Leabank Square

Happy Shortest Day of the Year!!

2011-12-22T12:54:00.000Z

Vandals Strike in Leabank Square

2011-11-04T18:52:00.003Z

There was very bad news today for all the kids who designed the Leabank Square Gardening Club noticeboard (http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2010/03/leabank-square-recycled-notice-board.html) when some vandals destroyed it.

Sometime in the afternoon they struck and destroyed the beautifully painted recycled noticeboard. Unfortunately no-one saw who did it - but a few of the younger Gardening Club members told me that they saw it fly-tipped in the domestic bin area.

To rub salt in their wounds - the vandals seem to make their destruction even crueler by throwing the destroyed noticeboard in our own refuse area!! Perhaps they are trying to make some kind of point?

Anyhow - once the spring comes along again we'll do an even better one for the garden.

Hummingbird Hawk Moth visits Leabank Square

2011-10-10T12:21:00.003+01:00

The Daily Mail - predictably calls it an immigrant - the rest of us marvel at this incredibly beautiful visitor to Leabank Square.

A couple of these Hummingbird Hawk Moths were sucking nectar from the Verbena in the Purple Garden on the riverbank this morning. Please do yourself a favour and go up to have a look. They are absolutely stunning!!

You can see why they are named after the Hummingbird - they hover above each tiny flower sucking as much nectar from them as possible. The long proboscis even resembles the Hummingbirds beak!

According to the Butterfly Conservation website (http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/Moth/440/Moth.html?MothId=100) they come over from North Africa - and sometimes hibernate here over the winter. Thanks to the kids in the Gardening Club - there are plenty of hidy-holes for them do that this winter - here's hoping!!

I'm not too sure how long they're going to hang about - so get up to the Purple Garden as soon as you can to check them out!!

New Olympic Shops Open!!

2011-09-13T15:58:00.002+01:00

There was great excitement today when the brand spanking new Olympic Chicken shack opened in Hackney Wick!!

For months now - every Hackney Wicker has been storing their pennies just for this very day. The extra security laid on was definitely needed to control the crowd as the doors finally opened - and what incredible treats awaited the patient!

Brand new chrome decorations and superbly finished interiors welcomed the throng. Say what you want about the products on sale - but no expense has been spared by the Olympic Chicken people. They really know how to spoil us.

Oh - and some other shops also opened around the corner in Stratford today as well.

Welcome to Leabank Square Iwona & Zibby

2011-08-17T10:58:00.006+01:00

A big and warm welcome to our newest neighbours Iwona and Zibby. Not only are they keen gardeners, but as you can see, they are also very keen kayakers! They love the Purple Garden here in Leabank Square and can’t believe how lucky they are to have the canal right on their doorstep!

We’d like to thank them both for choosing our community to make their new home and thank them for helping to spruce up their side of the riverbank.

BBCs Adrian Warner visits Leabank Square

2011-08-02T19:50:00.006+01:00

The Olympics today announced that Arena Fields is to change its name to East Wick after the Olympics.

This is another part of the grand plan to make locals feel very disconnected to the playing fields, orchards, nutteries & allotments that used to be here for us all to enjoy. 'Hey - ask the whole of the UK what we should call Arena Fields - without telling them anything about its past - and call it democracy'

Anyhow - the BBC's Adrian Warner paid a visit to Leabank Squares Purple Garden this evening to do his piece. Nice guy - even if his TV voice is a little dull - and he loves Leabank Square.

Thanks to all the kids who made his visit entertaining.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14364485

Leabank Square Swans - The Latest!

2011-07-31T11:43:00.004+01:00

Just look at the last remaining cygnet now!! It's almost as big as Mum & Dad!

The swans have left the nest here in Leabank Square - and sleep further downstream - next to Omega Works each night. This was inevitable - as unfortunately - they were getting a load of harassment from a few of the kids. So Mum & Dad packed up & took Junior off to safer pastures.

But they make at least two stop-overs during the day as they sail past going upstream every day. More or less about 8am - and again at about 3pm. As you can see - Dad has gotten a load more chilled now that Junior is getting larger - and is taking food from Nadira's hand now - but Mum & Junior are still a bit too nervous to try this. They do - however - get very close.

It's so sweet to see the parents not rushing in for the food - but allowing Junior to have his fill first. Once they think he's had enough - they then start taking for themselves.

As far as food goes - they seem to prefer wholemeal bread - and ignore white of pitta bread. I've been doing some research - and it seems okay to give them bread - as swans get most of their food from the bottom of the river anyway - and top it up with some of our bread. So feel free to take a few slices up to the riverbank.

Juniors feathers are still a mix of downy & teen shoots - so it will be a few more months before he can fly - but occasionally Mum or Dad flexes their wings and goes for a bit of a flight. Junior gets a bit excited at watching this - stretching his wings and flapping about a bit.

Anyhow - please go up to the riverbank and enjoy our stunning new neighbours - before winter makes them think of maybe heading somewhere warmer.

Olympic Legacy - Leabank Square's Concerns.

2011-07-27T13:07:00.000+01:00

A few days ago - Caroline Davies came to Hackney Wick to do a story about our concerns for the future of the Wick a year before the games. She spoke to many people - but concentrated on James in the fabulous Hackney Pearl, the ever entertaining Al in White Post Lane - and me here in Leabank Square.

Of course - no journalist can ever capture the sheer cliff-like monstrosity of the Olympic site that faces us - but I tried to put across what most of us feel about the architecture.

More than anything - I spoke about what we all want after the games. Leabank Square has always had the short straw as far as the construction work is concerned. We were the first to have buildings constructed - pulled down - re-constructed, pulled down again - and now rebuilding yet more temporary buildings directly opposite us - again for them to be demolished.

then - we have about 5 more years of be-designing & building whoever takes over the media centre as well.

There is not one part of the Olympic site that will have had noise, dust & mayhem - only to be left with the most underwhelming architecture for us to stare at for many decades to come!!

I told Caroline all this - and I think she did a very good article on balance. She got over what most of us feel about all the decade of disruption the Olympics have brought to Leabank Square.

For link to the article - see: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/jul/25/2012-olympics-hackney

Art for Leabank Square Green

2011-07-14T16:43:00.007+01:00

Have you seen the very clever art exhibition on our green?

At 1st glance it might just seem to be an orange plank - until you take a walk around the rest of Hackney Wick & Fish Island.

You will notice a few more orange pieces dotted all around the streets.

They are the work of the brilliant new artist Rowan Durrant. He has identified a few places where something has just been neglected - and has put them right - but in orange.

We all know that PMMS have completely neglected Leabank Square for years - and have left some parts to rot away and decay. For this privilege - we have paid them shedloads of 'service' charge. The bench on the green has been broken for 3 years - and despite several attempts to get them to fix it - it takes an artist who doesn't even live here - to get it done.

He's done the same in a few other spots around our streets. Signs the councils have just left broken - 'street furniture' the authorities have just never bothered to replace, rails etc.
So whether you see our new installation as art, a message to some one in so called authority that they have failed, an audit of how western 'civilisation' is just not bothered - whatever your take is - just get out there and do it!!

Make your own art!

Please see: http://rowandurrant.com/

Olympic Noise & Dust - Part 2012

2011-07-08T09:59:00.000+01:00

Hi Robert

I hope that Hackney is being sufficiently environmentally well behaved of late – and not causing you & your team any extra work. I tried to contact you many times today - but the phone just rang & rang.

I’m writing on behalf of several residents concerned about recent noise & dust levels over the canal.
Noise.

As a resident neighbour of the Olympic park – I am finding it increasingly difficult to hear myself think during the day – and have to blow my nose of disgusting gunk many times a day.

I’m aware that both the ODA & Thames Water are sharing Arena Fields for the foreseeable future – and we as lay neighbours have no way of distinguishing who is doing what. But that is slightly irrelevant – as all work is being carried out in the Olympic park – and as such – needs to be seen to by you.

The mission-creep I have spoken to you of many times - has returned in the now 7.30am trucks running along Arena Fields. The agreement was for an 8am start for heavy machinery to fire up their engines.

During the day – the noise levels are extremely high – and we urgently need your mobile noise monitoring team to come down & check their levels. (On that – please contact me for a key for the new lock – as somebody vandalised & stole the old lock & chain).

Dust.

Of course no-one can predict the weather – least of all us gardeners. But a major construction site should have all manner of mitigating measures in place for any eventuality.

The ODA have a few bowsers trundling along the ring road every now & then – which I suppose is for their own drivers dust free journeys. All the dust lifting off and landing in our lungs is coming straight off the huge mounds of sand on Arena Fields.

Occasionally we have seen some kind of sprayer trying to dampen down the mounds – but not anywhere near enough! When you stand up on the riverbank – you can actually see the sand being blown across into Leabank Square. There is absolutely no attempt by the teams working right up against the electric fence to water any of their earth-works down at all.

All the neighbours I have spoken to have said that there has been a marked increase in dust inside our homes.

Robert – I really try to keep our correspondence down to reasonable levels – but things are building up to a peak again.

We all received the Thames Water flyer this morning about extended working hours on this & next weekend. I thought the agreement was for any extended working hours inside the Olympic park to be flagged up at least 2 weeks in advance – so that we can make some alternative arrangements for our noise & dust free evening meals? How did this arrangement slip through your normally tight net?

Leabank Square has always had the worst of all the Olympic construction by-products:

They chopped down our orchard & nuttery in Arena Fields.
The horrible soil washing plant was set up directly opposite us (initially planned to operate till 8pm!)
The intimidating electric fence was put up with intrusive CCTV cameras.
The temporary ring-road took more green space away.
The massive grey drab media centre was constructed directly in front of us.
The temporary welfare centre was plonked in front of us.
The temporary welfare centre was demolished.
The last trees were felled.
The water main is being dug up & replaced.
The massive temporary journo’s catering compound is being constructed directly in front of us.

Robert – there isn’t another part of the Olympic park that has had so many different activities happen in such a concentrated area. And as far as we can tell – this was all done with the bare minimum noise & dust mitigation.

No matter what readings their gadgets have given – we can hear the noise – and feel the dust – and both are way higher than any of our friends who do not live in Leabank Square quality of life.

I trust you will look into the concerns we have – and get back to me as soon as possible.
Peace
Sóna

Dear Geoff Bailey

My name is Sóna Abantu-Choudhury and I live in Leabank Square in Hackney Wick.
This is directly opposite the new water mains you are busy laying along the Lea River Navigational Canal in the Olympic Park.

This morning we all received a flyer from you stating that you have received Hackney Council permission to work all the way through this & next weekend. Several of us residents have spent all day calling the number on your flyer - but had to listen to your music instead.

We all object to these new construction times in the strongest terms!!

The work you have been carrying out along the canal has been exceedingly difficult for us to bear for the past few months – and we’ve bared & grinned it – in the hope that you would just get on with it and finish the work as soon as possible.

This has obviously not happened!

This weekend we have planned an annual barbecue on our riverbank – for which we are frantically trying to contact as many residents as possible to postpone.

We had always had an agreement with the ODA that any weekend work would be given in writing to us at least 2 weeks in advance – so that this kind of thing simply cannot happen.

In addition to this – your workers have never ever seen fit to provide any kind of mitigation whatsoever while carrying out this pipe laying. There has never been an attempt to erect any sound barriers. There has never been an attempt to water down any of the sand & dust you create.

This is making our lives completely unbearable – and now you want to do it on the only days we have free to enjoy a barbecue.

Please reflect on all this – and get back to me with a suitable reply.

Yours

Sóna Abantu-Choudhury

Movies on The River Lea!!

2011-06-23T17:01:00.005+01:00

Tomorrow see the opening of the brilliant new (temporary) movie house in Hackney Wick!! And best of all - it's just downstream from Leabank Square!!!!!

There are going to be amazing activities from - great family movies - to bug-hotel building workshops. From family discos to drawing classes. And much much more!

