this celebration of sound and screen. programme

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

As ever, if you know of any neighbour who is not on the Cloudesley Association e mail distribution list, please pass this e mail on and/or ask them to provide me with their contact details (to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) so that they can be kept in the loop.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association
(This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

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Cloudesley Association – March 2019 Update

1. The Integrated Learning Space Update

Last week Amanda met with Penny Barratt to discuss the school. Penny and Ed have happily found someone to head the residential unit but it will take some time before it is fully operational – perhaps another 12 months or so, mainly because of council funding issues. Penny said that, consequently, the school (specifically the ILS part of the building only, i.e. that part accessed from Richmond Avenue and occupying the first floor of the building/the residential unit) may be used (during the day on weekdays only) for 3 weeks or so over the summer months for educational purposes (a summer course/club) and she was keen to let residents know of this plan.

2. Barnard Park – Date for the Diaries

The Friends of Barnard Park have been busy organising two Pop-Up Saturdays on June 1 & 8 from 11am-4pm in Barnard Park. They will be free fun for the whole family. Past favourites will be on hand. Mrs. H and the Sing-along Band headline on June 1.

There will be activities for children, food and music. The Adventure Playground will also be open for families to enjoy their amazing play frames structures and more.

3. Website update on “Cloudesley History”

Nick Collin and Jenny Tatton have been busy researching the local history of the Cloudesley Estate and updating our website with the results – see www.cloudesleyassociation.org . In particular we wanted to let you know about Jenny Tatton’s magnificent new labours of love: “Hunting Ghosts – Cloudesley Road – Past and Present” and “Gold Dust – Born and Bred in Cloudesley Road”, which you can find by clicking on the latest Breaking News item on the website Home page or via Projects > Cloudesley History.

4. Holy Trinity Church

We’ve been contacted by the Church Commissioners who have prepared a “Legal Scheme” and related documents setting out the Diocese’s proposals for renovating the church. They are inviting representations from interested parties for or against the proposals, which must be received by 14 April 2019. You can view the proposals on the Church Commissioners website here: https://www.churchofengland.org/consultation/Cloudesley-Square - where you can also download a complete pack of explanatory materials. Residents of Cloudesley Square have also been sent a hard copy of this pack and we will be publishing it on our website. Our first impression is that this development is just a standard legal procedure to prepare the ground for the renovation project proper, but if you have any views, positive or negative, or informed opinions on the proposals, then please do make your representations known to the Church Commissioners by the April 14 deadline. There will also be an opportunity to discuss this subject at the next Meeting in May (see below).

5. Pupil’s Referral Unit

Rowena Champion, Amanda and Florence are meeting with Nigel and others from the PRU at 5.30pm on Weds 27th March. If you have any questions/queries that you would like us to pass on, please do let us know.

6. Residents Meeting

We have tabled 14th May for the next residents meeting. We will circulate details of location in next month’s newsletter. If you would like to raise a specific subject, or would like to suggest a guest to be invited to address a topic of local interest, please let us know by 3 April.

7. Kings Cross

Of interest in Kings Cross this month:

Vintage Classic Car Boot Sale – this is back – 27-28 April 2019.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association
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Cloudesley Association – February 2019 Update

1. Local History

We are delighted to announce that the website has been updated with a massive treasure trove of information about past Cloudesley residents. Check it out at http://www.cloudesleyassociation.org/issues/cloudesley-history or follow the Breaking News link. We have Holy Trinity Church Births, Baptisms, Marriage and Burials data going back to 1829, and extensive census data for Cloudesley Square from 1841 to 1911.

If you would like to get involved or contribute data or stories to bring the records to life, please speak to Nick Collin.

2. Layers of London

On a similar theme, Layers of London, an HLF funded project, has been in touch with the Association. Their remit involves trying to encourage community groups to share their history and memories of London online with a wide range of audiences.
More specifically, Layers of London has a new website that enables community groups and individuals to share the heritage of London online by pinning that information on a map.

The website can be found at: www.layersoflondon.or g. We also attach a leaflet which should provide some useful background. The website is free to use and anyone can create an account. We have already created a "Collection" called "Cloudesley Estate". Layers can also offer training and advice on what makes a good online collection, and have an extensive engagement programme for children and youth groups. Please do get involved.

3. School

Rowena Champion met with Nigel Smith (Head), his colleague Joe Calouri (Executive Member for Children and Young People) and Mark (business manager) from the PRU late last year. She had a positive meeting with them. Clyde Brennan has separately reached out to let us know that he is the new Head of New River College Primary. We are looking forward to getting to know Clyde this year.

4. Residents Meeting

We are hoping to hold the next residents meeting in the second week of May. We will circulate details in next month’s newsletter.

5. StAn’s Café

StAn’s café takes place on 3rd Saturday of the month (10am - 1pm) at St Andrews church in Thornhill Square. The next one is on the 16th February, with the following one on 16th March. Further information can be found on the StAn’s café Facebook page. www.facebook.com/standrewscafe.

6. Kings Cross

Of interest in Kings Cross this month:

From Coal to Club – there is a fascinating exhibition in Kings Cross Visitors Centre about the history of Coals Drop Yard that runs until 30 March 2019.

Wave Field – there are illuminated musical seesaws sitting in Coals Drop Yard until 17 March 2019.

Valentines – there is a Valentines theme at Canopy Market this coming weekend – 14-17 February 2019.

Half Term Activities for Kids – there is a week long festival of activities for kids during half term week – 16-24 February 2019.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association
(This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

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Cloudesley Association – December 2018 Update

1. Christmas Carols

Residents have been kindly invited to join the following Christmas Carol events:

(a) Sunday 9th December at 8:30pm: The Crown, 116 Cloudesley Road, is hosting the Church on the Corner Christmas Carols;

(b) Tuesday 11th December at 7pm: The annual Lonsdale Square Christmas carol singing is taking place on all four corners of the square - everyone is welcome!

2. Kings Cross

Since our last update, the amazing new Coal Drops Yard shopping area has opened. It is quite spectacular and worth a visit.

For more information as to what’s on, check out www.kingscross.co.uk for a programme of events, including:

· wreath making workshops;
· a ‘festive canopy market’ every Friday (noon-8pm);
· Store Projects is running a series of workshops; and
· the House of Illustration’s Winter Fair is back, on the 8th December (noon-6pm).

