Towards a better Cricklewood

We have just had the latest newsletter from the Cricklewood Improvment Programme and thought it worth posting as it's full of activity. Congratulations Cricklewood!

NEWS from CRICKLEWOOD – May - June 2012

Welcome to ‘News from Cricklewood’ newsletter geared to keeping you in touch with CIP activities and inviting your suggestions and support. We hope the sun will shine for all London 2012 events.

OLF Public Realm Following CIP’s successful bid for funds to the Outer London fund Round 2. We are working with Barnet, Brent and Camden councils. Our project manager is Osita Udendon of Udenson Caldbeck Associates . We were hoping to be operational by now but contracts have yet to be signed so a bit of a delay there. Still, we aim to deliver the whole project even if we are late starting. The funding will cover work relating to public realm which for us means tidying up the streets, decluttering, make them more pedestrian friendly, minor street work, shop front improvements, supporting local  businesses, employment support for young people, cultural events and much more.

Phone boxes BT have agreed to remove 4 phone boxes from the Broadway which will reduce the number of BT boxes to eight.  We are still trying to get an agreement from Spectrum who have a number boxes on the Broadway to reduce their number of boxes.  BT have also agreed to stop incoming calls to their boxes. We are monitoring the cleanliness, advertisement content and busyness of the boxes with a view to being able to provide evidence to BT & Spectrum when we are in discussions with them.  Please provide us with any comments you have in order to flesh out our findings.

Street cleaning  On 18^th April we CIP’s Greener cleaner Cricklewood undertook a street clean up of the Broadway.  The clean up was assisted by local police, council cleaning teams, the probation service, students and teachers from Hampstead School and local residents and businesses.  The day was a big success with lots of litter evidence collected.  (for more see http://www.cricklewoodcip.org/publicrealm.php and http://www.brentbasis.org.uk/information-services/news/brent-vcs-news/1417-community-clean-up-day-brightens-cricklewood-broadway)

Policing - JAG – Cricklewood Joint Action Group   In April 2012 a dedicated Joint Action Group was formed to resolve key concerns on the Broadway. CIP has now succeeded in getting agreement from police, residents and businesses to create a forum to resolve antisocial behaviour and other criminal activities and agreed to create a coherent message about what is and what is not acceptable in terms of drinking on the streets. At the moment residents and businesses report confusion regarding the legal position in relation to street drinking.

CIP reported on successes to date including a voluntary agreement by off-licenses to stop selling super strength alcohol to street drinkers. This is helping to reduce the problem. Given the reduction in resources amongst many statutory agencies such as local councils and police, CIP feels that it is imperative that all groups, work together to ensure a safer neighbourhood.

 (For more…. http://www.cricklewoodcip.org/Communitysafety.html)

Mapesbury Community First Panel has agreed and submitted projects for the year to March 2012 to the Community Development Foundation.  The projects relate to dealing with anti social behaviour which affects the community, the environment and improving community cohesion and an interesting project that links to the culture of the population of Mapesbury. Requests for grants (between £250 to £2500) from voluntary organisations in Mapesbury Ward are expected. Grants need to be match funded by the group receiving the grant. 

The priorities of our programme are to 1)improve community cohesion linking to the strategies in schools, local businesses, residents and creative groups supporting youth and the elderly 2) understand the history and culture of the population in Mapesbury and 3)deal with antisocial behaviour affecting the community and the environment. How to apply –http://www.cricklewoodcip.org/community_first.html

Schools Angela and Shirley are continuing to work on a partnership with local primary and secondary schools with a focus on encouraging/motivating the children to take a proactive part in the development of a safe, clean and proud Cricklewood. We are delighted to have developed a very good relationship with Hampstead School

Website content has been updated. Please submit any content to be considered for website by e-mail to cipcricklewood@yahoo.co.uk                   

Feedback is important to us so please feel free to comment on the web page www.cricklewoodcip.org

CIP steering group 3^rd July 2012.

Please let us know if you feel you can help CIP in any way. We would be delighted to have you on board. There is much to be done but it will be worth it when we have a Cricklewood that is safe, fun, welcoming and prosperous.

