Hackney Today, Issue 322, January 13, 2014

7.5 MB·English

by  Hackney London Borough Council

hackneytoday
Circulated to 108,000 homes and businesses by Hackney Council Issue 322 13 January 2014
inside
3
Freedom thoughts
8
Fit as a fiddle
Best of ‘13
Older residents enjoying taking part in healthy activities as part of the Council-run programme New Age Games
THE New Age Games winter The free, Council-run scheme sports including pilates, was also added as an option 2011. There are three, 11
programme of sporting is designed to give those aged swimming, tennis, yoga, last September. 10-week long terms of
activities has been launched, over 50 a chance to socialise, badminton, cycling, Brazilian Over 500 people have taken activities each year.
inspiring older residents to exercise and stay healthy. dance, and chair-based part in the New Age Games For more info and pics, see
Hackney
take up more exercise. Participants can try out activities. Walking football since it was launched in pages 4-5.
People
NEW OVERGROUND
15
T
HE Overground is set to Clapton, Hackney Downs, the proposed Crossrail 2 routes, the highest levels of customer
expand to more Hackney London Fields, Rectory Road, will build a strong, integrated satisfaction across the UK.
stations from next year, Stamford Hill and Stoke transport service which will “We are currently in the
under plans to transfer Newington are all due to be have huge benefits for all process of determining what
rail services to Transport for improved by TfL. Furthermore, of Hackney.” further improvements need to be Listings pull-out
London (TfL). current trains, which are up to The new service will see made at stations and on trains
Trains on the West Anglia 30-years-old, will be replaced by similar changes to those on on the routes and a programme 16 WIN
network, which serve six new, modern carriages. the North London Line, which to deliver these once the railway
stations in Hackney, will be Mayor of Hackney, Jules Pipe, brought the Overground to has transferred.”
replaced by new services and said: “London Overground Hackney in 2010. Consultation on Crossrail 2
rolling stock. The Overground services have been a huge success Mike Stubbs, TfL’s Director has recently shown that 95 per Zippo’s Cirque
will take over existing routes in Hackney so far, introducing of London Overground, said: cent of people support plans Berserk tickets
from Liverpool Street to Enfield faster, more reliable and “It is our intention that these for a new underground service
Town, Cheshunt via Seven convenient transport links and services will become part of the for Hackney, with the preferred
Sisters, and Chingford through bringing growth and access to London Overground network, option including stations at
25
Walthamstow Central. job opportunities. which is now one of the most both Dalston Junction and
Stations in Hackney, including “These changes, coupled with reliable railways with some of Hackney Central.
Hackney History
www.hackney.gov.uk
2 13 January 2014
hackneynews
y
2
1
Hackney Today is
produced by the
a
Communications
& Consultation team
at London Borough
of Hackney, Maurice
Bishop House, 17
d
Reading Lane, E8
1HH. E-mail: htnews@
hackney.gov.uk
Editor:
o
Jane Young
3
Tel: [phone]
E: [email protected]
Sub-editor
t
& designer:
Sappho Lauder
Clockwise from main: 1. Michael Acton
Tel: [phone]
y Smith, the brains behind Moshi Monsters;
E: [email protected]
2. Rev Clinton Paul McFarlane, business
support manager for Office of the
Reporter:
Parliamentary Counsel; 3. Mike Bracken,
Rebecca Shahoud appointed CBE for his services to digital
e Tel: [phone] public services and voluntary service to
E: [email protected] Hackney; 4.&5. Moshi Monsters
Advertising & New year, new
distribution manager
n David Roberts
Tel: [phone]
4
E: [email protected]
honours in Hackney
k Hackney Today is published
by the London Borough
of Hackney. It has a print
run of 108,000 copies and
is delivered free, to every People living Firebox can be proud of.
c
home and business in the or working in This is an accolade that all It’s a great way for us to
borough each fortnight Hackney have the team at Mind Candy kick off 2014.”
been recognised Rev Clinton Paul
The paper’s official, and Firebox can be proud of
by the Queen – for services McFarlane, business
a independently audited
to the community, sport support manager for the
door-to-door delivery is
and digital commerce – Office of the Parliamentary
90,679 copies per issue,
according to Audit Bureau of in this year’s New Year course, largely symbolic. to the creative industries. Counsel, was appointed
Circulations (ABC) figures for Honours list. I am delighted to accept it He co-founded online an MBE.
