Greenwich & Lewisham Weekender - June 21st 2023

Weekender June 21 2023 • www.weekender.co.uk

Greenwich & Lewisham

Cinema / Theatre / education / arts / Music / Food & Drink / Family / Property

Bring me sunshine

Royal Arsenal throws a summer festival

ADVERTORIAL

News from the Royal Borough of Greenwich

nearly 14,000 NEARLY ATTEND attend TOGETHER 23 together On Saturday 10 June, nearly 14,000 residents attended Together 23, the Council’s annual free family festival in Charlton Park.

Revellers enjoyed performances from acts including south London legend DJ Norman Jay MBE, Woolwich Singers, Lady Marga MC, Plumcroft Primary School Choir, Boppin’ Bunnies and many more.

In the Pride Tent, sponsored by the University of Greenwich, residents tried their hand at voguing, salsa and bingo.

Tell us about your experience and see all the photos from the day at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/together-23

www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk

@royal_greenwich

royalgreenwich

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Pick of the Week

By Holly O’Mahony

Royal Arsenal throws a Summer Festival Royal Arsenal is in a celebratory mood this Saturday, throwing a summer festival to coincide with its bi-weekly Farmers’ Market.

Highlights include the Woolwich Woofs Dog Show (2pm), a hula-hooping workshop led by Guinness World Record-holding champions, a Drumming Circle workshop, a performance by a former ‘Greenwich’s Got Talent’ winner and a chance to hear the talented musicians from the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. For families with little ones, there will be all the usuals too, like face painting and fairground rides. The event moves indoors at 8pm for a special edition of Woolwich Lates.

EDITOR

Holly O'Mahony

The

greenwich & lewisham Weekender is an independent weekly newspaper, covering the boroughs of Greenwich and Lewisham.

Artillery Square, Woolwich, London SE18 4DX. June 24, 10am - 10pm. Admission: FREE. www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/events/event/9032/royal_ arsenal_summer_festival

We publish every Wednesday, covering every postcode sector of the borough, and boasting, by far, the highest weekly circulation in Greenwich. Each week, we deliver to homes in every Greenwich neighbourhood, with further copies stocked at convenient public stands.

We are also the highest distribution newspaper in Lewisham.

The greenwich & lewisham Weekender covers all aspects of life in the boroughs, including music, theatre, comedy, film, events, and food and drink, as well as all your community events and campaigns.

A celebration of French composers

Weekender

The Thomas Tallis Society Choir is turning its attention to the great French composers for its upcoming concert at its performance home, St Alfege Church. Listen to music by the likes of Debussy, Josquin, De Sermisy and Passereau, in this celebration of choral music through the ages. The concert is being directed by Olivia Shotton, with support from Mark Rogers on piano.

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Issue: GW316

Beloved CBeebies show Hey Duggee has been reimagined for the stage (it won the prestigious Olivier Award for Best Family Show earlier this year!) and it’s calling in at the Churchill Theatre this week.

Take your little ones to meet the lovable dog himself, as well as his cast of regulars including the Squirrels, Betty, Happy, Roly and more. Join them in the Clubhouse in what promises to be an interactive adventure bursting with music, puppetry and laughs.

Churchill Theatre, High Street, Bromley BR1 1HA. June 22 - 25, performances at 10/10:30am and 1pm depending on date. Admission: £19. www.churchilltheatre. co.uk/Online/tickets-hey-duggeebromley-2023

You can also view each edition online, as well as daily news and events, on our website: www.weekender.co.uk

Weekender Editor: Holly O’Mahony Media Partnerships: Anthony Phillips Advertising team: Clarry Frewin; Sophie Ali Advertising support: Katie Boyd Editorial: Michael Holland; Holly O’Mahony

Time for a Duggee Hug!

Refugee Week celebrated through dance In Woolwich, Luca Silvestrini’s revered Protein dance company is celebrating the contributions of refugees through a morning of dance workshops, craft sessions and live music, followed by a communal lunch. ‘There and Here – A Celebration’ is a chance to hear from refugees as well as members of London-based support groups, and watch special performances from Protein dancers. Woolwich works,

St. Alfege Church, Greenwich Church Street, London SE10 8NA. June 24, 7:30pm. Admission: £10+. www.ticketsource.co.uk/ tts/thomas-tallis-society-a-frenchcollection/e-qpvpoe

No.1 Street, Royal Arsenal SE18 6HD. June 24, 10:30am - 2pm. Admission: FREE. www.woolwich.works/events/refugee-week-2023-there-and-here-a-celebration

Live music in the woods Severndroog Castle’s monthly Summer Lates series returns for 2023, and to kick things off this Friday, they’ve got local singer-songwriter Daisy Veacock performing. Explore the castle’s woodland grounds after dark, climb to the top of the castle for 360-degree views across London and pull up a grassy pew to listen to Daisy’s pop and jazz-influenced set. At just 19, Daisy is one to watch: she’s supporting Jools Holland at the Royal Albert Hall this autumn. No need to pack a picnic (unless you want to): food and drink will be available to buy on site.

