End of Year Drinks - December, 2009

End of Year Drinks 2009
Tuesday 15 December

In attendance: Tony (Chair), Marcus (Vice Chair), Cath (Treasurer), John, Jenny, Megan, Simon, Fr. Moore

Apologies: Jo, Andrew, Melissa

Many thanks to those of you who attended the End of Year Drinks at the Beehive Pub in December. It was great to raise a few glasses to the successes we've had as a TRA this year. Whilst not a formal meeting, a number of issues were decided upon:

1. Costs for the refurbishment of the mosaic area in Lorrimore Gardens, Lorrimore Sq, were agreed and set at £2,208 including VAT. John will secure examples of the contractor's work as well as of the granite setts to be used within the construction

2. Cath presented costs of £1,850 for the school art project. Tony agreed to go back to Art in the Park and ask for reduced costs

3. Next meeting - an exact date for the next meeting was not set, but it is likely to be held on the first Tuesday in February (the TRA does not meet in January). The meeting will be both advertised on the TRA website, and leafleted

4. Thanks from Chair and close

Winter Open Studios - Pullens Yards

From Friday the 4th, through to Saturday 6th, the studios in Clements, Iliffe and Peakcock Yard will be holding their winter opening.

It's the perfect opportunity to meet artists, craftsmen and designers, as well as to buy original pieces, from a real local historic gem.

A wide variety of studios will be open including; fine art, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and photography. Check out the Iliffe Yard website for more details.

Friends of Pasley Park

The next meeting of the Friends of Pasley Park group will be held on Wednesday 2nd December at 7 pm in the Pasley TRA Hall on Stopford Rd, SE17

Go along and give your opinions on what you'd like to see from your local park!

New website from Walworth Garden Farm

Walworth Garden Farm have launched a new website, full of information on this fantastic local resource.

Check it out for all kinds of info on courses (many of which are free) as diverse as gardening and bee keeping, as well as general bits and pieces on all the work they do in the community and on other projects.

AGM Minutes - November 2009

Surrey Gardens AGM 2009
Minutes
Tuesday 10 November

In attendance: Tony (Chair), Sue (Vice Chair), Katy (Secretary), Cath (Treasurer), Marcus, Jean, Brian, Andrew, Jeanette, Simon, Sarah, Mark, Michael, Kate, Mary, Melissa, Grahame, Jo, Abbas, Chuks (Resident Involvement Officer, Southwark Council)

Apologies: Megan, Simon, Emily

1. Chair opened meeting

2. Approval of last year’s minutes:

• Marcus proposed the minutes of last year’s AGM be accepted, Sue seconded. The minutes were approved

3. Chair’s Report:

• Tony thanked everyone for attending and noted that it had been a busy year for the TRA. Despite some promising attendance at the start of the year, it was noted that getting local residents to come to meetings continues to be one of the biggest challenges faced by the TRA – and is likely to be the largest issue for the incoming committee
• Despite this, Tony noted that the TRA had many successes in 08 – 09, including securing £15,000 of funding from the Cleaner, Greener, Safer Team at Southwark to help improve the “Lorrimore cut-through”, had launched a new website for the TRA and had run successful, and well attended, end of year drinks and a summer picnic in Lorrimore Gardens
• Tony went on to personally thank the members of the current committee for their support over the past year, notably Katy (Secretary – standing down at this AGM) and Cath (Treasurer) for their work

4. Treasurers’ Report:

• Cath reported that money had been received this year from the Tenant’s Fund, interest on the account and c.£1,000 from “The Bill” for filming in the local area. The Council had also reimbursed the cost of the insurance payment for Lorrimore gardens, though the current payment was still outstanding. Cath noted that the issue of insurance payment and reimbursement continues to be an issue with the Council
• Expenditure consisted largely of refreshments for meetings. After auditing, the current account balance stands at approximately £4,000
• Katy proposed the accounts be accepted, Ada seconded. The accounts were approved
• Cath proposed we continue to use the same Auditor next year, Tony seconded. The Auditor was approved

