South London Weekly - January 19th 2024

Page 1

SouthLondonWeekly. Community matters

Issue 33 ∙ 50p ∙ January 19 2024 ∙ www.southlondon.co.uk

'don't give the kiss of death to our street'

By Harrison Galliven

Local Democracy Reporter The introduction of a new cashless parking trial in Purley has caused a rift between residents. While some welcome the move towards modernity, others fear it will drive shoppers away. Some believe the scheme, which is

also being trialled in Addiscombe and New Addington, will also alienate the area’s elderly population, who may struggle to adapt to the new RingGooperated system. After struggling to navigate the new system, a Purley resident told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “My dad comes here, and he’s in his 70s, he doesn’t have a smart

phone. What happens if you don’t have a smart phone? It just assumes that everybody can do it and they can’t. It’s not fair.” Another shopper, Sharon, told the LDRS: “It doesn’t bother me because I don’t tend to carry cash, I prefer to do it on my phone anyway. It’s convenient for me, but I would understand if the elderly don’t take to it because they’re

more likely to be carrying cash.” The three-week trial, introduced on January 2, will require shoppers to register their parking via the RingGo app, calling a payment number or via PayPoint at an affiliated shop. Parking will be restricted to an hour and cost shoppers 20p, which goes to RingGo. Full story on page 19

Blues get Chil See time sport

See page 6

'care home resident put shampoo in porridge and ate it'

See page 11

football club neighbours want to sell


2 NEWS Contents NEWS Pages 2-19 PROPERTY Page 20

Funding housing ombudsman report: Too agreed for many Lambeth residents are still Chinatown receiving ‘unacceptable service’ pagoda By Robert Firth

By Ben Lynch

Local Democracy Reporter

Arts Pages 21-22 history Page 23 CLASSIFIED Page 24 Public notices Pages 25-28 SPORT Pages 29-32

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Too many Lambeth residents are still receiving ‘unacceptable service’ from the council, the Housing Ombudsman [HO] has said following its inspection of the local authority. Despite improvements in the Labourled council’s handling of housing complaints, the HO said these advances had yet to be ‘seen and felt’ by residents. The comments were made in a report published today (January 11) by the HO about how the council deals with complaints. The report was produced after the HO inspected the council inperson – the first time it has ever done this to a local authority. Richard Blakeway, the housing ombudsman, took the unprecedented move last year after noticing residents bringing the same complaints against the council, even after the HO had already ordered the local authority to resolve the problems. The HO was also dissatisfied with information the council had provided to it about how it dealt with recurring complaints . The new report praises the council for reducing the number of overdue complaints from 2,283 in April 2022 to just 154 in November 2023. But it said Lambeth staff were dealing with too many complaints each to be able to resolve them quickly enough. Complaint handlers at the council are supposed to deal with an average of 25 complaints each, but the HO found some members of staff were dealing with a case load more than double that figure. It also said staff gave conflicting opinions on the council’s approach to resolving complaints. Some staff told the HO that complaints were closed as soon as a response was issued, while others said they left complaints open until repairs were completed. Richard Blakeway, housing ombudsman,

SouthLondonWeekly.

Local Democracy Reporter

said: “There are still too many residents receiving an unacceptable service. Indeed, the frustration of some residents was palpable at a ‘Meet the ombudsman session’ the landlord hosted. Effective complaint handling is a core component of rebuilding trust with residents. “By improving its learning from complaints and channelling its efforts into truly understanding the driving factors behind its complaints, the landlord will give itself every chance of improving.” Lambeth Council said: “Improving our housing services for residents is a top priority for the council. We’re pleased that the ombudsman has recognised

SouthLondonWeekly. Community matters

Issue 32 ∙ 50p ∙ January 12 2024 ∙ www.southlondon.co.uk

See page 11

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

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

that the council has made significant changes to remedy past failings. The report acknowledges the ‘significant transformation’ that has taken place in the last 12 months and recognised the introduction of a ‘culture of accountability and ownership’ in our services at all levels. “We have made changes to senior leadership, introduced more robust governance arrangements, reviewed all high-risk complaints and put in place better lines of communication between complaints staff, neighbourhood officers and repairs contractors to help ensure we can remedy repairs as quickly as possible.”

Nearly a quarter of a million pounds has been allocated by Westminster City Council to help pay for a new traditional pagoda in Chinatown. The application for the tiered tower is one of nine granted Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding by the council following bids submitted last summer. Other schemes include public realm improvements at Shepherd Market, works to St Mary Bryanstone School’s playground, and money towards brackets to support hanging baskets in streets around Maida Vale. Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development who approved the applications, said the school improvements and new pagoda “are great examples of CIL projects that really matter to people’s daily lives – helping children have fun and celebrating the Chinese community’s contribution to the West End”. The CIL is a charge local authorities can place on new developments to help fund infrastructure across the borough. A portion of that income is designated Neighbourhood CIL, which must be spent within the specific area the development is situated. Applications are submitted on a quarterly basis to the council requesting support to deliver local projects. All nine of those approved were filed as part of the summer 2023 round of submissions. Of those granted funding, the most by some way has been allocated to the replacement pagoda at Newport Place in Chinatown. According to the council’s decision notice, the £243,929 from Westminster, requested by the London Chinese Community Association, is to be matched with a £160,000 contribution from Shaftesbury Capital. A total of £668,005 was granted across the nine applications, with £100,000 of funding to address drainage issues at All Souls Primary School the second-highest sum. As of November 15 2023, council documents show more than £18m Neighbourhood CIL had been collected across Westminster since it was introduced in May 2016, with just under £8m spent. The London Chinese Community Association was also approached for comment.

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.

See page 18

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NEWS 3

what aBout us?’ - disaBled couple react to sixmonth closure of lift at Bermondsey station ExcLuSivE By Isabel Ramirez a LocaL disabled couple has reacted to the lift closure at Bermondsey station saying it is unfair for those who rely on it and is stopping people from leaving the house.

Syd, 89, and Pat Dukes, 87 are both disabled and said when the station came in with step-free access it made life easier. But at the start of the year, Transport for London (TfL) announced that the lift would be out of order until June 2024 - meaning for six months they won’t be able to use their local underground. Pat, who is blind and deaf, said: “No lift means we can’t use the station. Not only that, mothers with prams, people in wheelchairs and the elderly all can’t use it either. “You’re not allowed to take a wheelchair down the escalators.” The couple are also unpaid carers for their paraplegic son, Mark, who they are most concerned about amid the lift closure. Mark, in his 60s, who has been paralysed from the neck down for thirty years, was a regular tube user with his wheelchair. “He could get to Guy’s in ten minutes before,” Pat explained. “Now he can’t do that.” “He also uses it to go on trips and get out of the house.” Now without being able to use the underground, she claimed he is limited in what he can do. Pat said recently he and a group of friends who were also wheelchair users had to give up a free trip to London Zoo because they couldn’t get there without the tube. “They say transport is for all - but what about us? We rely on the step-free access,” Pat added. As they are older, they no longer drive and so with no station they have to get taxis which are ‘more expensive’ and ‘take longer.’ “And they’re not reliable enough,” Syd commented. Customers requiring step-free access are being advised by TfL to use the 47 and 188 buses to nearby Canada Water and London Bridge stations - neither of which stop

outside the hospitals. They have also been encouraged to plan ahead using real-time travel tools including Journey Planner and TfL Go - however, for people like the Dukes who say they don’t use the internet, this is difficult. Cllr Rachel Bentley, Deputy Leader for the Southwark Liberal Democrats, has been advocating on their behalf and said the work seems to be taking an ‘unduly long time’. She told us: “Having the sole lift at Bermondsey Station out of action for six months will hurt those who rely on stepfree access like Mr Duke, as well as those with buggies and pushchairs. “Of course, we need to maintain and upgrade the facilities at our underground stations but this work seems to be taking an unduly long time. In recent years, we’ve seen significant accessibility improvements by TfL but there is still much more to be done to ensure that everyone can get around London safely and comfortably. “The Mayor says London is a place for everyone but all too often, those who need step-free access have to take longer journeys which wastes their time and can deter people from going out at all.” Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon said: “Londoners with disabilities and mobility problems still face far too many barriers when it comes to accessing public transport across the Capital. “The lack of adequately accessible public transport contributes hugely to issues of loneliness in our city, especially among the elderly and those with disabilities. “It shouldn’t be this way and the fact that Transport for London cannot carry out this maintenance work any faster just isn’t good enough.” We asked TfL the reason for the six-month closure of the lift. A TfL spokesperson said: “We are sorry for the disruption caused by the closure of the lift at Bermondsey station. The lift is over 24 years old and is reaching the end of its working life. We are replacing the lift as part of our rolling replacement programme, to ensure safe and reliable step-free access at the station for many years to come.”

Ark Globe Vice Principal wins prestigious award - again!

By Isabel Ramirez The vice Principal at a Walworth school, who has worked in education for 31 years, has won a prestigious award for the second time.

Jo Watts, the Vice Principal of Ark Globe Academy, was honoured with the School Business Leader of the Year award at the National School Awards. She also won it back in 2011. Having worked in education across various settings for more than 31 years, Jo joined the Ark Globe leadership team in 2013 and joined Ark Evelyn Grace Academy in 2021, continuing under the leadership of Matt Jones OBE. Matt said, “Huge congratulations to Jo on her well-deserved award. Thank you on behalf of the Ark Globe Academy and Ark Schools community. For over a decade, you have contributed so much to our school making it a wonderful place to learn and work.”

In 2019, Jo was granted a Fellowship to the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) for her strategic leadership within education. She also became the South London Regional Lead, coordinating across six schools in the Ark network to provide many opportunities to share good practices, support, and develop each other. Ark Globe is in an area with high levels of economic deprivation, where children often face a disadvantage in accessing the best universities. Yet despite this, in 2023, 100% of Ark Globe’s sixth-form students received university offers, with 80% being top third universities. This success is thought to be a testament to the school’s dedicated senior leadership team. She was honoured at the awards ceremony, which was held at the House of Lords on Thursday, 7 December.

Pat and Syd Dukes

A maelstrom of marinelife mayhem Arts page 20


4 NEWS

National twenty Bailiffs evict plush se16 at 4:30am 100th Theatre Live following 17-month Battle for relocation production ExcLuSivE

By Isabel Ramirez a roTherhiThe business owner had a sudden start on Tuesday morning when twenty bailiffs turned up to evict him from his premises following a seventeen-month battle for relocation.

After he was ordered by his landlord of over twenty years to leave the premises last year, Michael Clinkett owner of Plush SE16, has been staying on the site to campaign for his right to be relocated. Plush SE16 consists of a Caribbean takeaway, a car wash, a barber, a hairdresser, and a music studio and has been a well-loved staple by the community for over twenty years. But at 4:30 am (Tuesday 16 January), on the landlord’s orders, a group of bailiffs and security dogs turned up to secure the site and evict the businesses. They will be occupying the site for the next six months. Speaking to this paper shortly after arriving on the site - Mr Clinkett said: “I woke up to like twenty missed calls from the community telling me the bailiffs were here. “This time they came prepared to make sure this happens.” He continued: “I don’t know what to do next. All I can say is, I’m not going to give up. I’ve been fighting for the community intensely for two years now. I refuse to let my community down.” The ongoing saga at the site on Rotherhithe New Road saw locals in an uproar when attempts were first made to evict him in 2022. Plans to build a twelve-storey tower block on the site remain unclear after the Southwark Council stepped in and refused full planning permission, saying the five businesses must be relocated as part of a policy (the Section 106) in their Southwark Plan. However, the landlord of the site did not

Michael Clinkett renew the lease for Plush. Mr Clinkett took his case to court to prevent a possession order, but the judge could not see any legal grounds for agreeing to his appeals, although Mr Clinkett claims he said: “Mr Clinkett it appears that there has been a great deal of injustice against you in regards to your Business Relocation”. Last March, after he was ordered to leave the site, the landlord agreed a stay of execution until April 19 2023. But since nothing was due to be built there, Mr Clinkett decided to stay and continued to serve his customers, not knowing when his last day would be. “It’s been stressful for me not knowing,” he explained. “By rights I shouldn’t be here today but I am. I’m here campaigning for my right to be relocated.” He continued tearily: “It’s been hard. But this is a fight I felt like I had to take on for everybody.” Mr Clinkett added that he is ‘upset and disappointed’ with Southwark Council for not being able to find a suitable location for him. “What are the policies for if they’re not there to protect us?” he asked. Southwark Council have been contacted about this. In a previous statement they asserted that they had tried to relocate Plush, but ‘could not find [a site] Mr Clinkett considered suitable.’ When we approached the council

By Herbie Russell The naTionaL Theatre has announced another of its shows will come to cinemas this spring - marking its 100th production to hit the big screen.

previously (March 2023) they said they would continue to look for a suitable relocation site for Plush. The landowner has also been contacted. Previously she told this paper that she wished to sell the land to ‘realise her dreams and build housing for the community’. As it stands, Mr Clinkett and his 28 staff have no plans for what to do next. One staff member, Steve, the chef at Plush,

turned up to the fenced site and looked on at his cooking station with sadness: “The community is relying on us. Now after this morning - we don’t know what the next option is. “I don’t know what to do now. Hopefully by the grace of god we get help.” Read more on this www.southwarknews.co.uk

story

By Herbie Russell STrikinG BuS company employees could mean “chaos” for a handful of Southwark bus routes.

at

© Martin Addison (Creative Commons)

‘Chaos’ looms for Southwark bus routes with control room staff set to strike Roughly forty control room staff will walk out in a pay dispute with bus company Abellio for six days beginning on Friday, January 19. Routes 159, 322, 344, 345 and 415, which cover Kennington, Elephant and Castle, Peckham, and other areas, could be disrupted according to the union Unite. Sharon Graham, Unite General Secretary, said: “Abellio has hundreds of millions of pounds of revenue from lucrative London bus contracts and yet it is trying to short-change some of its most vital staff. It needs to understand our members won’t stand for it.” Control room staff play a vital role in London buses’ smooth running by using GPS to instruct drivers on traffic jams or accidents.

to hit the big screen

The group of bailiffs arrived at 4:30am to shut them down

‘Nye’, written by Tim Price and directed by Rufus Norris, takes audiences on a mind-bending journey through the life of Labour politician Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan. The production will trace Nye’s deepest memories, from childhood, to mining underground, to Parliament and fights with Churchill in an “epic Welsh fantasia”. Rufus Norris, director of Nye, said: “I am immensely proud to be at the helm of the 100th National Theatre Live production, Nye. As we celebrate this significant milestone, it’s a testament to the enduring commitment of National Theatre Live in bringing world-class theatre to audiences far and wide.”

Southwark residents offered £10 vouchers to test new council site By Herbie Russell SouThWark reSidenTS are being offered £10 vouchers to test out changes to the council’s website.

Abellio 9062 (BX55XNR) at Peckham Rye But Unite claims its members have been offered just a five per cent pay increase for 2023, which it says would be a real terms pay cut. Unite regional officer Maxine Loza said: “These workers provide an absolutely vital service to bus drivers and passengers. Yet Abellio is treating them

with disdain with this pay offer. “Abellio needs to come back to the table with an improved offer to avoid ruining the journeys of millions of Londoners. Abellio is to blame for this strike and they need to fix it.” Controllers, managers and supervisors based at both Battersea bus garage and

Twickenham bus garage are staging walkouts on the following dates: 19 and 26 January and 2, 9, 16 and 23 February. The upcoming strikes will mainly impact routes in South and South West London, including: 24, 27, 111, 156, 159, 267, 285, 322, 344, 345, 415 , 490, 969, H20, H25, H26, R68, R70.

Council boffins are modifying the southwark.gov.uk site and want to ensure it’s up to scratch. Southwark will hold one-to-one sessions with users on Tuesday, January 30, Wednesday, January 31 and Thursday, February 1. A Southwark Council spokesperson wrote: “As a token of appreciation for your time, we will provide £10 worth of shopping vouchers for each user who takes part. “If you’re interested in taking part or have any questions at all, then please email website-user-research@ southwark.gov.uk, and we will be in contact with more information.”


NEWS 5

peckham-Based firms appointed to design team of controversial aylesham centre regeneration By Herbie Russell

TWo PeCKHAM-BASed architects have joined the aylesham centre regeneration project to bring their “deep understanding of the local area” to future designs.

Developer Berkeley Homes was forced back to the drawing board last year after its initial design proposals, branded “not good enough” by Southwark Council, caused local uproar. Berkeley Homes has now asked architects dRMM to take the lead on the project. The two local architectural firms joining dRMM are Dowen Farmer Architects and Feix&Merlin. They are based in the nearby Peckham Levels and Bussey Building respectively, with the latter described as an “LGBTQ+ led design practice”. Local community group Aylesham Community Action (ACA) has welcomed their appointments but also pointed out the two firms were involved in designs drawn up back in 2020. Back then, before the site’s sale to Berkeley, Tiger Developments and hedge fund Blackrock were leading the regeneration. ACA branded their designs “too big” and “out of character with its community” in a petition that garnered over 3,700 signatures. In July 2021, Blackrock sold the site to

The Aylesham Centre

Four people injured after ‘fight’ in Brixton with ‘shots fired’ By Herbie Russell TWo PeoPLe have been shot and two more injured after a “fight” in Brixton early this morning (Sunday, January 14).

