New guide supports families in temporary accommodation
Moving into temporary accommodation can be stressful and uncertain, but this new guide aims to make the process easier and more reassuring for residents.
Developed by the Royal Borough of Greenwich in partnership with local charity Creating Ground CIC, ‘Your Guide to Temporary Accommodation’ brings together practical advice and real experiences from people who’ve been through it themselves.
Councillor Pat Slattery, Cabinet Member for Housing Management, Neighbourhoods and Homelessness, said: “Living in temporary accommodation can be challenging. This co-produced guide draws on the experience of those who have gone through it and offers practical support for new residents.
“It reflects our commitment to listening to our communities and ensuring their voices are heard. I’m grateful to Creating Ground for working with us to create such a valuable resource.”
The guide covers everything families need to know when settling into temporary accommodation from what to do in the first few days, understanding your rights and responsibilities, and managing day-to-day costs, to finding local storage facilities and support services.
Every household moving into temporary accommodation in Greenwich will receive a copy, and it’s also available to download online: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/temporary-accommodation-guide
Neighbourhoods join together to build a healthier Greenwich
Residents, community groups and council staff joined together last month to celebrate the great work happening in Greenwich’s neighbourhoods to improve people’s health and wellbeing.
Over the past few years, the council and NHS have been working closely with local people to make it easier to get help, improve access to services, and support stronger, healthier communities.
Councillor Mariam Lolavar, Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care and Borough of Sanctuary said: “When local people help shape our priorities everyone benefits. Research by the NHS Confederation has found that we see better health outcomes, stronger communities and more trust in local services when we listen to the communities that use them.
“Our priority will always be our resident’s health and wellbeing, and tackling health inequalities. Events like this allow us to come together to improve services and work together as one to really see results. We thank everyone that participated, and we’re looking forward to creating real change to help everyone live healthier and happier lives, no matter your postcode.”
Ideas from the event will guide the next stage of our community and neighbourhood health plans, keeping local voices at the heart of everything we do.
Do you live in Thamesmead, Plumstead, Glyndon, Blackheath, Charlton, or Horn Park? Get involved: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/big-community-meet-up
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Issue: GLW439
Pick of the Week
by Evie Flynn
The National Children’s Orchestra are proud to present their eldest musicians for their final performance before they move onto new adventures. The 13 and 14 year olds are some of the country’s most remarkable young musicians. This year, these children have taken part in two residential orchestral programmes featuring rehearsals, artist workshops, creative work and wellbeing sessions, as well as a complementary online programme. There is a pre-concert Q&A with
The Queen’s House ice rink:
the conductor and members of the orchestra in the auditorium. Just show your concert ticket to attend on the day.
Date: Sunday 23 November
Time: 15:00
Price: £21.60 adults, £7.56 under 18s and students
Location: The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 St, Royal Arsenal, London SE18 6HD https://www.woolwich.works/events/ nco-winter-concert
Sea Shanty Festival at the Cutty Sark:
The annual maritime music festival, Cutty Sark’s Sea Shanty Festival, is back in celebration of the tea clipper’s 156th birthday. The event will feature the vocal talents of bands and artists from across the UK and beyond. Starting at 10:15, the day has a jam-packed schedule of performers until 16:30. There will also be a Sea Shanty
Author talk with Caroline O’Donoghue:
Caroline O’Donoghue is the bestselling author of several novels, including The Rachel Incident, which is currently being adapted for TV. This free event explores the art of world-building in science fiction and fantasy literature. Caroline will share insights into her creative process, the construction of her fictional universe, and the challenges of crafting believable speculative worlds that resonate with readers. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a devoted reader of sci-fi and fantasy, or simply curious about the mechanics behind your favourite fictional worlds, this conversation promises to offer fascinating glimpses into the author’s craft.
Date: Wednesday 19 November Time: 18:45
Price: Free
Location: Deptford Lounge, Deptford Lounge, 9 Giffin St, London SE8 4RJ
history talk at 11:45, 14:15 and 15:30, as well as a performance from poet Luigi Coppola.
Date: Saturday 22 November Time: 10:00 - 16:30
Price: Adults £22 Children £11 (price of Cutty Sark tickets)
Location: Cutty Sark, King William Walk, London SE10 9HT
Located in the beautiful surroundings of the Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site, an ice rink is coming back to the Queen’s House this winter.
The Queen’s House Ice Rink is offering a range of special deals and community sessions to make skating more accessible, from Blue Light workers discounts, student nights and Parent & Mini Skater afternoons to £5 tickets for community groups and youth clubs.
Date: 21 November - 4 Jan Time: 10:00 - 21:00 daily
Price: £19 adults, £16.50 children
Location: The Queen’s House Grounds, Romney Road, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NF
Greenwich Market’s annual Lantern Parade and Christmas light switch-on is back, on Wednesday 19 November. Mark the start of the Christmas season at the event, which features children from local primary schools parading the streets of Greenwich with handmade lanterns. The market itself will be open from 10:00 - 18:00 with handmade gifts, crafts and festive food. At 16:00 the school children will light up the streets with
their handmade lanterns. At 17:00, the crowd will count down to to the Christmas light switch-on.
Date: Wednesday 19 November Time: 16:00 lantern parade, 17:00 Christmas light switch-on Price: Free
Location: Greenwich Market, Greenwich, London, SE10 9HZ
National Children’s Orchestra Winter Concert, Woolwich Works:
Greenwich Lantern parade and Christmas light switch-on:
The life of a slave abolitionist has been memorialised in a new children’s book
The children’s book focuses on Olaudah Equiano, who was kidnapped from his home in Nigeria at the age of 11 and sold as a slave.
