Newsletter No. 10, Sept 1999 |
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Newsletter No. 10, Sept 1999 Free
distribution to 250 households
HNA
Meeting:
The next Holmewood Neighbourhood Association meeting will be
held at,
The Friends Meeting House
Redlands Way
on September 28th 1999
8pm start,
with tea and coffee.
Agenda:
Church Hall Development:
Come and discuss the plans to develop the Church Hall
backing onto Holmewood Road into flats.
Plans include demolishing No. 3 Cotherstone Road to make way for the
entrance to this development
Meet your local Labour, Lib Dem and Tory councillors who
will be at the meeting to answer any questions you may have on local issues
Everyone Welcome – Please come along.
It’s your neighbourhood.
Sarah Prynn
Summer is drawing to a close and the next HNA residents meeting is coming up. Please do try and attend. There is an exciting agenda, and lots to talk about with the proposals for the Gardens to become one of the UK’s first Home Zones. Come along to find out more about the implications of this, and to voice your opinions. The HNA aims to get involved in the consultation of this project with the council, to ensure that resident’s views are heard AND heeded.
I have a review of the presentations of
the two guest speakers at the April meeting:
Please contact me on 0181 674 3091 if
you would like a copy – or pick up a copy at the next meeting.
Remember, this is your newsletter. We would like as many contributors and views
as possible. Please let me have your
contributions. Please remember too that
classified ads are free!!!
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Tree Update by
Duncan Law
Seventeen people met in the Gardens for
a fascinating guide tour of the trees by Derek Hoare in May. We are aware that many residents could not
come because of religious commitments on Sunday mornings. We apologise for the
hasty scheduling and will endeavour in future to plan events for Sunday
afternoon. If sufficient residents
express interest, I am sure Derek would do a repeat performance at a more
convenient time. Please tell him at 2
Holmewood Gardens.
He began in prehistory, telling how the
earliest trees colonised an inhospitable planet and gradually changed the
atmosphere making it possible for humans and other animals to develop. We made
a list of the possible uses of a tree from fuel to buildings to animal habitats
to beautiful things to look at which enhance the value of properties in the
vicinity by 10%. We looked at how you could begin to identify tree and then
proceeded to visit a number of them, which Derek introduced eloquently. We met the
Yew, the Ginko, the Walnut, the Horse Chestnut, the Maples and Sycamores, the
Plane, the birches, willow and hazels and ended up at the Holm Oak at the
entrance to Holmewood Road.
I for one am much more knowledgeable
about trees than I was before May 9th.
Individual trees that affect residents
seems to be a subject of passionate debate. If a particular tree in a
neighbour's garden is affecting you either speak to them about it or write an
informal letter clearly setting out the problem and your suggested solution.
This may well resolve the problem. If not there is a neighbours mediation
service which may be able to help and advise. The Neighbourhood Association
cannot get involved in judging the complaints of one neighbour about another.
If you have a worry or complaint about
a street tree or a tree in the gardens it is useful for the Association to know
about it. If we can come up with a plan to moderate or alleviate the problem
consistent with the interests of the tree and the other users of the gardens
then so much the better. But please
remember trees will shed leaves and that any inconvenience is
a small price to pay to keep our
beautiful tree-lined Garden. We are
trying to get to a position were Lambeth will consult residents before doing
any work beyond routine maintenance - which would have saved our elderly but
healthy Damson from its truncated fate.
New Trees for Holmewood Gardens and surrounding area.
Six trees have been planted in the
Gardens as a result of HNA lobbying: two feature trees on the dog green and
four birch trees at the south end to replace the dead one. The Damson will be
replaced next year. Three street trees,
a plum cherry, a pear and a crab-apple which will blossom successively, will be
planted at the Garden end of Holmewood
Road, the only places where underground services did not prevent it.
A pair of Tulip Tree will be planted in the pavement build-outs to frame the Garden end of Cotherstone Road.
We have been working on a specification
for the planting at the Brixton Hill end of Holmewood Road. All this will be subject to a survey of
underground services.
The trees will be planted this autumn.
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“UNIQUE CHARACTER OF THE HOLMEWOOD
NEIGHBOURHOOD PRESERVED”
Planning update by Janith Wong
News broke at the HNA meeting in April
that the Association successfully campaigned at Appeal to have the unauthorised
workshop at 14 Maplestead Road condemned.
In a detailed report, upholding Lambeth
Council’s Enforcement Order, the Inspector has rules that the workshop ‘(does)
not sufficiently respect the need to preserve or enhance the character or
appearance of the conservation area’.
