Coming Events
General Election Hustings
With the General Election being called at short notice for Thursday 4 July, parties are rushing to get their candidates nominated. Despite recent changes to boundaries, Brixton is still at the junction of 3 constituencies. South of Loughborough Road, the eastern half of Brixton falls within Dulwich & West Norwood. The Norwood and Herne Hill Forums are trying to set up a hustings meeting for candidates in that constituency, and we will share details with you once confirmed.
Brockwell Park Events
The park is already looking the worse for wear after a series of major events since 24 May – City Splash on Bank Holiday Monday seems to have been well named, and Brockwell Bounce was cancelled due to the state of the ground.
Now comes the final weekend, 8/9 June, the Lambeth Country Show, marking its 50th year.
Please be aware that much of the park will remain fenced off during dismantling of the staging and marquees, until 16 June.
For details of upcoming events and courses at the Community Greenhouses, see website https://www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk/events
During the Country Show, their shop will be trading from a stall near the Flower Show marquee.
Brockwell Park Car Boot Sales
The Friends of Brockwell Park have their next monthly car boot sale in the Lido car park, off Dulwich Road, on Sunday 16 June. Open free to buyers 9 am to 1 pm, sellers can set up from 7 am, charge £12 per car, £15 per van. Enquiries to membership@brockwellpark.co.uk
Windrush Weekend
On Windrush Day itself, Saturday 22 June, a series of events and performances will take place in and around Windrush Square, co-ordinated by the Brixton Project.
Then on Sunday 23 June, the Friends of Windrush Square are again hosting the Big Caribbean Lunch, an inter-generational event for the Windrush Generation and their descendants. If you would like to be involved please contact the Friends group at
friendsofwindrushsquare@gmail.com
Events in Myatt’s Fields Park
Sunday 9 June: Conduct me! (Pico Players)
Saturday 15 June: Pride Picnic.
Saturday 22 June: Windrush Celebration, including Black Farmers Market.
Sunday 23 June: The Dream Sequence by
Dot Collective.
Saturday 29 June: Fiesta del Sol
(Andean Festival).
For information about the park and these events, see www.myattsfieldspark.info
London Land Justice Fair, 21 July
Myatt’s Fields Park will also be hosting this Sunday afternoon event, with opportunities for grassroots groups to run stalls or workshops. Enquiries to peopleslandpolicy@gmail.com or see website www.peopleslandpolicy.org
Events at Brixton Windmill
Guided tours of the windmill are offered on at least one weekend a month, the next being on 8 & 9 June. Also coming up is a Family Games and Sports Day on Sunday 14 July.
A number of regular weekly activities take place in the education centre alongside.
For all events in Windmill Gardens, please see the website for details and booking, www.brixtonwindmill.org
Arts, Culture, Leisure
The Dream Sequence
Dot Collective return to Brixton with a new production inspired by a Midsummer Night’s Dream. It’s an open air family show set on a paradise island, bringing together music and aerial circus.
Saturday 15 June by Brixton Windmill at 2 pm and 6 pm (book via www.brixtonwindmill.org ).
Sunday 23 June in the Quiet Garden, Myatt’s Fields Park, at 12 noon and 3 pm (book via https://longfieldhall.org.uk ).
Studio 73 is back in Brixton
Starting out in Brixton Village, Adrian Flower has recently opened new exhibition space nearby off Valentia Place, close to the Bureau of Silly Ideas. The Urban Flower Art Show continues, open Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th June, 11 am to 5 pm (7 pm Friday).
Marking 25 years of Art4Space
Art4Space was founded in June 1999 as a community arts organisation, soon receiving a £500 set-up grant from the Prince’s Trust. They secured their present premises in Stockwell in 2004, and this Spring, they opened their new Make & Mend space. Art4Space continues to lead as a self-sustaining arts-based social enterprise. Lots of events, courses and projects to be found at www.art4space.co.uk or come and celebrate their 25th birthday on Saturday 6 July, 1 pm to 6 pm at 31 Jeffreys Road, SW4 6QU.
Performing Arts at St. Vincent’s
A range of activities for the 8-16 age range are now available at St. Vincent’s Centre in Talma Road, SW2 1AS.
For ages 11-16, a drama/multimedia group will start making their very own film, from 4-30 to 6 pm on Wednesdays.
The Arts and Cooking group continues on Saturdays between 12 noon and 3 pm for the 8-13 age range.
Hip-Hop dance classes are now also running on Saturdays until 13 July, from 12 to 1 pm, for ages 8-13.
To register or to get more details, e-mail to LeanneT@svp.org.uk or call (020) 7274 1190 (weekdays).
Brixton Tate Library
The library should re-open on Thursday 6 June after major building works. There are further improvements in the pipeline, but these should not require full closure of the building.
NB: Lambeth Libraries have pointed out that some libraries will be closed on Thursday 4 July for use as polling stations.
Other Local News
Schools Closure Threat
Following the closure of two old-established secondary schools (Archbishop Tenison’s and St. Martin-in-the-Fields), several primary schools are now at risk of closure or mergers. This is all due to declining numbers of school-age children in our part of Lambeth, with family -size homes increasingly shared by adult households in order to afford the rent. Smaller classes might be better, but sadly schools are funded by their number of pupils, so smaller schools could not cover their running costs.