Equiano survived a transatlantic journey to Barbados, where he was bought and sold several times. During this time, he came to London under enslavement of an officer of the Royal Navy.
Equiano lived briefly in Deptford and in a house on Maze Hill, Greenwich, in 1767 after buying his freedom. Today, a Blue Plaque marks 111 Maze Hill, where he stayed.
His autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano sold so well that nine editions were published during his life and helped secure passage of the British Slave Trade Act 1807, which abolished the slave trade in Britain
Hugh Closs, a Surrey Quays local, was
A new children’s book, written and illustrated by two local men, is based on the life of Olaudah Equiano, whose slave narrative became a best seller in the 18th century, writes Evie Flynn...
inspired by Equiano’s story on his visit to the Royal Naval Museum in Greenwich, where they have a bust sculpture of him.
Using his writing skills and knowledge of children’s fiction, Hugh read Equiano’s memoir and did a talk at Peckham Library.
Hugh asked his artist friend, Tayo Fatunla, a Nigerian cartoonist, to make
some illustrations for the powerpoint.
He said: “I believed more people should know his story than a dozen people in Peckham on a random Tuesday, so I decided to write a book and asked Tayo to do the illustrations for it.”
The book features Greenwich, Deptford and Bermondsey, as well as other parts
of the world Equiano would have visited. There are now tributes to Equiano dotted around South East London.
In Deptford Park, there is a bench dedicated to him and on the Pepys Estate next to the Thames, he featured on the ‘Wall of Ancestors’ alongside Elizabeth I.
On Telegraph Hill, there is an eye-catching tribute to Equiano. It stands on a ceramic plinth with three sides, which symbolises both the triangular route of the Atlantic slave trade, as well as the three phases of Equiano’s life (child in Africa, slave and free man).
The inspiration for the book sits in the National Maritime museum in Greenwich has a sculpture by Christy Smyingtom which is based on the only known accurate portrait of Equiano, from the front of his autobiography.
The book costs £9.99 and you can get a copy by emailing equiano@colnehouse.net.
© Image by Allan Harris (creative commons licence)
The Wall of Ancestors on the Pepys Estate.
© London Remembers
Illustrator, Tayo Fatunla
Author Hugh Closs
Telegraph Hill.
The poetic voyage of Luigi Coppola
Jump aboard the Cutty Sark to see hear this master of words , writes Michael
Holland
Shanty bands from across the UK will convene to sing a trad of maritime songs onboard the iconic Cutty Sark tea clipper this month and among them will be poet Luigi Coppola.
The Cutty Sark’s Sea Shanty Festival is back on Saturday November 22 in celebration of the clipper’s 156th birthday.
Luigi will be performing under the boat at 11am and in the boat at 2pm, but who is he and what is his art?
Luigi was stumbling around Glastonbury in 1995 and somehow found himself in ‘the Poetry & Words tent and never really left’, he told me.
He did emerge, though, and set about becoming a poet. He studied Creative Writing at Warwick University, “which gave me a space to shape the chaos into craft’” and began writing and performing his work, which he has now been doing for nearly thirty years at open mics, busking, slams and street readings’.
Going back further, Luigi feels that he first came to poetry as a child of Italian immigrants, “trying to make sense of two languages that didn’t always fit together. Words were both bridge and battleground,” he said.
He moved to South East London, to be nearer the action and work - Luigi teaches English Language and Literature to 11-18 year olds.
“London has a restless, generous energy: the sound of markets, bus engines, ten languages in the same queue; my poetry came out of noise,” he proclaims.
“It’s where I’ve found community, stories and rhythm. It’s impossible to live here and not be influenced by its exuberance and tenderness.”
Luigi’s poems have been published in Magma, Acumen, The Rialto, Ink, Sweat & Tears and Rattle, and been shortlisted for the Bridport Prize, longlisted for the National Poetry Competition and Ledbury Poetry Prize, and placed in The Poetry Archive Worldview Prize.
He has regularly performed his work in this part of the capital, and beyond.
He has been part of the Southbank Centre’s New Poets Collective, he is often found at festivals, in pubs and on the streets sharing his words with the world.
“I write to unmask the strange inside the ordinary: the humour in grief, the surreal in the everyday, the logic that hides in chaos. Poetry, for me, reconciles contradictions: insider and outsider, teacher and student, voice and echo...”
Luigi was on a poetic roll and I found myself swept up in his undulating rhythms as he told me about an alter ego, The Only Emperor, under which he makes music: “It’s spoken word layered with lo-fi beats and visuals: a kind of multimedia storytelling,” he said.
The poet also collaborates in other projects: Rope & Skull with guitarist Swithun Cooper, and Stalking Corpses with producer Darren Gash and with the artist Dohyun Baek.
“All of us experimenting with word, art, multimedia, lyric video work, exploring how poems can exist as sound, text and image at once...”
There was a pause - more poetic than pregnant - to ensure his words settled in my mind. I opened my eyes and he continued.
“Each performance I view as an experiment: a mix of projection, film, voice, and improvisation. I love the physical connection of a live audience: it keeps the work honest.”
