Three Peaks Challenge this Saturday - can you hack it?

A new circular walking route is being launched in Lewisham, with a special event in aid of two charities supporting young people.

The Lewisham Three Peaks Challenge is a sponsored walk taking place on 16 July 2016, starting at 11.00am in Hilly Fields, SE4.  It will follow the route of the new Three Peaks Green Route, which links up the hilly parks of Hilly Fields. One Tree Hill and Blythe Hill with the shops and cafes of Crofton Park, Honor Oak and Ladywell.

A group of local residents has produced an illustrated map and guide to the walk with funding from Ladywell Assembly.  The 5-mile circular route passes through parks and historic cemeteries, as well visiting some popular shopping streets, with plenty of pubs and cafes for refreshment stops.  The guide includes interesting historical information and suggests what to look out for along the way. For people coming from outside the area – or who want a short cut - there are plenty of transport links to join the route.

To launch the new walk, residents have teamed up with the Stephen Lawrence Trust and For Jimmy.

A sponsored walk on Saturday 16 July will ‘christen’ the circular route and raise money for the charities. Money is also being raised from the donations received for the maps and from sales of a special limited edition ‘Lewisham 3 Peaks Challenge’ t-shirt. This has been designed by Guardian cartoonist and local resident, Martin Rowson.

Further information available on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Lewisham-3-Peaks-Challenge-1034541099971217/) or Twitter (@Brockley3Peaks).

You can also sign up to raise money for the charities at bit.ly/1OBS7rN

Ladywell Old Baths/'Playtower' - update

The Ladywell Old Baths (or 'Playtower') featured heavily at the Ladywell Ward Assembly meeting on 27 January where a presentation was made by Ashton Bentley, one of the organisations proposing to restore and re-use the building.  The Company, which makes audio visual equipment, proposes to base its R&D and main offices in a fully-restored building.  They would also enable various leisure/cultural uses - including a cafe, rehearsal space and exhibition space as well as 30 hi-tech office 'pods' which would be installed in the main swimming pool hall.

The Company would also rebuild the old destroyed 'second class' pool hall (at the rear of the site adjacent to the Churchyard) and use this for their own offices.  Ashton Bentley are also interested in taking on the Coroner's Court building, although it is unclear whether the Council is willing to dispose of this building at the same time.  There was considerable support for the proposals from those present, though there was consensus too that the public should be able to see all the other proposals coming forward.

The officer responsible for the future of the site, Gavin Plaskitt, also spoke at the meeting.  He indicated that the Council had received a number of exciting proposals for the Old Baths from some very experienced organisations, of which Ashton Bentley's was just one, and the Council would be publishing an 'Expression of Interest' form in the next 4-6 weeks to kick-off the process of selecting a development partner.  He gave a clear assurance at the meeting that the local community would get a chance to see all the various proposals, potentially at a future local assembly meeting.

Tony Rich

Ladywell Assembly - Weds 27 January

Even at this time of austerity, Lewisham Council maintains its costly system of ward assemblies and the ward budgets (albeit now reduced to £12,500) which are annually doled-out to those (generally 'usual suspects') clued-up enough to complete a longish application form and mobilise the necessary flashmob on the night.

At next week's Ladywell Assembly, which will be held at Gordonbrock School, Amyruth Road, London SE4 1HQ from 7.00pm on Weds 27 January, decisions will be made on funding for 2016/17 and anyone aged 14 and above who lives in the Ladywell Ward has a vote.

One of this year's bids comes from the Friends of Ladywell and Brockley Cemeteries.  Others in the mix come from:

• Max Media Arts
• Dalmain Athletics
• The St.Andrews Centre
• Ladywell Youth Club and One Community Project
• EMT First Aid and Lifeguard Training
• Bellingham Football Club
• Brockley Three Peaks Walk

What may be of more interest in reality is the update expected on the Ladywell Baths ('Playtower').  It's hoped that the Council, stirred into action at last by the Victorian Society's shaming and the local petition (now with over 800 supporters), will have some positive news on what might be done to save this very special local landmark.

