Coming Events
The Brixton Blog and Bugle Art Show
This is running in the Gallery at Brixton Tate Library until 19 July, with works by 40 local artists. Viewing by appointment – e-mail to rblack@lambeth.gov.uk with your preferred date and time, and please wear a mask when visiting.
Music in Brixton
The Brixton Business Improvement District have arranged further Lockdown Lifts performances for Monday 19 July. The Brixton Chamber Orchestra will perform at Electric Circle, Tunstall Square and Brixton Station Road during the course of the afternoon. The BID are following up with the Brixton Performs Festival on Wednesday 28 July including live music and comedy.
Further afield, the bandstand at Myatt’s Fields Park is hosting a wide variety of live music performances on Sunday afternoons between 3 pm and 6 pm, continuing until 8 August – more details at www.camberwellfair.co.uk.
81 Acts of Exuberant Defiance
Marking the 40th anniversary of the original Brixton Riots of April 1981, the programme of events will now run until April next year. We will mention some of the Acts or events here from time to time, but for the bigger picture, see https://81actsofexuberantdefiance.com See also under Funding below.
The People’s Tribunal on Police Killings: 81 Acts continues the fight on behalf of those in the Black community who have been affected by police brutality, with a series of posters entitled “People’s Tribunal on Police Killings” which list those who have died at police hands. Posters have been installed at bus stops encircling the Brixton Police Station. The Tribunal is particularly concerned that murder or manslaughter committed by state agents have gone unpunished, and supports the work the United Families & Friends Campaign (@uffcampaign), Migrant Media (@migrantmedia) and 4WardEverUK (@4wardeveruk).
The Human Library: The Black Cultural Archives are hosting a performance on Saturday 28 August. This will feature 12 speakers who can each be “checked out” for a unique one-to-one 15-minute conversation/performance, based on their lived experiences, including issues of race, class and migration. The objective is to encourage individuals to reflect on the stories that have shaped their identities. Organised by Tony Cealy and 492 Korna Klub. Limited tickets – book via https://lnkd.in/d8-hNnK www.492kornaklub.com
Performances at Longfield Hall and Myatt’s Fields Park
Love’s Labour’s Lost to be performed in the Quiet Garden in Myatt’s Fields Park, at 2 pm and 7 pm on Saturday 10 July. Please bring your own chair or picnic blanket.
Friday Night with Mac & Xvngo, 7 pm in the Hall on Friday 16 July. Join amazing musicians Mac & Xvngo for a night of jazz, jazz drill and jazztronica
As You Like It, also in the Quiet Garden in the Park, at 2 pm and 7 pm on Saturday 24 July. Seating as before.
Both Shakespeare plays are presented by Open Bar Theatre.
People Power in the Park, in the Hall at 7 pm on Monday 26 July, a community performance based on the history of the Park, with a free performance (no booking needed) on Thursday 29 July at 7 pm, again in the Quiet Garden in the Park.
For all bookings, e-mail to enquiry@longfieldhall.org.uk
Lambeth Heritage Festival
Once again there will be a variety of events and activities running through the month of September. This year will be a mix of live and on-line events, but we will highlight local events nearer the time.
Funding, Training and Support
Community Art Commission
81 Acts of Exuberant Defiance want to commission an artist to lead a series of creative workshops with the residents of Hurst Street Estate, behind the 198 Gallery on Railton Road. The workshops will lead to a public artwork or mural, and possibly a pop-up exhibition in a local greenspace, contingent on further funding. The selection is being managed by the Brixton Project, working with 81 Acts. Further details and application forms from hello@thebrixtonproject.com
To apply, e-mail by 25 July to apply@thebrixtonproject.com with a completed application form and a portfolio of your work.
Grant Deadlines approaching
A reminder of approaching deadlines for these grants, previously circulated by Integrate – enquiries to eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk if you have mislaid the earlier e-mails.
Lambeth Made Safer – Summer Violence Prevention grants come from a Council pot of £15,000 per ward in selected wards, including Brixton Hill, Ferndale, Stockwell and Vassall. Mainly intended to support summer holiday activities for children and young people. Deadline is midnight on Sunday 12 July.
Walcot Foundation grant round supporting academic achievement, helping young people into employment and boosting advice services, particularly debt, housing and employment. Expressions of interest by phone to 020 7735 1925, before 2 pm on 13 July, then submit application form within 4 weeks.
5th London Faith & Belief Community Awards: £500 awards to recognise work by faith groups and associated individuals, nominations close on Monday 19 July.