But it added: “I think our point is that if the design brief is inappropriate you can’t expect the architects to design a scheme that will work.” Berkeley’s plans do now appear to differ from the proposals first released in 2022, although it is unclear to what extent. The developer initially said it wanted to build 1,050 homes, significantly over the site’s indicative capacity of 850. But in its latest design brief, Berkeley has listed ‘indicatively 850 new homes’ as an

Berkeley, who have been overseeing plans for regeneration since. After failing to impress locals with its initial designs in late 2022, Berkeley released a new design brief. But ACA has questioned whether the brief is materially different from the last set of proposals. Asked about Dowen Farmer Architects and Feix&Merlin’s appointments, an ACA spokesperson said it was “really happy to see local firms involved”.

‘objective’. It has also indicated the blocks could be shorter, with ‘heights up to twenty storeys’ rather than reaching as high as 27 storeys as first planned. The developer is expected to open a consultation process at the end of January and share new design images. Berkeley declined to provide a statement but did provide background information. All architects were approached for comment.

A man and a woman remain in hospital. Police say they’ve made no arrests. Officers were called to Coldharbour Lane shortly after 5am this morning following reports of a fight and shots fired. Police found a woman suffering from gunshot injuries who was rushed to hospital by ambulance. Three men self-presented at hospital, one with gunshot injuries, one who’d been stabbed, and another assaulted, police said. The woman and the man who’d been assaulted remain in hospital while the two others have been discharged. Any witnesses yet to speak with police and anyone with information is asked to call 101 ref 1167/14jan or to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers.

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6 NEWS

Bexleyheath care home rated 'inadequate' after a resident 'poured shampoo into porridge and ate it'

By Joe Coughlan

Local Democracy Reporter A Bexley care home has been given the worst possible inspection rating after it was found a resident had 'poured shampoo into their porridge and eaten it'. Maples Care Home in Bexleyheath has been rated ‘inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in a report published last month. The inspector said in their report that findings from audits were not used to improve safety for people at the care home. They said relatives claimed to have visited the home and seen up to 14 residents at a time with no carer. The report said: “In the audit for April 2023, there was an incident recorded where one person mixed shampoo into their porridge and ate it. The person’s care plan documented that shampoo should be removed from the person’s room when not in use. However, during the inspection we found that there was a bottle of shampoo left in their bathroom.” Mixed feedback was also received from relatives of people living in the home. One family member claimed their relative’s clothes had food on them every day and their hair was often greasy. Several residents were also said in the report to be at risk of choking due to a lack of risk assessments being in place. The inspector said in their report: “One person’s care plan documented that they slept a lot during the day. During the inspection we saw this person was hunched over to one side in an armchair asleep in a communal hallway. Although they were asleep, staff were attempting to support them to eat their lunch. This was a choking risk as the person was not alert and sitting upright.” They added: “We saw one person had food all down

their t-shirt, staff had not ensured their dignity was maintained by supporting them to put on a clean top.” However, the care home was praised for appearing clean, with a security system ensuring people remained safe. Residents’ rooms were also decorated and personalised to their taste, and several relatives praised the food served. The report said: “One relative said, ‘My [family member] does not need assistance, the food is quite good.’ Another relative said, ‘My [family member’s] food is cut up, [they] have

soft foods and [eat independently]’.” A Maples Care Home spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “The health, safety and wellbeing of our residents is our absolute priority and we take all feedback from the CQC extremely seriously. We are disappointed by the outcome of the inspection as it does not reflect the high standards of care we provide. We understand the CQC will be returning shortly with a different inspection team to re-inspect the home following our response to the inaccuracies within the report.”

council, the rats targeted lentils, biscuits, and tea bags in particular. Merton deemed the situation so severe it posed an imminent risk to public health. Once a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served, the premises on Grand Drive were closed until further notice. The Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order was awarded during a hearing at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on December 19. The store has been allowed to reopen as Merton’s environmental health team is now satisfied the issues have been rectified. However, despite the recent closure, the South London council was first made aware of the shop’s hygiene issues back in March 2022 when Food Hygiene inspectors said ‘major improvement was necessary. This previous inspection, which awarded

the shop a one out of five hygiene rating on March 9, 2022, means that Merton council was aware of issues at the property for almost two years. In response a spokesperson from Merton council added; “We regularly inspect food businesses and the last routine food hygiene inspection was carried out on 07/02/2023, no rats were seen inside the premises during this visit.” Councillor Eleanor Stringer, Cabinet Member for Civic Pride told the local democracy reporting service: “Rogue premises such as these cannot be tolerated. We’re grateful to members of the public who report substandard or unhygienic businesses to the Council, so we can swiftly address any risk to public health.” Grand Fresh Market was approached for comment but failed to respond in time for publication.

popular store back from closure imposed after customers noticed ‘rat nibbled’ food on THE shelves

By Harrison Galliven

Local Democracy Reporter A popular mini market in Lower Morden has reopened after the council issued its immediate closure on hygiene grounds. Grand Fresh Market, which sells everything from rice to fresh fruit, was closed immediately following an inspection by the food hygiene standard body on December 12. Merton Council’s food hygiene inspectors discovered an active rat infestation and contaminated foodstuffs following a tip-off from a customer who had recently spotted the vermin during a shopping trip. Inspectors found that rats had inhabited areas near fresh and tinned food, with clear evidence of droppings being found on a number of products. According to the

The spokesperson said two new senior managers from the service’s sister homes have been appointed at Maples since the inspection. They said that both individuals have an exceptional track record for delivering industry-leading care for residents, while championing their safety and dignity. They added: “Throughout this process, we have listened to feedback by the CQC and worked tirelessly to ensure that we adhere to the high standards that residents, relatives and friends rightly expect and deserve. Guided by our values of honesty, family,

care and commitment, our dedication to providing industry-leading care remains steadfast.” The care home provides residential, nursing and dementia care for up to 75 elderly people, with 61 people using the service at the time of the inspection. The service has been placed in special measures and will receive another inspection within six months to check for significant improvements. Picture: Maples Care Home on Glynde Road in Bexleyheath. Credit: Google Earth.


Twelve-year-old boy Thomas meets King’s College surgeon who saved his life before he was even born By Isabel Ramirez

A 12-year-old boy who underwent pioneering surgery while he was still in the womb has been reunited with the surgeon who gave him a chance at life.

Thomas Hay reunion with Prof Kypros Nicolaides

through Thomas’ mouth and positioning it delicately in his windpipe before inflating it. This aim was to trap fluid that would normally escape through his mouth, forcing Thomas’ lungs to expand and develop. Lucy remembered what it was like: “My husband and I watched on the monitor as Professor Nicholaides inserted a camera into my womb and we saw him carefully guide it through our baby’s mouth and down into his windpipe. “The room was jam-packed with students all wanting to watch the renowned Professor carry out this pioneering operation. Over the next few months, Thomas’ lungs increased in size dramatically.” After having the balloon removed via keyhole surgery, Thomas was born at 37 weeks in August 2011. Now twelve years old, Thomas is sociable and active, as well as being ‘Star Wars and Lego obsessed’ according to his mother. “He leads a completely normal life,” she said. On getting the chance to meet the man who saved his life, Thomas Hay commented: “It was amazing to finally meet Professor Nicolaides. After hearing so much about him and what he did for me before I was born, I was very excited and grateful to be meeting him.” Professor Kypros Nicolaides, Professor of Fetal Medicine at King’s College Hospital, said: “It was a great pleasure meeting Thomas. He’s doing brilliantly and it makes a big difference to me when I see such excellent results of our fetal interventions.”

Early plans for new Southwark Pensioners’ Centre in Camberwell By Herbie Russell Southwark Council has released its initial plans for a new pensioners’ centre in Camberwell.

The new Southwark Pensioners’ Centre, inside a former betting shop on Camberwell Road, will replace the current site, also on Camberwell Road. The council wants local pensioners to give feedback on its early proposals, which include a floorplan and an artist’s impression of the centre’s frontage. Southwark Pensioners’ Centre already serves over 1,500 elderly people but its current building is too small. Last year Director Cathy Deplessis said: “We’re a little tardis over here but all our rooms are fully booked out and we’re struggling for space.” The new centre at 201 - 205 Camberwell Road aims to provide a larger, more welcoming, stimulating and comfortable environment. Initial plans show it providing a kitchen, hot desk workspaces and a garden-terrace

Aquarists taking a headcount in London Aquarium’s tanks

area. The new centre should increase elderly people’s participation in support services and leisure and learning activities. It could even become a place where people get health check-ups if they’re struggling to access NHS services. A benefit of the location is its proximity to the current centre meaning service users should find the new space easily. Deplessis said: “We’ve got people who’ve been coming to the centre for 30odd years so it will be a lot easier for them to find it.” The centre is made possible by Southwark Council’s £1 million investment. The money comes from its Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) fund - cash saved by taxing developers building in Southwark. To provide feedback on the plans visit: https://consultations.southwark. gov.uk/planning-and-regeneration/ a - n e w- s o u t hwa rk- p e n s i o n e r s centre/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_ medium=social&utm_campaign=Orlo

© SEA LIFE London Aquarium

Twelve years after being given a 2 per cent chance of survival, Thomas Hay is a healthy young man and recently he met the man behind it all. In 2011, Thomas was diagnosed with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), a rare condition affecting babies before birth, during a routine pregnancy scan at 20 weeks. Lucy Hay, Thomas’ mother, said it was ‘absolutely devastating.’ She explained: “We were told our baby had a hole in his diaphragm, allowing his abdominal organs to push through into the chest cavity and crush his lungs.” The mother-to-be was told her unborn son had a 50 per cent chance of survival. After researching possible surgeries Lucy said she came across one that involved operating on the baby whilst they were still in the womb at around 24 weeks. At the time, the only person in the UK who performed the complicated surgery was Professor Kypros Nicolaides, Professor of Fetal Medicine at King’s College Hospital and a pioneer of fetal surgery. Lucy said: “We soon had a referral to meet with Professor Nicholaides to discuss whether in-utero surgery might be an option for Thomas. But at that moment she said they were hit with ‘heartbreaking news’ “Thomas’ relative lung size had decreased significantly since his last scan and his chance of survival was now significantly below 2 per cent,” she said. “An hour later, after a lot of encouragement from my husband, I was on the operating table.” “We were fully aware that there were a number of risks involved, but we also knew that this was probably our baby’s only chance of survival.” The complex procedure involved inserting a miniature latex balloon through the wall of Lucy’s uterus, down

NEWS 7

tanks a lot! Divers plunge into South Bank aquarium to headcount its over six thousand marine residents

By Herbie Russell

Scuba divers plunged into tanks to count and measure creatures living at London’s famous South Bank aquarium.

Aquarists armed with wetsuits and calculators counted over 6,000 animals and marine species at SEA LIFE London Aquarium earlier this month. The humans got up close and personal with creatures great and small - from a three-metre-long Sand Tiger Shark to three-millimetre-long coral polyps. Catherine Pritchard, General Manager at the aquarium, said: “Count and Clean is one of our favourite and most important activities at SEA LIFE London Aquarium, as it’s a chance to take stock of all our new arrivals over the past year. “Whilst our Aquarists have lots of fun counting all the amazing creatures in our collection, we also use this time to perform an early spring clean to help us maintain the health and well-being of our creatures and ensure our tanks

Aquarists had to count over 6,000 marine creatures and species are in pristine condition to enable guests to get a good look at their favourite species.” Divers looked in on Green Sea turtles Boris and Dougie who weigh more than 100kg. New arrival Daley, a Gentoo penguin who was hatched in the attraction and named after Olympic diver Tom Daley,

also received a visit. The annual event allows SEA LIFE London Aquarium to take part in international breeding programmes, alongside SEA LIFE centres around the world. The aquarium is also home to Ocean Invaders, the largest collection of jellyfish displays in the UK.

Bank University (LSBU), said the “misunderstood condition” could knock students’ confidence and oral test results. An estimated 1 to 3 per cent of the population stammer meaning thousands of LSBU students could be affected. Professor Johnson’s work also included

creating a guide advising universities on how to help stammering students. The Professor of Development Economics said: “Stammering is a misunderstood condition and I am determined to ensure students who stammer are able to benefit from the lifechanging opportunities that university offers them.”

Elephant & Castle professor who set up speaking club for stammering students gets MBE in Honours List By Herbie Russell

A university professor who set up a public speaking club for students who stammer received an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List.

Professor Deborah Johnston, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at London South


8 NEWS

Identity revealed: Borough woman left dead in ‘dirty swamp’ flat for several months The inquest was opened at London Inner South Coroner’s Court

Inside the woman’s flat when a neighbour visited in March 2022

Exclusive By Herbie Russell A Borough woman who lay dead in her ‘dirty swamp’ council flat for several months has finally had her identity revealed.

Caroline McCrossan, born September 3, 1960, was named at a coroner’s inquest opening on Friday, January 12. McCrossan’s decomposed body was discovered by a council worker who forced entry into her Tabard Gardens Estate flat, on January 6, 2023. Her discovery led to accusations that Southwark Council has “missed opportunities to prevent these tragic circumstances”.

Following a post-mortem examination, the cause of death is unascertained due to the body’s state of decomposition. He said the body was discovered in a “significant state of decomposition” and led on the bathroom floor with the flat in “disarray”. Official identification had been complicated by the fact that documentation found in the flat indicated Caroline was using different aliases. But DCI Thomson said “it’s our working hypothesis it’s Caroline McCrossan”. In March 2022, nine months before the body was found, neighbour Jeffrey Boachie-Frimpong had visited Caroline

First fully electric ambulance makes debut london calls

to discuss a leak dripping into his flat. He said the woman was “extremely distraught” and “living in what seemed to be a dirty swamp”. Jeffrey and his wife contacted the council, begging them to “rehouse this poor woman”. Southwark Council says it visited the property and fixed the leak but the woman did not say she needed help. With leaks reappearing in September 2022, Jeffrey urged the council to check on Caroline’s welfare. Instead of being checked on, the woman is believed to have lain dead for several months. A source close to the case previously told the News it was believed she’d lain dead for roughly four months.

By Isabel Ramirez

The first fully electric ambulance to respond to emergencies in London made its debut journey on New Year’s Eve, helping patients including those in Peckham.

On the arrival of 2024, Paramedic Telma Ricardo Guerreiro and Emergency Medical Technician Taylor Forde went out on a night shift from Oval Ambulance Station helping patients around Clapham, Peckham and Brockley in the first-of-itskind electric Ford ambulance. Among the many people they raced to care for on the arrival of 2024 were a patient with chest pains, a young person suffering a mental health crisis and someone who rang 999 when they began coughing up blood. The new ambulances are part of the London Ambulance Service’s (LAS) ambition to drive towards a net zero fleet, reducing operational costs incurred from fuel and maintenance, as well as improving air quality to help reduce the prevalence of major diseases in the capital. Taylor said: “It was very exciting taking

In court, DCI Thomson said Caroline’s last rent installment was paid on May 17, 2022. The discovery sparked outrage among local politicians who slammed the council. In February 2023, Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP Neil Coyle said: “They need to work out if they could have done more to fix those jobs sooner and whether they’re aware of any other opportunities to prevent these tragic circumstances.” Southwark Council said its enquiries found “no fault in terms of practice nor breaches of council policies”. Cllr Darren Merrill, Cabinet Member for Council Homes, said: “We take the death of every resident seriously and it is always very sad when someone is found in this way. “Residents can live independent lives for many reasons and we are taking this opportunity to enhance

training across council departments on how to spot if someone is isolated and what we can do to help. “Our enquiries into this case found no fault in terms of practice nor breaches of council policies – the resident of the flat was not listed as vulnerable or on a system for regular welfare checks.” Police said identification was complicated after officers found documents suggesting Caroline used “multiple aliases”. They discovered a passport under the name Annie Kenmur and letters also bearing that name, among others. Scotland’s birth registry shows McCrossan’s mother was called Annie Kenmur who married a George McCrossan in 1954. Coroner Dr Julian Morris opened the inquest on Friday, January 12. A date for the full inquest will be announced in due course.

out this special vehicle for the first time ever on New Year’s Eve. “There’s a lot more space in the back, it drives a lot more smoothly and it really helped us get patients in and out of the ambulance more efficiently. The new features, especially the trolley bed system, enabled us to manage patient care better.” The vehicles are lightweight and include more accessible features for crews to convey patients with a powered trolley bed system, a powered carry chair and an integrated scanning system that scans the vehicle and informs the crews whether the ambulance is fully stocked after each patient they’ve treated. In addition, there is enough battery capacity to keep the ambulance operational throughout each 12-hour shift. Daniel Elkeles, Chief Executive at London Ambulance Service (LAS), said: “This is a game changer for ambulance designs across the world. “We’ve had electric patient transport vehicles and support vehicles, but until now we haven’t had an electric ambulance responding to life-threatening

emergencies in London. As part of its plans to renew its fleet with greener vehicles, LAS is working with hospitals in London, including Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital and Kings College Hospital, to provide high-powered electric vehicle charging ports so crews can charge their vehicles at hospitals. The electric ambulances are the latest addition to the largest emergency fleet of fully-electric vehicles in the country, with a total of 42 fully-electric fast-response cars and three electric motorcycles. In total, there are 160 zero-emission capable vehicles in the fleet. Four fully electric ambulances are expected to be delivered to LAS this year and the Service plans to expand its fleet of electric ambulances from April 2024. These vehicles are the first of twelve fully electric ambulances that will be piloted by NHS England’s Net Zero Travel and Transport team in partnership with LAS and four other ambulance trusts and will enable the collection of “real-life” data. This will be used to inform the wider rollout of zero-emission emergency ambulances in the future.


