October 2013 by Mark Wall

SEnine Eltham SE9

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SEnine Annual Variety Concert October 19th OCTOBER 2013

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It is your community, you have the right to a say in what happens

SEnine ISSUE NUMBER 83 Welcome to Eltham The cover shot, unlike most of the beautiful covers that usually appear is a photo of the sign that greets visitors to Eltham approaching the town centre up Eltham Hill. It would be hard to find a more un - welcoming sign in the borough than this faded, rusty & graffiti marred sign. It was bought to my attention by a local couple who happen to be dining across the road and looked out on it. I often walk down that way, and to be truthful had never noticed it which so often happens when we become indifferent to our surroundings. With such a beautiful building in the background, it is a shame that the view is detracted by this sorry sign. Prior to press I did not have the opportunity to visit all the signs that grace the streets leading into Eltham, but some time over the next month I will do so and publish a report. Perhaps, the matter of these signs could be taken up as a cause by the STOPTown Centre Partnership or the Eltham PRESS Throug Society. Eltham h rep It would be wonderful ressigns Etolthhave e announcing both am Smodern ociety ntations fro rthe m areas thiscentre eplaEltham The ced wit town sign isand the soonclub Gmembership reenwic h atonthat ice neexclusive t o bof e w one h livery in Roya Royal Boroughs. l

OPINION, FROM MY DESK OCTOBER 2013 Civic Voice SEnine Concert Last month the magazine led with a story of an attempt to get a conversation started about Civic Pride and the work being undertaken by a group calling themselves Civic Voice. I was surprised by the reaction to that story, where many people spoke to me and agreed in general to its cut and thrust. I was even more surprised by the number of people that came forward to get involved. Just two. On the up side, the Eltham Society has a sub-group that will meet next Friday as I write (27-09-2013) to discuss their involvement (if any) in the public discussion / debate to be held in March 2014. The aim of this public meeting will be to put forward and discuss issues that affect us all, how the town is developed, what is the best way forward to insure a healthy town centre and what we want from local assets available. While it would be silly not involve local councillors and our local MP, all who carry some gravitas, the aim is to seek input from you. What do you want for the future of the area you live in? I do hope that many get involved and express personal views devoid of any political or other agendas.

Totally Independent Main Office

Mark Wall

mark@senine.co.uk

Editor:

John Webb

editor@senine.co.uk

Advertising

Mark Wall

mark@senine.co.uk

Phone: Web: Publisher:

020 8333 7493 (For all matters) www.senine.co.uk SEnine Ltd: PO Box 24290, Eltham, SE9 6ZP

Closing Dates. All copy must be received by about the 15th* of each month to appear in the next edition. Contributions and Stories are always welcome from the residents of Eltham. Submissions are subject to our overall editorial policy.

It is that time of year again. This month the concert will be staged at Eltham Hill School. It will be the 7th concert sponsored by the SEnine magazine and we are hoping this year for the biggest audience ever. For that reason we ask you to come along and support this event. The ticket prices have been reduced from last year and can be purchased in advance at £8.50 (£7.00 SEnine Friends) at Normans Music or by mail from SEnine. Tickets at the door are the same as last year, £10.00 so there is a good saving to be had in advance purchasing. The line up this year includes the ever popular Greenwich Concert Band, Greenwich Community Choir, & Greenwich Academy of Music & Drama In addition we have managed to co-opt local talent such as Harvey Montague, who sang last year, and new commers to the concert in Suzie Bailey (from the Tudor Barn) and a well known local duo the Celtic Hearts. It should be a great night and I look forward to greeting you.

Enjoy life: Enjoy Eltham.

Cover: Welcome to Eltham - story above Cover photo by: Mark Wall Cameo: SEnine Concert. See back page for details

Friends Membership. Support for the magazine is always appreciated. You can help the magazine with an annual Friends Membership The standard membership is £24.00 per year (in the delivery area) Royal Mail membership £36.00 per year (Outside the current delivery area and delivered by messenger or post)

Send your name, address and contact details along with payment to 'SEnine Friends' PO Box 24290 Eltham SE96ZP

*Some months do vary, check our web page www.senine.co.uk for exact dates. We only use the very best industry standard vegetable oil based inks. We use environmentally friendly papers, from a sustainable source, with a chain of custody from well managed forests through the supply chain to our printer.

Or visit our web site www.senine.co.uk to pay on line. We look forward to hearing form you.

This publication is subject to copyright - if you want to use something, ask we will usually grant permission

NEWS

SEnine

Rose is a Rose is a Rose is a Rose A new poetry anthology celebrates the talent of three local residents. Amy Duffin had a front row seat at the launch of ‘Poets at the Priory’ where attendees gathered to hear live readings from a selection of verse.

If you’d like to order a copy of the anthology (for just £3), simply contact Christchurch on 020 88501666, parishoffice@ christchurcheltham.org.uk or visit www. christchurcheltham.org.uk. If you’re interested in joining the Literature Group at the Priory, which is very happy to accept new members, contact Pamela Ray on the above telephone number or email address.

hristchurch Priory’s Literature Group has been meeting locally for more than 10 years, with the objective of studying English poetry, novels and drama. Led by Pamela Ray, a retired teacher, the Group meets every Thursday at the Priory to discuss and work on texts from the canon, where they are studied for intellectual pleasure, emotional insight and are also interrogated from a spiritual dimension. “The Literature Group is a small, but luminous jewel in Eltham’s cultural crown and is something to rejoice in”, said Paul Clark, who introduced the proceedings. “The group isn’t in the least precious or exclusive, but the offering is always first-class literature”, he added. ‘Poets at the Priory’ contains work from three of the Literature Group’s longstanding members: Clare McLaughlin, Angela Nicholson and Christopher Payne. Many of the works in the anthology chart the life experiences of the poets, whether family, faith, or the local area. All proceeds from ‘Poets at the Priory’ will go to the Christchurch Hall refurbishment fund, in acknowledgement of the meeting place that the Church has provided for the Literature Group for so many years.

Sandals and Boots by Christopher Payne

Clare McLaughlin (Centre) Clare lives in Eltham, and has been writing poetry for many years. Joining Torridon Writers (a national Association of Writers Groups class), inspired her to write many of the poems in the anthology. Angela Nicholson (Right) Angela has been writing poetry since she was a teenager, and her themes include her Christian faith, past life experiences and recent events. Christopher Payne (Left) Christopher is a retired doctor, and has been writing poetry since 1999. His website, christopherpaynepoetry.net includes his most recent and published work.

Down in Oxleas Wood the centurion stood By the long, straight road where the Romans strode. Up in Jolly Jack Wood the grandchildren stood And the games they played as the tree trunk swayed Recalled the climbs of the olden times. Sam counted the rings on the trunks and things. Ellen’s broad smile made us dance for a while Ciara edged nearer where the leaves grew clearer. Lulu and Roisin kept the branches in motion Two of a kind with determined minds. Chuckling Johnny, cheeks red and bonny, Singing a song as we paddled along In the mud and grass where the sandals passed In an age long gone when the soldiers of Rome Would rest on the hill as their children spilled From the wagons to play on the tree trunk’s sway Finding acorns with roots where our Wellington boots Would unearth the same in years to come.

Meccano Fair & Exhibition W

orking Meccano models featuring trains, planes, cranes, fairground rides and much more will be on display at the annual show in Eltham this month. The show will also include ‘SELMEC rope

races’ in which competitors will test their Meccano model climbing skills as their models race to reach the ceiling or across the hall by rope.

The exhibition is on Saturday October 12 from 10.30am to 4.30pm at the Eltham United Reformed Church, Court Road.

Meccano sets and spares will be available with raffle and refreshments.

Adults £3.00; OAPs £2.50; Children £1.50; Accompanied Children FREE

Don't be a litter lout, find a bin

SEnine

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Halloween at Eltham Park Thursday October 31st 6pm - 10pm

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M&S vouchers to be won for the best adult costume. 1st £25.00 2nd £10.00 and 3rd £5.00

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Take away goody bag Prizes for best costumes Bite the apple Face painting Decorate a Biscuit Halloween quiz Halloween colouring in Guess the number of sweets in the witches jar

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Eltham Park South Cafe Eltham Park South, Glenesk Road, Eltham

SEnine

Signature Location in Eltham The new Orangery Studios, on Orangery Lane, Eltham will be launched in October. They will provide unique town centre accommodation for seven local businesses. The size of the seven units range from approximately 25sq m to 120 sq m,

or uick, ight Q Be ess m busin on this r u o y out ty miss pportuni o great

For details, please contact; The Greenwich Enterprise Board, 26 Burney Street, London SE10 8EX Telephone 020 8305 2222 email jh@geb.co.uk

A Motif of Mushrooms A selection of the late works of Eltham sculptor Helene Fesenmaier will be exhibited at the Gerald Moore Gallery, Mottingham during October.

orks of the sculptor, who died recently, over the last five years of her life, will be on show on Saturday from 12noon to 4pm at the gallery, which is in the grounds of Eltham College. The US-born artist lived in Eltham from 2003 and is famous for her wooden sculptures which are in the’ referential expressionist’ movement. Entry is free. The Gallery continues to offer courses in art and crafts for adults and children, including some for the half-term period.