Severndroog Castle Castle Wood, Shooters Hill, London SE18 3RT. June 30, 6:30pm 10pm. Admission: £8.83. www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/severndroog-summer-lates-2023daisy-veacock-singer-songwriter-tickets608600810407?aff=erelexpmlt

Rise and shine for International Dawn Chorus Day Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park is inviting the public to observe International Dawn Chorus Day with an early morning bird watching walk around its grounds.

Listen to birdsong on a guided tour, then sit down for a cup of tea and the chance to ask the local experts any questions you have. A slice of tranquility on your doorstep.

The Ecology Park Gatehouse John Harrison Way, Olympian Way, London SE10 0QZ. May 7, 6:30am 8:30am. Admission: FREE. www.tcv. org.uk/greenwichpeninsula/

June 21 2023 3

Theatre

Greenwich Theatre stages Ridley’s Vincent River for Pride Month

Anita is a mother left grieving when her son is killed in a homophobic hate crime. Davey tells Anita he was witness to the attack. When their paths cross at a rundown flat in Dagenham, both Anita and Davey’s lives are changed forever.

Despite the ongoing relevancy of its themes, productions of Philip Ridley’s play Vincent River only come around once a decade, according to Greenwich Theatre boss James Haddrell. So when I sit down with him and his cast members Kerrie Taylor (Hollyoaks, The Bay) and Brandon Kimaryo (fresh from studying at Guildford School for Acting), they’re all excited to talk about the play, writes Holly O’Mahony…

4 June 21 2023

“I’ve wanted to produce a Philip Ridley play for ages,” admits James, who’s been given the thumbs up for his production by the playwright himself. “When he came in, he was really inspirational about the story and the way we should do it.

I’ve stayed in touch with him since and it feels like that validation has carried on. It’s a treat to have that access to him,” he says.

Why was Vincent River James’s play of choice? “Vincent River is really special because Philip is brilliant at the intersection between fairy tale symbolism and reality. In Vincent River in particular, that fairy tale symbolism never gets in the way of the two characters’ hearts; you just see two people not entirely under their own control open their hearts.”

Both Kerrie and Brandon were new to Philip’s plays at the start of rehearsals. Kerrie knew the writer for his better-known films, including

his 1990 biopic The Krays, about the Kray Twins. Together, they went to see a production of his 2007 play Leaves of Glass, which ran at the Park Theatre earlier this year.

But it was the script for Vincent River that they couldn’t put down.

“Philip Ridley writes in such a way that when I read Vincent River for the first time, I read it end to end… you start at the beginning and the whole thing tumbles out,” says Kerrie, who regulars to the theatre will have seen just last month in its production of two Harold Pinter plays: The Dumb Waiter and A Slight Ache.

“It’s a game of cat and mouse, and at the heart of this really good story is a message about love,” she explains, adding that one of the most exciting things about the play is that you can’t guess what’s coming next. “You’re never ahead of it. It plays out in real time as things happen to them.”

TheaTre As for portraying Anita, the mother whose perception shifts over the course of the play, “it’s the best part I’ve ever had the ability and privilege to play.

She’s awesome and an absolute pleasure,” Kerrie enthuses.

Brandon, clearly humbled about making his professional debut before his graduation later this summer, is “really enjoying it,” so far. “It’s happened really fast. It doesn’t feel real but I’m very excited,” he says, shyly.

James is quick to step in here, affirming: “Brandon is brilliant!”

“We work with actors straight out of drama school as an intervention. In a working environment I find that incredibly exciting. People talk about Greenwich Theatre being glorious in the 60s and 70s when there were all those famous faces there, but actually there weren’t.

Those people went on to become famous. So coming to Greenwich you have the chance to see actors at the beginning of their career, who in 20 or 30 years will be well known.”

The production’s arrival in Pride Month is no coincidence.

“Vincent isn’t a real person but the events of the play are inspired by a real person,” says James, referring to a friend of the playwright

who was murdered under similar circumstances. “The horrendous loss of Anita, the forced denials that Davey has to make about his identity, it’s absolutely real. There’s an obligation to do it well and to do it properly because you’re honouring [the stories of] so many people. Doing it in Pride Month makes it more special.”

Hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community are sadly just as prevalent as when the play first premiered in 2000. “I was looking up some stats and anyone who thinks homophobic hate crime has gone away needs to look at the government report from last year,” says Kerrie, sombrely.

“There’s still so many situations like this. I hope audiences come and for 90 minutes, they feel seen and heard,” adds Brandon. “For my character, there was a big part of himself and his sexuality that he wasn’t able to explore with his own mum. He gets the opportunity to explore this with Anita.”

James agrees. “As the play starts, you’re faced with two people who think they need to hear something from the other person, but what actually happens is they both need to speak.”

Vincent River is showing at Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ES. June 23 - July 15, 7:30pm with additional 2:30pm matinees on Saturdays.

Admission: £22+. www.greenwichtheatre.org. uk/events/vincent-river/

Continues on page 8

ADVERTISING FEATURE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TfL

Did you know air pollution can affect your brain health? impact poor air quality has.

In a report published by medical journal The Lancet in 2020, scientists listed air pollution as a risk factor for dementia for the first time. Last year, a review by the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants found it was likely that air pollution contributes to a decline in mental ability and dementia in older people.

Alzheimer’s Research UK is backing the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone in London in August this year.

“It is so important to see action taken on a wider scale, championed by those who can lead societal change.

