Camden New Journal - Thursday, 13 January 2022

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by  New Journal Enterprises

Theindependent London paper
Thursday January 13 2021 @NewJournal www.camdennewjournal.com No 2060
UK WEEKLY NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR
TOWER SITE IN LIMBO
Uncertainty as affordable housing plea rejected – See page 6
Lost possum
lands in
6th-floor flat
8
–See page 3
VOTE Independent
2022 plots an upset
–See page 10
In the round
festival set
24 years later, the
to sparkle
shows go on! See
page 8
–REVIEW, page 22
HStrickenE scholaLr saysP gove rnMment haEs faile d Glong CoEvid sufTferers
MY LIFE BACK
AN exceptional scholar struck down by TOM FOOT “The government invested just
in the prime of his life with “long £40million in research, which is
Covid” has criticised the government has been confined to his bed for 16 very little in the pandemic era of
for failing to properly fund research. hours a day and has had to cut short a spending. It doesn’t meet the scale of
Ravi Veriah Jacques, who has dream scholarship abroad following a the issues.”
endured lasting coronavirus symptoms string of awards as a student at Stan- A specialist clinic for those with per-
for more than 10 months, warned that ford University in California. sistent Covid symptoms has been set up
although new variants may appear “Long Covid is another symbol of in University College Hospital, but
milder, the potentially lasting effects how poorly the UK has handled the without any treatments yet developed,
are not fully understood. pandemic,” said Mr Jacques. “There
The 23-year-old, from Belsize Park, has been no public health messaging. nTurn topage 2
LETTERS 16-19 l ARTS AND FEATURES 20-23 l JOBS 25 l A-Z OF SERVICES 26 l SPORT 27-28
ADVERTS/NEWS: [phone] | NEWS: [email protected] | ADVERTISING: [email protected]
2 NEWS
Follow us on Twitter@NewJournal Camden New JournalThursday 13 January 2022
Was councillor at ‘BYOB party’?
A CONSERVATIVE by RICHARD OSLEY your own booze. parties being held during see their loved ones,
councillor will face calls Mr Johnson faced a lockdown to be many of them missing
to resign from the Town an event which had stream of calls for his completed. funerals, weddings, and
Hall if reports that he escaped their attention for own resignation over the In Camden, the Liberal other important life
attended the controversial 18 months, the Daily party at Prime Minister’s Democrat group said that events, it's clear that from
BYOB lockdown party at Mail and others reported Questions yesterday, with the demands for people to the top down the
Downing Street are that Cllr Newman had Labour Party leader Sir resign would be extended Conservatives did not
revealed to be true. been seen drinking and in Keir Starmer questioning to Cllr Newman if it was play by their own rules.”
As Boris Johnson deep conversation with why others had resigned proved he had been at an Cllr Newman was
yesterday (Wednesday) his close friend, Carrie for breaking Covid rules event that had broken the contacted for comment.
issued an apology for the Johnson, the Prime but he was not doing the rules. He is standing down at
gathering on May 20 Minister’s wife. At that same. Group leader May’s council elections
2020, it was claimed that time, Cllr Newman was ‘I want to apologise’ “I want to apologise,” Councillor Luisa Porritt after a four-year spell in
government aide Henry working as an adviser to Mr Johnson told the said: “If it is true that Cllr the Frognal and
Newman was among the Michael Gove and was council meetings. House of Commons. “I Henry Newman Fitzjohns ward.
guests – at a time when not part of the Downing Mr Johnson has now believed implicitly that attended the Downing
the public had been told Street staff. He was later acknowledged he had this was a work event. Street garden party, this
they could only meet one brought into No 10 and himself been in the With hindsight I should constitutes a serious
other person outside to has seen the Prime garden on May 20. An have sent everyone back breach of lockdown rules
help curb the spread of Minister’s response to the email invitation, inside. I should have at the time and he must
the coronavirus. He is pandemic at close uncovered by ITV News found some other way to resign from his role as a
currently also a Tory quarters. this week, had been thank them.” councillor.”
councillor in Camden. These duties have not distributed to more than He asked MPs to now She added: “While
With the national press prevented him from also 100 people and invited wait for an inquiry into thousands of Camden Cllr Henry
trying to piece together appearing at Camden them to “BYOB” – bring the allegations about residents were unable to Newman
‘Long Covid fatigue keeps me in bed 16 hours a day’
nfrom page 1 ly thrown me. ous blowback. Basically, noticed improvements and going on and on. It’s an of 15 post-Covid assess-
“Now I’m used to over- everything is taken from had started picking up his incredibly difficult situa- ment children and young
there is very little that doc- whelming fatigue that you if you don’t spend 16 violin again. He said he tion to be in.” people’s hubs; the devel-
tors can do to help. keeps me in bed for 16 hours in bed.” was focused on getting “But I have paced quite opment of standard reha-
Mr Jacques, who used hours a day. I hadn’t been At Stanford –America’s well enough to perform a effectively for the last few bilitation pathways and
to ride a bike for 20 miles able to taste and I lost my answer to Oxford or Cam- recital at Burgh House in months and I’ve started to focus on equity of access,
a day and enjoyed playing smell completely. I had bridge –Mr Jacques won Hampstead. see a difference,” he outcomes and experience.
