Camden New Journal Thursday, 6 January 2022

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by  New Journal Enterprises

Theindependent London paper
Thursday January 6 2022 @NewJournal www.camdennewjournal.com No 2059
UK WEEKLY NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR
ARMY AT ROYAL FREE
Soldiers on Covid frontline as staff get jab warning – See page 5
GFigures Rshow TEown HEall gaNve go-a hePad forL dozenEs to gAet cho:p ECO 2022
Schools next to
get roof power
SAVE TREES
–See page 13
Just how toxic
is our air?
–See page 4
IN GARDENS
CORONAVIRUS SUPPORT
Important information
from Camden Council p7
by HARRY TAYLOR
THE Town Hall is being urged to take action
on the number of trees being cut down in
back gardens – as figures show officials
rejected less than 2 per cent of requests to
fell or carry out work on species that offer
an environmental lifeline over the past year.
Some 189 trees were the subject of applica-
tions in the past 15 months up to mid-Decem-
ber, including the loss of 82 trees. Just three
were rejected, with claims by the Combined
Residents Association of South Hampstead
(CRASH) that trees which aren’t on streets are
given less protection by the council.
Peter Symonds, the former chair of CRASH
and head of its tree committee, said: “It’s two
things: it’s the environment and what it’s doing
to the look of the area. The trees in back gar-
dens are seen by just as many people who see
street trees, because if you think, houses here
are cut up into flats with multiple occupation.”
He added: “That’s a huge number, and to lose
them is devastating. But it’s what is happening
to the environment that is at the top of the
CRASH reasons. We’ve got a council and a
Government that have said they’re going to be
OBE served up for Amrit! more environmentally friendly, but they’re not
See page 9 with this. It’s madness.
nTurn topage 2
LETTERS 12, 17-19 l ARTS AND FEATURES 20-23 l JOBS 24-25 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 6 January 2022
Peter
Have a green new year – Symonds,
former chair
today’s special edition of the
Combined
Residents
ECO
Association
of South
2022 Hampstead,
is calling on
the Town
Hall and
government
HAPPY New Year to all our
readers –and once more we to take
must thank you for your action to
ongoing engagement and save trees in
encouragement for what back
we do. Page 13 this week gardens
This year marks the
Camden New Journal’s 40th paper’s inception.
anniversary year. We are all And that brings us to this
keenly aware that we stand week –a special edition
on the shoulders of those designed to illustrate some
who demonstrated and of the efforts that are being
marched against the closure made in Camden to meet
of the oldCamden Journal– the climate crisis. It’s the
and are here because of the issue that trumps them all.
defiance which led to the On nearly every page of
creation of the new this issue, then, you will
Protect back garden trees
independent paper back in find a story or conversation-
the 1982. starting opinion piece.
We will use this year to You may not agree with
celebrate what has gone every word or suggested
before –more info on that to strategy, but we cannot
come–but we must also try ignore the red alert that from chop, council is told
and do justice to the aims bleeps louder every year.
and spirit of those who They are sentiments that
made sacrifices to keep come from the same well of
Camden’s campaigning concern we all hold for this
voice going during that and future generations.
historic strike action. Our thanks go to the
These are not easy times sponsors whose help has nfrom page 1 He said that Camden’s Camden’s appeals and Labour councillor legislation and guidance
for the local paper allowed us to clear our tree preservation order enforcement manager, Danny Beales, Camden’s governing the protection
industry –not many are regular advertising from “If we go on the way (TPO) list is out of date told the meeting: “We do regeneration chief, said: of trees is out of date. For
immune to the economic the pages –giving us this we are going, the area and includes trees that try and do what we can to “Camden Council is example, whilst we can
strain of a pandemic –but space to devote to the will become a desert, have since been felled. save trees when we’re planting a record number consider all the benefits
we will continue to strive to emergency affecting us all. because nobody has any In a deputation given to assessing applications, but of new trees and we are of trees as part of a
be a forum for debate, RICHARD OSLEY, justifiable reason for Camden’s culture and we are bound by committed to giving planning application,
as was intended at the EDITOR keeping trees. Developers environment scrutiny legislation. greater protection to our when we are considering
and insurance companies committee in December, “It says trees should existing trees, too. We the loss of a tree outside
are the worst culprits. The Mr Symonds listed the this process, we are
fact is, trees in back varieties of trees to have Tell us what you think. Email your comments to heavily constrained.
Our resident gardens should be been cut down in the [email protected] write to “We will be writing to
protected as much as trees period, ranging from the 40 Camden Road, NW1 9DR the relevant government
French Doctor
in front gardens.” common London plane departments making
welcomes He also fears that the trees to the more exotic normally be ‘visible from are, however, currently recommendations for
character of the area will tree of heaven. a public place, such as a held back from going as changes to legislation and
all French be lost if more trees are He and fellow road or footpath’. We far as we would like by guidance and would
residents cut down. committee member Eric agree that. . . the guidance the restrictive legal welcome the support of
“The South Hampstead Peel presented a list of gives us doesn’t give powers that the govern - residents and community
of Camden Conservation Area was changes to planning laws enough ability to place ment have given us.” groups in this process.”
and beyond. dubbed the gardens area,” they want the council to weight on sustainability.” He added: “The Letters, page 17
said Mr Symonds. lobby the government on. Mr Symonds, 79,
“It’s not just called that The meeting, held welcomed the council’s
Camden because of the roads, but virtually, also heard that agreement to lobby the
because of the huge Camden’s tree department Government but was wary
Dental swathes of gardens with only has two tree officers of them not taking proper
trees. It’s one of the great for the whole borough. action to protect trees.
delights of the area.” Elizabeth Beaumont, “It’s not just Camden, but
Centre
they pay lip service to it.
UNIVERSAL DRY CLEANERS How long does it take to
get this moving? We’ve
Affordable dentistry and made suggestions about
tooth implants for those LINEN, LAUNDRY &
how the Town and
important moments
Country Planning Act
Dr Jan Blekkingh ORGANIC DRY CLEANING could be changed to make
and Dr Martin Gilbert all the difference, but we
SPECIALIST
Dr Andreas Jahnigen: need to see action. These
Dental Implants things do get forgotten.”
