Garreth Carter has sent me an amazing video of Stockwell at night time - some beautiful images and moving shots of people in the best neighbourhood in London. Hope you enjoy as much as I did.
Stockwell By Night from Garreth Carter on Vimeo.
Monday, 30 January 2012
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Christmas Update
Normal blogging service will resume in January, but until then here are a few things that your local Labour team has been up to since September...
- The Portuguese Speakers' Community Centre project have found a permanent home in Kennington at 1 Othello Close (just opposite the tube station). This is great news for the project and will help them deliver services and activities for the Portuguese speaking community. The centre will officially open on 13 December. Email Cllr Alex Bigham if you want to know more.
- The Friends of Stockwell War Memorial has been officially established thanks to the work of Naomi Klein and Sheila Dartnell. They have held a number of meetings and are busy organising work to publicise the much needed restoration of the memorial. The Friends group laid a wreath along with Councillors and the Mayor of Lambeth on Remembrance Sunday.
- We have held a number of consultation meetings with the Stockwell Forum and other residents groups on the plans to develop the Vauxhall - Nine Elms area. You can read Labour's draft manifesto for the area here. There is also now a masterplan being developed to turn the Vauxhall gyratory into a far more pleasant, pedestrian friendly 'town centre' with new residential, retail and office buildings.
- We continue to campaign to bring the TFL bike hire scheme to Stockwell. The Mayor has now promised there will be bike docking stations in Stockwell by 2013, but we will keep up the pressure. A huge number of residents signed the petition which we presented to the Mayor, and you can still add your name here: http://www.gopetition.com/petition/39225.html.
- In other news, the much loved Annie McCall hospital site was put up for sale recently. However, Cllr Imogen Walker continues to work closely with the Stockwell Studios, run by local artists to ensure that any development of the site protects space for the artists to use.
Until the new year, have a very happy Christmas, and a peaceful holiday.
Cllr Alex Bigham, Cllr Imogen Walker, Cllr Pete Bowyer
Labour Team for Stockwell.
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Labour in Lambeth reveals plans to transform Vauxhall Nine Elms
New community funds, better public services, parks and transport schemes are planned
Lambeth’s Labour Councillors have unveiled their plans to transform the Vauxhall-Nine Elms-Battersea area to ensure local residents get the maximum benefit from the regeneration proposals.
In a draft manifesto, Labour has pledged that they “will ensure that the necessary infrastructure and public services will be provided for local residents affected by the developments.”
One of the highlights is the plan to develop a new ‘Community Endowment Fund’ of at least £1million which will provide an annual pot of money for local groups to ensure that the benefits of the regeneration continue after the building has finished. In addition, funding that comes from new developments for improving the community will be ring fenced so it can’t be used to subsidise any overspend on the planned Northern Line Extension.
Labour’s Leader in Lambeth, and Co-chair of the VNEB Strategy Board, Cllr Steve Reed said:
“We are getting ahead of the curve in announcing these pledges for local people – the first political party to set out a manifesto for Vauxhall Nine Elms. With 16,000 new homes coming to the area we need to be sure that our public services meet the demands of our existing and new residents. We will be engaging with our communities, so they can tell us what they want. ”
The draft manifesto will go out for consultation over the next two months. Labour Councillors will be discussing the plans with local people, community groups, residents’ associations, and other key stakeholders.
To improve transport, Labour pledges to support:
· An extended Northern line to run from Kennington to Nine Elms and Battersea
· New bus services along Wandsworth Road and Nine Elms Lane.
· A cycle bridge at Pimlico, new boat services, walkways and improved access to the river.
· The extension of the TFL bike hire scheme further South
· Traffic calming measures and improvements to prevent ‘rat runs’ through residential areas.
To improve our open spaces, Labour pledges to:
· Preserve and improve Vauxhall Park, Spring Gardens and Larkhall Park.
· Lobby TfL to remove the Vauxhall gyratory to improve the area for pedestrians and cyclists.
· Ensure that any new tall buildings do not significantly overshadow parks and homes.
In public services and culture, Labour pledges to:
· Create extra school places, doctors, and ensure hospital services are not adversely affected.
· Ensure police are not diverted by protecting the new US Embassy.
