Membership going formal
In taking the lease on the toilets and seeking to get lottery funds, we have to formally register as an Industrial and Provident Society. So it means we have to get more formal about membership. The minimum cost is to buy a £1 share – which does not entitle you to dividends if we get rich.
The cost of registering is £850 and of applying for planning permission is £335. We have that money from our various entrepreneurial activities to date, but we have no reserves. Please help by paying at least a fiver with the Paypal button and registering your membership.
Community Owned Hydro
We have taken up the challenge of trying to create a local renewable energy asset, by taking forward a scheme to install Archimedes Screw hydro turbines at the Lea Bridge weir. Initial estimates suggest that the scheme will be economically viable, but a detailed feasibility study will be needed once we have an agreement with British Waterways that we can take the scheme forward.
The Toilets Threatened
A shock phone call just before Christmas alerted us to a bid from Homerton Hospital to buy the toilets site and demolish them to provide extra office space. We have discussed the issue with the hospital and are hopeful of helping them meet their needs without the toilet site.
But it may mean a renewed campaign. There is no doubt of the need for toilets- as evidenced by the e-mails from the hospital urging us to extend the toilet operating hours!
We have submitted the planning application for change of use (drawings and design and access statement here) and there’s a petition to sign in support.
Sustainable Clapton
There is a new lottery programme called Communities Living Sustainably that will fund 10 pilot projects nationwide to bring together community action and education in less advantaged areas in pursuit of more sustainable lifestyles.
Our plan would see a series of actions around use of renewable energy, traffic reduction, recycling and neighbourhood planning as outlined in the “Sustainable Clapton” report.
We held a meeting on Monday23rd January at 7pm at the St John’s Ambulance Hall, Mildenhall Road E5- just behind Clapton Pond- to discuss the bid before we submitted it. The Council, Springboard Hackney, the hospital and Chatsworth Road Traders and Residents’ Association joined the partnership.
Clapton Music Club
The neighbourhood musical appreciation gathering returns in the louche lounge that is the Hackney United Services Club 69 Powerscroft Road E5 on Friday 3rd March at 7.30. Admission is £3.50 for members, and membership £1.
The evening features a Dance Night- by popular demand an evening of hip shaking grooves- showing how eclectic Clapton’s favourite club is. Hot dogs (vegan as well) will line your stomach for the workers club priced beverages on offer.
Environmental Projects
One of our members- Suzy Enoh-Arthur, who works at Homerton Hospital, is doing a couple of environmental projects with the Society’s support.
The first involves assessing environmental impact and growing vegetables with mental health patients in the hospital, and the other setting up raised growing beds in Rushmore School. We’re happy to support such initiatives by our members.
Training
Following the great success of the food hygiene course, we’re planning three more this spring- how to run a market stall, how to use social media in business and food hygiene again. Register an interest and we’ll let you know details as they’re confirmed.