Brixton Neighbourhood Forum – February 2019
A quick bulletin this month, because we have some imminent dates to remind you about. Meanwhile, other plans are taking shape, so we should have much more to tell you next month. If you want to share what your group is doing, or seek support from others around Brixton, try to send us your news or requests before the end of February.
Quick Reminders
Lambeth Country Show
A follow-up to the notice in last month’s bulletin – applications to trade or exhibit must be in by 4 pm on Friday 15 February.
This is even earlier than last year, and the site fees are higher! Show dates are 20 & 21 July – enquiries to countryshow@lambeth.gov.uk
Tackling Violent Crime – Herne Hill Ward Meeting
Herne Hill Labour Councillors have organised a public meeting this Saturday, 16 February, 12 noon to 2 pm at the Carnegie Library, 188-192 Herne Hill Road SE24. Speakers include Helen Hayes MP, London Assembly member Florence Eshalomi, Cllr Mohamed Seedat, Lambeth’s cabinet member for community safety, and police representatives.
Camberwell Area Plan
If you are interested in the area around the Camberwell Green crossroads, Southwark Council is hosting a public consultation event this Saturday, 16 February between 10 am and 4 pm outside Camberwell Library, 48 Camberwell Green SE5 7AL. Architects Gort Scott are conducting more detailed workshops in the large meeting room above the library, 12-30 to 1-30 pm or 3 pm to 4 pm – to attend these, please e-mail sarah@gortscott.com
Community Connector Training – Last Call
Another follow-up from last month’s bulletin – the next course starts with a training day on 21 February so act now if you want to join in! You must attend all 4 dates to complete the training. If you missed out, Dave Goslyn should be able to tell you if another course is in the pipeline – all enquiries to him on 07 540 095 696 or dave.goslyn@nhs.net
Sustainable Energy – closing soon
Need help with combating fuel poverty, improving energy efficiency of community spaces or creating renewable energy infrastructure? Power Partners is funded by UK Power Networks and administered by the Centre for Sustainable Energy. Closing date for the first round of applications is Monday 18 February at 6 pm. See website www.communityenergy.london or enquiries to Fleur Disney at fleur.disney@communityenergy.london
Lambeth’s Own World Cup
This reached us by a roundabout route, but the Lambeth World Cup Tournament is being organised by the Fulham FC Foundation to coincide with the schools’ half-term, on Tuesday 19 February. Matches take place on the Astro pitch in Kennington Park, SE11 4BE. Players should arrive at 11-30 am tosign in, for matches to start at 12-30 pm, and the event should end by 4 pm. Age groups are 9-12, 12-14 and 15-18. Enquiries to Paul Smithers on 0870 442 5432 or 07 500 108 495 or e-mail to psmithers@fulhamfc.com
Healthy Family Food with Incredible Edible LEAP
A morning of demos, recipes and tips from food blogger Mandy Mazliah on how to encourage kids to eat more fruit and veg, on Tuesday 19 February. 10 am to 12 noon at the Platform, the former toilet block at the corner of Loughborough Road and Ridgeway Road, SW9. To book a place please contact Helen on 07 949 985 343 or e-mail toincredibleedibleleap@gmail.com
Half Term at the Fire Brigade Museum
The pop-up museum in Lambeth High Street is hosting a morning session for kids (age 3 upwards) on Wednesday 20 February, drop in between 10 am and 1 pm (last entry 12-30). Design your own fire engine greeting card and learn about the history of firefighters uniforms in London.
Enquiries to museum@london-fire.gov.uk
News, Events, Activities
High Rise at Loughborough Junction
A revised planning application has been made for the former Higgs Industrial Estate at the foot of Herne Hill Road, close to Loughborough Junction Station. This time it includes a single tower block rising to 16 storeys. Loughborough Junction Action Group have called a public meeting to discuss the plans, on Wednesday 27 February, at 7 pm at the Grove Adventure Playground. If you want to see the proposals on the Council’s website, the reference is 18/05425/FUL and the deadline for comments has been extended to 4th March.
