News in Brief - October to December 2011
One month's free rent available for Hackney Homes tenants
Hackney Homes is entering all residents, who keep a clear account in December and January, into a draw to win a rent-free month. It is now easier than ever to pay - online, by telephone, Direct Debit, PayPoint or at the payment offices.
Chief Executive of Hackney Homes, Charlotte Graves, said: "We want all our tenants to have an enjoyable time over the festive period. That is why we are reminding tenants to stay up to date with their rent and get in touch with us as soon as possible if they are experiencing problems. We have a wide range of support to assist and we will be more than happy to help."
Tenants who would like to speak to someone about their rent, should contact their local neighbourhood office or visit: www.hackneyhomes.org.uk
12 December 2011
Simply having a wonderful Fairtrade Christmas time
Businesses, community groups and residents are being called upon to help the borough renew its Fairtrade status.
In 2007, Hackney was made a Fairtrade borough. This was in recognition of local support for the international movement that aims to give workers in developing countries a fair wage to help improve their communities - from education and health care, to the environment.
Renewals are necessary to ensure the campaign continues to gain momentum, obtains commitments from new organisations and increases understanding across the community.
Examples of supporting a fairer world trading system, include serving Fairtrade products in cafes, teaching about cocoa in schools, and speaking to MPs about international trade rules.
For more info, visit: www.fairtradehackney.wordpress.com
12 December 2011
Pop star Rihanna films music video in Stoke Newington
International pop star Rihanna has filmed her new music video on the old set of hit BBC show 'Dragon's Den' in Stoke Newington.
The top selling artist was reportedly spotted doing impressions of the famous panel of investors, along with their catchphrases such as 'I'm out,' and 'I'll offer you 20 per
cent of the business.' She was shooting a video for single 'You Da One' at Castle Gibson, Manor Road, which was originally used as the location for the show about budding entrepreneurs.
12 December 2011
New Dalston Library is set to open in January
Dalston CLR James the first new library to be built in Hackney for over 20 years, is is set to open its doors in late January.
This brand new, state of the art facility - which will also house Hackney Archives - will be twice the size of the old library that it is replacing.
The new building will feature separate adult and children's libraries, a teen zone and a 'quick picks' area.
This is designed for people with only a few minutes to spare so they can pop into the library, select a best seller and issue it to themselves using the state-of-the-art self service technology.
There will also be a wide range of books, study materials and online reference, as well as education facilities.
To find out more about the Council's libraries call: 020 8256 3000; or visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/libraries
28 November 2011
Old gold coin is given a new home at Hackney Museum
A rare gold coin from the 'Hackney hoard' will go on show at Hackney Museum from 29 November - the only part of the collection to go on public display.
The 20 dollar 'Double-Eagle' has been donated by Max Sulzbacher, son of the original owner who fled Nazi Germany in the 1930s and buried the treasure in a Hackney back garden during World War Two. The rest of the hoard, which is being auctioned on the same day, consists of 77 coins, minted in the United States between 1854 and 1913.
They were discovered in 2007, and made national headlines when, in an unprecedented move, the coins were returned to the original owner's family under 'Treasure Trove' law.
The coin will be on display, along with the original jar and papers they were found in, and a poignant British penny, dated 1940, found in the remains of the Sulzbacher's bombed out home.
28 November 2011
Wheelchair badminton player granted training membership
A wheelchair badminton player and coach has won backing to help achieve her dreams of competing at next year's Paralympic Games.
Sharon Jones Barnes was awarded free access to Hackney's GLL-run leisure centres as well as support for her London 2012 ambitions and coaching of other players.
Sharon was given the award by the Council's Youth Sport Fund, in partnership with charity GLL Sport Foundation.
The former legal secretary, who trains at Britannia Leisure Centre, already has a host of national championship titles under her belt. She said: "The support from Hackney and GLL has helped me to finance the training and coaching I need as a wheelchair badminton player. It's also a big bonus to have a venue with the facilities I need to train."
For more on Hackney's sports grants, visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/c-sports-grants.htm
28 November 2011
Free cycling awareness courses for truck drivers
Lorry and bus drivers have been experiencing life on the road away from their usual perspective - by getting on their bikes.
The Council is running free bike awareness courses for heavy goods drivers to improve the safety of cyclists on the borough's roads.