football, said: “I’ve never tinnitus a bit. the Deans’ Award for Aca- He said he had “always added. “In its Covid-19
been ill before really, not “The boredom of it all is demic Achievement and loved history, as far back “I started acupuncture. I Response: Autumn and
seriously anyway. So to overlooked.” the J E Wallace Sterling as I can remember”, have cut out everything I Winter Plan 2021, the
suddenly be in the health- He added: “If I try and Award for Scholastic adding: “My upbringing like to eat. But what we Government reiterated its
care system for so many do too much activity or Achievement in 2020, was probably to blame for really need is a biomedical commitment to supporting
months... well, it has real- exercise, I get quite a seri- leading to a Schwarzman this: I grew up in a left- cure.” long Covid research and to
Scholarship to China. wing British intellectual A spokesperson from expand NHS services.
A violinist who trained Ravi Veriah Jacques milieu. the Department of Health “Some public health
Our resident at the Royal College of has had long Covid “If I pursue a path in said: “In June 2021, the experts identified a series
Music, he is also a mem- symptoms for more history in the future, I Government announced of challenges underpin-
French Doctor
ber of Chineke! –the first than 10 months would wish to follow in the NHS Long Covid Plan ning the health system
welcomes European orchestra com- the steps of the giants I for 2021/22. Commit- response to long Covid,
prising black and minority ment Hill and to do work grew up around – not only ments included invest- including service delivery,
all French ethnic musicians. His that matters to me. I want Eric, but also Catherine ments in Long Covid information management,
residents father is the writer Martin to date again. Hall, Stuart Hall and, not treatment and rehabilita- financing and the long-
Jacques, who lives in “All those things you least, my brilliant father.” tion and in enhanced gen- term sustainability of the
of Camden Hampstead and he is the took for granted before, Martin Jacques is a jour- eral practice; care coordi- increased demands on the
and beyond. “adoptive grandson” of and suddenly aren’t able nalist who worked at the nation; the establishment NHS.”
the late Marxist historian to do. It feels weird to talk Guardian and other
Eric Hobsbawm. about it now because it national titles. He ran
Camden “I want to get back to feels like a different life- Marxism Today–the offi-
living like a 23-year-old,” time. I haven’t read any- cial publication of the
Dental he said. “I want to go to thing for 10 months.” Communist Party – for
the pub to see friends, In recent weeks, Mr more than 20 years.
have picnics on Parlia- Jacques said he had His son said his father
Centre
had for decades lived with
UNIVERSAL DRY CLEANERS a post-viral condition sim-
ilar to long Covid: myalgic
Affordable dentistry and encephalomyelitis (ME).
tooth implants for those LINEN, LAUNDRY &
“Because my dad had
important moments
ME, it meant he could give
Dr Jan Blekkingh ORGANIC DRY CLEANING me a lot of advice,” said
and Dr Martin Gilbert Mr Jacques.
SPECIALIST
Dr Andreas Jahnigen: “My friends have been
Dental Implants very supportive. I have to
COLLECTION AND DELIVERY AVAILABLE believe you are going to
Hygienist get better. If you don’t, liv-
FLAME RETARD ON REQUEST CURTAINS,
Julie Boddington RUGS AND RETEXTURING QUILTS, DUVETS, ing with it is so much
PILLOWS, SHEETS & TOWELS more difficult.
Only a 10 minute hop “I was incredibly
by bus or tube from OPEN MON-SAT 8-6 depressed in the first few
Oxford Street PROFESSIONAL SHIRT SERVICE
months because it just kept
Buses: C2, 88 Northern Line
ALL ALTERATIONS & REPAIRS ON THE PREMISES
020 7284 2926
Tel: [phone] COMMENT
77 Camden High Street, 24 HOUR FAX & ANSWER MACHINE ‘Buffoon style no
London NW1 7JL 11 BRECKNOCK ROAD, N7 0BL
longer cuts it’
Bocoakm yoduern dapepnotainlctmenetnrte .ocnoli.nuek at [email protected] See page 16
www.universaldrycleaners.co.uk
NEWS 3
Camden New JournalThursday 13 January 2022 Find us on facebook.com/camdennewjournal
Lost sugar glider that bit man on sixth floor of block might have flown in from building opposite
by GUY TAYLOR Possum
A MAN has told how an
exotic animal flew into
his sixth-floor flat through
an open window before
pays a
biting him as he tried to
work out what it was.
John Zou, 27, has now
been told that he had been
visited by a lost possum
with the possibility that it flying
had been able to glide
more than 30 metres to
get into his home.
He was woken by the
sugar glider at his home in
visit
Leather Lane at around
6am on Monday.