h the period Jul-Dec 2012 Mike Bracken was on behalf of others.” retailer Firebox in the late An active member of the
made a CBE for his work He added: “On the 1990s, then went on to borough, he has served
in digital public services, football side, it has been become founder and in various capacities,
and the voluntary sector, a privilege to be chairman CEO of entertainment including chair of
including as chairman of Sporting Hackney FC brand Mind Candy, Hackney’s Independent
Paid for advertising is
of Sporting Hackney for the last six years based in Shoreditch. Advisory Group; deputy
carried in the paper to keep
football club. and a member since He said: “This is chair of the Trident
costs to a minimum. We
He is executive director 1993/4.” amazing news to round Independent Advisory
reserve the right to refuse
of digital in the Cabinet The man behind off what has been a Group; and chair of the
advertising. The products
Office, and created the the phenomenon magical year for Moshi Community Referral
and services advertised in
Government Digital that is Moshi Monsters. I’m honoured Orders Panels for Hackney
this paper do not carry the
Hackney Today is Service in his first few Monsters, and thrilled to be awarded Youth Offending Team.
endorsement of Hackney
printed on 100 per months in the role. entrepreneur 5 this OBE and to be He has also been a
Today or London Borough
cent recycled paper. of Hackney Prior to that, Mike was Michael in such impressive member of the Foundation
the director of digital Acton company, but Trust of Homerton
Please make sure
you recycle it after Printed by Trinity Mirror development at Guardian Smith, was obviously this is hospital since 2005, and
reading, so the Distributed by London News and Media. He appointed an accolade that was Chair of the Board of
paper can be used Letterbox Marketing wrote in his blog: “While a an OBE all the team at Governors at De Beauvoir
again lovely recognition, it is, of for services Mind Candy and Primary School, N16.
Designed by Richard Hart
www.hackney.gov.uk
13 January 2014 3
More local news and events at:
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facebook.com/hackneyliving; or:
TO DATE
2 twitter.com/hackneyliving
News in brief
3
1
Commemorate Holocaust
Memorial Day in Hackney
A ceremony is set to take place at Hackney Town Hall
to commemorate international Holocaust memorial Day
on 24 January.
The annual event is open to the public and this year’s
theme is ‘journeys’. It marks the mass murder of over
7million Jews and other people by the nazi regime
during the Second World War, and later genocides
in rwanda, cambodia and Bosnia, as a reminder to
challenge hatred and persecution today.
4
At 11am the Speaker of Hackney,
cllr michael Desmond, is set to
place a floral tribute next to the
Holocaust memorial tree in
the Town Hall Square.
Proceedings start from 10am
d
or in the council chamber.
wf
a To reserve a place, contact
cr
off eda Ziya by calling: 020 8356
Ge 3591; or e-mailing: speaker@
s: hackney.gov.uk
o
ot
h
P Council venues ready to
mandela remembered: 1. Seth and mylo may, sign the book of condolence; 2. Adisa; 3. Leeto Thale; 4. Alexandra Ankrah; 5. cllr Patrick Vernon host same sex marriages
Remembering Mandela
reGISTrArS are hoping to perform one of the first
same sex marriages in the country, after being granted
permission to host a ceremony one minute after equal
marriage becomes law.
From 29 march, same sex couples will be given the
T
HE remarkable game called Ubuntu. The
same rights to marry as heterosexual couples, and to
life of Nelson We are here today to show word means ‘humanness’, mark the occasion the council is hoping that a couple
Mandela was and is often translated as
our love and gratitude. Not will come forward to celebrate their marriage at one of
commemorated in ‘humanity towards others’.
its venues at one minute past midnight.
just to Mandela but to people
Hackney with a book of Members of charities
Same sex couples can now tie the knot in any of
condolence and an event at who gave their sacrifices Hackney Lifeline and City
the borough’s licensed venues, including the newly
Hackney Museum. and Hackney Mind sang
refurbished Hackney Town Hall, Stoke newington Town
Nearly 300 people gospel harmonies, and
Hall and clissold House.
signed the book, which people in the audience
cllr Sophie Linden, Deputy mayor of Hackney, said:
was opened following the shared their thoughts
“many people will have been waiting a long time
death of the anti-apartheid on how Mandela had
for this, so we’re excited to potentially hold one of the
revolutionary and former inspired them. The event
very first ceremonies. It will be a very happy – and
South African president on also coincided with the
historic – moment.”
