life - Lambeth Council

Lambeth
life
Free for the people of Lambeth
June/July 2005
Issue 13
www.lambeth.gov.uk
Last year Lambeth Council appointed leisure
provider Fusion to manage and develop the lido
over the next 25 years.
Recent remedial works have included grit blasting,
repairing cracks and repainting as the first stage in a
major £2.5 million refurbishment plan, which has been
further boosted by a £0.5 million grant from the
Heritage Lottery Fund. At the end of the summer
season, plans will get underway to extend the site by
putting in a spa, sauna, gym, add new changing rooms
and studios in time for next summer.
For further information on Brockwell Lido visit:
www.fusion-lifestyle.com, or call 020 7274 3088.
Summer
starts here
The much-loved lido in
Brockwell Park is
back in business
and open once
again for a
summer of fun,
after receiving
a £50,000
facelift.
inside
2 Help fight insurance fraud
3 Lambeth speaks out against terror
6-7 World War II - gone but not forgotten
10 What’s on
11 Advice from trading standards
Whether a serious swimmer or you simply want to
cool down from the summer sun with a dip in the pool,
the Brockwell Park Lido will be open for swimming
sessions from 6.45am-8pm, Monday to Friday and
10am-6pm at weekends.
The Lido is also host to Yoga, Tai Chi, Whippersnappers
and other classes.

2 Lambeth life
Fraudulent insurance claims against local authorities are costing
council tax payers thousands of pounds each year, which is why
Lambeth is taking steps to clamp down on insurance cheats.
in brief
Help us to combat
insurance
fraud
news
Councils across the country regularly receive claims from a
minority of people who fraudulently claim to have been injured
tripping over paving slabs, had their cars damaged by potholes,
or tenants claiming that their properties have been damaged.
Lambeth recognises that there are genuine claims, but also wants
to tackle the rising number of false claims head-on.
A new national fraudline number has been launched and participating
councils, including Lambeth, are prompting people to report and provide
information on suspected fraudsters to help minimise the burden on local
taxpayers, and make sure that council tax money is being spent where it should
be - on essential services.
The confidential phone line is manned 24 hours a day and is free to call.
The number to call is 0800 328 9270.
Good Going reaps rewards
Lambeth residents who’ve become front line ambassadors for the new
Good Going travel awareness campaign will get a loyalty card giving
them access to a wide range of Good Going offers and incentives.
The Good Going campaign aims to reduce traffic
congestion and vehicle emissions in the capital. This will be
achieved by encouraging people to walk, cycle and use
public transport when possible, and car sharing or using
low and zero emission vehicles when this is an option.
Loyalty card holders can enjoy a variety of rewards including:
50 Cycles: £50 off all bikes
Apollo West End cinema: £4 off tickets
The Big Bus: 20 per cent off the London Walking Pass
Bistro 51: 10 per cent off classic French and British dining
CityCarClub: 33 per cent off membership
Dewitt's horse drawn carriages: 15 per cent off the
oldest form of sustainable transport
Half priced and 2 for 1 theatre tickets
G-Wiz: special edition electric car with £899 savings
WhizzGo: £25 of free drive time
Consultation continues on the Revitalise
proposals, which are set to regenerate and
transform the borough. For a brochure, send
your name and address to FREEPOST
REVITALISE. There’s no need to pay for postage.
www.lambeth.gov.uk/revitalise
Lambeth Women’s Tribute Evening
Mime artist Muniba Shams performing her
piece, 'Transformations' about the different
phases of womanhood, at the Lambeth
Women’s Tribute Evening. The event showcased
Lambeth’s characteristically diverse community
of culturally-active women who make a
tremendous contribution to our vibrant borough.
Free wheelin’
During summer, Lambeth Transport is funding
free Dr. Bike sessions in Clapham Common
and Brockwell Park. Qualified bike mechanics
will be available:
Every Saturday from 12 noon to 3pm until
27 August 2005, by the Bandstand in Clapham
Common; and Every Sunday from
12 noon to 3pm until 28 August 2005,
by the café in Brockwell Park.
For further information, contact Richard Ambler
on 020 7926 1240 or at rambler@lambeth.gov.uk
Lambeth Life is published by the
Communications Centre, Lambeth Town Hall,
Brixton Hill, London SW2 1RW.
Email: lambethlife@Lambeth.gov.uk
Contact for advertising/editorial: Tel: 020 7926 0472
Fax: 020 7926 2839
The London Borough of Lambeth does not accept responsibility
for any goods and services offered by advertisers. Publication of
an advertisement does not imply recommendation by the
council of any goods or services offered.
These and other offers and incentives will appear on the
Good Going website (www.goodgoing.co.uk) and in the
regular e-newsletter to Good Going pledge cardholders.
For more information contact Kathryn McLauchlan
on 020 7926 0686.
www.lambeth.gov.uk

