Category Archives: News

News

May 2019 Bulletin

Our June Forum meeting

Just 4 weeks until the Forum’s next General Meeting – it’s on Thursday 27 June, 6-45 pm at the Vida Walsh Centre, 2b Saltoun Road SW2 (near the Effra Road end, facing Windrush Square).  We are due to present the Annual Report and Accounts, and elect committee members for the year ahead.

If your group would like to make a presentation to the meeting, please contact the Secretary by Monday next, so we can settle the agenda for the evening – to apiperbrix@aol.com

Welcome to New Members

Thanks mainly to our Treasurer, Nick Weedon, and the assistance of Friends of Windmill Gardens, 50 new members were signed up during the Windmill Beer and Bread Festival on 6th May.  Our contact list has continued to grow over the past year and we look forward to seeing more of you at our meetings and events this year.

Keeping in Touch

We aim to issue these bulletins each month, but publication has slipped a week due to time pressures. Thanks for the quantity of items received since last time – we cast our net widely but try to give priority to Brixton-centred items and those which could be useful to our many local organisations.  Please send material to us before 10 June if you want it to appear in the June issue – to apiperbrix@aol.com

Remember to tell us if:

– You want to add a colleague or another local group to the contact list;

– You have moved away or are no longer interested;

– You want to change your contact details so you receive bulletins sooner or more reliably.

Please advise all changes to admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org 

Current Consultations

These don’t always tie in neatly with our bulletin dates or meetings schedule, but we highlight them whenever possible. 

Brixton at Night

If you thought you had missed it, the deadline for comments has been extended by another week, until 31 May.  This has been a frequent topic at our Forum meetings over the past few years, so make sure you feed in your views to the survey – see the Council website, www.lambeth.gov.uk/consultations 

Waste and Recycling Collections

Lambeth is updating its Waste & Recycling Strategy and inviting comments from residents and organisations.  The previous version dates from 2011 but Lambeth needs to increase the proportion of rubbish that is recycled above the present 30%, and ideally reduce its disposal costs for general rubbish.  Although householders could be more diligent, to make real progress the big targets surely should be flats and shops?  A summary of the strategy and a survey questionnaire can be found on the Consultations page on the Council website, www.lambeth.gov.uk

Comments can also be e-mailed direct to wastestrategy@lambeth.gov.uk but the closing date is 10 June.

Dementia Action Plan

Lambeth Dementia Action Alliance is a network of local organisations trying to make the borough more user-friendly for dementia sufferers and their carers. They have drafted a 3-year plan and are now inviting comments from the community.  Completing the survey online takes about 5 minutes – visithttps://bit.ly/2w2RyXi

Alternatively contact Age UK Lambeth on (020) 7346 6800 or info@ageuklambeth.org and request a paper copy (Freepost return).  Closing date for responses is 14 June.

Lambeth Gambling Policy

The Council is obliged to review its policy every few years on premises licensed for gambling such as betting shops and casinos.  The law gives Lambeth limited scope for restrictions, though it can ban them from vulnerable or over-provided neighbourhoods.  The Council currently has a ban on Casino operations in the borough, but Lambeth receives 500-800 applications a year for other gambling operations, mostly amendments to existing licences.  The policy adopted after this consultation will run for 3 years (i.e. until 2022).  The consultation launched on 23 May and runs until 20 June – for the survey questionnaire, go to the Consultations page on the Council website, www.lambeth.gov.uk

Government Aviation Strategy

This subject could be over our heads in more ways than one, but this is topical both for climate change implications and the projected increase in flights over London due to a third runway being added at Heathrow Airport.  Closing date is 20 June. For more details of the Aviation Strategy consultation, plus a briefing from HACAN, see https://hacan.org.uk/?p=5068

News, Events and Activities around Brixton

Roads to Avoid!

If you are heading south from Brixton, a reminder that work starts on renewing Water mains in Norwood Road, West Norwood, from 27 May and continues into November!

Meanwhile, Gas main replacement is ongoing in Brixton Road, currently affecting the section between Loughborough Road and Vassall Road.