5. Elections for 2009:

• The old officers stood down
• Sue nominated Tony for Chair, Ada seconded and it was approved
• Tony nominated Sue for Vice Chair, Mary seconded. Ada nominated Marcus for Vice Chair, Jean seconded. Sue retracted her nomination and Marcus was approved as Vice Chair
• Tony nominated Jo as Secretary, Marcus seconded and it was approved
• Tony nominated Cath as Treasurer, Marcus seconded and it was approved
• Members nominated and approved: Sue, Jeanette, Katy, Andrew, Jean, Brian, Ada, Mary, Michael, Mark, Sarah, Melissa
• Tony nominated Kate for Area Forum, Sue seconded and it was approved
• Tony nominated Abbas for Area Forum, Sue seconded and it was approved

6. Next meeting – End of Year Drinks. Location and date to be determined. This meeting will be leafleted and advertised on the TRA website. Drinks and snacks will be provided

7. Thanks from Chair and close

Minutes - October 2009

Surrey Gardens TRA General Meeting
Minutes
13 October 2009

In attendance: Tony (Chair), Cath (Treasurer), John, Jenny, Megan
Apologies: Marcus, Jo, Katy, Andrew

1. Chair opened meeting

2. Chair’s report:

• Tony confirmed that a meeting has been scheduled (on Friday 16th) with the Cleaner, Greener, Safer Team at Southwark Council, and their chosen contractor, in order to discuss possible plans to improve the cut through between Lorrimore Road and Lorrimore Square
• Tony confirmed that he has written to Southwark Council regarding the ongoing problem of young people climbing over the garages near Lorrimore Road. Southwark Council have acknowledged receipt of the complaint – now awaiting a further response

3. Treasurer’s report:

• Nothing to report for October

4. Any other business:

• Cath has contacted John Ruskin School regarding the plan to run an art project, re-doing the paintings that are currently on the electricity sub-station in Lorrimore Gardens. Cath is awaiting a reply with regards to costs
• John reported back on suggestions for the damaged mosaic area that currently sits within Lorrimore Gardens. John to cost up some suggestions for making improvements and report back to the TRA for authorisation
• Tony reminded everyone that the AGM is rapidly approaching and called for volunteers to stand for TRA committee positions. Please let Tony know if you have an interest in standing for a position. Tony reminded everyone of the importance of attending the AGM if you can – without a quorum (a minimum of 15 adults from the area), a new committee cannot be voted in and the TRA risks losing funding for next year

5. Next meeting – Annual General Meeting Tuesday 10 September 2009. This meeting will be leafleted, and will be advertised on the TRA website. Drinks and snacks to be provided

6. Thanks from Chair and close

Annual General Meeting

Though it doesn't seem anything like a year since the last one, our Annual General Meeting is swiftly approaching and is due to be held on Tuesday 10th November 2009, 7.30 pm in St Paul's Church, Lorrimore Square

This is, by far, the most important meeting in the TRA calendar! Please do your very best to attend, as unless 15 adults who live in the area come along on the night we cannot vote in a new committe and our funding will be at risk. It's not all about the meeting though - we'll be providing drinks and snacks on the night, so it should be a fun evening too

A copy of the flyer, which should be coming through your doors very soon, is below. Hope to see you there!

Friends of Pasley Park

A new group has been formed to help protect Pasley Park, securing funding through grants, to make it a better place for everyone. A public meeting will be held on 16th October at 7.30 pm in Pasley Hall, Stopford Rd, off Manor Place, for local people to make suggestions and get involved. Please attend and let them know what you think!

