FOOTBALL, FAMILY, AND FOSTERING:
FORTNIGHT MATCH
The Royal Borough of Greenwich may have lost 6 – 5 to Avery Hill Reserves, but the real win was for the borough’s fostering community.
Held at Coldharbour Leisure Centre during Foster Care Fortnight, the friendly match brought together council staff, foster carers, and councillors under the banner of RBG United, managed by footballer-turned-foster carer, Paul Smith.
Kirk, a new foster carer and part of the midfield, said: “My partner, Sydia and I have just been approved to foster our first child. The support here today showed me that we picked the right place to foster with.
“Everyone has each other’s back. Not only are you giving a young person a family, but you’re creating one yourself with the support from all levels of the council.
“We considered fostering for eight years and finally stopped waiting and did it. If you have a spare room, you could change a child’s entire life. Not everyone is born into a loving or capable family, but if you can give that to someone, you’re doing more than you know. I know we’re in safe hands here and have the support we need.”
THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF GREENWICH COMES TOGETHER FOR FOSTERING
The day would not have been possible without Avery Hill Reserves, Blackheath Rhinos, Better and Coldharbour Leisure Centre, Maritime Radio and Tesco.
If you think you could be part of the village we create to raise our children in care, get in touch.
To foster you need to be:
• Over 18
• Have a spare room
• Have time to dedicate to caring for a child
Could you? Contact us on 0800 052 1499 or fostering-recruitment@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
Pick of the Week
TheGreenwich & Lewisham Weekender is an independent weekly newspaper, covering the boroughs of Greenwich and Lewisham.
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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.
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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: GLW415
Free Guided Tours of Woolwich Works
Woolwich Works is a Grade II listed heritage building that dates back over 300 years. You can get a tour of this architectural award-winning building throughout summer, suitable for all ages.
A tour guide will lead you around the historic space and hear stories from the buildings past, like London’s first firework displays, visits from Kings and Queens, Suffragette protests and more. All ages are welcome and the tour is free, just secure a spot on their website and turn up at their Cafe for the start time.
Sunday 8th June, 15th June, 22nd June, 6th July, 13th July and 20th July 11am - 11:45am
Woolwich Works, The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 St, Royal Arsenal, London SE18 6HD
Tickets: Free, book here: https://www.woolwich.works/events/tour-of-woolwich-works
Thames-Side Woolwich Open Studios
The Thames-Side Studios in Woolwich, a community of artist and maker spaces, are putting on their annual open studios weekend.
There will be over 550 studios open and numerous free kids activities and workshops. You can meet local artists, makers, designers and buy directly from their studios. They cover a wide range of mediums, from painting and drawing, to fashion design, carpentry and jewellery. An exhibition will also be accompanying the weekend, highlighting the participating studios.
This will take place in the main gallery from Saturday 7th to Sunday 15th June, open from 12pm-5pm.
Open Studios aims to engage visitors and showcase the talent within Greenwich.
Date: Saturday 7th to Sunday 8th June
Time: 11am-5pm both days
Harrington Way, Warspite Road, Royal Borough of Greenwich, London SE18 5NR
Tickets: Free entry, no ticket required
Free Opera Taster Sessions, Blackheath Halls
Have you ever wanted to have a go at singing opera? You can try it out at Blackheath Halls and even perform in a production later in the summer. You will be led by Laura Attridge, Director of Blackheath Halls opera this year, and Chris Stark, conductor of the Blackheath Halls Orchestra. They will give you a glimpse of what it’s like to be in an opera chorus.
There’s even an opportunity to join the fully staged community opera production in September, where you can perform alongside world-class professional opera singers. There will be a young person session (aged 9-18 years) and an adults session (aged 18+).
To take part in this free workshop, you don’t need to have any singing experience or music-reading ability.
Date: Wednesday 4th June
Time: 5-6pm (9-18yrs), 7-8.30pm (adults)
The Hearn Recital Room, Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Rd, Blackheath, London SE3 9RQ
To book your space on either of the sessions, please email Kate Howden on k.howden@blackheathhalls.com or call on 020 8305 3894
Free Djembe Drumming Circle Sessions, Greenwich Peninsula
At the Firepit Art Gallery in Greenwich Peninsula, The ELREM Foundation CIC will be putting on a series of djembe drumming circle sessions.