These include an after school art club for 12-15 year olds from 12 November – 10 December, for 7 – 11 years olds from 13 November – 11 December and a Saturday morning club from 9 November – 14 December. Working with an artist, young people will use new techniques exploring material, colour, and texture. On October 5, from 12– 4pm there will be a ‘Big Draw’ using crazy materials and unexpected tools!

98 Riefield Road Eltham London SE9 T: 020 8333 0452 E: scott@londonandkent.co.uk

For adults, a five week life drawing class run from 11 November – 9 December in the evenings, an art skills course on Wednesdays evenings starting November 13 and a one day cyanotype photography course with Charlie Ogilvie on November 16. Booking is essential for all courses and workshops. Call 020 8857 0448 or email info@geraldmooregallery.org

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SEnine

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JANE’S JOTTINGS

SEnine In London, we’re all more inclined to float around in our own little boxes, saving PDAs for our nearest and dearest, and then only when they’re in favour.

‘H

oway Bonny Lass’. It’s a long time since anyone called me that. Not because it’s not true, of course. It’s because I’m not often in my equally bonny home county of Northumberland.

A more confusing appellation in the North East is ‘hinnie’ which is probably only heard Down South when the Hairy Bikers are on telly.

These included the traditional ‘pet’, then its expanded form ‘petal’ and also its derivative, ‘flower’.

Probably people round this way would consider these terms to be inappropriately familiar, perhaps a preliminary to a chat up line or something.

Mind you, as the term ‘guy’ has now become androgynous, why not? M o r e traditional in these parts I observe is the use of animal epithets. Hence, ‘duck’, ‘ducks’, ‘chucky egg’ or its shortform of ‘chuck’ which gained universal coverage from Bet Lynch in Coronation Street. I still also hear ‘sweetheart’ but this sounds more like a throwback to 1950s American sit-coms like ‘I Love Lucy!’

On a recent return trip I was called a number of names, some of which I can repeat in polite company.

I should add that these terms of endearment, or PDAs as they’re called in the trade (public displays of affection) came not from members of my family, but complete strangers, people in shops and folk I got chatting to in passing.

southern fellas being a bit taken aback when described as such by a male bus driver up north.

The literal meaning of hinnie is a cross between a male horse and female donkey. I’d like to think that anyone saying that to me was just using the Geordie version of ‘honey’, more complimentary than being called a dumb animal with stubby ears. Even more confusing is ‘love’ which is used regardless of gender. I’ve heard of

Whatever, I reckon it’s a nice habit to get in to, so choose your preferred PDA and start using it. So long as it’s none of the comestible allusions apparently favoured by the Duke of Edinburgh when talking to his missus. I’m nobody’s ‘sausage’ or ‘cabbage’ thank you very much.

Jane Webb has lived in Eltham since '85 with her husband and daughter. She has taught at several local primary schools'

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SEnine

SILVER SUNDAY 6th OCTOBER “WEALTH OF WISDOM” CELEBRATIONS 2-6 SHERARD ROAD, ELTHAM

Come and join us anytime between 10am & 4pm! FOR FREE TASTER SESSIONS LED BY OLDER PEOPLE FOR OLDER PEOPLE AND FREE REFRESHMENTS

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NEWS

SEnine

News in Brief O

ne of SE9’s most congested ratruns could be closed by the council because it has become an accident blackspot.

BHT Awards

t the Bob Hope's annual general meeting, the following awards were made for work over the last year. Maggi Law received the Duclos-Bryce Achievement Award for her direction of J B Priestley's play “When We Are Married” which was staged at the Theatre in March. The 'production of the year' went to Calendar Girls which played to packed houses in May and succeeded in raising more than £8,500 for cancer charities. Jim Shepherd accepted the George Tapp Award for Front of House work while Emma Francois and Tom Ardhern-Mulhern received the Molly Haffenden Award for New Stagers.

Residents in Dobell and surrounding Roads have been consulted on proposals for improving conditions for pedestrians, including the possibility of closing it for through traffic. There have been five accidents reported at the bust junction of Dobell Road and Well Hall Road in the last three years. “Four of the accidents involved motorists turning right out of Dobell Road and colliding with vehicles on Well Hall Road”, said a council spokesman.

onnie Eltham' spotted by England fan Mark Stickings and his son Tim at England's game against Ukraine in Kiev on Tuesday September 10. More interesting than the game, which finished 0-0.

nd Percival’s camera shop has now closed after 40 years. Owner Tony is heading for a new career running a bed and breakfast photo holiday business. Eltham wishes him well.

Farmers Market

ltham Farmers Market is celebrating its sixth birthday and inviting some new friends. As well as the selection of local produce, it is expanding to take in arts, crafts, clothing and community stalls. The organisers are also seeking stalls from local organisations and small businesses to widen its appeal. The market operates between 10am and 2pm on the third Sunday of each month in Passey Place on Eltham High Street.

Turning Right from Dobell to Well Hall Road

“The borough has a duty to reduce road casualties”, he said.

Bonnie Eltham

Old Name

Dobell Road

The council would use funds provided by Transport for London to tackle road casualties to implement improvements. The three options which have been put to residents include extending the leng th of the yellow line waiting restrictions in Well Hall Road to improve sightlines for cars emerging from Dobell; banning right turns from Dobell into Well Hall Road; and closing Dobell at its junction with Well Hall. One problem with closure would be the displacement effect on adjacent roads if this was implemented.

The market sells a range of fresh local produce including fruit & veg, jams, honey and chutneys, chilli sauce, bread & cakes, organic meat, game and traditionally made sausages. In October, customers will also be able to buy the Well Hall Pleasaunce annual calendar, which costs £4 and raises funds for developing the park. There will also be a ‘Dr Bike’ bicycle repair team. Anyone wanting to get involved should contact Chris or Sophie Elder of City and Country Farmers’ markets at 020 8302 9010 or email: info@weareccfm.com.

Greenwich Rotary

A New Name

agle-eyed shop spotters will have noticed that Lloyd’s in Eltham High Street has become a branch of TSB.

social evening organised by Greenwich Rotary earned £475 for the local foodbank. The event, held at Royal Blackheath Golf Club included a talk by Glyn Paul from the Opera Appreciation Club. The foodbank, based in Eltham, supports local people living in crisis who have been given foodbank vouchers by care professionals.

Join in a Community Activity

SEnine

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Don't be a Litter tosser, put it in a bin

WHAT'S ON

SEnine

Saturday September 28

Saturday October 12

Michaelmas Fair

Cray Valley v Holmesdale

All Saints Church Hall, Bercta Road, New Eltham Family fun, games, stalls, tombola, home-made cakes, raffle, refreshments - Admission 30p - Starts 12noon

South Eastern Counties League Badgers Sports Ground Middle Park Avenue More details: www.cray-valley.co.uk Entrance £8 inc programme (See discount offer page XXX) 3pm

Saturdays Sept 28 – November 2 Helene Fesenmaier – The Late Works Exhibition of sculptures by Eltham artist Gerald Moore Gallery, Eltham College Entry free. 12noon – 4pm

Tuesday October 1 Eltham Poetry book launch ‘A Celebration of Eltham in Verse’ Eltham Centre, Archery Road. 7-8pm

Wed to Sat October 2 - 5 ‘Curtains’ Musical comedy whodunit Ravensbourne Light Operatic Society Bob Hope Theatre 020 8850 3702 www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk £13.50 7.45pm (plus 2.30pm Sat)

Thursday October 3 Eltham Jazz Club, Paul Wood, vocals and Pete Cooper, trumpet Woodcroft Club, Eltham High Street More details from marion200@ntlworld.com Tickets £9 - 7.30pm

Saturday October 12 Come and Sing Mozart Eltham Choral Society welcomes guests. Mozart’s Coronation Mass Eltham Park Methodist Church, Westmount Road £12 for singers, £6 audience. Tickets from 8850 3702 or Norman’s Music Register 1pm, Rehearsals 1.30pm, Refreshments 5pm Concert 7pm

Thu to Sat October 17 - 19 ‘Pirates of Penzance’ Sidcup Operatic Society perform Gilbert and Sullivan Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road Tickets £10.50 to £12.50 7.45pm (plus Sat 2.30pm)

Thursday October 17 Eltham Jazz Club, Frank Griffiths, sax/clarinet and John Francis, violin Woodcroft Club, Eltham High Street More details from marion200@ntlworld.com Tickets £9 - 7.30pm

Saturday October 5 EdithNesbittSocietyAnnualGeneralMeeting The meeting will be preceded by an illustrated talk by John Webb, Secretary of the Well Hall Pleasaunce on 'Evolution of a Garden - The story of Well Hall Pleasaunce. United Reformed Church, 1 Court Road 2.30pm

Wednesday October 9 Quiz Night White Hart, Eltham Hill On behalf of Bromley Players £10 including carvery meal From 6,30pm quiz starts 8.30pm

Wed to Sat October 9 - 12 ‘Mack and Mabel’ Musical set in 1920s Hollywood Eldorado Musical Productions Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road 8850 3702 or www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk £13.50 and £11.50 - 7.45pm (plus 2.30pm Sat)

Saturday October 12

Saturday October 19 SEnine 7th Annual Variety Concert A Great line up of local talent will entertain you for the evening. ► Greenwich Concert Band ► Greenwich Community Choir ► Greenwich Academy of Music & Drama Special appearances by  Harvey Montague Singer & Song writer  Suzie Bailey Singer  Celtic Hearts Irish Folk Group Hosted by the SEnine Magazine. This event is a must on your calendar. Venue, Eltham Hill School, Eltham Hill. 7pm Start.