COLLECTION AND DELIVERY AVAILABLE Camden should be
Hygienist more flexible, added Mr
FLAME RETARD ON REQUEST CURTAINS,
Julie Boddington RUGS AND RETEXTURING QUILTS, DUVETS, Symonds. Its record of
PILLOWS, SHEETS & TOWELS refusing only three tree
Only a 10 minute hop work applications out of
by bus or tube from OPEN MON-SAT 8-6 189 was “just not
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realistic”.
Buses: C2, 88 Northern Line
ALL ALTERATIONS & REPAIRS ON THE PREMISES
020 7284 2926
Tel: [phone] HUNTER DAVIES
77 Camden High Street, 24 HOUR FAX & ANSWER MACHINE ‘The heath is
London NW1 7JL 11 BRECKNOCK ROAD, N7 0BL
not a museum’
Book your appointment online at [email protected] Review, page 21
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NEWS 3
Camden New JournalThursday 6 January 2022 Find us on facebook.com/camdennewjournal
Pine dining! Goats’ Xmas trees feast
ECO
by TOM FOOT and navigating the vans,
and some volunteers on
W HILE the crackers 2022 the heath helping to
have been put away for unload there.”
another year and all the Collections slots are
mince pies have been already going fast and
downed, some of organisers are advising
Camden’s furrier seem like the easiest booking as soon as
residents are just things to consume, the possible through the
getting going on their pine needles can help farm’s website.
festive dinner. protect against intestinal Kentish Town hire firm
As the decorations parasitic worms and the H&H has loaned four
come down, there is bark is chock-full of vans for the tree
nothing more appetising healthy vitamins. collections which are
to the goats at the Like everything, they running between 9am and
Kentish Town City Farm can only be eaten in 8pm on January 7 to 10.
than eating the moderation, so farm Trees can be left outside
Christmas tree itself. volunteers take leftover homes, but not on the
And the message this trees to Hampstead Comic Jimmy Carr at the farm over the holidays pavement.
week was how the Heath’s recycling bays. The farm, which is
animals would rather The farm’s goats celebrating its 50th year in
chomp their way chief, Mel Chamberlain, 2022, relies on donations
through the dead spruces said: “Last year we and, like many businesses,
than have them dumped raised £7,500, and it has been hit by
in the streets – a perfect collected trees from over coronavirus safety curbs
way to re-use and 600 households – this that have restricted
recycle. year we want to go attendances.
The farm, loved for bigger. Last year actress
how it helps city “It’s live now and Alison Steadman and TV
children get close to we’ve already got more host Dermot O’Leary got
wildlife and animals, is than 200 people signed involved in the annual
now hoping to raise up. The goats and sheep fundraiser.
money for its projects will get the juiciest trees And this Christmas,
with its annual for snacking on, and the comedian and panel show
Christmas tree collection rest are responsibly presenter Jimmy Carr was
service – taking trees recycled.” among the farm’s guests.
away and then feeding She added: “On the To book a collection
them to the goats. collection days, we will and donate, visit
While they may not have volunteers driving A farm goat tucks into its tree Christmas dinner Farm trustee Klara Saville, busy collecting trees https://bit.ly/32zKLrO
4 NEWS
Follow us on Twitter@NewJournal Camden New JournalThursday 6 January 2022
Charity workers among those recognised in honours
ECO
Winch chief agonised
2022
over accepting MBE
Toxic air is
big threat
Tubes in Heath Street are part of the kit by TOM FOOT and
by HARRY TAYOR m e asuring pollution CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
AIR pollution is a bigger people a year in London have they are positioned at a THE chief executive of
threat to public health than their lives ended early height where they breathe the Winch youth project
Covid-19 according to the because of air pollution.” in more pollution than said he had spent the
chair of the Hampstead Forum members Francesca adults. It’s not an easy “longest week of his life”
Neighbourhood Agostini and Katharina problem to fix and requires deciding whether to
Forum –with its project to Schauer have led the project, work from different people, accept an MBE for his
monitor levels in the area assisted by a group of the parents, the schools and work with young people.
now underway. volunteers. the council –but the more Rashid Iqbal, the son
The group has set up 10 They were both involved in we know about levels of of Irish and Pakistani
nitrous dioxide monitors the formation of the Green pollution the easier it is to parents, said the awards’
across Hampstead, School Runs group, a take action.” association with Empire Rashid Iqbal MBE Nikki Morris BEM Sir Trevor Phillips
including three outside collection of parents in Ms Schauer added: “It’s and British Imperialism
schools, after a similar Camden trying to provide obvious that traffic has gone jarred with his upbringing the work I do and we do Heard – a charity in
project that measured greener forms of transport up not down over the past and decades of anti-racist here is because of the Somers Town which
levels six years ago. and discourage mums and year. We need to have a campaigning. impact of systemic helps young people get
The scheme has been dads from driving children to better take-up of active He had decided to racism on black and into the performing arts.
running since September, school. They set up a school travel, walking and cycling. accept “in the spirit in brown people. James Bond actor
and from the limited two bus service trial, and a more As long as driving is easier, which it was offered” “I was reading what Daniel Craig, who has a
complete months of results recent “park and stride” people will drive.” because of the work his David Olusoga said about home in Camden Town,
the group has analysed so model which looks for The project was paid for mystery nominees had it, that it is more received the Companion
far, it has found the parents to park away from by the forum, which is gone to and that it might complicated for people of of the Order of St
amount of air pollution has schools and walk the final seeking donations to make help the youth project he colour to accept these Michael and St George
dipped. section of the journey. up further costs. It is then has run in Swiss Cottage awards, as there is a for services to film.