No experience is necessary and all drums will be provided. Just feel the rythm, connect with the bear and let loose in these high-energy sessions. You will be guided through the session by experienced instructor, Miriam Dubois. There are 15 spaces per session so book now to ensure you do not miss out.
Date: Every Monday from 9th-30th June
Time: 4pm - 5:30pm Firepit Art Gallery and Studios CIC, 10 Cutter Lane, London, SE10 0XX
Tickets: Free, reserve your place at: www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk/whatson/feel-the-rhythm-djembe-drummingsessions?aff=google
Greenwich sixth form students win national coding competition
Students from Thomas Tallis School have won the Inspiration Award at PA Consulting’s coding competition, competing against over 250 schools, writes Evie Flynn..
The competition, titled the Raspberry Pi Competition, spans four age categories between year 4 to year 13 and exists to celebrate STEM subjects.
Students used engineering and coding skills to tackle real-world problems. They were asked to explore the question: “What does it mean to create a positive future?”
Thomas Tallis’ winning team were year 12 and 13 students,
who impressed the judging panel with their project, HosPiTallis, an healthcare solution created for use in children’s hospitals. The device would act as a tracker to help medical staff monitor medicine, patient mood and upcoming appointments.
PA gave students five themes they could link to: transport, care, community, consumerism and energy.
Out of 45 projects, only sixteen teams were shortlisted for the final and award ceremony. The finalists presented their projects to global leaders and winners received £1,000 for their schools.
The judging panel consisted of professionals from both the public and private sector, including leadership from American Express, Home Office, Bank of England, National Rail and Google Cloud.
The winning team pictured with TV presenter Fran Scott (far left) and Jiten Kachhela, Global Head of Consulting Industries at PA Consulting (far right).
The O2, located on the Greenwich Peninsula, is home to numerous eateries, experiences and even an outlet shopping centre. The arena welcomes hundreds of artists and performers each year, with Pulp, Peter Kay, Tate McRae, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga and JLS making an appearance this year, writes Evie Flynn...
However, every fifteen minutes, a group of people climb the entirety of the dome’s roof. Up at the O2 is a chance to enjoy 360 degree views across Greenwich and Canary Wharf. Key landmarks you can spot from the top include the Old Naval College, the Royal Observatory, London City Airport, and the Olympic Park.
You are harnessed and clipped onto a walkway and the total climb lasts around 90 minutes, including a stop at the top.
This experience is priced at £37 on a weekday and £42 on a weekend, with duo and group discounts available. The climbs run all day, with options for daytime, sunset and twilight climbs.
Have you ever wanted to see Greenwich and Canary Wharf from 52 metres above the ground? Mamma Mia! The Party
This feel good experience at the O2 is a chance to dance to ABBA whilst enjoying a four-course Mediterranean meal in true Mamma Mia style, writes Evie Flynn..
The event lasts longer than four hours and ends in a disco.
Prepare to be transported to the island of Skopelos where Nikos and his family will host you at their Greek taverna for a night of music and laughter.
This is an ideal activity for friends, family or even a romantic evening with a special someone.
Discover the food of Skopelos, freshly made at the Taverna. You can expect sharing Greek mezze, salad, lamb, baby potatoes and lemon cake and baklava.
Tickets start at £109 for a welcome drink, disco and four-course dinner.
The experience is guided by friendly, helpful and knowledgable instructors who not only ensure your safety but also provide fun facts about the O2 and surrounding areas along the way.
We learnt that the O2’s structure also has an interesting story. It has a 365 metre diameter to represent the number of days in a year, it is 52 metres tall for the number of weeks, and the 12 steel masts on the outside represent the months.
Despite being an incline, the climb is accessible and can be taken at your own pace- we were told the oldest climber celebrated his 100th birthday on the top!
Once you reach the summit, you can enjoy a cold alcoholic or nonalcoholic drink at the top before taking on the descent. The climb also collaborates with eateries below to offer a ‘Climb and Dine’ experience, where you can enjoy a climb and dinner starting at £55.
This summer, they have their ‘Summer sessions’ running from 25th July to 29th August. This is a rooftop cocktail experience with a resident DJ. They have sessions at 7pm, 7:30pm and 8pm and tickets start at £45.
