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Working in Islington

Charles Costa: singer songwriter

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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

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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…

Andy Ruiz Palma: Chief Exec for Islington Centre for Refugees & Migrants

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Everyone has a story. The joy of teaching English language skills has taken Andy Ruiz Palma from youthful travel around Thailand to managing the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants in Cross Street. Here he talks about how Islington and the Centre offer a welcome to people in desperate need.…

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…

John Mackie: fruit and veg shop owner

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Everyone has a story. Here John Mackie talks about growing up in Islington, early starts and how he became a professional footballer. Plus, insight into his day-to-day life running a fabulous greengrocer, Christmas tree and flower shop, White Brothers Fruit & Veg, on Blackstock Road, N4. Interview by Nicola Baird…

Tales from the Finsbury Parker newsletter 1975-2001

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Everyone has a story. Demolition, campaigns to bring in pedestrian crossings and a street party offering anaconda kebabs – this is just a fraction of the community building around the streets of Finsbury Park that you can discover by looking through old copies of the ‘Finsbury Parker’ newsletter. Report by…

Celebrating 365 published posts

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Everyone has a story – many interviewees, friends of the blog and readers met for a party to celebrate our 365 published interviews. It was so lovely to have the Islington Faces “family” all together again. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, especially on a summer night…

Georgia Dodsworth: Whitecross Street Party

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Everyone has a story. Meet Georgia Dodsworth the Creative Producer of Whitecross Street Party. This year’s community takeover festival runs from 13-14 July. Interview by Nicola Baird. Photos by Kash Bashir & Whitecross Street Party. If you want something done, then assign a busy person. That’s a life rule most…

Prepping for the Restore Nature Now rally at Islington Climate Centre

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Everyone has a story. Behind the scenes at Islington Climate Centre during a busy half term getting ready for the Restore Nature Now rally with Bridget, Anna, Marcus and Emmanuel. Interview by Nicola Baird Bridget Turgoose, the Creative Coordinator for XR UK is surrounded by half-completed worms but still fretting…
3 book jackets with novels that have come out in spring 2024 and feature Islington, London.

Let’s read about Islington

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Every bit of Islington has a story. Three new books published in spring 2024 use Islington as the backdrop for the action including Caledonian Road, Old Street (Hoxton) and Regent’s Canal. Reviews by Nicola Baird (in a shameless plug for her own funny novel, Not That Deep, which is centred…