Newsletter No. 12, March 2000 |
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Newsletter No. 11, March 2000 Free
distribution to 250 households
HNA
Meeting:
The next HNA meeting will be held at,
Redlands Way
on
Wednesday 15th March
8pm start,
with tea and coffee.
Agenda:
Election of Committee Members
Come and vote for the HNA committee – or even stand for
election yourself. No experience
necessary – just willingness and a little time
Update on how the Consultation Process is being designed to
find out YOUR views on the HomeZone
Welcome to the
new millennium and the latest HNA newsletter.
Our Annual General Meeting is next Wednesday 15th - please
come along. If anyone would like to be
involved in the HNA committee, please let me know or just turn up and let one
of the existing committee know. We are
always looking for extra help. The
position of Social Secretary remains vacant and it would be useful to have
Newsletter Distribution Manager. All
the other positions are up for re-election – it doesn’t have to be the same
people all the time!
As well as
normal AGM business, there will be other items of discussion and a report back
on what has happened so far regarding the HomeZone project. This will be a brief summary of progress to
date, but for those who cannot attend, please rest assured that:
·
No decisions whatsoever have been taken yet to proceed with
a HomeZone
·
HNA have been working with Lambeth Council to design the
‘Consultation Process’. This will
establish whether residents even want a HomeZone and if so what is should
contain, by asking the residents themselves!
So as to not
let other HNA activities become swamped by HomeZone news, we have decided to
run a separate HomeZone newsletter and fortnightly meetings dedicated to the
HomeZone issue. We would like to have
input from as many people as possible and intend to have a running ‘Letter
Page’ where residents can have their views printed (signed or anonymous) and
running discussions can take place.
Please send contributions to the Editor by:
Post/Hand: 61
Holmewood Gardens
Fax: 0208 671
9293
Email: sarah.prynn@virgin.net
There will
also be a separate meetings dedicated to HomeZones. All local residents are welcome to attend these meetings. We would also like to establish a support
group for any people wishing to get directly involved in the project. Look out for further details in the special
HomeZone newsletter.
Finally, there is an interesting UK
Home-
Zones web site at: www.homezones.org/ Take a look.
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grassroots by Grassroots
A sense
of community has always played an integral role in the life of Miranda Hudson,
resident for twelve years at 14 Holmewood Gardens. This spirit, combined with
her passion for the Arts, has inspired her to launch a voluntary arts
organisation, based in Brixton, called Grassroots. With the aim of “promoting
easy art in usual places for everyday people”, this company of young, dynamic
artists hopes to help push a revival and make the arts a key focus, enjoyable
and accessible to all.
The exciting debut of Grassroots involves a
multi-faceted art exhibition at Brixton’s very own Ritzy Cinema from March 12th
– April 9th. (See ‘What’s on In Brixton’).
The exhibition itself consists of <mailart> and <slideart>. Reading SPACE AND TIME: between the lines’
will be the central exhibition in the Ritzy Crush Bar. It considers the power
and emotional impact of personal mail through the narratives of three women who
were far from home. The work is
guaranteed to be poignant, witty and visually enticing.
The developing slide show entitled ‘Brixton’s Own Faces of the Century’ will
be on for 4 weeks in the Ritzy Café - a relaxing place with a good menu and
great view of the Town Hall. The slide
show will develop from initially providing a powerful visual history of the
<mailart> artists involved, to being a donation-based collection of snap
shops from the local community. We need
the stories your family photos tell, to show the collective true life of
Brixtonians. This slide exhibition will
change weekly during the 4 week run, gaining momentum with each vital input.
We all have a story to tell, so get involved….The
Body Shop, Traid and the Tate Library are each submitting snapshots to chart
how they themselves are works-in-progress in Brixton. As part of the organic, community-focused nature of their work
Grassroots are urging you the Brixton community, to submit photo or slide
entries narrating your life and interests, to the project. So hunt out your slides or photos with and
get on board…
The organisers have been busy making sure all parts
of Brixton’s community are included. As well as involving the older residents
in their press department, there is a Children’s
Map-Drawing
Competition aimed at local schools, youth centres and libraries,
(forms available in the Ritzy Café and Tate Library). Prizes are being given in April by the former Mayor of Lambeth,
Marion Schumann, and writing/ painting/drawing prizes have all been kindly
donated by Kingshield Art & Stationers in Brixton.
