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Have your say about what goes on in Brockley

The first Brockley Assembly will be held on Tuesday, 13 May from 7-9pm at Lewisham College, 16 Lewisham Way SE4 1UT.
Everyone who lives, works or has an interest in the area is invited along to discuss the issues that really matter to them.
The Assembly will have access to a “locality fund” of £10,000 and residents will be able to decide how to spend this on improvements to their ward.
Local councillors will organise similar meetings throughout the year.
For more information see www.lewisham.gov.uk/localassemblies or contact
Nancy Stridgen on nancy.stridgen@lewisham.gov.uk or call 020 8314 9608.

Harefield Mews is fully lit.
After nearly a year of campaigning and lobbying by Harefield Mews residents and businesses, the final lampost was connected by EDF last week. This means that the thoroughfare that links Harefield Road with Cranfield Road, behind the shops at Brockley Cross is now fully lit, and a feels a lot safer for local residents to use as a cut through. Along with the current building work that is taking place on the Mews, Lewisham Council is granting planning permission all the time for new developments, so expect to see some dramatic changes in Harefield Mews over the next 18 months.

Local residents deplore Finland Road development

Residents of Finland Road have protested about a development which is taking place without local consultation. They believe that the development will have serious long term consequences and have organised a petition to show the strength of feeling in the local area. See the community news page for full details...

Art Tea Factory

As you may already know, a community arts/gallery space is planned in the renovated Tea Factory at 100-106 Endwell Road , SE4.  This space is being offered to us, the people of Brockley, by the developers, rent free for two years. After this period we will have the opportunity to continue to occupy the unit on business terms. It is a 75 sq. metre shell, on street level, due for completion in June/July 2008.

Having met with Andrew Carmichael from the Creative Lewisham Agency, we have discussed the possibility of creating a co-operative, non-profit making organisation which would be beneficial for all involved. 

We feel that this is an exciting opportunity for Brockley, furthering social, economic and environmental well being in the borough. This gallery would support and promote the arts, encouraging personal and community development. 

We are looking for involvement from anyone with an active interest in this community project. We are seeking advice and help from volunteers such as: designers, architects, solicitors, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, builders, glaziers, cleaners, painters and decorators, administrators, curators, invigilators, artists, managers, web designers, local business people, PR people, planners, gallery managers, promoters, technicians, registered gas fitters, evaluators, journalists, documenters, lifters and carriers, book keepers, security firms, communicators, negotiators, marketing and publicity managers, funders and fundraisers to name but a few.   

 We also welcome your views, supportive comments and supportive criticism on this venture.

• Do you like the idea of an art space in Brockley?
• Who should the gallery be for?
• What kind of art would you like to see in the gallery?
• Should it be run as a co-operative? If not, why not? 
• How much money do you think a member of the co-operative should contribute per month?
• A name for the gallery? We like Art Tea Factory/Art Tea Place , your opinions please or any alternative suggestions. 

Please could you spare some of your time, thoughts and skills in making this project work, or pass this message on to any friends, family and colleagues who may be interested.

You can email me with any queries and/or to confirm your interest in attending the next meeting which will take place later this month.  

Kind regards

Rebecca Glover

rebecca@nicearts.co.uk

Brockley Common moves a big step nearer
Lewisham Council has confirmed it has secured £110,000 from Transport for London towards Brockley Common. This means phase 2a can get on site soon . This will consist of all the hard landscaping including the vital disability compliant ramp up to the ticket hall. Fundraising will have to continue for the terracing, planting and artwork, but it means the area should be accessible to the public from next Spring. The Broca Café has also offered to organise a Brockley fun-run in aid of the Common in April 2008. This is a great offer and we hope other businesses, especially the estate agents who benefit so much from our work, will also put their hands in their pockets!
New common design plan completed.   Click here to find out more!

Christmas Market  (see Photo Gallery)

The Coulgate Street Christmas Market on Saturday 1st December has been hailed a resounding success. The market took place from 2pm until 7pm and the colourful stalls sold a varied range of items and foodstuffs.

The lighting up of the tree outside the Brockley Barge by Widow Twanky - who can be seen at the Broadway Theatre, Catford in Aladdin throughout December - and the carol singing by the Brockley Community Churches, were just two of the highlights of the afternoon.

The Broca Cafe was transformed into an amazing Santa's Grotto, complete with sleigh! St Peters Church in Wickham Road was the focus for a lantern making workshop which was well attended, a number of the lanterns were brought down to the market afterwards.

BCAG TRANSFORM TWO FLOWERBEDS ON THE WICKHAM ESTATE...
...funded by a locality grant from Lewisham Council, matched by the PFI contractor, Pinnacle.

Unbelievably we actually managed to get the planting near enough complete, which is one hell of an achievement! We took it right to the wire which is why everyone's contribution was so critical.
I want everyone to cast their mind back to what we first saw when we looked at the old planting beds for the first time a few months ago. The scene was truly depressing: a few scraggy old roses, lots of bare earth, weeds, rubbish and a bit of grass. It was awful. What we have done has transformed that space, brought new life to an abandoned square and really made a difference to the lives of the people who live there, not just visually, but in terms of turning neglect around and bringing something positive - new life - into that space. I have been really warmed by the level of appreciation from passing residents and there is no doubt that people have noticed what we have done. There is now a good vibe about the place and with the plants - with care and good fortune - set to flourish next summer - it will be very exciting to see the project develop.

Rupert King, landscape architect to BCAG

Photos of the event are in the new  photo gallery 
(if you were there and have any have any pictures to add to the gallery, contact Des)

Arts Commission
We had 9 high quality entrants from a wide range of artists, most with local connections. As there was a tie for the third shorlisted artist we have asked for more information over the summer. A final decision on the short-listing will be taken on the 26th October after which we will invite the three artists to prepare their ideas for a public vote and also start fundraising.

How safe is your food?
When you eat at a local fast food outlet or restaurant do you really know that the food is good quality, prepared hygienically and properly cooked? Well now you can find out with "Scores on the Doors" , where you can check out the food safety score for Brockley businesses.