NEWS 9

manZe’s deptford pie and mash shop announces 2025 closure after 110 years of cockney cooking George Mascall, owner of Manze’s Pie and Mash, Deptford The shop contains many of the original features (below);

© Manze’s Pie and Mash, Deptford

Founder Michele ‘Michael Manze (Left inset)

ExcLuSivE By Herbie Russell dePTFord’S 110-yeAr-old manze’s Pie and mash shop will close next year, a business that’s served the cockney culinary staples since the reign of George v.

Owner George Mascall, descendant of the Manze family who migrated to London from Italy in the late 1800s, said he’d “miss some customers” but was “looking forward to retirement”. The Grade-II listed shop is remarkably unchanged since 1914, retaining its trademark benches, tiling and marble tables. George, 64, said he wouldn’t be “getting the bunting out” but admitted he’d “had enough of making pies”. “I’m looking forward to retiring I’m not gonna lie about that,” he said. The piemaker-in-chief will have worked at the iconic shop for 45 years when he calls time in March 2025. The shop, founded between 1890 and 1914, belonged to his grandfather Michele ‘Michael’ Manze who migrated from the impoverished Italian town of Ravello in 1878. After setting up an ice cream business, Manze moved into the thenlucrative pie-trade, sparking a dynasty that spread all over London. George explained: “All those years ago, if you wanted a meal out or a takeaway it was fish and chips or pie and mash. “There wasn’t Indian, Chinese, Thai or whatever. Now you walk up and down the high street and every other shop is a takeaway food shop.” At its peak in 1930, the Manze family ran thirteen pie shops across the capital with some, including in Tower Bridge and Peckham, still run by George Mascall’s distant relatives

today. Astonishingly a friend of the family, who migrated around the same time as the original Manzes, known as ‘Old George’, worked at the shop until the ‘80s before dying aged 94. “He very rarely spoke actually and he mumbled a lot,” George said. “So I honestly couldn’t tell you if he had an Italian accent or not!” George Mascall received the shop from his mother and father, Sheila and George, who recently passed away, but that wasn’t always the plan. As a young man, he had a scholarship at the Royal College of Music as a tuba player. “At the time there were only full-time positions for tuba players in London and each one of those players were relatively young so I thought I’d leave it a few years,” George said. “Forty years later I’m still here making pies!” George the place said “hadn’t changed at all” in the decades he’d worked there. “Whereas we used to mix the dough by hand and peel the potatoes by hand we’ve got machines to help us out here now,” he said. “As far as the shop is concerned, it really hasn’t changed that much.” The shop’s quaint decor caught the eye of the 20th Century Society, which supported the store’s recent listing. Historic England praised the outlet for its “characteristic shopfront and tiled interior, complete with benches, tables, terrazzo flooring, display counter and servers”. The store also hosted Trotter during filming for Only Fools and Horses spinoff Rock and Chips and Daisy Haggard in the dark comedy Back to Life. Contrary to local rumours George and his wife Rosemary, 65, are not buying a villa in Monaco, but moving to Norfolk to be closer to two of their three children.

The Enfield Haunting fell short Arts page 21


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

GENERAL PRACTICE TEAM: Your

W

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

31/10/2023 16:32


NEWS 11

crystal palace footBall cluB neighBours want to sell their homes

By Joe Coughlan Local Democracy Reporter BromLey reSidenTS are considering selling their homes after a Premier League football club academy has thrown the area into ‘chaos’. crystal Palace Football club (cPFc) academy sits on copers cope road in Beckenham, having operated on the site on 2012 and with the facility seeing a major redevelopment in 2020. Stephanie Sfakianos, 66, has lived on Copers Cope Road with her husband for over 30 years. She said that since the redeveloped academy opened, traffic on the street has become a ‘disaster’ and cars remain stationary for prolonged periods of time on match and training days. Ms Sfakianos told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “For 15 minutes, nobody moves. You can imagine what the environmental impact of that is with cars up and down the road with their engines running.” The academy sent an application to Bromley Council last May for retrospective permission to install a fuel tank and chimney for under pitch heating on the grounds. The application follows a previously rejected application for the fuel tank in 2021. Ms Sfakianos said: “I actually have a little studio at the bottom of my garden and I would be very reluctant to use it while the tank is running because the noise and smell is quite overpowering.” An acoustic impact assessment from Hawkins Environmental on the under pitch heating system said the feature is not anticipated to be used between late spring and early autumn. It said that nearby residents are assumed not to have their windows open or be using their private external amenity areas in cooler

weather when the plant would be in operation. An air quality assessment also said the level of nitrogen oxide emissions from the plant was less than the building emission benchmark, and called the development ‘air quality neutral’. It said the system would be in operation at full power for 18 hours a day for about 10 days a year, and at 30per cent power for a further 20 days a year. The resident said she has not yet seen a workable solution to the problems from the club, and feels there has been no openness or honesty directed towards residents. She said her family are worried about how the issues may escalate by further use after noting a new application for four new floodlights on the site that are over 20 metres tall. Ms Sfakianos said: “There has been a busy sporting facility here since we moved in. CPFC are the only users of the facility that have led to this degree of chaos.” She added: “It’s not that the neighbourhood doesn’t want a sports facility here. We are extremely comfortable with the principle. But the situation with the traffic has not been managed, and I think we don’t have any confidence at all that we have a clear and honest picture of how bad the traffic situation could potentially get if they started playing lots more matches here.” A CPFC spokesperson told the LDRS that the operations and aesthetics of the site had improved drastically since the club’s £30m investment. They said the site included 24 hour security which benefitted all neighbours and every attendee of the grounds was checked in and out. They said: “It is now an elite Academy that cares for more than 200 local young people, with many also receiving education on site alongside their football

commitments – and all players benefitting from life skills and development programmes. It also houses the club’s Women’s team, and has significant local community and charitable usage via the Palace for Life Foundation – often with hard to reach, disadvantaged young people.” They added: “It is not a public ‘sports club’ but has a very tightly controlled and managed set of attendees.” Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, has lived on Copers Cope Road with their family for 17 years. She said before CPFC took over the site, there was a gym, children’s play centre and set of bookable football pitches on the grounds, but that ‘continual traffic jams’ has changed the whole area since. The local told the LDRS: “Occasionally people would park across my drive once every six months. It happens daily now.” They added: “We get disturbed quite

regularly at three in the morning from people returning from away matches… Lights in our bedroom. Noise from the cars or, if they’re younger, it’s the parents waiting to pick them up, so the cars are idling cars outside.” The local said neighbours commissioned an independent traffic survey six months ago which was sent to CPFC and Bromley Council. They said they have not seen any attempts to resolve the issues despite flagging the problem to the council through emails, phone calls and attending planning meetings. They said: “I myself had to pay to have trellis put up because of the total lack of privacy to the point where they can look into our kitchen and our garden. I’ve had friends come round and they’ve been told by the security staff that I’m not in. My house was actually on the market, that’s how bad it got. It’s really affected us all.” They added: “[The club] won’t take

ownership of any of the problems. They said the road problems are not caused by them. I’ve got someone blocking my drive now. It’s unbelievably badly run and could be so much better with just a few simple changes.” A CPFC spokesperson told the LDRS that the area in and around the site has always been a hub for sport, with Kent County Cricket Club also nearby. They said CPFC had recently arranged for additional, offsite parking for parents of young players at Kent Cricket to reduce traffic outside the site. They said: “But of course, we recognise that there are some operational issues – particularly around traffic and entry to the site, which we have made positive improvements to and are committed to improving further. We also wish to continue our regular, positive interactions and engagement with our immediate neighbours.” They added: “We also repeatedly stress to guests the importance of respecting our local neighbours when arriving at and leaving the site – and we will continue to do so. We are also creating a dedicated coach park and drop off area which will be active later this year, which will reduce the impact to the road too. And we are supportive of proposals to reduce the speed restriction to 20mph to improve road safety.” Bromley Council was approached for comment, but had not responded at the time of publication. Photos: Stephanie Sfakianos, 66, shown in her back garden in front of the fuel tank and chimney of the academy. Credit: Joe Coughlan

The flue from the sports ground in use, as seen from Ms Sfakianos’ home. Credit: Stephanie Sfakianos



NEWS 13

mum wants stricter e-Bike Battery regulation after daughter died on old kent road

By Isabel Ramirez The mum of a 21-year-old who died after an e-bike caught fire on old kent road is calling for stricter regulation in future, so her daughter ‘did not die in vain’.

Last year, Sofia Duarte lost her life in a fatal fire caused by the catastrophic failure of a lithium battery used to charge an e-bike. The petition, set up by her mother and backed by the London Fire Brigade, calls for urgent action from the Government to implement regulations on e-bikes, e-scooters, and the batteries and chargers sold with them. Currently ‘potentially dangerous’ chargers were discovered for sale in the UK, often imported from China, on eBay and Amazon. London Fire Brigade data shows that fires involving e-bike and e-scooter batteries are London’s fastest-growing fire trend and on average there was a fire every two days in 2023. Last year the total number of fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters went up almost 60% compared to 2022. Sofia’s mother, Maria Frasquilho Macarro, has called on all Londoners to sign it. She and a family friend, Alda Simoes, said they aimed to channel their grief into preventing more people from losing their lives. Maria said: “This matters so much to me because the most important thing in my whole world has been taken away – all because of some stupid bike.

“In honour of Sofia’s memory and the others who have sadly lost their lives too, sign the petition today.” Since creating the petition last month, over 32,000 signatures have been collected in support of tighter rules. Electrical Safety First also welcomes the petition. The charity is also pushing for regulatory change with a Ten Minute

Rule Bill expected to be tabled by Yvonne Fovargue MP in the first part of this year. Alda demanded action urgently, commenting: “We don’t want Sofia to die in vain, sadly deaths are continuing to happen. “Sign this petition and tell everyone you know to sign it. Sofia was the first death in London due to an e-bike fire. Tragically

secondary school kids say free schools meals help them ‘concentrate in class’

others have lost their lives up and down the UK, and there are many who have suffered serious injuries too. We must stop this happening today, not tomorrow. “Together we can make change.” January 11 would have been Sofia’s 22nd birthday. The petition can be signed at change.org ‘Sofia Duarte’

Swap your baby clothes and toys in Rotherhithe an evenT which gives families the chance to swap baby clothes and toys with others to reduce waste and save money is coming to rotherhithe, writes Isabel Ramirez...

This Saturday (January 21) at the Dockland Settlement Community Centre, the Big SE16 Toys and Clothes Swap will run from 10:30am-12pm, with the chance to grab some new gear for free.* The event has been running since 2021 and started as a group of local mums meeting up and swapping baby clothes. After combining forces with some others - they now put on a whole morning of swaps a few times a year - from clothes, toys, books and even some smaller baby equipment and maternity clothes. A spokesperson said: “The events are all volunteer run, we’re not an organization just a crew of mums looking to be more sustainable by recycling resources within the community. There’s no requirement to bring anything to swap, so it’s perfect for first-time mums as well.” The event costs £1 entry* which goes towards Docklands Settlements for room hire. All leftover items will be donated to local charities, such as Betty’s Baby Bank in Lewisham. For further information or to volunteer, email: bigswapSE16@gmail.com

Cllrs Ali and Williams with Ark Walworth students and principal Jessica West

The traffic island on the junction between Dulwich Grove and Red Post Hill

By Herbie Russell SouThWark Secondary school children say free school meals are helping them ‘concentrate in class’.

The council has offered universal free school meals to primary school pupils since 2013 and extended the scheme to secondary pupils on a means-tested basis last year. School leaders and students have praised the scheme for fuelling children’s brains while putting money back in parents’ pockets. Zuzanna, a Year 9 pupil at Ark Walworth Academy, said: “We get given free fruit in morning break by our school. Morning break and having a school lunch helps me to concentrate in class.” Year 11 pupil Olivia said: “Free school meals should be there for everyone. We are all human. We need to fuel our bodies, because we are still growing. “We need to fuel our brains because we are still learning.” Southwark Council has provided free

school meals to children from families on Universal Credit ever since Mayor Sadiq Khan put £135 million towards universal free school meals in London primary schools. Because Southwark already had its own universal free school meals scheme for primary schools, it’s used the money to help secondary school children access healthy meals. Mayor Khan said he was “delighted” that Southwark had used City Hall’s funding to “to extend their great work”. Olivia fondly remembers getting their healthy lunches back in primary school. “The best bit about free school meals at primary school was everyone coming together,” she said. “It was a moment in the day for unity and togetherness.” Normally, secondary pupils are only entitled to free school meals if their household’s annual income is less than £7,400, described by Southwark councillor Jasmine Ali as “shamefully low”. “As it stands, the national threshold for free school meals is shamefully low

and increasing numbers of children are going without,” the Cabinet Member for Education said. “We are proud to be on the right side of history with the Mayor of London in refusing to accept child hunger.” Research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows that over a million children in the UK belong to families that can’t afford to meet their most basic needs to stay warm, clean, clothed, and fed. London came out as having the highest destitution levels in 2022 with two in every five children in the capital now living in poverty. Principal of Ark Walworth Academy, Jessica West, said: “Children cannot learn well if they’re hungry; it really is that simple. If we want to do our jobs as educators, we must ensure that young people have access to good, healthy food every single day. “I’m grateful for the support of the local authority in enabling our fantastic catering team to deliver meals so that every member of the Walworth Academy family is equipped to get the most from their day.”

dulwich residents fear that removing a traffic island could endanger pedestrians By Herbie Russell

duLWich reSidenTS say removing a pedestrian traffic island near the railway station will “pose a danger” to schoolchildren and commuters.

Southwark Council is considering removing the island as part of changes to the junction between East Dulwich Grove and Red Post Hill. Bridget Furst, Chair of the Dulwich Village, College Road, Woodyard Lane Residents’ Association, said: “We call upon TfL and Southwark Council to rethink their plans to remove this pedestrian refuge to ensure that all pedestrians, especially the thousands of children who attend the schools in the area, will be safe when crossing the junction.”

Officials have reassured residents that the green light for pedestrians will light up longer to protect pedestrians. But Bridget said people rushing for the train could still be tempted to “jay walk” while rushing to North Dulwich station or Charter North Dulwich School - but without a traffic island as refuge. Bridget said: “We’ve been contacted by several residents concerned that the temptations of crossing the road outside of the pedestrian green light, to catch a train for example, will still be there as they are today.” New plans for the junction also propose adding new advanced cycle stop lines and pedestrian countdown timers to call crossings. Southwark Council has been approached for comment.


14 NEWS

National Theatre appoints Indhu Rubasingham as new director

Mallow, Borough Market

By Herbie Russell The National Theatre has appointed Indhu Rubasingham as its new director, making her the first woman and person of colour to take on British theatre’s most important role.

fifteen places to get vegan food in Peckham, Borough, Walworth and more By Isabel Ramirez Here is a guide to vegan food in Southwark - from plant-based Italian to soulful Caribbean and even sweet treats, we’ve got you covered this month.

An annual challenge run by a UK nonprofit organisation, Veganuary promotes and educates about veganism by encouraging people to follow a vegan lifestyle for January. Although eating vegan is becoming more common, it’s still new to many so here are fifteen places in Southwark to dip your toe in the water.

1. Plants of Roselyn

Where? 102 Tooley St, SE1 2TH What? Thai Cost: 3-Course tasting menu £25 all of January; Mains £13-£15

2. Horn OK Please

Where? Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, SE1 1TL What? Indian Street Food Cost: £7.50

3. Blue Brick Cafe

Where? 14 Fellbrigg Rd, Dulwich, SE22 9HH What? All day-breakfast menu Cost: £6.95 - £14

4. Addis Vegan Kitchen

Where? 244 Old Kent Rd, SE1 5UB What? Ethiopian Cost: Combo meals £12-£13 per person

5. En Root

Where? 28 Peckham Rye, SE15 4JR What? Indian-inspired comfort food Cost: £10 (average)

6. Peachy Goat

Where? 16 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, SE24 9HU What? Plant-based Italian Cost: Mains £12-20

7. Deserted Cactus

Where? Holdrons Arcade Unit 23 & 25, 135A Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST What? Plant-based Caribbean Fusion

Cost: £8-£20 pp 8. Mallow

Where? 1 Cathedral Street, Borough Market, SE1 9DE What? World flavours and seasonal Cost: Mains £17-£20

9. Ethiopiques

Where? Southbank Centre Food Market, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX What? Ethiopian Cost: Platters £9

10. Kegarmo

Where? Maltby Street, Rope Walk, Bermondsey, SE1 2HQ What? Vegan Bakery Cost: £3.50-£5

11. Trinco

Where? 22 Lordship Ln, East Dulwich, SE22 8HN What? Tamil/Sri Lankan Cost: Combo meals £14-£17

12. Ramen Impossible

Where? Mercato Metropolitano, 42 Newington Causeway, Elephant and Castle, SE1 6DR What? Japanese fusion Cost: Mains £12.50

13. Arapina

Where? Various locations: Deptford, Greenwich, East Dulwich What? Vegan Bakery Cost: £2.50 - £6.95

14. MC and Sons

Where? 160 Union St, London SE1 0LH What? Thai - in an Irish pub Cost: £13.95-£15.50

15. Naifs

Where? 56 Goldsmiths Road, Peckham, SE15 5TN What? Vegan bistro and seasonal Cost: Four-plate set meal £30pp

The South Bank theatre said it was “thrilled” to hire Rubasingham who will take over from the outgoing Rufus Norris in spring 2025. Rubasingham joins from the Kiln Theatre where she has been artistic director since 2012. She said: “The National has played an important part in my life – from tentative steps as a teenage theatregoer, to later as a theatre-maker, and to have the opportunity to play a role in its history is an incredible privilege and responsibility.”