Minutes - September 2009

Surrey Gardens TRA General Meeting
Minutes
22 September 2009

In attendance: Tony (Chair), Cath (Treasurer), John, Jenny, Melissa, Megan, Anne (Friends of Pasley Park)
Apologies: Marcus, Jo, Katy, Andrew

1. Chair opened meeting

2. Chair’s report:

• Tony confirmed that the TRA’s application for Cleaner, Greener, Safer funding has been successful – Southwark Council have awarded £15,000 to improve the Lorrimore Cut Through. Tony to fix a time with the Council to discuss the project
• Tony thanked everyone for the great turnout and involvement with the Summer Picnic. The event was a real success, attended in good numbers by both adults and children from the local area. Special thanks to Cath and the Adventure Playground for securing the bouncy castle at the last minute

3. Treasurer’s report:

• Cath has secured additional funding (£800) from The Bill for filming that took place in Lorrimore Rd on two separate occasions
• Cath to look into possibility of getting just one of the notice boards (most likely the one on Carter Street) replaced and will report back on costs at the next TRA meeting

4. Any other business:

• Anne from Friends of Pasley Park attended the meeting to discuss this new venture. A meeting will be held on Friday 16th October at 7.30 pm in Pasley Hall, Stopford Rd, off Manor Place. The purpose of the group will be to help protect the park and to make more of the space, for both adults and children. Open meetings will be held once or twice a year, with a newsletter available for a nominal subscription fee. Please attend the meeting if you can in order to offer your own ideas for the park
• Cath complained about children playing on the garages and wall that runs along the back of the houses on Lorrimore Square. Tony to e-mail the council to pass on the complaint
• Cath suggested the idea of an art project with John Ruskin school. Cath to approach the school in order to ascertain costs associated with supplying an artist to help the children re-paint the boards currently displayed on the electricity sub-station. Cath to report back on costs for approval by the TRA
• Tony reminded everyone that the AGM is rapidly approaching and called for volunteers to stand for TRA committee positions. Please let Tony know if you have an interest in standing for a position

5. Next meeting – Tuesday 13th October 2009. This meeting will not be leafleted, though it will be advertised on the TRA website

6. Thanks from Chair and close

Summer fun

Thanks to all of you who attended the summer party in July! We had a great turn out (despite the weather) - the adults enjoying the company and the food, whilst the kids seemed to be enjoying themselves on the bouncy castle...

Here's to next year!

Following hot on the heals of our own summer party, the council held another event in Pasley Park to celebrate the zoo that used to exist there. It was a fantastic day - congratulations to everyone involved. The park was full of people enjoying the various displays, competitions and food available, and was such a success that the council are now looking into holding an annual event in the park - stay tuned for more details!

Which way to the zoo?

As many of you are probably aware by now (if not, read up on our local history here), Pasley Park (formerly Surrey Gardens - the location from which our TRA takes its name) used to, amongst other things, be home to a zoo to rival the size of the one in Regent's Park

Whilst the zoo has long since gone, Southwark Council are keen for us all to commemorate, celebrate and learn more about our local history through a series of events which will take place in the park over the coming months in honour of the 175th anniversary of the zoo. The biggest of these comes on Saturday 25th July from 12 pm - 5 pm, when the council will be laying on a number of things to do for all the family including:

• Tours of the area


• Animals from Surrey Docks Farm


• "The Lizard Experience", courtesy of ZSL, London Zoo


• Face painting


• Punch and Judy shows

Plus lots, lots more. See Southwark Council's website for more details!

Minutes - June 2009

Surrey Gardens TRA General Meeting
Minutes
9 June 2009

In attendance: Tony (Chair), Cath (Treasurer), Katy (Secretary), Marcus, John, Jo, Megan
Apologies: Andrew, Richard, Abbas, Jenny, Mary

1. Chair opened meeting

2. Chair’s report:

• Tony to attend CGS meeting at Manor Place to speak on behalf of the TRA to try and secure funding for our application
• There was a violent mugging in the cut-through between Lorrimore Sq/Rd at midnight the previous Friday. TRA members warned to be extra careful