“It’s really encouraging to see energy and ambition at a city level to reduce air pollution and therefore help reduce one of the risks of developing dementia.”

’

Dementia – including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia – affects over a million people in the UK. New evidence of the link between brain health and air pollution has highlighted the importance of the quality of the air we breathe.

Dr Susan Mitchell, Head of Policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK, says there are health and lifestyle factors you can change to help limit the factors that cause dementia – like alcohol consumption and exercise – but one thing people can’t avoid is the air they breathe, and the

’

We recognise that air pollution is not something that individuals can change by themselves Dr Susan Mitchell, Head of Policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK

What is the ULEZ? n From 29 August 2023, the ULEZ will be expanded to create one single zone across all London boroughs, to help clear London’s air and improve health. n 9 out of 10 cars seen driving in Outer London on an average

day meet the ULEZ standards, so their drivers will not need to pay the charge. But, if you drive a petrol vehicle over 16 years old or a diesel vehicle over 6 years old you need to check if you’re affected. The easiest way

to check is online at: tfl.gov.uk/ check-your-vehicle n For more information on the ULEZ expansion, including an interactive map to check your postcode, visit: tfl.gov.uk/ULEZ-2023

June 21 2023 5

Spotlight left to right_

Local charity MammaKind launches urgent appeal to help families in poverty

Kirsty Lowe and Kelly Fort, co-founders of MammaKind

A local charity working to help mothers of young children living in poverty has launched an urgent crowdfunding campaign to raise £30,000.

MammaKind, which was co-founded

by Kirsty Lowe and Kelly Fort in 2019, has said that due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, more money is needed to support families living below the breadline. If the charity reaches its fundraising target, it could support an additional 200 families in 2023, writes Holly O’Mahony…

products and clothes for dignity, cots and prams for safety.”

Kirsty and Kelly set up MammaKind after becoming mums themselves.

“We both know how isolating motherhood can be and as lockdown had just started, we knew that help would be needed now, more than ever,” Kirsty recalls.

It’s not an issue affecting a slim minority. “In Lewisham and Greenwich alone, 40% of all children already live in poverty,” points out Kirsty Lowe, co-founder and chair at MammaKind.

“Increasing numbers of families are being pushed further into poverty and referrals for children without toys are

6 June 21 2023

on the rise. This is a heart-breaking illustration of the difficulties faced by hard-up families,” she adds.

“We are fundraising to give these children some relief from the effects of poverty – toys for stimulation and education, hygiene

“Having recently had our own babies, Kelly and I wanted to be able to give our prams and baby clothes to other women who would need them. From our own network of women who had recently had children, we knew that London’s lofts were full of baby clothes! We started MammaKind to make sure that good quality, preloved baby equipment got to the women and children who needed it.”

Children with special educational needs are hit the hardest. According to research carried out by The Childhood Trust, families with a disabled child will pay an extra £581 per month to have the same

standard of living as other families.

Since the start of the pandemic, MammaKind has helped over 3,000 women and children. The baby bank collects donations of pre-loved clothing and toys as well as new toiletries and basic necessities, passing these onto a network of 40-odd referral partners working in the NHS, children’s centres, local councils and for other charities.

“Our vision is to create a community of mothers who support each other in their time of need, thereby helping to relieve poverty, support maternal mental health and promote sustainable living through re-use of clothes and equipment,” explains Kirsty.

The charity needs financial support, too, to survive. Its current fundraising campaign was launched to help with this. Donations made via The

Big Give website between June 6 and 20 were matched pound-forpound thanks to funding from The Childhood Trust. With a generous amount of money raised, MammaKind is now hoping to give the campaign a final push before it closes.

If you know of a mother who might benefit from the help of MammaKind, here’s what to do: “Any children’s centre, health professional or foodbank in Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich or Lewisham can refer a woman with a child aged five or under for help,” explains Kirsty. “Once we receive a referral, we will pull a bespoke package of items together and the person who made the referral will collect the bundles and take them to their client on our behalf.”

For more information about MammaKind, visit: www.mammakind.org.uk/. Do donate to the fundraising campaign, go to: www.donate.biggive.org/ campaign/a056900002PopgwAAB

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Arts

A giant immersive art gallery is opening near Greenwich

There’s a huge appetite for immersive art experiences in London – and a growing number of bespoke galleries are popping up to deliver just that. Many of these art rooms are dedicated to creating giant projections of the works of some of the most famous artists in the world: Dalí, Van Gogh, Hockney and Klimt are just some of the painters who have been given the immersive treatment. Now a major new exhibition space, Illusionaries, is opening in Canary Wharf, promising to offer a rotation of large-scale, multi-sensory art shows – only this one is a little bit different.

Described somewhat grandly as a ‘multisensory art odyssey’, the USP at Illusionaries is that the artworks are bespoke and created for the space by contemporary, digital-first artists. The opening show, Memories of a Dead Poet, is a 40-minute immersive ‘journey’ conceived by artist Arash Irandoust.

Ahead of its launch on June 27, Holly O’Mahony speaks to Salar Nouri, Creative Director and CoFounder of Illusionaries, to find out more…

Holly O’Mahony: There’s a growing trend for immersive art experiences in London. What sets Illusionaries apart from these existing shows?

