Issue no 74
NEWS
AND
KEY
ISSUES
FOR
THE
CITY
OF
LONDON
Dec 2012/Jan 2013
cityview Youth employment p8
A day for celebration p10
p6
2 C I T Y V I E W
cityviewmagazine Welcome to cityviewmagazine B U S I N E S S
S U P P O R T
Small is beautiful
3
T H E I N T E R V I E W
Restoring trust, keeping a competitive edge C I T Y
4
E L E C T I O N S
Vote for your City S U P P O R T I N G
6
L O N D O N ’ S
C O M M U N I T I E S
Youth employment – an offer you can’t refuse L O R D
M A Y O R ’ S
S H O W
A day for celebration G R E E N
12
F O C U S
Girls on film Festive fun ahead N E W S
10
S P A C E S
Going from Green to Gold A R T S
8
I N
14 15
cityview is the magazine of the City of London Corporation, a uniquely diverse organisation that promotes and supports the City and provides a wide range of services for the City, for London and for the nation as a whole. Unless otherwise stated in individual features, more information on both the magazine and online articles is available from the Public Relations Office address below. The magazine is published twice a year and is also available to download from www.cityoflondon.gov.uk. If you would like a summary of this publication in your language or in an alternative format such as large print, Braille or audio tape, please contact us at The Public Relations Office City of London PO Box 270 Guildhall London EC2P 2EJ
B R I E F
...and finally
16
020 7332 3099 pro@cityoflondon.gov.uk The magazine is supplemented by cityviewonline – a web-based magazine normally published in March and September and also available to download from our website homepage www.cityoflondon.gov.uk We welcome, and value, feedback but regret that correspondence cannot be individually acknowledged. MAILING ENQUIRIES cityviewmagazine City of London PO Box 170 Ashford, TN24 0ZX T 01233 214197
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C I T Y V I E W 3
B U S I N E S S
S U P P O R T
Small is beautiful The importance of small businesses to the City has been highlighted in a new publication by the City Corporation. Tale of Two Cities – facilitating small business in and around the Square Mile describes how the success of small business is crucial for wider economic recovery and job creation in the UK. In and around the City, these micro, small and medium-sized businesses supply goods and services to City firms and their employees. They also contribute to London’s economic growth and the vitality of the Capital’s wider business cluster. Apart from looking to raise the profile of the important role played by SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) in the Square Mile and neighbouring areas, the new publication also sets out the work the City Corporation does to help support them and the avenues for future growth open to them. This ranges from helping smaller suppliers to build business relationships to taking ideas and converting them into growing businesses and accessing the right type of capital at the right time. “Of the 13,500 business in the Square Mile, over 98% employ fewer than 250 people,”explained the City Corporation’s Policy Chairman Mark Boleat (pictured bottom right). “Around 11,000 are sole traders or employ up to nine people. “Because of this, one of the City Corporation’s focuses over recent years has been small business support. This includes helping them access the resources they need to succeed – whether in the City itself or in its fringes. For example, we
Hackney Camden
Islington
The City
Westminster
have significantly increased the amount of available space for business start-ups (between 2005-10 we provided more than 130,000 sq ft of new small business workspace) and played a part in creating an environment – Innovation Warehouse at Smithfield – in which entrepreneurs can learn skills and exchange ideas.”
Tower Hamlets
Southwark
Lambeth
Often the one thing SMEs need is advice. The City Corporation can signpost sources of this. Along with a dedicated section of its website (www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/business), the City Corporation also runs the City Business Library, located within the Guildhall complex. This is a huge resource for the smaller business and alongside all the information available, it runs regular seminars, briefing and networking events. The City Corporation also works with organisations that provide guidance to these businesses, such as Capital Enterprise, GLEoneLondon, the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, UK Trade & Investment and Business Link. Mark Boleat continued: “Large companies and smaller businesses do not exclude each other; they are mutually supportive. So we will be continuing to keep support for the latter as a key strategic priority for the future.”