London Fund for Racialised Communities offers grants up to £20,000 to support groups experiencing racial inequality, particularly for immediate needs in the wake of Covid-19. Limited to charities or social enterprises with average annual income of £100,000. Apply by 12 noon on Monday 26 July.
Ecosystem Coldharbour – Micro Grants programme is limited to the present Coldharbour Ward, to support grassroots groups with an annual turnover below £20,000. The priority is projects which reduce youth violence, which could include sport, recreation, or improving life skills or employability. Grants will be between £500 and £2500 per project – see the website https://www.ecosystemcoldharbour.org for more details. The programme will run over the next 18 months, but the deadline for the first round is Monday 26 July.
Crowdfunding for 198 Gallery
Although the extension to 198 Gallery has been completed on time and on budget, grants to fit it out have dried up due to most funders focussing on the coronavirus crisis. 198 Gallery has launched a Crowdfunder drive to attract donations to bring the new floorspace into use – with a reminder to add GiftAid too – see https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/help-to-complete-the-amazing-new198cal-youth-space
Training for Digital Volunteers
The past year has made everyone more reliant on Information Technology and digital services, but many need help with getting on-line or making their devices link-up properly. And if you have an expert or enthusiast on call, can they explain their solutions to ordinary human beings? Clear Community Web have teamed up with the West London Mission to present a four-session on-line course in how to be a useful Digital Volunteer – the next course is on Monday 19 July, Wednesday 21st, Monday 26 and Wednesday 28, 2 pm to 4 pm. Enquiries or bookings to Abel on 07 903 629 544 or e-mail to abel.solomon@wlm.org.uk
Training for Business Needs
The Brixton BID currently organises one training session per month, currently delivered on-line. Spaces are limited so make sure you take part once you are booked for a course. All enquiries about BID training to Chantel at chantel.facey@brixtonbid.co.uk
Even if you are outside the BID area, if you are a business or social enterprise, you should be able to join in courses organised by the London Business Hub, such as:
– Using e-commerce to grow your business, Thursday 15 July, 10 am to 4-30 pm;
– Branding for SMEs, Thursday 12 August, 10 am to 4-30 pm.
For more about these and other courses, see https://www.businesshub.london/events
Filling the Gap
If there is a skill or topic that would be helpful to your group, but that is not being provided affordably or within reach, tell us and we will see if something can be provided locally. Do remember that training activities tend to die down during July/ August BUT maybe we can use that time to plan for the Autumn? Please e-mail your needs or ideas to apiperbrix@aol.com
Trade Exhibitions and Conferences
If you are in business or running a social enterprise, trade exhibitions can help keep you in touch with trends and developments, and most include briefing sessions where you can pick up new ideas or extend your knowledge, often for free. Live events are gradually returning to the calendar from September onwards. We are happy to share details of the surprisingly wide range of industry sectors whose events we hear about – just e-mail us with your main field of interest, to apiperbrix@aol.com
Small Project – Big Impact
If your group has been involved with a landscaping or planting project, why not put it forward for one of the seven categories in this landscape industry award scheme? It’s limited to projects costing less than £30,000 (or £20,000 for planting projects). Entry deadline is 27 August, and for more details, e-mail to Mark Wellman of Pro Landscaper magazine, mark.wellman@eljays44.com
Health and Social Care
Coronavirus Vaccination and Testing
We usually hear about local clinic sessions too late to spread the word widely, but you can use Twitter and follow either @LambethTogether or @nhslambethccg for breaking news on walk-in vaccination sites and other health news. You can also refer to the website www.selondonccg.nhs.uk/popupclinics which includes walk-in sessions at local pharmacies, and the Lambeth Health & Wellbeing Bus, which is appearing at various sites to fill gaps in coverage. Remember that for walk-in sessions, you do not need proof of address, a NHS number or immigration status. Many of these sessions are prioritising the over-40s, who are more likely to need hospital care if they succumb to coronavirus. Sessions continue for the over-18s at the Streatham Place Surgery on the South Circular Road, with the Pfizer vaccine on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the AstraZeneca vaccine on Fridays.
Testing: The level of infections is rising again, so if you are meeting people outside your household, but not yet received a second jab, you should aim to take a rapid test twice a week. The mobile testing unit is still active on Windrush Square, or you can visit a local pharmacy, or order test kits online from www.lambeth.gov.uk/covidcommunitytest
If you have symptoms, or have tested positive, Lambeth Council may be able to offer support while you self-isolate for 10 days – enquiries to 0800 054 1215.