“I wasn’t wearing
glasses so initially I
couldn’t figure out what it
was, I just heard the noise to flat
it was making – so I got
pretty scared,” Mr Zou
said. John Zou –and feeding his Inset left: A sugar glider in flight (not the one who dropped in
Sugar gliders are a type visitor, above right on Mr Zou); they can cover distances of more than 50 metres
of possum, native to
Australia, New Guinea
and parts of Indonesia. quite agile and running all the number of “Often impulse buyers squirrel. But their arboreal
They can glide distances over the place, but he was sugar gliders kept quickly realise that they lifestyle means that they
of more than 50 metres very cautious and didn’t as pets in the UK, due are unprepared for the have sharp claws for
and experts believe they want me to approach. He to their cuteness and responsibility of caring climbing and grasping,
should not be kept as pets. actually bit me on my remarkable gliding ability. for these active, which can make it
The New Journal hand, just a little bite, so I But a spokesperson for very inquisitive, uncomfortable or even
helped put Mr Zou in thought I’d leave him the RSPCA said they need few nocturnal animals,” painful for humans to
contact with the RSPCA, alone.” He added: “The “very specialist care to calls their own”. the group said. hold them in their bare
who sent an animal rescue RSPCA officer who called look after them properly. related With sugar “They are also tree hands.”
officer to collect the me yesterday said, well, We do not believe it to them gliders being sold dwellers, avid climbers Mr Zou has placed a
animal. It has since been the glider might even would be possible to each year.” online, Peta [People for with a furry membrane notice on the bulletin
passed it on to a have come from the adequately meet their According to the the Ethical Treatment of spanning from wrist to board of his block of flats
“specialist keeper” in building opposite.” needs in a typical RSPCA, “sugar gliders Animals] has also warned ankle that allows them to in an attempt to locate the
Cambridgeshire. In recent years, there household environment.” are social animals and against taking them glide from tree to tree – owner, but no one has got
Mr Zou said: “He was has been an increase in They added: “We get should never be kept on homes. similar to a flying back to him yet.
4 NEWS
Follow us on Twitter@NewJournal Camden New JournalThursday 13 January 2022
Patrol finds drug stash
OBITUARY
Dave, the glue that
hidden behind drain
made school a team
HUNDREDS of pounds The stash of
worth of drugs have drugs was
been found hidden well hidden
behind a drain pipe in behind a
Camden High Street by drain
the new town centre
policing team, writes OUR friend and colleague Dave good, deteriorated,
Isabelle Stanley. Dave Collins, who taught Collins – leaving him almost
The stash of cannabis at Parliament Hill School ‘He was housebound. He refused
and nondescript pills and LaSwap for 30 years, brilliant at carers in spite of his many
was uncovered on a died on December 22 in cheering visits and stays in hospital.
standard patrol of the the Royal Free Hospital. everyone Life was very difficult,
street. Inspector Paul searched, so they find It was a dramatic He started his teaching up after a but he had the
Beckley said: “The somewhere to stash it event in the build up to career in 1974 teaching long day determination to cope and
officers were just and then go back and one of Camden’s geography and then tramping thanks to very good
walking along the road top up.” quietest New Year’s helped to develop BTec up Box Hill neighbours, friends and
and happened to check He added: “The bag Eves ever. and Vocational Studies in the rain’ family, he managed to
behind a drain and wasn’t within a child’s Insp Beckley said: across all four schools in stay in his own home.
found the bag stuffed reach this time, but “Footfall was much LaSwap, eventually Even to the end he
there. that’s always a worry.” lower on New Year’s becoming an assessor and enjoyed being social,
“It really was quite The drugs were Eve, but we were still consultant in this area of having “soirees” in his
well hidden, they hide it removed and will be busy, the ne’er-do wells education. garden inviting friends
because they don’t want incinerated at an were still there.” Apart from his ability and neighbours round for
to have supply on them undisclosed location at The team of 25 as a teacher, Dave was a a drink provided by him,
at all times in case the conclusion of the officers and seven great organiser, from but bring your own food.
they’re stopped and investigation. special volunteer jumble sales to carol David Collins will
constables made nine singing round the streets leave a big gap in our
arrests, for assaults and and pubs of Hampstead in to set up the PHS/WES frustrating it could be for lives, there is no doubt he
drug possession. This aid of the Royal Free’s (Parliament Hill and those waiting hours to get will be missed, but never
In loving memory included one man who children’s wards, raising William Ellis schools) home. His long letters and forgotten.
was caught dealing thousands of pound over parent and teachers choir emails had some success His funeral is at 11am
Angelo Taddei
drugs on CCTV and the years. many years ago, now the and he was thanked by on January 22 at Golders
subsequently arrested He loved to sing and popular North London other patients for his Green, funeral cars will
1st Anniversary 14th January for possession of over 50 from this and other Chorus, in which he still efforts. pass PHS at 10.20am.
bags of cannabis. musical events he helped sang when health After his wife Sue’s VIV PRESTON
permitted. death in 2014, Dave’s –Viv Preston is a friend
In his time at health, which was never and colleague at PHS
Parliament Hill, Dave had
Griffiths, Sue. aka Joan. been a committed
member of the PTA and
Sadly passed away also a teacher governor. A FRANCE & SON
1st January 2022. He also set up
Neighbourhood Watch
Independent Family Funeral Directors
group in his home area.