To allow time for work of an industrial
nature to be relocated to more suitable premises, an extended compliance period
of six months has been granted, within which the workshop must be
demolished. There is no change to the
proprietor’s right to use the yard as offices and storage as before.
The building was erected by the
proprietor’s of the yard without Planning Permission and therefore, without
consulting local residents. Built on
the site of old garages in the builder’s yard, the unauthorised workshop is
larger and taller than before and uses different materials.
Situated in the heart of the
Conservation Area and in close proximity to adjacent homes, the building’s
unsightly appearance and obtrusive bulk generated complaints from
neighbours. Additionally, concerns were
expressed by residents of the wider Holmewood area about the noise, rubbish and
traffic resulting from the intensified use of the yard as a manufacturing
workshop.
AT the beginning of the year, residents
wrote to the Council to express their concern about the nuisance caused by the
new building and the use of the yard.
Others put their names to a petition co-ordinated by resident Janith
Wong.
Councillors Toren Smith and local MP
Keith Hill were contacted. Both made
representations in support of HNA member’s views and Lambeth Council’s case
against the unauthorised workshop.
Thanks to all who supported the
campaign.
Since the order, a planning application
has been made for the development of 14 Maplestead Road. HNA has raised an objection to the
application on several grounds, including visual amenity (the development will
be out of character with the rest of the conservation area), its change of use
and has queried a potential overlooking problem.
More
information is available form Janith Wong or Duncan Law.
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The recent mail drop by myself requesting
donations to support the HNA has met with limited but generous response. A total of £56 has been collected via
donation envelopes and the donation of an old fire surround raised an
additional £40 making a total of £96 raised to date. If you have been too busy to drop the envelope put through your
door round to me then please do so at your leisure but bear in mind we need
your support and a nominal donation of £1 from each household would make a
considerable difference to our funds.
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As
part of the HNA's attempts to address local problems we are encouraging
residents to be vigilant when it comes to crime. In recent weeks there has been an upsurge in graffiti in our
neighbourhood, both on private and council property. There is nothing artistic or clever in the type of graffiti
appearing and the bottom line is that this unsightly and destructive practice
only serves to detract from our pleasant neighbourhood. This behaviour is a criminal offence and
should always be reported to police as criminal damage. One of the problems with graffiti is it's
virulent nature with one piece soon attracting further pieces. That is why it is important to remove
graffiti as soon as it appears. Walls covered
in foliage seem to be less enticing. Get that honey suckle to work. On a brighter note Lambeth
will assist with its removal. The
service is free for graffiti on council property and free in the first instance
for it's removal from private property.
This service is provided by Lambeth via Grimebusters who can be reached
on 0181 769 7905.
The dumping of rubbish in the street
is on the increase in our area and is also illegal. Report any incidents, including vehicle registrations, to police
if you see rubbish being dumped. Did
you know that the council also provide a bulky collection service for all
domestic properties that front onto the public highway. Residents can use this service once every
three months for collections of up to 8 bulky items i.e.. sofas, cooker,
fridges or 6 bags of garden waste or 6 half bags of garden rubble. Call 0171 926 7979/81 for details.
The prostitution problem at the
junction of Holmewood Road and Brixton Hill is not going away and we need to
report sightings to police as often as possible in order to keep the pressure
on them to actively patrol our area.
The women are becoming more and more blatant and are starting to hang
around the corner in broad daylight.
Our neighbourhood is in danger of being recognised as a red light area
by the women's customers and by other communities. Once accepted as such this label will be very hard to
remove. Any prostitute activity phone
999 and report it. Never confront them directly as a lot of these woman are suffering
from highly contagious diseases.
There has been an increase in the
number of windscreen washers appearing at Christchurch Road junction with
Brixton Hill. Primarily Rumanian, they are aggressively cleaning windscreens of
cars caught at the lights. They tend to
target lone females and harass them into handing over money. They are committing the offences of
Unlicensed Street Trading and Highway Obstruction and despite numerous
incidents being reported to police little or no action is being taken. Please do not encourage the windscreen
washers by giving them money. Report
any sightings to police and do not be put off by a negative response. Point out the offence of Unlicensed Street
Trading as Brixton Police seem particularly reluctant to admit their awareness
of this piece of legislation. Brixton
Police general reporting number is 0171 649 2025 or 999 if you can't get
through.
You may be aware that squatters took
over 'The Orchard Centre' in
Cotherstone Road earlier in the summer.