In addition, various closures are planned near Brockwell Park in connection with the Mighty Hoopla and Cross the Tracks Festivals in the Park over the weekend 8/9 June.

At the Herne Hill gate, the link road from Norwood Road into Dulwich Road may be closed between 30 May and 16 June to enable access for vehicles setting up and taking down the festival staging.

Most other restrictions should only apply around the Festival weekend, but include closing Dulwich Road, Morval Road and the eastern arm of Brixton Water Lane to private vehicles. Vehicles will also be banned from entering Arlingford, Brailsford and Trelawn Roads.  Look out also for parking and turning restrictions in the area.

Some changes have been made this time from experience of the previous year’s events, but please tell us about any problems that arise from these Park-based events so we can feed back to Councillors and to bodies like Brockwell Park Community Partners and the Lambeth Parks Forum.

Common Ground – Friday 31 May

Sixteenfeet Productions are presenting Common Ground at Brixton Tate Library on Friday at 7 pm. Following a series of free writing workshops at Brixton Community Base, this will be a sharing of the pieces created by Lambeth Elders, hosted by spoken word artist Wordplay (Elliott Ajai-Ajagbe Daley).  Free entry but book via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom–london/common-ground/ – enquiries tobrixtoncommunitybase@gmail.com

Cecile Nobrega plaque unveiling – Saturday 1st June

The Nubian Jak Foundation, who were instrumental in installing the African-Caribbean War Memorial in Windrush Square, have arranged a memorial plaque to Cecile Nobrega, to be unveiled on Saturday.  The ceremony takes place between 12-45 and 1-45 pm outside Lee Samuel House, 10 Nealden Street, SW9 9QX, and marks the centenary of her birth in what is now Guyana.  Cecile was an educator, poet, playwright and composer, and one of her poems inspired the creation of the Bronze Woman statue that now stands in Stockwell Memorial Gardens, near Stockwell Tube Station.  She died in 2004 at the age of 84, but the statue, long-planned, was only finally unveiled in 2008, as part of the 60th anniversary commemorations for the arrival of the Empire Windrush, with the first migrants from the Caribbean.

Enquiries to info@nubianjak.org or pr@acmemorial.com

Visit Brixton’s Windmill

During the Summer season, the Windmill is open for tours one weekend each month – the next dates are 8 & 9 June, between 2 pm and 5 pm. Tours are still free but prior booking is advised if you want to see every floor – see www.brixtonwindmill.org/visit

This Week’s Theme…

These can sometimes be useful opportunities to highlight what your group is doing.

Volunteers Week takes place between 1st & 7th June each year – see https://volunteersweek.org for events, ideas and how to get involved.

Carers Week is the following week and we are aware of 3 local events organised by Lambeth Carers Hub.

Tuesday 11 June – Carers Walk and visit to the Garden Museum: Meet 10-45 am at We Are 336, 336 Brixton Road, SW9, for a walk to the Garden Museum at Vauxhall (next to Lambeth Palace). Booking essential – phone (020) 7501 8970 or contact connect@carershub.org.uk

Thursday 13 June – Get Connected Information Event, 11 am to 2 pm at We Are 336, 336 Brixton Road, SW9.  Lambeth-based community organisations will provide information and workshops about their work.  Lunch available (but please advise any dietary requirements). Booking arrangements as for 11 June. 

Friday 14 June – Carers Coffee Morning, 10 am to 12 noon at Brixton Pound Café, 77 Atlantic Road, SW9.  A great chance to meet other carers, no need to book.

Small Charity Week runs from 17 to 22 June – enquiries to (020) 7324 4777 or info@smallcharityweek.com

Wake up to Tai Chi

Friends of Brixton Tate Library are launching Saturday morning Tai Chi sessions at the library from 15 June.  Sessions will run from 9-30 to 10-30 am each week, thanks to support from the London Community Foundation.

Funding from the Mayor’s National Park City programme is helping to sustain additional Tai Chi sessions at Windmill Gardens off Brixton Hill – seewww.brixtonwindmill.org for timings.