Salar Nouri: Today, it’s not uncommon to see the works of renowned artists digitally reimagined, infused with subtle movements and showcased in large, immersive displays. The allure of these celebrated names undoubtedly attracts a wide audience.

Our belief is that digital art – which offers such a powerful means of engaging with imagery – warrants unique content specially designed for this immersive platform. Illusionaries champions creating carefully crafted experiences with an immersive purpose rather than merely adapting existing paintings, originally intended for canvas, to suit our platform.

HOM: Illusionaries presents itself as the first ‘story-led’ digital art experience. Can you tell us more about this?

SN: While digital adaptations may breathe life into classic art pieces, we’ve observed that they rarely introduce a new narrative.

At Illusionaries, storytelling is a crucial element of our exhibitions and the public can experience this with our debut exhibition, Memories of a Dead Poet.

HOM: How did the idea for Illusionaries come about?

8 June 21 2023

SN: The inspiration behind Illusionaries springs from our ambition to craft an extraordinary journey through the realm of digital art. Our immersive, multi-sensory exhibition blends storytelling, evocative imagery, sound and movement in novel and breathtaking ways. As visitors move beyond the ordinary, they are enveloped in thoughtprovoking imagery that challenges their perceptions and stimulates dialogue with their inner selves.

HOM: Tell us about your opening exhibition, Arash Irandoust’s Memories of a Dead Poet.

SN: Each component of this hypnotic exhibition, from conceptualisation to execution, has been intricately curated with different stories for audiences to unravel. Arash is an unconventional artist and storyteller who approaches art from a philosophical perspective.

Drawing from a diverse range of experiences, including a period spent as a monk and the creation of video installations in natural settings, Arash skillfully crafts stories that blend the inner and outer worlds, thereby recognising that art is a deeply individual experience.

HOM: The experience plays out over a 40-minute journey. What sorts of emotions do you hope visitors encounter along the way?

SN: Our exhibit offers audiences the

chance to question, discover and seek out the truth in a spectacle where elements of light, sound and movement combine in ways they might not have encountered before.

Visitors are the artists of their own experience, set to experience personal interpretations and emotions.

The voyage through our exhibition is personal, filled with moments of surprise, contemplation, joy, introspection, and even awe. It’s your journey to shape, and we’re eager to witness the multitude of unique stories that will undoubtedly unfold from it.

HOM: Besides sight, which senses does the experience interact with?

SN: Sound is a critical component of our exhibits. Using Dolby Atmos technology, we’ve created a soundscape that breathes life into the stories and art, surrounding you with a 3D audio environment that enhances your feeling of immersion.

We’ve also added elements that go beyond the visual and auditory, with surprise walk-through experiences adding layers to your sensory journey.

HOM: Tell us about the venue the experience is hosted in. How did you go about finding the right space for such an ambitious project?

SN: Selecting the right venue for Illusionaries was essential. We wanted a space that resonated with our vision and offered our visitors an intimate

arTs experience while allowing them to immerse themselves in the exhibition fully. The environment had to serve as a perfect backdrop to our narrative-driven, immersive art displays. With its easy accessibility and proximity to Canary Wharf Station – a twominute walk – our chosen venue at Crossrail Place helps us ensure that visitors can conveniently access this experience.

HOM: Lastly, in your opinion, what do immersive art shows like Illusionaries offer visitors that conventional exhibitions perhaps don’t?

SN: Unlike traditional exhibitions where art is often viewed in a crowded, impersonal setting, we have designed the space to be welcoming and inclusive, allowing each visitor the time and mental space to fully engage with the art and the emotions it evokes.

Furthermore, our audiences are not merely spectators: they actively participate in the narrative, deriving their own meanings and interpretations. This offers an element of freedom and personal relevance that can sometimes elude traditional art exhibitions.

Illusionaries, Crossrail Place, London E14 5AR. June 27 September 24, 11am - 10:40pm.

Admission: £27 - £38. www.illusionaries.com/

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June 21 2023 9

At The Heart Of The Community

NEWS FROM CHARLTON ATHLETIC COMMUNITY TRUST

Kai joins Charlton athletic academy from community programme Kai first started attending Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s (CACT) Charlton Challenge sessions aged 5 to work on his football skills.

Kai is the latest young person of many to join the Charlton Athletic Academy from a CACT programme.

Charlton Challenge is a structured programme for children aged 4-8 which aims to improve their core movement and football skills. The programme is designed to encourage the young footballers and help them realise their full potential, whilst creating maximum enjoyment.

After regularly attending Charlton Challenge for 2 years, Kai had steadily improved his football skills and showed passion for the game, so CACT coaches offered him the opportunity to join the Valley Gold Advanced Centre to help develop further.

The Valley Gold Advanced Centre offers talented players from across CACT’s community programmes the chance to train regularly to an Academy standard curriculum.

Kai’s Dad, said: “Being part of the Charlton Challenge has been great for Kai developing his overall football skills. He started with real passion but very raw. The course has focused him providing really good clear guidance session by session each term.

He has improved overall in technique,

10 June 21 2023

skill, and confidence across the board.

“All this continuous improvement has meant he has now moved to the Advanced Centre, where he has now progressed to learning more about positioning and how to play different aspects of the game.

