Nicola Baird

Roz Currie: Islington Museum curator

Everyone has a story. Islington Museum has a special way of capturing the stories of people and places in our borough. Meet their new curator, Roz Currie, who’s just opened a show about fire – Islington Burning – and is now researching a new exhibition about Holloway Prison (which closed…

Jack Tomkins – The Daily Grind barista

Everyone has a story. Have you seen the little tuk tuk tucked into the corner of Christchurch Vicarage by Church Path on Highbury Fields? If not you have a treat in store – The Daily Grind’s artisan coffee made by former Highbury Grove student Jack Tomkins. Interview by Nicola Baird…

Elizabeth Jones: Talking News Islington

Everyone has a story. In May 2016 Elizabeth Jones, 88, and her volunteers celebrated sending out the 100th issue of Talking News Islington – an audio magazine for the visually impaired. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, she reckons that during her career running a general store near London Bridge she…

Benali Hamdache: Green Party campaigner

Everyone has a story. A year working on the Stronger In campaign, managing 45,000 volunteers, has left Benali Hamdache in an unexpectedly positive mindframe – and the time and skills to be the electoral co-ordinator for the Islington Green party. Interview with Nicola Baird. Benali Hamdache is proud to have…

Gordon Warrell: musical mechanic

Everyone has a story. Gordon Warrell from Old Street talks about Islington’s council housing, Formula 1 racing and the shows Dame Vera Lynn (who will be 100 in March 2017) gave in Islington. Interview by Nicola Baird.  Gordon was born in St Barts Hospital in 1934. He spent the war years…

Mr Chotai: watch repairs

Everyone has a story. For 30 years Bachulal Chotai has been mending watches and repairing jewellery at his unique shop on Holloway Road, just opposite Cycle Surgery and Central Library. He plans to retire soon – so this might be his very last interview as a shopkeeper. Interview by Nicola Baird…

Charlie George: Arsenal legend

Everyone has a story. If you want to see Arsenal’s famous 1971 FA Cup goal scorer, Charlie George, at his best then book yourself on to his Legends Tour of the Emirates stadium. Interview by Nicola Baird Taking a Legends Tour of Arsenal is not cheap, but it’s a generous…

Muhammad Ali: tutor

Everyone has a story. Private tutor Muhammad Ali, working from his Romilly Road home, talks about his love of maths, physics and Islington. Interview by Nicola Baird.   Muhammad Ali doesn’t just share a famous name with the great boxer, they also share a birthday (17 January). But that’s where…

Kass Man: musical poet & event organiser

Everyone has a story. On Saturday 24 September you are invited to join a fundraising event to assist with raising funds for Da Global Link Up host, Kass Man, so he can have revolutionary stem cell therapy that could help improve his health. Interview by Nicola Baird Kass Man is an Islington-based performer and…

Theatre review – The Roundabout at Park Theatre

Theatre review from Islington’s newest venue, Park Theatre – showing The Roundabout until 24 September 2016. Review by Nicola and Saira for Islington Faces. THE ROUNDABOUT – at the Park Theatre until 24 September 2016 (published 29/8/16) Thanks to J B Priestley’s wit (and the fact that An Inspector Calls is…