Fen Mission statement

The Friary Environmental Network is a group which aims to enhance the local environment through skill sharing and green activities; it will foster pride in developing local environmentally-friendly events, help reduce energy use and emissions, foster interaction between generations, encourage the recycling and reuse of items, and hold talks, workshops and social activities.

FEN NEWS Green Fair was a great success!

The Green Day outdoor fair was held on Saturday 31st March between Lynn, Lewes and Reading Houses, Green Hundred Road, London SE15 1RS.

Music from 2Shy Entertainment, stalls, and snacks and soft drinks. Junk percussion from Steve Barbe, which children loved - bashing out rhythms on tin cans and pots. Dr Bike pedalled in to fix peoples' cycles for free (thanks Southwark Council). Southwark Greenpeace and Peckham Power were there, and thanks to Jeremy for creating a display about local birdlife.

The fair was supported by Southwark Council and Team London. Photos to come soon.

Activities that FEN is interested in:

• Energy use and emissions reduction, carbon footprinting
• Sustainable gardening for relaxation and pleasure
• Recycling/Reuse – including freecycling items for others to use
• Encouraging environmentally friendly transport such as bicycling
• Disseminating knowledge via talks, workshops and the internet
• Involving young people in environmentally aware actities
• Relocalisation – encouraging use of local suppliers/services
• Social activities
• Enhancing communal spaces which will help the Friary Estate be more appealing to residents and deter anti-social behaviour
• FEN will network with local, national and international groups to increase the skills and knowledge base available to it

What FEN has done so far:

Organised an invigorating meeting with local environmental activist Donnachadh McCarthy.

Raised £15,000 for a play equipment from Southwark Council's Cleaner, Greener, Safer fund.

Opened links with Southwark Environmental Forum, Friends of the Earth, Transition Town Brixton, Powerswitch, and several other groups locally.

Planted spring flowering bulbs and other plants in various locations around the Friary Estate SE15, including in Leyton Square, near Cardiff House, and in front of Millbrook House.

Planted fruit trees, herbs, and flowering plants near Lynn, Lewes and Reading Houses.

Created a new flower garden out of an overgrown triangle near Reading and Lewes Houses (the CGS project supplied the flowers).

Raised funds for green projects from Southwark Council, Team London, Capital Growth and Veolia.

This is just the first part of our ongoing efforts to make our estate a more pleasing and environmentally-friendly place. Gardening is fun, healthy, and helps you to meet your neighbours. We will be doing more when the season is right - please join us!

FEN is an independent voluntary organisation based in London SE15 whose aims and objectives are supported by two resolutions from the Unwin and Friary Tenants and Residents Association.

How to contact FEN:

Email: Julian Jackson.