It's Your Colville

Colville Forum meeting Dear Neighbours Our next Colville Community Forum is planned for Tuesday September 19 from 6.30 - 8.30 pm at the Portobello Court Clubroom, Portobello Road (between Lonsdale Road and Westbourne Grove).

Following the Grenfell Fire and given the current flux and changes ongoing at the Council I am not proposing to ask officers to attend the meeting as many positions and departments will be changing over the next few months and they are extremely busy and short-staffed:  changes which I and other councillors in North Kensington welcome and which we can update you on what we know. 

I am therefore proposing that we all come together to discuss and get updates on current and proposed changes in governance at the Council, and the current key issues you as residents think need addressing.

The key current issues for Colville councillors and many Colville residents are:

• the proposed closure of Notting Hill Police Station
• the proposed merger of Notting Hill Housing Group with Genesis housing. 
• the future of the KCTMO and ensuring that TMO residents fully participate in deciding what replaces it.
• changes to local bus routes specifically the 23 route into town.
• counter-terrorism measures - or lack of - in the Portobello Road market

and I'd appreciate feedback on Carnival 2017 to take back to the police and officers. But the agenda must be yours so if you can get back to me with your thoughts on this agenda, any other items you would like to add and approve the meeting going ahead as a residents only forum that will be very helpful.  And I will contact and ask local residents involved in the campaigns to attend and update us. 

One piece of very good news is that the Council has cancelled plans for a new Library and Notting Hill Prep have withdrawn from leasing the current Library site and plans are being drawn up to maintain and repair the current Library. Well done Friends of North Kensington Library.  Forum members will be involved in discussions on how the old Youth Club site can best be used for the community. Looking forward to your comments. Replies to Cllr.press@rbkc.gov.uk please. Monica Press Colville Councillor and Chair of Colville Forum

Out and About and Play Gloucester Court Reminiscence Group will be presenting an exhibition of photographs by Peter Dixon taken in North Kensington in the late 50s/early 60s, with recollections from members of the reminiscence group, on September 21 from 3 to 7 pm at the Kensington Central Library lecture hall on Phillimore Walk. The exhibition will subsequently be on display in the lending library. 

Two Potato: an oral history of children's play in North Kensington A new documentary film made by Colville Primary School pupils, which was launched at the Gate Cinema last year, can now be watched on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMcSag7ItZE

The film documents the history of children's play in North Kensington, featuring interviews with local people along with beautiful archive images of the area, capturing the joy and struggles of childhood in the area. The project explores aspects of play for pre-teen children including street play, playgrounds, singing games and rhymes and board games. In short, what people played, where they played and how they played.

The film, interviews and children's writing are available on the project website. For further information please visit www.onepotato.org.uk Digital Works City Living Local Life

After school activities at the Tabernacle Free activities for kids from 3 to 16 years old from Monday to Friday, starting September 18 - arts and crafts workshops - Capoeira - drama classes - steel band classes. To book your space and for more information phone 0207 2219700 email reception@thetabernaclew11.com or visit the Tabernacle, 34-35 Powis Square, London W11 2AY.

The aim is to connect with the local community by supporting, inspiring and improving the children's creative expression and well being. For more information on the programme please have a look at the Tabernacle website https://www.tabernaclew11.com/home call, email or visit. Please note spaces are limited, we recommend reserving places now to avoid disappointment. We look forward to seeing you all.

Colville History Project The next history talk slideshow at North Kensington Library on Saturday September 30 3-4 pm will be on 1967, featuring Twink Mohamed Abdullah John Alder, of the Pretty Things and Pink Fairies, Tom Vague and Dave Hucker -.along with the 50th of the hippy summer of love - Oz, IT, the Head Shop at 202 Kensington Park Road and the Notting Hill People's Association. Places can be booked for this free event via Eventbrite or at any of the Kensington and Chelsea libraries. The history project also aims to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1957 Rent Act and its effect on Rachman, and Joe Meek recording on Arundel Gardens. Future talks planned are Better Badges and the Dread Broadcasting Corporation, local Irish history by Patrick Joyce and the launch of the North Kensington oral history book by Roger Rogowski.

Bogus Plumbers There have been two reported incidents recently where a group of 2-3 men, claiming to be plumbers, have conned their way into the victim’s home and stolen money or other items. The suspects are described as white, aged between 20-30 years old, and wearing workmen’s clothing. If someone has knocked unexpectedly at your door claiming to be a plumber or other trader, and asking to be let in, the police would like to know.