3. Treasurer’s report:

• The insurance for the park has now been paid. Cath will look into getting the noticeboards updated
• Cath, having checked that the company has sufficient insurance, has booked a bouncy castle for the Summer Picnic on 14th July

4. Any other business:

• Flyers for the picnic were discussed – to be done by Katy. John would do the sign and Tony would do the food. John confirmed that Grahame has kindly agreed to loan tables for use during the picnic
• Historical boards were discussed. It was suggested that English heritage could help with suggested budget for this. Also of help could be: Friends of Kennington Park and the Museum of London. Katy agreed to investigate further

5. Next meeting – Summer Picnic, 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm, Tuesday 14th July 2009. The picnic will be leafleted and advertised on the TRA website

6. Thanks from Chair and close

Kennington Village Fete

Kennington Village Fete is upon us once again and will be held from 12.30 until 4.oo pm in Cleaver Square (or in St Anselm's Church if wet).

With plenty to do for all the family, special events for children, items for sale and food courtesy of local Kennington pubs and Restuarants it's sure to be a good day out.

Fingers crossed for sun...!

Minutes - May 2009

Surrey Gardens TRA General Meeting
Minutes
12 May 2009

In attendance: Tony (Chair), Cath (Treasurer), Katy (Secretary), Marcus, John, Jenny, Melissa, Andrew, Paul

Apologies: Megan, Pete, Abbas

1. Chair opened meeting

2. Chair’s report:

• Tony has posted a few things on the blog including a notice on the flower sale being held at Walworth Garden Farm every weekend in May – Saturday and Sunday (around 10am – 3pm) and also a post on the Food Up Front project as presented by Mary at the previous meeting
• The CGS team were holding their Councillors meeting this evening and would soon be reporting back
• Fr. Grahame has e-mailed to say renovation work on the ball court within the grounds of the church is to begin on 1st June and will take 3 weeks to complete

2. Treasurer’s report:

• Cath reported that we had now been credited with our tenants fund. The balance on the TRA account now stands at over £5,000, some of which will have to be put aside to pay insurance for the year ahead

3. Possible projects to be funded:

• The meeting discussed ideas for using our fund. Suggestions made:
• Katy proposed a historical board somewhere in the area (perhaps Paisley Park if we get permission from the council) to explain the interesting history of the area. Katy said she would investigate costings
• John suggested renovating the centre mosaic circle in the park, replacing with hard wearing granite blocks. Marcus agreed to get three quotes to see how much this might cost
• Katy suggested an Art in My Area Competition for the neighbourhood children to win a prize. This could include any kind of art – drawings, paintings, poems, photographs etc – which reflect something about the Surrey Gardens area, either how the children themselves view and experience the place or its historical background. It was suggested the winners would have their entries displayed on the electricity sub-station in the square’s park, replacing the older artwork there. It was agreed that this should be done in collaboration with local schools for children aged 9-11 (Years 5 & 6). Marcus volunteered to contact the heads of four local schools (John Ruskin, St Paul’s, Keyworth and Crampton) to see if they would be willing to take part and to obtain suggestions as to what might make a suitable prize. Meeting agreed the competition would be run after the summer break – entries to be submitted by October 1st – and the children would win a certificate and small prize while the school would benefit from some kind of donation

4. Any other business:

• Michael Maloney is no longer our Resident Involvement Officer at Southwark council. He has been replaced by Chuks Amaechi
• The Summer Party – To be held on July 14th. Meeting agreed to get some kind of entertainment for the children. Cath volunteered to look into the possibility of hiring a bouncy castle. Katy will make the flyers and food will be finger food bought by M&S by Tony. We will also look into the possibility of having music on the day
• Meeting agreed for Treasurer to pay insurance for the park
• Paul raised the issue of a local resident who regularly throws bread outside for the pigeons. It was suggested that this could be an environmental health problem since the bread may attracts rats, and that possibly environmental health at the council might be able to help
  

5. Next meeting – general meeting to be held in St Paul’s Church, Lorrimore Square at 7.30pm on 9th June. This meeting will not be leafleted, but will be advertised on the TRA website – with e-mail and text reminders sent to those who have signed up for this

6. Thanks from The Chair and close

Food Up Front

It seems that everyone is thinking about getting into their gardens recently! Not only do we have the ongoing spring plant sale at Walworth Garden Farm, but now Mary, one of our very own TRA members, is doing her bit to spread the word for another local organisation that'll have you growing your own food before you know it.

