There is now a Stoke Newington Business Association to cover both the High Street and Church Street. Their committee has lobbied Hackney Council over the recently introduced CPZ’s and Transport for London over the bendy buses. They are investigating the idea of a Business Improvement District (BID). Where BIDs have been introduced, they usually address issues of street security and cleanliness and marketing of the area. Something to look forward to.

(via Clissold Residents Association newsletter)

"Mobile telephone transmitter masts appear to be the latest rage. Next to Grazebrook Primary & Nursery, and proposed near St. Mary’s Parochial C. of E. Primary and near William Patten Primary Schools. We are told that health matters cannot be considered under the L.A. Planning process. This is strange when we know that such things as cooking smells and noise are (health) factors considered in Planning Applications?"

(via Clissold Residents Association newsletter)

"The Clissold Leisure Centre is due to be repaired for re-opening sometime in the first quarter of next year 2006. It can at long last be reveal who was responsible for this calamity - there were four of them involved in this important job - Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody realised that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done!"

(via Clissold Residents Association newsletter)

Avigdor Primary School now definitely appears to be closing this summer. Watch this space for another large redevelopment. Meanwhile another new School is being proposed just along Manor Rd, near Listria Park on the vacant land next to Dr. Watt’s mound in Abney Park Cemetery! Does this seem a bit odd to anyone else?

"At long last - replacement trees planted in Yoakley and Bouverie Roads. We give a “Well Done” to the Arboricultural Department although some of the empty bases were brought to the attention of our Council in our Tree Surveys of 1987, 1993, 2002! Many of the original trees, planted in 1973/4, presented us with a splendid display of blossom last month. If you have a street tree base near you then please help the new saplings by giving them a few gallons of water and a liquid feed via the watering containers from time to time to help them become established."

(from the Clissold Residents Association)

"The swimming pool has been the intriguing duel place for the Aussies and Americans for long. As the star-studded U.S. men's team is charging towards the 2005 World Swimming Championships spearheaded by wunderkind Michael Phelps, the Australian ladies are looking forward to a bumper harvest in Montreal from July 24th to 31st."

(Via People's Daily Online Swimming Worlds preview (1): Australian ladies, US misters to dominate pool: .)

"Motorists who use a mobile telephone when driving are four times more likely to have an accident, even if they use a hands-free system, new research says."

(Via Telegraph News | UK News Mobiles 'increase road accident risk': .)

From the Hackney Marsh User Group newsletter

"The immediate impact is that Arena Field will soon be lost to Olympics precinct- a high fence and road for heavy vehicles moving contaminated soil will run close to Lee Navigation. Businesses, bus garages, travellers site and Church along Waterden Road will be moved as area is turned into a massive building site. Open land and allotments on east bank of River Lea will be turned into sports venues. White Hart Field (open space between A12 and Ruckholt Road) and a large chunk of East Marsh (both Common Land and Metropolitan Open Space) and trees along Ruckholt Road will soon be lost under a huge land bridge. In spite of questions asked through GLA member, London 2012 have given no information about what land will be provided as exchange land for the loss of this Common Land. Walk on September 4th walk will go round these areas soon to be lost as public open space."