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Moving towards winter, we need to keep active and outdoors as much as possible. There’s lots going on – for freein and around Somers Town – and this news sheet alerts you to some activities, events and outdoor locations to explore.
Children need this more than ever: ‘By the time the average child is eight they have spent a full year sitting in front of a screen. Playing outside in nature helps create resilient, well balanced happy and healthy children. It increaseschildren’s appreciation and enjoyment of nature and can have huge benefits for them and their families – nurturing creativity and imagination; exploring the natural world around them; developing communication skills and making new friends; and supporting an active and healthy lifestyle for later in life.’
This is the message from Gloucester Gate Playground, Regent’s Park, that has just relaunched and has an autumn programme in its newly equipped site. Camley Street Natural Park will formally reopen on 13th October for visits and activities (see opposite). Story Garden continues to offer itself as a haven of peace, creativity and bounty. The Bloomsbury Festival has more than 80 events and happenings, many
outside, many free, so explore south of the Euston Road from 15th - 24th October.
Other festivals will brighten the days as they get shorter and darker - the piazza at the British Library celebrates the 50th anniversaryof Bangladesh independence on 17th October. The Mexican based ‘Day of the Dead’ will come to Somers Town on 30th October with a range of activities and events, just one day before Halloween with its tricks and treats!
Festivals in our outdoor spaces are for all ages and cultural backgrounds to come together. While there is a lot going on for families and children, there is also a full programme for those aged 60 and over organised by Jess Grieve of We Are Ageing Better. She is featured here as a Somers Town role model.
Stepping out in Somers Town…Information and activities for you and your family
STOP PRESS!!!!!
> Camley Street Natural Park will re-open on Wednesday 13th October 2021! Wednesday to Sunday 10.00 – 4.00 (autumn/winter hours). The new outdoor Kingfisher Café will be serving hand-crafted herbal teas, coffee, hot chocolates, chai, matcha, pastries, cakes and bagels. https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/camley-street-natural-park for more information.
> Scene & Heard move into their new home! 128A Chalton Street NW1 1RX is the new home of the drama mentoring project for children in Somers Town. Visit ontheir open days, Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th October 12.00 - 6.00 pm toget a flavour of what they do, how they do it and to talk about how they use their new space. Enter by the Member Playwrights’ entrance next to Plot 10 Adventure Play project on Polygon Road.
Things to do and places to see...Story GardenOssulston Street, NW1 1DF is open Tuesdays to Saturdays 10.00 – 4.00, for sitting, walking, meeting, playing – and gardening. Family Saturdays – two sessions at 11.00 – 12.30 and 1.30 – 3.00: cooking, gardening and crafts for children from 4+ years and families. Book [email protected] Tue, Wed, Fri 9.00 - 5.00.
Coram’s Fields93 Guilford Street WC1N 1DNMonday – Friday 8.00 - 6.00 October; 8.00 - 5.00 November; Saturday, Sunday 9.00 - 6.00October; 9.00 - 5.00 NovemberPlay and sports for families with children – city farm, children’s play area, sandpits, adventure and sensory playgrounds, green spaces and sports areas.020 7837 6138; [email protected]
Kentish Town City Farm1 Cressfield Close NW5 4BNThursday, Friday and Saturday 11 - 3 and Sunday 12 – 2: free visits for groups of up to six people – booking [email protected]
Gloucester Gate PlaygroundOuter Circle, Regents Park NW1 4HGEnjoy the playground, equipment and surroundings; and follow the Hedgehog Trail. Organised events until the end of October. They will resume in spring 2022. Wednesday 6th and 20th October 3.30 – 6.30: Join the experienced team of playworkers to give children the time, space and freedom to play how they choose. Sessions will go ahead whatever the weather. Open to all abilities and ages, children are the responsibility of their adults. Reserve a free space on Upcoming events - The Royal Parks; or turn up on the day.Sunday 31st October 12.00 – 4.00: Special play session – some seasonal magic to celebrate playing together before we go into hibernation.
Bloomsbury Festival 15-24 October
More than 80 events and happenings on this year’s theme of shining light, with morethan 60% free. For festival sites see map below. For full programme and information go to https://bloomsburyfestival.org.uk/2021-festival/
Opening event: Friday 15th October 6.30 – 8.30, Cromer Street WC1: lights, banners, tigers - neon sculptures, light projections.