3. The School(s)

Our local councillor Rowena Champion has managed to arrange a meeting with the school and will be talking to them about some of the concerns raised by residents this year. We have been liaising with Rowena and will report back as to how that meeting went in the New Year.

4. Update on the Holy Trinity Church:

Notes from the meeting organised by the Diocese on the 30th October 2018 at St Andrew’s Church are provided below.

The following people spoke to the audience:

· Kevin Rogers, Head of Parish Property Support (Diocese)
· Ptolemy Dean, Architect
· Harvey Howlett, Church Commissioners
· Carole Patey, Fundraiser

Presentations

Kevin introduced the various speakers and explained that the Diocese was rethinking how to be part of the community and how to raise £6m for restoring the church. A feasibility study has been funded by various partners and they are in discussion with the YMCA who is in need of a new office space. The YMCA is felt to be a charity with similar purposes to the Diocese.

Ptolemy took us through the history of the Church’s development. He described it as ‘amongst the finest low cost built’ that bears plaster ceiling beams rather than timber for instance. It is framed by the adjacent streets and its West front is inspired by King’s College Cambridge. There are no architectural drawings dating back to the original construction. In 1901, the church was remodelled: the galleries were removed and the raked pews in front of the West front window were added.

Scaffolding has been in place since 2005 when emergency repairs were carried out by Historic England. This included steel strengthening and some re-roofing.

Ptolemy briefly showed an earlier proposal by The Church Conservation Trust, since rejected, that introduced a double height wall at the bottom of the raked pews, with the purpose of using this space for lectures and introducing a floor within the nave at mezzanine level.

Since then, a feasibility study has been carried out looking at a different arrangement that would provide mix-used facilities. This would consist of offices at first floor with the raked pews removed and levelled, reinstating the full height West window and also reinstating the galleries above the aisles. This would create space for approximately 80 desks in open-plan offices. This would have limited visual impact on the views from the ground floor. The volume of the nave would be retained open as a flexible open space, possibly including a café, while the aisle below the galleries would be subdivided into rooms by predominantly glazed partitions. Space needs to be allowed for ancillary spaces such as kitchen, toilets, meeting spaces etc.

Ptolemy identified that there are issues with access in that a spiral stone staircase currently leads to the first floor pews. The current sketch plan suggests a lift in the west porch and staircases at the end of both aisles leading to the first floor.

The Diocese is currently working with the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), a Trust and the YMCA, but will require further sources of funding.

The crypt currently holds 180 “residents” from 1826-1844 and it is proposed that the space is used as an ossuary that would be used by medical students. The intention being that a medical / university institution would partner with the Diocese.

Harvey explained that the project will need Listed Building and Planning Consent. The Commissioners are actively involved in the disposal scheme and will write a document that will list the potential use considered acceptable ‘on principle’ by the Commissioners. The residents will be formerly consulted, in writing, by the Commissioners on those principles before Listed Building and Planning Consent are submitted.

Carole explained that Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has historically been the main funder for historic buildings. HLF is currently rethinking their schemes and the earliest an application will be possible is April 2019. Any application to the HLF must benefit the heritage and the community. At this stage, HLF recommends an “Our Heritage” grant (https://www.hlf.org.uk/looking-funding/our-grant-programmes/our-heritage) to start the process and the Diocese is looking at researching the social history of those buried in the crypt, and to work with creative writer and artists to interpret the resources to satisfy HLF’s request (see point 5 below).

Our Heritage | Heritage Lottery Fund. www.hlf.org.uk "An Our Heritage grant can help you protect and share the heritage you care about. Your project could focus on anything from personal memories and cultural traditions to archaeological sites, places of worship, museum collections and rare wildlife."

Kevin concluded by reminding residents that they will hear from the Commissioners when these are carrying out their consultation. He indicated that the Diocese would like to start the work in late 2019 / early 2020 with a completion in 2021/22, ideally. He then opened the floor to questions

The following information was gained from the questions raised:

· Heritage stakeholders (Historic England, Victorian and Georgian Societies) have indicated that converting and sub-dividing the building for residential use will not receive their approval.
· It was suggested by members of the audience that the church should be re-consecrated. Funding available is more limited for a consecrated church according to Kevin Rogers.
· The Diocese plan A is to find a charitable tenant with a clear purpose to partner with. They haven’t spoken to other charities (other than YMCA and previously CCT) as the scale of investment required is too large for most, but they will go through an advertisement process and YMCA is not definitive yet.
· The number of people that could use the ‘office’ space on a daily basis is currently evaluated at about 80.
· The Diocese has learned from the previous mistake made by not having a robust enough lease in place, and the Commissioners are also aware of issues from unsuitable leases written in the past. Both parties will ensure that a suitable lease is being used to avoid such situation arising again. But the Diocese doesn’t know yet the type of lease arrangement given they haven’t secured an end user yet.

5. ‘Our Heritage’ Research Project

Here is a brief summary of the research project being submitted to the HLF by the Diocese. This information was kindly provided subsequently by Carol Patey by e-mail to Nick Collin. The application is going in on Monday and if successful, Carol and her colleague will be very keen to hear from any potential volunteers.

'The Place Where We Live'
Tales from the Crypt

“'A group of local volunteers, led by a professional historian, will explore the history and people of Cloudesley Square, London, N1 and its focal point, Sir Charles Barry's Holy Trinity Church (now decommissioned), together with the surrounding parish of Barnsbury.

One focus of the project will be 'Tales from the Crypt' which will specifically focus on the burials in the crypt dating from 1829, (the year the church was first opened), to 1854. These were the first parishioners of the Cloudesley area and we plan to create a 'snapshot' of their lives: who they were, what they did, where they worked and how they died.

The research will be published on the diocesan website and used as the basis for a community led exhibition in the local library and a school arts project involving the local PRU, New River College for Primary pupils. Islington Guides will lead a series of free public walks based on this knowledge. It will also inform the conservation plan for the restoration of the church.

This project will be carried out with the assistance of 'Islington Heritage' (part of Islington Council), Islington Guides; New River College, (PRU); Cloudesley Residents' Association; The Cloudesley Trust; Barnsbury Parish; and Voluntary Action, Islington.'

