News in Brief June 2008
Cannabis factory closed
A man who turned his two bedroom Council flat into a cannabis factory faces up to 14 years in prison.
The drug growing operation was closed down in a joint raid by police, Hackney Homes and EDF in Wrens Park Estate on 10 June.
It uncovered hundreds of cannabis plants and growing equipment to support continuous production of the Class C drug in every room.
The tenant had even tampered with the electricity supply to by-pass the main meter to avoid the high costs of powering the factory 24/7. Housing experts said this created ‘a significant safety risk’ and could have led to a fire breaking out in the block.
Sgt Andy Newman, of Springfield Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: “This is another example of Hackney police acting to safeguard our community. We are here to improve the quality of life of the local community and these sort of activities will not be tolerated.
“We urge members of the public with further information on this crime, or any other illegal or suspicious activities, to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
A 52-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and abstracting electricity. He has been released on police bail until next month.
Cllr Jamie Carswell, Deputy Mayor of Hackney, said:
“Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure in their own home. We will continue to work with all our partners to make Hackney’s estates a better place for residents."
Proceedings have now begun to repossess the property. Hackney Homes chair, Rupert Tyson, added:
“It’s thanks to the hard work of everyone involved that we will now be able to let this property to a person in genuine need. Let this be a message to anyone considering abusing their tenancy – we will find you.
Team spirit
Over 250 young people took part in a sports day to promote the message ‘teams are better than gangs’.
The event at Millfields Park, E5, aimed to use sport to engage young participants in discussions about gangs, guns and knife crime. Basketball and football sessions with coaches from Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) were on offer during the day, which was organised by London Community Cricket Association and the police as part of the‘Take Back The Streets – Hackney’ campaign.
LOCSP Coach Heide said: “There has been a variety of different people here with different abilities. However, everyone participated, there was great communication and everyone got involved.” For more info about the LOCSP visit: www.locsp.org; or call: 020 8556 5973.
Bookish beginnings
Writer and TV presenter Danny Wallace visited Hackney Museum to congratulate budding readers who completed the Reading Agency's annual Six Book Challenge.
This January, adults learning to read set out to finish six books from a selection of ‘quick choice reads’ which included the BBC presenter’s own work, ‘Danny Wallace and the Centre of the Universe’.
Help was on hand during the challenge from staff at Clapton Library and an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) tutor from Millfields Community School and Jubilee Primary.
The reading marathon ended in May. To mark Hackney's Adult Learners' Week, and the 2008 National Year of Reading, 28 up-and-coming readers were awarded certificates for successfully completing the challenge.
Danny, who presents Horizon and Test the Nation, said: "This is a fantastic programme. Well done to everyone. I hope this is the start of a special relationship with books and the library services."
For more information please visit the Hackney Libraries page.
Take a moment to relax
Carers who provide unpaid help and look after a friend, relative or neighbour in Hackney can enjoy day trips to Brighton and a spectacular Royal Horticultural Society garden, as well as Tai Chi and a picnic.
It’s all part of Carers’ Week, from 9 to 15 June, which this year, has the theme – carers can’t afford to be ill.
Closer to home, there will be a tour of Hackney Museum, and information at GP surgeries on services for carers.
Booking ahead is necessary for most events, and a leaflet outlining all the activities and how to take part is available.
For details contact Michelle Ereira on: 020 8356 5054; or email: michelle.ereira@hackney.gov.uk.
Travellers' tales
Young people will help celebrate the first Gypsy and Roma Traveller History Month with an evening of entertainment.
The event on 17 June at the Round Chapel in Dalston is being staged by youth groups from the London Gypsy and Traveller Unit to celebrate the rich culture and history of their communities.
The groups, funded by Team Hackney, have recently made strides in helping young travellers into work and education.
June will also see a series of exhibitions, photographic films and writing at Hackney and Stoke Newington libraries, plus Chats Palace, E9. For details contact: info@lgtu.org.uk; or call: 0208 533 2002.
Where the brass bands play
From seaside trips and cinema matinees, to swimming, cycling and dancing – there’s something for all Hackney’s over-50s in this year’s Festival for Older People.
Throughout June and July there are 30 events and activities planned, including bingo, quiz afternoons, a street party, fruit picking and day trips to Brighton, Southend, Eastbourne, and Hastings.
Walks in London Fields, Clissold, and Shoreditch parks are also scheduled, as well as activities at the Britannia, Clissold, Queensbridge and Kings Hall leisure centres.
Free film screenings will take place at the Sir Robert Geffery Hall, in Stoke Newington and Rio Cinema, in Dalston (Free for those aged 60-plus and their carers).
The 14th annual festival launches on 5 June at Kings Hall Leisure Centre, Lower Clapton Road, between noon and 3pm.
There will be live music and information about services to help older residents be safe, warm, clean and green at home.
And celebrations will be rounded off with a finale event at Kings Hall Leisure Centre, featuring music from groups including the Jewish Choir from the Brenner Centre.
Booking is necessary for most events. For more information, contact the Community Resource Team on: 020 7275 7092.
Eyes skyward
Traffic-stopping temporary works by Parisian artist JR have been displayed at prominent sites across Hackney.
Massive posters of the artist’s photographs were pasted on Cordy House and Village Underground in Shoreditch, and Hackney Empire.
The 15m art installations included images of a diver in mid jump and a group of Tibetan children playing.
The displays coincided with a series of murals created by six artists, including JR, that will adorn the river-facing wall of the Tate Modern gallery for the next three months.
The images were installed by Lazarides Gallery with permission from Hackney Council.
Page updated: 8 Jul 2008