Through the Festival: Community Garden, Cromer Street and Harrison Street WC1, 6.30 – 8.30 neon artworks by Chila Kumari Singh Burman reflect South Asian culture.
Some Festival highlights
Bengal to Camden: exhibition on Brunswick Square/Lansdowne Terrace railings WC1 - migration stories from Bangladesh to Camden through photographs from the community.
Sunday 17th October 11.00: A Muslim history tour. Meet outside Holborn Underground 11.00. Free but booking essential.
Pascal Theatre Company with LondonContemporary Dance School performDancing, Talking Taboo! - the writing of women inspires dance: Saturday 16th October 3.00 - 5.00, in St Pancras Church, Euston Road, NW1 2BA. Free, booking recommended:www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dancing-talking-taboo-tickets160663786711
Camden Mela: the 50th anniversary of theindependence of Bangladesh Sunday 17th October 4.30-8.00, the British Library, Euston Road and Ossulston Street, NW1, piazza and other inside spaces. Includesstalls, film screenings, stage shows, mela performers, poetry and Bangladeshi food. More information https://bloomsburyfestival.org.uk/event-location/the-british-library/
Día de Muertos ('Day of the Dead'): A Celebration of Life Saturday 30th October, 11.00 - 8.00, British Library, Story Garden and Ossulston Street NW1. The festival includes live music, poetry, dance, traditional arts and crafts from Mexico along with Mexican food and drink. Activities are planned to include creating installations and papier-mache figures, costumes and face painting. Free, but booking required for some activities. More information @ukmexicanartssociety https://ukmexicanartssociety.org/
October Gallery24 Old Gloucester Street WC1N 3ALSaturday 16th October 10.00 - 11.30: Family Art Day for children (aged 0-7) and their families as part of the Bloomsbury Festival responding to the theme of 'ShiningLight', using play, drama and art making. Limited space and capacity - first come, first served. Arrive at 10.00 to join the adventure with gallery mascot, Octoby the octopus.
October Gallery’s monthly Family Art Day sessions encourage families to engage with October Gallery’s current exhibition through art making and multi sensory story telling.octobergalleryeducation.com020 7242 [email protected]
Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga: exhibition at October Gallery 13 October – 27 November
Black History Season in Camden runs from October until mid-December. A programme of events and activities with a focus on the Black African and Caribbean diaspora, their culture and history, and the invaluable contributions they have made to Camden. More information at lovecamden.org/blackhistoryseason
The Francis Crick Institute
1 Midland Road, NW1
Outwitting Cancer: An exhibition including artinstallation and series of films to reveal the big questions, hopes and challenges that drive scientists to try and outsmart this constantly evolving disease. Free but booking required https://www.crick.ac.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/outwitting-cancer/
Meet a Scientist, Saturday 6th November, 10.30 – 12.30: Take a look inside the Crick and meet the scientists for family-friendly activities.
For the active 60+ ...
We are ageing better is back with a full weekly timetable as well as some one-off events and a monthly book club.
Jess Grieve, our Somers Town Role Model has been putting together a full varied programme for those aged 60 and over.
October weekly timetable includes accompanied walks to Regent's Park, sessions for singing, knit and stitch, art and craft, jewellery, bingo, movie club, ukelele group, diabetes group, chair exercise – and coffee mornings and cream tea clubs.
October events: all free but booking required - more information and details of the programme 07919 598 375, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
Tuesday 12th 1.00 - 2.30 Wellcome Collection visitFriday 15th 2.00 - 4.30 filmshow and discussion – Hidden Figures – part of Black History Month
Monday 18th 10.30 - 12.00 visit to The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace
Monday 25th 12.30 - 1.30 Elizabeth and Mary exhibition, The British Library
Age UK Gym session Wednesday 13th October – Polygon Road Open Space NW1 10.00 – 12.00.
Advice and support for all ...
