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Cloudesley Association – April 2024 Update

1. Cloudesley Association Drinks at the Crown – A DATE FOR YOUR DIARIES

Back by popular demand, we will be hosting Cloudesley Association Drinks once again. Details as follows:

Location: THE CROWN PUB, corner of Cloudesley Road and Cloudesley Square

Date: Tuesday 30th April

Time: 6.30 - 8pm.

Please come and join us for a relaxed and informal early evening drink with neighbours – a great opportunity for everyone to get to know each other. The deal is once again as follows: we will provide £500 from our filming funds for wine, nibbles and a limited tab behind the bar. Everyone gets their first drink for free but after that, or when the tab runs out, you pay yourself!

2. Local Crime

We have had a number of reports of petty crime incidents in the area, from (large) flower pot theft, to wheelie bin theft, to a car being broken into.

Please find attached, recently updated contact details for reporting crime and anti-social behaviour in our local area.

Wherever possible, it is important that local authorities (especially police and Islington Council) are informed about criminal and anti-social behaviour. We hope that the attached document can help everyone with that. We understand that up to date information from local residents is a key factor in enabling local authorities to target their resources in an effective manner. At our next formal meeting, we hope to have someone available to take questions on the local Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team (run by the Met).

3. Holy Trinity Church – Florence Trust

As many of you know, the Florence Trust are currently tenants at Holy Trinity Church. Please find attached information regarding the artists that are part of their 2024/25 residency programme.

Steve Allbutt at the Florence Trust has been in touch to tell us about a series of adult workshops to be held at Holy Trinity which will be offered for free to local residents. The first set of three workshops have already taken place and were sold out. We will try and publish details in future newsletters so that residents can book places on a first come first served basis.

Kevin Rogers at the Diocese has indicated to us that other important developments are expected to start soon at the church, but he is not yet in a position to update local residents. He has, however, committed to provide a detailed update for our next meeting.

4. Barnsbury & Laycock Traffic Plans – Low Traffic Neighbourhood

Following the set of proposals published by the Council in October 2023, Gillian Collin of the Keep Barnsbury Moving (“KBM”) group (www.keepbarnsburymoving.com) has asked us to share an update, that:

At a meeting that the KBM group had with Rowena Champion on December 6, they were assured that the Council is listening to the views of all residents.

The KBM group have asked Rowena to consider alternative traffic management schemes which would not involve road closures or traffic filtering (an additional 15 cameras are currently proposed for Barnsbury) as well as improving some of the junctions with main roads and side roads for cyclists.

The KBM group has asked the Council that any proposals need to be considered in conjunction with other proposed Liveable Neighbourhoods, which may have knock on effects. The first phase of consultation has just finished in Dartmouth Park and Tufnell Park.

The final phase of consultation for Barnsbury & Laycock is now likely to be in June, 2024.

5. Victoria Line – Victoria Line Noise and Vibration in Residents Homes between Highbury & Islington and Kings X tube stations - UPDATE

Neil Smith continues to battle with TfL on behalf of residents plagued by tube noise. Anyone wishing to contact Neil for further info or to be added to the distribution list of his campaign group can contact him on the following email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

6. Barnard Park – Progress Report

The transformation of Barnard Park continues. The new 3G sports pitch in Barnard Park opened in January and is bookable online. Phase 2 of major park improvements programme has begun and will continue through March 2025. A new hub building will be constructed. The hub building will house public toilets, a park manager’s office and a community room and kitchen. Other improvements include a flat grassed area for recreation, improved circulation with all-weather paths, and biodiverse planting. The children’s playground and the sports pitch will remain open throughout the works.

7. Kings X and Islington Square

A few highlights taking place in Kings Cross over the next few weeks:

Earthfest 2024 Festival – celebrate Earth Day at this free sustainability festival in Kings Cross from Friday 19^th – Sunday 21^st April. It’s open to everyone and most activities are free. Get your tickets here: https://www.earthfest.world/get-tickets/

Classic Car Boot Sale – this event is back at 10am-6pm each day from 27th to 28th April, bringing the best in classic cars, vintage goods, street food, cocktails and music.

Another highlight taking place in Islington Square (off Upper St, where the Post Office used to be) over the next few weeks:

Neighbours Nights at Megan’s - Enjoy two courses for £16 or three courses for £20 from Sunday to Wednesday, every week from 5pm.

*****

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us know.

As ever, if you know of any neighbour who is not on the Cloudesley Association email distribution list, please pass this email on and/or ask them to provide us with their contact details (to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) so that they can be kept in the loop.

Amanda and Nick

On behalf of

The Cloudesley Association

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.cloudesleyassociation.org

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Cloudesley Association - Newsletter Update

A quick update to the last newsletter.

One or two of you have asked for more information about the Florence Trust and the recently opened Castor, an in-house residency gallery, on the South side of Holy Trinity. We will of course keep you informed of major developments at the church but the intermittent nature of our updates mean these may not always be up to date. Steve and Yuka of the Florence Trust have therefore kindly offered to alert any Association members and other local residents with a particular interest in upcoming events such as workshops or exhibitions. To join the Trust’s own mailing list please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. asking for your email address to be added.

Meanwhile the best source of information about the Florence Trust, including all activities at Holy Trinity and elsewhere, is this Instagram site:

https://www.instagram.com/florencetrust?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

And note that the Castor Gallery is currently staging an exhibition of works by Mexican artist Fabian Ramirez which is open to the public for the next few weeks – well worth a visit, not least to see how the Trust have used features of the old church to create an attractive interior space.

Amanda and Nick

The Cloudesley Association

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Web: www.cloudesleyassociation.org

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Cloudesley Association – November 2023 Update

1. Holy Trinity Church

Apparently, the Guardians have left the church and been replaced as “anchor tenants” by The Florence Trust, which offers a 15 month residency for artists. We have asked Kevin at the Diocese for an update on this important development but he has replied that protocols mean they are not able to release the news just yet.

However, Nick has spoken to Steven and Yuka from the Florence Trust who have already started work on tidying up the churchyard and painting the interior. They seem like very nice people and most importantly they are keen to work with the local community “through open studios and workshops”. You can find out more about the Florence Trust from their website at http://www.theflorencetrust.com/ and this interview from 2021 where Steven describes how he managed a similar transformation of a derelict church at St Saviour’s in Highbury: https://creativelandtrust.org/florence-trust-closure/. This could be the start of an important new chapter in the history of the Association’s long association with Holy Trinity and we will keep you updated as we learn more.

Meanwhile, another welcome development is that the trees in the churchyard have finally been pollarded which we are sure members will agree is long overdue.

2. The Crown Pub

Many of our residents had heard that The Crown Pub was due to be sold by the Cloudesley Estate charity and had expressed concerns about possible sale to developers and change of use. We are delighted to report that we have been informed by the Cloudesley Estate that The Crown has indeed been sold but happily to its current inhabitant and long-standing tenant, Fullers.

3. Seasonal Event - LONSDALE SQUARE CAROLS – Tuesday 19th December 7pm

The annual Lonsdale Square carol singing event will be taking place on Tuesday 19th December at 7pm, starting as usual in the North East corner of the square.

For anyone not familiar with the event, we sing 2-3 carols in each corner of the square, including some child friendly carols in the first half of the evening. We will be collecting for St Mungo’s as they work for the homeless locals.

Do come along and join in if you are free.

4. Seasonal Event – Thornhill Gardens – Jingle and Mingle – 11 December 6pm

“Jingle and Mingle” will take place from 6pm in Thornhill Gardens. Bring your favourite nibbles and drinks to share. Join the festive singalong at 6.30pm.

5. Seasonal Event – An evening with The Heathen and The Holy and friends – 11 December 7.30pm

Tom Hobden, our resident rock star from Cloudesley Square, has contacted us to let us know he is playing a Christmas Show at St Pancras Old Church with his seasonal band, The Heathen and The Holy, on the evening of 11th December. The evening will consist of their original music, dotted with carols, poetry readings, festive instrumentals and even a quiz! There will be a brass section and string quartet accompanying, so quite a sonic feast!

Here are links to the ticket website and The Heathen and The Holy mailing list (for people to keep in the loop)!

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-with-the-heathen-and-the-holy-and-friends-tickets-751748478937?aff=oddtdtcreator

Mailing List: https://mailchi.mp/33d0a00224ef/pqhjz4226m

6. Barnard Park – Progress Report

Great progress is being made on the redevelopment of Barnard Park – as you will see from the photo below. Phase 1 of the works in Barnard Park - the building of a new 9 v 9 3G football pitch – is now complete and looks amazing.

Phase 2 of the works, which involves the building of a new community hub building, improved pathways with direct routes through the park and better accessibility, improved biodiversity and habitat for wildlife, a new grass area, new tree planting and a new entrance to Sheen Grove is due to begin in January 2024.

I am sure you will all agree that this will significantly improve the Barnard Park area for all.

Barnard Park Nov 1923

7. Barnsbury & Laycock Traffic Plans – Low Traffic Neighbourhood

The Phase 2 consultation on the Barnsbury Liveable Neighbourhood has now ended, but members can still provide feedback to the Council on the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. email address. The Council have said they will not publish the results of the Phase 2 consultation (or indeed Phase 1) until the start of Phase 3. We expect no more major developments until the announcement of a final plan as part of Phase 3, expected “early next year”. Note, however, that the Council has started consultations on new neighbouring LTNs (Tufnell Park and Dartmouth Park) which are likely to have impacts on Barnsbury and its surrounding roads. Note also that the Department for Transport (DfT) has started a nationwide review of LTNs and has issued guidance to the effect that, until this review is complete, Councils should consider pausing implementation of LTNs currently being planned.

8. Kings X and Islington Square

A few highlights taking place in Kings Cross over the next few weeks:

• Club Curling: Club Curling is open 7 days a week in Coal Drops Yard until 25 February. Slots last 45 mins, starting at noon, with the last play at 8pm. Tickets cost £8 per person and under 12s play for free (when accompanied by an adult). If you want to book tickets, you can click the link here: https://www.designmynight.com/london/whats-on/activity/club-curling-1

• Mexican Christmas Markets: By popular demand, the Mexican Christmas Market returns in Coal Drops Yard from 1-3 December for another year. It is an ideal opportunity to find a Mexican inspired gift for a loved one this Christmas.

• Moonwalkers Art Benches Exhibition – from now until 2 January, discover awe-inspiring, breathtakingly restored images of the Apollo missions to the Moon, taken from Andy Saunders’ book, Apollo Remastered. Photographs will be displayed across Kings Cross to coincide with the launch of the Lightroom’s latest exhibition, The Moonwalkers, an immersive voyage into space narrate by Tom Hanks. The exhibition is free.

