Greenwich & Lewisham Weekender - May 29th 2024

GREENWICH SUPPORTS: GET THE FINANCIAL

ADVICE YOU NEED

We know times are tough and many people are worried about their finances.

Through Greenwich Supports, our cost of living campaign, there are lots of different ways that people can get help and advice.

Speak to our Welfare Rights team

Universal Credit

If you are not already claiming benefits, you might be eligible for Universal Credit, a monthly payment to help with living costs if you are on a low income or out of work.

The Government is switching people who receive benefits onto Universal Credit. If you have received a letter - known as a Managed Migration Notice - asking you to switch, you can come to our inperson advice sessions.

The sessions run every Tuesday from 10am to 12pm at the Woolwich Centre, Wellington Street, Woolwich, SE18 6HQ

Find out more: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/uc-advice

Pension Credit

Many people of pension age are not aware they could be eligible for Pension Credit, a top-up to pension income, that could provide them with a boost worth over £3,300 a year.

Have any questions?

Call the council, 020 8921 6375, on Monday, Wednesday or Thursday, from 10am to 1pm

Housing benefit

Anyone can claim benefits, including homeowners and private tenants, and you may be able to get financial help with rent through the benefits system.

Get housing benefits: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/housingbenefit

Want to find out more about the support on offer? Visit: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/greenwich-supports

Or visit on of our Advice Hubs for in person support: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/advicehubs

Eliza Frost

The

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

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 our paper to every Greenwich neighbourhood, with further copies stocked at convenient public stands. We are also the highest distribution newspaper in Lewisham.

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

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.

Weekender

The Greenwich and Lewisham Weekender is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (which regulates the UK’s magazine and newspaper industry). We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. If you think that we have not met those standards and want to make a complaint, please contact 020 7231 5258. If we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you would like more information about IPSO or the Editors’ Code, contact IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or visit www.ipso.co.uk

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Issue: GLW364

Pick of the Week

Summer sports screenings

The Old Royal Naval College grounds will be showing the best in sporting talent on a big outdoor screen this summer. Kicking off with the Euros, the big screen will then serve up Wimbledon viewings for tennis fans through July, with the Olympics being the closing ceremony. Grab some street food from Karnival Food, a drink from the alfresco bar or a cone from Hackney Gelato and enjoy. There will be seating in front of the screen for big sports fans, and smaller tables for foodies who want to make the most of the food and drink on offer.

Dates: 14 June to 12 August 2024

Tickets: Free King William Lawn, Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9NN ornc.org/whats-on/summer-big-screen

Father’s Day clay workshop

Get your dad involved in some freestyle clay-making this Father’s Day at House of Denna. In the workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to let your inner artist out and create a beautiful piece to take home. Using air dry clay, you can choose to make a pot, bowl, tile or plate, all with your own freestyle design. The class is designed for all skill levels, and you will be guided through various techniques and tools – from applying paint to using stamps. All materials are provided and, after the class, you and your dad can take your work home with you.

Date: Sunday 16 June 2024, 10am

Up in smoke

Continuing its 10th-anniversary celebrations, NOW Gallery has announced its Design Commission of 2024 – “Up in Smoke” – by the designer-architect duo John Booth and Mat Barnes from CAN. The exhibition is free and opens on 21 June. Up In Smoke sees the gallery space transformed into a vibrant, colourful and interactive installation that tells the story of Greenwich Peninsula through its iconic chimneys, evoking the memories of the area’s lively past, and its transformation from a historic former marshland to the cultural hub it is today.

Dates: 21 June to 22 September 2024

Tickets: Free NOW Gallery, The Gateway Pavilions, SE10 0SQ nowgallery.co.uk/exhibitions/up-insmoke

Sun dyeing

Learn to print with sunlight at the Deptford Lounge this spring for a free four-week cyanotype workshop series. Cyanotype photography is a camera-less technique that involves laying an object on paper coated with a solution of iron salts before exposing it to UV light to create white and cyan-blue images. This four-week workshop series will take you through the process of creating designs and working with found objects and photography to create cyanotype artwork.

Dates: 3 to 22 June 2024

Tickets: Free 9 Giffin Street, SE8 4RJ www.thealbany.org.uk/shows/springsnapshots-of-deptford-cyanotype-workshops

Tickets: £34 House of Denna, 54 No 1 Street, Royal Arsenal, SE18 6ST www.houseofdenna.com/ event-details/fathers-day-clayworkshop

New Lights Festival

The seventh New Lights Festival takes place in Greenwich at the Royal Naval College this June with an arrange of multidisciplinary and improvised works. Opening with a celebration of Iranian music and poetry, the week will see works for Cello and Organ, a concerto for “Kraken Harp” at the Cutty Sark, Nancarrow-Ligeti intersections with player-piano, electroacoustic collaborations, an improvised opera “Irma” and a day devoted to popular culture and “crossover”, including Salsa, music film documentaries and a social media inspired Piano Quintet.

