Headlines 2005
Youngsters gain bike building skills
Picture: Joshua Amon gets on his bike |
13 budding bike enthusiasts were presented with the bicycles they had built from scratch since they joined Clapham Park Project’s 12 week Bike Workshop.
The Bikes Project aims to reduce road traffic accidents by teaching young people how to use their bikes safely. |
The Project also works with young people (aged 8 to 16 years) to develop bicycle repair skills and encourage them to undertake a bicycle proficiency test.
Since the Bikes Project started in July 2005, one 12 week course and two summer sessions have been held, with 39 youngsters. 26 of these brought their own bikes and learned how to repair them, whilst the rest, (13), built bikes from parts donated by the Metropolitan Police in Lambeth. They have also all attended 4 two hours cycle training sessions provided by Cycle Training UK.
The 13 young people were presented with their bikes by Metropolitan Police Sergeant Tom Tracey and Chief Executive of Clapham Park Project, Angus Johnson, at the Bike Workshop, Muller Road Garages, off Kings Avenue SW4, on Thursday 22 nd December at 2.00pm.
To help them keep safe on the roads they also received a cycle helmet, lock, front and rear lights and florescent snap bands.
Angus Johnson , Chief Executive, Clapham Park Project said: “It’s fantastic that these youngsters are learning about road safety and repair skills. The Bikes Project will help them to engage in useful and socially responsible activities, reduce their involvement in road accidents, and give them the opportunity to learn new skills which they can use in everyday life.”
Sergeant Tom Tracey said: “ The Metropolitan Police Service is fully supportive of this kind of youth involvement activity. We strive to strengthen and develop our relationship with Clapham Park Project, for the benefit of the community. The recipients of the bikes should feel proud of their achievements which have obviously taken a high level of commitment and perseverance. They are an example to their peers and I feel very honoured to be part of the celebration. ”
Young people aged 8 to 16 years old who live or go to school within the Clapham Park New Deal for Communities area are eligible to attend the workshop. For more information contact ChingWah Wong on 020 8678 5922.
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Winter celebration showcases young talent
Picture: Rhys Fitzgerald with Cartoonist Steve Marchant |
Budding young poets from Clapham Park were invited to take part in a competition to write a poem about the seasons, a wish for the world or New Year’s resolutions.
The poems were judged in two categories, ages 5-7 and 8-11. |
Rhys Fitzgerald and Lul Hassan won the 8-11 category with runner up’s Remy Vernage and Mecy Aderemi and Ebony Baker Thomas won in the 5-7 category with Verushah De’Lisser as runner up.
The winners and runners up received a £15 book token and performed their poem at the Winter Celebration, at which they also received their own original caricature drawing.
The Winter Celebration took place on in December at the Threshold Community Centre, Helby Road, SW4.
Over 100 children attended the event which included a free Santa’s grotto, local cartoonist Steve Marchant, storytelling, games, craft activities, a free raffle and the mobile library.
Cynthia Unoarumhi, Education and Youth Theme Chair and Clapham Park resident said: “This fun family event for all ages provides a forum for our young talent, and shows youngsters how much fun reading can be. The storytelling, caricatures, games and craft activities give youngsters ideas about how they can make the most of their school holidays whilst learning new things.”
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Halloween goosebumps for Clapham Park residents
Picture: Children enjoy goosebumps |
Over 60 people attended our Goosebumps event to celebrate Halloween on the 31st October. Held at the Threshold Centre, Helby Road, youngsters were able to listen to a story teller who told stories from around the world, learn how to make masks, enter a colouring competition, have their faces painted and go to the mobile library, which was decorated especially for Halloween. |
All of the youngsters went home with a present after taking part in a lucky dip, and there was a prize draw for the winner of the colouring competition who won some book tokens.
“Goosebumps was a fantastic opportunity for parents to have some fun with their children whilst promoting the benefits of reading. Over 60 people attended the event and many of the children came dressed up and had their faces painted. The positive response showed that there is a real need for this kind of event in Clapham Park.”