• Big Christmas Wind Orchestra and Choir: On Sunday 10 December, come and join one of the season’s biggest outdoor Christmas performances – The Big Christmas Wind Orchestra and Choir takes place from 1pm in Coal Drops Yard next to the giant Christmas tree.

A highlight taking place in Islington Square over the next few weeks:

• Islington Square Winter Lantern Workshop and Lantern Parade: Unleash your creativity and craft personalised light-up lanterns. These workshops, presented by the Little Angel Theatre, will be held every Thursday from November 23rd to December 14th at 4pm at Islington Square. Tickets are priced at £12 per child and £8 for an adult. The seasons festivities culminate in the Islington Square Lantern Parade on the 14th of December with doors opening at 5pm. Immerse yourself in the local sights surrounding Islington Square as you proudly parade with your creations, all soundtracked by a brass band playing beloved Christmas hits. Join in the festivities and indulge in more festive drinks until 9pm. To add to the magic, join the IFMA Christmas carol sing-a-long before the parade sets off.
Get there ahead of the crowd! Entry is first-come, first served, with no guarantee of admission. Tickets for the workshop and Lantern Parade available via the Little Angel Theatre website.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us know.

As ever, if you know of any neighbour who is not on the Cloudesley Association email distribution list, please pass this email on and/or ask them to provide us with their contact details (to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) so that they can be kept in the loop.

Amanda and Nick
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.cloudesleyassociation.org

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Cloudesley Association – September 2023 Update

Dear Residents

1. Barnsbury & Laycock Traffic Plans – Low Traffic Neighbourhood

Islington Council are proposing a new Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) development in Barnsbury. The plans have now been published and can be found on the link below. We have also attached a map from the Council website showing the proposed 15 new traffic filters.

https://www.islington.gov.uk/roads/people-friendly-streets/liveable-neighbourhoods/barnsbury-laycock

We urge all members to study these plans carefully then use the links included in the website to respond to the Council by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), survey or attendance at one or more workshops. These plans will significantly impact how road transportation vehicle users can access most homes and shops in the area and how they can get from one side of the borough to the other. Consequently we anticipate that residents will have views on these proposals, positive or negative, and we would encourage residents to share their views and constructive feedback on these initial proposals with Islington Council prior to 22 October 2023.

Note that residents of the Cloudesley Estate will be particularly impacted by the new filter on Copenhagen Street by Barnsbury Road. This will restrict access to and from areas west of our estate. Access to areas to the east will involve Liverpool Road, which is likely to become more congested, and then a long detour via Holloway Road and then the Highbury roundabout. Access from the North via Thornhill Road appears to be impossible due to three new traffic filters.

Following our last meeting in January, where a number of residents expressed misgivings about the Council’s LTN intentions, the Keep Barnsbury Moving (KBM) group was set up. Anyone wishing to learn more about this group and to help with their campaign to stop the Barnsbury LTN should contact them via their website at www.keepbarnsburymoving.com.

2. Cloudesley Association Event – THANK YOU

Thanks to all who joined us at The Crown Pub last week - it was a great turnout and we hope that you enjoyed the event as much as we did. It was lovely to see so many residents, long-standing and new.

3. INVITATION to Institution and Induction of the Revd Caroline Titley as Rector of the Parish of Barnsbury – 8 October 2023

We have been asked to share this lovely invitation with you all:
The Churchwardens of the Parish of Barnsbury are pleased to invite you

to the Institution by the Right Reverend Dr Joanne Woolway Grenfell (Bishop of Stepney) and the Induction by the Venerable Peter Farley-Moore (Archdeacon of Hackney)

of the Reverend Caroline Titley
as Rector of the Parish of Barnsbury

on Sunday, 8 October 2023 at 10.30am
at St Andrew's Church, Thornhill Square, London N1 1BQ.

Refreshments will be served after the service.

RSVP to Rachel Walker, Parish Administrator (email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

This marks the beginning of a new chapter for the parish as the legalities of the re-organisation are completed and Caroline starts her new role as Rector, having been licensed as Priest-in-Charge last year. We would be delighted if you could join us.

4. Victoria Line – Victoria Line Noise and Vibration in Residents Homes between Highbury & Islington and Kings X tube stations - UPDATE

Neil Smith has kindly provided us with the following update:

“As you know, regular grinding of the rail tracks to minimise rail corrugation, the main cause of Tube noise in residents homes, is the only mitigation available for residents in the short to medium term.

TFL have recently, very worryingly, reduced rail grinding in our area by more than 50% after two and a half years of a comprehensive and effective 6 monthly grinding programme.

Grinding is a routine and essential part of the maintenance of rail tracks because it maximises the lives of both the rails and rolling stock by eliminating the corrugation created naturally by the passage of trains which damages both.

From 2015/16 to 2020 TFL ceased grinding operations in our area and refused to restart it despite the increasing complaints by staff, passengers and residents - unions representing the whole network threatened strike action if the problem was not addressed. Following the appointment in late 2019 of Heidi Alexander as Deputy Mayor of London for Transport she initiated a programme of comprehensive rail grinding every 6 months until she left her post in mid 2022. Almost immediately following her departure TFL announced a significant cutback in the grinding programme. From every 6 months to every 12 months and only about 50% of each track instead of the whole of each track, north and southbound.

This is very disappointing and worrying. We understand that the demands and needs for grinding are increasing across the network. TFL has not added grinding capacity to meet it.

The good news is that because of the efforts and support of our elected representatives in particular Sem Moema our GLA Member and including Rowena Champion, Islington Council, Emily Thornberry, MP we have a 6 monthly meeting with the new deputy mayor responsible for transport, Seb Dance and his team to review the situation.

In addition the GLA Environment Committee are looking at “noise pollution” in London because it is a serious health issue.

We must keep up the pressure on TFL because this is a serious problem not only for us but for passengers and staff. Any reduction in our efforts will increase the risk of further reductions in TFL’s action and investment to minimise noise and vibration in our homes.”

Anyone wishing to contact Neil for further info or to be added to his general distribution list can contact him on the following email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

5. Barnard Park – Progress Report

Great progress is being made on the redevelopment of Barnard Park. Some photos below for those who haven’t walked around there this past couple of weeks.

Barnsbury1

Barnsbury2

Phase 1 of the works in Barnard Park involves the building of a new 9 v 9 3G football pitch. A 3G pitch is a synthetic surface that replicates natural grass when playing sports like football and rugby. It differs from astroturf because it replicates bounce, impact and overall performance – hopefully this also makes it safer for players, reducing friction burns and injuries. This work is scheduled for completion by December 2023.

Phase 2 of the works involves the building of a new community hub building, improved pathways with direct routes through the park and better accessibility, improved biodiversity and habitat for wildlife, a new grass area, new tree planting and a new entrance to Sheen Grove. These works begin in January 2024 but no completion date has yet been set.

6. Kings X and Islington Square

A few highlights taking place in Kings Cross over the next few weeks:

• Outdoor Dynamic Pilates with Ten Health & Fitness – this is mat-based pilates on the steps down the canal running every Tuesday and Thursday throughout September from 8am. Classes are 45 mins long. If you want to join, book here: https://www.ten.co.uk/class-timetable?location=13&onemonth&classes=242

• Boutique by Shelter Events – Boutique by Shelter is hosting a series of events this autumn. All Saints have donated over 2000 pieces of stock to Shelter and all profits go towards people at risk of homelessness or struggling with housing issues. Pop Ups will be running in the Coal Drops Yard shop, Boutique by Shelter from 28 September to 10 October.

• Classic Car Boot Sale – this event is back from 30 September to 1 October, bringing the best in classic cars, vintage goods, street food, cocktails and music. This time there will be a display of MINI Coopers from across the ages to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Mini Cooper S.

A highlight taking place in Islington Square over the next few weeks:

• Upper Street Market - this will now take place every Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am to 4pm.

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Cloudesley Association – May 2023 Update

Dear Residents

1. Kings Coronation Street Party, Cloudesley Street

Lesley from Cloudesley Street is kindly organising a Coronation street party on Sunday 7th May, starting at 1.00pm (set up from 11.00am). Details in the flyer, attached. The Association is helping with funds and all members are invited. Bring your own food and drink and WhatsApp Lesley on 07800 697215 with your name and house number to be kept up to date.

2. Art Walk Around the Kings Cross Area

On Saturday 3rd June 2.00-4.00pm, our Cloudesley Road artist Anne Howeson will be leading a “Stroll with the Artist” around the Kings Cross railway lands which inspired her recent “Present in the Past” work – see https://cloudesleyassociation.org/cloudesley-history/social-history-other/291-anne-howeson-re-imagining-the-present-in-the-past. Again, details in attached flyer. If you’d like to join Anne, please RSVP directly to the gallery just off Chapel Market which is organising the event, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

3. Islington Traffic Plans

As we advised in our last Update, Islington Council have been hosting an Interactive Map as part of the “LTN/LN Liveable Barnsbury” Engagement and Consultation process. The map is now closed for comments and an analysis has been published by Keep Barnsbury Moving, the organisation announced by Gillian at the last meeting which has been set up to fight the Council’s LTN plans. You can read the analysis here: https://www.keepislingtonmoving.com/data#mapcomments and whilst the map is still online you can view individual comments on the Cloudesley Estate here: https://www.letstalk.islington.gov.uk/barnsbury-laycock-liveable-neighbourhood/maps/barnsbury-and-laycock-liveable-neighbourhood-comments-and-ideas-interactive-map.

The comments make interesting reading! Several commentators (some known to live outside the area) call for residents’ parking to be reduced and replaced with “parklets”, “rain gardens” and other “greening” measures. There are also calls for Cloudesley Place to be closed off. These are important issues which could have a big impact on Association members so if you have strong views, one way or the other, you should engage with the Council and make your views known by emailing them at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. As far as we know, the Council will be making its specific plans for a Barnsbury LTN known by late summer but despite requests for clarity the timelines and formal consultation process remain obscure so this could become quite an urgent issue.

4. Cloudesley Square Cycle Hangar

Following objections by a number of residents, the Council’s proposal to install a Cycle Hangar in Cloudesley Square appears to have been dropped

5. Liverpool Road Pedestrian Crossing

A number of residents also complained to the Council about the new pedestrian crossing / cycle lanes on Liverpool Road opposite the Pig and Butcher, primarily on the grounds that it was a waste of taxpayers’ money and on the absence of any consultation. However the works are now completed and there appear to be no major adverse impacts on the Cloudesley Estate.

6. Churchyard Garden

If you’ve not already seen them, the bluebells in the churchyard are particularly attractive this year. Here below is a photo Jenny took or you can see more in the Gallery on the website, here: https://cloudesleyassociation.org/gallery#bluebells. We’re now waiting with keen anticipation to see what wildflowers will appear!

