Tea Leaf Arts Gallery

I've been sent the application form and details for joining Tea Leaf Arts, Brockley's new art co-operative (the new building with the sticking out bit on Brockley Cross). If there are any creative types reading this blog who would like the details forwarded to them, let me know.

Stop Da Violence

Evening of poetry, drama, rap etc at the Tabernacle (end of Algernon Road), 6.30pm this Saturday, on the theme of tackling violent crime. Free entry. Thanks to Michael for forwarding details of this to me.

Coming soon: Film Club at Brockley Jack

In the next few months a group of local residents will be launching a new film club based in the theatre at the Brockley Jack Theatre, Brockley Road, Crofton Park. They have set up an online survey to find out local residents' views. The survey can be found here and they would appreciate feedback and suggestions from as many local people as possible. Sounds like a great idea to me.

St Andrew's 125th Anniversary Flower Festival

1. the First and Second World Wars 2. the congregation and community now - the influences of the Caribbean and Africa 3. The Abolition of Slavery 4. The nursery and under 5s.

Very impressive display at St Andrew's Flower Festival this weekend, which unfortunately the small photos I have posted don't do justice to. Each arrangement was around a particular theme, either to reflect a group active within the church or a relevant topic from over the past 125 years eg Fairtrade and Christian Aid, the Abolition of Slavery, the Youth Club.

I popped by to take a look at the flowers yesterday and also to hear local resident Gillian Heyward MBE gave a talk on the history of Brockley. There was also a very interesting display of old photographs of Brockley and Ladywell, including a photo of Brockley Jack in 1895 with two bowler-hatted gents with rifles standing at the entrance gate looking for all the world like something out of the wild west, and photos of sheep grazing on Hilly Fields. Apparently Ivy Road dates back to Elizabethan times, when there are maps showing an Ivy Lane in the same spot.

This morning Ute and I attended the packed-out service of celebration and thanksgiving to mark the 125th anniversary of the church. The Mayor of Lewisham also attended and spoke and the sermon was given by the Revd Nigel Uden, the Moderator of the Southern Synod URC (United Reformed Church equivalent of a bishop). It was interesting to hear more about the history of the church and see photos of it before its modernisation. In the 1960s the congregation had dropped to single figures and there was a risk of it closing, now the church has a growing congregation (250+) and provides a vital resource for the local community, with many local groups using its facilities, particularly the youth club and nursery.

Montage Theatre Arts

I've been asked to give a quick plug for Montage Theatre, based in Brockley Primary School, and am happy to do so:
Montage Theatre Arts run acting, dancing and singing courses for children and adults.
What - Acting, Dancing and Singing classes for kids, young people and adults. Courses include Musical Theatre Performance, Drama, Breakdancing, Ballet, Tap dance, Street Dance, Dancercise and all new Digital Arts Courses.
Where - Brockley Primary School, Brockley Road, SE4 2BT
When - Tuesday evenings - Drama and Dance, Friday evenings - Drama, Digital arts and Dance, Saturdays - Breakdancing and early starters in dance and drama. All courses start from 18th September
Who is it for - Courses are tailored to meet the needs of 3 - 60+
How much - Courses start from £18 - £70
Contact details - web , email , tel - 020 8692 7007

St Andrew's Church 125th Anniversary Flower Festival

Just received an e-mail from Rev Barry Carter at St Andrew's Church on Brockley Road about their forthcoming flower festival to celebrate the church's 125th anniversary:

This year St Andrew's is celebrating its 125th Anniversary with a Flower Festival. The theme of the Festival is 'Then and Now' and will run from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd September with a Service of Celebration on Sunday morning at 11 am. Alongside the Flower Festival, we hope to mount an exhibition of the history of the Church and its surrounding community and visitors will also be able to tour St Andrew's Community Centre and see examples of its work, especially with children and young people.

The Flower Festival and exhibitions will be open at the following times:
Friday 21st September 11am - 7 pm
Saturday 22nd September 11 am - 5 pm
Sunday 23rd September 10 am - 2 pm
Service of Celebration Sunday 23rd September at 11 am

Brockley Open Studios - last chance Monday!

Had an interesting afternoon combining delivering our latest Green News with stopping off to look at various artists' work as part of the Brockley Open Studios weekend.
First stop was to see the Brockley Murals in Prendergast school, which are considered to be a supreme example of 1930s neo-romanticism, apparently. The more you look at them, the more details you spot in them. Well worth a visit.

