Saturday 19th May 2012
last updated
18th May
we have had 42512 visitors
| how to contact us: | |
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(020) 7586 8327 |
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(020) 7586 0043 |
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primrose_hill@
btopenworld.com |
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29 Hopkinson's Place Fitzroy Road London NW1 8TN |
| PHCA registered charity no. 298215 | |
Primrose Hill Community Library
Open letter to Local Residents:
We are delighted to announce we now have the keys to the new Primrose Hill Community Library (formerly Chalk Farm Library) on Sharpleshall Street, NW1.
We owe a huge debt to the 584 locals whose generous donations of time, money or both mean that we can now all celebrate a secure future for our library.
Extensive delays over the council lease meant that we were not able to get things moving as quickly as hoped.
Whilst we are working hard to begin loaning books again, we are open on Saturdays from 10.00am - 5.00pm to welcome you back and listen to your ideas and suggestions.
It is important that we also thank the local businesses for their whole-hearted support through these difficult times for our high street and not least, our local press, the Camden New Journal and Ham & High, whose dedicated editorial coverage was critical to our success in keeping the buildings community owned.
As we move towards our £1.2m fundraising target, we will develop the library in stages with an official launch scheduled for the autumn.
We’re looking forward to a shared future with Belsize and Keats Community Libraries and are excited what we can achieve together to make our libraries vibrant, inclusive community spaces we can all be proud of.
Please join us on this journey.
The Primrose Hill Community Library Board www.phcl.org.
To help forward the campaign, pledge forms can be downloaded from here.
Pledges should be returned to:
You won’t be able to borrow books just yet, but there will be people in the library over the next few weekends to hear your views, talk to volunteers and start to get things moving.
If you can’t call in then visit our new website at www.phcl.org.
New Manager
We are looking for a professional manager for the Primrose Hill Community Library.
This would be a full 37.5 hour week, between the hours of 9.00am and 10.30pm (variable.)
Roles will include managing a large team of volunteers, overseeing the setting up of our library systems, managing the space, facilities and community services.
If you are interested, please contact us through The Guardian at the following website address: jobs.guardian.co.uk
Membership Renewal Final Reminder
A reminder that if you have not already renewed your PHCA membership it has now expired.
Payment remains at £5.00 (£2.50 for concessions) for people living or working in Primrose Hill, and can be paid in person at the Centre, by cash, cheque (made payable to PHCA Ltd) or by standing order (form available on request).
Membership includes a bi-monthly Newsletter delivered or e-mailed to you, discounts on activities, invitations to events and updates on what’s happening in our community.
New members can apply on-line by clicking the Membership link at the top of this page.
Many thanks for your much valued support.
Primrose Hill Summit Works
The number of people who stand or sit on the top of Primrose Hill especially at weekends has increased enormously and this wear and tear as well as poor drainage have damaged the summit.
We won't know until the current works are complete whether they will improve the hilltop or make it too municipal and manicured.
There will be a raised kerb round the edge and a new solid gravel base in an attempt to protect the surface. The Royal Parks are also trying to restore the grass on the front of the Hill which had been carved into a deep and unsightly track by runners and walkers.
There is a fence surrounding the area but a new track is already beginning to appear alongside it.
Union Flag
Does anyone have a large Union Flag (Union Jack) which we could borrow for our Jubilee Summer Fair on Saturday 16th June?
Does anyone have, or could anyone make, a buzzer game for the Summer Fair. The one which has wiggly wire and a wire wand with a loop at top which has to follow the wire without touching it, if it touches the wire it causse a buzzer to sound?
If you are available to volunteer on the day of the Fair, (Saturday 16th June), or the day before, please let us know, we'd love to hear from you.
Over-55s Afternoons at the British Museum
The British Museum will be running the popular and enjoyable monthly Over-55s Afternoons throughout 2012.
These informal sessions are held from 2.00pm - 4.00pm with the aim of supporting groups working with elderly visitors in using the Museum.
The sessions start with warm refreshments and a unique opportunity to handle objects from the Museum’s teaching collection. Volunteer staff support visitors in exploring the galleries of their choice at a pace that suits them.
