Clapton Pond Blog

Journalist Claims To "Do Work" Shock

Here is the news. Last week, a local blogger and alleged Guardian journalist went to Millfields school in Hackney with his eyelids propped open and goodwill in his heart to speak to a class of Year 1 pupils about whatever it is he thinks he does for a living. In his stylish reporter's shoulder bag (£8 from the Narroway, circa 1998) he carried his usual array of gadgetry - pens, notepads, digicam, camera, recording device - most of which he can't use properly.  He took his place in the classroom "hot seat" sustained only by bravado and a desire to keep his promise to Inspire! Watched closely by some 30 endearing infants, their teacher Miss Bukie and assistant Paulina he told tales of a funny man called Boris whose activities he monitors closely at all times and tries to tell the world about, principally by means of his Guardian London blog. Then he sought to establish some facts. Initial reports that the class contained 32 pupils proved to be incorrect after intensive head counting revealed there to be only 30 in the room. However, a spokesperson - believed to be Miss Bukie herself - explained that that was because two children were off sick. Having jotted all this down, the blogger-hack pressed the assembled to reveal their unhealthy food preferences. How many liked ice cream best, how many preferred jelly and how many would choose chocolate milk? Of the respondents, some of whom declined to be named, eleven went for ice cream, 17 for chocolate milk and all 30 for ice cream. This proved that the supposed reporter hadn't asked a very intelligent question. He left quietly, but not before taking the exclusive photograph you see here. Despite his deep incompetence he hopes to be invited back next year. And now, the weather forecast.          

Meat, Anyone?

 Corner of Ridley Road market. Didn't care for the Dutch halal chicken but greatly enjoyed the theatre. 

Olympics Media Centre: Don't Despair

You've probably heard that our most tangible piece of promised Olympic legacy is doomed to end up a flat-pack nonentity. In hushed terms I'm assured that such gloom may still prove premature. Discussions are at a delicate stage. Those working on Hackney's behalf have time for little else. Have faith, fellow Hackneyites, have faith.   

A Postal Mystery Solved

Was it really way back in September that I cruelly taunted readers by refusing to reveal that I knew why big red Royal Mail trolleys were tethered to posts at the ends of Thistlewaite Road and Nightingale Road? Why, yes it was.  The agony of not knowing must have been almost unbearable. Well, tough. But now I shall bring it to an end. The trolleys were there for the postmen to temporarily dump parcels in and therefore make their bags lighter while delivering letters. They returned to the trolleys later and then did a separate parcel run. This, though, was a temporary arrangement until attractive grey boxes of the type on the right of my photo were installed. They feature cutting edge technology - known as "keys", I believe - and make my postman happy. So let us all be happy too.

Olympic Legacy?

OPEN Dalston thinks there won't be one. Neither do Iain Sinclair and Michael Rosen, who will be talking and reading at Cafe Oto tonight from 7.30. And there's more.     

Brazilian Tit-Bit

Did you spot this parked outside Pond House recently? Were you smilingly accosted by its owner in Palm 2? I was, twice. His name is Romulo Livio de Medieros and I'm told he used to live round here. Now he has his own business and makes minas pao de queijo, a Brazilian delicacy comprised of dough and cheese and, I'd guess, about a million calories. Very tasty, actually. Available from your local corner shop too.

Iain Sinclair: Latest Developments

Reader Glyn, commenting here, drew my attention to an article I'm too petulant to link to suggesting that the Council has shifted its position on Sinclair promoting his next book in their premises. The story spoke of "dramatic U-turn" in the Town Hall and quoted a spokeswoman saying that the Council was thinking of asking Sinclair to speak at an event early next year.

I can put some flesh on those bones. The Council denies U-turning let alone doing so dramatically, but acknowledges (ahem) adjusting its position in light of the hostile response in the media and locally. A letter from Kim Wright (Corporate Director, Community Services) to one unhappy resident denied that the original decision was "motivated by the desire to ban or censor Mr Sinclair's opinions"  and gave an assurance that Hackney's libraries will stock Hackney, That Rose Red Empire when it becomes available. It also acknowledged that "this is obviously an issue that we need to revisit in considerably more depth."

One outcome of that revisiting does indeed seem likely to be a Council-organised event early next year. I'm told that plans are afoot for a debate centring on regeneration policy, that Sinclair has been sounded out about taking part and that he's indicated that he might accept. Meanwhile, I can confirm that the launch of his book will now take place at the more-than-deserving Pages Of Hackney. By the way, if you're a) hungry and b) free this evening, you might like to drop in there from 7.00. it's hosting the launch of the Clapton Cookbook. Yum.

Update: Thanks to Bridget  Fox, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Islington South, for commenting below, mentioning this mischievous offer to host Sinclair's launch in her borough. Bridget blogs here and for the Guardian.          

   

Boris, Hackney & You

There are two members of the London Assembly who take a close interest in Hackney affairs and both are in action at Mayor's Question Time today. Our constituency member is, of course, Labour's Jennette Arnold who is now also the Assembly's chair. The other AM who often pursues Hackney issues is Dalston resident and former Hackney Councillor Andrew Boff, the Tory elected in May from the London-wide list. Both have put a number of interesting questions to Boris Johnson this month. I'm not sure which, if any, will be asked verbally during this morning's proceedings at City Hall (which, technology permitting, you can can watch live or later). However, written answers to all questions are eventually supplied.  

You can find Arnold's questions here and here and Boff's here and here and here. (I often find those links uncooperative at first, but persevere). Arnold's include two about the future of the Olympic media centre (here and here). Commendably, she is also continues to harass the mayor over his appointment as policy director of former Policy Exchange boss Anthony Browne, who made known his utter contempt for Hackney in The Spectator under Johnson's editorship. Boff's libertarianism is demonstrated by his seeking support for "metric martyr" Janet Deavers and his localist-conservationist leanings by his desire to see Shoreditch's Light Bar saved from developers. I'll be reporting on the mayor's answers as and when they are supplied. 

      

Silence In Trafalgar Square

You'll remember why.

Farewell Fireworks (Possibly)

My youngest son took this photo from our back garden on the evening of 5th November. Yes, it's of rockets exploding in the distance. I like it that we've had only a firework week this year, unlike two years ago when I recall feeling as though the neighbourhood had been caught up in a month-long, all-out firework war. Mind you, at least one local shop still had some on display yesterday. And what was that loud bang I just heard?