· Develop new cultural provision in the area, provide extra sports pitches and leisure centres
To support local businesses and jobs, Labour pledges to:
· Ensure developers offer apprenticeships for young residents and the unemployed.
· Work to provide new spaces for retail outlets and street markets.
The consultation on the draft manifesto will run until 15 November.
To download the manifesto, click here.
To comment on the plans, you can email vnebmanifesto@gmail.com
Lambeth’s Labour Councillors have unveiled their plans to transform the Vauxhall-Nine Elms-Battersea area to ensure local residents get the maximum benefit from the regeneration proposals.
One of the highlights is the plan to develop a new ‘Community Endowment Fund’ of at least £1million which will provide an annual pot of money for local groups to ensure that the benefits of the regeneration continue after the building has finished. In addition, funding that comes from new developments for improving the community will be ring fenced so it can’t be used to subsidise any overspend on the planned Northern Line Extension.
Labour’s Leader in Lambeth, and Co-chair of the VNEB Strategy Board, Cllr Steve Reed said:
“We are getting ahead of the curve in announcing these pledges for local people – the first political party to set out a manifesto for Vauxhall Nine Elms. With 16,000 new homes coming to the area we need to be sure that our public services meet the demands of our existing and new residents. We will be engaging with our communities, so they can tell us what they want. ”
The draft manifesto will go out for consultation over the next two months. Labour Councillors will be discussing the plans with local people, community groups, residents’ associations, and other key stakeholders.
To improve transport, Labour pledges to support:
· An extended Northern line to run from Kennington to Nine Elms and Battersea
· New bus services along Wandsworth Road and Nine Elms Lane.
· A cycle bridge at Pimlico, new boat services, walkways and improved access to the river.
· The extension of the TFL bike hire scheme further South
· Traffic calming measures and improvements to prevent ‘rat runs’ through residential areas.
To improve our open spaces, Labour pledges to:
· Preserve and improve Vauxhall Park, Spring Gardens and Larkhall Park.
· Lobby TfL to remove the Vauxhall gyratory to improve the area for pedestrians and cyclists.
· Ensure that any new tall buildings do not significantly overshadow parks and homes.
In public services and culture, Labour pledges to:
· Create extra school places, doctors, and ensure hospital services are not adversely affected.
· Ensure police are not diverted by protecting the new US Embassy.
· Develop new cultural provision in the area, provide extra sports pitches and leisure centres
To support local businesses and jobs, Labour pledges to:
· Ensure developers offer apprenticeships for young residents and the unemployed.
· Work to provide new spaces for retail outlets and street markets.
The consultation on the draft manifesto will run until 15 November.
To download the manifesto, click here.
To comment on the plans, you can email vnebmanifesto@gmail.com
Monday, 12 September 2011
Stockwell Festival this coming weekend
The annual jamboree that is the Stockwell Festival is upon us again. It is being held on:
Saturday 17 September 2011
London SW8 2PX
Stockwell Labour Party will have a stall with information on our campaigns and a chance to talk to your local councillors.
This year the Stockwell festival will be spread across five sites: Larkhall Park and Playground, Oasis Nature Garden, Go Kart track and Adventure Playground, and it is a joint project by Stockwell Partnership and Oasis Play.
The theme this year is Peace, Inclusion and Cohesion.
On the Pineapple Stage there's a vibrant line-up with hillbilly bluegrass from the Glenbuck Cherry Pickers, jazzy blues from Marcina Arnold and the Love Rats and steel panners Southside Harmonics. Plus dance moves from Dance Starz, acrobatic cheerleaders Fyer Flyz and Confusion.
Don't miss the famous Pineapple Peace Parade, face painting, arts and craft workshops, magic and circus workshops, interactive drumming workshops, the Bureau of Silly Ideas Pineapple Car, local artists, an opporunity to paint messages of Peace on the Giant Peace Wall, Stockwell stories and songs from local residents.
Services on site include Dr Bike who will give you advice and mechanical know-how on your bike. Friends of Larkhall Park exhibit the latest park developments.
If you’d like to volunteer on the day, please contact Anna at agodsiff@hotmail.com or call 07973 71117.