Knit and Natter

The latest regular session at the Brixton Pound Café, 77 Atlantic Road, SW9.  Free on Monday afternoons between 2 and 4 pm. Enquiries to Christina Ballard, info@cballardphoto.com

Photo Exhibition – Brixton 1973-95 

Chris Steele-Perkins travelled widely as a photographer for eminent agencies such as Magnum, but Brixton was his home base for over 20 years, and he recorded the changing local scene in between his global assignments.  His Brixton photos are now the basis of an exhibition at Photofusion’s new location in International House, Pope’s Road, until Saturday 29 June. Open 10-30 am to 5-30 pm daily (closed Sundays) with free entry.

Junior Open Mic Sessions

For budding young performers, it’s free, local, parent-organised and well-supported, with 39 performers at the last event in March. The next JOM session will be on Sunday 23 June 2 pm to 4-30 pm at the Off the Cuff Music Bar in Railton Road, Herne Hill end.  From 1 pm to 2 pm is a pre-jom session for new kids to try out before appearing in front of an audience of 120-180 at the main session.

As a follow up, there will be a JOM Micro Music Festival in Brockwell Park for 30 Junior Open Mic acts, on 15 September.  Last year’s festival was enjoyed by an audience of 400, with sound engineering by Radiohead. 

Enquiries to Andy Gray, 16 Trinity Rise SW2, e-mail andyg.coms@gmail.com 

Dr Bike in Brixton

On the last Wednesday of every month, a bike mechanic will be carrying out FREE repairs and maintenance for anyone between 11 am and 2 pm.

Sessions take place on Brixton Station Road, supported by Brixton BID and Cycle Confident.  Next dates are 29 May and 26 June.

Vintage Fair at Vida’s – Saturday 15 June

Sale of vintage vinyl, clothes, jewellery, household items and refreshments, 11 am to 3 pm at the Vida Walsh Centre, 2b Saltoun Road, SW2. Turn up on the day and give a donation to Age UK Lambeth for entry.

Summer Fair in Myatt’s Fields Park – Saturday 22 June

Plans are underway for the Summer Fair, to run from 1 pm to 5 pm.  If you would like to run a stall – or offer help on the day – contact Tori on community@myattsfieldspark.info

Longfield Hall Highlights

Movers and Shakers on Friday 21 June at 7-30 pm will showcase work by dance groups who use the hall regularly.  It forms part of the Camberwell Arts Fringe Festival.

The hall’s artistic director, Laura Harling, is developing a new production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream to be performed in nearby Myatt’s Fields Park on Saturday 29 June.

Their Lottery-funded Space in the City summer holiday course for children 8-14 runs from Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 July, with a performance at 6 pm on the 24th.  They will also be hosting young people on the National Citizen Service “Challenge” over the summer holidays.

For further details of activities, see their website www.longfieldhall.org.uk 


Green Corner

 Last Call for Blooming Lambeth Awards

Once again this year’s awards are being organised by Incredible Edible Lambeth, but 1st June is the closing date for nominations in the 7 categories.  Gardens will be visited during July, with an award-giving event at the Town Hall on 15 September.

Full details on their website at www.incredibleediblelambeth.org

Better Fridays – Garden Therapy at Brockwell Greenhouses

Feeling a bit low? Like to get out and enjoy nature? Fancy helping to grow some tasty veg?  Join Cathy and Cat for some gentle gardening, chat and tea, every Friday between 1 pm and 4 pm (Shared lunch at 1 pm, tea break at 3-30 pm).  The greenhouses are in the middle of Brockwell Park, between the tennis courts and the old walled garden.

Contact Cathy at edu.assistant@brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk or phone 07 834 343 664.

Brixton Orchard

The site on the corner of Brixton Hill and St. Matthew’s Road depends on local volunteers to keep it looking green and flourishing. Gardening sessions take place on Thursday afternoons, between 1 pm and 2-30, and more volunteers are welcome.  Tools are supplied but please book in advance so they know how many are coming – call Seb on 07 715 656 665 or e-mail to woods@urbangrowth.london or via Eventbrite.

