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

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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…

Elaine Maffrett: community outreach

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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

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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…

Rhianna Ilube: playwright/co-creator

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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…

Ann Green: retired Whittington Hospital nurse

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Everyone has a story. Long-time Whittington nurse Ann Green, part of the Windrush generation, shares her thoughts about celebration cakes, Jeremy Corbyn, living in N19 and coping with racism. This interview was first published in Elthorne Pride: lasting legacy. Interview by Nicola Baird. Photos by Kimi Gill & Nicola Baird…

Margaret Deasy: retired occupational health worker

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Everyone has a story. Former occupational health worker Margaret Deasy recalls her pet-filled early life off Essex Road in a home that “isn’t there anymore”. This interview was first published in ‘Elthorne Pride Lasting Legacy’. Interview by Nicola Baird, photos by Kimi Gill. Margaret Deasy was brought up off Essex…

Claudia Janke: artist

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Everyone has a story. Super skilled with a camera and creatively playful Claudia Janke finds inspiration in her Angel neighbourhood for pan-European harmony. Here she talks about how photography, games with string phones and even a little wave helped everyone on the rebuilt Packington in N1 to connect. Interview by…

Anjna Khurana: Mayor of Islington 2024-25

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Everyone has a story. In this on-stage interview at Islington Faces’ 365 celebration Islington Mayor, Anjna Khurana, talks about being a role model. She also revealed to a roomful of Islington fans that she loves cake, raspberry is her favourite fruit and she adores fried ravioli. Interview by Nicola Baird.…

Anna Stishova: Instagram’s hijabi kayaker

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  Everyone has a story. Meet Anna Stishova whose teenage love of kayaking in Siberia helped her seek out paddle opportunities in the UK. Now she’s a kayaking instructor and a paddlesports leader taking out trips with kayakers and paddleboarders, despite being based first in Islington, then Bolton. Interview by…

Anna Hyde: climate activist

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Everyone has a story. Meet Anna Hyde, the climate activist who’s inspired by her young son and her Islington life to put huge amounts of time and skill into turning the Islington Climate Centre pop-up into a proper community hub where people can ask questions about the climate crisis, learn…