Food Up Front is a not-for-profit project supporting people who would like the help and advice of others to grow food in their unused outdoor spaces. Aimed specifically at those with limited outdoor space, whether that's a window box or a balcony, the network helps you make the most of what you've got and shows you just how much you can grow even in a relatively small area.

If you're interested and would like more information, please contact Mary (our local street rep for Food Up Front) on 07814 681800.

Spring Plant Sale

Got a garden or a window box? Need some new plants? Want to support a local charity? Well get down to Walworth Garden Farm in May, where a variety of bedding plants, herbs and small shrubs (all grown by trainees at the Farm itself) will be available to buy at great prices!

The Farm (located on the corner of Braganza Street and Manor Place) will be open every Saturday and Sunday in May, starting this week on the 2nd, with staff on hand to chat about the work of the Farm in general as well as to offer gardening tips and advice.

Happy planting!

Minutes - April 2009

Surrey Gardens TRA General Meeting
Minutes
14 April 2009

In attendance: Tony (Chair), Cath (Treasurer), Katy (Secretary), Marcus, Melissa, John, Mary

Apologies: Megan, Jo, Jenny, Andrew, Paul, Briony

1. Chair opened meeting

2. Chair’s report:

• Minutes of the last meeting have been circulated and are available on the TRA website, www.surreygardenstra.blogspot.com
• Tony reported that 26 visitors had been to the blog in the last month
• Tony reported back on his meeting (along with John) with the Cleaner, Greener, Safer Team (CGS). CGS felt the area proposed for funding - the cut through between Lorrimore Rd and Lorrimore Sq (opposite St Wilfrid's Church) - was a suitable place to propose improvements and helped make suggestions as to what these might be and how much it would cost (funding applied for: up to £35k). Tony confirmed that backing for the proposal had been received from the Sutherland Square RA in addition to Caroline Pidgeon, local Councillor and London Assembly Member
• Tony reported that he had received an e-mail from Sgt Julia Croft of the Newington Safer Neighbourhood Team with regards to potentially establishing a Neighbourhood Watch in the area. This is reported to be an effective deterrent against crime. Since there has been one break in and one act of vandalism in the area recently, the meeting agreed it would be a good idea for the TRA to also become a Neighbourhood Watch Group. Tony is to investigate further with Sgt Croft as to what exactly this might entail

2. Treasurer’s report:

• Cath confirmed that our insurance payment for the park in Lorrimore Square will soon be due. Tony agreed to follow up with Michael Maloney from Southwark Council to see if any progress has been made with regards to the TRA no longer having to cover this cost directly

3. Any other business:

• The meeting agreed that Cath should investigate the replacement/refurbishment of the notice boards, using the money the TRA received from the recent filming. Tony agreed to follow up with Michael Maloney on this issue in addition to the insurance
• Mary reported that she has become street rep for Food Up Front, a not-for-profit project in South London which encourages and supports people to grow food in whatever space they have available like front gardens, balconies and window sills. For more information call Mary on 07814681800. Notices on this issue will also soon be posted to both the website and the refurbished notice boards
• Meeting agreed the Summer Picnic will be held on Tuesday July 14th at 6pm

4. Next meeting – general meeting to be held in St Paul’s Church, Lorrimore Square at 7.30pm on 12th May. This meeting will be leafleted, and advertised on the TRA website – with e-mail and text reminders sent to those who have signed up for this.

5. Thanks from The Chair and close.

Our survey says...

