Weekender September 2 2026 • www.weekender.co.uk
Greenwich & Lewisham
News / Cinema / Theatre / Education / Arts / Music / Food & Drink / Family / Property
NOT HALF BAD 25,000 runners to pass through Greenwich for London Big Half
Information from the Royal Borough of Greenwich for our residents
ADVERTORIAL
Walk together for peace this weekend Join a celebration of peace, friendship and community at Greenwich’s Multi Faith Forum Peace Walk on Sunday 6 September, from 2pm until 4pm. The walk is open to all faiths, backgrounds and beliefs offering an opportunity to meet new people, reflect on our shared values and celebrate the diversity that makes Greenwich such a welcoming borough, and a proud Borough of Sanctuary. The walk will start at St George’s Garrison Church, moving through Woolwich and visiting
Date: Sunday 6 September, 2pm until 4pm
Gurdwara Sahib, and General Gordon Square, ending at Greenwich Islamic Centre. The Peace Walk is organised by the Royal Greenwich Multifaith Forum, which brings together local faith leaders, the council and public sector partners to strengthen relationships, encourage dialogue and support community cohesion across the borough.
2pm meeting point: St George’s Garrison Church, 5 Mill Lane, SE18 6BW The event is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. If you’d like to get more information, email multifaith-forum@royalgreenwich. gov.uk.
Making it easier to cycle, walk and wheel across Royal Greenwich Whether you walk, wheel, cycle or use an e-bike, there are changes happening across Royal Greenwich designed to make getting around easier and keep pavements clearer. Tackling dumped e-bikes To help reduce street clutter caused by irresponsibly parked rental e-bikes, we have installed 29 dockless e-bike parking bays in the north of the borough, with consultation on 100 more locations across Royal Greenwich planned for early autumn. People using Lime and Forest bikes will face a penalty if they fail to end their journey in a designated parking bay. The aim is to keep e-bikes accessible while reducing pavement obstructions and street clutter.
Improving routes between Eltham and Greenwich The council is asking residents to feed into improvements to make it safer and easier to cycle, walk and wheel between Eltham Town Centre and Greenwich Park. The plans aim to improve existing routes, create better connections and provide safer journeys to nearby schools without relying on a car.
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Tuesday 8 September, 4pm to 7pm at Lionel Road Community Hall, 540 Westhorne Avenue SE9 6DH
The consultation is open until Wednesday 23 September, and you can view the proposals and complete the survey online.
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Saturday 12 September, 11am to 2pm at All Saints Primary School, 2 Blackheath Vale, Blackheath SE3 0TX
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Wednesday 16 September, 6pm to 8pm at Thomas Tallis School, 134 Kidbrooke Park Road SE3 9PX
Scan to get involved
There will also be three drop-in events where you can meet the project team, ask questions and share your views:
Find out more and take part in the consultation: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/CWW-EGP
Read more: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/ dockless-parking
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The
Greenwich & Lewisham Weekender is an independent weekly newspaper, covering the boroughs of Greenwich and Lewisham.
Pick of the Week by Evie Flynn
A spectacular ceremony of light comes to the Thames
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.
A traditional Hindu ceremony will light up the banks of the Thames this September as part of a free afternoon celebrating Indian culture in Greenwich. The Ceremony of Light: Ganga Aarti on the Thames will take place at the Old Royal Naval College on Sunday, September 13, bringing together families and visitors for an afternoon of food, music, dance and entertainment. Organised by Chinmaya Mission UK as part of Totally Thames 2026, the event will culminate at dusk with a spectacular Ganga Aarti, a traditional ceremony of light offered in gratitude to the river. The ceremony has been practised for generations on the banks of the Ganga, one of India’s most sacred rivers, and will be recreated on the Thames in the heart of London. Before the ceremony, visitors can enjoy community stalls, food, live music and dance, with activities to keep younger visitors entertained. The event is free, but advance booking is essential.
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.
Date: Sunday 13th September Time: 4pm – 8pm Location: Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9NN Tickets:Free,bookingrequiredhere:https://ornc.org/whats-on/ceremony-oflight-ganga-aarti-on-the-thames/
Weekender The Greenwich and Lewisham Weekender is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (which regulates the UK’s magazine and newspaper industry). We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. If you think that we have not met those standards and want to make a complaint, please contact 020 7231 5258. If we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you would like more information about IPSO or the Editors’ Code, contact IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or visit www.ipso.co.uk Weekender Editor: Kevin Quinn Media Partnerships: Anthony Phillips Advertising team: Clarry Frewin, Mandy Stong Advertising support: Katie Boyd Editorial: Michael Holland; Evie Flynn Design Manager: Dan Martin Design team: Ann Gravesen Finance: Em Zeki - Tel: 0779 883 3758 Managing & Commercial Director: Chris Mullany Managing & Editorial Director: Kevin Quinn Published weekly on a Wednesday at: Community Matters Media Ltd 1 Bermondsey Square, London, SE1 3UN. Printed by Iliffe Print Cambridge Ltd – www.iliffeprint.co.uk News: 020 7231 5258 / hello@cm-media.co.uk Ads: 020 7232 1639 / hello@cm-media.co.uk Finance: 0779 883 3758 / em@cm-media.co.uk www.weekender.co.uk @insouthlndn Issue: GLW480
Greenwich Park Queen’s Orchard Open Day Independent book fair comes to Lewisham An independent book fair is coming to Manor House Library in Lee this September, bringing together some of the UK’s smaller and more well-known publishers. The inaugural Indie Press Fair, presented by Calico Projects, will take place on Sunday, September 13, from 1pm to 7pm, with 11 independent publishers setting up stalls inside the library. Expect a wide range of books covering everything from fiction and poetry to non-fiction and memoir, with publishers including Conduit Books, Hajar Press, époque press and MOIST BOOKS. The afternoon will feature four talks and panels, including conversations with novelists Nell Osborne and Koushik Banerjea. Date: Sunday 13th September Time: 1pm – 7pm Location: Manor House Library, 34 Old Road, SE13 5SY Tickets: Tickets cost £8 and include a free drink on arrival. Book at tickettailor.com/ events/indiepressfair
Head to Greenwich Park for a free open day at the historic Queen’s Orchard on Saturday, September 12. The tucked-away orchard, next to Greenwich Park Playground, will open its gates from 11am to 3pm for a day of gardening, food growing and nature-themed activities for all ages. Visitors can learn more about pollinators through a bee-themed game, make their own wildflower seed ball to take home, get gardening tips from the Head Gardener and even help give the orchard’s scarecrows a makeover. There will also be a seed swap, giving budding gardeners the chance to bring along seeds they have collected at home and swap them for seeds gathered from plants in the orchard. Or simply browse the seed library and chat to the volunteer gardeners about what to grow and when to sow it. The Queen’s Orchard has been part of Greenwich Park since the 17th century and was restored with the help of volunteers, with fruit trees, vegetable beds and ponds now filling the space. Date: Saturday 12 September Time: 11am – 3pm Location: Queen’s Orchard, Greenwich Park, SE10 9XQ Tickets: Free, no ticket required
Woolwich Carnival returns for its 10th anniversary The annual celebration of community and culture is marking its 10th anniversary this year, bringing a full day of live performances, music, food, arts and crafts and free family-friendly activities to General Gordon Square and the Royal Arsenal. The event is the finale of Woolwich Summer Lates 2026, with plenty happening throughout the day before the celebrations end in a spectacular carnival parade. Expect dancers, musicians, local groups and schools to take to the streets, with the parade filling Woolwich with colour, music and dance There will also be food from a range of vendors, creative activities and entertainment for all the family. Date: Saturday 12 September Time: 12pm – 8pm Location: Woolwich Carnival, General Gordon Square and Royal Arsenal Tickets: Free to attend, no ticket required
September 2 2026 3
LIFESTYLE
London Big Half: 25,000 runners to race through Lewisham, Southwark and Greenwich this weekend
© Andrew Baker, London Marathon Events
The event starts at 8:30am on Sunday, September 6 in Tower Hamlets, writes Alex Orr... The London “Big Half” half-marathon will take place on Sunday, September 6, with runners racing through three South London boroughs. The Big Half will begin just over the river in Tower Hamlets, taking participants along the Thames to Canary Wharf and back across Tower Bridge, heading through Bermondsey, Rotherhithe and Deptford on their way to the finish line at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich. More than 25,000 people are registered for the half-marathon, with 7,300 runners from over 400 community groups across the capital taking part.
