30 January 2009

Choral Evensong this Sunday evening

Beautiful music and words this Sunday evening at 6.30pm at St. Peter's church - the hidden treasure of Kennington Lane. All welcome!

London News: Kennington fitness instructor to be sentenced for stalking and raping a charity worker and kidnapping the son she had as a result


London News: Kennington fitness instructor to be sentenced for stalking and raping a charity worker and kidnapping the son she had as a result Friday, 30 January 2009 A FITNESS instructor from Kennington, who stalked and raped a charity worker and later kidnapped the son she had as a result, is due to be sentenced today.

Jordan Shodeke launched his "campaign of terror" after his unsuspecting victim tried to find him a job.

Inner London Crown Court heard he repaid her kindness with a nightmare of fear and pain that saw him "throwing her over his shoulder", imprisoning her in her home and then forcing himself upon her.

Later he tracked her down again, repeatedly turned up at her work and threatened to hurt or kill her.

Then, a week after she gave birth, he confronted her in the street, punched her to the ground, grabbed the infant like a "rag doll" and yanked him from his pushchair.

He also attacked two relatives with her, before dumping the child in the stairwell of a block of flats.

Shodeke, 26, of Cotton Gardens, Kennington, south London, was found guilty of rape, false imprisonment, actual bodily harm, kidnap, common assault and causing fear of violence by harassment between December 2006 and October 2007.

29 January 2009

Ethelred Children's Centre Holiday Programme February 2009


Zehra Bender
Ethelred Children's Centre
10 Lollard Street
London
SE11 6UP

Testing of Warning Siren - Thursday 12 February 2009 : 10am


Family Concert Tuesday 3rd February 7.30pm @ St Peter's Church

TUESDAY 3rd FEBRUARY 2008 AT 7.30 p.m.

(Concert ends at 9.00 p.m.)

BRING FAMILY AND FRIENDS

TO A FAMILY CONCERT

WITH

CAMBRIDGE HEATH

BRASS BAND

Conductor Roy Terry

ARCHBISHOP SUMNER PRIMARY SCHOOL

BRASS BAND

ARCHBISHOP SUMNER PRIMARY SCHOOL

CHOIR

at

ST. PETER’S CHURCH

310 KENNINGTON LANE VAUXHALL

(5 mins from Vauxhall BR Station)

THE ST. PAUL’S CONNECTION: Archbishop Sumner Brass Band played at the Education Sunday service at St. Paul’s Cathedral in 2008. Cambridge Heath Brass Band is one of London’s most well-known brass bands with a 125 year history. It has played for the New Year’s Eve service at the cathedral for the last forty years as well as having broadcast regularly on BBC Radio and toured abroad to Holland, Norway, Bermuda, France and Sweden.

KA Bazaar: St Anselm's Church Hall Saturday 21st February 11am - 1pm

Kennington Garden Society: Growing and Enjoying Camellias: Jennifer Trehane


KENNINGTON GARDEN SOCIETY



PRESS RELEASE

Growing and Enjoying Camellias: Jennifer Trehane at the Kennington Garden Society, Thursday 12 February 2009, 7.30pm

Roots and Shoots, Walnut Tree Walk, London SE11 6DN

Leading international camellia expert Jennifer Trehane is the speaker at the Kennington Garden Society’s first meeting of 2009.

The opportunity to hear Jennifer Trehane speak about these shining stars of the winter and spring garden is not one to be passed up lightly. Her lifelong passion for camellias stems from her involvement in the family nursery business: she managed Trehane Camellia Nursery in Dorset until 1995 and has travelled widely all over the world to see camellias growing in gardens and in the wild, including two botanical trips to China. Now she is one of three directors of the International Camellia Society and editor of its journal, she is also a member of the RHS Rhododendron and Camellia Committee and author of Camellias: The Gardener’s Encyclopedia (published by Timber Press).

Attendance free for members, £2 for non-members and guests which can be put towards the annual membership at the talk.