Follow Stockwell Festival on Facebook and Twitter @stockwellfesty or visit http://www.stockwell.org.uk/
Saturday 17 September 20111pm–6pm
in Larkhall Park
Courland GroveLondon SW8 2PX
Stockwell Labour Party will have a stall with information on our campaigns and a chance to talk to your local councillors.
This year the Stockwell festival will be spread across five sites: Larkhall Park and Playground, Oasis Nature Garden, Go Kart track and Adventure Playground, and it is a joint project by Stockwell Partnership and Oasis Play.
The theme this year is Peace, Inclusion and Cohesion.
On the Pineapple Stage there's a vibrant line-up with hillbilly bluegrass from the Glenbuck Cherry Pickers, jazzy blues from Marcina Arnold and the Love Rats and steel panners Southside Harmonics. Plus dance moves from Dance Starz, acrobatic cheerleaders Fyer Flyz and Confusion.
Don't miss the famous Pineapple Peace Parade, face painting, arts and craft workshops, magic and circus workshops, interactive drumming workshops, the Bureau of Silly Ideas Pineapple Car, local artists, an opporunity to paint messages of Peace on the Giant Peace Wall, Stockwell stories and songs from local residents.
Services on site include Dr Bike who will give you advice and mechanical know-how on your bike. Friends of Larkhall Park exhibit the latest park developments.
If you’d like to volunteer on the day, please contact Anna at agodsiff@hotmail.com or call 07973 71117.
Follow Stockwell Festival on Facebook and Twitter @stockwellfesty or visit http://www.stockwell.org.uk/
Reminder: Stockwell War Memorial meeting
A quick reminder that the first Friends meeting for Stockwell War Memorial is on Wednesday 14 September at 7pm at the Stockwell Resource Centre, Studley Road (behind the tube).
All welcome!
Come and find out about this fascinating building and how you can help be part of the push to ensure its future is a bright one.
Sunday, 11 September 2011
New Market in Stockwell...
A new market opens next weekend (Saturday 17th September 2011, 10am – 4pm) at The Cavendish Arms on Hartington Road SW8 2HJ. The market will then be open the 2nd Saturday of the month.
Outside there will be stalls for foodies and plant lovers while inside in the ballroom there will be arts, crafts, clothes and gifts.
Some of the highlights so far are: -
· Di Lieto Bakery (ex South Lambeth Road) are returning to the area to trade from the market
· Mimosa Delicatessen (from the October market)
· Wildflowers plants and cut flowers
· Blueberry Hill Cakes
There will also be hot food in the form of savoury and sweet freshly made crepes, a Mediterranean BBQ and fresh Chorizo rolls, so you can come and have brunch, lunch or afternoon tea. The bar in the Cavendish is open from 11am.
Inside you will find: -
· Fein & Cooper Homewares (as seen in Liberties) selling homewares from vintage fabrics and vintage inspired lace curtains
· Moseley Giftware
· Retro and Designer Second-hand Clothing
· Upcycled furniture
· Hand printed bags, aprons and lavender bags
The majority of traders are local from Stockwell, Vauxhall and South Lambeth, so the market has a real community feel. Trade local and support your local community.
You can keep up to date with the market and the traders who will be there by following them on Facebook or Twitter, or visiting http://www.southlambethmarket.com/
Congratulations to Ian Beever and the rest of the market team on this great initiative!
Some of the highlights so far are: -
· Di Lieto Bakery (ex South Lambeth Road) are returning to the area to trade from the market
· Mimosa Delicatessen (from the October market)
· Wildflowers plants and cut flowers
· Blueberry Hill Cakes
There will also be hot food in the form of savoury and sweet freshly made crepes, a Mediterranean BBQ and fresh Chorizo rolls, so you can come and have brunch, lunch or afternoon tea. The bar in the Cavendish is open from 11am.
Inside you will find: -
· Fein & Cooper Homewares (as seen in Liberties) selling homewares from vintage fabrics and vintage inspired lace curtains
· Moseley Giftware
· Retro and Designer Second-hand Clothing
· Upcycled furniture
· Hand printed bags, aprons and lavender bags
The majority of traders are local from Stockwell, Vauxhall and South Lambeth, so the market has a real community feel. Trade local and support your local community.
You can keep up to date with the market and the traders who will be there by following them on Facebook or Twitter, or visiting http://www.southlambethmarket.com/
Congratulations to Ian Beever and the rest of the market team on this great initiative!
