The Environment Centre:

The Environment Centre has been designed by Anne Thorne Architects to exemplary sustainable standards, with the local community involved through all stages of the design process. The building is to act as a sustainable learning tool in both its construction, its operation, and the future activities that will take place under its green roof once the building is complete.

The most exciting aspects of this project is the straw bale wall construction. Supported on low impact timber pile foundations, as well as locking CO2 emissions into the very fabric of the building.

The external straw-bale walls are non-load-bearing in this building. Douglas Fir timber columns support the green roof above, and the building design maximises natural light, and is constructed with a tactile palette of natural materials, that include clay plasters ,unfired earth blocks, FSC  timber and robust stone gabions. Raised above the green roof, a Photovoltaic roofing film will power lights and services, as well as  continuing the line of the historic hedgerow below, guiding  local bats to the lake at dusk.

The Environment Centre has also been designed to Passivhaus standards in order minimise the  energy use and  CO2 emissions the building in operation, as well as dramatically reducing the running costs of the building. Passivhaus requires very high levels of air-tightness in construction, low U-values, triple-glazed windows; in the winter, this super-insulated and air-tight  building provides a welcoming and draught-free meeting place, with minimal heating required.

Get involved!

Who?  

The straw bale build of the Environment Centre is being ran by straw bale building expert Barbara Jones,  who will provide a unique opportunity for you to be directly involved in the building’s construction, learning new skills in sustainable construction practice and materials. Everybody is welcome!

When? 

The straw bale building is due to start on the 15^th of August, and will last for 3 weeks. Work will take place Mon-Fri, from 9am-5pm. We have space for 12 volunteers who must be able to commit to 1 week, Mon-Fri, but if you would like to be involved with the whole project, just let us know.

Where?  

The Environmental Centre will be in the heart of the Lordship Recreation Grounds in Tottenham, North London.

If you would like to get involved in this project or find out more don’t hesitate to get back to us at info@back2earth.org

Look forward to hearing from you!

Becky and the Back 2 Earth Team
Rebecca Ahmed
Volunteer and Trainee Co-ordinator
Back 2 Earth
info@back2earth.org
www.back2earth.org.uk

23rd October to 7th November
Open 7 days a week 10am – 5pm
Broadwater Farm Community Centre, 1 Adams Road, N17 6HE (by the entrance to the park)

The Broadwater Farm estate was built in 1967-71. Home to around 4,000 residents, in the early years there was a lot of discontent with aspects of the design and management, and the lack of community facilities.

However, in 1985 Diana, Princess of Wales, visited to congratulate the Broadwater Farm Youth Association on its success in organising activities and for their efforts to turn around conditions on the estate.

Just months later Broadwater Farm experienced one of the worst nights of civil unrest anywhere on mainland Britain. It shocked the nation but it nearly destroyed a community.
Today, after many improvements achieved by the strenuous efforts of the residents – including the Broadwater Farm Residents Association – in partnership with the Council, Broadwater Farm is seen as a model of social housing attracting the admiration of visitors from around the world.

Through wall panels, display cases, paintings and video this exhibition explores the amazing and inspiring history of the estate, and the heroic achievements of a community who from the very beginning fought against all the odds.

Sunday 19th September 2010

2pm – 5pm @ Lordship Rec

By Lordship Wood, at the southern end of Lordship Recreation Ground (by the Downhills Park Road entrance), London, N17

Information display + refreshments available. All welcome.

Sunday 19th September will be the 70th anniversary of the worst loss of life in Tottenham during the second world war. Over 40 people (and maybe as many as 80 or 90 altogether) of all ages from the local area were tragically killed while hiding in the ‘Downhills Shelter’ within what is now the Lordship Woodland. The underground shelter unfortunately suffered a direct hit from a German bomber plane which was seeking military targets nearby. Local residents and emergency services conducted a rescue operation, and a morgue was established in the Tottenham Hotspurs football ground. The incident had been ‘hushed up’ at the time in order not to undermine public morale, and then all but forgotten until the recent efforts of members of the Friends of Lordship Rec.

