Emmanuel, West Dulwich

"Our community needs this land"

A south London Vicar is backing residents' demands for a redundant Lambeth Council depot to be used for community facilities.

An action group has been formed in the Vincennes Estate, Gipsy Hill, where Lambeth plans to sell the Vale Street Depot site. The locals want part of it to provide facilities for young people and are currently putting together proposals. They have the backing of the Gipsy Hill Ward councillors.

But the Rev. George Ansah, Vicar of Emmanuel, West Dulwich, thinks Lambeth Council should go further.

He believes that all the proceeds from the sale of the site should be invested in the estate. "Ideally, I would like Lambeth Council to hand the whole site over to the community so it can use the land it needs and sell the remainder to fund the local initiatives" he said

Lesley Dillon Chair of the Vincennes Tenants & Residents Association said "There is a crying need for facilities for youngsters in the neighbourhood. If we can get the land and the money to provide them, we can make a real difference".

Geoge Ansah added "The local community should have a say in the future of the site. Residents fear that it will be sold for more light industrial units - which we don't need in the area.

"What we do need are facilities for youngsters - particularly sporting facilities. We also need a community centre and residential services for our older residents, so they can stay in their community.

"This is an opportunity which should not be wasted and I hope Lambeth Council recognises the need and responds positively."

A Lambeth Council press officer told The Bridge "We've had a number of approaches for the site and are waiting for them to come back to us with detailed proposals which the Council will consider. "However, we have no money available and redevelopment could be costly.

It's an old transport depot with buildings to demolish and probably pollution from oil and so on. But the residents have been given two months to come up with a viable scheme."

Christ Church, Clapham

Look at what's possible...

The Rev. Penny Rose-Casemore writes about Christ Church, Clapham, Community Day Nursery

Our hall looks different now. It has come alive.

Bright murals depict scenes of children and their grandparents; children dancing and playing; looking through 'windows' we catch a glimpse of our area, including an apple tree with falling apples, reminding us that we were once set in an apple orchard.

Approaching the hall from the west, you'll see "little hands" cemented on the wall - those of some of the children to be found within - and crossing the threshold, a series of small footprints, with 'welcome' in some of our local languages.

Yes. Our hall looks (and feels) different now. Brightly decorated and renovated inside to comply with the stringent regulations of Lambeth Council, we now have a Community Nursery.

Seeing the need

We knew that there was need for a day nursery and wanted to offer a Community facility, keeping costs as low as possible to allow local people access. Part of the aim is to enable mothers to train and/or find employment.

This project started as a possibility and has come to fruition through working with a model of small group ministry. It meant.

• Working solidly and conscientiously over fifteen months - seven members of our congregation working with an advisor from the Co-operative Development Agency.
• Holding a common vision for our parish and not giving up, although at times this was very tempting!
• Stamina and support, prayer and perseverance, and a huge sense of humour.

We've changed

We're now in a different place; in a different relationship not only with each other but also with others in our congregation and parish who caught the vision and journeyed with the project. We drew together from within our congregation a number of people offering different gifts and skills. Empowering one another and enabling each one to take up tasks, helped us to grow closer and we recognised that group dynamics can be positive too! Our prayer and spiritual growth has deepened and now, far more people in our locality are involved, staff, children, volunteers and members of other churches.

What have we learned?

• Lots about successful fund-raising
• Team work - its benefits and its frustrations
• Not to be put off or to be put down by officials
• That stamina and perseverance are pre-requisites
• That to have a vision and to believe in its outcome can work if there is a dedicated core group who never lose sight of that vision
• That the prayers and practical support of the congregation, the interest of others living locally and keeping people informed of progress are essentials.

We are a Registered Company Limited by Guarantee and are applying for charitable status. Our Management Committee currently consists of members of the original planning group and some interested parents and local residents, who offer a range of different skills.

In just two months from our opening we had nineteen children in our nursery. We are a twenty-six place nursery and hope to reach our capacity by March.