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.
Prostitution ‘Turfed Out’ with Removal of Bushes on Anfield Close
Mar 31st
Prostitutes who had been using an area on Anfield Close over the past few weeks will no longer be able to carry out the illegal activity, after WERA took decisive action to get the secluded area surrounded by bushes chopped down and opened up to end the blight to residents living close by.
Following complaints by residents, of illegal activity of sex trade workers close to their homes, bushes which had hidden them from view and provided privacy have been removed in order to open up the area and prevent prostitutes returning.
The area which is situated on the corner of Anfield Close and Belthorn Crescent, off of Weir Road had been littered with evidence of activity by prostitutes, with used condoms and empty spirit bottles raising concerns of health and safety.
It also followed reports to WERA from residents of disturbances in the early hours of the morning. WERA took action to get the bushes surrounding the area chopped down and hedges lowered in order to make the space more visible from the road. Residents had complained of ‘noises’ in the early hours of the morning and had caused damage to the bushes, following the concerns and disturbance to residents WERA’s chair contacted the local safer neighbourhood team who have been monitoring the area, as well as Lambeth Living who instructed a contractor to open the area up as so that the area would no longer be used by sex trade workers. WERA’s Chair, Dave McEvoy explained “Prostitution brings many other issues with it and causes alarm, harassment and distress to residents living close by as well as the image this portrays of what is a great estate to live on, and therefore we have acted quickly to turf out those using our estate to do such activity. in order to prevent such activity taking place, WERA and residents will not tolerate this and I’m glad that now residents can have peace of mind and we hopefully have seen the last of this sort of illegal activity on our estate.”
Weir Estate which has had previous issues in the past with prostitutes using the estate now has one of the lowest reported crime rates in the borough and WERA continues to keep the estates image safe and free from crime and vow to maintain their image and do all it can to ensure the problem doesn’t return.
The area will now have turf applied after the removal of the bushes, and the bushes along Belthorn Crescent and Weir Road lowered. This will also be maintained to a lower level in future as so the area is visible from the road and the estate at all times. As prostitutes seek to carry out ‘entertaining punters’ in secluded areas the bushes had all the traits that need to be able to remain unseen by the passing public. It is believed they are coming down from the Streatham area where there has been a history of problems with prostitution.
Recently the new borough commander, Nick Ephgrave reinstated the Lambeth Vice unit after it had been axed by his predecessor. The recent activity has now been referred to the Vice unit to monitor in future.
Residents are advised to call the police if they see any further illegal activity and not to approach anyone who may be taking part in illicit sexual activity in the area, however it is hoped that the removal of the hedge will see an end to the sex trade on the estate.
One resident who lives close by to the area which was being used told of her relief at seeing the bushes removed “We as tenants living on Anfield Close have endured the nuisance and eyesore of prostitutes with all that you would associate with that, We asked our WERA Chair, Dave McEvoy to look into this with fantastic results as the bushes have now been removed w, we would like to thank him for this and we now have peace of mind.”
The area is expected to be cleared by the end of the Easter holidays and grassed over in the next week.
WERA will now continue to monitor the situation and work closely with the local police to ensure that such illicit illegal activity does not return to the estate in the future.
WERA Poll Suggests Labour Candidate Has Commanding Lead to be next MP
Mar 20th
A Poll which took place during wera.org.uk’s Streatham Constituency Parliamentary Candidates WERA Asks, has put the Labour Candidate out in a commanding lead with sixty three percent of the vote with Liberal Democrat Candidate, Chris Nicholson in second place with Thirty per cent of result.
WERA Asked the four Parliamentary Streatham nominees to succeed current MP Keith Hill at this year’s General Election twenty questions and held the poll to gauge opinion of who people thought was the best candidate to become the next Member of Parliament.
With the election expected on May 6th, Labour Candidate Chuka Umunna came out as the clear front runner though during the vote was closely followed by Mr Nicholson.
Conservative Candidate, Rahoul Bhansali came out a drifting third place with just three per cent of the vote with the Green Candidate getting no votes in the online poll.
The Candidates who are currently fighting it out to win the hearts and minds of local people have all taken part in the interviews to give their views on what they can offer the voters of the Streatham Constituency which is also made up of areas in Clapham, Brixton, Balham and Tulse Hill.
The poll which though not any proper indication of the wider preferences with just 30 votes cast did show that the two horse race is clearly between Labour and the Lib Dems who both insist they can win the seat to be the new MP.
Current MP Keith Hill is set to retire from parliament after 18 years and will hand over the mantle of representing the areas to one of the new candidates. Chuka Umunna who lives in the constituency is keen to fulfil a life long ambition of representing the place he has grown up and lives in describing it as ‘Fantastic to be able to put something back into the community I am from.’
Liberal Democrat Candidate, Chris Nicholson who has moved into the constituency in order to be able to represent it and has told of his ambition to bring much needed change to the area as MP after adopting children and working for numerous charities.
The fight for the finishing post is certainly set to be a close call though this poll suggests that Chuka has a decisive lead over his opponents.
Three of the candidates have visited and been shown around Weir Estate and have promised to continue to support the efforts of the residents Association to bring change to the community and the area as well as supporting the needs and rights of the residents.
