Coming UP

Annual Report 2016 - Nov 10

On 10 November we will launch our annual report at The Guardian, in the room where their journalists recieve their dailiy briefing. As well as looking back over the past year we will also be unveiling our plans for 2017.

Places are limited, but if you would like to attend and find out more about Urban Partners and meet those who have worked with us over the year, please email us at sam@urbanpartners.london.

PA Network at the Lighterman - Nov 9

On the 9 November, The Lighterman will host our fourth PA Network event of the year. If you or one of your colleagues would like to attend, please email us and we will add you to the database. With over 190 members, the PA Network is a great way of finding new places in the area for lunches, events and meetings.

We will also soon be announcing our next #StPancrasSocial meet-up and have plans to build our Communications Network and launch a network for those working in hospitality in 2017. If you are interested in joining any of our Networks, please get in touch and we will make sure you are included in any future communications.

UP Christmas Choir Showcase - Dec 14

On the 14 December we will be be holding a Christmas Choir Showcase in Hall 2 at Kings Place, with an evening of performances from some of the best corporate choirs in the area. From 7pm The Kings Place Choir and the choirs from Grant Thornton, The Guardian and PRS for Music will be showing off their skills and getting you into the festive mood with some Christmas caroling, all in the name of charity.

Tickets will be on sale soon and we will send round an announcement when they are, but if you are interested in coming please let us know and we'll contact you directly. Just email hello@urbanpartners.london.

UP Employee Perks

Visit Brussels, Lille or Paris for £39

Urban Partner member, Eurostar have got into the festive spirit early this year and are offering the employees of other Urban Partner organisations the chance to visit Brussels, Lille or Paris for the day for just £39. 

With the end of the year fast approaching why not treat yourself to a day off exploring the continent. Whether it's Christmas shopping down the Champ-Élysées or chocolate tasting in Brussels, once you arrive the day is yours to do with what you wish. If culture is your thing, your Eurostar ticket also lets you enjoy 2 for 1 entry at the Musée d'Orsay, Bozar or La Piscine (as well as lots of other museums and gallaries).

Let's be honest, how many times have you thought about jumping on the Eurostar as you pass St Pancras International on your way to work?

What you could get UP to:

Brussels - The Belgian Chocolate Village - Sited near the Koekelberg Basilica, the Belgian Chocolate Village is one of the largest museums in Europe dedicated to chocolate. They've even got a greenhouse that recreates the conditions needed to grow cocoa trees, so if it's getting cold outside there could be worse places to warm up.

Lille - Marche De Noel - With Christmas approaching, Lille is decked out in lights and colour and home to an 80 chalet Christmas Market. From gift ideas and decorations to gingerbread and mulled wine, it looks like a lovely place to kick off the festive period.

Paris - Celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau - Every year on the third Thursday of November, the young red vin de primeur Beaujolais Nouveau is released, intended for immediate consumption. Head to Paris on the 20 November for a testing/tasting of the 2016 vintage.

Book before Monday 31st October

Now, we sent round the offer to everyone at the begining of this week, and the offer is subject to availaibility, so this is more a reminder than anything. You have until Monday (31 October) to book your seat to travel before the 31 December. Click here to book.

Take part in a panel show

On the 5 and 6 November, Kings Place hosts Global Pillage, a new comedy panel show podcast all about idiom, culture, customs and norms. "All the oddness of humanity" will be explored as two teams of comedians take on the "hive mind of the audience". Join Deborah Frances-White (Radio 4's Deborah Frances-White Rolls the Dice) as they pillage the globe for the strange but true ways of the human race. Book tickets here.

Experience 'Gate to Plate' with Rotunda

To round off their year of Supper Club events, Rotunda at Kings Place invite you to experience 'gate to plate', the ethos that defines what they do. Meet the farmer and head chef and be impressed by a butchery demonstration from Claus the butcher, before enjoying a 5 course tasting menu centred around Northumberland beef. If you love your meat, this is for you. Book through their website.

Go to the Fire Feast at the Skip Garden

Following on from the success of last year's Fire Feast, the Skip Garden are relighting their fires for a winter feast under the London sky on 9 December. Alternatively, if you are looking for a location for lunch or supper over the festive period, we highly reccomend their winter menu of seasonal organic produce sourced from the garden and beyond. Find out more here.

Ice Cream Cake tasting

The fantastic Ruby Violet are holding their annual tasting event on the 24 November from 6-9pm where they will be showcasing their Ice Cream cakes. Entry is free but booking is required by emailing them at events@rubyviolet.co.uk. They aslo have some very tasty Mantova Pumpkin ice cream available for Halloween...

Join Gemma Cairney for the launch of the LovetoRead weekend

Radio personality and journalist Gemma Cairney will open the LovetoRead weekend with an 'in conversation' session with charity The Reading Agency at the British Library on 4 November. As well as launching the LovetoRead weekend, she will also discuss what reading means to her, what barriers people face who struggle to read and her activism around young people's mental health. This is the fifth in a series of annual events designed as a platform for leading writers and public figures to share original, challenging ideas about the future of reading in the UK.

The Reading Agency has been kind enough to offer Urban Partner members complimentary tickets to the evening. If you would like to attend, please email Jenny Warner, or to find out more, visit their website.

Learn to manage your business waste better

Is your business waste smart? Managing waste legally and responsibly is an important part of running any business. The Camden Climate Change Alliance (CCCA) and the Islington Sustainable Energy Partnership (ISEP) are holding an event to raise awareness of key waste management aspects, benefits and best practice. Hosted by Alara Wholefoods, attendees will also have an opportunity for a tour of the venue. Book tickets here. 

Volunteer with the Islington Play Association

Islington Play Association is a vibrant, proactive children's charity working with those living challenging lives near King's Cross and St Pancras. Their aim is simple - to create, provide, improve and protect places for children to play in Islington. To find out more visit their website.