Jenny 1

7. Kings X

Coronation Weekend Colouring Workshops: For 3 days, 6-8 May, join Samme Snow for colouring sessions in Coal Drops Yard. Sessions will be running from 10am to 5pm each day and are suitable for families and children of all ages. If your children are over the age of 6, please reserve a ticket here: https://www.kingscross.co.uk/event/colouring-workshop . All art supplies are provided.

Independent Label Market: On 20 May, the Independent Label Market comes back to Kings Cross. The best Indie labels in town will be selling their finest releases including vinyl rarities and test pressings as well as extended back catalogues, signed merchandise and advance copies. Plus, setting up alongside Independent Label Market, London Brewers’ Market brings you London’s best brewers and The Craft Makers Corner makes its return for the Spring edition. Entry is FREE!

The Camden Clean Air Cycle: On 20 May, between 9.30am and 4pm, with staggered departures from 9.30am until 11.30am, the Camden Clean Air Cycle Ride is a friendly, non-competitive bike ride for the whole community to take part in, regardless of fitness level, to celebrate cycling, cleaner air and the communities of Camden. The ride will begin and end in Granary Square. Book tickets at: https://camdencleanair.org/the-camden-clean-air-cycle-ride/

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us know.

Amanda and Nick
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.cloudesleyassociation.org

Attachments:
1. Flyer: King’s Coronation Street Party.
2. Flyer: Stroll with the Artist – Anne Howeson.

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Cloudesley Association - February 2023 Update

Following on from our recent Association meeting, Islington Council have announced the next phase of their "Liveable Barnsbury" engagement and design process. You can read all about it here: https://www.islington.gov.uk/roads/people-friendly-streets/liveable-neighbourhoods/barnsbury-laycock

The Council website describes four things you should do:

Join an "online consultation" on February 22
Attend a "workshop" at the Town Hall on March 7
Leave a comment on an "interactive map" (by April 9)
Email the Council directly: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You may find 1. and 2. are already booked up. If so, keep trying, more slots may come available. Whatever your views on LTNs, this is a great opportunity to have your say!

Amanda and Nick
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.cloudesleyassociation.org

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Cloudesley Association – November 2022 Update

1. Christmas Carols in Lonsdale Square

The annual tradition of singing Christmas carols on the four corners of Lonsdale Square will take place this year on Tuesday 20^th December at 7pm, starting as usual in the NE corner of the square. For anyone not familiar with the event, participants sing 2-3 carols in each corner of the square, and raise some money for charity. All residents are warmly invited so please do go along if you are free.

2. Islington Traffic Plans

Islington Council are proposing a new Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) development in Barnsbury. As you may be aware, a consultation event was hosted in the Library in Thornhill Square last week, but the event was attended by too many people for the Library to accommodate, much to the annoyance of those left. The meeting was eventually abandoned, to be rescheduled. You can view a video of these extraordinary events here: https://rumble.com/v1w1lfa-november-20-2022.html

Many residents were unaware of the event as it didn’t seem to be particularly well advertised, so we have written to Rowena Champion to ask her to let us know when the rescheduled event will take place and we will let you know as soon as we can.

A few of us did manage to get into the meeting, where the Council gave a presentation which you can find by going to the Council website at https://www.islington.gov.uk/roads/people-friendly-streets/liveable-neighbourhoods and clicking on the link at the bottom of the page under “Useful Documents”. The presentation does not seem to give any concrete details of what the Council is planning, beyond a vague proposition to make Barnsbury more “Liveable”. We understand that a Freedom of Information request is being lodged with the Council to ask for details regarding the sources of the statistics given in that presentation.

3. Cloudesley Association Meeting – A Date for your Diaries – Tuesday 24 January 2023

We are intending to hold our next residents meeting in January. We will confirm the agenda and any special guests, as well as the exact date, time and location as soon as possible, but we are hoping that the Drapers may be able to accommodate us as usual. We will also be putting some money behind the bar so that anyone joining us can enjoy the meeting with a free drink in hand!

4. Cloudesley Square Cycle Rack – Consultation

Residents of Cloudesley Square have been leafleted by the Council with a proposal to instal a “bike hangar” outside No. 17. The leaflet included instructions on how to object to this proposal, with a deadline of October 28, which has now passed. Several residents are known to have objected on a variety of grounds. We now await the Council’s response.

5. Victoria Line - Tube Noise between Highbury & Islington and Kings X

Neil Smith has kindly provided us with the following update:

Since our last update we had our 6 monthly meeting with TfL and our GLA Member Sem Moema on the 28th of September, grinding has been carried out and the GLA Environment Committee invited me to contribute to a discussion on noise pollution in London.

TfL carried out the 6 monthly grinding of the rails north and southbound between the 31st of October and the 7th of November. However, they did not grind the whole of the north and southbound tracks; only those areas they considered to be problematic using measurements at the track level, not in homes.

This approach is very worrying because it takes no account of the progressive increase of noise following any grinding and suffers from using only track level noise and not in-home noise and that correlation is not exact. TfL are now carrying out in-home measurements.

Once the measurement information is available a meeting will be arranged to discuss it and next steps.

If you wish:

- to contact the GLA Environment Committee then its chair is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

- to have measurements taken in your home then you should contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

In any event feel free to contact me, Neil Smith: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

6. Thornhill Gardens

Despite the season, Thornhill Road Gardens is looking very attractive as you can see from this photo of the war memorial, majestically decorated for Remembrance Day. Thanks to Ceri Owen who was responsible for most of the planting.

The central Georgian fountain project plan moves forward, albeit slowly. A reminder that volunteers are welcomed on the last Saturday of the month 10am to 2pm – you get a cup of tea and a toasted cheese sandwich for your efforts!

War Memorial

7. Kings X and Islington Square

A few highlights:

Tattoo Artists Against Homelessness – this is a free exhibition curated by Sacred Gold and renowned artist Joao Bosco showcasing some of the finest tattoo art from around the world. The exhibition takes place at Unit 76 Viaduct/Upper Level in Coal Drops Yard and will culminate in an online auction to raise funds for LandAid, the property industry charity with a mission to end youth homelessness.

Christmas in Kings Cross – events in Kings Cross are taking place from now until 2 January 2023, including towering decorations, curling, and an Alpine Bar.

Christmas Boulevard Market – this will take place every Saturday and Sunday at The Boulevard at Islington Square from this weekend until 24 December 2022.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us know.

Amanda and Nick

On behalf of

The Cloudesley Association

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www.cloudesleyassociation.org

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Cloudesley Association – September 2022 Update

1. Invitation – Drinks in the Crown

We would like to invite all residents to join us for drinks:

Location: THE CROWN PUB
Date: Wednesday 14th September
Time: 6.30 - 8pm.

Please come and join us for a relaxed and informal early evening drink with neighbours. The deal is as follows: we’ll provide £500 from our filming funds for wine, nibbles and a limited tab behind the bar. Everyone gets their first drink for free but after that, or when the tab runs out, you pay yourself! There have been a lot of new residents joining the Association recently (there’s now about 150 of us) so this is a great opportunity for everyone to get to know each other.

2. Victoria Line – Tube Noise Update

Neil Smith has kindly shared the following update with us:

The Victoria Line, north and south bound, between Highbury & Islington and Kings Cross has been designated a "hot spot" by TfL, most recently in a note to the GLA from Andy Lord, Chief Operating Officer of TfL, dated 12th August. The last rail grinding operation took place in May. It was generally effective, however, there are always specific locations which have continuing problems and these will be raised with TfL and the GLA. Grinding operations are now programmed every 6 months to control and minimise the level of noise and vibrations in our homes while awaiting the identified long term solution, Deep Tube Reconditioning. Each grinding operation is followed by a meeting with representatives of the GLA and TfL to review efficacy and ongoing or ad hoc problems in homes. The next meeting will take place (online) on the 28th of September. Our GLA Member, Sem Moema, arranges these meetings with the Deputy Mayor responsible for TfL, Seb Dance and his team. Sem replaced Jennette Arnold last year and Seb replaced Heidi Alexander. Four residents, including me, will participate in the meeting as will our councillor Rowena Champion and a representative of our MP Emily Thornberry, Frances Simmons. If you or your neighbours have Victoria Line noise problems in your home please contact me: Neil Smith, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. I live in Cloudesley Street.

3. Trees in the Churchyard

We understand that some of you have concerns over the size of the trees around the church in Cloudesley Square. The Diocese agree that some pruning and crown reduction is required but the Council have resisted since the trees are subject to a preservation order. We’ve appealed to Rowena Champion to ask for the rules to be relaxed – she has agreed to talk with the tree office and the Diocese in an attempt to come to a satisfactory resolution. If any of you have strong views on this subject please let us know.

4. Church

We emailed Rosie Fraser at the Diocese to ask for an update on the survey which you may have responded to earlier this year and this was her reply:

“Hi. We put out the community survey to support our application to the Lottery for a major capital grant. This was submitted in May 2022 with a decision due early September 2022. We are therefore awaiting a response in the next week or so. I can’t say much more than that at present but we will obviously be making an announcement if we secure lottery funding and developing a plan B if we don’t. Sorry not to have more to report but hopefully we will very soon!”

Watch this space!

5. Thornhill Road Gardens

Volunteers continue to meet on the last Saturday of the month 10am to 2pm. For their work, volunteers get a rewarding cup of tea and a toasted cheese sandwich from Jacky. Brendan and Jenny have worked hard to erect a new fence around the top lawn (see below), which continues to be enjoyed by families with young children. There are other developments too, so come and have a look.

2020.6.1 Lawn much admired 002

Much enjoyed Tai Chi lessons every Thursday 8-9am have been led by Patrick Hunter who trained with a Master from the Chinese State Circus in the Opera style – ie very graceful by him and less so by us! Sadly his last lesson is in September.

The plans for a working Georgian fountain in the central area are progressing, so hopefully it will be in place by next Summer as a water feature. This has been a lengthy process as the Council have never faced the situation of taking on the long term responsibility for a voluntarily funded significant structure. More funds are needed; please contact Dirk for bank transfer details.

6. The Bridge, ILS School – Puppet Show

Last term the Association was able to sponsor a puppet show for the children at the Integrated Learning Space, thanks to some of the money that we received from recent filming in Cloudesley Square. We wanted to share this with you.

