The Telegraph Hill Community Choir

The Telegraph Community Choir write:

We are a group of enthusiastic singers. We meet once a week on Tuesday evenings from 7.30 to 9pm at the Telegraph Pub on Dennett's Road.

We sing lots of rounds, and harmonies, on folk songs, sea shanties, pop, African and world folk, in fact, any songs with heart and soul. 

We are very mixed bunch, some of us have not sung since childhood, others are more seasoned singers. 

Our leader, Lizzie, has worked in music all her life, and sings professionally. She is also a music teacher, workshop leader, and songwriter. One of her songs was recently short listed in a big song competition in Scotland, and she has also composed for BBC TV. 

We are a fun, lively group, who welcome new people, we are expanding all the time. Please come along. Each session costs £6.

Click here for full details

Brockley street trees battling drought conditions

The ongoing hot, dry weather is killing Brockley's young street trees. Volunteers are needed to keep them alive. If you want to be responsible for watering a local tree, please email local group Street Trees for Living here.

To find out more about what's involved, click here.

Brockley Streets

Let's Push Things Forward: The Streets exists to fight this kind of abuse

Brockley Streets is a new community campaign group dedicated to improving local roads for pedestrians and cyclists.

By encouraging better road design and re-routing traffic, The Streets want to stop cars prangin' out or squeezing down roads that don't fit but they know it. They say:

We want to create positive change for the benefit of all residents and visitors to Brockley by
increasing road safety for everybody inside and around the Brockley Conservation Area.

We want to give priority to cyclists, pedestrians and public transport, reduce pollution from traffic going through the area and prevent the use of our streets as rat-runs by non-local traffic.

We are not about the CPZ and we do not represent any particular view for or against (people have asked us this question in the past).

There is a London-wide initiative by TFL and the Mayor of London called 'Healthy Streets' designed to help communities improve local traffic issues and we would like to help shape these developments in Brockley.

To find out more, visit their website and to get actively involved, email them here.

Ladywell Fields river clean-up this weekend

Rob writes:

As it’s going to be a wonderful weekend you might want to publicise the Ladywell Fields river clean-up on Sunday, 22 April.

I have been to probably 20 of these over the years and I can honestly say they are great fun - an opportunity to do some useful volunteer work whilst enjoying a different view of the world wading along the River Ravensbourne and enjoying Ladywell Fields in all its Springtime beauty.

Friendly Gardening

Friendly Gardens needs some love and affection

Soc seeks ten to tend St John's strip

Chairman of the St John's Society, Roger Lewis writes:

One of our Society's planned projects is to turn the unkept section of land on St. John’s vale, adjacent to the station car park and below Cliff Terrace, into a landscaped green area. 

We are now in a position to apply for a licence from Network Rail to care for the land, but before we can do this we need to be clear that we have a large working group of volunteers to sub-manage this on behalf of St. John’s Society. 

This may include residents in St John’s or in Brockley generally, and will include a small time commitment of a half-yearly meeting, working days to work away on the site and also planning, design and health and safety matters. 

If you have green fingers or organisational skills and wish to be involved, please reply to this email or email me directly (rogeroliverlewis@gmail.com). 

We can only move forward if can find ten volunteers to steward it through to completion, so please if you wish and have the time and resources to make a contribution, get in touch!

Campaign group wants to create new Brockley nature reserve

Campaign group The Fourth Reserve Trust exists to create a nature reserve along the Brockley railway cutting. They are campaigning to protect the ancient woodland next to the Crofton Park scout hut, which has been granted 'Asset of Community Value' status. They write:

The scout hut, situated on Courtrai Road, is on a strip of land bordering the railway line, the ‘middle part’ of the New Cross to Forest Hill Cutting that runs between Courtrai Road and Dalrymple Road.

The whole stretch is already recognised by planning policy for its wildlife significance, designated as a Metropolitan Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) in the Lewisham Local Plan, dating back to the 1990s. A Tree Preservation Order has been in place for the site since 1997.

This woodland is home to a variety of protected species including bats and hedgehogs and many mature trees; it is the oldest section along the green corridor, with winding paths through a dense cover of mature woodland.

In order to protect the wildlife and their habitats local group the Fourth Reserve Trust is actively campaigning to preserve the neighbourhood’s fragile nature corridor and get the cutting recognised for its ecological significance as a statutory Local Nature Reserve. This would be of great benefit to the neighbourhood, in particular local schools.

Follow and support their campaign on Twitter here:

Property developer turning SINC site into building dump on Courtrai Road only 1 week after being designated an Asset of Community Value - please re-tweet and complain pic.twitter.com/CPcRaGSPtW

— Fourth Reserve (@FourthReserve) January 17, 2018

Creative writing classes new and old

Another opportunity for Brockley writers to hone their skills... David Bottomley writes:

This will be my eighth season of running the Jack Writers Workshop At the Brockley Jack Theatre and this year we have designed a brand new course for playwrights and those wishing to try their hand at writing for the stage. We are now taking applications to join the group.

I have also decided to launch a series of new creative writing workshops at the Brockley Art House where I run monthly open art salons exhibiting the work of London artists and a unique selection of vintage, antique art and collectables.