Meccano Show 2013 Large display of working Meccano models in three halls. Eltham United Reformed Church, Court Road. Adults £3.00; OAPs £2.50; Children £1.50; Accompanied Children FREE 10.30am to 4.30pm

Tickets in advance from Normans Music or SEnine (by mail, see page 3 for address) £8.50 Advance Friends of SEnine concession £7.00 All at the Door sales on the night £10.00

Age UK Bromley & Greenwich 2-6 Sherard Road Monday 21st Techy Tea Party. 10am-12pm Free event where you can learn about modern technology. We’ll explain things to you in a friendly and down-to-earth way. All that with tea and biscuits laid on too. Louise 020 8315 1850 Every Tuesday Exercise class. 10am – 11am Chair based exercises to help keep you fit! Yvonne 020 8315 1850 Every Tuesday French Group 2pm – 4pm Join other Francophiles and brush up your French. Beginners and improvers welcome. 020 8315 1883 Wednesday 23rd History Group 10am - 12pm With different subjects each month there is something to interest everyone. 020 8315 1883 Wednesday for 5 weeks Let’s Cook and Eat 10.15am – 1.15pm 5 Week Cooking programme for people 50+ Wendy 020 8294 3013 Thursday 3rd & 17th Craft Group 10am – 12pm Bring along your own craft project or try something new with fellow enthusiasts! 020 8315 1883 Every Thursday Forget-me-not Singing 2pm – 3.30pm Fun and friendly singing group for people with dementia. Rose 0781 118 7490 Every Friday Technology Club 10am – 11.30am We can offer help and support on a range of subjects to help you ‘Keep in Touch with Technology’ from mobile phones, tablets, cameras to lap-tops. Louise 020 8315 1883 Saturday 26th Men in Sheds 'Making Traditional Christmas Toys' 10am – 12pm Learn the skills to make traditional Christmas toys with our shedders from the Men in Sheds project. Steve 020 8294 3017 Saturday 12th, 19th & 26th Knit-And-Natter Bring an existing project or start from fresh with your own materials. 020 8315 1883 Sunday 6th Silver Sunday 10am-4pm See page 9 for details.

Eltham has something for everyone

PREVIEW by Beattie Slavin

SEnine

Live at Bob Hope in October B

ob Hope is brimming with musical titbits in October. The first delight on offer is Musical Comedy Whodunit Curtains. Boston 1959 and the leading lady dies on stage whilst premiering a new musical. All the cast and crew are suspects, but there is no need to worry. The detective is a musical theatre fan. Next up is Mack and Mabel. Set in the 1920s and based on the working and romantic relationship of movie director Mack Sennett and movie star Mabel Normand. With music and lyrics by Jerry Herman who wrote Hello Dolly. The fabulous songs tell this touching heart-breaking story of two of Hollywood’s greatest icons.

solace in the fact Mabel will wait for him. Bromley Players contribution to this musical OctoberFeast is Godspell. Director Ian Chapman and musical Director Steve Trill won awards for their production of Rent with Bromley Players, so expectations are high. Jesus is played by Daniel Lawrence (last seen in the title role of Jekyll and Hyde in April) and the role of John the Baptist/Judas Iscariot is played by Matthew Westrip. Bromley Players like to choose something challenging but also a bit different. They’ve picked Godspell as they are able to really put their own stamp on it but they also wanted something lighter and more joyous after the dark Jekyll and Hyde. They have been rehearsing since June and this is going to be must see.

What musical season would be complete without Gilbert and Sullivan? The Pirates of Penzance concerns the problems of Frederic, who born on 29th of February will celebrate his 21st birthday and the end of his apprenticeship in another 63 years. Having already fallen in love with Mabel, and being an honourable chap, he takes

Set in winter 2013, the riots of 2011 have started again. Some Londoners have had enough. John the Baptist/Judas uses twitter and flyposting to convince these people to meet at St Pancreas train station. A community forms that focuses on acceptance, love and friendship as they grow closer to the head of the group. Using modern social

Saturday October 19

Sunday October 27

Wed November 13 – Sat 16

Folkmob 20th birthday festival

Jive Aces

84 Charing Cross Road’

Singers and instrumentalists past and present plus guests Blackheath Rugby Club - Kidbrooke Lane - 3 – 11pm

Top jive and swing band ‘As Seen on Britain’s Got Talent’ Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road Tickets £16 from www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk 7.30pm

Drama of long distance relationship of book lovers Bob Hope Theatre Wythfield Road - 7.45pm Tickets £9 and 8 from 8850 3702 or www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk

Sunday October 20 Eltham Farmers Market

media to communicate, we will see the community member’s twitter and facebook accounts during the show. This brand new concept will appeal to modern day audiences of all ages. Lively numbers will keep children entertained as will the modern references. This rock musical was written by Stephen Schwartz who brought us Wicked and has won Grammys and Academy awards. Including the beautiful Day by Day and upbeat Light of the Day this show is full of energy and positive messages, and shows how timeless Godspell is. Closing this musical month is The Jive Aces. Their high energy stage show is only on for one night, but as it is already fully booked, we need more shows. Here’s to the hope that next time they do more (and soon). October Musical Feast – get your tickets for all the tasty morsels sooner rather than later.

Thu November 21 – Sat 23

Range of fresh produce - Passey Place - 10am – 2pm

Wednesday October 30

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Sunday October 20

Tudor Barn wine club

Kapow! Superstar Wrestling Show

Enjoy up to 6 wines and 3 courses £35 booking essential 0845 459 2351 7.30pm

Musical adaptation of one of America’s favourite books Hulvitz operatic society Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road Tickets £12.50 and £11 8850 3702 or www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk 7.45pm and 2.30pm (Sat)

Action-packed, family friendly wrestling and lucha libre show. Progress Hall, Admiral Seymour Road Tickets from £8 email: team_kapow@outlook.com or 07837742830 - 2:30pm - 5:30pm

Thursday October 31 Halloween at Eltham Park

Wed to Sat October 23 - 26 ‘Godspell’ Hit musical from the 1970s - Bromley Players Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road Tickets £11.50 to £13.50 from 8850 3702 7.45pm (plus 2.30pm Sat)

Fun and games for the kids in a safe environment Take away goody bag. Costume prizes. Bite the apple, face painting. Prizes for best dressed adult. £5.00 per child - 6pm - 10pm

Thursday October 31 Eltham Jazz Club

Sunday October 27 Greenwich Park: wildlife behind the scenes Eltham Nature Club Members £1.50, non-members £3 Book places at ethamnatureclub@hotmail.co.uk or 07884 711765 - 2pm More details www.elthamnatureclub.org.uk

Be a good neighbour

Jim Mullen, guitar and Christian Brewer, sax Woodcroft Club, Eltham High Street More details from marion200@ntlworld.com Tickets £9 7.30pm

Tue November 26 – Sat 30 ‘Fame - the Musical’ Glenyln Academy Bittersweet and inspiring story of students £13.50 and £11.50. Preview (Tues) £10 Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road 8850 3702 or www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk 7.45pm and 2.30pm (Sat)

Sun December 29 to Sat February 1 Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Annual panto - Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road Tickets £10 and £8 from 020 8850 3702 or www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk

ARTS

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Flash Mob - Mozart Style The chance to take part in an ‘instant’ performance of one of Mozart’s greatest works is being offered by Eltham Choral Society.

ingers can join up with the Society to rehearse the composer’s Coronation Mass on Saturday October 12. They will spend the afternoon rehearsing under conductor Peter Asprey and in the evening will take part in a public performance. They will also learn and perform John Rutter’s short work ‘The Lord Bless You and Keep You’. The cost for singers is £12 and enrolment is at 1pm at Eltham Park Methodist Church, Westmount Road with the evening performance starting at 7pm.