I felt like I had just woke from a meditation session, but with a clear
sight of why I was here. I asked what he is currently working on and found that he had provided haikus to accompany the artwork created by prisoners at the wonderful Koestler Arts Exhibition at the Royal Festival
Hall (until 14th December) and has just published a book of his poems.
It’s called Even God Gets Distracted Sometimes and created in collaboration with visual artist Mark Shuttleworth.
“It’s part art-book, part performance script, part meditation on how we survive the noise of modern life.”
He explained how each piece is paired with artwork by Shuttleworth, creating a dialogue between text and image.
I had to go but not before Luigi told me of the Cutty Sark Sea Shanty Festival on 22nd November.
Any last words, I asked. “Ultimately, I want my words and music to bridge audiences: the page, the stage, the screen, and the street.”
I feel sure that will happen.
So, if you want to see Luigi Coppola
under or in the Cutty Sark head to the festival this month, it is a whole day of choirs and events including a drop-in workshop so you can master the shanty yourself. Also, it is worth sticking around for the mass singalong at 4pm to finish the day.
More details can be found at www. rmg.co.uk/whats-on/cutty-sark/ sea-shanty-festival-2022
The festival is free with Cutty Sark entry tickets which are £22 for adults, £11 for 4-15-year-old and free to under 4s
Luigi Coppola book ‘Even God Gets Distracted Sometimes’ is available from Broken Sleep Books, Waterstones, Amazon, and independent retailers.
www.linktr.ee/PoetryPreacher www.linktr.ee/ evengodgetsdistractedsometimes ISBN: 978-1-917617-17-8
Publisher: Broken Sleep Books RRP: £19.99
Cutty Sark.
Luigi Coppola
Labyrinth on the Thames could almost double in size
This summer history was made when DJs played at the Royal Naval College for the first time
A dance festival that took place within the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College in the summer wants to double its capacity and increase its number of events for 2026, writes Cameron Blackshaw, Local Democracy Reporter...
Labyrinth Festivals Limited has applied to Greenwich Council to expand its ‘Labyrinth on the Thames’ event.
Described as an “outdoor contemporary dance music series”, Labyrinth took place on six nights across two weekends in Greenwich earlier this year.
The dance and electronic festival took place during the first two weekends of August this year, with DJs Black Coffee, Solomun and Fisher blasting out house and techno sets to thousands of punters in the historic surroundings. Australian alt-rockers Band Empire of the Sun headlined too, with a live set.
The festival, which was a sell-out, saw musicians perform on a stage next to the river facing south, while punters enjoyed the performances standing in the open space between the Sir Christopher Wren-designed buildings of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The event organisers want to increase the number of concerts from six to nine next year and also double the daily capacity of each concert from 4,999 to 9,999.
Labyrinth also wants to introduce ‘family friendly events’ to next year’s programme which would allow the entry of under 18s,
as well as permit glassware in “artists, hospitality and premium table areas”.
The new premises licence application that will allow the Labyrinth on the Thames expansion is set to be heard by Greenwich Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee C on Wednesday November 12.
Council officers have not objected to the application, but are proposing further conditions such as “the formalisation of a comprehensive Noise Management Plan” to mitigate the expansion.
Four residents living nearby have made representations opposing the concert series expansion plans, with one objecting in the “strongest possible terms”. They said “low-frequency
bass” carried through Greenwich Park at this year’s events and neighbours suffered disruption from noise, crowd dispersal, anti-social behaviour, and litter, including nitrous oxide canisters.
The East Greenwich Residents Association also made a representation. The group did not object to the concert series continuing outright, but it has asked the council to limit the event to a maximum of six nights.
During an unrelated planning inquiry earlier this year, a Greenwich Council officer claimed the Old Royal Naval College did not seek planning permission for the Labyrinth on the Thames event before it was staged. The Greenwich Foundation, which
looks after the college, disputed this and said it had “maintained an ongoing dialogue” with Greenwich planners.
In response, the council said it did receive a planning application, but it was too late for the authority to make a decision prior to the concert series taking place.
A council spokesperson said back in August: “We have raised this with the Old Royal Naval College and we are in discussion about how they secure permission for events.
“We will not be taking enforcement action against the Old Royal Naval College. An event licence is in place and they have engaged with us about making suitable arrangements going forward.”
COMMUNITY TRUST
At The Heart Of The Community
Charlton celebrate EFL Week of Action
The EFL’s annual Week of Action recently took place, celebrating the collective impact of football club charities across the league.
While Charlton men’s and women’s first-team players and staff actively support Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s (CACT) activities all year round, this year’s Week of Action provided an opportunity for them to meet and engage with participants from CACT’s awardwinning Short Breaks programme.
Short Breaks is delivered across Greenwich and Bexley and provides fun activities for children and young adults with disabilities, while offering vital respite for parents
and carers. Sessions are tailored to meet a wide range of needs, making this one of the most trusted and dependable short break programmes in CACT’s areas of delivery.
On a visit to TOCA Social, participants welcomed men’s firstteam defenders Lloyd Jones and Kayne Ramsay, as well as women’s first-team players Karin Muya and Lucia Lobato. The BBC’s cameras also attended the session at the O2 Arena, giving the players the chance to talk about the impact of CACT’s
programmes on national TV.
Jones, who spoke from personal experience about the difference a programme like Short Breaks can make to people’s lives, said: “It’s really important for a club like Charlton and for us as players to come out and give our support for the community programmes.
“Speaking for myself, my nephew has autism and I’ve seen the challenges that he goes through, so I’ll always be the first to put my hand up for
something like this to give my support.
