Friday, May 30, 2008

Blackheath Bike and Kite Festival : 14 - 15 June

Lewisham Press Release:

The skies of Blackheath in south east London, will come alive with kites of all shapes, sizes and colours when the Blackheath Bike and Kite Festival gets underway.

The Bike and Kite Festival will take place between 11am and 4pm each day. The event has been organised by Festival Special Events and the Kite Society on behalf of Lewisham Council. Sponsored by Transport for London, it is being held during National Bike Week.

Bike Week, the UK’s biggest mass participation cycling event, has joined up with Nokia to challenge families to get out of their cars, step away from the TV and get on their bikes. Bike Week aims to re-engage people with the benefits and enjoyment of cycling.

This weekend-long festival will have something for everyone.

With specialist commentators for each of the display arenas, entertainment over the weekend includes:

UK mountain bike stunt display team, Team MAD, who will demonstrate death defying leaps, jumps, hops and balancing skills, using only their custom made stunt bikes throughout the weekend. Children can get in on the act with special interactive in-between show ‘skill sessions’, where they can learn tips and tricks to help them perform their own bike stunts.

A band of cyclists and staff from the Electric Transport Shop in Camden will be arriving on the heath during the morning. Riders will be on a range of electric bikes and mopeds, demonstrating an easy, clean and green way to travel.

‘Try before you buy’ with the Company of Cyclists, whose aim is to promote cycling in all its varieties; leisure, sport, transport, health, happiness and the environment.

Holland’s kite team and Belgium’s ‘Atomic’ kite team, who will be bringing a variety of inflatable kites and kite trains, from ‘champagne bottles’ to ‘air guitars’.

A unique seven man stunt team, The Air Heads, who will display their expert air dynamic kites in an impressive routine of precision ballet.

Team Spectrum: a father and son duo, Carl and Bryan. Carl will be flying his ‘three kites, one man’ display. Carl is one of only three people in the UK able to perform this feat.

‘The Flying Squad’ will give an exciting visual display flying revolution kites in a synchronised ballet, quite different from any other type of kite ballet.

Former UK Experienced Pair Champions: Husband and wife Allan and Marilyn Pothecary, also known as Close Encounters, will be demonstrating various exhibition displays.

Specialist kite traders will be on site so that everyone will have the chance to buy and fly their very own kite.

For bike enthusiasts, experts from ‘Dr Bike’ will be on hand to offer advice and help on how to keep your bike in top condition, along with a number of other specialist bike traders.

As well as bikes and kites, there will be entertainment for young people with a special children’s fair, provided by Glendale Grounds Management and Botton’s Family Funfairs. Aimed at children under 12, the fair will be open from 11.00am to 7.00pm each day.

For all the latest information go to the Lewisham Council website, www.lewisham.gov.uk and follow the links to Bike and Kite Festival.

For information about places to stay, go to www.lewisham.gov.uk and search on ‘where to stay’. Follow the links to Visit London or the Lewisham Tourist Information Centre.

There are no parking facilities on Blackheath. Visitors should plan their journey using the Transport for London journey planner at www.tfl.gov.uk .

Friday, May 23, 2008

Under 5's Funday!

There's a free day of fun activities and entertainment for children under five years and their parent/guardians at Mountsfield Park on Thursday 26th June 2008, between 11am and 3pm.

You can 'phone 0800 085 0606 for more information.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Lee Green Local Assembly



A new way of working in which you and others will decide how to improve your area

Tuesday 10 June 2008, 7.00pm-9.00pm
Emmanuel Pentecostal Church Hall
374 Lee High Road, Lee
London SE12 8RS

For more information call 020 8314 6026 or visit www.lewisham.gov.uk/localassemblies

And Manor Park Needs You Too!

There's now a new User Group for Manor Park and we need your help to make the new group a success!

Following the recent renovation of the park by the Environment Agency things are looking good, but there’s still a lot to to do if we are going to get the Leahurst entrance and develop the building in the park.

The next meeting of the Manor Park User Group is on

Monday 2nd June 2008, 7:30pm
Parish Room of the Good Shepherd, Handen Road

and the User Group needs to set up a committee in order to continue the development of the park and work with the Council and Glendale to ensure it is properly maintained. This is a very exciting project so why not come along and join our committee? We’re looking for a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.

You can get further details by emailing me , or calling me (Cllr Paul Bentley) on 020 8297 4849

The Triangle Nature Reserve Needs You!

The restoration of the nature reserve has now reached the point where you can get actively involved in the development and maintenance of this unique area. How do you get involved? By joining the Friends of Hither Green Station Nature Reserve!

Why not come along to our next meeting on

Wednesday 25th June 2008, 7:30pm
Parish Room of the Good Shepherd, Handen Road

And why not join our committee? We’re looking for a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity so why not come along and join us?

