March 10, 2012 · 5:56 pm

Demand for Norwood Foodbank increases

St.Lukes Church

St.Lukes Church

With unemployment in the UK at its highest for 16 years, the Norwood Foodbank has met many hundreds of people struggling to put food on the table. One of their visitors was Camilla, a professional who has been unable to find a job for a year. When she needed to spend money on a new boiler, there was nothing left for food. Camilla came to Norwood Foodbank on the brink of desperation and was given three days worth of food.

Norwood Foodbank is open on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm and Fridays from 10am to 2pm at St Luke’s church Knights Hill SE27 0HS . People in need can obtain vouchers to exchange for food from their GPs, social workers and other health professionals.

The Foodbank relies  heavily on the generosity of the public for food donations. Elizabeth Maytom who runs the  Norwood Foodbank said: “People from Brixton were coming up to West Norwood to receive food, and we felt we had to do something to ease the burden for so many families.” The charity aims to tackle this problem with its  brand new site at St Paul’s Church in Ferndale Road Brixton, which will engage with individuals and families in crisis, providing them with food, and directing them to local agencies.

For more information or to find out how to help, contact the team at norwoodfoodbank@btinternet.com or visit the website at www.norwood.foodbank.org.uk

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March 10, 2012 · 11:45 am

17 year old charged with bus stabbing

A 17-year-old boy from Lambeth appeared in custody at Camberwell Youth Court on  9th March, charged with the attempted murder of a 17-year-old  on Friday 2nd March on a bus outside Norwood Bus Garage. He is also charged with two counts of robbery. The teenager will  appear at  Magistrates’ Court on Friday 16 March.

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March 3, 2012 · 8:59 pm

Stabbing in West Norwood

Picture of police women at the crime scene

Ernest Avenue on Saturday morning

A  17 year old was attacked on the top deck of a 432 bus in the early afternoon of Friday 2nd March near the bus station in West Norwood . He is now recovering in hospital. Ernest Avenue remained closed this morning  whilst awaiting for the police to complete the forensics.

For more details see police report on  this incident as well as the murder of a 17 year old near Moorlands Road SW9 also on Friday.

There has already been an arrest in connection with the West Norwood incident. Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The police said they have increased patrols in and around the borough  to reassure and protect the public, and to act as a strong deterrent to anyone thinking of committing further violence in the aftermath of these incidents.

There will be a regular community–police  meeting at 6.30pm on Tuesday 6th March at The Old Library, 16 Knights Hill SE27 0H7. All welcome.

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March 2, 2012 · 11:44 am

Digital TV deadline

digital-switchover logoIs there anyone you know, a neighbour or relative, who might struggle to get their tv working after digital switchover in April ?

If everyone who reads this checks out at least one vulnerable person we can spread the message about the SWITCHOVER HELP SCHEME to  those in our community who need help.

The SWITCHOVER HELP SCHEME helps eligible vulnerable people with  free or low cost equipment, installation & tuning. If you find someone who needs help they must call to book a home visit:0800 40 85 900.

For details see http://www.helpscheme.co.uk/

There’s a drop-in Digital Switchover Road Show on Windrush Square Brixton 9am to 5pm on Friday 9th March and Saturday 10th March. All welcome

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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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