KA Newsletter February 2009

Kennington Association

Monday 2^nd February 2009

Dear Neighbours,

Our Chair puts pen to paper

Happy New Year! Perhaps celebrations were a bit muted for some of you due to the 'credit crunch' - I know some locally who have lost their jobs, others whose positions are far from secure, many who are having to make cut backs and some facing crippling debts. Not such a happy new year from this perspective; however, it doesn't equate that 'economic gloom' equals 'community gloom'. Far from it. It is during the harsher times that belonging to a community, which shares and looks out for one another, becomes a real asset to our lives. Whilst there is always more that we can do to improve our community, there is much that is good and valuable about it. I know there are a huge amount of other exciting groups and activities that work hard to make our area thrive. ‘Hats off’ to all who offer time and energy to make our community far from gloomy.

Ethiopian Millennium Summer Festival in Kennington Park

Thanks to an ‘Awards for All’ grant of £8,085, ACE-UK managed to stage a successful Ethiopian cultural festival on 23^rd August 2008 in Kennington Park. ACE-UK (Arts & Culture of Ethiopia in the UK) aims to promote harmonious integration through the medium of arts between not only Ethiopians and British peoples but all the diverse communities that live together in this country. The tireless commitment over several months of certain individuals (especially Frances Forrest, and Cathy Preece of KA) and the great help of many volunteers made this colourful festival the enjoyable day that it was. It was held in the special Ethiopian Millennium year and attracted approximately 1,500 people throughout the day – and fortunately we were blessed with one of the few summer-like days last August. The 25 talented live musicians and electrifying dancers entertained attendees from all ranges and backgrounds, creating a strong feeling of togetherness and community spirit amongst the many different groups present. As well as the stage show, the Café in the Park kindly allowed ACE-UK to exhibit traditional and modern artwork as well as Ethiopian proverbs. An Ethiopian calligrapher was present who offered many children the chance to have their names written in the ancient script and there was the elaborate coffee ceremony too. A number of small businesses and worthy causes also benefited from the opportunity to reach the diverse audience with stalls at the event. It was expressed by many audience members, as well as the police and even the Mayor of Lambeth herself that they would love to see more inclusive outdoor cultural celebrations in the future. Thanks go to Angelie Yeboah of Lambeth Events Team for her advice and support. Many thanks also to the Kennington Association and a number of local organisations: North Lambeth Town Centre, Friends of Kennington Park and TIBEB Intermedia Ltd. With their continued support, we hope to hold an even bigger and better festival in summer 2009!

Annual General Meeting at The Little Apple PH

We are very grateful to The Little Apple PH for generously hosting our AGM in October. KA members will find a copy of the draft minutes enclosed.

Secret Santa

Great news: with generous donations from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall, and The Dog House PH, towards Secret Santa we were able to build on the Art Auction funds and deliver a cheque for £1,650 to Ethelred Nursery School to pay for 55 x £30 Secret Santa vouchers! Charmaine Clarke of the nursery school writes: ‘I think the Secret Santa task went well, considering I was nervous initially; however, my head teacher assisted me when I needed support. I enjoyed making links with the other staff in the children centres/settings. The parents seemed happy, grateful and appreciated their vouchers, which they received before Christmas.’ Well done all concerned!

Welcome Pack

The Kennington Welcome pack has come on in leaps and bounds since last year. Submissions were eventually received on almost all suggested topics; however, the task of editing all of the information so that it is consistent and will fit into one pack is large, and has stalled slightly. Consequently, about half of the Welcome Pack has now been placed online by James Hatts (who runs the London SE1 website) so that it can be viewed by members of the Kennington Association, and the other half is due to appear soon. Once all of the material is up on the website, we hope to be in a better position to decide how to proceed with printing the material. Some fantastic photos were also provided in 2008, and these should appear in the printed version. The URL for the website to view the first few submissions is here: http://www.welcometokennington.org.uk/

Bazaar – Saturday 21^st February

The total raised in November’s bazaar was nearly £700 after expenses. A marvellous result and we thank so much the entire Bazaar Team for their very hard work. Special mention must go to Gisella who, with her unflagging energy and attention to detail in the background, pulled together the best team ever! Our next bazaar will be held on Saturday, 21^st February. Until we are sure that Sinan’s van will be available to us, we’d be very grateful to hear from anyone else who might be able to offer us a back-up van. The Pelican Nursery that occupies the hall during the day is now open until 6pm on Friday evenings, so we are not able to accept deliveries or begin setting up until after this time. Along with KA membership fees, bazaar proceeds are crucial to our cash flow so we do hope you will make the most of this opportunity for a clear out and the chance to grab a few bargains!

‘Tree of Hope’ on Kennington Cross

Thanks to community fund-raising efforts and a grant from the Princes Ward purse the lights have now arrived and will be installed over the next month with a view to having a switching on ceremony at Easter time. These LED lights, which use very little energy, are envisaged by many to be a symbol of hope particularly in response to some recent tragic events.