Public drop-in Session – West Hampstead Area Scheme, Thursday 12th July

We've just heard from Camden's officers about a drop-in session about transport related issues (NB cars, bikes, lorries etc, not buses and trains) in the West Hampstead area. Here are the full details from Camden:

Public drop-in Session – West Hampstead Area Scheme, Thursday 12^th July

 

Following the approval of the West Hampstead Place Plan as the strategic guidance for the area, Camden Council want to ask local stakeholders about their views on specific transport related issues in the West Hampstead area. As a local resident or business, we want to know what things you think would improve the streets and traffic in the area. This will help us to deliver the objective to improve the quality of experience for people in the streets and public spaces.

The Council is holding a drop-in session to give you the opportunity to highlight what you believe are the key street and traffic problems in this area, as well as what solutions you would like to see.  Council officers will be present to discuss your traffic questions. 

We are interested in discussing a wide range of traffic issues such as: -

• Road safety and accident reduction.
• Vehicles speeds and congestion.
• Ease of pedestrian access.
• Provisions for cyclists.
• Waiting and loading provisions.

Please note that the scope of this scheme will not include buses or trains.

Details of this drop-in session are as follows: -

Venue: West Hampstead Synagogue

Date: Thursday 12^th July 2012

Time: 2pm to 7pm

Officers from Camden’s Transport Strategy Service will be present for discussion throughout this session. We will then use the information gathered to assist in the development of a scheme, on which we expect to undertake a public consultation later in the year.

If you would like any further information, please contact Costa Kakouratos in the Design Team on either 020 79745132 or costa.kakouratos@camden.gov.uk. If you would like any further information about the West Hampstead Place Plan, this is published on the council website: 

http://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/environment/planning-and-built-environment/place-plans/-west-hampstead/

West Hampstead's heritage

Camden has lots of interesting buildings, some important like the British Museum, and some quite small. Many of these are “listed”, which means taking special care over changes to them. Here in West Hampstead we have a Conservation Area around West End Green but we have traditional only had two “listed buildings” – the Fire Station and the Synagogue in Dennington Park Road.  More recently, Emmanuel Church and the Victorian public conveniences by West End Green have also been listed. Also, Hampstead Cemetery has specially designated status. But we do have lots of buildings and features which give our area its special character. So it’s good that there is new legislation which lets Councils produce a “local list” of buildings which have a value to local residents.

To be included in the local list the building should be a good example of a style particular to a local area/ designed or built by some notable local or national builder or architect, and or be an especially good example of some particular craft or technique. Alternatively, or it should be of local or national historical significance in the area’s history, or associated with an important local or national person or event. Or it could have have “social value” which means having local community, cultural, religious, political, educational or economic significance.

Camden will soon be asking for suggestions for buildings to go on the list – watch this space!

West Hampstead Parties!

Jubilee Celebrations in West Hampstead

Rather belatedly (and with grateful thanks to our sister blog West Hampstead Spotlight) a report back on some of our local festvities:

 

Residents in West Hampstead and Fortune Green entered into the spirit of  the Jubilee weekend with street party celebrations.

On SaturdayWHeart held a Big Lunch on West End Green organised by Sally Bowman and her team of helpers and sponsored by Chelsea Square.  There was a bouncy castle and face painting for children, a cake competition, raffle with prizes donated by local businesses and Spanish dancing.  One of the highlights was a large black chicken handing out chicken wings from Nandos.

Cllr Nancy Jirira with a visiting celebrity!

Also on Saturday, the Fordwych Road Residents' Association held their event in St Cuthbert's Church Hall,

while on on Sunday Friends of Fortune Green held a Big Lunch event, despite the rain.  They decamped into the Play Centre where at least 100 residents shared food and some entered the Bake Off competition.

On the Monday, MARA were lucky with their weather for their street party with masses of food and drinks and a "table competition of which this was the worthy winner!