At The Heart Of The Community
Since 2019, Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) has been transforming lives through its Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) programme
Among their many success stories is that of Azmeena Azim, whose journey from isolation and despair to confidence and hope stands as a testament to the programme’s profound impact.
Azmeena’s challenges began early in life after she faced bullying at school which led to deep-seated shyness and social anxiety.
“I used to be heavily bullied at school,” she explained. “Mainly because I’m different, small, do not fit society’s beauty standards and for some time I was the only Asian in my class. People saw me as a target. I became very shy, sad and scared in public. Outside my home, my threat alert system was always on. Therefore, I avoided social situations and consequently made no friendships.”
Despite earning a degree in
How to Change a Life: Azmeena’s Story
Business Management in 2017, Azmeena’s job search was marred by repeated rejections, further eroding her self-esteem.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 exacerbated her mental health struggles, developing severe obsessive-compulsive behaviours, spending hours washing her hands until they bled and became consumed by delusions of being monitored. Her condition deteriorated to the point where she refused to eat or drink, and her family became her primary caregivers.
“I hid under my duvet every day,” she said. “I thought people, insects and germs were monitoring me through technology. At this point, my selfesteem was beyond broken. I began having strong suicidal thoughts and voiced my plans to my family. My parents quickly informed the GP and
begged them to see me because of the path I was heading down - we were initially told it was an eight-month wait, but I did not even have eight days.”
Azmeena was diagnosed with psychosis, OCD, anxiety, and depression and began a comprehensive treatment plan that included therapy and family support sessions. In September 2022, she joined CACT’s EIP programme. Initially apprehensive, she found a supportive community that encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone.
“The first Charlton trip I went on was to Howletts Wild Animal Park,” Azmeena explained. “I was very nervous, but I was warmly welcomed by the CACT staff. For the first time in several years, I had a fun day out! I didn’t want the day to end. This gave me the proof to say that “I can do it”.
A pivotal moment came in 2024 when, as part of the programme, she participated in a five-day trip to Cornwall which allowed her to engage in activities like paddle boarding, coasteering, and zip-lining. Azmeena confronted her fears head-on and it proved to be a transformative experience, instilling in her a newfound sense of independence and self-worth.
Reflecting on the trip, Azmeena shared: “This trip positively changed my life. I loved every minute of it! Each activity pushed me outside of my comfort zone in different ways.
“After Cornwall, I felt more energised, confident and independent. I achieved so much more than I could ever imagine. I continue to take the things I have learned in Cornwall and embed them into my daily life.”
Today, Azmeena continues her recovery journey, buoyed by the support of CACT and her family. Emphasising the importance of community and the role CACT has played in her life, she said: “They have helped me put some of my past life
traumas behind me. I am smiling more and I feel like I have finally found myself. I am continuing to recover from my mental health difficulties and even though the tunnel was a really really long one, I can start to see light at the end of it.
“I don’t know what my family and I would have done without CACT and I highly recommend them to other service users. The CACT team continues to contribute a lot to my recovery and I am very grateful.
“For me, CACT equals family.”
Azmeena’s story serves as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges, demonstrating that with the right support and opportunities, recovery and personal growth are possible.
For more information on CACT’s Early Intervention in Psychosis programme and other mental health initiatives, visit their official website: cafc. co.uk/charlton-athletic-community-trust.
Lewisham shoplifter banned from entering Greenwich and supermarkets across the country
A Lewisham shoplifter has been banned both from entering the borough of Greenwich for three years and from every Sainsbury’s, Boots. Co-op in England and Wales after a police crackdown, writes Kevin Quinn.
Local officers worked with retailers in Greenwich to identify and arrest Winston Wright who stole more than £2,500 worth of goods from stores in the area over four months.
In a separate investigation, officers in Haringey secured an order to ban Patrick Verry from every Greggs store in England and Wales after he targeted a store seven times.
They also released a video completion of arrests for shoplifting across London The Met says it is prioritising neighbourhood policing by putting more officers into local teams to tackle shoplifting.
Officers are working with business owners to target the most prolific offenders.
Winston Wright, 44 (08.04.81), of Lewisham, pleaded guilty to eight
counts of shoplifting and one count of commercial burglary at Croydon Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 6 May 2025.
