theeelfanzine

2007-01-22T15:42:00.000-08:00

2006-12-22T11:09:00.000-08:00

eel 5 out now

2006-09-05T14:13:00.000-07:00

check out the fruits of the flash in local stores now.

Vyner 06

2006-09-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all of the bands and all those who came to support us at The Vyner St Festival. Your presence made it all worthwhile. Here's to next year!

Vyner st August 26-27

2006-07-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

The countdown to the Vyner St Festival has begun. We are finalising our band line but if you want to get involved in the stalls or Mimis punk Olympics leave a post or e-mail eelzine@yahoo.co.uk

flash 'arries

2006-07-24T14:59:00.000-07:00

flash eel
Thankyou to all those who helped at the flash eel last Sunday. It was a great success and we have some fantastic drawings and written pieces, who said typewriters were difficult? We are busy scanning and pasting you contributions and hope to have this special issue out in time for the Vyner St Festival in August.

festival fever

2006-07-03T15:37:00.000-07:00

Eel was busy attending festivals in Spain, Wales and Laburnum Road this weekend. Of course we're more than just gatecrashers, we'll be adding spice to the grassy Arts Festival in London Fields on July 16 when you can come along and contribute to the next Issue of The Eel. We'll provide the blank canvas pens, paints sprays and typewriters for you to make your mark. So Come on down and show us what you got. For more details e-mail us at eelzine@yahoo.co.uk

eel at the wmc

2006-06-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

We will be holding a vyner st warm up this sunday June 18, 8pm-midnight at the Bethnal Green Working Mens Club. A bit like a pre season friendly, so come along and see if we are in good shape. Actually we are not, too many bar b q's but come along anyway. Live music from Shimmy Rivers and Marquis of Queensbury.

eel 4 out saturday

2006-05-22T13:12:00.000-07:00

Eel 4 will be out this Saturday May 27 and on sale in Broadway Market. A launch party will be held in the evening at The Sebright Arms in Coate St 8pm -2am. DJ's Rocky and Coventry Dave will lead the proceedings. All welcome.

Thankyou

2006-04-10T07:01:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all those who attended and supported our fundaraiser at The Bethnal Green Working Mens Club on Sunday. All of the bands were wonderful though a special mention must go to Tea and toast for their outfits though noone could decide whether they were wolves, mice or rabbits. Also thankyou to all those who had stalls and donated items to the speed raffle. A full report will feature in the next edition. Some pics at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahdoyle/sets/72057594103121151/

eel fundraiser sunday

2006-04-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

Two days to go to the biggest event this side of the bethnal Green Road since the last Eel Launch. Preceedings start at 7.30 and wrap up at 12. As well as four bands and an array of DJ's there will be stalls selling t-shirts and zines and a raffle with very special prizes. See you there.

Dalston plans go through

2006-03-31T08:06:00.000-08:00

DALSTON BETRAYED BY HACKNEY COUNCIL

Despite fierce local opposition, Hackney Council planning committee voted last night to permit a development of 309 new flats, a 19 storey tower block, with no affordable housing or other public benefits.

The development will go over the new Dalston Junction tube station. It is being touted as a regeneration project – but objectors say it is a hugely expensive and overly dense scheme that will create few local jobs and be well out of the reach of local people.

The objectors were a coalition of local groups, including the Kingsland Conservation Area Advisory Committee, the Bootstrap Company, OPEN, users of the Oxfam shop, and Disability Hackney. They were objecting to the lack of affordable housing, and the poor design – some bedroom windows in different ownership will be only 5 metres apart, which is way below acceptable standards. The badly conceived bus interchange will create 100 hundred unnecessary bus movements across the south bound side of Kingsland Road and, in the words of the technical submission, increase congestion to bus services and road users in the area. The external layout creates a barrier to disabled access

The Council was asked if this was the legacy that they wanted to leave for the future of Hackney.

Only five members of the planning committee turned up to vote on this vital issue for Dalston. Although all five had obvious concerns about many of the same issues that were being objected to, only one was brave enough to vote against the proposal. The committee imposed a number of conditions on the development, but the objectors are convinced that the scheme is so bad, tinkering with it just will not help.

Jon Aldenton, Chief Executive of the Bootstrap Company said “this is an absolute disgrace. Dalston has been lumbered with a bad, unsustainable and misconceived development. Allowing TfL to get away with ignoring the standards Hackney usually sets for development creates a really dangerous precedent. The committee made a weak decision last night and it is the people of Dalston who will suffer in the long term. We are hugely disappointed that Ken Livingstone is allowing such a poor scheme to go ahead”.

