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SouthLondonWeekly. Community matters

Issue 29 ∙ 50p ∙ December 15 2023 ∙ www.southlondon.co.uk

Met police 'bent out of shape' by gaza protest policing says coMMissioner

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'boy racers Making our liVes hell'

residents say it's only a Matter of tiMe before soMeone loses their life in road Page 18 STRESSED

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2 NEWS Contents NEWS Pages 2-19 arts Pages 20-21 HISTORY Page 22 PROPERTY Page 23 Classified Page 24

greenwich council Meeting paused by Gaza ceasefire protestors A Greenwich Council meeting on December 6 was paused after protestors interrupted proceedings to demand the authority call for a ceasefire in Gaza

Public notices Pages 25-27 SPORT Pages 28-32

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By Joe Coughlan Local Democracy Reporter A South London council meeting was evacuated after protesters began chanting in the council chamber, asking the authority to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. A Greenwich full council meeting on December 6 was paused after proPalestinian protestors interrupted proceedings. Protesters began shouting from the public gallery of the council chamber during public questions. Attendees started chanting, “Ceasefire now,” after a resident Colin Fancy made a statement. Mr Fancy said at the meeting: “Even those who don’t know the long history of Palestine Israel have seen the bombing inflicted on the people of Gaza over the last two months. The horrifying pictures of hospitals, schools and homes bombed week after week, month after month.” He added: “Up to 20,000 Palestinians killed, including over 6,000 children. 6,000 children killed in two months. It does not take two months to condemn the bombing, the killing and to call for a ceasefire.” Mr Fancy had sent a question to the council before the meeting to ask if Greenwich Council would agree to a twin town relationship with Bethlehem. The resident then made the statement at the meeting after being offered a chance to ask a supplementary question. The resident’s microphone was cut off and Mayor of Greenwich Dominic Mbang told councillors to leave the chamber while

SouthLondonWeekly.

The Greenwich Council meeting on December 6 was evacuated after protestors demanded the authority call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Credit: Greenwich Council

police escorted the protesters out of the building. The meeting resumed shortly afterwards. Three Greenwich councillors, Majella Anning, Issy Cooke and John Fahy, were part of more than 300 Labour councillors who signed a letter last month asking for party leader Keir Starmer to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The request came after the leader publicly stated that he felt a ceasefire would encourage further attacks from Hamas against Israel in the future.

SouthLondonWeekly. Community matters

Issue 27 ∙ 50p ∙ December 8 2023 ∙ www.southlondon.co.uk

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COUNCIL SEES 40% BED BUG INCREASE

LEVI NETS FIRST BLUES GOAL

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Editor: Kevin Quinn Reporters: Herbie Russell; Isabel Ramirez Sports Editor: John Kelly Sports reporter: Kiro Evans Arts Correspondent: Michael Holland Digital Transformation Editor: Katherine Johnston Media Partnerships: Anthony Phillips Advertising: Clarry Frewin, Sophie Ali Design: Dan Martin, Ann Gravesen Finance: Em Zeki - Tel: 0779 883 3758 Subscriptions/Announcements: Katie Boyd Managing & Commercial Director: Chris Mullany Managing & Editorial Director: Kevin Quinn Published weekly at: Community Matters Media Ltd, Unit A202, The Biscuit Factory, Drummond Road, Bermondsey, London SE16 4DG. News and Sport: 020 7231 5258 Advertising: 0020 7232 1639 News/Advertising: hello@cm-media.co.uk Finance: em@cm-media.co.uk Printed by Iliffe Print. Tel: 01223 656500 www.iliffeprint.co.uk

JEWISH COUNCILLOR FEARS OUST OVER GAZA

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER See page 6

Charities face uncertain future after discovering buildings are eyed for sale

The party leader said in a statement on December 1 that the level of death and destruction from the conflict in the past weeks had been “intolerable”. Greenwich Council leader Anthony Okereke said in a statement on October 20 that the authority’s condolences go to all people affected by the conflict in Israel and Gaza He said: “We are seeing a catastrophic loss of life on a scale that is difficult to comprehend. The degree of devastation is being felt acutely by families and their loved ones on both sides of the conflict.

This complex and long standing issue has resulted in heartbreak and the unnecessary loss of thousands of lives.” A Greenwich Council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We understand there is strong feeling on both sides of the conflict and that people have a right to express those views. The council has a long-standing relationship with faith leaders in our community and they recently came together in an act of solidarity and to call for a speedy and peaceful resolution to this conflict.”

The South London Weekly is an independent newspaper covering all of south London and beyond Community Matters Media has been running independent newspapers since 1987, and now boasts the weeklies: South London Weekly, Southwark News and Greenwich & Lewisham Weekender, as well as the lifestyle magazines The South Londoner and Bermondsey Biscuit & Rotherhithe Docker. You can view all our content on www.southlondon.co.uk and sign up to newsletters to stay informed about news, lifestyle & events, people, sport and history. We believe in community and in balanced, independent and responsible journalism. As a south London business, we also work to support fellow local businesses. A dedicated team of staff work tirelessly to cover as much of what is going on as possible and strive to ensure that community-led, independent newspapers can survive and excel in a market dominated by national and multinational media groups.

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Community Matters Media Ltd 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 0207 231 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

NEWS 3

New Year's Day parade is back!

Existing Doubletree Docklands Pier in Rotherhithe

By Isabel Ramirez

The LoNDoN New year's Day Parade (LNyDP) will return on January 1st 2024 and Southwarkbased charity, carnaval Del Pueblo, is offering the chance to win two tickets - worth £150 each.

Thames Clippers boat

By Robert Firth Local Democracy Reporter LoNDoN couLD become home to the UK’s first fully electric ferry service. The zero emissions boat would transport passengers across the Thames between canary Wharf and rotherhithe.

The Thames Clippers service would run on renewables and replace the company’s current diesel ferry between the two destinations. Rotherhithe’s existing pier would be demolished

rotherhithe eyed for uk’s first fully electric ferry serVice

and replaced with a brand new pier, including a new pontoon, under the proposals brought forward by a group of developers led by Thames Clippers. Plans to redevelop the pier have been submitted to Southwark Council. Separate plans to make minor alterations to Canary Wharf Pier to accommodate the new service have been submitted to Tower Hamlets Council. The project would boost the capacity of each ferry from 100 passengers and five bikes to 150 passengers and 100

bikes on each crossing. The service would continue to run at around 15 minute intervals between 6am and 11:30pm. There are currently 158 ferry crossings between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe every day, with 79 departing from each respective pier. The journey between the two locations takes three minutes on average. Thames Clippers has won grant funding for the project from the government. Subject to Southwark Council and Tower Hamlets Council

approving the pier plans, the new ferry service should be in operation by February 2025. Transport for London (TfL) previously intended to build a footbridge connecting Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf, but the plans were scrapped in 2019 over costs. Local Liberal Democrat councillor Adam Hood branded the ferry proposals “second rate”. He said: “A footbridge would provide a convenient and free way to get across the river for locals. Residents now have to settle for an expensive and inefficient ferry.”

Kennedy Street Presents

The LNYDP has been running for the last three decades and Carnaval Del Pueblo is the official Latin American partner. Last year, they fundraised to get a marching band from El Salvador over to perform in the parade and hosted them here in Southwark. In addition, every London borough gets the chance to enter - and each will compete for a prize pot totalling forty thousand pounds for their mayor’s selected charities. Ten have successfully submitted entries – including Southwark. The entry 'Southwark’s Cultural Kaleidoscope,' - which parade organisers called 'spectacular' - celebrates the mix of cultures thriving in this borough. Each prize includes two seats in the VIP grandstand (opens from 11am) with highend bathroom facilities; two VIP goody bags (containing a flag, blanket, running order and hand warmers); every VIP seat is located within the TV Finale Area to watch the best performances live and from the best location along the Parade route and access to the VIP Street Food Village. All money raised will go to Carnaval del Pueblo Asociación, to support them in delivering their annual free music festival in Burgess Park. Enter the prize draw via crowdfunder.co.uk.

NATHAN CARTER AND HIS BAND LIVE 2024

FRI 15 MARCH

CROYDON fairfield.co.uk

www.nathancartermusic.com

www.kennedystreet.com

4 NEWS

Bipolar knifeman 'taking MDMA' in the days before 'bloodbath' court hears By court reporter

A man who knifed three generations of the same family to death had been taking MDMA in the days before the savage killings, a court heard on Tuesday.

Joshua Jacques, 29, is accused of murdering girlfriend Samantha Drummonds, 27, her mother Tanysha Ofori-Afuffo, 45, her grandmother Dolet Hill, 64 and Ms Hill’s husband, chef Denton Burke, 58. The 'bloodbath' took place at Mr Burke’s and Ms Hill’s home on Delaford Road, Bermondsey, in the early hours of 25 April last year. Hours before the killings Ms Drummond had phoned her best friend several times to raise concerns about Jacques’ mental state, the Old Bailey has heard. In a voice note she said: 'Josh is basically getting to the point where he could basically have an episode, like I don’t know what’s triggered him.' Giving evidence pychiatrist Dr Raman Deo was asked about Jacques' mental state at the time of the stabbings. He said: ‘There is sufficient evidence to suggest that Mr Jacques was suffering from abnormality of mental function. ‘(He had) bipolar disorder that substantially impaired his ability to make a judgement. He was also unable to exercise self-control, which resulted in the eventual stabbings of the victims. ‘It is highly unlikely but for his mental state that the killings would have occurred. Jacques had been diagnosed with Bipolar type one disorder, which produced manic, psychotic symptoms. The episodic mood disorder, which led to hypo-manic episodes or symptoms was likely to have been at least somewhat affected by Jacques’ cannabis intake. Jacques had also been taking MDMA, a form of ecstasy, in the days prior to the deaths. ‘I am satisfied that this man would have matched the criteria for bipolar affected disorder with psychotic symptoms. ‘It was noted he appeared somewhat sedated by prescribed medication.' Dr Deo said on the balance of probabilities Jacques was suffering

Joshua Jacques' girlfriend Samantha Drummonds

Joshua Jacques (Facebook)

from mental health issues 'and it did significantly impair his judgement on the night in question. ‘It is my view, he was manic and paranoid on a number of issues. ‘My opinion is that on balance the abnormality of mental function arising from bipolar disorder would have been a significant factor in the killings. ‘In the days and weeks prior to the killings, he was experiencing reduced sleep, paranoia and other symptoms indicating a possible relapse of his bipolar disorder. ‘Bipolar disorder is a recognised medical condition, I do not believe at the current time, there is evidence to suggest there is any other medical condition in this case.’ Ms Ofori-Akuffo was a qualified nurse while her mother Ms Hill had worked as a housekeeping assistant at Guy's and St Thomas's hospital in Westminster for 21 years before retiring in 2018. Jacques, of Minard Road, Lewisham, has admitted four counts of manslaughter but denies four counts of murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility The trial continues...

Tanysha OforiAkuffo

VICTIMS: Dolet Hill and Denton Burke

MP Neil Coyle accuses Southwark Council of 'withholding' report on Kirby Estate's widely-criticised £1.3 million window refurbishment By Herbie Russell

Local MP Neil Coyle has accused Southwark Council of withholding a building report looking into whether a Bermondsey estate’s £1.3 million window refurbishment was faulty.

The Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP claimed the council had failed to share the report with himself and Kirby Estate residents despite having “promised” to do so. In a letter addressed to Southwark councillor Ian Wingfield, Coyle said he believed residents had been “let down multiple times”. He called on Cllr Wingfield, chair of Southwark Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to review the debacle at a committee meeting.

A copy of Mr Coyle’s letter shared with this paper, said: “I have been in communication with estate residents for three years and believe they have been let down multiple times, including in recent commitments by council officers and councillors to ensure information was shared.” The Labour MP continued: “Kirby Estate residents deserve to be able to access information regarding their homes and have been waiting some time for reasonable questions to be answered. “It is my concern that information within the report should have been acted on to ensure repairs and works to ‘make good’ the window fittings could have been undertaken before this winter.” Kirby Estate residents have long claimed that poorly fitted windows, installed in

2020, are to blame for cold draughts and black mould growth. While the council accepted there could be issues “relating to the quality” of window fittings, it said there’s no evidence they’re causing the damp and mould. In 2020, a contractor authorised by FENSA – the regulatory body for window fittings – approved the installation. But in 2022, an inspection by International Glass Associates found various problems with the windows, including locks not engaging, missing fixings and sashes not fitting frames. It also identified damp and mould issues but blamed tenants. It said that some residents’ rooms were “ extremely cluttered” and another had put their “bed against the window”. Following an impassioned speech by

Kirby resident Marta Prieto at Council Assembly on July 12, Southwark Council pledged to reinspect the windows and discuss its findings with residents around August. But roughly three months later, residents are still waiting to see the report. Marta Prieto said: “Winter is just around the corner and the mould is back. All the MP Neil Coyle in his constituency office flats that were clean and lovely in the summer are now black again. Right now I'm sitting by my window and I can feel the breeze.” In a briefing paper shared with this paper, Southwark Council wrote: "In reference to Kirby Estate specifically, the windows were of a very high spec and the issues with ventilation are being addressed." No response was given to MP Coyle's claims about withholding the report. Mould gathering above a window

NEWS 5

Damp in the bathroom of Isatu Raschid\'s flat in Devon Mansions

By Robert Firth Local Democracy Reporter A Bermondsey woman’s plants all died after her flat was covered in what has been described as a “prison of scaffolding” during a council’s £4 million over budget building works. Karen O’Toole said she couldn’t understand why construction workers sent by Southwark Council left the scaffolding, which was covered in dark blue awning, up outside her apartment complex in Bermondsey for over a year in 2021.