As well as being given a Criminal Behaviour Order which bans him from entering any Sainsbury’s, Boots and Coop in England and Wales for three years, he’s also been banned from entering the Royal Borough of Greenwich for three years, jailed for three months and fined £200.
During the course of the investigation officers gathered CCTV from various stores which helped identify Wright as the offender. As a result he was stopped in Deptford High Street on Thursday, 20 March by a PCSO who recognised him. Patrick Verry, 33 (02.04.92), of no fixed
address, was caught in the act by officers at the store in Wood Green High Road on Thursday, 15 May. He pleaded guilty to six counts of theft from the same store at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 16 May.
In January the Met reported how they carried out a targeted sting operation in Waterloo. Derick Bell, 36, (29.02.88) and of no fixed address, was caught shoplifting from Lower Marsh Co-op while attempting to stuff the contents of the meat-chiller section into a plastic bag. He was unaware that police were waiting in the back-office monitoring CCTV footage after several reports of theft from the store. He received an eight week prison sentence.
Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, the Met’s
lead for tackling retail crime, said: “The Met is focused on tackling the most prolific shoplifters like Wright and Verry. They cause fear to retail workers and their offending has a negative impact on communities.
“We continue to work with local business owners to investigate reports of shoplifting, understand concerns and use different tactics to crackdown, including targeted operations and regular patrols.”
The rate of shoplifting has continued to accelerate over recent months.
New data revealed that offences increased 54 per cent last year, compared with 2023.
The latest ONS statistics showed that almost 90,000 shoplifting offences were recorded in the capital in 2024, up from
roughly 58,000 the previous year. The figures suggest that the city’s explosion in shoplifting since the pandemic is showing no sign of slowing down and is in fact only increasing at a greater pace.
In addition, the data demonstrates that the capital is out of step with other regions, as shoplifting offences across the rest of England – excluding London –increased only 15 per cent in the last year. However, the Met are upping their game even targeting retailers buying from shoplifters. Officers made fifteen arrests in April in an operation to disrupt an organised shoplifting gang operating in South London.
Eight shops were raided after they were suspected of buying items such as food and alcohol that had been stolen from major retailers and selling them on at lower prices.
After marking 5,000 items with synthetic DNA officers were able to identify and recover around £150,000 worth of stolen goods.
In a first for the Met, officers marked the most commonly stolen items, such as alcohol and chocolates, with SelectaDNA. Each mark is unique and can be traced back to the original store which means officers can return to gather more evidence, such as CCTV and victim impact statements to help bring prosecutions.
Searches were carried out at shops in:
• Fernlea Road, Mitcham
• Balham High Road
• Kingston Road, Wimbledon
• London Road, Tooting (x2)
• Christchurch Road, Wimbledon
• Church Road, Mitcham
• Tooting High Street
Lewisham sex offender caught thanks to facial recognition cameras
A convicted sex offender has been placed behind bars for two years after officers found him alone with a six-year-old girl, in breach of his sentence., writes Issy Clarke...
to his presence.
When he was stopped by officers, he was found to be with a six-
year-old girl, who he had picked up from school as a favour for her mother, who was unaware of his offending history.
Police said he had picked up the child on two previous occasions after building a relationship with the mother and child over the course of a year.
Further checks confirmed he was in breach of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which prevented him from being alone with a child under the age of 14. He was also in possession of a lock knife that was hidden in the buckle of his belt. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Facial recognition cameras capture live footage of people passing by and compare their faces against a database of wanted offenders. If a match is detected, the system generates an alert. An officer will then review the match and decide if they wish to speak with the individual.
Detective Constable Adam Pearce of the Met’s local policing team in south-east London, who led the investigation, said: “This is a prime example of how the Met is using technology to remove dangerous offenders from our streets, and Live Facial Recognition remains an important tool in protecting Londoners.
“Although there were no allegations made towards David Cheneler on this occasion, it’s possible if he hadn’t been identified using this technology, he could have gone on to abuse this child.
“Her mother was completely unaware of his offending history, and along with her young daughter, were both taken advantage of by Cheneler who abused their trust.”
Lindsey Chiswick, the Met’s lead for Live Facial Recognition, said: “The Met is committed to making London safer, using data and technology to identify offenders that pose a risk to our communities.
“This is a prime example of the variety of uses for LFR. The tool is not only used to find those wanted, but also to stop people on a watch list who have conditions they must adhere to.
