Diary of Local Events

Council Elections Approaching

We have mentioned before the Lambethref campaign, which is collecting signatures for a petition to make the Council more inclusive.  Although we will elect 63 Councillors on Thursday 5 May, barely a dozen of them will have any power as Cabinet members, largely unchallenged by the rest.  the petition is intended to trigger a referendum on returning to a committee structure which gives all the Councillors a voice – they might even start to speak up for the interests of residents!  See their website, https://lambethref.co.uk

In the run-up to the elections, the campaign has organised an on-line hustings with questions for candidates from community members, on the evening of Saturday 23 April.  To join in, please book via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lambeth-community-hustings-tickets-307494082077

Events at Brixton’s Windmill

The Windmill will be open for tours on the Saturday and Sunday of the long Easter weekend.  Full tours cost £5 and should be booked in advance via www.brixtonwindmill.org

There is also an Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday afternoon (17th), cost £2 per child.  Booking as above. This will be followed by the Brixton Beer and Bread Festival on Bank Holiday Monday, 2nd May, between 1 pm and 5 pm, showcasing local beers and artisan breads (no windmill tours that day).

Events in Windrush Square

At last the bollards installation is complete, and the Covid testing station has been cleared away, leaving the space clear for a few community events:
Saturday 23 April, Community Day of Action, 2 pm to 6 pm, with stalls from various local campaigns.
Sunday 24 April, 12 noon to 4 pm, to mark the first anniversary of the unveiling of the Cherry Groce Memorial.
Sunday 26 June, 10-30 am to 12 noon, a parade and march-past by the West Indian Association of Service Personnel, followed by music and entertainment until 6 pm.

Nature and Art on Railton Road

Art4Space and Father Nature are combining their efforts to run a series of family-friendly community activities centred on the parklet outside the Hamilton Stores at 128 Railton Road.  Funded by a grant from the forthcoming Mighty Hoopla Festival in Brockwell Park, sessions are free and open access – no booking required.  The next sessions are both from 12 noon to 2 pm on these dates:
Saturday 30 April: Toy swap, miniature art gardens and seed harvesting.
Saturday 7 May: Seed swap, mosaic flowers & bugs, plant cultivation and care.

Longfield Hall highlights

This community hall (across the street from the Minet Library) has a busy programme of weekly sessions in various forms of dance, drama, exercise and martial arts, in addition to its Longfield Voices choir.  It also hosts occasional performances, and two evenings of classical song and opera arias are coming up:
Friday 22 April at 7 pm: Valerija Iljin, Sholto Bisco-Taylor and Francesca Lauri.
Friday 6 May at 7 pm: Emma Jungling and friends.
More details of all events on their website at www.longfieldhall.org.uk 

Remakery Indoor Market

Sell your pre-loved items at their Table Top Sale – or buy some replacements.  You can book a table at https://www.remakery.org/indoor-market/ Continues on first and third Sundays of each month, so the next dates are 17 April and 1st May, 12 noon to 3 pm. The Remakery is in Lilford Road, on the corner of Paulet Road.

Health and Social Care 

Covid is still with us.……The Government may think it’s all over, but infection levels remain high, although widespread vaccination seems to have reduced the numbers requiring intensive hospital care.  There is also an overhang of “Long Covid” cases. With reduced access to testing now, the prudent course is to isolate if you appear to have any of the recognised symptoms:

– a fever or high temperature

– a new and persistent cough

– a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell

– shortness of breath

– feeling tired or exhausted

– an aching body

– a sore throat

– a blocked or runny nose

– loss of appetite

– diarrhoea

– vomiting or feeling sick.

If you have missed out on a first, second or booster vaccination, find vaccination clinic facilities near you via www.selondonccg.nhs.uk/popupclinics

Further booster vaccinations  (ideally every 6 months) are recommended for:

– People aged over 75;

– Residents in care homes for older adults;

– anyone over 12 whose immune system is compromised or suppressed. 

Coping with the wait for NHS Treatment

To help ease the strain and reduce the worry, a series of on-line workshop sessions are being offered to anyone in the South-East London CG, which includes Lambeth:

Cardiology, Wednesday 20 April, 1 pm to 3 pm

Cancer, Thursday 21 April, 1 pm to 3 pm

Ophthalmology, Wednesday 27 April, 1 pm to 3 pm

Orthopaedics, Thursday 28 April, 1 pm to 3 pm

Children and young people generally, Wednesday 4 May, 1 pm to 3 pm

All enquiries to healthlab@lsbu.ac.uk

Mental Health First Aid Course 

Art4Space will be hosting further 2-day courses at their base at 31 Jeffreys Road, SW4 6QU. The next course for those working with adults will be on 28 & 29 April.  The next course for those working with young people will be on 30 June & 1 July.  The courses are delivered by It’s a Playground, supported by Studio Moross.  To register, e-mail to info@itsaplayground.org 

Funding, Training and Support

Grant deadlines approaching

A reminder, in case you missed previous notices issued by Integrate – contact eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk

Black Founders Fund, part of the Google for Start-ups Fund, deadline Sunday 17 April.

Amplify London, to support music education and career pathways for young people, deadline 5 pm Friday 22 April.

LEAP Co-Create Fund, to support work with Early Years children, deadline 12 noon on Monday 30 May.

Safeguarding Workshop
If you are providing any activities or services for children or young people, are your procedures and practice up to date and effective in safeguarding your users?  Integrate are running a free on-line course on Wednesday 20 April from 10 am.  Enquiries to eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk

Other Training and Courses

Iconic Steps, based in International House, have alerted us to several upcoming courses.  For more details of each, please contact Kate at 07 923 206 770 or via kate@iconicsteps.co.uk
Music Video Production – April 25-29 or May 16-20

Documentary Film-making – May 9-13

Event Management & Digital Marketing – June 6 – 24

Commercial Production – June 20-24. 

Coming Soon: Millennium Community Solutions will shortly be re-opening the Southwyck House Community Hall as a Coding and Arts Centre.  More details expected shortly, but in the meantime, enquiries to gail@millenniumcommunitysolutions.com

Support for Social Enterprises 

Cambridge Social Ventures are offering a half-day on-line workshop to help you get your social enterprise underway, on Tuesday 14 June from 9-30 am to 1 pm.  Details recently circulated by Integrate – contact as above.  Session cost £50 per person, no VAT.

Impact Brixton Thrive Programme: As reported last time, upcoming master-classes/ workshops continue on selected Thursdays at 6-30 pm. Upcoming subjects include Future-proofing Finances on 28 April, Boost your Branding on 12 May and Building Diverse and Inclusive Businesses on 26 May.  Enquiries to team@impactbrixton.com

Women in Business: The WinTrade Network has an active programme of on-line events and live meet-ups for women in business.  To see what’s coming up soon, see https://bit.ly/wintrade-zoom-events-landing-page

Digital Growth Funding: Marketing could be vital, so maybe you should check out the Digital Growth Programme offered by Manchester-based CProgress.   Applications for grant assistance are open until 31 May – enquiries to vicky@digitalmarketinggrant.co.uk or see www.cprogress.co.uk

Green spaces, Green issues 

Reclaiming Windrush Square

Since January, Ros Griffiths has convened a series of on-line meetings to bring together the various stakeholders around the Square.  The past year has been depressing, with disruption during the installation of giant bollards, and two competing Remembrance Sunday events.  A consensus is beginning to emerge around enabling more community events, improving the care of the Square, and even re-opening the disused underground toilets.  We are moving towards re-launching the Friends of Windrush Square as an independent body able to champion the improvement of the Square.  Enquiries meanwhile to rozgriffiths@googlemail.com

News from Brockwell Park

Brockwell Park Community Partners brings together all the local groups with an interest in Brockwell Park.  It held its Annual General Meeting on-line on Sunday 10 April, and current topics of concern include lighting within the park for evening uses, the pressure for more commercial events, and finding ways to encourage biodiversity. 

The renovation of Brockwell Hall is moving forward slowly, the first challenge being to relocate the parks depot from the Hall yard to alongside Norwood Road, so that the main works can start in the Autumn of this year.

Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses are hosting a Fermentation Workshop on Saturday 23 April between 2 pm and 4-30 pm.If you are interested in making your own kimchi and komboucha, book via: https://www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk/event/fermentation-workshop-5/

Refreshing Rush Common

On Saturday 2nd April, Lambeth’s Mayor, Cllr. Annie Gallup, officially re-opened the refurbished children’s playground within the northern section of the Common, between Brixton Water Lane and the Brixton Orchard.  Several local organisations took the opportunity to run stalls during the afternoon, co-ordinated by St. Matthew’s Estate TRA. Meanwhile, in response to heightened awareness of women’s safety issues, the Council is preparing to upgrade lighting within various sections of the Common, a combination of better lamps on existing columns, and some extra lighting columns.