Audience tickets cost £6. Refreshments are served after the end of rehearsals, at 5.30pm. The Society’s weekly rehearsals are at the Methodist Church on Thursdays at 7.30pm.

More details, tickets for the Mozart event and registration forms to take part are on the society’s website at www.elthamchoral.org.uk, also tickets from 8850 3532 or Norman’s Music, Well Hall Road.

Ensembles and Courses: Greenwich Youth Band - for wind, brass & percussion players grade 6+ Greenwich Wind Ensemble - for wind, brass & percussion players grade 1 - 8 Greenwich Youth Choir - for singers aged 7-16 Greenwich Community Choir - for adults (no music reading required!) Stage Right Charlton, Stage Right Marlborough - fully inclusive, aimed at young people aged 8 - 18 with special needs GAMD Musical Theatre Course, GAMD Musical Theatre Young Performers, GAMD Summer Music Course.

Help keep Eltham tidy! Put your litter in bins.

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CO MIN G AT T R ACT I O N S

B O B H O P E T H E A T R E

Make a difference in your community

DIAMOND DAY

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Give and take Timing has been everything for Dot and Peter Powell, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this year.

aving notified the Palace of their happy occasion, an invitation came for them to attend in person, an afternoon spent in the most prestigious garden in London.

teams during the War, witnessing the V1 and V2 rocket attacks and bombings of local houses.

attractions in fayres and fetes across the area for many years.

Then conscription led him to service in the RAF serving as a mechanic, which took him to Singapore.

The models were exhibits at the old transport museum across at Woolwich Ferry at Silvertown and are now on display at the Walthamstow Pump Museum.

On return, there was a further spell at the Arsenal which was followed by a stint at the Royal Mint at Tower Hill, where he was involved in making the country’s first decimal coins in the 1960s before ending his career at the old oil fired Brunswick Power Station in Poplar.

“They are the real thing in miniature”, said Peter, whose group offered rides to children at events; the society would meet in a room above the Beehive pub in New Eltham.

The outing to Buckingham Palace was a highlight of a series of celebratory events which was triggered by Dot’s first ever outing to Eltham from her home in Swanley.

Dot’s interest saw her sing with the ‘Golden Girls’, part of the Eltham Townswomen’s Guild, of which she is still a member. For 20 years, she was a clerical officer at the Brook Hospital and then worked as a volunteer at the Save the Children shop in Eltham.

In search of fun, she attended a function at the dance hall in Eltham Arcade which is now Avery’s hardware store, where she first became aware of a handsome stranger.

Their anniversary celebrations have seen them having a party and meal for family and friends at the Clarendon Hotel in Blackheath and the Tudor Barn as well as a visit to Chartwell in Kent.

Dot said: “I didn’t even know where Eltham was. At the dance I tripped up and was helped to my feet by this handsome man.”

The secret of their marital success? “Give and take, never go to bed on an argument and don’t give yourself money worries”, they said, in unison.

Peter, 90 this year and seven years her senior, had been born and brought up on the Progress Estate, where he has lived his whole life. His parents moved to a house in Whinyates Road after his father had been drafted to work in the Royal Arsenal during the First World War. Leaving the Gordon School at 14 he followed his father into the Arsenal, he started as a messenger boy weaving his way between the giant guns being manufactured for the war effort. Peter was a member of the fire-watching

After marrying in 1953, the couple moved to Maudslay Road, where they have lived ever since, having a daughter, Christine and two grand-daughters. Peter’s engineering skills also made him a well-known figure in SE9, as a long serving member of the Eltham model railway society. His working scale models featured as

Take a walk in the Tarn

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SE9 1AQ

HEALTH & FITNESS FEATURE

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A Fitting use for the Coronet The £500,000 restoration of Eltham’s Coronet picture house will be completed by the end of October. Story by John Webb

he former Art Deco cinema, which has stood derelict alongside Well Hall roundabout for more than a decade, is undergoing conversion into a gym and fitness centre.

the remaining space was too small to accommodate even a small-scale arthouse facility. Planning permission was gained for restaurant use, but was found to be not viable.

Many of the period features are being lovingly restored and will form part of the new facility, which will include a public coffee bar in the foyer.

Rescue has come in the form of the Suggars family, whose vision for the building as a fitness centre has triggered the current restoration effort. Their ambitions will be realised when ‘Kinesis’ gym and fitness centre opens in November. The first 500 members being waived any joining fee, as well as a cheaper monthly charge.

SEnine has been given exclusive access to the Coronet which resembles scenes from Channel Four’s ‘Grand Designs’.

More than 30 workers and craftsmen have been on site with deliveries of specialist materials coming from around the globe. The former cinema was opened as the ‘Odeon Theatre’ in May 1936, converted into two screens in 1973 and took the name ‘Coronet’ in 1981 before closing for business in 1999. Since then, it has been subject to vandalism, dereliction, planning wrangles and pigeon infestation. All hopes of restoring movies to Well Hall were abandoned after the main auditorium was demolished to make way for 30 apartments and

 renovated circular canopy over the main entrance to the foyer;  matching new Art Deco-style window grilles installed;  maroon paint matching the livery of the original Odeon cinema chain is being made by the Keim company in Germany;  exterior ‘faience’ clay tiles re-painted and individually grouted to give a new but original appearance;  Art Deco style globule lighting on the stair railing;  a 1930s style reception desk and cafeteria.

Among the features being restored and installed into the Grade II listed Art Deco temple will be:

Stephen Friel is the person responsible for managing the transformation of the Coronet site and overseeing the works. “This project is a personal one for me.

 the rounded projecting glass staircase tower: multiple layers of paint have been stripped off, windows sandblasted clear and broken panes replaced. Now restored to the original 1930s splendour of the then novel materials produced by the Rustproof Metal Windows Company of Saltney, Cheshire;  a seven foot glass chandelier is being imported from China and will hang in the glazed stairwell;  repairs and refurbishments of the green and red terrazzo mosaic in the foyer which picks out the letters ‘ODEON’;  reproduction of Art Deco moulded cornices;

My parents did their courting at this cinema and it will be a proud day for me when I can bring them here and show them how it has been restored”, he said. His company, iPRO, has had the task of finding alternative uses and tenants for the building. “A fitness centre is an excellent use. It means it will remain open to the public and anyone will be able to come in to the foyer area for a coffee, it will enable to original and restored features to be shown off to good effect”, he said.

Be active in your community

HEALTH & FITNESS FEATURE

SEnine Mr Friel has scoured the world to source the best materials and craftsmen to do the work. “There would have been no point in cutting corners, we have tried to be faithful to the original building and I think the results will be spectacular”, he said. He explained that the space remaining in the development would not have been sufficient for any size of cinema, even if the new parade of shops had been included.

Dan & Mum, Coral “We tried our best to market the space for restaurant use and had any number of clients look it over. But the costs and problems were too great.”

SUGGARS FAMILY ‘Kinesis’, the fitness and gym studio which will occupy both floors of the former cinema, will be run by the Suggars family, whose roots go down deep in Eltham.

It will be managed by Dan, whose father Richard spent the first 22 years of his life living locally, and now lives in Gillingham. He and wife Coral met while working at Wellcome in Dartford. Dan, who played badminton for Kent, and is a personal trainer with a degree in marketing, will be joined by brother Matthew who is also a personal trainer with a keen interest in nutrition and will run the catering operation.

Help keep Eltham safe - report suspicious activity!

Open from 6am until 11pm seven days a week, the first 500 members will be able to sign up without joining fees, paying either £19.99 a month for a year or £24.99 each month, or £5 per day. Every new member will have their health assessed and a four week programme devised for them. Kinesis aims to be a friendly community gym, not run by a national chain or organisation, with the benefit for free and easy parking immediately outside. There will be circuit, yoga and boxercise and state of the art isometric, resistance and cardio equipment provided in conjunction with Cybex with a free weights area and Olympic bars. The café will be open for a range of nutritious light meals. Dan said: “We’re really looking forward to starting business in this beautiful old building which has been lovingly restored. “We’re a family concern looking to bring the latest fitness and gym facilities to the community”, he said. More details at www.kinesisgym.co.uk

HISTORIC ELTHAM

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Thomas Philipot Almshouses John Kennett looks at the story of Eltham’s historic almshouses in force today. New trustees were appointed when vacancies occurred. Their responsibility was to maintain the finances and make sure that the land and property in their care achieved a good and steady rental income to maintain the almshouses and provide a pension for the residents.