The Kennington Garden Society, which has been part of the North Lambeth community for nearly 80 years, holds monthly events, including two flower shows, at which members and non-members are welcome. Apart from the flower shows and the August 13 event, these take place at Roots and Shoots. Membership is £5 a year for an individual or £8 for a couple. Information is available from the membership secretary on 020 7582 1428. E-mail sallygains@talktalk.net or Jill Johnston on 020 7735 4632 E-mail Johnston.methley@nujj.com

March 12 Abbey Cottage Garden at Itchen Abbas - Patrick Daniell

March 28 Spring Show at St Anselm’s Church Hall

April 9 The Dry Garden – Hilary Newman

May 14 Allotments and Green Issues – Lindsay Wright

June 11 Planting Windowboxes and Containers, a practical demonstration – Gay Search

June 20 Summer Show at St Anselm’s Church Hall

July 9 Bugs and What’s in Your Soil in Kennington – David Perkins

August 13 Visit to the garden of Lambeth Endowed Charity at 125 Kennington Road – guided tour and refreshments with Hugh Valentine

September 10 Garden Grottoes – William Rallison

October 8 “And is there still honey for tea?”. Bees and their problems – John Chapple

27 January 2009

Picture special: Flipside


News

Picture special: Flipside

Monday, 26 January 2009

Crystal Roberts, left, and Ashley Stamp, both 15, raise a glass to the club (Rob Logan)

Crystal Roberts, left, and Ashley Stamp, both 15, raise a glass to the club (Rob Logan)

A YOUTH club has been launched in time for the half-term break to keep bored youngsters entertained.

Brixton-based charity Flipside landed £12,000 from the Jack Petchey Foundation to set up the free drop-in sessions at the Kennington Park Community Centre in Harleyford Street.

The club, which started on Tuesday, aims to attract residents of the nearby Kennington Park Estate, as well as others from the area.

Working with young people who live in Lambeth’s crime hot spots lies at the heart of the ethos of the charity, which has been running since 1997.

Flipside’s director Jean Carpenter said: “We already work on different estates and in schools with young people from eight- to 25-years-old who live in the area.

“We like to work with small groups because you get better quality time with people, and we offer a variety of activities.

“Sometimes the kids come and play table tennis or basketball or we help them with their homework.

“Everything we do is about expanding people’s horizons.”

The charity’s activities are not confined to events in Lambeth.

Last year, two groups of youngsters went off to the fishing village of Brixham in Devon for a week, where they got the chance to go sailing.

Another group was taken to France where they had a go at skiing and snowboarding.

This year, the team hopes to start youth-focused projects with the Museum of London.

Jean said the charity’s name was inspired by the idea that there are two sides to every story.

She said: “If you hear a negative thing about a person there’s always a positive aspect that you don’t hear.

“And that’s what we’re about, because there are two sides to every person and two sides to every story.”

- For more information about the youth club, call Melissa Vidal on 020 7733 1010.

Email: nadia.gilani@slp.co.uk

26 January 2009

Weather Eye: it's horrible outside, but still better than in 1809


From
January 26, 2009

Weather Eye: it's horrible outside, but still better than in 1809

Britain was faced with some of the worst floods on record 200 years ago. In mid-January 1809 heavy rain froze into sheets of ice on the ground, followed by thick snowfalls. On January 24, a terrific gale battered the country, sinking several ships in the Channel.

The storm also brought intense rains that melted the snows and unleashed a deluge of floodwater, which the frozen ground could not absorb. Rivers turned into raging torrents, bridges were destroyed, roads made impassable and several mail coaches were washed away. The total number of people killed is not known, but in Bath several people died when houses collapsed under the onslaught of floodwaters from the River Avon.

Much of the countryside looked like an inland sea. “The whole country is in a most distressing state; it is covered in water,” reported The Times. “The water runs in torrents as high as the parlour windows. Numbers of poor inhabitants have nearly lost all their property, which has been carried away in the streams.” Even George III was left stranded at Windsor.

Conditions grew desperate in London. “In the neighbourhood of Kennington and Vauxhall, a torrent of water has risen, which in its progress has carried away furniture, trunks of trees, cattle etc, and has destroyed a great number of bridges,” wrote Gentleman’s Magazine. But it was not until 1877 that Parliament established river flood prevention measures.