We will be in touch with you again as soon as we have any progress to report. This is not likely to be before early March 2019 when, all being well, the project will begin in earnest. The research is expected to take around six months, after which we will be in a position to share the stories and to progress with the guided walks, the school’s art project and plan the exhibition for the Library.”

6. Other matters

We will be planning an Association meeting in the New Year, where the main agenda item will be developments at the church, set out above.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

As ever, if you know of any neighbour who is not on the Cloudesley Association e mail distribution list, please pass this email on and/or ask them to provide us with their contact details so that they can be kept in the loop.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

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Cloudesley Association – September 2018 Update

1. Dowrey Street Site – School Use

Amanda and Florence met with Rowena Champion (our local councillor) on the 11th July to express the concerns raised by several residents about the current use of the School's ground on Sundays and the use of amplifiers by the Celestial Church in particular, as well as the absence of communication from the PRU / Islington. There isn't anything further we can report on that subject at the moment. We are intending to organise a resident's meeting in late October and will invite the schools' representatives to attend.

For those who live on the north-east corner of the site (Richmond Avenue / Stonefield Street), please note that planning application has been sought to change the fencing on the back walls of the gardens of those properties. The Bridge school is keen to engage with local residents affected by these proposals to ensure that residents are comfortable with the plans. We will ask the Bridge to join us at our next residents meeting to discuss the matter with those affected.

2. Holy Trinity Church – Update

On the 3rd July, Amanda, Florence and Nick (the residents' representative for the square) met at the Church with Susan and some of her colleagues. A report of dilapidation evaluates the cost of repairs to £6m (including fees), of which £1.5m are emergency works. Susan and her colleagues explained that the church had been closed down in the 1970s and was deconsecrated.

The Diocese have three main aims regarding any restoration work:

1/ to meet the community needs,
2/ to restore the fabric of the church, and
3/ to be financially viable.

They anticipate that some sort of mix-use will be explored, and the YMCA is one project partner carrying out a feasibility study.

The Diocese is doing a survey and would like to hear your views - which would help identify what the 'community need' is, before the 24th September. The survey can be found at https://bit.ly/2Ocuf5d.

Extract:

"Have your say..... In 2018 the Diocese of London began the Cloudesley Challenge Project to design, together with the local community, a new future for Holy Trinity Church. From June to September 2018, Barnsbury Parish and the Diocese of London are running consultation activities to understand: ....the importance of Holy Trinity Church to local communities; and ....local community needs and opportunities for the future use of the building. Completing this form should take 5-10 minutes and will give you the opportunity to have your say on the future of Holy Trinity. We thank you for your time and your interest." The Cloudesley Challenge

Some of you will have received a newsletter that Susan hand-delivered to residents, but for those who didn't receive it, please click here.

The Diocese are also looking to hold a meeting. As soon as they find a suitable date and venue we will let you know.

In the meantime Susan has provided us with the following update for this newsletter:

- The gate at the west entrance has been reinstated. The pintle had broken off and was embedded into the base so the gate had to be taken away for a new pintle to be made.

- The gutters/drains etc have been cleared out again and she has confirmed that they are in much better shape since the trees were pollarded a few months ago.

- The final branch of the middle plane tree will be cut back. There is a bird's nest in the tree and the branch could not be cut back when the tree works were carried out.

3. Events

Of interest this month:

- Open House London: This weekend (22/23 September) there is another opportunity to gain free access to numerous buildings across London. Please see details at https://openhouselondon.org.uk/. There is also an app that can be downloaded from the website which contains a useful map.

- London Design Festival: The London Design Festival also has events across town until the 23 September, including some nearby. For details please see https://www.londondesignfestival.com/.

- Kings Cross: Check out www.kingscross.co.uk for the calendar of events taking place around Granary Square. A particular highlight may well be the Time Out 50th Birthday celebrations in Granary Square on 29 September.

- October Beer Festival: There will be an October Beer Festival at St Pancras International between the 1st and 21st October. For details please see https://stpancras.com/events/2018/october/st-pancras-beer-festival

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

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Cloudesley Association – June 2018 Update

1. Noise Levels – Dowrey Street Site

On Sunday 26th May, the Celestial Church of Christ had an event in the New River College School premises that carried on into the afternoon and made use of amplified music, the level and duration of which was beyond an acceptable level in such a residential area. Mid afternoon Amanda went to see the Celestial Church of Christ and asked for the music to be turned off, but this event had already led to several complaints from residents.

Nigel Smith, Executive Head of the NRC, Mark Gilleran of the NRC and Rowena Champion were contacted on the 29th. On the 31st, we received the following e-mail response from Mr Gilleran:

"Dear Amanda,
Many thanks for your email letting us know. I was unaware such amplified music would be used. I was informed it was a summer fair like event with activities and food. I will liaise with the Church organisers. It was a one-off event to celebrate their 40th anniversary within the local community. I apologise for any inconvenience.
Regards Mark"

A second e-mail was sent out on the 3rd June to the NRC suggesting that a meeting be organised to discuss the issue. No response has so far been received.

The Noise Pollution department at the Council was also contacted by numerous residents concerning the issue.

We are still hoping to speak to the NRC about the issue and their proposed usage of the building during weekends and holidays moving forwards and will let you know as and when we do hear from them.

2. Central Island - Liverpool Road

A consultation is currently taking place in relation to the building of an island on Liverpool Road at the junction of Liverpool Road and Barnsbury Street. You have most Iikely already received a letter about this in the post. The deadline for comments has just passed but if you do have views on this, the Council may still be willing to accept them. Chris Loughton at the Council can be contacted about this on 02075273734 or an e mail can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

3. The Holy Trinity Church, Cloudesley Square

Susan Speece has informed us that the Diocese have now held their first meeting with a stakeholder engagement consultant and would like to arrange a meeting for the consultants to brief residents on the progress of work on the Church and a couple of events that they are intending to hold, but also to answer questions you may have. We will let you know when this is scheduled.