She was one of at least several residents of Devon Mansions on Tooley Street who had serious concerns about the management of the five-storey building’s refurbishment which snowballed in cost from just under £6 million to £10 million. Works to the building were scheduled to take 13 months but ended up dragging on for over three years. The council awarded the contract for the works to Equans, with calfordseadon given responsibility for

Damp in Isatu Raschid\'s flat in Devon Mansions

managing the project. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) on Tuesday (December 5), Ms O’Toole said: “The scaffolding was up all throughout lockdown. The scaffolding was up for well over a year. They put this blue stuff over it and you could see [it] was blue. My plants all died because there was no light. I don’t know what happened to the £10 million. Where has that money gone? Nobody knows what’s going on.” Ms O’Toole, who has lived in the block for 20 years, added that residents had been promised new kitchens as part of the works to the block, but these had never materialised. David Quirke-Thornton, the council’s interim strategic director for housing, last week apologised to residents for failings in the project and revealed some staff involved in the works had already been suspended. He told a scrutiny meeting on November 29 that the council may have to launch fraud investigations, as well as take court action to recover costs from contractors involved

Photos by Robert Firth

WOMAN’S PLANTS DIED AFTER BUILDING COVERED IN SCAFFOLDING

Devon Mansions on Tooley Street

in the works. Ina Negoita, a Devon Mansions resident, told the same meeting that the council had ignored every single piece of evidence she had presented it with over months outlining concerns about the works. She said: “This project has run £4.2 million overspend without a single control from Southwark. Southwark has handed a completely blank cheque to its contractors and also to its consultants. We’ve been in a prison of scaffolding for almost three years.” Ms Negoita said she had compiled dozens of photos of builders smoking on the scaffold, which was made of wood. Construction workers had “minimum” protective gear, she added, claiming that none of the workers had helmets, harnesses or protective shoes. She said three cleaners allocated to the site had a single mop and dustpan between them. Meanwhile, residents suffered from a three-year-long rat and pigeon infestation, Ms Negoita added. One resident was even allegedly

assaulted by a scaffolder and her car damaged, Ms Negoita told the meeting. When the woman told a member of council staff about the incident, she was told to “take a bucket of water to clean the car,” Ms Negoita claimed. When the LDRS visited Devon Mansions on December 7, resident Isatu Raschid, 50, said there were so many rats around, she couldn’t open her bathroom window otherwise the rodents would sneak into her flat. She said: “I can’t open the bathroom window because rats come through. When the front door breaks we have rats coming into the building. They go upstairs and downstairs. I have to call the neighbours who have to come down and chase them out with a stick. I’ve got a disability and I can’t take any more stress.” Ms Raschid added that she had been trying to get the council to deal with damp problems in the flat for over a year without success. Victor Chamberlain, leader of Southwark’s Liberal Democrat opposition, said members of the council’s Labour leadership needed to be held

accountable for the failings. Councillor Chamberlain, member for Borough and Bankside, said: “Southwark’s housing department is rotten. Last month I demanded a root and branch review. Since then staff have had to be sacked and suspended. There are criminal allegations of fraud and assault, and residents are treated with contempt and have been kept in the dark.” Councillor Darren Merrill, cabinet member for council homes, apologised to residents and said an investigation into the failings was ongoing. He said: “The council had previously taken up residents’ concerns and had received assurances that things were being put right. However following our further investigations and in the light of the further evidence gathered by residents it is clear that failures have continued. We will be ensuring the work that has gone wrong is put right and will be fully investigating how this project got to such a place, so we can ensure such failings cannot happen again.”

Jay Bent on the Brandon estate in December 2023

would make much difference to the housing situation in Southwark due to what was happening in other parts of the borough. The 32-year-old, who now lives on the Brandon estate, said: “There are a lot of other places they can be knocking down and rebuilding with fewer homes. “They [the council] are making such a song and dance about how many council homes they are building. But they are not including in the amount they’ve sold off or knocked down. If you included them, it would be in a deficit. It would be a whole lot less.” While the Brandon estate now looks unlikely to follow the fate of Walworth’s other large estates and go under the wrecking ball like the Heygate and Aylesbury, it remains to be seen whether it can clean up its image. Only in July, four teenagers were stabbed following reports of a knife fight there But on a sunny winter’s afternoon on the Brandon estate, such reports are the last thing on people’s minds. As one woman tells me as she walks back to her flat: “Things aren’t perfect here but what’s the alternative? They knock it down like the Heygate and we move where? I’ll stick with imperfect thanks.” Rare bus shelter on protected list - see page 16

By Robert Firth

Local Democracy Reporter residents have heaped praise on the decision to protect an estate once notorious for gangland murders from the bulldozer – arguing it’s a good place to live. The Brandon estate in Walworth was added to Southwark’s Local List on Tuesday (December 5) – a record of over 2,000 buildings in the borough that are important to the area’s history.

Its inclusion on the list makes it less likely that the estate, which was built in 1958, will be bulldozed or redeveloped in the future. One person who nominated the estate praised its six 18-storey towers for their “elongated balcony provision with great views and access to outdoor space.” It represents a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for the Brandon estate, which the Evening Standard described as “blighted by violent crime” as recently as 2018, after two members of the Moscow17 drill group were killed within months of each other near the estate. Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton, 17, (known as GB) from the Brandon estate was shot dead on the corner of John Ruskin Street and Camberwell New Road in May 2018.

Cameron Long on the Brandon estate, Walworth in December 2023.

Three months later, Siddique Kamara, 23, (known as Incognito) was fatally stabbed on Warham Street. But on a bright chilly afternoon on Wednesday, December 6, not a single local resident brought up the estate’s history of violence when asked about their thoughts on the council giving it special protection. Jay Bent, a former resident of the nearby Aylesbury estate who now lives next to the Brandon estate, said he supported the principle of protecting social housing.

Photos by Robert Firth

Gang killings estate given protection from bulldozer

The 41-year-old said: “I think it’s a good thing. It’s social housing and it’s cheaper rent. If they demolish them, it never works out as good. “I used to live on the Aylesbury estate and where they moved us is not as good. When I was on the Aylesbury a lot of things were included in the rent like the heating, which is not the case now.” Brandon estate resident Diane, who declined to give her surname, agreed – but admitted some buildings on the estate

were ageing and needed updating. She said: “I think it’s a great idea because it’s social housing. That’s what we need. They could do with fixing it up though. The green space is well used too. My local church uses it for classes for children in the summer and there are events on it, which is really good. “The biggest problem is with the heating and hot water. And the water pressure is awful. You can’t get a decent shower. The stairs are very slippery in the winter and a few people have fallen over because of the conditions. It’s a good place to live otherwise.” But Cameron Long, who was born on the former nearby Heygate estate that was demolished over a decade ago, said he doubted protecting the Brandon estate

6 NEWS

met police ' bent out of shape' by gaza protest policing says commissioner

By Noah Vickers

Local Democracy Reporter The Met Police has been severely “bent out of shape” by the strain of policing the central London protests over the conflict in Israel and Gaza, City Hall has been told.

Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley admitted on Wednesday that the protests and offences related to the conflict had required officers to be redeployed from different parts of the force “more clumsily than I would like”. Speaking at a London Policing Board meeting chaired by mayor Sadiq Khan, Sir Mark said the Met had so far spent 28,000 officer shifts on Operation Brocks – the force’s response to the knock-on effects of the situation in the Middle East in London. That number has been augmented by “16,000 officer shifts on mutual aid from other forces, which we’ll be continuing with”, the commissioner said.

He also told the board: “We are severely – and I anticipate for the long term – bent out of shape, both organisationally, and [in a way] that affects many individuals… “We’ve got over 800 open hate crime cases that we’re working through, which will take thousands of officer hours to work through them and try and bring offenders to justice. “And that’s in the context of, from the 7th of October to today, compared to this time last year, we’re running at a now around twelve-fold increase in anti-Semitic hate crime and three-fold increase in anti-Muslim hate crime.” Sir Mark said these added pressures were having “a big impact on dayto-day policing”, including officers increasingly having to work 12-hour shifts at weekends, rather than the usual 10. “We’re doing immense amounts of extra community policing in the neighbourhoods of Jewish

communities and Muslim communities, because of the increases in hate crime and the anxiety they fear, but the remainder of community policing is massively degraded,” the commissioner said.

He suggested that weekend neighbourhood policing in an average ward – small administrative areas which make up London boroughs – had been reduced by around two thirds. “Normally, in a ward, you might have

about one and a half officers on patrol at a weekend – neighbourhood police officers. On average you’ve got a half, at the moment, so that’s the sort of degree of impact that it’s having,” he said. The commissioner later acknowledged that the re-deploying of officers could be done in a better way, saying: “Because of our foundations – some of our HR and training and resource deployment and management not being as strong as they need to – when you’re moving big numbers of people around the organisation, we’re doing it more clumsily than I would like… “So that impacts on individuals, which goes into them actually feeling negatively about the organisation.” He said the Met was maintaining the level of response it gives to “critical” and violent incidents, but that the number of officer “rest days” being cancelled as a result of the increased pressures was “not sustainable”.

Plans unveiled for new secondary in Kingston Council to spend over £1.7m for major repairs at primary By Charlotte Lilywhite

Local Democracy Reporter

By Charlotte Lilywhite

Plans to build a new 920-pupil secondary school in South London have been unveiled.

The new Kingston Church of England (CofE) Secondary School in Norbiton would be for pupils aged between 11 and 16 years old. The Department for Education has submitted plans to Kingston Council to build the new school on Jack Goodchild Way. It would accommodate 920 pupils, including 20 students with special educational needs, and around 120 members of staff. It would be managed by the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education Multi-Academy Trust. The main classrooms would be on the upper floors of the five-storey building, which would have a sports hall, activity studio, dining hall and main hall. The school would also have games areas for different sports, along with hard and soft play areas. Kings Meadow Preschool would be demolished as part of the development. Existing buildings used by Weir Archer Academy would be moved to another part of the site and extended. The wider community would be able to use parts of the new school outside of school hours. A statement submitted with the application said: “Whilst the proposal results in the loss of the nursery on site, there is no net loss of community facilities due to the scale of the proposed secondary education facility which provides a considerable uplift in floor area and provides a number of additional community facilities including sports hall and changing rooms.” The statement also said the council “does not have sufficient capital available to expand existing schools in the borough to the extent that enough additional places would be created to meet forecast demand, neither do the schools in the areas of high demand

Local Democracy Reporter A South London council has set aside more than £1.7million to replace leaky roofs and out-ofdate fire alarm systems, along with further repairs, at a South London primary school. The major project will be carried out at Lovelace Primary School in Chessington next year.

Kingston Council’s corporate and resources committee approved the addition of £758,000 to the original £971,788 budget for the works on November 30. Later in the meeting, the committee also awarded a contract for the repairs to CityAxis Ltd, at an expected cost of £1,344,751. It comes after a survey of the school showed four roofs and fire alarm systems had come to the end of their working lives and needed to be replaced. It also revealed further repairs needed to be carried out on the window surrounds and doors of the building. A council report said the authority originally allocated a budget of £971,778 for the project to address the “then known main issues regarding roof leaks and dilapidation,

have enough space to be expanded without major and highly disruptive rebuilds”. It added: “The only way to meet that need, therefore, remains through the provision of another new secondary school. The proposed development has been identified to address the proposed shortfall of secondary school places.” #The school is planned to open in

September 2025, if the scheme is approved. Kingston Council will make a decision on the application in due course.

Images one and two: CGI of the proposed new secondary school on Jack Goodchild Way in Kingston. Credit: Department for Education/Bowmer + Kirkland, provided in Kingston Council documents

and required replacement of the fire alarm and detection systems within the buildings at the school”. It said the need for extra works had since come to light and required an addition of £758,000 to the budget, bringing it to £1,729,778. The report said investing in the school to “replace the defective roofs and obsolete fire alarm system will address health and safety risks and improve the enjoyment and comfort for all users within the school”. At the meeting, Lib Dem councillor Noel Hadjimichael added: “This is a balancing act. Council has a statutory responsibility to provide education environments that meet the health and safety, the environmental and building standards, required for this very important responsibility. “Investing in our educational establishments to replace defective infrastructure such as roofs or obsolete fire alarm systems will address key health and safety risks, plus also improve and capture the opportunity to enhance the enjoyment and comfort of all users within the school location.” The works will be carried out from February to September 2024.

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What's On 23/24 Box office 020 8463 0100 • blackheathhalls.com • & DANCE PART OF TRINITY LABAN CONSERVATOIRE OF MUSIC

Tom Robinson Band

Sun 14 Jan, 8pm

Shelf The Kids' Show

Sun 3 Mar, 7pm Sat 10 Feb, 2.30pm

SAT 18 Nov, 11am & 3pm Sun 26 Nov, 7pm

Fri 22 Dec, 1.30pm & 4pm Sat 23 Dec, 11am & 1.30pm

Mark Watson Sat 27 Jan, 8pm

N'Faly Kouyate Sat 17 Feb, 8pm

Sat 20 Apr, 2pm & 4pm Sun 21 Apr, 11am & 2pm

8 NEWS

new 'superMarket' opens in caMberwell where you can get £25 worth of groceries for a fiVer

By Isabel Ramirez

purchase about £25 worth of food, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products. Membership is completely free and open to anyone getting an eligible benefit or on low income. Felicia Boshorin, the CEO of Spring Community Hub explained: “We will continue to offer crisis support through our food bank where necessary but this will offer more choice and dignity to the people we serve.

A NeW 'supermarket' has opened in camberwell where low-income families who sign up can get £25 worth of groceries for a fiver.

Spring Community Hub, a charity known for its food bank and free holiday clubs, opened the Spring Social Supermarket on its new premises last week - The Hub. For £5, members will be able to

Warm Space - where people can go to have a coffee and chat during the day to avoid putting the heating on at home. The Mayor of Southwark, Councillor Michael Situ, and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Kieron Williams cut the ribbon to open the new space located on Vestry Road. The new pantry will join other similar schemes, where members pay a small subscription fee for groceries worth more to help them save money during

By Isabel Ramirez oNe huNDreD and fifty residents got to see the pantomime for free thanks to the annual tradition of a tenants' and residents' association (TrA) in Bermondsey.

Last week, Christmas came

early when Cherry Garden TRA took the group of residents to see 'Snow White' at Greenwich Theatre - free of charge. Sheila Taylor, who is on the TRA, said it's something they have done every year since 2017 - using the money they get from renting out the community hall.

the cost of living crisis, in Bermondsey (Love North Southwark), Peckham (Peckham Pantry) and St Giles' Trust in Camberwell. The Hub is located at 86-88 Vestry Road, SE5 8PQ. You can register in person or contact Spring Community Hub on 07901 617189. Spring Social Supermarket is open 4 days a week - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10am to 2pm.

Free mulled wine and face painting at Peckham indoor market

By Isabel Ramirez A STreeT food market in Peckham is offering free mulled wine and face painting to families to kick-off christmas.

Residents treated to the pantomime by estate group

"We want our members to enjoy the dignity of choosing their own shopping and we want them to be able to put a culturally appropriate, healthy meal together. She added: "We are working towards a future where food banks are no longer needed." As well as the supermarket, The Hub will allow them to continue with their food and clothes bank, as well as embark on their new ventures such as being a

"What's brilliant about the pantomime is that it attracts all ages," she told us, "from grandparents to babies on laps. "Everybody enjoys the excitement, the singing and dancing, laughter and surprises - it's a lovely, happy family event." "We nearly half-fill the

theatre!" she commented. The theatre-goers come from their TRA and the whole surrounding area, which she said 'creates a great community spirit.' As well as the yearly trip to the pantomime, they also give forty local pensioners a £50 Tesco gift voucher using the

rest of the hall's earnings. "We decide who to allocate those to by asking in our newsletter for people to put themselves or their neighbours forward." She added that the tokens are very appreciated - with people grateful for an extra £50 at Christmastime.

Market Place Peckham is holding 'Festive Sip and Paint' sessions at their venue to celebrate the days before Christmas, along with all other Market Place venues across the capital. On Thursday 21 and Friday 22 December there will be free mulled wine for adults at the indoor market on Rye Lane. To keep the children entertained there will be face painting and gift giveaways - all free of charge. It all works on a first-come-firstserve basis and all children must be accompanied by an adult. The market hosts a variety of popup food stalls with a cuisine for all tastes. Get down there before it's too late. Where? Market Place Peckham, Unit 10, The Aylesham Centre, Rye Ln, SE15 5EW When? 12 - 5pm on Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd December Admission: Free

NEWS 9

Millwall players Make young cancer patients sMile this christMas season

By Isabel Ramirez

MiLLWALL fooTBALL club players visited a hospital ward in Lewisham to deliver christmas cheer and gifts to children and adults with cancer.