Indhu Rubasingham of the National Theatre.

At the Kiln in north London, Rubasingham worked with Zadie Smith on The Wife of Willesden and a stage adaptation of her breakthrough bestseller White Teeth. Influential industry figures had called for the appointment to be a woman including Vicky Featherstone, artistic director at the Royal Court Theatre. In an interview with The Times, she said: “As far as I am aware we [women] have been around the same amount of time as men.” “Of course it is time there is another sort of view at the National,” she added. Born in Sheffield, Rubasingham studied drama at Hull University and has held positions at the Gate Theatre, Birmingham Rep and Young Vic. She was awarded an MBE for services to theatre in the new year honours list in 2017.

3,759 appointments rescheduled in Southwark during junior doctors’ strike By Herbie Russell Newly released NHS statistics have revealed 3,795 appointments were rescheduled across three Southwark hospital trusts due to the junior doctors’ strike.

Thousands of trainee physicians downed their stethoscopes from January 3 to January 9 in a bid to secure a 35 per cent pay rise from the government. Data compiled by the News showed there were 253 daily staff absences on average across Guy’s and St Thomas’ (GSTT) Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital (KCH) Foundation Trust. The South East London Integrated Care Board (ICB) said the hospitals were “extremely busy” and that it had drafted in holidaying consultants to take on extra shifts. The statistics outline the huge pressures GSTT, KCH and South London and Maudsley (SLaM) faced during the gruelling six-day strike. At GSTT, 2,539 outpatient appointments were rescheduled, 1,154 at KCH and 102 at SLaM. GSTT saw an average of 277 daily staff absences, with that number reaching 353 on Friday, January 5. At KCH, the average daily absence rate was 230 but soaring to 345 on Wednesday, January 3. SLaM saw an average daily staff absence was 97 reaching a peak of 168 on the first day of industrial

action. 52 elective procedures - meaning operations booked in advance - were rescheduled across GSTT and SLaM. A spokesperson for the NHS South East London ICB said: “This last period of industrial action has been a difficult one for the NHS in south east London. “The longest strike in NHS history has come at a time when we are also seeing increased rates of flu and other seasonal infections – which affect staff as well as the general public – adding to pressure on all of our services. “South East London NHS Trusts have, as in all previous rounds of industrial action, worked exceptionally hard to make sure that services are maintained and patients are kept safe.” They added: “In our emergency departments, some days have been extremely busy, and waiting times have varied. We would like to thank the public for making use of the full range of NHS services.”


NEWS 15

rotherhithe tunnel: TfL confirms it has ‘no refurbishment plans for 2025’ Exclusive By Herbie Russell Transport for London (TfL) has said there are “no plans in place” to refurbish the Rotherhithe Tunnel in 2025. Shortly before Christmas, TfL said vital maintenance of the key thoroughfare could only go ahead once the Silvertown Tunnel was completed in 2025. This raised concerns that the tunnel could close as soon as next year but TfL has since confirmed a 2025

refurbishment isn’t expected. When maintenance does eventually take place it’s expected to close the tunnel for nine months. In a statement shared with this paper, TfL reiterated that the refurbishment would require further government funding. A TfL spokesperson said: “No plans are in place to refurbish the Rotherhithe Tunnel in 2025.” They added: “A full refurbishment would only go ahead once funding has been confirmed and following the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel to ensure that people can continue to

cross the river in this part of London. “It remains the case that we will need future sustainable long-term funding support from government to enable the renewal of such major assets.” Built in 1908, the Rotherhithe Tunnel links Limehouse, north of the river, with Rotherhithe in the south. It wasn’t designed to withstand modern traffic levels so its ventilation system, and other tunnel infrastructure, need refurbishment to ensure it can operate for years to come. TfL said it had already completed concept designs ready for when a full refurbishment is possible.

New Cross drug dealer jailed after police find three pistols and cocaine stash By Herbie Russell

Shaun Bent, 39, of Brindley Street, was arrested at his address on July 4, after officers searched the property. Police had found a rucksack containing the three guns with 18-round magazines and 46 rounds of ammunition. They also discovered 788g of cocaine, various drug paraphernalia, £53,000 cash and a money counter. Bent has been convicted of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and three counts of possession of a prohibited firearm. He was sentenced to a total of eight years in prison, at Woolwich Crown Court on January 8.

Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor’s death in the Herne Hill area was due to natural causes, a coroner has ruled.

The Dublin-born musician was found unresponsive at her home in July and pronounced dead aged 56. “This is to confirm that Ms O’Connor died of natural causes,” a statement from Southwark Coroner’s Court on Tuesday, January 9 said. “The coroner has therefore ceased their involvement in her death,” it added. O’Connor, who achieved huge success with her 1990 single ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’, had recently moved back to London after being away for 23 years.

A spokeswoman at the Department for Transport told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Central Government has given unprecedented support to TfL. “Just this week we announced a new £250 million capital funding settlement for them as well as more than £9 million extra for the maintenance of their roads – part of over £6.6 billion of central Government support they have received since March 2020, on top of £2 billion a year in retained business rates. “TfL is responsible for the maintenance of London transport, including the Rotherhithe Tunnel.”

‘Huge, ugly’ phone mast gets bad reception from Dulwich Villagers By Herbie Russell Plans to erect a “huge, ugly” 20-metre phone mast next to the Dulwich College burial ground have received a poor reception from locals.

Detective Inspector Lewis Sanderson, of the Lewisham proactive investigation team, said: “This case shows how drug dealing and violence go hand in hand. Thanks to the efforts of Met officers, another drug dealer is now in prison

and three dangerous weapons are off the streets of London. “Through successes like this, led by local Lewisham officers, we can continue to show how we are keeping our community safe.”

Just days before her death, fans were treated to a video she shared on Twitter, now X, about her relocation. She said how she’d bought a new Martin Johnny Cash guitar and was looking forward to writing songs on it. O’Connor, who is survived by three children, and produced ten studio albums, was renowned for her beautiful voice and rebellious antics. In tributes, English musician Alison Moyet said she had a voice that “cracked stone”. Writer Caitlin Moran said Ms O’Connor was “THE greatest voice of her generation, no contest”. Her career was strewn with high-profile, controversial incidents, including when she ripped up a photo of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live in 1992.

It led Frank Sinatra to say he wanted to “kick her ass”. She had a complex relationship with religion. Aged fourteen, she was placed in one of the infamous Magdalene Laundries for girls considered ‘promiscuous’. In 2018 she converted to Islam and changed her name to Shuhada. Throughout her life, O’Connor was an outspoken advocate for HIV and AIDS charity HIV Ireland.

Sinéad O’Connor’s death in Herne Hill area was from natural causes, coroner rules By Herbie Russell

The closest alternative road routes across the Thames are Tower Bridge and the Blackwall Tunnel. The Silvertown Tunnel, linking the Greenwich Peninsula with west Silvertown, has a target completion date of July to September 2025, according to the New Civil Engineer. Mayor Sadiq Khan has admitted the Rotherhithe Tunnel’s maintenance is “a source of concern”. TfL says the removal of its £700 million government operation grant from April 2018, followed by the pandemic, has “severely impacted” its investment in major assets.

Dulwich Village residents accept the area needs better mobile coverage but many say the monopole - almost as tall as five stacked double-decker buses - dials things too far. Cornerstone, the telecommunications company behind the proposal, said it had consulted with local politicians and that trees would help the mast “fit into” its surroundings. A spokesperson for the Dulwich Society, a local group safeguarding local heritage, argued the location was “just not appropriate”. “It’s a really busy pavement. It’s used by many people with buggies and mobility issues. The applicant really needs to think of a better location for it,” spokesperson Sharon O’Connor said. She added: “There is an aesthetic issue of course. It’s a heritage area. It’s by a historic burial ground and there are historic houses around there.” The mast would be located on the corner of Calton Avenue and Dulwich Village and come with three cabinets, providing 3G, 4G and 5G network coverage. One online objector was vociferous, describing it as a “huge ugly in such a conspicuous part of the village”. Another person wrote it would mean the “destruction of the ambience and conservation of Dulwich Village”. However, one supporter wrote: “The mobile services in the village are not adequate and we shouldn’t hold back technological progress.” Dulwich Village councillors Margy Newens and Richard Leeming have written

The mast’s proposed location

Southwark Planning Documents

A New Cross drug dealer has been jailed after detectives discovered three pistols and nearly a kilo of cocaine at his home.

The Rotherhithe Tunnel

to the applicant to oppose the plans. Cllr Leeming said: “Cllr Newens and I recognise the need to urgently improve mobile connectivity in the middle of Dulwich Village - residents and businesses often contact us to tell us about problems caused by the slow and inconsistent mobile network. “However, this planning application for a 20-metre mast and the three associated cabinets is in the wrong place, it’s in a conservation area next to a much-loved heritage site.” In 2015, East Dulwich residents successfully campaigned against a “colossal” Vodafone 4G aerial proposed for the junction of Half Moon Lane. A Cornerstone spokesperson said: “Cornerstone understands that our mobile infrastructure can impact communities and lead to concern about proposed developments. “Before submitting the current planning application we consulted with the Dulwich Village Ward Councillors, the local MP, Dulwich Residents’ Association and the Dulwich Society. “The proposed base station will provide 3G, 4G and 5G network coverage for local residents and visitors to the area. “We are aware that some residents have expressed concern about the impact of our proposed development, established trees and existing lighting columns at the proposed location will help the equipment to fit into the street scene.”


16 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 13

ADVERTORIAL

Revolutionary blood test for sepsis set to be trialled in UK-first

Dr Andrew Retter

A NEW rapid blood test that could diagnose and monitor patients who are at risk of sepsis is being trialled for the first time at Guy’s and St Thomas’. Sepsis, also known as ‘blood poisoning’, is hard to identify and there is currently no test to diagnose it. Without prompt treatment, it can lead to multiple organ failure and death. Every year in the UK there are 48,000 sepsis-related deaths, according to the UK Sepsis Trust. The non-invasive and low-cost test, being trialled for the first time in the UK, uses patient blood samples to identify high levels of DNA fragments associated with sepsis within just 45 minutes. It could be used to screen patients for sepsis when they present with symptoms in the emergency department (A&E), or if their condition deteriorates on a hospital ward. Early results suggest the test is able to identify patients who may be at higher risk of developing sepsis and progressing to organ failure. If the trial is successful, the test will help clinicians to identify the sickest patients

Become a member and a governor PEOPLE WITH an interest in Guy’s and St Thomas’, and who want to ensure the best possible care is provided to patients, can join the Trust as a member and by standing for election as a governor. Governors play a key role in representing the views of patients, public and staff members. They make sure services meet the needs of patients and members of the public. The elections to the Council of Governors will be held from 28 February to 15 May. To find out more about the election process, what it means to be a governor and the skills required, join an online ‘Governors Awareness’ session on Tuesday 27 February at 5.30pm and/or visit: https://www. guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/get-involved/

council-governors/council-governorselections-2024 If you would like to become a member please complete the application form at: www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/ membership You can also scan this QR code to complete the membership application form.

more quickly and respond faster to prevent a patient getting sicker. The year-long study, launched on 27 November with funding from Volition Diagnostics UK Limited, will test the protein levels of 450 patients with sepsis or septic shock in the intensive care unit at St Thomas’ Hospital. No additional blood samples are required from participants in the study. The success of the new test will be compared with the current standard blood tests used by clinicians to evaluate sepsis. These cannot diagnose sepsis in isolation. Dr Andrew Retter, critical care consultant at Guy’s and St Thomas’ who is leading the study, said: “Detecting sepsis early is critical to saving lives. Sepsis is the number one cause of death in hospitals, and mortality increases as much as 8% for every hour that treatment is delayed. “Being able to spot those patients most at risk of sepsis using a simple blood test would be a paradigm shift in the field and could save thousands of lives every year.”

Career opportunities for people Major with hidden Marash breakthrough Demnika disabilities for severe asthma PEOPLE WITH hidden disabilities are being given the opportunity to learn new skills and have a positive impact on patient care, thanks to supported internships at Guy’s and St Thomas’. The Pathway to Employment supported internship programme helps people with hidden disabilities to develop their skills and to enter the workforce on the career path of their choice. The programme, run by Southwark College, supports people under the age of 25 who are neurodivergent, are independent travellers, have an education, health and care plan, and are ready to move into paid employment. Guy’s and St Thomas’ have been a host employer on the programme since 2020. It provides mock interviews, hosts discussions about careers in the NHS and provides placements for interns. Marash Demnika, an intern on the programme, has been working as an administrator for the Evelina@ home and children’s community nursing teams. He said: “Evelina London provided me with a safe and welcoming work environment. They made any workplace

adjustments I needed and my manager has supported and mentored me.” “The internship has taught me new skills that I can use in the future. It has also increased my confidence and life skills.” Jennifer Baulcomb is an educational psychologist and clinical neuropsychologist at Evelina London. Her team has been providing placements for interns. She said: “We’re learning so much from our interns. They challenge us to make sure that our workplace really does support everyone equally, so those who have hidden strengths can be supported to shine.”

A LANDMARK study has shown that severe asthma can be controlled using biologic therapies, without the addition of regular highdose inhaled steroids. This could minimise or eliminate unpleasant, and often serious, side effects. These include osteoporosis which leads to increased risk of fractures, diabetes and cataracts. The SHAMAL study was led by Professor David Jackson, head of the Severe Asthma Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’. It showed that 92% of patients using the biologic therapy benralizumab could safely reduce inhaled steroid dose, and more than 60% could stop all use. Professor Jackson said: “Biological therapies such as benralizumab have revolutionised severe asthma care in many ways, and the results of this study show for the first time that steroid related harm can be avoided for the majority of patients using this therapy.”



