Be Part of Hackney Wicks Future!!

Some of you might know that I have been a member of the Hackney Wick Partnership for a few years. We have been involved in trying to forge a desirable future for the Wick that respects local residents - as well as encourages the local creatives & existing businesses.

We started doing this way before London was even considered for the 2012 Olympics.

We have fed all our work into the Hackney Wick Masterplan, the Olympic Masterplan - and now the new Mayors (Boris that is) Development Plan.

This weekend & next week is another opportunity for you to come & put your thoughts to the brilliant people at London Thames Gateway about what we would all like for the Hackney Wick Hub.

This is the area both to the North (Tower Hamlets side) & South (Hackney side of the Hackney Wick Overground Station.

There are major changes for the areas right next to the sloping ramps on either side of the station. And they would love to hear what you would like to see there.

More cafes? A revitalised Lord Napier? Tree lined squares? Meeting fountain? Better welcoming open spaces? New routes/roads? Hotels?

What would you like to see when you come home after a hard days work? What would make you meet your visitors coming off the Overground with a sense of pride about Hackney Wick?

Please come down to 62 Wallis Road this Saturday 21st May - between 10am & 2pm. And also next Wednesday 25th May from 4pm until 8pm.

This is a great chance for you to be part of our lovely Hackney Wicks future - please try & make it down for a chat!!

Tulip Tree for Hackney Wick!!

Have you met your newest neighbour yet?

On your way to the station or bus stop tomorrow - please take a diversion to Prince Edward Road - and go hug a tree.

A stunning giant Tulip Tree to be exact! She has been planted right next to the Hackney Pearl - and is absolutely beautiful. She will be giving us all many more years of shelter, shade & fresh air.

She was put there by the muf (http://www.muf.co.uk/mprofile.htm) team who are prettying up parts of the Wick with green ideas. We will be posting a few more of their projects in the next few days - but in the mean-time - please go & say hi to your new neighbour.

Ooh & while you're there - why not pop into the Pearl (http://thehackneypearl.com/) for one of their delicious choccie brownies & a cuppa.

In All Its Guises

This just in from everyone's fave art gallery curator - Will Chamberlain.....

Private View – Tomorrow - Thursday 10th March 18:00-21:00

Our environment is ever changing, never still and as such is a constant source of inspiration. Be it natural or man-made it provokes a myriad of responses. Here artists immerse themselves in their own visions and, through a range of media, create their own engaging statements interpreting the architecture that surrounds them.

EXHIBITORS

Jeanette Barnes has over the past three years produced a number of large drawings of the London 2012 Olympics under construction. These along with other city drawings were showcased at Toto, London 2010 in association with Blueprint architecture magazine. She has exhibited in many shows including the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and Jerwood Drawing Prizes and received a number of commissions and awards. Her drawings explore through evolutionary layers of instinctive activity the development and growth of urban environments. The balance of these works constantly shifts in search of something as yet unknown. She is represented in public, corporate and private collections.

David Downes, originally from Suffolk, moved to London to study at the Royal College of Art. He undertook a major commission for BBC Heritage from 1999-2001 and was shortlisted for the Jerwood Drawing Prize in 2004. Fascinated by the contrasts of the urban environment, he records the cityscape in mesmerising detail, often from imagined aerial perspectives. He recently completed residencies at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens and Goldman Sachs, London, and has been working on site at the Olympic Park recording the construction process since 2008; selected works were recently displayed at London's City Hall. Sought after by corporate and private clients, David’s work is in the collections of the BBC, Land Registry, Kew Gardens and Merrill Lynch.

Peter Freeth grew up in Birmingham – a lasting influence - and studied painting and etching at the Slade. He won the Rome scholarship in 1960, and was elected to the Royal Academy in 1990. He has worked almost exclusively as a printmaker for many years. Freeth’s etchings have a rich tonality and draw on an unusually wide range of subjects, both from observed, everyday life and from, memory, imagination, music and literature. He is represented in many collections including the V&A, the British Museum, the Arts Council, the Fitzwilliam and Ashmolean, the National Gallery and the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

Simon James is a multi-disciplinary artist who has lived and worked in Asia for more than a decade and is noted for his large-scale video installations and photography. He has received a number of awards and commissions for his work and has exhibited internationally with solo shows in Berlin, London, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. Light as an agent of perceptual change and the interplay between the man-made environment and the forces of nature has been a constant source of inspiration during his career. Through architectural imagery, he explores mankind’s desire for order, control and aggressive self-expression in a manufactured landscape.