Please come down to meet these lovely people - some of whom you already know from previous projects - who are making Hackney Wick that little bit extra special for all of us!

To book seats & find out more - please visit http://www.follyforaflyover.co.uk/ and then just have heaps of fun.

Happy Summer Solstice says Robin

2011-06-21T00:53:00.000+01:00

Planting Wildflowers for Mabley Meadow

2011-06-19T17:27:00.008+01:00

A big ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped to plant up some seeds, for Mabley Meadow today.

Our good friend Chris King has asked us to plant up some wildflowers to add to the beautiful Mabley Meadow this autumn.

It was also great to meet our neighbour and newest Leabank gardeners, Justyna and Andy.
Thanks too to the old hands, Zoulla and Paul. Together we planted up some Betony, Agrimony, Cowslip and Teasel. We’re sure they’ll look stunning in the meadow later this year!

If you haven’t yet discovered Chris’ meadow, you can check out the details at http://mableymeadow.blogspot.com/. And then meander over there in person to see everything in full colour.

Last chance to comment on 'Hackney Wick Hub'

2011-06-18T10:44:00.005+01:00

Very many thanks to Ruth for posting this comment - please read it and act on it - it really does affect every single one of us:

The consultation on a major development around Hackney Wick station is to close this weekend and residents have just a couple more days to have their opinions heard.

Plans for more than 150 flats, several shops and retail units around a pedestrian area off Wallis Road, and a "hi-tech" hub of affordable workspaces has been proposed by landowners London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC).

At the end of May, the designers and architects behind the project came to the Wick for a couple of days to display and discuss the plans, and now the consultation is drawing to a close.

Any opinions and ideas need to be with them before the end of this weekend (Sunday June 19) because they intend to submit their planning application to Hackney Council on the June 24th, next Friday. Once they have planning application they will find a developer to buy the land.

Outline drawings and descriptions of the proposal are available on the corporation's website, here: (http://ltgdc.org.uk/ltgdc-news/development-news/hackney-wick-hub-proposals/) There is not lots of detail but it gives you an idea of where it will be and says there will retail units, including bars, restaurants, perhaps a bank, shops, and takeaways, 6000sqm of affordable workspaces, and more than 130 studio, one-bed, two-bed and three-bed flats.

Based on chats with the designers it also seems the idea is to have:

Affordable workspaces
The chief executive of the corporation which owns the land has said, in this interview with journalist Paul Norman, that they want to create a "hi-tech" hub for the business and people being priced out of Silicon Roundabout [Old Street] and Shoreditch.

"Something a little bit different"
The chief executive also said they wanted a developer who would do something a "little bit different" with the homes and leisure parts of the development and spoke praisingly of home-grown Wick projects like a recent opera in a warehouse. During the consultation visits, the architects/designers etc were very keen to emphasise their intention to do something a little bit different and make sure it was in keeping with Hackney Wick.
How can the development encourage something a little bit different? What does Hackney Wick want or need in terms of leisure?

No social housing
At the consultation it appeared that there would be no affordable rented accommodation (eg. social housing). This is because of concerns that there is no nearby space for kids/families to play - perhaps they see Vic Park, Hackney Marshes & the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as too far away?
There "may be" shared ownership housing for sale, but it was not definite.
Should there be affordable housing? Or is there enough in Hackney Wick already?

New shopping street
Some of the units for shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs are large - big enough for a chain shops like Tesco. If Hackney Wick didn’t want big chains, one option is to make the units relatively small in order to deter chains and make it affordable for independent traders or provide space for local creatives to sell their goods. However, the landowners point out that bigger units make the project more commercially viable for the developer.
At the moment the planning application does not specify any unit size in order to allow flexibility for the developer. Is that right?

What do you think...?

Email Thames Gateway Corporation (http://ltgdc.org.uk/contact-us/) to give your views on the Hackney Wick Hub before the consultation closes on Sunday June 19th.

And keep on eye on this blog to see what their final plans are and find out when Hackney Council will make a decision on the planning application.

Leabank Square Swans - Latest

2011-06-03T11:32:00.004+01:00

Well - where do we start?!

It is just the 4 of them - Mum, Dad & the 2 cygnets. The other eggs were either smashed by some ignorant people - or were just not fertile.

It's probably just as well that the family isn't that much larger - as they still get a bit of hassle from some of the less disciplined kids (especially as it's half-term).

So they spend most of the day visiting brother, sisters & cousins further along at Windsor Wharf in Wick Village. (Just after Gainsborough School) Please take a walk along and see how many water fowl have started families in the last few weeks.

There are Mallard ducklings, Cootlings and a few more cygnets as well. They all seem to be getting on well enough with each other - considering all the protective mums & dads hovering around their little ones.

But what a lovely hour to spend! The nice folk in Wick Village operate a system of many eyes prevent anti-social behaviour - so encourage nice people to come & sit on their riverbank.

As for the Leabank Square Swans - well - we think that they will still use the nest as a bedroom overnight for a few more weeks. But Mum & Dad are teaching them great foraging skills further & further away from the nest - so they'll soon start spending nights away.

But in the meantime - please help them by keeping a vigilant eye out for their safety.

Thanks.

Tim Webb RSPB visit to Leabank Square

2011-05-24T16:57:00.004+01:00

We were very privileged to have Tim Webb – the Royal Society for Protection of Birds’ Communications Person (http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/members/profile.aspx?UserID=152336) have visit Leabank Square this morning.

He was very impressed with what everyone’s done with the Purple Garden – and even more happy with its attractiveness to birds.

He gave us brilliant advice about the swans, coots & he even discovered that heaps of the House Martins are actually nesting right here in Leabank Square – as well as next to in Gainsborough School.

Tim left some very useful leaflets about gardening in a way that lets nature deal with any pests you may have – so please shout if you want one.

Thanks for the visit Tim – you’re welcome back anytime!

Please Welcome our New Neighbours

2011-05-24T14:13:00.006+01:00

Remember us writing about the House & Sand Martins yesterday? Well - they've just moved into Leabank Square!!

Just in time for the RSPB's Tim Webb's visit - and the House Martins started flying in with mouths full of mud. They've started building their incredible nests in the front canal blocks - under the eaves.

It is an amazing sight to see: they just don't stop flying in & out of Leabank Square with the mud. Occasionally they have a snack of mozzie & a sip of canal water - and then it's right back to building.

The only snag - is that these are the walls that the kids normally kick balls against. There is a really big possibility that some of the nests might get hit by the balls. Please could all responsible adults alert the kids to this fact if they see them kicking against the walls.

In the meantime - go & enjoy this annual spectacle - we are so lucky to have these African visitors!!

Leabank Square Swans - Are Family!!!!

2011-05-24T08:26:00.010+01:00

This morning 2 of the swans eggs hatched!!

There are still 2 eggs left on the nest - but the proud parents are as chuffed as can be.

We were amazed at how quickly dad took his cygnets out on to the water!! They were fussed over for about 6 hours - and then nervously took to the inside of the floating island for about an hour.

Then both parents slipped off the nest into the canal - and coaxed the little ones over the rim & into the water as well. This 1st swim lasted only a few minutes.

This was repeated a few hours later - when dad took them to the opposite side of the canal for a bit of a foraging lesson. After about a half an hour they all 3 came back to the nest for some more fussing.

We will let you know about the 2 other eggs as soon as anything happens.

Birds of Leabank Square - House & Sand Martins

2011-05-23T11:31:00.004+01:00

All the way from Africa - the past few weeks we've had these speedy visitors zooming along the canal feeding on the mozzies.

I'm very sorry about the pics - but these tiny birds are just too quick for me to get a shot of. But I am so happy they're feasting on the mozzies!

First of all we couldn't work out if they were house or sand martins - but after zooming in blearily on the pics - we saw the markings of both.

The house martins spend much of their time on the wing collecting insect prey. Their mud nest is usually sites below the eaves of buildings & they're landing in Gainsborough Schools eaves - so we think they're there. They are summer migrants and spend their winters in Africa.

The sand martins are agile fliers, feeding mainly over water. They will perch on overhead wires or branches - and are landing in the beautiful Sycamore tree along the river.

Do yourself a favour - take a cuppa up to the Purple Garden in the evening after work & marvel at how many mozzies they are sparing us from with their acrobatics.

Leabank Square Cherry Bonanza

2011-05-19T07:39:00.002+01:00

Anyone remember back to 2008 - when we planted some tiny cherry trees behind the recycle bins? (http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2008/03/cherry-tree.html )

Well look at how one of them is doing!!

Unfortunately - the other one was vandalised last year - and isn't doing so well - but the one closest to the entrance is producing the sweetest cherries you'll ever taste in Hackney!!

There are still a few greenish ones left - so please leave them to ripen & then treat yourselves to a lovely snack.

Well done Leabank Square Gardening Club!

Purple Garden Becomes Art!

2011-05-18T19:26:00.005+01:00

Simon Grennan & Christopher Sperandio are 2 of today's more interesting artists & over the past few months they have been showing readers of the Hackney Gazette just who's who in Hackney Wick.

Last November Simon came down to Leabank square & spent a morning interviewing Nadira. The resulting artwork showed the vista all of us in Leabank Square used to see before the Olympics moved in.

Simon interviewed about 20 other residents in Hackney Wick - and got many different views from all over the Wick & Fish island.

It is great to see the Purple Garden getting a reputation for being part of London's Artistic Quarter.

See: http://kartoonkings.com/?p=576

Birds of Leabank Square - Coot

2011-05-18T18:50:00.003+01:00

I know the swans are getting all the attention just now – but there is another family being created along the Purple Garden as well.

One of the bird world’s best recyclers – the Coot – has dragged a dumped mattress just a few metres from the swans nest – and have just laid 7 eggs!!

The eggs are slightly creamy (in colour! Don’t go frying any now will you?!) with black speckles. They’re about the same size as regular chickens’ eggs – and mum is very nervous.

If you do go up to the garden – please don’t get too close to the edge – as she gets off the nest at any disturbance.

But please do enjoy this beautiful spectacle right here under our noses! Leabank Square is encouraging all kinds of bio-diversity – in the face of monstrous adversity from across the canal. Well done everyone!

Be Part of Hackney Wicks Future!!

2011-05-18T18:39:00.001+01:00

Some of you might know that I have been a member of the Hackney Wick Partnership for a few years. We have been involved in trying to forge a desirable future for the Wick that respects local residents - as well as encourages the local creatives & existing businesses.

We started doing this way before London was even considered for the 2012 Olympics.

We have fed all our work into the Hackney Wick Masterplan, the Olympic Masterplan - and now the new Mayors (Boris that is) Development Plan.

This weekend & next week is another opportunity for you to come & put your thoughts to the brilliant people at London Thames Gateway about what we would all like for the Hackney Wick Hub.

This is the area both to the North (Tower Hamlets side) & South (Hackney side of the Hackney Wick Overground Station.

There are major changes for the areas right next to the sloping ramps on either side of the station. And they would love to hear what you would like to see there.

More cafes? A revitalised Lord Napier? Tree lined squares? Meeting fountain? Better welcoming open spaces? New routes/roads? Hotels?

What would you like to see when you come home after a hard days work? What would make you meet your visitors coming off the Overground with a sense of pride about Hackney Wick?

Please come down to 62 Wallis Road this Saturday 21st May - between 10am & 2pm. And also next Wednesday 25th May from 4pm until 8pm.

This is a great chance for you to be part of our lovely Hackney Wicks future - please try & make it down for a chat!!

Leabank Square Swans - Please Help Them

2011-05-01T16:02:00.002+01:00

Yesterday some kids got up onto the riverbank with an adult - and unfortunately smashed & knocked some eggs into the river.

Thankfully a few witnesses have come forward - and the police are now dealing with the matter.

But please could we beg everyone to be as vigilant as possible! There are only 4 eggs left - and this amazing couple need all the friends they can get to look after these remaining eggs.