The original six Thomas Philipot Almshouses near The Rising Sun 1920s

Sandwiched between Sainsbury's car park and shops in Eltham High Street stand the Thomas Philipot Almshouses where elderly people live in a tranquil setting amongst well-cared for lawns and floral beds. But why are they here and who was Thomas Philipot? The present almshouses date back to 1929, with later additions, and are replacement accommodation for almshouses which once stood in, and near, Eltham High Street. Thomas Philipot inherited land at Eltham and Sidcup from his father John, and in 1680 made his will; he died two years later and was buried in St Alfrege’s Church at Greenwich. His will, to be administered by trustees, included the establishment of almshouses in Eltham for ‘six poore people’ being four from Eltham parish and two from the Chislehurst parish, which then included part of Sidcup. He proposed that the Clothworkers Company should be his trustees but as they were disinclined to take on the responsibility eleven local people were appointed, being seven from Eltham and four from Chislehurst – a ratio still maintained today. In 1688 the trustees were landowners in Eltham and Chislehurst and included three knights of the realm.

When monies accrued extra property was purchased or sold when times seemed prudent. By the late 1880s the charity owned land in Court Yard from the High Street almost to the site of the present post office which included residential property and The Crown public house. In 1870 the trustees decided to build

The terrace of six almshouses was built in the high street (east of the present Rising Sun pub) on a piece of land named Blunts Croft bought from the Fifteen Penny Lands Charity. The year of completion was 1694 and a date stone was fixed to the front of the building. The accommodation was ‘one room below and one above, with a wash house and small garden’. This modest accommodation was initially for single people; almshouses of this type were established by The three Blunts Road almshouses in 1964 local ‘worthies’ all over the country of which many survive, three extra units and secured land but now modernised, like the Stylemans to the rear of the almshouses from almshouses in Bexley Village of 1755. the Fifteen Penny Lands Charity. They were completed in 1872 and allocated The earliest complete list of almspeople in the ratio of two almspersons from is contained in the 1851 census which Eltham and one from Chislehurst. The records occupation by four single aim of the trustees in 1964 to get this people and two sets of married couples. site designated for shops was declined In 1871 new rules of administration for by the planning authorities and the the charity were initiated by the Charity almshouses were sold in 1968; they Commissioners which are basically still

HISTORIC ELTHAM

SEnine survive in updated residential use as 3,5,7, Blunts Road. A further High Street site was purchased, from the Roper Charity, in 1887 and another three homes designed by architect Edward Hodgkinson were built, where the Halifax Bank now stands, between Roper Street and Archery Road. To avoid confusion with the original accommodation they were

The 1929/1930 almshouses in 1964

With compensation from the council and the proceeds from land sold in Court Yard a piece of nursery garden land was purchased from Mr WF Lowater and elaborate plans for the site drawn up by the architectural practice of Messrs Wratten & Godfrey to include two blocks of seven cottages linked by a colonnade to the nurse’s two storey ‘cottage’ which would be the central feature of the plan. Initially

Unfortunately there was no money to complete the scheme until the 1970s when the two blocks were joined in a matching style and the cottages rehabilitated for modern living while temporary accommodation was made available for the almspeople

The present-day accommodation 2009

named as the ‘Jubilee Almshouses’ in recognition of the fiftieth anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Victoria.

only six replacement almshouses were constructed by William Blay of Dartford and were ready for occupation on 14 September 1929.

Thoughts of building new almshouses surfaced after the First World War when Woolwich Borough Council laid plans to widen the High Street which in places necessitated the removal of ancient properties dating back several hundreds of years including the original almshouses of 1694.

No sooner had the original almshouses been vacated than an offer was made for the Jubilee Almshouses by local builder Mr W Childs who was to upgrade the building as temporary accommodation for the rebuilding of nearby Barclays Bank. When this was achieved the premises were used by the Halifax Building Society from 1933 until 1974; their present premises opened in 1975.

The three Jubilee Almshouses c 1907

room, scullery/kitchen and an outside WC, and two bedrooms upstairs with fireplaces in the principal rooms.

With the sale p r o c e e d s the trustees commissioned three more almshouses from Walter H Godfrey’s plan which were ready for occupation in September 1930. Like the original almshouses each cottage had a stabletype entrance door which led to a living

at Streatham. The new facilities were officially opened in June 1978. Phase two was completed a year later and comprised twelve flats for disabled pensioners to a different almshouse design. The final scheme of four additional flats and a communal hall was officially opened in May 1983. A generous benefaction enabled the trustees, after a lengthy planning procedure, to build a bungalow for the warden at the west end of the site which bears the name ‘Spears Lodge 1992’. A nearby almshouse wall bears the original 1694 stone, additional dated stones and a sundial by Christopher Daniel to mark the 300th anniversary of the almshouses in 1994 which was marked by celebratory events and a charity history written by the author which goes into more detail than is possible here. Times and circumstances change but the trustees are now able to house around fifty residents in centrally heated flats in accommodation never envisaged by Thomas Philipot with social activities arranged by the warden to create a real sense of community. All pictures are from the John Kennett collection

SPORT

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Badgers Sports Club

Home of Cray Valley (pm) FC & Erith Town FC For Cray Valley: Contact Dave Wilson (Secretary) 07715 961886 wilson433@ntlworld.com or Frank May (Chairman) 07778 987579 frankmay.cvpmfc@hotmail.com

For Erith Town: Contact James Davie (Secretary) 077807 712149 jamesdavie@ntlworld.com or Ian Birrell (Chairman) 07956 291274 ibirrell@hotmail.co.uk It’s been a busy month

As at 19/09/2013

for both Cray Valley and Erith Town during September – with the Dockers slightly having the better of it in terms of results, including the Badgers ‘derby’! The Millers have been blighted by injuries and suspensions so far this season and it has affected us in some games, but we are confident that when we can put out a full strength team, we know we are a match for anyone in our League and it won’t be long before we are making a steady climb back up the table. There is still much to play for this season, including the FA Carlsberg Vase, and you can keep up to date with all the latest news, fixtures and results by clicking on our website, or by following both of our clubs on Twitter - @CrayValleyPM and for Erith Town ... @BillyAdams16 It seems many of you took advantage of the money off voucher printed in last month’s edition of SEnine so much so we have repeated the offer. I hope you enjoy your visit to Badgers, . We are enormously proud of our club and its facilities and we want visitors to Badgers to enjoy their stay with us. If you think there is anything we can do to add to your enjoyment, then please contact me using the details which can be found elsewhere on this page. Of course, it’s not just low cost football that you can enjoy at Badgers. On October 19th for example, we are hosting a family Race Night which in the past has always been a fun evening for everyone involved. Why not put this date in your diary now and join me for an evening of top quality horse racing and I look forward to seeing you all soon! Frank May, Chairman Cray Valley (PM) FC

Set in the grounds of Cray Valley & Erith Town Football Clubs, Badgers Sports Club is the ideal venue for a variety of functions & events. Our professional catering & hospitality team

can tailor a package that best suits your requirements. Our newly rebuilt & refurbished Clubhouse has lifted the whole venue, now with air conditioning, while the large glass domed roof fills the

Offer £2.00 off the admission on production of this token for any CRAY VALLEY (PM) FC or ERITH TOWN FC game at badgers in October No photocopies, one token per person.

hall with sunlight. As part of our package we can also recommend a range of services, from Wedding cars & flowers, to DJs & even live bands if you require.

Middle Park Avenue Eltham SE95HT

020 8355 4378 Info@badgerssportclub.co.uk www.badgersportsclub.co.uk

Join you local neighbourhood watch scheme

EDUCATION

SEnine

School redevelopment programmes. T

he great re-build of SE9’s schools is set to continue with two more projects moving ahead. At Harris Academy (Greenwich), detailed plans for a £16m complete re-building of its Middle Park Avenue site have been released. And the governors of Eltham Church of England primary school have decided to re-develop and expand on their Roper Street site.

Both schools will grow; at Harris, there will be in-house provision for a sixth form and Eltham CoE will increase to a two form entry.

Governors at Eltham CoE have chosen to stay on their current town centre site with a £3m re-build taking place after a period of consultation.

Harris will be able to remain on site while the building work is undertaken, which is expected to start in February and be completed in time for the autumn term of 2015.

The council was keen to move the school elsewhere to pursue its vision for Eltham and provide the school with a more spacious site.

In the case of Eltham CoE, the confined site will mean a de-camp to elsewhere while the site is re-developed but construction won’t take place for at least two years while extensive consultations take place. At Harris the seven storey former Eltham Green building, originally aimed to accommodate 2,300 students in 1958, will be replaced by a development on three floors.

But Rupert Osborn, chair of governors, said: “We were keen to stay in a central location in the parish. The alternatives sites offered were either too far away or not available for the foreseeable future.” The school is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year and next and has been on its current site since 1867. The fate of its characteristic buildings will depend on advice from architects who will be trying to make maximum use of the confined site to provide facilities for an expanded two form entry.