5 December. end of the museum’s
Hackney council conducted 874 marriages and 63 civil
A wide range of guest ‘Sankofa’ exhibition, which
partnership ceremonies last year.
speakers and performers celebrated black
For more information, visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/
took part in a well attended history
marriage-arrangement-and-ceremony; and: www.
remembrance event on 3 in Britain.
hackneyvenues.com
January, which was hosted Singers from Hackney Lifeline and city and Hackney mind It featured
by Cllr Patrick Vernon. a dedication
He said: “We are here South Africa during the of thought before action. from
today to show our love 1976 Soweto Uprising, He read: “When you Nathaniel
and gratitude. Not just and also when Mandela think before you talk Jacob
to Mandela, but to all was released from prison you are in silence. When Hanson,
the people who made following 27 years of you fight before you seven,
their sacrifices. The global captivity in 1990. think now that’s who
struggle for black people Adisa, a former Hackney meaningless violence.” called
around the world Poet Laureate, captivated Alexandra Ankrah, Mandela
still continues.” the audience with ‘Real a barrister and CEO of ‘an
Leeto Thale, a spoken Revolutionaries Move the Tutu Foundation, absolutely
word performer, shared in Silence’ – a poem that encouraged the audience stunning
his memories of being in delves into the importance to interact with a Q&A hero.’ 5
Same sex couples will be able to marry in Hackney from march
4 13 January 2014
feature
Older residents enjoy taking part in sports as part of the Council-run programme, New Age Games. It is a chance to try out a range of activities
including badminton, Brazilian dance, tennis, walking, football, cycling and chair-based exercise
New year, new age
The New Age Games is a free, 10-week
programme of sporting activities for older
residents inspired by the London 2012 Games
O
LDER part in the New Age Games.
residents have I must get out of my flat She said: “Walking
enjoyed taking every day and the football has helped
part in a range with the mobility in
New Age Games are a
of activities as part of my foot. I can kick
vehicle for me to do this
the New Age Games. the ball!”
The free, Council- All the ladies
run scheme is designed agreed the sessions
to give those aged Walking football was – it is very have improved
over 50 a chance to added as an option last inclusive.” their sleeping
exercise, socialise and September. The sport has Egbe patterns and
stay healthy. Participants all the fun of the beautiful Edmwandagbon, were surprised
can try out sports including game, without the running. 64, added: “I was how good
pilates, swimming, tennis, It proved popular with 12 scared that I would football is for
yoga, badminton, cycling, motivated women, aged fall over, but with developing
Brazilian dance, and chair- 54 to 76, who consistently all the encouragement balance.
based activities. attended Kings Hall Leisure it was easy.” Salima
Over 500 people have Centre to play, keep fit, Egbe suffered a Scott, 68,
taken part in the New Age learn new skills, and stroke in 2010, and tells other
Games since it was launched socialise last autumn. after completing a older
in 2011. There are three, Leigh Piercy, 56, said: course of exercise people to
10-week long terms of “Walking football makes rehabilitation, was give it a try.