Last week, players and club staff brought sacks of presents for an afternoon of playing Santa at University Hospital Lewisham (UHL). Gifts included official club pennants, water bottles and Zampa soft toys as well as the chance to take photos. One member of staff even treated the Millwall players to a bespoke Millwall Christmas song. The first stop for the team was the children’s wards, where many young patients undergoing cancer treatment will be spending Christmas. Players also met with adult patients in Suite 8 at UHL which specialises in cancer care. One of the adult patients they met, Joeseph Tsarigarides, said the visit gave him 'the boost' he needed. "I was feeling down and was about to call the Macmillan Support Line, but the players walked in and picked me up.

"This visit lifted my spirits," he added, "Thank you, Millwall." Billy Mitchell, Millwall Midfielder, explained: "Christmas is about giving and spending time with loved ones and some people in hospital haven't got that opportunity at the minute. "We thought we'd come down and try and raise some spirits, give a bit of Christmas cheer and speak to some of the children and adults alike, give out a few gifts and hopefully put some smiles on their faces." The Trust Charity is inviting local communities to give a gift to the young patients at University Hospital Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital who are too ill to go home and spend Christmas with their families. Donations can include new toys in the original packaging such as baby toys, educational toys, arts and crafts sets, board games and toiletries gift sets. They are unable to accept cuddly toys and ask that anyone donating gifts not wrap them. Toys can be dropped off at University Hospital Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s main reception, between 10 am and 3 pm every day until 22 December.

Kevin Nisbet, Romain Esse, Aidomo Emakhu, Billy Mitchell, with patient Colin Travers on children's ward UHL.

10 NEWS

dad needing oVerseas treatMent for 'aggressiVe' brain cancer raises £1,200 at berMondsey coMedy night

By Herbie Russell A BerMoNDSey comedy night has raised £1,200 for a man seeking overseas treatment for his “aggressive” brain cancer.

John Greengrass, 68, has a Glioblastoma stage four brain tumour (GBM) but many of the treatment options aren’t available on the NHS. Visitors poured into the London City Runners bar to show their support for the beloved family man and enjoy a night of laughs, on Thursday, December 7. John, who is from Ingatestone, Essex, wrote: “GBM is very aggressive and has an average survival rate of less than a year, but some patients are able to win the battle if they can afford treatment options overseas that aren’t currently offered by the NHS. “I’m determined to try everything I can to beat this thing and to help broaden the treatment options available for others in the future, which is why my wife, children and I are fundraising to pursue ground-breaking treatment both in the UK and abroad.” John received the shock diagnosis in October and has already undergone surgery but the cancer that’s spread elsewhere in his brain still needs treatment. Some of the treatment options have been approved by the NHS but won’t be available until next year. “Which sadly is too long for me to wait,” John wrote. So John, his wife Susan, and two children Jennifer and Michael, need to raise £225,000 tow pursue ground-breaking treatment abroad. They have so far raised roughly £19,000. John, a retired financial advisor, is a muchloved community figure in his Essex home. He is treasurer of a local railway society,

John Greengrass and his wife Susan chair of a local golf club, loves daily walks with his wife, and is known for making a “mean marmalade”. The comedy night saw performances from Gbemi, Sophie Zucker and Dane Buckley. Donate to John's fundraiser and keep track of future fundraising events using this link.

Elton John's pioneering AIDS work in Southwark applauded by MPs

Sir Elton John spoke at Speaker's House last month

John’s children Jennifer and Michael Greengrass at the comedy night

By Herbie Russell Sir eLToN John’s pioneering work tackling hiv and AiDS in Southwark has been applauded by MPs.

His foundation undertook a threeyear pilot in Southwark, Lewisham and Lambeth to see whether optout testing - where blood is tested for HIV during routine A&E care could save lives. During the trial between 2018 and 2021, over 200 people received a new HIV diagnosis and the government will now expand optout testing to 46 more emergency departments across England. Sir Elton John, addressing a packed Speaker’s House on November 29, said: “This pioneering approach showed beyond a doubt that optout testing works in A&E. “Automatic testing gets to people earlier, which means less HIV transmission, less illness, less death and by the estimate of health economists, £50 million saved for the NHS.” He also urged the government to restore its full financial commitment to The Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. “Abandoning ending AIDS wouldn’t just be a failure for the 39 million people living with the disease,” Sir Elton John said. “We should be increasing our commitment to the Global Fund, not cutting it.” Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, said: “It was amazing to see Sir Elton John acknowledged for his decades of work trying to help people affected by HIV and AIDS.

“Southwark has a higher prevalence of the conditions than elsewhere but our local community has been part of the pioneering work to tackle HIV. “Sir Elton was incredibly funny but also spoke movingly about why he got involved initially and the work still to do, especially in the face of some countries and some malignant UK politicians whipping up hate against gay people sadly.” Nationally, an estimated 4,500 people are living with undiagnosed HIV in England. Lambeth Council previously warned that the rate of undiagnosed HIV in Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark was “extremely high”. Lambeth and Southwark have the highest and second-highest HIV prevalence rate in England, with 13.7 and 12 people diagnosed per every 1,000. Sir Elton John also shared his personal reflections on the battle to end the AIDS epidemic. He said: “In the 1990s, I visited far too many homes where people were dying of AIDS. I remember the helpless, suffocating feeling as one after another they succumbed, not knowing if it would ever end. "These memories are etched on my soul, and they taught me a lot. I saw, as millions did, images of my friend Princess Diana publicly shake the hand of a man dying of AIDS and realised a simple act of compassion is a force to be reckoned with.” “My Foundation was born the year after Freddie {Mercury] died. Spreading love and compassion was our compass. Leaving no one behind was our practice.”

Man arrested after stabbing in Brixton By Herbie Russell A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a stabbing in Brixton.

Police were called to Loughborough Road shortly before 7pm on Saturday, December 9. A seriously injured nineteen-year-old man was rushed to hospital. His condition has been assessed as life-threatening. A man was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice after a bicycle was reportedly taken from the scene. He was later further arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. The Central South Criminal Investigation Department is currently leading the investigation, supported by local officers. A spokesperson for the Met Police said: “Police were called to Loughborough Road, SW9 shortly before 19.00hrs on Saturday, 9 December to reports of a stabbing. “Officers attended along with paramedics from London Ambulance Service (LAS) where they found a 19-year-old man who was seriously injured. “He was treated at the scene by police and paramedics before being taken to hospital. His condition has been assessed as lifethreatening. “A man was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice in relation to a bicycle being taken from the scene. He has been further arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. “Detectives from the Met's Central South CID are leading the investigation.” Police are appealing for anyone with information or any witnesses yet to speak with police to contact them via 101 or @ MetCC on X quoting CAD 5813/9dec.

Southwark News, Thursday December 14 2023

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 13

ADVERTORIAL

Cancer survivor walks 50km to mark 50th anniversary of mum’s death A KEEN walker has hiked a staggering 50km along the River Thames in a single day to fundraise for Guy’s Cancer Charity. Steve Weiner, 60, has set out to raise £100,000 – one of the biggest fundraising targets of any individual fundraiser for the charity - in memory of his mother, Susan, who passed away from breast cancer when he was just 10 years old. Steve, who is originally from the US but now lives near Tower Bridge, walked through his adopted hometown of London on 30 November. Starting from Walton-on-Thames, he finished his longest ever walking feat at the front door of Guy’s Cancer Centre. Along the way he was joined by friends and family for support. Steve’s challenge was inspired by his mum. He said: “It’s 50 kilometres, one to mark each year since she passed, and 31 miles, a mile for every year of her life.” In 2017, Steve faced his own cancer battle. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer and received treatment at Guy’s Cancer Centre. After successful surgery, Steve has been cancer free for the past 6 years. His daughter, now 28, was named

Steve Weiner

after his mum and has had genetic testing to understand her cancer risk. “The impact of cancer is deeply personal. Lives, such as mine and my mom’s, were forever shaped by the series of moments that begin with a diagnosis.” Steve is a former non-executive director at the Trust and joined the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Board of Directors in 2014. During his 9-year term he ensured that the executive team acted in the best interests of patients and the public, whilst also being a patient himself. Mr Rick Popert, Steve’s surgeon, said: “In this fundraising challenge Steve is demonstrating yet again his commitment to ensuring patients and their families are at the heart of everything we do. Myself and the team wish him the best of luck.” Guy’s Cancer Charity supports Guy’s Cancer to transform cancer care through the very latest developments in personalised care. From tailored treatments to the ongoing support of the dedicated clinicians, they help support advances in cancer care. To support Steve’s fundraising, visit: https://fundraise.guyscancercharity.org. uk/cf/steve-weiner

Tell Guy’s and St Thomas’ who has gone the extra mile GUY’S AND St Thomas’ will be recognising the most outstanding members of staff and the contribution they make at its Trust Awards. Patients and the public are invited to nominate an individual or team that have gone above and beyond to deliver exceptional patient care or a service. The awards are open to all staff

You can still protect yourself and your family this winter

from our 5 hospitals and community services. To make a nomination, please complete the form at www. guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/form/ trust-awards or visit one of our onsite PALS offices for a paper form. The deadline for nominations is midnight on Sunday 17 December 2023. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in March 2024.

FLU AND COVID-19 vaccines are still available at our Francis House vaccination centre at Guy’s hospital. The national booking system closes on 14 December, but you can book an appointment using the Guy’s and St Thomas’

booking system after this date. It’s important to get your winter vaccinations if you, or someone you care for, are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu and COVID-19. Vaccines are available to those who are:

• aged 65 or over • have certain health conditions or a learning disability • are pregnant • live with someone who has a weakened immune system • are a carer

We will continue to offer some walk-in appointments but please check online for opening times. Visit www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/ourservices/flu-and-covid-19-vaccinations for further details and to book.

Register now for a place in Nursery or Reception in September 2024 Find out more and apply at www.rosemeadprep.org.uk Dulwich, London SE21 8HZ

NEWS 13

caMpaigners rally after plan for More public toilets 'blocked' by southwark council John McGeachy (far left) and Thelma Purcell (second in from left)

By Isabel Ramirez A GrouP of local campaigners is asking for more public toilets in Southwark, with one woman saying there are so few she often can't go out for longer than an hour.

This follows the council's decision to vote against devising a 'public toilet strategy' when asked at last month's council assembly. The motion, put forward by Liberal Democrat Cllr Rachel Bentley, also asked for there to be 'a named designated officer responsible for its delivery.' Now, the Loos for Southwark campaign, made up of mainly pensioners in the borough, is demanding action. Thelma Purcell, a pensioner from

Rotherhithe, told us she joined the campaign because the lack of loos is restricting her daily. "I drink about a litre of water in the mornings when I wake up," she told us, "so I have to plan any events, activities, and appointments to ensure that I have access to a toilet." "Journeys cannot be longer than an hour. Currently, there are over 40 public toilets in Southwark - including 33 maintained by the council, but the group maintain there are not enough. Thelma commented: "The lack of public toilets for me and others like me, restricts what we can do and how far we can travel without loo provision." She explained that to avoid needing the toilet when out, she would avoid drinking water and then be dehydrated - an experience shared by many others.

According to research conducted by Age UK London last year (2022), 90 per cent of Londoners have considered public toilet provision before making a journey and over 52 per cent said they sometimes reduce the amount they drink before leaving home. Following the decision, which campaigners said was 'disappointing' - the group asked to meet with the council to put forward their case and they agreed. The main ask of the group is that the council set up a Community Toilet Scheme - whereby businesses sign up granting public access to the toilets in their buildings within chosen times. As well as increasing the number of available toilets, this would also limit the cost of new toilets having to be built. John McGeachy, Campaigns Manager

for Age UK, said this was not a new idea. "The council actually started plans for the scheme a few years ago," he told us. In fact, the form is still available on their website for businesses to sign up. John continued: "You've got Lewisham next door, which runs one of the best community toilet schemes in London - which shows it can work if everyone is on board." The scheme is run there by Lewisham Local, a community organisation - and as a result, there are significantly more public toilets available in that borough. John said they haven't got any response about implementing this scheme specifically even though it appeared the council already had plans to start one. We asked the council what happened to these plans, and why they were

abandoned - but they did not respond before deadline. John added that in January they are meeting with the Cabinet Officer for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Evelyn Akoto, to continue discussing the borough's toilet provision. Thelma commented: "We want to see a joined-up approach across all the London Boroughs including the City of London. Asked what this will mean for residents if no plan is decided, she said it would discourage people from leaving the house - "we either stay at home and our mental and physical health deteriorates or we don't drink enough and suffer from dehydration." In addition to the toilets on the map, there are also four additional toilets - at Peckham Rye, Denmark Hill, Waterloo and Elephant and Castle (Rail) Station.

ENJOY THE WONDERS OF WINTER SAFELY Look after yourself over winter by practicing self-care and seeking NHS help when you need it.

GENERAL PRACTICE TEAM: Your

inter is here. Taking good care of yourself and your loved ones is even more important. Darker days and cold weather can affect our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Viruses spread more easily; cold and damp weather can worsen existing health problems and make us more vulnerable to respiratory infections. There are lots of things you can do to help yourself. Eating nutritious food, exercising regularly, getting plenty of good quality sleep and doing activities that make you happy can all help. So can getting your Covid-19 and flu vaccination and continuing with frequent handwashing. Southwark health and care providers continue to work closely together as Partnership Southwark to provide joined up care for people in Southwark.

ML4911 NHS SEL CCG Southwark Vaccine Booster Advertorial Update FIN.indd 1

GET HEALTH ADVICE AND SUPPORT WHEN YOU NEED IT SELF-CARE FIRST: If you have a cough or cold, hangover, graze, or an upset stomach you can treat the symptoms at home. In fact, staying at home and getting plenty of rest is the best place for you.

GP surgery team includes GPs, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists, social prescribers, paramedics and physiotherapists. You’ll be seen by the most appropriate team member for your needs to help you get fast and effective care. To contact your GP surgery, you can call the surgery or sign up to use free, online services through the NHS App. In the NHS App, you can view and manage appointments, conveniently order repeat prescriptions, view your GP test results, and quickly check symptoms. Read more about the NHS App at www.nhs.uk. Your GP surgery will get you the right help quickly if it is urgent. This may include an appointment out of hours through the local Extended Primary Care Services or at another local NHS service.

NHS 111: If you need urgent advice outside of GP hours, go to NHS 111 online to find out how to get the right healthcare in Southwark, including whether you need to see a GP or seek urgent care. If you don’t have the internet, call 111 to speak to a trained advisor. The service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

PHARMACY: Pharmacists are highly skilled and qualified healthcare professionals who are readily available in the community to answer questions about common health problems. You don’t need an appointment, and many are open late. If symptoms suggest it is something serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need. For example, they will tell you if you need to see a GP, nurse, or other healthcare professional. Find out about the Pharmacy First scheme in Southwark at selondonics.org/ PharmacyFirst-Southwark

UTCs (urgent treatment centres): UTCs provide medical help for minor injuries and nonlife-threatening emergencies like breaks and sprains, wound dressing, or an X-ray. Read more about when to visit an urgent treatment centre (walk-in centre or minor injury unit) at selondonics.org/ NHS-urgent-treatment-centre

A&E: You should call 999 in a life-threatening emergency only. If you cannot call 999 for any reason, go straight to A&E.

31/10/2023 16:32

NEWS 15

eighteen years for posing as Model scout and getting indecent pics of children

By Herbie Russell

A KeNNiNGToN man who posed as a model agency scout to manipulate children into sending indecent photographs has been jailed for eighteen years.