18 NEWS

Concerns raised over 'light' improvements to public transport in outer London since the ULEZ expansion By Charlotte Lillywhite

Local Democracy Reporter Improvements to public transport in outer London have been described as only ‘light’ since the ULEZ expansion, with concerns raised over the reliability of bus services. Councillors in Richmond raised concerns about public transport in the borough at a meeting on January 9. It comes after the ULEZ was expanded on August 29, meaning drivers of the most polluting vehicles must pay £12.50 to drive around all London boroughs. The zone now covers the whole of the Richmond borough, where it previously only included areas in Barnes, Mortlake, East Sheen, North Richmond and Kew. Councillors called for improvements to public transport in light of the ULEZ expansion at Richmond Council’s transport committee meeting on January 9. Transport for London (TfL) told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) it is determined to make sure Richmond residents have access to high-quality, sustainable transport options and it is working to increase bus services wherever it can. Lib Dem councillor Kate Mansfield said there were areas in the borough with particularly low public transport accessibility levels. She said: “I do think we need to follow up with TfL and get them to meet the commitments they made at the time of ULEZ for outer London.” Lib Dem councillor Sam Dalton asked officers what conversations the authority could have with TfL, following

the ULEZ expansion, about the reliability of bus services in Richmond. He said residents rely on buses on the R70 route in Hampton North but they “aren’t the most reliable” and “cancel last minute”. David Tidley, transport strategy team manager, said: “I think that TfL and the Mayor of London effectively when saying that they were going to expand ULEZ… did it really on a presumption that there would be better, strengthened public transport in outer London. There has been some, we mentioned the Superloop bus, but it’s relatively light compared to what I would expect

residents’ expectations are and the R70 particularly has struggled recently due to the works at Manor Circus which has resulted in it being on a diversion and suffering from reliability problems.” Mr Tidley said he had a list of proposed schemes and bus routes that had been put forward to him to raise with TfL. Green councillor Andrée Frieze added: “Bringing in ULEZ, you have to ensure that there is enough public transport for people to use and, like in my own ward which is very reliant on our bus services, we need to make sure we have as many of them as possible if we’re

Local Democracy Reporter A Greenwich pub dating back to the early 1900s could have a hotel added on top of it in a set of upcoming plans. Greenwich Council has received plans for an aparthotel to be built above Hardy’s Free House in East Greenwich. The plans would see the Trafalgar Road pub having 10 aparthotel rooms being added in an extra storey to be built above the pub. Changes to the pub itself include a back extension and new design with two entrances, one for the pub and another for the aparthotel, to make the building more ‘inviting’. Council documents said existing bedrooms in the building, which have been empty for 10 years, are planned to be renovated in the project. Planning documents from Urbanist Architecture, on behalf of MAF Real Estate, said the additional storey for the building has been proposed in the context of the generally low rise buildings of the street. The pub reportedly dates back to 1926, with the new rooms providing shortterm lets and access to small kitch-

enettes and en-suite bathrooms. The proposal was originally brought to the council’s planning committee in November last year, but the decision was deferred to allow for a site visit by members. Neighbours sent 28 objections to the project, citing concerns on the rise in noise levels and its impact on the character of the surrounding area. Council officers said in their report that the proposal was required to proactively manage noise impacts in a variety of ways. They added that the development should not result in any significant loss to amenity to nearby properties, such as reducing daylight, privacy or the views from neighbours’ homes. Planning documents said: “The proposed new building has an additional storey clad in a rainbow red zinc, with arched motifs. The design responds to the site by taking references from the materials and shapes in the neighbourhood, as well as historic reference on shape and material palette.” They added: “The materials have been chosen to complement the neighbouring buildings, as well as offer a modern yet respectful addi-

cards to help residents with the ULEZ expansion. It has set aside £135,000 for the scheme, which is open to anyone wishing to get rid of or replace a noncompliant vehicle. The council report said 159 households had applied to the scheme so far and 143 applications had been successfully processed. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan launched the Superloop bus network circling outer London last year to improve connectivity and journey times. All routes that make up the loop are expected to be in service by spring this year. A TfL spokesperson said: “We’re determined to ensure that people living in Richmond have access to high-quality, affordable and sustainable transport options and the borough is in the top third for bus vehicle kilometres per resident. We’re working to increase bus services wherever we can. “This includes doubling the frequency of the SL7 route as part of its introduction to the game-changing new Superloop network. We’re working hard to bring the full orbital loop into operation this spring, transforming bus travel across outer London. “We’re working closely with Thames Water to minimise the impact of the work on the Manor Circus project and doing everything we can to complete the roadworks as soon as possible. We expect all buses in the area to return to normal service by early March.” Image: York House, which serves as Richmond Council’s town hall. Credit: Google Streetview

Plans for aparthotel atop historic pub By Joe Coughlan

going to really reduce the air pollution, reducing climate change and getting more people active… and making sure they’re healthier in the long-term.” A new council report said more than 95per cent of vehicles seen driving in outer London met ULEZ requirements in October 2023, compared to 91pc at the time of the expansion, with Richmond considered to have compliance rates slightly above the average. The council launched a scheme last year which discounts the cost of bikes and cargo bikes, along with offering free car club memberships and £50 Oyster

tion to the street.” The plans to build an aparthotel above Hardy’s Free House will be discussed at a planning committee meeting for Greenwich Council on January 16.

Picture 1: Hardy’s Free House, as seen on Trafalgar Road in East Greenwich. Credit: Google Earth Picture 2: A CGI for the plans proposed for Hardy’s Free House. . Credit: Urbanist Architecture / MAF Real Estate


By Harrison Galliven Local Democracy Reporter The introduction of a new cashless parking trial in Purley has caused a rift between residents. While some welcome the move towards modernity, others fear it will drive shoppers away. Some believe the scheme, which is also being trialled in Addiscombe and New Addington, will also alienate the area’s elderly population, who may struggle to adapt to the new RingGo-operated system. After struggling to navigate the new system, a Purley resident told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “My dad comes here, and he’s in his 70s, he doesn’t have a smart phone. What happens if you don’t have a smart phone? It just assumes that everybody can do it and they can’t. It’s not fair.” Another shopper, Sharon, told the LDRS: “It doesn’t bother me because I don’t tend to carry cash, I prefer to do it on my phone anyway. It’s convenient for me, but I would understand if the elderly don’t take to it because they’re more likely to be carrying cash.” The three-week trial, introduced on January 2, will require shoppers to register their parking via the RingGo app, calling a payment number or via PayPoint at an affiliated shop. Parking will be restricted to an hour and cost shoppers 20p, which goes to RingGo. This trial replaces the ticketed free hour shoppers used to get, with the option of feeding the meter for extra time. However, many lament the old system and believe the trial will stifle business on the high street. Speaking to the LDRS in the family Dry Cleaning business he runs with his mother, Ersen Yeldener said: “I reckon we’re going to lose a lot of trade in the long run. “Before you couldn’t find a space here, now the streets are empty. No one wants to come down. You may have more free

NEWS 19

'new cashless parking scheme could be ‘kiss of death’ for OUR south Croydon high street'

spaces but that’s just because people won’t want to come because they don’t know how to use it. “Some people only want to use it for 5 minutes and don’t want to pay the 20p. Some people don’t want to leave their bank details on RingGo and other people just think Croydon Council is being diffi-

need to use the app to park. It’s better than faffing around trying to get a free ticket in the rain.” According to Croydon Council, RingGo is used by over 50 per cent of other London councils, processing 68 per cent of all parking sessions in the capital. The borough’s contract with RingGo was awarded

cult. It seems like one thing after another.” Ersen’s mother, Nasibe, told the LDRS: “Everybody comes in and complains to us like it’s our fault. Yesterday, we had a customer who came in and said, could you watch my car for me when she went out to another shop.” Ersen added: “They’re good customers, so you can’t really say no, but I’ve got to do my work. It puts you in a bit of a catch-22.” Riddlesdown resident Alan walked into the shop while the LDRS were visiting Purley Dry Cleaning. After leaving his order with Nasibe, he chimed in, saying: “It’s the first time I’ve come down to Purley this year, and it’s a good job I bought my phone with me to park. “I like RingGo, it’s quite flexible, and you can do it all over London. You don’t even

in 2022 via the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation, a consortium that develops a list of approved vendors for local government contracts. Alan’s positivity for the new trial was shared by fellow South Croydon resident Sonia, who believes the change will benefit her business. Speaking to the LDRS in her self-titled beauty parlour, Sonia said: “I think it is better on the whole, it’s stopped people holding onto spaces. People used to get an hour free then keep topping up. Now that is not allowed.” Despite welcoming this change, Sonia acknowledged the changes she has had to make as a result of the trial. She told the LDRS: “I used to drive here, but now I leave my car at home and get the bus here. I only live in South Croydon, so it is

only five stops away on the bus “Each time I have an appointment I get a call from a customer saying, ‘I’m coming Sonia, I’m just checking the parking’. I have customers who are always running out during appointments to check if their car is OK. Sometimes they get their kids to do the checking.” The current scheme follows last summer’s trial on South End and Selsdon Road in South Croydon. The council told the LDRS it is listening to its residents as the latest trial includes more cash payment options for users. On its website, Croydon Council justified the trial by citing the winding down of the 3G network the parking meters previously relied upon. They said: “This trial will enable the council to understand the impact of moving to cashless payment and address issues that users experience during the trials.” Unsurprisingly, the announcement of this trial ignited a fierce debate online, with commenters taking issue with everything from its effect on South Croydon’s elderly to notice given about the trial, which took place over the busy festive period. However, the biggest criticisms were reserved for how the trial would impact high street trade. One commenter, Gill Davies, went as far as saying the trial was a ‘kiss of death for Purley High Street’. On Facebook, Teresa Miller commented: “Purley is run down enough, it needs positive steps to regenerate its failing high street, not something as counter-productive as this poorly thought out trial, which undoubtedly in a very short amount of time, will become permanent! “Purley used to be such a lovely place, I know we have lived here for years. This ridiculous idea, being forced upon us, will be another nail in Purley’s coffin I fear. No account has been taken for elderly people who don’t use the ‘tech’ necessary for this.” However, not all were against the new changes. Fellow Facebook user, Christopher Simon Brew, responded to Miller’s comment, saying: “This is a short trial, and

only in a few streets. Why not just try it? “Current machines have to be scrapped because 3G network will be shut down in 2024, and the impoverished council doesn’t have spare cash for new machines. I agree it’s a pain to register the first time, but it’s easy after that.” When approached for comment, a council spokesperson said: “Network providers will soon be shutting off the 3G network and, since ‘pay-and-display’ machines use this network to process payments, the machines will no longer be operational. The purpose of this trial is to understand and address any impacts that would come from the removal of the machines. “For those who still want to pay with cash, we have made payment services available in some local shops as part of the trial. We’re already hearing helpful feedback about the number and location of payment service shops, which is exactly the sort of feedback we were hoping to gain. “Residents also have the option to book a session by phone – including landlines – by calling 020 3046 0010 and confirming the customer details and the RingGo location code, which are on the street signs, also installed as part of the trial.” The trial will end on Monday, January 22. Photos: Top: Purley High Street The trial, which ends on January 22, is also taking place in Addiscombe and New Addington

Main: This is the second cashless parking trial in the borough, with the first taking place in South Croydon last summer Below left: Sonia's beauty Sonia says her customers often get their kids to check whether their cars are being ticketed on the high street Below right: Nasibe outside Purley Dry Cleaning Nasibe, who runs Purley Dry Cleaning with her son, says the change has affected her business Credit: Harrison Galliven/LDRS


20 ARTS

what’s on

A Maelstrom of Marine-life Mayhem

But there are no spoilers to be found here for this underwater extravaganza; this is pure panto, a fairy tale with the same tropes that we all know, with the only difference being how we get from start to finish. Ursula(Shawna Hamic) was a lowly toilet sucker(?) when the king’s simple son Triton(Thomas Lowe) goes all goggle-eyed over her magic powers: ‘I wanna be the only wave that you ride,’ he says as he smoulders and grinds. But when he chooses her as his bride the king is far from happy, frames her for killing Kirsty the sea-cucumber and banishes her to the dark waters. Life moves on for Triton, who finds a new bride, but one of his offspring, Ariel(River Medway), a typical teenager who gets lured into bad habits by the waste thrown into the sea by humans: magazines, sanitary towels, Coke bottles… She collects them and dreams of being human. She tells her dad that she wants her gills pierced! When she shares a discarded

Photo by Pamela Raith

Within a minute or two of Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch opening, Ursula was told - in song - that ‘if you’re bad you’ll be cut into rings and shallow fried!’ Ursula is an octopus. And so this musical continued in the same vein until she got her prince and ruled the ocean, writes Michael Holland.

becomes human and Eric (Jamie Mawson) falls in love with her. Alas, she does not have the power of speech. Cue the big number, Unfortunate, to close Act One. There is a lot going on in this seabased saga and with just ten actors creating a whole shoal of characters

grenade with a friend it does not end well… Moving on a generation, King Triton wants Ariel to find a husband who she can rule with one day but with her head turned by a desire to have legs and live on land, he turns to Ursula’s magic to help. A spell is cast and Ariel

Steven Moffat has worked for many years as a writer for TV, from Coupling in the Noughties, a long stint as a writer for Doctor Who, then pairing up with Mark Gattis for BBC shows Sherlock and Dracula. Now for his first foray into theatre he is reunited with Gattis, this time as a director, for The Unfriend. Back in the West End at Wyndhams Theatre after debuting last year at Chichester’s Minerva Theatre and having a short run at the Criterion, writes Christopher Peacock.

Having met Elsa, an older American woman on a cruise, married middleclass suburbanites Peter and Debbie think that that will be the last that they see of her. However, after a barrage of emails and their rather British fear of not wanting to come across blunt or rude, Elsa invites herself to stay for a visit at their small, quiet family home. A little online research about their impending visitor soon has Peter and Debbie fearful about this stranger that they have inadvertently invited into their midst. After proving to be a success with their children and the neighbourhood in general they do question their doubts about Elsa, without ever shaking their unease around her and a wish for her to leave. This comedy is thick with Britishness;

the fear of embarrassment, passive aggressive neighbours and a family unit that is emotionally constipated. It plays with these themes and does not hold back, especially when moving to literal toilet humour. With Sarah Alexander and Lee Mack as the married couple this is perfect fodder for them. At absolute ease with the material and comedy they do certainly make the most of it. Nevertheless, it is Frances Barber, reprising her role as Elsa, who really dominates the stage. Her character embodies the brash wit reminiscent of Joan Rivers. with cutthroat put downs and supreme selfconfidence. Where Moffat’s script does fall down is pacing. Being slightly one noted it does drag in places, when scenes of farce lack the timing and energy it does not have sufficient plot to drive the action. It feels like you’re at the taping of a sitcom, and watching Lee Mack, Sarah Alexander and cast work so proficiently it makes for a comfortable night’s comedy. Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0DA until 9th March. Times: Monday - Saturday 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday 2.30pm. Admission: £63.50 - £150 Booking: www.theunfriend.com

Photo by Manuel Harlan

A Comedy Thick with Britishness

it is no surprise to not always be sure who is playing who, or if the excellent Allie Dart is playing Sebastian the crab or the French Chef cooking the crab. Or both, as she was at one point, which was turned into a clever comedy skit, with Ariel horrified at having to help prepare the fish, crustaceans and

molluscs and deciding to liberate them all instead! The set looks great, performances are all strong, the puppets are hilarious, the songs are mostly hilarious, and the direction and choreography keeps the audience rafting in white water rapids for most of the show. So much so that we needed to be beached every now and then as respite from this maelstrom of marine-life mayhem. There is a message in Unfortunate about plastic pollution and female empowerment, but the lesson is buried beneath a tsunami of camp comedy, bitchy backbiting and song and dance that takes us to the expected happy ending. It is abundantly clear that the writers, Robyn Grant (who also directs) and Daniel Foxx had such a great time writing this fishy funpacked show that they didn’t want it to ever end. Hence its almost three hours running time. Southwark Playhouse Elephant, 1 Dante Place, London, SE11 4RX until Saturday 17 February 2024. Times:Monday - Saturday: 19.45 Friday: 17.00 & 20.30. Matinee and early evening shows alternate each week, check the website for the full schedule. Admission: £25 - £45. Booking: southwarkplayhouse.co.uk Website: unfortunatemusical.com


ARTS 21

Arts

A play telling ‘the forgotten victims of the meat industry’ comes to Southwark Grace Joy Howarth’s Blood On Your Hands is a searing journey into the lives of slaughterhouse workers and is presented by up-and-coming activist theatre company Patch Plays.

This is billed as the story of the forgotten victims of the meat industry. Examining the human impact on those who work in slaughterhouses, it centres around Ukrainian refugee, ex-veterinarian Kostyantyn who, arriving in a sleepy Welsh town, finds work in an abattoir. Here he befriends Dan, a happy-golucky Welsh lad who cracks too many jokes for his own good. All the while, Kostyantyn’s wife and daughters are home in Ukraine, and Dan’s activist ex-girlfriend won’t stop pestering him at work. Can these two men endure the harsh realities of their everyday lives and their bleak, bloody working environment? A study of human strength, connection, and hope in pitiless surroundings, Blood on Your Hands is directed by Anastasia Bunce and features award-winning Welsh actor

and writer Phillip John Jones as Dan, Ukrainian - Vietnamese actor, Ivan Doan as Kostyantyn, Megan Louise Wilson as Eden, Ukrainian actress Kateryna Hryhorenko as Nina, and Mountview alumni Jordan El Balawi as The Man/Callum. Patch Plays is a theatre company devoted to staging new writing that explores environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and their intricate connection. This production contains discussions around addiction, war, animal cruelty, and suicide. It also contains visual depictions of blood. Recommended for ages 16+ Southwark Playhouse Borough, The Little, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London, SE1 6BD from 17th January - 3rd February. Times: Monday to Saturday at 8pm; Tuesday and Saturday matinees at 3.30pm. Admission: £10 - £18 Booking: 020 7407 0234 https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

As someone who is far from well versed in the thriller genre, and until Wednesday evening was unfamiliar with the story of the ‘real life’ Enfield poltergeist, it’s fair to say I took my seat with little to no expectations or preconceptions. Even with this advantage, and my determination as a sympathetic audience member to summon the laughs when they were not deserved, Paul Unwin’s The Enfield Haunting fell short, writes Caitlin Odell.

As with too many real-life dysfunctional family units, the children are the saving grace of this production. But, unfortunately, their comparatively pared-back performances only draw greater attention to the almost pantoesque depiction of Peggy Hodgson (Catherine Tate), Maurice Grosse (David Threlfall) and Uncle Rey (Mo Sesay). We meet the three Hodgson children at the start of one momentous evening at their modest Enfield home in 1977, which had become the topic of scrutiny in the national news due to claims of supernatural activity. One of my main gripes with this play was the sense of utter disorientation felt throughout. Initially doubting my ability to follow a simple plot, I was later comforted by the discovery

that there were many others equally as confused as me. The script is convoluted and clumsy, in a way that I can only assume is not deliberate. The only explanation is that Unwin has remained fatally ignorant to the fact that key information is not crossing the threshold from the stage into the stalls. But even after I nobly made my peace with the lacklustre dialogue, much was left to be desired. As a self-confessed wimp, I was initially delighted to find myself idly spectating a seemingly endless dinner-time scene, where the only cause for concern (other than Tate’s similitude with her comedy show persona) is the mildly erratic behaviour of youngest daughter Janet (Ella Schrey Yeats). However, I became increasingly aware, after a sizeable portion of the 75 minute run time had passed us by, that we were still just watching Tate try to resist the repeated attempts of interfering mansplainers (Investigator Maurice Grosse and neighbour Uncle Rey) to fulfil their own agendas. The power struggle between these two pigheaded men, as they compete to centre themselves in the narrative by rescuing the Hodgson family from their haunted home, had the potential to be amusing. But even without the weak script, I was now more preoccupied with how on earth they were going to wrap things

Photo by Marc Brenner

The Enfield Haunting Fell Short

up with any shred of plausibility in the remaining time. As it happens, they weren’t. But I was surprised at my own relief when we reached a flashpoint crescendo as Janet’s spiritual possession develops into something more than animalistic growling. The sight of Janet’s contorted body levitating across the bedroom was chilling, but even at this late stage, an opportunity to maintain momentum was missed.