Looking a Year Ahead A

new look Well Hall Pleasaunce calendar for 2014 is on sale. Featuring 13 new pictures of the park through the seasons, the calendar is available for £4 from the Tudor Barn, Woodhead’s hairdressers in Well Hall

Take an interest in local events

Road and local newsagents. Proceeds from this year’s calendar will go towards a major re-planting of some of the flower beds in the Pleasaunce. Chair Sue King said: “The Friends need to raise funds

to pay for new planting in the park. Buying the calendar contributes towards our efforts to keep the park one of the finest in south east London.” The calendar is also available direct from the Friends by emailing wellhall@hotmail. co.uk or texting 07894 711765.

FEATURE

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Baron Marks O

ne of Eltham’s most famous sons has had a plaque unveiled in his honour and a society formed to celebrate his life and work. George Marks, later Baron Marks, was born in Eltham 155 years ago in a cottage alongside St John’s Churchyard on what is now Well Hall Road.

There is a plaque in the United Reformed Church to Marks which was moved there after the old Congregational Church in Eltham was demolished. He and his family, who moved to Daisy Cottage, near Elizabeth Terrace, in the 1870s, had been pillars of the church throughout his life. The proposed plaque with the Marks Coat of Arms He died in Bournemouth and motto 'With patience and labour'. in 1938, however, he kept up links with the area, returning to open a bazaar at Eltham Arsenal. He was a gifted student and Park Baptist Church not long before his gained a place at King’s College in London. After working in companies death. in Dublin and Birmingham he became The new George Marks Society, a lecturer at the Birmingham Technical supported by the Eltham Society, School.

has unveiled a plaque to him at the Greenwich heritage centre and is planning to hold a programme of activities.

He went on to become one of the leading engineers of his generation but his contribution to the science is largely forgotten. If he is remembered at all, it is for cliff railways around the country, the design for which he helped to develop.

His most famous achievements were the cliff railways at Saltburn on Sea on Teesside and Lynton in Devon for which he devised a power system based on the displacement of water, and Funicular railways at Matlock, Clifton in Bristol, Aberystwyth and Babbacombe. After leaving the new British School in Eltham when he was 14, George became an apprentice at the Royal

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Later in life, he went into politics, becoming the Liberal MP for Launceston in Cornwall. He later swapped sides to Labour in the 1920s, becoming one of the party's first two Lords in 1929. The Society has been formed to mark the 75th anniversary of his death under the guidance of former local MP John Austin, who can be contacted at johnaustin1944@gmail.com or 14, Custom House Reach, Odessa Street, London SE16 7LX.

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Local Business - use it or lose it

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OPEN DAYS Wednesday 25 September Wednesday 2 October Wednesday 9 October Wednesday 16 October 9am - 12pm 2XWVWDQGLQJ *&6( UHVXOWV IRU RI RXU VWXGHQWV DFKLHYHG $ & JUDGHV ZLWK LQFOXGLQJ (QJOLVK DQG 0DWKV

<RX DQG \RXU GDXJKWHU DUH LQYLWHG WR RXU RSHQ GD\V WR Ë&#x2030;QG out more about coming to the school in September 2014. 9.00am: Registration and coffee 9.30am - 12pm: Presentation by the Principal Č§ Tour of the school Č§ An opportunity to meet students and staff Č§ Prospective students are encouraged to participate in a range of workshops Eltham Hill, Eltham, London, SE9 5EE | 020 8859 2843 | www.elthamhill.com | info@elthamhill.greenwich.sch.uk

Excellence, Happiness & Success

B ee

O den r a G

pen

Christmas is coming

Why not book your Christmas party with us here from 1st December - 23rd December 2013?

We are offering set Special Lunch Menu Monday - Friday Christmas meals , Christmas 12pm - 4pm Buffet Menus. We also will 2 course meal for ÂŁ10.95 be hosting 'Bring a party to 3 course meal for ÂŁ12.95 a party' on Friday evenings. Full Christmas Buffet and Disco. Price per person to be confirmed Christmas will be full of fun and laughter with colleagues , friends old and new here at White Hart. Just call us at 0208 850 1562, or send us an e-mail

Open Morning, Saturday November 9, 10am - 12noon.

2 Eltham High Street Eltham London SE9 1DA

020 8850 1562 www.whiteharteltham.co.uk info@whiteharteltham.co.uk

When in doubt, do the right thing

PERSONAL ELTHAM

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Spread Your Wings Kieran Boyle and John Murphy are The Celtic Hearts, a local Irish folk group who have released an album ‘Spread Your Wings’. Matt Bell spoke to them. we were quite popular because people stopped to listen to us and we got requests for specific songs. We also played outside St Mary’s Community Centre for the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics last year. In addition to that we played twice during the Olympics near the big screen in Greenwich.

What's your style of music? Kieran: We combine rich vocal harmonies with multi instruments, playing a large repertoire of best loved Irish folk songs from the past with more contemporary songs and original tracks. Where do you play? John: About once a month during Sunday Mass at Christ Church in the High Street, as well as gigs. It started on Remembrance Sunday 2010 when Kieran played ‘Abide With Me’ on the mandolin. There wasn't a dry eye in the house, it was so moving. The previous man in charge of music at the church, Michael Lobo, moved for work reasons so I was asked to fill in on the odd Sunday having done music in church before for several years. How did you get together? John: I saw Kieran playing at a gig at St Thomas More School in 2009 so I knew of him and his talent. Then I was coming out of Mass one Sunday, having never met him, I tapped him on the shoulder, and asked him to work with me on music for the church.

What do you contribute musically to the Mass? John: We choose the hymns and come up with tunes for the Psalms because they should be sung, not read. It's like poetry to music. I've put some of them

Th e wil Celt i l b e a c Hea at p pea rts t An r nu he SEn ing See al C i det back once ne rt. pag ails ef . or

on YouTube under the heading 'Bootle Psalms'. We bring a Celtic feel to the hymns and are supported by the rest of the music worship group - Tricia, Mark (who plays the organ), Joanne, Helen, Maggie and anyone else who wants to join us. The congregation and the clergy (Father John, Father Anthony and Father Dennis) are very supportive. Which instruments can you play, Kieran? Mandolin, guitar, 5-string banjo, 4-string banjo, piano, violin, accordion, whistle and harmonica. We share the vocals. John specialises in harmonies.

Do you play elsewhere? John: As well as church we play gigs at events such as St Patrick's Day at St Thomas More and the Woodcroft Club, First Holy Communion parties, weddings, christenings and birthdays. We have done small venues such as the Cafe of Hope in Hither Green as well as at my house and Kieran’s house! We encourage people to dance and even to sing as we always have an open mic at our gigs. We play because we love doing it. Have you performed outside in the open air? Kieran: Yes, we did a live four hour busking-style gig outside the Coach and Horses pub in Greenwich Market on the Sunday at the end of August. I think

What previous music experience have you had? John: I was brought up in a very musical family in Bootle, Liverpool. I've been in bands in the 1970s and 1980s, most recently I was a singer in a dance band called Makin’ Trax for 10 years. Kieran: I've always had a passion for contemporary Irish folk music. I can't read music but I've a good ear for it and can learn tunes quickly. Do you write your own lyrics and melodies? John: I wrote the title track on our album Spread Your Wings. I wrote it when I was coming back on the DLR after taking my son to the airport who was going travelling to the USA. Kieran: I wrote a jig called The Galway Dash named after my home town, and I have ideas for other pieces. Where can you get ‘Spread Your Wings’? John: It’s available as a download on Amazon, iTunes and Spotify. Several of the tracks on the album as well as the single are original compositions.There is also a single on download called ‘Family Reunion’. You can contact John and Kieran through their website www.theceltichearts.com

Help keep Eltham tidy! Put your litter in bins.

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Photo Appeal, can you help? Family photos and memories of Avery Hill’s Winter Garden can help to unlock £2.75m from the national lottery for its restoration.

ld pictures will help designers to piece together the historical progression of the Gardens since they were built around 130 years ago. The three sections of the Gardens form some of the largest glasshouses in the country outside Kew Gardens. The University of Greenwich, the Garden’s owners, have won a first round victory in their application for funds from the Heritage Lottery Fund. But they are now assembling a team to prepare their application to secure the funds which could see the building’s complete restoration by 2016. Designers have some documentary evidence of the planting in the Garden, which was the vanity project of wealthy

minerals multimillionaire Col John North, who died shortly after his Avery Hill Mansion was completed in the 1880s. But there are gaps in their knowledge of how the Garden looked over the years. The bidding team also need to have people’s memories of visiting the glasshouses. Sarah Cretch, project co-ordinator, said: “We’re asking people if they could look back through their family albums and let us know if they have any pictures w h i c h show the inside of the Winter Garden.

