If you are concerned about climate change, energy security, the future of our children or simply want to learn practical tools to increase the efficiency in your garden then you might want to book a place on the permaculture course.

Permaculture is a design system which was originated in the 70′s as a response to the bad and unsustainable agricultural practice in Australia. The word permaculture comes from the combination of permanent agriculture but after the years it has evolved into permanent culture.

Please note that although permaculture is intimately connected to the natural world and we’ll be carrying out some tasks in our community garden this is not a gardening course, it is much more that that!

There is a cost for this course and it is essential you book your place in advance.

Introduction to PERMACULTURE, E17

An approach to sustainable living

A weekend course packed with practical tools, ideas and principles to design a sustainable future for all.

Learn from nature and work with it
at
“The Community Tent”
Douglas Eyre Playing Fields
Coppermill Lane, E17 7HE
Sat & Sun, Sept 18/19
10am-5pm
(Bookings essential by the 10th of Sept)
For more information, prices or to sign up please email the BAG Gardening group.

Everything’s growing well on the site – the raised beds are blooming and the first tiny squash has appeared.

The mulch is keeping most things going with only sparse watering but unfortunately the lettuces were sacrificed to the heat – that’ll learn us! As Colin helpfully pointed out, watering in the middle of the day could prove sweaty yet futile and perhaps we should have a think about an evening rota for it.

We did, however, harvest the first batch of white and black currents – about 4 small bags of them – which Sue stewed up and turned into ice lollies.

After the watering action, we sat in a shady spot to eat cake and drink elderflower cordial and edlerflower champagne and realised that we don’t have anywhere to sit after our labours. Does anyone have a spare bench lying about?!

Firstly apologies to all the residents who got in touch back in late May/early June to ask about the new Coppermill play area.  The whole site was strewn with rubbish, while work on finishing it had ground to a halt. Thats before mentioning the completely mishandled consultation process.

We got in touch with all 3 High Street Councillors to ask the following:

1. When is work on the park due to restart and more importantly be completed?

2. What plans are in place for the upkeep of the new play area (bins, maintenance, regular cleaning)?

3. Why was consultation so badly publicised, brief, and carried out when the only contact available was on holiday leave? It’s staggering that dozens of parents at the school that backs onto the park were not even consulted or made aware of the plans via a poster or a notice at the school. BAG as a residents group for the area was also not informed! Unsurprisingly only 2 responses were received!

Only Claire Coghill replied (so thanks to her for that):

Here’s what she had to say, as well as responses from relevant council officers in quotes:

Safety
“I can confirm that the new play equipment at Coppermill Park has been inspected by the Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) and they have confirmed that the play area and the equipment is safe to use. The park would not have been opened unless this inspection had been made and was satisfactory.

“The funding for the play area came from the former Government Department for Schools and Families (DCSF). Unfortunately there was no allowance in the budget for benches, bins, cycle racks etc. Although there is insufficient funds in the Green Space budget to purchase any benches or cycle racks at present I will arrange for bins to be purchased and installed.”

Completion of works
“The new play area is virtually finished. The contractor that built the park is due to return this week [w/c 21 June] to install some more topsoil and grass seed on the bare areas.

“Frustratingly the project took far longer than anticipated. The delays were caused by inclement weather and a national shortage of the rubber grass matting.”

Maintainence
“Kier Street Services are responsible for maintaining the park and keeping it clean. Kier should check the park daily and it should be cleaned up to 3 times per week.

“The aim of the new play area is to promote natural play (Play England specified this as part of the funding criteria for the new play area) and as such much of the grass around the perimeter of the park will be allowed to grow to create a more natural feel to the play area.

“The grass around the play equipment will be kept at a height of no more than 12cm and will be cut as and when it reaches this height.”

On the consultation specific queries:

6. Ensure that community engagement / communications officers are aware of your concerns regarding the consultation and requested to provide a rationale for this approach which we will be able to scrutinise / adapt

7. Advise community engagement / communications officers on ‘groundrules’ for contacting BAG as standard when consultations take place within the BAG area.

Consultation
“Although we did not undertake direct consultation with residents who live near Coppermill Park regarding the Play Builder funded play equipment we did employ a Social Research company to undertake consultation with young people to consult their views about play equipment.

“In addition to the above we also consulted with ‘Waltham Forest Parents Forum’ which is made up of parents of children with disabilities.