The swans are - understandably - very nervous now - and the cobb is not going on his usual territorial paddles. He is sticking right by the nest all day & night now.

We have strengthened the fence that was damaged by the vandals - and hopefully they can't get to the nest as easily any more. But please keep an eye out for our swans.

If you see anyone harassing or threatening them - please call the police immediately. They are very aware of what happened - and will respond as soon as they can.

Thank you.

Scratch That! Swans now Expecting Septuplets

2011-04-17T12:38:00.007+01:00

These pictures were taken a couple of days ago - and we found 7 eggs on their nest this morning!

Leabank Square Swans Expect Triplets!!

2011-04-15T14:54:00.000+01:00

Remember last years family of swans? (http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2010/11/birds-of-leabank-square-swan.html)

Well a couple of them have decided to make our reedbeds a home. This beautiful twosome have made a huge nest on the floating island - and the penn has now laid 3 eggs.

Dad is fiercly patrolling up & down to make sure that no-one gets too close to their nest. He is having a bit of a rough time with the rowers from the clubs on both sides - and was actually clipped on Sunday.

If you're up on the riverbank while they're rowing past - please give them the heads up about the nest - especially when the cygnets arrive.

Also - please don't go too close to the nest - remember swans are protected species - and as such - it's illegal to interfere with them.

But please enjoy this stunning spectacle of nature being played out right on our own doorstep. It all goes to show that if you create a more diverse environment - nature comes to you!

Olympic 2012 Noise & Dust - Part 1007

2011-04-14T18:29:00.000+01:00

I know! Same old same old.

Look at this pathetic sound barrier meant to shield Leabank Square from the demolition of the concrete from the old welfare centre. One resident describes it as a fig leaf, another as a cricket white board (no - me neither), and many other descriptions that I can't post up here.

However you describe it - it doesn't actually work.

They're taking the massive concrete blocks - and jack-hammering them into smaller pieces for the wall - with a pair massive diggers. The noise is absolutely thunderous! Not only is it coming straight over - but we're lucky to get the echo of it bouncing off the hideous media centre as well.

But the worst thing about it all - is that they haven't even attempted to suppress any of Arena Fields with any water at all. We are all swallowing mouthfuls of dust, concrete dust, sand - and whatever contaminates there are taking off from their site!

I know we've been here many times before - but doesn't this just go to show just how arrogantly insignificant the ODA considers its neighbours? A pathetic tiny screen to shield us from any noise - and no water suppression. It's only those oiks over in Hackney Wick - why even bother?!

Jehovas Witnesses Patrol Leabank Towpath

2011-04-09T09:29:00.003+01:00

Not just content with waking up Leabank Square residents every Saturday morning - our overly friendly Jehovah's Witnesses are now patrolling the Towpath opposite Leabank Square!

Looks like the Olympic vigilantes have got allies helping them out all along the canal nowdays.

Some cyclists & joggers were telling them where to get off - but a few dog walkers were being friended-up by the Witnesses.

This posting also serves as a gentle reminder to all Leabank Square block residents not to just buzz anyone into the blocks - especially on Saturday mornings. Besides the obvious security risks - the Witnesses are really becoming an incredible nuisance along the corridors.

Oh yes! And when you rip the Watchtower up in their faces - please pick up the pieces after they've left.

More Scaffolding - Please be Alert!

2011-03-20T12:16:00.000Z

The Family Mosaic block has just been clad in scaffolding for some much needed refurbishment. All good & well!

But there is no security on the scaffolding at all - and anyone could climb it & gain access to any of the flats as easy as pie.

Please always lock every door & window as securely as you can - and draw the curtains whenever you're not in the room. This will make any potential burglar think twice about trying to get in.

It's at times like this that Leabank Square really pulls together - so if any resident sees anything suspicious happening on the scaffolding - please call the police as soon as possible.

Please see also:

http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2009/08/leabank-square-security-alert.html

http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2009/11/just-who-manages-leabank-square.html
http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2009/09/security-alert-block-1-18.html

Spring Has Sprung 2011!!

2011-03-12T17:15:00.004Z

Just look at all this activity going on in Leabank Square!

Birds, bees, bulbs and loads of happy residents!

Leabank Square Eden Project Crocuses

2011-03-06T16:53:00.007Z

Remember back to early October last year? I know it's been a long cold wintertime ago - but that's when we planted the beautiful purple crocuses kindly donated by the Eden Project in Cornwall.

It was all in aid of Rotary Internationals work to eradicate Polio in the entire world.

Some of us played a small part in that message by planting this stunning path of purple crocuses along the dividing fence on the green.

They are starting to peep above the grass now - and really look lovely. If you get a chance - please take a cuppa down to the green - and admire their purpleness.

See also:

http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2010/10/purple-crocus-planting-in-beautiful.html

They Say All Politics Is Local

2011-03-04T15:50:00.003Z

Parish the thought!

They say all politics is local, but how local? Well now, for Hackney residents (including the Wick), the way local decisions are made, on everything from house-building to park benches and licensing to Olympic planning, could be changing very soon.

London Assembly member, Andrew Boff, certainly thinks so. He came to Leabank Square Community Association’s latest meeting to tell us how he’s using a change in the law to set up a community council (a sort of urban parish council) for London Fields (http://londonfieldscouncil.org.uk/) and how the same idea might apply to the Wick.

We all think of Parish councils as being something for the countryside, or small villages, like the one up North where I’m from, but few people know that residents in urban areas can set up their own (http://www.nalc.gov.uk/Publications/Booklets_and_Resources.aspx). Cities having very blurred boundaries (Where exactly is Shoreditch??), there are few places within built-up areas that can said to be a self-contained community, but if anywhere is, surely it has to be our very own Hackney Wick?

So what would we do with an Urban Parish Council, or a Community Council if we decided to set one up? Well, for a start, the community council would have the right to be consulted on planning decisions in the local area, something that’s going to be a big issue for the Wick with all the Olympic developments and Lottery regeneration coming up. Urban parish/community councils can also share in the proceeds of new developments, make arrangements to put up more litter bins, get together to run allotments, organise local festivals or improve the local land and townscapes.

Wouldn’t this just cost a lot more money and mean more politicians though? That depends. The sort of community council people want for their area is up to them. Some parish councils don’t collect money and are entirely voluntary, funding improvements using their share of planning and development fees, public subscription or donations. Others might charge a precept, usually not more than £20 a year, and some will use a combination of these options. Relations with ward councillors and the borough are all issues that have been raised by opponents in other areas and it’s clear that the model isn’t for everywhere and that there are issues to be addressed. It seems that whether the Wick gets a Community Council or not and the success of that council will be dependent on one factor: US, the residents.

As with any local enterprise, it is what people make it. The make-up and ambition of a community council is a reflection of the local population. Would this work for our area? The people of Hackney Wick (the area bound by the Eastway, Railyway line and canal) will very soon be getting a chance to have their say. If more than 10% of the local population sign a petition to set up a Community Council, we could very soon be finding out.

Further information: A google search of “Urban parish Councils” will bring up lots of articles in the local and national press. This website shows the breadth of services that might be provided:
http://www.nalc.gov.uk/Document/Download.aspx?uid=dc050f08-3a21-4528-aa85-283cd57fc705

This article was written by our most enthusiastic gardener & Conservative Party Councillor hopeful - Mathhew Woods. Some of us have been lucky to work alongside him in the gardens - and will remember just how hard he grafts. And then other will remember him canvassing locally at the last election. Whatever your politics - you have to agree that Matt has Leabank Square & the rest of the Wick's interests at heart. Thanks Matt.

See also: http://conservativehome.blogs.com/platform/matt-woods/

Anish Kapoor About to Peep Over

2011-02-28T20:14:00.003Z

We should start to see the Anish Kapoor Helterskelter rising above the handball court any day now.

(http://hackneywick.blogspot.com/2010/11/bbc-culture-show-looking-for-anish.html)

We have been passing the amazing construction the past few weeks now – and it seems to be going up at a rate of knots!

Like it or not – it is the only bit of architecture in the entire Olympic park (from Leabank Square’s vantage) not looking like an Ikea warehouse! It is also the tallest structure in the park – which is why we will be able to see it – even though it’s the furthest on from us.

Anyway – look out of your windows in the next few weeks – and see who will be the first to spot the distinctive red steel tower.

Leabank Square Meeting 22.02.11

2011-02-28T20:00:00.003Z

Last week’s Leabank Square Community Association was a bit same old, same old. No chairing to speak of – so as usual – a very chaotic agenda.

But there were some interesting things that came out of it:

1. Ian’s back!! Remember Ian who used to do all the gardening for PMMS? Well – he’s back from Spain – and we’ve been chatting about how to improve the gardens in Leabank Square – so watch this space.

2. The Newlon rep – Saud Ahmad – came along to the meeting. Let’s hope that Hamilton King will do the decent thing and grace us with their presence as well.

3. Matt brought along Andrew Boff from the London Assembly – for a very interesting take on local politics – especially how to set up a Parish Council.

4. Vicki & Rowan talking about a crook bench on the green being used in their exciting ‘Superfix’ art project.

5. The muf (http://www.muf.co.uk/index.htm) presentation for Hackney Wick.

6. The feedback from the last resident survey – which led to a re-discussion about the car park.

This last point is a very interesting point. The money for the change to our car-park is coming from the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) – supposedly as ‘compensation’ for all the noise, dust & disruption we have had to put up with over the last few years.

The common consensus seems to be that we use it for some sort of barrier or boom across the entrance to the square. This is supposedly to deter any other drivers from using our car park to park for free in.

There are also some of us who do not like having Leabank Square barriered-off from the rest of Hackney Wick – but are apparently out-voted. Democracy huh?! But the even more scarier prospect of having raised service charges is putting even more residents off. Sure the ODA are doing their little PR stint in compensating us for the horrible few years they are putting us through – but they have less than a year to exist.

Then who pays for the barrier to be repaired every time a refuse truck bumps into it? Who pays when some kids swing from it too exuberantly? Who pays when someone reverses into it after being blocked in by two resident’s cars because the person they came to visit wasn’t in? Etc. etc.

If illegal parking is actually a problem – then Ian’s suggestion of an external car park policing company makes more sense. They can deal with persistent illegal parkers – and instead of using the ODA money for a barrier – we use it to re-tar & re-paint the car park. After all – it is their road sweeper that has swept all the paint off the road.

When the muf discussion went on to losing 5 parking spaces to Gainsborough School outside Lindi’s door – there was unanimous concern for legal precedence’s being set for tenants & residents.

Either there is a problem with day-time parking in Leabank Square – or not. I admit I mostly come home long after the working day has ended – but there are always loads of spaces when I cycle back into Leabank Square.

Another point was made to me about this ODA compensation. In past meetings, many residents along the terraces & in the Newlon & Hamilton King blocks have actually said that they haven’t been affected by the Olympic build. The 3 blocks up against the canal on the other hand – have definitely been in the thick of it. If the residents further into Leabank Square haven’t felt any need to seek compensation – surely the 3 canalside blocks should get the lion’s share? Interesting point no?

All in all – a shambolic meeting – but luckily this time Ian was there to give us the legal position on many points raised.

Wick Curiosity Shop 1st March - 6th March 2011

2011-02-26T18:05:00.002Z

I urge every one of us to get down to 10 Felstead Street to the Wick Curiosity Shop this coming week. From the 1st March to 6th March – we will be treated to the most incredible local extravaganza of fun, news, talks, walks & workshops – all just for us in Hackney Wick!!

Opening times from 11am – 7pm*
(*open later for evening events)

Just take a look at all this:

10 Felstead Street, Hackney Wick, Tuesday March 1 – Sunday March 6, 2011

The Wick Curiosity Shop is an informal archive and cultural space dedicated to Hackney Wick.
It will take over an empty shop in Olso House for the first week of March, hosting a series of events
about the ‘goings-on’ in the Wick of the past, present and future.

