Chuka launches campaign to save Streatham’s school building projects
Jul 18th
Last week, the Liberal Democrat – Conservative government’s Education Secretary Michael Gove announced cuts to the previous government’s ambitious school building programme, Building Schools for the Future (BSF).
School building projects at three local secondary schools are affected, with major rebuilding projects axed at La Retraite and Bishop Thomas Grant schools and Dunraven School’s project placed in doubt.
To put pressure on the government, Chuka is campaigning alongside students, parents and teachers for the projects to go ahead and for the cuts to funding for new school buildings to be reversed.
He has set up a petition to save Streatham’s school building projects and demand answers from the government – please sign it here.
Chuka has also tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament on the issue, condemning the government’s cancellation of school building projects and calling for answers on projects subject to review such as Dunraven’s.
The full text of the EDM and a list of MPs who have signed it can be read here.
Co-Op Council Commission to hold Public Meeting
Jul 16th
The Co-operative council commission will be holding a public meeting as part of its evidence-gathering exercise. It will give residents the opportunity to give their views about our proposal to create a co-operative council and ask questions directly to commissioners.
The planned date for this is Thursday, 29th July 2010, at 6pm to 8.30pm, and to be held in Room 8, at Lambeth Town Hall.
The co-operative council White Paper, is available here.
If you would like to attend, or for further information on the co-operative council, please email cooperativecouncil@lambeth.gov.uk
Trustees wanted for successful, local Community and Children’s Centre
Jul 16th
The Weir Link is a vibrant and highly successful Community and Children’s Centre. Established in 2008, the Centre has already been recognised as a centre of excellence and has recently been awarded a significant grant to expand its provision in the area of community health.
In addition to increasing the number of Trustees to match planned growth in the Centre’s activities, we are planning for the future succession of the Chair of Trustees.
In particular, we are seeking up to 4 individuals with the following experience, knowledge and/or professional skills:
- Community involvement and leadership
- Strategic leadership in the charity or not for profit sector
- Financial planning and stewardship
- Supporting the well-being of Children and Young people
- Community health-care provision
- Service Level Agreements and Contracts
- Business Development and Fund-raising
Previous Trustee experience is not essential – full training and support will be provided. It is important to us that the Trustee body fully represents the diversity, cultures, experience, and skills from across the borough of Lambeth. We are therefore seeking applications from local residents, parents/carers and community groups, as well those with relevant professional or voluntary experience and skills.
To find out more, or to receive an application pack please contact:
Rachel Bellini at Abbeville Associates tel 020 7720 1830 e-mail: admin@abbevilleassociates.co.uk
The closing date for applications is 25th August 2010. Interviews will take place during September 2010.
This Weekend: Lambeth Country Show
Jul 15th
The ever popular and biggest outdoor festival the Lambeth Country Show will once again be held in Brockwell Park on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 July. This free event is not one to be missed!
Throughout the weekend Brockwell Park will be filled with a wide variety of music and entertainment. There will be arts and crafts available to buy and try, trade stalls and horticulture competitions. With hands-on activities for children and adults to enjoy with live animals from farmyard breeds to more exotic species, as well as brass bands, storytelling and a funfair, there’s something for everyone. See the Lambeth Country Show 2010 programme to find out more.
The festivities begin at 11am on Saturday 17 July when the array of vibrant stalls and marquees will be open for business. With an emphasis on home grown talent a variety of cherry-picked local artists will play on the main stage and village green filling the air with music throughout the weekend.
Do you want to set up a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme?
Jul 12th
Lambeth Borough Police have appointed a new neighbourhood watch coordinator, whose job it is to encourage and support new and existing neighbouhood watch schemes..
Existing residents’ associations can form themselves into Neighbourhood Watches.
Benefits include signs and stickers which help deter crime, reductions on home insurance, and free public liability insurance for burglary.
If you are interested in setting up a Neighbourhood Watch group, or for further information, please contact Karen Hunn via email khunn@lambeth.gov.uk
Lambeth Estates in Bloom 2010
Jul 11th
Green fingered tenants and leaseholders living in Lambeth are being encouraged to get growing. The tenth annual Estates in Bloom competition will take place this summer.
Last year more than 100 people entered the competition making it the most popular year ever. Their efforts transformed Lambeth with colourful blooms and green arrangements brightening up estate gardens and open spaces.
With a wide range of categories, gardeners are able to display an array of skills from domestic paved or grassed gardens to community gardens. There’s even a category for young gardeners.
Entries close on 23 July 2010, so there’s plenty of time to nurture something special on your estate.
Last year’s overall winner was Mrs May Horscroft for her display on the Edmondsbury Estate, Brixton Hill. She was awarded a £500 gardening voucher. She still can’t believe she won, having only been a gardener for the eight years she’s lived on the estate: “My father was a great gardener but I’ve only had my own garden since I’ve been here. It’s just so peaceful being outside working in it and it keeps me busy”.