Lambeth life
3
Sandra Harriott, PAC’s Service
Development Worker says: “Providing
services to people affected by adoption can
improve the emotional wellbeing of both
adults and children and reduce the number
of adoption breakdowns which see children
going in and out of care.
“BME children are greatly over-represented
in the care system and tend to stay there
longer, due to a lack of adoptive parents
who reflect their racial and cultural heritage.
It isn’t any surprise that some develop
behavioural problems.”
Lambeth's supporting people service
provides housing related help to
vulnerable people across the borough
who are in a wide variety of different
circumstances.
This includes sheltered accommodation for
the elderly, supported accommodation for
the homeless or those with physical or
learning difficulties and floating or tenancy
support services for people in their own
homes. Other client groups include women
fleeing domestic violence, drug users and
those living with HIV/Aids.
Lambeth’s Lesbian and Gay,
Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)
Forum on parade in the streets of
London in celebration of Gay Pride.
The forum works in partnership
with statutory, voluntary and
community agencies and the
local LGBT community and serves
as a voice to promote LGBT issues.
For information contact Amy Donovan on 020 7733 0101
Post adoptive care services
A new project will help members of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities
in Lambeth who are experiencing problems arising from adoption or time spent in
care. Post adoptive care (PAC) has a racially diverse staff and works with
individuals and families in an ethnically sensitive way.
Supporting people in need
PAC also wants to encourage adults who
have been impacted by adoption or who
have previously been in long-term local
authority care to contact them. They offer
one to one counselling or group work which
includes a range of support for birth
mothers who have lost children to adoption,
including a weekly drop-in group where
women can discuss their experiences in
a supportive and confidential setting.
To contact PAC, call our advice line on
0870 777 2197, email
advice@postadoptioncentre.org.uk or
visit www.postadoptioncentre.org.uk
Lambeth's supporting people services came
under the spotlight during a four day event
in July during which different long term
strategy options for the future were
presented. A variety of related organisations
such as Help The Aged, Drug and Alcohol
Action, St Mungo's Street Outreach and
Thamesreach Bondway Tenancy Support
also had a presence at the event and
entertainment was put on by local groups.
Lambeth has now drawn up a long-term
plan to improve housing related support
across the borough. For more details
please call Jane Ritchie, supporting people
team on 020 7926 7236 or email
jcritchie@lambeth.gov.uk.
Lambeth’s multi-faith community
Lambeth Council, the borough’s multi-faith community
and Lambeth police stand together in their complete
condemnation of the horrific bombings in London on
July 7, in which so many innocent people lost their lives.
The local authority and Lambeth’s religious leaders are
united in the opinion that there can be no possible
justification for the barbaric actions of whoever is
responsible. The council, Lambeth’s multi-faith
community and Lambeth police would like to express
their deepest sympathy to those who may have lost
loved-ones or friends as a result of the bombings.
A multi-faith meeting took place at Stockwell Mosque
after the attack, to extend support and sympathy to
victims of the London bombings. Taoha Qureshi, Chair of
Lambeth’s Muslim Forum said: "Mainstream Muslim
society has no time for extremists and terrorists. Under no
circumstances should these tragic events damage
relationships with the mainstream Muslim community."
Archdeacon of Lambeth, Chris Skilton, said: "In this richly
diverse borough we are proud of the good relations which
exist between the various faith communities and are
determined to continue to work together for the good of all
people in the borough." Rabbi James Baaden, representing
the South London Synagogue, added: "We need to note that
in Lambeth we have a very diverse religious population and
wonderful inter-faith harmony and that should not be
damaged in any way. People need to remember that this
harmony needs to be worked on and sustained every single
day. The harmony that exists in Lambeth is precious and
needs to be celebrated." Lambeth Council Leader Peter
Truesdale said: "We live together harmoniously and that
will not change."
Making sense of money
A new Money Maze service is
here to help older people with
the change to the direct
payment of their pensions and
benefits. Age Concern
Lambeth and Southwark have
launched this free new
service to work across both
of these two boroughs. They
now have a dedicated team
who will work to satisfy all
older people’s queries about
direct payment of pensions
and benefits. They can help
with practical matters like
opening a bank account
and making sure that older
people are receiving their
maximum income
entitlement, by running a
welfare benefit checks
service.
If you would like to benefit from this service, or you know
someone who would, then call the Money Maze helpline
on 020 7346 6813. Please note that home visits can be
arranged with a password system for your safety. Money
Maze are waiting for your call.
news
www.lambeth.gov.uk

4 Lambeth life
NO WIN
NO FEE
Do you know someone
who is claiming?
Claiming to have been injured? Claiming to have
had property damaged? Claiming compensation
from Lambeth by submitting a false claim?
Council tax payers LOSE
Council tax payers PAY
Help combat insurance fraud – call the
free fraud hotline on 0800 328 9270
www.lambeth.gov.uk

