Stokey Talk

I haven’t had time to do a full post recently, so here’s a roundup of recent news from elsewhere. N16 magazine reports that chaos is about to descend once again on Stoke Newington Church Street, where work will resume in January and run until March 15. And they’re not happy about it.

How is any of this going to help the local economy? Nicer pavements, a few trees on Church Street and even more traffic lights are all very well, but the hassle involved in walking, never mind driving, up and down our unique little street is not going to get the tills ringing, attract historically curious visitors and potential home buyers and renters or encourage our local boulevardiers to enjoy their daily stroll along the street.

Hackney Citizen has got some intriguing details about the events that are planned for the re-opening of Stoke Newington Town Hall. All the signs are that the refurb is a triumph. Will the opening event show it off to its best effect?

Visitors will be able to enjoy exhibitions, talks, jazz performances, opera and folk music, as well as an opportunity to see the building that has been brought back to its former glory

Somewhat more grimly, the man whose body was pulled from the River Lea in Clapton a few weeks ago has been named – he was Slawomir Pierscioner, 35. Police thought his death was suspicious but now no longer suspect foul play, according to the Hackney Gazette. His body was recovered near the Hope and Anchor pub.