about
fcc
Friends of Clapham Common
We work to protect and improve Clapham Common.
As an active environmental charity of some 500 members, FCC runs conservation projects to improve the biodiversity of the Common and restore its buildings and facilities. We plant trees, shrubs, bulbs and turf and renew wetland areas.
Other improvements initiated by FCC include works to water fountains, graffiti removal and lobbying Lambeth to keep events under control and ensure maintenance is carried out. Our fundraising events include an annual, summer party.
Committee
Shirley Kermer has lived in Clapham since 2006 and feels privileged to live by the common where she walks most days. She is committed to improving the ecology of the common and to enhancing and preserving this precious green space for future generations.
Mike is a retired Chartered Accountant with many years' experience of acting as trustee of large pension funds and charities. He is currently a trustee and treasurer of The Dutch Centre, an arts charity based in London. Mike has lived near Clapham Common for 15 years and is passionate about retaining and improving this unique green space. He has been an enthusiastic and active supporter of the Friends of Clapham Common since being introduced to this organisation in 2017.
Margot moved to London from Italy in 2010 after graduating in Psychology, presenting a thesis inspired by David de Rothschild’s awareness-raising eco voyage “Plastiki”. Ever since, she has been passionate about the environment and sustainability. During her sabbatical in Australia, she volunteered for Griffith University’s projects “DuneWatch”, “CoastEd” and “BeachCare” on the Gold Coast. Margot integrates her love for the environment with a sustainable approach to her work as a registered associate nutritionist. Having joined the Friends of Clapham Common in 2019, she became a Trustee in 2020. Her role includes IT and admin management.
Ed has lived much of his life in Clapham. He was motivated to join the Friends over the question of future of the bowling greens and stayed to promote a Common that is ecological, sustainable, and open to all. He is currently teaching and researching for a PhD in the area of medieval literature.
Emma is a local mum who moved to Clapham in 2015; the main attraction to the area being the beautiful green space that is Clapham Common for her dog and kids to enjoy as they grow up! She has over 12 years experience in Marketing and Events in the City, she now runs her own Wedding and Events business. Emma got involved with Friends of Clapham Common during Summer 2021, whilst objecting and campaigning against the "over commercialisation" of Clapham Common. She deals with FCC social media, local engagement, press, fundraising & events.
Gareth is a landscape designer working in London and the Home Counties. He is a passionate ecologist and horticulturalist and leads the ‘Wild Clapham’ biodiversity group on the Common. Gareth is the FCC representative on the Clapham Common Management and Advisory Committee (CCMAC) and represents both Wild Clapham and CCMAC on Lambeth’s newly formed Biodiversity Forum. Gareth’s vision for the Common is to improve habitat for wildlife through the creation of scrubland, wildflower meadows, woodland and wetland.
Harriet Hall has lived in Clapham since 1978 and brought up her family here, enjoying the Common as a place for play, relaxation and sport. Now retired, she worked as a solicitor and later in legal aspects of consumer policy. She is a trustee of two other charities, one a grant giving charity, the other committed to developing employment opportunities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She is involved with a project on private land in Somerset, where more than 3500 trees have been planted and plans are underway to make a scrape for winter water collection, and butterfly bunds.
Samantha joined forces with the Friends of Clapham Common in April 2021 after meeting Shirley Kermer online after the planning application meeting at which Lambeth Council granted themselves permission to hold yet another major commercial event on Clapham Common. As a lawyer, Samantha has been a key contributor in the legal fight to stop Lambeth Council from using Clapham Common for major commercial events. Samantha is a nature lover and is fiercely protective of the natural environment of Clapham Common. She is a firm believer in the restorative effects of natural, green, open spaces both for human health and for the health of our planet.
We wish to encourage new friends to play a part on our Committee and hope to draw on a range of experience, with all aspects of our community represented.
We ask for a commitment of around 1 hour a week. We are currently looking for people with publicity and IT skills and/or with a good knowledge of biodiversity management in urban parks.
If you feel you have something to offer or know someone else who has, please email friends@claphamcommon.net.
CCMAC
FCC operates in partnership with the Clapham Common Management Advisory Committee (CCMAC), the community group working with Lambeth Council to run Clapham Common.
FCC has one representative on CCMAC.