Put a stop to the rape of the British Pub Industry.

At last there's a campaign to put the brakes on the evil monoliths that control huge swathes of the British Pub Industry. Deadline 14th June - Click here and Vote Now.

Basically these huge corporations buy up public houses and then rent them back to publicans at an enormous rent. They then force the publican to buy their beer only from them, at far more than the normal market price. This forces up the price of a pint, drives the normal drinking public away from the traditional local meeting places - the pub, or else plays into the hands of those other monoliths Wetherspoons, Yates etc who are chipping away at the price that small breweries can get paid, and slowly strangle the industry from that end.

Facelift for Hackney Community Green Space

Residents on the Linzell Estate in Hackney had their local community green space transformed as part of the Transform project delivered by Groundwork and Hackney Homes.

The dedicated team of local residents, Hackney Homes staff, Groundwork staff and college volunteers from the B Six College, worked for over 6 months to prepare the area and plant over 300 forest plants for the community to enjoy.

The project, initiated by the Linzell Tenants Residents Association (TRA), was awarded £12k funding from London 2012 Changing Places Transform initiative and Hackney Homes.

TRA Chair Jean Cooper thanked the Tenants Association members and the Council for their support and praised the work of local resident Helen Wilson.

She said: “Without the Tenant Association members’ support, this project would have never happened. We have truly started something special for future generations to enjoy and I really hope that the tenants of Linzell Estate get the most enjoyment out of it.”

Resident organiser Helen Wilson said: “On this project we have tried to provide a relaxing, useable area for residents of all ages and a valuable learning and wildlife site. The space is not only a garden, it is a natural forest providing sustainable and edible plants such as ferns, herbs, asparagus, artichokes, alliums, strawberry plants and more.

The end result is fantastic and I hope the local residents take ownership of it and reap the benefits that this site can provide.”

During discussions about the site, Hackney Homes’ garden staff identified that the project had not been ‘problem free’ but were very ‘pleased with the results’.

Jim Paterson, Head of Building Maintenance and Estate Environment for Hackney Homes stated: “This is one of the many inspirational projects taking place in the Borough. We are pleased to have supported such a project along with London 2012 Changing Places. The work that Groundwork, the TRA and volunteers have done throughout these harsh winter months has been remarkable”.