Knight’s Hill Wood

Map of the wood from Lakeview Road

Map of the wood from Lakeview Road

Knight’s Hill Wood is a little known small natural green space at the top of  Knights Hill opposite Tivoli Park.

Embrace, an environmental charity based in Lambeth, has won funding from the Lottery to run a three-month project focusing on Knight’s Hill Wood. They are involving local schools and also running public events which local people are welcome to come to and join in. Staff from Lambeth Parks will be supporting each event and tools and training will be provided.

1pm to 2:30pm Saturday 20th August 2011 – Knights Hill Ramble

1pm to 4pm Saturday 27th August 2011 – Bramble Bashing

1pm to 4pm Saturday 3rd September – Ivy Eradication

1pm to 4pm Saturday 10th September – Stag Beetle Habitat Creation

1pm to 4pm Saturday 17th September – Invasive Species Removal
Lambeth Parks will be supporting each event with staff and advice. Tools and training will be provided

For more information contact   john.embrace@googlemail.com or see Embrace’s web site:  http://www.embracecooperation.org.uk/

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Filed under Community / voluntary, Environment

Norwood School Update

Cllr Jackie Meldrum at the school

The Norwood School in Crown Dale SE19 3NY  is undergoing extensive building work over the summer holidays. These improvements are part of the Building Schools for the Future programme started by the last Labour government. The school is getting  a new theatre  which will be accessible to the public outside school hours, modern class rooms and  a new dance studio, art room & cafeteria.

The Norwood School is a mixed school specialising in the performing & visual arts. Under the leadership of Denise Webster the school is  one of the top 5 most improved schools in the country for achievement of 5 GCSE A-C grades including English & maths and  the top school in the country for improvement in 5 GCSEs A-C grades.

Families with children looking to start secondary school next year in September 2012 can look round the school on its open days next term:

Thurs 29th Sept 4.30pm to 7pm

Monday 19th September 9.15am to 10.30am

Tuesday 20th September 9.15am to 10.30am

Wednesday 21st  September 9.15am to 10.30am

Thursday 22nd September 9.15am to 10.30am

Friday  23rd September 9.15am to 10.30am

Thurs 29th Sept 4.30pm to 7pm

Monday 10th October  9.15am to 10.30am

Wednesday  12th October  9.15am to 10.30am

See web site for more information: www.thenorwoodschool.org

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Filed under Community / voluntary, Education, Labour Councillors, Lambeth Council, Schools

Disturbances hit West Norwood

Tessa Jowell outside damaged  Money Shop

Tessa Jowell outside damaged Money Shop

Ward councillors and local MP Tessa Jowell visited West Norwood businesses following the disturbances on night of  Monday 8th August. Everyone is keen to get back to business as usual.

Attempts made to break into  several  shop premises in Norwood Road and the door of  The Money Shop was broken down. The break in was recorded on CCTV and  the police have posted pictures of suspects:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/metropolitanpolice/6025500434/in/set-72157627267892973/. What  happened in West Norwood was  opportunistic attempts to rob a few shops, rather than the overwhelming looting seen elsewhere.

The police are now making hundreds of arrests of people involved in looting across London and courts are sitting for long hours to process the cases quickly.   To get up to date advice and information directly from official police sources you can subscribe to the Community safe web site and choose  the information alerts for the areas you are interested in. http://www.communitysafe.gov.uk.

The good news is that following the widespread recent public disorders of this week  there has been a fantastic response from Lambeth residents offering  to come &  help clean up. The council is now co-ordinating a Volunteering Speed Dating event next week. If you have been inspired by the recent community responses or you have always just wanted to volunteer then come along talk to like minded people. Just drop in between 6pm to 8pm on Wednesday 17th August at The Assembly Hall in Acre Lane  SW2 1RW (between  the Town Hall & Tesco). For details see: http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/News/2011/120811VolunteeringSpeedDating.htm

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Filed under Community / voluntary, Crime, Labour Councillors, Lambeth Council, Local Business, Police, Shopping, West Norwood

Murder on West Norwood’s shopping street

Cllr Jenny Brathwaite at floral tribute

Cllr Jenny Brathwaite at floral tribute

Just after 4am on Friday night ( 5/8/11) Daniel Famakinwa age 20 , of  Manor Park in  east London  was shot at the bus stop near Waylett Place, off Norwood Road. Sadly he died shortly afterwards in hospital.
Three men arrested in connection with this murder have been released. Detective Chief Inspector Caroline Goode said: “”I would urge anyone who was in the area at the time, and who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, to come forward as you may hold significant information.”
Anyone with any information to help the police investigation can phone  the police on 020 8721 4868 .  Or phone  Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and remain anonymous (not give their name or address).  Crimestoppers is an independent charity.

See BBC News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14430495

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Copper thefts from West Norwood Library roof

West Norwood Library & Nettlefold Hall

Scaffolding going up at West Norwood Library & Nettlefold Hall

Following theft of copper roof of the building on Norwood High Street that houses West Norwood library and Nettlefold Hall repairs are underway. Securing the site and erection of scaffolding is the first stage. The original roof has ordinary chipboard immediately under the copper covering . The exposed chipboard has crumbled  making access to the roof difficult & unsafe. Scaffolding is required both inside and outside.

Once the roof is  watertight again work will be needed to restore the electrics in the building. Lambeth council is keen to re-open West Norwood library as soon as possible.

In the meantime arrangements are being made to open  alternative library services at The Lambeth Resource Centre, 1 Parkhall Road SE21 8EH  (at the east end of Robson Road) . An  opening date for the temporary library will be announced shortly.