The alarm system covering the site was mysteriously criminally damaged
and the squatters entered two of the buildings which conveniently were left
unlocked. Since moving into the centre
the squatters slowly but surely expanded over the site to the point where they
gained access to all the units. The
numbers of people in the centre increased considerably and there were several
weekend parties held there much to the annoyance of local residents in general,
and those in Cotherstone Road in particular.
As local residents we are subject to
a particularly high council tax charge payable for the purpose of living
here. These people abused a community
system to which they made no financial contribution. They did not maintain the centre in the condition they found it
and it was allowed to deteriorate still further. They have caused considerable
damage, including using one of the blocks as a toilet. The electricity supply
was still connected when the squatters moved in and it was the residents of
Lambeth who have had to foot the bills these squatters generated. This extends to the legal costs which were
incurred as a result of the court action that was taken to remove them from the
site.
The squatters were finally evicted 4
weeks ago, although the cost to Lambeth (and therefore council tax payers) now
includes paying for a 24 hour security guard to watch the site. There is also a security number on the gate
to call in the event that you see someone suspicious trying to gain access to
the site.
HNA looks forward to seeing what
will happen to The Orchard Centre.
There has been a spate of opportunistic
burglaries on Roupell Park Estate. Entry has been gained using a small
ventilator window that has been left open to open a large window. The thieves
then let themselves out through the front door with what they can find - often
while the owners are sleeping nearby.
There have also been a number of
robberies in the area recently also following a pattern. It is generally
elderly women who are targeted. They are pushed from behind so that they fall
and their bags are taken. Sometimes they have just collected pensions. Elderly
residents who are going out to collect pensions should arrange to be
accompanied. If you can find no-one else call the Neighbourhood Association and
we will find someone.
There has been some petty car crime and
one resident has acid thrown over his vehicle.
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Play Area – calling all child carers!
Are you a local mum, dad, au pair, nanny or child-minder who uses the play area with your charges in Holmewood Gardens? If so, we are trying to get together a group of people interested in forming a sub-committee to work on issues concerning the play area and equipment for all local children. You may have noticed that the repairs to the current equipment were carried out to a very poor standard – the slide is considerably shorter than the previous one, and the suspended, ‘wobbly’ bridge has merely been replace by a flat, unmoving bridge – not very exciting for the children. There have also been problems recently with glass and other sharp objects in the park, which at best cause annoying punctures to bicycles and at worst are a serious safety problem to children.
If you are interested in being involved in trying to improve things for all local children, please contact any one of the committee members.
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Planning Issues -
Brixton’s Tramshed by Duncan Law
The LCC Tramshed next to the Toyota
Garage on Brixton Hill has been bought and
Conservation Area Planning Permission for 5 houses and 17 flats has been
applied for by UJIMA Housing Association. I have written to the Conservation
Officer Edmund Bird saying that whatever happens I think the rather
characteristic 20s facade with its ‘LCC Tramways’ and ‘1923’ signs should be
preserved and supporting the Lambeth planning principle of preferring
employment generating uses over housing development. It transpires that the
preservation of the facade is part of the plans. It is a fine shed with a huge excellently preserved roof with
skylights which would make a wonderful studio/ office complex. It could hardly be better served by public
transport from the four corners of the borough. Ideally it should become a
Tramshed again as being among the most efficient and clean public transport
systems invented. Historically this was the end of the Tramway line which
consolidated Brixton's position in the first half of the century as a desirable
white-collar suburb with easy communications into the centre of London. It is
described as a ‘land-mark building’ in the report proposing the designation of
our Conservation Area:
"At the top of Brixton Hill stands
the former tramway depot - built in a simple monumental style with beaux arts
influences - carefully massed stock brickwork with a central arch into the
depot over which is an unusual
Georgian style window of painted and riveted metal. The original sign
has recently been revealed following the closure of the garage. It was opened
in 1923 to accommodate the electric tramcars introduced in 1904 along Brixton
Hill which terminated at Westminster Bridge.
The depot had a relatively short working life as the trams were
withdrawn after the second world war in 1952."
Residents of the flats in Christchurch
House on the corner of Brixton Hill and Christchurch Road are planning to fight
to preserve this building. Anyone who wants to join their cause and preserve
some of our heritage can contact them via Duncan by calling 0181 678 6617 or
could write directly to Edmund Bird, the Lambeth Conservation Officer at Acre
House, 10 Acre Lane, London SW2 5SG.
