Monthly Archives: December 2011

December 23, 2011 · 11:09 am

What’s the future of West Norwood Library?

Councillor Smith outside closed library

Cllr Mike Smith at library closed for repairs

West Norwood Library & Nettlefold Halls remain closed since June 2011 as a consequence of damage from vandalism and theft. When repairs started, asbestos was found and this caused a long delay. The asbestos has now been removed but the building is still in a very poor condition and  will take a lot of money to fix. A condition survey is being undertaken to identify  what further work is needed. The survey should  be completed during January 2012 and it is not possible to estimate an re-opening date for the  West Norwood Library and Nettlefold Halls until this survey is done.  In the meantime the building is secured to reduce the risk of further vandalism.

Cllr Nosegbe, chair of the Lambeth Libraries Commission, says  “There  will be a fully functioning library in West Norwood. Our libraries are essential, they are open to all and benefit everyone and we are working with the community to make sure a full library service is back serving our residents as soon as possible. The temporary library service currently available at the Lambeth Resource Centre is unsatisfactory. We want to deliver more for Norwood and we are looking at alternative sites, like the Old Library, for a better library service in the meantime. “

At a meeting in November with local residents there were  lots of constructive ideas on what people wanted in their future local library in West Norwood. A consultation process about the future of the building  is underway and the council is  seeking the views of the community, residents, library users and members of the Friends groups.

The Libraries Commission looked at the future of Lambeth’s library service bearing in mind  the council has much less money to spend. For details of the work of the Library Commission see http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/CouncilDemocracy/MakingADifference/LibrariesCommission.htm

To get involved in the future of all of Lambeth’s libraries contact the council by emailing  LibrariesHaveYourSay@lambeth.gov.uk , text  07772 103 628 or phone  0800 013 1497 or 020 7926 6397.

The Friends of West Norwood Library welcome new members – email FWNL@hotmail.co.uk or see them on facebook.

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Filed under Arts, Community / voluntary, Labour Councillors, Lambeth Council, Leisure, West Norwood

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December 23, 2011 · 11:05 am

X68 bus campaign success

For the first year ever campaigners have persuaded Transport for London to keep the X68 bus running on all non-bank holidays in December.

Photo of X68 - by Nicobobinus

Photo of X68 - by Nicobobinus

The X68 bus will run in 2011  on:

Wednesday 28th December,

Thursday 29th December  and

Friday 30th December 2011 to the normal timetable.

If you can, please do use this important Norwood bus service on those days to help ensure the X68 runs on all non-bank holidays every year. Until now there has been no service between Christmas and New Year.

For  details of London’s public transport services over the Christmas- New Year break see:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/festive-leaflet.pdf .

Travel Watch can help  improve public transport in London – see: http://www.londontravelwatch.org.uk/

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Filed under Traffic, Transport, West Norwood

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December 13, 2011 · 10:46 am

Sharing the feast

St.Lukes Foodbank

Some of the items at St.Lukes Foodbank

Last September, St Luke’s church launched Norwood Foodbank, a project aimed at providing food for people in crisis within our community.

Whether the result of family breakdown, job or home loss, crime, or mental or physical impairment, many local people are currently forced to choose between eating and paying their bills.  Norwood Foodbank attempts to help alleviate this struggle by providing practical assistance in the form of food donations, as well as signposting people to further support where needed.

Having collected over 2 tonnes of food since the project began, church stocks are now down to just 500 kilograms, indicating both the success of the programme but also an ongoing demand for such support.  With the advent of Christmas and trying economic times being felt all round, such charity has never been more pertinent.

St Luke’s on Knights Hill SE27 0HS welcomes any food donations  on Tuesday to Friday between 9am and 3pm –  or at any Sunday church service 10.30am.

For more information and a list of suggested foods see http://norwood.foodbank.org.uk/

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Filed under Charity, Churches, Community / voluntary, Health, Housing, West Norwood

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December 13, 2011 · 10:39 am

Emmaus second hand bookshop

Emmaus Bookshop

Browsing the books in the Emmaus Bookshop

The Emmaus shop at 5 Knights Hill SE27 0HS has won the 2011 award for West Norwood’s  Best Dressed Shop  – see  their website.

Most West Norwood shoppers will have noticed Emmaus’ impressive furniture and clothing boutique on Knights Hill. But have you  ventured down the adjacent alleyway (take a left after the clothes store when heading south down Knights Hill) to find the extended furniture and book emporium which Emmaus also boasts ? A fortuitous happenstance given the extended closure of West Norwood Library for repairs.

It may not be quite the same as borrowing, but it’s reassuring to know that reading enthusiasts can treat themselves to modern classics like Graham Greene, Kingsley Amis and Umberto Eco for a mere £1!  There are also a number of Dickens titles as well as those by esteemed authors such as Gore Vidal and Jeffrey Eugenides, not to mention contemporary page-turners such as Stephanie Meyer and James Patterson.  Prices range between £1 to £1.50 – a small price for a good book and a worthy cause.

As a charity dedicated to providing assistance to those moving on from homelessness, Emmaus relies heavily on local support.  So if you haven’t checked their shops out already, do! Opening hours are 10-5, Monday to Saturday.  Donations welcome too.

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Filed under Arts, Charity, Community / voluntary, Education, Leisure, Local Business, Shopping, West Norwood

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