SouthLondonWeekly. Community matters
Issue 32 ∙ 50p ∙ January 12 2024 ∙ www.southlondon.co.uk
See page 11
will one of london’S neweST naTure reSerVeS aCTually liVe up To iTS iniTial expeCTaTionS?
The riVer reimagined
eagleS STuCk on ToffeeS TeST
See sport
may0ral CandidaTeS SeT ouT ViSionS See page 6
big planS ahead for greenwiCh in 2024
See page 19
CounCil payouT oVer home pledge
See page 18
2 NEWS Contents NEWS Pages 2-19 PROPERTY Page 20 Arts Pages 21-22 history Page 23 CLASSIFIED Page 24 Public notices Pages 25-27 SPORT Pages 28-32
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The Supreme Court decision that could affect councils' obligations towards their homeless By Harrison Galliven
Local Democracy Reporter A Supreme Court decision established that Croydon Council could be within its right to refuse to house a homeless resident if they have proven housing them would lead to the detriment of others in the borough. The contentious legal battle that underscores the ongoing struggles with homelessness in the heart of London concerns Croydon’s statutory duty towards a homeless individual under the Housing Act 1996. According to experts, the result of this case could have wide-reaching implications for the borough and its relationship with its residents. The outcome also offers cash-strapped councils a potential avenue to avoid settling costly housing bills if they provide adequate justification. The focus of the dispute centers around a disabled homeless woman and her family and the question of whether Croydon Council has a legal obligation to house them, irrespective of its financial constraints. Both financial stability and homelessness reduction have been a focal point of the presiding Conservativeled council following the turbulence of recent years. While the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by the local authority on whether they demonstrated they did everything within their power to house the individual, legal experts hold the decision as a positive for councils. Victoria Searle, Associate at Browne Jacobson, the firm who advised the council on the appeal said: “The court ruled in principle that councils can’t be compelled by a mandatory order to do the impossible.” She added: “This judgment will bring sighs of relief from many local authorities. The Supreme Court has recognised that the pressures local authorities face (and the difficulties they face in balancing the increasing demands on their housing services with serious budgetary pressures) are significant
SouthLondonWeekly.
factors in the court’s exercise of its remedial relief.” Searle spoke of the importance of a council meeting its statutory requirements but stressed they should not be forced to do so if it was to the detriment of the council’s other beneficiaries. Searle commented: “While local authorities will, rightly, be required to demonstrate that they have taken all reasonable steps to perform their duty, the courts should not grant relief in cases where this would cause unfairness to others who are dependent upon that authority for housing or cause significant
SouthLondonWeekly. Community matters
Issue 31 ∙ 50p ∙ January 5 2024 ∙ www.southlondon.co.uk
Community matters
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 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
WHAT DOES 2024 HOLD FOR LONDON'S THREE MOST SOUTHERLY BOROUGHS?
DISABLED
WOMAN STUCK OVER IN HOME FOR See TWO WEEKS 'DUE TO YEW sport TO BROKEN LIFT'
HEALTH RISK See pages 14-15
See page 12
'THIRD WINTER WITHOUT BOROUGH-WIDE BUS SHELTERS' See page 13
VIOLENCE AGAINST DOCTORS, NURSES AND OTHER HOSPITAL WORKERS APPEARS TO BE RISING IN LONDON, DATA SUGGESTS See page 9
THOUSANDS FLOCKED TO LONDON'S 'MOST CHRISTMASSY LANE' See page 11
disruption to an authority’s management of its resources to meet all the functions imposed on it by Parliament.” Following the dismissal of the appeal, Croydon must now take the case back to the High Court for further consideration with fresh evidence. There they must demonstrate that providing housing to Imam would take funding away from other areas of their budget and ultimately detriment Croydon residents. This decision bookends a case that dates back to 2014, when Ms Imam, the respondent applied for assistance as a homeless person to Croydon Council.
Imam is a full-time wheelchair user and mother of three children aged between 12-17. Croydon has been providing Imam with temporary housing in a three-bedroom property with stairs since September 2014. Given Imam’s disability, Croydon acknowledges that the property is not an appropriate place to live. Section 193(2) of Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 stipulates that local housing authorities must assist those who are not intentionally homeless. Part 6 of the act also stipulates the allocation of housing accommodation on a secure, non-temporary basis. Imam is on the waiting list for re-housing in a wheelchair-adapted property under Part 6. Due to the amount of time she spent on the waiting list, Imam brought a claim for judicial review of Croydon’s treatment of her. She sought an order to require the local authority to secure suitable accommodation for her and her family. She also requested damages under the Equality Act and a reassessment of her priority status. After the high court ruled the local authority’s lack of financial or other resources should not be taken into consideration, Croydon appealed and took the case to the Supreme Court, the highest civil court in the land. In the following Supreme Court case, the onus was on the authority to explain to the court why a mandatory order to find suitable housing should not be made. However, since this appeal was dismissed both Croydon and Imam must return to the High Court. In his judgment, Supreme Court judge Lord Sales instructed the parties as to what was to happen next. He said: “LBC (Croydon) should submit proposals to the court on how to proceed in respect of any competition for suitable properties between individuals, including Ms Imam, who are owed a duty under section 193(2).” Croydon Council was approached for comment but failed to respond in time for publication.
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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NEWS 3
By Herbie Russell
for moSt people everyday activities like paying bills, emailing a doctor, or reading your children a bedtime story, happen without thinking. But for a hidden minority of adults, these are impossible tasks.
That’s because roughly seven per cent of the working-age population can barely read and cannot write at all. Astonishingly, many still manage to hold down highpressure jobs, finding ways of navigating the world without even basic literacy skills. Richard Welton is a volunteer at Read Easy Southwark, a reading coaching programme for adults. He said: “We had somebody who worked with Southwark Council all his working life who’d managed to survive with his job. There was also a delivery driver who had coped, but as you can imagine it was quite difficult for him to locate the correct addresses.” Julia Williams, Team Leader at Read Easy Southwark, explained people will come up with “coping mechanisms”. She said: ”For example, they will listen to messages on their phone rather than read them and dictate messages rather than write them. “One of our readers, who works in retail, has to memorise everything like buttons on the till. She has a visual map in her mind of what buttons she has to press but, as you can imagine, it makes her job so much more difficult and stressful.” Blessing, 43, is one reader getting coached at Read Easy. The mother-of-four lives in Borough and works as a cleaner. Last year, she explained to a doctor she was
© Read Easy
‘i learnT To read So i Could Tell my Children a bedTime STory’
Ailsa (right) teaching Blessing (left) to read struggling to read correspondence about her child’s health and was referred to Read Easy. Struggling with reading causes Blessing real strife. Asked what she finds most challenging, she said: “My children’s appointments, my letters from the council. A lot of things! My children’s homework because… sometimes they say ‘I’m finished’ but I don’t know if they did the homework properly. It’s very difficult.” One of her younger children is unwell and she even has to rely on the older ones to read the dosage on the backs of medicines. There are all sorts of reasons people may
reach adulthood without learning to read; undiagnosed learning disabilities, health problems or socioeconomic problems. But for Blessing, who was born in the UK but moved with her family to Nigeria when she was just two weeks old, her reading struggles are linked to her education. Blessing said: “It’s horrible. If you get there late they need to smack you. Maybe they ask you some questions and you don’t know it - they need to whack you as well.” She developed a fear of reading which was exacerbated at home, where Blessing says she was subjected to more physical punishment if she couldn’t do her school
work. “Anytime I had to read a text I would tell them ‘I’m sick’ so I didn’t have to do my work,” Blessing said. Since July, Blessing has been meeting up with her reading coach Ailsa in a cosy cafe near her home. When she started, Blessing didn’t know the alphabet but she can already read simple books. Blessing, who has ambitions to become a nurse, said: “Oh my god, it’s so nice. I couldn’t read before. I can read now!” Her volunteer coach Ailsa, who works as a lawyer, said watching Blessing improve had been “really satisfying and exciting”. “Blessing’s my first adult I’m helping
and I’m absolutely loving it and I’m loving seeing how much confidence it’s bringing to Blessing already,” she said. It’s one of hundreds of success stories at Read Easy, which has helped over 1,000 adults learn to read and write across 80 volunteer-led groups across the country. Jeremy Bowen, International Editor at the BBC, and Ambassador for Read Easy Southwark, said: “It’s tragic that far too many adults can’t read. Around five million adults in England and Wales don’t have the reading and writing skills expected of an average eleven year old.” A long-time Camberwell resident, he added: “As a resident of Southwark for more than forty years it’s sad to think that people living not too far from me can’t get the pleasure I’ve had all my life from the written word.” Adult illiteracy isn’t just bad news for those involved, but for the nation as a whole. According to the World Literacy Foundation, low levels of literacy costs the UK an estimated £81 billion a year in lost earnings and increased welfare spending. For further information on help with reading or volunteering as a coach, please contact Richard Welton on 07981 963154 or via email: southwarknetworker@ readeasy.org.uk All coaches and management team members in the Southwark Group are volunteers but the group has to pay for teaching material and training courses. If you wish to help with funding these items, you can do this via Just Giving at https:// www.justgiving.com/readeasysouthwark .
Senbla presents Opera International’s award-winning Ellen Kent production featuring the Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv, with international soloists, highly-praised chorus and full orchestra
“A Butterfly to Cherish” MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS
WINNER ‘BEST OPERA AWARD’ LIVERPOOL DAILY POST THEATRE AWARDS
Welcoming back the fabulous Korean soprano Elena Dee, Ukrainian soprano Alyona Kistenyova and Ukrainian mezzo-soprano’s Natalia Matveeva and Irina Sproglis.† With an exquisite Japanese Garden and spectacular costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan. Sung in Italian with English surtitles. † Cast subject to change.
Sat 3 February 7.30pm www.fairfield.co.uk
4 NEWS By Herbie Russell A mAn and a boy have been convicted of murdering Kalabe Legesse, 29, in peckham rye park, on december 30, 2022.
Nah’shun Thomas, 20, of Bournemouth Road, Peckham, and a 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were found guilty following a trial at Croydon Court on Friday, January 5. The victim’s family paid tribute to a man “loved by everyone” and said they’d “never understand why he was murdered over a mobile phone”. Kalabe had been sitting on a bench by the park cafe on Strakers Road when the defendants approached him riding bikes at around 8pm. The pair had already committed two robberies shortly before and, armed with a knife, threatened to steal Kalabe’s phone. Kalabe was stabbed once in the chest and, despite the best efforts of paramedics and officers, died at the scene. A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as a haemorrhage from a single stab wound to the heart. Kalabe had been on the phone to a friend when the defendants approached him. The friend would later tell police that he heard the suspects saying: “Where are you from?’ and “What have you got on you?”. However, Kalabe’s phone wasn’t found at the scene by emergency services or crime scene detectives. The defendants had fled the scene so officers trawled through hundreds of hours of CCTV to trace their movements. Officers identified their home addresses and both were arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday, January 19, 2023. Police enquiries revealed the defendants had committed two other mobile phone robberies shortly before Kalabe’s murder. Both victims of those robberies reported that the defendants had a knife and said “Where are you from?’ and ‘What have you got on you?”. In the early stages of the trial, the defendants pleaded guilty to both of those robberies. When officers searched the home address of the 17-year-old, they found, in
man and boy ConViCTed of kalabe legeSSe murder in peCkham rye park
Convicted: Nah’shun Thomas
his death; Christmas and New Year for us will never be the same again. “Kalabe was loved by everyone he met and had an exciting future ahead of him. He will never be able to have a family of his own, and our family will never have him back. “We are grateful to the investigation team for their hard work for over a year to bring these people to justice.” Exactly a week after Kalabe was murdered, his family, neighbours and
his grandmother’s bedroom, a sheathed black-handled hunting knife wrapped in a black puffer coat. Forensic examination found traces of Kalabe’s blood inside the sheath. Both were charged on January 21, 2023, and appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court, where they were remanded in custody pending trial. DI Guttridge said: “My thoughts today are with Kalabe Legesse’s family as they continue to come to terms with their
loss. It is my sincere wish that they find some comfort in knowing that justice has been served.” A spokesperson for Mr Legesse’s family said: “Nothing can bring back our son Kalabe. He was doing nothing wrong on the night that he was killed and we will never understand why he was murdered over a mobile phone. “The defendants have not shown any remorse for what they did to him. We have recently passed the anniversary of
industrial and affordable workspace will create more local jobs than currently provided on the site. This would be located at the Railway Rise end of the site where there are already new buildings like a library and a Marks and Spencer shop. The developer also said “preservation of the natural environment is at the heart” of its proposals. Pocket and roof gardens will be dotted throughout the scheme and special efforts will be made to retain trees, particularly those alongside the Charter School,
Cresswick wrote. The plot measures roughly 0.85 hectares and is categorised as a brownfield site by Southwark Council. Cresswick is a developer specialising in large-scale mixed-use developments in London and the South East. Consultation for this phase of the designs concluded on December 14 but there will be another public exhibition in Spring 2024. A planning application is expected to be submitted to Southwark Council in summer of this year.
Plans to build 376-bedroom student accommodation and affordable homes behind East Dulwich station ExcLuSivE
By Herbie Russell A deveLoper has proposed building 376 student rooms and 52 affordable homes behind east dulwich station.
View currently from East Dulwich station (left) and a computer-generated image of The Sidings (right)
© Cresswick
Named ‘The Sidings’, the development on Railway Rise, currently the site of a builder’s merchants yard, would also provide 700m2 of light industrial and affordable workspace. Developer Cresswick says it would increase the amount of “high-quality” affordable housing in the area and “bring new footfall to local retailers”. The building would be broken down into seven blocks ranging from three to sevenstoreys high. 80 per cent of the homes would be family dwellings located furthest away from the station and accessed via Melbourne Grove. The student accommodation, located in the middle of the site, would include a cafe area, lounges and a gym. According to Cresswick, the new light
Kalabe Legesse
friends gathered for a tearful vigil at the same spot he was killed. Speaking at the vigil, Rev Dele Ogunyemi of St Anthony and St Silas said “violence must be challenged” and the community would “stand shoulder to shoulder”. “And so we come here together, holding a light, saying the darkness of violence will not have the last word,” he added. Sentencing is due to take place on April 19th this year.
The river Thames will be blessed from London Bridge this weekend By Isabel Ramirez in A church service in the middle of London Bridge, the river thames will be blessed this weekend and the public is invited to attend.
Local church leaders will conduct the blessing, which will follow a procession after mass at the Cathedral. Its purpose is to bless those who work and look after the river and those who enjoy it. Special blessings are also said for those who have died on or near the river. This Sunday (January 14) a procession will lead the way from Southwark Cathedral on the south bank, meeting a similar one from St Magnus The Martyr on the north bank, in the middle of London Bridge. The blessing itself takes place at
12.30 pm and is free to attend. Although this particular ceremony has only taken place for the last twenty years or so, there is evidence of groups throughout history giving thanks to their river as far back as the ancient Egyptians who believed their Nile was a gift from the gods.
The Blessing of the Thames
NEWS 5
king’S College hoSpiTalS welComed fifTeen babieS on new year’S day By Isabel Ramirez
fifteen fAmiLieS from across South London and Kent started the new year with the arrival of their babies at King’s College hospitals.
