News in Brief - April 2009
Fun on two wheels
Cyclists came out in force for Bikeday 2009 at Hackney City Farm this month.
There were fun and games to celebrate everything about the joys of two wheels from grass track racing to cycle repairs.
Highlights included a bike fancy dress parade and a pedal powered sound system. For youngsters and older beginners, taster proficiency lessons were also on offer.
One of the organisers, Bronwen Wilson, said: “The whole day was a great success, we had a record breaking amount of people through the doors, and it was a great launch for our bike repair shop, Bike Yard East.”
Lend a helping hand
Volunteers are needed to help at a home-crafts and gardening skills project for residents with learning disabilities.
Homes and Gardens takes place each week at the Trowbridge Centre, on the Trowbridge Estate, Hackney Wick, and offers activities such as sewing, and growing your own produce.
Volunteers must have some experience of children or adults with learning disabilities, knowledge of textiles or sewing, crafts and gardening, and will undergo reference and Criminal Records Bureau checks. Volunteers will receive expenses, regular supervision, appraisals and a reference, but will not be left alone with adults or expected to undertake intimate personal care. Cllr Nargis Khan, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “Volunteering can open up a whole world of new experience, meeting different people and making new friends.”
For more info, contact Olivia Hockridge-Omonuwa on: 020 8356 4246, 07772 565 512; or email: olivia.hockridge-omonuwa@hackney.gov.uk
Loan shark fined
A Hackney-based loan shark has been hit where it hurts – his pocket – following a joint operation between Hackney and London trading standards teams.
Noorruddin Moosa Ghanchi, 71, of Jenner Road, N16, pleaded guilty to illegally lending over £136,120 during a four-and-a-half year period to more than 20 victims.
In sentencing Ghanchi, His Honour Judge Kennedy, said: “Those who lend money illegally cause enormous distress to borrowers, which is why civilised societies down the ages have restricted money lending and imposed limits on the interest charged by those who do.”
Ghanchi was fined ?500 and ordered to pay £2,500 in costs when he appeared before Snaresbrook Crown Court on 22 April. This is the first prosecution brought by the Illegal Money Lending Team, set up by the Government last January. It was launched in Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets by London Trading Standards Authorities (LoTSA).
The undercover team gathers intelligence on money lending operations, working with councils, the police and other enforcement agencies, to prosecute illegal lenders.
To date, the team has helped more than 540 victims and prevented the payment of illegal loans totalling over £1.6million.
Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Loan sharks are criminals who exploit vulnerable people. People turn to them in a crisis, then find that their situation is much worse.”
To report a loan shark call (confidential 24 hours line): 0300 555 2222.
Using your EU vote
Did you know that 75 per cent of UK law is made by the European Union (EU)?
Residents will have the chance to influence the EU by voting on who represents them in the European Parliament on 4 June.
London elects eight Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), but people from another EU country can choose to vote for candidates representing that country instead.
To be able to vote everyone must be on the Electoral Register and if residents want to vote for MEPs in another country they must also fill out a UC1 form. Some Commonwealth citizens can also vote.
To register to vote, obtain a UC1 form, or find out about voting eligibility, contact Hackney’s elections office before 19 May, on: 020 8356 3232; or visit the European Elections page.
Everybody needs good neighbours
Hackney Homes is encouraging residents to get to know each other by organising their own event to mark European Good Neighbours’ Day on 26 May.
The day is celebrated in 29 countries and aims to bring local communities together by encouraging people to talk and socialise.
Tenant’s and Resident’s Associations (TRAs) can apply to Hackney Homes for help with funding for a Neighbours’ Day event. It could include anything from having a community outing or a fun day with food stalls, competitions, games and live music.
For application forms, or to find out more, contact local TRAs or phone the Resident Participation team on: 020 8356 7845. More ideas on how to celebrate can be found at: www.europeanneighboursday.com
Some tips from the top
Children had the chance to learn from the best when two GB Paralympic champions joined them at a disability swimming gala at Clissold Leisure Centre in Stoke Newington.
The young people met Dervis Konuralp, Hackney’s own Paralympian and the borough’s Olympic and Paralympic ambassador; and Liz Johnson, Team GB’s 100m breaststroke gold medallist at the Beijing Paralympic Games.
After coaching tips from Dervis and Liz in the morning, the young athletes got the chance to compete against each other in the afternoon. Cllr Guy Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: “It was great to see these young athletes enjoying swimming and being inspired by two great Paralympians.”
The day was organised by the Council’s 2012 team, The Learning Trust, and the Council’s leisure partner GLL.
For information about disability swimming in Hackney, call Marianne Sharpe on: 07984 815 760 or email: marianne.sharpe@hackney.gov.uk
Stick your oar in
An initiative has been launched to get more young people taking to the water. Row East London wants to encourage more Hackney children and teenagers to start regular physical activity including taking up rowing.
The scheme, which received £628,000 from Sport England, is due to be introduced in half of the schools and a number of youth clubs in the ten 2012 Olympic and Paralympic host or gateway boroughs.
As part of the launch, teams representing each of the boroughs took part in a relay race at the third annual National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships, where 2,000 young contestants gathered from across the UK.
Katherine Grainger, triple Olympic silver medallist for Great Britain was there. She said: “Row East London will further swell the numbers from London and maybe some of those will row and one day stand on the Olympic rostrum alongside us.”
For more details visit: www.londonyouthrowing.com
Another milestone for Henry
First World War veteran Henry Allingham, who was born nearly 113 years ago in Clapton, has reached a new milestone by becoming officially the oldest British man – ever.
On 29 March, Henry set a new record, surpassing Welshman John Evans, who died in 1990 aged 112 years and 295 days.
Henry passed the day quietly at St Dunstan's care home for blind ex-service personnel near Brighton where he now lives.
In February, Henry visited Northwold Primary School, E5, and talked to pupils about what it was like to grow up in Hackney over 100 years ago. He is one of just two surviving First World War veterans in the UK, and is also the oldest Royal Navy veteran. Henry is due to become a ‘teenager’ again on 6 June, when he will turn 113.
A sketch in time
A local artist inspired by the construction work at Dalston Square has been officially appointed to make a series of drawings to record the development.
Alexandra Blum is frequently on site charting the project which will transform the area and provide more than 500 new homes, a lively public square, new library and public archive, shops, restaurants and a new London Overground station.
She has also worked with children from Holy Trinity Primary School, leading a series of art workshops to help them think about the changes taking place on their doorstep.
The London Development Agency and landowners, Transport for London and the Council, are working with
developers Barratt Homes to build the new homes at Dalston Square, including both social rented housing and homes for sale.
Barratt Homes appointed Alexandra and intends to put her drawings on display at a public exhibition in the summer.
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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