Clapham Pottery’s New site

Clapham Pottery is a very succesful community organisation which ahead of it’s redevelopment has moved from Clapham Leisure Centre to this lovely site in the Old Chapel at 4a Rectory Grove.

Mayor of Lambeth with some of the work of Clapham Potters

Clapham Pottery is a busy self-funding and not-for-profit community pottery, offering pottery classes for all ages and all abilities. Pottery classes are held during the daytime and evenings for adults and kids, over a 10 week term, with a half term break. Weekend courses for adults are available on a monthly basis.

Mayor of Lambeth cutting the ribbon to officially open Clapham Pottery

Clapham Pottery classes are taught by professional, working potters from The North Street Potters, which was established in Clapham in 1978.

Mayor of Lambeth with Naine Woodrow for Clapham Potters

I was pleased to have the opportunity to personally thank Naine Woodrow, a long term member of the North Street Potters and a key driver behind this project and Clapham Potters. The whole team provide an invaluable service to the local community and beyond and it was wonderful to see their longer team future at the heart of Clapham.

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Licensing of Kit Gunasekera as Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of St James

The service held at St James Church, Briarwood Road in Clapham was for the Licensing of Kit Gunasekera as Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of St James by The Right Revd Tom Butler The Bishop of Southwark.

Mayor of Lambeth with Kit Gunasekera, Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of St James

Kit Gunasekera has come to the Parish from Brentford and I was pleased to welcome him officially to the borough together with the Churchwardens and other representatives of the community.

After the service we had a chance to chat further with the Priest and wish him well in his new position.

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Film and exhibtion for Common Voices – Past and Present Project

The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded a grant to Big Up Films, a Clapham-based group of film-makers and arts educators. The ‘Common Voices – Past and Present’ Project’s aim was to bring together different generations to capture and compare memories and experience of growing up around Clapham Common just after World War Two with those of children now.

Mayor of Lambeth with organisers of the Common Voices project

The result of the project is a DVD film accompanied by portraits and illustrations along with a mixed-media map of Clapham were created collaboratively by pupils from Bonneville Primary School and volunteers.

We saw the film for the first time at an event held at Clapham Picture House, and I was joined by the children who took part in the project, those who had been interviewed and many of the volunteers involved in the project.

Mayor of Lambeth with one of the people interviewed as part of the Common Voices project

All those involved should be extremely proud of their achievement, which in itself is now part of Clapham’s history. These include: Bonneville Primary School, year 6 children and teachers; Clapham Society; Lambeth Archives; The Oral History Society; volunteers and the 12 people who shared their memories about life in Clapham after the war who made this project possible. And of course the Heritage Lottery Fund who funded the project.

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Opening Gala celebrating new performing arts courses at Lambeth College

I always enjoy returning to Lambeth College, and today I returned again to the Clapham Campus where they were celebrating their new performing arts courses.

Students perform at Lambeth College 6th form centre

I was incredibly impressed by their confidence and acting skills, together with the level of inclusiveness with students with learning difficulties playing key parts within the performance.

Mayor of Lambeth with performers

Whilst the main performance was excellent we were treated to singing from young children from Hill Mead Brixton School – the future students of Lambeth College and their new sixth form.

AudioBoo / Hill Mead Brixton School

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Abbeville Fete

The Abbeville Fete is organised by the Church of the Holy Spirit. Over the years it has grown for a low-key affair into an event that involves and supports the local community.  Last year over £17,000 was raised to support local charities.

Mayor of Lambeth and Rev Jeremy Blunden at Newtons restaurant on Abbeville Road

Abbeville Fete has a huge number of events including dog show, pet show, fancy-dress parade, waiters’ and shopkeepers’ race, kid zone; along with music in the church and stalls / traders along Abbeville Road and Narbonne Avenue.

I was met by Rev Jeremy Blunden who showed me around the fete and introduced me to many of the stall holders.

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