Pocket Park on Brixton Hill

Another of our member groups, Community Education Foundation & Lyncx, based at the Eurolink Centre, has been helping Brixton Hill tenants rescue a neglected estate garden space.  Hyperion House on Brixton Hill is now managed by Roupell Park Residents Management Organisation.  Residents were keen to restore and reclaim the unloved open space behind the block, and collaboration between the RMO and CEF Lyncx over a 5 year period led to funding from MHCLG and Veolia Environment Trust for creating a “pocket park”, due to complete in October.  However members of both groups are well aware that the final challenge is setting up a sustainable strategy and capacity-building so that the park is preserved for community use in the years ahead.

Loughborough Farm News

Despite the building work going on around them, they will be selling a mix of edible and ornamental plants, and freshly harvested salads, at a Farm Market on Saturday 1st June, between 1 pm and 3 pm.

The following Saturday, 8th June, there will be a free training session on Composting, starting promptly at 1-15 pm. Enquiries toloughboroughfarm@gmail.com

Funding, Training and Support

Igniting Change in Lambeth – Wednesday 29 May

A series of six free workshops at Impact Brixton spread over June and July, but first you need to attend the information/workshop session on 29 May at the Portico Gallery, Knights Hill, West Norwood SE27 from 6 pm to 8-30 pm.  (A similar session in Brixton will have happened before you read this.) Organised by the School of Social Entrepreneurs and funded by Lambeth Council and Capita. Enquiries to Helen Animashaun on (020) 7089 9120,helen.animashaun@sse.org.uk or see website www.the-sse.org/courses/igniting-change-in-lambeth

Community Tree-planting Grants

Applications are now open for the third round of the Mayor of London’s Community Tree-planting grants, part of the Greener City Fund.  Planting can be on estates, in parks or community gardens, but not on streets. Application deadline is 24 June, for planting to take place between September 2019 and March 2020.

Full details are at www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/parks-green-spaces-and-biodiversity/greener-city-fund 

Trust for London – last call

The latest round of grants from the Trust closes for applications on 4th June.  The Trust offers grants of up to £150,000 over 3 years for work which tackles the root causes of poverty and inequality in London.  Work must fit within any of 7 themes: Good Homes & Neighbourhoods, Better Work, Decent Living Standards, Shared Wealth, Pathways to Settlement, Stronger Voices, Connected Communities.  There will be a further funding round in the Autumn.  See the website www.trustforlondon.org.uk

Health & Wellbeing Trade-up Programme

This is another programme run by the School for Social Entrepreneurs, with Guys & St.Thomas’ Charity.  They are keen to support projects which tackle childhood obesity or that slow progression from a long-term condition in working-age adults.  Projects must be active in Lambeth and/or Southwark, and have an income of at least £15,000 in the last financial year.

The programme offers 10 days of free training, a match-trading grant of up to £10,000, and a full year’s membership of a supportive network. Again see their website, www.the-sse.org

Our neighbouring forum, the Stockwell Partnership, are already signing people up for this, so we suggest you contact them for some pointers,john@stockwell.org.uk or steve@stockwell.org.uk

YouthConnect Careers Events

Two more YouthConnect early evening events are lined up for June and July. Tuesday 4th June (5 pm to 7 pm) will focus on careers in Finance and Information Technology,

As before, these careers networking events for young people will be in 3Space, International House, corner of Popes Road and Canterbury Crescent, SW9.  Organised by We Rise – Brixton, enquiries to hello@werise.org.uk

We Rise are also looking for work experience opportunities for young people, and for senior staff in larger firms willing to act as mentors or coaches. Enquiries to Abigail@werise.org.uk

Start-up Help from your Library 

Help is now available through Lambeth Libraries if you are starting a business – or still thinking about it. A number of free services are available, and there is also access to low-cost training.  Contact Rachel Samuels, on 07 944 733 172 or RSamuels1@lambeth.gov.uk  

Rachel is based at Brixton Tate Library but has regular sessions at other Lambeth libraries.

Support for Small Charities

If you want to turn your small group into a Charity, the Small Charities Commission has set up an online tool to lead you through the process.  There are different types of charitable status and structure, depending on what you want to do, but the site provides checklists to help you choose.

