Brockley Common
Background...
This ambitious £350,000 project will transform the wasted
railway land bordering Coulgate Street and the station approach. It will provide public
access again to the land around the station for the first time in decades.
It will provide a new recommended grade ramp up to the ticket hall and pedestrian bridge
that links the two halves of our community. It will extend the magic of the experimental
flower bed already completed outside platform 2 and provide a new performance space and
water feature.
We hope to make a small start this Autumn with improving the wild-life element of the
scheme. However, we have a long way to go fundraising-wise:
For the latest fundraising figure follow [this link...] Can you help, want to know more?
The detailed plan for the Brockley Common project has been produced by Rupert King and the drawings by Chris Woods. The drawings are now available from [this link...]
For a summary of progress follow [this link...]
For the first time in over 150 years local people were
able to walk on Brockley Common again - legitimately! The Pictures tell it
all, (see below) a simple community gathering in early September on ancient
common land. A drum call provided by Victoria Gater and Stuart Woodin
heralded the opening of phase 1 by Joan Ruddock MP who spoke
enthusiastically of the work of the Brockley Commoners and the importance of
all the partners continuing to work together well to secure phase 2. Dr
Burnheart Gloss provided entertainment to all and quite co-incidentally set
out his performance area in, yes you’ve guessed, exactly the area where a
permanent performance space is to be built!
The Brockley Commoners meet regularly as a sub-group of BXAG. In addition to
Brockley Common itself we are also setting our sites on other wasted areas
around Brockley - particularly around Mantle Road. Phone 020 8691 3887
(Stuart) for further information. Our next meeting is on Thursday
19th April, 8pm at 66 Geoffrey Road. You will be very welcome.
Phase 1 was was funded the the Government’s Living Spaces Programme with
additional help from Lewisham Council
Chris Woods has researched a fascinating history of Brockley Common. If you
have any knowledge of what went on here during the 1950’s-80’s please let us
know! [download history].
Click on the photos to view full size
Local School Involvement
John Stainer primary school have been involved in this project from the outset, providing a venue for our meetings and also developing a Structure Making Project involving the whole school. In this children will use the self seeded sapplings harvested from the Brockley Common clearance to make shelters of all shapes and sizes. This will give them experience of working with nature, wood and how traditional people used to lived in homes such as the 'bender tents'. Merlyn Peter from Forest Hill will be supervising the project.
Click on the photos for a full size version
The first bundle of poles were collected from the site on the 24th February 2006. The pictures show the childrens School Council doing the donkey work!”.