Ishmael Duncan, 24, exploited 28 female victims, some as young as nine, although investigators believe he contacted close to 10,000 children online. He was convicted of 50 counts, including blackmail and child sex offences, at Inner London Crown Court in August, before being sentenced on Thursday, December 7. One victim, who read an impact statement before the court, said: “Because of what you did to me, I isolated myself from my family and friends for months

Four police officers on restricted duties after 'fight' on the South Bank

because I was disgusted with myself. “Although I now know deep down that none of this was my fault, I still cannot help blaming myself and feeling some guilt. “You have made me suffer for four years and I feel that what you did to me will stay with me forever.” Duncan would approach potential victims via Snapchat and ask if they were interested in becoming models for wellknown fashion brands. The girls, who lived in the UK, US, Canada and Australia, would be asked for their age and personal details before he requested clothed images or videos. Duncan would then request topless photos, saying he needed to assess victims’ body shapes and use them as a base for editing in potential clothes to be

Ishmael Duncan

By Herbie Russell A WeST Dulwich who has treated patients with uncommon cancers for 25 years has won an award at 10 Downing Street.

modelled. He then created a new account to contact the same victims, sometimes months later, threatening to expose the images unless they agreed to send more images. The National Crime Agency (NCA) began its investigation when two sisters in the US reported being threatened after sending explicit images to one of the accounts. Through the analysis of IP data, the NCA was able to link Duncan to all the accounts. He was arrested in July 2021 at his home. Separate from posing as a model scout, the NCA found he sometimes targeted other victims while claiming to be a child of a similar age, requesting sexual images and videos. Duncan blackmailed a 14-year-old girl

Golden Jubilee Bridge

Detectives have “become aware of information” suggesting off-duty police officers were involved in the fight last Friday night (December 1). Police are now calling for anyone involved - including a group of men believed to be of Romanian heritage to step forward with information. Officers were called to the bridge by Royal Festival Hall after receiving reports of people fighting shortly before 11pm on Friday. A Met Police statement said: “Enquiries were carried out that night and the Met quickly became aware of information suggesting that off-duty

with learning difficulties who sent him images, and also offered her $1,000 to engage in a sexual act with her brother. Officers recovered 19,120 indecent images of children categories A-C (A being the most severe) from his electronic devices and cloud storage. The NCA’s CEOP Education programme supports parents, carers, children and the professionals to ensure young people have safe and positive experiences online. If someone is threatening a child online, including demanding nude images or money, it’s safest to not respond, and to block and report them to the site and the Police. Under 18 year olds worried about online sexual abuse, including online blackmail, can also report directly to the NCA’s CEOP Safety Centre by visiting www.ceop.police.uk

Police call for witnesses after cyclist dies following lorry collision on the Old Kent Road

Professor Ian Judson was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Prime Minister’s residence on Monday, November 27. He has dedicated his career to treating patients with sarcoma as Head of the Sarcoma Unit at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea. Professor Judson has conducted many clinical trials in this area and was a founder member of the British Sarcoma Group, its president until 2015. “This is a huge honour, and deeply appreciated. I have been involved in sarcoma care since 1991 and the way the field has changed in that time is astonishing,” he said. Sarcomas are uncommon cancers that can affect any part of the body, on the inside or outside, including the muscle, bone, tendons, blood vessels and fatty tissues. There are around 100 different sub-types of sarcoma cancer. Health and Secondary Care Minister Andrew Stephenson MP was among those attending the Shining Stars Awards. The awards ceremony was run by Sarcoma UK, a national charity funding vital research, of which Professor Judson used to be a board member. It is the only cancer charity in the UK focusing on all types of sarcoma and has invested more than £5.5 million into 76 research projects to date.

By Herbie Russell

By Herbie Russell four MeT Police officers have been placed on restricted duties after reports of a fight on Jubilee Bridge at the South Bank.

Dulwich man gets award at 10 Downing Street after 25 years of cancer treatment work

police officers were involved in the fight.” Four Met officers have been placed on restricted duties while an investigation takes place. They are no longer on public-facing duties. No arrests have been made. Detective Inspector Nicholas Goldwater is leading the investigation and said: “Our CID team is working alongside colleagues from the Directorate of Professional Standards to ascertain the facts of the incident, which led to numerous calls being made to the police that night. “We are pursuing all lines of enquiry to establish what happened, including

viewing a large amount of CCTV footage. These CCTV enquiries are lengthy and ongoing. “We would like to hear from anyone who was involved – including a group of men we believe to be of Romanian heritage – who may have information about the incident.” Anyone with information or footage, or anyone who witnessed the fights but has yet to speak with police is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC ref CAD 7908/01Dec. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

DeTecTiveS Are appealing for witnesses after a cyclist died following a collision involving a lorry on the old Kent road.

Emergency services were called to the junction with St James’s Road at 6.36pm on Tuesday, December 5. Despite paramedics’ best efforts, the 53-year-old man tragically died at the scene. The driver of the lorry stopped at the scene and there have been no arrests. The man’s next of kin has been notified. Police say their enquiries are ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the collision or has dash-cam footage is asked to call the witness line on 020 8285 1574, call 101, or contact @MetCC on 'X' quoting 5873/05DEC23.

Professor Ian Judson

16 NEWS

That’s because Southwark Council has approved its ‘Local List’ - a collection of 2,449 structures and buildings including pubs, former factories and schools. The list means heritage assets that don’t meet the criteria for national listing - such as Grade I or II - are recognised for their “localised merit”. The list includes the bus shelter on South Croxted Road between Dulwich and Gipsy Hill. Built by members of the community, commuters are often grateful that they can shelter under its expansive rustic canopy. Over 70 people nominated it for local listing, with one member of the public commenting: “The lovely wooden bus shelter only exists as a local resident gave up their garden to support the wider schools and housing expansion in this area. “There used to be two matching wooden shelters here, and this one

The Revd Mark Oakley at the Sunday ceremony.

By Herbie Russell The Very Reverend Dr Mark Oakley has been installed as the Dean of Southwark.

He was inaugurated at Southwark Cathedral in a special service of Choral Evensong on Sunday, December 3. He is now the most senior priest at the Cathedral, having taken over from The Very Revd Andrew Nunn, who resigned in July. Dr Oakley drew on the words of 17th century bishop Lancelot Andrewes

The wooden bus shelter on South Croxted Road © Google Street View online

A rare wooden bus shelter between Dulwich and Gipsy Hill is among thousands of Southwark landmarks that have been awarded better protection against demolition.

survives. There are now only a handful of original wooden bus shelters in South London, and this may be the only one in Southwark. “The local community and Dulwich Society secured funding to maintain in 2015. It has a local plaque installed to explain its local history.” The Old Mill building on Copeland Road, Peckham, received the highest number of nominations from local people with 153. Built in 1958 by the London County Council, the estate has a mix of lower buildings, a square, and six 18-storey towers – the tallest in London at the time. One commenter said the reasons why the Brandon Estate deserved nomination included: “Compact and well-designed plans which mean that each flat in the tower has [an] elongated balcony provision with great views and access to outdoor space.” Another commenter wrote: “Public art used to bring a sense of place – sculpture by Henry Moore, the Wooley [sic] mammoth and other mosaic pieces on external walls including the Jack Hobbs Centre.” The Local List got approval from the council’s Cabinet on Tuesday 5 November, subject to call-in.

By Herbie Russell

95-year-old Sheila Clifford

The Brandon Estate

The Very Revd Dr Mark Oakley installed as the Dean of Southwark

in his sermon, setting out his vision for the cathedral "to continue being a place that engages with what matters what really matters - and do it in such a way that - plausibly, imaginatively contributes to public life and debate.” He added: “That partners with people: creatives and charities and schools and liveries and community leaders, residents, politicians, local government, business, those of world faiths and none. Any - any - who shares values of the common good, because this world badly needs some kindness.”

Rare wooden bus shelter in Dulwich among thousands of local Southwark landmarks awarded special protection

Among those who gave official greetings to the new Dean at the service were Deputy Lieutenant Lynn Cooper as the King's representative, and Cllr Michael Situ, Mayor of Southwark. Musicians from St John’s College Cambridge, where Dr Oakley was Dean of Chapel, supported the Cathedral’s choir of girls, boys and lay clerks. Dr Oakley has previously been a canon of St Paul's Cathedral, an Anglican chaplain in Copenhagen and a rector of St Paul's Covent Garden.

Old Mill Building

25 firefighters help ten people escape fire 'involving tumble dryer' By Herbie Russell Ten people have escaped a fire believed to have involved a tumble dryer in Deptford.

25 firefighters and four fire engines were called to Creek Road at 1am, on Wednesday, December 6. Crews from Deptford, Greenwich, New Cross and East Greenwich had brought the blaze under control by 1.57am. Ten people left the building before the Brigade arrived and there were no reports of any injuries. A tumble dryer on the first floor was

destroyed by the fire prompting the Brigade to remind people of its white goods safety advice. A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “If your white goods start making a strange noise, don’t ignore it. If you think there’s a problem always unplug it and contact the manufacturer or a qualified repair technician. “Most fires where white goods are the source of ignition are not down to anything you have done – so always make sure you register your appliances as you’ll be informed if any issues are identified with the product you’ve bought.”

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18 NEWS

'boy racers are making our lives hell' By Joe Coughlan

Local Democracy Reporter Residents of a South London road feel scared by boy racers speeding on their street, saying it’s only a matter of time before someone loses their life.

Kings Hall Road sits in Beckenham, between Kent House and New Beckenham train stations. The road is known for its beautiful houses, selling for up to £1.6m according to Rightmove, but has become notorious for residents in recent years for speeding cars and reckless driving. Alka Sharma, 49, lives on the bend of Kings Hall Road. The mum said speeding on the road has gotten so bad that last year a pizza delivery driver crashed into the wall of her driveway. Ms Sharma told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “They were racing and then one of them, he was just 18 or 19, very young, just smashed it. He was very, very lucky because of the wall and the tree. He didn’t go any further and the car just stopped.” She added: “That was quite a serious incident and luckily, because of the utility pole outside, he didn’t hit anyone. There was one car that was hit slightly but there were no lives lost and nobody was majorly injured… It was quite scary. We felt how unsafe one could be.” Becky Woods, 43, lives on Kings Hall Road with her family and said the street has become a rat run for drivers wishing to get around the nearby railway lines. She said locals have been complaining to Bromley Council about the issue for years in the hopes of seeing speed bumps being added, but the problem has still not been addressed. The mum told the LDRS: “A lot of parents probably worry for the safety of their children. My children are on scooters and bikes slightly ahead of us while we’re walking, cars are coming flying down… It is a matter of time before there’s a nasty accident on this road if people don’t slow down. But there’s nothing that we can do as residents other than keep asking.” Ms Woods added that theft had also become an issue on the road in recent months, including problems with cars being stolen and people breaking into residents’ sheds and houses. Met Police data showed that nine robberies and two cases of vehicle crime were reported on Kings Hall Road and surrounding streets in October this year. Jennifer Kafcas, 52, has lived on Kings Hall Road for 13 years and said speeding has gotten “insane” in recent years. She said many boy racers speed down the road, sometimes on the wrong side of the street, and locals fear someone may soon lose their life. Ms Kafcas told the LDRS: “We don’t let our kids play out here because we’re worried. One time we were driving out and the guy just drove right on the sidewalk to get around. The kids were playing, if a kid was sitting there they would’ve been run over… Then the guy chased us down and threatened my husband, to beat him up. The kids were crying. I filmed it, he was telling me he was going to kill me. It was horrible.” She added: “Lately, there’s also been a lot of properties broken into. A couple of weeks ago, they stole my son’s tennis bag and all of our stuff out of the car. It is what it is, crime is going to get worse… I would say in the last couple of months, 10 houses have been hit.”

Amanda Lawson, 48, has lived on Kings Hall Road for 11 years and said despite the problems with speeding, the street has a lovely community and everybody looks out for each other. However, her family have experienced first-hand the recent rise in crime on the street. Ms Lawson told the LDRS: “We had someone banging on the door at 4.58am on Sunday. It literally scared the life out of us, just banging. We were all in and the kids were in. He was just banging on the

door and I think that he tried on other doors as well.” Labour councillors Simon Jeal, Kathy Bance and Kevin Kennedy-Brooks, who represent the Penge and Cator ward for Bromley Council, told the LDRS they were aware of the large number of children and road safety issues on Kings Hall Road and have engaged with residents to lobby Bromley Council for several years. They said Transport for London (TfL) funding had allowed for a pedestrian crossing and

20 mph zone to be added on the southern end of the street, but acknowledged that residents remained concerned. They added: “We have also been raising the rise in crime around the area with our safer neighbourhood policing team. After we raised a series of thefts from sheds in the area with police we were pleased to hear they recently identified and arrested the individual responsible, we have been assured Penge and Cator will be getting additional officers deployed

here to assist in tackling these issues, so we hope to see more cases like this of committing offences locally being caught and prosecuted.” Inspector Michelle Pryal, from the local neighbourhood policing team for the Penge and Cator ward, told the LDRS: “We know anti-social behaviour has a negative impact on communities and tackling it is at the heart of our work to build our strongest ever neighbourhood policing response across London. We are making good process and have seen an 18per cent reduction in anti-social behaviour calls in Penge and Cator ward over the past year. In recent months we have been specifically targeting burglary and speeding drivers.” She added: “However we understand the frustration of residents and recognise there is more to do and we will continue to have officers patrolling the area to respond to issues and deal with crime. We are increasing the number of neighbourhood officers across London and are working closely with partners, including Bromley Council, to address safety concerns.” Bromley Council was approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication. Picture 1: Alka Sharma, 49, beside the bricks of the wall of her driveway after it was crashed into by a car. Credit: Joe Coughlan Picture 2: Kings Hall Road sits between Kent House and New Beckenham train stations.. Credit: Joe Coughlan

NEWS 19

Conservatives maintain Bromley hold after Hayes and Coney Hall by-election

By Joe Coughlan

made a life in. I love this community and look forward to serving it to the best of my ability.” The councillor said he would build on the great work of his predecessor, the late Andrew Lee. He added that he was excited to join his fellow ward councillors and the local Conservative Group at the Bromley Civic Centre. Susan Margaret Moore told

the LDRS that she was grateful to all the residents who had voted for her and was delighted with the warm reception she had received. She also wished Cllr ColdspringWhite the best of luck in the role. Tudor Griffiths also expressed his congratulations towards the new councillor to the LDRS. He said the Lib Dem Group was disappointed by the low turnout for the by-election, stating the weather and the general state of current politics as potential reasons. He added: “I’ve lived in Hayes & Coney Hall for over 20 years and this is the first time there’s been a strongly fought campaign for residents’ votes here, as it’s always been seen as a safe Conservative seat. It has been good to see how all three main parties have committed time and energy to talking to voters and telling them about their policies in Bromley.” Sarah Louise Chant told the LDRS that

she was thankful of the residents who voted for her and said she would continue to support green spaces in the Hayes and Coney Hall ward on a voluntary basis. She said she hopes to see the ward councillors supporting the promotion of biodiversity, clean air and maintaining green spaces. She added: “For me it was not about winning, I knew that was not on the cards. I stood so that residents had the option of voting for a party which puts the environment at the core of all its policies. Nature has to come first. Without a sustainable, healthy ecosystem our world is going to collapse. The threats to economic, social and environmental wellbeing are part of the same problem.” Cllr Coldspring-White will join fellow Conservative ward councillors Alexa Michael and Thomas Turrell. The byelection was held after Conservative Councillor Andrew Lee passed away

suddenly on October 5, according to a statement from Bromley Council. Regarding Cllr Lee’s death, Conservative Councillor Colin Smith, Leader of Bromley Council, told the LDRS: “We have all been shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Andrew’s sudden demise and our thoughts are firmly with his widow Gill, their friends and family at this incredibly difficult time. Hayes and Coney Hall ward has very sadly lost an outstanding councillor as a result of Andrew’s cruel and untimely departure, who was also an amazingly talented friend to many and a local politician. He will be desperately, sadly missed by everyone that knew him. Andrew, may you rest in peace dear friend.”

by 24 per cent under Sadiq Khan. “A charter does not put a much-needed roof over the heads of those forced to sleep on our streets.” While 8,096 people were recorded rough sleeping in the capital in 2015/16 – Boris Johnson’s final year as mayor – the figure was indeed 24 per cent higher in 2022/23, at 10,053 people. While numbers on the city’s streets were significantly reduced in the aftermath of the pandemic, they rose sharply in the last year. City Hall points out that according to Government “snapshot” data, every region in England saw an increase in rough sleeping in 2022, not just London. The percentage rise in the capital was the highest however, jumping 34 per cent between 2021 and 2022, compared with an average rise of 23 per cent in the rest of England. Mr Khan has more than quadrupled his rough sleeping budget from the £8.45m it was when he took office in 2016, to £36.3m in 2023/24.

