Your only free community newspaper STAR TREK TICKETS HEAVYWEIGHTS Competition p14 Miguel’s Gym p20 Edition 10 FREE MAY 2013 Residents forced from homes INSIDE... Council claims block poses ‘intolerable’ fire safety risk BY ZOE JEWELL, EDITOR and safety regulations regardless of their age. The council has a duty of Residents of 16 flats in a long-term care to residents and we cannot ig- housing co-operative in central nore such a clear recommendation Brixton are to be forced from their from a fire risk assessment.” homes following a surprise fire in- Ward councillor Rachel Hey- spection. wood said: “I have to be clear that Members of the Carlton Man- we cannot allow anybody to con- sions Housing Co-operative tinue to live in a building…that has (CMHC), founded in 1979, have been judged to be ‘intolerable’ in Baking for Brixton been told to leave the 122-year- terms of fire risk. So soon after the A bake-off is one of dozens of off- old building immediately, after a inquest into Lakanal House…we beat events covered in our double fire report advised the building are only too aware of the responsi- page listings pullout, we’ve sorted was unsafe. The council demanded bility of local authorities to ensure your entertainment for May “residents vacate the building as a the safety of citizens to the greatest What’s On p10-11 priority.” possible degree. But residents have hit back at the “We are doing everything we can council saying the fire risk assess- to support them. This includes the ment states it “is subjective and for possibility of temporarily rehous- guidance only.” They say they were ing everybody into a single build- told on the phone prior to the visit ing”, she said. CMHC had not been that it “would be advisory only.” informed of this possibility when Shocked cooperative members asked by The Bugle. met with The Bugle last week. One The fire risk assessment identi- member who has lived in Carlton fies lack of ‘compartmentalisation’ Mansions for 29 years said: “How – to stop a fire spreading from flat can anyone decamp so quickly to flat - as one problem in the man- when they’re a long-term resident? sion blocks. FIRE RISK: Residents have been ordered to leave immediately. Inset, You’ve got everything registered at The Co-operative has offered to ward councillor Rachel Heywood called the fire risk ‘intolerable’ that address, you’re in London so do all it can to fulfil safety standards ment in using what would be con- have allowed for historic buildings storage space is at a premium. How but the council states this will not sidered small amounts of money to in Brixton to be maintained. One is it actually practically possible?” be enough. CMHC also pointed out make a place habitable, rather than member said: “When we put our Great adventure Another member spoke of the se- that the floors are solid timber and totally refurbishing a place.” heating on it keeps the buildings Luke Massey looks at the histo- vere emotional stress caused by the that the walls between the flats are “It was done on the self-help warm…We’ve kept the heritage and ry of London’s oldest adventure council’s actions and has now been thick brick. The building has nev- basis which means that the people then they can sell it off.” playground, Triangle, as spring referred to the Mental Health Team er been damaged by fire. CMHC is who were going to live there did The Co-operative was also re- approaches. Features, p7 as a result. now seeking independent advice. most of the work themselves.” At sponsible for the painting of the A spokesperson from Lam- The Co-op started life 32 years one stage, the Co-operative gave Nuclear Dawn mural, now a cele- beth Housing department said: ago on a temporary agreement with the council 50% of allocation to brated Brixton landmark. “the council is obliged to ensure the council as short life housing. A people on the housing list. More recently, the residents and its buildings meet relevant health member said: “This was an experi- The short life arrangements Continued on p6 Mural project climax The finishing touches are Locals are invited to lend a being put on an inspirational hand painting on April 27 and community mural in the shad- 28, before the final unveiling ow of Brixton Windmill. of the mural at Windmill Gar- Work began on the artwork dens on May 6. Market proposal on April 10, with artist and The party will include music Resident and neighbour of Market designer Camila Cardenosa and activities suitable for all Row, Richard Pope, gives his three working with local residents, the family. Brixton Windmill point plan for the