Funeral to take place at Dave was involved in Est 1764
St Pancras Old Church on many activities for the
24 hour Personal Service
Monday 17th January at 12 noon. pupils, from taking annual
pony trekking weeks in We will attend at your home to discuss
Wales with Louise Bisset, funeral arrangements if required
Remembered with much love and field trips for geography Chapel of Rest
with Gill Pellant and
affection by his wife Catherine, children Elizabeth Kwantreng
spending time at Sayers Specialists in overseas transportation
Lulu, Anna and Zeps, sister Anna, (Aka Edila) Croft in the days when all Golden Charter pre-arranged funeral plans
grandchildren and great grandchildren. of Year 8 with 25 per cent
sadly passed away on New Year's Day, 2022. of staff would go for a 45 Lamb’s Conduit Street, WC1 - 020 7405 4901
Rest in perfect peace. week. He was brilliant at 166 Caledonian Road, King’s Cross N1 - 020 7837 6952
cheering everyone up
after a long day tramping
up Box Hill in the rain.
Dave enjoyed good
relationships with staff
and pupils, was efficient
Mark Mangan in what he did, and
always did it with
humour. He could be so
funny –leaving and
retirement speeches given
The Mangan family wish to
by Dave were always
thank everyone for their She was a Camden resident for 58 years. worth listening to.
If he saw problems he
condolence cards, flowers and Elizabeth was a social worker and the first
tried to do something
black head of a children's home in the UK.
attendance at Mark’s funeral. about them –he made
She was a founder member of the Camden things happen. He could
Black Parents Group. She was a Director of be “bothered” to write
Thanks also to Michael and Camden Law Centre for over 20 years. very long and detailed
letters sometimes, and
colleagues at Levertons for She was also amongst the first parent governors
take matters further.
appointed in schools in the country, and was
all their help and to Gerry He helped to make the
on Quintin Kynaston School's Governing
school a cohesive unit,
and Mary at the Cobden Body for many years. A community activist, crossing boundaries of
for the lovely buffet. she had a passion for helping young people, departments –he was the
education and social justice. “glue” that made the
She will be sorely missed. school a team.
Mark leaves 2 daughters After retirement, his
R.I.P. Elizabeth. most recent concern was
Harley and Molly.
For information on the funeral contact hospital transport (he used
Levertons on 020 7387 6075. the service for his
dialysis) and how
NEWS 5
Camden New JournalThursday 13 January 2022 Find us on facebook.com/camdennewjournal
Gates’ closure during walk led to desperate appeal for help amid two-hour ordeal in the dark
by ISABELLE STANLEY
Mum and
A MOTHER and her
autistic child were trapped
in Regent’s Park for two
hours in the cold and dark
after park wardens and son are
police failed to respond to
their calls for help.
Celine Bradford and
her 13-year-old son, who
has non-verbal autistic trapped
and mobility issues, were
only set free when the fire
brigade were called.
She said: “I was very
disappointed by the park,
they should have some- as park is
one shouting by the gates
that it’s closing.
“And it’s not right to
leave us in there.”
They got stuck on Janu- locked
ary 2 after their regular Celine Bradford
Sunday walk ended with was locked inside
the discovery of locked Regent’s Park with
gates at around 6.30pm. her autistic son
Ms Bradford found the before the fire
number for the park war- for night brigade arrived to
dens on a board by the help them escape
entrance. They told her to
call police on 101, who in He added: “To assist
turn told her that someone visitors in ensuring they
from the park would be leave the park in good
coming shortly. They time, closing times are
waited a further 45 min- displayed on noticeboards
utes without anyone stuck in the park for near- es looking for a hole to let them out. Ms Brad- “We are sorry to hear that uary. People becoming at every entrance to the
arriving to help. ly two hours, with no escape through. ford said: “They were a boy became distressed locked within the park, park, and park staff make
“My son had used all sign of rescue, her son She said: “My friend brilliant. It was amazing, after a family was locked whether by choice or by every effort to ensure that
my phone battery, playing became very distressed. and I could have climbed they didn’t wait, they inside Regent’s Park after accident, does happen on nobody has stayed
with it to keep himself Ms Bradford said: “We out but there’s no way my tried two keys to open the closing on Sunday, 2 Jan- occasion.” beyond opening hours.”
calm, so I couldn’t call were just trying to keep son could have. We were lock but then they cut the
them back,” Ms Bradford him calm. My son was afraid we would be there chain. The man that
said. “That’s when I went hurting himself because all night. We were very stopped, Gervais, and his
towards the gate to try he was so upset and it’s worried about that wife were amazing.”
stopping people to help how he expresses him- because there’s no way of She added: “The police
but not many were will- self – he didn’t under- cutting the lock.” weren’t helpful even
ing because it was dark. stand why we weren’t Realising that no one when they had been told
“A very kind man going home. He still has from the park or police that my son is autistic,
stopped, he rang 999 and the scratches on his were coming, the non-verbal and has
they took the details and hands now.” stranger who had stopped mobility problems. They
said help will come, but As a friend “did silly to help, a man called just didn’t care.”