The sessions can cater for up to 15 people and are booked on a first come first served basis. If you and your group are interested, please contact Jim Mulligan with the date you are interested in attending and whether you have any particular requirements or requests.
Remaining available sessions are Friday 1st June and Friday 6th July
There is access to wheelchairs which can be used inside the museum and also disabled parking on the museum grounds if requested in advance.
Booking in advance is essential, one session per group, available on a first come, first served basis.
Jubilee Summer Fair
The 2012 Jubilee Summer Fair will take place on Saturday 16th June from 2.00pm to 5.00pm in Chalcot Square.
If you have helped in the past you will appreciate that a lot of help and organisation is needed to make the event a success.
We are therefore looking for volunteers who are able to help out on the day of the Fair and in the days leading up to it.
It could be putting up bunting on the Friday afternoon, sorting items, loading vans, or manning a stall or sideshow at the event.
If you are available to help please phone the PHCA office on (020) 7586 8327 or e-mail primrose_hill@btopenworld.com and your details will then be passed to Airdrie, our volunteer coordinator for the Fair.
We are also looking for good quality/condition items which we can sell at the Fair including a bottle of anything from shampoo to champagne for the Bottle Tombola; pottery, ornaments, china etc for the bric-a-brac; jewellery; books; CDs or DVDs; toys and games.
Please bring your offerings to the Centre (no clothes or electricals please.)
Afternoon Talks Programme
Bees and Their Diversity
On Wednesday 20th June, David Perkins, Chief Beekeeper from Roots & Shoots environmental education centre in London, will talk about the life and death of the honeybee.
Admission is free and is open to all.
Talks start at 2.30pm and are followed by tea and biscuits.
Details of our events and other activities will be found
on our Activities and Diary pages.
An Evening with Sir Derek Jacobi
As part of the on-going fund raising campaign for the Primrose Hill Community Library, we are arranging an evening with Sir Derek Jacobi, with Dame Joan Bakewell asking the questions.
This will be at Cecil Sharp House, who are again kindly donating the space, on Wednesday 13th June at 7.00pm for 7.30pm.
Tickets are obtainable from Primrose Hill Books, 134 Regents Park Road, telephone (020) 7586 2022 or on-line at www.primrosehillbooks.com.
Tickets are £15.00 and include a glass of wine or a soft drink.
Please look at our Diary Page for all our forthcoming events.
Top of the Hill Quiz
On Friday 25th May (7.30 for an 8.00pm start), we will hold the 9th annual Top of the Hill Quiz at the Community Centre.
A general knowledge quiz between teams of Primrose Hill residents to find out who is really Top of the Hill.
It is always a lot of fun, so please try and get a team together - maximum of 8 people per team, and let the Centre know on (020) 7586 8327.
If you want to come along as an individual please do and we'll fit you into a team.
Entry is £5.00 per person, which includes a glass of wine/soft drink and nibbles. There will be prizes for the winners.
Jumble Sale Update
A big thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who helped with the Jumble Sale, and to the generosity of the Primrose Hill community for donating all the jumble.
We raised over £600 on the day which will go towards running activities at the Centre.
Diddi Dance
Diddi Dance encourages endless enthusiasm and energy in an action packed, full of fun dance class.
Using various dancing games and exercises, bells, hoops and dance ribbons to their own funky pop songs your little one not only improves their rhythm and co-ordination but also social and gross motor skills.
Diddi Dance also looks at different dance styles every half term from salsa and hip hop to country and disco.
Classes are ideally suited for both boys and girls between 2-4 years old.
They have had children as young as 16 months, so please call to book a free trial.
The classes are run on Fridays from 2.20 to 3.20pm.
Contact Charlene Dinger on 07892 711 162 or find more details at www.diddidance.com.
All our activities can be found here.
Boules Club
Just a reminder that the Boules Club has started again on Thursday evenings.
It meets at the Primrose Hill boules court next to the playground, and starts at 5.00pm, weather permitting.
All are welcome.
For further details contact Phil Reavey on 07533 574 930.