7. Kings X

A few highlights:

• The Drops Market 2-4 September – come and discover emerging designers and cult brands at this monthly market in Coal Drops Yard. For more information see https://www.kingscross.co.uk/event/the-drops-market-coal-drops-yard

• London Podcast Festival 8-19 September – the seventh annual podcast festival is taking place at Kings Place, celebrating the best in UK and International podcasting talent – to book tickets go to https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/london-podcast-festival/

• London Design Festival 17-25 September – this is the 20th anniversary edition of this festival celebrating London as a design capital – this year Kings Cross is a dedicated design district. For more details see https://www.kingscross.co.uk/event/london-design-festival

Amanda and Nick
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association
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www.cloudesleyassociation.org

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Cloudesley Association – May 2022 Update

1. Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs)

As agreed at our last meeting we have written to our local councillor, Rowena Champion, setting out the concerns raised at the meeting about LTNs, particularly regarding Liverpool Road. Rowena’s response (including our email) is attached. Several points are worth noting:

Although the Council seems resolute in its overall LTN policy, they are happy to work with local residents on monitoring and if necessary making changes. Members who want such changes, particularly with respect to Liverpool Road beyond those referred to in Rowena’s email, should therefore engage with the Council directly, as agreed at our last meeting.
The Council has committed to reinstating the benches in Cloudesley Road, as requested by Warwick Gould at our last meeting. Warwick will engage directly with the Council specifically on this issue. Any members with strong views on the matter should contact Warwick at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
As a separate issue, the Council is launching a “Greening Islington” initiative and will be inviting local groups to work with it in this regard. The streets of the Cloudesley Estate are already blessed with a large number of attractive trees but if any members have ideas for further improvements please let us know.
The Council is committed to consulting with residents, including the Cloudesley Association, on any further LTN-related changes in Barnsbury which may have an effect on the Cloudesley Estate. The Association and its members therefore need to remain fully engaged in this respect.

2. The Church

As reported on our website, the London Diocese have asked us to circulate the following online survey on how the Church might be used by the community when it is opened up as the Cloudesley Centre:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CloudesleyCentre2022

This is an important subject for most of us in the Cloudesley Association so we urge you to fill in the survey. We don't have any other contextual information at this stage such as when or if this is going to happen or how it fits in with other plans for the church, but the preamble to the survey gives a rough idea of what the Diocese have in mind.

Recently, the Diocese have contacted us again with a “final call” to fill in the survey before the consultation period ends, so for those who have not already done so, please make your views known now!

3. Barnard Park

Friends of Barnard Park have been in touch to advise us of two events:

There will be another “Pop-Up” party on Saturday, June 11^th, 11.00am to 3.00pm. This has been a very popular event in the past so do go along, or if you can, volunteer to help. The party flyer is attached.
The Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 12^th at 7.30pm via Zoom. If you’d like to attend please email the Friends at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The new masterplan for Barnards Park has received planning permission and the project manager will be describing next steps, so it should be very interesting!

For further details, please see the website at https://www.barnardpark.org/events.html .

4. National Garden Scheme – 12 Cloudesley Square

Rachel and Adam Bower invite you to visit their garden at 12 Cloudesley Square from 2.00pm to 5.30pm on Saturday 14^th May, as part of the National Garden Scheme. This is a charity event – adults £4, children free.

5. Kings Cross

The Live Art Car Boot Fair is taking place in Lewis Cubitt Square on 14th May. Tickets can be purchased online.
Jubilee Weekend Colouring Workshops from 3-5 June (10am-6pm) with artist and illustrator Samme Snow in Coal Drops Yard. Sessions will be 30 mins long – it is worth reserving a free ticket to avoid disappointment.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us know.

Amanda and Nick

On behalf of

The Cloudesley Association

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www.cloudesleyassociation.org

Attachment: Email from Rowena re LTNs

From: Champion, Rowena <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;
Sent: 29 April 2022 14:16
To: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.' <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;
Cc: Russell, Amanda <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;
Subject: Cloudesley Association - LTNs

Dear Amanda and Nick,

I am sorry for the delay in responding.

I do appreciate that the LTNs remain a lively discussion topic, and that people do raise real issues. We are continuing to listen to people’s concerns and have made some changes in response.

In relation to the specific points you raise about the Liverpool Road cycle route, which connects to the permanent section of cycleway 38 across the Holloway Road, safety concerns were very much part of the decision. To some extent the nature of the route, which was put in as part of the easing of lockdown, and following the statutory guidance issued on 9^th May 2020, means that it is likely that it can be improved.

This means it is even more incumbent on us to monitor the way it works and make changes. We did make some during the trial, including additional road markings and increasing visibility at some of the side street junctions, but we have announced that we will be making others. This includes replacing the two pedestrian refuges by Richmond Avenue and the Pig and Butcher, which I understand should be completed in the next two or three months.

In relation to the signage, I agree that unnecessary signage should be removed and officers are looking at this. We must, however, make sure that there is clear signage, particularly initially when there is a change of layout as we want to do what we can to make sure people are not caught out. We are installing planters at the filters to help emphasise the new road layout which should help to make the locations greener and more attractive as well.

In relation the benches, I understand at least one was removed after complaints of anti-social behaviour during the early stages of lockdown in 2020. I have discussed this with officers and they are happy to work with residents to install some benches.

Alternatively, the replacement of benches could be part of the new initiative we have to increase the amount of greenery in Islington, both to make the streets more attractive but also to make them more resilient to the impact of climate change. Islington is one of the six most vulnerable boroughs to climate change and is likely to experience more flooding and heat events in the future. Building on the amazing success of our Friends of Parks (such as Barnard Park, Thornhill Road Gardens and Lonsdale Square) and gardening groups we are giving local people and community groups the opportunity to work with the council to bring in more greening, including in the streets and forgotten corners. This could incorporate the benches into some greenery.

I can assure you that any further LTNs will be done with the engagement of local people including residents associations, and also with other measures to improve accessibility such as pavement works and greening. The changes were brought in in the way they were because of Covid and we would never have done it in that way otherwise.

I hope all is well.

Regards

Rowena

Councillor Rowena Champion

Executive Member for Environment & Transport

London Borough of Islington

Labour Councillor for Barnsbury Ward

Town Hall

Upper Street

London, N1 2UD

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PA (Amanda): 020 7527 3051; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

From: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Sent: 08 March 2022 19:10
To: Champion, Rowena <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Cc: Cloudesley Association <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Subject: Cloudesley Association - LTNs

Dear Rowena

We hope you are well.

Last month we held our first Association meeting for a year. It was a very well attended meeting, which was excellent. “Low Traffic Neighbourhoods” was on the agenda and you won’t be surprised to learn that the topic raised quite a lively discussion. See below the relevant extract from our minutes. We are afraid most attendees at the meeting remain resolutely opposed to the LTN programme. In particular, residents are disappointed that none of the objections to the new Liverpool Road layout, which we documented extensively in the minutes to the previous meeting (which you attended) appear to have been addressed.

“At our last meeting just over a year ago, our local councillor Rowena Champion explained Islington’s “Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) / People Friendly Streets” programme. This topic was keenly debated by attendees at that meeting. In particular the new layout of Liverpool Road (also known as “Cycleway 38”) drew significant criticism and the manner of its introduction, with little to no consultation, was almost universally disliked. The minutes of that meeting documented residents’ objections in some detail. At the time, Rowena replied saying these objections would be taken into account and that the scheme was experimental and would be reviewed after 12 months.

One year later it seems that the consultation on Liverpool Road has closed and the review has concluded that the new layout should remain in place. Whilst a cycle lane separated from moving traffic has been welcomed by some cyclists, none of the objections raised by residents regarding safety of both pedestrians and cyclists (who may not be seen by cars turning at road junctions) appear to have been addressed, which was widely considered frustrating by residents. It was agreed that the Association should contact Rowena to gain a better understanding of what has been done to address safety concerns (if anything), what safety data has been considered in the consultation process and why residents’ concerns have been seemingly ignored and/or residents have not been given a suitable explanation as to why the current arrangements are deemed safe. We should also ask for clarification on plans for further Islington LTNs. It seems that a new “St Mary’s” LTN has been implemented (Cross St has been closed to through traffic) but this extends westwards only to Upper St and it is not clear whether yet more LTNs are planned for other parts of Barnsbury immediately surrounding the Cloudesley Estate.

Following the lively discussion which ensued it was reiterated that the Association may, in some circumstances, be prepared to provide feedback on consultation programmes on behalf of residents. However, it would only do so following (a) a request from the Association to its members for views/feedback on matters which have a direct and significant impact on us or our vicinity, and (b) receipt of instructions/views/feedback from members by the deadline set out in the request. Any such consultation response from the Association would make clear the views (either way) of those members and the number of members that had responded to our request.

Members were reminded that often the number of responses received on consultations is one of the most important factors taken into consideration and consequently we would recommend that members always make their views known on an individual basis in any event (via the many forums which now exist or via the ballot box!).

The following separate but related complaints were received from residents via email prior to the meeting:

Too much signage and “street furniture”, much of it related to LTNs
Removal of the island from the pedestrian crossing on Liverpool road is dangerous (one particular objection amongst many relating to Liverpool Road)
Benches removed from Cloudesley Road should be reinstated

We would be ever so grateful if you could provide us with your feedback so that we can pass this on to residents – in particular, can we expect any of our/their objections to be addressed in the future or should we assume that the present unsatisfactory layout will stay in place? We are also concerned by rumours that further LTNs which may directly affect Cloudesley Association residents are being planned for areas of Barnsbury above and beyond the recently implemented St Mary’s LTN. Please would you clarify the position here and can you assure us that, if this is the case, the consultation and review process will be more extensive and transparent than was the case for either Liverpool Road or St Mary’s?

With kind regards,

Amanda and Nick

The Cloudesley Association

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Web: www.cloudesleyassociation.org

Attachment: Flyer for Barnard Park Pop-Up Summer Party

Barnard Park Flyer

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Cloudesley Association – January 2022 Update

1. Cloudesley Association Meeting – Monday 7th February 2022

We can now confirm that happily, we will be hosting our long-awaited residents association meeting on Monday 7th February, 6.30pm-7.30/7.45pm upstairs at the Drapers, as usual. There is likely to be a little less formality and a bit more time for general discussion at this event. We are also delighted to report that the drinks will be on us! We will circulate an agenda before the meeting, but please do pencil this into your diaries and come along on the night.

2. Filming

The Islington Film Office have been in touch. There is a large TV production for Apple TV that is very much hoping to film at The Crown Pub on Cloudesley Square on the 24th February 2022.

We understand that they plan to film during regular working hours between 8am and 6pm inside the pub although they are firming up their schedule at the moment. They would also have a presence in the area on the 23rd February with a vastly reduced cast and crew.

The scenes themselves are due to take place almost entirely inside the pub although due to the large numbers of cast/crew, there would be some presence outside. They are applying for a pedestrian reroute on Cloudesley Square opposite The Crown Pub and to have some 'stop-go' traffic management throughout the day on this section of road. Resident access would be fully maintained throughout and it is mainly for when filming is actively taking place.

They would also completely avoid this pedestrian reroute and traffic management during school drop-off and pick-up times and are talking to the neighbouring schools directly.

They are also applying for a number of parking suspensions but we understand that they are looking at minimising the impact of this as much as possible. We will let you know more about this once we get further information, which should be some time this later this week.