Our survey conducted over Christmas revealed a clear favourite in terms of where respondents wanted the TRA to concentrate their efforts over the year ahead - improving the cut-through connecting Lorrimore Square to Lorrimore Road (including the small "lay-by" area right next to it).

Highlighted by residents as a generally grotty area with poor lighting, missing trees, broken/unsuitable paving and prone to flytipping - it's certainly a very deserving project for the TRA to take on.

A proposal has now been submitted to Cleaner, Greener, Safer at Southwark Council to fund the work - should the proposal be successful (results will be announced in around 6 - 8 weeks - fingers crossed...) we'll need your help, in consultation with the Council, to decide what improvements to make.

Currently the plan is to:

• Improve lighting


• Lay new paving


• Increase planting


• Add seating

But we're very much open to ideas, so please do get in touch!

Minutes - March 2009

Surrey Gardens TRA General Meeting
Minutes
10 March 2009

In attendance: Tony (Chair), Cath (Treasurer), John, Jenny

Apologies: Katy (Secretary), Megan, Jo

1. Chair opened meeting

2. Chair’s report:

• Minutes of the last meeting have been circulated and are available on the TRA website, http://www.surreygardenstra.blogspot.com/
• Following general dissatisfaction last meeting with the offer from The Bill of £350 to film in Lorrimore Sq and Road over three days, the Chair contacted both the Film Unit at Southwark Council and Talkback Thames in order to negotiate. Following this, a fee of £600 for the three days filming was agreed
• The Chair confirmed that a meeting has been set up with Cleaner, Greener, Safer to discuss plans for the areas which the TRA is seeking to secure funds to improve. This meeting will take place on Wednesday 11th March

3. Treasurer’s report:

• The Treasurer confirmed that the cheque had been received from Talkback Thames and has now been cashed

4. Jenny presented a number of ideas for the area linking Lorrimore Rd to Walworth Rd (The Eglington Court Cut Through), including a cycle path, seating, additional planting and new paving. The group discussed several additional ideas for the area linking Lorrimore Rd to Lorrimore Sq (The Lorrimore Cut Through and the Lorrimore Lay-by) including a cycle path, simple paving, additional planting, seating and good lighting.

5. Next meeting – general meeting to be held in St Paul’s Church, Lorrimore Square at 7.30pm on 14th April. This meeting will not be leafleted, but will be advertised on the TRA website – with e-mail and text reminders sent to those who have signed up for this.

6. Thanks from The Chair and close.

Minutes - February 2009

Surrey Gardens TRA General Meeting
Minutes
23 February 2009

In attendance: Katy (Secretary), Tony (Chair), Aunelion, Alexandre, Cath (Treasurer), Charlotte (CGS), John, Jenny, Aziza (CGS), Alhaji (member), Grahame, Marcus (member), Megan, Jo, Paul, Andrew, Paul, Mary

Apologies: Melissa, Briony, Tricia

1. Chair opened meeting and introduced Cleaner, Greener Safer Team: Charlotte and Aziza. They explained their role and invited funding ideas for the CGS 2009/10 programme. Proposals must be put forward before 16th March for projects worth up to around £35,000.

Chair invited the CGS team to come and look at the areas which the TRA wish to improve – the cut through between Lorrimore Rd and Lorrimore Sq (opposite St Wilfrid's Church) plus the area (within the Penrose TRA) leading to Walworth road. To be arranged between Chair and Charlotte.

2. Minutes of last meeting approved. Proposed: Chair. Seconded: Marcus

3. Chair’s report:

• Chair and Treasurer met to complete forms concerned with securing Council funding from the TRA for 2009
• New blog up and running at www.surreygardenstra.blogspot.com. Chair has put up notices on waste management, Kennington Tube updates, grants to parks and asked members to write to him with suggestions for any other notices, not necessarily TRA related. Could just be about the area.

Jenny suggested the website be advertised on the new notice boards when these are up, to general agreement of meeting.