It has been an excellent experience, which I would recommend to anybody interested in improving their game.”

Josh Covill, CACT’s Football & Sports Development Officer, said: “Kai came to the Charlton Challenge when he was 5 years old and very quickly you could see his passion and love for football. His improvement has been steady and has shown lots of great attributes to help him on his journey with us.

“Now aged 7, he has earned his opportunity to join the Valley Gold Advanced Centre and we hope he continues his development, learns even more new skills and grows as a player and a young person with us.”

If you would like to book a place on a Charlton Challenge course, please visit: cact.gives/courses

Charlton Challenge is a programme which teaches children aged 4-8 the foundations of football and how to develop their skills.

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hiStory

The revolutionary Blackwall Tunnel - unlike anything that had been built

Under the southern gatehouse showing plaques which no one now can ever see

Mary Mills

So, the next item in the Industrial Archaeology of South-east London, in alphabetical order, is that most hated and perhaps best-known feature of Greenwichthe Blackwall Tunnel, the ‘old’ tunnel. I’m not copying here what SELIA says about it, but it will all come up later in this article.

When the Blackwall Tunnel was built it was the ‘Twenty-first Wonder of the World’. Pall Mall Gazette said ‘Londoners have been ignorant of the fact that they themselves were carrying out one of the greatest engineering feats in the history of the world - perhaps London will wake up and realise what it has accomplished’.

I’m not sure it ever has!

except ferries. There were tolls on most up-river bridges. In 1877 the Metropolitan Board of Works bought up the bridges and made them toll free. But there were no free river crossings downriver of London Bridge.

Everybody hates the ‘old’ Blackwall tunnel with its five bends and far too much heavy traffic. However, it was a major piece of infrastructure - an engineering achievement designed with a strong concept of public benefit. It was built for pedestrians, horses and carts - today it carries 50,000 motor vehicles a day.

In 1897 Parliament allowed the Metropolitan Board of Works to provide a river crossing at Blackwall – and this was finished by the new London County Council, who agreed a contract for the new tunnel at Blackwall at its first meeting on the 22nd March, 1889. The two foot tunnels, the Rotherhithe and the Woolwich Ferry followed – all of them designed to be free crossings for east Londoners and give them equality with west London and their free bridges.

Before 1894 there were no river crossings down-river of the Tower

A proposal for the tunnel had been drawn up by Joseph Bazalgette

12 June 21 2023

Invitation to review the tunnel from the original contractors

but it was actually designed and undertaken by the London County Council’s engineer Alexander Binnie, who also built the first foot tunnel.

The construction was done by Pearsons. The Blackwall Tunnel was revolutionary in concept and design.

It was the longest sub-river tunnel which had ever been built. Nothing like it had been done before.

Like other tunnels, the Blackwall

was built using a tunneling shield; a development of the design introduced

by Marc Brunel for the Thames Tunnel at Rotherhithe in 1825–43. The shield used at Blackwall was built by Easton & Anderson of Erith, and was a giant steel cylinder divided so as to allow 12 men to be at the workface simultaneously. When it was completed, the tunnel was lined with white-glazed tiles specially designed

by T. & R. Boote of Burslem and the

roadway was paved with granite sets. During building there was a scheme for monitoring the health effects of the work on workers. The Tunnel was opened by the Prince of Wales in 1897 apparently following a banquet down in the depths.

Its designers cannot have had the slightest idea of what it was expected to handle 120 years later. Horses were banned after the Second

History

- The area above the tunnel mouth and showing one of the original red sandstone blocks which were a decorative feature at the rear of the tunnel entrance.

This is the site of the mystery concrete building demolished in 2000.

World War and today a single pedestrian will cause the tunnel to be shut and south-east London traffic to come to a standstill.

In the early days you could walk through the tunnel and keep on walking over to Poplar. There were staircases for pedestrians and these remained in use until the mid-1960s.

The stairs were in shafts which were enormous double-skinned cylinders of iron made by the Thames Iron Works & Ship Building Company, just across the river. One remains up by Ordnance Draw Dock but now it is a ventilation shaft for the tunnel below and there is a fascinating film on the ventilation company’s website.

Did you think the Blackwall Tunnel could be compared to a flower?

It was also possible to walk into the Tunnel from near the actual entrance. Behind the gatehouse, there is one of the original pillars in polished red granite from which stone steps went down to the roadway.

This is now the end of the ramp up which over-height lorries are taken before they can enter the tunnel and jam it up for the rest of the day.

On this cross-over point once stood a concrete building. When the area began to be ‘tidied up’ for the opening of the Dome in 2000 it was thought to be ugly, but there was some question about what this concrete building was. Why was it there? It seemed to date from the Second World War and was thought to be a defence structure with equipment to shut off the tunnel

This is the shaft of the one original pedestrian stairway entrances now turned into a ventilation device- if there is a fire, or similar the top of this structure ‘opens like a flower’

in an emergency. It was, however, removed as unfitting.

Our southern end of the Tunnel still has its original gatehouse. The one at the northern end was demolished when the ‘new’ tunnel was built.

