| . |
p6
Pub culture is not what it was in Stoke Newington. For
the last seven weeks, Ed Krema and Damon Taylor have been presenting a series of
entertaining lectures on art history under the general heading of Stammtisch ('clan
table' is the literal German translation) upstairs at The Prince on Kynaston Road. The
topics covered included 'The image of the hysteric' and 'Rothko and Warhol' and the
well-attended talks were followed by informal discussions. The next one is on Wednesday 11
December at 8pm, the topic being 'Decadence'. What next? Ballet at the Jolly Butchers?
Opera at the Shillelagh? Come to think of it
Yum Yum owner Atique Choudhury is extending his reach in Hoxton. Having
established himself in the area with Yum Yum.net, he is also a partner in the
recently-opened Zen Satori on Hoxton Street, an eclectic Asian restaurant on the ground
floor of the Asian & Oriental School of Catering on Hoxton Street. The restaurant is
partly staffed by students from the College and serves meals from China, India and
Thailand. And it was there before Jamie Oliver.
If you're thinking about flying into our local Stansted airport on
Sundays, be aware that the train service to Liverpool Street will not be operational until
Spring 2004 and is replaced by a coach. The journey time is at least doubled. One of our
N16 people flew in late one Sunday night from a long day's work in Germany, and was saved
from a frustrating trek home by the prompt arrival of Eagle Cars who whisked her to Stoke
Newington in comfort.
'Its 4am Saturday morning. You're tucked up in bed. Your home is on fire.
You've got 4 minutes to live. Who's the next person you want to see? Support your fire
fighters.' This poster, and others in similar vein across London), is the brainchild of
Dave Stenson, and his colleague Nick Squibb, of Stoke Newington Fire Station's Blue Watch.
Like their colleagues, they are taking strike action in support of their pay claim. A
career in copywriting awaits Dave when he leaves the Service.
The Minx Club is no longer at the Barracuda. The club's owners Andy and
Ingrid are currently looking for another suitable leasehold location on or close to Church
Street with space for an acoustic music room and a wine bar. If you know of somewhere,
ring 020 7254 9258. In the meanwhile, the club is hosting a one-off performance on 15
December at the Eve Club, 189 Regent Street, W1. The main guest is the inimitable
Wreckless Eric. A special coach is being laid on to transport Minx lovers from and back to
Stoke Newington. For further details ring the above number or email on bookings@theminxclub.fsnet.co.uk.
Sunstone Health and Leisure Club for Women celebrates its 10th birthday
on 7 December. Originally the derelict Northwold Road Synagogue, the building was opened
by Tessa Sanderson with the words 'originally a church, then a synagogue, now a temple of
health'. Owner Michael Sinclair and his team transformed the building and it now contains
a swimming pool, aerobic and dance studios, three levels of health and fitness facilities,
creche, coffee bar and beauty rooms. To celebrate its birthday, the club is offering all
these facilities at 1992 prices for non-members who want to join. Phone 020 7923 1991 for
details.
Beady-eyed bus spotters will have noticed the near-mythical East Thames
393 bus on Church Street on 11 November. Yes, it does exist and it was on its final route
test before the introduction of the long-awaited link to Highbury. The bus-unfriendly road
humps on Highbury New Park have been changed to bus-friendly cushions, and it now appears
that the service will commence operations on Saturday 22 February 20 03. Yes, the delights
of the Holloway Road will soon be in reach.
SOUTH INDIAN RESTAURANT
Enjoy the new menu at Abi Ruchi,
with a variety of chicken and meat
dishes from Kerala,
the spice capital of India.
'An important addition to the Church Street line-up' Charles Campion, ES
Magazine
Selected by The Guardian as one of the UK's top 40 restaurants in 2001
Also available: takeaway service, outside catering and special lunch menu
Opening hours:
12pm - 2.30pm (seven days);
6pm - 11pm (Sun - Thu),
6pm - 11.30pm (Fri - Sat)
42 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0LU
Tel / fax: 020 7923 4564
|
Outline planning permission is being
sought for a new housing development on the Kings Crescent Estate on the other side of
Green Lanes from Clissold Park. Among other proposals, the developers intend to build
three tower blocks from between 14 and 19 storeys high. The Clissold Park User Group are
objecting to the development on the grounds of the negative visual impact on those using
the park, the fact that the towers will put part of the park into shade in the afternoons,
and the potential dangers of turbulence to cyclists and pedestrians on Green Lanes. A
decision is expected early next year. For information contact www.clissoldpark.com.
Striking Hackney library workers held a rally on 25 November addressed by
leading members of Unison after a year of strike action over the loss of enhanced Saturday
payments in an apparent breach of a national agreement. Hackney Council is hoping to open
some libraries from Saturday 4 January with 'casual' staff, much to the anger of the
striking librarians and many others in the union movement. An employment tribunal is to
meet on 11 February to decide the matter one way or another.
The battle of the masts continues. Hawksley Court residents celebrated
yet another victory in November as they again saw off a construction team and a large
contingent of security staff trying to erect a new mobile phone mast. Through peaceful
means, the residents forced the crew to withdraw with their tail between their legs. They
have also launched legal action to stop any construction on the site. Across Stoke
Newington residents are now fighting against proposals for the installation of mobile
phone masts. One that has caused concern is a proposal for a mast on the Church of Good
Shepherd, Rookwood Road, N16. The church is right opposite a school and residential homes.
As one local resident put it 'we simply fail to understand how Hackney Planning Services
could even consider the application'.
|
. |