The two first babies born
Maternity staff at King’s College Hospital in Denmark Hill welcomed eight babies on New Year’s Day 2024, while colleagues at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) in Orpington helped introduce seven to the world. Among them was the first King’s baby of 2024, a little girl to mum Shannon from Orpington, born at 00:25 who weighed in at 7lbs 3oz. Shannon explained: “My care has been absolutely fantastic; everyone has been really helpful and supportive.” Meanwhile, over in Camberwell, the first baby born was Vaïana (pictured) to Mum, Deborah from Streatham Hill. Clare Clifford-Turner, Specialist Midwife at King’s College Hospital said: “Congratulations to all the families who celebrated the arrival of their New Year’s Day babies at King’s College Hospital. “A special thanks to all our staff who have worked over the festive period, not only to bring these very special babies into the world safely but also for bringing festive cheer, a positive attitude and exemplary teamwork.” King’s College Hospital and Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) are both part of the King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
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6 NEWS
independent London mayoral candidate has pledged to abolish low traffic neighbourhoods, congestion charge and the entire Ultra low emission zone By Noah Vickers
He added: “You cannot impose policies on people, and that is what has been done with Ulez. It’s been imposed, without proper consultation.” The candidate has said he was inspired to run for mayor after being “radicalised
by lockdown”. He was fined for attempting to keep his Wood Green gym open during lockdown, but this was overturned in court. Mr Michli told the LDRS: “It was basically the way the Government acted in a tyrannical fashion, telling people what they can and can’t do, imposing legislation on us. And that’s why I’m running for mayor.” The candidate has put health at the centre of his campaign, pledging to provide free gym memberships for Londoners which would be paid for by City Hall. “We’re trying to take the approach of
empowering Londoners to take control of their own health,” he said, adding that he would also provide the capital’s residents with personalised nutrition plans. Regarding policing, Mr Michli has said he wants to see a “return to early 20th century-style uniforms” for the Met. “An outsider, someone from another country, that’s how they probably picture our police force… It’s a tradition we need to uphold,” he said. Mr Michli added that he is concerned about a lack of professionalism in the Met, calling the force “a laughing stock”. He has pledged to impose “significantly higher physical standards for entry”, which would be “closer to military standards”. He has also said constables should also possess “a level of legal knowledge comparable to a solicitor”. Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has warned that the force is struggling to recruit enough officers, but Mr Michli insisted that imposing higher entry standards would in fact ease rather than worsen the problem. He said: “For me, they’re a bunch of jumped up doormen with badges, running around. There’s no professionalism. If we raise the standard, people will aspire to have that job.” Mr Michli has promised to abolish net zero targets. He said: “Net zero targets aren’t benefitting Londoners in any way, as far as I can see. “They’re costing businesses, they’re costing people, they’re making things more difficult, they’re making the traffic
worse in a lot of places – it’s a negative road we’re going down here.” Asked whether he was worried about global warming, he said: “I mean, me as a mayoral candidate, I could give you my opinions on global warming, but I feel it’s outside of the sort of purview of what the Mayor of London is capable of controlling.” With the exception of Ken Livingstone, no independent candidate for London mayor has ever achieved more than four per cent of the vote. Mr Michli said Londoners should vote for him because no other candidate “has the will and passion to actually achieve what they’re saying”. He added: “I’m not a politician, I’m a regular Londoner. I was born and bred here, I grew up here. I’m raising my family here. I am one of you. I will do my very utmost best to make London strong.” Other independent mayoral candidates who have declared so far include CEO and university chancellor Natalie Campbell, policy campaigner Rayhan Haque and investment banker Tarun Ghulati. Sadiq Khan is fighting for an historic third term as Labour’s candidate, up against the Conservatives’ Susan Hall, the Greens’ Zoë Garbett, the Liberal Democrats’ Rob Blackie and Reform UK’s Howard Cox. Former Labour MP George Galloway – who later led the Respect Party and is now leader of the Workers’ Party of Britain – has also said he will stand. The election will take place on May 2, along with elections for the London Assembly.
Livingstone, no independent London mayoral candidate has ever received more than four per cent of the vote. Mr Ghulati said this election was his first experience of politics, but that several people had encouraged him to run, telling him that “nobody wants” to re-elect Mr Khan and that Ms Hall was “uninspiring”. The candidate, who lives in St John’s Wood, said he was concerned by the number of police stations which had closed in London in recent years and that he would seek to re-open them in areas with high crime rates. On transport, Mr Ghulati said he wanted to completely scrap the Ultra low emission zone (Ulez), remove the congestion charge on weekends and abolish low traffic neighbourhoods. The candidate, who was born in India and has lived in London for more than 20 years, said: “I certainly come from a country where toxic air is a big issue
and I believe we should work towards making things greener and more effective.” But he claimed that hindrances to cars, such as road-blocks in low traffic neighbourhoods, were in fact contributing to pollution by causing vehicles to stand still and emit fumes. Most local traffic neighbourhoods are located on residential roads controlled by borough councils, rather than Transport for London (TfL), raising questions about any London mayor’s ability to remove them. The candidate said the Ulez was unfair because wealthy Londoners can easily afford the £12.50 daily charge for non-compliant vehicles, while those on lower incomes are deterred from using their cars. According to the latest TfL data, 95 per cent of vehicles seen driving on an average day across inner and outer London are now Ulez-compliant. The
mayor has also established a £160 million scrappage scheme to provide financial assistance to Londoners with non-compliant vehicles. Mr Ghulati said he also wanted to tackle inequality in the capital, including by pursuing a “levelling up” agenda for London and lobbying the Government to remove the two-child benefit cap. In addition, the candidate has pledged to build more affordable homes and champion London globally. “I’m very keen to make sure that I bring the smiles on the faces of all Londoners – that’s my key mantra,” he said, adding that voter turnout in 2021’s mayoral election – at 42 per cent – was not particularly high. “People, by and large, if you don’t do anything for them, they’re not
bothered. Communities have become insular, they’re broken. I want to bring back the cohesiveness,” said Mr Ghulati. Beyond Mr Khan and Ms Hall, other candidates include the Green Party’s Zoë Garbett, the Liberal Democrats’ Rob Blackie and Reform UK’s Howard Cox. Former Labour MP George Galloway – who later led the Respect Party and is now leader of the Workers’ Party of Britain – has also said he will stand. Other independent candidates include CEO and university chancellor Natalie Campbell, policy campaigner Rayhan Haque and gym owner Andreas Michli. The election will take place on May 2, along with elections to the London Assembly.
Local Democracy Reporter An independent London mayoral candidate has pledged to abolish low traffic neighbourhoods, the congestion charge and the entire Ultra low emission zone (Ulez). Andreas Michli, a gym owner from Haringey said that London’s air is “the cleanest it has ever been”, but that the Ulez had not been a contributing factor in that. Asked what has caused improvements in London’s air quality in recent years, he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “I’m not an expert in that, but this is what the stats and data are telling us… [The Ulez] has had such a minimal effect, it can’t even be correlated [to improved air quality].” Pressed on whether he was able to account for London’s reduced air pollution, he insisted: “Well it’s certainly not Ulez.” He later suggested that advances in technology may have played some role. A recent analysis using Transport for London (TfL) data found that the Ulez has averted more air pollution than is produced by the capital’s airports or its river and rail transport combined. The research found that the Ulez and the pre-existing low emission zone for HGVs reduced road traffic particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions by 180 tonnes across London over three years, while nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from road traffic fell by an estimated 13,500 tonnes in the same period.
Mr Michli said he would take a consultative approach to governing the capital, and that if a local community wanted to keep their low traffic neighbourhood, he would allow them to do so. Most low traffic neighbourhoods are located however on roads controlled by borough councils, rather than TfL.
independent candidate will “bring back the smile" on Londoners’ faces, arguing capital has “lost its mojo” By Noah Vickers Local Democracy Reporter An independent mayoral candidate has promised to “bring back the smile” on Londoners’ faces, arguing that the capital has “lost its mojo”. Investment banker Tarun Ghulati told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he was entering the race to “get London moving again”, while strengthening community cohesion and improving policing. Mr Ghulati claimed his campaign will rapidly gather steam, and that within about six weeks, he expects to be polling in third place, ahead of the Liberal Democrat and Green candidates. After that point, he hopes to eclipse incumbent Labour mayor Sadiq Khan and Conservative candidate Susan Hall in the May election. With the exception of Ken
NEWS 7 Agnes Mensah, 63, says she can no longer relax in her own home
Tenants say mould is gathering in the flats
ExcLuSivE By Herbie Russell A CeiLing has collapsed, leaks are “constant” and mould is endemic in an elephant and Castle block built just fourteen years ago, residents claim.
One single mum-of-two claims flooding meant heaps of rubble collapsed on her yet housing association L&Q “did nothing” to repair it for months. Meanwhile, a father-of-two said his family went without hot water for almost three years - forcing them to wash using kettles and shower at his workplace. Multiple Wardroper House tenants have been, or remain, housed in temporary accommodation while L&Q conducts repairs. Southwark Council and local Liberal Democrat Councillor Maria Linforth-Hall have asked the housing association to "urgently" address the situation. L&Q’s Director of Major Programmes apologised to residents and said the company was “working hard to put things right as soon as possible”. Southwark Council said it was “very sorry to learn about the issues facing L&Q’s tenants” and that it would be writing to the housing association. Wardroper resident, Sheena, 37, who works as a nurse while caring for her two children said: “When you get thrown into a place that is social housing, it almost feels like: ‘You get what you’re given, beggars can’t be choosers’. That’s how you’re made to feel. “But we’re just human beings working and trying to make a living as well. Surely we should have the same respect as someone who has a mortgage? There’s no difference. We’re all families.” Southwark Council chose L&Q to deliver Wardroper House in 2010 with all its fifteen flats being let at social rent. It is one of the so-called 'early housing'
schemes built to compensate for the homes lost from the Heygate - a 1,212-flat council estate demolished between 2011 and 2014. Wardroper House promised tenants “airy, comfortable” flats that addressed the “urgent need for affordable housing”. Ed, 55, a tenant who lives with his wife and two young children, still remembers the day they moved in. “It was great because previously we lived in a tiny little flat just off Southwark Park Road,” he said. “The reason we did move was because at the time we had an older child and we had another baby coming.” But Ed says just two years later “we started experiencing a lack of hot water and heating which went on for seven years”. David Charles, 53, who lives with his wife and two children aged thirteen and six, remembers things similarly. “We had no heating for nearly three years and not hot water for just over two years around 2012,” he said. During that time, his family would wash using kettles during the week and come into his work for a proper shower during weekends. David said: ”I was trying to hide it from people at work because it’s embarrassing. I couldn’t say to them I’m living in a place and can’t provide heating and hot water for my family.” Francesca (not her real name), who's now in temporary accommodation, claims she’s had no heating since 2010, forcing the family to shell out on electric heaters. But nowadays, residents say heating and hot water outages are just one of many problems including mould and leaks. A mother-of-two, Francesca said a leak got so bad the ceiling collapsed on her while she was in her children’s bedroom. She claims she’d warned L&Q that the collapse was imminent but the housing association had done nothing. She said: “I was left with rubble all over
CollapSed Ceiling, ‘ConSTanT’ leakS and endemiC mould in elephanT and CaSTle bloCk builT juST fourTeen yearS ago, TenanTS Claim Mother-of-two Kelly Jones, 40, can only cook in daylight hours
the floor for over two months and nobody did nothing. “Every time it rains I still have that anxiety. I don’t see it as my home and I don’t want to go back there. We’re traumatised because of what happened." Chellen Webber, 43 said leaks have at times got so bad that it’s been “like walking through a waterfall”. Many tenants said water had dripped through light fixtures - wiping out their electricity. Francesca also claims she and her two children went without any light, except one in the living room, for almost two years. Mother-of-two Kelly Jones, 40, can only cook in daylight hours because most of her lights are broken and said mould growth has made her family’s breathing “a mess”. Residents believe leaks may be the cause of damp and mould which they say is growing by the day. Agnes Mensah, a 63-year-old support worker, said: “I’ve been to my GP several times.” “Before I thought it was the weather but I realised it was the mould in the bedroom that started it, because every time I went in my bedroom I was coughing.” Many of the tenants we spoke to were currently or had been in temporary accommodation. Sheena was decanted from her flat in September so L&Q could repair leaks in her flat. Four months later, and still in temporary housing, she said: “I’m a nurse, I’m
working. I need to find out my schedule so I know I’ll be in a house, that I’ll have a roof over my head. “I do agency work as well so I wasn't able to do some of my work placements because I simply didn’t know where I’d be from one place to the next.” Francesca, whose children’s bedroom collapsed in August, is also in temporary accommodation. “We’re currently living in boxes because we don’t know what’s going to happen next,” she said. Even those who haven’t suffered the disruption of temporary accommodation say they’ve suffered health problems which they believe have been caused by their housing situation. Agnes says she has panic attacks and Chellen says her blood pressure got so high a blood vessel in her eyeball burst. Agnes said: “When I get home I can’t relax at all. Most time it makes my work harder.” Every tenant we spoke to said L&Q’s communication had been inadequate, with emails and phone calls usually going ignored. Edward described a feeling of “abandonment”, of being ignored and undermined”. Sheena said: “Their communication is terrible. I am just literally tired of trying to contact them.” Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes & Sustainable Development, said: “We were very sorry to learn about the issues facing L&Q’s tenants and will do what we can to help them.
"We will be writing to L&Q to ask them to look into the situation urgently and fully support their tenants while these issues are resolved.” Cllr Maria Linforth-Hall said: “I am appalled at the way residents have been treated, and at the conditions in which they have been living since 2019. “L&Q has no respect for its tenants. The extensive damp and mould is putting tenants' health at risk. “They must, as a matter of absolute urgency, move people to safer accommodation and undertake comprehensive repairs to the building. “The Southwark Liberal Democrats will be calling on the council to help us make sure this happens as soon as possible.” Mark Newstead, Director of Major Programmes at L&Q, said, ‘We’re sorry for the disruption and inconvenience experienced by residents at Wardroper House. We are working hard to put things right as soon as possible. “We carried out a thorough investigation into the leaks and water damage to the property, which was caused by a defect we identified in the roof. “We are in the process of replacing the roof to fix this, and work is expected to be completed in mid-February. “Residents who were temporarily rehoused have had full refurbishment works completed in their homes and have either returned or are due to return imminently. “We wrote to residents in October and asked them to report any concerns about leaks or damage to their homes due to the roof defect. “Our contractors have carried out repairs in a number of homes as a result of resident feedback and remain on site and fully committed to addressing any outstanding works as soon as possible. “We have experienced some difficulties with access to residents’ homes and continue to encourage them to engage with us so we can rectify any outstanding issues.”
8 NEWS
Rotherhithe boating community risks being swept away by wave of ‘profit-driven’ commercialisation during revamp, council warned Alex Stele (left) and Simon Shilito (right) fear for their community’s future
The boatyard is where traders run their businesses
Exclusive By Herbie Russell Rotherhithe’s boat-dwelling community has warned it risks being swept away by a wave of “profit-driven” commercialisation. Southwark Council has submitted plans to “reorganise” the South Dock Marina boatyard, but small business owners say their rents will increase sixfold after the £6 million redevelopment. There are fears this could trigger an exodus of families moored on the docks, as many need these independent traders affordably to upkeep their boats. Southwark Council said it could “understand concerns about indicative rent prices” so would offer discounts to boat repair businesses and staggered rent increases. But the local authority also said it was necessary to make the boatyard’s rents “comparable to the rates paid by businesses across the borough”. Despite these moves, marina residents and boatyard occupants have slammed the redevelopment. In a letter to Southwark Council, marina residents wrote: “If prices rise in line with more commercial benchmarks, the infrastructure that supports London’s liveaboards will be destroyed and a fleet of unmaintained, increasingly unsafe, and eventually abandoned boats will litter London’s waterways.” Southwark Council owns the South Dock Marina - comprising over one hundred moored vessels and a boatyard housing roughly a dozen small businesses, many of which cater to local boats. The council says it wants to reorganise the boatyard to make it safer and provide berth holders with new wash facilities. Old workshops largely based inside shipping containers would be replaced with purpose-built workshops and a cafe would also be built. But traders, who are getting help from the Southwark Law Centre, claim the plans would mean a sixfold increase in commercial rents. Patricia Brizuela, 55, who runs a marine upholstery on the boatyard, said: “If they develop like they want, we already know that the prices will go up for each unit and we’ll have to put the prices up as well and we do the maintenance for all these boats.” Father-of-two Simon Shillito, 43, is a workshop owner on the boatyard, who is also moored at the marina with his family.
