One person turned up at the start of the meeting on 12th August in Tooley St so it was cancelled!
The 'Southwark Team' were all there to give the residents of the north of the borough all the information they needed about the possibilities for the future of Southwark's cemeteries and to hear their views.
But it seems that either the date, the time, the venue, or indeed the consultation itself did not suit/interest many people.
The Friends group had strongly suggested to the council that August was not the most favourable time to get a big turnout ...... and a Friday night ..... ?!
And we also have been informed that the last public event due to take place on Saturday 10 September has now been postponed until
Saturday 24 September 1- 3 pm at Honor Oak Recreation ground
when we know there will be a good turnout because our community seriously value this as an open space and want it to be kept as such in perpetuity!
At the Southwark event held at the Rec in July there were many local people attending.
We also understand that there may be real practical issues surrounding the short term burial solutions proposed by the Cabinet in April - so our Rec may be in more danger than we thought!
Remember to complete a questionnaire!
ANYONE living in Southwark or Lewisham can do this!
Thursday, 18 August 2011
Sunday, 31 July 2011
first public event gone, two more to go!
UPDATE:
Southwark Council held their first public event to discuss the future of their cemeteries yesterday on the Recreation Ground.
Very nice - marquee with a carpet, cakes, drinks, coloured A3 information sheets - and the sound of children playing happily in the background added a welcome touch of irony!
Despite being a brilliant day for lounging in the sun, about 30 people turned up to hear Barrie Hargove, the key Cabinet councillor introduce the proceedings. He was followed by Rebecca Towers, Parks and Open Spaces Manager giving the background to the consultation and then the options available detailed by Paul Harrison, a Landscape and Development consultant.
Some points from the meeting:
1. The consultation is going to continue until the end of September. Then all the questionnaires will be analysed and a report drawn up which will be on line. This will be put to Cabinet in December and decisions made probably in Jan 2012
2. It seems that although in April at the Cabinet meeting 8 years of short term burial space was determined and voted for (see post below), there may well be serious hitches and this may well have been overly optimistic.
Namely, on site A adjacent to the picnic area, there are planning issues. Also, soil and drainage sampling is still going on to verify the practicalities of burial there.
One may ask why this wasn't begun in April, three months ago.
Work is not well underway at Camberwell Old cemetery either where there is a plan to rebury on topped up public graves. And there is only a handful of spaces left at Camberwell New cemetery. Conclusion: well under 8 years left .....
3. People are being asked to respond to the questionnaire without being fully given information about costings which will obviously be a driving force for a cash strapped council. Barrie Hargrove said that financially using the Rec would be the cheapest option even though it was the cabinet's "least preferred option". Having said that, he also said that cemeteries count as recreational spaces for the living as well as for the dead!
4. Paul Harrison said that recycling of burial land has been going on throughout history, and it is only modern rules and sensitivity which are preventing it now.
One person said she has changed her mind from burial to cremation to save green space.
5. SC said this is a great exciting opportunity for people to say what they want and for the Council to be leaders and set an example for the other boroughs and forge new avenues on the burial issue ..... (editor's note: well, that would exclude using well used open green space then )
SO ..... WHAT YOU CAN STILL DO:
ONE:
Complete the questionnaire! see post below on where to find it!
TWO:
Attend the next public events - again see below!
But the next one on the Rec again is
SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 1 - 3 pm
SCHOOLS are BACK so let's get a larger contingent down there!
And a last word:
What are the Lewisham councillors doing to help?
A motion in support of the Rec was passed by Lewisham Council in March but we know of little more which has happened apart from one meeting between the two leaders.
Southwark Council held their first public event to discuss the future of their cemeteries yesterday on the Recreation Ground.
Very nice - marquee with a carpet, cakes, drinks, coloured A3 information sheets - and the sound of children playing happily in the background added a welcome touch of irony!
Despite being a brilliant day for lounging in the sun, about 30 people turned up to hear Barrie Hargove, the key Cabinet councillor introduce the proceedings. He was followed by Rebecca Towers, Parks and Open Spaces Manager giving the background to the consultation and then the options available detailed by Paul Harrison, a Landscape and Development consultant.
Some points from the meeting:
1. The consultation is going to continue until the end of September. Then all the questionnaires will be analysed and a report drawn up which will be on line. This will be put to Cabinet in December and decisions made probably in Jan 2012
2. It seems that although in April at the Cabinet meeting 8 years of short term burial space was determined and voted for (see post below), there may well be serious hitches and this may well have been overly optimistic.
