Balloon race to fight leukaemia

A TEACHER from Primrose Hill has launched a charity balloon race from Trafalgar Square’s empty fourth plinth to raise money for leukaemia sufferers.
Liz Mendes is one of thousands of people taking part in Antony Gormley’s fourth plinth art project this summer, and yesterday (August 19) she decided to use the opportunity to garner support for North London charity the Karen Morris Memorial Trust.
She hopes to raise £1,000 in balloon sales for the charity, printing each balloon with the name of a donor and releasing it from the plinth, with prizes awarded to those whose balloons travelled the furthest.
Ms Mendes, a French teacher from Fitzroy Road, said: “It is such a fabulous opportunity to go on the plinth – a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
“I thought it would be shame to waste it by just going up there and waving at people, so I decided to make it special and raise money for charity.
“I was inspired by Gormley’s vision of sharing the plinth with 2,400 people to think about how I could share my hour with others. I decided to say the name of the donor when releasing each balloon from the plinth so that everyone would get a second of my hour and share the plinth with me.”
Donations poured in from well-wishers, with several top prizes up for grabs. All funds raised from the balloon race and individual contributions will go to the Karen Morris Memorial Trust, a charity set up in memory of a 23-year-old fundraising student who died a year after being diagnosed with leukaemia.
Its main objective is to provide facilities and support for leukaemia patients and their families.
Dr Mendes said: “The charity really appealed to me as it has a kind, caring aspect to it and I’m really pleased to be involved in raising money for it.”
For more information on the Karen Morris Memorial Trust visit www.kmmt.org.uk or see Ms Mendes’ website www.ontheplinth.co.uk. To make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/balloon-race.
Ms Mendes was due to take to the plinth at 8pm last night (August 19).

Young designer Otis is reaching for the stars

THERE may be a recession going on but one Swiss Cottage entrepreneur has shown it is possible to buck the trend and succeed in business even when times are tough.
Otis Batterbee, a 28 year old designer and businessman, specialises in luxury travel accessories which have been snapped up by fashion-conscious celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow and Mariah Carey.
The key to his success he says has been to source all his materials locally to support UK textile mills and manufacturers.
“It is very easy and cheap to use fabrics made in China, but I have always insisted on all my fabric being milled in the UK, and all my products manufactured in the UK,” he explains. “In my small way I am trying to support UK businesses, because if you don’t look after them it has a knock on effect in the form of job losses.”
A graduate of the famous St Martin’s College of Art and Design, the Hampstead born designer realised his dream of running his own business when he began trading last year – just in time for one of Belsize Park’s most famous residents, Gwyneth Paltrow, to order a pinstripe travel eye mask (pictured) as a Christmas gift for husband Chris Martin.
The business has flourished, selling accessories including luxury stripe and check handkerchiefs and grapefruit scented travel sprays online and through high end department stores like Mayfair-based Fortnum and Mason. The British Musuem will follow suit in September, selling a ‘quintessentially British’ collection including corduroy eye masks and Oxford tweed washbags in ‘public school’ colours.
Although the accessories are targeted at men they maintain a crossover unisex appeal, which could be why they caught the eye of another female transatlantic star.
“I know that one of my hot pink eye masks went into a gift basket from a television company for Mariah Carey,” laughs Mr Batterbee. “I like to think of her wearing it on a Lear Jet on her way to somewhere exotic!”
Men’s clothing is the next step with the launch of a knitwear collection of hats and scarves in time for Christmas, while plans are afoot to start selling to European stockists. However, as successful as he has been the entrepreneur says he will avoid moving too fast in the future.
“You could get into trouble if you expand too quickly, especially in this economic climate,” he explains. “Right now it is easier to stay in the UK and keep a close eye on my retailers, which is important because you have got to make people want to do business with you. I am grateful for every order!”
Otis Batterbee products can be purchased online at www.otisbatterbee.com

Victorian rail gem is back on track for run-up to Olympics

The old and new meet with spectacular results inside the renovated Eastern Range building at King's Cross station.