Julian Perry (born 1960) has gained considerable media attention for his landscape based paintings. His work is characterised by an engagement with the landscape that explores issues of land use and the often strange results of human labour. A major show at the London Guildhall in 2004 was the result of a three year project working in Epping Forest, more recently Perry recorded thirty allotment sheds now demolished to make way for the London 2012 Olympics. His most recent show (at Austin Desmond Fine Art) explored the extraordinary impact of Coastal Erosion. Perry has works in several major collections and is represented by Austin Desmond Fine Art.

Nessie Stonebridge’s works convey a sense of energy, restriction and release. Highly charged frenetic mark making oozing with emotional content that races and spills across the surface of the canvas only to be pierced by structural forms that ground and anchor the seemingly untamed work. Profiled by PhillipsART expert, picked by the Saatchi Gallery as emerging artist of the week and chosen by Modern Editions as one of the UK’s leading abstract artists, Stonebridge’s work is held in many private collections both nationally and internationally.
RSVP to smokehousegallery@formans.co.uk

Formans Restaurant will be open during the private view and at all times during the show.

Exhibition dates:
Thursday 10th March - Sunday 3rd April
Private View Thursday 10th March 18.00-21.00
Thu and Fri 5-9pm

Sat and Sun 12- 5pm

Venue: Formans Smokehouse Gallery, Stour Rd, Fish Island, E3 2NT

Private View Sample Menu

Forman’s Famous London Cure Smoked Salmon

Gourmet Salmon & Lobster Fishcake – Rocket Salad

Chicken, Air Dried Ham & Sage Ballotine - Buttered Spinach

Spinach & Goat’s Cheese Quiche - Tomato Salad (v)

Pot-roasted Scottish Daube of Beef – Horseradish Mash

Mushroom & Butternut Squash Risotto (v)

Any Dish - £9.50 Paddy & Scott’s Coffee & Cake Selection for 2 £9.50

(Cappuccino, Espresso, Latte or Americano with Chocolate brownies, Lemon & Pistachio Cake & Banana Bread)

For more information and for any exhibiting or sponsorship enquiries, please contact Gallery Manager William Chamberlain on 07947 175 283 or email him on smokehousegallery@formans.co.uk.

http://smokehousegallery.wordpress.com

They Say All Politics Is Local

Parish the thought!

They say all politics is local, but how local? Well now, for Hackney residents (including the Wick), the way local decisions are made, on everything from house-building to park benches and licensing to Olympic planning, could be changing very soon.

London Assembly member, Andrew Boff, certainly thinks so. He came to Leabank Square Community Association’s latest meeting to tell us how he’s using a change in the law to set up a community council (a sort of urban parish council) for London Fields (http://londonfieldscouncil.org.uk/) and how the same idea might apply to the Wick.

We all think of Parish councils as being something for the countryside, or small villages, like the one up North where I’m from, but few people know that residents in urban areas can set up their own (http://www.nalc.gov.uk/Publications/Booklets_and_Resources.aspx). Cities having very blurred boundaries (Where exactly is Shoreditch??), there are few places within built-up areas that can said to be a self-contained community, but if anywhere is, surely it has to be our very own Hackney Wick?

So what would we do with an Urban Parish Council, or a Community Council if we decided to set one up? Well, for a start, the community council would have the right to be consulted on planning decisions in the local area, something that’s going to be a big issue for the Wick with all the Olympic developments and Lottery regeneration coming up. Urban parish/community councils can also share in the proceeds of new developments, make arrangements to put up more litter bins, get together to run allotments, organise local festivals or improve the local land and townscapes.

Wouldn’t this just cost a lot more money and mean more politicians though? That depends. The sort of community council people want for their area is up to them. Some parish councils don’t collect money and are entirely voluntary, funding improvements using their share of planning and development fees, public subscription or donations. Others might charge a precept, usually not more than £20 a year, and some will use a combination of these options. Relations with ward councillors and the borough are all issues that have been raised by opponents in other areas and it’s clear that the model isn’t for everywhere and that there are issues to be addressed. It seems that whether the Wick gets a Community Council or not and the success of that council will be dependent on one factor: US, the residents.

As with any local enterprise, it is what people make it. The make-up and ambition of a community council is a reflection of the local population. Would this work for our area? The people of Hackney Wick (the area bound by the Eastway, Railyway line and canal) will very soon be getting a chance to have their say. If more than 10% of the local population sign a petition to set up a Community Council, we could very soon be finding out.