activities each year. allowances for all abilities encouraged to take She said:
www.hackney.gov.uk
13 January 2014 5
The New Age Walking Football
Morning Time & Venue Afternoon Time & Venue
Games 2014
Walking football is a minimal contact
Monday Brazilian Dance 11am – 12 noon Yoga 12.15pm – 1pm
Programme Britannia Leisure Centre Britannia Leisure Centre sport with one main difference
to standard
Tuesday Badminton 10.30am – 12.30 noon Fit to Tone 12.15pm – 1pm
Britannia Leisure Centre Britannia Leisure Centre football – there is
no running
Wednesday Mini Tennis 10.30am – 12 noon Swimming for 12 noon – 1pm
Kings Hall Leisure Centre beginners Britannia Leisure Centre
Brazilian Dance 12.45pm – 1.45pm Archery 12.30pm – 2pm Audience: Mixed gender sessions
Kings Hall Leisure Centre Queensbridge Sport & Dates: Every Thursday for 10 weeks from
Community Centre
Thursday, 16 January –
Thursday Gym 11.15am – 12.15pm Pilates 12.15pm – 1pm Thursday, 27 March
Kings Hall Leisure Centre Kings Hall Leisure Centre
Time: 2.15pm-3.15pm
Chair Based 2.15pm – 3.15pm Audience: Male only
Activity Salvation Army
Dates: Wednesday, 29 January &
(Mare Street)
Wednesday, 5 February
Walking Football 2.15pm – 3.15pm
Time: 6pm-7pm
Kings Hall Leisure Centre
Friday Tennis 10.30am – 12 noon
Hackney Downs Tennis Courts
All activities start in the week
Cycling 11am – 12.30pm
commencing Monday, 13
Leaside Trust (border of
Springfield Park) January and run until Friday,
All sessions will be
Cycling for 11am – 12.30pm 21 March held at: Kings Hall
beginners Leaside Trust (border of Leisure Centre
Springfield Park)
“I must get out of my flat since joining the scheme. Haringey
New Age Games venue map
every day and the New Age The winter term runs from
Games are a vehicle to do 13 January to 21 March.
1. Britannia Leisure Centre E8 3XW Waltham
this. I’ve been a diabetic for It includes two over 50s 40 Hyde Road Buses: 38, 67, 76, 2 Forest
20 years, but since joining men only walking football N1 5JU 236,242 & 243
the scheme my glucose sessions on 29 January and Buses: 242, 149,
394, 76, 141, 271 & 21 5. Hackney Downs Parks
levels are controlled through 5 February, at Kings Hall
Downs Park Road
exercise and tablets.” Leisure Centre, E5.
2. Springfield Park/Leaside Trust E5 8NP
Winnie Roach, 65, added: Spring Lane, Clapton Buses: 276 & 55
“I have a check up every E5 9HQ 5
six months and the GP has Buses: 254 & 253 6. Salvation Army 3
MORE INFO 70 Mare Street
said my blood glucose,
3. Kings Hall Leisure Centre E8 4RT
Islington
cholesterol, and blood For more info, visit: 39 Lower Clapton Road Buses: 48, 254, JDuanlcsttioonn READING LANE
pressure levels are much www.hackney.gov.uk/ E5 0NU 106, D6 & 55 4 7
improved.” Buses: 38, 48, 55,
New-Age-Games; call: Haggerston
Overall, 96 per cent 106, 253, 254 & 242 7. London Fields Lido
020 8356 4897; or e-mail: E8 3EU 6
of participants said their darren.english@hackney. 4. Queensbridge Leisure Centre Buses: 30, 48, 55, 106, 236, 254, 1
quality of life improved gov.uk to receive a timetable 30 Holly Street 277 & D6 Hoxton
Tower
Hamlets
City
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www.hackney.gov.uk To advertise on these pages call David Roberts on 020 8356 2416
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13 January 2014 7
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TO DATE
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News in brief
2
3
Age 19 to 23 and want to pursue a career in football?
Kick off 2014 by pursuing a
1 career in the football industry
RESIDENTS interested in pursuing a career in football
1 & 3. Number 5 Amhurst Road – before it was hand demolished; 2. The demolition of Turkish restaurant Cirrik has been avoided so far
can sign up for a new, free course which could lead to a
Amhurst Road update volunteer placement in the industry.
The Careers in Football course consists of two BTEC
qualifications: ‘supporting employability and personal
effectiveness’, and ‘supporting activities and events for
sport and active leisure’.
The former Gibbons this task and restore at least The pilot course – which has been launched by the
Building on Amhurst This incident has been part of the building.” Council in partnership with Knights Group, leisure centre
Road has now been devastating for the residents Council officers have operators GLL, and the London Football Association
handed back to its been working with the – includes practical sessions and will give students
and businesses that
owners after being made owners of Raw Duck who experience of managing football events and projects.
safe by the Council. occupied 1-5 Amhurst Road hope to find new premises Those who successfully complete the course will
Residents, businesses in Hackney, while most be eligible for selection for a three month volunteer
and diners were evacuated residents have now found placement, which will include football-based activities at
from 1-5 Amhurst Road Number 5 Amhurst has been devastating for the new accommodation. Hackney Marshes.
