A school in the Sager Building?

This flier
dropped through the door of residents who live close to Fortune
Green but we thought it might be of wider interest.
In case you can't read this they are holding an exhibition in the building on 17/18th December
from 3pm to7.30pm
Go and take a look and give us your views!

Where the bombs fell

The local area on www.bombsight.org

The National Archives, University of Portsmouth and Jisc (look it up!) have released an amazing insight into London in the Blitz.

The new website - bombsight.org - maps out where in London was hit. (On the first day of publication the interest in the site was causing it to crash quite frequently. Try visiting another time as it is quite spectacular).

Looking at it locally you can see that Agamemnon Road was particularly badly hit. I am not an expert - and its difficult to tell why such a cluster fell there - except that maybe a Heinkel dropped all its remaining bombs in one go. Unfortunately, the detail available when you zoom in and click on one of the red bombs doesn't give an exact date.

The Civilian War Memorial in Hampstead Cemetery

Anyway - I think this is fascinating and helps answer why some houses on the same street look very different.

Its also a reminder of what Londoners had to live through. I will be thinking of Agamemnon Road when I next visit the Civilian War Memorial in Hampstead Cemetery as we do every year on Remembrance Sunday.

Cricklewood History Project

We have just received a letter from Danny Maher of the wonderful CIP (Cricklewood Improvement Programme. They are applying for funding for a Cricklewood History Project and in order to apply they have to show there is a need, or that people would support it/be interested.
They have asked people to circulate this as widely as possible - so if you have a few moments, and are interested, please fill in their survey.
Their letter reads:

We would be grateful if you would complete the survey in the link below and circulate to your network on our behalf. 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CIPHistory

Many thanks.

Renee 

CIP Cricklewood Improvement Programme
tel 0208 2088591

Working together for each other  

http://cricklewoodcip.org  Twitter @cipcricklewood Facebook page Cricklewood Improvement Programme Facebook group Cricklewoodcan     

60 Ashford Road
Cricklewood
NW2 6TU

   

December updates

Farmers Market
First the really good news - the Farmers Market has received planning permission so it is no longer "temporary"! It received huge support from local residents - nearly 300 letters hugely in favour with only 3 dissenting voices complaining it took up too much of the space outside Thameslink and created a hazardous situation or that it wasn't good for local shops. These were drowned out in the wave of goodwill which has built up since the Market opened in September. Many congratulations to all those involved and a special thanks to local Cllr Gillian Risso-Gill who pursued the idea over several months! Happy shopping everyone!

And - don't forget the West Hampstead Christmas Market on West End Green this coming Saturday from 10-4.00 . And thanks to all those involved with that as well!

While I'm at it - thanks to Camden for our West End Christmas tree which is lit very prettily this year and also thanks as well to BAM ( Buckingham/Avenue/ Marborough Mansions) for their beautiful bright tree on the corner of Cannon Hill and West End Lane.

New School??
For a long time now there have been empty units in what locally most of us still call "the Sager Building" on Fortune Green Road. They were always going to be difficult to fill with ordinary retail uses as they were too big for a local shop. Tescos solved the problem (and caused a lot of local controversy) by putting two units together while two others have gone over to educational use.
Presumably inspired by this we now have a new "wannabee" lessee who wants to take over the remaining units for a school (this includes the large  one on the corner which was intended as an "A3" use (cafe/bar/resaurant) to replace the old pub).

Abercorn, who are a private school based in Westminster for 7-13 year olds, wish to expand and think they have found the right spot. So far they are beginning tentative discussion with Council planners, local groups and Councillors and plan an exhibition open to the public on the site on 17/18th December (we understand from 3-7pm).

There will be loads of questions eg

• Is this the right use of the units? Or should they stay empty waiting for a different use?
• Is this the right site for the school/ for the local community?
• How much traffic will it bring (we hear that they will bus pupils up from Westminster and only 30 % of their pupils arrive by car!)? And what will the the morning congestion be like?
• So what does this mean for our already overstretched parking? (Teachers for example)
• Will all the children be expected to take exercise/sport on the Green all day?
• What effect will the school have on the Green/ on the Cemetery (noise etc)?