Lambeth life
5
When you gotta go..
Mobile urinals are to go on trial in Brixton, thanks to
funding from Brixton area committee. The initiative
was adopted from a recommendation made in the
Brixton Conveniences Strategy and follows longstanding
concerns in the community about street
fouling in Brixton.
A green look at the
Fashion TRAID
Budding fashion designers from
Year 7 at Archbishop Tenison’s
Church of England School in Oval
restyled their old clothes during a
competition for London
Sustainability Weeks. Recycle
Western Riverside (RWR) joined
forces with TRAID to hold a
workshop at the school, teaching
students how to creatively re-style
second hand clothes rather than
throwing them away.
During the workshop, students got an
overview of TRAID as a recycling charity
and took part in a discussion about
attitudes towards second-hand clothing.
The students then had the chance to
customise their own outfits, with advice
and guidance from TRAID employees.
RWR Campaign Manager, Jim Fielder
said: "Vintage or second-hand clothes are
extremely popular with fashion icons at
present. Young people like the idea of
customising clothes into a completely
unique outfit and the workshops gave
them the skills to do that. The Recycle
Western Riverside campaign funded these
workshops in the run-up to London
Sustainability Weeks to promote the
message of re-using items rather than
creating waste."
After a few hours of cutting, stitching,
beading, dyeing and sewing, the best
went on display in the TRAID shop
window in Acre Lane, Brixton.
Urinals will be placed in three locations over a six week
period running from July to September. These are
Tunstall Road; Rushcroft Road / Tate Gardens (at the
site of the disused Public Conveniences); and Brixton
Hill (Entrance to St Matthew’s Church and Peace
Gardens). The four-bay units are similar to those used
as part of Westminster Council’s successful anti-street
fouling programme in the West End.
The Brixton town centre office is working with Lambeth
Streetcare to deliver the trial which will identify locations
most prone to fouling, test their suitability and
effectiveness; and monitor the impact on levels of
cleansing required. Statistical information on use will be
used to inform strategic planning of future facilities. Paul
Jackson of the Brixton town centre office said: “The
results of the consultation were very positive. Street
fouling is a familiar problem in town centres with vibrant
night life. This trial should help alleviate the problem.”
Councillor Toren Smith, chair of the Brixton area
committee commented: "Brixton is not served
particularly well with public conveniences. Very good
work has been done by the Brixton area forum's
environmental quality working group who identified
some options and pushed the council to commission
the Brixton Conveniences Strategy. One
recommendation was the present urinal trial. This is a
fairly modest project and I hope that it proves a
success, so that the council can go on to do more work
to improve provision of public conveniences in Brixton".
For more information, please contact the Brixton town
centre office on 020 7926 1052.
Illegal traders get a taste of their
own medicine
Lambeth Council's trading
standards department has scored
another hit in ridding the borough's
streets of illegal medicines and
cosmetics when £8000 worth of
illegal medicines and cosmetics
were seized from a business in
Brixton in an undercover sting.
The bust on retaillers recalled
medicines containing banned
substances which are supplied
to Black and Asian customers
who use the products as a skin
lightener and to remove minor
skin blemishes.
town centre news
www.lambeth.gov.uk

Lambeth life
5
Money matters at the
Stockwell Partnership
The Stockwell Urban II European fund has seen the
development of a whole host of projects to improve the
quality of life for people living and working in the
Stockwell area. It is a £7 million programme, which is then
'matched' with an equivalent amount from other sources.
Mentoring highlights the growing problem of young
people living in the inner city who, without the right
role models, can end up in trouble.
Inner city inspiration
Projects could have a social objective such as the Stockwell
Refugee Women's Centre - where women from black and
minority ethnic groups have access to language and sewing
classes, creche provision and a social meeting space. Or
projects may seek to improve the urban environment such
as the work to refurbish Wandsworth Road including state of
the art Pelican crossings, new lamp columns and trees.
Young people benefit too, St John's Community
Development Project have been awarded funds and the
Baytree women's charity, NACRO and Hyde Southbank
Homes are developing youth outreach projects. There's also
art projects and training courses to get stuck into and new
playgrounds are being dotted around Stockwell area. Urban
II funds also helped to pay for the recent Stockwell Festival,
a fantastic event over 3 days.
There are currently vacancies on the Urban II funding board.
Stockwell Partnership are keen to hear from Stockwell
residents who are interested in becoming a member. For
more information about these or any of the other Stockwell
Partnership projects, call Rebecca on 020 7735 5051 or visit
www.stockwell.org.uk
Festival fun for all
PHOTO: SOUTH LONDON PRESS
Kids with their mentors, back row from left: Emily Seares 10, Phillip Clarke, Deborah Lewis 10,
Darren Davis, Joshua Akinborun, nine. Front row: Sophia Ellis 10, Dean Gregory and Gareth Scube 10.
The Clapham Park Project mentoring
scheme gives youngsters the time and
attention they need to build their self
confidence, self esteem and communication
skills. Over 20 Clapham Park residents have
been trained as mentors. They now work
with children from three local primary
schools who learn the curriculum but in a
more fun and interactive way.
Shaun Danquah, mentoring project
manager said: "There are only 12
youngsters per session which means they
are able to receive more attention than in
the classroom. Teachers and parents have
already noticed improvements in the
children and the children were saying that
they are really enjoying being mentees.
We have had interest from a number of
secondary schools who want us to run
the programme there, so these volunteer
mentors will help us to widen the
scheme to these other schools”.
For more information contact the
Clapham Park Project on 020 8678 5900.
This year Lambeth Council has seen a growth in sports
days, cultural festivals and charity events in the parks.
While there is a demand for music events in Lambeth
Parks, this has to be balanced with the concerns of local
residents and safeguard the interests of park users. The
Town Centre Office has been working with local
community groups to make sure events are inclusive and
local people do feel the benefit of having popular
attractions like Clapham Common on their doorstep.
The Clapham Society agreed with the Ben and Jerry
organisation that all proceeds from their 5000 attendee
music event in August go to the restoration of the
Clapham Common bandstand.
Meanwhile, Clapham Community Partnership developed
it’s relationship with local promoters, Wildfire Events and
Mint Group, so that they were able to distribute almost
2000 free tickets for the LatinSplash carnival event to
'Hard to Reach' groups such as the local Black and ethnic
minority community, youth and refugee groups.
If people from local groups are interested in attending
future events on the Common, please contact the
Clapham & Stockwell Town Centre Office on 020 7926
0765 or email claphamandstockwell@lambeth.gov.uk
town centre news
Fundraising fete
raises £22,000
The Holy Trinity Common Fayre, a huge well
attended church fete, was able to raise
£22,000 of which a proportion went to the
Trust organisation which supports women
involved in and exploited through
prostitution in South London.
Portugal day
The Day of Portugal 2005 was held this year in
Kennington Park. With hundreds of thousands of
visitors - Portuguese and Portuguese loving alike.
Crowds were entertained with Portuguese pop
stars - Monica Silva and Axel - as well as local
musicians, dance groups etc. A great day was
had by all with food tents offering typical
barbecue delicacies - the traditional chicken piri
piri, bean stew from the north of Portugal and
Sardines from down south.
PHOTO: JOSÉ VIANA VIDANOVA MAGAZINE
www.lambeth.gov.uk