One of the City Corporation’s focuses over recent years has been small business support
More information 020 7332 3099 edu@cityoflondon.gov.uk
4 C I T Y V I E W
T H E I N T E R V I E W
Philip Stephens talks to Treasury Minister Greg Clark
Restoring trust, keeping a competitive edge Greg Clark is in cheery mood when we meet in his Treasury office on the edge of St James’s Park. It’s rare these days that the Treasury can claim a day’s good headlines. But 24 hours earlier George Osborne announced that Mark Carney is to replace Sir Mervyn King as Governor of the Bank of England. The plaudits have been coming thick and fast. Everyone seems to agree that Carney, at present running the Bank of Canada and chair of the international Financial Stability Board, is an excellent choice. A shrewd policy-maker he can also claim hands-on experience during more than a decade working at Goldman Sachs. Osborne had to invest a lot of time in persuading him to apply for the job. He also had to up the salary. Clark has no doubt it was worth it: Carney was simply “the outstanding candidate in the world”. As to the suggestion that such an august institution should be headed by a Brit, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury will have none of it. To the contrary, the City’s strength is its global outlook. The appointment is “a real sign of that very internationalism that is intrinsic to the City of London...that we should be open-minded, we should be meritocratic, that we should choose without prejudice the best person in the world”. Clark himself is among the best and brightest of the middle ranking ministers in David Cameron’s coalition government. Had the Conservatives won an outright majority at the last election he could have expected a seat in the cabinet by now. As it is, as the third ranking minister at the Treasury, he holds a swath of responsibilities running across Whitehall’s traditional divides.
They include banking and financial services reform and regulation in Britain and the European Union, financial stability, City competitiveness, bank lending and access to finance, and oversight of the Financial Services Authority. He is also charged with cities (plural) - the government’s strategy for urban regeneration across England - and with negotiating the European Budget. This is not a portfolio to leave much free time. The starting point of our conversation is the banks. A few weeks earlier Clark had delivered his first big speech to the British Bankers’Association. Surveying the wreckage of the financial crash and scandals surrounding LIBOR and payments protection insurance, he issued a no-holds-barred demand that the financial sector act to rebuild trust. But wasn’t it time, I asked, to put recriminations behind us? After all, the banks need to start lending again and consumers need reassurance. “I put a lot of thought into that speech.....the absolute imperative is for the financial services industry to restore trust not just in this country but around the world”.You could say he is offering tough love. “Financial services are absolutely a lynchpin of the British economy There are around two million people employed in the industry, and they are right across the country.......these are good jobs, quality jobs. We need to invest in them”. But the sine qua non of success is the restoration of trust. If the City was clear-sighted about what had gone wrong and put the right regulatory structure in place, it would steal a march on its international rivals. Many in the industry have grasped this. In his meetings since the summer he has detected “a new spirit abroad among the senior leadership”of the financial institutions. The customer, often forgotten
C I T Y V I E W 5
during the days of the boom, has returned to centre stage. Isn’t there a danger that the City will sink under the burden of new capital requirements and capital ratios? Clark, responsible for the legislation to put into effect the recommendations of the Independent Banking Commission, says the government has got the balance right. It has been “an exhaustive and meticulous process”. The result was a piece of legislation with a unique structure that would allow regulation to keep up to date with the rapid pace of financial innovation.
