Please do not feed the trolls

Published by Peter | Filed under Development, General.

Hi everyone, I’m back to quickly address some of the crazy stuff that’s been going on over the last few days. I don’t want this blog to get bogged down on a single issue, but wanted to have a quick word about this.

So there’s a movement afoot, started by some readers here, to try to get the former Gala bingo hall / Odeon cinema given to us Camberwellians as a community/cultural centre; the new owners are an evangelical Christian organisation, and some people who I assume are members of their congregation have made some decidedly un-Christian threats and hinted at racism from those opposed to them taking over; to which some people have decided to respond, not always fairly.

First of all I want to make clear that opinions on this blog should always be considered to be opinions of individuals and not representative of any group or organisation, unless explicitly stated.

And while I don’t censor comments, I would advise people simply to not get sucked into un-winnable arguments because they have a nasty habit of escalating; just say your piece, perhaps give a response to clarify that piece, and step back. Let people who make snide or unfair comments hang themselves with their own words.

As for the campaign — which I broadly support — I would like to state that, despite my general antipathy to organised religion, I’ve never interfered in their business before, and probably never will after. To me this is not a campaign to stop a church, this is a campaign to gain something for everyone in Camberwell, not just those of a certain denomination.

There is a dearth of good public space in the area, less still spaces to host art or events. The Gala building is a fantastic opportunity that only comes up once in a lifetime, and we need to do our best to seize it. There just aren’t any comparable spaces around; I mean, there are the former Council buildings on Peckham Rd, but Southwark are busy flogging those off to property developers.

So in my view this is not a negative campaign, it’s a positive one, and that’s what I wanted to make clear.

For those who aren’t interested in this at all, I hope we’ll be back to the usual topics soon; The Tiger officially opens on Wednesday, if anyone wants to volunteer to review it.

And for those who are tempted to get involved in debating with the trolls, just remember this:

A Community Cinema for Camberwell?

Published by monkeycat | Filed under Art, Development, Events, General, Guest Author, Politics.

Hello there, and yet another post by another guest poster. Apologies for the very long post but just couldn’t get it any shorter.

As many of you will no doubt have heard by now the former cinema and bingo hall has been bought by Merinbrand (whoever they are) on behalf of (we assume) the Redeemed Christian Church of God or RCCG for short. We believe that contracts have been exchanged but completion is not due to take place until the beginning of March. The chances of us stopping the sale are slim, but I do not think that should prevent us from trying.

We started a campaign this Monday to try and get more information and transparency over the sale of the building by Gala Bingo. Last week I was told that the information was confidential and that I would have to wait until the sale had gone through. I think it is safe to assume that they were a little surprised at how quickly we managed to gather the troops, and very soon after our photo in front of the cinema today we had the head of PR sending out emails absolving themselves of all responsibility and hanging the new (potential) owners out to dry.

This is thanks to people like Victor, a.k.a. Eusebiovic, who set up a Facebook page which has nearly 200 fans already and is growing by the second. Also thanks go to Copeywolf (James), Liliana of PROS,Melanie Rimmer of Camberwell Arts and last but not least Mark Dodds and Barbara Pattinson from the SE5 forum for all their help. I have created a website (www.CamberwellCommunityCinema.webs.com) for the campaign to keep the cinema for the community and I have no idea where all you people are coming from but the response has been (almost) unanimous against having RCCG move in.

I think this is a real chance for Camberwell to come together as a community. And I don’t just mean those who use the internet. I mean all those who loved the bingo and now have to go to Surrey Quays (because that’s convienient). I mean all those for whom Christianity is not their religion. I mean all the artists looking for a space. I mean something to stop Time Out banging out yet another edition about the “great” East End. I mean all those who want Camberwell to have a focal point we can be proud of.

RCCG will have to change the commercial use from D2 (Cinema, music and concert halls) to D1 (Places of worship and Church Halls). This is where we as a community come in. We cannot let this happen. There are so many reasons why this should not be allowed. So, write to your MP, write to your councillors. Tell the press, tell Boris. Shout it out. Email your friends. Join the facebook page. Tell your friends to join the facebook page. Write to famous Camberwellians. Make people notice. MAKE A FUSS!