25 January 2009

Description issued of Tooting hit and run suspect


Description issued of Tooting hit and run suspect

10:18am Friday 9th January 2009

Police have released a description of the driver of a stolen Mini who fled the scene after ploughing into a pedestrian, leaving her needing hospital treatment.

He is described as a black man aged between 18 to 20 years old.

The collision happened at 9pm on Sunday, January 4, in Upper Tooting Road, when the red Mini Cooper mounted the pavement and hit the 42 year old woman. It then hit a traffic light control box before crashing into the shop window of Superdrug.

The driver fled on foot and was not traced despite a search with the police helicopter.

Police say the car had been stolen earlier in the day in Kennington.

The pedestrian was taken to St Georges Hospital with minor injuries and was released the following day.

If you have any information that could help police with their enquiries, please call the CID at Kennington Police Station on 020 8649 2448. Or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111

Heathrow chaos as runway activists stage airport 'flash mob' protest

Heathrow chaos as runway activists stage airport 'flash mob' protest

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 5:39 PM on 17th January 2009

Hundreds of activists opposed to a third runway at Heathrow today staged a 'flash mob' protest at Terminal Five.

The action, which saw environmentalists gather with local residents and climate change groups at the airport, was the first major demonstration since the Government controversially gave the go-ahead for the expansion.

In a show of solidarity for the village of Sipson, campaigners said they were ready to move into homes facing destruction to pave the way for the new runway.

Leila Dean, 29, of campaign group Plane Stupid, said: 'We came here because we are supporting the 700 villagers who will lose their homes if the plans go ahead.'

Four topless female protesters lie on the floor in Heathrow's T5 to campaign against the Government's plans to build a third runway at the airport

Expansion row: Red T-shirt wearing protesters gather

The charity worker, from Kennington, south London, added: 'We are ready to move into their houses if the runway goes ahead but we don't think it's going to come to that because no one wants the runway.'

Demonstrators wearing red T-shirts emblazoned with the words 'Stop airport expansion' gathered at airport departures carrying banners and chanting: 'No third runway.'

Hemmed in by police, a group of female campaigners wearing red body-paint lay down on the ground with the words, 'simply no slaughter' printed on their stomachs.
Other demonstrators pelted a man dressed as transport secretary Geoff Hoon with sponges as he stood in make-shift stocks.

Geoff Hoon announced the decision to go ahead with a third runway at Heathrow on Thursday

Congo

Congo protest: Topless demonstrators splashed with red paint dance through terminal five to get their point across

Richard Howlett, 26, of Hackney, east London, said: 'We believe that Gordon Brown, with the decision he made this week, has put us on a runway for climate chaos.'

Dressed as the Prime Minister, complete with mask, the activist added: 'This is take off for climate chaos but we are going to stop that. Climate change urgently needs action and this is taking us in exactly the wrong direction.'

Terminal five

The action: Terminal five was packed with environmentalists, local residents and climate change groups in the first major demonstration since the Government gave the go-ahead for the expansion

In a show of solidarity for the village of Sipson, campaigners said they were ready to move into homes facing destruction to pave the way for the new runway

Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon announced the Government's decision on Thursday.
But today campaigners said they would continue to fight on, vowing to win the 'political war'.

Marina Pepper, of Climate Rush, said: 'Now the decision has been made, it is heart warming to see the broad base of opposition.

'I'm very much of the mind that the battle lines have been drawn and this is a political war, aligned, I hope, with a peaceful revolution.'

The 41-year-old activist from Brighton added: 'We are looking at a regime change at the next election. This third runway won't be built.'

Happy Bus Pass Outings

Happy Bus Pass Outings –

destinations for February and March 2009

4th Feb Natural History Museum, South Kensington

dinosaurs, reconstructed earthquake, much else from nature, hands on activities. One of the major museums in Britain

11th Feb City Hall, on the Thames near London Bridge and if time permits other things in that area.

18th Feb St Martins–in–the Fields followed by National Gallery

If wished participants can attend the free lecture at 1 pm on Shaping Cultures, and/or the free public guided tour 2.30-3.30, and/or the short talk about one of Turner’s paintings at 4pm. Wheel chairs are available there for anyone who needs one.

25th Feb Royal Courts of Justice and weather permitting around Inns of Court.

