News

Friends of Streatham Common AGM: Virtual Meeting Wednesday 28th October 2020 @7.00pm

streathamcommonfriends Events, News

It is obviously not possible to hold any form of normal AGM this year. The FOSC executive committee has therefore decided that we will have a short, essential business only AGM. It will start at 7pm Wednesday 28th October. It will be an online event.

Proxy voting is allowed by the Friends’ Constitution and this year it is encouraged by the FoSC Trustees for this virtual AGM . So if you are happy to support the election of Trustees and Officers listed below, plus agreeing that the membership subscription prices should remain the same, please help us by emailing the Chair at chair@streathamcommon.org saying “please act as my proxy for my vote supporting all the proposals listed on the Agenda for the FoSC AGM”.

Alternatively, if you would like to attend this short online meeting live, please email that you would like to and we will send you a link to the meeting. If you would like to ask any questions, please submit them in advance before 21st October.

The agenda is attached to this email and all other documentation relating to the AGM can be viewed using the following link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1AsVA8-4_ECSpq6_xkk8mnd3dbEoRKCeB

Friends of Streatham Common

Trustees, Officers and Executive for re-election 2020

Tracey Williamson and Dave Malley are standing down as Trustees having served for 3 years but are willing to stand again, Lizzie O’Grady is standing down as she is moving.

The following have been proposed and seconded as Trustees:
Tracey Williamson
Dave Malley

Other Trustees:
Harriet Blacklay
Claire Hopkins
Mike Robinson
Peter Newmark
Nick Cattermole

The following Officers are up for election:
Officers (Who must be Trustees)
Chair – Tracey Williamson
Vice Chair – Claire Hopkins
Secretary – Harriet Blacklay
Treasurer – Nick Cattermole

Officers (who need not be Trustees)
Membership Officer – Caroline Hewitt
Volunteer co-ordinator – Richard Payne standing down
Publicity and Social Media Officer – Richard Payne standing for election in new post
Common Knowledge Editor – Peter Newmark

Executive Members
Andrew Simpson

Regards,

Tracey Williamson

Chair
Friends of Streatham Common
chair@streathamcommon.org

Marketing & Social Media Volunteer Required

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Marketing & Social Media Volunteer Required

I’m on the move from late October 2020, so the Friends are after an individual to keep them in the local spotlight! Someone with a creative flair is very welcome to blow some fresh air into the presentation of FoSC events. Armed with only your mobile phone camera, this is your chance to show off your photo journalism skills and generate images of the Common on its journey through the year.

You will be responsible for the Twitter, Facebook & Website feeds. As a member, [you can join here if you aren’t a member already!] you will be invited on to the executive board to plan and work with exec members on requirements. Meetings are once a month.

Useful skills: Graphics skills in Photoshop, Illustrator or InDesign to produce physical posters for the walks and talks that happen throughout the year.
The website is based on a simple WordPress template and needs to be updated with events, members news, related news items that affect the common locally or national items of interest.

Essential: A love of nature, and a commitment to the future-proofing of Streatham Common as a safe, sustainable green-space for all the community to enjoy.

Please contact chair@streathamcommon.org

September litter pick

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Just a quick note to say thank you to those that came down to help clear the litter from the Covington Way Woods and to Mike Robinson for organising it

In the end we managed to fill 18 bags of rubbish so a big thank you to Anne, Juliet and Kay who were led by Dr Iain Boulton from Lambeth. A great job all round!


Feel free to contact Mike Robinson at volunteering@streathamcommon.org if you’d like to come along on one of our litter picks.

Commercial activity on the Common

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Commercial activity on the Common

We enjoy seeing you all using the common to keep fit and take in the environment. The lock-down has meant that we have many groups unable to use their normal exercise centres and have taken to using the common. We very much welcome these groups, but all commercial activities must have a license to operate. Please contact Lambeth Council licensing dept if you do not already have one.

The common has been busier than usual over the last 6 months and we need above all to respect each-others space in these difficult times when we all are using the open space for many different needs; exercise, but also for peace, appreciation of nature and just the need to ‘be’.

Please keep to the simple rules below so we are all clear where we stand.