Asked what concrete action he will be taking over winter to reduce rough sleeping, the mayor said: “We’ve got an announcement next week, which I’m not going to break the embargo and announce, but we’re doing a number of things. “As it is, Londoners have been very generous in relation to donating over the last few years, but we know that when temperatures approach freezing, we’ve got to open up the emergency shelters, SWEP [Severe Weather Emergency Protocol]. “So we’re doing a lot of things already, over and above what we’ve done in the past, but we’ve got to be innovative about new things we can do to help rough sleepers.” The mayor said that London requires an emergency package of £20m from the Government to provide the accommodation and support necessary in getting people off the streets. Asked whether he believes ministers appreciate the scale of the crisis, he said: “I think the Government does understand

there’s a rough sleeping crisis across the country. They must do, because they’re human beings. They’ve got some compassion, I know they do.” He added: “The issue is persuading the Treasury and the Prime Minister to give this the attention it deserves… “Governments in the past have done it. They’ve tackled rough sleeping and ended it. “‘Cardboard City’ was around in the 80s and 90s, I saw it in the West End and Waterloo. It was got rid of because of Government policy. “Actually, by investing in some of the preventative measures, it saves money down the road. So we’re trying to explain to the Government not just the humane argument, the moral argument, but the economic argument in tackling this issue.” Commenting in response, homelessness minister and Kensington MP Felicity Buchan said: “We are determined to end rough sleeping for good and are working

hand-in-hand with the homelessness sector and other partners to make sure people have a roof over their head but also have the support and encouragement to rebuild their lives. “We have given councils £2 billion – including £188.2 million for London – to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, and in the capital are supporting 13 projects that provide services and emergency accommodation. Through our Rough Sleeping Strategy we will continue to work to not just to reduce rough sleeping but to end it completely.” According to City Hall’s latest data, outreach teams recorded 4,068 people sleeping rough in London between July and September – a 12 per cent increase on the same period last year. Of that number, more than half – 2,086 people – were sleeping rough for the first time.It is thought that the 4,068 people recorded is the highest quarterly rough sleeping count in London outside of a pandemic since records began.

Local Democracy Reporter A South London by-election has resulted in the Conservative Group maintaining their hold in the area. Conservative candidate Josh Coldspring-White was voted to represent the Hayes and Coney Hall ward for Bromley Council in a byelection yesterday, December 7, after receiving 1,541 votes. Susan Margaret Moore of the Labour Party came second in the vote with 962, followed by Tudor Griffiths of the Lib Dems with 526 votes. Sarah Louise Chant of the Green Party came in fourth with 183 votes. The turnout at the by-election was 26.7per cent. Cllr Coldspring-White told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “I’m humbled to be elected to serve the area I grew up in, went to school in, and

Photo: Josh Coldspring-White has been elected as the new ward councillor of the Hayes and Coney Hall ward. Credit: Thomas Turrell

MAYOR LAUNCHES ROUGH SLEEPING CHARTER

By Noah Vickers

Local Democracy Reporter Sadiq Khan has launched London’s first rough sleeping charter while warning of fatalities amid rising homelessness this winter.

It came as the mayor was criticised for presiding over a 24 per cent increase in rough sleeping across London since taking office. Mr Khan argued that the problem has national causes and has urged ministers to provide £20m in emergency funding. Speaking at the charter’s launch in Waterloo, the mayor told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “This is a national crisis we’re now facing, that demands a national response. In the absence of that, we’ve got to do what we can. “We’ve shown in the last few years the progress that can be made, taking 16,000 rough sleepers off the streets [since Mr Khan’s 2016 election], four out of five for good. “My worry is, unless there’s more support from the Government this winter, we may see a further increase in rough sleeping and I fear people will suffer the consequences of that, including possible fatalities.” More than 100 charities, faith groups, businesses and people with lived experience have helped to design and develop the charter. It sets out six key principles to which signatories have committed – for example ensuring that rough sleepers are safe from violence, abuse, theft and discrimination, and that they have the full protection of the law. The mayor said rough sleeping in the capital is being fuelled by changes to benefit rules, rising rents, mental health issues, as well as victims of domestic violence having nowhere else to go. “The other big one in the last year or so is non-British nationals,” he added. “We’re lobbying the Government not to evict those in Home Office accommodation this winter, because unless they’ve got somewhere suitable to go to, they end up on the streets.” Mr Khan was challenged on his record by Tory assembly member Keith Prince, who said: “We strongly support efforts to end rough sleeping and welcome today’s charter. But today’s announcement is a missed opportunity. “The mayor did not announce any new policies or actions to tackle rough sleeping. The reality is rough sleeping has increased

20 ARTS

what’s on

Hirsute Harmony at Theatre Peckham You’ve heard of his-story; you’ve heard of her-story; well, get ready for hair-story!’ That’s the word on the street about Theatre Peckham’s new production of Rapunzel and we were more than ready for a restyle, write Frida, Woody and Ed Gray.

Now in its 35th year, and in the safe hands of artistic director Suzann McLean MBE, Theatre Peckham has taken on the troublesome, twisted Brothers Grimm classic tale of female suppression and submission and worked it into a celebration of feminine power and Black hair with maximum volume and attitude. Judging by the 28 strong young company and the talented cast that greeted us onstage, Peckham Theatre is certainly is fulfilling its ambition to champion under-represented voices and be a catalyst for change in the industry. The Grimm’s witchery and thinlyveiled misogyny are washed out in this production as everything is turned on its head in this tale of Leznu Par (See what they did there?) and her mother’s hairdresser’s shop, Barnet Magic. There’s a fair bit of backcombing over the course of the evening as we learn how Leznu gained the magic powers she possesses - All thanks to her grandmother Mama Bea’s

magical medicinal prowess before she was stolen. Marcus Ayton brilliantly conjures up the spirit of Mama Bea in the opening scenes, much to the great delight of the audience who clearly recognised a beloved no-nonsense Aunty or Nan of their own in his delivery. Further uncomfortable Rapunzel knots are naturally combed out in this contemporary redo: Think less handsome prince and more, cool, bountifully-headed Rapunzel, Kellah-M, saving Dignity Jones’s dignity from her high tower in Epping Forest. Misfit Dignity himself has his own chorus of enthusiastic Young Company stars who narrate and boost his efforts in a lively Bugsy Malone style. Writer Geoffrey Aymer and lyricist Jordan Xavier, the duo behind the theatre’s very successful Scroogalicious musical, have created a score that weaves together romantic ballads and high energy numbers to keep the audience engaged throughout. The Pat Pat song, a homage to hirsute harmony, was the highlight that tickled the Team Gray reviewers the most as we sang along with the actors. Everything works out in the end for Leznu/Rapunzel in this tale of feminine power and beauty; her pure heart outshines the treachery of half-sister Cassie, the epitome of greed, shallow

Photo by Lidia Crisafulli

vanity and modern social media fakery. The finale features some stunning hairdos that made the whole auditorium roar. As the company took their bows, the grateful audience was buzzing with love for a theatre company with community at its heart, one that

celebrates diversity and nurtures its finest young talent. And the verdict of our young reviewers? Spiking up his hair as we left, Woody declared the evening’s show ’Outstanding!’ while Frida pat-pat-patted her fair barnet and chuckled.

Theatre Peckham, 221 Havil St, London, SE5 7SB until 24th December. Times: Varied see website for details. Admission: £7.50 - £15. Booking: www.theatrepeckham.co.uk

it last but that’s the joy of panto, and Potted Panto is reassuringly unconventional, uniting young and old, and fitting in spectacularly well with the bawdy spirit of Wilton’s ancient music hall.

Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, London E1 8JB until 30th December. Times: Evenings at 7.15pm or 7.30pm,

Matinees at 1.30pm or 2.30pm . Admission: £12.00 - £32.00 full price / £10.00 - £29.50 concessions. Booking: www.wiltons.org.uk

Any visit to the stunning Wilton’s Music Hall is worth making, we reflected as our two young reviewers, Frida and Woody, skipped along an icy Cable Street buzzing on a bounty of post School Christmas Fair sugary treats, write Frida, Woody and Ed Gray.

Pausing briefly to pay our respects at the wonderful Cable Street mural we slipped into Graces Alley and stepped through the old doorway beneath the big lamp. Our panto genes were well and truly ready for a good ribbing after a pre-show drink in the old bar and a slice of their delicious pizza. Now in its 13th year, Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner’s Olivier-nominated madcap panto mash-up has become a regular feature of many a family Christmas. The pair met 20 years ago and all those hours together onstage are what makes this intensely-choreographed spectacle so successful. During that time the dynamic duo also famously created Potted Potter, which opened in Las Vegas in 2021. There couldn’t be more of a contrast between the glitz of Vegas and the Victorian splendour of Wilton’s, which has been pulling in punters since the 1690s in one form or another. But according to Jeff they’re both thrilled to be here at last, and judging by the frisky full-house that awaits them, so are the audience. And we’re off! Straight into Jack and

the Beanstalk, scaling panto-maniac heights via Dick Whittington, Snow white, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Aladdin, all the way through to, somewhat controversially, A Christmas Carol. All the usual suspects, but perhaps not quite as you’d imagine. Judging by the cackles of laughter and the big wide eyed grins on the faces of our reviewers on my left and the belly laughs of the man on my right pint glass in hand - the spirit of panto is very much alive in the hands of Dan and Jeff. Double entendres flew around the stage like the pies; bloomers are proudly displayed and seemingly impossible swift costume changes are conducted at highoctane pace. ‘Dan and Jeff were working their socks off,’ declared panto fanatics Lynne and Nobby over a glass or two in the interval as the audience enjoyed a well earned rest from the high jinks. Our younger members, however, were more taken with the puppetry, especially the monosyllabic Ugly Sister, the Fairy, and Prince Charming, ‘Huzzah!’, who plucked an innocent gent from the front row to perform ‘the dance of love’. ‘Absolutely astounding!’ was Woody’s verdict and Frida, no stranger to the Carry On back catalogue, could only repeat ‘Oui oui in your ear, Jeff!’ and ‘Milky milky!’ before collapsing in hysterics. The format hasn’t changed since we saw

Photo by Geraint Lewis

Potty Panto Loonies at Wilton’s

ARTS 21

Arts

Tensions escalate as secrets unravel

The last of Federico Garcia Lorca’s plays, written just months before he was executed by Spanish Nationalists, The House of Bernarda Alba is one of his best and most loved plays. Alice Birch’s new adaptation debuts at The National Theatre’s Lyttleton stage with Harriet Walter taking on the role of the infamous matriarch, writes Christopher Peacock.

Review: Koestler Arts

Real rehabilitation to those on the wrong side of society’s walls. I never let a year go by without seeing the excellent Koestler Arts exhibition, an exhibition that opens up hope and opportunity for those incarcerated in our many institutions who need an outlet for their creativity, writes Michael Holland.

This year’s theme is In Case of Emergency and curated by poet Joelle Taylor who has worked in prisons for over 20 years. Joelle’s motivation is to showcase the talent and imagination that is hidden away behind locked doors and will display most of the art locked away in glass cases. Of course, much of the creativity comes from being locked up so there are a few angst-ridden works of claustrophobic walls and bars, of loss and sadness, but there are many more that celebrates art for art’s sake where the artists use their skills to escape into other worlds. A magnificent scale model of a railway station was a highlight for me, as was a two-piece suit made from snack packets. The carved soaps are always inspirational; when someone can take something so basic and turn it into something so beautiful, that is a special talent. One prison favourite, the matchstick model, gets a good showing here. I love the dedication required to work with something small and fiddly for such long hours in order to create a work of art. The chess set and board on show is a prime example of that dedication. The Koestler Arts exhibition is great for the visual arts but doesn’t tell the whole

Photo by Manuel Harlan

Pinter exploring toxic masculinity

story of what Koestler Arts does, as there are so many writing sections of their work that cannot be hung on walls or displayed in vitrines: there are numerous awards for Playwriting and Screenplays although there are quite a few poems shown here, plus, there is piped music of a performance of some sort, but it is a shame that more musical performances are not put on for the public in some way. Prison should be about rehabilitation and allowing creativity to flow is one of the best ways to unlock talent. Many is the ex-offender who has become a writer, an actor, and a musician as well as an artist, and they should not be forgotten for their input to Koestler Arts. But for now this annual exhibition focusses on what can be displayed. The public, rather than fall into the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ trap when it comes to prisons and prisoners. would do well to visit the exhibition and to admire the work put in by the teachers who give up their time for those the world largely ignores, for it is they who are providing the real rehabilitation to people who find themselves on the wrong side of society’s walls. Find out more about Koestler Arts: www.koestlerarts.org.uk In Case of Emergency, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX until December 17th. Admission: Free. Times: Mon-Tues: 10am – 5.30pm, Wed-Sun: 10am – 8pm.

One of the most influential playwrights of the 20th century, Harold Pinter's work defined an era of British theatre and when new productions of his work come around there is always great interest. The Homecoming, one of his more ambiguous pieces, plays at the Young Vic covering this festive period through to the end of January, writes Christopher Peacock.