Lambeth Council is consulting on proposals affecting these schools: Christchurch and St. John the Divine (North Brixton), Fenstanton and Holy Trinity (Tulse Hill), St. John’s Angell Town and St. Saviours (Herne Hill Road) and on the Clapham Park fringe, Glenbrook and King’s Avenue.
The closing date for comments is 16 June – see the consultation pages on the Lambeth website, www.lambeth.gov.uk or send views to pppconsultation@lambeth.gov.uk
Max Roach Playgrounds
If you missed the open morning on 1st June, there’s still time to comment on ideas to upgrade the playgrounds at the Centre in Max Roach Park. There’s a survey link at https://forms.gle/kHbxwDTqjLDKdDnA7 or see https://www.lccmaxroach.co.uk
On Your Bike
Brixton BID continues to sponsor monthly sessions by Dr Bike mechanics for cycle safety checks and essential maintenance. The next will be on Wednesday 26 June, 12 to 3 pm outside Brixton Wholefoods on Atlantic Road.
Health and Social Care
Health Watch Lambeth
This is your health and social care champion: if you have issues with local services, contact them at info@healthwatchlambeth.org.uk
Long-term Health Issues
Researchers at Kings College London are inviting people with long-term physical health conditions to join a trial for a peer-support platform. It enables people to anonymously share knowledge and experience, to better support one another and manage their mental well-being. Participants must be over 18 with access to the Internet. If this may suit you or someone you know, contact commonground@kcl.ac.uk
Used Inhalers wanted
NHS South East London has launched a pilot scheme to recycle used inhalers. They should not be discarded into household waste since they still contain greenhouse gases.
A recycling site was provided at Kings College Hospital back in February, and more sites are being added, including at local pharmacies.
Quids In!
A new money guidance service. This service operates across all of Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham. It provides one-to-one money guidance to residents experiencing physical or mental health issues and financial hardship. The virtual support hub is a phone-based service staffed by Quids In money coaches, who can provide a bespoke action plan and coaching sessions over 2-3 or 5-6 weeks.
Patients can sign up themselves, or healthcare professionals can refer patients, at www.cleanslateltd.co.uk/thriveldn or enquiries to virtualsupporthub@cleanslateltd.co.uk
Funding, Training & Support
New contract for supporting community organisations. Lambeth Council is inviting tenders for support services for local Voluntary & Community Sector organisations, to run over the next 2 years with scope for a year’s extension. This service is currently provided by Integrate, but the budget is being increased to £250,000 pa to provide better levels of support with funding and networking. The deadline for bids is tight: 28 June and bidders must register with EU Supply. Enquiries to Gerry Evans (VCS project development manager) on 020 7926 2659 or at gevans2@lambeth.gov.uk
Support for Small Businesses
Over the years, there have been a variety of publicly-funded support services for small and start-up businesses. The latest version is Grow London Local, delivered by London & Partners and intended as a one-stop shop for small business advice. It was launched by the Mayor last November, and offers a mix of on-line and in-person from a team of Business Support Managers. For more details, see www.growlondonlocal.london
Grant deadlines approaching
Once again, a reminder of grant schemes already notified by Integrate – if you missed the original alerts, contact them at: eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk
LandAid – Youth Homelessness Support Fund, grants of £10,000 to £50,000, deadline Friday 14 June.
Jerwood Foundation – Summer Funding Round, supporting arts for public benefit, apply by 14 June, decisions by 6 August.
Women’s Urgent Support Fund (Smallwood Trust and the Community Fund) – grants up to £60,000 over 36 months, deadline 21 June.
Veolia Environmental Trust – grants towards environmental and community projects, £10,000 to £75,000, deadline 27 June.
UnLtd Funding for Social Enterprises – start-up grants of £8,000 and scale-up grants of £18,000, closing date 30 June.
The Wolfson Foundation – capital grants of £15,000 to £100,000, deadline 1st July.
The Steel Charitable Trust – grants up to £25,000 for local community impact, deadline 11 July.
Free Energy Assessments:
We have mentioned the VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme before, but the deadline for free energy assessments is 20 June.
Community Ownership Fund:
Locality have advised us that the General Election means applications to this fund are suspended. Please check the COF prospectus on the Gov.uk website for future updates.
Training Opportunities
Social enterprises and small businesses within the Brixton BID area should be able to join their free training courses. Next up is:
- Conflict Management, Monday 17 June, 10 am to 4 pm.
Most sessions are held at International House. Enquiries to admin@brixtonbid.co.uk
Your Forum Bulletins
If you are doing something around the Brixton area, you are welcome to use these bulletins to tell other Forum members. We aim to circulate about the 10th of each month – but things can go wrong! So, send items to the Forum Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com by the 3rd of the month, but sooner helps!
Personal appearances welcome! If your group prefers to present its work or highlight a local campaign at a live meeting of the Forum, please contact the Forum Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com We aim to hold 4 general meetings a year.
Keep in Touch
We want to be inclusive and ensure that these bulletins reach all community organisations, social enterprises and activists in the wider Brixton area. To join or update our mailing list, please contact admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org