Dear N16

In the same week that your last edition was being distributed, I convened a meeting between road planners and some of the Church Street traders whom you reported 'continue to express disquiet about the effect of the impending traffic restrictions on their businesses'.

Since the original proposals were first publicised in February, re-consideration in response to public reaction had already generated six specific changes, most of which were expressly to address traders' concerns - in particular about day-time parking in the Street. As a result of detailed comments made at our July meeting, many more have since been brought forward to a follow-up meeting held in early September.

The prompt for the changes in Church Street was outside the Council's control - the introduction by Transport for London of the 'bendy 73'. However, given that something had to be done, the Council has a real commitment to allow local people as much of a say as possible in the detail of schemes like this. I will continue to work to influence the balance between the various needs of all users of Church Street as an increasingly attractive, safe, pedestrian - and shopper-friendly destination.

Councillor Jamie Carswell,
Stoke Newington Central Ward Member

Dear N16

'An urgent rethink is needed' (News in Brief, Issue 22). Yes, by the Church Street businesses who imagine their trade is car dependent. The actual research evidence is that 92% of Stoke Newington town centre visitors do NOT come by car, and just think of the traf?c jams if any more did. Independent research also shows that car shoppers spend over a period no more than those who go by bus, and that those who walk to shop spend 50% more than both. One thing is certain - not one Church Street business will believe a word of it.

Yours faithfully, D Mitchell,
Dynevor Road, N16

Dear N16

I was sorry to see Sue Heal (Issue 22) describe some people who go to the Walking Group at Clissold Park as 'care in the community reps' and surprised that another person in the Letters Page had called 'people who walk about and shout at themselves' in Stoke Newington 'community care candidates'. Please do not encourage your readers to join in with the generally negative images of people with mental health problems which pervade the media. Not all such people (to quote Sue Heal) are 'looking for mischief' and the use of the words 'reps' and 'candidates' is offensive.

Name and address supplied

Dear N16

There's a new beggar sitting at the Halifax cash point. Last night I tried to withdraw cash to be met with the usual chant of 'can you spare some change?' - nothing surprising so far but when I replied with 'no, I'm sorry' I was threatened with 'well I'm gonna rob the money from you instead, then'. Feeling rattled, but not standing for that kind of nonsense, I gave the chap a piece of my mind. To my astonishment, a few ill-informed and unhelpful do-gooders in the queue told me I was wrong to chastise him! What on earth is wrong with these people! Surely we should not stand for aggressive begging and threats?

Chris Major

Dear N16

I read your magazine with a mixture of awe and disbelief.

Why? I left N16 in 1969 - moved to Stevenage and then on to Australia in 1973. I worked in Church Street for too many years at Victory Engineers after a regulation working class upbringing in Winston Road and Albion Road Central. Note the 'Central', it was important at the time - putting it a notch or two above Frankenstein's Castle [Wordsworth Road].

Okay, getting to the major question. Where do all these customers for this plethora of culinary delights come from? If they are not within walking distance, where do they park? 
As I remember Church Street, there were about two 'kaffs' in the whole street. The one nearest to our works was run by two or three large ladies of an older dynasty. They produced doorstep toast with lashings of butter and bacon sarnies. It was beautiful toast, I have to say. They had a fire going and pushed the toast onto the grill at the front, giving it a lovely smokey flavour.

I am dead serious when I say, how can these raconteurs spout on about their glorified fish and chips costing only £47.20 per meal. If it is any tastier than the F&C on Albion Parade in the old days, I'll eat someone's hat. And for variety, how about Pie and Mash from Cook's in the High Street. Not forgetting the liquor mixed with a generous helping of vinegar. I admit the pies were a little dodgy. Black and brown on top and virginal underneath. [Good for young brunettes, but pie?] It was rumoured that some of the meat was horse. That never bothered me at at the time - I thought most of the gee gees I wagered on were better off in a pie.

Before I go - don't let them do anything to the 73. Some of my fondest memories as a kid, were sitting on the wall opposite the bank at Newington Green and counting the caravan of buses emerging through the snot green fog. Maybe the record might be broken! This was before TV of course, and, as low as you might think that was on the entertainment level, it was still better than your modern Reality Show. I have a suggestion for London Transport. Forget the bloody bendy buses. If they must have a change, bring back the good old solid tram. Good for the tourists and the kaffs; when the pole comes off the wire, everybody can get off for an aperitif or something.

Unfortunately, it is too late for the ladies with the toast to make a come back - they have been serving tea and ambrosia toast in the Elysian Fields Olde Cafe for a long time now.
 
Yours Truly
Bert F. Errington, 285 Stanley
Terrace, Taringa Q4068,
Australia

Dear N16

The underground. You're packed in like sardines, sweating, feeling claustrophobic, avoiding people's eyes, desperate for the next station for a bit of air. Up until recently those who hated this experience could get the 73. Airy, friendly, a helpful conductor. Fast. Now in the name of progress a vision of hell on earth has been unleashed.

They have recreated a packed tube experience overground! I have used this monstrosity all week and I am on the verge of a nervous breakdown. And disabled access? Buggies? Don't make me bloody laugh. There's no room. Anywhere. They are characterless, slow, unwieldy (oh, how I laughed when it took 8 minutes to pull out of White Lion St at the Angel last night - and 52 mins from Kings X to Newington Green!). And as for safer, I reckon someone could be stabbed on one of them when it's full and no one would notice.
Bring back my Routemaster, you bastards.

Henrietta Lewis, N5