But the bad news is that Hampstead has the highest looking to run a similar for almost five years. sense they are betraying Meanwhile, Sir Trevor
it’s still above the legal limit concentration of schools in scheme in the future to Mr Iqbal said: “In the the struggle. Why does Phillips, who lives in
and is not on track to meet the country. Problems are measure particulate levels, 1970s, I couldn’t tell the weight of changing Kentish Town, was
Camden’s target of meeting partly caused by parents with problems posed by anyone I was Irish, with the system fall on them? Hugh Montgomery OBE awarded a knighthood for
World Health Organisation driving into the area from wood-burners during the the Troubles. In the 1980s “The whole thing has services to equality and
air quality levels by 2030. other boroughs at pick-up winter in the leafy area. being a Muslim, well that been full of dilemmas founded a black and Asian human rights. He
The group’s chair and drop-off times. “Wood-burning stoves was even more and complexity for me. student society to mentor analysed data at the start
Stephen Taylor said: “It’s Research by the forum also are a Hampstead issue. problematic. My But you don’t get to young people. of the pandemic on how
lower than when we found that traffic levels They are mostly owned by grandfather was moved choose the gifts people He has taught refugees, it was affecting different
measured them five or six generally in Hampstead have people in the AB social across because of the present to you; we all in further education, ethnic groups; Public
years ago, which is returned to pre-pandemic classes, so we have more of Partition. These are have that experience at universities, and run Health England used his
encouraging because levels with a dip in public them than most places,” ongoing wounds for Christmas I’m sure. I still Surestart centres all over report to better direct
there’s a lot of action being transport usage. In a recent said Mr Taylor. people whose heritage don’t know who put me the country. support.
taken. Camden set some survey, it found most people “When I first came to shows them they are still forward, but I know that Others to receive gongs “[That paper] is
strong, laudable goals. It were most worried about Hampstead 50 years ago as living with the they have gone through a in the New Year’s probably the most
would be nice to say we’re heavy traffic in the village. a student, I had a job in consequences of Empire. really long process to do Honours include Age UK important thing I’ve done
on track to achieving those, Ms Agostini said: “It’s well sales of central heating It still affects the system it. If it helps raise the Camden chief executive in my professional life. I
but it’s not something we known how bad air pollution systems. I remember my in which we work. profile of the Winch, and Nikki Morriswas would give up
can say. is for the lungs of children, father saying in those days, “Honestly, it was the the challenges people in awarded a British Empire everything –prizes for
“Air pollution is a bigger but also the whole body and he could foresee a day longest week of my life. I the community face, then Medal in recognition of journalism and media –
public health emergency the brain, because they are where open fires would be a changed my mind so it is potentially helpful.” her services to the just for this one thing, that
than Covid. It tends to get particularly vulnerable luxury, and that’s where we many times. I am a life- He added: “You will community during the saved many lives. What
forgotten that 10,000 because they are growing and are in Hampstead.” long anti-racist and anti- remember that around coronavirus pandemic. else is more important
imperialist and a lot of 2017 the Labour Former dancer and than that?,” he said.
government was Ruth Posner, who lives “I grew up in the sort
recommending changing in Hampstead, and of family who had to call
it from Empire to Highgate-based Ivan everybody else ‘sir’ –so
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of
Frank Wilson Excellence awards. For Shawwere given the you can imagine how my
some reason, that is same medals for services family feel. My family
something people now to Holocaust education wouldn’t even have
seem unwilling to do. But and awareness. Both known what a knight was
for me the honours were survivors of the let alone have someone in
system has been tainted.” Holocaust. the family who was
Originally from There was an MBE for called one. I do feel
Newcastle, Mr Iqbal has Rosalind Paul, the chief incredibly lucky.”
worked as a Samaritan in executive and artistic Sir Hugh
Liverpool where he director of Scene and Montgomery, Professor
of Intensive Care
Medicine at UCL, and a
A FRANCE & SON consultant at the
Whittington Hospital,
received an OBE.
Independent Family Funeral Directors The doctor, who is also
Est 1764 an inventor, an author,
and a climate change
Frank passed away on 20th November 2021, aged 94, 24 hour Personal Service pioneer, said of wearing
in the comfort of his own home on Parliament Hill. We will attend at your home to discuss his many hats: “I have an
A retired engineer and loving husband, father, funeral arrangements if required awareness of my own
grandfather and great-grandfather who will be mortality –I know the
deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Chapel of Rest merry-go-round is going
to stop one day. Working
Service: Thursday 06 January 2022, 13:00 – Specialists in overseas transportation
on an intensive care unit
Golders Green Crematorium Golden Charter pre-arranged funeral plans with critically ill people
Or join us for refreshments and stories, 45 Lamb’s Conduit Street, WC1 - 020 7405 4901 makes that writ big.”
from 14:00, at The Magdala, 2A South Hill Park, More honours
Hampstead, London NW3 2SB 166 Caledonian Road, King’s Cross N1 - 020 7837 6952 coverage on page 9
NEWS 5
Camden New JournalThursday 6 January 2022 Find us on facebook.com/camdennewjournal
Royal Free unions in talks over mandatory vaccination programme
ECO Anna Lamche
reviews the
Army called in as staff told
2022 Netflix movie
Don’t Look Up
Critics miss point to ‘get jabbed or lose job’
of critical issue
by TOM FOOT terms of jobs and compul-
‘Policies to blame for staffing crisis’ sory redundancies. It is
ON Christmas Eve, news anchors SOLDIERS are being hoped that by next week
Netflix released Adam disdainful of her parachuted into the Royal more will be clear.
McKay’s hotly urgency. Free Hospital in a week A NURSE has warned that She added: “Government Last January, 40 combat
anticipated climate The critics may have when thousands of NHS years of “bad policy can no longer rely on the medical technicians were
change parable Don’t snubbed it, but for staff were ordered to get decisions” had created a goodwill of nursing staff to drafted in to help out in the
Look Up, in which two many UK environ - double vaccinated or face staffing crisis in NHS pick up the slack and they intensive care unit.
