A travel guide to Camberwell

Earlier this week I encountered a group of baffled Australian tourists boarding the 343 bus on Southampton Way, and was cheered when a (possibly slightly over) friendly local actually SPOKE to them and welcomed them to London. But what this incident has revealed, other than to ignore that advice about talking to strangers, is that there is a burning need for a proper travel guide to Camberwell.

What incredible luck, then, that this year’s Camberwell Arts Festival, which starts this Saturday (16 June) has, at its heart, the intention to create exactly that! And we’re looking for local writers, photographers and artists – as well as residents who love the area – to get involved. We want the Guide to be a unique and unusual take on Camberwell by the people who know it best – and are looking for the personal, the unexpected and the quirky.

So, how do you get involved? Two ways:

1. Join us for our hands-on workshops, led by Samantha Cook and Greg Ward, travel writers for Rough Guide.

Travel writing workshop
Camberwell Library, Monday 18 June, 19:00

Travel photography workshop
Camberwell Library, Tuesday 19 June, 19:00

Pub and restaurant review workshop
The Crooked Well, Wednesday 20 June, 19:00

2.  Or email your contributions to kelly.​oreilly@​camberwellarts.​org.​uk

We can’t guarantee to include all contributions in the printed version of the Guide, but we will put all family-friendly pieces online.

But please don’t try and write a chip lovers guide to Camberwell- I’ve put many hours in to researching that one myself!

And there are plenty of other artistic happenings going on during the week. Check out www.camberwellarts.org.uk for full listings.

Sceaux Gardens appeal, and Jubilee events

Let’s start with the more serious news. Southwark Council will not face manslaughter charges for the fire at Lakanal House in 2009. However, the Sceaux Gardens Tenants & Residents Association (T&RA) has launched an Appeal Fund to cover their incidental legal costs incurred in being represented at the inquest.

The T&RA have been granted “interested party” status for the inquest, alongside the bereaved families, but were unsuccessful in securing Legal Aid. They currently rely on advice and support on legal and procedural matters given free of charge by a solicitor and a barrister that have agreed to work for no pay. However, with the inquest predicted to last up to 8 weeks, they’ll take on this representation role themselves — the solicitor & barrister cannot be expected to take 8 weeks off work, with no pay.

The T&RA officers have committed to representing the Association at the inquest but know that they’ll require professional advice and guidance on matters of procedure and law at various stages during the 8 week period. To this end, an Appeal to raise funds for this was launched on 14 May 2012. The target is to raise £10,000, from donations from organisations and individuals who have either an interest in, or sympathy with our cause. So far, they’ve raised almost £1,000.

You can make a donation on their appeal page, by debit/credit card, Paypal or Charities Aid Foundation Accounts. 100% of all donations made via this channel will go directly to the Appeal Fund – Charities Aid Foundation levy no administrative fees or charges.

Thanks very much to Mushtimushta for putting together the text for me — I’m sure if you have questions he’ll be happy to answer you in the comments.

On to matters lighter. This weekend is, as I’m sure you know, the Royal Jubilee, and there are a number of events on in and around Camberwell. On Saturday there’s a party in Faraday Gardens, Walworth, from 11am to 6pm, and a Big Lunch event at the Secret Garden (behind KFC on Kimpton Road) at 1pm on the same day. On Sunday 3rd there’ll be another Big Lunch, this time on the Green, from 12pm to 3pm. Details are on this Facebook post.

And yes, I know that some of you are committed republicans, but as the Huguenots who settled in Denmark Hill in the 17th Century would have said: Vive la difference.