See https://charitysetup.org.uk

Workshops at the Remakery

For more hands-on training, upcoming training workshops at The Remakery include a sign-making session this Saturday, 1st June, at a cost of £5.  Make outdoor signs from recycled materials, to suit your community garden or outdoor event.

An introduction to Woodwork hand tools is running over three weekly sessions, on Tuesdays 4, 11 and 18 June – cost £42 in total.  

For the more confident, there is an introduction to the machine tools on-site on Saturday 8th June, cost £16.

The Remakery is at 51 Lilford Road, SE5 9HY.  All enquiries to hello@remakery.org

New Boilers for Business Premises

Small businesses based in Lambeth could be eligible for up to 40% cashback when replacing an old boiler with a cleaner and more efficient version. After all, 40% of carbon dioxide emissions in London come from non-domestic buildings, commercial gas consumption accounts for 7% of London’s Nitrous Oxide emissions.

The Cleaner Heat Cashback scheme has a £10 million fund open to firms of up to 250 people, based in London and with a heating system of at least 70 Kw. An existing gas, oil or LPG boiler must be at least 10 years old, or an existing coal or biomass boiler can be any age. Further details athttps://love.lambeth.gov.uk/cashback-cleaner-heating-may19/

News

April 2019 Bulletin

News, Events and Activities

Windmill Gardens – Beer & Bread Festival 

This will be the next major event in Windmill Gardens, open between 1 pm and 5 pm on Bank Holiday Monday, 6 May.
Brixton Windmill itself will now be open for tours one weekend a month until October – for dates and bookings, see the Friends website, www.brixtonwindmill.org 

Events at Impact Brixton

The Hub at the back of Pop Brixton has an ongoing programme of training sessions and workshops, mainly to support those getting small enterprises underway.  Free or discounted rates for those who are already members of the Hub. Two notable sessions are coming up on Thursday 25 April:

Overcoming barriers on the way to success, 2 pm to 3-30 pm, non-members £5, free to members, workshop led by Vegard Olsen as part of the Business Helpdesk series.

The Mom Test – How to talk to customers and learn if your business is a good idea when everyone is lying to you,6-30 to 8 pm, non-members £15, members £5, a talk based on Rob Fitzpatrick’s bestseller. Register athttps://themomtest.eventbrite.co.uk

For more events, see their website, www.brixtonimpacthub.net or enquiries to Tamara Amarquaye on (020) 7926 3032 or e-mail tamara@impactbrixton.com

Creative Community Placemakers Network

A network covering Creatives, Artists, Performers, Designers, Placemakers and Community groups is being developed by Jacqueline Bleicher of Global Urban Design.  She has organised a meeting to explore the idea on Tuesday 30 April, 6 pm to 7 pm at the Basement level of Lambeth Town Hall, 1 Brixton Hill SW2. If interested, please register via Eventbrite on www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-community-placemakers-network-tickets-59300768194
or e-mail to enquiries@globalurbandesign.org or call 07 570 438 977.

Brixton Community Base

Under the banner of Common Ground, Brixton Community Base has launched a new series of classes for over 55s.  All Classes are free and held at Brixton Community Base in Talma Road, SW2 1AS.  To sign up, contact Jane on 07 941 624 247 or e-mail to brixtoncommunitybase@gmail.com
Topics include:
Drama Workshop, Saturdays 20 & 27 April, 10-30 am to 12-30 pm, Arts & Crafts, Thursdays from 2nd May, 2 pm to 3 pm;
Yoga, Thursdays from 30 May, 2 pm to 3 pm.

Youth Connect Careers Event

A reminder that We Rise is holding monthly careers events, each focussing on a different field of work, in conjunction with Business Launchpad.  Each is at International House, Popes Road, SW9, between 5 pm and 7 pm.  These are aimed at Lambeth-based 16-18 year-olds, to help them explore different careers and build conections with professionals in those fields.  Enquiries to: hello@werise.org.uk
Next up are:
– Tuesday 14 May –  Health & Sport, 
– Tuesday 4 June – Finance & Tech.

Support the Remakery!