Sarah can be contacted on 020 8331 8602 or at s.cretch@greenwich.ac.uk

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The University needs to demonstrate community support for its application and how the Garden has played a key role in local life over the years. The Gardens have been open to the public since it became a teacher training college in 1900s.

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“We also need people’s memories of using the Gardens, whether happy or sad. It helps us to build up a picture of the planting and usage over the years”, she said.

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Olympian Visit O

of a series being sponsored by Nike as part of the company’s Design to Move initiative.

lympic semi-finalist runner Ross Murray paid a visit to Haimo primary school to inspire another generation to engage in sport. Ross took part in a session of badminton in the school’s hall after taking questions from young people eager to know about his eating habits, training and prospects for sporting glory.

Headteacher Kate Barnes said: “It was great for the children to hear from an Olympic runner what it takes to do well at sport. We’re keen on encouraging participation and this visit will spur them on.”

The 23 year old athlete got to the semi-finals in the 1500 metres at the 2012 Games and is hoping to mount a challenge for Brazil in 2016. The visit was arranged by shadow sports minister and Eltham MP Clive Efford, who is keen to ensure there is a legacy from last year’s Games and one

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NATURAL ELTHAM

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When Things Go Nuts F

or the adventurous it’s a time to add a free, local and nutritious ingredient to a salad or pasta dish. First and foremost is the hazel, or its cultivated form, the cobnut. It was, before the First World War, a major staple crop of Kent and is now being revived by the Kent Cobnut Association, which holds an Annual Nutters’ Supper. Wait until the casing is hard and tan brown before cracking open, with luck before the squirrels raid.

ground under its stately branches. They come in ‘masts’ with three triangular shaped nuts in each. The nuts are covered in a thin husk which is easy to peel with the fingernail. Inside the white flesh sweet and delicious to eat but they are small and fiddly to handle, so patience is needed to collect any reasonable quantity. However, whole beech masts can also be processed into an oil for cooking or as a dressing with 500g of masts yielding as much as 80ml of oil.

A reasonably common tree in SE9 is the walnut, with its opulent elegant leaves. Although the seeds do grow, it’s not easy to produce a nut like those found in the shops at Christmas, which require drying in the warm sun, not usually available in the UK in the late autumn. Among the nuts which are non-edible – for humans - to be found across SE9 are those of the horse chestnut, which has a number of varieties. These can be distinguished by the nature of their conker casing. The traditional conker tree produces seeds spiky casings; these drop to the ground when ripe, although eager children can fell them with wellaimed shot from a stick.

Said to be the tastiest of all, the beech nut can be hoovered up from the

The third nut worth harvesting is the sweet chestnut which are delicious when roasted. Chestnuts are not like other nuts, they have a mealy, floury texture and are mostly carbohydrate, unlike most nuts, which are protein-rich.

view of the wildlife behind the scenes at Greenwich Park is being made available to Eltham Nature Club this month.

and the recently-opened secret orchard in the park.

elthamnatureclub@hotmail.co.uk or text/ring 07894 711765.

Members of the Greenwich Park Friends group will show the club around and interpret the environmental features of the Royal park.

The club will have access to the deer enclosure

It will be on Sunday October 27 at 2pm. Members £1.50 and non-members £3. Anyone interested in attending should email the club on

In November, there will be an illustrated talk on the bird life of the river Thames by Karen Sutton, conservation warden at Crossness for Thames Water. It will be at St Mary’s Community Centre at 7.30pm on Tuesday November 17.

The smoother casings are of the red buckeye and the Indian horse chestnut, each with their own characteristic leaf shapes.

More details at www.elthamnatureclub.org.uk

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Take a walk in the Pleasaunce

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That Folk Mob A festival of music to celebrate 20 years of Eltham’s Folkmob is being held this month. he eight hour session will feature singers who have appeared at the club since its formation in 1993.

as well as seeing old faces returning and sometimes veterans from the folk scene.”

And, as part of the proceedings, the club aims to welcome new singers, songwriters and instrumentalists who would like to show off their talents.

“It gives people an opportunity to sing in public, try out their material and develop their skills”, he said.

Originally formed at the Crown and Cushion in Woolwich, the club travelled pub venues in the area before settling in for a 13 year stint at the Tudor Barn.

Dave himself makes a duo Pytchwood with partner Zahira Al-Zahira which performs at clubs and festival locally.

Folkmob has twice yearly camps, outings and trips by coach and boat and runs an annual pre-Christmas party event. “We are open to all ages and abilities, also we welcome a broad range of musical styles and instruments, not only traditional folk singing”, she said. Instruments which have featured include guitar, fiddle, banjo, dulcimer, bodhran, harmonica, penny whistle, harp, flute, even spoons.

Now, Folkmob have been next door at Blackheath Rugby Club in Kidbrooke Lane for five years where the celebrations will take place on Saturday October 19th. The free event will start at 3pm and go on until 11pm with audiences invited to come and stay for as long and as they like. Dave Kenningham, who has been at Folkmob since it started, said: “We’ve had a good response from members going back over the 20 years, so we expect it to be a great event. Folkmob’s weekly sessions are in the singaround format from 8.30pm, with a stage and PA on the first Wednesday of each month. Some weeks, guest artistes are invited to do 30 minute sessions and individual members organised ‘themed’ evenings, which have included blues, Irish, traditional and romantic/nostalgic songs. Dave said: “We never know precisely who’s going to be there; often people just turn up from other clubs and people looking for somewhere to perform. “Over the years, many people have started performing here, gained experience, formed bands or duos with others; it’s good to have new blood

Your Community is what you make it

Folkmob has hosted legends such as Dave Swarbrick, Les Barker, Martin Carthy and Michael Chapman, as well as leading local artistes. Poets and storytellers also make appearances. Not a traditional ‘club’ with membership fees and a committee, Folkmob welcome singers and enthusiasts on a regular or occasional basis, weekly entrance fees set at £1.00 for singarounds and £2.00 for Open Mic evenings' The rugby club, recently modernised, has bar areas, as well as the main hall.

She explained the origin of the club’s name. “We used to sing in different pubs in Eltham, one being the old Castle in the High Street. One of the locals said ‘oh no, it’s that !!!!! FOLK MOB in here again. We were looking for a name and that one stuck!” For more details Folkmob’s website is at www.folkmobonline.co.uk and Dave can be contacted via folkmobwebsite@hotmail.co.uk or Mick Forde on 07809 095237. Singers who would like to perform on October19 should contact Dave in advance; on Wednesdays, just turn up.

Founder member Sue Forde said that as well as the weekly singing sessions,

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SEnine

Making the grade…. SPY offers congratulations to the youngsters of SE9 for their exam results this year. Down at Harris Academy Greenwich - formerly Eltham Green – 99 per cent of the students gained five GCSEs at grades A* - C, 82 per cent including maths and English. Just up the road at Eltham Hill, the figures were also impressive at 90 and 72 per cent respectively. And the best figures in Crown Woods’ history were 92 per cent with five A-Cs, 60 per cent including maths and English. Better news for the College at A level, however, with celebrations over its students attaining 71% A-C grades. But competition in SE9 for older students is now hotting up, with Harris Academy starting its sixth form provision this term for the first time and Eltham Hill having moved in to its new purpose-built sixth form centre, also offering the International Baccalaureate. The spinners spun…. Knowing they wouldn’t be interested, SPY doesn’t usually bother readers with accounts of the entry-level political trivia at Tescotown, but the latest twist should raise a smile. Propagandists at the £750,000 a year council taxpayer funded Greenwich Time have been cleared out by the regime after offending the ‘powers that be’. Longstanding loyalist Peter Cordwell, veteran of many wordy ‘wondercasts’, offended by writing to a local newspaper with his seemingly harmless personal thoughts on Lewisham hospital, fire station closures and zero hours contracts. But it was taken as coded criticism of his betters. Despite denying that it had any staff on zero hours contracts, Royal Greenwich gave him zero hours to clear his desk. His colleagues lined up in protest only to be gunned down by ruthless apparatchiks. Boxes of post… SPY has noticed our local posties sporting shiny new chariots in recent weeks, the result of the latest modernisation efforts by (Virgin?) Royal Mail. Faced with the problem of fewer but heavier items to deliver, posties’ shoulders had been taking the strain. The new secure chariots will enable

Have your say, your opinion counts

them to wheel greater distances with bigger burdens. The resulting revamp, however, will mean new rounds which extend further into the afternoon, some residents now not receiving their daily post until 3pm.

Mind you, SPY spotted a lonely and tired postman heading back to depot at 6pm on Saturday. Teething problems, perhaps.