Then I popped to see Maria Strutz on Montague Avenue - lots of bears, goddesses and labyrinths. Then (after dully delivering newsletters to Comerford Rd, Howson Rd and Kneller Rd), I got to what is (by my unscientific reckoning) the second most artistic road in Ladywell ward - Braxfield Rd, where there were four artists taking part in Brockley Open Studios - Marisa Renzullo, Benjamin Glean, Elizabeth Nicholson and Caroline Underwood.

Brockley apparently has the highest concentration of artists anywhere in Europe after Montmartre. 39 artists have taken part in Brockley Open Studios this year, including an incredible 7 artists along Tyrwhitt Rd and 8 on Manor Avenue, arguably the epi-centre of all things artistic in Brockley. The last chance to get to see their work is tomorrow (Monday 2nd July) from 5pm-8pm!

BTW, if anyone would like to help deliver any of the remaining Green News, please drop me a line. All offers of help gratefully received.

(I wonder if anyone's ever investigated how many musicians live in and around Brockley, I'm sure there's loads of them too, I know a harpist, 2 composers and a trumpet player for starters!)

Brockley Max Starts Tomorrow!

Busy month of festivities coming up in Lewisham, starting with Brockley Max which kicks off at 4pm tomorrow by Brockley Station. Full details here plus see Nick's blog for more info. Loads happening, don't miss it.

Then it's Catford Beer Festival next week, Bike Week 16th-24th June ( full details of rides are on the Lewisham Cyclists' site), Hilly Fields' Fayre on 23rd June and Healthy Brockley on 24th June.

See calendar on the right for details.

Brockley Max 2007 - musicians/artists/volunteers wanted

Last week I went to a planning meeting for Brockley Max 2007, and it's promising to be bigger and better than ever! Take a look at the website for details of this year's event and see below for ways you can get involved (courtesy of Moira).

The Opening Night is planned for Friday 1^st June by KNOWN's mural next to Brockley Station. The Closing Night is planned for the 9 June on a stage on Hilly Fields.

If you have a band that would like to play either the opening or closing night of Brockley Max 2007, you can send a demo / brief blurb to the following address: Brockley Max Stage, c/o Immortals Gate, PO Box 47639, London, SE4 1ZE. Alternatively, if you have a myspace address, you can e-mail the details with a short paragraph about your band to: David. Help is also needed with transport and carrying equipment, stewards, help with rubbish collection at the end of the night. If you know someone else that would be interested in this - please pass the information onto them!

Exhibitions and Open Studios

Lewisham Arthouse are holding an annual Lewisham Arthouse Group Show during the festival., which will tie in with the celebrations around the abolition of Slavery with an exhibition entitled “SUGAR IN MY TEA”. And they have their Open Studios on 9 and 10 June. If you’d like to hold an exhibition please contact the venue, or open your studio (complete an event form and send it in to Moira). Toad’s Mouth Too is having a group show if you just want to submit one picture.

Art In The Park

Afternoon of 9 June on Hilly Fields. The highly successful children’s day is happening again. Events planned include a magic lantern and wishing tree workshops with Emergency Arts. Please contact Elizabetta if you’d like to run a workshop for children, and youth especially, or you would like to be a steward/helper on the day.

Abolition of Slavery Evening ‘Looking Behind’

An evening on Friday 8 June celebrating Saartje Baartman (the 'Hottentot Venus') and the abolition of slavery. If you’d like to take part – poetry, music, dance etc please contact Gill .

Film Night
Declan is organizing another fantastic film night. If not at the Brockley Jack (possibly being refurbished) it might be held at the back of Moonbows in the open air. If you’d like to help or submit a film contact Declan .

Pre Festival event

John at Moonbows suggested a pre festival evening to promote the festival. Possibly to be held in May. Any ideas? Contact John.

CDs and myspace

Volunteer wanted to organise another B Max Trax CD this year. Also need someone to take over the B Max myspace page. Again, contact Moira.

BROCKLEY COMMON ART COMMISSION

Over the last 3 years the BXAG through its Brockley Commoners group has been reclaiming and transforming old common land around Brockley station. Phase 2 is now in active design with a planning application to be submitted in the next 2-3 months.

As part of phase 2 the group would like to commission a significant piece of art which would occupy a strategic position on the site and indeed in the Brockley Cross area. It will be visible from the main Brockley Road, to passengers passing through the station and using the main public footbridge and also, depending on its height, glimpsed by passengers passing through on trains on both the low and high level lines In order to select an artist to create and install the work a public competition is being launched with a first stage closing date of the 10th April 2007. Artists with local connections are particularly encouraged to participate.

If you would like more information, please email Moira for the full document.