The writing workshops are starting fortnightly on Wednesday evenings 7.30pm- 9.30pm and Saturday afternoons 1pm – 3pm for intimate groups of people wanting to find the time and impetus to write this winter.

Again, although writing is a solitary pursuit, it is far nicer shared with a small group of like minded individuals to compare notes and progress through different exercises.

With a bottle of wine to share on Wednesdays or afternoon tea on Saturday afternoons the idea is to keep a social and relaxing atmosphere whilst also encouraging a rapid response of writing to a number of given exercises to kick start those who may have come to an impasse with their writing or just wanting to find new ways into creative writing.

For more details and to book your place- as there are only seven places on each workshop please click on the link.

The Brockley Christmas Market 2017

Last month, I ran into one of the members of the Brockley Cross Action Group, who had moved away from the area, realised the terrible mistake he'd made, and moved back. He was busy weeding and trimming the plants in the Brockley Station garden, which the group created.

The garden and the wider Coulgate Street masterplan they championed helped to unlock the wider improvements around the east side of the station and have produced the town centre that this part of Brockley had always lacked.

This group - along with many others like it - form the vibrant civil society that has shaped Brockley's development over the last decade. We are lucky to have them. Soon, they will be going on a recruitment drive for new members, but for now, they want you to know about the Christmas Market they will be holding in December. Rupert writes:

"The Brockley Cross Action Group is once again organising the Brockley Community Christmas Market, which this year will be held on Saturday 9th December from 12pm (in Coulgate Street by Brockley Station).

"As in previous years we intend to have up to 60 stalls along the street selling a wide range of arts & crafts items, festive gifts and food. There will be festive activities and live music all afternoon.

"We are looking for local volunteers to help set up and run the market on the day! Tasks include setting up the market in the morning, putting the stall lights up, looking after the stallholders, running the BXAG mulled wine stall (to raise money for community activities) and tidying up at the end of the day.

"If you would like to help us run this wonderful and well established community event please get in touch at rupertking@hotmail.com. Thank you!

"If you would like a stall at the market please contact Erin Essex (eaessex@hotmail.com) to obtain an application form."

Write & Shine

Gemma writes:

Join us for a Write & Shine morning writing workshop in Brockley on 26 September (8.45am-10.15am). £15 including a lovely hot drink!

We'll meet at Pistachios in the Park in Hilly Fields. It's a beautiful spot for a couple of hours writing, with good coffee, fine cakes & floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of the park glowing in the autumn morning.

Click here for more details.

The Luxmore Gardens Picnic, September 16

The Friends of Luxmore Gardens is a new organisation formed to celebrate and enhance Luxmore Gardens, the pretty but occasionally sepulchral park sandwiched between Rokeby and Malpas Roads. The Friends write:

Please come to our first ever community Picnic in the Park with music, kids activities and  free cake.

Have your say on what you want to be included in plans for upgrading Luxmore Gardens as well as meet your neighbours and have some fun. We will be sharing the results of a recent survey of users of the park.

Bring a picnic, or just turn up for cake.

Training centre for self-build homes in Ladywell

Ted, a trustee of self-build group RUSS, writes:

A crowd funding initiative has been launched to help raise £57,000 to build London’s first training facility for would-be community self-builders. The innovative building will be constructed in Ladywell, Lewisham on part of the land set aside for a new 33 home affordable self-build housing project.

The project is being driven by RUSS, the Community Land Trust that has been set up to deliver the new homes. The project involves:

• Designing and building a single-storey structure on the site in Church Grove, Ladywell. The building will be used during the main construction phase of the new homes – from 2018 onwards
• The structure will host a series of workshops and build-days where anyone can come and learn about the construction of the new homes 
• The building will also be available to local people as a community space 
• RUSS will also run a programme of events and workshops with other community partners on the theme of self-building and community-led housing

RUSS chair Kareem Dayes said: “Lewisham has a history of self-building. In 1985 a group of council tenants with no previous building experience built their own homes on land provided by Lewisham Council. They were led by architect Water Segal who developed a simple and cost-effective building design that anyone could self-build.”

Megan Ancliffe is one of the team that has developed the early designs for the training facility. She said: “The project would offer people the opportunity to get hands-on experience of building. The structure will showcase different natural building techniques such as timber, straw bale and rammed earth”.

“Once built, the space would host RUSS’s School of Community-Led Housing with the goal of becoming a knowledge hub to share and inspire other communities in self-building and affordable housing projects”.

“We intend to source materials locally so that we support the local economy. We also aim to use as many reclaimed and recycled materials as we can and we’re interested in experimenting with off-grid technologies such as rain water collection.”

The building is estimated to cost £57,000. If enough people sign up to support it by the 10th of July, the Mayor of London’s initiative, Crowdfund London, is likely to provide top up funding to meet this target.

Anyone who wants to support the initiative can find out more here.

The BrocSoc BBQ, July 7

Tomorrow, from 7pm at the Stone Circle on Hilly Fields, BrocSoc will have be hosting a BBQ for Summer Fayre volunteers. Anyone interested in getting involved with the group is welcome.