The Homecoming that the name implies is that of Teddy, returning with his wife Ruth to his estranged family home for a visit. Teddy’s return comes after spending the previous six years in the USA lecturing philosophy with Ruth, a stay at home mum raising their

The story is of five daughters living under the oppressive reign of Bernarda in the wake of their father’s passing. With news that Pepe El Romano is to take eldest daughter Angustias’ hand in marriage, the tensions escalate in the rising temperature as secrets unravel. The reading into Lorca's piece usually circles around the power struggles within the household and the oppressive heat that seems to keep these five women trapped in the firm grip of their mother. In Birch’s script not only are these women more coarse in their language, some of the scenes are played on top of each other. This can get a touch harder to follow as your eyes fly around the stage piecing together conversations but also there are a lot of creative

decisions from the whole team that seem to take away any Spanishness out of play. These decisions are partly from Merle Hansel’s set design. A house over three floors sliced open like a doll's house and instead of the monochrome colour palette familiar to productions of the past, this was all mint green with further colour splashed in for dramatic sequences alongside Lee Curren’s lighting design. Another deviation from the original is the inclusion of Pepe El Romano on stage. James McHugh does some fantastic choreographed physical theatre routines when involved in the show as Pepe and certainly fulfils the image of the daughters desires especially for Martirio and Adela. Director Rebecca Frecknall’s choice to pivot the style of the show away from realism in sequences tended to emotionally distance the audience, especially with the ensemble movement pieces that closed each act. The production's successes certainly come from the performances of the cast. Harriet Walker as Bernarda Alba was as strict and humourless as could be - Never overplayed but every inch fierce. Eileen Nicholas’ Maria Josefa and Eliot Sat’s Amelia were however

slightly over-pitched in their roles to provide comic relief. I understand where the show would want to add this balance, especially as Isis Hainsworth as Adela and Lizzie Annis as Martirio do give great intense performances with the heavier emotional lifting of their characters exposing their desires and vulnerabilities. It is always a wonderful opportunity to see great writing. Manipulated to create fresher scenes higher in energy this certainly has great appeal for those new to the work of Lorca. There are some things in theatre and storytelling that work because of what you don't see. The use and reference to things off-stage work well to pull audiences in and let their imaginations run wild. Here the decisions were to keep them in sight; from Pepe himself being on stage to having the climactic tragic ending played out for us to see, some of the mystique is unfortunately shedded. National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX until January 6th. Times: Mon - Sat 7.30pm; Wed & Sat matinees 2.165pm. Admission: £20 - £96 Booking: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Photo by Marc Brenner

three children whom he married in a hurry before leaving the UK. The family home that they return to is that of patriarch Max who lives there with Teddy’s two younger brothers, Lenny and Joey, and their uncle Sam. From the very start the familial interactions amongst the men are just flurries of insults and posturing as they parade their masculinity. Things then take a darker tone as the initial mocking of Ruth changes and becomes a discussion of how they can all benefit from her presence and how they can use her. The Homecoming comes with all the characteristics of Pinter's work, the pauses, the phrasing, the Londoncentric slang and detailed speech. All of the cast handle this well: Joe

Cole as Lenny really leans into it, almost taking the character into the realms of pastiche, but it is Nicholas Tennant as Sam, playing it with a level of authenticity that makes his performance stand out. Moi Tran’s set design is rather large and the props all rather dainty which belies the rough masculinity of the environment the residents have created and removed any sense of claustrophobia that would aid the tension. Director Matthew Dunster does highlight some interesting moments between pairs of characters. He heightens the action, intensifies the lighting to create and add further meaning to some of the discourse. The Homecoming is Pinter exploring

what we would today define as toxic masculinity. The male chauvinism and misogyny from Max and his sons is shocking for a modern audience. There is room in the production to take this further and create more unease and real menace. This production does pivot on the performance of Lisa Diveney as Ruth, the control and agency that she tactfully portrays is key to making this show a success. Young Vic, 66, The Cut, SE1 8LZ until 27th January. Times: Mon - Sat 7.30pm; Wed & Sat matinees, 2.30pm. Admission: Booking: www.youngvic.org 0207 922 2922

22 HISTORY

History

did king charles i haVe a taste for peckhaM's 17th century Melons?

King Charles I (Circa 1590 – 1647)

Melons de Cavaillon in a market

An 1808 painting of Peckham Rye Park

By Herbie Russell AccorDiNG To a recent youGov poll, honeydew Melons are Britain’s 24th most popular fruit. 300 years ago, Peckham may have been one of the earliest places to grow melons for ravenous Londoners.

Thomas Gardiner, a lawyer and Royalist politician, sent four melons to King Charles I himself. Locked in a battle with Parliament over his use of antiquated laws to raise taxes, he would have undoubtedly benefited from melons’ high antioxidant content, associated with reduced depression and anxiety. In exchange, he sent Sir Thomas Gardiner venison. Given this was a much sought-after meat, it suggests that melons may have made highlyrespected table pieces and ingredients at high society dinners. Seeds of Renewal? The Manor of Basing existed until about 1812 when the land was subdivided and passed onto different owners meaning the estate was split up. Today, Peckham is seeing something of an agricultural revival. A Californian woman has revived Peckham Rye Park’s American Garden while gardeners on the Southampton Way Estate are busy growing cucumbers, tomatoes and sweetcorn. Perhaps there’s hope for another Peckham-grown melon after all.

Melon Road.

Nowadays, it’s hard to imagine a Peckham with orchards and rows of fields. But its agricultural past remains embedded in one place in particular; Melon Road. The road name belies an intriguing past when Peckham grew melons in abundance, carting them off to 17thcentury London’s most illustrious customers, including King Charles I himself. What's in a name? Melon Road, opposite the Peckham High Street Burger King, used to be part of the Manor of Basing. A sub-manor of Peckham, it was ruled by the wealthy Basing family from around the time of King John, in 1212. By the 17th century, Peckham was famous for its arable land, a place

where fruit and veg were easily grown and carted off to the markets of Inner and South London. Intriguingly, records show that, from at least 1629, melons were being grown in the area. A Very Brief History of Melon At this time, melons were a relative newcomer to the British Isles even if parts of Southern Europe had already been enjoying them for millennia. Archaeological records show melons were present in Sardinia as early as 1350BCE, and spread into mainland Europe with the Western Roman Empire (285 - 476AD). But it looks like English shores remained bereft of the succulent fruit through this period. However, exploration of the New World finally meant melons had been domesticated in England by the 16th century. Peckham farmers were quick to adopt the latest trend, recognising that melons were not only delicious, but a profitable status symbol for wealthy families. Melon fit for a King Records show that, in 1629, Sir

24 CLASSIFIED Elim House Day Centre

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Southwark Pensioners’ Centre Supporting older people in Southwark for over 35 years. Offering advice, support, activities, rooms for hire and a voice for older people.

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To place a funeral announcement, birthday, death notice, birth, anniversary or memorial in the paper, please email katie@cm-media.co.uk and he will price it up for you Announcements must be placed by 4pm on the Tuesday before Thursday’s publication

26 PUBLIC NOTICES LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (UPLAND ROAD, CREBOR STREET, DUNSTANS ROAD) TEMPORARY WAITING AND LOADING RESTRICTIONS) 1.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice, that, because of Thames Water works, it made, an order, the effect of which would be to introduce ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions and prohibit vehicles in part of the above named road

Whilst the restriction is in place, and whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to wait, including waiting for the purpose of loading and unloading at any time in: (a) Upland Road, between No’s 221/208 and No’s 193/174 Upland Road ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced on both sides of the carriageway (north and south side) (b) Crebor Street, between Upland Road and Dunstans Road ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced on both sides of the carriageway (north and south side) (c) Dunstans Road, outside and opposite No’s 71 and No’s 92 ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced on both sides of the carriageway (north and south side)

Exemptions will be provided in the Order to permit reasonable access to premises, insofar as it is practical without interference with the execution of the said works.

The restrictions will not apply to any vehicle being used in connection with the said works, or for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes or anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform.

The restriction will come into force for (2a) 8th January – 14th March 2024 (2b) 8th January – 31st March 2024 (2c) 31st January – 14th March 2024. The works will be carried out in phases.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network & Parking Management at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

Dated this 14th December 2023 Ian Law Traffic Manager London Borough of Southwark Network Management Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX 160 Tooley Street, PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2b) MU0545868-02 (2b) MU0545868-01 (2c) MU0545868-03 LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (CRAWFORD ROAD, GRACES MEWS, GREAT SUFFOLK STREET, RYE HILL PARK, MONNOW ROAD, MACKS ROAD) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 SECTION 122(2A) NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPROPRIATE LAND AND BUILDINGS AT 1 TO 56 (ALL) BROMYARD HOUSE AND LAND SURROUNDING BROMYARD HOUSE, LEDBURY ESTATE, COMMERCIAL WAY, LONDON SE15 PART OF WHICH IS OPEN SPACE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Southwark intend to exercise powers pursuant to Section 122(2A) of the Local Government Act 1972 to appropriate for planning purposes land being approximately 3094m2 in extent at Land and Buildings at 1 to 56 (all) Bromyard House and Land surrounding Bromyard House, Ledbury Estate, Commercial Way, London SE15 part of which is open space. A copy of the map showing the location and area of the land to which this Notice relates can be inspected at the offices of the Council in the Chief Executive’s Department, 5th Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH (Reference: Thomas Elwood). Appointments are available between the hours of 10:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday. Anyone wishing to make objections to the intended appropriation of the land should make them in writing no later than 4:00pm on 11 January 2024 at the address above (quoting the reference) or at thomas.elwood@southwark.gov.uk, stating the grounds of the objection.

Dated this 14th day of December 2023

Doreen Forrester-Brown Assistant Chief Executive – Governance and Assurance

Harris Academy Bermondsey – Admissions Consultation The Governing Body of Harris Academy Bermondsey are consulting on admissions arrangements for students applying for places for the academic year beginning September 2025. The consultation period runs over 6 weeks from 14th December 2023 to the 25th January 2023. The Governing Body has developed a policy to ensure consistency, simplicity and compliance with the School Admissions Code. Proposed changes to the policy include the addition of an oversubscription to include female siblings of boys who attend at Harris Academy Boys’ East Dulwich in years 7 to 11. Your views The Governing Body would welcome your views on our consultation. Please ensure you respond to our consultation by noon on Thursday 25th January 2024 which is when our consultation closes. You can respond in three ways: • By email – principal@harrisbermondsey.org.uk • In writing – Correspondence should be sent to Principal, Harris Academy Bermondsey, 55 Southwark Park Road, Bermondsey, SE16 3TZ • Through filling in the online form found at www.harrisbermondsey.org.uk/admissionsconsultation PUBLIC NOTICE LICENSING ACT 2003 First Date of Display of this Notice: 12th December 2023

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable various works to be carried out, it intends, to make, an order, the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicular traffic from entering part of the above named roads.

Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload at any time in: (a) Crawford Road, between Valmar Road and Morna Road (b) Graces Mews, between Graces Road and it’s blocked end (c) Great Suffolk Street, between Southwark Street and Lavington Street. (d) Rye Hill Park, between Peckham Rye and Torridge Gardens (e) Monnow Road, between Southwark Park Road and Lynton Road (f) Macks Road, between Southwark Park Road and Lynton Road

An application has been made by: Adem SHENHOL has applied to London Borough of Bexley for the grant of a PREMISES LICENCE in respect of the premises known as: Monty’s Cafe, situated at: 17 MONTPILIER AVENUE, DA5 3AP. The application seeks permission for the following licensable activities: •The sale of alcohol by retail for consumption on/off the premises. The provision of alcohol on the premises shall be server only to a seated customer. There will be no vertical drinking at the premises. The off sales provision of alcohol will be via a food delivery partner such as Deliveroo and Just Eat. The proposed hours of opening are: Monday – Saturday 07:00 – 23:00 Sunday - 08:00 – 22:00

The alternative route for affected traffic (2a). Morna Road, Valmar Road. (2b) not applicable (2c) Union Street, Great Guildford Street, Southwark Street (2d) Peckham Rye, Rye Hill Park, Torridge Gardens. (2e) as indicated by the signs displayed (2f) Southwark Park Road, St James's Road, Alexis Street

Great Suffolk Street will be made available for ‘two-way’ traffic between Lavington Street and Dolben Street for (2c)

Any “Other Persons” or “Responsible Authority” may make representations in writing to this application no later than: 2nd January 2024 (Insert 28 days from date of notice above)

Esmeralda Road, will be made available for ‘two-way’ traffic between Monnow Road and St James Road (2e)

To: Licensing Partnership, P.O. Box 182, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1GP Telephone 01732 227004 or email at: licensing@sevenoaks.gov.uk

Exemptions will be provided in the Order to permit reasonable access to premises, so far as it is practical without interference with the execution of the said works.

Details of this application and the Licensing Register are available for inspection at the above address between 9am and 5pm on weekdays.

Guidance notes on “making representations” are available from the Licensing Team, or by visiting www.bexley.gov.uk

The works will be in operation for (2a) 2nd – 5th January 2024 (2b) 8th – 12th January 2024 ( 2c) 15th January 2024 (2d) 9th January with back-up dates of the 16th and 23rd January 2024 (2e) 2nd January – 10th April (2f) 2nd January – 4th March 2024

Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network Management at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

The proposed hours of licensable activities are: Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 23:00 and Sunday - 11:00 – 22:00

It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. The maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the offence is unlimited.

To promote your business online and in print, email us at: hello@cm-media.co.uk

PUBLIC NOTICES 27

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (as amended) PLANNING (LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS) ACT 1990 (as amended)

The planning applications listed below can be viewed on the planning register at https://planning.southwark.gov.uk/online-applications/ You can use facilities at your local library or 'My Southwark Service Points' to access the website. How to comment on this application: You should submit your comments via the above link. Comments received will be made available for public viewing on the website. All personal information will be removed except your postal address. Online comments submitted without an email address will not be acknowledged and those marked 'confidential' will not be considered. Written comments can be submitted to; Southwark Council, Chief executive's department, Planning division, Development Management, PO Box 64529, London SE1 5LX. Reason for publicity. The applications are advertised for the reasons identified by the following codes: AFFECT - development affecting character or appearance of a nearby conservation area; OR development affecting setting of a nearby listed building(s); DEP - departure from the development plan; EIA - environmental impact assessment (these applications are accompanied by an environmental statement a copy of which may be obtained from the Council - there will be a charge for the copy); MAJ - major planning application; STDCA - development within a conservation area; STDLB - works to or within the site of a listed building; 65 ST GEORGES ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 6ER (Ref: 23/AP/3049) Construction of an extension to the rear basement and the lowering of the coal cellar ground level. (Within: West Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Samuel Hepworth 020 7525 5465) 249 - 251 OLD KENT ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 23/AP/2979) Construction of a mansard roof extension across both properties (nos. 249 and 251) to create 1no. two bedroom self-contained flat. (Within: Thomas A'Beckett And High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Louise Dinsdale 07513137967) 166 ABBEY STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2DP (Ref: 23/AP/3166) Demolition of existing single storey conservatory and construction of single storey rear extension. Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Michèle Sterry 020 7525 5453) 6 MORE LONDON PLACE LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 23/AP/3309) Extension to ground floor reception, installation of new facilities management entrance at rear ground floor, infilling of triangular slabs between central facade bays at levels 2-6 to create external office amenity space, installation of PV panels and green roof at roof level, new entrance to rear of the building and other associated alterations at 6 More London, SE1 2DA. (Within: Tooley Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: AFFECT (Contact: Chloe Rimell 0207 525 1397) BASEMENT AND GROUND FLOOR DOMINICAN COURT 17 HATFIELDS LONDON