“It’s so important that a programme like this exists. It helps the young person, but it also helps the family. I see what my brother goes through on a day-to-day basis and I know that it can be hard - he’s a busy guy and a headteacher of a school. A programme like this allows kids with additional needs to get out of the house, get them active and interacting with people and really helps the parents get some respite as well.
“Ever since I signed for the club, I noticed how much good work the Community Trust does and how much difference the staff make to people’s lives with what they do. They go above and beyond and do a brilliant job.”
Forward Muya, now in her third season in SE7, was also impressed by the impact Short Breaks has on its participants and their families: “It’s been really fun playing the games with some of the kids and learning about the aspects of the programme and what it does to help people.
“Charlton, like every other football club, has a responsibility to the community that we’re in, and to the people in the community, whether they’re vulnerable or disadvantaged, to be able to give back when we can and for us as players to take part in such fun and exciting activities for kids like these has been great.
“The programme is so important because looking after young people with disabilities is such a full-time role. It’s great that we can support them in this way and give relief to those parents and carers.”
Could redevelopment of Royal Artillery Barracks help Greenwich hit its affordable homes target?
Greenwich Council is moving forward with potential plans to build 1,920 homes at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, half of which would be affordable., writes Cameron Blackshaw, Local Democracy Reporter...
Many residents don’t want to see the iconic local military facility redeveloped at all, particularly into housing.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) earmarked the barracks for disposal in 2016 when it deemed the facility no longer fit for purpose.
Greenwich Council has worked alongside the MOD to produce plans to redevelop the site for civilian residential use.
A full planning application is yet to be submitted by a housing developer, but the council has agreed to consult
publicly on any updated barracks plans.
Council documents state: “The Royal Borough of Greenwich wants to ensure that if the site is redeveloped, it is managed in a sustainable way, which provides new homes and other supporting uses whilst also protecting the site’s valuable heritage buildings and making a positive contribution to the character of the site and surrounding area.”
Earlier this year, the council launched a consultation on the barracks proposal which received just over 750 responses. Some respondents did not want to see the barracks changed at all and instead called for them to remain in military use “particularly given the current political and economic climate and current affairs”.
As the site is owned by the MOD, the council has no authority over when or how the ministry chooses to sell it.
Greenwich Council does recognise the site’s “significant military heritage and its importance in shaping the identity of the local community” and it will ensure its military connection won’t be lost in any residential proposals.
The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery will remain at Woolwich, subject to a separate planning application
ensuring the ceremonial unit has a suitable home on the barracks site.
According to the council’s consultation, there was “strong opposition” to new housing, with many feeling there was already an oversupply of housing in Woolwich.
The usual concerns about affordability, overdevelopment and strain on public infrastructure were mentioned.
Greenwich Council said it was not currently achieving its target set down in the London Plan of building 2,824 new homes a year, and redeveloping the barracks would help the authority to hit that housing target.
The council also said that because the site is publicly owned, 50 per cent of the new housing must be affordable, equating to 960 units.
In response to concerns about the potential pressure on public infrastructure due to an influx of new residents, Greenwich Council said an infrastructure delivery plan will be submitted as part of any proposal. This plan will identify if more schools and healthcare facilities are needed.
Alongside the 1,920 homes,
the council also wants the site redevelopment to create around 4,500sqm of commercial floorspace to support the residential provision.
Consultation respondents also demonstrated a “strong desire to preserve, enhance, and celebrate the site’s military and architectural heritage” with suggestions ranging from retaining the existing buildings and converting them into a gallery or museum, to relocating Greenwich Archives to the barracks site.
The council welcomed the inclusion of “small-scale leisure or cultural facilities that celebrate the site’s history” within the new plans in response to the feedback.
The notion to relocate the archives to the repurposed military facility was shot down by the council, as the work needed to accommodate the historical documents and artifacts “would likely cause significant harm to the listed building” of the barracks.
The council also confirmed it would not accept plans to build on the parade ground, instead wanting potential developers to enhance the open space for community use.
Any proposal would also see the full frontage of the main barracks building retained, something desired by residents.
Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich
© Greenwich Council
Ernie Bevin - Foreign Secretary and MP for Woolwich East
Over the past couple of months I have written two brief biographical articles of Members of Parliament for the Greenwich constituency. These days we have one Member who covers Greenwich and Woolwich - just one joint constituency but in the past they were separate. I thought that as I’d done two Greenwich MPs perhaps I’d better do one for Woolwich too and I was looking to see who that could be. There were many interesting people but one stood out - the great Ernie Bevin.
Mary Mills
I rather suspect that nobody much these days, outside of political historians, knows anything about Ernie Bevin. The better informed will sort of know that there was a politician called Bevan who started the National Health Service and I guess most of them would assume that is who I mean. The two similar names were confusing enough at the time when they were both in the cabinet, where Nye Bevan was a Welsh left winger and much less important figure than Bevin.
Bevin had come from an impoverished childhood in rural Somerset to casual unskilled work in Bristol. Self educated and with a background in the Methodist church he had become involved in politics. By 1922 he had set up, and was General Secretary of, the Transport and General Workers Union – at one time the biggest trade union in the world. In 1940, and already recruited to Churchill’s war cabinet, he was elected Member of Parliament for Central Wandsworth and continued to play a central role alongside Churchill and Clement Attlee. In the post war Labour Government he was Foreign Secretary - a role which included both negotiating the future of the many constituent parts of the British Empire, but also the setting up of a reconfigured world - NATO, Israel, the Marshall Plan, etc, etc, including working with and on Stalin, and the like. By 1950 he was also a very sick man. He also had some prejudices which would
not be acceptable to us today.
