Welcome to your South Bank and Waterloo Neighbours newsletter.
This newsletter contains:
Emma Cons Gardens events in September
Jubilee gardens Trust online survey
Camberwell Carnival - Saturday 21 September
Lambeth Car Free Day - Sunday 22 September
Waterloo Streets Improvements - new website
Lambeth Forum Network meeting summary
Safer Neighbourhoods Panel meeting summary
Spotlight on... SoWN member Helen Lees
Emma Cons Gardens events in September
The Emma Cons Gardens Trust & We Are Waterloo BID are proud to introduce a series of
inspiring and uplifting events - SEPTEMBER THURSDAYS AT EMMA CONS GARDENS -
which will take place each Thursday from 5th - 26th September 2024, with events planned from
12pm - 8pm.
In celebration of Emma Cons, the Victorian social entrepreneur who established The Royal
Victoria Hall (now known as the Old Vic), this programme of events is designed to
showcase the potential of this little-known urban space and how it could burst into life with more
funding for arts, culture and community events, bringing delight to the local neighbourhood.
SEPTEMBER AT EMMA CONS GARDENS will see this forgotten space transformed into a
haven of colour and fun for visitors and residents alike and become the setting for a dazzling programme of free activities and events for all to enjoy. Bursting with colour and life – vibrantly coloured yarn-bombing designs will adorn the trees with over 500 magnificent, crocheted flowers and street artists will bring the Emma Cons story to life in a series of urban themed artworks. Craft workshops offering everyone the chance to get involved too. Whatever your passion - there’s a host of events to enjoy.
5th September will see the Gardens come alive with London School of Samba, Rock ‘n’Roll
dancing, Talkeoke, Morley College Choir and Morley College Ukulele performances, and
Waterloo Action Centre Knitting and Crochet group, Waterloo Action Centre (WAC) singing group
and board games from Draughts Cafe.
On 12th, 13th and 14th September a Mexican Craft Market will fill the square, acting as an early
celebration of Mexican Independence Day. With an eclectic array of Mexican artisans
showcasing their wares, there'll be everything from hand-made jewellery to colourful artworks
and even fiery Mexican salsas. Wahaca will also be on hand to serve a taste of delicious
Mexican-inspired small plates - and hungry market visitors keen to try the restaurant's wider
menu can drop in to its Waterloo restaurant, which is conveniently situated adjacent to Emma
Cons Gardens.
19th September will be Wellbeing Themed with Morley College Thai Chi, Morley College Urban
Watercolours painting, and Breathe Wellbeing workshops in massage, aromatherapy, Yoga
breathwork and a community gardening workshop by BOST (Bankside Open Spaces Trust). The
Dilek Taptik School of Dance will present classes in the gardens.
26th September will be themed around fun with entertainment from the Bureau of Silly Ideas, board games from Draughts Cafe, and more. Craft Forward will host a “Blankets for London” workshop - an opportunity for the Waterloo community to knit and crochet blankets for unhoused individuals in London. London street Tours will present a participatory walking tour of the area with prizes and forfeits celebrating The Wonderful Women Of Waterloo Local bar, Draughts, will also be on site selling a selection of Non-Alcoholic Cocktails each week too, to encourage visitors to the gardens to sit back, relax and enjoy time spent in this lovely garden.
Paul Cons, chair of the Emma Cons Gardens Trust , said: “These events are really exciting,
and I can’t wait to see the space come to life. Thursdays at Emma Cons Gardens will be a
prototype, to help us all understand how the space could be used for live events and community
activities. We want Emma Cons Gardens to become the ‘People’s Garden’ where residents and
visitors can come together to interact, have fun and appreciate the wonder of Waterloo. We
would like to thank the sponsors of these events, We Are Waterloo, Southbank & Waterloo
Neighbours, Lambeth Council, Bourne Capital, Wahaca and The Lambeth Estate Residents
Association.”
Canon Giles Goddard, Chair of SoWN added “I’m delighted that SoWN and LBLambeth are
supporting September Thursdays. The programme is a great example of local groups celebrating
Waterloo’s life and history and we look forward to seeing Emma Cons Gardens a hive of activity.”
Jubilee Gardens Trust online survey
The Jubilee Gardens Trust, the local charity which looks after Jubilee Gardens, are continuously seeking to improve this vitally important open green space and ensure they are meeting the needs of all users. Over the next two months, they are undertaking research, with interviews in person in the Gardens and via an online survey, and they invite you to share your feedback.