SOUTHWARK SE1 8DJ (Ref: 23/AP/3269) Upgrade of office entrance doors and access steps to include; installation of a wheelchair lift at the front to accommodate the difference in levels, to replace the existing heavy-set aluminium framed double entrance doors to the building, with a single frameless grass entrance door with glass side panels, to further carry out refurbishment to the damaged ceramic tiled entrance steps. Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Michèle Sterry 020 7525 5453) 7 ORIENT STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE11 4SR (Ref: 23/AP/3227) Construction of a single storey rear extension following the demolition of the exisitng single storey rear extension and the replacement of the flat roof at first floor level and the installation of a door at second floor level to the rear elevation. (Listed Building Consent) (Within: West Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Eleanor Heagney 020 7525 5403) KINGSWOOD HOUSE SEELEY DRIVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 8QN (Ref: 23/AP/3394) Listed building consent for repairs to stonework above doorway on eastern (principal) elevation. Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Richard Craig 020 7525 0436)

STDCA (Contact: Chloe Rimell 0207 525 1397) UNIT 2 THE WILLOWS 80 WILLOW WALK LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 5SY (Ref: 23/AP/3311) Installation of air conditioning condenser unit and acoustic enclosure within rear car park. (Within: Pages Walk CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Louise Dinsdale 07513137967) 10 DENMARK HILL LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8RZ (Ref: 23/AP/3360) Construction of rear extension on first, second and third floor levels. (Within: Camberwell Green CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Samuel Hepworth 020 7525 5465) 4 COURT LANE GARDENS LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7DZ (Ref: 23/AP/3375) Construction of a single storey outbuilding to the rear of the garden. (Within: Dulwich Village Dulwich Wood CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Megan Stevens ) Dated: 12 Dec 2023 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date. STEPHEN PLATTS - Director of Planning and Growth

7 ORIENT STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE11 4SR (Ref: 23/AP/3226) Construction of a single storey rear extension following the demolition of the exisitng single storey rear extension and the replacement of the flat roof at first floor level and the installation of a door at second floor level to the rear elevation. (Within: West Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity:

Notice of Application for a Club Premises Certificate made under Section 71 of the Licensing Act 2003 Please take notice that I / we MASQ LONDON LTD Have made application to Southwark Council for a new Club Premises Certificate in respect of Ground Floor & Basement 201 Tooley Street, London SE1 2JX The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, on or from the premises are (please include all proposed start times and finish times) Days

Start time

Finish time

The supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to, or to the order of, a member of the club:

Sunday to Thursday Friday & Saturday

09:00 09:00

23:30 00:30

The provision of regulated entertainment:

Sunday to Thursday Friday & Saturday

18:00 18:00

00:00 01:00

The provision of late night refreshment:

Sunday to Thursday Friday & Saturday

23:00 23:00

00:00 01:00

Opening hours:

Sunday to Thursday Friday & Saturday

08:00 08:00

00:00 01:00

A register of all applications made within the Southwark area is maintained by: The Licensing Service, Hub 1, 3rd Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH A record of this application may be inspected by visiting the office during normal office hours by appointment on 020 7525 4261; details are also on our website at http://app.southwark.gov.uk/licensing/licenseregister.asp It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the office address given above and be received by the Service within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below. http://www.southwark.gov.uk/business/licences/how-to-lodge-a-representation Note: it is an offence to knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £5,000. Date of application: 7th December 2023

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28 PUBLIC NOTICES Transport for London Public Notice

Transport for London Public Notice

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 THE GLA ROADS AND GLA SIDE ROADS (SOUTHWARK) RED ROUTE CONSOLIDATION TRAFFIC ORDER 2007 A202 GLA SIDE ROAD (CAMBERWELL STATION ROAD) VARIATION ORDER 2024

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 THE A3200 GLA ROAD (SOUTHWARK STREET, LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC AND STOPPING) ORDER 2024

1. Transport for London, hereby gives notice that it intends to make the above named Order under section 6 of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984.

1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it intends to make the above named Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.

2. The general nature and effect of the Order will to: a) replace the existing Loading & Disabled Persons’ Vehicle bay on Camberwell Station Road outside No.296a Camberwell New Road with a 5.8 metre Loading only operating ‘No Stopping on any Day 7am-7pm, except Loading 20 mins’; b) replace existing single red lines on Camberwell Station Road operating ‘No Stopping on any Day 7am-7pm’ with double red lines operating ‘No stopping at any Time’.

2. The purpose of the order is to allow telecom repair works to be undertaken on the A200 Southwark Street. 3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from: (1) stopping in the e-taxi charging bay adjacent to no.49 Southwark Street; (2) stopping in the Parking and Disabled Persons’ vehicle bay adjacent to no.49 Southwark Street;

3. The road which would be affected by the Order is the A202 GLA Road – Camberwell Station Road in the London Borough of Southwark.

(3) stopping in the Loading and Disabled Persons’ Vehicles Bay outside Nos.38-40 Southwark Street;

4. A copy of the Order, a map indicating the location and effect of the Order and copies of any Order revoked, suspended or varied by the Order can be inspected by appointment at our ofces at the address below by emailing trafcordersection@t,gov.uk. Copies of the documents may be requested via email at trafcordersection@t,gov.uk, or by post at the following address quoting reference NP/REGULATION/STOT/DW/TRO/GLA/2024/0087:

(4) entering or exiting O’Meara Street at its junction with Southwark Street. The Order will be effective between 08:00 AM on the 7th January 2024 and 6:00 PM on the 7th January 2024 or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibition will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.

•Transport for London Streets Trafc Order Team (NP/REGULATION/STOT) Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road London, SE1 8NJ 5. All objections and other representations to the proposed Order must be made in writing and must specify the grounds on which they are made. Objections and representations must be sent to Transport for London, Streets Trafc Order Team, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ or by emailing trafcordersection@t.gov.uk quoting reference NP/REGULATION/STOT/DW/TRO, GLA/2024/0087, to arrive before 11th January 2024. Please note due to Hybrid working access to post is restricted and requests for documents and conrmation of your objections or representations may be delayed. Objections and other representations may be communicated to other persons who may be affected.

To place a notice in this paper and online, please email em@cmmedia.co.uk or call us on 020 7232 1639

4. The prohibition will not apply in respect of: (1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes. (2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London. 5. At such times as the prohibitions are in force an alternative route will be indicated by trafc signs via Union Street; Borough High Street; Southwark Street to normal route of travel. Dated this 14th day of December 2023 Claire Wright Co-ordination and Permitting Area Manager Transport for London Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ

Dated this 14th day of December 2023 Jennifer Melbourne Planning and Performance Manager Transport for London, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ

Our weekly deadline is 5pm on Tuesday

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 1 (LAVINGTON STREET)

Transport for London Public Notice

TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF PARKING/RELOCATION OF MOTORCYCLE BAYS AND WAITING & LOADING RESTRICTIONS

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 THE A200 GLA ROAD (TOOLEY STREET, LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF STOPPING) ORDER 2024

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that because of development works, it intends, to make an order the effect of which will be to temporarily suspend and relocate sections of motorcycle bays in Lavington Street

Whilst the works are in progress or whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, the following sections of parking bays will be suspended or relocated in Lavington Street, between Ewer Street and Great Suffolk Street:-

2. The purpose of the order is to allow new telecom connection works to be undertaken on the A200 Tooley Street.

(a) Lavington Street, north east kerb, the 21.99m, stretch of Parking bays (paid – phone or cash) located opposite it’s junction with Ewer Street, will be suspended. (b) Lavington Street, north east kerb, the two sections of Parking bays 30.54m/11.21m and 58.20m (paid – phone or cash) located between No’s 1 – No’s 11 (Europoint House) will be suspended (c) Lavington Street, south west kerb, the 33.65m stretch of permit holders bays located outside No’s 25 will be suspended (d)Lavington Street, south west kerb, the 35.51m stretch of motor cycle bays located opposite No’s 1 – No’s 11 will be suspended and relocated on the north east kerb, from the end of the existing 19.76m of stretch of Parking bays (paid – phone or cash) located near the junction with Great Suffolk Street (e) Lavington Street, south west kerb, the 16.34m stretch of Parking bays (paid – phone or cash) located near the junction with Great Suffolk Street will be suspended. (f) Lavington Street, ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced on the north east kerb line located between Ewer Street for approximately 112m west. (g) Lavington Street, east side, the cycle lane contraflow located between Ewer Street and Lavington Street will be suspended

3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from stopping in the Parking and Disabled Persons’ Vehicles bay outside No. 160 Tooley Street. The Order will be effective between 9:00 PM on the 9th January 2024 and 11:59PM on the 9th January 2024 or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibition will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs. 4. The prohibition will not apply in respect of: (1)

any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes.

(2)

anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.

Dated this 14th day of December 2023 Claire Wright Co-ordination and Permitting Area Manager Transport for London Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ

Exemptions will be provided in the Order to permit reasonable access to premises, so far as it is practical without interference with the execution of the said works.

The restriction will be in place between the 3rd January 2024 - 2nd July 2025

For information relating to this notice, please contact ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

Dated this 14th December 2023

Local media reaches you in huge numbers. Local news brands now reach 40 million people every single month, which is 73% of the total GB population.

Ian Law Traffic Manager London Borough of Southwark Network Management Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX 160 Tooley Street, PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: Lavington/TTOPSUS

SPORT 29

Hamlet enhance play-off chances after tenth game unbeaten By John Kelly DULWICH HAMLET stretched their unbeaten Isthmian League Premier Division run to ten games after overcoming Lewes in impressive fashion last weekend.

By John Kelly AMAR VIRDI and Tommy Ealham have signed new deals with Surrey ahead of the 2024 season.

Ryley Scott opened the scoring in the fifteenth minute before Luke Wanadio added a clinching second four minute from time at The Dripping Pan. Lewes had more possession in the opening quarter but failed to really put pressure on the visitors’ goal. Dulwich created the first opening when Scott made space in the area

before beating goalkeeper Nathan Harvey at his near post. Lewes almost scored an equaliser when Chris Whelpdale got his head to Samuel Oguntayo’s cross but the ball came back off the crossbar. The visitors then hit the woodwork when Josh Shonibare fired off the far post after cutting in from the right. The Rocks had the last chance before the break when Whelpdale found Ayo Olukoga but he couldn’t test Hamlet goalkeeper R’avan Constable. Hakan Hayrettin’s Dulwich repelled every Lewes effort to get back into the game in the second half. Tony Russell’s side threatened

Amar Virdi

Division, this time over Crawley AFC at Champion Hill last weekend. There were three braces in the game, from Lucy Monkman, Brittany Saylor and Summer Roberts. Monkman gave the hosts the lead in the twelfth minute before adding her second four minutes later. Saylor then took over the scoring with goals in the 38th and 51st minutes. And Roberts rounded off the rout in the 77th and 88th minutes as Mark Dempsey’s side cruised to the three points in front of an attendance of 203. Dulwich are third in the table, just two points off leaders Fulham with a game in hand

New deals for young Surrey pair

win over the Sixers. Jamie Overton is playing for the Adelaide Strikers in his first spell in the competition. Chris Jordan switched to the Hobart Hurricanes from Sydney this year. The SA20 league begins in January, with Jason Roy (Paarl Royals), Will Jacks (Pretoria Capitals), Sam Curran

(MI Cape Town) and Reece Topley (Durban’s Super Giants) all staying with their 2023 sides. Dan Worrall is new to the competition as he has signed for Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Also in January, in the UAE, the ILT20 will include Gus Atkinson and

Tom Curran with the Desert Vipers. Jordan, Overton and Jamie Smith will play for the Gulf Giants. Evans is joining the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. New signing Dan Lawrence is in the United States playing for Kingsmen in US Open Cricket.

20-fight professional career with a split-decision win in the 02 Arena in Greenwich in 2019. "The shots he was being hit with by Masternak weren't heavy shots but you could see it was hurting him," Riakporhe said. "If I land one of those shots, how's he going to react? How's he going to react to a jab from me, or a right hand from me or a hook from me? It's going to be very dangerous. "I rarely dream. I’ve been having dreams that I've hurt CBS really, really bad. I feel like if he takes that fight, I

don't know what's going to happen. He just has to be careful. "I mean literally I've been dreaming of hurting him really bad. Really, really bad. And from what I've seen here, I know I can. I know I can. "That's up to the referee to do their job to stop anything from happening to anybody. "He's dangerous. He's tough, he's strong. He's had more fights than me, 100 per cent he's not someone I can take lightly." ‘Midnight Train’ Riakporhe said he would go to Billam-Smith’s home

town of Bournemouth for the fight. "Anywhere, I don't mind. I believe what is written is what's written. It doesn't matter where it happens, even if it happens on the moon, we're going to get the result. What's going to happen will happen," Riakporhe said. "That's the fight I want to see. The world wants to see that fight. "I want to perform. I want to perform and give the fans something to think about. I understand my gift. My gift is power. I feel like it's my time. My ancestors have given me some gift. I have to do what I'm supposed to do.

By John Kelly MILLWALL LIONESSES are out of the Women’s FA Cup after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Moneyfields in Portsmouth last weekend.

The Lionesses had reached this round after wins over Bromley, Margate and Regents Park Rangers but just fell short in their attempt to reach the fourth round and potentially land a tie against a Women’s Super League side. Moneyfields are a tier higher than L&SERWFL Premier Division Millwall and the hosts started well as they were denied by the woodwork early on. Lionesses goalkeeper Chrissie Wiggins then palmed away a dangerous ball before at the other end Chloe Burr had a shot saved. The hosts went in front in the 37th when Kau’inohea Taylor scored after a scramble in the box. Shannan Drewe fired over after the break as Alex Russell and Adam Rowland’s side pressed for a leveller. Moneyfields showed their experience to keep the Lionesses out and the away side had one last chance but Sharna Giordani’s penalty appeals were waved away. Millwall return to league action this Sunday when they travel to Dorking Wanderers for a 3.30pm kick-off. Millwall Lionesses: Wiggins, Jones, Welsh, Payne, Huseyin, Bailey, Bennett, Burr, Napper, Whitter, Drewe. Substitutes: Joyce, Edwards, Chapman, Paci, Cole, Butler, Giordani, Gmiterek.

Photo by Millwall Lionesses FC

Off-spinner Virdi, 25, came through the club’s academy before making his debut in 2017. He has taken over 120 wickets in 51 games. Ealham, also an off-spinner, made his debut this year in the Metro Bank One Day cup, featuring against Hampshire and Essex. The Cranleigh CC cricketer joined the Surrey Pathway Programme at under-17 level. Surrey’s director of cricket Alec Stewart said: “Tommy has made good progress over the last few years and has shown enough potential to earn his first professional contract. I look forward to seeing him develop his allround skills in the coming years. “I am pleased Amar has signed a new contract as I hope he can challenge for first-team selection through consistent performances.” Meanwhile, Ealham is one of a number of Surrey players currently featuring for sides across the globe. Ealham is playing grade cricket in Perth for Melville Cricket Club. Batter Ben Geddes is also in Western Australia for Perth Cricket Club. Conor McKerr (Fairfield Liverpool CC), Josh Blake (Hawkesbury CC) and Cam Steel (Eastern Suburbs) are in Sydney playing in the New South Wales Premier Cricket Competition. Also in Australia, the 2023-24 Big Bash started last week. Tom Curran is with Sean Abbott at the Sydney Sixers. Laurie Evans is with Perth Scorchers, where he scored 76 from 41 balls in the 2022 final in the Scorchers’

from set-pieces late on but Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala saw two attempts blocked. The Hamlet then broke out from the pressure in the 86th minute and Wanadio brilliantly finished across Harvey to secure the points. Dulwich have moved up to ninth in the table with 25 points from nineteen games. They are six points off the play-off spots though all but one of the teams above them have games in hand. The Hamlet travel to Enfield Town this Saturday for a 3pm kick-off. Meanwhile, Dulwich Hamlet Women registered a second consecutive 6-0 win in the L&SERWFL Premier

Money talks as Millwall out of FA Cup

‘Midnight Train’ delivers chilling forecast to rival By John Kelly

RICHARD RIAKPORHE says he has been dreaming about “hurting” Chris Billam-Smith as a WBO cruiserweight title fight between the pair moved closer.