Financial services are absolutely a lynchpin of the British economy There are around two million people employed in the industry, and they are right across the country.......these are good jobs, quality jobs. We need to invest in them
This is “not just a solution for the next few years, but one we expect to endure”. And what if the Tyrie Commission calls for the complete separation of high street and investment banking rather than the ring-fencing of operations suggested by the IBC? Clark is careful not to rule anything out, but I am left with the distinct impression the Treasury is not about to change its mind. The other big issue at the top of Clark’s in-tray is Europe - more specifically the eurozone’s plans to create a banking union. The Prime Minister has made it clear that Britain won’t be part of the new set-up. Clark’s job is to make sure that the City is not disadvantaged by this: “We are not going to walk away from our position in the single market in financial services....we are going to make sure that we retain full access.” For all the manoeuvring around the relationship between the new union and the European Banking Authority, Clark is optimistic that an accommodation can be reached that will protect Britain’s voice. His trips to Brussels for meetings of
the Ecofin council have persuaded him that Britain has allies among the other “outs”. His talks with Michel Barnier, the Commissioner charged with financial services have persuaded him that others recognise that London’s place carries advantages for Europe. Barnier is “the first to acknowledge that to have within the EU one of the world’s premier centres for financial services is good for the EU as well as for the member state that happens to host it”. Let’s hope Francois Hollande’s government agrees with its French commissioner. By now, Clark’s officials are trying to shoo me out. Michael Heseltine is downstairs, waiting to talk about his grand plan to push out to the regions and cities control of government regeneration funds. What about London I ask? Hasn’t Boris Johnson accused the government of dragging its feet over big planning and infrastructure decisions - expansion of airport capacity for one - that are vital to its international competitiveness. And isn’t the Mayor right when he says that the government is sending out the wrong signal about the City by clamping down on immigration? Elsewhere in Whitehall, the bleak quip is that the government has declared Britain to be “open for business but closed to foreigners”. Clark, I would guess, has some sympathy for Boris’s views. But these are political minefields he is reluctant to enter. Boris, he says valiantly, “does a fantastic job”. And the Home Office has acted to ease the immigration queues at Heathrow. By now, perhaps to his relief, his officials are insistent. It’s time for Clark to turn his mind from City to cities policy.
Philip Stephens is Chief Political Commentator of the Financial Times
6 C I T Y V I E W
C I T Y
E L E C T I O N S
Vote for your City Much has happened since 2009, the last time City-wide elections took place. Indeed the City of London has seldom had a higher profile than today.
They represent you on the City Corporation’s various committees, which deal with the day to day running of the City, and in the Court of Common Council, its main decision-making body.
Whether it’s the nation’s economic fortunes, regulatory reform or the City’s role in the summer’s celebrations for the Diamond Jubilee and London 2012 Games and its top ranking as a place to live, work and visit.
As with other elections, registered voters will have the right to apply for a postal vote.You will also be invited to meet the candidates standing for election at wardmotes. These meetings of the wards allow you to put ‘a face to a name’and question candidates to see who would best represent you or the organisation you work for.
The City is unique in having both a resident and worker vote. This is due to the make-up of the Square Mile with around 10,000 residents but a working population of a third of a million (not just in businesses but charities, trade associations, livery companies, churches and other religious bodies and hospital trusts). This makes the March 2013 elections all the more important. These elections will take place across the City’s 25 wards and are for Common Councilmen to represent you in the City of London Corporation. They give you the chance to have your say on how the City’s services are provided. By the time this issue of cityview is distributed, residents and workers in those organisations eligible to vote in City elections should have registered to take part in next March’s vote. These elections are essential for you to help shape the future of the Square Mile. This includes the opportunity to stand as a candidate for election. Guidance for candidates is available at the web address at the end of this article. It is in the City’s best interests for elected Common Councilmen to have as wide a range of backgrounds as possible.
C I T Y V I E W 7
The timetable The issues affecting all voters can be very similar. Ongoing issues facing the City include transport infrastructure, business promotion, streetworks, retail developments, street cleaning, policing, facilities and open spaces. This is just a small sample of the wide range of services that the City Corporation provides and that you can help shape by voting in next March’s elections. Many services also go way beyond the Square Mile to offer London-wide and national benefit such as its support for our local communities (employment, training and education) or our open spaces (Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest) and heritage (the Monument, Museum of London and Tower Bridge). Whatever your particular concerns or reasons for voting, the main thing is to get out and vote. This will be a clear demonstration of your interest in the City’s future and the way it is run. It is also a chance to have a say on the issues facing the City, your organisation or you personally by exercising your democratic right.
For those new to elections in the City, here’s a timetable of events.
26 February Deadline to be nominated as a candidate in the elections
Post election March may see City-wide elections completed for four years but the democratic process continues. All Common Councilmen are here to serve
1 March Complete list of wards in which elections which will be taking place is available together with locations of polling stations
their constituents in their ward.