Dates: 17 to 21 June 2024

Tickets: Prices vary per event Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, King Charles Court, Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9JF www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/newlights-festival-june-2024

Animal Farm

This June, Greenwich Theatre is welcoming George Orwell’s classic fable, Animal Farm, in an adaptation bristling with satire. The animals have thrown off their human oppressors, but a new political elite is rising, and wants to make Animal Farm “great again”. But at what cost? The riotous retelling of the timeless novel, featuring Creation Theatre’s rep company, is adapted by playwright and political commentator, Van Badham.

Dates: 5 to 8 June 2024, 2:30pm, 7:30pm

Tickets: Standard £26, concession £21, student £16 Crooms Hill, SE10 8ES greenwichtheatre.org.uk/ events/animal-farm

© Colin B Mackenzie

Monsoon Note

Eliza Frost hears of how the inspirational ‘rainforests and lush greenery’ of south India inspires artist Neethu Babu Raj

“With calligraphy, it’s like the old saying, practise makes perfect. Anyone can learn calligraphy as long as you have the patience, and you are willing to practise the drills over and over,” says Neethu Babu Raj, founder of Monsoon Note.

Neethu designs and creates artwork using watercolour and calligraphy, including bespoke wedding writing, and sells her work at Greenwich Market on Saturdays.

The name Monsoon Note comes from her time growing up in southern India. She says that it was her husband Rohith who came up with the name. They both grew up in Kerala, which sees a lot of monsoon rain and “is full of rainforests and lush green”.

Of working with watercolours, Neethu explains: “I love how seamlessly I can blend colours as I paint. It’s really versatile, depending on the amount of water you add or how wet and dry the paper is, you can create so many variations of shades with just a couple of colours.

“Just like how our eyes can see so many shades of one colour, you can create different variations of one colour with watercolour.”

Neethu can’t remember exactly what inspired her to first start drawing, but her earliest memory is attending a drawing competition – which she didn’t win – but was soon encouraged through classes outside of school.

She explains: “Although, growing up in India, art was not seen as a profession or career choice. It was always an extracurricular thing or just a hobby. I studied science and maths to A level and decided to study architecture at university, which at the time sounded like the best option to combine my love for drawing and maths.”

But she never stopped drawing.

“Architecture indeed helped me to nurture my drawing further as it required a lot of sketching and painting to develop ideas,” says Neethu – and then got into calligraphy much later.

During a time of furlough due to the pandemic, Neethu began to explore the art of calligraphy, utilising her free time to read articles and watch videos to figure out the rules of different letter formations.

She participated in a 100-day Instagram art challenge during this time, too, and developed a routine –

and was enjoying creating her art.

“My friends began asking to do small commissions and my partner’s sister was getting married around that time, and I designed the wedding invitations, that was sort of the beginning,” says Neethu.

“All the text was written in calligraphy and had some tropical-inspired leaves. I quite enjoyed preparing those.” And these would soon inspire her to launch Monsoon Note.

Neethu and Rohith were also planning their wedding at the same time as she started Monsoon Note, “so I obviously decided to create the wedding stationery myself”.

She says: “I put so much time and effort preparing the invitations and a welcome poster. It was really amazing to have all that creative freedom to experiment and discover different techniques, especially at the beginning when you want to just explore the possibilities.”

Greenwich has always been a favourite place of Neethu’s, “with a beautiful high street, riverside and the park”. She says she enjoyed

visiting Greenwich Market to see the stalls and artwork, before she started selling her own work there.

She says: “The market has a great number of artists and it’s always interesting to see what everyone is doing and to be part of it. It’s a privilege to sell in a market that has over 300 years of history.”

Neethu is often at Greenwich Market on Saturdays @neethubraj on Instagram www.monsoonnote.co.uk

Follow a self-guided trail to learn about the earth, take part in oceanthemed activities and listen to talks on waves and waters as part of Royal Museums Greenwich’s celebration of World Oceans Day on 8 June 2024, in collaboration with Royal Parks.

Enjoy a Saturday with family exploring and learning about the climate crisis.

World Oceans Day takes place on 8 June every year to celebrate the ocean.

Over 70 per cent of Earth is covered in water, and more than half of all the oxygen we breathe comes from ocean plants. There is a reliance on the ocean for food security, transportation, coastal defences and much more.