Billam-Smith retained his belt with an unconvincing win last weekend against Mateusz Masternak, who retired in his corner with a rib injury after seven rounds. Unbeaten Walworth fighter Riakporhe (17-0) inflicted the only defeat on Billam-Smith in his

"I have the ability to knock out any cruiserweight in the world. So that's all I want to do, deliver to myself, my coaches and the boxing fans. "What I believe deep down in my soul [is] that I'm going to win and I will be victorious in the fight with CBS for the WBO. "And it won't be just a win, it's going to be a KO. "Now it's time for new blood, fresh blood, somebody that has the ability and the potential to really do something amazing in the sport. I'm hungry."

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Roy ‘sick’ after Reds defeat ‘When the day comes to leave it behind I won't be missing anything’

By John Kelly CRYSTAL PALACE manager Roy Hodgson said he won’t miss football when he retires after his side’s controversial 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Selhurst Park last weekend.

Jean-Philippe Mateta gave the Eagles a 57th-minute lead from the penalty spot for Jarell Quansah’s foul on the forward with referee Andy Madley giving the spot-kick after the video assistant referee advised him to check the pitch-side monitor. Madley had given Palace a penalty in the first half for Virgil van Dijk's foul on Odsonne Edouard, but then overturned the decision after spending three minutes at the monitor before judging Will Hughes had fouled Wataru Endo in the build-up.

Odsonne Edouard is fouled by Virgil van Dijk for a penalty before it is overturned Jordan Ayew was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 75th minute before Mohamed Salah scored his 200th goal for Liverpool less than two minutes later, the visitors’ first shot on target. Jurgen Klopp’s side won it through Harvey Elliott’s strike from the edge of the box one minute into the ten of added-time to send the Reds top of the Premier League table. "We're talking too much about the referees," Hodgson said. "The fact is I'm afraid I've been in football a long time and games like today make me realise that when the day comes to leave it behind, I won't be missing anything. "Van Dijk took the opportunity to get [Ayew] the first yellow card by kicking the ball against him from a few yards away.

"That's very disappointing. I think if you are Liverpool Football Club, you don't need players of Van Dijk's quality and status in the game to try and get a player a yellow card by just kicking the ball against him.” Hodgson added: "I'm absolutely sick about the handball interpretations. I'm sick about these yellow cards for time-wasting. I'm sick about player behaviour. "All through the game, we're trying to do our job. The coaches who set this game up unbelievably well are trying to get a bit of advice out and every time they step forward and get even close to me, the guy [fourth official] is screaming at them to sit down again. I'm sick of those." Palace dropped to sixteenth in the table before the rest of the weekend’s games.

“We’ve had a lot of hard ones to take, this is just another one along the way,” Hodgson said. “I’m gutted for the players, because I’m gutted about the way the game panned out. I think having to play the game with ten men for the last fifteen or 20 minutes was unbelievably harsh on us. I don’t believe it was worthy of the way we played. “To play with ten men for the last fifteen-plus minutes, in a game up to that point we’d dealt with well, was a really, really harsh outcome and certainly not worthy of what the team produced up to that point. “It’s saddening to watch games like that, where a team does so well as the boys did, and worked so hard against all the odds, and have to go along having lost two goals to one.” Added to Hodgson’s worries were

more injury concerns, with Edouard, Jefferson Lerma and Sam Johnstone all substituted. Hodgson said: “Edouard we don’t know, it’s a knee injury. A calf injury to Johnstone, and a hamstring injury to Lerma. "We’re going through a bad spell and it looks like the bad spell will continue – and we weren’t helped today with the continuation of that bad spell – but I’ve never had any worries about the team with regards to the rest of the season. “We’re going to have to survive this bad spell and get players fit again. “I can praise them for their performance and say they were so unlucky. I can blame lots of things, but the bottom line is a game where I thought after 75 minutes we were looking likely to win 1-0, we lose 2-1.”

Madley look again at how Hughes had won the ball from Wataru Endo just before. The decision to award the spot-kick was overturned on review, but this wasn’t to be the case second time around after the interval when Madley was once again sent to the screen to see a clear foul in the box by Jarell Quansah on Jean-Philippe Mateta. Mateta made no mistake from twelve yards to give Palace a deserved 57th-minute advantage, although the turning point came on 75 minutes when Jordan Ayew picked up his second yellow card.

Liverpool drew level moments later via a deflected Mohamed Salah strike. And there was to be a sickening sucker punch in the first minute of stoppage-time as Harvey Elliott grabbed the Reds’ winner with a shot from just outside the box. It remains just one home league win in SE25 this season for the Eagles, but this at least was a much better display than the tame midweek reverse at the hands of Bournemouth. And Hughes wants the supporters to keep the faith as the Eagles bid to turn things around. He said: “Of course it’s disappointing

to lose in the manner in which we did, having played a large part of the game in control and had plenty of chances up until the sending off. “I’ve not seen it back so I can’t really comment, but playing against eleven men, when you’ve got ten men against Liverpool, is always going to be a challenge. It’s disappointing. “I don’t think the [fans’] frustration was aimed at us today because we grafted out there, we put in a shift and I thought we played well for large parts. “We need their support to turn this around at home.”

Next up are Manchester City on Saturday, although Palace can at least take heart from having a better record than most against Pep Guardiola’s side. Hughes said: “We’ve proven we can compete with that kind of team over the last few years, looking at results against the big teams. “There are no easy games in this league. “You’d think on paper we might have a better chance against certain teams. “But when you play against bigger teams the pressure is on them, so we can cause them problems.”

Midfielder Hughes urges Eagles supporters to keep the faith By Paul Green

WILL HUGHES is calling for Crystal Palace fans to stick with the team after last weekend's heartbreaking 2-1 home defeat to Liverpool.

The Eagles certainly didn’t look like a team short of confidence following a recent dip in form, with Jefferson Lerma seeing a first-half header pushed on to the post by Alisson. Odsonne Edouard thought he had won a 29th-minute penalty after being tripped by Virgil van Dijk, only for VAR to recommend referee Andy

by Kiro Evans chriS WiLLocK and ilias chair scored as queens Park rangers won three successive Championship games for the first time in fourteen months as they dismissed hull city 2-0 at Loftus road last weekend.

Willock curled a brilliant shot into the top corner a minute into firsthalf added-time, and Chair added the second in the 73rd minute from a mistake by Hull goalkeeper Ryan Allsop. It was also the Hoops’ second home league win in a row for the first time in over as year as they closed the gap to safety to two points. The majority of the 16,967 crowd finally have something to celebrate under boss Marti Cifuentes, and he highlighted their backing against promotion hopefuls Hull. “I want to praise the fans because they helped us today in a difficult game,” Cifuentes said. “There were some moments without the ball, long moments without the ball – more than what we would have liked – but we were playing a good squad. “The fans are helping us a lot. There is nothing I can complain about. “We need to build the feeling that it is very difficult for opponents to get points when they are playing at our home. “I also want to especially praise the commitment of the guys. It was a difficult game, we knew we were playing a very good team who play good football. “All the praise goes to the players and the supporters, because the fans helped us a lot with the noise they made.” Cifuentes also praised goalkeeper Asmir Begovic after the visitors had six shots on target. Cifuentes said: “It was a great lift to score at that time and it came after we had struggled for a bit in that first half. “That shows we have quality in the squad, not only with Chris Willock but also with Asmir Begovic. Today he was fantastic with his saves. “We needed that second goal and we speak always that we need to score another goal. At half-time we actually were challenging the guys to forget what we had achieved in the first half,

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where there’s a will there’s a way

Ilias Chair (10) and Chris Willock

Allan Campbell joined Millwall on loan from Luton Town on transfer deadline day in September

Hoops win three in a row for ﬁrst time in over a year

and to keep pushing as if the game was 0-0. “That shows the guys are believing in what we are doing, and all the credit goes to them for really working hard, despite some moments of the game

not being the scenario we would have liked.” QPR have won three and drawn two of Cifuentes’ six games in charge since he replaced the sacked Gareth Ainsworth.

“I am happy with the commitment of the players,” Cifuentes said. “I see a team that is really believing in their quality, that believes we can get out of the situation we are in. “We must not forget that three wins

in a row is a big achievement for us but we are still in a difficult situation. “We must stay humble and keep working hard.” QPR were at home to Plymouth Argyle on Wednesday.

when he headed Corey Blackett-Taylor's cross past goalkeeper Jack Stevens. Appleton admitted the hosts only had themselves to blame for that goal but criticised the award of the spot-kick for the second. “It was little details that let us down at the end,” Appleton said. “We can’t allow a free header from seven yards out. At any level of football you can’t allow that to happen. “You need your smaller and less physical players in the team to be a little bit more aggressive and not allow free headers. “I’m not going to defend the referee because it’s indefensible,” he said. “It’s one of them where, before the lad had even hit the ground, the whistle was in his mouth and he’s given the penalty.

It’s clearly outside the box, so that was frustrating. “In the second half we were on the front foot, we were aggressive. We passed the ball forward much more. We found a different way of getting at Cambridge.” Charlton opened the scoring when half-time substitute Daniel Kanu’s cross deflected to May who scored his nineteenth goal in all competitions this campaign. “I thought he was great,” Appleton said when asked about Kanu’s impact. “He gives us a little bit more physicality up there. When you play with Alfie up top as a nine you’ve got to feed him and play balls down the side. To do that you need a presence in the game, and we never had that in the first half.

“With DK we’re delighted he’s in a good place and he’s contributing.” Blackett-Taylor appeared to be carrying an injury when he was substituted in the 82nd minute. “He’s been struggling with a quad and a thigh issue for a while now,” Appleton said. “We’ve been managing it as best as we possibly can, that’s the reason he wasn’t involved on Wednesday. “He had a big contribution in the second half. I think he had a strike just before he came off and he felt it a little bit.” Charlton, who are tenth, nine points off the play-offs, travel to seventh-place Barnsley on Saturday. “Next week will be a test,” Appleton said. “We’ve come through one or two tests away from home over the

last month or so. The biggest one was Portsmouth. If we can put a similar sort of performance in to what we did then, we give ourselves a great chance.” Harris was taking charge of his first game. He said: ”I played and managed for seventeen years – the big club up the road. I’ve always enjoyed a friendly banter with Charlton fans, and it is. They have been good to me over the years, especially with my illness. They were really good and the club were excellent. “Of course to come from behind like we did - as I did four years ago in my first game as Cardiff manager here after being 2-0 down - is quite fitting for me. “The first 72 hours have been a whirlwind. Of course it makes it sweeter because it is Charlton, a big football club with a huge following.”

‘Indefensible’ - Appleton slams penalty decision as ex-Millwall boss takes point By John Kelly MichAeL APPLeToN said the decision to give cambridge united a 96th-minute penalty was “indefensible” as charlton Athletic let a 2-0 lead slip after 87 minutes of their League one clash at The valley last weekend.

Gassan Ahadme had scored for Neil Harris’ U’s three minutes from time before referee Thomas Kirk judged that Tayo Edun's foul on Jack Lankester was inside the box. Ahdame kept his cool to make it 2-2. The Addicks went in front in the 52nd minute through Alfie May’s fifteenth league goal of the season. Wolves loanee Chem Campbell doubled the lead nine minutes later

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poch wants Market MoVes Chelsea still lacking despite £1billion splurge

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has a lot to think about

By John Kelly cheLSeA MAy have spent a billion pounds in the transfer market under Todd Boehly but that’s not going to stop Mauricio Pochettino demanding the Blues owner open his wallet again in January after last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to everton at Goodison Park highlighted their shortcomings.

Chelsea don’t have much to show for that outlay - which included the purchase of two £100million-plus midfielders - as they sit twelfth in the Premier League table. Abdoulaye Doucoure and substitute Lewis Dobbin scored second-half goals for Sean Dyche’s side, who won three successive league games for the first time since 2021. The visitors started with Armando

Broja up front before Nicolas Jackson came on in the 67th minute, but the Blues failed to score in a fifth Premier League game this season in what was their third away defeat in a row. Pochettino hinted he would like to add to his forward options next month. "This was a game to play and to win," Pochettino said. "It is a problem we need to check. We need to analyse. We need to talk and to try and improve in the next transfer market. "We had chances but we need to score if we want to win the game and be in a different position in the table. We were much better than them but we need to score, otherwise the confidence of the opponent [grows]. “We didn't score. You dominate the game, I think we were the better side but if you don't score goals it is difficult to win games. We didn't

receive enough in the last third. So far it has looked like we had progress in this area but today we showed lack of productivity in the last third. “We have too many chances, too many approaches in the last third but then if you have not received enough and showed you can compete with quality there it is difficult to win the game. Yes, lack of concentration we concede one goal, but we should score before. “After five months, we need to check that is the reality. If we do not receive enough, maybe we need to do something, some movement [in the transfer market], that is a thing to analyse with the sporting director, the owner and to change the dynamic and to improve in the second part of the season because we need to be more aggressive.”

There was another injury blow for captain Reece James, who went off in the 27th minute with a hamstring problem. Pochettino said: “For sure he's injured, but we don't know how serious it is. Of course for us he is an important player, one of the best fullbacks in the world. "We go back and assess again in the next few days what is going on with his hamstring." Chelsea are also assessing goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and defender Marc Cucurella who went off injured against the Toffees. Long-term absentees Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia are close to returns and their first competitive appearances for the club. Chelsea host Sheffield United this Saturday.

roy 'sick' after reds defeat Fulham ﬂying after home high ﬁves By Paul Green hArry WiLSoN believes the previous weekend’s sickening defeat at Liverpool was the perfect motivator for fulham to produce back-to-back 5-0 home wins.

The Cottagers were leading 3-2 at Anfield with just three minutes remaining, but ended up going down 4-3 after late goals from Waturu Endu and Trent Alexander-Arnold. The response the following Wednesday was an emphatic 5-0 demolition of Nottingham Forest at Craven Cottage. And on Sunday West Ham suffered the exact same fate as Fulham made it three home wins on the spin to move into the top ten. Wilson, who scored and assisted against the Hammers after an assist against Forest, said: “It has been a big week for us with three games in a week. We started off by scoring three goals at Anfield and not coming away with anything. “It was tough but we took a lot of confidence from that because not many teams are able to go there and score three. “We’ve taken that into the two home games. We know we have to make this a tough place to come for teams and thankfully we’ve done that this week. “The previous month was a tough one for us in terms of the results, losing games late on and not scoring the goals that we wanted to. “We saw this month starting last week as a big month for us in our season. We’ve started it well. We’ve got a few tough games to go with Newcastle away next week followed by Everton in the quarter-finals of the [EFL] Cup. “They’re going to be two tough games but I think if we keep putting in performances like that then we are going to be okay.” The Cottagers take on the Magpies at 3pm on Saturday. THE RECYCLED PAPER CONTENT OF UK NEWSPAPERS IN 2014 WAS 83.5%