Bumpy path… Having ignored local feeling on the route of the new Avery Hill cycle path, contractors Riney blundered on their first day of work – a Saturday - when gouging into the most sensitive landscape location alongside the Pippenhall stream. As this was the very location objected to by local conservationists, SPY thought they might have taken more care. However, completely unsupervised by the council, they succeeded in failing to dig deeply enough. Instead of telling them to do it again the council expert, having taken the day off on Saturday and finding the problem on the following Monday morning, blithely instructed Riney’s to mound up soil on each side, meaning a permanent raised scarring of this sensitive location. Well done folks! School for scandal.. Mind you, SPY realises that the council sees our parks and open spaces as a resource rather than an asset, apparently forgetting that they are the

Yalways newsy, sometimes inaccurate or irreverent, often controversial or gossip, but never the opinion of SEnine.

reason people like living around here. To see through their muddled vision for a re-developed town centre, the council has been desperate to eject Eltham CoE from its spot in Roper Street. After being rebuffed by Beadles and Tesco in Eltham Hill, attention turned to Eltham Park South as a fairly redundant stretch of grass. The school could perhaps be shoved next to the motorway on the site of the old Lido. Who thinks these ideas up? SPY heard one suggestion of locating it on the stables in Bexley Road, coupled with proper management of the neglected neighbouring nature reserve and the disintegrating flytipped and scrambled biked Butterfly Club. Sounds more sensible.

Down and out…. Meanwhile, down at Sutcliffe Park, SPY understands the council’s new ‘open park’ policy, cooked up with developers Berkeley, leaving it unlocked at night has proved the resounding success that was anticipated, each morning bringing the predictable tidings of after-hour drinking and drug abuse. A sign of things to come for the park unless the Kidbrooke Visionaries think again before sucking all the profits from the development and disappearing forever. Knock down starting prices… In the town centre, a behind-thescenes start is being made as the latest re-developments are going ahead. SPY has mysteriously been refused information on when demolition of the old nursing home buildings in Passey Place will start in order to make way for the community hospital. Only that it will be finished by Christmas next year. Building takes around 15 months. Do the math! Meanwhile, demolition of the elegant Grove Market Place has already begun, starting inside and moving out apparently. Expect a planning application for all housing to emerge soon. SPY understands that the number of flats proposed has now fallen from 159 to 144. But so too have the allocated parking space, down to 49. So where do the other 95 residents put their cars then?

MAILBOX ....... Have your say

SEnine

Community College

Pleasaunce Toilets

Thank you for the latest issue of SE9 and the thought-provoking editorial.

Although not a resident of Eltham I would just like to make a comment on the state of the Gentleman's toilets in Well Hall Pleasance. My wife was brought up in Eltham, and lived all her childhood and teenage years there before becoming married and moving to Gravesend. We still maintain close links and regularly visit family and friends in Eltham as well as shopping there weekly, and I had occasion to use these toilets recently. What a deplorable condition they are in, a toilet with half a seat, no soap, no towels or dryers. No doubt these toilets have been in this state since the pleasance was created, but surely a little bit of the funding for the upgrade of the pleasance could have been spent on them, apart from the coat of paint given to the door. Or was it that they should be brought back to their original state, which I assume is the state they are in now? Am l alone in this view, on what is a pleasant park after all, although the moat could do with cleaning out as well. Yours sincerely, M C Turner

With respect, I think there may be one issue that you have not mentioned. At Bluewater, it is possible to park easily and without cost or time restriction. In Eltham - and other town centres, such as Bromley - there are numerous unnecessary yellow lines, and inconsistent and illogical restrictions. For instance, last Easter Bank Holiday, I saw a traffic warden gleefully issuing tickets to motorists who had quite reasonably assumed that it was OK to park on a single yellow line in the High Street on a bank holiday. How many of those people are going to shop in Eltham again? Of course, selfish or dangerous parking should be penalised, but in general, the fines for minor infractions are out of proportion to the gravity of the offence committed. Until this latter-day highway robbery is brought within reasonable bounds, I fear that you and your fellow campaigners are going to be swimming against the tide. With all good wishes, John Williams

Lidl & Porcupine If I may put the other view - not all local residents were scandalised when Lidl bought the site. At the recent consultative meeting many residents looked forward to Lidl moving in as the village has needed a leading supermarket for years. Do not confuse the opinion of the MRA (Mottingham Residents Association) with that of the residents themselves and I fear the MP is following a party line and not hearing the residents either. As a resident for over 50 years I have not used The Porcupine for many years but we have been customers of Lidl since it opened on Sidcup Hill, It is cheaper than many others and offers good quality products, Good luck to it. MT Hill Either go to the SEnine web site at

www.senine.co.uk or write to the Editor at:

What is your opinion?

SEnine, PO Box 24290 Eltham SE9 6ZP

The Best Concert of the Year The SEnine Annual Variety Concert is the one show not to be missed on October 19th 2013

he concert, which is in its 7th year will be held at the new Eltham Hill School with the capacity to seat over 300 people.

Also making a first appearance is local Irish Folk Duet 'The Celtic Hearts'

The event will feature all the usual favourites such as the Chris Lloyd led Greenwich Concert Band. Also appearing will be the Greenwich Community Choir, and performances by the Greenwich Academy of Music and Drama.

The concert will be the first to be held at the Eltham Hill School, so come along, lend your support.

If that is not enough the stage will also see local talent with singer songwriter Harvey Montague making his second appearance.

Also on stage appearing at the concert for the first time is Suzie Bailey (Tudor Barn Owner). Suzie has a wide vocal range and sings an array of songs from modern floor fillers to west end classics.

Advance booking £8.50. In advance 'Friends of SEnine' £7.00 All tickets at door on the night £10.00 Tickets are available from Normans Music, by post from the SEnine office or on the door on the night.

SEnine does not necessarily agree with or support any letters published.

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SEnine

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Pick up litter and bin it

SEnine

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No Sign A

road sign dating back to the early days of Eltham’s Progress Estate has gone missing. The cast iron sign indicating the way to roads within the estate had sat alongside Well Hall Road longer than anyone can remember. The direction of its departure from its wooden moorings is still a mystery. Its absence was spotted by Keith Billinghurst, committee member of the Progress Residents Association, in August. “I thought that maybe the council had taken it away for repairs”, he said, “but it seems not.” The sign pointed, via an un-named path, to Congreve Road, Lovelace

Green, Shrapnel Road, Brome Road, Arsenal Road, Granby Road and Cornwallis Walk, apparently in the order a walker might come across them, but omitting Maudslay and Prince Rupert Roads.. In recent years, it has become in need of renovation, but was a muchappreciated feature of the estate, adding to its ‘period’ appearance. The association is preparing a series of events for the estate’s centenary in 2015 and is hoping to give official names to several of the paths running between the houses, and a possible replacement for the missing sign. Mr Billinghurst said: “The theft has been reported to the Police but as no CCTV footage is available they think it highly

unlikely they will be able to recover it. “The lack of damage to the sign’s supporting posts leads us to believe the theft may have been carried out professionally.” He believes it is possible that the sign has been dumped and asked for information, if necessary on an anonymous basis, for information to one of the following: Progress Residents Association, 56, Arsenal Road, E;ltham London SE9 1JY, tel: 020 8856 5593 or 07962 877389; email:theprogressestate@gmail.com; Twitter:@ProgressEstate or via www. progressestate.co.uk

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HERBACEOUS

SEnine

Chard Champion L

ike Kipling, Herbaceous felt that he could meet those twin imposters, Triumph and Disaster, just the same.

reviews, he stormed from the room and drove off at speed in his Reliant Robin, slowing only to scrape the society chair’s limo.

Not quite what happened though when his cherished ‘champion sweetcorn’ Once home, he typed out a splenetic crown was snatched from his grasp at letter tendering his resignation and wrote a cheque for 10p, his net winnings this year’s show. for the afternoon, as a contribution All great careers end in failure, he knew, towards an eye test for the obviously visually-challenged judges.

so when the moment finally came, he felt sure he would be prepared to accept defeat with dignity. Not quite how it turned out, however.

He also pointed out that there was more to just winning on the day; it meant a year of media interviews, champagne receptions, foreign travel and afterdinner speeches. One such last year, a three hour job in the back bar of the White Hart, ended with the landlord tersely suggesting he’d managed to clear the room on what should have been a busy evening.

Having nurtured his cobs to perfection, he’d felt sure that a record fourth title was there for the taking.

His gloom was broken only by a phone call from a fellow plotter. Apparently, when the red mist descended, Herbs had missed the fact that the slender bright stems of his ruby chard had earned a top prize.

When the results were revealed, Herbs’ exhibits had been spurned. After muttering over-loud stage whispers about bungs, crop sabotage and judicial

Oh joy! Who cares about sweetcorn anyway! On reflection, a very unsubtle flavour. Rather, the gentle notes of chard, simmered with some nutmeg,

pepper and tossed in crème fraiche, a first prize certificate pinned up nearby. Swiss chard is now the new sweet corn. He headed for licensed premises preparing to regale anyone willing to listen about how the crown was won.

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