they didn’t say who or dances and chatted about “Gervais”, phoned the Inspector Nick Mc -
when, so we waited again the birds” to try and dis- fire brigade. Crews Laughlin, of the Met’s
and it was very cold.” tract her son, Ms Brad- arrived within five min- Royal Parks Operational
After they had been ford crawled in the bush- utes and cut the lock to Command Unit, said:
Eco campaigners call for end to
waste sent abroad for recycling
ENVIRONMENTAL campaign- by HARRY TAYLOR which can issue packaging recov-
ers have called on the body ery notes,” the spokesperson
responsible for Camden’s waste ating greenhouse gases. added. The NLWA recently
to recycle more items closer to Climate Emergency Camden approved a new incinerator in
home – with some being shipped said the authority’s next deal Edmonton, despite protests and
thousands of miles. should mandate at least 90 per campaigns from environmental
The North London Waste cent of recycling being processed groups including Extinction
Authority (NLWA), which is in the UK. The current agreement Rebellion, which said the proposed
responsible for the rubbish from with Biffa runs out in 2025. site is too large, would increase air
seven boroughs in north London, An NLWA spokesperson said in pollution and risks breaking the
currently sends card to be recycled the month of November 100 per council’s commitment to becom-
in Taiwan and Turkey, with glass cent of recycling was dealt with in ing net zero by 2030.
bottles and jars ending up in Por- Europe, but did not rule out Tania Inowlocki, from Climate
tugal and Belgium. resuming use of Taiwan again at Emergency Camden (CEC), said:
Paper is also sent overseas, to some point in the future. “Along with the incinerator it
France and Germany. It said it was trying to shift as [recycling closer to home] is one
The process is overseen by Bif- much recycling to nearby UK sites of the things we have been lobby-
fa, which runs a recycling sorting as possible, pointing out it had ing on. If they decide to renew the
facility in Edmonton. It means that stopped sending paper to Taiwan. contract, or before then, it would
carbon is generated in transporting “Wherever possible, NLWA be fantastic. It is something they
the materials to processing plants seeks recycling processors situated can insist on. Then, after that, they
abroad – so while the recycling in the UK, however if recyclables should commit to a date where it
process is more environmentally are exported, they can only ever be would be 100 per cent.”
friendly than landfill, it is still cre- sent to accredited companies, See Letters, page 19
THEATRE Folk hero? Play explores the life of Cecil Sharp p22
6 NEWS
Follow us on Twitter@NewJournal Camden New JournalThursday 13 January 2022
What
Railway work
halts farm’s
happens
horse riding
now?
FARM chiefs are pandemic, we invested
“absolutely gutted” in a hoist so we could
after essential rail extend this and were
bridge works cut off looking to reinstate
its horse paddock this activity as soon as
from the public, writes possible. Sadly, this
Tom Foot. incident has meant
Kentish Town City further delay.”
Farm’s most popular Network Rail has
Left, work has stopped attraction is expected apologised to the fans
on the site at 100 to be closed for several of the farm’s horses –
Avenue Road –leaving weeks because of a Murphy, Jester and
residents living next to “moving wall” on the Champion –but said
rubble and a half- bordering railway the work is
started scheme tracks. “essential”.
Above: How the tower A large digger has The rest of the farm
was set to look been rolled onto the is open as normal.
site as part of the Gary Walsh, route
A DEVELOPER is by TOM FOOT away. It’s also a terrible and The Winch deserves But he added: “I have works that have shut director for Network
facing a £70million situation for The Winch the bigger and better not been persuaded that the pony club and Rail, said: “We’re
deficit after its plan to facing huge losses if it which was promised a home it was promised. the financial position of riding lessons for really sorry for the
remove all the affordable was forced to include the brand new building out of Our hope now is that the appellant means that children and young impact our work is
housing from a 23-storey 36 affordable housing the whole thing.” someone else might come the only option is the people with disabilities. having on the farm
tower block was rejected units in the tower. Even with the in and work with our proposed modification to Eira Gibson, and local residents.
by a planning inspector. Labour councillor Leo affordable housing community to deliver the the agreement.” director of Kentish “The wall next to
Essential Living had Cassarani, who element removed, scheme it wants and He added that “another Town City Farm, said: Tottenham Curve
appealed against Camden represents Swiss Cottage, Essential said it was still needs.” residential-led scheme “We are absolutely tunnel was moving. To
Council’s rejection of its said: “I’m not surprised facing a deficit of The scheme had faced could be delivered on this gutted that as we address this, we’ve
proposal to amend its as what they were asking £56million on the opposition from the start site, particularly given emerge from the been excavating above
planning permission for for was outrageous. I scheme. But it had argued with hundreds of the site’s urban location pandemic and into our the tunnel and have
100 Avenue Road in think Camden’s planning that it could recoup some objections to the scale of next to a London 50th birthday year, we managed to stabilise
Swiss Cottage. officers thought Essential of the losses by having the tower when it was underground station”. have had to close part the wall. However,
But in the latest chapter was asking for something more flats bringing in first mapped out in 2014. An Essential of the site. We there is more work to
in an eight-year dispute that was not going to be private rent. The council refused to spokesperson said: “It is understand the do on site to fully fix
over the site, inspector granted. Belsize councillor grant building consent in everyone’s interest to essential nature of the the issue.
