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Working in Islington

Gilbert Bankual: House of Hodge volunteer

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Everyone has a story. Book seller Gilbert Bankual loves the ways book collections reveal people’s lives – just one of the reasons he volunteers at House of Hodge on Blackstock Road. Interview by Nicola Baird Over coffee (double espresso for him, decaf for Islington Faces) at The Blackstock Kitchen, just…

Tevfik Kamil & Ali Kamil: brother cobblers

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Everyone has a story. THIS IS OUR 400th INTERVIEW!!! High Class Shoes on Newington Green is much more than a place to repair your shoes – it’s Islington history. Here meet Tevfik and Ali Kamil, the third generation in their family to work as cobblers and key cutters at this…

 Kevan Tomlin: creative recovery worker 

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Everyone has a story. Creative recovery worker Kevan Tomlin explains why he loves working on community craft projects around Islington. Interview by Nicola Baird  After 35 years as a fashion designer Kevan Tomlin has found a role in Islington that he adores – answering his creative instincts and making him feel a part of…

Cat Webb: writer, lighting engineer, fixer

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Everyone has a story. Cat Webb – author, lighting engineer, repair cafĂ© fixer – talks about their Islington life. Interview by Nicola Baird They may have just moved to Kennington, but Cat Webb, 40, has a very close connection to Islington. For starters they were born and raised in Newington…

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…

Toby Mitchell: Tall Stories theatre

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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

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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…

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

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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…

Litterpicking on Regent’s Canal

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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…