Time is running out for a community in South London to have their say. Their aim is simple, to get a cinema back to Crystal Palace. Crystal Palace is a thriving community in South East London. This community is fighting back against the council’s decision to award planning permission to KICC (Kingsway International Christian Centre). The KICC had outbid the cinema group City Screen in the sale of the old Gala Bingo building on Church Road. This was a devasting blow to the community but have not dampered their spirits to keep on fighting.

Crystal Palace Map

“KICC announced that they intend to turn the venue into a place of worship (D1 planning use) despite the fact that the building has a designated D2 planning use for leisure. They will be applying to Bromley council for Change of Use.

The purchase of the Bingo hall by KICC came out of the blue and many of us just turned around and all said we wanted a cinema. People had been lobbying to bring a cinema to Crystal Palace for many years. The ex Gala bingo hall is the perfect venue. It was built as a cinema in 1928 and still retains many original features. We care passionately about retaining its D2 leisure use for the benefit of the whole community.

Crystal Palace Campaign

The local community have made their feelings perfectly clear. They neither want nor need a change of use. Over 4,500 local people have signed a petition to this effect.”

There are a few things YOU can do to help them out. We all like to stand behind a good cause and it feels great to do it as part of the community. Here is a few ways you can help the Picture Palace Campaign. Hurry, time is running out!

• Draft letter to neighbouring councils urging consultation response.
• Join the Facebook group
• Leaflet for distribution
• Local Councillors voice their support for retention of D2 status.
• Poster for notice boards
• Request a planning application consultation letter.
• Sign the online petition
• Who to contact and how to contact them
• Write to them
• Use Twitter to spread the word to get more support

Rember that the Picture Palace Campaign has only got until the 1^st of October!

It has dawned on me today that communities are needed in a big city such as London. We were walking down our local high street when I have noticed how little chain-stores there are on the street and it made me realise that I need to support the little guys to bring their own unique blend to the area to help build that much needed community spirit.

I have joined a local forum where people living in my area have come together to make a change, little changes though but a change non the less. Ever since joining the forum I have felt a strange sense of belonging and I urge everyone coming to London to blend into the local community to make the area better. This is needed unless we want a crime ridden area where people are too scared to be themselves or live in their own area. Think about it!

The community spirit really does wonders for an area. By supporting the locals, voicing your opinion and to meet up every now and then all play a vital role in society. I am not much for meeting strangers in the townhall but I am willing to lend a hand to clean up the area or even to visit and support a local fair. What possitive changes can you bring to your community?

There is roughly eight million people living in London and a vast majority of them make use of the transport for London network to get around. All these people touch buttons to open doors, hold on to poles inside tube carriages and use handrails in busses. These spots are all potential breeding grounds for the common cold virus . People are generally not very hygienic and it is important to protect yourself otherwise you would get the same cold over and over again throughout the year.

There are a few things you can do to protect yourself without it interfering too much with your life. Most people travelling around London carry some sort of bag with them which means you will have space to store a small bottle of antibaterial handwash. Most stores sell these in pocketsizes which requires no water, basically rubs dry. This is ideal for London and every traveller should have one, heck, everyone should carry one of these at all times.

The reason for the dramatic headline is because it sends a clear message and the NHS uses it on their campaign against the cold virus. It is quite catchy and should be followed where possible. Catch it in a tissue, bin the tissue at the earliest convenience to kill it dead in it’s tracks. Stay safe by following basic hygiene advice.