News from The Lost Theatre
Also Lost Theatre's Sunday Drama Club for 5-10 year olds, run by Leigh Tredger, will be starting on Sunday 18 September, 12noon-1pm. The classes cost £40 for 10 sessions. The group will be working on a version of the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' by Catherine House, which they will present on Lost Theatre's stage to an invited audience on 18 December. There is an opportunity to meet Leigh Tredger when she teaches a dance routine at the Stockwell Festival on Saturday 17 Saturday (first Session at 2pm and then 3.30pm to participate in the parade starting at 4.30pm.) www.losttheatre.co.uk/under16s/under16s
Lost Theatre is also running a Drama Class for 11-15 year olds, Wednesdays 5.30-6.30pm, starting 14 September (£40 for ten sessions).
Family-suited productions coming up include Honk! a musical comedy based on The Ugly Duckling (13 September - 1 October), a National Theatre schools production of Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream and from the West End the musical of Little Women (12 December - 7 January). www.losttheatre.co.uk/whatson/forthcomingshows/forthcomingshows
Police Appeal
Police are investigating an Operation Withern (ie London Riots) crime of GBH that occurred on Monday 8 August just after 1.20am on Stockwell Road, SW9 at the junction with Broomgrove Road.
The victim aged 27 was on his way home when he saw a large group of black men, all aged approximately 18 years, aggressively approach a woman on a bicycle, and then push her off.
He intervened and was subsequently assaulted by the group leaving him unconscious. The victim received injuries to his jaw and head but is recovering well.
Police are keen to speak with the female cyclist, who would be an important witness, and to anyone else that may have been there or seen what went on.
Anyone with information is asked to call DC Jenny Courtney from Lambeth CID on 020 8721 3537.
The victim aged 27 was on his way home when he saw a large group of black men, all aged approximately 18 years, aggressively approach a woman on a bicycle, and then push her off.
He intervened and was subsequently assaulted by the group leaving him unconscious. The victim received injuries to his jaw and head but is recovering well.
Police are keen to speak with the female cyclist, who would be an important witness, and to anyone else that may have been there or seen what went on.
Anyone with information is asked to call DC Jenny Courtney from Lambeth CID on 020 8721 3537.
Albert Square hosts digital switchover party
London's countdown to Digital Switchover will be launched with a street tea party for residents of Albert Square, SW8.
After April 2012, when London switches over to digital-only TV, your analogue equipment (including video recorders) will not work and you could miss out on your favourite shows, so it is important that everyone has the digital equipment and set-up appropriate to their needs.
The Switchover Help Scheme press office will be talking to local residents about digital switchover, what they need to do to be prepared and the extra help that is available to certain eligible groups - including people aged 75 and over or those with a disability.
Please tell your friends, relatives and neighbours who may not be aware of the change or who are not online about this invitation.
RSVP (required) to Josie Wolstenholme on 020 7781 2300 or email helpscheme@consolidatedpr.com
Monday 12 September, 10am-12pm,
Location: Albert Square, Stockwell, London SW8
After April 2012, when London switches over to digital-only TV, your analogue equipment (including video recorders) will not work and you could miss out on your favourite shows, so it is important that everyone has the digital equipment and set-up appropriate to their needs.
The Switchover Help Scheme press office will be talking to local residents about digital switchover, what they need to do to be prepared and the extra help that is available to certain eligible groups - including people aged 75 and over or those with a disability.
Please tell your friends, relatives and neighbours who may not be aware of the change or who are not online about this invitation.
RSVP (required) to Josie Wolstenholme on 020 7781 2300 or email helpscheme@consolidatedpr.com
Monday 12 September, 10am-12pm,
Location: Albert Square, Stockwell, London SW8
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Police numbers unspun
A lot of spin has been put on the issue of police numbers by Conservative Mayor Boris Johnson this morning, with an attempt to claim numbers will not go down in the light of recent violence.
But the actual budgets he is responsible for tell a different story. The Metropolitan Police Authority, which is appointed by the Mayor and receives its budget from the Mayor says that the numbers of police will reduce by 1,985 between this year (2011/12 - 53,126) and next year (2012/13 - 51,141) in its committee papers (see full document here). In addition, all police recruitment has been frozen.