He had remained as MP for a seat in Central Wandsworth and then suddenly in 1950 was proposed for Woolwich East – this is the main bit of central Woolwich. It’s not at all clear why, and I first thought to write this article with a view to finding out and I had been advised there was little in various biographies of him to explain this. It may have been because his health was so poor and his government role so massive that such a very safe seat would allow for him not to be seen locally as much as he should be - and that turns out to be largely true. It is perhaps worth noting that Woolwich East Labour Party was the oldest Labour Party in the country, having been founded considerably before the National Party which had copied its rules. In particular it was, and had been for many years, the largest Labour Party in terms of membership in the country.
The first newspaper reference I can find is from March 1949, where he addressed a wider Woolwich Party meeting on the foreign policy issues in which he was currently involved. This appears to have been an opportunity to introduce him to the wider membership of the local Labour Party, having been chosen as parliamentary candidate by, I assume, their General Council. He told the meeting that he would have liked to have stood as MP for Woolwich many years ago, but that
he could not get released from his trade union duties to fight the seat - and so had eventually to take up the Wandsworth vacancy because of his role in the Cabinet. Of his age he said “ I am getting on, but I am only 21 in the arteries. The calendar does not always determine your age.”
At around the same time the Conservative and Empire party had held a local meeting to introduce their election candidate – the six foot tall Mr Campbell. He challenged Bevin to come and look at some substandard housing with him - although I’m sure this never took place. He also managed to categorise some Labour women as ’grim faced harridans’. Rather livelier opposition came from Woolwich Communist Party, who also declared a candidate in the shape of their national chairman Palme Dutt. We have perhaps forgotten the strong influence of the Communist Party in Woolwich - they were still standing in local elections in the early 1980s - and in the 1950s the redoubtable Charlie Wellard was holding mass meetings in Woolwich Odeon with reference to working conditions at Siemens.
The local elections for the Council were in May 1949 and throughout the country results were not good for the Labour Party. In Woolwich Labour lost seven seats to the Conservatives – the new Council had 36 Labour councillors and nine Conservatives. This result
sent party organisation staff off to see what could be done and in Woolwich this meant a review of work by Mabel Crout. She had been running elections in the Woowich Party as secretary since 1906 when the party didn’t legally exist. She would act as Bevin’s election agent and in the same year she herself would also be elected to the London County Council.
The general election was eventually called for the 23rd of February 1951. Bevin was out of England on Foreign Office business and needed to get back. He had been at the Colombo Conference held with a number of newly independent
Commonwealth countries to discuss issues including economic development. Bevin had chaired it but was now so frail he was carried into the conference chamber ‘in a palanquin’. Coming back he had stopped off for lunch in Alexandria with King Farouk and Prince Philip and then was picked up from there by a cruiser’, HMS Birmingham, and taken to Naples. He then undertook discussions with various Italians. He returned from Italy by train, with his doctor. He had sent the text of his election address on in advance.
He was pictured submitting his nomination papers and deposit at Woolwich Town Hall accompanied
by Mabel Crout and his wife, Flo. It was recorded that the Town Hall cat was also present and it was noted that Bevin had made it up the sixteen steps into the Town Hall with only one pause. He was one of five candidates standing in Woolwich East - in addition to Palme Dutt for the communists and John Campbell for the Tories there was also to be a pacifist, Frank Hancock and a Liberal, Arthur Sage.
National election results saw a massive swing against the Labour Party and the Labour Government, leaving them with a majority of only 5. Of course Bevin won in Woolwich East with a massive
majority - and publicly talked about the effort he had put in with local people and had made speeches in many other places. In fact he had spent some time during the campaign in hospital and Flo and their daughter, Queenie, had put in a major effort to compensate.
in the new administration he continued as Foreign Secretary working with Attlee. The tiny majority meant that all Members would need to be present in Parliament to vote to get Government business through – but for the Foreign Secretary the gruelling round of meetings around the world would also have to continue.
By April he was again in hospital. He was usually a patient in the trade union financed Manor House Hospital in Hampstead - which closed only in 1999. I remember it well; visiting my Paperworkers Union officer, Dad, when he was a patient there in the 1970s.
For the rest of 1950 he remained as foreign secretary, although there was at least one other hospital admission which seems to have involved surgery of some sort. Throughout this time there were constant rumours that he had told Woolwich Labour Party that he would not stand again at a General Election. These stories were always denied and then again stressed.
On 5th January 1951 he dined at the Royal Naval College with the King and Queen and the French ambassador. Soon after there was
a big party and dance at Woolwich Town Hall for Labour Party members – he left to the strains of ‘For he’s a jolly good fellow’. The next day it was Abbey Wood ward New Year’s party at Federation Hall. In between he was involved in discussions about the future of the Commonwealth, discussions with Eisenhower and Montgomery, discussions on the Argentine and about Soviet Russia and the US.
In the next few months there were constant calls for him to resign as Foreign Secretary - increasingly coming from ‘responsible’ sources. On 24th February he held and paid personally for a supper for 300 Woolwich Labour Party workers. He eventually resigned on 17th March after what appears to have been pressure from Attlee.
He died on 14th April - in bed while working on some papers. Of course there were tributes from all over and huge crowds lined the roads as his coffin was taken for cremation to Golders Green.
