Apologied for the lack of posts recently - I’ve been snowed under with a busy few weeks at work and Council in the run-up to Christmas.

Just a quick note to say that it’s my surgery this Saturday (20th) from 10am until 11am at the McEwan Centre on Leybridge Court.

I’m expecting to be joined by a member of our local Police Safer Neighbourhood Team, so if you have any concerns you’d like to raise with me, or the police team, then do pop along.

As you might be aware, Manor House Library will be re-opening in 2009 after major refurbishment.   As well as a fully-refurbished library, there’ll be a number of rooms available for hire.  I’ve been asked by a member of the Manor House Project Board to draw this to your attention as there might be groups or individuals which might like to make use of these facilities - and if there are, it’d be great to get the building in full use from day one.  The leaflet reads as follows:

The Manor House in Lee reopens in 2009, after major refurbishment.  This Georgian building will offer modern facilities over four floors.

As well as a 21st century library, there will be a number of attractive and well-equipped rooms for hire.  The building will be fully-accessible to all, including wheelchair users.

If you wish to suggest, organise or attend activities in this beautiful, historic Grade II* listed building, set in an award-winning park, please contact us.

As an individual, or major corporation, you may wish to hire a space for events such as training courses, exhibitions, performances, functions, group meetings, counselling and much more.

To discuss your ideas and learn more about the spaces available, please ring 020 8314 8814 or email manorhouseproject {at} lewisham.gov(.)uk

It’s a great opportunity for you to be involved and make the most of this resource within our community.

I’ve spent the evening at the Lee Green Assembly Social, which I thought went really well.  Good turn-out from local groups and individuals, and a great atmosphere.   Lots of signing-up and networking going on, and plenty of ideas submitted for spending the £1,000 from the locality fund we’ve earmarked for small projects at Leegate and also for the £50,000 we’re going to have to spend over the next two years.

I’ve also got a few bits of casework to follow up, some ideas for projects and some people I think I should put in touch with other people!

My nagging regret is that I didn’t take my camera, but you live and learn.   Thanks as always to Ade and the assemblies team for pulling it all together, and to the assembly coordinating group for their input.

This weekend and next sees Lee Green Open Studios 2008.   Check out the website for details of the artists who are displaying their work this year and of the supporting events.

I really enjoyed last year’s event and we managed to use it to do some early Christmas shopping, too!    I’m quite busy this weekend, so I’m planning to visit at least some of the artists during the second weekend.

Opening times are Saturday 12-7 and Sunday 12-6 both weekends.  You can view the flier here.

Lee Green’s a great place to live - there’s so much going on and a great sense of community. To build on this, the next meeting of the Lee Green Assembly will be an informal social event where we can get together, meet each other and find out about the great work done by organisations active within the ward.

The social event will be held on Monday 17th November at Lochaber Hall on Manor Lane Terrace. Doors will open at 7pm, with the event kicking off at 7.30pm. This isn’t a formal meeting, so feel free to drop in any time before 9.30pm - but arrive early for the best chance of a mince pie!

We’re inviting a range of local groups to come along and have a stall at the assembly social, and you’ll also be able to meet your councillors and members of the assembly coordinating group.    If you represent a group who’d like to have a stall (they’re free!) then do let me know ASAP.

Finally, a date for your diary - the next formal assembly meeting will take place on Tuesday 17th February 2009 at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Handen Road.

This is the events list from the latest edition of E-Focus.   As ever, if you’d rather receive this direct to your in-box, you can sign up for E-Focus using the box on the right.

Manor House Gardens Farmers Market is on Saturday 1st November from 10am until 4pm.
 
Our local Animal Rescue Team are having a Jumble Sale on Saturday November the 8th at 11am at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Handen Road. Their flyer promises bargains galore and delicious refreshments.    If you have any jumble bring on the day or ring 020 8852 5936 for collection, or deliver to 94 Manor Lane.
 
It’s that time of year again – Lee Open Studios is on the 8th/9th November and 15th/16th November.  To find out what’s on, see their website at www.leegreenopenstudios.com
 
Blackheath Fireworks will be held on the 8th November from 8pm on the Heath.  This could be the last ever - see here for details of the campaign to save this event.  
 
The next meeting of the Lee Manor Society will be held from 8.00 pm on Wednesday 12 November at 66 Effingham Road.  Refreshments from 9.30 pm
 
Don’t forget the Lee Green Assembly Social Event on Monday 17th November from 7.30pm at Lochaber Hall
 
The next meeting of FUSS is on Tuesday 18th  November from 7.00 pm in the Parish Room at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Handen Road.
 
The launch meeting of Lewisham Speakers Club is on Wednesday 19th November at 7.15pm at Lochaber Hall (see here).
 
The local Lib Dems are holding a fundraising quiz night on Saturday 29th November from 7.30pm at Brandram Road Community Centre.   Entry is £12 (£7 concessions) and includes hot food.   To book, contact Janet Hurst at j-hurst {at} oldstead.wanadoo.co(.)uk or call 020 8698 6805.

Word reaches me of a new group setting up in Lee Green.   Lewisham Speakers are part of Toastmasters International - a network of thousands of speaking clubs with hundreds of thousands of members all over the world.

Lewisham Speakers Club are launching on Wednesday 19th November at 7.15pm at Lochaber Hall, and will continue to meet every month on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of th month.   Guests are welcome and can attend for free, while membership is £70 per year with a one-off joining fee of £15.

As Chris - who’s setting up the group - points out, speaking in front of people is the number one public fear.  Most members of toastmasters start as fearful, nervous speakers, but many end up speaking at a professional standard.  This is a great way to build confidence.

Further details can be found at www.lewishamspeakers.co.uk and www.toastmasters.org - or download the flyer here.