Cynthia Unoarumhi, Chair, Education and Youth Theme Group
The event was organised by Clapham Park Project in partnership with Lambeth Libraries and was part of the Reader Development Project. If anyone is interested in getting involved with the Reader Development Project, contact Eve Levic on 020 8678 5900.
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Celebrating age in Clapham Park
Picture: Resident enjoys celebrating age |
Clapham Park Project organised a Celebration of Age Festival that took place on Tuesday 25th October from 11am to 4pm at Knight’s Youth Centre. The event was primarily aimed at Clapham Park’s older residents, however all were welcome to join in the festivities that included a free Christmas hamper raffle, food, refreshments, face painting and big-band music. |
Exhibiting at the event was CPP’s Men’s Health Project – who checked blood pressures, weights and girth measurements. Community Food Workers gave nutritional advice and the Community Support Project provided housing and rent advice.
Other exhibitors included Age Concern, who offered advice about benefit entitlements and winter fuel payments. Residents also took part in salsa dancing and were given the opportunity to have a massage and take part in a workshop about what community facilities they would like to see as part of the Master Plan.
Clapham Park’s newly launched Luncheon Club also had a stand at the event.
Sandra Walters, Project Officer said: “We’ve worked really hard to make this a special event for all of our residents but especially our older residents. We want them to know that despite all the changes that are taking place in the area, we haven’t forgotten them or their importance in this community. This was a great chance for them to feel valued, to reminisce and most importantly to socialise.”
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Luncheon Club Launch
Picture: Clapham Park residents enjoy the Luncheon Club launch |
After successfully bidding for £5,000 from the Clapham Park Project Community Chest fund, the Clapham Park Luncheon and Social Club held its inaugural lunch on Thursday 20th October.
Run by older residents for older residents, the event took place at 31 Langholm Close from 12.30 to 3.30pm. |
The Luncheon and Social Club will provide a meal for participants, offer a regular opportunity to socialise, play games and go on coach and minibus trips. The Club will also serve as a forum and advice centre, where members can access information on issues relevant to their health, housing and financial needs
Over 50 Clapham Park residents attended the launch. Julia Shelley, Chief Executive of Age Concern, discussed the importance of community networks to the well-being of older people. There was also a representative from Clapham Park Homes to keep members updated on the progress of the Clapham Park redevelopment programme.
Resident Ken Ballard, who is also Chair of the Luncheon and Social Club said: “The Luncheon and Social Club will allow the older generations to contribute to the development of Clapham Park and access relevant services. It will also give residents a real chance to socialise, make new friends and have ongoing contact with those who are making a difference in the area.”
If you live in the Clapham Park area and are interested in joining the Luncheon Club, call 0800 085 23 78.
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Clapham Park welcomes the HatTrick Football Festival
Picture: Kings Avenue School with Cllr Clare Whelan, Angus Johson, Programme Director for CPP and Donna C Henry , Chair of CPP |
Residents of Clapham Park were invited to the HatTrick Football Festival, which showcased a variety of footballing and sport-related activities. The Festival was held on Saturday 15th October, 10am to 6.30pm at Ferndale Sports Centre, Nursery Road, SW9. |
Events on the day included a 5-a-side Football Tournament incorporating a new Brazilian football initiative called Futsal, a Street Dance Workshop featuring Exposure, a trophy presentation and a black history presentation, as well as the opportunity to network.
Children from Richard Atkins, Glenbrook and Kings Avenue Schools in Clapham Park and other schools across Lambeth were invited to take part in the Festival, with parents welcome to take part in the activities available to them. There was also a bouncy castle and face painting for the younger children as well as fantastic giveaways distributed throughout the day, and free food and refreshments.
 Kings Avenue School won the tournament 5 – 1, with Stockwell Primary School taking second place. Top goal scorer went to Damien Freeman (Kings Avenue School) who scored 12 goals.