This has been a very quick a very inadequate look at the life and work of this remarkable man and I’m sorry that Woolwich - and I suspect a lot of the rest of the countryhave completely forgotten him.
PS Perhaps we should also note a younger and fitter Labour Foreign Secretary who died very suddenly of a stroke in 1977 - Anthony Crosland. There were revelations then about his diary and the workload he was expected to carry.
WOOLWICH FERRY named after Bevin
Bevin hands his 1950 election a nomination papers to the Woolwich mayor
The results of the 1950 general election in Woolwich
ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1) MARYON 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 M Group Telecomm who need to install footway chambers and carriageway ducts.
2. The Order will come into operation on 17th November 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 Maryon Road outside 215.
4. Whilst the Order is in operation, no traffic diversion will be required as there are no through roads affected. 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 Communities, Environment and Central on 020 8921 6340.
Ryan Nibbs Assistant Director, Transport. The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Dated: 09/09/2025
INTERNAL REF - EM/ LA490917 FN821 /LIC No 74645
ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14(1) COURT 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 complete sewer cleaning.
2. The Order will come into operation on 26/11/25 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However, the works are expected to take 1 night from 22:00 - 05:30. 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 Court Road between the junction of Sidcup Road to the junction with Station Approach.
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: 17/10/25
INTERNAL REF: PL /LA 493678 FN 835 Lic. No: 75041
ROYAL BOROUGH OF GREENWICH
The Greenwich (Plumstead and Abbey Wood) (Prohibition of Motor Vehicles) 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, 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) prohibit all motor vehicles (including motorcycles), from entering into, exiting from or proceeding in:
i) Blithdale Road, from a point 8.5 metres west of the common boundary of No. 121 and 123 Blithdale Road for 1 metre in a westerly direction.
b) replace the no entry restrictions with a prohibition of motor vehicles (including motorcycles) on:
i) Barth Road, from a point 2.5 metres north of the common boundary of No. 47 and 49 Barth Road for 1 metre in a northerly direction;
ii) Blithdale Road, from a point 7.3 metres west of its junction with Eynsham Road for 1 metre in an easterly direction.
iii) Abbey Wood Road, from a point 2.5 metres east of its junction with Crumpsall Street for 1 metre in an easterly direction.
3. Copies of the proposed Orders, the statement of reasons for proposing to make the Orders and plans showing the proposals, along with a copy of the Consolidation Orders can be inspected during normal office hours on Monday to Fridays inclusive at the Woolwich Centre Library, The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, London SE18 6HQ.
4. Further information may be obtained from Network Delivery Team, Floor 3, The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, London SE18 6HQ or email to Transport-ProgrammeDelivery-TMOs@royalgreenwich.gov.uk (quoting reference Plumstead 2025).
5. Any person who wishes to object to or make other representations about the proposed Orders, should send a statement in writing by 3rd December 2025, specifying the grounds on which any objection is made by email to Transport-ProgrammeDelivery-TMOs@royalgreenwich.gov.uk (quoting reference Plumstead 2025).
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 and all data will be handled according to GDPR regulations.
Assistant Director, Transport Communities, Environment and Central Royal Borough of Greenwich
Dated 12th November 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)
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: 12/11/2025
Victoria Geoghegan
Assistant Director - Planning and Building Control
List of Press Advertisements - 12/11/2025
Publicity for Planning Applications
Applicant: LHG Greenwich Ltd 25/1272/MA
Site Address:Former Greenwich Magistrates Court (including rear car park), 7-9 Blackheath Road & 2 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich, London, SE10 8PE
Development: An application submitted under Section 73 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 for a minor material amendment in connection with planning permission 22/3092/MA, dated 21/09/2023 for the Redevelopment of the Site, including the refurbishment of the existing Grade II Listed Magistrates Court and part demolition of existing structures, for a new hotel including ancillary facilities, flexible Class A1 / A2 / A3 / A4 / D1 / D2 / ancillary C1 floorspace, a publicly accessible square with associated soft and hard landscaping, ancillary refuse and recycling storage, cycle parking, wheelchair parking, coach and taxi drop off bays and servicing arrangements, to allow:
Update the plans listed under Condition 2 (Approved Drawings) with those amended to reflect the proposed development.
Modification of the following conditions to include details submitted within this application:
Condition 3 (Quantum of Development), Condition 6 (Flood Risk), Condition 7 (Remediation Strategy), Condition 11 (Piling Plan) Condition 12 (UXO Assessment), Condition 14 (Accessibility Plan), Condition 22 (Flood Evacuation Plan), Condition 23 (Drainage Strategy), Condition 24 (Coach Management Plan), Condition 28 (Accessibility), Condition 29 (Construction Logistics Plan), Condition 30 (Sustainable Design and Construction Standards), Condition 31 (BREEAM), Condition 33 (Energy Strategy), Condition 35 (District Hot Water), Condition 39 (Site Wide Management Plan), Condition 44 (Archaeological Investigation), Condition 45 (Landscape and Ecological Management Plan), Condition 47 (Ancillary Uses to Hotel), Condition 49 (Opening Hours of Ancillary Facilities).