Tai Chi for Health and Relaxation
On Wednesdays from 12.15pm to 1.00pm we have an over 50’s Tai Chi class.
In the words of members of the class:
‘Body and Soul — Tai Chi keeps you healthy in both’.
‘Tai Chi can bring peaceful delight in movement and quiet an anxious mind.
I look forward to this gentle class for the company and the feeling
of achievement it gives’.
‘When my body and my mind feel a bit wobbly, Tai Chi sorts me out’.
The cost of the class is £2.00.
Details of all the Centre's activities can be found on our Activities Page.
Keep Fit for over-60s
This class takes place every Tuesday from 4.00pm to 5.00pm and is free for over 60’s.
The classes are run by our very good and very patient tutor, Lorraine.
There is no need to book just turn up, it’s a very friendly group that will make you very welcome.
Details of all the Centre's activities can be found on our Activities Page.
Ballroom and Latin Dance Classes
Every Wednesday evening we host Ballroom and Latin American Dance Classes at the Centre.
Dancing with a partner is back in fashion, with plenty of opportunities to dance socially during the daytime, evenings, and on holidays.
The PHCA Ballroom and Latin class is very popular and has been running for over three years. Nick, the teacher, is qualified with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). He says: “Dancing is a skill, and like any other skill you’ll need to learn it in order to be able to do it. If you think you have 'two left feet' it just means that you haven’t started learning yet. Walk in – dance out!”
At the PHCA class you’ll learn not only steps but also posture, balance, coordination and timing. Learning to dance is not as repetitive as other forms of exercise and it’s a workout for the mind as well as the body.
Classes are sociable too, so while you’re acquiring your 'right foot', you’ll make new friends as well as becoming fitter, more relaxed, and more confident.
The PHCA class is suitable for absolute beginners, those who’ve danced before, and those who know some basics but want to improve their repertoire and technique. You can bring a partner or come on your own - you'll have the opportunity to dance with everybody. You can dress up or down but we don't wear lycra, rhinestones, or tailcoats! The only requirements are basic levels of fitness and mobility, and the understanding that: "the only thing you have to fear is fear itself".
So, start dancing and start living!
Every Wednesday at the Centre from 7.45 until 9.15pm (timing change). Admission is £3.00 for members, £5.00 others.
For more information call Nick on 07941 560 154. You can also visit www.goballroom.co.uk.
Transition Primrose Hill
Seasonal Recipes
The Transition Primrose Hill website:
www.transitionprimrosehill.org has lovely seasonal recipes from local chefs
which are also available as postcards for you to keep —
each restaurant has their own postcards to give away and
Richard Dare Kitchen Shop has the full range if you want to go in
and have a look.
The recipes can be viewed on the site and include:
Lunch Club Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers to fill the following dates:
We normally have 2 people per shift.
If you can help with any date please let Mick or Margaret know on (020) 7586 8327.
Teenage Consultation
If you are a teenager or you know teenagers, we would like to hear from you.
We’d like to know what type of activities you would like to see happening at the Community Centre.
We would love to have your views; why not visit us and have an informal chat, or give us your views by telephone, e-mail or letter.
Speak to Mick, PHCA Centre Manager, on (020) 7586 8327 or e-mail us at primrose_hill@btopenworld.com.
Parenting Voucher Scheme
The new DfE Parenting Voucher Scheme will provide all parents in Camden with a £100 voucher to spend on parenting programmes and Coram Life Education are one of the approved agencies with which they can spend the vouchers.
Coram are currently in the process of designing the Parenting Programme so unfortunately there is not more information concerning the programme content, but the programme will be designed for parents of children aged 0-5 years.
When available details will be found on the Coram Life Education website.
PHCA are hoping to work with Coram Life Education to provide some form of parenting classes either at the Centre or at the Community Library, and we would like your views as to what parents would benefit most from.
If you have any views or ideas please send them to Mick (contact details on the left of this page) and he will then collate them and get them back to Coram.
Please also feel free to forward this information to anyone in the area that may have views.
Saturday Afternoon Events at Haverstock School
Kajima Community and Haverstock School are hosting events on Saturday afternoons for senior citizens.
