St Luke's Gardens Steering Group
Progress Report
Presented to the Norwood Action Group: Tuesday, 09 December 2003
Jan 2002
Group discussed issues involved in the scheme:
- Who owned the land
- What we want in the gardens
University of Greenwich offer to use gardens scheme as an exercise in landscape design: considered and accepted.
Chair, secretary and treasurer elected.
Agreed to open Bank account.
Agreed to invite John Brushe (architectural historian to address and advise the group)
Feb 2002
Sought & got copies of lease relating to transfer of land from Church to Council in 1949.
Meeting with University of Greenwich students
Advice received from Diocesan Registrar (legal department) that the gardens were owned by the vicar (subsequently found to be false!).
Received further advise from Diocesan Registrar on legal restriction on use and development on the land; particularly with regard to the 1874 Burials Act.
March 2002
John Brushe (architectural historian and buildings consultant) addressed group.
Second meeting with University of Greenwich students
April 2002
Group agreed they wanted railings re-instated in scheme.
Greenwich university schemes reviewed.
List of main items: "What we want in the Gardens" discussed. Agreed to produce document outlining conclusions.
May 2002
£2000 received from Norwood Partnership Board.
Group sought detailed plans used in the Gateway scheme. (These have never been found despite ongoing efforts)
"What we want in the Gardens" paper discussed and agreed.
July 2002
Agreed to consult Georgian Group
"What we want in the Gardens" agreed by Church PCC and by NAG.
Agreed we would need lottery funding. PCC previously against. Luke to consult PCC.
Agreed to seek advice of Iain Boulton (Lambeth Council) re grant-making bodies.
Aug 2002
Meeting with Mr Robert Bargery of Georgian Group who strongly supports railings, and provided a list of conservation architects.
Sept 2002
Iain Boulton addresses group and advises on possible grant-making bodies.
Oct 2002
New legal advice received from the Diocese that Lambeth own the memorial gardens (not vicar / St Luke's) but that vicar / St Luke's own land to south of memorial gardens.
We therefore need council permission to proceed.
Need clarification on lease: Do Council own gardens freehold or leasehold?
Dec 02
Town Centre manager invited but unable to attend.
Clarence Riley (Lambeth: Parks & Gardens) attends and addresses group re: parks & maintenance issues.
Agreed to seek advice from Council re legal status of ownership (leasehold or freehold) via scrutiny. Richard Moore to action.
Feb 2003
Presentation by Iain Boulton re grant making bodies.
Photo's of lost railings and gates found and circulated.
Mar 2003
Papers from Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) asked for and received.
Draft Architects brief produced and discussed.
Application to HLF Public Parks Initiative sent off.
April 2003
PC Skinner addressed the group to advise us about 'designing out crime' in any new scheme.
Greenwich University designs for the gardens received and considered. A clear favourite chosen.
May 2003
Architects Brief finalised.
Applications and queries sent off to various grant-making bodies - unsuccessful.
June 2003
HLF Public Parks Initiative said we needed confirmation from the Council that our scheme fitted in with local strategies.
Letter written to Town Centre Manager asking for his assurance as above. Reply received.
Grant making bodies: progress reviewed. Little encouragement so far.
Architects Brief circulated to selected list of architects asking if they would be interested in such a scheme.
Agreed we needed a Project Manager to push the scheme along. Agreed to approach 2The Experience Corps" for possible help.
July 2003
Meeting with Jane Stancliffe of HLF at their offices in Holbein Place SW1. A rather discouraging meeting.
Edward Blyden of The Experience Corps addressed group. He assured us that he could get us a lot of help and many experienced people. (Nothing materialised!)
Informal quotes from railings company asked for and received.
Aug 2003
Approval of Diocese and NAG to proceed with scheme received
In light of absenteeism of some members agreed to seek fresh appointments from NAG to Steering Group.
Sept 2003
Group registered with ENTRUST (Opens way for possible Landfill grants) Cost £100.
A heated and difficult Group meeting.
Edward Blyden fails to attend.
£500 received from NAG / Area Committee.
Responses from architects begin to come in. Cost of preliminary scheme: £5-10,000.
Oct 2003
Informal estimate received for stonework repairs: £50,000
Agreed we need Council to get more involved. They own the land, therefore they have a responsibility.
Need for fundraising agreed.
Town centre manager attended second half of meeting. Warmly welcomed.
Nov 2003
No meeting: Chair in Africa
Dec 2003
Meeting with councillors Clare Whelan and Geraldine Evans to discuss Council support and involvement in project.