The Shop traces, documents, promotes, hosts and connects the many histories, initiatives and
ambitions of the area. It is also a space for debate and action for change in which desires,
ideas and makers can meet to plot collective or individual futures.

This coming week Wick Curiosity Shop focuses on current activities and programmes
including self-initiated, commissioned, informal and formal projects.

The programme splits into three groups of events:

1.The Way We Walk
2. The Way We Make
3. The Way We Talk

All events are free of charge
Places on the walks are limited, reserving a place is recommended.
You can do so by emailing info@wickcuriosityshop.net,
message us on Twitter @wickcuriosity or find us on facebook.

1. THE WAY WE WALK
A series of Walks from the Wick
By public works in collaboration with ……

Walking the Press
Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 11am
A walk from Abbey Gardens (www.abbeygardens.org) to the Wick Curiosity Shop in Oslo House, where we will take the mobile press from Abbey Gardens with us to make seed bombs. The seed bombs will be used for the Sunflower Avenue walk (see below).

Get an introduction to the beautiful Abbey Gardens and enjoy a slow walk into the Wick via the Greenway pushing, pulling and talking all things gardening.

The walk will be led by Andreas Lang and take approximately 1.5 hours Start is at Abbey Gardens at 11am.
Bakers Row E15 3NF. Check www.abbeygardens.org for directions.

Printers Paradise
Thursday, March 3, 2011, 3pm
‘Printers Paradise’ was the informal name of the dense cluster of printers and related industry spread around the Wick and along Carpenters Road.

With the changes sweeping through the area and the print industry, only a few outposts of Printers Paradise remain. Join us on a walk to trace some of the former glory, meet some of the printers and visit still active print workshops in Hackney Wick.

The walk will be led by Gemma Drake and Andreas Lang.

The walk starts at The Wick Curiosity Shop at 3pm, and will take approx. 1 hour.
10 Felstead Street, Oslo House, Hackney Wick, London E9 5LT
The walk will contribute to an on-going project by Gemma documenting the changing industry in and around Hackney Wick.

Friday Fish Walk
Friday, March 4, 2011, 3pm
It is Friday afternoon and what better way to spend it than joining the Curiosity Shop
on a walk to show you where to pick up the best fish in the Wick!

Along the way we will fly post pictures and posters, which have been made on-site at Oslo House earlier in the week.

The walk will be led by Polly Brannan and take approx. 40 minutes.
We leave from the Wick Curiosity Shop, 10 Felstead Street, Oslo House, Hackney Wick, London E9 5LT

Sunflower Avenue Seed Bombing Walk
Saturday, March 5, 2011, 11am
Sunflower Avenue connects Mabley Green to Victoria Park cutting straight through
the heart of Hackney Wick.

It is a local Initiative by Lea Bank Square Purple Garden to establish a planted connection between the two local parks. Seed Bombs specially designed and made in the Wick Curiosity Shop will be used to replant hundreds of sunflowers while strolling along the Avenue.

The walk is led by Andreas Lang and take approx. 1 hour. Start is at the Wick Curiosity Shop,
10 Felstead Street, Oslo House, Hackney Wick, London E9 5LT ending at Mabley Green

The Way We Walked
Saturday, March 5, 2011, 2pm
Following the footsteps of one of the most popular annual walks in the Wick – the Christmas Swim - we walk together to retrace the ‘Otters Swimming Club’ days, with giant posters and hot dogs on the way!

The walk is led by Polly Brannan and take approx. 1 hour. We will leave from the Wick Curiosity Shop,
10 Felstead Street, Oslo House, Hackney Wick, London E9 5LT

Off the Track
Brigand Boys, Monkey Parades and Clarnico Girls
Sunday, March 6, 2011, 4pm
Monkey Parades were popular from at least the 1840’s and were a British working class institution.

This courting congregation that saw men and women lavishly dressed to impress
was rife in Hackney in 19th Century. The walk retraces a visual journey of the Wick by George Sims, a journalist during the height of the popularity of Monkey Parades in the late 1800s.

Participants are invited to dress to impress and the ladies are invited to wear lavish hats (designed by the Ladies at the Wick). Drinks will be served on Mabley Green at the end.

The walk is led by Torange Khonsari and takes approx. 1 hour. It starts at the Wick Curiosity Shop,
10 Felstead Street, Oslo House, Hackney Wick, London E9 5LT

* * *

2. THE WAY WE MAKE
A series of hands on workshops in the Wick Curiosity Shop

The Anecdotal Manicure
Tuesday, March 2, 2011 from 2-5pm
Get your hair styled or your nails done, have a tea and chat about the Wick.
Lauren Campany will offer free hair styling and manicures in return for some lively anecdotes about the Wick - imaginary or real, regardless weather you live in the Wick or are on your first visit.

Pimp your Hat
Tuesday, March 1, 2011 6pm
Join the ‘Ladies of the Wick’ for a hat making session in the Wick Curiosity Shop
in preparation for the Monkey Parade - a courting congregation along the Wick,
which will see men and women lavishly dressed to impress.
Just bring yourselves – material is provided.

The workshop will be led by Torange Khonsari with the WI of Hackney Wick (tbc)

Fish Frying Posters
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, March 1,2,3, 2011 from 11am-2pm
Fish has been part of the Wick for a long time. Join us to make large scale
posters which will be copied and pasted during the Friday Fish Walk.

The woskhop will be lead by Polly Brannan.

Seed Bomb Pressing
Tuesday, March 1, 2011 from 1pm-4pm
Join us and our magic 10 ton press to make unique Hackney Wick seed bombs
to re-seed the Sunflower Avenue.

The workshop will be led by Andreas Lang.

* * *

3. THE WAY WE TALK ,
REMEMBER AND IMAGINE

Wick Session Number 1
Collectively Wick
Thursday, March 3, 2011, 7pm till late
A Wick Development Trust and trust in development.
There is no Development Trust in Hackney Wick or the surrounding area. With so much speculative and top-down development descending on Hackney Wick we want to take a moment and brainstorm alternatives for a collective, community driven development of public spaces in Hackney Wick.

Speakers to be confirmed
Please check our website for updates, www.wickcuriosityshop.net

Wick Session Number 2
Grounds for culture
Friday, March 4, 2011, 7pm till late
Wick Session Number 2 will bring together artists and activists currently working on projects or setting up initiatives in Hackney Wick.
A friendly and informal exchange between practitioners with a passion for Hackney Wick.
Speakers to be confirmed
Please check our website for updates, www.wickcuriosityshop.net

Wick on Film
Saturday, March 5, 2011, 5pm till late
Pop down to the Wick Curiosity Shop on Saturday afternoon for a screening session
showing a varied selection of films from and about the Wick.

While the final programme is yet to be confirmed it is likely to include archive footage, explorations of what is now the Olympic site and stories from the area.

Curated and hosted by Rakan Budeiri and Andreas Lang
Please check our website for updates, www.wickcuriosityshop.net

Tea, Cake and Curiosities
Sunday, March 6, 2011, 1-4pm
Join us for some free Tea and Cake on early Sunday afternoon in the Wick Curiosity Shop, and bring you photos, anecdotes and rare curiosities to be included in the Wick Curiosity Shop archive.

The antiques road show meets friendly chatter and stories about life in the Wick.

* * *

The Wick Curiosity postal service to Graz, Austria.
public works is invited by Rotor Gallery to present the Wick Curiosity Shop in Graz, Austria.
After a packed week in Hackney Wick, the Shop will be journeying across the continent. The venue in Graz is situated in a similar social context to the shop’s home in the Wick and thus this visit aims to create a form of cultural exchange between the two areas, and a link between the explorations on either side.

As part of this exchange the Curiosity Shop is interested in receiving contributions
from visitors who would like to post something (physical or not) to Graz. If you have something to send, pop into the shop during the week or email us via our website.

Part of the show in Graz is a two day conference on URBAN NEIGHBOURHOOD CULTURES with an impressive list of speakers from across Europe - Hackney Wick will be in good company!

The Wick CuirosityShop started in 2008 and has since been shaped by many different individuals and groups based in, or with close associations to, the Wick. The project does not have a permanent home, and exists across changing location and settings.

To browse the archive and find out more visit www.wickcuriosityshop.net.

The Walks Programme is part of the ‘Wick Curiosity Shop - Route Book’ project by public works.
It is one of six temporary art projects commissioned by London Thames Gateway Development Corporation
for London Borough of Hackney (LBH) and London Borough of Tower hamlets (LBTH), curated by muf architecture/art.

This Wick Curiosity Shop was originally commissioned by [SPACE]
as part of the Hackney Wick Festival in 2008

Vigilantes? Police? Guards? Security?

2011-02-17T12:01:00.003Z

I swear the pic above has not been photoshopped.

Q.What are we to call people who ride around in an Olympic vehicle called Vigilant?

A. Olympic Vigilantes.

The new name for the Olympic patrol boat is Vigilant! You can't make it up can you?

Long ago I asked the community liaison person what the point of the Olympic patrols were - and she said that it was 'just a presence'. Whatever that meant.

The black jacket that Pokemon left right next to the electric fence as a test - was prodded a bit - but then just left. It has been there for 39 days now - and still just lies next to the fence.

What purpose do these vigilantes serve? Why are they actually patrolling our border with the Olympic Park? What use do they have?

If they were patrolling inside the park - then you could understand that they were guards for the building equipment - which would probably cost a few pounds.

But they are on our river, on our towpath, on our cycle path. What are we meant to think about that? If they picked up litter (or large 'discarded' jackets) - now then - they would have a use.

Essential Contact List for Leabank Square

2011-02-15T11:50:00.004Z

Does anyone know of any great plumbers, chippies, sparkies, washing machine engineers, etc?

It seems that many of us had a rough start to the new year. Loads of 'things' going wrong in our homes - and they were normally emergencies. We've helped out where we could - but we need to put another call out the residents for contacts.

Please could you email me the details of any great plumbers, sparkies, chippies, plasterers, odd-jobbers, etc. We have to get the list updated & bulked out. At the moment Charlie is doing almost all the work!

So - if you have had any work done in the past year - and were happy with the price, standard & skill of the company - please share this with the rest of Leabank Square. The more we use the same teams to repair, build & fix our homes - the better the relationship & standard of work.

Talented Singer’s home destroyed by the Olympics!

2011-02-11T12:12:00.006Z

The last Hawthorns are being felled and one little bird is losing its favourite singing perch.
For the last few winters, the Hawthorns opposite Leabank Square have been occupied by a very talented songster.

A little Robin has enjoyed a musical residency in the Olympic Hawthorns all winter long and delivered the most delightful concert, night and day, without fail. He has serenaded us with his colourful and energetic sounds, lifting our spirits and cheering our souls!

This little Robin has been an exquisite antidote to the cacophony of the Olympic site.
Each day we arrive home, knowing that we can open our windows and doors and be comforted by his sweet, rich, tones.

He sings loudest, when the days’ noises slowly ebb away and calm falls on the Olympic site. His songs echo across the river and encircle the square, as though he is omnipresent.

We cannot afford to lose the soothing therapy of birdsong. It counteracts the negative effects of living in a big, noisy city. It keeps us connected to a natural world and reminds us what we need to stay healthy and peaceful.

We hope Mr Robin finds a new perch quickly and sings a little louder, so that we can still enjoy his beautiful songs!

Hamilton King or PMMS - Who Is in Charge?

2011-02-05T11:28:00.004Z

Stand on the opposite side of Berkshire Road and look at Leabank Square. Look to your right at the corrugated iron fence in the corner of the Hamilton King block.

Kids will be kids - and over the last few months - some of them have been using the wooden supports of the iron fence to help climb the tree. Well - it has finally broken - with the result that the fence is falling down.

Already 2 pedestrians have written to me having bashed their heads on the very sharp metal sticking out. I have referred them to the council. Each day the fence tips a bit lower onto the sidewalk. - so there will be more.

