Clapham has been without a swimming pool for over a year but the new leisure centre (which looks something like the above drawing) is open. And dagnamit, it’s only got a swimming pool with a moving floor to change its depth! This probably entitles Clappers to say we have a ‘state of the art’ leisure centre. It also has a large gym area and a sports hall above it. Fabulous. For those of you going “whaaa? A new leisure centre? In Clapham?” you can find it on Clapham Manor Street next to the equally healthy KFC. Have you been yet, what do you think? Tell everyone below…

My boyfriend’s had a tough old year, His father passed away, I’d really like to cheer him up, Especially Christmas Day.

 His sport is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, He is a British Champ,  But torn a tendon in his knee, His winter’s looking damp.

He teaches kids in Battersea, Including those with special needs, Then heads off up the Lavender Hill  To get his special feed.

His diet is clean and fresh and whole, Junk food goes in the bin, He eats at Wholefoods every week, That’s why I’d like to win!

Want to get in the festive spirit without travelling any further than Clapham? … Abbeville Road will be playing host to the 2011 Christmas Feté  which takes place from 4pm to 9pm on Thursday 15th December. Local shops will extend their trading, with stalls out on the pavements offering fabulous Christmas specials, along with plenty of complimentary food and drink. There will be treats on offer such as mulled wine, mince pies and roasted chestnuts and musical entertainment including carols by candle light.  Festive fancy dress is encouraged, with prizes for the best boy/girl/dog (yes really!) outfits.  And don’t forget to stop by Santa’s grotto…

As many of you will already know, Lambeth council has cancelled the fireworks on Clapham Common this year which is a real shame and means that a lot of local businesses wont get that annual assured boost, that so many depend on. However the fireworks haven’t disappeared completely … they are going to be on a three year rotation between Clapham, Brockwell Park and Streatham. This year is Brockwell Park’s turn and the fireworks will also be a joint celebration of the bicentenary of Brockwell Hall, now a Grade II listed building. The fireworks will be set to music from the last 200 years and a funfair and stalls, food and mulled wine will be available from 4pm – best of all it’s FREE! Fireworks start at 8pm. Other displays close by are Wimbledon Park on Friday and Battersea Park and Crystal Palace on Saturday, all of which will charge an entry fee. Should you not be around this weekend, next Saturday 12th, The Lord Major’s Show and Fireworks are a definate must see and FREE too! Have fun Clappers and don’t forget your sparklers!!!

On Saturday 12th November ‘Shout About’ an online magazine for creative writing and illustration will be launched at Under the Greenwood Tree, in Clapham Old Town. Local authors will be running events throughout the day. The event starts with storytime, craft sessions, writing workshops and a writing surgery where children can bring their stories to be workshopped.

10:30 – 11:30 Story time with Judy Allen followed by craft/drawing session with Margaret Bateson -Hill

11:30 Story time with Nicolas Allan reading ‘Father Chrsitmas Needs a Wee’

3:00 – 4:00 For the older kids a ‘Secret Self’ writing workshop with Sarah Mussi & Sam Osman. Ages 8+.

2:00 – 5:00 Open Writing Surgery with many great South London authors for childrens ages 5+There will be surprise speed reads by guest authors, book signing and activities going on all day so it’s well worth popping along.

World-renowned artist Andrew Logan has been commissioned to create works of art for Clapham’s new public library and leisure centre sites. The artist is currently working on two large-scale works of art: a giant red glittering heart will hang at the centre of the new leisure centre, while the word ‘LIBRARY‘ will be spelled out in two metre high letters along Clapham High Street outside the new public library. The sculptures will be entirely covered with Logan’s signature brightly coloured hand-crafted mosaic of glass, mirror and found objects. Clapham residents are being invited to donate personal mementos, which Logan will include in the mosaic on the sculptures outside Clapham’s new public library. Andrew commented ‘This is my first public realm commission in London after being here for over 40 years. I am delighted to contribute to the life of the city in a manner that celebrates healthy minds, healthy bodies and quality of life. I hope to visit the pool with frequency!’. Collection of has started and will carry on until 31st October. You can donate your items at the three following places: Clapham Library (North Side), Clapham Family Practice on the High Street and at the new Clapham library site on the High Street.

Do let us know how you get on and what you think!

Having spent a top night at Gigalum (Clapham South) on Friday night I thought I’d let you know about a seriously hot ‘must be there’ night coming up next weekend. On Sunday 11th September, Italian DJ, Manuel de la Mare is being flown in specially to get Gigalum jumping with his beats that mix somewhere between house and techno.  Already a familiar face at global venues like Ministry of Sound in London, Womb in Tokyo and Fabrik in Madrid, Manuel has managed to procure a worldwide fan base that has enabled him to perform his music throughout Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, as well as North and South America. With a soaring profile and constantly growing international followers and fans Manuel launched his own labels 303Lovers and Hotfingers back in 2007 along with Alex Kenji and Marshall. The labels has now showed themselves as one of the key names in House and Techno Music with a never-ending flow of quality releases which fire the dancefloor. So if you want to party it up with one of the hottest DJs on the planet then head over to Clapham South this Sunday and great news – its free!