Age UK Advice Line is open 8.00am – 7.00pm for advice on financial, legal, health and other issues: 0800 678 1602
Camden Learning Centre can offer groups of parents help with their children’s ‘on-line safety’. Contact 020 7387 5198; 07593 012280; [email protected]
Free employment support is offered by Good Work Camden, whether you are looking for work or training, or need some help to update your CV or to prepare for an interview. Find out more and register online at camden.gov.uk/employment-support
Camden Early Help Family Support offersfamilies and children free help to deal with problems they may be facing – see www.camden.gov.uk ‘early help for children and families’. Contact 020 7974 8791; email [email protected]
Camden Safety Net provides services to survivors of domestic abuse and/or sexual violence as well as to children affected by violence. If you live, work or study in Camden andneed help, contact [email protected]/domesticviolence020 7974 2526
Make regular walks part of your autumn routine...
‘Somers Town plus One Mile’
Explore your immediate vicinity on foot. Notice nature, historic buildings, statues, blue plaques and local oddities. Within justa one-mile radius of central Somers Town -see the red circle in the map right – you are in the centre of Regent's Park, and could visit Gloucester Gate Playground, or you could be walking along the Regent's Canal; beyond Granary Square into Islington; towards Clerkenwell and Spa Fields; through the Bloomsbury Squares, visiting the many sites of the Bloomsbury Festival, and to Lincoln's Inn Fields and theThames.
You can go on the Wellbeing walks organised by The Association of Bloomsbury Squares and Gardens. Free healthy brisk walks around Bloomsbury with expert guides. Themes include an Egyptian factory in Mornington Cresent, a leper hospital and a ‘rookery slum. Just turn up on the day for a 1-hour circular walk. Free, but spaces are limited - first come, first served. Walks go ahead in all weathers.
12th October: meet 11.00 Marchmont Community Gardens
21th October: meet 2.30 St George’s Gardens
27th October: meet 12.30 Brunswick Square
6th November: meet 12.30 Russell Square
https://bloomsburysquares.com/ for more information
(Map additions thanks to Andrew Hinchley)
COVID guidance: https://www.camden.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19
Have you got questions about the COVID-19 vaccine?
Watch this podcast made with and for young people:
How was the vaccine developed so quickly? What are the benefits and risks of the vaccine? Where can you find trusted information? These are just some of the questions a group of young people from Camden asked GP Dr Frances Baawuah.
If you’re undecided about getting the vaccine, or know someone who is, you can catch up on the two episodes of the ‘On the Fence' podcast via Youtube.
You may be eligible for a £500 payment to help you self-isolate
People who are self-employed, on low income and receiving benefits, with a child who has to self-isolate, may be eligible for a one-off payment of £500. Find out more camden.gov.uk/supportpayment; or phone 020 7974 4444 (option 9)
Get vaccinated!
COVID-19 has not gone away: cases are rising, so please get your COVID-19 vaccine to protect yourself, protect other people and prevent further spread of the virus. To get the vaccine – check camden.gov.uk/getting-the-vaccine
There are four ways to book a vaccine:
Call 119 for free Visit nhs.uk/coronavirusvaccine Not registered with a GP? Complete
the form at camden.gov.uk/form Call if you need any support: 020
7974 4444 (option 9)
Regardless of where you to to get vaccinated,you will not be asked for proof of ID, address or immigration status. Find out more at camden.gov.uk/covid19vaccine and nhs.uk/coronavirusvaccine
Getting the second dose of the vaccine is vital to give you maximum protection against the virus, especially the Delta variant. Everyone can now get their second dose eightweeks after the first, but you must have the same type of vaccine as the first.
It’s important to get rapid tests even after you’ve had the COVID-19 vaccine: The vaccine reduces your chances of getting seriously ill from COVID-19, but you might still catch or spread the virus without having any symptoms. Taking rapid lateral flow tests twice a week prevents you from passing the virus on to others without knowing and helps stop the spread. Rapid tests are free, available for people without COVID-19 symptoms, and you get results in 30 minutes.
If you haven’t tested before you may find it helpful to visit one of the test sites to be guided through the process. To find your closest test site, home-test pickup or delivery options, visit camden.gov.uk/rapidtest or call 020 7974 4444 (option 9).
If your test result is positive or you, or someone you live with, develops COVID-19 symptoms, you need to self-isolate and book a PCR test within 2 days at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.
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Stepping out in Somers Town tells Somers Town residents about some of the free activities on offer for wellbeing and enjoyment, and highlights advice and support. It began after the first lockdown. This issue is the ninth.