Further information: A google search of “Urban parish Councils” will bring up lots of articles in the local and national press. This website shows the breadth of services that might be provided:
http://www.nalc.gov.uk/Document/Download.aspx?uid=dc050f08-3a21-4528-aa85-283cd57fc705


This article was written by our most enthusiastic gardener & Conservative Party Councillor hopeful - Mathhew Woods. Some of us have been lucky to work alongside him in the gardens - and will remember just how hard he grafts. And then other will remember him canvassing locally at the last election. Whatever your politics - you have to agree that Matt has Leabank Square & the rest of the Wick's interests at heart. Thanks Matt.

See also: http://conservativehome.blogs.com/platform/matt-woods/

Wick Curiosity Shop 1st March - 6th March 2011

I urge every one of us to get down to 10 Felstead Street to the Wick Curiosity Shop this coming week. From the 1st March to 6th March – we will be treated to the most incredible local extravaganza of fun, news, talks, walks & workshops – all just for us in Hackney Wick!!

Opening times from 11am – 7pm*
(*open later for evening events)

Just take a look at all this:

10 Felstead Street, Hackney Wick, Tuesday March 1 – Sunday March 6, 2011

The Wick Curiosity Shop is an informal archive and cultural space dedicated to Hackney Wick.
It will take over an empty shop in Olso House for the first week of March, hosting a series of events
about the ‘goings-on’ in the Wick of the past, present and future.

The Shop traces, documents, promotes, hosts and connects the many histories, initiatives and
ambitions of the area. It is also a space for debate and action for change in which desires,
ideas and makers can meet to plot collective or individual futures.

This coming week Wick Curiosity Shop focuses on current activities and programmes
including self-initiated, commissioned, informal and formal projects.


The programme splits into three groups of events:

1.The Way We Walk
2. The Way We Make
3. The Way We Talk

All events are free of charge
Places on the walks are limited, reserving a place is recommended.
You can do so by emailing info@wickcuriosityshop.net,
message us on Twitter @wickcuriosity or find us on facebook.

1. THE WAY WE WALK
A series of Walks from the Wick
By public works in collaboration with ……

Walking the Press
Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 11am
A walk from Abbey Gardens (www.abbeygardens.org) to the Wick Curiosity Shop in Oslo House, where we will take the mobile press from Abbey Gardens with us to make seed bombs. The seed bombs will be used for the Sunflower Avenue walk (see below).

Get an introduction to the beautiful Abbey Gardens and enjoy a slow walk into the Wick via the Greenway pushing, pulling and talking all things gardening.

The walk will be led by Andreas Lang and take approximately 1.5 hours Start is at Abbey Gardens at 11am.
Bakers Row E15 3NF. Check www.abbeygardens.org for directions.

Printers Paradise
Thursday, March 3, 2011, 3pm
‘Printers Paradise’ was the informal name of the dense cluster of printers and related industry spread around the Wick and along Carpenters Road.

With the changes sweeping through the area and the print industry, only a few outposts of Printers Paradise remain. Join us on a walk to trace some of the former glory, meet some of the printers and visit still active print workshops in Hackney Wick.

The walk will be led by Gemma Drake and Andreas Lang.

The walk starts at The Wick Curiosity Shop at 3pm, and will take approx. 1 hour.
10 Felstead Street, Oslo House, Hackney Wick, London E9 5LT
The walk will contribute to an on-going project by Gemma documenting the changing industry in and around Hackney Wick.

Friday Fish Walk
Friday, March 4, 2011, 3pm
It is Friday afternoon and what better way to spend it than joining the Curiosity Shop
on a walk to show you where to pick up the best fish in the Wick!

Along the way we will fly post pictures and posters, which have been made on-site at Oslo House earlier in the week.

The walk will be led by Polly Brannan and take approx. 40 minutes.
We leave from the Wick Curiosity Shop, 10 Felstead Street, Oslo House, Hackney Wick, London E9 5LT

Sunflower Avenue Seed Bombing Walk
Saturday, March 5, 2011, 11am
Sunflower Avenue connects Mabley Green to Victoria Park cutting straight through
the heart of Hackney Wick.

It is a local Initiative by Lea Bank Square Purple Garden to establish a planted connection between the two local parks. Seed Bombs specially designed and made in the Wick Curiosity Shop will be used to replant hundreds of sunflowers while strolling along the Avenue.

