Say Good-Bye to Matchbox Toy Factory - Lesney's

The historic Matchbox factory - Lesney Industries Ltd - is going to be completely demolished this week.

I know 2 separate residents here in Leabank Square who used to work there - and a whole lot more in the wider Wick. If you want to say your goodbyes to this iconic building - a few of us will be taking a few flasks of tea to the towpath opposite - tomorrow at 3pm.

Even if you never worked there - you would almost definitely have pushed around a Matchbox car as a girl or boy. If you still have one or two - why not bring it along to show the rest of us.

The Matchbox name started in 1953 as a brand name of this British toy company - Lesney Products (named after its co-founders Leslie and Rodney Smith), which had been founded in 1947 as an industrial die casting company.

I know we are all going to welcome our new neighbours who will occupy the new creative/residential development - but it is still a sad time for some of us.

See a few more pics at:

http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2010/02/last-chance-to-see-lesneys-matchbox.html

Hackney Wick Flea Market a Brilliant Success!!

A massive thank you to Man Hon Luk for organising today's Hackney Wick Festival in the Main Yard Gallery!

Not only was it a great success - but it was a lovely way to say goodbye to the awesome building. Of course we all know just how rapidly Hackney Wick is changing - but it is always sad to lose a venue where we have all had loads of fun.

If you missed today's Market, here's a flavour - plus a few more pics at http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/

Stour Space Designers Market a Great Success!

Today was the first Stour Space Designers Market - and everyone agrees that it was amazing!!

Thanks to all the talented artists who took part - the whole of Hackney Wick was greatly impressed with all your designs.

Watch this space for more news of any future markets.

Check out http://hackneywickartgallery.blogspot.com/ for more pics.

Hackney Wick Flea Market - Sat 27.10

The next Hackney Wick Flea Market is on again this Saturday in 2 locations this time!!!

Locations - Main Yard Gallery, 90 Wallis Road, Hackney Wick, london E9 5LN and the Stour Space Designers Market


This message from the unstoppable Man Hon Luk:

Hey you,

Unlike Brick Lane Market, one will need determination and desire to be at these
two markets in Hackney Wick this Saturday.

Beside the overground is not running (Until late May), Wallis Road market is
located on the second floor of a building that is scheduled to be demolished
very soon, while at Stour Space you will find yourself unable to escape the
continuous consumption of mulled wine.

There are over 20 stalls from home made foods to hula hoops, already signed up
for Flea market, though there are still space if you wish to join us. At Stour
Space Designers Market you will see the best up and coming talent from London
based Designers/Makers!!

So if you feel you are up to it, please invite ALL your friends through Facebook
for

Hackney Wick Flea Market - http://www.facebook.com/l/62b7f;bit.ly/axvcOw

Stour Space Designers Market - http://www.facebook.com/l/62b7f;bit.ly/c7lqVt

Best of luck finding the strength to see us this Saturday,

Hon AKA Vinyl Pimp

Towpath Tidy 2010

We've just had a brilliant invitation to help clean up the canal with British Waterways.

I know some of us have been invovled in these annual clean-ups before - but we need many more volunteers to help out this year. It is always a lovely fun-filled day - and we get to meet many more of our neighbours from up & down the canal!

Felicity McClintock from British Waterways says: Hackney’s event will cover the stretch from Leabridge Road (Princess of Wales Pub) through to the towpath opposite you on Saturday 13th March.


*********** Towpath Tidy London 1st to 14th March 2010 *****************

We are calling on volunteers to come and help us spring clean our waterways.



Volunteers are needed to put on their boots and take part in British Waterways’ Towpath Tidy 2010 – coordinated activity days which will take place along targeted stretches of the capital’s waterways between Monday 1st and Sunday 14th March 2010.

Everyone is welcome, with activities ranging from litter picking, planting, painting and graffiti cleaning, floating litter removal to cutting back towpath vegetation.

To find out how you can get involved and to register for one (or more) of the events, contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Karen Fishwick on

mob 07917 424590, email: karen.fishwick@britishwaterways.co.uk




or visit www.waterscape.com/towpathtidy




to visit all Towpath Tidy listings and locations in the country. You may also want to follow Towpath Tidy on Twitter and Facebook.



Eight London locations

Brent Reservoir (Monday 1st March)
Bishop’s Stortford, Stort Navigation (Monday 1st March)
Ealing (3 sites), Grand Union Canal, Paddington Arm (various dates)
Hackney, River Lee Navigation (Saturday 13th March)
Kingsland Basin, Regent’s Canal (Saturday 13th March
Slough Arm, Grand Union Canal (Wednesday 3rd March)
St Pancras, Regent’s Canal (Saturday 6th March)
Stockley Park, Grand Union Mainline Canal (Thursday 18th March)


Please note numbers may be limited at some locations depending on works and facilities so it is important you let her know if you would like to join us.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Felicity McClintock
Water Quality & Environment – Project Coordinator
Lower Lee Valley Waterways

British Waterways London
1 Sheldon Square, Paddington Central, London W2 6TT
Mob: 07 500 226 139

www.waterscape.com




Come on Hackney Wick - let's get the other side of the canal all cleaned up as well!!