Held at Forest Hill Community Library on 15 October 2024
Welcome
The Chair, Claus Murmann, welcomed everyone present and on Zoom. Claus announced that he would be stepping down as Chair, expressing his sadness at leaving Forest Hill. He thanked everyone involved in the various committees for their support during his four-year tenure.
Apologies for absence were received from Quetta Kaye, Andrew Orford, Alona Sheridan, and Kailesh Patel.
Claus introduced the guest speaker, Patricio Forrester, the artist responsible for the new mural on the wall of WH Smith overlooking the station forecourt.
Guest Speaker: Patricio Forrester
Patricio shared his passion for participatory art, emphasizing the importance of involving others in the creative process. By combining local knowledge with his artistic expertise, significant energy and progress could be achieved. The mural, a result of collaborative workshops and public input, exemplifies this approach, with over 1,000 people voting on the final design.
Patricio also discussed the School of Muralism at Goldsmith’s College, which has been running for five years. To date, 44 people have graduated, supported by four scholarships for individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds and former inmates. Two graduates contributed to the Forest Hill mural, particularly in designing the "Bugs Eye" perspective. Graduates and volunteers alike helped with the painting process.
Everyone present expressed their gratitude to Patricio and his team for their fantastic work on the mural, which has received positive public feedback.
Annual Review
Claus reviewed the past year’s events:
The Christmas quiz raised £1,200 for Lewisham Foodbank.
The Christmas lights event was a success.
The visit to Asterley Brothers was so popular a second visit was organized.
The June walking festival and edible plant giveaway are recommended for repetition.
The summer quiz raised nearly £400 for Forest Hill Library.
The visit to Brockley Hill Park offered a fascinating insight into this private space.
Claus also highlighted the successes of the sub-committees:
The Transport Committee attended meetings with operator companies, resulting in improvements to morning peak train services. The Society also successfully campaigned against London City Airport’s weekend overflight plans.
The Environment Committee received an "Outstanding" award for their community gardening efforts at the station and nearby roads.
A new website has been launched.
The Planning Committee made several important representations.
Upcoming events include a guided pub history walk on 19 October, a community gardening session on 26 October, the Christmas Quiz on 5 December, and the Christmas Tree Lights on 7 December.
Claus concluded by thanking Alona Sheridan, who is stepping down after many years of dedicated service on the Executive and Planning & Development Committees.
Michael Abrahams thanked Claus for his leadership, noting the Society’s strong emergence from the pandemic under his guidance.
Treasurer’s Report
Gary Thornton presented the financial report, noting that the Society remains in good financial health. Although expenditure exceeded income, this was due to charitable donations made to local causes, including the group opposing London City Airport’s expansion, Forest Hill Library, and Albion Millennium Green.
Membership stands at 374, compared to 379 last year. Efforts to increase membership will be a focus moving forward.
Questions and Answers
Claus invited questions and observations regarding the review, the treasurer’s report, and general topics related to Forest Hill.
Funding for the mural came from a National Community Infrastructure Levy grant, with some remaining funds available for a bike repair station.
Tim Walker elaborated on the Society’s support for the HACAN East campaign, which successfully blocked weekend overflights from London City Airport. The airport will not appeal the government’s decision.
Fundraising events, such as quizzes, will continue to support local causes. The Society has applied for funding to refresh the Walrus mural under the railway bridge.
The naming of the Overground lines, such as the Windrush Line to Forest Hill, has received mixed reactions, aimed at linking the network to local history.
Election of Officers
The following officers were elected for 2024-25:
Chair:Â Rob McIntosh (proposed by Gary Thornton, seconded by Jason Kee)
Vice Chair:Â Jason Kee (proposed by Claus Murmann, seconded by Michael Abrahams)
Secretary:Â John Firmin (proposed by Claus Murmann, seconded by Jason Kee)
Treasurer:Â Gary Thornton (proposed by Claus Murmann, seconded by John Firmin)
Membership Secretary:Â Belinda Evans (proposed by Michael Abrahams, seconded by Gary Thornton)
No other nominations were received, and all nominees were duly elected.
Executive Committee
Three members of the outgoing committee did not seek re-election: Alona Sheridan, Kailesh Patel, and Stephanie Cooke. The following members will join the officers on the Executive Committee for 2024-25: Andrew Orford, Katherine Willett, Claire Gayle, Tim Walker, Quetta Kaye, Penelope Jarrett, Michael Abrahams, Derek Randall, and Colin Povey.
The committee reminded attendees that new members are always welcome to join the sub-committees.
Other Business
Lime Bikes:Â The Transport sub-committee has written to the Council regarding the obstruction of walkways by Lime Bikes. Designated hubs for bike parking are planned, with consultation on their locations and enforcement to follow.
Bell Green Development:Â Concerns were raised about the plans for Bell Green, which resemble an out-of-town development within a town setting. The absence of a master plan poses a potential issue.
Capitol Pub: The former Capitol Pub on London Road is set to become a Gambado Children’s Activity Centre. The business will be invited to share their plans with the Society.
Sub-committee Recruitment:Â More volunteers are needed for the sub-committees, particularly to improve communications and increase membership.
Conclusion
The meeting concluded at 8:35 PM.
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