Clapton Pond Blog

Buy my book on Zac versus Sadiq at Pages of Hackney

This is me lurking behind a copy of my book about the recent, revealing and often unpleasant fight to become London Mayor, which I covered extensively for the Guardian. I completed the book within ten days of the election on 5 May and it was out as an eBook a few days after that. Then, it became a paperback. I have published the book myself as a sort of experiment, which has turned into a voyage of discovery. Five boxes of "Zac versus Sadiq", each containing about 50 copies, have arrived at my house. Some of those copies - three, I believe - have already been sold at our local bookshop, Pages of Hackney. There are further copies there, just aching to be purchased. I would love it if you bought one. It would help create more space in my house. Thanks.   

Something is rising from the 'former toilet'

It's been years since an estate agent planted a sign heralding a "former toilet" above what was, indeed, the site of a defunct public lavatory at the confluence of Mildenhall and Millfields Roads - nearly ten years, would you believe. In 2011, an architect's design appeared in virtual form along with plans. There was a public consultation. But 18 months later nothing had happened and went on not happening until suddenly, recently... serious construction action! Will it look like what was envisaged five years ago? Will anyone who isn't absolutely loaded be able to afford to live there?  

New homes for the site of the lost synagogue

In July 2006, exactly ten years ago, the beautiful but disused Clapton Federation Synagogue on Lea Bridge Road was knocked down. The site has stood empty ever since until, at last, it is being redeveloped on behalf of the North London Muslim Housing Association. A microcosm of demographic change in Clapton on one small piece of East London land.