Bill Parry-Davis, the Chairman of OPEN, the community environmental action company, said “they are not building Jerusalem here but these towerblocks could well become the slums of the future. The need for £40million to create a 2 acre suspended concrete slab, before even any building work can start, preconditions this scheme to an environmental and potentially a social disaster for our community. Of course, TfL get somewhere to park their buses at a fraction of the true cost. And it’ll be rich pickings for the professionals, developers and buy-to-let landlords involved."

eel benefit night Sunday april 9

2006-03-28T09:20:00.001-08:00

line up confirmed for April 9 at Bethnal Green Working Mens Club

Read more at www.myspace.com/66287913

Art to play his part

2006-03-27T15:04:00.000-08:00

Occupation leader Arthur Shuter looks set to stand in Haggerston Ward at the local election in May possibly as a Hackney Independent candidate. He lived in the ward for many years and is confident of victory. Hackney Independent came a close second at the last election. Watch this space for more info.

top tagging

2006-03-20T10:35:00.000-08:00

eel benefit night

2006-03-20T09:56:00.000-08:00

The Eel will be holding a benefit night on April 9 at The Bethnal Green Working Mens club on Sunday April 9. Jesus Licks will be amongst the performers with more acts to be confirmed. Needless to say the eel collective will be in full effect. Stay tuned for more info & check out The Large Club link.

UPDATE: 16 MARCH - COMMISSION SAYS COUNCIL SHOULD BUY BACK TONY'S CAFE AND DALSTON LANE!

2006-03-14T11:52:00.000-08:00

As reported by 34 broadway market wiki....

Hackney Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Commission investigating the Council's property disposals programme met again on Wednesday night to decide what their recommendations regarding the sell offs should be.

Despite very low expectations after March 16 whitewash, the outcome of Wednesday's meeting looks like a positive result for our campaign!

The Committee have decided to recommend the IMMEDIATE REPURCHASE by Compulsory Purchase Orders of the Dalston Lane units the Council sold to developers, and that Council officers should retain the option to repurchase Tony's cafe & Spirit’s shop.

FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS
There was intense debate over whether there should be a recommendation to continue the inquiry as soon as the Council reformed in May. Andrew Boff fought hard for a commitment to do so. The 3 (Labour) against 1 (Tory) argument was not won and we now have a few days before the final verdict is announced to persuade the Committee to make a firm recommendation that the past two and a half weeks was simply the start of a much wider enquiry into just exactly what went on and who did what in the great Hackney sale.

The current enquiry, however, by no means guarantees that the Council will repurchase the properties. There's a long way to go before that. Given that there is an election coming up, we also have to make sure that the panel's recommendations are taken forward when the new Council comes in.

dubwise move

2006-03-07T14:43:00.000-08:00

The Eel has five tickets for this one off gig in aid of Spirit. A tenner well spent.

4 aces riddums

2006-03-07T14:37:00.000-08:00

hearings continue

2006-03-06T15:48:00.000-08:00

Arrived a little late but was in time to hear Hackney anti fraud dept answer questions from local (tory) councillor Andrew Boff about their findings of the 2001-2 property sales. Main gist seemed to be that the council were under instruction to sell at best consideration which meant they were perfectly entitled to give priority to the likes of Wratten. A huge dossier was handed out which included papers submitted for the original ombudsmans report in 2001. A representative of Price Waterhouse Cooper who advised the council admitted that the policy auctioning properties had brought "reduced reciepts" for the council.Yet mnutes later claimed that the policy of best consideration had brought 'wider benefits to Hackney residents."
After a short recess Dalston Lane shopkeepers including brothers John and Michael Weir of the music shop (only one in Hackney and Islington) described how he and fellow leaseholders turned up at the auction with the money in place only to be told their propertty was to be sold as part of a job lot. Fifteen properties were sold for 1.8m on the phone to an offshore investment group, "give my regards to your father " the Allsops auctioneer joked to the telephone lackey.
John Weir described how Dalston Lane was being purposely run down and spoke for many when he said, "The people are kicking in, they're not having it." The final meeting will be next Tuesaday afternoon at 2pm. After that, a report with reccomendations will be drawn up but no date was given for this. Council elections are in May