in November, when Road has now been hand residents and businesses that Amhurst Road has been The course lasts seven weeks, over three full days each
cracks started appearing demolished to preserve the occupied 1-5 Amhurst Road reopened to traffic in both week, and will include practical employability skills, such
in the walls of Raw Duck historic facade, although and our priority has always directions and a temporary as leadership and team working.
restaurant. The building was nothing could be done to been to support them while ramp to the Overground Candidates must be aged 19 to 23-years-old, be
inspected by Council officers save Raw Duck or the flats protecting the public. station has been removed as available for the entire course period, and not be in
who found that it had above it. Demolition of 1-3 “I’m proud of the way access has been restored. employment or education already.
become structurally unsafe. Amhurst Road and Cirrik council officers reacted to Neighbouring venue Oslo, The first course starts on 20 January. A
Work then began to prevent restaurant has so far been this, taking care to retrieve which was not damaged in further course is planned for March.
the building from collapsing avoided and the building is residents’ possessions the incident, is set to open To apply, contact Michael Cole on:
and to recover residents’ now set to be handed back and retain as much of the its doors on 17 January, 020 8356 2089; or e-mail: michael.
belongings while they to owners GMS Estates. historic building as possible. after its official opening [email protected]
were moved to emergency Mayor of Hackney, Jules Hopefully now, the owners was delayed by works to
accommodation. Pipe, said: “This incident of the building can take on the terrace.
Kingsland fire station closes its doors for good following High Court ruling
KINGSLAND fire station Clerkenwell, Downham, On 20 December, the residents to force through
has closed, after the Knightsbridge, Silvertown, High Court found that the these plans which put lives
high Court rejected the Southwark, Westminster Fifth London Safety Plan – at risk. As a result of
Council’s argument that and Woolwich. to close the fire stations – is these damaging cuts, a
cuts to the capital’s fire Camden, Greenwich, lawful and can go ahead. third of Hackney now
service were flawed and Hackney, Islington, Cllr Sophie Linden, falls outside London Fire
should not go ahead. Lewisham, Southwark and Deputy Mayor of Hackney, Brigade’s recommended
In total, 10 fire Tower Hamlets councils said: “I’m very disappointed response time and residents
stations across London sought a judicial review of with this result. But I am in De Beauvoir will have
shut their doors for the cuts that will lead to the more disappointed the to wait more than three
good on 9 January, loss of 14 fire appliances Mayor of London chose minutes longer for life-
including Belsize, Bow, and 552 firefighter posts. to ignore the concerns of saving assistance.”
8 13 January 2014 13 January 2014 9
feature
February
January March May
THE Council changed the
FASHION jewellery mogul and Tatty Devine co-founder, Rosie GARY Barlow (inset above), Sinead O’ Connor, Jamie Cullum
way it collects recycling
Wolfenden (bottom right), was among the Hackney residents to and Elaine Paige were among a host of celebrities to take part in
from houses across the
feature in the New Year’s Honours list. Others included former a day-long live BBC Radio 2 day at Hackney Empire.
borough on 1 March, with the
Chief Executive of Homerton hospital, Nancy Hallett; Rabbi April n
introduction of a green e
Herschel Gluck; librarian Howard Rabin; and retired accountant sack system. Hackney celebrated national Love Your Local Market fortnight O’Bri
and chairman of the Lion Club in Hoxton, Alan Perry. from 15 to 29 May. From Broadway Market’s chic vibe, to n
classic East End scenes at Hoxton Street, all the borough’s June oli
An array of events took place across the borough to celebrate C
Pupils, parents and staff at Thomas Fairchild Community A NEW youth club – The Edge – opened in Woodberry Down markets got involved (below). o:
National Apprentice Week from 11 to 15 March, including a ot
School in Hoxton celebrated as their new £9.4million visit by Prince Andrew to Hackney Community College (below.) estate on 6 April. Hackney-born Bafta-winning actor Adam Ph
building was officially opened on 17 January Deacon (above) helped welcome the community to the centre Natalie Coleman, 29 (left), burst on to our TV
(below). The original school burnt down in 2009. HACKNEY’s biggest youth talent show, Alter Ego, came where he offered the young people some words of wisdom. screens in reality cooking show MasterChef. The AN exhibition opened at Hackney Museum on 11 June
Easter fell in the last weekend of March with a cracking array
to a spectacular end with the borough’s top talent former DJ and self-proclaimed ‘proper Cockney’ which gave visitors an insight into migration to and from
of family activities on offer in Hackney. From a goose egg raffle
A service at Hackney Town Hall brought together battling it out at sold-out finals at Hackney Hackney foursome Rudimental (below), whose sound was battled her way past 50 contestants to be Britain over the past century. ‘100 Images of Migration’
at Stoke Newington Farmers’ Market, to a spring fete at Sutton
people of different faiths, backgrounds and Empire on 1 February to win mentoring from forged growing up in the borough, celebrated reaching crowned overall winner. featured 100 photos (above) by people of all backgrounds
House. Egg-cellent fun was had by all.