By the end I had no choice but to wonder whether this telling of The Enfield Haunting is simply not best suited to the stage, with too much getting lost in translation in a way it maybe wouldn’t on screen. But regardless of where the blame lies, set designer Lee Newby deserves a pat on the back for his charming depiction of domesticity. The split screen effect, achieved by presenting us with a sort of cross section of the house’s ground floor and first floor

made the story convincing in ways that other areas failed. Paired with some good audiovisuals, The Enfield Haunting was a spectacle, if not much else. The Ambassadors Theatre, West St, London WC2H 9ND until March 2nd. Times: 7.30pm; Thurs & Sat matinees 2.30pm. Admission: £39.50 - £135. Booking: www.atgtickets.com/shows/ the-enfield-haunting/


22 HISTORY

History

the french impressionist artist who fled napoleon's war-ravaged empire and found refuge in dulwich

Camille Pissaro's Lordship Lane Station [1871]

By Herbie Russell

Camille Pissarro, forty-years-old when war came, is today considered a huge figure in the neo-impressionist movement. He loved landscapes but, rather than depicting them in detail, sought to capture their raw essence through colourful spontaneity. With his mother already living in West Dulwich - 100 Rosendale Road to be precise - Pissarro settled in Norwood. For some artists, exile might have put a strain on their creativity. But Pissarro’s time in the area; exploring Dulwich, Sydenham and Crystal Palace, saw him produce at least thirteen oil paintings. Many depict landmarks familiar to south Londoners today, including Dulwich College and Crystal Palace Park. A letter to a friend revealed his deep fondness for the area. He wrote gushingly about the “charming suburb”, where he could study England’s changeable weather of “fog, snow and springtime”. Camille Pissarro was born on July 10, 1830, on the island of St Thomas now part of the US Virgin Islands. His parents were French so Pissarro was sent to boarding school in Paris, age twelve.

© Gandalf's Gallery (Creative Commons)

When The Franco-Prussian war struck in 1870, a struggling painter fled his studio in the Parisian suburbs and boarded a boat sailing across the channel. With his paintbrushes and palettes safely packed away, the refugee artist had his sights set on south east London.

Camille Pissaro's The Crystal Palace [1871]. As an adult in France, the painter experimented with landscapes and formed friendships with other notable artists including Monet, Cézanne, and Guillaumin. They shared a disillusionment with the École des Beaux-Arts and its “stifling” rules. In the 1860s, his career was taking off. Famous French novelist Émile Zola even described him as “one of the three or four true painters of this day”. But it was cut short when Wilhelm I marched his armies into Napoleon’s France. When Pissarro arrived in Norwood, where he settled, he would have encountered an environment very different from that found today. Whereas now Southwark’s southern tip is decidedly London, Dulwich, Crystal Palace and Norwood were suburban rural enclaves in the 1870s. In London, he often met with fellow

French artist Claude Monet, who lived in Leicester Square and later Kensington. In a later letter to an English friend, Pissarro wrote: “Monet worked in the parks, whilst I, living at Lower [sic] Norwood, at that time a charming suburb, studied the effects of fog, snow, and springtime. “We worked from nature, and later on Monet painted in London some superb studies of mist.” To appreciate his love for the area, you only need to look at Pissarro’s paintings. One of his most famous works from his time in London was of Lordship Lane Station - opened in 1865 and finally closed in 1954. The station was located at Lordship Lane’s southern end - next to the Horniman Museum and Gardens. In the painting, a train pulls away across swathes of fields that are notably devoid

Camille Pissaro. of people. Then there was the painting of Dulwich College - a short walk away from Pissarro’s Norwood Home. In 2019, the piece briefly returned to the Dulwich Picture Gallery to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the famous school. In 1871, he painted the Crystal Palace which had been moved from Hyde Park to Sydenham in in 1852. In this small oil painting, Pissarro relegated the behemoth structure to the left of the canvas, dedicating more space to the middle-class families who paraded along the pavement. In the summer of 1871, Pissarro returned to his home in France. Tragically he discovered that, of the 1,500 paintings he’d done over twenty years, all but forty

had been destroyed. Throughout the rest of his career, Pissarro remained highly influential in the art world. He became a mentor to the likes of Cézanne, Seurat, Gauguin. Van Gogh reportedly considered him a father figure. But despite being respected by his peers, Pissarro often found it hard to sell his work, particularly when the French economy faltered in the early 1880s. In later life, he even abandoned neoimpressionism, saying the system was too artificial. Nonetheless, Pissarro is today revered as a major figure in the history of impressionism. His time in south London is meanwhile considered an important juncture in a sparkling career. He died in Paris in 1903, aged 73.


CLASSIFIED & FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS 23 FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

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PUBLIC NOTICES 25

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (HYNDMAN STREET, LEO STREET, MARIGOLD STREET, REDCROSS WAY, WESTON STREET) (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) 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

]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:

3.

The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) (2b) (2c) (2d) (2e) as indicated by the signs displayed

(a) the Acquiring Authority’s offices at 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH on Monday to Friday between 9am to 4pm;

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.

(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;

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

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

Dated this 18th January 2024

Land to be acquired

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 Notice of application for a Premises Licence.

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).

Notice is hereby given that Lucid London Ltd has applied to Wandsworth Council for a new premises licence at Ocean Breeze, 8 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 7th 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.

Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 Please take notice that I / we STOMPING GROUNDS CAFE LTD Have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of STOMPING GROUNDS CAFE 9-11 CHUMLEIGH GARDENS, CHUMLEIGH STREET, ALMSHOUSE NORTH, LONDON SE5 0BE The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, or on from the premises are Days

Start time

Finish time

The retail sale of alcohol:

Monday to Sunday

10:00

23:00

Opening hours:

Monday to Sunday

08:30

23:00

A register of all applications made within the Southwark area is maintained by: The Licensing Service, Hub 1, 3rd Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH A record of this application may be inspected by visiting the office during normal office hours by appointment on 020 7525 2000; details are also available on our website at http://app.southwark.gov.uk/licensing/licenseregister.asp It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the office address given above (or by email via licensing@southwark.gov.uk) and be received by the Service within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below. Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale. Date of application: 10th January 2024

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;

41 COLLEGE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7BA (Ref: 23/AP/3475) Relocation of kitchen from rear of building to dining room, construction of new stud partition in current living room, construction of stud partitions to form shower enclosure to master ensuite. Proposed widening of opening between dining and living room. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Richard Craig 020 7525 0436) RIVERSIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL JANEWAY STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE16 4PS (Ref: 23/AP/3510) Part refurbishment of the existing Grade II listed main school building and a new entrance area; and associated soft and hard landscaping. Riverside Primary School is a previously established primary school. All existing buildings on site are considered be of F1(a) use. Since the proposal seeks to redevelop the site for an enhanced school building, a change of use is not required. The proposed works will not lead to an increase in pupil intake or staff employment. The existing kitchen/dining facilities within the existing building will be moved into a new kitchen dining block (LBS Reg. No 21/AP/4729). Therefore it is proposed that the redundant kitchen/dining facilities will be re-appropriated to provide a new entrance area. The proposed refurbishment will accommodate a new entrance with general office, accessible WC, waiting/welcome area and a small meeting room. (Within: Wilson Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Eleanor Heagney 020 7525 5403) THE LODGE NUNHEAD CEMETERY LINDEN GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 3LP (Ref: 23/AP/3589) Internal and external resortation of the East Lodge, Nunhead Cemetery with updated access, integration of cafe and community uses and landscaping works. (Within: Multiple CA) Reason(s) for publicity: MAJ STDCA (Contact: Catherine Jeater 020 7525 5375) THE LODGE NUNHEAD CEMETERY LINDEN GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 3LP (Ref: 23/AP/3589) Internal and external resortation of the East Lodge, Nunhead Cemetery with updated access, integration of cafe and community uses and landscaping works. (Within: Multiple CA) Reason(s) for publicity: MAJ STDCA (Contact: Catherine Jeater 020 7525 5375) THE LODGE NUNHEAD CEMETERY LINDEN GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 3LP (Ref: 23/AP/3590) Listed Building Consent: Internal and external resortation of the East Lodge, Nunhead Cemetery with updated access, integration of cafe and community uses and landscaping works. Works in addition to consented application 21/AP/2275 for listed building consent (Within: Nunhead Cemetry CA) Reason(s) for publicity:

STDLB (Contact: Catherine Jeater 020 7525 5375) 59 LYNDHURST WAY LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 4PT (Ref: 24/AP/0009) Ground floor side infill and first floor rear extensions. (Within: Holly Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Samuel Hepworth 020 7525 5465) 146 COURT LANE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7EB (Ref: 24/AP/0059) Revised proposals for garden room previously approved under application 23/AP/0001 The current proposals are identical to the approved scheme with exception to the following: modifications to foundations to reduce further the impact on adjacent oak tree. - height of new garden room revised as approved by Dulwich Estate Scheme of Management to match the approved height of adjacent outbuilding at 148 Court Lane (11/AP/4139). - to mitigate visual impact on property 142 Court Lane the offset from the boundary is increased. - minor changes to fenestration with deterimantal impact on adjacent properties - omission of green roof (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Anna Poulose ) OLD SOUTHERN RAILWAY STABLES ST JAMESS ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 5US (Ref: 24/AP/0012) Renovation and redevelopment of the existing old forge to provide up to 32 residential units (Class C3 use) and 499sqm of commercial floor space at the ground and mezzanine level (Class E uses) Reason(s) for publicity: MAJ MAJ (Contact: Paul Ricketts ) 74 RED POST HILL LONDON SOUTHWARK SE24 9PW( Ref: 24/AP/0071) Installation of rooflights, the addition of an entrance door bay, the construction of a singlestorey rear extension and construction of a garden room and re-landscaping. (Within: Sunray Estate CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Chloe Rimell 0207 525 1397) 2-3 LONDON ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 6JZ (Ref: 23/AP/3251) Retrospective display of 2no. fascia signs and 2no. projecting signs with internally-illuminated LED lighting. (Within: St Georges Circus CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: William Tucker 07925 637 210) MARKS COURT 5 GRIGGS PLACE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 3AT (Ref: 24/AP/0017) Demolition of existing pitched roof and construction of a mansard roof extension with dormer windows and a raised party parapet wall to provide 2no. self-contained studio flats (Class C3) with private roof terraces and dedicated cycle parking. (Within: Bermondsey Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Louise Dinsdale 07513137967)

OLD SOUTHERN RAILWAY STABLES ST JAMESS ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 5US (Ref: 24/AP/0012) Renovation and redevelopment of the existing old forge to provide up to 32 residential units (Class C3 use) and 499sqm of commercial floor space at the ground and mezzanine level (Class E uses) Reason(s) for publicity: MAJ MAJ (Contact: Paul Ricketts ) UNIT SU-79 AND UNIT SU-80 LONDON BRIDGE STATION 60 TOOLEY STREET LONDON SE1 2TF (Ref: 23/AP/3453) Change of use of the Unit LES-03 and Unit SU79 from Sui Generis (Interactive Entertainment) to Sui Generis (Drinking Establishment) (Within: Tooley Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Glenn Ruane 020 7525 5447) 52 DULWICH VILLAGE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7AJ (Ref: 24/AP/0090) Construction of a single storey rear extension. Including the erection of self supporting masonry wall with strip foundation and cantilever slab within the proximity of an existing listed garden wall. Creation of a 50mm void between the two structures enclosed with aluminium pressings adhered to the existing masonry above ground and polymer separation layers below ground. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Eleanor Heagney 020 7525 5403)

sought to install a new Bilco retractable scissor ladder up to the new roof access hatch - again this is no longer required. - The new proposal instead seeks to increase the size of the existing access hatch to 1000x700mm, with all associated structural / making good works to the surrounding flat roof surface and internal areas. - The existing access hatch will have a new 1100mm guardrail installed to protect users from the low parapet and to comply with Approved Document K. - The new proposal seeks to install a horizontal lifeline system to the desk of the flat roof at the rear of the building, to the location as indicated on the revised plans. This deck mounted / fixed line will have two varying length lines clipped to it, one longer to allow users to 'clip up' while on the flat roof area and transverse the ladders to the front. The line will slide freely along the rear deck mounted cable as the operative moved. A shorter line is also clipped to the deck mounted c (Within: Tower Bridge CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Eleanor Heagney 020 7525 5403) Dated: 16 Jan 2024 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date. STEPHEN PLATTS - Director of Planning and Growth

92 GROVE PARK LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8LE (Ref: 24/AP/0103) Demolish and rebuild the existing side return, construction of new rear ground floor extension, addition of new balcony to first floor and replacement of rear roof dormer window with a juliet balcony. (Within: Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Anna Poulose ) BRIDGEMASTERS HOUSE DUCHESS WALK LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 (Ref: 24/AP/0089) Removal of conditon 1 planning 23/AP/0450 dated 28/03/2023 for A) Install new flat roof access hatch with scissor stairs to flat new build roof, incorporating guard rails and davit arm. Conditions(s) Removal: The roof access arrangements originally proposed have been reviewed in further detail by a structural engineer, and can be amended to make the proposed development less onerous and less intrusive to the listed and architecturally important areas of the building. 1. The proposed horizontal lifeline system proposed to be installed to the inside face of the front facing brick parapet is no longer required as the construction does not provide the required structural integrity. 2. The original proposal included for a new access hatch and guardrail to be installed to the flat roof at the rear of the building - this is no longer required. 3. The original proposal also included for a davit arm to be installed above the new access hatch - again this is no longer required. 4. The original proposal

Notice of application for a Premises Licence Notice is hereby given that Mrs Helen Salaver Rodis has applied to Wandsworth Council for a new premises licence at Chels Angel Filipino Eatery, Unit 8, Broadway Market, Tooting High Street, London, SW17 0RJ for Late Night Refreshment Sunday to Saturday 23.00 to 00.00 Supply of alcohol Sunday to Saturday 10.00 to 00.00. Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing by 12th 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 , ple ase e mail em@cm-media.co.uk 020 7232 1639 Our we e kly de adline is 5pm e ve ry Tuesday


PUBLIC NOTICES 27

Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003

Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003

Please take notice that The Cornbread House Ltd have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of

Please take notice that I / we HUONG VIET LTD Have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of HUONG VIET; 49 CAMBERWELL CHURCH STREET, LONDON, SE5 8TR

Arepa & Co, 8 Ash Avenue, London, SE17 1GQ The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on or from the premises are:

The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, or on from the premises are

RETAIL SALE OF ALCOHOL Sunday to Thursday 10:00 A.M – 22:30 P.M Friday & Saturday 10:00 A.M. – 23:30 P.M

Days

A register of all applications made within the Southwark area is maintained by: The Licensing Service, Hub 1, 3rd Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH. A record of this application may be inspected by visiting the office during normal office hours by appointment on 020 7525 2000, details are also available on the website at http://app.southwark.gov.uk/licensing/licenseregister.asp It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the office address given above (or by email via licensing@southwark.gov.uk) and be received by the licensing service within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below.

Start time

Finish time

The retail sale of alcohol:

Mon to Thurs Fri to Sun

12:30 12:30

21:30 22:30

Opening hours:

Mon to Thurs Fri to Sun

12:00 12:00

22:00 23:00

A register of all applications made within the Southwark area is maintained by: The Licensing Service, Hub 1, 3rd Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH

It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

A record of this application may be inspected by visiting the office during normal office hours by appointment on 020 7525 2000; details are also available on our website at http://app.southwark.gov.uk/licensing/licenseregister.asp It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the office address given above (or by email via licensing@southwark.gov.uk) and be received by the Service within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below. Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

Date of application: 10th January 2023

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 16A THE (RESTRICTION OF TRAFFIC) SPECIAL EVENTS ORDER 2024 1. The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that it has made the above named Traffic Order under Section 16A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, for the purposes specified in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.

Date of application: 10th January 2024

2. The purpose of the Order is to facilitate a road closure for the Frost Fair event. 3. The effect of the Order is to prohibit any vehicle from: (a) entering or proceeding in the length of streets specified in the schedule to this notice on the date and between the hours specified in that schedule; (b) waiting, loading and unloading (including waiting for the purpose of delivering or collecting goods or loading and unloading a vehicle) in the length of street specified in the schedule to this notice. 4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of:

Appendix 3 – Statutory Notice for Closure Statutory Notice Closure of Ann Bernadt Nursery School, 29 Chandler Way, London SE15 6DT

(a) any vehicle engaged with the special event; (b) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by the Council of the London Borough of Southwark; (c) any vehicle being used for police, fire brigade, or ambulance purposes, or for a statutory undertaker in an emergency. (d) cyclists 5.

