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Diane Abbott writes...
Stoke Newington Church Street has become one of the most attractive streets in
north London. This is partly to do with its range of shops. Kite shops, flower shops,
designer dress shops, bookshops and, of course, a huge range of restaurants. It also has a
nice park, Clissold Park, at one end.
In recent times people from all over London have come to Church Street on a Sunday for a
stroll and to sample the shops. Stoke Newington's own residents often make Sunday their
Church Street shopping day. This heavy weekend trade is important because, sadly, there is
little passing trade Monday to Friday.
So you would think that Hackney Council would do everything to promote Church Street as a
shopping area. Sadly, this is not the case. One major problem is refuse collection. The
Council still cannot manage to collect refuse from the street at a weekend. I appreciate
the problem with refuse collection borough wide. But because weekend trade is so important
to the businesses on Church Street, you would think the Council would make some effort to
clear up the rubbish.
Not a bit of it. I was amazed to discover recently that Hackney has one of the most
expensive refuse collection services in London. The problem with refuse collection in the
borough would seem to be not a lack of manpower or resources but sheer bad management. I
simply do not understand why the Councillors are not tackling this issue which is, after
all, not a new one.
I am also dismayed by the state of the exterior of Stoke Newington Library. It is a very
nice building on a prime site in Church Street. But the Council has allowed it to become
very shabby and run down. It does not seem to be painted regularly.
So, I say, come on Hackney Council, support your local shopping street!
Xmas Lights are Back On
 The Stoke Newington Church Street Business
Association has raised £2,500 from local traders to restore the street lights previously
switched off by Hackney Council. It's nice to see our business community repaying the
goodwill of their customers.
Its a pity that the cash-strapped Council seems to be cutting back on
small but popular environmentally-friendly items from their budget.
Contributors to this seasonal gesture can be identified from the Christmas
Lights poster in their windows. They deserve our thanks and support.
Festival News
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by Fiona Fieber |
Thanks to the moving and shaking of councillors and the response from LBH
officers, the Festival has been saved from homelessness in 2000. You can now find us in
the impressive surroundings of Stoke Newington Town Hall, Room 15, Stoke Newington Church
Street.
A Millennium Festivals award has meant our plans for Parklight and the supporting
education programme are steaming ahead. Six artists are being commissioned to create site
specific works, using light as their starting point, for four fabulous nights as part of
the Festival programme in Clissold Park. Who the artists are and just what they will be
doing are under wraps at the moment but all will be revealed early next year watch this
space!
There's even more going on in the wider programme and local visual artists and performers
are invited to apply now. Have you ever wanted to wrap the Fire Station in tinfoil? Run
your own theatre event? Belt it out from a roof top with your gospel choir? Leave your
details on our answer phone number **** **** and we'll send you an information and
application pack. Returned applications deadline 5 p.m. Monday, 31 January 2000.
What's up? It's this year's commissioning programme and we're offering three opportunities
of £1,000 each to artists and performers to create new work. It could be artwork or
performance and it has to happen outdoors on Church Street and above street level!
Artists' and performers' information meeting Thursday 13 January venue to be confirmed.
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