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.
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
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