4. Kings Cross

Of interest in Kings Cross this month:

27 June – 15 July: Summer Love Film Festival (Everyman's open air film festival on the banks of the Regents Canal!)
2-15 July: Strawberries and Screen is back!
3 July – 30 September: Scoop, a wacky pop-up ice cream museum arrives in King's Cross, Gasholder 11.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

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Cloudesley Association – May 2018 Update

1. GDPR –IMPORTANT INFORMATION

As you will be aware, the new General Data Protection Regulation comes into force later this month. Consequently, there are a number of changes that we will be making.

Firstly, future Cloudesley Association e mails will be sent from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so please keep a look out for e mails from that address as we will no longer be sending e mails from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Secondly, in the next few days you will be receiving an initial e mail from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. asking you to consent to receiving further correspondence from the Cloudesley Association. We do not want to lose touch with you so please provide us with your consent to retain your contact details by responding to that e mail.

Thirdly, we will be updating our website with a new privacy policy relating to how we keep your personal information safe.

2. Cloudesley Walk

During 2017/18, Cloudesley is commemorating the 500th anniversary of Richard Cloudesley's bequest. To mark the anniversary, the charity commissioned Clerkenwell & Islington Guides Association (CIGA) to develop a guided walk. The walk, Cloudesley – Cattle, Churches and Charity, was offered twice in the autumn and was oversubscribed on both occasions. Cloudesley are now offering two further opportunities to take part in this free guided walk on Saturday 12th May and Saturday 19th May, from 11.00am – 1.00pm.

The guided walk was developed and is led by Susan Hahn, an experienced CIGA guide. It gives a fascinating insight into Richard Cloudesley and his bequest; the urbanisation of Islington and, in particular, the development of the Cloudesley Estate; and the changing ways in which the income from Richard Cloudesley's two 'stony fields' has been used to support Islington over the past 500 years.

For further information and to book a place, please see https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cloudesley-cattle-churches-and-charity-tickets-44149280687 .

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

3. Cloudesley 500th Anniversary Concert – 9 June

In commemoration of Richard Cloudesley, Cloudesley is also putting on a special concert at St Mary Islington on Saturday 9 June at 7.30pm.

The performance at St Mary Islington, Upper Street N1 2TX will include The Stony Field, a specially commissioned choral piece which celebrates the life and legacy of Richard Cloudesley, which has been developed by Justin Butcher and Harvey Brough from Vox Holloway. There will also be an opportunity to hear The Foundling Hospital Anthem by GF Handel and A Particulare Care by Harvey Brough. The concert includes soloists Andrew Rupp, Julie Kench, Clara Sanabras and Jo Marshall, with the Holloway Baroque Players, the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School Choir and Vox Holloway.

If you would like to attend, tickets can be purchased for £10 from the Pleasance Theatre box office. The full concert programme is also being performed on the following dates and tickets for these performances can be bought from the Pleasance Theatre:

Sunday 20 May, 7.30pm St Luke's West Holloway, Hillmarton Road N7 9RE

Thursday 7 June, 7.00pm St James Clerkenwell, Clerkenwell Close EC1R 0EA

4. Holy Trinity Church – Update

Susan Speece has written to us by way of update. There hasn't been a great deal of progress in the past couple of months, but you will have seen that the trees were finally pollarded and the self-seeded sycamore tree has gone. Susan did confirm that a kick off meeting took place a couple of days ago with a Stakeholder Engagement Consultant. Susan has suggested that the Consultant come to our next Residents meeting, so we will be in touch in due course with a date for our next meeting.

5. Kings Cross

Of interest in Kings Cross this month:

11-13 May: Chocolate Festival at Canopy Market.
8-18 June: Phobiarama - an immersive excursion into our contemporary culture of fear! This 21st century haunted house comes to London for the first time following sell out performances across Europe.
2-15 July: Strawberries and Screen is back!

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

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Cloudesley Association – March Update

1. Residents Meeting – Minutes
Thanks to the many residents who attended our residents meeting two weeks ago.

Please find attached:

• Minutes of the meeting; and
• a thank you email from Susan Speece of the Diocese, together with the "Cloudesley Challenge" volunteering form for those of you who might be kind enough to give up some time to help the Church.

2. Holy Trinity Church – Association Support Letter – Action Required!

Please also find attached a letter of support that we have been asked to provide to assist with the fundraising activities of the Church.

We understand from Susan Speece that the Diocese needs to raise at least £1mil in order to do necessary repair work to the West Entrance and roof of the church in order that the building can be used again. This is obviously only the first (and small) part of the full restoration project, but we understand an Association support letter would be very helpful in order for the Church to raise funding.

In order to ensure that residents agree that this letter should be sent by the Association and that this support letter represents the views of the majority of our residents, we would like residents to reply to this e mail with (a) a Yes, I am supportive of the Association sending this letter or (b) a No, I am not supportive of the Association sending this letter, by no later than 5pm on Thursday 15th March.

3. Friends of Barnard Park – AGM
Just a reminder for those of you interested in the development of Barnard Park, the Friends of Barnard Park are holding their Annual General Meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday, 15th March 2018.

4. Kings Cross

Of interest in Kings Cross this month:

Ceramic Art London: From 23rd – 25th March you can buy work directly from 90 leading contemporary ceramic artists in the Granary Building in Granary Square.

Michelin-star lunch by Singaporean Hawker Chan: This will be available for £6 at Granary Square Kerb pop-up Wednesday 14 to Friday 16th March.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

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Cloudesley Association Update – February 2018

Here are our updates for the month of February:

1. Residents Meeting – 27th February 2018 - 6.45 for 7pm start – The Bridge ILS

Just a reminder that our next residents association meeting is scheduled to take place on 27th February 2018 at the Bridge ILS school. We will start at 7pm but please do come along any time after 6.45pm. The meeting will take approximately one hour.

Please could residents come via the Dowrey Street entrance to the school.

Susan Speece from the Diocese will be our special guest and will be able to answer all your questions regarding the Church and its redevelopment. Ed Ashcroft and Nigel Smith from the Bridge ILS and PRU schools respectively, have happily also agreed to attend the event and can answer any of your questions regarding the schools.

2. Local Crime Update – Burglary Update

You may recall that in our last newsletter, we mentioned that many houses down Cloudesley Road and neighbouring streets have been "stickered" and that this practice is sometimes associated with potential scoping exercises (i.e. are a way of burglars identifying homes as possible targets for break-ins).