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Lambeth life
5
NorthLambeth
News
WATERLOO • KENNINGTON • OVAL • VAUXHALL • VASSALL
A Lambeth housing estate is set to make history by
becoming the largest green re-roofing project in the country.
The grandest green
roof in London
Vauxhall gardens centre
a go-go!
The Vauxhall Gardens Community Centre is
alive with events, functions and meetings. It
has a regular programme of activities to
suit all tastes. From Portuguese dancing
and a football league for children and young
people on Saturdays to a new monthly
South London Arts Club, to new creche
facilities, the VGCC is truly a hive of activity.
A new addition to Saturday mornings have
been African martial arts classes. Other
services include: Yoga classes on Monday
mornings and legal advice provided by Age
Concern on Tuesday mornings for the elderly.
The Wednesday Bingo nights remain popular.
HomeStart run services from the creche
(funded by Kennington SureStart) and the
centre has also benefited from administrative
support provided by Lady Margaret Hall
Settlement in Kennington.
For further information, please contact 020
7582 4480, email thespringvgcc@yahoo.com
or visit the website www.vgcc.org.uk.
Vauxhall Gardens Community Centre,
The Spring, 100 Vauxhall Walk, SE11
From bottom left clockwise: Alison Muir, Ethelred Tenants Management Organisation Estate
Director; Councillor Daphne Marchant, Mayor of Lambeth; Councillor Keith Fitchett, Executive
Member for Housing and David Girdler, Chair of the Ethelred Tenants and Residents Association.
The Ethelred estate in Kennington now
boasts an eco-friendly sedum roof. It takes
the place of a traditional flat roof that was in
need of repair. This innovative solution to the
replacement of the old flat roofs will benefit
the environment and tenants in many ways.
At 4000m2 it will transform the skyline and
views over this part of the borough.
As well as reducing the fuel bills by keeping
homes warmer in winter it will reduce the
need for cooling in the summer; improve air
quality; create a new habitat for wildlife and
reduce water run-off during heavy rains. It
also has a longer life span than a traditional
flat roof so is cheaper over the long-term
and costs less to maintain.
The green roof project has been welcomed
and supported by tenants and residents
on the estate who have recognised the
need to improve the environment in this
central London area. David Girdler, chair of
the Ethelred Tenants and Residents
Association says; "The green roofs,
combined with other ongoing projects, are
an indication of Ethelred Tenant
Management Organisation's (TMO)
commitment to improve the quality of life
of our residents.”
The works are part of a £5.3 million grant,
which was provided via the Government
Office for London (GOL). Lambeth Housing
also funded the works through the Decent
Homes Standard budget. Councillor Keith
Fitchett, Executive Member for Housing
commented; “Lambeth Housing aims to
create cleaner, greener and safer
communities. The green roofs project at
Ethelred estate supports these values and
shows that more sustainable communities
can be created within a social housing
environment.”
Director of the Livingroofs organisation,
Dusty Gedge, thinks that Ethelred's
4000m2 of green roof will reduce carbon
dioxide emissions by 26,000kg a year and
also save the residents nearly £9000 a year
in fuel bills He made the estimate based on
Canary Wharf's 2000m2 of green roofs.
Volunteer mosaics makers wanted
Southbank Mosaics Studio is changing the sometimes grey
face of the Waterloo and South Bank area by bringing
colour, rhythm and form to pavements, walls and buildings.
The studio is currently working on William Blake mosaics for a
railway tunnel at Carlisle Lane South, as well as a school mural,
paving stones for Hatfields Gardens and some seating in St
John's Gardens. Volunteers are welcome, particularly on
Monday and Tuesday 9am-4pm.
"We're going to decorate and
civilise public space," says David
Tootill, "by putting fine art on the
street. We're looking for local
residents who want to make a
very special and long-standing
mark on their neighbourhood."
If you are interested in volunteering,
please contact: David Tootill, at
Southbank Mosaics Studio,
St John's Crypt, 73 Waterloo Road,
London SE1 8UD.
Tel: 020 7620 6070.
Children from Archbishop Tenison’s School joined with
Surrey County Cricket Club to Make Poverty History in July.
Their attempt to run a white band around the Brit Oval
raised awareness for the cause.
town centre news
www.lambeth.gov.uk