“These interventions are crucial. Without this technology, Cheneler may have had the opportunity to cause further harm.”
He appeared at Kingston Crown Court on Tuesday, 20 May, where he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.
He pleaded guilty at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 13 January to breaching the conditions of his SOPO, as well as possessing an offensive weapon.
The SOPO was originally imposed in 2019 by the courts, following a previous conviction in 2010 for 15 counts of indecent assault on a female under 16 and five counts of gross indecency with a child between 1968 and 1993, for which he served a nine-year prison term.
73-year-old David Cheneler, from Lewisham, (pictured) was caught in January in Denmark Hill after his face was identified by Live Facial Recognition cameras attached to the back of a van, alerting officers
David Cheneler - Photo from Met Police
George Walter and the railway project
Mary Mills
Well I thought it was about time I came back and did another episode of the series I’ve been doing on the setting up of the Greenwich Railway and the work on it by George Landmann. The last episode I did was about the first meeting of the London and Greenwich Railway Company and described some of the other people involved – the ones who attended that meeting. However, the person who worked most closely with Landmann on the railway wasn’t at that meeting and so I didn’t say anything about him. So perhaps I should do that now. This was George Walter and there are several biographical articles on him on the net and I hope I’m able to say something additional to them – however in doing that I am going to have leave out a lot from the eighteen pages of notes I have accumulated!
George Walter was to play a crucial role in managing much of the construction and setting up of the railway. He was what I suppose we should describe as a businessman. He was 40 years old in 1830; the son of the Rev. Edward Newton Walter, a clergyman whose family are said to have lost money in the South Sea Bubble. In George’s childhood they were based in Somerset but later moved to Leigh on Sea. Strangely a public baptism is recorded for him along with his brothers and sisters when he was nine years old.
George’s father was a descendant of the Barbadian slave owning Alleyne family and it is thought that George spent time as a young man living with relatives in Jamaica. Both Abel Rous Dottin, the first Chairman of the London and Greenwich Railway, and Robert Johnston, one of the first directors, were George Walter’s cousins. They were members of a large and complex family, some of whom lived in Barbados and some in England but who could all trace back to 17th century slaver ancestors. When I wrote about Abel Dottin here a few weeks ago I was not aware of his, or other family members, ownership of slave plantations. Johnston was also a slave owner. Clearly this is a subject which needs more investigation in order to establish if any money derived from slave ownership was invested in the railway.
George Walter joined the Royal
Marines just before 1810. In 1811 he became 2nd Lieutenant in the 133rd Company and was posted to HMS Chatham as Lieutenant of Marines. The ship was taken out of commission in 1815 and he was placed on Reserve at half-pay. He is described in many later reports as a ‘half pay lieutenant in the Royal Marines’.
By the early 1820s George Walter was working in the City and a member of the Stock Exchange from 1823. In 1824 he was married in Lewisham Parish Church and seems to have moved to Blackheath at around that time. Marriage was quickly followed by the birth of Abel and then Charlotte, the first two of his twelve children. Five years later in March 1829 a third child, George, was born but, sadly, only a few weeks later George’s wife Mary died, followed a few days later by three year old Abel. The family was then living in Montpelier Cottage which was roughly on the corner of what is now Weymiss Road and Montpelier Row and it is long since demolished.
In 1829 he founded the General Annuity Endowment Association. This was a form of tontine - in which members have an interest in outliving all the others. It appears that this provided George Walter’s City office where Greenwich Railway directors sometimes met. He seems not to be associated with this company by the 1840s by which time his business interests seemed to
concentrate on transport companies.
He was involved with several of what we would describe as ‘infrastructure development’ projects; all of them privately promoted. One of these, in 1825, was the Portsmouth to London Ship Canal project, described as a ‘stupendous national undertaking before which all other canals sink into mere ditches’. It was to take the largest East Indiamen and ‘ships of the line of battle’. I would be riveted to know where exactly ‘down from Deptford’ they had found space for a canal which would take battleships. The scheme was soon abandoned. In 1831 he was one of the promoters of the unsuccessful Southampton and London Railway and Dock Company, with Abel Rous Dottin and Robert Johnston.