March 4th National Army Museum, Chelsea

March 11th Welcome Trust Centre (Euston). They have offered us a free tour round their collection of largely medical-related exhibits.

March 18th Dalston Market (Riley Rd) and/or Geffrye Museum (domestic interiors from 1600). These locations are close.

March 25th The Wallace Collection, a major Art Gallery in Marylebone

Future destinations will be planned according to suggestions.

Please note it is a friendly informal group of older people not a formal organization. People come at their own risk. New people welcome.

To attend an outing all you need to do is be at Waterloo Action Centre, 14 Baylis Rd, SE1 7AA by 11am on the Weds.

All places we go to are free so there should be no cost for outing, provided you bring your Freedom Pass.

We suggest you also bring sandwiches, which we find somewhere to have together.

If you cannot come on these outings but would like to be involved in the future leave your contact details with The Association of Waterloo Groups at WAC. Tel no 0207928 9662 e-mail a.w.g@btconnect.com

22 January 2009

Seven deny Anthony Ogazi murder


News

Seven deny Anthony Ogazi murder

Friday, 16 January 2009

Victim Anthony Ogazi

Victim Anthony Ogazi

A GANG of masked robbers kicked and stabbed a music student to death in a botched bid to steal cannabis from him, a court has heard.

The Old Bailey was told that Anthony Ogazi, 21, screamed “save me” and “I ain’t got nothing” as seven hooded youths kicked him senseless as he lay on the lawn of a communal garden.

Horrified neighbours in a block of flats looked on from their windows as the killers fled, leaving Anthony bleeding to death from a seven-inch stab wound to his thigh.

Paramedics were called, but he bled to death from a punctured artery.

Peter Reis-Relvas, 20, of Lockwood House, Kennington, Aaron Kendall, 21, of Bedwell House, Stockwell Park, Demetre Fogo, 18, of Purser House, Brixton and Sebastian Garcia-Atehortua, also 18, of Hathway House, Southwark, deny murder.

Two 17-year-olds and a 16-year-old, all from South London, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also deny murder.

Prosecutor Peter Kyte QC told the court on Wednesday that the gang had plotted to rob Anthony and his friend Richard Barry, who was a small-time cannabis dealer, at a flat in Olney Road, Walworth on May 7 last year.

Mr Kyte said: “Three of the defendants had been at Richard Barry’s flat, pretending to be waiting to purchase drugs.

“In fact they had agreed beforehand to rob Mr Barry.”

The court heard that Anthony, who had earlier agreed to help his friend by delivering the cannabis, was set upon when he arrived at the flat at around 2am the next day.

Alleged ringleader Reis-Relvas, Garcia and one of the 17-year-olds, were already inside with Barry, while the other four defendants waited in the communal garden, it was claimed.

The court heard that Anthony knocked on Richard’s bedroom window and threw in the drugs.

The three defendants inside then joined their accomplices outside and all seven attacked Anthony.

Mr Kyte said: “They were seen kicking and punching him.

"The kicks were fast, they were crazy, they were just kicking and kicking and kicking, and some of the assailants were leaning over and getting the punches in.”

Jurors were told that all the defendants except one 17-year-old have admitted conspiring to rob Richard, while Reis-Relvas and Fogo admit conspiring to rob Anthony, a charge the other five deny.

The trial continues.

Email: newsdesk@slp.co.uk

Pensioners win battle against Tesco


News

Pensioners win battle against Tesco

Wednesday, 14 January 2009

OAPs forced Tesco into a U-turn

OAPs forced Tesco into a U-turn

PRESSURE from outraged pensioners has forced supermarket giant Tesco to perform a spectacular U-turn.

In December, the South London Press revealed the company’s plans to axe a free bus service that shuttles elderly residents to the Kennington Lane supermarket.

Now the largest retailer in Britain has bowed to public pressure and scrapped its cost-cutting plans.

The free bus was a “lifeline” for the pensioners in Rupert House, Kennington, who struggled to get to the shop without it.

Hearing the news that it had been saved, 81-year-old Rupert House resident Helene Ternovtzeff said: “It’s a really good thing.

“Everybody here is very happy, but we don’t know how long it is going to stay.