He said his yearly rent would rocket from £2,570 for 320 square feet to £16,950 for a 564 square foot container. Alex Stele, 50, a marine engineer based at the boatyard, said: “The price tolerance is very, very fragile. As soon as you start raising it your revenue drops down.” Moreover, traders claim their departure could trigger an exodus of people moored at the docks who rely on them to stay afloat. Alex said: “As soon as this comes in there will be lots of people who live on the small boats who say: ‘We cannot do it’.” Simon said the community had plans to set up a Marine Centre of Excellence, a notfor-profit community enterprise offering training and skills in boat maintenance. He argues that doesn’t interest the council: “It’s got to be profit-driven… and indeed that’s what the council’s after… they’re after profit.” Traders say they have to move out of their current units in March and will be housed in temporary units just outside the units while the redevelopment takes place. The marina forms part of Rotherhithe’s historic docks - a bustling hub of imports and exports from 1696 until the 20th century. Southwark Council took over the docks and during the 1980s and ‘90s and they were extensively redeveloped by the London Docks Development Company. Many of the old docks were filled in and reclaimed for building purposes but South Dock and Greenland Dock were retained and turned into South Dock Marina, a modern and secure boating facility. The redevelopment is expected to begin in late 2024 subject to planning approval. A Southwark Council spokesperson said: “We are embarking on an exciting new chapter for the South Dock Marina, one of the borough’s most treasured assets. The multi million investment will address urgent health and safety issues to help maintain a working marina and enhance the boat yard environment. “We understand concerns about the indicative rent prices, but this reflects the significant improvements being made to the site and the need to be comparable to the rates paid by businesses across the borough and beyond. To help ease the transition, we are offering a discount to boat repair businesses and are also staggering the rent increase over a three year period for all existing boat yard businesses. We will continue to work with the community as the redevelopment progresses.”
Man and woman arrested on suspicion of murder after fatal stabbing By Herbie Russell
Police say the stabbing likely took place at a residential address near the Old Kent Road. image: Google
Police have arrested two people on suspicion of murder after a 47-year-old male was fatally knifed on Old Kent Road. Officers said “early indications” suggest the stabbing took place at a residential address where those present “were known to each other”. Police said those arrested were a 54-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman. Officers were called to the scene, near Bricklayer’s Arms, at 6.52am and pronounced the victim dead shortly after, on Tuesday, January 9. Paramedics from London’s Air Ambulance and London Ambulance Service attended but could not save him despite their best efforts. Police have now launched a murder investigation. DCI Mike Nolan said:
“Early indications are that the stabbing took place inside a residential address close to where the victim was found by members of the public. “While we are keeping an open mind concerning motive, it does appear that those present at the address at the time of the stabbing were known to each other and that there is no wider threat to the public.” Cordons and a crime scene remain in place and enquiries are underway to identify the victim and notify his next of kin. A post-mortem examination will be scheduled in due course. DCI Nolan added: “I would like to thank everyone who came forward this morning to speak to police and local people for their patience and understanding as we go about our enquiries. “If you have information or footage
that could assist our investigation please do get in touch.” Chief Superintendent Seb AdjeiAddoh said: “I know that the community will be shocked by this incident. “Local residents will notice a more visible police presence in the area and I urge anyone who has concerns to speak with those officers as they patrol or contact your local neighbourhood police team. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family.” Anyone who witnessed this incident or has information but has not yet spoken to police is asked to call 020 8721 4622, 101 or Tweet on ‘X’ @MetCC quoting 891/9DEC. To remain 100% anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit Crimestoppers-uk.org
NEWS 9
Swathe of Dulwich Village junction could be paved over to create ‘public space’ where people can ‘socialise’
King’s College Hospital has the ‘worst A&E queues in London’ By Isabel Ramirez
© Southwark Council
King’s College Hospital says it is ‘working to improve’ after it was found to have the ‘worst A&E queues in London’, with some patients waiting up to 12 hours to be seen.
Southwark Council has created a mock-up of what the revised Dulwich Village junction could like
By Herbie Russell Southwark Council has proposed paving over a swathe of the Dulwich Village junction to create a ‘public space’ with trees and outdoor seating.
The council says the changes would mean “reclaiming space” so the community can “connect, socialise and play” in a “safe and pleasant environment”. It’s the latest proposed changes to the junction which has increasingly restricted motor traffic ever since the Dulwich Village Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) was installed in June 2020.
The space, sometimes referred to as ‘Dulwich Square’, has already hosted some community events including a Christmas fair last month. The council’s plans would also mean installing new cycle lanes along Dulwich Village and widening pedestrian crossings. Under the proposals, Turney Road would remain open to motor traffic and Calton Avenue would still allow emergency vehicles to pass through. However, the consultation does not allow respondents to explicitly say whether they are for or against the changes.
Instead, it asks questions like: ‘To what extent do you think these measures achieve the ‘Streets for Communities’ objective?’. The council’s ‘Streets for Communities’ scheme’s stated aim is “reclaiming space to make it accessible for our communities to connect, socialise and play, in a safe and pleasant environment”. The Dulwich Village junction has been a heavily contested space ever since Southwark Council implemented the LTN. Campaigners have argued it isolates car-dependant people like the elderly and disabled who are forced onto congested
boundary roads. But local community group Friends of Dulwich Square has long been in favour of a community space on the junction. In October 2022, the council began consulting on two designs which both meant closing Turney Road to traffic. But Southwark Council scrapped the proposals in May 2023. Hundreds of residents had threatened legal action, alleging the consultation had been ‘unlawful’. Southwark Council has given respondents until January 17 to feedback on the proposals. Visit the Southwark Council website to comment.
After a decision to admit a patient has been made, 8.43 per cent of them wait at least another four hours to be admitted, discharged or transferred. Specifically, 6.70 per cent of patients at the King’s College Hospital wait between four and 12 hours, while a further 1.73 per cent have to wait over 12 hours. A spokesperson for King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust told us: “A&E departments at King’s are among the busiest in the country, and despite the majority of patients receiving urgent care in a timely fashion a small proportion are having to wait longer than we would like, which we are working hard to improve on. “All patients are prioritised according to clinical need.” They also added that unless in a health emergency, patients can help by making full use of the appropriate NHS services such as local pharmacies, NHS111 and their GP. The research, carried out by the personal injury firm at Claims.co.uk, is based on a three-month average of the NHS data from July to September 2023. It also found that at least three in five A&E departments in England currently fall below the waiting standards pledged under the NHS Constitution - which is the ‘four-hour standard’. This refers to having 95 per cent of all A&E patients admitted, discharged or transferred within four hours from arrival. The study focused solely on analysing the waiting times from the moment a decision to admit has been made, known as the ‘trolley wait’ until the patient departed. This means that the total time A&E patients wait from arrival is even longer.
Race For Life will return to a number of south London parks this summer By Isabel Ramirez
The Race for Life, which raises funds in the hope of finding a cure for cancer, is returning to a number of parks in south London this summer.
Cancer survivor Crystal Manuel (centre) with her children Cameron, 15, and Chaia, 13
Cancer Research UK has been putting on its Race For Life events since 1994, and over thirty years more than 10 million people have taken part. The Race for Life events are open to all ages and abilities. There is the choice of 3k, 5k and 10k events as well as Pretty Muddy, a 5k mud-splattered obstacle course, and a Pretty Muddy Kids option. Money raised enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer - moving closer to a world where everyone can live longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer.
Anyone who joins this January can claim 50 per cent off the entry fee as part of a special ‘early bird’ sale by using the code RACE24NY.* Where can you enter in South London?
Clapham Common
Where? Clapham Common, Windmill Dr SW4 9DE When? Saturday, May 25 What? 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy, Pretty Muddy Kids
Battersea Park
Where? Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ When? Wednesday, June 5 What? 5k
Blackheath
Where? Blackheath Common
When? Sunday, June 30 What? 3k, 5k, 10k
Croydon, Lloyd Park
Where? 84 Coombe Rd, Croydon CR0 5RA When? Sunday, June 30 What? 3k, 5k, 10k
Crystal Palace Park
Where? Thicket Rd, SE19 2GA When? Saturday, July 13 What? 3k, 5k, 10k
Join this month and claim 50 per cent off the entry fee by using the code RACE24NY at raceforlife. cancerresearchuk.org The offer ends on Wednesday 31 January 2024.
Getting the flu and COVID-19 vaccines ahead of winter are two of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and others around you safe. If you have your winter vaccines, you’re more likely to have milder symptoms and recover quicker if you do catch the viruses. If you are eligible, you may have received an invitation from your GP. Please respond and book for your vaccine. Pharmacies across Southwark are offering free flu and COVID-19 jabs to anyone who is eligible. Check if you are eligible and book your appointment by visiting www.nhs.uk/seasonalvaccinations or find a walk-in pharmacy at selondonics.org/southwark-walk-in-clinics
ML4911 NHS SEL CCG Southwark Vaccine Booster Advertorial Update FIN.indd 2
31/10/2023 16:30
NEWS 11
one of london’S neweST naTure reSerVeS will noT liVe up To iTS iniTial expeCTaTionS and furTher deliVery delayS poSe a ThreaT To loCal wildlife, Claim CampaignerS
By Harrison Galliven Local Democracy Reporter reSidentS And conservation groups have expressed concern that plans for the long-awaited beddington farmlands site will face further delays and fall short of its initial promises. the site was initially proposed by the bio-waste company Viridor almost 20 years ago and intended to be a ‘91 hectare site in the wandle Valley regional park comprising a mosaic of important habitats.’ while the revised plans from new owners Valencia do offer some public access and relative protection for endangered species, campaigners who have experienced previous consultations, believe these plans are delayed and inadequate. They expressed these concerns in a recent consultation on the revised plans for what could become one of London’s newest nature reserves. In her official response to the proposals, Lysanne Horrox, Chair of the Hackbridge and Beddington Corner Neighbourhood Development Group (HBCND) said: “Due to ineffective management by Viridor and now Valencia and an inability for them to be held to account, the current plan for the restoration of Beddington Farmlands has failed to meet its objectives.” “This has resulted in large areas of still unrestored habitat, the loss of key wildlife species, and an undetermined commitment to the provision of public access. Valencia had the opportunity and legal obligations to deliver and manage all non-contested habitats by the end of 2023 but refused to do so.” Biodiversity net gain was a particular focus for campaigners, who see the development of the site as an essential measure to safeguard endangered wildlife in the largely industrial area. Yet according to campaigners, delays and mismanagement have already led to the disappearance of species like tree sparrow, redshank, and yellow wagtail,
which were all targets for protection in the proposals. Horrox outlined the extent of biodiversity loss in the HBCND response, saying: “Sadly, almost all the key wildlife species in the original restoration management plan have been lost from the site and are unlikely to return. Lapwings are in danger of leaving due to a lack of habitat management, despite a public petition of 66,902 signatures and concerns raised in our letter of April 6, 2023.” “Considering that there has been a significant loss of wildlife habitat since the original planning application was approved, we are interested in understanding how Valencia can substantiate its claim of there being an overall Biodiversity Net Gain as a result of this new plan, which we believe should be calculated against the original baseline.” Local bird expert and conservation campaigner Peter Alfrey echoed these concerns. He told the local democracy reporting service (LDRS): “The proposals were teed up earlier this year as being worse than they presented. Although I think that is a strategy to manage expectations. I was quite pleased to see some of the wetland habits were still being proposed and part of the restoration.” “The big amendment was that they are no longer going to create acid grassland, but that was known about for a long time anyway. The loss of the acid grassland means there will be a big reduction in the quality of the habitat.” Alongside pressing biodiversity, campaigners also pointed to the level of public access to the farmlands are another concern. The farmlands are intended to be a fully accessible public nature reserve for the nearby Hackbridge and Beddington communities, but campaigners say the recent proposals suggest reduced accessibility. In their response to the access question, HBCND stated: “Although
the new plan does provide the DDA (disability discrimination act) compliant public access to Beddington Farmlands that we desired, it falls short on the benefits for the local community, with no commitment to resurface the whole of the north/south permissive path and a rejection of east/west route to the Beddington community, despite both footpaths being included in the original agreement. Currently, the condition of the permissive path is such that in wet weather sections of it are impassable.” These assessments follow a particular theme of dissatisfaction from campaigners who feel the owners of the site have purposefully delayed the development of the site. The project has previously seen revisions and even a change of owner from Viridor, who owns the nearby Beddington incinerator, to Valencia. Alfrey, who has followed and campaigned on the project since its inception in 1996, told the LDRS of his dissatisfaction with the consultation process. He said: “Our primary concern
is that we have seen this process so many times in the past.”
“We go to a revisioning exercise where planning applications are amended and there’s a new conservation management scheme, plan, and timeline. We went through all this five years ago. All of this was supposed to be completed by December 31, 2023, but what’s happening here is that the can has been kicked down the road, and we are just starting again.” “They are now saying that in the first three quarters of this year, we are going to be dealing with consultation and planning issues and so no further work is going to be done on the restoration until that is done. It’s just endless procrastination and we don’t trust the process. I’m not sure anything’s going to happen.” After releasing their revised proposals in mid-December with an online presentation, Valencia launched a monthlong public consultation. However, according to the Wandle Valley Forum
(WVF) and other campaigners, the consultation was poorly communicated and executed. WVF member Tony Burton said: “The problems with the proposals are now exacerbated by the ludicrous decision to offer a minimal consultation period over the Christmas break and provide only limited information on the proposals. Even the more detailed information provided to the Conservation Access Management Committee has not been made publicly available.” Burton told the LDRS how the consultation process was littered with failings, especially during the public presentation. He noted the detail on the presentation slides was often blurred, and explained how members of the public were unable to ask questions during the online consultation because of the way the meeting was handled. He also claimed to see newspaper advertisements for the online presentation being published after the event had taken place. Burton told the LDRS: “We believe the consultation approach offered to date entirely fails to ‘demonstrate early, proactive and effective engagement’ and so should not “be looked on more favourably.” Following the consultation, which ended today (January 5), Sutton Council must now review the proposals and decide if more should be done. While some restoration, including the construction of a bird hide, has already taken place on the site, work is not expected to start in full until at least late 2024. The Beddington Farmlands was first promised nearly 20 years ago as a new nature reserve for South London\'s endangered species Credit: Peter Alfrey The Viridor ERF plant experienced a power outage on Tuesday this week, causing acrid smoke to billow across the area The Viridor Incinerator Credit: Harrison Galliven
12 NEWS
Horniman Museum boss gets OBE in Honours list
Brave little Tony, 9, who lost his legs and raised £2m for Evelina London is named on Honours List
By Herbie Russell The Horseman Museum’s Chief Executive has been appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours list 2024.