Namely, on site A adjacent to the picnic area, there are planning issues. Also, soil and drainage sampling is still going on to verify the practicalities of burial there.
One may ask why this wasn't begun in April, three months ago.
Work is not well underway at Camberwell Old cemetery either where there is a plan to rebury on topped up public graves. And there is only a handful of spaces left at Camberwell New cemetery. Conclusion: well under 8 years left .....
3. People are being asked to respond to the questionnaire without being fully given information about costings which will obviously be a driving force for a cash strapped council. Barrie Hargrove said that financially using the Rec would be the cheapest option even though it was the cabinet's "least preferred option". Having said that, he also said that cemeteries count as recreational spaces for the living as well as for the dead!
4. Paul Harrison said that recycling of burial land has been going on throughout history, and it is only modern rules and sensitivity which are preventing it now.
One person said she has changed her mind from burial to cremation to save green space.
5. SC said this is a great exciting opportunity for people to say what they want and for the Council to be leaders and set an example for the other boroughs and forge new avenues on the burial issue ..... (editor's note: well, that would exclude using well used open green space then )
SO ..... WHAT YOU CAN STILL DO:
ONE:
Complete the questionnaire! see post below on where to find it!
TWO:
Attend the next public events - again see below!
But the next one on the Rec again is
SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 1 - 3 pm
SCHOOLS are BACK so let's get a larger contingent down there!
And a last word:
What are the Lewisham councillors doing to help?
A motion in support of the Rec was passed by Lewisham Council in March but we know of little more which has happened apart from one meeting between the two leaders.
Thursday, 21 July 2011
burial consultation! everyone respond!
The long awaited burial consultation from Southwark Council has been launched!
EVERYONE who values open spaces can respond!
No matter WHERE you live - Southwark or Lewisham!
All residents - Southwark and Lewisham - living within a 1 km radius of the cemeteries should receive a questionnaire through the post this week.
If you don't , then contact
deborah.mckenzie@southwark.gov.uk
BUT we have to say that the questionnaire is deeply flawed.
We asked to be involved in its compilation but this did not happen.
The Friends group have had the questionnaire analysed by an independent social survey professional and his report will be publicised shortly on the blog.
However, it is what it is!
So this is what you can do:
ONE:
If you wish to preserve this green space now and for future generations,
EVERYONE who values open spaces can respond!
No matter WHERE you live - Southwark or Lewisham!
All residents - Southwark and Lewisham - living within a 1 km radius of the cemeteries should receive a questionnaire through the post this week.
If you don't , then contact
deborah.mckenzie@southwark.gov.uk
BUT we have to say that the questionnaire is deeply flawed.
We asked to be involved in its compilation but this did not happen.
The Friends group have had the questionnaire analysed by an independent social survey professional and his report will be publicised shortly on the blog.
However, it is what it is!
So this is what you can do:
ONE:
If you wish to preserve this green space now and for future generations,
please respond to the survey NOW - it only takes ten minutes!
As a supporter of the Recreation Ground, you will want to make a return which conveys to Southwark Council the message that no part of the Rec should ever be used for burial
The best way to do this is to use any available comment space to say that the priority for the whole community is to protect valuable open green space and that no more of the Rec should be used for burial.
There may be varying views on this, and we understand this is a personal issue but tactically you may wish to consider the following to give the Rec a better chance:
Q3 tick for cremation
Q5 No (to continue burial in Southwark)
followed in 5a with a comment about how important the Rec is for the living .....
Q6 G - Use the Rec 8 (the least favoured point on the given scale)
However, if you don't feel you can do this - you may be pro burial but not in Honor Oak Rec -
then you will have to find another way of getting your message across on the questionnaire!As a supporter of the Recreation Ground, you will want to make a return which conveys to Southwark Council the message that no part of the Rec should ever be used for burial
The best way to do this is to use any available comment space to say that the priority for the whole community is to protect valuable open green space and that no more of the Rec should be used for burial.
There may be varying views on this, and we understand this is a personal issue but tactically you may wish to consider the following to give the Rec a better chance:
Q3 tick for cremation
Q5 No (to continue burial in Southwark)
followed in 5a with a comment about how important the Rec is for the living .....
Q6 G - Use the Rec 8 (the least favoured point on the given scale)
However, if you don't feel you can do this - you may be pro burial but not in Honor Oak Rec -
How to find the questionnaire:
1. on line cemeteries consultation questionnaire
2. the cemetery office
3. the coffee shop at Honor Oak Park station
Save a stamp! Paper questionnaires can be left at the coffee shop and we will get them to Southwark!