unglamorous mental ists, the film losing their jobs. hospitals even before the must wake up to the reality. The Free said: “We are
astronomers discover isn’t as far-fetched as it The army’s arrival pandemic hit. A proper pay rise for nursing following government
an asteroid hurtling might first appear: you comes as hospitals serving Millie Simms, who covers staff, support to access guidance which requires
through space on a only needed to watch Camden patients face the hospitals in the north affordable housing and patient-facing staff to
direct collision course Piers Morgan’s fevered strain of increased Covid central London area, said legal responsibility at have received two doses
with Earth. encounters with admissions, staff isolating the government was to ministerial level for nurse by April 1, and will
As with The Big climate activists on due to the spread of the blame for stretching the staffing levels are needed if adhere to any further
Short andVice, Don’t Good Morning Britain Omicron variant and a health service to breaking the government really guidance on redeploying
Look Uptestifies to to feel the resonances. new safety ultimatum on point. wants to provide safe frontline staff who choose
McKay’s masterful The film also tackles jabs that comes into force A range of problems were and effective care for to remain unvaccinated
ability to render the chimera of quick- on April 1. created by successive pay patients.” by the deadline.”
complex issues fix science: instead of Mandatory vaccination freezes, nursing home sell- At the Whittington l CAMDEN GPs have
intelligible. Some of concrete action, the – which is opposed by all offs and the removal of a Hospital, there are around been told to refer high-risk
the jokes may be President opts for un- health unions – is a serious bursary for people wanting 1,000 fewer nurses posts Covid patients who do not
wince-inducing, but peer reviewed headache for NHS man- to retrain into the Millie Simms funded now than in 2015. need to be admitted to
McKay’s treatment of “Explore and Acquire” agers who are facing hav- profession. Vacancy rates are around 10 hospital to a specialist
the topic is urgent and drones which she ing to stop thousands of Ms Simms, a Royal government on NHS per cent across London clinic after the discovery
compelling and notable claims will save the health workers coming to College of Nursing rep, said: workforce planning, below- hospitals. of “important new treat-
for its refusal to take planet and mine the work during the ongoing “Even before the pandemic inflation pay rises for Brexit led hospitals to ments for coronavirus”.
itself too seriously. giant rock for its pandemic. hit, London’s nursing nursing staff and the launch employment drives Patients are being pre-
After discovering riches. Just under a fifth of staff workforce was in crisis. impact of nursing through last year outside of Europe, scribed the new oral
the comet, the pair Don’t Look Upis at the Royal Free, UCLH “Years of bad policy Covid-19 has left nursing in India, the Caribbean and antivirals from a new serv-
(played by Leonardo powerful because it and Whittington –around decisions by the on its knees.” the Philippines. ice in the basement of
DiCaprio and Jennifer forces us to imagine 5,000 health workers – UCLH. Experts say the
Lawrence) embark on this crunch time, when have not had at least two compulsory vaccinations, is important we all have it our colleagues.” pills can help prevent the
a tour of the USA, delay is no longer an jabs. but unfortunately the gov- so we can protect The bulletin said it was disease causing hospitali-
attempting to warn the option and distant They have been written ernment passed the statu- ourselves, our patients, still unclear “what this sation or death in vulnera-
President and the targets are no longer to this week and told they tory instrument in the our communities and means for our staff” in ble patients.
media that without enough. must sign up for their first Commons to add the com-
immediate action, the It is a stark reminder injection by February 3, pulsory vaccination clause
world faces an that there will come a under terms being intro- to NHS contracts.”
extinction-level event. point when we are duced into their NHS He added: “We are
They meet with a reliant on the untested work contracts. working through the
wall of indifference. science that has long One Royal Free staff implications of this with
The President opts to been promised, but source said: “The hospi- management. Ideally we
delay action until after may – or may not – tals are not coping and are looking at redeploy-
the midterms; the news deliver. they say we need to get the ment but with the current
anchors prefer vacuous Climate change has vaccine to save the NHS. numbers this is unlikely.
celebrity gossip to hard been described as a Now the soldier boys are “At the moment the
facts. “hyperobject”: coming again. But if they main emphasis is to
Decried as shrill, something so big, so need the army in, how are encourage as many staff as
divisive and smug, diffuse and so abstract they going to cope if they possible to have their first
New Name for HNCC
Don’t Look Uphas it is difficult to think let all the staff leave who vaccination by February 3.
been almost about in its entirety. don’t want the jab?” I suspect most trusts in the
unanimously panned For all its flaws, The latest figures show area are in the same posi-
by the critics. It is Don’t Look Up 84 per cent of staff are tion.” We are changing our name!
ironic that the film has succeeds because of its double vaccinated, with Experts have warned
been greeted with the simplicity, allowing us 63 per cent having had a that forcing NHS staff to We have grown beyond our original home at the community
same distaste as to grapple with a booster as well. get vaccinated will create centre in Bertram Street. We have so many active partnerships
Lawrence’s character, reality that often feels Omicron infections are greater rifts between man-
with other groups, such as local churches and schools that our
an astronomer dubbed too large and too rocketing and the inten- agement and an already
“the yelling lady” by distant to comprehend. sive care unit is once again sceptical workforce. name no longer describes what we do.
becoming overwhelmed The legislation is
Our new building, when it opens late in 2022 will be at the
with Covid patients. backed by the Labour Par-
Despite the variant hav- ty. Its leader, the Holborn centre of our activities and services and will be far more than a
ing milder symptoms, and St Pancras MP Sir community centre, but our various partnerships will continue.
there are 16 severely ill Keir Starmer, was at home They have been so popular and successful that we feel
patients on ventilators in yesterday (Wednesday)
that our name should reflect the full range of what do.
the ICU at the Free. having tested positive for
Around 8 per cent of the coronavirus. So we have officially changed our name to
Camden hospitals’ staff In an internal bulletin to
are off sick with the virus staff, Julie Hamilton the
or isolating. RFL group’s chief nurse,
The Free has this week said: “From April our staff
introduced tougher visitor will be expected to be at
restrictions meaning just least double vaccinated
one family member can against Covid-19 and we
visit severely ill relatives are preparing for this now
for up to an hour a day. and advise all our staff to
Jim Mansfield, Unison get double vaccinated
rep at the Free, said talks before these measures are
Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio in with management were introduced.”
the climate change parable Don’t Look Up ongoing, adding: “All the It added: “It is worth
unions are opposed to reminding ourselves that it
6 NEWS
Follow us on Twitter@NewJournal Camden New JournalThursday 6 January 2022
You made it Christmas!