You can get further details by emailing me or calling me (Cllr Paul Bentley) on 020 8297 4849

Architecture & Building in London

If you're interested in London's architecture and the built environment you shouldn't miss these exhibitions:

Des Res

Des Res is an exhibition about the housing challenge facing London. It on until the 14th June at the Building Centre, 26 Store Street, London WC1E 7BT. This is a terrific exhibition and there's a fully illustrated, and very informative catalogue with pictures of all the featured buildings and schemes available in the in-store bookshop for £3. You can find further details on the New London Architecture website. Highly recommended.

London Festival of Architecture

This is billed as a "Citywide Exploration and Celebration of the Capital's Built Environment". It's on from the 20th June to the 20th July and you can get full details of the festival programme at the LFA2008 website.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Review of Empty and Under-Used Properties in the borough

The Sustainable Development Select Committee is due to carry out an in-depth review of Empty and Under-Used Properties in the borough, with a focus on identifying the extent of the problem, and looking at ways to reduce numbers.

The Committee would like to know about any problematic empty or under-used properties (either commercial or housing - this may also include lock-up garages) that you are aware of in Lee Green ward, particularly problematic examples (e.g. concerning noise or nuisance issues; environmental concerns; longstanding under-use or emptiness, etc.).

I'll pass on any replies I receive to the committee.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Lewisham Cyclist's City Slicker Ride

This Sunday the 18th May 2008

Meeting up at 11am at The Crown - top of Blackheath Village
and 11.30 at Cutty Sark Gardens

ROUTE
Thames Path to Tower Bridge, over then return along the north side to Greenwich Foot Tunnel.
Easy and flat.

All welcome, suitable for children age 7+ who are confident cyclists and new or returning cyclists.

Further details from Tom Crispin

Monday, May 12, 2008

What children's and teenage books would you like to see in Manor House Library when it re-opens?

Joanne Moulton, Lewisham's Children & Young Persons Librarian would like to hear what your favourite authors and books are, and what you'd like to see in Manor House Library when it re-opens either this December or January 2009. Now's your chance to email Joanne and nominate your favourite picture books, novels, graphic novels, manga and non-fiction books!

Friday, May 09, 2008

Last chance for thousands of young Londoners to sign-up for free travel

Lewisham Press Release:

Last chance for thousands of young Londoners to sign-up for free travel

Applications at Post Offices must be made by this Saturday 10th May for new Oyster photocards to be issued in time for the 1st June


Transport for London (TfL) is today (Thursday) issuing a final call to the families of up to 35,000 11 to 13 year olds in London to act before they lose their privilege of Free Travel on buses and trams this summer.

To continue to qualify for Free Travel 11-13-year-olds must apply for a concessionary Oyster photocard for the first time – by this Saturday, May 10th – in order to be sure of receiving their cards in time for the 1st June. Application forms are available at Post Offices across the capital.

From 1 June everyone aged 11 and over must touch in with a valid Oyster photocard when boarding a bus or at a tram stop to continue travelling for free.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: “It is very important for young people to realise they cannot use the bus without touching in first. Photocards for all young people over the age of 11 will be the first step in restoring civility on our buses.

“The need for all under 18s to carry an Oyster photocard will make enforcement of the Free Travel scheme easier and prepares the way for Payback London. Payback London will see those under-18s who have their bus passes withdrawn for breaking the young persons’ free travel Behaviour Code given the opportunity to earn them back by engaging in Community Service.

"For those 11 and over who are just getting their cards - my message to them is to treat it like the privilege it is and enjoy travelling around London for free".

Steve Burton, Director of Community Safety, Policing and Enforcement at TfL said: “There are just two days left for thousands of families to ensure their children continue to benefit from Free Travel from 1st June.

“We will do our best to process any late applications, but we will not be able to guarantee your Zip Oyster photocard by 1st June unless we receive your application by Saturday.”

Fourteen and fifteen year-olds have been using Oyster photocards to qualify for Free Travel since the scheme was first introduced in September 2005, and those who still hold valid passes do not need to apply for a replacement.

The new 11+ Zip Oyster photocard has been available since January. Since then, posters have been displayed on the bus network about the scheme and schools have been contacted to spread awareness of the changes to Free Travel regulations, which include mandatory validation of Oystercard on every journey.

In addition, London Buses Revenue Protection Inspectors (RPIs) have been issuing warning letters to thousands of young people travelling on the bus network without the relevant photocard in April and May.

Anyone without a concessionary Oyster photocard will have to pay the adult fare for their journey, and anyone found travelling without a valid pass or ticket for their journey may be liable for a £20 penalty fare.

Further details are available at www.tfl.gov.uk/zip