Latest news is that Conservation Area
Planning permission has been refused but it is thought that the developers will
reapply. Any constructive suggestions for a use for the building and any leads
to someone who might develop it as an employment generating resource or for
community use gratefully received.
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The Orchard Centre,
originally Aspen House
Open Air School for Delicate Children by
Duncan Law
I have been doing a bit of research
into this wonderful site (I have some photos if you want to see what it looks
like inside).
It was founded and built in the early
20s to educate delicate children particularly those with respiratory problems.
They were taught in the open air whenever possible and even the classrooms were
built initially without window and only canvas shutters which one pupil only
remembers being shut once in his time there during a blizzard! Consequently the
cold features in everyone's reminiscences of the place. I wonder I didn't kill
more than it cured. However the site is beautiful, and well maintained despite
having been deserted for 2 years. It was the orchard of a large Victorian house
on Brixton Hill and the stable block forms part of the school. The grass is
planted with a mix of bulbs and bluebells and there are roses lining the
driveway. The pond and rockery are a bit over-grown. There is a wonderful mix
of mature trees. Have a special look next time you wander down Cotherstone
Road. There is weeping willow, silver
birch, maple, magnolia, several fruit trees, plane and many more.
The open air school moved in 1979 to a
site in Kennington and the Orchard Site was taken over by Lambeth Education.
Latterly it was run by the charity CAVE as school for educationally
disenfranchised children from Lambeth who for various reasons such as
disaffection and disruptiveness could not be accommodated in normal schools.
Despite there being serious under-provision in this area in Lambeth the funding
was cut in 1997 and the school closed.
If you or anyone you know have
information or reminisces about the school please do get in touch with Duncan
on 0181 678 6617. The collected will be made available to local residents
before it is deposited at the Lambeth Archives at the Minet Library.
Recently I heard that Lambeth Education
had commissioned a feasibility study to return the site to Education Support
use and I wrote a letter supporting this. I also wrote to all the Art Schools
in the London Area suggesting it as a Painting School Annex and several replied
saying it would be great but they couldn't for various reasons. A Rudolph Steiner School is also interested
in the site.
Another possible use that has been
suggested by Gardens resident Ed Rosen is as a ‘Healthy Living Centre’ which
the Government is funding. The site itself is health-giving, a haven of
tranquillity and sanity. It could host classes and clinics for all sorts of
health issues, drop-in centres for mothers and children, elderly people,
resource and information centres which the public could consult. There is a
group of local professional and voluntary organisations from South Lambeth
meeting to develop a consortium to bid for funding. HNA is represented. If anyone knows of interested parties who
should be consulted please let us know.
Following the recent damage caused by
the squatters, who have now been evicted, resulting in electricity, repair,
legal and 24 hour security costs, it is shame to see the potential of this
wonderful centre going to waste.
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by
Duncan Law
In fulfilment of the AGM resolution in
support of recycling and home composting the Holmewood Neighbourhood
Association applied for a grant from the Scarman Trust Can Do fund to subsidise
home compost bins for a proportion of residents. Unfortunately we did not get the grant but are assured there are
other possible sources. We are co-operating with Ecologica, a local
organisation that is developing a local organic recycling scheme with funding which
will come from the land-fill tax rebates that Lambeth will get for reducing
it's waste stream.
Up to a third of our waste is kitchen
waste known as organic or putrescible i.e. it will rot. If it is land-filled
along with all the rest it does not usefully return to the soil but decomposes
slowly producing methane. This makes landfill sites very difficult to reclaim
as well as being a serious source of ‘greenhouse gas’ which contributes to
global warming.
If we compost this at home we can
prevent this, save Lambeth a lot of money in Landfill Tax which will ultimately
mean less Council Tax, and have beautiful fertile compost to put on our
gardens. It also means less mess in the bins. I put my bin out every other week
and it never smells.
There are several different ways of
composting. If done properly they are odour free, clean and quick, producing
beautiful rich compost FREE. The
simplest is the ordinary compost heap, best in home-made or bought container.
If you fork it over frequently to let more air in or invest in a compost
tumbler you will have a hot heap which can make compost in a very few weeks. Or
you can use a worm-bin where the worms chew it up for you and there is a
by-product of beautiful liquid plant feed. The Association has detailed
information on all these methods. Information will be supplied to members on
application, for the cost of the photocopying.
Or come and see the worm-bin in action. Worms available. Call
Duncan on 0181 678 6617. CALL NOW!