There are no doubt lots more questions people will want to ask - so our advice is go to the exhibition and don't forget to tell your local councillors what you think (you can email us on fortunegreen@hampsteadandkilburn.org.uk)
So far no planning application has gone in and Camden's consultation on the proposals will not start until way into the New Year so you will have plenty of time to make comments.

A great lady

We were very saddened to hear of the recent death of Bernice Thomas known to the localcommunity as "Bernie". She was an amazing person and great friend who worked tirelessly for the community for many years. On the committee of the old Community Centre in Mill Lane, she was eventually honoured to be appointed a "Life Vice-President" and she was also chosen as a "Camden Good Citizen" .

Bernie helped lots of people and there will be many who remember her multitude of kind acts as well as her cheerful nature and her spontaneous hugs - truly she was a member of the "Big Society" before it became a political slogan. She gave her life to others without asking anything back and she was much loved and will be sorely missed. 

We have just received details of her funeral :

The service will take place at St Michaels Apostolic Church, St Michaels Road, Cricklewood, NW2 6XG at 10am she will then be laid to rest at Hendon Cemetery, Holders Hill Road, NW7 1NB.

We will then Commemorate her life at Heritage Inn, 301 Cricklewood Broadway, Cricklewood, NW2 6PG

We thought it would be great to have a local memorial for Bernie and would welcome ideas of how this may be most appropriate.

School stories

We know lots of local people complained about the grey bricks used for the new Emmanuel School Building, but the inside is magnificent. They have their school fair there this coming Saturday - so go along and take a peek! It is light and airy and a wonderful place for local children to get their education. The playground is pretty spectacular too! Now all that remains is to tidy up and regenerate the rest of the site including the wildlife area. The side road is to be relaid over the next 2 or 3 weeks so it will be difficult (or impossible) to access the garden centre. If you want to get your Christmas tree you will have talk to them at the Christmas Market on West End Green where they will have a stall.

We know there are shortages of school places in the area (and indeed all over Camden) but rather doubt if the latest wannabee local school is the one to supply them. There is likely to be an application shortly from an independent school which already exists in Westminster and requires an extension, to move into the empty units in the "Sager Building" on Fortune Green - likely to cause some apprehension about traffic and parking if for no other reason in residents around the Green. There is already huge pressure on parking spaces from people using the gym at all hours of day and night, not to speak of more usual traffic from local restaurantas and Tesco.
We understand the school plans an exhibition some time soon - presumably in the vacant unit so interested and concerned local residents will be able to assess this plan for themselves.

A two tree story

First - on Monday 19th November, I helped plant a new tree on West End Green to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee (actually the second tree in our area planted for the Jubilee - the other is in Hampstead Cemetery in Fortune Green Road). The tree on the Green was sponsored by local estate agents Chelsea Square (with grateful thanks) and this picture (courtesy of Jonathan from West Hampstead Life) shows Ray Jacobs of Chelsea Square and me at the very informal ceremony. It is a tree of a moderate size whose leaves will turn a spectacular red in the autumn contrasting with the existing trees.

Secondly - as I was posting the story above a sad story came in via twitter that another young tree was missing! See this picture retweeted.  Just the tree support is left!

When did it go missing? And who is the phantom tree thief of West Hampstead? Hopefully the tree above is a bit too big to vanish but our young street trees are always vulnerable to attack and theft - at least at present they won't die of thirst!

Christmas Market in West Hampstead

SUPPORT LOCAL TRADERS THIS CHRISTMAS!   
When:   Saturday 8th December 2012

Where:  West End Green, West End Lane and Emmanuel Church NW6 1LU.

Time: From 10-4pm

A seasonal mix of offerings from local people for local people – mulled wine, food, chocolate, jewellery, arts and crafts.

An excellent chance to buy your Christmas presents and find out what’s available in your local area.

·    Entertaining and exciting range of activities for young and old! In the Church there will be holly wreath making, zumba demonstrations, yoga, magician, face painting, balloon artist and fairies. 

    Thanks to all those involved with the third local Christmas Market, especially local estate agents Alexanders and the West Hampstead Community Centre. Stalls are sold out but offers of help on the day are welcome. Email: westhampsteadxmasmarket@gmail.com