IT’S full steam ahead at King’s Cross – with the unveiling of the new-look Eastern Range.
The transformation of the range – a Victorian building that had fallen out of service – is part of the Department of Transport and Network Rail’s £450m redevelopment of the station.
The refurbished building brings back 70,000 sq ft into use for up to 400 station staff.
It was officially opened last Tuesday by heritage minister MP Barbara Follett, along with representatives from English Heritage and Network Rail.
Speaking at the event last week, Mrs Follett said: “Congratulations on the superb job at the Eastern Range.
“You have appreciated we have a past, but also that we must look to the future.”
Conservation specialists and English Heritage have worked closely with Network Rail on the remodelling of the building.
They have taken care to retain and emphasise the historic features of the Victorian building while furnishing it with state-of-the-art office facilities.
Architects have also endeavoured to make the building environment-friendly, with loft insulation, secondary glazing and automatically responsive lighting and heating, which ensures that little or no energy is wasted.
Rainwater will also be recycled for use within the building through a rainwater harvesting tank.

Looking into the main train shed at King's Cross from inside the refurbished Eastern Range building

The new-look Eastern Range offers a glimpse of what the remodel of the station – designed by British architect Lewis Cubitt in 1852 – will look like on completion in time for the 2012 Olympics.
Network Rail’s director of infrastructure investment, Simon Kirby, said: “The Eastern Range epitomises everything we are trying to achieve as a company.
“It represents our commitment to deliver a twenty-first century railway, our commitment to heritage, and is a symbol of what passengers, customers and communities can rightly expect of a twenty-first century railway network.”
The original 1851 façade, the ticket hall and the main train shed roof will be restored in the Grade 1-listed station – one of only five stations in England to have such status – by demolishing the current single-storey extension to the station.
Network Rail will triple the size of the current concourse area by creating a new semi-circular western concourse with a curving glass and aluminium roof . A new additional platform will also be built.
The company will also spend more than £6m to create a new open-air piazza – larger than Leicester Square – at the front of the station.
Once work is completed, the station will incorporate transport links with international and domestic services from St Pancras and the London Underground.

Simon Kirby, Network Rail's director for infrastructure investment, MP Barbara Follett, heritage minister, and Paddy Pugh, English Heritage's regional director for London officially open the new-look Eastern Range

About 50 million passengers passing through each year – an increase of 10 million from this year.
The community is set to benefit too. Almost 400 jobs will be created as a result of this work, and the rail company has also given a further £1m to Camden Council to spend on improvements to the area, including £750,000 to improve the pedestrian environment along York Way.
Network Rail’s programme director Ian Fry said: “King’s Cross is being transformed into a world-class transport hub which can meet future demand and offer the best facilities for passengers.
“Crucially, we have carefully planned the way we carry out this work so that it causes no disruption to train services as we restore this impressive structure back to its former glory.”
The redevelopment of King’s Cross follows on from the extensive works on neighbouring St Pancras station. It is now the terminus for international Eurostar trains linking London to Paris, Brussels and the rest of the European high-speed rail network.
The £800 million restoration and extension of the station was largely hailed as a success, transforming engineer William Barlow’s Victorian creation.
The station houses London’s longest champagne bar – said to be inspired by New York Grand Central Station’s Oyster bar – with a five-star Mariott hotel and daily fresh farmers’ market soon to follow. It is expected that the revamp of King’s Cross will bear comparison to the new St Pancras building – matching the station for facilities and architectural finesse.