So, as much as we can celebrate our oceans, there is also a need to recognise the climate crisis, and the impact that humans have on rivers, lakes and seas.

The National Maritime Museum is home to hundreds of years of seafaring history, from the vast Pacific to the

Dive in

Royal Museums Greenwich has partnered with Royal Parks for World Oceans Day celebrations

icy Arctic and Antarctic Oceans. This World Oceans Day event gives you a chance to dive into the past, present and future of our blue planet.

Activities on the day will revolve around UNESCO’s seven principles of ocean literacy, including the notion that the ocean makes Earth habitable. The partnership between Royal Parks and Royal Museums Greenwich means you can explore how marine environmental issues are linked to

the land, and the importance of green spaces in tackling the climate crisis.

On World Oceans Day, you can follow a self-guided trail around the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich Park and the Royal Observatory Greenwich to learn how the ocean makes Earth habitable.

Along the way, there will be scientists and ocean experts, as well as creative workshops. There will be

seven stations to find, marking the seven principles of ocean literacy. Those who participate in the trail will also be entered into a prize draw.

Start at the National Maritime Museum to receive the trail booklet, then walk around Greenwich Park to find stations at the Royal Observatory, Boating Lake, Bandstand and more.

There will also be musical performances at the Greenwich

Park Bandstand with live music from 10-piece band Metronomes Steel Orchestra throughout the day.

At three times throughout the day (11:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm), there will be a free talk at the Cutty Sark on ocean machinery, winds, currents and the Cutty Sark’s famous routes.

Plus, budding ocean explorers should look out for the magical merfolk face painters for the chance to be transformed into ocean creatures, from a piece of coral to a little fish. Face painting costs £5, and is taking place outside the National Maritime Museum.

Dr Bike will be at World Oceans Day, too. So, bring your bicycle along for free bike maintenance from 11am to 3pm on the day.

Date: Saturday 8 June 2024, 10am to 4pm Romney Road, SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/ greenwich/world-oceans-day

Chaka Khan’s

MELTDOWN

14 – 23 JUNE 2024

CHAKA KHAN • NU CIVILISATION ORCHESTRA • EMELI SANDÉ • TODRICK HALL • SPEAKERS CORNER QUARTET & GUILDHALL SESSION ORCHESTRA • BRUCE HORNSBY • INCOGNITO • LADY BLACKBIRD • WAR • MORCHEEBA

L ES AMAZONES D’AFRIQUE • NORMAN JAY WITH MARCIA CARR & CHARLIE DARK • MASTER PEACE • ADONIS AFTERS WITH SHAY MALT, JOSH CAFFÉ & HANNAH HOLLAND • BALIMAYA PROJECT • QUEER BRUK WITH AMORPHOUS, GIRLS CAN’T DJ, JUNGLE KITTY & TO THE LEFT • BIG JOANIE • RAHSAAN PATTERSON • MICA PARIS • JUDI JACKSON • HOUSE GOSPEL CHOIR • TREVOR NELSON • CARDINAL BLACK • ANAIIS • SIPHO. • REUBEN JAMES • PENG FEMME JAM • HARVEY PARKER TRUST

EXPLORE THE FULL LINE-UP

HABIBTI NATION • LONDON QUEER SOUNDSYSTEM DAY WITH DEPTFORD NORTHERN SOUL CLUB, BLACK OBSIDIAN SOUND SYSTEM, PANTY SOAKER SOUND SYSTEM, BOOTYLICIOUS, CHAPTER 10, TAKA BOOM & GIDEÖN FT. RUSH DAVIS • NEW MOVEMENTZ UK • MICHAEL MWENSO • BALM SOUND • KARIM KAMAR X ADRIENNE EVERETT • SOUTHBANK CENTRE YOUTH VOICES • FUTURETENSE WITH BIM, JAJA KISSES & TYLER MAX • OUR NAKED TRUTHS • SISTERS IN DUB + KINETIKA BLOCO • QUEER C*NTRY • VIBE VILLAGE

© Jo Metson Scott

Dreams

come true at Wilson’s

‘This is what we’ve always wanted to do’: one of the founders behind the new Ladywell restaurant tells Eliza Frost about the love of local

“A great neighbourhood restaurant is a vital piece of a thriving local high street,” says Joel Falconer, co-founder of Wilson’s in Ladywell.

The Lewisham spot was opened by three friends in March this year, who all bring a love of old-school hospitality and a love of the local area to their new venture.