I have spoken to PMMS about this a few times - and Derek says that it's not PMMS's responsibility. But Hamilton King are also claiming they are not responsible.

My advice to any parents who have an injured child in the next few months - is to get the council to sort out the insurance costs between Hamilton King or PMMS. The council after all is responsible for the sidewalk - and that's where your child will fall.

In the meantime - if anyone in the Hamilton King block knows any friendly contacts in their management company - please get them onto this very serious accident waiting to happen.

Popcorn Makes the News!

2011-02-03T20:55:00.004Z

Almost a year to the day that we first spotted Popcorn - Leabank Square's very own kestrel, he has finally made the news!

Remember back to this: http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2010/02/birds-of-leabank-square-kestrel.html - when Popcorn paid us his first visit? Well - as he has done most days since then - he stayed for about a half an hour last Sunday (see the last posting about the RSPB bird count).

This time we didn't see him catch anything, but maybe all the cats had got to any mice before him.

Since this story was included in this weeks Hackney Gazette (http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/rare_bird_of_prey_spotted_in_hackney_wick_1_792018)

- we have had twitchers all over north London sending emails asking for more information.

Although we've answered the first 14 - it's getting a little bit crazy now - so for all the rest - here goes:

Popcorn can be seen most days either on the Leabank Square Purple Garden Riverbank - or on the towpath opposite. He chooses the highest bird branch on Leabank Square's side - and the highest branch of the magnificent Sycamore tree on the towpath. He sometimes settles on the horrible CCTV poles along the Olympic electric fence.

Richard remembers him & a couple of others - before the trees were chopped down in Arena Fields. Seems like only Popcorn has survived the Olympic slash & burn.

He seems to stay longer on slightly overcast days - but maybe this means that rodents & nesting coots & moorhens are a little more skittish on those days.

But - he is magnificent!! Absolutely majestic and lovely to see. You won't need to bring very powerful glasses - as he doesn't seem to mind getting close to us. Our kids really love him most when he does that hovering endlessly - with sudden swoop thing. Fascinating.

I hope that answers all your questions - if not - post a comment and we'll answer them that way.

Thank you very much to Emma Bartholomew from Hackney Gazette for writing the story up. And a very special thanks to Leabank Square's friend - Tim Webb from the RSPB for all his useful comments & suggestions over the years on this blog.

Happy twitching.

Chung Hay Fat Choy 2011

2011-02-03T10:58:00.000Z

RSPB Big Garden Watch Results for Leabank Square

2011-01-31T13:10:00.003Z

Thanks to all who sent their results in for the RSPB's Big Garden Watch yesterday. The great news is that each year - more of us take part.

But the sad news is that for the 5th year running the numbers are declining. The Olympic construction has got to be a major factor in the decline. In a few weeks - more mature trees are going to be cut down. As I look out of the window at the doomed trees - I can see at least 3 nests that are going down with them.

But - we can try our best to rehouse some of the birds that will be homeless soon. Please see if you can stick up some more bird houses all around Leabank Square. If you have cats - please make sure that the boxes are well out of reach. And please hand as many fatballs as you can.

Both the Poundshop & the 99p shop in Stratford sell them very cheaply, so if you have a few spare pounds, please pop into them.

Anyway - here are the results:

Carrion Crow - 7

Feral Pigeon - 19

Magpie - 4

Woodpigeon - 2

Coots - 6

Pied Wagtails - 4

Mallards - 9

Kestrel - 1

Moorhens - 4

No sparrows at all this year - after the huge success last year - but then they lost their large brambles.

If you still have any more figures - please add them through the comments - or continue sending the email forms.

Thanks once again.

Olympics up to Same Old Tricks

2011-01-30T10:47:00.003Z

It's Sunday. Our only day to escape the horrendous noise from our ASBO deserving neighbours - the Olympics.

So what do they do? They start working on the ring road 5 metres from our bedrooms early in the morning!!

Thanks to everyone who helped shout at the idiots doing the work - but even they couldn't hear all our voices over the noise they were making,

Then the priceless 'hotline' answerer saying 'sorry' like she really meant it. But still took her time getting back to me, so I had to hurry her along, and all she did was pass some of the situation on to 'someone on site' - who had to call me in order to find out what's happening.

Then she called back about half hour later - to tell that they will be 20 more minutes!! And that she will pass this all on to the 'community relations team' - which means that they weren't even notified all along?!

Hey!!! Olympics!!! We are part of your community - relate to us!!

You know what? We used to be very pro olympics. We used to want to go & see some of the games. We used to want a legacy. We used to like you.........

Waxwings in the Wick!

2011-01-28T20:26:00.008Z

Keep your eyes peeled in the Wick this winter, as you may bump into a very colourful group of visitors, with distinctive hairstyles!

Waxwings have been arriving on the British Isle since the beginning of winter and many avid ‘twitchers’ have been reporting sightings all over the UK.

These birds migrate from their breeding grounds in Scandinavia and usually arrive in the north and gradually filter southwards.

However, this years’ migration is particularly exciting, as waxwings have arrived en masse across the north, northwest and eastern coast of Britain.

We had our first sighting of these delightful birds on Monday morning. Whilst taking the children to school on the bus, we noticed a large group of birds circling and then settling in a whitebeam on Wick Road.

Even though we could only make out the birds’ silhouette; it was clear from the waxwings’ distinctive crest that we had stumbled on something special.

Waxwings have also arrived in time to be included in this weekends' RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. For more info on this event, check out: http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/

Happy Twitching!

Cliff Richard Gig in Hackney Wick?!

2011-01-19T11:37:00.005Z

Hackney Society

Fiona has just sent this invitation to all of us to join these artists in Hackney Museum this Saturday. Some of went to the last one a few weeks ago - and this one promises to be even better! Please come along - you'll be gutted if you miss this!

THE CUT

Collecting stories of the River Lea Navigation Canal between Hackney Wick to Old Ford Lock
What can you tell us about the canal?
What do you remember?
Come and meet Chris Dorley Brown, Jessie Brennan and Daniel Lehan who are creating new artworks about the canal.

The event starts with a film screening which includes rare footage of Cliff Richard and The Shadows’ visit to Hackney Wick in the 1960s, plus scenes from Lesney Toy Factory, Hackney’s first computer pub, Kingsmead Estate and the Trowbridge blowdown. 11am to 11.45am.

Then join the artists to add your stories and contribute to the creation of a physical map of Hackney Wick, 12 – 2pm

Saturday 22nd January
11am to 2pm
Free
Refreshments provided
Hackney Museum , 1 Reading Lane, E8 1GQ
All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

The Cut is an oral history project led by artists and produced by SPACE
Three artists and a team of local volunteers are exploring the Hackney Cut, or Lea River Navigation Canal , and the industrial, physical and social history of Hackney Wick. By collecting stories (up to the present day) from the people who work and live alongside the canal the project will document the importance of The Cut to the community in an area undergoing huge change.

Contact: Fiona Fieber fifi@spacestudios.org.uk 0208 525 4347 www.spacestudios.org.uk

Fiona Fieber
Head of Learning and Participation
[ s p a c e ]129 – 131 Mare Street
London E8
020 8525 4347

Thames Water to Re-Plant Hackney Wick Trees

2011-01-18T16:35:00.003Z

The meeting at Gainsborough School next door last night was just the usual boring spin from the ODA. We have done this... Yada.... that Yada...... we aim to do this...... Yada

Yada yada yada......

But the section from Thames Water was definitely more inspiring.

As we should all know by now. Mainly because of last summers huge burst water pipe - Thames Water are replacing the water main along the tow-path. So the huge plastic pipe you can see just inside the electric fence at the moment - is going to temporarily pump water for Hackney Wick.

Meanwhile Thames Water get on with digging up the old Victorian pipe that burst - and replace it with some kind of super longer lasting one.

But in the course of digging it up - all the trees & vegetation that are left after the Olympics cut last them down - are definitely going to go! There is no avoiding this unfortunately. The Thames Water guy was most apologetic.

As compensation for this - and the noise & dust crated in the digging - he promised to replace the trees - like for like - and as close to where they were as possible.

Of course - they will be nowhere near as mature as the ones going, but it was a start.

I then begged - yes - begged him to plant even more trees than they chop down. Naturally - put on the spot - he didn't commit to anything - but made the right kind of noises for me to believe that he might consider our begging.

The absolute sheer ugliness of the Olympic Media Centre needs to be hidden from view from Leabank Square in years to come - but the sooner the trees are planted the sooner we can camouflage the media centre.

Richard suggested a line of beaches - which sounds like an excellent idea. They grow reasonably quickly - and can get quite tall. Could be made into quite a feature in years to come.

Anyway - please comment on this situation - and I can pass them on to the very nice man from Thames Water.

Welcome Neighbour - David Kohn - White Building Arts Centre

2011-01-18T13:24:00.006Z

Remember how excited we all were last summer when we heard that Atlas Wharf (next door) might be turned into an arts centre? Then remeber how dissapointed we were when it didn't happen?

Well - it's only gone & moved a few doors down!!!!!

The Hackney Wick Arts Centre will now be downstream round the bend of the canal - right next to Whire Post Lane. (Where Banksy's Baby is). And the architect we were all rooting for won it!!!! Yes - David Kohn!

If you don't exactly remember the name - his was the only one to include the floating garden. This means another one of our neighbours who is actively encouraging the biodiversity of the canal in this Hackney Wick stretch! This is not only great news for all the fish, geese, coots, dragonflies & frogs - but imagine how much more beautiful our walks along the towpath are going to be.

Well done David! We always knew your design was the one that had Hackney Wickers best interests at heart. The balconey on the road side is cool too - but we LOVE the floating garden most! Of course - we know it's also the art & events happening inside that's just as important - but we LOVE the floating garden the most!

And then there's the seated are on the river bank - but we LOVE the floating garden the most!

Check out the designs at:

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/david-kohn-wins-competition-to-design-arts-centre-in-hackney-wick/8609886.article#Scene_1

http://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/blog/2011/01/25/hackney-wick-welcomes-plans-for-new-arts-centre/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+co%2FeOcv+%28Hackney+Citizen+news+and+comment%29

Trees - A Clarification

2011-01-14T22:23:00.002Z

As requested - here is the copy of the letter I sent off to Derek Lee this morning about the trees. As I said - I might have got this completely wrong - so hopefully Derek will set me on the right track:

Hi Derek

A very belated Happy New Year Derek, let's hope many good things come true for all of us this year!!

I trust you are well & in fine fettle - besides the inevitable round of flu's - all of us are great.

Derek - I remember you once telling me that there is a policy about trees & shrubs not being allowed to grow above a certain height.

The Leabank Square Gardening Club are asking me to get some clarification about it. One of the results from the last whole of Leabank Square consultation was that many residents think it lacks a few trees. Walking around every single estate in our neighbourhood, you can see exactly what they mean.

Every square, estate and new development has quite a few trees providing greenery, shade, shelter, oxygen, peace and all the other hippy things you would expect me to say. But Leabank Square only has the one London Plain tree in the north-east corner (which you hard-prune every couple of years, and the few fruit trees near the entrance - which we prune.

So - I guess what people want to know is - why are we not allowed any on the green - and why are the few existing evergreen shrubs severely stumped a few times a year?

Of course, if there are sound lawful reasons for this - no worries - but how come all the surrounding residents have beautiful mature & stunning trees. And continue to plant even more.

Derek - I may have misunderstood you when we last spoke about this matter - so if I'm barking up the wrong (ahem) tree - then please put me straight as well.

All the best.

peace
Sóna

Soon as I get a reply - I'll post it up here.

More Olympic Trees to be Cut Down?

2011-01-14T22:15:00.004Z

Thanks to T who alerted me to this new threat to some more of the trees kidnapped by the Olympic Park.

A circular from Thames Water was apparently put through each door of the terraces, but some of us in the flats never got them.