The innovative programme gets them out of their vehicles and into the saddle to gain a better understanding of what it's like to ride a bike on Hackney's busy roads. It is the first accredited course of its kind to be run by a local authority.
John Harvey, a goods driver who attended the course in August, said: "It has made me aware of cyclist road positioning. I now understand the importance of giving more space to cyclists."
Trevor Parsons, co-ordinator of the London Cycling Campaign in Hackney, said: "This is one of the most inspiring responses yet. We hope that this will help to build a culture of mutual understanding on our streets."
More information
For more information, visit the cyclist awareness training for drivers page, call: 020 8356 6594 or email: cycletraining@hackney.gov.uk
14 November 2011
Baroness visits new academy
A United Nations senior official visited a Hackney school to celebrate its new status as an academy.
Baroness Amos, the under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs at the UN, met with students at Clapton Girls' Academy on 2 November.
Speaking at the event, she said: "I am impressed by the young women I have met today at Clapton Girls' Academy and have no doubt that they will go on to great things. Educating girls is the key to development in many of the poorest communities in the world."
Early in her career, Baroness Amos worked at the Council before heading up the Equal Opportunities Commission, becoming the first black woman to sit in Cabinet and the first black leader of the House of Lords.
Clapton Girls' Academy is rated as 'outstanding' by school inspection body Ofsted.
14 November 2011
Residents snap up free 2012 Games test event tickets
Nearly 2,000 residents will receive free tickets to two test events taking place in the Handball Arena, giving them the chance to be among the first spectators to walk through the Olympic Park.
The free tickets offer, launched by the Council last month, was oversubscribed by 36 per cent. All applications went into a ballot and preference was given to residents closest to the Park. A total of 700 tickets to the London Handball Cup and 535 for International Goalball will be given to the lucky winners later this month, with 480 more going to Hackney schools.
Priority booking for residents to buy tickets to three further test events, including gymnastics, diving and cycling, will run from 8am on Tuesday, 15 November, to 9am on Thursday, 17 November using the HACKNEYPREPARES code at: www.ticketmaster.co.uk/londonpreparesseries. Tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
14 November 2011
Parking changes planned during the Olympic Games
The Council is working with organisers of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) to ensure residents and local businesses are given priority when parking spaces come under pressure next summer, in areas close to
the Olympic Park.
The 2012 events will attract large numbers of spectators, some of whom may try to park as close as they can to venues in the Olympic Park.
The Council is proposing bringing in extra temporary resident and business parking protection areas to prevent spectators from taking all the spaces.
Further details will be published nearer the time, and those affected will be contacted to explain any new arrangements. For more information, visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/parking-where-to-park
14 November 2011
Down on the farm
A community-led, urban farming project supported by the Council is flourishing as a business just over a year after opening.
FARM:shop on Dalston Lane is home to fish farms, rooftop chicken coops, an indoor allotment and a community café dishing up its own produce.
Visitors to the shop can learn about sustainable farming techniques as well as enjoy community events, live music and talks.
The store was set up by Something & Son, a design practice that combines art, engineering and business to develop creative ways to promote sustainability.
The project has proved popular and a three-year lease has now been signed on the property.
Founder Paul Smyth said: "For us it was vital that we got the balance right. We wanted to create an educational, community initiative through something positive."
The project has employed one full-time member of staff, who was initially supported through the Future Jobs Fund, and has additional help from10 regular volunteers.
FARM:shop is one of several projects that has benefited from Hackney Council's Art in Empty Spaces initiative, designed to transform empty properties into something useful and meaningful for residents and visitors.
Cllr Guy Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, added Art in Empty Spaces 'has shown the breadth of innovation that is found across Hackney's economy'. For more info, visit: www.farmlondon.weebly.com/
31 October 2011
Internet giant's Shoreditch base
Google has announced plans to set up a base in Shoreditch. The internet giant has signed a lease for a seven-storey building on Bonhill Street to provide office space and assistance to start-up technology firms. Google added the building would also host talks and product demonstrations.
However, the Californian company said that it was not planning to move its UK headquarters - currently in Victoria - to the area.
David Singleton, Google UK's engineering director, said: "Finding a suitable building is the first major step, and we hope to announce more details about the organisations we'll work with and how they will use the space in the coming months.
"East London is already home to hundreds of innovative British start-ups, and has huge potential for economic growth and new jobs over the coming years."