ages to commemorate Holocaust Memorial industry professionals (above). The annual number one with their single ‘Waiting All Night’, and their who made this country their home.
Day on 25 January. event is part of the Council-run Discover album ‘Home.’
One of London’s largest ever bike rides for young people – Bike
Young Hackney youth arts festival.
Around the Borough – took place on 27 June, with almost 300
students participating from 20 Hackney schools (top).
An exhibition opened at
Hackney Museum exploring
A varied programme of free
the history of mental health
events took place to mark
care in the borough and
Gypsy Roma Traveller History
featuring work by people
Month including storytelling
with mental health issues,
sessions for youngsters
including this piece by
and arts workshops in
Kerry Hudson (right).
Hackney libraries; as well as a
production of ‘Crystal’s Vardo’
Hackney Today looks back on another fantastic
at Hackney Empire (inset right).
year – from the opening of Queen Elizabeth
Olympic Park to the Hackney One Carnival
December
August September October
July
HACKNEY celebrated 25 years of Black History Month with a
HACKNEY achieved another year of
programme of free events, workshops and talks. The season
record-breaking exam results – flying
was launched with the opening of the exhibition: ‘Sankofa,
in the face of falling grades nationwide.
the truth behind Black History Month, 1926-2013’ at Hackney November
Borough students again beat the national
Museum (bottom left).
average in both A-levels and GCSEs, with
61.1 per cent achieving five good GCSEs (A*
A mosaic in Shepherdess Walk park (bottom right) was CHRISTMAS came to Hackney
to C) including English and maths (below). officially unveiled on 10 October after two years of painstaking SOME of the borough’s brightest talent was celebrated at the in style with the switching on
hard work by members of the Hackney Drug and Alcohol eighth annual Hackney Sports Awards. More than 1,000 people of festive lights (above) and the
Hackney’s largest ever wildflower site – in London Fields – Action Team’s Lifeline Project. packed into the Hackney Empire for the sell-out event on 4 unveiling of five designer trees
came into bloom, and proved an instant hit with the public. November, compered by Kat B and Margaret Adeoye (above). around the borough. The town centre
The area had been fenced off by the Council in spring to
Plans for a state-of-the-art fashion hub in Hackney Central illuminations were part of the ‘Make
THE northern parkland improve the soil, sew seeds and give the new plants a THE borough came alive with sound, colour and flavour as were approved by the Hundreds of residents joined ex-servicemen and women and Hackney Sparkle’ programme of events.
of Queen Elizabeth chance to become fully established (inset above). the annual Hackney One Carnival (above) took to the streets Council. The multi-million civic dignitaries to mark Remembrance Sunday. A procession, Organised by the Council to
Olympic Park – located in Hackney – opened on 15 September. Hundreds of performers donned bold and pound project is set to bring which started at Reading Lane, culminated in a service at St support local businesses, it was funded by
to the public for the first time since the 2012 wonderful costumes with themes ranging hundreds of new jobs to John-at-Hackney Church on 10 November (below). £150,000 in private sponsorship.