How King's Cross station will look with its 1851 facade restored

Network Rail is also spending £175,000 to provide 800 more spaces for bike parking in the King’s Cross Central site in time for the Olympics.
The new King’s Cross St Pancras Underground station will also play a key part in the games.
The Olympic Javelin shuttle service will whisk passengers from the central London station to the Olympic Park in Stratford in just seven minutes.
A spokesman for The Railway Heritage Trust said: “We are delighted that after at least two false dawns work is now underway with major redevelopment works at King’s Cross station.
“The restored and refurbished Eastern Range building is an excellent example of how a nineteenth century building can be adapted to meet twenty first century needs by carefully respecting the historic fabric whilst at the same time introducing modern design and facilities.
“The provision of a new western concourse to replace the somewhat ugly, and now inadequate, 1973 frontage, with its attendant creation of open space, will allow Lewis Cubitt’s fine uncluttered 1852 design to once again be shown off to best advantage in addition to greatly benefiting all those who will use the station in the future.”

‘Super centres’ to house GPs, sports halls and nurseries

COMMUNITY facilities in Camden are set to be transformed to provide ’super centres’ housing GP surgeries, nurseries and sports facilities under one roof.
The Council’s Executive has prepared a report outlining how it improve services by opening up its property portfolio.
Local facilities and and under-used community buildings will be modernised, including sites in Kentish Town, Camden Town and Gospel Oak.
Gospel Oak in particular will undergo extensive works, with the refurbishment of its district housing office, community housing centre and a children’s play centre on Queen’s Crescent.
Council leader Keith Moffitt said: “This is an exciting opportunity to bring modern and tailored facilities to our communities, improving the quality of life for local residents.
“It will also ensure we deliver our goals of better access to services for residents, being a more efficient and environmentally friendly organisation and, most importantly, ensuring that Camden is truly a borough of opportunity for everyone.”
One of the council’s main aims is to bring together local services in a single location with the creation of ‘community campuses’, which could see doctors’ surgeries, health centres, nurseries, children’s play centres and youth and sport facilities in each campus, which will also provide new spaces for local tenant, resident and community groups.
Residents and stakeholders have been involved in developing the recommendations for improved services, which include better facilities for young people and providing improved pre-school and after school care, as well as creating new affordable housing, enhanced health services and investing in local streets to create better shopping and employment opportunities.
Cllr Andrew Marshall, deputy leader said: “With public sector spending being squeezed it is essential we take the opportunity to modernise buildings, reduce running costs for occupiers and the taxpayer – and create more sustainable buildings.
“This programme of investment and improvement will also provide a boost to the economy and provide jobs that local people will be in a good position to compete for.”

Centenarian with royal link

SURROUNDED by royalty and visiting dignitaries, a Hampstead Garden Suburb resident celebrated her 100th birthday in style.
Champaben Vadgama, who lives with her daughter in St Edward’s Close, enjoyed a party at home thrown in her honour at home on Sunday.
Distinguished guests included Prince Ali of Hyderabad in India, Nusrat Hussain, the surviving wife of senior Indian diplomat Mohammad Husain, the Deputy Mayor of Barnet Cllr Hugh Rayner, and the Mayor of Redbridge Cllr Thomas Chan.
Daughter Dr Kusoom Vadgama, 77, said: “My mother had a fantastic time. She has so many cards and we haven’t had time to open them all yet.”
A red carpet was rolled out for Mrs Vadgama, with sitar players strumming the music of Tagore and guests reading poetry in a garden marquee. Son Pankaj Vagdama, his wife and three children were there as well as family friends from Chicago and the founder of the Asha Centre in Gloucestershire, Zerbanoo Gifford.
Dr Vadgama, a historian and optometrist, said: “My mother was absolutely delighted to receive her card from the Queen and enjoyed the speeches by the two mayors. She is in very good health, cooking, cleaning and practicing yoga every day.”
Mrs Vadgama attributes her long life to yoga and a special drink of hot water, honey, ginger and lemon taken every morning. She is a keen cook and is currently compiling a recipe book of traditional Gujarati dishes with her daughter.
Born in India, she can trace her ancestors back to eminent gold and silversmiths serving the Maharaja of Gujarat 150 years ago. After marrying her husband Maganlal at the age of 14 the couple moved to Nairobi in 1922, bringing up their family. They settled in Britain in 1955.
The celebrations will continue with the inauguration of a herb garden in her name at the Asha Centre, which promotes peace and understanding amongst diverse groups.