Tom Gilbert Wooldridge “This sort of tactic, of Luisa Porritt, the leader but the company see the site developed work and are thankful “We know how
said he was “not viability arguments, used of the Liberal Democrats appealed, and Camden and making a positive that no one – person important the farm is
persuaded” by the to work a lot more. in Camden, said: “It’s was overruled by the then contribution to the local or animal – has been to the community and
company’s claims that Developers used to come right this latest egregious local government area as soon as possible. hurt. we will do everything
the project had now back and say we can’t attempt by the developer secretary Greg Hands in “Our planning “The closure of the we can to support the
become financially afford it –but now, in to renege on their 2016. application would have horse arena will be farm and complete
“unviable”. some local authorities, affordable housing EL then ran into a row allowed that to happen – really bad news for our work as quickly as
The case has led to a this doesn’t carry such commitment has been over how it would delivering much-needed lots of people in our possible.”
giant, unresolved site of weight.” refused. remove spoil from the new housing in Camden, community, especially The farm this
demolished buildings Cllr Cassarani added: “It is depressing to site as residents enhancing the public members of our pony month raised more
with little clarity on what “I think what will happen think how long the site complained about the realm, and providing new club which includes than £8,500 with its
happens next or when is Essential will now has been abandoned for prospect of trucks taking space for The Winch classes for children annual Big Tree
any work may resume. have to dispose of the already and how much over residential streets. community project. and young people with Takeaway Christmas
Essential had argued site. I feel sorry for the longer it may remain The 100 Avenue Road “We are naturally disabilities. Before the appeal.
that rising construction residents who have said empty. building – the former disappointed with the
costs caused by Brexit all along that they would “Residents desperately offices of the Ham & Inspector’s decision and
and Covid meant it was demolish and then walk need affordable homes Highnewspaper – has will carefully consider
already been knocked our next steps.”
down and the site has Cabinet councillor
been left in rubble with Danny Beales said: “It
work at a standstill. sends a clear message to
Published on Friday, developers across the
the planning inspector’s borough that they have to
report said: “There have deliver their promises to
been a number of Camden residents. We
unforeseen circumstances will challenge developers
since the 2016 decision who seek to avoid
was made, including providing the vital
legal challenges, Brexit, affordable housing our
Covid, and the increasing borough needs, which is
cost of building secured as part of Network Rail at work in Kentish Town
materials.” planning permissions.”
NEWS IN BRIEF
Have your say Xmas is over A bigger pool Farewell Anne
A CONSULTATION on CHRISTMAS tree THE owners of a THE chairwoman of the
the future of Gospel Oak recycling stations run by mansion on the edge of Hampstead Heath
and Haverstock has been Camden Council will Hampstead Heath has committee, Anne
extended until January close tomorrow (Friday). applied to extend its Fairweather, is stepping
20. It offers a masterplan The centres for redundant swimming pool. The down from her role. She
for the future of the area, festive firs have been Grade II-listed The Elms, said she had felt
outlining priorities and open since January 3. in Spaniards Road, has “privileged and
improvements. More Locations include on also asked for permission honoured” to have been
details can be found: Hampstead Heath near to create a sun terrace in the position looking
https://gohcommunityvisi East Heath Road and and to add a “glazed pod after the Heath for six
on.commonplace.is/ Talacre Road open space. structure”. years.
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‘Keep nature reserve
open to public’ plea
by DAN CARRIER camp, full of resources for
children from a number of
A NATURE reserve is due schools to use.”
to be auctioned to the She added that she
highest bidder next month hoped to win the support
– as its owners struck a of neighbours and nature
five-year deal with a nurs- reserve volunteers.
ery to run outdoor class- She added: “Using the
rooms on the site. reserve for nature lessons
The Mortimer Terrace is not about making mon- Katie and John Plews, centre, with daughters Jessica and Racky and
Nature Reserve in Kentish ey, just paying the rent.” grandsons Cosmo and Hugo at Upstairs At The Gatehouse
Town had been owned by The Mortimer Terrace
Five guys and a happy birthday!
the Fitzpatrick family Nature Reserve trustees
construction firm for more say they are open to
than four decades. They speaking with Wooden-
sold up to property com- The green space in Mortimer Terrace tots. A THEATRE which has won rave reviews and theatre thrive but this time the couple’s
pany Silverton in 2020. Committee member award nominations for its production of daughters, Racky and Jessica, surprised
Silverton’s owner, They will then hand the for all that time.” Emily O’Mara said: “Our Five Guys Named Moecelebrated its birthday them with a certificate of their own.
