- CAPIC: A growing community
- Russia Dock Woodland: Habitat spaces accommodating wildlife
- Transition Peckham: What could transition town Bermondsey and Rotherhithe look like?
- St John’s School: Green ambassadors
- Veolia / CRISP: Recycling and Reusing makes sense
- Surrey Docks Farm: Blooming Southwark
- Chair’s summary – A greener vision for Bermondsey and Rotherhithe made possible
Minutes:
CAPIC
Ann Clayton and Sue from CAPIC (Children and Parents in the Community) explained that CAPIC was formed following consultation about what people wanted in the area. A Saturday club was set up for children to plant and grow vegetables and flowers. It had hugely improved the way children treated the land around them. On the Avondale Estate there were projects about biodiversity and raised flower/plant beds for seniors and those with mobility issues. On the Ledbury Estate there was a scheme funded by the Cleaner, Greener Safer programme which involved furniture and raised beds. The various projects undertaken were for 10 years and local people were being trained to bring those about and sustain them.
Russia Dock Woodland: Habitat spaces accommodating wildlife
Steve Cornish and Rebekah Clark, Friends of Russia Dock Woodland (RDW), explained that the group had been going for 10 years. RDW consisted of 36 acres including nine ponds, linked by several lovely walkways. The woodland prioritised wildlife and had won a Green Flag award four years in a row along with a recent award from the National Trust. There were 150 bird-boxes installed in the trees. The bat boxes and bridge sculptures were also popular. The next aim was Local Nature Reserve (LNR) status within a year. Stave Hill was a large wildlife area, open to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Children were allowed to run around freely, building dens and looking at pond life. It was also a place for adults to sit and relax and have picnics.
Transition Peckham: What could transition town Bermondsey and Rotherhithe look like?
Paula Orr and Caroline Cochrane, explained that Transition Peckham had its first meeting in 2009. Transition Towns were about people joining together, with others in their community, to create something pleasant locally. In Peckham, the group had concentrated on growing food. There was an allotment and raised beds in the community garden. Transition Peckham also worked on energy and offered advice to those struggling with fuel poverty. A lot of people were unaware of the things going on in their local streets so Transition Peckham had put together a map. The map identified all the green spaces and circulated it at community events over the summer.
St. John’s School: Green ambassadors
Vera Jajechnyk, Headteacher, St. John’s School gave a pictorial presentation on some of the work being done by pupils at the school. The pupils had a strong focus on green issues. There was a green committee and a large amount of planting and recycling carried out. The children grew carrots and at harvest time made carrot soup. There was also a hat parade organised at Easter which involved parents working with the children.
Veolia / CRISP: Recycling and Reusing makes sense
Ian McGeough, Education and Outreach Officer, explained that much of his work involved organising workshops about recycling. He highlighted the love food hate waste programme, which was about reducing food waste at home and supermarket packaging. On a separate point, Ian promoted brown bins and garden recycling. Subsidised compost bins and wormeries were available at the Devon Street recycling centre. At the site there was also a paint cage for recycling and reusing paint. Contact: Ian.McGeough@veolia.co.uk or Tel. 020 3567 2622
Surrey Docks Farm: Blooming Southwark
Gemma Hooper, Community Projects Coordinator at Surrey Docks Farm, explained that there was a lot going on at the Farm following several successful project bids. Team London Bridge organised a green-fingers gardening club on Sunday mornings for all Southwark children aged 8-11 years old. The club planted some unusual / fun vegetables such as purple cauliflowers and there was a focus on healthy eating. A lot of work was done with adults with learning disabilities who take part in activities including horticulture, and jam making. There were still some student spaces for anyone who wanted to get involved. Contact: gemma@surreydocksfarm.org.uk
The chair thanked all the presenters for taking part in the themed item. In response to a public question about the new local green space designation, the chair said he would find out and report back to the next meeting.