Schools news: Art aims to promote friendship

CAMDEN schoolchildren are exhibiting their art work at a gallery as part of a council project promoting communities and friendship.
Swiss Cottage Library is displaying work from 12 Camden primary schools, including pictures and sculptures.
Schools boss Cllr Andrew Mennear said: “Having their work on public display gives a huge boost to our young people and they should all feel very proud of what they have achieved.”
The exhibition is organised by Camden Council’s Out of Learning and School Improvement Services, which encourages young people in the borough to explore the arts and learn new skills to enhance the curriculum.
The theme this year is Communities and Friendships, aiming to promote positive images of diversity and offering a unique opportunity for schools to showcase their pupils’ work.
Dee Dee, a Year 5 pupil at Holy Trinity School, said: “It was wonderful to see my art work hanging on the wall in a real art gallery. I felt really proud and I can’t wait to show my family and friends.”
The exhibition runs until Sunday July 19.

Buzzing around London

Picture courtesy of Wellcome Trust

A TAXI in the guise of a bumblebee will be buzzing around the streets of London this summer to raise awareness of the plight of bees.
The Beecab, which has a working beehive in the front seat, has been customized for Pestival, an annual arts festival on the South Bank.
The bee-spoke taxi will appear around several locations throughout London until it reaches Pestival, which celebrates insects through contemporary art, cinema, music and comedy.
Steven Benbow, a beekeeper and driver of the cab, said: “Bees and cabbies have more in common than you might think – the way bees navigate is very similar to the way cab drivers use The Knowledge to get round London.
“They both service the city, and with the Varroa mite wiping out wild colonies of bees, urban beekeeping is more important than ever.”
The Euston-based Wellcome Trust is supporting Pestival this year. The trust’s Pat Goodwin said: “The decline in bees and other pollinators may devastate our environment and would almost certainly have a serious impact on our health and wellbeing.”
The festival is expected to create quite a buzz, with exhibits including a bee colony on the roof miked up to ’sing’ with a human choir.

Fundraising award for Nazi survivor

A HIGHGATE man has received an award from the charity industry in recognition of his lifelong efforts in fundraising.
Erich Reich, 74, was awarded the outstanding contribution Award from Professional Fundraising magazine for his work in raising money for causes from cancer support to animal welfare.
Mr Reich, of Hornsey Lane, said: “This is quite unexpected. I am very happy and quite proud.
“I have been helping charities raise funds for the last 18 years and I am happy not just for myself but for the people working with me.”
Mr Reich set up his company, Classic Tours, in 1987. It led the way in “charity challenges” and has become a venture making over £10 million a year for charity in sponsorship through adventurous activities such as trekking in Nepal.
The company has helped 200 charities to raise £50 million in total by organising challenges including motorcycle rides and mountain climbs from Brazil to China.
Mr Reich said: “My drive for charity work comes from combining two features in my life – the travel business, and helping close friends and relatives who need support for their causes.
“I came to this country as a four-year old, which saved me, so maybe subconsciously I want to give something back.”
Mr Reich came to the UK in August 1939 via Kindertransport, a rescue mission for Jewish children from Nazi Germany and its occupied territories.
As a teenager he moved to Israel and took part in the 1956 Arab-Israeli war as a paratrooper and communication officer, returning to the UK after his brother’s death at the age of 27.
Moving to North London, he embarked on a career in the travel industry and combined it with fundraising. He came up with his first charity challenge, a ‘Biblical Charity Bike Ride’ in Israel covering 400km in five days.
Classic Tours has since gone from success to success, operating over 100 events a year for charity with some 30,000 participants having taken part in fundraising challenges since its inception.
In addition to his role at the company Mr Reich is also involved with World Jewish Relief in raising funds for the Liverpool St Station Kindertransport Monument.
Mr Reich said: “I have an instinct for supporting charities, predominantly those helping children, as well as cancer charities, as my brother died from cancer at 27.
“I feel that I want to give whatever help I can.”

