June 2026
Dear neighbours,
A reminder that this year’s Newington Green Action Group AGM is next week:
Tuesday 16th June, 7.30pm
Small Hall, The Mildmay Club
Please join us- this is a chance for those who live and work in the area to hear about current projects, discuss priorities for the year ahead and help shape the future direction of NGAG. We’ll also be electing trustees and are keen to get more people involved in the group.
NGAG is entirely volunteer-run and depends on people being willing to organise things, take projects forward and help make ideas happen. If you are interested in helping out more regularly or becoming a trustee please email info@newingtongreen.org to arrange a chat with a current trustee.
Over the coming year we hope to build on existing work and expand activity in a number of areas, including restarting our community sponsorship refugee resettlement initiative, advocating and delivering environmental improvements and continuing to support the events and activities that bring people together locally.
The kiosk is open!
We are delighted to share that the Newington Green park cafe kiosk will soft-open today, bringing an end to what has been a challenging seven months for park users and the wider community.
The tender process was run by Islington Council and, following extensive discussions with council officers, we were able to advocate for the priorities identified by residents at our last AGM. These included finding a community-focused operator, ensuring affordable options for children and older people, and securing a commitment to open every day.
As part of the selection process, a group of our trustees scored eleven anonymised applications, helping to ensure that community priorities were reflected in the final decision.
We are thrilled to announce that Early Bird, run by Gigi, will be soft-launching today- Saturday 13th June from 9am.
Gigi trained as a lawyer and has lived in Islington for the past five years. She runs the Tolpuddle Café in Caledonian Park and lives locally with her husband and their tabby cat. Together with her team, she is excited to become part of the Newington Green community.
Gigi has lots of exciting plans for the menu and is keen to hear feedback from local people as the cafe develops. You can share your thoughts directly at the kiosk, or, if you would prefer to provide feedback anonymously, email community@newingtongreen.org and we will pass it on.
As Early Bird gets established, we know the community will give it a warm welcome. With local support, we hope that Early Bird will become a much-loved part of Newington Green for many years to come.
Adventure Playgrounds
You may have seen recent posts and petitions regarding potential closures or management changes affecting some adventure playgrounds in Islington. Fortunately, the adventure playgrounds in our area are not affected. These are King Henry’s Walk Adventure Playground and Shakespeare Walk Adventure Playground.
These playgrounds are incredible community resources, providing children with free access to safe, creative, and adventurous play opportunities but many parents and caregivers don’t know about them. If you have or look after any children please register with them.
In April, we were delighted to use some recent donations we had had to fund an open day at King Henry’s Walk Adventure Playground and we would like to continue to support them in the future.
If you would like to discuss any of this please email info@newingtongreen.org.
In solidarity,
Team NGAG
PS A reminder that Jazz on the Green is on Saturday 27th June. If you want a stall this is your last chance. Please email jazz@newingtongreen.org by Wednesday 17th June.
If you can help out on the day (with set up and/or during the event) please email community@newingtongreen.org.
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Dear neighbours,
A quick reminder that Jazz on the Green is tomorrow!
Our first act is the fantastic Central Foundation Jazz Band, and we'd love them to have a great audience. If you can please come along for 12 noon to give them a warm welcome.
We're likely to take down the Instagram poster shortly because we're concerned about it spreading too widely on social media. We've attached the map at the bottom of this message. Please share the info in your local networks particularly if you live on an estate or are involved in a Tenants' and Residents' Association or another neighbourhood group.
As well as craft and retail stalls and the new park cafe Early Bird, there will be plenty of great local food and drink to enjoy, including Nayarita's (Mexican), Gwada (Ethiopian), Ni Fon (Taiwanese), Parika Delights (Caribbean) and a BBQ from the Lady Mildmay. Local residents Hammerton Brewery will be serving beer and wine will be available from Stable Wines on Essex Road, who are preparing to open a new business in Newington Green later this year. Finally, there will be bakes from Oma Ulla Bakes run by a former NGAG trustee.
Everyone who organises Jazz on the Green, including the sound engineer, is a volunteer. However, we pay our musicians, entertainers and face painters professional rates. To help cover those costs- including providing free face painting for children aged 3 to 13- we're holding a raffle with some fantastic prizes, generously donated by local residents and businesses, including:
Tickets and backstage passes to see Madness and Primal Scream
A £150 voucher for Jolene
A hamper and wine tasting for two at Yield N16
£40 vouchers for Buller & Rice, Shine on the Green and Stella's
If you can't make it tomorrow but would still like to support the event, you can buy raffle tickets by making a donation here and emailing us. We'll send you your ticket numbers and will share winning numbers on Instagram tomorrow.
If you're able to donate a last-minute raffle prize, we'd be hugely grateful. Please email us before 10am tomorrow.
We look forward to seeing you on the Green!
Team NGAG