Don’t be so miserable, this festival is a jolly good thing

Published: 1 October, 2010

• WHAT a load of miseries objecting to the Christmas Winter Festival proposal for Islington Green (Dream of a Green Christmas, September 24). I’m sure Charles Dickens could have found a space for such in his Christmas stories.

Islington needs jollying up around Christmas, especially in Upper Street and Angel, which are the commercial and shopping areas.

Islington Council has been frugal with its Christmas lighting and trees, which barely make a show, and I suppose councillors will revel in any objections, as they won’t have to spend any money.

I think 40 days is over the top. Advent, Christmas and New Year’s Day would be enough. You could even forget New Year (completely).

As to Islington Green being only a war memorial space, nobody seems to object to locals sunbathing in the Green on a summer’s day or children playing there. 

When it was opened, Collins Music Hall was situated there, in full swing, and there were even girly strip shows; nobody seemed to mind then.

What about music through the summer weekends in Highbury Fields, as our forefathers always had? Allow some music in the forecourt/pavement area at Angel.

I was even told to take my patio garden out by my landlord, Hyde Housing Association, even though I had obtained certificates, and it meant it wouldn’t have to fix a leaking floor. Eventually, it did have to fix this floor, but it proved too late for my lovely patio.

Jolly up, Islington! Spend some of that money you’ve taken from us in taxes, and your pensions and managers’ salaries, even though you’re always pleading poverty.

FRED HOLLINGSWORTH
Roman Way, N7

• RE-CREATING a winter festival is a spectacular opportunity to bring good things to Angel, for residents and local businesses alike. 

The impact of the event will trickle through to everyone – from schoolchildren being offered free ice-skating to residents delighting in the joyous atmosphere and businesses benefiting from far more visitors and shoppers attracted to the Green and discovering everything else the Angel has to offer.

The festival offers a fantastic chance for businesses to fight the recession and local people to find much-needed work over Christmas. 

Angel AIM is supporting it wholeheartedly. Healthy, thriving businesses enhance any area and attract investment.

The planning application makes it clear that the winter festival will be a managed event, serving only seasonal drinks.

Angel AIM funds an eight-strong police team on duty every day, dedicated to tackling town centre crime. 

That team will be on hand for the festival. They will be looking at all the safety aspects of the event and working with Islington Council to manage the area and ensure the festival is enjoyable for all.

CHRISTINE LOVETT
Director, Angel AIM

• WE’VE got used to supermarkets cashing in early on Christmas and trying to push their festive tat no sooner than the Easter eggs have cleared the shelves. But does Islington Green have to be turned into a themed market with seasonal musak background accompaniment for 40 days and nights before we get to tuck into our turkey? Surely two weeks is enough of that.

As well as insisting on a more reasonable period, our councillors need to pay close attention to their own Fairness Commission and make sure that ice skating, riding the carousel or sipping a mulled wine are genuinely affordable. 

If the extortionate prices charged at this summer’s funfair in Finsbury Park are anything to go by, a visit to Santa’s grotto is more likely to fuel anger and disappointment than a chance for the community to get together. 

After all, it is our public space that’s being handed over.

PAUL SCATGATTI
Amwell Street, EC1