Appointed Chief Executive at the Horinman in 2018, Nick has a career in the arts and heritage spanning over 30 years. Nick said: “I’m delighted to be awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours list. It’s a wonderful recognition of the great work of everyone at the Horniman in recent years”. Also Director of Content at the Horniman, he has worked at institutions including the Museum of London, University College London and Manchester Museum. He currently chairs Arts Council England’s Designation Scheme Panel, the National Trust’s Collections and Interpretation Advisory Group, and Research England’s review of funding for Higher Education Museums and Galleries. In February 2024, Nick will leave the Horniman to take up his new role as Chief Executive of English Heritage. The Horniman, which was awarded Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2022, is recruiting his successor.
By Isabel Ramirez A 9-year-old boy, who lost his legs as a baby after his parents’ abuse and raised nearly £2m for Evelina Hospital, is the youngest person on record to be named on
the New Year’s Honours List.
Tony Hudgell, from Kent, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the prevention of child abuse. He is thought to be the youngest person ever to receive an honour of this
kind. When he was just a baby, Tony was rushed to Evelina London’s A&E department, after having been abused by his parents. His dad, who was jailed in 2018 along with his mum, had swung him around by the ankles causing
‘I haven’t slept properly in ten years because of a mystery tapping noise in my council home’ Exclusive
By Isabel Ramirez A Bermondsey man claims he hasn’t slept properly in ten years due to a constant tapping sound in his home which ‘no one can explain.’
Alfred Johnson, who lives on Setchell Way, claims since he moved into his home in 2014 - owned by Southwark Council - there hasn’t been a day he has not heard the noise. “It’s all the time, every few minutes,” he told us. “I get people out to find out what it is but no one can explain what is causing it.” The 68-year-old said it is much worse at night and claimed he hadn’t slept properly in ‘ten years’: “I don’t sleep. And even when I’m out I hear the tapping everywhere I go as well now. “It drives you crazy.” Alfred, who has several health issues including cancer, has been complaining to the council for just short of ten years and even has written advice from the hospital to demand change so he can finally rest. His neighbour, who preferred not to be named, also told us she hears it daily and it disrupts her. In 2016, the News covered Alfred’s story - when it was thought the noise was down to heating pipes. Alfred told us whilst some pipework was looked at and repaired, the tapping sound never stopped. “No one knew what it was.”
“One contractor said he’d never seen anything like this before.” He said someone visited before Christmas and some inspections they did left all the wires hanging down dangerously in front of his door (see picture.) “I nearly choked myself on it the other day - it’s really dangerous. I’ve called them to come fix this but they don’t.” He is asking for the problem to be sorted out and said for the years of “I just want it to stop. But I also want justice for this. It’s been since 2014.” Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, advocated on Alfred’s behalf back in 2016 by writing to the council to demand the problem be addressed. On hearing it was still an issue all these years later, Coyle said: “This has been going on far too long and officers need to address the matter urgently and stop ignoring a legitimate complaint.” We asked the council what they had done to rectify this issue. In a statement, a council spokesperson said: “We have investigated the noises on numerous occasions - recently, the ceiling was removed to access the pipes so we can check those. It must be very distressing for the resident so we hope to get to the bottom of it very soon then hopefully Mr Johnson will get some peace.” “The wiring coming loose from where it should be is particularly concerning so we sent an electrician round immediately to secure it.
Alfred Johnson, 68 - hasn’t slept properly for ten years
irreparable damage. The severe abuse Tony had suffered caused him to have both his legs amputated at just four years old. With his little life hanging in the balance, the hospital team fought to save him - and in their care, he went from strength to strength. Whilst learning to walk on his prosthetic legs, Tony decided to raise money for the people who were caring for him. He set out to raise five hundred pounds by walking 10km on his new legs. Twelve kilometres and £1.8 million later, his efforts mean the hospital can help more children like him. He also helped inspire a change in the law that raises prison sentences for those convicted of child cruelty and neglect. The inspirational schoolboy cofounded the Tony Hudgell Foundation over two years ago - and continues to support other children in need of wheelchairs and vital equipment. In addition, two members of the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Trust were also honoured on this year’s List: Professor Anthony David Edwards, MBE, Professor of Paediatrics and Neonatal Medicine for services to Health Research and Moses Ayoola, BEM, Director, Estates and Facilities, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, for services to Leadership in the NHS.
Rye lane film in mix for five bafta awards
The film Rye Lane (2023) has been long-listed for five BAFTA categories including ‘Outstanding British Film’, writes Herbie Russell... Set in Peckham, the sun-drenched rom-com follows Yas (Vivian Oparah) and Dom (David Jonsson) who spend an eventful day together after a chance encounter. Viewers get to see a host of familiar south east London locations including Peckham, Brixton and Brockwell Park. It’s also jam-packed with classic south London iconography including Morley’s chicken shop, Brixton’s Nour Cash & Carry and the independent cinema Peckhamplex. The picture has already grabbed a haul of accolades including ‘Best First Feature’ at the Toronto Film Critics Association and ‘Breakthrough Performance’ at the British Independent Film Awards. Vivian Oparah is being given 20/1 odds on getting ‘Best Actress’ putting her level with Margot Robbie for Barbie (2023) but behind favourite Lily Gladstone for her performance in Killers of the Flower Moon (2023). The 2024 BAFTAs will be held on Sunday, February 18 at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall.
NEWS 17
‘She waS a VoiCe for The inViSible kidS’ ExcLuSivE
By Isabel Ramirez A former volunteer at the Kids Company has paid tribute to her colleague and friend Camila Batmanghelidjh, following her death on new year’s day.
The 61-year-old founder of the charity, based at Grosvenor Terrace in Camberwell, passed away ‘peacefully in her sleep’ on the night of January 1, according to a statement released by her family. Batmanghelidjh set up Kids Company in 1996 to provide support to disadvantaged children and young people who had slipped through the net of social and NHS services. Zievrina Wilson worked there from 2000 to 2015, first as a care worker and later as the centre manager. “I realise all these years later how brilliant she was,” Zievrina told us, “she spoke up for the invisible kids who were turned away by society.” Born in Iran and educated in the UK, Batmanghelidjh rose to prominence after founding the charity and became highly regarded as an outspoken campaigner for child protection reform and children’s rights. Trained in psychotherapy, she raised millions of pounds from donors to fund the charity’s therapeutic work with tens of thousands of children. She had
caught the attention of prime ministers like David Cameron, as well as several celebrities like Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Zienrina continued: “The idea that wellbeing should be at the heart of children’s learning - Camila pioneered that 19 years ago. Everyone used to laugh at it at the time - now it’s everywhere.” Batmanghelidjh was nicknamed the “Angel of Peckham” by the media due to the local young people she helped from the area. And in 2013 she was handed a CBE for her work. However, in 2015, Kids Company had to close, following ongoing financial issues and claims of sexual abuse published in a report by the BBC. When police investigated these claims they found no evidence of wrongdoing. In 2017, legal proceedings were launched in an attempt to ban Batmanghelidjh and seven trustees from holding senior board roles in companies or charities, culminating in a 10-week court case in 2021. Batmanghelidjh was exonerated in the high court and praised by the judge for the ‘enormous dedication’ over the years. The court rejected the claim that Kids Company had been mismanaged and charitable funds were misspent. In 2022, a Charity Commission report into the collapse of Kids Company claimed the charity had been administratively mismanaged. Batmanghelidjh had planned to overturn the report in the high court but her
Image: Andrew Parsons
Former colleague pays tribute to Kids’ Company’s Camila Batmanghelidjh
health didn’t allow her. Zievrina, who still lives in south London, said she remembers this time - “Camila sat us down and said there’s no money left. No one wanted to fund it because of the allegations in the media. “So out of fifteen members of staff, ten walked out.” Zievrina said she was one of the five members of staff who chose to stay, commenting: “We saw the kids needed it so we worked for free.” Asked what effect the centre closure had on the communities it served, she said, “We tried to refer the kids to local authorities. We worked all night referring them.”
But she said it proved difficult because of the trust and relationships they had with the children already. “We had connections with them so it wasn’t working.” She explained that it was this trust and consistent care that Batmanghelidjh valued above all. “I had a lot of respect for her,” Zievrina said. “She spoke in a way that took away the bureaucracy around childcare. “Camila just cared about the kids and their needs.” Zievrina added that ‘humour’ got them through the dark times: “When you’re working in crisis you need humour. She had that.
“Her sense of authenticity was important to me - Camila never treated anyone as below her. But truthfully nobody could work at her pace.” According to reports, after Kids Company officially closed, Batmanghelidjh carried on helping vulnerable kids under the radar and stayed in touch with many former staff and young adults who had become troubled without a place to go. After the news of her death broke, fellow local charity Brixton Soup Kitchen expressed their condolences on X (formerly known as Twitter) adding: “She donated over 100 Christmas gifts last week to less fortunate kids.”
Local parent Celeste Hicks said: “I think the solution is quite simple the council needs to get serious about installing traffic calming measures outside the school on HML [Half Moon Lane].” Southwark Council has pledged to put traffic restrictions outside all schools or provide them with other safety measures by 2026. “They promised this… in the Streets for People strategy so they really need to start putting their money where their mouth is,” Celeste said. Celeste claims parents have previously contacted Southwark Council about safety at the crossing.
She previously told the News that parents were “scared” to walk their kids to school because cars come “flying around corners”. Celeste believes one possible solution could be to build out the pavement outside the school. Southwark Council says pavements outside busy public access points should measure 2.4 metres but Celeste claims the path is narrower than this outside the school. “The kerb there is very low in places and that’s where the car mounted the pavement,” she added. A Met Police spokesperson said: “Police were called at 1:37am on December 26 after a car was driven through a fence into school grounds in Half Moon Lane. “A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and criminal damage. No reports of any injuries.” Cllr James McAsh, Southwark’s Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Streets and Clean Air, said: “We were made aware of this and it must have been a shock for local people, I’m very glad nobody was seriously hurt. We are looking into it urgently.” In October, a human-shaped parking sign was stolen from outside the school only to be returned the next month following a police investigation.
Parents shocked after car ploughs into Police trawling CCTV as investigation into Brixton Herne Hill school grounds in holidays teen stabbing continues By Herbie Russell poLiCe Are trawling through CCtv as they investigate a Brixton stabbing, having arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder.
Officers were called to Loughborough Road, shortly before 7pm on Saturday, December 9, to reports of a stabbing. A nineteen-year-old male was found to be seriously injured and rushed to hospital where his condition was deemed serious but stable. A man was arrested on suspicion of
perverting the course of justice after a bicycle was reportedly taken from the scene. He has been further arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Sharing an update on the case’s progress, a Met Police spokesperson said: “The investigation is ongoing and officers are carrying out enquiries, including reviewing CCTV and phone data.” Anyone who was in the area or may have witnessed anything is asked to contact the police on 101 quoting CAD 5813/09Dec.
By Herbie Russell PaRents weRe left shocked after a car ploughed into a herne hill school playground over the Christmas holidays.
Concerned mums and dads are thankful pupils were off school when the vehicle smashed through the fence in the early hours of Boxing Day. Southwark Council has said it is “urgently looking into” the incident as parents call for improved traffic safety measures. Police said a 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and criminal damage.
18 NEWS
City of London Police faces potential £3m budget gap for 2023/24 with the Government's provisional settlement By Ben Lynch
Local Democracy Reporter The UK’s leading fraud-fighting police force has warned of pressure on its ‘ability to maintain officer levels’, after the Government’s provisional settlement left it with a potential funding gap of up to £3 million for 2023/24. The City of London Police, which is the National Lead Force (NLF) for fraud, will receive slightly more funding than expected under the proposed settlement. However, due to the way the money has been allocated, it does not allow for any contribution to the increased costs of resources such as the force’s NLF work. The provisional settlement, published by the Home Office on December 14 last year, promises up to £18.4 billion for policing in England and Wales for the coming financial year. Overall funding could rise by up to £922m compared to 2023/24, with Home Secretary James Cleverly saying the additional spend will ensure “every officer and community has the support and resources they need to cut crime, protect the public and build confidence in policing”. In documents published ahead of a City of
London Police Authority Board meeting on January 10, officers note that while the force will receive £0.3m more than anticipated, the provisional settlement “significantly increases the amount of ringfencing and therefore risk to realising all the funding opportunities”. Officers continue to write that a gap of £2.5-£3m will be left for 2024/25 due to the proposed funding not fully covering ‘inflationary and other pressures’. “It
should also be noted that the settlement does not provide for increased funding of City’s NLF work to offset pay award, pensions increase and other inflationary pressures. Engagement is taking place with Home Office on this matter,” they add. Cllr James Thomson, Chair of the City of London Police Authority Board, writes in his own update that he and Commissioner Pete O’Doherty have ‘raised concerns’ with Government ministers about the
affordability of the NLF work if the provisional settlement is finalised. He added that due to the way the funding is allocated, “this is putting pressure on our ability to maintain officer levels ging [sic] forward”. As the national lead police force for fraud, the City of London Police investigates some of the country’s most complex cases and sets the national strategy. According to its website, more than 40% of all crime
reported in the UK is fraud-related, with the NLF serving “a crucial role in the coordination of the policing response”. A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation said: “The City of London Corporation is looking at a range of proposals to bridge the funding gap, including those in consultation with the Home Office. These will be presented to the Police Authority Board and then to the Court of Common Council for approval in March 2024. “The City of London Police ensures that the Square Mile is one of the safest places in the country, and combats fraud on a national and international scale. Its officers are trusted by the communities that they serve and deliver first class policing with professionalism, integrity, and compassion.” A Home Office spokesperson said: “As part of our commitment to tackling crime and keeping communities safe, police forces in England and Wales will receive up to £922 million in extra funding in 2024/25. “City of London’s police funding will be up to £85.6 million in 2024/25, an increase of up to £6.3 million when compared to 2023/24.” The final settlement is due to be debated in Parliament ahead of the new financial year.
Council told to pay mum £1,000 after 'raising her hopes' about how soon she would be rehoused
By Charlotte Lillywhite
Local Democracy Reporter A South London mum has won £1,000 after a local council was found to have raised her hopes about how soon she would be rehoused. Wandsworth Council apologised to the resident after a watchdog said it wrongly told her more than once she was second in the queue on the housing register, which led her to think she might be offered a property soon. The woman, named Ms X in the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman report, lives in a onebed council home with her child. The ombudsman found she should have been placed in band C on the tenant transfer queue on the housing register when she applied to join it in January 2021, but that none of its statements about her application were accurate before May 2023. The council told Ms X she was in second position for a two-bed property in the social care queue on the housing register in April 2021, after she was given conflicting information about her priority. The social care queue is for people who have been identified as in urgent need of rehousing by social services. The mum contacted her MP the following year as she had not received
an offer. The council told the MP she was in band C on the general needs queue with 50 points in August 2022, which is for applicants who qualify to join the housing register and are not in any of the other queues. It later found Ms X’s application contained conflicting information and told her and the MP she was in second position for a two-bed property in band B on the social care queue. The council reassessed Ms X’s application in May 2023. It told her she was in band C for a two-bed property on the tenant transfer queue with 100 points, which is for council tenants who need to move for reasons including overcrowding and medical need. The authority confirmed this was the correct priority for her application after a review and that it had put her on the social care queue by mistake. The ombudsman found high demand for housing in Wandsworth means it is unlikely Ms X missed an offer as a result of the blunders. But the report said: “The council should have identified Ms X’s application was wrongly on the social care queue in April 2021 when she first told it about the conflicting information. This was an opportunity to identify that Ms X should not be on the general needs queue either. “The council missed several further opportunities to correct the errors
over the next two years. The council’s repeated failure to identify and correct its mistake was fault. This caused Ms X significant and avoidable uncertainty and distress for over two years. This is an injustice to Ms X. “The council’s inaccurate information also avoidably raised Ms X’s expectations about her chances of rehousing and when this might happen.