The contact at the Council is Sam.Dias@lewisham.gov.uk

LVIG

Ladywell Christmas Market is ON!

The ever popular Ladywell Christmas Market will take place again this year, on Saturday 15 December. Our events team is looking for volunteers, especially those with marketing, PR and publicity and fundraising skills to come and join us and make this happen. Please email if you're interested and have some spare time!

As previously, there will festive cheer, local craft and food stalls, seasonal drinks and treats, and opportunities to snap up some last minute Christmas presents.

If you'd like to reserve a stall, please email - as soon as possible to avoid disappointment!

A big thank you to everyone at last night's Ladywell Assembly who supported funding to cover the upfront costs of the Market.

Assembly time! Big decisions to be made on Mayor’s fund

The next Ladywell Assembly is coming up on Wednesday February 9 – don’t miss it! Publicity will be circulated by the council very soon. Top of the agenda will be a discussion on the Mayor’s fund, which is allocated to the ward each year and used to promote local priorities. There is £25,000 available for 2010-11, and a further £18,750 for 2011-12. Local groups can bid for the funds which can be used for one-off projects or schemes that can show they will be self financing. So what should it be used for? Any ideas? Trees, a Ladywell sculpture, a community shop, a summer event . . . The decision is down to Ladywell residents. So make sure you are there!
There are also likely to be assembly discussions on empty shops in the area and Ladywell’s controlled parking zone. Tony Major

Ward priorities (agreed at the last assembly in November):
Environment and landscape
Anti-social behaviour and crime
Local shops
Lack of youth and community facilities
Traffic

Be streetwise - back the plan!

The Ladywell Streetscape Action Plan aims to revive the High Street and act as a catalyst for further improvements to the neighbourhood. It aims to promote the interests of pedestrians and cyclists as well as drivers, create a commercial area that caters for the needs of business owners, shoppers, children and those with disabilities, and improve the environmental quality and economic viability of the area. The plan, which has the overwhelming backing of local residents, councillors and shop owners, is now under discussion by the council for inclusion in its transport plans for next year. Your support can help make it happen. See a copy of the Ladywell Report. Click here Be patient the link is a bit slow!

Sign the petition online at http://lewisham-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/petitions/mr_r_p_sheppard_1 or in one of your local shops!!

It's important. The council will take its final decision at the end of September.

Here are 10 reasons why you should support LVIG’s streetscape action plan:

It aims to make the street an attractive and safe place for people of all ages and abilities.
It will help improve the quality of the street, boosting trade and encouraging investment in local businesses
It caters for the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, car drivers and users of public transport
It will create wider pavements and parking/loading bays for shop deliveries and shoppers
Wider pavements will offer more seating for local people
It will reduce traffic speeds by narrowing the road and creating a raised “table” at the main junction
Reduced traffic speeds will cut noise and improve safety and air quality
It will introduce more trees and better street signage and furniture
It will improve the strategic Waterlink Way cycle route by providing a proper connection
across Ladywell Rd
Above all it will encourage local residents to walk to the shops and local schools rather than drive, generating health and environmental benefits for the whole community. TonyM

LINC project

Ladywell Assembly is taking part in an exciting new project aimed at helping communities to reduce their impact on the environment and climate change. It is hoped that the project will also provide a boost to community action and the local economy. There will be a consultation meeting held on 8th January at Prendergast School (in the New Science Block on Adelaide Avenue), from 7pm-9pm, which will be open to everyone who lives, works and studies in the Ladywell ward. To find out if you do, visit Lewisham Council website (www.lewisham.gov.uk) and enter your postcode into the page about ‘your councillor’. The consultation meeting will be facilitated by Impetus Consulting Ltd, a south London environmental consultancy. There will be a mix of presentations and discussions designed to draw out the environmental needs and concerns of the community. These will be used to develop an action plan for the community. The LINC Team will then help local people deliver this plan. Further information is available from Tony Rich, E: tony@richregeneration.com.