The idea, that received a brilliant response from a
drop in by Miranda to Holy Trinity School, is to get children creative in an
area they are all informed about: where they live. We ask for a map of their
devising showing all the elements that they like in the area that they have
selected to draw/paint or collage. This fun competition encourages children to
consider how we identify our environment through mapping. This forms a starting
point for thinking about the exhibition, which explores the impact and intimacy
of personal communication and the evolving construction of identity in this
hectic, hi-tech world. The staff from Grassroots are flying the competition on
Saturdays in the Ritzy cinema foyer should any one like to ask further
questions about the project.
So you have heard what the organisers are doing. How
are you going to get involved in your local community? Come down on the opening (Sunday 12th
March)! Submit photos to 14 Holmewood Gardens (please attach an explanation of
each photo submitted) and become part of ‘Brixton’s Own Faces of The Century’.
Encourage any children in your household to get creative with their Map
entries. When you go down to the public
opening on Sunday 12th (before the press night on the Tuesday 14th)
please do fill out our ‘Response to
<MAIL ART>’ and ‘Response to
<SLIDE ART>’ books to automatically join our mailing list for future
events. Perhaps a dance of Hipopera is
the next Grassroots treat for locals.
Thanks from us at Grassroots, Brixton.
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grafitti
Whilst
in general local crime rates are fairly low there has been an increase in the
number of cases of Graffiti. Graffiti
is an American term for what is nothing less than criminal damage. The offenders write on, or spray paint,
walls and other surfaces causing distress to private residents and unsightly
areas throughout our neighbourhood. One
piece of Graffiti soon attracts other pieces and it is important that they are
dealt with as quickly as possible. You
should report each incident to police as an allegation of criminal damage.
Police should attend the site and take photographs and you should specifically
ask for a crime reference number and the name of the investigating
officer. You made need to be firm with
police when reporting this type of offence as there have been occasions when
Brixton police have trotted out the ‘’Unless you know who did it there’s not
much we can do’’ line. This is just an
apathetic attitude. Insist they take
the report. Remember that if the
graffiti is on public property, park signs, walls, council premises etc then it
will be removed free and speedily if reported.
Graffiti on private boundary walls and property will be removed free in
the first instance and for a nominal charge if further offences occur. Call Grimebusters on 0181 769 7905 to report
graffiti for removal. They are very professional and act quickly.
Prostitutes are
making themselves at home on the corner of Holmewood Road and Brixton Hill and
can be seen at times as diverse as 6pm and 6am. Hand in hand with prostitution come drugs, needles, aggressive
clients and the harassment of lone female pedestrians. They have been taking their clients into the
green in Holmewood Gardens and also to the top end of Cotherstone Road next to
the school. Used condoms have been
found in both areas, particularly unpleasant for young children going to
school. Our neighbourhood is getting a
reputation as a red light area and I urge you to report all prostitute
sightings to local police. The local
police vice squad is entirely inadequate and no extra funds will be allocated
to them whilst local people keep quiet and accept the prostitute influx. I am considering raising a petition from
local people and presenting it to both Brixton police station and to Lambeth
council to encourage them to take more effective action. Your support would be appreciated. Report any prostitute-related problems to
Brixton Police on 0181 649 2061 and always ask for a reference number and the
name of the officer you are speaking to.
You may get an answerphone but please leave a message outlining your
concerns.
Other crime
related matters.
There
is a continued presence of aggressive windscreen washers at the Streatham Cross
junction. Primarily refugees, they
continue to harass lone female drivers.
Don’t give them money, as this will only encourage them. Their behaviour is an offence but one which
local police appear reluctant to deal with. Please report sightings to police. Call Brixton Police on 0181 649 2061.
Finally
please keep an eye out for the selfish dog owner that continually lets his
animal foul the footpath in Holmewood Road and Cotherstone Road. Subtle warnings placed on lamp posts have
served as no deterrent and sightings should be reported to Lambeth Streetscene
on 0171 926 9000. They will arrange for
dog faeces to be cleaned up and will prosecute offenders if they can be
identified. The fines range from £25
fixed penalty to £1000 if prosecuted through the courts.