A familiar story around Brixton these days is of landlords jacking up rents and thereby pricing out familiar traders and community organisations.  More disappointing though when it’s Lambeth Council adopting the greedy landlord approach. The Remakery, below Council flats on the corner of  Lilford Road and Paulet Road, is facing a rent review in July, with the threat of its annual rent increasing from £6,000 to £40,000 a year – hardly realistic when the whole turnover of the organisation is only £28,000 a year.  It looks unlikely that a commercial business would want to take over this remote location.


The Remakery – or Lambeth Re-use Centre –  was set up a few years ago, with Council support, to encourage recycling of unwanted objects into resaleable goods, and to help people learn practical skills.  Once again a grassroots project appears to be the victim of the Council losing interest once the novelty wears off.

Were you around back in 1971?

An unusual request from a documentary film company, On The Corner Films:  They are producing a documentary series focussed on the music, culture and politics of the year 1971. They are particularly keen to track down home movie footage, particularly of people playing or listening to music, or at music festivals or carnivals. See also their website, www.onthecorner.tv


If you (or your granny!) have anything to share, contact Natalie Fiennes on 07 986 559 115 or e-mail to natalie@onthecorner.tv

Community Business Weekend – 16/19 May

Do you run a Community Business? Want to find new customers, volunteers or members? This event can showcase your impact and provide free marketing support (and some bunting).  Word came to us via Locality but the event is organised by Power to Change – more details at their website, www.powertochange.org.uk

Your Views on Events in Parks and open spaces – reminder

We discussed this at our last meeting on 1st April, and the main concerns expressed were:

– Large areas of public open space are being taken out of use for long periods so commercial events can be staged on them.

– Although this is supposed to be to raise money, finances are not transparent about how much comes back to that park, or to Lambeth parks generally.

– These events cause damage to grass and paving from heavy vehicles, concentrated footfall and temporary structures. There is not enough time between events for the ground to recover.

– Noise disturbance to people living around the park, particularly from entertainment events.

– Community-based events are discouraged by the demand from commercial events, and by cumbersome booking arrangements designed for bigger events.

Have we missed anything?  We encourage you to respond directly to the Council – see www.lambeth.gov.uk and follow the links to the Consultations page. The closing date for comments is Sunday 5 May.

Funding, Support and Training opportunitiesLambeth Wellbeing Fund projects

Last year we published details of this grant programme, and it’s good to see several local projects now being supported from Round 3, including Brixton Community Base, Community Education Foundation/ Lyncx, Moorlands Community Development Project, The Remakery and Ubele.  A few examples are mentioned in this bulletin, or the previous one.  More recently, Friends of Brixton Tate Library were awarded funding for a series of Tai Chi sessions at the Library on Saturday mornings, starting in May.

Introduction to Computer Skills Course

Just about to start at Mosaic Clubhouse, 65 Effra Road, SW2 – assessment session on Wednesday 24 April, 11 am to 1 pm.  Course will run from Wednesday 1 May until 10 July, 11 am to 1 pm at Mosaic Clubhouse.  The course will cover key computer skills including e-mail, web search and basic Microsoft programs Word and Excel.  You will gain a City & Guilds Functional ICT qualification.  This course is free to Lambeth residents on benefits.  Enquiries to Sinead on (020) 7924 9657 or s.obrien@mosaic-clubhouse.org

Tech Mates at Pop Brixton

For older residents, Pop Brixtonhosts introductory sessions on computers, smartphones and IT on Thursday mornings, 10 to 11 am.  Equipment is provided but feel free to bring your own phone, laptop or tablet – particularly if you are struggling with how to make it work! This free class is led by Pop member, KHK Technology, who supply refurbished IT equipment to schools and other organisations.  NB – limited to 6 places per session, sign up through the Pop Brixton website or enquiries toinfo@popbrixton.org

First Aid Skills Day for over 50s

Another event at Pop Brixton in Brixton Station Road – St. John’s Ambulanceare holding a free First Aid Skills session (with lunch!) on Thursday 23 May, 11 am to 2-30 pm. The aim is to build up a network of first aid champions among local community groups.  For enquiries or bookings, contact Rosie on 07 896 969 869 or e-mail to rosie.mcgloughlin@sja.org.uk