Further information not forming part of the formal description of development provided for re-consultation purposes: The proposed revised scheme includes: Basement amendments comprising the removal of basement level -2 and reduced, consolidated basement level -1 Removal of all accessible car parking spaces
from basement and relocation of these to ground floor service yard area
Alterations to Greenwich High Road elevation to account for internal layout revisions
Raising of buildings by 80mm to account for revised flood data
Reduction in the quantum of proposed rooms, totally 333 hotel rooms now (as opposed to 386 rooms) Design amendments to gable end elevations
Conservation Area: ASHBURNHAM TRIANGLE
Applicant: LHG Greenwich Ltd 25/1335/MA
Site Address:Former Greenwich Magistrates Court (including rear car park), 7-9 Blackheath Road & 2 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich, London, SE10 8PE
Development: An application submitted under Section 19 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (as amended) for a variation of a condition associated with the Listed Building Consent 24/2701/MA dated 30/09/2024, for Redevelopment of the Site, including the refurbishment of the existing Grade II Listed Magistrates Court and part demolition of existing structures,
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)
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: 12/11/2025
Victoria Geoghegan
Assistant Director - Planning and Building Control
List of Press Advertisements - 12/11/2025
Publicity for Planning Applications
Applicant: Mr & Mrs Woodford 25/2053/HD
Site Address: 57 COURT ROAD, ELTHAM, LONDON, SE9 5AF
Development: Installation of replacement of all windows, front and rear doors.
Conservation Area: ELTHAM PALACE
Applicant: Joanne Littlefair 25/2491/HD
Site Address: 24 KINLET ROAD, PLUMSTEAD, LONDON, SE18 3BY
Development: Replacement of existing front porch and replacement windows with uPVC framed units and all other associated works (amended description and drawings)
Conservation Area: SHREWSBURY PARK ESTATE
Applicant: Mr Jonathan Burt 25/3018/F
Site Address: 61 KING GEORGE STREET, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 8QB
Development: Construction related to the alteration and enclosure of passageway at ground floor to convert upper floor flat into a three-storey self-contained dwelling, including removal of front elevation gates and other external alterations. (The proposal affects the Locally Listed Building of Entrance to Greenwich Park School Building and is within the West Greenwich Conservation Area).
Conservation Area: WEST GREENWICH
Applicant: Ms Samantha Lambourne 25/3024/F
Site Address: 1 ENNIS ROAD, PLUMSTEAD, LONDON, SE18 2QR
Development: Demolition of existing rear garage to allow the construction of a two-storey dwelling in the rear garden of No.1 Ennis Road, in addition to the provision of an outdoor courtyard with new boundary fence, alterations to the existing boundary fence to incorporate a gate, provision of cycle and refuse storage and all other associated alterations
Applicant: Mr Patrick Dennis 25/3159/HD
Site Address: 79 GREENWICH SOUTH STREET, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 8NT
Development: Construction of a replacement garden outbuilding and associated works.
Conservation Area: WEST GREENWICH
Applicant: Mr Akshat Shrivastava 25/3178/HD
Site Address: 33 PARKGATE, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 9XF
Development: Replacement of kitchen window with Oriel window, replace external sliding doors with slide and turn doors, replace existing dome rooflight over lounge with a new flat rooflight to match existing opening, to refurbish the existing garage to a utility, replacing the single leaf rear garage door with a tilt and turn new window opening, 2 no. new
rooflights to existing garage roof. 2 no. new extract ventilation points for new utility room in garage and new shower room in existing utility room within main house.
Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH PARK
Applicant: Mr John O'Shea 25/3337/HD
Site Address: 49 KINLET ROAD, PLUMSTEAD, LONDON, SE18 3BZ
Development: Installation of window to front elevation and associated works.
Conservation Area: SHREWSBURY PARK ESTATE
Applicant: Cornerstone 25/3367/F
Site Address: MERIDIAN HOUSE, ROYAL HILL, GREENWICH, SE10
Development: The removal of existing 3no face mounted antennas, to be replaced with 6no antennas to be face mounted on the north western, north eastern and south eastern sides of the clock tower, 1no cabinet to be sited of the rooftop of the clock tower, and ancillary development thereto. (This application may affect the setting of the West Greenwich Conservation Area and nearby Listed Buildings) (Amended description)
Conservation Area: WEST GREENWICH
Applicant: Mr Jonas Ezitis 25/3401/HD
Site Address: 93 LANGTON WAY, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 7JU
Development: Installation of a 13kW air source heat pump in the front garden and all associated works.
Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH
Applicant: Jingyu Chen Unique Dog LTD 25/3414/F
Site Address: 17A GREENWICH MARKET, LONDON, SE10 9HZ
Development: Repainting of the existing shopfront to 17 & 17A Greenwich Market. This includes repainting of the fascia, pilasters, stall riser, door and window frames. Change of the external colour to a heritage appropriate shade, no other external alterations are proposed.
Conservation Area: WEST GREENWICH
Applicant: Mr. Vijay Anand
25/3474/HD
Site Address: 44 HARDY ROAD, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 7NN
Development: Construction of a loft conversion incorporating the reinstatement of an existing dormer and the formation of a new rear dormer extension and all associated works.
Conservation Area: WESTCOMBE PARK
Applicant: John Roan Foundation 25/3483/F
Site Address: JOHN ROAN SCHOOL, ROAN SCHOOL PLAYING FIELDS, KIDBROOKE PARK ROAD, KIDBROOKE
ROYAL BOROUGH OF GREENWICH
The Greenwich (Housing Estate Roads and Car Parks) (Amendment No. 5) Order 2025
PROVISION OF DISABLED PERSONS PARKING PLACES AND WAITING RESTRICTIONS IN IGNATIUS SANCHO ROAD HOUSING ESTATE
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 Order under sections 6, 35, 45, 46, 49 and 124 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.