Lambeth life
5
Norwood Funday
The Norwood ‘Sports and Play’ Funday takes place on 20 August.
The lineup included five-a-side football, live
performances, a gospel choir, face painting,
a cake stall, diverse food stalls, brick a
brack stalls and costume jewellery stalls.
A carnival procession is being put on by
Emanuel Youth and Community Centre
and activities will appeal to the young and
the old alike.
'Display and Pay'
- reducing car crime in Norwood
As part of an initiative to reduce theft from vehicles
in Norwood, the police and community support
officers are issuing letters to car owners who leave
property on display in their vehicles. Norwood
Community Safety Officer, Nabil Mezoughi offers
some security tips to motorists.
Remember, most car crime can be prevented.
Don't give criminals an easy ride.
• Don’t leave anything on display in your car. Even an
old coat on the back seat is a temptation for someone
to ‘smash and grab’ - they steal first and think about
value later.
• Take all your belongings with you when you leave
the car. If you can’t, lock them in the boot, preferably
before you start your journey.
• Lock all doors and close all windows and the
sunroof every time you leave your car unattended -
however briefly. Many cars get broken into in the few
seconds that a car is out of the driver’s sight. You
should also have a fuel cap which locks.
• Always remove your car stereo if you can - it’s one
of the most sought-after items in your car. Make a
note of the stereo’s serial number and keep it in a
safe place.
• If you have a garage, use it. Always lock your car and
garage. If you don’t have a garage, always try to park
in a well-lit, open place. Thieves always like to steal
from cars parked in places where they run the least
risk of being seen.
If you have any information about criminal activity,
particularly concerning cars stolen for spare parts or
items stolen from cars and then sold to the public, you
can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You do not
have to give out your name.
town centre news
For more information contact: Glennette Bowles-Dove, Norwood Development
Manager, Tel: 020 7926 7997, gbowles-dove@lambeth.gov.uk.
Norwood youth forum
on your endz
Members of the Norwood Youth Forum
came to Area Committee to give their
views on Norwood as a place to live,
learn and play. They gave an excellent
presentation full of ideas for the future
and the benefits of a Youth Forum in the
area. It is still early days for the Youth
Forum, but their programmes and ideas
are about developing peer educators,
building self-esteem, knowing their rights
and responsibilities and helping to make
Norwood a better place for children and
young people. The Youth Forum meets at
the Old Library Centre every Tuesday
night from 6pm to 8.30pm to discuss and debate
issues, develop ideas, take short courses on
subjects such as drug awareness and First Aid,
and meet and interview other invited community
members such as councillors and the police. As
part of the curriculum, it's a fun, learning project.
If you would like to meet the Youth Forum, join in,
or just want to know what is available in the area
or get more information, call Trevor Gabriel
(Senior Detached Youth Worker) on 07961 929
710. The Norwood Youth Forum is supported by
Lambeth Community Safety and the Lambeth
Youth and Play Service.
Better business
in Norwood network
If you are a business in the Norwood area,
participation in the Norwood Business Network
will keep you informed and provide an
opportunity for you to influence and contribute to
local business development.
If you are interested in hearing more about the
Norwood Business Network or getting involved
please contact Glennette Bowles-Dove,
Norwood Development Manager on 020 7926 7990
email: gbowles-dove@lambeth.gov.uk
www.lambeth.gov.uk

Lambeth life
5
PHOTO: NICK MACRAE
A fantastic new playground at Hillside Gardens
is now open for children to enjoy.
Hurray for
Hillside Gardens!
Friends of Hillside Gardens have done
some great work with Lambeth Council to
get the project off the ground. The new
playground cost £135,000: of which the
friends raised £60,000, Lambeth Parks
contributed £55,000 with the remaining
£10,000 coming from the Lambeth
Opportunities Fund and Streatham area
committee. Local people, young and old
were able to choose the equipment they
Streatham town centre forum
An enjoyable and thought provoking
Annual General Meeting was held in June.
As well as electing nine people, including
several new members to the Streatham
Partnership Board, there were speakers
provoking lively questions and discussion.
Councillor Truesdale, the Leader of the
Council addressed the meeting and answered
questions on a range of topics from housing
repairs, council investment to the impact of
Revitalise on Streatham. John Kerridge
(Lambeth Community Renewal) outlined the
consultation on the future of local community
involvement structures. Then Theo Spring
from South London Partnership spoke about
wanted, and landscape designers
Cracknell Fern drew up the plans. Visitors
to Hillside Gardens can now enjoy a
welcoming public space, with lots more
places to sit and importantly, lots of new
play equipment for the children to have fun
with. The colourful rubber play surface has
been made from recycled car tyres, and is
spongy and safe for children to charge
around on.
the regeneration realised through the Croydon
tram and the campaign to extend the service,
especially the Purley to Streatham link. The
meeting also marked the retirement from the
position of forum chair of Jeffry Wilcox; this
coming three days after the announcement of
an MBE for services to the community of
Streatham, for which he was warmly
congratulated. Robert Doyle (vice chair)
thanked Jeffry and presented a card and gift
vouchers on behalf of the board and the town
centre staff team for his commitment and
energy over the past five years.
Streatham town centre apologise for the late
notice of the meeting to some residents.
Junior wardens take to the streets
The first junior rangers patrol took place this summer
with year six classes from Hitherfield Primary and
Streatham Wells Primary taking part. The young wardens
were briefed before being given a uniform - T-shirt and
cap, so that they could patrol the estates with the
Streatham rangers and report back to base.
The rangers work in partnership with Lambeth and have support
from police, youth workers, teachers, teaching assistants, TMO
staff, community safety officers and councillors.
'Display and Pay'
- reducing car crime in Streatham
As part of an initiative to reduce theft from vehicles in
Streatham, the police are issuing specially designed postcards
to car owners who leave property on display in their vehicles.
Streatham Sector Inspector Mark Egan said "Some people do
not realise that by leaving items on display in their vehicles,
such as CD's and bags, that they are tempting opportunist
thieves. This initiative will hopefully encourage vehicles owners,
where we have seen items on display, not to do it again".
The initiative is funded through Lambeth's community safety
team. For more information on how to secure your vehicle
please visit www.secureyourmotor.gov.uk. To find out more
about the scheme you can contact Susan Doran, Community
Safety Officer for Streatham on 0207 926 5901 or email her
on sdoran@lambeth.gov.uk.
Safer banking
Lambeth Council are happy to announce that ‘secure zones’ have
been installed around seven ATM’s (automated teller machines) in
Streatham. This is the first initiative of it’s kind in Lambeth.
Transport for London, Lambeth Police and Lambeth Council’s
community safety team are working in partnership with the banks in
the area. The Royal Bank of Scotland, Natwest, Lloyds TSB, Abbey
and Woolwich are all keen to make the project a success and improve
safety for their customers. There have been concerns in the past
about safety in this area of Streatham High Road, due to the
concentration of cash machines and high levels of street crime. The
safe zones are clearly defined yellow boxes, which will help to ensure
that people using the machines are given space and privacy. The aim
is to remove the fear of anyone overlooking them and raise public
safety awareness. Councillor Darren Sanders said “Cash point crime
is a worry for many people. As someone who uses the Streatham
High Road often, I know how beneficial this scheme will be. I look
forward to it being as successful as it has been elsewhere.”
town centre news
www.lambeth.gov.uk