Mark Hamburger, put the space over to state-run After failing to agree a priority remains the same after Sunday’s matinee performance. The current musical runs until Sunday
land up for auction after primary schools to access price, Ms Woodman as it has always been – to John and Katie Plews cut the cake at and has four nominations at the Offies –
discovering it was well the wooded area in the watched the auction care- ensure the space is acces- Upstairs At Gatehouse in Highgate – the coveted awards for productions on the
protected from develop- afternoons. fully – and after the lot sible to all, is looked after, 24 years after they first turned an fringe scene. Audiences were kept safe
ment – but after failing to Woodentots founder was withdrawn, was and never developed. old store room above a pub into one from Covid with masks and nightly deep
reach the £200,000 asking Paula Woodman said the approached by its new “We want everyone to of London’s best-loved fringe cleans, while some extra
price, Mr Hamburger plan would safeguard the owner offering a lease. be able to use it regardless theatres. socially-distanced
withdrew the lot. reserve from develop- Ms Woodman said: of whether they are a child Over the years, they have shows were
Now the New Journal ment, offer free access to “We ran Forest Schools, at a private nursery or in a handed out awards to people arranged.
has learned the site will be children, and reduce pres- long before it was a state school. who have helped the
once more under the ham- sure on Hampstead Heath, ‘thing’. We used to call it She added: “The
mer in February – and this which has seen a huge rise nature walks. We have reserve is still under pri-
time includes the lease to in school visits. been using the Heath for vate ownership and with
a nursery, set at £18,000 a She said: “I approached many years, but have been that, there is always the
year. the Fitzpatricks when I told there are simply too fear that it will be used for
Woodentots Nursery knew the Nature Reserve many Forest Schools now. something else.
has been based in Kentish tenancy was coming to an “It makes sense to have “The bottom line is we KM Drew Boateng
Town for over 30 years end. They had given it to an independent space. I must get it open for com- and AJ Lewis star
and plan to host an open the community for 30 think we could take this to munity use, free of charge in Five Guys
air classroom on weekday years before – the Fitz- the next level. It would be and safeguarded in perpe- Named Moe
mornings. patricks acted generously great to create a base- tuity.”
Public & Legal Notices
Are you affected by these planning applications?
Find out about planning applications in your area www.camden.gov.uk/searchforplans
Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) : Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (as amended). The following applications to carry out development
or works at the properties listed have been received by the Council. Codes: P – planning: L – listed building (including approval of details) : A – advertisements
You can view details of all applications, drawings and supporting documents on Camden's website www.camden.gov.uk/planning . Our Duty Planner service offers advice and information about applications Tel: [phone].
If you want to make comments about an application you need to do this in writing within 21 days of the date of this notice. You can comment by: online form linked to the application at www.camden.gov.uk/planning;
email to [email protected]; writing to Development Management, Regeneration and Planning, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, London, WC1H 8ND. Please remember to quote the reference number of the application.
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Camden New JournalThursday 13 January 2022 Find us on facebook.com/camdennewjournal
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Follow us on Twitter@NewJournal Camden New JournalThursday 13 January 2022
Can community campaigner break through partisan political lines to win a seat on the council?
Independent
CAMDEN TOWN secret Twitter account in
8 which he posed as a single
SPLIT FROM HILL mother living in social
housing to criticise some of
PRIMROSE Hill is set to get his own colleagues.
new councillors however The shifting boundaries
Phil reveals the vote goes in May. The are said to have made
VOTE ward is currently “Camden Primrose Hill one of the few
Town with Primrose Hill” areas where the dominant
2022 but boundary changes Labour party will have to
have led to a split. work harder to win.
The ward’s current And independent Phil
he’s joining
Labour councillors Pat Cowan will not be the only
Callaghan and Richard one eyeing a seat in a
Cotton are expected to chamber currently bursting
contest the Camden Town with Labour councillors.
side –considered safer The Conservatives and Lib
Labour territory. Dems will be hoping to seize
election race
The third Labour on a possible opening here.
councillor was Lazzaro Labour has selected Ajok
Pietragnoli, but he Athian, Anna Burrage and
Phil Cowan resigned last year after Matt Cooper as candidates
apologising for running a for the ward.
A COMMUNITY by RICHARD OSLEY who, without being rude, what they were doing – The park –and the issues monitored. We have some through.”
campaigner with a host of will not know Primrose and asked if they needed of the gates. I don’t think vulnerable people living Supporters include
successes under his belt is Park Road –still none of Hill in the same way. We any help. It really opens anybody wants to see close by – and they are Matthew Wright, the TV
now looking to upset the the big brand coffee need people with your eyes –and frankly I gates, but my first priority scared of what the next and radio journalist, who
applecart again by companies have been able experience of this area, do not think the response is that residents are few months might bring.” lives in Primrose Hill.
standing as an to gain a foothold. who have got involved, from the council so far protected.” He said he has some He said: “It’s hard to
independent candidate at Mr Cowan, who has who have volunteered has been good enough. A long-running saga supporters willing to miss him [Phil Cowan] as
May’s council elections. lived in the area for more here and taken that Nobody should be dying saw sharp differences of weigh in to help with his he’s always out and about
Phil Cowan revealed than 20 years, said: “The community action.” on our streets.” opinions in the area over campaign; standing as an in our community. It’s
this week that he will Primrose Hill ward is Mr Cowan, who used to He has also helped with whether Primrose Hill independent is always a where he lives and that
stand in his home ward of changing at these have a stall in Camden environmental campaigns should be locked at night, tough task. alone sets him apart from
Primrose Hill with an elections –and the Labour Town market and then for locally – he was among as people who could not “I think it is less tribal other candidates.”