The walk is led by Andreas Lang and take approx. 1 hour. Start is at the Wick Curiosity Shop,
10 Felstead Street, Oslo House, Hackney Wick, London E9 5LT ending at Mabley Green

The Way We Walked
Saturday, March 5, 2011, 2pm
Following the footsteps of one of the most popular annual walks in the Wick – the Christmas Swim - we walk together to retrace the ‘Otters Swimming Club’ days, with giant posters and hot dogs on the way!

The walk is led by Polly Brannan and take approx. 1 hour. We will leave from the Wick Curiosity Shop,
10 Felstead Street, Oslo House, Hackney Wick, London E9 5LT

Off the Track
Brigand Boys, Monkey Parades and Clarnico Girls
Sunday, March 6, 2011, 4pm
Monkey Parades were popular from at least the 1840’s and were a British working class institution.

This courting congregation that saw men and women lavishly dressed to impress
was rife in Hackney in 19th Century. The walk retraces a visual journey of the Wick by George Sims, a journalist during the height of the popularity of Monkey Parades in the late 1800s.

Participants are invited to dress to impress and the ladies are invited to wear lavish hats (designed by the Ladies at the Wick). Drinks will be served on Mabley Green at the end.

The walk is led by Torange Khonsari and takes approx. 1 hour. It starts at the Wick Curiosity Shop,
10 Felstead Street, Oslo House, Hackney Wick, London E9 5LT


2. THE WAY WE MAKE
A series of hands on workshops in the Wick Curiosity Shop

The Anecdotal Manicure
Tuesday, March 2, 2011 from 2-5pm
Get your hair styled or your nails done, have a tea and chat about the Wick.
Lauren Campany will offer free hair styling and manicures in return for some lively anecdotes about the Wick - imaginary or real, regardless weather you live in the Wick or are on your first visit.

Pimp your Hat
Tuesday, March 1, 2011 6pm
Join the ‘Ladies of the Wick’ for a hat making session in the Wick Curiosity Shop
in preparation for the Monkey Parade - a courting congregation along the Wick,
which will see men and women lavishly dressed to impress.
Just bring yourselves – material is provided.

The workshop will be led by Torange Khonsari with the WI of Hackney Wick (tbc)

Fish Frying Posters
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, March 1,2,3, 2011 from 11am-2pm
Fish has been part of the Wick for a long time. Join us to make large scale
posters which will be copied and pasted during the Friday Fish Walk.

The woskhop will be lead by Polly Brannan.

Seed Bomb Pressing
Tuesday, March 1, 2011 from 1pm-4pm
Join us and our magic 10 ton press to make unique Hackney Wick seed bombs
to re-seed the Sunflower Avenue.

The workshop will be led by Andreas Lang.

3. THE WAY WE TALK ,
REMEMBER AND IMAGINE

Wick Session Number 1
Collectively Wick
Thursday, March 3, 2011, 7pm till late
A Wick Development Trust and trust in development.
There is no Development Trust in Hackney Wick or the surrounding area. With so much speculative and top-down development descending on Hackney Wick we want to take a moment and brainstorm alternatives for a collective, community driven development of public spaces in Hackney Wick.

Speakers to be confirmed
Please check our website for updates, www.wickcuriosityshop.net

Wick Session Number 2
Grounds for culture
Friday, March 4, 2011, 7pm till late
Wick Session Number 2 will bring together artists and activists currently working on projects or setting up initiatives in Hackney Wick.
A friendly and informal exchange between practitioners with a passion for Hackney Wick.
Speakers to be confirmed
Please check our website for updates, www.wickcuriosityshop.net

Wick on Film
Saturday, March 5, 2011, 5pm till late
Pop down to the Wick Curiosity Shop on Saturday afternoon for a screening session
showing a varied selection of films from and about the Wick.

While the final programme is yet to be confirmed it is likely to include archive footage, explorations of what is now the Olympic site and stories from the area.

Curated and hosted by Rakan Budeiri and Andreas Lang
Please check our website for updates, www.wickcuriosityshop.net

Tea, Cake and Curiosities
Sunday, March 6, 2011, 1-4pm
Join us for some free Tea and Cake on early Sunday afternoon in the Wick Curiosity Shop, and bring you photos, anecdotes and rare curiosities to be included in the Wick Curiosity Shop archive.

The antiques road show meets friendly chatter and stories about life in the Wick.

The Wick Curiosity postal service to Graz, Austria.
public works is invited by Rotor Gallery to present the Wick Curiosity Shop in Graz, Austria.

After a packed week in Hackney Wick, the Shop will be journeying across the continent. The venue in Graz is situated in a similar social context to the shop’s home in the Wick and thus this visit aims to create a form of cultural exchange between the two areas, and a link between the explorations on either side.

