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.
Summer University and Holiday Activities
Jun 29th
Young people looking for something to do this summer can apply to take part in Lambeth Council’s Summer University, and holiday activities programme.
The Summer University starts on 2nd August and is a chance for young people to learn new skills and experiences. The Summer activity programme, which starts this month, offers a chance to take part in sport, music, and art projects.
For more details visit www.younglambeth.org
Thornton crime falls again with more action promised
Jun 27th
Reported crime in Thornton over the last three months is down nearly 10% on the same period for the previous year.
That was one of the main findings presented to the ward’s latest meeting of the Safer Neighbourhood Team Panel, a group of local residents, representatives and police officers that oversee local policing.
The figures show that crime in Thornton continues to be amongst the lowest in Lambeth and that action by residents and agencies is effective.
Thornton Labour councillor Ed Davie, who sits on the panel on behalf of the ward’s elected representatives, was also able to report progress on further anti-crime measures.
Cllr Davie told the panel that he and Labour’s Streatham MP Chuka Umunna had met with the chief executive of Clapham Park Homes Owen Thompson to press for improved security on the estate, among other improvements.
In particular Cllr Davie wanted to see the broken communal front doors to blocks of flats replaced – Mr Thompson promised £30,000 to do this.
The panel asked Cllr Davie to get a date for the start of the work which he said he would do at a forthcoming meeting with Mr Thompson.
The panel also asked the council to outline its plans for giving young people more constructive things to do in the area. Cllr Davie promised to invite the council cabinet member for young people Cllr Peter Robbins to the next meeting – which he has done.
In addition it was announced that the no cold-calling zone was now in place in parts of the ward to help prevent unwanted sales-people and others disturbing residents.
Work was also continuing to close alleys at the back of houses in the Hydefarm area to help prevent burglaries which continue to be too high in that part of the ward.
The panel agreed with Sergeant Ashok Patel that the policing team’s priorities should continue to be tackling burglary, anti-social behaviour and thefts from cars.
The next meeting is scheduled for August 25, 7pm at the Headlam Road Community Centre – all ward residents are welcome.
The Weir Link Community Funday
Jun 15th
The Weir Link has celebrated the brilliant community resource centre’s second birthday with a ‘fun day’ that definitely lived up to its billing.
Even the weather co-operated with the sun making an appearance along with local dancers, musicians, stall holders and hundreds of people from the area.
Streatham’s newly elected Labour MP Chuka Umunna paid a visit as well as Lambeth deputy mayor Christiana Valcarcel who declared the event ‘wonderful.’
Thornton’s three Labour ward councillors – Ed Davie, Diana Morris and Lib Peck – were on hand for most of the afternoon to meet constituents, give advice and sample the ice-cream.
Ed said: ‘The Weir Link has been a great addition to the community and this second birthday celebration proves how it is valued by the people here.
‘I know my colleagues and I will fight tooth and nail to save it if the Lib Dem/Tory government threatens it with their reckless spending cuts that undermine the public services people here need and the fragile economic recovery.’