The gatehouse is in ‘Arts and Crafts

Scots-Baronial style’ in red and yellow sandstone. On it is shown ‘1897’ and ‘Blackwall Tunnel’ flanked by shields with the arms of Surrey and Kent and a bronze dedication plaque by Singer & Son recording the opening of the tunnel plus a bare-breasted female and a bearded

river god. There a relief of the tunnel construction work in progress. There is a flat inside the gatehouse and I don’t know if anyone lives there. I remember seeing a TV programme about the Tunnel where they had living accommodation at the north end – they showed one of the staff having

his girlfriend over for a romantic weekend staying in the Tunnel flat!

The Blackwall Tunnel was a great engineering achievement, and a moral one in providing a free crossing down-river of the Tower. We should remember both those things.

June 21 2023 13

GREENWICH DANCE 30TH BIRTHDAY APPEAL Donate £10, £20 or £30 and help us raise £10k to keep our classes and events free or low-cost for everyone

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public notices ROYAL BOROUGH OF GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1) TEMPORARY TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS - IVOR GROVE, CASTLEFORD AVENUE, INVICTA ROAD, SIEBERT ROAD, INDUS ROAD AND NIGERIA ROAD 1.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the Royal Borough of Greenwich intends to make an Order to prevent danger to the public under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

2. The effect of the Order would be to temporarily prohibit any motorised vehicle entering certain streets near the schools listed below during Monday - Friday 8:00 - 9:30am and 3:00 - 4:00pm, during term time: a) Wyborne School; (i) Ivor Grove for its entire length; (ii) Castleford Avenue for its entire length; b) Invicta School; (i) Invicta Road for its entire length; (ii) Siebert Road for its entire length; c) Charlton Manor School; (i) Indus Road from its junction with Hornfair Road to its junction with Charlton Dene; (ii) Nigeria Road for its entire length.

3. The above restrictions would only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing or covering of the appropriate traffic signs.

4. The Order would come into force on Thursday 29th June 2023 and remain in force for 18 months, or until the works have been completed, whichever is the sooner.

5. Queries concerning these works should be directed to traffic.team@royalgreenwich.gov.uk quoting reference 06-23 School Streets.

Assistant Director, Transport, Communities, Environment and Central, Royal Borough of Greenwich Dated 21st June 2023 ROYAL BOROUGH OF GREENWICH The Greenwich (Free Parking Places, Loading Places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping Restrictions) (Amendment No. *) Order 202* The Greenwich (Charged For-Parking Places) (Amendment No. *) Order 202* 1.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the Royal Borough of Greenwich (hereinafter referred to as “the Council”) proposes to make the above-mentioned Orders under sections 6, 45, 46, 49, 124 and Part IV of Schedule 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2. The general effect of the Orders would be to: a) Replace the Permit Holders or Limited Waiting Mon-Sat 9am-6.30pm Max stay 2 Hours No return within 3 hours Zone W bay with single yellow ‘No Waiting Mon-Sat 9am-6.30pm’ restrictions on Westcombe Hill, east side, from the common boundary of Nos. 195/197 Westcombe Hill for 9 metres in a southerly direction. b) update the map tiles attached to The Greenwich (Free Parking Places, Loading Places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping Restrictions) Order 2018 and The Greenwich (Charged-For Parking Places) Order 2018 so as to reflect the provisions referred to in sub-paragraph (a).

3. A copy of the proposed Orders and other documents can be viewed by emailing parking-design@royalgreenwich.gov.uk (quoting reference Westcombe Hill CPZ Amd 23-06).

4. Further information may be obtained by emailing parking-design@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.

5. Any person who wishes to object to or make other representations about the proposed Orders, should send a statement in writing by 12th July 2023, specifying the grounds on which any objection is made by email to parking-design@royalgreenwich.gov.uk (quoting reference Westcombe Hill CPZ Amd 23-06).

6. Persons objecting to the proposed Orders should be aware that in view of current access to information legislation, this Council would be legally obliged to make any comments received in response to this notice, open to public inspection.

Assistant Director, Transport Communities, Environment and Central Royal Borough of Greenwich Dated 21st June 2023

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public notices ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1) LIONEL GARDENS PLANNED ROAD CLOSURE (ORDER) 1.

Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (AS AMENDED) Town & Country Planning (Development Management Procedure)(England) Order 2015 Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (AS AMENDED) Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990 (AS AMENDED) Town & Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007 (AS AMENDED)

The Royal Borough of Greenwich make’s this Order in exercise of powers under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This is to facilitate works by Open Reach who need to replace a pole.

The Order will come into operation on 4th July 2023 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However, the works are expected to take 1 day. The duration of the Order can be extended with the approval of the Secretary of State for Transport.

The effect of the Order would be to temporarily prohibit vehicles from entering, exiting, proceeding, or waiting (including waiting for the purposes of loading or unloading), in Lionel Gardens outside 11.

Whilst the Order is in operation traffic will be diverted via Lionel Road, Green Way and vice versa. Prohibitions remain in force; pedestrians are not affected, and vehicle access will be maintained wherever possible.

Nothing in this Notice will apply to anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or traffic warden, to emergency service vehicles, or to vehicles being used in connection with the works.

The restrictions described above will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by traffic signs as prescribed by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.

Queries concerning these works should be directed to the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Directorate of Regeneration, Enterprise & Skills on 020 8921 6340.