 

Well done all the organisers for helping us celebrate the Jubilee weekend with friends and neigh-bours. These were just some of the parties in Fortune Green, but there were also events across West Hampstead. Now we're looking forward to the Festivals - The Jester on Fortune Green on 30 June and 1 July and the Kilburn Festival in Grange Park a week later. Just keep fingers crossed for a bit of sunshine!

Area Action Group (Area Forum)

The next West Hampstead/Fortune Green Area Forum (Area Action Group) is scheduled for Tuesday, 19 June, at the Synagogue Community Hall on Dennington Park Road. Regular attenders have been notified by e-mail or letter.

Here’s the agenda for the meeting, which Cllr Keith Moffitt will be chairing:

7 - 7.30 pm: an opportunity to meet ward councillors informally over tea/coffee

7.30 meeting starts:

Parking Policy review
For more details of the review, see below. The consultation formally ends on 18 June, but Camden will take into account comments made at the area forum.

Community Safety
Representatives from the Fortune Green and West Hampstead Safer Neighbourhood Teams

Neighbourhood Development Plan                        
James Earl, chair of the West Hampstead Neighbourhood Development Forum.

We'll aim to finish by 9.30 at the latest.

We look forward to seeing lots of West Hampstead residents on Tuesday 19 June.

Torch Relay in Camden - but not NW6/ 2!

Today's Press release from Camden Council

Camden’s exciting Olympic Torch Relay celebrations revealed

With one of London’s most happening high streets, spectacular performances from the best of Camden’s home-grown talent and iconic backdrops like Camden Lock  and St Pancras International there is nowhere but Camden to see the Olympic Torch Relay.

The Olympic Flame’s route through Camden on 26 July takes in the best of the borough. It all kicks off with a mass choir corridor singing out the torch at our launch event at the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm Road at 6.45am.

The flame will then be carried by  torch bearers through buzzy Camden Town via Camden High Street – one of the world’s most visited tourists attractions with its world famous Camden Markets and renowned music venues from the Electric Ballroom to Koko – through St Pancras Gardens onto Regent’s Canal and into Granary Square and St Pancras International.

There is nothing like cheering on Torch Relay runners to whet the appetite for an Olympic sized breakfast and there will be lots of cafes and restaurants open along the route to refuel before heading into work or into the rest of your day.

Camden Council is also hosting celebrations along the route where residents and visitors can catch the Torch Relay and stay for entertainment from some of our top local artists.

Cllr Tulip Siddiq, Camden Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture said: “Nowhere is more exciting than Camden and that’s why it’s got to be the top spot to see the torch relay. We want all Camden people to join in on the day. We already know what a unique and exciting place Camden is and we also want to welcome  visitors from across London and beyond to join us to see for themselves what Camden has to offer.”

Camden’s Torch Relay Launch – 6.45am

We will be celebrating the start of the torch relay in Camden with a launch event at the Roundhouse. A mass choir will join the Roundhouse choir to sing out the torch as it starts its journey through Camden at 6.45am.

Community Breakfast 7am – 10 am

See the torchbearer and enjoy a community breakfast in St Pancras Gardens. The torch is set to arrive at this fun-filled celebration at 7.10am. Stay for craft workshops and entertainment from dance and music performances to a tai chi demonstration

Hear from Camden’s stars of the future 7am – 9.45am

Discover some of Camden’s young emerging artists at a musical celebration in Granary Square. Enjoy Camden Youth Choir, performances from David Craise and band and a water based performance spectacular from Akademi. The torch is expected to arrive at about 7.30am.

Catch some of Camden’s best loved acts 7am – 9:45am

Rounding off the morning's celebrations is a musical extravaganza in St Pancras International. Stop by to see professional performers including The Damon Brown Jazz Band, The Exhibitionists and Dance United, plus a presentation from Greenwood Dance Troupe There will also be an extra special performance from a surprise guest band. Catch the torch here at about 7.35am.

All events are accessible. There will also be a dedicated accessible Torch Relay viewing area on the island opposite Morning Crescent Underground station at the junction of Camden High Street with Crowndale Road.

The next day, on 27 July, the torch relay will make its way to the Olympic Stadium for the lighting of the cauldron at the opening ceremony, signifying the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.