WERA’s Chair took the opportunity following the results to wish all four candidates well “As Chair of WERA we will strive to work together for the benefit of our area and would like to wish them all the very best in their quest to become the MP for the area, I am sure whoever is elected come what May will do their very best and upmost to make real change and move Lambeth Forward, we would also like to thank all four candidates who took part in our fantastic Candidates WERA Asks”
During the six weeks that the parliamentary Candidates exclusive WERA Asks Interviews where a main focus of the associations website on wera.org.uk saw a huge increase in people visiting WERA’s ever changing dynamic website over the time in which they where being displayed as the main interviews, also all four candidates interviews were displayed together for any that visitor’s missed in previous weeks.
Prime Minister, Gordon Brown is yet to announce the General elections but all media reports suggest that the PM will call it for the same day as the local elections in which Councillors will also seek election as well as who will be in control of Lambeth for the next four years.
Weir Facelift Continues to Roll Out Across Estate
Mar 19th
Works to transform homes and blocks has continued to move across the estate quickly in recent weeks with the removal of paint on exterior block walls in open blocks, the completion of most window installations in the last block, Quennel House. Also many more residents now have brand new secure doors to their homes.
Weir Estate which has been undergoing major work to homes with the installation of much needed new double glazed windows and doors since October last year, has now moved into one of its final vital phases of brightening all internal areas of estate blocks with a new coat of paint.
The four open fronted blocks have now been stripped of the old paint and are due to 
get a similar colour applied in the next couple of weeks. Works to paint communal areas in closed blocks has already been largely completed.
Recently scaffolding on two more blocks along with Weir House, West and Jewell House has been taken down revealing a brighter looking appearance after windows were installed to communal stairwells and homes which has reversed years of deterioration of Weir Estate bringing a new era to the area, much to the delight of residents.
WERA has continued to monitor the progress of works as it has continued to move across the estate as well as working closely with Contractor Breyer Group. Chair, Dave McEvoy said of the works “Everyday we are seeing fantastic progress and the results of the changes being made to our Estate, I am delighted to see a much brighter future not to mention the security this will bring to those living on our estate.”
Works are not expected to finish on the estate before the middle of this year as more scaffolding is removed.
Painting works had been hampered by damp and long term damage to the brick works in estate blocks which has had to be corrected before a new coat of paint can be applied to the open fronted blocks.
Residents have seen drastic changes to the condition of their homes following the installation of Windows such as the reduction in heating bills and improved security.
Works which have been part of a program of works to five estates across Lambeth and funded as part of Lambeth Living Major works took place after pressure by WERA to bring much needed change after 60 years of metal windows which in most cases had buckled and bowed as well run down and tired looking blocks. The new coats of paint will bring a long awaited improvement to the appearance of the estate and residents will be invited to join WERA for a ribbon cutting event to mark the end of the works and new beginning for Weir Estate.
Dave added “I believe this is a significant change to our estate and we should celebrate the new era that this will bring to so many and to a whole estate, I am hoping residents will join us in commemorate this.”
Residents will be able to read a new update in the coming week from Breyer group.
WERA Asks…Susan Sheehan
Mar 19th
Can you please tell us who you are and what you do?
Susan Sheehan, Green Community Champions Officer, Lambeth Council, and co-founder of Hyde Farm Climate Action Network.
Can you give a brief description of what your role involves?
I help people across Lambeth set up green community groups like Hyde Farm CAN
How long have you been doing this role?
About 9 months
What is the best advice you would give to someone who wanted to save energy?
Try to understand your energy use – then you can see where the biggest savings can be made. If you track your bills you will soon see how much energy you actually save by turning things off, and only using the heating when you really need to.
How is Lambeth Council encouraging it’s residents to be more eco-friendly?
My role is to encourage people to work in their communities to become more eco-friendly. There are lots of things that are relatively easy to do as a group, and it makes it much more fun and interesting. There are four main areas that I work on - energy, food (grow your own, cook your own, waste less), waste (composting, reuse, reducing waste, recycling) and transport (cycling, car sharing etc.). There are teams of people in the council that work on sustainable transport and sustainable waste.
WERA Asks…Rt Hon Keith Hill MP
Mar 5th
How long have you been an MP?
Nearly 18 years
What do most enjoy about representing the people?
Occasionally securing justice for a constituent against all the odds.
How do you feel you as an MP has benefited our residents?
Helping in campaigns for new schools, new health facilities, and new community centres – like the Weir Link.
What does community mean to you?
Mutual aid – the basis of my personal politics.
Keith, We understand you are due to retire at the next General Election, how would you most like to be remembered once you have retired?
As an advocate for the poor and powerless.
What are your plans once you retire?
What do you mean “retire”? I can’t keep up with all the jobs people want me to do.
WERA Asks…Cllr Diana Morris
Feb 19th
How long have you been doing this role?
I was first elected in May 2006. Although I have lived in Thornton Ward for over 30 years, this was the first time that I had stood for election as a local councillor.
Do you do any other job apart from being a Councillor?