The fashion in raising money

A HAMPSTEAD boutique owner has raised more than £30,000 for Cancer Research UK.
Dominique Cussen, owner of Designs on Rosslyn Hill, has been supporting the charity for the past five years.
Ms Cussen said: “It makes me feel good to raise money for such an important cause. I have been donating to Cancer Research UK, as everyone’s lives seem to be touched by cancer somehow and this is a way of helping towards vital research into the disease.”
The boutique, which has been running for 27 years, is renowned for its second-hand designer items including upmarket fashion labels such as Prada, Chanel, Missoni and Fendi.
Customers sell unwanted clothes, shoes and accessories to the store, which are then snapped up by fashionistas eager to pick up a bargain.
Stock that goes unsold or is unsuitable for the store is donated to Cancer Research UK, which then sells them on in one of their 600 shops.
A spokeswoman for Cancer Research UK said: “The money raised by ‘Designs’ with the help of its customers will now be used to fund groundbreaking research into the prevention, treatment and cure of cancer.”
Ms Cussen, who has seen close family and friends succumb to the disease, said: “My brother-in-law and father both died from cancer, so it is a very important subject to me. One in four people is struck down with it at some point in their lives, so it is an issue that affects everyone.”
Ms Cussen is determined to continue her fundraising efforts for the charity and even beat her previous record.
“The total I have raised so far is only the tip of the iceberg, as I plan to double this amount in the future,” she said.

Fury over alcohol sales at school

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HIGHGATE residents have slammed plans to sell booze at a secondary school’s sports ground.
The old boys’ association at St Aloysius’ College want an alcohol licence for their clubhouse.
If they can convince councillors to give them the green light, the pavilion on the school playing fields, off Stanhope Road, would offer alcohol every day of the week.
But some neighbours fear it will leave their usual peace and quiet in tatters.
Retired GP Dr Cyril Sheridan, whose garden backs onto the sports ground, said: “This is a quiet residential area and the idea of the noise of late-night traffic and rowdy drinkers spilling onto the field is intolerable.
“With current smoking regulations, one might assume that more participants would be outside the building, increasing noise intensity and public nuisance.”
The application from the Old Aloysians also includes a request for recorded music and dancing “occasionally” on Saturday evenings.
This is not the first time that the school has been the subject of controversy over noise disturbance.
Neighbours have previously complained about noise from a wooden hut on the field as late as 3am on Friday and Saturday nights, with council noise teams frequently called in to investigate.
James Lines and his wife Marie, whose house also borders the sports field, said: “The proposal for the introduction of recorded music and dancing on Saturday evenings is particularly objectionable.
“When the previous wooden pavilion was in use there were occasional parties, with very noisy music and a considerable amount of litter left on the pavement and in our front garden afterwards – all of which was entirely inappropriate in a quiet residential district.
“Once an amplifier is installed in the pavilion, the flick of a switch would make it all too easy, once more, to create serious sound pollution of the neighbourhood.”
St Aloysius’ College in Hornsey Lane is an all-boys school whose sports fields have been graced by former pupiil and Chelsea footballer Joe Cole.
Locals also have misgivings about selling alcohol on premises occupied by young people.
Dr Sheridan said: “Do the parents know that their children are going to be subjected to an alcoholic environment?
“Some of the periods in the application for the sale of alcoholic drinks coincide with pupils’ activities on the field.
“This could be seen as encouraging a drinking culture among the pupils, when schools should be discouraging it.
But headteacher Tom Mannion dismissed concerns, saying: ”There always used to be a licence for the old pavilion before it was demolished. The bar will be locked up and there will be no access to it for the pupils.
“It will only be used by the Old Boys team and the staff cricket team and they will all be sober because they are useless cricketers. I will doubt very much there will be any problems and, if there is any, then people can call us and we will look into it.”