“Tesco took the bus away from us at Christmas when nobody expected it.

"They might do it again.

“I want to say thank you to the paper for what you’ve done.”

Vauxhall MP Kate Hoey said she was “delighted” Tesco had changed its mind.

Last month she took up the fight to save the bus service by writing to Tesco boss Terry Leahy with her concerns.

Replying to the MP, Tesco government affairs manager Andrew Slight confirmed that the bus would stay.

He said: “I am pleased to confirm that we will be continuing to run the free bus service to the Kennington store for the time being as we recognise that it is a very valuable service for those that use it.

“While we are pleased to continue the service for the immediate future, we may need to review the use of the service at a later date.”

Mr Slight also conceded that any decision to scrap the bus service would be taken only after “consultation” with Lambeth council.

Last month a Tesco spokeswoman said there was no requirement for it to talk to Lambeth before scrapping the bus – a position the council said was untrue.

Saturday was to be the last journey of the much-loved bus service, but now the bus will continue to pick-up Kennington residents three times an hour on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Email: sam.masters@slp.co.uk

Family Days @ Jamyang


Family Days at Jamyang
Sundays 11.00am - 1.00pm
25 January, 15 February, 29 March and 19 April
Suggested Donation: £5 per child per day.

Come and join us once a month at Jamyang. If you are between the ages of 5 and 14 years of age and want to spend a couple of hours on making things, story-telling and listening, and maybe even singing and dancing, join us on any one or all of the dates below.

Each month we hope to invite a guest like an artist or musician, a Tai Chi master and maybe a Tibetan Geshe. We will also put on optional activities for the parents so they can enjoy their time at Jamyang to the full.
All you will need to do is turn up on the day, but please phone the Office beforehand on 02078208787 if possible so we know how many to expect and can prepare a name badge for you.
Many thanks

JAMYANG BUDDHIST CENTRE
The Old Courthouse
43 Renfrew Road
London SE11 4NA
Tel: (+44) (0)207 820 8787
Fax: (+44) (0)207 820 8605
admin@jamyang.co.uk

Job at Vauxhall City Farm



17 January 2009

Thursday's Tai Chi class funding by CCF's Grassroots fund for 2 years!

Great news!

A successful grant application to the 'Grassroots' fund (administered by Capital Community Foundation) has secured funding for the Thursday Tai Chi classes for another two years.

The classes are currently taking place in the Kennington Park Community Centre, 8 Harleyford Street, SE11; but, will resume in Kennington Park when the weather picks up.

Participation in the classes is free and continue to attract a good mix of ages and abilities.

Wear loose clothing and sensible shoes.

Check location with Michael on the day - 07956 913437 or contact Chris
by e-mail on: christine.eames-jones@ntlworld.com




TAI CHI





© Tim Platt Photography www.timplatt.com

THURSDAYS

2 PM - 3 PM

KENNINGTON PARK Community Centre

8 Harleyford St SE11 5SY



FREE - ALL WELCOME

Info: Kennington Association t: 07956 913437 e: kenningtonassn@aol.com



Instructor: Master Michael Jacques, aka ‘Iron Silk’

Founder of Zenon Wudang Tai Chi Chuan, BA (Hons) in Social Sciences, Post Graduate Certificate in Further Education

British Open Tai Chi Champion 1992 & 1993, Chief Tai Chi Instructor at the Oval Cricket Ground (London)

Grade ‘A’ BCCMA Instructor [British Council for Chinese Martial Arts: Sports Council Governing Body; TCUK – Tai Chi UK Limited]



www.taichiuk.co.uk


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



If you would like to comment on this item, please go to our forum at: http://kennington.informe.com/


Kennington Association
c/- 235B Kennington Lane SE11 5QU
T: 020 7793 0268
E: KenningtonAssn@aol.com

KOV Forum 6.30 for 7.00 pm, 27 January 2009

You are warmly invited to the next Kennington Oval and Vauxhall Forum meeting at 6.30 pm for 7.00 pm on 27 January in the Long Room, Oval Conference Centre, Brit Oval Cricket Ground. The entrance is Hobbs Gate, closest to Oval tube station. A flyer and minutes of October's meeting are attached. Refreshments will be available at 6.30.