1 March Complete list of candidates standing for elections is also available
You can contact them at any
These Members sit on a range of committees that cover all aspects of the City of London Corporation’s work and City life.
time to raise concerns or issues that you may have that they can feed into the organisation’s strategy, policies or individual
20 March Wardmotes are held – meetings for each ward at which candidates can be questioned irrespective of whether there will be an election in that ward or not
projects. They are your ‘pipeline’ into the workings of the City Corporation and ensure it responds to what the City wants and needs. There are also regular by-elections and elections for Aldermen (the senior members of
21 March Elections taken place
each ward) that you can vote in as well. If you are interested in seeing
21 March Full results available
what your vote is helping to shape, come along and see how the City Corporation works and looks after the Square Mile. Our
For more information
committee meetings are open to
0800 587 5537
the public as are Court of
electoralservices@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Common Council meetings
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/cityvote2013
which regularly attract visitors to
@CityVote
the prestigious Great Hall.
More information www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ about-the-city
8 C I T Y V I E W
S U P P O R T I N G
L O N D O N ’ S
C O M M U N I T I E S
Youth employment – an offer you can’t refuse One of the biggest issues in the UK at present, as a result of the economic downturn, is the high number of young people out of work. This has continued to grow in recent years. In the first quarter of 2012 alone, there was estimated to be 125,000 people in London aged 16-24 classed as Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEETs), about one in four.Together with Yorkshire, London suffers, at 25%, the worst youth unemployment rate in the UK, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. The City Corporation has a longstanding policy of supporting London’s communities and helping those in the surrounding boroughs find work. It has now significantly boosted these efforts through a new £3.28m scheme from which grants of up to £100,000 will be made available to all 32 London boroughs to tackle this problem. Get Young People Working – the Youth Offer is an initiative to help 1,000 people across London into employment or apprenticeships. Grants will be used to support the cost of a voluntary sector partner with experience of working with the most disadvantaged young people (and therefore this offer is on top of publicly funded programmes not as a replacement for public expenditure cuts). Launching the scheme, the City Corporation’s Policy Chairman Mark Boleat explained the reasons behind it. “Young people are the lifeblood of London like any great city.They bring ideas, innovation and enthusiasm needed to drive our economy forward. That is why it is vital that the City plays its part in tackling the pernicious problem of youth unemployment facing communities across the capital. “In our experience of supporting London’s third sector we have found that the best outcomes are achieved when boroughs and charities work together to
develop local, flexible strategies. Get Young People Working aims to support grass roots initiatives across the 32 boroughs – each of which has its own specific challenges in this area.” The scheme is funded from the Bridge House Estates Fund (originally set up to fund the upkeep of the City bridges) and the City Corporation’s charity, the City Bridge Trust will make the awards. Already this year the City Corporation has signed up to the Evening Standard’s Ladder for London campaign by agreeing to take on an additional 10 apprentices. In addition, the City Bridge Trust launched its Growing Localities programme, one aim of which was to inspire young unemployed people to look for work training or apprenticeships in horticultural. This is alongside the City Corporation’s existing Apprenticeship Scheme.This involves the organisation bringing City businesses and local young people together, acting as a ‘brokering’service. This can lead to young people in the City and the surrounding boroughs getting work experience over a two to three year period, achieving a recognised qualification, a wage and the chance of a job at the end
In the first quarter of 2012 alone, there was estimated to be 125,000 people in London aged 16-24 classed as Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEETs), about one in four.
C I T Y V I E W 9
of the process. At the same time firms get high quality young people who can learn on the job and make a valuable contribution to their business.To find out more about the City of London Apprenticeship Scheme contact Monica Irvin, Philip Taylor or Catherine Hughes on 020 7332 3911/1212. Running in parallel is the work of the City Corporation’s Employer Engagement Manager who regularly meets with representatives from firms across the City to get them enthused about the idea of
local recruitment and then brokering these firms with charities, schools, universities and other organisations to match students to entry level opportunities and internships. If your firm, charity, trade organisation or other body wants to find out more how to recruit locally get in touch with our Employer Engagement Manager – no obligation or commitment required – on 020 7332 3077 or charlotte.factor@cityoflondon.gov.uk
The best outcomes are achieved when boroughs and charities work together to develop local, flexible strategies.
