Neighbourhood news, features, and comment
By Helen McMurray The impact of the coronavirus epidemic on businesses and jobs is becoming all too obvious now. Since we live so close to Theatreland, you may have already heard from people connected with the Performing Arts of the particular difficulties they are going through, and I understand that former employees across all the …
Continue reading "A large financial boost is needed to save the performing arts"
By Fiona Green Mike Pentelow in make up for a play. Photo: Fiona Green. Mike and I became friends when he first came to Fitzrovia. He had heard that Martin and I held a “safe house” in Tottenham Street for the African National Congress (ANC) to meet when their offices in Rathbone Place were being …
Continue reading "Mike Pentelow was loyal, generous and funny"
By Nick Bailey, Helen Haigh, and Mairi Mills Dave Ferris (left) with partner Adrian Dowson. Dave Ferris, who died in April, was a community worker at the Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Centre for more than two decades, and was highly regarded by his colleagues and the management of the organisation. Generous in spirit, and genuinely democratic, it …
By Peter Kirker Mike Pentelow enjoying music and a drink at the King and Queen pub in September 2018. Mike Pentelow, who died suddenly at home in April, was a long serving contributor to Fitzrovia News and Tower, its predecessor, editor-in-chief for 13 years, and an accomplished trade union journalist and author. His book Characters …
Continue reading "Mike Pentelow: much-loved journalist, communist, and author"
By Robert Cunning I first met Harry Jonas in the early 1980s. I was a volunteer with Islington social services, and a message came in to help an ageing artist, who thought he was the best painter in Britain. Harry Jones lived at 35 Maple Street (with arched window). Photographed in 1969. Source: London Metropolitan …
Continue reading "The artist Harry Jonas – ‘Last of the Fitzrovians’"
By Pat Tulloch It is the week before lockdown, I self-isolate as I have an underlying health condition that makes me vulnerable to Covid-19. At the Fitzrovia Centre we are in the business of creating social cohesion through bringing people together, it becomes clear we will be unable to maintain safety and forced to close. …
Continue reading "When this is all over we will have learned the real meaning of community"
By Barbara Corr A group of residents in City of Westminster want the council to make our streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists and help maintain social distancing ahead of any lockdown being eased. Fitz West and Westminster Healthy Streets want to hear suggestions for improving the streets and have produced a map to which …
Continue reading "Help us improve the streets for walking and cycling in Fitzrovia West"
By Stephen Heath For those struggling for a glimmer of cheer in these grim times, I do recommend a brisk walk (or two) up to Shaheen Peerbhai's Miel Bakery on Warren Street. Unlike its now boarded up neighbour, our other favourite foodie haunt, the iconic Honey & Spice, it is still open and offering a limited …
Continue reading "Mouth-wateringly good, baked comfort food to take away on Warren Street"
By A M Hanson Spring Rays, but for how long? Like many I sought the fresh air and solace in The Regent's Park over the weekend as the first sunny days of spring appear and herald new life. With my ever ready camera it was a chance to capture …
By Griff Rhys Jones There are big plans for Oxford Street in the offing. You may already know of them and they are certainly going to affect the residents who live around that retail artery. There was a consultation with Transport for London, but it appears that they put up the “wrong address” on their …
Continue reading "If we don’t care for our own backyard then nobody else is likely to"
By Celine Hispiche I first met Sally Fiber in 2012 through our mutual friend Beth Saunders. Both Beth and myself were working on projects about Betty May the Tiger Woman, a bohemian muse who frequented Sally’s family pub ‘The Fitzroy Tavern’, 16 Charlotte Street, in the early part of the 20th century. It was even more …
By Beryl Burton This first novel by L.A. Osakwe is set within the rich culture of ancient Africa at a time before any other cultures set foot on African soil. It is a story which comes out of a rape. In my opinion the punishment meted out befits the crime much better than today’s form …
Continue reading "Book review – An African Story: The Marriage"
By Caroline Mawer Pedestrianising Oxford Street may sound like a great idea. The Mayor of London made it his manifesto commitment and the plans are being drawn up. But it needs to be a great idea for local residents and businesses as well as the global tourists the Mayor is apparently hoping to attract. We don’t want to have the surrounding streets even more …
Continue reading "Take action now to have your say on Oxford Street plans"
By J.E. Fairweather [I had just spent about six weeks to my sister in Perth, Ontario, having travelled to her from New York overnight by Greyhound (it took around 20 hours). I was on my way to Los Angeles by train. I had to travel from Brockville, Ontario to Toronto to pick up the sleeper …
We write as members of a Residents' Association, facing the challenges of the proposed Housing Bill, which will affect all who live in properties owned by borough councils in central London. We are concerned that the effects of the Housing Bill are not widely known, and that, if passed in its present form, the Bill …
By Roger Wilson For those who want to travel cheaply and aren't too concerned about a window view, an inside cabin on board ship can be an expedient, if not delightful, experience. It may not matter too much that waking up in the morning you don't know whether to put on a sweater or a …
Continue reading "Staying underground can seriously damage your neighbours’ health"
By Guy O'Connell A wild animal again roams Fitzrovia. It is perhaps the largest untamed mammal seen 'round these parts since building started on the ancient hunting grounds we at FN call home. It has so far eluded capture on camera, despite the best efforts of your correspondent, whose account follows. At around 10.30pm on …
By Edward Kellow If you have been down Hanson Street in Fitzrovia recently you may have noticed the number of buildings shrouded in scaffolding and green netting. This isn’t an art installation or a leftover from the Fitzrovia Arts week. The scaffolding is part of a programme of repairs to housing managed by City West Homes …
Book review -- The Public Sector: Managing the Unmanageable, by Alexander Stephenson. Reviewed by Amaan Ali The public sector concerns us all at this very delicate time in British politics. The NHS is poised to be the major election issue in May. Moreover, a still sluggish economy is bringing yet more critics to call public expenditure …
Continue reading "A readable public sector how-to for council officers and Whitehall mandarins"
By Sandra Wheen Parents of babies, children and young people may like to know that Fitzrovia has a variety of small play areas and regular organised activities. Young people and their carers have plenty of opportunity to get more out of living here. The Fitzrovia Community Centre has many activities for parents with babies and children up to age 4, but there …
Continue reading "Play areas and organised activities for young people in Fitzrovia"
