Canonbury Brief

One fantastic part of City University London's MA Newspaper Journalism course is that each student is paired up and assigned a part of London to report on for the academic year, meaning that we have to make and maintain useful contacts and be there when news breaks. I was assigned Canonbury, a residential district in Islington spanning roughly between Essex Road, Upper Street and Cross Street. After going there one drizzly afternoon last week armed with my patch buddy, a notepad and a leopard-print umbrella, I have to admit my first impressions told me that not much happens in Canonbury. It's an area of London with a mix of different kinds of residences, from sprawling social housing estates to fancy-looking Georgian homes. There are a couple shops, a church, a park. A quick Wikipedia search informed me that Sir Francis Bacon, George Orwell, Evelyn Waugh and Basil Spence (I have a soft spot for him, being a University of Sussex graduate) lived there. Below is a brief of the area, collaborated after an hour of so strolling around.
Watch this space for nuggets of Canonbury-related news.

First impressions: Overall a largely residential area with a smattering of commerce. The atmosphere seems a bit tired in many places, esp. because of slightly shabby commerce (complete with signs advertising old London telephone numbers) and estates - and although peaceful, somewhat neglected canal.

There seems to be an eclectic mix of housing: social housing, private flats (gentrified?) and what appear to be expensive private Georgian housing. There are large areas of social housing estates.

Essex Road: This is a busy main road with many bus routes, small shops and some pubs, bars and restaurants. Many of the flats above the shops are for sale or for rent.

There is a social services building at 292 Essex Road. Fostering and adoption, asylum and Children Looked After are the Children and Families services located in the building.

Could be a useful source of information for community meetings, etc. and could gather information concerning spending cuts and how the social services are affected. May be a good source of human interest stories.

St Paul’s Steiner School located at St Paul’s Church just off E. Road. Would provide interesting stories concerning the school’s unconventional philosophy, and opportunities for community-based events and projects.

Leroy House, just off E. Road is a large building providing space for any organisation. Potentially good source for news because of such an eclectic mix of organisations in one area – both voluntary sector organisations and businesses.

Southgate Road: Quite a fancy area, nice-looking residences and little shops, again on a main bus route. Probably gentrified in the 50’s.

There is Southgate Medical Centre which seems slightly tatty, with some very old flyers. Billboards for plenty of notices concerning illnesses and support groups could provide news and human interest stories. Could also potentially provide stats for health-related issues. This public-sector building could be a good example of spending cuts.

Whilst in the health centre we found a flyer for the Canonbury Police Team, could be a very useful source of news for information on crimes, incidents and other community-related issues. The Canonbury Team also offer youth engagement to “help divert young people away from crime and anti-social behaviour”, so offer some projects such as football and charity drives. The team is a mobile police station.

There are quite a few betting shops around Southgate Road, could be interesting sources of news because of controversy which surrounds them.

There is a Stone Carving School, could provide human interest story or art features.

There is the small Oblong Art Gallery which will hold a ‘Shoebox Awards’ exhibition in two weeks, would be a good review piece.

Rosemary Gardens: Has a football pitch which hosted (and may still host) the ‘Kickz’ football project on Monday and Friday evenings – where “more than 50 teenagers attend to take advantage of coaching by professionals from Arsenal Football Club”. There is also a tennis pitch. Both areas are a ‘Barclays Space for Sports Development’. May be good source of news concerning local sports events.

There is also Rosemary Gardens Playgroup, a voluntary organisation with disabled facilities. Could be a good way to find news about support organisations, events put on by the playgroup for charity perhaps, etc.

Nearby on Morton Road is a house with a plaque for Benjamin Britten, who lived there. Could provide an anniversary or historical interest piece.

Canonbury Crescent: Walter Sicket Community Centre in the middle of a sprawling estate, social housing. Good for community-interest news. Also provides contact details of Canonbury Ward Councillors:

Paula Belford (LibDem)

Wally Burgess (Labour)

Faye Whaley (Labour)

Extremely useful contacts for any news concerning Canonbury – statements, etc.

There is also a Canonbury Connect service available, for debt and employment advice, Islington Working for Parents and other means of support. Could provide information concerning Canonbury community issues, stats, aims to better the community and improve the area, etc.

Almorah Road: Almorah Road Community Centre is another potentially useful centre, hosts a variety of activities throughout the week such as over 50’s club, green youth club, yoga, church, child minders, councillors surgery etc. Offers a broad spectrum of activities and therefore an insight into many different kinds of people. 

Also a notice for a local eco team and ‘grow your own food’, could be good for an environment-related piece.

The Bridge is a recreation centre (with an over 55 club) and a Baptist Church.

St Paul’s Road boasts expensive looking houses, predominantly residential area.

Chiropodist and physiotherapist

Canonbury Project Youth Hub is a statutory organisation which provides advice for young people concerning drugs, alcohol and sex, mental health and social care.

Canonbury Place:  A sign here advertises the Canonbury Society which would be a good resource for news concerning the development of the area and what’s going on. Chairman is Philip Walker www.canonburysociety.org.uk

There is also the Canonbury Tower, Esoterik Collection of Modern Italian Art and Canonbury Academy, places of interest for cultural or historical pieces. I believe the  Canonbury Tower is currently a Masonic Research Centre, which could be really interesting to write about if possible.