The Jester Festival will be going ahead as usual this year, despite the uncertainties facing the West Hampstead Community Association, which has run the festival in recent years.
Councillor Flick Rea has worked some magic to save the day. The event, on Fortune Green, will happen on 5th and 6th of July. A few more details are available.
The Friends of Fortune Green are holding two workshops to gather people's views on what they value about the Green and how they'd like to see it develop. They will be using a computer programme called Spaceshaper, developed by the Commission for the Built Environment which aims to improve the quality of parks and streets. Fortune Green is one of the first public spaces to use this approach.
Mark Stonebank, chair of the Friends of Fortune Green, explains more:
"The idea is that different groups of park users (young kids, dog owners, football kick abouters, local residents, council park management, councillors, those that clean the park, older park users, local businesses, to name but a few) all rate the park on the key things public spaces do. These can include aesthetics (planting), sports activities, seating, tidyness - and bear in mind not every group will have the same view - but from this we can see the areas for which the space is above average and those for which it is below average.
"They also come up with ideas. From this we can learn (and quantify!) the areas that need improvement.
"We think this will be a very, very useful exercise, not least because it will provide us with hard data. This data will be useful when we talk to the council."
There will be two workshops with space for about 25 participants on each. The dates are the afternoons of Saturday 7th June and Thursday 12th June, venue to be confirmed.
If you're interested in attending, email fortunegreen@gmail.com.
I go away for a short holiday, and everything happens.
The West Hampstead Community Association has run out of cash. It runs the Community Centre and charity shop on Mill Lane, the Community Hall in Broomsleigh Street, the annual Jester Festival and numerous community activities. All of these are therefore under threat. More on this to follow in another post.
The Friends of Fortune Green are holding two workshops to solicit people's views on how the Green might be improved. They're on the afternoons of Saturday 7th June and Thursday 12th June. Again, more on this to follow. But given the short notice, if you're interested in attending, email fortunegreen@gmail.com.
The Thames Water excavations are coming to an end. The lifting of the roadworks in Broomsleigh Street on 7th June will mark the end of the excavations on the highways around West Hampstead, although work in the park on the other side of the railway will continue for another month. The lifting of the roadworks will be a mixed blessing for residents in streets such as Sumatra Road and Holmdale Road, which can look forward to the return of traffic making rat runs between Mill Lane and West End Lane.
Further to the earlier post on the closure of local businesses, a new bar and restaurant is due to open soon at the premises of the old No 77 wine bar on Mill Lane. A sign in the window says it will have a "modern European" flavour. And word has it that Gustoso, the delicatessen on West End Lane, has been taken over and will reopen under new management. If so, the place will need a good clean, as much of the stock is still in place where it was left the last time the shop closed its doors. Work is also under way at the site of the old pine shop on West End Lane, where a Tesco store is due to open over the summer.
Hat tip: Mark re. Gustoso
Northwest 6 asked all candidates in the Fortune Green by-election to answer a questionnaire.
We've heard already from Heather Downham, the Conservatives' candidate. Now it's the turn of the Liberal Democrats' Nancy Jirira.
1. What would you say is at stake in this council by-election?
One of the things I think is important is to maintain a hardworking team for Fortune Green with a strong, local community based voice.
2. What has motivated you personally to put yourself forward for election?
I met popular former Councillor Jane Schopflin many years ago at the old Community Health Council. She enthused me with her passion for public services and fighting for the local community. I’d be really honoured to follow in her footsteps. I’ve long been involved in local community issues – but have only recently put my name next to a party label as this is the best way to get issues heard on the council.
3. What impact would you say the change of control of Camden council has had in the two years since the last local elections?
I’ve noticed a real change since May 2006. To be honest, although Labour neglected the area, I never thought they’d be voted out across Camden after so many years. There has been a new approach to issues which were forgotten by the former Labour administration such as housing repairs, the parking regime, the streets seem cleaner and the council has generally become more responsive. Almost best of all – our West End Green toilets were reopened and they seem much cleaner and better looked after!
4. What would you say are the two or three most pressing issues for people in Fortune Green?
Its been clear from going around talking to people that there are big concerns about the potential closure of local post offices such as Mill Lane and Cricklewood. The response to the campaign has been overwhelming with hundreds of signatures and lots of envelopes hand-posted every day through my door.
The management of traffic and parking is also important to local people – such as the Mill Lane traffic lights; and there are ongoing concerns about large or inappropriate developments that threaten the character of the area.
5. What are your views on the following:
School provision for families who live in the ward?
I know many families from my daughter’s primary school had to make massive changes in their life in order to secure a place at a good secondary school. The stress and worry of that time really takes its toll. From my work as a school governor I know that the problem has been just as bad in recent years. Children at the five local primary schools have no guaranteed secondary place in a Camden school. So I’m pleased the council has finally noticed that families living here need more school places. I welcome the planned new secondary school for north Camden and the major investment proposed for Hampstead School.
The quality of play and recreational spaces for children in the ward?
