South London Residents demand – Bring the Bike Hire Scheme to Stockwell!

This morning South London residents joined Labour Councillors to launch their campaign to bring the TFL Barclay's Cycle Hire scheme to Stockwell.

Local Councillors Alex Bigham, Imogen Walker, Peter Robbins and Pete Bowyer were outside the tube station asking local people to sign the petition calling the 'Mayor of London to extend the Barclay's Cycle Hire Scheme to Stockwell at the earliest possible convenience'.

Over 120 people signed the petition in just 1 hour – a rate of 2 every minute. Many were concerned that the bike scheme docking stations are disproportionately located in North, rather than South London.

Local resident Alex Baker said, “As someone who lives in Stockwell and regularly commutes to central London it’s important that the Mayor doesn’t forget people that live South of the river. Bringing the bike hire scheme to Stockwell would ease pressure on the tube station and buses which are already massively overcrowded in rush hour.”

Cllr Alex Bigham said, “We have to ensure that the bike hire scheme isn’t just for Zone 1 and helps people in South London to get around and get fit. The support we had for the petition from local people shows how important an issue this is, and how successful the scheme would be if it came to Stockwell.”

The campaign is continuing to collect signatures and has already been backed by Councillor Steve Reed, the Leader of Lambeth Council who mentioned it on his twitter page (http://twitter.com/cllrstevereed)

The Cycle Hire scheme currently extends to Vauxhall, Kennington and Oval which boarder Stockwell. Extensions to the Cycle Hire Scheme will ease pressure on the very busy Northern & Victoria tube lines that converge at Stockwell.

People can sign the online petition at http://www.gopetition.com/petition/39225.html

Pictured are (left to right) Alex Baker, Morgan McSweeney, Cllr Peter Robbins, Cllr Pete Bowyer, Cllr Alex Bigham, Cllr Imogen Walker and Jack Sutcliffe.

Bring Bike Hire Scheme to Stockwell!

Today, Stockwell Labour launch their campaign to bring the TFL Barclay's Cycle Hire scheme to Stockwell.

Local Labour councillors Alex Bigham, Imogen Walker and Pete Bowyer will be outside Stockwell tube station from 7.30am on Tuesday 21 September asking local people to sign the petition calling the 'Mayor of London to extend the Barclay's Cycle Hire Scheme to Stockwell at the earliest possible opportunity'.

The Cycle Hire scheme currently covers Vauxhall, Kennington and Oval which border Stockwell. Extensions to the Cycle Hire Scheme will ease pressure on the very busy Northern & Victoria tube lines that converge at Stockwell.

You can sign our online petition here:
http://www.gopetition.com/petition/39225.html

Labour councillors visit Bolney Meadow fun day

The Councillors for Stockwell and Oval, Alex Bigham and Jack Hopkins both attended the community fun day organised on the Bolney Meadow Estate, which crosses the border of both wards on Saturday 4 September.

The event was organised by the housing association Presentation, now part of the Notting Hill Group for local residents to get together and enjoy fun activities such as Tai Chi, facepainting, jewellery making and henna. Many organisations were there including the police, Wates construction, St John's Ambulance, Lambeth council's family division as well as community groups and church organisations.

Entertainment was on hand from local singers, and kids could enjoy a bouncy castle and a chance to see a selection of animals from the Vauxhall City Farm. There were also plans being discussed to involve more local workers in the reconstruction of the estate, which will provide new security entrances as well as internal refurbishment.

Cllr Bigham said "it was a pleasure to see so many residents enjoying themselves with their neighbours and getting into the spirit of the day. Congratulations to the organisers for putting on another fun packed day."

Late licenses challenged by local residents

Two recent applications to extend the licensing hours of local premises have caused anger amongst Stockwell and Oval residents. The Kelly's pub on Clapham Road proposed to extend its license to 5am - and following a campaign by local residents and the Oval councillors, the proposal has been withdrawn.

Cafe a Toca on Wandsworth Road proposes to similarly extend its license from to 4am on Friday and Saturday nights, and 1am the rest of the week  and concerns have been expressed by local residents about the potential for noise nuisance and their compliance with planning regulations.

