Welcome to the August Newsletter of the Belsize Society.
This Newsletter also advertises the next Society local history walk, led by Averil Nottage.
Averil has also written an article about the Victorians that shaped Belsize, the topic for her walk, and exploring how much of Belsize looks as it does today because of decisions made in Victorian times. On the walk and in her articles, we’re introduced to three builders, each favouring different styles. You’ll also find out about the Vicar who contributed substantially to the cost of St Peter’s Church and preached powerful and passionate sermons there until he was 92. Do book your place now on eventbrite.
Last Newsletter, we described how the Society honoured David Percy, local historian, for his considerable work featuring the area. In this Newsletter, we interview him and he describes both his career and the background to his latest book.
The architectural heritage of the area was celebrated at the Isokon’s 90 birthday event. This iconic building is one of only two Grade 1 listed apartment blocks in the country and we have an article about the celebrations as it ends its ninth decade.
The Newsletter includes some updates about Society business. We are also updating the website and plans for this are described. At the last AGM, we decided to raise membership fees and the next steps on this are outlined. We would really appreciate members taking a few minutes to update their standing orders with the Society for next year. There is also an update from Camden Council about their residential air quality monitoring initiatives.
Enjoy this Newsletter.
BOOK YOUR PLACE!
To book your place for Averil’ Nottage’s walk “Victorians who shaped Belsize as we know it today” register on Eventbrite or through contacting us (back page).
For 11am, 29 Sept: https://belsize-society-local-walk2024-1.eventbrite.co.uk
For 2.30pm, on the same day, the link is: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/belsize-society-local-history-walk-tickets-951863408077
Camden Council’s Clean Air team writes:
Would you like to know what the air quality is like in your home? We now spend 80-90% of our time indoors and certain indoor environments can be even more polluted than outside. Because of this, it is becoming increasingly important to understand our indoor air quality and to take simple steps to breathe cleaner air indoors. We are offering residents the opportunity to borrow a free indoor air quality monitor for 4 weeks that measures and displays some of the common types of air pollution.
If you are interested, please email AirQuality@Camden.gov.uk or speak to a member of the team by calling 020 7974 8896.
WISH Plus is a Camden Council referral service covering Warmth, Income, Safety and Health. You can refer yourself or someone else to get access to a range of services. You don’t need to know all the services available through WISH Plus to refer, just that the person you are referring might need some support to improve their health and wellbeing.
WISH Plus puts people in touch with the services they need after discussing these with them first. They are not emergency call out services and some services do have eligibility criteria so they are not available to all.
Services include a well and warm home energy efficiency improvements visit; a telephone energy advice service; home security check and free provision and installation of measures such as door locks, spy holes and window restrictors; a free fire safety visit, including installation and the provision of a smoke detector; free provision and installation of stair gates for those with a child aged four and under; and carers’ support.
Find out more about what is offered by going to www.camden.gov.uk/wish-plus#eojt or phoning 020 7974 3012.
There are two live local planning applications which are of interest. The Society is conveying its concerns about the exterior changes planned as Leyland Paint Store take over a shop on Haverstock Hill. BelSoc’s planning committee member, Alan Selwyn, highlighted to the Ham & High the tackiness of the six illuminated cold white LED signs and vinyl stickers blanking out windows for the area. He has also objected to the Council for the Society.
Development at the 100 Avenue Road site stalled after planning was approved with the site remaining a building site for the past few years. Regal London have outlined their future plans at local events. These informal consultations usually precede a formal planning application.