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/