Chef founder Henry Freestone and co-founder Alina Falconer, along with Joel, have built Wilson’s with a desire to create something to be proud of.

But why Wilson’s and why now? “This is what we’ve always wanted to do,”

says Joel. “All three of us have had the dream of opening our own place for a long time and the opportunity to work together in our own local neighbourhood came along.”

Neighbourhood restaurants can have a huge impact on the community: “It provides an anchor for the evening economy and where you have a few different options for eating and drinking it can make a massive difference,” he says.

“Every pound spent in the local independent economy benefits local residents and small suppliers, and helps to lift up other local businesses with a sense of positivity and growth.”

Open Thursday to Saturday, for now, you’ll find that positivity at Wilson’s.

Chef Henry was born in Ladywell. His background includes opening Crispin in 2018, he was head chef at Peckham Cellars and, in 2021, he earned a Bib Gourmand from Michelin for his food.

Expect regular menu updates, with weekly dishes of the moment. You can expect tantalising flavour combinations like goat’s cheese profiteroles with beetroot and walnuts, or brown crab rarebit, or beef shin nuggets with horseradish sour cream.

“Henry cooks properly,” Joel says of the food at Wilson’s. “No water baths or tweezers... just traditional cooking and classic techniques. We focus on European flavours and lean hard into some classic old-school flavours.

“The menu is pretty traditional in style, with starters, mains and desserts. We’re definitely not a ’small plates concept’.”

And for Wilson’s, the service and the hospitality are as much part of the experience as the food and wine, he adds.

Alongside the great food, there’s also great glasses to enjoy. You can sip on a complex white, a bright sparkling, a structured red or a pink, orange or no and low alcohol.

Wilson’s wine philosophy has seen them “create a wine list that is accessible in every sense”, says Joel. “Not just in terms of price but also in terms of the wines themselves.”

“We’ve tried to include classic names and traditional styles, which provide a sense of familiarity rather than intimidation.”

Alina spent long stints at high-end restaurants learning the craft of serious hospitality, before going on to work in the speciality coffee

industry. And Joel spent his career working in operations and as MD of restaurant groups. He decided the time was right to commit to working alongside Alina to grow and develop their coffee shop, Oscar’s, as well as start laying the foundations to one day open a restaurant of their own. (See, Wilson’s).

Alina and Joel have lived in the area for over 10 years now, and the two opened Oscar’s over five years ago. In that time, “we have seen the local area go from strength to strength”, he explains.

“It’s not just the small indie businesses, but also the increased engagement in local community groups and all the other parts of a thriving local area, which we have seen increase over the years.”

And it is these indie businesses that are a big factor in making the area feel unique, Joel says.

“The parks are amazing, and the sense of community is fantastic. We feel lucky to have all this and be only 10 minutes from town on the train,” he adds.

77 Ladywell Road, SE13 7JA

www.wilsonslondon.co.uk

LOOKING FOR RETIREMENT

Greenwich Hospital Sheltered Housing Managed by CESSAC

Provide affordable rented self-contained flats for former Royal Navy &Royal Marines, WRNS, QARNNS, RN National Service, RFAorRNXSaged over 60, their spouses, partners, widows &widowers.

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Enquiries to: ian.wilson@cessaha.co.uk Tel: 02392 829319 Or

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At The Heart Of The Community

Daniel Kulic progresses to valley Gold Advanced Centre

Daniel Kulic, age 14, has been attending Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s (CACT) Player Development Centre at Coldharbour Leisure Centre in Greenwich since January this year.

The Player Development Centres are a key part of the CACT pathway into the Charlton Athletic Academy providing the next step for players who have completed Charlton Challenge. They are for players who have got a basic understanding of football and are looking to advance their technical play and ability further.

Players, like Daniel, who impress coaches at the Player Development Centres may be signposted into the Valley Gold Advanced Centre.

The Valley Gold Advanced Centre offers a specialised curriculum focusing on enhancing technical, physical, social and psychological abilities in players aged U5-U13s.

Now, Daniel gets the chance to play on the Academy pitches at the

Charlton Athletic Training Ground and is being coached to a Charlton Athletic Academy curriculum with the opportunity to play in matches organised by the Development Centre staff and club scouts.

Daniel said: “I feel like the sessions at Coldharbour Leisure Centre really helped me to progress as a player.

“The training was varied every session targeting specific parts of football effectively. After attending these sessions for a long time I can confidently say that my technical ability and overall ability has noticeably improved.

“The coaches here were extremely helpful and positive all the time. They made sure that sessions are as effective as they are fun. They are very easy to talk to if you are in

need of advice or additional support. Also making sure that you train in a safe and fun environment.