The area surrounding Old Street roundabout - dubbed 'Tech City' - has become an internationally renowned hub for technology companies.
17 October 2011
Royal visits to college
Apprentices from Hackney Community College were paid a surprise visit by HRH Prince Andrew when he dropped in earlier this month.
The Duke of York spoke to student chefs and business people at the college's Shoreditch campus on 11 October.
Prince Andrew was keen to hear about regeneration in Hackney and the potential it has to attract more businesses to drive the community and boost the economy.
The students, from business and catering courses, described their apprenticeships, and the Prince identified the importance such schemes have in developing a highly skilled workforce.
Principal Ian Ashman said: "We're really fortunate to be based right in the heart of Tech City. It's an incredibly exciting time for Hackney and we're pleased that His Royal Highness took the time to visit Hackney Community College, learn about our University Technical College, our Tech City Apprentice Programme and share our apprentices' experiences."
17 October 2011
2012 job opportunities
Six hundred residents have already signed up to apply for one of the thousands of jobs that will be available in the lead up to and during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Visitors were quick to register when they attended the first in a series of job events organised by the Council on 28 September.
The jobs will mainly be in security, catering, hospitality, retail, customer service, cleaning and waste management. Cllr Guy Nicholson, Cabinet Member for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: "This is a unique opportunity to become part of a team that will deliver the biggest event East London has ever seen. Although most of the jobs are temporary, lasting up to nine weeks, it will boost people's job prospects to be able to say they were part of the 2012 Games."
Residents who were not able to attend the event can sign up by contacting the borough's jobs brokerage On Site.
Talk to their staff at the Hackney Service Centre, 1 Hillman Street, E8, every Monday, between 10am and 4pm. For more info, call: 020 7275 7843.
17 October 2011
Mid Autumn festival
Hackney's South East Asian community gathered to celebrate Tet-Trung Thu, known as the 'Moon Festival'.
This annual event dates back thousands of years and according to ancient folklore was started by Vietnamese parents who, following a busy harvest, arranged a special occasion devoted to their children to make up for lost time.
The celebrations took place at the Community Centre for Refugees from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in Haggerston, where children joined in the traditional customs of carrying lanterns and performing dances for parents.
The Speaker of Hackney, Cllr Susan Fajana-Thomas, watched the 17 September celebrations and presented certificates to some of the children following their performances. Cllr Fajana-Thomas said: "This centre provides valuable services for the local South East Asian community and it is pleasing to see this festival continuing important customs and traditions here in Hackney."
17 October 2011
Sporting heroes honoured
World-class Hackney sporting stars have been rewarded for their achievements at this year's Balfour Beatty London Youth Games Hall of Fame and Awards evening.
Former Hackney Downs School pupil Dalton Grant represented the borough in athletics in his younger years before going on to compete at three Olympic Games and win five major championship medals in high jump.
Elaine Barratt, who swam for the borough in disability competitions at the London Youth Games, has won 36 medals at international level, including Paralympic gold in the 100m breaststroke SB11 (blind) class in Athens in 2004.
Both athletes were inducted into the hall of fame alongside individuals and organisations who helped make this year's youth event the most successful in its 34-year history, with a record 71,000 participants.
The awards took place at the Nursery Pavilion, Lord's Cricket Ground, on 20 September.
3 October 2011
Nine weeks to go to bid for 2012 media centre space
Businesses and organisations interested in moving into the 2012 media centres in Hackney Wick once the Games are finished have nine weeks to put in a formal bid.
Start-ups to established international companies are invited to apply to become part of a new commercial district within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) has opened the process to agree tenants for the Press and Broadcast Centre site, which will be surrounded by world-class sporting venues, parkland and a host of events and attractions.
Jules Pipe, elected Mayor of Hackney, said: "The Press and Broadcast Centres offer an unprecedented opportunity to create a new employment hub in Hackney Wick. They will have worldclass communications infrastructure and will be served by excellent new transport links.
"It has been our vision for some time to see the site used for the expansion of the creative and digital industries which are already thriving in Hackney. It is a shame that the BBC have abandoned plans that would have seen them become an anchor tenant of the site, but we are pleased that there is significant interest from other parties that will now be taken forward."
Andrew Altman, Chief Executive of the OPLC, said: "The Press and Broadcast Centres have already generated a huge amount of commercial interest and we are excited to see what bids come forward."
3 October 2011
Page updated: 18 Jan 2012
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