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Royal Borough of Greenwich

Notice is hereby given that application(s) have been made to The Royal Borough of Greenwich in respect of the under mentioned premises sites. You can see the submissions and any plans at http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/planning.

If development proposals affect Conservation Areas and/or Statutorily Listed Buildings under the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Area) Act 1990 (As Amended) this will be shown within the item below.

Anyone who wishes to comment on these applications should be made in writing to Development Planning within 21 days of the date of this notice.

Please quote the appropriate reference number.

Please quote the appropriate reference number.

Ryan Nibbs Assistant Director, Transport.

The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ

Date: 21/06/2023 Victoria Geoghegan Assistant Director - Planning and Building Control

Dated 06/04/23

List of Press Advertisements - 21/06/2023

(INTERNAL REF: PL/521/LA450162)

Publicity For Planning Applications.

Applicant: Site Address: Development:

ROYAL BOROUGH OF GREENWICH The Greenwich (Prohibition of Motor Vehicles) (School Streets No.1 2023) Traffic Order 2023 1.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the Royal Borough of Greenwich (hereinafter referred to as “the Council”) has made the abovementioned Order under sections 6 and 124 of and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended. The Order will come into operation on 22nd June 2023.

2. The general effect of the Order would be to: a) Introduce a prohibition for all motor vehicles from entering or proceeding in the sections of streets listed below from 8:00 - 9:30am and 3:00 - 4:00pm on Mondays – Fridays, during term time except for pedal cycles, dial-a-ride buses, vehicles in the service of the local authority in pursuance of statutory powers or duties, disabled badge holders with a valid school street permit, School Street Permit Holders and emergency vehicles: i) Commerell Street, between the north-eastern kerb-line of Pelton Road and the party wall of Nos. 31 and 37 Commerell Street. ii) Cookhill Road, for its entire extent. iii) Grangehill Road, between the northern kerb-line of Earlshall Road and the southern kerb-line of Elibank Road. iv) Haimo Road, between the south-eastern kerb-line of the access road fronting Nos. 546 to 562 Westhorne Avenue and the north-western kerb-line of Froissart Road.

3. School Street Permit Holders means residents living within the sections of streets listed above or any vehicle authorised by the Council who have registered their vehicle for an exemption to the prohibition of motor vehicles introduced in this Order on the list maintained by the Council and have been issued a School Street Permit at the discretion of the Council.

4. Further information about the Orders may be obtained by emailing traffic.team@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.

5. The Orders and other documents giving more detailed particulars of the Orders can be viewed by emailing traffic.team@royalgreenwich.gov.uk requesting electronic copies 6. If any person wishes to question the validity of the Orders or of any of the provisions contained therein on the grounds that they are not within the powers conferred by the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, or that any requirement of that Act or of any instrument made under that Act has not been complied with, that person may, within six weeks from the date on which the Orders were made, apply for that purpose to the High Court.

Mr N. Sen Mathnasium 23/1441/F 11 Lee Road, Blackheath, SE3 9RQ Change of use of basement, ground and first floors of existing shop (Class E) to educational centre (Class F1-a).

Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH PARK Applicant: Site Address: Development:

Warspite Woolwich Ltd 23/1504/F 1 Warspite Road, Woolwich, London, SE18 5PG Construction of a two-storey rear extension at first and second floor level and roof extension to facilitate an additional eight HMO rooms with an additional capacity of 16 persons to provide a Large HMO with 20 bedrooms overall with an overall maximum capacity of 40 persons (Use Class Sui Generis) Conservation Area: THAMES BARRIER & BOWATER ROAD Applicant: Site Address: Development:

Maple property group 23/1667/F 1 WARWICK TERRACE, PLUMSTEAD, LONDON, SE18 1QJ Development: Creation of rear dormer, two front roof lights, replace the existing shop front with two 2 panel windows, boundary wall treatment, the addition of cycle and refuse storage and internal alterations to facilitate the change of use from existing (C3) dwellings to 7-bed HMO (sui generis) with associated external works.

Conservation Area: PLUMSTEAD COMMON Applicant: Site Address:

Assistant Director, Transport Communities, Environment and Central, Royal Borough of Greenwich Dated 21st June 2023

Applicant: Site Address:

ROYAL BOROUGH OF GREENWICH The Greenwich (Free Parking Places, Loading Places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping Restrictions) (Amendment No. *) Order 202* The Greenwich (Charged For-Parking Places) (Amendment No. *) Order 202* NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the Royal Borough of Greenwich (hereinafter referred to as “the Council”) proposes to make the above-mentioned Orders under sections 6, 45, 46, 49, 124 and Part IV of Schedule 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2. The general effect of the Orders would be to: a) Replace part of the existing the Permit Holders Only Mon-Fri 11am-12.30pm (E) bay with single yellow ‘No Waiting Mon-Fri 11am-12.30pm’ restrictions on Balcaskie Road, west side, from a point 1.5 metres north of the common boundary of Nos. 36/34 Balcaskie Road for 4.6 metres in a northerly direction. b) update the map tiles attached to The Greenwich (Free Parking Places, Loading Places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping Restrictions) Order 2018 and The Greenwich (Charged-For Parking Places) Order 2018 so as to reflect the provisions referred to in sub-paragraph (a).