Wyck Gardens – Platform CafeThe cafe has been operating in a former public toilet block at the corner of Loughborough Road and Rathgar Road, but will close for refurbishment after lunch on Friday 22 April.  This is to install a new kitchen and sliding doors, plumb-in a coffee machine and provide a take-away kiosk.  Re-opening is expected during June.

Gaps show in Lambeth’s Climate Action Plan

Lambeth Council has published a wide-ranging Climate Action Plan, but rather like the Government’s recent energy plans, there are gaps and contradictions which still need to be thrashed out.  If you or your group are doing anything to make Brixton greener – in any sense of the word – we would love to highlight your efforts in our bulletins. 

Other News

Growing Brixton Rec Quarter

A quick update on what’s meant to be happening around the Recreation Centre…
Work is underway in Brixton Station Road to update the electricity supply for stallholders, replacing special bollards installed in the 1990s. Further improvements are promised for the Autumn, together with a start on new shopfronts below the Rec and fitting out new workspace behind them, opening off Beehive Place. Lambeth Council will take over direct management of the Rec from Better/ Greenwich Leisure with effect from next April.  BRUG, representing users, has already held a meeting to call for changes, including a wider range of activities and better upkeep. London Square has been selected as the Council’s developer for the Pop Brixton site, and they are due to start their own consultations in May.  

They intend to retain and refurbish International House, which would allow some continuity and earlier employment/ training benefits.Both 3Space and Pop Brixton uses are due to continue into 2024.

We are still waiting for the Mayor’s decision on the Hondo Towers proposal for the Sports Direct site in Popes Road.  The controversy centres on the 19-storey office tower which would dominate its surroundings.  The Mayor is likely to visit the site soon after Easter, but we suspect the decision will be delayed until after the Council elections, in order not to draw more attention to the Council’s failings.

Wayfinding in BrixtonThe Brixton BID (Business Improvement District) has been running a competition to select a design and designer for better signposting within and around the Town Centre.  The closing date for entries is 12 noon on Wednesday 20 April.  The winner of the £20,000 commission will be selected during May, with the new signs intended to be installed in the Autumn.  Enquiries to reece.simwogerere@brixtonbid.co.uk

Review of place-names linked to Slavery

As a diverse borough, Lambeth Council is keen to review troubling links with slavery and the colonial past through old place names and monuments. Research by Lambeth’s Archivists has revealed a small number of questionable place names, and the recent change of Council ward boundaries has provided an opportunity to replace Vassall and Tulse Hill wards.  Changing road names however is rather more cumbersome and expensive, so the Council is still consulting on this issue – comments can be made on their Commonplace website until 31 May – go to https://lambethunited.commonplace.is/

Brixton Bugle Art Show is back!

It’s been good to see the re-appearance of the Brixton Bugle as a paper edition this month.  They are also bringing back their popular Art Show, open to both professional and amateur artists based in Brixton.  The closing date is 20 May for potential inclusion in this summer’s show, at the Brixton Tate Library from 4 to 26 July.  Send up to 3 digital photos of the work to arts@brixtonblog.com together with your name, address, e-mail, contact phone number and social media, together with a title and brief description of the work. You can submit up to two pictures, but they must each be no larger than 1 metre square.

And finally, a few words from the Forum Team

Last Call for Ideas for the Year Ahead

We are about to bid for continued Council funding for the year ahead, so if you think there is something else that the Forum should be doing, or a gap in what other people are providing, you need to tell us NOW.  The Forum’s officers are meeting next week, and will confirm arrangements for the Forum’s Annual General Meeting soon after.

Make the most of these bulletins!Please make use of these bulletins to announce your events, share your concerns, and report what your group or enterprise is doing.  We don’t have time to chase if you send us incomplete or contradictory information, so clear and succinct e-mails are very helpful.  Please send in before the 5th of each month, for publication by the middle of the month, to the Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com

Are you all receiving us?

We want to reach as many local organisations and activists as possible, so please contact us at admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org

– if you want to add a colleague or neighbour to our mailing list.

– if you want bulletins sent to a different e-mail address, so you receive them more reliably or quickly.

Events coming up

Brixton Rec Public Meeting

A public meeting organised by BRUG at 6 pm on Tuesday 15 March in the Brixton Rec, Level 6 meeting room.  Lambeth Council is bringing management of the Recreation Centre back in-house from April next year.  Find out what Lambeth Councillors and officers have in mind, and tell them what you would like to see!  Enquiries to brixtonbrug@gmail.com

People and Planet Before Profit

Rally on Windrush Square Thursday 17 March from 5-30 pm.  Despite declaring a Climate Emergency, Lambeth Council continues to champion unsustainable high-density high-rise development and demolishing Council estates to make way for more private housing.  Organised by Extinction Rebellion Lambeth with other groups including Cressingham Gardens TRA, Save Central Hill Estate and Refurbish Don’t Demolish.  More details at https://linktr.ee/xrlambeth or support the petition at https://www.change.org/p/refurbish-don-t-demolish-social-housing/u/30293471   

Health Advice for Young People

A drop-in clinic for young people on Monday 14 March, between 4 pm and 6-30 at the Education Centre alongside Brixton Windmill, in Windmill Gardens SW2.  A chance to talk about emotions or mental health, the struggle to stay physically healthy, or obtain contraception advice. Supported by Herne Hill Group Practice and NHS Well Centre.

Brixton Hill Low Traffic Neighbourhood

If you missed the round of consultation that closed on 4 February, you now have another chance.  Lambeth Street Design officers have a Walk and Talk event between 12 noon and 2 pm on Friday 18 March.  To join in, contact Nicola Doal on (020) 7926 2975 or ndoal@lambeth.gov.uk  They are also willing to set up on-line meetings or walkabouts for local groups. Streets between Acre Lane and Windmill Gardens have long-standing restrictions which seem to work well, but the ambition seems to be to add more measures further south, between Kings Avenue and New Park Road

Council Consultations Closing Soon

Also see the Consultations pages on the Lambeth Council website for links.

Affordable Workspace

supplementary planning document – the revised draft is only open for comments until Sunday 13 March – respond to localplan@lambeth.gov.uk

Ferndale Low Traffic Neighbourhood 

is open for comments only until Sunday 20 March.  Use the Commonplace website at https://fdstreets.commonplace.is/ or e-mail to lowtrafficneighbourhoods@lambeth.gov.uk

Clean Air in Lambeth

Comment on Lambeth’s Air Quality Action Plan, deadline Sunday 27 March. See https://cleanairlambeth.commonplace.is/

Pharmacies in Lambeth

Lambeth is undertaking a needs assessment to identify gaps in provision – residents are invited to complete a short online survey, closing date Friday 1 April. 

Child Friendly Lambeth

Windrush Square, Saturday 19 MarchLambeth Council has organised a launch event for its Child Friendly Lambeth Campaign on Saturday 19 March from 12 noon to 5 pm. Various organisations working with children or young people will have presence, together with relevant Council departments and several performances or demonstrations.  Lambeth aims to become a child-friendly accredited community through UNICEF over the next 3 to 5 years.  More information on the Council website at www.lambeth.gov.uk/childfriendly or e-mail enquiries to childfriendly@lambeth.gov.uk

Windmill Tours

Now open for booking Tours of the Windmill open for bookings 30 days before each open weekend.  The next few openings will be on these weekends

-12 & 13 March

– 9 & 10 April

– 16 & 17 April (plus Easter Family Day on Sunday 17th)

– 7 & 8 May

Free Tai Chi Sessions by Brixton Windmill. Thanks to a grant from IKEA Places Called Home fund, four free sessions are being offered to local residents on Wednesdays between 11 am and 12 noon, from Wednesday 16 March.  These are taster sessions organised by the Friends of Windmill Gardens, using a qualified Tai Chi teacher supported by volunteers.  Following each class, there will be half an hour to meet other participants and get help in finding other support services to suit. At the end of the series, you can progress to the current series of paid sessions (£3 per class) if interested. There will be a further block of free sessions from late April if you cannot make the first dates.  All booking enquiries to jean@brixtonwindmill.org

More details on the website at www.brixtonwindmill.org

Indoor Market at The Remakery

The Remakery have launched an Indoor Market Table Top Sale as a regular fixture on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. – that means the next sessions are on 20 March & 3 April.  Sell your pre-loved items or just come and have a look at what Remakery members have been making.  To book your table, go to https://www.remakery.org/indoor-market/  Remember, the Remakery is at the corner of Lilford Road and Paulet Road, SE5.

Brixton Performs Festival

22-26 March Brixton BID is supporting a number of performance events around Brixton during this week.  So far, we have heard that the Brixton Chamber Orchestra will be performing alongside Brixton Windmill on Saturday 26 March, between 1 pm and 2 pm – free of charge.