Kennington Village Fete – Sunday 12^th July 2009

The fourth Village Fete will take place in Cleaver Square, Kennington again this year on Sunday July 12^th. There will be the usual mix of stalls including food from local restaurants, stalls selling jewellery, soft furnishings, bric-a-brac and plants, and lots of activities for children including magic and shows. Once again it promises to be a fun afternoon out for all the family with the proceeds going to local good causes. To book a table please e-mail Margarita on margarita@omalleyaldrich.com.

Annual Autumn Art Auction at City & Guilds Art School – Thursday 17^th September

Last year’s Auction raised over £2,600 (less expenses), which enabled us to donate £500 to the Art School bursary fund and set aside funds for a banner to be designed by a student and hung on the railings outside the school for this year’s Auction. The rest of the profit raised went directly to our Secret Santa scheme as usual. We are very grateful to the community and artists for contributing works, to Red Devil Self Storage for housing the artwork, and for pledges and promises from local businesses including Rimmington Vian, Kennington Tandoori, William Rose (formerly Hester’s) butchers, The Dog House PH, Marsh Ruby, Amici Kennington, Franklins, Morphic Design, Pop-In Hair & Beauty, The Cut Hair & Beauty, Tai Chi UK and Tomorrow’s People. This year’s Auction will again take place at City & Guilds Art School on Thursday, 17 September 2009 with viewing the evening before.

Hade Lbi Eritrean Cultural Group in Kennington

Hade Lbi Eritrean Community Association would like to inform the KA membership that we have decided to freeze for the moment our association with KA. We have been operating for the last 4 and a half years teaching local Eritrean children their language and culture. We have achieved greatly in our objectives with our young people; however, since September, due to many parents leaving the borough for reasons of children's schooling, the participation of parents has slowed down. We had been offered, in principle, funds from Capital Community Foundation’s Grassroots Fund. But, as we could not sustain some of our major activities, we have decided to turn down the funds until we restructure our association and recruit some more parents and volunteers to resume, in an effective way, our core work. Until then we would like to thank, from the depth of our hearts, the Kennington Association, and in particular the KA Committee members for all the support they have given us.

Sports & Fitness ProjectS

Volleyball

The Ecuadorian volleyball games (i.e. three-a-side) go from strength to strength. The group has been invited to contribute players for a London team to play in six European countries in March and August. Anyone wanting to join in is very welcome; just turn up on Saturdays 3pm to 9pm and Sundays 4pm to 8pm at the old Lilian Baylis School, Lollard Street. For more info, contact Galo on 07985 603189.

Tai Chi

Thursday, 2 - 3 pm – Kennington Park / Community Centre
Great news! A successful grant application to the 'Grassroots' fund (administered by Capital Community Foundation) has secured funding for the Thursday Tai Chi classes for another two years. The classes are currently taking place in the Kennington Park Community Centre, Harleyford Street, SE11; but, will resume in Kennington Park when the weather picks up. Participation in the classes is free and they continue to attract a good mix of ages and abilities. Wear loose clothing and sensible shoes. Check location with Michael on the day - 07956913437 or contact Chris by e-mail on: christine.eames-jones@ntlworld.com
Saturday, 11am - 12pm - Brit Oval Cricket Ground
Thanks go to Surrey County Cricket Club and Steven Blackwood, Community Executive, for agreeing to fund another 40 Tai Chi classes in 2009 at the Brit Oval. Classes take place at the new earlier time of 11 am -12 pm in the Lambeth Hall, which is part of the new OCS stand at the Vauxhall end of the Oval ground (enter by the Alec Stewart Gate). On match days, the class will move to Kennington Park (weather permitting). These classes are open to all. Participants will be invited to make a voluntary contribution of £1 per session to help cover the costs. Check location with Michael on the day - 07956913437 or contact Chris by e-mail on: christine.eames-jones@ntlworld.com

KA and Local Planning Matters

Beefeater Gin
In August, Desmond Payne of Beefeater Gin distillery on Montford Place invited KA Committee and Planning Subgroup to review their proposal to create a visitor centre. KA was overall supportive of Beefeater's proposal.
Surrey County Cricket Club – Brit Oval

The KA attended the October Inquiry into the building of a hotel etc. where our statement of support was presented. Items of concern raised at the Inquiry were public safety due to the neighbouring gas works; and the impact of the proposed hotel on the neighbourhood. A copy of the Appointed Inspector's report was to be sent to the KA in the New Year.
81 Black Prince Road and 143-161 Wandsworth Road
Both of these proposals are to convert a redundant office building into primarily high-rise residential buildings. The KA met with both sets of developers and is not supporting either of these projects, as they do not meet the housing requirements for the locality.
216 Kennington Road

We have been alerted by residents of 216 Kennington Road (previously the Bingo Hall) to a possible change in use of a portion of the ground floor from community use to retail. After Lambeth Council was alerted by the residents it was determined that this change will not go through as conditions were not met.
Vauxhall Supplementary Planning Document
KA is examining Lambeth's proposal for "A New Heart for Vauxhall", officially known as the Vauxhall Supplementary Planning Document. We are in dialogue with Lambeth regarding this proposal for redevelopment of Vauxhall.