Picture: Damien Freeman wins Top Goal Scorer,
presented by Donna C Henry
Player of the tournament went to Merllind Othoti (St Helen’s School) and goalkeeper of the tournament went to Moses Dowuona-Hammond (Glenbrook School).
Wallace Hermitt, the Community Link Football Coordinator said: “We’re really proud of this event. Not only does it encourage football and dance for school-age children, but it also provides a community arena in which to showcase their achievements, as well as an opportunity for parents to network later in the evening.”
The HatTrick Football Festival was jointly funded by Clapham Park Project and HatTrick and is supported by the FA, Fulham Football Club, Lambeth Council and the Martin Shaw King Trust.
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Wardens Patrol with PCSO’s
Picture: PCSO Christine Thomas, with Warden Melanie Julienne and PCSO Mike Barrett. |
Clapham Park Project’s Neighbourhood Wardens began patrolling with the Police Community Support Officer’s (PCSO’s) on Wednesday 17 August.
The PCSO’s are being funded by the Metropolitan Police Service and will patrol with the Wardens, within the Clapham Park NDC area, every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 3pm to 7 pm. |
The joint patrols are being piloted for 6 months and will be reviewed monthly. Sarah Coyte, Clapham Park Project’s Neighbourhood Management Theme Manager said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the residents of Clapham Park because there will be a regular police presence in the area. We are also hoping that the joint patrols will enable the PCSO’s to establish good community links so that residents will feel more trusting of the Police and therefore more able to report crime.” Inspector Roy William, Metropolitan Police Service, said: “The joint patrol of the Wardens and PCSO’s is part of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Together Strategy. We will continue to work closely with the Clapham Park Project because we recognise that this effective partnership will enable us to better tackle crime and make Clapham Park a safer place for residents.”
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Summer Reading Fun for Local Children
Picture: Joel Marley, aged 8, chooses a book |
60 lucky children from Clapham Park had the opportunity to choose and keep two free books and receive reading-related goodies on Thursday 4 th August, and again on Friday 12 th August, as part of a summer reading project funded by the WHSmith Trust and organised nationally by Reading Is Fundamental, UK (RIF) and locally by the Clapham Park Project. |
The inspirational event took place at the Education and Youth summer holiday programme venue, The Threshold Centre, Helby Road, SW2) where a storey teller, musician and staff entertained the children and helped them while they chose their books. The second event on 12 th August took place towards the end of a football tournament, at The Cage on Clapham Park Estate. The Summer Programme, is being run to engage children from the estate and local schools to participate in various sporting, art, craft, reading and educational activities. The football tournament was held on the last day of the 2 week programme to bring all the children and their parents together. The winning individuals and teams won prizes and trophies. Likewise children that engaged fully in the other activities also won prizes. WHSmith contributed gift bags, filled with goodies, for the children that participated in the RIF project.
The Store Managers of Brixton and Streatham WHSmith, who attend the events, commented: “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to help local children engage with reading. We hope that all the children who took part had great fun at the play scheme and enjoyed reading the books they received.”
Apinder Sidhu from the Clapham Park Project added: “This was a great opportunity for the children and their parents. We were very happy to be selected by RIF and WHSmith to participate in this pilot project. This event highlights the importance of reading and the joy books can bring to children and adults of all ages.”
Over 2,500 children from summer play schemes in 15 locations across the UK will benefit from the WHSmith Trust Summer Read programme during July and August.
Lis Coulthard, Director of RIF said: “The partnership with the WHSmith Trust has enabled us to maintain the profile of reading through the long summer holiday and demonstrate what a fun activity it can be.”
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Resident Board elections
Picture: Clapham Park Resident Board Elections |
Want to be a Resident Board Member?
Do you want to be part of the key decisions which affect our community and our future? If the answer is yes, why not stand as a candidate for the Resident Board elections.
