Camdeners: Recent Episodes
The Camden Clean Air Initiative
Hosted by Jeffrey Young, founder of The Camden Clean Air Initiative and CEO of Allegra Group, each episode features an insightful conversation with interesting persons living, working, or playing within the Borough of Camden, and most of all those committed to making a positive difference and improving the quality of life in our community, Camden.
In this episode, Jeffrey Young is joined by Charlotte Samuel, Founder and CEO of Pramstead, a dedicated local community website supporting and connecting families and businesses in and around Hampstead, Camden, Primrose Hill, Belsize Park, St John’s Wood, King's Cross, Highgate & Kentish Town. Discover the power of community networks, explore the borough's scenic wonders, and learn about the events, activities, services & special deals in our neighbourhood to make your life easier & more fun. Join us for an uplifting discussion that celebrates togetherness, Camden's beauty, and embraces the vision behind Pramstead – connecting families for a brighter, more enriching future.
In this episode, Jeffrey Young is joined by Ariel Bruce a social worker who specialises in tracing people affected by adoption. She also helps to trace people who have lost touch as a result of emigration, divorce or other family separations. They discuss the challenges and rewards of this line of work, particular stories that have stood out, and the ITV show Long Lost Family in which Ariel is the lead search and social work consultant.
Join us on this captivating episode of Camdeners as we delve into the world of live music and its transformation with none other than Rafe Offer, the visionary Founder of Sofar Sounds. Immerse yourself in an inspiring conversation that uncovers the genesis, evolution, and impact of Sofar Sounds, a global movement redefining the live music experience. Sofar Sounds brings people together to create space where music matters, often in unique and intimate venues. Rafe talks about Sofar Sounds starting with a gig in his living room, to its growth across 400 cities around the world and 1,000 gigs a month. Whether you're an avid live music enthusiast, a budding artist seeking inspiration, or simply curious about the power of community-driven experiences, this episode of Camdeners with Rafe Offer is not to be missed. Tune in and embark on a sonic journey that will forever change the way you perceive and appreciate live music.
Jeffrey Young is joined by Tony Gleed, Music Booker at the Dublin Castle. They discuss the history of the iconic venue, the artists that have walked through the doors, and what the future looks like for the music industry.
Tony Gleed is the booker at the Dublin Castle, the notorious pub, live music venue and birthplace of Madness. Tony started a night at the Dublin Castle in the 90s and has been their in-house music booker ever since.
The Dublin Castle has seen the likes of The Libertines, Artic Monkeys, The Killers, Amy Winehouse, Blur, Muse, perform. It is a family-run pub, run by the Conlon family. It was built for Irish navvies working on railways in London, the music was originally restricted to occasional traditional Irish sessions.
Tony runs the Rock and Roll Book Club, where authors, poets and music enthusiasts come to discuss music books along with a DJ set inspired by the book. He also broadcasts weekly on Boogaloo Radio.
Jeffrey Young is joined by Councillor Nasim Ali OBE, the Mayor of Camden. In this episode, they discuss the Mayor's journey to becoming the first British Bangladeshi and Muslim Mayor of Camden, as well as being the youngest Mayor in the country at that time, and how he has returned as Mayor of Camden for the second time. They explore his community projects, his aim to improve the lives of women and families in the Borough, and the important work done by his nominated charity the Hopscotch Women's Centre. Most importantly, we learn about Councillor Ali's life in Camden, and importantly his love for the Borough.
Jeffrey Young is joined by Emily Sargent, Head of Exhibitions at the Wellcome Collection, to discuss their current exhibition ‘In the Air’ (19th May-16th Oct). This exhibition explores our relationship with the air around us and what it tells us about the health of our planet. It brings together historical materials and contemporary artworks by artists including Tacita Dean, David Rickard, Dryden Goodwin, and Forensic Architecture to examine the connections between the atmosphere and the planet, investigate the geopolitics of air, and uncover the secrets of the air we breathe.
Emily Sargent is a Head of Exhibitions at Wellcome Collection, she works in Camden and lives in South East London, in Lewisham. She has curated numerous large exhibitions on a wide range of subjects, including exhibitions on human enhancement and the experience of consciousness.