One of our residents has happily received some comforting feedback from the Met police in relation to the recent round of stickering, which we thought we should pass on:

"Thank you for passing on the newsletter to me.
As discussed earlier, I rang the mobile number advertised on these stickers in Cloudesley Square and, unlike the Wandsworth case, it appeared to be a genuine locksmith business number.
Having done some further research, it is a company based in Cricklewood with further branches in other parts of London.
However, now that I have seen the Evening Standard article, and the remarkable similarity of both stickers, I can certainly understand why residents would be alarmed at the sudden appearance of these.
The business owner has been warned to stop this practice of placing stickers on people's front doors with immediate effect.
In the meantime, I would advise residents at Cloudesley Square/Road to remove the stickers, and if they know their neighbours might be away for a while, to remove those as well.
The reason I am advising this is because any remaining stickers might give potential burglars a clue that this house is unoccupied, and therefore an easy target for a break-in.
I will write to all residents with the above advice, you can never be careful enough when it comes to thieves and scammers...if you can spread the message as well via the Cloudesley Association that would be great.
If there are any other issues we can help with, please do let us know."

3. Recycling

Rowena Champion has contacted us to let us know that the Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee is currently scrutinising recycling. As part of that exercise, Islington council have produced a survey at www.islington.gov.uk/recyclingscrutiny which you may be interested in participating in. Please do participate if you have time as I understand all feedback would be very gratefully received.

4. Kings Cross – Canopy Market

The monthly pop-up market that takes place on the last weekend of each month at West Handyside Canopy. Check it out Friday 23rd February 2018 - Sunday 25th February 2018.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

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Cloudesley Association Update – January 2018

Happy New Year!

Here are our updates for the month of January:

1. Local Crime Update – Extortion Letters

Please see below some extortion letters that were received by Amanda recently. We wanted to share these with you so that you are all aware that these letters are a scam and should not be responded to. The police have received similar letters from about 30 residents in the Islington area but there are others across the whole MET area.

2. Local Crime Update – Moped Crime

Whilst on the telephone to the police in relation to the above matter, one of the detectives mentioned that Islington now accounts for 50% of all moped crime across the whole of the UK. They asked that we remind residents of this horrific statistic and ask that residents are very careful when using their mobile phones in public.

3. Local Crime Update – Burglary Update

Many houses down Cloudesley Road and neighbouring streets have been "stickered" in the past few days. Please see below a useful article about this practice, which is a way of burglars identifying homes as possible targets for break-ins. We understand that residents have contacted the police about the sudden appearance of all these stickers but again, this is a good reminder to ensure all your locks and burglar alarms are working correctly.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/thieves-using-stickers-to-target-london-houses-for-burglaries-8946396.html?amp

4. Neighbourhood Watch

Inspector Steven Murfin's has posted on Next-door that he is looking at re-invigorating the Neighbourhood Watch scheme in Islington.
If you would like to be a member, set up a scheme or find out more information about your local scheme then please contact PC Sara Langridge or PC Heather Farrell at:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

5. Residents Meeting – 27th February 2018

As mentioned in our last update, our next residents association meeting is scheduled to take place on 27th February 2018. Susan Speece from the Diocese will be our special guest and will be able to answer all your questions regarding the Church and its redevelopment.

Ed Ashcroft and Nigel Smith have happily also agreed to attend, as well as very kindly offering the use of the school to host the event. Further details on which entrance to go to and timings (assume a 7pm start) will be sent nearer the time.

For those who live on Stonefield Street, please note that Adi Cimic has contacted me to try and get us all together to discuss replacing the back fence the whole way along – I suggested to Adi that we can discuss immediately before the residents meeting on 27th but will confirm nearer the time.

6. Kings Cross – Lumiere London 2018

Lumiere London is back! From Thursday 18th January to Sunday 21st January Lumiere London is back and it's brighter, bolder and more magical than ever. See King's Cross transformed into a spectacular, nocturnal art show that will lift your spirit. Lumiere London is a major international festival with over 40 installations to explore across London's streets, buildings and public spaces. The festival is completely free of charge.
If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

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Cloudesley Association Update – December 2017

Here are our updates for the month of December:

1. Thornhill School Annual Christmas Fair – Friday 8th December

Thornhill School would like to invite the members of the Cloudesley Association to their annual Christmas Fair, at the school this Friday 8th December (3.15 pm– 5.30pm). Please find attached flyers for the event (Flyer 1 - Flyer 2). There will be a great range of stalls, activities, food and drink, a Raffle with fantastic prizes and Christmas trees for sale. They are also seeking to raise awareness of the Thornhill Foundation, which is working on key projects to develop and improve the school.

2. Christmas Carols in Lonsdale Square – Tuesday 12th December

Just a quick reminder that the Lonsdale Square residents association has once again kindly invited us to join them at their annual Christmas Carols event. For those who haven't been before, it is a lovely Dickensian evening of carols in the four corners of Lonsdale Square starting at 7pm on 12th December. Please do come along.

3. Residents Meeting – 27th February 2018

Please save the date! Our next residents association meeting will take place on 27th February 2018. Susan Speece from the Diocese will be our special guest and will be able to answer all your questions regarding the Church and its redevelopment.

4. Church Update

Susan Speece has informed us that she will be providing us with an update on the church in the next couple of weeks – we will forward to you as soon as we can.

5. Christmas at Kings Cross – Canopy Market

This December Canopy Market goes festive. The traders will help you get into the Christmas spirit with delicious seasonal produce and gift ideas. The market runs from Thurs 14 until Sunday 17th. The market features more than 30 emerging artists and designers, creative and culinary workshops, food, live music and more! Timings: 14th and 15th: noon – 8pm, 16th and 17th: 11am – 6pm.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

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Cloudesley Association Update – Additional Update November 2017

Prior to the weekend, we felt it was necessary to send out a further update on a few key matters:

1. Protest THIS WEEKEND in Cloudesley Square

Please find attached a document that the Celestial Church of Christ has sent to local MP and councillors.

You will see that the Celestial Church of Christ intends to hold a protest on Sunday morning between 11am and 12 noon (notably on Remembrance Sunday).

The police have been advised in case it gets out of hand and there will be a security guard on hand.

2. The Church – Progress Update

Please see below an e mail from Susan Speece on the events of this week.