ECO
2022
Think
by DAN CARRIER
together
THEY call it the
season for giving –
and in Camden you
by PIPPA KELLY
wouldn’t stand a
chance of challenging
that under the trade A GROUP which uses “pop-
descriptions act. up” spaces to hold talks,
In the past six meetings and workshops
weeks, the New on ways to tackle climate
Journalhas seen just change has clocked up 80
how much this events –and has no
community cares for intention of stopping now.
its neighbours. Think & Do Camden, was
So many are facing formed in 2019 shortly
the financial pinch, after Camden Council
and yet still – as you became the first in the
can see from the long country to hold a citizens’
list of donors we assembly on climate. Its
print today mission is to facilitate
(Thursday ) so many A delivery stop at St Mary’s Brookfield: Father Damien Mason, Nadine continued community
people wanted to help Reynolds and Kim Reilly help pass on our hampers. involvement and start
our Christmas appeal. conversations about the
Perhaps the annual environment.
pick-me-up for those Spokesperson Ellie
less fortunate or Bryant said: “We did a pop-
living isolated and up in Somers Town in
alone was needed collaboration with lots of
more than it ever has different organisations We
been. Julie Palmer from the Murphy construction had people sharing skills
The premise has firms at our office with more donations like crocheting, cooking, all
always been simple: sorts of different things.”
we raise as much more people turning up when we toured the It hosted history groups,
money as we can in with extra food borough with our food screen printing sessions
November and donations. aid van, and the last and clothes swaps.
December and then We made sure it went few weeks have only “The clothes swap was
send out as many to food banks, reinforced that feeling. amazing. Loads of different
festive hampers as community centre and Thank you to people came and swapped
possible. Covid relief centres. everybody who took saris, swapped all sorts of
It’s not a new They had also helped us part or donated any clothes, it was a really
games console for the identify possible money they could wonderful atmosphere,”
kids or the latest recipients. manage – and the Ms Bryant said.
smartphone –but it’s Murphy, the same to those who Organisations including
the surprise deliveries construction company, in didn’t have any cash to Camden Cyclists, Power Up
we made this year Kentish Town were on give but were able to North London and the
had people beaming Staff at Marks and Spencer help stack up the hampers hand again with big offer time and vehicles Climateers also held
from ear to ear. before we took them out for delivery runs sackfuls of extra. on the delivery days. events, offering bike
Obviously, many None of this could That spirit of maintenance, advice on
recipients do not how low people can feel. who has lived on her own Christmas –but this year have been possible togetherness is what saving money and energy
want to be But they wanted to for more than 10 years there was. Thank you so without the generous this time of year is in the home and
photographed –one thank everybody who had since the death of her so much.” streak painted across about and, rest assured, discussions of what can be
told us they had hated spared some cash for the husband said simply: More than 500 Camden – we saw our you helped make it done about CO2.
to feel like a “charity appeal. “These days there’s hampers were paid for – borough’s sharing nature Christmas for many of And it offered food to
case”, a measure of One elderly woman nothing under the tree at and the appeal led to during the pandemic your neighbours. visitors, prepared daily by
local charity, Refugee
Community Kitchen.
Our thanks to all who donated
Ms Bryant said: “Even if
people didn’t know each
other, the way that we had
List of donors (names; as appear Janine Brand; Elena Henson; the table set out, people
on donation); some were received Kerena Mond; John Curry; would come in and sit down
anonymously Philip McCorkell; Ms SM Bryan; and have lunch and then
Emily Finch; C Thorne; Peter start chatting. It was a
Lady Selina Hastings; Mr AJP Hallgarten; Stephen Lannon; really nice way to start
Wills; Mr A Henley-Smith; Frances von Hoffmannsthal; conversations.”
Ms K Clark; Mrs A M Armes; Sebastian Crewe; Jeffrey Ms Bryant said more is to
A J Holmes; Miss G I Fenemore- Twentyman; Brian Blandford; come in 2022. “What we’re
Jones; Mrs G Brook; Mr AJ Isabel Berwick; Jessica Sebag- wanting to achieve is to
Arnold and Mrs EM Arnold; Montefiore; Patricia Thane; have people come
Miss M Swift; Mrs IH Walter; Susan Seymour; Nicholas Payn; together. It can be so
EBW Luke; Mrs AV Menkes- Barry Teague; Christopher overwhelming thinking
Ivry; PM Clapp; EM Rich; Williams; Paul Clynders and about climate change and
JPL & DL Ratzer; Mark P Amanda Sebestyen. being overwhelmed can
Lloyd; Mr MA Sheehy; Ms DM We’d also like to thank the lead to a bit of inertia, so
Sheldon; Francis Drake; councillors who made a we want to make sure that
Mrs MB Beha; BA McDeson; donation: Jenny Headlam-Wells; it’s fun,” she said.
Ms JA Bowker; Mitchell TM Tom Simon; Douglas Beattie; “Even if you’ve got a
Squires; Miss EP McPeake; Pat Callaghan; Richard Cotton community centre that
David Griffiths; MA Garrett; and Paul Tomlinson. focuses on something else
Ms EWA Carsten; Mrs JS And a special thank you to quite different, you could
Ramsay; N Hurst; Mr BD Lake; Rock N Roll Rescue for its large do things like clothes
JM Nassau; Aiden Beattie; Keir donation; the Murphy swaps, book swaps and
Beattie; Mr JP Gahern; Teresa construction firm and Pat Logue fixing workshops. Or even a
Smith; BG Richardson; DN & and the Sheephaven Bay pub school with an empty bit of
Mrs PA Kirk; John Doggart; who raised more than £3;000 space could put a
Robert Latham; Susan Plowden; with its hamper quiz night. permanent area where
people could swap things”.