It goes something like this:

Due to the huge burst water main last summer, Thames water are going to replace some of the section of water main directly opposite Leabank Square, but just inside the Olympic Electric Fence. This is where many of us planted the orchard all those years ago.

Of course, all of the fruit & nut trees were chopped down by the Olympics, and now the few remaining trees look like they are going to be chopped down by Thames Water when they replace the mains.

There are 2 things happening here:

1. We will end up with even less greenery to block out the hideous bulidings they're busy dumping in front of us, and

2. This could possibly open the way for the Olympics to build on top of the newly strengthened water mains.

The only reason that there are no planned developments right up close to the river on their side - is because the water mains are ancient & fragile. By replacing them, there is the possibility that they will now be strong & sturdy enough for housing or industrial developemnt to take place.

We all know exactly what we think of the horrible blocks of steel & glass we already have to stare at - but if even more are built even closer to the river - we will be overlooked by a soviet style cliff face of hideousness.

I will do my best to find out more through the Hackney Wick Partnership - but please ask as many questions as possible wherever you can - councillors, MP's, mayors, ODA spin doctors. etc.

As requested through the last survey, I have sent an email to Derek at PMMS asking about relaxing the 'no tree' policy for Leabank Square, but in the meantime - take a last look at some of the ones you planted across the river, they won't be there for too much longer.

Midday - Mon 17.01.11

Just spoke to the Hackney Council 2012 team, and they assure me (in the 90's percent) that there will br no development up close to the electric fence part of Arena Fields. This area is still planned for the Gainsborough Playing Field & wider tow-path green.

As for the trees - we will definetly lose them. What we need to do is insist that some non-invasive replacement trees are planted back all along the pipe.

Thanks HC2012

Thanks for the questions everyone - I'll try & squeeze as many as I can in - but they're quite stingy with the amount anyone can ask. I'll get some on their own for any questions I miss.

Olympic Architecture....... Discuss!

2011-01-14T16:33:00.003Z

I know most of us are either at work or collecting the kids from school - but just in case anyone's skiving on Tuesday - this request just came through:

Hello Leabankers!
I'm writing to you tentatively as a student of architecture at the Sheffield School of Architecture...
There are a group of us who have been tasked with looking at the 'edge' between Hackney Wick, and the Olympic Site across the canal, and considering the role of architecture in that place, now, and in the future.
I will be in the area on Tuesday (18th Jan), and was wondering if anyone from Leabank would be available for a chat? It would be great to find out a bit more about you, and your thoughts on where you area and what's happening around you.
Regards,
Sam Brown
MArch Architecture - University of Sheffield
T: 07890 399332

Olympic Digger Wake Up Call

2011-01-14T07:16:00.005Z

Sorry about being so grumpy to you guys who phoned & knocked early this morning. I eventually got hold of someone on the 'hotline' and passed on my grumps.

I still haven't heard what the hell it was all about, but it must have been one of their so-called 'emergency works' to have got the diggers & tippers out. I guess the spotlights were coming off the machinery itself.

Nonetheless, it was all completely unacceptable. They are not allowed to start work at 5am, and we are entitled to sleep until 8am if we need to.

I'll send an email to Judy King, but she has been 'looking into' a few previous things for a while now, so don't hold your breath.

Again - sorry about the shortness of the conversations, I'm not too sociable at that time of morning.

Update:
Someone called Rickie Butler sent this through sometime today - see if you can make out what he is saying:

Hi Sona

I understand that you contacted the Construction Hotline early this morning to report machinery making noise on the Olympic Park.

We have investigated this issue with the teams onsite. The contractor had planned to use some VCBs (the concrete vehicle control barriers) to create an exit off the main loop road within standard working hours this morning. An inspection of these barriers was carried out early this morning and it was found they were unstable and required additional work to make them safe before they could be used for this purpose.

Due to the nature of the issue it was necessary to carry out these emergency works early this morning before the roads on site opened to traffic. As such we were unfortunately unable to notify residents as we normally would. I apologise that these works caused you disturbance.

If you experience any other issues related to the Olympic Park development please contact the Construction Hotline on 08000 722 110.

Regards

Rikki

Rikki Butler

Senior Community Relations Executive

The Guardian's Dave Hill Award

2011-01-12T16:05:00.003Z

Many of us know Dave Hill from his visits & links to our blog. Well.... he has only gone & awarded us this months 'Top Blogger' spot!!!

And this after snow, festivities & baaaaad flu have forced us off the blogosphere for too many weeks!!

Anyway - after this award, our hit rate has gone bananas, and we are now fielding many more enquiries about Leabank Square.

Quite a few of them are of a property enquiry - so if any more residents know of flats or houses coming up for sale or rent here in Leabank Square - please let me get them in touch with you in the usual ways.

Dave - thanks a bunch for the award - we really do appreciate all the support you've given us over the years - and long may it last.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jan/11/leabank-square-london-blog

Leabank Square Re-Cycle Centre

2010-12-12T14:49:00.003Z

For the past few weeks - some residents (& our friends the fly-tippers) have been dumping household junk around the Leabank Square Re-Cycle Centre.

This has led to it being overrun with rats & assorted other vermin. And it has been such a horrible sight for everyone to see.

The Hackney Council Re-Cycle truck then refused to return the bins back to their rightful place - and when I spoke to them last week - they said that they wouldn't until it was all cleared up.

I cleared & swept up today - and it looks a whole heap better - so hopefully we will have a regular service from now on.

But please could we all put any re-cycling actually inside the bins from now on. All the aluminium take-out boxes & cans were still caked in food (hence the vermin) - and there was loads of stuff that are not actually re-cyclable.

And then - of course there was all the fly-tipped stuff as well. For that we just have to be a bit more vigilant. If you ever see any of these vans dumping stuff anywhere in our square - see if you can snap a pic. If we put evidence up here on the blog - maybe a bit of naming & shaming might do the trick.

Thanks.

Berkshire Road re-Surface

2010-12-09T12:22:00.005Z

A we all know - our road is getting a make-over. The council is being very busy re-surfacing Berkshire Road to make it a smoother more pleasant cycle along.

But - it is also in preparation for the Controlled Parking Zone which will be marked out when the asphalting has finished.

Remember the survey back in January? http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2009/01/hackney-wick-controlled-parking-zone.html - well this is the result.

The whole of Berkshire Road - and it's extensions - Osborne & Wallis Roads - are to be yellow lined with residents parking spaces. This is to make sure that none of the Olympic workers will use our neighbourhood to park in.

One of the outcomes - is that they start using Leabank Square to park in. So we all need to be more vigilant and take details of anyone abusing our own car park.

Anyhow - I speak as a cyclist - and I for one will enjoy a smoother ride to & from work each day - so thank you Hackney Council.

Room to Rent in Leabank Square

2010-12-04T12:03:00.003Z

This blog gets requests all the time from people all over London - looking to move into our lovely square. Well this time - we have an appeal from the square - looking for a new neighbour.

Two of our lovely residents are looking for a 3rd female to share one of the flats in block 34-45.

It's a double room - and they're looking for a creative type as they're creative as well.

Please see: http://www.flatmaterooms.co.uk/room-to-let/hackney-wick-leabank-square for more info - and if you're interested - come & have a look.

Together we will all populate Leabank Square with the loveliest people!

Leabank Square Festive Lights Look Stunning!!!

2010-12-01T13:25:00.007Z

Pic: Z

A MASSIVE thanks to 'Z' for bringing loads of festive cheer into Leabank Square again!!

At around this time every year 'Z' treats the rest of us to a stunning Xmas display. Each & every year she outdoes herself - and makes our winter celebrations that much more special!

Winter Wonderland in Leabank Square!

2010-11-30T13:22:00.004Z

Wasn't November crazy?! Warm balmy days in the beginning helped us do some late year gardening - and in these last few days - sub-zero temps with an early snowfall!!

CRAZZZEEEEEEE!

Still it makes Leabank Square look really clean & beautiful - doesn't it?

Tour Hackney Wicks Art Galleries & Studios Sat 27 Nov

2010-11-23T08:55:00.004Z

Would you love a chance to tour some of the most amazing Art Gallery's in Hackney Wick?! Well here's your chance!!

The Arts Council - together with Art Licks have put together an incredible tour of the Wicks most innovative & creative studios. I know the £10 is a bit steep - so make the most of it by really chatting to the artists you meet up with. Ask them more about the whole Hackney Wick area - and what an incredible place they find it.

For a short flavour of what you'll see:
http://hackneywick.blogspot.com/2009/08/hackney-wicked-fantastic.html
http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2009/08/hackney-wicked-completes-leabank-square.html

Saturday 27 November, 2.30-4.30pm: HACKNEY WICK

Meet at Hackney Wick Station, 2.30pm

You will visit:

Mother Studios
Schwartz Gallery
Artists' Studios
STOUR SPACE
L.I.U, Legacy 1

To book a place - visit:
http://www.artsjobs.org.uk/index.php?id=25&ne_post_id=52719

Please come on down to Hackney Wick - this place is already kicking - imagine what it's going to be like when London's Silicone Valley starts up after the Olympics?!

Stour Space Christmas Market Sat 11th December

2010-11-18T17:00:00.007Z

Dreading the thought of pounding busy pavements for xmas gifts? Looking for original, local, transport free shopping?!!

Then get down to Stour Space for an alternative, friendly and creative shopping experience.

Lea River Voted 4th Worst!

2010-11-17T09:15:00.006Z

The Lea River has just been voted the 4th Worst River in England & Wales by the members of the RSPB. It is no surprise that the aspect commented most about - is the pollution.

We see this every day. All day long there is flotsam & jetsam flowing by Leabank Square. Of course, we have always notified British Waterways whenever there has been a particularly bad pollution spill - but we can do our bit too. Whenever we are up in the Purple Garden on the riverbank - if you see anything floating by close to the bank - please safely retrieve it - and bin it.

It might seem a small insignificant floating pop bottle - but it all adds up.

In the meanwhile - I wonder what the Olympic Delivery Authority feel about hosting the 2012 games along the 4th worst river in England & Wales?

Mmmmmmm......

See:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/264550-revealed-the-best-and-worst-rivers-in-england-and-wales

http://www.haringeyindependent.co.uk/news/8668655.River_Lea_voted_fourth_worst_in_England_and_Wales/?ref=rss

http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/river_lea_voted_fourth_worst_river_1_729181

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/waleshistory/2010/11/sir_hugh_middleton_drinking_water_river_thames.html

Eid Mubarak!!

2010-11-16T07:41:00.000Z

Lea Canal Olympic Closure

2010-11-08T17:50:00.002Z

Following on from last weeks ding dong over our sunrise being knicked by the Olympics (http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2010/11/olympics-have-stolen-our-sunrise.html) - we now have more to worry about.

Although - supposedly - nothing has yet been decided - there are rumours flying around that the Lea is going to be closed off for a couple of months over the actual games times. This includes the towpath - and could possibly include the Purple Recycled Garden!!

The police are using 'a potential terrorist threat' as the security-creep into making us not going about our daily business of living alongside the Olympic Park. Many of us use the towpath to cycle along (myself - at least 10 times a week - and on most weekends as well), walk our dogs, fish, ramble, forage - and of course - we have our rowing boat as well.

Well - it seems as though we going to be considered a terrorist threat if we carry on doing these things around games times!

Let's just re-cap here: We have all being living here long before the games were even suggested for Hackney Wick. We then had Arena Fields stolen from us by an Act of Parliament in order to build the games on top of. - that's a massive green field that now has concrete all on top of. We then have had to put up with years of disruption, noise, dust, wolf whistles, overlooking cranes, etc in order to build the games. We have thousands of CCTV cameras sucking up our images each time we walk along their/our perimeter. We have electric fences stuck directly in front of us.

And now - we are not even aloud to carry on living normally along our own river?!

