UPPER NORWOOD children’s library launches its fifth ‘Crystal Palace Park and Read’ on Monday (October 1st).
For younger children age three to seven the library are promoting the series of picture books featuring Winnie the Witch by Valerie Thomas, illustrated by Korky Paul.
There will be competitions to enter from October 1st until Saturday December 1st. Children’s librarian Fiona Byers will be reading one or two Winnie the Witch stories on Saturday October 13th from 2.30pm. The event is free but donations are welcome!
A stripy party will be held on Saturday November 3rd to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the publication of Winnie the Witch and Where’s Wally? (by Martin Handford) from 2 to 4.30pm. Cost: £2 per child (adults free!) No need to book – just turn up.
For older children (age seven to 11) the library are promoting Roald Dahl books, especially The BFG which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
Fiona will be reading The BFG two or three times a week from the week beginning October 1st until November 23rd. The days will vary in each week but every week it will happen on a Thursday. The time for starting will be 3.30pm and last about 20 minutes as she will be reading about 25 pages each week. The dates will be:
Week 1 – Tues 2nd Oct, Thurs 4th Oct, Fri 5th Oct
Week 2 – Tues 9th Oct, Thurs 11th Oct, Fri 12th Oct
Week 3 – Mon 15th Oct, Thurs 18th Oct
Week 4 – Mon 22nd Oct, Thurs 25th Oct, Fri 26th Oct
Week 5 – Mon 29th Oct, Tues 30th Oct, Thurs 1st Nov
Week 6 – Tues 6th Nov, Thurs 8th Nov
Week 7 – Mon 12th Nov, Thurs 15th Nov
Week 8 – Mon 19th Nov, Thurs 22nd Nov & Fri 23rd Nov.
In a leaflet announcing the events Fiona says: “The idea is you come one evening each week to listen to the story. “If you cannot make one or two of the weeks – do not fear!
“I shall be giving a short summary of the story so far before reading the pages for that session. “There is no need to book in advance. “Just turn up after school and ENJOY!”
(The sessions are free but, again, donations would be welcome).
There will be a Roald Dahl quiz, available to enter from October 1st to December 1st. The library will be having a Roald Dahl pyjama party on Friday November 30th from 4.30 to 6.30pm. All children aged five to 11 welcome. Cost: £2 per child (adults free!). No need to book – just turn up.
In the leaflet Fiona has also said a big ‘Thank You’ to mums and dads “for bringing in your children to tell us about the books they read over the summer. “By the official deadline, 260 children had registered to take part (199 last year) and 97 had completed the challenge (95 last year).
“Although the official deadline has passed, we are allowing families who have already signed up to finish off any they have not yet told us about. “We will talk to the children about their Story Lab books until this Saturday (Sept 29th) after which it really is over!”
*The title ‘Park and Read’ was dreamt up by former Upper Norwood ward Cllr George Filbey.
MUGGERS TARGET BUS PASSENGERS
A PAIR OF muggers on a BMX bike with no lights are targeting passengers getting off 249 buses on Church Road, Upper Norwood.
One person posting on local blog site ‘Virtual Norwood’ says attempts have been made along Church Rd / Sylvan Hill / Stambourne Way . “Usually they wait until the 249 bus has let people off then follow behind ”Why don’t the police just pull them guys over for riding on the pavements with no lights at night and search them etc?”
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A second poster says that in another incident in Belvedere Rd at around 11pm one Friday night a friend had his rucksack stolen. “He was blocked by a large stocky guy then another guy on a BMX cycled passed and ripped the rucksack off his shoulder. “The BMX guy then turned on Cintra Park, while the stocky guy run back up Belvedere Rd.
“He reported it the police and was told that this was the third reported incident of this type within the last few weeks with the same MO.”
FURTHER COMPLAINTS of muggings and anti-social behaviour by cyclists has appeared on the local Virtual Norwood blog spot.
One has told how a lady friend was escorted home from Crystal Palace station by herself and her partner.
Another poster has complained: “Yet again tonight whilst walking the dogs along Auckland Road, Sylvan Hill, Church Road, Beulah Hill, Hermitage Road and the Triangle the pavements were alive with youths/men whizzing along on BMX / mountain bikes with no lights and dressed like ninjas face masks et al !
“Cutting across the road weaving in between traffic and onto pavements is daft in the dark but given the recent bag snatches and petty crime I feel peeved that it continues .
“Cutting across the road weaving in between traffic and onto pavements is daft in the dark but given the recent bag snatches and petty crime I feel peeved that it continues .
“Sending another email to the SNT (Safer Neighbourhood Team) and council but have yet to get answer to question of how many £30 fines have been issued and if anyone was searched for drugs/weapons/stolen goods and the outcome etc.”
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST WANTS YOU TO GET ‘ON BOARD’
CRYSTAL PALACE Community Development Trust are looking for people with HR, finance, fundraising, PR or legal experience to join their board of Trustees.
The trust have two significant projects on the go at the moment – running Anerley town hall and the Kingswood community shop on the Kingswood Estate – but hope to branch out into other areas.
“We’re also looking for people willing to get a bit more involved, so if you want to do something for the community, this might just be the thing for you” said a spokesperson.. “Have a look at our website (www.cpcdt.org.uk – it’s undergoing a refresh soon, but gives you an idea of what we do) and get in touch with Tracey on 020 8676 5666 to find out more.
“In the words of Delia – lets be avin you!”
The Trust’s website says it was launched in March 2004. It is a community-based enterprise that operates for the benefit of those who live and work in the several towns, neighbourhoods and estates that comprise the Crystal Palace area of South London.
It is similar to some 200 or more geographically-focused bodies in the UK that help empower local people and aim to bring about a significant improvement to their neighbourhood and their quality of life. It is a member of the Development Trusts Association (DTA) and shares the same characteristics as all other DTA members:
• Engaged in the economic, social and environmental regeneration of a defined area or community.
• Independent and aiming for self-sufficiency.
• Not for private profit.
• Community-owned with a substantial degree of community management.
• Actively involved in partnerships between the community and the public and private sectors.