There are two places on the Board and all you have to do is complete a nomination form which you will receive in the post at the beginning of August. The form must be returned by 26 August 2005). |
The election will take place in September 2005. To register your interest to stand as a Clapham Park Project Resident Board Member, or for further information please contact us on 0800 085 23 78.
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Carnival fun at Richard Atkins
Richard Atkins children enjoy the carnival fun
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Carnival came early to the children of Richard Atkins School when they organised a costumed street parade, picnic and a sing-a-long on Friday 15 July. |
The idea was suggested during last October’s Black History Month as an event to tie in with the 40 th anniversary of the Notting Hill Carnival.
Monty Ward from Phoenix Art Group, a locally based carnival group, spoke to the children about his experiences of the Notting Hill carnival and showed them some of the costumes designed and made by his group.
The police closed off the roads as the parade stated at 1.30pm from New Park Road, through Lyham Road and Kingswood Road. About 150 parents attended the day alongside people living and working in Clapham Park.
The carnival, funded by the Clapham Park Project, enabled the school to buy carnival costumes, a t-shirt for every child to customise based on the countries they had studied throughout the year, books, videos and artefacts. Ms McLeod also helped her year 6 children to screen print hundreds of t-shirts.
Julie Roberts, Head, Richard Atkins School said: “The carnival was awesome. I was so proud of the wonderful children and the commitment of the staff”.
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Young and Creative 2005
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Picture: Works exhibited at the Betty Morton Gallery |
Children and young people from Clapham Park were invited to try their hand at art and design with the prospect of having their work exhibited at one of London's most talked-about new galleries. |
Seven professional local artists, representing a range of media from sculpture to textile, print making to photography, were chosen to run workshops at schools and youth clubs in Clapham Park.
Over 10 weeks during the summer term, children and young people attended the workshops and were invited to try different forms of art and design, develop their creative skills and techniques for self-expression. The workshops are linked with a year-long artist in residence programme at Richard Atkins School, in collaboration with Studio Voltaire’s education programme.
Everyone was encouraged to produce at least one piece of work for entry into the `Young & Creative’ competition, with the winners work exhibited at Brixton's respected Bettie Morton Gallery.
The project, called 'Young and Creative', is run in partnership by the Bettie Morton Gallery and the Clapham Park.
Bettie Morton said: “I have great faith in the potential of `Young & Creative’ to tap into the enthusiasm and inventiveness of our local youth and look forward to a time when I am giving them solo exhibitions in my gallery.”
Located in the heart of Brixton, on Atlantic Road, the Bettie Morton Gallery has earned the praise of both local artists and buyers alike.
At the same time it has been a spirited force in bringing the artistic creativity of the local community to wider prominence – it is now the hub of the annual Brixton Open Art Prize.
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New Chair for Clapham Park Project
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Picture: Donna C Henry |
Donna C Henry, a local resident, has succeeded Oliver Higgins as Chair of the Clapham Park Project. Donna has lived in Clapham Park for more than 31 years, has been involved as a CPP board member from the beginning and has been Vice Chair since May 2004. Oliver Higgins remains as a resident board member. |
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Clapham Park Goes Dutch
Picture: Dutch visit Clapham Park |
The Clapham Park Project hosted a Dutch study delegation in June. The 30-strong group had come to the UK as part of a three day visit organised by the ODPM. |
The Dutch group are all involved in European Social Fund (ESF) programmes and had come to the UK because they were keen to learn about its policies and good practise.
The Clapham Park Project visit was suggested by the Government Office for London (who provide the funding for CPP), because the Dutch were keen to see practical examples of good practise in employment, supporting social enterprise and crime and safety.
The Dutch visit to CPP included an opportunity to find out more about the Project, meet and talk to resident Board members, and visit CPP’s Wardens Office, Community Drugs Project, Business, Employment and Training Centre and Shop for Jobs.
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