If the threat of us not being able to garden in the Purple Recycled Garden comes true - then we are not even going to be able to get any of our crops of salads, tomatoes, corn, potatoes, cabbage, onions, brassicas, berries, figs, carrots, beetroot, etc. Remember everyone - this is the height of summer - this is the most important time of the year for any gardener - but more so for an edible garden.

So - what are we going to do?

Well - please write to all of our councillors to tell them how you feel about the Lea closure. Please also write to Meg Hillier and the appropriate ministers in the ConDem government.

This is more than just our usual noise, dust & disruption argument with the Scientolympic brainwashed representatives. These are our civil liberties we are talking about. Our right to live freely & happily as everyone else does.

See also:
http://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/news/river_row_over_olympic_security_fears_1_719545

Remember, Remember.........

2010-11-07T23:07:00.000Z

Throw, Pitch, Hurl, Toss, Drop...Seed Bombs in the Wick

2010-11-07T18:44:00.029Z

Seed Bombs + Guerrilla Gardeners = Springtime Explosion!!

Today a fantastic bunch of locals got together to embark on a Hackney Wick seed bombing walk! The route started at Mabley Boulder and ended at the A12 pedestrian bridge. All along the way, we deposited our magical bombs which will transform our chosen path into a corridor of colour by next summer!

A few weeks ago our good friend Andreas Lang from Public Works suggested that the Leabank Square gardeners and Abbey Gardens collaborate on a seed bombing project which would follow the sunflower avenue project from a few years back.

So a bunch us got to together to create a big, stylish pile of seed bombs, mainly with the aid of Andreas’s specially designed moulds and magical seed press.

The seeds were harvested from Abbey Gardens in Stratford, Mabley Green Meadow and Leabank Square Meadow, making this a truly collaborative effort! Some of the flowers included in the seed bomb mix were poppies, cornflowers, campion and phacelia. All native wildflowers, which the bees will simply adore next summer!

As we walked, tossed, hurled and surreptitiously placed our seed bombs all over the Wick, we had great fun finding new places to leave our seed packages. So keep your eyes peeled next spring and you may just spot our trail!

If seed bombing wasn’t enough, we also ventured in fixing up the dilapidated planter on the corner of Prince Edward Road. We sawed and screwed, weeded and planted until we felt we had done our bit in mending a broken friend. So if you ever find yourself passing by the planter, please show a bit of love and water or even plant in something nice for all of us to enjoy.

An enormous thank you to everyone who joined us today and helped re-establish a natural link between Mabley Green and Victoria Park. And an especially big thank you to our young Guerilla Gardeners, Rhea, Tilly, Saul, Safiri, Ava and Shanthi!!

The Olympics Have Stolen Our Sunrise!!!

2010-11-06T11:36:00.007Z

Before........After.............

Can you believe how long the suns rays take to make it into Leabank Square in the morning these days?!

The absolutely disgusting & hideous Olympic media centre sits in front of us like a giants discarded fridge - and the solid toilet block of a handball centre - both squat in the suns path.

But it is now - in winter - that we feel it most! In the much reduced daylight hours of winter - the sun rises a full half an hour later at moment - what's it going to be like around the winter equinox?!

Of course - we have had no choice about any of this - but the fact that the Olympics own planning department passed these most hideous buildings for the Hackney Wick end of the Olympic Park - means that we have to stare at these monstrosities for many decades to come - instead of being gently woken up with beautiful sunrises.

They spent most of their design budgets on the main entrance buildings, the velodrome, aquatic centre, and the stadium. For the Hackney Wick side - they went for the cheapest, kit-box warehouses they could find.

Lets just all hope that these buildings produce many jobs for Hackney Wick residents after the games!!

Birds of Leabank Square - Swan

2010-11-06T11:21:00.003Z

Remember those beautiful little swanlings from last year? Well - haven't they grown into lovely teenagers?! The family seems to visit Leabank Square's Purple Garden twice each day.

They absolutely love the new reedbeds - and hang about for about an hour each time.

The mute swan is a very large white waterbird. It has a long S-shaped neck, and an orange bill with black at the base of it. When they fly past Leabank Square - they have their necks extended and have regular slow wingbeats. The noise when they take off - is absolutely thrilling - lots of beating the water.

Some birds stay in their territories all year, while others move short distances and form winter flocks. In cold weather, some birds arrive from Europe into eastern England. Lets hope that this family stay here the whole winter - as they are so beautiful to watch!

Seed Bomb Hackney Wick this Sunday 17 Nov

2010-11-04T08:59:00.002Z

Those of you who helped create the Sunflower Avenue (http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2009/04/leabank-square-takes-part-in-hackney.html) last year will be pleased to know that we are doing a Wildflower Avenue this year as well.

In preparation for next spring - we are seed bombing a path all the way from Mabley Green Meadow (http://mableymeadow.blogspot.com/) - through Hackney Wick - to Viccie Park.

Besides just wanting to make our streets look lovlier - one of the other reasons is to have a beautiful path to follow either way - to the meadow & rock (http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2008/08/mabley-green-boulder-by-john-frankland.html) - or to Viccie Park.

We have made all the seed bombs (http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2010/10/brilliant-open-day-for-purple-garden.html) - so all you have to do is turn up at the Mabley Green Rock on Sunday at 11am - and take a stroll with us along the route - and bomb Hackney Wick.

There will be a cuppa waiting for you in the Leabank Square Purple Garden at the end - and you can simply chill looking at the world drift by on the River Lea.

Birds of Leabank Square - Pied Wagtail

2010-11-03T17:16:00.003Z

Just look at this amazing pair of Pied Wagtails captured yesterday! They were having a great lot of fun on the roof of the Family Mosaic Terrace. Then they flew down on to the green - where they carried on wagging about.

Thanks to everyone who has planted more trees in the terraces gardens. This has definitely brought some more birds back to Leabank Square. As a result of the summer garden survey - we are in the process of obtaining permission from PMMS (the management company in charge of the green) to plant a few trees on the green. This is the only estate in the whole of the wick that has so few trees growing in it.

For all the most common sensical reasons we need a few more trees to make our lives here a bit more pleasant. But also for these beauties up here!

For more - please see:

http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2010/03/birds-of-leabank-square-wren.html
http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2010/02/birds-of-leabank-square-kestrel.html
http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2009/08/birds-of-leabank-square-cockney-sparra.html
http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2009/05/birds-of-leabank-square-blue-tit.html
http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2009/02/birds-of-leabank-square-tufted-duck.html
http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2009/02/birds-of-leabank-square-tufted-duck.html
http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2009/01/birds-of-leabank-square-seagulls.html
http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2009/01/bird-boxes-for-leabank-square.html

Leabank Square Survey

2010-10-29T11:03:00.003+01:00

This just in from Nancy - secretary of the Leabank Square Community Association. She needs as many volunteers as possible to help out doing a door-to-door survey about some issues in our lovely square.

Please get back to her on leabanksquareca@qmail.com with your kind offers of support - and help find out what we all feel about living here.

Dear all

The LSCA are going to be conducting a door to door survey in the next few weeks to ask everyone on the Square for their ideas and feelings about living in Leabank.

We will include questions about:
A new front entrance to the Square
Security & anti-social behaviour
Gardening in the Square

Please let us know if you have any ideas about other things we should include and also if you would can help us do the survey; talking to your neighbours and getting their feedback etc.

Many thanks
Nancy

Artisan Designers Market in the Brittania

2010-10-21T19:42:00.006+01:00

I'm sure many of us will remember Erin & Mat from the Hackney Wick Festival. They had that amazing handmade fabric jewellery stall that we were all drooling over!!

Well - now's your chance to check them out again - or you can even hire a stall alongside them as well! Stalls cost a mere £10 - and because there will be many other amazing stall holders there - the punters will come flooding in - getting their Xmas shopping in nice & early.

This incredible market will be on every last Saturday of each month - starting October 30th - from 11am to 5pm.

So come on Leabank Square - whether you want to set up stall - or simply browse yourself sill in a great pub - hop on the number 388 & get yourself down there!!

Scrap Metal Thieves Strike Again!!!

2010-10-13T19:04:00.004+01:00

Last Friday - a white van with a couple of guys in fluorescents - drove into Leabank Square - and lifted the metal sewer lids - popped them into the back of the van - and drove off.

They were so quick- that when Tony saw them through his window - by the time he got down to ask them who they were - they'd driven off. These guys have definitely done this a few times before.

They might even be the same bunch who got our garden tools last summer!! Sometimes they are the same white vans who are doing the fly-tipping. They arrive with builders rubble - dump it - and then load up 'scrap' metal.

A big thank you to Family Mosaic for screwing wooden covers over the holes so promptly - but the first dump truck that parks on top of it - they'll be trapped in a hole.

Please always ask any white van men - just who they are, what they are doing & who gave them permission to do it. If possible - try & get a few pics on your camera - and pass them on to us or our Local Neighbourhood Team.

See also:

http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2009/04/fly-tippers-in-leabank-square.html
http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2010/05/cats-dumped-in-leabank-square.html
http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2010/02/fly-tipping-again.html
http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2010/02/thank-you-so-very-much-to-everyone-in.html
http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2010/02/fly-tipping-aaaaaaaaargh.html
http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2009/11/flytipping-hits-leabank-square-again.html

Purple Crocus Planting in Beautiful Sunshine!

2010-10-10T13:21:00.009+01:00

Thanks to everyone who turned out to plant the purple crocus path today! In no time at all we planted all the 300 Ruby Giant Crocus bulbs kindly donated by the Eden Project & Rotary International.

The reason for the colour purple - is that it is the same colour of the dye that kids in the developing world have to dip their fingers in after Polio inoculation. This stays on their fingertips for a couple of months - enabling health workers to identify which children still to immunise.

The beauty of these bulbs is that they will come up year after year - making the path along the fence look stunning every spring. And - of course - it just happens to be Leabank Purple as well!

Besides the stunning autumn sunshine today - always the best thing about the Leabank Square Gardening Club - is the great friendships struck between neighbours. Thanks everyone!

Brilliant Open Day for Purple Garden

2010-10-03T18:44:00.017+01:00

Take a look at the fantastic Open Day we had for residents up in the Purple Garden. The weather was nowhere near the typhoon predicted - and some of us even got sunburned! Thanks to everyone for the delicious food for lunch - we've never had such scrummy food up there!!

And then there was the amazing production of the seed bombs!!! Wow!! Thanks to Andreas's amazing Seed Press - we made hundreds of beautiful seed bombs. Yes - we do mean beautiful!!

I know we've made rolled up bombs in the past - but these are class!!

Thanks again to everyone for making it such a lovely day.

Purple Garden Open Day!!

2010-09-30T19:59:00.003+01:00

By now everyone should have got their invite to the open day up in the Purple Riverbank Garden - this Sunday 3rd October 2010 @ 11am.

Remember back in Spring when the Leabank Square Gardening Club consulted the whole square about the gardening? Well amongst some other excellent suggestions - notice boards, maps, extra bins, shorter flowers, etc - was an open day for all residents to come & see the Purple Riverbank Garden.

Well......... The 1st phase of the garden is complete, and the time has come to show every resident just what goes on up there.

Among the things you'll find out is

> How to apply for a key to the garden
> What are the terms & conditions
> More about the recycling project
> How sustainable the garden is
> What we are growing in the nursery
> What are the plans for the future

Unfortunately - we have seen a weather forecast - and it looks filthy!! But we have got a brilliant marquee to shelter under - with some delicious soup & bread to help keep warm. This will be at the bottom of the stairs. Thanks also to Tom who helped plan this site.

We will also be making seed bombs for blowing up the whole of Hackney Wick with wildflower meadows. This activity is even more exciting as it is a partnership with another community garden (http://www.whatwilltheharvestbe.com/) - similar to the previous ones with the Mabley Green Meadow (http://mableymeadow.blogspot.com/) & DigFood (http://www.facebook.com/pages/DigFoodVictoriaPark/314262957041) in Viccie Park. The more we link all our local community gardens up - the better this planet will be!