Free Tickets for Summer Events in Brockwell Park

There are limited numbers of free tickets available to local residents, to be allocated by ballot.  The deadline for applications is 6 pm on Sunday 27 March.  The links to the various events are as follows:

Wide Awake Friday 27 & Saturday 28 May (ages 17+) https://wideawakelondon.co.uk/community/

City Splash Sunday 29 May (all ages) https://www.city-splash.com/ community

Jubilation Thursday 2nd June (all ages) https://jubilationfestival.com/community/

Mighty Hoopla Friday 3rd & Saturday 4th June (LGBTQ-friendly events, age 18+) https://mightyhoopla.com/ local-residents/

Cross the Tracks Sunday 5th June (all ages) https://www.xthetracks.com/ community

general information supplied via Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses.

On Rush Common

Saturday 2 April Around the official opening of the refurbished playground on Rush Common, St. Matthew’s Estate TRA have organised a little event on the common between the Brixton Orchard and Brixton Water Lane.  Lambeth Parks, Brixton Windmill, Father Nature and Doctor Bike will each have a presence, in addition to a Tree Trail, planting workshop, play trail and dominoes workshop.  Enquiries to ms.maureen.simpson@gmail.com

Railway Track Maintenance

Network Rail is carrying out repairs to the tracks between Brixton and Herne Hill Stations, to grind down the rail surface for smoother running.  The next session will be overnight between midnight Thursday 24 March and 5 am on Friday 25 March.  Enquiries to the 24-hour helpline on 0345 711 4141. 

Easter Breeze 2022

4-14 April CEF Lyncx are holding another activities camp in Windmill Gardens, over 9 days to coincide with the Easter school holidays, for ages 7 to 16.  To register your kids, go to http://cefi.org.uk/our-sharp-offer or enquiries to Christian on 07 706 179 851 or e-mail to community7@cefi.org.uk

New Courses at Art4Space

Creative Community Champions is a free course aimed at Lambeth residents who are out of work, or on low incomes. Over 10 weeks, participants will create a collective textile project as well as learning about community art.  Fridays 10 am to 12 noon, from 6 May to finish on 15 July (no session on 3 June), at Art4Space Creative Learning Hub, 31 Jeffreys Road SW4 6QU.  Limited spaces, enquiries to jewels@art4space.co.uk 

Creative Remedies is another free course for Lambeth residents out of work or on low incomes, this time with a LGBTQ+ focus.  Again over 10 weeks, participants will undertake personal projects in mixed media, including mosaic, ceramics and textiles.  Wednesdays 10 am to 12-30 pm, starting on 4 May to finish on 13 July (no session on 1st June).  Location and contact as above.

 Art4Space are also seeking a Business Development Manager – closing date for applications is Friday 18 March, enquiries to jewels@art4space.co.uk

Impact Brixton Thrive Programme

Following the launch on 10 March, the series continues with monthly master-classes, mentoring opportunities and complimentary membership of Impact Brixton for 6 months.  Upcoming master-classes/ workshops are normally on Thursdays at 6-30 pm and  include Futureproofing Finances on 28 April and Building Diverse and Inclusive Businesses on 26 May.  Enquiries to team@impactbrixton.com

Health & Social Care News 

Mental Capacity – Planning for the Future

The Lambeth Safeguarding Adults Board have arranged a session for carers, volunteers and community organisations to explain how to support individuals who become unable to make decisions for themselves due to failing mental capacity.  The session takes place online on Wednesday 16 March at 10 am.  Booking enquiries to eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk

Lambeth Healthwatch

Lambeth Healthwatch will be holding its Annual General Meeting on-line on Wednesday 16 March at 6 pm.  Healthwatch exists to support patients in their dealings with the various health organisations, hospitals and doctors’ surgeries.  This is an opportunity to catch up with their work locally and see who is involved as staff and volunteers.  Enquiries to lambeth@healthwatchcrm.co.uk

Lambeth Together – Public Forum and Partnership Board – 23 March

Lambeth-based groups and residents are welcome to attend the Public Forum to ask the Board about how health and care are planned, and share ideas about improving health and reducing inequalities in provision.  You can also stay to watch the Board meeting afterwards.  More information on the Lambeth Together website, at https://lambethtogether,net/about-us/get-involved

Managing Health Online – 31 March

Clear Community Web are running free sessions to help people use apps and other on-line techniques to connect to their GP and other health services, and find reputable health advice online.  The next session is on Thursday 31 March ffrom 2 pm to 4 pm at Myatt’s Fields Centre, Eythorne Road, SW9 7RH.  To book or get more details, please phone 07 523 646 277 or e-mail to info@clearcommunityweb.co.uk

Support for people with dementia and their carers

Age UK Lambeth recently shared with us details of these sessions run by Age Exchange with support from Lambeth CCG.
Mondays 1-30 to 3 pm at Stockwell Park Community Centre, 21 Aytoun Place SW9 0TE.  Activities include art, music and reminiscence. Cost £6 per session (no charge for carers).  To join, contact Lydia on (020) 8318 9105 or hello@age-exchange.org.uk
Thursdays 1-30 to 3 pm at Lavender Hope CIC, Deronda Hall, Deronda Estate, 6 Jarrett Close, Tulse Hill SW2 3DG.  Activities, cost and contact details as above.

Funding, Training & Support 

Grant Deadlines Approaching

A reminder, based on information previously issued by Integrate – if you missed the original notices, contact eoim.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk
The Rose Foundation – grants between £5,000 and £10,000 towards building works, for repairs or improvements, but excluding site purchase, professional fees or equipment.  Deadline 31 March.

The Prince of Wales’ Charitable Fund offers grants of up to £5,000 through its Small Grants Programme.  Applications may be made at any time but funds are allocated quarterly and the next meeting of their committee is in May, so don’t hang about!

Build a World of Play Challenge from the Lego Foundation will support up to 10 major projects around the country with sums from £730,000 to £22 million, to support early childhood development (age up to 6 years old).  Deadline Tuesday 7 April, with finalists to be announced in September.

Support Networks

In recent bulletins, we have flagged up the Directory of Social Change, Locality and the Charity Excellence Framework, in addition to Integrate.  If you are a social enterprise rather than a charity, the Brixton BID should be able to offer support through its training courses and bulk-purchase schemes. As we reported last month, sadly the Small Charities Coalition is no more, but here are a couple of others:

Neighbourly is a free-to-use platform currently used by nearly 20,000 good causes around the British Isles.  Through its partnerships with major retailers and manufacturers, you can tap into their giving programmes throughout the year.  This includes not only help in kind such as surplus food products, but also staff volunteering programmes and grants.  More details can be seen at https://hub.neighbourly.com 

The Charity Learning Consortium is worth considering if you have ongoing needs for staff training or if skills training is part of what you do.  They offer access to a huge library of e-learning courses and lectures, as well as to a community of learning professionals if you want to run something in-house. Enquiries to marketing@comms.charitylearning.org or see their website, www.charitylearning.org

Filling the Gaps

The Forum officers will shortly need to draft a budget for the new financial year from 1st April.  If you think there is something that we should be doing to support your efforts, we need to hear from you very soon.  Is there any training which is hard to find – or hard to pay for? Are there other things which the Forum should be doing?  Please feed back to the Secretary, Alan Piper, at apiperbrix@aol.com

History Corner 

Calling old residents of North Brixton. Did you live in or near Hackford Road or the Cowley Estate at any time between 1963 and 1980?  From April, Roma Tearne will be Writer-in-residence at the Van Gogh House, 87 Hackford Road SW9 0RE.  She recalls arriving in the area as a child refugee in 1963, and passing the house daily on her way to school.  She now wants to draw on the memories of other people who once lived nearby, as well as her own.  If you are interested in sharing your memories, please contact Mimi Lanfranchi at the Van Gogh House, at mimi@vangoghhouse.co.uk

Centenary of Stockwell War Memorial

The War Memorial Clock Tower outside Stockwell Tube Station was unveiled in 1922, and to mark the 100th anniversary, the Friends of Stockwell War Memorial are holding an exhibition at St. Michael’s Church in Stockwell Park Road, SW9 0DA.  This will run from Saturday 30 April to Saturday 7 May (closed Sunday), hours vary, 11 am to 4 pm Saturdays, weekdays 5 pm to 7 pm (except Tuesday 2 pm to 4 pm only).  Enquiries to naomi@stockwellwarmemorial.org

The Story of Brixton Windmill, 1816-2022

As part of the History Unlocked series of on-line talks arranged by Lambeth Archives, Jean Kerrigan will describe the history of Brixton’s windmill as a family business, and then the long campaign to restore and retain the mill as a community asset.  Thursday 17 March at 7 pm – to register and get the log-in details, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/272616291667

Guided Walks

From early April, a number of guided walks are being provided by local organisations under the umbrella of the Lambeth Local History Forum.  Printed versions of the programme should be available in Lambeth libraries by then, or you can refer to the website,  www.lambethlocalhistoryforum.org.uk

One legacy of Covid is that all walks need to be booked in advance, but some of them are still free.