Much of our area has always suffered from a lack of open space – for example, if you live at the top of Richborough Road there is literally nowhere local to take children to play! West End Sidings and Templar House are both provided with Sure Start (as well as play areas) and I would like to see Fortune Green itself have its own Sure Start. Meanwhile, the play area on Fortune Green will be improved later this year.
The state of Fortune Green itself (the park not the ward)?
When the work on the Sager development is finished, work will be carried out to restore that side of the Green. But more is needed. It is certainly better looked after than it was, say, ten years ago and looked very good at the time of last year’s Jester Festival. I was sad that the replanting with Japanese shrubs a year or so ago didn’t seem to last - many shrubs being dug up or trampled on. I welcome the newly formed 'Friends of Fortune Green' and I look forward to working with them.
The problem of dog mess in parks and on pavements - particularly the railway path between Broomsleigh Street and West End Lane?
The problem lies with dog owners – not with dogs. We need to encourage owners to become more aware of their responsibilities or the problem – with all its attendant health risks – will simply continue. With reference to the 'Black Path', the Spotlight team have asked the Council to make special efforts to keep it clean.
The way parking controls are administered by Camden council?
When I worked as a health visitor I got a huge number of parking tickets from parking wardens who missed the ‘heatlh emergency badge’ that I always carefully displayed. I paid hundreds (if not thousands!) in unfair charges. I was particularly pleased that on-street clamping was abolished by the Lib Dem-led administration and that it’s now easier to find out about parking suspensions. I shall be keeping a watchful eye to make sure that the parking regime doesn’t slip back into its bad old ways.
The congestion, pollution and other difficulties caused by the installation of traffic lights at the junction of Mill Lane and Fortune Green Road?
I have received countless complaints about this from local residents, particularly those with children and those attending Emmanuel school. This scheme, installed by the last labour Council and paid for largely by Transport for London, has been a disaster from the outset. I know the local councillors Flick Rea and Keith Moffitt have been trying to find ways to get it changed ever since. I promise to add my voice to this to secure changes.
The impending arrival of Tesco in West Hampstead?
Whilst some may welcome the proposed Tesco store, I am concerned for the future of our small local shops just when West End Lane shopping seemed to be at the beginning of a renaissance. I’m worried about the prospect of identikit high street chains filling West Hampstead. A councillor’s powers in respect of this proposal are limited. Tesco does not need permission for 'change of use', as it was already a retail shop, but the council can look into conditions to deal with the likely problems of parking, loading and unloading and traffic congestion that other areas in Camden have experienced. I will certainly use whatever influence I have to make the Council do all it can.
Answers have started arriving to the questionnaire sent by Northwest 6 to all candidates in the Fortune Green by-election.
First up, Heather Downham - who's standing for the Conservatives.
1. What would you say is at stake in this council by-election?
West Hampstead and Fortune Green have a very particular quality. They are very comfortable and relaxing areas in which to live. The future of our area is at stake, because of the ongoing battle to stop inappropriate planning applications succeeding, and thus devastating our green open spaces, play areas, and over-populating the area, with all the ensuing consequences, i.e. lack of places at schools, no policing, and an increase in crime. We must be vigilant.
2. What has motivated you personally to put yourself forward for election?
As I said before, I want to preserve the character of our area, and I want the necessary changes to be good for all of us. I have lived here for over 25 years, and I want to fight to keep our amenities, i.e. the post offices, to preserve dust bin and recycling collections on at least a weekly basis, and to try and improve the parking problems. I have a wide experience of life, and know how to deal with a lot of day-to-day problems, i.e. noisy neighbours and rogue freeholders and developers and I should like to help others in the neighbourhood who are finding their own problems difficult to solve.
3. What impact would you say the change of control of Camden council has had in the two years since the last local elections?
I think the change of control at Camden council is having a very positive impact.
i) Parking problems are now much better handled. No clamping, and more realistic notices of parking suspensions.
ii) Libraries open much longer.
iii) Plans for a new secondary school in Swiss Cottage, and improvement to Hampstead School.
iv) The free removal of graffiti, an excellent idea.
It seems to work having a Liberal/Conservative partnership – different ideas and thinking.
4. What would you say are the two or three most pressing issues for people in Fortune Green?
i) Control of inappropriate planning applications.
ii) Crime is rising again in Fortune Green, so more police patrols, and if possible dog patrols in the cemetery.
iii) Fight to make sure post offices and the police station remain open.
5. What are your views on the following:
School provision for families who live in the ward?
Two very good primaries – Emmanuel School and Beckford school – which get very good OFSTED results. Both very high teaching standards. In terms of secondary schools, Hampstead School is about to be improved by the council with new facilities for sport, science and drama, and I am sure it will continue to improve.
The quality of play and recreational spaces for children in the ward?
There is a shortage of play areas in the ward. Fortune Green is there, but in the west and north of the ward there is no park or play area – it is much needed.
The state of Fortune Green itself (the park not the ward)?