More information on the City Corporation’s work to encourage employment opportunities and to raise aspirations in neighbouring booughs can be found at www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ supportinglocalcommunities
Case study
Like most apprentices Liam Roche
they wouldn’t give me the chance
what I wanted to do but I spoke
membership sales, touring people
had to start at the bottom, joining
to get experience?”
to my mates who said I should go
round the centre, dealing with
for it.”
bookings and telephone enquiries.
the City Corporation-owned Golden Lane Sport & Fitness as a
Liam’s frustration motivated him to
Customer Relations Assistant. “I was
get in touch with a youth worker for
In addition Liam started the day-
His apprenticeship finished, he’s a
never any good at school and
the City Corporation. He was
release training programme. An
fulltime, fully paid-up member of
came straight out of college
contacted by the Adult Education
apprenticeship consists of a formal,
Fusion Lifestyle. He completed his
wanting to take any type of job.
Service who told him about a new
taught, component often taught at
Customer Service NVQ and was
I was really into sports and studied
role at the recently refurbished
a college for a day a week and by
awarded his apprenticeship
it. I couldn’t get a job in that type of
centre, run by sport and leisure
taking on-line exams. There is also
certificate. More importantly, Liam
thing, so I tried for retail – sports
management charity Fusion
the practical, vocational,
has graduated from a purely
shops. They were like ‘you need to
Lifestyle. This meant working on
component which involves
customer focussed role. “Now I’m
get more experience’. So how was
reception and studying to become
demonstrating in the workplace
a lifeguard, and work on loads of
I supposed to get experience if
an apprentice. “It wasn’t really
the range of skills and
different things. I run birthday
competencies expected.
parties, football and they’ve just offered me a new contract. I have
Although Liam hadn’t wanted to
multi-skills and am more useful to
take on a customer role he found
the centre.
that it was this that he was beginning to most appreciate.
“I’m in a better position for going
“I started to get a rapport with
through the experience of being
customers, have a chat with them,
an apprentice. The people I work
have a laugh and they’re happy.
with have all helped me, trained
I enjoyed the responsibility.”
me up, that’s what I like – working
His confidence growing, the
with these people.”
managers were giving Liam more responsibility, looking after
10 C I T Y V I E W
L O R D
M A Y O R ’ S
S H O W
A day for celebration Scotland, Sweden, Finland, America, Africa, Hamburg, Mexico, Hong Kong, Japan and Gibraltar – the Lord Mayor’s Show may bring the City together in celebration but it also reinforces the City’s huge international reach. Alderman Roger Gifford’s first full day as Lord Mayor brought the crowds out to cheer on the annual procession and welcome the new person in the role. As ever the Lord Mayor’s own background, interests and business connections were represented and ensured a suitably diverse line-up. These included SEB (the Swedish bank for which he works), the Kingdom of Sweden, Scottish Development International and Sedburgh School. His passion for music, a feature of his appeal for the year, was reflected throughout the Show. This ranged from an Abba tribute band, to the huge drum
pounding from the Mizuho Corporate Bank float to the Herfordshire Show Band and the Worshipful Company of Musicians. A military theme was also threaded through the procession with a strong presence from the Army, Navy and Air Force and their many connected bands, showcasing the Forces in all their splendour and professionalism. Their appearance helped remind the spectators of the importance of the Remembrance Sunday service which followed the next day. Harking back to the country’s massively successful Olympic and Paralympic Games was gold medal winner Jessica Ennis, who took a break from the track to drive the latest F-type Jaguar. The City Corporation’s ownership of open spaces across London was represented with an Epping Forest float.
C I T Y V I E W 11
This also promoted the launch of the Gifford Wood Appeal, aimed at creating a new area of woodland for future generations. The City Corporation sponsored several community floats including Heba Women, Vision Housing, Say it Loud, while Heart n Soul, was showcased in partnership with City Bridge Trust.
Alderman Roger Gifford is the 685th Lord Mayor He has been Country Head for SEB
The City’s many livery companies were much in evidence including the 2009 Livery Company Masters. They took part under the banner of The Cat’s Whiskers, helping to promote a book on Dick Wittington written by the Lady Mayoress to raise money for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal. An unplanned event was the back wheel of the Lord Mayor’s 250-year-old coach seizing up bringing a halt to proceedings! But nothing stops the Show for long and the Pageantmaster’s vehicle was hastily brought back to take Alderman Gifford the short distance to Mansion House and the welcoming crowds. This marked the end of the day’s proceedings and the start of a busy year ahead for the Lord Mayor now that it has been launched in celebratory style.
