Monthly Archives: February 2012

February 29, 2012 · 9:46 am

Toddler groups

photo of toddlerFortunately for families in West Norwood there’s plenty of places to get out and about with babies and young children.

If it’s playgroups you’re after then St Luke’s Church on Knights Hill SE27 0HS offers Conker Club on Monday mornings from 10am during school term times –  a fantastic stay-and-play for babies and toddlers with a multitude of toys, books and puzzles, a dedicated ‘soft area’, activity tables and a rough-and-tumble area with gym mats for the more adventurous child.  Admission is a £1.50 donation and tea, coffee, squash and biscuits are provided.

The Cherry Tree Children’s Centre on Barston Road SE27 9HE (running between Chestnut Road and Idmiston Road) runs Baby Rhyme Time from 10am on Tuesdays, a drop-in group with singing and a story each week – being a Surestart centre, activities are free of charge.

The Salvation Army at 246 Norwood Road SE27 9AW (opposite Beamish & McGlue) runs a playgroup on Tuesdays at 10am – admission £2 donation.

Many of these play sessions are very popular so arrive early to avoid disappointment.  However, for a slightly more relaxed start time, Chatsworth Baptist Church in Chatsworth Way SE27 9AN runs a lovely stay-and-play on Fridays from 10am for children 12 months and under – a £3 contribution is welcome.

And don’t forget the One o’clock club at the top of Norwood Park SE19 1EA – free of charge and open 12.30pm to 3.30pm on Mondays , Tuesdays & Fridays.

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February 28, 2012 · 8:00 am

Zumba hits West Norwood

Zumba is the new  Latin dance -inspired fitness programme  involving dance and aerobic elements –  hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, merengue, mambo, martial arts, and some Bollywood.

Try it for yourself  at the Zumba class on Thursdays from 7.45pm at The Norwood School on Crown Dale  SE19 3EY. £6 per class – bring a bottle of water!.

Contact Dionne 07939 311 535 or Dionne_zumba@btinternet.com

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February 26, 2012 · 4:45 pm

Temporary library moves again

Jane Pickard at The Old Library opposite St Luke’s

Jane Pickard at The Old Library opposite St Luke’s

Whilst the main library remain close for repairs the  temporary library is  moving  on Thursday 1st March to The Old Library at Knights Hill SE27 0HY and will now be open on Saturdays.

At least for the next month the opening hours will be:

  • Monday 10am to 4pm
  • Wednesday 10am to 5pm
  • Thursday 10am to 1pm
  • Friday 10am to 12.30pm
  • Saturday 10am to 5pm.

More information on the council’s borough-wide libraries consultation on the future of libraries and an online survey form are available here.

Local residents supporting the re-opening of West Norwood Library .

Local residents supporting the re-opening of West Norwood Library .

The council has also organised  public meetings on the library proposals – all welcome :

at  6pm on Thursday 8th March at Elmgreen School, Elm Court Road SE27 9BZ, near Tulse Hill station,

at  The Old Library, Knights Hill  SE27 0HY at 7pm on   Wednesday 21st March

Local residents supporting the re-opening of West Norwood Library .

at The Old Library Knights Hill SE27 0HY  at   10am  on Thursday 29 March.

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February 20, 2012 · 11:45 am

O’Girasol are winners

It’s official:  O’Girasol, the sunflower restaurant ,  voted by local people as  West Norwood’s Favourite Business.

Owned and run by a local family, O’Girasol serves the best pasta in town!

Check It out for yourself at 382 Norwood Road SE27 0AA – opposite Robson Road

Open 7am to 7pm Monday- Saturday and 8am to 4pm on Sundays.

Take-away service available too 020 8761 3538.

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February 20, 2012 · 10:28 am

Grants for Jubilee Events

Have you and your neighbours been thinking about organising a local  community event for the Queen’s Jubilee or later this summer?

Grants up to £500  are available via the London Community Foundation to fund events in Lambeth that bring people together to celebrate the diverse communities in the borough.

See  details of the scheme download the pdf Guidelines for small events

And a Word  application form  here Small Events application

Deadline is Friday March 2nd.

