This posting is a change in the approach, more discursive about issues and events linking Croydon and wider issues and with internet links at the end.
For those of us who are feeling increasingly demoralised at what is happening and not happening in Croydon and elsewhere thanks to South West London Law Centres (SWLLC) for this quote from the late Bel Hooks:
“Hope is essential to any political struggle for radical change when the overall social climate promotes disillusionment and despair.”
Jazz
For jazz fans who regret the closure of the Hideaway in Streatham may wish to attend promoter Ra Hendricks’ JazzMotholody events starting this coming Saturday at 7pm at the Music Room in Peckham. Ra and I submitted a proposal for jazz events in the Croydon Ambition Festival only to have it turned down by the officer who did not regard it as fitting in with his concept of the Festival.
Sidney Poitier And Campaigning For Civil Rights and Justice
Obituaries on the death of Sidney Poitier have largely concentrated on his acting rather than his civil rights campaigning. It would be a tribute to him if independent cinemas around the country like David Lean Cinema would plan some showings of his films with discussions afterwards.
Croydon’s Budget Cuts Consultation Closes Tomorrow
Croydon Council’s consultation on what you want to cut from the 2022/23 budget closes tomorrow. Apart from opposing the cuts and pointing out the bogus nature of the consultation, you might want to suggest that consideration be given to Labour Councillor Andrew Pelling’s 20 proposals for improving the Council’s operation.
Local Plan Review Consultation
We have until 5pm on 17 February to submit views on the formal consultation on the Local Plan Review. The biggest challenge is making sense of the documents. The Plan and all of its supporting documents will be available to view in the Libraries, but the Council email states: ‘Please contact libraries prior to visiting to ensure supporting documents are available.’!!! Today’s Guardian Long Read on the adverse effect of climate change on insect populations reminds us that the Plan will need a very robust promotional bio-diversity strategy. Is it too much to press for
- a ban on turning front gardens into car parking, in return for free residents controlled parking?
- for protection of key green backland sites, like those in the Pollards Hill area?
Should the environmental/green organisations encourage and assist more people to:
- become beekeepers
- add ponds to their gardens?
South Norwood Conservation Area Consultation
There is also a separate consultation on the Appraisal and Management Plan Supplementary Planning Document for the South Norwood Conservation Area. A public meeting will be held on Tuesday 25 January (5–8pm) at 241 Selhurst Road.
The Future Of The Libraries
We should see soon the Cabinet discussion on the future of the Libraries following the second stage consultation. A reader comments: ‘the situation with Croydon libraries is really worrying. In fact, the council seem to have adopted a raft of strategies that result in reducing rather than enhancing peoples’ quality of life. I am a Covid volunteer and I understand that this scheme is also likely to be reduced if not stopped in the near future. A concern for me is that those who already feel disenfranchised become even more disenfranchised as a result. Currently it seems hard to glean much hope for the future, but I think that does not mean we should stop trying.’ The reader adds: ‘Without an approach that embeds sustainability from the perspective of engagement and awareness of the availability and value of the Library, then any approach would only be a short rather than a long term solution.’
Council Road Schemes and Parking Fines
In addition to the rise in the cost of living, especially energy, the Council road schemes and parking fines probably particularly hit those workers who have to have vehicles and may well be low paid. Croydon Communities Consortium is holding an online meeting about the issues on Wednesday 26 January at 7pm.
Litter Petition
A petition to the Council about the litter problem started by Helen of Broad Green has received 1,000 signatures in the first week according to London News Online.
Tories May Elections Scare Tactics
In a review of the local elections in May Dave Hill, the editor of On London, writes:
‘In Croydon, where an inaugural directly elected mayor contest will take place, the Tories hope to gain from Labour’s recent financial management woes and continuing to pretend, in the glorious traditional of Shaun Bailey, that Sadiq Khan is on the point of forcing all motorists to pay to cross the Greater London boundary. It is a worthless scare story. Will they really keep peddling it until polling day?’
Croydon Councillor Paul Scott
On a lighter note Labour Councillor Paul Scott, who has so far failed to resign or have the Labour Whip withdrawn for his role in the Croydon crisis, is portrayed by his architectural employer T. B. Bennett as ‘a Councillor in the London Borough of Croydon where he takes a leading role on the planning committee.’ He is actually no longer a member of the Committee.
Income Disparities And The Work Of SWLCC
The latest ONS statistics show the extent of income disparity in the UK. We know that it is a problem in Croydon, and therefore it is worth supporting the South West London Law Centres (SWLLC) Crisis Fund, which now stands at over £3,000. To raise money for the Fund SWLLC is asking for help in baking.
From Wednesday 26 January SWLCC) is holding a series of Legal Education Workshops.They are also ‘developing the idea of a social justice film festival and are asking ‘What do you think about this? What social justice films must be shown? Would you share your amazing existing skills or learn new ones in things like marketing, projecting films, public speaking, or anything you would like to contribute.’
20 February is World Day of Social Justice. SWLLC asks how it should mark this day?
Teaching About Race
Croydon resident Karen Lipsedge, is Associate Professor in English Literature and Senior Adviser for Teaching and Learning (Access, Participation & Inclusion, Students) at Kingston University. Her views on teaching about race at the July Advance HE’s Teaching and Learning Conference, can be heard on You Tube. Karen took a leading role at last week’s Annual Conference of the British Society for 18thC Studies – see the next posting.
Croydon History Nuggets
A reader tells me that:
- Bob Miller, leader of the well-reputed Millermen band lived in Galpins Road in the 50s and 60s.
- The actor and comedian Bernard Spear also lived in Galpin’s Road throughout the reader’s childhood. He was involved in the Workers’ Playtime radio programme.
- One of the newagents in the local shops in the Galpin’s Rd area was owned by Bertie Dunn, a Tory alderman and for a while Leader of the Council.
- Tony Fayne, a comedian and actor, worked with David Evans, Arthur Haynes Show, Norman Wisdom and performed at Judy Garland’s shows in 1951. He may have lived in Pollards Hill.
Internet Links
11 January Holocaust Talk
www.eventbrite.com/e/leaves-in-a-holocaust-wind-with-author-robert-dawson-tickets-224008825427
Jazz Mothology – to register for event
Budget Cuts Consultation
www.getinvolved.croydon.gov.uk/budget-proposals-2022-23
Lipsedge Talk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=libC-rwJ8Ks
Local Plan Review
Road Schemes and Fines in Croydon
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/road-schemes-and-fines-in-croydon-tickets-241330264317
Paul Scott
https://tpbennett.com/people/directors/paul-scott
South West London Law Centres
Teaching About Race
History & Social Action News and Events 
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