TWO
Go to one of the public events
There are 3 planned by Southwark to present the burial options, give people an opportunity to ask questions, get some answers, put forward their views and complete the questionnaire
1. Saturday 30 July 1 pm - 3.00 pm
in a marquee at Honor Oak Recreation ground
2. Friday 12 August 5.30 - 8 pm
at the Southwark Council offices in Tooley St
3. Saturday 10 September 1 pm - 4 pm
again in a marquee at Honor Oak Recreation ground
THREE
email the Southwark cabinet members or your local councillors expressing your views about how vital the Rec is to the local community
(email addresses further down the blog)
We can make our views known and be counted!
Pass this onto all your friends and contacts and let's get the message across to Southwark Council that the community do not want any part of the Rec used for burial, now and in the future!
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Did you see The Times last Tuesday?
If not, here it is .....
And we ask ourselves, what is happening to the promised consultation?
And we ask ourselves, what is happening to the promised consultation?
Monday, 25 April 2011
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
good news so far ....but the campaign must go on!
Thanks to everyone who came along to the Southwark Cabinet meeting yesterday. There was a good turnout both outside and in the room. 
The Cabinet heard all 4 deputations:
from the Friends of Honor Oak Rec, from Hillyfielders football club, from Fairlawn school and from Friends of Peckham Rye Park. 
The Cabinet decided to go for their short term plan which will provide about 8 years of burial using:
(a) the newly cleared site next to Honor Oak Park station (requires planning permission)
(b) an area of unused space in Camberwell New Cemetery
(c) an area of common graves in Camberwell Old Cemetery
Map link below
A full and wide reaching consultation on longer term proposals will be rolled out very shortly and the use of the Rec for burial will be included in this,
BUT two amendments were also passed:
One stating that the Cabinet's view is that the use of the Rec is the least favoured long term option
and the second, that Southwark will be looking to work closely with Lewisham and other councils to deliver long term solutions to the burial issues throughout London
We see this as a minor victory and would like to thank all the supporters who have been active and all those who have signed the petitions. Your voice was heard! especially through all the emails which were sent. The Cabinet specifically referred to the high number of emails and letters which they had received!
BUT the campaign goes on!
The consultation is critical for us!
We need to make sure that everyone in our area who uses the Rec is heard. 
We have asked for all Lewisham residents who live within 1km of the cemeteries to be consulted as well as stakeholder groups
The draft list and consultation questions are on a link below, so please take the time to look and if you have any comments/suggestions which need to go to Southwark, forward them to fohopark@gmail.com
What we need to do now is to ensure that our view is heard loud and clear in the consultation process and that Lewisham Council is encouraged to engage actively with Southwark to provide long term alternatives to burial and thus protect the Rec.
click here to see the maps
click here to see the draft consultation process
click here to see the Southwark Cabinet papers item 8
click here to see the extract from the draft minutes of the meeting
Friday, 8 April 2011
important southwark meeting! Tues 19 April 3.30 come and lobby!
The Southwark cabinet meeting to discuss burial options is approaching fast:
Tuesday 19 April 4 pm at Southwark Town Hall, Peckham Road, Camberwell, SE5 8UB
What you can do to help:
1. Come down to the Town Hall between 3.30 and 4.30 to lobby outside
Bring flags/placards, come with friends and kids, people from your street/school to help the cabinet members realise how much this green space means to us.
Help publicise the lobby - here's a flier to pass around/put in your window:
2. Remember to email/write to the Cabinet members - email addresses on a posting below
3. If you need any convincing ...
The Hillyfielders football club have made a brilliant film about how they use the Rec and how vital it is for them.
Watch it here and pass the link onto friends .... http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzHdWFjQquY
See you on the 19th! Paper and e petition now over 2,400
Tuesday 19 April 4 pm at Southwark Town Hall, Peckham Road, Camberwell, SE5 8UB
What you can do to help:
1. Come down to the Town Hall between 3.30 and 4.30 to lobby outside
Bring flags/placards, come with friends and kids, people from your street/school to help the cabinet members realise how much this green space means to us.
Help publicise the lobby - here's a flier to pass around/put in your window:
2. Remember to email/write to the Cabinet members - email addresses on a posting below 3. If you need any convincing ...
The Hillyfielders football club have made a brilliant film about how they use the Rec and how vital it is for them.
Watch it here and pass the link onto friends .... http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzHdWFjQquY
See you on the 19th! Paper and e petition now over 2,400
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