Keep in Touch 

Share your news – and views!

Please make use of these bulletins to share your concerns, to announce events and services, or just report what your group or enterprise is doing.We aim to publish monthly, around the 10th of the month, so we really need to hear from you before 5th April for the next issue.  Continue to send your news to apiperbrix@aol.com

Is our mailing list up-to-date?

E-mail to admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org

If you want to add a colleague or neighbour to our mailing list.

If you want bulletins sent to a different e-mail address, so you get them more quickly or reliably.

Quick Reminders

February Half-Term Boot Camp
CEF Lyncx is running another activity camp for young people at Windmill Gardens from Monday 14 to Friday 18 February,  10 am to 3 pm each day.  Age range 7 to 16, contact community7@CEFI.org.uk in case there are still places, or see the website, www.cefi.org.uk

Power to Change – film at Marcus Lipton Centre
The first public screening of this film by Celebrate Life will be on Friday 18 February at the Marcus Lipton Centre in Minet Road SW9.  Real stories of Londoners, from loss and violence to resilience and hope.  Free entry for residents of Coldharbour and Vassall Wards, open from 6-30 to 10 pm, evening also includes a DJ, Youth Talent and Caribbean Food.  Enquiries to surjit@mlcommunity.co.uk or walleemcd@yahoo.co.uk

Homes for Lambeth isn’t Working
That’s the theme of a rally this Saturday, 12 February, 2 pm to 4 pm outside Lambeth Civic Centre, Brixton Hill.  Spurred by Lambeth’s ongoing plans to demolish several of its estates at great cost for a minimal increase in Council-rent homes after 20 years, several groups including XR, Acorn, Radical Housing Network, Refurbish Don’t Demolish and Save Central Hill Estate are coming together to resist Profit over People.  Rather than demolish social housing to create 3000 investment properties, they say that retrofit and sensitive infill is better for both the environment and communities.
Enquiries to diskid.22@ntlworld.com

Brixton House Theatre is coming alive
Shows are getting underway at Brixton’s new performance space.  Mugabe, My Dad and Me will run at the new theatre on Coldharbour Lane from 24 February to 5 March, and again from 29 March to 1st April.  It charts the rise and fall of one of the most controversial politicians of the 20th century, through the personal story of Tonderai Munyevu’s family and his relationship with his father.  Duration 85 minutes, shows generally at 7-30 pm, plus selected matinees at 1-30 pm.  More details at https://brixtontheatre.co.uk/whats-on/ or enquiries to beatrice@mobiusindustries.com   

Community Health and Wellbeing Days
Late news from SE London Clinical Commissioning Group about walk-in events at 4 Lambeth sites, around the February half-term holidays.
Various health checks and advice will be available, and Covid vaccinations will be available for those over 12 years of age.  Enquiries to sam.alexander@nhs.net

Hillmead School, Moorland Road, SW9 – Saturday 12 or Sunday 13 February, open 10 am to 3 pm each day.
St. Stephen’s Primary School, Dorset Road, SW8 – Monday 14 or Tuesday 15 February, 10 am to 3pm;
Glenbrook Primary/ Harris Academy, Clarence Crescent, SW4 – Wednesday 16 or Thursday 17 February, 10 am to 3 pm;
Fenstanton Primary School, Abbots Park, SW2 – Friday 18 or Saturday 19 February, 10 am to 3 pm.

Youth Mental Health First Aid
Issues such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders are common and often start at a young age.  Once again Art4Space are hosting a course at their Stockwell Studios, working with IT’s aPlayground and Studio Moross.  The course is designed to teach people how to spot signs of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis, to young people aged 8 to 18.  This will be a two-day course on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 February, but there is a discounted fee if you book by Monday 14 February – enquiries to jewels@art4space.co.uk or see the website, www.art4space.co.uk

More events and deadlines coming up soon

Ferndale Low Traffic Neighbourhood – Consultation starts 
Finally the scheme is open for comments – officially from Monday 14 February, and closing on Sunday 20 March.  Once again, this will be via a Commonplace website, so you should be able to see other people’s inputs.  See https://fdstreets.commonplace.is/

If you are disabled, or supporting a disabled person, Transport for All is offering 30-minute consultation slots between 10 am and 4 pm on Tuesday 15 February to discuss how this LTN affects you.  To sign up, contact Caroline at caroline@transportforall.org.uk or phone (020) 8124 8155 – and please confirm where you would like to meet up in the LTN area.

Lambeth Site Allocations Document
We flagged this up last month but briefly, Lambeth Planners have identified 3 sites around Brixton for high-density development, together with 2 further sites at Loughborough Junction.  If you have specific concerns, our colleagues at the Brixton Society would love to hear from you – e-mail to planning@brixtonsociety.org.uk  
Among other things, the proposals would impact on two place of worship, numerous voluntary organisations at 336 Brixton Road, and Mosaic Clubhouse on Effra Road.  Curiously, the document is silent about the future of Brixton Waterworks.

We must remind you that the deadline for comments is midnight on 21 February – you can use the Commonplace website https://lambethsadpdsite21.commonplace.is/ or e-mail representations direct to sadpd@lambeth.gov.uk 

Air Quality Consultations
Two consultations are currently underway – one by Lambeth and another by the Greater London Authority – but both are considering measures to reduce air pollution.  Is it all about diesel vehicles or are there other sources that need to be considered?
The GLA consultation closes first, on 27 February and the link to proposed Planning Guidance is at https://consult.london.gov.uk/air-quality-neutral

Lambeth Council is drafting an Air Quality Action Plan, based on a vision adopted last November.  Closing date for comments is Thursday 31 March.
Lambeth have promised a further round of consultation on the draft plan in July/ August.  Refer to the Consultations page on the Council’s website, or use the Commonplace site, https://cleanairlambeth.commonplace.is/

Lambeth Country Show
The Show returns to Brockwell Park over the weekend 16/17 July, but if you want to run a stall or put on a performance, you need to start the booking process now.  Enquiries to countryshow@email.lambeth.gov.uk or see the website https://lambethcountryshow.co.uk 

Are you working with under 5s?
Lambeth Early Action Partnershipare publicising an on-line conference to be held on Tuesday 22 March, 9-30 am to 1-30 pm, organised by the National Children’s Bureau.  The theme is Reducing Inequalities in Early Childhood – for more details and to register see www.ABS_Annual_Conference/register

Funding, Training and Support

Grant Deadlines
These grants were previously flagged up by Integrate – if you missed the original notices, contact eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk

Your Best Friend grants are available to support activities with girls and young women aged 13-24, but the deadline for applications is Friday 18 February.

Ragdoll Foundation offers funding for projects that use the Arts and Media to address the concerns of Children, up to £50,000 for up to 3 years.
Deadline for applications is Monday 28 February.

Impact Hub
IB Thrive is a free programme of masterclasses and mentoring to help Lambeth business owners recover and then thrive. Monthly sessions will kick off with a launch event on Thursday 10 March at 6-30 pm at Impact Brixton, above Market Row in Electric Lane SW9.  Following events will also be Thursdays at 6-30 pm.  Enquiries to team@impactbrixton.com

Support Networks
The Charity Excellence Frameworkoffers a number of support services including a free funding finder service, resource hub, advice on governance and a regular newsletter.  See their website at https://www.charityexcellence.co.uk or enquiries to cynthia_roomes@yahoo.co.uk

Due to our limited Forum budget, we had to scale back our membership of Locality but we are continuing to receive their monthly bulletins.

Back in December, the trustees of the Small Charities Coalition decided to close the organisation due to a shortfall in funding.  In the last months of the financial year, they are winding down and supporting existing members in their transition to other sources of support.  A final evaluation report is expected to appear in March.  
 
Business Support through Lambeth Libraries
If you have a business – or are looking to start one – Lambeth Libraries can still provide support: contact Rachel Samuels at 07 944 733 172 or rsamuels1@lambeth.gov.uk

Over to you!

Share your news
We are keen to include news and requests from our member groups in these bulletins.  We aim to publish around the 10th of each month, so ideally tell us about coming events in the later half of the month, or early next month.  If there are other issues or sources of help that you would like to see in future issues, do tell us.  Please send any news for next month’s bulletin to arrive by 5th March, to the Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com

Time to get out more?
Over the past year we have focussed our efforts on putting out these bulletins at least monthly.  With Spring approaching and social distancing being relaxed, we should be thinking about live meetings and events again.  The Forum officers will shortly need to draw up a budget for the financial year starting 1st April, so if you think there is something else that the Forum should be doing, we need to hear from you very soon.

Is our mailing list correct?
We want to reach all groups and interests, so please notify us at admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org
– If you want to add a colleague or neighbour to our e-mailing list;
– If you are changing your e-mail or other contact details;
– If you have moved away or are no longer interested.