“When I heard that Coach Robbie had recommended me to the Advanced Centre I was extremely happy and felt that all of the extra training and support from him

had started to pay off. I also feel proud and believe that with the right help I am on the right path.

“In the future I am looking forward to hopefully pursue a career playing football professionally and I believe that this may be the path for me to achieve that. I

know that to stay here and move to an even higher level I must work even harder than I do now.”

Find a Player Development Centre session near you and book a place today by visiting: cact.gives/courses

Mary Mills

This, I am afraid, is going to be another tale of a gas works which didn’t work very well. I am afraid this is not going to be a story about one of the really scandalous London gas works – of which there were more than several! Just a little local matter down in Woolwich.

In the early 19th century there were a number of men who built and sold ready made gas works to local authorities and private individuals. They were all looking round for towns in need of a gas works and there was considerable competition among them. Woolwich was then already a heavily industrialised town in Kent - very near to London and with much riverside industry. Much of this industry was government owned - the royal dockyard, the rope works and, of course, the Arsenal. It was all clearly in need of a source of good lighting. It is no surprise, therefore, to find that it was seen as a good place to build a speculative gas works.

So this story is about an early public supply gas works built by two speculators who hoped to sell it on to a local management body - and failed. No one, apparently, was interested.

In nearby Greenwich the first approaches about a gas works had been made to the local authority in the early 1820s by a Mr. Hedley, closely followed by a Mr. Gosling. In the 1830s a works had been built in Deptford by a Mr. Barlow. All of them had a track record of building gasworks.

Mr. Barlow was one of a large family involved in the gas industry and who had built a number of works which were planned to be later taken over and run by others. John Barlow was an iron founder in Sheffield and north London and his eight sons worked with him. They had realised that there was money to be made in the fitting out of gas works. One way to build up customers was to set up a gas company themselves, build a works, and then to pass it on, readymade, to other people. Similarly both Mr, Gosling and Jos Hedley with his two sons founded many gas works in England. This included an attempt to build the first Greenwich gas works.

All these families made a continuing contribution to the gas industry throughout the 19th century.

Building - and finally sellinga local gasworks

In 1817, or thereabouts, a Mr. Livesey and a Mr. Hardy built a gas works in Woolwich. If the name Livesey is familiar, it is because this Mr.Livesey was the famous George Livesey’s great-uncle, Thomas. After 1870 George Livesey became the leading figure in the gas industry in Britain and to some extent was heir to the ideas and energy of his great uncle Thomas.

Thomas Livesey was a hosier based in the City of London. In 1812 he had been one of forty men who had bought a block of shares in the first ever – Westminster based - gas company, with a view to changing the way it was being run. In 1813 he had been elected to their Court of Governors put forward by this group and, quite literally, set about finding out how a gas company should be set up and managed. A great deal has been written about the invention of the technology of gas manufacture, but it is rarely mentioned that Thomas Livesey designed gas company management – in many ways just as important. Busy as he was with this role he clearly had time for other things, and like many others, an eye for a profit on the side.

The other partner in the first Woolwich gas works was a Mr. Hardy, a coal merchant and a friend of Thomas Livesey. He was also at that time a partner of Mr. Hedley and they operated a gas equipment and ironmongery business out of an office in Kings Arms Yard off Cheapside in the City of London. Thomas Livesey also sometimes used this address, although his hosiery business was just round the corner in Wood Street.

Livesey and Hardy built their gas works in Woolwich on a site known as ‘Roff’s Compound’ or ‘Edgar’s Coal Wharf’. This was on the river in the area of today’s Bell Watergate and next to the current site of the Waterfront Leisure Centre – then a tangle of small streets and wharves. Coal wharfage was a big feature of the Woolwich riverside in the eighteenth century and later.

The former old Gun Wharf – a crucial site in the development of

ship building in Tudor Woolwich - was east of Bell Water Gate. It was used in the 19th century by William Roff, a coal merchant, and William Burgess, a lighterman. Roff and Burgess continued here until the 1830s and beyond. Roff’s Wharf was still marked on a map in 1853, nearly forty years later, by which time there was also a ‘steamboat’ pier on site.

The first gasworks in Woolwich was built by Livesey and Hardy from about 1817, in this area probably on part of what had been Remnants Wharf. This was west of Bell Water Gate. It was where Samuel Remnant and his son Stephen had a smithery which supplied British and foreign governments with guns and shot through the eighteenth century.

It is likely that they had some local support since it appears

that the first Manager was a Mr. Sanderson who had a business in Richard Street, Woolwich, where he exhibited gas lights before the works was opened. Perhaps he was the same Mr. Sanderson who later had a paint and glazing business in Powis Street.