This year we will hold a special Commemoration Ceremony which will include survivors of the bombing, representatives of the families of those killed, and modern representatives of the organisations, statutory and civic bodies involved in the rescue operation. Local historian Ray Swain will explain the ongoing research effort to discover the names of all those who died and to track down families and survivors. More information: http://tottenham-summerhillroad.com/downhillsheltertragedy.htm

The Friends are asking for public donations towards a memorial feature to be installed during the planned regeneration works for Lordship Rec (which are currently awaiting the final go-ahead and funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund).

The Lordship woodland has been recently restored as a place for nature conservation and relaxation. In July this year the Friends of Lordship Rec received a national ‘Green Pennant’ award for their maintenance and management of the woodland.

We ask for widespread publicity for the event in order that any current family members of those who survived or died get to hear of the commemoration and have a chance to attend. If anyone knows any information about the whereabouts of such survivors or relatives, or would like to make a donation to a memorial, please contact Friends of Lordship Rec – dmorris@onetel.com / 020 8211 0916.

Girls, Ladies and Women-only event – for all ages – and its totally free!

This Saturday 16th January
Broadwater Farm Community Centre
Adams Road, N17
12noon – 5pm

This is the inaugural Open Day for a calendar of activities, sports and free skills training, just for women.  This Saturday, FOR FREE, try out a whole range of different sports:

• Rollerskating
• Football
• Badminton
• Netball
• Basketball
• Brazilian Dance
• Turkish Dance

Also, relax and chill out with therapeutic activities like Yoga and Tai Chi, Sewing and IT, Health and Beauty (Nails etc)   

You can watch demonstrations and then join in afterwards!

Free food will be provided by Back 2 Earth whose team of volunteers will be catering for many different tastes with a menu of global cuisine and deliciously healthy cooking. 

On top of all of this, there will be many information stalls and demonstrations telling you about services and activities to access in the area.  Health, employment, support for young mothers etc.                         

Come along and find out what you could be doing during this year!!

For more information, contact Judy Wills at the Community Centre, on 020 8801 4115  or Judy.Wills@haringey.gov.uk

Entrance by ticket. Must book in advance. Limited places.

Tickets from the Community Centre, the Church on the Farm, or from the Broadwater Farm Resident s Association

It’s that time of year again.  Santa is polishing his sleigh, the elves are running around madly sorting and wrapping Xmas Presents and putting up decorations, Mince pies are baking, and the Broadwater Farm Community Centre is hosting the annual Midwinter party for the children of the people who have worked with us and our partners all year.

This is a popular event, admission is by (free) ticket only and tickets are strictly limited to 70 children accompanied by a parent or responsible adult, for health and safety reasons.

Tickets are available from the Community Centre, and the Church on the Farm, so please display or circulate this poster as soon as possible, as they are usually snapped up quickly!

There are also a some tickets available from the Broadwater Farm Resident s Association.

This year we are working in Partnership with the Church on the Farm, Back 2 Earth, and the Broadwater Farm Ecumenical Group, and it looks like being a cracker!

Su Jolly
Broadwater Farm Community Centre Manager
1 Adams Road
London N17 6HE
Tel: 020 8885 7773
Mob: 07870 157804

So there you are – something for everyone: creative photography, cutting and slashing, or just come along for moral support (and see you in the hut afterwards for a cup of tea!).

Sunday 19th July, 1-3pm, Broadwater Farm Community Centre

On Sunday 19th July 2009, The Big Lunch (an Eden Project initiative) is inviting 61 million people across the UK to simultaneously sit down to eat lunch with their neighbours, as a simple act of community.

The aim is to give people the tools to strengthen their communities through activities such as neighbourhood-watch; improving local amenities, taking care of the elderly or disabled; making imaginative improvements to the local environment and sharing resources. 