Aaaaaanyway........ Be brave this Sunday - come out of your doors & up to the Purple Riverbank Garden - you're going to have great fun.

Leabank Square Map

2010-09-16T15:05:00.004+01:00

Following up from many of the comments made during the last Leabank Square Garden Survey - we have finally saved up enough re-cycled material to make our very own........

Leabank Square Map!!!

Made mostly from estate agent for sale signs - the map shows the geography of Leabank Square - as well as loads of useful information for all of us. Things like our community associations chairs, managing agents contact details, what to do if you want to get rid of a bed or sofa, etc.

But the map is designed to be altered & changed easily - so if you have any additional info you may want up there - please send us an email.

Thanks to Dee, Joe & Lauren who have already given us very positive feedback - even before the map was up!!!

Anyway - just in time for the Hackney Wick Festival - please enjoy the latest addition to the Leabank Square Gardens!!

Winter Crop - Delicious Chard!!

2010-09-14T12:50:00.004+01:00

The gardening club has some spare Rhubarb Chard seedlings for anyone to pick up! This delicious winter crop is very hardy - so is ideal for our window boxes & planters.

Of course - if we have another stinker winter like last year - it probably wouldn't survive all that frost & snow. If it gets really cold - then some fleece would be a good cover. If you don't have fleece - the some light coloured plastic shopping bags worked for us last year. But on the whole it should feed you for many more months.

Thank you to all the gardening club members who planted this lovely crop. If you would like a few plugs - please email leabanksquare@london.com - and it will be 1st come 1st served.

Eid Mubarak!!

2010-09-10T09:33:00.001+01:00

Olympic Catering Centre will be MASSIVE!!!!

2010-09-09T20:14:00.004+01:00

Thanks to Matt who told me about the poster on the Gardening Club noticeboard yesterday! Otherwise I would never have found out about this. According to Georgina (ODA PR person) we were supposed to have had a leaflet drop about toady's bit of spin a few days ago. Once again - someone messed up!

Anyway - I squoze a few minutes over there today - and we are in for a MASSIVE shock when the journo's catering facility & satellite compound are built next year!

It will come right up to the road - and get this - will be double the height it is now!! No wonder they gave us such short notice to come & check it out today!?!

Anyway - this is all in the name of so-called 'consultation'. We all know that the Olympic planners have to submit their plans to........... the Olympic Delivery Authority. So - whatever we say - doesn't ever mean a thing anyway. But - as usual - feel free to try the usual channels to voice your concerns.

Is Leabank Square not gritty enough for Mike Leigh?

2010-09-08T21:17:00.006+01:00

Remember all those location scouts asking questions over the last few weeks? Well they were checking out Leabank Square for Mike Leigh's new 'bloke trying to eke out a living in the shadow of the giant Olympic development' movie.

But guess what?! They chose a location a few metres upstream.

Mike Leigh is famous for his gritty, working class, ordinary person, learn your lines - then forget them - kind of movies. Most are set in & around council estates in very deprived areas.

Some of us are very happy that Leabank Square doesn't look gritty enough - while some chatting in the Purple Garden last night - were quite upset that Mike Leigh rejected us. Sort of 'what's wrong with Leabank?!? Not gloomy enough for ya?'

Anyhow - look out for the crew all over the place. I almost cycled into this pink shirted actor in Broadway Market last night. They are shooting in many locations all around the Hackney border of the Olympic site - see how many of us can get into the backgrounds when the movie comes out!

Hackney Wick during the Blitz by Matt Woods

2010-09-07T16:18:00.002+01:00

Seventy years ago today, London came under fire from the Luftwaffe, with bombs raining down on the capital, in what became known as the Blitz, during which 43,000 civilians were killed.

Today I discovered on this day, 7 September 1940 (first day of the Blitz), Hackney Wick suffered three German bombs, including an explosive bomb, which landed on Prince Edward Road, damaging the road and three houses. Other bombs landed just outside what is now Leabank Square by Gainsborough School and on the industrial buildings just by the canal.

I also found this account of “Hackney Wick at War”, on the BBC website, an account by Frank Munns of his wartime experiences (as told in 2004):

“I was not quite two when the war broke out. We lived over the bike shop next to the White Lion pub. My earliest memory must have been about july 1940 (just after Dunkirk ) when i can still hear my father saying that if "they" got here he would shoot me , mum and then hinself. Luckily that didn't happen.
WE used to shelter in the cellar of the pub at first but later on we used a shelter cut into the bank in Eastway next to St Mary.s church .On one occasion we were all inside completely oblivious to what was happening on top ,it seems that the top was getting a right pasting but we felt nothing.
Dad was called up into the REME and ended up in India .Mind you Our neighbours The Knowles family didnt, see their dad for the whole of the war .He spent it all in the far east.
All through the war4 Harry Thirkettle kept the forge opposite our shop going and I spent hours watching him shoe horses.
As the war progressed we began to see POW's ,Italians in Victoria park And Germans out on Waterden road.
I went to Gainsborough Road School (who recalls Mrs Sneddon, Mr Reynolds (polly),mrs Cray and mr Evans?) and played in Victoria park .In the park earlier on was an AA unit but later in the war we had the infamous rocket guns ,the ones that caused panic at Bethnal Green Station. I saw them go off one night ,no firework display that I have seen since has been more awesome.!
My mates at that time were Jimmy & Terry Knowles,Harry Strutt,Roy Garnham And Albert Highinton. Where are they now?
Throught the war Mum kept our little shop going and in !944 the front got blown out by a V2. We were away in Northampton at the time where I witnessed sheer panic when the only flying bomb to get to that town turned up and no one in the street where we were staying could find the key to the Air Raid shelter.
In 1945 I woke up one morning and Mum said "Its All Over " my reply was "Does that mean that we'll not get any more news on the wireless?'
We like many ,many others had had a rough time ,there were acres of bomb sites to play on and we lost some good local people .Thankfully as far as I could tell all the servicemen in our part of the Wick returned. My Dad, Jimmy,s Dad, Jim Dewis ,one of the first paras.and Mick Thirkettle from a POW camp but regretably minus a hand.
Parties and bonfires marked the end and the scar of the bonfire in Chapman Road was still visible in the sixties”.

If anyone knows any of the people named in the article or their descendants, it would be great to hear from them so we can build a history of Hackney Wick at War to preserve those memories and accounts for future generations and perhaps even make some kind of permanent tribute in the Wick to those in this area who gave their lives for King and Country.

The Blitz interactive map of London is available on the Guardian online website http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/interactive/2010/aug/26/blitz-first-day-second-world-war)

What's everyone looking at?

2010-08-30T16:39:00.012+01:00

If you do one thing this summer, take your friends, neighbours, family and dogs for a walk on the other side of the canal, opposite Leabank Square's Purple Garden.

You will be in for such a treat! Forget Kew Gardens -check out our river view and the gardens for free!!

The reedbeds planted in May are truly flourishing beside our riverbank garden.

A beautiful view along the Lee Navigation!

Leabank Square's visiting artist, Zena, paints the garden and river views.

The enormous onion flowers are clearly visible from the towpath!

A coot and a moorhen get cosy amidst the reeds. This particular patch of reeds broke free somewhere up the river and floated past our bank. Of course, we couldn't let this opportunity pass us by and we have attached this floating free spirit to our existing reeds.

It's very exciting to see wildlife setting up home beside our beautiful garden!

Table and chairs, painted in the riverbank hues by Matt and Nancy.

Summer in the Purple Garden!!

2010-08-25T15:18:00.016+01:00

The riverbank garden looks more and more beautiful with each passing year, as all things do as they grow and mature...

Tom's train, painted in the riverbank colours.

The fly-tipped European Larch has been lovingly brought back to life by Sõna.

Nadira planted up a couple of courgette plants this year and they were a real treat eaten in omelettes, picked fresh on the day!

Riverbank sunflowers, standing tall and proud.

Sona's stunning bug hotel...we're hoping to receive guests very soon!

Earlier this year we purchased a few unusual corn varieties...only a handful of seeds germinated and we're keeping our fingers crossed for some blue corn.

The riverbank bramble grew and grew this summer. The berries have been enjoyed by many residents...but most deliciously, by the young Leabankers!

This display contains one of our surviving Cordylines. Many gardeners reported losing theirs to the bitter Winter, but this hardly individual made it through and is thriving!

A view along the purple riverbank.

Tracie's Fig Tree is doing really well this year. It has produced many figs, however the only mature fig was sneekily enjoyed by a pigeon!

The hoverflies are beautifully camouflaged whilst enjoying one of our sunflowers.

The lavender seeds that we planted in early spring have grown! They'll be ready for planting in the Square next spring.

An Elderflower start to the Summer!!

2010-06-30T17:27:00.008+01:00

Living in Hackney Wick means we get to experience the natural habitats around us as though we were living in rural England!

Now that summer is truly upon us, it’s the perfect time to go out and enjoy the river lee, marshes, woods, trees and orchards.

One thing we have been enjoying a lot of recently is homemade elderflower cordial.

It’s the easiest thing to make – flowerheads, lemons, sugar and water. Combine these ingredients together for a refreshing and delicious summer concoction.

This year we have managed to produce 4 batches since the flowers started blossoming at the end of May!

Sadly, I fear we have picked our last flowers as the trees are now starting to form their berries …elderberry jam anyone?

The creamy white flowers of the elderflower tree (sambucus nigra)

A beautiful summer's evening along the the towpath...

and a perfect evening for picking flowers for one last batch of cordial.

That should be enough flowers for the pot.

A delicious, fragant taste of early summer best served with chilled sparkling water!

Lang Tree Students' Geography Trip to Leabank Square!

2010-06-25T19:38:00.004+01:00

Today Leabank Square became the focus of a Geography school trip from Reading!

The students from Lang Tree Secondary School popped in to research their Geography project – ‘the effects of the Olympics on local populations’.

When we asked if the whole class had come down from Reading, one student replied ‘No, the other half got to go on a trip to France!

Leabank Square Wildflower Meadow June 2010

2010-06-25T18:54:00.004+01:00

The meadow is positively overflowing with colour and splendour!

Thanks again to everyone who planted this meadow way back in March.

You must agree it was worth braving that chilly Sunday morning …just take a look at the pictures we snapped earlier.

The delicate poppies are continuing to flower and other annuals such as the cornflowers are also beginning to really take off too!

It's such a pleasure returning home to the square and being greeted by the riot of colour that is our very own meadow!

Look at our Irises!

2010-05-30T14:15:00.003+01:00

The planter with Mohammed's cherry tree in has got amazing company for a few weeks! The beautiful Irises have come up even better than last year!

Thank you to all the gardening club for getting so much done over the winter - all the planters are looking great!

Fish of Leabank Square - Carp

2010-05-29T12:37:00.004+01:00

They're BACK!!

Maybe it's the reedbeds - or maybe it was just that awful narrowboat engine leak last year - but this year the carp are back in larger numbers than ever.

The Common carp (posh name - Cyprinus carpio) is a widespread freshwater fish in the waters of lakes and large rivers in Europe and Asia.

Although they are very tolerant of most conditions, common carp prefer large bodies of slow or standing water and soft, vegetative sediments. A schooling fish, they prefer to be in groups of 5 or more. They naturally live in a temperate climate in fresh or slightly brackish water - which makes the Lea a perfect home for them.

They normally stay all summer - so whenever you get a chance - pop up to the recycled garden - and sit still for a few minutes - and a school will be sure to come along.

Cats Dumped in Leabank Square

2010-05-28T21:47:00.003+01:00

Fly-tipping in Leabank Square plummeted to a new low today when a pair of adolescent cats were dumped in our bin area this morning.

The terrified cats were shivering from cold & fear when Tony spotted them. Thanks to Tony and Isabel who called the RSPCA - and they were speedily picked up.

Please remain vigilant about these fly-tippers who keep returning to Leabank & making our lives a bit more challenging.