2. The general effect of the Order would be to provide parking controls within Ignatius Sancho Road housing estate, consisting of disabled persons (blue badge) parking places and ‘at any time’ waiting restrictions.
3. A copy of the proposed Order, and other documents including a plan, can be inspected during normal office hours on Monday to Fridays inclusive at the Woolwich Centre Library, The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, London SE18 6HQ or email to estate-parking royalgreenwich.gov.uk (quoting reference RBG/H/ISR25).
4. Further information may be obtained from Estate Parking Team, Floor 1, The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, London SE18 6HQ or email to estate-parking@royalgreenwich.gov.uk (quoting reference RBG/H/ISR25).
5. Any person who wishes to object to or make other representations about the proposed Order, should send a statement in writing by 3 December 2025, specifying the grounds on which any objection is made by email to estate-parking@royalgreenwich.gov.uk (quoting reference RBG/H/ISR25).
6. Persons objecting to the proposed Order 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 The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Dated 12 November 2025
Development: Creation of a 3G Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) with perimeter fencing, hardstanding areas, storage container, floodlights and access footpath
Applicant: Mr Ryan Wylie 25/3525/HD
Site Address: 4 DIAMOND TERRACE, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 8QN
Development: Construction of an L shaped ground floor and first floor rear extensions along with replacement windows and replacement of roof tiles.
Conservation Area: WEST GREENWICH
Publicity for Listed Building Consent
Applicant: . Berkeley Homes (East Thames) Ltd
25/2801/L
Site Address: Building 10, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, SE18 6GB
Development: Listed Building consent under section 19 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to make changes to Unit 5, Building 10 (as approved under 18/3115/L) including:
Additional gates to the external colonnade; Infill old doors and insert new entrance door for retail unit on southern elevation; Internal changes, including close existing opening and addition of new door location and new lobby; and Addition of signage zones on southern elevations (external and within colonnade).
Conservation Area: ROYAL ARSENAL WOOLWICH
Listed Building: Grade 2
Applicant: Cornerstone 25/3368/L
Site Address: MERIDIAN HOUSE, ROYAL HILL, GREENWICH, SE10
Development: The removal of existing 3no face mounted antennas, to be replaced with 6no antennas to be face mounted on the north western, north eastern and south eastern sides of the clock tower, 1no cabinet to be sited of the rooftop of the clock tower, and ancillary development thereto. (This application may affect the setting of the West Greenwich Conservation Area and nearby Listed Buildings) (Amended description)
Conservation Area: WEST GREENWICH
Listed Building: Grade 2
Applicant: Bryan Warren Morden College 25/3446/L
Site Address: CHAPEL, MORDEN COLLEGE, 19 ST GERMANS PLACE, BLACKHEATH, LONDON SE3 0PW
Development: Since the 1905 addition of a projecting section to the centre of the organ gallery, structural
movement has been observed. Steel supports were introduced within the last fifty years but have proved ineffective against further movement. To prevent further deflection and potential damage to the organ and gallery, remedial structural works are proposed. These include improving the support to the gallery's projections and providing additional restraint to the rest of the existing structure.
Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH
Listed Building: Grade 1
Applicant: Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust 25/3473/L
Site Address: COMMUNITY CENTRE, CHARLTON HOUSE, CHARLTON ROAD, LONDON, SE7 8RE
Development: Following an internal pipe water leak in May 2025, it has been recommended by a structural engineer to install washers into the ceilings based on the following:- Given the above findings and conclusions recommend that ceiling restraint fixings are installed throughout the damaged section of ceiling within both rooms. I have appended a sketch showing a typical detail of such restraints. These restraint fixings should be
Free festive family fun this Christmas
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our town centres! The Royal Borough of Greenwich is getting ready to celebrate the most wonderful time of year with two festive, family events this November.
Rock around the Christmas tree in Eltham (Passey Place) on Saturday 22 November and Woolwich (General Gordon and Beresford Squares) on Saturday 29 November. Woolwich will welcome a magical light installation. At both locations, follow festive art trails, join local performers for Christmas singalongs, and little ones can get stuck into free activities, workshops, arts and crafts with local arts organisations.
Plus, pick up unique gifts and treats from local market traders and swap sleigh for funfair rides, with a selection of children’s attractions.
Councillor Sandra Bauer, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities, said: “This November, we’re bringing our communities together to celebrate the festive season in our town centres.
“Join us in Eltham and Woolwich for free performances, art trails, crafts and activities for kids. These events will bring free, inclusive and accessible festive fun to our residents, while supporting local businesses and boosting our economy.
“Get the dates in your diaries and bring your friends, family and neighbours to kick off the holiday season in style.”
Greenwich Market will also host their annual light switch on and lantern parade on Wednesday 19 November. Join the parade from 4pm, before gathering around the tree at 5pm to light it up!
With thanks to Bay Media, Marlborough Highways and Mulalley for supporting the Royal Borough of Greenwich Christmas town centre events.
Full details of both events will be announced in the coming weeks. To be first for updates, sign up to the council’s digital newsletter at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/newsletter, and follow us on WhatsApp at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/followwhatsapp and Facebook and Instagram @royal_greenwich
Find more festive events near you royalgreenwich.gov.uk/events/christmas
royalgreenwich.gov.uk