Residents
have also mentioned that some newcomers to the area do not seem aware that the
Children’s Play Area is out of bounds to dogs.
Please will you exercise your dog in the dog park. Thank you.
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Treasurers Report
by
Dene Ledwidge
The
HNA coffers are in need of some tender loving care and a bit of topping
up. It has been a year since my last
begging letter was sent out. On that
occasion I asked if each household would contribute £1 towards the running of
the HNA. Out of 250 households I had
only about 20 replies. Those who did
reply were very generous, giving up to £5 each. I am sure that there were other people who were willing to give
but what with one thing and another never found the time to return the
envelope. This year, no hard sell, no
envelopes and above all no pressure.
Just a heart felt plea begging you to take pity on the HNA and bail us
out for another year. £1 is less than
the cost of a half-pint of beer. So
please be generous and drop an envelope through my door with your
donation. You won’t get the half pint
but you’ll go away with a warm and rosy glow knowing you’ve done something for
your community. I've possibly laid it
on a little thick but you’ve got to try.
Donations can be dropped in at No 4 Cotherstone Road. Put your details on a piece of paper if you
would like a receipt.
Any
ideas for fund raising would be appreciated.
Last year I appealed for unwanted items that could be sold and one kind
couple donated a fire back which when cleaned fetched £40. Any other items gratefully collected and
received (within reason). I had hoped
to organize a raffle last year but with pressures of work etc. etc…. excuses I
know, this fell through. Any donations
for a possible raffle would also be appreciated. Please contact me direct on 0956 419 573. Don’t worry about the cost as I’ll call you
straight back.
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Well we have a new restaurant/Café on Brixton Hill
called ‘Terra Firma’. Italian
style food, for vegetarians and non-veges, fresh, mouth watering, try the
home-made deserts, wow!!!!. They also do healthy brunches! Prices are good.
Open all day, 7 days a week at the moment, but they plan to open for evenings
as well in the Summer they tell me, so go and enjoy the delicious menu, you
certainly will be on ‘Terra Firma.’
Support your local Cafés & Restaurants
I
have spoken to the owners who have stated that they have yet to decide what to
do with the premises.
More, on other restaurants
in Brixton and the surrounding areas in the next issue.
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Adventures in Motion
Pictures:
’ Swan Lake’
Matthew
Bourne’s celebrated all male staging. Go and see this ballet you will be in for
a pleasant surprise!!!!!!!!! At the Dominion Theatre, Tottenham Ct. Rd, (tel.
0171-656-1888) Performances 3pm & 7.45pm. Ticket prices £10-£35
Yes, he’s back!!! The Punk dancer
is back, a mixture of modern & classical dances with a punk difference.
Michael will be performing with the band ‘Wire’. Tel. Royal Festival Hall,
South Bank, SE1 0171-960-4242. Performances 7.30pm tickets £14-£16. Concessions may be available. Go
and see this!!!
2 excellent
ballets at the Royal Opera House, ‘Marguerite & Armand’ and ‘Les
Rendezvous’. If you have not been to the newly refurbished Opera House, well now is your opportunity. I have not been as yet, but will go to see one of these ballets.
Sir Frederick Ashton was the Royal
Opera house’s founding choreographer and a great talent. Tel. ROH 0171-304-4000; Performances 7.30pm,
tickets £6-£47 concessions available.
Come
and see the spectacular original dance troupe from Argentina, Tango por
dos X2. ‘The Times’ called it ‘A sultry
mix of sex and music’. Well surely that’s tempting!!!
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Exhibitions
<Mail
Art> & <Slide Art>
‘Reading Space and Time Between the Lines’
by Miranda Hudson, Imogen Carter
& Charlotte Wimhurst.
(See
also Article on ‘Grassroots’)
A
Gallery exhibition of the power and emotional impact of personal mail. Narratives between 3 women working abroad in
Japan, Denmark and Canada.
Exhibition
runs for 4 weeks from 12th march to 9th April at
Brixton’s Ritzy cinema.