(Skandinaviska Enskilda Bank) UK since 2000 and specialises in equity and debt
a platform to its chosen charities,
capital markets in London,
the Appeal aims to encourage
Scandinavia and Japan.
and challenge people to give more and do more, to secure the
Married to Clare, he has five
future for the next generation. The
children – Olivia, Fergus, Fred,
appeal will be primarily in support
Thea, Hector and Freddie. In 2004
of the City Music Foundation,
he was elected Alderman for
which provides new opportunities
Cordwainer Ward and in 2008
for aspiring professional musicians
served as Sheriff of the City of
in the early stages of their careers.
London, one of a Sheriff’s main
Other charities include Futures For
roles being to assist the Lord Mayor
Kids, Epping Forest Appeal, The
in his duties.
Harold Samuel Collection and the Lord Mayor’s Scholarship
The Lord Mayor is elected
Programmes.
annually. As well as heading the City of London Corporation, he is an international ambassador, dedicated to supporting and promoting the City as the world leader in international finance and business services. He travels extensively, in liaison with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, fostering goodwill and boosting British trade, particularly the markets and services of the City. The focus for his year is “underlining that service is, and must be, at the heart of the financial services
Blast from the past
industry of the UK. In other words,
For more information on
that the City must serve society –
the new Lord Mayor visit
and be seen to do so.’’
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/
This year’s Show also marked the
lordmayor where you can
75th anniversary of the first live
With this in mind the theme of his
download a copy of his
broadcast of the Lord Mayor’s
charitable appeal for the year is
biography or for a hard copy
Show by the BBC. The Show
‘The City in Society’. It will focus on
contact Public Relations
remains the longest running live
the City as a global centre for
on 020 7332 3099 or
broadcast event. This image shows
philanthropy and the arts, and
pro@cityoflondon.gov.uk.
the Lord Mayor’s coach leaving
reflect on the City of London’s
For more information on his
Guildhall Yard and entering
major contribution to the society it
chosen charity visit
Gresham street in 1937.
serves in the 21st century. By giving
www.thelordmayorsappeal.org
12 C I T Y V I E W
G R E E N
S P A C E S
Going from Green to Gold Green spaces are often regarded as havens in which people can enjoy the peace and tranquil of the countryside. But their large expanses of land can also serve as a backdrop and inspiration for people to exercise, get fit and have fun in the process. This has been clearly demonstrated during the year across the City Corporation’s many green spaces. In keeping with the fact that this year saw the Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place in London, the Open Spaces department launched its own Olympic linked campaign, Green to Gold. This was the result of many months of planning and was aimed at encouraging people to get out and join in activities in their local green space in 2012 to promote health and wellbeing. The project had an enormous impact for the communities that they serve. In recognition of its
efforts to engage with and promote an Olympic legacy, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) gave the campaign a 2012 Inspire Mark. Alderman Robert Hall, Chairman of the Open Spaces, City Gardens and West Ham Park Committee, was delighted with the extra profile the spaces received because of the campaign.“We were proud to provide green spaces for the communities, athletes and visitors across London in 2012. Indeed we were delighted to host many Olympic and Paralympic athletes who used our green spaces for their training in the run up to the Games!”
Looking after London’s green spaces Along with its support and promotion of the business City and its provision of local government services, the City Corporation also carries out unique functions and services, many provided at no cost to the taxpayers. The City Corporation’s green
The programme of activities for the project has reached far and wide and many families have benefited enormously during the past 12 months. On this spread we have picked out just a few highlights.
spaces are a high profile example of these. The organisation owns and manages more than 200 gardens in the Square Mile itself and also large iconic sites such as Hampstead Heath, Burnham Beeches, City Commons and Epping Forest, attracting over 22.5 million visits a year. Some of these have been owned and managed since 1870 to protect them from development and preserve them as a natural resource. This policy was the inspiration behind the later Green Belt movement. Many have gained the prestigious Green Flag Awards, Green Heritage Awards and several are also Sites of Special Scientific Interest. More information www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ greenspaces
C I T Y V I E W 13
Burnham Beeches Woodland Wonders and outdoor theatre The community around the
Jubilee activities, Halloween
Beeches enjoyed a series of
events and a series of outdoor
events throughout 2012 with over
theatre shows while in October
1,000 children and families taking
the Beeches hosted a very
part. Events included Woodland
popular adaptation of the classic
Wonders week during the June
Brothers Grimm tales.
half term, besom broom making,
Hampstead Heath Green to Gold – Give it a Go Held in partnership with Camden
ponds and Lido and much more.