More than once it told her she was second in the queue. Ms X reasonably though this meant she might be offered a property soon. This is a further injustice to Ms X.” The ombudsman told the council to apologise to Ms X and pay her £1,000 for the “avoidable distress, uncertainty and raised expectations” she was caused for more than two years.
A Wandsworth Council spokesperson said: “We accept that incorrect information was conveyed to the tenant and for this we are offering a sincere apology and an amount of compensation. However, as the ombudsman’s report concludes, there is no suggestion this led to any delay in offering the tenant a new property.”
NEWS 19
Big changes ahead for greenwich in 2024
By Joe Coughlan
Local Democracy Reporter Tower blocks up to 36-storeys tall, tens of thousands of new homes along the River Thames and a developer being asked to tear down their buildings are among the biggest changes planned for Greenwich borough in 2024. The upcoming year will see a vast array of changes to the South London skyline. Below is a list of the major housing projects to look out for across Greenwich in the next 12 months. These include schemes which have been already approved as well as major upcoming proposals for the area.
Morden Wharf tower blocks
Plans to deliver a set of tower blocks up to 36 storeys tall will move forward this year after the site was sold to a developer in November. The Morden Wharf development in Greenwich Peninsula will see 12 new tower blocks being added alongside the River Thames. The project will include 1,500 new homes, 35per cent of which will be ‘affordable’. The plans were brought forward by Galliard Homes and its partner, City Developments Limited, from previous developers LansecU+I and the freeholder, Morden College, after the site was put up for sale in October 2022. The scheme was originally approved by Greenwich Council in September 2021. Alongside the housing, the plans will provide 186,000 square feet of office space and 3.9 acres of park space.
Tens of thousands of new homes along River Thames
The Government outlined plans last July to add “tens of thousands” of new homes along the River Thames in a project named ‘Docklands 2.0’. Housing Secretary Michael Gove said in his speech that areas in Greenwich such as Charlton Riverside and Thamesmead would benefit from the scheme, as well as Beckton and Silvertown in Newham. Housing association Peabody reportedly owns 65pc of the land in Thamesmead, with the company’s executive director for the Thamesmead project, John Lewis, saying there was potential for 15,000 new homes in
the space. A Peabody spokesperson previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the company planned on building up to 2,800 new homes in South Thamesmead. Transport for London’s plans to extend the DLR to Thamesmead could also contribute to housing growth in the area. The transport authority claimed in June last year that the extension from Gallions Reach to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead could allow for up to 30,000 new homes to be built across Greenwich and Newham.
Over 400 new student rooms in 27-storey block in Greenwich Creekside
A 27-storey tower block is planned for Ravensbourne Wharf in Greenwich Creekside, containing 414 student rooms. The project was approved by
Greenwich Council in November last year and will see the current threestorey creative workspace on the site being knocked down. The scheme will include a new public walkway and rooftop gardens, and 35pc of the new rooms are planned to be ‘affordable’. It replaces previous plans for a 28-storey block on the site after developer Tribe said complexities in the original scheme’s construction had prevented it from moving forward.
Developer may have to tear down existing blocks
This year could see a pair of tower blocks in Greenwich borough being knocked down. The local council took enforcement action against developer Comer Homes in September last year after it built a pair of buildings in Woolwich that were “substantially
different” to previously approved plans. The two buildings, named Mast Quay, contain 204 flats and are up to 23-storeys tall. The council cited at least 26 main deviations from the original planning permission, including differing cladding, smaller balconies and design changes that made buildings look more “bulky”. A Comer Homes Group spokesperson previously told the LDRS that the developer was surprised and extremely disappointed by the decision of the council. They added that the group will be appealing against the enforcement notice and plan to correct the inaccuracies and address the authority’s concerns.
Greenwich Peninsula tower blocks up to 30 storeys
A pair of tower blocks up to 30 storeys
tall are also planned for Greenwich Peninsula, after the project was approved by Greenwich Council last month. The scheme will see 300 new homes built in Lower Riverside by developer Knight Dragon as part of a wider project to build over 17,000 new homes in the area. The two towers will include green areas at different levels and a concierge service at the bottom of the main building. The buildings will be seven and 30 storeys tall respectively. Picture above: A CGI of the planned tower block for Ravensbourne Wharf as seen from Creek Road. Credit: Smith Jenkins / Tribe
Pictures below: A CGI of the proposed development at Morden Wharf. Credit: Landsec-U+I / Pixelflakes
ARTS 21
what’s on
Time of our liVeS aT The drawing room
the time of our Lives focuses on the pioneering drawing practices of women artists and their impact on feminist activism from the 1980s until today. the exhibition showcases the work of key artists, examining drawing’s versatility as a medium and the ways it has been used by women to raise consciousness around social and political issues, such as reproductive justice, sexism, racism and other forms of oppression.
Rose and Soheila Sokhanvari, and includes new commissions by Kate Davis and Jade de Montserrat. The Time of Our Lives will also include an interactive study display in our library, showcasing drawing in magazines, newsletters and posters from UK feminist collectives past and present. The exhibition is curated by Jacqui McIntosh and Drawing Room, supported by a Curatorial Research Grant from the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art. Commissions fees are kindly supported by Marcelle Joseph. It coincides with Women in Revolt, a concurrent exhibition at Tate Britain.
Working both independently and collaboratively, often without commercial or institutional support, the voices of these agents for change are now being heard and their trailblazing work taken forward by a contemporary generation of women artists. Beginning with drawings made by Monica Ross in the 1980s, the exhibition will include works by Sutapa Biswas, Sonia Boyce, Margaret Harrison, Claudette Johnson, Lizzy
Drawing Room/Tannery Arts, Unit 1b New Tannery Way, Bermondsey, SE1 5WS 25. Dates: Jan 2024 – 21 Apr 2024. Times: Wednesday–Sunday 12-6pm; Library & Shop Tuesday–Sunday 12-6pm www.drawingroom.org.uk
Michael Sheen is Nye
the nAtionAL theatre and wales millenium Centre today announce the full cast for nye have begun rehearsals.
Tim Price’s new play directed by Rufus Norris, charts the life of Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan and his battle to create the NHS. Michael Sheen is cast as Nye in this co-production between the National Theatre and Wales Millennium Centre. From campaigning at the coalfield to leading the battle to create the NHS, Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan is often referred to as the politician
with greatest influence on our country without ever being Prime Minister.Confronted with death, Nye’s deepest memories lead him on a mind-bending journey back through his life; from childhood to mining underground, Parliament and fights with Churchill in an epic Welsh fantasia. Matthew Bulgo, Dyfan Dwyfor, Ross Foley, Daniel Hawksford, Bea Holland, Michael Keane, Nicholas Khan, Oliver Llewellyn-Jenkins, Mark Matthews, Ashley Mejri, Lee Mengo, David Monteith, Mali
O’Donnell and Sara Otung join the previously announced cast of Remy Beasley, Roger Evans, Jon Furlong, Stephanie Jacob, Kezrena James, Tony Jayawardena, Rebecca Killick, Rhodri Meilir, Michael Sheen and Sharon Small. Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX. Dates: 24th February - 11th May. Times: Mon - Sat 7.30pm. Wed & Sat matinees 2.15pm. Admission: £20 - £99. Booking: www.nationaltheatre.org
Origin-Wood
An eXhiBition exploring the natural environment through the medium of wood.
Richard Lawrence and Margaret Higginson are two artists whose work focuses on the environment. Both make sculptures that are carved in wood. Richard Lawrence’s approach is a contemporary take on the natural environment, work that documents the damage and loss of wilderness and
laments that loss. Margaret Higginson delves into the abstract growth rings of the wood. This highlights both cultural and literal reality of time passing. The exhibition invites guests to engage with the sculptures through touch as well as sight. APT Gallery, 6 Creekside, SE8 4SA from 1st to 4th February 2024. Times: Midday to 5pm. Admission: Free Opening Event: Feb 1st, 6pm - 8pm.
22 ARTS
Arts
Imagine Children’s Festival is Back Now in its 22nd year, Imagine Children’s Festival is the UK’s leading arts festival for children aged 0 - 11 years and their grown-ups. This year’s festival features a multiartform programme bursting with music, storytelling, dance, crafts, comedy and free events, bringing children and families together to explore new activities and spark imaginations. Imagine Children’s Festival is a relaxed festival, which allows visitors
Photo by Dan Tucker
The Southbank Centre’s renowned and celebrated Imagine Children’s Festival returns from 7 to 17 February with a programme of creative, imaginative and fun-filled experiences for all the family to enjoy this February half term. With over 130 events packed into eleven days and over 50% of the festival completely free, Imagine makes world-class artistic experiences accessible to everyone.
to enter and leave our venues and events freely. There is also an open attitude towards audience noise and movement. In addition, there will be specific sensory-adapted shows, BSL-interpreted and non-verbal performances programmed, allowing a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all. Ruth Hardie, Head of Public
Programming at the Southbank Centre, says: “Imagine is about children and families being creative together. Through a range of innovative performances, literature events, music and more, we work with artists to share inspiring stories and ideas and encourage children to play, imagine and express themselves. There really is something magical
for everyone to discover in the programme this February half term.” Dance and performance is at the heart of the festival with gravity-defying choreography and digital projections featuring in the London premiere of Starchitects: A Cosmic Adventure (15 - 17 February), which has been shortlisted for the Fantastic for Families Awards 2023. Akram Khan Company
returns with a much-loved familyfriendly production, Chotto Desh (9 - 10 February), adapted from Khan’s Olivier award-winning DESH by Theatre-Rites’ director Sue Buckmaster. Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX Full details: www.southbankcentre.co.uk/
A Tale Told Through the Prism of a Housing Estate
With a hilarious and gut-wrenching book by Chris Bush, Standing at the Sky’s Edge charts the hopes and dreams of three generations over the course of six tumultuous decades, navigating universal themes of love, loss and survival. Revealing the history of modern Britain, through the stories of this iconic housing estate, Standing at the Sky’s Edge, is a heartfelt exploration of the power of community and what it is we all call home.
Standing at the Sky’s Edge is a multi-award-winning production, winning ‘Best New Musical’ at the 2023 Olivier Awards with Sheffield singer-songwriter, Richard Hawley and Tom Deering also winning ‘Best Original Score and New Orchestrations’. If you grew up on a council estate through the imagined bright future of the 50s to 70s’ councils that were too skint to care and the regeneration and social cleansing at the turn of the century, this is for you.
Gillian Lynne Theatre, 166 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5PW from 8th February - 3rd August. Times: Mon- Sat 7.30pm; Wed & Weekend matinees 2.30pm. Admission: £20 - £150 Booking: nationaltheatre.org.uk / 020 7452 3000
Photo by Jason Lowe
Standing at the Sky’s Edge was written as a love letter to Sheffield and the city’s iconic Park Hill Estate This 2023 Olivier Award-winning ‘Best New Musical’ is directed by Sheffield Theatres’ Artistic Director Robert Hastie and features songs by the legendary Sheffield singer-songwriter, Richard Hawley.
HISTORY 23
History
Famous military figures who passed through Naval School in New Cross
By Herbie Russell For nearly 80 years, some of Britain’s most notable naval officers passed through the Royal Naval School in New Cross.
© Creative Commons
Constituted in 1840, it was a charitable boarding school for the sons of officers in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. Since 1904, it’s been the main building of Goldsmiths University and today its fabled halls are more likely to produce musicians than militarists. But once upon a time, it was training future officers whose deeds - heroic and, in some cases, horrific - reverberated across the British Empire.
Sir Charles Bullen Hugh Mitchell
Sir Richard Meade
Sir William Bridges
George Nares
© Wellcome Library, London. Wellcome Images (Creative Commons)
Few will have heard of Richard John Meade, who served in the British Indian Army for 43 years. But he became a key political political figure as the British Raj tightened its stranglehold on India throughout the late 19th century. In the words of biographer Thomas Henry Thornton, “none could have predicted that the genial infantry captain” would hold “with credit four of the highest political appointments under the Crown in India”. Having studied at the Royal Naval School, Meade was posted to the Bengal Native Infantry in 1838 - twenty years before Imperial direct rule began in India. When the Indian rebellion struck in 1857, a major uprising that challenged the British East India Company’s rule, Meade held the office of Brigadier-General. Having recaptured Gwalior in central India, he led a brutal purge of Indian rebels. Among those was Tantia Tope, a renowned commander in the Indian Rebellion who was executed in 1859. His “firmness” and “tact… in dealing with chiefs” saw him receive a political role Political Agent at Gwalior. Two years later he was made GovernorGeneral’s Agent for the States of Central India. His near half-century career in India saw him visit his native England just once before finally retiring in 1881. Meade died at Hyères in France, aged 73 where he was buried.
© Creative Commons
Richard John Meade
Born in Greenock, Scotland, William Bridges attended the Royal Naval School before moving with his family to Kingston, Canada where he entered the Royal Military College. He would later relocate to Australia in 1879 - before the Australian colonies had unified - and join the New South Wales Artillery. He was one of four of the artillery’s officers who served with the British during the Second Boer War. Here he fought in actions around Kimberley, Paardeberg and Driefontein before contracting typhoid. The Australian colonies federated in 1901 and William rapidly rose through the ranks, promoted to colonel in October 1906. In World War I, Bridges commanded the Australian 1st Division - one of the first to land ashore Anzac Cove as part of the disastrous Gallipoli Campaign against the Ottoman Empire. Plagued with disease, and battling wellequipped, dug-in Ottoman troops, over 12,000 Australian and Kiwi troops were killed - almost 19 per cent - plus over 22,000 wounded. On May 15, 1915, an Ottoman sniper shot
© Creative Commons
William Bridges
Bridges in his right leg. He died on board a hospital ship on May 18. He was awarded a knighthood the day before his death - the first Australian general ever to receive the accolade.
Charles Mitchell
Sir Charles Bullen Hugh Mitchell was another Royal Navy School graduate whose military career led him to positions of political power. With Britain keen to dislodge Russia from power in the Baltic region, Mitchell joined the Royal Marines and served with them in the Baltic campaigns from 1854 to 1856. The rest of Mitchell’s career was largely as a colonial administrator for the Empire, working in the British Honduran, Fijian
and South African colonies. Mitchell died on 7 December 1899, while in office as Governor of the Straits Settlements.[4] He was buried in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Singapore Mitchell Park Zoo in Durban, South Africa is named after him.
George Nares
Vice-Admiral Sir George Strong Nares was a distinguished Royal Navy officer and Arctic explorer, renowned for his leadership and scientific contributions. Born in 1831 in Monmouthshire, Nares graduated from the Royal Naval School and began his naval career on HMS Canopus in 1845. Later to be known for his Arctic endeavours, Nares joined the 1852–1854
expedition in search of Sir John Franklin, gaining early experience in the region. After serving as a gunnery specialist during the Crimean War, Nares became an instructor and author, producing the widely acclaimed book “The Naval Cadet’s Guide.” Promoted to commander in 1862, he commanded the training ship Boscawen before undertaking survey duties in Australia on the wooden paddle sloop Salamander and later on the gunvessel Newport in the Mediterranean. Nares achieved recognition for his exceptional seamanship during the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. In 1872, Nares took command of the Challenger Expedition, a groundbreaking scientific voyage equipped to explore the
deep oceans. The expedition crossed the Antarctic Circle, making Challenger the first steam vessel to achieve this feat. Nares’ success as a scientific expedition leader led to his appointment to the British Arctic Expedition in 1875, where he ventured through Nares Strait to the Lincoln Sea. Although the expedition faced challenges, including scurvy and harsh conditions, Nares achieved a record farthest north. Post-Arctic expeditions, Nares surveyed the Strait of Magellan in 1878. After retiring from the Royal Navy in 1886, he worked for the Board of Trade until 1896. He died in 1915 at the age of 83, leaving a legacy of exploration and scientific inquiry.