On behalf of Maureen Johnston, Chair of the Forum, I take this opportunity to draw your attention to the Help a London Park initiative, which is making ten grants from the Mayor of London of up to £400k available. Both Kennington Park and Spring Gardens are competing with forty seven other London parks. The ten parks with the most votes will win the grant. Voting closes at 5.00 pm on 30 January and everyone has one vote. You can vote on-line http://www.london.gov.uk/parksvote/ or request a postal vote form by calling 020 7983 4100.

We look forward to seeing you on 27th.

Best wishes

Frances Forrest
Freelance KOV Support Worker






27th January 2009

Kennington Oval & Vauxhall Forum

THE LONG ROOM, Oval Conference Centre

The Brit Oval Cricket Ground SE11 5SS

(Enter from Hobbs Gate, Oval Tube station end)



Doors open for displays at 6.30pm.

Meeting starts 7pm.

Refreshments available



WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY



Agenda Items include updates on



Spring Gardens Framework Meeting- Derrick Prentice

Oval Public Realm

Licensing issues

Sports and other activities at Lilian Baylis (former school site), Lollard St

The Beaufoy Institute -

Families Affected by Addiction (FABA)



For further information contact: forumkov@googlemail.com



KENNINGTON, OVAL AND VAUXHALL FORUM

MINUTES

20th October 2008

Redfearn Centre, London SE11 5QY



Present: Mary Acland Hood, T Boxall, Jackie Christie, Marilyn Evers, Jill Gregson, A Kennedy, P V D Hurn, Tim Saunders, M Harrison, Valerie Shawcross, T Forbes, Cllr A Sawdon, J Jeffers, David Tinney, Eamonn McMahon, Frank Manning, John Maltby, Alison Packer, John Midgley, Vanessa Brand, Jennifer Lanier, Martin Griffith, D Golding, W Law, Stephen Scott, Clive Fraser, Derrick Prentice, Maureen Johnston (in theChair), Paul Cooper, Kevin Day, Cllr Rob Banks, Gerry Evans, Colm Lacey



Apologies: Because of the clash with several other meetings, there were a large number of apologies, among which were Ian Adams, Priscilla Baines, Chris Cossey, Gordon Johnston, Betty Severn Veronica Ledwith and Cllr S Morgan. The full list was too long to read out.

1 The Chair welcomed the members and officers from Lambeth. It was especially good to have Clive Fraser and his team regarding the Vauxhall SPD Consultation.

2 The Minutes of the previous forum held on 10th June AGM were agreed.

3 Matters arising were covered by the agenda items

4 KOV Future Development. The Chair introduced Gerry Evans who had been appointed by Lambeth to help the various Fora towards independence. The post was currently funded until the end of March but there was hope the contract might be extended. She had set up a Forum network and two meeting had already been held. The network would enable the Fora to share experiences and present a united front to Lambeth on some issues. The Chair also reported that the KOV Forum had presented a budget to Lambeth and initial funding had been received. This would enable the Forum to run for the next six months and among other activities be able to initiate the search for freelance paid assistance and the setting up of a website. The Chair requested members to clearly mark their e-mail address on the signing-in form. It was intended to send out papers via e-mail as far as possible in future.

5 Health & Safety Speaker on Dangerous Dogs Because of several bad experiences locally in regard to dangerous dogs, Lambeth were invited to send the Dog Warden to speak. In fact there no longer is a dog warden. However, Kevin Day and Paul Trouper,the Animal Welfare Officer answered questions posed by members. Alison Packer reported on three incidents. In answer to her questions, it appeared that the responsibility for dealing with the problems falls between the Council and the Police. The Council can investigate if called to an incident but then have to pass it on to the police. The Police then have to establish whether a dog is “Dangerous” as listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act. It appears there is no redress for dog attacks on dogs. It is apparent that the misuse of dogs is rising all over London, Val Shawcross promised to take the concerns to Boris Johnson. KOV members present would like to see rules introduced requiring all dogs to be chipped. The Animal Welfare Officer has already carried out free chipping on some estates.

