Dear Members
1. Healthy School Street and associated traffic changes – and how to apply for an exemption
It’s hard not to notice that work has started to implement the controversial changes to our local streets. (Upper Willes Road is now a cul-de-sac.) Hopefully most people will just have had a notice through the door from Camden about this.
As you know, there is a chance to give feedback during the trial period and we should be notified as soon as the scheme is officially up and running. You can find out more, including where you can apply for an exemption if you live in one of the affected streets, at this link
https://safetravelcamden.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/holmes-road-safe-healthy-streets/start
2. Fig Tree Walk / Raglan St corner. Some of the recent work has involved installing dropped kerbs in various places, including at the Raglan Street entrance to Fig Tree Walk. Several people have pointed out that the surfacing there is terrible – lumpy tarmac that is already cracked and breaking up, as well as smothering the tree roots. We are hoping that this is a temporary surface and have written to our local councillors to check and ask for follow up.
3. New community resource at 2 Prince of Wales Road – This is important as at last we have the chance to have a proper community centre in our area where we can have meetings, as well as other benefits.
Things are progressing fast at the old cinema/Law Centre building. A group of artists will be moving in to set up their studio space very shortly, and then in early April the new, temporary, “civic action lab” will have its opening event. That will give people a chance to have a look at the building and see the potential for local activities. This is all part of the first phase while the building work continues to create workspace upstairs, and to test out how the community space will eventually work.
To get ready for the opening, the team are looking for anyone who can offer some time to sew things like cushion covers and/or provide colourful fabric. Time is now running short so all offers welcome – contact Jenny.Dunn@camden.gov.uk. Incidentally, the Caversham group practice would also welcome contributions of fabric, as they have a group making patchwork clothes and quilts for children.
There should be more information soon, once a date is fixed for the opening.
4. Alma Street Fair – 22 June 2025
There will be more information about this year’s fair coming out fairly soon, including how to book a stall and other ways to get involved. The planning group would be really pleased to hear from anyone who would like to run some children’s activities – parents or older children might like a stall offering a small prize for the best drawing of their house … a lucky dip …a game … all ideas and energy welcome.
Also, nearer the time it will be worth remembering that there will be parking suspensions on the day and very limited vehicle access to the main streets, so planning ahead to avoid deliveries on the day will be really helpful.
5. Have you a room to let?
A friend of a former resident (female, mid 40s, Londoner, jeweller, musician, cyclist) is looking for a room to rent in case anyone in the association has a space going. Let us know if you can help and we will put you in touch.
6. From Voluntary Action Camden
- Spring2Life Community Festival
Eyukamba Foundation invite you to Spring2Life, a Camden Community Festival taking place on 21st March at Red Lion Square Gardens. The event will include sessions from celebrated dancers on Afrofusion dance & Dance for Wellbeing, a Salsa & Merengue dance session as well as the opportunity to play steel drums with one of the UK’s top steelbands. Contact eyukambaf@aol.com for more information. - Play in Castlehaven’s 5-A-Side Football Fundraiser!
Take part in Castlehaven Community Association’s 5-a-side football fundraiser and help raise vital funds for their services. Gather your friends, family, or work colleagues for an exciting evening of football. The event takes place on Tuesday 1st April from 6:00 pm. Teams must have five players, and entry is £20 per player, including a free burger or hot dog with a drink. To register, email david@castlehaven.org.uk or call 07767 547 375. - 7. Sad news
- Many of you who are on the WhatsApp Group, or have other connections, already know that Jeff Baynes, former longstanding IARA resident and good friend to many of us, has died after a long illness. All our sympathy goes to Diana and their children.
- 8. And finally …
- If you’re not already on the IARA WhatsApp group and would like to be, let us have your mobile number and street address and we can add you. It’s now 249 strong, very lively and often very helpful – eg on broadband issues, stuff being given away, local events etc. And there are sub-groups: – Local History, Dog lovers, Cat lovers, theatre goers, gardening and green issues, Sustainability (ie home insulation, heat pumps etc)
D&D