6 Lambeth life
With the recent bombings uppermost in many people’s minds it is perhaps useful
to think back to a time well within living memory when death by bombing in
Lambeth streets was an almost daily threat.
The VE da
Carnac St
the
attended
of L
The German Blitz killed 1,560 people in
Lambeth and caused scenes of terrible
devastation in the borough. Yet then, as
now, the enemy’s worst efforts could not
break local people’s spirit of quiet
determination and good humour. Last
month Lambeth celebrated the 60th
anniversary of the end of hostilities in
Europe with a series of special events
which will lead up to the Celebrating Age
festival this October. The veterans of that
conflict 60 years ago will be celebrating
victory with sing-alongs, charabanc trips,
theatre and swing band music.
We ask people what Lambeth was like, how
it has changed, and what has happened
since the end of World War II as we
investigate the legacy that was left for us.
Lambeth Mayor, Councillor Daphne
Marchant remembers her time in Streatham
very clearly: “I was a young teenager when
I moved to Streatham, from Brighton in
1942. The area was in the flight path for
the bombers and I remember the buzz
bombs well.
World Wa
gone but not for
Clapham
Common during
the war was a
heavy antiaircraft
artillery
site. Nissen huts
were erected for
the gun crews;
there were
ammunition
bunkers,
searchlights and
sound locaters.
feature
“The V1s used to cut out in the sky and
one had to listen for them crashing to the
ground. The V2s followed but they
exploded without any warning at all.”
The war was declared on September 3,
1939 and a million children were evacuated.
But then there was a lull, known as the
“phoney war” in which many had come
back. By the time bombing began for real,
there were many children still in Lambeth.
Boys returning from evacuation, walking
up the entrance to Stockwell Orphanage
with Clapham Road in the background.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM
It was ten years after the end of the war
that Lambeth twinned with Vincennes in
France. The common bond that led to the
link was the connection with war heroine
Violette Szabo who was the first woman to
be awarded the George Cross.
Violette was born of an English father and
French mother who came from Vincennes.
She moved to Brixton when she was at
school and remained in Lambeth thereafter.
Rebuilding the borough
circa 1950
After the war, Lambeth
Borough, with the
National Playing Fields
Association and the local
community helped to
convert a derelict
bombsite into the Lollard
Adventure Playground
for children of all ages. It
is still open today.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF SPURGEON’S CHILDCARE TRUST
May 6, 1945 marked the
end of World War II and
Victory in Europe was
celebrated with a victory
parade in Lambeth.
www.lambeth.gov.uk

