Learn about the history of our area

As many of you will know our TRA (in conjunction with Southwark Council and the Friends of Pasley Park) recently obtained a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to provide heritage signage, explaining the history of the area.

The Project Team responsible for developing the signage are very keen that the boards reflect what local people find interesting about the rich history of the area. To that end, there will be a series of consultation sessions providing opportunities to learn about the history as well as to input into the design of the boards.

The first of these consultation sessions will be held on Saturday 11th December, at 11 am, in Pasley Park itself - and will take the form of a guided walk about the area. For more information, e-mail: pasleyparkhistory@gmail.com

AGM Minutes - December 2010

Surrey Gardens TRA AGM 2010
Minutes
2 November 2010

In attendance: Tony (Chair), Jo (Secretary), Cath (Treasurer), Ada, Andrew, Jeanette, Jenny, John, Megan, Melissa, Lawrence, Anne, Brian, Jean, Fr Moore, Nat Stevens (Housing Manager), Jason Reid (Local Area Housing Officer)

Apologies: Marcus (Vice-Chair), Sue

1. Chair opened meeting

2. Approval of last year’s minutes

• Cath proposed the minutes of last year’s AGM be accepted. Jenny seconded

3. Chair’s report

• Tony thanked everyone for attending and noted that it had been a busy year for the TRA. It was noted that getting local residents come to meetings continues to be one of the biggest challenges faced by the TRA
• Despite this, Tony noted that the TRA continued to have many successes in 09-10, including:
• The improvements to the ‘Lorrimore cut-through’, from the Cleaner, Greener, Safer funding awarded by Southwark Council;
• A very successful summer picnic in the park – Tony thanked Simon and Jeanette for their momentous efforts in preparing the food;
• Fixing the vandalised mosaic in the centre of Lorrimore park with paving;
• Conducting an art project with the students from the John Ruskin school and erecting the art on the electric substation in Lorrimore Park
• Working with Southwark Council and the Friends of Pasley Park to win £8,000 of Heritage Lottery Funding for signs in Pasley Park; and
• Objecting to the planning application for proposed works in Lorrimore Road and agreement that the TRA will be consulted with regard to any exterior materials to be used
• Unfortunately, over the summer there was some vandalism around one of the play areas in the park. This resulted in the park being closed safety purposes for a month over summer whilst the insurance was claimed and repair was completed

4. Treasurer’s Report

• Positive balance, with £1000 due to come out for art project Cath reported that money had been received this year from the Tenant’s Fund, interest on the account and c£400 from ‘the Bill’ for filming in the local area. The council has also reimbursed the cost of the insurance payment for Lorrimore Gardens for 2009 as well as 2010
• Expenditure consisted of refreshments for meetings and the summer picnic, the art project and the paving centrepiece for the park. After auditing, the current account balance stands at £3760.60
• Jeanette proposed the accounts be accepted. Melissa seconded. The accounts were approved
• Tony proposed we continue to use the same Auditor next year. Megan seconded. The auditor was approved

5. Elections for 2010

• The old officers stood down
• Andrew nominated Tony as Chair, Jeanette seconded and it was approved
• Tony proposed that the TRA adjourn the nomination and election of Vice-Chair until the next meeting. Megan seconded and it was approved
• Megan nominated Cath as Treasurer, Jeanette seconded and it was approved
• Members nominated and approved: John, Jenny, Melissa
• Tony nominated Andrew for Area Forum, Megan seconded and it was approved

6. AOB

• Tony noted that there will be a Tenant’s meeting on Saturday 13th November from 9.30 – 4.00pm, with workshops and speakers discussing tenants services / funding. If anyone is interested in attending or more information, please let Tony know
• John raised that the Garden in Carter Place is up for development, with the council having turned down two previous planning applications. For more information or to register any objections, please go to www.carterplace.co.uk
• Cath raised that the Southwark Group of Tenants provide local ICT training if any local residents are interested
• Anne noted that there will be a walkabout with an artist tomorrow (3rd November) around Pasley Park to discuss options for an art project in the park
• Tony informed the meeting that Jason Reid (the new local housing officer) conducts 6 weekly inspections of the local area to identify areas which require improvement. The next meetings on 10th December, 21st January, 4th March. Anyone wishing to join Jason should let Tony know

7. Next meeting

• End of Year Drinks will be held at the Beehive Pub on Carter Street at 7.30pm on 7th December 2010

8. Thanks for Chair and close

Minutes - October 2010

Surrey Gardens TRA General Meeting 2010
Minutes
5 October 2010

In attendance: Tony (Chair), Marcus (Vice-Chair), Cath (Treasurer), Ada, Jenny, John, Megan

Apologies: Andrew, Jo, Simon, Jeanette

1. Chair opened meeting

2. Chair’s report

• Heritage Lottery Fund:
• Tony is working with Southwark Council and the Friends of Pasley Park to complete a ‘permission to start’ form, and apply for the first 50% of the grant. The TRA will contribute £500 and the grant will be £8,000. Next steps are to draft a press release and community consultation, lead by the Cuming Museum, to see what people want to put on the two boards which will be erected in Pasley Park (location TBD)
• Lorrimore Gardens:
• The vandalised surface in the play area has been fixed and the park has been reopened. A Heritage Lottery Fund sign will be erected on the wall backing onto the church, in recognition of the previous award which enabled the installation of the play equipment
• Cleaner, Greener, Safer grant:
• Extra lighting is in place and trees are being planted next month

3. Treasurer’s report

• There is approximately £3,800 in the TRA account
• Cath has sent through the accounts for auditing and these will be ready for the AGM in November

4. AOB

• AGM: Tony 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
• Ada noted that there had been squatters in 1 Lorrimore Square, but that the property is now up for Auction. Tony offered to follow up with the Council

5. Next meeting

• Annual General Meeting, Tuesday 2nd November at 7.30 pm. This meeting will be leafleted, and advertised on the TRA website. Drinks and snacks to be provided

6. Thanks for the Chair and close

Gym in the Park

The Friends of Pasley Park (Surrey Gardens) are intending to apply for funding from the Lottery Community Spaces Fund to install a "Family Gym" in the Park.