Walter became Secretary of the London and Greenwich Railway from the 1st October 1831. Following a quick visit to the Manchester and Liverpool railway to find out how to do it, he was then working flat out on the management of the project - its finances, construction and the first years of its working. Details will be in future articles.
He was also involved in promoting the numerous extensions and associated lines being promoted as an extension to the railway - in particular the Gravesend Railway. This is of particular interest to Greenwich since it involves
the viaduct which was proposed to go through Greenwich Park. This is a subject I will come back to. There were a number of other railways proposed including a major project to the West Country - the Salisbury and Exeter railway. There was also a planned Calcutta Railway. I am curious about this link to Calcutta since I think it is possible that Walter went there in his youth – although references might be to someone with the same name. None of these railway extensions were ever in fact built, nor was a proposed locomotive manufacturing facility.
It’s worth noting, although not relevant to Greenwich, that there was one completed railway in which Walter and Landmann were involved. This was the long closed Preston and Wyre Railway - which I have walked the length of. It was part of the development of Fleetwood, the small seaside town which remains very down market but with Burton’s amazing architecture, real functioning trams and a pervading smell of Fisherman’s Friends. George Landmann however seems to have made a real mess of his work on the harbour and railway there for Peter Fleetwood, who, it is worth noting, was a director of the proposed Kent Railway.
In 1835 Walter founded and subsidised the Railway Magazine. In 1836 he sold it to John Herapath. I wrote an article here last December about Percival Parsons which also involved
2 3
4
1. Meeting between Dottin, Landmann, Walter & Ackerman
2. Drawing of George Walter
3. Proposal for Greenwich Railway giving details of shareholders
4. Sugar Mill in Cleland Barbados - I do not know if this is anything to do with the Dottin family but it is very near estates which they owned
his neighbour in Kidbrook Park Road. This was John Herapath’s son and he eventually took over the magazine. If you want to check this out and any other of my past articles you can find them all at https:// maryswritegreenwich.blogspot.com/
By 1837 when the railway was partially opened questions began to be raised around the financing of the railway and an inquiry was called for. In July Walter resigned his appointment and Abel Dottin resigned as Chair. At a subsequent shareholders’ meeting Walter was refused admission and was forcibly restrained from entering by police.
Walter was to follow this up over the years with ‘a number of self justifying pamphlets’. However, his contribution was appreciated in Deptford when in 1838 a dinner was given in his honour and he was presented with a silver chalice. Later a commemorative ‘Railway Medal’ was produced for sale. In 1840 there was an attempt to get him appointed as one of the new railway inspectors –but these posts went to Royal Engineers.
Meanwhile Walter had another major interest. On Hope Wharf on Deptford Creek he was involved in setting up the Kamptulicon factory. I wrote about this here in August 2021 and there are also some pages about it in my book on Deptford Creek. In 1844 Walter became Manager
of the works. This is, I am afraid another saga of publicity and dodgy share dealing – plus a mysterious fire. He left this works in 1851.
In his personal life George Walter was married for the second time in 1833 to Emma Woodman. This marriage took place at St James, Westminster, rather than Lewisham Parish Church which may indicate his increased status as a City entrepreneur. In this marriage he became the father of a large family of children. They moved house frequently and is known to have lived in Lewisham Terrace, Greenwich South Street, and Catherine Place. There must be a reason for the frequent house moves. The 1851 census finds him at 6 Egerton Road with his wife, Emma, and seven children.
George Walter died in 1854 at Prittlewell at the back end of Southend. He had spent periods of his life living near Leigh-on-Sea in Essex, where his father had been was the Rector – and where he was said to be involved with smugglers. On 15 July 1854, he had watched ‘the opening of the railway bisecting Leigh village’, and on 24 August, he died ‘of apoplexy, or stroke’. He is buried in the churchyard at Leigh on Sea.
Much of the material for this article has come from Ron Thomas amazing book ‘London’s First Railway’ and from family history on WikiTree. Slavery information from UCL database.
ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1) WOOLWICH ROAD PLANNED DIRECTIONAL ROAD CLOSURE (ORDER)
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 Tarmac Kier Joint Venture who need to carry out drainage surveys.
2. The Order will come into operation on 3rd June 2025 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However, the works are expected to take 1 night (21:00 to 05:00). The Order will remain in effect for 6 months to facilitate additional surveys. Any further extensions will require approval from the Secretary of State for Transport.