3. Thornhill Gardens

Thornhill Gardens are in great shape and have been used for children’s parties and wedding events in recent months. For more information see the new website at www.thornhillgardens.org. Dirk has asked us to remind everyone that there is regular volunteer gardening on the fourth Saturday of each month.

4. Kings X and Islington Square

A few highlights:

Club Curling continues until 27 February in Coal Drops Yard (12-8pm daily) – curl the night away with teams of 4 players across 6 synthetic ice rinks. Sessions are 45 mins. Tickets are £5 and children under 12 can play for free. Booking is now open for slots. Limited walk ups are available. Pre book here to avoid disappointment. https://clubcurling.smartbookings.net/BookEvent
Serpentine Studios X Coal Drops Yard Part 2 continues until 28 February - on Lower Stable Street – in 2021, Serpentine worked with POCC Creative Agency and specialist youth engagement agency BREAK COMMS to bring together a group of young artists, writers, photographers and technologists – under the mentorship of Serpentine and the agencies, the young artists met with exhibiting artists and the wider Serpentine team to create original content that responds to Serpentines programmes – Part 2 offers a new collection of original artistic responses to the exhibition “Herve Telemaque: A Hopscotch of the Mind”: https://www.kingscross.co.uk/event/serpentine-studios-x-coal-drops-yard
Yoga with Charlie at Omnom in Islington Square every Monday, 6.30-8.30pm. For more information and booking see http://omnom.com/yoga-booking

Amanda and Nick
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association
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Cloudesley Association – November 2021 Update

1. Holy Trinity Church

Repair work on the church has finished for the time being and the Diocese has said that future plans are “fluid”. The Diocese kindly hosted a drinks party on the 27th for residents to admire the splendid new nave ceiling (see photo attached) but we learned nothing new about possible plans to open the interior as a community centre or to improve the gardens. Hopefully we will be able to provide more of an update soon. In the meantime Nick has been working unofficially in the South West garden, weeding and sowing more wildflower seeds which may or may not be made glorious next summer!

Several neighbours reported that there were rough sleepers in the South porch for a number of nights. This coincided with a period when there were no guardians at the church. Thankfully a new guardian called Simon Thompson is now in residence. He had a word with the rough sleepers and they appear to have gone, hopefully for good. Many thanks Simon!

2. Islington Traffic Plans

We have contacted Islington Council to ask for news about Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) developments, in particular:

When will the 12 month consultation on Liverpool Road take place (presumably it’s due by now) and how should we participate?
Have you any plans for new LTN measures in our Barnsbury area?

The Council replied as follows – concerned residents please note (“Cycleway 38” refers to Liverpool Road):

The planned public consultation on Cycleway 38 between Holloway Road and Penton Street is due to take place in the coming weeks, and will include the publication of a monitoring report from the trial period. We will be asking local residents, businesses, visitors and cycleway users to complete an online questionnaire. This will be publicised via the council’s online channels, social media, and a leaflet drop to addresses along and near to the cycleway.

In addition, the council will be commencing a series of public engagement activities in the coming months for proposals regarding area-wide future traffic reduction measures in the wider Barnsbury and St. Mary’s area.

3. Cloudesley Association Meeting – A Date (or Dates) for your Diaries

After the long delay imposed by COVID-19, we are thinking of having the next physical meeting of the Association in the first week of February next year (most likely Monday 7th February or Tuesday 8th February 2022 at 6.30pm), probably upstairs at the Drapers as usual. Please let us know if you have any ideas for agenda items or invited guests. We will confirm the exact date, time and location as soon as possible.

4. Victoria Line - Tube Noise between Highbury & Islington and Kings X

Rail grinding is due to be carried out on this stretch of the line between 11 October and 17 November, subject to any changes as a result of operational requirements.

5. Thornhill Gardens

A couple of photos are attached which show some of the amazing work that has gone into making Thornhill Gardens one of the most well-tended and loved local gardens in Islington!

The Gardens now have their own website, with many more photos, which you can find at: www.thornhillgardens.org

6. The Bridge School

There are openings for governors at the Bridge Integrated Learning Space. If you are potentially interested in joining the governors team, please contact Matt Lake by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).

7. Kings X and Islington Square

A few highlights:

Outwitting Cancer Exhibition 25 Sept -15 July at the Crick – there is plenty of time to see this new exhibition at the Crick - https://www.kingscross.co.uk/event/outwitting-cancer-exhibition
England Your England 8 Sept – 14 Nov on Lower Stable Street – a photo exhibition celebrating English culture https://www.kingscross.co.uk/event/photo-exhibition-england-your-england

Amanda and Nick
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.cloudesleyassociation.org

Holy Trinity Church - New Nave Ceiling

Thornhill Bench Thornhill Gardens – the Bench Which Dirk Built

Thornhill Party Thornhill Gardens – Children’s Party on the Lawn

STOP PRESS!

Cloudesley Square neighbour Kate Glover, who is also an accomplished playwright, has written a new play called "Mayflower" about the pilgrim fathers, which will be on at various London churches later this month (sadly, not Holy Trinity - but maybe in the future?). Here are the details:

Mayflower Notice

The Mayflower Tour

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Update to News May 2021 - Hard Hats Tours of Holy Trinity Nave

Following on from our recent newsletter you will be pleased to know that the nave ceiling has now been made safe and the Diocese are arranging a limited number of organised tours of the nave and its ceiling, for both Cloudesley Association and Islington Society members.

Four tours will take place as follows:

Saturday 29^th May 9am and 12 noon

Saturday 5^th June 9am and 12 noon

Each tour will be limited to six people, and it is emphasised that it will involve some climbing of ladders and is therefore not suitable for those who don't have a head for heights or any physical disabilities. Attendees will need to wait at the north gate, sign in, and have their temperature taken and listen to a short safety briefing. Hard hats will be provided. Sensible shoes should be worn.

If you would like to join one of the tours, please send an email as soon as possible to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Places will be assigned on a first-come first-served basis, so we suggest that you provide second and subsequent preferences for the dates and times you favour, and we shall do our best to accommodate everyone.

Best wishes.

Amanda and Nick

The Cloudesley Association

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Cloudesley Association – March 2021 Update

The Cloudesley Centre - Notice of Zoom Meeting, Update and Blog

As you will have seen, the scaffolding has come down, but restoration work continues inside the Church with the repair of the nave ceiling.

Kevin Rogers from the Diocese, together with a couple of helpful residents, have been tidying up the churchyard. Whilst this is just a temporary job, because it will all be dug up again fairly soon for drainage and other infrastructure works (as you will see in the flyer referenced below/attached), it will nevertheless hopefully keep it looking as good as possible.

Many of you will have noticed the letter from the Diocese delivered through your letterboxes which invites those who wish to learn more about recent progress and to be consulted on the business plan for the church to a Zoom meeting next week.

Please see here if you have not. Details also below:

Date: Thursday, 11 March 2021

Time: 7pm

Zoom Details: Meeting ID: 999 7006 3658; Password: 264985

Please also see the latest post on our church restoration blog: https://cloudesleyassociation.org/about-the-area/holy-trinity-church/restoring-the-church

People Friendly Streets - Highbury West

We understand that a number of you have thoughts (positive and negative) and possible concerns about the People Friendly Streets / Low Traffic Neighbourhoods initiatives. Highbury West is the latest area that has been the subject of changes.

In a letter to an Association member who had objected to the initiatives, the Council has replied with the following advice:

“There is a dedicated feedback survey for Highbury West which you can complete here: https://survs.com/survey/458fgrskz5.

To ensure that local people have a say in how the measures are working and whether they should be made permanent Islington Council have chosen to install them as an 18-month trial using an Experimental Traffic Order (“ETO”).   

The experimental traffic order for Highbury West came into effect on 11 December 2020. The order will remain in place for 18 months, until 11 June 2022.  Crucially, the ETO process allows the Council to make changes to the scheme during the first 12 months so that they can take into account local people’s suggestions and their own monitoring.  You can submit suggestions for changes during the first six months of the scheme’s operation (see below). 

Consultation is a key part of the trial period, with a full public consultation taking place approximately 12 months into the 18-month trial to find out what residents think of the people-friendly measures.  This is unlike previous traffic schemes installed by Islington, because it will allow enough time for residents to have had a chance to experience the changes and for traffic patterns to have settled down. 

Full details of how to contribute to the consultation will be published ahead of time.  The consultation will be open for at least 21 days and open to anyone to respond.  Based on feedback and monitoring data, Islington Council will decide whether the measures will be changed, made permanent or removed at the end of the 18-month trial period.   

The Council installed this scheme using an Experimental Traffic Order (“ETO”), made under Sections 9 and 10 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Under this legislation, you can make a formal objection to this scheme within the first six months of the scheme’s operation (until 11 June 2021). 

Any formal objection must be in writing, must refer to the relevant area, and must state the grounds on which it is made. Objections should be sent to: 

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Post: Public Realm, 1 Cottage Road, London, N7 8TP.  Please note that that any formal objection that is submitted may become a public document and could be published. 

In addition to the objection period described above there will be a second opportunity to have your say during the full public consultation which will take place after 12 months to find out what you think of the measures.” 

3. Bank Account News

Thanks to Nick, the Association now has its very own bank account!

As many of you are aware, Apple TV/Little Island Productions had been planning to film in Cloudesley Square in early January. Sadly, the filming of the production did not go ahead as planned. However, the Association was generously offered £3,500 by way of thanks for helping to arrange and market resident briefings for the production. And we certainly didn’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth, so whilst we have not previously ever needed a bank account, we now have one.

We would like to use the money wisely for Cloudesley-community purposes. However, we do not propose to spend it all at once (and are certainly intending to retain some money to fund refreshments for future resident meetings!). Before any money is withdrawn from the account, we will let residents know what the purpose of the withdrawal will be and give an opportunity for residents to object. We would be very interested to hear from residents with ideas as to how they would like us to spend some of the money (very) locally.

4. Findings

Whilst we have all been observing lockdown rules, many of us have been enjoying walks in our local vicinity. One of our residents, Matilda, has kindly alerted us to one of our former residents, William Craghill, who is buried in Highgate Cemetery, having clearly loved living in the Cloudesley area so much that it was mentioned on his gravestone – see below.

Craghill Inscription

We’ve done some research on William and his family and published the results together with Matilda’s photos on our website, here: https://cloudesleyassociation.org/cloudesley-history/people/282-william-craghill-s-tomb-at-highgate-cemetary

Thanks to Matilda for reaching out to us and sharing this with us.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us know.

Amanda and Nick

On behalf of

The Cloudesley Association

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www.cloudesleyassociation.org

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Re: Cloudesley Association – Early December 2020 Update

1. Cloudesley Association Meeting - Monday 7 December 2020

Further to our November update, we are delighted that Rowena Champion has kindly agreed to join us for questions at our next residents meeting, which will be taking place via Zoom on:

Monday 7th December 2020
6.30-7.30pm (ish!)
Zoom meeting invite details:
https://zoom.us/j/9731671919
Meeting ID: 973 167 1919.