24 CLASSIFIED
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The Walworth Living Room is an open space for local people to meet their neighbours and enjoy good food and fun activities.
Walworth Living Room Surrey Square London, SE17 2JU Contact 020 7703 3803 walworthlivingroom.org info@pembrokehouse.org.uk SCAN ME Scan the QR code or visit linktr.ee/pembrokehouse to discover our activities and register to hear about news from our work in the neighbourhood.
Elim House Day Centre
YOU MATTER TO US programme started Tuesday 9th May. 100 Day programme combating loneliness within our elders
We are accepting walk-ins
Contact us on 020 7358 9502 or elimhouseoutreachworker@gmail.com Or pop into 86-88 Bellenden Road, Peckham, SE15 4RQ Website: elimhousedaycentre.com
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PUBLIC NOTICES 25
LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (GERVASE STREET, NEPTUNE STREET, REDCROSS WAY, TANNER STREET, VERNEY ROAD) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) 1.
The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable various works to be carried out, it made, an order, the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicular traffic from entering part of the above named roads.
2.
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) Gervase Street, at it’s junction with Old Kent Road (b) Neptune Street, between Lower Road and Moodkee Street (c) Redcross Way, between Park Street and Southwark Street (d) Tanner Street, between Riley Road and Maltby Street (e) Verney Road, at it’s junction with St James Road
3.
The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) Old Kent Road, Asylum Road (2b) as indicated by the signs displayed (2c) as indicated by the signs displayed (2d) as indicated by the signs displayed (2e)
4.
The existing ‘one-way’ working in Gervase Street, between Old Kent Road and Asylum Road, will be made ‘two-way’ for access and egress purposes.
5.
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.
6.
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 the direction of a police constable in uniform.
7.
The works will be in operation for (2a) 19th – 22nd January (2b) 25th January – 7th February (2c) 21st – 22nd January (2d) 23rd – 24th January (2e) 19th – 26th January
8.
Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network Management at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk
Dated this 11th January 2024 Ian Law Traffic Manager London Borough of Southwark Network Management Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) 81079841 (2b) LCND00925H (2c) SLS000812394230135 (2d) LBSCR13324 (2e) UKP11229
Notice of Application to Vary a Premises Licence Notice is hereby given that Koshik Wagjiani has applied to Richmond Council for the variation of a premises licence at St Margaret’s Wines, 40 Crown Road, Twickenham TW1 3EH To enable the sale and supply of alcohol for consumption ‘on’ the premises daily 12.00 noon to 22.30 hours Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing by 5th February 2024 stating the grounds for making said representation to: Richmond Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX or by email to licensing@merton.gov.uk The record of this application may be inspected Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays) by prior appointment at the offices of Richmond Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. Information on all new and variation applications received by the Licensing Authority can be viewed on the Council’s website www.richmond.gov.uk It is an offence, under section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in or in connection with an application, punishable upon conviction by an unlimited fine. Notice of application for a Premises Licence Notice is hereby given that Mr. Ismail Ramadan has applied to Wandsworth Council for a new premises licence at Pizza Verse, Tooting Bec Road, London, SW17 8BD for Late Night Refreshment – Sunday to Saturday 23:00 to 02:00 Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing by 5th February 2024 stating the grounds for making said representation to: Wandsworth Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX or by email: licensing@merton.gov.uk The record of this application may be inspected Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays) by prior appointment at the offices of Wandsworth Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden,Surrey, SM4 5DX between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. Information on all new and variation applications received by the Licensing Authority can be viewed on the Council’s website www.wandsworth.gov.uk It is an offence, under section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in or in connection with an application, punishable upon conviction by an unlimited fine.
THE LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK (ELEPHANT AND CASTLE TOWN CENTRE) COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDER (No.2) 2023 COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDER OF LAND AND NEW RIGHTS IN ELEPHANT AND CASTLE, SOUTHWARK Notice is hereby given that the London Borough of Southwark (“the Acquiring Authority”) has made on 29 December 2023 the London Borough of Southwark (Elephant and Castle Town Centre) Compulsory Purchase Order (No.2) 2023 under section 226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and section 13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. It is about to submit this order to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for confirmation, and if confirmed, the order will authorise the Acquiring Authority to purchase compulsorily the land and the new rights described below for the purpose of facilitating the carrying out of development, redevelopment or improvement on or in relation to that land, namely a mixed use town centre redevelopment scheme including residential, retail, offices, education, assembly and leisure, a new station entrance and station box for use as a London Underground operational railway station, nightclub incorporating sound mitigation lobby, commercial, business and services, access and highway works, public realm and landscaping, car and cycle parking, plant and servicing and associated and ancillary works and structures. A copy of the order and of the accompanying map may be seen at the places and times specified below: (a) the Acquiring Authority’s offices at 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH on Monday to Friday between 9am to 4pm; (b) Southwark Heritage Centre and Walworth Library, 145-147 Walworth Road, London SE17 1RW on Monday to Friday between 10am and 8pm, on Saturday between 10am and 5pm, and on Sunday between 12pm and 4pm; and are available for inspection on the following website: https://gateleyhamer-pi.com/en-gb/elephantand-castle Any objection to the order must be made in writing to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Planning Casework Unit, 23 Stephenson Street, Birmingham B2 4BH before 5pm on Friday 16 February 2024 and should state the title of the order, the grounds of objection and the objector's address and interests in the land. DESCRIPTION OF LAND AND THE NEW RIGHTS Land to be acquired Land and property at Elephant and Castle within the London Borough of Southwark including: an area of Oswin Street and hardstanding and structures to the north-west of London College of Communication; two electricity substations within the London College of Communication; an area of hardstanding to the immediate north of Pastor Street which forms part of the southern access into London College of Communication; areas of hardstanding and structures to the north, north-west, west and south-west of Elephant and Castle railway station, Elephant Road; railway arch premises 113a and 120 and 113b and 121 Elephant and Castle Arches, Elephant Road; areas of hardstanding and structures to the immediate west of the railway arch premises 4 and 5 Farrell Court, Elephant Road; railway arch premises 4, 5, 6 and 7 Farrell Court on Elephant Road (and the fire escape route which bisects 4 and 5 Farrell Court); and an area of hardstanding and structures to the immediate west and south-west of railway arch premises 2 and 3 Farrell Court, Elephant Road (but excluding the railway viaduct and the Thameslink railway). New rights to be acquired New rights are being sought over land and property at Elephant and Castle within the London Borough of Southwark including over: a half width of Oswin Street; parts of St George’s Road, Elephant and Castle highway, Brook Drive and the entirety of Pastor Street; part of Perronet House; part of the Metropolitan Tabernacle; land to the north of St Gabriel Walk; part of The Castle Centre on Brook Drive; parts of the railway viaduct and railway arch structures on Elephant Road (including those which enclose railway arch premises 113a and 120 and 113b and 121 Elephant and Castle Arches, and those which enclose railway arch premises 4, 5, 6 and 7 Farrell Court); and areas of hardstanding and structures to the west of Elephant and Castle railway station, Elephant Road (but excluding the Thameslink railway). By way of summary, the rights being sought include (but not necessarily at each property) the right to: Oversail and/or sail a crane or cranes, loaded or unloaded, through the airspace over the land Enter upon the land to (among other things) demolish, construct and remove buildings which abut the land and the right to manage access to such parts of the land, and to enter onto land and buildings to carry out protective or reinstatement works to building facades Erect, use and remove scaffolding and/or hoardings (including signage) on the land In respect of certain parts of the railway viaduct and railway arch structures, carry out various works (as more particularly described in the order) which will facilitate (i) the creation of a public realm route through railway arch premises 6 and 7 Farrell Court, (ii) the refurbishment and conversion of use of railway arch premises 113a and 120 and 113b and 121 Elephant and Castle Arches and (iii) the construction of a sound mitigation lobby and associated works to adjoin railway arch premises 4 and 5 Farrell Court and the refurbishment of 4 and 5 Farrell Court Enter upon the land to carry out, repair and maintain hard landscaping works for public realm Gain pedestrian access to and egress from the adjacent Elephant and Castle town centre development, including to and from the Elephant and Castle railway station
Doreen Forrester-Brown, Assistant Chief Executive Governance & Assurance, London Borough of Southwark Dated 29 December 2023
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26 PUBLIC NOTICES 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;
76 RYE LANE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 5DQ (Ref: 23/AP/3284) Conversion of one full arch and one partial arch into self-contained retail units fronting the proposed square in front of Peckham Rye Station, following demolition of the 1930's buildings in front of Peckham Rye Station. Consent for demolition has been granted in application number 18/AP/2840 . Installation of new shop fronts to both arches, to match those consented in application number 18/AP/2840 . (Within: Rye Lane Peckham Holly Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Emily Williams 020 7525 1249) 80 SOUTHWARK BRIDGE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 0AS (Ref: 23/AP/3579) Removal of a condition for planning application 23/AP/1632 dated 06/12/2023 for change of use from commercial premises (Use Class E) to Live/Work (Sui generis). There is insufficient evidence that the exceptional circumstances test has been met, such that a personal permission is necessary, reasonable, and justified. Condition Number(s): 3 Conditions(s) Removal: There is insufficient evidence that the exceptional circumstances test has been met, such that a personal permission is necessary, reasonable, and justified. NA (Within: Union Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Sean Gomes 020 7525 0666) UNIT 15A AYLESHAM CENTRE RYE LANE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 5EW (Ref: 23/AP/3555) Temporary change of use from Commercial use (Use Class E(a)) to a Consultation Hub (Sui Generis use) (Within: Rye Lane Peckham CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Glenn Ruane 020 7525 5447) 135 BURBAGE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK
SE21 7AF (Ref: 23/AP/3585) Relocation of driveway entrance, the installation of new front boundary fencing, including pedestrian and vehicular gates and changes to the driveway and front garden surfaces and design. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Samuel Hepworth 020 7525 5465) 201 EAST DULWICH GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE22 8SY (Ref: 23/AP/3552) Resubmission -Demolition of the existing conservatory and construction of a new single storey rear extension, enclosing of the existing porch, loft conversion with a rear dormer roof extension and new skylights and extension and alteration of the existing garage and store. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Chloe Rimell 0207 525 1397) VENTURE COURT 206 BERMONDSEY STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 23/AP/3559) Variation of Condition 1 'Approved Plans' of planning permission 19/AP/5500: Re-modelling of existing 4th floor penthouse and erection of a one storey roof top extension to provide three residential units (use class C3), at 4th & 5th floor level; refurbishment and extension of basement and ground floor level, with new basement, to provide three flexible commercial units (use class B1/A1/A2), alongside refurbished front and rear facades, cycle parking and other associated works.. The changes sought are as follows: Adjustments to external elevations; Adjustements to external steel work, Provision for an Outrigger Cover, Introduction of smoke control system. (Within: Bermondsey Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Glenn Ruane 020 7525 5447) 190 CHOUMERT ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 4AB (Ref: 23/AP/3583)
PUBLIC NOTICE LICENSING ACT 2003 First Date of Display of this Notice: 02nd January 2024 An application has been made by: Adem SHENOL 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 MONTPELIER 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 served 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 proposed hours of licensable activities are: Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 23:00 Sunday - 11:00 – 22:00 Any “Other Persons” or “Responsible Authority” may make representations in writing to this application no later than: 30th January 2024 (Insert 28 days from date of notice above) To: Licensing Partnership, P.O. Box 182, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1GP Telephone 01732 227004 or email at: licensing@sevenoaks.gov.uk 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 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.
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Construction of a single storey rear and first floor rear extensions and a rear dormer with juliet balcony and rooflights to the front slope (Within: Holly Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Samuel Hepworth 020 7525 5465)
Dated: 09 Jan 2024 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date. STEPHEN PLATTS - Director of Planning and Growth
REAR OF 121 GROSVENOR PARK LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 0NJ (Ref: 24/AP/0023) Demolition of an existing single-storey dilapidated workshop building and the subsequent construction of a 3-storey dwelling. (Within: Grosvenor Park CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Glenn Ruane 020 7525 5447) 66 WESTON STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 3QJ (Ref: 23/AP/3389) Resubmission -Retrospective application for the installation of extract ductwork to the rear courtyard (Within: Bermondsey Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Ibrahim Azam 020 7525 2876) 30 DENMAN ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 5NP (Ref: 24/AP/0033) Ground floor rear extension with 2no. rooflights. First Floor rear outrigger extension. Installation of 2no. window openings on left side elevation. Removal of glazing structure above ground floor utility. (amended description) (Within: Holly Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: William Tucker 07925 637 210) 30 DENMAN ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 5NP (Ref: 24/AP/0034) Rear dormer extension, raising of ridge by 350mm, installation of 3 rooflights to the front elevation. (Within: Holly Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: William Tucker 07925 637 210)
LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK SCHOOL STREETS PROGRAMME: JAMES ALLEN'S GIRLS' SCHOOL The London Borough of Southwark (Pedestrian and cycle zones) (James Allen's Girls' School) (No. 2) Traffic Order 202* 1. Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that it proposes to make the above Order under sections 6 and 124 of and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended. 2. The effects of the Order would be to revoke and replace a pedestrian and cycle zone in GREEN DALE, in the vicinity of James Allen’s Girls’ School, to amend the operating hours of the ‘School Street’. All motor vehicles except permit holders would be prohibited from entering or proceeding in the part of Green Dale from the north-western kerb-line of East Dulwich Grove north-westward for a distance of 115.5 metres (which includes the entirety of the north-east to south-west arm of Green Dale), between 8.00 am and 9.00 am and between 3.15 pm and 5.00 pm (Monday to Friday, during school term time, as determined by the James Allen’s Girls’ School). Permits allowing vehicles to enter the ‘School Streets’ pedestrian and cycle zones would be available to residents of premises located within the zone, to registered carers or residents of premises located within the zone, to disabled person’s blue badge holders who are school staff, carers or dropping off and/or collecting pupils to the school and to SEND vehicles, by application to the Council. Exemptions would also apply in respect of emergency service vehicles. 3.For more information contact Tobias Allen of the Council's Highways, Transport Projects team Highways@southwark.gov.uk . 4. Copies of the supporting documents (this Notice, the proposed Order, and a statement of Southwark Council's reasons for making the Order) may be found online at www.southwark.gov.uk/trafficorders; paper or digital copies of plans showing the location and effect of the Order and the supporting documents may be requested by emailing traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk, or inspected by appointment only at: Highways, Southwark Council, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth, 3rd floor hub 2, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH - from the date of this Notice until the end of a period of six weeks from the date on which the Order is made. Email traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk (or call 020 7525 3497) for booking details. 5. Anyone wishing to object to or make any other representations regarding the proposals, may use the form labelled 'Parking - Road traffic and highway schemes - responding to statutory consultation notices' at www.southwark.gov.uk/statutoryconsultationnotices or send a statement in writing to: the Traffic Orders Officer, Highways, Southwark Council, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth, P.O. Box 64529, London SE1P 5LX or by e-mail to traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk quoting reference ‘TMO2324-016_SSP JAGS 2’ by 1 February 2024. Please note that if you wish to object to this proposal you must state the grounds on which your objection is made. 6. Under requirements of current access to information legislation, any letter or e-mail sent to the Councils in response to this Notice may be subject to publication or disclosure, or both, including communication to other persons affected. Dated 11 January 2024 Dale Foden - Head of Service, Highways
PUBLIC NOTICES 27
LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK
THE LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (HYNDMAN STREET, LEO STREET, MARIGOLD STREET, REDCROSS WAY, WESTON STREET)
TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (as amended)
(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)
THE LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK hereby gives notice that it has made an Order under Section 247 of the above Act to authorise the stopping up of the following area of public highway shown hatched black on the drawing attached to the Order numbered 305215-IF00-HSEW-05-PL-00-013Rev01 and labelled Elephant Park Heygate Street East & West Phase 1 – Supplementary Stopping Up Order.
