About The Friends of Clapham Common

History of FCC

Origins

FCC started life as the Clapham Common Residents Association (CCRA) which was formed by a group of local residents concerned about the decline of Clapham Common. The catalyst was the impact of a number of large and poorly managed events that had taken place in 1996 & 1997. An open meeting was held in September 1997 at the Northcote Road Library and a committee was nominated with the task of creating a properly constituted organisation.

Launch

The new organisation was launched in June 1998 as the Friends of Clapham Common (FCC). This new name was chosen as we felt it reflected better our interest in protecting Clapham Common rather than merely the interests of local residents. It's the only voluntary organisation wholly dedicated to Clapham Common since 1836 when the first residents committee was established to "improve the condition of the common".

Membership

Initially mainly residents on the Wandsworth side of the Common were involved but members have been recruited from all sides of the Common. Membership grew quickly to its present level of around 300.

Events

Our initial activity centred around improving the quality of events held on the Common. We've taken a strong stand against proposals for using Clapham Common as a non-stop events site during the summer months. We've challenged Lambeth Council over the excessive size of events they were permitting. We've campaigned for more reasonable sound levels and better cleaning up afterwards.

Our priorities

Within a year it became obvious that the Common was under many threats and that the 'managed decline' it had been experiencing over the years had to be reversed! We adopted the following priorities in addition to our dedication to good management of events:

1) To protect the Common from encroachment.

We realise that once parts are lost they are rarely if ever restored to green open space. To prevent this loss, we've opposed all schemes which nibble away at the Common or surrender parts of it for commercial gain which has nothing to do with the purpose of the Common.

2) To improve the Common

We've campaigned vigorously to get things done and for more resources. We have worked with other local groups, like the Clapham Society, for a long term plan to make significant improvements to the Common with lottery funding.

3) To empower the membership and the community

• by promoting the majority view based on consultation with the membership even when this did not necessarily chime with the views of the Committee or Chairman.
• by supporting members in pursuing their own ideas for the Common.
• by helping members of the public pursue issues with the Council.

Has it made a difference? Of course it has!

We are delighted that Lambeth Council now takes a much greater interest in the Common than it has in the past. As a result there has been a greater allocation of resources to the Common

There has been some improvement in size, management and appropriateness of events. The Council has accepted restrictions on size of events and adopted guidelines for their management.

Many attempts to build over the Common and turn over other parts to commercial exploitation have been fought off and unsightly signage encroaching on the Common removed.

Removal of graffiti is more rapid and effective.

A prioritised repairs programme is being developed jointly by FCC and the Council.

The Council has committed itself to proper consultation with users and the community and a proper improvement and management plan for the future

Is there more to be done? Of course there is!

The FCC is working within the Clapham Common Management Advisory Committee to devise a management and development Masterplan. Meanwhile, future attempts to encroach on the Common are to be fought off, buildings and unnecessary paving to be removed and repairs to be done. And much more...

That is why we urge you to join FCC and get involved if you care about the Common! The greater our voice the more we can do. And the more members we have the greater is our voice!