As 2012 is the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee  the Big Lunch team are encouraging communities across the country to organising a Big Jubilee Lunch  on Sunday 3rd June.  A Big Jubilee Lunch can be anything from a few neighbours getting together in the garden or on the street, to a full blown party with food, music and decoration that quite literally stops the traffic.  For ideas on organising a Big Lunch see  www.thebiglunch.com

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February 16, 2012 · 9:44 am

New fire station for West Norwood to go ahead

Squatted building at 210 Knights Hill

Squatted building at 210 Knights Hill

The London Fire Brigade has been granted  permission for its plans for a brand new 3 bay fire station on Knights Hill. The independent planning inspector listened to arguments from local people and councillors but decided “ in a finely balanced decision… the need for a replacement fire station… outweighs  the loss of residential accommodation and the projected additional noise levels”.

The building at 210 Knights Hill is owned by Maudsley Hospital and is currently squatted. The building will be demolished to make way for the new fire station.

We will post any further news on the timetable and plans for the existing fire station on Norwood Road as soon as we get it.

For details of the planning application quote ref 10/02504 on Lambeth Council web site‘s planning pages .

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February 16, 2012 · 9:37 am

A new commuity garden

A piece of wasteland in Lakeview Road is being turned into a community garden thanks to efforts of local residents,  Lambeth Living and their contractors.

Getting ready for spring

Getting ready for spring

Local councillor  Jane Pickard explains that the family next door “ were fed up because the area was a mass of brambles and bushes which invaded their own garden and were pushing the fence over”.  Jane  got in touch with  the Portobello  Tenants and Residents Association who had been talking about using the land for a community garden.

Now  not only has the land been cleared and prepared for gardening, but the family next door had their damaged fence replaced and will be  growing fruit and vegetables on one of the beds.

To get growing in 2012  get in touch with the Portobello TRA or email Jane Pickard.

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February 8, 2012 · 11:30 am

New plans for Weaver Walk

Weaver Walk

Weaver Walk

A local church has submitted a planning application (ref 11/04269) for an employment and business support centre in Weaver Walk. When the business support centre is not in use the church proposes  to use parts of the premises for its own gatherings . For details see http://planning.lambeth.gov.uk/online-applications/ using the reference 11/04269. Comments  on the planning application can  be emailed to tpac@lambeth.gov.uk

A meeting is taking place on Monday 13th February at 7pm in Trinity Baptist Church, 2 Thornlaw Road SE27 0TT to give local people an opportunity to see and discuss the plans .

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February 7, 2012 · 10:38 am

West Norwood’s own Grandma Cake-Off!

As part of the West Norwood Slow Food Festival on 31st March  women (and also any willing men) over the age of 65 are invited to bring their favourite cake, bread or pastry to be judged by a TV chef from the BBC’s Great British Bake-Off!

Cake pictureIn-keeping with the philosophy of Slow Food – reconnecting people with the experience of their food – the idea of the cake-off is to bake with your child or grandchild, as to unite the generations across the family through the wonders of baking. Bring along your creative delights on Saturday March 31st to enter this exciting contest!

For further details, please contact Sarah  sarah@westnorwoodslowfoodfestival.co.uk / 07414 971 758 or visit Antonia at Beamish&McGlue, 461 Norwood Road SE27 9AH.

Visit the festival online at www.westnorwoodslowfoodfestival.co.uk  or follow on Twitter @WNslowfoodfeast

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February 6, 2012 · 10:38 am

Street Trees

Would you like to see more street trees in your neighbourhood? A few residents have spoken to local councillors about having more say where the council plants trees are planted and which type is planted. Street treeThe evergreen pictured in Lamberhurst Road is unusual for a street tree. Lime trees are not popular due to sugary nectar dropping onto parked cars during the flower season. Are trees with small round fruits ok or would a silver birch be better? Does a tree lined street increase property values?

If you are interested in influencing the trees in the West Norwood area please email Cllr Jackie Meldrum who will put you in touch with like-minded neighbours .

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