Current Issues

Hondo Towers – decision paused again
The Mayor has had to defer his decision on the 20-storey development in Popes Road, because some objections may have gone astray during the move of the Greater London Authority from City Hall to The Crystal in East London.  The deadline for objections has therefore been extended to 4th February – send to popesroad@london.gov.uk 
To see recent documents, go to: www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/planning-applications-and-decisions/public-hearings/popes-road-public-hearing and use GLA ref. 2021/0265.  Documents should also be on Lambeth’s planning applications database.
Hondo made a “smoke and mirrors” enhancement to their promise of training and employment benefits, but have also updated their energy reports in an attempt to “greenwash” this old-style office tower.  

More big developments in the pipeline
If that was not enough to contend with,  Lambeth Planners are currently consulting on Site Allocations to be added to the Lambeth Local Plan.  They are not briefing a select few local stakeholders until 3rd February, so we don’t know the full story yet, though it sounds bad.  Three new Brixton sites are proposed for large-scale development:
– Tesco site on Acre Lane, to allow flats to be built over the car park.
– 51-65 Effra Road, that is from Halfords to the Mosaic Clubhouse, including the sheltered housing at Fitch Court.
– 330-336 Brixton Road, which would impact on several VCS groups using 336 Brixton Road.

Two sites at Loughborough Junction are also included, and the planning framework for Somerleyton Road and Brixton Central is intended to continue unchanged.  Deadline for objections is 21 February – more details via the Consultation pages on the Council website, www.lambeth.gov.uk

That reminds us that Lambeth’s Cabinet is about to select a developer for the Pop Brixton and International House sites.  The choice seems to be between a straightforward rebuild package from London Square, and a bid from Hollybrook and Ministry of Sound which is more amenable to retaining International House as a hub for local employment.  The chosen developers are due to launch their own round of local consultations in May.

Windrush Square
Questions were raised when two separate commemoration events were held on Windrush Square on Sunday 14 November.  In recent years, the Nubian Jak Foundation have co-ordinated an event at the Afro-Caribbean War Memorial on the Square, but for 2021 Lambeth Council decided at short notice to have their own event in the morning.  Even Councillor Anyanwu, who was due to preside, got confused about the timing and it fell to Councillor Sonia Winifred to open proceedings.
Roz Griffiths recently convened an on-line meeting of stakeholders.  A number of concerns were raised, not only programming of events, but also inadequate maintenance, creeping changes and the ongoing issue of the closed toilets.  Contacts are continuing, and may bring an opportunity to re-launch the Friends of Windrush Square.

Summer Events in Brockwell Park
Major commercial events in the park are often controversial, partly from the disruption during the events themselves, but also because a large chunk of the park is out of public use during the setting-up and then the taking-down afterwards.
This year it will occupy up to 23% of the park for several weeks.  The events themselves will link two weekends, starting on Friday 27 May and including Wide Awake, City Splash, Mad-stock, Mighty Hoopla and finally Cross the Tracks on Sunday 5th June.

Lambeth has announced the return of the Lambeth Country Show for the 16/17 July weekend, and bookings are already open for traders and charity pitches.  Enquiries to: countryshow@lambeth.gov.uk 

Lambeth Council – Elections coming
The next election for Lambeth Councillors takes place on Thursday 5 May.  It will be based on the new Ward boundaries, and some of these wards will only have 2 Councillors, rather than three.  If you want us to host a local hustings meeting for candidates in April, you need to tell us now, so that we can get funding for it.
We have mentioned before that, although we will elect 63 Councillors, scarcely a dozen of them will control how the Council is run, as Cabinet members.  There is currently a petition to return to a more inclusive way of running the Council which gives them all a voice – for full background see: https://lambethref.co.uk or to sign the petition, go to: https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/make-lambeth-council-work-for-all-voters.html

To staff polling stations on the day, and to count the votes after the polls close, the Council is recruiting temporary workers – e-mail to electionstaff@lambeth.gov.uk for a recruitment form.

Coming Events

Pantry opens at Myatts Fields North Community Centre
The Healthy Living Platform is opening the Pantry on Tuesday 1st February.  It will provide a mix of fresh fruit and vegetables and donated food items for £5 per basket.  It will operate on Tuesdays between 11 am and 2 pm at the Myatt’s Fields North Community Centre, 24 Crawshay Road, SW9 6FZ.  Enquiries to Helen at 07 701 365 551 or we can e-mail you their poster with more details.

Overnight Rail Works
Warning of noisy operations on the lines between Brixton and Herne Hill Stations, overnight between midnight and 4-50 am on Tuesday 1st February.  This involves grinding down the rails to an even surface to ensure a smoother ride with less noise in normal use.  Enquiries to the 24 hour National Helpline on 0345 711 4141 or see www.networkrail.co.uk

Longfield Hall Events
Regular classes are back, with something happening every day except Sundays, including Tai Chi, Yoga, Capoeira, various dance and drama classes, and the Longfield Voices choir. For further details of the programme of activities, see their website www.longfieldhall.org.uk
Several of these groups are taking part in the next Longfield Hall Celebration, a Cabaret evening at 7 pm on Friday 11 March, tickets from £8.

Black Culture Market, 5 & 6 March
This indoor market will return to the basement of the Department Store, 248 Ferndale Road SW9, on both Saturday and Sunday, open 11 am to 5 pm each day.
We are flagging this up now, in case anyone wants to run a stall themselves – in which case, find more details at https://www.blackculturemarket.co.uk
This is a free event for customers, but to manage numbers, please book in advance via the website or Eventbrite.

Funding, Training and support

Funding deadlines approaching!
The Integrate Agency has already circulated details of these funding schemes, which close for applications soon.  If you missed the links, please contact Eoin Heffernan at eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk

Community Empowerment Grant Programme (Rosa’s Rise Fund) – closing date Monday 31 January at 5 pm.
Lambeth Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF) – closing date Friday 4 February at 5 pm.
Your Best Friend (peer support for young women and girls, age 13-24) – closing date Friday 18 February.
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Activity Fund (Sport England) – closing date to be confirmed.

Grants from Paul Mellon Foundation
We have mentioned before that they offer several funds and awards to support study of art, architecture and related history – for an overview, see their website: https://paul-mellon-centre.ac.uk/grants-and-fellowships or to apply, use the on-line portal at grants.paul-mellon-centre.ac.uk
The deadline for most of their Spring grants is 31 January (27th for Art in Motion) but their New Narratives scheme does not close until 28 February.
Their Write on Art competition for students aged 15-18 was launched on 10 January and closes on 30 June. 

Support with Fund-raising
The Directory of Social Change publish several directories of funding sources, as well as handbooks on running voluntary and community organisations.  New editions of their Directories of Grants to Individuals in Need and of Grant-making Trusts have appeared recently.  See more on their website at: https://www.dsc.org.uk

Training Courses & Events
Integrate are hosting a few on-line briefing sessions soon – to join in, contact Eoin Heffernan, as above:
– Lambeth’s Holiday Activity and Food programme: Monday 31 January at 10 am.
– Trans Awareness Training: Wednesday 9 February at 1-30 pm.
– Millennium Community Solutions CIC with Rev. Gail Thompson: Monday 21 February at 10 am.
– Theory of Change: Principles: Monday 7 March at 10 am.

Help with Computers and IT
West London Mission has a few upcoming courses, mostly on-line:
– Family Safety On-line, to help parents and carers keep children safe when using the Internet: 3 sessions on Wednesdays in February, 2 pm to 4-30 pm (9th, 16th, 23rd).
– Get Connected, to help you gain the skills to use the Internet and e-mails confidently.  In person at WATMOS Community Homes, 163-165 Lambeth Walk, on Mondays from 28 February to 14 March, 2 pm to 4-30 pm.
– Scam Busters, to help you guard against identity theft, card fraud and other scams: 3 sessions on Wednesdays in March, 2 pm to 4-30 pm (9th, 16th, 23rd).
Enquiries to Abel on 07 903 629 544 or e-mail to stlukes@wlm.org.uk or see www.wlm.org.uk


Clear Community Web are still providing community tech support sessions at the Platform Cafe in Wyck Gardens, on Thursday mornings between 10 am and 12 noon.  A laptop loan scheme is also being set up.  Enquiries to 07 523 646 277 or e-mail to info@clearcommunityweb.co.uk

For small businesses, it might be worth exploring Digital Growth Funding for grants towards digital marketing and boosting your on-line presence.  Enquiries to Stephen Beard at 01829 707 860 or e-mail to ste@digitalmarketinggrants.co.uk or see www.cprogress.co.uk

For charities, schools and churches, Tekgia continues to offer most Microsoft programs at discounted prices – see www.tekgia.com

Kickstarters
Age UK Lambeth report positive experiences with their first two 6-month placements under the Government’s Kickstarter scheme.  They are now recruiting for the next batch, for jobs including Admin Assistants, an Event Planner, Community Programmes Assistants and a Digital Events Assistant. All posts are for 25 hours a week at the London Living Wage of £10.85 per hour.  All enquiries to Dave at daveg@ageuklambeth.org

Market Stall Opportunities
Lambeth Council are currently inviting applications for market traders pitches in Brixton Market and a few isolated spots around the borough.For an application form, e-mail to street-trading@lambeth.gov.uk but applications must be sent in by 5 pm on Friday 28 January.