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Summer Heritage Walks in South London
Up till October
These walks have been organised by
member organisations of the Lambeth Local History Forum. They are mostly free, but a voluntary
donation would help. The walks last about 2 hours.
3rd October - Sunday
General tour of West Norwood Cemetery
2.30pm Meet: Cemetery Main Gate,
Norwood Road. Led by member of FoWNC
BR: West Norwood
Buses: 2, 68, 468, 196, 322
Friends of West Norwood Cemetery
Donation (£1 please) for funds
3rd October - Sunday
Brockwell Park Autumn Walk
2./30pm Meet: Clock Tower (near House)
in Park. Led by Robert Holden.
BR: Herne Hill.
Buses: 3, 37, 68, 68A, 196, 322
Friends of Brockwell Park
10th October - Sunday
Walkabout at Crystal Palace
11.30am & 2.30pm. Meet: Crystal Palace Museum, Anerley
Hill. Led by member of Foundation.
BR: Crystal Palace
Buses: 2, 3, 63, 122, 137A, 157, 202,
227, 249, 323, 358
Crystal Palace Foundation
Adults £2.50, Conc £1.50, Children free
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Herne Hill
Tel: 0181 738 5500
By Sarah Prynn
I tried this new restaurant shortly
after its opening. Cool clean lines and colours make this is different eating
experience to many local Indian restaurants.
The pleasant decor and atmosphere was complimented by an unusual menu,
although it was a little hit and miss.
Some interesting choices are offered as ‘specials’ which are not the
tired and typical dishes of standard Indian restaurants. They also offer a tour of the kitchen to
those who are particularly interested, although I did not take up the offer on
our evening there.
Service was friendly, although the
recommendation from a waiter to one of the guests that a dish was mild was not
shared by the diner!. It would be
interesting to hear views of diners who have eaten there recently as the chef
has apparently changed.
Not the cheapest of meals out, 3
Monkeys is still reasonable value at £40-£60 being the average price for two
with wine and makes a pleasant change from a traditional Indian meal.
Coldharbour Lane, Brixton
Tel:
0171 274 2020 by
Marion Schumman
A new exciting restaurant has opened on
Coldharbour Lane called the “Oriental Cottage / Thai Restaurant”. The menu is exciting, the food is
mouth-watering and the restaurant caters vegetarians and non-vegetarians
alike. A combination of Thai,
Indonesian, Malaysian and Indian foods, well worth a visit and the prices are
keen – try the different beers!!
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If you have too much of something -
sand, seedlings, produce... why not let neighbours have it. If it's valuable
you could negotiate a price. If you need something - a tool, advice, hard-core,
paving... it is quite likely someone in the area has it and could lend, give or
sell it to you.
STICK A NOTICE ON THE BOARD IN THE
GARDENS
- its ours now!
French classes in a friendly
environment for ages 3-11 years. Saturday afternoons 1-3pm in Streatham. Contact
Marion on 0181 674 6867 for further details
Duncan is trying to grow 1/3 of his
food this summer in his back garden.
Wants:
Any compost or kitchen or small garden
waste for his compost heap. He will collect (on a regular basis if appropriate). Large containers for growing, can be
anything, doesn't have to be pretty - from dustbins to window boxes. (min size
for pots about 6" diameter, the larger the better.) Also any plastic
bottles or large mineral water flagons preferably transparent. Hosepipe, any length.
Offers:
If you want to set up a compost heap or a worm bin Duncan can provide information (and worms) 0181 678 6617. Plastic builder's rubble sacs 25p each. Tough and re-useable. Please call Duncan on 0181 678 6617
Two Fireplaces Wanted:
Original Victorian fireplaces
(excluding mantels) for living and dining room. Please call 0181 674
3091.
Homeopathy is a system of complementary
medicine which treats the whole person and strengthens the immune system. It can offer relief in many illnesses in
both adult and children.
Examples of conditions which can be treated include colic and teething problems in babies, recurrent colds, coughs and ear problems in children through to hay fever, physical injuries, grief trauma, PMT and menopausal difficulties.
I am a trainee homeopath offering treatment under expert supervision at subsidised rates. If you think I may be able to help you, please give me a call on 0181 674 2445
New Corner Shop
Welcome to the new local shop on the corner of Maplestead Road and Upper Tulse Hill
Open 7 days a week, 8am to 9pm, selling newspapers and magazines, wines, sprits and beers, household necessities and green groceries.
HNA Directory
For a copy of the HNA directory, with telephone numbers for the HNA committee members and a wealth of other useful local numbers, call Sarah on 0181 674 3091.