Tell me about BrixtonGreen - a "community led development" on Somerleyton Road

[Rushy]

Not everyone is aware of the joys of U75 or spends time checking their Google ranking. Why don't you pop them an email and invite them to post here? An invite might also help avoid an accusation often made of first time posters that they have not spent time interacting with the board and just 'using it'. Whilst people are entitled to that opinion I can equally understand why someone would look at the boards and think it is not really a constructive place to post on.

Really get tired of people posting up here then slagging the site off.

I have found this site very useful.

How is that slagging it off?

It is you who is publicly raising doubts about a community project, apparently without offering any substance and positive criticism. Sorry if I underestimated your knowledge of and involvement with the project but you have certainly made no effort to clarify it.

 

[Rushy]

This is the flyer I was handed on the junction of CHL and Somerleyton Road (excuse the doodles).

 

[editor]

I guess it's a complicated thing to describe, but from reading that (nicely scribbled!) flyer I can see why a lot of local people may not feel motivated to start investing in the venture. I can't say I actually understand what it's all about. What's a "social return"?

Perhaps they should take time out to explain a bit more more about what they're up to and how the scheme actually works. One way to do that (for free) would be to take a few minutes to post up on a popular local site.

Oh, hang on...

 

[Rushy]

I guess it's a complicated thing to describe, but from reading that (nicely scribbled!) flyer

Nothing on my desk escapes the doodle.

I can see why a lot of local people may not feel motivated to start investing in the venture. I can't say I actually understand what it's all about. What's a "social return"?

Perhaps they should take time out to explain a bit more more about what they're up to and how the scheme actually works. One way to do that (for free) would be to take a few minutes to post up on a popular local site.

Oh, hang on...

Don't be shy, Ed. Reach out.

Dear [Brixton Green*],

This is just a quick email to let you know that a thread about [your organisation*] has been started by one of our subscribers on our Brixton based, not-for-profit community website U75. U75 receives over 250,000 impressions per day and is a valuable tool for communicating with local residents. You can find out a little more about us here.

If you would like to provide further information about [your organisation*] or contribute to the debate you can register here. It only takes a minute.

We look forward to welcoming you on board (/having you for breakfast).

Ed

(Standard text - fill in []s as appropriate.)

 

[Gramsci]

How is that slagging it off?

It is you who is publicly raising doubts about a community project, apparently without offering any substance and positive criticism. Sorry if I underestimated your knowledge of and involvement with the project but you have certainly made no effort to clarify it.

Your post made a general criticism of the boards "I can equally understand why someone would look at the boards and think it is not a constructive place to post on". That was what I was criticising.

 

[Gramsci]

I guess it's a complicated thing to describe, but from reading that (nicely scribbled!) flyer I can see why a lot of local people may not feel motivated to start investing in the venture. I can't say I actually understand what it's all about. What's a "social return"?

Perhaps they should take time out to explain a bit more more about what they're up to and how the scheme actually works. One way to do that (for free) would be to take a few minutes to post up on a popular local site.


Oh, hang on...

A social return means you do not get get a share of profits. If you join the Coop ( the shops) you get a share of profits you can use to get money off other goods from the Coop or give to Coop for them to distribute to good causes. In this case a share gives you a right to vote but no dividend. What you get is a social return. That is its good for the local community.

 

[Gramsci]

How is that slagging it off?

It is you who is publicly raising doubts about a community project, apparently without offering any substance and positive criticism. Sorry if I underestimated your knowledge of and involvement with the project but you have certainly made no effort to clarify it.

ok fair enough. I have gone back and edited my post to keep it to points I feel I can make here.

 

[Gramsci]

Personally one way to follow BG is to buy a share. Then I assume you will get more info. If u then dont like it you can always return your share.

 

[editor]

Don't be shy, Ed. Reach out.

Dear [Brixton Green*],

Why don't you write to them if you're that bothered because - as I've already told you several times - I've no inclination to start chasing after local businesses who aren't interested/can't be bothered to post here and/or contact local residents.

And that really is the end of the matter as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Rushy]

Sorry Ed. Just thought you were whining about the fact that people actually got on with shit in Brixton without automatically knowing they had to consult U75 to validate their efforts. Like you said - it's the end of the matter.

 

[Rushy]

Your post made a general criticism of the boards "I can equally understand why someone would look at the boards and think it is not a constructive place to post on". That was what I was criticising.

You left out half the statement. Put together I still think it is fair. Do you really think that everyone who looks at this site for the first time would immediately think it is a cauldron of constructive ideas in which they wish to become immersed? The effort required to carry a small number of people can be quite disproportionate to the result.

 

[Rushy]

Sorry. Repeated post.

 

[editor]

Sorry Ed. Just thought you were whining about the fact that people actually got on with shit in Brixton without automatically knowing they had to consult U75 to validate their efforts. Like you said - it's the end of the matter.

Please stop trying to misrepresent me as it's becoming rather an unedifying spectacle.

At no point have I "whined," felt "offended" or "affronted" - the only emotions I've expressed are disappointment and surprise.