3. The effect of the Order would be to temporarily prohibit vehicles from entering, proceeding, or waiting (including waiting for the purposes of loading or unloading), westbound on Woolwich Road between the junctions of Blackwall Tunnel Approach Off Slip Road and Kemsing 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: 23/04/2025
INTERNAL REF - EM/ LA486441 FN766 /LIC No 73434
ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14(1) GRANGEHILL ROAD PLANNED ROAD CLOSURE (ORDER)
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 complete a service pipe connection.
2. The Order will come into operation on 2nd June 2025 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 Grangehill Road outside 178-180.
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: 09/04/25
INTERNAL REF: PL / LA 486172 FN 764 / Lic. No: 73350
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ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1) TYLER STREET 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 trial holes prior to mains replacement.
2. The Order will come into operation on 9th June 2025 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, proceeding, or waiting (including waiting for the purposes of loading or unloading), in Tyler Street outside 2.
4. Whilst the Order is in operation traffic will not need to be diverted 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 : 07/02/2025
INTERNAL REF - EM/ LA483265 FN743 /LIC No 72792
Licensing Team, 4th Floor, Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, London SE18 6HQ. Tel: 020 8921 8018; Fax: 020 8921 8380; Email: licensing@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
LICENSlNG-AC'T2003 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE
Notice is given that **H W TEA ltd** has applied to the **Royal Borough of Greenwich** for the grant of a **Premises licence** in respect of the premises known as: **Golden Chopsticks** 86 Eltham High Street, London. SE9 1BW
The application is for the following licensable activities:
● The sale of aJcohol for consumption on and off the premises - Sunday to Thursday. 11:OO - 23:00 - Friday to Saturday: 11:00 - 01:00 (next day)
A copy of the application is available for inspection by appointment at the Licensing Team
**Royal Borough of Greenwich, The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, London, SE18 6HO** Or online at https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/licensing
Any representations by a responsible authority or any other person must be made in writing to the Licensing Authority at the above address no later than: 17 June 2025
It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application. A person found guilty of such an offence is liable on surnmary conviction to an unlimited fine.
Dated 20 May 2025
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: 28/05/2025
Victoria Geoghegan
Assistant Director - Planning and Building Control
List of Press Advertisements - 28/05/2025
Publicity for Planning Applications
Applicant: Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) 25/0811/F
Site Address: UNIT 9, MELLISH INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, RUSTON ROAD, LONDON, SE18 5NU
Development: Installation of enlarged louvre on the west elevation of the building; erection of a substation, electrical kiosk and a fenced enclosure; relocation of an existing bike shelter; and creation of a new gate in the existing site boundary fencing and all other associated works
Applicant: Ms Wwarmouth 25/0848/HD
Site Address: 47 FOXES DALE, LONDON, SE3 9BH
Development: Implementation of a loft conversion incorporating rear and side dormer roof extensions, new rooflights to side and front roof slopes, alteration of windows and doors to the rear of the property and associated external alterations.
Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH PARK
Applicant: Mr & Mrs Roberts 25/1185/HD
Site Address: 16 PAPILLONS WALK, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 9SF
Development: Construction of a single-storey rear extension and new rear steps with planters, external landscaping, replacement of a first floor rear window to French Doors with Juliet Balcony, new glazed frontage to porch, and all associated external works.
Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH PARK
Applicant: Wenche De Rooij 25/1269/HD
Site Address: 35 COUTHURST ROAD, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 8TN
Development: Replacement of existing UPVC timber windows and door to the front and rear.
Conservation Area: RECTORY FIELD
Applicant: Mr Demine
25/1399/HD
Site Address: 41 HYDE VALE, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 8QQ
Development: Construction of single-storey timber framed rear extension to provide a boot room and space for the storage of garden furniture; other associated works.
Conservation Area: WEST GREENWICH
Applicant: Mr James Pargeter Gunnery Works Ltd 25/1408/F
Site Address: Land to rear of Gunnery Works, 9-11 Gunnery Terrace, Woolwich, SE18 6SQ
Development: Temporary planning permission until 27th September 2029 for the siting of 14no. shipping containers (7 containers in length, double-stacked) for use for light industrial//office/maker space (Use Class E(g)(i)), E(g)(ii)) and E(g)(iii)) in addition to the approved 30 no. containers under application 24/2183/F.
