BRUG June Newsletter REC LISTING: YOUR CONTRIBUTION MATTERS

REC LISTING: YOUR CONTRIBUTION MATTERS Tell Historic England why the Rec is important to you and your community. Historic England is currently considering the application of DOCOMOMO, an international architecture organisation, to list the Rec in recognition of its architectural, social and community significance. The Council has only guaranteed the Rec's life until 2022, after which its future is uncertain. Listing will: * Help protect the good features of the building like the pool, the atrium and sports hall * Ensure any major changes have to be more carefully managed * Oblige the Council to consult fully and justify proposed significant changes The direct personal support of users and the wider community are significant in Historic England's decision Please email Philip.Seely@HistoricEngland.org.uk, quote case No. 1434761 copy to recusergroup@btinternet.com A small selection of comments to date: The unique architecture of the Rec makes it so grand and enjoyable to come to it. This building is a true gift to Brixton... Never will the equivalent be replicated. BG The recreation centre is far far more than a building..it is the past, the present and future of what we want both London and Brixton to become. It's is a beacon of hope for human interaction. JY   To enable the people of Brixton to go each day into such a wonderful building with its spacious and unifying atrium is so appropriate for many people who of necessity live in cramped spaces is wonderful and must not be destroyed... VB (Afewee) and the building have been essential to the integration of children from deprived backgrounds and avoid a repeat in the riots, taking children off the streets from the gang-life. GL   Brixton Rec is a integral part of the Brixton community. It is an example of classy functional architecture that offers a broad range of spaces for the 'ordinary people' in a society that should value that. LR A place for the community to have fun in doing a whole heap of different things, catering for both young, older and all ages in between. A ‘Feel Good Factor' A building that looked good, a modern piece of architecture,...something for Brixton to boast about, to show off, to prove Brixton was on the up. 414 Club   Read Docomomo's application here. BRUG has submitted a statement strongly supporting the listing of the Rec. Read here.

Pics by Simon Kennedy Copyright © 2015, Brixton Rec User Group, All rights reserved.

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BRUG May News Letter 2016

REC LISTING The international architectural organisation, DOCOMOMO, has applied for the Rec to be listed in recognition of its architectural, social and community significance. BRUG is has been consulted by Docomomo and the BRUG Committee supports this application. We believe listing of the Rec will protect its unique architectural features (like the pool, the atrium and sports hall) as well as the huge range of recreational facilities for the future. A listing would celebrate and recognise the vital role the Rec has played in the cultural and social life of Brixton residents, through a history of turbulent change. Listing would ensure that any major changes proposed by the Council are more carefully managed, and would have to be explained and justified publicly. The council have committed to keeping the Rec operational until at least 2022. BRUG wants to know what their plans for the Rec are after 2022. Tell Historic England (the body that recommends listing) why the Rec is important to you. Email Philip.Seely@HistoricEngland.org.uk, with the reference 1434761 copy to recusergroup@btinternet.com. Read Docomomo's application here. BRUG has submitted a statement strongly supporting the listing of the Rec. Read here.

New Brixton Rec Forum BRUG & GLL Rec User Forum held its first meeting in April. The Purpose of the Forum is to take a positive strategic view of the activities, services, and facilities in the Rec. The Forum represents the many different types of Rec Users: gym, swimming, racket sports, bowls, exercise classes, over 55s club, community clubs, as well as BRUG and GLL. 12-15 people will attend regularly, with others invited on particular issues. It will meet quarterly. Darren Pope, Rec General Manager, Geordie Logan, Rec Operations Manager, and Sue Robinson Community Sports Officer attend for GLL and pursue Forum proposals. Main topics for the next 3 meetings: Areas for social interaction, e.g. A cafe Customer service/ customer feedback and communication strategies. Bowls- how to increase participation Read more at here. Council reinstates consultation with BRUG Cllr Jack Hopkins, the new Executive Member for Leisure & Regeneration, has reinstated the regular Rec consultation meetings with BRUG. This follows a positive meeting between him and David Duncan, BRUG Chairperson. The focus of the first meeting in July will be how the rest of the £6m money to make the Rec fit until 2022. The first expenditure was on the new boilers. Studios 1 & 2 are to be refurbished A new false ceiling will be put into studio 2 next to the bowling green. The studios brickwork will be covered by dry lining. Some aspects of lighting and ventilation are in need of attention.  Objections raised to this:  The red brickwork and the wooden floors are both functional, attractive and in good condition. They are important in the overall design of the Rec. Users think changes should be in level 1 studio only which is hot & noisy. Users want a decent silent air con unit. (From Users Survay) We would ask that GLL respect the architectural integrity of the studio spaces Please let us know what you think ASAP so we can pass on to GLL. Email: recusergroup@btinternet.com.

Pics by Simon Kennedy Copyright © 2015, Brixton Rec User Group, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: recusergroup@btinternet.com

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New Brixton Rec Forum

Studio 2 with fine brickwork and wooden floors

BRUG & GLL have set up the Rec User Forum. 

The Purpose of the Forum is to take a positive strategic view of the activities, services, facilities in the Rec.

The Forum will represent the many different types of Rec Users: gym, swimming, racket sports, bowls, exercise classes, over 55s club, community clubs, as well as BRUG and GLL. 12-15 people will attend regularly, with others invited on particular issues. It will meet quarterly. Darren Pope, Rec General Manager, Geordie Logan, Rec Operations Manager, and Sue Robinson Community Sports Officer attend for GLL and pursue Forum proposals. The inaugural meeting highlighted the following aims.