Whatever the plans for the works were it seems that it was not successful and after only six or seven years Livesey and his friend set about trying to dispose of it. In 1824 they tried to sell the works to the South London Gas Company, based in Southwark. When this approach failed they tried to sell it to the Phoenix Company which had works on Bankside and in Greenwich. They first approached Phoenix in February 1825, in November 1827 and then again in December 1828 when they offered it to them for £6,500. Phoenix

turned it down every time.

One of the reasons Livesey and Hardy were so keen to get rid of the Woolwich Gas Works was that Thomas Livesey was Deputy Governor of the Westminster based Chartered Gas Light and Coke Co. He was not supposed to have an interest in another gas company. In fact the Chartered took a very dim view of his extracurricular activities and in May 1827 he had to make a sworn statement to the effect that he had disposed of his interest in the Woolwich Gas Company. This was not true and Livesey continued to be described and treated as the owner of this works.

However it seems that he had made it a bit less of a lie because he had transferred the actual legal ownership elsewhere. His

„ Retort house in gasworks

„ Site of first Woolwich Gas Works 2o24

Woolwich gas works was actually ‘owned’ by a corporate body of which a Mr. Ainger was a trustee. Ainger was yet another coal and iron merchant - this time based on Bankside. Livesey must have known him well since Ainger sold coal to the Chartered Company from the day it began work.

The years went by. The works continued to be offered for sale to other gas companies. But none of them apparently wanted it.

In Woolwich, as elsewhere, local businessmen, dissatisfied with the existing private gas companies began to find ways of setting up new works in order to have one which would be more responsive to their wish for cheaper gas and more efficient service. A rival

company was set up - the Woolwich Equitable Gas Co. who advertised that it would sell ‘cheaper and purer’ gas. They set about trying to buy up the existing works and they began to negotiate with Mr. Livesey and Mr. Ainger. At last! They had been trying to get rid of it for at least the previous ten years. A valuation was commissioned from a John Barlow.

Barlow was one of the gas works building family I mentioned above. Locally he had been involved in building the Greenwich Railway Gas Works at Deptford, and many others. So, as he was an interested party, and, in the interests of honesty and fair play, another valuer was brought in. This was a Mr. Robert Brown of Royal Hill. I assume that this is the Robert

Brown, Architect of Royal Place in 1839, not Mr. Robert Brown, Plumber, of Blackheath Hill also extant in 1839 (or perhaps they were the same person).

The valuation report was very long and very damning – the works was ‘very dilapidated’ to say the least. However in negotiations Ainger and Livesey began frantically to talk the equipment up – they explained that the wooden tanks were after all, only fifteen years old and the pipework would last at least a hundred years.

The writers of the report apparently didn’t agree with them. Ainger accused the Woolwich Equitable Board of trying to cheat him.

The new Equitable gas company

was however desperate to ‘buy up the competition’ and continued negotiations regardless. Livesey began to talk about problems with an Act of Parliament and the Board of the Equitable brought their solicitor along to see him.

A settlement was reached in July 1832 at a meeting between both sides and their lawyers. In the following January a list was produced of Messrs. Livesey and Ainger’s various misdeeds and Woolwich Equitable Directors were most annoyed that £245 of the purchase money had found its way into Mr. Livesey’s private pocket.

So the old Woolwich gas works was taken over, run for a while, and closed down. While negotiations had been going on with Livesey and

Ainger the Equitable directors had begun making arrangements for a new works to be built for them.

This story in some ways echoes the problems behind so many early gas works. Usually, a works was built by speculators which turned out to be inefficient and soon became ruinous – but things began to improve as operators gained more experience of the technology.

It is perhaps ironic that Thomas Livesey - who was so successful in his management of the first and largest company then in existence – should get in such a mess at Woolwich. It also throws considerable light on the standards of honesty not only of Livesey but also of others of the time and on the lack of statutory regulation.

„ Dore view of the Lambeth Gas Works

„ 19th plan showing woodlands

„ Thomas Livesey nephew of the Thomas Livesey in this article

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

1. The Royal Borough of Greenwich intends to make this Order in exercise of powers under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This is to facilitate works by Royal Borough of Greenwich (Corporate Property) who need to carry out works on a dangerous structure.

2. The Order will come into operation on 10th June 2024 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However, the works are expected to take 6 months. The duration of the Order can be extended with the approval of the Secretary of State for Transport.

3. 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 Cemetery Road at the junction of Wickham Lane.