Games. People had the chance to apply for from ‘Fancy Sailor’ to the ‘Mayan the area.
resident reserved tickets to festivals held in Empire and Children of the Sun’. Creative Director Susie McKenna
the park, including Hard Rock Calling (above), sprinkled fairy dust over the
Wireless, Electric Daisy Carnival and Open East. World champion 400m runner Hackney Empire with a production
Christine Ohuruogu (inset right) of ‘Puss in Boots’ (left) that blew
The London Youth Games final took place on 6 opened a new athletics facility at the winter cobwebs away. Charles
and 7 July. Over 500 young people represented Stoke Newington School on 18 Perrault’s 500 year-old fairy tale was
Hackney in 27 different sports during the capital- September. She tested out the rebooted for 2013, with enough in-jokes
wide competition (left). Hackney finished 12th track and shared some advice to keep East Londoners enthused without
out of 32 boroughs, its second highest result. with the aspiring young athletes. alienating those from elsewhere.
www.hackney.gov.uk
10 13 January 2014 advertising
www.hackney.gov.uk To advertise on these pages call David Roberts on 020 8356 2416
13 January 2014 11
hackneypeople
Hackney is one of the most diverse places in
the UK. In this regular feature, we profile the
borough’s great & good or just plain interesting
Freedom of
the borough
O
NE of Hackney’s
longest serving My aim has always been to
councillors has
make Hackney the best place
been awarded the
to live, work and to improve
Honorary Freedom of the
Borough after a lifetime of community cohesion
civic service.
Cllr Saleem Siddiqui
arrived in Britain in 1963 best place to live and work, and now we can all continue
from Hissar, India, with and to improve community to enjoy the lasting legacy of
an MSc in Chemistry. He cohesion for which the the Games.”
moved to Hackney in 1975 borough is now famous.” Clearly passionate
and quickly immersed Looking back, Cllr about education, Cllr
himself in local politics. Siddiqui recalled his term Siddiqui claims that if he
He was first elected as a as civic Mayor of Hackney hadn’t got involved in
councillor in 1990 and has in 1995 – a role now politics, he would have been
retained his seat for the past referred to as Speaker of a researcher.
23 years. During this time, Hackney – when he was He said: “I’m curious
Cllr Siddiqui’s involvement ambushed by notorious about why things happen
in local government has fundraiser Mick Mee in the and how to improve or
been wide and varied. Narrow Way, and bundled change them. Education
His specialist areas of into the boot of a car. continues to evolve as we
interest are education and He said: “It was all discover new ways and
housing, and he has held in good fun and this methods of getting the
numerous positions in both escapade raised money best out of people. What
areas, sitting on various for a local hospice.” we can achieve through
school governing bodies and Cllr Siddiqui is learning and educating the
a number of housing boards. particularly proud of next generation is a great
Indeed, Cllr Siddiqui Hackney’s role as a host transformation.
has served in 22 different borough during the “Education has changed
roles and on a similar London 2012 Olympic and this borough into one
number of committees. Paralympic Games. of the most improved
He said: “I am proud He said: “It was our and culturally diverse
and honoured to receive responsibility to ensure community driven places in
the highest recognition that our residents benefited the UK. I am proud to have
of service in the borough, from any changes to our been a part of that.” e
v
which means I have done environment. I am proud of Cllr Siddiqui added he Co
my job. My aim has always what we achieved. had no plans to slow down. ett
Br
been to make Hackney the “The hard work paid off “It is my passion to continue o:
to do what I can for the ot
h
P
community and I have no
immediate plans to slow
Councillor Saleem Siddiqui receiving the Honorary Freedom of the London Borough of Hackney
down anytime soon. I will
continue to serve, although
Curriculum Vitae: Cllr Saleem Siddiqui
in a different capacity,
through my committees,”
he said. 1939 Born in Hissar, India
Cllr Siddiqui received the 1963 Arrives in Britain
Freedom of the Borough at 1975 Settles in Hackney
a ceremony in the Council 1990 First elected to serve as a Hackney councillor
Chamber on 4 December, 1993-present Becomes chair of the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE)
which was attended by 1995-6 Civic Mayor of Hackney
family, friends and former 2001-2 Civic Mayor of Hackney
colleagues. He is only the 2002-present Becomes honorary president of Hackney Players
second person in recent 2003-5 Becomes Chair of the Education Scrutiny Commission
history to have received 2003-present Becomes member of Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission
the honour. 2013 Given Honorary Freedom of the Borough
Cllr Siddiqui with his family at the Freedom of the Borough ceremony