Fortune Green has lost a lot of its appeal since the Sager Building has gone up. It needs some refurbishing with new trees and maybe flower beds. In summer there is always a problem with football players interfering with peaceful people.
The problem of dog mess in parks and on pavements - particularly the railway path between Broomsleigh Street and West End Lane?
On the pavements most people now clean up after their dogs, or the street cleaners do a wonderful job of removing dog mess. It is still in the parks, you have to be careful, but maybe a few fines could stop the nuisance. I must have walked down the path from Broomsleigh Street to West End Lane on a good day as there was no obvious mess, but I am very aware of the problem and I want the council to use the new fixed penalty powers it now has available.
The way parking controls are administered by Camden council?
The administration of parking controls has improved. Now that clamping has been banned, it stops cars being targeted. Also, clarification of ‘a day’ – now 8.30-18.30 – has saved much trouble. Attendants now seem to be more reasonable in their attitude.
The congestion, pollution and other difficulties caused by the installation of traffic lights at the junction of Mill Lane and Fortune Green Road?
The traffic lights at the junction of Mill Lane and Fortune Green Road are a disaster. They cause pollution in the Emmanuel School playground, and affect the pedestrians waiting to cross the road, and waiting parents. The traffic jams are extraordinary. The traffic backs up down Mill Lane, you can waste an extra five minutes, the 139 bus gets stuck, the C11 gets stuck as well, and the 139 should not even be in Mill Lane. It also has created a ‘rat run’ down Hillfield Road, where traffic is moving much too fast for the area.
The lights are a menace; they do no good, and cause havoc going south and north along Fortune Green Road and West End Lane. But we must make sure there are safe crossings, so it’s not an easy question – I would want the council to look at this afresh together with local residents and see what all the options are.
The impending arrival of Tesco in West Hampstead?
Tesco is a difficult question and I know there are different views locally on this – and of course the council’s powers are limited as there is no planning ‘change of use’. Although we want to keep West End Lane unique, with diverse shops, wine bars and speciality boutiques, bakers etc, there are a lot of young people living in the area, students and more elderly folk whom I think have suffered from the lack of affordable food. We have some wonderful delicatessens and specialist bakers, but the existing supermarkets are expensive, and do not have a huge range of goods. We have a lot of charity shops in the High Street, and the site Tesco will occupy is not very convenient. It is close to the station, but people in the north of the ward will still shop at their local corner shop. The sad thing is that the existing traders have left a gap in the market, which Tesco has been able to exploit. I wish this was not so, but it is unfortunately a fact.
Northwest 6 has received an email from someone tracing her family history:
My great grandfather Benjamin OVENS, a policeman, lived with his family at 19 Ravenshaw Street from 1889. Can anyone help me with ideas of where the children would have gone to school, which church the children might have been baptised, and where the very young children might have been buried in 1890 and 1895?
For such questions Kilburn and West Hampstead Past is an invaluable source.
It tells us that Beckford School was open for business by this time, although it was called Broomsleigh Street school at this stage (its name was changed in 1931). As the nearest school to Ravenshaw Street, it is the most likely possibility for the one that the Ovens children attended. It was built specifically to cater for the increasing numbers of children in the proliferation of streets being developed in West Hampstead in the late 19th century, of which Ravenshaw Street was one.
Another possibility is Emmanuel School, on Mill Lane. This was a well-established school by this time but, then as now, was too small to meet demand.
Emmanuel Church at West End Green had not opened at this time. The children may have been baptised in its predecessor, the Emmanuel mission church which stood on the corner of Aldred Road and Mill Lane. (Presumably this was the corner opposite The Pavement, the row of shops on Mill Lane which begins at this corner and which dates from 1888.) If the minister at Emmanuel wasn't to the Ovens family's taste, the children may have been baptised at St Cuthbert's church in Fordwych Road which opened in 1887.
Finally, where were the very young children buried? Almost certainly at Hampstead Cemetery, at Fortune Green. Now "full up", the cemetery had been relatively recent developed in the 1890s having been consecrated for burials in 1876. However, even by then it must have been filling up rapidly as it was extended in 1901.
If you have any further knowledge or memories which can help answer this query, then please share them here.
Northwest 6 noted efforts in the summer to establish a group to look after Fortune Green.
Now the Friends of Fortune Green have held their inaugural meeting. According to the organisers, about 20 people attended. They've identified 10 short term improvements such as getting the railings repainted, reinstating the signs for dog-free areas, and installing new notice boards outlining the history of the green. The group are also keen to improve the quality of trees and plantings around the green
It's hoped there may be some improvements to the playground before long, thanks to lobbying by local mums.
The Friends of Fortune Green can be contacted at fortunegreen@gmail.com.
The green is pleasant enough to look at but could be so much better. There is money around, but we have to have a plan. And then ask for the money.
Simple things that could make Fortune Green more enjoyable:
1. A dose of modern design for the flowerbeds.
2. Repaint the railings.
3. Create a mini-recycling centre.
4. Up-date the playground.
5. As always, remove the graffiti.
6. What is your suggestion?
