Caroline Hill, a book designer, was brought up in Welwyn Garden City, the middle child of German Jewish parents who had escaped the Holocaust. She has lived in Kentish Town, in the same house, for 43 years.
Caroline is chair of Kentish Town Neighbourhood Forum, set up this year to give local people and businesses more control over planning decisions. In recent months the Forum has organized several neighbourhood walks and public workshops. She also runs Kentish Town Road Action, a group that seeks to retain independents and oppose change of use and late night licences. Caroline is a keen amateur singer and walker and plays an enthusiastic, if unexceptional, game of badminton.
Where would you like to live?
I love living in Leverton Street and cannot imagine moving. It’s a very friendly street, partly because of its proportions. It’s quite easy to stand on the front step and talk to someone on the other side of the road. When my husband died suddenly several years ago my house was immediately full of neighbours, some of them in their slippers, who had just walked straight out of their houses and into mine. It was very comforting.
What is your favourite sound or smell?
It used to be the sound of Alf, the rag and bone man, calling something like ‘Old iron and ludlow’. He’s dead now but I once asked him what his call meant and he replied ‘I don’t know’. I also enjoy the smell of fruit and vegetables on the Fruit Bowl stall outside the tube station.
What is your greatest life achievement?
Producing interesting children.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
If you try hard enough you can achieve almost anything.
What is your earliest K-Town memory?
On one of our first days in Kentish Town we went to The Assembly House for a drink. There was sawdust on the floor and all the windows were beautifully etched.
What makes you unhappy?
Racism.
What simple thing would improve your quality of life?
A better memory for names.
What is your most unappealing habit?
Sniffing.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Buying delicious dark chocolate from Earth Natural Foods and large quantities of dried figs at Phoenicia.
Where do you hang out?
At Tolli Patisserie or at Café Renoir. Sometimes at Pane Vino or Kentish Canteen for a delicious meal.
What’s your best and worst experience in NW5?
My best experience was very recently when we carried out six days of street engagement; asking local people for their opinions about Kentish Town for Kentish Town Neighbourhood Forum. It was tremendous fun and so many people wanted to talk to us. Very heartening too to hear that the large majority love Kentish Town, although there were lots of suggestions about how it could be improved.
My worst experience was years ago when suddenly all the paving in Kentish Town High Street was taken up and replaced with horrible black asphalt that looked awful and melted in the summer. The resulting potholes were filled with water and ice in the winter. A few years ago we persuaded Camden to reinstate paving slabs on all but one problematic area of the high street.
Tell us a secret.
I would have liked to be an actor.
What has your career taught you?
I’m a book designer, which has taught me to value the opinions of others.
What is your favourite dish and why?
Red mullet from Harry’s. I add lemon juice, fresh dill, salt and pepper, wrap it in foil and bake for 20 minutes. Delicious and healthy.
Ich Bin Kentishtowner comes in association with longstanding local the Lord Palmerston, which can be found at 33 Dartmouth Park Hill. Manager Stephen is offering readers a free starter or dessert to run alongside either the all-day menu or lunch deal (one main & glass of wine/beer for £10). Bargainous, eh? Just mention The Kentishtowner when booking or ordering.