While we admire and support the Christmas campaigns that we see pop up in December, we also know that help is urgently needed all year round, each and every year. As some people pack away after the festive break, we are still here.
Our support is not limited to a food package, but it leaps beyond - we form connections, we listen and respond to everyone who steps through our doors. We open up a warm, safe, environment which aims to feel like a home away from home.
For us to continue to thrive and grow, and keep supporting as many people as possible, we are asking you to become a Friend of Cooking Champions. Even a donation of just £5-10 per month can make a HUGE impact on the lives of those who come through our doors.
Pop to our People's Fundraising page to donate, and we promise to keep you updated with how your support is making a difference. Thank you, we appreciate you! Team Cooking Champions
An artists' brief for creation of an art trail in Southgate town centre, under the title A Portrait of Southgate, was published last October. The names of the two successful artists were published on 23rd January: Alex McHallam and Liz Tiranti. They will produce mosaics for installation at three locations.
At their open online meeting next Tuesday, Better Streets for Enfield's special guest will be the founder of Mum's for Lungs. We'll also hear about the big women's cycle ride around central London that's coming up on 3rd March and how you can get to the ride safely from Enfield and Palmers Green, thanks to trained ride marshals from Enfield Cycling Campaign and Edmonton-based London Cycling Club.
Enfield Council's 'Liveable Neighbourhoods' project for improvements to the public realm in Enfield Town has already progressed through four stages of public engagement since 2019, designed to find out people's views and improve the design. Funding is now in place for phase 1 - covering the north western corner of the scheme - and the statutory consultation period has begun, running until 3rd March.
A statement issued on 7th February by Action for Enfield's Future expresses the frustration felt by its constituent community groups at the failure of the council leadership and the majority of ward councillors from both parties to fulfil the promise made in 2022 to engage effectively with residents about the content of the new Enfield Local Plan.
Community groups in Enfield are calling on both parties on the council to fulfil their promise to engage properly with residents before a key vote on an official planning document that will have a decisive impact on the borough's future development. Time is running out before the council debates the draft Enfield Local Plan, yet councillors have arranged ward forums in only nine out of 25 wards.
Projects to create two new Quieter Neighbourhoods - Bowes East and Edmonton Green - have now progressed to the second phase of community engagement, which runs until 11th February. The council has now developed specific proposals designed to deter or prevent drivers from cutting through the two areas, which will thus become more peaceful for people living within the area and safer and pleasanter for people using the streets on foot or on bikes, or stopping to talk to neighbours.
Civil society groups in Enfield have repeated their calls to borough residents to ask their councillors to set up special ward forums to discuss the draft Enfield Local Plan before it is debated in full council. They are concerned in particular about plans to build on green belt land and for tall buildings in town centres, including Palmers Green. In addition, they want residents to call for the evidence that the draft plan is based on to be made available to the public.
A new survey has revealed the shocking level of abuse and aggression shown towards women cyclists in London by other road users. The group that commissioned it, London Cycling Campaign, say this is a prime reason why, compared to men, so few women use this inexpensive and environmentally friendly method of transport.
Enfield Council has been awarded more than half a million pounds of lottery money to pay for the first phase of its project to 'unlock Broomfield Park for the community', which includes 'memorializing' Broomfield House.