Clapton Pond Blog

Savings Survey

Not only our of children the fattest but...

"People in West Lothian have the smallest savings balances at an average of just £3,897, followed by those in Glasgow City at £4,209 and people in Hackney at £4,209."

More here.

Sinking To Dalston

A "kitsch boy" is looking for a mate. He's choosey:

Three: Must live close, but not too close. Maybe somewhere on the 38 or 55 bus route. Clerkenwell would be nice, but I'd be happy with Essex Road, and actually would even sink to Dalston for the right man.

I'm saying nothing.

Fair Point Or Cheap Shot?

The Tax Payers' Alliance claims to have spotted a "non-job" created by the Council. Make up your own mind about that but be sure to also read the comment it's provoked, which includes the following:

"You missed the Richmond advert for a similar position, but then Hackney are such an easy target, why would you need to look anywhere else?"

Indeed.

Operation Blunt 2

From Hackney Police, a press release:

Officers from Hackney Borough Police have seized nearly 60 dangerous and offensive weapons in the first four weeks of Operation Blunt2 - the Metropolitan Police’s initiative to tackle serious youth violence across London. Since the start of the operation 28 individuals have been charged with knife-related crimes, including possession of an offensive weapon, which carries a maximum sentence of four years’ imprisonment. Several incidents are under investigation, with individuals currently on police bail.

Council Workers' Strike Plan

From the Gazette:

"Hackney Unison says planned strike action by council workers due to a pay dispute is likely to affect 'a significant number' of the branch's 2,400 members. Branch chair Brian Debus said the strike planned for two days in July was the only way to make the government stop and listen to workers' concerns. He said: 'It will almost certainly close a significant number of schools, most libraries will be closed, housing offices, council tax offices and revenues and benefits and of course back office facilities.'"

The provisional date is 16th July or thereabouts. Watch this space.

The Lord Cecil's Roof, Etcetera

Reader Zac raised the question of the ex-pub's deterioration and has now provided this photo. In an email he writes:

"You can see from the pictures that the slate has been cleanly removed...it's also clear that The poor squatters tried to repair this with signboards and other things."

Councillor Akehurst, whose ward contains the building, was good enough to leave a comment at my initial post:

"I've been following this closely as the Lord Cecil is in my ward and various constituents plus the Clapton Conservation Area Advisory Committee have been expressing concern. The Council is involved in trying to stop the deterioration of the building and has received initial correspondence from the DCMS, which is continuing to investigate the case for serving an Urgent Works Notice on the building's owner.

In the meantime, the owner has contacted the Council to confirm that contractors have been on site making the building watertight. I think the Council has now inspected the building and will of course continue with enforcement action if the remedial works carried out fall short of those required under the Urgent Works Notice request to the DCMS."

Does anyone have further information about any of this?

Glory In Defeat

I got home from Boris-watching just after 10.00 last night. Thought it was quiet.

Oh, I Say!

From The Standard:

"The London tennis player who will meet four-time champion Venus Williams on Wimbledon's Centre Court said today the match holds no fear for her. Anne Keothavong, who started playing in Hackney at the age of three, said it is the kind of challenge she has been working towards all her life. The 24-year-old, whose parents fled Laos in the Seventies when the Vietnam war spilled into that country, said: 'It's what you play tennis for, to play these big matches. I've got nothing to lose. I'm looking forward to it.'"

Now read on.

Gentrification: Thinking Allowed

Dalston, the Nando's dispute, the Olympics: each story crystalizes the debate about gentrification, regeneration and community, including the following questions:

"Does the gentrification process bring benefits to existing and new inhabitants of an area? How much does it involve the displacement of present residents?"

If you missed Laurie Taylor and his panel of urban development experts trying to answer them last week, be sure to listen again.

Gallow's Humour Dept

And you thought journalists were bad.