“We undertook some consultation in December 2009 (please see ‘Waltham Forest News’ issue dated 14/12/09 (page 9) asking people to vote for their favourite designs (please see following link for the designs).

“We are very aware that consultation with local residents and keeping them informed about what is happening is important. Unfortunately given the volume of work that was involved with year 1 of the Play Builder Programme and the extremely tight time scales to ensure funding was not lost there wasn’t time to formally consult directly with local residents.

“While we are aware of the shortcomings of the first year consultation we are confident that the second year Play Builder (we will be finding 11 more sites to install play equipment) consultation will ensure that local communities are more fully engaged.

“In the second phase of Play Builder Programme (April 2010 – March 2011) we will be employing a social research company to recruit some families from across the Borough to consult with regarding park and play area development.”

I have requested a meeting with the head of community engagment and this is being coordinated.   If BAG has thoughts on how it would like to be consulted / how it can be consulted most effectively, let me know and I will request that the community engagement team treat this as best practice.

FULL LIST OF BSF PROJECTS SCRAPPED (PDF)

While residents were concerned at possible plans for housing above the school and about proposals to create a rat run around Edward & Hawarden Road, the general feeling towards the project seemed positive. This was especially the case among parents with children currently at the existing overcrowded building.

Back in November Willowfield applied for £182,000 LAA funding “to create a hub within the school to develop a dual use performing arts and film centre for use by the school and wider community“. Details on the Performing Arts & Film Centre proposals (PDF)

The new school has suffered numerous frustrating delays, with the planned September 2011 opening date slipping again last month to 2013 at the earliest.  Were it not for the councils hideous mismanagement and incompetence the school would be well on the way to completion by now and would have missed the  cuts.  A good example being that its still unclear whether Waltham Forest Council ever actually purchased the land (the old goods yard and industrial area between Blackhorse Road Station, Hawarden Road and the Douglas Eyre Playing Fields) from the previous developers despite having over 2 years to do so.

Before Wilowfield, developers had proposed a series of tower blocks upto 23 storeys high, but those plans came to nothing in the face of well organised opposition from residents (and the housing slump).

The cancelation of the expanded 1000 pupil Willowfield at Blackhorse Road is another blow to any hope of regeneration for the area. A ten year grand scheme was announced 6 years ago, promising redevelopment, access to reservoirs, a waterfront park, a new centre by the station, jobs and of course lots of housing. So far the 10 year plan has delivered the closure of St. James Street Library, the bridge at Tottenham marshes and a little used bypass road round the back of the Standard music venue.

The goods yard site will in all likelihood now sit empty until the housing market picks up enough to potentially tempt another build ‘em high, pack ‘em in merchant.

Speaking to the Waltham Forest Guardian, Eve Wilson, headteacher at Willowfield School said she remains positive and hopes a Government spending review in October will see some projects allocated cash.

She said: “We’ve been working on our project for a long period of time and for the last few weeks we’ve been designing the building and have been getting quite excited.

“I’m still quite upbeat as I don’t think the projects stopping means they have been cut.

“All the projects will be reduced on a case by case basis and the aim here is for the school to become 50 per cent bigger and the Government can’t do without the expansion, there won’t be enough places.”

“It was a beautiful sunny day,” said Mo Gallaccio, who organised the ‘Love St James Street Library’ event. “We promised to provide a fun day for all the family and we did!”

St James Street Library, closed since 2007, was decorated with flowers and artworks, including a mobile of toy animals reading books under a colourful umbrella. Supporters brought homemade cakes to share and musicians entertained the crowd. Among the decorations were banners including residents’ many ideas for community use of the building.

The ‘open-air library’ – a book-swap stall run by a group of library-lovers with donated books – attracted readers of all ages, just as the real library used to. Children who hadn’t brought a swap ‘paid’ for their books with drawings which were then displayed.

New MP Stella Creasey joined in the ‘Love St James Street Library’ event, as did councillors Clare Coghill and Liaquat Ali.

“To have two ward Councillors and an MP join us was encouraging,” said Ms Gallaccio. “We were able to make the point that there is very strong local feeling about the need for a space which serves all the community.”

Come along on Saturday the 3rd of July for a “Love the St James St. Library“ event. 11am to 4pm at the Library building on Coppermill Lane.

Kids (and adults) can decorate the building with pictures and ideas for how it could be used for the benefit of the community.  There’ll be bunting and strings of “ideas“ which have been emailed to St James Street Library campaign.