Health and Social Care

Covid Latest
The Government is hastily relaxing recent restrictions in the face of heavy lobbying from business – particularly in the entertainment and catering sectors.  Some of us prefer to live a little longer, so there’s been more caution among the wider population.  Health authorities, railway companies and major supermarkets are still encouraging mask wearing on public transport, in shops and in other crowded indoor locations.  After all, mask-wearing has been shown to reduce the incidence of Covid by 53%.
Officially, mandatory vaccine status certification ends on 27 January, and face coverings are no longer legally required inside schools.  The obligation to self-isolate if you have Covid may not expire until 24 March, though the isolation period has been reduced.

Vaccinations: If you have missed out, or are still in need of a booster, check the website of the SE London /clinical Commissioning Group for location and timing of vaccination sessions: www.selondonccg.nhs.uk/popupclinics or www.nhs.uk/wintervaccinations

Lambeth Schools Patrol
This has the worthy aim of providing some adult oversight and support for pupils travelling to and from their schools.  For the time being, there is a pop-up office in Unit 2a, Market Row for interested adults to find out more and maybe enrol in the scheme.  It will run for 4 weeks from 27 January.  The project is run by the Code 7 Music Charity, 110 Union Road, SW8 2SH.  More details also at www.code7.live/lambeth-schools-patrol or e-mail to lambethschoolspatrol@gmail.com
 
Air Quality issues
Not a very visible problem, but the build-up of pollution from road traffic and fossil fuels on cold calm days is bad for our health.  It tends to be worse along main roads, so one of our groups postponed delivering their newsletters by bike because of a pollution peak on 14 January.  And my envy of a friend’s recent Facebook post from Tenerife disappeared when I saw their local weather report warning of very poor air quality!

The Mayor is consulting on better guidance on air quality to enhance the London Plan which was adopted last year.  Draft proposals are open for comments until 27 February and can be found at https://consult.london.gov.uk/air-quality-neutral

In the meantime, Lambeth Council is hosting 3 on-line consultation events on its own Air Quality Vision:
– Thursday 3rd February at 4-30 pm;
– Tuesday 8th February at 10 am;
– Friday 11 February at 12 noon.

Greenspaces and Green Issues

Sustainable City Awards
If you are trying to do something about making your corner of Brixton greener or more sustainable, why not get some recognition for it?  Nominations are now open for the Sustainable City Awards, supported by the Mayor of London and organised by Global Action Plan.  Please make your nominations  before 22 February.  More details at https://www.globalactionplan.org.uk

Lambeth Biodiversity Forum
This is being set up as an off-shoot of the Lambeth Parks Forum, to share views across groups with an interest in wildlife and ecology.  The first meeting is expected during February, and is being convened by Kevin Crook, in practice head of Parks and Events.  Several groups active in the wider Brixton area are already lined up, so we have not sought direct involvement. Incredible Edible Lambeth, Open Orchard, Father Nature, Slade Gardens, and Susy Hogarth of Brockwell Park Community Partners are among participants, in addition to specialist London-wide organisations.

A Growing Year at Loughborough Farm
A workshop session on growing food crops in small spaces, whether  a balcony or garden, Saturday 5 February, 10-30 to 12-30 at the Farm on Loughborough Road.  Free but donations invited, limited places – e-mail to loughboroughfarm@gmail.com

Winter Wassail in Wyck Gardens
Join supporters of Loughborough Farm to bless the trees in the Wyck Gardens Orchard, Saturday 20 February.  Assemble at the Farm gates by 12-45 pm to process through Wyck Gardens to the Orchard.  Warming soup and home-made cakes available at the Platform Cafe afterwards.  Enquiries to Loughborough Farm, as above.

Where did all this come from?

We gather information from many sources, both locally and nationally, from the Friends of Tate Library to the Morning Advertiser.  We welcome news from local organisations and campaign groups, and we give priority to information that will help you all in your efforts for the community.  If something is being overlooked, please remind us!

Use it or lose it!
You could simply use the Forum bulletins to share news of what you are doing, or you could be more ambitious and use the Forum as a channel to organise meetings or events which bring local people and groups together to resolve our problems.  In any case we would love to hear from you – contact the Secretary, Alan Piper at apiperbrix@aol.com

Is our mailing list up-to-date?
If you only received this because somebody else shared it, or you found it in an inbox that you rarely check anymore, please make sure that we have an up-to-date e-mail for you – contact admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org to update your contact details.

Coming up soon

 Last minute reminders

Lambeth Made Community Meetings are starting up again, for local Councillors to meet online with community groups and residents.  The emphasis is meant to be on community safety issues, but any local issue might come up.  For Coldharbour Ward, the meeting is on Thursday 4 November, 6 pm to 7-30 pm – to register, e-mail to lambethmadesafer@lambeth.gov.uk

Fiveways Health Day is also on Thursday 4 November, 11 am to 3 pm at Myatt’s Fields North Community Centre, 24 Crawshay Road, SW9 6 FZ.  Stay fit and healthy as we head into winter with health advice, blood pressure checks, keep fit starter sessions, and help with maintaining a healthy weight – despite a free hot lunch being served at 12 noon!  Free IT help with computers, tablets and smartphones also available throughout the day.

Support Southwyck Pantry – sign their petition, asking the Council to find them a secure location within Southwyck or Moorlands Estate.  They had to leave their base at Southwyck Hall but for the past month have been running a skeleton service from the Brixton Street Gym at 10 Somerleyton Road.  They hope to move to Moorlands Community Centre but it’s far from certain.  You can catch up with their recent Instagram posts at:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CVjWQ-Rod8N/?utm_medium=copy_link
And here is the petition link:
https://moderngov.lambeth.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?Id=524 

Christmas is coming

News is already coming in of Christmas-themed events – here’s some for starters:

Windmill Christmas Market – Sunday 12 December, open 12 noon to 3-30 pm, in Windmill Gardens, off Blenheim Gardens, SW2.  Organised by Friends of Windmill Gardens.

Pop-up Christmas Markets in Brixton: My Pop-Up Events comes to Brixton with 2 Christmas markets bang in the heart of Brixton – a great opportunity for small businesses to come together and show their wares.  To book a pitch, contact Toyin Oke at info@mypopupevents.co.uk
Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 November in the Gallery room at Brixton Tate Library, open 10 am to 4 pm.
Saturday 4 December in Lambeth Town Hall.

Christmas Open Studio, Thursday 2 December, 3 pm to 9 pm at Art4Space Learning Hub, Studio 1, 31 Jeffreys Road, SW4 6QU, for cards, artworks, “mosaic in a box” gift packages plus mulled wine and mince pies.

Winter Pop-up Village in Brockwell Park – proposed by Lambeth Events to run from 1st to 19th December, on the Redgra pitch near Brockwell Lido. Free but individual activities charged for, which should include an “immersive” cinema, 9-hole crazy golf, side show games and food and drink stalls. This is still being firmed up, so please relay any concerns to brockwellparkcommunitypartners@gmail.com

Catering for your event: If you have been tasked with organising food for your office/ group Christmas event, Brixton’s branch of Domino’s Pizza is offering discounts for business orders – contact Nabeel at nabeel@passapizza.com or phone (020) 7737 0000.

Funding, Training and Support

Funding Streams

To remind you, Integrate Agency recently circulated details of these grant sources:

Sport Unites Fund from the Mayor of London is his community sport programme, offering up to £50,000 for activities taking place before June 2022 – closing date Tuesday 16 November.

Untold Stories Grants also from the Mayor of London help community organisations with changes in our public spaces, whether to create something new, highlight something hidden or forgotten, or present a different story to what already exists.  Grants range between £1,000 and £25,000 and the closing date is 12 January. 

Racial Equality Fund from Lloyds Bank Foundation, offering a 2-year grant of £50,000 plus development support.

Pebble Grants from the Rank Foundation offer grants of £250 to £4,000 for smaller charities and recognised churches for projects benefitting local communities, provided those groups have already found a third of the costs.  No set closing date.

Training Courses

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion – Monday 8 November at 10 am on Zoom.  A webinar presented by Elizabeth Takyi, free but book through Integrate,to eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk

Chairs and CEOs Discussion – Thursday 18 November at 10 am on Zoom.  Two local case studies and frank discussion of the roles of Chairs and CEOs in Voluntary/ Community organisations.  Book through Integrate as above.
 