The alternative routes will be adjacent roads as applicable. Access to the car park at 24 Sumner Street will be maintained.

6.

For information regarding this order, contact Parking & Road Network Management at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

Dated this 18th of January 2024 Ian Law Traffic Manager Network Management Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX

Notice is given in accordance with section 15 (1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (as amended by the Education Act 2011) and the School Organisation (Establishment and Discontinuance of Schools) Regulations 2013 that Southwark Council has published proposals to discontinue Ann Bernadt Nursery School with effect from 31st August 2024. Should the decision to close Ann Bernadt Nursery School be taken, all children attending Ann Bernadt Nursery School would be supported to find places at alternative early years’ settings in line with parental preferences and/or within the area for September 2024. The School currently has 42 children on roll. Southwark Council are publishing the proposals and will decide whether to implement the proposals and close Ann Bernadt Nursery School. The proposals are not related to any other school organisation proposals that have been or are about to be published. This notice is an extract of the complete proposals. A copy of the complete proposals may be viewed on the school website, a paper copy of the proposal may be requested via email to questions.education@southwark.gov.uk. Within four weeks from the date of publication of this notice, any person may object to or make comments on the proposal by  Completing an online response form  Emailing objections or comments to questions.education@southwark.gov.uk.  In writing to: Georgia Pritchard, SELA, Children’s and Adults’ Services, Southwark Council, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH

Schedule

Responses must be received by 5pm on 6th February 2024. The statutory notice will expire on 6th February 2024 and a decision must be taken by Cabinet no later than 4th April 2024

Road Name

Closure location

Date and time of Closure

Sumner Road

Between the 24 Sumner Street and the junction with Holland Street

26th to the 28th of January 2024

Canvey Street

Between Sumner Street and Zoar Street

26th to the 28th of January 2024

Alasdair Smith 1 Explanatory Notes Southwark Council will need to take the decision on whether or not to close Ann Bernadt Nursery School within two months of the end of the representation period. If the Council fails to take the decision within this time, it will pass all relevant material to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator (OSA), which will itself take the decision.

Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 Please take notice that I / we Nasim Family Limited (trading as Kokodoo) Have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of 163A Camberwell New Road, London, SE5 0SU The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, or on from the premises are Days

Start time

Finish time

The provision of late night refreshment:

Sunday to Thursday Friday & Saturday

23:00 23:00

00:00 02:00

Opening hours:

Sunday to Thursday Friday & Saturday

12:00 12:00

00:00 02:00

A register of all applications made within the Southwark area is maintained by: The Licensing Service, Hub 1, 3rd Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH A record of this application may be inspected by visiting the office during normal office hours by appointment on 020 7525 2000; details are also available on our website at http://app.southwark.gov.uk/licensing/licenseregister.asp It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the office address given above (or by email via licensing@southwark.gov.uk) and be received by the Service within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below. Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale. Date of application: 13th January 2024


28 PUBLIC NOTICES Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 Please take notice that I / we We Are The Fair Ltd have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of Burgess Park, Albany Road, London SE5 0AL The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, or on from the premises are THIS LICENCE WILL ONLY PERMIT A MAXIMUM OF 3 EVENT DAYS PER YEAR (FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS ONLY). Days Start time Finish time The supply of alcohol: Friday & Saturday 11:00 22:00 Sunday 11:00 21:30 The provision regulated entertainment:

Friday & Saturday Sunday

11:00 11:00

22:30 22:00

Opening hours:

Friday & Saturday Sunday

11:00 11:00

23:30 23:00

A register of all applications made within the Southwark area is maintained by: The Licensing Service, Hub 1, 3rd Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH A record of this application may be inspected by visiting the office during normal office hours by appointment on 020 7525 2000; details are also available on our website at http://app.southwark.gov.uk/licensing/licenseregister.asp It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the office address given above (or by email via licensing@southwark.gov.uk) and be received by the Service within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below. Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale. Date of application: 11th January 2024

Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 Please take notice that I / we Abiodun Anthony Adams have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of Tasty African Food, 57 – 59 Camberwell Road SE5 0EZ The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, or on from the premises are Days Start time Finish time The retail sale of alcohol: Monday to Thursday, and Sunday 09:00 23:00 Friday & Saturday 09:00 01:00 The provision of regulated Monday to Thursday, and Sunday entertainment: Friday & Saturday

09:00 09:00

23:00 01:00

The provision of late night refreshment:

Monday to Thursday, and Sunday Friday & Saturday

09:00 09:00

23:00 01:00

Opening hours:

Monday to Thursday, and Sunday Friday & Saturday

09:00 09:00

23:00 02:00

A register of all applications made within the Southwark area is maintained by: The Licensing Service, Hub 1, 3rd Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH A record of this application may be inspected by visiting the office during normal office hours by appointment on 020 7525 2000; details are also available on our website at http://app.southwark.gov.uk/licensing/licenseregister.asp It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the office address given above (or by email via licensing@southwark.gov.uk) and be received by the Service within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below. Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale. Date of application: 15th January 2024 LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK SCHOOL STREETS PROGRAMME: ST ANTHONY’S RC PRIMARY SCHOOL The London Borough of Southwark (Pedestrian and cycle zones) (St Anthony’s RC Primary School) Traffic Order 202* 1. Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that it proposes to make the above Order under sections 6 and 124 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended. 2. The effects of the Order would be to introduce a ‘School Streets’ timed pedestrian and cycle zone in Etherow Street (which has an existing north-westward ‘one-way’ working), in the vicinity of St Anthony’s RC Primary School. All motor vehicles, except permit holders and buses, would be prohibited from entering or proceeding in Etherow Street between 8.00 am and 9.00 am and between 3.00 pm and 4.00 pm (Monday to Friday, during school term time, as determined by St Anthony’s RC Primary School). This ‘School Streets’ timed pedestrian and cycle zone would affect access to the Housing Estate access road, Norcroft Gardens. Permits allowing vehicles to enter the ‘School Streets’ timed pedestrian and cycle zone 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. Exceptions apply to buses, and 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 ‘TMO2324-017_SSP St Anthony’s RC PS’ by 8 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 18 January 2024 Dale Foden - Head of Service, Highways

LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH and LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK UFFORD STREET, CHANGES TO PARKING PLACES, WAITING AND LOADING RESTRICTIONS AND THE INTRODUCTION OF A BAN ON VEHICLES TRAVELLING NORTH-EAST BEYOND THE JUNCTION WITH SHORT STREET. THE INTRODUCTION ON WEBBER STREET OF WESTBOUND ONE WAY WORKING WITH CONTRA-FLOW CYCLES BETWEEN UFFORD STREET AND GRAY STREET [NOTE: This Notice is about proposals to make changes on Ufford Street to the existing parking places and waiting and loading restrictions; to introduce a ban on vehicles heading north-east past the junction of Short Street, and a banned left turn onto Webber Street and to introduce on Webber Street between the junctions of Ufford Street and Gray Street westbound one way working with a cycle contra-flow and to make changes to the existing parking places and waiting and loading restrictions. Objections or other comments may be made – see paragraph 6. 1. NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Councils of the London Borough of Lambeth and the London Borough of Southwark propose to make the Lambeth (Charged-For Parking Places) (Amendment No. **) Order 202*, the Lambeth (Free Parking Places, Loading Places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping Restrictions) (Amendment No. **) Order 202*, the Lambeth (Prescribed Routes) (Amendment No. ** ) Traffic Order 202* and the Southwark (Prescribed Routes) (Amendment No. ** ) Traffic Order 202*. 2.

The general effect of the Orders is: (1) On Ufford Street: (a) introduce a prohibition of motor vehicles (except for local access) travelling northeastward past the junction of Short Street. (b) to remove a section of permit holder parking opposite the junction of Short Street and replace with no waiting at any time restrictions. (c) ban vehicles (except cycles) from tuning left onto Webber Street. (2) On Webber Street (between Ufford Street and Gray Street): (a) introduce a westward one-way working with a contra-flow for cyclists. (b) ban vehicles from proceeding south-eastward past the south-east kerb-line of Ufford Street. (c) remove parking places and replace with no waiting at any time restrictions.

3. The proposals are necessary to improve the environment for residents and the wider community by reducing through motor traffic, improving junction safety and maintain and improve safe cycle and pedestrian access. 4. If you have any enquiries, please email them to transportstrategy@lambeth.gov.uk. 5. A copy of the proposed Order and the deposited plan giving detailed particulars about them are available for online at: https://streets.appyway.com/lambeth or www.lambeth.gov.uk/trafficmanagement-orders or at the offices of Lambeth Council’s Parking and Enforcement Group (Resident’s Services), 3rd Floor, Civic Centre, 6 Brixton Hill, London SW2 1EG, between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm on Mondays to Fridays inclusive (except on bank/public holidays), until the last day of a period of six weeks beginning with the date on which the Orders are made or, as the case may be, the Council decides not to make the Orders. To arrange inspection please telephone 020 7926 0179 or email: Trafficorders@lambeth.gov.uk. 6. All objections and other representations relating to the proposed Orders must be in writing and should be sent to Roddy Williams, Parking and Enforcement Group (Resident Services), London Borough of Lambeth, PO Box 80771, London, SW29QQ or they can be submitted through https://streets.appyway.com/lambeth or by email to TMOReps@lambeth.gov.uk. All objections must be received by 12 February 2024 and specify the grounds on which they are made. Any objection may be communicated to, or be seen by, other persons who may have an interest in this matter. Dated 19 January 2024 Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager


SPORT 29

Hak wants draws turned into wins after latest comeback By John Kelly

hakan hayreTTin was pleased with dulwich hamlet’s performance as they came from behind against hastings united last weekend - but wants his side to turn draws into wins as they aim to stay in the isthmian League Premier division play-off picture.

The Hamlet twice came from behind at The Pilot Field after two goals from Tom Chalmers for the hosts. An own goal from Tommy Penfold in the last minute of the first half left it 1-1 at the break before Michael Chambers

scored five minutes from time to earn the visitors a point. Dulwich have only lost twice in their last sixteen league games but eight of them have been draws. “Overall I was really pleased. Not pleased with the two goals we conceded because they are our own making. Mark Ricketts has just lost his man twice with two long balls and two goals,” Hayrettin said. “We finished stronger, we were better than them the last 20, 25 minutes. That’s two games now when we’ve come back from either being level to win the game or losing to

score. And we could have had one late on to win it. “So I was really pleased with the work rate and the effort, good performance. We’ll take a point away from home. “We were worthy of our point, we could have been worthy of all three points. I changed it to get back in the game and we did. “I can’t fault their hard work and their endeavour, it’s these grey areas that we’ve got to eradicate. He’s lost his man twice and they’ve scored. It was a simple goal their second goal, it was one long ball over the top and he’s in from the goal-kick.

“But we worked hard, we were good value, on a pitch that we’re not used to. These are the kinds of places that we have to come and not lose, and we did that. I’m very, very proud of all the boys, but, I’d rather have three points instead of one.” Former AFC Wimbledon midfielder Alfie Egan made his debut after his move from AFC Totton. “He’s full of energy, isn’t he, he’s not a tackler, we know that for sure, but he’s full of energy and he’ll get up and around the pitch and move the ball quickly,” Hayrettin said. “I always like to have players who take as few

touches as possible, move it left to right or back to front as quickly as possible. He’ll give us that. He got into the box in the first half and had a good shot. “Pleased with the acquisition, pleased he’s come to Dulwich, he’s a good player with good pedigree. He adds to what we’ve got. “We’ve just got to make these draws into wins somehow. That’s fifteen [league] games now and we’ve only lost two. We’ve got to keep pushing.” Dulwich are twelve points off the play-offs and are at Potters Bar Town this Saturday at 3pm.

haggerty dynasty continues as freddie signs deal Hamlet thrill By John Kelly

The haGGerTy dynasty is set to be the story of 2024 after two major announcement from the Walworth road brothers in the last week.

Jonathan, 26, who has become one of the world’s biggest names in martial arts, announced his return to the ring to defend his ONE Championship Muay Thai bantamweight world title next month. His challenger is Brazil’s Felipe Lobo and the fight will be live on Sky Sports on February 17. Hot on the heels of that news, Jonathan’s younger brother Freddie, 18, revealed he had signed with ONE Championship and will make his debut on the platform at Friday Fights 49 on January 26 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, against an opponent that has yet to be confirmed. The ONE Championship is the destination for the best fighters on the planet from disciplines including Muay Thai, kick-boxing and mixed martial arts. The founder and chief executive of the organisation, Chatri Sityodtong, has called it the “Olympics of martial arts”. Where another giant of the combat sports world, the UFC, has only mixed martial arts fighters, ONE is multi-disciplinary and ranks higher than Dana White’s platform in viewership and social media metrics. Jonathan became a two-sport ONE champion when he defeated another Brazilian, Fabrício Andrade, in a secondround knockout in their kick-boing bout in Bangkok last November. That was after

Older brother Jonathan is two-sport world champ

edGar ZnuTinS made it a Grand Slam treble at Southwark idL Finals night earlier this month at the Spots and Stripes, picking up two final victories over George edwards.

It set the Latvian up nicely for his tilt at PDC Q School in Germany. Znutis beat Vinay Ramnath 5-3 in the last 512 before losing 5-3 to James Vanbesien in the last 256. The new season may prove tougher, as World Championship participant Bhav Patel, and former Grand Champion and Champion of Champions runner-up Shane Wilson rejoin the fray. The IDL has also launched its new Path to Pro scheme, where IDL winners

By John Kelly duLWich hamLeT Women thrashed dartford 5-2 in the L&SerWFL Premier division last weekend in front of their biggest-ever crowd at champion hill.

Freddie (left) and Jonathan Haggerty he captured the Muay Thai bantamweight world belt after a stunning first-round knockout of Nong-O Hama, the 37-yearold Thai’s first defeat since 2015 and his eighth defence of the title. Jonathan announced himself on the ONE stage in 2019 when he beat another legend of the sport, Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, by unanimous decision to win the Muay Thai flyweight world title. Sityodtong doesn’t put any limits on how far Jonathan can go. “He’s 26 years old and he’s really gone on a tear. He’s really come into his own in

Southwark IDL winner falls short in Germany Q School

By John Kelly

record crowd

and Open winners will each qualify for a chance to be sponsored for Q School 2025.

Edgar Znutins

the last twelve months, he’s beaten some legendary names, very, very tough folks that no one thought he could beat and he’s risen to the top of the world in two different sports,” Sityodtong said. “UK fans have not seen a striker of his calibre ever. “He’s genuinely the best striker in the UK right now. But more importantly, arguably one of the best pound-for-pound strikers full stop across any martial art in the world today. An incredible, incredible story. He’s absolutely talented. “I think you’re going to see him reign

for a long time, but at the same time he’s hungry for more. He has messaged me in the past about wanting to do mixed martial arts and eventually fight for the title as well.” Freddie, meanwhile, is aiming to follow in the glittering path of his older brother. “My goals with ONE are and always will be to win those belts, but as of right now I’m just focused on this fight and building my way up,” Freddie said. “I’m young, I’m not in a rush, I wanna enjoy the ride.” The brothers are currently training together in Koh Samui.

By John Kelly

around us,” Steve Elworthy MBE, CEO of Surrey, said. “With common goals and strong links to Surrey, Kia has been a fantastic partner over the last fourteen years, and we look forward to continuing our journey together.” Stewart added: “Since 2010, the partnership has been a great success for both Kia and Surrey. Their continued support is crucial as we continue to strive towards winning trophies, and we are proud to be extending the deal for a further five years.” “The partnership between Kia and Surrey CCC has been mutually beneficial for many years,” Paul Philpott, president and chief executive of Kia UK, said. “We look forward to working closely with the club in the years to come, pursuing new goals based on our shared values.”

Surrey extend one of UK sport’s longest sponsorships Surrey WiLL continue one of the longest associations in uk sport after kia extended its sponsorship of the club and the oval to 2029.

The partnership with the South Korean car manufacturer began in 2010 and is the biggest in the club’s history. The new agreement had a video launch featuring Alec Stewart, Aylish Cranstone, Bryony Smith, Gareth Batty and Jamie Smith along with the company’s new range of electric vehicles. Sustainability is key to both parties, with the club aiming to reduce its carbon footprint by 80 per cent by 2030 “It’s always been important for us to partner with a company that respects our club’s rich heritage, the game of cricket, and the health of the world

Shakira Kafero-Roberts headed in to give the home side the lead in the sixteenth minute in front of a 647 attendance. The visitors equalised from the penalty spot but Mark Dempsey’s side restored their advantage on 45 minutes through Lily Price. It was 3-1 in the 65th minute as Kafero-Roberts got her second. Martha Goddard set up Phoebe Read for the fourth ten minutes from time and after Dartford had pulled a goal back Summer Roberts made it 5-2 five minutes into added-time. Also in the Premier Division, Millwall Lionesses fell to a 5-1 defeat to Ebbsfleet United in the L&SERWFL Premier Division at St Paul’s in Rotherhithe. The Lionesses trailed 3-0 at the break and conceded two further goals before Shannan Drewe scored a consolation in the last minute. Amelia Woodgate put the visitors in front ten minutes in when she beat goalkeeper Wiktoria Gmiterek from close range. Woodgate made it 2-0 in the 24th minute and Teni Charles added a third ten minutes before half-time. Things didn’t get any easier for Millwall as Woodgate almost completed her hat-tricks six minutes into the second half only to be denied by the woodwork. It was 4-0 eleven minutes from time after a scramble in the box from a corner before Woodgate set up Ellie Pace for a fifth in the 85th minute. Drewe then gave the home fans something to cheer when she shot home. Dulwich are up to second in the table, two points off Fulham with a game in hand. Millwall are seventh, nine points above the relegation zone. The Lionesses face Queens Park Rangers in the Capital Senior Cup at St Paul’s at 1.30pm this Sunday. The Hamlet are away to Tottenham Hotspur Women FC WSL Academy in the same competition on Sunday at 2pm.