4. Treasurer’s report:

• Treasurer arranged for accounts to be audited
• Some discussion on the amount Talkback Thames should pay the TRA for use of and disruption to the area from 24-27 February. The suggested £350 was thought to be too little. The Chair agreed to negotiate on behalf of the meeting
• Audited accounts presented to meeting. These accounts were agreed. Proposed: Chair. Seconded: Megan.

5. Chair reported from the web survey, held since December 2008, on proposals for funds. Respondents voted (in order of popularity):

a) Improving cut through between Lorrimore Road/Sq
b) New Bins for Lorrimore Sq Park
c) Resurfacing tarmac in park
d) Collaboration with Penrose TRA for improvement of pass that leads to Walworth Road
e) Improvement to mosaic in park
f) Trees for Lorrimore Road

Mary suggested adding a cycle path to the cut through between Lorrimore Rd/Sq should we proceed to improve this area.

Agreed in meeting that we would submit a proposal to CGS to improve the area between Lorrimore Rd/Sq. At the same time, John agreed to submit a separate proposal with regards to the Penrose Area. Agreed that Chair will liaise with John to find a suitable date to meet with CGS to walk around these areas and suggest improvements/costing.

Katy suggested inviting ideas on our website for specific improvements. Marcus pointed out these would have to be made very quickly to meet the March 16th deadline.

6. John asked meeting if we would like a talk from the people who now police pollution in the area. It was suggested they could write something for our website to let local people know their contact details and general remit.

7. Next meeting – Committee meeting to be held in St Paul’s Church, Lorrimore Square at 7.30pm on 10th March. This meeting will not be leafleted, but will be advertised on the TRA website.8. Thanks from Chair and close.

What a load of rubbish...

We all know that the council take away our general household waste (see here for details on your collection day), but what about everything else?

Southwark has a number of different schemes to help you get rid of your rubbish

• Recycling: everyone can do their bit, whether it's through collections from your own front door or taking your bottles, clothes, paper and plastic to one of the local recycling centres. A full guide as to what you can or can't recycle is available here
• Garden waste: once you've spruced up your garden it can be a real pain to get rid of all your unwanted plants etc. Southwark collect garden waste once every two weeks. Find out how you can do it here and when your local collection day is here
• Large household items: there's no need to fly-tip! Not only does it make the area look ugly, it's completely unnecessary. Southwark will collect your large household items absolutely free of charge on a day that is convenient to you. All you have to do is set up an appointment - find out more here
• Almost everything else: if you have a car or access to a vehicle, you might consider taking your waste to the Household Waste Reuse and Recycling Centre, currently situated off Manor Place. They take pretty much everything here - all of the stuff listed above, in addition to batteries, aerosols, tyres and even oil

So there's no excuse really! If you see litter, dumped rubbish, dog mess or an area that you think needs cleaning you can contact the council using this online form.

Check before you travel!

As some of you may have noticed, the lifts at Kennington are about to be refurbished - great news in the long run, but potentially disruptive in the short term!

From the 20th January through to December 2009, TfL will operate a reduced lift service - closing one lift at a time in order to carry out the work that is required.

Those of you who had the misfortune of being caught up in the temporary closures of the station on a number of mornings just before Christmas will know that any reduction in service can result in fairly major problems!

If there should be a problem at Kennington, remember that the P5 bus route runs right through our area with local stops on Lorrimore Rd, Lorrimore Sq/Chapter Rd, Penrose St and Walworth Rd, leading north to the Elephant and Castle (where you can connect with the Bakerloo Line and Mainline Rail Services) and south to Brixton, Stockwell and beyond. Likewise, the 155, 133, 333 and 415 (amongst others - see map for full details) run up and down Kennington Park Road in both directions - providing other alternatives.

So - the best advice is, check before you travel. Tube status updates are available on the homepage of the blog (at the bottom) or direct from Transport for London.