"Thought I would just send you a brief update of events this week since the Diocese took back possession of the church.

Gutters/drains
I'm hoping that residents of the square saw that we had the gutters and drains cleared out on Wednesday. A total of 42 bags of leaves were cleared away. Our contractor will be coming back to install some grills to stop vegetation accumulating.

Trees
I know trees are of great concern to the square and I have booked Custom Cutters to look at the trees to re-specify the works next Tuesday. Andrew Stuart from Islington Council also attended yesterday and I'm hoping he can help speed up the permissions for the tree cutting so we can get any works needed before the end of this year.

Other works
I am arranging for other minor works to be carried out, including removing the pile of slates that has been there for, I believe, a decade.

Gas cylinders
I have arranged for some of these to be collected on Monday afternoon by Calor Gas.

No access to property
We have stipulated that nobody is allowed onto the premises unless either Kevin Rogers or myself is present so you are likely to see me around quite a bit.

Security
Our security guard left Wednesday morning. I'm very pleased he was there on Tuesday evening as there was a visit from the former tenants requesting access – a total of six cars hung around the square for a couple of hours. I think Otto, the guard dog, was enough of a deterrent.

Potential squatters were also deterred on Wednesday by the presence of various contractors.

Caretakers/guardians
Caretakers moved into the church late Wednesday morning. A very pleasant young couple who will stay for just over a week before we install guardians to live in the property. Contractors will be on site starting on Monday to fit out areas for guardians to live. Once we have our 'permanent' residents we will let all the residents know, meanwhile, if anybody should ask what's going on, please pass on this information.

Goods and chattels
The Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) have asked to collect their possessions tomorrow, Saturday 11 November. Islington Council have granted emergency parking suspension around the west side of the square and I apologise for any inconvenience this will cause residents. I hope it will be short term pain for the morning and then it is over and done with. There will be two removal vans packing up the goods to take to a storage facility – those of you who live in the square will see that there is a vehicle there today to pack and remove about one third of the goods. The CCC will also be arriving tomorrow between 9.30 and 11.30 to collect the items they have requested. I image it will be an emotional day for the CCC.

We will have a security guard and dog in attendance tomorrow. My colleague, Kevin Rogers, will be present and I may be there.

I have been keeping the local police updated and their message is to call 999 should any problems occur tomorrow.

As long as it isn't information overload, I will send updates during the first few weeks to keep you informed of progress.

If you have any questions, or concerns, do get in touch.

Kind regards.

Susan"

3. Christmas Carols in Lonsdale Square – 12th December

The Lonsdale Square residents association has once again kindly invited us to join them at their annual Christmas Carols event. For those who haven't been before, it is a lovely Dickensian evening of carols in the four corners of Lonsdale Square starting at 7pm on 12th December. Please put the date in your diaries.

4. Dirk's Christmas Lunch – Correction

As some of your may have spotted in our last update, Dirk's Christmas lunch in the Crown will be on Saturday 16th December (not 18th!)

5. Residents Meeting

We will be in contact over the next couple of weeks with a date for our next residents Association meeting (which we hope to hold in the school, if possible).

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

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Cloudesley Association Update – November 2017

1. Barnard Park

Islington Council's park department, Greenspace, has decided to withdraw its planning application for proposed regeneration of Barnard Park. Sport England had objected to the park plan submitted, which led to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government "calling in" the plan and a Public Inquiry being organised for next year.

We are however delighted to report that Greenspace has now reached a compromise acceptable to Sport England based on a 9-a-side football pitch, not a 7-a-side football pitch, as was in its proposal. This means that there need not be a Public Inquiry, and also that the regeneration of the park could take place in one phase instead of two (as was previously anticipated). It will allow also the Council to bring forward plans to provide a community hub building that would include new park toilets.

LBI's press release suggests that the detailed design of the compromise has still to be worked up, but it is to be consistent with the key elements of the plan in the application. It will involve a new planning application and further community consultation.

We will update you as the new plans become available but it seems that this is a positive way forward that will suit everybody.

2. Cloudesley Square Church

Today the Diocese have evicted the Celestial Church of Christ and taken possession of the Church – please see the attached letter which you may have seen through your letterboxes. We are hoping that Susan Speece will be able to join us at our next Association meeting to discuss the Diocese's plans for restoring the church and give Susan residents' input.

3. Residents Meeting

We will be in contact over the next couple of weeks with a date for our next residents Association meeting (which we hope to hold in the school, if possible).

4. Christmas Lunch

After the success of last year's Christmas lunch in the Crown (which was enormously enjoyed by all), Pat and Dirk Meerstadt are organising another such event. This year it will be on Saturday 18th December. If you would like to attend, please let me or Dirk/Pat know.

5. The Bridge ILS

Tiba Sears and Dirk Meerstadt have now joined Linda Quirk to become Governors of the Bridge ILS. Congratulations to Tiba and Dirk – it is fabulous to have our residents taking such an active interest in the school.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

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Cloudesley Association Update – September 2017

1. The Bridge School BBQ - TOMORROW

You will all have received letters through your mail boxes about the summer BBQ tomorrow at 3.30pm at the Bridge School. The school have kindly offered to conduct tours of the school and residential block and answer any questions you may have. It is a lovely opportunity to visit their fabulous new buildings.

2. School Contact Details

Some of you have asked us for contact details for the school(s). Ed Ashcroft, head of the Bridge School, has kindly given us his phone number, for distribution to residents, so that we are able to contact him directly if there are any issues on site. Ed's details are:

Mobile: 07850736434
School : 0207 7995050

3. London Underground Noise Disturbance

Our counsellor, Rowena Champion has kindly provided us with an update as to the track repairs in relation to the Victoria Line.
Mark Wild, Managing Director of London Underground, has told Rowena that minor track repair was done in April to ensure the rails were not moving and causing unnecessary noise. However, engineers will be renewing the track around Islington with a type of track base more resilient to vibration. This is preferable to simply smoothing the rails in this area, as it should bring a more permanent solution for residents who are being disturbed by noise. Mark stated that whilst it is a priority area for TfL, the significant change in track needs time to plan. He expects his engineers to start modernising the track along parts of the Victoria line including between King's Cross and Highbury & Islington later in the year or by early next year. He stated that he appreciated some residents would be disappointed that they were unable to address this quicker but that this would be a much better solution for everyone in the long term.