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Filed under Arts, Community / voluntary, Crime, Education, Lambeth Council, Leisure, Police, West Norwood

Open day at West Norwood Tennis Club

West Norwood Tennis Club

West Norwood Tennis Club

Sunday 7th August is open day at The West Norwood Tennis Club.  Come along between 12noon and 3pm to find out more about the club.  The bar will be open!

This is a chance for people to meet club members, see the facilities and hear about the current set-up and future plans.  You can also find out about the offer for non-members to use play tennis on the club courts  for £5 per person on days the club is open.  Usual opening days and times are Wednesday and Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday from 11.30am – 3pm.

The club is at 128 Knights Hill  SE27 0SR (by Cheviot Road)

Residents frequently ask local councillors about playing tennis at the club. Cllr Mike Smith met with the club members recently and the  club decided to hold this open day. All welcome to drop by on Sunday 7th August.

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Filed under Community / voluntary, Health, Labour Councillors, Leisure, Local Business, Parks, West Norwood

Befriend Tivoli Park

Tivoli Park is a small &  popular park behind Tivoli Road, Furneaux Avenue, Knights Hill & Dassett Road . It  has a play area, ball court and seasonal pond.

Friends of Tivoli Park

Friends of Tivoli Park stall

Local people are have set up  a new community group – The Friends of Tivoli Park .

Come along at 7pm on Tuesday 12th July at Cheviot Gardens, Cheviot Road  SE27 0SU (opposite Big Yellow Storage on Knights Hill) to hear about the history of the park and plans for the future.  Refreshments will be available.  All welcome.

For more info email tivoliparkfriends@gmail.com

or see “Friends of Tivoli Park” community pages on Facebook

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Filed under Community / voluntary, Parks, West Norwood

Retro running on 17th July

Local people are being offered the opportunity to take part in the daftest race to take place in London this summer, whilst raising money for their favourite charity.  The first ever William Hill London Backward Run is taking place in Crystal Palace Park on Sunday 17th July.

No other sport could possibly lay claim to be as humorous, as tough, as exciting, as contagious, as healthy or as entertaining as this one and all at once too.  In fact anyone who just wants to try something different will be attracted to backward running because of its ‘fun’ image.

There is a backward running experience suitable for absolutely everyone.  For those who just want to experience the backward concept without the pressures of competing there is a ‘backward fun run and walk’, or for the fitness enthusiast looking for their next challenge there will be 1km and 3km races for men and women, with £100 & £200 prizes for the winners, plus prizes for the runners up.

Sally Raynes, Wacky Nation’s Event Director says:   ‘We are hoping that people will just give it a go as this is an experience that requires very little training beforehand.  It is a really great way to raise money with your friends, family or even for your office charity.  With charities receiving much less funding, we wanted to create a fun way for people to get fit and support local charities too.’

Backward running, also known as reverse running and retro running also has amazing health benefits and is considered a super-exercise. Research has shown that backward running has massive potential in areas of fitness, well-being and rehabilitation.  If you’re looking to reduce the risk of knee injury, seeking to lose weight or reduce back problems, backward running could be for you.  In fact there are 100 reasons to try backward running with benefits to the body and mind (see below for twenty five of these).  Just once a week, the long-term benefits could be amazing.  What do you have to lose?

Good luck and once you start, you may never look back again – or should that be forward?  If you would like to find out more about the race visit the website at  http://reverserunning.com/LondonChampionships.aspx

For more information on either of the events or on backward running please ring Sally on 01884 255896 or email info@reverserunning.com

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Filed under Charity, Health, Parks

Summer Activities July to September 2011

Holiday Activities 2011

Holiday Activities 2011

What’s on this summer for children and young people? There’s something for everyone including sports, arts, music or accredited courses!

Download the brochure of summer activities

The Lambeth Summer University is a four weeks programme that offers young people aged 11 – 19 affordable recreational & educational courses and activities that are exciting & fun. For details see  http://www.younglambeth.org.

In the Norwoood area projects will be running for 9 to 16 year olds from 26th July to 18th August at Park Campus, Gipsy Road SE27 9TG and at Bishop Thomas Grant School, Belltrees Grove, SW16 2HY . For details see http://www.lambethsummerprojects.co.uk

For 7 to 11 year olds there will be a multi sport programme from 2nd to 11th August 10am to 3pm at Dunraven School, 82-100 Leigham Court Road, SW16 2QB. For details contact 020 7926 0396 or email sports@lambeth.gov.uk

The Old Library Centre, 14-16 Knights Hill, SE27 0HY will be running activities over the summer. For details contact 020 7926 7600 or email mjean@lambeth.gov.uk

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Filed under Community / voluntary, Education, Kids, Lambeth Council, Leisure, Parks, Schools

Tennis club challenges council refusal

West Norwood Tennis Club

West Norwood Tennis Club

Plans to replace the existing West Norwood Tennis Club buildings off Cheviot Road with a six-storey mixed use building were turned down by the council on the 3rd December 2010. The developers have appealed against the council decision and a public hearing will take place on Tuesday 26th July at the South London YMCA, King George’s House, 40-46 Stockwell Road, London SW9 9ES. If you wish to speak at the hearing you must let the Planning Inspector know at the very start of the hearing . It is expected to last for two days. The reference of the appeal is APP/N5660/A/11/2144277.

For more details contact Sarah Dickens at Lambeth Planning, Phoenix House, Wandsworth Road, London SW8 2LL or  telephone  020 7926 1248.  Local councillor Jane Pickard is co-ordinating the views of local residents – contact Jane at jpickard@lambeth.gov.uk .

To see details of the original planning application look at the Public Access database on Lambeth‘s web site http://planning.lambeth.gov.uk/publicaccess/ and quote ref 10/01836. The council’s reasons for refusing this planning application are given in the decision notice on the database

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Filed under Charity, Community / voluntary, Health, Housing, Lambeth Council, Leisure, West Norwood