Rather than going on the Today programme and making spurious claims to back up his election chances, the Mayor should come clean with Londoners so we can get to grips with policing the capital effectively.
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
A message from your local councillors
Along with you, our friends and neighbours in Stockwell, we are appalled at the recent events of looting and violence across London and the UK.
We hope that your business, homes and property remain safe,
but in an emergency only please:
Dial 999
For non-emergencies, call 101
To report information about the current unrest,
call the Met incident room on 020 8345 4142.
Alex Bigham, Imogen Walker, Pete Bowyer
Stockwell Councillors
Monday, 8 August 2011
Lambeth Leader responds to events in Brixton
"Brixton is quickly returning to normal after last night’s disgraceful looting and disorder. Let’s be clear about one thing first: this was no re-run of 1981. What we saw last night was a mob of mainly young people taking advantage of the violence in Tottenham the night before to stage copycat activities so they could break into local shops. They targeted businesses selling mobile phones, video games, electronic goods including plasma screen TV sets, and sports clothing. It seems they used social media to move quickly in an attempt to out-run the police. There is universal condemnation from across the community this morning for what was nothing more than criminality and opportunistic theft.
I went on a walkabout around Brixton first thing and saw the clean-up operation in full swing. The damaged shops are being secured. Broken glass and litter – some of it left over from the Brixton Splash event yesterday afternoon – was being cleaned away. The Council is working with businesses and the police to make sure our town centre is restored to normal working as quickly as possible."
To read the full piece, click here
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Stockwell War Memorial - photos of damage
Stockwell War Memorial, a set on Flickr.
I visited the memorial this morning to inspect damage along with Sheila Dartnell and Naomi Klein. Not only is some of the stonework damaged, there appeared to be an insect infestation in the base of the clock tower.
Monday, 25 July 2011
New group to protect and renew Stockwell war memorial
The organisation is being set up with an informal steering committee of Naomi Klein, who has written a book on the memorial, and Sheila Dartnell whose great-uncle is remembered on the cenotaph. They are being supported by Cllr Alex Bigham on behalf of the Stockwell councillors.
The clock tower cenotaph was built in 1922 and commemorates the names of 574 local men who died in the First World War. The names on the memorial were put forward after the war by friends, family and neighbours of those who lost their lives in the bloodiest war in history. Behind each and every name is a man, and every man had a story. And in many cases, the name carved at Stockwell is the only thing left.
What can I do to help?
SIGN THE PETITION
There are 472 paper signatures and 72 electronic. But we need more! Please take a minute to sign the petition at http://www.gopetition.com/petition/38985.html
JOIN THE FRIENDS OF STOCKWELL WAR MEMORIAL GROUP
Find out more about the Friends Group at www.stockwellwarmemorial.co.uk/friends or email us at stockwellwm@gmail.com
The inaugural meeting of the group will be held on 14th September at 7pm at the Stockwell Community Resource Centre, 1 Studley Road (just to rear of the tube). All are welcome to attend.
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Stockwell Forum Meeting - 21 June
Stockwell Forum meeting, Tuesday 21 June, 7-8.30pm
Stockwell Community Resource Centre
1 Studley Road
London SW4 6RA
(not previously advertised venue)
AGENDA
Youth and Gangs in Stockwell
Perspectives from:
Some key developments and planning applications which will – or might – affect the local neighbourhood
Ian Beever, local resident
‘Get to Know Your Community’ – : The Portuguese Community Centre
Update from Luis Ventura, Development Project Manager
Local Projects Update
Open session for Forum members to update others
Stockwell Community Resource Centre
1 Studley Road
London SW4 6RA
(not previously advertised venue)
AGENDA
Youth and Gangs in Stockwell
Perspectives from:
- Commander David Zinzan, South East Area, Metropolitan Police
- Cllr Pete Robbins, Cabinet member for Children and Young People
- Claire Belgard, Young and Safe
- Young People Matter / Big Sistah, youth group
- Question and Answer Session
Some key developments and planning applications which will – or might – affect the local neighbourhood
Ian Beever, local resident
‘Get to Know Your Community’ – : The Portuguese Community Centre
Update from Luis Ventura, Development Project Manager
Local Projects Update
Open session for Forum members to update others
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