Achieving Life Balance Workshop

Wise Women Wellness presents a free self-development programme, Sista Self-care Coaching Circle, for a small group of women to learn the 6 life domains, set goals and boost confidence in a supportive coaching group.  Sessions over 7 weeks at the Eurolink Centre, Effra Road, SW2, the first on Saturday 27 April, 9-30 am to 4 pm, then on Tuesday evenings.  Supported by the Ubele Initiative and funded via LCF.  To book, call Sharon Brooks on 07 973 825 255 or e-mail toinfo@wisewomenwellness.org.uk

Lambeth Larder Resources Directory

Lambeth Larder started with a church-based group in Kennington in 2015, trying to map community food resources. When the pilot scheme ended, they decided their online map was too useful a resource to let go, so they managed to find more funding to expand the project and also publish paper copies of their Directory, a 20-page free guide to food banks, advice centres and other support groups.  Lambeth Larder now works in partnership with Brixton Advice Centre, and last year its resources reached 35,000 people around the borough. Enquiries to info@lambethlarder.org or to download the directory, go to the web pages below.

In fact there are several strands of information about health services, advice and community contacts to be found by exploring the revamped Public Health web pages within the Lambeth Council website: Start from www.lambeth.gov.uk/adult-social-care-and-health/your-health

Volunteers Wanted!

Loughborough Farm (on Loughborough Road, opposite Wyck Gardens) is hosting a Welcome session for new and prospective volunteers on Saturday 27 April from 1-15 pm. This will include a tour of the space and an introduction to how it is run. The session will last about an hour, but you are welcome to stay for the tea-break afterwards. Regular volunteering is an opportunity to pick up or refresh basic gardening skills, such as sowing, transplanting, composting and harvesting. Please book your place by e-mail to Emily at loughboroughfarm@gmail.com

If your project needs volunteers for certain tasks, why not advertise your needs in our next bulletin?

Measnwhile, national charities are not hesitating to ask.  News just in from Keep Britain Tidy that they are seeking volunteers (over 18) for their Litter Heroes Ambassador Programme, for people who want to get their communities involved in litter-picking and improving public spaces for all.  Applications are open until Monday 6 May. For more information contact LHAmbassador@keepbritaintidy.org

Directory of Social Change

We continue to receive occasional updates from the Directory of Social Change about their funding directories, charity management handbooks and training courses. For more details about all of these, see their website at www.dsc.org.uk 

Keeping in Touch

Forum Meetings

We are currently trying to firm up a couple of informal meetings to plan Forum activities through 2019.  You are all welcome to attend the next General Meeting of the Forum – it has been booked for Thursday 27 June, 6-45 pmat the Vida Walsh Centre, 2b Saltoun Road, SW2 (facing onto Windrush Square).

Future Bulletins

We aim to issue these bulletins each month, so if you want to include something in our next issue, please send it to us before11 May.We are often short of time, so earlier is better – and after allowing for editing and distribution, there’s not much point in telling us about events happening much before the 18/19 May weekend. Please send direct to apiperbrix@aol.com

Stay Connected!

It looks impressive if we build up a long list of contacts, but we much prefer if the information is reaching people who are still active and in a position to make use of some of it.
Please respond to this e-mail to tell us if:
– You have moved away or are no longer interested in Brixton affairs;
– You want to add a colleague or a related group to the contact list;
– You want to change your contact details so you get these bulletins sooner or more reliably.

News

November 2018 bulletin

Next Forum Meeting

There has been a long gap in our bulletins because our team has been depleted by illness, but we are now starting to plan for a more active programme next year. The first step is to agree a budget so that we can renew our basic funding from the Lambeth Forum Network.

We also need to hear what you think the Forum’s priorities should be for the year ahead. That’s two good reasons for holding a Forum meeting on Monday next, 26 November, starting from 7 pm at the Vida Walsh Centre, 2b Saltoun Road SW2 (facing onto Windrush Square). 

We need your views – take our survey!

If you cannot make the next meeting – or just want to feed in ideas before the meeting – please complete our simple survey on the link in the version of this bulletin sent to our mailing list members.

If you don’t have time to respond before the meeting, we will continue to collect results up to mid-December, to help inform next year’s Forum activities.