dalston lane meeting

2006-03-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

Open Dalston met on Wednesday March 1 at St Marks Hall Dalston. Around fifty people attended.Bill Parry Davis chaired the meeting and gave details about the legal process underway. The council were now liable to pay costs after a court ruled on February 21 that the councils decision to demolish in December was unsound. He also drew attention to the illegal removal of a staircase in the theatre by the council in the same period.
The current occupiers of the theatre arrived soon after and their spokesperson Tito informed us of the situation inside. He told of how one of the group had been stranded on the roof of the theatre for over a week. She has been filming the councils activities of the council in the theatre Although she is been given food from the occupiers in the adjacent building.concerns were raised for her welfare. Tito said that a concensus had been reached amongst the occupiers that she remain for now.
George Collins reminded us of the Four Aces Club's illustrious past when he told us how he was master of ceremonies on the night Stevie Wonder played there. He also urged supporters to have another plan in place should the theatre be lost.
A representative of bootstraps brought us up to date on progress with their alternative plan which will include 320 affordable homes.
There followed much discussion of ther best way forward, it was agreed information needed to be got acrosss to the local community. One lady Jean I think, also reminded us of the need to attend council meetings and make use of what democratic process there was.
The general feeling was that all avenues including more media attention needed to be persued.
In the short term, an eviction order is expected to be granted this Friday March 3 and removal enforced soon after. Supporters were urged to attend the occupation on Dalston Lane this Saturday Morning March 4, 10.30am.

local hot rod

2006-02-28T03:38:00.000-08:00

brum, brum!

Scrutiny of the Bounty

2006-02-27T16:13:00.000-08:00

The Hackney Governance and resources Scrutiny Comission Investigation began on Monday at Hackney Town Hall following a motion by Queensbridge Councillor Andrew Boff to hear allegations concerning The sell off of properties in Hackney in 2001. Arthur Shuter, Tony Platia and Spirit had two hours in which to present their case and answer questions from councillors. Arthur gave a full account of events surrounding the sale of numbers 71 and 34 Broadway Market, suggesting that council corruption allowed Roger Wratten and Broadway Investments to secure their properties and serve possession orders soon after purchase. He alluded to similar cases in Broadway Market and Dalston Lane in 2001-2 when £225m worth of council property was sold for £58m under a policy of "best consideration".
Tony Platias cafe was sold in Feb 2003 when this policy should no longer have held as the council were under no financial restraint. "I was robbed of my property" Tony informed the chair. Spirit also detailed the events leading to the sale of his property by Nelson Bakewell who actually ushered him away from the auction of his own shop. Arthur Shuter summed things up neatly when he said "it was a con from start to finish."
The comission continues next week when the public are invited to ask questions.

Sundays at Macbeth

2006-02-27T15:53:00.000-08:00

Eels were present at the Macbeth in Hoxton St Sunday Feb 28. Ex pogue Jem Finer showcased his sometime band whilst Hamburg Zydeco trio The Waltzloves stole the show with some dangerous trombone and squeezebox antics. Despite appearances they deny any Polish connnection but we're not so sure. A great venue and good line ups promised, this is a night to fall into.

busy week ahead

2006-02-26T11:17:00.000-08:00

There are plenty of opportunities to berate the London authorities this week and maybe get some questions answered. On Monday Feb 27 Hackney council will be answering questions Kennedy style into their own negligence regarding the Broadway Market sell off. On Tuesday citizen Ken Livingstone plays his last gig before suspension at The Hackney Empire. He will be open to questions on everything from Routemasters to Olympic backhanders. On Wednesday Open Dalston will be holding a meeting at St Marks Hall E8 in support of the Dalston Theatre occupation. 7pm. Get down to this one if you can as its a live issue with repurcussions for public spaces across London.
Phew! This activism lark aint easy you know.

eel 3 still available

2006-02-26T09:21:00.000-08:00

eel issue number 3 available in the following outlets

The Broadway Bookshop Broadway Market
The Film Shop Braoadway Market
Climpson Cofee shop Broadway Market
Fabrications Broadway Market
Off Broadway
Black Truffle Broadway Market
Kims Stall Broadway Market
Bens Tshirts Broadway Market
Pub on the Park
The Albion Pub
The Perserverence
Hackney Farm
Mimi's Cheshire St
Eastside Books Brick Lane
Hoxton Bookshop Hoxton st
Moses' record shop Shoreditch
Borders Islington

Eel 2's still available on request. Eel 1 reprint coming soon

we'll be back

2006-02-24T13:02:00.000-08:00

Around fifty people turned up in Broadway Market on wednesday night feb 23 to pledge support for The Save Spirit and Tony campaign after the eviction of the occupiers of 34 Broadway Market. Arthur Shuter aka The General vowed to continue fighting for justice amid much jovial banter directed mainly at Wrattens henchmen holed up in the Market Tavern next door. After several photo calls everyone headed to The Albion pub quiz in which the occupiers team were victorious despite a dismal lack of football knowledge. Working class my arse!

Clowning about

2005-12-11T06:16:00.000-08:00

Everybody's favourite Carolyn celebrated her ahem 40th birthday the other week at St. Alyoysius social club in Euston. Attendees had to dress as a clown and though a few abstained most let style take a backseat to mirth and paid homage to the famous old art. The following day The Clown School in Haggerston held a service for the greatest clown of them all, Grimaldi, may he jest in peace.