The fruit juice and nectar company, Simply Nectar is sending a banana to hand out FREEBIES to Clappers this Friday!! All you have to do is head over to Clapham Common and say happy birthday to a large, human banana! The fruity character will be based in the area throughout the day handing out freebottles of Banana Simply Nectar and ‘other goodies’ to passersby in celebration of company’s tenth anniversary.The festive giveaway is also being held in a bid to promote a healthy lifestyle and to encourage people to opt for pure fruit juices and nectars rather than sugarfilled alternatives. Simply Nectar van and the large banana will start making its wayround Clapham Common and the surrounding areas during the morning of Friday 26 August. They will also be donating some drinks to local charitable organisations. For more information on Simply Nectar click here or read their blog follow this link.

Of course, the most familiar image to us all is now the gutted Party Superstore – which Love Clapham has frequented for many a fancy dress party – ablaze.

Other shops were smashed, looted and destroyed in a disgusting abuse of our local area. Clapham High Street was largely unaffected, although Blockbuster near Clapham North has had its windows smashed, and property destroyed and stolen. Love Clapham witnessed a gang of 20 or so hooded youths lurking behind KFC at around 11pm – they may have been entirely innocent, but last night was not the night to be hanging around in gangs.

Riot police eventually turn up en masse captured in this resident’s video:

No one involved had any intentions of delivering a political of social message, they just wanted to enjoy themselves by destroying people’s livelihoods. It was disturbing to watch on television, and terrifying for some of our residents stuck in the thick of the violence. Personally, the worst image for me was that of the young girls in the attack laughing at their friends tearing a TV off the wall in Ladbrokes. Such a depressingly pathetic display of ignorance and stupidity.

But the local community has come together in a tear jerking response as residents supported those affected today with broom in hand to clean up. Something to be proud of. Take care Clappers.

Read more on the following websites:

• Clapham Junction riots: A timeline of the violence and looting, images, write up and videos [Metro]
• Clapham Junction riots in pictures [BBC]
• London riots: Clapham broom picture goes viral as Londoners defy looters [Metro]
• Boris Johnson being heckled in Clapham Junction [Guardian]
• Clapham Junction write up [Telegraph]
• Boris Johnson criticised on Clapham Junction visit [Mirror]
• Clapham riot clean-up brings 400 volunteers [BBC]

As an official partner of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Sainburys are throwing a big celebration to mark one year to go until London 2012. Bringing together some of the UK’s biggest music acts and Paralympic sport, this is a unique family festival that is not to be missed!

On Saturday 10th September, 11am-9pm, Clapham Common will be the place for an action packed day – with live music from some of the hottest pop acts around, the chance to try out Paralympic sports and the opportunity to meet our London 2012 hopefuls, there will be something to keep everyone entertained. The Saturdays, Pixie Lott, Olly Murs, Chipmunk, Taio Cruz and the Sugababes are just some of the acts secured so far, with lots more to be announced. If the music isn’t enough already, theres plenty more to do including an inflatable obstacle course and slide, face painting, arts & crafts area, zorbing, bungee trampolines and an inflatable sticky wall. What a day! If you’d like to purchase some tickets click here.

In a few weeks time the wait will finally be over for thousands of teenagers across the country to see if their hard work has paid off on GCSE and A Level results day. One school that results day will be extra special for is Lambeth Academy, who will be celebrating the graduation of its first ever pupils.

There was some controversy prior to the opening of the school in 2004, with neighbours in Elms Road objecting and saying that they didn’t want a comprehensive school on their doorstep. But parents pushed back and campaigned for the school to be opened, saying that there were not enough places for pupils in the area, with an excess of 300 pupils having to go outside the borough.

Seven years on and the school, run by educational charity The United Learning Trust, is going from strength to strength. Of its first pupils to take GCSEs in 2009, half of them achieved five about grade C and last years Ofsted report commented that it was making an “outstanding contribution to the promotion of community cohesion”. Two weeks ago, 120 of the first ever students came together to celebrate the academy’s success and ‘coming of age’. A YouTube video has been made by staff and pupils at the academy sharing their experiences, memories and opinions and can be viewed here. Good luck to all those getting their exam results in August!

I’ve found a fitness gem in the heart of Clapham … how could I possibly not share with you all! Over a year ago I very rarely did sport or any form of exercise. I had a gym membership which I used pretty sporadically – one week I would go every day then I wouldn’t go for a month (I’m sure many of you know the feeling!). But in spring last year I decided that was it – I needed to get fit! I decided to try a personal trainer in my gym – wasn’t for me, there never seemed to be enough room to work out and I didn’t really feel like I had the encouragement I needed. Then I discovered Revolution Personal Training on Abbeville Road and more importantly – training with Tim. He trains his clients in a private studio which is open seven days a week all day, which was perfect for me to fit sessions in around work. I explained exactly what I wanted from my work outs and he devised a brilliant plan, which involved training twice a week. He also advised on nutrition and gave me home work out guides to complement my studio sessions.  I can’t actually believe how far I’ve come – not only have I reached my toning and fitness goals, Tim has also given me the confidence to compete in a 5k, 10k, half marathon and last week I did my first triathlon! I’m still training twice a week and love it! Sessions are varied, fun and I would highly recommend it! For more information or to book some sessions visit http://www.itrainwithtim.com/. You can also follow him on Twitter @itrainwithtim. Tim will be giving a FREE consultation and a FREE session to his 100^th Twitter follower!!!