Current Consultations on Planning and Transport

Lambeth has 3 important policy documents out for comment until Monday 17 December:

– the Draft Revision of the Lambeth Local Plan;

– changes to the Charging Schedule for the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL);

– Lambeth’s Draft Transport Strategy.

We will briefly introduce these on Monday and highlight a few of the changes that Lambeth wants to make.  We would encourage you also to respond directly (via the Consultations section of the Council’s website).  Are the proposed changes helpful or not?  Are other issues being ignored?

The Local Plan is probably the most important of the three documents, but there is a lot of it to check through.  There are certainly some new proposals for Brixton this time. 

The CIL Charging Schedule is generally being increased, so that more money from new developments comes back to the Council, but we need to be careful that key services for a balanced community are not discouraged.  There is a risk that our Council will become too dependent on developers’ money and allow too much building, to the detriment of the local community.

Transport strategies are largely set by the Mayor and Transport for London, so Lambeth’s strategy is largely a reflection of London-wide priorities – but it’s a great opportunity to press for access to the London Overground,  or for better bus connections.

News from Local Organisations

If your group wants to make a presentation or report to Monday’s meeting, please tell the Secretary as soon as possible, so that we can organise the final agenda.  We are also happy to put out your news through these bulletins or on our website.  Also contact us if you would like to present to a future Forum meeting.

Brixton Rec User Group – public meeting, Tuesday 27 November

6 pm to 8 pm in the meeting room on Level 6. Is the Rec working for you? What changes would you like to see?  Enquiries to recusergroup@btinternet.com

Ten years of Transition Town Brixton:

Marking 10 years of the Transition Town movement in Brixton, with reports from several projects which grew out of TTB, including Brixton Pound, the Remakery and Incredible Edible Lambeth. Thursday 6th December, 7 pm to 10 pm at the Impact Hub (at back of Pop Brixton) 49 Brixton Station Road SW9.

Christmas Fairs and more

Saturday 24 November – Friends of Carnegie Library Winter Fair, 11 am to 3 pm at St. Saviour’s Church Hall, Herne Hill Road (c/o Finsen Road) SE24.

Saturday 1st December – Loughborough Farm Market @ The Platform, 2 Ridgeway Road SW9 7AH: 1 pm to 3 pm, featuring the farm’s winter harvest, Christmas greenery and handmade gifts.

Sunday 2nd December – Friends of Brockwell Park Winter Fair, 11 am to 3 pm in Brockwell Hall, in the centre of the park.

Monday 3rd December – Stockwell Good Neighbours Christmas Fair, 11 am to 3 pm at the Oval House Theatre, 52-54 Harleyford Road SE11 5SW. Enquiries to info@stockwellgoodneighbours.org

The Brixton Society will have their regular stall in Brixton Station Road on Saturday 8th December, 11 am to 3 pm, to coincide with their monthly Market walk.  A chance to stock up with local history books, maps and postcards.

The Crafty Fox Christmas Market this year will be downstairs at The Department Store, 248 Ferndale Road SW9, Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 December, 11 am to 5 pm.

Van Gogh bust unveiled at Hackford Road:

A bust of Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh has been set up in Van Gogh Walk, off Hackford Road, close to where he stayed as a young man in 1873-74.  It is one of a series designed by sculptor Anthony Padgett, which are being set up at various sites associated with the artist – others are planned for sites in Isleworth, Ramsgate and Arles in France.  The local example was unveiled on Friday. 

Funding, support and training opportunities

We will continue to share information that comes to us from funders and other agencies.

Workspace Opportunity for a Social Enterprise

Tripod is the business space in the basement of the remodelled Town Hall, managed by Meanwhile Space.  They are looking for a social enterprise to join their nucleus of creative and tech businesses, offering event space, subsidised office space or hot desk memberships.  Enquiries to rosie@meanwhilespace.com

International House open for Business

Lambeth has moved its own staff out of International House, and handed it over to 3Space to manage.  The Brixton BID, Brixton Design Trail and We Rise are among those who have already moved in.  More details at www.3spaceinternational.co.uk

Published by Brixton Neighbourhood Forum.