For absolutely the last time, here's what I actually said :

And I'm neither "offended" nor "affronted" by the fact that they've elected to ignore this site and not reached out to me as a local resident.

Like I've repeatedly said, I'm just rather surprised seeing as their entire business model and stated aims seem to be reliant on interacting with the local community.

 

[Rushy]

Please stop trying to misrepresent me as it's becoming rather an unedifying spectacle.

Here's what you actually said prior to that:

... you might think they would have made the effort to communicate here seeing as 'Somerleyton Road' is number #1, #2 and #4 in Google. In fact, we're also #2 for 'BrixtonGreen' so they can hardly be unaware of the site.

And, of course, they've never posted here or contacted me.

if BrixtonGreen aren't interested in explaining what they're up to the community here, then that's up to them. I find it hard to believe that they're not aware of the site though.

All I and others have said is that u75 might not be as widely recognised or valued in the local business community as you like to believe it is. It would be easy to fix that but of course you do not have to. It is your site. You are the boss. But when your only public comment about a hardworking group like Brixton Green is to question their efforts based on no more than the fact that they have "never posted here or contacted me" then that certainly is unfair.

Your argument that

I've no inclination to start chasing after local businesses who aren't interested/can't be bothered to post here and/or contact local residents

just seems unfortunately petulant because they clearly are trying to reach out to local residents and even you have admitted to having seen their posters inviting contact and participation.

If you think U75 would help their cause - offer your assistance. Or don't. But don't put them down simply because you find it hard to believe that they either have never heard of or do not recognise the value of your hobby site (your description).

Even Mohammed eventually went to the mountain.

'nuff said.

 

[editor]

Here's what you actually said prior to that:

Your argument that just seems unfortunately petulant because they clearly are trying to reach out to local residents and even you have admitted to having seen their posters inviting contact and participation.

For all the words you're trying to dishonestly stuff in my mouth, all I'm saying is that I find it a little surprising that an organisation whose entire raison d'etre is community involvement doesn't seem to have been making a very good job of it.

I live just 100m from the site and have never seen or heard anything from them in five years, and the only poster I've ever seen was in Brixton Village. These are simple facts.

Although urban75 is in the top rankings for both their company name and Somerleyton Road (and 'Brixton' too, for that matter), it's entirely up to them if they wish to post here or not, although as anyone with any knowledge of marketing will tell you: ignore top-rated related Google results at your peril.

A reminder: the thread title reads: "Tell me about BrixtonGreen - a "community led development" on Somerleyton Road" which means that I'm asking the community here what they think of the business, and not asking how to contact them.

You are, of course, welcome to drop them a line yourself though.

 

[Rushy]

For all the words you're trying to dishonestly stuff in my mouth,

They were all your quotes. Apologies if I have misinterpreted what you meant by them.

 

[TruXta]

I honestly don't see how you fail to get Ed's point Rushy? He stated very reasonably that for a group that is supposed to be all about community participation, they could do worse than posting on here, seeing as Google points here. And it being a local forum and such. And you take that to mean that he's moaning they haven't bothered? In-fucking-credible.

FWIW I'd never heard of BrixtonGreen before seeing this thread.

 

[Mrs Magpie]

....I'd heard of them (I help run a community group in the Somerleyton Road area) but not directly from them. I think I heard about them on these boards. I think it's true to say that they haven't engaged with the community.

 

[editor]

They were all your quotes. Apologies if I have misinterpreted what you meant by them.

Indeed they were - but none of them add up to what you've (rather bizarrely) spun them into here.

I honestly don't see how you fail to get Ed's point Rushy? He stated very reasonably that for a group that is supposed to be all about community participation, they could do worse than posting on here, seeing as Google points here. And it being a local forum and such. And you take that to mean that he's moaning they haven't bothered? In-fucking-credible.

FWIW I'd never heard of BrixtonGreen before seeing this thread.

Yep.

I think it's true to say that they haven't engaged with the community.

Agreed.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

FWIW I'd never heard of BrixtonGreen before seeing this thread.

I think it's true to say that they haven't engaged with the community.

And I'd never heard of them either, before reading about them on here. And I do go out of my way to get involved in local things, watch out for what's going on at the council, attend meetings etc. But I'd never seen any posters, leaflets or anything.

 

[OpalFruit]

But they have put up a poster inviting local residents to take part / contact them - so if you are a local resident, as well as a member or editor of a bulletin board, you could simply take up their invitation? If interested in the proposal.
Initiatives have to start somewhere!
I haven't heard anything from ABC, either, except on these boards. And seeing them in the early days of the Masterplanning consultation. But no public profile that I have been aware of, or invitatation for engagement or consultation. But it takes a lot of sustained effort and investent to reach a level where everyone knows who you are and what you are up to, not all initiatives have that PR capacity.

 

[TruXta]

A poster? As in one lone poster? Or do you mean they've printed up x number of one particular poster?

I appreciate that PR and such is time-consuming and sometimes seemingly not worth the effort, but you just cannot expect people to show up on your doorstep armed with 15 inches of enthusiasm for something like this. Especially when the focus is squarely on community participation and ownership. They should make more of an effort, whether it's on the street or online.