As part of this exchange the Curiosity Shop is interested in receiving contributions
from visitors who would like to post something (physical or not) to Graz. If you have something to send, pop into the shop during the week or email us via our website.

Part of the show in Graz is a two day conference on URBAN NEIGHBOURHOOD CULTURES with an impressive list of speakers from across Europe - Hackney Wick will be in good company!

The Wick CuirosityShop started in 2008 and has since been shaped by many different individuals and groups based in, or with close associations to, the Wick. The project does not have a permanent home, and exists across changing location and settings.

To browse the archive and find out more visit www.wickcuriosityshop.net

The Walks Programme is part of the ‘Wick Curiosity Shop - Route Book’ project by public works.
It is one of six temporary art projects commissioned by London Thames Gateway Development Corporation
for London Borough of Hackney (LBH) and London Borough of Tower hamlets (LBTH), curated by muf architecture/art.

This Wick Curiosity Shop was originally commissioned by [SPACE]
as part of the Hackney Wick Festival in 2008

Cliff Richard Gig in Hackney Wick?!

Fiona has just sent this invitation to all of us to join these artists in Hackney Museum this Saturday. Some of went to the last one a few weeks ago - and this one promises to be even better! Please come along - you'll be gutted if you miss this!

THE CUT

Collecting stories of the River Lea Navigation Canal between Hackney Wick to Old Ford Lock
What can you tell us about the canal?
What do you remember?
Come and meet Chris Dorley Brown, Jessie Brennan and Daniel Lehan who are creating new artworks about the canal.

The event starts with a film screening which includes rare footage of Cliff Richard and The Shadows’ visit to Hackney Wick in the 1960s, plus scenes from Lesney Toy Factory, Hackney’s first computer pub, Kingsmead Estate and the Trowbridge blowdown. 11am to 11.45am.

Then join the artists to add your stories and contribute to the creation of a physical map of Hackney Wick, 12 – 2pm


Saturday 22nd January
11am to 2pm
Free
Refreshments provided
Hackney Museum , 1 Reading Lane, E8 1GQ
All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

The Cut is an oral history project led by artists and produced by SPACE
Three artists and a team of local volunteers are exploring the Hackney Cut, or Lea River Navigation Canal , and the industrial, physical and social history of Hackney Wick. By collecting stories (up to the present day) from the people who work and live alongside the canal the project will document the importance of The Cut to the community in an area undergoing huge change.

Contact: Fiona Fieber fifi@spacestudios.org.uk 0208 525 4347 www.spacestudios.org.uk


Fiona Fieber
Head of Learning and Participation
[ s p a c e ]129 – 131 Mare Street
London E8
020 8525 4347

Stories of the Lea River - 11 Dec 2010

Fiona - over in Space Studios is inviting all of us over to St Mary of Eaton Church on Saturday 11 December - to see some old movies about the Lea River.

This is going to be the most amazing opportunity to see some incredible history of our neighbourhood - so I beg as many of you to turn up as possible.

But please also come if you have any interesting stories & anecdotes to tell about our river/canal. There are still loads of us who live here - and have seen many changes over the last few decades - who can enthrall the rest of us with incredible tales of Hackney Wick.

So - even if your Nan has moved out to Essex - please bring her along to Rev. Alan's church - to share some of her memories with the rest of us.

Details:


THE CUT: Stories of the River Lea Navigation Canal

11am - 2pm at St Mary of Eton Church, Eastway, Hackney Wick E9 5JA

A chance to see some rare old films and photographs of the area from the 1970s to the present day.

THE CUT is an artist led oral history project collecting stories from people who work and live alongside the waters of the Hackney Cut - from Lea Bridge to Old Ford Lock.
From September 2010 to March 2011 three artists and a team of local volunteers are exploring the industrial, physical and social history of this area of Hackney Wick.

By interviewing local residents they will document the importance of The Cut to the community in an area undergoing huge change, and create new work for an exhibition in 2011.

More info: Fiona Fieber fifi@spacestudios.org.uk

If you cannot make this event, please come along to Hackney Museum, Reading Lane, Hackney E8 1GQ on Saturday 22 January 11am- 2pm instead.


http://spacestudios.org.uk/whats-on/events/the-cut-stories-of-the-river-lea-navigation-canal

Hackney Wick 7/8 a Side Anyone?

You know how it is at this time of the year. You're always promising yourself that you'll do some more excercise - but need a few new mates to help you do it. Well - how about joining the footie players for a light game every week.