No, not any more. I am now retired. I used to work as a town planner and I am also a qualified electrician. After retiring I worked on a freelance basis but I don’t seem to have the time now that I am a councillor. And I still have a school age child to look after and, until recently, had caring responsibilities for two very elderly parents.
You are one of three councillors in Thornton Ward, what role do you feel you have within the ward?
Because I am available during the day and can therefore attend estate walkabouts, I tend to deal with a lot of housing management issues, trying to improve conditions on our estates. I chair the Neighbourhood Forum that is organised by the Clapham Park Project. The Forum is designed to bring local people together and to give them a voice. I’m an active member of the Friends of Agnes Riley Gardens and I sit on the Board of the Clapham Park Project trying to ensure that there will be a worthwhile legacy from that project to the benefit of everyone in the area.
First Block Scaffolding Comes Down
Feb 12th
What goes up, must come down and today it did. Scaffolding erected to carry out the installation of new windows, and works to estate blocks, began to come down after six months.
Weir House is the first block, made up of 12 properties to have its netting, scaffolding and fencing taken down, signalling the end of the major works. It is now expected removal of scaffolding will continue with West House next week as well as across the estate in the coming weeks. Windows have now been completed to most flats on the estate and works to spruce up the external areas of the blocks is almost completed.
Residents will now be delighted as the full makeover (with the exception of front doors at the moment) being visible for the first time.
Scaffold was erected in April last year to allow for works to commence. Weir House, one of the smallest blocks, was started first and is now on schedule to be completed ahead of schedule.
Despite some delays caused by recent adverse weather and damp in the walls, the scaffolding can be removed while doors are being installed. The programme of works now nears the final phase bringing a new era to the look of Weir Estate.
Chair, Dave McEvoy expressed his delight “This shows that Weir Estate is seeing change before our very eyes, having the scaffolding coming down is a very significant indicator that we are coming to the end of the disruption endured by residents. I am ecstatic to see it finally coming down and am very much looking forward to seeing the whole estate with a new lease of life”
Residents had been screened in by netting and fencing which has hampered many other aspects of work to the estate such as ground maintenance. This also blocked light from residents’ homes. There have also been little complaints of crime since the scaffolding was installed on estate blocks.
Mr McEvoy added “Now we can really look to the future. Seeing the removal of the scaffolding now proves that change is good and this association is at the forefront of it.”
Many blocks have already had the netting removed in preparation for the scaffold surrounding the block being taken down.
Long Awaited New Doors Installed to Resident’s Homes
Feb 12th
West House residents have become some of the first properties to get the long awaited new securer doors fitted to their homes. The new stained coloured individual property doors were installed to number of flats in West House last week, which is now the last phase of the major works on Weir Estate.
The new doors with various glass panel designs have been installed at a number of flats on West House, alongside the new secure double glazed windows which were installed at the end of last year.
After months of waiting, works to make residents homes safer and securer got underway this week as twenty percent of properties have been given the new front doors and this now rolls out across the rest of the estate in the coming weeks.
Residents, who had been given the choices by ballot last year, had voted by majority in favour of the stained effect with a different glass panel which consist of large square, diamond, four squares or plain. Works have progressed to at least 8 flats so far to date and is expected to carry on in West and next Weir House.
The doors which are secure by design and will see all homes on the estate safer and better insulated than ever before, the doors which are part of the works taking place on the estate, take just a few hours to install and is the final new addition to be made to properties on Weir Estate.
Recently re-elected Chair, Dave McEvoy who has been involved in getting the works and throughout the works has told of his delight and seeing the new doors installed “This signals a fantastic change for residents as well making their homes safer and warmer. I am thrilled that the final vital part of work has begun and will now hopefully continue to a successful conclusion. It has drastically improved the appearance and security of this estate and our community. WERA has worked hard to see this happen and to actually see it happening is a real sense of achievement”
The doors which are part of other works in blocks such as the new windows, re-decoration to internal communal areas as well as some external re-decoration. This has also involved additions of Carbon Monoxide detectors and new extractor fans.
It is expected the works to install all properties with the new secure by design doors will end within 
the next few weeks, signalling the end of the programme of works.
Appointments are being made at the moment by Breyer Group’s Resident Liason Officer, Shuzna Begum.
Closed blocks will have there own choice of colour and design.
The doors which are triple locking and approved by the Association of Chief Police Officers, will now give residents a relief from drafty wooden doors that had long passed there use.
The new doors will now change the very face of Weir Estate.
WERA Asks…PCSO Karen Rose
Feb 5th
Can you please tell us who you are and what your position is?
My name is Karen Rose and I am a Police Community Support Office (PCSO) for Thornton Ward Safer Neighbourhood Team. I am also the Liaison Officer for Weir Estate.
How long have you been doing this job?
I have now been employed by the Metropolitan Police Service as a PCSO since February 2008.
What aspect of your role do you most enjoy?
The aspects of my role I most enjoy is representing the Metropolitan Police, engaging with the community, learning about different cultures, and working with other partnerships, solving problems and making the community feel like it’s a safer place to live.
If you could change one thing about this country what would it be?
Tougher laws, and jail sentences to deter people from committing crime.