CANCELLED: Bat Walk: 25th September 2020 @ 7.00pm

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CANCELLED: Bat Walk: 25th September 2020 @ 7.00pm

10/09/20: Due to new government restrictions on public gatherings on more than 6 people, our planned bat walk has been cancelled until further notice. We know many of you were looking forward to it. We will keep you posted with any updates on the FoSC webpage

#wearamask #washyourhands

Unless restrictions prevent it, this walk will start at 7.00pm by the Rookery main gates. Numbers will be capped and regulations, such as social distancing, may apply.

Join Dr Iain Boulton for an evening walk & talk about one of our very popular residents, the much misunderstood bat. Now protected, they are a small but important pollinator & pest controller for our common.

Bring a torch.

Bat detectors will be available.

Free, but booking is essential.
Book your place at IBoulton@lambeth.gov.uk

Meet by the Rookery gates at 7.00pm
Free event – donations welcome

For more information on the British Bat population – please go to http://www.bats.org.uk

Staying safe on the Common during the pandemic

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Staying safe on the Common during the pandemic

If visiting our beautiful Common to have a picnic or take a walk – it is really important more than ever that you take home any litter with you, for 2 reasons. The Common does not have recycling facilities and the bins will never deter wildlife from pulling out your old picnic items. To keep EVERYONE safe, members of the public and park workers alike – please take everything home with you. You can spread the virus without presenting symptoms. Please do not put others at risk.

To prevent a second wave of Covid, we must work together to ensure our contact points are lessened. Please be aware the benches are not sanitised. If you do use the benches be aware and ensure you remember to wash your hands thoroughly when you get home.

At this time, please keep 2 metres apart from others whilst on the common.

It is great to see that most joggers have chosen to run on the grass and are leaving the pathways for walkers, those less mobile, those using wheelchairs and parents with children. We very much appreciate the efforts of our community to make change to their routine. Early mornings and late evenings are great times to engage in exercise, you have more room to move about, and enjoy the quietness of the common.

Dog owners – please respect other dog walkers right to asking you to call your dog away if they get too close. This can reduce the opportunity for any complications with social distancing. Please be extra vigilant on picking up your dogs mess, since it is important that more people may need to sit on the grass rather than the benches.

And remember – this is all temporary. The sooner we can get this virus under control – the sooner our lives can get back to normal. All of us have a role to play in supporting each other and our community

Current National & Local guidance on Covid19. May 2020

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Current National & Local guidance on Covid19. May 2020

The common has given much relief to our local community during these difficult times of the lockdown. But we must remain vigilant.

Public spaces / outdoor activities / exercise: What can I do that I couldn’t do before? The current government guidelines as of 13th May 2020 are:

  • Spend time outdoors – for example sitting and enjoying the fresh air, picnicking, or sunbathing.
  • Meet one other person from a different household outdoors – following social distancing guidelines.
  • Exercise outdoors as often as you wish – following social distancing guidelines
  • Use outdoor sports courts or facilities, such as a tennis or basketball court, or golf course – with members of your household, or one other person while staying 2 metres apart
  • Go to a garden centre

At all times, you should continue to observe social distancing guidelines when you are outside your home, including ensuring you are 2 metres away from anyone outside your household. As with before, you CANNOT:

  • Exercise in an indoor sports court, gym or leisure centre, or go swimming in a public pool
  • Use an outdoor gym or playground
  • Gather in a group of more than two (excluding members of your own household), except for a few specific exceptions set out in law (for work, funerals, house moves, supporting the vulnerable, in emergencies and to fulfil legal obligations)

If you are showing coronavirus symptoms, or if you or any of your household are self-isolating, you should stay at home – this is critical to staying safe and saving lives.

All Lambeth parks remain open for now – all playgrounds and parks sports facilities including changing rooms are closed. Toilets in parks remain closed. We know it is very tempting to use the playgrounds but it is imperative that you do not use them just yet, for your health and the health of your children. Lambeth Council have asked that if you see people regularly using the playground on Streatham Common to contact COVID19POS@lambeth.gov.uk

When you return to your home from being outside – WASH YOUR HANDS.

Bird Box Survey: Cancelled

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Bird Box Survey: Cancelled

Help us find out what birds are using which nest boxes on our 13th annual survey of the bird boxes on Streatham Common.

We shall be watching the boxes to see what species, if any, are going in and out of the boxes, feeding their young. Bring binoculars if you can.

Meet by the Rookery Cafe at 9.30am.

Free event – donations welcome

If you want to support the voluntary work we do with a donation in advance please use our Just Giving Page
https://www.justgiving.com/friends-of-streatham-common