Please do take the opportunity to speak to their researchers - they will be on-site until 25 August, and again for two weeks in October.
You can also complete the online survey here.
Camberwell Carnival - Saturday 31 August, 12 - 9pm
Saturday 31st August, 12 to 9pm
Bringing Notting Hill to Camberwell, join a carnival atmosphere on Saturday 31 August 12-9pm on the green with the new annual Camberwell Carnival!
Join the festivities with live music, steel bands, PAs, dance workshops, games, face painting, costume making, food and drink and more.
Organisers JITC focuses on eco-friendly events and will be supporting all public and community events in Southwark to become carbon neutral.
Tickets are free but reserve your sport here.
Lambeth Car Free Day - Sunday 22 September
On 22 September, IBikeLondon will be supporting the global movement Kidical Mass, with a family friendly bike ride.
They will be bringing their bike party to the streets of central London with a kids disco twist. This is a fully marshalled ride, with experienced IBikeLondon Cycle Marshals.
THEME: 'The Natural Environment'. Dressing up and decorating your bike in a natural environment way is encouraged, maybe as a tree, or a panda, or a lion - whatever you like, There'll be face painting stamps at the start.
Further details can be found here.
Waterloo Streets Improvements - new website
Lambeth Council has created a new website to publish updates on o make Waterloo a world class place for local residents, businesses and visitors.
Visit the website here for updates on local plans and progress to become a net zero compatible and climate resilient borough by 2030.
Lambeth Forum Network meeting summary
The Lambeth Forum Network (LFN) is a borough-wide network of 12 volunteer-run forums. Each area forum sets its own priorities based on local needs and ambitions. LFN forums also work together to increase the voice of local groups and residents in borough-wide decision-making.
The LFN met on 24 July to discuss the Community Connections Fund, a consultation on e-bike/scooter parking bays due to take place later this year and updates from LFN bids for funding from the Brixton Neighbourhood Forum, Stockwell Forum and SE5 Forum for Camberwell.
Safer Neighbourhoods Panel meeting summary
Your Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) is a group of Met police officers dedicated to serving your community. The team is made up of officers based in your area (or 'ward'), supported by additional officers from the wider area.
The SNT work closely with local authorities, community leaders and residents to decide our policing priorities for the area. The SNT met with local representatives on 3 July to discuss local priorities including tackling anti-social behaviour and violence on the South Bank including thefts and robberies, prolific repeat shoplifters and anti-social behaviour caused by scooters and bikes .
The Safer Neighbourhoods Panel (SNP) met on 3 July to discuss local issues.
The Lambeth Safer Neighbourhoods Teams will be getting three new inspectors and another two sergeants. The focus is currently shop lifting, theft of bikes and dog offences.
The Safer Business Network is a community interest company that brings businesses together to help beat crime, violence and antisocial behaviour and reduce its negative impact on local businesses.
The number of Safe Haven’s in Lambeth is increasing but there is a need for premises which can remain open late, when people are most likely to need them.
Street population - tent occupants have been offered assistance but have declined support so removal notices have been issued.
Crime statistics - there were three residential burglaries and 25 reports of theft of bikes. A suspect has been arrested and is awaiting sentence. There were 26 reports of robbery, mostly involving phone thefts. There were 38 reports of shoplifting.
Future priorities: 1) robbery, anti-social behaviour and violence on the South Bank & Waterloo, 2) homeless & rough sleepers – engagement, particularly with drug users and, 3) anti-social behaviour caused by e-scooters and bikes around Waterloo Road.
Spotlight on... SoWN member Helen Lees
What’s your role in the South Bank and Waterloo neighbourhood?
Chair of Archbishop’s Park Community Trust and running a community gardening club in Archbishop’s Park
What’s your favourite thing to do on the weekend?
Making bread & cooking, reading the Sunday paper and talking to the dog.
What’s the best costume you’ve ever worn to a party?
I rented a wig from Lawrence’s Corner back in the day and went as Einstein. I didn’t need much else!
Where’s your happy place?
In my garden.
Who would be your three dream dinner party guests?
Billy Connolly, Peter Ustinov and Dame Edna but only one per course
What would you like to say to people in South Bank and Waterloo?
Enjoy and remind yourselves how lucky you are!
Who would you like to nominate for a spotlight interview?
Abigail Tripp
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