Jeffrey Young is joined by Ben Walters and Alex Green from the Black Cap Community Benefit Society. They discuss the Society's mission to restore and re-open The Black Cap, a historic LGBTQ+ venue in the heart of Camden that has been serving LGBTQ+ community and culture since the days when it was illegal to be gay. The history of this iconic LGBTQ+ pub, club, and performance venue stretches back decades if not centuries, and is known around the world. In this episode we learn about why, despite its continued popularity and success, the Cap was closed abruptly in April 2015, after Camden council rejected its then-owners’ plans to develop the site into luxury flats. You can read more about the Black Cap and the #WeAreTheBlackCap campaign.
Alex Green and Ben Walters have been part of the campaign to keep the Black Cap open since 2015. Ben is a writer, researcher, and producer with a focus on queer and DIY culture and community. Alex Green is an award winning entertainer, writer, cabaret star and event producer; hosting and performing at venues across the UK. He is also Director of the company production company #LoudandQueerly, and founder of not-for-profit performing artists support group CabLab Collective.
The Eco Committee works tirelessly to raise the profile of the planet. They were formed during Torriano School’s STEAM learning on greening the grey in our community with projects on sustainable lighting in the school, rewilding the playgrounds, and improving air quality by working with the council to introduce bus lanes on the busy streets outside the school.
The Eco Committee continues to lead on sustainable work within the school. They have already introduced Meat Free Mondays in a bid to cut down the school’s meat consumption. During COP26 the Eco Committee took this further and shared their learning with the whole school and also campaigned to introduce vegetarian menus throughout the week, challenging conceptions about diets in our schools. They have opened a food waste cafe in the playground kitchen with each year group sharing smoothies made from waste food and their garden produce.
Their ambition this year is to support the school in becoming zero waste. In November, the Eco Committee voted to sign the Camden Climate Charter and they are now working on their action plan to take their work even further.
Jeffrey Young is joined by the winners of the Camden Eco Champion Awards 2021 to discuss their achievements and work that has impressed the community and the panel of judges. In this inspiring episode, we hear about the range of ways an individual can positively impact the environment around them and the simple changes we can make to become eco-conscious citizens.
Jeffrey Young is joined by Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet Member for a sustainable Camden. They discuss the roles and responsibilities of a councillor and get an understanding of what is happening in Camden regarding sustainability targets. In this insightful episode, Adam shares his thoughts on the Borough of Camden and what he loves so much about it, what he would like to see change regarding sustainability, and what we can do to help.
Adam Harrison has been a Camden councillor since 2010, representing Bloomsbury ward. He has been cabinet member for a sustainable Camden since 2017, and heads up the council’s work on the environment, including air quality, carbon reduction, parks, trees, biodiversity, and transport. Camden was the first UK local authority to adopt World Health Organization air quality standards and the first to hold a Citizens’ Assembly on the Climate Emergency. His ambition is for Camden and its active residents, community groups, businesses and third sector to do as much as we can to improve the environment.
Jeffrey Young is joined by Joel Hopkins, a film director and screenwriter best known for his films Jump Tomorrow, Last Chance Harvey, and Hampstead. They discuss his life, his works, and the story behind Hampstead, a film based on the life of Harry Hallowes who successfully claimed ownership of a half-acre plot of Hampstead Heath. The film stars Diane Keaton, Brendan Gleeson, James Norton, Lesley Manvilles, Jason Watkins, Hugh Skinner, and Simon Callow. In this insightful episode, Joel shares his thoughts on the industry, providing advice for young people hoping to succeed, and importantly, why he thinks Camden is such a special place.
The Director of galleries in central London and Miami, Rebecca Hossack was born in Melbourne in 1955. Following degrees in Law and in History of Art, Hossack studied at Christie’s and at The Guggenheim in Venice. She set up her own gallery in Windmill Street, Fitzrovia, in March 1988. From 1993-7, Hossack served as the Australian cultural attaché in London. Hossack was the first Conservative Councillor in Bloomsbury for over 20 years, during which time she ran the New York Marathon to raise £20,000 to plant trees in central London. She also writes regularly in the national press and lectures internationally on Aboriginal art. She has worked closely with the British Museum, the Barbican Centre, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Horniman Museum and the De Young Museum in San Francisco. Hossack also campaigns to preserve rock art in Western Australia’s Burrup peninsula.
Jeffrey Young is joined by Sam Oldham, Venue Director of the Camden Roundhouse, who talks about her life and work in Camden, and the daily running of the iconic Roundhouse. They discuss the artists that have walked through the doors, the complexities of running a world-famous venue, the effect that COVID has had on the industry, and the reasons she loves working in the Borough of Camden. This fascinating episode explores the inside workings of the Roundhouse and the reasons it continues to attract world-famous artists.
