Archive for April, 2010
WERA Asks…Anthony Hillary
Apr 2nd
Please introduce yourself.
I am Anthony Hillary, Residents’ Participation Officer, for Lambeth Living.
Can you explain what your role is?
My role as RPO involve me working to develop local community groups that can represent their communities, identify where necessary particular training needs and facilitate access to such in the aim of capacity building individuals and groups.
In what way do you directly work with residents?
I have being assigned to working with groups particularly in Clapham, as part of the contribution of the Central Team, that also works with Brixton residents. Through face to face meetings, telephone conversations, email and via letters I communicate with the residents of my Area (normally through the structure of their individual TRAs). My aim is to listen and be able to provide advice, support and direction to community groups to be successful at representing their communities.
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WERA Community Garden Plans Given Approval by Lambeth
Apr 1st
Plans to convert an area on Weir Estate from disused run down wasteland, to a thriving Sensory Garden and food growing project, has finally secured permission from Lambeth to use the area.
The area in the corner of Anfield Close is ear marked for a new sensory garden and now with permission granted by Lambeth’s ALMO, Lambeth Living, the project can begin to get plans drawn up and under way in the coming weeks.
WERA had been awaiting permission from housing to move on with the new garden by getting plans drawn up with the help of an architect and volunteer support. The garden will be open to residents who want to learn more about gardening as well as helping those with disabilities such as hearing and visual disabilities.
The area has not been used and is currently dominated by a large tree whose roots has caused extensive damage to the area and will hopefully turn blight into a positive project that residents can take an active role in as well as getting support from outside agencies. The plan is also to grow herbs and vegetables which can be sold onto to the local community. The funds generated from this will be ploughed back into the development of the garden.
In order to do so, WERA is seeking a new designer and support from experts to make the garden a reality as well as being a main priority for the association this year after residents voted in favour to develop the area after years of being a concrete oasis.
The project couldn’t go ahead until the permission was granted by Lambeth officials as the land is owned by the council.
Lambeth Living’s Strategic Housing Manager for the central area, Chris Adamson has authorised the use of the land by WERA who are funding the project from funds generated by income from Mobile Phone Masts.
Chair Dave McEvoy said “This will be a great place for residents and local people to enjoy for many years to come, the main stumbling block has been the permissions, however, we have now over come that and can move forward. There are still many hurdles to overcome to actually make the project a reality but I am more than confident we will meet this particular priority before the end of the year”
WERA has gained the services of a project manager and designer who have disappeared and this had set the project back but Mr McEvoy has confirmed that a new architect and other experts with experience in community gardens are in discussion to work on the gardens design’s as well as supporting the association to encourage residents and volunteers to get involved over the coming months. Mr McEvoy added “This will turn a wasteland into a practical and wonderful space for residents, in which we hope they will take part in its design and future”
The idea of a community garden on Anfield Close for the Weir Estate has also been praised by parliamentary candidates as well as senior council officials.
It is expected work will get under way by the end of the summer this year and will hopefully be completed by the end of 2010. The plan is also to engage contractors and other local groups to help out and then allowing them to benefit from its implementation.
Lambeth are said to be ‘very keen’ to support food growing projects on Lambeth Housing Estate’s with successful projects already running across the borough.