If you think you have symptoms, or been exposed to the virus, the test site at Somerleyton Road is still active, but please book by phoning 119 or via the website www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
Social Support services return to normal
Age UK Lambeth was using its Gateway support line number for a daily Covid helpline, but this has now reverted to its normal advice service. Also note that 0333 360 3700 is now only operating between 10 am and 4 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, though you can leave a voicemail message outside these hours.
Support for Dementia Patients and Carers
From August, Age UK Lambeth will be managing the Magnolia Club, a drop-in group for people with dementia and their carers. The Brixton Hill group meets at St. Saviour’s Community Centre, 24 Blenheim Gardens, SW2 5BZ on Fridays between 2 pm and 4 pm. They have another site at Gipsy Hill, SE27, and expect to open a third site in Lambeth later in the year. Enquiries to Kim at 07832 328 335.
In Other News…
Urban Art Fair
July usually brings the Urban Art Fair on the railings in Josephine Avenue, but once again Covid restrictions forced it on-line. You can still catch up with the work of many local artists via the website www.urbanart.co.uk which will remain active until the end of the year.
Brixton Recreation Centre
Reclaiming the Rec. “I look on this building here not as a recreation centre, but as a re-creation centre.” – Steadman Scott, founder member of Afewee training centre, based at the Rec. A group of local people have been meeting to talk about what the Rec means to its local people, why we value it, and how we want to see it revived. We are imagining what a community-led regeneration and community-controlled contract could look like, to inform a conversation with Lambeth Council. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Amanda at reclaimtherec@gmail.com
Revitalising Brixton’s Rec Quarter: Following our brief report last month, a reminder that the proposals drawn up by MUF Architects, including a feedback form and webinar details, can be found at https://beta.lambeth.gov.uk/revitalising-brixtons-rec-quarter
You can also send feedback direct to Martha Levi Smythe at mlevismythe@lambeth.gov.uk
Council Boundary Changes
Changes to ward boundaries within Lambeth are now in their final phase, with adjustments to the last few wards now published for comments. Next year’s Council elections will be contested on the basis of the new ward boundaries, and some ward names may change to suit, so Coldharbour ward will shift a little further south, loosing the Loughborough Estate, and will likely be renamed Windrush. The latest changes to be consulted on are on the fringes of our area. The new Stockwell East and Landor ward will extend from Clapham North tube station to South Island Place, but will exclude Stockwell Green, Birrell House and the Stockwell Park Estate. Further south, most of the St. Martin’s Estate on Tulse Hill will be added to the present Thurlow Park ward, provisionally to be called West Dulwich & St. Martin’s.
The consultation closes on 26 July, and more details are at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/greater-london/greater-london/lambeth and follow the links to the Further Draft Recommendations.
Magistrates Wanted
London needs another 250 magistrates, and efforts are being made to recruit more from ethnic minorities, younger age groups and working class backgrounds. You are invited to join a Teams session on Thursday 22 July to find out more. Book by e-mail to sara.brown.jp@ejudiciary.net or rosi.prescott@gmail.com
Caribbean Garden Project at the Garden Museum
The Garden Museum, in the former St. Mary’s Church alongside Lambeth Palace, has embarked on a project to gather and preserve recollections of Caribbean horticulture history and the extent to which practices were carried on in South London. The first stage involves 6th form students recording interviews with members of the Caribbean community who keep a garden, or take part in a community garden project. If interested, contact janine@gardenmuseum.org.uk
Make the most of your Forum
Planning more Forum meetings
We are still trying to firm up arrangements for the next couple of Forum events, but responses have been slow to arrive. Remember, we can host meetings on-line or (soon) live, to hear presentations or reports, or to discuss local issues. If you want something featured at a meeting anytime soon, please contact the Secretary (e-mail below).
Share your news too!
We are keen to share news and requests from our member groups in these bulletins. We prefer short items, bearing in mind that many people are trying to read this on their mobile phones. Distribution is normally monthly, so please send any news for the August bulletin to arrive by 1st August, to the Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com
Is our mailing list up to date?
Finally, our usual reminder for you to tell us – at admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org
– If you would like to add a colleague or neighbour to our e-mail distribution list.
– If you would prefer these bulletins to be sent to a different e-mail address, so that you receive them more rapidly or reliably.
– If you no longer wish to receive them because you are no longer interested, or have moved away.