4. Church

Rowena Champion and Susan Spreece have been desperately trying to get the Council involved in the need to get the trees surrounding the church seen to. Unfortunately, this is taking a while.

In addition, Susan has reported back that a very recent dilapidations survey report has shown that the cost of repairing the church is horrifyingly high as it is in such a sorry state. A fire risk assessment has also been conducted but Susan is still waiting for the report.

Hopefully we can report back soon with some more positive news!

5. Kings Cross Events

There are a number of events going on in Kings Cross this month:

designjunction 2017: an international design event (as part of the London Design Festival) from 21-24 September. This is the leading exhibition for contemporary interior design and culture, presenting the latest in cutting-edge design from more than 200 international brands. For more details, please see: https://www.kingscross.co.uk/event/designjunction-2017

Learn how to cook at Waitrose Cookery School: September includes flavours from the Middle East, Portuguese pinchos & an Italian feast

This month at the Canopy Street Market: The first ever Spanish Olive Festival is coming to the UK and will be hosted by Canopy Market in September (29 September – 1 October). Visitors to the Canopy Market will be transported to the olive groves of Spain with celebrity chef demonstrations, a famous nutritionist, olive tastings, an interactive marinating & filling station, an olive art installation and of course Spanish music to flamenco the day away.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

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Cloudesley Association – May Update

1. Meeting Minutes

Please find the Minutes from our residents meeting on 25 April 2017 here. Thank you to all the residents who attended and for their participation in the meeting. It was certainly a lively meeting and it was great to see you all. We are hoping that we will be able to host our next meeting in the new school building. We will endeavour to get a representative from the Diocese to attend our next meeting to talk about plans for the Church.

2. Dowrey Street Site

The keys to the site are due to be handed over to the Bridge Integrated Learning Unit and the Pupils Referral Unit schools on 9 May 2017. Further information from the school heads can be found in the minutes.

3. Barnard Park

As anyone who came to the meeting last month will know, the Friends of Barnard Park are keen to get as much support as possible for their plans to renovate Barnard Park at the Council Planning Meeting at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 9 May 2017. If you are free and would like to help, please do go along to the meeting.

There are two pop up events planned in the Park, which may also be of interest:

Saturday, June 10, 11am-4pm. Ponies return to Barnard Park! Think Like a Pony, an interactive workshop, is back to give children a chance to meet a pony. Also on offer, there will be the Scruffs dog event and Children's Olympics.
Saturday, June 17, 11am-4pm. It's the Big Playday. Mrs H and the Singalong Band perform, fun in the Adventure Playground and bouncy castles in the park. Live music all day with Oxjam, Young Actors Theatre and local music charities. For plant enthusiasts, there will be self-guided tours of volunteer gardening areas as part of Open Garden Squares Weekend.

4. Kings Cross – Courtyard Festival

This beer festival is returning to Kings Cross on the Bank Holiday weekend (Thursday, 25 May 2017 – Monday, 29 May 2017). The festival promises great music, great entertainment (including walkabout performances and circus skills) and great food. Book your tickets here: http://www.courtyard2017.com/tickets-1-1/

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

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Cloudesley Association Update – March 2017

1. Meet the Heads – Residents Meeting – Proposed Dates

We have invited Ed Ashcroft (the new head of the Bridge School) and Nigel Smith (the head of the PRU) to come along to our next residents meeting to answer any questions you may have and talk to us about the schools, as they will be our new neighbours very shortly.

We have a couple of proposed dates at present, 24th and 25th April, so please note for your diaries. Ed and Nigel have yet to confirm availability so we will write nearer the time to let you know which date it will be and the proposed venue.

2. The Everyman on the Corner

A new cinema (32 seat capacity) has opened at the Plimsoll Building! Check it out at: https://www.kingscross.co.uk/everyman-cinema-kings-cross

3. Park Run

Every Saturday, at 9am, there is a 5km timed run in Highbury Fields.

In addition, for the smaller members of the community, there is a Junior Park Run (for 4-14 year olds) every Sunday, at 9am. The junior run is only 2km.

Both runs are absolutely free and all you need to do to run is to register at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/highburyfields/

4. Classic Car Boot Sale

The Classic Car Boot Sale returns to King's Cross on 22nd & 23rd April 2017.

Complete with live broadcast by Soho Radio, life-size 3D cars and a record breaking hand built single wheel motorcycle, this is advertised as a family-friendly festival.

Early-bird discount tickets available to book online now.

5. Ceramic Art London

90 leading international ceramic artists will be exhibiting in this major selling show and exhibition with Central Saint Martins.

Works featured include Rebecca Appleby's abstract multilayered forms, Ben Arnup's colourfully veneered pots and Julie Ayton's porcelain and stone tableware.

Ceramic Art London will be held in the Granary Building from 31st March to 2nd April and open from 10am to 5pm. Tickets can be booked in advance.

6. Dowrey Street Site

Kevin Morallee at Morgan Sindall has confirmed that the building is still on target to complete in May. Unfortunately they are having to work Saturday mornings to meet this deadline, but they are trying to limit this to quieter operations.

7. Underground Noise around Cloudesley Square (and surrounds)

Grinding work should be completed by the end of March. With a bit of luck underground noise should now (or very very shortly) be much reduced. Please let us know if you find that this is not the case and we will follow up with TfL.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

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Cloudesley Association Update – December 2016

1. Lonsdale Square Carols Followed by Drink in the Pub

Some of you will recall that last year the Lonsdale Square Residents Association kindly asked us to join them for their annual carol singing around the square. This year, they have once again kindly extended the invitation to us. We thought it would be lovely to all go to the Drapers Arms for a drink after the carol singing. Please come along if you are free. Details below:

Date: Tuesday 13 December
Time: 7pm
Location: Lonsdale Square

The event is terribly Dickensian and rather special.

2. Underground Noise around Cloudesley Square (and surrounds)- Minutes

The minutes from the meeting that took place between TfL and residents in early October are now available – please see attached.

3. Dirk's Christmas Party – 10th December

Dirk Meerstadt has organised a pre-Christmas informal dinner at 7.30pm on 10th December in the Crown. If anyone is interested in joining, please let me know and I can forward you the details as there is a £10 deposit per person.