Lambeth life
7
y celebration at the Vincennes Estate,
reet, West Norwood. Commemorating
resistance heroes of Vincennes, it was
by the Mayor of Vincennes, the mayor
ambeth and local people in May 1995.
r II
PHOTO: WWW.LAMBETHLANDMARK.COM
gotten
It is said that it was the loss of her
husband while on active duty that led to
Violette joining Britain’s cloak and dagger
Special Operations Executive. After a
successful mission to Rouen in the early
part of the war, the Germans captured her
on her second mission, shortly after D-
Day. Szabo’s life ended brutally -
murdered by the Gestapo at Ravensbruck
concentration camp in 1945 - days before
the American liberation. For her heroism,
Violette Szabo was posthumously awarded
the George
Cross in 1946.
It was received
from the King
by her
orphaned four
year old
daughter, Tania.
Lambeth war
heroine
Violet Szabo
(1921-1945)
The twin town philosophy was seen as a
vitally important scheme which helped to
foster cultural links and promote a spirit of
post-war reconciliation. It was important
for many Lambeth folk as it provided one
of the few opportunities to travel abroad.
The Lambeth Twinning Association exists
to service the link between Lambeth and
Vincennes. The association is independent
of the council and staffed entirely by
volunteers. It raises its own funds to
sustain its activities, such as taking school
children over to France.
To mark the anniversary of the end of the
war, Peace emails were exchanged
between Lambeth and Vincennes. Doctor
Patrick Nezelof, Councillor of Vincennes
Twinning Service wrote: “By experiencing
different countries, communities and
customs, we learn about ourselves and
understand each other, which contributes
to reinforcing peace.” Claudine Farge
Poujol, Deputy to the Mayor for
International Relations and Twinning,
added: “We must all come together to
celebrate the end of the war so that the
bitterness of the past might be forgotten
and a new era of peace might be offered
to our children.”
In June this year, a group of Lambeth senior
citizens from the Lambeth Pensioners
forum travelled to Vincennes, with local
organisation, People’s Excursions. Their
host was Mayor of Vincennes and the break
was thoroughly enjoyed by all. One of the
people who went on the trip Mrs Jean
Becker, said: “Twinning is much better than
all the films and books on travel - we smell,
we taste and touch another country and
laugh and argue with its people, see its
shops, papers, cafes, buses, streets. Good
and bad, the more twinning, the better for
all of us.”
In return, Vincennes older residents will be
coming to Lambeth in October to take part
in the Celebrating Age Festival. Sandra
Lawman, Chair of Lambeth Twinning
Association says: “We are currently trying
to get young people involved too. We are
cultivating direct links with schools in
Vincennes and we hope to take some
young people from Lambeth to Vincennes
for a short break later in the year. We are
also planning a French film night. If you, or
your school is interested in participating,
then please get in touch with us.”
Where to go for more information
Lambeth Landmark (www.lambethlandmark.com)
An archive of local images from a bygone era
Imperial War Museum
Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ Tel: 020 7416 5320
Lambeth Twinning Association
Contact Sandra Lawman sandra@lawman-kolb.co.uk
or Heidi Nicolson heidinicholson@tiscali.co.uk
or phone 020 8671 7214 or 07802 571 297
Celebrating Age Festival
Age Concern Lambeth tel: 020 7733 0528
People’s Excursions
Contact Stanley Davies on 020 8677 6310
Afro-Caribbean Ex Service Men and Women’s
Association 020 7627 0702 (open Wednesday-Friday)
Lambeth's home front
commemorations
This November there will be reminiscence sessions
for the over 50 reading groups at West Norwood
library and further sessions with the teenage
reading groups incorporating archived film footage
from the British Film Institute.
On December the 3rd the film made of the Home Front
Events in July will be screened at the National Film
Theatre along with the launch of Lambeth Archive's
book about the borough during World War II.
Celebrating Age Festival
The Celebrating Age Festival is a month long
festival in October for the over 50s. The festival
offers a range of events that supports the
participation of older people in activities, including:
film, dancing, courses and concerts. More details
will follow in September’s issue of Lambeth life.
As part of the sixtieth anniversary celebrations, Lambeth Archives will be publishing a book about
Lambeth during the war. "What to do when the Air Raid Siren Sounds" will be the story of ordinary
people’s lives in Lambeth between 1939 and 1945 and will include photographs and documents from
the archives and the memories of local people who lived through those years. The book will be
published in December 2005 and will be available from Lambeth Archives and all Lambeth libraries.
All of the historic images used in this article - and many hundreds more - are available on the
Lambeth Archives website www.lambethlandmark.com
feature
www.lambeth.gov.uk

8 Lambeth life
Advertising feature
www.lambeth.gov.uk

Lambeth life
9
Advertising feature
www.lambeth.gov.uk

10 Lambeth life
what’s on
What’s On
August
3 August 2005, 11-3pm
Fit 4 Life
Everyone aged 0 -100 is welcome to this free
event hosted by Lambeth Play Association.
Streatham Common
11- 21 August, 12 noon - 10pm each day
Annual Summer Fair
Clapham Common
10 August-31 August
Green fingered garden crafts
A variety of free craft events suited to families,
especially children aged 7 to 11 with other
activity available for younger children. Booking
is recommended.
Wednesday 10 August
Using shells and stones to make fossil casts
and mythological creatures from plasticine.
Wednesday 17 August
Create coloured wooden garden collages and
wall hangings reflecting 17th century designs.
Wednesday 24 August
Make 2D and 3D models of ‘curious objects’,
inspired by the Tradescants’ collection.
Wednesday 31 August
Make fragrant posies or ‘tussie mussies’ from
colourful summer flowers and herbs, as used
by the Tudors to ward off evil spirits.
Museum of Garden History, Lambeth Palace
Road, SE1 7LB. Tel: 020 7401 8865.
20 August, 12 noon - 8.30pm
Fair 4 Life
Free summer festival for cancer charity.
Brockwell Park
August/September
Sunday 7 August, 12 noon to 8pm
Ben & Jerry’s Sundae
Ice cream makers, Ben & Jerry’s have
created the ultimate Summer Sundae -
a day of fun and indulgence not to be
missed! Delve into free Ben & Jerry’s
chunky ice cream; chill to a diverse mix of live music from top bands and DJs
and keep the kids (and the kid in you) entertained with the fairground style attractions.
Tickets cost £5 from www.benjerry.co.uk and Clapham Picture House on: 08707 55 00 61.
All proceeds go to restoring the Clapham Common Bandstand. Clapham Common
September
1,2,3,5,8,9,10 September
Capital Gardens Jazz Nights return for some
laid back evenings of entertainment.
www.capitalgardens.co.uk
Museum of Garden History, St Mary at Lambeth
Church, Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7LB.
11 September 2005, 2pm
London Memory Walk
A selection of river walks (two, six and 10 miles), all
finishing at the park. The two mile walk is
wheelchair friendly and disabled toilets are
accessible. Anyone and everyone can join in from
children to grandparents and have a great day out
while taking some gentle exercise in the fresh air!
The “best-dressed boots” will win a prize so why
not decide to make your boots glam, funky or just
down-right ridiculous! The Memory Walk is a great
way to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. To
register online please visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/
MemoryWalk/London or call 0870 417 0192.
Mary Harmsworth Park (next to the Imperial
War Museum)
11 - 18 September
Lambeth Week of Peace
This year, the theme is celebrating families and
friendships. Join us to promote your
contribution to community cohesion, diversity
and community safety. For more information
please contact Katy Gibbins on 020 7926 2949
or kgibbins@lambeth.gov.uk.
1 - 26 August
From Sea to Outer Space
with the Trojan Scheme
The Trojan Scheme runs for
four weeks in August and
includes activities such as cooking, painting,
football and volleyball, crazy golf, learning to
lasso and three-legged races as well as parks,
farms and the countryside visits.
It is open to children aged 4-11 and costs
between £7.50 to £14.25. Subsidised places
are also available. Call 020 8683 9600 to book.
17 - 18 September
Open House
Lambeth properties will be among
many historic buildings opening their
doors for the London Open House
weekend on 17 and 18 September.
Londoners are invited to enjoy the
heritage and architecture of Lambeth
Town Hall; Carnegie Library in Herne
Hill; the Effra Surestart Early Years
Centre in Brixton; Lilian Baylis
Technology School in Kennington;
and West Norwood Cemetery.
www.lambeth.gov.uk

