Sunday 29 March 2009

Womens Institute in Hackney Wick!!


Starting a WI in the WickHackney Wick Community Centre (Old Baths)Monday 30th March 2009Hosted by Niki Stevens (President of Eastend WI)niki.stevens@btinternet.com

Calling all women in the Hackney Wick

… okay so the picture of the preserves is a little twee – but we have the opportunity to form a really interesting group here in Hackney Wick.The WI may conjure up images of baking cakes and charity calendars – but we can create a group that fits all our needs.

Just imagine meeting new people and making lasting friendships with women who live right on your doorstep.

Taking time out of from children, jobs and day to day stresses can all be just the therapy we need to make us feel human again!

So why not come along on Monday evening (6.30pm – 8.30pm) for a cup of tea and a chat and we’ll see what great ideas we can come up with.


Thursday 19 March 2009

Hackney Wick Festival 2009










Just a reminder that if you are interested in getting involved with this years Hackney Wick Festival on Saturday 26.09.09 - Tracie & Niki are very keen to hear from you.

Please check out all the confirmed activities on: http://www.hackneywickfestival.org.uk/Welcome.html or send an email to info@hackneywickfestival.org.uk for up-to-date info.

We all remember just what a great time was had by all last year - and this year it will be even bigger & better!!
See you there!



Tuesday 17 March 2009

Hackney Marsh Big Litter-Pick


The Big Litter-Pick

HMUG and Hackney Parks Rangers will be holding a litter-picking session on Hackney Marsh and East Marsh.

Date: Wednesday 15th April 2009
Time: 9:30am to 12:30pm
Meet: Homerton Road entrance to the car park


Come and join us to remove this eyesore from our green spaces. Everyone welcome. Tools and gloves provided.

Buses W15 and 308 stop on Homerton Road. Buses 236 and 276 stop near Kingsmead Estate - a short walk along Homerton Road.

Hackney Marshes User Group.
Hackney Marshes User Groupare volunteers who:
Organise walks round the Marshes, and explore and enhancetheir wildlife through planting and caring for trees and hedges.
Work to improve the Marshes for all sectors of the community,and campaign to protect them from inappropriate development.
Organise free activities and skill-sharing days, and runHackney Community Tree Nursery & Forest Garden.

Hackney Marsh Sports Hub


This email came from our ever-impressive Hackney Wick friend - Steve Dowding:

Hackney Marsh Sports Hub planning application - have your say!

The consultation period for the development proposals for Hackney Marsh closes on Monday 16th March 2009. Please have your say, to protect the Marsh from further loss of green space and encroachment on Common Land.


HMUG will be submitting a number of objections, which are posted on the website.� Please use this link �to find out more, and submit your objections by Monday at the latest.


Hackney Marshes User Group.
Hackney Marshes User Groupare volunteers who:
Organise walks round the Marshes, and explore and enhancetheir wildlife through planting and caring for trees and hedges.
Work to improve the Marshes for all sectors of the community, and campaign to protect them from inappropriate development.
Organise free activities and skill-sharing days, and runHackney Community Tree Nursery & Forest Garden.



Monday 16 March 2009

Is this a Pill Box?






This amazingly concrete structure is at the cross of the Greenway & the Lea River Navigational Canal - and looks very similar to some 2nd World War pill boxes.

Does anyone know the history of it, what it actually is, why it's there, what are the three concrete structures in front of it?

At the moment - it is almost as if it's the frontline of the Olympic Park - against the rest of Hackney Wick. This coupled with the electric fence they are busy surrounding the whole park with - really re-enforces the whole no-mans-land atmosphere of the site.

Aaaaaaanyway - any guesses about the concrete bunker?



Sunday 15 March 2009

Restuarant Review: The Wick Cafe


The Wick Cafe
28 Felstead Street
Hackney Wick
London
E9 5LG

020 8533 7575


Mon - Fri 5am to 5pm
Sat - 6am to 5pm
Sun - 7am to 5pm



Although we have either eaten in - or took away - from The Wick Cafe quite a few times before - we've never written about them up on this blog before.

For that - we must apologise!

The Wick Cafe was the pioneering cafe this close to the old Trowbridge, Leabank Square & Wick Village residents - and as such needs to be given all the support they can get.

Not that they need it that much - as they are almost always very busy!!

The Wick Cafe is such a cheap, delicious, fantastic, friendly, green, peaceful & delightfully communal place to eat! The staff are always very helpful and easy going. The service is fast and efficient. The bills always surprisingly low.

And they have the most spectacular green creeper growing the whole length of the cafe. It truly is an amazing plant - which always brings a smile to your face - as you stuff it full of utterly scrumptious food!

During the week - it is normally crammed with local workers. Whether it's Olympic constructioners, McGrath skippers, Hackney dust carters, Gainsborough teachers - lunch time is a great time to people watch. You get to see a fantastic picture made up of all the people who make Hackney Wick tick.

In the afternoons & evenings - it's mostly locals having a late lunch or early evening meal. Artists, musicians, parents, toddlers, media-types - all having a great meal in quieter hours.

At the weekends - it's mainly us lazy locals again - having a late breakfast after a lie-in. The pic above is us as a family having a Sunday brunch before a long cycle work-off!

Needless to say - the food was scrummy, portions very generous & bill highly affordable.

The Wick Cafe opened up here in Hackney Wick when no-one else was investing in us. This - plus the amazing plant growing across the ceiling - and reasons enough for us all to support this amazing place!!




Saturday 7 March 2009

Beating the Bounds of the Games - a Hackney Wick Walkabout



‘Yes, this was Hackney Wick,
my dears,
this was Hackney Wick,
Do the rounds and beat the bounds
And make the memories stick’

Poem © Ralph Rochester, 2009. Illustrations © Zara Slattery, 2009.

Please come for a fantastic walk with storyteller Diana Olutunmogun for a chance to find out about the history of people and places in Hackney Wick;
including local boxer Harry Mallin, the Eton Manor Boys Club,Hackney Speedway and loads more!
Come and share facts and info that YOU know about your local area.

Saturday 21 March 2009, 2pm
A circular walk starting on our riverbank with loads of hot chocolate and cake provided. The walk is suitable for children 7 years and upwards, and their parents.

This event is free, but booking is necessary.To book contact Lisa on 020 8806 4003 oremail
lisa@hackneysociety.org

For a FREE copy of the Hackney Wick HeritageTrail email:lisa@hackneysociety.orgor call020 8806 4003

This project has been generously funded by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and Renaissance London; and supported by the Hackney Heritage and Built Environmrnt Partnership.

This is a joint event between the Hackney Society (
http://www.hackneysociety.org/) and Hackney Archives (www.hackney.gov.uk/ca-archives).