Council this event attracted
This was only one of more than
more than 10,000 visitors. They
125 events held during the year
were spoilt for choice with a wide
(at the time of writing) on the
variety of activities which
Heath, adding up to a
included touch rugby, zumba,
tremendous 12 months of
gymnastics, cheerleading,
outdoor activity for the
football, playgrounds, circuit
community in North London.
training, penalty shoot outs,
(Japanese Paralympians are
water activities in the many
pictured training on the Heath).
Epping Forest Regency, Tudor and Victorian Games The Forest recreated a whole
Temple in Wanstead Park.
host of historic children’s games
Hundreds of local families took
at The View (the new Epping
part in activities including hula
Forest Visitor Centre in
hooping, ring tossing, a tug of
Chingford), Queen Elizabeth’s
war, croquet and much more.
Hunting Lodge and at the
West Ham Park Summer Sport Camp In conjunction with Newham
medals and other Green to Gold
Council’s sport development
goodies such as tennis balls and
team, West Ham Park ran a
frisbees. With the Park being
programme of sports activities
under a mile from the 2012
throughout the summer holidays
Olympic stadium in Stratford,
to encourage children to get out
some were even given the
and join in activities in their open
opportunity to attend an
spaces. More than 1,400 children
Olympic Handball match in the
took part in handball, football,
Olympic Park which, not
rugby, cricket and tennis. As a
surprisingly, they were very
reward for their efforts, and
excited about!
encouragement for future ones,
More information about the Green to Gold campaign
all those taking part were given
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/greentogold
14 C I T Y V I E W
A R T S
F O C U S
Girls on film In a classic example of an
working in the capital,”
exhibition title capturing both
explained the Museum’s Curator
subject and form, Women
of Photography Charlotte
in Focus: Photographs by
Samuels. “It also offers a
Dorothy Bohm is a new exhibition
woman’s perspective on the
now running at the Museum
subject. Often images of women
of London.
in marketing are sexualised or objectivised and Dorothy’s work
Featured as part of the
reveals some of the contrasts,
Museum’s Inspiring London
similarities and discrepancies
gallery, it features 33 colour
that surround us every day.
photographs by celebrated
Dorothy hopes that her work
photographer Dorothy Bohm.
shows that she understands,
Born in East Prussia, she has been
sympathises and identifies with
resident in England since 1939
her subjects - women.”
and is widely acknowledged as a doyenne of British
The photographs look at the
photography - reflected in her
many roles of women in society,
status as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society.
from professional to parent,
seen in public for the first time,
Although she has over seven
and reflect on how women are
giving people an extra incentive
decades of work behind her, the
seen in, and see, public spaces
to come along and see these
images for this particular
like the shops, cafes and streets
life-affirming and thought-
collection were taken from the
of London.
provoking shots.”
1990s to present day. Sharon Ament, who joined the “The aim is to juxtapose
Museum of London as Director in
the images of women that
the summer, said: “I’m delighted
Women in Focus: Photographs
surround us in advertising,
we are hosting this exhibition
by Dorothy Bohm runs at
artworks and shop windows
from such a prestigious artist.
the Museum of London until
with real women living and
Many of these images will be
17 February 2013.
C I T Y V I E W 15
A R T S
F O C U S
Festive fun ahead With Christmas rapidly
Centre itself. The idea behind the
approaching the Barbican
production is that someone is out
has a full programme of events
to spoil the fun of Christmas –
and activities lined up to
Christmas trees are behaving
entertain all ages.
strangely, there are rumours of grumpy fairies, elves are throwing
One of the highlights for families
baubles at shoppers and there is
will be 59 minutes to save
the mystery of the missing
Christmas. Taking the pantomime
presents…It is up to those taking
idea of audience involvement
part to help save Christmas.