7
Camden New JournalThursday 6 January 2022 Find us on facebook.com/camdennewjournal
8 NEWS
Follow us on Twitter@NewJournal Camden New JournalThursday 6 January 2022
Zoo really likes
Fashion
company’s
pitter patter of
tree tops
tiny tiger feet by ISABELLE STANLEY
THE MAP coordinates
of a green space have
been chosen to adorn a
new worldwide fashion
collection.
by GEOFFREY SAWYER As part of a green
initiative by fashion
TIGER experts are brand My-28,
keeping a close eye on volunteers from The
three-week-old cub born Conservation
at London Zoo. Volunteers planted 200
Footage of 10-year-old new bushes in the
tiger Gaysha looking Raglan estate, Kentish
after her the new arrival Town, and to
been captured on a commemorate the The Conservation Volunteers plant new bushes; ECO
hidden “cubcam”. Her OO project, the brand and, right, an NW5 coordinate sweater from My-28
original litter on N Z stitched the coordinates
December 12 had three NDO of the new plants onto The company donated Jemma Ayton, a long- 2022
csuurTbvshi,ve b eSu luta mtbwoaoutr rad.nid t ingoetr, OTO: ZSL LO aw lhIionn nef aoo uSf nhcdleoevtdch hMeesn.yk-2o8, £bg1ure,s0ehn0e 0ss pwtoai cltelh sce r apenardote jwe mcitlo.l rTbeehe thceoardlml at bhCoea rimadtedioaen nf,o rsreh stehid eseanidt,:
normally found in H said: “As our business commemorated with a “After planting a
P
Indonesian jungle Gaysha with her cub captured on ‘cubcam’ grew we decided to special line of clothing. memorial tree for my So I thought it would
territory, is on a list of donate some of our One hundred limited friend in the Castlehaven be great to have more
critically endangered recently –opening its from a safari park in profits to voluntary edition items of clothing Garden, I received such green spaces.
species. eyes, which are always Denmark but tragedy organisations, then we with the coordinates are amazing support, it’s “Tree planting is
There are now only closed for the first few struck in 2019 when he decided to branch out available to buy on the looking great and local something that’s very
estimated 300 in the wild days after birth.” killed female tiger, to trees.” My-28website. residents were so pleased. close to my heart.”
due to the threat of She added:  “At the Melati, in a skirmish.
habitat loss and poaching. moment, while we’re still Melati had herself
ZSL London, the keeping a close eye via given birth to the zoo’s
charity-run attraction cubcam, we’re also first baby tiger in 17 ECO Hospitals want to crush
near Regent’s Park, is taking care not to disturb years in 2015 –with a
part of a global breeding the family so that they different partner, Jae Jae.
programme to maintain can bond together. We The cub tragically died, 2022 coronavirus and carbon
what has been described can’t wait to get to know however, when it
as a “healthy back-up the little one as it grows drowned in a pool not
population”. bigger and begins to covered by CCTV.
It cannot tell at this explore more of its The pair later had three
by TOM FOOT
stage whether the cub is surroundings.” more cubs –Budi, Nakal The hospital is purchasing
male or female. The zoo, which has and Cinta –before Jae electricity from renewable
Tiger keeper Lucy been hit by heavy Jae moved to Paris and FROM meat-free days to sources only and increasing
Reed said: “The chunky financial losses due to Asim arrived. prescribing green inhalers investment in low energy
little cub is doing really Covid lockdowns, is now Gaysha was later and stopping using plasters led light.
well in mum’s excellent asking its members, brought in as a breeding in vaccination centres, NHS An anti-idling policy has
care, and definitely takes fellows and patrons to mate for Asim almost a chiefs are introducing a been introduced and electric
after dad Asim in terms offer up suggestions for year ago. range of day-to-day UCLH is vehicle charging points and
of size and strength. the cub’s name over the Visitors to the zoo will changes to help the fight cutting cycle parking spaces have
We’ve seen some key coming days, which will have to wait to see against climate change. down on been increased.
milestones already, with then be shortlisted by mother and cub but the The Royal Free, anaesthetic The Free’s statement said:
the little one taking its zookeepers before being camera footage from the Whittington and University gas “We are committed to
first steps almost voted on by supporters. den is available for them College London Hospitals helping the fight against
immediately and –more Asim originally came to see. are all signed up to green UCLH’s infection prevention Vicki Mitchell said: climate change – focusing
plans including achieving and control team, it was “Anaesthetist gases on the way our staff and
net zero carbon emissions agreed that there was contribute to 2.5 per cent of patients travel to our
College offers
by 2040 in bold minimal risk to patients and NHS total carbon footprint. buildings, how we manage
environmental pledges staff if the team stopped There are two in common use. our estate and how we
help in getting made since the Glasgow COP using the aprons altogether. One is particularly damaging consume resources, to how
in November. The team also reviewed how to the environment, so what we reduce waste and recycle
into work And while the initial often they were handing out we’ve done is take that one more. We will be a role
focus of the vaccine sticking plasters to patients away. Another thing we have model organisation for
programme was getting as and now only use cotton wool done is make it possible to everybody who walks
A FAMOUS college in many people jabbed as after the initial injection avoid anaesthetic gases through our doors.”
Camden Town is offering possible, there is now a new unless there is a need for a altogether. It added that staff “would
free “employability” focus on reducing the plaster.” “We’ve bought new pumps be encouraged to take
courses to help people carbon footprint. He said there had also so we can deliver intravenous practical steps to reduce
searching for a way to get “When we first started it been a significant reduction anaesthesia. It’s good for carbon footprint in their
into work. all happened so fast,” said in the sharps bins, for used staff, patients and good for daily activities at
The Working Men’s UCLH’s vaccination centre needles, that are being the planet.” home/work and improve
College in Crowndale lead Carlo Cavalli. “We were unnecessarily incinerated At the Royal Free, meat- their carbon literacy”.