Groups taking part include Bloodlines, the NHS-supported campaign encouraging blood donation among black communities, Roll & Run, an inclusive run club for all, and REP Runners, a highenergy run crew founded by Deptford local Saheed Mustapha in 2017. REP Runners were given the opportunity to design the event’s finisher T-shirt and medal, which will be worn by thousands of participants, with the final design set to be revealed next week. Speaking in the build-up to the event, Saheed said: “To know that 20,000 people are going home with a REP-designed
medal and T-shirt gives me such a sense of pride that I never thought I’d experience. “Running has quite literally changed my life, and I have always wanted to share that positive high that a run can give you. “When designing the medal and T-shirt, we wanted to celebrate the achievement of finishing, regardless of finish time. We wanted every Big Half finisher to have a reminder that they accomplished something amazing and should be super proud.” Founder of North London-based training club Acre Palm, Felix Morton, will be
taking part in the 13.1 mile course dressed as a palm tree in memory of his mum who died last year. Felix, who is fundraising for Black Women Rising, a charity which supports women of colour during cancer treatment, said: “At Acre Palm we train for something more than performance. We train for life and want to contribute to something bigger than ourselves. “Running a half marathon dressed as a palm tree won’t be easy, but it’s all for a bigger purpose, and I want to raise as much money and awareness as possible.”
Sanaa Qureshi, Community Engagement Manager at London Marathon Events and Event Lead for the Big Half, said: “The Big Half is so unique because it puts communities at the heart of the event. Every year we’re inspired by the incredible range of groups that take part, each bringing their own story and sense of purpose. “Whether you’re taking on the Big Half or teaming up for the New Balance Big Relay or doing the Big Mile, there is something for everyone at the Big Half and that helps to make the event a true celebration of London’s diversity, energy and community spirit.”
London Big Half: Lewisham local designs finishing T-shirt for September race Saheed was born and raised in Deptford and set up mile eight of the full marathon. REP Runners in 2017 The T-shirt and medal handed With seven half marathons under his belt, Saheed is a huge fan of the “Big to runners who finish this weekend’s “Big Half” Half” route: “It’s great. Tower Bridge is the most iconic part, which is lovely to half-marathon has been designed by Lewisham run over on a closed road condition. local, Saheed Mustapha, writes Alex Orr... Saheed, who grew up in Deptford, is the founder of REP Runners, a Central London-based running group that started in 2017 with just seven members. Now with roughly 280 members of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, REP Runners has grown into one of London’s most vibrant and recognisable run crews. More than 400 community groups will be running this year’s “Big Half”, which starts in Tower Hamlets and takes runners through Southwark, Lewisham and Greenwich on the way to the finish line at the Cutty Sark. So, when REP founder Saheed was told he had been given the opportunity to design the T-shirt and medal for this year’s event, he said
4 September 2 2026
he thought he had been pranked. “I had to read the email about four times,” he laughed, “I was close to getting really emotional.” Saheed added: “The fact that our logo is on the medal is so empowering, humbling and uplifting. It just shows that we started this from nothing with an honest setup to try to help people celebrate their miles, and now we get to share that with 20,000 people on race day. “It’s very humbling but also very, very rewarding.” Deptford born and raised, Saheed said he had “fond memories” of watching marathon runners race past his childhood home, which was located at mile 11 of the Big Half route and
“Running through Deptford and past my house is so nostalgic, and I know the route quite intimately, so I know where I am at any given point in time.” Saheed said he founded REP in 2017 with his friend Richard with the goal of supporting people’s running achievements “whether it’s one mile or 50 miles”. “That’s the beauty of what REP is about,” he added, “everyone is a winner, whether you’ve come first or last in a race, it’s about finishing.” “Running is a solo sport, but we try and make it as communitybased as possible,” he said. The REP-themed T-shirt and medal will be awarded to everyone who completes the “Big Half” on Sunday.
The medal designed by Saheed and REP Runners
LIFESTYLE
Woolwich Works to hold first-ever beer festival this September
A beer festival will be coming to Woolwich Works for the first time in September. The Big Beer Fest will take place at 12pm on Saturday, September 19, at the Woolwich Works event space on the Woolwich Arsenal Pier. There will be 24 beers on tap to choose from, alongside six local guest breweries, each bringing their own favourite pours. Five of the six breweries have already been confirmed, including Bianca Road Brew Co, located under the railway arches in Bermondsey on the famous Bermondsey Beer Mile. Non-beer drinkers will be able
© Google Maps
Standard tickets for the event on September 19 cost £14, writes Alex Orr...
to enjoy a dedicated wine bar, as well as low and no-alcohol options and soft drinks. A number of street food traders will be serving food, with live music throughout the day and Guided Tasting Masterclasses also on offer. Standard tickets for the event are £14, with premium tasting passes on sale for £20 and evening finisher passes, for those joining after 4pm, for £8. Local residents and visitors can also join the Big Beer Quiz for £2 from 6pm. The event is strictly 18+.