A "Family Gym" basically has some equipment similar to indoor gym facilities but will of course be free to use and will be out in the open in the park itself. The idea is for the equipment to be suitable for older children, teenagers, adults and older people.

In order to submit an application, the Friends group needs evidence that the community support the idea. If you would like to give your support to the application, please email pasleypark@yahoo.co.uk saying as much. The Friends of Pasley Park would like to thank you for your help in getting this project off the ground.

Pullens Yard Winter Open Studios 2010

Yes, it may only be the 1st of October today, but cast your mind forward to the beginning of December when many of us will be frantically searching for perfect presents to give to friends and family.

Why not do your shopping locally this year, and buy all your gifts at the Pullens Yard winter open studios? Every year the artists and designers based in the historic, and picturesque, Pullens Yards (Clements Yard, Iliffe Yard and Peacock Yard) throw open their doors for a one-of-a-kind art fair that's been described as "seriously hip!" by The Times.

Great gifts, including teapots, cups, vases, rings, earrings, designer clothes, handmade shoes, paintings, photography, sculpture, books and more will be available direct from those who've made them. Get yourself down there between Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th of December. Opening times, and more info, available from the Pullens Yards website.

Minutes - September 2010

Surrey Gardens TRA General Meeting
Minutes
7 September 2010

In attendance: Tony (Chair), Jo (Secretary), Cath (Treasurer), Megan (co-Secretary), Simon, Andrew, John, Melissa, Ada, Destiny

Apologies: Marcus (Vice-Chair), Jeanette, Jenny

1. Chair opened meeting

2. Chair’s Report:

• Picnic was a success; with special thanks to Jeanette and Simon who did an amazing job catering for all the attendees
• Tony confirmed that there will be another newsletter produced before the AGM (November) and end of year drinks (ACTION)
• Artwork in the park; all the artwork is now displayed on the electricity substation. Thanks was given to Sue, Simon, Emily and Emma for completing, and installing, the work
• The Big Lottery Fund asked the TRA to complete a questionnaire regarding the funding that was given for the park 10 years ago. Tony completed this, and we have received a Big Lottery sign and stickers to put up in the park (ACTION)
• Tony explained that the park has been closed due to vandalism of the safety flooring by the roundabout. An insurance claim has been made, and we will be liable to pay £100 excess. As soon as the insurance money has been received then we will instruct the work to be completed and then the park will be re-opened
• Heritage Lottery Fund. A meeting to decide on the application is due to take place on 8 September on the Heritage signage. We should hear a decision shortly after that
• There are new notice boards in Pasley Park, which we are able to use to put in TRA notices. Tony has the details and we will use this for the upcoming meetings
• Cleaner, Greener, Safer. The work has started in re-development of the cut-through. The work on the lighting columns has started, and the tree surrounds have been completed. Two trees are due to be replaced
• Development in Lorrimore Road. Tony confirmed that he had met with various councillors and attended a planning meeting. The development will continue to take place, but we will be included in the consultation regarding building material (e.g. bricks). Tony confirmed that as part of the conditions of the build is that no parking permit for Lorrimore Road will be granted, and each house will have one parking space

3. Treasurer’s Report:

• We have approx £3,500 in the bank.
• We have paid Sue for the Art in the Park, and have paid for the roundel.
• £100 will be due for the insurance excess
• Cath is working on getting the signatories changed on the bank account

4. Southwark Democracy Commission:

• Helen Laker from LB Southwark attended to discuss ideas on how the Council can increase public participation and consultation
• Helen shared some of the ideas received so far, e.g. changing timings and locations of current meetings, broadcasting meetings online, themed meetings, etc
• The TRA group shared their thoughts with Helen, who will send the output to Tony for sharing with the TRA (ACTION)

5. Any other business:

• AGM. Tony reminded the group that the next AGM is in November, and that to be quorate at least 15 adults from the area are required to attend. He asked that TRA members let him know when they are available during November so we can pick the best date
• Tony said that all posts are available, and nominations will take place at the AGM. Tony asked that if anyone was interested to let him know
• Tony to contact the council regarding 1 Lorrimore Square, as a concern was raised that squatters are currently in the flat

6. Next meeting – the next meeting will be held on 5 October 2010, 7.30pm in St Paul’s, Lorrimore Square; this meeting will not be leafleted

7. Thanks from the Chair and close

Park Progress

For those of you who weren't around at the time, it may be of interest to know that around 10 years ago now the TRA applied to the Big Lottery Fund for a grant to cover consultation around, and improvements to, Lorrimore Gardens in Lorrimore Square.

The grant application was successful, and has resulted in the park we all see, use and enjoy today. Given the 10 year anniversary (or thereabouts), it's well worth acknowledging the role of the Big Lottery Fund in all of this - without whom, the park could never have been transformed. Big thanks, to the Big Lottery!

In other local parks news, Pasley Park now has brand new notice boards installed at the two main entrances to the park. They look absolutely fantastic, and are testament to the hard work of the Friends and Pasley Park. Just goes to show what can be achieved when a group of people come together and put their minds to something!