Conservation Area: ROYAL ARSENAL WOOLWICH
Applicant: Sara Jurkowsky 25/1428/HD
Site Address: 61 ASHBURNHAM GROVE, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 8UJ
Development: Construction of upper level rear extension and all associated works (resubmission).
Conservation Area: ASHBURNHAM TRIANGLE
Applicant: Ms Stevie Ruberto L&Q 25/1462/F
Site Address: 72 PLUMSTEAD COMMON ROAD, SE18 3RD
Development: Replacement of existing timber glazed windows with new timber glazed windows, replacement of entrance door with a new timber door, replacement of existing roof with a new roof
Conservation Area: PLUMSTEAD COMMON
Applicant: Mr Rob Jones The Royal Parks 25/1505/F
Site Address: LMC Building, Vanburgh Yard, Greenwich Park, London, SE10 8QY
Development: Proposed side extension including replacement of windows, roof lights and doors, and internal alterations.
Conservation Area: GREENWICH PARK
Applicant: Gottelier 25/1557/HD
Site Address: 32 ST JOHNS TERRACE, PLUMSTEAD, LONDON, SE18 7RT
Development: Construction of single storey rear/side infill extension and rear extension, loft conversion comprising 2 rear dormer windows and all associated works.
Conservation Area: PLUMSTEAD COMMON
Applicant: Mr Ovenell 25/1637/PN2
Site Address: FRANKLYN JAMES ESTATE AGENTS, 4-6 BLACKHEATH HILL, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 8DE
Development: Prior Approval is sought for the change of use of ground floor commercial services estate agent unit from Class E (commercial, business and service) to 1x 2-bed, 3-person self-contained residential flat Class C3.
Conservation Area: ASHBURNHAM TRIANGLE
Publicity for Listed Building Consent.
Applicant: Mr Vladimir Demine 25/1400/L
Site Address: 41 HYDE VALE, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 8QQ
Development: Construction of single-storey timber framed rear extension to provide a boot room and space for the storage of garden furniture; other associated works.
Conservation Area: WEST GREENWICH
Listed Building: Grade 2
Publicity For Advertisements.
Applicant: Nando's Chickenland Ltd 25/1437/A
Site Address: Nando's, 50 POWIS STREET, WOOLWICH, LONDON, SE18 6LQ
Development: Replacement of existing internally illuminated fascia sign and one internally illuminated projecting sign.
Conservation Area: Woolwich Conservation Area
Six months in prison for Woolwich resident caught defrauding the council
A Woolwich resident who sublet his council home for almost three years has been sentenced to six months in prison.
Mr Yussuf Alejo pled guilty to one offence of fraud under the Fraud Act 2006 at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday 1 May 2025. Mr Alejo was caught subletting his council home from July 2021 to June 2024.
A council spokesperson said: “The misuse of our council homes is a serious offence that undermines the integrity of our housing register, which currently has over 25,000 people waiting for safe and secure housing. We urge all residents to respect council homes and report suspected fraud.”
Subletting is when you are renting a property but choose to rent the home or room to another person without the permission of the landlord or owner, in this case the council.
Live in Shooters Hill? Register to vote in the by-election
The Royal Borough of Greenwich will hold a by-election in Shooter’s Hill ward on Thursday 26 June, following the resignation of Councillor Ivis Williams.
If you are a resident* of the Shooter’s Hill ward, you will need to be registered to vote and have a valid form of photo ID with you if you plan to vote in person.
If you will be away on election day, please be sure to apply for a postal vote or proxy vote as soon as possible.
• Tuesday 10 June – deadline to register to vote: gov.uk/register-to-vote
• Wednesday 11 June at 5pm – deadline to apply for a postal vote or change an existing postal or proxy vote: gov.uk/apply-postal-vote
• Wednesday 18 June at 5pm – deadline to register for a proxy vote: gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote
• Wednesday 18 June at 5pm – deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate: gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voterauthority-certificate
*You can vote if you are registered and are a British or qualifying EU or Commonwealth Citizen 18 or over on polling day.
If you suspect someone of committing fraud against the Royal Borough of Greenwich, please call 0800 169 6975 or email fraud@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
Any information you give will be treated in confidence.