There’ll also be a book swap – so bring books!

The library was closed in April 2007, to the surprise and anger of residents. It was a vital resource for the community; somewhere for older people to go, a place for kids to do their homework and for others, simply to borrow books.

The council have left it empty for over 3 years, and in the last few weeks have refused to allow it to be opened even temporarily to house a photography exhibition during the E17 Art Trail.

Join: The St James Street Library Campaign on Facebook or Twitter (and while youre at it join BAG there too!)

Whats happening with St James Street Library, the half finished Coppermill Park, the latest on Willowfield School… etc

Click here to download the Agenda for the meeting.

15 June 2010, Walthamstow Academy, Billet Road, London, E17 5DP (MAP)

COMMUNITY FUNDING 2010

The meeting is also the place to make suggestions or bid for this years community funding money or the Scout hut renovation fund as its come to be known over the last few years.

There’s a list of who received money last year here, and below are the details from the council on how to apply or suggest ideas:

Each of the six Community Councils within Waltham Forest will receive £10,000 per ward and £5,000 for the whole area. The aim of the funding is to provide local solutions to local problems with residents helping to improve the quality of life for themselves and other residents in their area.

The funding aims to enable:

• Local people are able to identify and prioritise the issues that are most important to them locally
• Local solutions are developed in response to local problems
• The quality of life for residents in local areas is improved
• The promotion of cohesive neighbourhoods and celebration of diversity
• Volunteering and community involvement are encouraged

Suggested projects will be accepted from:

• Voluntary groups/organisations who are already undertaking activities which benefit their community
• A group of local residents who require funding in order to set up an organisation which will benefit their community
• Residents who have identified a need in their local area and want the Council to provide a solution*

Funding available

Ward funding, £10,000

• To fund projects or activities suggested by local residents which address a need or problem they have identified in their ward
• To fund voluntary groups/organisations undertaking projects of benefit to residents of the ward
• Voluntary groups/organisations can only apply for funding from one ward in the whole of the borough
• If an application is made for funding from a ward no further applications can be made for any Community Council funding

Community Council area funding, £5,000

• To fund projects or activities suggested by local residents which address a need or problem they have identified in their Community Council area
• To fund voluntary groups/organisations undertaking projects of benefit to residents of the whole Community Council area
• Applications can be made to one or more Community Council whole area budgets (£5,000 budget)

Projects

What sort of projects will be funded?

Some examples of the sorts of projects that may benefit a local area are:

• Developing community activities (e.g., producing a community newsletter, running a neighbourhood day/event)
• Running local community projects (e.g., setting up a toy library or youth centre)
• Improving local neighbourhoods (e.g. improved environments for community use)
• Supporting disadvantaged communities (e.g. self help groups for disabled people)
• Celebrating community history or culture (e.g. community arts or media events, inter–community sports days)

We will NOT award funding:

• To individuals
• To meet expenditure already incurred
• Where statutory or other funding is available
• To commercial or profit-making organisations or projects
• For activities that are primarily religious or political in nature
• Where the monrey is used to ensure compliance with statutory duties
• To contribute to major capital or ‘bricks and mortar’ projects
• Where existing activity will be duplicated

How to apply

Residents

If you are a resident who has identified a need in your local area and want the Council to provide a solution, attend the summer meeting of your Community Council. At the meeting:

• You will be given the opportunity to discuss your proposal with other residents and ward councillors.
• You will be asked to work with your ward councillors to complete a form which will be given to the Community Councils team.

Council officers will look into the feasibility of your idea*.

The proposal will be presented at the autumn meeting where residents of the area will be asked to indicate their preference/s for spending the available money.

*Please note:
Some ideas for projects that are suggested by residents may be most appropriate for a voluntary or community group to deliver.
We will be publicising these in July and August so that voluntary and community groups can submit proposals to deliver these projects.

We hope to have some raised beds ready so that some of the seedlings can be planted out in the community garden.

Saturday 15th May from 11am til 1pm at the Douglas Eyre community garden, next to the sports pavilion, off Coppermill Lane. (closest stations Blackhorse Road and St James Street)

We also hope to start regular Saturday morning work days from May onwards, so that people can just turn up and get involved.

Plans for the redevelopment of Walthamstow Station were unveiled to the public at the weekend (14th/15th May).
Considering the scale of the development, there appears to have been barely any publicity for the event held in Walthamstow Library. Its part of a 500 million pound deal for Solum Regeneration (a partnership between Kier & Network Rail) to redevelop a number of stations.