6 Future Kennington Unfortunately, Debbie Hunter was not able to be present. Since agreeing to come and talk she had been called to a meeting of stakeholders in Lilian Baylis which had been called for the same evening. Colm Lacey, repeated that discussions were under way and that after the stakeholder meeting there would be more to report.

7 Spring Gardens Development Framework Derrick Prentice gave a brief update on the Spring Gardens Development Framework. Although things had been quiet for a time things were moving ahead. It was particularly pleasing that Derrick formed part of the team with Clive Fraser who were conducting a workshop at the Forum regarding the Vauxhall SPD.

8 Vauxhall SPD Consultation – Clive Fraser introduced the SPD consultation. The members were divided into four groups each working on the suggested four quarters of Vauxhall. This was a trial run of the consultation with Clive. He invited other groups to request a presentation if they wished to ensure it got as wide a public as possible. Members were then asked to vote on the three options offered. A mailout of the leaflet listing the options and asking the public to vote and comment would go to every household in the Kennington, Oval and Vauxhall area.

9 Any other business

12,000 Grant for Kennington. The Chair drew attention to this funding opportunity.

Oval Public Realm Report was available

Kennington Parking Sub-zone – review had been requested

Licensing. The Chair reported that at South Bank Forum meeting the problems associated with all night shop licences and antisocial behaviour had been discussed. It was agreed this should be on the agenda of the next meeting.

Date of next meeting 27th January, 2009, 9th April, 9th June

Saturday's Tai Chi class New Time: 11am @ Brit Oval

Dear Neighbours

Saturday's combat-style Tai Chi class returns to the Lambeth Hall at the Brit Oval from tomorrow, funded by Surrey CCC.
Please note the new start time of 11am.
All Welcome!

Best wishes
Cathy Preece
KA Administrative Assistant

Tai Chi

Saturdays

11 am - 12 noon

Lambeth Hall, Brit Oval SE11

(Entrance: Alec Stewart Gate)

Free! - All Welcome

Info: Kennington Association T: 07790 260802 E: KenningtonAssn@aol.com

Funded by

Instructor: Master Michael Jacques, aka ‘Iron Silk

Founder of Zenon Wudang Tai Chi Chuan, BA (Hons) in Social Sciences, Post Graduate Certificate in Further Education

British Open Tai Chi Champion 1992 & 1993, Chief Tai Chi Instructor at the Oval Cricket Ground (London)

Grade ‘A’ BCCMA Instructor [British Council for Chinese Martial Arts: Sports Council Governing Body; TCUK – Tai Chi UK Limited]

www.taichiuk.co.uk


15 January 2009

HALF TERM PLAY SCHEME @ Archbishop Sumner School

E.K.C.

HALF TERM PLAY SCHEME

PRIMARY CHILDREN 4-11yrs old

MONDAY - FRIDAY

16TH-20TH FEBRUARY

EKC @

Archbishop Sumner School

Reedworth Street

SE11 4PH

Whole day 8.30 – 5.30pm

ONLY £7

(some days incur extra charges for outside trips)

Or for any queries/forms speak with Babs Wright

during school hours on 020 7735 2781

or collect booking forms at the school’s reception

FoDL: The History of Kennington Monday 19th January 6.45pm for 7.15pm

Monday 19th January

DURNING LIBRARY

167 Kennington Lane, SE11 4HF

6.45 for 7.15pm

The History of Kennington

From the Romans via the Black Prince to Georgian developers, Brian Bloice’s slide show tells the story through the details of local architecture. His long established classes on local history at Morley College end this summer.

[History note: The Durning Library was designed in 1889 by Sidney Smith, architect of Tate Britain. The library was a gift to the people of the area from Jemina Durning Smith.]

Everyone welcome. Light refreshments.

No admission charge, but a £2 donation is invited.

Organised by the Friends of the Durning Library.

___________________________________________________________________

Monday 16th February at the Durning Library

167 Kennington Lane, SE11 4HF

6.45 for 7.15pm

The British Garden in Art

Christopher Woodward, director of the newly refurbished Garden Museum, will trace the story of gardening in Britain from the Elizabethans to the present day through artifacts, manuscripts and works of art, drawing on the unique collection of the Museum (formerly the Museum of Garden History).

Everyone welcome. Light refreshments.