To be fair I think most councillors are firmly behind us and John Friary has been helping already to ask questions. There is a Camberwell Community Council meeting next Wednesday 3^rd March at 7pm at Southwark Town Hall. Please go. We need to let Southwark Council know that Camberwell matters. We need them to stop palming us off with disjointed plans which come to nothing. On top of that, there is an election coming up. That should concentrate the mind wonderfully!

We will be getting some posters to put around Camberwell. I will put them on the website for you to download and print off. Stick them on windows of shops. Talk to your neighbours.

MAKE A FUSS!

Camberwell deserves better.

Tom.

a.k.a. Monkeycat.

Love Walk Cafe, Denmark Hill

Published by Guy | Filed under Eating & Drinking, Guest Author.

Hi.  My name is Guy Cross and I’m also joining the small, but friendly, group of people helping Pete out with the blog during his sabbatical.  If you are so inclined you can follow me on Twitter.

This morning I enjoyed a lovely breakfast in the new Love Walk Cafe on Denmark Hill.  I have walked passed this place during its refurb and have been anticipating the opening.  I have popped in once previously (it’s rude not to!) and sampled their take-away coffee which is more than drinkable and very reasonably priced.

The breakfast I had was pretty simple, just a coffee and a muffin, both were delicious and served to me a very polite member of staff who did everything he could to attend to me requirements.  I really did enjoy my morning treat.

What really stood out for me was the décor, the place it covered (but not the extent its off-putting) in interesting trinkets from (forgive me if I’m wrong) Turkey and the surrounding area.  The tables, chairs and walls are pretty standard but the stuff sitting on shelves or hanging on the walls are fascinating, some thought must have gone into it.

I recommend that you try out the place!

We Are Loughborough Junction

Published by Joe | Filed under Art, Events, Guest Author.

Hello all, my name is Joe and I have previously written a post on this blog and am delighted that Peter considers me up to the job and has allowed me back to make a further contribute during his absence.

On Saturday I went to see  We Are Loughborough Junction, an exhibition of black and white portraits of Loughborough Junction residents taken by local photographer Conor Masterson. What made this particular exhibition different to most is that the images are displayed outdoors on the sides of houses, on railings and for sale sign boards around the local area.

There are a total of 169 portraits in all, I managed to see 167 as 2 of the photos had been removed by over zealous security guards from a derelict site on Coldharbour Lane who were unaware that the event was taking place. The size of the portraits vary from 16 inches (40cm) to around 8 feet (2.5 metres), some containing individuals and some containing families or groups.

I happen to know Conor but I don’t think I’m being biased in saying that the photographs in the show are fantastic and, for me at least, the project was a real success in terms of concept and execution. Viewing the portraits on the streets made them not only accessible but much more resonant than if they had been hung in a gallery.

I thought this was a really exciting community project  and thanks should be extended to all involved including Paul Adlam, Matt Matterson as well as Conor along with the Loughborough Junction Action Group and SE5 Forum and The Sun & Doves for providing the maps.

You can still see the photos which will remain on display until this Friday, 19^th of February. I’d recommend printing out a map of the exhibition route although you may have to hurry as, according to Conor, 3 pictures have been removed or stolen.

It’s a busy week for the Arts in Loughborough Junction as Friday also sees the opening of the new Whirled Cinema which, according to their website, is a 60 seat cinema featuring HD projection and surround sound, along with a fully licensed bar and even an outdoor balcony.

The South London Press is also reporting that there is to be an investigation into the three huge fires in Camberwell and Peckham in the last 8 months. According to the BBC the investigation into the Lakanal House fire will not be complete for two years.

On a personal note I’m really looking forward to the opening of The Tiger (formerly the Silver Buckle) on the 25^th. Having patronised The Sun & Doves, The Hermits Cave, The Joiners Arms and The Grand Union at the weekend as well as The Phoenix, The Castle, Le Petit Parisien and The George Canning in the last couple of weeks I’ll be well qualified to offer a comparison of local boozers.