Road is hosting events to less certain about how high since a more effective waste free days are being At the Whittington,
provide advice and The ‘get into work’ event last month the risks were with system was introduced. introduced to help sow the where emissions have
information. spreading Covid-19 via He added: “We will only seeds of the benefits of a been reduced by 32 per
Just before Christmas it aim to run at WM have a presentation from surfaces like clothing, so we make changes where it is vegetarian diet among staff cent since 2016, NHS
held one in the historic College. the team at Euston Over were using the same clinically safe for us to do so, and patients. managers have signed up to
Maurice Hall at the “We want to help Station who provided personal protective but we are mindful that we There will be a major push a range of similar
college aimed at people in our community information about job equipment (PPE) as other can still make a difference.” to prescribe low carbon commitments.
explaining what skills are to develop the skills and opportunities as part of staff in our hospitals. We Inside the hospital, UCLH inhalers –with a target of 75 Other schemes include a
needed. knowledge they need to the development.” were using up to 2,000 has this year reduced use of per cent. Reusable face masks clean air walk scheme
Deputy principal Maria secure employment, or to There is an open plastic aprons a day [at the its most environmentally are also to be introduced in encouraging patients and
Rosenthal said: “This improve their career evening at the college vaccination centre in harmful anaesthetic gas by non-clinical and clinical staff to walk side streets and
event was the first of a prospects.” tonight (Thursday) and Bidborough House]. 90 per cent. areas, while gowns will be “avoid any harmful pollution
regular series of She added: “We were there is more information “With the support of Consultant anaesthetist manufactured on-site. on Highgate Hill”.
employability events we especially pleased to at: www.wmcollege.ac.uk
NEWS 9
Camden New JournalThursday 6 January 2022 Find us on facebook.com/camdennewjournal
New Year honour for restaurant boss who sent out thousands of food parcels to those in need
Lockdown hero Amrit awarded OBE
THE cliché that not all by DAN CARRIER charmer and a bit of a Aldwych – and we have
heroes wear capes applies lovable rogue – there was remained open ever
to Amrit Maan, who who he believes have a touch of Arthur Daley since.”
prefers to don chef’s suffered injustice. about him.” The family lived
whites and cook up Mr Maan told the New But as well as his upstairs and it has helped
thousands of award- Journal: “At the start of business acumen, the cement The Punjab as a
winning curries from his 2020, there was a horrible original Mr Singh Maan centre for the Covent
family owned restaurant. feeling we were going to had a strong sense of Garden community.
Now Mr Maan’s have to lock down like community. He Mr Maan, who is the
extraordinary work for a they had in China. I didn’t recognised the struggles fourth generation to run
range of groups and want to close the minorities faced and the restaurant, added:
individuals has been restaurant, so we cranked worked hard to help, just “My family are old-
recognised – the Covent up the outreach and like his great-grandson. school –we love and care
Garden-based restaurateur support work we had Mr Maan said: “He about our neighbours. I
and solicitor has been been doing over the understood the pressures have connected with some
awarded an OBE in the years.” the Jewish community amazing people, people
New Year honours list. He kept his staff on – a felt, he saw and fought full of compassion, care
It is estimated that over number formed an against the rise of anti- and love.”
the decades, projects run isolation bubble and lived Semitism and, above all, His honour also
by Mr Maan and his above the restaurant in the he was passionate about recognises his work
family restaurant The family home so they bringing people together. within the Sikh
Punjab in Neal Street could continue to work – Our family like to think community, the
have given away around and began to cook curries Amrit Maan turned the award-winning Punjab into a food distribution hub his influence has carried emergency services and
£1million worth of food. on an industrial scale. on down the line.” the British army.
And during the past 18 At first, he used his from a cosy eatery into a good use. We have an travelling salesman. An excellent cook, Mr “I am a lifelong
months, he and his own resources, but as food distribution hub. industrial kitchen, lots of “He moved to Aldgate Maan’s great-grandfather supporter of the British
colleagues furnished the other caterers shut down, Other groups such as know-how, and my team and became integrated in set up his first restaurant Punjabi community,” he
New Journalwith he was given fridges full asylum seekers, Sikh are brilliant – real heavy the East End Jewish in the East End in 1946. added. “The two countries
thousands of delicious of ingredients to use from temples, Jewish groups, lifters.” community,” said Mr Mr Maan said: “The have a shared past and a
curries to distribute to other businesses, and then Muslim charities, the His altruism and drive Maan. “He would buy demand was incredible shared future.
vulnerable people, began fundraising to help Church of England, has been passed down clothing wholesale off and friends persuaded him “I am a Covent
hospital staff, food banks meet the spiralling need. community centres and generations, he says. Jewish businesses and he should open a Gardener first, and then a
and others. Working with homeless food banks were stocked Mr Maan’s great- travel to sell them. If he restaurant in Soho or British Punjabi.
On top of this, Mr charities such as Under up. grandfather, Gurbachan was away from London, Covent Garden. “I know my great-
Maan’s legal training has One Sky, and St Martin- Mr Maan said: “The Singh Maan, moved to the tailors would put “He eventually chose grandfather would be very
seen him work pro bono in-the-Fields church in Punjab is an institution London from the Punjab products on trains for him Covent Garden because it proud. I think this work
for those who cannot Trafalgar Square, The for many, but it is also an in 1936. Settling in the to collect at regional was closer to the India has been the culmination
afford representation and Punjab was transformed asset we could put to East End, he was a stations. He was a real High Commission at the of his ethos.”
10 NEWS
Follow us on Twitter@NewJournal Camden New JournalThursday 6 January 2022
Police still Hundreds of free trees on offer as
ECO
2022 project aims to create a new ‘forest’
searching
by PIPPA KELLY for January 14.
for man in Ms Boswell hopes
FREE trees will be the project will see at
given away this least 20 large trees
weekend in a plan to planted in every estate
create a new “forest” across the borough,
Chanukah in Camden. with Peckwater in
Project organisers Kentish Town set to
said they want people become the first. It is
to plant them, but also hoped the trees will
to understand their provide part-time
hate attack importance. employment for local
The Camden Forest teenagers, who will be
project will begin this paid to water and care
year’s giveaway at for them.
Primrose Hill Camden Forest
Community Library will also be hosting
by RICHARD OSLEY on Saturday, online talks exploring
Crab apple, dog seasonal change and
POLICE investigating an rose, field maple, wild spotlighting the
assault on a Jewish man cherry and hawthorn folklore of trees.
and the vandalism of a trees will be available. Free trees will be available at Primrose Hill Library Ms Boswell said:
Chanukah display in First launched in “What we really want
West Hampstead are still November 2019, , Dorothy Boswell, who Foundation, in the “You literally get a is people to engage, so
searching for the Camden Forest aims to has been involved with coming months Camden spade, you put it in the it’s not just about
attacker –four weeks on. plant 2,025 trees by the the project since the Forest plan to host ground, you tread on it, taking a tree away, it’s
Officers are treating the year 2025. start, said: “It’s all another 10 tree you wiggle around a bit, planting it, it’s
incident as a hate crime One thousand trees about carbon capture giveaways, providing you poke the root in and actually telling us
and have appealed for have so far been and biodiversity. It’s members of the then you tread it down - what it means to them,
any witnesses to come provided by volunteers not just about numbers. community with 500 you don’t have to dig a telling us if it’s doing
forward. from the Trust for Trees provide us with more young trees. hole or anything,” she okay.”