future of Brix- friends and and inmates from will be open for free guided ton’s covered markets. Brixton Prison. tours. Analysis, p7 [email protected] Picture: Nick Weedon www.brixtonblog.com 2 Brixton Bugle May 2013 NEWS www.brixtonblog.com The Brixton Bugle & BrixtonBlog.com are edited in Brixton by Zoe Jewell Pensioner stung by £1,000 and Tim Dickens. Both the website and newspaper are fines for sun-faded permit published by a not-for-profit A disabled pensioner has community organisation. It’s run hit out at Lambeth council for by a committed team of people from chasing nearly £1,000 for un- Brixton. paid fines after his disabled per- mit was faded by the sun. Brixton Blog and Bugle Hugh Francis-Courtney, 74, The Piano Club was visited twice last month Man, 26, accused 9 Brighton Terrace by bailiffs representing Lam- of party murder SW9 8DJ beth. On one occasion he had to pay £430 after his van was left A man has been charged with clamped outside his street for shooting dead 23-year-old Jerome » Tel 020 7737 5417 more than a week. On another Edwards at a party in Southwell » @brixtonblog the bailiff said he owed in the Road, Loughborough Junction. » @brixton_bugle region of a further £600. Clleon Smith, 26, of Hichis- » www.brixtonblog.com Mr Francis-Courtney said: son Road, SE15, was charged with “I have severe arthritis and I’ve murder on April 18, as well as the had two knee operations, what attempted murder of a second Circulation: 9,000 copies do they expect me to do? I think UPSET: Mr Courtney with his van man, shot in the ankle outside the Readership: circa 15,000 it’s bang out of order for the party, and possession of a gun. council to treat me like this.” being visited by bailiffs showed culties with their badges they Police and ambulance services The pensioner was given a up at his door last month. keep in touch with us and we were called to the first floor flat For advertising enquiries contact: Cllr Imogen Walker, cabinet will do our very best to help. »[email protected] string of parking tickets in Au- just before 5am on April 14 after gust last year outside his home member for parking, said the “But given the situation in receiving reports of a man with Tel 020 7737 5417 in Winterwell Road, Brixton, council had a duty to stamp out which we were not asked for a gunshot wounds. The victim was after the sun bleached the word disabled parking permit fraud. replacement and not contacted rushed to hospital but died several NEWS “Lambeth” from his permit. He She added: “In this partic- by Mr Frances-Courtney after hours later. ular case the badge was faded he unsuccessfully appealed his »[email protected] hadn’t noticed the tickets as he A second man arrested in con- was housebound following his and it was Mr Frances-Court- tickets, we were left with no nection with the investigation, latest knee operation. ney’s responsibility to return it option but to pursue the mat- aged 31, has been bailed to return POLITICS When he appealed the tick- to us as part of the regulations ter further. I’m glad to hear to a south London police station Kaye Wiggins ets, Lambeth cancelled some, of their use. Had he contacted that Mr Frances-Courtney has in late May pending further enqui- »[email protected] but refused the appeal on two us, we would have been happy now finally had his blue badge ries. others. Francis-Courtney said to supply a new one, and this replaced As a gesture of good whole ticketing process could will we have cancelled all the Bowie bag honour FEATURES he appealed again with no re- sponse, and heard nothing until have been avoided. It is vital tickets.” Luke Massey that if people experience diffi- A bag-making company in central Brixton was given the chance ear- »[email protected] lier this year to make the bags for a David Bowie exhibition. CULTURE Sainsbury’s gets booze licence The tote bags featuring former Barney Evison and Ruth Waters Lambeth council has granted a the Blog that he had expected of putting in a crossing on Wa- Brixton boy Bowie were produced »[email protected] licence for a new Sainsbury’s su- the licence to be granted be- ter Lane to improve safety. by WBC and sold like hot cakes. permarket on Tulse Hill. cause objections were not about Tim Fairhurst of the Jose- “The V&A called up in a blind A planning sub-committee, the sale of alcohol, but about the phine Avenue Group (JAG) said panic saying they were shifting WHATS ON meeting at Lambeth Town Hall impact of a supermarket on the the weight of public objectuions them faster than expected”, said Faye Lipson passed the application, despite area.