September 2 2026 5
NEWS
Two Lewisham locals get married on Netflix’s Love is Blind UK
The South London pair are one of four couples still together after the programme, writes Alex Orr... Two Lewisham locals got married on this year’s season of Love Is Blind: UK. 33-year-old Joseph is a project manager from Lewisham, who now lives in the Dartford, while Francesca, 29, is an HR associate from Forest Hill. They got engaged on the third season of the UK version of the show, which aired earlier this month.
The reality TV programme, hosted by Emma and Matt Willis on Netflix, is a “dating experiment” which sees men and women date without seeing each other, separated by a screen, eventually falling in love and getting engaged.
Forest Hill local Francesca said she was looking for a lasting, committed relationship like that of her parents, while self-proclaimed “geek” Joseph, born and bred in Lewisham, said he wanted to meet someone who shares his Christian faith.
Prior to the start of the series, each contestant was interviewed about what they were looking for in a partner.
The two South London residents found that in each other, eventually getting married after Joseph’s mother gave them her blessing at the last-minute.
Hindu temple worshippers and residents come out against CPZ
© Greenwich Council
A new Woolwich parking scheme introducing Sunday restrictions has received hundreds of objections from residents and worshippers at a local Hindu temple, writes Cameron Blackshaw, Local Democracy Reporter.... Greenwich Council has released details of its controversial Sustainable Streets programme in Woolwich. This will see controlled parking zones (CPZs) expanded and enforced seven days a week in the South East London area, rather than the current six-day restrictions.
continue in Woolwich “followed careful consideration of the outcomes of the earlier engagement phases, including the level of support expressed, the issues raised by residents and stakeholders, and the council’s wider transport, air quality and road safety objectives”.
The council originally envisaged bringing Sustainable Streets to much of the borough, but it binned these maligned proposals at the end of last year following intense public backlash.
Consultation receives only 10 positive comments
The scheme aims to “reduce unnecessary car journeys and encourage more people to walk, cycle, or use public transport where practical to reduce air pollution, traffic and improve road safety” by introducing more permit parking areas and paid parking bays as well as car club bays, EV charging points and secure cycle parking to Woolwich roads. Woolwich was the sole area retained in the scheme despite only 38 of 649 Woolwich residents responding positively to the statement: ‘The Sustainable Street proposals will help address the problems caused by environmentally harmful vehicle emissions, road safety and poor air quality’ in one of the council’s previous online consultations. The council said the decision to
6 September 2 2026
Greenwich carried out a statutory consultation for the Woolwich proposals over a 21-day-period at the beginning of this year. It has now shared the results of this consultation, and many Woolwich residents are still unhappy. The authority received 252 submissions as part of the consultation, 168 were clear objections and a further 74 raised concerns about the proposals. Only 10 positive comments were received. 154 people raised concerns about the introduction of paid parking bays and their fears that the cost of permits would go up. Greenwich Council confirmed permit prices would not change when CPZ operations were extended to Sundays. The council also said that “clear communication” would be provided on how money generated from Sustainable Streets would be reinvested into local infrastructure
The Sustainable Streets plans for Woolwich
such as EV chargers, new trees, cycle parking and footway improvements. Several residents shared their unhappiness with the parking scheme being introduced on Sundays. One wrote: “I strongly oppose extending permit controls to Sundays, as my experience at Buttmarsh Close shows it would worsen parking shortages, increase resident conflict, create safety risks, and further restrict residents’ ability to go about normal daily life. I urge the council to reconsider this harmful and unnecessary proposal.” The council responded: “Sunday enforcement is essential to maintain parking availability, reduce congestion, and support sustainable transport objectives in Woolwich. “The benefits of consistent enforcement outweigh the potential increase in cost, and existing mitigation measures, such as multi-visit voucher options, provide reasonable flexibility for residents and their visitors.”
Temple users ‘should not have to pay’ A petition with around 300 signatures was submitted to the council expressing concerns that parking charges were being introduced nearby the Shree
KS Swaminarayan Temple on St Margaret’s Grove. The temple has been approached for comment. Worshippers complained that the removal of free parking on the Grove would negatively impact their access to the temple and its activities, especially during peak ceremonial periods, and they felt they should not have to pay to attend the temple. Some St Margaret’s Grove residents welcomed the CPZ expansion as they felt their parking spaces were being taken up by worshippers. One resident feared the 300-strong temple petition would “outweigh the views of those who actually live on the street”. In response to objections from temple attendees, council officers said there were a range of parking options—such as pay-to-park bays and disabled parking spots—within 500m of the temple. They also said quick pick-ups and drop-offs would still be permitted. The authority has released a Woolwich travel support guide specifically tailored to the temple, guiding attendees to nearby transport options and advising them of the new parking restrictions. Council documents state: “The proposals do not remove essential access to temple frontages or introduce physical barriers, and the level of provision is considered proportionate and consistent with other community facilities, while also responding to the significant concerns raised by residents of St Margaret’s Grove about high volumes of non-resident vehicles occupying parking spaces on their street, meaning that the Royal
Borough of Greenwich is seeking to strike a balanced and reasonable compromise between the needs of local residents and temple attendees.” The council has also amended the layout of permit bays on St Margaret’s Grove to increase the number of spaces available as well as install a new cycle hangar.
Residents denied parking permits Nine residents living in the new-build Kennard Apartments on Artillery Place complained the new CPZs would prevent them from being able to park their cars. Kennard is a car-free development and this prevents its residents from being able to apply for resident permits. Greenwich Council rejected these objections and said it would not allow Kennard residents to apply for permits. Documents state: “Allowing permit eligibility for this development would undermine the original planning agreement and would place additional pressure on limited onstreet parking in Woolwich, which is already in high demand from existing residents and local visitors.” The council said it was also proposing “several additional electric vehicle bays, cycle hangars and car club bays across the wider area to support sustainable travel options and provide residents with greater choice” following the statutory consultation. Council officers have recommended Sustainable Streets in Woolwich be progressed to the next stage, with potential implementation marked for ‘summer/autumn 2026’.
NEWS
Residents on Thamesmead’s Lesnes Estate granted a judicial review Plans to demolish Lesnes Estate will be put on hold after one of its residents won a legal battle to have the demolition approval scrutinised, writes Cameron Blackshaw, Local Democracy Reporter.... A High Court judge ruled on Wednesday, July 29, that a judicial review will take place into Bexley Council’s decision to approve Peabody Housing Association’s proposal to knock down the estate to make way for nearly 2,000 homes. Adam Turk, the Lesnes resident who brought the claim against Bexley and Peabody, said he was “elated and very relieved” that Mr Justice Choudhury ruled in his favour while standing on the steps of the Royal Courts of Justice the same afternoon (July 29). Mr Turk said: “Justice is prevailing and for the first time, we are being heard. It’s been a long road this. It’s been two-and-a-half years. That’s how long we’ve waited to be able to come into court and challenge this planning application.” Fellow Lesnes resident Emmanuel Ladele said he was “very delighted” as he had expected the judicial review request to be denied. Maria Ivanonva has lived on the estate for almost 20 years and she said she felt “positive” about the upcoming judicial review. She said: “A home is not just property. It is where our memories live, where our families grow, and where our lives are built. I sincerely hope that fairness, justice and compassion will always have a place in our society.” The lawyer representing Mr Turk and the remaining Lesnes residents argued insufficient information about the proposal’s greenhouse gas emissions was provided in the planning application and thus Bexley councillors were misled when giving their approval. The legal team for Peabody and Bexley Council said no breach of planning regulations had taken place and that even if there was a breach, this would have made no material difference to the eventual outcome. Mr Justice Choudhury ruled in favour of the residents, stating that an argument was there to be had over whether the full emissions information could have swayed the decision. He said the judicial review would likely take place in October or November. Referring to points made by Peabody and Bexley’s lawyers, the
Lesnes Estate residents celebrate outside the Royal Courts of Justice on July 29
judge said: “They might leave him stumbling on the ropes, but they’re not quite the knockout blow.” A Peabody spokesperson said: “We’re investing in communities in and around South Thamesmead, supporting people, improving public areas and providing much-needed new homes. “The majority of local residents backed our proposal to redevelop the Lesnes Estate, which will help us expand our work and create an even better place for local people to live. “We’re committed to supporting residents from the Lesnes Estate as we create 2,800 much-needed new homes in South Thamesmead. “This includes ensuring that Peabody tenants and resident homeowners can stay in the neighbourhood if they wish to through our strong package of financial support.” Bexley Council has been approached for comment. The Lesnes Estate in Thamesmead was built in the 1960s. Its grey brutalist blocks were made famous for featuring in the 1971 film A Clockwork Orange. Plans to demolish the estate and replace it with 1,950 new homes were approved by Bexley Council in 2022.
Lesnes Estate in Thamesmead
Since then most Lesnes residents have moved elsewhere, assisted by Peabody that has offered homeowners the market value of their home plus 10 per cent as compensation. The estate is now a ghost town. Large parts of it are dilapidated and many properties have been taken over by housing occupiers and squatters who regularly clash with police. However, a small portion of residents refused to leave the place they have called home for decades. A group of around 20 households—a mixture of homeowners, social and private tenants—have been campaigning to stop the destruction of Lesnes. Today, the group is celebrating. They will have their day in court later this year as they attempt to overturn the planned demolition of the iconic Brutalist estate.
Adam Turk outside the Royal Courts of Justice on July 29
September 2 2026 7
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EMMA SMITH
An Evening of Swing & Celebration
What's On 2026
HISTORY
A century of stories from the tin box makers
Francis publicity shot with Brenda
Mary Mills
Over the past couple of months I’ve published stuff about some small firms in Greenwich based on a long list which was sent to Greenwich Industrial History Newsletter in the early 2000 by a very nice man called Ted Barr. They are all firms which he said he knew personally and I’ve been doing the best I can to find something out about each of them - with rather mixed results. The first one this week is E.Kingsnorth and Sons, Motor Engineers, Blackheath Hill. Ted said they did tool making and precision works ‘for Elliots’ – who I will come to next. I have just spent the morning looking Kingsnorth up and got various bits of information. However the one thing I have found out is they have a very active local family history interest - and there is actually an Australian website about the family.
10 September 2 2026
Now rather than me write up what I’ve found and get it all wrong can I ask if one of the family history people gets in touch and perhaps I could do something really accurate with your guidance. The best way to contact me is by the Greenwich Industrial History Facebook page and if you leave a direct message I’ll pick it up. Please don’t try to telephone me whatever you do.
Whether or not I hear from anyone I will write this company up in a future article. The next one on Ted’s list is the ‘Elliott Machine Co’. He says they were on Blackheath Hill ‘in the old railway station’ – which was, of course, Blackheath Hill Station. But I can find no trace of them at all - except there is a big American company in Baltimore with that name. In particular they are not listed in articles and websites about the old Blackheath Hill station – one of which is Sub Brit’s Nick Catford who goes into enormous trouble to list down who was there using the site. He does however mention, as others do, that there was a ’Heliot’ Company on that site. So I think someone is busy dropping their Hs! I’ll write up Heliots in some weeks’ time when I get to the Hs. And so to F. Francis and Son. I really have a very unusual bunch of firms this week – and I do pick them at random! This is Francis Tin Boxes of Blackheath Road. They were on the old Penn’s site on Blackheath Road - it’s now the trading estate which has got Wickes on it. Before that the company had started at a
site in Trundleys Road in Deptford. The site is now occupied by Franklin Close roughly where the print shops stood, Franklin Place the site of the drum lines and Crosslet Vale which covers the round and rectangular tin lines and the tinplate stores before emerging on to Blackheath Road through the personnel office, which was a portacabin to the east of the main office block. The entrance was at the corner of John Penn Street and Coldbath Street and the exit was between the main office block and the personnel office. In its time the company was highly successful, opening an additional plant at Wrexham to service the Liverpool based oil companies and acquiring Shemtec Packaging of Leeds and Drummond Packaging of Greenock. When I was doing the Greenwich Industrial History newsletter in the early 2000s I was sent a huge newspaper article about Francis. It was by Colin Smith who had worked for the Kentish Mercury for many years. He was very proud of their work in producing articles on local industries. In particular he had masterminded a special supplement in 1969 to commemorate the 100th anniversary
of the founding of Francis Tin Box manufacturers of Greenwich and this is what he had sent. Sadly the issues of the Kentish Mercury on the British Library database do not cover 1969, so I can’t check it. However here are some extracts:SMITH WITH AN EYE FOR 2069 Surrounded by bits of wire, transistors, circuit diagrams and photoelectric paraphernalia, a young man called John Smith works in a small office perched high up in the five-gallon drum department. On the fast-moving automatic one-gallon rectangular manufacturing line, a can passes a beam of light and a blob of hot solder spits out to land precisely at the base of the neck, which is to be fitted. In the same split second, flux arrives precisely on the other side of the neck. The device which ensures that the solder and the flux arrive at the right moment thousands of times a day is a simple example of what can be done by the application of electronics in the tin box trade. The talk is of photoelectric cells, capacitance probes, proximity switches and micro cells. John would rather we didn’t talk of magic boxes and magic eyes, because
HISTORY Blackheath Hill with Kingsnorth Coachworks signage 1904
Francis round shop rings
amount of stuff that came in.
Francis big drum manufacture
this suggests that there might be something mystical and impractical about the whole business. The Francis war effort wasn’t confined to making camp kettles and meat tins in 1939-45. They made bombs and torpedoes too. Workers at Trundleys Road used to make large square tins destined to be filled with an incendiary mixture. In the Second World War: “We used to make 65lb. bomb cases and aerial torpedoes weighing 250lb. They stood as tall as I was. We made cases for depth charges as well. A young woman working for F. Francis and Sons used to call in at Mence Smith’s on her way to work to buy a threepenny bamboo cane. The cane would be cut into six-inch lengths and handed around to the girls on the benches around her. An essential bit of equipment for any solderer when everything was done by hand. Today it is done automatically. Five gallon drums - a familiar sight whereever oil is to be found - are turned out by the thousand every day at the Francis factory. Chimeless they’re the ones with a domed top and inset handle - and standard
ones with a flat top, are made for a wide variety of customers. These drums are made to the precise specifications of many different customers. Some have larger openings than others, handles are different, and the type of tinplate used may vary from one customer to another. One of the most modern and efficient machines in the factory is the Soudronic body welder used in the manufacture of five-gallon drums. This can produce bodies at the rate of 20-22 a minute, compared with about half that number by the old hand-welding methods. After leaving the body welder the drums travel by conveyor belt to be flanged, socketed and double seamed. We reproduced some of the article and some of the pictures in the GIHS Newsletter. We were soon sent emails with memories of the factory - so many it was unprecedented. Over the years we’ve written up loads and loads of different works on GIHS publications and industrial history websites and so on and, usually no response at all from anyone that worked there. Occasionally you’ll get someone to say something like ‘remember old friends’ but Francis was unprecedented in the
I see that there is an F. Francis & Sons Facebook page so perhaps I could introduce the firm through that. It says: ”F Francis and Sons Limited was a tin box manufacturing company founded in 1869. Originally operating from 140 Trundleys Road, Deptford it was latterly based at Thames Ironworks, 50-62 Blackheath Road, Greenwich, England until closure in 1987. All traces of the company have been obliterated from the site.”
100,000 5 litre rectangular cans with approximately 10,000 per vehicle. As well as the 5 litre oil cans they made 2.5 litre, 1 litre and 500 ml rectangulars as well as all the same sizes in round paint cas which were offered internally lacquered (to stop rusting where water based paints were being packed) as well as in plain tinplate for oil based products. Additionally they produced 20 and 25 litre tinplate drums as well as 205 litre steel drums.
They say about work there: “The company was a hive of industry turning out vast quantities of tinplate containers made almost entirely from components made on site.”
I’ve also been through some of the people who contacted us and I’ve picked out what some of them say about the background of the firm and what it was like working there.
Tinplate sheets were received in mostly from the Park Royal railhead then printed to the customers’ designs in the print shop where as well as the single colour machines there was at least one ‘tandem’ printer which printed two colours each pass, the sheets being oven dried before being stacked at the end of the line for transfer to the printed stock store.
---Material that I delivered to the old Plumstead Local History Museum on closure in 1988 survives, including a large portrait of the founder Frederick Francis that hung in the boardroom.
The print shop was the place to be in winter but very hot in summer. There would be a number of can bodies printed on each sheet depending on the size of the container to be produced and these sheets would be slit prior to manufacture. Customers would call off their designs by the thousand with the large oil companies placing orders for say
---F Francis & Sons did not buy the site until 1916. At the time of the First World War they were still in Deptford. From there they made thousands if not millions of camp kettles, mess tins, pails and meat tins. ---I remember tea breaks where we had the old sugary condensed milk in tins which was stirred into the tea in the tea pot. And when we went to wash our hands & go to the toilet it was in an outhouse with no hot water - it used to freeze solid ice in the winter. ---Also the smell of the printing fluid - cellulose I think it was - and
you could smell it hundreds of yard up the road & yet the workers were smoking almost on top of it, dear, dear - where was health & safety then? what a story A.? --- I think it was Brenda in quality control who is holding one of the cans in the advert. --- Good days still remember the smell ---F Francis & Sons Ltd, Blackheath Road, Greenwich were awarded £1,000pa for the part military occupation of their factory by the Defence of the Realm Act Claims Commission at their meeting on 6 February 1916 --- the Deptford works was transferred to John Penn Street after the closure of the Crown Cork Co in John Penn Street.Also they had a 45 gall drum production line in Kieghley Yorkshire. I believe they owned Kieghley lifts. Towards the end of my apprenticeship went to Kieghley to aid the installation of that line. My mother had a tin box with F Francis & Sons 1940 embossed on the hinges lid. She told me that it contained chocolates. she received it when she was 14 in Malta during WWII. It might make me a future article. There is a whole aspect to the tin box industry which I haven’t got space to go into now. But there are a lot of people out there who collect tin boxes of particular designs and so on.
September 2 2026 11
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Bri Bringing ri ngi ch stu tu fu th edu du rin ing gin ing ng each c student t de d nt to t the tthe fullnesss f lllln lness sssssss of o life llilifife fe through t ro r ug ugh gh education d ca c ttiiioon
Open Event Monday 28th September: 9.30am to 11am AND 4:30pm to 7:30pm Tuesday 29th September: 9:30am to 11:30am Wednesday 30th September: 9:30am to 11:30am Please visit the college website for further information: www.stmichaelscollege.org.uk Please note there is no parking on site or in the near vicinity. Therefore, public transport is recommended.
Tel: 020 7237 6432 Web: www.stmichaelscollege.org.uk
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September 2 2026 13
PUBLIC NOTICES ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - Section 14(1) PRINCE RUPERT ROAD PLANNED ROAD CLOSURE (ORDER)
Royal Borough of Greenwich
1. The Royal Borough of Greenwich makes this Order in exercise of powers under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This is to facilitate works by Thames Water who need to carry out valve repack. 2. The Order will come into operation on 7th September 2026 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However, the works are expected to take 5 days. The duration of the Order can be extended with the approval of the Secretary of State for Transport. 3. The effect of the Order would be to temporarily prohibit vehicles from entering, exiting, proceeding, or waiting (including waiting for the purposes of loading or unloading), in Prince Rupert Road at the junction of Rochester Way/ outside 45. 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 Directorate of Communities and Environment and Central via email to street.works@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
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: 02/09/2026
Ryan Nibbs Assistant Director, Transport. The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Victoria Geoghegan Assistant Director - Planning and Building Control
INTERNAL REF - EM/ LA507139 FN16 /LIC No 77176 / 05/08/2026 12:00
List of Press Advertisements - 02/09/2026
Publicity for Planning Applications ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - Section 14(1) MORTGRAMIT SQUARE PLANNED ROAD CLOSURE (ORDER) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Applicant:
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 Southern Gas Networks who need to carry out disconnection works. The Order will come into operation on 15th September 2026 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. 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 Mortgramit Square at the junction of Hare Street. 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. Nothing in this Notice will apply to anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or traffic warden, to emergency service vehicles, or to vehicles being used in connection with the works. The restrictions described above will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by traffic signs as prescribed by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016. Queries concerning these works should be directed to the Royal Borough of Greenwich Directorate of Communities and Environment and Central via email to street.works@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
Ryan Nibbs Assistant Director, Transport. The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ INTERNAL REF - EM/ LA508456 FN19 /LIC No 77189 / 07/08/2026 08:30
To advertise in this publication please call 020 7232 1639 or email: hello@cm-media.co.uk MARGARET BENNETT Deceased Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925 anyone having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of the deceased, late of Groveland Park Care Home, 43 Stephen Road, Bexleyheath, DA7 6EF, who died on 16/08/2026, must send written particulars to the address below by 03/11/2026, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests notified. Coldham, Shield & Mace Solicitors LLP 123-125 Station Road, Chingford, London, E4 6AG Ref: B309/PD/Bennett
To place a public notice, please call 020 7232 1639 or email: hello@ cmmedia. co.uk 14 September 2 2026
AUDLEY CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LIMITED 26/1954/F Site Address: 44A SHOOTERS HILL ROAD, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 7BG Development: Construction of a single storey ancillary outbuilding. Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH Applicant: LAU FAMILY HOLDINGS LIMITED 26/2050/F Site Address: 122B PLUMSTEAD COMMON ROAD, LONDON, SE18 2UL Development: Change of use of first floor from ancillary hot food takeaway accommodation to 1 x 1-bedroom self contained flat (Use Class C3); retention and refit of ground floor commercial unit (Use Class E); alterations to front elevation with replacement shopfront and ancillary accommodation access for self-contained flat at first floor level, internal reconfiguration, alterations to existing recessed terrace and all other associated alterations. Conservation Area: PLUMSTEAD COMMON Applicant: GREENWICH HOSPITAL ESTATE 26/2343/F Site Address: 33-36 KING WILLIAM WALK, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 9HU Development: Works to existing parapet wall for the addition of lead capping. Conservation Area: WEST GREENWICH
STAY INFORMED ABOUT BUILDING PLANS FOR YOUR COMMUNITY.
Applicant: Site Address:
MR & MRS WOOD 26/2411/HD 65 VANBRUGH PARK, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 7JQ Development: Replacement of door and window on the lower ground rear elevation with a double- glazed timber window and door, replacement of all windows and doors with like for like double glazed timber units, enlargement of patio area at the lower ground floor level along with glass balustrade around it at garden level, alteration to the stairs and railing at the rear leading to the upper ground floor level, and the installation of a new resin-bound front driveway with brick edging. Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH Publicity for Listed Building Consent. Applicant: GREENWICH HOSPITAL ESTATE 26/2344/L Site Address: 33-36 KING WILLIAM WALK, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 9HU Development: Works to existing parapet wall for the addition of lead capping. Conservation Area: WEST GREENWICH Listed Building: Grade 2
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Information from the Royal Borough of Greenwich for our residents
Royal Greenwich Festivals: Our Heritage UK - Ise Agbe at Woolwich Carnival Saturday 12 September, 12 noon to 5pm, free
What’s on GDIF: Nature Speaks presented by Lorna Rees Company and El Conde de Torrefiel
Create: Our Heritage UK Creative Roots: Community arts and culture festival showcase
Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September, various times, free to Royal Borough of Greenwich residents
Saturday 5 September, 12 noon to 5pm, free
Tump53 Nature Reserve, Thamesmead, SE28 8AS Enter a hidden natural world for a two-part immersive storytelling experience celebrating our relationship with trees and giving voice to nature itself. You’ll be guided through a woodland glade to experience a ritual fusion of imagery, music, sound and storytelling before entering a meadow, in which you’ll be confronted with the voice of nature itself. Funded by the council as part of our summer of culture. Royal Greenwich Festivals: Woolwich Works - Brassworks Festival and parade Saturday 5 September, 12 noon to 6pm, free Woolwich Town Centre and Woolwich Works, SE18 6HD Brassworks is back to celebrate five years of Woolwich Works! Rhe festival of horns returns with a parade through Woolwich, a full day of free outdoor concerts in our courtyard, and plenty more to discover. Funded by the council through Royal Greenwich Festivals.
royalgreenwich.gov.uk
Birchmere Community Hub, SE28 8AP The project’s final celebration brings together families, residents and the wider community to enjoy the youth-led arts and culture such as Afrobeats dance performances and interactive creative activities. The event will celebrate young people’s achievements and promote community connections. Funded by the council through Create. PARKSFest: East Greenwich Pleasaunce Summer Community Extravaganza Saturday 5 September, 12 noon to 6pm, free East Greenwich Pleasaunce, SE10 0HB A free, family-friendly celebration of culture, community and the great outdoors. This celebration brings people together for live entertainment, creative activities, sports and nature-based experiences, while showcasing local talent and community organisations. Funded by the council as part of our summer of culture.
@royal_greenwich
royalgreenwich
General Gordon Square, Woolwich
GDIF: Luca Silvestrini’s Protein Dance presents: (In)visible Dancing Sunday 6 September, 3pm, free General Gordon Square, Woolwich, SE18 6AB With magical surprises popping up out of the everyday life of the town centre, the energy of a flashmob ripples through the streets in an extraordinary celebration. Five days of joyous pop-up performances build toward a spectacular mass movement dance finale co-created with local dance groups for a GDIF 2026 finale. Funded by the council as part of our summer of culture. Royal Greenwich Festivals: TARU Arts - Woolwich Carnival
Join Our Heritage UK for a public festival and parade featuring cultural costumes, drummers, youth parade performers and African heritage celebration as part of a major cultural event. Funded by the council through Royal Greenwich Festivals. PARKSFest: Southwood Park Sunday 13 September, 1:30pm to 5:30pm, free Southwood Park, SE9 3QE A free, family-friendly celebration of culture, community and the great outdoors. This event brings people together for live entertainment, creative activities, sports and naturebased experiences, while showcasing local talent and community organisations. Funded by the council as part of our summer of culture. PARKSFest: Maryon Park Centenary Celebration
Saturday 12 September, 12 noon to 7pm, free
Sunday 13 September, 11am to 4pm, free
Woolwich Town Centre
Maryon Park, SE7 8DH
TARU Arts close our Woolwich Summer Lates in Woolwich carnival style! Don’t miss the spectacular parade, with music, dance, and activities in General Gordon Square. Our night food market in Beresford Square will also be serving delicious flavours from around the world until 9pm. Enjoy al fresco vibes in the sunshine with more outdoor seating. Come for the day, stay for Woolwich Summer Lates. Funded by the council through Woolwich Summer Lates and Royal Greenwich Festivals.
A free, family-friendly celebration of culture, community and the great outdoors. This event brings people together in the borough’s parks for live entertainment, creative activities, sports and nature-based experiences, while showcasing local talent and community organisations. Funded by the council as part of our summer of culture.
greenwichcouncil
Find events near you: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/events/ summer
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Edition 1026 HOW DO I APPLY? Get on the list
1
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
For information or assistance contact our Allocations Team on: 020 8921 2941 or email: housing-allocations@ royalgreenwich.gov.uk
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
Find your applicant number
2
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.
ANYONE ON THE HOUSING LIST CAN APPLY
Pick out your ideal property
3
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 •
4
• •
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:
Ref Number: 774944 Gilbert House Mcmillan Street SE8 3 Bed 3rd Flr Mais 2Dbl 1Sgl Entry phone / Unlifted £187.78pw
Ref Number: 782882 Church Hill SE18 1 Bed 2nd Flr Flt Entry phone /Unlifted Rad/CH £138.70pw
Ref Number: 784682 Darnall House Royal Hill SE10 2 Bed 1st Flr Flt 1Dbl 1Sgl Lifted £177.13pw
ANYONE ON THE HOUSING LIST CAN APPLY
Ref Number: 785302 Dyson House Blackwall Lane SE10 2 Bed 1st Flr Flt 1Dbl 1Sgl Rad/CH Entry phone £175.25pw
Ref Number: 789442 Richmond Place SE18 3 Bed House Gdn 2Dbl 1Sgl Warm Air £175.25pw
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.
Ref Number: 784322 Polthorne Grove SE18 Bedsit 1st Flr Flt Com Htg / Unlifted £129.97 pw Inc Htg £12.54pw
Ref Number: 790415 Gaddie House Ignatius Sancho Road SE3 1 Bed 3rd Flr Flt Entry phone /Lifted Underflr Htg No pkg/car free zone £227.44pw
Ref Number: 790417 Gaddie House Ignatius Sancho Road SE3 4 Bed 4th Flr Mais 3Dbl 1Sgl Entry phone /Lifted Underflr Htg No pkg/car free zone £264.27pw
ANYONE ON THE HOUSING LIST CAN APPLY
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.
royalgreenwich.gov.uk/homes
Ref Number: 790992 Sinfield House Ignatius Sancho Road SE3 3 Bed 2nd Flr Mais 2Dbl 1Sgl Entry phone /Lifted Underflr Htg No pkg/car free zone £251.99pw
Ref Number: 791000 Sinfield House Ignatius Sancho Road SE3 3Bed Mais 2Dbl 1Sgl Entry phone / Lifted Underflr Htg No pkg/car free zone £251.99pw
Ref Number: 791004 Sinfield House Ignatius Sancho Road SE3 3 Bed 5th Flr Flat 2Dbl 1Sgl Entry phone /Lifted Underflr Htg No pkg/car free zone £ 251.99pw
Ref Number: 791007 Ignatius Sancho Road SE3 3 Bed Grnd Flr Mais 2Dbl 1Sgl Underflr Htg No pkg/car free zone £251.99pw
Royal Borough of Greenwich's Choice Based Lettings Scheme
Choice based lettings hotline 020 8921 4340 BAND
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.
A
B1 or B2
is for applicants in unsatisfactory housing, including people moving due to demolition and those under occupying their homes.
C
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.
is for all applicants on the housing register, including those that are in priority bands A and B1/B2.
Ref Number: 791366 Starkey House Ignatius Sancho Road SE3 1 Bed 5th Floor Flat No pkg /car free zone Underflr Htg Entry phone /Lifted £227.44pw
Ref Number: 791838 Starkey House Ignatius Sancho Road SE3 1 Bed 9th Flr Flat Entry phone /Lifted Underflr Htg No pkg/car free zone £227.44pw
Please note that there will still be some properties with age restrictions so only people of this age group can apply for these.
ANYONE ON THE HOUSING LIST CAN APPLY
Ref Number: 791009 Ignatius Sancho Road SE3 3 Bed Grnd Flr Mais 2Dbl 1Sgl Underflr Htg No pkg/car free zone £251.99pw
Ref Number: 791350 Starkey House Ignatius Sancho Road SE3 1 Bed 2nd Flr Flat Entry phone /Lifted Underflr Htg No pkg/car free zone £227.44pw
Ref Number: 791360 Starkey House Ignatius Sancho Road SE3 1 Bed 4th Flr Flat Entry phone /Lifted Underflr Htg No pkg/ car free zone £227.44pw
Ref Number: 791361 Starkey House Ignatius Sancho Road SE3 1 Bed 4th Flr Flat Entry phone /Lifted Underflr Htg No pkg/car free zone £227.44pw
ANYONE ON THE HOUSING LIST CAN APPLY
Southern Housing Group Ltd
Ref Number: 795254 Willowherb House Ignatius Sancho Road SE3 1 Bed 12th Flr Flat Entry phone / Lifted Undrflr Htg No pkg /car freezone £227.44pw
Ref Number: 798436 Woodville Close SE3 3 Bed Hse Gdn 2Dbl 1Sgl Electric Rad No pkg/car free zone £229.47pw
ANYONE ON THE HOUSING LIST CAN APPLY
Ref Number: 798475 Corelli Road SE3 Gdn 3 Bed Hse 2Dbl 1Sgl No Pkg Electric Rad £204.19pw
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Notting Hill Genesis
Ref Number: 790422 Gaddie House Ignatius Sancho Road SE3 1 Bed 4th Flr Flt Entry phone /Lifted Underflr Htg No pkg/ car free zone £227.44pw
Ref Number: 790420 Gaddie House Ignatius Sancho Road SE3 3 Bed 4th Floor Mais 2Dbl 1Sgl Entry phone / Lifted Underflr Htg No Pkg/ car free zone £251.99pw
Ref Number: 801715 Clapham Close SE2 4 Bed House Gdn 3Dbl 1Sgl Electric Rad /No Pkg £223.81pw
Ref Number: 660480 Corsair House Henley Cross SE3 1 Bed 11th Flr Flat Entry phone / Lifted. Com Elec Htg No Pkg/pets £251.59pw
Ref Number: 801754 Monksfarm Place Sewell Road SE2 2 Bed House Gdn 2Dbl Electric Rad 1 alloc pkg space £186.95pw
Ref Number: 803994 Doebury Walk SE18 2 Bed House 1Dbl 1Sgl Rad / CH No pkg /pets. £299.18pw
24-hour hotline
Peabody Housing
Ref Number: 805134 Howarth House Blackwall Lane SE10 2 Bed 3rd Flr Flat 1Dbl 1Sgl Rad / CH Lifted / No Pkg £356.71pw
Royal Borough of Greenwich's Choice Based Lettings Scheme
royalgreenwich.gov.uk/homes The next printed edition of Greenwich Homes will be available on 16 September at midday. Closing date for all applications for this issue is midnight on 6 September 2026.
ALL households can bid for all types of property subject to meeting the bedroom size and any medical requirements.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO THE HOMES ADVERTISED IN ISSUE 1023 Address Leamington Court Restell Close SE3 7RD Pender House John Harrison Way SE10 0UY Pender House John Harrison Way SE10 0UY Pender House John Harrison Way SE10 0UY Pender House John Harrison Way SE10 0UY Pender House John Harrison Way SE10 0UY Pender House John Harrison Way SE10 0UY Chidgey Heights Bishop Bennett Square SE18 5BL Cosmet House Bonnett Road SE7 8GD Polthorne Grove SE18 7DU Glyndon Road SE18 7NZ Bartley House West Parkside SE10 0ZW Gilbert House Mcmillan Street SE8 3DJ Armada Court Mcmillan Street SE8 3EZ Beryl House Spinel Close SE18 1LL Invermore Place SE18 7DJ Elderslie Road SE9 1UE Hengist Road SE12 9EE Woodland Grove SE10 9UL Polthorne Grove SE18 7DU Bracondale Road SE2 9EN Terry Court Tamar Street SE18 5BP Shirley House Drive SE7 7EL
Bedrooms 2 1 1 1 1 1 1
FLAT FLAT FLAT FLAT FLAT FLAT FLAT
No of Bids 540 503 482 440 397 353 366
Reg date of successful app 07/10/2025 18/05/2018 To be allocated 01/06/2026 13/07/2026 25/06/2026 To be allocated
3
FLAT
338
20/11/2024
B1
2 1 2 2 3 1 2 2 0 1 1 0 1 2 3
FLAT FLAT FLAT FLAT MAISONETTE FLAT FLAT MAISONETTE FLAT FLAT FLAT FLAT FLAT FLAT FLAT
407 576 251 373 313 477 231 342 318 443 547 284 559 397 440
10/02/2026 17/04/2026 09/06/2026 02/04/2025 19/10/2024 19/06/2026 11/03/2026 29/04/2026 02/11/1981 17/03/2026 15/10/2025 22/07/2026 08/06/2026 09/12/2025 08/02/2024
B1 B1 B1 B1 B1 B2 B1 B1 A B1 B1 B1 B1 B1 B1
Property Type
MOVE TO A SMALLER PROPERTY 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.
Band
WHAT YOU’LL GET
B1 B1
We’ll help you with costs and finding a new home that better meets your needs.
B1 B1 B1
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.
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
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 Email: Housing-Allocations-Downsizing@ royalgreenwich.gov.uk OTHER DOWNSIZING OPTIONS If you’re 55 or over, you could also consider moving to the seaside or countryside. This could be for you if you’re: • in poor health • struggling to cope in your current home • keen to move nearer to friends, family or amenities You can also contact us if you know other tenants who might benefit from this scheme. Find out about moving to the seaside or country.
royalgreenwich.gov.uk/homes
PICK UP A COPY OF CHOICE BASED LETTING IN THE WEEKENDER HERE IN GREENWICH: Greenwich Council (in foyer) 6 Mitre Passage, Greenwich Peninsula, London SE10 0ER
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The Point 47 Woolwich New Road, SE18 6EW
McDonald’s 56-58 Powis Street SE18 6LQ
Heronsgate Medical Centre Goosander Way SE28 0ER
Smile With Pride Dental Care Ltd 81A Powis Street SE18 6JB
Waitrose Dreadnought Wharf, Victoria Parade, 1 Thames Street, Greenwich, London SE10 9FR
Greenwich University 54-58 Powis Street SE18 6NL
Middle Park Community Centre 150 Middle Park Avenue SE9 5SD
Equitable House General Gordon Place SE18 6AB
Woolwich Centre 35 Wellington Street SE18 6PW
Vista Childrens Centre Middle Park Avenue SE9 5SD
Greenwich Square Health Centre 12 Lambarde Square SE10 9GB
St.Marks Medical Centre 24 Wrottesley Road SE18 3EP
Post Room Woolwich Service Centre Wellington Street SE18 6PW
Plumstead Library Plumstead High Street SE18 1JL
City Point Concierge Suite Campbell Court, Meadowside, Kidbrooke SE3 9XT
Town Hall Wellington Street SE18 6PW
Greenwich Community College 95 Plumstead Road SE18 7DQ
Woolwich Centre Library 21 Love Lane SE18 6QT
Glyndon Community Centre 75 Raglan Road SE18 7LB
Brookhill Children’s Centre 130 Brookhill Road SE18 6UZ
Abbey Wood Community Group 4 Knee Hill, SE2 0YS
Slade Library Erindale SE18 2QQ
Charlton Athletic Football Club Reception The Valley, Floyd Road SE7 8BL
Abbey Wood Library Eynsham Drive SE2 9PT
Woolwich Community Centre Leslie Smith Square SE18 4DW
Time Court Woodland Terrace SE7 8DD
Blackheath Newbridge Working Mens Club 22 Charlton Road, Blackheath SE3 7HG
Woodland Surgery Woodland Walk SE10 9UB Vanbrugh Dental Centre Vanbrugh Hill SE10 9HQ Greenwich Launderette 174 Trafalgar Road SE10 9TZ
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Station Road, London SE18 4QH
Charlton Library Charlton House, Charlton Road SE7 8RE
Clockhouse Community Centre Defiance Walk, Woolwich Dockyard Estate SE18 5QL
Gllab Work and Learn Centre Old library Calderwood Street SE18 6QW
Thamesmead Leisure Centre Thamesmere Drive SE28 8RE Gallions Housing Association 90 Titmuss Avenue SE28 8HL Conway Medical Centre 44 Conway Road SE18 1AH Basildon Road Surgery 111 Basildon Road SE2 0ER
Kidbrooke Dental Centre Telemann Square SE3 9YR Briset Corner Surgery 591 Westhorne Avenue SE9 6JX Eltham Centre & Eltham Library 2 Archery Road SE9 1HA Cold Harbour Library Wiliam Barefoot Drive SE9 3AY Cold Harbour Leisure Centre Chapel Farm Road SE9 3LX New Eltham Library Southwood Road SE9 3QT Eltham Community Hospital 30 Passey Place SE9 5DQ 52 Well Hall Road 52 Well Hall Road SE9 6SH