30 SPORT

Fulham captain ‘bamboozled’ By John Kelly FuLham caPTain Tom cairney was left “bamboozled” at the decision not to send off malo Gusto for his challenge on Willian in the London derby against chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend.

chelsea players given break as England defender returns in win over Fulham By John Kelly cheLSea PLayerS and staff had a well-earned break after their 1-0 win over Fulham last weekend - but boss mauricio Pochettino wasn’t putting his feet up during the hectic transfer window.

Cole Palmer scored the only goal in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage-time after he had been brought down by Issa Diop. It was Palmer’s ninth goal for the Blues since his £45million move from Manchester City last summer. The result moved Chelsea up to eighth in the Premier League table before the second part this weekend of the 21st round of fixtures which have been split to accommodate the winter break. Chelsea have ten days between the

match against the Cottagers and their next fixture, the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge next Tuesday, with the Blues trailing 1-0. The players were given there days off after their win over Marco Silva’s side. Pochettino returned to Spain where his family live. Pochettino’s son, Maurizio, plays for Gimnàstic de Tarragona, a third-tier side based around an hour south of Barcelona and where Poch Sr is a regular visitor. "We need some rest for the players, and the staff, also," Pochettino said. "It's [been] a really busy period and they need to breathe a little bit. Yes, and then we are going to prepare. We will have seven days to prepare for Middlesbrough. We will then play on the Friday in the FA Cup against Aston Villa and then on Wednesday against

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Gusto caught Willian with his studs in the 39th minute when the game was 0-0. Referee Anthony Taylor booked France rightback Gusto and the VAR, Michael Salisbury, went with the on-pitch decision. Cairney contrasted the incident to Everton striker Dominic CalvertLewin’s red card - which was later appealed and overturned - after a VAR check on his tackle on Crystal Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne in their FA Cup third-round game the previous week. “When you think Dominic Calvert-Lewin got sent off for not touching anyone and then that one was just a yellow card, I am just bamboozled,” Cairney said. “He has hit him clean. He has got shin pads but he has hit him high and in modern football you can’t do that. We saw it on the laptop at half-time and all six studs are on his leg. “We asked the ref at the time and he said it had gone to VAR to be checked, so we are so confused. I am just really confused, that’s normally a straight red. Maybe you don’t get these things away from home. It is strange.” Fulham manager Marco Silva said: “It’s a clear red card in that situation. “It’s difficult for Anthony Taylor to see if it’s red card or not. He decided yellow card and we have to be fair for him because in the moment it’s really quick for him to see that it was such a dangerous tackle from Malo Gusto. “But after that has to come the decision from the VAR to overturn the decision. So far in the Premier League, in ten moments nine are red cards and this afternoon wasn’t – it was a mistake from the VAR. “It would have had a huge impact on the game. The game is going to be completely different.”

Blues get chil time

Ben Chilwell made his first appearance since last September

Liverpool in the Premier League, so three different competitions. So we need three days off. "Too many of our players are going to be involved in March in the international break. Too many competitions, but they need now to to have some break." Pochettino - literally - wasn’t switching off, “because we are in the transfer window," he said. “I need to always be available 24 hours and to be in contact with the sporting director and the owners. Always something can appear." Defender Ben Chilwell made his first appearance since last September after he recovered from a hamstring injury, replacing Raheem Sterling in the 77th minute. “I'm happy to be back, it's a big win and after the result the other night

it was important we bounced back,” Chilwell said. “We're a very young team, we just need a bit more leadership. Personally, I want to try and take on that role and help the team in that respect. “I want to get forward when I can, and be defensively solid too. It’s a very talented squad so hopefully we're going to get there and it can be a flick of a switch soon.” Chilwell was confident Palmer would beat goalkeeper Bernd Leno from the spot. “It was never in doubt. Like he said, he's missed a few chances but all the top players miss chances,” he said. “He took the pressure on himself, scored the penalty and won us the game. “We don't expect anything less from him.”

Hoops boss rues missed chances as drop worries increase

By John Kelly

QueenS Park rangers manager marti cifuentes believes there is enough quality in the side to get out of relegation trouble after their 2-1 defeat to Watford last weekend left them five points from safety.

The Hoops had sixteen attempts on goal and seven on target to the visitors’ nine and two, respectively, at Loftus Road. The Hornets went 2-0 up within five second-half minutes, Jake Livermore opening the scoring on

the hour and then adding another, only the second time in the 34-yearold former England midfielder’s career he had scored more than once in a game. Lyndon Dykes got one back with thirteen minutes left, but the hosts couldn’t find an equaliser. QPR created some gilt-edged chances as Sinclair Armstrong was denied by Ben Hamer and Jack Colback shot wide when the score was 1-0. “It was an extremely disappointing result,” Cifuentes said. “We created a lot of chances and we didn’t concede

many, but football is about taking those opportunities. “I can praise the guys for their performance but it’s about taking those chances and getting the result. “We had a good start to the game without creating a huge amount of opportunities. I think in the second half we were more threatening in front of goal, we had a one-on-one with the keeper straight away and if you miss them, it can be difficult. “We definitely showed a reaction in the last 20 minutes which was pleasing as it shows that we aren’t a team that is going to give up easily.

“We chased not only the draw but the victory and I think we had the chances to score a couple of goals more. “You have to win football games. We not only need these victories to get the points we need, but we also need them for confidence. “Unfortunately, at this moment margins aren’t on our side. We need to keep on working, keep pushing and if we play at the level that we did today, we can win a lot of football games. But we have to take our chances. “There is quality in the players to

get out of this, but we must improve, there is no doubt about that.” QPR have gone seven league games without a win, and host Millwall this Saturday. Cifuentes said: “We need to make the effort this month as a club to make sure we improve from the situation we are in, we need those victories. “The next two games are going to be so important for us and again we need to make sure that going forward we take the lead as we know we can be very difficult to beat.”


SPORT 31

Glove Affair

Matija Sarkic signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers in August

By Kiro Evans JOE EDWARDS is confident Nino Adom-Malaki will get the full EFL treatment after he was loaned to Sutton United until the end of the season.

Millwall keeper big fan of the new playing style By Kiro Evans GOALKEEPER MATIJA Sarkic is enjoying his “more important role” under Joe Edwards.

The progressive style introduced by the Millwall head coach sees the Lions build-up from the back more, which often sees the keeper involved in trying to spark attacking moves. The project saw Millwall produce a vibrant and attacking first 30 minutes against Middlesbrough, which Sarkic branded “the best football we’ve played all season”. And the Lions no.1, who kept four clean sheets in a row over the Christmas period, is taking great pleasure out of being more involved with the team’s in-possession efforts. He told our paper: “I like to think that in this new style of play that we

have that I have a more important role than I would have under a more direct approach. I have the ball a lot more at my feet, I’m setting tempo and I’m not saying I’m dictating the game, but I am making more of an impact with the ball at my feet. So I’m enjoying that and it’s something that does suit me as well. “I like to think I have a good game understanding so I like helping the [outfield] players and making the right decisions. And if I see different pictures because of where I am on the pitch, I can tell them or help them make a decision as well. “I think we are improving and moving in the right direction and I think everyone can see that.” Before running out of steam against Boro, Millwall flummoxed Michael Carrick’s side by switching up their

range of passing and committing bodies into the attack from all angles. Sarkic, 26, believed fans got to see the type of football the Lions want to play under Edwards. He added: “You get teams that overplay a little bit and not really get anywhere. Where you want to be unpredictable so you want to have that element of being composed at the back and be able to be direct to drag out teams, affect their back line and then penetrate them as quick as possible. “That’s the aim - to move the team around, create space and use that space to be dangerous. That’s the aim behind it. It’s very tactical and about understanding where the spaces are.” It has not all been plain-sailing for the keeper however after a injury to his quad muscles saw Sarkic miss

target. “That little period of nine minutes has cost us the game,” Jackson said. “It’s frustrating because I think it was a really good performance from our team. We dominated the first half completely and then they had their moments in the second and got their goals in that period. “We switched off for the two goals, one’s a set-play and the other is a cross into our box, which we knew would be their threat. “But we’ve had enough chances ourselves at the other end to probably win. We knew we wouldn’t necessarily get loads of chances here so you have to take them. From the box to box we were by far the better team but the scoreline

reads 2-0 and that’s what matters.” Jackson wants to add further to the squad this month. He said: “It’s obvious that we need some bodies. With Josh Neufville being out and the two boys (Ali Al-Hamadi and Omar Bugiel) being away, we haven’t got a striker on the bench. You want to be able to make the changes off the bench that can go and impact the game. “The boys have got to rest up, they gave everything out there, they didn’t get what they deserve or what the supporters who travelled in their numbers deserved.” The Dons host Crawley Town on Saturday at 3pm.

Dons pay price for ‘switching off’ By John Kelly

JOHNNIE JACKSON felt his side had enough good chances to get a result at promotion-chasing Wrexham last weekend but “switched off” to allow the hosts plunder two goals in nine minutes to take the points.

Steven Fletcher and Paul Mullin scored in the second half as Wrexham boosted their chances of automatic promotion. The 12,478 attendance was the hosts’ highest since March 1980. Wimbledon fans played their part in that after they sold out the away end. Wimbledon had seventeen attempts on goal but only one of them was on

League Two loan for Lions ace

twelve games earlier this season. Bartosz Bialkowski did a great job replacing him but Sarkic insists he was not having sleepless nights worrying about getting back in the team. He said: “I’m a team player. At the end of the day, I want my team to do well. If Bart’s doing well, and the manager decides to keep him in that’s his decision and I can only support Bart and do my best in training. But I can only control what I can control. If he’s playing and doing well, then credit to him. “The team is all working towards the same goal and there’s no animosity or anything like that. We have a good relationship and we’re all mature enough to understand that there’s one goalkeeper spot so if someone’s in, it’s because he deserves to be there.”

The nineteen-year-old has been on the fringes of Millwall’s first team squad all season but has yet to make his debut. The full-back will now be hoping to make an impact at League Two Sutton United, who are now managed by Millwall legend Steve Morison and in the middle of a relegation battle. Edwards said of the loan: “Since I’ve come in Nino’s trained with us a fair amount so I’ve seen him a lot. You get to that point when you’re a young player and, particularly around the Christmas period, you end up with the first-team in a lot of training sessions where there’s small groups. “So as much as you gain a lot from being around the first-team, you can lose out on playing football matches at a senior level. “League Two is a tough level to play at and he definitely needs it as he’s more of the modern kind of full-back and wing-back that loves to attack and is very comfortable on the ball. “But certainly there will be some elements of the game in that level where the defensive and physical nature of it will be a step up for him and a real good development.”

Nino Adom-Malaki has been on Millwall’s bench eleven times this season

Ravens spot on to reach fifth round of FA Trophy

By John Kelly

BROMLEY HAVE been drawn at home to Aveley in the fifth round of the FA Trophy after beating Chippenham Town 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Hayes Lane last weekend.

Ben Krauhaus gave Bromley the lead in the first half before National League South Chippenham levelled through Craig Fasanmade on 63 minutes. Michael Cheek, Olufela Olomola, Jude Arthurs and former Millwall defender Besart Topalloj were successful from

the penalty spot, with goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe the hero as he saved Tom Owen-Evans’ effort. Caine Bradbury was the other player to miss for the Bluebirds as he fired over the crossbar. The Ravens will be confident of securing their place in the quarterfinals when they play National League South Aveley at Hayes Lane on February 10. Andy Woodman’s second-place side host Boreham Wood, who are fifteenth, in the National League this Saturday at 3pm.


Community matters

INSIDE

Sport Southwark S outhLondonWeekly. Southwark

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roy keen on kal

MARTI BACKS R'S TO BEAT DROP

page 31 Kalvin Phillips needs regular football ahead of Euro 2024

By John Kelly PeTerBorouGh uniTed director of football Barry Fry has told striker Jonson clarkeharris to accept charlton athletic’s offer of personal terms - because he won’t do better elsewhere.

England midfielder could leave Pep’s City this month By Paul Green roy hodGSon says crystal Palace could potentially be interested in a loan move for manchester city midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

The 28-year-old has struggled to make an impact at the Etihad since completing a 2022 switch from Leeds United. Phillips has been linked with a January move away from the treble winners to boost his chances of making Gareth Southgate’s European Championship squad this summer. And Hodgson didn’t exactly deny Palace could be among those chasing his signature, although realistically it would only be on a temporary basis. The SE25 chief said: “He’s a good

player. I would like to think that if Kalvin Phillips is available and is a possibility for the club – once again, there would be financial restrictions, who knows whether the club feels they can afford that – but if you’re talking about the level of player, I don’t think there would be many managers who would not say, ‘yeah, we’d be really happy to have him come to the club.’ “But as far as I’m concerned, it’s a name that’s out there. “All we know, like most other clubs, is there’s a possibility that Manchester City will either sell him or loan him.” Hodgson added: “If they are purely going to sell him, then I wouldn’t think we would be in the market. “If they are going to loan him, I would

like to think that possibly we could put our hand up and push ourselves forward and what we could then, of course, offer is probably the chance of playing regular football in the Premier League in the build-up to what is going to be a very important summer for England and obviously for him. “But we might not be the only club in that position, so at the end of the day a lot will have to happen I think before we find out where Kalvin Phillips is going to end up, if he’s going to go anywhere.” Financial Fair Play is very much the topic dominating the agenda right now after Everton and Nottingham Forest were hit with fresh charges this week. The Toffees have already been hit with a ten-point deduction earlier this

season and were hosting Palace on Wednesday in their third-round FA Cup replay. Hodgson was reluctant to comment on the rights and wrongs of their offfield issues, but did point out there are unlikely to be any similar problems for Eagles supporters to worry about. He said: “I think the club has been very well managed in the six years, I suppose, that I’ve been closely involved with it. “There’s only been one real spell of spending when a new investor came in, and that money was spent extremely wisely. “But I mean since that, I thought the club was very sensible in what they did. “They were very happy with the players they brought in.”

Blues linked with move for Ballon d’Or striker By John Kelly cheLSea are targeting karim Benzema to ease their striker shortage.

The Blues want to beef up their options after injuries left them with just one senior forward in their 1-0 win against

Fulham last weekend, Armando Broja. Former France international, Champions League winner and 2022 Ballon d'Or recipient Benzema, 36, only moved to Saudi Arabian Pro League side Al-Ittihad from Real Madrid last summer but reportedly already wants out. Arsenal and Manchester United are also

being linked with Benzema. Chelsea are also reportedly interested in Aston Villa attacker Jhon Duran, 20. The Colombian joined Villa from Chicago Fire a year ago but hasn’t been able to nail down a regular place in the side. Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers are rumoured to want Broja,

Posh chief urges striker to join Addicks

but Chelsea would first have to secure a replacement. Reports claimed the Blues have expressed an interest in former Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres, 25, who plays for Sporting Lisbon and has an £87million release clause. But a move for the Sweden international is unlikely.

The Addicks have made two offers to Clarke-Harris, 29, but he has turned both of them down. Fry feels that given the current financial climate, Clarke-Harris, who is out of contract in the summer, won’t have better offers flooding in. Charlton and the Posh have agreed a fee of around £500,000 for Clarke-Harris, who has scored ten goals in 24 appearances this season. Clarke-Harris wasn’t in Darren Ferguson’s match-day squad in their 2-1 win over Michael Appleton’s side at The Valley last weekend. "Jonno has turned down two contract offers from Charlton,” Fry told the Peterborough Telegraph. “It’s up to him of course, but he isn’t going to get a better offer or a better club, in my opinion. "He could believe he will be financially better off if he leaves for nothing in the summer, but clubs are struggling financially and with financial fair play rules. "Two Premier League clubs got charged [this week] and I know of half a dozen Championship clubs who are struggling to stay within the rules. The money isn’t there any more.” Meanwhile, Chem Campbell returned to Wolverhampton Wanderers this week before signing for Charlton’s League One rivals Wycombe Wanderers on loan to the end of the season. Winger Campbell, 21, started in the defeat against the Posh but was substituted at half-time. Campbell made sixteen appearances for Charlton and scored twice. THE RECYCLED PAPER CONTENT OF UK NEWSPAPERS IN 2014 WAS 83.5%


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