1.
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.
2.
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) Hyndman Street, at it’s junction with Old Kent Road (b)Leo Street, at it’s junction with Old Kent Road for 50m south (c) Marigold Street, between Jamaica Road and Marigold Street (outside Cranbourn House) (d) Redcross Way, between Union Street and Southwark Street (e) Weston Street, between St Thomas Street and Melior Street
3.
The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) (2b) (2c) (2d) (2e) as indicated by the signs displayed
4.
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.
5.
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 the direction of a police constable in uniform.
6.
The works will be in operation for (2a) 27th – 28th January (2b) 27th January – 2nd February (2c) 26th January – 21st February (2d) 29th January – 2nd February (2e) 27th January – 4th February
7.
Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network Management at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk
Dated this 11th January 2024 Ian Law Traffic Manager London Borough of Southwark Network Management Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) LBSCR13289 (2b) 50960396 (2c) BER2-MARIST-01 (2d) 754606 (2e) SLS000806113410350 THE LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (as amended) THE LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK hereby gives notice that it has made an Order under Section 247 of the above Act to authorise the stopping up of the following area of public highway shown hatched black on the drawing attached to the Order and numbered 305215-IF00-RE00-91-PL-00-171Rev03 and labelled Stopping Up New Kent Road General Arrangement Plan. 1.
The first area of highway to be stopped up is in the London Borough of Southwark and can be described as an area of highway at New Kent Road which measures 155.16m2, is 135.9 metres long at its longest point and 1.28 metres wide at its widest point.
2.
The second area of highway to be stopped up is in the London Borough of Southwark and can be described as an irregular shaped area of highway at New Kent Road which measures 17.32m2, is 6.36 metres long at its longest point and 2.26 metres wide at its widest point.
The stopping up has been made to enable the development described in the Schedule to this Notice to be carried out in accordance with the planning permission granted under Part III of the Act by the Council on 27 March 2013 under local planning authority reference 12/AP/1092 (outline) as varied by 18/AP/3225 on 7 November 2018. COPIES OF THE ORDER AND THE RELEVANT PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED FREE OF CHARGE at 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH by calling 020 7525 2135 and referring to the New Kent Road Stopping Up Order. A copy may also be viewed on the Council’s website at https://www.southwark.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/traffic-orders-licensing-strategies-andregulation/highway-stopping-up-closure-orders?chapter=4&article. Any person aggrieved by the Order and desiring to question the validity thereof, or of any provision contained therein, on the ground that it is not within the powers of the above Act or that any regulation made thereunder has not been complied with in relation to the Order may, within 6 weeks of 11 January 2024, apply to the High Court for the suspension or quashing of the Order or of any provision contained herein.
The highway to be stopped up is in the London Borough of Southwark and can be described as an area of highway at 143 Walworth Road. The area measures 2.456 metres long (at its longest point between terminal points 1 to 2) and is 1.789 metres wide at its widest point. The stopping up has been made to enable the development described in the Schedule to this Notice to be carried out in accordance with the planning permission granted under Part III of the Act by the Council on 27 March 2013 under local planning authority reference No. 12/AP/1092 (outline) as varied by 18/AP/3225 on 7 November 2018. COPIES OF THE ORDER AND THE RELEVANT PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED FREE OF CHARGE at 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH by calling 020 7525 2135 and referring to the 143 Walworth Road Stopping Up Order. A copy may also be viewed on the Council’s website at https://www.southwark.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/traffic-orders-licensing-strategies-andregulation/highway-stopping-up-closure-orders?chapter=4&article. Any person aggrieved by the Order and desiring to question the validity thereof, or of any provision contained therein, on the ground that it is not within the powers of the above Act or that any regulation made thereunder has not been complied with in relation to the Order may, within 6 weeks of 11 January 2024, apply to the High Court for the suspension or quashing of the Order or of any provision contained herein.
Doreen Forrester-Brown Assistant Chief Executive (Legal, Governance & Assurance)
THE SCHEDULE 12/AP/1092- Outline application for: Redevelopment to provide a mixed use development comprising a number of buildings ranging between 13.13m (AOD) and 104.8m (AOD) in height with capacity for between 160,579sqm GEA (min) and 254,000sqm GEA (max) residential floorspace together with retail (Class A1-A5), business (Class B1), leisure and community (Class D2 and D1), energy centre (sui generis) uses. New landscaping, park and public realm, car parking, means of access and other associated works). 18/AP/3225: "Outline application for: Redevelopment to provide a mixed use development comprising a number of buildings ranging between 13.13m (AOD) and 104.8m (AOD) in height with capacity for between 160,579sqm GEA (min) and 254,400sqm GEA (max) residential floorspace together with retail (Class A1-A5), business (Class B1), leisure and community (Class D2 and D1), energy centre (sui generis) uses. New landscaping, park and public realm, car parking, means of access other associated works." Notice of application for a Premises Licence Notice is hereby given that Mr. David Gatt has applied to Wandsworth Council for a new premises licence at Henry’s, 78 White Hart Lane, London, SW13 0PZ for Sale/Supply of Alcohol – On and Off the premises. Saturday – 0800 hours to 23.30 hours Sunday – 0800 hours to 22.30 hours Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing by 01st February 2024 stating the grounds for making said representation to: Wandsworth Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX or by email: licensing@merton.gov.uk The record of this application may be inspected Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays) by prior appointment at the offices of Wandsworth Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden,Surrey, SM4 5DX between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. Information on all new and variation applications received by the Licensing Authority can be viewed on the Council’s website www.wandsworth.gov.uk It is an offence, under section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in or in connection with an application, punishable upon conviction by an unlimited fine
To place a notice, please email em@cm-media.co.uk Our weekly deadline is 5pm every Tuesday Doreen Forrester-Brown Assistant Chief Executive (Legal, Governance & Assurance) THE SCHEDULE 12/AP/1092: ‘Outline application for: Redevelopment to provide a mixed use development comprising a number of buildings ranging between 13.13m (AOD) and 104.8m (AOD) in height with capacity for between 160,579sqm GEA (min) and 254,000sqm GEA (max) residential floorspace together with retail (Class A1-A5), business (Class B1), leisure and community (Class D2 and D1), energy centre (sui generis) uses. New landscaping, park and public realm, car parking, means of access and other associated works).’ 18/AP/3225: "Outline application for: Redevelopment to provide a mixed use development comprising a number of buildings ranging between 13.13m (AOD) and 104.8m (AOD) in height with capacity for between 160,579sqm GEA (min) and 254,400sqm GEA (max) residential floorspace together with retail (Class A1-A5), business (Class B1), leisure and community (Class D2 and D1), energy centre (sui generis) uses. New landscaping, park and public realm, car parking, means of access other associated works."
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SPORT 29
Ryder heads Stateside aiming to keep dream alive Islington’s Ryder has a long association with Fisher and was close to the late Hiser, who he called for advice before his fight with Alvarez. Matchroom Boxing fighter Ryder has been preparing for the bout with his trainer Tony Sims. Sims knows Manguia’s team see Ryder as ideal preparation as they hope for a fight against Alvarez this year. “But”, Sims says, “on our side it’s a good fight for John.” Mexican Munguia, 27, has a perfect 42-0 professional record. “I want to continue operating at this level against big-name operators,” Ryder told Boxing News. “This is perfect for me. If I’d had a list of five names, he
John RydeR knows he is fighting to keep his “dream alive” when he steps back into the ring to take on Jaime munguia in the united States later this month.
By John Kelly
JoSh ShoniBAre was dulwich hamlet’s hero as he scored a minute from time to earn hakan hayrettin’s side their first victory of 2024 against hashtag united at a sold-out Champion hill last weekend.
millwall lionesses resumed competitive action this year with a thumping 6-2 win against Sutton united to book their place in the quarter-finals of the London & South east Regional women’s league Cup at St paul’s last weekend.
Substitute Maizi Garwood scored a hat-trick, with Shannan Drewe, Maisie Joyce and Clementine Young also on target. The Lionesses had to spectacularly come from two goals down after Holly Talbut-Smith and Chloe Francis had appeared to put the visitors in command.
John Ryder puts in the work with trainer Tony Sims
ny parTy arriVeS laTe aT The hill
Fisher youth head pays tribute to MCT
Ryley Scott sacred the opener
Ruben Mkrtchiyan in action
hakan hayrettin’s side bag first win of 2024
going to win it it was going to be us. “We pressed them, pressed them, pressed them. They made changes to win it and so did we - and we got our rewards.” Hayrettin added: “And the crowd. The hairs on the back of my neck keep standing up, and I’m just so lucky we’ve got these supporters. “There’s a myth, the myth is they’re coming here and turning their back. Well I didn’t see that, I haven’t seen that since I’ve been here. Absolutely fantastic, full house again at Champion Hill.” Dulwich are tenth in the Isthmian League Premier Division table, eight points off the play-offs. Meanwhile, Hamlet stalwart Sanchez Ming made his debut for Lewes at the
weekend after his release last week. Ming, 33, started in Lewes’ 1-1 draw at Cray Wanderers. The Rooks are level on points with rivals Dulwich in ninth place but ahead on goal difference. Ming first joined Dulwich in 2016 before leaving in the 2018-19 season and returning from Dartford in 2020. Ming played six times in all competitions this season for Dulwich, scoring a penalty in a 3-2 Isthmian League Premier Division defeat at Horsham last August. His last appearance was in a 1-1 draw against Haringey Borough in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup in September. He made 275 appearances and scored 24 goals. The club said: “We’d like to thank
Alex Russell and Adam Rowland’s side only equalised in the 72nd minute when Garwood scored from the spot and then she made it 3-2 four minutes later. Millwall added three more late on, with Garwood completing her treble in the 98th minute. Dulwich Hamlet Women are also through to the last eight after goals from Summer Roberts, Lily Price, Martha Goddard and Angel Reid helped them to a comfortable 4-1 win against Ashford United at Champion Hill. Both sides are back in L&SERWFL Premier Division action this Sunday as the Lionesses host Ebbsfleet United at 1.30pm.
The Hamlet are at home against Dartford at 2pm.
Sub helps Lionesses out of Maiz By John Kelly
scorecard [in Munguia’s fight] against [Sergiy] Derevyanchenko. I think it was pretty much down to the last round and I think Munguia pulled it out in that last round, dropping him and swinging it in his favour. “It’s all very well saying we’re going to Mexico or the US but it’s all on the same platform, it’s all on DAZN. It’s going out to every country. It’s not like some unknown channel in Russia no one’s going to see. I think we’re going to get a fair crack of the whip. And that’s all I hope that we get a fair crack of the whip and that the fight is judged fairly.” The fight takes place in Phoenix, Arizona on January 27.
Photo by Dave Anderson
Ryley Scott gave the hosts the lead in the 52nd minute before Max Cornhill levelled on 77 minutes. But Shonibare scored just two minutes after coming on for defender Mark Ricketts to earn the Hamlet all three points in front of a 3,334 attendanc. “My heart’s in my mouth,” Hayrettin said. “It was an end-to-end game, I don’t think we particularly played with the tempo we’re used to in the first half. The second half we did and we got out rewards. “You’ve got Anthony Jeffrey, Luke Wanadio, those kinds of players in the team, the ball is going in one direction then you’re always going to have a chance. “Again, Ryley Scott, who’s been magnificent for us, popped up in the box with a great goal. “Then they scored, we didn’t stop the cross, the ball goes in between our centrebacks and the goalkeeper, it was a great header. “I had to make a change, I’m looking at the clock and I had to make a change. I decided to go two up top. I know what Josh can do and that’s now twice he’s come on and scored. “I think we fully deserved it. I know they’re a good team, Hashtag, they’re quick, they’re nippy, they play around you. But we weathered the storm a little bit, we had one cleared off the line. Then after that I thought if there was one team that was
Photo by Rob Avis
Ryder, 35, won huge respect last May after taking the legendary Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez all the way when he challenged for his super-middleweight world titles in the champion’s home country of Mexico in front of 55,000 fans. Ryder recovered from being knocked down in the fifth round before he lost on points. Ryder (32-6) was given the Steve Hiser Award for Bravery at the Queen Victoria pub in Bermondsey last July.
would have been top or thereabouts. He needs to beat me to guarantee himself a shot at Canelo and I need to beat him to keep going - to keep my dreams alive. “He’s gonna be tough. He doesn’t know how to lose yet, and I’ve got to go there and stick it to him. I’ve got to show him the levels, as such. Show him what it’s like to be in there with Canelo and use all this knowledge I’ve gained, all this frustration I’ve gained through the years of close fights not going my way. “I’ve got to go in there and leave it all in the ring.” Ryder isn’t worried there could be a ‘home’ decision if it goes to the judges. He said: “I think we saw a fair
Photo by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
By John Kelly
Millwall Lionesses celebrate
Sanchez for all his efforts whilst playing for our football club and wish him all the best going forward.” Lewes manager Tony Russell added: “We have been looking for a right-back for some time but wanted to wait for the right one, so as soon as we knew Sanchez was available, we were very keen to bring him in. “He is a leader and a winner and will bring experience to the group. He is a little behind the group in terms of fitness at the moment, but once we bring him up to the level of the rest, I think he will prove to be an excellent signing for us. I’m very excited to be working with him.” The Hamlet travel to Hastings United this Saturday for a 3pm kick-off.
Lancers make New Year bow
By John Kelly southwaRk lanCeRs are in action for the first time in 2024 when they travel to harlequin Amateurs in their Counties 4 Surrey clash this Saturday.
The Burgess Park-based rugby side will be looking to bounce back from their last game when they lost 26-25 to Streatham-Croydon before Christmas. That loss, their fourth of the season, left them in fourth place in the table on 27 points, two points off Old Paulines. Streatham-Croydon are top on 39 points, two points ahead Old Hamptonians having played a game more (10). Southwark are five points ahead of Harlequins.
Fisher’s away kit is sponsored by MCT
By John Kelly fiSher fC continue to go from strength to strength as they launched their first-ever girls’ team this season - and the club’s head of youth development paid tribute to millwall Community trust for their help providing training facilities.
Chris Hiscock said that was “a landmark for us”. He told our paper: “We also have an under-18 team which is a pathway to get lads into semiprofessional football. “The MCT partnership has been really good for us. They’ve worked really hard to facilitate us.” Hiscock said prices if they had to train elsewhere would be “extortionate”. “If it wasn’t for the MCT we’d be scattered around south-east London,” Hiscock said. “We have a great relationship with them, they sponsor the away kit, the girls’ kit. Lots of our coaches work with MCT. “It’s good for the local kids, we’ve got around 190 local kids playing football. We’ve sourced players from MCT. It’s a relationship that’s grown. “The partnership with them has meant we’ve kept [membership] fees among the lowest [in London], it’s enabled us to grow. I wouldn’t underestimate the positive impact Millwall have made on our growth.” Hiscock has been busy building the foundations of the youth set-up over a number of years. He said: “We’re working on the structures that people after us can follow. From 2017 we’ve now got sixteen teams [from two].” Over recent seasons Hiscock says that “ten to fifteen players have moved on to Steps [in the English football pyramid] above and are getting wages. We don’t pay wages. It’s a grassroots club, it’s a pathway to go into semi-pro.”