4. Whilst the Order is in operation traffic will not require diversion due to the absence of a through road. Prohibitions remain in force; pedestrians are not affected, and vehicle access will be maintained wherever possible.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 21 May 2024

INTERNAL REF: PL / FN 670 / Lic. No: 71077

ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14(1) TRAFALGAR ROAD PLANNED CYCLE LANE CLOSURE (ORDER)

Royal Borough of Greenwich 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)

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.

Date: 29/05/2024

Victoria Geoghegan

Assistant Director - Planning and Building Control List of Press Advertisements - 29/05/2024

Publicity for Planning Applications

Applicant: Hamways Ltd 24/0105/F

Site Address: 129A GREENWICH SOUTH STREET, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 8NX

Development: Change of use to a House in Multiple Occupation for three people.

Conservation Area: ASHBURNHAM TRIANGLE

1. 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 Thames Water who need to carry out the installation of pressure reduction valves.

2. The Order will come into operation on 03rd June 2024 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However, the works are expected to take 15 days. The duration of the Order can be extended with the approval of the Secretary of State for Transport.

3. The effect of the Order would be to temporarily prohibit cyclists from entering, proceeding, or waiting (including waiting for the purposes of loading or unloading), in Cycle Lane Trafalgar Road at outside 177.

4. Whilst the Order is in operation traffic will not need to be diverted. Prohibitions remain in force; pedestrians are not affected, and vehicle access will be maintained wherever possible.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 08 May 2024

INTERNAL REF: PL / LA469982 FN665 / Lic. No: 70961

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

1. The Royal Borough of Greenwich intends to make this Order in exercise of powers under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This is to facilitate works by Thames Water who need to carry out repair and maintenance works.

2. The Order will come into operation on 10th June 2024 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However, the works are expected to take 5 days. The duration of the Order can be extended with the approval of the Secretary of State for Transport.

3. 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 Gourock Road at the junction of Westmount Road.

4. Whilst the Order is in operation traffic will be diverted via the placing of the appropriate signage. Prohibitions remain in force; pedestrians are not affected, and vehicle access will be maintained wherever possible.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 03 April 2024

INTERNAL REF: PL / LA468791 FN659 / Lic. No: 70692

Applicant: Mr Mark Johnson-Brown 24/1119/F

Site Address: VANBRUGH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, MYCENAE HOUSE, 90 MYCENAE ROAD, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 7SE

Development: Erection of a new external lift shaft.

Conservation Area: WESTCOMBE PARK

Applicant: Charlotte Downham 24/1329/HD

Site Address: 29 LIZBAN STREET, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 8SS

Development: Construction of a single storey rear extension, excavation works at rear garden with a patio and steps (Amended description)

Conservation Area: RECTORY FIELD

Applicant: Mr Gomer 24/1340/HD

Site Address: 87 MANOR WAY, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 9XG

Development: Construction of a first floor rear extension, removing and altering several dormers and other associated alterations.

Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH PARK

Applicant: Greenwich Free School 24/1370/F

Site Address: ARK GREENWICH FREE SCHOOL, 403 SHOOTERS HILL ROAD, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE18 4LH

Development: Installation of ten (10) external lighting on steel columns for Multi Use Games Arena (MUGA)

Conservation Area: WOOLWICH COMMON

Applicant: Elizabeth Jones 24/1445/F

Site Address: 53 POWIS STREET, LONDON, SE18 6HZ

Development: Change of use of upper floors from single residential dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to HMO with a maximum capacity of six persons (Use Class C4)

Conservation Area: Woolwich Conservation Area

Applicant: Magnolia Securities Ltd 24/1530/F

Site Address: UNIT A AND B, ANCHORAGE POINT, 90 ANCHOR AND HOPE LANE, CHARLTON, LONDON, SE7 7SQ

Development: Change of use of Telecommunications Switching Centre (Sui Generis) to a flexible use, including Use Class B8 (Storage and Distribution) and/ or Use Class E(g) (iii) (Industrial Processes)

Conservation Area: CHARLTON RIVERSIDE

Applicant: Mr Grabham 24/1532/HD

Site Address: 51 PELTON ROAD, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 9AH

Development: Demolition of existing shed and construction of a single storey outbuilding at the rear of garden.

Conservation Area: EAST GREENWICH

Applicant: Teresa Pierantozzi 24/1585/HD

Site Address: 8 BRAND STREET, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 8SR

Development: Construction of a rear dormer extension and associated external works.