one step further, this will invite audiences to take an interactive
Aimed at those aged seven and
journey around the Barbican
up, this will inspire all intrepid As if all this was not enough there will be a Christmas pop-up shop selling a collection of cards, gift wrap, decoration, stocking fillers and other gifts. And, as ever, there is a range of adventurers and brave parents
other cultural performances and
who might come in useful in
productions at the centre
reaching the high stuff!
unrelated to Christmas for those wanting a break from the
Traditional favourites are also included in the Barbican’s lineup with a matinee double bill of musical stories. Actress
festivities. So whether it is children who are experiencing the full thrill of Christmas or adults who may feel jaded by the season, the
Tamsin Greig introduces a
Barbican will have something for
special screening of classic film
everyone.
The Snowman and narrates the subsequent performance of
59 minutes to save Christmas runs
Prokofiev’s enduring work Peter
15 December – 6 January.
and the Wolf.
The Snowman/Peter and the Wolf and The Wizard of Oz run
For those of a certain age who
22-23 December.
remember The Wizard of Oz being a Christmas highlight of the television schedules, there will be a special screening. This will include the original vocals and dialogue but accompanied by a sumptuous orchestral
More information
score performed live by the
020 7638 8891
Orchestra of Welsh Opera.
www.barbican.org.uk
16 C I T Y V I E W
N E W S
I N
B R I E F
...and finally Loyalty has its rewards
Snowed under?
City of London residents and
While this might be the happiest
workers are being given the
time of the year for some, others
chance to earn rewards as they
can start to feel less positive about
exercise as part of a loyalty card
things. Worries about money,
scheme with Golden Lane Sport
relationships or your job can mount
& Fitness.
up, and when everyone around you is enjoying the holidays it can be
The scheme is designed to
hard to admit that things are
encourage members to exercise
becoming a struggle.
regularly, helping them to be more motivated to attend the gym by offering financial incentives alongside the obvious health benefits of a more active lifestyle.
200 points free to welcome
receive early news such as the
them to the scheme, and
latest group exercise timetables.
The Rewards card is available to
should be able to claim
all casual users of the centre free
approximately every 10th visit
Golden Lane Sport & Fitness is run
But you don’t have to go it
of charge and allows you to earn
free, depending on the item
by sport and leisure management
alone. Toynbee Hall’s City Advice
10 points for every £1 spent, which
redeemed. As well as saving
charity Fusion Lifestyle in
team can provide free,
can then be redeemed against a
money on activities including
partnership with City Corporation.
confidential and independent
range of products including all
swimming sessions and exercise
key activities across the centres.
classes, card holders will also be
More information
sent regular unique promotions
www.goldenlanefitness.com/
to be redeemed and will
rewards
All reward card users are given
advice to anyone who lives, works or studies in the City. They can find out what help you are entitled to, and help you to get the support you need. They can
New City health and social care champion
provide advice about any issues concerning you, including
From next April Healthwatch City
about local health and social
Healthwatch City of London will
employment rights, debt, benefits,
of London will give local people
care services.
be recruiting a new executive and
rent arrears, divorce, childcare,
members in the New Year.
housing issues, budgeting and bank
and communities a stronger voice to influence and challenge
Healthwatch will be part of the
how health and social care
City’s Health and Well Being Board
Further information
accounts and family concerns.
services are provided.
and be able to highlight where
http://healthandcare.dh.gov.uk/
And even if you’re fine but
services are doing well and where
what-is-healthwatch/
someone you know is going
It will take on the functions of
they could be improved. It will also
the current City LINk and have
be able to alert Healthwatch
Also from April 2013 CityAdvice,
through a difficult time, you can encourage them to contact City
extra roles and powers to
England, part of the Care Quality
the City’s information and advice
Advice for help. We also run a
enable residents and workers to
Commission, to concerns about
service, will be providing health
number of drop-in outreach
share their views and concerns
providers and services.
information and signposting for
sessions where you can speak
residents and workers.
to an advisor face to face. No appointment is necessary.
More information on CityAdvice
See the website for details.
020 7392 2919 www.toynbeehall.org.uk/
More information
cityadvice
020 7392 2919 or www.toynbeehall.org.uk/cityadvice