Latest threat to the Gondar Gardens Reservoir

Hot on the heels of the Government Inspector's decision to grant planning permission to the developers for their "underground" scheme (which some of us have christened the "Teletubbies scheme") which was a blow to the objectors and to GARA - the local residents association, has come a second blow. The developers (Linden Wates) have lodged an appeal on their "Plan B" scheme which was for a huge infill between the Gondar Gardens small mansion blocks directly opposite houses in Sarre Road. This was also turned down by the Council only a few months ago.

Everyone is surprised and disconcerted by this new move - should they win again - which scheme would they want to build ? Or would they, as some residents fear, go away and come back with a third and even bigger scheme destroying a majority of the reservoir site?

We are trying to find out and to ensure there is still a future for the slow-worms and other wildlife on this valuable open space.

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.