Herne Hill - Save the Velodrome Campaign

[higg]

I just spotted this on the Herne Hill website and thought it was worth putting up here.

Aodan.

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Save the Velodrome’ Campaign launches today with an open invitation to a public meeting.

An alliance of residents and cyclists has been formed to save a former Olympic stadium from closure. The Herne Hill Velodrome is the oldest cycling track in the country and the home of the 1948 Olympic Cycling Championships. But now it faces closure due to deterioration and lack of funding. There is no alternative track in London for the hundreds of children who ride and race there. In the past, that has included Bradley Wiggins, the three-time Olympic gold medallist, who began his competitive cycling career at Herne Hill.
The Campaign is the brainchild of Hillary Peachey, a local resident whose children use the site regularly. She says, “It seems shameful that, with 2012 approaching, London cannot even sustain the facilities it has. That is why we are calling on Londoners as a whole to save this precious resource.”

The Campaign kicks off with a public meeting at Dulwich College at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 6th October. But Londoners are asked to register their support on http://www.savethevelodrome.com

Campaigners aim to secure the future of the site and make it a viable long-term facility for all, including local residents and schools. Hillary adds, “We are going to find a viable, sustainable and environmentally sensitive solution. The only given is that it must be cycling-led, inclusive and work for the entire community.”

The agenda for the public meeting is to:
• raise awareness of the plight of the facilities;
• hear suggestions for the future proposed regeneration;
• review potential plans.

Peter Cattermole, whose club runs the site currently, says, “If you came here on a Saturday and saw hundreds of kids bombing around the track, you’d think it would be criminal to lose it. Anyone who cares about kids, cycling or the environment should come to the public meeting.”

To stay open, the Velodrome will need corporate and private funding, together with volunteer support. The campaigners are hopeful of getting it. “Cycling is one of the most popular sports in the country. If we pull together, we can save this amazing place for future generations,” says Hillary.

Details of public meeting:
Wednesday 6th October
7.30pm to 9.30pm
Great Hall, Dulwich College
Dulwich Common, London SE21 7LD


For further information about the event/press enquiries:
pressoffice@savethevelodrome.com
Hillary Peachey
Mobile
07917 688 373

Official campaign website:
http://www.savethevelodrome.com/

[img]http://www.hernehillvelodrome.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/59364_154809244547977_149464785082423_378010_697250_n.jpg[/img]

[higg]

The public meeting is this Wednesday at 7.30 in the Great Hall of Dulwich College.


Aodan.


from the website .....

Come to the Public Meeting
6th October - 7-30pm to 9-30pm

In the Great Hall at Dulwich College

The agenda for the public meeting is to: raise awareness of the plight of the facilities; hear suggestions for the future proposed regeneration; and review potential plans. Everyone interested in helping to save this local amenity is invited to the meeting

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Always good to get a big turnout at these meetings (I will be there), but please note that following a conversation I had with Pete Cattermole, the meeting is NOT a "bash Dulwich Estates" or "cyclists rights" or anything like that, but a group of the "great and the good" local Dulwich residents that want to bring about a change to the status quo and move forward, rather than dwell on the past.

Please show your support on Wednesday.

[kieran]

well maybe dulwich college will be a bit more in agreement with users as I saw riders in dulwich college cycling jerseys at the velodrome this year

[Mike I]

I'm planning on going along to this. And yes, Paul, there are effective and less effective ways of going about these things.

[Snoop Doug]

I couldn't go to this but I think the way all the PR etc has been worded is very encouraging. Like Guru P says it's not a resident bashing exercise, at least it doesn't sound like one. What value is there in ACC making a donation to the cause? This is a local(ish) facility which we use and support...? We have the money, if we believe the group can use it wisely.....how about it?

Cheers - Snoop

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

I made a pledge of support from ACC (amount TBA) as they are not collecting money until it looks like this is going to succeed and a charitable trust set up.

In fact they don't so much need a capital sum at the moment, but a revenue stream, that can guarantee Dulwich Estates a commercial (@£15,000 pa), as opposed to our previous peppercorn rent. There is an estimated shortfall of £50,000 pa.

To sign up as a "friend" of HH will cost £10pa and some people were prepared to dig deep and pledge £1,000 pa.

It was an incredible meeting, with a fantastic upbeat atmosphere with huge community support, cyclists and non-cyclists .

Southwark have pledged £25,000 - a bit ironic considering it was them that let the place go in the first place , but that is history and good to have them on board.

[Elliot M]

[quote="mrP(Boonen)VT"]...they don't so much need a capital sum at the moment, but a revenue stream, that can guarantee Dulwich Estates a commercial (@£15,000 pa), as opposed to our previous peppercorn rent. There is an estimated shortfall of £50,000 pa.

[quote="Elliot M"][quote="mrP(Boonen)VT"]...they don't so much need a capital sum at the moment, but a revenue stream, that can guarantee Dulwich Estates a commercial (@£15,000 pa), as opposed to our previous peppercorn rent. There is an estimated shortfall of £50,000 pa.

[kieran]

It was a very good meeting, spotted a number of ACCers there. I have joined as a friend and pledged a small regular monthly donation. I hope they can pull it off, I still don't see how given the UK weather (which seems to be getting wetter in summer) a cover over the track isn't a high priority once they get over the first year or so, as they must lose a lot of potential riders, certainly on cloudy overcast days the rider count is often way down from my own experience and the loss of the good friday meet to Manchester Velodrome as well!

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Kieran,
I am sure that will happen sooner or later. I know he dismissed it at the meeting, but I believe only because it would distract the focus of the practical issue now is to regain control.