Church Street Newsletter October 2024
Getting Ready for Action
You may have noticed the new pink hoarding that’s now in place on Broadley Street. Although blank right now, it’ll soon have messaging about what’s to come (such as new homes) at Site A – to hopefully get everyone excited!
Our demolition contractors Keltbray have been on site now since September and have begun work behind the scenes. So far, they have:
-Cleared Lambourne House gardens on Broadley Street
-Started to remove internal fixtures and fittings inside Ingerbourne House
-Put up the hoardings on Broadley Street
-On site offices and facilities for Keltbray staff
-Installed temporary water and electric supplies
Dates for your Diary
Drop ins with our partner Mount Anvil Every Wednesday at Church Street library, 2pm to 4pm.
From November, we will be doing the drop ins at Church Street Library every Wednesday, 4pm to 5pm.
Triangle Studio’s and Cafe Launch Event is coming in November. Dates and times for the event is TBC. Look out on our Facebook page and website for further details.
Want to work in Construction?
Keltbray attended an Employment Day last month at Greenside Community Centre aimed at residents interested in a career in construction. From this employment day, Keltbray recruited local resident Harvel.
Harvel was one of the first people to approach the Keltbray stand and was keen to understand what opportunities we had available.
Jamie Parks, Head of Sustainability at Keltbray said ‘We discussed what work Harvel had done previously and what he could expect from the job role, it was clear that Harvel had the right attitude towards gaining employment so we exchanged contact details. Over the next week we spoke on the phone and arranged for Harvel to come to Church Street and meet the site team so he could see the project and ask any further questions. It was agreed that Harvel would be offered a start and was back on site, bright and early the very next day.
It has only been a couple of weeks but Harvel has settled into the team and is learning as he works with the demolition operatives. Harvel is happy it is going well on site so far and pleased that he was able to start so soon.
Keltbray are looking forward to seeing Harvel develop in his role and plan to put him through a CCDO course in the coming months which is a demolition related short course. Well done Harvel on your new role.
Triangle Studios
The long-anticipated opening of Triangle Studios and the new cafe is nearly here.
If you are interested in Triangle Studios, you can register your interest by visiting www.arbeit.org.uk/church-street-nw8
Vivi has been running a community project in Church Street and has previously attended our monthly community
market where she was able to meet the community and showcase her project. We spoke to Vivi to find more about what she does.
Introducing Vivi
Q: Can you tell us about your project?
A: I have taught local people in North Westminster how to live in an eco-friendly way since 2022. I have delivered most of the sessions at the Church Street Library, which is a much-loved local resource. My workshops have been grant funded by Westminster City Council and Veolia. I have started a
new green project called London Kabaari.
We promote circular economy principles by delivering fun and engaging educational events combining the strengths of established community groups with a shared vision. Participants will learn key principles of waste reduction, re-use, and recycling. Not only will they learn about these principles, but implement them by learning to make sustainable, eco-friendly products and repairing items that would otherwise be discarded. We will offer membership to groups, organisations, and individuals who wish to participate and volunteer within the structure. Our initiative aims to create zero waste neighbourhoods. We want to build a resilient, fair and thriving green community, starting
in the Church Street ward in Westminster.
Q: How did you get the space on Church Street?
A: One of the founding members of the London Kabaari, Luka Zumbach, told us about the opportunity. We had discussions with Arbeit Studios. We will start by using the Community space of the Creative Enterprise Hub on Church Street.
Q: What will you be doing from there?
A: We will start by delivering fun and educational events. The participants will learn how to live and work in a more sustainable way. Our first event will be a launch event to be held in December. We are looking forward to making
a big, positive impact in collaboration with local organisations, groups and individuals that are interested in sustainability. Personally, I am also happy that my enthusiastic eco club members will get to continue their green journey with me.
Q: How did the monthly community market help with your business?
A: When I started my first green grant project, I was lucky enough to be invited to promote my eco sessions on the Church Street monthly community market. It helped me fill the seats of the eco club and I also formed some valuable relationships with local organisations and groups.
Q: What do you think you could bring to Church Street with your project/business idea?
A: London Kabaari will help local people, organisations and groups to become more sustainable. We think that together we can build a better community based on green values. We want building an eco-friendly lifestyle and community to be fun and engaging. We want to help people to save money. And in the future, we are also aiming to build community wealth through skills building and providing eco-friendly services as well as making and selling eco-friendly products.
Q: What do you like about the Church Street community?
A: I love that there are so many different cultures represented. There are lots of kind-hearted people living in the area who want to help others to do better in life. The area and the people living in it have a lot of potential.
Gateway Academy Coffee Morning
A big thank-you to Gateway Academy for allowing us to join their coffee morning to update parents on the Site A demolition and to meet members of the Regeneration Team. We hope to make this a monthly event and look forward to meeting more parents at Gateway and other schools in Church Street.
If you would like to know more about Church Street Regeneration projects, you can visit us at 56 Church Street, call us on 0207 641 2968 and visit our website at www.churchstreet.org
Church Street Antiques Fair
Sunday 15 September saw the return of our annual Church Street Antiques Fair. The fair gives antique dealers both from the UK and abroad a chance to showcase their wares alongside our businesses on the antique quarter including Alfie’s Antiques.
It was also a great opportunity for us to connect and talk to our residents about what’s happening in Church Street. The fair was organised by The Church Street Antiques and Art Dealers’ Association and Alfie’s Antiques Market in
partnership with Westminster City Council.
If you have any questions about the demolition programme, you can contact Adrian Buch, the Project Manager, by using the following: Adrian.Buch@keltbray.com, 07902 437 389.
You can also sign up for regular demolition updates by visiting bit.ly/Site-A-demolition or scanning the QR code:
