Greenwich & Lewisham Weekender - November 5th 2025
Over £500,000 awarded to tackle homelessness
The Royal Borough of Greenwich has received £526,868 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to support our ongoing work to tackle homelessness and end rough sleeping as set out in our Housing and Homelessness Strategy.
The council will use the funding to work with local voluntary, community and faith organisations to provide targeted support for families in temporary accommodation, helping them meet basic needs and improve wellbeing. It will also fund additional staff to prevent rough sleeping and support people with drug and alcohol addiction.
Councillor Pat Slattery, Cabinet Member for Housing Management, Neighbourhoods and Homelessness, said: “This funding marks another step forward in our efforts to tackle homelessness in our borough.
“We’re proud of our work to reduce the numbers of families in unsuitable B&B accommodation and of the work we do to provide safe, warm spaces for rough sleepers during the winter months.
“Our focus remains on investing in targeted support and resources that make a real difference to the lives of our most vulnerable residents.”
The Royal Borough of Greenwich is excited to announce our plans for our Cultural Impact Award, part of the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture programme.
Councillor Sandra Bauer, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities, said: “Our Cultural Impact Award programme will be co-produced by local young people for our communities, empowering them to tell the stories of their heritage through three spectacular free events in 2026 and 2027.
“As part of this exciting process, our young creators will get once in a lifetime training and work experience opportunities to support them in reaching their full potential. We’ll also be reviewing our heritage services, widening access to our archives and museum collection.
“We look forward to working in partnership with the Mayor of London, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Tramshed and Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust. I can’t wait for our residents to enjoy what’s to come!”
Creative Programme Partner Tramshed will work with local
young people to co-produce three public events, while providing training and work experience to inspire careers in culture and heritage.
Heritage Service Partner, Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust will digitise archives and catalogue the museum collection to improve access while plans for a new permanent home continue.
These projects are funded by a Cultural Impact Award from the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture programme, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the council.
If you are a local arts, culture or heritage organisation or community group and would like to stay up to date or get involved, contact culture@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
Follow us on WhatsApp to stay in the loop: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/ follow-whatsapp
The
Greenwich & Lewisham Weekender
is an independent weekly newspaper, covering the boroughs of Greenwich and Lewisham.
We publish every Wednesday, covering every postcode sector of the borough, and boasting, by far, the highest weekly circulation in Greenwich. Each week, we deliver our paper to every Greenwich neighbourhood, with further copies stocked at convenient public stands. We are also the highest distribution newspaper in Lewisham.
You can also view each edition online, as well as daily news and events, on our website: www.weekender.co.uk
The Greenwich & Lewisham Weekender covers all aspects of life in the boroughs, including music, theatre, comedy, film, events, and food and drink, as well as all your community events and campaigns.
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Sound and light show at the Old Royal Naval College
Time at the Old Royal Naval College is a sound and light show by Luxmuralis, which will transform the Old Royal Naval College. The show will explore humanity’s relationship with the concept of time, an immersive experience offering visitors a journey through history and science. The immersive experience will guide visitors through a series of installations that protray humans as
seen through different eras.
Date: Saturday 12 Nov 2025Saturday 22 Nov 2025
Time: Everyday at 5pm
Location: Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NN
The leading international art fair dedicated to print is returning for its tenth edition. The day is for artists, collectors, and galleries. From major names to rising stars, you can explore the vest best displays of contemporary print. Featuring unique artwork from other 1,000 artists and galleries, visitors can browse original prints at accessible price points. There will also be a series of talks
An evening of theatre from emerging and mid-career artists at Tramshed:
‘Generator November’ is an evening of new work from emerging and mid-career artists from Black Country Touring. The group will be performing ‘Wild’, a play that weaves together the stories of 70 people, taking you on a journey of emotions from exhilarating fear to childlike joy. Featuring original songs, immersive soundscapes and storytelling, ‘Wild’ is a vibrant, moving, captivating show that will leave you wondering... what is your ‘Wild’?
Date: Friday 15 November
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Tramshed, 51-53 Woolwich New Road, London, SE18 6ES
Price: £18 general ticket, £12 concession Book here: https://www.tramshed.org/generator-november
and live demonstrations.
Date: Thursday 13 November - Sunday 16 November
Time: 12 - 6pm
Location: Woolwich Works, The Fireworks Factory, No.1 Street, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, London, SE18 6HD
Blackheath Halls are hosting the annual London International Festival of Early Music, where instrument makers, retailers, publishers and record companies gather together under one roof. The early music exhibition attracts instrument makers from around the world in a vibrant marketplace, offering exhibitors a unique opportunity to showcase their offerings. Instruments on sale will include: recorders, flutes, crumhorns, shawms, fiddles and lutes.
Date: Wednesday 12 Nov 2025 - Saturday 15 Nov 2025
Time: 10pm - 5pm
Location: Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, Blackheath, London, SE3 9RQ
Price: £10 per day Book here: https://lifem.org/
Edwyrdian Tales at Charlton House will get you in the spirit of Christmas with a one man performance directed and haunted by Matthew Wood. He will share chilly tales of Christmas, such as ‘Number 13’ which follows a traveller who discovers that his hotel room is not quite all that it seems and that the Number 13 is indeed unlucky for some. Another is ‘Oh Whistle and I’ll Come to You my Lad’, which shares the story of a storm being whistled up along a bleak stretch
of coastline, and a question howls upon the wind, “Who is this? Who is coming?
Book here: https://www.greenwichheritage. org/events/edwyrdian-tales-christmas-ghoststories/
Edwyrdian Tales at Charlton House:
Campaign to have TfL take over foot tunnel management
A campaign to have Transport for London (TfL) take over management of the Greenwich and Woolwich foot tunnels has been launched, writes Cameron Blackshaw, Local Democracy Reporter...
A group of Greenwich residents behind the campaign feel the capital’s transport authority would have “more clout” with contractors and be able to fix the tunnels’ faulty lifts much faster. However, TfL has said it currently has no plans to take over management of the tunnels.
The foot tunnels are jointly owned by three different London boroughs. Greenwich partly owns both, and it shares ownership of the Greenwich tunnel with Tower Hamlets and the Woolwich tunnel with Newham. Greenwich Council is the sole authority that operates and maintains the two cross-river pedestrian links.
Escalate Now is a Greenwich campaign group that previously put pressure on TfL to replace the escalators at Cutty Sark DLR station. The group’s petition was signed by over 3,500 people and was a success.
TfL closed the station in May to replace all four escalators at a reported cost of £4million. The station will reopen to travellers in spring 2026.
TfL would have ‘more clout’
Escalate Now is hopeful the new campaign will be as successful as its last. Group member Maureen O’Mara said: “We really think [the foot tunnels] should be within the management of Transport for London because of the cross-borough nature of the transport links.
“Our view is that a body such as Transport for London would have more clout, more authority and more experience to be able to manage cross-river and cross-borough links, rather than one individual cash-strapped London borough. It is time now for TfL to take over.”
Maureen did give credit to Greenwich Council for the work it had done managing the tunnels over the years, but she thought the authority would welcome the chance to offload the responsibility to TfL.
According to Greenwich Council’s own webpage which updates users on the status of the tunnels, the
south lift of the Greenwich tunnel has been out of service since September 24. The authority has received the parts to fix it, but it is waiting for an installation date.
The north lift of the Woolwich tunnel has been out of action since August 2022 after being vandalised. Both the north lift in Greenwich and the south lift in Woolwich are reportedly working.
Questions will likely be raised over whether TfL has the money to take on the tunnels, but Escalate Now has a potential solution. Group member Karin Tearle said it could raise the funds needed from its new revenue stream of the Silvertown Tunnel tolls.
She said: “They’re making a lot of money from those and I think that some of that money should be set aside to fix our active travel links. There are two of them and they are really important. There are no others east of Tower Bridge.”
Escalate Now has launched a petition which has reached nearly 700 signatures. It is hopeful that both TfL and Greenwich Council will support the proposal, but that isn’t looking likely at this point.
TfL has ‘no plans’ to take over
In response to the campaign, a TfL spokesperson said: “There are long-standing arrangements in place between the boroughs of Newham, Greenwich and Tower Hamlets for the management of the foot tunnels. While we have no plans to take over
the management of the tunnels, we continue to engage in discussions on their operation and work with boroughs to support improvement.”
Greenwich Council also had its say on the campaign, stating it is “making progress on repairs to both tunnels” and that “TfL have been clear that they are not in a position to take the tunnels on”.
working to ensure reliable step-free access in both foot tunnels and are making progress on repairs to both tunnels that should see the lifts working soon. The lifts are historic assets that require bespoke parts, and this means repairs are particularly complex.
The council also confirmed that it hopes to have both Greenwich tunnel lifts working “in the coming weeks” and large-scale repairs on the Woolwich tunnel will be completed in the spring.
Cllr Calum O’Byrne Mulligan, Greenwich’s interim Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Sustainability and Transport, said: “We have been
“TfL have been clear that they are not in a position to take the tunnels on. As a council we are seeking to bring together our partner boroughs – who must jointly agree and fund any works – and I hope to meet my counterparts from Tower Hamlets and Newham very soon to discuss how we can secure the long-term future of the tunnels, which will be done in partnership with TfL.
“Our focus is on realistic action to deliver for users of the tunnels, in both the short and long term, rather than trying to score political points. We will see live online status updates for both tunnels in place before the end of this year, and hope this can be integrated with TfL journey planning.”
Greenwich Foot Tunnel.
The south entrance of the Woolwich foot tunnel.
Escalate Now campaigners Karin Tearle (left) and Maureen O’Mara in the southern entrance to the Greenwich foot tunnel.
Cameron Blackshaw
Winter at the Southbank Centre
Come together for a magical Winter at the Southbank Centre with spectacular shows, luminous art, cracking activities, a wondrous Winter Market and more festive treats making spirits bright this winter.
This year’s Winter season offers holiday fun for all to enjoy the festive magic of London in winter.
Be wowed by spectacular shows – there’s a magical musical stage adaptation of Top Hat , the return of family favourite Bluey’s Big Play, the chance to join TV’s favourite doctors in Operation Ouch: Quest for the Jurassic Fart! and the hilarious Sh!t Theatre: EVITA TOO
Enjoy live music spanning classical music, Christmas carols and festive favourites.
At the Hayward Gallery, experience the Gilbert & George: 21ST CENTURY PICTURES exhibition with vibrant, large-scale images that centre the human experience and reflect the
duo’s motto, ‘Art for All’. Highlighting new pictures created since the start of the millennium, the exhibition has been featured in Financial Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, Time Out and Stylist as one of the top art exhibitions to see in Autumn 2025.
There’s cracking free activities and family fun for all ages, including
the Winter Light outdoor art exhibition, the Koestler Arts: Night Owls and Abstractions exhibition, dances, ceilidhs, crafting, music and New Year’s celebrations.
The popular Winter Market returns, lining the riverside with pop-up bars, street food stalls and independent craft traders. Keep your belly merry with plates of festive burgers and fondue fries, duck wraps, spicy chicken boxes and Nepalese spiced dumplings. Round it all off with sweet treats like churros and indulgent cookies. Ward off the cold by cradling a mulled wine or hot chocolate while you browse for gifts, jewellery and decorations made by independent creatives. Under the bridge you’ll find Wunder Bar, a festive sing-a-long bar with a Bavarian twist. Opposite the Queen Elizabeth Hall, right on the river, Fire & Fromage are back with cheesy indulgence, warming drinks and cosy riverside vibes.
Plus, for the first time, the beloved Queen Elizabeth Roof Garden will be open throughout the winter months, transforming into a destination for mulled wine and warming drinks, nestled above the bustle of central London.
Winter at the Southbank Centre Image credit: Adam Luszniak
Gilbert & George: 21ST CENTURY PICTURES Image credit: Installation view of Gilbert & George: 21ST CENTURY PICTURES. Courtesy of the Hayward Gallery. Photo by Mark Blower.
Empty housing association flats to be converted into temporary accommodation for homeless families
Plans to convert a block of housing association flats into temporary accommodation for homeless families have been given the go-ahead by Lewisham Council, writes Ruby Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter...
The L&Q-owned building is located at 485 New Cross Road and consists of 35 self-contained flats which are all currently empty.
Plans to enter a long-term lease agreement with Lewisham Homes were formally agreed by Cabinet on Wednesday, October 22.
As of September there were 2,527 Lewisham households in temporary
accommodation – of which 1,141 were in nightly-paid accommodation.
Additionally 615 homeless households are currently in private sector leasing and privately managed accommodation, which is temporary accommodation arranged between the council and private landlords or companies.
A council report noted the continued
reliance of short-term and costly accommodation is a reflection of the “persistent pressures” placed on the council’s housing services, particularly the limited availability of longer-term leased accommodation.
Will Cooper, Cabinet Member for Better Homes, Neighbourhoods and Homelessness, said: “Our approach to L&Q about this block shows our housing department is leaving no stone unturned to secure suitable and cost effective-accommodation for our families who, for whatever reason, have had to be placed in temporary accommodation which is often the most stressful and worrying time for anyone in their whole life.”
Commenting on the 2,527 households currently in temporary accommodation, Cllr Cooper added: “We know this isn’t sustainable and it’s not suitable for our families. We often talk about the money this costs the borough, but the human impact of temporary accommodation is absolutely astronomical and we all know that it isn’t temporary anymore – it’s not for six months, families are often in it for four or five years.”
Cllr Cooper said the council “must do every single thing within our tool belt” to reduce the numbers and give residents safer and securer accommodation.
Of the 35 flats, 23 are twobeds, 11 are one-beds and there is one three-bed flat.
Further work is needed before Lewisham Homes can enter into a formal lease, including a full inspection of all 35 flats, as well as building and fire safety compliance and ensuring they meet temporary accommodation standards.
Cabinet proceeded to agree the recommendations of the report.
The second part of the report, which discussed operational requirements and “financial modelling”, was discussed in private.
‘Fly-tipping needs to stop and those doing it need to be held accountable’ - Council Leader
Social media posts by Greenwich Council featuring bleeped out swear words have been criticised by councillors for being “unprofessional and offensive”. The council has defended the posts, saying they have been viewed by thousands and no one has complained, writes Cameron Blackshaw, Local Democracy Reporter...
On October 27, the South London authority announced it was investing £5 million to tackle fly-tipping in the borough. The money will be used to double the size of the council’s flytipping enforcement teams, install new CCTV cameras to catch offenders, introduce a public reward scheme and hand out tougher punishments. The announcement was accompanied by posts across the council’s social media platforms. A video explaining the new scheme begins with council leader Anthony Okereke saying: “We’re not putting up with that bleep anymore”.
The council’s X and Facebook pages both currently have the
header of a garbage worker throwing a bag of rubbish into a trash compactor, accompanied with the statement: “We’re not putting up with this s*** anymore.”
The Independent and Green Group on Greenwich Council have criticised the posts and have written to the council leader and chief executive requesting the posts be taken down. Independent Cllr Lakshan Saldin said: “The appropriateness of language is situational and dependent on company and context.
“We do not consider the use of ‘We’re not putting up with this s***’ to be appropriate in a public communication from the council,
and it is not an example we should be setting to our young people in our roles as community leaders. It is unprofessional, offensive, and reflects poorly on us as councillors.”
Cllr Okereke has defended the posts, believing that Greenwich residents have taken the posts in “the light-hearted way” they were intended. He directed attention to the borough’s fly-tipping problems, which he deemed far more offensive.
Cllr Okereke said: “The campaign video has been seen over 16,000 times within the first 24 hours, and the general sentiment seems to be appreciated and has been taken in the light-hearted way it was intended.
“We have not received any complaints from residents, and the video has been well engaged with, with the public sharing our frustration at fly-tipping criminals. The most offensive thing for most people is rubbish dumped on their street.
“Anything we can do to draw attention and build a sense of unity against the small number of people who dump illegally is a positive. We all share the same goal – fly-tipping needs to stop and those doing it need to be held accountable and made an example of.”
Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s (CACT) annual awards ceremony, sponsored by ITRM, took place at the House of Lords on Thursday, October 23rd, hosted by CACT Vice President Lord Michael Grade of Yarmouth.
The CACT Awards celebrate the organisation’s wide-ranging programmes across south-east London and Kent and recognise the achievements of its participants, staff and partners over the past year. More than 150 partners, stakeholders and sponsors joined CACT in the Cholmondeley Room at the House of Lords.
Before award winners were presented with their trophies, CACT participant Azmeena Azim shared her inspirational story with
attendees. After experiencing a severe mental health crisis during the pandemic, she was diagnosed with psychosis, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression in 2022. To support her recovery, she began receiving help through CACT’s Early Intervention in Psychosis programme.
In front of a packed room, Azmeena spoke about how the programme helped her step out of her comfort zone, rediscover joy and build new friendships. From horse-riding to
lake fishing and a life-changing trip to Cornwall, she described how CACT supported her to overcome fears, feel a sense of belonging, gain confidence and reconnect with the world around her.
After sharing her story, she explained: “Tonight has been amazing, more than a dream come true! I was honoured to be here and to share my story. I felt so supported, the Charlton family are a group of people who support you whatever you do. They really
want you to do well, wish you the best in your recovery and spread so much love and kindness. I’m super honoured and grateful for the opportunities they have given me!”
Men’s first-team manager Nathan Jones was among those who congratulated Azmeena on delivering her story so powerfully. Reflecting on their conversation, she said: “I loved meeting Nathan, he took the time to talk to me and he is such a nice person. He is super enthusiastic about tonight’s event and what Charlton does for the community.”
Jones, attending his second CACT Awards as Charlton manager, was once again left blown away by the work of the Trust. “It’s always emotional,” he said. “This year we’ve had another fantastic story again [from Azmeena], showing what the Trust does. It’s just part and parcel of our wonderful football club. The projects and work CACT does are groundbreaking and lifechanging. The work they do is constantly increasing, and when you hear people’s stories, it shows
the phenomenal work of Jason [Morgan, CACT CEO] and the team at the Community Trust.”
Following Azmeena’s introduction, each award winner was then invited up to the stage. CACT Advanced Centre attendee Kaylen Hamilton was named Participant of the Year (Under-18). The Participant of the Year (Over-18) award went to Charlton Upbeat Danny Mardell. Short Breaks, a provision for young people with disabilities, won the Programme of the Year award. Faithorn Farrell Timms, Martin Arnold and Potter Raper were joint-winners of Partner of the Year. The Sir Maurice Hatter Outstanding Contribution to the Community Award was given to Clare Taylor and Richard Buxton, while CACT Community Outreach Officer Olalekan Ishola earned the Outstanding Staff Contribution award.
Everyone at CACT would like to congratulate each winner, and thank the staff, participants and partners who helped make the evening a memorable one for all involved.
Biolytic Daughter is an free exhibition in Deptford by Bassam Issa AlSabah and Jennifer Mehigan, writes Michael Holland...
At the centre of Biolytic Daughter is Uncensored Lilac, a 30-minute video work that tells a story of revenge and desire. A group of goddesses and their assembly of familiars, pets, servants, and technologies are lounging. Separated from one another, they share a land but not a common ground. They have been invaded. They are pretty, hot, bothered, and bored. They are ready to destroy each other. They look deep into the camera and recite their deepest wishes, hopes, dreams, and fantasies. Meanwhile, temperatures are rising. They morph and grow and make their rage known. Quick to anger, their tempers rise with the heat.
Set in a dreamlike hallucinatory landscape, the film features a series of monologues given by these megafemme entities who have everything and nothing to say. They describe their hopes and desires, bicker, interact from a distance, and refuse to unite. In the cultivation of an economy where hotness equals power, this kind of global warming is no surprise – rising tempers and rising temperatures. Increasingly isolated from each other, they hold on tight to their apolitical, apathetic, consumer-driven dreams.
Within the exhibition space, a series of sculptures, multiple sized cutouts, paintings and prints extend this world out from the screen. The brutality of these mega-femmes comes to life: giant, veiny legs and a woolly sheep act as monuments disrupting the scale of the world built
in the film and anchoring us to their climate-altered world. Contrasting the relationship between avatars and screens, and the feminine and the landscape – a common trope in feminist utopian literature –Bassam Issa Al-Sabah and Jennifer Mehigan question how we embody and are altered by climate collapse. Reflecting on the flatness of the screen, and their flattening of politics, they explore the impossibility and bureaucracy of being right in what can feel like the end of the world.
Bassam Issa Al-Sabah is an artist working with digital animation, painting, sculpture and textiles.
Jennifer Mehigan’s prints and paintings fuse diverse media and sources.
The exhibition forms part of the programme Entanglements of the Apocalypse and is supported by Carefuffle.
Carefuffle is a disabled and queer-led working group rooted in the principles of care, interconnectedness, authorship and social justice. Biolytic Daughter, VSSL Studio, Unit 8, 50 Resolution Way. Deptford, London, SE8 4AL from 6–30 November 2025
Wrap Party lifts the hatch on life behind the catering counter on films sets, in a lightning-quick comedy about friendship, ambition and off-camera chaos, writes Michael Holland...
Harry Petty’s play was born at a summer BBQ, during a conversation between the writer and cast.
Our two principal cast members are a long-time creative duo who first met at a local drama club aged twelve and have been joined at the hip ever since.
Think Ant and Dec meet Only Fools and Horses. Always the life of the party, they spent the day swapping stories about their hectic (and often hilarious) experiences co-running a cramped catering van on busy film sets.
Real coffee orders, celebrity
encounters, and unforgettable anecdotes helped devise this character-driven comedy.
After a series of workshops, an extract from the play was chosen to be performed at Scratch at the Jack, before being developed through a rehearsed reading at the Etcetera Theatre in May. These early performances helped refine its mix of sharp humour and heartfelt storytelling. Wrap Party remains a love letter to male friendship, graft, and the unsung heroes of the film industry.
In their cramped van, Bromley Boys Harry and Ollie keep a film set
fuelled – and their dreams brewing. Between A-list orders, surprise inspections and crew complaints will they stick together or go off script?
Wrap Party, Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London, SE4 2DH.
Tues 11 to Sat 15 November 2025.
Booking and full details: www.brockleyjack.co.uk
Tickets: £17, £15 concessions (suitable for 15+)
80 minutes, with no interval
Where do you find hope in a career built on dread?
Joe Edgar’s Big Cranberry showing this month in Brockley is a witty and fast-moving story of personal crisis, set in the precarious world of climate journalism, writes Michael Holland...
A Boston newsroom, late at night. Journalist Marianne is fine-tuning her latest article — a hit piece on the Massachusetts cranberry industry. But between interruptions from her colleagues and edits from her boss, a murkier, private picture begins to emerge of her time researching in the bogs.
Big Cranberry, Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London, SE4 2DH
Box office: www.brockleyjack. co.uk or 0333 666 3366 (£1.80 fee for phone bookings only)
Dates: Tuesday 18 to Saturday 29 November 2025 at 7.30pm
Tickets: £17, £15 concessions (suitable for 12+)
85 minutes, with no interval
A fantastic book about the Progress Estate - built in a matter of months
The First World War - the ‘Great War’was declared in August 1914. It must have been quite clear to politicians in Woolwich that things had got to change and quickly. The Royal Arsenal - the principle manufacturer of arms and ammunition for the Government, was in Woolwich – it would need to expand rapidly and effectively. It was going to become a very, very big factory and a lot of people would work there. Where were they all going to live?
In the first months of the war as the Arsenal began to expand and new groups of workers were recruited it was soon very, very clear that housing was going to be a real problem. In December 1914, Will Crooks, the local Member of Parliament, went along with a deputation from Woolwich Council to the Government’s Local Government Board to say that something had to be done. Within a month, at the end of January 1915, the Woolwich Labour Party’s paper, The Pioneer, announced that land had been bought and plans made for a Garden City at Well Hall in Eltham. It would
Mary Mills
provide family accommodation and would help to house the many specialist and skilled workers who were moving into the area. A team of architects had been set up by the Government, they were already at work and the Pioneer’s reporter had seen the actual plans.
This would be a remarkable speed for getting together a small building plan – and this was for a whole estate. It was the framework for building what most of us know as the Progress Estate – it was originally called ’ the Well Hall Estate’. It shows what can be done if normal protocols
are ignored and official doors are opened everywhere. It shows that current bleats about the slowness of local government and planning depends on circumstances - but even so the speed which this scheme was put together must be remarkable.
Of course the estate itself is remarkable and there has been a very great deal written about it. A quick look on the net will show endless major pieces of writing by Greenwich Council, English Heritage and The Twentieth Century Society and many, many others about the estate and how it was set up. I think in all their minds is a question about how this estate, which was built under such pressure and in wartime conditions, manages to still look so good and how when it was built met the highest standards of housing design of the day.
I am very nervous about writing about it because so much has been written and I’m almost bound to get it wrong. However I have been aware for some time that for its centenary in 2014 a book about the estate was commissioned by the Residents’ Association, written by Keith Billinghurst and self published with help from various local grants. I’d never seen the book and had tried to get a copy and failed. However the Residents’ Association have now republished it and so I thought a review might be in order now.
Basically I am very, very impressed. As a local history it is based firmly
on the estate and demonstrates its connections and influences from far and wide.
From the start it gives a major role to Woolwich Council and understands some of the personalities and local politics. As I noted above he makes it clear that the initial ideas for the estate came from Woolwich Borough Council and through the reports of the local Medical Officer of Health.
A major section of the book is ‘How garden suburbs came to be’. The author looks at ideas about society and housing in the late 19th century - beginning with John Ruskin - a South Londoner - and traces many links between the schemes and personalities. I thought this was most interesting - it is a subject I am probably desperately ignorant about, but I thought the way influences on and links between individuals are traced and put together in the book was very important. The final project he describes is Hampstead Garden Suburb and I had been aware of the various personalities involved there. So, despite an initial reaction to ‘Hampstead’ as fashionable and up market, I also knew about their work in the East End and in particular at Toynbee Hall, which is somewhere I used a lot in a previous existence. He also makes the point that garden suburbs were never housing for the poor. He then goes on to explore housing and planning legislation in the early years of the 20th century. Crucially at the beginning of recruitment for the
First World War it was discovered that many potential recruits had severe health issues which could be put down to poor quality housing.
Like every good locally written and researched local history it describes the previous ownership of the site and some of its geographical features. The detail is astonishing - down to individual trees, some of which are still there now. It then moves on to the actual story of the construction of the estate in a great deal of extremely interesting detail about issues like site layout, roads, gardens and parlours and much else – what building materials were used and how they were sourced. Of particular interest is that clinker used on the site all came from the Woolwich Council recycling generating station at White Hart.
In February 1915 nothing had begun on site but the first tenants moved in to the first finished houses in May and all 1,298 houses were finished by the end of the year. At the height of activities one house was being completed every two hours. It was a major achievement.
The book goes on to describe every road on the estate, and to give the history of the person it was named after – William Cobbett... Admiral Seymour – and so on. This might seem a bit nerdish and certainly would be so in a similar book aimed at an academic audience, but this book was commissioned for people and by people who lived on the
estate and it is just the sort of detail which people like to know and would be able to talk about in future years.
During the Great War the estate was
managed by the London County Council but returned to the Goverment Office of Works in 1920. It was then sold to the Royal Arsenal Cooperative Society and
it is because of them that it is known now as the Progress Estate – ‘progress’ is very much a Co-op word. I’m far from sure why RACS bought the estate and why it was
not left with London County Council which seems a more appropriate body. The Co-op had built its own estate down in Abbey Wood, which, although providing quality housing for a similar aspirational community, but which really had no major garden city aspirations. I’m also extremely unclear if they had a permanent housing management team at Abbey Wood, since the vast majority of the properties were sold.
I am reminded however of some of the work of Blackheath based E.O. Greening some years earlier - I’ve mentioned him in several previous articles about the Co-op and about Deptford. He introduced ideas of aspirational communities and mutual organisations helping working people to a better life. It’s close to the Garden City movement but not identical to it. RACS provided a community centre - Progress Hall - which has had a reach far beyond just the estate. I remember going to a film club there in the 1970s which had very, very good films which were not shown by the local commercial cinema.
This estate suffered considerably from bombing in the Second World War and every known instance is meticulously recorded in the book along with the damage done.
Again, this is just the sort of detail which local residents would be very keen to have – and which will come up in the memories people have of their lives and places which have been meaningful to them.
The last chapters deal with the end of the Co-op management of the estate and its transfer to Hyde Housing.
I have only been able to give a very brief outline of some of the elements of the Progress Estate covered in the book, which, after all came out 10 years ago and everybody else has probably read it and knows it very well. It seems to me that the book manages very well to deal with details of interest to estate residents about their properties, while also deftly handling the ideas about what housing should be like. It tells us most impressively about the speed with which the estate was built, the authorities involved in this and in particular the work, and career, of Frank Baines.
For other people who have not read the book – copies may still be available. It is self published so I suspect it won’t be in any bookshops and has to rely entirely on kind helpers and the post to get it out to people. They say:
“Progress Estate Mutual Aid is proud to announce the republication of this fantastic book, all about the history of the Progress Estate in Eltham by Keith Billinghurst. Please email progressestatemutualaid@gmail. com to order a copy. Limited signed copies available while stocks last!
The book was first published to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Progress Estate, and is re-printed for the benefit of the local community. 100% of the proceeds will go towards funding community projects and events.
Standard price £13 +P&P. Discounts available for residents of the Progress Estate (£10) and SE9 (£12).”
Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (AS AMENDED)
Town & Country Planning (Development Management Procedure)(England) Order 2015
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: 05/11/2025
Victoria Geoghegan
Assistant Director - Planning and Building Control
List of Press Advertisements - 05/11/2025
Publicity for Planning Applications
Applicant: Mr. A Lakka
Site Address: 15 OLD MILL ROAD, LONDON, SE18 1QG
25/1570/F
Development: Planning permission is sought for permeable driveway with drop-kerb.
Conservation Area: PLUMSTEAD COMMON
Applicant: Fordingbridge PLC 25/2288/F
Site Address: JOHN ROAN LOWER SCHOOL, WESTCOMBE PARK ROAD, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 7QR
Development: Installation of an open sided timber canopy in the school court yard to provide covered learning and outdoor dining space
Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH
Applicant: The Co-operative Group
25/3021/F
Site Address: 196-202 PLUMSTEAD COMMON ROAD, LONDON, SE18 2RS
Development: Installation of a service hatch in the shopfront and all other associated alterations.
Conservation Area: PLUMSTEAD COMMON
Applicant: J. Brady 25/3061/HD
Site Address: 26 KINLET ROAD, PLUMSTEAD, LONDON, SE18 3BY
Development: Demolition of the existing side/rear extension, and construction of a single-storey side and rear wrap around extension, including replacement of existing gates with new gates and associated works.
Conservation Area: SHREWSBURY PARK ESTATE
Applicant: Ms D Cybulska 25/3233/HD
Site Address: 29 BUSHMOOR CRESCENT, PLUMSTEAD, LONDON, SE18 3EG
Development: Replacement of roof tiles to main dwelling and garage in like for like fashion, and restoration of chimney to the rear with associated works.
Conservation Area: SHREWSBURY PARK ESTATE
Applicant: Mr R Gratwicke
25/3245/HD
Site Address: 73 COLERAINE ROAD, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 7PF
Development: Replacement of front door and enclosing of existing front porch, installation of ground floor side-facing window and external AC unit with associated works.
Conservation Area: WESTCOMBE PARK
Applicant: E. Jupp & J. Merrill 25/3300/HD
Site Address: 46 VICARAGE PARK, PLUMSTEAD, LONDON, SE18 7SU
Development: Construction of a lower ground floor side and rear wrap around extension, an upper ground floor rear outrigger extension, with internal alterations and all associated works.
Conservation Area: PLUMSTEAD COMMON
Applicant: Mr H Koerling 25/3344/HD
Site Address: 55 LEE ROAD, LEWISHAM, LONDON, SE3 9RT
Development: Proposed demolition of the existing (non-original) conservatory and replacement with a single storey flat roof rear extension, rear garden landscaping and associated internal and external alterations.
Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH PARK
Publicity for Listed Building Consent.
Applicant: Mr C. Burton 25/2739/L
Site Address: 22 HALLGATE, BLACKHEATH PARK, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 9SG
Development: Replacement of existing single glazing externally with ultra slim double glazing within existing timber frames.
Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH PARK
Listed Building: Grade 2
Applicant: Streetvox 25/3145/L
Site Address: MERIDIAN HOUSE, 148 GREENWICH HIGH ROAD, LONDON, SE10 8NN
Development: The temporary installation (12 Months) of a scaffold shroud printed with a 1:1 replica of the building façade, incorporating a single illuminated inset advertisement panel spanning the northeast corner of Greenwich High Street and Royal Hill, measuring 25m by 8m.
Conservation Area: WEST GREENWICH
Listed Building: Grade 2
Applicant: Mr H Koerling 25/3345/L
Site Address: 55 LEE ROAD, LEWISHAM, LONDON, SE3 9RT
Development: Proposed demolition of the existing (non-original) conservatory and replacement with a single storey flat roof rear extension, rear garden landscaping and associated internal and external alterations.
Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH PARK
Listed Building: Grade 2
Publicity For Advertisements.
Applicant: Streetvox 25/3455/A
Site Address: MERIDIAN HOUSE, 148 GREENWICH HIGH ROAD, LONDON, SE10 8NN
Development: The temporary installation (12 Months) of a scaffold shroud printed with a 1:1 replica of the building façade, incorporating a single illuminated inset advertisement panel spanning the northeast corner of Greenwich High Street and Royal Hill, measuring 25m by 8m.
Conservation Area: WEST GREENWICH
ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1) MAURITIUS 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 Falcon Tower Crane Services Ltd who need to carry out a mobile crane operation for dismantle a tower crane.
2. The Order will come into operation on 15th November 2025 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However, the works are expected to take 2 days with backup dates of 22nd – 23rd November 2025 and 29th – 30th November 2025. 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 Mauritius Road at the junction of Blackwall Lane.
4. Whilst the Order is in operation, no traffic diversions will be required as this is a dead-end road. Prohibitions remain in force; pedestrians and cyclists will be diverted via the placing of appropriate signage.
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.
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 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)
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 Southern Gas Networks who need to carry out gas main upgrades.
2. The Order will come into operation on 10th November 2025 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However, the works are expected to take 16 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 Marlborough Lane and Grenada Road at their junctions with Shooters Hill Road, and from entering, proceeding, or waiting (including waiting for the purposes of loading or unloading), in Indus Road at its junction with Shooters Hill Road. Indus Road will be closed at its junction with Shooters Hill Road following the completion of the works on Marlborough Lane and Grenada 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 Communities, Environment and Central on 020 8921 6340.
Ryan Nibbs Assistant Director, Transport. The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE - LICENSING ACT 2003
Notice is given that: Ms Meena Shukla has applied for the Grant of a Premises Licence for the following premises: Yummies Chicken & Grill, 110 Plumstead High Street, London SE18 1SJ. A record of this application may be inspected by appointment. Other persons may make representations to the Council on this application by no later than 12th November 2025
Representations can be made in writing, by email or fax using the contact details above. Representations can only be made on the grounds of one of the four licensing objectives, namely:
● Prevention of Crime and Disorder
● Prevention of Public Nuisance
● Public Safety
● Protection of Children from Harm.
Any person who makes a false statement in connection with an application is liable on summary conviction to an unlimited fine.
It is proposed that the following licensable activity will take place at the premises: Late Night Refreshment (the provision of hot food &/or hot drink from 11pm) daily between 23:00 hours and closing time at 02:00 each following day. This application does not seek the sale and supply of alcohol.
Royal Borough of Greenwich
2.
(a)
(i)
(vi) Bostall Manorway, from its junction with Abbey Wood Road to its most northern extent (dead end)
(vii) Bassant Road, for its entire length.
(viii) Heathfield Terrace, for its entire length.
(ix) Welland Street, for its entire length.
(x) Fairfax Gardens, for its entire length.
(xi) Brampton Road, from its junction with Longleigh Lane to its junction with Woolwich Road (A206)
(b) Prohibit waiting at any time and loading at any time on Nuxley Road, both sides, from its junction with Bedonwell Road for 120metres in a north-easterly direction.
3. 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 persons in connection with the works.
4. The above prohibitions will only apply to such times and such extent as shall be indicated by the appropriate traffic signs and traffic management measures.
5. Whilst the closures are in operation, vehicular access to properties affected by these works would be maintained wherever possible subject to the extent and operations of the works. Alternative routes for diverted vehicles would be available via local roads and would be indicated via local signage.
6. The Order would come into force on Thursday 6th November 2025 and would continue in force for up to 18 months, or until the works have been completed, whichever is the sooner and may be re-introduced should further works be required. The works would be conducted on a ‘rolling’ programme and, as such, not all the restrictions stated in paragraph 2 would be in force in all the effected roads.
7. Queries concerning these works should be directed to transportation-admin@royalgreenwich.gov.uk quoting reference 11-25 Road Resurfacing.
Assistant Director, Transport, Communities, Environment and Central, Royal Borough of Greenwich
Dated 5th November 2025
Marking Remembrance Day in Royal Greenwich
From Friday 7 to Tuesday 11 November, remembrance events will take place across the borough, supported by local branches of the Royal British Legion. Where you can pay your respects and get involved:
Friday 7 November
• 2pm Wreath laying at Memorial Hospital, Shooters Hill, SE18 3RZ. Organised by Oxleas NHS.
• 2:45pm Wreath laying at the War Memorial, Greenwich Cemetery, Well Hall Road, SE9 6UA, with the Royal British Legion (Blackheath and Charlton Branch).
Saturday 8 November
• 10:45am for 10:55am Wreath laying at the Thamesmead Clocktower with the Royal British Legion (Abbey Wood and Thamesmead Branch).
• 12 noon Wreath laying at the Memorial in Plumstead Cemetery, Lodge Hill, SE2, with the Royal British Legion (Abbey Wood and Thamesmead Branch).
• 12:30pm Wreath laying at the Memorial in Woolwich New Cemetery, Camdale Road, SE18, with the Royal British Legion (Abbey Wood and Thamesmead Branch).
• 10:45am for 11am Wreath laying at the Memorial at Maze Hill, SE3, with the Royal British Legion (Blackheath and Charlton Branch).
Sunday 9 November
• 10:40am Parade of veterans, ex-service groups and youth organisations, with wreath laying at Eltham War Memorial (junction of Eltham Hill and Eltham High Street, SE9 1DH) and Two Minutes Silence at 11am. Followed by a Remembrance Service at St John’s Church, Eltham Hill, SE9 1DH. Organised by the Royal British Legion.
• 10:40am Service at St Michael and All Angels Church, Abbey Wood Road, SE2, followed by wreath laying at the Abbey Wood Memorial, Abbey Wood Gardens, Rosedale Close, SE2. Organised by the Royal British Legion (Abbey Wood and Thamesmead Branch).
• 10:55am Wreath laying at the War Memorial, Point Hill, SE10 8QL.
• 2:30pm Wreath laying at the Great War Memorial, Peninsula Park, Pilot Busway, SE10 0BQ.
Tuesday 11 November
• 10:55am A Two Minute Silence will be observed at 11am in Woolwich Town Hall, Wellington Street, SE18 6PW, in memory of those who fought and died or were injured in the causes of peace and freedom.
• 12:50pm for 1pm Wreath laying at the War Memorial, Building 36, Cadogan Road, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, SE18 6RB. Organised by Berkeley Homes.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Get on the list
First, you’ve got to be on the housing waiting list to join the scheme. If you’re not, register an application online at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/homes
Find your applicant number
It will be on the letter you’ve already had from the Royal Borough of Greenwich about the new scheme. You’ll need that number and the reference number of the property you’re after, which will be on the advert.
Pick out your ideal property by looking in Greenwich Info or regularly checking the website: royalgreenwich.gov. uk/homes. Click on your preference on the website. If you don’t have a computer, you can always use one for free at either The Eltham or Woolwich Centre or a local library.
Apply in one of three ways
• Text bidding is now available and the number to use is 07786207913. For further information please see page 2, or
• Via the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s website royalgreenwich.gov.uk/homes or
• Phone the 24-hour hotline 020 8921 4340. It’s an automatic push-button system and calls will be charged at the normal local rate.
HOW TO BID FOR ADVERTISED PROPERTIES BY TEXT
If you would like to bid by text, please use the following Text Bidding Number: 0778 620 7913 and type:
CBL, the property reference number and your applicant number.
The property reference will be on the advert and your applicant number is on the letter we sent to you when you registered for housing.
A successful bid will look like this: CBL 179104 12191
You will need to do a separate text for each property you wish to bid for and the text is charged at your mobile provider’s standard rate. You will receive a text response to confirm your bid within 5 minutes.
If you are unable to bid for advertised properties and have no one that can do so for you please contact the Allocations team on 020 8921 2941 and we will help you with bidding or will bid on your behalf. If you are in temporary accommodation, then please contact your Temporary Accommodation Officer for help with this.
CBL BIDDING
Please be aware that users must now enter the date of birth of the main applicant when logging into this site. royalgreenwich.gov.uk/homes
BIDDING FOR PROPERTIES
People on the Housing register are able to bid for all properties, regardless of their banding. You must be eligible for the size of property and bids will be considered in the following order:
First Band A, followed by Band B1/B2 both in priority date order. Those in Band C will then be considered in registration date order.
Please note that there will still be some properties with age restrictions so only people of this age group can apply for these.
is for applicants in unsatisfactory housing, including people moving due to demolition and those under occupying their homes.
BAND
B1 or B2 is for applicants the Royal Borough of Greenwich must prioritise according to the law, particularly homeless people, and others with an urgent need to move for medical or welfare reasons.
24-hour hotline
3
C is for all applicants on the housing register, including those that are in priority bands A and B1/B2.
SEASIDE & COUNTRY SCHEME
This scheme offers one and two bedroom flats and bungalows on the Coast and in the countryside, in the South East and West of England. In order to be considered you must be:
• A Council or Housing Association tenant
• At least 55 years old. If you intend to add a household member under the age of 55 they must be either your spouse, current joint tenant, registered carer or dependent adult child.
Your removal costs will be met if you are a Council tenant and you do move to a Seaside and Country home.
To register, or find out more about the scheme, contact the Access and Allocation section on: 020 8921 2941
If you are a Housing Association tenant you need to contact your landlord to register. Further information is available from the scheme management organisation at housingmoves.org Ref
The next printed edition of Greenwich Homes will be available on 19 November 2025 at midday. The closing date for all applications for this issue is midnight on 9 November 2025
ALL households can bid for all types of property subject to meeting the bedroom size and any medical requirements.
MOVE TO A SMALLER
If your property is now too big for you, you can apply for the Small is Beautiful scheme.
To be eligible, your current property must:
• be a council or housing association property
• have 2, 3, 4 or 5 bedrooms
• be in the Royal Borough of Greenwich
The scheme can help you move to a smaller home that better meets your needs. We can then use your property to help another family who need it. For example, those in an overcrowded property or who are homeless.
WHAT YOU’LL GET
We’ll help you with costs and finding a new home that better meets your needs.
Financial benefits
We’ll pay:
• £1,000 for each spare room you give up
• an extra £500 if you downsize by mutual exchange
• your moving costs
• your disturbance costs, for example, for packing, disconnecting and reconnecting your appliances
Priority to find a new home
We’ll put your household in the highest priority band on the housing register so you can find a new home as soon as possible.
An Under Occupation Adviser will support you throughout the downsizing process.
Extra support for households with adult children
If you have non-dependant adult children living with you, we can offer them their own flat, if we can get a bedroom back. This means you and your adult child will each get a one-bedroom flat.
Extra support for older tenants
If you’re Pension Credit age you can downsize to a home with one extra bedroom to allow for caring or support needs.
We can visit you and support you with everything you need to downsize.
WHO CAN APPLY
You can apply if you’re under-occupying your home by at least one bedroom.
When we decide if a tenant is under-occupying, we count a second living room (or parlour) as a bedroom.
APPLY
Team
email:
then please contact your Temporary Accommodation Officer for help with this.