Town Hall Changes
Now that Lib Peck has gone to work at City Hall, Councillor Jack Hopkins has been elected Leader of the Labour Group, and is due to be confirmed as Leader of the Council shortly. It is not clear yet if this will lead to any other changes of roles within Lambeth’s Cabinet.
Among senior officers, some will be pleased to hear that Sue Foster has left, and staff are now grouped into 5 Directorates, though their heads (some still “acting” or interim) are not familiar names. The Directorates are:
– Sustainable Growth & Opportunity, which includes responsibilities for new housing and regeneration.
– Resident Services, including most day-to-day public services and Council housing management.
– Children’s Services, including schools and social care.
– Adults and Health, including adult social care and public health matters.
– Finance & Investment, including the traditional Treasurer functions.
Meet at the Brixton £ Café?
The Brixton Pound Café at 77 Atlantic Road has space available to hire for meetings or exhibitions – either the café space, or the basement studio – at affordable rates. Enquiries toThomas@brixtonpound.org
Free Woodworking Classes at the Remakery
The Brixton Remakery in Lilford Road, SE5 9HY, is to host a series of woodworking classes, starting in March. The target group is older men in Lambeth, though women and younger men will be welcome too. Classes are free and will take place every 2 weeks over 6 months. Typical projects will include planters, wine racks and wooden toys, mostly using recycled wood. Both beginners and experienced woodworkers welcome – enquiries to terry@citywoodwork.co.uk
Volunteer Guides Wanted!
Two local opportunities if you want to get out and meet more people:
Brixton Windmill Tours start up again in April, with at least one weekend opening a month through to October. Friends of Windmill Gardens are keen to recruit more volunteers as activities should increase once the Education Building is completed next to the mill. Enquiries or offers of help to info@brixtonwindmill.org.uk
Van Gogh in Brixton: 87 Hackford Road SW9, where the artist stayed in 1873-74, is being renovated and should open for tours from April. Volunteer guides are being recruited via the San Mei Gallery, now based in the former Loughborough Hotel. More details on their website at www.sanmeigallery.co.uk/van-gogh-house Closing date for first batch was meant to be Friday 15th, but check with Janet Currier on janet@sanmeigallery.com
Funding and Training opportunities
Future Support for Community Organisations
For the past couple of years, some support with fund-raising and training has been available through Community Southwark, but that contract runs out this month. We understand that new arrangements are being considered from several possible providers, but it may be a month or so before the position is clearer.
Sustainable City Awards
If your group is interested in sustainability or promoting greener life-styles, check out this award scheme run by the London Sustainability Exchange. Applications can be made up to 29 March. More details on their website at www.lsx.org.uk
Small Charity Workshops
In previous bulletins we have mentioned the training sessions run by the Foundation for Social Improvement. The next batch in London comes up on Thursday 14 March at Voluntary Action Islington, with a choice of 90-minute sessions. Following that is a full-day Skills Conference on Thursday 28 March in Central London, with a mix of useful sessions for a total of £25. As before, all enquiries to admin@thefsi.org or see their website, www.thefsi.org
First Aid Training
The St. John’s Ambulance Association currently have a scheme to encourage over-50s to gain basic first-aid skills. Brixton Community Base in Talma Road has already hosted a session before Christmas, so maybe it could be useful to your group too? Sessions are free, funded by DCMS and Nesta.
Enquiries to Rosie Mcgloughlin, 07 896 969 869 or at rosie.mcgoughlin@sja.org.uk
Keep in touch
We are rebuilding our mailing list, so now is the time to tell us if you prefer information to go to a more convenient e-mail address, or to a colleague.
If you have moved away, or no longer wish to be involved, please tell us and we will delete you from our list – a simple e-mail toadmin@brixtonneighnourhoodforum.org or to apiperbrix@aol.com
And please get in touch if you want something from your corner of Brixton to feature in a future Forum meeting, or in one of these bulletins. We are currently trying to arrange meeting dates for the year ahead.
Alan Piper, Secretary.