The meeting agenda will be as follows:

• Introductions - Amanda;
• Appointments - Amanda;
• Filming in Cloudesley Square - Amanda and Nick;
• Church Update - Nick;
• Q&A with special guest Rowena Champion.
• Close - Amanda.

Please feel free to send us any questions in advance - there will be an opportunity to ask questions in the meeting but we would like to manage this centrally if possible.

Please do also let us know if you have anything you would like to add to the agenda.

2. Filming of New TV Series

Some of you may have received the attached flyer already. For those who haven’t, the Cloudesley Association have been contacted by the Islington Film Office to inform us about the proposed filming of an exciting new TV series. This will involve filming in the South side of Cloudesley Square from Friday 8 January to Saturday 9 January 2021. Filming will be done in a COVID secure way, in line with current regulations and guidelines. A zoom meeting for residents to be given more information and to allow them the opportunity to ask questions will take place shortly and we will circulate meeting invite details when available.

3. Tales from the Crypt

Stop Press: We have just learnt that the "Tales from the Crypt" exhibition is reopening this weekend and next (11am-2pm) at the church. See "Breaking News" on our website for details.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us know.

As ever, if you know of any neighbour who is not on the Cloudesley Association email distribution list, please pass this e mail on and/or ask them to provide us with their contact details (to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) so that they can be kept in the loop.

Amanda and Nick
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.cloudesleyassociation.org

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Cloudesley Association – November 2020 Update

1. A DATE FOR YOUR DIARIES: Cloudesley Association Meeting - 7 December 2020

Further to our October update, we are delighted that Rowena Champion has kindly agreed to join us for questions at our next residents meeting, which will be taking place via Zoom on:

7 December 2020
6.30-7.30pm (ish!)
Zoom meeting invite details and the proposed agenda to be circulated nearer the time.

2. Friends of Barnard Park - Annual General Meeting

The Friends of Barnard Park will be holding its Annual General Meeting on next Thursday November 19 at 7:30pm. The meeting will also be held via Zoom.

Everyone is welcome. To attend the meeting, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. They will then send you an invitation with the AGM Zoom link.

There will be a slide show covering 10 years of community gardening in Barnard Park. Bhupesh Thapa, central parks manager, will also be on hand to answer questions about what happens day to day in the park.

3. Crime Update: Cloudesley Square - Burglary

Crime

Please see above a note from the police that was put through letterboxes of houses on Cloudesley Square. We think it is important that other streets in the area are aware of this. Please do be very careful about securing your windows and doors.

4. Tube Noise

We haven’t mentioned this in our updates for a while but there has been quite a lot going on of late.

Please see below a note from Tfl Customer Service which contains details of a meeting which was held on 22nd October, in which TfL made a commitment to grinding of the rails every 6 months as well as a "meeting" with Heidi Alexander every 6 months to monitor the situation:

***************
Ref: 14990972
12 November 2020

Dear Mr Smith

Please find below the notes from the meeting which you attended on 22 October with the Deputy Mayor and other elected representatives regarding the noise from the Victoria line:

Victoria line Tube noise meeting notes – 22 October 2020

Present:
Heidi Alexander – Deputy Mayor of London for Transport
Jennette Arnold OBE – London Assembly Member
Ed Baird – Greater London Authority
Cllr Rowena Champion - Islington Council
Robert Faux – Transport for London
Antoinette Kwegan – Greater London Authority
Daniel O’Sullivan – Islington Council
Caroline Russell – London Assembly Member
Frances Simmons – Emily Thornberry MP’s constituency office
Duncan Weir – Transport for London
2 local residents also attended call

Introduction
• HA thanked everyone for joining the call and outlined the context to the meeting. The meeting was a follow up to meetings held in July 2019, April 2020 and July 2020 to discuss Tube noise between Highbury & Islington and King's Cross St. Pancras stations.
Rail grinding
• DW confirmed that grinding in the area would take place between 3 to 18 November over eight separate shifts in area.
• Going forwards, DW noted that TfL had found capacity to grind twice per year on the Victoria line, and planned to continue grinding this area twice a year.
• DW explained that the number of passes carried out by the grinding machine is determined on requirement and is not something TfL can commit to in advance.
• TfL is in the process of modelling the effect more regular grinding will have on the lifespan of the rail.

Discussion
• Since the previous meeting, TfL had completed a number of works to address concerns raised by a local resident regarding the impulsive noise experienced at his property. This included intensive hand-grinding, checking the condition of all sleepers in the area and investigating the condition of the conductor rail and track fastenings. The impacted local resident had noticed an improvement but noted that he continued to experience high levels of noise and that levels had been increasing.
• TfL’s position on Deep Tube Reconditioning (DTR) remained unchanged. Covid-19 has significantly changed the environment in which TfL operates and there is currently no funding available for the DTR work in this area.
• Alternative engineering solutions were fully explored by TfL. Respacing the sleepers was found to have a similar labour cost as carrying out DTR work, as it involves breaking out the sleepers, which are set in concrete, breaking new holes, and then resetting the sleepers.
• As a result of London being moved into Tier 2, TfL temporarily suspended its residential noise monitoring programme. TfL’s automatic track measurement system continues to provide data on the condition of track which can help inform interventions.
• Given the need to operate as many services as possible to enable social distancing, any speed restrictions would be very difficult to introduce. Even in normal times, speed restrictions have significant logistical challenges.
• An improvement in communication and openness over recent months was noted. HA and TfL committed to continuing an open dialogue and keeping residents and representatives regularly updated.
• It was agreed to hold a follow up meeting in six months to update on any developments.

Kind regards
Derek Wilson
Customer Services
Transport for London Customer Services
*************************

Just a reminder that if you would like to be on the distribution list for the Victoria Line Noise group, led by Neil Smith (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Joseph Jebelli (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), or need some help/advice on this topic, please email Neil or Joseph directly. It is also important to contact TfL directly if you are impacted, as the more people who contact them, the more likely they are to act swiftly to reduce noise levels.

5. Holy Trinity Church (newly renamed the Cloudesley Centre)

You may already have noticed that the scaffolding has finally been taken down and the fine turrets at the west end of Holy Trinity have been revealed again in all their glory (with the smart new stainless steel wrapping that can hopefully be removed at a later stage in the restoration). Please read all about it in the Breaking News section of our website. www.cloudesleyassociation.org

6. Barons of Beef - Historical Info

If you are interested in the history of the Cloudesley Estate, you will love this story about a great family who had a big impact on the area.

https://www.cloudesleyassociation.org/cloudesley-history/people/269-barons-of-beef-the-dixon-dynasty

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Cloudesley Association – October 2020 Update

1. Changes and a Very Big Thank You

Our biggest news this month is that Florence has decided to leave her current job, do a 3 month furniture making course and then make an extremely exciting move (along with her lovely partner Tim) to live in the Lake District early next year. Sadly, this means Florence will also be leaving the role of secretary of the Cloudesley Association. We would like to thank Florence for the wonderful job she has done as secretary over the past few years, during some particularly interesting times including the rebuilding of the school, the change of occupancy and renovation work in the Church and more recently keeping up to date with the many changes taking place in the community throughout the pandemic - she has been a joy to work with and we will miss her enormously.

I am delighted to report that Nick Collin who kindly set up the Cloudesley Association website many years ago and has subsequently helped us on numerous Association projects, has kindly agreed to fill Florence’s shoes.

Whilst we would ordinarily appoint/vote in both the Chair and Secretary roles annually at a physical meeting, it looks unlikely that a physical meeting can take place any time soon. We will therefore be arranging a zoom meeting in the next couple of months in which appointments will be top of the agenda. Naturally, if anyone else would like to take on either of these roles, please do reach out to let us know you wish to be considered so that we can ensure you have sufficient time to speak at our next meeting.

2. Holy Trinity Church (newly renamed the Cloudesley Centre) - Zoom Meeting

You may all have received the attached letter through your letterboxes about the newly renamed Cloudesley Centre.

Kevin Rogers and Rosie Fraser will be giving a Zoom talk this Thursday, 29th October at 6pm to let residents know about the progress being made on the church and plans for the crypt. There will be opportunities for residents to ask questions. Zoom meeting details are set out below:

Zoom Meeting ID: 722 627 9564
Password: 041293

3. Highways Amendments

In our last update, we informed residents of the tool for commenting on ‘People Friendly Streets’ and since then various changes have taken place locally.

As many of you may have noticed, part of Thornhill Road and Lofting Road, alongside Thornhill Road Primary School, is ‘closed’ to vehicle traffic between the hours of 8:30-9:30am and 3-3:40pm. Please be aware as the only notifications are signs on a post right where the restriction applies and there are cameras in place. These restrictions are part of the ‘School Streets’ programme mentioned before (https://www.islington.gov.uk/environment-and-energy/pollution/air-quality/what-we-are-doing/school-streets). There are also restrictions on Matilda Street. For the full list of schools taking place, please visit Islington’s website.

If you believe you might be eligible for an exemption, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. They will ask for a picture of your V5 document along with the name of the school street you would like to be exempted from.

Please note that we have spoken to Rowena Champion who has confirmed that the restrictions do not operate during half terms and holidays.

Changes to the road layout have also taken place to create cycle lanes on Liverpool Road and elsewhere within the borough. These have been received with mixed reviews and should any resident like to raise any questions or make any comments, please e-mail us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will share these with our local councillor, Rowena Champion. (This applies only to people on our contact list). If there is sufficient interest we will ask Rowena if she would kindly join us for a virtual Q&A session.

4. Keeping up-to-date with COVID-19 Restrictions

As rules change, the best way to have the full breakdown of the local restrictions is to visit the government website, which will redirect you to the area of interest based on the postcode inserted. https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-local-restrictions?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae

Islington’s website also provides comprehensive information: https://www.islington.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/coronavirus-covid-19

5. COVID-19 Support and Donations

Should you wish to provide any help during this pandemic, you can for instance:

· become a Covid-19 Health Champion https://www.islington.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/coronavirus-covid-19/offer-hel,
· donate to Islington Giving Crisis Fund https://donorbox.org/islington-giving-crisis-fund or
· join the Islington COVID-19 Mutual Aid Facebook Page.

Local cultural institutions such as the Almeida Theatre are also seeking donation so if you have a favourite venue you are fortunate to be able to support, why not reaching out to them.

6. Kings Cross and Islington Square

There is loads going on in Kings Cross this month, from Oktoberfest, the Travel Photographer of the Year exhibition to London Cocktail week. Click on the link below to find out more:

https://www.kingscross.co.uk/whats-on

Islington Square is also hosting a “Winter Terrace” until 30 December which will include a host of safe, socially distanced events. You may all be aware of Boulevard Market which takes place on weekends but in the run up to Christmas, there will also be a Christmas Boulevard Market on Thursday evenings.

https://islingtonsquare.com/events/winter-terrace-at-islington-square/

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us know.