Sam Oldham is the Venue Director of Roundhouse, the world-famous Camden venue. She has worked in the arts, sporting, leisure and live music for over 20 years in both the UK and USA. Sam is also Chair of Camden Town Unlimited.
Jeffrey Young is joined by The Mayor of Camden, Councillor Sabrina Francis who talks about her life and journey to becoming Mayor as well as her plans for the year. They discuss how the Mayor aims to raise funds for the charity Gingerbread and also highlight the hard work Camden's hospitality industry and independent small businesses will be doing to recover from the impacts of Covid-19. This episode celebrates Camden and its wonderful people and businesses.
Jeffrey Young is joined by Harry George, owner of Hidden Coffee on Camden Road who talks about his life and work in Camden, and particularly his coffee shop, Hidden Coffee. They discuss how Harry supports the most vulnerable of groups, including people with disabilities, refugees, the homeless, and young offenders, through training and guidance at his coffee shop. This inspiring episode explores the good of the Camden people and spotlights Hidden Coffee as a business that does a lot more than just serve coffee.
Harry George is a social entrepreneur with a track record of building profitable businesses that deliver impact and outcomes for a variety of disadvantaged groups including people with disabilities, refugees, the homeless, and young offenders. He owns and operates Hidden Coffee on Camden Road, where many of these groups are supported.
As a Camden local with deep roots in the area, he is keen to engage with isolated communities within the Borough whilst using his network and business knowledge to reach traditionally disenfranchised groups. He is also a trustee of Voluntary Action Camden and volunteers with several other organisations across London.
Jeffrey Young is joined by Peter Murray OBE who talks about his life and work in Camden and London as an influential architect and Founder of New London Architecture. Peter shares his stories and experience of London in the 60s and 70s, and the changes he believes need to happen. This fascinating episode explores the important part cities must play as we move towards a more sustainable future, and how the past has an important role to play in this transition.
Jeffrey Young is joined by Jennie Matthias and Lawrence Speelman from Food For All. Jennie and Lawrence discuss the amazing work Food For All has done to feed the Camden community during the pandemic and about how it feels to win the Camden COVID Champions award. This inspiring episode reveals the goodwill of people in our community and moments of humanity during a difficult time for those most vulnerable.
Jeffrey Young is joined by Dr. Jack Stilgoe, Associate Professor of Science and Technology at UCL. Jack discusses the technological advancements that are shaping the Borough of Camden and how we make good decisions as a society about these new technologies, ensuring the benefits are spread widely and fairly across our community.
Jack is a social scientist working on science and technology policy. He is particularly interested in responsible innovation and the governance of emerging technologies. From January 2019 to December 2021 he is the Principal Investigator of Driverless Futures, a project funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council on the anticipatory governance of self-driving cars.
Jeffrey Young is joined by Christoph Domke, a Senior Director, and Clean and Smart Mobility Lead at FTI Consulting. Christoph shares his thoughts on the world of electric vehicles, micromobility, autonomous vehicles, and charging infrastructure, as well as how Camden will look in the years to come.
Christoph is a forward-thinking and innovative thought leader in the Greentech space with a passion for cleaner, sustainable, more efficient, and interconnected movement of goods and people. Christoph is a regular speaker and panel moderator at global conferences and was ranked 8 on N20’s 40 Most Influential Global Influencers in Mobility in 2020.
Listen to learn more about the electric mobility world and new technologies that are closer than you think.
The Camden Clean Air Initiative
FTI Consulting
Jeffrey Young is joined by the Sustainability Manager of Argent LLP, Steven Kellett. Steven discusses Argent’s role in shaping the Borough of Camden and the efforts being made by the King’s Cross Estate towards reaching their ambition of net zero carbon.
Steven is the Sustainability Manager for Argent Property Development Services LLP. He provides practical guidance and support on energy and waste management for smaller or independent retailers. For example, at Coal Drop Yards, where 60 tenants are involved with a central waste system that includes the incineration of non-recyclable refuse into energy, the collection of all kitchen oil on-site for biodiesel, and the composting of coffee grounds for use on the estate.
Listen to understand more about the role that landowners and property developers play in shaping the sustainable landscape of our communities.
The Camden Clean Air Initiative
Argent LLP - UK property developer