Haringey Council (Neighbourhood Management) is facilitating a Big Lunch on the green space of the Broadwater Farm Community Centre.  You, and members of your group, are warmly invited.

SUNDAY 3rd MAY

2pm in the hut in the children’s playground.

Refreshments available. All park users and local residents welcome!

Catch up on all the news (and there’s lots of it!)

eg. Bike track, City Farm, wildlife areas, lake, flower beds, the woodland, fundraising, BWF community centre, new playground, staffing, our Community Festival (Sept 12th)….

Food Co-op market day and lunch at the BWF Centre cafe
1pm – 3pm @ the BWF Centre cafe
Organic and local supplies, plus delicious and cheap lunches home-cooked by local residents. All welcome!

Lordship Woodland Work-In
2pm – 4pm @ the Woodland by Downhills Park Rd
The Friends are holding another work-in to add more woodchip to the path through the woods. We’re hoping that many members and others will come along and help. Please, if you can, bring spades/wheelbarrows/buckets/gloves etc. Refreshments provided in the hut. All welcome!

Friday 27th March   5pm-8pm
[After the Tottenham food coop & community kitchen/cafe  12-4pm]
Broadwater Farm Community Centre
1 Adams Rd, Tottenham, N17 6HE [by Lordship Recreation Ground].

All welcome!
How to get there: Bus W4 to stop in Broadwater Farm estate – walk diagonally to Community Centre. Bus 123 or 243 to Lordship Rec gate – walk into park, then to left

‘It is very exciting bringing together all those involved in growing food throughout Haringey, whether on allotments, in back gardens, indoors, on green spaces or in schools. Its fun, good for the environment, and we’re determined to encourage many more to get their fingers dirty! This is all part of a world-wide shift to local sustainability and long term self-sufficiency.’ - Jo Foster, Sustainable Haringey network.

• Find out who’s growing what in your neighbourhood.
• Meet other growers, discover new projects, learn how to acquire new skills.
• Share ideas for new food-growing sites.
• Tell others what resources you can offer, and what you need.
• Watch presentations about existing projects, and photos and videos.
• Enjoy music and food with old and new friends.
• Bring and take gardening and cookery books.

Growing in Haringey is a new network of local individuals and groups promoting food growing across Haringey. Supporters include: Sustainable Haringey network; Haringey Allotments Forum; Haringey Federation of Residents Associations; Haringey Friends of Parks Forum; Back To Earth Projects; Tottenham Food Co-operative; Groundwork; Naturwise; Tree Trust for Haringey…. and many other local and borough-wide organisations! We will share information and link people’s needs and desires with existing and new projects and schemes.

What can you offer?  What do you need or desire?

• people to join new/existing project?
• plot of land for food-growing?
• skills, experience, learning, advice?
• physical help with private garden?
• opportunities while waiting for an allotment?
• what’s happening in your local neighbourhood?

Why not get involved?  Everyone can!

Growing In Haringey – Aims and objectives

• To increase the production of sustainable and healthy food in Haringey, by providing opportunities for people to grow their own and by promoting small-scale local producers
• To improve access to affordable food by removing barriers that may prevent people having access to good quality food
• To promote awareness of the health, community, social and environmental benefits of local food growing and production.
• To engage with the diversity of the food and food growing cultures of Haringey’s diverse population, reaching out to and engaging people of different cultures, languages, ethnicities, age groups and abilities
• To support the development of food growing and production skills and local enterprise and employment opportunities

The initiative arose out of the Sustainable Haringey Food Group, which is a working party dedicated to promoting and campaigning for local sustainable food, including policy, production, supply, distribution and retail. We are working alongside national and London schemes like Landshare and Capital Growth, and collaborating with similar initiatives in neighbouring boroughs.

More Info: www.sustainableharingey.org.uk – please publicise the website widely!
Contact: growinginharingey@blueyonder.co.uk