Highlights of 2015

 
As 2015 draws to an end, it’s time to reflect on the year gone by, and what a year is has been!  

We continue to enjoy uncovering London’s rich heritage; exploring contemporary and historic architectural sites; and inspiring learning and new perspectives by engaging people with the built environment and providing opportunities for them to shape its future.

Here's a summary of our activities across 2015, and a big thank you to all those who contributed to helping make these projects happen:

Senior BEEs and Islington Eyes 

Both our older peoples groups continue to meet regularly and are keeping active through our Spring, Summer and Autumn term programmes of activities. 2015 highlights include:  a site visit to the Bishopsgate Goodsyard development; a consultation session with the Hackney Street Scene team; a tour of Hodgson Gabb Studios; a private exhibition tour at the Royal College of Physicians; a visit to the Cally Clock Tower; a film screening of Through the Hole in the Wall; a visit to RIBA on lnternational Older People’s Day; a guided tour of the historic buildings of Whitehall; and a walking tour of King’s Cross.

Another highlight of 2015 is that our Islington group (previously known as the Islington Architecture & History Group) now has an official name: the Islington Eyes!

 

This year, we’ve also set up an Older Person’s Advisory Group consisting of members from both the Senior BEEs and Islington Eyes. The aim of the group is to help inform and provide suggestions across the work that we do.

Our Place Too
This newly launched project is funded by the People's Health Trust, using money money raised from Health Promote through the Health Lottery. Working with older people living in two neighbourhoods either side of City Road, the project seeks to improve their health and wellbeing by facilitating discussion about the massive changes taking place on their doorstep. 

Places of Worship

2015 marked the third year of a visit to the Suleymaniye Mosque in East London and Sandy's Row Synagogue with Year 8 from the Bridge Academy.

Wandle Treasures 

A volunteer-led local heritage project where we identified and researched heritage ‘treasures’ along the course of the River Wandle, which spans four London boroughs (Wandsworth, Merton, Sutton and Croydon). The final selection has been drawn by artist Stephanie Theobald and will be uploaded to a website along with an interactive map.

The project has been delivered in collaboration with Living Wandle Landscape Partnership Scheme as part of the Industrial Heritage Recording Project, and aimed to engage people in the local heritage of the area, making it more accessible.

To extend the life of the project, we will soon be launching a crowdfunding campaign to frame and exhibit the unique artist illustrated map of heritage treasures, touring it across the four London boroughs. More details will follow in the new year.

This is Our East 20

Students from the University of East London and Year 8 at Chobham Academy, the newest and only school on the Olympic Park site, created view finders with Mobile Studio. An online resource has also been produced, documenting and celebrating the work of the students.

Revitalising Peckham Rye

The second stage of community engagement, speaking to local groups and residents, and consulting on plans for facilities in Peckham Rye Park & Common.

Upcoming Projects for 2016:

We are currently working in partnership with History Pin to develop an Heritage Lottery Fund  community heritage project in the King’s Cross area. The aim of the project is to create a digital archive through a series of local community activities.  More will be revealed in the new year... 

Islington's Locally Listed Buildings

Another exciting project coming up in 2016 is a review of Islington’s Local List of Buildings for Historic England with a view to then making it publicly accessible. A group of volunteers will be enlisted to research, document and record the list, which includes over 1000 buildings.

Thank you once again to our many collaborators, clients, friends and volunteers! It’s been an exciting year and we look forward to the year ahead!