Cllr Alex Bigham, along with a number of residents in the area, including the residents' committee of This Space have objected to the proposals. This will now come before licensing committee this week - Wednesday 8 September at 7pm in the Town Hall (Room 125). Anyone can attend the meeting, but only those who have made representations in the allotted time frame can speak.

History of Stockwell war heroes published

Naomi Klein, the author of the informative Stockwell News blog has compiled a book recording the lives of the soldiers remembered on the Stockwell War Memorial.

These Were Our Sons: Stories from Stockwell War Memorial contains stories of the 574 men from the area who were killed in the First World War. Using census information from 1911 and earlier, Commonwealth War Graves Commission information, original Service and Pension files, rolls of honour, contemporary maps and the vast resources of the internet, she has pieced together the lives of men whose stories would otherwise be known only to their families.


She has some impressive endorsements:

“Klein makes a memorial come alive – and records lives that deserve to be, as the hope remains, Not Forgotten.”

Ian Hislop

"The book is quite wonderfully moving and reminds us just how many families were torn apart in these streets that we love so dearly. The shock of reading of the sheer numbers lost, in our own neighbourhood, and the youth of so many of the fallen, makes me look at our war memorial with renewed humility and gratitude. It deserves a place in every Stockwell home."
Joanna Lumley (Stockwell resident)

If you would like to order online you can do so at http://www.elefantbooks.com/.

Stockwell Festival and Expo: 25 September 2010

Saturday 25th September 2010

Larkhall Park

Courland Grove

London SW8 2PX

1–6pm

(with thanks to Stockwell news for compiling the details)

Stockwell Festival, produced by Stockwell Partnership in association with Lambeth Council, is an annual highlight of the South London cultural calendar. 2010 marks its 10th anniversary and this year an Expo is included in the event. This year's theme, delivered in partnership with local service providers, local organisations and community groups is COHESION, CREATIVY & WELLBEING.

Highlights include:

The Pineapple Stage
A vibrant line-up with local street dancers Dance Starz, Stockwell Good Neighbours Choir, acrobatic cheerleaders Fyer Flyz and South London’s very own 2008 X Factor boot camp contestants RTI (Reach To Inspire). Plus professional swinging sounds from Kingsize 5 and Congolese favourites Grupo Lokito

Children’s Village There’s face painting, arts and craft workshops, Punch and Judy shows, magic and circus workshops, interactive drumming workshops with Lambeth Music Service plus Bureau of Silly Ideas’ Pineapple Car is back to take you on a hair-raising ride around the park!

Celebrating 10 years, local artists, Art 4 Space invite you to make ‘A Wish For Stockwell’ - watch out for the giant birthday cake.

Jump on board Oasis Go Karts’ pedal cars for some relay racing fun or enjoy creative environmental activities with Oasis Nature Gardens.

Later in the afternoon, Lady Pineapple leads the Pineapple Parade around the park with an array of pineapple puppets, masks and hats culminating in a performance from the Fyer Flyz on the main stage.

Wellbeing Zone
Trust Art Project invite you to join them for The Big Tea - have a brew and a slice of yummy cake and enjoy the exhibition and art workshops.

Lambeth Community Health trainers will be sharing wellbeing information and offering health checks all day.

Plus massage or reflexology treatment. Local therapists are on hand to treat you.

Peace Zone
Meet your safer neighbourhood police team, their dogs and horses and find out all about local safety. The Fire Brigade will be there between 2 and 4pm

Stockwell EXPOsed
Find out what’s available on your local doorstep as organisations and Council services offer a one-stop shop of information. Including chance to meet your local councillors and put your burning questions to them or simply browse around the many arts and craft stalls selling their wares.

DR BIKE – Get your bike fixed for FREE! Lambeth’s Sustainable Transport team offer advice and mechanical know-how.

Friends of Larkhall Park exhibit the latest park developments.

If you’d like to get involved, have a stall or volunteer contact Anna at agodsiff@hotmail.com or call 07973 711173.