Next meeting – 21 March
You are invited to the next General Meeting of the Forum on Thursday 21 March from 7 pm at the Vida Walsh Centre, 2b Saltoun Road, SW2 1EP (entrance faces Windrush Square).
The main agenda items will be:
- Neighbourhood Plan, seeking your agreement to take this forward.
- Priorities for the year ahead, so we can apply for renewed funding.
Enquiries to the Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com
Whose Plans for Brixton?
We flagged up last month that we had started to explore developing a Neighbourhood Plan for Brixton, to reflect local preferences and needs. We have been consulting with nearby neighbourhood forums about boundaries.
In parallel, Lambeth Council has just launched the latest version of its Site Allocations plan document, which highlights 3 sites in Brixton (and 2 more at Loughborough Junction) for high-density rebuilding. At first sight, it seems to threaten us with more tall buildings, while putting the squeeze on health and community facilities.
The full package of Council documents can be found on the Lambeth website at: https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy-guidance/site-allocations-development-plan-document
This latest draft of the plan is open for comments or objections until Friday 3rd May. We should warn you that there are limited grounds on which you can object, and we aim to provide more guidance on this shortly. If you have specific concerns, we urge you to share them with other local groups, and with us, or with our friends at the Brixton Society at planning@brixtonsociety.org.uk
336 Brixton Road One of the target sites on Brixton Road in the Council’s current plan
Other Coming Events
Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour
Arrangements have been confirmed by Action on ASB for the follow-up meeting with Police and Council representatives. This will be on Wednesday 27 March in the Level 4 Hall at St. Matthew’s Church, Brixton Hill SW2 1JF. Enter by the basement doors at the side of the church (lift available). Please reserve a place via Eventbrite at https://tinyurl.com/brixton001
It would be helpful if you have time to complete an online survey by 25 March, to help identify the main issues and “hot-spots” of local concern. Find the form at https://tinyurl.com/brixton002
Black Culture Market
Their April event is once again Downstairs at the Department Store, 248 Ferndale Road SW9 on Saturday and Sunday 6 & 7 April, open 11 am to 5 pm each day. Support Black-owned businesses and makers in Brixton. Admission free but please book in advance via the website, www.blackculturemarket.co.uk
If you want to trade at these events, please e-mail to hello@blackculturemarket.co.uk
Events at Brixton Windmill
Guided tours of the windmill, on at least one weekend a month, start from 30/31 March(Easter weekend). As with other events, please see the website for details and booking, www.brixtonwindmill.org
Sadly, there will be no Beer & Bread Festival this year due to increased challenges with staging it, however, other events are forthcoming:
Easter Family Day on Sunday 31 March, between 1 pm and 5 pm.
Baking Workshop for families, Sunday 14 April, 10-30 am, for families with children aged 6 to 12.
More events will follow.
Mayor and Assembly Elections
These take place on Thursday 2nd May. We should remind you about two government measures to reduce support for other parties: Firstly, voters will need photo ID to vote in person.
The other change, which has had less publicity, is that you will no longer be able to vote for a second choice for London Mayor or GLA members. Also note that, following the boundary changes to Council wards a couple of years ago, your polling station may be in a different location to the last time you voted.
Arts, Culture, Leisure
Brixton Blog & Bugle Art Show
Entry is now open for the ever-popular Brixton Blog & Bugle Summer Art Show. The show is open to any artist – professional or self-taught – who is at least 16 years old and is based in or around Brixton.
You can submit up to TWO works. They must be no larger than one metre square and capable of being hung safely and securely on a wall. To enter, all you have to do is send up to three digital photos of each work to arts@brixtonblog.com
Please entitle the email ‘Summer Art Show’ and include your name, address, contact number, social media, the title and a brief description of the work including its dimensions. The closing date for entries is Monday 13 May 2024. All selected works will be exhibited in the Summer Art Show in the Brixton Tate Library throughout July 2024. The winner will be decided by a people’s vote.
Supported by the Arts Council of England and local businesses.
Youth Drama Opportunities
You are You is a drama group for the 11-16 age range, held at St. Vincent’s Brixton Community Centre, Talma Road SW2 1AS. Their sessions run from 4-30 to 6 pm on Wednesday evenings. There are a couple more sessions yet before the Easter break, or you could even join at their Easter party on 6th April. Enquiries to Leanne Twidale, by
e-mail to LeanneT@svp.org.uk or text to 07 960 445 930. Travel costs support available for asylum seekers/ refugees.
Longfield Hall is hosting a free drama programme during the Easter school break for ages 6 upwards. The aim is to devise and perform a Play in a Week, for 3 age groups:
Age 6-8, Monday 8 to Friday 12 April, 10 am to 1 pm daily
Age 9-11, also 8-12 April, 2 pm to 5 pm
Age 12+, Tuesday 2nd to Friday 5th April, 2 pm to 5-30 pm
To book a place, call 07 988 629 697 or e-mail youthmanager@longfieldhall.org.uk
Brixton House Theatre Community Consultations
Brixton House are developing their creative engagement programmes for the local community and would like to find out more about Brixton individuals, businesses and community organisations at one of 3 events in March:
Daytime consultation: Tuesday 19th March at 12pm to 2pm
Evening consultation: Thursday 21st March at 6.30 to 8.30pm
Weekend consultation: Saturday 23rd March at 11am to 1pm
RSVP to community@brixtonhouse.co.uk with the date you would like to attend.