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Eagles let Toffees out of sticky situation
Roy Hodgson admitted the result was fair
Palace winter break disrupted after ten-man Everton earn draw By John Kelly Roy hodgson rued a “missed opportunity” as Crystal palace couldn’t break down everton in a third-round Fa Cup tie at selhurst park last weekend that didn’t escape more vAr drama.
The tie’s controversial moment arrived eleven minutes from time when Dominic Calvert-Lewin was shown a straight red card after he slid in to win the ball against Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne. Referee Chris Kavanagh was advised by the video assistant referee, Michael Salisbury, to review the incident and after consulting the pitch-side monitor Kavanagh brandished a red card. Calvert-Lewin did have his studs up as
he glanced Clyne’s leg. Everton boss Sean Dyche said he was a fan of VAR but it was beginning to “test [his] patience”. Hodgson was more circumspect on the decision. "Lots of people who played in the past watching that will say that's not a red card, but people playing recently will probably say it is a red card because of the way the studs were up and he was leading with a straight leg,” Hodgson said. "It is unfortunate for the player, because it was not a vicious foul by any means. I thought the referee managed the game quite well. “There were a lot of decisions to make because both teams were rather
physical, so he handled the game well and if that challenge is a red card then so be it, I suppose. "I'm not prepared to say either it was or it wasn't." Both sides had three shots each on target in a finely-balanced if unspectacular game. Brazilian winger Matheus Franca, 19, made his first start of the season and was a threat running with the ball. Eberechi Eze could have won it for the hosts in the eighth minute of stoppagetime but Everton goalkeeper Joao Virginia pushed his shot around the post. Calvert-Lewin had an effort saved by goalkeeper Dean Henderson. The replay now disrupts Palace’s two-
week winter break. "I think it was certainly a missed opportunity in the last fifteen minutes, playing against ten men, but over all across the whole game both teams defended pretty well," Hodgson said. "It was a game of relatively few chances, a game where both sides were working very hard to stop the other team from creating chances. "If you look at it philosophically then these games often end in a draw, or a moment of magic decides it for one side. "Unfortunately we didn't have that magic. We did in the last few games, but we couldn't find that. Everton deserved their draw, that is for sure.” Eze agreed there was little between the sides.
“I think it’s probably a fair result. I don’t think either team really deserved to lose, so it is what it is, we go again,” Eze said. “I think the first half was a bit difficult. I don’t think we did as much as we should be doing here at home. “In that moment [after Calvert-Lewin’s dismissal] you’re thinking, ‘just take as much risk as possible’, and I guess we were unfortunate not to take any chances. “Every game you play you want to win, and we showed that. You can’t fault the effort from the boys.” The replay at Goodison Park is on Wednesday, January 17 at 7.45pm. Palace are back in league action with a London derby at Arsenal the following Saturday.
By John Kelly
December and produced some eyecatching results, including beating Arsenal after two 5-0 league wins and knocking Everton out of the EFL Cup in the quarter-finals. “It’s a great sign for us as a football club and our fans should be proud of us that we’ve started [the season] well,” Silva said. “We have kept the club in all the competitions, it was a tough and busy December and we will have another tough month for us.” Silva hailed De Cordova-Reid after his match-winner against the Championship’s Millers. “He deserves it because he’s a top professional, he’s a vocal guy and one of the great examples we have at the club in terms of focus, able to
play in any position and he’s always there,” Silva said. “He deserves all the credit and he deserves these good moments and good weeks. “It’s important for us and him because he needs these type of moments to lift his confidence and he needs the confidence to keep going in the direction we want him to be. “Bobby has the capacity to score and it was a great strike from him. “It is really important for us to win and not have a possible replay.” Fulham were in action against Liverpool in their EFL Cup semifinal at Anfield on Wednesday night. Go to southlondon.co.uk for the reaction.
Bromley slip up
Bobby on beat to call time on Millers
By John Kelly
fuLhAm mAnAger marco Silva said supporters of the club should be “proud” after the Cottagers continued their fine knockout form this season with a 1-0 victory over Rotherham united in the third round of the fA Cup at Craven Cottage last weekend.
bRomley sliPPed up in their bid for automatic promotion from the national League as they could only draw 0-0 away to maidenhead united last weekend.
The Ravens were aiming to keep up the pressure on leaders Chesterfield and had won five of their previous six league games. But it was the hosts, who are thirteenth in the table, who threatened through Kevin Lokko who had a goal disallowed, before Shawn McCoulsky and Ashley Nathaniel-George missed chances
to get the breakthrough. Andy Woodman’s visitors were inches away from taking the lead five minutes from time when the home side failed to clear Ryan Jones’s corner and Josh Passley’s header was blocked on the line. The result meant Bromley could only close the gap to Chesterfield to six points. Chesterfield were playing one of their three games in hand against Gateshead on Wednesday. Bromley host National League South side Chippenham Town in the fourth round of the FA Trophy this Saturday. Kick-off at Hayes Lane is 3pm.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid scored the only goal with a brilliant strike from outside the box in the 24th minute. Fulham are also continuing to consolidate in the Premier League as they sit thirteenth after 20 games, nine points above the relegation zone. Silva’s side played eight times in
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Honeymoon Period
George Honeyman has played all 90 minutes of Millwall’s last five games
Millwall midfielder reflects on crucial games that turned the Lions’ season around
By Kiro Evans GEORGE HONEYMAN believes Millwall’s “special ten days” over Christmas could help to turbocharge their season.
The Lions ended an underwhelming first half of the campaign by winning three and drawing one of their festive games over just ten days, completely changing the outlook of their season. Having not played until late October due to injury, Honeyman has become an integral cog in Millwall’s change of fortunes, operating now from a new central midfield role. The 29-year-old thinks the club demonstrated their new “DNA” in recent weeks by both playing good football and making life difficult for their opponents.
Honeyman told our paper: “It was always going to take a bit of time. The results weren’t great and I think there were maybe one or two performances we weren’t proud of. But it’s just nice to be involved with my mates and get back to winning football games, which is the best feeling in the world. “We felt like we earned those wins from not just playing good football but from running over our opponents a little bit and that’s got to be our DNA as that’s what’s made the club Millwall throughout the years. “We all knew what an important period it was and the manager kept saying what an opportunity the four games was and we took it and got ten points in ten days, which is pretty good going.
“It was a really special ten days and the more days like that we can produce for the fans, we’re going to be onto a good season.” Honeyman took particular pleasure from the 1-0 win at Bristol City where he revealed head coach Joe Edwards had jokingly predicted Shaun Hutchinson grabbing the late winner in a team meeting before the game. He added: “At the end of such a busy period, I think you had two teams going into that game really tired and first half probably wasn’t our best stuff but I was really pleased with how we played the second half. “The finish to the game... the feeling of the last-minute winner, honestly if you could bottle that and sell it you’d be a billionaire within the day. It was
games without a win and are thirteen points off the play-offs in thirteenth place in the League One table. “I’m a little bit frustrated again that we’ve not been able to see it out,” Appleton said. “But at the same time, there’s a lot of pride with the fact that we’ve had so many young
players out on the pitch. Two of them scored and they’ll remember it for a while. “Very proud of [the team], and that was the message to them in the dressing room afterwards. After three defeats, and the way we lost those games as well, for us to put in a spirited performance like we did, I’ve got to be pleased with that. They’re a group that never know when they’re dead. They keep getting up. “It’s been a tough period for the players. But from a resilience point of view they just keep coming back. The last bit sums them up in an absolute nutshell. We concede a third goal to go 3-3, and then it’s literally never say die.” Charlton face Peterborough United at The Valley this Saturday at 3pm.
incredible and the novelty of it being Hutchy who scored.” The swing is results has been complemented by Millwall adapting their style to use the ball better when in possession under Edwards. Honeyman said: “I think the manager doesn’t want to get caught up playing 100 passes around the back. It’s all about drawing opponents into areas they possibly don’t want to be in and leaving space for our forward players to make the most of. “We don’t want to pass a team to death and we’re not particularly bothered about having more possession than the other team but I thought he just saw an opportunity where we could have slightly more control than what we previously had and that would give us a
better base to go and be more successful and get more wins. “We’re all on this journey together and I think the fans have been brilliant with it so far. They’ve been really patient with us. During that poor streak we had after the Sheffield Wednesday game, they stuck with us and those couple of games over Christmas, to get those wins for them at The Den after such a long time, I think you could see in all the players and staff’s faces how much it meant to give something back. “We’re trying this new style not to look better but to produce more wins for us. It’s not like we’re going to play this football and we’ll be happy finishing mid-table. The aim’s still the same and we just think as a club that this is going to make us more successful.”
Appleton sees positives despite late blow QPR boss makes demand after By John Kelly MICHAEL APPLETON was pleased with the “resilience” his side showed in their 3-3 draw against Port Vale last weekend despite the concession of an injury-time goal.
The Addicks took the lead three times through Corey Blackett-Taylor in the first half and Daniel Kanu and Tyreece Campbell in the second. Ethan Chislett scored from the penalty spot in the last minute of the first half and there were two more equalisers from Uche Ikpeazu and Gavin Massey, the latter two minutes into added-time. Charlton stopped a run of three consecutive defeats but are now nine
Cherries stun Loftus Road
By John Kelly QUEENS PARK Rangers manager wants his side to show more of the “personality” that saw them take a 2-0 lead against AFC Bournemouth in the third round of the FA Cup before the Premier League Cherries hit back with three second-half goals to silence Loftus Road last weekend.
Sinclair Armstrong gave the Hoops a 40th-minute lead before Lyndon Dykes doubled the advantage two minutes later. But the Cherries quickly hit back three minutes into the second half through Marcus Tavernier's deflected shot and
Kieffer Moore levelled with a header ten minutes later. Justin Kluivert finished from close range on 69 minutes for what proved to be the winner. “The guys are trying but definitely we need to keep improving. It’s the first time in my career that I have experienced something like this,’” Cifuentes said. “What we can take from [the game] is that when we are at our best we can compete at a very good level against very good teams. “But when we are not it’s very difficult to compete, so we need to show personality to not change our approach to the games.” QPR host Watford this Sunday at midday.
Community matters
INSIDE
Sport S outhLondonWeekly. Southwark
NY PARTY ARRIVES LATE AT THE HILL By John Kelly
aFC wimbledon can “dare to dream” after they moved to within two games of wembley by beating oxford united 2-0 in the eFl trophy at plough Lane on tuesday night.
Poch’s side must overturn deficit to reach final By Paul Green mAuriCio poChettino admitted Chelsea’s wastefulness in front of goal cost them once again as middlesbrough earned a shock 1-0 first-leg win in tuesday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final.
Hayden Hackney swept home Boro’s winner from six yards in the 37th minute after being picked out by Isaiah Jones’ delivery to give the Championship side a narrow advantage going into the second encounter at Stamford Bridge in a fortnight. Hackney’s goal came just five minutes after Cole Palmer intercepted a poor Jonny Howson pass, only to fire inches off
target. Palmer squandered two more decent opportunities in first-half stoppagetime and the Blues were unable to find an equaliser after the break despite half-chances for Noni Madueke, Conor Gallagher, Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling. It was an all-too-familiar tale from Pochettino’s side, something the manager accepted afterwards. “We made some mistakes and I think we were punished for that,” Pochettino said. “In football that happens. I don’t need to be tough, I need to keep pushing. “I’m disappointed because I think with the performance, over all we were the better side.
“We created more chances, clear chances but we didn’t score. We were not clinical and that has happened during the season. “After six months it [has] happened a lot, so many games we didn’t win because we were not clinical enough. “We have a lack of [ability] sometimes to score, not to create chances because we are creating too many chances but we are not scoring them. “In this kind of game, if you do not score then it is difficult to win.” Some of the travelling contingent who made the long trek north made their displeasure known at the final whistle, with Thiago Silva speaking to fans and trying his best to calm the situation down.
Pochettino said: “I didn’t see what was going on there after the game. “I cannot say anything about that, only that of course we can understand that our fans should feel disappointed about that, but there is still 90 minutes to play.” Boro will desperately try to defend their slender advantage when they arrive at the Bridge, with Pochettino fully aware all the expectation will be on his side to book a Wembley appearance against Fulham or Liverpool next month. “I think we re going to expect a similar game to today,” he said. “We have 90 minutes to play and we need be competitive to win the game, to score goals and to go to the final. “If not it is going to be our mistake.”
Eagles eye Gunners swoop for forward Nketiah By John Kelly CRystal PalaCe are being linked with a January move for Arsenal striker eddie nketiah - and the eagles also want a midfielder this month.
Palace manager Roy Hodgson is hopeful of boosting his forward options after the side dropped perilously close to the relegation zone late last year following eight Premier League games without a win before a 3-1 victory over Brentford moved them six points above
the bottom three. The Eagles have scored 22 goals in 20 league games this season - only the bottom two, Burnley (20) and Sheffield United (15), have scored fewer. Palace’s top league goal-scorer this season is Odsonne Edouard with six. Nketiah, 24, has scored six goals in 27 games for the Gunners this season and made his England debut in a 1-0 friendly win against Australia last October. However, he has never been able to nail own a regular spot up front in his Arsenal career, with 70 of his 108
Premier League appearances coming from the bench. But Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta would have to recruit a forward this month for the faltering title contenders before even considering letting £50millionrated Nketiah leave. Hodgson has had to deal with a number of injury problems to attacking players this season. Michael Olise missed the 0-0 draw in the third round of the FA Cup against Everton at Selhurst Park last weekend with a hamstring problem. Eeberechi Eze has also had spells in the
Dons 'dare to dream' of Wembley
Mauricio Pochettino: ‘There is still 90 minutes to play’
© Action Plus
blueS reeling from boro haCk
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treatment room, while Matheus Franca, a £17million signing from Flamengo in the summer only made his first start of the season against the Toffees. Striker Jordan Ayew is currently away with Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations. Midfielder Cheick Doucoure might not play again this season after sustaining an Achilles tendon injury in November. Palace are reportedly interested in Manchester City’s out-of-favour midfielder Kalvin Phillips but would face stiff competition for the England international.
James Tilley scored either side of the break to send the hosts through to the quarter-finals. “It’s really good. I said to the players before the game that we were three games away from Wembley,” Dans boss Johnnie Jackson said. “We’ve got a chance to do something really special as a group together. Now there’s only two to go. We’ve got over one hurdle. We want to win this competition, I’ve said it from the outset. “We’ve proven we can beat anyone, we beat Portsmouth who were top of League One and then we’ve done similar again tonight. We have to dare to dream.” Jackson was full of praise for Tilley. Jackson said: “He’s kept himself motivated. He knows he’s in a group that has a lot of competition for places. He was arguably our best player during the first half of the season. I played him and played him and played him, so perhaps his dip in form has been a little bit on me. In his career to date he’s not always been used to playing every single minute of every game. “When he’s such a threat you’ve got to do the obvious thing and give him the ball. I’m delighted for him as he’s never knocked on my door to ask why he’s not playing, he’s continued to work hard and take his chances.” The Dons are back in League Two action this Saturday when they travel to Wrexham for a 3pm kick-off.
Fa cuP FouRTh-RouND DRaW Chelsea vs. Aston Villa Crystal Palace or Everton vs. Luton Town or Bolton Wanderers Fulham vs. Newcastle United Ties take place the weekend of January 27 THE RECYCLED PAPER CONTENT OF UK NEWSPAPERS IN 2014 WAS 83.5%