Even though she’s already started on this year’s entry, Mrs Horscroft is happy to share some tips with her competitors: “Just keep trying, if it doesn’t come up the first time put another seed in”.
Who will be this year’s winner?
Entry forms will be available from your area housing office, and local libraries, as well as being available to download from here
New AM Radio Station Coming Soon to Thornton
Jul 6th
Local radio is coming to Lambeth as internet based radio station Generation Radio secures a full-time 5 year AM license from radio and TV regulator Ofcom.
Generation Radio has been broadcasting 24/7 for four years on the internet for the residents and workers across Clapham Park and the surrounding area.
The station has 17 volunteers who present shows and supports the station, and has built up an average monthly listenership of 9,000. Generation Radio is now looking forward to bringing great music and community news to even more listeners.
With music from the 1960’s to today, specialist shows including classical, hip hop, debates and discussions on local issues, community Interviews and promoting new music, there is something for everyone at Generation Radio.
Generation Radio Project Manager Andrew Sayers said: “All the hard work undertaken by the team over the last four years has now paid off and we are proud and excited to be bringing real local radio to Lambeth”.
Donna C Henry Chair of the Clapham Park Project which started and continues to support Generation Radio said: “This is a great achievement for Generation Radio and will really help the station to achieve real sustainability, bringing greater employment, training and volunteering opportunities to the people of Lambeth.”
Listen to Generation Radio online right now at www.generationradio.co.uk as we prepare for the launch of the AM station in 2011.
If anyone would like to get involved or support Generation Radio, contact Andrew Sayers on 020 8623 9421 or email: info@generationradio.co.uk
Weir Estate holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate Repossession after Major Works
Jul 5th
Resident’s from Weir Estate celebrated taking their estate back this weekend with a ribbon cutting and repossession ceremony, following a year of essential major works to replace run down and rusted windows and doors.
Nearly all one hundred and twenty five properties on the Lambeth Living estate have undergone a huge transformation to replace the old metal windows and wooden doors to new warmer, safer and secure by design double glazed windows and triple locking doors. The work which was carried out by Breyer Group plc on behalf of Lambeth’s ALMO, Lambeth Living have taken just over one year.
This weekend at an event attended by Thornton Councillors, Cllr Lib Peck, Cllr Diana Morris, and Cllr Ed Davie, the newly elected Member of Parliament, Chuka Umunna MP, spoke to residents, and cut the ribbon to celebrate residents claiming back control of their estate. The ceremony was organised by its pro-active residents association, WERA (Weir Estate Residents Association).
Works to the estate began at the end of 2009 and are on track to finish by the end of this month.
During the cutting of the ribbon ceremony, MP Chuka Umunna paid tribute to the work of WERA and the leadership of the association Chair, Dave McEvoy; who worked closely with local councillors to bring about the transformation, which also saw a coat of paint being applied to all ten blocks.
Residents have also benefited from reduced heating costs which had rocketed during the 60 years that the old windows had been in place.
Mr Umunna went on to declare the estate ‘unleashed’ back into the control of those who live on Weir Estate.
Dave McEvoy, Chair of WERA spoke of his delight at residents getting their estate back “This event was to mark the end of a difficult year for residents who have put up with a lot of disruption but has brought much needed change to the estate as a whole as well as many benefits to those living on Weir Estate. We are delighted with the work that has taken place after so many years and now residents can look forward to warmer, safer and a better quality of living standards.”
The event was also attended by Lambeth Living Major Works Officers, Joseph Ajala, Senior Programme Manager and Keith Hardy, Major Works Manager, who have overseen the works to Weir Estate as well as Bryer Group’s Divisional Manager Carol Bailey, Resident Liaison Manager, Clinton Samuels as well as the site staff who have worked on the estate delivering the works. Lambeth Living’s Board Member Alan Bevan also attended to see the outcome of the works.
Local residents celebrated with a glass of champagne and are now able to enjoy a new look Weir Estate.
Henry Cavendish Primary School Summer Fair
Jun 30th
Henry Cavendish Primary School will be holding a Summer Fair on Saturday 10th July, from 1pm to 4pm. The theme will be Balham-on-Sea.
The fair will be at the school, Henry Cavendish Primary School Hydethorpe Road, Balham, SW12 0JA.
Entry costs £1 for adults with children entering for free
Clapham Park Summer Festival
Jun 30th
Once again, the Clapham Park Project brings you the Clapham Park Summer Festival.
The event will be held on Saturday, 10th July 2010 at Agnes Riley Gardens, on Poynders Road, from 12noon to 5pm.
Some of the activities on offer include:
- Free health checks, healthy eating and exercise information
- Meet your local Wardens
- Arts & crafts activities and face painting
- Get your bike fixed for free
- Fun ways to recycle plastic bags
- Join the summer youth programme
- Composting, food waste, recycling advice and demonstrations from Lambeth Council
- Meet local landlord Clapham Park Homes
- Get employment support and advice
- Join the Volunteers Scheme
- Meet your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team
Click here for the pdf version of the flyer being distributed by Clapham Park Project.
