This weekend in Telegraph Hill...

This Saturday is the third Saturday in the month, so once again it's time for the excellent farmer's market to visit Telegraph Hill lower park (11am-3pm). Fruit, veg, juice, bread & wine, deli items, meat, fish and fresh coffee. With so much on offer I'm sure I must have missed something out!

It's also time for another Lewisham Green Party 'Action Saturday'. With lots of activists expected the focus this time will be spread across the ward - so supporters should be able to help out in a way and in an area that suits them. There'll be canvassing, leafletting and other activities to help out with. As ever, full training will be given and meals and refreshments provided throughout the day. Contact sue.luxton@greenparty.org.uk for details.

Friends of Telegraph Hill are meeting on Monday 22nd March, 8pm in the lounge up at the Telegraph Hill Centre. Items on the agenda include proposals for the skate park, outdoor gym and water fountain(s).

Don't forget that the 2010 Telegraph Hill Festival is still running until Sunday 28th! See www.telegraphhillfestival.org.uk for programme details...

Telegraph Hill Festival 2010

Tomorrow (Friday 12th) sees the opening of the 2010 Telegraph Hill festival, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever! Highlights include artists''open studios', a bevvy of live entertainment including a full production of Sweeny Todd, and the now-legendary cake competition. That's just the tip of the iceberg, though - if you don't already have a programme, visit www.telegraphhillfestival.org.uk for all the details. There's something on almost every day all the way through to Sunday 28th - there's bound to be something for everyone!

SKATE PARK DEMO AT TELEGRAPH HILL

SPAG (Skate Park Action Group) held a well organised demonstration to consult with residents on a proposed skate park. It took place on Saturday 27 February at Telegraph Hill, lower park. Campaigner Sarah Hews shared her views on why a skate park was needed and what parents hoped to achieve.

The event was well attended by a well behaved, friendly and approachable young people who were simply enjoying themselves and united through play, interaction and talent. Parents, members of the press and resident attended to talk, watch, support or enquire.

Opposition against skaters grew in Telegraph Hill when a minority of residents complained about the noise level skating brought to their area not to mention dangers of skating in the road. As police have warned of the possibility of ASBO's to children who do not behave unreasonably parents have taken action. They felt that their children had been unfairly treated for engaging in a harmless and respectful urban sport based on the fact local recreations are somewhat scarce in the borough. Their action was presented in the form of SPAG - a coalition established to petition for a safe, accessible skate park site.

Recently, they have pitched a proposal before the Young Mayor of Lewisham, Jacob Sakil, and the Youth Opportunities Fund who are undergoing consultations in response to their application. If successful SPAG would secure one of three potential sites located in Telegraph Hill upper park, Kitto road outside the church or in an under developed plot beside Crossways Academy.

Sarah Hews informed me of the benefits a sport facility would bring to the area, saying it would bring the community together, provide an outlet for encouraging interaction between young people - away from gang culture and computer games. In support of her claims, companies such as Sport England perceive skating as a positive way to engage young people in living a healthier lifestyle.

A young skater added that he enjoyed the atmosphere the event brought as it allowed children [and teenagers] to enjoy themselves, regardless of their age, race or background they came from.

Reporting broken street-lamps in Lewisham...

No, these aren't UFOs - they're just a couple of the street lamps that have been replaced on Sandbourne Road.

In recent weeks I've been speaking to Sandbourne Road residents, and the one thing that came up time-and-again was the street lamps. In some cases lamps had been broken for several years, making it difficult and potentially dangerous to navigate the alleyways. It's sad that this lovely street sat ignored for so long, but it only took a quick email to the council to get the lights fixed.

Since the lamps have been repaired I've sent a letter to residents letting them know about the Council's Envirocall number, which is 020 8314 7171. A single call is all it takes to notify the council of broken lights, fly-tipping and similar issues.

Residents can also go online at www.lovelewisham.org - a great site which makes it very easy to report local environmental issues. You can even log in using your facebook account - it's never been easier to help look after the community!

Gardening sessions at Frendsbury Gardens...

Here are a few dates for the diary - Organic gardening sessions and more, happening at Frendsbury Gardens and Honor Oak Community Centre this month. I hope to be at the weeds and pest management sessions (fingers crossed - campaigning keeps me very busy at the momment!)

...It's also good to see the community centre offering web taster sessions after its bid for funding at the Assembly meeting last October!

Frendsbury Road, SE4 (we are right next to the railway bridge)

11am – 2pm

All sessions are free.

Light refreshments provided.

These are structured sessions that will start promptly. Please let us know if you will be late.

For your own safety please wear boots or sturdy shoes and suitable clothing e.g. waterproofs.

Children under 13 must be supervised at all times.

Sat 27 Feb: Sowing seeds - start organic gardening

Organic gardening - Q&A. Tools identification, safe use and care.

Seed sowing practical. What are you going to grow? (6 less common vegetables). How are you going to grow? (6 ways). Questions

Sat 6 Mar: Design an organic garden - everything you need to know

Aspect, water conservation, lawn care (practical), composting (practical). Questions.

Sat 13 Mar: Pond and wild flower planting (family friendly, drop-in session)

11am – 4pm

Pop in during the day when we will be planting up the new pond with aquatic plants such as Soft rush and Arrowhead. We will also plant the surrounding area with wildflower seed and plug plants such as Ragged Robin and Wild Carrot.

Thurs 18 Mar: Weeds - tackle them the organic way

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - biological, cultural and chemical. Weed identification (practical) - bring in a weed from your garden (root as well). Questions.

Thurs 1 Apr: Garden pests & diseases - deal with them the organic way. Grow your own floral bouquets.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Pest & disease identification.

Flowers for cutting. Questions.

Sat 24 Apr: Make a hanging basket with a difference (family friendly)

A mixed edible and non-edible plants. All materials provided.

Booking essential.

Sessions at Honor Oak Community Centre

Honor Oak Community Centre, 50 Turnham Road, SE4 2JD.

These sessions are run in partnership with the “We Care” community group.

Floristry session - Mother’s day flowers (make-and-take)

Wed 10 Mar

12 – 2pm

Booking essential.

Internet tasters for beginners

Wed 21 April

11am - 1pm and 2 – 4 pm

Want to learn more about using the internet – come to these FREE taster sessions to learn the basics of surfing the internet, searching for information and internet shopping. Suitable for all ages.

Please call Gareth on 020 8314 2071 020 8314 2071 or email gareth.schweitzer@ lewisham. gov.uk for more information or to book a place.

Help and Advice with gardening problems

If you are coming to a workshop and would like some help with a specific gardening problem, please email us in advance, so that we can research your problem and try to help you on the day.

Please describe your problem in no more than 2 lines and email it to gareth.schweitzer@ lewisham. gov.uk

Best wishes,

Gareth

Gareth Schweitzer
Frendsbury Garden Project officer
Environment and Community development

TEL: 020 8314 2071 020 8314 2071