Can you help thirsty trees on Tuesday?

With a hot, sunny bank holiday in store, there will no doubt be lots of visitors on Clapham Common.  While you're out and about enjoying the good weather, spare a thought for the younger trees planted on the Common in recent years that are struggling for water in the higher temperatures.  Whilst Lambeth Council is doing everything it can to keep the foliage alive, it would be great if volunteers (that means you!) could join Clapham Town's Cllr Helen O’Malley near the Boating pond at 5pm on Tuesday 26th April for a watering “hit squad”!

There was a fantastic turnout last week and it would be great if this effort could be kept up.  For more information, please contact Cllr O’Malley directly by email.

Friends for Ferndale is now on Facebook

First there was the website, then there was twitter (@ferndalelabour) and now there is Facebook.  There are more ways than ever to find out what is happening in Ferndale so please get in touch to let us know your news, views and suggestions about life in Ferndale.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Alternative Vote - don't forget to vote!

With less than three weeks until the Alternative Vote (AV) referendum, many of you may still be thinking about which way you will vote or even if you will vote at all.  Although it may not seem to be the most important issue in this climate of cuts and economic glum, the result could have a massive impact on the future of politics in the UK.

There is still a lot of confusion about what AV is and how it will influence future elections, so Vauxhall Labour Party has organised a free public debate on Wednesday 20th April at Kennington Park Community Centre.  The event will start at 7:30pm with a short debate between Jessica Asato, Director of the Labour Yes! campaign, and former MP Jane Kennedy, who is the national organiser for the Labour NO to AV campaign.  The audience will then be invited to ask questions and make comments before the evening ends with a vote to see who has won the argument on the night.  Will it predict the national outcome?

Please do come along if you can and invite your friends.  You don't need to be a Labour supporter to take part.  More information can also be found on Facebook.

Ferndale social

On Thursday 7th April, Ferndale and Clapham Town held a social event for new members at The Bread and Roses pub on Clapham Manor Street.  We were joined by Val Shawcross, Ken Livingston's running mate in the mayoral elections, and Kate Hoey, Vauxhall's MP.  The event was very enjoyable and we look forward to holding another social event in the near future.  If you have an idea for an event, please get in touch at friendsforferndale@hotmail.co.uk.  We are always keen to hear your views and suggestions!

Campaign days update

Ferndale's first campaign day of 2011 proved to be a great success, with many members from across the constituency lending a hand to leaflet and door-knock on a sunny spring morning.

We were fortunate enough to be joined by Val Shawcross, Ken's running mate in the London Mayoral elections and our assembly member.  Val spoke to many people on the doorstep and later said "It was an excellent, productive session which was extremely well organised and I enjoyed the whole event.  Ferndale is a strong Labour area but in the past we haven't done enough campaigning here - volunteers have been sent elsewhere to work.  If we are to win London for Labour in the Mayoral elections next year, this is exactly the community we need to be in close touch with and encouraging to vote.  The Sun shone on us on Saturday. Being superstitious, it was perhaps a good sign that we have started work in exactly the right place for 2012 ." 

Thanks goes to everyone who turned out, it is very much appreciated.  An extra special thanks goes to Alex Baker, Vauxhall Campaigns Officer, for organising everything and everyone, and then finding the time to take some photos (see the 'gallery' page).

Ferndale's next campaign day is on Saturday 9th April.  We will be meeting at the corner of Bedford Road and Ferndale Road at 12pm.  We will be doorknocking and leafletting until 2pm when we will head to The Bread and Roses for lunch. 

Get in touch with Vaila McClure, Ward Secretary, at friendsforferndale@hotmail.co.uk, for more details.