Streatham Common Rookery closed until further notice

Following a request from the Police, SCoop (the Streatham Common Co-operative) has been asked to close the Rookery Gardens and car park at the top of Streatham Common until further notice.

In a statement, Richard Payne SCoop's director said: "We are obviously disappointed not to be able to keep the Gardens open, but this is perhaps not surprising in the current circumstances.  In recent days the Rookery has been an extremely popular destination, and given the size of the park it is now not possible to keep everyone safe."

The most necessary staff will be kept on site to maintain the gardens and there will be additional patrols during the day to keep an eye on the site.

All events in the park have been cancelled for the foreseeable future.

Staff are continuing to be paid

Centenary of the Streatham Common Rookery - public meeting Thurs 17th January

In July 2013, the Rookery Garden at the top of Streatham Hill (on Streatham Common) will be 100 years old.

The Friends of Streatham Common and the Streatham Community Garden are working with Lambeth Council to celebrate the anniversary and are inviting local people to be involved.

It follows the petition, now signed by almost 600 local people, to restore the Rookery after years of underinvestment. The petition also calls for the Rookery to be maintained permanently at a standard that befits its Grade II listed status and obtain Green Flag status to help protect it for the longer term.

The Friends of Streatham Common has been working with the council to put together a plan to restore the Rookery, raise its profile within the council, and look for external funding and help where appropriate.

Local people are being invited to come and hear about the plans at a public meeting in the school hall at Immanuel and St Andrew School starting at 6.30pm (for 7.00pm) next Thursday 17th January. They are also being asked to consider how they can be involved.

You can just turm up, or if you want to get more information contact friendsofstreathamcommon (at) gmail.com or visit the website.