Health and Social Care
Local Health Events
Health professionals are concerned at the rising number of measles cases among children and young people, in part due to low take-up of vaccinations. These can be arranged with your GP practice, or there is a community catch-up clinic at the Civic Centre, 6 Brixton Hill SW2, on Saturday 23 March between 10 am and 4 pm.
Black Health Inequalities Summit
A reminder about this event organised by Inspire, to be held on Monday 25 March, bringing together black healthcare professionals and community activists. Enquiries to hello@inspireblackhealth.london or see their website: www.inspireblackhealth,london
Feeding in to Local Health Services
Lambeth Together holds a Public Forum from time to time, and the next one takes place on Thursday 21 March at 1 pm. This provides an opportunity for local communities to meet decision-makers, ask questions and raise issues with the leaders of Lambeth’s health and care services. The open session is followed by the Board meeting between 2 pm and 5 pm, which the public can attend in person or on-line. For more details including board papers and joining instructions, see www.lambethtogether.net/get-involved
Healthwatch Lambeth is the organisation which can support patients and carers who have issues or complaints about local health services. They channel your feedback to NHS leaders and care providers to make changes happen. Enquiries to: info@healthwatchlambeth.org.uk
Thriving Fiveways is a new health and wellbeing initiative encouraging community-based projects on the north-east side of Brixton. Initially they are looking for ideas around the Angell Town and Moorland Estates. Enquiries to Shanelle Webb at thrivingfiveways@gmail.com
Support for Older Residents
Age UK Lambeth has appointed a Wellbeing Champion to signpost older people to suitable resources for their health issues, as well as running events which offer basic healthy checks and advice. Enquiries to 07 873 102 248 or to nicholas@ageuklambeth.org
They are also re-launching their MYSocial service, which offers exercise classes, meet-ups, visits and days out of London. Most events are free, or otherwise at affordable prices. From 1st April, membership is £50 a year (payable in monthly instalments if preferred). Enquiries to 020 3143 5695 or members@mysocial.london or via website https://www.mysocial.london/lambethjoin
Green spaces, Green issues
Events at Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses
Just a taster – there’s more on their website at https://www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk/events
– Plant stall at Herne Hill market, south end of Railton Road SE24, Sunday 17 March.
– Introduction to Green Woodwork – from log to spoon, Friday 22 March, 12-30 to 4-30 pm.
– Plant Art Club, Sunday 31 March, 10-30 am to 1-30 pm.
– Nature Writing Workshop, led by Freya Bromley, Saturday 13 April, 2 pm to 3 pm.
– Willow Weaving Workshop – make your own sustainable plant supports! Sunday 14 April, 10-15 am to 3-30 pm.
On Your Bike
Brixton BID is again sponsoring monthly sessions by Dr Bike mechanics for cycle safety checks and essential maintenance, 12 to 3 pm at various sites:
- Wednesday 27 March, by Brixton House Theatre, Coldharbour Lane.
- Wednesday 24 April, outside F Mondays, Brixton Hill (near corner of Blenheim Gardens).
- Wednesday 29 May, outside British Heart Foundation, Acre Lane (across the road from Tesco).
Funding, Training & Support
Grant deadlines approaching
Once again, a reminder of grant schemes already notified by Integrate – if you missed the original alerts, contact them at: eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk
Sport England Small Grants Fund, up to £15,000, closing date 31 March.
Active Spaces Fund, up to £80,000 to improve sports facilities and inspire activity, closing date 19 April.
Locality has also advised us of these offers (Google the funder for contact details):
People’s Health Trust – Nature for Health: up to £40,000, closes on 20 March.
Peter Harrison Foundation – Opportunities through Sport, up to £50,000, closes 1 April.
Baring Foundation – Arts programme, up to £50,000, closes on 23 April.
Ironmonger’s Company, for charities working with disadvantaged young people, grants up to £10,000, closing date 31 July.
National Lottery Communities Fund – Climate Action Fund, opens for applications 27 March.
Training Opportunities
Social enterprises and small businesses within the Brixton BID area should be able to join their free training courses. Next up are:
- Health & Safety, Wednesday 27 March, 10 am to 4 pm.
- Personal Licenses, Monday 8th April, 10 am to 4 pm.
- First Aid (level 2), Tuesday 23 April, 10 am to 4 pm.
These 3 sessions will all be at International House. Enquiries to admin@brixtonbid.co.uk
Running a Charity?
If your organisation is a registered charity, or aspires to be, support is available for your board members, trustees or management committee members. Getting On Board runs a Trustee Learning Programme, mainly as free on-line sessions. Find out more at https://www.gettingonboard.org
Your Forum Bulletins
We changed our production technique for these bulletins last month, so that we can also share it as a Word file or even paper copies. It worked more smoothly for us – but how was it for you?
Get your name out there! If you are doing something around the Brixton area – an event, a new service, or making changes in what you already do – you are welcome to use these bulletins to tell (550+) other Forum members. We aim to circulate around the 10th of each month, but please allow us a week to put it together, because we work on a very part-time basis. So, send items to the Forum Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com by the 3rd of the month.
Keep in Touch
We want to be inclusive and ensure that these bulletins reach all community organisations, social enterprises and activists in the wider Brixton area. Please contact us at admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org
- If you want to be added to our mailing list, or to add a colleague or neighbour.
- If you want these bulletins sent to a different e-mail address, so that you see them more quickly or reliably.
- To unsubscribe, if you have moved away or are no longer interested.