Black Business Initiative Awards 2013 Nominations are now open. You may wish to nominate yourself, a person, business or organisation of your choice that you think deserves recognition for their achievements and significant contributions to the social and economic empowerment of our diverse communities.

 The awards categories for 2013 are:

Sponsorship offers are welcomed in any of these award categories.

For more information:  exhibition at the event, advertising in the event brochure, sponsorships, and early birds tickets offers, contact 020 7277 7333 or email info@bbinitiative.com and or visit www.bbinitiative.com

Peckham Park Baptist Church is inviting people who live nearby to come and help transform their outdoor community space into a beautiful community garden.

If you are interested in joining in please contact: Christina Borgenstierna  07703 625 682  or nickybashall@yahoo.co.uk  Community Garden at Peckham Park Rd Baptist Church, Peckham Park Rd, SE15 6SX

For Further Information see flyer Community Garden PPRBC (2) Poster 04 13

A deputation organised by Peckham Vision  to theSouthwark Council’s Cabinet on 16th April went successfully. The Cabinet said that the report to stop wholesale clearence businesses on the Peckham Rye Station Site was not accurate, and their aim was not to clear all the businesses out of the buildings and arches around the station.

See news reports:

* Peckham Vision  ‘Deputation to Cabinet to stop wholesale clearance of businesses on station site 16 April 2013′ -  http://goo.gl/2XXVs

* South London Press 23 April 2013 – http://goo.gl/O5cYj

* Southwark News 25 April 2013 – http://goo.gl/eYzQS

* ARTWEEKLY – http://goo.gl/rQfmX

Because of the lack of clarity, we have produced a summary explanation with a map of the different parts of the station site to assist the community discussion about the issues and the possibilities. See http://goo.gl/PnMPw

The Council’s Overview Scrutiny Committee decided that there were issues which needed to be probed before the Cabinet decision was implemented. The Scrutiny Committee paper summarising the issue is here: http://goo.gl/NQowI

This meeting took place on  7th May. More news to come about the decisions from the meeting.

The only public toilets in Peckham town centre are on Atwell Road. They are not pleasant to use. The Council now has £11m to recreate the public square in front of the station and make major improvements in Network Rail’s land around Peckham Rye station. See http://goo.gl/UyYGZ. This is the moment to ensure that the changes include good quality public toilets with an adequate management system.

 A petiion is being organisided by local people to petition Southwark Council and Network Rail to provide public toilets as part of the work to improve the areas around Peckham Rye station.”

The petition will be available in shops in Rye Lane and in local cafes and pubs etc for signature.

It can also be downloaded – see http://goo.gl/exNmy – to collect signatures and returned to the RLTA ‘Suggestion Box’, at Khan’s Bargain Ltd, 135 Rye Lane, as indicated on the petition.

So if you think you can collect signatures in your neighbourhood or get a petition into your local shops or pubs, do please download and take them round.

The Gardens in colloboration with Peckham Vision and the local “Paxton” chapter of the BNIhttp://www.bnidulwich.co.uk.  invites all local business owners and professionals to come to our FREE evening networking event, no speeches or pitches, just networking.

As with any networking event bring lots of business cards and be ready to talk to lots of interesting local business people.

There will be representatives of local banks attending in support of the event and to offer guidance and input.

If you would like to attend or have any questions please contact Dominic Boyle via email dcb@palacecomms.com

Date: 14th March 2013

Time:  6.30 – 8.30pm Venue: The Gardens Café, 184 Peckham Rye, SE22 9QA

More information:  http://www.thegardensdulwich.com

Southwark Legal Advice Network invites you to a briefing event on The Big London Energy Switch

The project combats rising energy costs by bringing people together to strengthen bargaining power – with estimated savings between £60 and £200 per household.

Come along to the briefing event find out more about the scheme and how you can help local residents

Date: Monday 18th March 2013

Time: 2 – 4pm

Venue: St Peter Church, Inspire, Liverpool Grove, SE17 2HH

More information: sheryl.charles@southwark.gov.uk