Making Plans for Brixton
We are continuing to pursue our bid to make a Neighbourhood Plan for Brixton, but we are keen to resolve outstanding queries and objections. Please be aware that, if you sent comments to the Council, we only have a third-hand summary at present, so you are welcome to contact us directly. We have already had discussions with Loughborough Junction Action Group to support better access to that station and a vision for the local centre. We have also joined conversations about reviving Brixton Station Road and Atlantic Road after failed “improvements” by the Arch Company. Enquiries to Alan Piper, apiperbrix@aol.com
Local Events coming up
Community Research Exchange
The Brixton Project is excited to announce that the Community Research Exchange is back for 2025, with a new programme investigating place through the lenses of climate, community wealth and culture, in partnership with Impact on Urban Health.
Three days of talks, workshops and performances will explore the impact of the climate crisis, how we can build and keep wealth within local communities, and how culture can forge a sense of belonging.
Discussions will focus on alternative plans for the area from International House to Valentia Place.
Tuesday 18 November, 10 am to 4 pm at the Brixton Project Space, International House: Climate, place-making and regeneration practice.
Thursday 20 November, 10 am to 4 pm as above, Community Wealth: hear from key voices in community wealth-building, and from creative practitioners trying to reclaim space for future generations.
Saturday 22 November: Culture – community lunch, 1 pm to 3 pm; closing party 3 to 8 pm.
Enquiries to hello@thebrixtonproject.com
Shakespeare at Longfield Hall
The Factory Theatre Company return to Longfield Hall on Thursday 20 November to present “Cymbeline” by William Shakespeare, for just one performance, at 7 pm. To book, see https://longfieldhall.org.uk
Rapport Festival G10 Artist Exhibition
14 – 23 November 23 Market Row https://bit.ly/RapportFestival-G10
The Advocacy Academy
Just Us invite Young People 14 – 24 to join open youth space every Wednesday 3 – 7pm in the heart of Brixton at The Liberation Centre Beehive Place (to the left of Recreation Centre).
LJ Works Winter Festival
LJ Works are hosting a Winter Festival on Saturday 6 December, offering a beautiful selection of plants, Christmas cards, and handmade ferments, as well as a drop-in bulb planting workshop. All-day music will be provided by young DJs from Groove School.
Affordable wreath-making workshops will be run at 12-30 and 2-30 pm (book in advance). Festive drinks and warming treats will be available across the road at the Platform Café.
LJ Works is on Loughborough Road, opposite Wyck Gardens, SW9.
Art, craft and printing courses
St Vincent’s Brixton Centre is holding a Festive Printmaking Fundraiser on Saturday 22 November, 10 am to 4-30 pm. For £35 per person, you can be taught 2 different print-making techniques in separate 3-hour sessions (and lunch is provided).
Enquiries to LeanneT@svp.org.uk or see their website for other activities at the Centre: www.svp.org.uk
Art4Space
Continue to offer a variety of courses and craft sessions at the A4S Creative Learning Hub, 31 Jeffreys Road, SW4 6QU. Further details on their website at www.art4space.co.uk
Hausprint Studio
Offers short courses and facilities for printing methods such as etching.
All courses at Vincent’s Yard, 23 Alphabet Mews, SW9 0FN (at south end of Hackford Road). More details at www.hausprint.studio
Black Culture Market
Christmas Market Sat, 6th and Sun, 7th December 2025, Brixton – 11:00 – 17:00 both days at The Department Store, 248 Ferndale Rd SW9 8FRGreen spaces, Green issues
News from Brockwell Park
On Sunday 9th November, Brockwell Park Community Partners – in effect, the management advisory committee – met with David McAlpine, the consultant assessing the outcome of the refurbishment of Brockwell Hall on behalf of the Lottery funders.
Proposals had first been drafted back in 2014, so some elements had changed or been cut out by the time work was completed just a couple of months ago. Most comments concerned teething troubles of getting the building fully operational, such as only one toilet working, poor signage and access limitations. At present, displays on the ground floor are very basic and more is hoped for. A late change is to offer the old stable block for commercial office space, rather than use it for parks staff offices. Belated efforts are being made to develop a programme of community activities on site, initially to be co-ordinated by Catherine Hamilton, who used to look after neighbourhood forums such as ourselves. However, members were concerned at the high cost of hiring rooms for events.
Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses
Maddie Morris Folk Music Gig at the Greenhouses, Sunday 16 November, 5pm;
Festive Fermentation workshop, Saturday 22 November, 12-30 pm;
Lino-print Christmas Card workshop, Saturday 29 November OR Saturday 6 December, from 1 pm;
Lucy & Diva’s Big Fat Indian Festive Feast, Friday 5 December, 6-30 pm;
Make Willow Christmas decorations, Sunday 7 December, from 11 am.
For details and bookings of upcoming events, see the website, https://www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk/events
Brixton Windmill Events
The next public event in Windmill Gardens will be the Winter Fair on Sunday 7 December, open from 12 noon to 3-30 pm. Once again, Santa’s Grotto will be set up on the ground floor of the windmill.
There’s a Festive Wreath-making workshop the same day, at either 12-30 or 2 pm, £15 per person, minimum age 14.
Finally, the Dot Collective return on Friday 12 December, starting at 6 pm, to perform The Elves and the Shoemaker by the Brothers Grimm. Please book in advance via the website, www.brixtonwindmill.org
If that date doesn’t suit you, the Dot Collective will also be bringing their show to Longfield Hall on Thursday 18 December, this time with two performances, at 5 pm or 7-30 pm. Bookings in that case via https://longfieldhall.org.uk
Max Roach Park wants Friends
Growing out of conversations at the North Brixton Safer Neighbourhoods Team, local residents have come together to form a Friends group for Max Roach Park. This is a friendly group of local residents who care about keeping the park a welcoming, green and safe space.