As ever, if you know of any neighbour who is not on the Cloudesley Association e mail distribution list, please pass this e mail on and/or ask them to provide me with their contact details (to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so that they can be kept in the loop.

Amanda, Florence and Nick
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

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website: www.cloudesleyassociation.org

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Cloudesley Association – September 2020 Update

1. People Friendly Streets / Low Traffic Neighbourhoods

The London Borough of Islington is seeking local residents' views on the concept of the ‘People Friendly Street’ so whatever your opinion, now is the opportunity to express it.

Islington Council have stated on their website that we all have experienced quieter streets during the height of lockdown and ‘if we don’t act now (…) traffic will be much heavier than before the coronavirus crisis’. Changes to neighbourhood streets are likely to affect everyone and some will be welcoming of the changes and others very much opposed so it is particularly important that your views are known (whichever way you may feel).

Some changes have already taken place, e.g. the widening of the pavements by the school on Thornhill Road, the various tube stations and a temporary cycle lane on Euston Road. On the other side of Islington many residential streets have already been temporarily closed to traffic for 6 months, although it is unclear whether these temporary changes will be reversed if residents object to them.

Further information can be found here:
https://www.islington.gov.uk/roads/people-friendly-streets
and you can add your ’thoughts, ideas and suggestions’ on an interactive map: https://islingtonpeoplefriendlystreets.commonplace.is

The Barnsbury and St Mary’s Neighbourhood Group has recently been formed to support the plans of Islington Council to introduce Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in the borough. They have a website that has a lot of information: https://barnsburystmarys2020.ghost.io

There are also weekly protests/marches on Thursdays outside the Town Hall for those who object greatly to the plans/current arrangements in other parts of Islington.

Some of you will recall there were discussions about cycle lanes before. One for York Way is planned according to https://www.islington.gov.uk/roads/cycling/improvements. This link will give you the list of a large number of cycle routes at various stage of implementation (implemented to those being aspirational).

We would warmly encourage everyone to record their thoughts on the interactive map referred to above!

2. Thornhill Square Gardens

Dirk Meerstadt has kindly provided us with the following update in relation to the ongoing work in Thornhill Square Gardens:

The Friends of Thornhill Gardens project was started a couple of years ago by Rowena Champion, Barnsbury Ward Councillor, and has made real progress over the past year.

The aim has been to establish a supportive community-building project to create an inclusive inner urban Garden meeting the needs of children and families, the elderly and dog owners. It has been a real pleasure to see how many more people are using the Gardens; early mornings people exercising and walking their dogs, day time children and their families coming to play and picnic on the child-friendly upper lawn which is now fenced off as well as running along the new Children’s Nature and Wildlife Trail, groups sitting on the central benches meeting and chatting to neighbours and elderly sitting on the benches round the outside enjoying the view over the best green lawn (in London!) during the hot weather watching the thrushes hopping along searching for worms. More birds (song thrushes, blackbirds, starlings, robins, ring necked pigeons and parakeets, and occasionally a greater spotted woodpecker) and wildlife are now seen in the Gardens.

The volunteers have worked throughout the lockdown socially distancing. It has been enormously satisfying work seeing all the developments ... and getting so much positive feedback (and donations!) from the users of the Gardens.

Recent achievements have been...
1. Clearing the peripheral shrubs to create a view of the War memorial
2. Fencing off of the top lawn and 4 flower beds
3. Deep forking the grass, spreading 4 tons of sharp sand, fertilising and irrigating it to create a proper green lawn
4. Spreading 2 tons of sharp sand 4 tons of compost on the 4 flower beds now with beautiful roses
5. Digging out 120 yards of shallow trench, wood lining it and filling it with wood chips to create the Childrens Nature and Wildlife Trail with ferns
6. Building a pyramid of wood logs filled with earth and planted with ferns to create a fernery... much admired!
7. Building 2 wood structures for worms, slugs and insects for children to explore along the Trail
8. Erecting a donated wooden garden shed next to the Gardeners brick house with its small kitchen a toilet and large metal back store
9. Purchase of a powerful shredder to cope with all the cuttings to make compost and mulch
10. Fencing off of a corner area to create a WildFlower Meadow area
11. Digging out the 3 lower lawn flower beds and adding large amounts of compost with the planting some pear tees (beautiful flowering in Spring) and various shrubs
12. Planting 6 New Zealand Flax in a circle in the centre of the lower lawn which is being restored by Brendan.

In all we, mostly oldies, have shifted some 25 tons of earth, sand and compost since February 2020... it has been exhilarating work.

We want to restart the last Sunday of the month volunteer gardening 10 am to 2pm followed by a picnic on the lawn. Usually about 15 turn up... youngest 3 and oldest 91! . It has been a joy seeing locals really getting to know neighbours, often chatting to them for the first time. Do come and join us!

Many thanks Rowena for starting this wonderful community building project.

To celebrate this amazing space and the achievements above, Nick Collin has kindly added a screenshow – “Thornhill Gardens Gallery” – at the bottom of the Thornhill Gardens page on our website, here: https://www.cloudesleyassociation.org/about-the-area/places/thornhill-gardens You can also access it via a sub-sub-menu item under “The Area”.

3. Holy Trinity Church

Kevin Rogers from the Diocese hopes to be able to give a full community update on progress that has been made to the Church at some point in October. In the meantime he has confirmed that work to the south aisle and vestry roofs are now almost complete and we will be moving over to the north side of the building in the coming weeks.

With the south aisle complete, they will initially use this space to house the exhibition planned for the library which would have opened in March.

Kevin has also let us know that the design work on the ‘bone library’ (which was mentioned at the October 2018 public meeting) is moving forwards. The initial phase of investigation and design work is virtually complete. They have submitted a pre Planning Advice application about 3 weeks ago and are awaiting contact from the Planning Department. In terms of use, the Diocese anticipate about 6 to 10 scholars will use this facility every year. The impact, in terms of traffic, will be very low.

As the repair works progress, the Diocese are looking at an option to renew the wrapping on the turrets for a further 3 years. If they can afford this work, it should be possible to strike much of the scaffolding on the west front – a major visual improvement to the square - apparently they should know where they are on this in about 5 to 8 weeks.

In addition, the Diocese have been invited to apply for a major grant which would complete the majority of the external repairs. The major challenge will be to find between £500k and £800k of match funding. If any of the residents are linked with firms that have a philanthropic arm please do let us know and we can forward details to Kevin.

Please see attached a flyer for details on:

- Free exhibition on ’Tales from the Crypt’ at The Cloudesley Centre (Saturday mornings between 26th Sept and 28th Nov 2020)

- Guided Walking Tours weekend and lunch time walks between the 26th September and the 14th November.

- Evening Talks using the Zoom platform, and

- Legacy Zoom Workshops.

4. Website Revamp

Our website, www.cloudesleyassociation.org , has been revamped and we would encourage you to check out our “Breaking News” items – in particular the new blog on the progress of the church restoration. We very much value any feedback you might be prepared to give us via the “Comments” facility.

5. Islington Farmers’ Market and Canopy Market are open!

The farmers' market has returned on Sunday mornings to Chapel Market has been operating successfully for quite a few weeks now.

The market that used to be under the canopy opposite the large Waitrose by Granary Square has now relocated to Coal Drops Yard. While there, there is also a photography exhibition between the German Gym and Granary Square.

6. Nature Walks and Wellness Events at Kings Cross

A number of walks and walking events (including a drawing walk and a wild urban wander) are taking place at Kings Cross - for more details please click on the following link: https://www.kingscross.co.uk/event/wellness-walks.

7. Insights from the Past - A Gem!

And finally, we thought you would all be interested to see this wonderful and quite emotional video which gives a real insight into Islington living conditions in the 1950s. This post WW2 documentary about Milner Square (the hole in the wall being the same one we walk through to get to Almeida St today!) - men and women remembering life in the 1950s, during which period several generations of a family lived in the Square with loads of children in awful poverty and filth. They all knew each other and despite the incredibly difficult living conditions, were supportive of each other with abiding memories of 'happy times'! Please do take a look:

www.vimeo.com/138173028

Through the hole video

Through The Hole In The Wall on Vimeo
Through The Hole In The Wall Milner Square 1935-75. Produced and Narrated by Susan Oudot Directed by Chiara Messineo Edited by Dan Jobar. When Islington Council took over their slum tenements in the 1970s, Milner Square’s residents were dispersed to estates and New Towns.
www.vimeo.com

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us know.

As ever, if you know of any neighbour who is not on the Cloudesley Association e mail distribution list, please pass this e mail on and/or ask them to provide me with their contact details (to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) so that they can be kept in the loop.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.cloudesleyassociation.org

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Cloudesley Association – May 2020 Update

Hope you are all keeping well in these uncertain times and thank you to all our neighbours who are abiding by the government’s guidelines.

It has been about two months and most of us will have settle into a routine but below are a few tips that might help.

Islington support
Are you struggling to cope at the moment, or concerned about a friend or neighbour?
If you or someone you know needs support, then help is available.  Islington Council, voluntary sector and mutual aid groups are working together to provide support. This could include help with getting food or medicine, online group activities, legal advice or a friendly phone conversation.

You can contact  the organisations  directly or call the We are Islington helpline on 020 7527 8222 or minicom on 020 7527 1900. Lines are open every day from 9am to 5pm. For British Sign Language (BSL), use Signvideo. Lines are open Monday - Friday from 9am to 5pm, Saturday from 9am to 1pm, Sunday closed.

You can also email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
You can also get in touch with our local councillor, Rowenna Champion: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Looking after your well-being
These are uncertain times and we will all react differently. If you find you are struggling a bit, you are not alone and there are resources out there to help, so do reach out.
Try https://mentalhealth-uk.org/help-and-information/covid-19-and-your-mental-health/
The NHS has a page dedicated to mental health: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-at-home-tips/

Helping others
The Union Chapel has become a COVID-19 community emergency response hub for those most in need on North London. They are raising money through crowdfunding and have raised already £42,611 out of their £50,000 target! see https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/union-chapel-needs-you?dm_i=4UJH,C7EH,OSSWC,1D4WI,1 if you are able to support their cause.

There is also a charity collection of clothes, toiletries, food and books by Under OneSky https://www.underonesky.cc organised at the Margin Project at the Union Chapel. Drop off are Monday-Thursday 10-12m at the back entrance of the Chapel on Compton Avenue.

Although websites have been provided below, the instragram or facebook pages are usually more up-to-date. Best thing to do is to search for your favourite venue, artists etc. on facebook and instragram and you might be surprised and find out an artist is doing live performances for instance, or that restaurant you liked now does deliveries.