No admission charge, but a £2 donation is invited.

Organised by the Friends of the Durning Library.

Free acting workshop for adults at the Young Vic

14 January 2009

Pupadums and politics

Southwark News

Reviews


GANDHI'S - SE11 GANDHI'S - SE11

17 October 2008

Gandhi’s
347a Kennington Road
Kennington
SE11 4QE
Tel: 020 7735 9015
www.gandhis.co.uk

Superior dishes make this curry house No. 10’s choice

WITHOUT WISHING to sound arrogant,
it is rare indeed for your average Southwark News reporter to be behind the eight ball when it comes to keeping up with the news agenda. So it was with a degree of surprise that halfway through our visit to this superior Kennington curry house we found out that Gandhi's has been making its fair share of headlines in recent days,
writes Gavriel Hollander...

Always a popular haunt for politicians, it now seems that last week's bank bail out package was fuelled by a hefty takeaway order from Westminster's favourite balti restaurant.

The pictures proudly displayed in the window and kind words of praise on the menu from the political vanguard old and new offer encouragement that this will be a culinary experience far removed from your bog standard high street rogan josh.

 Now, despite my ignorance of Ghandi's role in rescuing the global economy (my friend, a fellow hack, was also blissfully unaware, thankfully) I did know that John Major was a fan, the restaurant being within six-hitting distance of his spiritual home at The Oval.

What I did not know was quite how many of his friends and foes from the Commons shared his tastes. Paddy Ashdown, Ken Clarke, Jack Straw, Alistair Darling and, of course, Gordon Brown have all waxed lyrical about the flavoursome Bangladeshi fare on offer.

The personable owner Mr Uddin is obviously proud of such celebrity endorsement, but tactfully keeps his political allegiances close to his chest. "They told me I should paint one half of the restaurant blue and the other red," he joked.

He described Mr Brown as "a nice man" and Mr Major as "a very nice man." Read what you want into that stray adverb, but I would not want to jeopardise his trade with the current administration by suggesting he plays favourites, or should I say, curry favour.

Putting aside such idle speculation, such cross-party support meant I was confident of enjoying a pretty special meal. After all, who are we mere mortals to argue with the taste buds of our Whitehall overlords?

But wait a second, I thought. I would never dream of advising Messrs Brown and Darling on how to handle delicate economic negotiations with the IMF, so why should they tell me where to go for a curry in south London?

Suddenly indignant, I was sharpening my pencil in preparation for a scathing critique of everything from the pupadums downwards.

But with our Kingfishers simultaneously slaking thirsts and dousing the fire of my rage, I was in a more mellow mood by the time our starters arrived.

Normally I overlook the first course when I eat Indian food, so that my waistband can more comfortably accommodate the main attraction. However, the light simplicity of our onion bhaji and murg chat - accurately described by my friend as a pre-curry curry - merely whetted our appetites.

I have a mate who tells me that the litmus test of a curry house is their lamb jalfrezi. As I tend to believe everything I am told I judged Gandhi's on this basis and it passed with flying colours.

The strips of lamb were tender to the point were they almost melted into the abundant sauce while the green chillies complemented rather than overpowered the dish, as they can often do.

Despite years of encouraging him towards a more adventurous lifestyle, my friend refused to budge from his chicken tikka obsession. Now, to me, a chicken tikka is a chicken tikka but he assured me that this was better than the average. Given the quality of the rest of the food, I took him at his word.

The most impressive thing was that we managed to leave feeling satisfied but not bloated, in spite of the generous portions on offer.

Add in the friendly staff and pleasant, unpretentious atmosphere and Gandhi's is more than worthy of its status as No.10's favourite curry house.

THE DAMAGE
Pupadums £0.50
Murg chat £3.25
Onion bhaji £2.95
Lamb jalfrezi £7.25
Chicken tikka £6.50
2 x Pialo rice £4.50
Nan bread £1.95
2 x Kingfisher £7.90
Total £40.80

FOOD (1-5) 4.5
AMBIENCE (1-5) 4.5
PRICE VALUE (1-5) 4
DISABLED ACCESS YES
DISABLED TOILET YES
PRE-BOOKING RECOMMENDED