Dom has just sent an appeal out for more members to join the 7/8-a-side footie teams on Mabley Green.

They meet up at the floodlit pitches every Thursday at 7pm - and normally finish at 8pm. Dom says they welcome anyone who's up for a friendly kickabout. The pitch fee is £5 each - all you need to do is contact Dom on dom@digitile.co.uk. There is already a good mix of regulars - as well as casual players.

Come on Hackney Wick - let's get together for an hour or so - and meet your neighbours!



View Larger Map

Get Your Bike Tagged - Youll Be Glad You Did!!

Many thanks to Councillor Chris Kennedy one of our Wick Ward councillors - for sending this through. Almost everyone I meet nowadays has had a horror bike theft story (I know I always bore you with mine (http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2009/12/my-wheels-have-been-nicked-help.html) - and whoa betide you leave your lights on while nipping in for the paper!

Please do take advantage of this kind & generous offer from our Safer Neighbourhoods Team - the last session was very well attended - the more of us who get these chips - the less chance the toerags get away with our bikes!

Thanks Chris!






-----Original Message-----
From: Antony.P.Brotherton@met.pnn.police.uk

[mailto: Antony.P.Brotherton@met.pnn.police.uk]
Sent: 24 November 2010 13:28
Subject: BIKE TAGGING



Dear All

Following the previous successful Bicycle Tagging sessions in the Wick Ward, we have been able to secure a further limited supply of microchips for a one off event:

Location: WELL STREET COMMON at CASSLAND ROAD/ GASCOYNE ROAD JUNCTION
Date: MONDAY 6TH DECEMBER 2010
Time: 2PM - 6PM
Requirements: MUST BRING BICYCLE WITH YOU
MUST HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS
MUST BE ABLE TO REMOVE SADDLE FROM BICYCLE (PLEASE NOTE, THIS MICROCHIP DOES NOT WORK ON BROMPTON STYLE BICYCLES)

Can I ask that you let as many of your residents, colleagues, friends and family in the area who own bicycles aware of this event to help make it yet another success. However, please be advised that from previous experience, these tagging events do prove very popular and we expect the microchips to go before the end of the session as they will be distributed on a first come first served basis.

Should you require any further information about this, please do not hesitate to ask.

Kind regards

Antony Brotherton PCSO 7205GD
Hackney Wick SNT
Office Telephone: 020 7161 9214
Ward Mobile: 020 8721 2938
Ward Email: Wick.SNT@met.police.uk

BBC Culture Show Looking for Anish Kapoor Wickers

Prue from the Beeb is looking for residents living around the Wick who will be seeing the massive ArcelorMittal Orbit (that's the olympic Helter Skelter to you & me) from their windows.
http://www.artknowledgenews.com/2010-04-01-22-29-31-anish-kapoor-to-design-iconic-visitor-attraction-for-olympic-park.html

It's probably one of those regular visit - How's it going this time - kind of programs. But with the most creative types living right here in Hackney Wick - surely we could come up with some incredible spokespeople for the Wick?!

Please all you creative types - get in touch with Prue - and give the culture show something special from Hackney Wick!!

Here's her email:

Dear Nadira and Sóna,

I'm writing to you from The Culture Show, the flagship magazine arts programme on BBC2. I'm currently working on a programme about the ArcelorMittal Orbit which is due to air in late 2011. The ArcelorMittal Orbit is a public sculpture by the artist Anish Kapoor and structural designer Cecil Balmond. It is currently being built in the Olympic Park, near to the Olympic Stadium and Aquatics Centre.

Once finished, the sculpture will be 115m tall. For our programme, we are really keen to meet people who will be able to see the sculpture from their homes. It would be wonderful to check in with them as the view from their window changes over the coming months. Do you know of anyone in the Hackney Wick area who is in this situation and might be interested in talking to us?

I will be on a recce in Stratford for the rest of the day, but do feel free to call me on the mobile number below if you have a thought of who we could speak to before tomorrow. If not any email with any help at all would be great.

Many thanks and best wishes,

Prue


Prue Richardson The Culture Show

BBC Vision Productions Room MC5 A3 The Media Centre 201 Wood Lane London W12 7TQ

T: +44 (0)20 8008 3861 M: +44 (0)7814 756344 E: prue.richardson@bbc.co.uk

Oh yes - did anyone else read the brilliant interview with Anish Kapoor over the weekend? His first free show in India is coming up - and........ http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/nov/27/anish-kapoor-india-exhibition