Bring your own food to cook on their legendarily massive grill.

The Quaggy Community Choir

The Quaggy Community Choir meets at the new Parkside Centre

Priya and Jake write:

The Quaggy Community Choir is a new group based at the brand new Parkside SE10 Commity Centre, on the border between Greenwich and Lewisham.

We’ll be singing an eclectic mix of songs of different styles – to well known hits to some tunes which are a bit more unusual. Once we are more established, we look forward to inviting people’s song suggestions and will eventually head out into the community to do some shows.

The first session is free and no experience is necessary.

DAY: Every Tuesday evening
TIME:   7:00 – 8:30pm
PLACE: Parkside SE10 Community Centre 1 Copperwood Place SE10 8GF

Hilly Fields Evening Walks

Michael writes:

Hilly Fields early evening walks have started again.

Come and enjoy the views, the setting sun, the company and some gentle exercise!

We meet on Mondays 6.30pm at the benches outside Frances Drake Bowls club, near 484 bus stop (24 April – late October). The walk group is led by volunteer walk leaders and we walk for 30 -45 minutes.

For more information: Jenny Budd: Healthywalks@gcda.org.uk

... Or you can just turn up or register on

www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/walkfinder/lewisham-healthy-walks

Brockley Max 2017 - get involved

Emma writes:

Brockley Max is a nine-day, not-for-profit festival put on by local people for local people. So it can’t happen without your help!

We’re looking for volunteers keen to be involved in Brockley Max 2017, to see a different side of the festival - use your skills in a creative capacity, try something new and be involved in your local community! It’s a great opportunity to develop your skills, add experience to your CV and use your interest in music or art in a professional capacity – references can be provided on request after volunteering.  Travel expense can be covered, and food is often provided.

You’ll be contributing your time to help make the festival run smoothly, for example, by handing out programmes, setting up events, being a festival ambassador or raising funds. You’ll be an essential part of Brockley Max, helping create a special atmosphere, perfect for those looking for work experience or to meet new people.

You can volunteer as much or as little of your time as you like, there is plenty of variety and flexibility.

Please visit our website to find out more about all our exciting opportunities and how to apply.

You can also email Emma, our Volunteer Coordinator on volunteer@brockleymax.co.uk if you have any further query.

Deptford X seeks Trustees

Johann Arens' SelfCalibration. Deptford X 2016

Long-running arts festival Deptford X has launched a search for new trustees. The organisers say:

Deptford X continues to innovate and reinvent itself, and is currently building upon its core festival remit with other programming activities throughout the year, running the DX Gallery, as well as providing studio space for local artists.

It is an exciting time for Deptford X. The curated programmes are stronger than ever, providing a range of art engagement points for local residents, and the wider art world is taking notice.
Deptford X is a charity that is run day to day by a small executive team and governed by a board of trustees. We are actively seeking to develop our board capability specifically in the areas of PR & communications, finance, programme development and fundraising.

If you have a background in one or more of these areas and are passionate about helping build upon the successes of Deptford X, then please contact us with a CV and a covering letter describing how you believe you might be able to contribute, by the end of April.

This is a voluntary role, and therefore has no remuneration.

The document below provides more information about Deptford X and the expectations of the roles available.

Please send all correspondence to admin@deptfordx.org with 'BOARD APPLICATION' in the subject.

Soil association

Elizaveta writes:

Free soil and compost workshop on Saturday the 25th of February from 11 am to 1 pm at Frendsbury Gardens, SE4 2BL.

Compost on your mind? Curious about keeping your soil healthy?

"If a garden require it, now trench it ye may,
one trench not a yard, from another go lay;
Which being well filled with muck by and by,
to cover with mould, for a season to lie."
- Thomas Tusser, 1557

Healthy soil with good compost means a healthy garden. Come along and learn how to achieve it on Saturday the 25th of February. Email us at: L@kuzmina.li

Dress accordingly as it might still be cold and windy. Tea and coffee will be provided.

Writer's Brock

By 2014, I thought I had exhausted every conceivable Brockley pun, so the fact that these guys hacve managed to wring another play on words out of SE4 is a sign that this is a writing group worth joining. Caroline writes:

"We're Writer's Brock, a writing group located in and around Brockley, holding monthly or bi-monthly meetings where we support and offer feedback on each other's work.

"We're currently looking to recruit new members.  All forms welcome, from scripts to prose, novel chapters to short stories."

Contact carolinebacle@gmail.com if you're interested.

Help fund a play therapy room for abused children

Mosac is a voluntary organisation supporting all non-abusing parents and carers whose children have been sexually abused. They have just moved in to Endwell Road premises and are fundraising to support their work. They say:

The building we have taken over is a former nursery, and offers great possibilities for our services, however it needs some refurbishment. We don't have the funds to buy in professional renovators, so we are trying to do most of it ourselves.

We need donations of items such as office chairs, desks, tables, toilet furniture to help us fit out the building.

We have also launched a Gofundme campaign to pay for a Play Therapy room. You can find the details here and any donations would be gratefully received.

For more information about Mosac's work, click here.