05.05.20 Newsletter no.6

A new website for everyone in Lissenden Gardens - An exciting new website www.lissendengardens.co.uk has been launched for all of us who live on the Lissenden Gardens estate. 

Created, remarkably, in just a few short weeks by a team of volunteers, and funded by the Lissenden Gardens Tenants Association (LGTA), the site brings together in one easily-accessible ‘hub’ lots of useful information about the estate.   

Tamsin Pearce, who has played a leading role in making it all happen, says the site will be ‘modest and apolitical’, and ‘will provide information and useful links for everyone who lives here’. She adds that, although it’s still a ‘work in progress’, it already includes an inspiring history of the estate, links to LGTA information and minutes, useful council numbers, and a special Covid help section.    

You’ll find recent videos of our Thursday ‘Clap for Carers’ and links to media coverage of the estate, and last week’s Clap for Carers, again edited magnificently by Paul, is already up. Information about Grow Lissenden and the tennis court will come soon.   

The site is run by volunteers and does not seek to duplicate or comment on work undertaken by existing organisations. The ability for regular updating is limited, but if you are interested in contributing time to the site, or if you have useful ideas, or skills in copy writing, link-checking, proof-reading etc., please email lissendeninfo@gmail.com .

The website is run by the community for the community, so why not visit www.lissendengardens.co.uk and let us know what you think. 

Like to star in a video on the Ham&High website? 

The Ham&High newspaper has asked us to provide an up-to-date video of our balcony ‘Clap for carers’ on Thursday. Al Simmons, from Parly, has offered to shoot it so if you are on your balcony there’s a chance you might feature.

The bulk refuse shed is now in operation again

Please don’t dump big bits of rubbish in the bin recesses. Use the bulk refuse shed next to the passage through to the Heath.

Special VE-Day birthday for one of our oldest residents

Congratulations to Kitty Geertsma, who will be 93 on Friday 8th May. She moved into Chester Court in the late 1970s, and has been self-isolating for the past six weeks. Kitty has been a good friend and kind neighbour to many in Lissenden Gardens over the years, so we all want to say: ‘Happy Birthday Kitty!’

Local coffee shop opposite Gospel Oak Station reopens for takeaways

'The Little Oak' coffee shop, which brands itself as selling ethically-based products, has started opening from 9.30am – 11.30am each morning. The shop had been closed, which had a devastating financial impact, the owner says, but he has now been allowed to re-open to serve local people.

Would you like some musicians to do a back-garden concert? 

We’ve tried out half-hour back-garden concerts at 71-80, and 81-90 Parliament Hill Mansions on consecutive Sundays and they’ve been such a roaring success we’d like to offer our travelling players to other stairways. 

The musicians can play folk, jazz, Latin or pop songs, as well as some kids’ songs – you can choose. To avoid any risk of infection, the performers either come from the same household or observe social distancing, and everyone on the stairway stays on their balcony.

How do you go about it? 

First, you’ll need someone on the ground floor of your stairway who has a back garden with a side gate and who’ll let us plug in our microphones for 30 minutes.

Second, you’ll have to get the agreement of people on your stairway. It’s not loud and everyone seems to enjoy it, but it’s important to involve everyone in the decision.

Stairway recitals 

If your stairway doesn’t have access to a back garden, we can offer a 15-minute early-evening stairway recital. One or two musicians can come and perform a 15-minute classical recital, or a guitarist/singer can play some modern songs. Or do you have home grown talent who could perform for their neighbours?

Social distancing must be observed, but everyone’s safety can be guaranteed if neighbours stand at, or inside, their own doors or at the junctions between landings. The musicians can play on the ground floor or up at the first stair-turning, but they must be able to keep at least two metres away from residents. Acoustic instruments work well and no amplification is needed. For details/advice, phone Frank: 07757 706419.

Would you prefer to get this newsletter electronically?

We’re going to continue to post this newsletter through people’s door to ensure everyone can keep up to date with what’s going on in Lissenden, but if you’d prefer to get it electronically, email: newsletter.lgta@gmail.com