Fresh Food and Delectables
Rollo from the farmers market is delivering food to N1 on Sundays. These must be ordered on-line. If you are missing the lovely Isle of White tomatoes for instance, you can have this delivered straight to your door or, since last Sunday, picked-up from 15 Canonbury Lane between 10am and 4pm on Sundays only. This includes vegetable box, asparagus, eggs, butter, olives, coffee, fruits, flour with more produce added regularly. Have a look at https://www.nourishedcommunities.com. They will also send you a lovely newsletter with some community news.

Steve Hatt, the fishmonger on Essex Road does collection. You ring them on 020 7226 3963 the day before to place your order. When its ready they will call you, take payment over the phone and you go and collect to the shop without needing to queue. Their facebook page is more up-to-date than their website and you will not be limited to the fish listed on their website.

Still looking for flour? Middletons Delicatessen on Amwell Street has some lovely Wessex Mill bread flour. Although bit further out but still walkable or cyclable distance away: the Spence bakery in Stoke Newington and Tufnell Park sells flour and yeast. http://www.thespence.co.uk. These things change though so best check before setting off.

Meal delivery / collection
• Leon has developed a ‘feed britain’ programme: https://feedbritain.com/ for vegetable / salad box and ready meal including a vegan option.

• Cote Brasserie has developed ‘Cote at Home’: https://coteathome.co.uk, for something a bit fancier. And Salut! on Essex Road also does a three course meal delivery.

• More local, ’the Alpaca’ next to Steve Hatt on Essex Road operates as an off-license and makes chilled meal to make at home: https://www.thealpaca.co.uk

• Fancy a different cuisine: Delhi Grill on Chapel Market and Zaffrani on Cross Street do collections, and also delivery. Gallipoli has opened their windows to collections.

• A bit further afield but a nice walk away, The Scolt Head in De Beauvoir has set-up 'frozen glory' that also offers ready meals, as well as mini kegs of beers and ice creams. https://www.thescolthead.co.uk

• Or check the following article for more: https://www.hot-dinners.com/Features/Hot-Dinners-recommends/best-feed-delivery-takeaway-takeout-islington-highbury-holloway and keep an eye out as more ‘open' regularly.

Exercise
Everyone will know about PE with Joe that’s available on Youtube live at 9am Monday to Friday.

Online Pilates: Karmen Pirh does short videos to follow on YouTube including a 15 min. stress relief routine and a 15 min killer ab workout. Go onto Youtube and search for Karmen Pirh. There are loads more by many people and if you know of any to recommend, let us know and we can add this onto the website version afterwards.

Culture
Quite a few organisations have developed on-line programmes:

Check out BBC Culture in Quarantine: https://www.bbc.co.uk/arts there is loads on there including a ‘draw along’ every Wednesday with Pete McKee and a ‘Meet and Make’, dance, music, theatre, interviews and documentaries. Missing a bit of nature, they had a programme on sheep gathering in the lake district. There is really something for everyone.

The Royal Albert Hall has set up the ‘Royal Albert Home’ with performance streamed from artists’ home from across the world.

To bring a bit of Spring into our lives, especially for those without a garden or who might not be able to venture out: The Royal Botanical Garden in Edinburgh is posting videos of the garden: https://www.rbge.org.uk/visit/virtual-spring/virtual-spring/

Our Website
We update our website at www.cloudesleyassociation.org on a fairly regular basis with articles about the area, past and present. For example, check out this new article about the history of Barnsbury: https://www.cloudesleyassociation.org/cloudesley-history/places/251-how-barnsbury-was-built. And feel free to add comments - we’re always interested in learning more.

And finally, remember to be vigilant for fraudsters. The following website gives some tips: www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk

These are only a few of the many available resources. If you wish to share your favourite one, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will add it to the list.

As ever, if you know of any neighbour who is not on the Cloudesley Association e mail distribution list, please pass this e mail on and/or ask them to provide me with their contact details (to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) so that they can be kept in the loop.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association

(email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

(website: www.cloudesleyassociation.org)

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Cloudesley Association - March 2020 Update 2

Coronavirus local support

1. Please ensure you access information from official channels: www.nhs.uk and www.gov.uk, as well as the BBC will provide all the relevant information.

2. There is a local group that has been set-up to support residents: Caledonian and Barnsbury Covid 19 Mutual Aid Group. Leaflets have been dropped into people’s letterboxes and a copy of the leaflet has been posted on the Cloudesley Association website in the new Coronavirus section, here. If you need support or to self-isolate, do get in touch with them: phone numbers, a What’s App group and Facebook page details are provided on our Cloudesley Association website. Alternatively, get in touch with us by e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

3. Although such events brings communities together (and initiatives such as the one above is a good example), others are taking advantage so please be extra careful - Neighbourhood Watch has provided us with advice and details of scams to watch out for. This has been also posted on our website in the Coronavirus section.

Stay safe and follow the official advice provided by the government. If you have any concern, get in touch and we will do what we can to help.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association
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Cloudesley Association – March 2020 Update

1. The Bridge ILS School - Residential Block Update

Penny Barratt has written to us to let us know about a proposed change to the conditions of use for the residential block. The current condition states:

“13. CONDITION: The use of the ancillary residential accommodation hereby approved shall be used during school term time only and not during school holidays. The accommodation shall be used by pupils of the Bridge International Learning Space School and their carers only and shall not be used as self-contained C3 residential units.
REASON: To protect the approved use of the site and the amenities of the neighbouring residential occupiers.”

As many of you will already be aware the residential block is not going to be used for the purpose that it was originally intended. However, the ILS still want to provide a service to the Borough’s pupils and their families, so have agreed with social care and the SEN team to offer after school and holiday provision. At present, they already have use of the residential block for the after school provision, but they would like to use the residential block for holiday provision, which they are currently unable to do because of the above-mentioned condition. At Christmas, holiday provision was provided in the main school building instead, but this caused significant issues for one of the attendees/students as he associated the school building with school not holiday provision.

Penny wanted us to inform you that the ILS are requesting this condition be amended to “The accommodation shall not be used as self-contained C3 residential units” and for the other conditions to be removed.

She would like to hear from anyone who has any questions or objections etc. Please let us know if you would like Penny’s details.

2. Victoria Line Update

If you are affected by the Victoria line noise, you may want to join the local group that is specifically tackling this on-going issue. Dr Jospeh Jeballi has been putting leaflets through local letterboxes but please see attached in case you have not received it. Please also see attached some maps showing the actual location of the Victoria line train tracks in relation to local housing.

3. Holy Trinity Church Update

You will have seen the scaffolding rise on the south aisle of the church over the last few weeks. We understand that this work, funded by Historic England, is for emergency repairs to the South Aisle roof which was discovered to be at the point of collapse. Further work to the North Aisle roof and the West Turrets is expected to follow. The attached letter from the contractors, Fullers, has been circulated, estimating that the works will last for 18 weeks. We understand that a formal announcement will soon be released by the Diocese about this work and the larger renovation project for which funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund is being sought. We understand that the Diocese are also hoping to host a residents update meeting about the proposed renovation of the church at some point in mid to late April (date TBD).

As you may have seen in Islington News, the Islington Society is hosting a talk about Holy Trinity Church and the “Tales from the Crypt” local history research project on 25^th March at 7pm in Islington Town Hall. Details can be found in the flyer attached. Two further talks about the church will be hosted by the Islington Society on April 22^nd and May 13^th.

There will also be a “Tales from the Crypt” exhibition at the Islington Museum, 245 St John St, starting on Thursday 19^th March. Several Association members have worked as volunteers on this project.

4. Neighbourhood Watch

Our local neighbourhood watch scheme has been in touch. Please find attached the Neighbourhood Watch Members’ booklet and Cybercrime Handout, which you may find useful.

If you have any queries about the neighbourhood watch scheme or wish to be included in their distribution list, please contact them on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

5. Carol Singing in Lonsdale Square/St Mungos

A date for your diaries - this year’s carol singing in Lonsdale Square has been provisionally booked for 15 December. In the end close to £450 was raised for St Mungos at last year’s event and we wanted to pass on a message of thanks from Sylvia at St Mungos to those who attended the event and donated.

"Thank you for helping us to end homelessness and rebuild lives. Your £410.00 donation on the 18th December 2019 is truly appreciated.

Homelessness damages the lives of some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Thanks to our supporters, we will continue to welcome them into warmth and safety, provide much needed support for their mental and physical wellbeing and help them rebuild their lives.

Together, we can end homelessness and ensure that everyone has a place to call home and fulfil their hopes and ambitions.

Best wishes,
Sylvia"

Sylvia Kamara
Supporter Care Team
St Mungo's

6. Islington Clean Air

Some of you may be interested in a petition by Islington Clean Air Parents regarding an Ocado depot (with diesel pumps) that’s planned to open up next to a local school.

The link to the petition is: https://www.change.org/p/islington-council-stop-ocado-building-a-diesel-delivery-depot-next-to-our-school

7. Angel Central

We have asked Rowena Champion for an update as to the lack of progress on the N1 Centre/Angel Central but do not currently have an update. Rowena is kindly looking into this for us.

8. Kings Cross and Islington Square

· Play crazy gold in Coal Drops Yard until 29 March . Tickets are £5 each (kids under 12 go free). Head to Lower Stable Street to pick up your putter and ball.

· The Aga Khan Centre is home to a “Retreading and retracing textile techniques” exhibition until the 3rd May. Details can be found at https://www.agakhancentre.org.uk/

· Rubber stamp printmaking workshops are taking place on Thursday afternoons in March in Islington Square. Tickets can be bought here: https://islingtonsquare.com/events/

· The Humble Grape is inviting wine lovers to join them at their Wine masterclasses on Friday evenings in March at Islington Square. Tickets can be bought here: https://islingtonsquare.com/events/.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association
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News: Cloudesley Association news blogs - most recent first.

News April 2024 1

News April 2024 2

News November 2023 1

News September 2023 1

News May 2023 1

News February 2023 1

Cloudesley Association - February 2023 Update

News November 2022 1

Cloudesley Association – November 2022 Update

News September 2022 1

Cloudesley Association – September 2022 Update

News May 2022 1

Cloudesley Association – May 2022 Update

News January 2022 1

Cloudesley Association – January 2022 Update

News November 2021 1

Cloudesley Association – November 2021 Update

News May 2021 2

Update to News May 2021 - Hard Hats Tours of Holy Trinity Nave

News March 2021 1

Cloudesley Association – March 2021 Update

News December 2020 1

News November 2020 1

News October 2020 1

News September 2020 1

Cloudesley Association – September 2020 Update

News May 2020 1

Cloudesley Association – May 2020 Update

News March 2020 2

Cloudesley Association - March 2020 Update 2

Coronavirus local support

News March 2020 1

Cloudesley Association – March 2020 Update