Nicola Baird

Martha Dillon & Nina Carter: collecting London’s climate stories

Everyone has a story. Friends Martha Dillon and Nina Carter have an ambitious plan to collect climate stories from Londoners and excitingly are trialling their first 2026 workshop in Islington, this April. Interview by Nicola Baird Martha Dillon and Nina Carter started working together in 2018 while planning a unique…

Toby Mitchell: Tall Stories theatre

Everyone has a story, but not everyone has such a close connection with the amazing Gruffalo, that wonderful creation protecting a resourceful mouse. Thanks to a theatre company based in Highbury The Gruffalo is not just a book – it’s also celebrating its 25th anniversary on stage. Here Tall Stories…

Elaine Maffrett: community outreach

Everyone has a story. Here Elaine Maffrett, shares how Islington community centres have shaped her life. Interview by Nicola Baird. Elaine Maffrett is born and bred Islington: she was born at 48 Tyndale Mansions and then got her first flat in the same block. “It looks really posh, off Upper…

Zoe Pearson: Islington Faces trustee

Everyone has a story. Introducing our newest Islington Faces trustee, Zoe Pearson, 28, who brings creative energy to our board. She’s also a huge fan of Islington life after moving here after lockdown. Q&A by Nicola Baird. Q: Why did you want to be a trustee? I think what Islington…

Twixmas special: what do you love to do in Islington?

Everyone has a story. Islington Faces goes on a Twixmas 2025 mission to find out how people enjoy spending time in Islington. Interviews by founder Nicola Baird and our new trustee, Zoe Pearson. Top tip: FOLLOW Islington Faces, a new interview is published approx once a fortnight. We’re also busy…

Steve Platt: squatting memories

Everyone has a story. In the 1970s and early 1980s Islington was famous for its squat culture. Back then politicians from Labour, and even the Tories, were forced to accept squatting as a way to bring abandoned and neglected homes back into use. Plenty of young people found cheap homes…

Litterpicking on Regent’s Canal

Everyone has a story. On the canal near Old Street, City Road and Angel, Islington Faces is helping paddleboarders collect up rubbish from the water thanks to a grant from Cripplegate that’s getting people on to the water Quick photoshoot of all the paddle and pick participants on our 9…

Charles Costa: singer songwriter

Everyone has a story. The singer who was King Charles, now known as Charles Costa, began his Knock Knock tour in Finsbury Park (not the park, a small N4 garden!). What was it like asks Nicola Baird Islington Faces insists that King Charles is a singer songwriter, but it clearly…

Rhianna Ilube: playwright/co-creator

Everyone has a story. This summer three community groups, fizzing with ideas, take over the Almeida with a new play, 81 (Life). Here we meet the playwright and co-creator, Rhianna Ilube about working with Islingtonians   In the new play 81 (Life) (at the Almedia from 21-23 August), “We imagine…

Darren Greenwood: Islington Boat Club

Everyone has a story. Water sports expert Darren Greenwood is the chief operating officer at Islington Boat Club, running the day-to-day business of this community hub at Angel which gives so many young people in Islington a chance to mess around safely in boats on Regent’s Canal. Interview by Nicola…