Supporting LGBTQ people with their mental health – Tuesday 23 November from 1-30 pm to 4-30 pm online.  Book through Integrate as above.

NFP Workshops, based in York, also offer a range of on-line training courses, typically at £95 for a 10 am to 12-30 session.  Mainstream topics are bid writing, trust fund-raising, recruiting and managing volunteers, legacy fund-raising and corporate fund-raising.  Topics are repeated on a fortnightly or monthly cycle. Google nfp workshops to visit their website and book places. 

Other Resources

The Charity Excellence Framework has compiled several short guides for trustees or management committee members of community projects, on topics such as fund-raising and recruiting more trustees.  They also have 6 short videos on YouTube which can form part of your own trustee training programme.  See their website,  https://www.charityexcellence.co.uk or enquiries to charityexcellence@gmail.com

The Directory of Social Change publishes a range of handbooks and guides, not just funding directories but also titles like “Managing without Profit” which covers management and governance for any charity or community organisation.  They also continue to offer a wide range of half-day training courses on-line at competitive prices.  More details on their website at https://www.dsc.org.uk 

Crowdfunding
Has your organisation tried crowdfunding as a route to raising funds for a project?  How did it go?  Are there any lessons to share?
Brixton BMX Club launched an appeal last month to raise £30,000 for major works to their track in Brockwell Park.  
Brixton Wholefoods held a crowdfunder appeal to get the business in Atlantic Road back on its feet after lockdown, and succeeded in raising £20,000 within 3 days. 

Business Support

Impact Brixton in Electric Lane continues to host events for business start-ups and micro-businesses.
Social Enterprise Day will be a co-working day for local social entrepreneurs to network and share their ideas, on Thursday 11 November from 11 am with free brunch – but please register in advance.
Sustainability in Business is the theme for a launch event in conjunction with Start-ups Magazine on Thursday 18 November at 6 pm.
Finding Work in the Digital Age is a 5-week course, starting on Wednesday 17 November, to show you how to use digital tools and make sense of the shifting jobs market, including refining your CV and interview skills, building your personal brand and the finer points of freelancing.
Enquiries about all events to team@impactbrixton.com

Transport, Planning and Regeneration

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods – comments invited
The latest round of consultation on the Tulse Hill and Streatham Hill LTNs will open on 15 November and remain open for a month.  Comments should be sent to  lowtrafficneighbourhoods@lambeth.gov.uk but we encourage you to share your views with us too,
Consultation on the Ferndale LTN is now unlikely to start until January at the earliest.  Comments on the Railton LTN closed at the end of September.

Brixton Rec Quarter – meeting the bidders
Lambeth Council’s Regeneration Team has arranged for prospective developers of the Pop Brixton and International House sites to show their initial ideas to local stakeholders this Saturday, 6 November.  The Council’s brief was widely criticised at our April Forum meeting for both the loss of International House as a hub for creative businesses, and for the diverse range of benefits sought, rather than prioritising one or two features to make a real impact.

Health and Social Care

Covid Vaccination opportunities

For latest details of vaccination clinics, both regular sessions and special events, the best source is www.selondonccg.nhs.uk/popupclinics
More walk-in clinics have been offered recently, including for the 12-15 age group.

Questions? There is a live Q & A session on the vaccination programme on Thursday 11 November at 6-30 pm – you can join in at the start from https://www.facebook.com/nhsselondonccg
Recording of earlier Q & A sessions, some of them for particular interest groups such as pregnant women, are available via https://www.facebook.com/nhsselondonccg/videos/ 

Coronavirus infections hit a new peak recently, so please don’t drop your guard.  Please continue to wear a mask on public transport, while shopping, and in other enclosed spaces

Towards an Age-friendly Borough

Age UK Lambeth are seeking for Lambeth to be a more age-friendly borough, based on 8 themes set by the World Health Organisation. They are currently inviting feedback from residents aged over 55, plus their carers and families, about the priorities.  They are hosting 3 on-line focus groups this month, on Thursdays 4, 11 and 18 November, each at 3 pm.  To attend one of these, please e-mail cathi@ageuklambeth.org or you can ask for a paper survey form.  For more information on the 8 themes, see https://ageing-better.org.uk/age-friendly-communities/eight-domains

Cook an extra Christmas dinner for an isolated older person this Christmas.  Once again Age UK Lambeth is inviting people to cook an extra Christmas dinner for someone living by themselves and deliver it to them on Christmas Day.  Interested?  To offer your support, phone 03 333 603 990 or e-mail to volunteer@ageuklambeth.org

Improving Black Men’s Health
Tony Cealy has just launched a new 4-month arts and health programme, to improve men’s mental health and wellbeing, and identify ways in which members can influence the services that are provided for them in the community.  See https://theblackmensconsortium.com

Greenspaces and Green Issues

Distinctions for local parks

Myatt’s Fields Park achieved a Gold Award in the London in Bloom awards last month.  Planning permissions were recently granted for the remodelling and extension of the Park depot building, and also for new floodlighting for the all-weather football pitch which will reduce glare for neighbours.

Windmill Gardens received a Green Flag Award in the 25th year of this awards scheme, which recognises the both the standard of upkeep and the community input into additional activities in this small park.
The planned extra opening weekend of the Windmill on 13 & 14 November is in question due to impending repairs to the floor in the Education Centre – please check the website for the latest position www.brixtonwindmill.org

Brockwell Park Tree Sculpture: Just behind the cafe, next to the 600-year old oak tree, Brixton artist Morganico has carved a tree sculpture to commemorate those who lost their lives during the pandemic, not just from infection, but also from mental health issues.  Come and view the sculpture and meet the artist on Saturday 6 November at 3 pm. Funded by the Lambeth Wellbeing Fund and supported by Lambeth Mind and Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses.

Help with Utility Bills

A Community Energy Talk has been set-up online by Homes for Lambeth for Lambeth residents who are over 65 or with a long-term health condition or disability.  It will be on Wednesday 10 November and cover energy tariffs, smart meters, energy-saving tips and other help available.  Please book a place through Wendy at wendy@homesforlambeth.co.uk or phone her on 07507 644 645.

Lambeth Larder have put details of local support on their website at https://www.lambethlarder.org/money-issues
Tariff switching has been a popular way of trimming domestic energy bills, but this is difficult right now because several of the smaller companies have gone out of business, and it may take a while for things to settle down.  Even so, there is further advice at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/energy

Other News

Library Services Returning

It is no longer necessary to make appointments to visit or study in the library.  Please continue to wear masks if you can, follow social distancing measures and use the hand sanitiser supplied.
Events are also taking place in libraries again though the numbers allowed in rooms have been reduced by half to allow for social distancing.  CO2 monitors are also in use to check that the air quality is safe.  The Gallery room in Brixton Tate Library now has a working induction loop for the benefit of those relying on hearing aids, and the ambition is to roll out similar systems to the rest of Lambeth’s libraries.
Many library events are also being streamed so those still reluctant to attend live events can take part from the comfort of home.

Changes at Black Cultural Archives

Arike Oke stepped down as Managing Director at BCA at the end of October. She will continue to be involved as a member of their Archives Advisory Group.  Lisa Anderson will join as interim Managing Director from 6 December.  She is currently Corporate Partnerships Lead at the Lord Mayor’s Appeal.

Brixton Advice Centre moving?

The Brixton Advice Centre on Railton Road has become a valued local institution, but its immediate surroundings are now more respectable than they were in the 1970s.  The search has begun for a new base with level access, and perhaps closer to the Council estates where social deprivation is more concentrated these days.

Extra November Bulletin

QUICK REMINDERS Already we have received many updates and urgent items since our last bulletin went out on 4th November, so we have put out this extra bulletin so you do not miss out.

Green InspirationThe Blooming Lambeth Awards take place online on Thursday 18 November, between 7 pm and 8 pm.  Maybe your community project or estate could take part next year, to get some recognition for what you do?  Meanwhile, tune in for some inspiration – book via the Incredible Edible Lambeth website, www.incredibleediblelambeth.org

Christmas is Coming We highlighted several seasonal events in our last bulletin – please check back for more details:

Pop-up Christmas Market at Brixton Tate Library (Gallery room) on Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 November, 10 am to 4 pm.

Christmas Open Studio Thursday 2 December, 3 pm to 9 pm, at Art4Space, 31 Jeffreys Road SW4.

Pop-up Christmas Market, Saturday 4 December, in Lambeth Town Hall (Assembly Hall). 

Windmill Christmas Market, Sunday 12 December, 12 noon to 3-30 pm in Blenheim Gardens, SW2.

Containing Coronavirus – access to vaccinations…..Sorry to repeat ourselves, but this is important.  Despite the Government’s enthusiasm for reviving the economy, coronavirus infections remain high, so please don’t drop your guard.  Please continue to wear a mask on public transport, while shopping, and in other confined spaces.Details of vaccination clinics – especially walk-in sessions – usually reach us too late to share widely, so please refer directly to www.selondonccg.nhs.uk/popupclinics or contact your GP surgery. 