They also released just CCTV still picture of Conservation and, beauty, they tell us the Ms Boswell stressed said. “We're hoping to
before Christmas a man sought by police after being planted by seasons are changing, that while becoming a Organisers are also involve more people,
CCTV image of a man their new owners, they provide shelter and tree guardian can be a looking to increase the not just in planting
they want to talk to. residents to help the known as “tree food for wildlife and responsibility, number of trees on trees, but actually
The attack unfolded on police in their guardians”, have been permanent pollinators”. planting the two-metre- Camden’s estates noticing them, taking
December 2 at 7.35pm in investigations by logged on a map of the Using sponsorship high, two-year-old trees with a community care of them, watering
Heritage Lane, close to providing any information borough. from the KOKO is not difficult. meeting planned them.”
the West Hampstead they may have on this
Overground station. incident.”
The victim – a man Anyone who recognises
aged in his 20s – was the man in the CCTV still ‘The Tulip got binned – tower built in High Holborn
approached by the has been asked to call The Tulip in 1966. Plans have been
suspect who made anti- police via 101 or tower was put forward to demolish the
semitic comments. Crimestoppers now we should do the rejected tower and replace it with an
He also damaged a anonymously on 0800 even taller structure.
display that had been 555 111. Simon Sturgis, the go-to
same here in Camden’
erected to celebrate the The Met said it was industry expert on
festival of Chanukah. aware there had been embodied carbon, says:
The suspect then comments made about ECO “Camden has declared a
assaulted the victim how fast police responded by ANNA WOODESON and climate emergency, and now
whilst intimating he was on December 2. ANDY WILLIAMSON it is time for actions not
in possession of a knife It said a first caller had 2022 words. Camden have made
before leaving the scene. said the suspect had left THE world’s largest flower is the commitments and now
The victim was not the area in an unknown no more. needs to follow through by
seriously injured. direction – and this In November 2021 the making carbon emissions
Although not meant it did not get the government refused OPINION from both construction and
connected, the incident highest priority response planning permission to use basic planning issues.”
came just days before a amid a high volume of Foster + Partners’ 305- What can be done to tilt
menorah erected in incidents and calls. metre Tulip tower planned ministers cited “the highly the scales in favour of
Primrose Hill for “Officers are still for the city. The reason? unsustainable concept of retrofit? Clearly, we need
Chanukah in Regent’s allocated to attend non- Embodied carbon. using vast quantities of their love affair with concludes: “Research showed appropriate legislation from
Park Road was smashed priority calls to gather The construction reinforced concrete for the concrete. It is getting them to that a retrofit scheme for central government
down, while anti-Semitic evidence and commence industry has made great foundations and lift shaft”. embrace the idea that “good West Kentish Town estate including better VAT rules.
messages spray-painted investigations but the strides in reducing opera - The conclusion is clear: we design” in 2021 must, by using natural and low carbon Until this happens, we rely
in Belsize Park were target time for a response tional carbon, produced need to reuse our existing definition, provide a robust materials, including adding on planning departments
reported earlier last year. is slightly longer,” a when we use our buildings. buildings rather than rebuild. response to the climate an extra storey to the three- across the country to flex
In a joint statement statement said. It is now facing an even Embodied carbon is emergency. storey buildings and their muscles and use their
following the police “A second call was tougher challenge: currently completely Critically they are also providing external balconies available powers to enforce
appeal in West received during which the reducing the carbon it takes unregulated, but planning calling for the VAT rate for to all flats, could be achieved retrofit rather than new
Hampstead, cabinet caller confirmed the to make them. This is departments are starting to refurbishment work that for an embodied-carbon cost build where possible.
councillors Councillor suspect had returned. The known as embodied use their influence to apply currently sits at 20 per cent to of 9,000 tonnes C02e. The figures are jaw-
Abdul Hai and call was graded as a carbon: the carbon pressure. be reduced to 5 per cent or “In comparison, the dropping and largely
Councillor Nadia Shah – priority requiring an emissions from the sourcing The war against embodied less. VAT on new housing is demolition and new build misunderstood and this
who are together immediate response and of materials; the carbon is being led by some 0 per cent. This inequity fuels scheme would cause the needs to change quickly
responsible for officers were dispatched fabrication into products brilliant recent campaigns the demolition boys – the UK emission of 87,000 tonnes through increased carbon
community cohesion and to the scene. and systems; the and the growing battle cry of sees the demolition of about C02e. Retrofitting the estate literacy.
safety, said: “Camden is “The Met receives installation and experts. 50,000 buildings a year. would therefore save 78,000 Attitudes are changing,
no place for hate. We many thousands of calls construction processes; and The Architects’ Journal Next up are the plans for tonnes C02e emissions. This is people are acting but we
want to reassure all of every day and it is not then, after completion, the Retrofirst Campaign, which the West Kentish Town more than the 75,000 tonnes need everyone to be aligned
our Jewish residents that possible for every maintenance, repair and leads with the catchphrase estate. of C02e that are produced by very quickly on this issue.
anti-semitism will not be incident to be responded replacement of “the most sustainable Alice Brown, a local heating and powering Let’s make this our collective
tolerated and we urge our to immediately.” components; and finally building is the one that Camden architect and Camden’s 33,000 council 2022 New Year’s resolution.
emissions from demolition already exists”, is weaning director of AAB Architects, has homes each year.” lAnna Woodeson and Andy
Find the Camden New Journal and disposal. architects off their love of researched the proposed Then there is the future of Williamson are Camden-based
on YouTube In rejecting the Tulip new builds and particularly redevelopment. She Selkirk House, the 17-storey architects