A WhatsApp group is already active, and the Friends are about to adopt a constitution. They are keen to involve more people. Their next meeting will be on Thursday 20 November at 6-30 pm at the Max Roach Centre on Wiltshire Road, SW9 7NE.
Friends of Loughborough Park
BIG LEAF SUNDAY: Sunday 16th 2.30pm – 4pm – Meet at the Container
Almost all the leaves are down from the trees in the park and we need your help!
We want to do a big afternoon of clearance in the park
We’ll be building a NEW LEAF MULCHER and collecting as much of the autumn drop as we can
Equipment, gloves, vibes all provided, followed by refreshments at SuperCute Brewery
On Your Bike
Brixton BID continues to sponsor sessions by Dr Bike mechanics for cycle safety checks and essential maintenance. The next is on Wednesday 26 November, 12 to 3 pm outside Piano House on Brighton Terrace, SW9.
The following session will be on Saturday 13 December, as part of the next Car-free Day on Atlantic Road.
The Brixton BID has also been quietly pursuing other Green initiatives, including Recycling arrangements with First Mile for local businesses. During September and October, they saved the equivalent of 157 trees or 23.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
On the South Circular Road
With the Tulse Hill Forum currently dormant, the Norwood Forum has taken up the cause of the massive gyratory system next to the Tulse Hill Hotel. Transport for London explored some options a year or two ago, but pressure is building locally to change to a layout with less air pollution, with a deputation to Lambeth Council on 15 October.
Health and Social Care
Doctors Strike warning
The NHS SE London Integrated Care Board has issued advice to the public in advance of the resident doctors’ strike expected from Friday 14 to Wednesday 19 November:
Only go to A&E or phone 999 for a life-threatening emergency or serious injury.
If you are unwell, contact your GP, or contact NHS 111 online, including for mental health emergencies.
You can also visit your local pharmacy for expert advice.
Digital support for Disabled
From 4th November, Millennium Community Solutions is running a weekly digital support service for older and disabled residents.
You can learn digital skills, including setting up and using devices like smartphones, as well as how to access the Internet. The friendly team will assess your needs to assess the support that will give you the skills and confidence to cope. Some free devices may be available.
Sessions are on Tuesday afternoons between 1 pm and 3 pm, at Southwyck Coding and Arts Centre, behind Southwyck House (the Barrier Block) off Moorland Road, SW9 8UR.
Funding, Training & Support
Grant deadlines approaching
We have heard from various sources about several upcoming grants, but for most you will have to follow them up via a Google search:
Paul Hamlyn Foundation – Ideas and Pioneers Fund offers grants up to £20,000 for groups with a turnover below £150,000 pa for developing bold ideas for social change. Priority to applicant aged 18-30, deadline 2nd December.
GTR Your Station Your Community: up to £50,000, to support mental health, employability skills, diversity & inclusion, sustainability and station improvements (esp. for Thameslink and Southern services); deadline 9 December.
National Lottery: Funding for Community-led Environmental Projects: A new fund to support projects that improve the environment and help people connect with nature where they live. Funding up to £20,000 for up to 2 years, deadline 17 December.
Heritage Revival Fund: offers 3 levels of funding, for project viability (up to £15k), project development (up to £100k) and capital works (up to £350k). Open until 31 March ‘26, funded by Architectural Heritage Fund, DCMS and Historic England.
Vote for your good cause
Good to see people following up on the THINC grants that we mentioned last month. Now you can vote for who should get support, but voting closes on Sunday 30 November.
Step 1 – find the voting page at www.cvr.community/thinc and choose Brixton projects (only Brixton residents can vote for Brixton-based projects, so ignore Peckham).
Step 2 – browse the projects, which vary in size.
Step 3 – select your favourite projects. You have a total of 9 votes – 3 for small projects, 3 for medium and 3 for large.
We suggest you vote for the projects that will have the most impact on the community’s health and wellbeing.
Step 4 – Submit your vote. For example, to select St.Vincent’s “Tea Rave” programme for older adults, use the link https://haveyoursay.lambeth.gov.uk/en-GB/ideas/it-s-a-tea-rave-1 and/or you may wish to support extending the Brixton BID’s Car-free days on Atlantic Road? And don’t forget to hit “Submit Vote”!
Training Opportunities
How to Make Change is a 10-month series of monthly sessions hosted by the Advocacy Academy at their Liberation Centre in Beehive Place, SW9 7QR. Expect sessions on topics such as power, how to run good meetings, conflict resolution – and lots of good food!
Following a taster session on Thursday 4 December, regular sessions will continue on the 2nd Tuesday of the month until 13 October 2026, all at 7-30 pm. Sessions are free and open to all ages. Enquiries to betty@theadvocacyacademy.com or call her on 07 762 124 216.
Business Support
Born or Made in Brixton has added another breakfast meeting, Wednesday 26 November between 8-30 and 9-30 am in the ground floor meeting room, 3Space, International House, corner of Canterbury Crescent and Popes Road, SW9. Bookings via Eventbrite or see www.bornormade.com
Social enterprises and small businesses within the Brixton BID area should be able to join their free training courses. Next up are:
- Fire Safety (level 2) Tuesday 11 November;
- Personal Licence (level 2) Wednesday 26 November;
- both 10 am to 4 pm in Brixton.
- Enquiries to admin@brixtonbid.co.uk