Conservation Area: WEST GREENWICH

ROYAL BOROUGH OF GREENWICH

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and Highways Act 1980

The Greenwich (20mph Zone) (Various Roads) (No.59) Order 2024

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the Royal Borough of Greenwich (hereinafter referred to as “the Council”) has made the above-mentioned Orders under sections 84, 124 and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended. The Order will come into operation on 30th May 2024.

2. The general effect of the Orders would be to: (a) impose a 20 miles per hour speed limit on motor vehicles for the entire length of the roads specified in Schedule 1 to this Notice;

3. Further information about the proposed Orders may be obtained by emailing traffic-orders@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.

4. The Orders and other documents giving more detailed particulars of the Orders can be viewed by emailing traffic-orders@royalgreenwich.gov.uk requesting electronic copies.

5. 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.

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

Dated 29th May 2024

SCHEDULE 1 – Roads subject to a 20mph speed limit

Abergeldie Road, Addison Drive, Cedarhurst Drive, Crathie Road, Horn Park Close, Horn Park Lane, Lilian Barker Close, Scotsdale Road, Strathaven Road, Upwood Road from its junction with Horn Park Lane to the common boundary of Nos. 64/66 Upwood Road and Westhorne Avenue Service Road Eastbound outside No.359-423.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE - LICENSING ACT 2003

Notice is given that: Greenwich Hospital, 3rd Floor,1–2 Bolt Court, London EC4A 3DQ has applied for the Grant of a new Premises Licence for the following premises:

CUTTY SARK GARDENS, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10

A record of this application may be inspected by appointment.

Other persons may make representations to the Council on this application by no later than 13th June 2024. Representations can be made in writing, by email or fax using the contact details above. Representations can only be made on the grounds of one of the four licensing objectives, namely:

• Protection of children from harm

• Prevention of Public nuisance

• Prevention of crime and disorder

• Public safety.

Any person who makes a false statement in connection with an application is liable on summary conviction to an unlimited fine.

It is proposed that the following licensable activities will take place at the premises:

To provide entertainment for customers and traders to enhance the area's entertainment on a small scale, such as live music and performances between 12:00 and 16:00.

Local history

Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month this June!

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month! As well as family workshops at our libraries, Charlton Athletic’s LGBTQ+ inclusive team CACT Invicta will be flying the flag at Pride in London on Saturday 29 June. Look out for them as they make their way through the capital.

What’s on at our libraries

An exhibition of artefacts curated by The Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust and other local sources exploring the cultural impact of Pride and our LGBTQ+ community through history.

Plumstead | 10am, Wednesday 5 June

Greenwich Centre | 10am, Wednesday 12 June

Blackheath | 11am, Friday 14 June

West Greenwich | 2pm, Monday 17 June

Eltham Centre | 11am, Tuesday 18 June

Woolwich Centre | 10am, Thursday 20 June

Thamesmere | 11am, Friday 28 June

Crafts

Enjoy a fun, family craft club to celebrate Pride Month, suitable for children aged two and above.

Woolwich Centre | 2.30pm, Sunday 2 June

Greenwich Centre | 12.30pm, Sunday 9 June

Eltham Centre | 10am, Monday 10 June

Abbey Wood | 10am, Tuesday 11 June

Charlton | 4pm, Friday 14 June

New Eltham | 10am, Tuesday 18 June

Plumstead | 3.30pm, Wednesday 19 June

Blackheath | 4pm, Thursday 20 June

West Greenwich | 10.30am, Thursday 27 June

Find your nearest library: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/libraries

Story time

Listen to and enjoy picture books that celebrate the value of acceptance and inclusion.

Coldharbour | 11.45am, Tuesday 4 June

Blackheath | 11am, Thursday 6 June

Plumstead | 10.30am, Monday 10 June

Eltham Centre | 11am, Thursday 13 June

Plumstead | 10.30am, Monday 17 June

Woolwich Centre | 10.30am, Tuesday 18 June

Abbey Wood | 10am, Friday 21 June

Charlton | 10am, Friday 28 June

Metro

Wonderful Land of Oz: creative community workshop

Sunday 9 June | 10am to 4pm

Join METRO for free sessions to create Ozian inspired accessories and costumes!

Open to all ages, the workshops will be relaxed, safe spaces to meet new people, get your parade outfit ready and hear more about the charity’s float plans to mark their 40th anniversary at Pride in London!

Pride boat party

Saturday 29 June | 9.30am to 12.30pm | Tickets £12 standard, with some free tickets for people with no or low income available

Make your way to Pride in London in style aboard METRO’s 80s themed boat party. Set sail from Greenwich Pier for a two and a half hour trip down the Thames to Westminster Pier, ready for an afternoon celebration!

Find out more metrocharity.org.uk