News in Brief
Globe on the square
Last month saw a giant globe of light appear in Hoxton Square. The installation was the centre piece at a launch for the UK’s first restaurant and bar design awards. Guests became part of the art, using punch cards to choreograph their own colour animations.
The cards were scanned in at one corner of the square, from which their colours were uploaded to the main globe to form the lighting display.
Venues that have opened or been renovated since April 2007 can enter the awards until 31 December. For further info visit: www.restaurantandbardesignawards.com.
Local choices up for city favourite
Two stars with firm Hackney roots have been shortlisted in a hunt for London’s Favourite Londoner.
Entrepreneur and BBC1’s The Apprentice boss Sir Alan Sugar was born in Hackney and returned to the Town Hall earlier this year to film an episode of the show.
X-Factor winner and international singing sensation Leona Lewis was born and brought up in Stoke Newington, and now lives in Stamford Hill.
The nominations are part of the Visit London Awards, which aim to recognise and reward the accommodation providers, attractions, tours, restaurants, and events that make up London’s tourism trade.
To vote for one of the Hackney nominees visit: www.visitlondon.com.
Honour your top volunteers
The Lord Lieutenant of London has put out a call for people to nominate local voluntary groups for a national honour
similar to an MBE.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – created six years ago to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee – recognises groups that devote time to helping others, and set a national benchmark for excellence in volunteering.
Lord Lieutenant Sir David Brewer said: “Voluntary groups across London are vital to all aspects of community life. The Queen’s Award has proved an important way of bringing recognition to those often hidden groups who have dedicated themselves, in some cases over many years, to improving local people’s lives.
“If you know a group in your area, do get out there and nominate.”
For details of how to nominate, and to download a form visit: www.queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk.
Runners get golden start
Olympic gold medallist Christine Ohuruogu cheered on runners at a series of charity races on Hackney Marshes.
The Four2Go runs celebrated the countdown to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Runners had a choice of 1k, 5k and 10k routes, as well as a marathon through the Lee Valley. The event earlier this month raised money for Parents For Children, a charity that finds homes for children with physical, learning or emotional difficulties.
Christine said: “I was delighted to be involved with the races, which provided sporting opportunity for all to participate in, during the lead up to London 2012. Most importantly though, to support and highlight the vital work of Parents for Children.”
For those not keen on the idea of a run on a windy day, there was also a family festival with food, a pirate ship, dance shows and music.
Five vowels, 13 consonants
Longtime Hackney resident Christopher Biggins has been tipped to replace Des O’Connor as the host on Channel 4 quiz Countdown.
Christopher, who lives in Harrogate Road, South Hackney, has been a regular Dictionary Corner guest on the show for some time.
The winner of ‘I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here’ was first mooted as a replacement for O'Connor after he announced he was quitting the show in July. But Christopher, speaking on ITV’s This Morning, feared his pantomime commitments could make it difficult for him to land the job. He said: "I'd love to do it. They are talking to me, but the problem is they are going to be filming while I'm doing pantomime in Southampton. I'm playing Buttons in Cinderella. So there's a whole process going on."
Securing a legacy from 2012
Mayor of Hackney, Jules Pipe, has been appointed to a new Mayor of London’s Board of Advisers – focused on securing the best future for the Olympic Park after the 2012 Games.
With almost one third of the site in Hackney, his place on the board gives another opportunity to influence the Olympic legacy and ensure the best possible benefits for the borough.
Mayor Pipe said: “I'm very pleased to be appointed. Being from one of the five host boroughs, I will be contributing the local dimension and demanding that the 2012 Games be a catalyst for the regeneration of Hackney.
“Along with the valuable sporting and community legacies, it is vital that 2012 helps change the economic fortunes and reputation of this area of London.”
Bringing home the birds
Are the birds in your garden looking a bit hungry as the cold weather sets in?
Feed the Birds Day, an event organised by the RSPB to encourage people to look after their feathered friends, takes place on 25 October. Different birds have different tastes, so they will enjoy lots of your kitchen scraps. Blackbirds love fruit and peanuts, and are partial to cheese, while sparrows prefer sunflower seeds.
The RSPB is also urging people to follow a few simple tips and transform their gardens into homes for wildlife, such as planting native shrubs to provide food and shelter for birds and leaving long patches of grass to encourage delicious insects.
For further info visit: www.rspb.org.uk/feedthebirds.
Page updated: 4 Nov 2008