Solum’s plans for Epsom station have recently been heavily critisised by CABE (the government’s advisor on architecture,urban design and public space) who urged the local council to reject the scheme.

(UPDATE: Solum says it sent out 10,000 letters to residents and advertised the event in the Waltham Forest Guardian. The fact that the new MP for Walthamstow Stella Creasy was completely unaware of the consultation might suggest promotion was minimal!)

To send feedback on the Walthamstow proposal mail:
BroadwayMalyan,
Riverside House
Southwark Bridge Road, SE19HA

Here are the details of the exhibition:

Come along and have your say….

Solum Regeneration Partnership, a joint venture between Network Rail and Kier Property, is seeking the views of the local community on proposals to regenerate the area next to Walthamstow Central station fronting onto Hoe Street. The area currently comprises the Hoe Street entrance to Walthamstow Central station, station facilities and car parking.

A public exhibition will be held in Walthamstow Library, High Street
Friday 14 May, 2 pm – 7 pm
Saturday 15 May, 9.30 am – 12.30 pm

The event will give you an opportunity to view the proposals and let us know what you think before we submit a planning application.

The proposals will transform the site into a vibrant new gateway to Walthamstow town centre providing new housing for local people as well as creating a new station piazza.

Walthamstow Central station will remain open throughout the redevelopment and no car parking spaces will be lost.

Walthamstow Consultation PDF

Now, the “St. James Street Library Campaign” have listed their dealings with and the positions of councillors on the reopening of St James Street as a community facility for all.

So please read what the campaign has to say below and – Vote Library!
Then keep an eye to see if they keep their promises after May the 6th.

The St James Street Library Campaign is urging supporters to vote for the candidates, in this week’s council elections, who are most likely to reopen the building.
The campaigners asked for the views of candidates standing for council (not those standing for parliament, who have no influence over the council’s decisions.)

LABOUR:
The Labour group admits it is considering selling the building to developers. This would kill off any chance of bringing it back into use as a community facility. Candidates, Liquat Ali, Clare Coghill and Steve Terry – say that they would like to reopen the building, but that the Labour group is also considering selling it to developers.

MICHAEL GOLD (pictured far right) + GREENS:
Michael Gold (Independent) is a long-time supporter of the library campaign. Along with Green candidates Anna Lindstrom and Kuan Phillips, he pledges to reopen St James Street Library and to stop the sale of libraries and other assets.

CONSERVATIVES:
The Conservatives also pledge to reopen the library if possible, and have held this position for years.

LIB DEMS:
Cllr James O’Rourke (Lib Dem) helped St James Street Library Campaign get started and has spoken against its closure. Other than that, we have had plenty of words but very little action from the Lib Dems. The Lib Dem group voted with Labour to close the library in the first place, but now says “we would like to see the former Library being used as a community facility”.

ELSEWHERE IN E17
St James Library campaign Supporters in other parts of the borough have a chance to vote for Martin Duncan-Jones (Independent, Forest ward), who has campaigned on local issues for years and given a lot of practical help to SJSLC. Former Lib Dem leader John Macklin, who had pledged support for the library, is now standing as an independent in Chapel End ward.

“Better late than never” says the campaign, stressing that it will be happy to work with anyone who supports its aims of reopening the building, in Coppermill Lane, either as a library or as a community centre including a library.

Join: The St James Street Library Campaign on Facebook or Twitter (and while youre at it join BAG there too!)

Also see The Yellow Advertiser article about the Library campaign – The Library cost £70,000 a year to run.

PICTURES INSIDE THE BUILDING:
On the 23rd of April residents and campaigners finally got to see inside the closed library building, last month marked three years since it was abruptly shut. The visit was organised by local Lib Dem councillors, and other councillors and candidates, and WF Guardian also managed to get wind of the visit too (Read article here).
Very interesting to see inside, and huge too. All community needs could be met by this space.

Downstairs plans of Library building

Background:
The much loved St James Street library was closed suddenly in April 2007, to the surprise and anger of residents. It was a vital resource for the community; somewhere for older people to go, a place for kids to do their homework and for others, simply to borrow books.
Local residents formed the campaign to get the library re-opened, and have been persisent and downright dogged in their campaign to stop the building being sold.
Get behind the campaign and support the bid to give the building back to the community to be run as a community centre.