Hackney kids record charity single with Mark Owen
Take That’s Mark Owen has recorded a charity single with children at Grasmere Primary in Stoke Newington. The world-famous singer re-released ‘Hold up a Light’, one of Take That’s most popular songs, in tribute to Linda Brown, whose son Jamie (a dad at the school) co-wrote the song. Linda, a former singing teacher, died aged 71 from cancer last year and money raised will go towards the hospice that helped care for her and towards a new outdoor play space at Grasmere, where he
8 Great day-trips from North London - the new, the old and the downright quirky!
Looking to get out of the big smoke? Stunning beaches, historic towns, chalk caves and even the chance to ski are just a short drive or train journey away. Check out our top 8 list of the best day trips from North and East London. 1. OXFORD This flat, compact city has it all – Oxford University and its 38 colleges, Bodleian Library, museums, a castle, brilliant shopping, more than 1,500 listed buildings and a picturesque canal. It’s a firm favourite with filmmakers – check ou
Enchanting pixie homes springing up in Islington
Mischievous pixies are dodging Islington’s sky-high property prices and setting up bijou homes all over the area. Little pixie doors and bug hotels have been appearing in tree trunks around town with pretty little gardens, painted pebbles, house-signs, flowers and even signs of life like pixie washing hanging on the line and a miniature post box. They’ve been spotted at Spitalfields Park, Canonbury Square, Angel and Highbury Barn. It’s the handiwork of an urban artist on a mi
Food Bank issues urgent call for food and volunteers this Easter
Volunteers are needed to help serve families at Hackney Food Bank’s lunch club this Easter Holidays. They are also appealing for food donations. School holidays are tough for families experiencing poverty who, without the help of free school lunches, are faced with an extra meal to provide each day. So the Food Bank runs a lunch club at the Florence Bennett Centre on weekdays to make sure locals don’t go hungry. They’re appealing for volunteers to help with serving, laying ta
The story of Laki Kane: How a cocktail evening led to one of London’s coolest bars
When world-renowned bartender and rum connoisseur Georgi Radev made cocktails for a small drinks party, it sparked a life-changing friendship and the beginnings of a new business. Steve Kyprianou, who hosted the gathering on his Highbury roof terrace, said: “Georgi arrived with suitcases full of every kind of fresh tropical fruit, syrups, mixers and spirits and made the most sensational cocktails. A couple of weeks later I went to the Spirit of Tiki event that Georgi organise
From riches to rags: how one local businesswoman clawed her way back
Three years ago, Vanessa Beni’s world came crumbling down when the breakdown of her relationship left her unable to provide for her and her young daughter. They moved out of their penthouse and in with her parents and Vanessa sold everything she owned to make ends meet. Her previously lavish lifestyle was over, and her life had reached a major crossroads. For a while Vanessa, 32, enrolled at Identity School of Acting, but it was while working in her friend’s restaurant, that