3. A copy of the proposed Orders and other documents can be viewed by emailing parking-design@royalgreenwich.gov.uk (quoting reference Balcaskie Road CPZ Amd 23-06).

4. Further information may be obtained by emailing parking-design@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.

5. Any person who wishes to object to or make other representations about the proposed Orders, should send a statement in writing by 12th July 2023, specifying the grounds on which any objection is made by email to parking-design@royalgreenwich.gov.uk (quoting reference Balcaskie Road CPZ Amd 23-06).

6. Persons objecting to the proposed Orders should be aware that in view of current access to information legislation, this Council would be legally obliged to make any comments received in response to this notice, open to public inspection.

Development:

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Dated 21st June 2023

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CASH / CASH / CASH / CASH / CASH

CARS + VANS ANY CONDITION ANY AREA PROMPT & POLITE SERVICE TELEPHONE

020 8659 8988 ANY DAY, ANY TIME, 7 DAYS MOBILE

07850 323 508 CLASSIC & UNSUAL CARS ALSO WANTED

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Mr Austin Kilroy 23/1749/MA 120 PLUMSTEAD COMMON ROAD, LONDON, SE18 3RE An application submitted under Section 73 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 for a minor material amendment in connection with the planning permission 16/0679/F dated 08/08/2016, for Conversion of property into 1 x 4-bed and 1 x 2-bed flats comprising the erection of a part 1

part 2 storey side extension together with alterations to roof structure and replacement windows, To allow; - Variation of Condition 1 to accommodate proposed alterations - increase of lower ground floor 2.23m, addition rooflights and reduce size of lightwell.

Conservation Area: PLUMSTEAD COMMON Mr & Mrs Leyden 23/1803/HD 65 EASTNEY STREET, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 9NR Development: Installation of 2 x rooflights to front roof slope, 2 x rooflights to rear roof slope, 2 x rooflights to ground floor outrigger and replacement of ground floor rear window and door with proposed white window and door.

Conservation Area: EAST GREENWICH Applicant: Site Address:

Callis Yard Property Development LLP 23/1836/F 7 CALLIS CLOSE, WOOLWICH, SE18 6JA Change of use of ground floor unit from Children's play area to a commercial use under Use Class E (a-g).

Conservation Area: Woolwich Conservation Area Applicant: Site Address: Development:

Applicant: Mr Patel BKS Consultants 23/1967/PN2 Site Address: 52 POWIS STREET, LONDON, SE18 6LQ Development: Prior Notification is sought for the change of use of part of first and second floors from retail storage (Class E) to 2 self-contained residential units (C3) comprising 2x1-bed flats.

Conservation Area: Woolwich Conservation Area Publicity for Advertisements Applicant: Mr N. Sen Mathnasium 23/1442/A Site Address: 11 Lee Road, Blackheath, SE3 9RQ Development: Display of one internally illuminated fascia sign and one internally illuminated projecting sign.

Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH PARK

ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1) EAGLESFIELD ROAD PLANNED ROAD CLOSURE (ORDER)

Assistant Director, Transport Communities, Environment and Central Royal Borough of Greenwich

classified

Mr Rajinder Singh 23/1279/HD 368 SHOOTERS HILL ROAD, BLACKHEATH, SE18 4LS Construction of a first floor side and rear extension.

(Retrospective)

The Royal Borough of Greenwich makes this Order in exercise of powers under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This is to facilitate works by Southern Gas Networks who need to carry out repair works.

The Order will come into operation on 22nd June 2023 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However, the works are expected to take 2 weeks. The duration of the Order can be extended with the approval of the Secretary of State for Transport.

The effect of the Order would be to temporarily prohibit vehicles from entering, exiting, proceeding, or waiting (including waiting for the purposes of loading or unloading). In Shooters Hill Road at the junction of Shooters Hill.

Whilst the Order is in operation traffic will be diverted via Shooters Hill, Shrewsbury Lane, Foxcroft Road & Vice Versa. Prohibitions remain in force; pedestrians are not affected, and vehicle access will be maintained wherever possible.

Nothing in this Notice will apply to anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or traffic warden, to emergency service vehicles, or to vehicles being used in connection with the works.

The restrictions described above will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by traffic signs as prescribed by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.

Queries concerning these works should be directed to the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Directorate of Regeneration, Enterprise & Skills on 020 8921 6340.

Ryan Nibbs Assistant Director, Transport.

The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ Dated 19/06/23 (INTERNAL REF: PL/554/LA450345)

Why not speak to the Weekender team, to find out about our competitive advertising prices in print and online?

ADVERTORIAL

News from the Royal Borough of Greenwich Crowds made the most of the sunny weather to enjoy facepainting, inflatables, funfair rides, bars and street food stalls, and sports.

In the Community Village, sponsored

by CU London Greenwich, residents got to know local community groups and the activities they offer.

Attendees also waved goodbye to Farrah the Fox, the five-metre high puppet created by Emergency Exit Arts as part of Royal Greenwich Festivals.

She’ll be travelling around the borough and high streets across the UK this summer, before returning to her hometown at Woolwich Carnival in September!

Find the next stop and more fun summer activities at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/summer

www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk

@royal_greenwich

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