Bingo and films run from 2.00pm – 4.00pm, refreshments included. There is a charge of £1.00 entry for films and 20p per game for Bingo (six games each session).
There will be a raffle at each event.
The programme is as follows:
Please contact Nikki Haydon at Haverstock School on 07967 583 548 if you would like to come to any of these afternoon events.
The programme will recommence in September.
Cycle Planters
We will shortly be getting some planters which double as cycle racks.
Camden Cycling Campaign have kindly donated half of the money for these, and we look forward to getting them.
Camden Cycling Campaign have meetings at the Centre on every 3rd Monday of the month; you can find more information here: camdencyclists.org.uk.
Tree Bench
There is a new wrap-around tree bench in the Hopkinson’s Place courtyard.
This was paid for from the money which was kindly donated by the Edis Street residents following their street party for the Royal wedding.
A suitable plaque is attached.
Bicycle Loan Scheme
Why pay for a ‘Boris’ bike when you can loan one of our bikes for free?
If we manage to get any nice weather, don’t forget that we have 6 bicycles that we lend to members.
Bikes come with lots of extras, such as locks, helmets, bags, fluorescent trouser clips and jackets, lights etc.
To book a bike for one or several days call Mick on (020) 7586 8327.
Electronic Newsletter
The hard copy version of the newsletter gets delivered locally by a team of volunteers.
Members further afield get their newsletter sent by post and the remainder are sent by e-mail, which of course is the cheapest and easiest way of doing it and also more friendly to the environment.
If you would prefer an e-Newsletter rather than a hard copy please send an e-mail letting us know to: primrose_hill@btopenworld.com.
Online Forms
We have recently added online forms for Membership Applications and Renewals; Centre Bookings and our Community Noticeboard.
The Bookings facility is intended for single lets; should you wish to start a regular activity please contact the Centre at primrose_hill@btopenworld.com or phone (020) 7586 8327.
The Noticeboard can be used for "Goods Offered or Wanted". These transactions are strictly cash-free. You can also use the Noticeboard to submit ideas on how the Association can improve and enhance our Activities and also how we might raise extra funding in the light of the impending Council cuts.
A security code check has been added to the forms; this is to block spam, (electronic junk mail), sent by individuals who would wish to exploit our site.
The forms will be submited to the Centre office by e-mail and an acknowledgement will be sent to you provided you have included your e-mail address.
The relevant pages can be accessed from the menu at the top of this page under "Membership", "Bookings" and "Noticeboard".
No details posted on these forms are stored in an online database — all transactions are processed manually and data are held at the Centre. In addition this site does not use cookies to gather other information about you.
Safer Neighbourhoods Team
If you have ongoing concerns about crime and antisocial behaviour in our area Camden Town and Primrose Hill Safer Neighbourhoods Team can be contacted through:
Emergency services, local hospitals, surgeries and other important contact details can be found on our Community Contact Page.
Primrose Hill Neighbours Help
Do you know any isolated elderly people who live around Primrose Hill who might like a regular weekly visit from a friendly volunteer? Perhaps the person could do with a bit of help to get them out and about?
Are you elderly yourself, feel a bit lonely sometimes, and would like a friendly face popping by to see you each week or to help you get out?
Primrose Hill Neighbours Help befriending scheme has volunteers who would like to spend an hour or two each week helping isolated elderly people in these ways.
If you would like more information please phone (020) 7586 3627, (24 hour answering service), or e-mail phnhelp@yahoo.co.uk.
The Primrose Hill Neighbours Help befriending service covers what was the Chalk Farm voting ward.
Additionally, on Mondays between 2.00pm and 4.00pm in Chalk Farm library we have a drop-in information service for over 55s.
Disclaimer
Primrose Hill Community Association (PHCA) cannot accept responsibility for the content of external websites.
PHCA does not accept any payment for the inclusion of these sites.
The inclusion of a link in these web pages to an external web site should not imply any endorsement by PHCA of the web site, the site's owners, products, goods or services, or any opinions expressed within it.
© Primrose Hill Community Association 2012