 

[RaverDrew]

I know someone who is working with them, I'll mention posting on here when I next see them.

 

[editor]

But they have put up a poster inviting local residents to take part / contact them - so if you are a local resident, as well as a member or editor of a bulletin board, you could simply take up their invitation?

One poster. In five years! LOL.

By comparison, Lambeth launched a sexual health website yesterday and wrote a polite note to me explaining what it was all about and asking if I could mention it somewhere.

Within half an hour, I'd started a thread which now comes up #1 in Google if people search for 'Lambeth sexual health online' and #10 for 'Lambeth sexual health.'

The thread was automatically Tweeted from urban, and the link from here will also help boost the site's search rankings.

I imagine it took less time for them to write that email than it did to go the market to put up that one poster and I dare say it's reached an awful lot more people. Cheaper too.

See? It's really not that hard to do!

Edit: cheers Drew!

 

[tshax]

About 2 weeks ago, I was in the Ritzy buying a coffee. The guy standing next to me turned to me and asked me if I had heard of Brixton Green. He then got out a small poster, and a folded A4 pamphlet, and explained that he was one of the people behind the scheme. He gave a bit of background information, and encouraged me to 'get involved'.

I took a look at the website later that day, and as he had told me, I sent him an email asking him for some more info. Heard nothing since.

 

[Fenian]

I looked into Brixton Green's model about a year ago - a lot has occurred since then and I don't claim to remember it all but I was caused deep concern. They seemed to like using the language of involvement without, er, involving people in real decisions - just looking for supporters and signatories who will acclaim. They are quite a tight knit bunch at the top headed by the character Castaing.

Their model is predicated on people paying different rent charges though they may be in the same housing conditions.

Another model is of course to go down the road of council or housing association housing of good quality. That gets my vote.

 

[editor]

I found this article from Oct 2010:

This organisation is planning a £60m redevelopment of council-owned land in the centre of Brixton, a multi-cultural inner-city area of London. It wants to see the site developed for a mix of residential and community uses to high environmental standards.

Brixton Green faces a community building task if it is to achieve its ambitions for a £60m mixed-use development in the centre of Brixton. It recognises that only a small proportion of this capital can be raised through a community share offer, but believes that community ownership and investment will be the key to unlocking
public support for their plans. It has set itself the target of recruiting 7,500 members and raising an initial £150,000 of share capital in 2010.

http://www.communityshares.org.uk/case_studies/brixton-green

And this:

Brixton Green is using a scratch card to promote its membership offer next month. The society aims to recruit at least 5,000 new members who either live or work in the five central Brixton wards nearest to its development site. The scratch cards, costing £1, the price of one share in Brixton Green, will be available through local retailers. The scratch panel reveals a unique code, which provides proof of purchase and acts a receipt. Purchasers complete their contact details on the back of the scratch card and deposit it in a secure drop box, which means they don’t have to give their personal details to the retailer.
http://www.uk.coop/blog/jimbrownbakerbrowncouk/2010-10-08/brixton-green-launch-scratch-card-share

I've never heard of this scratch card before. Has anyone seen one?

The article above got this one response:

Brixton Green as participants in the action learning programme for Community Shares benefited from a matched incentive fund administered by Key Fund http://www.keyfundyorks.org.uk/ which will match pound for pound what Brixton Green raise. This is part of wider thinking to promote engaged investment and "engaged" business models. time we kept closer track of how our savings are being used!

 

[tshax]

The scratchcards are sold in the Opus cafe, and a couple of other places I think. I bought one out of interest, and was asked to write some details down just confirming that I am a Brixton resident etc.

There is a number on the scratch card that is unique to each card, and supposedly you enter this number on the website in order to register your share. However, at last check, this facility did not exist on the website.

 

[Gramsci]

I looked into Brixton Green's model about a year ago - a lot has occurred since then and I don't claim to remember it all but I was caused deep concern. They seemed to like using the language of involvement without, er, involving people in real decisions - just looking for supporters and signatories who will acclaim. They are quite a tight knit bunch at the top headed by the character Castaing.

Exactly the problem I have found.

 

[Gramsci]

But they have put up a poster inviting local residents to take part / contact them - so if you are a local resident, as well as a member or editor of a bulletin board, you could simply take up their invitation? If interested in the proposal.
Initiatives have to start somewhere!
I haven't heard anything from ABC, either, except on these boards. And seeing them in the early days of the Masterplanning consultation. But no public profile that I have been aware of, or invitatation for engagement or consultation. But it takes a lot of sustained effort and investent to reach a level where everyone knows who you are and what you are up to, not all initiatives have that PR capacity.

I have discussed the proposal with the 2 founders of BG some time ago. What I found was that it was not up for negoitation. I am prepared to work with other groups but it has to be on the the basis of equal partnership.

Also if the Council/Government want to do a Community Land Trust as an experiment ( see government funded community share initiative linked up by Ed) it is imo would have been best to canvass and explain to local people what Community share ownership is etc. See if that was people wanted then go ahead.

This idea of a Community Land Trust / Community share ownership should have been part of the Brixton Masterplanning process. With Future Brixton consulting about it imo.