4. Feedback from Councillor Rowena Champion

Rowena Champion kindly spoke to the council for us on the matter of trees in the area. We asked her if, given the number of trees that have been cut down, whether any of the other trees are diseased. Apparently there are no other trees with problems.

We also asked Rowena to establish why trees that had been cut down were not immediately replaced. The tree officer responsible said that they have struggled to replace every tree due to varying factors, such as underground services, coal cellars and in some cases due to subsidence claims requiring that trees are not replaced. He said they are in the process of identifying additional locations in the Richmond Avenue, Cloudesley Road and Square area and providing they have funding available, should be able to increase tree numbers in the area.

He also said that they are planning to plant trees on the following streets this planting season (December 2016 – March 2017):

Brooksby Street
Copenhagen St
Faraday Close
Hemingford Road
Matilda Street
Omega Place
Richmond Crescent
Roman Way
Thornhill Square

5. New Food Market

Many of you will recall the farmers market that used to take place on Sundays at William Tyndale school (which was then moved to Chapel Market), so you will be pleased to know that there is a 'new' food market on Saturdays 10.30am - 3pm (William Tyndale School).

6. Christmas Market

There is a Hygge (Danish!) Christmas Market at Granary Square from the 13th to 18th December.

7. Dowrey Street Site

You should now have received the September newsletter from Morgan Sindall on your doorsteps.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

Merry Christmas!

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

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Cloudesley Association "Interim" October Update

Further to our update yesterday, we have now had some further information which we wanted to pass on to you straight away (rather than wait until next month):

1. Dowrey Street Site

Please find attached the September newsletter from Morgan Sindall which you should now have received on your doorsteps.

Kevin Morrallee has also kindly confirmed to the Association that, at present, it is Morgan Sindall's intention to shut the site down on Friday 23rd December at approximately 4.00pm and not to re-open until Monday 2nd January. It may be necessary for them to open between Christmas and new year on 28th, 29th and 30th December, but this is incredibly unlikely and if they do intend to work in between, Kevin will drop us an email to let us know (which Florence and I will forward on to you straight away).

2. Meeting Minutes

Minutes from our residents meeting on 11 October 2016 are attached. Thank you to all the residents who attended and for their active participation in the meeting. It was great to see you all. We are looking to make some further progress on the anti-social behaviour and Christmas gathering action points and will update you in due course.

3. Cloudesley

We have been contacted by Melanie Griffiths of Cloudesley, which is a charity endowed by the will of Richard Cloudesley and has worked for almost 500 years to carry out his original intentions to serve the Anglican churches and medical needs of the people of the Ancient Parish of Islington. Details of the charity can be found at : http://www.cloudesley.org.uk/

We hope to develop a relationship with Melanie with a view to working with Cloudesley in the future.

4. Richard Cloudesley – Islington People's Plaque

Richard Cloudesley has been shortlisted for an Islington People's Plaque, the green heritage plaque scheme run by the London Borough of Islington to commemorate people, places and events of significance to Islington. This year there is a shortlist of 10 nominations (people and places) and the three nominations that receive the highest number of votes will be get a plaque in 2017 – good timing for the 500th anniversary of the writing of Richard Cloudesley's will!

Voting has opened and closes at midnight on Wednesday 30 November. Voting can be done in three ways:

i. Via the following link on the Islington Life website - http://islingtonlife.london/discover-islington/plaques/
ii. Or this link – https://survs.com/survey/dxwot69kw3 - open from 5pm today
iii. Or using voting cards which are available at the Islington Libraries, Local History Centre and Museum from today

We do encourage as many residents as possible to vote - hopefully for Richard Cloudesley.

5. London Nightstop

London Nightstop provides emergency accommodation for low risk homeless young people aged 16 to 25 in the homes of trained volunteers on a night by night basis. These volunteers open up their homes to young people when they have nowhere else to go and give them a safe place to eat, sleep and a chance to be listened to. I attach a leaflet and a newsletter which tell you more, and especially about the impact that Nightstop have on young people who, with a bit of help, can overcome the circumstances that have led to their homelessness and get on with their education or their careers.

As volunteers for over three years, my daughters and I have met interesting young people from near and far and found hosting them to be really rewarding. I'm often asked if I've been scared at the prospect of taking in a stranger and the answer is no, partly because Nightstop will only take on people who've passed a vetting process which includes taking references. For another host's perspective, see the attached newsletter's article "My First Time as a Volunteer Host".

Anyone who is interested in finding out more is welcome to contact me at 19 Cloudesley Square or on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

6. Barnard Park

The Friends of Barnard Park are having their Annual General Meeting at 8pm on Wednesday 16th November at Church on the Corner. The Church is located on the corner of Barnsbury Road and Copenhagen Street, opposite the Adventure Playground.
The agenda will be:
1) Presentation of accounts
2) (Re) Election of committee members
3) (Re) Election of officers (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer)
4) Plans for Pop-Up events in 2017
5) Update on community gardening
6) Any Other Business

All welcome. Tea and coffee will be served.

7. Tracy Williams

Many of you who attended the early meetings for the redevelopment of the school site may recall Tracy Williams. Tracy was in charge of the rebuilding project and was one of Islington's financial gurus! Sadly Tracy passed away a week and a half ago.

The funeral will be held at St Mathias Church ,Wordsworth Road , Stoke Newington at 11am on Friday 21st October . If you knew Tracy and would like to attend, then the Council have respectfully asked that you could let them know by e-mail (to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

The Council have also organised for a Book of Condolence to be available in one of the small rooms in the reception area at the Laycock Building. This will be in place from 1 pm on the 7th October until the 21st. If you would like to e-mail a message to be included this should also be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you would prefer to send a handwritten card or letter this should be sent to Mark Taylor, Director Learning and Schools, Municipal Offices, 222 Upper Street, London , N11XR, who will ensure that these are forwarded to Tracy's family.

8. Broadband

A number of residents have complained that they struggle with their broadband.

Virgin has a website where you can register interest in moving to cable broadband, and it seems that if a lot of people do register, then it is possible to move up the list of streets to be cabled.

Residents may wish to register their interest, which can be done on the following website: ‎ https://cablemystreet.virginmedia.com

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

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