Public
Opening – 12th March
Launch/Press
Night – 14th March
Additional
slide shows in
‘Brixton’s
Own Faces of the Century’
A
developing slide show that requires the participation of local residents and
organisations alike. Upstairs from the
Crush Bar Gallery in the atmospheric Ritzy Café. This dual event organised by a voluntary organisation promoting
easy art in usual places for everyday people.
For
further information and invitations to the Launch Night, contact:
Tel:
0208 674 7911 / Fax: 07930 349 044
or
Tel:
0208 674 7911 / Fax: 07990 355 694
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A list of theatres close to
Brixton, well, not too far away and definitely worth a visit, because the
theatres themselves are interesting, full of history and are pleasant
surroundings to be in. So:-
Battersea
Arts Centre
Lavender
Hill, SW11 tel. 0171-223-2223 for programme & prices of tickets.
Landor
Theatre
Landor
Rd, SW9 tel. 0171-737-7276 (Tues. – Sats. only)
Riverside
Studios
Crisp
Rd, W6 (Hammersmith), tel. 0181-237-1111
The
Oval House
Oval,
Kennington SE1 tel. 0171-582-7680
Man
in the Moon Theatre
Kings
Rd, SW3, tel. 0171-351-2876
Chelsea
Centre Theatre
World’s
End Place, SW10, tel. 0171-352-1967 (just off the King’s Rd).
The
Wimbledon Theatre
The
Broadway, SW19 tel. 0181-540-0362
The
Grace Theatre at the Latchmere Pub
(lovely
place!), Battersea Park Rd, SW11 tel. 0171-794-0022
Young
Vic Studio
The
Cut, SE1 tel. 0171-928-6363
Royal
George Theatre
Tanners
Hill, SE8 (Deptford) tel. 0181-692-2594
The
Albany Theatre
Douglas
Way, SE8 (Deptford) tel. 0181-692-4446
Saucy
Jack’s Cabaret Bar
Crucifix
Lane, SE1, tel. 0171-378-9828
Brockley
Jack Theatre
Brockley
Rd, SE4 (lovely atmosphere!) tel. 0181-291-6354
Warehouse
Theatre
Dingwall
Rd, Croydon, tel. 0181-680-4060
Blue
Elephant Theatre
Bethwin
Rd,SE5 tel. 0171-701-0100
The
Lyric Studio
King
Street, W6 (Hammersmith), tel. 0181-741-2311
The
Barbican Centre
Barbican,
EC2 , tel. 0171-638-8891
This
month the Barbican is concentrating on the Continent of Africa, so those of
you, who like African Music, Dance, Poetry, Cinema, Pottery, Metal Work and
Batik, then come to the ‘Roots &Shoots Festival’. It starts on 4th March running till the 15th
March 2000.
This where I will be going, some
of the films in the Festival have already been on Channel 4’s African Season in
the 80s, and are certainly worth seeing, films such as ‘Finye’ (The Wind);
‘Saraounia- Warrior Queen’.
The
Festival offers a great deal and there will be workshops for families to
participate in i.e. music, dance, pottery and mask making and African
Instruments.
The
musicians’ line up comprises of:
You can
see it’s going to be a great festival !!!!!!!!!! So come along and enjoy the
whole Continent of Africa, North, South, West and the East.!!!
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Brixton
Ritzy tel. 0171-737-2121 for programmes
Clapham Picture House tel. 0171-498-3232 for
programme.
ABC
Streatham tel.192 for no.
Odeon
Streatham tel. Tel 192 for no.
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Marion Schumann compiles the HNA Entertainment Guide.
Goodbye Folks ‘That’s all for now’
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Is anyone interested in helping form an HNA babysitting circle? No fees involved, just a very simple voucher system. Please call Judith on 0208 674 3697
Nanny/nannyshare/childminder wanted for our lively, sociable and active 3 year old son (at local nursery 5 mornings a week), and for his 3 month old sister, for 3-4 days a week from May. We are looking for an energetic, loving, cheerful and experienced carer who will create a stimulating, educational but above all fun and loving environment. You must like walking and going to the park, as well as be able to drive and take our son to music classes etc. Car driver and non-smoker with full references essential. If you or anyone else you know can help, please call 0208 674 3697.