In light of the unfortunate consequences to consumers
when a travel agent in the borough recently went bust
leaving scores of expectant holidaymakers in the lurch,
Lambeth Trading Standards is offering tips on how to
protect yourself from holiday woes.
Holidays - Leaving
on a jet plane?
Pay on your credit card. If it costs more than a
£100, by paying any part of it on a credit card
makes the credit card company equally liable for
breaches of contract or misrepresentation.
Trade association. Check that the travel agent
is a member of a trade association, such as ABTA,
IATO or IATA. They will be bound by these
associations’ codes of practice and they may be
able to offer assistance in the event of problems.
Ask about bonding. By law certain agents
require bonding to protect consumers in the
event that they go bust.
Keep a copy of the brochure. All
descriptions must be accurate and if you
have any special requests get these written
on the booking form and keep a copy.
Area Committees
update
Norwood area committee
Thursday, September 8, 7pm
Nettlefold Lower Hall
Brixton area committee
Wednesday, September 7, 7pm
Venue to be confirmed.
Call Brixton town centre on 020 7926 1077.
Whether you have spent £20 on a pair of jeans
that fall apart after the first wash, £2,000 for a rip
off house repair or £8,000 on a car that claps out
on your first journey, Consumer Direct can help.
The service aims to give customers the
knowledge, tools and confidence to resolve
consumer problems themselves.
Lambeth residents can now get clear, practical and
free advice thanks to the new service collaboration
between local authority trading standards services,
Citizens Advice and other consumer support
network members.
Available six days per week on 08454 040506,
callers will be connected to professional advisers
who are able to deal with all manner of enquiries.
The service is also available on line at
www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.
A little effort could mean you will go a long way.
For further information and tips on booking a
holiday go to
www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/lambeth or contact
Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.
As many people take their holidays over
the summer period, there are no area
committee meetings scheduled in August.
A full list of meeting dates will resume again
in the next issue of Lambeth life (due out
September 16, 2005).
For more information about council meetings visit
www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/CouncilDemocracy/
New consumer advice line for Lambeth residents
Consumer Direct has brought savings to
consumers in areas where it is already operating.
A recent customer satisfaction survey found that
most callers were able to put a savings value of
£150 to £200 through refunds, reduced travel costs
and less time off work dealing with problems.
Councillor Clare Whelan, Lambeth Council
Executive Member for Environment said: “The
launch of Consumer Direct is great news for
Lambeth residents, as now free, clear and practical
advice is only a phone call away. This service will
help to free up the valuable time of our local trading
standards team to concentrate on the real rouges
and rip off merchants."
Consumer Direct opening times are: Monday to
Friday 8am-6.30pm and 9am-1pm on Saturdays,
excluding bank and public holidays. The service is
also available by text phone.
Spanish
Portuguese
French
Bengali
Twi
Yoruba
020 7926 0472
Lambeth life
Shutting out crime
With the summer months approaching
people can be tempted to leave
windows and doors open, or to leave
garden sheds unlocked but this can
create opportunities for burglaries. To
protect yourself from becoming a
victim there are precautions you can
take. For example:
• Do you shut and lock all windows
when you go out?
• Have you got a mortise lock fitted
on your front door? Do you make
sure that it is locked when you leave
your home?
• Do you cancel milk and arrange for
post to be collected when you go on
holiday?
• Are your garden tools and other items
kept in a locked box or shed?
• If you have an alarm, do you turn it
on before you leave your home?
• Do you leave keys in a secure
location? Never leave spare keys in
hiding places such as under
flowerpots or doormats or hanging
inside the letterbox.
If you answer no to any of the above
you may be at risk of being burgled.
For further information on minimising
the risk of becomg a victim, refer to
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs/practical_
guide.pdf.
020 7926 0472
020 7926 0472
020 7926 0472
020 7926 0472
020 7926 0472
If you would like this information
in large print, braille, audio tape
or another language please contact
020 7926 0472.
11
information
www.lambeth.gov.uk

12 Lambeth life
Lambeth’s ground maintenance staff
manage 1,778 sq km of green space
- equivalent to 240 premiership
football pitches.
Hector Marshalleck
Ground Maintenance Team
Lives in: Lambeth
Job description: Group team leader
Pet hate: Getting up in the morning
Loves: Watching people enjoy the sports fields
We’re walking the talk
Improving parks in Lambeth
020 7926 9000 www.lambeth.gov.uk
www.lambeth.gov.uk CS322 9251 (6.05)