alternative offering to councillors who have 13 years an interior design the group giving out free go to pubs and clubs now and people are “I’ve seen him doing
tribal party-line politics. been here are moving to a shop in Regent’s Park trees at Primrose Hill appeared to head to the interested in what amazing work serving
He is known for a series new ward. Road, has most recently Library on Saturday –and green space instead. alternatives there are,” food to the homeless at
of neighbourhood projects “If they were still the been helping the homeless worked with the business “At times over the last said Mr Cowan. weekends.
and winning campaigns candidates, maybe I group Streets Kitchen – guru Mary Portas to two years, it’s been like a “And the Covid “He’s done wonders
that may have seemed would have had second volunteering to help give champion independent festival at night – it pandemic has shown what working with residents of
impossible – including thoughts because I have out food, warm clothes shops. became a destination for can happen if we work a sheltered housing
the re-opening of the worked well with them. I and “companion ship” to He said: “I won’t be parties. Would you have together, rather than development and was one
Albert pub and helping to try to work well with rough sleepers. able to get through the Glastonbury without any against each other. The of the principle players in
maintain a rearguard everyone. But now there “I was walking my dog campaign without security measures in spirit of volunteering and saving a local pub from
against chains in Regent’s will be new candidates in Camden Town and saw mentioning the ‘p’ word. place? It does need to be caring really came redevelopment.”
Labour members walk out of selection meeting in
NON-SURGICAL FACE
protest at party’s treatment of blocked councillor
AND BODY LIFTING
SEVERAL Labour members A list of those who had countless evenings and
walked out of a candidate been approved for selection weekends to get us elected
selection meeting in protest has been circulated –with six in such a tight seat that
UP TO 50% OFF at the party’s record number current Labour councillors Labour hadn’t won in 20
of deselections, writes barred from standing again, a years.
Richard Osley. situation which has been “Our members do not
They were angry that the characterised by critics as a appreciate their
sitting Swiss Cottage “purge of the Left”. campaigning efforts being
councillor Leo Cassarani has Before Sunday’s meeting – taken for granted.”
been blocked from putting held remotely via Zoom – Mike Katz from the LCF
his name forward to be a began, a group of angry said last year: “If appeals
Non-Surgical Facial:
Now £59 (Usually£99) candidate again. branch members read out a haven’t been upheld it’s on
He was rejected largely statement supporting Cllr the basis of strong
Inch Loss and Toning: on the basis that he had Cassarani. Leo Cassarani evidence.
3 sessionsNow £99
(Usually £129) signed a demand for more “This branch demands an “This could be failure to
scrutiny of a council land immediate halt to the ballot paper. abide by collective
Red Light Collagen deal in King’s Cross. shortlisting and candidate Cllr Cassarani said: “I feel responsibility, letting down
TNhoewra £p4y0: 4(U0s muainllsy £80) Cllr Cassarani had wanted selection process,” it said. deeply moved by the their constituents or
to defend his place on the “We allege that the solidarity expressed by the struggling to carry out the
UV Tanning: 30 mins council in the new South selection panel has not local Labour Party members role.
Now £30 (Usually £40) Hampstead ward – the followed due process and that who refused to take part in “No one should
closest thing to the current there has been no ward this illegitimate selection automatically expect to be
Swiss Cottage territory in representation on the LCF process that has deprived a councillor if they don’t
the redrawn election map. [Labour Campaign Forum]. them of the opportunity to meet our requirements. We
He had been part of the “We demand that reselect their sitting owe it to Camden residents
Labour team which ousted nominations to the long list councillors. to pick people who are
the Conservatives from the be reopened according to due “I fully support their passionate about
CALL NOW TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT ward in 2018. process, and that all wards in demand, unanimously representing them.”
His ward colleagues the branch be represented on adopted by our Labour branch Meanwhile, former
Nayra Bello O’Shanahan and the LCF panel.” last week, that nominations Countdowncontestant
Simon Pearson are These members then left be re-opened to give those James Slater –he’s an
voluntarily standing down the meeting and refused to unfairly excluded the chance “Octochamp” due to his
from the council at the take part in the voting to stand again. repeat victories on the
elections in May. process for new candidates. “Our unprecedented show –and former teacher
Swiss Cottage: 10 New College Parade, Finchley Road NW3 5EP 020 7722 1569 Labour has thrown out Nina de Ayala Parker, victory in 2018 was entirely Sylvia McNamara have been
Knightsbridge: 19 Pavilion Road, SW1X OHD. 020 7245 6677 Cllr Cassarani’s appeal and Izzy Lenga and Will Prince down to the hard work and selected by Labour to stand
begun the process of picking were later confirmed as the dedication of our tireless in the new Kentish Town
new candidates. names that will go on the members who gave up North ward.