• Good communication between users and management. 

• Bring the whole of the Rec building together. Users and management. 

• Improving standards. 

• Ways to encourage more young people to use it 

• Opportunities for sports grants. 

• Consultation on changes within the building.

 Main topics for the next 3 meetings are Areas for social interaction, e.g. A cafe Customer service/ customer feedback and communication strategies. Bowls- how to increase participation All meetings will consider Cleaning Maintenance Building developments/ Future Developments Community events 

Studios 1 and 2 will be refurbished. 

A new false ceiling will be put into studio 2 next to the bowling green. The studios brickwork will be covered by dry lining. Some aspects of lighting and ventilation are in need of attention.

Objections raised to this: 

• The red brickwork and the wooden floors are both functional, attractive and in good condition. They are important in the overall design of the Rec. 

• We would ask that GLL respect the architectural integrity of the studio spaces

Darren said he will take these concerns to senior management and report back to Forum, the refurbishment of studios will mean a “fresh new look”. studio 2 looked dark and dated, this is the GLL corporate look for all the centres it manages.

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BRUG Newsletter September 2015

AFEWEE BOXING CLUB Want to box competitively or for fun? Afewee, a community-based club, runs boxing classes for girls and boys, men and women, of all abilities. Boxing classes started in May 2014 and Afewee was recognised as a competitive club affiliated to the London Amateur Boxing Association in February 2015. They now run 8 classes per week for kids (under 11), juniors (11-18 years) and seniors (19+) plus adult Boxfit. There are 15-20 kids and 20-25 adults per session in peak times. An Afewee boy was recently selected for a 2 year boxing scholarship. What are the benefits of boxing? Learn a new skill/sport Get fit/lose weight Release stress and tension Channel aggression Increase self esteem and confidence What future does Afewee want? To be sustainable with a permanent space in the Rec.  Contact Bobby Miltiadous on 07983 151 082 or on the Afewee Facebook page or tweet@afeweeboxing.  Protecting the future Rec Architectural Photography by Simon Kennedy BRUG and Rec users fought off threats of its demolition in 2007 and 2012. Lambeth has committed £10m to developing the Rec. BRUG is concerned to ensure the future Rec remains a facility which Rec users and the community want. Having the Rec listed might assist us in this. Here we summarise what listing is and can offer us. To read more, What listing could offer The aim of listing is to protect the significant parts of qualities of a building and make sure that change and repair cause minimal damage to these. Buildings are listed as grade 1, grade 2*, and grade 2. There are about 5,000 grade 1 and about 50,000 grade 2. Grade 1 is for, say, Westminster Abbey. The Brixton arcades are listed as grade 2, largely due to their community significance. English Heritage (EH) controls the lists and supports change that allows a building to live and be relevant to people but does not damage its significant qualities. EH now appreciates that if a building does not have meaningful use, it is at risk of neglect. Even Westminster Abbey is adding new stairs and lifts to allow public access to a vast, unused gallery space. Control & Cost of change Many listed buildings have management agreements that the owners produce and make public proper plans and consultations for changes, which have been largely absent from the GLL 'improvements' to the Rec. Grants & Funding Listed buildings are eligible for grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), which largely favours buildings that serve the widest community. The Rec with its 76,000 visits each year, located in an ethnically diverse and deprived inner city community, would be a very popular choice for HLF. Sustainability & Regeneration The aim of HLF funding is a long-term viability. Any HLF funds would be extra to Lambeth's and could be used to improve the sustainability of the Rec and pay for works that Lambeth see as 'value for money'. A Combined Heat and Power (CHP) district energy system has been proposed in the Central Brixton Masterplan. The Rec is an obvious hub. Listing can benefit regeneration. Listed buildings attract media attention and commercial partners. This double-edged sword must be carefully managed. However, the Rec's enormous range of local users should be the principal beneficiaries of any improvements. The Rec is already a mixed use building with shops, clubs and sports. So the reintroduction of commercial uses like a restaurant, if controlled, should not be a threat. The Rec is an ideal environment for the promotion and development of creative performance and visual arts and design. Much space could be opened up for these. The Rec has improved and enhanced the life of many Brixton residents. It is the community that the Rec serves that is the key to its significance. The skill and quality of the design has contributed to this. Listing cannot ensure that this community survives and prospers but it can help us manage change in a more considered and informed way, and mean that long-term sustainability of the Rec is put first.  If you have a complaint about the Rec Raise it with the duty manager; and/or... Fill in an official GLL/Better complaints form, in a box on the wall opposite the office behind reception; and/or... Email Darren Pope, Rec General Manager at darren.pope@gll.org.uk Give the date, time and location and details of the issue, your name, phone number or email address. Ask for a response.  BRUG welcomes suggestions and comments by email recusergroup@btinternet.com or in our suggestions box outside the main changing rooms on level 4. But please don't leave complaints there that need to be resolved by GLL.  Over 55s Club Open Day, 5 October, 10am-2pm at the Rec You can try your hand at badminton, table tennis, dominoes, swim, chair exercises, learn how to stay fit and healthy, meet the friendly staff and club members, and enjoy complementary refreshments. All for free. For more details contact Rosemary Meikle, Club Lead, on 0207 095 5100 or email rosemary.meikle@gll.org.

Copyright © 2015, Brixton Rec User Group, All rights reserved.

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