Cook an extra Christmas Dinner My Ho Ho Ho!  Could you cook an extra Christmas Dinner for an isolated older person this Christmas?  Once again Age UK Lambeth is inviting people to cook a meal for somebody living by themselves and deliver it to them on Christmas Day.  They will even supply the extra plate!  To register and be matched with a nearby older person, please e-mail to volunteer@ageuklambeth.org or phone 0333 360 3990.

Health and Social Care Achieving a Healthy Weight – Tuesday 23 NovemberFor residents of Coldharbour and Vassall Wards, or community groups working locally, there is a lunchtime session (12 noon to 1-30 pm) on helping people to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, including signposting them to expert support.  It takes place at Myatt’s Fields North Centre, 24 Crawshay Road SW9 6FZ, and lunch will be provided. Supported by Imperial College, London.

Wellbeing Workshops series starting now and continuing into February, a series of FREE sessions for Lambeth residents working or volunteering with community projects.  Choose from a wide range of themed sessions at various local venues (and some online) – the programme has just been updated, so see more at https://tinyurl.com/snv9vvxa Funded by Lambeth Wellbeing Fund and London Community Foundation.

Winter Wellbeing advice for older people – Wednesday 24 November At Brixton Tate Library, open 2 pm to 5 pm, organised by Age UK Lambeth. Enquiries to ourcommunity@ageuklambeth.org

Making Lambeth an Age-Friendly BoroughAge UK Lambeth has another on-line focus group on Thursday 18 November at 3 pm, to gather feedback on making Lambeth more user-friendly for those over 55.  For log-in details, please e-mail to cathi@ageuklambeth.org as soon as possible.  

Mental Health First Aid Course – 9 & 10 December Once again, Art4Space are hosting a Mental Health First Aid Course, run by It’s a Playground and supported by Studio Moross.  This will be a 2-day course, held 6 minutes walk from Stockwell Tube Station.  This course is aimed at supporting adult “patients”, but a Youth-oriented course will follow on 24 & 25 February 2022.  All enquiries to jewels@art4space.co.uk

Funding, Training and Support Grant offers closing!These grant schemes were previously circulated by the Integrate Agency:

Walcot Foundation closes for expressions of interest at 2 pm on Wednesday 17 November.Fridge & freezer fund (round 5) closes at 11-59 pm on Wednesday 17 November.

Recovery Loan Fund operated by Locality closes at midnight on Sunday 21 November.

Grant offers still open Wellbeing Fund is managed by the London Community Foundation, to create community connections and improve wellbeing.  For full details and key dates, see the LCF website at https://londoncf.org.uk/grants/lambeth-wellbeing-fund

Three on-line briefing workshops are being offered. to help community organisations to draw up suitable bids, on 22 November, 29 November and 6 December.  There are also half-hour surgery slots between 30 November and 8 December, to discuss your proposals in confidence. The deadline for all applications is 7th January 2022.

Ecosystem Coldharbour Micro-Grants programme – Round 2 is now open, with a closing date of 29 November.  The grants are targetted at smaller organisations (turnover up to £20,000 pa) in Central Brixton including Angell Town, Loughborough and Moorlands estates.  The main aim is reducing youth violence but projects are also encouraged to build skills, support employability, sports or other recreational activities.  See www.ecosystemcoldharbour.org or all enquiries to grow@ecosystemcoldharbour.org

Free training is also being offered to local groups, including:

Organisation Governance on 23 November,Volunteer Management on 6th December,Both from 10 am to 12 noon at the Baytree Centre, 300-302 Brixton Road SW9 6AE, enquiries as above.

 
e-Cargo Bike Grant Fund – in case you missed the launch in August, the Department of Transport have partnered with the Energy Saving Trust to offer up to 40% of the cost of electric cargo bikes for small businesses.  The closing date of 14 December is approaching, and approved grants must be claimed by 14 February 2022.  For details see https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/grants-and-loans/ecargo-bike-fund/

Peter Minet Trust – Open Grants Fund – details recently circulated by Integrate Agency – if you missed the link,contact eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk  

For projects based in Lambeth or Southwark, and this time prioritising black-led charities and expecting to fund 5 or 6 projects in this round.  Application deadline 20 January.

Trans Awareness Training – Monday 22 NovemberAn on-line workshop, led by LGBT Foundation, from 1-30 to 5 pm – enquiries to justin.m-jones@lgbthero.org.uk 

Skills for TomorrowThis is a free coding class for BAME members of the community aged 18 to 25 years and living with a disability.  It will start in January, so if you are interested, contact Millennium Community Solutions at gail@millenniumcommunitysolutions.com

Learning for Life at Morley – Stockwell Morley College is running a number of courses at their Stockwell Centre, 1 Studley Road SW4 6RA, behind Stockwell Tube Station. Courses include computers, office administration, and working with children.  Courses are for adults aged over 19, and free if you are not working OR if your annual earnings are less than £21,157.  Before enrolling, you will need to complete an assessment, on either Tuesday 7th or Wednesday 8th December – to book an appointment, e-mail richard.mason@morleycollege.ac.uk

Worth mentioning too that various courses are offered at High Trees Community Education Hub in the former St. Martin’s Library at the corner of Tulse Hill and Upper Tulse Hill – enquiries to the team at courses@high-trees.org

 
Hope in the Heart Brixton resident Sophie Coxon has alerted us to a couple of workshop events that may be of interest to people involved with local groups, particularly if working with people with health or social issues. Both will be held near Victoria Station, at 24 Greencoat Place, London SW1P 1RD, from 10 am to 1 pm.  Enquiries to sophiehopeintheheart@gmail.com Thursday 25 November – The gifts of Lived Experience, harnessing our strengths, skills and gifts to contribute to a better world.Tuesday 7 December – Messages from the Heart – create a piece of art, poetry or creative writing to include in Hope in the Heart’s forthcoming exhibition – see www.hopeintheheart.org/lived-experience-messages-from-the-heart.html Hope in the Heart CIC is supported by the National Lottery.

Arts Video Funding:The Paul Mellon Foundation offers several funding streams linked to the arts and art history.  They have just launched a film competition for undergraduate students, to generate short films about British works of art or architecture from any period.  They aim to support 10 successful entrants, with a top prize of £10,000 for the winning film.  The application deadline for the first round is 5 pm on 27 January.  Full details on their website at https://paulmelloncentre.ac.uk

Business Support A reminder that the Business Show takes place at the Excel exhibition centre on 24 & 25 November, with lots of ideas and advice for small businesses and start-ups.  You can still register for free tickets if you go to the event website at www.greatbritishbusinessshow.co.uk

Other News

Festive Bake Competition Once again, Friends of Windmill Gardens are holding their competition for amateur bakers, using Brixton Windmill Flour.  Entry is free but you need to bring your entry to the Windmill Centre by noon on Sunday 12 December, for judging at the Winter Market.There will be 3 adult prizes and under-12s prize to be awarded.  See also their website www.brixtonwindmill.org

Brockwell Park Community GreenhousesThey are getting ready to run workshops on making Christmas decorations and Wreaths during the weekends 4 & 5 December and 11 & 12 December.  Places should be booked via the website, where more details should be available by the time you see this – go to www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk/events/

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods
Consultation on the Tulse Hill LTN opened on 15 November.  Lambeth is vague about the closing date but try to respond before 15 December, to lowtrafficneighbourhoods@lambeth.gov.uk It’s important to share what works and what makes life more difficult!  A similar consultation on the Ferndale/ Landor LTN should follow early in the New Year. 

Projects seeking paid staff

Loughborough Farm seeks a manager – This food-growing project on Loughborough road is seeking a Manager to work alongside farm co-ordinator Emily Myers, on a 12 month contract.  Full details are on the LJAG website, at https://loughboroughjunction.org and the closing date for applications is 15 December, with interviews expected in early January.

Repowering London will shortly have a vacancy for a Community Champion because Chloe is returning to Australia.  Again, this is a 12-month contract, starting in January and home-based.  The closing date for applications is 12 December.

Winter Windows on Ferndale Road Between the old Post Office and the new one, the restored shop windows of Squire & Partners offices on Ferndale Road have been decorated with illuminated designs by Year 6 pupils from Reay Primary School in North Brixton.

Keep in touch. Share your news!

We are keen to share news and requests from our member groups in these bulletins.  Short items are easier, bearing in mind that more people nowadays are trying to read this on a smartphone or tablet, rather than a desktop computer.  Distribution is normally monthly, so please send any news for the December issue before the end of November, to the Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com
Please try to provide web links or contact details so people can follow up for more details.

Is our mailing list up to date?
Finally, our usual reminder for you to tell us – at admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org
– If you would like to add a colleague or neighbour to our e-mail distribution list.
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– If you have moved away or are no longer interested.